March 2023 Nationally known dealers Our Show Chairman for the 2023 Glass Show is, once again, Silvano Brugioni. Silvano's email address is: Brugioni@ameritech.net and he can be reached at (708) 655-1702. There will be over 25 dealers from around the country. The glass and pottery that will be for sale is all American made. We will have early American pattern glass, elegant or handmade glassware, depression glassware, kitchen glassware, Pyrex, Fire King, and Fenton. There will be something for everyone. Our show dealers will also have available for sale, items to help set the table, such as linens, silverware, etc. Glass Identifcation and Glass Repair All weekend there will be a glass identification table. Bring in that piece of glass to be identified. Our members will use the clubs extensive reference library to help in the identification. In addition, there will be a professional crystal repair service all weekend, so bring in any pieces that have a small "ding" and see if they can be restored to near original condition. Show Hours The public is invited during the hours of 10:00am to 5:00pm on Saturday March 13, 2022 and 11:00am to 4:00pm on Sunday March 14, 2022. Admission is $9.00 per person, good for both days. For more information call 708-655-1702. : , , . , , . By Oliver VanDervoort, Contributing Writer Share NORC (the National Opinion Research Center) at the University of Chicago announced that it was going to be opening a call center in New Mexico back on October. Now the call center is moving forward with plans to hire as many as 400 people in order to populate the center. While this kind of news is usually good for the community, there is a bit of a catch in that most of the people the firm is looking to hire are part timers. We have just begun the process of training our first large intake of supervisory and management staff for our survey research center in Albuquerque, Eric Young, a NORC spokesman told the ABQJournal recently, adding that he expects the center to open later this month. The customer service call center has a plan that will be adding employees at a rather deliberate pace. The plan is apparently to initially employ about 200 people. The company has said it will be using a flexible scheduling tool that will incorporate a Web-based shift swap board. This will allow workers to build a schedule that is able to work for them as well as look past other commitments. The company says that the majority of shifts are going to be starting in the late afternoon and evening. Those shifts are said to be starting between 3 and 6 p.m. NORC says that the wages for these positions are going to be starting at $10.50 per hour, but the firm will be paying $11 an hour to bilingual candidates. The firm has said that the people it hires, especially in this first wave, will be able to see a chance of some pretty impressive advancement within the first six months of being hired. The basis for these jobs will be reaching out to talk to people to obtain information about things such as health care, employment, education and other aspects of their lives. [February 15, 2016] Florida Accountable Care Services and UnitedHealthcare are Improving Patients' Care in Central Florida Florida Accountable Care Services (FACS) and UnitedHealthcare are launching an accountable care program to improve people's health and their satisfaction with their health care experience. This Smart News Release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160215005652/en/ U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson (Fla.) joins Dr. Sandeep Bajaj, founder and CEO of Florida Accountable Care Services, and David Lewis, CEO of UnitedHealthcare of Florida on Monday, Feb. 15, 2016, to announce the launch of the new accountable care partnership that will serve patients in Central Florida (Photo: Julie Fletcher/UnitedHealthcare). The joint effort, which goes live April 1, will focus largely on dedicating more resources to care coordination and making it easier to share important health information so that every doctor involved in a patient's care is supporting the same treatment plan. UnitedHealthcare and FACS' accountable care program changes how people's medical care is paid for in Central Florida, moving away from a system that reimburses for quantity of services provided to one that rewards the quality of patients' health outcomes and has the potential to reduce overall costs. More than 20,000 people enrolled in UnitedHealthcare's individual and employer-sponsored health plans are eligible to benefit from this collaboration. FACS was created four years ago by independent physicians and other local health care experts to help Florida physicians manage and operate Accountable Care Organizations. More than 350 physicians, including primary care doctors and specialists, now belong to FACS, giving Central Florida residents access to a broad community of health care professionals. FACS provides physicians with the tools, services and technical expertise they need to succeed as health care transitions to a performance-based system. "We are excited to partner with UnitedHealthcare to apply our expertise in health care innovation and patient-centered programs to improve the health of their plan participants and advance toward overall population health management," said Dr. Sandeep Bajaj, founder and CEO of FACS. "Together, we expect to achieve even better health outcomes and improve patient satisfaction, while reducing the overall cost of care." Many people who have gone to the doctor or hospita - particularly those with complex or chronic illnesses - have found they often have to connect information from each of their doctor's visits themselves, and have sometimes received duplicative tests or care that isn't coordinated. Through this collaboration, UnitedHealthcare and FACS will work closely to better coordinate patients' care, using shared technology, real-time data and information about emergency room visits and hospital admissions, and services designed to help patients manage their chronic health conditions and encourage healthy lifestyles. UnitedHealthcare will supplement FACS own data to help support overall population health, giving the entire care team clear, actionable data about individual patients' health needs, potential gaps in care and proactive identification of high-risk patients. Patient navigators may also be used to support community-based care coordination, such as helping with planning after a patient is discharged from the hospital and scheduling follow-up appointments. "Thousands of UnitedHealthcare plan participants turn to physicians participating in Florida Accountable Care Services to receive quality, compassionate care, and with this new accountable care program we can help ensure that people receive more personalized and better connected care," said David Lewis, CEO of UnitedHealthcare of Central and North Florida. "Putting more resources into how their care is coordinated, and paying their care providers based on the quality of care and health outcomes, will significantly enhance people's ability to live healthier lives." UnitedHealthcare serves nearly 3.4 million people across Florida with network of 255 hospitals and more than 43,500 physicians and other care providers statewide. More than 13 million people enrolled in UnitedHealthcare plans across the country have access to accountable care programs, delivered in part through more than 750 accountable care arrangements nationwide as the organization engages in deeper, more collaborative relationships with physicians and hospitals. Care providers nationwide are showing strong interest in a shift to value-based care. UnitedHealthcare's total payments to physicians and hospitals that are tied to value-based arrangements have tripled in the last three years to $45 billion. By the end of 2018, UnitedHealthcare expects that figure to reach $65 billion. For more information about UnitedHealthcare's full spectrum of value-based initiatives, visit www.UHC.com/valuebasedcare. About Florida Accountable Care Services Based out of Orlando, Florida the FACS team is comprised of a diverse panel of Healthcare Industry Veterans and Expert Independent Physicians in Central Florida. For the past 7 years they have been involved in many facets of Value-Based Healthcare Models and have promoted the Independent Practice of Medicine. They have been highly successful in the Accountable Care Organization Program treating over 15,000 patients and saving over 14 Million dollars generating true value to their patients, fellow providers, and to the payers all along the I-4 Corridor and beyond. For more information visit, Florida Accountable Care Services at www.floridaaco.com. About UnitedHealthcare UnitedHealthcare is dedicated to helping people nationwide live healthier lives by simplifying the health care experience, meeting consumer health and wellness needs, and sustaining trusted relationships with care providers. The company offers the full spectrum of health benefit programs for individuals, employers, military service members, retirees and their families, and Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries, and contracts directly with more than 1 million physicians and care professionals, and 6,000 hospitals and other care facilities nationwide. UnitedHealthcare is one of the businesses of UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH), a diversified Fortune 50 health and well-being company. For more information, visit UnitedHealthcare at www.uhc.com or follow @myUHC on Twitter (News - Alert). Click here to subscribe to Mobile Alerts for UnitedHealth Group. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160215005652/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [February 16, 2016] Nextdoor Expands Internationally, Starting with the Netherlands SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 16, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Nextdoor (nextdoor.com), the free and private social network for neighborhoods, today announced that it is expanding internationally, starting with the Netherlands. Nextdoor is now used by more than half of all neighborhoods in the United States, with 92,164 communities. This launch marks the first non-English implementation of Nextdoor and its first international office. The product has been localized and is now offered fully in Dutch or English on Web, iOS, and Android devices. "Our goal has always been to bring Nextdoor to every neighbor, in every neighborhood, across the world," said Nirav Tolia, Co-Founder and CEO of Nextdoor. "We started with neighborhoods in the U.S. and have been blown away by the response. Now it is time to expand our focus to include the rest of the world." On Nextdoor, neighbors create private online communities for their neighborhoods where they can ask questions, get to know one another, and exchange local advice and recommendations. Topics of discussion are as varied as local events, school activities, plumber and babysitter recommendations, recent criminal activity, upcoming garage sales or lost pets. "The Netherlands was an obvious first choice for our international expansion," said Tolia. "The country has always been an early adopter of technology and has very strong neighborhood identity." During a very successful three-month pilot period, 93 neighborhoods have embraced Nextdoor in cities and villages across the Netherlands to build even better neighborhoods. Te ways neighbors use Nextdoor does not vary greatly from the United States, but Dutch neighbors do seem to be a bit more social and generous. On average, Nextdoor members in the Netherlands give away 10 times the amount of free items per neighborhood, and host 8.5 times more events per neighborhood than Nextdoor members in the United States. "The Dutch have quickly adopted Nextdoor as the best place to discuss the things that matter most in our communities," said Tamar van de Paal, Dutch Country Manager for Nextdoor. "We are thrilled to be the first country outside of the U.S. to be able to utilize this valuable community building platform to build even better neighborhoods." "The best companies have global potential because they address a universal problem," said Bill Gurley, General Partner at Benchmark. "We have always felt that Nextdoor's value proposition could be extended beyond the U.S. I am excited for the company to take the first step in this journey." Nextdoor is aggressively pursuing plans to grow its international presence beyond the Netherlands, and plans to begin a pilot phase in the United Kingdom in the coming months. To sign up for Nextdoor in the U.S., visit Nextdoor.com or download the free mobile apps. To sign up for Nextdoor in the Netherlands, visit Nextdoor.nl or download the free mobile apps. About Nextdoor.com, Inc. Nextdoor (nextdoor.com) is the private social network for neighborhoods. Using Nextdoor's platform, available on Web and mobile devices, neighbors create private online communities where they get to know one another, ask questions, exchange advice and recommendations, and address crime and safety concerns. More than 92,164 neighborhoods across the United States are using Nextdoor to build stronger and safer places to call home. Headquartered in San Francisco, Calif., Nextdoor is a privately-held company with the backing of prominent investors, including Benchmark, Greylock Partners, Tiger Global Management, Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, and others. For additional information and images: nextdoor.com/newsroom Contact information: Kelsey Grady, Head of Communications, [email protected] Kitty van muiswinkel, Communications Manager, Netherlands, [email protected] Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160215/333447 Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160215/333446 To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/nextdoor-expands-internationally-starting-with-the-netherlands-300220441.html SOURCE Nextdoor [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Everyone who is anyone in the Ghanaian music industry has been to the Bless The Mic showcase. The show which began rolling in 2008 has given a home to many artiste; granting the likes of Sarkodie, E. L, X.O Senavoe, Gemini, Efya, D-Black, Stonebwoy and more their first glimpse of the spotlight. Bless the mic is beyond an event. It has become an integral part of the Hip Hop and general arts culture of Ghana. From Base lounge, to Alliance Francaise to Champs bar, the event has built memories and celebrated Ghanaian music, attracting international attention. With visits from Ramzy Noah, Akon and more, features on Aljazeera, Reuters, amongst many other international networks and countless accolades from industry greats, there's no doubt that Bless the Mic is the most revered musical showcase in the country. Over the weeks we'd remind you of some of our top moments, with the #BTMmoments series. See My favorite moments from the 2012 BTMfest. 16.02.2016 LISTEN The flagship activity of the 2016 GMW Festival would be held at the Prof John Evans Atta Mills High Street, in Accra on March 5 and March 6, 2016. The 2-Day non-stop musical explosion, which is organized in collaboration with Radio Golds 20th Anniversary, starts at 4pm on March 5th till late March 6th. In a huge carnival-style execution, the stretch of road from the CEPS traffic light near Musiga Head Office to the Accra Arts Centre traffic light would be blocked for the festival Highlights of the street activation include: [email protected] meets #GMWFestival 59 Ghanaian Musicians perform on Ghs 59 Anniversary Live bands + Indigenous music from all 10 regions of Ghana Comedy, spoken-word and motivational messages from 59 leading Ghanaians Made-In-Ghana showcase: the best of Ghanaian food, drinks and more 4Syte New Lordz Open Mic session Starr FM Highlife Rave and Live FM Jam HiSkuul Music Challenge Other Activities of the weeklong GMW Festival are: GMW Opening Day: On March 1, 2016, the GMW Festival will officially open with a Live Media Launch on GHONE, Starr FM, Radio Gold, Kasapa FM and Live FM Ghana Music Day: on March 2, 2016, Ghanaian music will fill our airwaves with musicians hosting various shows on selected radio & television stations, where we expect only Ghanaian Music to be played on this day. On the education and business front, Ghana Music Investment Forum, made up a series of educative topics, comes of at British Council Hall on March 3, 2016 from 10am. Managed by both local and international resource persons, it is supported by the American Embassy, British Council and Gold Coast Fund Management GMW International Music Expo: Very prominent this year would be presentation of a cross cultural mix-bag of musical performances from countries including USA, India, China, France, Germany, Nigeria etc. It comes off at the National Theatre at 8pm on Friday March 4, 2016 and supported by the American Embassy, IPMC, Alliance Francais, Goethe Institut, National Theatre and other foreign missions in Ghana. As a result of the World Launch activities held last year in the U.S and other parts of the world prior to the festival, a special package has been planned for our guests, who would visit a number of tourist attractions in Ghana, within the period. GMW 2016 is organized by Musiga in partnership with Ministry of Tourism Culture & Creative Arts, Showbiz Africa, EIB Network Group, Radio Gold and 4Syte TV. It is sponsored by Kasapreko Alomo Bitters, Aduanehene and other partners. Regular updates of GMW Festival are available at: Instagram: https:// www.instagram.com /ghanamusicweek Twitter: https:// twitter.com/ GHMusicWeek; Facebook: https :// www.facebook.com/ ghanamusicweekfestival GMW social media is driven by Hypenet Ghana GMW contact persons: Ahuma Ocansey- 0243 382 474; Big Willie- 0264111127; and Nana Yaw Osei-Darkwa- 0264 268 686 Kinshasa (AFP) - A strike called by the opposition to warn Democratic Republic of Congo's President Joseph Kabila against trying to cling to power disrupted life in Kinshasa Tuesday. Most shops were closed and buses of the Transco public transport service were almost empty. A stoppage by many taxis and motorcycle taxis also prevented people from getting to work. "We knew there would be no classes, but I came all the same to see for myself," secondary schoolgirl Priscilla said outside her school in the south of the metropolis of 10 million people. The strike "call to the people" was issued by a coalition including dozens of political parties and civil society organisations allied to the two main opposition parties in parliament and the Group of Seven (G7), consisting of parties that quit the presidential majority last November. Opposition leaders believe that Kabila, in power since 2001, wants to get round the constitution to run for office again, after his final mandate expires in December. Kabila's foes argue that his call for dialogue is a ploy ahead of elections due at the end of the year. The protest was also timed to mark the February 16 anniversary of a bloody crackdown on the "Christian march" of 1992, when many thousands of Roman Catholics rallied in a bid to persuade then dictator Mobutu Sese Seko to open the way for democracy. Police opened fire on the marchers, killing some 20 of them according to authorities, while organisers said about 100 people had been shot dead. - 'More fear than harm' - In January 2015, several dozen people were killed in Kinshasa when security forces cracked down on rioters after an opposition demonstration spiralled out of control of the organisers. Ahead of Tuesday's protest, police had announced a massive deployment to ensure that strikers did not try to prevent people who wanted to work from going to their jobs, but few police officers were seen on the streets except around the parliament buildings. "There is more fear than harm this morning," civil servant Henri-Paul told AFP at a bus stop where he and 10 other people had been waiting for two hours. "Since there are no break-ins, life is timidly picking up. I'm going to work to avoid being punished." At 9:00 am (0800 GMT), it was impossible to pick up the French world service radio RFI, which is widely popular in DR Congo. Both the local frequency and the one from Brazzaville, capital of the Republic of Congo across the Congo river, had been scrambled. "I'm following the strike," said Mardochee Nsele, a 30-year-old with a law degree who drives a motorcycle taxi to earn his crust. "Perhaps it will change something in this country. It has to change, good governance can't emerge if there is no democracy." Our attention has been drawn to a tribal attack made by the NDC Eastern regional Communication director Baba Jamal Konneh in an audio against the Akyems or Okyeman. In the audio, the Eastern Regional communication Director of the NDC, Baba Jamal Konneh, described we the Akyems as witches who are ungrateful if we failed to vote for President John Mahama in the November polls. He stressed on it by saying they (NDC) have done soo many developmental projects for we the Akyems and Kwahu where the opposition NPP obtains much votes during elections. We want to send this message to the Communication Director of NDC in the Eastern Region to first of all exhibit some Respect to the people from Akyem. The Akyem lands are not only made up of Akyems, there are other tribes living with us. It is an insult to the entire tribes living in Akyem since they also have their votes here. We won't tolerate such insults from the NDC anymore and the necessary actions are going to be taken by we the Youths and Akyems in general against the NDC government. Such comments and attitudes from the current government is a clear threat to peace and security ,which is very provoking and inciting of chaos . We want to tell the government point blank, it is highly incompetency and witchcraft that would make a government with all the Natural resources at its advantage boast of Unfinished Developmental projects for 8 solid years in power. It is a pity That for lack of campaign message, the government in power has decided to attack tribes they see as a threat to them winning in the November polls. Lets stay away from tribal politics and address issues which are paramount to help with the development of Ghana. .......... SIGNED....... Nana Yaw Osene-Akwah (OYA GENERAL SECRETARY) 0277170223 0554547843 16.02.2016 LISTEN The Christian church is in a state of disarray. In fact, today many of the people who claim to be Christian are not really Christian at all. When we take a good look at the church today, there is very little resemblance to the churches of yesterday. For this reason, more Christians should be wary of the people who they call brother or sister in Christ. In case you did not know, Jesus (Yeshua) did the same and counselled his brethren to do likewise. It is written, Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father who is in heaven (Mattityahu/Matthew 7:21). This article is about the need to know who is a whore and who is a Christian woman. The Law of Moses and the Law of the Spirit Written in stone is the Law of Moses. However, written on our heartsas children of the Most Highis the law of the Spirit of God. It is therefore interesting that after Christ (Mashiach) fulfilled the law, there are those who despite grace are unable to fulfill the same commands that Yeshua taught us do lead to righteousness. After all, righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit (Romans 14:17) is the focus of the Kingdom childs lifestyle. The Whores in Gods Church This is why there are so many whores in the church today: it is because their focus is the licentious and carnal cravings for lust, power, greed and whoredom in order to perform their will in the family unit. Todays women are mostly whorish in the sense that they are more heathen than ever. A heathen woman is a woman that does not obey Gods intended choice for headship. It is written, But I would have you knowthe head of the woman is the man (1 Corinthians 11:3). This apostolic doctrine was observed in the early church where even the virginity of daughters was placed under the authority of their birth fathers. What happened to todays heathen women that they are so whorish to be wearing whorish clothing in public? Perhaps there are no examples for them? Well, even the Christian women are wearing leggings in public? That tells you a lot; the generation has gone to the WHORES. How tacky for Christian women to publicly display such heathen behaviour. The need for Prophets of Judgment Where are the prophets who understand judgement? Where are the ones who understand doctrine? And where are the fathers whose children have respect for authority? These are needed to show out whores in the church. The choice of God is to save the people who as a result of trusting in His Word are ready to die for the sake of the gospel. For it is written, Here is the patience and the faith of the saints (Revelation 13:10). Women who are whores and love licentiousness are heathen women. Do not be deceived! They are not Christian. They are heathen! In truth, the single most deadly sin of todays church is the sin of denying the knowledge of sin. When a woman dresses like a whore in public, she is sinning against God and men. Todays church tolerates every sick tendency of heathen women purporting to be Christian. Therefore, Christians must be ready for open rebuke of whores who hate sound doctrine. And if they will not repent they need to be ex-communicated (i.e. kicked out of the church!). Yeshuas Church will judge the world I am an apostle. An apostle is a prophet with orders sent from the Most High. Recently, I had to rebuke many women in various outside settings about their whorish dressing habits. One of them was in a restaurant. Another was in a grocery store. I will, God willing, tell you more and testify about others later. In the previous cases, both of the women were whores of Babylon claiming in spirit to be children of God. I rebuked one in a Muslim-owned grocery store for pretending to be a Christian while wearing stupid attire in public. When I rebuked both of them openly in public they nearly fainted of shame. However, Yeshua was glorified and the distinction between the heathen woman and the church women was clearly seen for a change. In seasonmeaning when God gives me opportunity and the go aheadI will be writing to the Jamaican church to tell it in particular that its women are among the most whorish, lascivious and stupid in the church today. My people, these are among the vilest women you will find on the face of the earth. Why would a man of God call women these names? It is because Yeshua is holy and Yahweh his Father hates whores who do not repent of their sins. I am going to openly rebuke women in the Ghanaian church in season. Among the Ghanaian church women, the whores are so bold, that even the Muslim women who do not know Yeshua as Lord are more presentable than the so called Christian women. Where are the men of God who said they would die for the faith and remain holy until his coming? We need them today in order to purge the church of whores of the Babylonian system whose claim to fame is Christianity of the heathen. Sincerely, Apostle of the Most High, Mawuetornam Dugbazah NB: This article is dedicated to the 144,000 from all of the tribes of Yisrael who will prophesy judgement in the end times. If Yeshuas blood is of value to you, then get your priests and prophets ready to stop being whores and to stop marrying righteous men to whores of Babylon in the church. Marriage is sacred. We need heathen women to get out of the church! 16.02.2016 LISTEN Recently, the Civil Institute of Democratic Administration (CIDA) made him a Professional Fellow on the grounds that he had contributed to the promotion of democratic administration and development as a Municipal Chief Executive and the President of the National Association of Local Authorities of Ghana. The municipality is Asunafo North and the Mayor, Hon. Alhaji Mohammed Doku. Have you ever asked yourself what goes into awarding a man, irrespective of his flaws and imperfections, his human nature and as human as he might be? Have you ever wondered why Adewale, the young guy in your neighborhood, after having been elected the senior prefect of his school, to lead his peers and subordinates should be given that recognition when you probably least expected his 'sudden' rise to societal importance? That seem to be the story of Alhaji Mohammed Doku, the most vindicated Mayor to have served the county of Asunafo North in the Brong Ahafo region of Ghana. The Lord Mayor of Ghana, Dean of Ghanaian Mayors. To borrow the words of Brother Atubiga, the professional latrician, 'the poor boy from Goaso'. Alhaji Mohammed Doku, the son of a tomatoes seller in the Goaso daily market, born and bred without a silver spoon, the hustler turned political star, a man of great principle (if he were to be a VANDAL, he may have been the Chief VANDAL of his year group) has once again been nominated as the best performing Mayor In Ghana. How true? He was the last DCE of the NDC-administration prior the 2000 elections and was re-nominated and elected an MCE in 2009 by Prof John Evans Atta Mills of blessed memory to among so many responsibilities maintain peace, tranquility and stability in the municipality he's been given jurisdictional authority over. When you take a look at the adjourning constituencies, Asunafo North can be said to be the most peaceful municipality in the Brong Ahafo and possibly Ghana irrespective of the Ayum labor agitations, vitriolic of the NPP, some recalcitrant head of departments, timber galamseys, etc. Alhaji Mohammed Doku has proven that he understands the workings and patterns of security. ....To be continued Edem Koku Edem NDC-Asunafo North Youth Organizer [email protected] 0207046079 The Zongo Movement for Change (ZOMOC) is embarrassed by desperate attempts by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to ridicule the progressive Zongo Development Fund (ZDF) - a development policy aimed at bridging the development gap in Zongo communities, recently announced by Dr Mahamudu Bawumia on behalf of Nana Addo Dankwa Akuffo-Addo, the NPP Presidential Candidate for the 2016 General Elections. We can understand the NDC's panic reaction to this well-laid out policy by Nana Akuffo-Addo for two simple reasons: 1. The NDC's neglect and constant deceit of Zongo communities. 2. The overwhelming acceptance of the NPP's ZDF by Zongo communities since it was announced. The NDC has been hit and unsettled by the massive support Zongo communities throughout the country have accorded the NPP throughout the community tours of Dr Mahamudu Bawumia. Every sincere political party seeking the mandate of its people to govern must not do so with propaganda and empty rhetorics. It must do so sincerely with a bold, achievable policy such as the NPP has done with the ZDF. As serious as the NPP is, the ZDF policy has become its working document for seeking the mandate of Zongo communities in the 2016 Presidential and Parliamentary elections. Campaigning for elections is a serious business which should not be reduced to child's play, propaganda and deceit. It should be about policies and alternative policies to help electorates decide. ZOMOC, therefore, wishes to urge the NDC to stop the ludicrous theatrics of running down the NPP's ZDF policy without any alternative policy for Zongo communities. For a party that has ruled Ghana for the past seven years and nearly half of Ghana's independence without any tangible policy to develop Zongo communities, the NDC should have been the first to commend the NPP for such a positive step of having a major policy focusing on Zongo communities. We are not surprised the NDC has taken this route of condemning a policy by the NDC as being impossible to implement. It is their stock-in-trade and the following historical records prove us right: 1. The NPP came up with the progressive Northern Development Fund policy ahead of the 2008 Elections and it is public knowledge how the NDC condemned the policy but later stole the idea and changed the name into SADA, which turned out to be a conduit for ripping off Ghanaians. 2. The NPP came up with the free SHS policy and we know how the NDC condemned it but later stole the idea and messed it up with a ridiculous 38 cedis subsidy for day SHS students. Developing Zongo communities is not about rhetorics, as we have stated earlier. Neither is it about distributing sugar and rice during Eid celebrations. It is therefore, a great insult for any political party to imagine that distributing freebies to our communities during Eid and prior to elections is akin to development. Zongo communities have been shortchanged for far too long in spite of the abundance of talent, incredible human resource and hardworking people. Development has stagnated in the Zongos in terms of infrastructural and human resource development. ZOMOC wishes to reiterate its support for the Zongo Development Fund because it is our belief that the realisation of such a vision will go in a long way to help in the development of Zongos which have been politically exploited by some political parties who have enjoyed immense support in the Zongos without any corresponding, tangible development to show. ZOMOC maintains that the Zongo Development Fund proposal is a bold statement of intent by the NPP and Nana Akuffo-Addo. We believe that with the right legal framework to back it if they win the elections, it will be an effective way of significantly ameliorating the stagnant development in Zongos and help transform the lives of the Zongo populace. Long Live Ghana. SIGNED: PUBLICITY COMMITTE 1. Khalid Abdul-Kadir Mainasara - 0556793087 2. Mohammed Hashir-Issah - 0243169615 3. Abdul-Rahman Cisse - 0555214705 4. Abdul-Raheem Musa - 0505576124 The EU Refugee crisis can not be effectively tackled without addressing the root problems. Why the unique higher education program for development in conflict zones with or without internet connectivity is the key to stop refugee flow? Is this the cheapest, most effective and most durable way to eventually reverse the trend by stabilizing the sending countries for a longer run? KEY BENEFITS: Accessible in all geographic areas - including conflict zones Accessible to all communities and groups (regardless of gender or economic status) No cost to students High quality, needs-based content Flexible learning access TV, online platform and offline CD package Quality controlled assessment Designed and led by international experts in higher education Programme delivered in 3 languages: English, Dari and Pashto A model for accessible, needs-based higher education globally Dunya University of Afghanistan (DUA), in association with Swiss UMEF University of Geneva, has developed a new, critically-needed education programme for delivery to the population of Afghanistan. Drawing on the expertise and extensive experience of leaders from Afghanistans higher education sector and faculty from around the world, this initiative provides access to high quality higher education specifically designed to respond to the needs of the Afghan population, whose country continues to suffer the impact of decades of war. One of the major problems in Afghanistan for over 40 years now has been the lack of access to education across all sectors of society. We have therefore developed a new method of teaching open to all at no cost to the student. The key innovation of this integrated, progressive programme is its flexible access using three methods of delivery : teaching by television, an online learning platform and offline learning (with CD course and textbook package). This means that the programme is accessible to all communities, including those in conflict zones, as well as to different learner groups, economically, geographically and culturally. The initiatives rationale is anchored in the critical need to develop an educated and confident population in Afghanistan, and in doing so, nurture future leaders with an ethical focus on the interests of the country and region and the world. By providing high quality education opportunities to diverse groups in all sections of the population, this programme promotes and supports future economic prosperity, stronger social cohesion and therefore greater security in Afghanistan. Students are offered undergraduate and graduate modules in relevant subjects including management and business, finance and economics, innovation, leadership and diplomacy. All courses are designed and led by expert international faculty, with syllabi specifically adapted to the social and economic needs of Afghanistan, such as leadership courses for women and courses designed to foster and support entrepreneurial activity. The courses are available in English, Dari and Pashto. Delivery of the learning programme via three channels gives students optimum flexibility and accessibility: DUAs online platform serves those students in areas with connectivity, while the offline CD and textbook packs means students with no internet access can also follow the programmes. DUAs own television channel is dedicated solely to educational broadcasting and allows communities in even remote or conflict-affected zones to access the education programmes. Quality-controlled assessment will take place through interim exam centres set up in regional locations according to local enrolment numbers. This sets the programme apart from education delivered purely online, by maintaining rigorous, university assessment standards. Due to the ongoing shortage of higher education provision, more than 150,000 people annually remain unable to obtain a university place in Afghanistan. Our programme offers this sector of the population the opportunity to gain an education to support both their future and the future development of their country. It also provides young people who would otherwise leave Afghanistan with an incentive to stay in their country, and achieve success as students, citizens and potential future leaders. A quarter of refugees worldwide are from Afghanistan . Afghans make up the second largest refugee population in Europe, with at least 64,000 applications for asylum so far this year. The Afghan population needs the opportunity, incentive and motivation of accessible, quality education in order to build confidence within the country and region. Our initiative is supported by DUAs existing reputation in Afghanistan as leading education provider and trusted brand. We are very proud of this unique programme, which has been developed by academic experts of over 20 nationalities during a period of over five years. The faculty and researchers involved in development of the project have significant experience in education in conflict and/or post-conflict zones, and all bring their commitment to development of accessible education to support leadership for peace and security. Following successful delivery of this programme in Afghanistan, our aim is to make this programme available as an effective model for other conflict and post-conflict countries in world. Dr. Djawed SANGDEL, professor of Entrepreneurship, is the Swiss UMEF University Rector, based in Geneva, Switzerland. He authors numerous publications, applied research findings, programs and projects on three continents. 16.02.2016 LISTEN In the prologue of the book Romeo And Juliet it is written that, Two households, both alike in dignity, In fair Verona, where we lay our scene, from ancient grudge break to new mutiny, where civil blood makes civil hands unclean. From forth the fatal loins of these two foes A pair of star cross lovers take their life; whose misadventurd piteous overthrows Doth with their death bury their parents strife. Interestingly, this quote is apt for the analogy I want to draw. The Montagues, (NDC) and the Capulets (NPP) are the undisputable two main political parties in the country, who are always on each others throats in fair Ghanas political terrain, with party pundits uttering terrifying imprecations against each other on a daily basis. For instance, if the Montagues should, for any reason increase taxes the Capulets and Ghanaians in general, will echo their lamentations to the high hills, writing them off as a bunch of unconscionable, incompetent nihilist, who dont have the citizenry at heart. In like manner, the Capulets were branded as capitalist who were seeking for the welfare of non but their already-bloated stomachs and that of their chronies. Depicting the capulets as a group of cruel men and women with bacchanalian desires was the chorus of the Montagues. Certainly, from forth the fatal loins of all these accusations and counter accusations the populace suffers, ordinary people like me and you bear the brunt of these two parties.The Ghanaian worker cannot pay his bills, neither can we feed ourselves or our families satisfactorily. Accessing medical care is a scary issue we will not want to deliberate on. If, indeed, the leader of the Montagues made a remark to the effect that he should be given a second term, to as it were, fill the average Ghanaians pocket with cash is anything to go by, then the Capulets are right in their response that the Montagues have taken us for fools. And, of couse, we have no doubt in our minds as Capulets (and Ghanaians in general) that the flag-bearer of the Montagues spoke balderdash as usual and displaying one of his hypocritical trump-cards to propagandistically confuse the largely ignorant voter population. It is obvious to note, that, Shake Speare in his famous book, Measure for Measure was right about the sanctimonious pirate [sic] who went to sea with the ten commandments but scraped one out of them; thou shall not steal. The Capulets are as adamant as ever in their stance that, the leader of the Montagues is a common brute, with his appointees and chronies clownishly defending him as though we are not aware they have expunged morality and, if you like, concience from Ghana. Surely, the Gitmo saga/scandal is enough attestation to this assertion. We will not be wrong to call upon them to consider the saying in shake Speares Measure for Measure that We should not make a scarecrow of the law, setting it up to fear the birds of prey, And let it keep one shape till custom make it their perch and not their terror. Has the President admitted to infringing on the anti-terrorism act, act 762 and very conspicuous provision, article 75 s2 in the 1992 Constitution of Ghana? We will like to know. By the same token, we want to categorically state that the Montagues are ingrates and yahoos utterly incapable of amendment by precerpt or example. For the leader of the Montagues has treasonously, tratorously and devilishly negotiated with the US government to bring the notorious duo also known as the Gitmo two into the serene shores of Ghana. The avid reader will totally agree with Shake Speare in Mackbeth when Banquo emphatically remarked that, New honors come to him like our garments cleave not to their mould, But with the aid of use. We have no choice, other than to lend credence to the argument that, If the president had not been a novice, he would have at least, obtained verbal license from parliament to enable him embark on that quizotic mission that brought the notorious criminals into the tranquil environs of Ghana. Oh yea, not the man who is noli secundus-second to none-for he chose to use executive power to arm-twist the Ghanaian Constitution and of course, parliment to usher Ghanains into the obnoxious landscape of terrorism. Dont get us wrong, by attributing this piece to some sort of classical rebuke, for this is the voice of the voiceless. We are wondering when our dreams will come true considering the soaring electricity and water tariffs and who will come to our succour? Or just a case of the proverbial ingredients of the poisoned chalice to our own lips? Email: [email protected] 16.02.2016 LISTEN The 10th Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organisation (WTO MC10), which coincidently marked the 20th Anniversary since the establishment of the WTO, was held for the first time on Africas soil in Nairobi, Kenya from December 15 to 19, 2015. Though scheduled to end on December 18th, MC10 negotiators had to do with an extra day of intense negotiations to finally deliver the Nairobi Ministerial Declaration, also referred to as the Nairobi Package, with six agreements under agriculture, cotton and benefits to least developed countries (LDCs). One of the major outcomes of the Nairobi meeting was the clear disagreement among minsters of Member States on the future of the Doha Development Agenda (DDA), which was thought to take care of the development needs and interests of developing and least developed countries that are in fact the majority of WTO members. Countries have so far failed to conclude the Doha Round after 12 years and 6 ministerial meetings since its launch. Paragraph 30 of the Nairobi Ministerial Declaration reads We recognize that many Members reaffirm the Doha Development Agenda.. [and] reaffirm their full commitment to conclude the DDA on that basis. Other Members do not reaffirm the Doha mandates, as they believe new approaches are necessary to achieve meaningful outcomes in multilateral negotiations, which may be interpreted to mean that single undertaking as a negotiating approach (nothing agreed until everything agreed) needs to be replaced by a more practical approach. The MC10 has also sent a signal that with the ever elusive conclusion of the Doha Round, there is a possibility of negotiating other new generation issues alongside outstanding Doha issues. WTO MC10 saw Liberia acceding to the WTO, alongside Afghanistan bringing the total number of WTO Members to 164 countries. Another major outcome of the Conference was the agreement among 53 major IT products exporting countries to eliminate tariffs on 201 IT products within three years for 89% and all by 2024, which will be extended for all WTO members. WTO MC10 has solicited mixed reactions. For some MC10 resulted in historic agreements while for others MC10 will be remembered as the graveyard of the DDA. The Nairobi Package contains six agreements on Export Competition, Public Stockholding for Food Security Purposes, Special Safeguard Mechanisms, Cotton, Preferential Rules of Origin; and Waiver on LDC Trade in Services. MC10 will be remember for the historic agreement on export subsidies. Ministers agreed in Nairobi for developed Members to immediately eliminate their remaining scheduled export subsidy entitlements, with few exempted products; developing countries to eliminate export subsidies by 2018 or 2022; while LDCs are allowed to continue using marketing and transport cost subsidies until 2030. This indeed can be viewed as the most important outcome on agriculture since the establishment of the WTO. MC10, however, bore no fruit when it comes to securing deadlines for a permanent solution on food stockholding and the use of special safeguard mechanisms to protect farmers from sudden import surges in developing countries, including specificities on volume and price triggers. African countries were also let down by the Decision on Cotton. African Trade Ministries had earlier on demanded for cotton to be addressed ambitiously, expeditiously and specifically in all there pillars of market access, domestic support and export competition for which MC10 resulted no commitment on the elimination of trade distorting domestic support by developed countries and was not ambitious enough in general. Neither did it result in binding commitments on LDC package that would be commercially meaningful for Africa as first expected by AU Trade Ministers Not all is doom and gloom though; apart from elimination of export subsidies, the Nairobi Ministerial Decision extended the waiver on preferential treatment in favour of services and service suppliers of LDCs for 15 years, as of the date of the Decision. Interesting times are ahead for WTO negotiators. Rift between those in favour of introducing new issues that are already being negotiated among some members within regional blocs and those in favour of seeing the DDA to its conclusion is expected to deepen. The urge to balance interests and alliances among developing and least developed countries; and the dash to preserve the relevance of the WTO as the only international trade agreements forum are some of the political considerations trade experts would keenly follow in the coming years. The writer works at CUTS International Nairobi as Trade and Development Programme Officer. Email: [email protected] or [email protected] Sandra Abrokwa Owusu-Keyerematen (right) presenting the dummy cheque to Serwaa Quaynor (left) Tonaton.com, Ghana's largest online marketplace, has donated GH10,000 to the Autism Awareness Care and Training Center in Accra. The donation was to support the center in providing care to individuals and families affected by Autism Spectrum Disorder. Tonaton.com partnered some of the country's celebrities to organize a Celebrity Charity Sale to raise money to support the autism awareness care center. Celebrities such as John Dumelo, Joselyn Dumas, Deborah Vanessa, and Efya made some of their personal items available for sale on Tonaton.com to raise money to support the charity. Sandra Abrokwa Owusu-Keyerematen, Managing Director of Tonaton.com, who spoke during the presentation of the cheque, said the donation forms part of companys corporate social responsibility. She emphasized that part of the total amount was raised through the celebrity sale, stating that the company also added the rest. Ms Owusu-Keyerematen commended the Autism Center for playing a significant role in taking care of autistic people, promising more support for center. She said that Tonaton.com will also continue to educate Ghanaians about autism mainly through their social media channels. . We saw the wish list of the center and we hope that this money will go a long way to help satisfy some of their needs to promote the work of this center, she added. Serwaa Quaynor, owner of the Autism Awareness Care and Training Center, expressed appreciation to management of Tonaton.com for the donation, calling on other institutions and corporate bodies to emulate the gesture. According to her, autism is not a curse or demonic sickness as many perceive, urging Ghanaians to stop discriminating against people suffering from such sickness, stating that early intervention is key to finding cure to the sickness. Deborah Vanessa, a Ghanaian music celebrity, expressed joy for supporting the center, calling for more support for people suffering from autism. Autism Autism is a mental condition present from early childhood characterized by great difficulty in communicating and forming relationships with other people and using language and abstract concepts. [email protected] BY Cephas Larbi 16.02.2016 LISTEN Oil prices turned lower again on Monday as Iran prepared to ship its first consignment of the commodity since sanctions were lifted, reigniting worries over a global supply glut. Both main contracts had soared more than 10 percent on Friday on a report that the OPEC producers club was open to output cuts that could drag prices up from more than 12-year lows. The news provided some much-needed relief to the beleaguered asset, which has lost about three-quarters of its value since mid-2014 owing to the supply woes, overproduction, weak demand and a slowing economy. However, another of the issues hanging over prices returned this week as Iran gets set to re-enter the market, after Western-imposed sanctions over its nuclear programme were lifted. At 09:00, US benchmark West Texas Intermediate for March delivery was 19 cents lower at $29.25, while Brent for April fell 10c to $33.26. After a massive rebound in oil prices of well over 10 percent, traders are looking to take some of those gains off the table, said Bernard Aw, a market strategist at IG in Singapore. . The truth of the matter is that the supply glut still looms in the backdrop, especially with news of Iran loading its first cargo to Europe since sanctions ended. Put differently, any rebound, particularly the scale of Fridays rally, is still an opportunity to sell. Bloomberg News, quoting an Iranian oil ministry official, reported that a tanker for Frances Total SA was being loaded Sunday at Kharg Island while vessels chartered for Chinese and Spanish companies were due to arrive later in the day. Iran is going to add headwinds to the market, David Lennox, an analyst at Fat Prophets in Sydney, said. We still have 500 million barrels of US inventories and shale producers are still pumping. Until there are significant cuts to output, the rally is not sustainable. Sanjeev Gupta, head of the Asia-Pacific Oil and Gas practice at professional services organisation EY, told AFP that the market is waiting for Chinese trade data and economic statistics for January which are due for release this week. Fin24 16.02.2016 LISTEN In the front row standing are Sir Sam Jonah (5th from left), followed by South Africa's High Commissioner to Ghana, Lydia Bawa, National Insurance Commissioner, Linda Oduro, CEO of Hollard Ghana and other guests at the event MET Insurance Company has now been taken over by South African insurance giant Hollard Insurance. Per the agreement, MET Insurance is now known as Hollard Ghana after the latter acquired 51 percent in the Ghanaian company. At a soiree recently to formally announce the deal, management of MET Insurance, expressed delight at the major step taken by the two companies. Before the takeover, MET and Hollard collaborated in a joint venture that led to the development and distribution of Bancassurance products through Barclays Bank of Ghana. Our turnover is $1.4 billion, our assets are $2.4 billion and profit before tax of $250 million. So we have significant financial strength to invest in MET, Chief Financial Officer of Hollard, Brooks Mparutsa, told guests at the inauguration. He said the company chose MET insurance because of the wealth of skills of staff and its reach in the market, adding that the local insurance industry also has a lot of potential. We have low insurance penetration of about two percent, but the general industry grew at 25 percent over the past five years. So there is great potential which we believe with our expertise in product design and development, IT infrastructure and capacity building, we should partner MET Insurance to penetrate the market further, Mr Mparutsa said. Commissioner of the National Insurance Commission (NIC), Lydia Bawa called on the company to use its experience to churn out new products that will enrich the country's range of insurance products. . Former CEO of Hollard Ghana, Kwame Gazo Agbenyadzie, whose tenure the preparations towards the partnership commenced, expressed confidence in the new vision of Hollard and said very soon it would be a household name in Ghana. MET Insurance, in their search for a worthy partner, wanted a shareholder that offered both the skills and expertise to allow the company to flourish without diluting its existing corporate culture and reputation in the market. CEO of Hollard Ghana, Linda Oduro, emphasized the companys delight in undertaking the takeover which she described as a favourable partnership not only for the experience Hollard brings to the market, but the increased capital to take on larger risks. A business desk report 16.02.2016 LISTEN The National Democratic Congress (NDC) seems to be running away from a legal battle a dismissed accountant of the party has initiated, even as details are emerging about how the ruling party paid GH5,544,630 to the Electoral Commission (EC) the reason for which is yet to be established. Mathias Mokono Wilson, the accountant whose dismissal triggered the court action, has not succeeded in serving the writ on the party he served for 23 years, making him seek an order for substituted service. Wilson is currently suing the NDC over his dismissal, claiming that the party gave him only a week's notice instead of the mandatory three months to leave the party's head office at Adabraka, Accra. According to the lawyer for the aggrieved former NDC accountant, Nii Prince Ashie Kotey of Azinyo Chambers, the court bailiff had gone to the NDC headquarters three times with intent to serve the writ on the party but had not succeeded as the staff had been running away from the service. Nii Prince said having failed to serve the NDC on February 10, 11 and 12, they were left with no other option than to go back to the court for an order for substituted service. The court will hear the application on February 23, 2016, he told DAILY GUIDE yesterday. Cash To EC Mathias Wilson had claimed in his suit that the NDC paid the EC an amount of GH5,544,630 with no receipt issued on it. The EC reportedly demanded physical cash instead of a cheque and the NDC, after cashing the cheques, loaded the GH5,544,630 in a van and handed it over to two EC staff for onward transmission to the Commission. The EC delegated two people a man and a woman with a huge van and collected the gargantuan cash of GH5,544,630.00 and as of 5th February, 2016, the 2nd Defendant (Asiedu Nketia) had still not accounted for the paid cash, Mathias Wilson made the claims in the court documents he filed against his unlawful dismissal. Myself and Asiedu Nketia went to the bank and withdrew money on behalf of the EC, the beleaguered accountant confirmed to Citi Fm in Accra last week. The plaintiff claimed that he, together with Asiedu Nketia, General Secretary of the NDC, and Ofosu Ampofo, Elections Director of the party, went to Societe Generale Ghana, Accra Main, Kokomlemle, to withdraw GH5,544,630 cash which was paid to the two men and that on 10th November last year, he drew a cheque of GH4,199,340 in favour of the EC. Cheques Vrs Cash He averred, however, that the Commission rejected the cheque claiming that the Electoral Commission does not accept cheques but cash. He asserted that when the EC rejected the cheque, Mr Asiedu Nketia subsequently sent him to the bank for the cash. The bank manager informed Plaintiff that the cash was so much to be paid over the counter and so she will make payment orders to the Electoral Commission of Ghana. Asiedu Nketia, the 2nd Defendant, said 'No' and that they needed cash so the Plaintiff decided to issue two cheque payment vouchers on 7th December, 2015 for GH2,000,000.00 and the other one on the same 7th December, 2015 for GH2,199,340.00 and the said vouchers, according to the 2nd Defendant, were received by Gyanu Edgar, an employee of the Electoral Commission. . No Receipts According to Mr Wilson, no receipts were submitted to him as the accountant for his records regarding the GH5,544,630 payment by Asiedu Nketia to the EC and later the General Secretary informed him that two EC staff had come to collect the huge sum of money on behalf of the Commission. Wilson claimed that upon receiving the said termination letter, he confronted Asiedu Nketia about the receipts of the GH5,544,630 paid to the EC but the General Secretary walked him out of his office from the 3rd floor of 1st Defendant's headquarters to the gate on 5th February, 2016. Cheque Details Giving details of the payments to the EC, the dismissed accountant said there were different cheques he withdrew together with Mr Asiedu Nketia on different dates at Societe Generale on behalf of the EC, although he admitted that I am not a signatory to the NDC account. Plaintiff averred, The first cheque was GH630,000; the second cheque was GH357,000; the third cheque was GH2 million, then followed by GH2,199, 340; and then GH69,315; GH54,975; GH140,000 and GH100,000, totalling GH5,544, 630. One-Week Ultimatum Mr Wilson said that he was protesting the one-week ultimatum given him because there are a lot of cheques drawn on behalf of the EC which receipts I don't have, adding, I can't resign like that. I have to collect all the receipts, prepare everything and give out my resignation letter but they are asking me to go. He underscored, If I go, they will tell me that I have embezzled money. They used me as a scapegoat. When I finished issuing the cheques then they fired me. Court Action Apart from the party and its General Secretary, the Plaintiff is also suing Vida Addae, the Deputy Treasurer, Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, Dr Karl Mark-Arhin, Mahdi Gibril, Emmanuel S. Zumakpe, the Director of Administration, and six others for the wrongful dismissal. He wants damages for not going on leave for 23 years and loss of gross salary at GH3,574.50 per month, multiplied by three months in lieu of notice. The Plaintiff states that his salary of GH3,574.50 x 23 years x 2 will [amount] to GH164,427.00, plus the pay for three months (which is GH3,574.50 x 3); thus, his entire loss incomes amounting to GH175,150.50, excluding his leave allowance for the 23 years. By William Yaw Owusu Suspect Abdul Gafaru Amadu 16.02.2016 LISTEN The Tamale District Magistrate Court presided over by Anthony Assah has remanded Abdul Gafaru Amadu in prisons custody to reappear on 25th February, 2016. It would be recalled that Abdul Gafaru Amadu, 30, a scrap dealer, was arrested by the Tamale Police for killing one Mugtaru Nurudeen, 25, in Bulpela, a suburb of Tamale, the Northern Regional capital. According to investigations conducted by DAILY GUIDE, suspect Abdul Gafaru Amadu went to a popular wee base in the area to buy the stuff when a misunderstanding ensued between him and Nurudeen (the deceased). The two engaged in a physical combat and Amadu picked up a knife and stabbed Nurudeen. The Northern Regional Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Ebenezer Tetteh, who confirmed the incident to DAILY GUIDE, said Abdul Wahab Alhassan reported the incident to the police and they quickly rushed to the scene. According to him, during the fight the suspect got hold of a knife and threatened to stab the deceased should he come closer to him. The deceased rushed on him and the suspect made good his threat, stabbing him on the left side of his chest. . ASP Tetteh indicated that the deceased was then rushed to the Tamale Teaching Hospital, but upon arrival he was pronounced dead. A group of young men in the area, upon hearing that Mugtaru had passed on, went and fished out the suspect from his hideout and beat him severely. The suspect was subsequently admitted at the Tamale Teaching Hospital but was later discharged. The Tamale Police then arrested him, charged him with murder and arraigned him before the court. FROM Eric Kombat, Tamale Fossil fuels are derivatives of plant and animal fossils that are millions of years old. They are formed from the remains of the decayed plants and animals of the carboniferous era. The three fossil fuel sources are coal, natural gas and oil/petroleum that the world uses to meet its energy demand. But their over-consumption has led to serious environmental hazards. Fossil fuels account for about 50% of total primary energy supply and one-third of energy consumption (excluding contribution to electricity generation) in Africa said by International Electrification for Africa. Africa has large potential and reserve for fossil fuel which serves as a source of government revenue. For example, oil exports account for about 80% of government revenues in Libya, Nigeria and Angola while natural gas exports account for about 60% of Government revenues in Algeria. According to BP Statistical Review of World Energy, Africa has enormous potentials of fossil fuels accounting for about 9.5%, 8% and 4% of the total proven reserves of crude oil, natural gas and coal in the world, respectively. Over 80% and 90% of the oil and natural gas reserves are found in Northern and Western Africa respectively. Libya accounts for over 70% of the oil reserves in Northern Africa and Algeria accounts for about 55% of the natural gas reserves in the same region. Nigeria accounts for almost all the oil and natural gas reserves in Western Africa. In addition, three countries Libya, Nigeria and Angola account for about 80% of the proven oil reserves in the continent. This distribution of energy resources across the continent becomes more uneven considering South Africa accounts for about 95% of the coal reserves in the continent. Despite these huge energy resources, the continent is still faced with enormous energy challenges that include low access to modern energy, insufficient energy infrastructure, low efficiency and lack of institutional and technical capacity to use these huge resources. A report by International Electrification for Africa (IEA) states that, 31% of Sub-Saharan African populations have access to electricity with about 60% and 14% electrification rates in the urban and rural areas. These energy challenges have hampered economic growth thus contributing to both economic and energy deficit in the continent. Ghana is an example, for over three years, the country has been battling with energy crises. This energy deficit has stunted the countrys development. Ghana is estimated to lose about $320 million and $924 million a year in terms of decline in productivity and economic growth, amounting to between 2% and 6% of GDP annually which does not include direct cost, a report by the Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research (ISSER). However, the heavy reliance on fossil fuels to generate energy has contributed to a number of environmental and social problems at the local, regional and global levels which has exacerbated the impacts of climate change such as depletion of non-renewable resources, Ozone depletion, acidification and global warming. In order to limit average global temperature increase to below 2C implies a carbon constrained future where the use of fossil fuels will be restrained and more attention paid to less polluting energy systems. Although Africa accounts for less than 4% of the global Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions, it is the most vulnerable region to the impacts of global climate change. The continent is highly vulnerable to increased climate-related shocks such as droughts, storms, flooding and extremes of temperatures. These climatic impacts have affected agriculture, food security, water supply, healthcare, energy and regional security and biodiversity. This will be a major threat to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and the socio-economic development of the continent. The future utilization of fossil fuels in Africa will need to take place in the context of a low carbon development trajectory. Farida Abubakari, climate tracker for Global Call for Climate Action. Twitter: @unique_farida Omane Boamah 16.02.2016 LISTEN Communications Minister Dr. Omane Boamah has indicated that his outfit will annul the contract awarded to Afriwave for the Interconnect Clearing House (ICH) if proven fraudulent. According to the Sector Minister, he will not condone any inappropriate actions for which the contract is inclusive. Speaking to host Kwami Sefa Kayi on Peace FM's 'Kokrokoo', Dr. Omane Boamah however defended the contract stating emphatically that it was a "cabinet policy approved by the cabinet of the Republic of Ghana." The Ministry of Communication has come under fire over a contract awarded to Afriwave for the ICH. The ICH is expected to serve as a platform by which all calls in Ghana will be routed. "The contract is expected to generate at least I billion United Sates Dollars over the next 10 years for Afriwave. The suspicion of underhand dealings is grounded by the fact that a closer look at the scores awarded all the competing companies in three main categories indicate that Afriwave scored more marks than the maximum awarded marks. "The report itself mentioned on page 32 that the financial position of the company was not strong and that their finances were actually negative," the New Crusading Guide reported. Policy think tank IMANI Ghana has expressed concerns over the contract and requested probe. According to the think tank, the panel manipulated its own scoring scheme to ensure that Afriwave came on top, regardless of the actual results and they did so with brazenness that is almost farcical. With a score of 0 on equity, how did Afriwave score more than 75% of the points available on debt equity ratio? Why was the final report of the committee not vetted by the NCA for accuracy and consistency of the computations and conclusions arrived at?" But Dr. Omane Boamah jumped to the defense of the National Communication Authority which responded to IMANI describing the contradictions in the marks as "transposition errors." The Sector Minister said on 'kokrokoo' that "if it is true that the tender process was inappropriate, as a Sector Minister; I will not hesitate in calling for a review or an annulment of the process." To him, some groups have made it their interest for the "clearing house not to be implemented. So, they always will throw some of these things out there for it to lose its significance for the Telecommunication sector, consumers and the government." 16.02.2016 LISTEN The Alliance for Accountable Governance (AFAG) feels much vindicated for supporting the introduction of Interconnect Clearing House (ICH) into Ghana's telecommunication sector. This is especially so, after the National Communication Authority's (NCA) press conference of last week. Indeed, whether Subah or GVG, AFAG is happy these competitors expressed equal interest in the concept of ICH. This notwithstanding, the NCA should endeavor to protect existing active players in the industry. Over the past 7 years, AFAG has been very concerned, and consistent in our quest to see the Telcos show an appreciable level of transparency, accountability and a commitment to effective service provision. AFAG's support for the ICH is in line with the global trend, where in Europe, the U.S and elsewhere, tele-houses play same function as the ICH. It is AFAG's believe that, a competitive telecommunication sector can bring about various attractive marketing offers to consumers, and above all, the lowering of pricing of telecom services. The ability for the ICH to devolve some powers from the Telcos especially with regards to interconnectivity pricing, full disclosure of call volumes by the Telcos(i.e. avoid tax evasion), eliminate SIM Box fraud, and in the long term increase the number of Telcos in the industry. These are AFAG's reasons for supporting the introduction of ICH by the NCA since the conception of the policy. We are worried that, the liberty of telecommunication companies to charge their own interconnect fees is alienating those with smaller market shares and this occurrence is a probable barrier to expansion and greater participation in the industry. It is clear that interconnect clearing house, when established, would create fixed interconnect charges for the industry and that could increase competition and a reduction of call charges as has happened in Nigeria. AFAG considers the ICH policy as revolutionary. We entreat all Ghanaians to accept the operationalization of ICH in the country. We urge all stakeholders to eschew trivialities, the personalization and politicization of such a policy we consider very wholesome for public consumption. This notwithstanding, the NCA must show transparency, and fairness to stakeholders in order to ensure policy acceptability, and the smooth implementation of the Interconnect Clearing House (ICH) policy. God bless Ghana Signed: Henry Haruna Asante Wesley Owusu Davis Opoku Paul Afoko 16.02.2016 LISTEN A cursory look at the tactical jostling going on to occupy the office of Chairman in the New Patriotic Party (NPP) leaves one with a burning question, why does NPP always repeat the same mistake? The report cards of 2008 and 2012 Presidential and Parliamentary Elections must be brought into focus as we appoint a new party chairman. All the stakes must be thoroughly interrogated dispassionately viz-a-viz the threat of a possible collapse and the undaunted pressure of a rampaging NDC. The era of putting a lackey of political woofing dogs as Party Chairman is over. The party needs to smell the coffee as its chances of rising up from the ash is very strong; that is, if you allow elected chairman who understands critical and strategic organizational functionalism and is able to bring to bear this auspicious capacity. This is calling on the critical mass in NPP to rise to the peculiar contingencies and challenges of the occasion. The pregnancy of a stronger and more strategic NPP must not be sacrificed at the slaughter slab of political emperors who see the party as just another conquered fiefdom. He that has eyes and ears must listen attentively to the delicate voice of reason. The United Kingdom trained school business administrator, consummate diplomat, father and shepherd, Paul Awentami Afoko, must be supported in his bid to rebuild the broken walls of the most strategic, political party in Ghana (The NPP). Afoko should be supported as he strengthens the feeble hands and heals the wounded hearts in the party. This is not the era to relish the subterfuge and succor of denial mode or grandeur of delusion. THE TRUTH MUST BE TOLD AS IT IS: NPP is injured. NPP needs a father with a shepherds heart, eagles eyes and the disciplined conviction of a pragmatic reformer. Dont forget, the ruling NDC is earnestly waiting to celebrate NPPs utter disintegration and decimation! With due respect to all other chairmanship hopefuls, Paul may just be the critical functionalist required in a time like this. His vast experience, exposure, pedigree and resilient strength; as resplendent in his academic, career and political trajectory would definitely come in handy. 16.02.2016 LISTEN Mathematics and science education is an important feature of our education. It has a high place value in our scheme of things as a nation. It fits to be tagged as our heart and soul. An ex-minister of state, late Mrs. Gladys Asmah or so, at a Science Mathematics and Technology Education (STME) Clinic for students some time ago in Accra also said, There is the need to step up education in science and technology as it is the key that propels economic development. Governments, over the years, have played various roles in their bids to promote mathematics and science education. The Ghana Education Service (GES) superintends over the teaching and learning of academic disciplines, including mathematics and science. Students are helped to appreciate and apply knowledge in arithmetic, literacy, numeracy and science to life. It would sound odd for a write-up of this outlook to be composed without mentioning the Science, Technology and Mathematics Education (STME) programme. STME seeks to imbibe in the child the skills of innovation, creativity and imagination for better life. The GES partners organisations like the US Embassy (Ghana), British Council and Vodafone Ghana Foundation to run it. Even Ms. Abigail Buerkour Mortey of Adonten Senior High School won the African Best STME Student Awards in 2014. She used a local plant mixed with shea butter to drive away mosquitoes. The Global Information Technology Report (2014) of the World Economic Forum put Ghana in the third position in Africa for making relatively much more impressive strides in mathematics and science education than its other contemporaries. The GES strives to equip the teacher with resources for enhanced performance of students. Accra hosted a workshop for some 150 teachers recently. It had the theme, Revamping Mathematics Education in Ghana through Transformation and the Minister of Education, Prof Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang was there in person, I am told. Records say she named poor teaching methodology, inadequate instructional materials, low understanding of test items, inadequate coverage of syllabus and poor communication skills as some reasons for low performance of students in subjects like mathematics and science. Last weeks 2-day retreat for district chief executives, district directors of education and heads of some 500 low-performing public and private senior high schools at Kumasi had a water-tight review of students performance in various disciplines, with focus on mathematics and science. Views were espoused on the way forward for the nation. Tasty presentations on school management, curriculum implementation and test administration were made by distinguished educationists and academics. The Minister of Education and her Deputy for Pre-tertiary Education, Mr. Alex Kyeremeh, were there. She asserted, Assessment of WASSCE results reveal that the proportion of students who qualify for tertiary education increased from 10.58% in 2007 and peaked at 31.19% in 2012. Although general performance has improved, performance in mathematics and science has been poor. Education Ministrys Chief Director Enoch Cobbinah and GES Director-General Jacob Kor with his deputies, divisional directors, regional directors and unit heads were around in their numbers. I also sat in as a public relations officer and a rapporteur for the GES. Assorted books and instructional materials were distributed to the school heads for use by teachers and students. The prayer is for all the resolutions to be executed to meet their targets. The Department for International Development (DFID), USAID, UNICEF, Japan International Corporation Agency (JICA), World Food Programme, African Development Bank, Germany (KfW and GIZ) and DANIDA, through packages like the Ghana Partnership for Education Grant and the Ghana Skills and Technology Development Project, are also helping to improve mathematics and science education. Many institutions benefit from their support. Checks at the Secondary Education Division of the GES say the Science Resource Centre Project, aimed at equipping schools with modern laboratories and equipment for effective teaching and learning of science, has been extended to 300 schools so far. It has also emerged that some 150 technicians have been trained to manage the laboratories. They have also informed that 1,000 special mathematics and science teachers have been re-trained. The Education Reforms launched in June 2007 requested the use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) for teaching all subjects, including mathematics and science. In its ICT for Accelerated Development Policy (ICT4AD, 2003), Ghana desires to transform itself into a rich technology-driven economy. The ICT in Education programme, Ghana e-Transform Teacher Professional Development programme and Senior High School ICT Connectivity Project of the Secondary Education Improvement Project (SEIP) provide teachers with pedagogical skills and competencies in the use of ICT for school and classroom work. This article appreciates that the Ghana e-Transform Teacher Professional Development programme seeks to serve over 200 senior high schools, 14,000 teachers and 200 heads of schools nationwide. The Ghana Pilot Initiative of the Senior High School ICT Connectivity Project (20122013) implements teacher ICT competencies from the UNESCO ICT Competency Framework for Teachers (ICT-CFT). It stresses on ICT in professional teaching and learning of Mathematics English and Integrated Science (MEIS). No nation must stay aloof as students perform abysmally in school disciplines like mathematics and science. But listen to Prof J.N. Opoku-Agyemang, Regrettably, our interactions with senior high school heads reveal that some of them do not fully appreciate their responsibility towards performance of their students. They see annual failure of their students in WASSCE as normal, adding, We wonder why a head-from a public or private institution-that superintends over failure rate of 90% and above is allowed to continue operations without accounting to the GES and the public. The views and support of all of us are needed to change things for the better. The writer is an educationist and a public relations officer at the Headquarters of the Ghana Education Service. E-mail: [email protected] Two students of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) are on admission at the schools hospital after clashes ensued between students resident at Unity and University Halls. The two male halls engaged in a fight on Monday dawn, which resulted in 18 other students getting injured. There has been rivalry between the two halls for years but an argument between students of the two halls who met at the Republic Hall degenerated into fisticuffs, according to reports. The 18 injured students have since been treated and discharged from the hospital while the two stab victims are still on admission. The University Relations Officer (URO), Mr Ankamah Lomotey, however said calm has returned to the place. Meanwhile the Vice Chancellor of the university is locked in a meeting between the executives of the two halls to resolve the situation. 16.02.2016 LISTEN Johannesburg, Nairobi, Paris, 9 February 2016 - The winners of this years DStv Eutelsat Star Awards were announced tonight during a ceremony held in Nairobi, Kenya, that also celebrated rising student interest in science and technology. The fifth edition of the DStv Eutelsat Star Awards, organised by MultiChoice and Eutelsat, reached a record participation with nearly 2,000 entries from 18 countries. The winner in the essay category, Ayawen Asuinura from Ghana has won a trip to Paris and onwards to a launch site to witness a rocket blast into space to place a satellite into orbit. This is the first win in the essay category for Ghana that has already produced two winners in the poster category. The runner-up in the essay category was Sara Eribo from Equatorial Guinea who wins a trip for two to visit MultiChoice facilities and the South African National Space Agency near Johannesburg. In the essay category, students were asked to interpret the quote by Socrates Man must rise above the Earth, to the top of the atmosphere and beyond, for only thus will he fully understand the world in which he lives and to show how satellites help understand and take care of our planet. In the poster category, Mallon Marume from Zimbabwe scooped the first prize for artistic creativity and will visit Eutelsat in Paris to understand how satellites are operated and piloted in space and the many ways they benefit users. This is a consecutive win for Zimbabwe as Joseph Mahiya won top honours in the essay category last year. Benjamin Ibanda from Uganda was the runner up in the same category. The four winning schools attended by the overall award winners and runners-up were also rewarded with a DStv installation, including dish, TV set, PVR decoder and free access to the DStv Education Bouquet. Paolo Nespoli, an ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut chaired the jury of the Awards for the third year in a row, assisted by an international panel of skilled industry experts: Ronke Bello, CEO at Innovative Technology Literacy Services Ltd, Nigeria; Dr Jane Munga, Policy Advisor, Kenyan Ministry of Information, Communication, Technology and Research, Kenya; Dr Perkins Muredzi, Dean of School of Industrial Sciences and Technology, Harare Institute of Technology (HIT), Zimbabwe; Melt Loubser, GM: Broadcast Technology, MultiChoice Africa and Rodney Benn, Regional Director, Eutelsat. Commenting on the entries, Paolo Nespoli said: As the Jury Chairman of the DStv Eutelsat Star Awards over the last three years, I confirm that this years entries reaffirm the high standard of this unique competition. The quality and creativity of the finalists essays and artwork underscore the deep interest of Africa's young generation in science and technology. I am truly honoured to be part of a competition that reveals some of Africa's future thought leaders." The keynote speaker was Kenyas Cabinet Secretary in the Ministry of ICT, Hon. Joe Mucheru who said: It is important to note that His Excellency President Uhuru Kenyatta and his government is determined to promote holistic development of the country covering all sectors with particular focus on leveraging science and technology in the delivery of services in all sectors of the economy including ICT and education. Therefore, it is gratifying to note the effort by both MultiChoice Africa and Eutelsat in ensuring that we nurture interest and build capacities in science and technology. 16.02.2016 LISTEN Dr Badu Sarkodie (standing right) with Dr Ebenezer Appiah-Denkyirah at the press briefing Fatalities resulting from the outbreak of meningitis have reached 93 across the country, with 548 suspected cases being recorded since the reoccurrence of the disease was first recorded in December 2015. All the regions in the country have reported suspected cases of meningitis with the exception of the Central Region which is yet to record a suspected case as at February 10, 2015. Brong Ahafo Region has recorded the largest number of meningitis fatality, with 52 deaths out of 359 suspected cases. The Northern Region has so far recorded 62 cases with 15 deaths, while the Upper East and Upper West Regions have documented 47 and 44 suspected cases, with two and nine deaths respectively. Eighteen suspected cases and eight deaths have been recorded from the Ashanti Region, while Volta Region has seven cases with one death. Also, the Greater Accra, Eastern and Western Regions have recorded five, four and two cases respectively. Out of the number, two people have died from Greater Accra, three from the Eastern and one person form the Western Region. Fatality Decline . Dr Ebenezer Appiah-Denkyirah, Director General of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), briefing journalists on the current situation of the disease, mentioned that Brong Ahafo is still the most active area reporting cases of meningitis, while the other regions have no or marginal change in figures. He said Teiman North and Tain Districts in the Brong Ahafo Region are the districts recording the highest number of meningitis cases; however, the fatality has reduced to below 30 percent. Dr Denkyirah said the fatality rates have reduced because there is increasing early reported cases of meningitis across the country and proper management of cases are resulting in high number of reported cases but low fatalities. Vaccine Dr Badu Sarkodie, Head of the Disease Surveillance Department of GHS, explaining the response measures, pointed out that although vaccination can be used as a preventive measure, none of the districts has reached the situation that requires the procurement of vaccines as a response measure. The guideline for response does not support mass vaccination by the World Health Organisation (WHO). The disease is endemic so we will have a few sporadic cases but it has not reached an alert or epidemic, he said. The public is advised to avoid overcrowded places, drink a lot of water, improve ventilation in rooms and report to the nearest health facility if symptoms of fever, headache or neck pains occur, Dr Sarkodie mentioned. By Jamila Akweley Okertchiri 16.02.2016 LISTEN Last time I went to Kokrobite in the Central Region, it was a beach resort with live bands, dancing troops, spicy khebabs and plenty chicks to ogle and sneak at. Of course I was much younger and more adventurous and the biggest attraction was to swim round the corner of the huge rocks, resurface round the other side and walk back triumphantly having conquered the break waters and crashing waves of the Guinea Coast. But it got me into a lot of trouble with everyone I was there with on the picnic, more so because there were so many rumors of how the big waves had swallowed many a competent swimmer only for them to resurface several miles down the east side with missing eyes, ears, key male parts gone and unidentifiable marks. Strange how it is a male thing to try and conquer the unknown and boast thereafter if successful, but leave it to the ones behind to explain how competent a person and how able a swimmer you then were. Since then, 1997 I had never gone back to Kokrobite. No other reason than I was out of the country, and visits back just could not reminisce the huge rocks and the adventure of the solo swim around those rocks, curdling roar of the water hurdling at you, threatening to dash you against the cliffs without a bit of remorse. But that is what Ghana can be about. If you ever decide to attempt that swim round, please call me and let me explain how when the massive waves come hurtling you toward the rock, even when you have taken a deep dive thinking the wave is surface deep only, you still catch the drag of the rushing sea water and gasp for air only to catch a mouthful of sea water on the way up. Panic is the first thing on your mind, but should be the last thing you ever contemplate. It is an exercise in swimming experience and you must at all costs stay strong, buoyant and drive to the end goal, which is to live. Beyond the breakwater, the ordeal has ended and you will get the exhilaration that comes only to a dope addict after a shot of something strong. Panic is probably the highest drug on the addiction list. Now that is the kind of feeling that rides on the mind when you find yourself in the middle of transposition errors. I refuse to dabble in this infantile terminology. If the Communications Ministry thinks they can fool us all with big statistical terms, they should come again. Our members of Parliament want a security detail because someone killed one of their own, Mr JB Danquah Adu in his home. JB damirifa due. You will be missed by all. Story in the media is, someone who was a previous mental patient was offered two thousand cedis to commit the murder and killed you in your sleep. You were not writing any legislation, and you were not involved with any committee as at the time you were murdered. MP work is not dangerous work. It can be difficult if you do it as it should be done, but is definitely not dangerous and does not call for anyone to murder an MP for their work. A fellow MP and Deputy Minister for the Interior James Agalga poses his biggest challenge in security as his own competitors in his Constituency might want to get one back at him for losing the seat in the party parliamentary elections race. That makes sense and is better reasoned, because they stand to benefit if he should drop out of the race, for one reason or the other. But I pointed him to Heyjulor. A brilliant and very cost effective security software designed by one of our own, very popular all over the continent and more than capable of handling all the MP's security alerts. They can have up to as many as five per MP. One for their existing matrimonial homes, another for their concubine, one more for the family home in the city, one for the family home in the village and the last one for the University chick they are nurturing, in the event that wifey should catch the concubine. That for me would be fair and acceptable. The solution is cheap and effective, they can have their own command center, it will be monitored twenty-four seven and we all know where their non-religious activity is carried out. . It will also help in the audit of their assets declaration. I like this idea. I might consider a private member's bill, because right now they are thinking of how they can have more security following them around, carrying their empty portfolios and opening doors for them. And our economy? Seth Terkper in hiding for now, talking and lying to foreigners about how well we are recovering. I don't know how many people are still buying what he is selling, but we have to make something clear. If the NDC Government is banking on a splurge in 2016 and a major blitz around the country like they did in 2012 with JDM lifting his eyes to the Lord even as he sticks a finger up at him, I hope they are in for a surprise and Ghanaians will stay alert to this gimmick this election year. Me, I want them to spend plenty money. Improve all roads, resurface inner city road with bitumen, design new and unnecessary culverts, complete Eastern corridor road and make all rural road to the farm gate, the feeder road, motorable even after rain and make good ALL promise. I want new schools to be completed, new trees planted over classroom blocks, old taxes removed and better electricity and water tariffs. What more can I ask for? And when it is all done, I will vote Freedom Party. I fear nothing. So my co-conspirator of IMANI Ghana fame, President Franklin Cudjoe rode that wave this week. On the back of very strong evidence, he kicked up a swim against the big contract waves for the Interconnect Clearing House awarded by the National Communications authority to Afriwave of Ghana. Seems Subah Infosolutions lost to a better bidder. But was the scoring fair? Was the adding up done correctly? And was it all mucked in shady under-dealings? Since the beginning of 2015, Occupy Ghana has written several letters to the National Communications Authority and copied the Ministry of Communications for details of meetings and information regarding this deal. Occupy Ghana sees no need for this ICH arrangement. We have said so openly and threatened to scupper it if possible. David Poku's Afriwave was eventually awarded the contract with their Huawei partner. Joseph Siaw Agyepong's Subah, even though tied to Ericcson as a partner lost on a technicality to deliver documents before cut-off date. This is what I know today. We will see how tomorrow unfolds. I leave the scoring matter to IMANI. Whichever way, it is a big wave akin to Kokrobite, and it would, if we had a straight-up President, catapult another of his ministers out of office. This time the Communications one. But Subah is a blacklisted company on the back of their ride through GYEEDA waters, so am I going to lose any shut eye? Ghana, Aha a y din papa. Alius atrox week advenio. Another terrible week to come! Sydney Casely-Hayford, [email protected] 16.02.2016 LISTEN The River Densu, which rises in the Atewa Forest of the Eastern Region and drains the lands of that area for nearly 100 miles before reaching its confluence with the Volta and running into the Atlantic Ocean, is dead. So ran this unbelievable story I read on the Internet on 12 February 2016, credited to the Ghana News Agency: QUOTE: Densu River Is Dead! The River is suspected to have dried up due to farming [and galamsey] activities by the residents along [its] banks. [These practices] had caused sand... to be washed into the river, causing the water level in the dam [built on on it to provide drinking water] to drop. The [people of Nsawam] Municipality, [who] have not seen a single flow of water through their taps for the past two weeks as a result of the drying-up of the Densu River....[They have to] continue to use polluted water from other sources.... Addressing the media, [the] Deputy Minister in Charge of Water, Mr Samuel Adusei, said the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) was [undertaking] a geophysical survey to see if wells could be drilled to aid the crisis. Meanwhile the GWCL would be providing water to essential service providers like hospitals and schools. Mr Adusei said that water tankers will be provided for the residents for the time [being.] UNQUOTE I was amazed to hear that it is proposed to make a geophysical survey and that it's to be done by the Ghana Water Company Limited. Why? Because if the Company were to Google Densu River -- to say nothing of looking into the files it has inherited from the Ghana Water and Sewerage Corporation! -- it would be overwhelmed with the reports it would unearth, already writtenby environmentalists and other scientists, on the chemical and other attributes of the river as it exists today.! If there is anything not known about the river up till now, then it shall never be known! What is needed is ACTION! Urgent, drastic action to save it if it is not too late to save it. Another astounding thing is that the Ghana Water Company limited has actually constructed a new water treatment plant on the river, which is ready to be put into operation. Meanwhile, the water body that is supposed to provide the water that is to be treated and piped into homes, has dried up! Does that make sense? Isn't that what is called putting the cart before the horse? Shouldn't you make sure you have enough water, before you construct a plant to treat it? Listen to this other report, which puts the matter into an even more bizarre perspective: Quote: GWCL to dredge Densu River Over the past few weeks, the residents of Nsawam Adoagyiri have been experiencing acute water shortage, due to the drying up of the water treatment plant reservoir. The Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) is taking steps to dredge the bed of the Densu River to increase the volume and to check the low flows associated with the dry season. Mr Samuel Yaw Adusei, Deputy Minister of Water Resources, Works and Housing, who made the announcement in Accra, said the siltation of the Densu as a result of upstream activities, coupled with low flows associated with the dry season, is posing a serious challenge... The Deputy Minister assured the House [of Parliament] that the construction of the major components of the project - water treatment plant, transmission and distribution pipelines - had all been completed.He said there had been a test run of the Water Treatment Plant, and all the treatment facilities are performing satisfactorily, adding that but for the siltation of the Densu River, the facility would be operational. Mr Adusei informed the House that the second phase of the project would begin when funds are available.UNQUOTE Can we hazard a guess as to why the treatment plant and other ancillary works have been completed, and yet what needs to be done on the water body itself is awaiting financing? Our guess could well lead us to the conclusion that the equipment for the treatment plant needed to be imported from abroad, and that it was probably procured through a foreign loan. But the local financing component has been dogged by our lunatic budgetary system. Remember that that was precisely what happened a few miles down the road from Nsawam? I am talking about the all-important Suhum-Apedwa road, which had been under construction for some ten years or so and could not be completed because the local counterpart funds financing needed to allow the work to go ahead smoothly, could not be raised for mysterious reasons only known to the Government of Ghana and its budgetary system! Ghanaian journalists have done their part in clearly raising the red flag to warn Ghanaians that we are relentlessly sleepwalkinginto a disaster that could cause our nation to perish before a century comes round, if we continue to sit down and wait until global warming brings us to our senses. As long ago as 7 October 2008, I myself blew the alarm in an article entitled A JOURNEY TO MY ROOTS that was published on the Internet website, www.modernghana.com I wrote: QUOTE: Environmental renewal ought to become a major plank of our development. The trees around such rivers [in the Eastern Region] as Birem, Densu and Supong, that kept the rivers alive and cool, have mostly been cut down recklessly -- usually by those enemies of communities known as 'chain-saw operators', and these rivers are drying up, if they haven't dried up already. At Asiakwa, for instance, the Twafuour stream, which in my childhood, could be swum in, has completely dried up. And the only other river, Supong, which could swell up so much during the rainy season that kids were warned off certain ebun or deep sections of it which, if the kids fooled around there, could get them drowned, is also on its last legs. Supong has become a mere trickle of water! It is a taboo statement -- but there it is. Densu too [I continued, in 2008!] has become choked with weeds and algaeand is no longer the force it once was. Densu? Oh my God -- ewiase asei! (the world has BEEN DESPOILED!) Densu used to be so regal that even when you were in a vehicle crossing the Densu bridge at Nsawam Adoagyiri and you looked down into the water, you felt fear. Today, Densu has gone to the dogs. Yet, there are methods known to man for reviving such dying rivers. Why are we doing nothing to save it? UNQUOTE Those words were written almost eight years ago! When you consider that the Akosombo Dam was completed in half that time, you will realise what dolts we have allowed ourselves to become. Men like ourselves dreamt up Akosombo and built it, but rulers who come from the same stock as them indeed, some of whom are direct descendants of many of them have sat down and watched a great river like Densu dry up to an extent that today, we have to look for money to provide tankers to supply water to Nsawam and Adoagyiri with water. Wouldn't Kwame Nkrumah, K A Gbedema, E K Bensah and the other Ministers who were in charge of our early development projects and engineering works, whip us on our bare backs if they be could be resurrected and shown what we have NOT been doing? Densu must be rescued; it has become a great national asset, with many songs composed in praise of it. One of the most romantic of these imagines a young maiden standing on the river's banks unable to cross, because the river has overflowed its banks, and it would be a risk to her life if she were to step inside to try to cross the river. She calls on her lover to show his love by hurrying over to come rescue her from drowning. She sings: Densu eei! Densu eei! The great river Has flooded and wants to take me away! Oh my Love Come oh come My Love! Where are you? Aren't you coming to save me From Densu The Great River? The people of Adoagyiri and Nsawam need to be rescued, not from a River Densu that has overflowed its banks, but a dry, polluted trickle of water that can kill man and beast. Can our Government rise to the occasion and save them? The Government has largely closed its eyes to galamsey despite all that the journalists have said. Now, we are reaping the whirlwind of inaction! But Densu does have a strong spirit. It is Densu that supplies Accra with water. Through the Weija Sam and Water Works. Surely, the NDC Government cannot threaten Accra with a shortage of water? Can't it? Do you want to bet? We live to see! There has been an uneasy calm on the campus of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) following reprisal attacks by students of the University Hall (Katanga) and the Unity Hall that led to injuries to two students. The two students have been stabilized and are on admission at the University hospital under protection from the university's security guards. It all started last Sunday night when a student, said to be a resident of Unity Hall was attacked and stabbed at the back by his assailants who were said to be from the Katanga Hall. The incident was said to have happened near the Great Hall of the university. Barely 24 hours after the incident another student believed to be a students of Katanga was attacked near the Unity Hall sustaining a deep cut in his palm. The Public Relations Officer of the university, Mr Vincent Ankamah Lomotey, told Graphic Online that the main cause of the reprisal attacks were still unknown but the matter was being investigated by the university's security and the Police. 'The students are in stable conditions and there is no need for anyone to be afraid,' he said. Subsequently, security has been beefed up on campus as the university authorities await the full recovery of the students for criminal investigation to commence. For many years, there have been perennial rivalry between students of the two halls - Katanga and Unity and at the least provocation, they attack each other. Below is a photo of one of the injured students The man arrested for allegedly killing the Member of Parliament for Abuakwa North constituency, Mr Joseph Boakye Danquah-Adu, has told investigators that he went to the MP's house to steal, not to kill. According to the charge sheet which was presented at the Accra Magistrate Court on Tuesday, the accused, Daniel Asiedu, 19, said he had to defend himself when in the process of stealing, the MP woke up and held him. According to him, in the ensuing struggle with the MP, he pulled out his knife and stabbed him several times until he fell down. Asiedu was said to have gone to the residence of J.B. Danquah at about 1:00am with a catapult, a cutter and a sharp knife. He entered the house through the iron fence at the blind side of the security man who was said to be sleeping at the time The accused picked a ladder in the house and climbed to the porch of the top floor and entered the bed room through the window whilst the deceased was sleeping. He was said to have began to search the room but the deceased woke up and held him. He stabbed deceased on the right chest above the breast. Deceased held the knife and shouted for help but no one came. The accused pulled the knife through the deceased hands creating a deep cut in his palm. The deceased who was bleeding profusely fell by his bed helpless and the accused stabbed him again on the right chest below the breast. When the accused realised that the deceased was almost dead, he left him and took away his two iphones and a tablet. He was said to have managed to descend from the top to the back of the house and climbed one of the poly tanks in the house and jumped over the electric fence into the adjoining house and escaped. Asiedu was on Tuesday arraigned at the Accra Magistrate Court charged with murder. The court presided over by Mr Stephen Owusu remanded him in police custody to re-appear on March 1, 2016, reports Graphic Online's Emmanuel Ebo Hawkson. Mr Danquah was stabbed last Tuesday by an unknown assailant (s) at his Shiashie residence in Accra, prompting the police to launch an investigation. Suspected killer, Asiedu, was arrested after he attempted to unlock two phones he stole from the late MP's residence, according to police sources. He was reportedly arrested at his girlfriend's house in Agbogbloshie. Cape Coast, Feb. 16, GNA - Vodafone Foundation, the charity arm of Vodafone Ghana, has donated assorted library books and other educational materials to the Yamoransa Community Library and ICT Centre in the Abura-Asebu-Kwamankese District of the Central Region. The donation is to help improve the reading proficiency of students from basic to second cycle schools in Yamoransa and its surrounding communities to step-up academic performances. The materials, which included1000 assorted reading and text books, 30 library shelves, 10 chairs and tables and eight laptops, were presented to the library/ICT Centre committee at Yamoransa Catholic Basic School on Friday. The initiative, according to Mr. Alfred Essandoh, Project Leader of the Yamoransa Project, said the gesture formed part of Vodafone Ghana's Corporate Social Responsibility and is geared towards effecting positive change in various communities across the country. He said the project allows organizations and social entrepreneurs to submit proposals on community development projects focused on health, education, children, and entrepreneurship. Mr. Albert Essandoh expressed the hope that resourcing the ICT and Library Centre would promote computer literacy for schools in the Yamoransa Community and its environs to perform well in their final exams and asked the community to take good care of the place. Vodafone Ghana Foundation, he indicated, was extremely passionate about education and as a result had introduced many impactful educational initiatives to various communities across the country. Nana Akwa II, Sumankwahen of Yamoransa Kojokrom and Chairman of the Library and ICT Centre Committee, who received the items on behalf of the Community, expressed his gratitude to Vodafone Foundation for the donation and appealed to other cooperate institutions to emulate them. He urged the students in the beneficiary communities to make good use of the library facility and called on parents to encourage their wards to patronise the library. Mr. Kwaku Addo, Headmaster of Yamoransa Catholic Basic School for his part, said the edifice would be a huge relief for parents in the communities as some expensive books which parents could not afford were now available at the Library. Vodafone Foundation has since 2009 introduced healthcare, including the Vodafone Health line, a call centre and Vodafone Health fest, a free screening programme, educational and other initiatives to various communities across the country. GNA Accra, Feb. 16, GNA - Mrs Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare has encouraged the consumption of chocolate and other cocoa-based products. She said apart from the economic benefits of cocoa, it also has a lot of health benefits. Mrs Ofosu-Adjare gave the encouragement during an official celebration of the National Chocolate Day dubbed 'CHOCOFEST' on the theme 'CHOCOLATE, A GIFT OF LOVE' in Accra. She said the day was instituted to coincide with Valentine's Day to reshape the celebration of Valentine's Day and to promote the local consumption of chocolate and other cocoa-based products. She said CHOCOFEST played a key role in the development of Agro-tourism in the country. She said cocoa based alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages could not be left out of the delight. She said the event provided a preparatory ground for the chefs to participate in the African Chefs' Culinary Competition to be held in Ghana as part of the celebration of World Tourism Day, 2016. 'Tourists to the various cocoa farms are taken through the stages of harvesting, fermentation, drying, sifting and other processes that the cocoa beans go through to the point when they are ready for the production of chocolate and other cocoa based products,' she said. She encouraged companies like Cocoa Processing Company Limited, Cadbury Ghana Limited and Nestle Ghana Limited to open their doors for special guided tours to offer tourists the opportunity to know the processes that their finished products go through during these events. GNA Accra, Feb 16, GNA - Representatives of the four political parties that have representation in Parliament have made a presentation of their various policy positions on Ghana's Oil and Gas resources, with all expressing the need to properly manage the resources to the benefit of the citizenry. The parties are the Convention Peoples Party (CPP), which was represented by Senior Policy adviser, Mr Kwame Jantuah, Dr William Ahadzie, Policy Adviser of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr Kwaku Kwarteng, New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament for Obuasi West, and Mr Bernard Mornah, Chairman of the Peoples National Congress (PNC). At a forum organized by Natural Resources Governance Institute (NRGI), and International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) in collaboration with the four parliamentary political parties, all the representatives, said that since oil and gas resources were exhaustible, it needed to be well managed by using the revenues accrued from the resources to develop other sectors of the national economy. The launch created an opportunity for the political parties to present their responses to the current challenges in the oil and gas sector and how they would deal with such challenges when given the nod by the electorate The Representatives also presented their main policy positions on institutional reform in the oil and gas sector, transparency and accountability, revenue management and fiscal sustainability. Mr Jantauh of the CPP said if his Party got voted into power, it would restructure and strategize state participation in the management and operations of the extractive sector through the state owned enterprises (SOEs) while reviewing the current fiscal regime and policies to address the challenges relating to fiscal responsibility and prudent management of the economy. He said the CPP would also ensure greater transparency and accountability as a prerequisite for good governance in the extractive sector as well as develop a long term national strategic framework for the management and governance of the natural resources sector. Mr Ahadzie of NDC said his government would continue to abide by fiscal sustainability rule ensuring that its commitment to expanding infrastructural development and other social investment did not lead to significant expenditure overruns that undermined its capacity to meet future commitments. 'The NDC's energy policy specifically aimed to enhance the efficiency and competitiveness of the economy by providing low-cost and high quality energy inputs to industrial, mining and other sectors as well as for domestic use; improve social equity by addressing the energy requirements of the poor, and ensure protection of the environment by sustainable utilization of resources'. Mr Mornah of the PNC said his Party's policy on oil and gas was to well manage the sector and dedicate petroleum revenues to specific infrastructure projects instead of using them in debt payments and other consumptive expenditure. He said the PNC plans to specifically dedicate 60 per cent of petroleum revenue earmarked for capital expenditure to the development of agriculture infrastructure. 'The PNC shall ensure that each agriculture-centred district had a determined quantum of funds to develop the relevant infrastructure'. Mr Kwarteng of the NPP said if his Party is given the mandate, they would strengthen institutions responsible for managing the petroleum resources, such as the Ghana Petroleum Commission and the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation to play their roles efficiently. He said the NPP would also ensure transparency and accountability in the operation of the sector, while sorting out the issues of beneficial ownership and developing the manufacturing sectors of the economy with petroleum revenues. All the Policy Positions of the various Political Parties were also launched at the forum which was also attended by key national stakeholders in the oil and gas sector, civil society organisations, academia, think-tanks and donors. Mr Adams Fusheini, Africa Parliamentary Capacity Development Officer, NRGI said similar interactions would be held in Takoradi in the Western Region to allow the parties to discuss their positions with the citizens. GNA Winneba (C/R), Feb. 16, GNA - A 30 year old unemployed man has been sentenced to 18 months imprisonment in hard labour for conspiracy to committee crime to wit causing harm, unlawful entry, causing damage and stealing by the Winneba District Court. Moses Offu who resides at Buduburam near Kasoa pleaded not guilty and the Court presided over by Mr. Alexander Oworae found him guilty and sentenced him accordingly. Narrating the fact to the Court, Prosecuting Police Inspector Peter Agbelie said the complainant of the case is a Pastor at Winners Chapel in Winneba, while Offu the first accused person is a native of Jasikan and his accomplices know to be at large, Fusani Yakubu alias Lion/Porpo and Stingua all unemployed also resides in Winneba. According to him Offu, Yakubu and Stinguai became friends when they met at the Winneba Prison sometime ago. The Prosecution said when Yakubu and Stingua finished serving their sentences and were leaving the Winneba Prison, they promised Offu that they would accommodate him in the Winneba township when he also completed his sentence. Inspector Agbelie said on 4th December, 2015 at about 1920 hours the complainant left his residence for an allnight church service in Accra, and when he returned the following morning at 06 .30 am, he found that thieves had broken into his house causing damage to two door locks. He also detected that the thieves had taken away some of his properties. According to the prosecution, the complainant reported the matter to the police and said an HP lap top computer, two gas cylinders, micro-wave oven, rice cooker, five pieces of Kente cloth, four male suits, electric iron as well as cash of GH 100 were part of the items the accused stole from his room. Inspector Agbelie said some 'good Samaritan' spotted Offu in Winneba township at his hideout carrying a bag suspected to have been stolen. When the bag was searched it was found to contain items including hand gloves, torch light bag and seizures and he was arrested and handed over to the police. The prosecution said when he was interrogated he admitted having stolen the items from the complainant's residence and mentioned Yakubu and Stingua now at large as his accomplice. He further admitted it in his cautioned statement. After investigations, he was charged with the offence and arraigned before the court, the prosecution added. GNA 16.02.2016 LISTEN Accra, Feb. 16, GNA - An official of the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) has said the four Yemenis apprehended in Ghana could not show visas they used in boarding the flight into the country. Deputy Superintendent of Immigration (DSI) Mohammed Abu Manan told the court that the passports owned by the Yemenis were blank and defective at a glance. DSI Manan was testifying in respect of the four who had arrived in Ghana with fake Emergency Entry Visas and French passports. According to the witness, it was during a vigorous search that the suspects produced additional Yemenis passports. The suspects are Esmail Yahya Zeyad aka Evra Allerson, Gaafar Eissa Yahya Amer, aka Ciro Carlos, Waleed Ahmed Yahya aka Debuchya Allard, all students and Eissa Yahya Amer a businessman. They have been variously charged with possession of forged documents, fake Emergency Entry Visas, and forgery of official documents. The four, who spoke through an Arabic interpreter, pleaded not guilty. Led in evidence by Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Stephen Adjei, the witness said on November 24, last year, he was at duty at the Fraud Unit, GIS, at the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) when he had a call from the Control Unit of the Service. DSI Manan said the call which emanated from his Shift Supervisor Assistant Controller of Immigration Dodzi Amekpelenu, said the accused persons had three French passports and a Yemeni Passport. Mr Manan said the shift supervisor's complaint was that the accused persons' passports were without visas DSI Manan explained that Esmail, Gafaar and Waleed had in his possession French passports, while Eissa had a Yemeni passport. He then submitted a report on the suspects and attached their two different kinds of passports produced by the accused persons to the GIS headquarters. DSI tendered the three French Passports in court but indicated that the Yemeni passport produced initially by Eissa was at the GIS headquarters. DSP Aidan Dery, the prosecutor, who earlier read the facts, said all the accused persons were Yemeni Nationals who arrived at the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) on board Ethiopian Airline Flight ET 920, on November 24. He said whiles undergoing immigration arrival procedures, Esmail, Gaafar and Waleed were found with French passport with different names. The Prosecution said further search on them revealed that all the accused persons had Yemeni passports too and when the French passports with different names were examined, they were found to be fake. According to the prosecution, when the accused persons were quizzed they claimed Abdulai Mohammed, an individual based in Yemen, was the one who secured for them the French passports. He said they claimed the same individual gave them a phone number to call a certain Mohammed on arrival in Ghana. The prosecution said the accused persons were on transit in Ghana to France, then to Istanbul, Turkey. The prosecution said another examination of their Yemeni passports indicated that Esmail and Gaafar had travelled several times to Djibouti before their trip to Ghana. GNA United Nations (United States) (AFP) - Former UN secretary-general Boutros Boutros-Ghali, who led the world body during one of its most difficult periods, with failed missions in Rwanda and Bosnia, died Thursday in Cairo. He was 93. The Egyptian diplomat became the first secretary-general from Africa in 1992, but his tenure ended abruptly five years later when the United States vetoed his second term. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon described Boutros-Ghali as a respected statesman and scholar of international law who brought "formidable experience and intellectual power" to the top UN job. "His commitment to the United Nations -- its mission and its staff -- was unmistakable, and the mark he has left on the organization is indelible," Ban said. A former Egyptian foreign minister, the veteran diplomat headed the world body during one of its most difficult times with crises in Somalia, Rwanda, the Middle East and the former Yugoslavia. After a series of clashes with the US administration, Washington turned against Boutros-Ghali and decided to back Ghanaian Kofi Annan for the top post in late 1996. French President Francois Hollande paid tribute to Boutros-Ghali, saying this "great Egyptian and great servant of the United Nations" had worked tirelessly to preserve peace and to prevent conflicts worldwide. "His message must serve as inspiration to the international community's action at a time when the Middle East knows new tragedies," Hollande said. British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond said Boutros-Ghali's "contribution to international affairs will long be remembered." UN Security Council diplomats began a meeting in New York by observing a moment of silence in memory of Boutros-Ghali, who died in a Cairo hospital. Under his tenure, the United Nations expanded its peacekeeping missions but the retreat from Rwanda ahead of the 1994 genocide and from the Bosnian enclave of Srebrenica a year later were seen as dismal failures. Boutros-Ghali served as the United Nation's sixth secretary-general. - Clashes with the US - Relations with the United States began to sour in late 1993, when a US-led operation in Somalia led to major casualties among American troops. Further problems emerged during peacekeeping operations in the former Yugoslavia, and after the genocidal massacres of 1994 in Rwanda, which the United Nations failed to halt. There was also friction over UN sanctions against the regime of Saddam Hussein in Iraq, which had invaded and then been ejected from Kuwait a year before Boutros-Ghali took up his post. Washington's then ambassador to the United Nations, Madeleine Albright, argued that Boutros-Ghali had failed to enact reforms needed to make the world body more efficient. When his candidacy for a second term was vetoed, Boutros-Ghali felt that he was being punished for pushing UN member states to pay their membership arrears -- an issue on which the United States has long been a laggard -- and for condemning Israeli actions in southern Lebanon. In his tribute, Ban said Boutros-Ghali had "rightly insisted on the independence of his office and of the secretariat as a whole." After leaving the United Nations, Boutros-Ghali served as secretary-general of the Francophonie group of French-speaking nations. Boutros-Ghali was born on November 14, 1922 into a Coptic Christian family in Cairo. He was educated at Cairo University and in Paris, where he established a lifelong connection with France. After a university career centered on international relations, including a spell at Columbia University in New York, he became Egypt's foreign minister in 1977, under president Anwar Sadat. He accompanied Sadat on his groundbreaking trip to Jerusalem in that year, an event which both forged a peace agreement between Egypt and Israel and led to Sadat's assassination four years later. The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has asked the leadership of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to pay the GhE 3.6 million spent on the branding of the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) buses. According to the NPP, the branding was done to project President John Dramani Mahama ahead of the upcoming elections. The party has also called on the Chief of Staff, Mr Julius Debrah, to publish the full report of the Attorney-General on the branding of the buses. Speaking at a press conference in Accra on Tuesday, the Communication Director of NPP, Nana Akomea, said the decision to brand the 116 MMT buses was meant to advertise President Mahama as the preferred choice to Ghanaians. 'The entire bus rebranding project is a plot by the NDC government not only to dupe the nation, but also use the taxpayers' money to project President Mahama's image in the build up to this year's elections,' he said. Background There was massive public outcry in the latter part of 2015 when there were reports that the Ministry of Transport had spent GhE3.6 million on the branding of the buses. Smarttys Productions, the company which was contracted to undertake the branding of the buses was chastised by Ghanaians and some industry experts for charging an overboard amount. The situation led to the resignation of Mrs Dzifa Attivor as the Minister of Transport, whiles the Chief of Staff, Mr Julius Debrah, ordered an investigation into the matter. The Management of Smarttys, led by its owner, Ms Selassie Ibrahim, was initially asked to refund GhE1.9 million of the GHc 3.6 million paid by the state. Later the amount Smartty's was to refund was reduced to GhE1.5million. Corruption under NDC deepens Nana Akomea said the amount spent on the branding the buses was a clear indication that corruption under President Mahama had deepened. 'The bus rebranding saga is one of the many wrong deals the NDC government had executed through its cronies. How can a developing nation like Ghana spend a whopping GhE3.6 million tax payers money to rebrand buses?,' he asked. Nana Akomea said the branding of the buses could have been given to the advertising agencies which would have generated more income for the nation. 'Now not only has the nation lost that amount through the NDC government but Ghanaians have also lost monies that could have been generated if the rebranding had been given to an advertising firm,' he added. Nana Akomea said if Ghanaians continued to allow the NDC government to continue in power, corruption which 'is already sinking the nation will swallow everyone'. Dakar (AFP) - Senegalese leader Macky Sall said Tuesday the country's top court had rejected his proposal to cut his current presidential term by two years to five. Sall had proposed 15 reforms in all, including limiting presidential terms to two mandates and expanding the powers of the national assembly and the constitutional council. "On the implementation of reducing the mandate of the president, the constitutional council recommended that this should be scrapped," Sall said in a brief television address, referring to his ongoing term which is due to end in 2019. But shortened presidential terms from then onwards and the other reforms will be put to a referendum on March 20, he said. In March last year, Sall had said reducing his own mandate would set an example, making good on his election campaign pledge. "We have to understand, in Africa too, that we are able to offer an example, and that power is not an end in itself," he said. African nations where laws have been changed to the benefit of their incumbent leaders include Algeria, Angola, Chad, Djibouti and Uganda. The United States and European Union have also criticised Rwandan President Paul Kagame's intention to run for a third term following a constitutional amendment. Burundi descended into bloodshed in April last year when President Pierre Nkurunziza announced his intention to run for a controversial third term, sparking a failed coup. Kumasi, Feb.16, GNA - Out-going Ashanti Regional Minister, Mr. Peter Anarfi-Mensah, has said the government is making good progress in its efforts to bring development and transform the lives of the people. He cited what he said was the massive infrastructural development to buttress his assertion. He was welcoming the visiting Mayor of Newark in New Jersey, United States (US), Mr. Ras Baraka, to his office in Kumasi. The Mayor is in the country to explore the opportunity of establishing sister-city relationship between Newark and the Kumasi- Ghana's second largest city. Accompanied by some Ghanaians-based in Newark, Mr. Baraka, had earlier held discussions with his counterpart, Mr. Kojo Bonsu. Mr. Anarfi-Mensah said there was enormous investment opportunities in the metropolis and described the people as both friendly and industrious. He expressed optimism that the establishment of the partnership arrangement would bring mutual benefits to Ghana and the US. Mr. Bonsu said the relationship would be in the areas of education, health and waste management to significantly improve sanitation in the metropolis. Mr. Baraka said he was eager to deepen ties between Newark and Kumasi to bring progress their peoples. He would during his three-day stay, tour the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Opoku Ware Senior High School (SHS), the Saint Louis SHS and the Centre for National Culture. GNA Accra, Feb. 16, GNA - The United Nations International Children's Fund (UNICEF) has hailed Child's Rights International (CRI), a child centred civil society organisation, for putting together the Child Protection Code of Ethics for Journalists. Ms Johanna Eriksson Takyo, Chief Protection Programme, UNICEF Ghana, said code of ethics would be instrumental in promoting good reporting ethics among journalists, and support them to pay greater attention to rights of children. She said the Code of Ethics, dubbed, 'Making the Worth of Children Matter through Reporting', would serve as a very critical step for Ghanaian journalists. 'UNICEF will be happy to continue to work closely with you for the promotion of children's issues across the country,' Ms Takyo stated on Tuesday in Accra at the launch of Child Protection Code of Ethics for Journalists. 'For highlighting concerns regarding protection of children - when children are subjected to violence, abuse and exploitation - but also helping to celebrate the good stories, the progress that is being made - and to provide a space and a plat form for children's voices, views and perspectives to be heard. 'UNICEF is very happy to be part of today's Launch of the Child Protection code of ethics for journalists and very happy that our support to CRI indeed generated this important document,' she added. She said: 'Every day when we open the newspapers, there are stories about children being covered. As the UN children's Agency, we believe this is very good of course.' She said the advancement of children's rights, the good that happens to children - and the bad - should be talked about as a way to promote the public discourse and discussion on child development related issues. 'However, when opening the papers, we often also see children's rights further violated by the way children are portrayed. 'The pictures that are revealing the face and identify of the girl who has been trafficked or raped, the very detailed account of what happened to a child who was abused, the gory picture of a body of a child who died because of maltreatment,' she said. Ms Takyo said: 'For UNICEF, these children are all heroes; some are survivors and they are all victims - often in the hands of those who they trusted the most, their parents, their uncles, their neighbours.' She said these children don't have to be victimized again; victimized by the way they are portrayed in the media. 'Children have their right to have their story told in public, but it must be done with respect and with dignity,' she said. 'The new Child and Family Welfare Policy, approved by the Cabinet in February 2015 recognizes that protecting children from violence, abuse and exploitation is the responsibility of everyone - government, the media, civil society, traditional leaders, religious leaders, parents and community members,' she said. The Code of Ethics was developed by the CRI in collaboration with the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) and the National Media Commission, with funding from UNICEF. The Code seeks to expand and entrench article 14 and 15 of the GJA Code of Ethics; which also emphasises the need to report child related issues in a manner that guarantees the safety of children in Ghana as a national development issue. She said the Code of Ethics would directly contribute to the fulfilment of the expectations of the new Child and Family Welfare Policy. Mr Bright Kweku Appiah, the Executive Director of CRI, said the purpose of the document is to address a wide range of issues affecting children and also serve as a guideline for journalists for the common goal of seeking the best of children when reporting. Dr Affail Monney, the President of the GJA, said the literal child abuse by the media should be confined to the dustbin of history. GNA Accra, Feb. 16, GNA - The Volta River Basin (VBA) Strategic Action Implementation Project was launched in Accra to improve the capacity of the VBA for trans-boundary water resources management and address its institutional weaknesses. The three-year project is being co-financed by the World Bank and the Global Environmental Facility (GEF). Six West African countries namely; Ghana, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cote d'Ivoire, Mali and Togo share the Volta Basin, which covers an estimated area of 400,000 kilometres squares. Recognising the importance of coordinated management of shared natural resources, the Heads of State established the VBA to promote permanent consultation and sustainable development of water and related resources of the Volta basin for equitable distribution of benefits towards poverty alleviation and better socio-economic integration. Dr Kwaku Agyemang Mensah, the Minister for Water Resources, Works and Housing, said the plan served as the lead to the provision of strategic guidance to the implementation of the project. He said it was heart-warming that the Governments of Ghana and its riparian neighbours continued to demonstrate genuine concern to manage and develop their shared water resources by partaking in international cooperation and arrangement among and between themselves. He said despite some obvious challenges, the riparian neighbours should be delightful that their collective efforts and cooperation had culminated in the steady growth of the VBA in promoting the proper management and development of water resources as well as ensuring the equitable sharing of the benefits among them. Dr Agyemang-Mensah said the Conversion establishing the VBA had provided its working principles and established its institutional frame work, however, it is pertinent to echo the fact that the Authority could only fulfill its mandatory role if it was adequately supported and strengthened in terms of technical, human capacity as well as financial resources. He, therefore, pledged Ghana's continued support to the VBA to realise its goals and urged member states to support the development of regional instruments such as the Water Charter for the VBA to serve as a tool for better decision-making and integration. Dr Charles A. Biney, the Acting Executive Director of VBA, said VBA first made a request to the Wold Bank in 2012 under the Bank's Cooperation in International Waters in Africa (CIWA) multi-donor Trust Fund for supporting development in trans-boundary waters in Africa. He said the project, which was then titled Volta River Basin Institutional Support Project, was scheduled to start in 2014 at the cost of five million dollars, however, CIWA Advisory Committee approved on three million dollars for the project in 2013, which led to the need to explore co-financing possibilities. 'Fortunately, the GEF accepted and approved our request for co-financing with a grant of 7.2 million dollars, which also covered GEF priority activities mainly in the form of field demonstration projects. The WB/GEF project, currently titled Volta River Basin Strategic Action Implementation Project, is now scheduled for 2016 to 2019 and has the objective to improve the capacity of the VBA for transboundary water resources management through institutional development activities. Mr Henry Kerali, the World Bank Country Director for Ghana, called for strong political commitment from the six riparian countries to make the project a success. He pledged their support for the project and subsequent ones. The implementation of the new agenda requires that riparian countries act collectively, identify common challenges, set priorities, align policies and actions, and further mobilise resources for implementation. GNA We attempted to send a notification to your email address but we were unable to verify that you provided a valid email address. Please click here to update your email address if you wish to receive notifications. Otherwise, you may click here to disable notifications and hide this message. you are here: interview India a hub of production, exports opportunities: SAAB CEO In a conversation with CNBC-TV18, Hakan Bukshe, SAABs CEO & President says that the JV with Kalyani Group will include production and developments in India. Crude oils trying to tell us something. It appears ready for a massive breakout, or a crash to new lows. But theres more to this story than meets the eye. Talk about crazy times. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude, also known as Texas light sweet, crashed to 13-year lows on Thursday. On Friday, it surged back 12.3% with record volume. Although it still couldnt close the week higher. Brent crude oil, which the Aussie oilers quote, has been relatively boring. Although it jumped from US$27.83 to US$36.77 per barrel last month, its starting to consolidate sideways. It traded mostly around the lower US$30 range last week. Crudes trying to tell us something. It appears ready for a massive breakout, or a crash to new lows. But theres more to this story than meets the eye. Saudi Arabia and Turkey are trying to start a Third World War. And if that happens, it could kick off the crude bull market. Ill explain Buy on the rumour, sell on the news To start, its important keep an open mind. Yes, oil prices are depressed. But it wont stay that way forever. No sane person wants to see a war But, were facing a major war in the Middle East, whether we like it or not. When it breaks out, crude should rocket higher. Ill provide more details below. But first, lets not get too distracted with the big picture story. Its important to maintain a level head. In the short run, crudes not looking good. Crude producers are desperate for higher price. In fact, some leaders are doing whatever it takes to save the oil price. This includes floating rumour after rumour. As CNBC reported, Last week, UAEs energy minister said OPEC was willing to cooperate on an output cut, as reported by the Wall Street Journal, and added that cheap oil was forcing supply reductions that would help re-balance the market. In recent weeks, several reports have speculated a possible supply cut from OPEC members, particularly Saudi Arabia, even as U.S. inventories continued to build up. As I pointed out in Mondays Money Morning (here), this is hopeful thinking. Remember, Saudi Arabias calling the shots for OPEC its the largest producing member. Saudi wont be content until some of its competitors are wiped out. This mainly means the US shale operators. Lets not forget, the US is now the worlds largest oil producer. It has contributed significantly to the global oversupply problem. More importantly, Iran has a major influence on OPEC decisions. It remains key to any deal But, at the moment, most OPEC members are producing at maximum capacity except for Iran. Reviewing the story, Irans actions are speaking louder than words. On Sunday, the country unloaded its first European oil cargo since sanctions were lifted. According to Bloomberg, Iran plans to ramp up its production by 500,000 barrels per day shortly. The number should increase to one million barrels per day by years end. Irans not thinking about cutting production. At the moment, the countrys producing roughly 2.8 million barrels per day. In comparison, Saudi Arabias producing over 10 million barrels per day. Irans extra production should quadruple revenue by years end. You can see this on the chart below. Source: Bloomberg Click to enlarge Iran would be foolish to forego this extra coin. To be honest, anyone would. On the topic of cutting production, Dennis Gartman, publisher of The Gartman Letter, told CNBCs Squawk Box: A meeting to discuss cuts would probably happen and maybe yield a productive outcome, but there was absolutely no chance OPEC members would abide by quotas. If theres one thing weve learned from history, whatever OPEC says about curtailing production never comes to fruition. Everybody cheats. I dont normally agree with Gartman. But youve got to give him credit. His comments make complete sense. If Saudi Arabia or anyone else cuts production, someone else will produce more and gain the rewards. Its a dog eat dog world. In this case, expect crudes oversupplied market to get flooded with Iranian crude. This should see crude make a new low. But, dont worry. Crude prices wont stay low forever. Awakening the crude bull Its not what I want. But the world is heading towards a global armed conflict. And if that doesnt double the oil price, nothing will. I updated the storys development in Fridays Money Morning. In short, Saudi Arabia and Turkey were planning to invade Syria. More specifically, they planned to enter Aleppo Syrias former business hub. Its the last significant urban centre controlled by the rebels. As is stands, Russia and Syria are pushing Syrian rebels out of Aleppo. Saudi Arabia and Turkey dont like this one bit. Its a major strategic hot spot. Its countryside, on the northern border with Turkey, is their lifeline. If Russia and Syria recapture Aleppo, they can move towards southern and northwest Syria. It would be a major blow for Washington, Turkey and Saudi Arabia. Remember, they want to build a gas pipeline through Syria. And for this to happen, Syrian President Bashar Hafez al-Assad needs to go. According to the Washington Post, Russian Prime Minister Dmitri Medvedev said the world had already descended into a new Cold War. Unfortunately, this may be an understatement. Were looking at a new hot war. Over the weekend, Turkey joined the fight over Aleppo. According to Sputnik International, Turkish artillery shelled two towns in the north of Syrias Aleppo province on Sunday. Apparently, Turkey claims that Syrian Kurds have links to the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), a militant group fighting for Kurdish independence from Turkey. This story isnt looking good. At this rate, it wont be long until Saudi Arabia starts bombing the city. And imagine what will happen if another Russian is killed? The tensions arent currently strong enough to drive a turnaround in commodity prices. Things have to get a lot worse to drive commodity prices higher. For example, a major oil field being bombed or a declaration of war. Geopolitical events are escalating. But, at the moment, this is still a chess match. It will take time before we see a full on confrontation. As such, commodities are due to crash in the months ahead. Commodities and stocks will cling to the deteriorating Chinese story in the short term. When we see a full on confrontation, commodities will boom. That time hasnt come yet. But if you want to be prepared if you want to know when the best time to buy commodities comes, and know about the best miners digging them up, check out Resource Speculator. You can find out more here. Regards, Jason Stevenson, Resources Analyst February 16, 2016 Are Green Berets Leading The YPG In Taking The Azaz Pocket? The Syrian Arab Army and the YPG troops of the Syrian Kurds are making good progress in the Azaz pocket. The pocket formed after the Syrian army cut through the "rebel" corridor between Aleppo city and the Turkish border. The aim now is to push all foreign proxy forces who are still in that pocket (green) back north into Turkey and to get full control of the border. big The Syrian-Russian command decided to let the YPG (yellow) have the fun of cleaning the pocket only to taunt the Turkish President Erdogan. Erdogan has a serious domestic policy problems when the Kurdish forces gain control in parts of Syria that the wannabe Sultan Erdogan regarded as sacred neo-Ottoman ground. His court jester, the Prime Minister Davutoglu, announced that his country would not allow the town of Azaz to fall to Kurdish fighters. He will have to eat a flock of craws over that. The Turks are firing artillery from Turkish ground in the north onto Kurdish position in the pocket. Turkish special forces are likely near the front line to control that fire. But artillery alone can not make the difference. The Kurds have air support from the Russian airforce which Turkey no longer dares to attack. The Russians will not attack the Turkish artillery as such an attack could widen the war. The Kurdish troops will have to suffer through that barrage as they push out the Turkish and CIA paid proxies. Some reinforcement for the CIA proxies arrived from Idleb. These passed from Idleb into Turkey and from Turkey into the pocket. The destruction of these forces in the Azaz pocket will make the further fights of the Syrian army in Idleb and elsewhere a lot easier. The Turks see the Kurds as terrorists and demand that everyone joins that view. The U.S. declined and several other states have protested against the Turkish use of artillery against the Kurds. The U.S. sees the Syrian Kurds as friendlies. In east Syria it helped the Kurds to kick the Islamic State out of Kobane. There are U.S. special forces on the ground in east Syria to prepare the Kurds for new attacks on the Islamic State. These also act as Forward Air Controller to direct U.S. air strikes. The Kurds in the Azaz pocket have also some support from a professional military. Their moves are very purposeful and controlled. They are clearly coordinated with the Syrian army. The coordination with the Russian airforce works well and there is ground fire coordination with the SAA. The line of demarcation between them has likely been agreed upon a while ago. This animated GIF shows the development in the pocket over several days. The town Kafr Naya was, for example, first taken by the Syrian army, but then the army pulled back from it and the Kurds immediately took over. Some local forces, former "rebels", in Kafr Naya then joined the Syrian Democratic Forces, which is the U.S. label used for the YPG whenever it has some local Arab forces attached to it. Who are the professionals that are helping the YPG to take the Azaz pocket? My first thought was of course Russian Spetsnaz. But I asked around and none of my usual sources would confirm this. The sources acknowledged that the YPG in west Syria has special force support but there was some quite unexpected silence over who these forces were. It is clear to me that these are not Syrian special forces. The YPG does not want to be seen as an adjunct to the Syrian government. No one would confirm to me that these are Russian forces even as that would be of no great surprise to anyone. This leads me to speculate that some U.S. special forces are directing the YPG in the Azaz pocket. This in coordination with the Syrian army and the Russians. Is that a crazy thought? Consider: The Syrian YPG Kurds are supported by the U.S. military. They received weapons and ammunition from the U.S. military and, at least in the east, have some U.S. military special forces embedded with them. These Pentagon supported YPG troops currently fight foreign proxy forces in the Azaz pocket which are supported, equipped and paid by the CIA, the Saudis, the Turks and other Arab U.S. "allies". The CIA is running the show. The Turkish NATO member is shelling the Pentagon supported YPG to protect the CIA supported "moderate rebels". The current CIA director was once the CIA Chief of Station in Riyadh and has intimate connection to the Saudi rulers (and their pockets?). It was the military's Defense Intelligence Agency that warned in 2012 of the emergence of a "Salafist Principality" - the Islamic State - in Syria and Iraq. It warned against continuing the CIA support for the "rebels". It was the Pentagon that sabotaged the White House intent to create another "moderate rebel" force to attack the Islamic State: The militarys resistance dates back to the summer of 2013, when a highly classified assessment, put together by the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) and the Joint Chiefs of Staff, then led by General Martin Dempsey, forecast that the fall of the Assad regime would lead to chaos and, potentially, to Syrias takeover by jihadi extremists, much as was then happening in Libya. A former senior adviser to the Joint Chiefs told me that the document was an all-source appraisal, drawing on information from signals, satellite and human intelligence, and took a dim view of the Obama administrations insistence on continuing to finance and arm the so-called moderate rebel groups. By then, the CIA had been conspiring for more than a year with allies in the UK, Saudi Arabia and Qatar to ship guns and goods to be used for the overthrow of Assad from Libya, via Turkey, into Syria. The new intelligence estimate singled out Turkey as a major impediment to Obamas Syria policy. The document showed, the adviser said, that what was started as a covert US programme to arm and support the moderate rebels fighting Assad had been co-opted by Turkey, and had morphed into an across-the-board technical, arms and logistical programme for all of the opposition, including Jabhat al-Nusra and Islamic State. The so-called moderates had evaporated and the Free Syrian Army was a rump group stationed at an airbase in Turkey. Clearly, the Pentagon hates the CIA support for the "moderate rebels". The CIA support has fed not only the "rebels" but also al-Qaeda and the Islamic State. Continuing that path would likely result in a radical al-Qaeda controlled Syrian government and another thankless, years long military expedition to oust it. The U.S. has several kinds of special forces. The famed SEALs as well as the army's Delta Forces are by now mostly door kickers. They do night raids and other SWAT commando like stuff. The Army Rangers have joined them in the bloody business of killing Afghan farmers. The U.S. special forces that are trained and able to direct a local guerrilla are the Green Berets. A very discreet type of people that work in small teams and are trained in local languages and habits. So who is helping the Kurds. My hunch is that these are not the "polite green men" of the Russian Spetsnaz, who enabled the people of Crimea to rejoin with Russia, who are now helping the YPG. I believe that the Pentagon sent some of its own "green" people to help the YPG to kick the asses of the CIA supported Jihadis out of Syria. This in tight coordination with the Syrian and Russian forces. The Obama administration for now decided to accept the Russian offer to pull its chestnuts out of the Syrian fire. But it does not want to give the Russian any credit for doing so. And while the Pentagon has firmly joined the Russian camp some years ago, the White House interventionist borg are ready to again change course and to again support the CIA, the Saudis and Turks in their "moderate Jihadis" mischief. The Green Berets, should they indeed be in north-west Syria, better do their job well and defeat the CIA proxies in a decisive manner. The above is speculative based solely on my personal hunch and it may be completely wrong. It would probably make for a good movie plot. But could it be right? Has the Pentagon send its specialists to help the Syrians, Russians and Kurds to kick out the CIA sponsored Jihadis? Please let me know your take. Posted by b on February 16, 2016 at 22:35 UTC | Permalink Comments next page Volatility in global stock markets has been generating a lot of headlines since the start of the year. Stocks price have tumbled, with banks and energy stocks leading the downward charge. Fears about the European banking sector, centred on Deutsche Bank and its piles of debt, has spilled over to the UK in the past few weeks and caused a sector agnostic sell-off. The market dip on Thursday last week brought European markets to their lowest levels in more than two years, according to Morningstar Data. This week the pan-European Stoxx Europe 600 index climbed 2.9% as US stocks advanced, oil prices climbed and solid Eurozone growth data helped eased global growth worries. The German DAX and France's CAC 40 index both rallied about 2.5% while the UK's FTSE 100 climbed 3.1%. However, concerns over the volatile market remain high. Advisers and investment professionals continue to urge investors not to panic and say the market downturn should be considered as a chance to buy some high-quality companies at a cheaper cost. But this is easier said than done. Human nature tends to flight rather than fight, and fears about further falls often lead investors to sell up and crystallise losses. We examine the fund flows data on Morningstar Direct to see what investors have been bold enough to buy. Investors Flee From Fixed Income European investors sold out of more fixed income funds than any other asset class in January, with net outflows of 15 billion, although this is far from outflows of June in 2013 where funds recorded outflows of 27 billion in single month. Worst hit were high yield fixed income funds, which saw outflows of 6.3 billion in January according to Morningstar Direct data. Euro Corporate Bond funds were also unpopular among investors, with an outflow of 2.4 billion in January alone. It was the worst hit in January of the fund over the past five years. The worst fund in the Euro Corporate Bonds flow rankings was BlueBay Investment Grade Bond, with an outflow of 344 million in January alone. The fund is rated Bronze by Morningstar. Fund analyst Carlos Lucar commented that the funds negative relative performance was due to an overweighting to credit risk, which was challenged by fears of Grexit and emerging markets growth weakness. However, Lucar retained positive view on the fund given the exceptional long term performance and risk-adjusted track record for the managers strategy. Demand for fixed income funds, while weak, was concentrated in the least popular fund of January, Swiss RE (Lux) I Long Term Asset Allocation. The fund saw outflows of 1.5 billion, accounted for one third of outflows into the asset class. Also this is the first recorded outflows of the fund over the last five years. Reaumur Actions was the second least popular fund of the month, with outflows of 1.3 billion. The third least popular fund of January 2016 among European investors was M&G Optimal Income, with outflows of 1.1 billion. The fund has been losing money since April last year, with June 2015 the worst month on record with outflows of 1.7 billion. The fund is rated Silver by Morningstar. Equity funds saw outflows of 6 billion in January. This was the first month recording outflows in the asset class as a whole since August last year when outflows reached to 21 billion. The worst equity categories in January included Asia ex-Japan Equity, with outflows of 1.6 billion, and Greater China Equity, with outflows of 1.1 billion. Allocation funds also saw outflows of 4.4 billion in January. Where was Investors 'Safe Haven'? Alternative funds topped the buying list in January, with inflows of 4 billion. Multi-asset alternative was the most popular category with inflows of nearly 2 billion. Long Short equity was also popular which saw inflows of 1.4 billion in January. Despite the major outflows in equity funds, Europe Equity Large Cap topped the flow rankings with inflows of 2 billion. The category has been a popular asset to buy among investors since January last year. Property funds recorded the third largest inflows across asset class with inflows of 1.1 billion in January. Commodity funds saw inflows of 41 million in January. The most popular Morningstar category in January was Euro Ultra Short-Term Bond, with inflows of 2.5 billion. Alternative Market Neutral Equity was the second most popular Morningstar category with inflows of 1.5 billion. Old Mutual Global Equity Absolute Return topped the list in this category with inflows of 545 million in January, which saw the largest inflows of this fund over the past five years. Demand for multi-strategy funds was also strong, with inflows of 1.5 billion in January alone. Of the top selling multi-strategy category, Standard life Investments Global Absolute Return Strategies came first with inflows of 399 million. The fund is rated Bronze by Morningstar. Fund analyst Randal Goldsmith said despite past team member changes, the fund remains stable to meet its performance objective. The fund has one of the more successful track records within the absolute return peer group, Goldsmith says. The Buyer Home Appraisal Comes in Low This is a rather common nuisance that can throw a monkey wrench in the middle of... Saudi Arabia and Russia, the world's biggest crude oil producers, joined Venezuela and Qatar in an agreement to freeze output in an effort to revive prices from a 12-year low. Whether the deal succeeds will depend on Iran, Iraq and other large exporters joining in. This is what some of the world's biggest producers said after the deal: - Iran: Iran, unshackled from sanctions last month, will not forgo its share of the market, Oil Ministry news service Shana reported, citing Oil Minister Bijan Namdar Zanganeh. He will meet his counterparts from Iraq and Venezuela in Tehran on Wednesday. Iran is the fifth-biggest producer in the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, pumping 2.86 million barrels a day in January. It was producing at 3.8 million barrels a day in 2010, before international sanctions were imposed on its exports. Iran plans to increase daily exports by 1 million barrels this year. - Iraq: Iraq, OPEC's second-largest producer, is ready to join Saudi Arabia in freezing oil output, or even cut, if other producers commit to the accord, said an official who asked not to be identified because oil policy is private. Oil Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi said on Jan. 26 that Saudi Arabia is showing more flexibility on the issue of output cuts. Iraq increased production to 4.37 million barrels a day in January from 2.4 million in the beginning of 2010 as it seeks to rebuild following years of war and under-investment, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. - Kuwait: Kuwait, OPEC's third-biggest producer, will join the accord and freeze production at 3 million barrels a day, said a person with direct knowledge of the country's plans who asked not to be identified. The agreement should last at least three months because OPEC needs to understand the market's reaction and give time for stocks to fall before it can consider cutting supplies, the person said. - Saudi Arabia: The deal to freeze output is simply the beginning of a process to assess in the next few months and decide whether we need other steps to stabilize the market, Saudi Arabian Oil Minister Ali Al-Naimi said after meeting his Russian, Qatari and Venezuelan counterparts in Doha. We want a stable oil price. Naimi's comments fed speculation that the world's biggest oil producers could eventually take action to revive prices. The kingdom has so far resisted making any cuts in output to boost prices, arguing that it would simply be losing market share unless its rivals also agreed to reduce supplies. - Qatar: We will start intensive communication almost straightaway with other major producers, OPEC and non-OPEC, including Iran and Iraq, Qatar's Energy Minister Mohammed bin Saleh al-Sada said after the meeting in Doha on Tuesday. Qatar will lead monitoring of the output freeze agreement. Qatar is among OPEC's smallest oil producers, and the world's largest liquefied natural gas exporter. Most natural gas contracts are linked to oil prices and a slump in prices affects Qatar's economy. The nation has taken over from Algeria in attempting to broker a deal between the world's biggest oil producers to limit supply. - Venezuela: The Latin American nation is among the worst hit by oil's slump amid concerns the government may default on its debt. The nation has been attempting to get its fellow OPEC members and Russia to cut production for months. Oil Minister Eulogio Del Pino was part of the talks in Doha on Tuesday and will continue his efforts in meetings with officials from Iraq and Iran on Wednesday, he said. - Russia: Russia will cap output if other producers join, according to a statement issued by the Russian Energy Ministry. Rosneft OJSC, the country's largest oil producer, still has questions about the deal and its terms, Vice-President Mikhail Leontyev said by phone from Moscow. Saudi Arabia and Iran would need to give viable guarantees, he said. Russia is pumping crude at record levels of about 10.9 million barrels a day in January. The country would face technical constraints in cutting production in the winter because of the risk that pipelines would freeze. - Azerbaijan: Azerbaijan has no plans to freeze its oil production, Natiq Abbasov, the country's deputy energy minister, said by email. Azerbaijan isn't a large oil producer. So cutting or freezing output won't change anything, he said. The country produced 794,000 barrels a day of crude in December, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. Thirty years into her career as a teacher, Louise Fry is still embracing new challenges and daily expanding her horizons. For the first time ever, Fry is teaching kindergarten and finds it highly enjoyable because each student is so eager to learn. An Oklahoma native, Fry grew up in Stillwater and earned her bachelors and masters degrees from Oklahoma State University. Before accepting a teaching position at Lamar eight years ago, Fry taught in Oklahoma and at Midlands Hillander School and Midland Classical Academy. She holds a masters degree in reading, and considers teaching children to read one of the most rewarding parts of the profession. She has taught classes and supervised student teachers for University of Texas of the Permian Basin. Fry has lived in Midland 26 years. Her family includes husband, Collin, son, Kevin, daughter, Kate, stepdaughter, Kara, stepson, Clint, and two granddaughters. Why did you choose a career in education? I feel like I have a passion for working with children. I have always wanted to be a teacher. After teaching for more than 30 years I still enjoy my job. Im always looking for ways to reach the children. I try to find different ways to help them learn. I go to different workshops to understand and help my students. What is the greatest challenge to being an educator in Midland today? Teaching is a very challenging job. Children today seem to learn differently then students in the past. It may be the technology that children have available to them now. How have you moved beyond the basic curriculum and found innovative ways to reach your students? Four years ago I started a program to get the fathers or male role models to be more involved with their children. Its a campus-wide event called All Pro Dads Breakfast. We meet three times a semester. Kids and their dads come for breakfast and enjoy a program that encourages conversations with their kids. I have helped another school start this program. What is the one lesson you want to impart on every student who enters your classroom? Im implementing something called conscious discipline in my classroom. Im teaching them life lessons on how to solve conflict and how to connect with each other. I want my students to leave kindergarten better equipped to face lifes challenges. What support can Midlanders provide you and other educators? I spend a lot of out-of-pocket expenses for my kids and classroom. I do it because of my love for kids and teaching. Programs like Classroom Pioneers helps with these expenses. I appreciate being selected for this honor. A group of Midlanders will be traveling to Ciudad Juarez to see Pope Francis on Wednesday. The Rev. Bala Anthony of St. Stephens Catholic Church purchased 110 tickets so that members of his congregation could see the pope during his historic visit to the border town. The group has been offered accommodation by two Juarez churches near El Punto, a large field near Benito Juarez Stadium where Francis will be celebrating Mass Wednesday afternoon. Seventy of the group will be traveling in St. Stephens church buses, and the remainder will travel by car. They are leaving at 6 a.m. Tuesday. Everyone is very excited, Anthony said. Im very happy because Im also celebrating with the other priests, so Im really honored and feeling happy to celebrate with the Diocese of Juarez. Pope Francis will arrive at the Juarez airport at about 10:30 a.m. MST. From there, he will travel via motorcade to Cereso prison where he will meet and pray with several inmates, according to the Catholic Diocese of El Paso. The popes next expected stop will be Colegio Bachilleres where he will be met by approximately 3,600 business leaders and workers. Pope Francis will then travel to a seminary for a private lunch and rest before celebrating Mass at 4 p.m. at El Punto. El Punto holds about 220,000 people and tickets will be provided to parishes on both sides of the border for those who want to attend Mass in Juarez. The Mass is being telecast at Sun Bowl Stadium at the University of Texas at El Paso, which is across the Rio Grande from Juarez. District attorney candidates Laura A. Nodolf and William R. Lundy Jr. -- currently assistant DAs -- have differing takes on what determines if a district attorney is successful. Nodolf mainly turned to the numbers during Wednesdays forum for Republican candidates. She pointed to the number of days an individual spent in jail, number of dates between an indictment and a trial, plea deal numbers and trial numbers, as well as recidivism. The majority of cases through the Midland County District Attorneys Office are settle via plea deal, Nodolf said. If you start to see a backlog on dockets, it means were not doing our job, Nodolf said. If were doing a reduction in number of pleas, maybe were not doing our job making the right plea offer and assessing the cases appropriately as we should. Lundy agreed that numbers can be a marker, but said that the main way to tell if a DA has done a good job is asking residents. You ask the citizens, do you feel safe? Are your kids safe at school, safe at home, and do you feel safe at night? Thats the only way you can really know, Lundy said. You have numbers, but they dont tell you what citizens can. The forum allowed for Nodolf and Lundy to answer both audience and moderator-posed questions. Nodolf said that what made her uniquely qualified for the position was her more than 200 jury trials Midland during 13 years of service and her dedication to residents and a city that is her home, not a career stop. She also pointed to her involvement on the administrative and the trial side, as well as implementing the Tech Share project that expedited filing cases by law enforcement and sharing evidence among lawyers. Lundy cited his 29 years practicing law and that he has tried every kind of case you can try, including white collar and Ponzi schemes while assistant attorney general for the state of Tennessee. He said his years of experience give him the wisdom, judgment and maturity in deciding which cases to try -- not just if its a good case, but a victim who deserves some shot at justice. Follow Cassie on Twitter at @Cassie_Burton51 BEIRUT (AP) Across a narrow strip of border territory near the Euphrates River, a ferocious battle with huge implications for Syria's civil war is playing out, one that also risks erupting into a regional conflict. The fight for control of Aleppo pulls in all the major players in Syria's civil war over a prized strip of rebel-held land near the Turkish border. A look at this stretch of territory sometimes referred to as the Azaz corridor: ___ THE GEOGRAPHY The area is a nearly 100-kilometer (60-mile) border zone stretching from Azaz in the west to the town of Jarablus near the Euphrates River, down to the northern suburbs of Aleppo city. The zone is wedged between Kurdish-controlled areas to the east and west. It includes Azaz and Marea, two strongholds of Turkey-backed rebels fighting to topple President Bashar Assad; and Jarablus, al-Bab and Manbij, held by the Islamic State group. Syrian government troops, backed by Hezbollah and Iranian forces, are pushing toward the north from around Tel Rifaat. Warplanes from the U.S.-led coalition pound IS-held areas in the zone, while Russia, a key Assad backer, bombs the rebels. ___ WHY IT'S IMPORTANT The outcome of the fight in Aleppo may to a large extent determine the outcome of the 5-year-old conflict. This is because the town of Azaz, with its border crossing of Bab al-Salameh, has been a lifeline for the opposition since it fell into rebel hands in 2012. A route known as the Azaz corridor links rebel-held eastern Aleppo with Turkey. If the rebels lose this corridor, they would effectively lose Aleppo. The entire border with Turkey would be sealed off, its control shifting to anti-Turkish Syrian government or Kurdish forces. ___ THE KURDS AND IS Kurdish fighters, who have been the most successful in the war against IS and are allied with both the U.S. and Russia, control most of the 910-kilometer (565-mile) boundary with Turkey, interrupted only by a patch of rebel- and IS-held land. They are taking advantage of the chaos to advance and try to link the two enclaves they control to the east and west. They have advanced eastward from Afrin and from the west to the edge of Azaz, triggering alarm in Ankara, which responded with artillery on Kurdish positions. Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu on Monday vowed the "harshest reaction" should the Kurdish People's Protection Units, or YPG, advance on Azaz, a town near the border held by anti-Assad rebels. The Kurds are also preparing to move in on IS-held areas, starting with Jarablus just east of the Euphrates. ___ A SAFE ZONE Turkey has for years lobbied the international community for a no-fly zone in this strip of territory along its border a plan that opens the possibility of a safe haven for tens of thousands of displaced Syrians. Washington has long rejected that, fearing it would draw U.S. forces further into the civil war. Last year, the U.S. and Turkey announced they would create an IS-free zone in the area, but that idea went nowhere. Turkey is still toying with the idea of a ground incursion to secure the area, but a Turkish official said Tuesday there will be no unilateral ground operation. He spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to talk publicly on the issue. Saudi Arabia has said it also is ready to send ground troops to Syria to fight IS and is sending warplanes to an air base in Turkey near the border. ___ HUMANITARIAN DISASTER The fighting in Aleppo has sent tens of thousands of people fleeing toward the Turkish border, where they sleep in tents and open fields. It also has disrupted aid deliveries, putting more civilians at risk of being completely cut off. Aid groups estimate that more than 100,000 people have left Aleppo in the past two weeks because of fears the city would become besieged. Fears of more refugees flowing into Europe may change perspectives. German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Monday backed the idea of a no-fly zone in Syria to protect civilians who might otherwise flee the country. After rumored early release dates have made their rounds online, it appears that Gucci Mane will actually be coming home soon. He is slated to be released from prison in September. According to the Federal Bureau of Prisons website, Gucci, born Radric Davis, will be released from the United States Penitentiary in Terre Haute, Indiana on September 20, 2016. Last month, members of Brick Squad claimed that the "Icy" rapper was getting out in March, but the bureau reiterated that his release date was set for March of 2017. Gucci has been in jail since September 2013 when he was arrested for carrying a loaded handgun and marijuana. In 2014, he reportedly struck a deal as a result of pleading guilty to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Last summer, reports hit the Internet stating that Gucci would be released in July. Shortly thereafter, his lawyer, Drew Findling, told MTV News that the update was not true. Although Findling did not deny that Gucci may be granted an early release, he confirmed the rapper would not be coming home at that time. He chalked up the reports as a social media fabrication. "I can't get into specifics, but we're in the midst of corresponding with the Bureau of Prisons," Findling said. "I'm trying to iron out a specific release date for him, but that I can tell you that is not his release date. There's nothing formal about that. It's a product of social media." At the end of January, Mike WiLL Made-It revealed that Gucci would host his forthcoming project, Ransom 2. He later said that the Feds shut down his plans to contribute. However, he did reveal that the two will collaborate on Trap Tape upon his release. Apparently, Guccis legal team has kept their word. A screenshot of the Federal Bureau of Prisons website showing Gucci Mane's release date can be seen below. 2015 MusicTimes.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Lionel Richie joined John Legend, Demi Lovato, Luke Bryan, Meghan Trainor and Tyrese onstage at the 58th Grammy Awards tonight as they paid tribute to Richie just a few days after the 66-year-old legend was honored at the MusiCares Person of the Year Gala. Legend kicked things off with the Commodores' song "Easy Like Sunday Morning," which was of course written by Richie. Lovato picked things up from there with Richie's solo hit "Hello," followed by Bryan's performance of Richie's Can't Slow Down hit "Penny Lover." The medley continued with Trainor's rendition of 1982's "You Are," followed by Tyrese Gibson's energetic version of the Commodores' classic "Brick House." But then, the night went really crazy when Richie himself surprisingly joined the whole crew on stage for the final moments of the medley in which they all together sang "All Night Long." Legend previously performed "Easy" at the MusiCares Gala this past Saturday when Dave Grohl made a surprise appearance that evening to sing "You Are." Richie is no stranger to the Grammys. Can't Slow Down won Album of the Year in 1984, and he's also the recipient of three other Grammy Awards. 2015 MusicTimes.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Music lovers of all genres witnessed the 58th annual Grammy Awards unfold on Monday (Feb. 15) at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. It was a night filled with unforgettable performances, including one from Little Big Down. The country group hit the stage to not only collect a couple of Grammys, but also sing their popular hit single "Girl Crush." Little Big Town won big tonight with the song for Best Country Duo/Group Performance. The single was released on their 2014 album Pain Killer. "Girl Crush" earned them another top honor with Best Country Song. Although nominated for Best Country Album, the musical act lost to fellow country swooner Chris Stapleton and his 2015 hit album, Traveller. "I wanna taste her lips / Yeah, 'cause they taste like you," Karen Fairchild of Little Big Town sings - exhales, really - over a slow-dance guitar lick, "I wanna drown myself in a bottle of her perfume." A photo posted by Little Big Town (@littlebigtown) on Feb 15, 2016 at 4:01pm PST After hitting the airwaves last year, the lyrics of "Girl Crush" reportedly caused a bit of controversy from radio listeners who didn't agree with the gay undertones of the song. The song ultimately won over the majority of fans, who understood the play on words was a way for a woman to describe her envy for the new woman in her ex's life. The music vocal group of four was founded in 1998 and is still comprised of its original members. Little Big Town is made up of Fairchild, Kimberly Schlapman, Jimi Westbrook, and Phillip Sweet. Little Big Town is just one of many performers hitting the stage during tonight's Grammy Awards. They join a long list of artists including Kendrick Lamar, Adele, Taylor Swift, Alabama Shakes, Justin Bieber with Jack U (Diplo and Skrillex), the Hamilton cast, The Weend, and more. Watch the full performance below: 2015 MusicTimes.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Introduced by Late Show host Stephen Colbert, the cast of the hit historical hip-hop Broadway musical Hamilton performed the play's opening number about the founding father and U.S. Constitution signee at the 58th Grammy Awards. Shortly after the performance, the play won the title for Best Musical Theater Album. Creator Lin-Manuel Miranda and his diverse cast, however, did not perform from the Staples Center alongside Kendrick Lamar and Taylor Swift--rather, they broadcast live from a special Monday night performance from the play's home at New York's Richard Rodgers Theatre. This marks the first time in history the Grammys broadcast live from Broadway. The performance began with cast members taking the stage one by one singing biographical snippets about the founding father without a father--Alexander Hamilton himself--before asking "What's your name?" That's when Miranda appeared, introduced himself as Hamilton, and thunderous applause continued through the next few lines. As the song continued, so did the biographical tale: dancers moved around the stage and at one point Miranda-as-founding-father traded in his beige coat for another velvety-looking brown coat. Hamilton was up against An American in Paris, Fun Home, The King and I and Something Rotten! in the Best Musical Theater Album category. The winner was announced shortly after the winning musical's performance. Upon Hamilton winning the title, the live broadcast turned once again to the performance at Richard Rodgers Theatre where Miranda burst into a moving, hip-hop inspired spoken word acceptance speech. 2015 MusicTimes.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The Grammys primetime telecast is less of an award ceremony and more of a three-and-a-halk hour long concert. On Monday night (Feb. 15), there were 20 performances and just a handful of trophies given out. While some of the artists on music's biggest night shined bright and brought true artistry to the Grammys (Kendrick Lamar, Chris Stapleton, Alabama Shakes), other performers were less about the music and more about shameless self-promotion of sexist special guests (Hollywood Vampires, Pitbull). Check out our ranking of the 20 Grammy performers from worst to best... 20. The Hollywood Vampires, "As Bad as I Am/Ace of Spades" There are plenty of rock acts that are capable of paying tribute to the unmatchable Lemmy of Motorhead - but a band that is most famous for bringing featuring (the actually musically talented) Johnny Depp may not have been the right choice. Instead of honoring Lemmy and his legacy with a medley of Motorhead songs, The Hollywood Vampires opened up their set with their original song "As Bad As I Am," and while it sounded fine, it wasn't what we signed up for, and Depp should stay away from the microphone. Lemmy deserved better. 19. Pitbull, Travis Barker & Robin Thicke, "El Taxi/Bad Man" Latin music is incredibly underrepresented at the Grammys, so it's understandable why they tried to give Latinos a big moment at the end of the show with this closing number. While it was refreshing to hear Spanish on this telecast, Pitbull always does the same performance, and the surprise cameo by Sofia Vergara in a taxi costume just felt icky and, really, why was Robin Thicke there? 18. Adele, "All I Ask" It's painful to put Adele at the bottom of any ranking list. In theory her time on the Grammy stage could have been a top three contender. But, her performance of "All I Ask" (a true highlight from her new album 25) was marred with sound issues. She sings live and the piano player performed live. According to Adele's Twitter, the piano microphones fell on the strings, leading to an out-of-pitch guitar sound, which CBS producers could not fix. So, while Adele herself sounded flawless (and got a standing ovation), the things out of her control made this a #GrammysMoment we'd all like to move on from. Next year will be your year, girl. 17. Joey Alexander, Piano Solo Joey Alexander is a talented kid, there's no doubt about that, and as the youngest Grammy nominee of the night, it was nice to see him get a little time to shine. But, his plight was played off as a sad one as a kid who has no future in the industry he's clearly talented in, as Grammy executives talked about why streaming is bad. Way to crush Joey's dreams, guys!! 16. Carrie Underwood & Sam Hunt, "Take Your Time/Heartbeat" Carrie Underwood and Sam Hunt are capable of making sweet harmonies together (he does the background vocals on the studio version of "Heartbeat" after all), but they failed to connect on the Grammys stage, clashing on some of the song's sweeter chords. Plus, at five minutes, this performance was just way too long for two ballads with no choreography. 15. Miguel, "She's Out of My Life" Miguel was nominated for two Grammys on Monday night, so why his "performance" was relegated to a Michael Jackson documentary advertisement with a 30-second vocal is a mystery to us. 14. Tori Kelly & James Bay, "Let it Go/Hollow" For the collaborations this year, the Grammy musical director just decided to mashup two major hits, sung by their original artists, and it never quite worked correctly. And while both Tori Kelly and James Bay sounded good, the acoustic pop was just a little boring in an already three-and-a-half hour broadcast. 13. Stevie Wonder & Pentatonix, "That's the Way of the World" Maurice White, like Lemmy, is a musical legend. And while Pentatonix and Stevie Wonder sounded great together on the Grammys stage, this stinted tribute was not nearly long enough, especially after it was quickly overshadowed by Pentatonix's glee of singing with Wonder and Ed Sheeran's Song of the Year award. Give White his moment... 12. Eagles & Jackson Browne, "Take It Easy" This was a straightforward performance of a song done by its original band. And while the choice of his biggest hit was a sweet tribute to Glenn Frey, this performance just lacked a big moment or any excitement. It just... was. 11. Ellie Goulding & Andra Day, "Rise Up/Love Me Like You Do" Both Ellie Goulding and Andra Day sounded spectacular on the Grammys stage, but like Bay and Kelly (and, to a lesser extent, Underwood and Hunt), this performance felt a little odd due to its weird arrangement. These women are too talented - and too different - to share the stage. 10. Little Big Town, "Girl Crush" "Girl Crush" isn't an inherently exciting song, and while the addition of strings was a welcome one and Karen Fairchild nailed the melody of this Grammy-winning hit, there just wasn't much to pay attention to here. 09. The Weeknd, "Can't Feel My Face/In the Night" The Weeknd can be one of the most engaging performers out there, and he kicked off his two-song setlist at the Grammys with the fiery Record of the Year nominee "Can't Feel My Face." The Weeknd should have left it there, because when he moved to his new single "In the Night," the energy from the room was immediately drained. We get it, you want to promote your new track, but don't bore us in the process. 08. Taylor Swift, "Out of the Woods" Taylor Swift opened the Grammys with her new 1989 single "Out of the Woods," and the staging was simply spectacular. She was surrounded by pink trees, illumination courtesy of the audience and, as Chris Stapleton put it later, glitter bombs. As always, Swift put on a show, and while she flubbed a note or two, she was as engaging as ever. 07. Hamilton Cast, "Alexander Hamilton" This year's Grammys were unique because for the first time in a long time, some of the most exciting music of the year came from Broadway with the hip-hop hit Hamilton. Beyond moving the category of Best Musical Theater Album to the main show, the Grammys celebrated Hamilton's innovation with a life performance from its theatre on the Great White Way. Though the storyline of the musical was missing, thus making the song itself feel a little confusing, there's no denying that this was a spectacle to watch, with stellar vocals from the entire cast. If you thought getting tickets to Hamilton was hard before... just you try now. 06. Justin Bieber, Skrillex and Diplo, "Love Yourself/Where Are U Now" Justin Bieber finally won his first Grammy, and his energy from the big win was felt heavily during his performance with his Jack U collaborators Diplo and Skrillex. Bieber kicked off this set playing an acoustic guitar, performing his new chart-topping single "Love Yourself." Soon, however, he ran to the mainstage to give "Where Are U Now," typically an EDM track, a rock makeover. Skrillex returned to his From First to Last days by shredding on the guitars while Diplo murdered a drum, and Bieber was characteristically enthusiastic, offering up some Peanuts kicks like there's no tomorrow. Odd dancing aside, this performance was the sort of electric energy the Grammys desperately needed. 05. John Legend, Demi Lovato, Luke Bryan, Meghan Trainor, Tyrese & Lionel Richie, Lionel Richie Tribute Medley If it seemed like pretty much everyone at the Grammys appeared on stage for this Lionel Richie tribute, well, you're right. This stacked performance brought out the best from John Legend, Demi Lovato and Tyrese who performed their tracks ("Easy Like Sunday Morning," "Hello" and "Brick House") like there was no tomorrow. While some of the parts of the tribute (Trainor, Bryan) played off less well, the pure joy on stage was palpable. Seeing Richie join the stage at the end for "All Night Long," added just another layer of enthusiasm to this massive celebration of Richie's discography. 04. Alabama Shakes, "Don't Wanna Fight" From the moment Brittany Howard opened her mouth with that signature wail in "Don't Wanna Fight," you just knew this performance was going to slay. And it did. Howard kept her massive vocals gritty and big, but controlled in a way that is truly masterful on some level. Alabama Shakes had a big night with three major wins (Best Rock Song, Best Rock Performance, Best Alternative Music Album), and it was nice to see them carry that momentum to the stage with one of the best straightforward performances of the night. 03. Chris Stapleton, Gary Clark Jr. & Bonnie Raitt, "The Thrill is Gone" (B.B. King Tribute) In case Chris Stapleton's big sweep at the CMA Awards earlier this year wasn't enough to grab your attention, his big Grammys performance (and wins) certainly will. Though the pairings at this year's Grammys were mostly off, Stapleton paired with Gary Clark Jr. and Bonnie Raitt was simply perfect. Each brought a different element of blues to the table, killing the guitar solos and vocals. As if Stapleton and Clark's intertwining guitars weren't enough to set your TV screens ablaze, when Raitt strutted onto the stage, she proved once again why she, too, is a legend. This was a fitting tribute for one of rock's greats. 02. Lady Gaga, David Bowie Tribute Medley A lot of detractors popped up when it was announced that Lady Gaga would be the sole artist to pay tribute to David Bowie at the Grammys - but they seemed to forget that Gaga always commits to the bit. From her new Bowie tattoo to her red carpet look that honored the late rock icon, Gaga was clearly in her Bowie zone on Monday evening. She carried that through to her performance, which incorporated multiple sets, projections on Gaga's face and body and several outfit changes. Gaga also nailed the attitude of Bowie's multiple personas and, of course, the vocals. Like I said, never forget: Gaga will always commit 100 percent. 01. Kendrick Lamar, "The Blacker the Berry/Alright" It was clear from the first visuals of Kendrick Lamar's much-hyped Grammy performance that he would be making a statement, just like he did with his Grammy-winning album To Pimp a Butterfly. Lamar used his time on stage to be unapologetically black and political. From the chain gang to his African set to his intense strobe light-infused freestyle to the last stark image of "Compton" written on Africa, this performance was not only important but executed flawlessly. Lamar, as always, was in the zone. He performed his raps and freestyles with a fervor that many other Grammy performers should have taken note of, getting completely lost in the music. He may have lost Album of the Year, but Lamar dominated the Grammys. 2015 MusicTimes.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Whether or not they like it, the Eagles of Death Metal will always be linked to the horrific attacks in Paris at The Bataclan on November 13, 2015. Frontman Jesse Hughes has made most of the public statements since those attacks and ahead of their show at The Olympia, their first in the city as a headlining act since November, Hughes gave an interview with iTELE. He talked about the attacks and commented that he didn't think France's policy of gun control helped to prevent the deaths in the venue. Hughes, an outspoken gun advocate was emotional as he posed the question about whether or not gun control failed to prevent deaths at Le Bataclan. "Did your French gun control stop a single f-ng person from dying at the Bataclan?" Hughes said. "And if anyone can answer yes, I'd like to hear it, because I don't think so. I think the only thing that stopped it was some of the bravest men that I've ever seen in my life charging head-first into the face of death with their firearms." "I know people will disagree with me, but it just seems like God made men and women, and that night guns made them equal," he continued. "And I hate it that it's that way. I think the only way my mind has been changed is that maybe that until nobody has guns, everybody has to have them. Because I don't ever want to see anything like this ever happen again and I want everyone to have the best chance to live." The concept of a good guy with a gun has been touted by many conservatives, especially the NRA, though the FBI recently released statistics calling into question the theory's validity. Of the 160 active shooter incidents in the United States between 2000 and 2013, only 5 (3.1 percent), were neutralized by armed individuals, including armed security guards, who aren't members of law enforcement. The Eagles of Death Metal will return to the stage in Paris tonight at L'Olympia for the first time since they were invited by U2 to perform alongside them in December. Watch the interview here. 2015 MusicTimes.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. We have independently selected these offers and products because we love them and we think you might like them at these prices. E! has affiliate relationships, so we may earn a commission if you buy something through our links. Items are Please enable JavaScript to experience the functionality of this website. - MWEB Sarkodie should have been bigger than ... Microphone and US Flag View Photos House Majority Whip Steve Scalise (R-Louisiana) delivered this weeks Republican address and discussed his partys position on energy and jobs. Hi, Im House Majority Whip Steve Scalise, and on this Presidents Day weekend, Im honored to be speaking to you from the Lincoln Room in the United States Capitol. Right now, were all paying less for gas than we have in years. In some states, theyre talking about prices going down to 99 cents per gallon. For families struggling to get by, thats much-needed extra money back in their pockets. But not for long, if President Obama has his way. This week, tucked in his budget, the president proposed a $65 billion a year tax that would raise the cost of gasoline by, on average, 25 cents for every gallon you buy. Youll hear them call this a tax on oil, but even the White House admits that this new tax would be passed directly on to hard-working families. It gets worse. Analysts say this tax would increase the cost of basic household goods. Everything from heating oil to the food you buy at the grocery store. The bottom line is this: you would be taking home less, so that President Obama can spend more. Thats why we have declared this absurd proposal dead on arrival in Congress. Its dead on arrival because we stand with the American people who know theyre already paying too much in taxes, and we agree. So thats one piece of good news. Heres another: On Tuesday, the Supreme Court blocked the EPA climate rule at the heart of the presidents war on coal, which has destroyed jobs across our country. If you look at the proposals coming out of the presidents EPA, in my home state of Louisiana alone, we would suffer more than 16,000 jobs lost, and families would see increases of more than 20 percent in their household electricity costs. Again, this is President Obamas vision. He said that under his policies, electricity prices would have to necessarily skyrocket. His first Energy Secretary said we have to figure out how to boost the price of gasoline to the levels in Europe, where they pay 6 to 7 dollars per gallon. He vetoed the Keystone pipeline. He launched an all-out assault on coal country. The president will try anything he caneven stretch the limits of his powerto keep American-made energy trapped in the ground. But we wont let that happen. We will continue to use every tool we have to fight President Obamas war on American energy and jobs. We need to maximize Americas energy potential to help create jobs, keep costs down, and strengthen our national security. Thats why weve blocked the presidents attempts to expand the EPA. Weve lifted the 40-year ban on oil exports, and we passed a plan for an all-of-the-above energy strategy. Well keep advancing more bold ideas like these in the coming months. This is just one of the many ways we are committed to restoring a Confident America at home and abroad. Thank you, and God bless America. The Newsmaker of the Day is heard every weekday morning on AM 1450 KVML at 6:45, 7:45 and 8:45 AM. State funds come from a variety of places here in Florida, including a gaming compact with the Seminole Tribe of Florida. Recently, Governor Rick Scott and the Seminole Tribe agreed on a compact that would net the state billions of dollars. In fact, the Seminole Tribe is trying to convince lawmakers in Tallahassee the new compact is in the best interest of Florida. Members say the compact offers, $3 billion in guaranteed revenue, the largest share for any state in history. PolitiFact Florida saw the claim and gave it a MOSTLY TRUE rating on the Truth-O-Meter. PolitiFact writer Joshua Gillin says there are a lot of factors in that. Mostly that the Seminoles are the only tribe that really operates these Class 3 casinos in the state. And basically, they can afford to give that kind of money out, Gillin said. Gillin went on to say the reason the statement received a MOSTLY TRUE rating is because compacts in each state are negotiated differently. In some, federally recognized Native American Tribes operating Class 3 casinos dont have to give the state any money. SOURCES: $3 billion to Florida for gaming compact Seminole Tribe says Four African-American men, accused of raping a white woman decades ago in Lake County, may be cleared of their crime. On Tuesday, Groveland Mayor Tim Loucks will present a proclamation in their favor, seeking a posthumous formal apology for the men. Groveland leaders and families of the men have been pushing for exoneration for years. Its in the past," said Eddie Lee Irvin Jr., nephew of one of the men, Walter Irvin. "I try not to relive it. I try to move forward. For years, Irvins family and Vivian Shepherds family have been burdened by the past. Their uncles, Walter Irvin and Samuel Shepherd, served together in WWII. But back in Lake County, everything came crashing down. Its just time for somebody to take responsibility," he said Monday. In July 1949, a white couple's truck broke down and two black men stopped to help them out. But then the story took a twist. Norma Padgett, 17, said she was abducted by four men and raped. Those men became known as the Groveland Four. For years, its been lingering over the Greenlees, the Shepherds, Thomas and Irvin families," said Irvin. Ernest Thomas fled Lake County after being accused of the crime. His body was found, riddled with bullets, days later. The remaining three men went to trial. In the land of citrus groves in a racially-divided time, the case was funneled through an all-white jury. Charles Greenlee, 16 years old at the time of the alleged assault, was sentenced to life in prison; the other two men were sentenced to death. Yet, for years, documents have proven the trial a farce, leading many to speculate that the men were falsely accused. Gilbert King wrote a book, Devil in the Grove," on the case and said he too wants justice for the families of the Groveland Four. Some of the brutality you saw in Lake County was worse than anywhere else in the country," said King, speaking of the mistreatment of the defendants. I do feel that this is a grave injustice thats been committed, and theres an opportunity for the courts and the state to do the right thing and correct this injustice." As the case garnered national attention, with the U.S. Supreme Court's overturn of the convictions, two of the men were set for a re-trial in Lake County. But the transport turned into a shooting scene, as Sheriff Willis McCall claimed Shepherd and Irvin attacked him, forcing him to draw his weapon. Shepherd was fatally shot; Irvin was wounded. Thurgood Marshall soon took on the case, but was unsuccessful in proving Irvin's innocence. Theyve had to grow up in Lake County under this false narrative," said King. At the time of the incident, Jim Crow Laws ruled the south, and King said the local sheriff took the law into his own hands. This is the time that this needs to be spoken out and something needs to be done about it," said Shepherd, the niece of Samuel Shepherd. For Shepherd and Irvin's nieces and nephews, they hope that changing the narrative and clearing the names of their uncles will bring some sense of closure. It will let people know that justice can be done," Shepherd said. A 30-year-old mother has been arrested, as officers search for her newborn baby that may have been abandoned after birth, near the Willow Bend Apartments off Silver Star Road in Orlando. Susan Richardson, 30, is charged with aggravated child neglect. She didnt respond to any questions from reporters about the babys whereabouts, as she was being dropped off by police at the Orange County Jail Tuesday night. Police released her photo and are asking anyone who may have seen the woman by the Willow Bend Apartments between 10 a.m. and 12:15 p.m. Monday to call Crimeline at 1-800-423-TIPS (8477). Investigators said just after 3 p.m. Monday, officers responded to the complex, located along Silver Star Road, after someone found a possible placenta in the parking lot. However, the public was not alerted about the newborn baby until Tuesday morning. We were still investigating it and trying to figure out exactly what happened. Last night, this basically started out with just residents finding a placenta, so we worked up to finally contacting the mother, Orlando Police Chief John Mina explained. Baby Willow is a newborn infant. Its impossible for that newborn infant to survive in this world without the proper care she needs. Its very important, thats why our detectives are working around the clock to find her. Find out what exactly happened after the mother gave birth to Baby Willow, Chief Mina continued. I heard that a young woman had a baby and that she left it in the bushes," said Lucia Jones, a neighbor. Thats horrible. Knowing that she just had a baby, she couldve given it up for adoption. Rumors swirled around the complex as homicide detectives and crime scene investigators arrived. They later determined that a full-term baby had been born and discarded. OPD said they contacted Search and Rescue of Central Florida, who responded to the area with four search dogs a bloodhound, two cadaver dogs and one scent dog and 14 trained searchers to canvas the area. Investigators scoured dumpsters in the area, looking for the baby, yet the child was nowhere to be found. They still dont know whether the baby is alive as they carry on their search. Orlando Police later identified the mother, Richardson, and said she admitted to giving birth to a baby girl. While the woman has been cooperative with police, they said she was vague, leaving out key details which would aid them in their search for Baby Willow. Once we were able to identify her, the story wasnt complete. We just know that theres a timeframe that we cannot account for," Ford said. Just a simple walk to the nearest fire station could have had an entirely different outcome for this mother and for that newborn infant as well. Theres alternatives and thats why the law exists, explained Oviedo Fire Chief Lars White, who is a member of the Safe Haven For Newborns Seminole County Chapter. Chief White said the Safe Haven For Newborns law can save lives and avoid criminal charges if followed. Since the law was passed in 2000, 236 newborns have been surrendered in our state, White added. At this time, Richardson is being held without bond at the Orange County Jail. Orlando Police Chief John Mina said a massive search effort is planned for Wednesday. AMARILLO - Xcel Energy is seeking a base rate increase for Texas customers to support grid improvements that improve the reliability and affordability of the regional power grid, while paving the way for more diversity in the regional energy mix. Tuesdays proposal seeks an overall 8.5 percent increase for all customer classes for an annual increase of revenues of $71.9 million. But falling fuel costs over the past year will more than offset the overall impact to Texas rates. Impacts vary for customer classes, but bills for all classes combined are expected to be 7.6 percent lower than January 2015 bills. From July 2014 through December 2015, Xcel Energy invested $1 billion in new and upgraded power lines, substations and generating plant improvements that have made the grid more resilient and have built in efficiencies that are partly responsible for a more than $9 decrease in typical residential bills over the past 12 months, said David Hudson, president of Southwestern Public Service Company, an Xcel Energy company. The proposed rate changes would bring a typical residential bill of 1,000 kilowatt-hours roughly back to the same level it was in February 2015 before fuel costs were decreased twice. Xcel Energy is proposing higher base rates that would increase a typical residential bill to $111.08 per month, a $9.56 increase from current bills but only 41 cents more per month than the January 2015 bill when more than $9 of monthly fuel cost savings are figured in. The investments weve made in the grid were made to support the regions growing economy, and have also made our system more efficient and more flexible, Hudson said. Weve also built in permanent cost savings by tapping into a more diverse power market that also includes additional low-cost wind-generated energy. While these investments come with higher up-front costs, customers enjoy the benefits long-term in the same way that a new, more efficient car saves us money on fuel and maintenance costs. An example of efficiency-driven savings, Hudson said, is the completion of two 345-kilovolt transmission lines to Woodward, Okla., a power hub within the Southwest Power Pool. These investments alone totaled almost $270 million, but are delivering about $60 million in energy savings each year by allowing the company to tap a wider power market where cheaper power is available. The company also has brought on 750 additional megawatts of wind energy and will add 140 additional megawatts of solar energy capacity by the end of the year - all made possible by a more robust transmission network. Even with higher base rates, Xcel Energy ranks as one of the best power deals in the U.S., consistently falling below regional and national electricity cost averages. Customers also have a role in making energy usage more efficient and helping hold down costs by taking advantage of energy-efficiency programs and tips offered by Xcel Energy. These measures can reduce bills by as much as 10 percent or more. Information on energy efficiency tips and programs can be found at www.xcelenergy.com by clicking the residential and business energy solutions links. Image source: Baidu. Shares of Baidu soared 8% on Friday, after China's leading search engine received a buyout offer for its growing yet profit-draining iQiyi streaming video portal. Baidu is no stranger to the potential buyers. Baidu founder, Chairman, and CEO Robin Li is joining iQiyi CEO Yu Gong as the two proposed buyers offering to take iQiyi off Baidu's hands in a deal that values the popular video site at $2.8 billion. Baidu owns 80.5% of iQiyi, so it would receive roughly $2.25 billion if the transaction goes through. Baidu's board has formed a special committee consisting of three independent directors to evaluate the deal. We know what the market thinks of the offer. Baidu's market cap gained nearly $4 billion in market cap on Friday following the news. Let that sink in for a spell. Mr. Market is saying that it thinks Baidu is worth $3.98 billion more now that there's an offer to take iQiyi off of its hands for $2.25 billion. In short, it thinks that iQiyi is worth less than worthless. That's clearly not the case. iQiyi is a worthy rival of Youku Tudou , and it commands a market cap north of $5 billion. They have different models. Qiyi is trying to differentiate itself by emphasizing unique content and its business handset distribution model. Youku Tudou may reach a larger audience, but it's not like the stateside market, where Alphabet's YouTube is the undisputed platform, and nobody else is even close. There are plenty of significant players in China, and if Youku Tudou is worth more than $5 billion, then it's easy to wonder if iQiyi is worth more than $2.8 billion. The point may be moot. The market has decided that Baidu is worth more without iQiyi than with it, and the special committee of independent directors won't have much of a choice but to follow the stock gains. Mr. Market is actually right this time. As much as Baidu would love to rip another page out of Alphabet's playbook and remain a dominant player in video, it will probably be several years before it turns profitable. The platform is a major drag on Baidu's bottom line. It reduced its adjusted margins in 5.4 percentage points in Baidu's latest quarter. This wouldn't matter if the market were buying into Baidu's long-term investments that aren't paying off anytime soon, but sentiment has turned. Baidu's been the subject of several downgrades in recent months, typically because the dot-com giant's emphasis on profit-slurping online initiatives is weighing on the bottom line. As important as these side projects may seem -- and we know how YouTube turned out to be more than a side project for Google parent Alphabet -- it's deficits are getting in the way of investors bidding the stock higher. That makes this the right call for Baidu at the moment. To paraphrase The Dark Knight, a diversified Baidu is the hero that China's dot-com economy deserves, but not the one it needs right now. 3 companies poised to explode when cable dies Cable is dying. And there are 3 stocks that are poised to explode when this faltering $2.2 trillion industry finally bites the dust. Just like newspaper publishers, telephone utilities, stockbrokers, record companies, bookstores, travel agencies, and big box retailers did when the Internet swept away their business models. And when cable falters, you don't want to miss out on these 3 companies that are positioned to benefit. Click here for their names. Hint: They're not the ones you'd think! The article Baidu Buyout Makes More Sense Than You May Think originally appeared on Fool.com. Suzanne Frey, an executive at Alphabet, is a member of The Motley Fool's board of directors. Rick Munarriz has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Alphabet (A shares), Alphabet (C shares), and Baidu. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days . We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy Copyright 1995 - 2016 The Motley Fool, LLC. All rights reserved. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Public health officials are testing the blood of a pregnant San Antonio woman suspected of being infected with the Zika virus, which has been confirmed in only one pregnant woman in the United States so far. The woman, now in her second trimester, was traveling in another country during her first trimester when she was bitten by mosquitoes and later experienced several symptoms associated with the Zika virus, said her obstetrician-gynecologist, Dr. Kelly Morales, who practices at San Antonios Methodist Hospital. Morales declined to specify the symptoms. Physicians and public health officials are struggling with what to advise pregnant women infected with Zika because of uncertainty about key issues. For example, doctors arent sure what percentage of pregnant women infected with Zika will have children born with birth defects suspected of being linked to the virus. And ultrasound images might not show the defects until late in the pregnancy. In January, officials in Hawaii reported what is believed to be the first U.S. case of a pregnant woman infected with Zika. The woman had experienced symptoms compatible with a Zika infection during her second month of pregnancy while in Brazil, and seven months later gave birth to a son with microcephaly. Blood and spinal fluid taken from the child tested positive for Zika antibodies. The San Antonio patient has been able to resume normal day-to-day activities and most of her symptoms have vanished, except for one, Morales said. The patients blood is being tested for the virus by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Morales said. It typically takes 2 to 2 1/2 weeks to get a result, said Anil Magla, assistant director of health for Metro Health in San Antonio. The woman will also undergo additional sonograms throughout her pregnancy to monitor her babys development. Morales is advising all of her pregnant patients not to travel to countries where Zika is prevalent, like Brazil and Colombia. Its safe to say they should not be traveling south of the border right now, she said. Bexar County, which includes San Antonio, has three confirmed Zika cases and three more suspected cases. Harris County has seven confirmed cases. Pregnant women in San Antonio are growing increasingly concerned about the risks of infection, Morales said. Ive got a lot of patients asking me about it, Morales said. All of them, she said, are expectant mothers. The three Bexar County patients confirmed to have been infected with Zika have since recovered, the Metropolitan Health District reported. Three new suspected cases have surfaced in San Antonio, and health officials are awaiting those test results. Zika now is sweeping into the U.S. with at least 63 confirmed cases in 16 states and the District of Columbia. All but one of the patients became infected while traveling outside the country. Florida has recorded the most cases 21 so far while Texas ranks second-highest with 12 cases to date, public health officials report. To read the full story, click here. pohare@express-news.net The remaining sexual assault case against Dr. Calvin Day, a once-prominent San Antonio dermatologist who fought prosecutors through a salacious trial and its aftermath, has been dismissed. Charles Bunk, the special prosecutor assigned to the case, filed a one-page motion Friday to dismiss, saying that he was unable to prove beyond a reasonable doubt, because complainant was unwilling to testify. State District Judge Ron Rangel signed off on the motion. Day was charged in separate cases based on complaints by two women. A jury in 2013 found him guilty in one of the cases but Rangel overturned that conviction two months later and granted Day a new trial. Rangel appointed Bunk after current District Attorney Nicholas Nico LaHood recused himself from the case because he was a law partner with a lawyer who represented one of the accusers. In December, Bunk dropped the first case because, he said, the complainant did not want to testify at a retrial. Earlier that month, Rangel had issued a scathing accounting of the actions of former District Attorney Susan Reed and her top lieutenant, First Assistant DA Cliff Herberg, in the 2013 trial. Both have defended their handling of the case. On Monday, Bunk offered a similar reason for dropping the remaining case. My complainant in this case does not want to proceed, and Im respecting her wishes, Bunk said Monday. Rangel said lawyers in the second case told him the complainant believed prosecutors under Reed treated her unfairly, and she wanted nothing to do with the case anymore. Days attorney, Mike McCrum, said Monday that he and his client are elated at the outcome. We think its the right thing, McCrum said. Im disappointed he even had to go through all this. He said Day would seek to obtain his license to practice medicine once again. The jury that convicted Day heard his accuser testify that he lured her into a private area of his office called the bat cave, groped her and exposed himself. The sentencing phase included testimony that Day had persuaded a nurse practitioner to conduct a laser hair removal on his genital area, suggested to an employee that he model a male thong and repeatedly touched a mole above the buttocks of a patient who did not believe she needed a full-body exam. Rangel has been critical of Reeds office for publicly tangling with Days attorneys saying in open court that both were under investigation for witness tampering and with the accusers attorney, too. Day has long maintained his accusers were lying but until Monday had declined to address the remaining case against him, an accusation by a former patient that he inappropriately touched her. Read Tuesdays Express-News or go to ExpressNews.com to hear his thoughts on the outcome of the case. A man who died at the hospital Wednesday after being shot in the shoulder and collapsing while seeking help on an East Side street was identified by the Bexar County Medical Examiner's Office. Garry Torres, 35, died as a result of a gunshot wound he suffered at a residence at about 3 p.m. in the 300 block of Cactus Street, according to preliminary information from a police report. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Eddie Ray Routh, the Texas man convicted of killing "American Sniper" Chris Kyle in February 2013, wants a new trial. An Erath County jury convicted Routh in February 2015 of killing Kyle and Kyle's friend Chad Littlefield at a shooting range near Chalk Mountain. RELATED: Dashcam video shows police chase, arrest of 'American Sniper' suspect Eddie Ray Routh Routh was suffering from severe mental illness at the time of the shooting and did not realize his actions were wrong, Routh's attorney Warren St. John argues in a brief filed in December with the state's 11th District Court of Appeals. Defense attorneys for Routh had argued that the man believed Kyle and Littlefield had planned to kill them. "It is clear the appellant met his burden of proof to show that he was insane at the time of the offense, but the jury chose to disregard Mr. Routh's severe mental illness," the appeal reads. RELATED: 'American Sniper' widow Taya Kyle wins Texas shooting competition against world-class sniper Routh's lawyers claim that the judge should not have allowed jurors to hear statements made by Routh to a Texas Ranger investigator after he killed Kyle and Littlefield because Routh never said that he would speak with the investigator and that he was "in a psychotic state." "The officer used a method to induce the appellant to give a statement that was in violation of the due process clause of the state and federal Constitutions," the appeal says. Lawyers for Routh also believe the judge should have granted a mistrial after a prosecutor "paraded a vial in front of the jury that was not entered into evidence" though the judge told the jury to disregard the vial. RELATED: 9-foot Chris Kyle bronze statue, plaza set for May unveiling in West Texas Routh's family members had said he was suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder from serving in Iraq and Haiti after the 2010 earthquake there, The Associated Press reported. During the trial, defense attorneys said that Routh had been prescribed anti-psychotic medication used to treat schizophrenia, according to the Associated Press. RELATED: Taya Kyle, widow of 'American Sniper' Chris Kyle, faces President Barack Obama on guns at town hall However, Dr. Randall Price, a forensic psychologist, testified for the prosection that Routh suffered from a paranoid disorder worsened by alcohol and marijuana use that he termed "cannabis-induced psychosis." Prosecutors also pointed out that Routh fled from police and had confessed to his crimes. In the appeal case, prosecutors must file a response to Routh's lawyers filing by March 11. jfechter@mySA.com Twitter: @JFreports This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate SAN ANTONIO Polls opened at 8 a.m. today as Bexar County residents began casting early ballots for the March 1 party primaries. Thirty-four early voting sites are operating until 6 p.m. today as Republican and Democratic voters select nominees for president, Congress, the Legislature, county offices and the judiciary. The only new poll this election is on the UTSA campus in the AET Building. Early voting ends Feb. 26, with hours that vary this weekend and next week. RELATED: Express-News Editorial Board election recommendations In races where no one wins a majority, a runoff is set for May 24. A list of polling sites is available at elections.bexar.org, along with information about voting procedures, sample ballots and the requirement to provide photo identification. jgonzalez@express-news.net Twitter: @johnwgonzalez To Susana Zunigas granddaughters, she was a model of independence, compassion, resilliency and especially invicibility. Dont you know Im made of steel! Zuniga said after her granddaughter, Suzanne Martinez, asked her if she was OK one day after breakfast. Irene Martinez recalled that specific morning her mother responded with a phrase the family would later coin and use to express their inherited invincibility. When we run into obstacles, we remind ourselves were made of steel, Irene Martinez said alluding to her mothers unofficial catchphrase. Her generation was truly remarkable. Zuniga died Feb. 8. She was 93. A single parent and San Antonio native, Zuniga retired in 1985 after a 36-year long civil servant career at Kelly AFB. During World War II, Zuniga was reassigned as a mechanic and specifically worked on carburetors for planes due to a shortage of manpower. More Information Susana V. Zuniga Born: May 24, 1922, San Antonio Died: Feb. 8, 2016, San Antonio Proceeded by: Parents Angela Rodriguez and Salvador G. Valdez; several brothers and sisters, husbands Alvaro Coronado and Humberto Zuniga. Survived by: Son Alvaro Coronado; daughter Irene S. Martinez; brother Theodore Valdez; sisters Velia Sandoval and Celia Villarreal; several grandchilden, great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren. Services: Rosary 7 p.m. Sunday, Roy Akers, 515 North Main Ave. Funeral Mass, 10 a.m., Monday, Sacred Heart, 2114 W Houston St. See More Collapse Mom was never afraid of doing new things, her daughter said. If you told her she couldnt, she would prove you wrong. After the men came back from war and many women, such as Zuniga who had filled those positions were let go, Zuniga found temporary work as a sales associate. She applied weekly at Kelly in hopes of landing a federal job and financial security for her children, Irene Martinez said. She set it as her goal after she left (Kelly) the first time, her daughter said. She said she knew once she was there she would move up and she did. Zuniga proudly retired as a GS9 from the position of inventory management specialist and left with several distinguished awards under her belt. When she wasnt advancing her career, working toward her GED or taking care of her family, Zuniga loved to read. Oftentimes she would not put a book down until she read from cover to cover, Martinez said. I remember one time I was looking at the paper and she asked me if I was through because I had put it down, Martinez said. My mom told me youre supposed to read it all the way through! Martinez believes her mothers passion for reading kept her mind sharp well into her Alzheimers disease. Remarkably, Zuniga lived in her own home until she was 90 and was only admitted into assisted living the last month before she died. Granddaughters Angelica and Suzanne Martinez hope to possess their grandmother fearlessness in their future endeavors. Both said they will remember their grandmother as the strongest woman they know. atavarez@express-news.net In 2012, the international press and the Pena Nieto administration declared it was Mexicos moment. The country would reorient its economy and take its rightful place as a leading emerging market. Four years and a few corruption scandals, massacres and brazen prison escapes later, the label is little more than an afterthought. But lets not be hasty in our rush to abandon the phrase. Lets embrace it. Mexico, its time for another moment, but this time in rule of law. President Enrique Pena Nieto assumed office three years ago, taking his country by storm. His technocratic team pushed forward reforms that overhauled markets, promised sizzling economic growth and positioned the country as a market to watch. The energy sector opened, competition picked up in telecommunications, and structural changes went into effect in labor markets and schools. It seemed, to quote a Financial Times piece, that the Aztec tiger was beginning to sharpen its claws. There was one critical element missing: anything related to seriously strengthening rule of law. In the process of redefining Mexico, the new team ignored the corruption and violence that had tripped up previous administrations. Armed only with a fresh reframing and a few isolated policy ideas, it is hard to see if and how they planned to patch up Mexicos rotten rule of law. Unsurprisingly, it didnt take long for Mexicos moment to give way to mayhem. The administration couldnt stop the emerging self-defense groups or fiery shootouts across Michoacan. But it all unraveled in September 2014 as 43 students disappeared. Angry protests filled Mexicos streets. Investors were suddenly less confident. And so were Mexicans, with almost 75 percent reporting that they felt insecure. At the same time, Mexico was being buffeted by allegations of corruption and conflicts of interest. These accusations hit the reform team itself, with Pena Nieto and Secretary of Finance and Public Credit Luis Videgaray at the center. Just as the dust was settling, Mexicos most wanted criminal, Joaquin El Chapo Guzman, escaped from the countrys securest prison. It was clear what the reform agenda had left untouched. In response, the government pushed forward piecemeal policies, with subpar success. Pena Nieto named an anti-corruption czar, who was then accused of having his own conflict of interest. Federal employees were asked to report their conflicts of interest, with less than half bothering to oblige. While a 2008 judicial reform was supposed to be up and running by June 2016, it remains incomplete across many states. In Mexico, some 93 percent of crimes still dont even get investigated. Its an old story, so its time for a new approach. Bottom line: Its impossible to strengthen rule of law through small, incremental steps. Weve seen one promising approach to addressing corruption and transparency through a recent series of constitutional reforms, but Mexico needs to reach further if it is to start tipping the scale. It needs a plan that is even more ambitious and that simultaneously overhauls laws, builds institutions and checks and balances, strengthens civil society, and promotes change across various sectors. Taking on rule of law is easier said then done. Especially now, as low oil prices rob billions from the budget. Politically, too, it is unlikely the government could re-create the Pact for Mexico. Top this off with the fact that pushing for policies that might not only hurt your political allies but possibly put them in jail is never going to be popular. Yet for those who say this wont be possible, look no further than Mexico itself. Four years ago, Mexico took on the untouchables and emerged, by and large, victorious. The Aztec tiger can start sharpening its claws once again. But this time, it needs to be in the hunt for the corrupt. Antonio Garza is a former U.S. ambassador to Mexico. He is counsel in the Mexico City office of White & Case. If the current president were a Republican, would Republicans still think we should wait a year before replacing Scalia? I didnt think so. Enough said. Theresa S. Doyle Argument for Bush Re: Bush is best pick for GOP nomination, Editorial, Sunday: Thank you for the excellent editorial on Jeb Bush. I had begun to think I wanted to vote for him March 1 but had not organized my reasons why. Your editorial spelled it out for me, and I now feel confident in my decision. Sharon Devora Dream on Re: Bush is best pick for GOP nomination, Editorial, Sunday: I am absolutely certain that almost all Democrats would love to see Jeb Bush get the GOP nomination. Until they start voting Republican, that aint gonna happen. Dick Howell, Hunt Trump is change Re: Give Trump a chance, Your Turn, Sunday: I agree with the letter writer. Our country has been run by presidents, many of whom have been attorneys, and they all follow the same pattern. I hope Americans wake up and realize we cannot have another attorney as president. They are destroying our country. America needs a change, and that change is Donald Trump. I feel Trump is the only one who can bring us that change. Cris Cardona Pretty dumb Re: Just the facts, man, Your Turn, Feb. 5: The letter writer talks about the column by Catherine Rampell (Just how dumb does Trump think we are? Other Views, Feb. 4). I believe the letter writer thinks were pretty dumb. And the fact that we put the Obama administration in for a second term proves it. And the high probability that well elect Hilary Clinton as the next president further solidifies it! Fred Martin, Fair Oaks Ranch Religious whiners Re: Speak, Christians, Your Turn, Feb. 4: The letter reflects limited knowledge of our Constitution, the secular document guaranteeing freedom of and freedom from religion. Our government has no official religion, and provides any citizen with the freedom to profess and propagate the religion of his choice or to have no religious belief at all. It is illegal to discriminate against anyone on religious grounds or against those who profess no religion; religion must remain outside the realm of politics. Christianity is not under siege in our country. Persons whining that their religion is being removed from the public square should provide evidence that their religion belongs there at the exclusion of all other religions in Americas pluralistic society. As the good rabbi correctly and intelligently stated in a letter the same day (No religious tests), the Constitution provides for separation of church and state. Carlos Valle Jr., Laredo Backing Pamerleau Re: 4 Dems challenge sheriffs first term in office, Metro, Feb. 7: Im a Democrat, and Ill be voting for Republican Sheriff Susan Pamerleau. Fraternalism, aka the good old boy system, is rampant throughout San Antonio. A blind man could see it. To build a professional force, you must infuse your organization with top managers who have no loyalties or favors to repay. This is Management 101. I know people who work with and around Sheriff Pamerleau, and they are thunderstruck by just how effective she has been as a leader and manager. She did not become a two-star general by accident. She has what it takes to continue building a professional operation, and San Antonio is extremely fortunate to have her as sheriff. Roger Barnes Required reading Re: Unlevel playing field giving charter schools financial edge, Brian T. Woods, Another View, Feb. 3: I was hoping that NISD Superintendent Brian Woods would write a column to support Texas public schools, and he did. Everyone should read and heed it. Bonnie Ellison Court battles Re: Alliance of Cruz, Abbott worked for both; Time in AGs office led to national stage, front page, Feb. 1: This article was informative, but readers should know that so far the alliance is 0-3 in its efforts in to roll back settled, centrist compromises. Consider: 1. The state of Texas opposition to the Voting Rights Act of 1965, relating to the voter ID law, was struck down by the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans, the nations most conservative court; it was then sent back to the federal district court, in Corpus Christi, where it again was stuck down. It is now being debated at the Supreme Court. 2. The opposition to strict EPA guidelines concerning greenhouse gas emissions from factories, power plants and mining/extractive activities, as they relate to cross-state border authority, was stuck down by the Supreme Court. 3. The state of Texas friendly brief in opposition to same-sex marriage was another loser, as the Supreme Court ruled 5-4 that gay marriage was constitutionally protected. 4. The Texas abortion restriction law, the most extreme in the nation, is being considered by the Supreme Court. It was upheld by the New Orleans appeals court, and we will know the final Supreme Court ruling this summer. Most constitutional experts doubt the Supreme Court will let stand the voter ID law and the abortion clinic law. If that is the case, the Abbott-Cruz duo will have lost all four of its signature cases. Abbott and Cruz are severely underestimating the moderation and basic decency of the American people. Daniel Rodriguez Not so funny Re: Tea party overload, Your Turn, Feb. 8: Reading the letter about tea party, Republicans, etc., I was howling with laughter and thought it was the best satire I had read in a long time. Then I realized he was serious. The laughter stopped. Penelope Talley Posted on 02/16/2016, 9:00 am, by Farmscape.Ca A veterinarian with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency says Canadian livestock producers and transporters share the CFIAs commitment to the humane transport of animals. As part of the 2016 Manitoba Swine Seminar earlier this month in Winnipeg the topic Humane Transport: What You Need to Know was among the topics discussed. Dr. Max Popp, an Animal Health District Veterinarian with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, says industry is responsible for complying with the regulations established to ensure humane conditions for animal welfare during transportation. The Food Inspection Agency has the authority for humane transportation of animals under the Health of Animals Act and its all listed in its regulations. In those regulations is a definition of the conditions for humane transport of livestock in all modes of transport. The regulations forbid overcrowding of animals. For example transporting animals that are unfit is prohibited, loading, transporting or unloading animals in a way that causes injury or suffering is prohibited or is the goal of being avoided. CFIA works with industry to make livestock transporters aware that vehicles used in the transfer and delivery of animals must be suitable and proper techniques are used in the loading, unloading and transferring of all animals. Theres more details on the federal website at www.inspection.gc.ca. Most Canadian producers and transporters share our commitment to animal protection and adhere to all these regulations. If theyre looking for additional guidance, its provided through the CFIAs compromised animal policy which is available to all livestock transporters. Again they can find this on the CFIA website. Dr. Popp advises producers to review the regulations and where there are questions to consult with a veterinarian. He notes industry is engaged in ensuring the humane transport of animals and, when presentations are done by the CFIA, the information is well received. Yves here. I want to amplify Clives point below about the War on Terror has been around for a while, so why all the noise-making about bank cybersecurity now? A contact was a consultant to the Treasury Department on terrorist finance in the Bush Administration. This was seen as such a big issue that he could get the head of the ECB, Claude Trichet, on the phone. By Clive, an investment technology professional and Japanophile Part 1 of 2 Whats Taking You so Long? With all the predictability of night following day, governments are in the way that only our governments can combining both aggressive, ambitious talk with a curious helplessness in warning banks (thats the aggressive bit) they really should be Doing Something about (thats the helpless bit) the risks posed by terrorists, rogue states and badly behaved dogs (okay, I made that last one up) to the stability and availability of the finance system. Here, for example, is the Financial Times taking to the fainting couch Cyber attacks set to jump in 2016 after Iran deal, Israel warns (you may need to search on the title) after having an Israeli-induced attack of the vapours over the possibility that the financial system may be targeted by countries and groups which the US has annoyed. That august body the IMF got in on the act too in their most recent Financial Sector Assessment Program note which wagged its finger thusly (pg. 20): Operational risks: Cybersecurity threats, infrastructure vulnerabilities, and other operational risks remain a top priority for the (Financial Stability Oversight Council (FSOC)), and regulators should continue to take steps to improve financial institutions ability to prevent operational failures and improve resiliency. If reports like that one in general, and paragraphs like that one in particular, have the same effect on you as they do on me, you may well have glossed over the details of this quote but please do summon your strength and study the language used carefully despite its attempts to make heavy the eyelids. This item was number 3 in the IMFs threat hit parade so we (and the FSOC) are presumably meant to take it seriously. But it is very light on prescriptive action. Even allowing for official-ese it contains the sort of sentences which would have earned me a red wriggly line from my 3rd grade English teacher Mrs. Crawford. You cannot work out who is supposed to be getting whom to do what, and how. Theres a reason for that which well elaborate on in our concluding section of this article. It is simply too tedious for me to check the exact date which George W. Bush first declared the War on Terror but it was well over a decade ago to my certain knowledge. In the context of upgrading IT systems (which are the backbone of our financial system today) that is at least one, probably two hardware upgrade cycles and near half a dozen major software releases. Thats plenty of time and opportunity to redesign and make substantial improvements in the robustness of the sub-systems and so reduce the risks of potential threats from doing some actual damage to the system as a whole. I can practically hear at this point a small army of hardware vendors, software suppliers and their salesforces, consultants and even government officials whose interests are, well, lets just say aligned to this were-trying-were-really-really-trying-but-it-will-always-be-a-work-in-progress mantra chiming in with explanations such as the sophistication of the threats are always increasing, the added complexity because people want more features creates new attack surfaces or similar. To which I can only reply, its been ten years or more already. If youre not within sight of completing a programme in that kind of timeframe and your schedule still doesnt have an end date, you are never going to achieve your objectives. Chances are, youre trying to fit a square peg in a round hole or looking for your keys under the streetlight. If you cannot remove a risk, your efforts to reduce a risk are not delivering an improvement in reducing that risks impact but rather they are constantly being overwhelmed (or so you claim) and, finally, youve decided you cant live with the risk, then its time to mitigate it with an alternate approach. By which I mean, if I have to transport a heard of hippopotamuses from London to New York, but the hippos wont fit in an aeroplane then I can either begin a huge undertaking to modify a plane so that it could, one day, eventually, carry my hippos across the Atlantic. Or I can put them on a boat. It will be slower; it may cost more (but that depends on the lengths I am going to in order to try to get the aeroplane-based solution to work) but it will unquestionably achieve what Ive said I want. Leaving my hippopotamus analogy behind and returning to the financial system, this means that if governments and the operators of the financial system (primarily the big banks and the central banks or treasury departments of governments) want better resistance to cyberattacks, they can, if that is indeed what they really want, come up with a new system which inherits none or significantly fewer of the vulnerabilities of the existing system. Pick any threat, pick any system, pick any time in history prior to about 1990 and that is exactly what happened. I will illustrate this by using the example of the US fixed-line telephone system. Like the internet, like the financial system we have today, this started off small and unimportant but grew to be systemically vital to the functioning of society in broad terms and national security specifically. Ill condense some of the backstory of the development of the phone service and simplify the description of it to say that, after WWII, AT&T and the local Bell System companies owned and operated the fixed line telephone service, both local and long distance. In terms of users, most subscribers were of course residential but there were business users too. And the US Department of Defense (DoD). Having a reliable phone system became essential not just for military subscribers but civilian ones. If you lived in a remote location and someone was having a heart attack, you relied on their being a dial tone when you picked up the phone to make a call to the emergency services. Different subscribers did though have differing needs and differing budgets. It was fine, for instance, if when you tried to call your mom in Florida from your home in New York on her birthday you got a no trunks message. You could try again later. That probably wouldnt be acceptable if you were the President and were trying to reach a general in Cheyenne Mountain in a crisis. But the government could not just demand that AT&T install new capacity and harden the system. AT&T was a private company. Mindful of its profitability, it usually did just enough to enhance its network for residential subscribers. If commercial users wanted more capacity, enhanced features or better than standard service availability, then AT&T would happily calculate the cost and charge them accordingly. But with no incentive to provide strategic, national-scale planning the system was enhanced sporadically, piecemeal and based only on what the market would pay for. Actually, AT&T was, by comparison with business today, very far-sighted and tried to have a long-term approach to growing its business. It could not, however, take blatantly uncommercial risks especially in the provision of long-distance services. It certainly would not go throwing its stockholders money around on expensive hardened infrastructure. If the Bell system got toasted in a nuclear strike, AT&T and its equity investors wouldnt be around to care. We have governments, though, to do just that care about things which the market wont bother worrying about. So the DoD did a perfectly rational thing. It figured out what it wanted (a survivable the requirement was to withstand a 20 megaton hydrogen bomb airburst 5 to 10 miles away from major switching nodes resilient and robust telecommunications system). It then told AT&T to go and build it. And it paid AT&T to do so. AT&T built it. Then AT&T operated it on behalf of the DoD but also, again, very sensibly, utilised the same system for civilian customers to both improve the service to non-military subscribers and to reduce the unit cost to the defence users. We are not talking about trivial complexities or budgets here. The system (this enthusiast site coldwarcomms.org/l5 gives a feel for it, theres plenty of other material online if you search) cost billions to build and billions to run. One could argue that the financial system is just as important today as the phone system was in the Cold War. So why the reticence of governments not just in the US but in other countries which have a similar dependency on a robust financial system which is resistant to interruptions (either man-made or even natural) to specify what they want then just jolly well go out and buy it? I believe it is because governments are so trapped in their own neoliberal ideologies they have rendered themselves incapable of taking effective action to make the financial system more resilient. The banks who own and operate the financial system are exactly the same as AT&T and the phone system was. They will only do what their profitability analysis tells them they should do. While governments can whinge on about the risks to the system and theres no shortage of professional panic-ers at places like the Department of Homeland Security all they can do with the policy tools they have restricted themselves to is besiege the banks to magically fix it for them. Of course, banks are subject to regulation and the provision of banking licences is conditional on banks complying with certain mandates imposed by the regulators (and so, by proxy, governments). But there are severe limits to this approach. AT&T was a regulated utility too and it was able to argue successfully and somewhat justifiably that residential or business subscribers couldnt be made to cross-subsidise what they didnt want or werent able to pay for. Governments and their regulatory sock puppets cannot arbitrarily seize private property. While they can require certain minimum standards to be met they will face legal challenges which, again, in our increasingly neoliberal-leaning courts are likely to get a sympathetic hearing if they start to demand major overhauls that impose significant costs to a business. If it (fees to cover government-dictated enhancements to the financial services infrastructure) looks like a tax, walks like a tax and quacks like a tax, then its probably going to be judged to be a tax. So expect banks to continue what they have been doing up until now in respect of improving the ability of the financial system to survive cyberwarfare. Make all the right noises but do as little as they can get away with. Its a case of Banks to Government: you want it, honey, you pay for it. Returning to the IMF report from earlier (the one which managed to achieve an unusual feat of being both scolding yet strangely ineffectual at the same time) and having now read the above analysis, Im sure readers can understand why the IMF awoke suddenly to find itself stuck up a gum tree, but then realised it was its own policies which got it there and hence the ambiguous phrasing in their report. If the US Financial Stability Oversight Council was a developing country in difficulties, the IMF would be telling it to decide what it wanted, work out what it all costs and then decide what its priorities were. If it wants it, it has to put up the money to pay for it. No one, the IMF would say administering its unpleasant medicine, not wanting to spare the rod and spoil the child, owes anyone a free ride. Well if thats true for a developing country, its true for the Financial Stability Oversight Council and the financial system too. So why is it expecting the banks to act like charities? But if youve got a heard of hippopotamuses to move and youre only talking to Boeing or Airbus, theyll keep tinkering about with their airframes and engines designs yet still be unable to come up with an effective solution for you. And if youre not willing to put any money on the table and keep hoping for market-based approaches to pay off, then even that will have painfully slow progress. Theyre highly unlikely to give you the phone number of a transatlantic shipping company. In this, Part 1, weve explained how governments have because of their deeply embedded small-government non-interventionist ideologies shirked their own responsibility to safeguard the financial system which, for better or worse, is, nevertheless, something we are forced to rely on. To be fair, governments do at least appreciate the risks of a rickety financial system. In Part 2, Ill cover how the banks themselves are far from innocent in allowing the continued vulnerabilities of the financial system to persist, why they are quite happy to not do anything other than the bare minimum about it and what they could quickly and easily implement to reduce our exposure to their risks. I wont give the plot away here, but you might not be stunned to learn that if it is a choice between owning the costs and risks themselves or shifting them onto someone else the banks are just ever so slightly leaning towards the latter. Obama Compiles Shortlist Of Gay, Transsexual Abortion Doctors To Replace Scalia Onion m(David L) Scientists have discovered how to delete unwanted memories Telegraph (Chuck L). A major plot device in Vernor Vinges A Deepness in the Sky. China? Draghi has financial markets hoping bad news is really good news Guardian The European circus continues Bill Mitchell Criminals currency of choice for chop Financial Times. ECB using crooks as the excuse for eliminating the 500 note when terrorists and money launderers are hardly a new thing. This is PR for a negative rates measure. European Steel Workers Protest Cheap Chinese Imports Reuters Brexit? Bank of England rebuffs Vickers criticism Financial Times Grexit? We Met the Angry Young Farmers Protesting Pension Reforms in Greece Vice Refugee Crisis Syraqistan Syria crisis: Strikes on hospitals war crimes BBC. By contrast, the US attack on the MSF hospital did not lead story coverage at the BBC nor did they quickly (ever?) call it a war crime. At least 42 died. Imperial Collapse Watch Supreme Court Trench Warfare Trade Traitors The TPP would be the final death blow to American manufacturing Salon (resilc) 2016 Congress Finally Gives A Damn About Heroin Addiction Huffington Post. Only because is is now seen as a problem affecting white people. Fed There is worse to come as QE loses its impact Financial Times. Duh. Oil Saudi and Russian oil ministers to meet Financial Times Goldman Channels FDRs `Nothing to Fear With Sell Gold Call Bloomberg. Given that theyve gotten 5 of their 6 beginning of year calls wrong so far, Goldman s credibility isnt great. But in 2007, there was a bounce in subprime from March to May, and in 2008, the self-congratulatory Mission Accomplished post-Bear phase, which lasted till about July. So near-term moves are anyones guess. Victims of the Mexican Drug War Are Suing the Banks that Handled the Cartels Money Mother Jones Class Warfare Antidote du jour. Times of India, Monkey Adopts A Puppy And Takes Better Care Of It Than Most Humans Would, hat tip Maulik: See yesterdays Links and Antidote du Jour here. Are the Germans plotting to beat Marine Le Pen to the punch in her destroy the Eurozone plot? Not that that is Le Pens main goal, but executing her plan to have France leave the currency union would do just that. However, even before we get to the scheme of the day, its important to recall that Germany has imposed boundary conditions that make it impossible for the Eurozone to survive, such as insisting on retaining its trade surpluses with other countries in the currency bloc, yet refusing to finance their purchases, and also stymieing other measures that could finesse the problem, namely, fiscal transfers, like large-scale infrastructure spending in periphery countries financed by an ECB infrastructure bank (one of the mechanisms in Jamie Galbraiths and Yanis Varoufakis Modest Proposal). If Germany and its allies in the creditor nations dont relax these constraints, the Eurozone is destined to founder. Its just a matter of time. And the Germans may be accelerating that time of reckoning. Ambrose Evans-Pritchard has a new story on a German sovereign bond bail in scheme that is obviously hair-brained, in that it is guaranteed to blow periphery bond yields sky-high, which was the very problem the Eurozone was struggling to contain through 2012. That meant periphery countries could not finance their budgets or even roll over maturing debt at reasonable prices. It also meant that banks were imperiled, since they were stuffed to the gills with sovereign debt that Mr. Market said was worth a lot less than theyd paid for it. The one big caveat regarding the Evans-Pritchard piece is that my contacts who read German dont recall seeing any reporting on it, nor did they see any news about it in todays papers. Evans-Pritchards story appears to have been placed by Peter Bofinger, who is apparently a lone and loud dissenter on the five-member German Council of Economic Advisers to the sovereign bail-in plan. From the Telegraph: A new German plan to impose haircuts on holders of eurozone sovereign debt risks igniting an unstoppable European bond crisis and could force Italy and Spain to restore their own currencies, a top adviser to the German government has warned. The German Council has called for a sovereign insolvency mechanism even though this overturns the financial principles of the post-war order in Europe, deeming such a move necessary to restore the credibility of the no-bailout clause in the Maastricht Treaty. Under the scheme, bondholders would suffer losses in any future sovereign debt crisis before there can be any rescue by the eurozone bail-out fund (ESM). It is asking for trouble, said Lorenzo Codogno, former chief economist for the Italian Treasury and now at LC Macro Advisors. This sovereign bail-in matches the contentious bail-in rule for bank bondholders, which came into force in January and has contributed to the drastic sell-off in eurozone bank assets this year. Prof Bofinger wrote a separate opinion warning that the plan could become self-fulfilling all too quickly, setting off a bond run as investors dump their holdings to avoid a haircut. Italy, Portugal and Spain would be powerless to defend themselves since they no longer have their own monetary instruments. These countries risk being hit by a dangerous confidence crisis, he said. Yves here. Bofingers warning was based on the assumption that the next move would be for countries like Italy and Portugal to introduce their own currencies pronto. But as we discussed at length (see here, here, and here for some examples), it will take years to convert to a new currency, thanks to systems requirements, most of which are not under the control of the government wanting to make the conversion. In the case of Greece, as we saw in its two-week bank holiday, the lack of access to international payments systems hit key imports tourism, food and pharmaceuticals hard and would have soon started affecting fuel imports. Greece is not self-sufficient in food. Italy may be, but does it have the staying power to function as an autarky for 3+ years? (Yes, IT experts who know the relevant systems estimated three years was the minimum amount of time to execute a conversion smoothly. No planning, meaning trying to manage an emergency while you are also trying to deal with the systems issues, would almost certainly be worse). So the fact that the Eurozone is a roach motel may be why the Germans think they can push their plan through. But in tightly-coupled systems, measures to reduce risk actually wind up increasing it. And bail-ins dont just fail to reduce risk, because they shift it from taxpayers to investors. They increase it by putting in place an automatic procedure. Now that procedure may wind up being suspended in practice. But if it is believed to operate in an automated manner, parties will move to get out of its way when it is in danger of kicking in, creating runs. In this case, unlike Bofinger, I dont think this will cause exits. It will cause funding crises at Eurozone states and bank runs, since bank guarantees are primarily at the national level and the second-level of Eurozone-wide guarantees is thin and only in the process of being funded. And thats before you get to the immediate tight-coupling factor: this mechanism would lead to haircuts of sovereign debt sitting on bank balance sheets. Worse, imposing losses on banks is a feature, not a bug. Evans-Pritchard again: The German Council says the first step would be a higher risk-weighting for sovereign debt held by banks, and a limit on how much they can buy, with the explicit aim of forcing banks to divest 604bn. They would have to raise 35bn in fresh capital, deemed manageable. Sovereign exposures of banks in selected euro area member states It is a neuralgic issue in Italy, where the banks own 400bn of government debt and have effectively used cheap finds from the European Central Bank to prop up the Italian treasury. Raising 35 billion in equity was well nigh impossible even before this scheme was well known. Its hard to see how anyone with an operating brain cell would want to be a shareholder or depositor in anything but the most solid banks in one of the periphery countries. The smarter move is to go to a solid bank in one of the creditor countries. That slow-motion bank run is already under way in Italy and if this plan moves forward, it is sure to accelerate. Germany is burning the village to save it. This Gotterdammerung is set to be quite the spectacle. But plenty of bystanders will be torched too. SHARE Quarles & Brady LLP said David N. Morrison, a partner in the firm's Naples office, has been recognized as Attorney of the Month for February by the Legal Aid Service of Collier County. Appointments The Greater Naples Chamber of Commerce said CenturyLink is the newest member of the organization's Legacy Leader initiative, serving as corporate underwriters to the public policy and communication programs of the Chamber. Six Bends Harley-Davidson named Curtis McKinley as general manager. Events Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida will induct Gary Aubuchon, president of Aubuchon Team of Companies, and Steve Marino, president and CEO of Home-Tech Consolidated, Inc., into the 2016 Business Hall of Fame, Lee County, during a 5 p.m. awards ceremony May 3 at the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort & Spa in Bonita Springs. Information: www.JASWFL.org New stores Simon announced that Delicious Raw and Rodizio Grill will join the dining mix at Coconut Point in the coming months. To submit your business news directly online, go to naplesnews.com/BIZwire or email news@naplesnews.com. Brent Batten As write-in candidate for Collier County Commission District 5, Marvin Courtright is unlikely to get a lot of votes come November. But that doesn't mean he won't have an impact on the outcome. Courtright, who according to state records registered as a Republican in 1991, is running without party affiliation. That means his mere presence in the race closes the August Republican primary to all but Republican voters. More than half the registered voters in District 5, which covers the eastern part of the county including Golden Gate Estates and Immokalee, are either registered as Democrats or without party affiliation. Under Florida law, if all the candidates for an office have the same party affiliation and the winner of the primary election will not face any opposition in the general election, then all registered voters can vote for any of the candidates for that office in the primary election. Courtright's candidacy, however long the odds against it, means the Republican winner will face opposition in November, thus only Republicans can vote in August. Annisa Karim, until recently the chairwoman of the Collier County Democratic Executive Committee, said the party hopes to render the question moot by fielding its own candidate for District 5. "We're trying to get a candidate to run for every seat (on the county commission)," Karim said. Karim is putting her words to action, declaring her candidacy for the District 3 commission seat in January. To run for office, Karim had to take a leave of absence from her party office. Still, if it can't, Courtright's candidacy will hurt Democrats, she said. "It could affect us greatly," she said. In addition to Courtright, the District 5 field includes Republicans Randolph Cash, Bill McDaniel and Douglas Rankin. Incumbent Republican Tim Nance initially filed to run for re-election but has since said he is dropping out of the race. Courtright politely declined to discuss his candidacy, the issues he hopes to focus on or his reasons for running as a write-in candidate without party affiliation. "I'm not ready to address the subject publicly. I'm still doing my homework. I appreciate your interest," he said Monday. Courtright, as a write-in candidate, will not have his name printed on the ballot. Instead, there will be a blank spot for people to fill in if they want to vote for him. There are a number of reasons to run as a write-in candidate. Write-in candidates don't have to pay qualifying fees and don't have nearly as much paperwork as a traditional candidate. While there's no evidence to suggest Courtright chose to run specifically to shut Democrats and independents out of the Republican contest, there is a precedent for it in Collier County. "We've seen that before," Karim recalled. In 2010, write-in county commission candidate Chuck Roth worried that Gina Downs, who had been a registered Democrat, switched to the Republican Party before running for office. With three people in the race, the two lifelong Republicans could split the party vote and Downs could benefit by getting all the Democrat votes in the open primary, Roth reasoned. His presence closed the primary, and Republican Georgia Hiller ultimately won the primary and beat Roth by about 20,000 votes in November. District 5 has the highest concentration of registered Democrats in the county, with about 23 percent of the district's 36,273 voters identifying with the party. Still, Democrats haven't fared well there of late. Russell Kish got 35 percent of the vote in 2008. John Lundin got 28 percent in 2012. Karim, who manages environmental preserve land for Lee County, said she's running to make sure people are heard when they want to bring issues before the county commission. She said environmental protection will be high on her list of priorities. "In Southwest Florida our environment is our economy," she said. SHARE WASHINGTON Americans are about to be treated to what most assuredly will be a long-term, rancorous debate over filling the vacancy on the U.S. Supreme Court left by the unexpected death of Justice Antonin Scalia. The battle is on before the nation can pay its respects to the long-term jurist who was the center of so many of these contests and was considered the guardian of conservative principles. The war between liberals and conservatives over the ideological/philosophical direction of the court will be played out in two areas. One is the Senate, which must confirm anyone tapped for this crucial assignment, and the other is in the presidential campaign where the current potential nominees, and ultimately the eventual Republican and Democratic winners, will certainly make the court a prime issue in the general election. There is nothing surprising about this. The battle for control of the high court has occurred several times in the last 50 years, and obviously will be center stage again in the nation's political theater because of its importance as the final arbiter of most of our major disputes. Beginning with the refusal to elevate Associate Justice Abraham Fortas to chief justice of the United States during the Johnson administration, there have been several "spectaculars" over court nominees. Richard Nixon's first two nominees were rejected by the Senate in sensational hearings and the attempt to put conservative icon Robert Bork on the panel later met a similar fate. George H.W. Bush's nominee, Clarence Thomas, did win confirmation, but only after one of the most prurient and silly hearings ever conducted by the Senate Judiciary Committee an ordeal that has left him understandably resentful to this day. As an aside, Vice President Joe Biden was chairman of that committee and presided over the hearings. But all these incidents of political and philosophical warfare pale when compared to what may be in store for the court and the nation with the death of Scalia that simply the highest bench in the land may be forced to operate with only eight jurists for more than a year, until the inauguration of a new president. Clearly that is the intention of Republicans who regard the possibility of a third liberal appointment by Barack Obama as catastrophic. And a solid wall of GOP negative votes would make the rejection of any Obama nomination a reality. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has left little doubt that his caucus will work to that end saying the president, in his last year in office, should defer any nomination to the next occupant of the White House. But Obama is not likely to do so in the belief that to leave the court short-handed for a year would be the height of irresponsibility. The court has in its earlier days functioned for long periods without a member. But that hasn't been the case in modern times. While Bork waited it out for 108 days before rejection, it is a long way from 365 or more, which would be unprecedented. The issues facing the court over the next 12 months are considerable including immigration and the Affordable Care Act, and constant litigation on guns and a host of social issues like abortion. Scalia led the court to a position on the Second Amendment, which historically preceding panels had rejected the establishment of the principle of individual rather than collective rights to bear arms. Obama will have to make some difficult choices here. He might win over enough Republicans to overcome a filibuster should he chose a nominee who is philosophically attuned more to moderate thinking on a variety of these issues. On the other hand, to satisfy the left wing of his party in the current campaign he could reach out for a center-left nominee. That would infuriate the GOP hard-right conservatives. Most observers believe it also would risk bringing such social issues as abortion to the top of the campaign and probably assure a defeat in the process. Either way, betting on this president to convince Republicans to permit him to name a third person to the court would be a long shot. The hard-right conservatives whose influence in the party outweighs their numbers can be expected to make this a single-issue, priority fight even at the possibility of being labeled obstructionists. McConnell has been trying to overcome that image. Good luck. SHARE Thank you for supporting the arts On behalf of the Cultural Alliance of Marco Island and Goodland (CAMIG), we'd like to thank the community for its support of our recent 'Cultural Carnivale.' Almost 500 people turned out to explore the full array of activities offered by our CAMIG member organizations. Even we were blown away by the excitement and interest shown by the attendees. There is no question that culture and the arts are alive and well in Marco Island. To all those who came to the 'Cultural Carnivale' for the fun, merriment, food, and raffle gifts, we hope you had a wonderful time. To our many sponsors individuals and local businesses we thank you for supporting culture and the arts on our Paradise Island. We also thank the Marco Island City Council and the Collier Board of County Commissioners for issuing Proclamations that recognized Feb. 3 as "Cultural Arts Day" in Marco Island and Collier County." Going forward, we encourage residents and visitors alike to attend the activities, classes, exhibits, and productions offered by CAMIG members. Find us at camig.org for more information and a calendar of cultural events. Beverly Dahlstrom CAMIG President Bruce Graev CAMIG Vice President Didn't you know? Picture this: Late morning coffee with two good friends, each always considered as longtime Marco Island residents, one each with 18 years and the other with 12 years of residency. As usual, conversation eventually turned to local Marco Island politics, the good, the bad and the ugly. Not surprisingly, my friends had something to say in each of those categories. What indeed was surprising was their complete unawareness of the existence, on Marco, of an organization dedicated to the interests of the Marco Island homeowner, namely Marco Island Property Owners, or MIPO. I wondered how many other residents might also be unaware of MIPO and its free advocating for the Marco homeowner. My own happy experience with MIPO has moved me to post this letter for others who, like my two friends, may not know of the champion, ally and educator they have in MIPO. As a perfect example, MIPO will be hosting, at no charge of course, a public forum featuring Police Chief Al Schettino and Police Captain Dave Baer at 3 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 18, in the City Council Chambers. You could chat or question them as desired. This'll be one of those somewhat uncommon moments wherein the exchange with police will be absolutely delightful. I wouldn't miss it. Thanks, MIPO! Russ Colombo Marco Island Hillary will skate A quick review of a recent article on Gen. David Petraeus and the failure of the government to further censure him by reducing his rank should be an omen of things to come for Hillary Clinton. How can the government at the highest level penalize him any further for an infraction of leaking his schedule to a reporter to the up and coming damaging report by the FBI on the handling of top secret information on her private server. Once the evidence from the FBI is turned over to members of the Justice Department, who serve at the pleasure of the president, the offenses take on a lesser degree of criminality. So go light on the general a private plea by Clinton: "I'm sorry I did not realize what was going on" will be accepted by the president and a full pardon by him in private with the Justice Department present, record expunged, regardless of the offenses presented to the Justice Department from the FBI. End of story. Clinton skates. Radiology Regional Center's 'Mobile Mammo' bus visited the Marco Island Marriott on Friday, Feb. 12, offering no charge mammograms to hotel staff. Lance Shearer/Eagle Correspondent SHARE Radiology Regional Center's 'Mobile Mammo' team members Kathy Lorusso, left, and Bridget Howard in their mobile exam bus. The unit visited the Marco Island Marriott on Friday, Feb. 12, offering no charge mammograms to hotel staff. Lance Shearer/Eagle Correspondent Radiology Regional Center's 'Mobile Mammo' team member Bridget Howard. a breast cancer survivor, also drives the bus. The unit visited the Marco Island Marriott on Friday, Feb. 12, offering no charge mammograms to hotel staff. Lance Shearer/Eagle Correspondent Radiology Regional Center's 'Mobile Mammo' team members Kathy Lorusso, left, and Bridget Howard. The unit visited the Marco Island Marriott on Friday, Feb. 12, offering no charge mammograms to hotel staff. Lance Shearer/Eagle Correspondent Radiology Regional Center's 'Mobile Mammo' team member Bridget Howard. a breast cancer survivor, also drives the bus. The unit visited the Marco Island Marriott on Friday, Feb. 12, offering no charge mammograms to hotel staff. Lance Shearer/Eagle Correspondent By Lance Shearer The Marco Island Marriott wants to keep their staff members healthy. Actually, said general manager Rick Medwedeff, they are doing what they can to keep everyone healthy, and specifically cancer-free, and it's natural to start with their own employees. The Marriott brought the Radiology Regional Center's "Mobile Mammo" unit to the hotel parking lot on Friday, to perform breast cancer screening for their over-40 female associates. "We have a wellness program. We stress healthy eating, exercise, and preventive programs," said Medwedeff. "We also have a Spirit to Serve committee," that helps direct volunteer and charitable efforts at the resort. Over the last five years, the Marriott and its employees have donated almost $150,000 to the Marco Island chapter of the American Cancer Society. "We're using this as the kick-start for the Relay For Life that's coming up, April 9 at Mackle Park," Medwedeff said. Any organization that sets up a minimum of 10 mammogram appointments can have the pink "Mobile Mammo" bus visit them without charge. At the Marriott, the employees' medical insurance cover the cost, so there is no charge to the employee, either. On Friday, 17 women came by the bus to be screened, some for the first time ever. The mammography bus contains all the equipment needed to conduct the test, and results are streamed instantly to radiologists at headquarters, with the results often available just minutes after the procedure, said mammography technologist Kathy Lorusso, who conducts the tests. She is assisted by Bridget Howard, a diminutive team member who handles the paperwork and, although you wouldn't guess it to look at her, also drives the big rig. "You should have seen us getting in here," said Howard. "I had to do, not a three-point turn, but about a 40-point turn maneuvering in the parking lot." So even with the renovations, the Marriott still has some parking issues if you're driving a 40-ft. bus. Howard is also a breast cancer survivor, now 41, who was diagnosed at 37 and underwent a double mastectomy. It was after that experience that she began working with the mobile mammography unit. Annual mammograms are typically recommended for women aged 40 and over. "I did the double mastectomy, reconstructive surgery and chemo," said Howard. "I had a great team of doctors, and I just focused on getting better, not 'why me' or any of those things. Now, they say I have a three to five percent chance of recurrence." She is a firm believer in the value of screening and early detection, and said the best thing the mobile unit does is make it convenient for women to get screened, so they don't put if off. "This is easy. Having the chance to do it at your job helps a lot," she said. "You always go to the doctor when you are sick, or when you need medicine. Here, instead of having to take half a day off, you can get it done in 15 minutes." Lorusso said the mammogram procedure "is momentarily uncomfortable, for a few seconds. Nobody likes getting it done, but we try to make it fun and easy." She said they share some "girl humor" with the patients as they conduct the test, but declined to provide specifics. Marriott team members including server Mercedes del Rio, kitchen supervisor Rosana Lamaglia, and director of membership Val Murphy came by to get screened. On the Friday before Valentine's Day, each woman received a pink or red rose as they exited. "They were lovely, gentle, kind, and humorous," said Murphy, agreeing from the patient side how quick and easy the procedure was. Men are not immune from breast cancer, warned Lorusso, although since they generally only get tested when there are symptoms, they would go to an office rather than the mobile mammography unit. They love touring with the bus, she said. "It's an adventure you're always going somewhere. We have a lot of women say they wouldn't have done it if the bus wasn't brought to them. 'It's a sign I should have done this years ago,' they say." The Mobile Mammo bus travels to Collier and Lee County schools, Chico's corporate headquarters, Immokalee, U.S. Sugar and the Seminole Indian reservation, and apart from cancellations, is typically booked 90 days out, said Lorusso. Results go to the patient's doctor, as well as the patient. Whether on the bus or in a stationary office, said Howard, the message for women over 40 is simple: "Get it done." For more information, call Radiology Regional Center at 239-430-1513. SHARE By Terri Schlichenmeyer "Lizzie and the Lost Baby" By Cheryl Blackford c. 2016, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt $16.99/higher in Canada; 181 pages Honesty is the best policy. You've known practically since you were born that lying was not a good thing. Tell the truth, you've been reminded. Say what really happened. Don't mess with the facts. And, as in the new book "Lizzie and the Lost Baby" by Cheryl Blackford, that's advice that grown-ups should heed, too. Lizzie absolutely did not want to go. But she knew she had to, and so did her brother, Peter. Mummy said it was for their safety because daddy was away at war and the Germans could bomb Britain at any time. All the children in Hull were sent to the English countryside to live with strangers that spring, whether they wanted it or not. And Lizzie didn't want it but she knew leaving was for the best. And so it was that 10-year-old Lizzie and 7-year-old Peter were sent to Swaindale to live with a policeman named Fred Arbuthnot; his wife, Madge; and Madge's dotty sister, Elsie. Though Lizzie missed mummy and nana something awful, the English countryside was nice. Peter found someone to play with nearby, and the scenery was lovely. There were cows and sheep, green grass, and things to do. Madge only asked that the children be prompt for lunchtime and not upset Elsie both of which were very easy to do, until Lizzie found the baby. She was laying on a dirty quilt on the grass, a little cherub with black curly hair, crying and all alone. Lizzie couldn't imagine why anybody would abandon a baby like that especially one as beautiful as the one she found. She hoped Madge would help her find the baby's mother but, instead, Elsie took the baby as her own. Lizzie knew something wasn't quite right, especially when she heard that a nearby Gypsy camp was looking for a baby that was missing. The baby's brother, Elijah, thought Lizzie might know something, but the adults in Swaindale told her to keep quiet. The local magistrate said Elsie could keep the baby. Mummy said the truth was always best. What was Lizzie to do? Truth or consequences? Is honesty the best policy? "Lizzie and the Lost Baby" takes a good look at that question. Set during World War II, at a time when drastic measures were taken as needed, this story starts out with something to capture a kids' imagination: Lizzie and her brother are sent far away from home. Though they're safe in a lovely, bucolic place, it's scary nonetheless but author Cheryl Blackford doesn't let her characters linger on it; Lizzie is brave, wise, and responsible from the story's beginning, which continues throughout the book. Because he's a catalyst for Lizzie's character, Blackford also gives Elijah a great storyline, too, which is likewise a fine lesson on tolerance for cultures of which kids might not be familiar. Put them together and you've got a well-done, delightfully British story that can be read or read aloud. For your 9-to-12-year-old, "Lizzie and the Lost Baby" is a book she'll honestly enjoy. "The Opposite of Everyone" By Joshilyn Jackson c. 2016, William Morrow $26.99/$33.50 Canada; 295 pages You've always marched to the beat of a different drummer. When your friends wanted to do one thing, you were the lone voice of dissent. You rocked your own fashion, hair color, and makeup, never kowtowing to the crowd or following anyone else. But as in the new book "The Opposite of Everyone" by Joshilyn Jackson, you were never really alone. Every month, Paula Vauss sent money to one of a series of P.O. Boxes. Every month, the check was cashed, so she knew her mother was alive, although Paula hadn't seen Kai in years. That wasn't on purpose; Kai never stayed in one place for long, and she told Paula more than once that she didn't need visitors. So when the last check was returned, uncashed, Paula figured it was just another of her unconventional mother's quirks. For the first 10 years of Paula's life, it had mostly been just the two of them. They'd moved a lot then, to a series of houses, often with a series of boyfriends, none of whom lasted more than a year. What was constant, though, were Kai's bedtime stories of Kali the goddess, Ganesh, and Hanuman. They were heroes to Paula then. She remembered every tale, word-for-word. But when the adolescent Paula did something that still hurt to think about and Kai went to jail, everything changed between them. Kai wasn't like her old self, and she never looked at Paula again. Paula wanted a normal life, which she realized she wouldn't get from her mother. She escaped from Kai's house as soon as she could. Now she was everything her mother wasn't, complete with a law degree, a great job, a fancy condo, and an alcoholic private-eye ex-lover-slash-coworker. And then she saw the note. Though Kai had written on the back of the check that she had cancer and her time was short, the story, she said, wasn't done. It ended with Paula, she wrote, which made no sense except that Paula knew her mother, and Kai held a few more surprises ... One of them, in a way, was this book. I initially thought that "The Opposite of Everyone" was a mystery. It had all the elements: A hard-driven, sass-talking lawyer; a hard-drinking PI; and a hard-living past for one of the characters who had secrets. Ah, but no, author Joshilyn Jackson didn't make a whodunit here. We know exactly who dun it, why, and how it resonated throughout the years, which is the roundabout basis for a multilevel of story-threads and character flaws. On that note, Jackson 's heroine isn't always heroic, but she's smart enough to be reflective and self-aware without navel-gazing, a propensity which directly allows Jackson to give this book a shimmering ending that's as perfect as its middle. Your book group has been looking for a book exactly like this: Something that's realistic and spunky with a light dab of nasty and a plot-strand that'll keep you tied fast to the story. For that, "The Opposite of Everyone" can't be beat. The Bookworm is Terri Schlichenmeyer. She has been reading since she was 3 years old and never goes anywhere without a book. Terri lives on a hill in Wisconsin with two dogs and 11,000 books. A 15-year-old who fatally stabbed his school mate will no longer face criminal prosecution. A judge's ruling, made public Tuesday, granted a motion to dismiss the second-degree murder charge against Jorge Saavedra in the death of 16-year-old Dylan Nuno on the grounds that he acted in self-defense under Florida's 'Stand Your Ground' law. The State Attorney's Office has indicated that it will not appeal the ruling. Nuno's family and friends criticized Collier County Circuit Judge Lauren Brodie's decision, calling it 'unbelievable' and 'heartbreaking.' 'We know this wasn't the right decision,' said Dylan's aunt, Adriana Nuno.'(The judge) is showing those kids it's OK to get away with murder.' Saavedra, who was 14 at the time of the stabbing, was charged as a juvenile. If found guilty, the former Palmetto Ridge High student would have been released by the age of 21. Brodie's ruling concluded that Saavadra, who said he was bullied and tried avoid a fight with Nuno, did not act unlawfully. She added that Saavadra had more than enough reason to believe he was in danger of death or great bodily harm. Brodie based her decision this week on the findings from a two-day December hearing, during which students who witnessed the events Jan. 24, 2011, testified that several teens announced the fight on the bus, and Saavedra got off several stops early in Golden Gate Estates. Saavedra showed a pocket knife to two teens on the bus that afternoon. In a nine-page document released Tuesday by the State Attorney's Office, Brodie stated that by getting off the bus several stops before the location where the fight was to happen, Saavedra 'demonstrated that, with or without a knife, (he) had no desire to fight with Dylan Nuno.' Accompanied by several students, Dylan Nuno, a junior, followed Saavedra, a freshman, off the bus. He then punched him in the back of the head, according to court documents and testimony. Saavedra attempted to get away once, witnesses said. He then stabbed Dylan Nuno 12 times in the chest and abdomen. Two of the blows caused fatal wounds, including one that nicked his heart. In her decision, signed Dec. 30, 2011, the judge said Saavedra had 'no duty to retreat' and was 'legally entitled to meet force with force, even deadly force.' 'The defendant was in a place where he had a right to be and was not acting unlawfully. He had more than enough reason to believe he was in danger of death or great bodily harm ... (He) was under attack from the first punch to the back of his head until he stabbed Dylan Nuno.' Prosecutors will not be appealing the case, a move that upset Dylan Nuno's family and friends. 'We've reviewed the decision,' said Samantha Syoen, spokeswoman for the State Attorney's Office. 'There does not appear to be any issues to appeal.' Saavedra's lawyer, Donald Day, called the case 'a tragedy all the way around.' Saavedra is currently living with his family in Miami. 'My reaction is there is no winner at all in this case,' Day said. 'My client's family feels terribly for the Nuno family.' The judge's decision came as a surprise to Adriana Aradas, 19, a close friend of Dylan Nuno who sat with his family for the December hearing, wearing a T-shirt emblazoned with messages for the teen. 'I wasn't' expecting that at all,' Aradas said. 'At the last hearing, there was so much against Jorge.' During that hearing, students recounted for the judge previous altercations between the two teens, including one instance on the bus when something was lobbed from the back, where Dylan Nuno sat, to the front, where Saavedra was. The judge also highlighted that Saavedra would skip school or find other ways home to avoid the bus. Though the judge's order does not mention the term 'bullying,' which was heavily used by the defense, it does describe 'taunting comments' from Dylan Nuno and two other male teens shortly before the fight. Dylan Nuno's family and friends have defended the teen, saying repeatedly he was not a bully and in fact transferred from Lely High School to Palmetto Ridge to escape taunting himself. Their hopes for a bench trial before Brodie are now gone, weeks before the anniversary of his death and what would have been Dylan Nuno's 18th birthday. 'Brodie's decision is not setting a good example for children or adults,' said Kim Maxwell, Dylan Nuno's mother. 'I truly do not want this type of tragedy to happen to another innocent family.' Yet after months of seeing Saavedra in the courtroom, there is some closure in the fact that they will no longer have to see the teen's killer on what at times in 2011 was on a monthly basis. 'Whatever happens, whether (Saavedra) would have gotten time, it's not going to bring Dylan back,' said Adriana Nuno. 'We'll have to move on, unfortunately without our Dylan.' Staff reporter Jacob Carpenter contributed to this report. SHARE Nabbacus Watkins By Kristine Gill of the Naples Daily News Two Lee County teens who robbed a woman at a college campus were arrested the next morning after crashing a stolen vehicle. Reports show the theft took place Sunday evening at 8099 College Parkway in Fort Myers at Florida SouthWestern State College. A woman told deputies she was getting out of her car when a teen asked to borrow her cell phone. She told the teen she didn't have her phone when a second teen appeared and asked if they could accompany her into her residence to get the phone. The woman told the teens to use a public phone. When she walked away, one of the teens grabbed the purse off her shoulder, pushed her to the ground and punched her. Early Monday morning, deputies received reports that four young men were going door to door asking for help getting their car out of a ditch. Deputies later learned the vehicle had been reported stolen Saturday night. Investigators also learned two of those males matched the descriptions of the ones involved in Sunday's robbery at FSW. Victims and witnesses identified Nabbacus Watkins, 19, and a 17-year-old male. The Naples Daily News does not identify underage suspects. The two face charges for robbery by sudden snatching. The 17-year-old has been released from the Lee County Jail but Watkins is being held without bond. Water ripples from wind Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2016 at the W.P. Franklin Lock and Dam in Alva, Fla. The mayors of Lee County's six municipalities convened at a joint emergency meeting on Wednesday to discuss action items regarding freshwater releases from Lake Okeechobee into the Caloosahatchee watershed. It's argued that the release of dark, nutrient-laden freshwater into the the watershed, damage Southwest Florida's economy and ecology. (Corey Perrine/Staff) By Arek Sarkissian of the Naples Daily News An earlier version of this story misstated the level considered safe by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for Lake Okeechobee, which is between 12.5 feet and 15 feet. The article also incorrectly stated what roadway the L-29 canal runs along, which is East Tamiami Trail. TALLAHASSEE U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on Monday approved the first step in Gov. Rick Scott's plan to divert Lake Okeechobee water to the Everglades, with a goal of relieving estuaries along the Southwest Florida coast of damaging freshwater discharges. Starting Monday, water from an already flooded conservation area south of Lake Okeechobee will flow to the Everglades National Park. The soon-to-be emptied conservation area will eventually take on water from Lake Okeechobee, decreasing flows into the Caloosahatchee and St. Lucie rivers. Some Southwest Florida leaders have protested the discharges into the Caloosahatchee, arguing the flow that eventually gushes into the Gulf of Mexico endangers the delicate estuaries that survive on uniquely balanced brackish water. "I applaud the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' quick action to move water south through the Shark River Slough to ease flooding in the Everglades," Scott said in a news release. "This action will help prevent a die off of wildlife whose habitat is currently flooded and eventually relieve pressure from discharges to the estuaries." The Corps of Engineers began to flush water from Lake Okeechobee to the rivers Jan. 30 and "further increased" flows on Feb. 5 to relieve even more swelling from the heavy rainfall. Historic January rains pushed the level of Lake Okeechobee well beyond the between 12.5 and 15 feet deemed safe by the Corps of Engineers. As of Monday, the lake level was 16.21 feet, according to a Corps of Engineers website. The approval from the Corps of Engineers prompted the South Water Management District to open a gate that emptied part of the Everglades known as Conservation Area 3 at a rate of 10,000 gallons per second, according to a news release provided by the agency. The water from Conservation Area 3 flows through the L-29 Canal, which runs along East Tamiami Trail, and makes its way into Shark River Slough in Everglades National Park, said John Campbell, an agency spokesman. "I'm not aware this has been done before," Campbell said, adding that landowners along the L-29 canal had to sign agreements. The Caloosahatchee and St. Lucie rivers will continue to digest Lake Okeechobee water, but the emptied conservation area will eventually take some of the flow, Campbell said. "It is still something," Campbell said. "Every little bit helps." Scott sent his letter to the Corps of Engineers after he received a letter from Rep. Heather Fitzenhagen, R-Fort Myers, who wrote him about the damage the fresh lake water had caused along the Gulf Coast. The dilemma led to a collaborative effort by federal, state and local officials, which resulted in a solution that began to take action Monday, Fitzenhagen said. "Of course, you think about how the water interrupts the delicate estuaries that need that perfect mix of saline and fresh water," Fitzenhagen said. "But then you have to consider how it affects our quality of life along the coast, with people hearing about things like fish kills and algae." Progress in the fight to decrease the lake water in the Caloosahachee drew praise from leaders in Lee County. Bonita Springs Mayor Ben Nelson said moving water south was a big step in the right direction. "This is a good sign," Nelson said. "Given all the options that were even possible, this seems like the one that is most doable now." Sanibel Mayor Kevin Ruane's city sits at the mouth of the Caloosahatchee, and he was pleased the countless hours of phone calls with the Corps of Engineers, and state and federal leaders finally paid off. "We were trying to utilize everything we had to come up with a long-term solution," Ruane said. "This isn't just about how it all impacts our tourism this is where we live." Naples Daily News Reporter Maryann Batlle contributed to this report Contact Daily News reporter arek.sarkissian@naplesnews.com or 850-559-7620 SHARE Anna V. Eskamani, the director of public policy and field operations at Planned Parenthood of Southwest and Central Florida, speaks against proposed Florida legislation during a news conference at the Collier County Government Center on Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2016, in East Naples. The staff and supporters of Planned Parenthood gathered to voice their opposition to two proposed bills in the Florida Legislature which could defund the organization. (David Albers/Staff) Nurse practitioner Lauren Jacobsen speaks against proposed Florida legislation during a news conference at the Collier County Government Center on Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2016, in East Naples. The staff and supporters of Planned Parenthood gathered to voice their opposition to two proposed bills in the Florida Legislature which could defund the organization. (David Albers/Staff) Veronica Schell, a volunteer and advocacy coordinator at Planned Parenthood of Southwest and Central Florida, distributes signs to supporters before a news conference at the Collier County Government Center on Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2016, in East Naples. The staff and supporters of Planned Parenthood gathered to voice their opposition to two proposed bills in the Florida Legislature which could defund the organization. (David Albers/Staff) Related Photos Planned Parenthood protests two proposed Florida bills By Liz Freeman of the Naples Daily News Erika Ferrari is angry that state legislators intend to strip the rights of low-income women to use Planned Parenthood clinics for health care because the organization also provides abortions. "Ninety percent of what they do is not abortion-related," said Ferrari, a Naples resident in her late 50s. "This is just an attack on Roe v. Wade by the back door." Roe v. Wade is the 1973 Supreme Court decision legalizing abortion. Ferrari was one of a dozen supporters of Planned Parenthood who joined employees of the health care organization outside the Collier County Government Center in East Naples where state Rep. Matt Hudson, R-Naples, has a district office. The group was protesting Hudson's addition of language in the House budget plan to specifically prohibit Planned Parenthood from receiving any funding, directly or indirectly. Hudson's measure would prohibit Medicaid reimbursement to Planned Parenthood, and low-income women would not be able to access the health care services, said Anna Eskamani, director of public policy for Planned Parenthood of Southwest and Central Florida. In Collier County, Hudson's proposal also would mean Planned Parenthood no longer could provide certain services to women through a contract with the Florida Department of Health. The contract provides federal Title 10 funding for family planning, treatment of sexually transmitted diseases and other services for low-income women, she said. Last year in Collier alone, Planned Parenthood provided more than 800 tests for STDs, 144 tests for HIV, more than 600 pregnancy tests and almost 900 breast and cervical cancer screenings, and contraception to more than 1,000 clients. Last week, Hudson, chairman of the House health care appropriations committee, said funding through DOH to Planned Parenthood needed to be pulled back, Eskamani said. "You want to pull back on women's access to health care? That's not the Florida women deserve," she said Tuesday. "Enough is enough. You need to focus on increasing access to care, not restricting it." Hudson said Tuesday that House Republicans voted against including money in next year's proposed state budget for six Planned Parenthood locations after they learned state agencies were funding them. Those locations would have received a total of $260,000 through agencies such as the Florida Department of Health and the Florida Agency for Healthcare Administration. "It's incumbent upon us as lawmakers to tell those agencies we never gave them permission to have the money and they can't do that," Hudson said. "That's what this is all about us exerting legislative authority." Barbara Zdravecky, chief executive officer of Planned Parenthood of Southwest and Central Florida, said the organization is able to see three times as many low-income women in Collier than the health department could. That's because the clinic's donor support subsidizes the expense of caring for the low-income women. "We have done this because it is part of our mission," Zdravecky said. "We are saving the state a lot of money taking care of farmworkers in Immokalee and poor women in Collier County." Similar bills in the House and Senate have been passing through committees. The bills would eliminate access to abortion services by adding onerous requirements on clinics that offer abortions, Eskamani said. For instance, clinics would be required to have admitting privileges at hospitals. A Senate committee, with state Sens. Garrett Richter, Lizbeth Benacquisto and Denise Grimsley as members, is scheduled to take up Senate Bill 1722 on Wednesday. The House version, House Bill 1411, has passed through all three of its committee reviews. Zdravecky said the Tuesday event outside the Collier government complex aimed to bring awareness to the public about what legislators are doing. "We know politicians should not be involved in decisions of where people go for health care, and that is what is happening now," Zdravecky said. Tallahassee Bureau Chief Arek Sarkissian contributed to this report. SHARE Patrons enjoy the Van Domelen Education Center Monday, Feb. 15, 2016 at Grace Place in Golden Gate, Fla. Grace Place for Children and Families will held a groundbreaking to mark construction on the Campus Expansion Campaigns second building, the McNamara Family Learning Center, honoring local philanthropists John and Judy McNamara for their significant gift. The 6,919 square foot two-story multiuse classroom building is part of a 16,000 square foot expansion for new classroom and program space to serve more students, operate more efficiently and effectively, and foster learning. (Corey Perrine/Staff) Judy McNamara stands after the chorus performs next to husband John McNamara, right, and son, Mike McNamara and his wife, Connie, Monday, Feb. 15, 2016 at Grace Place in Golden Gate, Fla. Grace Place for Children and Families will held a groundbreaking to mark construction on the Campus Expansion Campaigns second building, the McNamara Family Learning Center, honoring local philanthropists John and Judy McNamara for their significant gift. The 6,919 square foot two-story multiuse classroom building is part of a 16,000 square foot expansion for new classroom and program space to serve more students, operate more efficiently and effectively, and foster learning. (Corey Perrine/Staff) Harrison Pacheco, 11, center left, sings, Monday, Feb. 15, 2016 at Grace Place in Golden Gate, Fla. Grace Place for Children and Families will held a groundbreaking to mark construction on the Campus Expansion Campaigns second building, the McNamara Family Learning Center, honoring local philanthropists John and Judy McNamara for their significant gift. The 6,919 square foot two-story multiuse classroom building is part of a 16,000 square foot expansion for new classroom and program space to serve more students, operate more efficiently and effectively, and foster learning. (Corey Perrine/Staff) Julia Van Domelen which the Van Domelen Education Center was named after, as well as her late husband, William, talks with patrons Monday, Feb. 15, 2016 at Grace Place in Golden Gate, Fla. Grace Place for Children and Families will held a groundbreaking to mark construction on the Campus Expansion Campaigns second building, the McNamara Family Learning Center, honoring local philanthropists John and Judy McNamara for their significant gift. The 6,919 square foot two-story multiuse classroom building is part of a 16,000 square foot expansion for new classroom and program space to serve more students, operate more efficiently and effectively, and foster learning. (Corey Perrine/Staff) Related Photos Grace Place: McNamara Family Learning Center Groundbreaking Ceremony By Laura Layden of the Naples Daily News With the paint barely dry on the first of five new buildings, Grace Place is about to see a second one sprout out of the ground as part of a multimillion-dollar expansion. The nonprofit education center, in the heart of Golden Gate, has plans to add 20,000 square feet to support its tutoring, literacy, leadership and enrichment programs. The center's mission is to provide a pathway out of poverty to the needy children and families living in the four square miles around it. On Presidents Day, the center hosted a patriotic-themed groundbreaking event for what will be the next new building at its five-acre campus, at 4300 21st Avenue S.W. Construction on the two-story building, which will span 7,000 square feet, will begin in April, following the completion of a similar one, called the Van Domelen Education Center. Tiny flags led attendees down a sidewalk to their folding seats in the lawn. Golden Gate High School's Junior ROTC color guard loudly and proudly presented the flags. Dressed in red, white and blue, fourth and fifth graders in Grace Place's choir, belted out "Coming to America," "America. The Beautiful" and "We are the World." The new building will be known as the McNamara Family Learning Center, named after local philanthropists John and Judy McNamara, who donated $1 million for construction. It will include four classrooms and offices. The McNamaras, longtime Naples residents, wanted to leave a legacy that their children could be proud of and after considering several options, they chose Grace Place. "We felt we wanted to do something and this was one of the best ones," said John McNamara, 80, the founder and former chairman and CEO of AmeriSource Health Corp., now a part of AmerisourceBergen Corp. His wife, Judy, 79, said her husband's parents struggled to put food on the table during the Great Depression and always stressed the importance of education. John and Judy, who have been married for nearly 61 years, made sure their four children got a good education, getting them all through college, and they'll help ensure their grandchildren and great-grandchildren have the same opportunity. "It's just our goal," she said. "Educate, educate, educate." Grace Place also gained the couple's support because of its strong spiritual ties. The faith-based center was founded by a Methodist minister in 2004, as a small after-school program for children who were at risk of dropping out of school. Bob Petterson, a senior pastor for Covenant Church of Naples, said he knew John and Judy McNamara well and he wasn't surprised by their generous gift. "This isn't just a one-time gift," he said. "This is their life. This is their lifestyle." School age children in Golden Gate come from some of the poorest households in Florida. Almost seven out of 10 households do not speak English in the home. More than 60 percent of elementary students read below grade level. Don Grandi, board chairman for Grace Place, said while the three-bedroom houses surrounding the center may look like your typical single-family homes during the day, at night they are filled with six to eight people, including families who are renting just one room. "A lot of people have no idea what we're doing," Grandi said. "We just want to change this little corner of the world. There's not a bigger pocket of need than right here." Grace Place has raised $10.1 million for it expansion so far. That includes its first six-figure gift from the Bill and Julia Van Domelen Foundation, which has donated millions to fight poverty in Michigan and Naples. When the Van Domelen Education Center opens, it will allow Grace Place to finally get rid of the four portables it has been working out of to keep up with the demand for its services. The Schoen Foundation has pledged up to $350,000 in matching funds to the campaign, challenging the community to raise an equal amount. There is still $5.5 million to raise, with plans to build a family resource center, a center for mom and tot educational programs, and a multipurpose building, which will include a new and improved food pantry. "Right now, space is just such a commodity," said Tim Ferguson, CEO of Grace Place. "We are serving just a fraction of the community we could be serving." The center now serves 800 children and 400 families with its educational programs. It also serves more than 2,000 families a year with its Friday food pantry. SHARE Comparing the "A" grade that Collier County Public Schools received for 2014-15 to the "B" it received the previous year would be apples to oranges, given the state's change in its assessment test and the ever-moving target known as school accountability in Florida. Even so, an A is an A. And when has an A not been better than a B? So there are plenty of reasons to praise Collier County schools Superintendent Kamela Patton and her administrative team, teachers and members of the School Board for achieving an A when the tardy 2014-15 grades were released Friday. There also are apples to apples comparisons we would make. For example, fewer than a third of Florida's 67 school districts earned an A in this cycle of grading that is the state's measure of accountability. Among them, Collier is one of a dozen urban districts that earned an A, as did Palm Beach, Sarasota and Seminole counties, where there's been agita over state testing just as there's been here. That tells us Collier, like those districts, is impressively doing its best with what the state is offering while simultaneously searching for ways to get even better. Lee's district received a B, as did nearly half of Florida's districts for 2014-15. There were 16 districts, mostly rural ones, that received a C or below. School grades were released several months late after the state changed to the Florida Standards Assessment (FSA) test from the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT). The FSA had a flawed rollout and needed to be reviewed by consultants. As Patton noted in an online Daily News story Friday, teachers deserve kudos for teaching to the state's new standards while not knowing what the test would be, which counters arguments that the district staff is teaching to a test. The challenges Collier's "A" is further impressive when the district's demographic realities that teachers face every day are taken into account. According to district data, 29,519 of the 46,585 students come from an economically disadvantaged environment, or 63.4 percent. Among students, 40.6 percent come from a home where the primary language is Spanish, almost equal to 48.3 percent where it's English. For nearly 13 percent of district students, English isn't the first language. In the past, when critics have tried to measure Collier's performance to others in Florida, Patton has cautioned the School Board that it's difficult to find comparable counties given this district's demographic challenges vs. other counties. That, of course, could be an explanation for why a district wouldn't excel. In this case, Collier did. It got an "A." Individual schools At individual schools, an "apples" comparison of Friday's report card is risky. Among elementary schools, eight saw their letter grade improve; two dropped. About a third of the elementary schools received an A. Half of the district's middle schools received an A while one saw an improved grade and one dropped two grades. Half of the high schools received an A, but four declined from a year ago. Patton told the Daily News in Friday's online article that the declines were at schools where there's a high percentage of students limited in English proficiency. These schools were adversely affected because the grading formula didn't weigh learning gains; those gains couldn't be calculated because the FSA was used for the first time. "Learning gains will be included within the school grades calculation beginning with the 2015-16 school year," she wrote in a memo Friday to board members. Accountability That brings us to one of the education goals we suggested at the beginning of 2016: for the state to settle on an accountability system and stop moving the target every year. Until that's done, it's unfair to penalize failing schools or affect a teacher's pay. Two measures to address the accountability system, HB 903 and SB 1124, unfortunately remain at committee level more than halfway into the 2016 session. So kudos to Collier's district for its "A." Now, if the state can just settle on an accountability system, we'll be able to begin seeing how an "A" can get even better. On March 10-12, Hodges University and SAFE Coalition for Human Rights (SAFECHR) will host the Human Trafficking in Plain Sight: Identifying Best Practices National Conference and Gala. Students, professionals, educators and members of the community are welcome to attend. The conference will be held at Hodges Universitys Naples campus located at 2655 Northbrooke Drive. The Friday evening gala will be held at The Ritz-Carlton, Naples located at 280 Vanderbilt Beach Road. Our goals are to raise awareness among the public to the issues of human trafficking, as well as train advocates and professionals in specific skills so that they may be better prepared to work with female and male survivors of human trafficking. We also plan to bring together various safe houses in the area who can share successes, challenges and best practices with one another, said Dr. Kalyani Gopal, founder and president of SAFECHR. Dr. Mary Nuosce, dean of the Nichols School of Professional Studies at Hodges, envisions this conference as a way to show the community that Hodges University is involved in an issue that is not only affecting our area, but the state, nation and the world. Hodges is a center at which individuals can come to learn about various issues related to human trafficking, including the acquiring of skills to work with trafficked individuals to becoming aware of how to combat it. Beginning at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 10, guests will arrive for registration before attending one of two workshops. On Friday, March 11, guests will attend an all-day training with multidisciplinary panels and informative workshops led by internationally renowned researchers, survivors and trainers, as well as local Collier County leaders. Guests will also hear from SAFECHRs Survivor Council human trafficking survivors. Also on Friday, Hodges faculty member Yaroslaba Garcia will serve as a co-chair of the Multidisciplinary Legislative Symposium. Garcia is also the president of the Southwest Florida Regional Human Trafficking Coalition and clinical director of Abuse Counseling & Treatment (ACT) in Fort Myers. That evening, guests may purchase tickets to attend the SAFE Villages First Annual Silver Slipper Gala. Guests will have the opportunity to participate in a Fund-A-Wish auction, bidding on bricks, streets, oases of peace and additional structures needed to build a SAFE village for survivors of human trafficking. There will also be a live auction, wine and dinner, and a special presentation by human trafficking survivors Federal Judge Mary E. Bullock and survivor-clinician, Marti MacGibbon. A surprise special guest will also be in attendance. On Saturday, March 12, the conference will feature a community panel symposium discussing the roles of hospitals, organizations, businesses and agencies in combating trafficking, as well as a safe house symposium, which will identify best practices across established safe houses in the southern United States. The cost to attend the conference is $30 for early bird and $50 for regular registrants; however, students may attend free. The deadline for early bird registration is Feb. 25. Tickets to the gala are $175 per person online or $200 onsite. Interested individuals may purchase a table for $1,700. To purchase tickets, please RSVP and register online at http://www.rsvpbook.com/HTNaples2016. For additional information, email admin@safechr.org or call 239- 280-1939. Larson on Wallace incident: 'It is what it is' Kyle Larson responds to his wreck with Bubba Wallace and Wallace's retaliation at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Leading healthcare company, MSD, has appointed Ger Carmody as Associate Vice President, Plant Management, for its site in Ballydine, Co. Tipperary. Leading healthcare company, MSD, has appointed Ger Carmody as Associate Vice President, Plant Management, for its site in Ballydine, Co. Tipperary. In this role, Ger will be responsible for overall operations and management of the Ballydine facility, leading a team of over 450 highly-skilled people with a core focus on a range of new and innovative products that are developed and supplied by MSD for export across the globe. Ger was previously the Executive Director of MSD in Hangzhou, China, where he spent three years as plant manager for the existing manufacturing facility and project lead for the construction and start-up of a new manufacturing site to supply Asia Pacific markets. Prior to that, he held the role of Director of Technical Operations for the Asia Pacific region at MSD in Singapore. Ger holds a Degree in Chemical Engineering from UCD and is a chartered member of the Institute of Chemical Engineers. MSD in Ballydine develops innovative methods for the formulation and supply of new products and houses a Formulation R&D and Manufacturing Facility on-site. The plant exports to over 30 countries with main markets being Europe, USA and Japan. MSD, known as Merck in the US and Canada, has operations in more than 140 countries. In Ireland, the company employs over 2,000 people across its five sites in Dublin, Carlow, Cork, Tipperary and Wicklow where its extensive operations encompass manufacturing, commercial and marketing facilities. MSD is a leader in healthcare, dedicated to helping the world be well through a wide range of innovative health solutions. This includes the development, production and distribution of prescription medicines, vaccines and biologic therapies as well as animal health products. MSDs commitment to research and to increasing access to healthcare across the world is demonstrated by clearly focused policies, far-reaching programmes and life-enhancing partnerships. Here is another one. A change in what Human nature will allow for government. "Careful, Kryon, don't talk about politics. You'll get in trouble." I won't get in trouble. I'm going to tell you to watch for leadership that cares about you. "You mean politics is going to change?" It already has. It's beginning. Watch for it. You're going to see a total phase-out of old energy dictatorships eventually. The potential is that you're going to see that before 2013. The North Atlantic Council met members of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly on Monday (15 February) and discussed priorities for this years NATO Summit in Warsaw as well as how the Alliance is adapting to the new security challenges. The discussions were part of regular consultations between the two organisations. The NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said that the Warsaw Summit agenda will be driven by two major themes, balance and adaptation. The Alliance will need to ensure a right balance between addressing challenges coming from the East and from the South. And the Alliance will also need to ensure a right balance between deterrence and dialogue with partners who do not necessarily share NATOs core values, including Russia. He highlighted that a strong deterrence posture goes hand in hand with NATOs readiness to have dialogue. Mr. Stoltenberg said that fulfilling the Wales Defence Investment Pledge will help the Alliance achieve these objectives. Members of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly and of the North Atlantic Council also discussed NATOs decision to provide support to assist with the refugee and migrant crisis in the Aegean See and cooperation between NATO and the European Union. The Secretary General also had a separate meeting with the President of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, Mr. Michael Turner. The NATO Parliamentary Assembly is an inter-parliamentary organisation of parliamentarians from NATO member countries and associate countries and is independent from NATO. It provides a link between NATO and the parliaments of NATO member countries, to help build parliamentary and public awareness and understanding for Alliance policies. Dramatic, long-lasting results Experiment responsibly (NaturalNews) For the first time, scientific research is starting to confirm traditional and contemporary claims that ayahuasca can be used to heal psychological and spiritual distress such as depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder."Ayahuasca has been used therapeutically, in a broad sense, by the indigenous and mestizo populations of Northwestern Amazonia for centuries," said Brazilian researcher Rafael Guimaraes dos Santos, who recently co-authored a study on ayahuasca in the journal(the)."Moreover, people around the world are searching for ayahuasca rituals to improve their health."is the most common English name and spelling of both the Amazonian vineand a psychedelic drink made from that vine, typically in combination with other plants such as. The additives typically contain the psychotropic chemical DMT, which is made bioactivate by the monoamine oxidase inhibitors found in. The namecomes from the Quechua language.Ayahuasca (in both meanings of the term) has a centuries-long history of use by traditional South American shamans, in both religious and healing contexts. In recent decades, Westerners have shown interest in its ability to alter states of mind, sometimes helping people find spiritual insight. More recently, Westerners have begun to explore the plant's traditional healing properties as well.Until the publication of the Brazilian study in March 2015, nearly all prior scientific research into ayahuasca had consisted of observational field studies, sometimes using neural imaging on people while they were under the effects of the brew. The new study sought to support these preliminary findings with clinical data.The researchers gave an ayahuasca brew to six volunteers who were suffering from depression that had not responded to pharmaceutical drugs."In this small group of patients, we observed fast-acting (starting in minutes/hours) and enduring (until 21 days later) antidepressant and anxiolytic [anxiety-inhibiting] effects associated with the administration of a single ayahuasca dose," Guimaraes dos Santos said, as reported by. "We were surprised to observe this rapid and possibly enduring anti-depressive response with a single dose, and that most volunteers did not experience intense psychedelic effects."The experiment was designed as a small pilot study , and was hampered by a small study size and lack of a control group. The researchers hope that their findings will secure enough interest to enable larger studies.One such study, with a sample size of 17, is now underway at the Brain Institute of the Federal University of Rio Grande in Brazil."The idea of testing a substance like ayahuasca to see if it can help with depression is something that needs to be done using objective measures, and using the standardization that comes with a biomedical study," said University of California physician and ayahuasca researcher Brian T. Anderson. He called the Brazilian study an important step forward.With Western science slow to catch up with traditional knowledge, many people are forging ahead to use ayahuasca on their own. The International Center for Ethnobotanical Education Research & Service (ICEERS) provides extensive advice, including physical and safety guidelines, for people considering that path."The motivation for people to participate in ayahuasca ceremonies is very different from the general use of other drugs," said Benjamin De Loenen, executive director of ICEERS. "People aren't seeking a novel experience, the whole seeking of ayahuasca is related to improving their health and life. We try and have all the information available to them, so that they can make responsible decisions."Among other things, ICEERS recommends finding a reputable group session that pre-screens participants for contraindications to ayahuasca use and offers support afterwards in case traumatic emotions have surfaced. The group also recommends being aware of the legal status of DMT-containing plants in the country you are in (France is the only country that has bannedspecifically, though false arrests by ignorant law enforcement officers have been known to occur). Reason No. 1: Dollars and cents. Reason No. 2: Disparaging the messenger. Reason No. 3: Denial. (NaturalNews) One of the main reasons the general public doesn't know enough about all the harmful effects of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) - foods, seeds and otherwise - is because they have not been adequately reported by the mainstream media. Alternative health and news sites like ours have, in fact, proliferated in large part because we provide the honest, bare-bones truth about GMOs.But alas, most mainstream media does not. And it is why the political, economic and environmental debates regarding GMOs continue to this day, why they remain confusing, and why the truth remains elusive. As reported by, "From theshow to, including, media outlets play a critical role in bringing you facts to help you make decisions on key issues."The news site went onto to note that it has always "been up front" about its anti-GMO position, largely because of its "deep roots in organic farming." So the site examined three ways in which the mainstream press is failing to bring consumers of news accurate coverage regarding both organic and GMO issues:As you know, most media operations survive and thrive on advertising, not subscriptions or single-issue sales. When a media organization refuses an ad, that generally means the product or service is at odds with the outlet's publisher. So, it was a little shocking to some media and product analysts to discover that distinguished science journalsandturned down advertising from Dr. Bronner's Magic Soaps (the ad is here PDF), according tomagazine. The "advertorial," as it is called, was basically a short essay written by Bronner that gave an under-publicized anti-GMO perspective, but one that nevertheless provided information about new anti-GMO research that might otherwise never get reported.said the reason whyrefused the advertorial was because editors were "concerned about backlash from our members and potentially getting into a battle with the GMO industry" (which, of course, has deep pockets and mega-supporters like biotech giants Monsanto and Syngenta).In addition, Laurie Faraday, the East regional advertising sales manager for, told, "Ironically, it's not that anyone in the organization disagreed with what it [the ad] said. It's just that we had to consider that the opposite side of the coin might want to start a war in our magazine."Perhaps one could give the scientific journals the benefit of the doubt; perhaps they simply did not want to rock the boat. But such explanations fail when factoring in stories and articles that attempt to discredit those working against the spread of GMOs.provided this example:She responds here Many mainstream news outlets just don't seem to consider anti-GMO findings, studies and revelations newsworthy. You can tell because they simply refuse to cover such findings or to cover such findings in depth. You'll not likely see an 8,000-word essay inanytime soon covering, say, GMO labeling legislation in the states or Congress, while there are daily "stories" about celebrity gossip and activities or some poll that reflects the editorial position of the outlet's editorial board."GMO issues rarely land in the lead-story spot, despite that fact that most Americans are eating 'extreme' levels of this GMO herbicide,"reported [ http://www.rodalenews.com/roundup-food ].Sources: Major public health problem FDA action unlikely (NaturalNews) Ninety-three percent of all physicians surveyed are concerned about the overuse of antibiotics in animal agriculture, according to a recent survey conducted by the Consumer Reports National Research Center. The report is available here Researchers surveyed 500 internal medicine and family practice physicians about their thoughts on and experiences with antibiotic-resistant diseases. The report was released as part of the Prescription For Change project, a collaborative effort that includes Consumers Union (the policy and advocacy arm of), Physicians for Social Responsibility, Health Care Without Harm, United States Public Interest Research Group (USPIRG), Natural Resources Defense Council, National Physicians Alliance and Healthy Food Action.Some of the groups involved planned media events to coincide with the report's release, urging supermarkets and other large institutions to help end the use of antibiotics on healthy livestock."This poll underscores how important it is to preserve the effectiveness of antibiotics," said Jean Halloran, director of the Food Policy Initiatives at Consumers Union. "We're calling on supermarket chains -- which have huge leverage with meat producers -- to help end the overuse of antibiotics in livestock."Antibiotic-resistant infections are of growing concern to health experts worldwide. It is widely accepted that overuse of antibiotics is the major cause driving the evolution of drug-resistant bacteria and is responsible for their proliferation in recent years. This can be caused by the use of antibiotics not just in humans but also in livestock; factory farms in the United States regularly dose healthy animals with antibiotics in order to make them grow faster.Antibiotic-resistant infections now kill 23,000 per year in the United States.The survey results were consistent with the perception that drug-resistant bacteria are a growing health problem. Eighty-five percent of doctors reported that they had treated someone with a confirmed or suspected antibiotic-resistant infection in the past year. Of those, 35 percent said they had a patient die or suffer serious complications from a drug-resistant infection. Among doctors working in both hospital and outpatient settings, nearly 50 percent had a patient die or suffer serious complications.A whopping 97 percent of doctors said they were concerned that drug-resistant infections are a growing problem, and 80 percent said they worked with a practice, hospital or medical group that was actively trying to minimize overprescription of antibiotics.According to USPIRG spokesperson Maggie Oliver, efforts to combat routine antibiotic use in Wisconsin farms have been well received by local small farmers."What we've seen for the most part is overwhelming support for this," she said. "Wisconsin is a huge agricultural state, but so many small farmers that I've spoken with are completely with us on this issue and agree that antibiotics should be saved for cases where they're really needed."But wide-scale change is most likely to come from federal action, Oliver said."We're thinking any way to stop the overuse, really, but that would probably be most effective coming from the federal level, so we're really calling on the Obama administration here to take the action and require the FDA to stop giving antibiotics to animals that aren't sick," she said.Unfortunately, the FDA has been less than an ally to those working to phase out the practice of routine antibiotic use in livestock. Earlier this year, the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) exposed evidence that the FDA has allowed 18 animal antibiotics to stay on the market even knowing that they posed "high risk" of contributing to drug-resistant infections in humans."The FDA's failure to act on its own findings about the 30 reviewed antibiotic feed additives is part of a larger pattern of delay and inaction in tackling livestock drug use that goes back four decades," said NRDC attorney and study co-author Avinash Kar. The importance of bees The impacts of pesticides on bees (NaturalNews) German supermarket chain Aldi, has become the first major European retailer to ban pesticides that are toxic to bees, including neonicotinoids such as imidacloprid, clothianidin and thiamethoxam. All suppliers of produce sold in Aldi stores across Europe and the U.S. are now required not to use those pesticides during production.The announcement came on January 1st, and was a great way to start the New Year, with the retailer expecting fruit and vegetable suppliers to comply with their new policy ASAP. The decision comes after a great deal of public pressure, and coincides with the German retailer's decision to ban the herbicide chemical glyphosate from its produce.Bees are one of the most important insects on earth, and are responsible for pollinating a third of everything we eat, playing a very important part in sustaining the planet's ecosystems. In fact, 84 percent of the crops grown for human consumption (over 400 different plants), require bees and other insects for pollination in order to increase their yields and quality.These foods include most fruits and vegetables, many nuts, and plants such as rapeseed and sunflowers, as well as cocoa beans, coffee and tea. Crops grown as fodder for dairy cows and other livestock are also pollinated by bees. Bees are actually worth $170 billion per year for their annual global crop pollination.Beyond their monetary value for maintaining the planet's food supply, bees also make huge contributions to ecosystems around the world; they're guardians of the food chain and the biodiversity of the planet.Bees and flowers have a wonderful relationship the bees need the flowers for food, and the flowers need the bees in order to be able to reproduce. Unlike other insects, nectar and pollen from flowering plants are a bee's only food source, with the sweet nectar drink giving adult bees their daily energy needs.A quote from Albert Einstein sums up the importance of the humble bee: "If the bee disappeared off the surface of the globe then man would only have four years left to live." The timescale is perhaps a little exaggerated, and leaves no room for our ability to invent a solution to the problem, however it successfully highlights how our survival is inextricably linked to that of bees.According to a press release from Greenpeace, there are various toxic pesticides used on many food products that we eat in our day-to-day lives. Lettuce, herbs, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, kale, leeks, peas, tomatoes and lettuce, are among some of the common vegetables that are sprayed with pesticides during their production.Pesticides such as thiamethoxam, chlorpyrifos, cypermethrin and deltamethrin are extremely toxic to bees, having an impact on their ability to reproduce, and harming population levels over time. These chemicals can also affect the ability of bees to navigate and forage, making it harder for them to pollinate plants and find food.Recently, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released an assessment on polinators, and found that the residues of various pesticides have been found in areas where bees forage and the bee populations are declining, due to sustained exposure to toxic chemicals through poisoned pollen and nectar.To date, requests by many environmental groups for U.S. government agencies to ban these pesticides have been unsuccessful. But with big chains like Aldi taking the initiative to do the right thing, maybe more large retailers will start to consider the environmental impacts of their practices, and force their suppliers to do the same. A license to kill? Are the risks worth taking? (NaturalNews) The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has just added three new vaccines to the Childhood Immunization Schedule, bringing the total to an almost unbelievable 74 vaccine doses recommended before the age of 17.The agency also lowered the age of HPV (a sexually-transmitted virus) vaccination to include nine-year-olds.Since 1950, the number of required vaccine doses has risen from 3 to 74 an increase of more than 24 times.In 1983, there were still only 10 recommended vaccines being administered to children under the age of 6 the schedule then required 24 doses, 7 injections and 4 oral polio doses.By 2010, the number of doses had increased to 68, with over half of them being administered before children reached 18 months of age.As of February 1, 2016, the number of doses before age 17 has increased to 74 including 53 injected vaccines and 3 oral rotavirus doses.From"These rapid increases in the vaccine schedule mean that a 6 month old baby born today would receive over 2.5 times the number of vaccines as the maximum permitted for a 6 year old back in the 1980's. And, by the time that same baby was 12 years old, he/she would have received over 7X the number of vaccines as a child born 30 years ago."Predictably, children today are suffering from autoimmune disorders, behavioral problems, and physical disabilities at a rate growing in lockstep with the skyrocketing number of shots."One in every two children suffers from a chronic problem today and the situation is only growing worse with each passing year."So, why the huge increase since 1983?Many Americans are unaware of the fact that in 1986, a bill called thewas passed into law.This Act absolves vaccine manufacturers from any liability for injury or death caused by vaccines That's right:Now it becomes clear why so many new vaccines have been added to the schedule, and why there are currently another 271 new vaccines awaiting approval by the FDA:"The CDC will never stop adding to the immunization schedule as long as pharmaceutical manufacturers are protected from ALL liability of injury and death ... There is absolutely no incentive to make existing or new vaccines safe or keep the schedule at a reasonable level since the passage of the 1986 Vaccine Injury Act."For many parents, the health risks associated with vaccines are much worse than the risk of no vaccines at all, but Big Pharma lobbyists have deep pockets, and have managed to buy out the politicians in charge of drafting vaccine-related policies.The anti-vaccine movement has been portrayed in the media as a bunch of paranoid lunatics who are endangering the lives of the rest of the population, when in fact the exact opposite is the reality.Now, lawmakers are pushing for mandatory vaccinations so that the big drug companies can keep making huge profits without any regard for their safety or efficacy.This is happening despite a large (and continuously increasing) amount of evidence, that vaccines cause serious health problems, and that many of them are ineffective in the first place.Not only are many of these vaccines tainted and useless, but at least one of the major vaccine makers Merck has been caught falsifying efficacy data.As long as vaccine manufacturers remain legally protected from liability, we can expect to see the number of recommended vaccine doses continuing to rise exponentially.We can also expect to see the number of children harmed by vaccines continuing to increase.Isn't it time to stop this madness before future generations are irreparably harmed due to the greed of the big drug companies? (NaturalNews) Many of us seek solace in nature, trying to quiet and recharge our minds after a busy day at work. With 80 percent of the population residing in urban areas, city parks are often the nearest refuge for enjoying nature. Among the tall trees and rose-colored flowers, what you may not expect to find is a sheen of toxic chemicals, quietly lingering in your pathway.In the U.S., many city parks departments are spraying Roundup in public areas, failing to provide any forewarning. Playgrounds, hike and bike trails and campgrounds are included in these areas, which are frequented by families, young children and pets.Using Roundup to treat pests or weeds is problematic, based on the mounting research linking the pesticide to dozens of health complications, including Alzheimer's disease, non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma and even autism.It was recently reported that New York's Park Department sprayed Monsanto's Roundup on public greenspaces more than 1,300 times in 2013, in attempts to eliminate weeds harboring rats, according to DNAinfo New York. The city says it posts warning signs for 24 hours before and after spraying; however, many feel the warnings are inadequate."In order to keep rats out of the playgrounds and meadow areas, we must use Roundup," said Parks Department spokesman Phi Abramson. "It is not used inside playgrounds but is often used on little-used slopes outside playgrounds precisely because overgrown weeds near playgrounds harbor rats."The city's use of Roundup increased by 22 percent between 2012 and 2013, reportedly due to the phase-out of other, more toxic weed-killing chemicals, according to the New York State Health Department.A recent study linking Roundup's active ingredient (glyphosate) to lymphoma raised a red flag, with some experts calling the study "very authoritative." Dr. Philip Landrigan, a professor of pediatrics at Mount Sinai, believes the city should reconsider its use of Roundup."Workers are always at highest risk from chemical exposures because they have heavy, day-to-day exposures," said Dr. Landrigan. "But children are the group at second highest risk because their play patterns, such as stick hunting, put them in close contact with the chemicals."Children aren't the only ones at risk. A blog called, authored by Austin, Texas, resident Jackie Dana, warns that pets are also at risk for glyphosate poisoning. Dana notes that the city's warnings are insufficient, placing only small signs within areas that have been sprayed."This does not give someone the option to avoid effected areas," she wrote. petition was submitted to the Austin City Council in 2013, requesting that they stop using Roundup on city parks. The petition cited aarticle that reported on a scientific paper detailing glyphosate's interference with human digestion and the biosynthesis of nutrients.The City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department sprays Roundup on 38 public areas, including city parks , museums and one elementary school, according to city data from 2013.Whenreached out for comment, our phone calls were unreturned.However, we were able to get into contact with the City of Wimberley, a small community located 30 miles southwest of Austin. Located in the heart of the Texas Hill Country, Wimberley is known for its beautiful landscape and natural swimming areas; it's also "pesticide-sensitive," according to Doug Ferguson, the City Administrator.Wimberley is currently using two pesticides (neither of which is Roundup), spraying them periodically along roadways. The city has a "no spraying by the water" policy that works towards keeping the rivers clean, a smart practice considering all of the tourism attracted by the area's crystal clear creeks and rivers that flow over sculpted limestone beds.Ferguson explained that most of their weeds are removed by hand through community service projects, offering scout groups a chance to learn about the native plant species as well as helping curb pesticide use. (NaturalNews) Two citizen scientists who lead a non-profit food and water laboratory in central Texas have teamed up to prevent children across America from being poisoned with lead in municipal water supplies. Forensic food scientist Mike Adams has teamed with a former NASA contract scientist to conduct nationwide scientific analysis of heavy metals in the tap water of U.S. cities.The effort is being organized by the non-profit Consumer Wellness Center ( ConsumerWellness.org ), with executive director Mike Adams leading the scientific analysis. Over the next three months, the team plans to test the water of at least 100 large U.S. cities, reporting the results to the public on the website EPAwatch.org The water tests are being conducted via ICP-MS using an Agilent 7700x instrument and EPA methodology 200.8. Analysis is sensitive to low parts per billion concentrations for lead, cadmium, mercury, arsenic, copper and other toxic elements. Results will be published on EPAwatch.org and NaturalNews.com "In the spirit of citizen science and the democratization of science, we are taking on this task because the EPA has failed the citizens of Flint, Michigan," explained Adams. "When government regulators refuse to do their jobs, it is the duty and responsibility of citizen scientists to take on that task in the public interest. The health and lives of millions of children are at stake," Adams explains. "We don't have time to wait for the EPA to someday decide to do its job. We need to protect our children right now."Watch the full EPAwatch announcement video at this link or below:Water samples for the analysis are being crowdsourced from health professionals across America. A downloadable form (PDF) with instructions is available at this link at EPAwatch.org ABOUT THE LAB: Over the last two years, forensic food scientist and clean food activist Mike Adams has built a world-class laboratory with state-of-the-art analytical instrumentation for identifying contaminants in food and water. The lab features ICP-MS, Ion Chromatography, Liquid Chromatography and Time Of Flight Mass Spec instrumentation capable of detecting heavy metals, pesticides, hormone disruptors, fluoride and thousands of other chemical contaminants. The lab is 100% privately funded and receives no grant money from any government entity. Adams, a noted clean food activist, is also the inventor of the Food Rising Mini-Farm Grow Box ( FoodRising.org ) and holder of two patents related to protection from heavy metals and radioactive water. ( HeavyMetalsDefense.com and CesiumEliminator.com .) Adams also conducted all the heavy metals tests of popular water filters shown at WaterFilterLabs.com . He is widely considered one of the world's leading independent voices on food science, nutrition, heavy metals and chemical contaminants. A new beetle species found in a rainforest in Belize boasts a prominent heart-shaped leg joint and appears to have only one thing on their mind: Mating. Max Barclay of the Natural History Museum discovered these beetles, belonging to the genus Ivierhipidius, after spotting two odd-looking winged male specimens among thousands collected on a trip to Central America. The unique bugs possess a heart-shaped trochanter, which is the part of the upper leg that connects it to the abdomen and has not been witnessed in any other type of beetle. Humans also have a body part called the "greater trochanter," but it is not as intricately shaped. However, researchers are unsure what exactly the heart-shaped joint is used for. Ivierhipidius is now known to contain at least four species from across Central and South America. I. paradoxus, the species found in Belize, inhabits lowland rainforests. "We've never seen a female or immature Ivierhipidius," Barclay said in a news release. "However, we do know that the males don't even have a functional mouth to eat, so their only purpose is to search for mates." Researchers can't be sure, but it is believed that females are flightless and their larvae develop parasitically inside other insects, like those of their closest known relatives. Barclay is the beetle collections manager at London's Natural History Museum, where more than half of the world's known beetle species can be found. "One in five living creatures is a beetle, so it's incredible that we are still uncovering new species today, particularly with new modifications of body parts that tell us more about their evolution," he added. The study findings were recently published in the journal Acta Entomologica. Related Articles Trap-Jaw Ants Box To Define Colony Rank, Video Shows For more great nature science stories and general news, please visit our sister site, Headlines and Global News (HNGN). -Follow Samantha on Twitter @Sam_Ashley13 India's national bird, the peacock, may soon be considered vermin in the state of Goa, as many people feel the colorful birds, like monkeys and wild boars, cause severe agricultural damage. Listing them as vermin or a "nuisance animal" will ultimately make them easier to cull. "We have listed several wild species including wild boar, monkey, wild bison (Gaur), and peacock as nuisance animals," Goa's Agriculture Minister Ramesh Tawadkar said in a statement. "These animals are creating (a) problem for farmers and are destroying their cultivation in rural areas." The proposal to reclassify the majestic bird comes just weeks after Goa's legislative assembly ruled that the state's beloved coconut trees, which previously had federal protection, were not in fact trees, but palms because they lacked branches, according to the Guardian. As India's national bird, peacocks are protected under the country's Wildlife Protection Act of 1972. Listing the animals as a nuisance, however, counters that protection and allows for the animals to be culled or removed in large quantities. "Goa seems to be trying to... (have) India's national bird labelled this way so that they may be hunted and killed," Poorva Joshipura, CEO of India's People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), told AFP. "If Goa wants to remain on the tourist map, people expect it to be a paradise for animals too." Unfortunately, shrinking forest cover in Goa has left wildlife with nowhere to go, which is why they have been seen encroaching on human habitat and wreaking havoc on farms. As a result, Minister Tawadkar formed a committee to assess the peacocks' impact, along with that of other pests, including monkeys, wild boars and wild bison -- Goa's state animal. "Time has come to classify some of these animals as vermin. Monkeys and wild boar regularly destroy fields," Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar concluded. Related Articles 2016 Yellowstone Bison Cull: What You Need To Know Poisonous Asian Toads: Madagascar Must Eradicate Them [VIDEO] For more great nature science stories and general news, please visit our sister site, Headlines and Global News (HNGN). -Follow Samantha on Twitter @Sam_Ashley13 The natural landscape of Maine's Bay of Fundy Islands has finally returned to normal, after conservation experts eradicated all invasive snowshoe hares in 2007. Hay Island, located at the mouth of the bay, just 15 miles off the coast of Maine was stocked with the rabbits in 1959 by fishermen looking for a subsequent source of income and a new winter hobby. However, with no competition and few predators, snowshoe hares multiplied and spread to nearby Kent Island, where they quickly became invasive pests. Here's the scenario before things got back to normal: The island, once rich with forests of red and white spruce, balsam fir, tamarack, heart-leafed and yellow birch, mountain maple and mountain ash, was reduced to wood fern and raspberry, which crowded other plants and provided hares with a place to hide from bald eagles and wintering snowy owls lurking overhead. "The island's forests were becoming transformed into open tangles," Nat Wheelwright, professor of Natural Sciences at the Bowdoin Biological Field Station on Kent Island, said in a statement. Furthermore, the loss of trees threatened several forest-breeding birds, including the island's population of Leach's storm petrels, whose population has been continuously monitored since 1954. Snowshoe hares were able to spread beyond the limits of Hay Island, onto Kent Island when low tide opened a sort of "land bridge" or causeway for the animals to hop across. The rabbits are native to North America and range across the north of the continent from Alaska to the coast of Maine. However, they would have never made their way to the remote islands of the Bay of Fundy had they not been given some human assistance. Researchers raised concerns as populations grew 3-50 times as large as those those found on the mainland of Maine. "Something had to be done to control the snowshoe hares," Wheelwright added. "Authorities on pest control recommended poisons, viruses, antifeedants (pesticides), falconers, traps, lynx, dogs and professional hunters." Whellwright opposed the use of viruses and poisons, as they can jeopardize other species, as well as the use of non-native predators, such as lynx or dogs -- because the latter would threaten the islands' seabird colony. In 1998, Wheelwright launched a hunting and trapping program. However, in a matter of two years the snowshoe hares did indeed reproduce like rabbits, and their population resurged to its former size. Another failed attempt to control the population was made in 2002. Not willing to give up, Wheelwright turned to another country's experiences, talking with the head of New Zealand's office of vertebrate control. That office is famous worldwide for having eliminating problem species from islands. Encouraged to try harder, he finally successfully trapped the last hare in 2007. "The response of the plant community to the elimination of an introduced keystone herbivore was immediate and dramatic," he said, adding that many young trees now blanket the island's forest floor, and more young trees are bolting skyward. "Boreal forests that have long provided nesting habitat for birds and other animals are now able to recover and flourish." Their findings were recently published in the journal Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment. Related Articles Poisonous Asian Toads: Madagascar Must Eradicate Them [VIDEO] For more great nature science stories and general news, please visit our sister site, Headlines and Global News (HNGN). -Follow Samantha on Twitter @Sam_Ashley13 Its not usually news when a pharmacy opens in town. But the Better Health Pharmacy in San Jose is garnering headlines ahead of its grand opening Tuesday morning as organizers billed it as Californias first drug donation pharmacy. The goal is to prevent mounds of unused pills - from Abacavir to Zyprexa - from ending up in the states waterways and air, county leaders say, and distribute these recycled pills to those in need at no cost. Cynthia Anderson is one person in need. She said she panicked when her husband suffered a stroke soon after she was laid off from her job. It was terrible because I thought, Oh its my fault that we dont have the insurance. But we came here and we brought all of his prescriptionsWe left the same day with more than half the medications he needed, Anderson said. Anderson says shes come to the Better Health Pharmacy twice since its soft opening in August. Since then, the pharmacy has helped about 400 patients with 700 prescriptions. Georgia was the first state to enact such a program in the United States, followed by more than a dozen others. Iowa's is considered one of the more successful, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures, recycling more than $5 million worth of drugs to nearly 27,000 residents from 2007-2012. Grand Opening of First Surplus Prescription today 10AM-12PM in San Jose, CA. For details https://t.co/3zRvpnrSxD. pic.twitter.com/GKxdTW1laK Healthy SCC (@HealthySCC) February 16, 2016 Santa Clara County Public Health Department spokeswoman Johann Silverthorne said the pharmacy is the first in state dedicated to collecting and dispensing unused, unopened, and unexpired medications from state-regulated facilities to patients, for free. Nothing. We paid absolutely nothing. Anderson said, relieved. Because this pharmacy is a nonprofit, and the medications are donated, mostly by nursing homes, there is no charge and no copays, county leaders stressed. Weve got perfectly good unused medications on one side of town, and weve got folks desperately in need on the other side of town, County Supervisor Joe Simitian said during the grand opening. Simitian says though the idea took 10 years to implement, both republicans and democrats agreed to the plan: They like the idea it was actually going to save taxpayers a few bucks because if we were finding the medications from donors rather than requiring public agency to pay for them, then there was going to be no cost to the taxpayers. That said, California laws prevent the swapping of certain controlled drugs. Those include pain medications such as Norco, Vicodin, Percocet, Oxycontin, Codeine and anxiety medications. The pharmacy is licensed by the California Board of Pharmacy, and all donated medications are inspected by on-site pharmacists handing out the pills, according to the pharmacy's FAQ site. Silverthorne said the great need for access to free prescription medications, coupled with the countys desire to decrease waste and lower health care costs led to a plan to expand the program and create a permanent home for the pharmacy, now located at 725 E. Santa Clara St., #202 in San Jose. She also cited statistics that show unused medications are a huge problem in the United States: Each year, about $2 billion worth of medications are thrown away by skilled nursing facilities; $100 million of this is in California. The hope, she said, is that Better Health Pharmacy can help salvage roughly 10 million prescriptions, equally about $700 million dollars in savings, according to a 2015 Stanford University discussing five Stanford medical students who brainstormed on how to recycle unused drugs. Their idea became law in 2005, sponsored by state Sentator Joe Simitian. In addition, many people cant afford their prescriptions, Silverthorne said. According to a 2010 report, 23 percent of American adults reported missing a dose or skipping prescriptions due to cost. This program helps ease that financial burden, she said. Anyone with a valid prescription can receive medication from the pharmacy as long as it's in stock. Many of them are going without meds, so I thought this was a great service, said Jennifer Yoon, assistant director of pharmacy services. At the moment, anyone with a valid prescription can receive medication from the pharmacy as long as it's in stock. As long as you have a valid ID, valid prescription from a physician, nothing will stop you from using our pharmacy, Yoon said. In 2015, the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors, voted to fund the Better Health Pharmacy, which helped secure and remodel existing office space in the Mediplex building, in downtown San Jose. The medication repository program was started in Santa Clara County in 2008, and until recently, was run out of the Public Health Department Pharmacy located at 976 Lenzen Avenue, in San Jose. Silverthorne said the small pharmacy grew into a 16-hour per week service operated by nine volunteers, with oversight provided by Public Health Department Pharmacy staff. Since its inception the program has dispensed more than 8,700 prescriptions; a savings of more than $400,000, she said. Better Health Pharmacy accepts any valid prescription, serving patients who cannot afford their medications. Hours are Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The inventory of available medications are posted online. For more information about the Better Health Pharmacy, including hours, location and how to use the pharmacy, please visit: www.BetterHealthRX.org. The Critical Thinking Co. "Critical thinking is the identification and evaluation of evidence to guide decision making. A critical thinker uses broad in-depth analysis of evidence to make decisions and communicate his/her beliefs clearly and accurately." "Critical thinking includes the ability to respond to material by distinguishing between facts and opinions or personal feelings, judgments and inferences, inductive and deductive arguments, and the objective and subjective." A team of mental health experts from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention arrived in California this week to investigate recent clusters of teen suicides in the affluent university town of Palo Alto, home to Stanford University. They'll spend two weeks analyzing data from the Santa Clara County coroner's office, local hospitals, district schools and calls to emergency service agencies as part of an "Epi-Aid" investigation. According to the CDC, "an Epi-Aid allows rapid response by CDCs Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS) officers, who assist in investigating an infectious or non-infectious disease outbreak, natural or manmade disaster, or other public health emergency." Experts will also facilitate about eight informational meetings with students, parents, teachers and community leaders about suicide prevention strategies. "Theyre really here to investigate and help us understand the youth suicides," said Mary Gloner, executive director of Project Safety Net in Palo Alto. "Theyll be looking at data weve already collected, exploring different programs and examining the media of how the coverage of teen suicides during the prime time period." Seven teen suicides were reported in Palo Alto between 2009 and 2011, according to Project Safety Net, and at least four occurred in 2014 and 2015. The teen suicide rate in Palo Alto last year was the highest in a decade. Researchers are responding to a joint request from the Palo Alto Unified School District, City of Palo Alto and the Santa Clara County Department of Public Health to provide insight as to why teen suicides have occurred so frequently. Each agency will provide data and convene community members to speak with researchers. The CDC will provide most financial resources. The Palo Alto Unified School district became interested in a CDC investigation in March 2015 after administrators read the CDC report on youth suicide in Fairfax County, Virginia. The Fairfax County study concluded that among the possible risk factors facing young people there were an inadequate number of school counsellors, stigma and denial around mental illness, pressure to excel academically and bullying through social media. In response, Palo Alto Unified School District allocated $250,000 for mental health services and more full-time school counselors. Caltrain removed vegetation along the rail corridor as part of a suicide prevention program and installed infrared cameras at busy intersections in Palo Alto. CDC researchers will be on the Peninsula until Feb. 29. A preliminary report on the situation in Palo Alto is expected to be completed soon after the site visit. SUICIDE PREVENTION: If you know someone who needs help, you can contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline by calling 1-800-273-TALK (8255). Abel Medina was in San Francisco for a business trip when he, like many other Bay Area tourists, headed to the Golden Gate Bridge, hoping for a brisk walk with spectacular views. Instead, the 40-year-old marketing director for the University of Guadalajara in Mexico was struck by a blow dart gun on Friday afternoon, the needle sticking long and deep into his thigh. A woman walking on the east side of the bridge, whom Medina believes might have been Canadian, was also hit in the kneecap with what appears to be the same kind of dart. The bizarre event is being investigated by the California Highway Patrol and has been picked up by news outlets across the country. No suspects have been arrested. Medina believes the 5-inch darts were shot from someone whizzing by in a car along the iconic bridge. While tests are set to be run on the dart, CHP Officer Andrew Barclay said officers are still trying to review surveillance video from the bridge to see if they can pinpoint the shooter. "Just before we got to the north side of the bridge, I felt a pinch on my left leg above my knee," Medina told NBC Bay Area and Telemundo in Spanish on Tuesday. Medina acknowledged the dart really didn't cause him much pain. Warning: Yesterday two people and I were shot with darts while walked over the #GoldenGate bridge @NBCNews pic.twitter.com/OJMW88Xu6i Abel (@Fonabel) February 13, 2016 But he's been nervous ever since because he has no idea if the dart's tip was contaminated with anything. While Medina was being checked out at the scene and cleared by paramedics, an officer took the dart and sent it off to the Department of Justice for testing. Those results could take up to two weeks to come back. "I am worried," Medina said, while speaking on Skype from his home in Mexico. "It's unfortunate that things like this happen because I was just trying to have a good time." Anyone with information should call the California Highway Patrol's Marin Area Office by calling 415-924-1100. The blow darts were likely fired on Feb. 12 from 2 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. NBC Bay Area's Kristofer Noceda contributed to this report. The United States and Cuba signed an agreement on Tuesday morning to resume commercial air traffic for the first time in five decades, starting the clock on dozens of new flights operating daily by next fall. U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx and Cuban Transportation Minister Adel Yzquierdo Rodriguez signed the deal in a ceremony at Havana's Hotel Nacional. U.S. airlines can now start bidding on routes for as many as 110 U.S.-Cuba flights a day more than five times the current number. All flights operating between the two countries today are charters. The agreement allows 20 regular daily U.S. flights to Havana, in addition to the current 10-15 charter flights a day. The rest would be to other Cuban cities. "Today is a historic day in the relationship between Cuba and the U.S.," said Foxx. "It represents a critically important milestone in the U.S. effort to engage with Cuba." Yzquierdo Rodriguez said "the adoption of this memorandum is an important step that will soon permit the establishment of regular flights between the United States and Cuba." Barring other major announcements, the restart of commercial flights will be the most significant development in U.S.-Cuba trade since Presidents Barack Obama and Raul Castro announced in late 2014 that they would begin normalizing ties after a half-century of Cold War opposition. The Obama administration is eager to make rapid progress on building trade and diplomatic ties with Cuba before the president leaves office. The coming weeks are seen as particularly crucial to building momentum ahead of a trip he hopes to make to Havana by the end of March. Nearly 160,000 U.S. leisure travelers flew to Cuba last year, along with hundreds of thousands of Cuban-Americans visiting family, mostly on expensive, frequently chaotic charter flights out of Florida. Commercial flights could bring hundreds of thousands more U.S. travelers a year and make the travel process far easier, with features such as online booking and 24-hour customer service that are largely absent in the charter industry. U.S. visitors to Cuba will still have to qualify under one of the travel categories legally authorized by the U.S. government. Tourism is still barred by law, but the number of legal reasons to go to Cuba from organizing professional meetings to distributing information to Cubans has grown so large and loosely enforced that the distinction from tourism has blurred significantly. Commercial travel will give travelers the ability to simply check an online box on a long list of authorized categories. The deal does not contemplate flights by Cuba's national airline to the United States, where lawyers for families and businesses that have sued Havana over decades-old property confiscations are eager to freeze any of its assets that they can get their hands on. Tuesday's announcement will open a 15-day window for U.S. airlines to request rights to the new Cuba routes. U.S. carriers would then have to strike deals with Cuban aviation officials, a process the U.S. hopes will be complete by the fall. A number of U.S. carriers said they would bid on Cuba flights, in many cases without revealing the specific routes they will seek. American Airlines spokesman Matt Miller said the company plans to bid on routes from Miami and other unspecified "American hubs." The carrier has been operating U.S.-Cuba charter flights since April 1991, the longest of any U.S. airline, and currently offers 22 weekly flights out of Miami to Havana, Camaguey, Cienfuegos, Holguin and Santa Clara. American also flies from Tampa to Havana and Holguin, and between Los Angeles and Havana. United Airlines is also looking to serve Havana from some of its hubs, spokesman Luke Punzenberger said. The carrier's major hubs include Chicago, Houston, Washington and Newark, New Jersey. It currently does not fly charters to Cuba. JetBlue Airways said it was eager to offer service between "multiple" cities in the United States and the island, with spokesman Doug McGraw saying that "interest in Cuba has reached levels not seen for a generation." The carrier currently flies charters to various Cuban destinations out of New York, Tampa and Fort Lauderdale. Discount carrier Spirit Airlines spokesman Paul Berry said it, too, plans to submit a proposal. Spirit's largest operation is out of Fort Lauderdale, accounting for 15 percent of its flights. Southwest Airlines also expressed interest in flights to Cuba. Delta Air Lines spokesman Anthony Black said the carrier plans to at least apply for flights from its Atlanta hub to Havana. U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz has always talked about the Supreme Court as a candidate for president, but it's become the new focal point of his White House bid following the weekend death of Justice Antonin Scalia. On Monday, the Texas Republican recast the stump speech he's offered voters for the past several weeks to highlight the importance of electing a conservative who will appoint what he called the right kind of justices to the Supreme Court, which he described as currently being "activist" and "out of control." Cruz argued before the Supreme Court nine times by age 40, winning two cases and losing four, with three cases having a murkier outcome. He said that gives him alone "the background, the principle, the character, the judgment" to find a solid conservative to replace Scalia. The tea party darling also has vowed to filibuster any nominees offered by President Barack Obama, saying one more liberal Supreme Court justice could wipe out state-level abortion restrictions while undermining religious liberty and curtailing gun ownership. "This presidential election is the turning point between either prevailing or losing that fight for a generation," Cruz told a crowd in Florence, South Carolina. A graduate of Harvard Law School, Cruz clerked for Supreme Court Chief Justice William Rehnquist. His high court arguments were the bedrock of his underdog Senate victory in Texas and are woven into the DNA of his presidential run. If elected, Cruz would be the ninth president to have argued before the Supreme Court, but the first since Richard Nixon in 1966, according to The American Bar Association. Cruz constantly reminds audiences he defended states' rights, gun rights, the Ten Commandments and capital punishment before the high court. He doesn't suggest he won every case, but Cruz's defeats can get lost in translation. While canvassing for Cruz in Iowa last month, a volunteer visiting from Georgia proclaimed to caucus-goers that her candidate "won every one" of his nine cases. Cruz did prevail in his final Supreme Court appearance. He won a patent infringement case in 2011 involving a deep fat fryer while working for a private Houston law firm. His other eight appearances came during his five years as Texas solicitor general, a job he took on in 2003 at 32. Cruz didn't get to pick his own cases as he argued for Texas. But then-Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott, now the state's governor, encouraged him to join out-of-state cases that could promote conservative values. "Ted Cruz was tireless in searching for every possible opportunity, not just to talk about, but to implement and execute, a conservative constitutional vision for the country," said James Ho, Cruz's successor as Texas solicitor general. In his first Supreme Court case in 2003, Cruz argued Texas shouldn't have to honor an agreement to improve health coverage for poor children. He lost 9-0. The following year, Cruz implored the Supreme Court to uphold a 16-year prison sentence for a man convicted of stealing a calculator from Wal-Mart. The justices remanded the case to a lower court, which sentenced the man to time served. The case Cruz most trumpets brought him to the Supreme Court twice and involved a Mexican national named Jose Ernesto Medellin. Medellin was convicted of the rape and murder of two teenage girls in Houston in 1993, but wasn't notified of his right to contact Mexican diplomats upon arrest, as dictated by the 1963 Vienna Convention. The International Court of Justice ruled in 2004 that U.S. courts should review the convictions and sentences for Medellin and 50 other Mexican-born prisoners because of the treaty violation. President George W. Bush directed state courts to review such cases, and Texas sued. "It was an unusual circumstance," Cruz, who once worked for Bush's presidential campaign and administration, told The Associated Press in 2014. "Especially when the president was a Texan, was a Republican and was a friend." The Supreme Court first sent the case back to state courts. Upon hearing it a second time, the justices sided with Texas 6-3 and Medellin was executed. In 2006, Cruz defended congressional redistricting maps drawn by Texas' GOP-controlled Legislature. The Supreme Court didn't declare them unconstitutional, despite claims they deliberately dispersed the voting power of the state's growing Hispanic population. But it did rule that a sprawling South Texas congressional district had to be redrawn. Two more Cruz Supreme Court arguments came in 2007 and involved the death penalty. Cruz argued a man convicted of killing a former Taco Bell co-worker should be executed despite the jury not being instructed to consider several factors, including his having been abused as a child. Cruz also defended the death sentence of a killer whose schizophrenia meant he might not be able to understand why he was being executed. He lost both 5-4. Cruz also lost 5-4 his final case as solicitor general, an unsuccessful defense of states' imposing the death penalty in cases of child rape. It originated in Louisiana, but Cruz served as lead attorney for 10 states. In his filings, Cruz overlooked that in 2006, Congress had modified the military's justice code to add child rape as a crime punishable by death. He was so worried that The New York Times would write that his office "screwed up by not finding" that statue that he wrote to another attorney via email: "Would love to have some sort of response, so we don't look silly." A bill that would fund higher education for low-income students in Illinois was delivered to Gov. Bruce Rauner Tuesday although a spokesperson for his administration told Ward Room he would not sign it into law. Yes, he will veto it, Catherine Kelly told Ward Room. The bill would provide Rauner with the authority to fund Monetary Award Program (MAP) financial aid grants for low-income students at the state's universities and community colleges. Critical funding will keep college students on the path toward completing their degrees, Sen. Donnie Trotter said in a statement. I hope the governor stands with us to make college affordable and keep the doors open for our higher institutions of learning. The Illinois Student Assistance Commission estimates the bill would help fund MAP grant assistance for 125,000 to 130,000 eligible students. State universities and community colleges have suffered greatly as a result of the states eight-month-long budget impasse. Institutions of higher education in Illinois are unsure if they will be able to continue to front money for MAP grants. MAP grants are absolutely vital to thousands of students across Illinois, Sen. Laura Murphy said in a statement. Today, I stand with these students and ask the governor to sign this legislation and invest in the future of Illinois. The state of Illinois has been without a budget since July of last year. The impasse has caused huge problems for state universities and community colleges, including funding of scholarships and grants. A group of hundreds of students from across Illinois will rally Wednesday in Springfield to call for a higher education budget that would bring an end to the economic uncertainty surrounding the states universities and community colleges. The Grammys had some technical stumbles this year, but also some unforgettable moments from Kendrick Lamar to Lady Gaga and a Broadway smash. Here are a few of the top moments from the 58th annual Grammy Awards: KING KENDRICK REIGNS Kendrick Lamar's cinematic and energetic performance shined at a Grammys show full of slow songs and ballads. He started the performance shackled in chains singing "The Blacker the Berry," but broke free to perform his anthem "Alright" in front of a massive bonfire. He ended the performance in front of an image of a map of Africa labeled with the name of his California hometown of Compton. It was a true Grammy moment, one that was deftly executed, daring and culturally significant. Lamar was the big winner of the night with five trophies and although he did not take home album or song of the year, the Recording Academy showed that they are not so stuffy that they can't recognize a musical vanguard. After winning rap album of the year for "To Pimp a Butterfly," he was gracious and respectful of all the great rappers to come before him. He earned salutes from the White House's official Twitter account, pop star Taylor Swift and even Adele after her own performance. 'HAMILTON' SURPRISES NO ONE The massive success of "Hamilton" earned the Broadway musical a performance spot on the Grammys telecast, the first time the Grammys made room for a Broadway show since 2010. The young African-American and Latino cast performed via broadcast feed from New York and playwright Lin-Manuel Miranda's varied score mixing pop, R&B and rap fit perfectly on the Grammy show. The best part was when, minutes after their performance, the cast rushed back onstage to accept the Grammy for best musical theater album and Miranda delivered his acceptance speech in verse. LADY GAGA HONORS BOWIE Lady Gaga and producer Nile Rodgers put together a memorable tribute to the musical chameleon David Bowie, complete with her bright red hair, costumes reflecting his unique styles and splashy technical visuals. She managed to fit together snippets of 10 of his iconic songs, including "Space Oddity" and "Heroes," into a psychedelic sing-along as she danced all over the stage. It was clearly a performance that Lady Gaga put her whole heart into, even posting an Instagram video of her crying as she listened to the late rocker's song, "Blackstar," before taking the stage. TAYLOR DOESN'T NEED KANYE Donning a new bob and a sparkly jumpsuit, Taylor Swift opened the 2016 Grammys with a performance of "Out of the Woods," but correctly noted for one night it was actually "1989," the title of her best-selling album. Backed by Jack Antonoff on guitar, Swift sounded triumphant as she walked through the audience while glitter rained down inside the Staples Center. Everyone was wondering if anyone at the Grammys would mention Kanye West' latest diss of the pop star, who claimed in a new song lyric that he made her famous. She didn't need to name drop him in her acceptance speech for album of the year for "1989," but delivered a strong rebuke against those she said would try to "take credit for your accomplishments or your fame." STELLAR SINGERS TAKE THE STAGE The Weeknd continues to impress on big stages and delivered another stirring performance of "In the Night," backed by a piano and a cellist. Because the Grammys are so often dominated by pop, it was a rare treat to see Bonnie Raitt join standout country singer Chris Stapleton and Gary Clark Jr. for "The Thrill Is Gone," a soulful tribute to the late blues legend B.B. King. They are all excellent musicians who let the guitars do the singing for once. THE MISSES One of the nights' highly anticipated performances fell a little flat when Adele had to deal with a slight audio issue. Her vocals cut out for a few seconds at the beginning of her performance of "All I Ask," which she powered through nonetheless. Still it was a disappointment for her fans considering her many stellar live performances. And Justin Bieber's performance of "Where Are U Now," with Jack U seemed a little rough and disorganized. He seemed to be aimlessly hopping around the stage looking for direction from the band. The ice and snow that plague Chicago winters can make motorists miserable. For disabled drivers, the wintry mix can be a double whammy, especially when snow plows pile it high in handicapped parking spaces. Just ask Kim Colburn. Colburn said she has run into that scenario dozens of times in the northwest suburbs. The McHenry woman, who has multiple sclerosis and a related foot injury, said the mounds of snow make it impossible for her to get in and out of her car. Being able to get in and out of my vehicle when I park, its a big thing, Colburn said. What most people take for granted, someone with a disability doesnt. Colburn said she tried talking to store owners about removing the mess, but her complaints fell on deaf ears. Im usually met with a look like I have a third eye growing, Colburn said. Thats when she started snapping pictures and sent them to NBC 5 Responds. "They're plowing it into the handicap spot which leaves about a half of a spot open," Colburn said. This is illegal in Illinois. A state vehicular code says property owners have 24 hours to clear unreasonable obstructions in handicap parking spots following an adverse weather event. Violators could face fines up to $250, not to mention the likelihood that disabled drivers may take their business elsewhere. "A lot of the places don't see it as a big deal, Colburn told NBC 5 Responds. I just turn away and go home." When NBC 5 Responds started calling the businesses in Colburns photos, one by one we heard the same story: Dont look at us, its not our job. State law says its the property owner who ultimately is responsible for clearing obstacles. We also talked to the City of Crystal Lake, where several of the stores are located. The city jumped in and talked to all parties involved. At last check, all of the spots had been cleared. If you see a handicap parking space that is blocked with ice, snow or any obstruction, you can file a complaint with the Illinois Attorney Generals office. Anna Therese Day, an award-winning journalist from Chicago, and three members of her camera crew were released in Bahrain Tuesday, two days after they were arrested amid violent protests marking the anniversary of the kingdom's 2011 uprising. The four appeared in court Tuesday morning and were released from detention by the afternoon, Frontline Freelance Register, a group that represents freelance journalists exposed to risk while gathering news, said in a statement. "While we believe the four should not have been held at all, we are grateful to the Bahraini authorities for facilitating their timely release," the group said in a statement. "We are awaiting news of their current location and hope they will be free to return to the United States as soon as possible." Bahraini authorities initially said one American had joined "rioters" in attacking police and accused all four of falsely claiming to be tourists. They were charged with "unlawful obstruction of vehicles and attending unlawful gatherings," according to the state-run Bahrain News Agency. A defense lawyer for the four told The Associated Press the journalists were not under travel restrictions and were heading to the airport to leave Bahrain. The Committee to Protect Journalists was among those calling for their immediate release. According to The Associated Press, the four journalists arrived in Bahrain last week and were covering the anniversary of the uprising. Bahrain's interior ministry said one of the Americans was wearing a mask and joining "rioters" in attacks on police. All four gave "false" information that they were tourists and were detained in the same area, the ministry added in a statement. The ministry said "at least some" were acting as journalists but hadn't registered with the necessary authorities. The U.S. Embassy in Manama said in a statement Monday it was "aware of the arrest of four U.S. citizens in Bahrain" on Sunday but that it could not discuss the case due to privacy concerns. A spokesperson for Days family said the allegations made by Bahrains interior ministry were impossible. Anna and her crew are committed journalists who only want to ensure they could undertake their profession ethically and thoroughly. The allegation that they were in any way involved in illegal behavior or anything other than journalistic activities is impossible, the statement read. Anna Day is much loved and missed and we are concerned about her well-being as well as that of her three American colleagues." Day, who is from Idaho but grew up in Chicago, has reported from all over the Middle East along with north Africa, India, Brazil and Mexico. Her work has been featured in the New York Times, CNN, Al Jazeera English, the Daily Beast, the Huffington Post and other media outlets. The identities of the three other journalists said to be with her were not released. Twelve people were arrested Tuesday morning after a group of protesters blocked traffic on Congress Parkway outside the Regional Immigration and Customs Enforcement Field Office in morning rush hour. Just after 8 a.m., 10 women and two men could be seen sitting atop ladders and in a chain holding hands in the intersection at 101 W. Congress, blocking inbound traffic as police tried to maintain the situation. The group, led by Organized Communities Against Deportations, is calling for an end to all immigration raids, according to a statement from the organization. Undocumented people in Chicago and nationally are living in fear daily of being taken from their homes and away from their families. We, as Black American community organizers, can relate to that fear, members explained in a statement. Our communities experience that fear when Chicago Police Officers patrol our neighborhoods, stop and frisk us, occupy our schools, and arrest us in mass. Our struggles are distinct but connected. When enforcement is overfunded, that is money that is not being spent on services that actually keep us safe. Nearly four months after the release of the Laquan McDonald shooting video, attorneys representing a coalition of community activists and relatives of McDonald have called for a special prosecutor to handle the criminal case. McDonald, 17, was shot 16 times while walking away from a Chicago police officer in October 2014. Dashcam footage showing the shooting was released to the public in November 2015, sparking protests and outrage nationwide. A petition filed Tuesday in Cook County Circuit Court seeks to have Cook County States Attorney Anita Alvarez "disqualified from representing the people" in connection with the McDonald case. It was announced during a news conference Tuesday. "We make this request because Anita Alvarez cannot discharge her duties to the people because she is so aligned with the Fraternal Order of Police," said Sheila Bedi, a law professor at Northwestern University Law School and an attorney at the MacArthur Justice Center. "The Cook County justice system regularly, every day, as we speak churns black and brown men through the system, many for minor non-violent offenses. Yet this very system ground to a halt when it came to holding accountable the police officers who were responsible for the death of 17-year-old Laquan McDonald." The group of attorneys featuring Locke Bowman, the director for the Roderick and Solange MacArthur Justice Center, Bedi, and G. Flint Taylor, a founding partner of the Peoples Law Office claimed Alvarez should not be allowed to prosecute Officer Jason Van Dyke or any other Chicago police officers who "participated in the falsification of reports, the destruction of evidence, the manipulation and coercion of witnesses and other possible misconduct in the aftermath of the fatal shooting." The attorneys were joined at Tuesday's press conference by political leaders including Congressman Danny Davis, former mayoral candidate Jesus "Chuy" Garcia, and a representative for Congressman Bobby Rush, among others. Van Dyke, has been charged with first-degree murder in connection with McDonald's death and has pleaded not guilty. "States Attorney Alvarez has lost the confidence of the public," Garcia said. "She lost the confidence of the public when she delayed the charging of Officer Jason Van Dyke for 400 days. It is clear that any oversight of this case has been mishandled." Some of those calling for a special prosecutor include supporters of former Cook County Assistant Sate's Attorney Kim Foxx, one of Alvarez's opponents in the upcoming March primary. Bowman denied Tuesday that politics played a role in the filing of the petition, however. Alvarez has previously defended her actions and said she does not "believe any mistakes were made" during the handling of the case. "The State's Attorney's Office has spent over a year working hand-in-hand with the U.S. Attorney's Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, using the full resources of the most professional and respected investigative agency in the nation to build a meticulous case against Jason Van Dyke," Alvarez said in a statement Tuesday. "Moreover, that case has already resulted in an indictment, and has been assigned to ASA Risa Lanier and ASA Lynn McCarthy, two highly skilled prosecutors with vast experience prosecuting violent offenders and complex cases." Bowman, Taylor and the MacArthur Justice Center made headlines in 2011 when they called for a special prosecutor to determine if police covered up evidence in the case of 21-year-old David Koschman, who was killed in a fight in 2004. Their request was later approved by a Cook County judge and the prosecutors report was unsealed in February 2014. I first met Tom Greenholtz in 1995 when he was student of mine in a constitutional law course that I taught at UTC as an adjunct. Tom was an outstanding student, and I encouraged him to continue his legal education at the University of Tennessee College of Law. Tom graduated from the University of Tennessee College of Law in 1999, summa cum laude. He was executive editor of the Tennessee Law Review, and was selected for membership in the Order of Coif, the highest academic honor a law student can achieve. Upon his graduation from law school, I employed him as one of my two law clerks. At that time I was serving as a member of the Tennessee Supreme Court. Tom worked for me for three years and proved to be one of the finest law clerks I ever had in my years as an appellate judge. His legal writing was superb, his analytical skills amazing, and his temperament and collegiality excellent. Tom left my office to go into private practice in 2002. When I retired as Chief Justice of the Tennessee Supreme Court in September 2008, I joined the law firm of Chambliss, Bahner & Stophel. Interestingly, Tom was a member of the firm at that time and his office was three doors down from mine. I have seen him almost every day and have kept up with his legal career through the years. I can think of no better person suited by temperament, education, maturity of judgment and knowledge of law to serve as criminal court judge. Judge Tom Greenholtz is "the real deal". Since Governor Haslam appointed him to the Court in September 2015, Judge Greenholtz is already being recognized as a top flight jurist. He is an outstanding civil servant and will apply the law firmly but fairly. I encourage his election on March 1 without reservation. William M. "Mickey" Barker * * * I was sitting at home and the doorbell rang. I opened the door and this attractive lady said my husband Tom Greenholtz is running for Criminal Court judge and we would appreciate your vote. "Any candidate that is endorsed by former State Supreme Court Chief Justice Mickey Barker has our vote ," I responded. Vote for Judge Greenholtz in the March primary. Douglas Jones Ooltewah * * * Interestingly, I first became acquainted with Tom Greenholtz as an adversary as he argued a legal case before Chancery Court and the Tennessee State Appeals Court. After my election to the Chattanooga City Council I had opportunity to research, tour and then support the Chambliss Center for Children; it was then I became reacquainted with Tom during his term of service as chairman of the Chambliss Center for Children Board. Later, I worked with Attorney Greenholtz during mediation efforts to settle lawsuits against the city of Chattanooga. Thus, my conversations with now Judge Greenholtz have been varied: professional, personal and casual. Tom and I have discussed our shared passion for community service, especially with those who are disadvantaged. Serving in public office requires a commitment of time and effort in ones elected position. One way a voter can discern an office-seeker or office-holder is to observe the record of community service over and above the typical, anticipated activities of the office he or she seeks. I believe Judge Tom Greenholtz was selected to fill the vacancy in Criminal Court not only based on his excellent legal abilities, but also his devotion to his community through service at the Orange Grove Center and the Chambliss Center for Children. Yes, being a good judge requires judicial temperament and legal skill. But, our communitys economic development is at risk if our crime is not minimized which involves addressing our at-risk youth and underlying causes of criminal behavior. The Criminal Court must have a public servant who clearly understands that connection is more than just hearing cases and sentencing criminals. I am honored to endorse Judge Tom Greenholtz for Criminal Court judge. He has already proven his abilities during the past few months on the bench. He is certainly qualified to serve in the courtroom and has proven to be equally committed to service beyond the court bench. Join me in voting for Tom Greenholtz. Larry Grohn Chattanooga City Council Philanthropist David Rubenstein, who has already donated tens of millions of dollars to refurbish the Washington Monument and other icons, is giving $18 million to fix up the Lincoln Memorial. The National Park Service announced the gift Monday. The money will be used to fix the memorial's roof, clean Lincoln's statue, repair marble panels and improve accessibility by adding a second elevator. The park service also plans to create 15,000 square feet of visitor space in the cavernous space below the memorial for education. Rubenstein said his admiration for Lincoln drew him to this project. "Lincoln deserves to have his memorial in tip-top shape,'' he said in a phone interview with the Associated Press. The Lincoln Memorial draws more 7 million visitors annually and is the most-visited attraction on the National Mall. Park Service Director John Jarvis said the memorial, dedicated in 1922, is structurally sound but does need some repair work. "It's pretty stout, and I think really has held up quite well for a structure of its age,'' Jarvis said. "But you can't build a 100-year roof.'' The memorial is built on pilings, and the park service is going to explore ways for visitors to see the foundations that anchor the memorial to the bedrock. The unseen superstructure is marked with graffiti from the workers who built the memorial over a seven-year period, including caricatures of former President William Howard Taft and memorial architect Henry Bacon. Rubenstein, a billionaire who founded The Carlyle Group investment firm in Washington, has given hundreds of millions to help historic and patriotic memorials and causes in D.C. (Click here for a list of some of Rubenstein's large D.C.-area gifts.) He said he hopes his donations have spurred others to think about giving. Will Shafroth, president of the National Park Foundation, believes it has. He notes that donations to the foundation have grown from about $25 million three years ago to an expected $100 million in this fiscal year. On Monday, the foundation announced that a $350 million, five-year capital fundraising campaign begun in October 2013 is about half way to reaching its goal. "Due to things like Mr. Rubenstein's generous gifts, we've tapped into a real vein of interest ... in highlighting the importance of these national treasures,'' Shafroth said. "It's terrific, it's just terrific," said John "Chip" Akridge, a local developer who himself has supported the restoration of the National Mall and joined Rubenstein on a tour of the memorial Monday. "We need more and more of this ... not everyone has to give $18 million; $18 times 300 million people goes a long way." Rubenstein, a history buff, said he is particularly excited that his gift will provide the park service a better opportunity to tell Lincoln's story to visitors at the memorial, and generally increase awareness about his presidency. "It will be good if people read more about Lincoln and what he did to keep the country together,'' he said. Standing outside in a snowstorm as the gift was announced, Rubenstein spoke more about Lincoln. "He made certain that the scourage of slavery was ended when it was ended," Rubenstein said. "It's one of the great tragedies of our country that we lived through slavery for such a long period of time." Rubenstein has told the New York Times that about $200 million of the $300 million he has given away was "patriotic giving." He's given at least $43 million to Park Service properties in the D.C. area. Here are a few of his D.C.-area gifts: 2007: Rubenstein buys a copy of the Magna Carta for $23 million and loans it to the National Archives. 2011: Rubenstein gives $13.5 million to the National Archives for its visitor center and for a new gallery Rubenstein gives the Smithsonian's National Zoo $4.5 million for its giant panda program - then gave another $4.5 million in 2015. 2012: Rubenstein gave $7.5 million to help repair the Washington Monument after an earthquake 2013: Rubenstein gives $10 million to Mount Vernon Rubenstein gave $50 million to the Kennedy Center for a large addition, part of $75 million that Rubenstein has given to the center over the years 2014: Rubenstein gives $12.35 million for Arlington House, the home of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee on the grounds of Arlington National Cemetery 2015: Rubenstein gives more than $5 million to refurbish the U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial, known as the Iwo Jima sculpture. Texas Sen. Ted Cruz laid out his vision for bolstering the U.S. military on an aircraft carrier in South Carolina Tuesday, vowing to rebuild the military so "it will be feared by our enemies and trusted by our allies." In a nod to South Carolina's sizeable military and veteran population, Cruz said he would model his approach to the military on that of former President Ronald Reagan. He did not put a price tag on the expansion he envisioned, but said he would pay for it by cutting federal spending by at least $500 billion, selling federal assets and properties and auditing the Pentagon to find savings. "If you think it's too expensive to defend this nation, try not defending it," Cruz said. "This will be a challenge and involve difficult choices." Speaking in front of a World War II Navy dive bomber inside the U.S.S. Yorktown, Cruz called for increasing the number of active duty troops, airplanes and fighting ships. He also called for expanding the Air Force to include at least 6,000 airplanes, up from 4,000, and to increase the number of battleships from 273 to at least 350. "It is time for America to once again prioritize a strong, advanced and robust military," he said. "We will not go picking fights around the globe. The purpose of this rebuilt military is not to intervene in every conflict and engage in expensive and protracted exercises in nation building in countries who have scant interests in the institutions we want to impose on them." The Obama administration has reshaped the military, shrinking it and emphasizing what it considers to be new-era capabilities that are better suited for the range of conflicts the U.S. is facing, including cyberwarfare and special operations missions. It has been constrained, however, by across-the-board budget cuts that Congress and the White House agreed to in 2011, which have left the Air Force and Army less ready for short-notice conflict. Cruz also pointed to a need for greater collaboration with the Jordanian, Egyptian and Israeli militaries, partnering with them on counterterrorism missions, and boosting counterterrorism cyber-surveillance. These are approaches the Obama administration has pursued vigorously in recent years, especially in military cooperation with Israel and Jordan. He also reiterated his pledges not to admit groups of refugees into the U.S. "who may have been infiltrated by terrorists," not allow women to be drafted into military combat and restructure the Veterans Affairs Department. There is currently no draft by the U.S. military, but a debate is raging over whether women, who are now allowed to seek combat assignments that previously were open only to men, should be required to register for a draft that theoretically could be held in the event of a national emergency. South Carolina is set to hold its Republican primary on Feb. 20. A financial adviser suspected in two bank robberies in East Granby was addicted to pain killers and was $120,000 in debt, according to the court documents. Kevin Baker, 45, of West Hartford, is accused of robbing the First National Bank of Suffield on Turkey Hill Road in East Granby on Jan. 27 and again Feb. 8. I dont want to hurt anyone, he said while brandishing a serrated knife during the first robbery, according to the arrest warrant application. Give me your 100s. He walked away with $15,867 and was hunched over in a possible attempt to disguise himself, a witness said. During the second robbery, he jumped over the counter, held a knife near the tellers and demanded money, according to police documents. Lets do this again, you know the drill, he said. All large bills. He then made off with $14,539 in cash, police said. As he fled on Route 10 in Simsbury, police broadcast a description of the vehicle used, a state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection officer pursued him and Baker back up, nearly hitting him, according to police. He almost hit two people as well. Police said they reviewed the surveillance video and reached out to the state Department of Motor Vehicles about the vehicle and determined similar vehicles were registered to Baker. An internet search revealed that Baker was listed as being with 4D Private Wealth Strategies and was the regional director for WealthVest, police said. Websites also said he has worked for MetLife, SunAmerica Financial Group and American Skandia Marketing, police said. According to police, Baker owes back car taxes in West Hartford and people who know the Baker family told police they were having financial problems. Baker started a financial planning company around three years earlier, after being laid off, and the family had received shut off notices, according to court documents. People police talked to said Baker was addicted to oxycodone. Hed had four spinal surgeries, was prescribed suboxone and he obtained prescription pads and wrote out prescriptions for oxycodone. A family member also told police that Baker had a problem with oxycodone. When police spoke with one of Bakers family members, she said they were deeply in debt, Kevin has sold his wifes diamond for a cubic zirconia and Baker had left the house the day of one of the robberies, saying he needed to pay bills. Baker also told another family member that he robbed the bank because of financial trouble and used a disguise, so police would not be able to prove he was in the bank, according to police. Baker, who does not have a criminal history, said he did not want to talk to investigators, according to police. NBC Connecticut tried to speak with Bakers wife, but she chose not to comment. Baker has been placed on medical and detox watch and he is scheduled back in court March 8. Independent American journalist Anna Therese Day and three members of her crew were released Tuesday "pending further investigation," two days after they were detained while covering the anniversary of Bahrain's 2011 uprising, NBC News reported. Bahraini authorities initially said one American had joined "rioters" in attacking police and accused all four of falsely claiming to be tourists. They were charged with "unlawful obstruction of vehicles and attending unlawful gatherings," according to the state-run Bahrain News Agency. A defense lawyer for the four told The Associated Press the journalists were not under travel restrictions and were heading to the airport to leave Bahrain. The Committee to Protect Journalists was among those calling for their immediate release. Boutros Boutros-Ghali, a veteran Egyptian diplomat who helped negotiate his country's landmark peace deal with Israel but then clashed with the United States when he served a single term as U.N. secretary-general, has died. He was 93. Boutros-Ghali, the scion of a prominent Egyptian Christian political family, was the first U.N. chief from the African continent. He stepped into the post in 1992 at a time of dramatic world changes, with the collapse of the Soviet Union, the end of the Cold War and the beginning of a unipolar era dominated by the United States. But after four years of frictions with the Clinton administration, the United States blocked his renewal in the post in 1996, making him the only U.N. secretary-general to serve a single term. He was replaced by Ghanaian Kofi Annan. The current president of the U.N. Security Council, Venezuelan Ambassador Rafael Ramirez, announced Boutros-Ghali's death at the start of a session Tuesday on Yemen's humanitarian crisis. The 15 council members stood in a silent tribute. Boutros-Ghhali died Tuesday at a Cairo hospital, Egypt's state news agency said. He had been admitted to the hospital after suffering a broken pelvis, the Al-Ahram newspaper reported on Thursday. Boutros-Ghali's five years in the United Nations remain controversial. Some see him as seeking to establish the U.N.'s independence from the world superpower, the United States. Others blame him for misjudgments in the failures to prevent genocides in Africa and the Balkans and mismanagement of reform in the world body. In his farewell speech to the U.N., Boutros-Ghali said he had thought when he took the post that the time was right for the United Nations to play an effective role in a world no longer divided into warring Cold War camps. "But the middle years of this half decade were deeply troubled," he said. "Disillusion set in." In a 2005 interview with The Associated Press, Boutros-Ghali called the 1994 massacre in Rwanda in which half a million Tutsis and moderate Hutus were killed in 100 days "my worst failure at the United Nations." But he blamed the United States, Britain, France and Belgium for paralyzing action by setting impossible conditions for intervention. Then-U.S. President Bill Clinton and other world leaders were opposed to taking strong action to beef up U.N. peacekeepers in the tiny Central African nation or intervening to stop the massacres. "The concept of peacekeeping was turned on its head and worsened by the serious gap between mandates and resources," he told AP. Boutros-Ghali also came under fire for the July 1995 Serb slaughter of 8,000 Muslims in the U.N.-declared "safe zone" of Srebrenica in eastern Bosnia just before the end of the war. In 1999, families of the victims listed Boutros-Ghali as one of the international officials they wanted to sue for responsibility in the deaths. His legacy was also stained in investigations into corruption in the U.N. oil-for-food program for Iraq, which he played a large role in creating. Three suspects in the probe were linked to Boutros-Ghali either by family relationship or friendship. His cousin, Fakhry Abdelnour, is the head of an oil company called AMEP, which was accused of getting oil concessions through the executive director of the oil-for-food program, Benon Sevan. Boutros-Ghali frequently took vocal stances that angered the Clinton administration such as his strong criticism of Israel after the 1996 shelling of U.N. camp in Lebanon that killed some 100 refugees. In writings after leaving the U.N., he accused Washington of using the world body for its own political purposes and said U.S. officials often tried to directly control his actions. He wrote in his 1999 book "Unvanquished" that he "mistakenly assumed that the great powers, especially the United States, also trained their representatives in diplomacy and accepted the value of it. But the Roman Empire had no need for diplomacy. Neither does the United States." His opponents, in turn, accused him of being too sluggish in pushing U.N. reforms. Boutros-Ghali blamed slowness in reform on the lack of money and pointed out that the United States was $1.4 billion in arrears on payments. Noted for his dignified bearing and Old World style, Boutros-Ghali was the son of one of Egypt's most important Coptic Christian families. His grandfather, Boutros Ghali Pasha, was Egypt's prime minister from 1908 to 1910. Born Nov. 14, 1922, Boutros-Ghali studied in Cairo and Paris and became an academic, specialized in international law. In 1977, then-Egyptian President Anwar Sadat named him minister of state without portfolio, shortly before Sadat's landmark visit to Israel to launch peace negotiations. Sadat's rapprochement with Israel brought harsh criticism from across Egypt's political spectrum. His foreign minister, Ismail Fahmi, resigned in protest at normalization with Israel. So Sadat turned to Boutros-Ghali, naming him acting foreign minister and minister of state for foreign affairs. Boutros-Ghali played a major role in subsequent negotiations that produced the Camp David peace framework agreements in September 1978 and the Egyptian-Israeli peace treaty in March 1979, the first such between an Arab state and Israel. Israelis considered Boutros-Ghali a hawkish negotiator. But he also staunchly defended Egypt's peace efforts against fierce Arab opposition. At one African summit, he sharply retorted to Algerian criticism, saying, "Algeria wants to fight Israel to the last Egyptian soldier." President Hosni Mubarak, who succeeded Sadat in October 1981, kept Boutros-Ghali in the same post. But Boutros-Ghlai was never promoted to the post of foreign minister because it was considered too controversial to have a Christian in the key post of a Muslim majority country. After leaving the United Nations, Boutros-Ghali served from 1998 to 2002 as secretary-general of La Francophonie a grouping of French-speaking nations. In 2004, he was named the president of Egypt's new human rights council, a body created by Mubarak amid U.S. pressure on Arab nations to adopt political and democratic reforms. He was married to Lea, an Egyptian Jew. They have no children. Police said they arrested a man who led officers on a chase and crashed into an Arlington fence, causing a fire near midnight Tuesday. An officer had stopped a man for a traffic violation and was also investigating him for an open container violation when the man drove away, according to Fort Worth Police Department's John D. Donaldson. [[368925291,C]] Police said they pursued the man through Arlington where the driver crashed into a fence near the intersection of Texas 360 and Port Phillip Drive. The driver and a female passenger exited the vehicle when it caught fire. The driver and passenger were taken into custody, according to police. There is no word yet on charges they face. Police said Grand Prairie firefighters extinguished the fire. A man investigators believe was linked to two sexual assaults in Dallas was arrested Tuesday morning, police say. The suspect, identified by Dallas police Monday as 27-year-old Samuel Jamall White, was arrested Tuesday at a residence on the 7500 block of Chesterfield. At this time police have revealed no further details of White's arrest or released a mugshot. Police said White was a suspect in sexual assaults that took place on Feb. 8 and Sept. 27, 2015. Last year's assault took place at DART's Walnut Hill Station, while last week's assault took place inside the victim's home. White was identified as a supsect after a man matching his description was recorded on video using the most recent victim's stolen debit card. "We believe the video from the February offense matches the video from the DART station attack in September," Deputy Chief Rob Sherwin, with the Dallas Police Department's Crimes Against Persons Unit, said Monday. Police are expected to charge White with two counts of aggravated sexual assault, a first-degree felony. He is also expected to face a charge for burglary of a habitation, a second-degree felony, after police said he pawned property from a burglary on Dec. 16, 2015, in the 8000 block of Park Lane. When asked if White could be connected to two separate attacks at two apartment complexes in Lake Highlands on Friday, police confirmed they have received video from a witness at one of the complexes that appears to show a man walking across a parking lot. "We just got some video from a witness," Sherwin said. "That video appears to be someone that looks a lot like Jamall, but at this time I havent been able to talk to the victims yet and until I can talk to those victims. I cant say for sure. But what I can say is I have two aggravated sexual assault warrants for this man and I believe that when we get him in custody, were going to have less sexual assaults and less attacks in this area." NBC 5's Jocelyn Lockwood and Amanda Guerra contributed to this report. President Barack Obama said Tuesday he would nominate a candidate to fill the vacancy on the Supreme Court who is "indisputably" qualified. He called on the staunch Republican opposition in the Senate to rise above "venom and rancor" and give the nominee a vote. "I intend to do my job between now and January 20 of 2017," Obama said. "I expect them to do their job as well." Obama told reporters at a news conference in his first extended comments on the fight over filling the seat left empty by the death of Justice Antonin Scalia. Obama cast the dispute as a question of how far Republicans want to push their opposition and whether the Senate can function in the hyper-politicized climate. Fights over judicial nominations are not new, he noted, but "the Supreme Court's different." "This will be a test, one more test of whether or not norms, rules, basic fair play can function at all in Washington these days," he said. Obama spoke as he closed a meeting of Southeast Asian leaders at Sunnylands, a Southern California desert retreat. Obama gathered ASEAN members for two days of talks on security and counterterrorism efforts. But the president's attention was divided. Since Scalia's unexpected death at a remote Texas ranch on Saturday, White House lawyers and advisers have been scrambling to refine and vet a list of potential replacements, while also devising a strategy to push a candidate through the Republican-led Senate. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has said he doesn't think Obama should be putting a candidate forward. The Kentucky senator, as well as several Republican senators up for re-election this year, say Obama should leave the choice up to the next president. The November election, they argue, will give voters a chance to weigh in on the direction of the court. Obama dismissed that notion. He has said he will put forward a replacement in due time and that he believes the Senate will have "plenty of time" to give the nominee a fair hearing and a vote. Democrats say Obama has every right and a constitutional duty to fill vacancies on the court until he leaves office Jan. 20, 2017. The Republicans' recommended solution is "irresponsible and it's unprecedented," Sen. Pat Leahy, the ranking Democrat Senate Judiciary Committee, said Tuesday. "The American public expects us to do the job we're elected to do. The president is going to do what he is elected to do and let's vote up or down." The dispute reflects years of escalating partisan hostilities over judicial nominations, as well as the unusual timing. The pace of lower court confirmations always slows in a presidential election year, as the party that does not control the White House prefers to hold out hope that its candidate will fill vacant judgeships rather than give lifetime tenure to the other party's choices. But Supreme Court vacancies in presidential years are rare, in part because the justices avoid retiring when prospects for confirming successors are uncertain. If Senate Republicans hold fast to their vow not to confirm anyone Obama nominates, then the Supreme Court will operate with eight justices not just for the rest of this court term, but for most of the next one as well. High court terms begin in October, and the 80 or so cases argued in the course of a term typically are decided by early summer. The court would be unable to issue nationwide rulings on any issue in which the justices split 4-4. Earlier, Obama and leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations spent the session trading their views on China's territorial claims to disputed water of the South China Sea, moves that have sounded international alarms and heightened tensions with some association members. Counterterrorism, a growing concern in the Asia-Pacific region, was also on the agenda. The U.S. maintains that maritime disputes should be resolved peacefully according to international law, a stance Obama emphasized Monday in welcoming leaders of ASEAN's 10-nation bloc: Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar and Cambodia. "Here at this summit, we can advance our shared vision of a regional order where international rules and norms, including freedom of navigation, are upheld and where disputes are resolved through peaceful, legal means," Obama said, opening the first ASEAN-only summit held in the U.S. The symbolism of the meeting is likely to be more significant than any outcome. Le Luong Minh, a Vietnamese politician and chairman of the association, said the U.S. is one of ASEAN's "important dialogue partners." He called the summit an "excellent opportunity to exchange our views" on important issues. Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak said ASEAN leaders hope Obama's attention and priority toward the Southeast Asian grouping will be continued and sustained by future U.S. presidents, Malaysia's Bernama news agency reported. He said 10 ASEAN leaders acknowledged that the grouping's relationship with the U.S. was as important as its relationship with China. China says it has a historical right to virtually all of the South China Sea and has built seven artificial islands, including with airstrips, to assert its sovereignty. Taiwan and ASEAN members Brunei, Malaysia, Vietnam and the Philippines also claim land features in these potentially resource-rich international shipping lanes. Though not a claimant, the U.S. has spoken out against China's conduct and has angered Beijing by sailing Navy ships near some of the artificial islands in a show of support for its allies. The U.S. has argued for the maritime rights issue to be resolved peacefully and is looking for ASEAN to take a unified stance and call for the disputes to be resolved based on international law. But unity could be hard to come by; ASEAN has avoided criticizing China by name in joint statements issued at past summits. The diverse group of countries includes governments aligned either with Washington or Beijing. Only four of its members are embroiled in disputes with China and Taiwan, leading to sometimes conflicting views on how to handle long-simmering rifts. ASEAN nations typically tread carefully, preferring not to alienate either world power. While nations may look to the U.S. to help stand up to China's assertive behavior, they still count China as their main trading partner. Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong told a working dinner of the leaders on Monday night that China's role in the region is expected to grow, and that from time to time its larger presence could lead to frictions, uncertainties and anxieties, including on the South China Sea, but these issues must be managed peacefully to preserve regional stability and security, Singapore-based Channel News Asia reported. ASEAN statements in recent years have expressed concern over the escalating conflicts and called for freedom of navigation and overflight in the disputed territories, but they have rarely gone to specifics. The Philippines brought its territorial conflicts with China to international arbitration in early 2013 after Beijing refused to withdraw its ships from a disputed shoal under a U.S.-brokered deal. China has refused to participate, but an arbitration tribunal based in The Hague heard the case and is expected to rule this year. Susan Rice, Obama's national security adviser, said negotiations were continuing on a potential joint statement that would cover various topics and not focus primarily on the South China Sea. Past U.S.-ASEAN statements have underscored a commitment to resolving disputes peacefully, freedom of commerce and navigation, and rule of law, she said. The men charged in the 9/11 terror attacks are set to face a military judge Tuesday in Guantanamo Bay Cuba at a hearing that is just the latest in what has been an incredibly slow and painful process for families who lost loved ones, and those who made it out of the Twin Towers and Pentagon alive. NBC 6 recently gained access to the one of the camps at Guantanamo Bay where the 9/11 detainees captured in the war on terror are still being held. Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, the alleged architect of the 9/11 attacks, will return to the courtroom. Hes one of five charged in the attacks that killed 3,000 people. If convicted, they face the death penalty. Nearly 15 years after escaping from the twin towers, Michelle Cruz Rosado told NBC 6 via Skype that she uses her experience that day to motivate others to forge ahead despite obstacles. "The trial itself will probably make other people feel mad again, feel angry again, feel resentful and I think it will just hurt a lot of other people who are still trying to move forward," Rosado said. The men held at the detention facilities including Khalid Sheikh Mohammed will be transported from a location several miles across the base over to the location where the court proceedings will actually be held. "For some people hopefully these military commissions will put some closure on a trauma these people received and the military commissions will adequately be able to give justice," Nova Southeastern Law Professor James Wilets said. Wilets said it all should have happened much sooner. "If theyre guilty of these crimes, they should be tried," Wilets said. "We lost a lot of the evidence we needed. We needed to try them quickly when the evidence was still fresh." This weeks hearing will be about allegations that the U.S. was listening in on the detainees talks with their lawyers. The judge could also decide if female guards should be allowed to escort the men to and from court. The men say its against their religious beliefs. But survivors like Rosado wonder when itll all be over. "Whether they are convicted, whether they are guilty or innocent, it really doesnt change the past," Rosado said. It's something the survivors are left dealing with, trial or not. Chattanooga Police have arrested Zackery Lewis, 19, for allegedly trying to harm his parents with a broken broom handle after failing to obtain a pistol under a mattress. On Sunday morning police responded to a call on disorder with a gun at 3271 Geneal Lane. The defendant met police on the scene, yelling that his father, Geneal Lewis, had aimed a gun in his face. According to the affidavit, Lewis girlfriend was walking down the yard when police arrived. Police detained Lewis and ordered the other residents out of the home. The parents exited and police detained the father, who said his son had become angry when he confronted him about his girlfriend being at their home. Lewis allegedly tried to retrieve a 380 pistol hidden under the mattress in one of the bedrooms. A struggle between the father and son ensued, and the father said he grabbed the gun away. But then the defendant allegedly broke a broom handle and charged his parents. According to father, he told his son he would shoot him if he came towards his mother. Police stated the defendant was fleeing down the driveway when they arrived on the scene. Lewis told them his father was upset over him having his girlfriend at the house. He said his father pulled a pistol and pointed it at his face. But he did not mention the broom handle. And he also stated he called 911, when police said in reality he did not. Police found a broken broom handle with a pointed end on the porch. They also observed the pushed-over mattress. Lewis was arrested on the charge of aggravated assault (domestic) and placed on a $5,000 bond. A series of U.S. Coast Guard hearings starting Tuesday will seek answers about why the 790-foot freighter El Faro sank near the Bahamas last fall, killing all 33 crew members in the worst U.S. commercial maritime disaster in decades. The hearings in Jacksonville are expected to probe many questions, chief among them whether misconduct, negligence or shoddy safety inspections contributed to the El Faro's demise. The El Faro set sail from Jacksonville to Puerto Rico on Sept. 29 as a powerful storm that would become Hurricane Joaquin churned offshore. The ship's captain, Michael Davidson, attempted to outrun the storm, but lost engine power and control of the ship. The storm overtook the aged vessel; its remains were later discovered 15,000 feet deep in Atlantic waters. The ship's navigation tower had detached, and there was a breach in its hull. A number of the crew member families have filed lawsuits against TOTE Maritime Puerto Rico, the ship's owner. The suits charge the company with negligence and say officials knew the 41-year-old ship was due to be taken out of service and should never have been allowed to sail into the path of a hurricane. The company has refused to comment on the allegations, citing the ongoing legal cases. A number of questions remain unanswered about the ill-fated voyage. The National Transportation Safety Board and Coast Guard are looking into why the captain decided to set sail even with a strong storm looming offshore. Investigators also want to know if a crew of five Polish engineers that were onboard to prepare the engines for the El Faro's upcoming retrofitting had any role in the ship's loss of power. NTSB officials believe some unanswered questions could be answered by finding the ship's voyage data recorder, or "black box.'' So far, efforts to retrieve it have been unsuccessful. The NTSB is planning a second search for the recorder. The Coast Guard can only bring civil charges as a result of its investigations. Still, testimony at its hearings can lead to criminal prosecution if laws were broken. "If criminal actions are found those findings will be turned over to the Department of Justice,'' Coast Guard spokeswoman Alana Ingram said. Top officials for TOTE are scheduled to testify first about the ship's history, upkeep and role in its fleet. Former El Faro crew members are also expected to take the stand, as well as Coast Guard personnel. At least two of the deceased crew members were from Maine. A second session of hearings scheduled later this year will address the ship's final voyage and the decisions made by the company and captain to set sail despite the storm. After all of the hearings are finished, the Coast Guard will release a report of its findings. The Miami Heat have concerns about a potential blood clot for All-Star forward Chris Bosh, according to a report by the Miami Herald. Bosh missed this past weekend's All-Star festivities due to a strained calf. Since then, there have been reports that Bosh would seek further testing on that calf. News of potential blood clot undoubtedly sent shock waves through Miami's front office and locker room. Last year, Bosh saw his season come to an end early when a blood clot was discovered in his lung. The clot was found during the All-Star break and after Bosh seemingly had no health issues. This year's timing is eerily similar, as Bosh was ready to participate in Saturday and Sunday's action before being scratched late. When Bosh's clot was found last season, he was placed on blood thinners and advised to avoid any physical contact. It is expected that a similar diagnosis this year would have the same treatment in mind. Should a clot be found, it is possible that Bosh's season would come to an early end once again due to that treatment. The condition is not considered life threatening according to the report, but it remains to be seen the impact this could have on Bosh's season and career. Playing with repeated blood clot issues would be risky and potentially ill-advised. Bosh who is in the second-year of a five-year contract with Miami has enjoyed a stellar season. The big man has been clutch for Miami, and has led the team with his play and his attitude. Losing Bosh would greatly diminish Miami's chances of returning to the postseason. The injury could also throw a wrench into plans to move Hassan Whiteside. The Heat have been outspoken in their disdain for Whiteside's antics, and there have been reports that the team could move him. Without Bosh on the roster however, Miami could be motivated to retain Whiteside's services. The Heat will be short on game-changing big men without Bosh as they have no obvious replacement in-house. Bosh is scheduled to see doctors on Thursday and at that time, Miami should know more about the condition of its star. No one seemed to find it shocking when a Wilmington couple spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on a license plate number during an auction over the weekend. According to those who attended, its a Delaware thing. The Wilmington couple paid $325,000 for Delaware license plate number 14 during the Emmert Auction Associates estate sale at the Rehoboth Beach firehouse Sunday afternoon. Yet while this may seem strange to outsiders, it made perfect sense to those living in Delaware, where low license plate numbers are viewed as valuable assets that can be transferred across generations. When you live in Delaware you understand its a prestigious thing attached to license plates, said Jeremy Watkins of Wilmington. Especially black license plates. Especially low number license plates. People like to flaunt their prestige however they can. The man who paid $325,000 for the number 14 tag Sunday told NBC10 he actually thought the price was a steal. He plans on placing it on his wifes BMW SUV. Only nine years ago, a Wilmington developer paid $675,000 for Delaware license plate number 6. Some Delaware residents believe the low license plate numbers are good investments that pay off if you keep the tag number long enough. Asia Porter, another Delaware resident we spoke with, doesnt believe its a worthy investment however. Its not worth it, Porter said. There are so many more things you can do with that much money. Gov. Chris Christie returns to New Jersey from the presidential campaign trail to bear down on next year's budget and show his plans to fund the public pension, but unions and his Democratic rivals are already looking beyond the former Republican White House hopeful's final two years in office. Christie, who is set to unveil his second-to-last spending plan as governor on Tuesday, ended his presidential campaign after finishing sixth in New Hampshire, where he concentrated most of his efforts. WATCH the budget address LIVE on this page at 2 p.m. Democratic lawmakers have started looking ahead to 2017, when a new governor will be elected, pushing forward a proposal to amend the constitution to require quarterly pension payments. It's a decision that public unions say was forced by Christie's reneging on a 2011 law that proscribed specific yearly payments into the pension. Christie backed away from those payments after revenues dropped below projections in the previous two fiscal years. The state Supreme Court declined to force him to make the payments in the exact amounts called for in the statute. In the $33.8 billion 2016 budget, Christie committed to a $1.3 billion payment and set the stage for a roughly $1.8 billion payment in the coming fiscal year. That's about $2 billion below the level called for in 2011. But Democrats signaled their support for Christie's latest funding schedule in the language of their proposed constitutional amendment as a way to compel Christie to live up to his new funding promise. Political scientist Ben Dworkin, of Rider University, described the pension debate as a political "theatrical exercise" that looks likely to end without any new agreements or a long-term solution. The New Jersey Education Association, the state's largest teacher's union and an opponent of the governor, and other public sectors argue that trust between them and Christie has all but eroded. "What he has taught us is even if there's a deal, he doesn't have to live up to it," said Communication Workers of America New Jersey political director Seth Hahn. The proposed amendment will result in ruin for the state, Christie has argued, by straight-jacketing a governor's ability to prioritize funding in the budget. Democrats can get the question on the ballot without Christie's input if they pass the measure again this year. "Public pensioners would be a special class of citizens whose retirement is protected, protected above all other public concerns," Christie said in January. A commission empaneled by Christie last year recommended another overhaul and said that unions and Democrats are missing an opportunity to rework a system that could be depleted for public school teachers and state employees by the next decade. Those changes would include turning the benefits into a 401(k)-style plan rather than a traditional pension, reducing the quality and cost of health benefits and turning control of the plans over to the unions, rather than leaving them under state management. Last week, the commission issued a new report saying cutting health benefits could save the state more than $2 billion. Democrats and unions balked at the proposal and discussions have stalled over the past year. Legislative leaders are skeptical a even with Christie poised to return full-time a about wiping the pension slate clean. Senate President Steve Sweeney says he wants the governor to engage on the issue but sees it as unlikely. "What I'm hoping to hear I know he won't say," Sweeney said. Twenty years ago Tuesday, 11 people died in a fiery head-on crash between an Amtrak train and a MARC train in Silver Spring during a snowy rush hour. A memorial plaque marks the location of the Feb. 16, 1996 crash between MARC train 286, en route from Brunswick, Maryland, to Union Station, and an Amtrak Capitol Limited train. It was a little after 5:30 p.m. on a Friday, during what the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) would later call "a blowing snowstorm." An engineer on the MARC train apparently forgot about seeing an earlier warning signal and couldn't stop in time to avoid hitting the Amtrak train, which had left Union Station just minutes earlier on its way to Chicago. Eight passengers in the MARC train's first car and all three MARC crew members died in the derailment and the fire that followed. The eight passengers who died were all members of the Harpers Ferry Job Corps, a federal job training program for under-privileged young people, the Washington Post reported. More than two dozen others were injured: 11 of the 12 surviving MARC passengers and 15 of the 182 people aboard the Amtrak train. Six of those who were hurt sustained serious injuries. An NTSB accident report said that shortly before the crash, the MARC train had passed a yellow "approach" signal, which is a warning signal, but continued as if the signal had been clear. The MARC train passed the signal -- which warns trains to travel no faster than 30 mph and to be prepared to stop -- just before going to the Kensington station on MARC's Brunswick line, the Baltimore Sun reported in the wake of the crash. The NTSB said the crew on MARC may have forgotten about the signal due to "multiple distrations." They had picked up two passengers at Kensington, an infrequently used station, the Sun reported. After leaving Kensington, MARC Engineer Richard Orr "apparently forgot about the earlier warning signal and accelerated to 63 mph -- too fast to avoid a head-on collision with Amtrak's westbound Capitol Limited, the NTSB said," according to the Sun. They applied the train's emergency braking system too late to avoid the crash. The NTSB said they couldn't be certain that Orr forgot about the warning signal, but the evidence points to it, the Sun reported. But the NTSB also said a complex series of events contributed to the crash, including the fact that an additional signal had been removed several years earlier, according to the Sun. The NTSB concluded in 1997: "None of the federal and state agencies, nor CSX, which owns the tracks and signals and operates the trains with CSX crews under contract to Maryland, provided a redundant safety system that would have alerted the crew to their error or automatically stopped the train...." In addition, NTSB investigators determined that at least eight of the 11 victims were killed not by the crash, but by the subsequent fire because they couldn't escape the train -- and emergency responders didn't know how to get in. Following the crash, the NTSB pushed for the addition of voice recorders in trains and urged quick action on safety upgrades. Estimated damages exceeded $7.5 million, the NTSB said. Middle Valley Church of God announces that Pastor Mitch McClure will speak on the topic, "Sometimes Our Families Really Mess Up" in the 10:30 a.m. service on Sunday. This is part of a new sermon series titled "Loving, Accepting, And Forgiving Will Work." This series of sermons will focus on the need of all Christians to examine relationships and discover ways in which they can be people of healing to others.Pastor McClure will lead the church in a time of prayer and worship during the 6:30 p.m.service on Sunday.Each Sunday at 9:30 a.m. Sunday school classes are available for all age groups.Senior Adult Pastor Craig Paul is leading a Bible study on the Gospel of John. This will be a multimedia study of this book. This Bible study will occur each Wednesday at 7 p.m. in the Administrative Classroom.All are invited and encouraged to participate in any or all of these services.Middle Valley Church of God is located at 1703 Thrasher Pike in Hixson. For more information, contact the church office at 423-843-1539. U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia died of natural causes and no autopsy was necessary, a judge has told The Associated Press. Chris Lujan, a manager for Sunset Funeral Homes in Texas, said the 79-year-old jurist's body was taken from the El Paso facility late Sunday afternoon and was to be flown to Virginia, although he had no details. Scalia's family didn't think a private autopsy was necessary and requested that his remains be returned to Washington as soon as possible, Lujan said. Presidio County Judge Cinderela Guevara told The Associated Press on Sunday she consulted with Scalia's personal physician and sheriff's investigators, who said there were no signs of foul play, before concluding that he had died of natural causes. He was found dead in his room at a West Texas resort ranch Saturday morning. Guevara says the declaration was made around 1:52 p.m. Saturday. Terry Sharpe, assistant director for operations at El Paso International Airport, said a private plane carrying Scalia's body departed around 8 p.m. EST Sunday. Scalia's body was accompanied to the airport by U.S. marshals, he said. The body was returned to Virginia late Sunday. [[368853341,C]] Scalia's weekend death was as much of a shock to those at the ranch as it was to the rest of the nation. The owner of Cibolo Creek Ranch near Marfa, where Scalia died, said the justice seemed his usual self at dinner the night before he was found "in complete repose" in his room. John Poindexter told reporters Scalia was part of a group of about 35 weekend guests. He arrived Friday around noon. The group had dinner Friday night and Scalia was his "usual, personable self," Poindexter said. Scalia retired around 9 p.m., saying he wanted a long night's sleep, according to Poindexter. A procession that included about 20 law enforcement officers arrived in the early hours Sunday at the funeral home more than three hours from the ranch, Lujan said. [[368734431,C]] Kristina Mills, a history teacher at nearby Chapin High School, came to the funeral home to pay her respects and brought flowers. "Recognizing his contribution to serving our country just compelled me to come," she said. "I wanted to do yellow roses because for him dying in Texas. I didn't want his family to have bad memories of Texas." In the nation's capital, where flags flew at half-staff at the White House and Supreme Court, the political sniping soared, raising the prospect of a court short-handed for some time. The Senate's Republican leader, backed largely by his party's White House candidates, essentially told a Democratic president in his final year in office not to bother asking lawmakers to confirm a nominee for the lifetime seat. [[238430011,C]] Scalia's colleagues praised his brilliance and grieved his death. Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg said she and Scalia "were best buddies" for more than 30 years. Justice Clarence Thomas said, "It is hard to imagine the court without my friend." President Barack Obama ordered flags to be flown at half-staff at the high court, where Scalia served for three decades, and other federal buildings throughout the nation and U.S. embassies and military installations throughout the world. While flags were being lowered, the campaign-year political heat has risen over the vacancy on the nine-member court. At issue is whether Obama, in his last year in office, should make a nomination and the Republican-led Senate should confirm that choice in an election year. [[238427591,C]] Obama pledges a nomination "in due time." Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., thinks it should wait for the next president. The Republican resistance to an election-year confirmation got a thorough public airing on the GOP debate stage just hours after Scalia's companions found him dead. Republicans argued that Obama, as a lame duck, should not fill the vacancy created by Scalia's death, but leave it to the next president which they hope will be one of them. The Constitution gives the Senate "advice and consent" powers over a presidential nomination to the Supreme Court. Ted Cruz, one of the two GOP senators running for president, told NBC's "Meet the Press" that the GOP-controlled Senate is doing its job. "We're advising that a lame-duck president in an election year is not going to be able to tip the balance of the Supreme Court," Cruz said. But the top Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee, which would hold hearings on a nominee, said it would be "sheer dereliction of duty for the Senate not to have a hearing, not to have a vote." Vermont Sen. Patrick Leahy told CNN's "State of the Union" that he believes McConnell is "making a terrible mistake. And he's certainly ignoring the Constitution." Warren reported from Dallas. Associated Press writers Sarah Rankin in Chicago and Betsy Blaney in Lubbock, contributed to this report. AP videographer John L. Mone in El Paso also contributed. The Massachusetts State police have arrested a suspect after the Brockton Police received a report of an armed carjacking at the Westgate Mall shorty before noon on Tuesday. The male suspect reportedly took a 2007 Toyota Camry at gunpoint after the female owner came out of a store with her infant. The suspect demanded the woman give him her car keys as she was putting the child into a car seat. At 12:01 P.M., a gray Camry, occupied by the suspect, was located on Arch Street in Brockton. The police began pursuing the vehicle onto Boylston Street in Stoughton. The suspect crashed into a pole and fled the vehicle on foot. The suspect was quickly apprehended and taken into custody. Investigators say the suspect threw his gun into a snowbank before he attempted to flee. The suspect is identified as 32-year-old Jose F. Robles of Taunton. He was charged with armed carjacking, armed robbery, receiving a stolen motor vehicle, negligent operation of a motor vehicle, operating with a suspended license, and failure to stop for police. The suspect was turned over to Brockton Police custody. The Brockton District Court says the suspect will be arraigned Wednesday on several charges. New Haven police are searching for a woman who is accused of setting her boyfriend on fire and causing extensive injuries. Medics were responding to a home on Blatchley Avenue on Thursday to investigate a domestic dispute when the call was updated to an assault by burning, police said. When crews arrived at the home, they found the victim, screaming in pain. He sustained burns to about 40 percent of his body, including his face, arms and torso, and some of his skin had burned off. He told police that his girlfriend, Mayra Crespo, 46, of New Haven, had thrown alcohol on him and lit him on fire inside their apartment, police said. The man was rushed to YaleNew Haven Hospital and he remains in critical condition at the Connecticut Burn Center at Bridgeport Hospital. Police are searching for Crespo, who is wanted for first-degree arson, assault in the first degree, reckless endangerment in the first degree, second-degree breach of peace and violation of a protective order. Just 48 hours after the passing of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia and the controversy over his replacement is well underway. Democrats say the rules are simple - the President nominates and the Senate confirms. Republicans though say the vacancy should not be filled until after the presidential election. "In my opinion, we should let the people of the country speak and then have the confirmation process go forward," said U.S. Senator from New Hampshire Kelly Ayotte. The Republican is defending her seat against New Hampshire Governor Maggie Hassan, a Democrat. "I think that stands the constitution on its head," Hassan told NECN Monday. "The American people had an election in 2012 and they chose President Obama to be president of the next four years." Political analyst Scott Spradling says Republicans are taking a risk if they follow through with their promise to ignore the President's Supreme Court nomination. "It is the end run of our entire system here in America and I am not sure people like to tinker around with the politics of the United State Supreme Court," Spradling said Monday. " There could be significant blowback for anyone seen as trying to stop this entire process." There is now a four to four tie on the bench. Replacing Justice Scalia, a staunch conservative, with a liberal would mean the biggest ideological shift of the Supreme Court in 25 years. A decision Sen. Ayotte says is worth waiting for. "This position is lifetime appointment of great consequence and will have an impact on our country and court for decades," Ayotte said. The one thing Ayotte and Hassan agree on in this debate is honoring Justice Scalia for his lifetime dedication to our country. The Senate reconvenes next week. Like it or not, you are lawfully free game to be surveilled and photographed when you leave the privacy of your house. If you commit a crime, then you should expect the police to release a surveillance video although why the police found it important enough to release a video of Victoria Secret underwear thieves is unknown; the fact that the male and female team allegedly stole 80, then 120 sexy pairs of undies valued at $2,500 might have something to do with it. Then theres photos, which can be taken with or without your consent, that could end up online. Did you read the fine print when you checked into a hotel, resort or a cabin? If you dont bother to read the long and tangled legal jargon of an online privacy policy or terms of service, do you do so outside of the cyber world? Did you agree to have your likeness posted on a site to be used as an endorsement or promotion? A New Zealand judge serves as a recent example of how your photo can be used without your knowledge. An unnamed judge was vacationing at nudist camp Pineglades Naturist Club, which suggests that once you are inside the gate, you can shed your stresses with your clothes. But the NZ Herald on Sunday reported that pictures of the naked judge were used to promote the resort without the judges knowledge. When the newspaper started sniffing around, Pineglades Naturist Club took down the photos. Its unknown how long the judges images, showing full-frontal nudity, had been posted on the website as promotion; its also not known if the judge asked for the photos to be removed or if they were removed after newshounds caught scent of a scandalous story. Although the judge allegedly had no knowledge of his pictures being used to advertise the nudist camp, Pineglades president Chris Nee told the Herald on Sunday that the resort had obtained written permission. Those photographed gave written consent that the club, which owns the copyright, could use them. As you can imagine, theres a stink being raised about whether or not to penalize the judge and if his pictures constituted a breach of the official Guidelines for Judicial Conduct. Facebook's answers to snaps you didn't take At any rate, you are free game to be photographed when you are in public. Some selfie snappers are fine with that, constantly posting their images on Facebook or in tweets. Heck, they post other peoples pictures as well; some people rely on Facebooks Photo Magic face recognition tool to share such snaps. Facebook also discontinued it mobile photo-syncing feature and instead launched its photo-sharing Moments app. The app is advertised as get the photos you didnt take and as an easy way to get all the photos of yourself trapped on your friends' phones. But what if you think Facebook is Satans spawn and anyone posting your picture there is not a friend but a frenemy? If your friends and family honor your wishes, then you might not need to be concerned about finding your photo on Facebook, so what about your image posted other places? Waldo to the rescue? If you want to keep track of those photos taken without your explicit consent, or if you hate playing Wheres Waldo while trying to find yourself in a sea of faces such as when photos are snapped in huge arenas and crowded events, then consider the Waldo app. Waldo, which will be released as a free iPhone app later this year, uses facial recognition, GPS and time-stamping to track the images down, according to Technology Review. With Waldo, you snap a selfie and the app uses facial recognition and your locations over time to find pictures of you and drop them into a photo album. What Waldo is really aiming at is professional photographers who snap shots at events; Waldo finds your image and shows you a watermarked proof which you can then purchase. Waldo will take a cut of photographers profits made through selling photos via the app. Hopefully it wont share your info or app profile with photographers as we certainly dont need new types of spam, unsolicited selling, robocalls or robotexts. But it just might help you have find some photos snapped without your knowledge. Pope Francis is too modern for some, a breath of fresh air for others. That modernity includes, among other things, an embrace of technology and customs such as the selfie that are part of the deal. In this case, a Reuters photographer takes a break from his usual role to take an unusual but not unprecedented -- picture with the Pope. Reuters explains: Reuters photographer Max Rossi takes a selfie with Pope Francis while flying over the Atlantic Ocean Feb. 12. "It's not every day you get a selfie with the pope, Rossi says. I took this photo high above the Atlantic en route to Mexico. I asked Pope Francis to have a selfie with me for my family. My argument was simple: It's common to see people asking for a selfie with him. To my delight, he said yes. People around me congratulated me. Comments from my colleagues about this selfie were all pleasant although some regretted not having asked the same question." They would apparently include the unidentified woman in the middle. Welcome regulars and passersby. Here are a few more recent buzzblog items. And, if youd like to receive Buzzblog via e-mail newsletter, heres where to sign up. You can follow me on Twitter here and on Google+ here. A graduate of Chattanooga High School and Georgia Tech is author of the top seller in the non-fiction war books genre on Amazon.com. The second edition of Ed Cobleigh's book, War for the Hell of It: A Fighter Pilot's View of Vietnam, appeared in January. It offers a personal account of experiences drawn from 375 combat sorties and over 1,000 hours of combat time in an F-4D Phantom II fighter/bomber. His service earned Mr. Cobleigh two Distinguished Flying Crosses and the Air Medal. In the book Mr. Cobleigh describes his life in a war "filled with moral ambiguity and military contradictions." His experiences range from the carnage of a crash to the joy of flying through a star-studded night sky to his own dangerous addiction to risk. The thrills, fear and even the humor of life in a fighter squadron are all depicted in jargon-free, lyrical prose, said officials. "The first edition of War for the Hell of It, which appeared in 2003, was a success for Penguin books, selling 6,100+ copies, but it left the story incomplete, unfinished," Mr. Cobleigh says. "I added more content and deeper insights in the second edition, aiming at an audience for whom clear perceptions of the Vietnam War are receding fast into the mists of history. The book examines what it was like flying and fighting in an unwinnable war, using unworkable tactics, for political leadership who refused to authorize or even define victory." War for the Hell of It: A Fighter Pilot's View of Vietnam is available in paperback and as a Kindle download at Amazon.com. Published by Check Six Books of Paso Robles, CA, it was formatted by Wise Media Group of Morro Bay, CA. Mr. Cobleigh was born in New Orleans and grew up in Chattanooga. After graduating from CHS in 1962, he earned a degree in mechanical engineering from Georgia Tech and a master's degree in management at the University of Southern California. He completed a 25-year career in international marketing, retiring as vice president, international business development, for Raytheon Missile Systems Co. Mr. Cobleigh is also the author of the literary aviation/adventure novel, The Pilot: Fighter Planes and Paris. He and his wife, Heidi, reside in Paso Robles. Why would a company spend $1 billion to build a city where no one will live? Because, presumably, a lot of other organizations will pay to test their technology there. Washington, DC-based telecommunications and defense equipment vendor Pegasus Systems devoted a reported $1 billion to build the Center for Innovation, Testing and Evaluation (or CITE for short) in rural New Mexico. The idea is to build the equivalent of a medium-sized city, defined as big enough for about 35,000 people, but with no actual population. That way, companies with potentially dangerous technologies can test their prototypes in an actual urban environment without worrying about inflicting injury or death on innocent bystanders. This will naturally lend itself to researching connected car technology Wired's Jeep hack from last year comes to mind although the project's website lists several other fields of study, many of which would involve the Internet of Things. The project's website lists federal labs and university research institutions among the kinds of customers it aims to serve, but Pegasus managing director Robert Brumley told Fortune in October "the facility is open to anybody who wants to test." The proposed 15-square-mile city is intended to look pretty unremarkable. A recent Conde Nast Traveler article says the city will have "fiber networks laid over old copper, split-level suburban homes straight out of the 1960s, big box stores on the outskirts from the 1980s," making the testing process as realistic as possible. Wired described some interesting potential use cases: One experiment, Brumley explains, could involve coordinating a fleet of driverless freight trucks controlled by a centralized wireless network. Testing unmanned trucks on a real highway would be a logistical nightmare, but at the unpopulated CITE it would just be another day on the job. Another might involve fleets of small drones dropping packages on doorsteps. But what happens if, say, spectrum interference occurs during those deliveries, or with driverless cars at rush hour, even for just a moment? Researchers at CITE could use these experiments to perform a controlled interference with existing wireless systems, which is difficult to test at scale. The project has attracted some doubt from the scientific community. Steve Raynor, co-director of the Oxford Programme for the Future of Cities, is quoted in the Fortune article as warning that "the idea of testing' complex socio-technical systems without the people is bound to yield misleading results because real people frequently interact with materials and devices in ways that are not anticipated by the designer." The project also appears to have had some trouble getting off the ground. Problems with acquiring land forced the company to pull out shortly before development was planned to begin in the summer of 2012. Another report in 2013 speculated that the project was struggling to begin development, but a flurry of publicity in May 2015 signaled that it was back in full swing. So if the ghost city of New Mexico ever actually gets up and running, any IoT project that may seem too crazy to test out will have a place to crash and burn. The Honoring the Sacrifice Foundation will host its 3rd Annual American Heroes Dinner on July 15, 7 p.m. at the Chattanoogan Hotel. This event serves as a fundraiser for the organization's mission to provide direct assistance to severely-wounded men and women who suffered life-altering injuries while serving our country. Corporate sponsorships & tables, as well as individual tickets are currently available at: www.honoringthesacrifice.org. Since this year's event falls on the weekend of the first anniversary of Chattanooga's terrorist attack, a special tribute will be paid to the victims, survivors, and their families. Attendees will also hear the moving personal stories of some of America's most amazing heroes. This year's featured speaker will be LTC Allen B. West. During his 22 year career in the United States Army, Lt. Col. West served in several combat zones and received many honors including a Bronze Star, three Meritorious Service Medals, three Army Commendation Medals, and a Valorous Unit Award. In 1993 he was named the US Army ROTC Instructor of the Year. In November of 2010, Lt. Col. West was elected to the United States Congress, representing Florida's 22nd District. As a member of the 112th Congress, he sat on the Small Business and Armed Services Committees and was instrumental in passage of the 2012 National Defense Authorization Act. He is a Senior Fellow at the London Center for Policy Research, a Fox News contributor, author of Guardian of the Republic: An American Ronins Journey to Family, Faith and Freedom. Lt. Col. West is an avid distance runner, a Master SCUBA diver, and a motorcyclist, and in his spare time he enjoys cheering his beloved Tennessee Volunteers. Lt. Col. West is a legacy life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, life member of the Association of the United States Army, life member of the National Rifle Association. He has recently been appointed by Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick to the Texas Sunset Advisory Commission. He is married to Dr. Angela Graham-West and they have two daughters, Aubrey and Austen. The Honoring the Sacrifice Foundation was formed in the fall of 2013 by wounded US Army SGT Andrew Smith and his wife, Tori. SGT Smith lost both of his legs and suffered severe internal injuries on his very first patrol near Kandahar, Afghanistan in March of 2012. Together with a dedicated team of volunteers, the husband and wife duo are assisting other severely-wounded service members and their families, just as they have been supported during their journey. The foundation also seeks to promote community awareness and create opportunities to express gratitude for the sacrifices that our military men and women make on a daily basis. "You'll want to save the date for this important and inspiring evening. Reserve your table or individual seat now. Space is limited, we expect this event to sell out early," officials said. For more information, visit www.honoringthesacrifice.org, call 423-910-9129, or emaiinfo@honoringthesacrifice.org. A Jewish Genetic Carrier Screening Open House, a genetic screening for disorder awareness, will be held Sunday from 1-4 p.m. at the Jewish Federation of Greater Chattanooga, 5461 North Terrace Road. Officials said one in four or five individuals of Jewish descent carry at least one of 19 different genetic conditions, such as Tay-Sachs, Canavan or Cystic Fibrosis. While these genetic conditions vary in severity and age of onset, most of the disorders are debilitating and many are fatal. Participants will learn more about genetic conditions common to individuals of Ashkenazi Jewish descent and how genetic carrier screening can provide information for family planning purposes. There will be information about pursuing genetic carrier screening through NxGEN MDx's Ashkenazi Jewish Panel. A genetic counselor will be present to discuss carrier screening and answer questions and concerns. Make a reservation by emailing rsvp@nxgenmdx.com. An assault charge against East Ridge High School teacher Grant Blaylock has been dismissed in Criminal Court. Attorney Bill Speek said the district attorney's office did not choose any further prosecution of the case. At an earlier hearing in General Sessions Court, Mr. Blaylock hugged his wife in court after a no contact order was lifted that had been in effect from the time a month earlier when he was charged with assaulting her. However, General Sessions Court Judge Gary Starnes had bound a charge of assault to the Grand Jury. The teacher had been charged with aggravated assault. Judge Starnes said he remembered that Gretchen Blaylock had a gash on her nose when she was in court before. He said it appeared her husband had "recklessly" tossed her cell phone at her after an argument in their bedroom. She said he tossed it while leaving the bedroom after she had asked for her phone back. Ms. Blaylock said the incident was an accident and she had not wanted to press charges. Someone from the hospital had summoned police. She said she would not have been hit by the cellphone had she not sat up in bed while it was headed toward her. Ms. Blaylock said it was her husband's idea to take her to the hospital. She said he drove her. She said it was found that she had "a possible underlying fracture of the nose." She said she went to work the next day and did not take any pain medication. Attorney Speek, who argued for dismissal of the charge in General Sessions Court, said at the time that Mr. Blaylock was unable to return to the classroom until the case is resolved. He is on leave without pay. The attorney said, "He's a great teacher. During 18 years of marriage, he has not once raised his hand against his wife." He added, "We believe this case will be quickly dismissed at the next level." 10 Reasons You Should See 'They Look Like People' This Weekend By Joel Wicklund in Arts & Entertainment on Feb 16, 2016 9:00PM Evan Dumouchel in "They Look Like People." (Photo courtesy of the filmmakers.) Micro-budgeted, DIY cinema seems to be everywhere these days, but just because anyone can now make a movie, it doesn't mean everyone should. Glum, navel-gazing themes, stylistic indifference, insufferable hipster characters...sometimes the fringe cinema scene can make you want to take refuge in whatever glossy crap is playing near the mall. As long as it's not Zoolander 2. But there have also been daring, rewarding movies in the DIY realm recently, too. Case-in-point: They Look Like People, a truly original work that topped our list of the best films of 2015. It's playing for two nights only (Friday and Sunday) in the grassroots environs of Chicago Filmmakers, courtesy of The Chicago Cinema Society. If you're wondering if it's worth the effort to go see it (and get there early, as seating is limited), here are ten reasons you should drop everything and go. 1) It will introduce you to a fresh new voice in filmmaking. Skilled new directors emerge regularly, but Perry Blackshear's first feature has the kind of invigorating effect that makes you sit forward in your seat and say to yourself, "Whoa...who is this guy, and where did he come from?" As writer, director, producer, cinematographer, editor, and nearly a one-man production crew, Blackshear leaves no doubt whose vision you are experiencing. 2) It will challenge your genre expectations. The movie can be broadly described as a horror film, but it breaks free of all formulaic aspects. Blackshear has cited Donnie Darko as an influence, and like that cult favorite, They Look Like People puts human psychology front and center. A creepy vibe is central to the movie, but it's got more on the agenda than simply getting a jump out of you. 3) It will show you that necessity is the mother of stylistic invention. The movie is not immune to the technical imperfections features with meager budgets sometimes suffer from, but even the rougher aesthetic edges work in a film trying to convey a splintered psychological state. 4) We're not the only ones crazy about this movie. They Look Like People has garnered rave reviews from both the mainstream press (The Boston Globe) and fan mags (Fangoria). It also won major awards at film festivals, including Fantasia and Slamdance. 5) The lead actor could be a star on the rise. All the performances in the movie are strong, but Evan Dumouchel stands out as an actor to watch. As the outwardly go-getting Christian, battling his own serious anxiety issues while also coming to terms with his friend's possible schizophrenia, Dumouchel seems completely natural and fully emotionally invested in every scene. 6) You missed it at CIFF. The movie drew big crowds at the Chicago International Film Festival, and the responses we heard were almost universally positive. Now is your chance to see what all the buzz is about. 7) We don't know where it's going to pop up next. The movie has secured a small distribution deal, with video-on-demand the main release venue, but details on when and where you can see it are still up in the air. Besides, a packed house at Chicago Filmmakers might encourage one of the city's other indie film venues to book it for a longer run. 8) You get to see a second movie at no additional charge! The Chicago Cinema Society is presenting They Look Like People as part of a double-feature with another well-received independent film that reportedly stretches expectations of the horror genre: The Interior. A mere $9 gets you in to both movies. 9) The weather looks like it's going to cooperate. This is Chicago, so we can't make any guarantees, but currently the forecast calls for pretty warm temperatures and reasonable conditions for February on both Friday and Sunday. So toss off the extra blankets and get out of the house and down to Andersonville for a few hours. 10) Did we mention it was our favorite film of 2015? They Look Like People and The Interior play Friday, Feb. 19 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Feb. 21 at 7:00 p.m. at Chicago Filmmakers (5243 N. Clark Street). Attorneys Request Special Prosecutor In Laquan McDonald Case By Sam Stecklow in News on Feb 16, 2016 7:15PM (Protesters respond to the release of the video of a Chicago police officer shooting Laquan McDonald 16 times. By Joshua Mellin/Chicagoist) Chicago civil rights attorneys filed a petition in Cook County court Tuesday requesting that a special prosecutor be appointed in the Laquan McDonald caseanother example of the lack of confidence communities around the city have in Cook County State's Attorney Anita Alvarez. A progressive collection of lawmakers, including Cook County Commissioner Jesus Garcia, State Sen. Kwame Raoul, and U.S. Reps. Danny Davis and Bobby Rush are supporting the call for a special prosecutor. Sheila Bedi, a Northwestern University law professor, told the Sun-Times that there is so little faith in Alvarez "because she is so aligned with the Fraternal Order of Police." While there is nothing concrete tying Alvarez to the FOP, the Chicago police rank-and-file's union, there is plenty to suggest she is reluctant to pursue charges against police. As the Reader and the Better Government Association published in an investigation into Alvarez, "At many points in her tenure she's pursued a brand of justice widely seen as vindictive and defensiveaimed at people who are less a threat to public safety than to the image of law enforcement." A City Bureau analysis earlier this month found that about half of the initial statements on police shootings given out by the FOP's spokesman at the scene, which help shape public perception of the shooting and the victim, were later found to be false or misleading. In the Laquan McDonald case, there are still questions as to why it took Alvarez over a year to bring charges against Jason Van Dyke, the officer who shot Laquan McDonald 16 times in October 2014. She claims she was delayed because she was coordinating with federal investigators looking into the shooting. Where To Find Free Doughnuts, Tacos And Champagne This Thursday By Anthony Todd in Food on Feb 16, 2016 6:46PM The exterior of Loews. It's worth stopping by the (relatively new) Loews in Streeterville anywaythey've got a great restaurant, Rural Society, a fun lobby bar and a great rooftop. But this Thursday, during their "random acts of kindness" promotion celebrating their first year of operation, there's a whole day full of free stuff to grab. The fun starts in the morning. They're taking over the Starbucks at 444 N. Michigan Ave. and giving away free coffee from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. Then, from 8 to 10 a.m. the Doughnut Vault will have its truck parked in front of the hotel giving away free donuts. If you're around for lunch, the Big Star truck will be giving away free tacos from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Then, for happy hour, there will be a free champagne toast in the lobby bar at 5:30. If you happen to live or work in Streeterville, they've pretty much planned your entire Thursday. Video: 12 Arrested At Loop Anti-Deportation Protest That Blocked Morning Commutes By Sam Stecklow in News on Feb 16, 2016 5:03PM Anti-deportation protesters blocked Congress Parkway at LaSalle Street for over an hour Tuesday morning, holding banners reading things like "Dismantle ICE. Defund the police!" according to the Tribune. There were words exchanged, as well, between the protesters and a crowd cheering on police arresting them. Children in the crowd chanted, We love you, weve got your back," to the police, according to the Tribune's Matt McCall. Twelve protesters were arrested in all. Our @may20p just arrested while shouting out "it is our duty to fight for freedom!" #stoptheraids pic.twitter.com/utAbuwKiBl We Charge Genocide (@ChiCopWatch) February 16, 2016 Activists chained together, chanting "who's streets? Our streets" as police arrive to scene. #stoptheraids pic.twitter.com/8c8T8gCCYJ OCAD (@OCAD_CHI) February 16, 2016 The State continues to create ways in which to criminalize our people in the same ways it criminalizes Latino communities. The War on Drugs is a War on Black people and The War for Border Control is a war on undocumented people, and in the context of Chicago, on Latino people. We will not stand for this criminalization of our bodies and those of our brown allies. The protest was organized by Organized Communities Against Deportation (OCAD), a Chicago activist organization. In a statement , OCAD's Francisco Canuto said, I am here to say that there needs to be an end to raids and deportations. [ICE] agents entered my home under false pretenses, they fingerprinted me and my roommates, and took me into detention. I spent 13 awful days in a detention center that I dont wish on anyone.Members of other groups, such as BYP 100, We Charge Genocide, Assata's Daughters, Fearless Leading By Youth, Palestinian Youth in Action, also participated. A statement by Assata's Daughters read, in part: #StopTheRaids trended on Twitter in Chicago this morning as a live-stream shared by the protesters went viral. Reporter Tim Mitchell is a reporter at The News-Gazette. His email is tmitchel@news-gazette.com, and you can follow him on Twitter (@mitchell6). Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Will English be a must-have skill for China's entertainment stars in the future? Hu Yuxin from East China's Jiangxi province dances at the Beijing Film Academy on Monday. It was the second time the 17-year-old sought to enroll in the institution. A second round of examinations for admission to major art colleges began on Monday. ZOU HONG/ CHINA DAILY The answer is probably yes, as evident from the change in some of the country's top art colleges' annual admission examinations on Monday. The exams are seen as somewhat of a shortcut for young people with dreams of becoming stars. The Beijing Film Academy, the Central Academy of Drama and Communication University of China regarded as influential incubators for future showbiz talent began second-round tests on Monday. The examinations will run through early March. Reaching a new high, the Beijing Film Academy saw 30,400 applicants competing for 467 seats, a year-on-year increase of 23.4 percent. Admission officers at the two other institutions told China Daily that their numbers were similar to those of last year. While the Central Academy of Drama received 29,533 applicants to vie for 573 seats, Communication University of China got 27,299 to compete for 756 places. The fiercest competition involves performance majors. Communication University of China received 4,297 such applications for 26 seats, or 165 applications per seat, while the figure for the Beijing Film Academy's acting applicants reached 170 per seat. Although China's national college entrance exam, or gaokao, reportedly will not include English in the future, the Beijing Film Academy still highlights its expectation for students' foreign language scores. "It's not against the policies, but a solution to meet the changing demands for talent education and the movie markets both domestically and internationally in the next five to 10 years," said Mu Deyuan, the academy's dean of studies. Mu added that the college will require students to polish their English skills to be qualified for international cooperation projects. One of Editor & Publishers 10 That Do It Right 2021 The Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation (CCF) has been approved for a Eugene Washington Engagement Award by the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) to support its 2016 Annual Conference on February 3-6 in Salt Lake City. Thirty-four presenters from 6 countries will join an audience of 150 researchers, physicians, nurses, patients, caregivers, and others invested in cholangiocarcinoma (bile duct cancer), a rare but fatal disease. The program seeks to develop sustainable participation of the medical and scientific communities by presenting current data on basic, translational and clinical research and increasing the knowledge of attendees about key issues central to the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and cure for cholangiocarcinoma. Because patients living with cholangiocarcinoma have a direct stake in their own medical care and are in a unique position to provide input, CCF has expanded the conference programming to address questions and concerns that are important to patients and their families. Those who have experienced this devastating disease firsthand will be invited to learn about cholangiocarcinoma, share their personal experiences, and contribute to future efforts to further cholangiocarcinoma research. During the PCORI sessions on Wednesday, February 3rd from 3:00pm-8:00pm (Eastern), a live webcast will allow viewers around the world to ask questions and participate in the discussions. Donna Mayer, CCF Executive Director states "The PCORI support will allow CCF to incorporate patient and family participation into our meeting which will further allow the medical community to understand the depth and breadth of the patient experience when faced with a diagnosis of cholangiocarcinoma. Our goal is that these interactions will ultimately improve patient quality of life and stimulate interest in the research community to work together to find new treatments and a cure." An experimental vaccine combined with an innovative way of vaccinating people has resulted in an estimated 100 percent efficacy of the vaccine against the Ebola virus in West Africa -- and the approach could establish a new way of responding to outbreaks of emerging pathogens, including the Zika virus. This is according to two researchers who will discuss their experimental Ebola vaccine trial during the American Association for the Advancement of Science's annual meeting today (Friday, Feb. 12, 2016). Their discussion will focus on interim results of a study published in The Lancet in July. The study examined an experimental Ebola vaccine as well as a way of deploying the vaccine. The strategy includes vaccinating people who had contact with people who contracted Ebola and also the close contacts of people who had that contact -- an approach known as ring vaccination. Ring vaccination was first used in the 1970s to eradicate smallpox. University of Florida researcher Ira Longini, Ph.D., one of the study's authors, and lead author Ana Maria Henao Restrepo, M.D., a medical officer for the World Health Organization, expect the vaccination strategy could be used to combat other emerging pathogens. It works off the concept of surveillance and containment, and can be designed for interventions other than vaccination, including disease prevention and treatment. "This type of analysis is a very robust design. It worked for the Ebola vaccine, and could work for the Zika vaccine, or any other emerging threat we might see," Longini said. "Now, we want to make the point that we can almost certainly contain future Ebola outbreaks, and that we will probably have a new paradigm and tool for dealing with new outbreaks of whatever emerges in the future." Longini, a biostatistics professor in the UF colleges of Public Health and Health Professions and Medicine and director of the UF Center for Statistics and Quantitative Infectious Diseases, will highlight the study's unique design and results of the trial. Because researchers were working in an emergency situation, conducting a standard randomized controlled trial -- a trial in which study participants are randomly divided into two groups, one who receives the drug being tested and one who receives a placebo -- could have been unethical. "When you're studying a vaccine for Food and Drug Administration licensure, you would normally like to run the vaccine through a double-blind, randomized placebo-controlled trial," said Longini, also a member of the UF Emerging Pathogens Institute. "To use a placebo in a situation like this Ebola epidemic, in which the probability of someone falling ill and dying is high, could be unethical." For the researchers' interim results, the study included 7,651 people, more than 3,500 of whom were vaccinated. Researchers found the vaccine 100 percent effective in preventing Ebola illness in vaccinated people and 75 percent effective in reducing the risk of Ebola illness in rings where about half of the people had been vaccinated. The researchers plan to publish their final paper examining the trial soon, but the trial is still ongoing to deliver ring vaccination for any new clusters of Ebola, including a current cluster in Sierra Leone. The researchers also plan to study how long a vaccinated person's immunity to Ebola lasts. An estimated 30 percent of the world's population is chronically infected with the parasite Toxoplasma gondii. Most people live with the infection without noticeable effect, but it can be life-threatening for people with suppressed immune systems, such as people on cancer therapies or who have HIV/AIDS. Pregnant women can also pass an infection to their unborn children, putting the babies at risk of severe neurological disease. It's known that "Toxo" can affect the brain, even influencing the behavior of its hosts. But scientists have debated exactly how the parasite crosses the blood-brain barrier, a physical obstacle intended to keep pathogens out of the brain. Now, researchers from the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine and colleagues from across the country have identified how the parasite makes its way in. Using a powerful imaging technique that allowed the scientists to track the presence and movement of parasites in living tissues, the researchers found that Toxoplasma infects the brain's endothelial cells, which line blood vessels, reproduces inside of them, and then moves on to invade the central nervous system. "Crossing the blood-brain barrier is a rare event in part because this structure is designed to protect the brain from pathogens," said Christopher Hunter, the Mindy Halikman Heyer President's Distinguished Professor at Penn Vet. "And yet it happens and we have now been able to visualize these events. It's something that no one had seen before." By illuminating the pathogen's path into the brain, the research helps inform what treatment strategies may be most effective at combatting the parasite before it wreaks its worst damage. The study appears in Nature Microbiology. Hunter was the senior author on the study, which was led by Christoph Konradt, a post-doctoral researcher in Hunter's laboratory. A few different theories have been considered to explain how Toxoplasma could enter the brain. Some believe the parasite squeezes between the barrier cells, while others think the parasite goes directly through a cell. Another idea, "beloved of microbiologists," Hunter said, is the Trojan horse hypothesis, in which the parasite hitches a ride across the barrier while hidden inside an infected host cell. Konradt used Penn Vet's multi-photon microscope, which allows them to peer deep into living tissues without damaging them, to try to witness the parasite's invasion in action. In these studies, they used mice that had been specially bred to express a fluorescent green protein in their endothelial cells. They then infected the mice with modified Toxoplasma that expressed a red fluorescent protein. After a week, they saw endothelial cells in the brain that were infected, as well as evidence that the parasite was reproducing inside those cells. Two weeks post-infection, they saw that parasites appeared in the brain tissue adjacent to the endothelial cells. In additional experiments, they were able to visualize parasites bursting out of infected endothelial cells, thereby introducing the parasite into the brain. The researchers also wanted to revisit the Trojan horse hypothesis, to see if, as had been proposed, infected monocytes, a type of immune cell, might be responsible for carrying the parasite into the brain. To test this, the team infected monocytes with a form of Toxo, labeled red, that can't reproduce, then introduced those cells into mice. If the monocytes were indeed acting as a Trojan horse, the scientists would expect to see the parasite breach the blood-brain barrier. But they only saw infected cells within blood vessels, and these cells were not able to cross the blood brain barrier. To further illuminate the mechanism by which Toxo infects and disseminates through the body, the researchers looked specifically at levels of free parasites, that is, parasites that had not already infected or become engulfed by a host cell. They were surprised to see that a significant portion, around a third of the mouse's total parasite load, existed as free parasites in the blood. "I think we expected to see a small number of parasites outside cells, because they have to come out to move from cell to cell," Konradt said. "But I don't think anyone had fully appreciated the sheer number of parasites that are free and able to infect other cells in the vasculature." This presence of free parasites was, however, transient. By 10 days after infection, most mice had no free parasites in their blood. "From a treatment perspective," Hunter said, "that means if a pregnant woman gets infected for the first time, there is a fairly short period of time when the parasite can cross the placenta and affect the fetus. That tells us that targeting these stages in the blood during this narrow window could be effective at preventing congenital transmission." As a final test to see whether parasites could directly access the brain from the blood, the researchers infected mice with a mixture of normal parasites and mutants that was unable to reproduce, each labeled in different colors. They then showed that only the normal, reproducing parasite made its way into the functional brain tissue. "This shows that the parasite has to replicate in order to spread from the blood into other tissues," Konradt said. "That could mean a drug that blocks replication could be effective at preventing dissemination." The team's findings suggest that the current theories about how Toxoplasma crosses the blood-brain barrier are probably not the main way the brain is infected. Rather, parasites move directly from the blood into endothelial cells, where they replicate, cause the cell to burst and then infect neighboring brain cells. Beyond its implications for Toxoplasma infections, the research may give insights into how other viral, bacterial and parasitic pathogens may move from the blood into the brain. "Toxo is a really nice model for studying vascular immunity in general," Konradt said. Vanderbilt University Medical Center nephrologist and associate professor of medicine Dr. William H. Fissell IV, is making major progress on a first-of-its kind device to free kidney patients from dialysis. He is building an implantable artificial kidney with microchip filters and living kidney cells that will be powered by a patient's own heart. "We are creating a bio-hybrid device that can mimic a kidney to remove enough waste products, salt and water to keep a patient off dialysis," said Fissell. Fissell says the goal is to make it small enough, roughly the size of a soda can, to be implanted inside a patient's body. NANOTECHNOLOGY The key to the device is a microchip. "It's called silicon nanotechnology. It uses the same processes that were developed by the microelectronics industry for computers," said Fissell. The chips are affordable, precise and make ideal filters. Fissell and his team are designing each pore in the filter one by one based on what they want that pore to do. Each device will hold roughly fifteen microchips layered on top of each other. But the microchips have another essential role beyond filtering. "They're also the scaffold in which living kidney cells will rest," said Fissell. LIVING KIDNEY CELLS Fissell and his team use live kidney cells that will grow on and around the microchip filters. The goal is for these cells to mimic the natural actions of the kidney. "We can leverage Mother Nature's 60 million years of research and development and use kidney cells that fortunately for us grow well in the lab dish, and grow them into a bioreactor of living cells that will be the only "Santa Claus" membrane in the world: the only membrane that will know which chemicals have been naughty and which have been nice. Then they can reabsorb the nutrients your body needs and discard the wastes your body desperately wants to get rid of," said Fissell. AVOIDING ORGAN REJECTION Because this bio-hybrid device sits out of reach from the body's immune response, it is protected from rejection. "The issue is not one of immune compliance, of matching, like it is with an organ transplant," said Fissell. HOW THE DEVICE WORKS The device operates naturally with a patient's blood flow. "Our challenge is to take blood in a blood vessel and push it through the device. We must transform that unsteady pulsating blood flow in the arteries and move it through an artificial device without clotting or damage." FLUID DYNAMICS And that's where Vanderbilt biomedical engineer Amanda Buck comes in. Buck is using fluid dynamics to see if there are certain regions in the device that might cause clotting. "It's fun to go in and work in a field that I love, fluid mechanics, and get to see it help somebody," said Buck. She uses computer models to refine the shape of the channels for the smoothest blood flow. Then they rapidly prototype the new design using 3-D printing and test it to make the blood flow as smoothly as possible. FUTURE HUMAN TRIALS Fissell says he has a long list of dialysis patients eager to join a future human trial. Pilot studies of the silicon filters could start in patients by the end of 2017. "My patients are absolutely my heroes," said Fissell. "They come back again and again and they accept a crushing burden of illness because they want to live. And they're willing to put all of that at risk for the sake of another patient." FEDERAL INVESTMENT The National Institutes of Health awarded a four-year, $6 million grant to Fissell and his research partner Shuvo Roy, from the University of California at San Francisco. The two investigators are longtime collaborators on this research. In 2003, the kidney project attracted its first NIH funding, and in 2012 the Food and Drug Administration selected the project for a fast-track approval program. The work is supported by NIH grant 1U01EB021214-01. The practise of paid menstrual leave provokes controversy in China. [File photo] Female workers in central China's Anhui Province will enjoy paid menstrual leave, following the example of their peers in neighboring Hubei Province and south China's Hainan Province. However, the practice has provoked widespread controversy, the Beijing News reported. According to the Anhui provincial government, from March, female workers may take a paid menstrual leave for one or two days on production of a certificate from a legal medical institute or hospital. However, the three sides concerned -- workers, employers and medical institutes -- all feel this is a difficult issue to handle properly. Last year, an investigation was carried out in south China's Guangdong Province when local authorities were considering menstrual leave. However, more than 20 percent of the investigated females were unwilling to take leave for various reasons, such as exposing their private affairs and causing delays in work. Similar worries were felt by a female bank employee in Anhui, who said: "I will consider my work schedule first. There are penalties for those who fail to complete work tasks. I'm afraid my boss will be unhappy." Employers also revealed a sense of pressure if they are required to grant paid menstrual leaves. A hotel manager in Beijing said that besides female workers' health, an employer also has to consider operational costs. Paid leave will add to the cost of a company, which will make employers hesitant to hire female workers in the future. Besides, it's difficult to judge if the employee is really sick or just cashing in on being a woman. Li Yinhe, a renowned Chinese sociologist, suggested the authorities pay attention to the side effects of the policy if it causes tension between employers and employees. As for doctors, there are also problems, because it's difficult to evaluate the degree of menstrual pain an individual woman might suffer. Tan Xianjie, a gynecologist of the Peking Union Medical College Hospital, said that, due to a lack of clear standards, the diagnosis of menstrual cramps is usually based on patient description, and only a handful of people would probably visit hospitals just to obtain a certificate for menstrual leave. Making paid menstrual leave mandatory was first proposed by Zhang Xiaomei, a national political advisor and a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, during the political advisory body's national meeting in 2011. More than 85 percent of females were adversely affected by menstruation, and 78.5 percent of them didn't receive proper care during their periods, she argued. Hainan and Hubei provincial governments issued regulations in 1993 and 2009 respectively, suggesting employers grant paid menstrual leave. However, according to a local newspaper, the policy was not effectively implemented in Hainan as it was not mandatory. The freezing rain will subside, but potential flooding is possible Tuesday as about a half-inch of rain and above-freezing temperatures begin to melt the 5 to 9 inches of snow that fell in the Lynchburg area Sunday and Monday. Were done with the snow part, but some of the worst part is yet to come, said Robert Beasley, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service office in Blacksburg. School has been canceled for today in Bedford, Amherst, Appomattox, Nelson and Campbell counties, district websites said. Lynchburg City Schools already was scheduled to be out this week for intersession. Unofficial snow totals reported by observers included 9 inches in Bedford, 8 inches in Concord and 7 inches in Amherst, the NWS website said. The official tally at Lynchburg Regional Airport was 4.3 inches. The snowfall did not set records for snow depth, but Lynchburg came within just a few degrees of its record low high of 25 degrees for Feb. 15, Beasley said. Virginia Department of Transportation and City of Lynchburg plows had mostly cleared the main and secondary roads on Monday by 1 p.m. or so, and began plowing residential streets in the afternoon. The primaries and secondaries are passable and looking pretty good, said Staci Reynolds, operations support manager for Lynchburgs Department of Public Works, on Monday afternoon. NWS forecasters predicted freezing rain would transition to rain overnight Monday. The 12-hour plow shift-change occurred at 10 p.m. Monday, and crew members planned to carefully monitor bridges and streets throughout the night as they continued to clear snow and slush, Reynolds said. Conditions on most main roads, including U.S. highways 29, 501 and 460, were listed as mild to moderate on Monday night, said Paula Jones, the communications director in the VDOT Lynchburg district. We are continuing to monitor the primary routes, and watching the weather, Jones said Monday afternoon. The possibility of freezing rain is something VDOT is keeping a close eye on, she said. If ice begins to accumulate, crews will put down sand and salt, hoping to improve traction. Jones recommended because of possibly deteriorating conditions, motorists in the Lynchburg area stay off the road if they can. Between midnight and 2 p.m. Monday, Virginia State Police troopers in the Appomattox division, which includes Lynchburg and Charlottesville, had responded to 46 traffic crashes and 29 disabled vehicles, according to State Police spokesperson Corinne Geller. Troopers responded to 68 crashes and 64 disabled vehicles in the Salem division, which includes Roanoke and Bedford County, during the same time period, she said. A Farmville driver was cited for reckless driving and not properly securing a 2- and 7-year-old after her vehicle veered off U.S. 460 in Appomattox County and overturned. The crash, which happened at about noon Monday, was speed- and weather-related, Geller said. The driver was apparently going too fast for the icy conditions. The driver, Antoinette L. Jennings, 47, was driving west on U.S. 460 when her GMC Envoy went off the right side of the road and overturned, Geller said. Jennings and all five passengers two adults and three children ages 2, 7 and 13 all were transported to Lynchburg General Hospital with injuries deemed not life threatening. She was charged with reckless driving and given two child-restraint violations, because the youngest children were sharing a regular seat belt instead of being secured in individual safety seats. No power outages have been reported for Lynchburg area customers, and only a few customers are out across the state, Teresa Hamilton Hall, a spokeswoman for Appalachian Power, said Monday afternoon. So far, especially for Virginia, were doing very well as far as outages, she said. Appalachian did not have any outages in the Lynchburg area by about 7 p.m., Hall said. According to the Dominion Virginia Power online reporting system, a total of about 2,600 of its 2.5 million customers were without power, but none were in the Lynchburg area. So far, the powdery, dry snow and sleet can be thanked for keeping the lights on, Appalachian Powers Hall said. Its kind of mimicking the last storm we had, the cold temperatures kept the snow light, she said. Appalachian Power has asked crews and independent contractors to be on-call, so if an outage is reported it can be dealt with immediately, she said. Snow and sleet will transition into freezing rain this morning, as temperatures slowly creep above freezing, the NWS forecast said. About .1 inch of new ice accumulation is expected overnight, the NWS forecast said. The freezing rain is worrisome to Appalachian meteorologists, Hall said. We do have some concerns about icing into tonight and into tomorrow, she said Monday. The severe icing will likely be isolated to Roanoke and Beckley, West Virginia. Because the most extreme weather will only be in small pockets of its service area, Appalachian believes employees and contractors will be able to handle any possible issues, she said. Right now, we feel pretty confident because it is not a widespread event, Hall said. Skies will remain cloudy today, but highs will reach the mid 40s, raising hopes that some of the icy slush will melt from Lynchburg streets by nightfall, NWS Meteorologist Beasley said. Rain is expected before 1 p.m., as much as three-quarters of an inch. That will actually alleviate some of the travel conditions, he said. But its going to take a while. The NWS predicts clouds will break and skies will become mostly sunny on Wednesday, as highs reach to near 50. RICHMOND The meaning of rural is under negotiation as two proposals for health care service reform pass from the House of Delegates to the Senate. Appomattox, Amherst, Bedford and Campbell counties as well as many others in Central and Southwest Virginia currently are not listed as rural for proposed reforms to the certificate of public need system, which has concerned Del. Sam Rasoul, D-Roanoke. He switched his vote Monday to support a bill, put forth by Del. John OBannon, R-Henrico, for an 18-month sunset to much of the system requiring state approval before health care providers may build or add certain services. He had spoken Friday against OBannons bill in favor of the administrative reform bill carried by Del. Kathy Byron, R-Bedford County. Byron supports her own bill as a backup to OBannons. We know that theres a lot of work that needs to be done, and we dont agree on specific language, but he at least said we need to work together to try to figure out how to fix this bill and improve it in the Senate, Rasoul said in a floor speech. Rasoul said a conversation with OBannon about adjusting the definition for rural areas and the impact to charity care changed his mind. The delegates seeking reform say removing the antiquated system would serve to draw back regional health care monopolies, increasing options and decreasing cost. Hospitals and health care systems, including Centra Health, say the COPN system protects their profitable services to balance uncompensated care, or charity care. The Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Association has made defending rural hospitals a key part of its argument, saying they need COPN protection. The bill currently uses the Virginia Metropolitan Statistics definition of rural, which does not include the agricultural and forested counties around Lynchburg and Roanoke. It is much smaller than people think, Rasoul said of the area where the certificate of public need system would remain intact. In defining rural, OBannon said they have considered using the Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission footprint, as well as current law allowing the commissioner to refuse services considered predatory or detrimental to a rural under-served area. VHHA said one concern about the rural carve-out would be competition opening up just outside the boundary. Establishing different rules for different communities would create a two-tiered system that could harm health care access in rural communities rather than improve it, VHHA spokesman Julian Walker said in an emailed statement. He said carving out rural areas without state planning regions used to determine whether a region can support duplicative services is unworkable. I think were finally beginning to actually look at the bills and think about the issues. One issue is protecting the rural areas. Another issue is how to best do the charity care piece. Im perfectly open to a whole variety of ways, OBannon said. I would like to look at all those options going forward if we can get the hospital folks to come to the table to talk. Walker said theyve been at the table, including at the work group tasked by the 2015 General Assembly. At this juncture, current proposals pending in the Virginia General Assembly do not feature proposed funding to address the underlying financial challenges facing many hospitals which provide charity care and treat those who are un-insured, under-insured, or in subsidized health insurance programs, Walkers statement said. The OBannon bill was first put off to wait for Del. Rick Morris, R-Isle of Wight, to arrive. Later, Del. Todd Gilbert, R-Shenandoah, walked over to OBannon to say they had the votes. Minutes later, his and Byrons bill calling for administrative reform came back to the floor. The OBannon bill had more cushion than originally thought and passed 52-46 with one abstention without Morris. Byrons passed 94-4 with one abstention. OBannon talked about continuing negotiations as the bill moves over to the Senate, to the Education and Health Committee chaired by Sen. Steve Newman, R-Lynchburg. That committee first combined a series of COPN bills but didnt pass one. Del. Lionell Spruill, D-Chesapeake, urged his colleagues not to vote for OBannons bill saying if it was so good, OBannon wouldnt be continuing to work on it. Why in the world are we allowing the Senate to fix our bills? Spruill said. Government and its health role In the Certificate of Public Need debate between the hospitals of Virginia and some Republican legislators, I believe it is necessary to first consider the commonly accepted goals of health care: professional level care, efficiency and lowest costs possible. One side here sees competition as the solution, and the other side sees monopoly and size as the solution. Both solutions seem to me to miss the target, since neither offers a means of balance between outcomes and management approach. Competition as a solution depends on cost cutting and makes profits the goal, but provides no means of ensuring the needed level of product or service. Monopoly and size or scale depend on assumptions of management for the good of all, professionalism and efficiency, but none of these is an automatic. In other words, assuming the merits of a balance between government involvement and restraint on one side, and private ownership as inherently effective on all counts on the other side seems very doubtful. In our area, the reigning political and societal view seems tilted toward an anarchic free-for-all, and business or organizational operations seem to take on a general trust me, Ill do no wrong stance. The bottom line for me is that neither side is being realistic about what will emerge from their approaches. I believe that government has a role to play where large-scale operations such as health care are called for. And that is for government to work with the health care industry to develop a means of public oversight, not political but professional and reflective of the nature and scope of the community and its health care needs. DAVID RADILE Madison Heights Keep an eye out for hate While our local Lynchburg Peace Education Center continues to promote peaceful and non-violent dialogue, we also monitor media reports of possible threats of violent extremism. National reports frequently discuss possible threats from immigrants or refugees from non-Christian backgrounds. Locally, this makes little sense. Annually, the Southern Poverty Law Center (splcenter.org) reports on extremist hate groups in the United States. In its count, there are 26 hate groups in Virginia. Of these, only seven are located in Central Virginia. Those are of six types: Neo-Nazis, Racist Skinheads, White Nationalists, Christian Identity and Anti-LGBT. Only rarely do members of these hate groups exercise their right to freedom of speech in a letter to the editor. Within the Lynchburg area, dialogue between racial and religious groups is largely positive, receptive and peaceful. Let the majority of us all continue to do meaningful peace workreceiving and helping other people. EVERETT HEATH Chairman, Board of Directors Lynchburg Peace Education Center Next month Kroger will begin offering online ordering for the first time in Virginia at a Richmond-area store. The grocer is adding its first ClickList system to a store in Chesterfield County in early March, according to The Richmond-Times Dispatch. It will be rolled out in other Richmond stores soon after. The service will come to Roanoke-area Krogers this year, although the company did not say when. After we launch in the Richmond market, we hope to roll out ClickList in other areas later in the year, Kroger spokeswoman Allison McGee said in a prepared statement. She said Kroger has been developing its program of online ordering with curbside pickup for several years. The feedback from stores in other areas of the country who have the program has been terrific, she said. Customers like the convenience and time-saving aspect of ClickList. Krogers website says customers will be able to shop online for more than 40,000 items, including meats and produce. According to the Richmond Times-Dispatch, heres how it works: An order is placed online for pickup the next day at a time specified by the customer. Once the customer arrives at the pickup area, an employee brings the order to the customers car and the customer provides a debit or credit card. Customers wont even have to get out of their car. Krogers website said the service costs $4.95 per order. The online ordering system has been launched at many stores across the country as an answer to changes in shopping habits, which have become digitized. It is expected in all of the newly remodeled Kroger stores. Flash A young Chinese couple ties the knot in Bali, a hot destination for Chinese tourists, especially newlyweds.[Photo by Li Jin/China Daily] Indonesia expects Chinese arrivals to jump this year, since it has developed special historical destinations, boosted supportive policies and stepped up promotions, a senior tourism official says. China and Indonesia have strong historical backgrounds. This has become one of the main engines for both countries' tourism industries, says the Indonesian Tourism Ministry's deputy for overseas promotion, I Gde Pitana. "China is the main market for us. In 2016, it will be the biggest market, (overtaking) Singapore, Australia and Malaysia," Pitana says. The archipelago expects 2.1 million Chinese, compared with last year's target of 1.3 million, he says. That's over a sixth of the 2016 goal of 12 million total inbound travelers. The country received 10 million last year, the ministry says. The reasons for the much higher expectations for Chinese visitors are promotional campaigns, and culturaland historical-destination development, in addition to a new visa-on-arrival policy adopted last June. A total solar eclipse will also be visible from parts of Indonesia this spring. Nearly 120 million Chinese traveled overseas last year, but Southeast Asia only claims a small slice, Pitana says. About 6 million visited Thailand, and 2 million headed to Singapore, Pitana says. The global tourism industry has bestowed many accolades on Indonesia. The country won three awards out of four at the 12th United Nations World Tourism Organization Awards Forum and three out of six at the ASEAN Travel Association Forum. "This indicates what we have done is in line with international standards," Pitana says. Follow China.org.cn on Twitter and Facebook to join the conversation. Dealing with internal conflict When confronted with those situations, its best to start introspecting which would assist in identifying the root cause of the conflict as opposed to applying a quick fix to the problem. Analysing the issue of internal conflict from both a scientific and an experiential perspective reveals, that individuals change things in an attempt to resolve challenges which seemingly affect their internal being, because it is normal when individuals feel unmotivated or even unfulfilled in a relationship or career, theyd change the specific situation in an effort to obtain some measure of temporary relief, but the problem wont vanish. Signs of internal conflict usually start with self-sabotaging of ones own success including life, business, relationships or health. This type of behaviour is essentially a response to deep internal conflict as somewhere within themselves, they feel that they dont deserve success. This disharmony can negatively affect ones self-esteem and self-confidence, and because it has become learnt behaviour, persons so affected arent even aware of it. Internal conflict also influences a lack of happiness which in turn results in varied mood swings and recurring bouts of depression. The continued presence of conflict makes it very difficult to stay in tune with self-authenticity. Some individuals may experience a vague awareness which signals that something is wrong and a continued feeling of discomfort; unfortunately, these signals are sometimes ignored and/or suppressed, or persons deny that they exist. Continuously ignoring the signals, can contribute to disconnection from self-authenticity, and also presents greater difficulty in knowing who you really are. Resolving conflict can begin with some basic steps. Firstly, be very clear about the fundamental values which allow you to determine what is and what is not morally correct in relation to your overall life and business dealings. Your core values would in turn influence the types of decisions you make so that there is an alignment in how you move forward. The things that you are passionate about must also be considered in the process, and therefore must synchronise with your value system. Also of critical importance is the goals that you would like to accomplish in your life, relationships as well as your career. Identify at least five major goals with timelines and work towards achieving same. Each goal must be accompanied by a specific purpose and/or motive; in other words, whats the social value associated with the accomplishment of each goal. Once there is harmony and connectivity in all of these areas, your chances of resolving internal conflict would be much greater. Sandrine Rattan is a communications consultant and president of the International Womens Resource Network (IWRN). Contact: thecorporatesuitett@ gmail.com or intlwomensresourcenetwork@ gmail.com. IWRNs hotline: 283-0318. TIM KEE MUST GO! And, was there an emergency meeting of the Port-of-Spain Corporation yesterday to receive and discuss the Mayors offer to resign? Two Councillors one of them usually crucial to the calling of unscheduled meetings of the Council - say no. Another said he was not invited to attend any such meeting yesterday and another two refused to comment when contacted by Newsday. Hillan Morean, councillor for St Anns River North, said he was not invited to a meeting, while June Durham and Jameel Bisnath, councillors for Woodbrook and St James East, respectively, both said they had no comment. PNM Chairman Khan was not aware whether such a meeting took place. I am not aware. But the Act is clear. The mayor has to issue his resignation to the council, through either the CEO or secretary of the council. The mayors resignation is not contingent on acceptance or rejection by the council. Once the mayor resigns it is in effect. My understanding is he has not yet submit- ted his resignation and I want to go on record as endorsing the Prime Ministers sentiments that he (Tim Kee) will do the honourable thing and tender his resignation. When Newsday contacted Deputy Mayor Keron Valentine via a text message yesterday, he responded, Council never met. There was no Council meeting, was how Councillor for Belmont South and leader of the Council Jennel Young, responded to queries by Newsday. Asked whether there were any plans to have an emergency meeting during the course of this week, she said she has to be contacted by the mayor and no one has called her. I have not even seen a letter of resignation, she told Newsday yesterday. These denials conflict sharply with that of Councillor Farai Masaisai who said there was a meeting and councillors expressed solidarity with the embattled Mayor whose remarks following the death of Japanese national Asami Nagakiya were considered totally unacceptable on the weekend by his political leader, Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley. The out turn of all this yesterday was Mayor Tim Kee not submit- ting any letter of resignation nor demitting office which he signalled he would do, in a statement on the weekend, despite the media being told that the Port-of-Spain City Council held an emergency meeting yesterday at City Hall, Knox Street, to deliberate on the Mayors resignation. Councillor Masaisai, an attorney, told media personnel at about noon yesterday that the Council was still deliberating the issue. The meetings are still going on...the position of the Council is we support our mayor and we would hope he continues to remain as Mayor of Port-of-Spain, he said. In his statement on Saturday last, Tim Kee said he intended to call an emergency meeting of the council and tender my resignation as Mayor and as an alderman. Tim Kee was expected to resign after he made controversial comments about Nagakiyas death, saying that women have a responsibility to en- sure they are not abused. The Mayors comments were in response to a question from the media seeking his reaction to the discovery of Nagakiyas body at the Queens Park Savan- nah on Ash Wednesday. The young woman was clad in a bikini-type outfit when her body was found. She was manually strangled according to an autopsy the following day. Speaking further on yesterdays emergency meeting, Masaisai said the decision to accept Tim Kees resignation will not be made right away. The mayor is deliberating on the is- sue, Masaisai said. He is being advised by Council in his office and he will make a decision either today (yesterday) or in accordance with the Municipal Corpora- tion Act. Expressing what he said was his personal opinion, Masaisai told the media he agreed that Carnival was becoming more vulgar but he did not associate the vulgarity with the death of Nagakiya. We do express our condolences to the family of the victim and we call on the authorities to bring a speedy investigation, he said. Before the meeting, Tim Kee arrived with several supporters who cheered, hugged and shook his hand. For several hours, they gathered in Woodford Square waving Trinidad and Tobago flags and singing their support for the mayor. Remanded murder accused dies According to the prisoners, it was only one hour later, when Clement was removed from his cell and taken to the infirmary where he died. His body was then placed on a stretcher and taken to the Arima Hospital where doctors pronounced him dead on arrival . According to a prisoner, who identified himself as former newspaper journalist Akiel Simon, Clement complained about his respiratory problems previously but was not attended to . According to the prisoner, there are more than 1,000 prisoners on remand and infirmary officers are supposed to be on duty around the clock. But when Clement collapsed yesterday, prior to his death, there was no infirmary officer to attend to him . The prisoner calling himself Akiel Simon complained that the situation had reached a stage where Remand prisoners are not being properly attended to when they complain of illness. He added that facilities at the infirmary located within the Remand section are also inadequate and coupled with this, he pointed out that prison guards do not respond promptly when prisoners complain of feeling ill and ask to be taken to the infirmary for treatment . He also pointed out that Remand prisoners seeking dental treatment are not being taken out of the system to be attended to by a dentist and some prisoners now complain of being in excruciating pain. He pointed out that a prison dentist is supposed to attend to prisoners during a specific period for the month but that dentist has failed to show. Efforts to reach senior prisons officials for a comment have proven futile . China Jiangsu facing criminal liability A firm of local attorneys, Alexander, Jeremie and Company, was served with a summons, but no representative of the Chinese firm attended hearings yesterday at the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) headquarters off Henry Street in Port-of-Spain. A summons was served on our firm on Friday February 12, requiring the managing director of China Jiangsu to appear this morning at 9.30 am, attorney Manisha Lutchman told the commissioner. However, unfortunately the chairman is currently out of the country. I believe he is in China for the Chinese new year and he is not expected to return until around June. Ibrahim said, our term comes to an end at the end of March and we intend to give our decision in the matter and our written judgment on or before the end of March. If China Jiangsu says that they cannot be here, well so be it. The chairman continued, but what I must tell you is this: if there is any evidence whatsoever implicating China Jiangsu indicating they would be liable, either criminally or civilly, we will have no objection in making such an order in the matter. They have refused to come before us and now they are saying they are unable to come before June. Archbishop: I slacked off at school Harris said that his worrisome refusal to study at St Marys College, Port-of-Spain, was because he had found the topics taught-boring. My father, I broke his heart. My father was a head teacher. It broke his heart. He would say this boy has brains to win an Island Schol, but he just wont study. But I wouldnt study because nothing interested me, he confessed, And the things that interested me were not taught in St Marys. Drawing on those experiences, he urged, We have to begin catering for different learning styles and aptitudes. The audience applauded. His Grace suggested that room actually exists to broaden education/training by saying that only a limited number of jobs can be filled by a traditional grammar schoolstyled education. Further, Harris lamented the many youngsters who leave secondary school functionally illiterate because their own aptitudes were not taken into account in their schooling. He was worried that the country is educating persons who are then lured by jobs in North America and Europe. Workload hurting teachers Teachers are not in good health. Does the Ministry of Education understand what is happening to the health of our teachers at Standards Four and Five?. He spelt out the specific woes felt by teachers to deliver the CAC that might harm their health. There is too much testing and assessment, and very little teaching. Teachers dont feel sufficiently prepared to deliver the CAC. Maths and Language Arts curricula delivery has been compromised because of the CAC. Adding to the CAC, he said, has been the Ministrys late delivery of materials to schools (such as pupil journals) and a disconnect between teachers and the Ministrys monitors who make spot visits to oversee the CAC. Later on, Ms Lewis, who works in health education, said she had done a small survey of teachers and had found them generally to be hypertensive, and at a notable risk of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and of an early death. Others testified to the stress of the CAC. Teacher and parent, Anthea Brizan, said SE A had traumatised her two children. Teacher Maria Gaya-Persad said the CAC programme was not working as it takes away precious time from teaching. The audience applauded. Teacher/ parent Cathy-Ann McKay said a foreign consultant in 2011 said TT schools were over-testing. So I was shocked that they then introduced the CAC. Two of the triplets, at home The babies had to be incubated and monitored as they had been born prematurely. The babies were born three minutes apart from each other at 11.33 am, 11.34 am and 11.35 am. The family resides at Moray Square, Cocoyea Village, San Fernando. On February 2, the first time mother checked herself into the hospital after having contractions. The following day doctors performed emergency C-Section. The babies weighed 1.77 kg, 1.895 kg and 1.695 kg. It was also the first time triplets were born in the couples families. Flash China on Monday hoped for an easing of tension on the Korean Peninsula against the backdrop of a sensitive and complex situation. South Korean vehicles from the Kaesong Industrial Zone (KIZ) pass the customs, immigration and quarantine office in Paju, South Korea, Feb. 11, 2016. [Photo/Xinhua] Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei made the remarks when asked to comment on the shutdown of an inter-Korean industrial zone last week. The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) decided Thursday to shut down the Kaesong Industrial Zone and deport all people from the Republic of Korea (ROK) staying there. All assets of ROK companies operating there were frozen. The move came a day after ROK announced its decision to stop operations at the zone, which started manufacturing products in December 2004. Pyongyang launched a satellite-carrying rocket, which Seoul sees as a cover for a long-range ballistic missile, on Feb. 7 after conducting its fourth nuclear test on Jan. 6. Under UN Security Council resolutions, the DPRK is banned from firing any kind of ballistic missile. The United States and the ROK have decided to discuss deployment of an advanced U.S. missile defense system, Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD), on the Korean Peninsula. As one of the most advanced missile defense systems in the world, THAAD can intercept and destroy ballistic missiles inside or just outside the atmosphere during their final phase of flight. China has serious concerns over a sophisticated U.S. anti-missile system on the peninsula, said Hong at a regular press briefing. THAAD goes far beyond the defense needs of the peninsula and the coverage would penetrate deep inside the continental Asia, he said. "It will cause immediate damage to the strategic security interests of China and other Asian countries," he added. China firmly opposes use of Korean Peninsula nuclear issue to undermine China's national security interests, said Hong. China will continue to steadfastly promote denuclearization of the peninsula and is committed to solving the issue through dialogue and negotiation, he said. The focus of the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue is between the U.S. and the DPRK, he said, urging communication and negotiation between the two sides. There Were Rules on Handling Asbestos. They Were Ignored (Newser) Want to go swimming off the coast of Palm Beach, Fla.? Cool, just know tens of thousands of sharks are there too. Biological sciences professor Stephen Kajiura shot stunning video of the black tip shark migration, which runs from Miami Beach up to the Jupiter Inlet. "It's so cool," he tells CBS 12. "There are literally tens of thousands of sharks a stone's throw away from our shoreline. You could throw a pebble and literally strike a shark. They are that close." People are still swimming in the area and no beaches have been shut downseems locals know "what precautions to take," ABC News reports. Kajiura says black tips rarely bite people in this area, and no black tip bites in Florida have been fatal. The sharks are known to feed on squids, stingrays, and fish, CNN reports. (Read more sharks stories.) (Newser) A Southern California transient is under arrest after apparently leaving her newborn baby in the toilet of a Subway restaurant's restroom, the San Gabriel Valley Tribune reports. According to police, a customer noticed the womanlater identified as 38-year-old Mary Grace Trinidadbleeding as she left the restroom of the Subway location in West Covina on Monday morning. The customer went inside and found a newborn crying with the umbilical cord attached, says police Cpl. Rudy Lopez. "The baby was in the toilet," Lopez says. He didn't say whether Trinidad had given birth in the toilet, but the placenta was found in the restroom trash, per KTLA. Trinidad left a trail of blood and was arrested about 20 minutes later in an alley behind a Pep Boys. As a precautionary measure, she was taken to hospitalthe same hospital where the little boy was taken in critical condition, though they were kept apart, CBS Los Angeles reports. Already sought on a drug-related warrant, Trinidad was booked on suspicion of child endangerment and attempted murder. Employees at a nearby restaurant say she was familiar to them and asked for food daily. "Ive done this for 36 years," says Lopez. "I thought I had seen everything. I have no words to describe how Im feeling about this." (Read more Subway stories.) (Newser) A mere 153 years after the Emancipation Proclamation, the US is set to ban the import of goods produced by slaves in other countries. A loophole in the 1930 Tariff Actwhich allows the import of goods made by convict, forced, or indentured labor when domestic production doesn't meet demandwill be closed when President Obama signs legislation this week, reports the New York Times. The move, along with a new seafood-tracking initiative from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, is part of the government's response to reports that much of America's imported seafood is produced by slaves, sometimes child slaves. The amendment passed the House last year and passed the Senate last week with bipartisan support. "I think most Americans were horrified to learn that the fish in the pet food they give to their cats and dogs was being caught by children forced to work on ships against their will," Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown, who co-sponsored the amendment, tells the Times. Beyond seafood, the move is expected to make it easier to fight human rights abuses in industries like the cocoa trade in West Africa. Rights groups can now challenge the use of slave labor without being undermined by "an archaic and outrageous provision of US trade law," a spokesman for amendment co-sponsor Sen. Ron Wyden tells the American Journal of Transportation. (Read more slavery stories.) (Newser) Russia's energy minister said Tuesday his country has agreed with OPEC members Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Venezuela to freeze oil production levels if other producers do the same. The ministry quoted Energy Minister Alexander Novak following an unexpected, closed-door meeting in the Qatari capital of Doha. The Wall Street Journal calls it the "first coordinated move to boost oil prices in years," though there's one hitch: Iran and Iraq must follow suit. The meeting reflects growing concern among major oil producers about a prolonged slump in crude prices. Novak said the countries are willing to freeze output at January levels "if other oil producers join the initiative," but getting other major oil suppliers to go along could be tricky. Prices have fallen sharply since summer 2014, leaving producers scrambling to win market share. Oil prices rose following the meeting, and the Saudi oil minister said that producers would continue to assess the market in the months ahead. All countries at the meeting except Russia are part of OPEC, which has refused to cut its official production targets. The aim of OPEC's keep-pumping strategy: to attempt to ride out the 12-year lows in prices and force higher-cost producers, such as shale drillers in the US, out of the market. A Middle East economist said the new agreement should help support prices, but he noted only some OPEC members have signed on and that compliance with the bloc's own quotas has long been a challenge for the group. Iraqi officials didn't immediately respond to the Journal, while Iran's oil minister said, "It requires discussion and examination." (Read more oil stories.) Flash Russia may deny entry to and block all Ukrainian transports via Russia, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said Monday. The statement was a response to the Ukrainian cabinet's announcement earlier Monday to block Russian cargo vehicles. "Counter measures have been imposed in order to urge the Ukrainian side to deal with the situation. Additional supervisory powers now would be applied to all kinds of transport coming from the territory of Ukraine," Medvedev said at a meeting with his deputies. During the meeting, Deputy Prime Minister Arkady Dvorkovich said that the Ukrainian side had released several trucks from its territory following consultations involving Russia's foreign and transport ministries. "But today...the Ukrainian side has formally decided to stop the movement of Russian trucks on the territory of Ukraine," Dvorkovich said. The Russian Ministry of Transport Sunday started denying entry to cargo trucks registered in Ukraine and has so far blocked 161 Ukrainian trucks in transit on Russian territory, the ministry said Monday in a statement. The ministry added that these measures were not applied to Ukrainian cargo vehicles transiting Russia to Kazakhstan. It noted that unidentified groups of people starting Feb. 11 have blocked more than 100 Russian trucks carrying goods to the European Union (EU) in different Ukrainian regions, while 500 others returning from the EU had been denied entry to Ukraine. Ukrainian authorities did not take any actions to stop the blockade, the ministry said. The situation was complicated by the fact that Russia and Poland had failed to reach a new agreement on the transit of cargo transports, which left only two routes between Europe and Russia -- via Ukraine or via Lithuania by ferry, according to the ministry. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov on Monday also said the transit ban of Russian trucks via Ukrainian territory is contradicting the norms of international law. "We are closely following the situation and proceed from the fact that the Ministry of Transport is undertaking energetic measures to unblock this situation ... adequate response measures will be introduced in case of unfavorable developments," Peskov said. The relationship between the two countries soured after Ukraine's pro-Russia president was forced out by pro-West demonstrations and Russia annexed the Crimea peninsula from Ukraine. Russia has taken a series of restrictive measures against Ukraine, including the suspension of a Russia-Ukraine free trade agreement in response to Kiev joining a free trade zone with the EU. Moscow has also imposed a total ban on imports of agricultural products from Ukraine since Jan. 1. For its part, Kiev has canceled preferential import duties on a range of Russian goods and imposed an embargo on some products made in Russia. (Newser) Seven Americans have recently been freed in separate incidents in Iraq and Bahrain. In Iraq, three Americans who were abducted last month in Baghdad have been freed by the Iraqi intelligence service, three anonymous officials tell the AP. They are now in the custody of the US Embassy in Baghdad. Details are few, but Iraqi authorities had said the three went missing from a "suspicious apartment," and officials both there and in the West suspected a powerful Shiite militia was responsible. In Bahrain, four Americans left the country on a flight Tuesday evening. They had been arrested after entering the country last week, CNN reports. They were suspected of participating in an "illegal gathering," and the AP reports they were journalists in the country to cover the fifth anniversary of a pro-reform uprising. Officials said they failed to register as members of the media upon entering the country, and said one of the Americans had been accused of taking part in attacks on police. The family of Anna Therese Day identified her as one of those arrested, but the other three were not identified. All four were charged, but ordered released while an investigation is completed, apparently after the US Embassy in Manama intervened. Authorities kept their phones and computers. (Read more Iraq stories.) (Newser) The first Arab and African to hold the UN's top position has died. Egyptian Boutros Boutros-Ghali, who served as the UN's secretary general from 1992 to 1996, died Tuesday at a Cairo hospital where he was admitted last week with a broken pelvis, Egypt's state news agency reports, per the AP. He was 93. The president of the UN Security Council confirmed his death during a session Tuesday; all 15 council members honored Boutros-Ghali by standing for a minute of silence. Boutros-Ghaliwho helped broker Egypt's 1979 peace deal with Israel while minister of state for foreign affairsis the only UN secretary-general to serve a single term. After clashing with the Clinton administrationincluding over Israel's shelling of a UN camp in Lebanonthe US blocked his renewal in 1996. He later said Washington used the UN for its own aims. "The Roman Empire had no need for diplomacy. Neither does the United States," Boutros-Ghali wrote in his 1999 book Unvanquished. In 2005, he said the 1994 genocide in Rwanda was "my worst failure at the United Nations," though he blamed the US, Britain, France, and Belgium for making intervention impossible. He was also criticized for the 1995 massacre in Srebrenicathough the New York Times reports he got only a fraction of the peacekeepers he wanted in Bosniaand for corruption in the UN's oil-for-food program for Iraq. Boutros-Ghali went on to serve as secretary general of La Francophonie from 1998 to 2002, per the BBC. In 2004, he was named president of Egypt's human rights council. Fox News reports Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi phoned Boutros-Ghali on Thursday to thank him for his service to Egypt and wish him a fast recovery. (Read more United Nations stories.) (Newser) In what would make for a decent episode of The X-Files, the Chinese government is forcing more than 9,000 residents from their homes in order to better search for alien life in the cosmos. China started work on FASTthe Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical Telescopeback in 2011, Xinhua reports. It's scheduled to be completed this September. But first 9,110 residents living within three miles of the project need to be relocated in order toin the words of one Chinese official"create a sound electromagnetic wave environment." According to the Guardian, such relocations are a "Communist Party specialty," with millions having been moved in recent decades to make room for infrastructure projects. Relocated residents will receive a little more than $1,800 each for their trouble. Once complete, FAST will be the largest radio telescope in the world200 meters greater in diameter than the current biggest in Puerto Rico. One scientist on the project explained its size in terms of wine, for some reason, stating that if FAST were filled with wine, all 7 billion people on Earth could each fill five bottles from it. The Chinese government hopes to use the telescope to look for signs of extraterrestrial life and study the origins of the universe. Its size will make a difficult job slightly easier. "A radio telescope is like a sensitive ear, listening to tell meaningful radio messages from white noise in the universe," the Guardian quotes a FAST scientist as saying. "It is like identifying the sound of cicadas in a thunderstorm. Time reports FAST will cost $180 million. (Maybe we can't find aliens because they don't evolve quickly enough.) (Newser) The Lincoln Memorial will be getting a much-needed facelift in the coming years thanks to an $18.5 million donation from one history-loving philanthropist, CNN reports. "Lincoln deserves to have his memorial in tip-top shape," David Rubenstein tells the AP. The president of the National Park Foundation admits to the Washington Post the nearly 100-year-old memorial has gotten a bit "run-down" since it first opened. The Park Service plans to use the Rubenstein's donation to clean the memorial, fix its roof, update its restrooms, make its exhibit area 20 times larger, restore its murals, and install an elevator to improve access. The restoration project will also allow visitors to see below the monument, where the original builders left charcoal graffiti, including a caricature of President Taft. Im very honored as an American to be able to contribute in this way, the Post quotes Rubenstein during the announcement of his donation Monday. The project is likely to be the biggest renovation to the Lincoln Memorial, which receives 7 million visitors per year, since it opened. In the past, Rubenstein has donated more than $40 million to repair the Washington Monument, US Marine Corps War Memorial, the White House Visitor Center, James Madison's home, and the Arlington House. He even gave $9 million to help the National Zoo keep its pandas. The Park Service currently has $12 billion in repairs it's been putting off. The National Park Foundation expects to raise about $100 million in donations this year. (Read more uplifting news stories.) Michigan health officials are carrying out an investigation on the effect of the lead-poisoned Flint River water on the miscarriage rate in the city. Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha is one of the researchers who are looking into the possible connection between high level of lead exposure in the city's water supply and miscarriages in Flint. She was also the pediatrician who strongly warned residents to stop drinking water after tests yielded positive lead poisoning results. For quite a while, residents were complaining of an unusual smell and taste of the water after the city decided to switch from Detroit-supplied water from Lake Huron to Flint's very own city-treated river water back in 2014. "Lead exposure has maternal-fetal implications and it's been known to cause miscarriages, low-birth-weight babies. We are conducting research, to see if we had higher rates during this water period," explained Dr. Hanna-Attisha in an interview by MLive as quoted by Detroit Free Press. As of this time, it's still premature to come up with conclusions without definite evidence as the Michigan Health Department is still probing deeper into the problem. "It's something that our epidemiologists are looking at, because we know lead can have effects throughout the life course. We have 2013 data up on our website. The 2014 data will be tested soon. We pulled the 2014-2015 data for our epidemiologists to take a look at," said Dr. Jennifer Eisner of the Michigan state Health and Human Services Department as stated in a CNN report. In a separate and related development, Flint city officials are currently under fire for filing false reports regarding the extent of the city's water crisis. According to MLive report, the records submitted by the city to state regulators showed only 8 of 68 sample sites known to have been contaminated with lead which may have seriously underestimated the extent of water contamination in the economically depressed city. George Clooney and Amal Alamuddin showed their activist and humanitarian side as they talked about the refugee crisis in Syria with Germany's leader, Chancellor Angela Merkel in a brief meeting. According to USA Today, the Clooneys were in Germany as they promote his latest film, Hail, Caesar! and were invited for the Berlin Film Festival on Thursday. In their visit, they took advantage of their time to talk to the German leader who has adopted the most number of refugees in all countries in Europe. After the closed door meeting, the A-list actor talked to reporters who mainly asked what is being transpired in their discussion. "...what we can do and what part of this we can talk about in the United States, because you know in the United States we aren't doing enough...We are a little less involved that we should be," he announced. During the press conference, he also voiced his agreement with Merkel's move to welcome a lot of refugees from the Middle East. "I absolutely agree with her," he told the press. As to what he can contribute to the looming Syrian Migrant crisis, he told the media that he is working on a movie about it but is hindered in the aspect of finding the 'right script' for it. "I've struggled to find ways to make a film about Sudan, about Darfur, something very close to me, and which I spend a lot of time on - but I haven't been able to find the proper script. It's hard enough to find a good script for anything, and you don't want to do it badly - because if you do you only get one chance," he said as mentioned in Just Jared. "I spend a lot of my time working on these things. And it's an odd thing to have someone stand up and ask, 'What are you doing about it?" he added. Meanwhile, he also thinks that it is impossible for the US to ban Muslim Americans in the same manner that America would never choose Donald Trump as president, Aaj TV reported. "I always have to caution people when they watch American politics. We go a little crazy during the political season and it's a very long season," he said. Four Americans were arrested in Bahrain during the anniversary of the 2011 uprising for allegedly providing false information that claimed that they were tourists. Bahrain's Interior Ministry said in its statement that three men and one woman were detained on Sunday in the island of Sitrah after some of them "were involved in illegal activities." The statement revealed that one of the Americans was accused of covering up his or her face "with a cloth and participating in attacks on police alongside other rioters in Sitra," CNN reported. One American was reportedly arrested in the riot and the other three were arrested at a checkpoint. The ministry also stated that the Americans appeared to be journalists although none of them had taken the necessary registration steps to be in the country as a part of the media. International journalists wishing to work in Bahrain must get a special media visa before entering the country. Activists have repeatedly stated that the country tends to deny journalists the visas since 2011. The Bahrain News Agency, which is run by the state, said via the Washington Post that the Americans had "been afforded full legal rights in line with the kingdom's procedures and constitution while investigations continue." The Associated Press reported that the four U.S. nationals, who arrived in Bahrain on either Feb. 11 or Feb. 12, were there as journalists. The U.S. embassy in Manama, Bahrain said it is "aware of the arrest" but will not be commenting on it due to privacy concerns. The fighting in Syria does not seem to have abated despite a recent diplomatic understanding reached by the world's major powers on planned truce that would temporarily halt hostilities in Syria and allow humanitarian agencies to distribute aid. In fact, ground offensives by the Assad-led regime bolstered by Russian airstrikes are giving the Syrian military a strategic and tactical upper hand in the battle for Aleppo. As government forces moved closer to encircle the city, tens of thousands of refugees are massing toward the border with Turkey. "Fighting and airstrikes continued elsewhere in the country Sunday, including in rebel-held suburbs of the capital Damascus. Opposition activists reported Syrian army helicopters dropped around 10 barrel bombs on the town of Daraya," the Associated Press reported as quoted in a news story by NPR. As Russian-backed Syrian government forces succeeded in cutting Aleppo off from its supply links in Turkey, hundreds of thousands more will be trapped without basic access to food and medicine. Meanwhile, recent updates confirmed 23 civilians dead including 2 children as missiles hit three medical facilities and a school in two rebel-held Syrian towns as government forces inch even deeper toward Aleppo under the de facto control of fragmented rebel forces. "We have been moving scores of screaming children from the hospital," said medic Juma Rahal as quoted in a report by the Reuters. The US State Department quickly issued a statement of condemnation of the indiscriminate airstrikes resulting to a significant loss of civilian lives. "That the Assad regime and its supporters would continue these attacks...without sufficient regard for international obligations to safeguard innocent lives...casts doubt on Russia's willingness and/or ability to help bring to a stop the continued brutality of the Assad regime against its own people," said the US State Department spokesman John Kirby in an apparent condemnation of Russian-backed Syria missile attacks as mentioned in a CNN report. Fairbanks, AK (99707) Today Snow during the morning will give way to lingering snow showers during the afternoon. Temps nearly steady in the low to mid 30s. Winds light and variable. Chance of snow 70%. 1 to 3 inches of snow expected.. Tonight Cloudy. Low 26F. Winds light and variable. New Delhi : The escalating row over the JNU issue today found an echo at a meeting of political parties called by Prime Minister Narendra Modi with opposition leaders speaking against the sedition case slapped on the arrested student leader and government asserting that slogans raised by students were highly objectionable. The government said it is open to debating the JNU row in Parliament during the upcoming Budget Session starting February 23 with Modi saying that it will address the concerns raised by the opposition. Modi said during the meeting as opposition parties raised a host of issues that he was Prime minister not only of BJP but the entire country, Parliamentary Affairs Minister M Venkaiah Naidu told the media after the over two-hour meeting. Todays parleys were the first-ever meeting of political parties convened by Modi ahead of a Parliament session. We will respond to the issues raised by the opposition and address them... I hope the congenial mood here will be translated into action in Parliament, Modi told the meeting. Naidu said there was a general consensus that Parliament should run smoothly. With BJP targeting Congress over its support to anti-nationals in the JNU row, Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad said his party disassociates with all such students who shouted slogans attacking Indias unity and Constitution but insisted that there was no proof of sedition against Kanhaiya Kumar, the arrested JNU Student Union president. There is no proof of sedition against him, he said. He also hit out at BJP leaders for defaming the party leadership with their anti-national jibe and said the government should restrain them. Azad told the media that the atmosphere in the country has been vitiated since the BJP came to power and its government has taken no action against people responsible for it. Flash Security forces on Monday repelled suicide attacks by Islamic State (IS) militants in western and northern Iraq, security sources said. In Anbar province, police repelled two suicide car bombers on police convoys west of the provincial capital city of Ramadi, which is located some 110 km west of Baghdad, a provincial security source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity. Police opened fire on the attackers and detonated their explosive-laden vehicles, killing the two bombers aboard. Five policemen were killed and a number of others wounded by the huge blasts, the source said. Meanwhile, army helicopter gunships bombarded a building said to be an IS hideout northeast of the town of al-Baghdadi, some 190 km northwest of Baghdad, destroying the building and killing an unspecified number of militants, the source added. In addition, U.S.-led coalition aircraft carried out an airstrike on IS positions at an IS-held village northeast of al-Baghdadi, destroying the positions and five rocket launchers, the source said without giving details about human casualties. Government troops and allied militias have been fighting for months to retake control of key cities and towns in Anbar, Iraq's largest province, from IS militants, who previously seized most of Anbar and tried to advance toward Baghdad. In Iraq's northern province of Nineveh, Kurdish security forces, known as Peshmerga, repelled a pre-dawn attack of four suicide bombers wearing explosive vests, who managed to infiltrate the Kurdish military bases west of the town of Sinjar, about 100 km west of the provincial capital city of Mosul, a provincial security source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity. The Kurdish troops killed the four suicide bombers after heavy clashes inside the military bases, the source said. Mosul, some 400 km north of Baghdad, has been under IS control since June 2014, when Iraqi government forces fled, leaving behind their weapons and posts. New Delhi : Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal activists today staged a protest outside JNU against an event on the campus in support of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru. They shouted slogans and burnt effigies of JNU Vice-Chancellor demanding action against the alleged anti-nationals. However, the protesters were not allowed to march inside the campus by university security and police force deployed outside the University. The Bajrang Dal protesters also demanded that the vice chancellor take action against the teachers who are supporting the agitation of left-leaning students. Meanwhile, protests inside the campus by students and teachers against the varsity administration continued with teachers joining them in boycotting the classes. JNU students union president Kanhaiya Kumar was arrested last week in connection with a case of sedition and criminal conspiracy registered over holding of the event at the varsity during which anti-India slogans were alleged to have been raised. His arrest has triggered widespread outrage among students and teachers and drew severe criticism from non-BJP political parties. Earlier in the day, JNU teachers joined the students in boycotting classes in protest against arrest of its student union leader in a sedition case and said they would take classes on nationalism in the varsity lawns. The students had yesterday gone on an indefinite strike till JNUSU president Kanhaiya is released and the sedition case against him dropped. Teachers bodies of 40 central universities and Pune-based FTII had also come out in support of the agitating students, saying it is an issue of indiscipline and not sedition. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi : Nowadays, what is common between Kashmir and JNU campus? The stark comparisions today can be drawn between the fort-like security and anti-national protests outside the gates. Things will be never be the same in Jawaharlal Nehru University campus where tensions were witnessed last week after the students were charged of sedition charges by government. Not just protests, but even arrests were made- an issue which was questioned by many. JNU Students Union President Kanhaiya Kumar's arrest was the first since the Emergency. Today, the usually open university gates are fortress-like. Police has made the visits limited. Students can be seen protesting on the stairs of the Vice-Chancellor's office while several dignitaries have paid a visit to the troubled University. Some argue that it was not the first time an event was organized to protest the death penalty for Afzal Guru at JNU. However, the clampdown on students last week baffled everybody. Students are at loss to understand the most bizarre fact that is way the government has been trying to link the event with terrorist outfits like Lashkar-e-Taiba and Hafiz Saeed. Many protesters also believe that this is first time right wing has an "edge" over the Left which was never ever asked to prove its credentials of believing in Indian nationalism. However, this time the right to expression has been termed anti-national. With all the drama going at JNU, one often tend to ask if the whole issue is about anti-national vs hyper-national? Also, this comes at a time when the govt could do nothing about what actual terrorists did at Pathankot airbase, but charge students of sedition and anti-national agenda who simply have different view points. One must not forget that a sedition charge is outdated in a liberal democracy. US has already tackled the issue but India on the other hand is still struggling with the issue. Meanwhile, another issue which arises is that Universities should be held accountable for their output and research, not judged on their political ideology or political activism. The faculty and students must not forget that their studies are being funded by taxpayers money. Students please remember that education can bring change in politics but vandalism and hollow ideologies cannot. So please refrain from any politics and concentrate on what you are there to do at JNU. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Los Angeles: Actor Ryan Reynolds has asked his followers to help biggest Deadpool fan Connor McGrath, who is battling cancer. The 39-year-old actor posted a photo of himself with Connor and urged his fans to join him in donating money for the young boys treatment cost, reported E! online. Ladies, gentlemen, boys and girls. This is my friend, Connor McGrath. Hes quite possibly the biggest #Deadpool fan on earth. He was also the first person ever to see the Deadpool film. Like Wade Wilson, Connors trying to put cancer in his rear view mirror. About 6 weeks ago, I traveled to Edmonton Alberta to show Connor the movie at his hospital....Connors the funniest, potty-mouthed Canadian mercenary Ive ever met, Reynolds tweeted. The Green Lantern actor said he loves the boy and hopes his fan will also do so. Hes my friend. I know lots of celebrities jump up and down touting a causeand maybe Im no different. But holy frozen shit-slivers, I love this kid. Hes the GREATEST. And he needs your help to get well. Ive donated to help Connor and I hope you will too, he added. For all the Latest Entertainment News, Hollywood News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi : India today test-fired its indigenously developed Prithvi-II missile, which is capable of carrying 500 kg to 1000 kg of warheads, as part of a user trial by the army from a test range at Chandipur. The missile test was carried out from a mobile launcher from launch complex-3 of the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at about 1000 hrs, defence officials said. With a strike range of 350 km, the surface-to-surface Prithvi-II is capable of carrying 500 kg to 1,000 kg of warheads and is thrusted by liquid propulsion twin engines. It uses advanced inertial guidance system with manoeuvring trajectory to hit its target. The trial data of the missile trial conducted by the specially formed Strategic Force Command (SFC) were being analysed, they said. The missile was randomly chosen from the production stock and the entire launch activities were carried out by the SFC and monitored by the scientists of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) as part of training exercise, a defence scientist said. The missile trajectory was tracked by DRDO radars, electro-optical tracking systems and telemetry stations located along the coast of Odisha. The downrange teams on board the ship deployed near the designated impact point in the Bay of Bengal monitored the terminal events and splashdown, they said. Inducted into Indias armed forces in 2003, Prithvi II, the first missile to be developed by DRDO under Indias prestigious IGMDP (Integrated Guided Missile Development Program) is now a proven technology, they said. Such training launches clearly indicate Indias operational readiness to meet any eventuality and also establishes the reliability of this deterrent component of Indias Strategic arsenal, they said. The last user trial of Prithvi-II was successfully conducted on November 26, 2015 from the same test range in Odisha. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: She is the woman who has been attacked by lions, chased through the woods and knows how to light fire using tampons. Yes! This is Megan Hine, a survivor, an expedition guide and one of Bear Grylls (the hero of tactics) survival consultants. She is good at a number of things, she knows how to abseil, climb, which bugs to eat, also she can catch fish with her bare hands. There have been times when she and her companion were about to be attacked by a lion, it was the weirdest feeling, Megan told to an English newspaper. I was just watching these creatures and my senses, my muscles, were so tight. I was ready to fight for my life. Hine met Grylls in 2007 when she had moved to the Swiss Alps to run an outdoor programme for a school. There she had been running survival expeditions during school holidays and it was then she got in touch with Grylls and his team. Since childhood Hine had a penchant for outdoors as her father was a geologist and the family holidays were spent holidaying in hiking, climbing mountains and exploring forests. From her travel diary, Hine also shared some of her experiences enlisting the cultural differences of the places she visited. Some places are women-friendly, people are hardly bothered by a foreign presence but there have been times when being a woman guide, expeditionist is a real challenge. This is not all about her that can compile her story, Grylls once also said she was stronger than 99% of the men he knew. Peshawar: A 31-year-old Indian national, who had gone missing in Pakistan in 2012, has been sentenced to three years in prison by a military court for espionage. Hamid Nehal Ansari was convicted on Sunday by the military court in Kohat, a city in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, and was shifted to Peshawar Central Prison, a jail spokesman said. He has a right to appeal under the Pakistan Army Act. India had sought consular access for Ansari, an engineer, and asked Pakistan to ensure his safety and security. According to Dawn, Ansari has confessed to illegally entering Pakistan from Afghanistan for espionage. He had seven Facebook accounts as well as around 30 email addresses. He was reportedly found to be in possession of sensitive documents, it claimed. Over three years after Ansari went missing in Pakistan where he had allegedly gone to meet a girl he had befriended on the Internet, authorities last month admitted that he has been in army custody and facing a trial in military courts. In light of the information, a two-member bench had on January 13 disposed off a habeas corpus petition filed by Fauzia Ansari, the convicts mother, against his alleged illegal detention. Court had asked the government to respond to the petition by Fauzia on the whereabouts of her son. In response, Military Intelligence Directorate intimated that Ansari was in military custody and is being tried by a military court. Ansari, a Mumbai resident, was taken into custody by police and Intelligence Bureau (IB) officials in Kohat, about 70 kms from here, in November 2012. Ever since, his whereabouts were unknown. Ansaris mother claimed he was in touch with some Pakistani friends who had suggested him to cross into Pakistan from Afghanistan without a visa. She claimed that he had befriended a Pakistani woman through social media and had gone to Pakistan to meet her. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Washington: Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump has threatened to sue his rival Ted Cruz over his eligibility to serve in the White House unless he receives an apology from the Texas Senator for spreading lies about the real estate tycoons record. Ted Cruz is a totally unstable individual. He is the single biggest liar Ive ever come across, in politics or otherwise, and I have seen some of the best of them. His statements are totally untrue and completely outrageous, Trump said, days ahead of South Carolinas pivotal Republican primary. In a statement, Trump, 69, threatened to take legal action against Cruz for him being born in Canada and not in the US. The businessman ordered Cruz to retract statements about his past inconsistencies on abortion rights and other social issues. Trump also demanded that the senator from Texas take down advertisements attacking him. It is hard to believe a person who proclaims to be a Christian could be so dishonest and lie so much, he said. Cruz has become unhinged and is lying with the hopes that his statements will go unchecked until after the election and he will save his failing campaign, Trump alleged. If Ted is going to continue to lie with such desperation, I have no choice but to fight back, he adding that one of the ways he can fight back is to bring a lawsuit against him relative to the fact that he was born in Canada and therefore cannot be President. If he doesnt take down his false ads and retract his lies, I will do so immediately, Trump said. Cruz, 45, fired back, claiming that he is simply pointing out Trumps actual positions. You cannot simply scream liar when someone points out your actual positions, he tweeted. The Texas Senator said he wont engage in personal attacks, but will continue to focus on his competitors records, policies and vision. The Florida Senator Marco Rubio also attacked Cruz and accused him of lying. Senator Cruz will say or do anything to win an election including employing underhanded tactics and making charges against all his opponents that he knows are outright lies. America cant afford more politicians like Ted Cruz who will easily sacrifice principle for political gain, said Joe Pounder, Rubio spokesman. Cruz insisted that the election is about vetting the candidates. It is not being honest or candid for either Marco Rubio or Donald Trump to pretend that their records are different than what they are and simply to yell and scream at anyone who points to the words that have come out of their own mouths, he said. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: A two-year-old Nigerian boy was rescued after his family threw him out because they thought he was a witch. The harrowing pictures show the two-year-old emaciated Hope riddled with worms. He was forced to live off scraps of food thrown to him by passersby for eight months. The boy was rescued by Anja Ringgren Loven, a Danish woman living in Africa who is the founder of African Children's Aid Education and Development Foundation. The Foundation helps neglected children disowned by their families after being labelled as witches. The horrendous practice is so common that sometimes the kids are being killed by the community. When Loven found Hope, she bent down and fed him. She then wrapped the boy in a blanket and took him to the nearest hospital. Loven in Danish wrote on Facebook, "Thousands of children are being accused of being witches and we've both seen torture of children, dead children and frightened children." She also made an appeal for donations to help the young boy. Hope was taken to Lovens medical centre he was given medical care to remove worms from his belly. The strong little boy even plays with her son and is recovering well, she said. Within two days of asking medical fees, , she received $1 million in donations from around the world. Hope was rescued by Loven after being found abandoned The boy was given medical care Hope was bathed as there were worms in his belly Hope's condition is stable now Loven with Hope in the medical center For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Tech giant Apple is all set to open its first center in India. The center, which will be opened in the city of Hyderabad, will be Apples first center outside United States. Many see this as a move associated with Prime Minister Narendra Modis Digital India success. However, others say that this is a mere result of Apple increased user base in India. The US based company is all set to bring more jobs which will give an economical push to countrys tech sector. "We've been investing to expand our operations in India and are thrilled to have passionate customers and a vibrant developer community across the country. We are looking forward to opening a new development office in Hyderabad that will be home to over 150 Apple employees supporting maps development. The office will also have space for many contractors who will support our ambitious efforts locally." A leading news portal quoted Apple as confirming the news. The company is also set to bring its own-branded stores to come to India. The confirmation for this recently came from none other than the company's CEO Tim Cook. At a recent town hall with Apple executives, Cook reportedly said that Apple is in early preparations to bring its retail stores to the country. New Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has been slammed once again on Twitter for a cartoon he tweeted on Tuesday. Kejriwal landed into trouble after he tweeted a cartoon made by a well-known cartoonist and it was published in a leading English daily on Tuesday. The cartoon depicts the way issues are deflected by the politicians. It also shows an arsonist with fire on his tail saying, "Done Sir. All attention is on JNU" to PM Narendra Modi. This way the arsonist is seen diverting all the attention from fire at Make In India venue to JNU row. Kejriwal tweeted the cartoon to prove his point, however, things took a U-turn and he drew criticism for allegedly insulting Lord Hanuman. In Ramayana, Hanuman had set Ravans Lanka ablaze with the fire on his tail. Right-wing supporters are now slamming Kejriwal, comparing the arsonist to Hanuman. Here are some responses: Do you have courage to post similar cartoon insulting Prophet Mohammad or even a simple cartoon #KejriwalInsultsHanuman Vishwas Saraswat (@saraswatvo) February 16, 2016 Strict Action should be taken against ArvindKejriwal #KejriwalInsultsHanuman Harsh Agnihotri (@HarshAgni2) February 16, 2016 Some people are working hard to "Make INDIA" and in other hand people are working hard to "break India" .#KejriwalInsultsHanuman Nilesh kumar choubey (@nilchoubey) February 16, 2016 Filed complaint agnst @ArvindKejriwal for his derogatory twitter post on Lord Hanuman #KejriwalInsultsHanuman pic.twitter.com/fJwb7v15Ww Karunasagar K (@karunasagarllb) February 16, 2016 #KejriwalInsultsHanuman to be clear not just 'insults', he is a pure hindu hater..hates our culture, our gods, our nation #naxalite Utkarsh Singh (@Libertypical) February 16, 2016 Only BJPian can dare to slap a naxali shouting anti-India slogans while AAPtards chose to bang with naxalis in bed.#KejriwalInsultsHanuman Destroy Naxali #JNU (@ArvindLaluwal) February 16, 2016 #KejriwalInsultsHanuman :: Delhi CM @ArvindKejriwal must apologise unconditionally for mocking India & insulting Hanumanji Arvind Gupta (@buzzindelhi) February 16, 2016 For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Flash The European Union (EU) on Monday said it would not extend the restrictive measures against 170 Belarusian individuals including Belarussian President Alexander Lukashenko, and three companies whose listings are currently suspended, ending most sanctions against Belarus. However, according to a council conclusion on Belarus issued after an EU foreign ministers' meeting, it said the EU foreign ministers further agreed that "the arms embargo and the restrictive measures related to the four individuals listed in connection with the unresolved disappearances of two opposition politicians, one businessman and one journalist, will be extended for a period of twelve months." The conclusion said the EU Foreign ministers acknowledged the steps taken by Belarus over the last two years that have contributed to improving EU-Belarus relations, such as the proactive participation of Belarus in the Eastern Partnership. "The Council remains open to the further development of EU-Belarus relations, and to taking further steps to enhance political relations and sectoral cooperation in the appropriate context," it said. At the same time, the council remains concerned with the situation of human rights in Belarus and recalls that EU-Belarus relations should be based on common values, especially respect for human rights, democracy and the rule of law. The latest decision was made four months after the EU announced in October 2015 to suspend for four months the asset freeze and travel ban applying to 170 individuals and the asset freeze applying to three entities in Belarus. The EU side said that the release of all the remaining political prisoners on Aug. 22 last year by Belarus was a long sought step that the EU had consistently called for. In response to the releases and the presidential elections in last October that were held in an environment free from violence, and taking into consideration the overall state of EU-Belarus relations, the council agreed in October 2015 on a four-month suspension of most of the restrictive measures. The EU has long been committed to a policy of "critical engagement" with Belarus In January 2011, the EU decided to target its restrictions against those responsible for "violation of international electoral standards in the presidential elections or the crackdown on civil society and the democratic opposition" in Belarus. The criteria were then expanded in January 2012 to also target those responsible for actions such as "serious violations of human rights" in Belarus. Concerning the ties, Lukashenko always says that Belarus is open to equal cooperation and friendship with the West, including the United States and the EU, if they wish so. Melbourne: Married for nearly 81 years, an Indian-origin couple, both aged 99 who have taken part in Indias freedom struggle, have been awarded New Zealands longest- married couple by a group, media reports said today. Auckland couple Jeram Ravji and Ganga Ravji, who will turn 100 in May and June respectively, will be celebrating their 81st wedding anniversary in two months. Jeram and Ganga were born in India on May 4, 1916 and June 6, 1916 respectively. The couple, whose family includes six children, 15 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren all living in Auckland, were betrothed at the age of six in India and married at the age of 19. They were felicitated by Family First NZ, a Christian lobby group. Ganga said her husband was imprisoned for 10 months after joining Mahatma Gandhis freedom struggle and fighting against the rule of the British government, NZ Herald reported. She was often beaten up by police during her husbands time as a freedom fighter to try to get information from her about her husband, she said. Ganga said that the key to a good marriage was to learn to make sacrifices and to take the good with the bad. (The advice) we would give to our children if they had difficulties with their marriage would be you have to work hard, you have to have tolerance - thats the most important part, tolerance, Ganga said while speaking to the Herald through her daughter Bhanu Daji. The Ravjis said they love each other just as much now as they always have. He moved to New Zealand in 1928 when he was 11, five years after the pair became betrothed at age six in 1922. They married at 19 and lived as a family in New Zealand from 1953, first in Whanganui before moving to Auckland in 1981. Although we can only go on the nominations made, we are pretty sure that the Ravjis are New Zealands longest-married couple. As part of their award from Family First NZ, they will have a professional photo sitting with their extended family which includes 6 children, 15 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren all living in Auckland. The last family photo was 10 years ago at their 90th birthday celebrations, Family First New Zealand Director Bob McCoskrie said. Despite fighting the British rule in India, Ravjis said they were looking forward to receiving their letter from the Queen when they turn 100 this year. Kiev: Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko today asked Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk to stand down in the face of the governments perceived failure to fight endemic corruption and overcome its deep economic crisis. Poroshenkos dramatic intervention came as opinion polls showed growing public disenchantment with the pro-Western team that took over the leadership of the former Soviet nation after the 2014 revolt. Parliament was already considering today holding a vote of no confidence in the government after first listening to Yatsenyuk account for his 2015 performance and plans for this year. A stony-faced Yatsenyuk arrived in parliament just moments after the presidents statement was released. He did not directly address Poroshenkos request during his prepared remarks but could be forced to tackle the issue during a parliamentary question and answer session. We will accept any decision of this parliament, Yatsenyuk said. But regardless what is decided, I ask parliament, the president and the responsible political classes to move further along the path of reforms. Poroshenko himself said the current cabinet had lost the publics trust and support. It is not clear that successful reforms can only be conducted by a government that enjoys sufficiently high public support? Poroshenko said in a statement. In order to restore trust, therapy is no longer enough you need surgery. Poroshenko said all four parties that comprise parliaments current pro-Western coalition should take part in a complete cabinet reshuffle. Any Yatsenyuk resignation must still be approved by parliamenta step that is likely considering the level of lawmakers dissatisfaction with the current cabinet. But the governments collapse could jeopardise the delivery of a massive IMF-led rescue package aimed at reviving Ukraines shattered economy and putting it on a course toward sustainable growth. Yatsenyuk was a passionate foe of Russia who endeared himself to the West by promoting belt-tightening measures that were promised but ignored by a succession of preceding leaders. But the 41-year-old former bankers vows to clean up the government by cutting its ties to tycoons soon fell flat with voters who accused him of backing the interests of the very billionaires he had vowed to sideline. (AFP) For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Islamabad: Pakistan will soon ask India to allow its team of investigators probing the Pathankot terror attack to visit the site of the assault, the countrys Interior Minister said today. We will soon ask India to let our special investigation team experts to visit Pathankots attack place, Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan told reporters in Taxila near here. Khan said the officials who were part of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) have held several meetings. The SIT was set up by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif last month to work on the leads provided by India on the involvement of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) militants from Pakistan in the attack. Pakistan officials say the planned visit to Pathankot will help in the completion of the probe. Sharif had said last month that the investigation into the Pathankot incident is underway and we will make its findings public soon. Prime Minister Sharif had formed the six-member investigation team headed by Additional Inspector General of Punjabs Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) Rai Tahir to probe Indias assertion that JeM was behind the January 2 Pathankot attack. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Countries with the most liberal marijuana laws Although many countries around the world are changing their strict marijuana laws, consumption and possession of marijuana is still illegal in most countries around the world. This is because of the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs of 1961, which was an international treaty to prohibit the production and supply of narcotic drugs, except under license. Drug laws and enforcement varies enormously all over the world, however, several countries around the globe have very liberal drug policies. In a handful of countries, marijuana is fully legal. Countries where marijuana is legal Uruguay: Uruguay is the first country in the world to fully legalize the possession, selling, transportation and cultivation of marijuana. However, legal buyers in Uruguay must be 18 years or older and the market is regulated. In addition to retail sales, Uruguays citizens (and legal residents) will be permitted to cultivate up to six marijuana plants per household. Netherlands: Marijuana is legal in the Netherlands, up to 5 grams. It is decriminalized for public use and sold openly in coffee-shops in Amsterdam and other Dutch cities. USA: Although marijuana is still illegal at federal level, it is legal in 23 US states for medical use and legal in 4 states for recreational use. Spain: Consumption by adults privately is legal. Cultivating your own marijuana plants for personal consumption is legal, but these plants must be kept out of public places, out of the public eye. Selling and trading cannabis is still illegal. Columbia: Marijuana is legal to possess, up to 22 grams. A maximum of 20 plants may be cultivated for personal consumption. Germany: In Germany marijuana is legal if permission is granted by the Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices. The laws are rather confusing, for example in the city of Berlin, people are allowed to carry 15 grams of cannabis, but in other states, the limit is between 6 to 10 grams. As time goes on, doubtless many more countries will decriminalize cannabis, or at least relax their laws eventually. There are quite a few countries where cannabis is technically illegal, but where law enforcement is fairly tolerant when it comes to possession and consumption, especially for medical use. Countries open to the possibility of legalization include Equador, Jamaica, Argentina and India. Argentina looks primed to reclassify marijuana as a legal substance in the not-too-distant future. In India, marijuana has been widely used for thousands of years and, not surprisingly, Indians are open to the possibility of legalization. In South Africa, the illegality of marijuana is an issue that will soon to be brought to the Constitutional Court in that land. Sources: Wikipedia.org Cheatsheet.com CNN.com Submit a correction >> Experts: China still lacks the capability to invade Taiwan, but that is changing (NationalSecurity.news) Despite threats to take Taiwan by force if the government there ever formally declared itself an independent nation, China does not have the capacity to actually invade the island yet. That was the conclusion of a panel of experts speaking recently at the Atlantic Council in Washington, D.C., in response to the election of a new president and legislature on Taiwan that is viewed as pro-independence. Speaking at the Atlantic Council, Thomas L. McNaugher, a professor at The Georgetown University, noted that while the Chinese navy possesses some amphibious assault capability, mustering enough resources to invade Taiwan would be an extremely dicey operation because the military is still dominated by the army. In addition, he noted, the Chinese have had no recent experience in that, or any other kind of, warfare, USNI News reported. Right now, theyre capable of moving about two divisions at a time over water, he said in response to a question. But theyre working on overcoming those limitations, he added. A member of the councils Brent Scowcroft Center on International Security, Roger Cliff, added that despite Beijings 600-percent increase in real-term defense spending over the past two decades, important weaknesses remain in Chinese technology, logistics, training and organization. One example he utilized was the maintenance of field gear. Such gear has to be sent back to the factory for maintenance and repair, Cliff said, which would make sustained operations difficult if not impossible. He also said China suffered from shortfalls in aerial refueling and underway naval replenishment. Since 1995 China has changed its military doctrine from positional warfare after launching missiles in a bid to intimidate Taiwan, which China still claims is a renegade province to a strategy based on surprise, deception and indirection like what the U.S. military employed during Desert Storm. However, the military still features a strong centralized political structure that does not encourage risk-taking or creativity, but puts an emphasis on loyalty and obedience, Cliff noted. Following Chinas bid to intimidate Taiwan 20 years ago, which was holding its first presidential elections, the Clinton administration dispatched two U.S. aircraft carriers into those waters, which were not detected by China. Though Taiwan has no defense treaty with the U.S., following official recognition of the Peoples Republic of China during the Nixon administration, Congress passed the Taiwan Relations Act which, in part, permits U.S. arms sales to the island. Should there be an actual cross-strait conflict, however, Cliff said that Chinas numerical superiority in arms and manpower could make up for organizational shortcomings. The question is still out there whether China would ever try to reunify Taiwan by force, said Tiffany Ma, the Scowcroft centers director of political and security affairs. One deciding factor might be that Beijings leaders no longer see time is on their side and/or inattention on the part of the U.S. In fact, that inattention is really the poison here. Taiwans incoming administration, led by Tsai Ing-wen, has not increased rhetoric with the mainland but intends to continue its defense buildup, she said. McNaugher added, based on what has happened in Hong Kong since the British government gave it back to China the Taiwanese do not want to go back to China especially since the islands economy is booming. A December report [PDF] by the Congressional Research Service on Chinas emerging naval capabilities said that experts believe Chinas naval modernization effort is oriented toward developing capabilities for doing the following: addressing the situation with Taiwan militarily, if need be; asserting or defending Chinas territorial claims in the South China Sea and East China Sea; enforcing Chinas view that it has the right to regulate foreign military activities in its 200-mile maritime exclusive economic zone (EEZ); defending Chinas commercial sea lines of communication (SLOCs); displacing U.S. influence in the Western Pacific; and asserting Chinas status as a leading regional power and major world power. Further, the report noted that Chinas naval modernization encompasses a broad array of platform and weapon acquisition programs that includes anti-ship missiles, submarines and surface ships, aircraft and C4ISR systems (command and control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance). Chinas naval modernization effort also includes improvements in maintenance and logistics, doctrine, personnel quality, education and training, and exercises, the report said. See also: USNI News NaturalNews Submit a correction >> Minnesota school bans St. Valentines Day as administrators are filled with terror at thought of offending Muslims If you would have told anyone 35 or older several years ago that an elementary school in the heartland of America would ban Valentines Day and other dominant holidays for any reason, you probably would have just shook your head and wrote the person off as a loony tune. And yet, thats exactly what happened a few short weeks ago in the run-up to one of the most fun holidays for children (and for adults). As reported by the Washington Times, none of the young pupils at the Bruce Vento Elementary School in St. Paul, Minnesota, were not able to exchange paper valentines and candies last week because the politically correct Leftist running the school that would be Principal Scott Masini deemed the celebration no longer inclusive enough. The other holidays that will no longer be observed include Thanksgiving, Christmas and Halloween. In a letter addressed to families, Masini said my personal feeling is we need to find a way to honor and engage in holidays that are inclusive of our student population. The letter, which was sent just a few weeks before Valentines Day, continued, I have come to the difficult decision to discontinue the celebration of the dominant holidays until we can come to a better understanding of how the dominant view will suppress someone elses view. One of the concerns that I have, Masini noted, is whether or not this practice is encroaching on the educational opportunities of others and threatening the culture of tolerance and respect for all. Im struggling with this and I dont know what the right answer is. But, what I do know is celebrating some holidays and not others is not inclusive of all of the students we serve, he wrote. Increasingly, the right answer from Leftist worshipers of PC is to just ban something, and always something that is traditional to American culture, in deference to others who are not Americans but are in America and are [allegedly] here to absorb and assimilate American culture. It has not spread to all schools Not all public school administrators have drank the Marxist kool aid, however. As the Minneapolis Star Tribune reported: Thomas R. Scarice, the superintendent of Madison Public Schools in Connecticut, promotes celebrating holidays in schools while remaining inclusive. Children are predisposed to have fun, and once we take those opportunities away, learning suffers, Scarice said. While being sensitive to backgrounds of all different folks, I think school should be a place that children want to run into every morning rather than run out of out of every day at 3 p.m. But clearly the trend is away from American cultural traditions so that, in another century, many of them will probably disappear altogether. Think not? Consider that 50, 40, 20, even 10 years ago this kind of stupidity wasnt even on the cultural radar. Thats because back then we still expected those who were fortunate enough to emigrate to the United States to bring their culture with them, but to be expected to learn ours as well and adopt it as their own. When in Rome do as the Romans do. Noted columnist Pamela Geller on her web site: No other country other than Western ones strip away their traditions, holidays, customs and cultural mores to suit their immigrant populations. Moves like those made by Masini and others of his ilk are actually the opposite of being thoughtful, rather, they are reckless and pave the way for grave cultural consequences for our country. Shes right, of course. Try moving 100 Christian students into a 300-person school in any Muslim-dominant country and demand an end to the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha, in deference to Christmas, and see how that works out. But there is also this: Ethnicism and racism. These hatreds are taught to children by adults PC adherents like Masini, and likely some of the parents of kids who go to his school. Banning American cultural traditions and holidays makes little minds believe they are inherently bad and unworthy; as they grow into young adults they will continue to believe as much, because theyve been taught to believe it through the actions of those over them. Banning American traditions and culture is not inclusiveness its exclusiveness. Sources: Washington Times Minneapolis Star Tribune Pamela Geller Submit a correction >> This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate It started with a pair or friends looking to bring their outdoor games inside during cold Connecticut winters. Now Mike Cheshire, who now lives in Sandy Hook, and Tom Aiezza, of Farmington, have taken their business that makes finger-sized flying discs called Flickerz home from California with an eye on new product lines and expanded reach. The whole genesis was about how can we throw a Frisbee inside and not break a lamp, Cheshire said. We designed it so its light enough to be used indoors, and we do get positive feedback from moms on that count. Cheshire and Aiezza were friends growing up in Farmington, and reconnected years later in Los Angeles. Aiezza, who has worked in the music industry, and Cheshire, who had been a hotel manager, used their childhood flying disc idea as a test case during Cheshires progress toward an MBA. It was the perfect way for us to apply all these ideas and make them a reality, Cheshire said. The result was a company called Jungo Toys, with Cheshire and Aiezza the only full-time employees and their savings providing all the early investment. Flickerz products have been on store shelves for several years, but with the move back east, which they undertook for a variety of reasons, the pair has bigger things in mind. This is really phase two of our operation, Cheshire said. If this catches on, well roll out all the other stuff we envision that will go along with it, including a line of accessories and complementary products. Over the weekend, the pair took their product to Toy Fair in New York, one of the industrys largest showcases. Tuesday, Flickerz will be featured on the website The Grommet, which highlights one new product every day. Flickerz are manufactured at Accumold Technologies, a Bridgeport plastics company that was carefully scouted before it was chosen to make the discs. Theyre very flexible, and theyre right down the road, Aiezza said, adding that the ability to produce Flickerz in large numbers was key. This is a high-volume item. Theyre collectible. We hope to be producing millions of them annually in the future, Aiezza said, adding the production levels are currently in the hundreds of thousands of units. And theyre looking beyond the basics. At first, we werent thinking about merchandizing because we were so caught up in how to produce it the right way, Aiezza said. Weve learned a lot from our retailer relationships on the importance of how something should look on a shelf. Its much easier to have a display with six items to sell than one. The flying disc market dates back to Kossuth Street in Bridgeport in 1871 with the opening of the Frisbie Pie Co., whose tins gave rise to a game when they were tossed around by Yale students on the New Haven Green, according to the World Flying Disc Federation. Today, the Frisbee brand is owned by Wham-O and is part of a sprawling industry that includes high-performance projectiles and even professional leagues. For all that, Flickerz discs have carved out a niche of their own with their diminutive size and long flight capabilities. Once we had fulfilled the indoor aspect part, we wanted to take the distance thing to another level, to make it usable outside and also high performance, Aiezza said. We sought out the help of engineers that gave us incredible insight, and now they can fly over 100 feet. Its less than 2 inches in diameter. For that scale, its really quite remarkable. Even as the company grows, with contracted sales representatives around the country, the owners have resisted seeking large-scale investment. Its been funded by Tom and myself, Cheshire said. As weve grown weve taking some investments from friends and family, but nothing major from an outsider. If growth continues, thats likely to change. We are looking at a point in time when that will become a reality, he said. A lot of this has been about laying the groundwork. Bringing the flying disc back to its Connecticut roots has special meaning for the pair. Its continuing to evolve, Aiezza said. We think of it as a new spin on an old classic. hbailey@ctpost.com; 203-330-6233; @hughsbailey This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Icy road conditions have made for a treacherous commute Tuesday morning with dozens of accidents, including a tractor-trailer accident that has shut down northbound I-95 in the West Haven/New Haven area. There are scores of accidents and numerous spinouts reported across southwest Connecticut including on the Merritt Parkway and the Route 8/25 connector in Bridgeport. There was also a pile-up crash involving up to six vehicles on the northbound Route 25 Exit 7 off-ramp onto the Merritt Parkway. The worst conditions were about 20 miles inland and on hilly terrain because temperatures were below freezing this morning. The road surface on the I-95 corridor remains generally wet, but shoulders and entrance/exit ramps remain slick. UPDATE: 8:50 AM That earlier southbound, three-vehicle accident in Stamford is causing huge traffic problems with traffic crawling in the teens for nearly 10 miles. Two lanes are closed between Exits 9 and 10. No word when the lanes will reopen. UPDATE: 8:41 AM Trouble spots remain at: Southbound Route 8 in the Valley from Ansonia to Shelton. Route 15, both directions, from New Haven to Hamden. UPDATE: 8:29 AM Still huge northbound traffic delays between Milford and New Haven from earlier TT accident. Check out the LIVE cams: Exit 43 West Haven. Exit 42 West Haven Exit 46 in New Haven. State Police say tow trucks are on the scene to remove the truck away. UPDATE: 8:23 AM A three-vehicle southbound accident on I-95 has shut down two lanes between Exits 10 and 9 in Stamford. UPDATE: 8:13 AM Places to avoid with the worst accidents and delays: Northbound I-95 between Milford and New Haven. Northbound Route 15 (Wilbur Cross Parkway) from Orange to Hamden. Southbound traffic in this area is also a mess. Southbound Route 8 from Ansonia to Exit 12 in Shelton. UPDATE: 8:08 AM More accidents being reported ... Northbound on the Merritt at Exit 34 (Long Ridge Road) in Stamford. Southbound on I-95 at Exit 22 in Fairfield. Its causing traffic slowdowns in the area. UPDATE: 7:51 AM Report of a jack-knifed tractor-trailer on eastbound I-84, near Exit 2 in Danbury. UPDATE: 7:43 AM In Trumbull, the Exit 7 north off ramp is closed because of a several-vehicle crash. UPDATE: 7:36 AM With the temperature now at 50 degrees along the I-95 corridor in southwest Connecticut, no icy problems on the highway. Problems remain on secondary roads because the ground is still cold. We still recovering from earlier crashes that happened when temps were below freezing. UPDATE: 7:25 AM That earlier NB Wilbur Cross Parkway near Exit 61 in Hamden is causing miles of delays back to Orange. UPDATE: 7:23 AM The worst traffic problems in the state are in the New Haven area with NB still closed near Exit 44 in West Haven from earlier TT crash. NB delays stretch several miles to Milford. Also, three southound lanes are closed on I-91 in New Haven, just before the merge with I-95. UPDATE: 7:20 AM All Route 8 crashes have been cleared; some lingering delays. UPDATE: 7:11 AM Taking the northbound Wilbur Cross? Theres now a crash at Exit 61 in Hamden thats backing up traffic. UPDATE: 7:08 AM Southbound Merrit Parkway in good shape with usual congestion between Trumbull and Westport. UPDATE: 7:05 AM Route 8 improving; NB Seymour crash cleared, but SB problems remain with crashes near Exit 12 in Shelton and Exit 7 in Trumbull. UPDATE: 6:56 AM Apart from the usual southbound congestion, I-95 is in good shape from Milford to Greenwich. The road is just wet. UPDATE: 6:54 AM Fairfield PD closing Samp Mortar Road at Black Rock Turnpike because of icy conditions and a couple of accidents. UPDATE: 6:53 AM Those heading up toward Hartford on I-84 east will encounter a few accidents along the way that will lengthen travel time. Accidents now reported in New Britain and West Hartford. UPDATE: 6:41 AM Rough day for Route 8 commuters; another accident at SB Exit 7 in Trumbull. Its causing delays back to the Merritt. UPDATE: 6:39 AM That earlier accident northbound accident near Route 8 Exit 22 is now causing big delays. Still SB delays on Route 8 in Shelton from earlier Exit 12 crash. UPDATE: 6:34 AM No reported problems on I-84 between Danbury and Waterbury. UPDATE: 6:31 AM The northbound Merritt Parkway between Orange and Woodbridge is extremely slick with speeds crawling in the teens. UPDATE: 6:28 AM The southbound right lane of Route 8 in Shelton is closed at Exit 12 because of an accident. In Seymour, there is another Route 8 accident northbound at Exit 22. UPDATE: 6:25 AM Fairfield police Samp Mortor Road is a sheet of ice. DPW enroute to sand the road. UPDATE: 6:13 AM Local roads remain extremely slick with some reported to be a sheet of ice. Sidewalks and driveways are also slippery. With temperatures climbing and crews treating roads, slick conditions will start to decrease. UPDATE: 6:04 AM State Police say there are numerous reports of flying missles from vechicles that have not been cleared of snow and ice. Freezing rain on top of ice has made the problem even worse. Give yourself extra distance behind vehicles. UPDATE: 6 AM I-95 northbound remains closed between Exits 44 and 46 in New Haven because of an overturned tractor-trailer. The accident was reported at 3:20 AM. There is also a multi-car accident on southbound Route 8/25, on the Bridgeport/Trumbull border. SHERMAN A single-family home hit by a fire Saturday night is a total loss, said Chad Beatty, assistant chief of the Sherman Volunteer Fire Department. The cause of the fire on Deer Hill Road was under investigation Monday, but it was still not clear how many people lived in the house. No one was home when the fire broke out about 9:15 p.m. Howard Kingsnorth A city in Spain was about to award one of its employees with a commemorative plaque for 20 years of service when officials realized the civil worker hadn't showed up at his job for six years. Joaquin Garcia, 69, continued to collect his $41,000 salary from the city of Cadiz and now he faces a $30,000 fine, the Independent reports. Most of us know a lot about the big presidents -- Washington, FDR, Lincoln and Kennedy. But what about those lesser-known presidents in the middle of our young history that we often don't think about? If youre not a historian, but wondering what there might be to learn from perhaps the 19th president of the United States, heres your chance. Here are three of the lesser-known presidents in American history that every entrepreneur could still learn a lesson from today. Related: Lessons in Persuasion From the Most Celebrated American Presidents The original disruptive marketer: William Harrison, ninth president, 1841. Here are a couple of cool things about President Harrison that you may not know. He was president for only 32 days, making him the shortest serving commander-in-chief in U.S. history. Harrison died of pneumonia in the White House, making him not only the shortest-serving president, but also the first to die in office. But its not his length of service or death that are interesting, its his bid for office. Harrison's political opponents ran a smear campaign against him and his age, 68. They made him out to be an out-of-touch old fogey who would rather "sit in his log cabin, drinking hard cider" than serve as an influential or capable president. Harrison proved himself to be a clever old fogey, however, and outsmarted his competitors in a total Don Draper advertising move -- adopting the log cabin and hard cider as his personal campaign symbols. Harrison even commissioned bottles of hard cider to be made for his campaign that were shaped like log cabins. Talk about some cool old-school swag. So what can you learn from Harrisons life? Harrison may have been one of the first disruptive marketers. He took the arrows others were flinging against him and adopted them as symbols of his marketing. Thats pretty brilliant. Instead of denying what your competition is throwing your way, how can you make yourself in on the joke and transform those challenges into opportunities? Related: 10 Inspirational Presidential Quotes He wrote the book on getting back on the horse: Rutherford B. Hayes, 19th president, 1877-1881. Hayes was a soldier before he was president. Like so many military officials who would later go on to be president, Hayes showed courage and bravery under fire. During the Civil War, Hayes was shot and wounded five times. Thats not all. Hayes literally had the horses shot out from underneath him on four separate occasions in battle and lived. What can you learn from President Hayes (other than not to be his horse)? Get back up. When your entrepreneurial plans feel like its being shot to hell, just remember good ol' President Hayes. The saying goes to get back on the horse, whether you caused the fall or your plans got shot out from underneath you. Start over and over again until you achieve your big vision. The earliest early adopter: William McKinley, 25th president, 1897-1901. McKinley has the unfortunate designation of being one of the few presidents to ever be assassinated in office. For such a sad designation, hes hardly remembered today by the general public. However, beyond his death in office, there are some pretty unique things about McKinley that every entrepreneur will want to remember and emulate. Before his untimely death six months into his second term, this guy was a lover and early adopter of technology. He was the first U.S. president to use a car and the first to use a telephone to campaign. Also, McKinleys inauguration was the first to be caught on film. What can you learn from McKinleys life? Being an early adopter gives you a competitive edge. Thanks to his progressive acceptance and use of the technology of his day, McKinley will be remembered for some of the countrys firsts with technology. Keeping ahead of todays trends and practicing early adoption could make your legacy last. Related: 4 Leadership Lessons From Abraham Lincoln Related: Copyright 2016 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved VANCOUVER, Feb. 16, 2016 /CNW/ - Franklins Dealers, a guitar driven power house Canadian rock band, releases hot new single ONE WAY. This band is unstoppable and will be the band to watch in the future for radio ready hits and hopes to be a part of the huge rock 'n' roll comeback. Franklins Dealers' influences clearly heard in the music come from some of the greatest real rock bands of all times such as Led Zeppelin, ACDC, Rolling Stones and PRISM to name a few. Franklins Dealers is signed and backed by a private record label, Greenstock Records, and plans to tour very soon. For more information please visit us at www.franklinsdealers.com or get us on ITUNES https://itunes.apple.com/ca/artist/franklins-dealers/id899798707 As Keith Richards once said, "We need to put the roll back in Rock." SOURCE Greenstock Records Audio with caption: "Franklins Dealers Making Waves with Hot New Release ONE WAY". Audio available at: http://stream1.newswire.ca/media/2016/02/16/20160216_C5651_AUDIO_EN_621954.mp3 For further information: To book Franklins Dealers contact Clyde Hill, Manager at 778-323-0412 TSX: GPR NYSE MKT: GPL VANCOUVER, Feb. 16, 2016 /CNW/ - GREAT PANTHER SILVER LIMITED (TSX: GPR; NYSE MKT: GPL) ("Great Panther"; the "Company") announces that it has received official notice allowing the Company to resume the use of explosives at its Guanajuato Mine Complex (the "GMC"). The Mexican regulatory authority responsible for permitting and regulating the use of explosives has now formally concluded its review of the previously announced theft of explosives from one of the mines at the GMC, and the Company has resumed full production at the mines. The Company is endeavouring to make up for the temporary disruption to production and, while this may have a minor effect on the first quarter's results, the Company's 2016 production guidance remains as previously announced. ABOUT GREAT PANTHER Great Panther Silver Limited is a primary silver mining and exploration company listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange trading under the symbol GPR, and on the NYSE MKT trading under the symbol GPL. Great Panther's current activities are focused on the mining of precious metals from its two wholly-owned mining operations in Mexico: the Guanajuato Mine Complex, which includes the San Ignacio Mine, and the Topia Mine in Durango. The Company holds an option agreement to acquire a 100% interest in the Coricancha Mine Complex in the central Andes of Peru and holds an option to acquire a 100% interest in the advanced-stage Guadalupe de Los Reyes Project in Sinaloa, Mexico. Robert Archer President & CEO CAUTIONARY STATEMENT ON FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities laws (together, "forward-looking statements"). Such forward-looking statements may include, but are not limited to, the Company's plans for production at its Guanajuato and Topia Mines in Mexico, exploring its other properties in Mexico, the overall economic potential of its properties, the availability of adequate financing and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or outcomes expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements to be materially different. Such factors include, among others, risks and uncertainties relating to potential political risks involving the Company's operations in a foreign jurisdiction, uncertainty of production and cost estimates and the potential for unexpected costs and expenses, physical risks inherent in mining operations, currency fluctuations, fluctuations in the price of silver, gold and base metals, completion of economic evaluations, changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined, the inability or failure to obtain adequate financing on a timely basis, and other risks and uncertainties, including those described in the Company's Annual Information Form for the year ended December 31, 2014 and Material Change Reports filed with the Canadian Securities Administrators available at www.sedar.com and reports on Form 40-F and Form 6-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and available at www.sec.gov. SOURCE Great Panther Silver Limited Image with caption: "Great Panther Silver Logo (CNW Group/Great Panther Silver Limited) (CNW Group/Great Panther Silver Limited)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20160216_C1342_PHOTO_EN_621786.jpg For further information: Spiros Cacos, Director Investor Relations, Toll free: 1 888 355 1766, Tel: +1 604 638 8955, [email protected], www.greatpanther.com [February 15, 2016] Irish Coast Guard and CHC Perform More than 1,000 SAR Missions in 2015 with Sikorsky S-92 Helicopter Fleet SINGAPORE, Feb. 15, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Singapore Airshow -- The Irish Coast Guard in partnership with CHC Helicopter completed more than 1,000 search and rescue (SAR) missions in 2015 with a fleet of five Sikorsky S-92 helicopters. The milestone, an increase of 12 percent on the previous year, tops the 2014 record of 914 missions, and is the first time since 1991 that the Irish Coast Guard achieved 1,000 missions in a single year. Sikorsky is a Lockheed Martin company (NYSE: LMT). CHC is performing to a 10-year contract awarded in 2010 to provide S-92A SAR helicopters, crew and maintenance services on behalf of the Irish Coast Guard from bases in Dublin, Shannon, Sligo and Waterford. "High aircraft availability is one of the main reasons behind the high number of missions. This year we achieved in excess of 96 percent 24/7 operational availability at 15 minutes' notice (0730 to 2130) and 45 minutes' notice thereafter at all of our four bases, which is an exceptional achievement," said Director of the Irish Coast Guard Chris Reynolds. "The Coast Guard operates one of the world's most sophisticated searh and rescue services in the world. We are very proud of the service that is delivered by a very special team of men and women dedicated to saving life anywhere in Ireland and in all weathers." CHC's S-92 SAR aircraft can cruise at 145 knots/166 mph, and can fly for over four hours without refueling. On-board state-of-the-art technology includes: High Definition Forward Looking Infra-Red (FLIR) and thermal image camera technology Night vision goggle (NVG) technology including glass cockpit Icing protection system Twin hoist Comprehensive medical suite CHC and Sikorsky share a close relationship supporting SAR service in Ireland since 2005, initially with a fleet of six S-61N all-weather SAR helicopters. This contract replaced all military and civil supported coastguard missions for the first time and established a stand-alone SAR service from the same four bases from which the five S-92 aircraft now operate. Sikorsky has delivered more than 275 S-92 helicopters to customers throughout the world. The fleet has accumulated more than 950,000 flight hours. S-92 aircraft perform a variety of missions, including transportation for the offshore oil and gas industry, search and rescue, and a variety of transportation missions for head of state, utility and airline passengers. For additional information, visit our website: www.sikorsky.com . About Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company, based in Stratford, Connecticut, is a world leader in aircraft design, manufacture and service. Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, Lockheed Martin is a global security and aerospace company thatwith the addition of Sikorskyemploys approximately 126,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. About CHC CHC Helicopter is a leader in enabling customers to go further, do more and come home safely, including oil and gas companies, government search-and-rescue agencies and organizations requiring helicopter maintenance, repair and overhaul services through the Heli-One segment. The company operates about 230 aircraft in approximately 30 countries around the world. www.chc.ca Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160214/333056 Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20141118/159313LOGO To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/irish-coast-guard-and-chc-perform-more-than-1000-sar-missions-in-2015-with-sikorsky-s-92-helicopter-fleet-300219937.html SOURCE Lockheed Martin [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [February 15, 2016] Impetus Technologies to Showcase StreamAnalytix 2.0 at Spark Summit East LOS GATOS, Calif., Feb. 15, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Impetus Technologies, a big data thought leader and software solutions company, today announced it will be showcasing the recently launched StreamAnalytix 2.0 at Spark Summit East, taking place Feb. 16-18, 2016, at the New York Hilton Midtown in New York City. Impetus Technologies, a silver level sponsor, will be demonstrating the platform's new Spark Streaming capabilities at booth K-18. StreamAnalytix 2.0 now featuring support for Apache Spark Streaming, in addition to the current support for Apache Storm will provide enterprises with the advantages of the industry's first open-source based, enterprise-grade, multi-engine platform for the rapid and easy development of real-time streaming analytics applications (See "Impetus Technologies Announces StreamAnalytix 2.0 Featuring Support for Apache Spark"). Generally available by the end of March, StreamAnalytix 2.0 offers a visual integrated development and application monitoring environment to provide abstraction over multiple streaming engines. It can also accommodate newer engines as they gain market acceptance. This approach allows developers and data analysts to use drag-and-drop operators to create real-time streaming anaytics applications by choosing the most optimal engine for each use case. Delivering on the promise of big data, Impetus Technologies selected to publicly debut StreamAnalytix at Spark Summit East the largest big data event dedicated to Apache Spark, with a heavy focus on data science and engineering at scale. Enterprises interested in accessing StreamAnalytix 2.0 prior to its general availability at the end of March are encouraged to apply for the beta program by sending a request to [email protected]. Members of the media interested in booking a meeting with the company at the summit to learn more or for a live demo should contact [email protected]. About StreamAnalytix StreamAnalytix, an Impetus Technologies product, enables enterprises to analyze and respond to events in real-time at big data scale. It provides enterprises with the advantages of an open-source based, enterprise-grade platform for rapid and easy development of real-time streaming analytics applications. StreamAnalytix is designed to quickly build and deploy streaming analytics applications for any industry vertical, any data format and any use case. Now featuring support for Apache Spark Streaming, in addition to the current support for Apache Storm, StreamAnalytix is currently the industry's only platform that provides the powerful advantage of offering users with multi-engine support and the flexibility to match the choice of a stream processing engine to the requirements of a particular use case. To learn more, visit: http://streamanalytix.com or write to: [email protected], and follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/StreamAnalytix and LinkedIn: http://bit.ly/1Q3LzBy. About Impetus Technologies Impetus Technologies is focused on creating big business impact through big data solutions for Fortune 1000 enterprises. The company offers a unique mix of software products, consulting services, data science capabilities and technology expertise. It offers full life-cycle services for big data technology implementations, including technology strategy, solution architecture, proof of concept, production implementation and on-going support to its clients. To learn more, visit: www.impetus.com or write to: [email protected], and follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/impetustech and LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/impetus. Media Contacts Meghan Locke LEWIS 781-418-2434 [email protected] Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150529/219462LOGO To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/impetus-technologies-to-showcase-streamanalytix-20-at-spark-summit-east-300219670.html SOURCE Impetus Technologies [February 16, 2016] Distributed VoLTE QoE Monitoring to be Showcased by Accedian and Sandvine at Mobile World Congress 2016 First ever demonstration of complete EPC to eNodeB visibility, combined with network policy control and business & network analytics, for VoLTE QoE. MONTREAL, Feb. 16, 2016 /CNW Telbec/ - Accedian, the end-to-end network performance experts, announced today that it has teamed up with network policy control vendor Sandvine to demonstrate how Accedian's new FlowBROKER distributed packet broker solution can be used with a centralized implementation of Sandvine's products to achieve real-time, VoLTE QoE monitoring across the entire mobile network from evolved packet core (EPC) to eNodeB. The solution will be showcased during Mobile World Congress 2016, February 22-25, in Barcelona. Learn more and book a private meeting with Accedian's CEO and CTO. FlowBROKER, the industry's first distributed packet broker solution, separates traffic access from analysis, allowing centralized tools to analyze traffic at any location, without compromising data integrity, granularity, or timing precision. In the demo, Accedian's FlowBROKER, orchestrated by the SkyLIGHT VCX Controller, will remotely capture VoLTE calls from multiple locations in an LTE mobile network. This will allow the Sandvine solution to analyze VoLTE QoE at any point along a call's session path to provide complete insight into each user's experience. This allows one-ay calling issues, invisible at the core, to be detected for the first time. "Accedian's FlowBROKER extends the reach and utility of Sandvine's traffic classification and analysis, resulting in segmented, localized visibility into VoLTE call setup and signaling performance, and the end-to-end quality of experience for each caller," said Chris Frederick, Sandvine's Director of Partnerships. "These technologies together give mobile network operators complete, end-to-end QoE visibility, which they need to deploy services like VoLTE, and prepare for 5G." "The ability to make QoE analysis 'location aware' is crucial if operators are to rapidly isolate and resolve performance issues affecting end users' quality of experience," said Henrik Nydell, Senior Product Manager at Accedian. "A combination of virtualized passive and active test technologies and network policy control can create a ubiquitous instrumentation layer to form the foundation competitive mobile networks will be built on. Our demonstration with Sandvine shows how easily this can be achieved today." Learn More Solution Brief: FlowBROKER Solution and Applications FlowBROKER Solution and Applications Web Page: Accedian Launches FlowBROKER at MWC Accedian Launches FlowBROKER at MWC Press Release: Accedian Introduces World's First Distributed Packet Broker To Provide Comprehensive Network Visibility About Accedian Accedian delivers exceptional end-to-end network performance visibility, for control over the best possible user experience. Providing the most complete, current view of network health, Accedian dramatically improves visibility with actionable insights for peak reliability and quality of service (QoS). Accedian enables control over increasingly complex networks to increase agility, and reduce cost. Most importantly, through a fully optimized and performance assured network, Accedian proactively ensures maximum uptime and for peak quality of experience (QoE). Since 2005, Accedian has assured hundreds of thousands of networks and services globally, turning performance into a key competitive differentiator. For more information, visit Accedian.com. Twitter: @Accedian SOURCE Accedian Networks Inc. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [February 16, 2016] Pratt & Whitney Shanghai Engine Center to Maintain V2500 Engines SINGAPORE AIRSHOW, Singapore, Feb. 16, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Pratt & Whitney, a division of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX), together with joint venture partner, China Eastern Airlines Corporation Limited (CEA), have signed an agreement to incorporate V2500 engine overhaul capability in their facility in Shanghai, China. The Pratt & Whitney Shanghai Engine Center ("Shanghai Pratt & Whitney Aircraft Engine Maintenance Company Limited") will begin overhauling V2500 engines in 2017. The engine center opened in 2009 to perform maintenance on CFM56 engines for customers around the world. The facility's in-depth repair capabilities, including its 10-meter test cell with capability of up to 80,000 pounds of thrust and state-of-the art information technology system, has provided maintenance, repair and overhaul services to airline customers in China and the Asia Pacific region. "Pratt & Whitney has helped keep our fleet running through its investment in cutting edge technology and advanced repair capability in engine maintenance, repair and overhaul," said Mr. Feng Liang, vice president of China Eastern Airlines. "We are pleased to expand our current partnership to include the V2500 engine services." "The Shanghai Engine Center is a proven, high-quality engine maintenance provider in this very competitive Asia Pacific market," said Matthew Bromberg, president, Pratt & Whitney Aftermarket. "Growing our capabilities at this facility exemplifies our commitment to providing operators with comprehensive services at a competitive cost." China Eastern Airlines Corporation Limited is headquartered in Shanghai. As one of the three major airlines in mainland China, it flies a fleet of over 550 long-haul and short-haul aircraft with an average age of less than seven years. China Eastern aims to serve more than 100 million travelers in 2016 and ranks among the world's top five airlines in terms of passenger transportation volume. As an official member of SkyTeam, China Eastern has extended its flight network from Shanghai to 1,057 cities in 179 countries via close cooperation with SkyTeam member airlines. The V2500 engine is offered through IAE International Aero Engines AG, a multinational aero engine consortium whose shareholders comprise Pratt & Whitney, Pratt & Whitney Aero Engines International GmbH, Japanese Aero Engines Corporation and MTU Aero Engines. Pratt & Whitney is a world leader in the design, manufacture and service of aircraft engines and auxiliary power units. United Technologies Corp., based in Farmington, Connecticut, provides high-technology systems and services to the building and aerospace industries. To learn more about UTC, visit its website at www.utc.com, or follow the company on Twitter: @UTC. V2500 is a registered trademark of IAE International Aero Engines AG. CFM and CFM56 are trademarks of CFM International. Robin Salisbury Audrey Tan Pratt & Whitney Pratt & Whitney Office: +1 (860) 565-8220 Office: +65 6690 2500 Mobile: +1 (860) 970-5712 Mobile: +65 9675 9395 [email protected] [email protected] To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/pratt--whitney-shanghai-engine-center-to-maintain-v2500-engines-300220492.html SOURCE Pratt & Whitney [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [February 16, 2016] Xgility Opens New Office In Atlanta in February 2016 DULLES, Va., Feb. 16, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Xgility continues its rapid company expansion with the opening of a new office just outside of Atlanta, Georgia in February 2016. Xgility specializes in cloud-based systems, such as Microsoft SharePoint and Office365. The new Atlanta office boasts particular expertise in Business Intelligence and Analytics. The firm has served a number of Atlanta-based companies for several years from its headquarters in Northern Virginia along with employees in home offices based in Atlanta. The Atlanta office expands Xgility's presence by providing a physical location for client meetings and the opportunity for Xgility to add more Atlanta-based Xgility team members. The new office address is 555 North Point Center East, #400, Alpharetta, Georgia, 30022. Since Xgility's founding in 2011, the technology solutions provider has experienced exponential company growth. By 2014, the company had already reported revenues of $3.9 million. In 2015, Xgility posted revenues that exceeded $5 million, earning it the No. 144 ranking on The Inc. 500 list of the nation's fastest-growing companies. The company attributes its remarkable growth to its commitment to service and to helping organizations achieve transformational results. Xgility's success is also fueled by its core values: collaboration, embracing an entrepreneurial spirit, expertise at every level, agile development and teamwork. The expansion to Atlanta continues te company's trajectory toward becoming one of the leading consultants of cloud-based computing solutions in the U.S. The greater-Atlanta region is ripe to foster Xgility's growth. Atlanta was ranked the fifth best city for business in 2015 by Forbes. The city's low cost of doing business, healthy job growth rate of 3.7% and a population that boasts a 53% college degree attainment rate make Atlanta an ideal expansion market for Xgility. The new office will be headed by managing consultant Donnie Wishard. He brings 20 years of application development experience in the telecom industry and government sector. "The Atlanta market poses a unique opportunity for Xgility: it is home to some of the country's largest companies as well as a constellation of small businesses and start-ups. Xgility is poised to help companies of all sizes find the technology solutions that suit them," says Wishard. "There are so many useful cloud-computing tools for businesses, but the options can be overwhelming to navigate. I'm looking forward to partnering with Atlanta-based companies to help them determine which tools will help their business operate more efficiently and teach them how to use these programs optimally." Xgility Founder and CEO Chris Hornbecker praised Atlanta, saying, "The city has a lot to offer in terms of Xgility's growth. It boasts a thriving economy and is home to some of the world's leading companies. I couldn't be more pleased about the new location and the team we have in place to serve this market." About Xgility Xgility helps organizations migrate business applications to cloud platforms such as Office 365, Azure, and Amazon. We use SharePoint to deliver transformational results to our customers by automating business processes through forms and workflows. We are passionately devoted to the principles of agile development and iterative, user-centric engagement. Based in Dulles, VA, Xgility serves professional services firms, non-profits and government customers. The company is focused on design, development, deployment and training for SharePoint Collaboration & Workflow Solutions. It has the ability to enhance and augment SharePoint solutions with extensive Database & Business Intelligence capabilities, providing greater control and accountability through robust dashboards and automated business processes. In addition, Xgility's Cloud Computing & Mobility Solutions deliver anywhere/anytime access through innovative mobile applications that enhance access to real-time information, speed response time and improve workforce productivity. To learn more about how Xgility can help your organization achieve transformational results, please contact us. PRESS CONTACT: Kurt Greening Director, Business Productivity 888-944-5489 x721 | [email protected] To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/xgility-opens-new-office-in-atlanta-in-february-2016-300220377.html SOURCE Xgility [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [February 16, 2016] Caringo Unleashes Swarm 8, Searchable Storage for the Cloud Age AUSTIN, Texas, Feb. 16, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Caringo today announced Swarm 8, continuing to deliver on the company's promise to change the economics of storage. Offered as a complete software appliance, Swarm provides a storage platform for data protection, management, organization and search at massive scale. Users no longer need to migrate data into disparate solutions for long-term preservation, delivery and analysis. Consolidate all files on Swarm, find the data you are looking for quickly, and reduce total cost of ownership by continuously evolving hardware and optimizing use of resources. "Organizations that want to extract actionable insight from their data, but are struggling with finding the time, resources or expertise, should take a look at Swarm 8," said Marc Staimer from Dragon Slayer Consulting. "What they deliver goes beyond storage, offering a platform for companies to discover new information without needing to spin up and invest in multiple complex data analytics projects." Swarm 8 installs on any mix of standard hardware, runs in RAM, and unlike file-system based storage, maximizes disk efficiency with an industry leading 95% of drive capacity for content. Swarm 8 radically simplifies an organization's ability to apply the value of data in an actionable way, providing insight at scale. One of Caringo's latest customers, iQMedia, who specializes in media analytics across television, online, social, and first-party data sources, is already reaping the benefits of Swarm 8. "iQMedia's technology breaks through the traditional limitations of other media platforms, providing not only real time data and access but also actionable insights to our customers," said Lakshmi Venkataswamy, founder and CTO of iQMedia. "The way Swarm 8 automatically moves files from filers and the ability to consolidate, access and dynamically organize files at massive scale optimizes our storage operations and frees up resources to focus on continuing to deliver value to our customers instead of managing the storage infrastructure." Swarm is the only object storage solution to offer adaptive power conservation technology, compliance features like WORM and Legal Hold, and the ability to seamlessly shift betwee protection methodsall automatically enforced by policies. With Swarm 8, Caringo once again raises the bar in providing unique customer benefits including: Dynamic insight and organization at massive scale. Gain robust insight and view relationships between objects through ad hoc search and query of object attributes or custom metadata. Results can be viewed via the new Swarm Portal or Caringo's comprehensive API, or exported to JSON or XML. All searches are dynamic and can be saved as Collections for reuse. Gain robust insight and view relationships between objects through ad hoc search and query of object attributes or custom metadata. Results can be viewed via the new Swarm Portal or Caringo's comprehensive API, or exported to JSON or XML. All searches are dynamic and can be saved as Collections for reuse. Rapid file use case development. Object versioning and object renaming dramatically reduce the development effort of integration with file system-based applications and interfaces. Object versioning and object renaming dramatically reduce the development effort of integration with file system-based applications and interfaces. All-inclusive, no-surprises pricing. Swarm 8 comes standard with ALL functionality enabled. This includes unique Swarm features like Darkive adaptive power conservation, all compliance features, HDFS, all multi-tenancy features (for public/private/hybrid cloud), NoSQL-like search and more. Swarm 8 comes standard with ALL functionality enabled. This includes unique Swarm features like Darkive adaptive power conservation, all compliance features, HDFS, all multi-tenancy features (for public/private/hybrid cloud), NoSQL-like search and more. Flexible deployment to meet any operational business requirements. Swarm 8 is available as software you run in your own data center(s), as a service in any of the Microsoft Azure globally distributed data centers or as a fully managed service within BT or Telefonica's globally distributed data centers. Additionally, Swarm offers unrivaled integration into leading enterprise applications like Veritas Enterprise Vault, Commvault Simpana and compute and orchestration platforms like OpenStack, Spark and Hadoop. Search results can be seamlessly accessed via Kibana for visual analysis and discovery. "Companies in every industry are experiencing a significant gap between the current capabilities of network attached storage and the volume of files, velocity of capacity growth and variability in access patterns," said Jonathan Ring, Founder and CEO of Caringo. "It's not just about cost any more, it's about managing and organizing data at scale. To compete, companies are adding more systems and increasing complexity. Swarm 8 simplifies the storage, access and now analytics IT stack by offering a platform that has been market-hardened over the last decade. Swarm 8 is easier to scale, more compliant, more efficient and now more insightful than any other object storage solution on the market." Swarm 8 is available immediately. For additional information or to schedule a demo please visit www.caringo.com or email [email protected]. Follow Caringo LinkedIn http://www.linkedin.com/company/caringo-inc- Twitter https://twitter.com/CaringoStorage https://twitter.com/CaringoStorage About Caringo Caringo was founded in 2005 to change the economics of storage by designing software from the ground up to solve the issues associated with data protection, management, organization and search at massive scale. Caringo's flagship product, Swarm, eliminates the need to migrate data into disparate solutions for long-term preservation, delivery and analysisradically reducing total cost of ownership. Today, Caringo software is the foundation for simple, bulletproof, limitless storage solutions for the Department of Defense, the Brazilian Federal Court System, City of Austin, Telefonica, British Telecom, Ask.com, Johns Hopkins University and hundreds more worldwide. Visit www.caringo.com to learn more. Caringo is a registered trademark of Caringo, Inc. Mark Smith JPR Communications [email protected] Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120619/LA26635LOGO To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/caringo-unleashes-swarm-8-searchable-storage-for-the-cloud-age-300220306.html SOURCE Caringo, Inc. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [February 16, 2016] Spectrum Promotes Sebastien Tardy to Vice President of Global Sales MIAMI BEACH, Fla., Feb. 16, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Spectrum Intelligence Communications Agency (SICA) announces the promotion of Sebastien Tardy to VP of Global Sales. Mr. Tardy joined Spectrum in May of 2015. Since his commencement as Vice President of Sales, he has grown revenue over $250,000 in the European, Middle Eastern, and African markets. He has been pivotal in acquiring new relationships with European MNOs, such as Dutch Telecom, SFR, Monaco Telecom, and others. In his new position, and as part of the Spectrum ICA global strategy, Mr. Tardy will manage Spectrum's bilateral in-country relationship and local swaps bridging Europe, USA, Africa and Asia. "After demonstrating such successful strides in developing his region, the next logical step was to promote Sebastian," announced Amiel D. Aviman, Founder and CEO of Spectrum. "Undoubtedly, Sebastian will translate his achievements to the overall Spectrum sales team and transition the relationships from regional to global. With Brian Pla, our COO, and Sebastien ardy as our Global VP of sales I am certain we will be able to reach our goals and objectives." Effective immediately, Mr. Tardy will manage the entire sales department for Spectrum. He will be responsible for meeting sales growth and hitting revenue targets of over $100 million dollars within the next two years, and increase revenue and profits by more than 500% globally. Mr. Tardy previously worked for the Telecom sector for over 15 years, where he successfully led teams for top companies in Europe. He has first-rate experience in sales and business development in voice, data, wholesale and retail markets. "I am truly honored with the opportunity to fill this new role," stated Sebastien Tardy. "Together with our solid sales team, and stellar leadership, I look forward to attaining continued success and growth, and reach our goal to obtain $70 million dollars in revenue this year and a targeted IPO by the second quarter of 2017." In his new role, Mr. Tardy will also launch several new verticals including IpPbx, SMS, and the disruptive new Mobile Advertising Platform. About Spectrum Spectrum Intelligence Communications Agency founded by Amiel D. Aviman is an expert in VoIP and one of the fastest growing carriers in the United States since 2012 for international long distance. Based in Miami Beach Florida, SPECTRUM is the trusted partner for many of the world's voice service & solution providers, fixed and mobile operators, and retail calling products. www.Spectrumica.com Press contact: [email protected] To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/spectrum-promotes-sebastien-tardy-to-vice-president-of-global-sales-300219143.html SOURCE Spectrum Intelligence Communications Agency [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [February 16, 2016] AQ Metrics Raises $3.25m from International Investors to Build Team & Expand to US DUBLIN, February 16, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- AQ Metrics, an integrated risk management, regulatory compliance and surveillance software provider, today announced that it has closed its first external funding round. The $3.25million round consists of investors Frontline Ventures, Bluff Point Associates, and Enterprise Ireland. (Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160216/333606 ) AQ Metrics was founded by Geraldine Gibson in 2012 when she noted that Investment Managers were finding themselves in an era of great change, making risk management and compliance exceptionally complicated. AQ Metrics offers a simple, innovative and effective way to address regulatory risk and compliance. The firm delivers an ultra-fast, high quality cloud based platform that saves its clients time and money. AQ Metrics' current team of 12 has been dedicated to building AQ Metrics' platform for the past three years. As a result, AQ Metrics software as a service has been used by both EU and Non-EU Investment Firms to submit regulatory filings to regulators in Denmark, Sweden, Norway, the UK, Germany and Ireland. With a fast-growing client demand, the team is capitalising on the momentum: AQ Metrics will be hiring 30 roles in Ireland within the next 12 months and establishing a New York office in the next six months. "At AQ Metrics we saw that a very clear gap existed for a technologically advanced cloud based platform to simplify regulatory complexity in real time. We believe that Q Metrics will play a transformative role in the way Investment Managers meet their global regulatory obligations. The addition of Frontline Ventures and Bluff Point Associates as investors will help drive AQ Metrics' ambition to build on its existing success as a leader in the European RegTech space by establishing a US presence," said Geraldine Gibson, CEO of AQ Metrics. Tom McInerney, CEO of Bluff Point Associates said, "We are very excited to partner with Geraldine and the team at AQ Metrics to expand its growth opportunities here in the US. We see tremendous upside for Fintech firms in the ever increasing world of regulation, risk management and compliance reporting. This will be Bluff Point's first investment in Ireland, where we have strong personal links and are delighted to have them join our growing portfolio of financial and healthcare technology companies." Frontline Ventures partner Shay Garvey said, "We are really excited to back such an ambitious founder - Geraldine had her eye set on international markets from the start. Her dedicated team is testament to the innovative RegTech product that AQ Metrics has built." About AQ Metrics The AQ Metrics platform integrates pricing, risk and regulatory solutions into a single offering. AQ Metrics helps its clients stay compliant while eliminating errors, reducing downtime, avoiding risks and minimizing regulatory breaches. AQ Metrics provides clients with end to end data management solutions, from data preparation through to reporting to comply with existing and future financial services regulations. AQ Metrics delivers turnkey Pre and Post Trade Monitoring, UCITS Rules Monitoring, AIFMD Risk Management and Annex IV Reporting, AML/KYC and UBO monitoring, EMIR Reporting and OPERA Reports. Using AQ Metrics firms can: track investor activity, orders, executions and holdings from pre to post trade; receive risk alerts and notification of compliance breaches; and gain access to a dedicated team of industry specialists who assist in the simplification of regulatory risk and compliance. About Bluff Point Associates Bluff Point Associates is a private equity firm based in Westport, Connecticut. Bluff Point actively invests in the healthcare information services sector as well as information services companies supporting the banking, trust, securities, retirement and wealth management sectors of the financial services industry. Bluff Point's team collectively has decades of experience in recognizing a company's growth potential and working with its management to reach that potential. For more information regarding Bluff Point, visit http://www.bluffpt.com. About Frontline Ventures Frontline Ventures is an early-stage venture capital fund based in London and Dublin, with a focus on European enterprise SaaS startups. Frontline is focused on the needs of the new wave of technology entrepreneurs - investing in the best teams that build capital-efficient businesses in high-growth markets. For more information, visit http://www.frontline.vc SOURCE AQ Metrics [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [February 16, 2016] EMC and VMware Introduce Hyper-Converged VCE VxRail Appliance Family HOPKINTON, Mass., and PALO ALTO, Calif., Feb. 16, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- STORY HIGHLIGHTS Delivers a jointly engineered, simple and proven turnkey VCE Appliance Family for use cases including small/midsize data centers and for enterprise departmental and edge environments Incorporates software from EMC/VCE and VMware including VMware's hyper-converged software Starts small with a list price of $60,000 and scales to match a variety of workloads with a range of configurations including all-flash options with 2x more flash than any other hyper-converged infrastructure appliance and scales to match a variety of workloads with a range of configurations including all-flash options with 2x more flash than any other hyper-converged infrastructure appliance Seamlessly integrates with existing VMware ecosystem management solutions for streamlined deployment and management in VMware environments Integrated VCE VxRail Manager for deep element management and monitoring along with a full suite of best-of-breed data services from EMC and VMware, including deduplication, compression, replication and backup EMC cloud tiering to public clouds, such as Virtustream, VMware vCloud Air, Amazon Web Services and Microsoft Azure Expands one of the industry's most comprehensive and complete converged and hyper-converged portfolio, including VCE's Vblock, VxBlock and VxRack Systems, that uniquely cover every customer, every workload and every scale point with the ability to manage any combination of infrastructure centrally. EMC Corporation (NYSE: EMC) and VMware, Inc. (NYSE: VMW) today announced the new VCE VxRail Appliance family, the only integrated and jointly engineered hyper-converged infrastructure appliances (HCIA) for VMware environments. The VxRail Appliance family brings together the best of EMC and VMware including EMC rich data services and leading systems management capabilities with VMware's leading hyper-converged software that includes VMware vSphere, vCenter Server and VMware Virtual SAN, the simple, powerful, efficient software defined storage natively integrated with vSphere all in a single product family with one point of support. Hybrid storage or all-flash VxRail Appliances extend and simplify VMware customer environments and deliver key performance and capacity advantages in a simple, turnkey and easily scalable HCIA. IT organizations tasked with supporting growing business demands for new applications and services with limited budgets and resources don't want to waste time constantly evaluating and integrating hardware, software, and networking solutions, nor do they have time to learn new operational tools and processes. The new hyper-converged VCE VxRail Appliances extend the hallmark benefits of VCE converged infrastructure - increased agility, simplified operations and lower risk to small businesses, medium-sized enterprises, and department or regional offices for virtualization and end-user computing use cases. The jointly engineered VCE VxRail Appliances tightly integrate virtualization, compute, storage and data protection in one system with a single point of support. Organizations can start small, with a couple of virtual machines (VMs), and easily and non-disruptively scale to thousands of VMs with a predictable, "pay-as-you-grow" approach. VxRail Appliances are available in a broad set of configurations and scale points. Entry systems for small and medium businesses and remote offices start at a list price of $60,000 and options for performance intensive workloads have more than 76 TB of flash over 2X more flash than any other hyper-converged appliance. VxRail Appliances are fully loaded with integrated EMC mission-critical data services including replication, backup and cloud tiering at no additional charge. EMC RecoverPoint for Virtual Machines provides per-VM replication and automated disaster recovery for critical workloads. Virtual SAN active-active stretch clusters provide site level, zero data loss protection. Integrated vSphere Data Protection provides backup and recovery using existing tools and can optionally backup to EMC Data Domain for centralized storage and management. VCE VxRail Manager provides deep hardware awareness with up-to-the-minute holistic notifications about the state of applications, VMs, and appliance leveraging VMware Log Insight capturing events. VxRail Appliances leverage EMC cloud tiering to seamlessly extend to more than 20 public clouds such as VMware vCloud Air, Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure and very shortly Virtustream, to more securely expand storage capacity without limits, providing an additional 10TB of on-demand cloud storage per appliance. EMC and VMware uniquely simplify the infrastructure lifecycle by eliminating constant evaluation cycles and testing with continuous integration of advancements in x86 technologies and implementation of the latest enhancements to VMware vSphere and VMware Virtual SAN delivering leading efficiency with data reduction technologies - deduplication, compression and erasure coding. The net result: IT organizations can focus more on nnovation by creating an automated, dynamic infrastructure that adapts to their business demands. Customers get a familiar experience with management through VMware vCenter Server. VxRail Appliances also seamlessly integrate with the broader VMware vSphere ecosystem, fully supporting existing management, automation, monitoring, and availability tools from VMware to dramatically simplify IT operations, while enabling lower costs. Additionally VxRail Appliances integrate with VMware's cloud management platform and end-user computing solutions, including VMware vRealize Operations and VMware Horizon Air. As IT organizations standardize on converged infrastructure as the foundation for their next generation data centers, EMC is extending its leading converged infrastructure to smaller business and the enterprise edge with VxRail Appliances. EMC's broad converged infrastructure portfolio helps customers deliver world-class cloud and mobile ready IT services to their business, including the only portfolio that can natively replicate between core data center infrastructure such as VCE's Vblock, VxBlock and VxRack Systems, and edge solutions such as the VxRail Appliance for seamless, consistent operations. VCE Vision Intelligent Operations software includes VxRail appliances in a complete view of all VCE resources from the core data center to remote and distributed locations. "The new VCE VxRail Appliance family puts IT organizations on a path to eliminating complexity and collapsing cost structures with hyper-converged infrastructure while leveraging their existing VMware investments. The VxRail Appliance completes our broad portfolio of Vblock, VxBlock and VxRack Systems to provide customers with a converged infrastructure that meets nearly every workload from the edge to the core regardless of size," said Chad Sakac, President, VCE, the Converged Platforms Division of EMC. "With the new VCE VxRail Appliances, powered by VMware hyper-converged software, IT organizations are empowered with a solution that is easy to use and can help them drive innovation as rapid as the business demands. Together, EMC and VMware have worked closely to enable our mutual customers to realize the value of a tightly integrated, hyper-converged solution," said Yanbing Li, senior vice president and general manager, Storage and Availability Business Unit, VMware. CUSTOMER QUOTES "We had a flawless experience setting up the VxRail Appliance. With the tightness of the VMware and EMC integration, everything worked like clockwork. The simplicity of deploying and managing the VxRail Appliance enables us to free up our engineers to do what they do best, help our customers deploy IT and imaging solutions that impact patient care," said Fred Sinclair, Product Manager, Technology Solutions, FUJIFILM Medical Systems U.S.A., Inc. "I can already appreciate the cost and time-saving benefits we could gain by deploying a condensed, self-contained, standard 2U hyper-converged rack using best of breed storage and compute technology. For trackside, the savings in freight charges alone would be approximately $200,000 per season, and the simplified set-up of the VxRail means we could be up and running much quicker at every race, offering a significantly improved user experience," said Antony Smith, IS Infrastructure Manager, Renault Sport Formula One Team. "Software-defined models are changing the operating economics of the data center. VxRail will enable our customers to simplify IT operations and lower associated costs, while at the same time offering more flexibility to serve their rapidly changing business needs. As an all-in-one solution backed by a federation of industry leaders in software-defined converged infrastructure, our customers will appreciate the proven technology of EMC coupled with VMware software innovation and support from a leader in integrated infrastructure, VCE," said Bob Olwig, Vice President of Business Strategy and Innovation, World Wide Technology, Inc. ANALYST QUOTE: "According to ESG's research on hybrid cloud trends, 70% of IT respondents plan to invest in HCI over the next 24 months. Moreover, 85% of these same respondents indicated that they plan on leveraging their existing investments in private cloud software, like VMware vCenter Server and vCloud Director framework technology, to serve as the foundation for their hybrid cloud environment. As such, the new VMware and VCE VxRail Appliance could make for a very compelling offering to for those looking to implement a highly flexible and highly scalable hyper-converged infrastructure appliance, with private and hybrid cloud computing capabilities, while still leveraging the same VMware management tools that they have been using for years," said Colm Keegan, Senior Analyst, Enterprise Strategy Group. AVAILABILITY VxRail Appliances are sold by EMC, VCE and their channel partners, and are orderable today. All-flash VxRail Appliances with modern data reduction capabilities will be available in Q2 2016. Interact with EMC and VMware Online: Read EMC executive perspective on EMC Reflections Blog here Read the EMC Pulse Blog here Read the VMware Virtual Blocks Blog here Check out the ESG video Connect with EMC via Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn and SocialSphere Connect with VMware on Twitter and Facebook ABOUT EMC EMC Corporation (NYSE:EMC) is a global leader in enabling businesses and service providers to transform their operations and deliver IT as a service. Fundamental to this transformation is cloud computing. Through innovative products and services, EMC accelerates the journey to cloud computing, helping IT departments to store, manage, protect and analyze their most valuable asset information in a more agile, trusted and cost-efficient way. Additional information about EMC can be found at www.EMC.com. EMC2, EMC, the EMC logo, EMC RecoverPoint, and EMC DataDomain are registered trademarks or trademarks of EMC Corporation in the United States and other countries. Virtustream is the registered trademark of Virtustream, Inc. VCE, VCE Vision, VCE Vscale, Vblock, VxBlock, VxRack, VxRail, VxRail Manager and the VCE logo are registered trademarks or trademarks of VCE Company LLC. About VMware VMware is a global leader in cloud infrastructure and business mobility. Built on VMware's industry-leading virtualization technology, our solutions deliver a brave new model of IT that is fluid, instant and more secure. Customers can innovate faster by rapidly developing, automatically delivering and more safely consuming any application. With 2015 revenues of $6.6 billion, VMware has more than 500,000 customers and 75,000 partners. The company is headquartered in Silicon Valley with offices throughout the world and can be found online at www.vmware.com. 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Actual results could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of certain risk factors, including but not limited to: (i) risks associated with the proposed acquisition of EMC by Denali Holdings, Inc., the parent company of Dell, Inc., including, among others, assumptions related to the ability to close the acquisition, the expected closing date and its anticipated costs and benefits; (ii) adverse changes in general economic or market conditions; (iii) delays or reductions in information technology spending; (iv) the relative and varying rates of product price and component cost declines and the volume and mixture of product and services revenues; (v) competitive factors, including but not limited to pricing pressures and new product introductions; (vi) component and product quality and availability; (vii) fluctuations in VMware, Inc.'s operating results and risks associated with trading of VMware stock; (viii) the transition to new products, the uncertainty of customer acceptance of new product offerings and rapid technological and market change; (ix) risks associated with managing the growth of our business, including risks associated with acquisitions and investments and the challenges and costs of integration, restructuring and achieving anticipated synergies; (x) the ability to attract and retain highly qualified employees; (xi) insufficient, excess or obsolete inventory; (xii) fluctuating currency exchange rates; (xiii) threats and other disruptions to our secure data centers or networks; (xiv) our ability to protect our proprietary technology; (xv) war or acts of terrorism; and (xvi) other one-time events and other important factors disclosed previously and from time to time in EMC's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. EMC disclaims any obligation to update any such forward-looking statements after the date of this release. Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160216/333590 To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/emc-and-vmware-introduce-hyper-converged-vce-vxrail-appliance-family-300220621.html SOURCE EMC Corporation [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] TOWN OF LAFAYETTE This time, its going to happen. Pushed off for a year, construction will start May 1 on a new Lake Wissota Bridge in a project that will cost $4.3 million. The bridge is scheduled for completion in late October. Details about the new bridge were disclosed Monday during an informational meeting before about 70 people at the Lafayette Town Hall. The new bridge will be closed during its construction. That means drivers better get used to taking a detour on Highway 29 while businesses along County X will need to take creative steps to keep their customers. That prospect didnt please one man who didnt care for being told that it helps when area businesses band together to advertise during construction periods. I think the county should do all of that. Theyre the ones taking our business away, the man said. Karen Mueller of Esther Enterprises LLC-Wissota Retreat asked interim Chippewa County Highway Commissioner Brian Kelley if the county did an assessment on how the bridge closing will affect business and tourism. Mueller said the summer months are make-or-break time for many businesses. Kelley said the county hasnt done such a study, but the new bridge will be an improvement over the current bridge built in 1955. That bridge has a 189-foot-long steel deck girder bridge on County X over Paint Creek-Lake Wissota. The new bridge will be 230 feet long and have 12-foot driving lanes along with 14 feet paved shoulders. Kelley explained the federal government, which is paying 80 percent of the projects costs, wants the bridge to have the capacity of expanding it to four lanes if needed. During construction, businesses along County X from County J to Highway 29 will be open for business. A detour will be provided for eastbound and westbound County X traffic throughout construction, said a flyer sent by the county to area businesses. The detour for eastbound traffic will be County J to Highway 29, while the westbound detour is Highway 29 to County J. Some locals will likely use a shortcut and go over the 195th Street Bridge, but that has a load limit of 18 tons. Its going to have a huge economic impact on all of the businesses, Dave Staber, Lafayettes town chairman said of the bridges closure. However, Staber said many of the businesses in the area are destination locations, and dont depend on drive-by traffic for their customers. The businesses may have to do a little more promoting, he said. Staber wished the project could have been done sooner. Its something that should have been done about four years ago. It just didnt work out, he said. Pastor Deborah Nissen of the English Lutheran Church of Bateman welcomes the new bridge, but is trying to work out how it will affect her congregation. Some of the churchs members will have to go out of their way to get to church, she said. English Lutheran holds a ceremony each Memorial Day that usually draws a large number of people. Well have to do a lot of pre-planning, Nissen said. The new bridge was scheduled for 2015, but was postponed because bids exceeded estimates of about $3 million. The bids in March 2015 were for $3.9 million and for $5.7 million. The county then revised the project and received a bid for $5.7 million. Structurally, the current Lake Wissota Bridge is in adequate shape. But it is too narrow for pedestrians or bicyclists, so the bridge is classified as being functionally obsolete. Using 2013 figures, the bridge had 8,000 cars a day travel over it. Zenith Tech, Inc. of Waukesha will be contractor of this project, said the countys project manager, Fred Anderson. Jim Erickson of Minnetonka, Minnesota was on hand for Monday evenings session. He and his wife Mary have a cabin on Lake Wissota. It belonged to my father-in-law, Erickson said of the original cabin, which his father-in-law bought in 1947. The Ericksons built a new cabin on the property in 2006. Hes noticed an increase in traffic in the area. There didnt used to be a rush hour on this street, he said of County X. Erickson said the construction means he likely will not be able to drive as quickly to Gordys Market as fast as before. But Erickson, who rides a bicycle, is happy to see a new bridge have a bicycle and pedestrian lane. Its needed, he said. Most drivers (on County X) are pretty good, but some dont even slow down (for bicyclists), he said. [February 16, 2016] Russia gains ONEm Ecosystem through LTE Operator Antares LONDON, Feb. 16, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- ONEm Communications is pleased to welcome Antares to its new global mobile ecosystem. ONEm provides Mobile Operators with a growing number of voice and SMS based services which transform the traditional mobile user experience from simple Voice and SMS closer to what people experience on the Internet. End users will also be able to access a range of social content and services called DEETS (Dynamic Ecosystem Enabled Text Services). "We are very excited to launch innovative service from ONEm for our future customers, said Dmitry Bragin, CEO of new LTE-only MNO, to b launched in 2H 2016. "We value our partnership with the advanced technology Mobile Operator Antares," states Christopher Richardson, CEO of ONEm Communications. "As an LTE only network, it goes to show that ONEm is truly an ecosystem that has value for any type of Operator Network." In the face of relentless internet innovation, ONEm sees an opportunity to provide Mobile Operators with a new ecosystem that is complementary to their existing business. Visit ONEm at Mobile World Congress Barcelona Hall 1, Stand 1C29 CONTACT: MyHoa Tien, Chief Commercial Officer, [email protected] To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/russia-gains-onem-ecosystem-through-lte-operator-antares-300219862.html SOURCE ONEm Communications The Accident Investigation Bureau has said it will fly out the black boxes of the Bristow Helicopters aircraft that crashed into the Atl... The Accident Investigation Bureau has said it will fly out the black boxes of the Bristow Helicopters aircraft that crashed into the Atlantic Ocean on February 3 to the United Kingdom for investigation.The aircraft, carrying nine passengers and two crew members, departed the ERHA Oil Platform for the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.Addressing journalists in Lagos on Monday on the investigation into the incident, the AIB Commissioner, Dr. Felix Abali, said the agency had carried out initial field investigation and had retrieved vital components such as the Flight Data Recorder, Cockpit Voice Recorder and Cockpit Image Recorder for further analysis.He said that the black boxes, especially the CIR, were to be flown to the United Kingdom because the equipment to download them was not available in Nigeria.Abali noted that the TRIM actuators would be sent to the manufacturers for investigative testing, while their representatives were being expected in the country any time soon to join in the investigation.Giving an insight into some events that happened on the day of the crash, the commissioner said the crew declared May Day twice.He said, The first was declared by the crew at 78 nautical miles from Lagos complaining of instrument problems. The aircraft descended from 3,000 feet to 1,500 feet. At this time, the Flying Officer was the Pilot Flying.The captain took over control expecting to stabilise the helicopter, but the aircraft was not responding to control inputs. She declared the second May Day to the radio operator at the offshore platform, which was relayed to the ATC by two separate aircraft. One aircraft was following the communication and relayed the ditching, which occurred at 10:20am at 29 nautical miles away from the platform.Abali listed some of the steps the AIB had taken so far to include administering toxicological tests on the crew, which proved negative to any substance abuse, in addition to interviewing one of the passengers.The AIB commissioner said that further investigation would focus on the aircraft controls with avionics interface and maintenance records, including examination of technical logs.Abali added that further interviews with the crew, maintenance personnel and others relevant to the investigation were also ongoing. Reports reaching NigerianEye has it that The National Caucus of the Peoples Democratic Party have just selected former Borno governor... Reports reaching NigerianEye has it that The National Caucus of the Peoples Democratic Party have just selected former Borno governor, Ali Modu Sheriff as the next chairman of the party. recalls that Ali Modu Sheriff was accused of being a sponsor to the Islamic sect Boko Haram by an Australian hostage negotiator Steven Davies a few years ago.The former governor of Borno State and a former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, were drafted into the race by the members of the partys National Caucus in Abuja at their meeting which ended in the early hours of Tuesday in Abuja.The meeting was held at Ondo Governors Lodge, Asokoro.It was attended by governors of the party and others.Again, members of the National Caucus met on Tuesday afternoon at the partys national secretariat, Abuja.Members of the Board of Trustees of the party are currently meeting to discuss to either reject or accept the former governor as the partys chairman.NE gathered that at the end of the BoT meeting, members of the National Executive would meet.The former governor was said to have been chosen because of his experience.He (Sheriff) has money. He is fearless and he has the capacity to galvanise the north for the PDP, a member of the PDP National Working Committee told our correspondent.The PDP is Nigerias biggest opposition party, and was defeated only in May 2015 after holding power for 16 years.Mr. Sherrif, who is replacing Ahmadu Muazu, the former chairman who resigned shortly after the polls, has been a controversial figure amid allegations he funded and sponsored the extremist sect, Boko Haram. He denies the allegation.The spokesperson for PDP, Olisa Metuh, who addressed journalists at the Abujas Wadata plaza secretariat of the party, on Tuesday, said all organs of the party, including, the national caucus, PDP governors forum and the national assembly caucuses agreed on the choice of Mr. Sherffi, who is also a former senator.Mr. Metuh said the decision would be communicated to the Board of Trustees and subsequently, the National Executive Committee, NEC, for ratification before a formal announcement would be made.More later The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola, has appealed to stakeholders in the power sector to partner the Federal Gov... The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola, has appealed to stakeholders in the power sector to partner the Federal Government in its effort to overhaul the sector. Fashola made the appeal while unveiling an overhauled generating unit of the Jebba Hydro Power Station on Monday. The rehabilitation work was the first carried out in the power station since it was inaugurated in 1985. The rehabilitation of the generating unit made possible through a N3.5 billon grant by the Japanese government through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).Mainstream Energy Solutions Limited, concessionaires of the power station, provided the N1.7 billion counterpart fund to bring the project cost to N5.2 billion. Fashola noted that stability must be restored to guarantee investments in the power sector; otherwise it would be difficult to reposition the sector.Unless we have stability and liquidity in that sector, it would be extremely difficult to grow the interest and investment that would ramp up the power supply from where it is. This is the gap that we must fill and this is the challenge that we must overcome. So, I once again appeal to all of the stakeholders to join hands with us, the government, the private owners, and everybody who is interested to add value to the sector. There are no sides in this challenge.For us, there is only one purpose: providing reliable power to the Nigerian people. The minister commended the investors and development partners involved in the work for choosing to invest their resources in Nigerias economy. He assured that the Federal Government would continue to support committed indigenous business owners who deployed their financial resources for the diversification and expansion of Nigerias economy.This plant has gone for over thirty years without prerequisite overhaul when at the time of commissioning in 1985, it would have been overhauled once every six years. All I wish to say is that for investors, like Mainstream and other concessionaires, as long as they play by the rules, they deserve our support. They have chosen to invest in a place we call home.There are others who have taken their money out. If the likes of Mainstream did not invest, the workers in this place would have no work. So, I once again use this opportunity to commend the investors, the workers and our development partners, the nation of Japan, represented by their ambassador, the JICA, Fashola said. Representative of JICA Nigeria Office, Mr Hirotaka Nakamura explained that the grant was a demonstration of the agencys preparedness to contribute to the development of Nigeria. Federal agencies are considering all options to dance around dwindling oil revenues triggered by tumbling prices of crude at the inte... Federal agencies are considering all options to dance around dwindling oil revenues triggered by tumbling prices of crude at the international market. One of such options is a request by the Mr. Babatunde Fashola, the minister of Housing, Works and Power, to access the N5.14 trillion pension fund to finance critical infrastructure. But, the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) has rejected the proposal.It should thus be avoided immediately before it gains ground within the corridors of power. It is a kite the congress and the generality of workers will not want to see fly in this circumstance.Nigerian workers are worried when we remember that it was in the midst of the mess that the public sector had made of the public sector pension fund scheme that the unified pension fund scheme was established.The thought of using our pension fund for investment in public sector infrastructure development is highly frightening given the well-known penchant for mismanagement inherent in public sector institutions in Nigeria.The future of Nigerian workers cannot be guaranteed under a scheme controlled entirely by crass, profligate and often insensitive politicians famous for their careless handling of public funds.We find it difficult to muster any confidence from anywhere to entrust our livelihood in the hands of a group that has historically and systematically decimated our collective resources over the years pauperising us at the slightest opportunity without any conscience.Moreover, we want to state that the Minister in all intents has only seen a pool of funds and sees it as something that could be annexed for the usual things Nigerian politicians do with our funds. Our pension fund is managed by the PFAs under the advisory of PENCOM.We are therefore at a loss how the minister wants to actualise this stated objective. What will be the mechanism for accessing this fund for infrastructure development without infringing the different laws put in place to manage the fund? Is he suggesting that the fraction set aside for PFAs to invest in public infrastructure development is small and should be a larger chunk?Let it be noted that workers in Nigeria have become the weeping boys and girls of every government policies and actions. Whenever there is a down-turn in the economy; wicked and heartless politicians have always turned to workers in search of what they could get from our hard-earned tokens.They have cut-down the little perks available to workers without any resistance while refusing to give up on their comforts but have instead increased the size of the budget to service their personal needs; they are currently indebted to workers in some instances and states, up to 15 months arrears and that is not sufficient; they are not paying the now expired minimum wage as prescribed by the law; yet, they are not satisfied; they are sacking workers with reckless abandon just like the 3,000 workers in Imo State last week yet, they are not done.Governor Rochas Okorocha reinstated the workers after striking a deal with the NLC on a sharing formula accruing to the state from the federation account.The NLC chief described Fasholas proposal as another stone being prepared to be cast at the workers by politicians in their effort at furthering their emasculation.He said: The imperativeness of reminding our political leaders that Nigerian workers were not responsible for mismanaging the nations economy but the politicians becomes real given their present intentions.We cannot therefore be made sacrificial lambs when anything goes wrong with the economy which our politicians have so hopelessly wrecked and continued to rape without any regard.It is therefore immoral and careless to subject such fund which is the life-blood of workers to the itchy-fingers of politicians no matter how well intentioned.Advising the minister to leave the pension fund alone, the NLC said: If our politicians could mismanage the huge accruals to our treasuries from the oil and gas sector over the years, is it the pension fund that will be left unscathed?In any case, since we are the owners of the fund, we insist that whatsoever benefits that purportedly will accrue to us as a result, we do not want to be part of it.We also insist that before anything could be done regarding our pension contributions, we should be the first to know as the custodians of the interests and desires of the workers.If Fashola intentionally wants to light the fire of debate on this, let him know that this is where we stand and should immediately bury the idea. We suggest that the MDAs and the government use their well known dexterity and creativity to look for funds elsewhere and take their lustful gaze away from workers pension funds.NLC will resist any action or policy designed to turn the nations pension funds into one of the sources of fund available for the use of the Federal Government. We will not tolerate this seeming lusting after the purse of the pension fund. We will not take kindly to attempts by any politician to expose our life-savings to the vicissitudes of the politics we play in Nigeria today.We have always remembered the greed with which successive governments have announced the degree of expansion in the size of the pension fund. When it was N2 trillion, they were watching, when they announced it was N3 trillion, the look on their faces changed; when they said it was over N4 trillion, they began to salivate and now that it has grown to about N6 trillion; it has become a frenzied and delirious attempt to annex it.Unfortunately, we recognise all of these in the look on the faces and body language of those in government which has also become heavily expressed and resonated in the sound-bite of Fasholas proposal. We say a resounding no to the use of pension fund for infrastructural development.She said: The major thrusts of the 2014 Act are the enhancement of the powers of the commission in its regulatory and enforcement activities, enhancement of the protection of pension fund assets, provision of greater opportunity for investment of pension funds in infrastructure and housing development, review of the sanctions regime to reflect current realities, provisions that would facilitate the participation of the informal sector and provide the framework for the adoption of the CPS by states and local government areas.In exercise of the commissions regulatory responsibility, it had issued regulation on investment of pension fund assets to further guide how the pension contributions should be invested.The pension assets have been largely invested in Federal Government securities, equities, money market instruments and corporate debt. The Commission has been making efforts to stimulate growth in the economy by introducing new assets classes into the portfolio of the pension funds provided they are allowed by the Pension Reform Act 2014.In this regard, Infrastructure Funds and Bonds were introduced to bridge the gap in the financing of infrastructure and housing. However, despite the availability of over N3.95 trillion for infrastructure financing, over N156 billion has been taken leaving over three trillion untapped. The National Executive members of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Women Wing International have prayed to Almighty God, begging that God should forgive ... The National Executive members of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Women Wing International have prayed to Almighty God, begging that God should forgive Nigerians whatever sins they had committed.The interdenominational prayer meeting, which was held at the Victory Chapel, Government House, Owerri, Imo State, was followed by fasting, praise and worship. In her remarks, the wife of the Imo State Governor, Nneoma Rochas Okorocha, urged Ohanaeze Women Wing to be steadfast in their mission and vision and they should continue to seek divine intervention for peace and unity in Nigeria. She said: I am emotional to what is happening today. It is not ordinary, what is happening today is divine. I love my God because He is everything. The position of east is very key, if Nigeria must move forward.For everywoman to begin to carry out this change, it must start from your bedroom. You must let your husband know the need for worthiness. For that reason, there is need for us to come together as women. Medical doctors in Osun State are holding a rally to protest the nonpayment of their salaries by the state government. The doctors, dr... Medical doctors in Osun State are holding a rally to protest the nonpayment of their salaries by the state government.The doctors, dressed in lab coats started the protests at OSAMDO House and moved from there to the House of Assembly where they submitted their protest letter to the Deputy Speaker, Mr. Akintunde Adegboye, who came out to receive them.The doctors said they had not been paid since October, 2015, adding that the state government paid them stipends that were not up to half of their salaries before the payment was stopped in September.The Chairman of the Nigeria Medical Association in the state, Dr. Suraj Ogunyemi, led the doctors, who defied the scorching sun to march through the major street to lay their protest letter with the lawmakers.The protesters, who were armed with placards with different inscriptions, asked the governor to account for how the bailout fund given the state by the Central Bank of Nigeria was spent.Some of the placards read, Doctors are suffering, patients are dying; Aregbesola, do the needful; Where is Osun bailout? and Ongoing project.unpaid salaries.The NMA chairman said, Doctors salaries have not been paid since October, 2015 and before this they were only paying stipends. We say no to this!Another issue is the unfriendly tax system introduced by the Federal Government; no state has implemented this except Osun. This was quickly implemented despite the state governments refusal to implement the new salary structure introduced by the same FG.The NMA chairman said the sympathy strike planned all doctors of the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital, Ile Ife would commence on Wednesday if nothing was done to avert this.Ogunyemi stated further that the strike could spread to all private hospitals in the state and to all hospitals in the South West if nothing was done to address the issues raised by the striking doctors.The sympathy strike will affect all doctors in the Federal Government owned hospitals in the state. It may spread to all private hospitals in the state and even to hospitals in the South West, he added.The doctors, who initially refused to have a dialogue with the lawmakers, later heeded the plea of the NMA chairman and went inside the Assembly complex for talks with the legislators. MADISON Gov. Scott Walkers hand-picked Supreme Court justice is expected to advance from Tuesdays high court primary. Incumbents rarely lose Supreme Court races, and Justice Rebecca Bradley has powerful conservative interests running television and radio ads on her behalf. Voters looking for an alternative will have to choose between two perceived liberals but how? Seeking to take Bradleys spot on the high court in the April 5 general election are Milwaukee County Judge Joe Donald and state Appeals Court Judge JoAnne Kloppenburg, who unsuccessfully ran in 2011 against conservative-leaning Justice David Prosser. While officially nonpartisan, Supreme Court races in recent years have split along party lines, drawing heavy spending from ideologically-driven outside groups providing some of the only cues for voters to figure out which candidate aligns with their preferences. Thats because Supreme Court candidates often dont comment on past decisions or potential future opinions. One of the great ironies of nonpartisan races is that despite it being nonpartisan, voters have to look for cues such as who is supporting these candidates, said Charles Franklin, Marquette Law School Poll director. Candidates for judicial offices very rarely discuss actual decisions ... Thats inherently frustrating to voters because it doesnt provide very much information about what they do. The race thus far has focused on Bradley, her ties to Walker and how much conservative group Wisconsin Alliance for Reform has spent in advertising on her behalf six figures-worth thus far. Bradley is quick to dispute that the race has become partisan. This is a nonpartisan position that I hold and the race should be nonpartisan and I have been running a very positive race that is focused on qualifications, she said. I have always followed the law and I have always said what the law is and not what I think it should be. She said this message is resonating across the political spectrum. Franklin said in differentiating between Donald and Kloppenburg, voters can look to Kloppenburgs past race to learn more about her views. I think Judge Donald has the bigger task, said Franklin. Andy Suchorski, campaign manager for Donald, said he expects Bradley to secure 55 to 60 percent of Tuesdays votes, leaving Donald and Kloppenburg to fight for the rest of the pie. The top two vote getters will square off in the general election. I still think JoAnne started ahead of Joe she started with name recognition, said Suchorski. Joe was kind of this unknown guy and we have tried to stay true to who he is by staying in that independent lane. Donald often touts his appointment from Republican Gov. Tommy Thompson and endorsement from U.S. Sen. Gwen Moore, a Democrat. We are gambling that there will be enough people fed up with the standard left versus right, and we do think our message of independence will still appeal to people on the left, and we do think there are enough people on the right as well who are dissatisfied with (Walker), Suchorski said. In an interview, Donald said hes expecting success because hes hearing voters dont want to see the court aligned to a political party. Donald said one of his proudest accomplishments was starting a program in Milwaukee County that would allow non-violent offenders convicted of drug crimes to get treatment and receive a lesser sentence. He said hes been criticized for not being tough enough on crime for the program, but emphasized his goal is to keep offenders from offending again, and drug treatment was imperative in that effort. Donald has backed Bradley as a circuit court judge, which Kloppenburgs campaign is eager to point out. Donald said his aim is to get politics out of our Supreme Court. He said to remain fair and impartial, judges cannot be influenced by or beholden to politicians or special interests. Theres a recognition, also, of the historical significance of my campaign, said Donald, who is black. People feel that now might be the time to send that message. To say, Hey, we might need to change the complexion of the court. We need to get politics out of our court. We need to go beyond divisiveness and ideology and have justices who are truly fair and balanced and impartial. Suchorski characterizes Kloppenburg as running essentially the same campaign she ran in 2011 against Prosser as the anti-Walker candidate. Kloppenburg disputes the characterization of being liberal-leaning, however, despite being supported by liberal-leaning groups who spent heavily on her behalf in her past race. She said she is different than her opponents because voters want a Supreme Court justice who stands up for people and decides cases on facts and the law. She said her judicial philosophy is rooted in keeping an open mind. She said voters have told her they are backing her because I will not know how I will decide any case. Kloppenburg said her distinction, instead, is she is qualified head and shoulders above Bradley and Donald in terms of judicial and legal experience. She pointed to her experience issuing hundreds of appellate decisions and having direct experience with appellate litigation. Power supply to households and businesses across the country has plunged by 1,589.69 megawatts since the nation achieved its peak generat... Power supply to households and businesses across the country has plunged by 1,589.69 megawatts since the nation achieved its peak generation of 5,074.70MW on February 2.Electricity supply on Sunday, February 14, dropped to 3,485MW from the 3,558.39MW generated that day, data obtained from the Federal Ministry of Power on Monday showed.Power generation and supply stood at 4,150.64MW and 4,068.5MW on February 11, according to the Presidential Task Force on Power.Officials at the ministry said on Sunday that issues around gas pipeline rupturing by vandals as well as oil theft had led to a plunge in power generation.They, however, noted that the Federal Government was working tirelessly to address the problem.The recent dip in electricity generation came after the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, had promised that the country would increase its power production by 2,000MW before the end of this year.He stated that given the various plans undertaken by the present administration in the sector, power generation would increase by 2,000MW in the last quarter of this year.Fashola stated that a lot had changed in the management of power in Nigeria in recent times.Distribution of power is no longer a government business but has been taken over by private companies.Also, government has privatised power generation, which has steered towards the full privatisation of the sector with transmission aspect being managed by Manitoba International of Canada, he had said. Members of the Sisters Forum of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (SFIMN), popularly called the Shiite, yesterday protested at the Kaduna ... Members of the Sisters Forum of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (SFIMN), popularly called the Shiite, yesterday protested at the Kaduna Central Market to demand the unconditional release of their leader, Sheik Ibrahim El-Zakzaky.He has been in custody for over 50 days.Addressing reporters, their leader, Lubabatu Alhassan, urged Nigerians to join them to oppose misuse of power and authority against unarmed citizens by the government.She said: The indiscriminate and extra-judicial killing of unarmed civilians by the Army calls for condemnation within and outside the country. It calls for investigation into the worst crime against humanity.Following this senseless and inhuman act perpetrated by the state, using the Army, hundreds of children have become orphans and women widows.Since the pogrom, the government and Army have embarked on propaganda, including the use of sectarian sentiments to induce phobia against the Islamic Movement and its members, to cover up for and justify their crime against humanity.The group accused the Kaduna State government of joining forces with the Army to demolish their centre and their leaders home in Zaria, to cover up the evidence left by the Army.It vowed not to be part of the Judicial Commission of Enquiry set up by the government until its leader is released.Alhassan said: The Judicial Commission of Enquiry can better be described as a commission of indictment, where carefully selected arch-enemies of the Movement, and core sectarians were sworn in to investigate the incident along selected points of reference that are inconsiderate of the brutal and indiscriminate killing of our brothers and sisters. RIDGEFIELD PARK -- Firefighters battled two fires separated by just one house Monday on Edwin Street. The first fire broke out in the rear of 88 Edwin St. at about 5 p.m., Douglas Hansen, Ridgefield Park Fire Marshall, said. Firefighters had just returned from battling that blaze when a call came in for a second fire at 80 Edwin St. at about 9:40 p.m., Hansen said. Both fires started in the computer rooms of the homes. One firefighter was injured in the second, more serious fire after falling through the floor between the first and second levels, Hansen said. He didn't know the extent of the firefighter's injuries. The second house was declared uninhabitable, displacing its two residents, after fire destroyed much of the second floor, Hansen said. The two residents of the first home should be allowed back in soon. Hansen initially thought an arsonist may have been on the loose when firefighters were called back to Edwin Street, but both fires were deemed accidental. "That's very unusual," he said. "Just a strange coincidence." Mutual aid came from Bogota, Teaneck, Little Ferry and Hackensack. Myles Ma may be reached at mma@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @MylesMaNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Jayme Shannon (Bergen County Sheriff) NEWARK --Twelve years ago, Jayme Shannon was convicted and sentenced to jail for nearly three years for a sex crime involving a minor. On Tuesday, Shannon was sentenced again on a new set of charges involving a sex crime. He got more than 21 years. Shannon, 53, pleaded guilty last year to charges that in 2013, he met a 15-year-old boy through an online chat room, went to his home in New York and took him to a motel in Fort Lee to have sex with him. On Tuesday, U.S. District Judge Esther Salas ordered the ex-New York City police officer to spend the next 21 years and three months in prison, saying Shannon is a community danger. "There is an absolute need to protect children from Mr. Shannon," Salas said. Local police and the Bergen County Sheriff's Department found Shannon -- who was convicted in 2003 and had served a nearly three-year sentence for a similar offense -- in the Skyview Motel in Fort Lee with a 15-year-old boy on Oct. 14, 2013. Shannon has lived in East Brunswick and East Windsor. During Tuesday's sentencing hearing, defense attorney Benjamin Morton said he would not ask Salas to give Shannon a lighter sentence than guidelines recommended, but did ask her to stay at the lower end of those guidelines. Considering that one of the two counts to which Shannon pleaded guilty required a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison, going beyond the guidelines would amount to a virtual life sentence, Morton said. Assistant U.S. Attorney Josh Hafetz said Shannon obviously had not been able to control himself, noting that in his 2003 arrest, Shannon had arranged a tryst with a person he thought was a 14-year-old boy. That individual was an undercover police officer. As a former police officer, Hafetz said, Shannon "should know better." Salas said Shannon's crime was "as bad as it gets," adding that he could have continued with counseling after serving 33 months in prison for the 2003 conviction. However, Shannon did not take that opportunity, she said. Salas also noted that Shannon has had to spend the past year in protective custody at the Essex County Correctional Facility after inmates, using smuggled cell phones and tablets, learned about Shannon's background and threatened him. "He has only himself to blame," Salas said. For his part, Shannon, wearing a canary yellow prison jumpsuit, apologized to the victim who was not in the courtroom. "I'm sorry I put you through this horrendous ordeal," he said. Shannon also apologized to his brother and family and thanked his ex-wife, who he said stood by him. Shannon will have seven years of supervision after serving his sentence. Shannon asked that Salas recommend incarcerating him in the federal prison in Devens, Mass., which has treatment programs for sex offenders. Tim Darragh may be reached at tdarragh@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @timdarragh. Find NJ.com on Facebook. In a file photo, a group of wild turkeys feed on the grass in the median of Scenic Drive near Route 29 in Mercer County. HILLSDALE -- Dogs aren't the only danger in the mail delivery business. A pair of police officers scared off a group of turkeys Tuesday that had pinned down a letter carrier in a mail truck. The local postmaster called Hillsdale police at about 12:10 p.m. to report that one of his trucks had been surrounded by turkeys on Esplanade Drive, leaving the letter carrier unable to exit, Detective Bill Diedtrich said. The police department dispatched a pair of officers, who managed to scare the turkeys away from the truck, Diedtrich said. The turkeys moved on to a wooded area while letter carrier continued on his route, skipping three homes. "The safety of our employees is a top priority," George Flood, a spokesman for the U.S. Postal Service, said. "We are treating this incident like any other animal attack and will resume delivery to these three homes when we can assure the safety of our employee." That may come as soon as Tuesday afternoon, Flood said. Wild turkeys neared extinction a few decades ago but have made a comeback in New Jersey. A recent estimate placed their New Jersey population at 23,000. Myles Ma may be reached at mma@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @MylesMaNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook. WASHINGTON -- Authorities are searching for a missing Philadelphia man whose car was discovered in Wharton State Forest Sunday. John Kohlbecker, 27, was last seen leaving work in Philadelphia on Thursday, according to a release by the New Jersey State Police. A white 1995 Toyota Camry belonging to Kohlbecker was found at the Green Bank State Forest Station in Wharton State Forest on Sunday, the release states. Kohlbecker is described in the release as a white male of average height and build, with blonde hair and blue eyes. According to the release, Kohlbecker may also be "at-risk." State police are asking anyone who can help locate Kohlbecker to call 911 or contact the New Jersey State Police Major Crimes Unit at 609-561-1800 ext. 3355. Vernal Coleman can be reached at vcoleman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter at @vernalcoleman. Find NJ.com on Facebook. CAMDEN -- Four firefighters were taken to the hospital after a hazmat incident at building on Federal Street Tuesday morning, according to a report by 6 ABC. Emergency personnel were called to the building on the corner of 7th and Federal streets at about 9 a.m. Authorities said the firefighters were exposed to a hazmat leak while on the scene. They were taken to Cooper University Hospital. The exposure does not appear to be life threatening, according to the report. Authorities have not released further information on the leak, and the situation remains under investigation. Alex Young may be reached at ayoung@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @AlexYoungSJT. Find the South Jersey Times on Facebook. PHILADELPHIA -- Tenants considering moving into the most expensive home for rent in Philadelphia may be lured by the hot tub built into one of two balconies offering views of Rittenhouse Square. The soaking tub featured in one of the residence's three and half a bathrooms may also grab them. But anyone planning on calling the more than 3,000-square-foot property on South 18th Street home needs to be prepared to shell out $14,000 a month to stay there. Philadelphia ranked among the 20 most expensive rental markets in the country, according to the apartment rental search firm Zumper, which put the median rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the city at $1,190 this winter. Two-bedroom apartments in Philadelphia came with a median asking price of $1,360. But you won't find homes near those prices at the top end of Philadelphia's rental market. Most of the city's most expensive rentals that are listed on the real estate website Trulia are found in Center City. Only one of the top eight was located west of the Schuylkill River. Scroll through the gallery at the top for a look inside the city's most expensive homes for rent, from a nine-bedroom property in Spruce Hill to a three-bedroom residence on Rittenhouse Square. Erin O'Neill may be reached at eoneill@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @LedgerErin. Find NJ.com on Facebook. NEWARK -- Despite being mentioned as a possible nominee for a fresh vacancy on the country's highest court, U.S. Sen. Cory Booker said Tuesday that he has no plans to leave his current post. During a signing for his newly released book "United", at American History High School in Newark, Booker said he was honored by the suggestion he might be picked to succeed the late U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia but denied that any such wheels were in motion. "It's incredibly flattering to be a U.S. senator, which I want to stay at for a long time," he said. "It's flattering to be talked about for anything, but I've got the best job. The best job I can dream of." After Scalia's unexpected death Saturday, Booker's name was immediately floated as a potential pick for the vacant seat. Booker, who served as Newark's mayor from 2006 to 2013, holds a law degree from Yale University. While never completely ruling out accepting the nod, he has since repeated several times that he is focused on his duties in the Senate. His current term runs through 2020. President Barack Obama has said he will move ahead with the nomination to the high court, though Republicans have vowed to fight any such effort until a new president has taken office in January 2017. On Tuesday, Booker voiced his support for the president, and called any efforts to block a well-qualified nominee "naked partisanship." "That's not following our traditions. To leave a vacancy for over a year is something that, besides a war-time situation, we have never seen," he said. "We shouldn't leave a branch of the government in that situation." The senator's name has often been floated as a potential vice presidential choice for candidates such as Hillary Clinton. Dan Ivers may be reached at divers@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter at @DanIversNJ. Find NEWARK -- A reputed Newark gang member is facing life in prison after he was convicted in state Superior Court Tuesday for possession of an illegal weapon, authorities said in a news release. Alexis Canadas, 36, was found guilty of first degree unlawful possession of weapon by a convicted felon following a trial before state Superior Court Judge John I. Gizzo, said Essex County Prosecutor's Office spokeswoman Katherine Carter in the release. Passed in August of 2013, the law imposes stiffer penalties on repeat offenders, and Canadas could receive a term of life in New Jersey State Prison when he is sentenced on April 8, Carter said. In addition to the first degree offense, Canadas, who authorities say is a ranking member of the Sex, Money, Murder faction of the Bloods street gang, was also convicted of second degree unlawful possession of a weapon, second degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and the fourth degree offense of defacing a firearm, Carter said. Authorities believe the conviction may be the first of its type since the law was enacted, she added. "This is what the Legislature intended when the law was changed," said Assistant Prosecutor Timothy Lanni. "The purpose was to keep repeat, violent offenders off the streets." Canadas has 16 prior felony convictions, including three for aggravated assault, shootings and drug-related offenses, Carter said. Canadas' most recent conviction stemmed from an Aug. 2014 incident, Carter said. While driving on Park Avenue in Newark, Canadas was stopped by police officer, who observed a silver handgun on the floor of the driver's seat as she approached the vehicle. Canadas was later arrested and charged with unlawful possession of a weapon and related offenses, Carter said. He is currently being held in the Essex County Correctional Facility. Vernal Coleman can be reached at vcoleman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter at @vernalcoleman. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Its the dead of winter, but two solar power field applicants are looking forward to sunnier days. Xcel Energy is proposing a 3.5 megawatt solar generation plant in the town of Wheaton on half of a 40-acre parcel owned by NSP-Wisconsin. It would be east of Xcel Energys Wheaton Generating Station. A second proposal by SoCore Energy is for a solar panel field that would be on property at 15800 County OO in the town of Hallie that would be leased from owners Joseph and Lynn Sedlacek of Chippewa Falls. Eau Claire Energy Cooperative is involved in the project, according to a letter to Chippewa County by Laura Caspari, a senior project developer for the Chicago-based SoCore Energy. Both solar energy projects are on the agenda of the Chippewa County Planning and Zoning Committee for its meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 18, in room 302 of the Chippewa County Courthouse, 711 N. Bridge St., Chippewa Falls. The committee will consider whether (Xcels) solar generation facility may be an approved use for industrial zoning, may need a conditional use permit, or otherwise, said a letter to the county by JD Armstrong of the utility. This would be the first solar farm in Wisconsin for Xcel Energy, said Chris Ouelette, media relations representative for the utility. Last fall, we proposed a new, bold plan to transition our energy system from coal to cleaner energy, including natural gas, wind and solar. The result will be a 60-percent reduction in carbon emissions from 2005 levels and a 63-percent carbon-free energy mix, she said. Construction would start in June and the electricity generated by the solar panels will go online in October, she said. The 3.5 megawatts generated is enough to power about 700 homes, Ouellette said. As of June 2014, Xcel generated 320 megawatts from solar power. Over the next several years we plan to expand our use of solar, she said. The solar facility will generate electricity whenever the sun is shining. The solar panels sit 2 feet off the ground and do not move. She said the solar facility will have no affect on the bills of customers. A project summary for the Xcel proposal says: Access to (the) solar field will be from 80th Street on the east side of the property. The stone access road will be run to the inverters and transformer. The entire solar field will be secured by a chain link fence with three strands of barbed wire. The finished site will be over-seeded with grass to prevent weed growth. The proposed solar facility would be 1.5 miles northwest of the Chippewa Valley Regional Airport in Eau Claire. The utility said on Jan. 15 it became aware the airport requested a glare analysis of the solar facility be done. We are working on using this and other information to provide an assessment of the potential issue, a project summary said. Another solar facility The SoCore Energy project is seeking a conditional use permit to build the solar farm in the town of Hallie. The property is zoned agricultural. The site will consist of approximately 1 megawatt on an estimated eight acres. The modules will be installed on a driven pile racking structure. Each linear string of modules will slowly track the path of the sun east to west throughout the day, the companys filing with the county says. SoCore said it prefers a permanent, non-expiring term for the conditional use permit, where the permit stays with the property. However, should a permanent term not be possible, the applicant respectfully requests a 35-year term. SoCore Energy and Eau Claire Energy met with the Hallie Town Board last month about its permit application. We understand the township will formally review the conditional use permit application once submitted, but have made an effort to involve local stakeholders and incorporate their feedback as early as possible in the process, the company said. The solar farm would operate every day during daylight hours. Over the next several years we plan to expand our use of solar. Chris Oulette, Xcel Energy GLASSBORO -- Rowan trustees have approved a proposal to sell 100 acres of land to Inspira Medical Center for construction of a new hospital in Harrison Township. Trustees voted Tuesday after hearing a presentation on Inspira's plans and going into closed session twice. Under the deal, Inspira will pay Rowan approximately $9.5 million for 100 acres of land on Route 322 at the Route 55 interchange. Inspira plans to build a 172-bed hospital with an estimated price tag of $310 million, hospital officials said Tuesday. The new 350,000-square-foot facility is projected to provide jobs for 1,400, including full- and part-time positions. Trustees tabled the measure last month after Kennedy Health CEO Joseph Devine spoke against the idea. Devine argued that building a hospital at that location would oversaturate the area's health care markets, since Kennedy operates a hospital six miles away in Washington Township. Kennedy Health employees gather for Tuesday's Rowan University trustees meeting. (Matt Gray | For NJ.com) After hearing Devine's concerns, trustees voted 9-2 on Jan. 6 to table the measure and take more time for review. Approval by the trustees gives Rowan President Ali Houshmand permission to negotiate the sale to Inspira. The board made two amendments to the original resolution Tuesday, one requiring that the sale price of the land be based on its appraised value, not the set figure of $9.5 million included in the original language. The second amendment requires that the board gets a final look at the negotiated deal before it's finalized. The measure passed 11-0 with three recusals. A large group of Kennedy employees from the Washington Township hospital, many clad in their white lab coats, turned out for Tuesday's meeting. No one from Kennedy spoke publicly at the session. One employee said prior to the meeting that allowing Inspira to build at the proposed location doesn't make sense, because these same services are already available nearby at Kennedy. "I think that it's duplication of services," said Linda Jatzke, critical care manager at Kennedy's Washington Township hospital. "I don't think that it should go through. It's not a good move." Devine said previously that he hasn't ruled out legal action to stop development of a hospital at that location. "Obviously we're disappointed," said Lisa Morina, Kennedy vice president of marketing and external relations, following Tuesday's vote. "Our position hasn't changed and it's not going to change. We still don't think it's a good idea and it's not in the best interest of the community." During Tuesday's session, Inspira CEO John DiAngelo offered more details about the project and its projected benefits. A video and slide presentation outlined the company's history, current services and goals for the new facility. Inspira looked at more than 100 possible locations, according to Inspira Executive Vice President Todd Way. "We do have other sites, but they are not as ideal as this one," Way said. "This is the best place for us to be," DiAngelo said of the Harrison Township location. Once trustees heard Inspira's presentation, had a chance to review the land sale agreement in greater detail and added its two amendments, the board was comfortable with moving forward, Houshmand said after the vote. The final agreement will include more specifics on how Rowan and Inspira will work together on expanding medical education opportunities to students, officials said. Houshmand stressed that this agreement doesn't change its relationship with Kennedy or any other area hospital, noting that all play a vital role in improving health care in New Jersey. "There's no fight," he said. "We love Kennedy. They are our colleagues." Rowan already partners with Inspira, Kennedy, Virtua Health and Cooper University Hospital on various programs. Inspira wants to move inpatient hospital services from its Woodbury hospital to the new facility. Services will remain at the Woodbury location, including the ER. That facility will receive about $7 million in upgrades, officials said Tuesday. "We have no intention of abandoning Woodbury at all," DiAngelo stressed. Inspira plans to file its certificate of need application for the new facility with the state by March 1. DiAngelo expects this process could take a year. After that, construction of the hospital would take about two years. As part of the deal, Harrison Township will transfer 34 acres of land near the Route 55 interchange to Rowan free of charge. Harrison Township Mayor Lou Manzo said the new facility is more than just a hospital, noting the development this project will attract. "It will be an entire medical campus with numerous supporting medical office buildings that will develop over the next several years," Manzo said in a statement. "It will also have a positive impact on the planned Richwood project at that interchange, which is set to move forward this year." As for the Inspira facility in Woodbury, Manzo said, "I'm also eager to help facilitate the repurposing of the Woodbury location, which has always been a priority in my mind. ... I will continue to lend my support to ensure the result will be a long term benefit to our friends in Woodbury. Matt Gray may be reached at mgray@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @MattGraySJT. Find the South Jersey Times on Facebook. GLASSBORO -- Rowan University officials will vote Wednesday to explore opening a new medical school campus in Atlantic City. The agenda for Wednesday's trustees meeting says the board will decide whether to hire the firm Tripp Umbach for a feasibility study on "the impacts associated with a potential four-year branch campus of a medical school." Ken Blank, Rowan's senior vice president for health sciences, said the school has been in talks with AtlantiCare health system about cooperative ventures and the idea of opening a campus of Rowan School of Osteopathic Medicine developed. "We had a meeting about how we could work together and the branch campus concept came up," he said. "We've been talking and now we think it's time to do the feasibility study." Rowan and AtlantiCare will split the cost of the study. The Atlantic City campus would be smaller than the main program in Stratford, Blank said Tuesday. This marks the university's first attempt to establish a presence in Atlantic City. Rowan first began accepting students to the SOM, located in Stratford, in 2012 after the dismantling of the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey. Andy Polhamus may be reached at apolhamus@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @ajpolhamus. Find the South Jersey Times on Facebook. Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey Images of the Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey headquarters in Newark. (Matt Smith | For NJ Advance Media) TRENTON -- Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey rewarded 51 medical practices with $3 million in bonuses for keeping patients healthy while avoiding unnecessary tests and preventing hospital admissions, the state's largest health insurance company has announced. In the post-Obamacare universe of health coverage, the strategy is known "value-pricing" and "bundling payments," and is based on an analysis of what quality care should cost per procedure. One day this will be how Medicare and private insurance companies pay doctors, hospitals and other medical providers, rather than the traditional and expensive "fee for service" payment model. Horizon's experiment with 51 physicians' offices began in 2014 and pays the full reimbursement rate for 8,400 patients who underwent hip and knee replacements, knee arthroscopies, colonoscopies and pregnancies, said Lili Brillstein, the doctor of Horizon's episode of care program. Then after an analysis of how patients fared and what their treatment cost, Horizon shared some of the savings with the doctors who better managed these "episodes of care" in late 2014 and 2015, Horizon officials said. Horizon, for example, rewarded OB/GYN practices that avoided performing medically unnecessary caesarean-section deliveries -- a real problem in New Jersey, which has the highest c-section rate of about 40 percent, Brillstein noted. The World Health Organization recommends a c-section rate of no more than 15 percent because of the potential risks for mother and baby. There was a 32 percent decline in c-sections across the participating medical practices, Horizon officials said. Hospital readmissions dropped 22 percent after knee replacement surgeries, 37 percent after hip replacement surgeries and 100 percent after knee arthroscopy, a type of surgery that uses a tiny camera. The payment strategy requires doctors and insurance companies to set aside the traditional "put up your dukes" adversarial relationship and work together to develop a plan about quality care should look like and cost, she said. "We have noticed a cost reduction and believe our quality has gone up," said Jack Feltz, president of Lifeline Medical Associates, an OB/GYN practice with 115 doctors across the state and a participant in Horizon's episode of care program. "Our medical liability claims are one of the lowest in the tri-state area. We must be doing something better." Feltz, a board-certified OB/GYN, said the program challenges physicians to stop ordering tests that are not absolutely necessary and recommending prescriptions without looking for the cheapest alternative. The program was a catalyst for a recent meeting with the Morristown-based hospital chain Atlantic Health to develop a consistent strategy on the best course of outpatient and inpatient treatment for pregnant women with hypertension, he said. Consumers should feel confident that quality is still the most important goal, he added. Horizon requires doctors to meet quality standards in order to share in the savings. "Patients should be delighted this whole program is occurring across the country. This is about rewarding physicians who have the best tools," he said. Linda Schwimmer, president and CEO for the Heath Care Quality Institute of New Jersey, a research and consumer advocacy organization, described the "episode of care" payment model as one of a number of valuable tools that have emerged since the Affordable Care Act to help contain medical expenses. There is more data available than ever before for insurance companies and medical professionals to determine what the best medical care looks like and what it should cost, she said. "Surgeries and procedures are a pretty big component of the cost of health care and one piece of the puzzle is to reduce those costs," she said. The federal government recently announced that beginning later this year, hip and knee replacement provided through Medicare would be paid using this model. "This one day will be the norm for many procedures," she said. The approach in general has its limitations, Schwimmer said. "It does not address whether you should have the procedure to begin with," she said. It's also a system that is "basically invisible to patients," she said. "There should be registries where information can be posted, such as, if a medical device is failing, or where are the best rehab centers, and based on data which hospitals are better for some procedures than others." Susan K. Livio may be reached at slivio@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @SusanKLivio. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook. gardasil (Thinkstock) The nurse who botched a workplace flu clinic by using just two syringes to inoculate 67 workers last fall says in a written account she says she gave to state officials that her Nebraska-based employer sent the wrong supplies. In a statement she submitted to the N.J. Board of Nursing when she temporarily surrendered her license, Mary Roback claims there were several problems with the supplies earmarked for the flu shot clinic held at West Windsor pharmaceutical company: The company that hired her sent her three 10-dose bottles of vaccine instead of individually pre-filled syringes. Those bottles amounted to just 30 doses - not nearly enough for the number of employees who had signed up. Only two syringes were included. And they were the wrong kind: the type used for insulin injections. The markings along the barrel were in units of insulin, not in millliters - and she didn't have the training to convert one measurement to the other. "I did my best to eyeball what I felt was as near to the appropriate does per client," she said in her first public comments about the episode that made national news. She did use a fresh needle for each patient. As a result of her imprecision, all the affected employees were advised they needed a second flu shot. More importantly, because the two syringes were re-used after each shot, they were advised they should be tested for any transmission of HIV, and hepatitis B and C. Roback apologized at the close of her statement, which she said she gave a Board of Nursing representative who interviewed her in her Ewing home a week after the Sept. 30 clinic at Otsuka America Pharmaceutical. Roback provided a copy of the statement to NJ Advance Media. "I am a caring nurse and would not intentionally do anything that would be harmful to anyone I treat. I am cognizant that what I did led to harmful effects on the clients I provided vaccine to...for which I am truly sorry," she wrote in her statement. The company that hired her online is TotalWellness, based in Omaha. Companies pay TotalWellness to run flu vaccine clinics or biometric screening at their worksites. TotalWellness staffs those clinics with an army of 6,000 healthcare providers who are paid on a per-clinic basis. Contacted about Roback's claim she received the wrong supplies, a spokeswoman for TotalWellness said, "There is an ongoing investigation regarding this matter, and therefore we cannot comment." When the mishandled clinic came to light, TotalWellness issued a statement indicating, "Our sincerest apologies go out to all those affected by this terrible event." The 67 Otsuka employees who received a shot at the problematic clinic were offered free blood tests on the chance that blood from one employee might have been transferred to a coworker because of the repeat use of the syringe. The workplace clinic was halted when an employee complained about a syringe being reused. Otsuka personnel contacted TotalWellness, which notified the N.J. Department of Health about the breach of injection protocol. So far there have been no cases of disease spread by Roback's shots, according to a spokeswoman for the N.J. Department of Health. There is still one more round of testing as well as the third and final round of Hep B vaccination scheduled for this month before employees will know they're in the clear. A spokeswoman for the N.J. Board of Nursing said Roback's license remains suspended pending further action by the board. She declined to comment on Roback's claims because the matter is still under investigation. TotalWellness contracted with Roback to administer flu shots at three area clinics last fall, the LPN said. When a shipment of the supplies for each clinic arrived at her apartment, she would mark the Styrofoam cooler containing the vaccine with the name and date of the clinic, then place it in her refrigerator, she said. She would then print out the event work sheet and tape it to the box of clinic supplies - vials, syringes, gloves, etc. - designated for each clinic. When she unpacked the equipment once at Otsuka, however, she said she was surprised to see there were just three vials of vaccine - not nearly enough for the number of sign-ups - and only two syringes. Despite that setback, she went ahead with the clinic - a decision she says she regrets. She said she didn't abruptly cancel it in part because she needed the money, but mostly because Otsuka had gone to a lot of trouble to get her through security and set up the clinic. Instead, she said she decided to "make do with what I had." "I guess I didn't want to make a scene of saying, 'Hey, I don't have the right stuff. I can't do this,'" she said."I needed to be paid. I wasn't working. I figured even if it was only $125, I'd get that out of it. So it was somewhat selfish of me." When state health officials contacted her about her errors, she agreed to surrender her nursing license temporarily. The Board of Nursing has not yet rendered a final decision about her. Roback said that in addition to attaching a fresh needle for each shot, she cleaned the hub and barrel of the syringe with a new alcohol prep pad after cleaning her hands with sanitizer. In her statement, she said she did not aspirate with each injection. That's the technique of inserting the needle, then drawing up on the plunger a little to see if any blood appears - a sign the needle has hit a vein or artery and should be repositioned. Ironically her failure to aspirate reduced the likelihood that blood from one vaccine recipient would come in contact with the next person getting a shot. Once complaints about her clinic reached TotalWellness, they canceled her contract for the next two clinics and told her to return the vaccine and other supplies. Since then, Roback, 61, has been looking for work and fighting eviction from her apartment. She can't afford to hire an attorney to represent her in any Board of Nursing proceedings, and seems resigned to losing her LPN license. She also has a master's degree in health administration and was employed for over a year by an Essex County family to provide specialized therapy to their 23-year-old autistic son. Under her tutelage, she said, he finally learned how to tie his shoes. Roback said she has learned her lesson. In the section of her statement titled, "What I should have done differently," she wrote, "Never/ever, re-use a syringe when giving any type of injection." Kathleen O'Brien may be reached at kobrien@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @OBrienLedger. Find NJ.com on Facebook. The Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH Intl.) will hold its Region 2 Conference in Maryland, March 18-20. Region 2 is comprised of Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Washington, D.C., Scandinavia, Europe and the Middle East. The conference will be held at the University of Maryland College Park, in College Park, Md. PATH Intl. is made up of more than 7,600 individual members and 866 center members from all over the world. This vast network is divided geographically into 11 different regions that facilitate communication, networking, educational opportunities and outreach as well as increase the professionalism and knowledge of equine-assisted activities and therapies (EAAT). Annually, each region conducts a region conference to provide networking and opportunities for continuing education on a more local level. Workshop sessions are generally presented by regional experts in the EAAT field and are on a broad spectrum of topics, from horse care and EAAT programs (such as veterans or carriage driving) to marketing, collaborations and research findings on the impact of EAAT on individuals with special needs. For instance, at the PATH Intl. Region 2 conference attendees will learn about business and nonprofit collaboration for a strong hippotherapy program, Special Olympics, equine emergencies and equine law. While PATH Intl. members may gain the greatest benefit from PATH Intl. Region Conferences (including continuing education units for instructors), non-members have a wonderful opportunity to learn more about EAAT in a fun and relaxed setting, while meeting knowledgeable and dedicated members. If you have ever wondered what EAAT offers or if it could benefit you or someone you know, find out at a PATH Intl. Region Conference. Visit www.pathintl.org/path-intl-membership/locate-my-region/region-2 for more information on the Region 2 conference. About PATH Intl.: The Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International(r) (PATH Intl(r).) was formed in 1969 to promote safety and optimal outcomes in equine-assisted activities and therapies (EAAT) for individuals with special needs. At 866 member centers, nearly 62,000 children and adults, including nearly 4,000 veterans, may find improved health, wellness, fun and a sense of pride and independence through involvement with horses. Therapeutic horsemanship at member centers may include hippotherapy, equine-facilitated mental health, driving, interactive vaulting, trail riding, competition, ground work and stable management. Through a wide variety of educational resources, the association helps individuals start and maintain successful EAAT programs. There are more than 55,000 volunteers, 4,666 instructors, 7,672 equines and thousands of contributors from all over the world helping people at PATH Intl. Member Centers. For current equestrian news see Horse News or check out the online version of the print edition. Horse News covers everything equestrian in the mid-Atlantic area and can be reached at horsenews@hcdemocrat.com To subscribe to the print edition call 908-948-1309. For advertising e-mail mchapman@njadvancemedia.com. Find Horse News on Facebook JERSEY CITY -- A sick juror has canceled jury deliberations today in the trial of Secaucus attorney Todd Gorman, who is charged with attempting to stab his girlfriend to death inside their Harmon Cove home in 2011. Gorman is charged with the Sept. 29, 2011, attempted murder of Stephanie Schwartz, who worked at a financial firm in Manhattan. She took her own life within a year of that incident. Deliberations are moving slowly as jurors called for playback of a large amount of testimony from the trial last week. The jury deliberated a short time on Feb. 4 following closing statements, and again for a short time last Tuesday, following a playback of defense and prosecution summations. Wednesday was the first full day of deliberations. On Thursday, the jury deliberated a short time before asking to hear playback of the testimony given by two doctors, a Meadowlands Hospital Medical Center nurse, seven police officers and the boyfriend of the victim's mother. The playback, which includes nearly all testimony presented during the trial, consumed almost all of Thursday and playback of the remaining four to six hours of testimony was to begin this morning. While the prosecution argued that Gorman attacked Schwartz with a knife because she threw him out of their Harmon Cove home, the defense contended Schwartz was trying to kill herself with a knife when Gorman intervened. He was then forced to defend himself when she turned on him, the defense said. Gorman testified at the trial but said he had no recollection of events that night. Defense attorney Peter Willis argued that Schwartz had tried to kill herself twice before. Gorman described Schwartz as being suicidal, depressed, volatile, unpredictable, violent, medicated and known to abuse alcohol. He said she attacked him a number of times and put him in fear for his life on two occasions. Gorman has a degree in aero science engineering, is a retired Air Force captain and is a lawyer. During the trial it was stated that the couple met in an online suicide forum that provided information on methods to commit suicide and how to obtain any materials needed. Hudson County Assistant Prosecutor Tracy McQuaide described Gorman as a person who at one point in his life showed promise. She said at the time of the incident, Schwartz had given him a credit card and phone and was supporting him while he was unemployed and doing community service following a drunk driving arrest. Gorman faces 10 to 20 years in prison if convicted. The jury is composed of nine men and five women, including two alternates. The juror who called in sick today has told officials he will be present tomorrow. Jurors who made it to court today were dismissed at 10:45 a.m. Deliberations will resume tomorrow in the Hudson County Administration Building in Jersey City before Hudson County Superior Court Judge Mark Nelson. LIGHTRAIL.jpg New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio has proposed to add a streetcar line connecting Brooklyn to Queens, but developers won't need to look far for a similar system to help form their plans. (EJA) New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio has proposed to add a streetcar line connecting Brooklyn to Queens, but developers won't need to look far for a similar system to help develop their plans. NJ Transit's Hudson-Bergen Light Rail -- which services Bayonne, Jersey City, Hoboken, Weehawken, Union City, and North Bergen -- is just a few miles away and already provides the similar service the city plans to offer, according to The New York Times. The New York plan, dubbed the Brooklyn Queens Connector, is expected to cost the city $2.5 billion and is designed to serve customers who don't need to travel to Manhattan, according to the report. Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop told the Times when the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail system was proposed, there was "tremendous push back from the community." "Today, I think the residents there would tell you it was a huge success," Fulop told the Times. And many residents agree, according to the report. Vasko Prasko, 36, told the Times he has been taking the light rail for a decade and years ago the trains were empty. "It's hard to find a seat anymore, it's that popular," he said. Watercolor Artist, Sharon Pitts will demonstrate "How to Paint a Tree" on Monday, Feb. 1, at the monthly meeting of the Hunterdon Watercolor Society. Pitts sees her work as a translation of the literal. She works from a variety of subject matter although nature is a common theme in her work. She is drawn to elements that are ephemeral and not immediately seen such as reflections, overlaps, light, and colors flowing into each other. Born in Chicago, Illinois, Pitts holds a B.A. in Plastic and Graphic Arts from the University of Illinois. She has also studied at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, the Barnes Foundation and Montclair State University. Sharon has participated in many group and solo shows in New York and the tri-state area. She is listed in, "Who's Who in American Art." She has lived in the metropolitan New York area since 1980 and currently resides in Montclair. The Hunterdon Watercolor Society features guest artist demonstrations 7-9 p.m., the first Monday of each month, September through May, at the Hunterdon Library Complex, Bldg. #1, Rte 12, Flemington. More information about Hunterdon Watercolor Society membership or upcoming demonstrations can be found at the club's website (Google: Hunterdon Watercolor Society). Funding for this program has been made possible in part by the Hunterdon County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts, through funds administered by the Hunterdon County Cultural & Heritage Commission. Frigid temperatures and a light snow yesterday didn't stop more than 200 people from gathering at Liberty State Park to direct a message at Gov. Chris Christie: keep the park free and green. Sign-toting protesters met at the park's Flag Plaza for a group picture, which they plan to send directly to Christie to show how important open space is to residents in an urban area. In November, the state Department of Environmental Protection released a list of possible development projects, which include a hotel, amusement park, and amphitheater being built in "underutilized or neglected" areas of the park. Reports have indicated the park operates on a $3.5 million budget but generates $1.5 million in revenue. Sam Pesin, the president of the Friends of Liberty State Park advocacy group, said that parks are "not supposed to make money." "We're here to give a Presidents Day message to Gov. Christie that Liberty State Park is a sacred and priceless American park," Pesin said. After brief remarks from Pesin and NY/NJ Baykeeper Greg Remaud, the group gathered for the photo with the Statue of Liberty in the background. Michael Ruscigno, a Bayonne resident, said he's been visiting the park for as long as he can remember. "If you come out here on a Sunday morning, you cannot believe there's like 10 million people over there (in New York City). It's unbelievable. It's so beautiful," said Ruscigno, a members of FOLSP. "And to think they want desecrate it with these huge towers and buildings and casino gambling and parking lots and concert stages. It's ridiculous." Local and state leaders have also joined the fight against the proposed plans. Last month, Mayor Steve Fulop, state Senate President Stephen Sweeney, Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg, state Sen. Sandra B. Cunningham and Assemblyman Raj Mukherji came together to implore Christie to keep development out of the park. For Lisadenise Ricks, who moved to New Jersey from Alaska four years ago, LSP should be a reflection of the freedom the Statue of Liberty has come to represent. "My parents came here from Ethiopia," Ricks said. "I was born in the United States, but for me that means something. That symbol stands for justice and freedom, and I strongly do not agree with what they want to do with this park." LSP was one of the first parks she visited when she moved to the state, and Ricks said she immediately knew how special it was. Meanwhile, an online petition has also been started to tell Christie the park "serves the public good" because of its "beautiful and peaceful green space and its inspiring views." "We must have these protests to say 'listen to the voice of the people,'" Pesin said. 15378 aerial mercer prison The Mercer County Correction Center shown from above in this file photo. TRENTON -- Mercer County would pay Hudson County over $21 million per year over the next two years to house county jail inmates as part of agreement set to start next month. If the Mercer County freeholder board approves the plan at their Feb. 23 meeting, Mercer could start sending 150 inmates per week to Hudson County starting March 1 and paying $97 per inmate per day. Sixty days after signing the agreement, Mercer would pay Hudson for a minimum of 600 inmates per day, even if the number of Mercer inmates in Hudson is less than 600, according to the agreement. For a full year, the 600 inmate minimum would cost $21.2 million. In year two of the agreement, the daily price per inmate increases to $99 per day, or about $21.6 million per year. Hudson County freeholders approved the agreement last week, Mercer County Executive Brian Hughes' office said, the same night Hughes introduced it to the Mercer freeholders. Hughes has said the Mercer County Correction Center in Hopewell Township is outdated and building a new jail would be too expensive - about $500 million - and Hudson County can offer inmates a greater range of medical services, Layoffs at the Mercer County Correction Center in Hopewell Township are planned. The unions who represent corrections officers say they are concerned about Hughes' haste in pushing for the plan as much as they are about possible job losses. Calling it a "colossal" move that could have devastating effect on hundreds of Mercer County families, as well as contractors who regularly work at the jail, union presidents and their lawyers say Hughes has some more explaining to do. "This seems to have been done without any study or analysis," said David Beckett, a labor attorney working with the corrections officers unions, locals of the Policemen's Benevolent Association, "We don't get the math," Beckett said. The unions totally oppose the plan and are prepared to do anything to stop it, Beckett said. Brian Mitchell and Ray Peterson, presidents of the two corrections officer locals, say the county has pumped millions into the correction center in the past few years, from upgrades to bathrooms, kitchen areas and a new surveillance camera system. They also say inmate overcrowding, a problem in years past, has not been an issue for four or five years now. And the array of medical and mental services Hughes has been touting Hudson County offering their inmates - and which Mercer inmates will benefit from - appears exaggerated. The same contracted company that offers medical services at the Mercer jail has the contract at Hudson too, the presidents say. Also mentioned by Hughes was that Hudson could better serve an inmate with kidney dialysis, a situation Mitchell and Peterson say happens maybe twice a year. "It doesn't make sense," Mitchell said. And then there's the transportation issue, the presidents say. They question Hughes's assurances that Mercer County officers will make daily trips to drop off inmates in Hudson County and bring back ones that are being released or have court dates. Hughes provided the Mercer/Hudson agreement to the media. It lays out a multitude of logistics. For example, Mercer County officers will transport inmates to and from Hudson County, but if Mercer is unable to do so, Hudson - with proper notification - will transport Mercer inmates at the rate of $50 per hour. Hudson will also get the rate if they have to take a Mercer inmate to a medical appointment in Hudson County. The agreement also calls for Hudson officers to ensure no Hudson inmates are transported with Mercer inmates. Also, Mercer County will pay for any damage a Mercer inmate causes to the Hudson County correctional facilities over $300, which is not otherwise covered by insurance, the agreement says. Mitchell and Peterson say they have not seen the agreement and they have not heard a solid transportation plan that could lay out how officers will plan round trips that approach 200 miles, which cause wear and tear on vehicles and increases liability. "There's a lot he's not disclosing," Beckett, the union lawyer, said of Hughes. "The cost savings would be neutral at best, as far as we can tell." What the unions want more, though, is for the Mercer County freeholders to "dig into" the plan and not rush into the deal in the next week. "We want them to really look into this," Peterson said. Mitchell and Peterson say the officers and staff have been on edge since the news last week that Hughes wants to move forward with the jail plan. "We're doing what we can to keep it together here," Peterson said. Currently, the Mercer jail employs about 233 corrections officers and 49 civilian staffers. The Mercer jail's population hovers around 700 inmates daily. Hughes has said the Mercer jail facility would remain an intake and processing center and employ about 80 staffers. A spokesman for Hudson County said that county's corrections department plans to make room for Mercer inmates by ending their acceptance of inmates detained by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Kevin Shea may be reached at kshea@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter@kevintshea. Find The Times of Trenton on Facebook. Imagine the horror of being wrongly imprisoned for a heinous crime you didnt commit. In Wisconsin, that has happened to an estimated 40 people in the past 25 years. In addition to setting the person free, how much financial compensation will the state provide for that crushing error? The maximum is $25,000 an embarrassingly low amount. A bill that has passed the Assembly and will be considered in the Senate would increase the payout to $50,000 a year, to a maximum of $1 million, plus provide additional assistance to the wrongly convicted. While the state could never truly return those years behind bars, the additional compensation is long overdue. Sadly, theres a component of the legislation that we cant agree with and its troubling on more than one level. The legislation would require the court to seal all records of the criminal case involved in the wrongful verdict and remove records from the states online court records database if the wrongfully convicted person requests it. While that may seem like the fair thing to do, it is not. It isnt fair to the victim. It isnt fair to the rest of us. Our judicial system isnt perfect, but its the best system we have. Mistakes happen. Juries and judges can get it wrong. And, with the increasing use of sophisticated technology, new evidence can change the result of a case. We should all have the right to know about and examine the cases in which errors occur. Democracy can be a messy business. Having the ability to openly scrutinize that public business regardless of the branch of government is a crucial tenet of democracy. Lets also consider the person who was wrongly imprisoned. On the surface, sealing all records of the criminal case may seem like a humane approach. The legislation allows records sealed under this section shall be accessible to the person but may not be available for public inspection or through the consolidated court automation program case management system. But after all the publicity involving a criminal conviction, what happens if the person cant refer a friend or a prospective employer to the court record either in the court file or the digital record through the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access, known as CCAP, to prove that the conviction was in error? You cant expunge all of the information about the conviction from Internet searches, so why would you seal the record that proves innocence? Why doesnt the state in bold words listed on court records and on the online court files let everyone know that the person was wrongfully convicted of the crime and has been released from custody because of the error? That truly is the most humane way to treat the person who was wrongly convicted. And its the most transparent way to admit that justice isnt always accurately served. PRINCETON - The Princeton University professor who denounced her treatment by Princeton police when she was arrested on an outstanding warrant over unpaid parking tickets, has written what she says is her final statement on the matter saying that she never alleged racial bias. "I do not intend to speak on this incident in public any longer,'' Imani Perry wrote in a letter titled "The End." "In the past several days I have found myself hampered in my regular political and intellectual engagements as a result of the public focus on this incident and in particular the focus on me," Perry wrote. "This is not an orientation I embrace. I'm a thinker and a writer, not a celebrity." Perry, a professor of African American Studies, said in the letter that she never claimed that there was racial bias was at work in her particular arrest. "We have evidence that warrants for violations are issued across the country in racially discriminatory fashion," Perry wrote. "This makes it even worse: it is both unjust and unjustly applied. Note: I have never said that in my case that there was necessarily racial bias at work. I could not possibly know whether that was at issue. But I do know that I belong to the racial group to which this happens more frequently than any other." In a previous letter, which she posted to her Facebook page, Perry said: "I was treated inappropriately and disproportionately. The fact of my blackness is not incidental to this matter.'' Perry did not immediately return a request for comment Monday. Perry was pulled over on Mercer Road in Princeton around 9:30 a.m. Feb. 6 for driving 67 mph in a 45 mph zone. Police found that she was driving on a suspended license and she had a 3-year-old outstanding warrant for her arrest stemming from two unpaid Princeton parking tickets she received in 2012, according to police. Perry was arrested, handcuffed, and taken back to the police station, where she remained handcuffed until she paid her fines and was released, police have said. Perry took to social media to denounce her arrest and her treatment at the hands of Princeton police in several Twitter messages immediately following the incident. Later last week, however, citing ongoing harassment and hacking fears, she closed her Twitter account. She temporarily re-opened it to release her latest letter. The account was again closed Tuesday morning. Princeton police last week released dash camera video of the arrest, prompting members of the Princeton Council to buy the officer's lunch. Perry said in her letter the video does not show everything. "While I disagree with a number of the statements made by the Princeton Police about what transpired, and the video footage that the police chose to share with the general public failed to show most of what I objected to, a dispute over details is a distraction from the focus I have had from the start. I am removing myself from all engagements that sustain that distraction. Additionally, the officers have emphasized that their actions were consistent with standard protocol. But I don't disagree with them on that point. I never did. My point is this: regardless of whether it is consistent with standard procedure and protocol, I should not have been handcuffed to a table for a parking ticket. Moreover, if it were five parking tickets I should not have been handcuffed to a table. A parking ticket is not an indication that a person poses a physical threat. The "pat down" for weapons that I experienced at the hands of a male officer also did not make sense as I did not pose a physical threat and I was not stopped on suspicion of posing a violent threat to anyone ." The Mercer County Prosecutor's office said its review of the incident had not found any wrongdoing and that it was up to Perry to re-schedule a meeting that she canceled last week to press her case about unfair treatment. "Unless Perry comes forward with additional evidence, the case will be closed by a finding exonerating the officer," First Assistant Mercer County Prosecutor Doris Galuchie said, adding that evidence so far shows that Princeton police should be "commended, not criticized," after the arrest. It was unclear Tuesday morning whether another meeting had been scheduled or if the prosecutor's office had closed the case. Keith Brown may be reached at kbrown@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @KBrownTrenton. Find The Times of Trenton on Facebook. TRENTON - A Trenton man admitted Tuesday to hitting another man with an object before slashing his throat in a motel room a year ago. Kirvy D. Mims. (Mercer County Prosecutor's Office) Kirvy Mims, 48, pleaded guilty to second-degree aggravated assault Tuesday for the incident and admitted to assaulting the man on purpose in 2014. Mims was initially charged with attempted murder for the assault, but he accepted a plea deal to have the charge reduced to aggravated assault. He could face eight years in prison for the attack. Authorities have said Mims admitted to police that he met the man through a dating website and picked him up in Trenton on Oct. 13, 2014. He drove the man to a Red Roof Inn in Lawrence and assaulted him there, prosecutors have said. He then stole the man's wallet, laptop and car, authorities have said. On Tuesday Mims pleaded guilty to hitting the man in the head with an object multiple times. Authorities have said the object was a claw hammer. He also pleaded guilty to slashing the man's throat. Prosecutors have said Mims also tied the man up with bed sheets before fleeing the scene. Police arrived at the motel that night around 9:30 p.m. to find the man tied up and bleeding from wounds to his head and neck. Mims was found in the stolen car and initially denied any role in the attack. He did admit to police that he was on cocaine at the time, authorizes have said. The victim, a 64-year-old man, died a month after the assault of a heart attack unrelated to the incident, according to Casey DeBlasio, a spokeswoman for the Mercer County Prosecutor's Office. A sentencing will be held in April and prosecutors are asking for an eight-year prison sentence. Mims would have to serve six years and nine months of that sentence before he is eligible for parole, Superior Court Judge Robert Billmeier told a courtroom Tuesday. Anna Merriman may be reached at amerriman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @anna_merriman Find The Times of Trenton on Facebook. TRENTON - A murder trial was scheduled this week for a man accused of killing two teenagers before fleeing to Connecticut. Alton Jones, 24, appeared in court briefly Tuesday while attorneys and Superior Court Judge Pedro Jimenez set an April 4 start date for Jones' trial. Alton Jones It's the latest development in a case that stretched on for nearly three years. Jones is accused of killing Rayshawn Ransom, 19, and Tierra Green, 19, in two separate shooting incidents in June of 2013. He faces multiple charges including murder, attempted murder, weapons charges and tampering with evidence. Prosecutors have said Jones was involved in a dispute with Ransom when he and two other men shot at the 19-year-old and other residents on West State Street in 2013. Ransom died from his wounds. Only three days later Jones walked up to a crowd of people and started firing, unconcerned about whom he hit, prosecutors have said. Green was shot in the stomach and died in the hospital a short time later. Jones fled the area just after the second killing. He dropped the gun and headed out of New Jersey, instigating a manhunt, which was led by the U.S. Marshals NY/NJ Regional Fugitive Task Force. He was on the run for weeks until U.S. Marshals found him hiding out in a New Haven, Conn. home. They extradited him back to Trenton in August, 2013. The trial date was decided Tuesday without much other discussion. Jones laughed and talked with a few friends who came for his court appearance Tuesday before he was led out of the room in handcuffs. Anna Merriman may be reached at amerriman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @anna_merriman Find The Times of Trenton on Facebook. NEW BRUNSWICK -- The Rutgers University Police Department is ramping up patrols and asking college students to remain alert after a string of robberies and assaults that menaced the campus last week. Of the three incidents, two involved college students. A third incident that occurred on Saturday involved a man unaffiliated with the university who was assaulted by three males. The group "struck him with a blunt object following an incident at an off-campus residence," according to a statement from the university police force. The perpetrators fled, and the victim was left with injuries that were not life-threatening. He was taken to a hospital and later released. Three days earlier, a Rutgers student was assaulted near the intersection of Nielsen and Morris streets, according to a report by the Rutgers University Police Department. It was just a few blocks away from the Mason Gross School of The Arts facility on Livingston Avenue. An unidentified man "assaulted the student with a sharp object," causing him to fall to the ground. The perpetrator then checked the student's pockets for any valuable items, the report said. The student sustained "superficial injuries" and went to a hospital. And just a day earlier from that incident, a woman "affiliated with Rutgers University" reported that she was managing the Amsterdam Smoke Shop on Easton Avenue when a man entered; and "after inquiring about a purchase, displayed a handgun and demanded cash." The woman refused, and the man "then fled in an unknown direction." She was not injured. The New Brunswick and Rutgers University police departments are investigating the incidents. No arrests have been made at this time. However, Rutgers police Chief Kenneth Cop said though it is important for students to remain vigilant of their surroundings, he also emphasized that crime is down compared to last year's numbers. "We have one of the most comprehensive crime-notification (systems)," he said. "We have a greater public safety presents in these off-campus areas than we ever have. And when I look at the numbers compared to last year, things are down." The Rutgers police force is also asking anyone with information to contact its detective bureau at 848-932-8025. The New Brunswick Police Department is also asking anyone with information to contact its detective bureau at 732-745-5217. In a statement, the Rutgers police force tells students to stay "alert and aware," to "avoid isolated or dark areas" and to walk in groups when traveling late at night. The department also reminds students, faculty and staff that it proves escorts upon request. To request a security escort, contact the police communications center at 732-932-7211. The Rutgers police and college student leaders came together to develop a student-funded system that allows students to report incidents through text message. All students need to do is text "RUNB" and your message to 69050. Spencer Kent may be reached at skent@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @SpencerMKent. Find the Find NJ.com on Facebook. WALL TWP. An ambulance that was accidentally driven off a lift Tuesday morning at an auto body shop injured one of the shop's employees, police said. The worker, who was not identified by police, suffered non-life threatening injuries but was taken to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune for treatment. Police responded at around 9 a.m. to PL Custom Body located on Atlantic Avenue. Police learned that an employee was driving a 2015 F-450 ambulance onto a lift when his foot slipped off the brake and hit the accelerator, according to a news release from the Wall Township Police Department. The ambulance went right off the front of the lift, hit an interior wall and pinned another employee on the other side of the wall up against a workbench, police said. Other employees at the shop removed the pinned worker prior to police arrival. The following agencies responded to the scene: Wall Community First Aid, South Wall Fire and Rescue, MONOC paramedics and the Wall Township Building Department. The South Wall Fire Department and building department conducted a further evaluation of the building's structure. Alex Napoliello may be reached at anapoliello@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @alexnapoNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook. The campus of Villanova University in Radnor, Pa. A 19-year-old Villanova student from Morris County was arrested for allegedly assaulting a woman there over the weekend. A Villanova University student from North Jersey went to the hospital and then to jail after allegedly assaulting a woman while in a "drug-induced" state over the weekend, according to a report. Daniel Jin, 19, of the Towaco section of Montville was charged with aggravated assault, harassment, disorderly conduct, and resisting arrest following the incident Saturday morning at a university dorm, Philly.com said. Jin was one of four Villanova students treated at a local hospital after ingesting LSD, the report said. His roommate, who allegedly supplied the drugs, was also arrested and charged. Cops allegedly found $9,000 in cash, 37 LSD tablets and an envelope suspected of containing marijuana in the room. Jin and his roommate, an 18-year-old New York man, were held on $50,000 bail. Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JeffSGoldman. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Department of Corrections secretary Ed Wall has resigned amid a wide-ranging investigation of the states youth prison, now led by the FBI. The disclosure Friday of Walls resignation came hours after federal officials confirmed that the FBI is leading the investigation of alleged abuses at the states only youth prison, Lincoln Hills School for Boys and Copper Lake School for Girls in Irma. It came less than a day after Gov. Scott Walkers office acknowledged it was warned of safety problems at Lincoln Hills dating back to 2012 which appeared at odds with Walkers previous comments. Walker announced Friday that Jon Litscher, a former Corrections secretary appointed by Republican Gov. Tommy Thompson, will take Walls place at DOC. Walker also told reporters in Appleton on Friday that he wouldnt rule out shutting down Lincoln Hills. What I talked to John Litscher about was we werent taking any options off the table there or anywhere else, Walker said. If he came in and made recommendations to me not only about that institution, but about anywhere else in the Department of Corrections we would take it seriously. Under state law, Wall has the ability to immediately return to his previous position as head of the Department of Criminal Investigation. But to protect the integrity of the Lincoln Hills investigation, Mr. Wall will be placed on paid administrative leave and the current DCI administrator will continue in his role, said Department of Justice spokeswoman Anne Schwartz on Friday. Walker signed a bill Friday that overhauls the states civil service system, designed to prevent political influence in the hiring and firing of state workers. The law doesnt go into effect until July 1, and it was unclear Friday if the new law would prevent Wall from taking back his old job if it was in effect now. Wall resigned from DOC Feb. 5, according to Walkers office. His last day is Feb. 27. Walker spokeswoman Laurel Patrick said the resignation wasnt made public until Friday because Governor Walker met with Jon Litscher on Wednesday of this week, and the announcement of his appointment was made today in order to allow for a smooth transition of leadership at DOC. Litscher was appointed by Walker to be chairman of the states group insurance board and most recently worked as an interim superintendent of the Cambria-Friesland School District. According to Walls resignation letters, he intended to work his last day on March 19 but on Friday said he wanted to move up his resignation date to Feb. 27 because Walker had found his replacement. Walker told reporters Friday that restoring credibility to the DOC played into Walls decision to resign. Thats good, Walker said. I think thats what the public expects. Democratic lawmakers blasted Walkers administration Friday, saying Walls resignation doesnt alleviate the governors responsibility for the problems at Lincoln Hills. Walls resignation doesnt change the fact that Gov. Walker and his top aides ignored critical safety warnings for more than four years, Democratic Assembly Leader Peter Barca, D-Kenosha, said in a statement. GOP lawmakers leading panels that oversee state prisons responded that the issue shouldnt be politicized. It is easy for this to become a political hot potato, said Rep. Rob Hutton, R-Brookfield, chairman of the Assembly Corrections Committee. I would implore everybody to be focused on making sure our juvenile population is safe. Better days ahead Troy Bauch, AFSCME union representative for employees at Lincoln Hills, said Friday that Litschers appointment is a signal for better days ahead at Corrections. Bauch praised Litschers ability to work collaboratively with employees in the states prisons. State lawmakers who lead panels that oversee state prisons, speaking Friday, continued to resist calls from Democrats to hold immediate hearings on Lincoln Hills. Hutton and Sen. Van Wanggaard, R-Racine, said lawmakers should not step in until federal investigators conclude their probe of the facility. This is not going to be tried in the media by having a circus of a hearing, said Wanggaard, who chairs the Senate Public Safety and Judiciary committee. Let the FBI do their jobs, instead of everybody jumping to conclusions. The investigation began under the Department of Corrections in 2014 over allegations of abuse. The DOJ took over in January, and in October a John Doe investigation was opened into the matter. FBI takes over investigation The U.S. attorney for western Wisconsin confirmed Friday the FBI was now leading the investigation. The investigation targets a wide range of potential crimes, including child abuse, sexual assault and misconduct in public office. John W. Vaudreuil, U.S. attorney for Wisconsins western district, said the narrow focus of federal officials will be to determine if any violations of federal civil rights laws occurred at Lincoln Hills and its role had nothing to do with Wall returning to DCI. Vaudreuil said the FBI began discussions with DOJ officials in mid-January about assuming the new role, and said hes not sure how long federal officials will lead the probe. We will go wherever the facts take us, Vaudreuil said. 2012 warning A Racine County judge warned Walkers office of severe safety issues at Lincoln Hills in 2012, and soon after the county stopped sending its juvenile offenders there. Walker spokeswoman Laurel Patrick said the governor was not shown the letter from Racine County Circuit Judge Richard Kreul in which Kreul said official indifference in this sordid tale is inexcusable. Kreul also shared a Racine County Human Services memo that described an inmate-on-inmate sexual assault and how Lincoln Hills and DOC officials responded to it. Walker said Friday the information from the judge was one of nearly 350,000 constituent contacts his office received in 2012. His staff forwarded it to Corrections, and he said the agency made policy changes as a result. Senior staff in his office might have gotten more involved if DOC hadnt taken action, Walker said. Wall was not Corrections secretary at the time. The Walker administration released Kreuls letter and the Racine County memo Thursday. It didnt include the records in its Dec. 17 response to a request from the Wisconsin State Journal under the state Public Records Law. Gov. Scott Walker's hand-picked Supreme Court justice is expected to advance from Tuesday's high court primary. Incumbents rarely lose Supreme Court races, and Justice Rebecca Bradley has powerful conservative interests running television and radio ads on her behalf. Voters looking for an alternative will have to choose between two perceived liberals but how? Seeking to take Bradley's spot on the high court in the April 5 general election are Milwaukee County Judge Joe Donald and state Appeals Court Judge JoAnne Kloppenburg, who unsuccessfully ran in 2011 against conservative-leaning Justice David Prosser. While officially nonpartisan, Supreme Court races in recent years have split along party lines, drawing heavy spending from ideologically-driven outside groups providing some of the only cues for voters to figure out which candidate aligns with their preferences. That's because Supreme Court candidates often don't comment on past decisions or potential future opinions. "One of the great ironies of nonpartisan races is that despite it being nonpartisan, voters have to look for cues such as who is supporting these candidates," said Charles Franklin, Marquette Law School Poll director. "Candidates for judicial offices very rarely discuss actual decisions ... That's inherently frustrating to voters because it doesn't provide very much information about what they do." The race thus far has focused on Bradley, her ties to Walker and how much conservative group Wisconsin Alliance for Reform has spent in advertising on her behalf six figures-worth thus far. Bradley is quick to dispute that the race has become partisan. "This is a nonpartisan position that I hold and the race should be nonpartisan and I have been running a very positive race that is focused on qualifications," she said. "I have always followed the law and I have always said what the law is and not what I think it should be." She said this message is "resonating across the political spectrum." Franklin said in differentiating between Donald and Kloppenburg, voters can look to Kloppenburg's past race to learn more about her views. "I think Judge Donald has the bigger task," said Franklin. Andy Suchorski, campaign manager for Donald, said he expects Bradley to secure 55 to 60 percent of Tuesday's votes, leaving Donald and Kloppenburg to fight for the rest of the pie. The top two vote getters will square off in the general election. "I still think JoAnne started ahead of Joe she started with name recognition," said Suchorski. "Joe was kind of this unknown guy and we have tried to stay true to who he is by staying in that independent lane." Donald often touts his appointment from Republican Gov. Tommy Thompson and endorsement from U.S. Rep. Gwen Moore, a Democrat. "We are gambling that there will be enough people fed up with the standard left versus right, and we do think our message of independence will still appeal to people on the left, and we do think there are enough people on the right as well who are dissatisfied with (Walker)," Suchorski said. In an interview, Donald said he's expecting success because he's hearing voters don't want to see the court aligned to a political party. Donald said one of his proudest accomplishments was starting a program in Milwaukee County that would allow non-violent offenders convicted of drug crimes to get treatment and receive a lesser sentence. He said he's been criticized for not being tough enough on crime for the program, but emphasized his goal is to keep offenders from offending again, and drug treatment was imperative in that effort. Donald has backed Bradley as a circuit court judge, which Kloppenburg's campaign is eager to point out. Donald said his aim is "to get politics out of our Supreme Court." He said to remain fair and impartial, judges cannot be influenced by or beholden to politicians or special interests. "There's a recognition, also, of the historical significance of my campaign," said Donald, who is black. "People feel that now might be the time to send that message. To say, 'Hey, we might need to change the complexion of the court.' We need to get politics out of our court. We need to go beyond divisiveness and ideology and have justices who are truly fair and balanced and impartial." Suchorski characterizes Kloppenburg as running "essentially the same campaign" she ran in 2011 against Prosser as the anti-Walker candidate. Kloppenburg disputes the characterization of being liberal-leaning, however, despite being supported by liberal-leaning groups who spent heavily on her behalf in her past race. She said she is different than her opponents because voters want a Supreme Court justice who stands up for people and decides cases on facts and the law. She said her judicial philosophy is rooted in keeping "an open mind." She said voters have told her they are backing her because "I will not know how I will decide any case." You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close Self explanatory title. I abhor that nicey nicey, politically correct, pseudo-Christianity which almost always supports leftwing attitudes - which in most cases are profoundly anti-Gospel. This Blog supports persecuted Christians. This Blog exposes cults. This Blog opposes junk science. UPDATED DAILY. This is not a forum. This Blog supports truly Christian websites and aids their efforts. It is hardhitting and unashamedly evangelical so if it offends - please do not come to this site! Phil Dayvault Presents Major New Evidence from Early Christianity NEW YORK, Feb. 16, 2016 / For millennia the world has debated over the story of Jesus Christ. His deity, resurrection, and even existence have been brought into question, and believers and nonbelievers alike have endlessly searched for definitive proof that Christ walked the earth. After years of investigation and research, former FBI Special Agent and longtime Shroud investigator Phil Dayvault has compiled his studies and findings into his revealing narrative, The Keramion, Lost and Found: A Journey to the Face of God. Having been long accepted among Christians as the greatest physical evidence for Christ's life, passion and death, many still question the authenticity of the Shroud of Turin, the traditional burial cloth of Jesus. But now, after a quest to find ancient oil lamps in Turkey, Phil Dayvault has discovered what he believes to be the truth about the Shroud of Turin. With a compilation of vivid historical writing, photographs of ancient sites and sacred arts, and the discovery of a small mosaic which actually depicts an image of Jesus Christ, The Keramion, Lost and Found: A Journey to the Face of God ties together a fascinating and factual defense for the authenticity of the famous Shroud. In this new nonfiction, readers are ushered in to join Dayvault and his guide and translator Hafize on his exciting adventure and to experience illuminating new discoveries right along with him. The Keramion, Lost and Found brings history to life and leaves readers feeling enlightened and satisfied. This real life journey leaves no stone unturned, and no questions hanging in the balance. The truth is out there, and The Keramion, Lost and Found: A Journey to the Face of God has found it! If you would like more information about this topic, or to schedule an interview with Phil Dayvault, please call Nickcole Watkins at 516.900.5674 or contact Dayvault directly via his website. About the Author: Phil Dayvault currently lives in North Carolina. He is a UNC-CH graduate and has held professional positions with the US government and numerous international companies. Since 1973, he has studied the Shroud of Turin, the traditional burial cloth of Jesus Christ. In 2000, he began independently investigating various aspects of the Shroud, related relics, and sacred art. Phil continues his Shroud studies and writing about other "new, unique, historical, and never-before-seen" discoveries...stay tuned! For additional information, please see: More About This Title: The Keramion, Lost and Found: A Journey to the Face of God by Phil Dayvault will be released by Morgan James Publishing on February 16, 2016. The Keramion, Lost and FoundISBN 978-1630476427has 322 pages and is being sold as a trade paperback for $34.99. It is available from finer booksellers everywhere. About Morgan James Publishing: Morgan James Publishing ( Share Tweet Contact: Nickcole Watkins, Morgan James Publishing, 516-900-5674, Nickcole@morganjamespublishing.com NEW YORK, Feb. 16, 2016 / Christian Newswire / -- Morgan James's new release, The Keramion, Lost and Found: A Journey to the Face of God by Philip E. Dayvault chronicles an epic exploration and reveals a revolutionary discovery.For millennia the world has debated over the story of Jesus Christ. His deity, resurrection, and even existence have been brought into question, and believers and nonbelievers alike have endlessly searched for definitive proof that Christ walked the earth. After years of investigation and research, former FBI Special Agent and longtime Shroud investigator Phil Dayvault has compiled his studies and findings into his revealing narrative, The Keramion, Lost and Found: A Journey to the Face of God.Having been long accepted among Christians as the greatest physical evidence for Christ's life, passion and death, many still question the authenticity of the Shroud of Turin, the traditional burial cloth of Jesus. But now, after a quest to find ancient oil lamps in Turkey, Phil Dayvault has discovered what he believes to be the truth about the Shroud of Turin. With a compilation of vivid historical writing, photographs of ancient sites and sacred arts, and the discovery of a small mosaic which actually depicts an image of Jesus Christ, The Keramion, Lost and Found: A Journey to the Face of God ties together a fascinating and factual defense for the authenticity of the famous Shroud.In this new nonfiction, readers are ushered in to join Dayvault and his guide and translator Hafize on his exciting adventure and to experience illuminating new discoveries right along with him. The Keramion, Lost and Found brings history to life and leaves readers feeling enlightened and satisfied. This real life journey leaves no stone unturned, and no questions hanging in the balance. The truth is out there, and The Keramion, Lost and Found: A Journey to the Face of God has found it!If you would like more information about this topic, or to schedule an interview with Phil Dayvault, please call Nickcole Watkins at 516.900.5674 or contact Dayvault directly via his website.About the Author:Phil Dayvault currently lives in North Carolina. He is a UNC-CH graduate and has held professional positions with the US government and numerous international companies. Since 1973, he has studied the Shroud of Turin, the traditional burial cloth of Jesus Christ. In 2000, he began independently investigating various aspects of the Shroud, related relics, and sacred art. Phil continues his Shroud studies and writing about other "new, unique, historical, and never-before-seen" discoveries...stay tuned! For additional information, please see: www.keramion502.com More About This Title:The Keramion, Lost and Found: A Journey to the Face of God by Phil Dayvault will be released by Morgan James Publishing on February 16, 2016. The Keramion, Lost and FoundISBN 978-1630476427has 322 pages and is being sold as a trade paperback for $34.99. It is available from finer booksellers everywhere.About Morgan James Publishing: Morgan James Publishing ( www.MorganJamesPublishing.com ) provides entrepreneurs with the vital information, inspiration, and guidance they need to be successful. Morgan James Publishing, The Entrepreneurial Publisher, has been recognized by Publishers Weekly for four years on their fast growing press list and is reported as being the future of publishing. WASHINGTON (AP) The House Jan. 6 committee plans to unveil "surprising" details at its next public hearing about the 2021 attack at the U.S. Capitol. The session Thursday afternoon is likely to be the last public hearing before midterm elections next month. The panel is expected to include new evidence from the U.S. Secret Service about its actions with Donald Trump that day. Ahead of a report later this year, the panel is summing up its findings. The committee says Trump, after he lost the 2020 presidential election, launched an unprecedented attempt to stop Congress from certifying Joe Biden's victory. They say the result was the deadly mob siege of the Capitol. #ProjectWeakLink: Stericycle, Inc. Targeted for Enabling Planned Parenthood Contact: Mark Harrington, 614-419-9000, mark@createdequal.org COLUMBUS, Ohio, Feb. 16, 2016 /Christian Newswire/ -- According to the abortion industry's own experts, medical waste companies such as Stericycle are the abortion industry's Achilles heel. In undercover videos leaked by GotNews of a 2013 National Abortion Federation conference, Abortionist Renee Chelian discusses the problem of disposing of aborted babies. While proposing solutions she comments, "I had five months' worth of fetal tissue in my freezers." The Ohio Attorney General reported in Planned Parenthood Investigation Summary Regarding Disposal of Aborted Fetuses that Stericycle disposes of fetal remains for Planned Parenthood (PP) facilities in Ohio. Stericycle is Planned Parenthood's main medical waste service provider in America. Stericycle's collaboration with Planned Parenthood and the abortion industry through its collection, transportation, and disposal of aborted children and the instruments used to kill them is well documented (see Evidence). Providing this service enables the killing of preborn children. Planned Parenthood depends upon medical waste companies to dispose of dead babies. Question: What if Stericycle were to stop doing the dirty work of Planned Parenthood? Answer: Planned Parenthood would be unable to dispose of the babies they kill, and the murder of millions of innocent children by Planned Parenthood would likely halt. Mark Harrington, National Director for Created Equal said, "If we don't act NOW to pressure these medical waste companies to discontinue providing Planned Parenthood the services to dispose of aborted children and the instruments used to kill them, we will have missed a historic opportunity to stop the killing. The time is now to demand that Stericycle stop enabling Planned Parenthood to kill babies." Project Weak Link overview: A nationwide effort to contact CEO Charles Alutto 847-607-2004 or calutto@stericycle.com and respectfully request that Stericycle discontinue providing services to dispose of fetal remains and the instruments used to kill babies for Planned Parenthood (see important note below). A public awareness campaign consisting of among other things mobile billboards, postcards delivered to the neighborhoods of Stericycle board members, and protests at selected Stericycle locations. In 2015, Created Equal helped lead 100,000 activists to protest at over 600 Planned Parenthood clinics in each of the fifty states. Our coalition is capable of mounting serious opposition to Stericycle (See ProtestPP.com). Important note: Despite being caught red-handed by the Ohio Attorney General, Selin Hoboy, Vice-President of Legislative and Regulatory Affairs, has said that Stericycle "does not accept fetuses" in accordance to their Regulated Medical Waste Acceptance Policy. This is merely a semantic ploy. According to the policy, Stericycle will not accept "complete human remains," which includes fetuses. However, babies are not "complete" after being dismembered, decapitated, and disemboweled in standard abortion methods. Their broken parts and torn tissue are categorized by Stericycle as "pathological waste"defined as "human or animal parts, organs, tissues, and surgical specimens"which they do accept. So while they may not be picking up intact fetuses, they do accept aborted babies' fragmented body parts. Stericycle uses this technical exception to justify their continued collaboration in child-killing. Visa Inc. and Visa Europe Ltd. announced in November 2015 an agreement for Visa Inc. to acquire Visa Europe. Nordea is a shareholder and member in Visa Europe and expects to recognise a gain following the closing of the transaction. The pre-tax gain for Nordea is expected to be within the range of EUR 90m to EUR 130m in cash, with an additional possible gain on preferred stock amounting to around 25% of the cash portion. In addition Nordea will receive proceeds stemming from divested operations, in which Nordea has claims that are not yet possible to quantify. The consideration for the entire Visa Europe transaction includes EUR 16.5bn, whereof EUR 11.5bn in cash and EUR 5bn in preferred stock convertible into Visa Inc. class A common stock, and a possible additional earn-out of maximum EUR 4.7bn payable no earlier than on the fourth anniversary of the closing of the transaction. The transaction is subject to regulatory approvals and is expected to be closed in the second quarter 2016. For further information: Rodney Alfven, Head of Investor Relations, +46 (0)72 235 05 15 Documents MISSION STATEMENT Cindy Sheehan's Soapbox is an independent online radio show and blog that strives to be completely free from establishment political ideology and focus on a message of peace, justice, environmental sustainability and economic equality. To this end, we provide educational and inspirational programs on topics related to these issues and we organize/promote actions working towards peace, justice, and environmental sustainability. Community Its now easier than ever to connect and chat with others in your local area. You can connect with your community by asking general questions, give area updates and recommendations and even let your community know about local events that are taking place. For full functionality of this site it is necessary to enable JavaScript. Here are the instructions how to enable JavaScript in your web browser Not good enough: Feds still struggle with gender parity Last week, I was proud to stand and vote with my Liberal colleagues in support of the Public Sector Equitable Compensation Act, an act to rectify decades of gender-based inequality in Canadas public service. Sudbury MP Paul Lefebvre said he's proud to support the Public Sector Equitable Compensation Act. File photo. Last week, I was proud to stand and vote with my Liberal colleagues in support of the Public Sector Equitable Compensation Act, an act to rectify decades of gender-based inequality in Canadas public service. Its been a long road for gender parity, but Im proud to say that, now, in 2016, the Justin Trudeau-led government has taken the most significant step forward yet. In 2009, under the previous Parliament, the Public Sector Equitable Compensation Act (PSECA) was enacted as a separate equal pay for work of equal value regime for federal public sector employers, their employees and bargaining agents. The PSECA was not brought into force. The Liberal Party believes that pay equity is a fundamental human right and that every working Canadian woman should be compensated in an equitable manner. Our government remains committed to the fight for full economic, social, reproductive, and political equality for all. While Canada has made progress towards gender equality, we still have a lot of hard work to do. We know that far too many women continue to face discrimination. As Canadas largest employer, the federal government has an obligation to lead by example. We are committed to restoring pay equity for the federal public service. Our government knows that women expect, in 2016, to be full participants in the economic, social, and democratic life of Canada; thats why one of the first actions of our Prime Minister was to appoint an equal number of women and men to his Cabinet. Our government has also clearly stated that it wants to make meaningful progress on reducing the wage gap between men and women across this country. Thats why this government is setting a new direction on pay equity reform for public sector employees. The gender wage gap in the federal public service stands at a little more than nine per cent. Canada rates 80 out of 145 in the Wage Equality Survey indicator and 30 out of 145 countries in the overall global gender gap ranking. In 2016, this is simply not good enough. We will deal with pay equity in a balanced and responsible way that ensures women's right to equal pay for work of equal value. Our government is committed to developing a new direction and to consult on these matters with unions and stakeholders. And we will adopt a new government-wide open and merit-based appointments process which will ensure gender parity in positions of leadership. Our country is stronger, and our government more effective, when decision-makers reflect Canadas diversity. In 2016, Canadians deserve nothing less. Paul Lefebvre is the Liberal Member of Parliament for Sudbury Minister of Training Colleges and Universities Reza Moridi has issued a statement saying he's disappointed by Laurentian University's announcement that it will shut down its operations in Barrie by 2019. Minister of Training Colleges and Universities Reza Moridi has issued a statement saying he's disappointed by Laurentian University's announcement that it will shut down its operations in Barrie by 2019.In a press release issued Friday, Laurentian said the ministry's decision last year to reject a new Laurentian campus in Barrie factored into its decision. Laurentian currently operates out of Georgian College in Barrie.Moridi's full statement is as follows:Our government is committed to strengthening post-secondary education in Barrie and Simcoe County. We were disappointed to learn today that Laurentian University decided to move forward with a plan to cease its operations in Barrie and Simcoe County.We have long been focused on ensuring that students in the region have the best access possible to high-quality degree programs and have been working closely with Georgian College, Laurentian University and Lakehead University on how best to expand access to high-quality, degree-level education in Barrie, Orillia and surrounding communities.Last summer, we asked lawyer and former cabinet minister John Gerretsen to consult with the three post-secondary institutions, local student leaders and other key community members for recommendations to improve collaboration between the post-secondary institutions and expand options available to students.We asked Mr. Gerretsen to identify ways to support the building of relationships between the three institutions to streamline programming while keeping options open for other institutions to join the University Partnership Centre. We also asked him to provide, in partnership with the institutions, a program delivery plan consistent with the Strategic Mandate Agreement of each institution.Over four months, Mr. Gerretsen facilitated productive discussions between the institutions, each of whom deliver degree programs in the region. As a result of these conversations, he has completed a report of recommendations for long-term post-secondary solutions, and we believe the recommendations provide a fair and balanced path forward for post-secondary education in Barrie and Simcoe County.We will use the insights and opportunities identified in the report to work with Georgian College and Lakehead University to expand options available to students and support a new collaborative partnership between the institutions.We are disappointed that we could not find a path forward in Barrie and Simcoe County that builds on the unique strengths of all three institutions. We are pleased, however, that Laurentian has communicated that a plan is in place to ensure a smooth transition for students who are impacted by this decision. We look forward to working with them to support the best interests and outcomes for students in the region.The future of post-secondary education in Simcoe County remains bright. Given the new circumstances, I have asked ministry officials to meet with Georgian College and Lakehead University in the weeks ahead to chart a clear path forward to improve access to sustainable, high-quality post-secondary programs for students in Barrie and Simcoe County.I also encourage other universities, in the broader region, to provide assistance to Laurentian students in Barrie who wish to complete their studies elsewhere. Updated Feb. 16 at 3 p.m. Luke Morris, the principal of Sudbury Christian Academy, said he couldnt say much about the hold and secure situation at his school. Updated Feb. 16 at 3 p.m. Luke Morris, the principal of Sudbury Christian Academy, said he couldnt say much about the hold and secure situation at his school. The lockdown has been cancelled and the school has notified parents that they can pick up their children. Morris said the school was notified by police not long after the noon hour, but would not say what police said about the situation. The principal added the students seemed unfazed and unfrightened by the action. We dont tell the children whether its a drill or not, but the teachers are aware, Morris said. He said the school regularly practices hold and secure and lockdown drills for exactly this reason. Were thankful for the quick and speedy work of the police, Morris said. Sudbury Christian Academy is a private school for students in JK to Gr. 8 located at 1101 Regent Street. Sudbury Catholic District School Board communications officer Gina Tullio said a note was sent home with the St. James students, explaining what had happened. She said some students were picked up early by their parents, but otherwise the children went home at the usual time. Tullio did not have any information about what went on in the school during the hold and secure, but said school staff followed all protocols. Updated Feb. 16 at 2:30 p.m. Greater Sudbury Police have cancelled what they're calling a hold and secure they implemented at two local elementary schools early this afternoon. The hold and secure was implemented at St. James Catholic Elementary School in Lively and the private Christian school Sudbury Christian Academy on Regent Street at 12:12 p.m. and cancelled at 1:55 p.m. Police say they implemented the measure at the two schools because people associated with the shooting at the Sagamok First Nation in Massey today may have been associated with people at the school. It's since been cancelled as a result of new information, said Staff Sgt. Marc Brunette of the Greater Sudbury Police. We are satisfied that there are no persons associated with the schools at any risk. Brunette said a hold and secure is different from a lockdown, as the former is a precautionary measure, while the latter involves an active risk to a facility. So basically a hold and secure is when it's desirable to secure the school property in question because of an ongoing situation outside the school that is not related to the school in question, he said. In these situations, a school functions normally, but we take precautions such as the exterior doors being locked and police presence until the situation outside is resolved. Update Feb. 16 at 1:30 p.m. Sudbury Catholic District School Board communications officer Gina Tullio confirmed there's a lockdown at St. James Catholic Elementary School, but had no further information. Greater Sudbury Police Staff Sgt. Marc Brunette said he was drafting a press release about the situation, but did not immediately elaborate on the situation. According to NorthernLife.ca reporter Jonathan Migneault, who is on scene at St. James, two police cruisers are blocking the entrance to the school. A parent told Migneault they were turned away from the school when bringing her children's lunch. She was not given any information about the reasons for the lockdown. Original story: Greater Sudbury Police are on the scene at St. James Catholic Elementary School in Lively at this hour for a possible lockdown or hold-and-secure action. Few details are available, but NorthernLife.ca does have reporters on route to the school. When reached by NorthernLife.ca, Staff Sgt. Marc Brunette said he was trying to determine if it was a lockdown situation or a hold-and-secure. A hold and secure is a response to a threat and/or incident in the vicinity of a school, but not on or very near to school property. A lockdown is used for a serious emergency situation where a threat is inside a school, on or very near to school property. NorthernLife.ca will update this story as more information becomes available. In Colorado it is legal to possess marijuana. This has created law enforcement and financial problems for counties in western Nebraska because marijuana is being smuggled from Colorado into Nebraska, where it is against the law. Nebraska officials got mad about this and filed a lawsuit in the U.S. Supreme Court. Contrast this with what has happened on the northern border of Nebraska, where we have become allies with smugglers. The sale and possession of beer is legal in Whiteclay, a village of about 10 people. With the full knowledge of Nebraska authorities, each day about 13,000 cans of beer are smuggled from Whiteclay into the neighboring Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota, where alcohol is prohibited. Nebraska has determined that this is good public policy, even though the results have been disastrous. It is estimated that 25 percent of the babies born on the Pine Ridge Reservation suffer from Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Securing the southern border has taken on a different meaning in South Dakota. Maybe they should build a wall on the border and make Nebraska pay for it. Dennis G. Carlson Lincoln Greg Eden's journey to make his NRL debut with the Brisbane Broncos has taken a sizeable detour, returning home to England to play his first senior game for the club in the World Club Series against Wigan on Sunday morning (AEDT). Unable to crack a first grade spot in his maiden season with the club in 2015, Eden has used the wrist injury to winger Lachlan Maranta and some impressive trial form against the Cowboys in Bundaberg to work his way into the team, one of four changes to the grand final team that went down to the Cowboys last October. The shoulder injury that Jack Reed carried for much of the premiership decider has seen Jordan Kahu move into the centres alongside newcomer James Roberts, Kodi Nikorima steps in at halfback for the suspended Ben Hunt and Josh McGuire plays his first game since rupturing his Achilles tendon midway through last season. Eden's path to the big time has been rather unconventional with a stint playing for Temora in Group 9 as a 19-year-old in 2010 before returning to England and Super League stints with Castleford, Huddersfield, Hull KR and Salford. Drawing comparisons with Billy Slater when playing under Nathan Brown at Huddersfield in 2012, Eden said that by lining up against Wigan this weekend he is one step closer to realising his dream of playing in the NRL. "It means everything to me, to crack the NRL," Eden told Broncos TV from the team's chilly training base at Harrow School in London. "It's part of the reason that I came to Australia in the first place. It was on my wish list and this is the first step towards doing it. "These trial games and this World Series game is one step in the right direction. "It's a good opportunity. There are a couple of us fighting for that [wing] spot so we've just got to keep working hard in training and impressing and keep doing the right things to earn it. "All through pre-season that's what all players are working towards, getting picked in those first couple of rounds or trial games. "That's what everyone is working towards so to be picked is pretty nice." Castleford born and bred, the 25-year-old can see the irony in the fact that his most significant game in Broncos colours will come little more than 100 kilometres from where he grew up. "It's pretty weird. As soon as we got off the plane it were chilly and it reminded me of what it used to be like but we've adapted now and we're keeping warm and making sure we're out here still doing his training," said Eden. "I've got quite a few family and friends coming. I've asked for quite a few tickets so they should be loud and all cheering me on. "It don't really make a difference to me whether I'm playing in England or Australia, it's just whether I'm playing." Video first featured at broncos.com.au Jon Austin's wife, Amy, had a blunt assessment for her husband as the Minneapolis couple watched Rep. Anthony Weiner's stunning confessions on television this past week. "You'd be dead," she told him. Regardless of his professional future, it's Weiner's predicament at home that seems to be launching countless discussions among couples like the Austins. And this time, it's not a question of actual physical cheating a la Eliot Spitzer and his prostitution scandal but the murkier backdrop of Internet relationships: sexting, tweeting lewd photos, emailing. If it's virtual, does it constitute infidelity? Many Americans seem to think it does. "Would you text it, post it, send it with your spouse looking over your shoulder?" asks Austin, 52, who works in corporate public relations and takes no issue with his wife's frank appraisal of the situation. "If yes, then it's not infidelity. If no, you're cheating." In online postings and follow-up phone calls with The Associated Press, dozens of people echoed the same thought: Cheating need not be physical. "I think the emotional betrayal is just as bad," says Marissa Bholan, a 22-year-old graduate student in Syracuse, N.Y. "A married person should not be flirting online or in any manner, really. It demonstrates a clear unfaithfulness. You're married. Act like it." For one woman in Texas, the danger of online relationships became painfully apparent when she caught a boyfriend trading amorous instant messages with an Internet friend at one point on her own laptop. When Beky Hayes confronted him, he told her he never felt his virtual friend was "a real person" even though an actual, clandestine visit seemed to be in the planning stages. "I think there's a perception that what you're doing online is somehow not real," says Hayes, a musician in Austin. "But of course it is." And men, Hayes adds, may be more vulnerable to the lure of Internet relationships "because they allow them to escape the responsibilities and pressures of real relationships." She is no longer seeing that boyfriend. A specialist in Internet addiction agrees that many people turn to online relationships to escape the pressures of their daily lives, reveling in the anonymity particularly if, like a congressman, they are well known. But some, says Kimberly Young, director of the Center for Internet Addiction Recovery, experience a more dangerous sense of detachment, somehow convincing themselves once the laptop is closed: "I didn't really do that. That wasn't me." And they don't see their actions as infidelity. "I've seen married people go to great lengths to cover things up, hiding phone bills and the like," says Young, a practicing psychologist. "But they don't think it's cheating. They say, 'I love my wife.'" Monica Turner knew something was seriously wrong when she looked at a phone bill of hundreds of pages a record of text messages between her common-law husband and a female friend from elementary school that he had reconnected with on Facebook. Over just a few weeks, there were thousands of messages, says Turner, 49, who works in communications and graphic design in Orlando, Fla. Her boyfriend, with whom she had shared eight happy years, told her she was overreacting. "He told me he wasn't falling in love, but I wasn't sure. And in any case, I thought she was falling in love," says Turner, who even wrote a song about the ordeal: "Don't Let Facebook Screw Up Your Life." Ultimately, Turner gave her man an ultimatum, and he ended the texting relationship, though still maintaining it was merely a friendship. "I believe him when he says that he loves me and couldn't imagine his life without me," she says now. There are precious few statistics available on adults and online relationships, partly because most research has focused on teenagers. The most recent was a 2004 ABC News poll, in which 64 percent of adults felt that "if a person who's married or in a committed relationship has sex talk in an Internet chat room," they would consider that being unfaithful; 33 percent would not. There are, though, recent numbers on the prevalence of sexting among adults. In a May 2010 survey from the Pew Internet and American Life Project, 15 percent of adults said they had received "a sexually suggestive nude or nearly nude photo or video" on their cell phone, and 6 percent said they had sent such a text. In the 18-to-29 demographic, the numbers rose to 31 percent and 13 percent. "We were surprised at the prevalence among young adults," says Amanda Lenhart, a senior research specialist at Pew. "But if you think of it as part of the wooing process today, then it doesn't really seem all that surprising." Is the Weiner scandal in which the married congressman finally confessed, after days of denying it, to tweeting a lewd crotch photo of himself to a woman in Seattle a Mars vs. Venus moment? Do men see it differently than women? Psychologist Gail Saltz thinks so. "For men, the sexual act is much more disturbing than anything else," says Saltz, who sees many couples in her Manhattan practice. "For women, what constitutes a betrayal is any emotional or sexual interaction." Of course, Saltz notes, men are more forgiving when it comes to judging other men, but not so much in judging their own partners. "A man would be extremely disturbed if his wife did any of this," Saltz said, referring to the type of activity Weiner says he engaged in. Chantal Dupuis, 42, who lives in Montreal, thinks that men and woman are simply different creatures when it comes to all matters sexual. "We don't think the same way, so we don't act the same way," says Dupuis. "Men have to feel manly, so they flirt more." As for her own views, Dupuis, who is not married, is clear: "Online flirtation is infidelity, because thoughts are acts!" Psychologist Elana Katz says there is a potentially positive note to all of this: If the online activity doesn't go beyond the point of no return, a couple can learn from the ordeal, which in some cases is the first sign of trouble. "Relationships can and do recover from this behavior, and in some instances the discovery is the first opportunity to ask the hard questions waiting to be addressed," says Katz. That's what happened with Turner, who says the argument over her boyfriend's texting was the first the couple had ever had. "We ended up discussing a lot of things we'd never discussed before," says Turner. And, she adds, he likes the song she wrote. "He hadn't seen her since the seventh grade," goes the second verse. "She sent him a friend request. Who knew something so innocent Would cause this big old mess?" After four years at the helm of a Police Department once perceived as among the Region's most corrupt, former FBI agent-turned-Police Chief Mark Becker plans to step down. Becker said East Chicago has taken significant steps toward his goal of making the Police Department he once investigated one of the most professional and respected in Northwest Indiana, but there's more work to be done. Still, he said crime was reduced to the lowest levels since record-keeping began in 1985 and officers are now promoted solely on the basis of merit, without the influence of politics. "Overall, we accomplished what we set out to do," he said. "It's not a victory. I did what I told the mayor I would do: begin the rebuilding and rebirth, if you will, of a professional police department." Becker plans to resign effective March 4 to spend more time with his family. Mayor Anthony Copeland has not named a replacement. Becker started his 40-year law enforcement career at age 18, working as a clerk in the FBI's Milwaukee Division. After five years there, he went to the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia, and served in Covington, Kentucky, New York City, and Washington, D.C., before arriving in Northwest Indiana in 1987. He rose to senior supervisory resident agent at the bureau's Merrillville office, overseeing the violent crime program for 21 counties in Indiana and the Gang Response Investigative Team task force. He retired from the FBI in December 2007 and was sworn in the next day as chief of police in Portage, where he spent four years. Copeland appointed Becker police chief in February 2012, eight months after its former mayor and police chief, George Pabey, was sentenced to five years in prison for corruption. Becker said his history of investigating East Chicago police officers while working for the FBI was among the challenges he faced in becoming police chief. "The GRIT task force had previously arrested one East Chicago police officer for taking money while on duty to go purchase crack cocaine, and we had other investigations at least naming other people in the department," he said. "It was a challenge to go into that environment, not only as an outsider and a former FBI agent, but perhaps perceived by some to not exactly be friendly, or maybe a threat," Becker said. "But we survived. Those concerns have been overcome." Becker said Copeland kept a promise to no longer allow politics to claim influence over the Police Department. The city doubled the amount of money spent on police training, and officers have taken advantage of those opportunities, he said. Shortly before Becker joined East Chicago, members of Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 59 in December 2011 approved by a 2-1 margin a plan to create the Police Merit Commission to ensure fairness in department hiring, firing and promotions. Becker said the department has hired 28 officers in the past four years, and the commission for the first time in city history promoted officers last year based solely on the basis of merit. The commission also has made some tough disciplinary decisions, he said. At least two officers resigned in the middle of internal investigations, and the commission terminated another officer's employment after he was accused of driving drunk and leaving the scene of a crash. Overall, Becker said the department has not had a lot of disciplinary problems. "There were no job descriptions in place on arrival and no standards or annual evaluations of performance," Becker said. Expectations were set, and officers performed, he said. Becker, who knocked on doors in Gary with the GRIT Task Force in the 1990s to build relationships with residents, said East Chicago police have worked hard in the past four years to connect with their community. Officers have walked the city's neighborhoods and knocked on hundreds of doors, established a Citizen's Police Academy, and increased their presence with traffic stops and community events. "Whether sworn or support, this is a proud police department," Becker said. EAST CHICAGO A former East Chicago city councilman is crying foul after his attempted comeback from a decade-old sidewalks scandal was recently cut short by his firing. Randall Artis said last week the loss of his City Hall job earlier this month as a Clerk I, a full-time position with an annual salary of $10,840, "was totally a political vendetta ... not supporting the people he wants," referring to newly elected City Clerk Adrian Santos. Santos said last week, "Randall Artis was terminated because he cannot be trusted to handle the public's money. It's just that simple." Artis said his real sin was refusing to show deference to Robert Cantrell, a convicted felon and political activist with long ties to the city's old Democratic machine, and those Cantrell favors in upcoming elections. "Me and Bobby Cantrell don't see eye to eye. I think Bobby kind of persuaded Adrian to fire me," Artis said in noting that Santos now employs John Cantrell, Robert's son, as attorney for the clerk's office. Robert Cantrell recently finished a 78-month federal sentence for his 2008 conviction of illegally taking secret cash kickbacks from a contract between the North Township trustee's office, where Cantrell was an employee, and a counseling service and hiding the profits from the IRS. Santos denied he takes orders from Robert Cantrell. "His son is representing the city clerk's office as an attorney and an attorney only," Santos said. "(Artis) was fired because he was a felon. If Randy hadn't been a felon, he would be working here. Anything other than that, Randall Artis is a liar." John Cantrell said of Artis' complaint, "That's stupid." Artis pleaded guilty in 2005 to a theft count and was sentenced the following year to prison. The East Chicago city employee handbook states, "When an employee commits a deliberate action that is deemed inexcusable, that employee will be subject to immediate dismissal. Such actions include ... conviction of a felony." However, hiring practices are at the discretion of elected officials. No state law prohibits employing convicted felons, Thomas Dabertin, a human resources specialist for several local government agencies, said. Artis was caught up, like a number of city officials and vendors, in a corruption probe directed by the U.S. attorney's office into the misappropriation of more than $24 million to pave new sidewalks, curbs, private driveways and parking lots and, in at least one case, an entire backyard, as well as tree-trimming in return for residents' votes in 1999. He said he was released from prison and supervised release and has remained law-abiding since then, and has worked part-time jobs for the county surveyor and the county Sheriff's Department without incident. Artis said, "I'm human. I made a mistake. I served my time. My model was to make a comeback greater than my setback. I felt my big break in life came in August 2015 when the former City Clerk Mary Morris Leonard believed in me enough to offer me employment in the city clerk's office." Leonard, who left office Dec. 31, couldn't be reached Tuesday for comment. Artis said the city did a background check last year. "My felony came up, but there was no problem," he said. Artis said he and Santos served a couple of years together on the City Council before Artis left for prison. He said he renewed acquaintances when Santos was running for clerk last year. "Adrian said he needed help in the black community. He knew the people in (East Chicago's) Calumet still respected me," Artis said. Artis said once Santos took office last month they quarreled over who to support in this year's elections. He said he didn't expect to get fired until he was called into Santos' office Feb. 1 when he was confronted by Santos and John Cantrell, who announced Artis was the only office employee in violation of the no-felony rule Santos was enforcing. Artis said he told Santos, "I said I had enough integrity to take you door to door in the community, but now I'm not good enough to work for you?" Santos countered that Artis never was part of his campaign. "We were in Calumet with a group; all were walking the same beat. I was walking for my election, and he was walking for Robert Coop Battle's election." Battle, the current 3rd District city councilman, won re-election last year, but has since been in federal detention on federal drug and homicide charges that Battle denies. Artis also questioned why Santos waited a month to fire him, unless it was about their political disagreement. Santos said he was awaiting Cantrell's research on Artis' conviction before acting. He said Artis asked for more time to get his conviction expunged. Santos said there would be no exceptions to the rule. VALPARAISO A subcommittee of the Altogether Valpo taskforce is calling on the city to create and fund a full-time staff position to focus on inclusion and diversity. Heath Carter, a member of the inclusion subcommittee, said his group is unanimously recommending to the City Council that Valparaiso hire a director of community relations. Carter, who is an assistant professor of history at Valparaiso University, made the announcement Monday at a meeting of the Altogether Valpo steering committee in City Hall. Carter said his group envisions the position as a senior level position, and the city should hire someone who is skilled in advancing inclusion in communities. We need someone who can bring a wealth of experience to our situation, he said. Job duties could include tenant/landlord mediation, conflict resolution between neighbors, implementation of a human rights ordinance and diversity programming. Byron Martin, an inclusion subcommittee member, said Valparaiso University recently created a new staff position to promote inclusion, and the city should do the same. When you do that, it makes a statement of whats important to the city, said Martin, who is director of multicultural programs at VU. Also at the meeting, Tim Daly, who chairs the Altogether Valpo housing subcommittee, presented an update of his groups work. The group appeared divided on the validity of an affordable housing study commissioned by the city and conducted by the Social IMPACT Research Center. While some said defining specific numbers of need wasnt that important, others thought there should be at least an agreed-upon range before affordable housing could be effectively addressed. The meeting heated up when Carter asked if the housing subcommittee was pursuing a comprehensive approach with policies that would take the city into the future. The question elicited disagreement on whether the group should be thinking long-term. Bruce Berner, chair of the Altogether Valpo steering committee, said the purpose of the housing subcommittee was not to implement the long-range ValpoNEXT plan, but to make immediate recommendations to the City Council. Barb Young, housing subcommittee member, said the group was a long way from making quality recommendations. Paul Schreiner, housing subcommittee member, said the groups lack of progress is due in part to resistance by some members to the mission. Some people dont want affordable housing in Valparaiso, Schreiner said. Others said the housing subcommittee is behind because it was waiting for the results of the affordable housing study and the issue is highly complex. Trista Hudson presented an update from the hiring subcommittee, which is seeking to promote a diverse workforce in the city. She said the group is meeting with city department heads to identify strengths and weaknesses in the current hiring process. The group also is looking at how to encourage a more diverse pool of candidates to apply for jobs in Valparaiso. MICHIGAN CITY The City Council will be asked Tuesday night to support a resolution affirming the rights of Muslims in America and to support and accept immigrants specifically from Syria. Another goal is to persuade Indiana Gov. Mike Pence to soften his stance against accepting Syrian refugees. "As a nation of immigrants, we have to treat all of the immigrants with the same respect that our ancestors were treated," said Jeanette Neagu, chairperson of Concerned Citizens for Syrian Refugees, a local group that formed to raise money for Syrian refugees. The request will come in the form of a resolution to be presented by Councilwoman Pat Boy. If approved, the resolution will be presented to the governor along with members of the House and Senate. Boy hopes the resolution's approval will encourage legislators to adopt a bill seeking tougher penalties for hate crimes and to dispel myths surrounding all members of the faith. "We're trying to tell the governor basically that not everybody in this country hates everybody else," Boy said. The Michigan City area is home to one of the nation's oldest mosques, the Islamic Center of Michigan City along U.S 20 near the old Pines Elementary School. Specifically, the resolution states "hateful and intolerant acts against Muslims are contrary to the United States' values of acceptance, welcoming and fellowship with those of all faiths, beliefs and cultures." It goes on to state: "the rise of hateful and anti-Muslim speech, violence and cultural ignorance plays into the false narrative spread by terrorist groups of Western hatred of Islam, and can encourage certain individuals to react in extreme and violent ways and these acts affect not only the individual victims but also their families, communities and the entire group whose faith or beliefs were the motivation for the act." If approved, the council under the resolution would be denouncing acts of hate targeted against mosques, Muslims and those perceived to be Muslims. It would affirm its dedication to the rights and dignity of all of its citizens of all faiths, beliefs and cultures. It also would recognize the Muslim community nationwide as having made "countless positive contributions" to society. Neagu said the committee formed in response to the opposition to accepting Syrian refugees and the hate that grew from calls for a partial ban on Muslims from some of the presidential candidates. She believes more Syrian refugees should be accepted and in response to fears that terrorists posing as refugees could find their way into the country, Neagu said people from that country already undergo heavy screening. "We'd like to see more, but only with intense screening to reduce the risk of having terrorists slipping through. We would never say come one, come all without all of the security screening," Neagu said. VALPARAISO Rylee Briel may only be 15 and a sophomore at Valparaiso High School, but she is a very busy student. The daughter of Maria and David Briel, of Valparaiso, she participates in soccer, does community service and is Lt. Gov. of the Key Club for Northwest Indiana. She also participates in speech and debate teams and is a member of Fellowship of Christian Athletes. With the Key Club she does a lot of volunteering at different events and helps with fundraisers. For fun she loves to spend time with her friends and family. She has three sisters and two brothers. I love to play board games with them, especially Monopoly, Briel said. When Briel graduates she would like to go to Purdue to study agriculture business and economics. Jon Groth, director of Porter County Career and Technical Education, knows Briel through Kiwanis and the Key Club. Rylee is an impressive young woman, he said. She is smart, hard working, compassionate and always positive. Groth said as lieutenant governor of the NWI District of Key Clubs, her job is coordinating Key Clubs from throughout the Region on community service activities and supporting the Kiwanis mission. Rylee is a student leader, who leads by example and hard work Groth said. She sets a good example for all of us in community service. I predict a highly successful future for her as a community leader. WASHINGTON In 2011, eyebrows shot up when former vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin used a salty acronym WTF to mock the policies of President Barack Obama. How quaint. Five years later, Donald Trump has blown right past acronyms. He's in a profanity-laced campaign for the Republican nomination that has seen multiple candidates hurl insults and disparaging remarks at one another and their critics. In recent days, Trump has publicly lip-synced the F-bomb, blurted out the S-word more than once, hurled an offensive term for coward at rival Ted Cruz and fired a steady string of put-downs at other candidates whom he labels pathetic, liars, losers, nasty, evil and more. While Trump started it, other GOP candidates have jumped right into the rhetorical mosh pit, readily trading versions of "liar, liar" in Saturday night's venomous debate. Cruz has said Trump is "losing it," called out his "Trumpertantrums" and dismissed the billionaire's insults as "hysterical." Before exiting the race, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie predicted that he could beat Hillary Clinton in a debate, promising, "I'll beat her rear end on that stage," and tormented fellow Republican Marco Rubio as a fragile "boy in the bubble." Even Jeb Bush, whose 90-year-old mother recently complained that he was too polite, belatedly joined in. Bush, a favorite target of Trump's taunts, tweeted back: "You aren't just a loser, you are a liar and a whiner." This, after weeks of calling him a "jerk." It's not that politicians are typically paragons of proper speech and etiquette. They've just tended to keep their name-calling and coarseness off-mic. Now, it's on the podium and by design. "There's a general taboo-breaking that allows more and more of it to happen faster and faster," says Robert Lane Greene, author of "You Are What You Speak," a book about the politics of language. "The first time somebody does it, eyebrows go up and people get concerned, but then the next person doing it is less eye-opening." The Democratic nomination contest has been tame in comparison with the Republicans: Hillary Clinton complained of a "low blow" when Bernie Sanders said she was a progressive only on "some days." Sanders, in turn, rejected Clinton's accusation that his campaign had engaged in an "artful smear" by insinuating that she was beholden to Wall Street. As for the GOP campaign, Greene sees the coarseness of the GOP campaign as evidence that "the contest to become the alpha male in the room has become more obvious this time than in previous elections." That seems to be just fine with the voters who have put Trump at the top of the polls and handed him a victory in New Hampshire's first-in-the-nation primary. About a quarter of Republican voters in New Hampshire said "telling it like it is" was the most important quality to them in selecting a candidate, and two-thirds of those voters went for the potty-mouth guy who tells it like no one else. "He's real, right?" said Joanne Galvin, an independent voter from Pelham, New Hampshire, explaining her vote for Trump. She dismissed his use of a vulgarity about Cruz at a big rally by saying Trump was simply repeating what someone in the audience had shouted out. Trump has offered a similar defense and promised he'll tone things down if he gets closer to the presidency, saying, "when you're president, or if you're about to be president, you would act differently." Asked during Saturday's debate about his penchant for profanity, Trump pledged to knock it off, saying, "I will not do it again ... Not using profanity is very easy." But he also made clear he has no intention of reining in his personal attacks and insults. A super PAC supporting Bush is hoping Trump's language is a turnoff to South Carolina voters. It's running a radio ad in the state that strings together clips of Trump's expletive-deleted language and then asks, "Is this the type of man we want our children exposed to? The time is now for South Carolina to end the Trump charade." Trump frames his blunt language as a harmless rejoinder to political correctness run amok, telling one TV interviewer, "Every once in a while you can have a little fun, don't you think?" But Kathleen Hall Jamieson, director of the Annenberg Public Policy Center at the University of Pennsylvania and an expert on political communication, said Trump has "hijacked" political correctness to justify his routine use of personal attacks. That's causing other candidates to mirror his tactics and creates a worrisome diversion from a needed discussion of ideas, she said. Harking back to 1988, she recalled when Republican presidential contender Bob Dole stepped over a line when he snapped at GOP primary rival George Bush to "stop lying about my record." Until then, she said, "candidates did not use the word 'lie' about each other." It's all part of a broader trend toward informality in politics that has been going on for more than a century, says Greene. Many Americans are drawn to Trump, Greene says, because he talks like "the guy next to them on the bar stool." "Some people find the guy next to you on the bar stool obnoxious, but a lot of Americans ARE that guy." ___ Associated Press writers Bill Barrow in Rock Hill, South Carolina, and Jill Colvin in Nashua, New Hampshire, contributed to this report. NEW YORK Police are investigating a woman's report that she was assaulted by former Gov. Eliot Spitzer in a room at The Plaza Hotel, an allegation his spokeswoman said was false. The woman called 911 from a hotel room rented in Spitzer's name on Saturday evening, saying she had cut herself and was distraught and having a breakdown, according to two law enforcement officials with knowledge of the case. They were not authorized to speak publicly about the case and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity. Police responded, and the woman, who is in her 20s, said she was fine, but they noticed the cut on her arm and took her to a hospital. At the hospital, she told doctors she had a relationship with the 56-year-old Spitzer, and he choked her and shoved her after an argument, the officials said. She said the two had been together at a bar at the hotel earlier Saturday evening, the officials said. In reference to the assault claim, Spitzer's spokeswoman Lisa Linden said: "There is no truth to the allegation." She didn't comment on whether Spitzer knew the woman or was present that evening. Hospital staff contacted police, who spoke to the woman and she told them she was leaving shortly for Moscow and did not want to press charges, the officials said. She said they had argued over her leaving for Russia and he assaulted her, and then she broke a glass and cut her arm, the officials said. The woman's arm was bandaged, and she was released. She left on a flight to Russia on Sunday evening, one official said. The Police Department issued a statement confirming that detectives were "investigating allegations of an assault which occurred at a midtown hotel." "The victim has indicated that the subject is Elliot Spitzer (sic). Through an ongoing investigation, we are attempting to further establish the identity of the subject and the nature of the incident," the statement said. No other details were given. Detectives have yet to question him, one official said. Spitzer, a Democrat, resigned two years into his term in 2008 amid revelations that he had sex with prostitutes. He was identified as a patron of a high-priced prostitution ring during a federal investigation, but he was never charged. His attempt at a political comeback failed when he lost his bid to become New York City's comptroller in 2013. The NYPD says a man was shot by police in the Bronx Monday afternoon. Police say the incident occurred at 1071 Tinton Avenue, near the Forest Houses in Morrisania. Fire officials say they got a call for a man shot at around 3:45 p.m. at the location. Police say they got a call for a man who was on the sidewalk pointing his gun at cars and firing off several shots. According to police, several witnesses flagged down a police cruiser that happened to be in the area and told three officers inside the cruiser that there was a man outside with a gun. Police say when the officers made their approach, they saw the man with the gun in his hand and ordered the man to drop it. According to police, the officers fired at the man when he refused to drop the gun. Police say the man was struck in the arm. The suspect, who is said to be in his 30s, was transported to Lincoln Medical Center and is expected to survive. The police officers are also being observed but are not believed to be seriously injured. Police say a gun that they say belonged to the suspect was recovered at the scene. For almost two years, Councilman Ruben Wills has had criminal charges pending in two separate cases in two different criminal courts. And for months, the cases have made little progress moving forward, as NY1's Courtney Gross reports. City Councilman Ruben Wills' seat has been empty a lot lately. The indicted Queens Councilman has not been to City Hall since December, and he has not been to his court appearances, either. Wills is on medical leave, and that illness is the latest hiccup delaying his corruption trial. It was nearly two years ago that the Queens Councilman was charged by the state attorney general with grand larceny and filing false business records. He is accused of stealing public tax dollars from a nonprofit group he founded. "I am not resigning on charges," Wills said in May 2014. "This is America, people. We are presumed innocent before you are proven guilty." It did not end there for Wills. Less than a year later, the attorney general brought more charges, this time in Manhattan criminal court, claiming Wills had not disclosed income he made from a private business on his city conflict of interest form. "We don't even understand what the charges are in this point in time, but what I can say is, I am innocent and I look forward to my day in court," Wills said. Both of those cases have stalled. The attorney general's office unusually and successfully removed Wills' attorney from the Manhattan case last year, claiming the AG's office wanted to call that attorney as a witness. That so-called conflict issue has seeped into the Queens case. A judge must determine whether that attorney, Steve Zissou, can fairly serve in Queens after he was kicked off the case in Manhattan. That decision cannot happen until Wills comes to court. Wills' attorney told us he has a serious medical issue with an uncertain prognosis. He could not comment any further. Wills' attendance record was not stellar prior to his illness. Since his original indictment in May of 2014, the councilman has missed 87 meetings or hearings at City Hall. That means he has made just 55 percent of them. Wills has another court appearance scheduled this week. He is not expected to be there. Set in the early 1970's in a tiny coastal Scottish village, effectively severed from the rest of the world, ''Breaking the Waves'' begins with the rhapsodic transformation of Bess (Emily Watson, making an astonishing screen debut) from a sheltered innocent into a passionate wife. Early in the film, this fragile creature is married to a hulking, handsome oil rig worker named Jan (Stellan Skarsgard) and falls in love beyond her wildest dreams. Desperately attached to her new husband, Bess wails in grief when he sails back out to sea. Though she is considered simple-minded by her neighbors in this harsh, forbidding Calvinist community, Bess often expresses her longings with animal intensity; she also articulates her prayers as two-way talks with a reproachful God. Chiding herself as unworthy in that stern voice, Bess still dares to pray for Jan's return. She gets her wish with the malevolent fatefulness of a ghost story or a campfire tale. So far this is melodrama; then it goes mad. With a pornographer's ingenuity, Jan thinks of a way to rekindle his own sexual vitality while testing Bess's devotion. Without Bess's help in this, he says he will die. So the film follows wide-eyed Bess off the deep end, through an odyssey involving red vinyl hot pants, degrading sex and a brief, leering appearance by Udo Kier. And as '' Breaking the Waves'' requires Bess to make her leap of faith, it demands one from the audience, too. It's necessary to follow this quirky, single-minded film into parts unknown, trusting that the risk will be rewarded. As Mr. von Trier fades his images into bleak natural tones, he creates a chilly and forbidding isolation for his characters. The church elders seen in '' Breaking the Waves'' espouse conventional thoughts of duty and punishment, displaying more faith in damnation than they do in divine mercy. Mr. von Trier counters that rigidity with near-lunatic flourishes that prove hugely effective, if only because they burst redemptively into the film with sudden flashes of pop vitality. The occasional rainbow, rock song or computer-enhanced vista comes as an anachronistic jolt in a story that despite its offshore oil drilling and nominal time period could almost be taking place a century or two earlier. Season 10, Episode 5: Babylon The X-Files took inspiration from a variety of sources this week in a slow-starting episode that ended up being quite enjoyable and ultimately a little heartbreaking. We saw Mulder dancing shirtless and communicating with the near dead and Scully mentoring a younger agent who bore more than a passing resemblance to Mulder. And, for you romantics, there was even a lovely Valentine at the end. Here are the highlights: Homeland Meets The Twilight Zone A suicide bombing in Texas brings two young agents knocking on Mulder and Scullys office door. (Anybody down here? one asks. Nobody but the F.B.I.s most unwanted, Scully says, mimicking what Mulder said to her in the series pilot.) Agent Einstein (I claim a distant relation) is a redhead, a doctor and a natural skeptic; her partner, Agent Miller, is a chiseled believer in otherworldly methods. I feel like weve seen these two before. Unfortunately, Agent Einstein (Lauren Ambrose of Six Feet Under) is rude, impatient, disrespectful, and not worthy of a younger Scully. As Agent Miller, Robbie Amell (cousin of Stephen, who plays Arrow on the CW show) just didnt read as old enough to be playing in the big leagues. The two dont inspire much confidence in the government, but then again, thats not the point of The X-Files. LONDON Filed away at the back of an office at United Nations headquarters in Turtle Bay, in New York, is a small collection of yellowing letters, containing appeals from the organizations first secretary general, a former Norwegian minister named Trygve Lie, to be allowed to relinquish his post. To this day, his motive is unclear: Was he desperate to escape the burdens of high office? Or did he believe in his own indispensability and wish to evoke pleas from member states for him to remain? In fact, he got his express wish soon enough: His second term ended prematurely, in 1952, when the country that had so ardently pushed his original candidacy, the Soviet Union, helped engineer his exit. (When I worked at the United Nations, I was assured by colleagues that Mr. Lies departure was not linked in any way to fears of a controversy should it become public that he had taken to using the unlikely pseudonym Rodney Witherspoon when escorting his mistress around Geneva, where the United Nations had inherited offices from the League of Nations.) On the last day of this year, the organizations current and eighth secretary general, Ban Ki-moon, will step down from what Mr. Lie described as the most impossible job in the world. A few weeks ago, the search for his successor began with a novel approach: a joint letter from the president of the General Assembly, Mogens Lykketoft, and the president of the Security Council at the time, the American ambassador Samantha Power, solicited candidates from members of the assembly. In another departure, member states will actually interview those who apply, instead of a traditional process so obscure that it makes a papal election seem transparent by comparison. This procedure should finish in time for the General Assembly in September. World stocks rallied on Monday, led by a jump in Japans main index, as investors began to be encouraged by signs of more stimulus from central banks in Europe and Japan. The Nikkei 225, Japans benchmark, soared 7.2 percent, to close at 16,022.58, rebounding from last weeks slump to post its second biggest one-day gain in three years. That led to big gains in Europe, where the FTSE 100 of Britain closed 2 percent higher at 5,824.28, and the DAX of Germany gained 2.7 percent, to 9,206.84. The CAC 40 of France rose 3 percent, to close at 4,115.25. Wall Street was closed for Presidents Day. Stocks began to rally after government data showed that Japans economy shrank 1.4 percent on an annualized basis last quarter because of weak consumer demand and slower exports. It was a setback for Prime Minister Shinzo Abes economic revival program, but it gave the government more reason to expand stimulus measures to restore growth, economists said. The Obama administration has approved the first American factory in Cuba in more than half a century, allowing a two-man company from Alabama to build a plant assembling as many as 1,000 small tractors a year for sale to private farmers in Cuba. The Treasury Department last week notified the company, owned by Horace Clemmons and Saul Berenthal, that they could legally build tractors and other heavy equipment in a special economic zone started by the Cuban government to attract foreign investment. Cuban officials have endorsed the project. The company said it expected to begin building tractors in Cuba by the first quarter of 2017. The plan, expected to cost $5 million to $10 million, would be the first significant United States business investment on Cuban soil since Fidel Castro took power in 1959. Oil prices were steady on Monday, holding last weeks gains on speculation that the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries might agree to cut production to reduce a supply glut that has pushed prices to the lowest in over a decade. Nigerias oil minister said there was a growing consensus within OPEC that a decision must be reached on how to prop up prices. Russia, which is not an OPEC member, said Monday it was in talks on coordinated output cuts with individual OPEC members, mainly Venezuela. However, many analysts, including the International Energy Agency, are skeptical that OPEC will cut a deal with other producers. Brent crude, the global benchmark, gained 5 cents to $34.04 a barrel. United States crude oil futures rose 29 cents to $29.73. Leo Van Munching Jr., whose stewardship of the importing company started by his father made the Dutch-brewed beer Heineken and its low-calorie sibling, Amstel Light, familiar brand names in the United States, died on Sunday at his home in Darien, Conn. He was 89. The cause was heart failure, his son Philip said. Heineken, which was first brewed in the 19th century, was the first European beer to be shipped to this country after the end of Prohibition. It was Mr. Van Munchings father, Leo van Munching (the father preferred the lowercase v, the son the uppercase V), who recognized the business opportunity, and persuaded Heineken executives to allow him to represent the brand in the United States. He arrived from the Netherlands with 50 cases of beer and his young family shortly after the repeal in December 1933 of the 18th amendment to the Constitution that had banned the manufacture and sale of alcoholic beverages. Earlier that year, President Franklin D. Roosevelt had signed the Cullen-Harrison Act, which legalized (and taxed) beverages containing no more than 3.2 percent alcohol. I think this would be a good time for a beer, the president declared. Exports from the Netherlands were curtailed a few years later during World War II, but in 1946, the elder Mr. van Munching established Van Munching and Company as the lone American distributor of Heineken products. These days, the crisis is existential. Mr. Guardian is fighting for nothing less than the sovereignty of Atlantic City and its 40,000 residents, about 70 percent of whom are black or Hispanic. He seems an unlikely defender of this relatively poor, predominantly Democratic and notoriously fractious constituency. He is gay, white and a Republican, and at 62, he is holding his first public office after spending much of his career as an executive with the Boy Scouts of America. He has broached the idea of filing the first municipal bankruptcy in New Jersey since the Great Depression, a heretical notion in a city so dependent on free-spending visitors. But by many accounts, Mr. Guardians steady guidance through the stormy first two years of his tenure has enhanced his popularity. To be under that type of pressure and continue to put on your happy face and be a champion of the residents of this city, you cant do nothing more than thank him, said Ernest D. Coursey, an Atlantic County freeholder and a former deputy mayor of Atlantic City, who is a Democrat. A critical deadline passed on Monday in a dispute between Success Academy charter schools and the de Blasio administration over the charter school networks prekindergarten program, leaving its fate in doubt. The disagreement arose last year after Success Academy refused to sign New York Citys contract for prekindergarten providers. As a result, the city has not paid Success for its prekindergarten program, which currently enrolls 72 children at three of the networks schools. In October, Success and a group of parents appealed to the New York State Education Department, accusing the city of violating state law by denying the network funds for its program. Last month, Successs founder, Eva S. Moskowitz, wrote to the state education commissioner, MaryEllen Elia, saying that if the department did not make a decision by February 15, 2016, we will have no choice but to cancel our pre-K classes for next year. On Monday, a spokesman for the Education Department said that it had not yet made a ruling. Were moving as quickly as we can, the spokesman, Dennis Tompkins, said. Its a complicated issue, and we want to get it right. Eliot Spitzer, who resigned as governor of New York in 2008 amid reports that he was a client of a high-priced prostitution ring, is now at the center of a new criminal investigation, according to officials, after a 26-year-old woman said he choked her when they were alone in a room at the Plaza Hotel. But on Monday, Mr. Spitzers lawyer said that the woman had apologized by email for making up the allegation. There is no case here, said the lawyer, Adam S. Kaufmann, who added that he had given the Manhattan district attorneys office a copy of the email and who also provided a copy to The New York Times. There was no assault. The investigation is being conducted by detectives from the New York Police Department, along with the district attorneys office, which declined to comment about the email. The police have said the investigation is continuing. States are finally backing away from the draconian sentencing policies that swept the country at the end of the last century, driving up prison costs and sending too many people to jail for too long, often for nonviolent offenses. Many are now trying to turn around the prison juggernaut by steering drug addicts into treatment instead of jail and retooling parole systems that once sent people back to prison for technical violations. But the most effective way to keep people out of prison once they leave is to give them jobs skills that make them marketable employees. That, in turn, means restarting prison education programs that were shuttered beginning in the 1990s, when federal and state legislators cut funding to show how tough they were on crime. President Obama pointed the country in the right direction last year by creating a pilot program that will allow a limited number of inmates to receive federal Pell Grants to take college courses behind bars. The program will include colleges that either run prison education programs or want to start them. So far, more than 200 schools in 47 states have expressed interest. Not all states are interested in breaking with the failed policies of the past. In New York, for example, raucous opposition in the Legislature led Gov. Andrew Cuomo to withdraw a sensible 2014 proposal that would have set aside a mere $1 million in a state corrections budget of $2.8 billion to finance college education programs behind bars. Know-nothings in the Legislature argued that the proposal was a slap in the face to law-abiding taxpayers, when in fact it represented a clear cost savings for those same taxpayers. Ohio might as well be called the Goldilocks State: Its big without being too big, neither too red nor too blue and its culturally diverse. Another option is Colorado, but its caucus process could prove just as tedious as Iowas. Florida would be nice, too, but as the third most populous state in the country, its media markets might be too expensive. Virginia is another good option, but that might favor D.C.-based politicians who can simply drive down every weekend. North Carolina, another racially diverse swing state, could replace New Hampshire as second-in-the-nation. Theres just one problem with Ohio becoming the new Iowa: Ohio doesnt want to be first in the nation. Jon Husted, Ohios secretary of state, said that as swing-state voters Ohioans get enough attention from presidential candidates as it is. Putting even more focus on the state would make it more expensive for candidates at the state level to buy local advertising. I think we probably have enough impact on who becomes president already. I think thats what some people would say, he said. We dont feel neglected, lets put it that way. We get plenty of attention. So, what can be done? The realistic answer is, Not much. Quite a few people have floated smart ideas for reforming the presidential primary system. Michael McDonald, a professor of political science at the University of Florida, has proposed pushing back the primary calendar to April or May. As a reminder, Canadas campaign for prime minister last year lasted about 11 weeks blissfully short by American campaign standards. Others have proposed a rotating regional primary, or alternately, one national Primary Day to even the playing field. But the idea of holding one national primary is difficult, as it could even the playing field in some ways, while still disproportionately benefiting candidates who can campaign across 50 states without their money running out or who are skilled enough media personalities that they dont need to rely on showing up in person. It would also mean there is no gradual winnowing of the field, which is arguably the best purpose the Iowa and New Hampshire primaries serve. A staggered primary system, by contrast, helps candidates build that all-important yet intangible momentum, giving donors and voters more time to assess which candidate best fits their values. Another asset of the staggered primary system is it gives us a chance to see how candidates interact with real live voters on the campaign trail before we cast our votes. John C. Fortier, the director of the Bipartisan Policy Centers Democracy Project, says that while our current system may not be ideal, Iowa and New Hampshire do serve the political process by requiring candidates to meet with voters one-on-one and address their concerns. To the Editor: Re When Addiction Has a White Face (Op-Ed, Feb. 9): Ekow N. Yankah writes that we should learn from our meanest moments in responding to drug addiction as we move forward. But its not too late to repair some of the damage caused by mistakes of the past. Nearly 6,000 individuals are still serving time in federal prison under mandatory crack penalties, adopted by Congress at the height of the war on drugs, that punished people convicted of crack offenses much more severely than those convicted of powder cocaine. Because of racial disparities in law enforcement, more than 80 percent of these prisoners are African-American. Though the Fair Sentencing Act of 2010 reduced the unfair disparity between crack and powder cocaine, it did not apply retroactively to individuals sentenced under the old law. Legislation pending in Congress would allow these prisoners to seek a sentence reduction in accordance with the lower penalties. But theres no reason they should have to wait. With the stroke of a pen, President Obama could reduce the sentences of all those individuals imprisoned under the old, discriminatory crack law. Such a bold use of executive clemency would be justifiable as a matter of fairness. And it would fulfill the promise that Mr. Obama, as a candidate, made at Howard University in 2007 that on the crack cocaine issue, he would be willing to brave the politics and make it right. MEMPHIS THE American people should have a voice in the selection of their next Supreme Court justice, Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, the Republican majority leader, announced after news of Justice Antonin Scalias death. Therefore, this vacancy should not be filled until we have a new president. Many of the Republican presidential contenders have heartily endorsed this argument. Contrary to those claims, however, President Obama has constitutional and historical precedent on his side and should announce a nominee. Article II of the Constitution directs the president to nominate and, by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, appoint judges of the Supreme Court. (He shall, it says.) Nothing in the Constitution stipulates that this power does not apply in an election year. In fact, history supports Mr. Obama. On 13 occasions, a vacancy on the nations highest court has occurred through death, retirement or resignation during a presidential election year. This does not include the most recent and frequently cited example, Justice Anthony Kennedy, who was nominated by Ronald Reagan in November 1987 to fill a vacancy and won confirmation from a Democratic-controlled Senate in February 1988. The announcement last Thursday that NATO would send ships to patrol the Aegean in an effort to break up the smuggling rings ferrying desperate refugees and migrants from Turkey to Greece is, at this point, more a symbolic show of solidarity than anything else. Even so, it reflects a heightened sense of urgency about the refugee crisis and sends a strong signal that the Western alliance stands ready to help Europe cope with it. Gen. Philip Breedlove of the United States Air Force, NATOs supreme allied commander for Europe, said last week that the mission had literally come together in the last 20 hours and that he had been asked to go back and define the mission. Part of that mission must be to help refugees at risk. Last year, 3,800 people drowned trying to cross the sea to Europe, and more than 400 have already drowned this year, many of them children. Frontex, the European Union border agency, and the Greek Coast Guard have simply not been able to cope. Concern for refugees safety was not, however, the reason Germany, Greece and Turkey the three countries most affected by the crisis asked NATO for help. The main concern is political: public dismay at the prospect that the tide of refugees shows no sign of abating. Last week, Turkeys president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, threatened to send millions of refugees on to Europe. Turkey has already taken in three million people and is under pressure to take in more. This is an especially critical issue for Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany, who has met with the Turkish government six times in an effort to enlist its help to stem the flow of refugees. Her popularity has plummeted as Germans have soured on an open-arms approach that saw more than a million asylum seekers arrive in Germany last year alone. To the Editor: In Use Your Data to Cure Disease (Sunday Review, Feb. 7), David B. Agus states that more breakthroughs in medical research would be possible if patients werent so afraid of having their health data made available to other researchers. But the onus should not be on the public to overcome its fears. Doctors and scientists have an ethical duty to explain to patients the implications of online data sharing, and to explain them well. In our recent study, we interviewed participants in the Personal Genome Project and found that when researchers are completely open about the risks and benefits of making their genetic and health data public, participants were often willing to consent because they wanted to help advance science. It is up to scientists, then, to make good on their promise to accelerate discovery in the treatment and prevention of diseases, by ensuring that patient data is properly stored and managed so that other researchers can use it. At the same time, more needs to be done to minimize the risks, like privacy violations, through better data security and legal protections for study participants. To the Editor: Re Break Up the Banks? Bad Idea (Sunday Review, Feb. 7): Steve Eisman understates his case that large banks did not aggravate the financial crisis. The harm came from leverage, but mostly from the politicians drive for easier home financing. Large banks are more tightly regulated than small banks. Therefore, breaking up large banks would allow more folly, not less. More important, we overlook the lessons of history. The Great Depression raged despite the fact that most banks were small. The 2008 crisis was easier to contain than the Great Depression because the Fed and the Treasury were able to get the heads of the large banks in a single room on Oct. 13, 2008, and strong-arm them into an agreement that ended the panic and restored lending. Granted, the rules still allow banks to be too leveraged; fines should hurt the wrongdoers and not their shareholders; the lobbying power of banks should be curbed; and the Feds powers to take emergency measures must be enhanced. But the publics instinctive reaction against large banks is a recipe for greater, not less, risk of crises. To the Editor: On behalf of more than 10,000 translators and interpreters in the United States and abroad, the American Translators Association would like to express support for your Feb. 4 editorial An Unpaid Debt to Afghan Interpreters. The bureaucratic hurdles facing the thousands of Afghan and Iraqi interpreters waiting for visas is embarrassing enough, but the decision by the United States government to retroactively apply a minimum requirement of two years documented employment as a United States interpreter is shameful and may damage our ability to work with local interpreters in any future theater. Interpreting is not only one of the worlds oldest professions, but it is also one of the most dangerous. Acting as a linguistic intermediary between foreign forces and the local population can put a person in a precarious position, arousing suspicion and hostility. These brave people deserve our respect, not our disregard. We join the call for Secretary of State John Kerry to rescind the retroactive application of the two-year employment rule and expedite the visas of our fellow Afghan and Iraqi interpreters. WARSAW SITTING next to Barack Obama at a luncheon during the United Nations General Assembly session in 2009, President Lech Kaczynski of Poland gave his counterpart a copy of The Peasant Prince, a biography of Thaddeus Kosciuszko, the Polish military commander who joined George Washingtons army in 1776 and drew up the strategy for the Battles of Saratoga, the turning point of the American Revolution. And last September, it was the newly elected president of Poland, Andrzej Duda, political heir of Mr. Kaczynski, who sat with Mr. Obama at a dinner during the General Assembly session. President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia sat at the same table but seemed somewhat left out of the conversation. Poland and the United States are more than strategic partners; we are close friends and allies with a shared history and values. After the 9/11 attacks, Poland responded to Americas call for solidarity, and its soldiers served in Iraq. In Afghanistan, Poland provided one of the largest military contingents to the NATO-led mission, and our military advisers continue to help train Afghan troops. It is precisely because of this close bond that it is vital for the United States to understand the predicament facing Poland. Europe has been rocked by growing instability, with the European Union weakened by recession and troubled by wars waged right on our doorstep. Russias aggression against Ukraine, Polands eastern neighbor, is a problem for both our countries. The legendary Houston socialite Lynn Wyatt likes to describe her couture gowns as old friends. The sentiment refers to her penchant for re-wearing the same custom outfits on multiple occasions and the fact that many of the dresses were designed by close friends. This week, Wyatt, 80, will auction off 17 of her most iconic couture outfits from the 70s, 80s, and 90s including designs by Chanel, Valentino, Yves Saint Laurent and Givenchy on Paddle8. A portion of the proceeds will go to benefit the Rothko Chapel in Houston. I was going to donate them to a museum, Wyatt says of her gowns, because they are in pristine condition. I take care of my things. Wyatt, who describes her own style as class with a bit of dash, and no trash, says her interest in fashion developed through osmosis. Shes the granddaughter of the founder of the Sakowitz department store chain, where she convinced her father to let her work as a salesgirl while she was in high school. The auction includes the first couture outfit that Wyatt ever purchased: a classic, 1970 black Chanel boucle skirt suit. Wyatts husband the oil mogul Oscar S. Wyatt Jr. loved Chanel, and encouraged her to have some pieces made. During an early fitting in Paris, she recalls meeting Coco Chanel herself ever so briefly. She popped into the room and looked at me, and said, Oh, so youre the Texan? I said, Yes maam. She shook hands, and was out the door. Wyatt says she favors couture because it makes her feel at ease. When its made to measure, it fits so perfectly, she says. You just go out the door and you forget about yourself. I do, anyway. As a result, she says she doesnt spend much time agonizing over what to wear. I dont decide until the minute Im going to wear it. She rarely remembers what she wore to a particular event, but she does recall a compliment bestowed by her longtime friend Bill Blass at a black-tie dinner. He came up to me and said, You know, you happen to have my dress on backwards, Wyatt remembers. And I said, I know that, because I want it lower in the back and a high neck in the front. He looked me up and down and said, You sure look great, babe. It was so funny. It was a shock that I did it on purpose, I guess. This season, the French sound illustrator Michel Gaubert is scoring New York Fashion Week shows for Lacoste, Adam Selman, Proenza Schouler, Diane Von Furstenberg, Rodarte, Michael Kors, Jeremy Scott and Tory Burch. But on Sunday afternoon, he traded the runway for an East Village furniture store, to celebrate a different kind of creative collaboration: Prayer to Saint Therese an original audio work spoken by Chloe Sevigny, and turned into song. Ive been a fan of Chloe for a long time, said Gaubert. Part of Regime des Fleurs Artefacts program, which pairs exquisite old objects with original artistic works, the song honors the patron saint of flowers a fitting ode to the fragrance brands handmade perfumes, which are heavily inspired by art history. Though Prayer to Saint Therese was written by Regime des Fleurs founders, Alia Raza and Ezra Woods, it was Sevigny who suggested an invocation. I grew up Catholic, she said. I thought that would be easier for me to inhabit the words. Gaubert then created six original compositions using the original audio track by asking musical artists Peaking Lights, Johnny Jewel, JD Twitch, IO Echo, In Love We Trust Collective and Dukes of Chutney for their interpretation. Listen to the Peaking Lights composition here. For the event, Gaubert curated an 18th-century-meets-New-York playlist to embody both Regime des Fleurs and Sevignys aesthetic which he shares here, exclusively with T. I like to mix things that are not supposed to be together, he said of his music. And when you hear them, it makes sense. Eugene ONeill had some difficulty settling on a form and a style for the trilogy of plays that would constitute Mourning Becomes Electra, his 1931 adaptation of Aeschylus The Oresteia. He tried verse, he tried masks; he tried abandoning the play entirely and writing a life of Aeschylus instead. The script ultimately blended Greek tragedy with Yankee mythos, Freudian theory with melodrama. Hailed as a masterpiece in its day, it is a lot less popular now. In Drunken With What, Target Margin Theaters somewhat esoteric tribute to the trilogy at Abrons Arts Center, you can see how these inspirations compete and occasionally coalesce. (The title borrows from a Baudelaire quotation that ONeill used in Long Days Journey Into Night.) The companys artistic director, David Herskovits, has shrunk the six-hour playing time to about 100 minutes, mostly by deleting scenes and whittling away at the cast of characters. (Think of this as the opposite of a directors cut.) Four actors Satya Bhabha, Mary Neufeld, Stephanie Weeks and Eunice Wong, all Target Margin regulars enact the terrible fate of the Mannon clan. The broad outlines of the plot should rattle the memory of all those who have sat through a college freshman literature survey. Theres also a detailed program synopsis, which many in a matinee audience were reading aloud to one another before the show began. (She kills herself? a woman asked her companion. Ugh!) The Civil War general Ezra Mannon (the Agamemnon stand-in) is killed by his wife, Christine, and her lover, the sea captain Adam Brant, Ezras cousin. When Ezras son, Orin, returns from the war, he and his sister, Lavinia, kill Brant and drive their mother to suicide. Then Orin, tormented by incestuous desire for his sister, kills himself, while the haunted Lavinia, possessed by hate and death, retreats to the shadowed family manse. (The Aeschylus original actually has a much happier ending.) WASHINGTON The Texas county judge who decided no autopsy was needed on Justice Antonin Scalia has disclosed new details about his health in the days before he died. Judge Cinderela Guevara of Presidio County said on Monday that she spoke with Justice Scalias doctor on Saturday, shortly after he was found dead in his room at a remote Texas ranch. She said the doctor told her that Justice Scalia, 79, had a history of heart trouble and high blood pressure, and was considered too weak to undergo surgery for a recent shoulder injury. WASHINGTON The Lincoln Memorial will undergo some of its most extensive renovations to date, the National Park Service said on Monday, including efforts to wash away dirt and debris, repair damage sustained during a 2011 earthquake, and build a substantial space for educational programs under the memorial. The renovations, which will also involve the restoration of artwork, will open up about 15,000 square feet of space for exhibits, classrooms and other educational purposes. The new exhibits will offer a peek at the foundations of the monument, including long-hidden graffiti left behind by the workers who built the memorial, which first opened to the public in 1922. The work, which is expected to be completed in 2019, will be funded largely by an $18.5 million contribution from David M. Rubenstein, the billionaire philanthropist, the Park Service said. The memorial will largely remain open during renovations. Thanks to Mr. Rubensteins gift, we will be able to make much needed restoration work at the Lincoln Memorial possible, including replacing the roof, restoring the murals inside the chamber of the memorial and vital repairs to the structures masonry, Will Shafroth, the president of the National Park Foundation, the nonprofit that supports the park system, said in a statement. WASHINGTON The vow by Senate Republicans to block whomever President Obama nominates to fill the sudden vacancy on the Supreme Court presages a prolonged election year struggle, but the clash is less a new front against the White House than an escalation of a battle that had begun at the appeals court level before Justice Antonin Scalia died. Since Republicans took control of the Senate in January 2015, the process that would enable Mr. Obama to fill vacancies on the 12 regional federal courts of appeal has essentially been halted. Mr. Obama has managed only one appointment because Republican senators have refused to sign off ahead of time on nominees for judgeships in their states a traditional step before a president makes a nomination. In the weeks before Justice Scalias death, influential conservative groups and commentators called on Senate Republicans to ensure that Mr. Obama appointed no more appeals court judges. Among those commentators was Ed Whelan, a former clerk to Justice Scalia and a prominent blogger. He said in an interview Monday that conservatives could not compromise over any appointments to the upper ranks of the judiciary including the appeals courts, which get the last word on matters the Supreme Court does not review and often serve as a breeding ground for future justices. Mr. Trumps pointed critique of President Bushs performance on terrorism has startled some of the conservative worlds leaders and opinion makers, like Rush Limbaugh, who likened Mr. Trump to the leftist filmmaker Michael Moore a comparison Jeb Bush also made at the rally. Such attacks on the most recent Republican president are unheard-of among the leading Republican candidates, and it is difficult to predict how they will affect the Saturday primary in South Carolina, where the Bush presidencies, and family, are remembered fondly. But Mr. Trumps words may have affected the former president, who spent much of his 30-minute speech defending his administration and his personal response to the Sept. 11 attacks, even starting at the elementary school in Florida where he first learned that planes had crashed into the World Trade Centers twin towers. On the way to Air Force One, from that school, Condi called me and said a plane has hit the Pentagon, the former president said, referring to Condoleezza Rice, his national security adviser at the time. I felt the first one was an accident, the second was an attack, and the third one was a declaration of war. I became something that no president should ever want to be a wartime president. Mr. Trumps news conference, several miles north of here, offered a striking contrast with the Bush family rally on Monday evening. Mr. Trump, in a freewheeling, sometimes stream-of-consciousness style, spoke for more than 45 minutes, criticizing and even threatening to sue his rivals, squinting angrily at times and dismissing questions he did not like. Jeb Bush and his older brother, meanwhile, offered the waving, smiling feel of a reunion tour both a look back to the Bush administration, and a look ahead to why the younger brother, whom George W. Bush introduced to cheers as my big little brother, is the right choice for the future of the country. Though the tone of the rally was serious and at times somber, especially when the former president discussed the Sept. 11 attacks, he also cracked jokes. Looking older his hairline a bit farther back, his face longer he seemed to relish his time before the friendly crowd. AIKEN, S.C. A conservative titan. A judicial morass. A Senate showdown with President Obama. From the moment Justice Antonin Scalias death was announced on Saturday, Senator Ted Cruz of Texas and his team sensed an opportunity an occasion to reframe the race on terrain that seems particularly favorable to Mr. Cruz. It is easy to see why. In the throes of a circuslike campaign season, Mr. Cruz warned sternly on Monday that two branches of government are at stake in the presidential election, predicting a future with meager gun rights and unlimited abortion on demand if conservatives cannot select the next Supreme Court justice. He described his work as solicitor general before the nations highest court and offered a detailed primer on a radical pro-abortion extremist judge who happens to be Donald J. Trumps sister. And before a crowd of several hundred here, he tossed off anecdotes about Justice Scalia, noting in passing that he had known the man for 20 years. The amendment that the president has said he will sign this week would close a loophole in the Tariff Act of 1930, which bars products made by convict, forced or indentured labor. For 85 years, the law has exempted goods derived from slavery if American domestic production could not meet demand. In July, The New York Times published an article about forced labor on Thai boats, many of which catch the fish destined for pet food. It chronicled the lives of several dozen indentured Cambodian migrants, most of them boys, working on the ships, all of whom are now free. Among them was a man named Lang Long, who was shackled by the neck during his three years of captivity at sea. I think most Americans were horrified to learn that the fish in the pet food they give to their cats and dogs was being caught by children forced to work on ships against their will, said Senator Sherrod Brown, Democrat of Ohio, who, along with Senator Ron Wyden, Democrat of Oregon, sponsored the amendment, which has long been a goal of human rights advocates. The amendment focused on all types of forced and child labor, not just that used to produce seafood, and was passed by the Senate on Thursday with bipartisan support. About 90 percent of seafood for human and pet consumption in the United States is imported, and the oceanic administrations proposed rules are meant to protect threatened fish species and crack down on seafood entering American ports that has been caught illegally or is fraudulently labeled. The new rules would impose chain-of-custody reporting requirements for 13 species of at-risk fish, including cod, snapper, mahi mahi and several types of tuna. The list includes types of fish that represent about 40 percent of the seafood that enters the United States, when measured by value. A spokesman for the oceanic agency said it hoped to include all imported seafood species, though no timetable has been set. Press freedom advocates protested to Bahrain on Monday over the arrest of four American journalists who had been reporting on the fifth anniversary of the political opposition uprising in the Gulf monarchy, an ally of the United States. The Bahrain authorities, who seized the four on Sunday, did not identify them by name, but the family of one identified her as Anna Therese Day, a freelance journalist and Fulbright Fellow who has reported for The Huffington Post and other media outlets. The Bahrain police website said the four were suspected of having entered Bahrain illegally and participating in an unlawful gathering. The Committee to Protect Journalists in New York called for their immediate release. They come from different tribes. She, in her fur-trimmed hood, could be a Native American of the far north, though her pointe shoes are puzzling. He, with his chest bare above what looks like a grass skirt, might be Polynesian, though the skirt is made of silvery tinsel and his crown suggests ice. She wields a small electric fan; he, a flashlight. But this woman and man join together in a traditional ballet pas de deux. Such is the perplexing start of Kathryn Posins highly peculiar Climate Control, which had its premiere at the 92nd Street Y as part of the opening program of this years Harkness Dance Festival. Ms. Posin provides an epigraph from Robert Frosts poem about the world ending in fire or ice, but her polarities are as jumbled (intentionally, it appears) as the props (by Todd Strong) and costumes (by A. Christina Giannini). Inuit with surfboards, Samoans with skis: In this piece, the climate is out of control. This is a potentially chilling subject, yet the work, as seen on Friday, treats its theme with wan whimsy. Ms. Posins choreography largely conventional ballet, adeptly arranged and accessorized with Arctic hula settles for incongruity. Cold and hot collide, and the tribes eventually merge for a big finale but without generating any storms of imagination or gusts of humor. The pressure remains low. What makes this especially disappointing is the contrast with the music: sections of Meredith Monks Facing North, vocalized on Friday by none other than Theo Bleckman and Ms. Monk herself. Summoning winds with their mouths, they conjured open spaces with open chords and the energy of keeping warm through a swapping of notes, suggesting an entire mental atmosphere that Ms. Posins dance didnt approach. AMSTERDAM The Prado museum in Madrid has rescinded the loan of two works to a major retrospective of Hieronymus Bosch after researchers downgraded the attribution of the paintings to Boschs workshop or followers rather than to the 16th-century Dutch master himself. The works, The Cure of Folly and The Temptation of St. Anthony, were to be part of Hieronymus Bosch: Visions of Genius, which opened on Saturday at the Noordbrabants Museum in the artists hometown, s-Hertogenbosch, the Netherlands. They were to be displayed at the Noordbrabants until May 8, after which they would return to the Prado to be part of a Bosch retrospective there. About two-and-a-half weeks ago, the Noordbrabants Museum received word from the Prado that the pieces would not be coming. The Prado confirmed on Tuesday that the works were not lent, but would not discuss its reason for the decision. The ADT Corporation, which provides home and business security systems for 6.5 million customers, is being acquired by the private equity firm Apollo Global Management for $6.9 billion in the largest leveraged buyout so far this year. Apollo intends to merge ADT with Protection 1 and ASG Security, two other security companies that the firm agreed to purchase last May, although they will all operate under the ADT name. The combined company would create pro forma annual revenue surpassing $4.2 billion. ADT traces its roots to Edward A. Calahan, the man who invented the stock ticker in 1867. When Mr. Calahan, the president of Calahans Gold and Stock Telegraph Company, found a burglar in his home, he created a telegraph-based alert system. After more than a century of acquisitions and antitrust rulings, ADT was acquired by Tyco in 1997. Tyco decided to be broken up into three units in 2012, making ADT once again an independent company. ADT was the last of Tycos largest former subsidiaries to be acquired. The company first merged its flow-control unit with Pentair in 2012. In January, the security and fire-safety systems company that maintained the Tyco name decided to combine with Johnson Controls. After joining the American International Group nearly two decades ago, Brian Schreiber became a major executive in building the insurance giant up and then, after the financial crisis, in helping it shrink. But as A.I.G. continues to overhaul its management after avoiding a prolonged fight with two big investors, Mr. Schreiber will be the latest executive to depart. A.I.G.s chief executive, Peter D. Hancock, disclosed in an internal memorandum late Monday that Mr. Schreiber, who was named chief strategy officer last year, and Seraina Maag, who led the companys regional management operations, will leave A.I.G. The moves, which were accompanied by news of a reorganization of A.I.G.s top leadership, are the latest changes by the insurer as it grapples with improving its operations and its stagnant stock price. WASHINGTON During the 2008 financial crisis, Neel Kashkari worked tirelessly to save the nations largest banks. As a senior Treasury Department official in the George W. Bush and Obama administrations, he helped those banks grow larger than ever. On Tuesday, he said it was time to think about breaking them up. I believe the biggest banks are still too big to fail and continue to pose a significant, ongoing risk to our economy, Mr. Kashkari said at the Brookings Institution, delivering his first public speech as the new president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. He described the threat of another crisis that might force the government to bail out large banks, as it did in 2008, as a rare instance of a clear and preventable problem. The question is whether we as a country have the courage to actually take action now, he said. Mr. Kashkaris remarks caused a stir in Washington. Such views have become relatively common at both ends of the political spectrum providing fuel for the presidential campaigns of Senator Bernie Sanders, Democrat of Vermont, and Donald Trump, a Republican but Mr. Kashkari is a moderate Republican and a former employee of Goldman Sachs. The criminal case arising from the collapse of the once-prominent law firm Dewey & LeBoeuf has been cut in half, with Manhattan prosecutors agreeing to a deferred prosecution agreement with another of the four original defendants. Prosecutors announced the agreement with Zachary Warren, a 31-year-old lawyer, during a court hearing on Tuesday afternoon that came just weeks before he was to go on trial in New York State Supreme Court in Manhattan. Mr. Warren will be required to perform 350 hours of community service as part of the one-year agreement. Last month, prosecutors working for Cyrus R. Vance Jr., the Manhattan district attorney, reached a similar deal with Steven H. Davis, the former chairman of Dewey. Mr. Vances prosecutors agreed to the deferred agreement with Mr. Davis after a jury deadlocked on dozens of charges against him and two other former executives at the law firm, Stephen DiCarmine and Joel Sanders. The United States sure knows how to throw cold water on international harmony. Just two months have passed since the worlds top diplomats cobbled together the best plan weve ever had to start curbing emissions of heat-trapping greenhouse gases. Yet already the Supreme Court of the United States said no, delaying much of the Obama administrations strategy to deliver Americas contribution to the collective effort. The White House claims it will prevail, assuring a fidgety international community it will deliver on the promises made at the climate meeting in Paris in December. Those commitments proved critical to keeping the diplomacy on track and ultimately producing a deal among more than 185 countries representing more than 98 percent of global emissions. And yet the Supreme Courts temporary stay of the administrations Clean Power Plan the last decision of global consequence of the right-leaning court on which Justice Antonin Scalia had sat since the Reagan administration underscores just how far the United States remains from its climate goals. Consider the administrations own assessments. Even as the American delegation in Paris offered to cut emissions to 26 to 28 percent below their 2005 levels by 2025, the Energy Information Administration of the Department of Energy was offering a different outlook. BRUSSELS European Union authorities on Tuesday stepped up efforts to reduce reliance on Russian natural gas as the two sides face off over a litany of geopolitical disputes, from the conflict in Ukraine to the civil war in Syria. The centerpiece of the proposals, presented by the European Commission, the blocs executive agency, is a plan to vet energy contracts with countries outside the union like Russia so that member states can compare conditions and look elsewhere for better deals. Energy is a highly sensitive issue for Europe and Russia. The European Union relies on the Russian energy giant Gazprom for about a third of its supplies. Moscow, in turn, earns significant revenue from selling gas to Europe. The commissions priority is to prevent a repeat of the so-called gas wars of 2006 and 2009. Back then, Gazprom stopped shipping fuel through Ukraine, choking off supplies westward and leaving citizens in member states like Bulgaria shivering in the midwinter cold. MOSCOW As prices have dropped ever lower, smaller oil producing nations on precarious financial ground have regularly pushed their bigger brethren to stop pumping at record levels and help calm the markets. Now, even the giants are joining the chorus, with Saudi Arabia and Russia on Tuesday calling for a coordinated effort to freeze production. The plan, which also included Venezuela and Qatar, is a tentative sign that major oil producers are ready to cooperate. And it indicates how deeply prices have fallen, as Russia and Saudi Arabia have previously resisted tempering production. But whether the plan actually goes anywhere or is just chatter meant to bolster prices is an open debate. The four countries said they would proceed only if others commit. John J. Riccardo, who as chairman and chief executive of Chrysler recruited Lee Iacocca before stepping aside as the automaker neared bankruptcy, died on Saturday in Ann Arbor, Mich. He was 91. His family confirmed his death. Chrysler was in turmoil by the time Mr. Riccardo took over in 1975. The Arab oil embargo had sent shock waves through the American auto industry in 1973, as high gasoline prices and long lines at the pump prompted many consumers to turn to foreign-made imports that were more fuel-efficient. Chrysler, at the time, was caught flat-footed, with cars like the New Yorker, a four-door sedan that was a shade over 19 feet long and weighed more than two tons. Beyond that, Chrysler did not have the resources of its much bigger domestic rivals, General Motors and Ford, and it faced safety and environmental regulations from an increasingly assertive government. Lynn A. Townsend, Mr. Riccardos predecessor, said Chrysler needed a new leader because it faced a new era in which it will have to change substantially. Its hard to imagine a public official with more toys than Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue, who spent $300 million on Ferraris, a Gulfstream jet, a California mansion and even Michael Jacksons Thriller jacket. The buying spree is all the more remarkable since this scion of the ruling family of Equatorial Guinea, one of Africas smallest countries, bought all this while on an official salary of $100,000 a year. But legal action by the Justice Department has brought an end to Mr. Obiangs spendthrift ways. His $30 million Malibu estate is on the market, as are his luxury cars and six life-size Jackson statues. Proceeds from these sales are earmarked for citizens of Equatorial Guinea, who prosecutors claim are victims of Mr. Obiangs relentless embezzlement and extortion. The turnabout in Mr. Obiangs fortunes is part of an effort by the federal government to recover assets it says were stolen by foreign officials dictators, politicians and ruling elites and laundered in the United States. Since its start in 2010, the Kleptocracy Asset Recovery Initiative has grown to include a dozen government lawyers and teams from the F.B.I. and Homeland Security. We dont want the United States to be a haven for this money, said Leslie Caldwell, assistant attorney general and head of the criminal division. If it comes into this country, we have the ability to reach out and grab it. Kleptocracy undermines the rule of law and breeds crime and terrorism. Headliner Bedford & Co. The latest decorative statement in New York restaurants is a woodpile. Increasingly, chefs are installing wood-fired grills and ovens and, like John DeLucie in this new venture, putting stacks of split logs on display. And not just for show. I saw this grill in Argentina, he said of the wood-fueled contraption in his open kitchen. I knew I had to have one. He features wood-grilled dishes like oysters, lamb ribs, artichokes, beets and whole fish. This restaurant represents a fresh start for Mr. DeLucie, who the last few years has closed all his others, including Crown, the Lion and Bills Food & Drink, which he owned with partners. Bedford & Co., done in dark browns and olive green, is on two levels in the new Renwick hotel: (Opens Wednesday): 118 East 40th Street, 212-634-4040, bedfordandco.com. Opening 00 & Co The zeros refer to the fine grade of flour that the chef, Matthew Kenney, uses for the pizzas from his wood-fired oven. Theyre inventive vegan pies, with toppings like tomatoes and cashew mozzarella, or smoked oyster mushrooms with walnut cream and harissa. A selection of vegetable compositions, including butternut squash crostini with smoked almond ricotta, rounds out the menu. The restaurant represents a return to New York for Mr. Kenney, who in recent years has opened several vegan restaurants elsewhere: 65 Second Avenue (Third Street), 212-777-1608, matthewkenneycuisine.com. Mr. Donahues Veering from the Thai food theyre known for at Uncle Boons, Ann Redding and Matt Danzer now have their own little Iowa caucus, a foray into Middle American diner-style grub. Chicken, pork, fish, roast beef and meatballs can be ordered with assorted sides. (Monday): 203 Mott Street (Spring Street), 646-850-9374, mrdonahues.com. Pasquale Jones Robert Bohr, the chef Ryan Hardy and their new partner, Grant Reynolds, say they pulled the name out of a hat unlike Charlie Bird, the name of Mr. Bohr and Mr. Hardys restaurant in Greenwich Village. They have also recruited the chef Tim Caspare, who was at Quince and Cotogna in San Francisco. Wood-roasted foods like poultry, pork shoulders and shellfish emerge from one Neapolitan brick oven, and pizzas are blasted at 900 degrees in another. Mr. Reynoldss wine list is mostly French and Italian: 86 Kenmare Street (Mulberry Street), pasqualejones.com. Mark Peterson, the chairman of the history department at the University of California, Berkeley, analyzed a study of the battle on behalf of the institute. The study, commissioned by the Princeton Battlefield Society, a leading opponent of the housing plan, posits that a famous back road to Princeton that Washingtons men took after their victory at the Battle of Trenton traversed the institutes planned construction site. The shooting actually takes place for several miles west of town and through the center of town, where Princeton University is today, Professor Peterson said. The idea that this Battlefield Society is saying that this set of acres was the centerpiece of the battle is a misunderstanding on its face of what the whole thing was. Theodore J. Crackel, a military historian and the former editor in chief of the Papers of George Washington, a project at the University of Virginia, agreed. Unless you want to tear down a third of Princeton Universitys buildings, where the battle also took place, Mr. Crackel said, it doesnt seem that they are ever going to have a definitive answer to this. Founded in 1930, the institute, which is not affiliated with Princeton University, was conceived as a sort of academic village an intellectual oasis where scholars could pursue research in history, mathematics and the natural and social sciences without the distractions of teaching or the pressure to publish. In recent years, as housing prices in Princeton have soared, some faculty members have had to live far from campus. The institutes 800-acre campus nearly three-quarters of which is protected from development has some housing, though it is primarily for visiting scholars from around the world. The institute also wants to accommodate its 25 full-time faculty members, to enable, as its website explains, frequent opportunities to personally interact, either intentionally or by chance. A 35-year-old woman has been arrested in the stabbing death of a man after an argument in a Chinese restaurant in Brooklyn, the authorities said on Tuesday. The woman, Lan Shui Yu, has been charged with second-degree murder and criminal possession of a weapon, a knife, in the dispute that left Jian-Yang Zhang, 41, dead, the police said. Police officers were called shortly after 10 p.m. on Monday to the restaurant, Lucky Zhangs Family, on Eighth Avenue in the Sunset Park neighborhood, the authorities said. Mr. Zhang was found outside the restaurant with stab wounds in the back and neck, the police said. He was taken to Maimonides Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead. The police said Mr. Zhang was visiting Lucky Zhangs, a 24-hour Fujianese restaurant owned by his sister, when he and Ms. Yu, a waitress there, had an argument. The dispute escalated, the police said, and Ms. Yu stabbed Mr. Zhang inside the restaurant. He stumbled outside onto the street and collapsed. Public opinion surveys conducted at the end of 2015 by Afrobarometer reported that 92 percent of the Ugandans interviewed think that homosexuality is inconsistent with Ugandan culture and religion. An equal percentage expressed the belief that L.G.B.T.I. people do not deserve the same legal and constitutional protection of their rights as other Ugandans. This harsh climate and these campaign tactics have inspired yet another rise in sentiment against L.G.B.T.I. people and emboldened the governments resolve to enact laws that outlaw or severely limit organizing by them and other human rights advocates. Formal registration as a group is already forbidden to L.G.B.T.I. organizations. In this campaign to suffocate the civic space for L.G.B.T.I. groups, the Uganda Registration Bureau explained its refusal to register the leading umbrella group, Sexual Minority Uganda, or SMUG, by declaring that the name itself offends the law. The bureau labeled the group undesirable, explaining that the organization advocates for the rights and well-being of lesbian and gay (sic) among others which persons are engaged in criminal activities under a British colonial law enacted in 1950. To silence groups like SMUG, the bureau was granted special powers in 2015 to refuse permits to any organization that works against the dignity of the people of Uganda. To make this more punitive, the new law (which awaits the assent of President Museveni to take effect) offers no definition for what is meant by the dignity of the people of Uganda. Given the current climate, it will not be enough for the anti-gay campaign to merely silence expression or forbid organizing; we can expect it also to criminalize L.G.B.T.I. people and send them to jail. Despite the draconian political climate and new legal threats, however, there are also some ripples of hope, dignity and survival. The rights of L.G.B.T.I. persons are now at least a subject of public discussion, no longer just whispers. The debate occupies mainstream political discourse and conversations throughout Uganda. However hostile the public, it at least is acknowledging that we have Ugandans with different sexual orientations in our midst. The first time I heard about the Milgram experiments, back in Sociology 101, I was stunned. The results seemed to prove that humans were inherently bad. The subjects behavior explained Nazi Germany. Peter Sarsgaard starred as Milgram in Experimenter, a 2015 film version of the story. Now Please Continue, Frank Basloes relentlessly thought-provoking fictionalized study of the people involved with the experiments, is on the stage of the Ensemble Studio Theater. And its absolutely gripping. What Stanley Milgram (an amusing Haskell King) did at Yale University, beginning in 1960, was to trick test subjects into believing they were administering painful electric shocks to other test subjects whenever they gave incorrect answers in a word-pairing quiz. The real shock (pun intended) was just how many people continued to administer what they believed were painful jolts even as fellow subjects (who were in on the scheme and faking it) cried out in seeming agony, eventually begging to be let out of the lab. The experiment requires that you continue, James Sanders (a sympathetic David Edward Jackson), the naive Midwestern graduate student supervising the encounters, tells subjects when they object. Please continue. It is not just Mr. Trumps anti-immigrant, anti-Mexican and anti-Muslim remarks that have led others in the party to point to him as damager-in-chief of the party reputation. It is that his comments are exactly the opposite of the partys self-stated goals for this election. After Mr. Romneys 2012 defeat, the party convened a task force to examine its recent presidential losses. The result was a report on the partys growth and opportunities among the electorate. In the Growth and Opportunity Project, the task force wrote: It is imperative that the RNC changes how it engages with Hispanic communities to welcome in new members of our party. If Hispanic Americans hear that the G.O.P. doesnt want them in the United States, they wont pay attention to our next sentence. The prediction could not have been more accurate. Most Latinos didnt think the party thought very much about them one way or another in 2012. But after months of hearing the party front-runner talk about Mexican immigrants as drug dealers, criminals and rapists, followed by discussion of the deportation of 11 million undocumented immigrants and any American-born children with undocumented parents, most Latino voters changed their minds. The party brand suffered at the hands of its most popular candidate, and now all the Republican candidates hoping to be the next nominee are disadvantaged. In a 2005 book, Setting the Agenda, the political scientists Gary Cox and Mathew McCubbins discussed the importance of a partys reputation or brand. They were writing about the House of Representatives, but their logic about brands applies nicely to most electoral settings. At the most basic level, the argument is that a strong party brand serves all members of the party seeking election, because a strong signal is more valuable than a weak one. And of course a popular brand is more desirable than an unpopular one. Think of it as quality control. In less than a year, Mr. Trump has both weakened the party signal and made it less popular, especially among groups that the party needs to court. Many of his rivals were naturally positioned to fight his destruction of the party brand: Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz are both the sons of immigrant parents who fled Cuba; Jeb Bush has said illegal immigration is often an act of love to provide for families; and John Kasich has termed himself the partys prince of light and hope, in an effort to distinguish himself from the dark talk of the last few months. But none of these story lines have saved the party from Mr. Trumps language. The expansiveness of the Rubio-Lee plan led James Pethokoukis, an economic policy researcher at the conservative American Enterprise Institute, to invoke Oprah Winfrey. She was like, You get a car, you get a car. Well this is You get a tax cut, you get a tax cut, he said in an interview last spring. But Mr. Rubio apparently was not yet done with his Oprah act. In October, now running for president, Mr. Rubio announced his own stand-alone version of the tax plan, with a crucial change. His joint plan with Mr. Lee had included just two tax brackets for regular income: 15 percent on the first $150,000 for married couples, and 35 percent on income above that. Mr. Rubio is now calling for three tax rates instead of two: 15 percent on the first $150,000, 25 percent on the next $150,000, and 35 percent only on income above that. This change avoids a pitfall of the Rubio-Lee plan: It would have imposed higher marginal tax rates on many taxpayers with high but nonastronomical incomes. If they did not have children to take tax credits against, they would have seen little benefit from Rubio-Lee. Adding the 25 percent bracket allows Mr. Rubio to play Ms. Winfrey to this group as well. But all these changes have come at a cost: According to the Tax Policy Center, Mr. Rubios current plan would cost $6.8 trillion over the 10-year budget window. That is, 16 percent of currently projected federal tax revenues over that period, and nearly three times the size of Mr. Lees plan from less than three years ago. The tax cut has grown on all dimensions, at the top and at the bottom. Because of the partial refundability of the $2,000 tax credit, Mr. Rubios plan would cut taxes for the bottom fifth of taxpayers by $251 a year on average, compared with just $79 under Mr. Lees original plan. (To calculate this figure, the Tax Policy Center assumed Mr. Rubio would allow the credit to be applied against Social Security payroll taxes, as Mr. Rubio and Mr. Lee had already proposed for their child credit.) Mr. Rubio is proposing a nearly 2 percent boost in annual income for this group. But Mr. Rubios biggest tax cuts, by far, are at the top. His new plan would raise incomes for the top one-thousandth of taxpayers by 8.9 percent that is, an average tax cut of more than $900,000 per year because of its sharp cuts in tax rates on business income and capital income. Of course, all that assumes Mr. Rubio could find a way to finance a 16 percent overall cut in federal taxes. Mr. Rubio is counting on strong economic growth, induced by his capital tax cuts, to pay for his plan to cut taxes sharply on nearly everyone. But recent experience with tax cuts on capital income no apparent economic boost came from the Bush tax cuts of 2003 does not suggest that will be possible. Ms. Winfrey may have shouted Everybody gets a car, but she was giving cars to only 276 people. By comparison with Mr. Rubio, she stands out as an exemplar of fiscal conservatism. So is Dana Whittle, 69. Standing in the cold at South Station in Boston last week, she took in a moment of stillness in the middle of an earthshaking personal transition. Lugging two massive bags, she was returning from South Carolina, having packed up her second home, which she was selling amid a divorce after 30 years of marriage. Ms. Whittle, a part-time nurse, said she found the idea of a female president extremely important. She will probably vote for Mrs. Clinton. Im an old lady, and Ive been waiting for it a longer time than most people, she said, adding, I burned my bra a long time ago. In Denver, at a climbing gym with a view of the Rocky Mountains, climbers scampered up gray walls as hip-hop played in the background. Madeline Schiebel, 26, a former fund-raiser for Planned Parenthood who works at the gym, said most of her friends open, forward-thinking people were backing Mr. Sanders. Maybe my moms generation or my grandmothers generation, theyre like: Weve been waiting for so long. Things are finally happening. O.K., there is a woman, lets get her into office, said Ms. Schiebel, who is undecided. Whereas were more like: Eh, well, its going to happen. Lets make sure it happens the way its supposed to happen in a way thats good for the country. Still, her view is not universal. A woman elected president means the world, wrote Nicole Zhu, 17, a daughter of Chinese immigrants from Princeton, N.J., who bristles at the memory of her parents telling her that politics was for white men. Kari Hexem, 34, a New Jersey dentist, wrote how becoming a mother makes me want to see a woman president, in a different way than I wanted a woman to become president before. Lawyers who faced Mr. Cruz said he moved easily in the clubby world of the elite Supreme Court bar, was generally collegial and was poised in handling the barrage of questions the justices trained on him. The image you get of him as a senator sort of shaking things up and not following the rules, you dont get that sense of him at all in this capacity, said Paul M. Smith, who argued against Mr. Cruz in a 2006 voting rights case. He knew the rules and played by them. Still, Mr. Cruz could get lost in the crosstalk among the justices. Jump in whenever you want, Chief Justice Roberts told Mr. Cruz in the voting rights case during an extended exchange between Justices Scalia and John Paul Stevens. Mr. Cruz supported Chief Justice Robertss nomination in 2005 but has since had harsh words for him and says he would not have nominated him had he been president. But Mr. Cruz was a fan of the chief justices work as a lawyer, calling him the best Supreme Court advocate of his generation. I worked hard to try to emulate his argument style, Mr. Cruz wrote of Chief Justice Robertss 39 appearances before the court. With his immense credibility before the court, Mr. Cruz wrote, Roberts had consistently managed to get the swing votes to sway in his direction. Mr. Cruz had less luck in reaching the courts current swing vote, Justice Kennedy, just as he sometimes fails to connect with other moderate Republicans. Justice Kennedy wrote the majority opinion rejecting Mr. Cruzs arguments in his first outing. He was the sole dissenter in a ruling Mr. Cruz won in a patent case. And he was the decisive vote against Mr. Cruz in a series of 5-to-4 decisions. Justice Kennedy grew instantly agitated during Mr. Cruzs second appearance before the court. The question in the case was what to do about a thief named Michael Wayne Haley, who had been mistakenly sentenced to almost 15 years more than the law allowed. Details about a memorial and funeral for Justice Antonin Scalia and the Supreme Courts week ahead began to surface Tuesday, three days after Justice Scalia, a lifelong Roman Catholic, was found dead in his room at a Texas ranch. Here is what is known. FUNERAL PLANS On Sunday, Justice Scalias body was flown to Virginia, where he lived for many years with his wife, Maureen McCarthy Scalia, in McLean, after being held in a funeral home in El Paso. The justices body is at Fairfax Memorial Funeral Home in Fairfax, Va., said its assistant manager, Bob Gallagher. In line with recent tradition, Justice Scalias body will lie in repose in the Great Hall of the Supreme Court on Friday, surrounded by marble busts of former chief justices. A Kentucky state representative believed that a new law requiring women to have a medical consultation 24 hours before having an abortion smacked of sexism. So the lawmaker, Mary Lou Marzian, proposed a bill in the male-dominated House to drive home the point. Under the legislation by Ms. Marzian, a Democrat, men would have to navigate a series of obstacles before they could obtain erectile dysfunction drugs, like Viagra. Each man would be required to have two doctor visits, a signed-and-dated letter from his spouse providing consent and a sworn statement delivered with his hand on a Bible that he would use the drugs only to have sex with his spouse. Only married men would be eligible for the drugs. In a phone interview this week, Ms. Marzian said, I thought if were going to insert ourselves into womens most private health care decisions, then we should insert ourselves into mens most private health care decisions, as well. DAKAR, Senegal A new crisis is emerging as the Nigerian military liberates droves of women and girls from their Boko Haram captors: Many of the newly freed are being rejected when they return to their communities, according to a report released Tuesday. The women and girls, many of whom were raped by militants, have been labeled annoba, which means epidemics, or Boko Haram wives, according to the report from International Alert, a peace-building group, and Unicef. Some community members worry that they have been radicalized by Boko Haram and might try to recruit others to fight with the militant group, which has been terrorizing northern Nigeria for years. There is a fear that if the needs of these survivors and returning populations are not met, these factors could add another dimension to an already complex conflict situation in northeast Nigeria, said Kimairis Toogood, an adviser for International Alert in Nigeria. As many as 2,000 women and children, both girls and boys, have been abducted by Boko Haram since 2012, according to the report. That includes the more than 200 girls taken from their secondary school in Chibok in 2014 in an episode that attracted huge social media attention with a #BringBackOurGirls campaign, which ultimately had little impact. The Nigerian government conceded recently that it still does not know the girls whereabouts. SALVADOR, Brazil The Zika virus, some Brazilians are convinced, is the inadvertent creation of a British biotech company that has been releasing genetically modified mosquitoes to combat dengue fever in Brazil. Others here and elsewhere see it as a plot by global elites to depopulate the earth and install a one-world government. And after a group of Argentine doctors asserted that a larvicide, not the mosquito-borne Zika virus, was to blame for a surge in cases of the birth defect known as microcephaly, Brazils southernmost state went so far over the weekend as to ban the use of the larvicide in its drinking water even though scientists and health officials insist there is no such link. Like Zika itself, rumors about it have replicated with viral ferocity through social media and word of mouth, frustrating the Brazilian authorities as they grapple with a poorly understood pathogen whose origins and implications are still something of a mystery. With many of the rumors started and spread abroad, Brazils Health Ministry has been scrambling to do damage control. In a statement on Monday, the government noted that microcephaly, which causes brain damage, was also growing in communities that did not use the larvicide, pyriproxyfen, and declared bluntly, The association between the use of pyriproxyfen and microcephaly has no scientific basis. He said this moment was particularly crucial, as President Obama seeks to ease restrictions on doing business with Cuba and as more American companies flock there hoping to sign deals. Last week, the Obama administration approved the first American factory to operate in Cuba in more than 50 years, a small tractor company from Alabama. The Helms-Burton Act, signed by President Bill Clinton in 1996, says that anyone who profits from properties that were confiscated from American citizens is liable for damages, even if the owner was not an American citizen at the time. Yet the law has provisos that allow the president to decide whether, for the sake of American interests, the law should be enforced. It has pretty much never been enforced. It would be a slug fest, said Pedro A. Freyre, a Miami lawyer who specializes in Cuban business deals. It would be a brawl, a free-for-all, everyone suing every Canadian company, airline, hotel, you name it and it would be detrimental to U.S. foreign relations. Martha Pantin, a spokeswoman for American Airlines, which is expected to bid for the Cuba routes, said Mr. Lopezs problem is one best answered by government agencies. This is not an airline issue, she said. A State Department spokesman, who spoke on the condition of anonymity in keeping with department policy, said officials in the United States and their Cuban counterparts had touched on the topic during aviation talks. The department is negotiating with the Cubans over compensation for confiscated properties, but the cases of people who were not American citizens at the time of the confiscations were not included in those talks. And unlike after the fall of the Berlin Wall, when heirs of property owners in the former East Germany received compensation for seized assets, the confiscators in Cuba are still in power. In some areas of Afghanistan, the Taliban have provided seeds for farmers to grow opium on the insurgents behalf, or paid middlemen to purchase opium for them to store while they wait for prices to increase. In its most recent monitoring report, the United Nations warned that the Talibans deeper drift into the drug business was bad news for the prospect of peace. This trend has real consequences for peace and security in Afghanistan, as it encourages those within the Taliban movement who have the greatest economic incentives to oppose any meaningful process of reconciliation with the new government, the authors wrote. Some of the change in the nature of the Taliban movement can be attributed to the devastating military campaign to take out its leaders, leaving younger, more radical commanders on the battlefield. With competing conflicts diminishing some of the money from traditional donors in the Persian Gulf, the Taliban have been forced into greater self-reliance, cobbling money together from a variety of sources. Those sources include gem and lumber smuggling, but drug trafficking has become, by far, the Talibans most important and steady revenue source. Mullah Rashid is one of the highest-ranking Taliban members to be directly implicated in drug smuggling in recent years. He owned homes in the notorious smuggling haven of Baramcha and controlled narcotics traffic through the open deserts in southern Helmand Province that connect Nimruz, Pakistan and Iran. He started as an idealist but became a professional smuggler, said one top intelligence official in Nimruz Province, who has tracked Mullah Rashid for five years. When he became the shadow governor, the trade became so lucrative, he could not give it up. According to government officials, Mullah Rashid was appointed to the governorship of Nimruz more than four years ago, after his predecessor was killed. He was a strategic pick for the Taliban, which hoped to benefit from his ethnicity as well as his experience. He is of Baluch descent, which made it easier for him to operate and recruit in the borderlands, where his tribesmen are prominent. As an insurgent commander, his highest-profile acts were a series of suicide attacks in Zaranj in August 2012, which claimed the lives of nearly 30 people during Ramadan, officials familiar with his tenure said. He was also a key figure in coordinating contacts between the Taliban and Al Qaeda, setting up high-level meetings in Pakistan between the two groups. BEIJING Glaciologists in China and elsewhere have said for years that climate change is the main cause of glacier erosion, which threatens the water sources of much of humanity. Officials in the far northwestern Chinese region of Xinjiang now say another factor is putting the fragile glaciers at risk: tourism. The Xinjiang government announced this month that it was banning tourism on glaciers across the region, which is one-sixth of the Chinese land mass. Many glaciers are found in Xinjiang, and in the Tianshan range in particular, which runs east-west through the middle of the vast region. Officials want to ensure that tourists observe the glaciers from a distance, not atop the glaciers themselves, according to a report published on Thursday by Xinhua, the state news agency. GENEVA The United Nations top human rights official called on China on Tuesday to immediately and unconditionally release a group of lawyers detained starting last summer, and he expressed concern over a very worrying pattern of arrests and disappearances. The Chinese authorities have arrested more than 250 lawyers, legal assistants and activists in a crackdown that began in July. Although many have been released, 15 human rights lawyers were arrested last month, Zeid Raad al-Hussein, the United Nations high commissioner for human rights, said in a statement. They included 10 charged with subversion of state power, he said, which carries a sentence of 15 years to life in prison. The Chinese authorities too often reflexively confuse the legitimate role of lawyers and activists with threats to public order and security, he said. In China under President Xi Jinping, journalists who stray from the Communist Partys official line are increasingly being muzzled as part of a widespread crackdown on civil society that has led to human rights lawyers and feminists being imprisoned, influential bloggers having their social media accounts deleted and professors being told to limit the use of foreign textbooks. In Mr. Yangs case, he may have fallen victim to new rules on what retired Communist Party cadres can say, and specifying that their public opinions must have a high level of consistency with the Party Central under comrade General Secretary Xi Jinping. As a senior reporter for Chinas government-owned official news service for many decades, Mr. Yang was a longtime party member. But he has also been highly critical of the government, dealing a devastating blow to the official account of the famine and Maos legacy in his book, and speaking out in public forums around the world. Until now, he was allowed to travel internationally to receive accolades for his work. Last year, Mr. Yang went to Sweden to receive the Stieg Larsson prize, an award established in memory of the crime writer and journalist, who died in 2004, and given to people working in his spirit. In 2013, he traveled to the United States to receive the Manhattan Institutes Hayek Prize, named after the economist and philosopher Friedrich Hayek. There, he delivered a scathing indictment of modern China under the Communists, who he said had created a society in which only the already powerful can acquire wealth. Chinas path to harmony and stability is to reject this system and instead to heed Hayeks call to avoid government coercion, respect individual freedom and allow further economic and political liberalization, Mr. Yang said. Although Mr. Yang said on Tuesday that he had his passport, leaving the country against the wishes of Xinhua, a powerful arm of the government and Communist Party, might jeopardize any plans he might have to publish future works. Calls during working hours to Xinhuas main office in Beijing went unanswered. Boutros Boutros-Ghali, an Egyptian diplomat who led the United Nations in a chaotic 1990s tenure that began with hopes for peace after the Cold War, but failed to cope with genocide in Rwanda and Bosnia and ended in angry recriminations with Washington, died on Tuesday in an Egyptian hospital. He was 93. His death was confirmed by the office of Secretary General Ban Ki-moon. Mr. Ban later made a brief appearance before reporters at the United Nations, calling Mr. Boutros-Ghali a memorable leader who rendered invaluable services to world peace and international order. The website of Al Ahram, Egypts state-owned newspaper, said Mr. Boutros-Ghali died in a hospital in Giza, on the outskirts of Cairo, where he had been admitted a few days earlier with a broken leg. He and his wife, Leia Maria Boutros-Ghali, had no children, Egyptian diplomats said. A generation before violent protests boiled over in Cairo in 2011, Mr. Boutros-Ghali was a keystone of Egypts old-guard diplomacy, a senior minister to President Hosni Mubarak and to his slain predecessor, Anwar el-Sadat. He seemed to meet the tests of character and experience when, in 1992, he became the sixth secretary general of the United Nations, the first African and the first Arab to hold the post. But the spokesman, Thierry Werts, said the recruitment network targeted in the new raids was not directly connected to the Paris attacks. The majority of the persons arrested are suspected of having sent people to Syria, Mr. Werts said in a telephone interview. Some of them have gone to Syria themselves to fight under ISIS and have returned, he said, using an acronym for the Islamic State, which is also known as ISIL. During the raids, cellphones, computers and other hardware were seized for examination, but no weapons or explosives were found, he said. Molenbeek has become the focus of intense scrutiny since the Belgian government, which had been faulted for failing to prevent terrorism, announced an ambitious antiterrorism plan this month and assigned hundreds of additional police officers to monitor neighborhoods with large immigrant populations and to crack down on radical activity and the illegal trafficking of arms, drugs and people. The investigation is being carried out by a judge from the city of Liege who specializes in terrorism. BERLIN More than 200 police officers and intelligence agents raided an office and 12 homes in the northern German city-state of Bremen on Tuesday to enforce a ban on a Salafist group linked to a previously outlawed group that sent at least 15 people to join the Islamic State in Syria, the authorities said. The police confiscated several computers, hard drives and cellphones in the coordinated raids, said Ulrich Maurer, Bremens top official for internal affairs. The office of the group, known as the Islamic Support Association, functioned as a mosque, similar to a mosque run by a previous Salafist group that sent fighters to train in Syria, where six of them have been killed, Mr. Maurer said. The authorities have voiced fears that Salafist groups are recruiting new members from the wave of migrants who have entered Germany in recent months, many from the Middle East. No arrests were made on Tuesday. The police will sift through confiscated material for more clues, Mr. Maurer said, and will be monitoring a Bremen Salafist who will be released from prison in the coming weeks. LONDON A United Nations expert warned on Tuesday that human rights advocates in Hungary faced threats and political pressure, citing attempts to silence dissenting voices in a country that has taken a sharp right-wing turn since 2010. They face enormous pressure through public criticism, stigmatization in the media, unwarranted inspections and reduction of state funding, the expert, Michel Forst, the special rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders, said after a weeklong official visit to Hungary. In a statement, Mr. Forst spoke of the pressures faced by human rights advocates and joined critics of Prime Minister Viktor Orbans conservative government, saying its policies had weakened a well-functioning democracy. The statement said that defenders of women, ethnic minorities and the gay and lesbian community were particularly vulnerable, as well as whistle-blowers, investigative journalists and advocates for refugees. The bill has been at the center of debate for months, polarizing public opinion. It has created sharp rifts within the coalition government led by Prime Minister Matteo Renzi who supports the measure and even within his own center-left Democratic Party. The divisions have been mostly along ideological and religious lines, in a country where the Roman Catholic Church still has considerable sway in defining what constitutes the traditional family. The bill includes an especially controversial measure the possibility for a gay couple to adopt a child if one of the partners is the biological parent that some argue would pave the way to surrogacy, which is banned in Italy. Earlier this month, Health Minister Beatrice Lorenzin described surrogacy as ultra-prostitution, a measure of the intense emotions that have marked weeks of impassioned debate about the bill. Tens of thousands of Italians have taken to the streets in recent weeks in rallies both in favor and against the measures. During a television talk show on Tuesday, Ms. Lorenzin proposed criminal sanctions to discourage surrogacy, confirming her opposition to stepchild adoption because it encourages surrogacy. Italy is one of a few countries in Western Europe that do not recognize same-sex unions in any form. Even if the present bill passed, it would fall short of allowing gay marriage. BAGHDAD It was once a well-kept memorial for hundreds of Iraqi civilians who were killed by American bombs while they slept, a powerful symbol of suffering embraced by a dictators propaganda machine. The destruction of the Amiriya bomb shelter, in a middle-class Baghdad neighborhood, on Feb. 13, 1991, at the outset of the Persian Gulf war, killed some 408 civilians in the worst way possible: Most were burned alive. It stands as the deadliest episode of civilian casualties in the painful history, now a quarter-century long, of the United States in Iraq. For years, Saddam Hussein ensured that the event remained etched in the Iraqi collective memory, recalled in movies, songs, poems and ceremonies. The shelter was a required stop for visiting dignitaries and foreign correspondents in Mr. Husseins tightly controlled Iraq. This week, 25 years later, the anniversary passed with almost no notice. An Iraqi Army unit now occupies the grounds of the shelter. The site is no longer open to the public, although the occasional survivors or family members of the dead are welcomed by soldiers and given tours. BAGHDAD Three Americans who were kidnapped from a Baghdad apartment by Shiite militiamen last month were released unharmed on Tuesday after the Iraqi authorities negotiated their freedom, State Department officials confirmed. After showers, medical checkups and a meal at the American Embassy, they were quickly put on a plane out of the country. The exact circumstances of their release were not immediately clear, including whether any money was paid or prisoners were released in exchange. Officials stressed that there had been no direct negotiations between the United States and the group that abducted the men. Throughout their captivity, American officials leaned on the Iraqi National Intelligence Service and the Iraqi military, which in turn leaned on Moktada al-Sadr, the Shiite cleric whose militia once fought against the Americans, officials said. The abductors were not believed to be under Mr. Sadrs control, but the cleric was able to use his contacts to mediate and win their release. The State Department issued a statement on Tuesday saying it welcomed the news. We sincerely appreciate the assistance provided by the government of Iraq, and its whole-of-government effort to bring about the safe release of these individuals, the statement said. UNITED NATIONS Five days after world powers announced that aid would soon reach starving Syrians trapped behind front lines, the United Nations was still negotiating with the government in Damascus on Tuesday over lifting blockades to humanitarian convoys, announcing by days end that it hoped to start sending 80 trucks to deliver food and lifesaving medicines on Wednesday. The United Nations special envoy for Syria, Staffan de Mistura, said in an email that the government had agreed to lift its sieges on five towns, so as to allow aid convoys that have not been permitted to enter for months. It is clear it is the duty of the government of Syria to want to reach every Syrian person wherever they are and allow the U.N. to bring humanitarian aid, Mr. de Mistura said earlier in a statement sent from Damascus, after his meeting with the Syrian foreign minister, Walid al-Moallem. Tomorrow we test this. BERLIN In the early years of the Obama administration, the United States developed an elaborate plan for a cyberattack on Iran in case the diplomatic effort to limit its nuclear program failed and led to a military conflict, according to a coming documentary film and interviews with military and intelligence officials involved in the effort. The plan, code-named Nitro Zeus, was devised to disable Irans air defenses, communications systems and crucial parts of its power grid, and was shelved, at least for the foreseeable future, after the nuclear deal struck between Iran and six other nations last summer was fulfilled. Nitro Zeus was part of an effort to assure President Obama that he had alternatives, short of a full-scale war, if Iran lashed out at the United States or its allies in the region. At its height, officials say, the planning for Nitro Zeus involved thousands of American military and intelligence personnel, spending tens of millions of dollars and placing electronic implants in Iranian computer networks to prepare the battlefield, in the parlance of the Pentagon. The United States military develops contingency plans for all kinds of possible conflicts, such as a North Korean attack on the South, loose nuclear weapons in South Asia or uprisings in Africa or Latin America. Most sit on the shelf, and are updated every few years. But this one took on far greater urgency, in part because White House officials believed there was a good chance that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel would decide to strike Irans nuclear facilities, and the United States would be drawn into the hostilities that followed. JERUSALEM Israeli authorities issued statements of regret on Tuesday after police officers briefly detained The Washington Posts bureau chief in Jerusalem and a colleague while they were conducting interviews at the Damascus Gate into the Old City, a site of frequent attacks by Palestinians against Israeli Jews in recent months. The Foreign Press Association, a group that advocates for journalists, said the bureau chief, William Booth, and a Palestinian contract reporter for The Post, Sufian Taha, were held for about 40 minutes at a police station after a complaint from a passer-by, though the pair had shown their government press office identification cards and had made clear they were working on an article. When they asked police why they had been held, the police said they had suspected the journalists of inciting Palestinians, the association said in a statement condemning the detentions. Nitzan Chen, the head of the government press office, said Mr. Booths detention was probably the result of an unfortunate misunderstanding. The oil boom over the past decade helped all of this, and was good for Saudis at home. Household incomes rose, and the number of men and women pursuing higher education multiplied. But the fat years left the economy poorly structured, economists say: 90 percent of government revenues are from oil; 70 percent of working Saudis are employed by the government; and even the private sector remains heavily dependent on government spending. Nor did advances in education create a large professional class or inculcate a culture of hard work. Most of the countrys engineers and health care workers are foreign, and many government employees vacate their offices midafternoon, or earlier. But with oil revenues crashing and the numbers of young people reaching the work force growing by the day, those jobs have become harder to get as the government cuts costs and pushes Saudis toward the private sector, where job security and salaries are lower on average. There is an issue with the sustainability of the economic model in Saudi Arabia, and the oil price can be seen as a wake-up call, said Fahad Alturki, chief economist at Jadwa Investment in Riyadh. Saudi Arabia still has room to maneuver, he said, thanks to large cash reserves, low public debt and lots of new infrastructure that can aid economic growth. But the generational differences are clear. One woman who recently earned a Ph.D. in a medicine-related field in the United States said that her father had been tracked into the military, where he got training abroad, free housing, medical care and schooling for his children. When her mother finished her degree in Arabic, she immediately got a job near her house and a cash bonus from the state, just for graduating. Their daughter has struggled to find work, despite being better educated and fluent in English. Her husband, also educated in the United States, is also unemployed, and they live with her family. Spiotta attended the progressive, arty Crossroads School and went on to Columbia University. But at the end of her sophomore year of college, she dropped out. Her parents were splitting up but that was only part of the chaos, she wrote to me. My father, who had left Zoetrope to form his own production company, lost everything, including the familys house. It gave me the ability to understand being privileged as well as being dead broke. From age 19, Spiotta supported herself. She made her way to Seattle, a city that seemed very friendly to the lost young person, got a job at a record store and eventually enrolled at Evergreen State College, where she studied labor history and creative writing. Reading The Dead in a cafe, she began to weep. One day she and a friend called a number on the back cover of the literary journal Quarterly. The phone was answered by the journals editor, Gordon Lish, who invited Spiotta and her friend to come work for him in New York. They did, as managing editors. Whatever youre trying to hide is what you need to write from, Spiotta recalls him saying. Whatever youre trying to hide is what makes you an interesting writer. Lish introduced Spiotta to Don DeLillo, who became a mentor and a friend. While Spiotta was working on her first novel, Lightning Field, she supported herself by waitressing. The book was published in 2001, when she was 35. She wrote her next novel in secret, while working at a restaurant she owned with her former husband in upstate New York. Eat the Document brought her new attention, and she joined Saunders and Karr at the highly regarded creative-writing program at Syracuse. As a colleague, she is a dream, Karr told me. Whip smart and tirelessly generous, but she doesnt pander to student egos. She knows how to deliver bad news to a young writer: ruthlessly but also with an underpinning of cheer thats infectious. Spiottas work has been cited in discussions about whether the culture properly values the work of female novelists, particularly those whose books are ambitious, political and engaged with the big world of ideas, as Katha Pollitt wrote of Spiotta and others in 2010. Don DeLillo with a vagina, one writer called Spiotta (it was meant as a compliment); a womans book wrapped in a mans book, suggested a participant in an online discussion of Stone Arabia. A Booklist review of Innocents and Others advises that it is for readers of Jennifer Egan, Siri Hustvedt, Rachel Kushner and Claire Messud. These writers are comparable with Spiotta in ways that have nothing to do with gender Egan, formally inventive; Kushner, influenced by film and the list is meant to contextualize the novel for librarians. But it hints at a smart woman algorithm: If you like this woman who is serious, youll like Spiotta too. Spiotta flat out rejects this way of talking about literature. The notion that there are gendered subjects or gendered prose styles, or gendered types of novels seems reductive to me, a not-interesting (or even coherent) way to engage anyones writing, she emailed one morning. It was early on a frigid day in January. Spiotta and I sat in a diner in Cooperstown, a road atlas open on the apple-print oilcloth. We were about to embark on a trip. This map: In all of my books, except Lightning Field, stuff happens right here, Spiotta said. The Mohawk River, the Erie Canal, and I-90 hung in a triple strand across the open pages. The Erie Canals velocity changed the transmission of goods and ideas; and it meant identity could be changed, too, because you could take off and go to the next place, Spiotta said, as a waitress refilled our mugs. Spiotta had circled our destinations on the map in ballpoint pen. This region has a multiplicity off-the-gridders, declining factory towns, a shrine to the first Native American saint analogous to her books. It almost feels as if it works the way a novel works here, because there are these disparate things that seem unconnected, but because they have the same geography, they are connected, she said. You wonder, How did they all come to be here? Table for one? Done. With the growing number of solo diners, hotels and resorts are making sure they are comfortable. The Plume restaurant at the Jefferson Hotel in Washington, D.C., created a program for solo diners last fall (from $98 a person); several of its 18 seats are dedicated to diners who want a sense of privacy yet a feeling of inclusion. The seating for this type of diner doesnt include being in the center of the room, said the restaurants manager, Sean Mulligan. We make sure they are not near the entrance or exit for discretion and privacy while making sure the diners have items like newspapers and magazines delivered to their table if they need it. At Metropolitan by Como, Miami Beach, a dinner-for-one menu ($70) made its debut earlier this year, with recommended seating at the corner of the hotels terrace and the Traymore bar positioned for people-watching along a pedestrian area of Miami Beach Drive. Solo diners are also able to log into PressReader, where they can read their favorite magazine in their preferred language from their phone or tablet. The new Just Cook for Me Chef! program ($150 a person) at Miraval Resort & Spa in Tucson, was designed to bring together several solo guests in the kitchen so they can enjoy samples from the daily menu. This option was designed to be a smaller version of the communal-style tables that are enjoying a wave of popularity. CAIRO A Boutros Boutros-Ghali, a veteran Egyptian diplomat who helped negotiate his countrys landmark peace deal with Israel but then clashed with the United States when he served a single term as U.N. secretary-general, has died. He was 93. Boutros-Ghali, the scion of a prominent Egyptian Christian political family, was the first U.N. chief from the African continent. He stepped into the post in 1992 at a time of dramatic world changes, with the collapse of the Soviet Union, the end of the Cold War and the beginning of a unipolar era dominated by the United States. But after four years of frictions with the Clinton administration, the United States blocked his renewal in the post in 1996, making him the only U.N. secretary-general to serve a single term. He was replaced by Ghanaian Kofi Annan. The current president of the U.N. Security Council, Venezuelan Ambassador Rafael Ramirez, announced Boutros-Ghalis death at the start of a session Tuesday on Yemens humanitarian crisis. The 15 council members stood in a silent tribute. Boutros-Ghhali died Tuesday at a Cairo hospital, Egypts state news agency said. He had been admitted to the hospital after suffering a broken pelvis, the Al-Ahram newspaper reported on Thursday. Boutros-Ghalis five years in the United Nations remain controversial. Some see him as seeking to establish the U.N.s independence from the world superpower, the United States. Others blame him for misjudgments in the failures to prevent genocides in Africa and the Balkans and mismanagement of reform in the world body. In his farewell speech to the U.N., Boutros-Ghali said he had thought when he took the post that the time was right for the United Nations to play an effective role in a world no longer divided into warring Cold War camps. But the middle years of this half decade were deeply troubled, he said. Disillusion set in. In a 2005 interview with The Associated Press, Boutros-Ghali called the 1994 massacre in Rwanda in which half a million Tutsis and moderate Hutus were killed in 100 days my worst failure at the United Nations. But he blamed the United States, Britain, France and Belgium for paralyzing action by setting impossible conditions for intervention. Then-U.S. President Bill Clinton and other world leaders were opposed to taking strong action to beef up U.N. peacekeepers in the tiny Central African nation or intervening to stop the massacres. The concept of peacekeeping was turned on its head and worsened by the serious gap between mandates and resources, he told AP. Boutros-Ghali also came under fire for the July 1995 Serb slaughter of 8,000 Muslims in the U.N.-declared safe zone of Srebrenica in eastern Bosnia just before the end of the war. In 1999, families of the victims listed Boutros-Ghali as one of the international officials they wanted to sue for responsibility in the deaths. His legacy was also stained in investigations into corruption in the U.N. oil-for-food program for Iraq, which he played a large role in creating. Three suspects in the probe were linked to Boutros-Ghali either by family relationship or friendship. His cousin, Fakhry Abdelnour, is the head of an oil company called AMEP, which was accused of getting oil concessions through the executive director of the oil-for-food program, Benon Sevan. Boutros-Ghali frequently took vocal stances that angered the Clinton administration such as his strong criticism of Israel after the 1996 shelling of U.N. camp in Lebanon that killed some 100 refugees. In writings after leaving the U.N., he accused Washington of using the world body for its own political purposes and said U.S. officials often tried to directly control his actions. He wrote in his 1999 book Unvanquished that he mistakenly assumed that the great powers, especially the United States, also trained their representatives in diplomacy and accepted the value of it. But the Roman Empire had no need for diplomacy. Neither does the United States. His opponents, in turn, accused him of being too sluggish in pushing U.N. reforms. Boutros-Ghali blamed slowness in reform on the lack of money and pointed out that the United States was $1.4 billion in arrears on payments. Noted for his dignified bearing and Old World style, Boutros-Ghali was the son of one of Egypts most important Coptic Christian families. His grandfather, Boutros Ghali Pasha, was Egypts prime minister from 1908 to 1910. Born Nov. 14, 1922, Boutros-Ghali studied in Cairo and Paris and became an academic, specialized in international law. In 1977, then-Egyptian President Anwar Sadat named him minister of state without portfolio, shortly before Sadats landmark visit to Israel to launch peace negotiations. Sadats rapprochement with Israel brought harsh criticism from across Egypts political spectrum. His foreign minister, Ismail Fahmi, resigned in protest at normalization with Israel. So Sadat turned to Boutros-Ghali, naming him acting foreign minister and minister of state for foreign affairs. Boutros-Ghali played a major role in subsequent negotiations that produced the Camp David peace framework agreements in September 1978 and the Egyptian-Israeli peace treaty in March 1979, the first such between an Arab state and Israel. Israelis considered Boutros-Ghali a hawkish negotiator. But he also staunchly defended Egypts peace efforts against fierce Arab opposition. At one African summit, he sharply retorted to Algerian criticism, saying, Algeria wants to fight Israel to the last Egyptian soldier. President Hosni Mubarak, who succeeded Sadat in October 1981, kept Boutros-Ghali in the same post. But Boutros-Ghlai was never promoted to the post of foreign minister because it was considered too controversial to have a Christian in the key post of a Muslim majority country. After leaving the United Nations, Boutros-Ghali served from 1998 to 2002 as secretary-general of La Francophonie a grouping of French-speaking nations. In 2004, he was named the president of Egypts new human rights council, a body created by Mubarak amid U.S. pressure on Arab nations to adopt political and democratic reforms. He was married to Lea, an Egyptian Jew. They have no children. IRVINE The publisher of a monthly community newspaper noted for its articles criticizing the City Council majority has sued the city of Irvine, accusing top officials of barring its distribution at City Hall. Frank Lunding, a Monterey resident and publisher and editor of Irvine Community News & Views, filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court in Santa Ana on Feb. 8 alleging the city violated his rights to free speech and equal protection of the law. Lunding is seeking an injunction against the city to stop it from refusing distribution of the paper at City Hall. He claims Irvines city manager, city attorney and director of communication are behind the year-old effort. The city has opened the news racks in the public lobby of City Hall to the distribution of news and informational content, and there is no reasonable, viewpoint-neutral basis on which to distinguish the content of ICNV from the content of the newspapers and other materials that are permitted to be distributed from the City Hall news racks, the lawsuit states. The publication shares a name with a political slate mailer that Lunding, a longtime friend of Irvine politician Larry Agran, sent to Irvine residents during the 2008 election season using contributions from the Keep Irvine Great political slate, which included Agran and Councilwoman Beth Krom. According to the lawsuit, Todd Litfin, then Irvine city attorney, emailed Lunding in July to say the city did not allow distribution of political related publications at city facilities. Lunding said he has approached city staff multiple times asking for the paper to be allowed in the lobbys news racks and has been refused each time. City spokesman Craig Reem declined to comment, saying the city does not comment on pending litigation. Publications available at City Hall include the Irvine World News, published weekly by the OC Register, and OC Weekly, an alternative paper. Lunding said Community News & Views should be there, too. He said the paper is no longer a slate mailer and even if if were, he said, the city would not have the right to ban its distribution at its facilities. The paper is distributed free at more than 100 stores and shopping centers in Irvine, according to a Dec. 29 note from Lunding. He says 20,000 print copies were distributed last month and that thousands read it online. The 16-page January edition includes three articles, columns by residents, an events calendar and advertisements from local businesses. Community News & Views has published a number of articles criticizing the City Council, including the majoritys repeal of the citys living wage policy and support of the Irvine Unified School Districts decision to build Portola High School on land at the former El Toro Marine base near where petrochemicals have been unearthed. In the January paper, tiny type at the bottom of page 12 identifies the petition to stop construction at Portola High, which is supported by Lunding, as a joint project of Planning 2020 Inc. and Community News & Views. In 2008, Planning 2020 was the name of a political action committee run by Lunding that backed a slate mailer operation that created a series of fliers backing Krom and former Mayor Sukee Kang. Today, he said, it is a nonprofit organization. Lunding, a lawyer, served about a year on Irvines now-defunct Transportation Commission and about six months on the Planning Commission in the late 1980s. Representing Community News & Views in the case is attorney Fredric Woocher, Agrans lawyer during the audit of spending at the Great Park, which was touted by the council majority as the unraveling of inappropriate expenditures on the parks development. Contact the writer: sdecrescenzo@ocregister.com COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. The Planned Parenthood clinic attacked in November by a gunman professing anti-abortion views reopened Monday with a packed schedule of patients and no end to the pressures on it: Two protesters stood nearby, holding signs and accusing the organization of harming women and killing babies. Three people died Nov. 27, the day after Thanksgiving, when an assailant opened fire at the clinic here, a tan-colored building at the foot of the Rocky Mountains, turning a sprawling, busy shopping center into a scene of carnage. The police identified the attacker as Robert L. Dear Jr., who lived in a remote mountain town called Hartsel, and arrested him at the scene; the clinic had been closed since then. At a news conference Monday, Vicki Cowart, president of Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains, said that her group was fulfilling its commitment to serve the people of Colorado and would resume offering a full spectrum of services, including abortion. We have to be really honest about the fact that there are a lot of people in this country that bully women and bully health care providers, Cowart said. Planned Parenthood is on the side of resiliency, on the side of believing that women and families should have access to reproductive health care. In court, Dear has said he is guilty and has called himself a warrior for the babies; his next court hearing is Feb. 24. The victims were KeArre M. Stewart, an Iraq War veteran; Jennifer Markovsky, a mother of two children; and Garrett Swasey, a father, pastor and police officer. The shooting came at a time of intense and highly public debate over the organizations practices, after an anti-abortion group released videos that it claimed showed Planned Parenthood trying to profit from the sale of fetal tissue. A grand jury investigating the videos later found no wrongdoing on the part of the health care provider and instead indicted the creators of the videos. On Monday, scars were readily apparent at the Colorado Springs clinic. The buildings entrance, which the police had rammed with a military-style vehicle in an effort to stop the attacker, was still boarded up. Cowart said large portions of the building would remain closed for months. Cowart said several of the 15 or so employees at the center had still not returned to work. Some may eventually quit, and I get that, she said. Nobody wants to work in an environment where youre fearful. About 30 patients were scheduled to see health providers Monday. At the entrance to the clinic parking lot, two abortion foes stood with signs. Joseph Martone, 54, said he was a regular protester at the clinic and had returned just after the shooting. People believe hes part of us, but hes not, he said, referring to Dear. Then, turning his attention to the clinic employees, he said, They are harming women and killing babies. But his fellow protester said he had waited a while to return. I didnt feel it was in good taste to be out here in light of the shooting, said the Rev. Bill Carmody, 58, a Roman Catholic priest. I think it would have been like stepping on graves. WASHINGTON Antonin Scalia, who combined a zest for intellectual combat with a vast talent for friendship, was a Roman candle of sparkling jurisprudential theories leavened by acerbic witticisms. The serrated edges of his most passionate dissents sometimes strained the courts comity and occasionally limited his ability to proclaim what the late Justice William Brennan called the most important word in the courts lexicon: Five. Scalia was, however, one of the most formidable thinkers among the 112 justices who have served on the court, and he often dissented in the hope of shaping a future replete with majorities steeped in principles he honed while in the minority. Those principles include textualism and originalism: A justices job is to construe the text of the Constitution or of statutes by discerning and accepting the original meaning the words had to those who ratified or wrote them. These principles of judicial modesty were embraced by a generation of conservatives who recoiled from what they considered the unprincipled creation of rights by results-oriented Supreme Court justices and other jurists pursuing their preferred policy outcomes. Today, however, Americas most interesting and potentially consequential argument about governance is not between conservatives and progressives but among conservatives. It concerns the proper scope of the judicial supervision of democracy. Scalia worried more than some other conservatives do about the counter-majoritarian dilemma supposedly posed by judicial review the power of appointed justices to overturn the work of elected legislators. Many Scalia-style conservatives distill their admiration into a familiar phrase of praise: judicial restraint. Increasing numbers of conservatives, however, reason as follows: Democracys drama derives from the tension between the natural rights of individuals and the constructed right of the majority to have its way. Natural rights are affirmed by the Declaration of Independence; majority rule, circumscribed and modulated, is constructed by the Constitution. But as the Goldwater Institutes Timothy Sandefur argues, the Declaration is logically, as well as chronologically, prior to the Constitution. The latter enables majority rule. It is, however, the judiciarys duty to prevent majorities from abridging natural rights. After all, it is for the securing of such rights, the Declaration declares, that governments are instituted among men. Scalias death will enkindle a debate missing from this years presidential campaign, a debate discomfiting for some conservatives: Do they want a passive court that is deferential to legislative majorities and to presidents who claim untrammeled powers deriving from national majorities? Or do they want a court actively engaged in defending libertys borders against unjustified encroachments by majorities? This is an overdue argument that conservatism is now prepared for because of Scalias elegant mind. He was crucial to the creation of an alternative intellectual infrastructure for conservative law students. The Federalist Society, founded in 1982, has leavened the often-monochrome liberalism of law schools, and Scalia has been the jurisprudential lodestar for tens of thousands of students in society chapters coast to coast. Students of the court understand that, given Harry Reids demonstrated disdain for Senate rules, if Republicans had not won Senate control in the 2014 elections, he, as majority leader, would very likely now extend the institutional vandalism he committed in 2013. Then he changed Senate rules, by a simple majority vote and in the middle of a session, to prevent filibusters of judicial nominees other than Supreme Court nominees. This enabled Obama to pack the nations second-most important court, that of the U.S. Circuit for the District of Columbia. Were Reid still majority leader, the Senates only rule would be the whim of the majority of the moment, and his caucus would promptly proscribe filibusters of Supreme Court nominees. One consequence would be this: America today is one Supreme Court vote away from a radical truncation of the First Amendments protection of freedom of speech. A Democratic president in 2017 will nominate to replace Scalia someone pledged to construe the amendment as permitting Congress to regulate political campaign speech, which would put First Amendment jurisprudence on a slippery slope to regarding all speech as eligible for regulation by the administrative state. Scalia lived 27 years after the person who nominated him left office, thereby extending the reach of Ronald Reagans presidency and reminding voters of the long-lasting ripples that radiate from their presidential choices. A teacher, wrote Henry Adams, attains a kind of immortality because one never knows where a teachers influence ends. Scalia, always a teacher, will live on in the law and in the lives of unnumbered generations who will write, teach and construe it. GENEVA A United Nations human rights investigator said in a report released Monday that the organization should officially notify North Koreas top leader, Kim Jong Un, that he and subordinates could face trial for heinous crimes. The investigator also recommended the creation of an expert panel to identify ways of prosecuting them. The investigator, Marzuki Darusman, the special rapporteur monitoring developments in North Korea, also said in the report that no tangible improvement had been seen in the state of human rights in the country since a commission of inquiry two years ago implicated its leaders in wide-ranging crimes against humanity, including extermination, murder, torture, enslavement and persecution on grounds of race, religion and gender. Darusmans 13-page report, which he will present next month to the Human Rights Council in Geneva, said, The urgent challenge now is to determine which methods can be most effectively utilized to hold perpetrators accountable. Darusman was a member of the commission of inquiry, which urged the Security Council to refer North Korea to the International Criminal Court. Darusman reiterated that recommendation but said the General Assembly could create a tribunal to prosecute crimes for which international law does not permit amnesty. To ease that process, Darusman recommended the council create a committee of experts to determine the appropriate approach under international law and recommend creative and practical mechanisms of accountability to ensure truth and justice for victims of crimes against humanity. Under international law, Darusman said, prosecution of Kim and top leaders should be considered for ordering or instigating crimes against humanity even if lower-ranking personnel committed them. North Korea, perhaps the worlds most isolated country, denounced the findings by the commission of inquiry, calling them lies and propaganda concocted by its enemies, principally the United States. The Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival is making a comeback after being canceled five years ago during the construction of Cars Land and Buena Vista Street. In a brief announcement, Disney provided only a few details about the festivals return this spring, only stating it would take place every Friday, Saturday and Sunday starting April 1. The month-long festival, held at California Adventure, will feature Festival Marketplaces, where guests can sip and savor delicious flavors from throughout the state of California, as stated on an official Disney blog. As in the past, the event will include free and paid seminars, cooking demonstrations and appearances by celebrity chefs. Disney officials did not provide more details about the event, including the motive behind the food events resurrection.With its 60th anniversary hype dissipating and a certain Boy Wizard arriving this spring to Universal Studios Hollywood, its a sure bet Disney is looking for new reasons for fans to visit the park. The first food and wine festival launched in 2006 with some 30 events scattered throughout California Adventure. In its last year in 2010, the festival was held every day over six weeks with about 700 activities, including free demonstrations by celebrity chefs such as Guy Fieri and Cat Cora. Having covered the food festivals in previous years, Ive put together a wish list of culinary events I hope Disney will offer this year. Click on the slide show to find out what they are. PRAGUE So where should the next impenetrable razor-wire border fence in Europe be built? Hungarys right-wing Prime Minister Viktor Orban thinks he knows the best place on Macedonias and Bulgarias borders with Greece smack along the main immigration route from the Middle East to Western Europe. He says its necessary because Greece cant defend Europe from the south against the large numbers of refugees pouring in, mainly from Syria and Iraq. The plan is especially controversial because it effectively means eliminating Greece from the Schengen zone, Europes 26-nation passport-free travel region that is considered one of the European Unions most cherished achievements. Orbans plan featured prominently Monday at a meeting in Prague of leaders from four nations in an informal gathering known as the Visegrad group: Hungary, Poland, the Czech Republic and Slovakia. The Visegrad group, formed 25 years ago to further the nations European integration, is marking that anniversary Monday. Still, it has only recently found a common purpose in its unified opposition to accepting any significant number of migrants. This determination has emboldened the group, one of the new mini-blocs emerging lately in Europe due to the continents chaotic, inadequate response to its largest migration crisis since World War II. The Visegrad group is also becoming a force that threatens the plans of German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who wants to resettle newcomers across the continent while also slowing down the influx. The plan to build a new European defense line along the border of Bulgaria and Macedonia with Greece is a major foreign policy initiative for the Visegrad Four and an attempt to re-establish itself as a notable political force within the EU, said Vit Dostal, an analyst with the Association for International Affairs, a Prague-based think tank. At Mondays meeting, leaders from the four nations were joined by Macedonian President Gjorge Ivanov and Bulgarian Prime Minister Boiko Borisov so they can push for the reinforcements along Greeces northern border. Macedonia began putting up a first fence in November, and is now constructing a second, parallel, fence. After the meeting in Prague, Orban said his country is ready to help those countries that are ready to create a second defensive line south of Hungary. He also said Hungary fully supports Bulgarian membership in the Schengen zone because it is capable of fully protecting its borders. He also called for opening sensible talks on Macedonias EU membership. Ivanov said Macedonia was ready for any scenario, but added Greece should be part of any plan. Borisov said Bulgaria is very interested in participating in the protection of the EUs external border. If it were up only to us Central Europeans, that region would have been closed off long ago, Orban said before at a news conference recently with Polands prime minister. Not for the first time in history we see that Europe is defenseless from the south that is where we must ensure the safety of the continent. Poland has indicated a willingness to send dozens of police to Macedonia to secure the border, something to be decided at Mondays meeting. If the EU is not active, the Visegrad Four have to be, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico said recently. We have to find effective ways of protecting the border. The leaders will try to hash out a unified position ahead of an important EU meeting Thursday and Friday in Brussels that will take up both migration and Britains efforts to renegotiate a looser union with the EU. The Visegrad countries have also recently united against British attempts to limit the welfare rights of European workers, something that would affect the hundreds of thousands of their citizens who now live and work in Britain. Hours before the Prague meeting, the European Commission unveiled a further 10 million euros ($11.3 million) in finances to help Macedonia improve its borders and migration management, but insisted the money not be used to build fences. We dont think that closing borders is the response. We prefer managing borders, said commission spokesman Margaritis Schinas. The European response to the refugee crisis will be done with Greece, not against Greece. But Polish Prime Minister Beata Szydlo insisted the alternate plan is not aimed against any EU partner. Anti-migrant messages resonate with the ex-communist EU member states, countries that have benefited greatly from EU subsidies and freedom of movement for their own citizens but which now balk at requests to accept even small numbers of refugees. The Visegrad nations maintain it is impossible to integrate Muslims into their societies, often describing them as security threats. So far the Poles, Czechs and Slovaks have only accepted small numbers of refugees, primarily Christians from Syria. Many officials in the West are frustrated with what they see as xenophobia and hypocrisy, given that huge numbers of Poles, Hungarians and other Eastern Europeans have received refuge and economic opportunity in the West for decades. Indeed there are plenty of signs that the countries are squandering a lot of the good will that they once enjoyed in the West for their sacrifices in throwing off communism and establishing democracies. Orbans ambitions for Europe got a big boost with the rise to power last year in Poland of the right-wing Law and Justice party, which is deeply anti-migrant and sees greater regional cooperation as one of its foreign policy priorities. Polish Prime Minister Beata Szydlos government says it wants to do more to help Syrian refugees at camps in Turkey and elsewhere while blocking their entry into Europe. Although Orban is alienating Greek authorities, who are staggering under the sheer numbers of asylum-seekers crossing the sea from Turkey in smugglers boars, he insists he must act as a counterweight to Western leaders, whom he accuses of creating the crisis with their welcoming attitude to refugees. The very serious phenomenon endangering the security of everyday life which we call migration did not break into Western Europe violently, he said. The doors were opened. And what is more, in certain periods, they deliberately invited and even transported these people into Western Europe without control, filtering or security screening. Dariusz Kalan, an analyst at the Polish Institute of International Affairs, said he doesnt believe that the Visegrad group on its own can destroy European unity but says Orbans vision is winning adherents across the continent in far-right movements and even among mainstream political parties. Its hard to ignore Orban, Kalan said. People in Western Europe are starting to adopt the language of Orban. None are equally tough and yet the language is still quite similar. GARMSIR, Afghanistan The United States spent more than $7 billion in the past 14 years to fight the runaway poppy production that has made Afghan opium the worlds biggest brand. Tens of billions more went to governance programs to stem corruption and train a credible police force. Countless more dollars and thousands of lives were lost on the main thrust of the war: to put the Afghan government in charge of district centers and to instill rule of law. But here in one of the only corners of Helmand province that is peaceful and in firm government control, the green stalks and swollen bulbs of opium were growing thick and high within eyeshot of official buildings during the past poppy season signs of a local narco-state administered directly by government officials. In the district of Garmsir, not only is poppy cultivation tolerated, the local government depends on it. Officials have imposed a tax on farmers practically identical to the one the Taliban uses in places they control. Some of the revenue is kicked up the chain, all the way to officials in Kabul, the capital, ensuring that the local authorities maintain support from higher-ups and keeping the opium growing. And Garmsir is just one example of official involvement in the drug trade. Multiple visits to Afghan opium country over the past year, and extensive interviews with opium farmers, local elders, and Afghan and Western officials, laid bare the reality that even if the Western-backed government succeeds, the opium seems here to stay. More than ever, Afghan government officials have become directly involved in the opium trade, expanding their competition with the Taliban beyond politics and into a struggle for control of the drug traffic and revenue. At the local level, the fight itself can often look like a turf war between drug gangs, even as U.S. troops are being pulled back into the battle on the governments behalf, particularly in Helmand, in southern Afghanistan. There are phases of government complicity, starting with accommodation of the farmers and then on to cooperation with them, said David Mansfield, a researcher who conducted more than 15 years of fieldwork on Afghan opium. The last is predation, where the government essentially takes over the business entirely. (BEGIN OPTIONAL TRIM.) The huge boom in poppy production that began a dozen years ago was strongly identified with the new Taliban insurgency, as the means through which the militants bought their bullets, bombs and vehicles. In recent years, the insurgents have committed more and more working hours to every facet of the opium business. That fact was built into a mantra of Western officials in Afghanistan: When security improves, opium will be easier to take down. That the Afghan government is also competing in the opium business, in the absence of other reliable economic successes, has ramifications beyond the nations borders. Governments across the region are struggling with the health and security problems brought by the increased opium flow. And as the trade becomes more institutionalized in Afghanistan, it has undercut years of anti-corruption efforts, perpetuating its status as a source of regional instability, crime and intrigue. (END OPTIONAL TRIM.) An Entrenched Process The administration of President Ashraf Ghani has made fighting corruption a central promise. A spokesman for his government, asked about official involvement in opium trafficking, including in Garmsir, insisted that there was zero tolerance for such behavior. The president has been decisive in acting on information that indicates involvement of government officials in illegal acts, including taxation of opium, said the spokesman, Sayed Zafar Hashemi. But in Garmsir and other places in the Helmand opium belt, the system is firmly in place and remarkably consistent. It relies on a network of village leaders and people employed by farmers to manage the water supply, men known as mirabs. These men survey the land under cultivation and collect money on behalf of officials, both in district-level government and in Kabul. The connections run deeply into the national government, officials acknowledge privately. In some cases, the money is passed up to senators or assembly members with regional connections. In others, employees in the Independent Directorate of Local Governance, the agency that oversees provincial and district governments, pocket the payoffs, officials said. Some of the most important regional police and security commanders, including allies of U.S. military and intelligence officials, are closely identified with the opium trade. But the real money often stays local, with provincial and district officials. In the case of Garmsir, the district governor and police chief reaped the largest share of the rewards, according to local officials and farmers. The local police were also included in the profits. Farmers said they paid about $40 for each acre of poppy under cultivation. In 2015, that meant nearly $3 million in payments from the district of Garmsir alone, according to officials familiar with the process. (BEGIN OPTIONAL TRIM.) Garmsir is just one of several districts in Helmand province, the heart of poppy country and the center of the 2010 U.S. troop surge, where the government has built local opium alliances with farmers. The district of Marjah has a similar system to the one in Garmsir, in which locals pay a flat rate based on how much poppy they grow, according to interviews with more than a dozen farmers and officials. In the district of Nad Ali, the same conditions exist to a lesser extent. That the Taliban have closed in on some of those districts in recent weeks will mean little to the local growers. They paid their tax to the insurgents before the U.S. troop surge and to the government after it. They will adjust again. (END OPTIONAL TRIM.) And the money to be made is only increasing. Already, experts say, satellite imagery from the past growing season across southern Helmand showed that opium cultivation was occurring openly within sight of military and police bases. Over the years, I have seen the central government, the local government and the foreigners all talk very seriously about poppy, said Hakim Angar, a former two-time police chief of Helmand province. In practice, they do nothing, and behind the scenes, the government makes secret deals to enrich themselves. Lucrative Arrangements (BEGIN OPTIONAL TRIM.) By the most basic metric, the international effort to curb poppy production in Afghanistan has failed. More opium was cultivated in 2014, the last year of the NATO combat mission, than in any other year since the United Nations began keeping records in 2002. If there was a bright spot in 2015, it was that a poppy fungus or weevil reduced the harvest by as much as half in some places. But the lower production is likely to mean even more desperate attempts to increase cultivation next year, if the past is any guide. Highlighting the efficiency of the government poppy tax, officials in Marjah decided this year to halve it from the year before precisely the proportion of the harvest that the fungus blighted. In the case of the opium trade, they try harder, said one counternarcotics law enforcement official in southern Afghanistan. Theres just too much money to ignore it. (END OPTIONAL TRIM.) Government complicity in the opium trade is not new. Power brokers, often working for the government, have long operated behind the scenes, producing, refining and smuggling opium or heroin across one of the many porous borders of Afghanistan. That kind of corruption has been seen nationwide. Taxation on a districtwide level in the main opium-growing centers, however, has been less common. Most who spoke about it did so on the condition of anonymity, fearing reprisals. Those who spoke openly tended to have enough resources to deter official blowback. Of course it happens here, said a local police commander in Marjah, Baz Gul, who oversees a few dozen men and was one of the residents who first took up arms against the Taliban. But the police chief, the local police commander, they dont take the money directly. They do it through influential figures. (BEGIN OPTIONAL TRIM.) As it happens, Marjah one of the most violent districts during the 2010 troop surge, and the site of pitched battles recently between the Taliban and Afghan forces backed by U.S. Special Operations troops is a case study in opium economics. One elder in Marjah, who collects money from villagers who cultivate poppy in his block of 44 acres, said poppy was simply too alluring to ignore. Even with the tax, even with the blight, opium outstripped the next most lucrative crop by a ratio of more than three to one. In 2015, the elder said, the groups earnings came close to $62,000, less than half as much as the year before. With a tax of $60 per acre, the final profit for all 44 acres was roughly $59,000. By comparison, the average income for an Afghan, according to the World Bank, is $681 a year. Most other crops would have earned about $20,000 for 44 acres, said the elder, seated in the home of another tribal elder in Marjah. A dozen men arrayed in the room nodded quietly at his accounting. (END OPTIONAL TRIM.) Blight and Turbulence The district of Nad Ali, a short drive from the provincial capital, Lashkar Gah, appears less organized than Garmsir or Marjah. In April, on a drive through open farmland in government-controlled areas, much of the poppy crop had been plowed through because of an early harvest or because the plants were so disease-ridden that the farmers saw no point in keeping them standing. Farmers in Nad Ali said tax collection depended on a number of factors, including ones relationship with the local police commander, proximity to the district center and how badly crops were hurt by disease. In some cases, the teams sent by the government to eradicate crops collected the funds. In others, it was the local or national police. Payments ranged from about $90 to $100 for every acre, according to six farmers. All of our poppies were disease-affected, said one farmer in the Loy Bagh area of Nad Ali. What people paid depended on how much they cultivated and how much was destroyed by the disease. The system in Garmsir, however, appears to leave little to chance. Located farther from the provincial capital than Marjah or Nad Ali, the district enjoys more autonomy than most under government control. Interviews conducted in mid-March, before the blight appeared, showed a system of accommodation that was settling in comfortably. While farmers were not happy about paying the government, most saw it as inevitable and noted that the profit margin for opium was still considerably better than for wheat or cotton. We understand that the officials will charge us money, said Juma Khan, a 35-year-old farmer in Garmsir, shrugging. The system ran into turbulence in the spring, when two members of Parliament caught wind of the arrangement. After their demand for a cut of the profits was rebuffed, they went public, according to Afghan officials familiar with the case. Officials in Kabul quickly fired the district governor, police chief and intelligence director, who were accused of dividing the profits. In a small ceremony, the Helmand deputy governor returned wads of cash to cheering farmers outside of the provincial governors offices and promised to crack down on such exploitation. Officials said that all of the money had been returned to farmers and that the responsible parties had been removed from power. But neither promise was entirely true. The governor of Garmsir who, in an interview, denied that he had created or collected any tax was quietly moved to Washir, a neighboring district. Months later, he was moved back to Garmsir, where he has returned to his old job. Government officials in Kabul said he had been cleared of wrongdoing after a thorough investigation. A later visit to Garmsir unearthed a second inconsistency: Farmers said they had received only half of their money back. Still, that was something of a rebate. After all, they had lost nearly half of their crop to blight. The British government intends to ban public institutions in the country from themselves banning the purchase of goods from Israel. It will unveil rules later this week that will make it harder for local town halls and public universities to enact boycotts on Israeli products, spurred by growing popular anger around the collapse of the Middle East peace process. Israeli officials have watched with dismay how the BDS movement (or boycott divestment sanctions) has gained a foothold in parts of Europe. Last November, the European Union ruled that products made in Jewish settlements in the West Bank deemed technically illegal by the international community would be specifically labeled as coming from occupied territories. The new British rules will be announced by Matt Hancock, Britains cabinet office minister, on a visit to Israel this week. Locally imposed boycotts can roll back integration as well as hinder Britains export trade and harm international relationship, read a statement released from the British Cabinet Office on Monday. Town hall boycotts undermine good community relations, poisoning and polarising debate, weakening integration and fuelling anti-Semitism, it argued, warning that institutions that persisted with these boycotts would face severe penalties. The move has evidently pleased the Israeli government. Hancock had met with Israels social opportunity minister, Gila Gamliel, last week in London. We welcome the decision taken by the British authorities not to allow anti-Israeli initiatives at local level, an Israeli foreign ministry spokesman told AFP. BDS activists have made significant strides in recent years as prospects for a two-state solution for Israelis and Palestinians dimmed. Some prominent figures in the right-wing government of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu explicitly oppose the political process long espoused by successive administrations in Washington and much of the international community. The continued expansion of Israeli settlements in the West Bank led to numerous governments in Europe formally recognizing the state of Palestine, a symbolic yet highly charged act. In 2014, the Leicester city council ruled to boycott goods made in Israeli settlements, while the government in Scotland circulated an advisory saying it strongly discourages trade and investment from illegal settlements. The BDS movement channels the historic legacy of the global anti-apartheid campaign in the 1980s, which saw boycotts and protests heap pressure on Western policymakers. Israeli officials and their allies balk at the comparison to South Africas racist regime. A spokesman for opposition Labor leader Jeremy Corbyn condemned the new rules: The Governments decision to ban councils and other public bodies from divesting from trade or investments they regard as unethical is an attack on local democracy, he told the Independent. This Governments ban would have outlawed council action against apartheid South Africa, the spokesman added. Ministers talk about devolution, but in practice theyre imposing Conservative Party policies on elected local councils across the board. KASHGAR, China In many parts of the world, pigeons are an urban pest or, at best, a tasty meal. But here in this storied, ancient outpost near Chinas border with Kyrgyzstan, they are much more: a hobby, an investment and, for some, an addiction. On Sundays, an outdoor market in the center of the city fills with ethnic Uighur men and boys engaged in a frenzied, mercantile display of traditional male bonding. The objects of their attention many outrageously adorned in multihued and frilly plumage appeared largely unfazed by the prodding appraisals of crown, beak, wing and tail. You get kind of addicted, said Azizjam Mamat, 27, a cellphone company manager who started coming to the market when he was 8 and now owns 300 birds. One pigeon gives the love of 10 women. The passion for pigeons sustained the Uighurs, a largely Muslim Turkic-speaking minority, long before China took control of their traditional homeland more than 60 years ago and named it Xinjiang, or new frontier in Mandarin. Despite a harrowing cycle of government repression and bloodshed, the pastime has continued to thrive. It is also popular, to some extent, among the ethnic Han Chinese migrants who have flowed into Xinjiang by the millions, lured by generous state subsidies and economic opportunities that stem from Beijings efforts to resurrect Kashgar as a hub on a new Silk Road trading route to Pakistan and beyond. But the scene at the Kashgar pigeon market, with its predominantly Uighur patronage, highlights the entrenched divisions between the citys Uighur majority and the Han newcomers, most of whom live in separate, recently developed neighborhoods across town. Not a word of Mandarin was heard amid the din of negotiations, interrupted by cooing from metal cages and the occasional flapping of wings. On the roof of one stall, a man clutching a butterfly net in one hand crept gingerly on all fours toward a perched escapee. Overheard, a flock of pigeons wheeled across the hazy sky in balletic synchronicity. In Xinjiang, a region larger than France, Germany and Spain combined, pigeon predilections vary greatly. Northerners favor the racing varieties, while showy breeds are popular here in the south. The market, one of the biggest in China, offers the full range, including gray racing homers that closely resemble the denizens of Manhattan sidewalks; white Jacobins with impossibly chic feathery ruffs; brown peacocklike fantails; and black reversewing pouters, their feet concealed by flowing plumage. Northern people dont care about color, just how many flips a pigeon can do, Amrula Abdula, 30, a blanket salesman, said dismissively. In the south, we require both. Surrounded by green cages containing dozens of fancy pigeons, Miradijan Matalip, 35, a postal worker, had no problem parting with members of his menagerie for the right price. This is a hobby that can make money, he said, holding a black-headed specimen worth $60 firmly behind the wings as he inspected the inside of its beak. Matalip has kept pigeons since he was 6 and owns more than 600, including four he said were worth over $15,000 a pair. I keep those at home, he said. The popularity of certain breeds can be fleeting. Pidayi Odikim, 66, a retired teacher, has seen countless pigeon fads come and go in his five decades of keeping the birds. Still, many Uighurs see the costly and laborious hobby as a rite of passage, one vital for teaching responsibility. It keeps boys off the streets and brings them to the roof, he said. Devotees claim Uighurs have been keeping pigeons for more than a thousand years, though some say the special bond between man and bird has biblical origins, with Noah and his faithful dove. The pigeon has been a valuable pet ever since, said Muradil Sidik, 22, a construction worker and collector who spends up to $50 each week buying birds. Market forces have played an increasingly important role among Chinas pigeon enthusiasts, who are said to number at least 300,000, according to state news reports. In 2013, a Han Chinese businessman paid a record $400,000 for a Belgian racing pigeon, a savvy investment considering that prestigious races offer prizes worth millions of dollars. Such extravagantly priced specimens were absent from the Kashgar market, but that does not mean Uighurs are reluctant to pay handsomely. Yusanjan Abdur Rahim, 15, claims he once sold a pair of pedigree chicks for $22,000. Pigeons are like cars if theyre rare enough, he said. If the scene felt far removed from the rest of China, closer inspection revealed a flurry of modern influences. Counterfeit bags of Purina pigeon food, mysteriously labeled Biot Eounader in the Latin alphabet, were for sale alongside fake versions of the numbered leg rings used globally to identify a birds age and the organizations with which it is registered. Azizjam Azizdawut, 43, an employee of the state-run electric company, said he has kept pigeons for decades, including in his university dorm room. A member of a local pigeon association, he remembers when the hobby became a sport in the 1990s. Back then, racing distances in Xinjiang stretched up to 60 miles. These days, thanks to decades of strategic breeding and rigorous training, the contests span more than 300 miles over vast deserts and jagged mountains. In 2013, several of Azizdawuts pigeons won racing prizes, a point of pride tinged with resignation. Winning is an honor, but it was too much work, he said with a sigh. YORBA LINDA For some, Presidents Day was more than a just a day off it was a chance to meet three of Americas most beloved presidents face to face or at least actors portraying them. On Monday at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museums Presidents Day Celebration 2016, people lined up to have their pictures taken with the presidential look-alikes Ken Riedel playing Thomas Jefferson, Robert Borski as Abraham Lincoln and the king of presidential impersonators, Gary Beard, portraying George Washington. I always get questions about the cherry tree and the wooden teeth, and I know the answers by heart, Tustin resident Beard said of his 40-year career playing Washington a role he has relished for the past 18 Presidents Day celebrations at the library. Among the attendees were children wearing presidential-themed costumes they had made for school projects, including a T-shirt depicting Lincoln carrying a skateboard. Seven-year-old Ace Esparza came dressed as Teddy Roosevelt, he said, because he saved the animals. The kids are out of school and the parents are looking for something to do, library spokesman Joe Lopez said. What better way than meeting and having your picture taken with three of Americas greatest presidents? When it comes to photo snapping, there are limits, Broski said: President Lincoln doesnt say cheese. LAS VEGAS Liz Hernandez learned what deportation was at age 5, when immigration officers burst into her home and hauled away her father and four uncles. Five years later, after a brief return to Mexico in a failed attempt to start a family farm, she and her mother, younger sister and infant brother crossed the desert headed north again in a sweltering van driven by smugglers. Now 25, Hernandez is among the volunteers here for Sen. Bernie Sanders, seeing his presidential bid as the best choice for our community and for the change weve been wanting to see, as she put it between calls to voters from a campaign phone bank. I really do believe Bernie Sanders is concerned about me having a chance, she said. In the battle for Nevada, which will hold its Democratic caucuses on Saturday, the fight is largely being waged by young Latinos, many of them immigrants, who by the hundreds are seizing on the chance to focus attention on the hardships they have faced and to play a potentially pivotal role in electing the next president. Sanders supporters, racing to persuade voters unfamiliar with the Vermont senator to embrace his focus on economic inequality, are determined to prove that he can win over a diverse electorate after taking New Hampshire and coming close in Iowa. Hillary Clintons supporters, drawing on a network of alliances she forged in the 2008 presidential campaign, are equally determined to bring Sanders political momentum to a screeching halt. But for foreign-born voters and first-generation Americans, much more is at stake in Nevada than campaign gamesmanship. With Republicans pledging to deport millions of people who are in the country illegally, and Donald J. Trump promising to build a wall to keep rapists and criminals from sneaking across the border from Mexico, volunteers and campaign workers describe the Nevada Democratic contest, in starkly personal terms, as a chance to make a powerful statement about the place they occupy in American society. I want people to know my story, Hernandez said, tears streaking her cheeks as she acknowledged that she could not vote. I want people to know that I am undocumented, and that when people talk about quote-unquote illegals, thats someone like me, someone who was only 4 or 5 years old when I came here that all my family ever wanted was something more than they had. For young Latinos in both candidates camps, the hardships the Democratic rivals increasingly speak to in their speeches poverty, unemployment, discrimination and forced separation from loved ones are all too familiar. Leo Murrieta, 29, a precinct captain for Clinton who immigrated legally from Mexico as a week-old infant, said he and his mother, brother and sister all lost their jobs during the 2008 recession. They lost their North Las Vegas home to foreclosure, too, and survived on his fathers income as a school custodian. Adding to the familys anxieties, he said, his brother- and sister-in-law are in the country illegally. Murrieta said he had made thousands of calls for Clinton, and described the choice in the Democratic contest as between pie-in-the-sky idealism and a realistic expectation of progress. For me, promises dont keep my family together, he said. Plans to get things done are what are going to keep my family together. I feel like Hillary feels that sense of urgency that a lot of us feel. And I dont feel that from the other campaign. That urgency is fueling two extensive, dueling and largely bilingual statewide field operations a necessity, experts say, given the large transient population and complexity of the caucus process in Nevada, where more than one in four residents are Hispanic. Clinton opened her first campaign office in the state in April, six months before Sanders, and claims 7,000 volunteers to his 2,000. But Sanders aides said they were making up for the late start with Spanish- and English-language radio and TV commercials as well as online ads. Both are training caucusgoers and precinct leaders in Spanish and in English and holding events geared for Latino voters including specific appeals to Hispanic high school students. Still, Clintons Nevada operation is building on a foundation laid eight years ago, when she defeated Barack Obama in the popular vote (though he won the delegate count). Highlighting her record on education, health care and civil rights, her campaign holds a lopsided advantage over Sanders in Nevada in endorsements from Latino elected officials, community activists and prominent so-called Dreamers, who were brought illegally to the United States as children. Sanders and Clinton will both appear Thursday in a televised forum on Telemundo and MSNBC. Each will probably face tough questions: Sanders about his vote against a comprehensive immigration overhaul bill in 2007, and Clinton for saying in 2014, amid a crisis in which thousands of Central American children crossed the border and wound up in detention, that they should be sent back. The candidates, who swept into Nevada over the weekend, made abundantly clear that first-generation voters and other Latinos could play a decisive role here. In Reno on Saturday, Sanders told hundreds of canvassers that he would push for a path to citizenship for the estimated 11 million people who are in the country illegally. I have met people throughout this campaign, young people with tears running down their cheeks, who are literally worried that they or their parents will be deported tomorrow, that they will be separated from their loved ones, he said. And he described himself in terms that any first-generation American could understand. My dad came to this country at the age of 17 without a nickel in his pocket from Poland, couldnt speak English, never made much money, Sanders said. But he was as proud an American as you have ever seen because he saw what America gave to him and his kids, the kind of freedom and opportunity it gave. Clinton has sought to diminish Sanders by casting his call for a political revolution to address economic inequality as an unrealistic obsession. Not everything is about an economic theory, Clinton told hundreds of supporters from organized labor at a painters union hall Saturday night in Henderson, Nevada. If we broke up the big banks tomorrow and I will, if they deserve it; if they pose a systemic risk, I will would that end racism? She added: Will that make people feel more welcoming to immigrants overnight? Clintons huge advantage in name recognition among Latinos continues to challenge Sanders campaign here. When Sanders supporters set up an information table at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, last week, Santiago Gudino-Rosales, 20, a freshman pre-med student, stood outside for hours handing out fliers. Born in Mexico, he said he immigrated at 2 and became a citizen only in 2014, after hiding his identity for years out of fear that he would be unable to get an education. He said he believed Sanders would help millions of others like him become citizens, too. We as Latinos have to come out and realize hes the only candidate who is going to help us get on that pathway we need to pursue a better life, Gudino-Rosales said. But his path in aiding Sanders so far has been uphill, Gudino-Rosales said. He has knocked on about 140 doors but nearly every Latino voter he has canvassed, he said, has asked the same question: Who is Bernie Sanders? ST.-LOUIS, Senegal On a hazy afternoon last week, two dozen Senegalese commandos dressed in dark green camouflage uniforms landed their black Zodiac boats on a sandy beach and clambered ashore, their M-16 rifles at the ready. Within minutes, they were walking stealthily in small groups through low scrub brush to sneak up on their target several hundred yards away: the village lair of an Algerian terrorist financier they had been hunting for days. Moments later, shots rang out and a hooded, handcuffed man was hustled from his hideout to the awaiting boats. In truth, the raid was simulated: The shots were blanks, the terrorist a U.S. airman playing the role of a bad guy. But the threat recreated in this training exercise at an abandoned beach resort here has become increasingly and unsettlingly real, Senegalese officials say. Trying to stay a step ahead of terrorist and illicit smuggling networks that are pushing deeper into West Africa, Senegal created a new riverine commando squad last year to help patrol the Senegal River that delineates a 500-mile border with Mauritania to the north. For the past two weeks, Dutch marines and U.S. Green Berets have been training the handpicked Senegalese naval commandos in skills such as marksmanship, beach landings and counterterrorism operations. Whoever controls the river, controls this zone, said Col. Henri Diouf, the Senegalese army commander overseeing a large northern portion of his country. Diouf played down any immediate extremist threat in his territory, but he conceded that the surge of terrorist strikes in the region had surprised many security officials. The riverine training comes at a time when Dakar, Senegals capital 120 miles to the south, is on edge, fearing it may be next after a recent string of regional al-Qaida attacks that terrorized luxury hotels in the capitals of Mali and Burkina Faso. And it signals a growing competition for recruits, attention and savagery on the continent between al-Qaida and the Islamic State. Just a few years ago, Senegal, where more than 90 percent of the population is Muslim, never would have imagined itself at risk from a terrorist attack, but that has changed. In recent months, Senegalese authorities have arrested four imams and other people suspected of having radical Islamic ideologies or close ties to Boko Haram, the Nigeria-based group that has pledged loyalty to the Islamic State. Random police checks in the streets of Dakar have popped up, and Senegalese security forces are paying closer attention to the jihadi groups recruiting techniques and appeals, especially the Islamic States online propaganda. Its important for all of us to understand how to combat this threat, said Lt. Col. Moussa Mboup, a Senegalese army operations officer who had training in the United States and France. Here in the countrys northwest, St.-Louis is the kind of place that could draw terrorists attention. With its fading colonial architecture and horse-drawn carts, West Africas first French settlement retains much of its old European charm. The arches of the bridge leading to the old town center on an island in the mouth of the Senegal River were designed in the late 19th century by Gustave Eiffel. Today, the city of 175,000 people is no longer a thriving colonial capital, but it is a UNESCO World Heritage site that is considered culturally significant and hosts an internationally renowned jazz festival every May, drawing tourists from Africa and Europe. St.-Louis also spills into a bustling, raucous fishing village, where scores of colorfully painted wooden boats, called pirogues, bring in a daily catch that is one of the regions economic lifelines. In other words, it is just the kind of soft target frequented by foreigners, albeit somewhat off the beaten path, that extremists could strike someday, Senegalese and other Western officials said. As part of the Pentagons Flintlock 2016 drills, an annual exercise in northwestern Africa, both Senegal and Mauritania asked military planners this year to include riverine training for their forces. Mauritanian commandos are working with British trainers upriver at Rosso on the Mauritanian side. The exercise pairs Western trainers with African partners in different outposts scattered around Senegal and Mauritania. In Senegal, for instance, Estonian alpine experts are training Senegalese special operation forces; Italian commandos are working with troops from Chad; and Austrian special operations forces are also with Senegalese soldiers. Dutch marines, who have been training with Senegalese naval forces since 2007, were a natural fit for the new riverine mission. The recent beach landing was the first phase in training that over the next two weeks will build up to a two-day simulated mission with a night landing as the commandos would do in a real operation to preserve the element of surprise and allow more time to surveil the target. For this initial phase, the Senegalese commandos used U.S. satellite imagery to pinpoint the terrorist hideout. They studied photographs of the terrorist leader, as they would in a real mission, to ensure they captured the right person, who in this situation was called Abu John, an Algerian money middleman who had fled Mali. Most important was the lesson that seizing the target was just half the mission. Returning him to base for interrogation, along with laptops, thumb drives, documents or other potentially valuable intelligence, was critical. Home for tea and medals, as we call it, said the Dutch marine commander, a 38-year veteran, who under the rules of the exercise could not be identified by name. Who won; who lost; who cares? Hillary and Bernie had a rousing debate. What is interesting is Hillary Clinton wrapped herself all around Obama, as if he is the greatest president ever. Did she feel that way when she ran against him for her partys nomination? Do you think she wants the support of black voters? In Wisconsin she called for the support of unions, a reminder of Gov. Scott Walkers aversion to them. Do you think she wants the union vote? On the other hand, Bernie Sanders doesnt take a back seat to anyone. He appears down to earth, earnest and believes in what he says. People are making too big a deal of Hillary getting the support of the Congressional Black Caucus. Was there anyone on planet Earth that this came as a shock to? Rep. Gregory Meeks said, Clinton has always been a champion for the CBC and its candidates. I recall many people of color had a picture of Martin Luther King hanging on their wall, next to John F. Kennedy. Has anyone added one of Hillary to complete the trilogy? Do the black youth of the country really care what senior citizens in the CBC have to say? Does the pope truly influence the majority of Catholics in this country, or do they live their lives with some religious upbringing yet decide what is best for themselves and their families? Sanders endorsement by Harry Belafonte is an interesting development. Mr. Belafonte is not swayed by Clintons purported support of his people. What has she done for them? He sees in Bernie Sanders a true socialist that sincerely wants a level playing field. But was President Obama, the first black president, what the black community anticipated when they supported him? I think theyre disappointed by a lack of support they expected in return. Are these problems solvable? Barry Wasserman Huntington Beach Allegiance to whom? The executive director of the California Costal Commission was fired as thousands stood in support of him, including 76 environmental and social justice groups. Those who complain the loudest usually have the most to lose. Perhaps Charles Lester has always been a puppet of the environmental lobby and is not as reasonable as his staff claims. Fifteen years to approve a desalination plant and counting. Gary Maag Westminster Independent public affairs and PR firm Cerrell Associates, Inc. has appointed Christopher Gilbride to the role of senior public affairs director. He becomes a member of Cerrells media relations and crisis communications team. Gilbride joins Cerrell from the New York City Department of Environmental Protection, where he was associate commissioner of communications. Beginning that role in 2012, Gilbride served under mayors Michael Bloomberg and Bill de Blasio. Prior to that, he was a press secretary at the New York City Office of Emergency Management, which he joined in 2007, and also served as deputy press secretary for New York Citys Department of Transportation. During his communications tenure in New York, Gilbride performed key spokesperson duties for breaking news events that occurred in the city, including Hurricane Sandy, the Flight 1549 emergency U.S. Airways landing and the 2009 H1N1 pandemic flu outbreak. Cerrell CEO and chairman Hal Dash said Gilbride has a proven track record of delivering results in high-stakes situations, and that his experience working in the nations largest media market adds depth to and a fresh perspective to our media and crisis communications team. Los Angeles-based Cerrell Associates was founded in 1966. HAVING tasted success in the fashion stakes twice at the Punchestown Festival, on both occasions with outfits purchased from Gladys Vintage, Tullamore lovely Ciara Devitt is looking forward to the Abu Dhabi Irish Guineas Festival, where she is hoping making it a treble. HAVING tasted success in the fashion stakes twice at the Punchestown Festival, on both occasions with outfits purchased from Gladys Vintage, Tullamore lovely Ciara Devitt is looking forward to the Abu Dhabi Irish Guineas Festival, where she is hoping making it a treble. Ciara met Gladys at a vintage fair in Dublin, and now she and her mum travel regularly from Dublin to Tullamore on vintage shopping expeditions. Although hugely popular in the UK, vintage fairs are a fairly recent phenomenon in Ireland, but according to Gladys have been a major factor in boosting the profile of vintage fashion since the first Dublin fair in 2008. The next Vintage Fashion and Decor Fair takes place in the Galway Radisson Blu Hotel on Sunday next June 19, where Gladys and sellers of retro fashion and decor from across the country will be taking part in an event styled as a day long celebration of the style and lifestyle of the twentieth century. In addition to vintage fashion, traders at the fair will be offering original movie posters from the golden age of cinema, pretty table ware and even old coins and other memorabilia. It is planned as a fun day out, highlights of the Galway Vintage Fair will include fashion shows and retro makeovers, best dressed competitons, boogie-woogie music and dancing, with everyone invited to join in. Information from www.VintageIreland.eu Gladys Vintage is located in Riverview Commercial Park, Clancollig, Tullamore. Loading... OilVoice will be with you shortly... When Julee Niemants teaches history to sixth-graders at Dundee Elementary School, she doesnt just want her students to understand the past. She also wants them to develop an understanding for people in the present. The best way to do that, she believes, is to give back. Enter the llama. Niemants challenged her class to buy one for a Bolivian family in need by raising $150 through an in-school sucker sale. The students embraced the call to action. I was looking for something that would help the kids feel like they were doing something big, she explained. Children are very hopeful and innocent and want to be a part of something bigger than themselves. Right now is the time to instill caring for others. Dr. Sean Akers, clinical pediatric psychologist with Childrens Behavioral Health, agreed. Doing things for other people is extremely important, he noted. When youre totally focused on yourself, its easy to forget there are people in need who might lead very different lives. Its important for kids to see others from a compassionate perspective beyond their electronics, toys and TVs. The payoff can be big. Not only do children develop compassion and empathy for others, but they also feel good about themselves. When we start giving back to others, theres a lot of evidence that we feel better about ourselves, Akers said. Its very important to have kids start doing things for other people for self-esteem. Niemants students certainly felt wonderful about themselves. They raised almost double their goal enough for the llama plus a goat. They were so excited, she said. They did something for someone else, and they made a difference. Who doesnt want to do that? First steps: 7 ways to put others first Giving back teaches children to see the world from a different perspective, Akers said. The only way the best way really, to do that is to expose them to other lives. Seven places to start: Head with your children to a local park or playground and pick up trash. The next time you visit, theyll take pride in knowing theyve done their part to keep their community space beautiful. Donate no longer watched DVDs to a pediatricians office for other childrens enjoyment. Purchase toiletries like toothpaste, deodorant and shampoo and deliver them to a local homeless shelter. While shopping, explain that other people may need help from time to time and this is one way to provide that assistance. Assist an elderly neighbor by bringing in trash cans or shoveling a sidewalk. The next time a neighbor heads out of town, volunteer with your child to take in the mail, water plants or look after a pet. When lemonade stand time rolls around, have kids choose a charity they care about and donate all proceeds to it. Encourage them to tell their customers where theyre putting their profits. Consider providing a 1:1 match. Instead of gifts at the next birthday party, suggest that your child request items for a specific charity, such as diapers for a womens shelter or pet food for an animal shelter. *** The original version of this article appeared in the February 2016 issue of Momaha Magazine. Former Union Pacific Railroad Chief Executive Drew Lewis, who also served as U.S. transportation secretary under President Ronald Reagan during the 1981 air traffic controllers strike, has died. He was 84. Lewis, who lived on a farm in Lower Salford, a township northwest of Philadelphia, died Wednesday in Prescott, Arizona, of complications from pneumonia, said his son, Andy Lewis. As Union Pacific CEO, Lewis guided the company during the transition to an era of favorable government regulation that contributed to stabilizing a freight-rail business riven by bankruptcies and unprofitable routes. Lewis played a central role in the Union Pacific leadership team that completed key mergers, including the Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad in 1988, the Chicago & North Western Railroad in 1995 and the Southern Pacific Railroad in 1996, Omaha-based Union Pacific said in a statement Monday. These mergers set the stage for Union Pacifics exceptional freight rail performance continuing today. Lewis retired in 1996 as chairman and CEO of U.P. after a decade with the railroad company. Even though he had a much longer and successful business career, his son said, his love and passion was always public service and politics. As transportation secretary, Lewis was the Republican administrations chief representative in a bitter labor dispute with the Professional Air Traffic Controllers Organization. Reagan fired 11,400 members of the union for mounting an illegal strike. Lewis sought to avert the showdown through negotiation but ultimately backed Reagans decision to fire the workers. Lewis had come to Washington with a reputation for wizardry in the art of the corporate turnaround. After leaving the Reagan Cabinet in 1983 he became chairman and chief executive of what was then Warner Amex Cable Communications, one of the largest U.S. cable companies and a predecessor to Time Warner. In three years with the company he was credited with converting $150 million in losses into gains between $20 million and $30 million. Earlier, he amassed a fortune as a businessman. From 1960 to 1969 he worked for American Olean Tile Inc. He later ran Simplex Wire and Cable Co. and Snelling & Snelling Inc., an employment agency, before launching consulting firm Lewis & Associates. In 1971 he became a bankruptcy trustee of the Reading Railroad, guiding it as it was absorbed into the federally subsidized Consolidated Rail Corp., or Conrail. Lewis was a friend of Richard Schweiker, Reagans secretary of health and human services and, before that, a congressman and U.S. senator. Lewis managed most of Schweikers campaigns, ran Gerald Fords presidential primary campaign in Pennsylvania in 1976 and advised Reagan in the 1980 presidential campaign. In 1974 Lewis ran for Pennsylvania governor but lost to incumbent Milton Shapp, a Democrat. This report includes material from the Associated Press and the Washington Post. Like a politicians promise, some stocks have an alluring story but little to back them up. You are definitely walking into danger if you buy a stock that sells for 100 times revenue or more. These are concept stocks, the shares of companies that have done little or nothing yet but are expected to come up with a driverless car, a cure for a major disease, a blockbuster gold mine or some other fantastic breakthrough. Most often, investors hopes are dashed. Over the years (2000-06 and 2012 to now) I have compiled 11 lists of stocks selling for 100 times revenue or more. This is the 12th. On average, the stocks from the previous warning lists lost 32.6 percent in the 12 months following publication. By contrast, the Standard & Poors 500 Index gained an average of 7 percent. The warning list has shown losses, as I expect it should, in nine years out of 11. Twice (2003 and 2004) it showed a gain, but only once (2004) has it beaten the S&P 500. All four stocks on last years list fell. In the biotech arena, Acadia Pharmaceuticals Inc. (ACAD) fell 48 percent and Neuralstem Inc. (CUR) dropped 80 percent. Also in the medical sector, Accelerate Diagnostics Inc. (AXDX) lost 50 percent. The other stock on the list, Armour Residential REIT Inc. (ARR), declined 13 percent. Collectively, the four stocks on last years warning list were down 47.9 percent from Feb. 17, 2015, through Feb. 12, 2016. Bear in mind that results for my column picks are theoretical and dont reflect actual trades, trading costs or taxes. The record of my column selections shouldnt be confused with the performance I achieve for clients. And past performance doesnt guarantee future results. The average U.S. stock now sells for 1.77 times revenue. I consider any stock that sells for five times revenue expensive. A stock that sells for 100 times revenue is ridiculously expensive in my judgment a valuation so extravagant as to make gains unlikely. Of course, its possible that investors sky-high hopes will be rewarded. Of the 58 stocks Ive warned against because they sold for 100 times revenue or more, 44 declined in the next 12 months and 14 advanced. Here are three that I recommend investors stay away from. If youre a short seller who bets on selected stocks to decline, you might want to look at these as potential shorts. Acadia Pharmaceuticals Even after its 48 percent decline in the past year, Acadia Pharmaceuticals is the most expensive stock on my overpriced list, selling for 22,078 times revenue. This San Diego biotech company has drugs in clinical trials for the treatment of Parkinsons disease, Alzheimers disease and schizophrenia. The company had revenue last year of $120,000 and has a market value of a little over $2 billion. For Acadias drugs, the addressable market is huge, but even if its drugs can prove their safety and efficacy, many questions remain unanswered regarding marketing arrangements, royalties and future competition. Several directors have sold shares in recent months at higher prices than todays $18 or so. And the company issued new shares in January, diluting existing shareholders. Many traders are looking for a big drug approval here as soon as May. That may happen, but theres still a long road ahead. AR Capital AR Capital Acquisition Corp. (AUMA) is a blank-check company (no substantive operations yet) controlled by real-estate and brokerage titan Nicholas Schorsch. He is currently defending a lawsuit brought by teachers unions, among others, accusing him of accounting irregularities and unfair self-enrichment at American Realty Capital Properties, another company he has controlled. AR Capital shares go for about 39,000 times revenue. Of course, the company, formed to make one or more acquisitions, hasnt made any yet. Pdv Wireless Based in Woodland Park, New Jersey, pdv Wireless Inc. (PDWV) makes wireless communications systems that help companies with mobile workforces stay in touch. The initials pdv come from the companys former name, Pacific DataVision. It has been public for only a year and so far has posted losses. The stock is followed by only two analysts from smallish brokerage firms, both of whom recommend it strongly. Pdv shares fetch 105 times revenue. By contrast, AT&T trades at 1.5 times revenue and Verizon at 1.6. Lets not forget what a harshly competitive field telecom is. Disclosure: I hold a short position in Armour Residential REIT for one client. I have no positions in the other stocks discussed in todays column, personally or for clients. John Dorfman is chairman of Dorfman Value Investments in Boston and a syndicated columnist. He can be reached at jdorfman@dorfmanvalue.com. NEW YORK (AP) Panera wants to eliminate one of the biggest scourges of eating out: bungled orders. The devil, as they say, is in the details particularly when it comes to all the adjustments that people want for the sandwiches and salads on Paneras menu. And the requested additions and subtractions are only increasing as Panera works to give people more ways to order. Panera launched a campaign almost two years ago to modernize its operations. At stores that have undergone the transformation, customers can order online, on their phones or on kiosks in stores. There are signs that the technological overhaul is working. Sales in the most recent quarter rose 3.6 percent at company-owned restaurants, Panera said last week. And so far this quarter, sales are up 6.4 percent, which Panera said is a testament to its digital transformation. Still, the system isnt perfect. When an Associated Press reporter visited a Panera in New York City recently, a side salad arrived with quinoa, despite a request to keep it off. Heres what Blaine Hurst, Paneras chief transformation and growth officer, said about how the chain is trying to prevent errors. Q: In restaurants that have undergone the transformation, you mentioned that employees have to press a button on their workstations to confirm if an order was modified. A: There are two buttons. They say Mod or No Mod. It used to just say Bacon Turkey Bravo, add onions on the order screen. Now we list the full ingredients in the sequence that theyre supposed to be assembled. We list the ingredients, then strike through anything thats supposed to be omitted in red. If you add something, it will be in green. And if its a substitution, its in yellow. Q: What other new checks are in place? A: When I hand it to that quality control person behind the counter, they ask, Bacon Turkey Bravo, extra onion, right? So there is verbal confirmation of every change. That chatter is very valuable. Nobody is intentionally making sandwiches wrong. Its just people get in a hurry. Confirmation back and forth is huge. Q: And theres another check after the order is assembled? A: The expediter on the other side of the counter is once again confirming that everything in that order is correct. Theyre taking the chit for that order, checking off the individual items, then putting their signature on it. Q: Do all the extra checks slow things down? A: It actually turns out this is faster. This is Manufacturing 101. By decreasing the error rate, you actually increase the speed of the line. If youre dining in and your order gets messed up, what do you do? You walk up to the counter and say You guys made my salad wrong. Can you remake it? Now I have an order that has to go back through the lines. It messes up the flow. Q: What else are you doing? A: Were looking at what happens when something goes wrong. So if I mis-make your order and I say All right, Ill just take the onions off, your experience just sucked. On the other hand, if I say I am so sorry, can I remake this order? You go sit down, have a cup of coffee on me. Would you like a dessert? You went from pretty angry to Theyre humans. They made a mistake, but they took care of me. Q: So if Panera gets my order wrong, I get a free coffee? A: No, but if we get your order wrong on a Rapid Pickup order well give you a free dessert. Theres a sign in our cafes that says that. This is almost an incentive to get you to check your order before you leave. Its also a reminder to our associates, because we really dont want them giving away a lot of free cookies. The way the union retirees of the old Western Electric plant in the Millard area see it, the money is theirs and thats that. And there are many hundreds perhaps thousands of them in the Omaha area. What has made them mad? They say it is a simple case of a large corporation raiding their pension plan the improper transfer of assets from their prosperous fund for hourly folks into an underfunded one for management and salaried workers. Theirs is running dry, and now they want to make it up by taking from us, said Ray Sempek, a tool and die maker at the plant that manufactured telephone equipment such as cable and switching gear. At issue is the money that company leaders want to transfer from a national pension plan for the union workers to the one for salaried employees. The union members say their collective bargaining agreements with the company prohibit any asset transfers that would benefit people who werent part of the original contract. The dispute is the subject of a lawsuit filed by the Communications Workers of America and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, the unions that represented the Western Electric employees in Millard. The company also has raised its own points in court. It has argued that the Communications Workers of America doesnt represent the retirees anymore. Also, the company argues, it is up to management to decide if it is best to use company money or surplus pension trust money to fix retirement plan deficits. The company also says the pension funds for the hourly union workers are fully funded and in no danger, and no one is missing out on any benefits. The individual pension funds at issue are all part of one larger trust, the company says, so it is just one big pot of money anyway. The lawsuit is ongoing. The chain of responsibility for the pension plans that cover the plants retirees is a bit of a corporate soup. Starting in the 1950s it was Western Electric (itself a unit of AT&T), Ma Bells gigantic equipment-making subsidiary. Later it was owned by others in the telecommunications industry, going by a number of different names in the final years, ultimately closing for good in 2011, long after the industrys court-ordered breakup and rise of the cellphone. Custody of the pension plan eventually passed to a French telecom company called Alcatel-Lucent, after some corporate combinations created that company. Last year Alcatel-Lucent agreed to be bought by Nokia, the Finnish maker of telecom hardware. And that, union retirees say, is when they started getting the raw deal. Nokia recently purchased Alcatel-Lucent, reads a letter that union members are sending to elected officials nationwide. Positioning themselves for the acquisition, the company moved 20,000 retirees and $3 billion in assets from the workers pension plan to their underfunded, mismanaged management pension plan. It is the $3 billion that is at the heart of the lawsuit filed by the unions last year in U.S. District Court in New Jersey that seeks to block the asset transfer. The lawsuit says only $1.8 billion of the $3 billion is required to pay for the benefits due the 20,000 retirees being transferred from one plan to another. As for the remaining $1.2 billion, Communications Workers of America Vice President Lisa Bolton in November decried it as the worst kind of corporate raiding. Telephone and email messages left with officials for Nokia, and the lawyers defending the New Jersey lawsuit, were not returned. The $17.7 billion takeover of Alcatel-Lucent by Nokia became official this year. Cost savings forecast by the combined company from eliminating duplication come out to about $1 billion. For its part, Alcatel-Lucent the company responsible for the pensions last year when the lawsuit was filed said this action should not have been brought, according to its lawyers in papers submitted last month. Alcatel-Lucent implemented a redesign to its pension plans that bolstered their financial stability and left unaffected its commitments to the unions and its retirees, the lawyers wrote. Union retirees say they cant help but think the worst. The company, the New Jersey lawsuit says, is using pension plan money for deficits that should be addressed with general corporate revenue. If they want to shore things up, it should be with company money, said Alton Mumm, a former telephone equipment installer at the Millard plant who is now the president of the Communications Workers of America Nebraska Council. The lawsuit so far is progressing as complex ones do. The judge in the case has declined to issue an order temporarily restraining the company from transferring the assets, saying there is no pressing urgency. In Omaha, almost 8,000 people worked at the Western Electric plant at one point in the 1970s. Today, several big-box retailers fill the site between 120th Street and 132nd Street along L Street. The links still remain among many of the Western Electric plants retirees, two dozen or so who met late last week to discuss the situation at the Peony Park Hy-Vee. On average, each had worked at the plant for about 32 years. We all here are in the same boat, said Virginia Busch, president of the Communications Workers Local 7400 retirees chapter. It is about our pension. Contact the writer: 402-444-3197, russell.hubbard@owh.com DES MOINES (AP) A Iowa Education Department attorney says the errant posting of some elementary student test scores on an administrator's personal website likely violated federal law. The Des Moines Register reports that the Lovejoy Elementary scores were available on Karen Catron's website. She used the site to share information with professors in completing a master's degree at Drake University. An aunt of one of the children alerted school officials after she found his name and scores when she searched for him on the Internet. The newspaper contacted Catron, who didn't comment but did change her website settings so the material was no longer available to the public. She's a dean at Cattell Elementary. Education Department attorney Nicole Proesch says the posting likely violated the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act. Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Battle for Bengal - Here's how parties are gearing up for the upcoming polls West Bengal oi-Priyanka By Priyanka Election is all about contest and challenges. It can turn foes into friends and make them sink their differences in no time. And that's how recent political developments have started surfacing in the poll-bound Bengal. New alliances seem to be preoccupying the political parties in the state as the battle for Bengal kicks off. CPI(M) in Bengal: The erstwhile ruling party of the state - CPIM has started giving out green signals for a possible merge with the Congress, with whom the party has been at loggerheads in several states. In its desperate attempt to challenge the ruling TMC, the communist party has increasingly been vocal about a grand alliance with Congress. Former Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee has for the first time openly invited Congress for an alliance, while addressing a public meeting in Singur last month. Although soon after this statement, Bhattacharjee had to face criticism from his own party members, however the wave in favour of this alliance started evolving with many party members coming in support of this idea. In a recently held state secretariat meeting of the CPI(M), as many as 41 members of the 53 who spoke have supported the idea of joining hands with Congress. There were altogether seventy-three members and out of them only eleven opposed the move. However, a final decision on the alliance is yet to be taken by the party after the two-day Central Committee meet that begins today. Although state level CPM members along with Sitaram Yechury expressed eagerness to join hands with Congress, a large section of Politburo members had opposed the idea. Among the politburo members, Prakash Karat, S Ramachandran Pillai, Manik Sarkar Pinayan Bijayan, BV Raghbalu, Brinda Karat, Kodiyari Balakrishnan, M A Baby, A K Padmanabhan, Subhashini Alira came out strongly against the idea, keeping in view the recent stalemate between both the parties at national level and also its long standing differences in the state of Kerala and Tripura, as this will play a key role in shaping their political future. Another point that plays a major role in their decision making is that a large part of the politburo and central committee members are in favor of Karat, hence the decision ultimately would lie on him. Even as the party awaits a nod from the high command on a truck with the Congress in the state, both the parties were recently seen taking to streets and jointly protesting against the police action at Jawaharlal Nehru University. The parties also jointly slammed TMC for its silence on the JNU police action, which according to some party members fortified their resolution for a joint march. The joint march assumes significance as it comes at a time when both the parties are mulling plans on their alliance in the poll-bound states. Meanwhile, in an interview with New Indian Express, former communist leader Somnath Chatterjee has asserted that an alliance between the Congress and the Left Front was not a "political option but a necessity". Congress in Bengal: The situation of Congress is much like CPIM in the state, as the party has split down over decision on an appropriate alliance. While a large number of Congress members, including State President Adhir Chowdhury, have been eager to join hands with the Left, Congress Central leadership hinted otherwise. The central leaders have shown more keenness in merging with TMC, as they did during the last assembly elections. Adhir Chowdhury had earlier said: "It is for the Congress High Command to take a call on this matter (of forging alliance with CPI(M) in Bengal). But as far as I know a large section of Congress workers want to forge an alliance with CPI(M) in order to oust this undemocratic TMC regime." WBPCC spokesperson, Omprakash Mishra also wrote a letter to party President Sonia Gandhi last month, seeking seat adjustment with Left Front in the upcoming election. He said, "A Congress-Left Front seat adjustment with a declared common minimum programme would dethrone the TMC government and usher in a Congress-LF alliance in West Bengal." While formation of new alliances seem to be preoccupying the party members, major challenges remain in front of the Congress party while taking a final call. Keeping in view Congress's shaky base in the state it is unlikely that the party will enjoy a smooth sail to the end without a strong alliance. Besides, another concerning factor for the party in regards to forming alliance with the Left party is that in several districts in the state CMP is the main opposition, which will make it lot more difficult for the party to take a call on forming an alliance. Congress had contested the last assembly elections in alliance with TMC which ousted the CPI(M)-led Left Front after 34 years. The two parties, however, parted ways in September 2012 after Trinamool Congress walked out of the UPA-2 government at the Centre. BJP in Bengal: While CMP and Congress are too engrossed in making a cherry pick, the BJP started reviving its poll-strategies by rolling out some big shots to battle for Bengal. From actress Locket Chatterjee to TV fame Rupa Ganguly all were seen wooing voters and taking to streets to reach out to common people since past few weeks. The BJP last year headed for a major reshuffle by removing several district organizational presidents to rejig its party organization from the grassroots. Then RSS hand Dilip Ghosh became the new state President, toppling Rahul Sinha. The former state BJP secretary who has considerable support from central leadership on his side, has ensured this time of more active participation by the central leaders in campaigns organized by the state party unit. Beside the four-mega rallies addressed in January by top party members like Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh, Nitin Gadkari and Smriti Irani, the highlights of their efforts will also be the two marches slated for February and March. Declining law and order situation and violence against women have been the focal point of their campaigns and marches, to take a potshot at the ruling TMC, under whose rule the state has witnessed several rape incidents. Rajnath Singh while addressing a poll campaign last month spoke emphatically on the worsening law and order situation in the state. He also expressed concern over infiltration through India-Bangladesh border. Roopa Ganguly's recent 10-day march over rising crimes against women in the state also created quite an impact. The BJP Mahila Morcha group kicked off the march on February 6 from Kamduni to Kakdwip. Her recent activities and tenacity even made people draw parallel with the lady chief of the state. Meanwhile, state president Dilip Ghosh declared that the BJP in the state is not scared of TMC, and openly challenged the ruling party while addressing a convention. Ghosh asserted how their party agenda have increased the trust in the people of Bengal for BJP. The party is also gearing up for six mega election rallies to be addressed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the end of March. TMC: While the oppositions are working on their agendas to oust the ruling party, Mamata-led TMC has finally started working on some major loopholes that have posed a threat for its image. After coming under pressure from different section over incidents like Malda and Kaliachak, the state intelligence bureau have decided for a complete makeover in next few months. It has aimed for a complete overhaul with a separate directorate, new offices in districts, own recruitment, etc. Mamata Banerjee also has recently been seen stressing on the need to cooperate with industry. During the Bengal Summit she also announced of full cooperation from the state for all industries, with an attempt to revive the image of Bengal after Nano impasse. Mamata has also recently warned her party members at all level to not to indulge in factionalism and avoid internal feuds. According to a Firstpost report, Banerjee said, "Those who have just joined the party should not think that they will become MP/ MLA the very next day. I had come through student and youth politics. I had joined politics in mid seventies and contested Lok Sabha election in 1984 from Jadavpur constituency as many were unwilling to contest that seat then. Then I fought for 30 years." 'Is this the respect for women?': Mallikarjun Kharge asks PM Modi over release of Bilkis case convict From DefExpo to Kedarnath darshan, PM Modi's itinerary as diverse as it gets #AchheDin: India Registers Increase in Food Grain Production Feature oi-Lisa By Lisa Agriculture still employs around 49 percent of India's employable population. However, the biggest problem with agriculture is that it has been growing at a very slow pace in recent times. During the year 2014-15 agriculture grew only at the rate of 1.1 percent. With an aim to give a boost to the agriculture sector Narendra Modi Government launched the ambitious Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana to achieve convergence of investments in irrigation at field level, expand cultivable area under assured irrigation. The plan with an outlay of Rs. 50,000 crore to be spend over a period of five year (2015-16 to 2019-20 was approved. To top it Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana was also launched so that farmers pay minimum premium and get maximum insurance. The previous insurance schemes for farmers were not successful as the premium rates were high and claim value was low. Also the schemes did not cover localised crop loss. The result was that less than 20 percent farmers only opted for insurance scheme. PM Modi assured the farmers that new scheme addressed all the issues that the farmers faced previously. Horticulture as Indian farming's bright spot: It will be right to say that horticulture is one area which is showing great improvement as production of fruits and vegetables overtook India's food grain production by 31 million tonnes in 2014-15. This was the third consecutive year that showed improvement in the production of fruits and vegetables. This increase has been made possible by the fact that eight vegetables that make up 74% of the total vegetable production in the country have 73% access to irrigation. Success in increasing food grain production: Good news for Modi government is that despite drought conditions India's food grain production for the year 2015-16 showed a marginal increase than the overall production in the year 2014-15. This year the food grain production was 253.16 million tonnes. It has been reported that wheat, rice, coarse cereals and pulses are part of the foodgrain basket. Wheat output is projected to go up by 8.42 per cent to 93.82 MT in 2015-16, from 86.53 MT in the previous year. Total pulses production of 17.33 mt during 2015-16 is marginally higher than the previous year's production of 17.15 mt. However, it should be noted that, estimated output this year is still 4.5% lower than the record production of 265 mt in 2013-14, a normal monsoon year. It has also been reported that, "This year, rainfall deficiency was 14 per cent". It was also reported that Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh in an interview to PTI has said that, "Overall food grain output is likely to be better than last year despite deficit monsoon for two straight years. Since February-March is crucial for wheat crops, we hope there would be no unseasonal weather conditions like hailstorm that we witnessed last year". Procurement targets: The government has fixed the food grain procurement targets for the 2016-17 marketing year. For wheat, the procurement target is 30 million tonnes (MT) as against 28.08 MT in the current year. The target was set after meeting with officials from key wheat producing states like Punjab, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan. The target for grain procurement both by the Food Corporation of India and state government owned agencies was fixed. Of the total, Punjab's target is 11 MT, followed by Haryana 6.5 MT, Madhya Pradesh 6.8 MT, Uttar Pradesh 3 MT and Rajasthan 1.8 MT. Many want 4 percent growth in agriculture: Many feel that Modi government should achieve at least 4 percent growth in agriculture on a sustainable basis despite the drought years. They feel that only then the farmer groups which were great supporters of the government will not feel that government has deserted them. Before evaluating the government on development in the agriculture sector it should be borne in mind that the present government had inherited the sector which was in very bad shape and the situation has been made worse by bad monsoons and low international commodity prices. However, only visionary can show path in adverse time and so has the government shown that despite all the adverse conditions the sector is showing some improvements. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, February 16, 2016, 12:48 [IST] FTII, Hyderabad, JNU: Modi is lucky there is no JP Narayan around today Feature oi-Shubham In the 1970s when the Congress was in the middle of transformation from a party of a democrat (Jawaharlal Nehru) to that of an authoritarian (Indira Gandhi), the clash between the government and students had shaped the national politics in a big way. Students' protests led to total revolution against Indira Gandhi in the 1970s The students' movements in states like Gujarat and Bihar in 1973-4 had evolved into a big challenge for the then Indira Gandhi government, which resorted to the ultimate act of declaring an Emergency in June 1975. [Gomata vs Gopalan: The fierce Left-right conflict in India with none to balance] But the establishment's iron-hand policy in dealing with the students' protest (the days even saw deaths of students in police firing in Bhopal in August 1973) had seen the rise of a gigantic figure in JP Narayan, who went on to lead a total revolution against the government at the Centre. FTII, Hyderabad university, JNU... list is getting longer In 2016, though there is no formal emergency, but the way the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre has been handling issues in educational institutions (FTII, Hyderabad University, JNU) over the last one year or so, there is every possibility of things going out of control in no time and recreate a unstable scenario similar to that which had prevailed in the late 1960s and early 1970s in India. Targeting a democratically elected student leader was suicidal The JNU episode could particularly invite a real danger for the Modi government, thanks to the unneccesary escalation on the issue of "anti-national protests" and allowing police action against the students. Targeting Kanhaiya Kumar, an elected member of the university's students' union, proved that the rulers of the day are not ready to lose even the slightest of opportunity to capitalise on emotive and not substantial issues to prove their worth as true sons of the nation. But in doing so, they put the same democracy that gave them a chance to rule India two years ago in danger. Now, next parliamentary session will certainly be disrupted: Who will lose? The way some of the top central ministers spoke on the issue made it evident that they banked more on arrogance than a democratic mindset to write off the students' radical thought process, something which is common in all countries and all ages. Now, if the Opposition parties continue to create more ruckus in the next parliamentary session and derail the government's programme for economic reforms, then who will be responsible in the first place? Didn't PM Modi give it a thought to protect his own legacy? Today's Oppn has no ability to match JP Narayan; Modi is lucky However, while speaking on the Opposition, it had the best opportunity to do a JP now by backing the students, always a strong constituency, and connect the sentiments that were outraged in Pune, Hyderabad and New Delhi. But so far, little activism has been seen on their part excepting the routine lashing out at the Modi regime in the media. The BJP and Sangh elements have tried to hide real issues with emotive ones By stressing on the national and anti-national in black and white terms, the hard elements of the BJP and Sangh areactually trying to hide the high-profile government's yet-to-achieve success in stopping cross-border terrorism and effecting economic turnaorund. But by going after soft targets like students on emotive issues will help their (or rather Modi's) cause, a little. Modi will feel lucky enough that there is no JP around in India today---somebody who had given a strong leader like Indira Gandhi sleepless nights. But he should also make it a point to rein in the over-enthusiastic elements of his government to safeguard his own legacy against a mass grievance, which in the absence of a proper political leadership to channelise it, could turn the democracy into an anarchy. JNU fiasco timeline: Protest over Afzal Guru hanging, sedition row & Who said what explained Feature oi-Preeti The protests in Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) began on Wednesday, Feb 10, when Left-oriented students' group planned to organise a cultural program and a protest march to protest against the 'Judicial Killing of Afzal Guru' and also to dislplay solidarity with Kashmiri migrants who are struggling at varsity's Sabarmati Dhaba. [JNU fiasco: What is Nation and Nationalism?] The Akhil Bhartiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) staged a protest outside the office of the vice chancellor to protest over the event against the hanging of 2001 Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru. [JNU to J&K: An attempt being made to bring the ghost of Afzal Guru back] In last six days, a lot has been said and discussed politically over the sensitive issue. Let's understand in detail all about JNU fiasco, on a day-to-day basis and who said what. [The Afzal Guru issue and hypocrisy that surrounds it] Here is a detailed Timeline of events that happened in connection with the JNU protests: [JNU campus row: Sedition is the only deterrent for anti India protests] Feb 11: [JNU row echoes at meeting of political parties convened by PM Modi] JNU set up a proctorial committee on Wednesday to inquire into an event organised by some former members of Democratic Students' Union (DSU) that led to violent clashes on the campus. Maheish Giri, the BJP Lok Sabha member from East Delhi, on Thursday, Feb 11 lodges an FIR against 'anti-national' students of Jawaharlal Nehru University who opposed the death penalty to parliament attack convict Afzal Guru. #ShutDownJNU trends on Twitter. Feb 12: [JNU protests: New, ugly face of Modi's India, says Pakistani daily] Talking tough, Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday, Feb 12, warns of "strongest possible" action against those involved in raising anti-India slogans at an event in JNU campus here, saying such activities will not be tolerated. Former Delhi University lecturer SAR Geelani is booked for sedition in connection with an event at Press Club of India, in which a group shouted slogans hailing Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru. The president of Jawaharlal Nehru University's students union (JNUSU) is arrested by Delhi police, in a case of sedition and criminal conspiracy. Left parties question the arrest of JNUSU president Kanhaiya Kumar and asks Delhi Police to not act in "connivance" with ABVP to target "entire Left" even as they likened the ongoing developments in the varsity campus to "situations during Emergency". Union minister Kiren Rijiju says the government will not allow anyone to spread anti-national sentiment in the country. 8 students get debarred from academic activities by JNU pending a disciplinary enquiry into an event at varsity against hanging of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru. Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi says Modi government "bullying" an institution like JNU was "completely condemnable", but at the same time asserted that anti-India sentiment is "unquestionably unacceptable". Feb 13 [Let JNU students playing politics raise their own fees: Mohandas Pai] Delhi police issued an alert across the country in the wake of a tweet allegedly posted by 26/11 mastermind Hafiz Saeed. Tweet said, "We request our Pakistani Brothers to trend #SupportJNU for our pro-Pakistani JNUites brothers." [JNU protest was tailor made for Hafiz Saeed] A group of ex-army officials threaten to return their degrees as mark of protest. Communist Party of India-Marxist General Secretary Sitaram Yechury meets Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh regarding the JNU campus incidents and demands the release of a student leader arrested over sedition charges. Home Minister Rajnath Singh asserts that no innocent will be harassed but the guilty "will not be spared" as Left leaders met him questioning the police action against students including arrest of JNUSU leader. Delhi police have detains seven students in connection with the JNU campus row. Union Minister Kiren Rijiju says the premier academic institute cannot be allowed to be a hub of anti-national activities. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal orders a magisterial inquiry into the JNU incident and accuses Prime Minister Narendra Modi of using police to "terrorise everyone" even as he asserted that anti-national activities should not be tolerated under any circumstances and those guilty must be identified and punished. Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi says the government is trying to crush students' voice in the country by ordering police action in university campuses. Hitting out at Rahul Gandhi and other opposition leaders who criticised the arrest of a JNU student leader, BJP alleges that they were speaking in the voice of terror outfit LeT which was an insult to the martyrs and would boost the morale of anti-national forces. Senior Congress leader Anand Sharma alleges that he was attacked physically by ABVP activists in JNU campus when he was returning with Rahul Gandhi after attending a protest meeting held by students there. Feb 14 [JNU has always been anti establishment, says former special secretary] "Please do not call my son a terrorist," says JNUSU President Kanhaiya's mother as she breaks down while watching the news flashes on TV at a neighbour's house in Bihar's Begusarai district. Rajnath Singh appeals to political parties to unite in opposing incidents where anti-national slogans are raised. Delhi police says enough evidence for sedition charges. Feb 15 [The fierce Left-right conflict in India with none to balance] Congress leader Manish Tewari accuses Home Minister Rajnath Singh of "communalising" the issue and tweets: "Rajnath communalising#JNUATROCITY at PULPIT of Pulp Patriotism. Tell PM's Biryani friend Nawaz Sharief Arrest Hafiz Seed for terror attacks." JNU students go on strike till Kanhaiya Kumar is released. Shiv Sena says all politicians who support the students' agitation should be stripped off their 'elected status' and those raising slogans against India put behind bars. BJP president Amit Shah launches a scathing attack on Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi for his stand on the Jawaharlal Nehru University row. CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury allegedly receives threat calls over extending support to students who are protesting the arrest of JNU students union president Kanhaiya Kumar. Delhi Police steps up security around the CPI-M office. Left parties say they will "fight out" any threat and are "not worried" about being labelled as "anti-national" for their stance on the JNU row. CPI-M leader Prakash Karat takes pot-shots at Home Minister Rajnath Singh for saying that Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba chief Hafiz Saeed backed the Afzal Guru event at the Jawaharlal Nehru University campus and says Singh relies on a fake Twitter handle for information. RSS leader Dattatreya Hosabale alleges that it was a result of a "conspiracy" and those who raised slogans in support of Pakistan and Afzal Guru are "traitors" and should be charged with treason. [Is RSS behind JNU fiasco?] Delhi Police Commissioner B S Bassi tells media, "Kahaiya Kumar had joined the meeting in the campus where anti-national slogans were raised. He also raised these slogans." Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi says BJP nad RSS want to control everyone's views and follow the agenda of creating divide and hatred among people. Congress says it does not need lessons in patriotism from those "who are inheritors of thought process of Nathu Ram Godse". Congress MP Kumari Selja says her party would raise the issue of the ongoing unrest on the JNU campus in Parliament and demanded that a high-level probe be conducted into the matter. A brawl takes place at the Patiala House court, after about 40 lawyers present inside the court shout slogans against the Jawaharlal Nehru University asking the institute's faculty to leave the court. BSP President Mayawati alleges the NDA government had branded JNU as "anti-national" to implement the "extreme and offensive agenda" of the RSS and terms as "political conspiracy" the arrest of JNU Students' Union president Kanhaiya Kumar on sedition charges. BJP activists burn effigy of Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi in front of Vidhan Bhawan. A Delhi court extends the police custody of Kanhaya Kumar, JNU student union leader to February 17. JNU sends a "status" report to HRD ministry about the situation in the campus and the action taken by the varsity. Senior AAP leader Ashutosh claims that he has received life threat for the second time over the ongoing JNU controversy. Former Delhi University lecturer SAR Geelani, who was booked for sedition, is detained by Delhi police. Feb 16 [The law of Sedition and how the Supreme Court has defined it] Delhi police have formally arrested ex-Delhi university teacher S A R Geelani in connection with the JNU campus row case. Delhi police launches a hunt for several students who are on the run. A First Information Report (FIR) registered over some lawyers thrashing journalists at Patiala House court. JNU teachers join students in boycotting classes in protest against arrest of its student union leader in a sedition case and say they would take classes on "nationalism" in the varsity lawns. Congress condemns the attack on teachers and journalists in Patiala House court premises, calling it an "act of facism". Delhi High Court rejects petition seeking NIA probe into JNU incident. Delhi journalists stage a protest march against the violence that took place in Patiala House Courts on Monday, where some of them as well as students were beaten up. Students of Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) take out a protest march against alleged police excesses at the JNU campus even as they condemn the anti-national slogans raised during the JNU protest. Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal activists stage a protest outside JNU. BJP national spokesperson M J Akbar calls Rahul Gandhi a "principal misleader" of Indian politics and said it showed his "willingness" to "twist" the truth. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal meets Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and takes up with him the situation in JNU. Rahul Gandhi condemns the attack on journalists in New Delhi in connection with the JNU row and alleged that the government is "planting RSS VCs" in universities. Paradigm shift in India-UAE relations marks a high point in PM Modi's foreign policy Feature oi-Shubham Within six months after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the UAE (he is the first Indian PM to do so after Indira Gandhi in 1981), the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Shaikh Mohammad, visited India last week to strengthen the bilateral relation between the two countries. Oil storage to boost India's energy security The two countries signed a slew of agreements in cyber security, space, infrastructure, energy and cultural exchange. One of a landmark deal struck on this occasion will see the UAE's national oil company Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc) store crude in India's strategic storage units. In fact, it has also agreed to give two-thirds of this free oil to India, a move which will boost India's energy security. The storage, which is likely to meet India's oil requirement for 10 days, will help her minimise the volatility in global crude prices, even if for a brief stint. Diversifying trade into other domains like IT, space Oil accounts for the major part of the trade between India and the UAE, with the latter providing eight per cent of teh former's oil imports (UAE is India third-largest trade partner and the trade between them was worth $60 billion in 2014-15). Given the consistency in their trade relations, both India and the UAE are now aiming to diversifying their trade which has been more oil-centric. The two sides hence have shown interest to work in fields like IT and space. They have also signed a MoU to set up a fund for infrastructure investment worth $75 billion, to take care of the West Asian country's investment in India's infrastructure. A lot is at stake for Modi as his government pushes for closer economic ties and seeks to draw more investments from the UAE. During his visit last year, the two sides had agreed to establish an UAE-India Infrastructure Investment Fund, setting an ambitious target of $75 billion to support investment in India's infrastructure. Both sides have set up a task force to nudge investments under this fund. The UAE is also the tenth biggest investor in India. As per the January 2015 figures, the UAE's total foreign direct investment to India was estimated to be just over $3 billion. UAE's rethinking on stand on terror to help India's strategic security However, the two countries saw the most significant change in their relations in terms of cooperation in counter-terrorism plans. The UAE, which is known to be pro-Pakistan on terrorism, agreed to cooperate with India on the issue last year. Besides the dissatisfaction over Pakistan's refusal to join the Saudi Arabia-led airstrikes against Houthi rebels in Yemen, Abu Dhabi's transition has perhaps been triggered by the rise of the Islamic State on the question of its traditional stand on religious extremism and terrorism. On New Delhi's side, this is a big opportunity to turn a trade partner into a strategic one in the important Gulf region. "We are of no use to society": Elderly couple write to President seeking euthanasia Right to die in dignity: What the laws in India say about euthanasia Death tourism: Why Noida man wants to go to Switzerland for euthanasia? SC shows the way: 'Right-to-die' to be debated in Parliament Feature oi-Shradha In a landmark decision yesterday, the Supreme Court refrained from passing on a judgement on a plea to legalise passive euthanasia in accordance with the Centre's proposal of allowing a public debate on the controversial issue in the Parliament. According to media reports a five-judge Constitution Bench headed by Justice A R Dave deferred any ruling on the plea seeking a legal pathway to passive euthanasia in India. "The issues of passive euthanasia and Living Will is being considered by the government. However, we may clarify that the pendency of the petition should not come in the way of the authority to take a decision," the Constitution Bench said yesterday.[Read here] Additional Solicitor General PS Patwalia, appearing for the Centre, advised that the public debate on the contentious issue would be a better course, told an apex court bench of justices Anil R Dave, Kurian Joseph, Shiva Kirti Singh, AK Goel and Rohinton Nariman that the law commission report, recommending such a law, was under examination of the Health Ministry. Once the Health Ministry has examined report, the Law Ministry will draft the necessary law, Patwalia told the constitution bench seeking deferment of court hearing till July. The bench adjourned the matter till 20 July. Government of India open to framing a law on passive euthanasia after a long struggle of 14-years. Good going! Ghani Bawri (@appadappajappa) January 31, 2016 Back in 2014, the Supreme Court of India had issued notices to all states and Union Territories on legalising passive euthanasia. [The long wait: Supreme Court gives green signal to passive euthanasia in UTs] NGO had filed the plea in 2005: On behalf of the NGO Common Cause which filed the plea in 2005, Prashant Bhushan has objected to further delaying the judgement, arguing that the government had failed to act on this front for 11 long years. A news report mentioned that the constitution bench was hearing a PIL filed by the NGO which had argued that when a terminally ill patient has reached such a stage that from there recovery was impossible, then after seeking a medical expert's opinion the patient should be given the right to refuse being put on life-support system which may prolong his suffering. However, not rushing into making a decision that would potentially affect innumerable individuals and have a far reaching complex social and moral implications the court said: "We are only giving a reasonable time." [Read here]. Euthanasia-the longstanding debate: Within the confines of the medical world and even beyond it, Euthanasia is a contentious issue- a debate which is willing to be carried out for as long as it takes to decide on the rights of terminally-ill persons to execute Living Will' not to prolong their lives by putting them on life support systems. As of October 2015, human euthanasia is legal only in the Netherlands, Belgium, Ireland, Colombia and Luxembourg. Assisted suicide is legal in Switzerland, Germany, Japan, Albania and in the US states of Washington, Oregon, Vermont, New Mexico, Montana, with California the newest entrant into the list.(effective January 1, 2016).[Read here] Lawmakers in California passed legislation back in 2015 that would legalize physician-assisted suicide, with some of the advocates of euthanasia making it all about "choices" that one can have in the moments of agony. "It allows for individual liberty and freedom, freedom of choice," said Mark Leno, a Democrat from San Francisco who compared the issue to gay marriage. Five states in the U.S. permit doctor-assisted suicide for the "terminally ill," only if the patient is an adult and deemed mentally competent by a doctor. [Read here] The "will" of some paved the "way" for others: In Belgium, what began as voluntary assisted suicide for mentally competent adults culminated in many people being involuntarily euthanised. Belgium is also the first country in the world to remove age restrictions for euthanasia, thus legalizing assisted suicide for children. "In the six years from 2007 to 2013 Belgium's euthanasia rate more than doubled, rising from 1.9 to 4.6% of all deaths. This means that nearly one in twenty deaths in Belgium is now deliberately caused. Reasons for the dramatic rise comprise both increases in the number of requests (from 3.5 to 6.0% of deaths) and the proportion of requests granted (from 56.3 to 76.8% of requests made),"- a media report stated. [Read here] A recent study in Netherlands, which legally approved "doctors to help people with severe psychiatric problems commit suicide", revealed that in more than half of approved cases, the patients declined treatment that could have helped them, and that many attributed their decision to take their lives to being lonely. Euthanasia to psychiatric patients in Netherlands raising serious concerns! Must not happen in Canada! https://t.co/9u4XDIWJBP Mark Warawa (@MPmarkwarawa) February 11, 2016 With many euthanasia advocacy organizations funding a "mobile end-of-life clinic" many patients are exposed to such kind of a travelling resource staffed by a nurse and a doctor. "In the Netherlands, where euthanasia is legal, 1 in 28 deaths now comes via doctor-assisted suicide."https://t.co/oSmHw5VczF Heather Wilhelm (@heatherwilhelm) January 11, 2016 "The idea that people are leaving their treating physician and going to a clinic that exists solely for this purpose, and being evaluated not by a psychiatrist but by someone else who has to make these very difficult decisions about levels of suffering and disease ... seems to me like the worst possible way of implementing this process," said Dr. Paul S. Appelbaum, a professor of psychiatry, medicine and law at Columbia University. [Read here] Those arguing against passive euthanasia becoming legal have pointed out that it would inevitably undermine the proper financing of health services for the elderly and disabled, considering our current cost-cutting health care system, an aging society and offer a legally assisted suicide as the cheapest non-fussy means available to end suffering. Justice Karnan- always in the news: The order of the Supreme Court came in the wake of allegations of misconduct and in-efficiency. Justice Karnan had threatened to file contempt of court charges against the Chief Justice of the Madras High Court, Justice Sanjay Kaul. Further he also said he was being tragetted because he was a Dalit judge. Issues of Dalit judges being targeted had been raised by him in the past as well. IN November 2015, he wrote three letters addressed to the Chief Justice of the Madras High Court, the President of India and the Law Minister making such allegations of discrimination. In June 2013, an order passed by him raised several protests. He had said that if a couple of legal age indulged in sexual gratification, it would be considered as a legal marriage and they would be termed as husband and wife. There was an uproar over this judgment and this led him to passing another order in which he gagged persons from making adverse comments. He also created a stir when he lodged a complaint with the National Commission for SC/ST alleging that he was abused by fellow judge in 2011 because he was a Dalit. He had even alleged that once a judge sitting next to him had deliberately touched with a shoe. Dealing with the situation: Legal experts say that if a transfer order has been issued then he will have to abide by the same. He cannot sit over his own matter and take a decision like he did. Further if he refuses to obey the order then the Supreme Court can initiate disciplinary proceedings against him. However the powers of impeachment lie with the Parliament. It is for the Parliament to gauge the gravity of the problem and move an impeachment motion in both Houses. Why Mamata Banerjee is silent on JNU fiasco Feature oi-Shubham By Shubham The fiasco in the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in New Delhi has seen reactions from all non-BJP parties in the country except the Trinamool Congress (TMC). In fact, as major Bengali daily Ei Samay has reported---the students' wing of the TMC called the Trinamool Chhatra Parishad, which is in power in a majority of educational institutes in West Bengal, has hinted at backing the government's action in JNU saying it doesn't compromise on the questions of sovereignty and national security. [Bengal polls 2016: JNU issue & 3 other reasons that may finalise Congress-CPM alliance in state] [How cleverly Mamata played the JNU and JU cases] Derek O'Brien was sent to Hyderabad but no reaction on JNU fiasco The TMC leadership though had sent MP Derek O'Brien to Hyderabad after Dalit student Rohith Vemula committed suicide, but it has no said nothing so far on the JNU issue. The party supremo and chief minister of Bengal, Mamata Banerjee, too has spoken little on the NDA govenment's strong handling of the students's protest. The rally that took place in Kolkata on Monday on the issue of JNU saw leaders and supporters of the Congress and Left walking together, raising enough speculation about them joining hands for the next Assembly elections in the state. The leaders, though refused to describe it as a prelude to an alliance in Bengal and said it was more apolitical which had no party flags and banners, but they also questioned the absence of any representative from the TMC in it, indirectly putting the onus on a perceived understanding between Mamata and Narendra Modi. But the Opposition's question is not without a basis. Given the way Mamata has always projected herself as a pro-people leader, it was expected that she would stand by the students of JNU, as several non-BJP parties have done. But she chose to remain silent, perhaps to meet the demands of politics. There could be two reasons for Mamata's silence in the wake of the JNU fracas. Mamata might not want to oppose BJP in the pre-election time First, the TMC leader might not want to annoy the BJP-led government at the Centre, particularly ahead of the Assembly polls. For unlike the pre-2011 scenario when she was an absolute messiah, she has a lot at stake this time. The TMC supremo really has to play out a game of balance after the Saradha scam and terror links to her state were unearthed. The BJP, on the other hand, would need her support in the Upper House, which means a political arrangement would keep both of them busy for respective gains and the JNU issue doesn't fit in those scheme of things. Mamata is known for hating anything that is Left The second could be the TMC supremo's known hatred for the Left. The JNU, which is a Left-dominated institute, was divided after her victory in the 2011 Bengal election. Besides, in April 2013, Mamata and her Finace Minister Amit Mitra were targeted by Left activists outside the Yojana Bhavan to meet the Planning Commission's the then chief Montek Singh Ahluwalia, resulting in a crude retaliation in Bengal. Given the TMC chief's distaste for Left and ultra-Left activists and the reflection of the deep polarisation on party lines in the education sector in Bengal, there is little surprise in the fact that Mamata will spare words in favour of the students of JNU who bore the brunt of right-wing jingoism. 124 farmers committed suicide in Maha this year: Maha to HC India oi-PTI Mumbai, Feb 16: Altogether 124 farmers committed suicide in various parts of Maharashtra since January this year, the state government informed the Bombay High Court today. Of these, 20 suicides were reported from Osmanabad alone, a government pleader submitted before a division bench. The high court is hearing a suo motu public interest litigation urging to take steps on a war-footing to prevent farmers from committing suicide. A week ago, the government had informed that 80 farmers had committed suicide in January 2016. However, today, the state government said that 124 farmers had taken their lives in the past 45 days. "The figure is very alarming...in the last one-and-half months, 124 farmers have killed themselves. We would like to know from the government what steps are being taken to stop this," said Justice Naresh Patil heading a division bench. Referring to media reports, the court enquired from the government whether it had decided to close down fodder depots in the state. To this, the government pleader said he would have to seek instructions from the state. On January 21, 2016, the state government had told the high court that 1,000 farmers had committed suicide in Maharashtra in 2015. Hearing this, the high court suggested the government to rope-in corporates to deal with the crisis. The court had earlier suggested that big business houses should be urged either to adopt villages or provide equipment, including tractors, to the farmers for free. The court had also suggested that the government may promote collective farming as a solution. It would especially help the farmers with small land-holding who are unable to recover the cost of cultivation, it said and asked the state to come out with welfare schemes for farmers. The government also informed that the Centre had sanctioned Rs 3,500 crore for helping the distressed farmers in Maharashtra, while the state allocated Rs 2,500 crore. Of this, Rs 14.34 crore has been disbursed so far. Ashutosh Kumbhkoni, appointed as amicus curiae to assist the court, had earlier said that according to the National Bureau of Crime Records, 15,978 farmers committed suicide in Maharashtra in the last five years. PTI 7-year-old blind Muslim girl knows Bhagavad Gita by heart India oi-Reetu New Delhi, Feb 16: A 7-year-old girl Rida Zehra who is visually impaired knows Bhagwad Gita by heart. The visually impaired girl who lives in a residential school for the blind in Meerut has memorised the entire Gita, by heart. According to a TOI report, "It doesn't matter for Zehra which God she prays, as she says that she will never be able to see him even if he appears in front of her." What is wrong in declaring Bhagavad Gita as a national book? "I like praying to God, whether it is by reading Gita or Quran. It doesn't matter which God I pray, after all I will never be able to see him, even if he is there in front of me," the class III girlwas quoted as saying in the daily's report. Earlier, a 12-year-old Muslim girl emerged topper at a contest on the Bhagavad Gita. Mariyam Asif Siddiqui who studies in Class 6 in a school at Mira Road near Mumbai won the contest from among 4,500 students who appeared for the competition. She received the first prize in an inter-school competition for explaining the teachings of the holy book. "We are delighted. She prepared a whole month for the contest," her father Mr. Asif said. Mariyam studies in Cosmopolitan High School at Mira Road and participated in "Shrimad Bhagavad Gita Champion League" organised by ISKCON International Society last month with an objective to spread teachings of the holy book. Around 195 schools had participated in this competition. Of them 105 were private and 90 were municipal schools. Mariyam said she learned from Bhagavad Gita that humanity is the biggest religion in this world. "It was very interesting to read Bhagavad Gita as I have got a lot of information about life from it. The holy book has taught me the golden rules of life. It says that though there are many religions but humanity is the biggest religion among all," Mariyam said. The English version of the holy book was given to students for a month for preparation purpose. A teacher was also appointed to help students understand the book in detail. After a month, a written examination was held with 100 questions. Mr. Asif said he is happy and a proud father as his daughter has shown a keen interest in reading a holy book of another religion. OneIndia News For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, February 16, 2016, 17:40 [IST] India requests UK to act upon 131 pending extradition requests India oi-PTI New Delhi, Feb 15: India today requested Britain to swiftly act on its 131 pending pleas for extradition of wanted criminals. The issue was raised by Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju before visiting Minister of State for Immigration of the United Kingdom, James Brokenshire. Rijiju raised the issue of as many as 131 pending requests from New Delhi under the Extradition Treaty, a Home Ministry spokesperson said. The UK Minister on his part said these matters are handled by British courts. Brokenshire said the provision of death penalty in India and the European Commission's provisions on human rights were posing hurdles in acceding to the requests. He, however, assured Rijiju of cooperation and said a team of experts will examine the pleas on a case-to-case basis. The Union Minister said New Delhi will explore the scope for the signing of an agreement with London on exchanging information about criminals. India will positively consider the draft and advance signing of the MoU on Information Exchange on Criminality and Criminals with the UK, Rijiju added. The British Minister voiced concern on migrants overstaying their visas in the UK and said Indians constitute the largest such group. Rijiju said India will cooperate but needs to verify the Indian citizens amongst such illegal immigrants. The Union minister also flagged India's concerns over the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) set up by the UK that might be a hurdle before Indians travelling to that country for travel and work. Brokenshire said his government has not reached a conclusion yet on the recommendations of the panel and added the UK, in fact, encourages Indian students to visit that country for higher education. Also, 20,000 jobs are being offered to foreign students and this will largely benefit Indian students, he said. The visiting British delegation referred to limitations in making online payments for Indian e-Tourist Visa following which Rijiju assured the payment gateway was being upgraded. PTI (Interview) Let JNU students playing politics raise their own fees: Mohandas Pai India oi-Vicky Bengaluru, Feb 16: The protests at JNU and the subsequent action taken by the police is what everyone in India is talking about today. While this protest against the hanging of Afzal Guru has made headlines, there are a couple of other key issues that one would have to discuss. Are students in an university to study or do politics? Why should we pay for these students who go to university and do politics asks Mohandas Pai the chairman of Aarin Capital Partners who was formerly the CFO and head of HR at Infosys. In this interview with OneIndia, Pai says if students want to do politics in the campus then they should go elsewhere instead of depriving a deserving student. Why is the JNU anti establishment? I would not say it is anti establishment. It is Leftist. Several university campuses have been captured by the Left. Today what one is witnessing is an ideological fight between the Left, Centre and Right. Do you see this issue dying down at all? Yes it will die down. There is a pattern. If one recalls before the Delhi elections there were some incidents of Churches being vandalised. There was also this incident of a nun being raped in West Bengal. All this was blown out of proportion. Finally it was found that there was no truth in the kind of things the media was writing about these incidents. In the nun rape case, it came to light that it was the handiwork of some Bangladeshis. Then came the Bihar elections. One Nayantara Sehgal had written that there was intolerance in the country. Suddenly after the Bihar elections there was no intolerance. Now with the UP and West Bengal elections coming up, the JNU incident has become the issue. This will die down too. Has the government fallen into a trap? Yes when it came to filing of sedition charges, the government did fall into a trap. What is the reason for such an ideological fight? It is an ideological fight that we are witnessing. Everyone knows if Modi does well, he will come back to power for another term. Many are desperately trying to prevent it. Should universities become centers of political activity? No they should not. University campuses have been captured by the Left. Universities should not become places for political activity. Why should we pay for a student who goes to a university and does politics? If students want to play politics, then they should go elsewhere and not deprive a student who is serious about studying. What can the government do about such a scenario? I think the government should withdraw grants. The government should give scholarships only to the poor, SC and STs. The rest should raise the fees by themselves. The government should take a harsh stand on this issue and make the university teachers accountable as well. What about the government's reaction to the JNU row? I think the government must withdraw the sedition charges. Let the university hold an inquiry. The issue will die down. Moreover the presence of police in a campus is never good. That is why I said that the university teachers must be made more accountable. OneIndia News For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, February 16, 2016, 15:13 [IST] BJP leaders say, they are committed to reservation for Jats in UP under OBC Did you know why Indian Presidents Bodyguard has personnel from only three castes? Jats continue stir in Haryana, road, rail traffic disrupted India oi-PTI Chandigarh, Feb 16: Rail and road traffic was again affected in Rohtak-Jhajjar region today as the Jats intensified their ongoing protest demanding reservation in government jobs and educational institutions under OBC category. The members of Jat coommunity blocked the highways and other roads in Rohtak-Jhajjar region and also extended their protest to Sonipat and other parts. The protesters had earlier blocked the NH-10 passing through Sampla town in Rohtak district. Rail traffic on the Rohtak-Delhi section has taken a hit in the wake of agitation with many trains diverted, a railways official said today. Agitating Jats said they want the government to take concrete steps to fulfill their demand. "We do not want hollow promises and false assurances. We want the government to come out with a concret action plan," a Jat protester in Ismaila village in Rohtak district said. Yesterday, Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar had said that the four-member committee constituted by his government on the reservation issue demanded by the Jats in government jobs, would submit its report by March 31. He had also appealed to the protesters to clear the blockade and end protest. On February 9, the state government had formed a committee comprising Chief Secretary D S Dhesi, Principal Secretary, Welfare of Scheduled Castes and Backward Classes T C Gupta, Principal Secretary (Industries) Devender Singh and a representative from the office of the Haryana Advocate General to examine the issue in detail. Opposition party INLD has extended its support to agitating Jats and blamed the BJP government for not being able to address the Jat reservation issue appropriately. PTI JNU row echoes at meeting of political parties convened by PM Modi India oi-PTI New Delhi, Feb 16: The escalating row over the JNU issue on Tuesday found an echo at a meeting of political parties called by Prime Minister Narendra Modi with opposition leaders speaking against the sedition case slapped on the arrested student leader and government asserting that slogans raised by students were "highly objectionable". The government said it is open to debating the JNU row in Parliament during the upcoming Budget Session starting February 23 with Modi saying that it will address the concerns raised by the opposition. FTII, Hyderabad, JNU: Modi is lucky there is no JP Narayan around today Modi said during the meeting as opposition parties raised a host of issues that he was Prime minister not only of BJP but the entire country, Parliamentary Affairs Minister M Venkaiah Naidu told the media after the over two-hour meeting. Today's parleys were the first-ever meeting of political parties convened by Modi ahead of a Parliament session. "We will respond to the issues raised by the opposition and address them... I hope the congenial mood here will be translated into action in Parliament," Modi told the meeting. Journalists stage protest over attack at Delhi court Naidu said there was a general consensus that Parliament should run smoothly. With BJP targeting Congress over its support to "anti-nationals" in the JNU row, Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad said his party "disassociates" with all such students who shouted slogans attacking India's unity and Constitution but insisted that there was no proof of sedition against Kanhaiya Kumar, the arrested JNU Student Union president. "There is no proof of sedition against him," he said. He also hit out at BJP leaders for "defaming" the party leadership with their "anti-national" jibe and said the government should restrain them. Azad told the media that the atmosphere in the country has been vitiated since the BJP came to power and its government has taken no action against people responsible for it. PTI JNU: Students on the run as Delhi cops launch manhunt India oi-Vicky New Delhi, Feb 16: The Delhi police probing the JNU row case has launched a hunt for several students who are on the run. Several students have been identified by the Delhi police alleged to have taken part in an event to protest the hanging of Afzal Guru. Delhi Police Commissioner, B S Bassi says that they have had a close look at the clippings of the events that took place last week and have identified several students who were part of the protest and shouting anti India slogans. The Delhi police, which sought an extension of JNU student leader Kanaihya Kumar's custody say that the charges of sedition are irrefutable in nature. The clippings clearly show that Kumar and several other students had in fact raised anti India slogans. The police are also probing a meeting that had taken place prior to the event in which it was decided to raise slogans protesting the hanging of Afzal Guru. The police were also in the process of identifying the organisers of the event and even arrested S A R Geelani, former Delhi university teacher this morning on charges of sedition and criminal conspiracy. The Delhi police which is also contemplating handing over the probe to its special cell says that many students are still absconding. A man hunt has been launched for these students who will be arrested soon. Meanwhile Kumar who is being questioned in custody has denied that he ever raised anti India slogans. Since day one he has been maintaining that sedition charges were falsely slapped on him. OneIndia News For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, February 16, 2016, 8:41 [IST] JNU teachers join strike, to take 'nationalism' classes India oi-PTI New Delhi, Feb 16: JNU teachers today joined the students in boycotting classes in protest against arrest of its student union leader in a sedition case and said they would take classes on "nationalism" in the varsity lawns. The students had yesterday gone on an indefinite strike till JNUSU president Kanhaiya Kumar is released and the sedition case against him dropped. After 10 teachers and a group of students were attacked yesterday in Patiala House court complex where Kanhaiya was produced yesterday, the teachers association decided to join the students in boycotting classes. "The administration is not only acting against students but also teachers and we are being openly attacked while the VC stays mum over it. The entire world is now referring to JNU as a hub of anti-nationals on basis of propaganda of few people in power. It is time we teach our students what nationalism is," said Rohith Azad, a faculty member, who was among those who were attacked yesterday. The one-and-half-hour long lecture on "nationalism " will be held every evening at 5 in front of the administration block. JNU students union president Kanhaiya Kumar was arrested last week in connection with a case of sedition and criminal conspiracy registered over holding of the event at the varsity during which anti-India slogans were alleged to have been raised. His arrest has triggered widespread outrage among students and teachers and drawn severe criticism from non-BJP political parties. The university teachers had earlier rallied behind its protesting students and questioned the administration's decision to allow the police crackdown on the campus even as they appealed to the public not to "brand" the institution as "anti-national" but they had not joined the strike earlier. Teachers' bodies of 40 central universities and Pune-based FTII had also come out in support of the agitating students, saying it is an issue of "indiscipline" and not "sedition". Over 400 academicians from international varsities, including Columbia, Yale, Harvard, Cambridge, Oxford, SOAS, University of Toronto, McGill, King's College, University of California, Berkeley and New York University have also expressed solidarity with JNU students condemning the "illegal" detention and "autocratic" suspension of students. PTI Patiala Court violence: Journalists seek appointment with home minister India oi-Vicky New Delhi, Feb 16: Several journalists have sought an appointment with Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh following the violence that took place outside a Delhi court on Tuesday,Feb 16. Journalists, teachers and students were attacked outside the court which was hearing the case relating to JNU Student Union leader Kanaihya Kumar. His custody was extended to February 17th. The violence outside the court was captured on camera. Some journalists had also alleged that a BJP law maker O P Sharma was attacking a student outside the court. The journalists want to meet with the home minister and seek action against those who indulged in violence. Yesterday several faculty members of the JNU including five women were also attacked. Scenes of an advocate hitting a person were also witnessed outside the court yesterday. Journalists had complained that they were manhandled and threatened. A group of journalists have sought an appointment with Singh to complain about yesterday's incident and seek immediate action against those involved in the violence. OneIndia news Gujarat: Know why Shah Rukh Khan will get extra security cover India oi-Reetu New Delhi, Feb 16: With right-wing organizations protesting against Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan in the past few days, the Gujarat police has decided to strengthen the security cover of the actor. Shah Rukh is in Gujarat to shoot for his upcoming film 'Raees'. According to a TOI report, "The beefed-up security cover was apparent when the 'Raees' film crew went to Adalaj stepwell on Monday for shooting. Gandhinagar district police had deployed over 150 personnel, including a deputy superintendent of police, two in spectors and 10 sub-inspectors." "Security of the actor and the film crew has been reviewed and police deployment has been increased for the future instances as well," city police commissioner was quoted as saying in the daily. Shouting slogans against Bollywood superstar Shahrukh Khan, VHP members threw stones at a parking lot of a luxury hotel on Sunday, Feb 14, damaging his car in continuing protests against the shooting of his upcoming film "Raees" in Gujarat over his earlier remarks on "intolerance". The film's crew members are staying in the hotel but the 50-year-old actor was not there at the time of the incident as he arrived in Ahmedabad. After an FIR for rioting and damaging property was filed in this regard in the evening, at least seven persons, claimed to be associated with the right-wing organisation Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), were detained, police said. According to Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) B U Jadeja, 8 to 10 persons threw stones in the open parking lot of Hyatt Regency Hotel on Ashram Road, where Shahrukh's vehicle was parked, this morning and fled from the spot. "As per the complaint lodged by the Security Officer of the hotel, 8 to 10 persons came on bikes and threw stones on cars parked in the open parking lot early this morning. Due to the stone pelting, windscreen of Shahrukh Khan's car got damaged," said Jadeja. "We have learnt that Shahrukh Khan was not there in the hotel when incident took place. Some of his crew members, who have come here for shooting, were staying in the hotel. Shahrukh landed in the city this afternoon for the shoot," he added. The shooting is taking place in Bhuj. Meanwhile, a video showing unidentified persons throwing stones inside the hotel also surfaced on social media platforms. In the video, they can be seen shouting slogans against Shahrukh and fleeing on bikes after throwing stones. Gujarat unit of VHP claimed responsibility for the incident. The outfit's State spokesperson Raju Patel said the detained persons are associated with VHP and threw stones on Shahrukh's car as part of their ongoing protests against the actor. Around 20-30 VHP activists had last week handed over a memorandum to Bhuj district officers and demanded withdrawal of the permission given for the shooting of the film. They protested outside the district Collectors office pressing for the same demand and shouted slogans against the actor and also burnt and tore his posters. In November last year, Shahrukh sparked a debate when he said during an interview that there was "extreme intolerance" in India. However, the actor retracted his statements just a few days later, claiming his comments were "misconstrued". OneIndia News (With inputs from agencies) For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, February 16, 2016, 18:21 [IST] Partial solar eclipse on Diwali: Can you perform Lakshmi Puja on Oct 25? Delhi ACB chief MK Meena transferred to Andaman Nicobar islands India oi-PTI New Delhi, Feb 16: Delhi Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) chief M K Meena, who had been at the loggerheads with the Arvind Kejriwal government, was today transferred along with 14 senior Delhi Police officials in a major reshuffle tonight. The transfer of officials came amid attack on Delhi Police by opposition parties in the wake of the JNU incident and alleged inaction by the police during the assault on journalists at Patiala House court yesterday. As per the transfer order, Meena who had incurred the wrath of the Aam Aadmi Party government over a number of controversial cases, has been shunted out to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, official sources said. Deputy Commissioner of Police (South) Prem Nath, who is handling a number of high-profile cases, including the Sunanda Pushkar death case, has been shifted to Mizoram. While Joint Commissioner of Police (Central range) S K Gautam has been transferred to Puducherry, Special Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Muktesh Chander has been moved to Goa, sources said. PTI NGT summons Ghaziabad municipal commissioner for sewage issue India oi-PTI New Delhi, Feb 16: The National Green Tribunal today rapped the civic authorities in Ghaziabad for dumping of solid waste and disposal of sewage in Sai Upvan, the 200 acre forest area in the city. The green panel also directed the Ghaziabad municipal commissioner to appear before it and apprise it about the actual condition there. "It is seen from the photographs that the area where the board of Ghaziabad Nagar Nigam is placed is full of sewage. It is clear that nothing was done by the Nigam despite directions by the Tribunal. "Even it has not filed reply in the case...In such circumstances we direct municipal commissioner of Nigam to be present before us on Feb 26," a bench headed by Justice M S Nambiar said. The direction came in the wake of a plea filed by Society for Protection of Environment and Biodiversity (SPENBIO) and Ghaziabad resident Sushil Raghav seeking demolition of unauthorised and illegal structures located in green belts of the city. Advocate Rahul Choudhary, appearing for the petitioners, told the bench that the area, which was marked as city forest in Ghaziabad's master plan 2021 was being damaged by felling of trees and dumping of garbage. The city forest is now filled with sewage, which has completely destroyed the area, he said. "Around 6 lakh trees were planted in the city forest area but as of today very less trees have survived. Moreover, even after several complaints to the authorities, no action has been taken and the city forest is converted into pool of sewage," Rahul said. During the hearing, the counsel for Ghaziabad Nagar Nigam told the bench that the city forest area does not fall under it and he would file a detailed reply in the matter. On the last date of hearing, the tribunal had stayed construction of a city club in green belt area in Ghaziabad. PTI Punjab Shiv Sena leader's son shot at in Jalandhar India oi-IANS By Ians English Jalandhar, Feb 16: A son of a Shiv Sena leader in Punjab's Jalandhar city was on Tuesday shot at and critically injured by unidentified assailants, police said. Deepak, son of Shiv Sena leader Vinay Jalandhari, was shot at by two motorcycle-borne assailants outside a school in Deen Dyal Upadhaya Nagar locality on Tuesday afternoon as Deepak arrived there to pick up his children. Deepak was rushed to a nearby private hospital here, 150 km from Chandigarh. Police said CCTV footage from the school and other areas showed that the assailants had covered their heads and faces. The rear number plate of the motorcycle used in the crime was missing. Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh on Tuesday condemned the murderous attack on Deepak. Expressing grave concern over such incidents, Amarinder Singh said it was the third incident of its kind in the state in the past one month. "Two similar incidents took place in Ludhiana earlier and police were yet to identify the culprits," the Congress leader said in a statement here. Amarinder Singh flayed the Akali-BJP government in Punjab for its failure to identify and arrest the guilty. Unidentified miscrants had fired at a Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh 'shakha' in Ludhiana on January 18. No one was injured. In the second incident in Kidwai Nagar in Ludhiana, a single shot was fired by a person at one of the participants at an RSS 'shakha'. IANS Mumbai police receives bomb threats at 3 locations; Security beefed up at several areas 'This may give sleepless nights to some': Eknath Shinde on sharing dais with Sharad Pawar Not just future of Sena but democracy at stake, says Uddhav Diwali 2022: Major sites to be illuminated in Mumbai between Oct 22-29 Sheena Bora murder case: CBI files supplementary chargesheet India oi-Preeti Mumbai, Feb 16: In the sensational murder case of 23-year-old Sheena Bora , the CBI on Tuesday , Feb 16, filed a supplementary chargesheet. According to media reports, prime accused Indrani Mukherjea's husband and former media tycoon Peter Mukherjea's name has been mentioned in the CBI's supplementary chargesheet. The chargeshhet reportedly contains the detailed role of Peter Mukherjea, in the high-profile murder case of Sheena Bora, 43-year-old Indrani's daughter. A special CBI court had rejected Peter's bail plea on Feb 12. On Nov 19, 2015, Indrani was arrested by the Mumbai police, following her involvement in the murder case of her daughter. Indrani is lodged in women's prison in Byculla, while other accused including Peter, her second husband Sanjeev Khanna and her driver Shyamvar Rai, are lodged in Arthur Road jail in Mumbai. On Jan 16, the CBI told a special court that Indrani Mukerjea had informed Peter Mukerjea about killing her daughter on April 24, 2012. Sheena was Indrani's daughter from her first husband Siddhartha Das. Sheena;s badly burnt body was found from a forest in Raigad district of Maharashtra, 84 kms from Mumbai. She was allegedly strangled to death on April 24, 2012 and later her body was dumped in a forest. The case was handed over from Mumbai police to the CBI for further probe. CBI, which took over the probe from the Mumbai police, had claimed that the motive behind the murder had to do with financial transactions. OneIndia News The law of Sedition and how the Supreme Court has defined it India oi-Vicky New Delhi, Feb 16: Sedition is a serious charge and probing such cases is never easy. Sedition 124 A of the Indian Penal Code deals with Sedition and while there have been demands in the past to scrap this section, it has remained. While this charge is very serious in nature and can invite a life imprisonment, the conviction rate is extremely poor. Let us first see what exactly Section 124A of the Indian Penal Code has to say. Whoever, by words, either spoken or written, or by signs, or by visible representation, or otherwise, brings or attempts to bring into hatred or contempt, or excites or attempts to excite disaffection towards the Government established by law shall be punished with imprisonment for life to which fine may be added, or with imprisonment which may extend to three years. The expression "disaffection" includes disloyalty and all feelings of enmity. Comments expressing disapprobation of the measures of the Government with a view to obtain their alteration by lawful means, without exciting or attempting to excite hatred, contempt or disaffection, do not constitute an offence under this section. Comments expressing disapprobation of the administrative or other action of the Government without exciting or attempting to excite hatred, contempt or disaffection, do not constitute an offence under this section. What constitutes sedition? With the Delhi Police slapping charges of sedition in connection with the JNU case in which students were allegedly shouting anti India slogans, it is very clear that the investigators have their task cut out. Former officer with the Research and Analysis Wing, Amar Bhushan tells OneIndia that sedition charges are normally slapped as a deterrent, but it is very difficult to take it to a logical conclusion. He further adds that it is a very elongated process of investigation and this takes the toll on the person against whom sedition charges are slapped. In the Kedar Nath Singh case, a five judge Bench of the Supreme Court stated that allegedly seditious speech and expression may be punished only if the speech is an incitement' to violence', or public disorder. In the Indra Das vs State of Assam case the Supreme Court stated that only speech that amounts to "incitement to imminent lawless action" can be criminalised. In the Balwant Singh vs State Punjab case, the Supreme Court set aside the convictions for sedition and promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race etc. In this case it was found that the accused persons had shouted Khalistan Zindabad slogans after the assassination of Indira Gandhi. In brief what the Supreme Court has tried to indicate is that sedition charges will stand only when it is used incite mobs which lead to a violent action. Just shouting out words no matter what it is does amount to sedition unless and until there is a incident leading up to incitement of violence. The Delhi police will have to prove in this case that the sloganeering by the students had in fact led to incitement of violence by a mob. OneIndia News For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, February 16, 2016, 8:55 [IST] BRO Recruitment 2022: Check details for 328 vacancies, last date and salary details here Two Indian girl students from Maharashtra killed in Russia fire India oi-Jagriti New Delhi, Feb 16: Two Indian girl students were killed and some others injured in a fire broke out at a medical university in Russia, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said. Two Indian girls from Maharashtra one form Pune and another from Navi Mumbai died when fire broke out at dormitories in Smolensk State Medical Academy in Russia on Sunday morning. Both the victims identified as Poja Kallur (22) and Karishma Bhosale (20)-were in their sleep when fire erupted. They were in their fourth year of studying medicine in Smolensk. "Their mortal remains will reach Moscow tomorrow. We will fly their mortal remains to Mumbai. Our heartfelt condolences," tweeted Sushma Swaraj. We have lost two Indian girl students (both from Maharsthra) studying at Smolensk Medical Academy in Russia in a fire accident.@RajeGangarde Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) February 15, 2016 Some students are injured. They are out of danger. The place is 400 Kms from Moscow. Our team has already reached there.@RajeGangarde Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) February 15, 2016 Their mortal remains will reach Moscow tomorrow. We will fly their mortal remains to Mumbai. Our heartfelt condolences. Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) February 15, 2016 OneIndia News China continues unprecedented military drills around Taiwan even after end of four-day schedule After two year of COVID-19 delay, China plans to issue visas for stranded Indian students China to tighten control over internet content International oi-IANS By Ians English Beijing, Feb 16: China's plans to tighten internet censorship will continue with a new measure which will come into effect from next month and will involve content published by foreign companies and their joint ventures in the country. From March onwards, foreign firms will not be permitted to publish their "creative" content online in China without prior approval of the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television, EFE news reported on Tuesday. The new measure also empowers local governments to monitor the publications of these companies. According to experts in Hong Kong -- which enjoys a greater freedom of the press than the mainland, the measure is a further attempt by Beijing to control the internet. An earlier law dating back to 2002 allowed foreign firms to publish creative content directly on the internet. During the World Internet Conference in Wuzhen, in Zhejiang last year, President Xi Jinping had called for greater "order" in the management of the internet. China, with a strong censorship system known as the Great Firewall, has imposed more restrictions on the internet since Xi assumed power three years ago, and approved a controversial national cyber security law that, for the first time, speaks of protecting "cyber sovereignty". IANS Partial solar eclipse on Diwali: Can you perform Lakshmi Puja on Oct 25? India is making hue and cry over F-16 jets deal with US: Sartaj Aziz International oi-Jagriti Islamabad, Feb 16: Reacting on India's disappointment over US's decision to sell eight F-16 fighter jets to Pakistan, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's Adviser on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz expressed regret on it. The Obama administration last week notified the US Congress of its decision to sell eight F-16 fighter jets to Pakistan worth nearly USD 700 million, notwithstanding American lawmakers' demand for stopping the proposed sale. "Why India is making hue and cry over F-16 jets deal when it is having big arms deals with the United States, Russia, and other countries," Sartaj Aziz was quoted as saying. "Jets provided by US will be used to combat terrorism in the country," added he. He reiterated the US' stance that the jets are being provided to Pakistan to combat terrorism. India disappointed over US decision to sell 8 F-16s jets to Pakistan "We are disappointed at the decision of the Obama Administration to notify the sale of F-16 aircrafts to Pakistan," said a statement issued by the External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup. "We disagree with their rationale that such arms transfers help combat terrorism. The record of the last many years in this regard speaks for itself," added he. The government summoned US ambassador Richard Verma to convey India's displeasure over the matter. OneIndia News For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, February 16, 2016, 14:45 [IST] A great tragedy say activists after 200 bodies are recovered from roof of Pakistan hospital International news brief: Confident of Pak's commitment, ability to secure its nuclear assets, says US & more From 'dangerous' to 'secure and confident': US makes a u-turn after Biden's comment on Pak The persecution of Hindus in Pakistan continues with a Hindu girl forcibly converted and married Indian sentenced to three years for espionage in Pakistan International oi-PTI Peshawar, Feb 16: A 31-year-old Indian national, who had gone missing in Pakistan in 2012, has been sentenced to three years in prison by a military court for espionage. Hamid Nehal Ansari was convicted on Sunday in Kohat, a city in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan, and was shifted to Peshawar Central Prison, a jail spokesman said. He has a right to appeal under the Pakistan Army Act. India had sought consular access for Ansari, an engineer, and asked Pakistan to ensure his safety and security. According to Dawn, Ansari has confessed to illegally entering Pakistan from Afghanistan for espionage. He had seven Facebook accounts as well as around 30 email addresses. He was reportedly found to be in possession of sensitive documents, it claimed. Over three years after Ansari went missing in Pakistan where he had allegedly gone to meet a girl he had befriended on the Internet, authorities last month admitted that he has been in army custody and facing a trial in military courts. In light of the information, a two-member bench had on January 13 disposed off a habeas corpus petition filed by Fauzia Ansari, the convict's mother, against his alleged illegal detention. Court had asked the government to respond to the petition by Fauzia on the whereabouts of her son. In response, Military Intelligence Directorate intimated that Ansari was in military custody and is being tried by a military court. Ansari, a Mumbai resident, was taken into custody by police and Intelligence Bureau (IB) officials in Kohat, about 70 kms from here, in November 2012. Ever since, his whereabouts were unknown. Ansari's mother claimed he was in touch with some Pakistani friends who had suggested him to cross into Pakistan from Afghanistan without a visa. She claimed that he had befriended a Pakistani woman through social media and had gone to Pakistan to meet her. PTI Iran's first post-sanctions oil exports to Europe begin International oi-PTI Tehran, Feb 16: Iran is poised to export its first oil shipments to Europe since international economic sanctions were lifted in mid-January, the oil ministry's SHANA news service reported on Monday. It said two million barrels of oil were being pumped aboard a tanker at Kharg Island in the Gulf, bound for French energy giant Total. Another two tankers were preparing to ship a million barrels each to Spain's CEPSA and Lukoil of Russia, SHANA reported. It cited oil terminals official Pirouz Moussavi as saying yesterday that loading of the tankers would be complete within 24 hours. "For the last four years, no oil has been shipped to Europe because of the unjust sanctions against our country," Moussavi added. In early 2012, the European Union and United States strengthened economic sanctions against Iran because of its controversial nuclear programme, forcing the Islamic republic to halt oil exports to Europe. Since then, Asia -- mainly India and China -- have been the main market for Iranian oil. In recent years, Iranian oil exports have fallen from more than 2.2 million barrels per day to about one million bpd. It currently produces 2.8 million bpd. Iran's nuclear agreement last July with world powers means that now that most of the sanctions have been lifted it can resume oil exports to Europe. Last month, the National Oil Company said it had ordered production to increase by 500,000 bpd -- a move Tehran had long planned once the nuclear deal with world powers took effect. First train from China to Iran stimulates Silk Road revival When President Hassan Rouhani visited France in January, a deal was signed with Total to buy 160,000 bpd. Oil Minister Bijan Zanganeh said the contract with Total would take effect from February 16, SHANA said. Oil prices rose today with US benchmark West Texas Intermediate for March delivery climbing 57 cents to USD 33.01 per barrel from Friday's close. Brent North Sea crude for delivery in April advanced 36 cents to USD 33.72 a barrel in midday London trade. AFP For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, February 16, 2016, 9:53 [IST] JNU protests: New, ugly face of Modi's India, says Pakistani daily International oi-IANS By Ians English Islamabad, Feb 16: The "new, ugly face of Modi's India" can be seen in the Jawaharlal Nehru University protest row, said a Pakistani daily which urged JNU students, India's civil society and opposition parties to "fight back". An editorial "JNU protests" in The News International on Tuesday said: "The new, ugly face of Modi's India can be seen in the reaction to the row over protests at the Jawaharwal Nehru University." The fracas started when students at the university held a protest to mark the third anniversary of the execution of Afzal Guru, convicted of an attack on the Indian Parliament House. "...the protestors were immediately tarred as being pro-Pakistani, supporters of terrorists and anti-India." The daily said that in a "stunning suppression of dissent, police have even arrested the head of the JNU student's union for participating in the protest". "Leaders of Congress, including Rahul Gandhi, are being similarly smeared. Perhaps the worst reaction came from (Indian) Home Minister Rajnath Singh who accused Pakistan's Hafiz Saeed of being behind the protest. It now appears he came to this ludicrous conclusion based on a tweet by a fake Hafiz Saeed account." "Instead of taking back his remarks, Singh is now doubling down and asking his critics to prove a negative by claiming they can't show Hafiz Saeed wasn't behind the protest. This is the reality when an ultra-nationalist like Modi comes to power. It is up to dissenters to prove their loyalty and show they are not agents of foreign forces," it added. The editorial went on to say that by falling over a fake tweet, the Indian government has only damaged its own credibility. "...this is about more than just Pakistan. The BJP government has shown it has no respect for India's secularist traditions. The official narrative is that anyone who doubts the course of justice was properly followed in the Afzal case can now be jailed for voicing that opinion. This narrative...makes a mockery of the concept of academic freedom. "We have already been through beef bans and pots of ink being thrown by Modi's opinions. Now they are coming for the academia. The students at JNU, and India's civil society and opposition parties will have to fight back." IANS Who is Nadia Murad Basee Taha-- the Yazidi activist, who survived ISIS torture? International oi-Preeti Baghdad, Feb 16: 21-year-old Nadia Murad Basee Taha, a Yazidi survivor, who was kept as a sex slave, by ISIS, has shed light on how her family was massacred. On Jan 5, 2016, the braveheart was nominated for 2016 Nobel Peace Prize, by the Iraqi government. Let us know more about Nadia Murad, a Yazidi rights activist. Nadia was abducted and held captive by ISIS in August 2014. She was kidnapped from Kocho, a village near northern Iraq and was taken inside a building in Mosul, where thousands of Yazidi women and children were held hostages. She managed to escape from the torture of ISIS, after three months. On Wednesday, she pleaded the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to wipe out Islamic State. Nadia revealed that how six of her brothers and mothers were brutally killed and still 3,400 women are suffering at the hands of ISIS members. Nadia, is now an orphan, who lost her father, few years ago. Nadia also said that girls as young as nine-year-old, were being sold, rented and assaulted on a daily basis. While testifying about the plight of Yazidi community, in front of 15-member UNSC's first meeting on human trafficking, in New York City , Nadia was quoted saying as, "Rape was used to destroy women and girls and to guarantee that these women could never lead a normal life again." "He forced me to get dressed and put my makeup on and then that terrible night, he did it. He forced me to serve as part of his military faction, he humiliated me every day." "That night he beat me. He asked me to take my clothes off. He put me in a room with the guards and then they proceeded to commit their crime until I fainted," she said. "I implore you, get rid of Daesh (Islamic State) completely", she narrated her horrific ordeal. Nadia is now living in Germany. Presently, she is in UK, to unite the world against ISIS. After listening to Nadia's tragic tale, the United Nations has urged the UNSC to take the matter to the International Criminal Court for prosecution. Here is the full text of Nadia's speech: "We, the women and children were brought by bus to another region. Along the way, they humiliated us. They touched us and violated us. The took us to Mosul with more than 150 other Yazidi families. In a building, there were thousands of Yazidi families and children who were exchanged as gifts. One of these people came up to me. He wanted to take me. I looked down at the floor. I was absolutely petrified. When I looked up, I saw a huge man. He looked like a monster. "I cried. I cried out, I said I'm too young and you're huge.' He hit me. He kicked me and beat me. And a few minutes later, another man came up to me. I still was looking at the floor. I saw that he was a little bit smaller. I begged him. I implored him for him to take me. I was incredibly scared of the first man. The man who took me asked me to change religion. I refused. Then, he asked my hand in marriage, so to speak." "I said that I was ill because most women were menstruating because the were scared. A few days later, he forced me to get dressed and put makeup on and then that terrible night, he did it. He forced me to serve as part as his military faction. He humiliated me every day. He forced me to wear clothes that didn't cover my body. I was tortured. I treid to flee but one of the guards stopped me. That night, he beat me. He asked me to take my clothes off. He put me in a room with the guards, then they proceeded to commit their crime until I fainted. " "Three months after my abduction, I was finally able to escape. I'm currently living in Germany." Watch video of Nadia speaking with UNSC team: OneIndia News CPM Politburo meeting today: Will party go for alliance with Congress in Bengal? New Delhi oi-Shubham New Delhi, Feb 16: The Bengal unit of the CPI(M), which is keen to have an alliance with the Congress for the Assembly elections in West Bengal, will be eagerly waiting for the outcome of the party's politburo meeting scheduled here on Tuesday. The Bengal state committee has overwhelmingly spoken in favour of an alliance and will look to how the CPI(M) leaders from Kerala, who are against the alliance, take their stand at the meeting. [Bengal polls 2016: JNU issue & 3 other reasons that may finalise Congress-CPM alliance in state] While CPI(M)'s Kerala committee secretary K Balakrishnan and Politburo member Pinarayi Vijayan have strongly spoken against the idea of a tie-up with the Congress, former chief minister of West Bengal, Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, is likely to send his counter viewpoints to the Politburo and Central Committee meetings. All eyes will now be on former secretary general Prakash Karat, during whose tenure the Left had withdrawn support from the Congress-led UPA government at the Centre in 2008. In the plenum held in Kolkata in last December, Karat did not take a hard position against the alliance and said there that the election strategy would be taken keepung in mind the prevailing mood in the lower rungs of the Left. The Left leaders from Bengal are hopeful that Karat would not oppose the idea in the Politburo and Central Committee meetings for he is aware about the big support that the Bengal unit has shown towards an alliance with the Congress. The Kerala unit has opposed the idea of allying with the Congress for it is aiming to topple the ruling UDF led by the latter to return to power in the southern state. The 16-member Politburo is dominated by leaders from Kerala and it is believed that instead of directly naming the Congress, the meeting could see an indirect reference to 'allying with the secular forces' to avoid the dispute take a serious shape. Oneindia News Central team roped in as dengue cases in Bihar rise to over 5000 Vishweshwar Ojha murder: Nitish govt failed to maintain law and order, says BJP leader Patna oi-Shalini Patna, Feb 16: NDA led a march 'Sahabad Bandh protest' against the ruling government here over the recent killing of BJP leader Vishweshwar Ojha, on Friday, Feb 12 and also over the law and order deterioration in Bihar. BJP leaders have submitted a memorandum to Governor Ram Nath Kovind. A gang of armed men shot dead Bihar BJP vice president Visheshwar Ojha near Sonbarsha village in Bhojpur district. He was nominated from Shahpur Vidhan Sabha in Bihar. A delegation of senior leaders of NDA called on Bihar governor, Ram Nath Kovind at Raj Bhavan and protested in Patna. Thousand of leaders came together to protest against the Nitish Kumar led Grand alliance government. Ram Janam Sharma, the BJP MLA told exclusively to OneIndia, "We called for the protest over the detoriating situation of law and order in the state. Girls are being raped, leaders are being killed in broad day light in Bihar. Nitish Kumar government has failed to act against the crime and to control the current situation in Bihar." "Government is not acting against the increasing crime, development work is less and murders are on its peak in the city. Nand Kishor Yadav, Arun Sinha, Chirag Paswan and other leaders also came together to protest," Sharma concluded. Hitting back at BJP, JD(U) spokeperson, Neeraj Kumar said " Ojha who is killed was already involved in many cases of crime and their is nothing to blame on Nitish government." OneIndia News 2008-2022 One News Page Ltd. All rights reserved. One News is a registered trademark of One News Page Ltd. (L-R) : Mr Micheal Luguje Secretary General, PMAWCA; Mr Hassan Bello Executive Secretary/CEO of Nigerian Shippers Council; Dr.Affail Monney President Ghana Journalists Association; Mr Magnus Addico former Secretary General of MOWCA; Dr.Moane Baomah Honourable Minister of Communications; Mr Selby Twumasi-Ankra Chief Director, Ministry of Transport; Mr Wale Adeniyi, National Public Relations Office of the Nigeria Customs Service; Mr. NiiNikoi Amasa of Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority; and Mr Ignatius Nweke of Nigerian Shippers Council. African maritime journalists have been enjoined to embrace activism and support efforts to bring down high shipping cost, clearance time, corruption and other challenges plaguing the maritime industry in Africa. Ghanas Deputy Minister of Transport, Mrs Joyce Bawah Mogtari, gave the charge in her keynote address titled Maritime Media As Vessel For Africas Economic Transformation, at the inaugural Africa Maritime Journalists Conference (AMJOC), held 29 and 30 January 2016, in Accra. The Deputy Minister speaking as the Special Guest of Honour, described the maritime subsector as the best path to the connectivity of Africas economies. The benefits therefrom have to be effectively communicated. Good communications is therefore essential, but unlike the developed economies, the maritime sub-sector in Africa has been grossly under-reported. Yet, when measures or goals are not properly communicated, or the right information not available, the outcome is poor, she said. Mrs Mogtari, represented by Mr Selby Twumasi-Ankra, the Chief Director of her Ministry, called on Africa countries to connect their economies in order to bring development faster to the continent. We must connect our economies, our port systems and customs administrations in order to bring down transportation cost, enhance standardized procedures and make our economies very competitive. The attainment of this goal demands effective coordination and communication. This is why the buy-in of the media is critical, she explained. The conference with the theme Building Effective Communication Infrastructure for Africas Blue Economy attracted very senior as well as young maritime journalists, aside a rich array of industry operators and professionals, academicians, non-governmental and civil society groups. Goodwill messages were delivered by the Honourable Minister of Communications, Dr.Moane Boamah and President of Ghana Journalists Association, Dr. Affail Monney. Speakers include Mr. Magnus Teye Addico, former Secretary General of the Maritime Organization for West and Central Africa (MOWCA); Mr. Hassan Bello Executive Secretary/CEO of the Nigerian Shippers Council; and Mr. Micheal Luguje Secretary General of the Ports Management Association of West and Central Africa (PMAWCA). Others are Mr Richard Anamoo Director General of Ghana Ports and Habours Authority (GPHA) represented by Mr NiiNikoi Amasa; Mr Wale Adeniyi Deputy Comptroller of Customs and National Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Customs Service; Capt William Amanhyia Executive Secretary of Ghana Institute of Freight Forwarders; Mr Abraham Mensah General Manager, Operations at GPHA; Vice Chancellor of the Regional Maritime University, represented by Capt William Wricketts Head, Maritime Safety Department; and Mr Ignatius Nweke Deputy Director, Public Affairs at the Nigerian Shippers Council. Delegates at the conference adopted the following resolutions: African countries should embrace well thought-out policies and provide the enabling environment through effective and growth oriented legislations and incentives that will lead to a win-win outcome for the country and investors. African countries are enjoined to take steps to delimit their maritime boundaries, to avoid unnecessary territorial disputes in the future. State and non-state agencies in the maritime industry should embrace a collaborative approach to resolving common challenges in the sector. A co-coordinating structure or platform that promotes synergy for improved productivity and efficiency should be put in place. The media should appreciate the socio-cultural issues arising from the activities related to the marine environment and not just the economic benefits. Maritime journalists and content owners should exhibit high ethical standard and professionalism in the conduct of their affairs, to endear them to other stakeholders and the society at large. Maritime media practitioners should raise awareness and get those in authority to appreciate and give quality attention to the maritime industry. African maritime journalists should come together and leverage on their collective strength, so as to influence developments and policies in the sector. The maritime media should support efforts to bring down high transit cost, clearance time, corruption and other challenges plaguing the maritime industry in Africa. Recent advances in the digital media should be embraced by maritime journalists to improve the quality and content of their reportage. Maritime agencies and corporate entities should invest in the training and retraining of maritime media practitioners, to build their capacity and enhance their ability to report the industry better. The Africa Maritime Journalists Conference (AMJOC) should facilitate the establishment of a continent-wide association, as a mother body for maritime media practitioners in Africa, which would promote professionalism and members welfare among other responsibilities. Maritime media in Africa should promote gender based issues and support the female gender in a male dominated industry. The Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC), Westblue Consulting Limited, Ghana Ports and Habours Authority (GPHA), Global Cargo and Commodities (Ghana) Limited and West Coast Business Support Services were honoured for their contribution to the successful hosting of the conference. The Prime Minister,Peter ONeill has welcomed a business delegation from the Confederation of Indian Investment (CII) that was undertaking its first ever exploratory visit for enhanced bilateral ties with Papua New Guinea.As Indias premier business organization, the CII has around 8,000 members from the private and public sectors, including SMEs and multi-national corporations.At the invitation of PM ONeill, the group is exploring business opportunities in the areas of healthcare, tourism, petroleum and natural gas, handicrafts, textiles, agriculture, education, infrastructure, mining and mineral resources.Now is the time to invest in Papua New Guinea, the Prime Minister said.With global pressures facing commodity exporters around the world, Papua New Guineas economic fundamentals are strong.This visit by the Confederation of Indian Investments demonstrates the confidence the international business community has in our country.We welcome business and investment from India and the impact this will have on employment and development.The visit is also important as we prepare for the anticipated visit to Papua New Guinea by the President of India, His Excellency Pranab Mukherjee, that is proposed to take place in 2016.The Prime Minister said the trade flow between the two countries is not large at the moment but has been increasing steadily with the potential for further growth.Our two countries can capitalize on existing synergies to enhance trade and investment relations between them.Papua New Guinea can do business with India as we have the resources and India has the market which can be tapped into readily.Papua New Guineas engagement with India in trade and investment has progressively increased since the opening of our High Commission in India in 2006, the Prime Minister said.India and Papua New Guinea continue to enjoy close and friendly relations since establishing formal diplomatic ties in 1976.The two countries also collaborate in other international forums including the summit of the Forum for India Pacific Islands Co-operation (FIPIC), where India is seeking to forge trade and economic relations with the Pacific.Prime Minister Peter ONeill attended the meeting of the India Pacific Islands Co-operation Forum in India last year.The CII delegation and was led by the entitys Head, Pacific International Cooperation desk, Ms Suhba Ranjab, and met with Prime Minister ONeill on 15 February 2016. Casual Connect Europe Casino Track Starts Tomorrow in Amsterdam Published February 16, 2016 by Mike P Tomorrow marks the beginning of Casual Connect 2016. Attendees at this Amsterdam B2B event will discuss burning topics from the igaming industry. Another installment of the highly informative Casual Connect event starts today in Amsterdam, running from 16-18 February 2016, with the Casino Track beginning tomorrow. Some 2,000 professionals from the igaming world will come together to talk about the industrys many fascinating topics. The B2B event will have numerous lectures and also feature a Casino Track where companies can set up booths on the conference floor. For 2016, the organisers have arranged an event that has secured the attendance of both Facebook and Google. And then there are various software providers, gambling operators, and companies related to the igaming industry. Among those in attendance are paysafecard, SoftLayer, IGT, Good Game, Playtika, G5 Games, and Pocket Media plus many more. Social Gaming Discussion Playtika is a world-renowned developer of social gaming software, having created games like Slotomania, Bingo Blitz, and Vegas Downtown Slots, and will discuss the current state of the sector. To offer balance to Playtikas free-to-play approach, casino software developer IGT will also contribute to the discussion. Many other topics will be covered in the wider lecture schedule, with more than 200 speakers lined up for the event. Attendees can use the various lectures as an opportunity to improve in many different ways, including metrics, analytics, user experience, mobile optimisation, and more. New Technology Explored Virtual reality (VR) is set to grow dramatically in popularity, with Oculus Rift leading a wave of new gaming content. Due to the impending wave of new VR products and software, Casual Connect has arranged for a VR discussion to help educate the various attendees about the technologys potential. Murka is one of the developers that will lead the discussion about casino games can function in VR from a software standpoint. LuckyVR will then explain how online casino operators can begin planning how to acquire VR casino games. This lecture and many more will take place over the next days at Casual Connect. The Nigeria Police and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have denied any knowledge of the clearance reportedly granted top officials of Zinox Group and its affiliate, Technology Distribution, accused of complicity in a N170.3 million contract fraud scandal. EFCC spokesperson, Tony Orilade, and his counterpart in the Police, Frank Mba, told PREMIUM TIMES in separate inquiries on Wednesday the reported clearance did not emanate from any of their agencies. A fortnight ago, the reports about the controversial clearance appeared in several online platforms. When contacted, EFCC spokesperson, Mr Orilade was categorical in his denial of the report. I dont have that information, he told our reporter on the telephone. Pressed for confirmation whether indeed the Commission issued the statement, Mr Orilade asked for time to crosscheck the information with his superiors before reverting later. Later in his office in Abuja, the anti-graft agency spokesperson told our reporter the agency did issue any clearance for the accused officials. As a rule, EFCC does not give clearance to any person or group in cases under prosecution. It is only the courts that are authorized to do so after the matter has been diligently prosecuted and the accused person or group discharged and acquitted, he said. Police spokesperson, Frank Mba, who equally denied knowledge of Police clearance of the Zinox officials, said he was too busy focusing his attention on the success of the forthcoming elections. He spoke on the eve of the just-concluded Presidential and National Assembly elections I am not aware of any such report (of clearance of Zinox officials), I can assure you. I dont know anything about it, and I dont have anything to do about it for now, Mr Mba said on the telephone. My focus right now is on the forthcoming elections. Honestly, I want to stay glued to the elections. I dont want to be distracted. Other things that are auxiliary to the conduct of the election will have to wait. Thats my priority for now, he said. ZINOX VS PREMIUM TIMES The computer firm is fighting a lawsuit by an Ibadan-based IT firm which says Zinox and its officials impersonated it and forged its documents to secure a federal contract with the Federal Inland Revenue Service worth N170.3 million. In May 2017, Zinox filed a suit seeking to restrain PREMIUM TIMES and some of its officials from continuing to report the N170.3 million contract fraud scandal involving five of the companys officials, including its top management. Zinox had accused the newspapers editors of libeling it and its chairman, Stanley Leonard Ekeh, through the series of publications of the scam. Apart from its demand for N2 billion in damages, Zinox asked for an order of perpetual injunction restraining PREMIUM TIMES from further publication, an apology as well as court directive for the removal from the newspapers website series of publications on the scandal. But, PREMIUM TIMES responded with a counter application demanding N10 billion as damages against Zinox Technologies and its top officials, for attempting to frustrate the discharge of its role to the society. On Thursday, Justice Oriji of the Federal High Court Apo dismissed the application by Zinox Technologies Limited seeking the order to stop further publication of reports against its officials. The papers lawyer, Mmuoka Jude, said the publications claiming the computer firm had been cleared were designed to mislead the public and the court on the truth about the ongoing case against the officials. These clearly are flagrant violations of the spirit of the ongoing suit before the Federal High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Apo presided by Justice SC Oriji, he said. The whereabouts of Governor Udom Emmanuels security aide remains unknown eight days now after he was reportedly arrested by soldiers in Uyo on the eve of the February 23 general elections. The aide, Iniobong Ekong, is a retired captain in the Nigerian army and a special adviser on security matters to the Akwa Ibom governor. The Commissioner of Information in the state, Charles Udoh, had told PREMIUM TIMES that Mr Ekong was picked up by some soldiers in the night on the eve of the elections. Mr Ekong is yet to regain his freedom, Ini Ememobong, the spokesperson of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) told PREMIUM TIMES, Friday. Mr Ememobong corroborated the claim that the governors aide was being held by the military. We have information that he is being detained in Port Harcourt by the military authorities. The military hasnt denied that they are the ones holding him, he said. He said Mr Ekong has not been allowed to reach his family. We are making frantic effort, we are mounting sufficient pressure, we are demanding for his unconditional release. We are also stating that as a civilian, he ought to be detained or tried by civil authority, the PDP spokesperson said. PREMIUM TIMES could not independently verify the claim that Mr Ekong is being held by the military. Aminu Iliyasu, spokesperson for the 6 Division of the Nigerian Army in Port Harcourt, did not confirm or deny Mr Ekongs arrest. Reached Saturday night, he told PREMIUM TIMES he would have to find out about the report. The police in Akwa Ibom said they were not aware of the matter. I read about it on the social media like every other person, the police spokesperson in the state, Odiko MacDon, told PREMIUM TIMES, Friday. I believe an incident of such magnitude should have been reported to the police, Mr MacDon saidreporty need to make an official report to the police. The spokesperson said the police was going to investigate the matter. Meanwhile, Mr Ekongs daughter, Pearl, has taken to Facebook to appeal for the release of her dad. His right to liberty and dignity, a constitutional right that every Nigerian should enjoy, has been infringed without apology. As I write, no one has come forward with a charge or an accusation. A man who has done nothing wrong but given his all to Nigeria, a passionate activist, a father, a husband taken in the middle of the night in a democratic nation? Help us, please. Dont just read this; share this post until it reaches someone with the power to do something, Ms Pearl wrote on Wednesday on the social media site. Senate President Bukola Saraki will be investigated over his tenure when a new Senate is inaugurated in June, ranking senators told Daily Trust on Sunday yesterday. The senators, who won a return to the upper legislative chamber in last weeks presidential and National Assembly elections, said the Senate would be interested in knowing how Saraki managed its resources and handled national budgets over the four years he held sway as its president. Saraki became president for the 8th Senate in 2015 through a controversial circumstance that created a rift between the Federal Government and the All Progressives Congress (APC)-dominated Red Chamber of the Assembly. The Senate President subsequently left the ruling APC over the irreconcilable differences and rejoined the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He, however, lost his re-election bid, as well as the opportunity to return to the Senate when he was defeated in the contest for the Kwara Central senatorial district last week. A ranking senator told Daily Trust on Sunday yesterday that the outgoing Senate President maybe probed if infractions were established against him during the four years he superintended over the Senate. To stop that from happening, the lawmaker said Saraki would be willing to support a candidate that would not yield to demands to probe him for the Senate Presidency. Theres a possibility of probing him (Saraki) if there are infractions. But we know he would prefer a person that wont probe him. So, among the contenders, its possible for Saraki to go for somebody he believes is close to him. But the truth of the matter is that if there are established infractions, we will push for a probe of the Saraki Senate Presidency, except if we dont have our way. Well look at issues related to how budgets were handled and how our internal budget was spent within his four years, the senator, who won re-election, told Daily Trust on Sunday on condition of anonymously. Another senator, who spoke separately on the planned investigation, said the new Senate would question Saraki on a number of issues. This is obvious; the new leadership would check how he managed the resources of the National Assembly. It would be an in-house matter because the Legislature is independent. The Senate would also look at ways to avoid excesses, such as sabotaging the Executive through withholding or refusing to act on important bills, he said. Also, another lawmaker accused Saraki of working to plant his loyalists in leadership positions in the Senate and House of Reps, a move he said they had uncovered and would scuttle. He said Saraki was going that length to protect his interest and continue to influence things in the country even when out of power. We discovered that immediately after his defeat in the Kwara Central senatorial contest, the Senate President started working on how to enthrone his stooges as new leaders in the National Assembly to protect his hegemony, he said. He is already talking with many senators who have secured another mandate and this is from both the APC, which has the majority, and the PDP. He wants them to produce the new Senate President, though he, too, has not given up on coming back, he added. He said they were working hard to see that all those suspected to be working for him did not get close to any principal office in the National Assembly. Share this: My guest today is Brett Mandel, proud Philadelphian, brand-new OpEdNews member and author of My College Professor Won The New Hampshire Primary [2.10.2016]. JB: Welcome to OpEdNews, Brett. You have a very special perspective on the 2016 presidential race. Please tell us a bit about that. BM: Bernie Sanders was my college professor. In 1990, in between a failed 1988 run for congress and his successful 1990 campaign, Bernie Sanders taught at Hamilton College in upstate New York. I took his Sociology 335 course -- "The Problems and Potentials of Urban Life." I was a rare urban student at Hamilton and jumped at the chance to take a course that focused on cities taught from the perspective of a former mayor. As I watch my former professor on the presidential campaign trail, I recall my time with him on College Hill and recently wrote an essay about my recollections. Nearly a quarter-century after taking his class, I am still mindful of his focus on people. From my former professor, I learned that for government to work best, policies must make sense for real people and I learned that for politics to make sense, elections must be about making real change not just offering positions. Who said politics isn't dirty? As mayor, Bernie cleans up! Collecting garbage (Image by University of Vermont) Details DMCA JB: Let's talk more specifically. As a proud Philadelphian, you brought up in class the example of the Pennsylvania Convention Center. Bernie did not share your enthusiasm. Why not? BM: When I was in college, Philadelphia was -- as derided by a Philadelphia Magazine headline -- "a city on its ass." Just before I left for college, the city infamously bombed a home inhabited by a radical group, killing many and then allowing the resulting firestorm to destroy an entire neighborhood. The city was at the tail-end of an exodus that reduced city population and jobs by more than one quarter. Abandonment, decay, and blight threatened neighborhoods and the Center City central business district. While I was in college, the city finances were so compromised that Philadelphia was flirting with municipal bankruptcy. This was the Philadelphia of "Rocky" not "The Philadelphia Story." It was a mess. But, one bright hope for the city -- or so it seemed to me -- was the creation of the Pennsylvania Convention Center. It was a huge project, converting two inner-city blocks on the fringes of Center City into a state-of-the-art meeting space in an effort to grow the hospitality industry and put Philadelphia on the map as a convention town. It seemed like an incredibly positive project that would generate construction jobs in the short term, grow hospitality jobs in the long term, and transform a beaten-up area into a desirable destination. Sanders listened to me gush about the project as a positive sign that Philadelphia was rebounding from its troubles, but cautioned me that it was a YUGE (as he would say) expenditure of public money that would destroy a once-vibrant neighborhood, create low-wage jobs, and only benefit the out-of-town hotel owners. At the time, I convinced myself that Sanders was wrong and that THIS Convention Center project was a worthy one. Years later, as the Director of Financial and Policy Analysis for the City Controller's Office, I crunched some of the numbers and found that, not only were the revenues associated with the new Convention Center insufficient to cover the debt service associated with the Center's construction, but the Center's construction itself was insufficient to grow hospitality jobs. Hotel after hotel applied for additional subsidies in the form of Tax-Increment Financing from the city, denying Philadelphia the tax revenues that were supposed to flow from the creation of the Center. Next Page 1 | 2 | 3 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). OMAN AS PEACEMAKER: Living Next to a Nearly-One-Year-Old War in Yemen By Kevin Stoda, in Salalah, Oman One Middle East paper, Al Monitor, has asked, "Can Oman help Saudis save face in Yemen?Nine months after launching Operation Decisive Storm, the Saudis find themselves entrenched in a humiliating quagmire while extremists such as the Islamic State (IS) are proving to be the only victors in Yemen's civil war. The kingdom has received strong criticism from the international community and human rights groups, which accuse Saudi Arabia of carrying out war crimes against Yemeni civilians. Moral costs aside, the expensive military campaign has also exacerbated Riyadh's financial crisis." As most readers know, Oman's neighboring country of Yemen has been under siege from Saudi Arabia and its coalition partners since late March 2015. In the interim, the USA has sold record numbers of weaponry to the Saudi Kingdom over the past year. Saudi and its other coalition partners (Egypt, Morocco, Kuwait, UAE, Jordan, Sudan, Qatar and Bahrain) entered the Yemeni Civil War just as the Sultan of Oman was recovering from cancer treatment, which he had undertaken in Germany. Until recently, Oman had been considered the staunchest USA supporter in the region, but in the past year, Omani tastes for the USA military overreach in the Gulf has led to a cooling. It is rumored that the USA base in Thumrait, Oman--less than 100 kilometers from the Yemen border--will soon be closed. Oman has been the only major peacemaker in the Middle East for some time. It recently aided the USA in settling the nuclear issue with Iran and has allowed Iran to rejoin regional and global trading agreements. Oman has often been quietly active in negotiations with other warring states and peoples in the past. The Sultan of Oman spearheaded the idea of regional police and military force cooperation in the Arabian Peninsula over a quarter of a century ago. However, Oman refused in 2015 to join its warring neighbors--including the other 5 members of the Gulf Cooperation Council-- in Yemen and has, instead, offered primarily only humanitarian relief to the many Yemeni victims of war. UNICEF has recently declared that over 10 million Yemeni children are to be seen as victims of war. many of these are starving and shell-shocked--if not injured. The Omani government says that it has helped "nationals from 48 countries" leave Yemen and return to their home countries, and that it had taken in 2,695 refugees from Yemen as of mid-April 2015. "Desperate for a dignified exit from Yemen, the [Saudi) kingdom has turned to its neighbor Oman for a political solution to the worsening crisis. Ultimately, this plan might be Riyadh's most realistic means of saving face in Yemen." According to Al Monitor, "Since the launch of Operation Decisive Storm, Oman has hosted representatives from many factions in the civil war. In May, US State Department officials held secret talks in Muscat with a Houthi delegation, and Houthi representatives met with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and with GCC officials. Omani officials have also secured the release of Western civilians detained in Yemen by militant groups." In contrast to Saudi Arabia's bellicose approaches in Syria and Yemen over the past, most Arabs view Oman's policies as much more mature and in line with everyone's long term interests. Al Monitor writes, "Oman's mature and far-sighted response to the Houthi takeover of Sanaa underscored Muscat's understanding of Yemeni history, where no fighting force has ever been able to seize control of the entire nation. Conflict resolution in Yemen will require a power-sharing agreement in which all sides have a voice at the table, rather than a military campaign aimed at crushing the Houthi rebel movement. To this end, Muscat has maintained its neutrality throughout the conflict and has been committed to advancing peace talks." Writers for Al Monitor wisely note that it is in Oman's short and long-term interest to have more peace and stability in neighboring Yemen. It's hesitance to join Saudi Arabia and its over-anxious warrior friends in attacking and invading Yemen in 2015, will enable Oman to act as peacemaker if Saudi figures out how to leave the mess and destruction it has created in Yemen through its unwise tactics of late. In short, "[A]lthough Oman's independent foreign policy, which has operated outside the framework of the GCC, has been an irritant for the Saudis on past occasions, officials in Riyadh may come to be grateful for the Omani wisdom that led Muscat to avoid joining Operation Decisive Storm. That Saudi Arabia, the wealthiest Arab country and the world's top arms importer, cannot defeat an insurgency from the most underserved region of the poorest Arab country is a source of humiliation." Al Monitor concludes by stating, "The Saudis would be wise to take advantage of the diplomatic avenue that Oman offers Riyadh at this difficult juncture. Surely, continuation of this conflict will not benefit the long-term interests of the Saudis, Yemenis or Omanis." Sadly, wisdom in Saudi Arabia is still lacking as bombings of Sana'a and other parts of Yemen continue to destroy the lives of thousands and millions. daimler_portland_mark_graves.JPG The company says the cuts come because of reduced demand for its trucks. (Mark Graves/The Oregonian) Daimler Trucks is eliminating more than 1,200 jobs at plants in North Carolina. Multiple media outlets reported that Daimler said Monday it is laying off about 700 employees in Mount Holly and about 550 workers at its plant in Rowan County. Daimler Trucks North America is headquartered in Portland. The company says the cuts come because of reduced demand for its trucks. The company said it thinks the layoffs will be temporary. Workers were told about the cuts Sunday and Monday. Their last day of work will be Friday but they will be paid through April 16. The Mount Holly plant will have about 1,450 workers after the cuts. The Cleveland plant in Rowan County will have about 1,600 workers. Daimler had announced the reduction of more than 900 jobs at the Cleveland plant last month. -- The Associated Press Starbucks is releasing two new flavored lattes after test runs at their hip new tasting room in Seattle. The drinks will hit menus Wednesday, according to a company statement. A smoked butterscotch drink with espresso, steamed milk and smoked butterscotch sauce with smoky butterscotch sugar sprinkled on top will join the "secret menu" butterscotch latte that already is available to customers in the know. A citrus green tea latte, which is a Teavana green tea latte with a mint citrus syrup, will also be available. Starbucks didn't specify how long the drinks will last, but they are limited edition. -- Molly Harbarger mharbarger@oregonian.com 503-294-5923 @MollyHarbarger Uber says its new, lower fares are intended to lure more paying riders, but drivers for the company say they had plenty of work and now have to put in longer hours. The ride-hailing firm slashed fares in Portland and 100 other North American cities last week, in Portland by about 25 percent. The company says it's an effort to boost business during slow winter months. The company says its numbers show that lower fares actually boost drivers' earnings by bringing more customers onto the app and reducing the wait time between rides. Drivers aren't so sure the price drop will work in their favor. "Uber's all about big data, and I think they know rider volume here has been really good," said Matthew Workman of Beaverton. "It hasn't really been lagging." Elsewhere, the fare cuts have prompted strikes. Bloomberg News reported that hundreds of drivers protested outside Uber's New York office when it reduced fares by 15 percent there. Workman has driven for Uber since before the city of Portland legalized the business model. Prior to that, he worked in the suburbs, where the app was more warmly welcomed. In that time, he said he's given about 2,500 rides. He said it's rare to have lengthy waits in between customers, so to make up the difference means working longer hours. "Their deal is that you're going to get 25 percent more rides to make up for the less money per ride," he said. "But if you drive more, your costs go up, your expenses go up." To offset the effect of the smaller fares, Uber instituted earnings guarantees of $22 an hour for peak hours on Friday and Saturday evenings and $16 an hour for all other times. But that doesn't amount to much, said Michael Dee, who commutes from Salem to drive for Uber in the Portland area. "It's a game," he said. "You'd basically just have to pick up one ride an hour to get their minimum rate." Dee said he thinks Uber is trying to weed out its more casual drivers -- "weekend warriors," he said -- in favor of those who drive more frequently. The company frequently says most of its Portland-area drivers work less than 10 hours a week, notably when it argues that the drivers are contractors for the purposes of labor laws, not employees. Mason Loika, who has has driven for Uber since June and usually works to make $250 to $300 a week, said the lower fares may well be attracting more riders. "The've they've picked up more clients as a result of lowering the fares," he said. "But you won't hear anyone bragging about it. They have to work harder to make what they want to make." None of the drivers interviewed by The Oregonian/OregonLive said the lower fares were enough to turn them off from Uber altogether. But they also doubted fares would return to higher levels in the summer months, when the ostensible winter doldrums are over. "In other markets where this has happened it hasn't gone back until it's gotten so low that they lose drivers," Workman said. "It's like some sort of Chicago school of economics experiment. How little will you work for until you just stop working and find something else to do?" -- Elliot Njus enjus@oregonian.com 503-294-5034 @enjus Oregon's unusual and complicated property tax system puts the brakes on how much your bill can grow each year, but it also allows for unavoidable and unexpected exceptions to the rule. Housing reporter Luke Hammill recently explained some surprising changes in tax bills for residents of Portland's Lents neighborhood between 2014 and 2015. To help identify this and other trends in home prices and taxes, we compiled extensive data from tax collectors in Multnomah, Clackamas and Washington counties for both years and calculated differences for every property. The resulting maps allow you to see where you stand. The maps indicate both changes in real estate prices across the region and changes in taxation. You may know that unlike in other states, changes in real market values don't always correspond directly to changes in Oregon property tax bills. Effective rates, meaning the size of your bill compared to what your home is worth, vary widely. Gentrifying neighborhoods often end up paying lower effective rates because of the Measure 50 limitation on annual growth. The system causes a majority of homeowners to pay more than their share of the cost of governments services based on home values, an analysis by The Oregonian/OregonLive found last summer. But it's not always easy to predict how Measure 50 will interact with other aspects of tax law. Read the maps. See how the real estate landscape is changing for you and your neighbors. Let us know what you see. -- Steve Suo -- Interactive map by Mark Friesen -- Reporting by Luke Hammill Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. During his keynote address at the Midland Area Chamber of Commerce annual meeting, Rich Studley touched on the challenges and achievements that made up 2015. Studley has led the Michigan Chamber of Commerce as president and CEO since July 2008. He served as the Chambers Business Avocacy Team as manager of taxation and labor relations and as the chief lobbyist for the organization. While he was proud to mention business-related legislation the Michigan Chamber worked toward, such as a transportation bill signed in November 2015, Studley stressed there is still work to be done. Working together, we can solve those problems, Studley said about issues such as the Flint water crisis and the finances of the Detroit Public Schools district. Efforts of the Michigan Chamber to build and engage with local chambers have been successful, Studley said, because of those of you who work in the private sector. He quoted Harry Hall, president of the Michigan Chamber from 1959 to 1976, that Leadership in the only excuse for a chamber of commerce, and described the Midland Area Chamber of Commerce as a leader, with an excellent track record. Studley also discussed the upcoming presidential election, and told business leaders gathered at the Great Hall that they have an important role to use our words and actions to lift up others. There are extraordinary candidates for office on both sides of the aisle, running for Congress and running for president, Studley said. We must work together to emphasize the positive contributions of Michigans job providers. Referencing recent calls to the Michigan Chamber from people who expressed concerns about Michigans water, Studley said the organization will move forward and overcome the challenges facing the state. We need to work together to remind each other and visitors to our great state that we are still the Great Lakes state, Studley said. To see the local businesses and leaders honored with awards at the Midland Chambers annual meeting, go to ourmidland.com for an updated article later today. To the editor: In response to the MBS Airport decline in travel article that appeared in the Midland Daily News on Jan. 31, 2016, I would like to offer my comments. Gas prices have declined 50 percent or more in the last eight months yet airline prices have still increased. Its cheaper for people to drive rather than fly. I regularly check prices to fly to Oregon and/or Arizona and airline tickets have increased about 15 percent to 18 percent. Im sure that aviation fuel has decreased similarly as regular gas. The airline freebies seem to be decreasing and now usually include only coffee, water, etc. for economy passengers yet additional charges for luggage, snacks, meals, alcoholic beverages, etc. seem to be the norm. Flying first class you pay approximately $350-$500 more and most of these items are free. Everyone gets to their destination at the same time. MBS and most airports do not set the prices for flying. Each airline does that individually. If the airlines would reduce their prices, then more people would again consider flying rather than driving. I dont think this has that much to do with our MBS Airport. Gas prices are down and the airlines should reflect that in their rates since they arent including much in incentives anyway, unless you are charged extra. The new MBS Airport is a great place to fly in and out of. I personally feel that for now, its due to the cost of air vs. automobile travel. Have a great day! RON CUMMINGS Midland The following list includes reports from the Midland County Sheriffs Office and the Midland Police Department. Monday, Feb. 15 1:22 a.m. A motorist was arrested at West Wackerly Street and Schade West Drive for drunken driving. 3:07 a.m. Police made arrests for possession of cocaine and marijuana at the intersection of Eastman Avenue and West Wackerly Street. 3:08 a.m. An Edenville Township man, 20, lost control of his vehicle in Edenville Township and struck a $30 mailbox and multiple trees. The man suffered minor injuries. 5:43 a.m. A Flint man, 26, was arrested in Lee Township for driving on a suspended license. Sunday, Feb. 14 12:56 a.m. A motorist was arrested at Isabella Street and Vance Road for drunken driving. 2:13 a.m. Deputies were sent to a Midland business to assist police officers with a report of a fight in progress. All involved had left before deputies reached the scene. 8:15 a.m. A Bay City man, 29, was arrested in Midland Township for drunken driving, driving on a suspended license and for a parole violation. 9:39 a.m. Police made an arrest for marijuana possession at Isabella Street and Currie Parkway. 6:35 p.m. Three piglets, valued at a total of $450, were stolen from a Porter Township home. Saturday, Feb. 13 1:53 a.m. A vehicle struck a mailbox in the area of West River and Nine Mile roads, and left the scene. 1:58 a.m. Police made arrests for driving on a suspended license, marijuana possession and a probation violation on Bay City Road near Lemke Street. 2:05 a.m. A motorist was arrested at Swede Avenue and Colorado Street for drunken driving. 3:24 a.m. A 38-year-old man was arrested in Ingersoll Township for drunken driving. 10:32 a.m. A Midland Township couple reported a man came to their home selling magazine subscriptions for service members, and realized it was likely a fraud after giving money. 1:28 p.m. A Lee Township man, 22, reported losing his wallet at a Lincoln Township business. The wallet and contents are valued at a total of $100, and it appears someone charged $8.68 to the victims credit card. 3:08 p.m. A Jerome Township homes mailbox was struck by a vehicle during the night. Damage is set at $60. 3:08 p.m. A Lee Township homes mailbox was struck by a vehicle that left the scene. Damage is set at $50. 3:27 p.m. Deputies were called to a domestic assault in Larkin Township. A report is being sent to the prosecutor for review. 3:51 p.m. A deputy responded to an anonymous call of a pig not being properly taken care of in Hope Township. The pig appeared to be in good health, and improvements were suggested. 4:42 p.m. A deputy responded to a report of poor driving in Lincoln Township, and stopped the vehicle. The driver, a 19-year-old man, said someone called his cell phone, which was stuck between the seat and the door. He was told to let the call go to voice mail, then pull over and find his phone. 5:50 p.m. Deputies investigated a domestic assault involving a mother and daughter, ages 62 and 19, in Mills Township. A report is being sent to the prosecutor. 8:04 p.m. Police investigated a hit and run traffic crash in the 1700 block of West Wackerly Street. 9:39 p.m. A motorist was arrested at East Buttles and State streets for driving on a suspended license. 9:42 p.m. Police were called to a domestic assault at a Hedgewood Drive address. 11:27 p.m. A motorist was arrested at Washington Street and East Lyon Road for driving on a suspended license. Friday, Feb. 12 11:09 a.m. A deputy assisted a Midland County Health Department employee with posting a notice on a home in the City of Coleman. 2:12 p.m. A motorist was arrested at South Saginaw and James Savage roads for drunken driving. 4:20 p.m. Police investigated a hit and run traffic crash that occurred in the 100 block of West Main Street. 4:33 p.m. A stone pylon near a Mills Township homes driveway was struck by a vehicle. 7:03 p.m. Deputies were called to an Ingersoll Township home for a report of a man who was trying to harm himself, and learned a domestic assault had occurred. A report is being sent to the prosecutor. 7:11 p.m. A 25-year-old woman was arrested in Porter Township for driving on a suspended license. 7:11 p.m. Deputies arrested a 47-year-old man for a probation violation at a Porter Township home. 7:53 p.m. Police investigated a case of a sexual assault at an Isabella Street home. YONGSAN GARRISON, SEOUL, Republic of Korea The United States, in close coordination with the Republic of Korea, has deployed an additional ballistic missile defense asset to South Korea. This deployment is part of an emergency deployment readiness exercise conducted in response to recent North Korean provocations. D Battery, 1-43 Air Defense Artillery from Ft. Bliss, Texas is conducting ballistic missile defense training with elements of Eighth Armys 35th Air Defense Artillery Brigade at Osan Air Base. "The ROK-U.S. Alliance is mission focused on the real threat from North Korea, said Lt. Gen. Thomas Vandal, Commanding General of Eighth Army. North Koreas continued development of ballistic missiles against the expressed will of the international community requires the Alliance to maintain effective and ready ballistic missile defenses. Exercises like this ensure we are always ready to defend against an attack from North Korea." The unit will rehearse its ability to integrate into the joint and combined ROK-U.S. ballistic missile defense architecture. The United States is committed to working with the Republic of Korea to develop the R.O.K.-U.S. Alliances comprehensive set of capabilities aimed at defending against, detecting, disrupting, and destroying North Korean missile threats. Continued close cooperation on ballistic missile defense reflects the combined commitment of this Alliance to promoting peace and security in the Asia-Pacific region, Lt. Gen. Vandal said. This mission demonstrates the strength of the Alliance between the United States and the Republic of Korea and the resolve of both nations to maintain stability on the Korean Peninsula. Shakespeares "Romeo and Juliet," that enduring pair of star crossd lovers, are back in an engaging ISU production, directed by Kevin Rich, who is also the artistic director of the Illinois Shakespeare Festival. Rich likes his Shakespeare plays to be intimate and accessible, as they were 400 years ago when Shakespearean theater was pop culture. To that end, Romeo and Juliet is staged in the round, with an unobtrusive set (Bridgid Burge). The actors openly address the audience. Theres some gender bending and live contemporary music (a winning group of the actors sing and play acoustic instruments for 20 minutes before the show starts). School of Theatre and Dance faculty members Lori Adams (Capulet), Kim Pereira (a world-wizened and compassionate Friar Laurence) and ISU alumnus Dave Krostal (Montague) are in the cast, alongside the students. The story, of course, revolves around two young lovers who try and fail to negotiate their love through an intractable family feud, pesky fate and some really misguided potion advice. Romeo (James Keating) is teenage-petulant as the show opens. His lively band of friends cant seem to cheer him up much, but one glimpse of Juliet (Kaitlyn Wehr) and everything changes. No wonder. Wehr is incandescent. Shes innocent, charming and beautiful, all milky skin and golden-red ringlets spilling out of her braid. Their friends and cousins are full of youthful exuberance and bravado. The sword fighting (choreography by Paul Dennhardt) feels like a bunch of kids playing at being violent and then being surprised by the pain and death. Romeo and Juliets famous balcony scene is a marvel. Its funny, tender and as goofy as young love. And then it all comes off the rails. Shakespeare left Romeo room to grow as the show progresses and Keating rises to the challenge. Among the fine supporting cast were Tommy Howie as fun-loving Mercutio, Paige Brantley as fiery Tybalt and Brianna Haskell as the wise Prince. Shakespeares plays have never been well served by simply trifurcating them into comedies, tragedies and history plays. Most are a combo, none more than Romeo and Juliet. Its not a tragedy until the end, Rich says, and hes right. And alas, that makes the ending that much more powerful. BOLINGBROOK OSF Center for Health-Streator is one step closer to having the state's first non-hospital-based emergency center after action Tuesday afternoon by the Illinois Health Facilities and Services Review Board. Meeting in Bolingbrook, the board voted unanimously to approve an emergency center for the OSF outpatient facility, which is at the site of the former St. Mary's Hospital. However, the emergency center can't open until a license to operate is granted by the Illinois Department of Public Health, said OSF Regional CEO Dr. David Gorenz. Public Health has OSF's license application, which it will review, followed by a site visit to the proposed emergency center. Gorenz anticipates a Public Health license with a few weeks. Meanwhile, the urgent care center that is operating at the proposed emergency center is accepting basic life support patients as of last Thursday after Public Health approved a waiver. Critically ill or injured patients can't be treated there until it opens as an emergency center, Gorenz said. "We're very pleased," Gorenz said of the board's approval Tuesday. He acknowledged that Streator-area residents were concerned when St. Mary's Hospital including its emergency department was closed by the Springfield-based Hospital Sisters Health System on Jan. 4. HSHS then donated the hospital building to Peoria-based OSF Healthcare, which opened the 24/7 outpatient center in place of the hospital. Opening a non-hospital-based emergency center required a state law change before the state board acted Tuesday. "Today's action is a step to alleviating the concerns of area residents," Gorenz said. OSF will spend about $1.1 million on the new emergency center, mostly for upgraded equipment, he said. "This is very good news for the city of Streator and the surrounding area," Mayor Jimmie Lansford said. "It's unfortunate that these extra steps were needed." "This doesn't replace the inpatient hospital but, under the circumstances, this is the best news that Streator can receive at this point in time," Lansford said. As each day passes, the states budget crisis reaches deeper and deeper into the lives of Illinois residents. Although some of the signs are evident, such as social service agencies struggling to make ends meet, colleges and universities laying off personnel, school districts contemplating cuts and companies refusing to do business with the state, there also are less obvious impacts. In fact, its fair to say Illinois' budget problems are adversely affecting almost every business in the state. The uncertainty the impasse has caused, along with concerns about higher tax rates, have forced many businesses into a conservative mode. When businesses dont spend money on products, new employees and investments, the entire economy suffers. Meanwhile, the General Assembly is doing what it usually does during January and February a lot of nothing. In the midst of the most serious financial crisis in state history, the House and Senate have been in session six times each since Jan. 1. The two chambers are scheduled to be in session three days this week, including the governors budget address on Wednesday. They plan to take the last week of February off, meet two or three times a week for the first three weeks in March and then take a two-week spring break. Out of more than 60 possible meeting dates in the first three months of the year, the chambers will have each met fewer than 20 times. That doesnt include House perfunctory sessions, which are technicalities that allow bills to be filed and items read into the record without requiring attendance. Legislators are acting like everything is operating smoothly. This lack of urgency is a product of the way the General Assembly is structured. House Speaker Michael Madigan and Senate President John Cullerton hold a lot of power and no budget deal will happen without them reaching an agreement with Gov. Bruce Rauner. Its a fact of life in Illinois that our elected legislators react to what the leaders put together. Thats especially true on huge issues like the state budget. Still, there is value in having legislative bodies work harder. Both the General Assembly and Congress have developed schedules that allow those we elect to spend a lot of time doing things other than legislating. The budget impasse and the states financial crisis need to be treated like a crisis, meaning legislators need to be involved in meetings and the governor and the leaders should be meeting more often and get serious about solving this problem. Although they can pretend otherwise, the lack of a budget is harming our state. Not only does the deficit grow every day, but Illinois' reputation as a reliable place to work, live and do business suffers, too. Our elected officials need to get to work and stay at it until a solution is reached. Graphic Packaging Completes Acquisition of Walter G. Anderson Feb. 16, 2016 - Graphic Packaging International, Inc., today announced that it has completed the previously announced acquisition of 100% of the outstanding equity of Walter G. Anderson, Inc. from its shareholders. WG Anderson is a premier folding carton manufacturer with a focus on store branded food and consumer product markets. The company operates two world-class sheet-fed folding carton converting facilities located in Hamel, Minnesota and Newton, Iowa. Graphic Packaging International, Inc., a subsidiary of Graphic Packaging Holding Company (NYSE: GPK), headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, is a leading provider of packaging solutions for a wide variety of products to food, beverage and other consumer products companies. The Company is one of the largest producers of folding cartons and holds a leading market position in coated-unbleached kraft and coated-recycled board. To learn more about Graphic Packaging, please visit: www.graphicpkg.com. SOURCE: Graphic Packaging Holding Company See related story: Graphic Packaging Agrees to Acquire Folding Carton Producer Walter G. Anderson (1/15/2016) Alyssa Milano said she is more confident now in her life than in her 20s, thanks to her beautiful children. The accomplished actress also said motherhood has put "everything else in perspective in a powerful way." The 43-year old actress sat down with ET and divulged that she realized her purpose in life after she saw her son, Milo, who is now 4 years old. "I was like, 'Oh, this is it! This is what life is!' Even though I had a really full beautiful life beforehand, my life really began the day he was born." "Motherhood does put everything else in perspective in a powerful way," Alyssa added, who also has a one-year-old daughter, Elizabella. The "Who's the Boss" star said she is more confident than before and not afraid to take risks, which she credits to her children. Milano also took the time to discuss the sensitive subject: breastfeeding. The actress believes that the need for lactation consultants after giving birth is "crazy." And for her, the effective way to solve the problem -- to normalize breastfeeding in the future -- is to "see other women breastfeeding so that it becomes acceptable and normal for their generation." The actress also shared an exciting news. Milano revealed that there is a huge possibility for the possible reunion of the iconic cast of the former WB series, "Charmed." "It seems like that's going to happen any second," Milano said. "We're all totally on board for that." Meanwhile, Milano is currently busy hosting the "Project Runway: All Stars," which she enjoys the most. She said aside from the fact that she's working with her friends: Georgina Chapman and Isaac Mizrahi. "I really enjoy is just being surrounded by the creativity of these designers," she told Paste Magazine. "It's really inspiring seeing what they are able to accomplish." The recent Zika virus outbreak started in Latin America. Some cases of Zika virus from people who travelled to Latin America have also been reported in the United States. And now, the Zika virus has come to Russia. REUTERS reports that Russia has recorded its first case of Zika virus infection from a tourist who acquired the disease in the Dominican Republic. "The first infection with Zika has been recorded. This is a 36-year old Russian woman who was in the Dominican Republic and came back to the Russian Federation in February," Russian Health Minister Veronika Skvortsova informed the media. The health minister also said that the infected woman's family did not test positive for the Zika virus and that the government are testing people coming from countries affected by Zika virus. "We are extremely cautious," Skvortsova said. "Our specialists have come up with excellent methodological protocols for immediate diagnosis of Zika, and also preventive measures." The World Health Organization has already declared a global health emergency, with more than 30 countries and territories affected by the Zika virus. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have already issued a Zika travel notice for countries and territories such as Barbados, Curacao, Dominican Republic, Guadeloupe, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, Mexico, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Venezuela and many more. Pregnant women are warned to delay their visits to these Zika-affected areas. The Zika virus has been linked to the development of birth defects like microcephaly in babies as well as Guillain-Barre syndrome. According to Mayo Clinic, microcephaly is a birth defect in which a baby's head is much smaller than the normal size as well as brain abnormalities while Guillain-Barre syndrome is a neurological disorder that involves a person's nerves being attacked by his own immune system which can lead to paralysis. An ISIS sex slave survivor shared details about her horrifying moments with the jihadists as she pleads to the humanity to be united against the terrorists. She revealed that she was raped, tortured and forced to watch her family slaughtered. In a report by the Daily Mail, Nadia Murad Basee Taha, 21, appealed to the citizens to be "united in facing the ISIS." She was among of the over 5,000 Yazidi women who were taken captive after ISIS swept through the northern Iraqi town of Sinjar in August 2014. She managed to escape after three months. "It is a threat to all the communities in the region. I would like everyone to help, maybe just by speaking, to help the people affected by this war," Taha said in her talk to the United Nations Security Council in London. "A year and a half has passed and the genocide against the Yazidis is continuous. We die every day because we see the world silent in the face of our plight," she added. Taha narrated that she was forced to watch her mother and six brothers be brutally murdered by the jihadists. "My mother saw them killing my brothers and then they took my mother and killed her." Taha added that she was then taken to Mosul where she was raped and tortured regularly. "But when they took me to Mosul and raped me, I forgot my mother and brothers. Because what they were doing to the women was more difficult than death," she revealed. 'Many people may think my story is difficult, but many more had more difficult than mine," Taha said. 'What we are asking for is humanity to be united in facing ISIS." According to The Sun, Taha is now living in Germany and has been working closely with the United Nations to share her experiences and horrors with the ISIS. As of press time, there are over 3,400 women who are still in the hands of the extremists. As it turns out, exclusively breastfeeding a child many not be the best solution to increasing bone health, according to a new study. "In this prospective cohort study, ever breast-feeding as compared with never breast-feeding was positively associated with bone mass in six-year-old children," said authors from the University Medical Center Rotterdam. "But exclusive breast-feeding for 4 months or longer was not positively associated with childhood bone outcomes." While early life nutrition comes as a significant factor in obtaining peak bone mass in adulthood and future risks of developing osteoporosis, breastfeeding may not be the best option for a child. Peter breastfeeds Stewie!Tag Someone #Peter #Stewie #familyguy #nipple #breastfeeding #nasty #hairy A video posted by Family Guy (@family.guy.comedy) on Feb 11, 2016 at 2:13pm PST In fact, according to NutraIngredients.com, "Components of breast milk may be beneficial to bone development but some nutrients, such as calcium and vitamin D, may be higher in formula milk." Noting their research in the British Journal of Nutrition, the team of scientists said that it could be considered that late introduction of solid food are unfavorably linked to bone development. Moreover, introduction of solid food early on has been associated with increased risk of obesity, which could potentially better influence bone development "through mechanical loading by body weight." The team of researchers used a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scan to examine the bone mineral density (BMD), bone mineral content (BMC) and bone area (BA) of the participants aged six. The results were interesting, too: Children who had never been breastfed had lower BMD, BMC and BA compared to children who had "ever" been breastfed at some point. Children who consumed formula milk and breast milk within the first four months has higher BMD and BMC, and a lower BA, as compared to children who were exclusively breastfed. Breastfeeding for more than four months did not show any association with more positive bone outcomes. Early introduction (before 4 months of age) of solid food was shown to have higher BMD and BMC, compared to solid food introduction past four months old. The study enlisted 5,000 children as participants of the Generation R study, which is "a Netherlands population-based prospective cohort study from fetal life onwards." Information has been collated from the mothers through a questionnaire on breastfeeding duration and exclusiveness, as well as the time in which solid foods were first introduced. The advancement of technology has changed the lives of many. A lot of people have thanked technology for making their lives much easier. But is technology really making human lives better, or is it giving those with cruel intentions access to pry on people's lives? A police department in Texas has posted on Facebook warning parents about apps that may be dangerous to children using cellphones. There have been many reported cases of crimes involving mobile apps. The recent killing of a 13-year-old from Virginia has caused the authorities to alert parents to be vigilant about what mobile apps their children are using on their phones. According to Today.com, it appears that the victim and her abductor met online and spent time talking using a mobile app Kik, which is a messenger most commonly used by almost everybody who has smartphones. After spending time talking to the older boy, she disappeared from her mother's house and was later found murdered and dumped in a secluded area days after, NYdailynews.com reported. The police department in Fulshear in Houston warned parents about mobile apps that can be dangerous for their children who owns a smartphone, parenting.com reports. The Facebook post urges parents to constantly check and discuss the perils of having and using certain app with their children. The post enumerated and described each app, as well as the danger that can potentially happen. Here's the list: 1. Snapchat- this app allows users to send and receive video/photos. Senders can determine how long the photo or video can be viewed. The video or photo automatically gets deleted after the allotted time. This is the app that teens usually use in "sexting" because of this feature. However, the snaps can be easily recovered and get screen grabbed. 2. Vine- this is a little bit similar with Snapchat. Vine is an app where users can take a 6-second videos and share it with their followers. Although videos created by your children are completely harmless, online predators can find access and get in touch with them in messaging apps and start telling your children things that may get out of hand. 3. Yik Yak- the app allows users to post "Yaks," which are only available to 500 yakkers closest to the one who posted it. Even though many think it is harmless, it may trigger children to use explicit languages and reveal personal information about them which, if revealed to bad people, may get them in trouble. 4. Down- the app was previously known as Bang with Friends, which is connected to Facebook. App users can sort their friends as someone they just want to hang out with, or as someone they are "down" to hook up with. This app will may trigger users to create a group only intended for hook-ups, and depending on how you look at things, this may not be something you are comfortable with. 5. Tinder- it is an online dating app which allows users to find someone he/she can have a date with. Information is pulled up from users' Facebook profile. It is very easy for minors and adults to find each other which can lead to inappropriate conversation. Other apps mentioned were Kik Messenger, Blendr, AskFM, Omegle, Poof, Periscope, and Whisper. "Parenting can be difficult already, this can make it more difficult," the post concludes. Video Credits: youtube.com/RTV6theindychannel This service applies to you if your subscription has not yet expired on our old site. You will have continued access until your subscription expires; then you will need to purchase an ongoing subscription through our new system. Please contact the Parsons Sun office at (620) 421-2000 if you have any questions Videos Sorry, there are no recent results for popular videos. Backpackers pour into the crowded alleyways of the Old Quarter, sampling street food of every variety and the cheapest beer you can imaginethis is not your parents Hanoi. Gone is the era that saw the capital of Vietnam in a constant power struggle with the French and United States. Instead, Hanoi has built itself out of the rubble of the previous century and doubles as both the government epicenter and a relic of empires past. French and Russian architecture meets modern skyscrapers, while overflowing indoor markets neighbor the highest of high end boutiques. If youre looking to walk through the urban jungles that make up Vietnams major cities, Hanoi is the perfect jumping off point for both the history-seeking traveler and the food-obsessed backpacker. 1. Ho Chi Minh Museum Photo by Max Bonem Although Hanoi did not change its name to reflect the North Governments victory in the 1970s (that honor was instead forcibly bestowed upon the countrys former capital, Saigon), Ho Chi Minhs presence is inescapable as you walk through Hanois streets. However, nowhere is his legacy more strongly felt than at the Ho Chi Minh museum and mausoleum that honors the man simply known as Uncle Ho. When a countrys recent history is as complex as Vietnams, its important to start from the beginning when trying to understand where the country has landed in present day. As theres no modern day Vietnam without Ho Chi Minh, learning his origin story and how he took a nation by quiet storm is the perfect place to begin your quest. 2. Xoi Yen Morning is a beautiful time in Hanoi and if you really want to see the city as the locals do then the morning is the time to do it. Before the shops catering to tourists and restaurants serving western classics open up, the locals drink their jet-fuel take on coffee (or ca phe) and the lucky ones are enjoying a bowl of one Hanois most under appreciated dishes, xoi yen. There are a number of shops on the outskirts of the Old Quarter that offer their own take on the classic, but the essentials to a good xoi yen are as follows: saffron-infused gelatinous rice, a fried egg, and whatever meaty additions suit your fancy. Its heavy and savory and the perfect compliment to the cavity-inspiring coffee youll enjoy before hand. Enjoy your xoi yen fully before embarking on a walking tour of the city or another day of getting lost in the Old Quarter just for the hell of it. 3. The Old Quarter If youre visiting Hanoi, theres a very strong possibility youll be staying in the citys Old Quarter. Designed before cars and motor scooters (the most popular way to navigate Hanois perplexing layout), the Old Quarters congested streets now overflow with pedestrians, bicycles, scooters, cars, buses, trucks, and stimulation of every variety. This is where tourist retirees cross paths with backpackers of every age, all while locals try to sell you everything from knock off North Face gear to paper lanterns to the iconic conical hats that are still put to good use in Vietnams more rural communities. There are streets solely dedicated to selling Christmas ornaments and toilets, while specific alleys in the garment district focus their business only on that of buttons. Youre constantly checking to make sure youre not about to be run over by any number of vehicles, and surprises lurk behind every corner. Its Hanoi at its most crazed. 4. Pho 10 Photo by Max Bonem Unlike much of Vietnam, Hanoi can actually get cold from time to time. Located closer to southern China than southern Vietnam, the northern capital can go from feeling like a humid urban swamp to a chilly country town in a matter of hours. When this happens, theres no dish better to reach for than Vietnams most famous culinary export, pho, and no better place to warm up, both inside and out, then at Pho 10 in Hanois Old Quarter. The menu is simple: 10 options of pho with the only difference being the cuts of beef you choose. The entire kitchen is on display to diners and they will not hesitate to seat you with strangers in order to prevent you from dining elsewhere when its busy. The windows fog up on cold nights and when coupled with a few Bia Hanois, Pho 10s seemingly perfect take on pho can do no wrong. 5. Hanoi Rock City Nestled on the banks of Ho Tay (or West Lake)one of the most popular neighborhoods for expats from every corner of the globeHanoi Rock City is one part performance space, one part club, and one part United Nations. Everyone ranging from hip locals and visiting English teachers to backpackers who simply never left spill into Hanoi Rock City as the evening turns into night and night turns to morning. Most bars in Hanoi are held to a midnight curfew but Hanoi Rock City is one of the few that will continue to serve until, well, the night has deemed itself over. Grab a kebab or a banh bo on the way out and greet the Hanoi sunrise with a sense of accomplishment. Photo by Max Bonem 6. Bun Ch? S? 1 Hang Manh One step below pho when it comes to dishes that are synonymous with Hanoi is bun cha, the multi-bowl feast of room temperature rice noodles, slices of fried spring rolls, grilled pork belly and sausage patties, any number of herbs, pickled apple and carrots, and a sweet, savory broth. No matter where you are in Hanoi, you can find some hole-in-the-wall serving up bun cha, usually for less than $2 per person, however, for the most memorable bun cha experience, you must visit the Old Quarters legendary Bun Ch? S? 1 Hang Manh (pictured above). What appears to be a quaint local restaurant quickly reveals its six stories of locals and travelers alike, stuffing their faces with one of Hanois oldest and most adored versions of the northern classic. Youll pay a little more here (upward of $5 per person) as its become super popular, but the experience of climbing multiple flights of steps and watching as employees almost as old as the shop itself orchestrate diners and servers, while literal buckets of food are transferred from the large rooftop kitchen to the epicenter of the restaurant some six floors down, is almost too crazy to pass up, even for Hanoi. 7. Bia Hoi Street The legends are true, you can still get a beer in Hanoi for less than $0.25. Pumped from a keg and traditionally served at tiny plastic tables in the street, Bia Hoi is the perfect beverage to pair with a banh mi or a platter of fried chicken bits from one of the Old Quarters many vendors. When the masses come out for Bia Hoi though, Ta Hien (otherwise known as Bia Hoi Street) is where they go. Nearly every bar on the tiny excuse of a street serves four cups of beer for a dollar for as long as you can stay seated in a chair. The refills keep flowing while you take in the scene mixed of locals enjoying their one night off for the week, backpackers really stretching their money, and expats showing visitors a true Hanoi night out. Its not the best beer youll ever have, but its also not the worst, which is why people continue gravitating to this overflowing alleyway night after night. 8. Hoan Kiem Lake Hanoi never stops moving. It never stops humming and thumping and vibrating, but sometimes you can stumble upon little oases throughout the city that offer refuge from the static. Hoan Kiem Lake, located just south of the Old Quarter, is one such place. Yes, its a major stop for tourists and elderly locals use the path that circles it as their location for recreation and exercise, but if you go just as the sun is setting and the citys lights start flashing on, you can experience a little bit of the tranquility that Hanoi continuously hints at, but rarely provides. Grab a coffee and take a walk around the lake, youll feel more at peace than almost anywhere else in Hanoi. Max Bonem is a writer and eater currently traveling through Southeast Asia. You can follow his travels via his blog, Instagram or Flickr. The art of Dave McKean is unmistakable. Characterized by dynamic lighting, hyper-realistic textures and exaggerated linework, the mixed-media legend seizes viewers into twilight realities of ethereal colors and Sisyphean detail. These hypnotic visions gained the most attention on the 76 covers of the original Sandman run written by Neil Gaiman. The artist would go on to produce a litany of additional graphic novels with GaimanThe Tragical Comedy or Comical Tragedy of Mr. Punch is a personal Paste favoritein addition to his sterling solo work on Cages and directing the feature film MirrorMask. The last long-form graphic novel McKean wrote and illustrated was Celluloid, an erotic fantasy that pulled from Victorian opulence and Henry Fuscelis iconic painting The Nightmare, for one of our favorite comics of 2011. For his next graphic novel, Black Dog: The Dreams of Paul Nash, McKean dissects the life of another surrealistPaul Nash. Also an illustrator, photographer and designer, Nash channeled his experiences in the trenches of World War I into striking landscapes of vivid despair and regrowth. After breaking a rib during active duty (an event McKean captures below), Nash returned to his birthplace of London where he produced artwork off the sketches created in the muddy hell of the battlefields. He served as an official war artist in both England and France. Even if youre unfamiliar with Nashs art, this pairing feels innately natural, and the book will articulate the painters journey to show how his output reflected a war that depleted continents and lives. McKean and publisher Dark Horse will release Black Dog on October 5th. Check out an exclusive preview of the ambitious project below. Official description courtesy of Dark Horse: Best known for his collaborations with Neil Gaiman, McKean defied expectations with his stunning debut as writer and artist in Cages, winner of multiple awards for Best Graphic Album. Dark Horse proudly presents a new original graphic novel by the legendary artist based on the life of Paul Nash, a surrealist painter during World War 1. The Dreams of Paul Nash deals with real soldiers memoirs, and all the stories will add up to be a moving piece about how war and extreme situations change us, how we deal with that pain, and, in Nashs case, by turning his landscapes into powerful and fantastical psycho-scapes. This article is about Bernie Sanders. Though it isnt, for a change, one that tries to make an argument for his electability over Hillary Clinton. If you want to read about how Sanders is more likely to beat the GOP in an election than Clinton, how Sanders has broken records in terms of whipping up public support, or how the stories about superdelegates blocking Sanders path to the Democratic nomination are complete bullshit, other articles have more to say on those subjects than this one. Neither does this article make the argument for dumping Clinton and stumping for Sanders based on what the pair individually offer. If you want to hear about how the two compare on progressiveness, or whos accepted what money and from whom, again youll find more detail in other articles. There are also plenty of pieces out there that clear up just how much of a communist Sanders is, for those still uncertain. (Hint: hes barely even a socialist.) This article, rather, is about optimism. More specifically, how some Democrats are currently determined to kill it for Sanders supporters. Look to social media and to the press commentariat, and youll be met with a deluge of observations and thinkpieces on how being a Bernie Sanders supporter is to be a foolish, hopeless optimist. The general argument being that a vote for Sanders is a vote not just for defeat in the presidential election, but for policies and ideas that could never possibly come to fruition anyway. When, as Seth Ackerman has pointed out, professional media commentators are ridiculing ludicrous Sanders policies they actually endorsed prior to him gaining ground on Clinton, you maybe ought to be suspicious of what their intentions are. The anti-Sanders social media brigade, however, seem genuinely hell-bent on telling Sanders supporters to get real, vote Clinton, and accept her plan of continuing where Obama left off. Some of Sanders platform proposals? Theyll never work, these people insist, so lets not even try. Lets, for a moment, take on board what these people are saying. Theyre certainly right that Bernie Sanders plans are incredibly ambitious. Just imagine having to martial an entire nation in order to carry some of his proposals out, never mind getting any of them to pass through congress. And whats the point in even attempting to break out of the destructive boom-and-bust economic cycle when Wall Street has such a grip on the political process? You know what? Lets listen to these pessimists: lets all just give up. Lets give up on universal health care, even though in other major countries like Germany, Canada and the UK (oh, and dont forget Rwanda) this system has been running just fine for decades. Lets give up on free public college, even though this, again, is something already a fact of life in places like Finland, Brazil and Estonia. Lets give up on that pipe dream of raising the minimum wage, even though the money is there (increasingly so for CEOs) for workers to get a pay rise. Lets give up on really reforming the prison system, rebuilding American infrastructure or vigorously tackling climate change, even though those are things that respectively could happen, have happened before and literally need to happen now. Hillary Clinton has positioned herself in this campaign as the realists Democratic candidate, someone wholl keep the US chugging along without attempting to make too many sweeping changes. Sanders supporters argue real change needs to happen, soon, to combat the long list of issues facing America. On the other hand, a lot of Democratic voters have responded to Clintons commitment to pragmatism and slow-and-steady change. The problem is that so many of these Clintonistas have turned to lambasting the Sanders crowd for supporting policies which have already been practically enacted around the world, and which experts (not all of them even the experts tend to disagree over the areas theyre experts on) say could be enacted in the US. A CNN Money report based on findings by UMass economics professor Gerald Friedman and released last week appeared to smash any misconceptions about Sanders being a bad or ineffective presidentat least economically. In fact, the report stated that a Sanders presidency would raise median income by $22,000, create 26 million jobs and drop the unemployment rate to 3.8%. This should have been enough to convince the Sanders detractors to go easy. It wasnt. Perhaps so ground down after years of being told to accept their crumbs while the wealth of the one percent suspiciously balloons, some continue to spread the message of the downtrodden to Sanders voters: just give up. The word naive keeps coming up, as though Sanders supporters are just pie in the sky dreamers that havent done their research first. (The press are more than happy to perpetuate this myth.) Not only are some of Sanders highest-profile supporters some of the finest contemporary mindsNoam Chomsky, Steve Wozniak, Ta-Nehisi Coates (voting for Sanders, if not officially endorsing him)but the very idea that believing in change is inherently naive is an insult to the likes of those icons that achieved it, such as two heroes of both the Clinton and Sanders campaigns, MLK and FDR. A belief that things can change for the better isas history has provennot naive, and yet this word keeps being used to describe Sanders supporters. The pessimists say its naive to believe universal health care is achievable, that public college can be free, that the minimum wage could go up to 15 bucks an hour. They say private health care, high student debts, and $7.25 per hour are the best to hope for right now. Is it not more naive, though, to blindly assume that there arent any alternatives on the table? The issue today is that people are angry, and desperate for radical change. Thats why both Sanders and Donald Trump have proven so popular with voters. One camp thinks a modification in how wealth is distributed is the solution, while the other believes cutting ties with China and kicking out immigrants is the answer. After Sanders and Trump dominated in New Hampshire, and with the pair of them surging in the polls, it currently feels like the voters who want things to remain the same are increasingly in the minority. Of course, that may change going into Nevada and South Carolina, as Sanders and Trump face a more diverse, less predominantly white electorate. But for now, lets not dismiss Bernie Sanders or his supporters. Lets not dismiss the idea of change when change is a constant fact of life; when history is full of men and women who affected the worlds course despite being regularly told their idealism was futile. Bernie Sanders is an idealist, yes, and his plans are ambitious. Nothing of this scale has been proposed since the days of Franklin Delano Roosevelt. But what harm would come to the naysayers if Sanders supporters voted to at least aim for his something better? What would be wrong with attempting to steer the country towards greater income equality, if theres a chance even half of Gerald Friedmans findings coming true? (An 11 grand salary increase still isnt bad.) And hey, if the Sanders plan fails after four years, we can always just go back to this other system. You know, the one that isnt working. Ned and The Dirt like to refer to themselves as Graveyard Indie-Rock. Sometimes they say, Backyard Indie-Rock, to pay homage to one third of the bands down-home Southern roots. Yet, Ned and The Dirt, now based in Los Angeles, have toured with the likes of rock and blues groups including The Whigs, of Montreal, Black Joe Lewis, and more. Impressively, the bands forthcoming concept EP, Wild Pack: Haunt These Woods, will only be the bands second release. The darker themes of Edgemont, the second track off Wild Pack, falls more in line with that former description, though. Bandleader Ned Durrett wrote the lyrics about the trauma and grief surrounding the his brothers death. Edgemont is about how the pain of loss is impossible to shake, says Durrett. Even after leaving everything and everyone that reminds me of Stephs death, I still feel tethered to his memory. Take a listen to the exclusive premiere of Edgemont here. Rock is a weird sort of music, says Nick Kivlen, guitarist and vocalist for Brooklyn three-piece Sunflower Bean. You dont make your best work when youre 60. All other art forms, classical music, great painters, especially directors usually make their best work well into their careers. But theres just something primal and youthful with rock music. People can be 50 and cut a great record, but I think theres a sweet spot where youre the right age, and youre young yet mature enough to make your best work. I think we get at least two more tries! I dont know how Ill look at this album in five years. Kivlen doesnt have a whole lot to worry about. He and his bandmates (Jacob Farber on drums and Julia Cumming on bass and vocals) are all hardly out of high school, and theyre already near the height of the powers an indie rock band can achieve in this day and age. Theyve taken their native Brooklyn by storm, toured with DIIV and No Joy, been written up in Rolling Stone and now can say they followed up last years Show Me Your Seven Secrets EP with an equally impressive debut LP, Human Ceremony. The EP we put out last year is long, Kivlen says. So it almost feels like our first album, but [Human Ceremony] is definitely the culmination of the last two years. The new album is one thats as comfortable with classic rock influence as it is with the kosmische music of Germany thats inspired everyone from David Bowie to Zach Cole Smith. Talking to Kivlen as confident as he is in rock and youths interwoven partnership he seems like the kind of person whos still a bit of an old soul. Human Ceremony sounds very current, but the contemporary is very informed by the classic. It was really important to us to make an album that has a wide range, a depth of sound that captured all the different things we like to do, he explains. The heavier riffs to the sweeter pop songs are all sounds we like to work within. We were really inspired by the first Velvet Underground album and [Led Zeppelins] Houses of the Holy, too: records that have a lot of dark in them but also a lot of light in them. One of the most interesting things about the band is how their diverse palate of influences causes their listeners to hear different things in their music. To the Captured Tracks junkies of today, theyre easy to classify as edgier dream pop. To those sworn to the school of days gone by, theres plenty of Pink Floyd and even Black Sabbath to pick out of their sound. Were just as influenced by bands that came out in the last few years, like Beach House and Tame Impala and Thee Oh Sees, Kivlen says. I love all those bands. Older people were writing to us saying we didnt sound a thing like Pink Floyd or Led Zeppelin, and I was like, were not really trying to be. The experimental music of 70s Germany also made a dent on Kivlens musical psyche, although its something hed qualify given how broad that classification is. The thing with Krautrock is, its a term that means a lot of things, he says. Amon Duul and Can sound like very weird, experimental 70s hard rock where Neu! sounds like nothing thats ever been done before. I think Neu! is the Krautrock band that influenced our sound the most. When I was in high school, one of my close friends was super into Tago Mago. I never was really that big a fan of Can until after taking a few months to listen to them. With Neu!, it was pretty much an instant thing. The second I heard Hallogallo, I identified with it and knew it was something Id want to draw influence from. The drumming and the repetition of the basslines are pretty big parts of Sunflower Beans sound. Ultimately though, what Kivlen and his bandmates hoped for the most was to make music thatd stand out from the pack. All these swathes of influence arent meant to inspire callbacks to other bands so much as a unique take on the sounds of then and now. Our band was kind of a reaction to the music scene in Brooklyn around 2012, he says. I was really sick of all the post-rock and noise rock, this shoegazey grunge, that was really popular in Brooklyn at the time. I wanted to start a band that was more comfortable with a classic rock sound. Led Zeppelin, Fleetwood Mac, bands like that. The lushness of the bands sound also taps into the rock tradition of inculcated propulsive riffs with lyrics about spirituality. Kivlen laughs about how he was the first among his friends who stopped believing in God, but hes made something of a journey home in terms of at least appreciating the ancient spell religion and spirituality still casts over the world. Its something he really thinks came through on the record. Its hard to grapple with that kind of thing in this synthetic 2016 world we live in, he muses. The album talks about technology, medicine and all those things as much as it talks about spirituality and religion. I just love how ancient religion is, and I like juxtaposing it with the future and modern times. I love old sci-fi books, dystopian novels and just thinking about the end of the world. Its a style of writing championed by bluesmen up through the shoegazey spirituals of Jason Pierce. The latter actually directly inspired Kivlen in his own approach to writing. People were asking [Jason Pierce] about his use of religious figures in his music, and he said, When you ask God to send you an angel, youre not asking about fixing your fucking car, Kivlen relates. Just like how its so ancient and so much a part of who we are as humans. I like using the language to surpass religious meaning and really get to the root of what people are saying when they ask for help from the universe. All those old songs from Bob Dylan to the Byrds to the Stones have religious icons in them. Still, making music of lasting spiritual import doesnt necessarily translate to a band being successful. Luckily, Sunflower Beans innovation is directly translating into publicity and what could end up being staying power. Their current degree of success isnt something that goes unnoticed by the band either. Theres a niche culture of people who pay attention, he says. Its really, really exciting, and Im really, really grateful to be at the point we are without having an album out. Its kind of a leg up since weve already done two European tours and two American tours before it was released. Sunflower Bean doesnt really seem like something thats going to be slowing down soon. Its probably part and parcel with Kivlen and companys desire to make their best work now. For fans of Human Ceremony, the wait for its follow-up doesnt seem like itll be one plagued by much delay. Were already working on the second album quite a bit! he says. I usually write a ton of material, take it to the band and then we flush it out in the practice space into actual full songs. Were gonna have one song on this next tour that isnt on the album and we havent played before that were all super excited about. I think its the best song weve ever written. So you can tell were already excited about the second record! SB is band of youths who are looking to the past, present and future for inspiration. At the end of the day, isnt that what the best rock music has always been about? There are people in this world who get genuine pleasure in wasting their precious brain power on conspiracy theories, and what I want to say before we go any further is that I am not one of them. I dont believe 9/11 was an inside job. I dont believe the Sandy Hook shootings were invented by the government in a failed attempt to pass gun control legislation. I dont believe the moon landing took place on a Hollywood sound stage. I am not, as far as I know, a raving lunatic. Ive lived long enough to believe in Hanlans razor, which says, never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by incompetence. In fact, I believe that conspiracy theories often alter and delude the minds of believerswhen a person is overly anxious to believe something, hell skip several steps along the way and leave his critical thinking skills behind. Its a dangerous path to travel, and it gives me a little black pit of anxiety in my stomach. I dont want to see shadows in the corner, because Im afraid this will say more about meand my mental statethan about the world. I like my hats made of soft fabric, not tin foil. Recently, you may have heard Bernie Sanders supportersof which I am onecomplain about the overwhelming bias of the corporate media, by which we mean traditionally liberal outlets like the New York Times and Washington Post and even the cable news networks that arent Fox News. You may have rolled your eyes at these complaints, and I understand that. Thats exactly how Id react, under normal circumstances. I dont want conspiracies to be true, and past experience with other conspiracies has taught me that when something is too wild to believe, its probably bullshit. But after months of following the Democratic primary race, Ive found it impossible to avoid a basic conclusion: The corporate media is in the bag for Hillary Clinton, lock, stock, and barrel. And while their unrelenting advocacy may not reach the level of nefarious conspiracy, it is transparently corrupt. And if the nations center-left wants to understand why progressives seem to have staged a sudden revolt from the Democratic party, and are threatening to abandon Hillary Clinton in the general election, they have to understand this feeling of betrayal. Right or wrong, progressives have come to believe that theyre on the wrong side of a rigged system. When I discovered that I believed this minor conspiracy theory, and believed it firmly, I started to worry. So I set myself a challenge: Can you write this out, and explain yourself, in a way that doesnt make it sound like you deserve to be in a strait jacket, bouncing against rubber walls and shrieking about alien radio waves? Lucky for me, this weekend provided the perfect subject. Jonathan Capehart is a writer for the Washington Post, and last Thursday, he wrote an opinion piece called Stop sending around this photo of Bernie Sanders. I want to warn you now that this is a very minor examplea small, stupid example, in fact. I dont think it will have any tangible effect on the primary race. Yet despite its relative insignificance, it serves as a perfect microcosm for the pattern that has emerged over and over and over again in this election cycle: A dishonest narrative propagated by a supposedly neutral journalist, with perfect timing, in an attempt to smear Bernie Sanders. This one hits all the right beats, including that epiphanic moment when we discover the journalists ties to Hillary Clinton, and the purpose of the hit pieces strikes with a terrible clarity. Some writers and pundits manage to pull off the high-wire act with a subtle genius. Jonathan Capehart, on the other hand, is a blundering klutz with the delicacy of an ornery bear pawing at a Rubiks Cube. Which makes his recent saga the ideal illustration of a broader phenomenonhe wasnt clever enough to disguise his intentions, and he left us all the clues we need to expose the lie. Lets start at the beginning. Here is a photo of Bernie Sanders at a sit-in for the Committee on Racial Equality during his University of Chicago days: Last November, Time Magazine ran an article where certain classmates of Sanders argued that the photo actually showed a student named Bruce Rappaport who looked like Sanders. It wasnt the biggest dealthe Sanders campaign had used the photo in promotional materials, but nobody disputed the fact that Sanders had been at the event, or that he was intricately involved in the schools civil rights movement. It looked a lot like him, and there was no suggestion that anyone in his campaign had acted with deliberate dishonesty. After all, the photo archive at the University of Chicago listed the person as Bernie Sanders. Rappaport himself had died in 2006, so he couldnt confirm or deny his presence. At some point in January, based on the Time article, it appears that the U. Chicago archive quietly changed the name on the photo to Bruce Rappaport, but its important to note that no definitive conclusion was ever reached. The story fizzled out from there. Enter Jonathan Capehart, and Thursdays story. He notes that the campaign makes use of the photo in a biographical video, and then he drops his big bombshell: But thats not Bernie Sanders in the photo. It is Bruce Rappaport. Hmmmif youre like me, your first thought was, oh, Capehart must have new evidence. After all, hes a respected journalist working at a respected outlet, so if he were going to make such a categorical statement, he must have more proof than weve seen to date. The story continues: Classmates of the two men started raising concerns about the discrepancy last year. According to Time, four University of Chicago alumni told the magazine in November that they believed the man to be Rappaport, also a student activist, who died in 2006. At the time of the story, the photo was still captioned as Bernie Sanders in the University of Chicagos photo archive. But the pictures caption has since been changed. As far as evidence goes, this is all Capehart hasa changed caption. He contacts an archivist who calls it a case of misattribution, but provides no further details. He contacts Tad Devine, the Sanders campaign strategist, who said theres no 100 percent certainty, but that they were going by the U. of Chicago caption. Finally, Capehart hits his stirring conclusion: Sanderss involvement in the civil rights movement and his commitment to equal justice are not in question. Another old picture that appears in campaign literature and video of student-activist Sanders with the university president is not in question. That most definitely is him. Whats at issue is Sanderss misleading use of a photograph to burnish already solid credentials. For a candidate who garnered 92 percent of New Hampshire Democratic voters who said the most important trait for a candidate was that he or she be honest, the least his campaign could do is remove that photo from its Tumblr feed and stop physically placing him where he existed only in spirit. Okay. Lets take a breath and see whats happening here. First off, Capehart breaks new journalistic ground by using the word misleading in relation to the photograph. Second, he swings hard with an implication of dishonesty, and adds that the campaign should stop physically placing him where he existed only in spirit. But the truth is, Sanders was at the event, and everyone knows it. He existed in more than just spirit (whatever that means), regardless of who that particular photo showed. As I said, this started out as a fairly minor story. More than anything, it left me puzzled. Why would Capehart write it now, when the question of the photo had reached its inconclusive end months ago? Why would he declare with total certainty that the photo showed Bruce Rappaport, when that wasnt clear at all? Why would he engage in a blatant attack on Sanders, going so far as to call his honesty into question, without any new evidence? Why hadnt he at least done any new reporting? What was the point, if not to smear a candidate and lead the public by their noses to a false conclusion? Well get to the reasons, I promise, because Capehart did have a clear agenda. First, we need to examine the unbelievable fallout. Capehart appeared on MSNBC that night with Chris Matthews, doubling down on his claims and assuming a semi-outraged, semi-sneering tone that he hadnt used in the article. This picture right here that theyre sending around, trying to say that hes been in the trenches, fighting for us, fighting for civil rights? Capehart said. Thats not Bernie Sanders. Thats Bruce Rappaport, a fellow student activist at the University of Chicago. The photo, it turns out, was shot by a famous Civil Rights movement photographer named Danny Lyon. Lyon saw the original Time story, and in late January published a blog post affirming the fact that the activist in question was Bernie Sanders. He told the same thing to Phaidon in early February. Capehart either ignored these posts, or never bothered to perform a simple Google search to look for themthat would be too much like honest journalism. After he published his article, there was an immediate backlash from Sanders supporters, and Capehart seemed to understand that he might have made a mistake. Which set him in motion, leading to tweets like this one on Saturday: Spent the day doing my job. Reporting. Getting the facts. Thinking before writing. New Bernie photo piece coming soon. Not so cut and dry. Jonathan Capehart (@CapehartJ) February 13, 2016 The first time I saw this tweet, I laughed out loud. Capehart's tone is richafter being attacked by Sanders supporters on Twitter, he wants to take the high ground and get a pat on the back for doing his job and reporting and getting the facts and thinking before writing when those are the exact things he didn't do for his original story! What amazed me about this tweet was that he appeared not to sense any irony in his indignant position. Meanwhile, Danny Lyon had unearthed more photos from that sit-in, including these: The student there is clearly Bernie Sanderseven Capehart can't find a way to dispute thisand he's wearing what looks to be the same exact outfit as the person standing in the other photo. Following this revelation, a few things happened very quickly: 1. Time ran a follow-up piece featuring an interview with Lyon, who confirmed that his contact sheets confirmed that the new photos had been taken immediately after the controversial photo. Did these guy switch sweaters or something? Lyon asked. It's Bernie. They're in a sequence. There are three closeups If the close-ups are Bernie Sanders, then the guy sitting in previous frame is Bernie Sanders. [If that is Bernie Sanders] then the guy standing up facing away from the camera is Bernie Sanders. 2. Having seen the new photos, the University of Chicago changed the photo caption to once again identify the speaker as Bernie Sanders. 3. Jeff Weaver, Sanders' campaign manager, told CNN that the campaign was now 100 percent confident that the picture in question was of Sanders. Based on the influx of evidence, the only conclusion for any reasonable person to draw was that the original photo showed Bernie Sanders. All eyes turned to Capehart. Capehart began teasing his new story on Saturday: This is a story where memory and historical certitude clash. Jonathan Capehart (@CapehartJ) February 13, 2016 Where the doubt of a campaign strategist slams up against a university archive. Jonathan Capehart (@CapehartJ) February 13, 2016 Where the word of a proud photographer conflicts with the pride of an ex-wife and friends. Jonathan Capehart (@CapehartJ) February 13, 2016 Where the youthful Civil-Rights activism of Bernie Sanders and Bruce Rappaport collide. Jonathan Capehart (@CapehartJ) February 13, 2016 This is the point where, as a Sanders supporter, I started to get angry. Why wasnt Capehart just admitting that hed gotten it wrong? Why had he adopted this new melodramatic language? Didnt he understand that his attempt to cover his own tracks was blatantly obvious, and that no matter how much bullshit he tried to heap on his original mistake, it would only make him look worse? Apparently not. He dug, and dug, and dug, shoveling himself deeper into a hole of his own making, and finally, on Saturday, his follow-up emerged with the infuriating title Bernie Sanders and the Clash of Memory. Because, sure, a difference in memory is the real issue here, not the rash dishonesty of a journalist with an agenda who had failed to do basic research before printing a smear piece. The lede graph, it turns out, was exactly what hed teased in his tweets: This is a story where memory and historical certitude clash. Where the doubt of a campaign strategist slams up against a university archive. Where the word of a proud photographer conflicts with the pride of an ex-wife and friends. Where the civil rights activism of Bernie Sanders and Bruce Rappaport collide. I have to give Capehart some credit: This is a ballsy attempt at obfuscation. For a guy who was embarrassingly derelict in his duties to spin this into some crazy fog of history piece, rather than accept responsibility for a screw-up of epic proportions, takes some chutzpah. Its deeply unethical, of course, but not without a dash of devil-may-care bravado. We really dont need to go over the whole article, because its basically a litany of excuses, half-truths, and irrelevant complications. Capehart prints Lyons comments, in which he calls the original story outrageous and presents the same indisputable evidence that his original photo showed Bernie Sanders, not Bruce Rappaport. Following that section, Capehart gives the stage to Randy Ross, Rappaports ex-wife, who insists that Lyon is wrong becausewell, because she was married to him for five years, and feels it in her gut. A couple former classmates, Capehart tells us, also believe it was Rappaport, but dont know for sure. None of the naysayers have anything approaching proof, but they get about three times the space afforded to Lyon. Reading it now, for the umpteenth time, Im still shaking my head. Its simultaneously one of the most outrageously brazen pieces Ive ever read, and also one of the most cowardly. Capehart went on to flood his Twitter feeds with quotes from Ross and others, and finally implied that he was somehow exonerated by the fact that everyone he interviewed in the story was a Sanders supporter. He spun so hard, and so fast, that hes probably earned himself a campaign job for the next election cycle, provided theres a candidate who has completely dispensed with honesty. And competence. We know Capehart screwed up, and we know hes allergic to accountability, but theres sitll one thing we dont know: Why? Lets look at the evidence. First, this happened in the wake of Bernie Sanders big win in the New Hampshire primary. The story ran on the day of a presidential debate where Hillary Clinton would repeatedly invoke Barack Obama in an attempt to shore up the black vote that is meant to serve as her firewall in states like South Carolina. One of the big obstacles to that firewall is Bernie Sanders record as a civil rights activist, so an obvious tactic for a Clinton supporter would be to diminish that record. And what better way to undercut that period of his life than to show that Sanders campaign is using false evidence to bolster his record? Using a fake photo to trump his activism, and using it intentionally, would be a genuinely despicable move by Sanders, and we all know that in the current media climate, leveling an accusation is almost as good as proving it. Considering the timing and the subject matter, its hard to imagine this was anything but a calculated hit. The next step is to tie Capehart to Clintonto produce the ugly epiphany I mentioned in Part One. As it turns out, this was easy. Capeharts live-in partner is Nick Schmit, who was the travel compliance director for Hillary Clintons 2008 campaign, worked with the Clinton Foundation before that, and had a job in her state department. (Shockingly, his LinkedIn profile appears to have been recently set to private or deleted.) Thats bad enough, but forget Schmit for a second. Lets look at the first and last paragraphs of an obituary for a man named Howard Paster: WASHINGTON, DCHoward Paster, who was a key advisor to Bill and Hillary Clinton, helped revive Hill & Knowlton as a global public relations force during the 1990s, and went on to lead all of WPPs public relations holdings, has died at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore. Paster, who was 66, had encephalitis caused by a brain tumor In 2002, he was named executive vice president of the WPP Group, responsible for the firms public relations holdings, which include Burson-Marsteller, Cohn & Wolfe and Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide as well as H&K.In 2008, he served as chief operating officer for Hillary Clintons presidential campaign. In a statement, the Clintons said: We will remember Howard for his passion and candor, and his dedication to public service. And next, we turn to Capeharts Wikipedia page: In December 2004, Capehart joined the global public relations company Hill & Knowlton as a Senior Vice President and senior counselor of public affairs. He joined the staff of the Washington Post as a journalist and editorial board member in 2007. If your jaw isnt on the floor, it should be. Now, theres a limit to far how Im willing to take this conspiracy theory. Is Jonathan Capehart part of a far-reaching, insidious plot to undermine Bernie Sanders? Probably not. But do I believe that his connections to Clinton, through Schmit and Hilles & Knowlton, utterly compromise him as a neutral commentator on this primary campaign? Do I believe that he had a specific anti-Sanders agenda when he wrote the article, and that he completely failed every test of ethics and accountability? Should we be deeply disturbed by his ties to Clinton, and suspect that he published this story purposefully to undermine Sanders with black voters? Ab-so-lutely. And as any Sanders supporter will tell you, whats truly disturbing is that this stuff keeps happening. Here are just a few examples: 1. Chris Matthews, the Hardball host who helped spread Capeharts story and takes every chance he can get to attack Sanders on airto the point that Esquire called a recent interview with Clinton ahistorical and out of boundsis married to Kathleen Matthews, who is currently running for the House of Representatives in Maryland. She worked closely with the Clinton Foundation in her previous role, and has out-raised her opponents in the primary campaign thanks to out-of-state donors who are some of the biggest supporters ofHillary Clinton. On air, Chris Matthews has never mentioned a conflict of interest. 2. The DNC, which blatantly rigged the debate schedule to favor Clinton (before adding more debates the minute she looked to be in trouble) and has recently rolled back a ban on federal lobbying in order to pump more cash into Clintons campaign, is led by Debbie Wasserman-Schultz, who was Clintons campaign co-chair in 2008. 3. After the irredeemable mess at the Iowa Caucuses, the state party chair, Dr. Andrea McGuire, has resisted both a review of the vote and a release of popular vote totals, despite calls to do so by many, including the Des Moines Register. McGuire was a co-chairwoman of Clintons Iowa campaign in 2008. Heres a picture of her current license plate: 4. Even, yes, Planned Parenthood, who Sanders was criticized for calling part of the Democratic establishment. The fact is, the organization has never endorsed a candidate in the primary before this year, and it looks even stranger considering Sanders 100 percent career pro-choice voting record. Until you consider the deep personal and financial tiesamong many other things, Lily Adams, daughter of PP CEO Cecile Richards, was hired as Clintons press secretary. The list goes on, and on, and on, and I havent even gotten into the endless editorials from places like the Post and Times attacking Sanders. In both the political and media realm, the fact is that corporate entanglements have polluted the process and the discourse. Any progressive that still trusts the establishment is no better than a sucker. Your instinct may be to defend this as politics as usual, but heres the problem: Its making the countrys progressive left feel as though the system is built to keep them down. Starting with Bill Clintons candidacy, establishment Democrats have embraced a philosophy of triangulation that has moved the party to the political center, resulting in anti-progressive legislation like welfare reform, financial deregulation, and disastrous free trade pacts. The two-party system has isolated the American political left, who seemingly had no choice but to vote for Democratic candidates who aligned with them on social issues, but not economic ones. But for the first time in decades, a candidate with a legitimate progressive worldview has gained enough support to be a viable choice for the party nomination. And the establishment is fighting tooth and nail against him. The centrist neo-liberals havent seen a threat like this since their ideological shift in the 90s, and its highlighting a great divide. Progressives like myself have begun to see that the conspiracy is realthe rules favor the elites, and when they dontwell, no problem. The rules get changed. Sanders has an iron grip on the hearts and minds countrys youth, and without those voters, Clinton will have a difficult time in a general election. An increasing number have publicly avowed to abstain on principle if Sanders doesnt win the nomination, and many more will do so out of apathy toward Clintonturns out, fatalism and premature capitulation arent very attractive. As the center-lefties begin to see this play out, they react with dismay and anger. Why would anyone do anything that might help put a Republican in office? Theyre all missing the point. When you hear Sanders supporters insist that they wont vote for her when the time comes, dont make the mistake of thinking these people are naive, or spiteful, or ignorant of the consequences. Its a simple case of feeling disenfranchised, and refusing to participate in a corrupt system that screws you with one hand and expects your support with the other. Its too insultingtoo utterly demeaningto play along. Lets go back to Capehart. Whats hardest to bear, from our perspective, is that theres no indication hell face any consequences. Imagine for a moment that instead of attacking Sanders, Capehart had slandered Hillary Clinton. Imagine his tactics were similarly dishonest, and the so-called evidence he used was debunked a day later. We all know how that would play outthe full power of the establishment would come down on his head like a ton of bricks, and the only way hed avoid being fired was if he managed to resign first. But he didnt attack Clinton. He attacked Sanders, and Sanders supporters dont have any real power. Theyre the people in the comment section, and on Twitter, and on the blogsoutraged, but essentially voiceless. So Capehart will emerge from this without a scratch. Of course he will. He didnt screw anybody with actual influence, and holding him accountable isnt even a consideration. Thats how this game works, dummy. And the message to progressives, from the Washington Post and the broader political and media establishment, is crystal clear: You dont fucking matter. Oh, God, no. No X-Files, no. Ive been a sturdy defender of Chris Carter for weeks now, ready to take to the mat any criticism levied at his totally satisfying 10th-season premiere, ready to apologize for his humdrum direction and lack of any discernible graceand this is how Im rewarded? This is what my loyalty and steadfastness deserves? The Lumineers? Ho hey: This episode got real bad in a hurry. Im generally willing to excuse the way in which Carter has a tendency to erect big cases around even bigger straight-from-the-headlines fodder, because even though the writer-director rarely makes any useful statement about such ideasor expresses much in the way of tastefulness or delicacyyou have to give him credit for anchoring his high concept plotting in the realm of real world events. I mean, the whole bombing beginning of the Fight the Future film, so purposefully reminiscent of the Oklahoma City bombings, would never sit well with anxious post-9/11 audiences, but I also mean: There was no real reason to allude to the bombings in the first place. Partly because Carter never seemed to realize that to tie such tragedy to an actual major government conspiracy was a pretty irresponsible plot device, and partly because he seemed to want to make a point, but only got as far as implying one, which, as far as the audience was concerned, was that such a tragedy was a government conspiracy, which surely couldnt have been his pointright? Babylon begins with a terrorist bombing. We follow the perpetrator (Artin John) as he goes about his mundane Muslim morning: He prays, he makes what looks to be a jelly sandwich, he drives around his Texan town suffering the typical glances and blatant racism most Muslims have come to expect in a country where Donald Trump is a viable leader. And then he meets up with a friend, a fellow Muslim, and together they walk into an art gallery and blow themselves up. Carters intent makes ostensible sense. He wants us to relate to this man we later come to know as Shiraz before he transforms him into a monster. But the details were offeredespecially in contrast to the thin caricatures of those racist Texans who harass Shiraz and who later in the episode complain about immigration in xenophobic tonesare only functional. In other words, Carter works in ideas, not stories. Fully formed ideas, sure, and well thought out, as the whole mythology of the show has proven, but theres nothing unique to them. We get to know Shiraz as an ordinary personso ordinary, in fact, that his suicide bombing is the only distinct thing about him. Carter doesnt seem to understand that, when it comes to storytelling, there is a very broad difference between seeing the Other as human being and relating to the Other as one. Which would maybe be too critical of the shows creator were the episode not trying so fervently to get to the root of what it is that causes people to commit such heinous, evil acts. Its a question on Mulder (David Duchovny) and Scullys (Gillian Anderson) minds when theyre contacted by agents Miller and Einstein (Robbie Amell and Lauren Ambrose, respectively), who are so obviously a mini-Mulder and mini-Scully that Carter has the characters comment on the similarity more than once, because Carter believes that nothing is true until its been uttered aloud at least twice. This is also a concept Mulder brings up to steel-faced Doctor/Skeptic Agent Einstein (who admits the icon is a distant cousin, because everyone is thinking it), convincing Scully Jr. that words are powerful, weighty things, ableshould that power be harnessed properlyto actually change the fabric of reality. Somehow Mulder parlays this explanation into a suggestion: As a doctor, Agent Einstein will legally administer psilocybin to Mulder, who in a mental state where the boundaries between the physical and spiritual world have been eroded, will talk to the comatose Shiraz, who survived the blast but is on the verge of death. What this has to do with the power of words isnt really made clear, but it does offer a chance for Mulder to do some serious drugs, which he seems to be pretty stoked on. Einstein asks Mulder why he wouldnt just have Scully administer the drugs, to which Mulder responds that he doesnt want to trigger Scully, what with the recent loss of her mother. I also think that Mulder secretly doesnt want Scully to scold him for finding an excuse to trip balls on the governments dime. Meanwhile, Scully and Miller attempt their own methods to try to communicate with the near-dead terrorist, hoping that through studying his encephelograms they can translate brain waves to a yes or no dialogue, thereby figuring out who may be behind any further terrorist bombings. There method is of course much slower and less fun than Mulders, but in both scenarios the young agents are able to prove their mettle to their well-regarded seniors. Similarly, Ammell and Ambrose prove themselves capable of taking up the reins of a younger X-Files generation, should it ever come to that. Mulders spirit quest is an exceptionally goofy sequence in an otherwise self-serious episode, and even though we get some hallucinated cameos from the Lone Gunmanand even though Mulder imagines that he has some redonkulously huge rings that spell out MUSH on one hand and ROOM on the other, which is just so awesomethe whole affair feels like were watching Hillary Clinton do the Nae Nae on Ellen: Its a joke thats more desperate than funny. Mulders oneiric fit ends on a vision of an apocalyptic River Styx, his boat piloted by a whip-wielding Cigarette Smoking Man (William B. Davis), which is an evocative set piece, but it all feels so uncharacteristically unearned that the shift in tones and visual language is mostly jarring. Of course, both Mulders trip and Scullys brain wave idea end up contributing to the four agents being able to suss out the location of the terrorist cell from the dying Shariz, which then leads to a slow-motion montage of agents storming the shitty hotel where the stereotypical terrorists are all learning how to blow themselves up. This is markedly fine: Carter goes out of his way to have all of the characters comment on how not all Muslims are terrorists, eventually attempting to paint Shiraz as an innocent boy caught up in an all-consuming ideology. None of this is accomplished with any measure of moral grey, Carter never really demonstrating hes given serious thought to the incredibly complicated issues hes confronting, but at least hes not advocating blind patriotism on a show about governmental law enforcement. But then there are the Lumineers. Then there is Hey Ho soundtracking Babylons final five minutes as Scully visits Mulder at his unibomber-y cabin, and together they walk hand in hand discussing no less than why terrorists are terrorists. Words have weight, humans are contradictory, God is unknowable, and so on: Their conversation is a mess of preposterous line-reads, capped inexplicably by an epic zoom-out, the final shot of which is the whole Planet Earth. And the final sound before cutting to credits? That of a Lumineer saying either hey or hoI cant remember. Its dumb; it doesnt matter. None of this matters. Maybe you like the Lumineers. Maybe you dont think that having Hey Ho wring all melodramatic weight from a scene of Mulder and Scully emotionally reconnecting after so long is heavy-handed, or cheesy, or just pretty stupid. Maybe you found Mulder square-dancing to Billy Ray Cyrus a bold move on Carters part. Still, after three episodes of intimacy and tender honesty dealing with Mulders and Scullys lives apart from each other and apart from the X-Filesthree episodes of frank depictions of beloved characters dealing with loss and trauma and failure and obsessionBabylon is an ultimately clumsy stumble from greatness. You are my struggle, Chris Carter. Stop doing this to me. Dom Sinacola is Assistant Movies Editor at Paste and a Portland-based writer. Hes been to at least one X-Files convention, no more than five. You can follow him on Twitter. In his previous documentaries, Michael Moore has tackled singular subjects: the departing of Michigans auto industry from Flint in Roger & Me; gun violence in Bowling for Columbine; the September 11th attacks in Fahrenheit 9/11; and the financial crisis in Capitalism: A Love Story. His latest documentary, Where to Invade Next, is more expansive in scope, addressing multiple socio-economic issues that are all related to restoring Moores version of the American dream. Theres no doubt where Moore falls on the political spectrum, so it should be no surprise that the film is anything but fair and balancedbut it doesnt have to be. As in his previous works, the filmmaker has a point to make and isnt afraid to insert himself into the discussion (albeit a little too much). While its frustrating to watch Moore examine education, incarceration, womens rights and other topics on such a myopic micro-level, the film does ask thought-provoking questions about American society. If nothing else, Where to Invade Next should start a conversation about real ways to make America great again. The films title, its accompanying poster (Moore in front of the Joint Chiefs of Staff) and the first five minutes are a bit misleading. Moore opens with flyover shots of Washington, D.C., perusing its monuments with a military march playing in the background. After he reminds us that America hasnt won a war outright since WWII, disparate images, text and voiceovers follow. George W. Bush talks about freedom, while Eric Garner tells police holding him down, I cant breathe. President Barack Obama promises to hunt down terrorists while onscreen a 5- or 6-year-old girl gets a pat-down at an airport. We assume Where to Invade Next will be a critique about the funding and training of the military or police in America, but the intro is a McGuffin. Its a hokey setup that allows Moore to explain and inject himself into the films storyline: Hes going into mostly European countries for a one-man invasionclaiming those ideas that work in other countries to bring back to the U.S. In Italy, he playfully comments how everyone looks like theyve just had sex, and wants to know the secret to the relaxed Italian lifestyle. He interviews a couplea policeman and a fashion buyerabout their job benefits, particularly their six weeks of paid time off. The conversation is interspersed with the pairs vacation photos from around the world. Theyre shocked to learn that working Americans arent guaranteed time off. Moore visits other Italian companies, including motorcycle manufacturer Ducati, and speaks to CEOs who believe in a work-life balance, good benefits and two-hour lunches. Life is good for all Italians, Moore posits, because of more sex and vacationexcept that he fails to mention anything about the state of the Italian economy. The countrys unemployment rate hit 11.4 percent in Decemberwhich, its worth noting, is a three-year low, and thats compared to Americas unemployment rate around that time, which was a solid 5%. The rest of the film follows suit, with Moore invading countries, planting American flags and cherry-picking the best ideas from each country. In France he dines with public school children for luncha multi-course affair that includes plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, seafood, lamb, cheese plates and water (the only beverage served at most schools). Its both horrifying and hilarious to watch the French school kids react to photos of unidentifiable American school lunches. In Finland, Moore speaks with teachers about the highly successful Finnish education system, which advocates for more recess and less homework, focusing on learning rather than training to pass standardized tests. In Slovenia, Moore extols the virtues of free college education; in Norway (with its low murder and recidivism rate) he visits a prison that seems more like a dormitory, with private bathrooms, TVs and no uniforms. Womens rights issues take center stage in his visits to Tunisia, a Muslim country, where abortions are government subsidized, and in Iceland, which elected the worlds first woman president, Vigdis Finnbogadottir, in 1980. Moores not subtle about shifting the conversation to suit his needs, using a faux-incredulous tone, one imagines, to prompt subjects to say what he wants them to say or to offer a puzzled look for the camera. In a particularly insensitive interview, Moore repeatedly asks a father who lost his son in a 2011 massacre in Norway, whether hed kill the man responsible. The father says no, but that doesnt stop Moore from asking again and again to demonstrate the Norwegians attitude toward crime, punishment and forgiveness. Where to Invade Next begins to feel repetitive toward the end of the film, and Moore could have cut several unnecessary scenes to tighten it. In the Icelandic segment, a slow montage of various Norwegian women looking pensively into the camera feels patronizing. Another scene: Moores trip to the Berlin Wall, where he and a friend recall how they helped chip away at it just before its fall. The wall was meant to divide Berlin forever, the filmmaker says, but it only lasted 30-odd years. Its a call to action for the American public, but with Moore putting himself into the center of the scene, the message loses some of its power. On one level, Where to Invade Next works as a travel piece, but for much of the film, Moores tunnel vision only illustrates how broken American society and values really are. The films snide humor cant lift the veil of melancholy that pervades it, nor can Moore repeatedly placing himself in front of the camera to explain the most obvious ideas already on display. Sometimes, less Moore is more. Director: Michael Moore Starring: Michael Moore Release Date: February 12, 2016 Christine N. Ziemba is a Los Angeles-based freelance pop culture writer and regular contributor to Paste. You can follow her on Twitter. It looks like our 1960s plastic mold and oven heated toys are now officially antiques, folks. Mattel, which was responsible for the Thingmakera contraption that let kids build their own plastic figurines at homehas moved into the modern era with its new 3D printer toy studio. Set for release this fall, the major toy distributor unveiled its generationally appropriate in-home toy maker during this years New York Toy Fair. If you cant wait until the leaves turn though, you can pre-order the item on Amazon starting Monday. The $300 ThingMaker 3D works with an iOS or Android app loaded with blueprints. The app, which wirelessly transmits designs from your smartphone or tablet, allows users to render toys resembling everything from necklaces to skeletons. The ThingMaker Design application uses Autodesk software that ensures the app doesnt crash, providing you with a fast and easy to navigate interface. During the Toy Fair, Mattel displayed nearly two dozen color options for the printer, though it remains unclear how many colors will be loaded and available once the toy is officially released. Apparently, there is also a decent chance that users will be able to use different printing materials as well, Gizmodo reports. The printer already uses the industry standard hard PLA plastic filament, but there are plans to include a softer, more malleable plastic, as well as plastics that change color when exposed to UV rays and ones that glow in the dark. Mattel guarantees that the toys printed using the 3D studio are safe enough for children 3 years old and up. Plus, the printing head retracts when not in use, making it much harder for users to burn themselves after accidentally touching it. "We're not used to seeing growth in our check business," said Deluxe's Tracey Engelhardt, who reports a 6% to 7% increase in revenue for check orders from businesses and consumers in each of the last three quarters, driven by various factors originating from the pandemic. Ministry funds internet "smart filtering" at 11 Iranian universities 02/16/16 Source: Radio Zamaneh Iran's deputy communications minister says the ministry has entered into agreements worth 110 million toumans so that 11 universities can implement smart filtering for internet websites and social media networks. cartoon by Mohsen Izadi Ali Asghar Amidian told ISNA on Sunday February 14 that smart filtering of social media has begun to protect "families and Islamic culture". He said social media must remain in the framework of "Iranian culture and domestic policies" or else their content will be blocked. Smart filtering is the term used by Iranian authorities to describe the selective censorship of internet websites. The deputy minister added that 11 universities have been engaged in this project to "strengthen smart filtering efforts and guarantee success in online electronic warfare." Social networking websites such as Facebook and Twitter are completely blocked for users in Iran, who must employ proxies to access the sites. The government, however, has been trying to implement the so-called smart filtering strategies to allow limited access to sites which, after all, are also being used by the leaders of the country. Iranian films at Queens World Film Festival in New York 02/16/16 Source: Queens World Film Festival (QWFF) The 6th Annual Queens World Film Festival (QWFF) returns to the Museum of the Moving Image(MOMI) in Astoria, Queens, NY, and three other venues, the Secret Theatre, PS 69 and All Saints' Episcopal Church from March 15-20, 2016. 144 films from 23 countries will be screened over 6 days including films from Iran, Haiti, Nepal, Germany, England and Finland. Featuring 29 world premieres, 22 US premieres, 38 feature length and 85 short films (Narratives, Documentaries, LGBTQ, Animation and Family friendly) with 29 filmmakers from Queens, 42 female directors and 30 female producers. Four Iranian films will be screened at this year's festival: A Report About Mina (Documentary), Lima (Animation), My Sister's Photo (Short Narrative) and Oblivion Season (Feature Narrative). **** A Report About Mina showtime: 8:00 pm | Friday March 18 | All Saints' Episcopal Church Director: Kaveh Mazaheri Iran, 2014, 54min Format: Digital Festival Year: 2016 Category: Documentary Crew: Producer: Kaveh Mazaheri - Screenplay: Kaveh Mazaheri, Pooyan Sholevar - Cinematography: Kaveh Mazaheri - Editing: Pooyan Sholevar - Music: Keyhan Kalhor - Sound: Hassan Shabankareh, Ahmad Afshar - Producer: Darvash Filmmaking Team synopsis Mina lives in the slums and ruins of Tehran and has decorated the ruined walls with items she has collected and she is the godmother of dogs, the homeless, the people of the street. This film is a narration of thirteen days of Minas Life, a sad thirteen days. director Kaveh Mazaheri was born 1981 in Tehran, Iran. An interest in cinema led Mazaheri to begin writing film criticism for Iranian magazines after graduating from college in 2004. His first short film, "Tweezers" (2007), was censored in Iran. To date, he has made three independent short films and more than twenty short and long documentaries for broadcast on Iranian television. His work has been officially selected by festivals in Iran including the Tehran International Short Film Festival and the Cinema Verite Iran International Documentary Film Festival. He is the editor and author of a great many projects aside from his own. Some of the films he has directed include "Sooris Trip" (Doumentary, 2009), "Labyrinth" (Docudrama Series, 2013, 15 Episodes), and "Cockroach" (Fiction Short, 2015). His last documentary "A report about Mina" won Sepecial Mention prize and was nominated " " from "Yamagata Documentary Film Festival" (Japan-2015) , and won Best film Expressionist Narrative from "Black International Cinema Berlin" (Germany-2015). Filmography A report about Mina (Directed by Kaveh Mazaheri) - Official Trailer filmmaker's note When I was nine, my mother died. After I lost my mother, my father abandoned us, leaving my brother and I to fend for ourselves. 8 years later my father too passed away, and two years later, someone told me one day at a family gathering that he had once seen my father begging in the park. For all these years I have had a question in my mind: why did my father end up in the streets and leave us behind, never coming back? And Idecided to make a film about a homeless person. "A Report about Mina" is anattempt to root out the mystery of my father's life. When I met Mina, I realized that she must have the one I had sought for all these years. Mina is a woman living full of hope in a park in Tehran. I decided to go to Mina during the New Years holiday, when most Iranian people are having fun alongside their families and friends. I had been visitingMinas place and talking to her and others there since six months earlier, and I had somehow become their friend. I turned on my camera and just tried to record my observations. I planned only to watch, without any interfering,hoping to find an answer about my obsession about my father. My obsession had a small change: I came to understand why Mina lives in such conditions without even trying to get out. **** Lima showtime: 5:00 pm | Saturday March 19 | Secret Theater Director: Afshin Roshanbakht & Vahid Jafari Iran, 2015, 15min Format: Digital Festival Year: 2016 Category: Animation Crew: Poppets, Sets , Animation : Afshin roshanbakht & Vahid Jafari - Music: Stein Thor synopsis Lima tries to remember his lost father by repeating the old memories, until he himself gets old. director Afshin Roshanbakht & Vahid Jafari meet up first at the University in 2008, and because of their same interest in stop motion Technic, they began our Joint work in 2009 in our personal workshop. their first experience in stop motion field was a short animated movie call "Lanti" and our second one "Lima" began in 2012 and ended in 2015. Lima official trailer 2 **** My Sister's Photo showtime: 4:45 pm | Saturday March 19 | Museum of the Moving Image Director: Narges Kharghan Iran, 2015, 10min Format: Digital Festival Year: 2016 Category: Short Narrative synopsis A woman is forced to defend her sister's perceived character against tyrannical ideals. director Narges Kharghani: I'm a movie maker (Director, Producer and Writer). What I mostly make are short movies and the documentary ones. I am a Journalist and film critic too. Also I do painting some times. I love all kinds of art, maybe I will do another ones in future! My movies have been selected for many international film festivals like Italy, USA, Armenia, St Lucia, Germany, Belarus, UK And Canada festivals. I'm a member of Iranian society of film critics & writers in cinema home from 8 years ago. I''m member of Association of Iranian Journalists since 2009. My sister's photo-Trailer ***** Oblivion Season showtime: 7:00 pm | Tuesday March 15 | Museum of the Moving Image Director: Abbas Rafei Iran, 2015, 93min Format: Digital Festival Year: 2016 Category: Feature Narrative Cast: Sare Bayat, Amin Zendeghani, Jila Alreshad, Human Kiaei Crew: Cinematography: Alireza Barazande - Editing: Parham Vafaei - Music: Peyman Yazdaniyan - Sound: Abbas Rastegharpour - Production: Abbas Rafei - Set & Design : Rana Amini - Unit Production Manager : Razagh Mousavipour synopsis An ex-prostitute in Iran starts a new life by marrying her loved one, but leaving the shadow of her dark past is not as easy as it seems and to earn her freedom she must fight the masculine society. director Abbas Rafei was born in 1962 in Shiraz. he is graduated in cinematography from the university of television in dramatic literature . Abbas Rafei also established a film production company in 1995, when he produced his first movie named "Mina's secret". It has developed its activities for making many TV series, fiction and documentary movies. Until now, it has also cooperated with other movie-making companies all over the world. He has received a number of awards from the festivals all around the world. Website Filmography Oblivion Season - trailer filmmaker's note In Iran's today society making a film about prostitutes is a real challenge cause the society and government deny their very existence. Now it's much more difficult that your protagonist be an ex-prostitute. I tried to show a woman behind bars and fences all over today's Tehran, whom is trying to overcome all the intolerance and traditional and religious dogmatism in her society, to live and stay alive. A society which doesn't wish to let her forget the past. When this woman Fariba releases herself from her house that is actually her prison , she finds herself in a bigger prison that is the society. This is a true story , the scriptwriter used to have a neighbor like this and he told me when she ran away from her house nobody didnt know where she went and what is she doing until now and then It was a motivation for me to make this true story a film that shows this kind of womens issues in society. After this film has been released , the government didnt give the permission for screening for this film because of the bitter realism that was inside the scenes of this film and showed the bitter truth of the society. In Iran's today society making a film about prostitutes is a real challenge cause the society and government deny their very existence. Now it's much more difficult that your protagonist be an ex-prostitute. I tried to show a woman behind bars and fences all over today's Tehran, whom is trying to overcome all the intolerance and traditional and religious dogmatism in her society, to live and stay alive. A society which doesn't wish to let her forget the past. U.S., UK excluded from Iran's plan to issue visas at airports 02/16/16 Source: Radio Zamaneh The Iranian Foreign Ministry says citizens of all but nine countries will be able to obtain a 30-day visa to visit Iran when they arrive at an Iranian airport. The ministry identified the U.S. and the UK as being among the nine countries requiring visas prior to arrival in Iran. ISNA reported on Monday February 15 that the spokesman for the foreign ministry announced that the decision to issue visas to citizens of 180 countries right in Iranian airports is aimed at bolstering tourism. Hossein Jaber Ansari said nine countries are not included in the new visa regulations, and citizens of those countries will have go through the usual procedures for obtaining visas before arriving in Iran. Apart from the U.S. and the UK, he did not identify the other seven countries. The U.S. recently announced that citizens who have travelled to four specific countries in the past five years have to get visas to travel to the U.S., even if they are from the 38 countries exempted from requiring visas to travel there. Iran is named as one of those four countries. Visa Waiver Program Citizens of 38 countries are eligible for visa-free entry into the United States under the VWP Diplomatic relations between Iran and Britain are gradually on the mend; they were severed four years ago after the British Embassy was stormed by protesters. Iran ranked 182nd in the world on access to justice for children 02/16/16 Source: Child Rights International Network (CRIN), London The Islamic Republic of Iran has been ranked as 182nd in the world on how effectively children can use the courts to defend their rights according to new research from Child Rights International Network (CRIN). view interactive map The new report, Rights, Remedies and Representation, takes into account whether children can bring lawsuits when their rights are violated, the legal resources available to them, the practical considerations for taking legal action and whether international law on childrens rights is applied in national courts. The Islamic Republic of Iran ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and incorporated it into its domestic law in 1994. The CRC is binding, but if its provisions contradict either domestic law or Islamic standards, the latter two prevail. Children under the age of 15 require representatives to bring legal proceedings, with the exception of cases where they can prove their maturity to the court. Juvenile courts are available, and follow the same procedures for appealing to higher courts, as any other case would. Legal aid is available for applicants in criminal cases who prove that they cannot afford a lawyer, but children are not given priority. Childrens rights organisations may act as plaintiffs on behalf of children if they can obtain authorisation from the Ministry of Justice. Achieving access to justice for children is a work in progress and the report represents a snapshot of the ways childrens rights are protected across the world. The report condenses findings from 197 country reports, researched with the support of hundreds of lawyers and NGOs and is intended to help countries improve access to justice for children nationally. Director of CRIN, Veronica Yates, said: While the report highlights many examples of systems poorly suited to protecting childrens rights there are also plenty of people using the courts to effectively advance childrens rights. Our ranking represents how well States allow children access to justice rather than how well their rights are enshrined. However, it is hard to ignore how many countries with deplorable human rights records are on the lower end of the ranking for childrens access to justice. In the foreword of the report the chairperson of the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child Benyam Dawit Mezmur said: The Committee welcomes this research and already envisages its concrete contribution to its various engagements with State Parties. Child rights standards in international instruments do not mean much for the lived reality of children if they are not implemented. In particular, if the fundamental rights of children are violated, it is critical that children or those acting on their behalf have the recourse, both in law and in practice, to obtain a remedy to cease, prohibit and/or compensate for the violation. I hope this study is only the beginning of a new shift in making access to justice for children a priority that will enable other rights to be fulfilled. About Child Rights International Network (CRIN): Our goal: A world where children's rights are recognised, respected and enforced, and where every rights violation has a remedy. Our organisation: Child Rights International Network - CRIN is a global research, policy and advocacy organisation. Our work is grounded in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. Our work is based on five core beliefs We believe in rights, not charity. We are stronger when we work together. Information is power and it should be free and accessible. Societies, organisations and institutions should be open, transparent and accountable. We believe in promoting children's rights, not ourselves. Our priorities for the coming years are to: The best 2-in-1 laptop 2022: our picks of the best convertible laptops These are the best 2-in-1 laptops you can buy right now There are no shortage of details about Samsung's next-gen Galaxy smartphone, set to debut on Sunday. But just days before its official reveal, the Korean company leaked a few more specs, including waterproofing and wireless charging. The Galaxy launch site(Opens in a new window) now showcases a new set of images, including a picture of what appears to be the S7 Edge glinting underwater, accompanied by the phrase "worry-less discovery." Below a timeline of the S series, the page also includes a video showcasing the Galaxy S7 Edge's capabilities. In it, Indonesian archer Dellie Threesyadinda wirelessly charges the handset while at the gym, syncs it with an Android Wear smartwatch during a run, and watches mobile videos in the rain. The latter confirms speculation that the device will come with IP68 certification, making it water-resistant at low depths. Samsung's Unpacked event is scheduled for Sunday, Feb. 21 at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. The presserwhich will be livestreamed on YouTube at 1 p.m. ET (7 p.m. in Spain)is expected to include the launch of the Galaxy S7 smartphone, as well as some virtual reality-related announcements. Rumors about the S7 have been swirling for months; leaks tip a 5.1-inch screen with 2,560-by-1,440 resolution, a Samsung Exynos 8890 processor (or Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 in the U.S.), 12-megapixel rear-facing camera, 5-megapixel front shooter, and 4GB of RAM. Other reports, however, indicate a 20-megapixel rear camera. Plus, there is a possibility the microSD slot will make its return in the S7, after being nixed from the Galaxy S6 and Note 5 ($291.31 at Amazon)(Opens in a new window) . We might also see a second, 5.7-inch Edge version, similar to the Galaxy S6 Edge and Edge+, available now. Last week, a Spanish tech site got its hands on what it says is a display model Galaxy S7, in a shade of light gold with a curved back, physical Home button with fingerprint sensor, and thinner side bezels. The blog also suggests the new smartphone will feature the standard microUSB connector, instead of the expected USB-C port; also look out for two-day battery life and a bigger, brighter camera sensor. Samsung, meanwhile, has begun updating(Opens in a new window) Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge devices to Android 6.0 Marshmallow; upgrades to other Galaxy handsets will follow soon. Microsoft dominated the office productivity software business for years, reaping billions of dollars and positioning its Office suite as the de facto standard worldwide. In recent years, Google has driven down the cost, and some would say, the value proposition of Microsoft Office, by offering free, web-based versions of almost all of its key suite components via its Google Drive for Work (Try it Free at Google Store)(Opens in a new window) offering. This has, for many, boiled the productivity suite contest down to a binary decision: Google or Microsoft. But there's another player in the market, one that isn't as well-known, but consistently delivers innovative and compelling business productivity software: Zoho Corporation. And if you haven't heard of them yet, you will. Zoho specializes in cloud-based solutions focused on business users, often at a fraction of the cost of competing products. It was founded in 2005 by its current CEO, Sridhar Vembu, in a small apartment in Chennai, India. The company has not taken any venture capital money, nor has it filed for an initial public offering (IPO), though by all accounts its revenue is substantial. Instead, Zoho has focused entirely on launching new productsoften releasing multiple products in a given yearall of which have been very well received. Within the last year, Zoho has won PCMag Editors' Choice awards for multiple products including Zoho Books ($15 Per Organization Per Month, Billed Annually at Zoho Books)(Opens in a new window) , Zoho CRM, Zoho Docs, and Zoho Projects (Free Trial at Zoho Projects)(Opens in a new window) . Though the company has some clear winners, not every product is a winner. We were less impressed with Zoho Survey and Zoho Vault. And Zoho isn't just going after Microsoft; Zoho is taking on the industry leaders in multiple entrenched software categories, including Xero and QuickBooks Online for finance and accounting, Freshdesk for help desk and, perhaps most squarely, Salesforce.com. Salesforce recently announced a price increase on its new Sales Cloud and Service Cloud lightening editions. Zoho's Vembu responded(Opens in a new window) in a blog post: "While this sounds laudable, it doesn't pass our bulls**t test. For all its talk of adding value to customers, Salesforce spent a paltry 15 percent of revenue on Research & Development in 2015. Meanwhile, 51 percent of its operating expense went into customer acquisition (i.e. sales and marketing)." Direct terms, indeed. So, what makes Zoho different? We got answers from Raju Vegesna, Zoho's Chief Evangelist. He's a longtime player in the Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) space, and has been with the company from its founding. [PCMag] How did you specifically get involved with Zoho? And why? [Vegesna] I was part of the company, then called AdventNet, before we started Zoho. Creating online apps started as an experiment, but we eventually saw the potential in web applications, and we kept on investing. Having developed ton of on-premises apps before Zoho, we knew the pain of developing for multiple operating systems, versions, databases, etc. Complexity was high. With online apps, we liked the fact that there is only one version for every user; updates and upgrades are completely in our control. We get to fix issues right away, and we noticed higher productivity levels from our employees. Given all these advantages, we decided to double down on web apps and keep investing in them. That was how Zoho was born. Zoho Writer launched 2005. That was two years before Google Docs, but even then, Word had the market well in-hand. What did Zoho think it could do differently? In 2005, we noticed we were able to put together a good, functional, online word processor with just a few months of effort, and the size of the word-processor team was well under 10 employeesthanks to cloud-enabled productivity. We also started working on spreadsheet and presentation apps, and we figured we could do an entire office suite with a handful of employees each. We then looked at Microsoft, who has several thousand employees working on their Office suite, with revenue of around $18 billion. We figured with a small team and very high productivity, we had nothing to lose. They had something to lose: $18 billion. So we went after the office suite market. In terms of differentiation, we noticed different cloud-enabled use cases and introduced new concepts, like collaborative editing. We were innovating and educating the market on that front. The pattern repeats with other markets. How do you compete against better-known brands like Salesforce and Microsoft? At the end of the day, it is about the product. No matter how much noise a vendor makes in the market, it almost always boils down to how good a product is. For example, a PCMag review shows how good a product is; it doesn't review how good a marketing or sales team is for a vendor. We make sure the product is always the key focus in every market we play inbe it customer relationship management (CRM), accounting, email, or an office suite. Competing against bigger, louder companies like Salesforce and Microsoft starts with the product. The approach we take in competing with them is heavily influenced by the culture of the company. We enjoy creating software, and we want to keep that engineering and innovation-centric culture intact. We won't be competing with them by hiring an army of salespeople. You have to question if some of these companies, like Salesforce, are tech companies selling software or sales companies selling technology. I think it's the latter; check out their numbers. We are not that sales-centric a company; that is not our culture. We like creating software, integrating apps, making them easily discoverable, and passing value to customers. It may take a little longer for customers to discover us and that is fine with us. We are not on a quarterly Wall Street treadmill. We like to compete on the merits of the offerings. Talk to me about Zoho being an "operating system for business." How is your approach different from, say Microsoft's or Google's? By Zoho being an "operating system for business," we mean that Zoho can be the underlying fabric on which you can run your entire business. If we look at our company3,000-plus employees in six countries with paid customers in over 120 countriesall of this runs entirely on Zoho. Zoho runs on Zohofrom email to collaboration to sales, accounting, support, marketing, HR, IT, etc. Everything is on Zoho. So that is what Zoho can be: an operating system for business. We haven't seen any other vendor with a similar vision and, more importantly, the ability to execute on it. At the end of the day, it comes to putting your head down and writing the code. We have been doing that for over 10 years now and the results are starting to show. A lot of Zoho's competitors have either taken venture capital or issued a public offering to raise money. Zoho has ridden out a couple of booms and busts. Why hasn't it done the same? Great question. We have a different take on things. We are an unconventional company. We respect our freedom too much to raise venture capital. Why raise money when we don't need it and don't plan to "exit," which is selling the company or going public? On the other hand, we question the viability of several companies and their business models. We call them Post-IPO Nonprofits(Opens in a new window). At the end of 2015, Zoho launched Zoho Forms and Zoho Expense. What can users expect in 2016? At the end of 2015, we also added Zoho Motivator, CRM Gamification, Zoho Inventory, along with Forms and Expense. In 2016, you will see us expand the app portfolio further with 3-4 new apps. We will start with reintroducing Zoho Notebook(Opens in a new window) which, when first introduced, was selected as one of PCMag's Top 5 products in 2007. A significant focus will also be on deepening the current set of apps, and tightly integrating them within and outside Zoho. Zoho has more than 15 million users worldwide, but a lot of people still don't know much about the company. What is the one thing every user should know about Zoho? There is a free version of every single Zoho product. For users who have never tried Zoho, I suggest creating an account and taking a peek at the broad range of apps. Among all of Office 2016s useful new features, theres one in particular youll definitely want to take the time to master: Smart Lookup. In short, it serves as a digital research assistant, pulling in information from the Web to enhance your work or help you decipher unfamiliar content. If youre an Office regular, Smart Lookup holds the key to a more powerful workflow. Where to find it Smart Lookup is just one right-click away in any Office 2016 app. Highlight a word or phrase you want to research, right-click, and select Smart Lookup from the context menu. You can also get to this feature by launching Review > Smart Lookup and entering a query. Right-click on a word or phrase to launch Offices Smart Lookup tool. Smart Lookup works similarly in both Windows and Mac versions of Office 2016. When you launch the tool, a sidebar appears on the right side of the screen that displays the results of your query. Heres the really cool thing about Smart Lookup: It takes context from the words around the one youre searching for in order to provide you with the most relevant results, because so many words and terms have multiple meanings. Theres a reason its called Smart Lookup! Smart Lookup proves its value in many scenarios. Here are some examples. Be a word nerd Living up to its name, Smart Lookup will find a definition, synonyms, and the parts of speech for any word you highlight. Find definitions and other information to assist with writing. Select the Explore tab to get word-usage information, or scroll down the page for entries from Wikipedia or Bing search results. Click on Define for a words meaning and to hear how its pronounced. Pull in research from the web The most useful feature for me on a day-to-day basis is Smart Lookups ability to do a quick web search from within Office. Conduct web research from inside an Office application. The searches are powered by Microsofts Bing, of course. I still dont think Bing performs as well as Google overall, but for most basic searches, it gets the job doneand quickly. And you cant beat the convenience of seeing your work and research simultaneously. You still might need to leap over to the browser, as clicking one of the links will take you there. But Smart Lookup is a good way to get started before you succumb to opening 20 different tabs. Bring some smarts to your spreadsheets Smart Lookup isnt useful just for writing and editing. With Excel, you can use Smart Lookup to define an unfamiliar term you encounter in a spreadsheet. Office blog Define unfamiliar terms in an Excel spreadsheet. Those few seconds you save by not having to launch your browser can mean a lot when youre trying to finish crunching year-end balance sheets. Smart Lookup should get even smarter As helpful as it is right now, Smart Lookup could improve over time. Microsoft need look no further than its bitter productivity rival, Google, for ways to enhance the tool. For example, Google Docs research tool will insert quoted text from the Web into a document, automatically formatting it and creating a footnote citation. Thats a major boon if youre doing a research paper that requires APA or MLA formatting. Googles research tool also lets you highlight text and instantly turn it into a linkrather invaluable if you do any writing for the web. Smart Lookups already transforming Office workflow today. We cant wait to see what other superpowers it develops in the future. Microsoft has dreamed up a new kind of desktop PC, in which swapping out components doesnt require technical know-how or comfort around circuit boards. The modular PC concept appeared in a Microsoft patent application, filed last July and published last week, VentureBeat reports. The patent calls for a stack of hardware modules that sit underneath the display, which itself is also replaceable. When you want a new processor, battery, graphics card, or speakers, for instance, you just swap out the old module and add a new one to the stack. The modules could also add new capabilities to a PC over time, including gesture recognition or holographic projection. Each module would have its own housing, with magnetic connectors for easy replacement. While the idea is clever, other companies have pursued similar visions before, and havent gotten very far. In 2014, Razer introduced a modular PC concept codenamed Project Christine, but it never left the concept stage. A newer effort called the Micro Lego Computer has yet to launch after a mid-2015 announcement. Meanwhile, Acer has started selling the core unit of its Revo Build stackable PC, but none of the promised additional components. The problem with a fully-modular PC system is that its impractical without standardized industry support. Unless a wide range of component makers pledge long-term commitments to a modular system, anyone who buys in would likely pay higher prices for a limited range of products, and would have less control over the hardware than they would by building a PC in the usual way. Microsofts interest in the concept is somewhat encouraging, as the company is powerful enough to hold sway over PC vendors and component makers. If Microsoft were to ensure support for swappable modules in Windows, and maybe offer some of its own, other hardware vendors might be compelled to get on board. But as with any patent filing, the mere existence of Microsofts modular PC patent doesnt mean a real product is in the making. And it doesnt even begin to solve the significant problems facing the modular PC concept as a whole. President Barack Obama and Southeast Asian leaders will continue their two-day summit at Sunnylands resort in Rancho Mirage on Tuesday, Feb. 16. Its the first U.S. gathering for the 10 members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, known as ASEAN. Formed in 1967, ASEAN consists of Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Brunei, Laos and Myanmar. All countries were represented by their leader, except Myanmar, which sent Vice President Nyan Tun. Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan attended, reversing an earlier decision not to come. Stressing opportunities for peace and prosperity, President Obama is expected to discuss economic and security issues. The president hopes to forge deeper ties with the ASEAN countries amid Chinas assertive presence in the region. As president, Ive insisted that even as the United States confronts urgent threats around the world, our foreign policy also has to seize on new opportunities, Obama said during the summits opening remarks Monday. The summit is scheduled to wrap up Tuesday afternoon with a press conference expected around 1 p.m. The president will then fly back to Washington, D.C., on Air Force One, departing from Palm Springs International Airport. RELATED: Obama welcomes Asian leaders to landmark summit Protesters gather for Asian leaders arrival What you need to know about the ASEAN summit Get to know the 10 nations visiting Strongmen to predominate the roster Summit inspires skepticism and hope in Southeast Asia Sunnylands is world leaders sanctuary Golf, presidential homes are link in Inland desert Is Obama help or hindrance to Inland candidates? At lunchtime, President Barack Obama and Southeast Asian leaders walked outside the Sunnylands building where hey were meeting and filed into a riser for the family photo. Once everyone was up Obama, in the middle, suggested they wave to the cameras, which they did, against a beautiful mountainous backdrop on a sunny desert day. After some camera clicks, the president said, Fantastic. Turning to the others standing next to him, he said Thank you so much everybody. I hope everybody had a wonderful trip. He shook each of their hands and then they all filed back inside. Next up is a 1:30 p.m. press conference where the president and ASEAN leaders are expected to discuss the summit. Tuesdays events started around 10 a.m. when Peter Selfridge, the U.S. Ambassador of Protocol greeted the Southeast Asian delegations and walked them between a U.S. and ASEAN flag at the historic house at Sunnylands where Obama met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2013 and Jordans King Abdullah in 2014. Its the first U.S. gathering for the 10 members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, known as ASEAN. Formed in 1967, ASEAN consists of Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Brunei, Laos and Myanmar. All countries were represented by their leader, except Myanmar, which sent Vice President Nyan Tun. Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan attended, reversing an earlier decision not to come. The leaders began arriving around 10 a.m. for the second meeting period of the summit which will focus on strategic issues such as counter terrorism and maritime security. The South China Sea disputes have heated up over the past two years. Four members of ASEAN and China claim a series of Islands in the South China Sea. None of the claims has been resolved. China now has built three airstrips on reefs in two island chains and the U.S., fearing interruption of commerce through this important waterway, has sent two freedom of navigation patrols through the disputed waters. The Hemet Community Concert Association has a few unwritten rules. Among them is to focus on professional talent and not hire youth, no matter how talented. The independent concert presenter will break that rule Sunday by bringing in two young musicians to perform during the program at the Living Hope Baptist Church in Hemet. Clarinetist and composer Andrew Moses and cellist Yoshika Masuda will join forces to perform a variety of music, accompanied by Tania Fleischer of Marymount Loyola University. We do not hire talented kids, Artistic Director Diane Mitchell said in an earlier interview. Were all about top professional talent, yet were bringing clarinetist Andrew Moses and cellist Yoshika Masuda for the Feb. 21 concert. When I first saw Moses, he was 11 years old and all you could see was his feet and the music stand. Hes about 16 now, and honestly, he has the spirit of Benny Goodman. His music is so accessible for the listener because of the joy he brings to his performance. According to Mitchell, Moses performed as a soloist at Walt Disney Concert Hall at age 11, and he has been a composition fellow with the Los Angeles Philharmonic since 2013. He continues in 2016-17 as an L.A. Philharmonic senior fellow. Already, Mitchell said, the L.A. Philharmonic has performed music composed by Moses. According to Moses website, the orchestra premiered his two short symphonic works at Walt Disney Concert Hall in the past two seasons and commissioned him to write a string quartet for its 2018-19 centennial season, when he will be all of 18. Moses also received a Jack Kent Cooke Young Artist Award through the National Public Radio program From the Top, and appeared on that programs Feb. 13 taping in San Jose. Cellist Masuda completed his masters degree in music at USCs Thornton School of Music, where he is working on a doctorate. Masuda won the Midland-Odessa National Young Artist Competition (strings) in the United States and the 25th Australian Concerto & Vocal Competition. According to his website, his most recent success was at the 11th All-Japan Viva Hall cello competition, where he won first prize and the Yumetajima audience prize. He also won the USC Solo Bach Competition and the prestigious Yamaha Music Foundation of Europe String Award. The Hemet Community Concert Association concert season will continue with the group Trio Celeste on March 20. Calle Sur will make a return performance April 20, using instruments and vocals to present distinctive Latin sounds. The Hemet Community Concert Association is an independent presenter and offers five concerts each season. Contact the writer: features@pressenterprise.com Uber driver Dianna Graham pulled onto our street Saturday evening in her black Toyota 4Runner so I could do the high-tech transportation thing in low-tech Hemet. It was the responsible way to travel to a birthday party where alcohol was served. No, Uber is not new. But, its new to me using it in Hemet. I was introduced to the Internet-based ride service in cities by our children. I have used the smart-phone app to summon rides from independent contractors driving their own vehicles in San Diego, Oakland and Denver. I had no idea Uber was available in the San Jacinto Valley until I heard young adults at a recent wedding talk about using the service for rides home. Most people dont know its here, Graham said. Uber started marketing its service in the Inland region and recruiting drivers in 2014. Graham and her 2011 SUV joined the service last summer. She likes the gig because she sets her own hours and is available to her son and daughter when they get out of class at Tahquitz High. As one would expect, a service based on the use of a smart-phone by tech-savvy hipsters is taking a little time to catch on in the area. Graham put it a little more directly. Hemet is slow, she said. She said that when she gets a rider traveling to busier party places like Temecula or Orange County, she can make $200 in a night. Sometimes she might earn as little as $200 a week when driving only in Hemet. The service operates by sending pickup locations from riders to drivers. Drivers have an app that calculates fees charged to a riders credit card. Not surprisingly, taxi cab companies that pay a variety of licensing fees are not fans of Uber. Hemet is no exception. We hate them, said Diane Scott, office manager for the Yellow Cab Hemet operation. Were afraid they are going to interfere with our business. She said there is so much competition with Uber drivers and other taxis in the Temecula area that they pulled their cabs out of wine country three months ago. She said they offer a superior service because their 14 cabs are driven by supervised drivers and available 24 hours per day. Hemet Uber driver Rey Manocal, who drives a red 2014 Nissan Pathfinder, said riders tell him there are four drivers in Hemet. He drives for the company to supplement his income from working as a rigger in the San Diego shipyards during the loading and unloading of cargo. He said driving helps him support his family. He said he makes the most money when he turns on his phone app after getting off work in San Diego or cruising near bars, wineries and restaurants in the Temecula Valley. He estimated that when considering fees and a portion of a ride that goes to the company, he gets about 80 percent of his fares. In Hemet, he tends to drive people to work, pick up kids at school and take riders to restaurants. I get people after they shopped at Walmart, he said. I had a nice time chatting with Graham during our 2.9-mile cruise to to the birthday party. The charge after a complex formula based on fees, time and mileage was $5.48. The biggest advantage I see in using a cab in Hemet is that drivers are on duty around the clock and a dispatcher organizes calls for rides. Uber rides can only be requested and paid for with a smart phone. There are not many Uber drivers in the area and sometimes none are available. Graham has a small-town solution. She gives her most loyal riders her cell number. If they call for a ride, she turns on her app and picks them up. I like to help people, she said. Contact the writer: bpratte@opressenterprise.com For more than half a century, African American photojournalist Henry Hooks documented the diversity of San Bernardino. He pushed to get the black community into the citys newspapers starting in the 1940s providing shots to the San Bernardino Sun and the San Bernardino Telegram without pay or a photo credit. I was just glad to get minority pictures in the paper, Hooks said. There was no one like me showing up in the paper. From 1946 until 2004, his cameras gave him access to photograph influential African Americans visiting the area and local movers and shakers from the campaigning Rev. Jesse Jackson, who was the second African American to run for president, and actress Ruby Dee to Californias first black school district superintendent, Dorothy Inghram. Hooks also captured generations of people and events that shaped African American history in the city, largely through his role as a staff photographer for the black-owned Precinct Reporter. To mark Black History Month, 100 of his photos are on exhibit at the San Bernardino County Museum in Redlands. Community Chronicles: Photographs by Henry Hooks runs through Feb. 28. The Louisiana native became obsessed with photography at age 13. He won a 120-mm box camera by sending a boxtop coupon in to a Joy toothpaste promotion. In 1943, he came to Norton Air Force Base and was a projectionist showing training films for the Army Air Corps during World War II. He later became a civilian missile systems inspector based at Norton. Retiring in 1979, he began covering social and political events for the Precinct Reporter full-time until retiring a decade ago. A classy, engaging professional, he photographed the national NAACP convention in Los Angeles capturing then-Virigina Gov. Douglas Wilder, the first African American governor since Reconstruction, meeting local NAACP leader Willie Clark, Precinct Reporter Publisher Brian Townsend said. Not only could he frame a picture, but he could take over the scene and get the picture he wanted to get, Townsend said. Hooks captured church socials, weddings, debutantes, entertainers, politicians and families celebrating milestones in the community or the custom-built studio at the back of the yellow stucco house where he lives with wife Opal, 92, within view of the San Bernardino mountains. Last week, he pointed to photos lining walls and sitting on shelves in his old studio and talked about the many faces hes photographed. This girl now is a pharmacist. He works at Cal State San Bernardino. These girls here were going to be the Supremes, said Hooks, standing in a purple shirt and suspenders that match his brown pants. Now 94, his hands still know every contour and knob on the large format Crown Graphic 4 x 5 camera sitting on a tripod in a corner. He pulled out what was once the top-of-the-line press camera and opened it. He showed his photos of Colin Powell, who later became the first black U.S. secretary of state, and the late civil rights activist Rosa Parks, wearing a hat and scarf in a photo at an event whose significance has been lost to the passage of time. She was just like the girl next door. No air. No nothing. Just good people, he said. Hooks has diabetes and is going blind. Hes got implants in both eyes and can no longer drive. Hooks hasnt given up photography entirely he takes photos of backyard roses and tomatoes with his iPhone. He misses getting out in the community to capture whats going on. Ive had a good life, he said. Contact the writer: 951-368-9444 or shurt@pressenterprise.com Joint Statement of the U.S.-ASEAN Special Leaders Summit: Sunnylands Declaration Sunnylands, California February 15-16, 2016 We the Heads of State/Government of the Member States of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the United States of America gathered in Sunnylands, California, on February 15-16, 2016, for a Special Leaders Summit. This Special U.S.-ASEAN Leaders Summit was the first ever to be held in the United States and the very first Summit following the establishment of the ASEAN Community. The Summit marked a watershed year for both ASEAN and for the increasingly close U.S-ASEAN. strategic partnership. In 2015, ASEAN Member States celebrated the establishment of the ASEAN Community, working together toward an ASEAN that better serves the people of Southeast Asia. At our Summit in Kuala Lumpur in November 2015, we elevated the U.S.-ASEAN relationship to a strategic partnership, recognizing the transformation of our relationship over the past several years. On the occasion of this Special Summit, we the Heads of State/Government of the Member States of ASEAN and the United States of America take this opportunity to reaffirm the key principles that will guide our cooperation going forward: 1. Mutual respect for the sovereignty, territorial integrity, equality and political independence of all nations by firmly upholding the principles and purposes of the Charter of the United Nations, the ASEAN Charter and international law; 2. The importance of shared prosperity, sustainable, inclusive economic growth and development, and the nurturing of our young people to sustain continued peace, development, and stability for mutual benefit; 3. Mutual recognition of the importance of pursuing policies that lead to dynamic, open, and competitive economies that foster economic growth, job creation, innovation, entrepreneurship and connectivity, and that support SMEs and narrow the development gap; 4. Our commitment to ensure opportunities for all of our peoples, through strengthening democracy, enhancing good governance and adherence to the rule of law, promoting and protecting human rights and fundamental freedoms, encouraging the promotion of tolerance and moderation, and protecting the environment; 5. Respect and support for ASEAN Centrality and ASEAN-led mechanisms in the evolving regional architecture of the Asia-Pacific; 6. Firm adherence to a rules-based regional and international order that upholds and protects the rights and privileges of all states; 7. Shared commitment to peaceful resolution of disputes, including full respect for legal and diplomatic processes, without resorting to the threat or use of force in accordance with universally recognized principles of international law and the 1982 United Nations Convention of the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS); 8. Shared commitment to maintain peace, security and stability in the region, ensuring maritime security and safety, including the rights of freedom of navigation and overflight and other lawful uses of the seas, and unimpeded lawful maritime commerce as described in the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) as well as non-militarization and self-restraint in the conduct of activities; 9. Shared commitment to promote cooperation to address common challenges in the maritime domain; 10. Strong resolve to lead on global issues such as terrorism and violent extremism, trafficking in persons, drug trafficking, and illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing, as well as illicit trafficking of wildlife and timber; 11. Shared commitment to addressing climate change and developing a climate-resilient, environmentally sustainable ASEAN, as well as to implement individual countries nationally determined contributions made under the Paris Climate Agreement; 12. Shared commitment to promote security and stability in cyberspace consistent with norms of responsible state behavior; 13. Support for the advancement of a strong, stable, politically cohesive, economically integrated, socially responsible, people-oriented, people-centered and rules-based ASEAN Community; 14. Shared commitment to strengthen people-to-people connectivity through programs that engage ASEAN and American citizens, particularly young people, and that promote opportunities for all our peoples, particularly the most vulnerable, to fulfil the vision of the ASEAN Community; 15. Shared commitment to promote a global partnership for sustainable development through the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Addis Ababa Action Agenda, to ensure a sustainable, equitable and inclusive society where no one is left behind; 16. Shared commitment to enhance collaboration at international and regional fora, especially at existing ASEAN-led mechanisms; and 17. Shared commitment to continue political dialogue at the Head of State/Government level through our Leaders attendance at the annual U.S.-ASEAN Summit and the East Asia Summit. Making a meal out of a bass caught in Lake Elsinore would be prohibited under proposed changes to lake use regulations scheduled for Public Safety Advisory Commission review Wednesday. The meeting will start at 6 p.m. in the Cultural Center, 183 N. Main St. Requiring sport fishers to catch and release certain species to protect their population is standard practice at many lakes, but has not been in effect in Lake Elsinore. With city officials planning to restock the species, starting with a largemouth bass plant Wednesday, they are recommending a release policy. The ban could be lifted by the city manager for special occasions such as fishing tournaments. Other proposed rule changes are intended to promote lake use, such as allowing more night boating and permitting boats to tow inflatable craft. The revisions would require City Council approval. Contact the writer: 951-368-9690 or michaelwilliams@pressenterprise.com A cross-country march that aims to shine a light on drug abuse both on and off Indian reservations reached Riverside County on Monday morning. If theyre hurting they are in certain circle, they need to leave that circle and join ours, said Bernice Paipa, co-coordinator for the Southern California leg of the march that started Saturday in La Jolla. The march, which is scheduled to hit Washington, D.C., in mid-July, has been dubbed The Longest Walk 5 War on Drugs. Its the spiritual descendant of similar marches that have been held over the years to raise awareness of issues that affect Native American populations and the nation as a whole, such as methampetamine use and obesity. The marchers were hosted by the Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians on Sunday night and they were scheduled to spend the night at the Barona Resort & Casino on Monday night. Dozens of people took part in the Temecula-to-Hemet stretch of the march, which included stops in Old Town Temecula and the Promenade mall. That number is expected to swell Tuesday morning when members of the Barona Band of Mission Indians take part in an approximately 2-mile segment that is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. outside of the casino. Orlando Vigil of Taos, N.M., said the kickoff event in La Jolla was attended by hundreds of people and the effort has been supported by tribes in San Diego and Riverside counties. They all come together, he said. Tuesdays activities include a trek through Lamb Canyon for the runners and a visit by the full group to Beaumonts City Hall. The day closes with a visit to Morongo Casino Resort & Spa in Cabazon, which will serve as homebase before the group heads to Palm Springs. Contact the writer: 951-368-9698 or aclaverie@pressenterprise.com In a strong indication people have been paying attention to warnings about El Nino, more than 50,000 Californians took out flood insurance during the last four months of 2015 in a record surge of new signups, according to federal officials. The number of flood policies in place statewide surged 24.2 percent from 229,538 on Aug. 31 to 285,137 on Dec. 31, said Mary Simms, a spokeswoman for the Federal Emergency Management Agency in Oakland, in a telephone interview Monday. Weve never seen a jump like this in such a short time period, Simms said, adding that 27,000 new policies were taken out in December alone. The nearly 25 percent increase for the state is the first of its kind, in any state, in the history of the National Flood Insurance Program, created in 1968, she said. A county-by-county breakdown wasnt immediately available. Its hard to tell how much could be laid at the feet of the mysterious weather phenomenon that is marked by unusually warm water in the equatorial Pacific and tends to fuel wetter-than-normal winters. After all, Simms said, Theres no box to check that says, Im concerned about El Nino, for insurance buyers. But Simms said federal officials believe most of the surge was driven by El Nino concerns. People are really taking that seriously, she said. The unprecedented sharp uptick reverses a years-long slide in California that began in 2009 when there were 276,222 flood insurance policies, according to FEMA statistics. With El Nino, were seeing something weve honestly never seen before and its amazing, Simms said. People are taking concrete action to prepare themselves for potential flooding by purchasing flood insurance and creating emergency kits. Theres little time left to protect ones property this season; there is a 30-day waiting period from the time policies are taken out and when they take effect. And perhaps some think there is no reason to take out a policy now, given the string of dry weather that has bathed Southern California in sunshine weeks on end. But weather experts say it is too early to give up on El Nino. Its still very, very strong, said Richard Minnich, a UC Riverside earth sciences professor. The (ocean) water is still very warm. Its all there ready to go whenever the circulation is right. Scott Carpenter, a meteorologist for the National Weather Service, said its not unusual to have dry periods during El Nino winters. And a resurgence of rain may be around the corner. A change in the weather pattern around the last week of February may start bringing the storm track farther south and across more of California into March, Carpenter said. That would not be out of character. Minnich said during two previous strong El Nino seasons 1983 and 1941 the heaviest rain fell in March. And in 1998, much rain fell during April. El Nino could certainly still bring bad news to California this spring, Simms said. Contact the writer: 951-368-9699 or ddowney@pressenterprise.com President Obama on Monday, Feb. 15, discussed U.S.-Vietnam relations with Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung at the U.S.-ASEAN Leaders Summit at Sunnylands Obama and Dung talked about the continued strengthening of ties between the two nations in 2015, which marked the 20th anniversary of the restoration of diplomatic relations, a White House official said. They also discussed further progress in the bilateral framework known as the U.S.-Vietnam Comprehensive Partnership and the importance of the Trans-Pacific Partnership, maritime security, and human rights to advancing relations, the official said. Obama said he accepted Vietnams invitation to visit in May when he travels to Japan for the G-7 Summit. The presidents motorcade left Sunnylands at 6:37 p.m. for the return to Thunderbird Country Club in Rancho Mirage. President Barack Obama said Tuesday that he continues to believe that Mr. Trump will not be president. Obama explained his reasoning regarding GOP hopeful Donald Trumps candidacy. I have a lot of faith in the American people and they recognize that being president is a serious job. Its not hosting a reality show or talk show. Its not promotion or marketing Its not about pandering and what will get you in the news on any given day. Obama made his comments during a press conference at Sunnylands resort in Rancho Mirage following his summit with Southeast Asian leaders. Obama discussed the situation in Syria, Libya, the Supreme Court vacancy and the Republican and Democratic primaries. Obama said that critics of Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump should note that the other GOP candidates are also espousing the same anti-Muslim and anti-immigrant sentiment and also are all denying climate change. When asked which Democratic candidates Hillary Clinton or Bernie Sanders hold views closer to his own, Obama, a Democrat, deferred and said he has faith that Democratic voters hold similar core values regarding the environment, banks and other issues. Obama said he is glad he isnt on the ballot this time. Below is a White House pool report on Obamas comments about the ASEAN summit. Around 1:40 p.m., President Obama delivered a prepared statement to conclude the summit. He first thanked nations for their participation and promised that the U.S.s commitment to ASEAN will remain strong and enduring. Obama said the summit participants talked about encouraging entrepreneurship and innovation, and consequently, he announced a program called U.S.-ASEAN Connect, which will set up hubs across Southeast Asia with the goal of connecting businesspeople across borders. Also said the U.S. will help those nations that are not members of the TPP to understand its requirements and to meet them, if they wish to. Obama next called for a halt to reclamation of land and construction in the South China Sea. Said freedom of navigation must be upheld, and said the U.S. will continue to fly, sail and operate wherever international law allows. Said the U.N. courts must solve international disputes. Third, the president talked about rule of law, good governance, human rights. He encouraged a return to civilian government in Thailand and mentioned Myanmars democratic transition. Obama also offered U.S. assistance to help ASEAN countries leverage Interpol data to track international terrorist threats; stressed the importance of implementing the Paris climate change agreement; and pledged U.S. assistance to combat human trafficking. Later this spring he will visit Vietnam and Laos. The statement lasted about 6 minutes. Press then asked questions about the Supreme Court, presidential campaign, and U.S. policy in Syria and Lybia. For a growing number of homeowners, the HERO Program has been the vehicle that has allowed them to make much-needed improvements to their homes, while at the same time being kind to the environment. Swapping grass for turf. Installing solar panels. Replacing old heating and air conditioning systems with up-to-date models. Through innovative HERO Program financing, these and numerous other projects have often yielded immediate savings on utility bills and given homeowners the peace of mind of being able to pay for such improvements over time through their property tax bills. But the HERO Program is not only providing positive results for homeowners. Its also a big engine for job growth. In fact, since the inception of the HERO Property Assessed Clean Energy Program in December 2011, more than 10,000 jobs have been created in California, HERO officials recently announced. And Riverside County leads the state with 3,005 jobs created by the HERO Program, officials said. Statewide, more than 50,000 homes have benefited from HERO-financed improvements. In Riverside County, the total is 16,145 homes. By stimulating home renovation activity, HERO Program financing drives job creation. And because the work is done locally, contractors and support and administrative personnel typically feed their earnings back into their communities, benefitting other local businesses. Burgesons Heating and Air Conditioning, Inc. in Redlands became deeply involved with the HERO Program three years ago when the program launched in San Bernardino County. For the award-winning contractor, the program has been a boon for business, says Andy Reade, Vice President. Its been huge for us, says Reade, a 29-year veteran of Burgesons who started at the company as a service technician when he was 19. Since weve partnered with HERO, weve been able to take care of a lot more homeowners who may not have been able to afford their projects were it not for HERO Program financing. These are good people and they deserve to have the best. The HERO Program provides that for them. The HERO Program offers financing options that make state-of-the-art, energy-efficient equipment more affordable for homeowners, Reade says. Because these more advanced systems run more efficiently, they may even lower the homeowners electric bills. Reade adds there still is a lot of misinformation in the real estate community about the HERO Program and urges homeowners to get educated about it.Our customers know upfront what theyre getting into and how it works, Reade says. If you educate the customer on what theyre buying and what theyre getting involved with in terms of financing, then usually everything works out fine. Reade praises HERO Program employees. The people at the call center are just absolutely awesome, he says. They are extremely quick to get things resolved and taken care of. And hes looking forward to continuing his relationship with the HERO Program. HERO has definitely been involved in our growth, Reade says. Theres no doubt. Weve been able to keep our men much busier all the way around. Its been a big plus. Source: Getty If this is true, it is beyond despicable. Per Talking Points Memo: An Iranian official said Republican rivals of the current US administration attempted to stall last months Iranian-U.S. prisoner swap until the eve of the U.S. presidential election, Tasnim News Agency reported. According to the semi-official Iranian news outlet, Ali Shamkhani, the secretary of Irans Supreme National Security Council, made the claims during a speech Thursday at a rally in Yazd, Iran. In the course of the talks for exchanging prisoners, the Republican rivals of the current US administration who claim to be humanitarians and advocates of human rights sent a message telling us not to release these people [American prisoners] and continue this process [of talks] until the eve of US presidential elections, Shamkhani said, according to Tasnim. We acted upon our independent resolve and moved the process forward, Shamkhani said. Representatives of the party that constantly proclaims its Christianity and superior morality, the party whose Presidential contenders are constantly beating their chests and bragging about being strong enough to protect America and its citizens, were evidently willing to forgo honor and patriotismnot to mention basic humanity in pursuit of partisan electoral advantage. This claim by the Iranians is believable because it is so consistent with the behavior of Congressional Republicans ever since Barack Obama entered the White House. Absolutely nothing has mattered to the GOP except obstructing and diminishing this Presidentcertainly not the health or safety or best interests of the American public (as we are seeing in the wake of Scalias death, they are even refusing to discharge their constitutional duty to vote on a successor). But even for the sleaziest among them, a willingness to leave four American citizens in Iranian prisons for many months more than necessary in order to score political points is almost beyond comprehension. Evidently, the ascendance of Donald Trump and Ted Cruz is not an anomaly. Appalling as they are, they really do represent todays GOP. As I recently wrote elsewhere, Trump, especially, is what happens when politics becomes just another team sportwhen campaigns are only about winning, whatever the cost in integrity. When your sole political ambition is to win, when the only criterion for acceptable behavior is that it gives your team an advantage, is it any wonder that your partys base chooses a self-described winner? When you have created a political culture that sneers at nuance and paints every policy dispute as a stark contest between makers and takers, is it any wonder that your voters see wealth as evidence of superiority? When you have countered even the mildest criticism of U.S. policy with exaltations of American exceptionalism, is it any wonder that your base embraces a xenophobic blowhard? Trump truly is the id of todays GOP. [Originally published at SheilaKennedy.net on February 14, 2016] Peacock Panache readers: Sheila Kennedy is a former high school English teacher, former lawyer, former Republican, former Executive Director of Indianas ACLU, former columnist for the Indianapolis Star, and former young person. She is currently an (increasingly cranky) old person, a Professor of Law and Public Policy at Indiana University Purdue University in Indianapolis, and Director of IUPUIs Center for Civic Literacy. She writes for the Indianapolis Business Journal, PA Times, and the Indiana Word, and blogs at www.sheilakennedy.net. For those who are interested in more detail, links to an abbreviated CV and academic publications can be found on her blog, along with links to her books.. Like this: Like Loading... Related We hope you enjoyed reading this article! If you would like to support our ongoing work, please consider buying us a cup of coffee. It's not much, but we don't do this for the money. We do, however, need caffeine to keep going some days!If you do donate, send us a message through our Contact Us page or via social media so we can thank you! Telling someone to go fuck themselves via song is an artform as old as time itself, and Tim Minchin is just about as good at it as anybody on this blue Earth. However, when the target of your ire is literally chucking a sickie to get out of testifying on child abuse allegations in person, a piano and barely-contained rage just aint enough. For Cardinal George Pell, you gotta have the whole band. The result is basically what wouldve happened if The Whitlams traded in their aphrodisiacs for even more snarky, seething lols. Typically jaunty piano melodies underscore a rabid offensive on the Vatican-based Pell, who was excused from giving evidence in Australia relating to the Catholic Churchs historic sexual abuse claims. Even better? Buying the track thereby giving you unlimited access to one musos endless ire will put funds into a GoFundMe dedicated to sending Australian survivors of abuse to The Vatican. If thats not possible, theyll be distributed to a Healing Centre in Ballarat, where the hearings are being held. Cause shacking up in an Italian citadel under the mysterious pretense of illness doesnt cut it any more, no sirree. In the few hours the singles been out, Australia has basically cheered the song on as hard as they can, cause aiming their voices at Rome hasnt really done too much in this instance. Scores of notable citizens / people who are just not too keen on skipping out on justice for abuse victims have been sharing the tune around like its well, a regular track that doesnt hone in a truly worrying issue: This is a great song where @timminchin is too kind to George Pell.https://t.co/vagplZOX4W Josh Thomas (@JoshThomas87) February 16, 2016 @timminchin have had your song on a loop in my head since finishing the show @theprojecttv Just brilliant Carrie Bickmore (@BickmoreCarrie) February 16, 2016 Thank you for this @timminchin Tim Minchin releases charity single Come Home, Cardinal Pell https://t.co/R7xKG0Sq1B via @YouTube David Campbell (@DavidCampbell73) February 16, 2016 Tim Minchin releases Come Home, Cardinal Pell all proceed will send survivors to Rome. Something in my eye https://t.co/C3VPumMa9R Catherine Deveny (@CatherineDeveny) February 16, 2016 Thanks to some prodigious sharing, the fund has already pipped its $50K goal. Next stop: Finding how much postage would be on a piano to Italy. Source: Tim Minchin / Youtube. Photo: Youtube. Creating a major motion picture about a significant figure in transgender history? Yeah. Claiming that same films emergence is the catalyst of growing mainstream trans acceptance? Nah. In so many words, thats the argument being levelled at Eddie Redmayne, following recent comments on the BAFTAs red carpet. When queried by the BBC bout the impact his film The Danish Girl has had, the British actor said it was just dang fantastic such progress had been made since its November release. Eddie Redmayne: Its extraordinary how trans issues have come into the mainstream media since we made Danish Girl pic.twitter.com/Zsm1vHiMS8 BBC Ents News Team (@BBCNewsEnts) February 14, 2016 Its a fraught gig trying to unpack the semantic possibilities of red carpet interviews, but listeners were left with two distinct possibilities: Redmayne was speaking in generalities and honestly reckons the past four months have been an A++ time for trans issues in the public eye; Hes claiming the flick is the singular catalyst for that change. That first option is perhaps a little tonedeaf; the second? Well, for as much shine the issue may have gotten from The Danish Girl, its blatantly conceited to assign so much responsibility. Thats the stance taken by Twitter users, who have been fervently picking apart the actors statement online: @BBCNewsEnts Lucky for all those trans activists working tirelessly on this issue for decades that you decided to make a film then huh Landers (@LA_Anders) February 15, 2016 @BBCNewsEnts I forgot that the copies of the Danish girl got sent back in time. Thanks Eddie Redmayne for teaching us how to trans! 3lenor 3inhorn (@Elenor_Einhorn) February 15, 2016 @BBCNewsEnts This guys so full of bullshit. Now he has saved us or something zander (@zanderskyward) February 16, 2016 @ThatSabineGirl After The Theory of Everything, now this, Im sure hell play MLK next and congratulate himself on raising awareness again Sam Chapter (@JusAnIdea) February 15, 2016 its so amazing how eddie redmayne singlehandedly defeated transphobia ellie (@brielarsons) February 16, 2016 Meanhwhile, the first inference has been bandied around as well. Of course, the fact the role was given to the cisgendered Redmayne had drawn ire too, much like Jared Letos appearance in Dallas Buyers Club. For as problematic as his casting may have been inasmuch as it may have excluded actual trans actors from the role Redmayne has been open about his support for the cause; in a December interview, he said I hope that in some ways our film continues the discussion, because us learning to be allies to the trans community is so important. He also spent a stack of time trying to make his portrayal as authentic as possible, and has clearly stated how profoundly the role changed his own perception of the issue. That viewpoint makes the latest red carpet short-sighted / blatantly misattribution seem a hellavalot worse. Source: UPROXX. Photo: Mike Marsland / WireImage / Getty / Twitter. Water from the nearby Snoqualmie River sits over NE Tolt Hill Road, Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2016, near Carnation, Wash. The road and others were closed Tuesday after a President's Day storm brought record rainfall to the Pacific Northwest. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren) Researchers believe they have made a major breakthrough in cancer treatment, after a small clinical trial showed that engineered T-cells induced complete remission in 94% of terminally ill patients with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. The potentially revolutionary treatment, widely being dubbed as a living drug, is a form of immunotherapy that involves extracting a patient's own T-cells, engineering them to fight cancer, and then re-introducing them into the body. Response rates of 80% have been seen in trials with other blood cancers such as non-Hodgkins lymphoma, while more than half achieved complete remission, researchers reportedly said at the American Association for the Advancement for Science conference, according to media reports. "This is unprecedented in medicine, to be honest, to get response rates in this range in these very advanced patients," lead researcher Stanley Riddell, from the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Centre in Seattle, told delegates, according to The Guardian. "In the laboratory and in clinical trials, we are seeing dramatic responses in patients with tumours that are resistant to conventional high-dose chemotherapy," he said in a statement, adding: The merging of gene therapy, synthetic biology and cell biology is providing new treatment options for patients with refractory malignancies and represents a novel class of therapeutics with the potential to transform cancer care." Speaking to ITV, Riddell also said: The beauty of this treatment is that its a one-shot deal. Its literally a tiny infusion of just 10-20 million cells in many patients thats eliminating kilograms of tumour, and thats all they have to have done. The research is still in early stages and details remain thin, given that it is currently being reviewed for publication. Nevertheless, the top-line data has sparked hope for a new approach to fighting cancer, particularly as separate research from Italian researchers suggests that such engineered T-cells could remain effective in the body for 14 years. MEDIA QUESTIONNAIRE Name of Publication Established (Give exact date) ADDRESS TELEPHONE FAX NO NAME OF EDITOR Name of Printer Language Frequency Please attach a copy of declaration certificate Off Days Please specify whether morning, evening or state the date of issue Date on which the first issue was brought out Any special edition Price per copy Annual subscription Editorial Objectives and policy Appeal to any special community, class or section News services subscribed to Special regular features (i.e Womens or Children page etc) & when appearing 888 Holdings Seeking Regulatory Approval to Name Itai Frieberger as the New CEO February 16, 2016 Jason Glatzer Editor 888 Holdings, the owner of the second largest real-money online poker room in the world in 888poker, is currently seeking regulatory approval to appoint Itai Frieberger as the company's chief executive officer (CEO). Freiberger, 44, assumed the roll as the group's chief operating officer (COO) in April 2011 and was appointed to the board as an executive director in May 2015. It is believed that approval to become the group's latest CEO could take several months. Brian Roger Mattingley officially served as the CEO of 888 Holdings from March 2012 until May 2015. Mattingley is still believed to be involved in day-to-day operations, but has since migrated to the roll of executive chairman following the retirement of Richard Kilsby. According to Poker Industry Pro, the appointment of a new CEO has been in the works for 18 months. It is believed that if Frieberger is approved by regulatory bodies, that Mattingley will be able to step away from his daily operational duties. When the process began in 2014, Mattingley announced that he will "continue to work alongside the rest of the executive team in driving the business forward." Chairman of the company's Nominations Committee, Amos Pickel, also informed interested parties that Mattingley will be important to the company's stability and growth. "We are very excited at this move, which will allow the company to continue to take advantage of Brian's wealth of experience, wisdom, and knowledge of the company, particularly in maintaining and developing relationships with existing and future regulators," Pickel said. In addition to 888poker operating the world's second largest real-money online poker site, according to PokerScout's Online Poker Traffic Report, it also operates the largest regulated online poker network in coordination with WSOP.com NJ in both New Jersey and the United States. Furthermore, 888poker provides the software behind WSOP.com NV, which is the largest regulated online poker room in Nevada and the second biggest in the US. Also, sharing liquidity Nevada network are poker players utilizing one of the three regulated Delaware online poker rooms that operate on 888poker's software. Outside of poker, 888 Holding operates an online casino, sportsbook, and bingo via its 888casino, 888sport, and 888bingo brands. Want to stay atop all the latest in the poker world? If so, make sure to get PokerNews updates on your social media outlets. Follow us on Twitter and find us on both Facebook and Google+! The Manatee County Sheriffs Office says a deputy shot and killed a man who approached him wielding a knife, the Associated Press reports. Sheriff Brad Steube says deputies were called to 50-year-old Marc Stoddarts Bradenton home Sunday afternoon after Stoddarts wife called 911 to report that he had been drinking and was armed with a knife and threatening to harm her and himself. In a statement, Steube says deputies found Stoddart outside the home, holding a knife and having cut his wrists. Steube says Stoddart refused deputies orders to drop the knife, and one deputy fatally shot him after Stoddart approached in a threatening manner. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email Print A few Trump supporters made the mistake of trying to heckle Bill Clinton at a campaign stop in Florida. The hecklers got an earful of how much their billionaire hero loves the Clintons courtesy of the former president. Video: When the Trump supporters attempted to heckle the former president, he said: Heres what I want to say to you about this. I remember when he called me to say how terrible the Republicans had been to me and Hillary, and how unfair they were and what a brilliant job Hillary did as a senator. So, and by the way, a lot of Republicans thought that which is why they spent the last three years trying to tear her down because they know if you nominate her, theyre going to have to eat the words that they said when they werent running for office. Heres what I recommend. If you want to build a wall on the Rio Grande River, and you want to send the eleven million immigrants home then you should follow him like Moses into the Promise Land, but if you believe that President Obama saved us from a depression, and now its time to prove that we can make America work for everybody again if we all work together, you should be for Hillary. Bill Clinton comparing Trump to Moses leading the Republicans to their ideological Promise Land was an instant classic for both its accuracy and its sarcasm. Former President Clinton was correct. If Republicans nominate Trump, they are going to have a lot of headaches on their hands. Trump had lavished praise on the Clintons in the past, and while this may not matter to the candidate, it will destroy him in the general election. Trumps supporters made a big mistake when they tried to heckle Bill Clinton. The former president put a dagger in the soft underbelly of the Trump campaign and gave the Republicans a taste of what they can look forward to if the general election is between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email Print It is interesting that Republicans were irritated with television celebrity Donald Trump for telling the truth about George W. Bushs catastrophic religious crusade to reshape Iraq in his Americas image. Trump, of course, was spot on and Bushs brand of American exceptionalism and hubris created a decade-long catastrophe. A catastrophe Americans will pay dearly for over the next generation, at least. It was that hubris of American exceptionalism pushed on the world by Bushs neo-con cabal that killed three-quarters of a million innocent Muslim civilians, destabilized the Middle East, created the Islamic State and a civil war in Syria. Bush also decimated any credibility America may have once had. Add to the human costs of Bushs crusade the trillions of dollars the people will suffer paying for a generation, and one would think Republicans would avoid even talking about any policy remotely similar to W. Bushs. It is fortunate for America that President Obama has made significant headway to restore some prestige and respect for America around the world by cooperating, using diplomacy, and negotiating with foreign powers instead of a dictatorial crusade. Republicans just fail to comprehend that the reason most foreigners hate America is not because of its guarantee of freedoms, but because it insists on interfering with sovereign nations internal affairs. It is exactly what the self-professed moderate GOP presidential candidate plans to enact if he is elected. Ohio Governor John Kasich placed 2nd in the New Hampshire Republican primary and bills himself as some kind of moderate, small government Republican, but a proposal he made proves he is just another typical Republican extremist and a hypocrite. Kasichs plan to create a new federal government agency informs, besides his hypocrisy and extremism, that he subscribes to the typical Republican mindset that has only created death, destruction and Islamic extremists across the world. In fact, that Republican mindset is the primary reason Middle East Muslims really hate us; it is not now or never has been because of our freedoms. As much as Kasich loves to tout his small government bona fides, it is hypocrisy that he proposed a bright idea to use Americans tax dollars to create a new federal agency, but not to help Americans. Kasichs plan is to help the evangelical movement export and push Americas Judeo-Christian belief system across the world. Seriously, a federal department to proselytize and push Muslims into the Judeo-Christian religion(s) so they can be exceptional just like Americans. Forget that such an agency is in violation of the Separation of Church and State, his plan is a continuation of the George W. Bush crusade and conquer ideology that destabilized the Middle East and created the Islamic State. It is also likely that Kasichs theocratic plan is, among other things, a conservative Christian response to Saudi Arabias theocracy that exports and pushes Saudi Wahhabi Islamic ideology across the Middle East. For the uninformed, the Saudi Wahhabi ideology is the founding belief system of extremist Islamic groups such as al-Qaeda and the Islamic State (ISIL, Daesh, ISIS). It is apparent that like George W. Bushs neo-conservative Christian administration, Kasich subscribes to the Republican delusion that the road to peace (read American dominance) in the world is predicated on forcing the religious rights particular brand of extremist Christianity down Islamic populations throats. Governor Kasich failed to give his federal government agency a theocratic name, but he does know that its only purpose and mission is to promote the Jewish- and Christian-based belief system to four regions of the world: China, Iran, Russia and the Middle East. No matter what Kasich or any American theocrat names the new agency, based on its mission statement it will be Americas Department of the Judeo-Christian Crusade and Inquisition. Kasich thinks everyone in the Middle East will become Americanized if the government will just beam messages around the world about the freedoms Americans enjoy! It means freedom, it means opportunity, it means respect for women, it means freedom to gather, it means so many things. What it means is that the alleged moderate Kasich holds the same extremist religious conviction that the Bush administration embraced to set America on a destructive path in Iraq, Afghanistan and Syria. Dissatisfied with the current effects of Bush-imperialism, the so-called moderate Kasich wants to expand the crusade with theocratic vengeance. The problem with Kasich and his beamed messages about Americas greatness is that he opposes everything he touts as exceptional about the United States and his personal Judeo-Christian values. Like all religious Republicans, these are the kind of Christian values that demanded Kasich reject Syrian refugees fleeing death and destruction. The hypocrite moderate touting Americas respect for women did not choke on his words after supporting sixteen anti-women laws in Ohio; including stripping $1.4 million from rape crisis centers and Planned Parenthood. It is likely that Kasichs new theocratic agency will push the kind of American Judeo-Christian opportunities he provided Ohio residents; slashing taxes on the rich and shifting the burden to the middle and lower classes. In fact, Kasich cut taxes so deeply to give the rich an opportunity to get richer that the state is denied any revenue for education, infrastructure, and public safety as part of Republicans Judeo-Christian values. There are a lot of lessons in Kasichs proposal that prove he is no more of a moderate than any of the extremist Republicans seeking the presidential nomination. He is pushing the same W. Bush religious crusade to force America on Middle East nations, and hypocritically proposes expanding the federal government for the sole purpose of evangelizing his religion on the rest of the world at American taxpayers expense. It turns out that Mr. Moderate John Kasich is every bit of an evangelical extremist as Texas Ted Cruz and maybe more because even Cruz did not propose a federal agency to oversee the religious Republican crusade. A religious crusade George W. Bush started and one that all Republicans are Hell-bent on perpetuating to conquer the world using those exceptional American Judeo-Christian values. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email Print While citing no facts or precedent, Speaker Of The House Paul Ryan lied while calling on Republicans to block President Obamas Supreme Court nominee. In an interview with the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Ryan said, The Supreme Court is not an extension of the White House. The president has absolutely every right to nominate someone to the Supreme Court, but Congress as an equal branch also has every right not to confirm someone. We are knee deep into a presidential election and I think the precedent for not filling a Supreme Court vacancy in such a time is justified. Democrats would be doing exactly the same thing if the shoe were on the other foot. Speaker Ryan was, at least, honest enough to admit that if the shoe were on the other foot, he would be making a different argument, I think everyone is going to make spin that benefits their side. I think its pretty obvious. Rep. Ryan (R-WI) was lying about the historical precedent. Since 1900, there have been eight presidential election year vacancies on the Supreme Court. On six of the eight occasions, the presidents nominee was confirmed. History also suggests that Democrats would not leave a Supreme Court seat vacated during a presidents final year in office. In 1988, Senate Democrats confirmed Anthony Kennedy during Ronald Reagans last year in office. Ryan could cite no facts or historical precedent because the facts and history are not on the side of the Republican obstructionists. Senate Republicans are trying to set a new precedent by blocking President Obamas Supreme Court nominee. If Republicans wanted to be able to fill Scalias seat with a conservative nominee, they should have won the 2012 election. The Republican obstruction of President Obama is rooted in rights bitterness over losing the last two presidential elections. Congressional Republicans have attempted to invalidate the will of the majority of voters in the United States by obstructing President Obama. Paul Ryan doesnt have a legal or historical leg to stand on, so he lied and made up Democratic motives and historical precedent that do not exist. Republicans are making it up as they go along, but the voters are watching, and they will pay for their obstruction in November. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email Print Nothing less than the foundation of this countrys system of checks and balances is at risk if Republicans proceed with their threats to obstruct President Obama from doing his Constitutional duty to replace Justice Scalia on the Supreme Court, Harry Reid warned. The entire system of checks and balances is at stake if Republicans continue on their reckless course, Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) cautioned in an op-ed, writing that Republicans are taking us to uncharted waters in the history of the U.S. system of checks and balances, with potentially momentous consequences. A synonym for momentous is earth-shattering. There are potentially earth-shattering consequences to what Republicans are doing right now. Sadly, this is not hyperbole on the Senators part. In the Washington Post piece, titled Reid to GOP: For the good of the country, stop your nakedly partisan obstruction, Reid continued, This constitutional duty has transcended partisan battles because it is essential to the basic functioning of our co-equal branches of government. By ignoring its constitutional mandate, the Senate would sabotage the highest court in the United States and aim a procedural missile at the foundation of our system of checks and balances. That is how our system works and has worked for more than 200 years, Reid admonished. This Republican Senate would be the first in history to abdicate that vital duty. Reid is having none of the lame Republican attempts to pretend this is normal when facts and history prove this claim to be incorrect, Republicans should not insult the American peoples intelligence by pretending there is historical precedent for what they are about to do. There is not. Charging that this is a radical effort to obstruct and delegitimize the president at all costs, Reid cautioned Republicans to think of their own political careers and integrity if thinking of the best for the country wasnt incentive enough, If Republicans proceed, they will ensure that this Republican majority is remembered as the most nakedly partisan, obstructionist and irresponsible majority in history. All other impressions will be instantly and irretrievably swept away. Reid laid out clearly how Republicans are going from obstructing the Senate to obstructing the Supreme Court, an area that has always been respected as a sacred part of our checks and balances. Pursuing their radical strategy in a quixotic quest to deny the basic fact that the American people elected President Obama twice would rank among the most rash and reckless actions in the history of the Senate, Reid alerted. And the consequences will reverberate for decades, Reid warned. Coming from a man who as Senate Majority Leader was so reverent of process and procedural precedent and purpose that he wouldnt make changes to the rules that would have allowed Democrats to get around the relentless obstruction of the minority party that had vowed to derail the President by any means possible, this warning should be heeded. The dangerous precedent this sets down is hard to even fully appreciate or comprehend. There is a reason this has never been done before- because it will, in effect, ruin the careful mechanisms of democracy that are the foundation of this country. It is one thing for Republicans to mess with President Obama. It is another for them to have spent the last seven years ignoring what the people needed in order to service their political agenda. But to disrupt and thereby destroy the system of our checks and balances is unthinkable. If they keep on this course, reckless Republicans arent only harming this generation of Americans, but all to come. 25 2021 - 200 ! . ( ) , Cookies . cookies. SHAKOPEE Two Rochester men were arrested Friday in Shakopee after the Rochester Police Department requested help in connection with an armed robbery of RCTC students . Local authorities spent two days searching for the suspects before issuing a statewide alert on the suspect's vehicle. It was found Friday night in Shakopee, where two men were arrested after they were found to still be in possession of the stolen items, according to Capt. John Sherwin of the Rochester Police Department. The 19- and 20-year-old men are expected to be charged in Olmsted County District Court. The Post-Bulletin does not typically identify suspects until they've been charged. Rochester police said three victims came to police around 3 p.m. on Feb. 9 to report the robbery. They said two men were in an apartment at 851 21st Ave. S.E. and a third man, who also lives in the apartment complex, was coming to visit them around midnight. As he walked toward the apartment, he said he saw two men follow him. When he got to the apartment, they followed him in. ADVERTISEMENT One pulled out a handgun and they demanded cash and electronics. They threatened to shoot them if they reported the robbery to police. The one with the handgun was described as a Somali male in his early 20s, around 5 feet, 8 inches tall with a thin build, wearing a light parka and black sweater. The second was a black male, also in his early 20s with the same build; he had a beard. He wore a Polo jacket and light blue jeans. Jesse James Maki, 39, of Rochester, was called home to God on Jan. 26, 2016. He passed on to the infinite beyond, unexpectedly, at his residence, after a long and hard struggle with addiction. He fought his battle bravely, and endured much hardship with great courage. Throughout all, he was immensely loved by family and friends, and well-liked by many members of the community who provided him care, shelter, protection and encouragement. Jesse possessed a uniquely charismatic energy and an authentic spirit. Intense and passionate, his voice was rich and deep, his laughter full and hearty. He could charm almost anyone with his unforgettable, broad and somewhat-mischievous smile, which was always genuine. His heart was warm and true and real. He gave his love and affection with gentle tenderness and fierce loyalty. The bright spark in his expressive hazel-brown eyes was the light of his beautiful soul. His faith in God was pure and strong. Jesse was born into this world on Jan. 5, 1977, in Virginia, Minn., and attended Virginia High School. He grew up on the Iron Range and had been a longtime resident of Rochester, although he also previously resided in Duluth, Minn., and Mankato, Minn., and lived for several periods of time in Nacogdoches, Texas, with his sister, Monica, and her family. Jesse recently attended the Buildings and Utilities Maintenance Program at Rochester Community and Technical College. He was skilled with a wide variety of tools and machinery and had work experience in many aspects of construction, carpentry, mechanics and manufacturing. Jesse previously worked at Rochester Concrete, Mid America Convention Services and many other local area businesses through Labor Ready. He particularly enjoyed previous positions working as a licensed Forklift Operator in Minnesota, setting up events with Majestic Tents of Rochester, and learning tile work as an assistant to Danny Frederick of Nacogdoches, Texas. He was proud of having helped to install the glass wall on the Post-Bulletin building in Rochester through employment with Hentges Glass. Most recently, he was employed at Tuohy Manufacturing in Chatfield. Jesse also, most recently, provided service to others in the community by helping to prepare food donations for distribution through Community Food Response at Bethel Lutheran Church in Rochester. Though he often had little of worldly possessions, he found fulfillment in giving of himself to others. Over the years, he found a sense of peace in attendance at Homestead United Methodist Church under the Rev. Becky Jo Messenbrink. Jesse is survived by his parents, Sharon and Tom Paavala of Britt, Minn., and Kenneth and Cheryl Maki of Pike Township, Minnesota. He has eight surviving siblings: Lynn Burdges of Eveleth, Minn.; Karen (Roger) Moller of Eveleth, Minn.; Dean (Becky) Maki of Aurora, Minn.; Mitch (Karen) Dormanen of Gilbert, Minn.; Monica Maki of Nacogdoches, Texas; Amanda (Scott) Congdon of Prior Lake, Minn.; Tanya Maki of Virginia, Minn.; and Crystal Maki of Virginia, Minn. Jesse is also survived by numerous beloved aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins. He also leaves behind his devoted and eternal friend, Tamsen Ebert. Jesse was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Albert and Esther Jacobson; his paternal grandparents, Veikko and Lillian Maki; and his brother, Kevin Maki. Jesse's funeral took place on Feb. 6, 2016, at the Sandy Town Hall in Virginia, Minn. It was a loving tribute with a large attendance of family and friends. Interment will be at a later date in North Sandy Cemetery in Britt, Minn. A memorial service to pay respect and honor to Jesse will be held locally at 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 18, in the chapel at Christ United Methodist Church, 400 Fifth Ave. SW, Rochester. Visitation will begin at 5:30 p.m. The Rev. Becky Jo Messenbrink will officiate. In lieu of flowers, please make memorial donations to the Cronin Home, 825 West Silver Lake Drive, Rochester, MN 55906 or to the Rochester Salvation Army. Donald Trump was a registered Democrat for a number of years, and has frequently contributed to the campaigns of liberal Democrats like Hillary Clinton and Harry Reid, while rarely contributing to Republicans. He favors policies that all but the most left-wing Democrats shy away from, like socialized medicine. So the idea that Trump is a liberal Democrat is not at all far-fetched. I suspect that he would be more at home in the Democratic Party, and likely would have run for the Democratic presidential nomination if he hadnt assumed that Hillary Clinton had it sewed up. Trumps over the top attacks on the last Republican president, George W. Bush, lend additional support to the view that he is a Democrat pretending to be a Republican. I am not aware of a single bona fide member of the Republican Party who has made the indefensible claim that George W. Bush was responsible for the 2008 financial collapse, as well as the assertion, which is simply false, that the Bush administration knew Saddam had no WMDs before the Iraq war. (He did have some, in fact, but never mind.) I dont understand how these crazy assertions can be made by anyone who is actually a Republican. Dick Cheney, in his usual lucid manner, addressed Trumps Democratic Party talking points on Fox News: Watch the latest video at video.foxnews.com I can understand why independents and Democrats might cross over in a Republican primary to vote for Donald Trump, but I cannot see even the glimmer of a reason why any member of the Republican Party would consider voting for a candidate who, last we knew, was a liberal Democrat, and who still espouses the views of a liberal Democrat. I am starting to think that we Republicans may be as dumb as the Democrats have always said we are. Around the Democratic establishment (meaning the interest groups that depend on control of government for their existence and purpose in life), Bernie Sanders is all good fun, but cmon! While most Democrats in their heart would prefer a President Sanders to a President Clinton, power is more important than principle.* So as polls show Sanders gaining on Clinton just about everywhere, you can see the signs of the Democratic establishment circling the wagons against Bernie. Like this from the New York Times yesterday: Left-Leaning Economists Question Cost of Bernie Sanderss Plans . . . The reviews of some of these economists, especially on Mr. Sanderss health care plans, suggest that Mrs. Clinton could have been too conservative in their debate last week when she said his agenda in total would increase the size of the federal government by 40 percent. That level would surpass any government expansion since the buildup in World War II. The increase could exceed 50 percent, some experts suggest, based on an analysis by a respected health economist that Mr. Sanderss single-payer health plan could cost twice what the senator, who represents Vermont, asserts, and on critics belief that his economic assumptions are overly optimistic. And then theres Jonathan Chait, in NY Magazine: Bernie Sanderss Health Care Plan Does Not Add Up The centerpiece of Sanderss domestic agenda is a plan for single-payer health insurance. Sanders claims his plan would immediately produce trillions of dollars in savings through lower health-care costs not merely bending the cost curve down, as Obamacare has done, but snapping it sharply in the other direction. Kenneth Thorpe, a respected liberal health economist at Emory University, has estimated that Sanderss plan is completely implausible. The Sanders campaign has called Thorpes estimates a complete hatchet job and, as Sanderss supporters are wont to do, implied that he is bought and paid for by his corporate masters. But the trillions of dollars in unspecified savings are not the only magic asterisk in Sanderss plan. The Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget runs the numbers and finds that, even if you accept Sanderss assumptions about his savings at face value, his plan would still fall several trillion dollars short of covering its expenses. The analysis also notes that Sanders would have to raise the top marginal tax rate to about 85 percent, which is above the level that economists Peter Diamond and Emmanuel Saez (who strongly support higher taxes on the rich) believe maximizes revenue. That is to say, Sanders would tax the rich at rates so high that even liberal economists suspect they would discourage work and raise less revenue than expected. Vox asked six political scientists if Bernie could win a general election. The result: not likely. Were Democrats to make the democratic socialist from Vermont their nominee, would he have a chance of winning a general election? We posed that question to six of the countrys top political scientists, and their answers were broadly consistent: Under some unlikely circumstances, Sanders could win a general election. But nominating him would make it significantly more difficult for Democrats to keep the White House. This is starting to be fun to watch. *Yes, yes, I know: power is a key principle of the modern left, but always comes before principle when it comes to winning elections. In the latest installment of instruction from Prager University, George Will provides the short course A Progressives Guide to Political Correctness (video below, about six minutes). Its part PC for Dummies and part satire a la A Modest Proposal. Will proposes renaming a number of cites to conform to the operative requirements of PC doctrine, resulting in a song that would have to go by I Left My Heart in Nancy Pelosi City. Minnesotas state flag comes in for a drubbing, but here reality has outrun Wills satire, if that is what it is. It is not entirely clear to me here whether Will is simply applying his analysis or satirizing PC. Perhaps both. Professor Judith Harrington plays it straight in her 2015 Star Tribune column As long as were discussing flags, how about Minnesotas? Subhead: It, too, may fail to reflect current sensibilities. Minnesota is ripe territory for the PC police. Lake Calhoun must go, of course, but how long before we turn to the capital city insensitively named St. Paul? Wills witty critique raises the question whether it is possible to satirize the doctrine(s) of political correctness. Political correctness represents the lefts pure will to power. Like the French and Russian revolutions, it will consume its own. In principle political correctness should be possible to satirize, but reality may already be outstripping our poor power to add or detract. The Nigerian music industry has without any doubt grown beyond our expectations. The growth has not only been felt in the quality of music but monetarily also. These successes have served as a catalyst for people, especially teenagers to join the industry. A couple of years ago, parents frowned at the idea of their children being called musicians and did everything possible to discourage them. However, parents have now outgrown that Old School way of thinking and have become quite supportive of their children in the art. It now feels like every house-hold has a musician, a producer, a manager or just someone in that line of business. Like in every business/industry, the Music industry also has its dos and donts and below are five (5) donts upcoming artistes should avoid when heading for limelight. Unnecessary publicity stunts This is the hub of every drama without which the industry will be boring. For an upcoming artist, publicity is good but like the popular saying first Impression matters. If you indulge in hard core publicity stunt, you must make sure you have the energy to finish what you started because this could affect your growing fan-base. Well-timed publicity stunts can be a good business strategy or a landslide to fame. This year, 2016, for instance started off with a lot of drama which many perceived to be publicity stunt. The dramas have been between Don Jazzy and Olamide, Dammy Krane and Wizkid, Blackface and 2face now 2Baba. Publicity stunts for established artists have potentials of making headlines but it is a wrong path for an upcoming artist (unless you are Skiibii of course). Piercings and Tattoos Piercings and tattoos could be cool depending on the occasion and environment. For the established artist whose fame and influence is guaranteed, that is cool, but for the uncertain upcoming, its a mighty risk. It will either mar or make you; its best to wait and play safe especially in a society with second opinion about tattoos always connoted as an expression of waywardness, and piercings as a detestable practice. It is sometimes given anti-social signatures, though things are gradually changing. It is not a curse but a lot of upcoming artists wont make it to limelight so it would be wise to have a decent look for the corporate world just in case. Extravagant spending Lavish spending is not frowned at if you have the resources or back up plan, but for the struggling artiste, it is a no-go area. A lot of up-coming artistes trying or fighting to put up appearances in clubs or social gatherings end up in debts. Olamide in his popular hit single Shakiti Bobo said you dey live flashy lifestyle but your mama dey soak akanmu. Upcoming artists should invest more in the art before extravagant spending. The horse should come before the cart. Fighting established artists The African society has well demarcated spaces for elders and for children that is why they are quick to remind knuckleheads; Pikin wey say him mama no go sleep, him sef e no go sleep, at all. Everything is both a step and a circle. Eminem in Obie Trices When Sh*t Hits the Fan seems to be offering a warning to the upcoming artist thus: what you gonna do when shit hits the fan, are you going to stand and fight like a man, would be as hard as you say you are or you gonna run and meet your bodyguard? Upcoming artists should channel their energies into their art rather than fighting established artists. Dropping out of school To be forewarned is to be forearmed. Except youre planning to fail, who in this 21st century would drop out of school to pursue a music career? Some are lucky, but it has to be a snowballs chance in hell for one out of 50-100 of such artists. Nas said it all You wanna be my agent cant read and write? Grown men do whatever they wish, read more, learn more change the globe. Or havent you heard that level changed from the Only Mc with an MSC, so dont be surprised when they jealous me, cos levels don change- Naeto C. If artistes like Davido and Naeto C value education, then upcoming artists should think twice before dropping out of school. The Asset Management Company of Nigeria (AMCON) has invited proposals from prospective bidders for selection as financial and legal advisers for the divestment of its shareholdings in Keystone bank Limited. In a Request for Proposals (RFPs) published in its website, AMCON said it was seeking proposals from qualified financial advisory firms for the provision of financial and transactional advisory services towards the divestment of its equity in the bank. In August 2011, AMCON was invited by the financial sector insurer, the Nigerian Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), to take over and capitalise three bridge banks it created, namely Enterprise Bank Limited, Mainstreet bank Limited and Keystone Bank Limited. Following its successful divestment of its interests in Enterprise Bank Limited and Mainstreet Bank Limited in October 2014, the corporation is now focused on relinquishing its equity in Keystone Bank to the public. Keystone Bank, which is a member of the three AMCON banks, currently has a network of 184 branches located across the country as well as two international subsidiaries. AMCON, which currently owns the entire equity capital of Keystone Bank Limited, advised interested bidders to ensure that they provided the relevant information to confirm their qualification to perform the advertised services. The information required include a proposal detailing prospective bidders demonstrable experience in similar transactions; recommended transaction approach; indicative time-table; experience of key team members of the bidding firms; proposed fee structure and potential areas of conflict of interest. Four leading world crude oil producers Saudi Arabia, Russia, Qatar and Venezuela have indicated their willingness to cut production in a bid to stabilize sliding crude prices. But, the agreement, which came at the end of a meeting in Doha on Tuesday, had a big caveat that other producers would also agree to cut their production during the next meeting of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). The meeting scheduled for June, 2016 in Vienna, Austria would be the first joint meeting of OPEC and non-OPEC in one and half decades. Nigeria and other members of the OPEC may soon have a respite as the declaration triggered a jump in crude oil price on Tuesday, with Brent crude blend rising from $31.53 per barrel to about $32.30. Qatari energy minister, Mohammad bin Saleh al-Sada, said the resolution, if followed through, would help stabilize the global oil market currently experiencing unprecedented price declines as a result of over-supply glut. Oil prices have dropped by more than 70 per cent to less than $30 per barrel since 2014. Russia, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Venezuela are ready to freeze oil production at Januarys level if other producers do the same. Analysts the big challenge would be mobilising other oil producing countries, including Iran, to also agree to cut their production. Iran, which is making a return to OPEC after a long absence, exported its first crude oil consignment to Europe on Sunday. Iran, whose production currently stands at 3.1 million barrels per day (bpd), said it had reached an agreement to export oil to France, Russia and Spain. Irans deputy oil minister, Rokneddin Javadi, was quoted as saying the shipment of the first consignment, the first in five years, marked a new chapter in the countrys petroleum industry. Iran said in January that it planned to add to its production, saying the country should not be blamed if prices continue to slide. At age five, Blessing Thompson (not her real name) said she was sexually abused by a young man who was among about a dozen people squatting under her parents roof. We had a small room in the house where he stays, says Ms. Thompson, now 23 and studying Political Science at the National Open University of Nigeria. Ms. Thompson spoke Saturday at a one day seminar tagged Guard Against Rape organized by CEE-HOPE Foundation in Lagos. He invited me to the room and said Do you know you are a very beautiful girl? I said Yes I am. He opened the biscuits for me and gave me and I was eating it, she said. Then he started touching me and I was like Uncle what are you doing? He pressed on and before you knew it the deed was done. I started crying and he was like I shouldnt cry. He said I shouldnt tell anybody because this biscuit you have eaten is like an oath. If you do tell mummy, you will die. Betty Abah, the founder of CEE-HOPE, said the seminar was aimed at sensitizing young girls on the dangers of rape and how to handle rape situations, especially during the Valentine period. According to her, if children are sensitized early enough, they would be able to prevent rape situations. We brought them together from different places, this is the first time they are coming together from all these places and we thought that this period of Valentine will be very appropriate to talk about rape, said Mrs. Abah. When people talk about Valentine, in most peoples minds what occurs to them is sex and theres a lot of indiscriminate sex which at the end doesnt really augur well for many young people. We are using the period of the Valentine to tell them you could be potential rape victims, you have to prevent it. When you are armed with this information you are protected for life. So we are reaching them and we expect that when they go to their communities, as peer educators theyll be able to sensitize especially their classmates and community people. A speaker at the seminar, Chinyere Anokwuru, urged the girls to be wary of men they meet on social media. The first thing in guarding against rape is to trust your instincts, said Mrs. Anokwuru, a former Senior Special Assistant to the Lagos State government on Women and Girls. If you are perceiving something like it doesnt feel right, then dont do it. Learn to keep fit, so that when you sense danger, you take to your heels immediately. Mrs. Anokwuru also advised the girls to join self-defence classes to learn taekwando and karate. If attacked, convert anything on you to a temporary weapon. And do not trust anyone easily, most cases of rape are not done by strangers. According to Ms. Thompson, after the initial sexual molestation when she was five, the practice continued for the next 15 years with perpetrators ranging from friends, uncles, strangers, and relatives. When I was six, there was this girl staying with us. Shes the only female I remember that molested me, Ms. Thompson said. At seven, there was this old man that do visit, a close pal to my dad. Hes old enough to be my grandpa. Nobody ever thought that such a thing was going to happen between the both of us. He was always throwing his open, like he calls me sweets and other endearing names. My father, especially, dont take offense with that because he felt there was nothing to that. My father is a very hard man so I had this fear telling him. My mother was always travelling. Ms. Thompson said she still remembers about 12 people who had raped her before she clocked 20. I have moved on. Im 23 now, she said. I will not allow that trauma to weigh me down. I will pretend like nothing ever happened. Left for me, I think rapists should be killed. As the opposition Peoples Democratic Party gets set to name a new leader of the party, governors and other chieftains of the PDP are on a manhunt for a former chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Nuhu Ribadu, in their bid to make him chairman. PREMIUM TIMES gathered that a meeting of the national caucus of the PDP is currently holding in Abuja, after which the National Executive Committee will meet at the Wadata Plaza secretariat of the party by 2p.m. on Tuesday. Mr. Ribadu was tipped for the chairmanship position last year, shortly after the then chairman, Ahmadu Muazu, resigned from office. However, we gathered that the move to have him replace mr. Muazu, championed by governors elected under the party, was thwarted by the National Working Committee, NWC, under the interim leadership of Uche Secondus. We also gathered that Mr. Ribadu, who had earlier agreed to take the offer, also abandoned it on account of lack of seriousness to truly reform the party by its top echelon. However, after a long back and forth and controversy, including court cases, the party agreed to hold a special NEC meeting to fill the position created by the resignation of Mr. Muazu. PREMIUM TIMES learnt of spirited attempts in the last few days by some top party chieftains to persuade Mr. Ribadu to accept to chair and transform the party. A source privy to the goings on in the PDP said some of the partys governors visited Mr. Ribadu in a last-minute effort to get him to change his position. He was, however, said to have stuck to his guns. Since midnight yesterday, party chieftains led by a governor from the South-south region began a search for Ribadu, to no avail. The ex-EFCC chair was said to have gone incommunicado since last night, making all attempts to reach him impossible, the source said. He also said at least four governors of the party and other chieftains are currently waiting at the Bayelsa Governors Lodge in the Maitama area of Abuja, scrambling to reach Mr Ribadu. Mr. Ribadu, PREMIUM TIMES learnt, is skeptical of taking the PDP job because of the battered image the party has suffered, especially with the ongoing corruption probes. He is also not confident that the partys bigwigs would tolerate his radical disposition, our source said. PREMIUM TIMES reporters have been unsuccessful in reaching Mr. Ribadu for hours. His telephones were switched off the several times our reporters called. At his residence in the Asokoro District of Abuja, security guards denied our reporters entry, saying the former EFCC chairman was not at home, and that his whereabouts was unknown. When contacted, his spokesperson, Abdulaziz Abdulaziz, said he had not been able to reach Mr. Ribadu in the past two days. The acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ibrahim Magu, on Tuesday took a swipe at lawyers and journalists in Nigeria, saying they connive with criminals to subvert the course of justice and frustrate war against corruption. Delivering a speech at a rally organised by a coalition of civil society groups, in Abuja, Mr. Magu said lawyers receive part of the stolen public funds to fight the EFCC, sabotage and delay justice. One of the big challenges we have in the effective prosecution of the war on corruption, is that of very senior lawyers who Nigeria has been very kind to: They who went to good schools here, when Nigeria was good, many of them, on government scholarship; they who Nigeria has given so much opportunity. When we have corruption cases, cases of people who have stolen food from the mouths of our children; when we have cases of people who have stolen money meant to build hospitals and buy drugs; when we have cases of people who have stolen all the money meant to buy guns for our soldiers to fight Boko Haram, when we have all these cases of wicked people who have stolen Nigerias money, they run to these same senior lawyers, give them part of the stolen money and mobilise them to fight us, to delay us in court and to deny Nigerians of justice. These are the people who do not want justice for the common man. The other day, 34 Senior Advocates of Nigeria fought against only one small EFCC lawyer in court and he defeated all of them! What we are doing today is not by our power, it is the power of the Nigerian people and the power of God behind us! Corrupt people hire journalists to abuse us every day. They say we are not doing the work according to the law. But, that is not true. There is no agency that follows the law more than EFCC. None. Before we arrest you, or seize your property or do anything to you, we check the law, we go to court and get court order. That is why we are winning; that is why we are defeating them every day. We want the Nigerian people to continue to support us, continue to support Mr. Presidents war on corruption. We have many corruption cases in court. We are getting them every day from everywhere and we are recovering stolen money and taking corrupt people to court. The money we have recovered and the money we are going to get back from them billions and billions of naira is being paid back to government and will be used to do what it was originally meant for to build hospitals, send our children to school, build roads and railways, create employment and defend our country. We have no other country than Nigeria. This war is the war of the people. Apart from the fear of God, we have no other fear. Apart from the interest of Nigeria, we have no other interest. And apart from the Rule of Law, we have no other rule guiding the work we are doing today. The days of impunity are over. Victory is certain for the common man! Aluta continua! he added. The Tin-Can Island Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted a 40 ft. container with 980 rounds of 9mm type live ammunition and a pistol imported into the country from the U.S. The spokesman of the command, Chris Osunkwo, made the disclosure in a statement on Tuesday in Lagos. According to the statement, the area controller of the command, Bashar Yusuf, said the seizure, including camouflage military face cap, camouflage belt, a pair of hand gloves and a pair of shoes, were concealed along with other personal effects in two vehicles. Mr. Yusuf said the arms and ammunition and a suspect who was arrested in connection with the seizure, had been handed over to the State Security Service, SSS, for further investigation. A 40 ft container with number CLHU452754/2 with these items has been seized and it is with us and we are transferring them as appropriate to the relevant agency. The items were concealed because nobody can just import these things without full authorisation to do that. No unauthorised passenger or trader should trade in arms and ammunition all over the world. It is not allowed. You have to go through due process; authorization with permit, before you move even one piece across the border of another country. The suspect is with the Directorate of State Security Service for further investigation so that we will get the full details of how he came about these items as well as if there are collaborators within Nigeria or outside Nigeria. It is within their purview to do that, the controller said. The officer-in-charge of SSS at Tin Can Island Port, James Udo, explained the danger such importation could have on members of the public, if it had escaped customs attention. Mr. Udo said security must be a collective responsibility. He said the SSS would conduct further investigation on the importation to unravel those behind it. Meanwhile, the command said it generated N24.8 billion as revenue in January 2016 compared to N20.9 billion collected in the corresponding period of last year. The controller attributed the increase to improved transparency, compliance from clearing agents as well as a robust electronic system. (NAN) Najatu Muhammed, an activist and supporter of President Muhammadu Buhari, has rejected her appointment as chairperson of the Governing Council of the Federal University, Dutse, Jigawa State. She conveyed her decision in a letter to the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu. She also took an advertorial in a newspaper to announce her decision. The Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, had recently announced her appointment and that of 12 others while reconstituting the governing councils of 12 federal universities. In the letter entitled, Reconstitution of the Governing Councils of 12 Federal Universities, Mrs. Muhammed, who is also a politician from Kano State, said she was not consulted before the announcement was made in the media. The activist also said since her appointment was made in the media, she decided to use the same media to reject it. She however pledged her continuous support for the president and his administration. Below is Ms. Muhammeds letter: I, Najatu Muhammad, wish to thank you so much for considering me worthy of being appointed the chairperson of Dutse Federal University. Its however, unfortunate that I was not consulted before the announcement in the media. I also regret that I have to use the same medium to announce that I cant accept the appointment for some personal reasons. I will however remain an ardent supporter of President Muhammadu Buhari in his effort in charting a new course for this country. A course that we pray will put this country back on the path of progress. I will also continue to support the presidents fight against corruption and other ills of this country. My unflinching support for the President will remain for Allahs sake and country. I pray that Allah will continue to guide and protect our President. Long Live the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The Nigerian Army on Monday said Cameroonian authorities has handed over to it two suspected Boko Haram terrorists. The spokesperson for the army, Sani Usman, said in a statement that the handing over of the suspected terrorists was indicative that the joint anti-insurgency operation by the nations was yielding fruits. Mr. Usman, a colonel, said, The cooperation between Nigeria and its neighbors has brought renewed vigour and is yielding fruitful result in the fight against the Boko Haram terrorists. For instance, apart from recording tremendous success, troops of 26 Task Force Brigade, cooperated with Cameroonian forces for joint operations in Kirawa junction. Although they have not met any of the terrorists in the axis of advance, they rescued 8 men, 36 women and 68 children in the area. To further consolidate on the cordial relationship, the Commander of Cameroonian 1st Battalion, paid a courtesy call on his counterpart, the Commanding Officer of 121 Task Force Battalion in Pulka. The visiting unit assisted with the demining of a section of the road between Kirawa Junction to Pulka and handed over 2 suspected Boko Haram terrorists to the Nigerian unit. Sadly however, one of the visiting units vehicle ran into an Improvised Explosive Device (IED), buried along Pulka-Ngoshe road in which an officer and 8 of their soldiers sustained injuries. Unfortunately, the officer died while being evacuated to Douala by air. We wish to commiserate with the Cameroonian forces for the incident and the demise of the officer. May his soul rest in peace and give his colleagues speedy recovery. Similarly, troops of 113 Battalion on patrol to Ngwala cleared Boko Haram terrorists camps at Ngorta and Aritimie villages. The troops also came across the terrorists market at the area. However, on sighting the troops the suspected Boko Haram terrorists ran and abandoned their supplies. The patrol also conducted cordon and search operations around Ngwala and recovered 2 pick up vehicles and 12 motorcycles belonging to the fleeing Boko Haram terrorists. The market has been closed indefinitely. It is pertinent to report that troops morale in the theatre of operation is very high and they are ever determined to clear remnants of Boko Haram terrorists wherever they may be in the North Eastern part of our country. A former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki, on Tuesday filed a fresh application before Justice Adeniyi Ademola of Federal High Court, Abuja, to stop the alleged $2.1 billion criminal proceedings against him. Mr. Dasuki was arraigned by the federal government on a seven-count charge bordering on criminal breach of trust, possession of illegal firearms and money laundering, to which he pleaded not guilty. At the resumed hearing, his counsel, Joseph Daudu, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, informed the court that he had filed a fresh application to quash the charges. But the counsel to federal government, Dipo Okpeseyi, also a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, told the court that the case had been slated for trial and the prosecution was ready. Mr. Okpeseyi also drew the judges attention to the fact that Mr. Dasukis detention by the SSS had nothing to do with the current charges before the court. He urged the court to continue with the trial in line with the provisions of the relevant sections of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015. The prosecution argued that Mr. Dasukis trial attracted both national and international attention. But Mr. Daudu opposed the application, arguing that his client was not ready for trial, following Mr. Dasukis prolonged detention by operatives of the SSS. Mr. Daudu submitted that the defendant was empowered by law to be given adequate time and facility to prepare for his defence. The conduct of the prosecution in this matter has made us not to enjoy any of these constitutional rights. And the worst is that for about seven weeks now, we dont have access to our client except when he is produced in court. This attitude constitutes serious attack on the rule of law, he said. Mr. Daudu urged the court to adjourn the suit to enable him reply to the counter-affidavit filed by prosecution. In a short ruling, the judge ordered the defence to file their reply on the prosecutions application for secret trial and the defence counter-affidavit within seven days. Mr. Ademola also ordered that the defendant be brought to court at every stage of the proceedings. He adjourned the case till March 3 for hearing. (NAN) The President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, on Monday said the government has a responsibility to ensure indigenous manufacturers thrive to rebuild the economy and put Nigerians to work. Mr. Saraki said this when he received a delegation from Innoson Motor Manufacturing Company, Nnewi, led by Innocent Chukwuma, the Chairman and founder of the company, in his office. He said government should use legislative actions and policy initiatives to protect the local industries as a deliberate way of reviving the economy. Based in Nnewi, Anambra State, Innoson Motors is the only Nigerian company manufacturing automobile of different range. Mr. Saraki said one of the actions government should quickly introduce was to ensure that local industries were patronized by government agencies so that Nigerian manufacturers could enjoy the advantages accruing from the big market that her population offers. That is why this eighth Senate is determined to amend the Procurement Law to ensure that government agencies patronize Made in Nigeria products, Mr. Saraki said. I am sure the House of Representatives is in support of this. It is our joint responsibility to ensure that you succeed. If you are successful, a lot more small and medium scale enterprises will draw inspiration from you and they will become successful. That will help to create jobs which is one of the mandate presented to us by the youths of this country during the last elections. We in the legislature will look at all laws and help to create an enabling environment for local businesses to thrive in Nigeria. He added that using laws to protect locally made goods was not peculiar to the country as similar policy had been followed in the United States under President Herbert Hoover in 1933, while India and China had also enacted similar laws in the past. He lamented a situation where a company like Innoson only sold about 3,000 vehicles in 2015 when Nigerians bought about a million vehicle annually, adding that If Nigerians patronised Made in Nigeria cars, it would force foreign manufacturers to set up plants in the country. In his remarks, one of the Innoson officials, Alfred Nwosu, said Innoson Group started off from manufacturing of motor cycles and graduated to tricycle before it began production of different range of utility and luxury vehicles. He said the company had 7,000 Nigerians on its payroll while there were 300 youths from the Niger Delta area undergoing training that were hitherto held abroad. Mr. Nwosu commended Mr. Saraki and the Senate leadership for their prompt response to the request for audience sent by the company, an opportunity that had eluded the company in the past. In less than 48 hours of contacting the Senate President, we were told to come over. We are encouraged by your views on Made in Nigeria goods. What we need is the support, encouragement and inspiration from decision makers like you, he said. In a similar development, Monday, Mr. Saraki urged the South East Amalgamated Market Traders Association (SEAMATA) to look inwards and find ways of locally producing goods they currently import in view of the present economic challenges facing the country. The Nigerian Senate has asked the Ministry of Works, Power and Housing, the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, and electricity distribution companies to immediately suspend the new electricity tariffs that has seen charges raised by over 40 per cent. The Senate gave the order Tuesday, following a motion sponsored by Suleiman Nafiz (APC-Bauchi North). The Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, described the tariff raise as ultra-wicked and unconscionable. Despite Nigerias dismal electricity output, the federal government implemented the new tariff regime on February 1, sparking widespread criticisms and nationwide street protests by the organised Labour. But the Minister for Works, Power and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, said the measure was a bitter pill Nigerians must swallow to enjoy optimal service delivery in the power sector. Mr. Nafiz asked the Senate to probe how funds allocated to electricity companies were spent. In his contribution, Dino Melaye, (APC-Kogi west) noted that the latest increase in electricity tariff was the fourth since the privatisation of power. We ask for an immediate reversal of the 40 percent increase in electricity tariff because it is arbitrary, he said. Also speaking against the new regime, Mr. Ekweremadu said, As a country on life-support we do not need to add to the suffering of the people. For me this tariff increase is ultra-wicked and unconscionable. We must reverse it immediately. The Senate, on Tuesday, referred a member representing Zamfara Central, Kabiru Marafa, to its Ethics and Privileges Committees, accusing him of smearing its image through a false newspaper publication. The senators said Mr. Marafa defamed the image of the Senate and misled the public in a report published by Punch. Mr. Marafa, a member of the ruling All Progressives Congress, from Zamfara State, has been a critic of the senate president, Bukola Saraki, whose emergence as the senate leader he opposed. Senators, who back Mr. Saraki, have in the past called for sanctions against the lawmaker for his often defiant stance. On Tuesday, Isa Misau, an APC member from Bauchi State, raised a point of order, expressing anger over Mr. Marafas latest newspaper interview. Mr. Misau said he struggled very hard for 11 years to become a senator, therefore, he could not tolerate any attempt to ridicule the Senate. I am a person who struggled very hard to be here. I think the leader has to do something about this, he said. We cannot allow one person to continue to tell lies. Not only Marafa but anybody misleading the public. In the February 7 publication, Mr. Marafa called on Mr. Saraki to resign to face trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal for alleged false declaration of assets. He said if Mr. Saraki refused to step down, and other senators failed to demand his resignation, then Nigerians should recall all senators. At the moment, the image of the Senate is not worth anything in the eyes of Nigerians because of the attitude of its president, who ordinarily should have resigned in a sane clime, he was quoted by Punch as saying. However, if the senate president refused to resign and neither the leadership nor the entire senate mount any pressure on him to do so, then we would call on Nigerians to recall all their representatives in the senate because we have failed in our responsibilities. We have tried enough for him. We can no longer wait and watch someone who is answering criminal charges in court to come out of the dock always to preside over the affairs of the senate. His call came after the Supreme Court ordered Mr. Saraki to stand trial. Mr. Misau said Mr. Marafas comments breached his privilege as a senator. Another senator, Matthew Uroghide, from Edo State, said Mr. Marafas actions and utterances were unacceptable and should not be treated with levity. It took 11 years for Senator Misau to get to the senate; it took me 23 years. For one senator to think and act in a manner that will reduce my person is totally unacceptable. If anyone has read that interview, you will know it is an issue that we must look at very dispassionately. There were things that have no basis. If anyone is there to misguide the public, it should not be at the expense of this chamber, Mr. Uroghide said. Subsequently, the matter was referred to Ethics and Privileges Committee to report back in one week. Mr. Marafa, who was not in attendance during the deliberation, could not also be reached by phone. The Cameroonian Communication Minister, Issa Bakary, said on Tuesday that Cameroonian and Nigerian troops have taken a key base of Boko Haram in northern Nigeria, killing 162 insurgents. He said in Yaounde that the assault against the insurgents in Goshe, near the Cameroonian border, lasted from Thursday to Sunday. Mr. Bakary said the allied troops destroyed four artisanal mine factories, seizing mines, suicide bomber vests, ammunition and other weaponry. The minister said the troops also set a Boko Haram training centre on fire. Hundreds of people held hostage by the terrorists were also released. Cameroon lost two soldiers to land mines in the assault, he said. He said the Boko Haram, which seeks to implement its own radical version of Islam, has killed thousands in north-eastern Nigeria, Cameroon, Niger and Chad since 2009. (dpa/NAN) The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Tuesday arraigned a senior lawyer, Rickey Tarfa, before Justice Aishat Opesanwo of Lagos State High Court, Igbosere, on 2-count charge of obstruction of justice and attempting to pervert the course of justice. Mr. Tarfa pleaded not guilty to both counts. Based on his plea, the prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo prayed the court for a trial date and to remand the defendant in custody. However, Adeniyi Akintola, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, who led a team of over 90 Senior Advocates and other lawyers to represent Mr. Tarfa, said they had filed an application for bail which he said was served on the prosecution on the 10th of February, 2016. In his application for bail, the defence counsel told the court that the defendant went to court voluntarily and that he was granted administrative bail by EFCC on self-recognition. He said the defendant was a very senior member of the bar with no criminal record. He said there was nothing to show that the defendant would jump bail. However, prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, urged the court to dismiss the application as the offence was grave. He urged the court to dismiss the application and order for an accelerated hearing. Justice Opesanwo, in her ruling, granted bail to Mr. Tarfa on self-recognition but ordered that he must not travel out of the country without the permission of the court. The trial judge bemoaned the number of counsel who were in court for the defendant. She noted that there was no need for such magnitude of support as it amounts to harassment and intimidation of the court. Soon after the ruling, Mr. Akintola told the court that he had filed an application to quash the charge. Mr. Rotimi responded that he had not been served. He was subsequently served by the defence counsel in open court. Justice Opesanwo adjourned the matter to March 14, for hearing of the application to quash the charge while the substantive case was fixed for April 20, 2016 for trial. Mr. Ricky Tarfa, SAN, is accused of willfully obstructing two officers of the EFCC, Moses Awolusi and Sanusi Mohammed from arresting Gnanhooue Sourou and Nazaire Odeste, who were suspected to have committed economic and financial crimes in contravention of Section 38(2) (a) of the EFCC Establishment Act of 2004. Also, he is alleged to have engaged in improper communication with Justice M. Yunusa of the Federal High Court Lagos between May 11 and June 25, 2015 while the case between the EFCC and two others was pending before the judge. Count 1: That You Rickey Tarfa (SAN) on or about the 5th day of February, 2016 in Lagos within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, wilfully obstructed Moses Awolusi and Sanusi Mohammed, authorized officer of Economic and Financial Crime Commission from arresting GNANHOUE SOUROU and NAZAIRE ODESTE who were reasonably suspected to have committed economic and financial crimes by keeping the said suspects in your car between 11.00 hours to 16: 30 hours Count 2: RICKEY TARFA (SAN) between 11th of May and 25th of June, 2015 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court attempted to pervert the course of justice by communicating with Hon. Justice M.N. Yunusa of the Federal High Court through your mobile Telephone No. 08034600000 whilst suit No: FHC/L/CS/715/2015 between Rana Prestige Industries Nigeria and EFCC and Suit No: FHC/L/CS/716 between Hair Prestige Manufacturing Nigeria and EFCC filed by you on behalf of the applicants in the two suits seeking to retrain the commission from performing its statutory duties were pending before the said judge. A former governor of Borno State, Ali Sheriff, has been named the new chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party. The PDP is Nigerias biggest opposition party, and was only defeated in May 2015 after holding power for 16 years. Mr. Sherrif, who is replacing Ahmadu Muazu, the former chairman who resigned shortly after the polls, has been a controversial figure amid allegations he funded and sponsored the extremist sect, Boko Haram. He denies the allegation. The spokesperson for PDP, Olisa Metuh, who addressed journalists at the Abujas Wadata plaza secretariat of the party, on Tuesday, said all organs of the party, including, the national caucus, PDP governors forum and the national assembly caucuses agreed on the choice of Mr. Sherffi, who is also a former senator. Mr. Metuh said the decision would be communicated to the Board of Trustees and subsequently, the National Executive Committee, NEC, for ratification before a formal announcement would be made. More details coming. Members of the Nigerian Medical Association, Osun State Chapter, on Tuesday besieged the Osun State House of Assembly complex to protest the failure of the state government to pay their salaries in the last four months. The doctors have been on strike for four months and have vowed to continue the strike until their demands are met. The placard-carrying doctors in their numbers marched from the popular OSAMDO house to the state House of Assembly complex, where they were received by the lawmakers, led by the deputy speaker of the house. The doctors expressed worries that the lawmakers had failed to intervene since the crisis started. The NMA State Chairman, Suraj Ogunyemi, lamented the level of hardship faced by the doctors due to the non-payment of their salaries since September 2015, saying private medical practitioners would be forced to join the strike, if nothing was done. According to him, NMA Osun was constrained to embark on a three-day sympathy strike commencing on Wednesday. He noted that all doctors working with the Federal Teaching Hospitals in the state, would be involved in the strike action. Addressing the protesters,the Deputy Speaker of the House, Akintunde Adegboye, appealed to the doctors to be patient, promising that the house would look into the matter. He called on the executive members of the NMA to come for dialogue on Wednesday so as to find a solution to the problem. Government reacts Meanwhile, the Osun State government on Tuesday described as mere blackmail the protests by the striking members of the Nigerian Medical Association in the state. It said it had made sufficient concession for the doctors to shift grounds and return to work. A statement by the Director of the Bureau of Communication and Strategy in the Office of the Governor, Semiu Okanlawon, said Nigerians should objectively examine the issues and the demands of the doctors to see whether they were reasonable in the light of current economic realities and how they affect Osun State. The statement said the doctors were demanding the impossible and that the state under Governor Rauf Aregbesola had offered the best condition of service to all its workers including the doctors before the current financial challenges befell the entire country. The only way labour can do without the distrust of government is by setting up a committee with the labour constituting half of the composition and government half and a neutral person jointly accepted by us to be the head of the committee to be reviewing all the revenues and using the reality of the revenue to appropriate or apportion allocation to strategic and key areas of government, which is wages and running the government, the statement said. We agreed and we are running government absolutely on that basis. That agreement came in August and in September; the doctors said they were not in any way bound by that agreement. There was no way we could back down because, in the first instance, other professionals had accepted the agreement reached with labour. It said the doctors had remained recalcitrant despite all entreaties by leading lights of the medical profession. They refused the popular agreement, what should government do? How can we reverse a decision accented to and agreed with by over 39,000 workers because about 200 people are dissatisfied, it said. The government accused the doctors of abandoning their work since the 28 of September 2015, even though they were paid for that month. By December, we told them they should resume work and they have remained adamant that they want to earn what we cannot afford, the statement said. In the first instance, except in communist country, you cannot force anybody to work, you cant drag workers to work under democracy. It is either you want to work or you dont want to work. But if you cannot take what we are offering and what other workers including Doctors in Local government areas, including consultants at the state level are taking, we cannot afford it. The governor of Ekiti state, Ayodele Fayose, has dared President Muhammadu Buhari to arrest him. Mr. Fayose said Mr. Buhari is a dictator. They say he (Buhari) is coming after me, I am ready, Mr. Fayose said, Friday, during an interview on The Osasu Show which was broadcast on AIT. Mr. Fayose in the interview made reference to the Holy Bible Hebrew 13: 6 and said it is very clear that because we have God, we fear not what men will do to us. The governor, who is one of the fiercest critics of Mr. Buhari, said everybody cant belong to the same political party, and that he was entitled to his view. You cant silence everyone, he said. The Ekiti governor in the interview questioned the capacity of Mr. Buhari to solve Nigerias economic crisis. He said Mr. Buhari was still in an analogue stage, and that the president was clueless on the nations economy. I am saying it expressly, (that) the president does not understand the economy, said Governor Fayose. If you understand the economy you can do everything simultaneously without rocking the boat. You go out telling the whole world that your country is corrupt, you destroy all your people, and you expect them (foreigners) to do business with your people? That is not how to operate, said Mr. Fayose. The Ekiti governor insisted that President Buharis war against corruption was selective and political. He said, When (former Nigerian president) Obasanjo left prison, did he declare his assets? The library Obasanjo has today, where did the money come from? His house in Abeokuta, where did the money come from? Even Buhari himself declared cattle and mud houses. He said he doesnt have money. From where did the (presidential) campaign money come from? Mr. Fayose said Nigerian leaders werent committed to the idea of diversifying the countrys economy. Each of them looks forward to another election rather than look forward to the future of the country, he said. The governor also identified lack of electricity power and other infrastructure, including lack of capital, as the major factors against economic diversification in Nigeria. If I want to diversify, for instance, the money I got for last month was N1.3 billion. And my wage bill is N2.6 billion, aside security, electricity, water and basic essential services to the people. Do I use this money for diversification at the expense of the people? No I can`t! So, it is an uphill task. It is not impossible, but it an uphill task. My first counsel to the federal government is that they should stop the noise about corruption, and face this economy. They should be sincere more about the economy than playing to the gallery, Governor Fayose said. The governor advised the federal government to make agriculture attractive to farmers all over the country. The Deputy National Chairman (South) of the All Progressives Congress, Segun Oni, on Tuesday convened a meeting with Ekiti State stakeholders of the party at the APC national secretariat in Abuja. The meeting, according to a statement by a spokesperson for the party, Edegbe Odemwingie, was attended by over 60 APC chieftains from Ekiti State including former Governor of Ekiti State, Niyi Adebayo; APC State Chairman, Jide Awe. Others were a former Senator, Ayo Arise; former member of the House of Representatives, Opeyemi Bamidele; former member of the House of Representatives, Bimbo Daramola, amongst others. Former Governor Adebayo spoke to journalists after the meeting. Excerpts: Why the Ekiti Stake stakeholders meeting? As you are aware, we have been having some issues with some of our members. Some left the party to go and contest in the last election under different platforms and we have met today and we can say categorically that finally, all the issues that separated us at a time has been resolved and everybody is back in one big family now. On the state of affairs in Ekiti state I dont think there is anybody in Nigeria who will say he is happy with what is happening in Ekiti state. Ekiti is being turned into a pariah state and it is unfortunate that this sort of thing is happening and that is why we who are in the opposition are putting our house in order and we believe that if we all stick together and make sure that the party is in stable state, we will be able to wrestle power back from the current governor (Ayodele Fayose) that is making mockery of our state. On the Airport Project in Ekiti state Frankly speaking, even without paucity of fund, even with the way things were before, it is a surprise that anybody or any reasonable person will say that the priority for Ekiti state is an airport. It is definitely not an airport. We have an airport in Akure which is 45 minutes drive from our state capital. So building an airport in Ekiti state honestly is not a well thought-out project. Polish President Andrzej Duda and French PM Manuel Valls said in Munich on Saturday that they were against any plans to create a "mini Schengen" zone, Presidential Minister Krzysztof Szczerski has reported. According to the presidential aide, Duda and Valls discussed the future of European policy and migration. "At that stage there came a very important joint declaration that both countries would be against building any mini Schengen formula in Europe." The minister reported that the politicians agreed that the Schengen zone was an indivisible value and should encompass those who are able to effectively protect the EU's external borders. "No-one can be excluded from it due to political reasons or projects that would like to see it divided." Asked whether Duda and Valls discussed the controversial helicopter tender for the Polish army won by the French chopper Caracal, Szczerski said they had discussed "a whole range of bilateral issues" including the important element of "potential participation of French industry in the modernisation of the Polish army." The presidential minister stressed that the talk had not taken the form of negotiations. "It was rather a discussion on the conditions under which the French side, as any other side, should take part in the modernisation of the Polish army." President Duda also held a conversation with Lebanese PM Tammam Salam which centred on the humanitarian crisis in the Middle East and the expected European response to the crisis. "The president stressed that Poland was interested in offering aid where the tragedy is taking place," Krzysztof Szczerski reported. During talks with Montenegro's PM Milo Djukanovic, President Duda stressed that Poland was an advocate of an open door policy in NATO and that the upcoming NATO summit in Warsaw would be "expansion oriented", according to minister Szczerski. In talks with his Croatian, Slovenian, Estonian and Bulgarian counterparts, Duda discussed regional cooperation and joint investments. (PAP) Miss America would receive close to $12 million in state money and Atlantic City would get live national exposure on New Years Eve under a proposed agreement among the pagaent, dick clark productions and the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority. The agreement, to be considered at Tuesdays CRDA board meeting, would keep the pagaent in the city of its birth for three more years at a higher cost to the state. Can Miss America money be better spent? To woo Miss America back to her Atlantic City roots in 2013, the Casino Reinvestment Develop The authority would make annual payments of $3.5 million, $3.75 million and $4 million, respectively, over the next three years to cover the pageants production costs, according to a copy of the agreement obtained by The Press of Atlantic City. CRDA would also pay Miss America Organization an additional $325,000 for other production expenses and $311,000 for final settlement expenses. All told, Miss America would receive about $11.9 million in state money over the three-year period. By comparison, the recently expired three-year subsidy package totaled $7.3 million. The Miss America Organization, the CRDA and dick clark productions all declined to comment. In exchange, Atlantic City would get more national exposure. The pageant will again be nationally broadcast on ABC during that period, and the pageant would promote Atlantic City in press conferences, press releases, the Miss America website, promotional materials and during the telecast. The Miss America Organization would also promote Atlantic City in the opening of the next three Miss America telecasts with in-show promotions running about eight minutes long, according to a source close to the negotiations. The opening segment would introduce each contestant in groups at four or five different locations throughout Atlantic City chosen by CRDA. In addition, dick clark productions would promote Atlantic City during other televised events it produces: New Years Rockin Eve and the Billboard Music Awards, both of which are broadcast on ABC. On New Years Eve, dick clark productions will incorporate a live remote performance in Atlantic City in the 2017, 2018 and 2019 broadcasts. Event coverage will include reference to the resort and include the name of the venue the performance is taking place. But CRDA would foot the bill for all production costs of the performance. For the 2016 Billboard Music Awards, dick clark productions will mention Atlantic City when the reigning Miss America presents an award. The resort would be plugged at the awards show each year through 2018. The Billboard Music Awards averaged more than 11 million viewers through the three-hour show, a 14-year high in total viewership, according to Billboard.com. Throughout ABCs New Years Eve coverage, more than 59 million unique viewers tuned in. Both programs appeared on ABC, which extended a three-year contract with the Miss America Organization through 2018 in November. The Miss America contest generated 7.2 million viewers. In the past, supporters have justified the subsidies by arguing that highlighting Atlantic City during the Miss America pageant equals millions of dollars in exposure for the resort. Whether Miss America gives the resort the most bang for the states buck has been a subject of recent debate. In a December interview with The Press, Mayor Don Guardian said hes heard CRDA board members wondering privately whether the money could be better spent, asking So if I gave you (that same money), do you think youd rather have Madonna or Lady Gaga or Bruno Mars on a beach concert? Guardian could not be reached for comment Monday. Sen. Jim Whelan, D-Atlantic, said Friday that Miss America wasnt worth about $4 million a year for Atlantic City. Council President Marty Small said Monday that while there is a history between the resort and the pageant, he was surprised about the cost of the subsidy at a time when all the stakeholders are looking to cut costs. The pageant and CRDA have been negotiating a new contract since July. After an eight-year stint in Las Vegas, the Miss America Competition was lured back to its Atlantic City birthplace in 2013 with promises of a $7.3 million state subsidy package that expired in 2015. CRDA is at risk of losing millions in funds from an Atlantic City financial rescue package expected to be introduced this week. Like a plan rejected last month by Gov. Chris Christie, the bill could divert as much as $25 million in CRDA funding to help pay off municipal debt. The Miss America Organization, which provides scholarships to contestants, has struggled financially. According to its most recent federal filings, the organization spent $882,278 more than it took in during 2013. And Atlantic City, itself financially ailing, had to pick up a $65,000 tab for security for the 2015 pageant because the organizers couldnt pay for it, state officials said in August emails obtained by The Press of Atlantic City. Under the proposed agreement, Boardwalk Hall would again be the venue for all Miss America-related events. However, Miss America and dick clark productions have agreed to shorten its stay by a week, from 28 days to 21. But that is contingent on CRDA being able to install a new rigging system at Boardwalk Hall, scheduled for installation this spring. CRDA must also assist in staging the Show Us Your Shoes Parade and obtaining all required city permits and services. Miss America and dick clark productions would not be obligated to bear the costs of the city services, such as security. But the pagaent would be responsible for other parade costs. CRDAs board meeting is at 2 p.m. at 15 S. Pennsylvania Ave. in Atlantic City. Staff Writer Sara Tracey contributed to this report Contact: 609-272-7215 Twitter @_Hetrick For the New World Order, a world government is just the beginning. 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TEHRAN, Iran, Feb. 15, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Persia Khodro company officially launched its business in 2004 and has ever since served as the BMW sales and service provider in Iran. Incontrovertibly, Persia Khodro's activities over the past three years have carried much more weight than all the operations the company was engaged in during previous years. Three years ago, Persia Khodro was handed over to the private sector which led to see changes in different sections of the company such as the sales and after-sales departments, Dealers network, service development, luxury events, BMW gatherings and lots of other activities that never happened before. Currently, Persia Khodro imports BMW products based on import laws and seeks to increase the number of its sales outlets and service centers across the country to ensure the ultimate customer experience. Persia Khodro Central Office Persia Khodro's Public Relations, has weighed in on the importance of improving services offered to BMW owners. The owners of luxury and premium cars such as the BMW expect high-quality after-sales services. Accordingly, the company tries to increase the number of its Retailers across Iran and offer services which are unique in Iran. The company seeks to meet the demands of BMW owners promptly and maintain its standards at the highest international level. Based on the BMW culture, the company does not only sell cars, but instills a distinct sense of luxury and comfort into its customers. The latest testament to that was a ceremony marking the 40th anniversary of the birth of BMW 3 Series. It was held at Persia Khodro's headquarters on August 28, 2015. The event, which coincided with an exhibition of classic cars, brought together more than 400 BMW owners in Iran. Among other latest events were a rally of classic cars from Tehran to Kelardasht, a tourist town in northern Iran, and the unveiling of the BMW 2 Series in Iran in a private ceremony attended by BMW owners. Persia khodro had also launched 4 Series family and X4 models at early stages of privatization in 2014 with a memorable luxury event for the company's loyal customers in past years. After Persia Khodro was privatized, the company improved its services and redoubled efforts to keep its customers satisfied. As a case in point, the company offers roadside assistance and mobile services 24/7 to BMW owners. The services include repair, offering quick services, and educating owners on car options, towing the car to and from after-sales services free of charge and running technical checkups on automobiles. All of these are part of the new services offered to customers. The company has also opened three new dealers which offer free mobile services, has unveiled a roadside assistance vehicle which offers mobile services, and renders winter checkup services. Persia Khodro takes pride in having received the S5 certificate for offering distinct services to customers. It has also received the ISO 9001 (quality management system), 10002 (standard management system on dealing with complaints) and 10004 (standard management system on customer satisfaction), making the company one the major auto importers in Iran. The company has been able to achieve outstanding results in sales customer satisfaction and has been awarded and ranked 1st by Iran Standard Quality Inspection (ISQI) for a period between April and September 2015. The company currently runs sales offices in cities of Amol, Uroomyieh, Tabriz, Karaj, Mashhad, Shiraz, Yazd, Rasht and Isfahan, for after sales services Persia Khodro currently runs service centers in Tehran, Shiraz and Kerman. and seeks to establish more dealerships offering after-sales services across the nation. One BMW service center will soon open in the northwestern city of Tabriz. Moreover, BMW owners in Iran can purchase parts and accessories from the BMW parts counter at the company's headquarters or from the company's original BMW parts outlet at Tehran's Bazaar with Persia Khodro warranty. Persia Khodro operates one of the biggest BMW body and paint shops in the region, which benefits from the newest technologies, the best quality approved paints and the most professional paint specialists. This 2550 m2 shop is also equipped with an advanced equipment for dent removal, Paintless Dent Removal system (PDR) system. For more information visit: http://persiakhodro.ir/en Media Contact: Miss. Nani Karimi, Tel: +98 9125630679 Email Press Release By: Akhbar Rasmi Media Agency Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160215/333099 Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160215/333098LOGO SOURCE Persia Khodro Related Links http://persiakhodro.ir/en OTTAWA, Ontario, Feb. 16, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Online foreign exchange broker FxPro is using Solace technology to increase the capacity, performance and robustness of the messaging infrastructure that powers its advanced trading platforms and customer-facing interfaces. Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160215/333174LOGO FxPro is deploying a combination of Solace Message Router Appliances and Solace Virtual Message Routers to power a wide range of internal and customer-facing applications, including distribution within data centers, over wide area networks and via web and mobile devices. "Our business is growing rapidly and it is necessary that we continue to offer a world-class trading experience and customer service as we expand our offering to cover more asset classes and geographies," said Panayiotis Annivas, CIO, FxPro. "Solace gives us a rock-solid foundation on which we know we can build and grow our business to meet customer demand." The new Solace infrastructure replaces multiple previously used technologies, including ActiveMQ, Kaazing and ZeroMQ. FxPro selected Solace for its unique scale and fault-tolerant features as well as a unified API and administration framework, which will keep the architecture and operation of their system simple even as they grow their business. "It takes an innovative approach and world-class infrastructure to satisfy the trading needs of forex customers in over 150 countries, and FxPro has both," said Craig Betts, CEO, Solace Systems. "We're proud that they've selected our technology as the framework that ties together their many applications, locations and customer interfaces." About Solace Systems Solace provides technology that improves the speed and efficiency with which information flows between applications, connected devices, datacenters and people. High-speed, reliable information sharing is a critical part of modern IT initiatives from accelerating legacy business processes to enabling big data, cloud computing and the Internet of Things. Solace unifies many kinds of data movement so companies can cost-effectively move all of the information associated with better serving customers and making smarter decisions. To learn more visit http://solacesystems.com. About FxPro FxPro is an award-winning online broker, serving retail and institutional clients in more than 150 countries. FxPro provides access to competitive pricing and deep liquidity with no-dealing-desk intervention via its advanced trading platforms, superior execution technologies and algorithmic tools. FxPro Group Limited is the holding company of FxPro UK Limited and FxPro Financial Services Limited. FxPro UK Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (registration no. 509956). FxPro Financial Services Limited is authorised and regulated by the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (licence no. 078/07) and by the Financial Services Board (authorisation no. 45052). Risk Warning Trading CFDs involves a high risk of loss. This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com. For more info visit: http://www.newswire.com SOURCE FxPro Related Links http://solacesystems.com LOS ANGELES, Feb. 16, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- GV28 WHO AM I? Wisdom From The Bones explores the complex psyche of a flawed but incredibly talented and prolific poet / artist Luis J. Rodriguez in an intimate no-holds-barred one-on-one interview format conducted by filmmaker Bob Bryan. Integrated into this special presentation is Rodriguez's dramatic reading of his unforgettable poetic works, performed in emotionally evocative settings. Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160215/333279 In 1993, Luis J. Rodriguez exploded onto the National Literary Scene with the release of his memoir "ALWAYS RUNNING, Living La Vida Loca: Gang Days in L.A." Based entirely on true events in his furious life ALWAYS RUNNING is a Literary "must-read" selection that has sold over half-a-million copies to date. Currently, Luis is serving as the Official Poet Laureate of Los Angeles, California and has authored over 21 novels, memoirs and poetry books. He is the recipient of the prestigious Carl Sandburg Literary Award for non-fiction and many other National Literary Awards. According to Filmmaker Bob Bryan, WISDOM FROM THE BONES succeeds because Luis speaks eloquently and truthfully about his dark journey from "Trauma to Transformation." Describing in details the difficulties he endured in confronting his inner demons and insecurities, his deep, debilitating fears, his apprehensions and psychological blindness which all drove him at the tender age of 12 years old to seek out the communion of Death Cults called "Gangs." These groups coveted the idea of 'Homicide and Suicide' as an unconscious theme in their reckless activities and angry lives. When you factor in heroin and alcohol use, it's no wonder that few survive this vicious negative urban cycle. It's an important story that needs to be told, and Luis is the perfect messenger. THE COMPLETE GV DOCUSERIES IS NOW AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM GV Docu-Series Festival Honors & Awards: http://www.graffitiverite.com/GVawardsFestivalHonors.htm GV28 Web Page: http://www.graffitiverite.com/GV28_Who-Am-I.htm GV28 Amazon.com DVD Purchase: http://www.amazon.com/GRAFFITIVERITEGV28WHORodriguez/dp/B01AIZQYR4/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1455390443&sr=82&keywords=Graffiti+Verite+28 Contact Information Ms. Loida Mariano, Account Executive BRYAN WORLD PRODUCTIONS P.O. Box 74033 Los Angeles, CA 90004 Tel. No.: 323 / 856-9256 Web site: http://www.graffitiverite.com DVD Cover: http://www.graffitiverite.com/bwp_662425080540_GV28-Who-Am-I-FrontCover.jpg Email: [email protected] This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com. For more info visit: http://www.newswire.com SOURCE Bob Bryan Related Links http://www.graffitiverite.com CARMEL, Ind., Feb. 16, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- HOPE (Health Opportunity through Partnership in Education), together with Washington National Insurance Company, has donated $100,000 to help the American Cancer Society fund cutting-edge scientific cancer research. To date, HOPE has contributed a total of $500,000 to support the Society's lifesaving cancer research programs. The $100,000 gift will help fund a post-doctoral fellowship genetic research project in lung cancer at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston. Alison Taylor, PhD, postdoctoral fellow, will examine the make-up of cancerous cells and how chromosomal changes contribute to tumor growth. "Through this research, I hope to be able to better understand the cause of genetic changes that are known to contribute to lung cancer growth, which will allow for the development of new therapies for treatment," said Dr. Taylor. Since 1982, HOPE has worked to promote good health; encourage scientific research; and educate the public about prevention, detection and treatment of cancer and other serious diseases and accidents. HOPE members, including more than 180,000 Washington National certificateholders, generously contribute to the HOPE foundation to support and promote its mission through partnerships with established nonprofit organizations, such as the American Cancer Society. "We are pleased to support the American Cancer Society and Dr. Taylor's work in genetic research in lung cancer," said Barbara Stewart, president of HOPE and Washington National. "The generous contributions of Washington National certificateholders and HOPE will support efforts to find new and innovative treatments for lung cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, lung cancer accounts for more deaths than any other cancer." Dr. Taylor's research will be conducted alongside American Cancer Society research professor Dr. Matthew L Meyerson, MD, PhD, at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. She earned her doctorate at Harvard University in Boston and her bachelor of science in biology from Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, Mass. Dr. Taylor has published several research papers on genetic mutations. About HOPE HOPE is a nonprofit organization incorporated in 1982. HOPE's mission is to promote good health, to encourage scientific research, and to disseminate information about the prevention, detection and treatment of cancer and other serious diseases and accidents. For more information, visit HopeMembers.com. About Washington National Insurance Company Washington National Insurance Company, a subsidiary of CNO Financial Group, Inc., has helped Americans since 1911 to protect themselves and their families from the financial hardship that often comes with critical illnesses, accidents and loss of life. The company's supplemental health and life insurance products are designed to help give policyholders and their loved ones peace of mind. To learn more, visit WashingtonNational.com. About the American Cancer Society The American Cancer Society is a global grassroots force of 2.5 million volunteers saving lives threatened by every cancer in every community. As the largest voluntary health organization, the Society's efforts have contributed to a 22 percent decline in cancer death rates in the U.S. since 1991, and a 50 percent drop in smoking rates. We're the nation's largest private, not-for-profit investor in cancer research, ensuring people facing cancer have the help they need and continuing the fight for access to quality health care, lifesaving screenings, clean air and more. For more information, to get help or to join the fight, call us anytime, day or night, at 1-800-227-2345 or visit cancer.org. SOURCE Washington National Insurance Company Related Links http://WashingtonNational.com CHICAGO, Feb. 16, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Matt Leszczak's story is really not much different from millions of other Americans. Immigrants have been coming to this country's shores for generations to live the American dream. Leszczak was lucky to get in to logistics in Chicago. Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160215/333128 Starting in warehousing thru dispatching to freight brokering, Leszczak always saw trucking companies struggling with drivers. With 8.2% unemployment in 2012, companies surprisingly say they've had 3 million job openings every month, according to the Labor Department, but employers are having trouble filling these positions because they can't find skilled workers to do the jobs. 200,000 jobs are for truck drivers. The median annual wage for a trucker that works for a private fleet, such as a truck driver employed by Walmart, is $73,000, according to the ATA. The Labor Department pegs the median annual salary for all truck drivers at around $40,000. To become a heavy-hauling driver one needs a CDL driver license and proper training. Some of the bigger freight forwarders will cover training and all CDL costs for new employees. The trucking companies, warehouses, and private sector in the U.S., employ an estimated 8.9 million people in trucking-related jobs; nearly 3.5 million are truck drivers. The United States economy depends on trucks to deliver nearly 70 percent of all freight transported annually, accounting for $671 billion worth of manufactured and retail goods transported by truck in the U.S. alone. That's not including the $295 billion in truck trade with Canada and $195.6 billion in truck trade with Mexico. It's a job that cannot be shipped overseas and has the potential to drive the cost of goods higher and ultimately hurt the U.S. economy. Immigration reform might help to fulfill the increasing gap in the trucking industry, help lower the cost of truck load as well as LTL freight, and improve freight delivery time. There have been several legislative attempts to overhaul the U.S. immigration policy over the past decade, and all of them have failed. The American people rejected these efforts because they were primarily focused on addressing the demands of the people who broke our laws. In the U.S. labor force, there were 8.1 million unauthorized immigrants either working or looking for work in 2012 - all potential drivers already in the U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio says people who immigrated to the U.S. illegally but haven't committed any major crimes could be allowed to stay. "I don't think you're going to round up and deport 12 million people," he states. President Barack Obama said Monday he expects immigration to be a major issue in the 2016 election. If we have immigration reform, we will have more drivers, freight estimate will be lower, the U.S. trucking industry will boost up, and cost of goods in your market will drop significantly, says Leszczak. Contact: Matt Leszczak CEO Apple Express, Inc. (708) 493-9000 www.appleexpress.us SOURCE Matt Leszczak OMAHA, Neb., Feb. 16, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Managed.com, a leading managed website hosting and support provider specializing in hosting a variety of content management system (CMS) platforms for small/medium businesses and enterprise-level clients, has partnered with DeskPal a top provider of website maintenance and support. The partnership provides mutual customers with access to premier hosting and support for their sites, as well as an expert to help with the overall performance of their site. New clients to DeskPal will receive a 40% discount for up to 3 months of services through the Managed.com offering. Managed.com collaborates with a variety of suppliers to deliver innovative and valuable solutions to their client base. Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160215/333381 Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160215/333382 "Today's websites are complex and ever changing, making it challenging for our clients to remain current with the latest updates. We are proud to partner with DeskPal and offer our clients additional resources to help maintain the health and continuity of their sites," said J.R. Brooks, president of Managed.com. "Managed.com is committed to providing the best 24/7/365 web hosting services and support and our DeskPal partnership compliments our efforts by giving our clients access to webmaster services that can help them stay up-to-date." Websites require management after development. DeskPal aids clients and their developers with handling small, important tasks that are essential for the stability of their sites. Deskpal offers assistance with upgrades of the latest CMSs, performance monitoring to reduce slow connectivity, security practices to reduce spammers, as well as other responsibilities. "Our goal is to take the burden of managing and keeping your sites up to date, so you can focus on your core business." said Aderson Oliveira, president of DeskPal. "We are pleased to partner with Managed.com and offer services to their client base that may need assistance with maintenance and small tasks to keep their websites healthy." For more information about the DeskPal promotional offering please visit http://deskpal.com/managed. About Managed.com The Managed.com team, that operated solely as www.Powerdnn.com from 2004-2015, has been providing global, industry-leading website hosting and support for more than a decade. Their web hosting experts specialize in providing premier support for a variety of Content Management Systems (CMS), including: DNN, WordPress, elcomCMS, Drupal, nopCommerce, Joomla and others. Headquartered in Omaha, Neb., the infrastructure and IT support company has datacenters around the world, including: Amsterdam, Brisbane, Manchester, and Omaha. Managed.com's multiple, hardened datacenters ensure their customers' sites are always up and running at peak performance. Their team of support experts are available 24/7/365 to answer questions, analyze needs, and provide quick solutions. For more information, please call 877-743-8366 or visit https://managed.com/. About DeskPal DeskPal is a leading global provider of website maintenance and support. They provide support for a variety of CMSs including; DotNetNuke (DNN), WordPress, Drupal, and others. DeskPal's team of webmaster experts can help clients with maintenance, support and small tasks to keep them up-to-date. Learn more at www.deskpal.com. Contact: Juli Dexter Email 401.256.6115 SOURCE Managed.com Related Links https://managed.com WASHINGTON, Feb. 16, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- After delivering more than 7,000 pounds of cargo to support dozens of science experiments from around the world, Orbital ATK's Cygnus cargo spacecraft is set to leave the International Space Station Friday, Feb. 19. NASA Television will provide live coverage of the event beginning at 7 a.m. EST. The Cygnus spacecraft, which arrived at the station Dec. 9, will be detached from the Earth-facing side of the station's Unity module using the Canadarm2 robotic arm, operated by ground controllers at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston. NASA's Mission Control Center will maneuver Cygnus into place and Expedition 46 robotic arm operators Scott Kelly and Tim Kopra of NASA will give the command for its 7:25 a.m. release. Once the spacecraft is a safe distance from the station, its engines will fire twice, pushing it into Earth's atmosphere where it will burn up over the Pacific Ocean. The deorbit burn and reentry of Cygnus will not air on NASA TV. Experiments delivered on Cygnus supported NASA and other research investigations during Expeditions 45 and 46, in areas such as biology, biotechnology, and physical and Earth science -- research that impacts life on Earth. Investigations included a new life science facility that will support studies on cell cultures, bacteria and other microorganisms, a microsatellite deployer and the first microsatellite to be deployed from the space station. Experiments exploring the behavior of gases and liquids, clarifying the thermo-physical properties of molten steel, and testing flame-resistant textiles also were delivered. The Cygnus resupply craft launched Dec. 6 on a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, for the company's fourth NASA-contracted commercial station resupply mission. For NASA TV schedule and video streaming information, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/nasatv For more information about Orbital ATK's mission, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/orbitalatk For more information about the International Space Station, and its research and crews, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/station Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20081007/38461LOGO SOURCE NASA Related Links http://www.nasa.gov RACINE, Wis., Feb. 16, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, given the rising global outbreak of Zika, SC Johnson announced it will donate at least $15 million over the next year to provide products to help needy families combat the mosquitoes that may carry the disease. As the world's leading manufacturer of pest control products, including OFF!, Raid, Autan and Baygon, SC Johnson will partner with international NGOs and health foundations to provide personal insect repellents, spatial repellents and household insecticides. SC Johnson will also provide cash contributions to cover logistics, distribution and educational materials. Numerous countries are experiencing outbreaks of Zika and dengue fever, and both diseases continue to spread. Photo courtesy of SC Johnson "The people who work at SCJ and I feel a strong commitment to helping ensure pest control products are provided to help protect needy families from the mosquitoes that may carry these diseases," said SC Johnson Chairman and CEO Fisk Johnson. "Since the Zika outbreak began in Brazil and has spread to other countries, we have ramped up our global production to help ensure an adequate supply of our products is available in stores, and more importantly, for a donation such as this. We are proud that this donation will help those who are especially vulnerable to the dangers of mosquito-borne diseases." Earlier this month, the family company donated 54,000 units of insect repellent to the County of Hawaii Civil Defense Agency. The county has been experiencing a dengue fever outbreak since late 2015 and into early 2016. Discussions are underway with partners to provide assistance to Latin America and the Caribbean to help protect from the mosquito that may carry disease, such as the Zika outbreaks in some of those countries. For more than 50 years, SC Johnson entomologists have studied insects at the Entomology Research Center in Racine, Wis., the world's largest private, urban entomology research center. In addition to its research expertise, the company has ramped up the production of pest control products to meet increased demand in response to mosquito-borne Zika virus and dengue fever outbreaks. SC Johnson currently operates in more than 70 countries and sells products in virtually every country around the world. Tips for Protecting Your Family Personal repellents containing active ingredients like DEET and Picaridin, which are applied to exposed areas of skin and clothing, are an important line of defense. With any repellent, it's important for families to read the label first, follow the instructions, and choose the repellent that's best for their needs. Around the home, twice a week remove habitats where mosquitoes can breed namely, standing containers of water. Individuals should empty, clean or cover containers such as buckets, flower pots, old tires, or toys to remove or destroy mosquito habitats. They can also make it harder for mosquitoes to come into their homes by covering any gaps in windows or doors, and making sure screens on windows and doors are working properly, or are patched. Individuals can further minimize exposure to mosquito bites by wearing light-colored, long-sleeved shirts and long pants, socks, and hats. Tucking in shirts, and tucking pants into socks, also decreases the chances of getting bitten. If the sleeping area is exposed to the outdoors, individuals should use a bed net and cover baby carriers as well. The World Health Organization (WHO) and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) both recommend a mix of tactics to prevent mosquito bites. For more information about mosquito-borne disease prevention, visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website and SC Johnson's Resource Center. About SC Johnson SC Johnson is a family company dedicated to innovative, high-quality products, excellence in the workplace and a long-term commitment to the environment and the communities in which it operates. Based in the USA, the company is one of the world's leading manufacturers of household cleaning products and products for home storage, air care, pest control and shoe care, as well as professional products. It markets such well-known brands as GLADE, KIWI, OFF!, PLEDGE, RAID, SCRUBBING BUBBLES, SHOUT, WINDEX and ZIPLOC in the U.S. and beyond, with brands marketed outside the U.S. including AUTAN, TANA, BAMA, BAYGON, BRISE, KABIKILLER, KLEAR, MR MUSCLE and RIDSECT. The 130-year-old company, which generates $10 billion in sales, employs approximately 13,000 people globally and sells products in virtually every country around the world. www.scjohnson.com Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160216/333692 SOURCE SC Johnson Related Links http://www.scjohnson.com BANGKOK, Feb. 16, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- When you attend one of the industry's largest events featuring the most comprehensive collection of home furniture, interior furnishing & accessories, machinery and equipment magazines/trade publications, materials and part, office furniture all situated in the infectious, palatable ambiance of Bangkok, Thailand you can't help but to feel totally immersed, and come to Life. Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160215/333179-INFO Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160215/333180 The 31st Annual Thailand International Furniture Fair (TIFF) is scheduled for March 9-13, 2016. It's noted as one of the most embracing furniture exhibitions in Thailand, with anticipation of over 15,000 local visitors and close to 5,000 international trade visitors. The fair, which captures its own unique style, is always held in March by the Department of International Trade Promotion, Ministry of Commerce, under the Royal Thai Government, Thai Furniture Industry Club, The Federation of Thai Industries and The Thai Furniture Industries Association. TIFF 2016 represents ingenious ideas, new innovation, and the latest collections of decoration products from operation in the business. The event this year comes under "ASEAN Smart Living" concept reflecting Thailand's image as a center of ASEAN furniture production and trading which harmoniously meets various needs of modern buyers. It's divided into home furniture, interior furnishing & accessories, machinery and equipment magazines/trade publications, materials and part, office furniture and many more. The following benefits will serve as key incentives for those who attend: An exhibition for all furniture products from local handmade to high-end design; An ideal platform for leading furniture companies, producers, entrepreneurs, exporters, importers, and designers of related business to showcase their latest collections; A great opportunity to leverage your business in one of the fastest growing, emerging regions of the world, with a population of 600 million; Meet buyers, importers, designers, developers, and owners of furniture showrooms from Japan , USA , Europe , ASEAN, India , Middle East , Africa , Australia , etc.; , , , ASEAN, , , , , etc.; Free business matching by the Department of International Trade Promotion "The fairs common denominators are tradition, knowledge, creativity and innovation as consideration and challenge of creating new products or brands. We all desire good design, in a highly developed furniture industry, which in turn, is able to successfully adapt to new market challenges," said Malee Choklumlerd, Director-General Department of International Trade Promotion, Ministry of Commerce. Join TIFF this year and take the journey that will encompass the conceptual planning, aesthetic and technical solutions needed to achieve your desired results. TIFF recognizes it's more than a Fair which concerns itself with the visual or ambient enhancements; it seeks to harmonize the uses to which the built environment will be placed. Designers must be knowledgeable about the many characteristics of furnishings, accessories, etc. It's more than just building and designing furniture, it's an artistry. The first three days, March 9-11, 2016, are designated for trade visitors and held between 10:00 am to 6:00 pm. The last two days, March 12-13, 2016, the fair is open to the public and is open between 10:00 am 9:00 pm. For more information on the Thailand International Furniture Fair, please visit www.thailandfurniturefair.com , or call 0 2507 8361-64 Media Contact: Mr Santhana Suebsantiwongs +66818192606 SOURCE Thailand International Furniture Fair 2016 (TIFF 2016) Related Links http://www.thailandfurniturefair.com In June of last year, the Delaware Chancery Court (per VC Glasscock) dismissed a derivative suit brought by GM shareholders against GM directors, alleging that the GM board breached their duty of loyalty by failing to oversee operations of corporation in connection with the ignition switch scandal. The case was dismissed in pre-trial motions for failure to comply with the basic procedural requirements associated with derivative litigation: When a plaintiff seeks derivatively to pursue litigation arising from board action, without having made demand as required by Court of Chancery Rule 23.1, the plaintiff must allege with particularity facts that raise a reasonable doubt either that the directors are disinterested and independent or that the challenged action was otherwise the product of a valid exercise of business judgment. Where board inaction is the subject of such derivative litigation, the plaintiff must plead particularized facts raising a reasonable doubt that, at the time the complaint was filed, the board could have properly exercised independent and disinterested business judgment in responding to a demand. In re Gen. Motors CompanyDerivative Litig. , No. CV 9627-VCG, 2015 WL 3958724, at *10 (Del. Ch. June 26, 2015). For discussion of this requirement, see my book . , No. CV 9627-VCG, 2015 WL 3958724, at *10 (Del. Ch. June 26, 2015). For discussion of this requirement, see my book Corporation Law 2d In this case, in which the board's principal alleged failing was a lack of oversight, the plaintiff must plead particularized facts raising a reasonable doubt that the board acted in good faith. For critical discussion of the bad faith standard in the oversight context, see my article The Convergence of Good Faith and Oversight: In Stone v. Ritter, 911 A.2d 362 (Del. 2006), two important strands of Delaware corporate law converged; namely, the concept of good faith and the duty of directors to monitor the corporation's employees for law compliance. As to the former, Stone puts to rest any remaining question as to whether acting in bad faith is an independent basis of liability under Delaware corporate law, stating that although good faith may be described colloquially as part of a 'triad' of fiduciary duties that includes the duties of care and loyalty, the obligation to act in good faith does not establish an independent fiduciary duty that stands on the same footing as the duties of care and loyalty. Only the latter two duties, where violated, may directly result in liability, whereas a failure to act in good faith may do so, but indirectly. 911 A.2d at 370. Nevertheless, this holding may not matter much, because the Stone court makes clear that acts taken in bad faith breach the duty of loyalty. As a result, instead of being split out as a separate fiduciary duty, good faith has been subsumed by loyalty. In this sense, Stone looks like a compromise between those scholars and jurists who wanted to elevate good faith to being part of a triad of fiduciary duties and those who did not, with the former losing as a matter of form, and the latter losing as a matter of substance. As to the duty of oversight, Stone confirmed former Chancellor William Allen's dicta in Caremark Int'l Inc. Deriv. Litig., 698 A.2d 959 (Del. Ch. 1996), that the fiduciary duty of care of corporate directors includes an obligation for directors to take some affirmative law compliance measures. In Stone, the Delaware Supreme Court confirmed that Caremark articulates the necessary conditions for assessing director oversight liability. Stone, 911 A.2d at 365. This article argues that the convergence of good faith and oversight is one of those unfortunate marriages that leaves both sides worse off. New and unnecessary doctrinal uncertainties have been created. This article identifies those uncertainties and suggests how they should be resolved. Bainbridge, Stephen M. and Lopez, Star and Oklan, Benjamin, The Convergence of Good Faith and Oversight. UCLA School of Law, Law-Econ Research Paper No. 07-09. Available at SSRN: http://ssrn.com/abstract=1006097. Delaware precedents make clear that proving director liability for lack of oversight under the bad faith standard is one of the hardest claims for a plaintiff to make in corporate law. As I explain in my article Caremark and Enterprise Risk Management: The financial crisis of 2008 revealed serious and widespread risk management failures throughout the business community. Shareholder losses attributable to absent or poorly implemented risk management programs are enormous. Efforts to hold corporate boards of directors accountable for these failures likely will focus on so-called Caremarkclaims. The Caremark decision asserted that a board of directors has a duty to ensure that appropriate "information and reporting systems" are in place to provide the board and top management with "timely and accurate information." Although post-Caremark opinions and commentary have focused on law compliance programs, risk management programs do not differ in kind from the types of conduct that traditionally have been at issue in Caremark-type litigation. Risk management failures do differ in degree from law violations or accounting irregularities. In particular, risk taking and risk management are inextricably intertwined. Efforts to hold directors accountable for risk management failures thus threaten to morph into holding directors liable for bad business outcomes. Caremark claims premised on risk management failures thus uniquely implicate the concerns that animate the business judgment rule's prohibition of judicial review of business decisions. As Caremark is the most difficult theory of liability in corporate law, risk management is the most difficult variant of Caremark claims. Bainbridge, Stephen M., Caremark and Enterprise Risk Management (March, 18 2009). UCLA School of Law, Law-Econ Research Paper No. 09-08. Available at SSRN: http://ssrn.com/abstract=1364500 Unfortunately for the GM shareholders, their claim basically alleged that the board had failed to properly manage and oversee the risks related to the ignition switch issues: In an attempt to show bad faith here, the Plaintiffs allege that the transfer of risk management responsibilities was made despite an already poorly-functioning risk management system, creating an even worse system. The Plaintiffs also allege that the Audit Committee was overburdened with issues relating to GM's bankruptcy, and thus, the decision to transfer more responsibility could not have been made in good faith. The Plaintiffs also allege that the transfer of responsibilities was incomplete: that the Audit Committee Charter did not adopt the entirety of the Finance and Risk Committee's responsibilities. Importantly, as will be discussed in greater detail below, there is no sufficiently pled allegation that the Board was aware that its risk management system was not functioning as it shouldi.e., there were no red flags or other bases from which I can infer knowledge on the part of the Board that its system was inadequate. Thus, the decision to make changes to that systema type of decision that is squarely within the realm of director decision-makingcannot be said to be in bad faith, made with conscious disregard of the Board's duties to GM. In re Gen. Motors Company Derivative Litig. , No. CV 9627-VCG, 2015 WL 3958724, at *12 (Del. Ch. June 26, 2015). The court's conclusion makes clear that doing a bad job of risk management is not the equivalent of bad faith, just as Delaware law has consistently held in prior cases: In re Gen. Motors Company Derivative Litig. , No. CV 9627-VCG, 2015 WL 3958724, at *17 (Del. Ch. June 26, 2015) Pleadings, even specific pleadings, indicating that directors did a poor job of overseeing risk in a poorly-managed corporation do not imply director bad faith. This case presents a classic example of the difference between allegations of a breach of the duty of care (involving gross negligence) as opposed to the duty of loyalty (involving allegations of a bad-faith conscious disregard of fiduciary duties). The conduct at issue here, as pled, falls short of an utter failure to attempt to establish information or reporting systems, a conscious failure to monitor existing systems, or conduct otherwise taken in bad faith. Accordingly, I find that there is not a substantial likelihood of personal liability on the part of a majority of the Board, excusing demand, and the Motion to Dismiss should be granted for failure to comply with Rule 23.1. Legal blogger Frank Reynolds reports on the recent Supreme Court hearing of the GM shareholders appeal: Delaware law experts agreed that the GM plaintiff shareholders had a tough row to hoe in trying to convince the state high court that the reporting system the board implemented was so utterly useless that relying on it constituted gross misconduct. Widener professor Paul Regan, who took his corporate law classes to Wednesdays oral argument, said the odds do not appear to be in the plaintiffs favor. Even if they proved the directors made bad or negligent decisions about the defect reporting systems setup and operation, he said, it wont be enough to revive their suit because the standard of bad faith regarding the duty of care is very tough to meet. Regan noted that the justices closely questioned plaintiffs attorney David A. Jenkins of Smith Katzenstein & Jenkins in Wilmington, on his attempt to prove that the directors exhibited bad faith rather than mere negligence in using a reporting system that failed to get them the information they needed on a spate of disastrous ignition switch lockups. The justices had no questions for defense attorney Robert J. Kopecky of Kirkland & Ellis in Chicago, who recited a litany of the directors well-intentioned attempts to ensure that they were getting up-to-date information on defects after GM emerged from bankruptcy protection in 2009, Regan said. (HT: Francis Pileggi) Personally, I don't see how the Delaware Supreme Court could possibly hold for plaintiffs without tossing most of its Caremark jurisprudence out the window. In order for their to be liability under Stone v Ritter, there must be a showing that "(a) the directors utterly failed to implement any reporting or information system or controls; or (b) having implemented such a system or controls, consciously failed to monitor or oversee its operations thus disabling themselves from being informed of risks or problems requiring their attention. In either case, imposition of liability requires a showing that the directors knew that they were not discharging their fiduciary obligations." Based on VC Glasscock's factual summary: (1) the GM board did have a reporting system; (2) the GM board did not intentionally ignore red flags or similar alerts. Indeed, it looks like the plaintiffs' claim should fail for the same reasons that the plaintiffs' claims failed in Stone: With the benefit of hindsight, the plaintiffs complaint seeks to equate a bad outcome with bad faith. The lacuna in the plaintiffs argument is a failure to recognize that the directors good faith exercise of oversight responsibility may not invariably prevent employees from violating criminal laws, or from causing the corporation to incur significant financial liability, or both .... GM doubtless suffered a significant loss. But as long as a bad outcome does not constitute bad faith per se, these sort of claims will remain almost impossible for plaintiffs to win. Washington, Feb 11 : As rival presidential candidates turned to battles ahead, Republican Donald Trump basked in the glory of his huge win in New Hampshire as Democrat Bernie Sanders quickly cashed on his stunning win over Hillary Clinton. And after her 22 point blowout defeat at the hands of self-styled Democratic socialist, the Clinton camp sought to regroup focusing her campaign's energies on African-American voters ahead of the next caucus round in Nevada on February 20. The same day Republicans will clash in South Carolina and make their choice in Nevada on February 23, while the Democrats will have their next primary in South Carolina on February 27. The Republican presidential field meanwhile narrowed down to six with New Jersey governor Chris Christie and former HP CEO Carly Fiorina calling it quits after their poor sixth and seventh place finish. But retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson gamely stayed on despite finishing at the bottom of the table while Florida Senator Marco Rubio the new establishment favourite prepared for his second act after the exit of his tormentor Christie. Trump celebrated his victory by firing at other White House hopefuls from both political parties at a rally in Clemson University in Clemson, South Carolina. He mocked former Florida governor Jeb Bush saying "I hate to waste time on this guy because he's not going to win." "Who thinks Hillary is going to make it?" he asked the crowd turning his ire at Clinton. "She's got to make it through this wacky socialist guy Bernie." And "This guy Sanders is up ranting and raving like a lunatic that he won. I'm shocked that he won," said Trump. "What are we coming to? I just don't see a socialist as the head of our country." After Clinton's poor performance, her spokesman Brian Fallon started lowering expectations in Nevada suggesting Sanders will "have the momentum coming out of New Hampshire presumably, so there's a lot of reasons he should do well." Clinton also sent out a fundraising pitch to supporters. "Last night's results in New Hampshire weren't what we hoped for. But I woke up this morning ready to keep fighting for the issues you and I believe in. Are you with me?" Clinton asked. President Barack Obama hasn't endorsed a candidate, but his former press secretary Jay Carney told CNN that Obama has a clear preference. "I don't think there is any doubt that he wants Hillary to win the nomination and believes that she would be the best candidate in the fall and the most effective as president in carrying forward what he's achieved," he said. Bernie Sanders, meanwhile, triggered a fundraising avalanche and plotted a nationwide campaign after his rout of Clinton. He raised $5.2 million in the 18 hours after polls closed in New Hampshire, his campaign announced. He also met civil rights activist Al Sharpton in a New York City restaurant in Harlem Wednesday to win his support. Clinton and Sanders will have their next showdown in a Democratic debate in Milwaukee, Wisconsin Thursday, while Republican candidates will have their debate in Greenville, South Carolina, on Saturday. (Arun Kumar can be contacted at arun.kumar@ians.in) Seoul, Feb 11 : The US, in response to the recent space rocket launch by Pyongyang, has sent a nuclear-powered submarine to South Korea, a spokesperson from Seoul's Armed Forces said on Thursday. The USS North Carolina (SSN-777), a Virginia-class submarine with over eight years in service and with a cruising speed of 46 kph, can carry Tomahawk cruise missiles and submarine-launched torpedoes, Efe news reported. With the deployment of this vessel in South Korean waters, the US seeks to "reassert its commitment to the defense of South Korea," and "send a warning message," to North Korea, the spokesperson added. The spokesperson claimed the US is also considering dispatching two new combat aircraft with stealth capabilities, possibly a B-2 bomber and an F-22 Raptor fighter plane, to South Korea. The dispatch of the submarine is being seen as a response to the North Korean space satellite launch carried out aboard a long-range rocket on Sunday, an action that was fiercely condemned by both Seoul and Washington, who believe it to be a veiled missile test in violation of UN Security Council resolutions. The US deploys a permanent force of 28,500 troops in South Korea to defend its ally against North Korean aggression in an arrangement that dates back to the end of the 1950-53 Korean War. New Delhi, Feb 13 : A hospital here has emerged as the first medical institution in India to successfully perform in vitro fertilization (IVF) from parents with 'translocation defects'. A translocation defect is a genetic defect in the structural arrangements of chromosomes, which interferes in the production of normal eggs and sperms, leading to repeated abortions. Under the procedure -- performed successfully at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital here -- a couple with translocation defects are usually taken for the IVF and then embryos are generated by fertilizing the women's egg with the husbands sperms. It's called Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD). "At least three embroyo's are created and then a biopsy is performed on each of them and then one single cell is taken from all of them. Each cell is subjected to genetic analysis to detect the translocation defect," said Gaurav Majumdar, Chief Embryologist at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, which is celebrating 25 years of performing IVF on Saturday. After the test, whichever embryo is found normal is transferred into the patient's womb resulting in a normal pregnancy, he said. The idea is to predetermine which embryo has to be implanted after secreening for the defect, said Abha Majumdar, the head of the IVF facility at the hospital. "Usually, the screening happens after a woman is pregnant. A couple will conceive. They will come in the third or fourth month, get an ultrasound done and find that this is defective. They will then get an abortion done which is painful for the mother," she said. The hospital has also performed PGD cycles for couples with single gene defects such a beta thalassemia, citrullinemia, spinal muscular atrophy, and muscular dystrophy. "PGD is a ray of hope for couples with single gene defects who otherwise are left with no option but to repeatedly abort an affected foetus. PGD helps couples who are either carriers of genetic mutations to conceive babies free from an inherited disease," said D.S. Rana, the Chairman of the hospital. The hospital has also claimed to have become the first hospital in northern India to have the egg freezing facility which allows women to defer child bearing. "There are women who are not ready to have a baby. They can come to IVF centre and ask for their eggs to be frozen," said Gaurav Majumdar. "So we stimulate them in a similar manner that a IVF couple will be stimulated with drugs to make multiple eggs and they will be retrieved through a small invasive procedure and the eggs are frozen." Mumbai, Feb 14 : Ace photographer Atul Kasbekar, who ventures into production with "Neerja", says he always had Ram Madhvani in mind to helm the biopic. "Neerja" is a biopic featuring Sonam Kapoor as Neerja Bhanot, a Pan Am chief purser who was gunned down by terrorists when a flight in Karachi was hijacked in 1986. She saved a number of lives but lost her own. Kasbekar added that he wanted to narrate the story with "aching honesty" and Madhvani has brought it into the film perfectly. "We just wanted a different kind of energy at the helm of 'Neerja'. An energy and thought process that was unique, without compromise and achingly honest. Ram is all that and more. Together we formed a great combination," Kasbekar said in a statement. According to a source, Kasbekar had planned a 10-minute meeting with Madhvani to discuss the story idea, and by the end of it he had convinced Madhvani to do the film. Kasbekar also shared that he gave creative freedom to Madhvani, who made his directorial debut with the English language film "Lets Talk", which released in 2002. "I got him everything he needed and created a cocoon around him to protect his vision. He in turn was open to any and every suggestion without ego, safe in the knowledge that the final call was his," Kasbekar said. "Neerja" also stars Shabana Azmi and Shekhar Ravjiani. It is slated to release on February 19. Patna, Feb 15 : The Maoists blew up a portion of a government office building in Jamui district in Bihar early Monday during a 48-hour shutdown that they had called in the state, police said. More than a dozen armed Maoist guerrillas attacked the Barhat block office in Jamui and blew up a portion of its building by using dynamite, a police official said. "A portion of block office was badly damaged in the blast." No casualties were reported as there was no one in the office building, the official said. "Police and central para military forces have begun combing operation against the Maoists," the police official said. The Maoists had called a two-day strike to protest against the killing of one of their top-ranking leaders in police encounter earlier this month. Kabul, Feb 15 : The Afghan government has expressed grief over the spike in civilian deaths and injuries, the presidential palace said on Monday. On Sunday, the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) released its annual report on protection of civilians in armed conflict. The overall civilian casualties hit a record high in 2015 as about 11,000 non-combatants were killed and injured, Xinhua cited the report that showed a four percent increase in compare with 2014. "This report confirms the horrifically high price Afghans are paying as a result of the conflict, whereby the actions of the Taliban and other terrorist groups are seeking to deny our citizens the right to live in peace and protect their families from harm," the palace said. Some 3,545 civilians were killed and 7,457 injured as the violence spread in different places of the country in 2015. The NATO and the US forces completed their combat mission in Afghanistan by the end of 2014, after 13 years of military presence in the country. "The Afghan government is particularly saddened by the sharp increase in loss of life of Afghan women and girls. The Taliban increasingly trained their sights on Afghan women and girls -- maiming them, killing them, and snatching away their constitutional and human rights," the statement said. The UN report has highlighted 37 percent increase in women casualties and a 14 percent increase in child casualties last year in compare with 2014. Some 850 civilians were killed while 570 were injured by targeted killings and attack in 2015. The government urged UNAMA's monitoring team to pay particular attention to the increasing number of targeted attacks on civilian personal and institutions, including community elders throughout the country and especially in the south and southeast. "Our analysts have identified a pattern in the methods in which these violent attacks were carried out and concluded that there is a systematic effort underway to terrorise these communities and intimidate anyone who denounces violence against civilian populations," the statement said. The UN report has attributed 62 percent of the casualties to the Taliban and other insurgent groups, 17 percent were attributed to security forces while 17 percent of civilian casualties were unattributed and the rest four percent were caused by explosive remnants of war. Panama City, Feb 16 : Latin American Indians have benefitted less than other people from the region's economic bonanza over the past decade, and so they should be included and listened to, according to a World Bank study released here on Monday. The latest available figures show that in 2010 there were about 42 million indigenous people in Latin America, representing almost 8 percent of the total population but 14 percent of the region's poor and 17 percent of those considered destitute. The study, entitled "Indigenous Latin America in the 21st Century," says that thanks to the combination of economic growth and appropriate social policies, more than 70 million people in Latin America emerged from poverty during the period. Poverty among indigenous households declined in countries such as Peru, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile and Ecuador. Even so, indigenous people still lag in their access to basic services and in the adoption of new technologies, a key element in societies that are becoming more and more globalised. "Latin America has experienced a profound social transformation that diminished poverty and increased the middle class, but the indigenous peoples benefitted less than the rest of Latin Americans," said World Bank vice president for Latin America and the Caribbean Jorge Familiar at the official presentation of the report in the office of Panama's president. He warned that if achieving the objectives of "reducing poverty and pushing shared prosperity" were desired, the region must "fight against discrimination and exclusion so that all Latin Americans have the same opportunities to have a better life". The World Bank document suggests considering the problems of Indians through a different lens that takes their voices, cultures and identities into account. "This report acknowledges that the indigenous peoples generally have a more nuanced concept of what development is and why it's important. If the indigenous peoples are to assume their role as key actors in the post-2015 agenda, their voices and ideas must be taken into account," said the senior director for the World Bank Group's Social, Urban, Rural and Resilience Global Practice, Ede Ijjasz-Vasquez, who accompanied Familiar. Moscow, Feb 16 : Russia's sanitary and epidemiological watchdog Rospotrebnadzor on Monday confirmed the first case of Zika virus in the country. The infected woman had visited the Dominican Republic and she was now in satisfactory condition in an infectious diseases hospital, Rospotrebnadzor said in a statement, Xinhua reported. "Medical observation of family members was established. No clinical manifestations of the virus were registered among them, and they tested negative for the Zika virus," the statement said. Precautionary measures were taken in regard to the passenger plane on which the infected Russian citizen flew home, and there was no threat to the health of other passengers, it added. Rospotrebnadzor started weekly monitor of individuals coming from countries troubled by vector-borne infections since the beginning of 2016. Russia enhanced inspection measures on Monday as over 50,000 people were checked at airports and sea border crossing points for signs of infectious diseases, the public health watchdog said. Russian Health Minister Veronika Skvortsova confirmed that "all aircraft and ships arriving from 21 countries affected by Zika are disinfected and all passengers are checked onboard before entering Russia". Russian doctors have prepared methodological recommendations on diagnosing and treatment, she was quoted by Tass news agency. Noting that Zika is not likely to spread considering the climate conditions of Russia, Rospotrebnadzor said the situation remains under control. The agency warned Russians of visiting tropical or subtropical countries troubled by epidemic diseases, noticing such symptoms of the Zika virus as fever, a rash, conjunctivitis, joint and muscle pain, headache and fatigue. Transmitted by mosquitoes, the Zika virus is suspected of causing infected pregnant women to give birth to babies with microcephaly. The Zika outbreak has reportedly affected more than 30 countries, and the World Health Organisation said on Friday that possible Zika vaccines were expected to come out for large-scale clinical trials in at least 18 months. Los Angeles, Feb 16 : Actor Daniel Craig, who has portrayed the legendary James Bond role for nearly a decade, may leave the character for a character in American television Series "Purity". Craig won't have time to reprise his role as the secret agent as "Purity", which will be the adaptation of Jonathan Franzen's novel, is expected to run for several series, reports dailymail.co.uk. Earlier, the actor had dropped hints of bidding goodbye to James Bond prior to the release of the franchise's 24th instalment "Spectre" last year. "I'd rather break this glass and slash my wrists. No, not at the moment. Not at all. That's fine. I'm over it at the moment. We're done. All I want to do is move on," Craig was quoted by The Sun newspaper as saying. However, Craig had recently claimed that he may not be able to leave just yet as he had signed a contract that requires him to make another film. United Nations, Feb 16 : The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said that it has received reports that more than 3,000 people have been displaced in Myanmar's northern Shan State in the past week, a UN spokesperson said here on Monday. "Most of these people are seeking shelter in monasteries and are receiving assistance from local organisations, local authorities, and the Myanmar Red Cross Society," Farhan Haq, the deputy UN spokesperson, said at a daily press briefing, Xinhua reported. "The United Nations is liaising closely with the relevant authorities, and UN humanitarian staff are assessing the situation to identify gaps and provide further aid if needed," Haq said. "The UN's priority is to ensure that civilians are protected and that people affected by the conflict receive the humanitarian assistance that they need," he added. Moscow, Feb 16 : An entire section of a five story residential building in the Russian city of Yaroslavl collapsed early Tuesday after a powerful gas explosion, with up to 20 people trapped in the rubble. The emergencies ministry said that four people have been rescued, RT news reported. Authorities have confirmed one fatality after a man's body was pulled out from the debris. According to TASS news agency, up to 40 people could have been inside the affected part of the building at the time of the incident. Three of those rescued suffered significant injuries, while one woman reportedly suffered serious fractures to her legs. Rescue operations are ongoing. Patna, Feb 16 : Maoist guerrillas torched a mobile tower in Bihar's Jamui district on Tuesday, the second day of a two-day state-wide shutdown, police said. The Maoists had called the shutdown to protest the killing of one of their top-ranking leaders in a police shootout earlier this month. Nearly 40 armed guerrillas attacked the BSNL mobile tower at Mudwaro village and set it ablaze. "The BSNL mobile tower was badly damaged," a police official said. Maoists pasted hand written posters at different places in the district, warning police to stop harassing innocent people and threatened the police to stop torturing the poor. The shutdown has affected normal life in rural ares in Jamui, Banka, Munger, Lakhisarai and other neighbouring districts. Maoists blew up a portion of Barhat block office on Monday. Seoul, Feb 16 : The US will dispatch nuclear-capable F-22 stealth fighters to South Korea in an apparent show of force to militarily pressurise North Korea, the media reported on Tuesday. Four F-22 fighters, one of US' strategic assets, will make a sortie on Wednesday to the Korean peninsula, Xinhua news agency reported. The F-22 fighter has a stealth function of escaping any radar detection, and is capable of carrying nuclear missiles and bombs. Its operational range reaches as far as 2,177 km. The F-22 fighters deployed at a US air base in Okinawa, Japan can fly to the Korean peninsula in about two hours. The F-22 sortie would come in the wake of North Korea's long-range rocket launch on February 7, which outsiders see as a test of banned ballistic missile technology. Kabul, Feb 16 : At least 14 Taliban militants were killed during military operations in two provinces of Afghanistan, government representatives said on Tuesday. "Members of Special Operation Force of Afghan National Police (ANP) carried out a raid in Tagab district of Kapisa province on Monday. Eight Taliban terrorists were killed and three injured in the operation," Xinhua quoted the country's interior ministry as saying in a statement on Tuesday. The targeted militants were involved in several terrorist attacks, including roadside bombings and landmine blasts and ambushes against security forces, the statement said. Three heavy machine guns, a rocket launcher, a PKM automatic gun with 6,000 rounds of bullets and 50 kg of explosive materials were recovered during the raid, the statement added. In a separate incident, six militants were killed and five injured in an attack on an army convoy in Qush Tipa district of Jawzjan province on Monday, an army spokesman said on Tuesday. "No member of the convoy was harmed during the clash lasting for hours," he said. The militant group was yet to make comments. Bhubaneswar, Feb 16 : India on Tuesday test-fired its indigenously developed nuclear-capable Prithvi-II surface-to-surface missile from a test range in Odisha. The missile, capable of carrying warheads weighing 500 kg to 1,000 kg, was test-fired as part of a user-trial by the Army from a mobile launcher at the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur in Balasore district, defence sources said. The Strategic Forces Command (SFC) of the Army conducted the test as part of a regular training exercise. With a strike range of 350 km, Prithvi-II is powered by twin-engines which use liquid propulsion. It uses advanced inertial guidance system with manoeuvring trajectory to hit its target. Notably, Prithvi is India's first indigenously-built ballistic missile. It is one of the five missiles being developed under the country's Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme. The battlefield missile has a flight duration of 483 seconds and a peak altitude of 43.5 km, sources added. The sources said the missile was randomly chosen from the production stock and the entire launch activities were carried out by the SFC and monitored by the scientists of Defence Research and Development Organisation. The missile was inducted into the armed forces in 2003. The last user-trial of the missile was successfully conducted on November 26 last year from the same test range in Odisha. New Delhi, Feb 16 : The Supreme Court will hear on Wednesday a petition by a JNU alumnus seeking safe and conducive atmosphere in the Patiala House court complex in the wake of Monday's incident when students and journalists were beaten up by lawyers. Appearing for former student N.D. Jaiprakash, senior counsel Indira Jaising mentioned the matter before the bench of Chief Justice T.S. Thakur and said that there was a threat to the life of Kanhaiya Kumar -- the JNU students' union president who has been charged with sedition. As Indira Jaising mentioned the matter, Chief Justice Thakur said that it will be taken up on Wednesday. Indira Jaisingh told the court that it was a serious matter requiring the court's intervention. Islamabad, Feb 16 : Indian national Hamid Nehal Ansari, who went missing after illegally entering Pakistan over three years ago to meet his Pakistani girlfriend, has been jailed for three years for espionage. A military court passed the sentence over the weekend in Kohat city in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province. He has been shifted to the Peshawar Central Prison and has a right to appeal, Dawn reported on Tuesday. The convict, 31 and a teacher at a Mumbai management college, reportedly confessed to illegally entering Pakistan from AfghaAnistan for espionage. Dawn quoted unnamed officials as saying that Ansari had seven Facebook accounts as well as around 30 email IDs. He was reportedly found to be in possession of "sensitive documents". Last month, the Pakistan defence ministry informed the Peshawar High Court that Ansari was in army custody and would face court martial. After that, a two-member bench on January 13 disposed off a habeas corpus petition filed by Fauzia Ansari, the Indian's mother, against his alleged illegal detention. Ansari was arrested in Kohat in November 2012. Until last month, his whereabouts remained unknown. Ansari's mother claimed he was in touch with some Pakistani friends who had suggested to him to enter Pakistan from Afghanistan without visa. She claimed he had become friends with a Pakistani woman through social media and went to Pakistan to meet her. Ansari's lawyer earlier sent an application to the Pakistan Supreme Court's Human Rights Cell, which forwarded the case to the CommiAssion of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances. The Commission had on April 10, 2014 directed the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Home Department to set up a joint investigation team to trace Ansari. It also told the police to register an FIR about his disappearance. Islamabad, Feb 16 : Pakistani police have registered a case against three people in connection with the rape of a 27-year-old deaf and dumb woman. The case was registered after doctors at the Benazir Bhutto Hospital (BBH) confirmed pregnancy of the unmarried woman, Dawn online reported. The younger brother of the woman said, his sister had complained of stomach pain a week ago. She was taken to the hospital where the doctors said she was six months pregnant. The woman had earlier tried to explain her ordeal through sign language that about six months ago she was given a glass of juice by one of her colleagues in her institute, he said. After taking the juice, she fell unconscious. She was later driven to a friend's house by a man, the complainant said. The woman, who has impaired hearing, claims that she was raped at a colleague's home. She also said that she was taken to the house, given an injection by an unidentified man who was already present there and after that she was raped. However, the number of accused who raped the woman could not be ascertained. The victim claimed that she could identify the alleged rapists if they were presented before her. Her brother said the administration of her institution failed to provide protection to his sister and was now trying to harass him and his family. "My parents and I were shocked when the doctors disclosed that my sister was pregnant," he said. He said his sister used to complain of kidney pain and was examined by different private doctors but none of them said that she was pregnant. He sought the help of his area's local council chairman after the police refused to register a case against the accused, the complainant said. After the intervention of the chairman, the police registered an FIR against the driver of the vehicle (main accused), the owner of the institute and the woman at whose house she was allegedly raped. But the accused are yet to be arrested, he added. The administrator of the institute first tried to pressure the woman's family by accusing them of kidnapping the driver (one of the accused) but the police registered the case on the intervention of the chairman after four days. When the superintendent of the police, Potohar division, Attiq Tahir, was contacted, he said efforts were underway to arrest the accused. The SP said he had ordered the investigating official to send samples taken from the woman for laboratory tests. Manali (Himachal Pradesh), Feb 16 : A US national who has been staying here as a tourist has lodged a complaint of theft of Rs.95 lakh from her rented accommodation, police said on Tuesday. Pauline Ross, 63, reported the theft of Rs.95 lakh on Monday after being discharged from Lady Willingdon Hospital here, investigating officer Om Prakash told IANS. She found the money missing from her house after she was discharged from the hospital where she was undergoing medical treatment, Om Prakash said. Her companion Cristian Rodrigo Mirnda of Chile was arrested by the local police last month for staying without valid travelling documents. New Delhi, Feb 16 : The Jawaharlal Nehru University Teachers Association on Tuesday questioned Vice Chancellor M. Jagadesh Kumar over permission to Delhi Police to carry out searches on the campus and arrest students and demanded withdrawal of the same. "Your letter to the Delhi Police granting them unprecedented rights to conduct indiscriminate search and arrest of our wards is highly objectionable," JNUTA said in a letter to the vice chancellor. "We urge you to kindly issue a letter clearly withdrawing this formal permission to the police and re-establish the credibility of our administration in the eyes of our community." "Subversion of our own institutional mechanism for enquiries, based on the statutes of our university duly established by an Act of parliament, raises a number of questions about the legitimacy of the decision," the statement added. Police raided the JNU campus on February 12 night and arrested JNUSU president Kanhaiya Kumar. The controversy erupted after some JNU students organised a meet to mourn the hanging of parliament attack convict Afzal Guru and Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front co-founder Maqbool Bhat. Anti-India slogans were allegedly raised at the meeting. The organisers, however, denied that the students raised any anti-national slogans. As per reports, a letter dated February 11 was sent by the university registrar to the police saying that the "VC grants to the police force permission to enter JNU campus if need be and as you may deem fit". The vice chancellor on Monday said police were not called in by the university. "We did not call police. Police sent us a letter saying that an FIR had been lodged against some unnamed people on sedition charges and that they wanted our cooperation in investigating the incident. We only allowed them to enter as per the law to perform their duties," Jagadesh Kumar said. New Delhi, Feb 16 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday told the opposition that his government was willing to walk the extra mile and discuss various issues of concern during the budget session of parliament. All parties spoke in one voice that parliament should function smoothly, Parliamentary Affairs Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu told reporters after a meeting convened by the prime minister to ensure a smooth budget session that begins on February 23. "The prime minister told the meeting that the government is always willing to walk the extra mile and take up discussion on every issue," Naidu said. Modi expressed the hope that parliament will function smoothly with the cooperation of the opposition parties. Naidu said the representatives of opposition parties present at the meeting also raised the issues concerning Jawaharlal Nehru University and Hyderabad University. Modi also told the meeting that he was not the prime minister of a party but of the entire country and that the government will take appropriate measures on the issues raised by the opposition. Modi said there should be a discussion on these issues and the government will give its reply. Naidu said some parties asked how sedition charges can be levelled against a student leader of the JNU. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, present at the meeting, said that highly objectionable slogans were raised on the campus and an inquiry into the matter should be allowed to be completed. The JNU has been on the boil over Jawaharlal Nehru University Students' Union president Kanhaiya Kumar's arrest on Friday. The controversy erupted when some JNU students organised a meet on February 9 to mark the anniversaries of the executions of parliament attack convict Afzal Guru and Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front co-founder Maqbool Bhat. Anti-India slogans were reportedly raised at the meeting. Seoul, Feb 16 : South Korean President Park Geun-hye on Tuesday said Seoul will take "stronger and more effective" measures to create an environment that forces change in Pyongyang. Park, in a speech in parliament, said these measures will make Pyongyang realise that it cannot survive with nuclear development, Xinhua reported. Her parliamentary speech was arranged to explain Seoul's decision last week to shut down an inter-Korean factory park in North Korea's border city of Kaesong as part of its punitive actions to Pyongyang's nuclear test and long-range rocket launch. Following its fourth nuclear test -- and its first disputed H-bomb test -- on January 6, North Korea launched a rocket on February 7 to carry an Earth observation satellite into orbit. Seoul and the international community condemned those provocations as a clear violation of UN Security Council resolutions. In response to the rocket launch, South Korea decided last Wednesday to stop operations at the Kaesong Industrial Zone, which Seoul saw as a key source of hard currency for Pyongyang to develop nuclear and missile programmes. North Korea responded last Thursday by shutting down the last symbol of inter-Korean cooperation project, expelling South Korean workers from there and freezing all of South Korean assets in Kaesong, while cutting off the remaining inter-Korean communications hotlines. Park said the complete shutdown of the Kaesong complex represented only the start of a series of sanctions toward North Korea in cooperation with the international society. It will not happen any more like in the past that South Korea yields to North Korea's provocations and provide unconditional aid to it, Park said. New Delhi, Feb 16 : The Delhi High Court on Wednesday restored the management quota in nursery admissions in the national capital's private unaided schools, saying the Aam Aadmi Party government's order to scrap it was "without the authority of law". A division bench of Chief Justice G. Rohini and Justice Jayant Nath dismissed an appeal filed by the Delhi government against the single-bench order that stayed the government's January 6 decision on scrapping the quota. Justifying High Court Justice Manmohan's order in the case, the high court bench said: " ....the January 6 order undoubtedly amounts to exercising the power conferred on the lt. governor under section 3(1) read with section 2(a) of the Delhi School Education Act and the rules made thereunder." "The same being impermissible under law, the single judge was right in holding that the said order was without authority." The bench agreed with the single-judge bench that the order was "mere executive/administrative order" and "cannot take the place of a law made by the legislature". "The single judge is justified in arriving at a prima facie conclusion that the order dated January 6 issued by the Directorate of Education (DoE) is without authority of law. Consequently, the order has been rightly stayed by the single judge." The government had argued that the practice of granting admissions under the management quota was "non-transparent and opaque", adding that the intention behind the notification was to "prevent maladministration". Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on January 6 said the decision to scrap the management quota was taken to bring in more transparency in the admission process, while retaining the provision of 25 percent seats for students from poor families. Currently, schools keep 20 percent of seats, or even more, under the management quota, while 25 percent seats are reserved for students from the economically weaker sections. The remaining seats are open for the general category. Guwahati, Feb 16 : Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday condemned the attack on journalists in New Delhi in connection with the JNU row and alleged that the government is "planting RSS VCs" in universities. "The way journalists were assaulted, it is absolutely wrong and we condemn it," said Gandhi who is visiting Assam for a political rally. "They are planting RSS VCs (Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh vice chancellors) in every university. They are suppressing the voice of Indian students, but we will not let it happen," the Congress leader said. He added that it is fine to have an opinion but it should not be imposed on others. On Monday, some journalists were roughed up at Patiala House Courts in New Delhi in connection with the hearing of a case of sedition against the president of the Jawaharlal Nehru University Students' Union (JNUSU) Kanhaiya Kumar. Ankara, Feb 16 : Turkey has expressed dissatisfaction over France's reaction to the Turkish military's intervention against Syria's Democratic Union Party (PYD), media reports said on Tuesday. Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu made his country's stance clear in a phone call with France's Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault on Monday, Xinhua quoted the diplomatic sources as saying. Earlier, the French Foreign Ministry called upon Turkey to stop its shelling of PYD positions. Cavusoglu said Turkey was fighting a terror organisation in Syria, adding that French authorities were well-aware of the battle, according to the sources. According to Turkish security officials, Turkey began shelling positions of the PYD, regarded by the Turkish government as an offshoot of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). Turkey fears that the PYD's capture of Azaz, a critical town in the Syrian conflict, could spark a new refugee influx towards the Turkish border. The European Union and the US have called on Turkey to stop hitting Syria and refrain from further complicating the efforts of world powers to halt the hostilities within a week. Damascus, Feb 16 : The UN's peace envoy for Syria Staffan De Mistura on Tuesday discussed with the country's Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem the unhindered humanitarian access to besieged Syrian areas. Mistura said he discussed the humanitarian access to all besieged Syrian areas, not only those besieged by the government, but those under the siege of the opposition and the Islamic State (IS) group as well, Xinhua reported. The UN envoy said he will hold another meeting to discuss with Syrian officials the outcome of the recently-held talks in Munich, Germany, where world powers called for immediate aid access throughout Syria and a "cessation of hostilities" to begin within a week. The outcome of Munich talks were planned to pave the way for the resumption of the Geneva talks between the Syrian government and opposition, whose first round collapsed soon due to the "lack of progress". Achieving unhindered humanitarian access and a cessation of hostilities were among a number of preconditions the Syrian opposition set ahead of the first round of talks in Geneva. The success of materialising those two things would strengthen the negotiations ground and also help alleviate the suffering of the Syrian people, who have been reeling under the pressure of the nearly five-year-old conflict. Kabul, Feb 16 : At least five Afghan police personnel were killed and three others injured in an attack in Kunduz province on Tuesday, an official said. The attack took place after a police personnel turned his gun against his comrades at a security checkpoint in Khan Abad district, on the outskirts of provincial capital Kunduz city, Xinhua quoted district governor Hayatullah Amiri as saying. The shooter fled the scene and a probe has been launched into the incident, the official said. Taliban militants claimed responsibility for the incident. Such attacks have also happened in the past as five police officers were killed and six others injured in an attack in Kandahar province earlier this month. Nay Pyi Taw, Feb 16 : A proposal calling to put an end to the conflict in Shan state's North Palaung self-administered zones and Kyaukme township was submitted to the lower house on Tuesday, parliamentary sources said. The House of Representatives agreed to make debate on the issue on Wednesday, Xinhua reported. The fighting between ethnic armed groups of the Restoration Council of Shan State/Shan State Army-South (RCSS/SSA-S) and Ta'ng National Liberation Army (TNLA) three days ago has forced about 1,500 villagers to flee their homes and village schools have been shut down temporarily. TNLA militants have been fighting RCSS/SSA-S militants in Namhkam township since last November, but their clashes have intensified during the past few days, according to local sources. The SSA-S was one of the eight armed ethnic groups that signed the ceasefire accord with the government on October 15, 2015. The TNLA, along with two other armed ethnic groups, was not invited to sign the agreement. Hyderabad, Feb 16 : The driver of a Telangana legislator died when a gun went off under suspicious circumstances here on Tuesday, police said. The accident occurred in MLA Quarters in Hyderguda. Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) legislator C. Madan Reddy's driver Akbar died on the spot when the gun belonging to gunman Ravindra went off. Police have not come out with details as how the firing took place. According to one version, the legislator's gunman had kept his gun and the driver picked it up to have a look when it accidentally went off, while another says the driver committed suicide. Deputy Commissioner of Police Kamalasan Reddy visited the scene. Police were questioning the gunman. New Delhi, Feb 16 : Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi not to use 'nationalism' to create a 'fear psychosis', and said it was wrong to dub JNU as "a terrorist centre". In a letter to Modi, Kejriwal urged the prime minister to act against "lumpen and anarchist elements" like Delhi BJP legislator O.P. Sharma who was filmed attacking a CPI activist outside a court here on Monday. Kejriwal said he denounced the reported anti-India slogans raised at the Jawaharlal Nehru University campus, but said "it is not correct to convert nationalism into a device for creating a fear psychosis by using constitutional institutions to run them according to whims and fancies. "It is extremely dangerous that the JNU incident is being portrayed to show this institution as a terrorist centre. "The JNU and its students have achieved fame at the international level due to its high academic standards and the hard work of its students. "It is completely wrong to brand such a prestigious institution as a centre of terrorists," he said. Kejriwal's letter follows the arrest on February 12 of JNU Students' Union president Kanhaiya Kumar on sedition charges for allegedly raising anti-India slogans at a meeting on the campus. On Monday, before he was to be produced at the Patiala House Court, some lawyers attacked journalists and JNU students in the complex. Sharma, one of the three BJP legislators in Delhi, was filmed chasing and attacking a CPI activist on a road near the court. Kejriwal demanded "immediate action" against Sharma "to give a clear signal that such kind of activities will not be tolerated. He is an MLA of BJP, and it (BJP) must also take action against him. "I feel that even if you once call this MLA and scold him, he will not dare to repeat his actions again in life. If that is not done, then such elements feel they have the complete support of the central government." The Aam Aadmi Party leader also demanded the immediate release of innocent people arrested in JNU and an end to political interference in JNU and other academic institutions. The Delhi chief minister, during the day, also met union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and apprised him of the situation. Kejriwal met Rajnath Singh over the JNU and court incidents "and requested him to take appropriate action in both the cases. He also requested Rajnath Singh to make sure that no innocent person is framed in these cases", a Delhi government official said. "The home minister has assured the chief minister that action won't be taken against any innocent person in the JNU case," the official added. Kabul, Feb 16 : At least two militants were killed and another was injured in a blast in Afghanistan's southern province of Helmand, sources said on Tuesday. "The militants tried to plant an improvised explosive device (IED) along a main road in Naway-i-Barakzayi district on Monday, but the home-made device went off accidentally, causing the casualties among the militants," Xinhua quoted a provincial security source as saying. The injured was detained and shifted to a hospital for treatment, he said. The Taliban militant group has been using IEDs to target security forces, but the lethal weapon also inflicts casualties on civilians, according to military officials. More than 3,540 civilians were killed and over 7,450 others injured in 2015 as the violence spread in different places of the country, according to a report released by United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) in Kabul on Sunday. Out of the casualties, 713 civilians were killed and more than 1,650 were injured in IED attacks across the militancy-hit country in 2015, according to the report. Hyderabad, Feb 16 : The Hyderabad High Court on Tuesday directed the video recording of the autopsy conducted on two Maoists killed in an alleged gunfight in Telangana's Warangal district last September be sent to All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi. A division bench of Acting Chief Justice Dilip B. Bhosale and Justice S.V. Bhatt passed the orders while hearing a petition filed by a civil liberties group, which alleged that Maoists Sruthi and Vidyasagar were killed in a staged gunfight. According to police, the Maoists were killed in an exchange of fire in the Mulug reserve forest area in Tadwai mandal in Warangal district on September 15. The bench directed that experts should go through the video recording to find out if there were injuries other than the bullet wounds. It asked AIIMS director to submit the report in a sealed cover. Doctors of MGM Hospital, Warangal, who conducted the autopsy had stated in their report the two Maoists died of bullet injuries and there were no other injuries on the bodies. The petitioner, however, voiced its doubts on the autopsy report. To this, Additional Advocate General Ramchandra Rao informed the court that the autopsy proceeding was video recorded. On a request by the petitioner's counsel V. Raghunath that the video recording by sent to experts outside the state, the court agreed to have it examined by experts at AIIMS and adjourned the hearing by three weeks. The petitioner has sought direction to police to register a fresh first information report (FIR) in the case. It also wants the case to be handed over the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). In what is described as the first gunfight in Telangana state, Sruthi alias Mahitha (23) and Vidyasagar Reddy alias Sagar (32), were killed in the alleged exchange of fire with police. Ankara, Feb 16 : Turkish forces on Tuesday continued to shell the positions of Syria's Democratic Union Party (PYD) in the country for the fourth day, saying they were responding to fire coming from the region. Firing began from PYD positions in northern Syria on Tuesday, after which Turkish artillery units deployed in Kilis province bordering Syria began to shell the region, Xinhua reported. Turkish security forces have also stepped up security measures across the Turkish-Syrian border, said the report. Turkey's army over the weekend shelled People's Protection Units (YPG) targets, the military wing of the PYD, which is the Syrian affiliate of the outlawed Kurdish Workers' Party (PKK). On Monday, Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said Turkey will not allow the fall of Azaz town in Syria's Aleppo province to the Kurdish Democratic Union Party. "We will not allow the fall of Azaz. This must be clear to all in the world," said Davutoglu while en route to pay a visit to the Ukrainian capital of Kiev. Azaz, in northern Syria near the Turkish border, is seen as a critical corridor that connects with Turkey. The latest escalation came as talks over ground intervention by Saudi and Turkish troops in Syria made headlines in recent days. Observers say such an intervention will make the war-torn country descend into further chaos. Syria's Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem said any foreign troops entering Syria without the consent of the government "will be sent home in wooden coffins." Damascus, Feb 16 : The Syrian government is committed to an inter-Syrian dialogue without preconditions, the country's Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem said on Tuesday. Speaking during his meeting with the visiting UN peace envoy to Syria Staffan De Mistura, al-Moallem said the Syrians are the only ones authorised to determine their future without foreign pressures, Xinhua reported. The remarks came just a couple of weeks after the first round of the Syrian talks in Geneva collapsed, with the government blaming the failure, in part, on the opposition's preconditions. Another round of talks was planned on February 25, and al-Moallem's remarks indicate his government's readiness to attend it. Meanwhile, al-Moallem pointed out to De Mistura the efforts excreted by the Syrian government to deliver aid to the people in need, stressing that this move emanates from the government's duties, noting that it's not related to the Geneva talks. Al-Moallem also underscored the need for the Western countries to lift their unilateral sanctions on Syria. Mistura said after the meeting with al-Moallem that they discussed the humanitarian access to all besieged Syrian areas, not only those besieged by the government, but those under the siege of the opposition and the Islamic State (IS) group as well. Kathmandu, Feb 16 : Nepal Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli, who is all set to embark on an official visit to India, on Tuesday said he will aim to clear all "misunderstanding" that crept up in the recent past between Nepal and India and deepen the bilateral ties based on shared prosperity. Providing details to parliament of his upcoming six-day visit, Oli said relations with India will be maintained on the basis of mutual benefit, according to the spirit of the 21st century. Leading a 60-member delegation that would include ministers, government officials, parliamentarians, leaders from various political parties, business leaders and the media, Oli will embark on the visit on February 19. In New Delhi, Oli will meet Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other government officials on Saturday and Sunday. He will later visit Mumbai, where he will address the business community. No agreement will be signed in India against Nepal's national interest, Oli assured parliament. "My visit is focused on repairing ties not further disturbing it," he said. "We have very deep relations with India but we saw some minor problems," he said. Oli said rather than getting entangled in the issues, "we should move ahead in a new direction". "Nepal seeks peace, unity, respect for each other and shared prosperity with India, and I will focus on inviting Indian investment in Nepal," he said. Nepal-India relations were plunged to a new low late last year when an anti-Constitution Madhesi agitation in Nepal's southern Terai region led to blockading of the border points -- for which Kathmandu held New Delhi responsible -- and resulted in scarcity of essentials including food, fuel and medicines. The Madhesi protestors were demanding, among other things, a redrawing of the boundaries of the provinces in Nepal as proposed in the new Constitution -- promulgated on September 20 last year -- and representation in Parliament on the basis of population. Significantly, the Nepal Terai -- comprising the Madhes and the Tharuhat regions -- has almost 51 percent of the country's population and yet gets only one-third of seats in Parliament. The Madhesis were also seeking proportional representation in government jobs and restoration of rights granted to them in the interim constitution of 2007 which the new charter had snatched away. After an almost six-month-long agitation, during which more than 50 lives were lost, The Madhesi protestors without their stir earlier this month paving the way for the india visit of Prime Minister Oli who had vowed that he would not visit New Delhi as long as the Madhesi protest continued. While the country's parliament has sought to placate the disgruntled Madhesis by amending a couple of contentious provisions in the four-month-old constitution, outstanding issues yet remain unaddressed. On the resolution of the domestic political issues, Oli said the Constitution was recently amended and a high-level political committee with a three-month mandate will be set up before his India visit to study the remaining contentious issues, including the re-drawing of provincial boundaries. Stating that Nepal and India were "two friendly countries that have an open border", and are "related to each other culturally, historically, socially, economically" and in many other ways, Oli expressed the hope that his visit will help clear the differences that emerged between the two countries recently. "If there are any things to be corrected in our relationship, then that would be done in the days to come based on the principle of equality as well as mutual respect and benefit," he said. He pointed to the need for taking Nepal down the path of economic prosperity and development, and said he will explore the ways for that and try to bring in foreign investment to the Himalayan nation during his India visit. Oli said that though there were some bitter incidents in the past, "we (Nepal and India) now have to focus on mutual benefit and cooperation, and move ahead on the path of prosperity together". "This visit is happening not against Nepal's national interest, or to destabilise the friendly relationship between Nepal and India, but to strengthen the friendship. It's not for going back but to move forward, not for making accusations but for building understanding." (Anil Giri can be contacted at girianil@gmail.com) New Delhi, Feb 16 : The sedition case filed against a JNU student leader came up for discussion as Prime Minister Narendra Modi met opposition leaders here on Tuesday even as an FIR was filed over Monday's attack on journalists and students by a group of lawyers and the apex court moved over it. Opposition leaders raised the issue of sedition charge slapped against Jawaharlal Nehru University Students Union president Kanhaiya Kumar when they met at Modi's office. The prime minister called the meeting to seek the cooperation of opposition parties for a smooth functioning of parliament's budget session starting on February 23. This was first such meeting called by the prime minister. Among those who attended were Anand Sharma and Ghulam Nabi Azad of the Congress, Mohammed Salim of the Communist Party of India-Marxist and Derek O'Brien of the Trinamool Congress. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal meanwhile denounced attempts to dub the JNU as "a terrorist centre" and urged Modi "not to convert nationalism into a device for creating fear psychosis" by using state machinery. He also sought action against "lumpen and anarchist elements" like Bharatiya Janata Party legislator O.P. Sharma, who was filmed thrashing a Communist Party of India activist outside a court here on Monday. A section of lawyers shouting "Bharat Mata ki Jai" slogans attacked journalists and JNU students in the Patiala House Court here on Monday. The incident took place shortly before Kanhaiya Kumar was to be presented before a magistrate. Kumar has denied allegations that he shouted "anti-India slogans" at a meeting at the JNU campus on February 9 during a meeting to mark the hanging of Kashmiri militant Afzal Guru for the 2001 terror attack on Indian parliament. Delhi Police Commissioner B.S. Bassi said they had registered a First Information Report over the attack on journalists at the court. "We are looking into the matter," Bassi said at a function to mark the 69th Raising Day of Delhi Police. "We are taking all steps to identify the people and action will be taken as per law." Asked why police personnel didn't come to the rescue of journalists, he said: "If it is proved police didn't perform their duty or showed laxity, appropriate action will be taken against them as well." A large number of journalists earlier staged a protest march demanding action against the guilty lawyers, walking towards the Supreme Court, and submitting a memorandum to its registrar. A delegation of senior journalists has sought appointment with Chief Justice T.S. Thakur to personally apprise him of the issue. At least four journalists, including Amiya Kumar Kushwaha from IANS, were attacked on Monday without any provocation. The Supreme Court will hear on Wednesday a petition by a JNU alumnus seeking safe and conducive atmosphere in the Patiala House court complex in the wake of Monday's incident. The Congress meanwhile alleged that the "barbaric and inhuman attack" on journalists, students and teachers at the vourt was carried out by "BJP goons" and police remained "a mute spectator". Congress leader Kapil Sibal said the BJP was "muzzling" the voice of India's youth, students, teachers, journalists, opposition and every individual or organisation that questions "subjugation of disagreement or paralysis of governance". Countering the allegations, the BJP said the government was not fighting students but "anti-national" forces. "The fight is not between the government and students but between the nation and anti-national forces," BJP spokesman M.J. Akbar said, claiming that students did not raise just one anti-India slogan but many such slogans. A protest was also held outside JNU to demand the arrest of those who shouted anti-India slogans there. New Delhi, Feb 16 : The Supreme Court on Tuesday asked the Reserve Bank of India to furnish a list of companies which are in default of loans by banks and financial institutions in excess of Rs.500 crore or whose loans have been restructured under corporate debts restructuring scheme. While asking the RBI to file an affidavit, a bench of Chief Justice T.S. Thakur, Justice R. Banumathi and Justice Uday Umesh Lalit directed that the list be furnished to it in a sealed cover. The court said that the list of the defaulting companies be furnished in a sealed cover after one of the counsel told the court about commercial confidentiality of the companies in making them public. Seeking the list of the defaulters, Chief Justice Thakur asked the counsel for the RBI if it had the list of the "major defaulters today who run empires and yet default." "You lend money, you know it will not come back, and then declare it bad loans," the court told Solicitor General Ranjit Kumar, who seeking to shift the blame on the previous UPA government, said: "That had happened in last ten years. (As a consequence) economy is not growing, we don't have money to pay." Noting that default in payment of bank loans happens in other countries as well and it was part of the economic process, the court said that the banks should be vigilant in recovering the loans. The court order came in the course of the hearing of a public interest litigation pointing to loans given by HUDCO in 2003 to some of the companies with questionable track records. Addressing the court, Prashant Bhushan appearing for NGO Centre for Public Interest Litigation (CPIL), told the court that there is a circle where the mortgaged assets of a defaulting company again go back to it when those assets are auctioned to recover bad loans. He told the court that the Central Information Commission had passed nine orders in nine cases, directing disclosure of defaulters' identity and each time the commercial confidentiality clause is invoked to block the information by the banks. Bhushan told the court that the apex court by its December 16, 2015 order had said that the banks and their apex regulatory body, the RBI, could not withhold information on defaulters, losses and alleged illegalities of the banks by invoking the exception under the Right to Information Act. He said that this verdict had not yet been complied with. Patna, Feb 16 : A leader of the ruling Rashtriya Janata Dal was shot dead on Tuesday by unidentified criminals in Samastipur in Bihar, police said. According to police officials, criminals used an AK-47 assault rifle in the crime. A case was registered against four accused. Police later arrested two people in the case. The supporters of RJD leader Virendra Yadav indulged in violent protests and blocked roads and shouted slogans against the district police in Samastipur after the killing. Earlier, Lok Janshakti Party leader Brijnathi Singh was shot dead in Patna and Bharatiya Janata Party's state vice president Viseshwar Ojha was fatally shot in Bhojpur district. New Delhi, Feb 16 : The police on Tuesday rounded up about 20 members of Campus India, a student organisation, demonstrating here against the arrest of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) Students' Union president Kanhaiya Kumar. The protestors were picked up by Delhi Police from Shastri Bhavan, which houses the Ministry of Human Resources Development and other central government ministries, and were taken to the police station. "We demand an unconditional release of JNUSU president Kanhaiya Kumar and sedition charges put against him must be revoked," Abdul Nazar, the president of Campus India, told IANS. That Kanhaiya was never involved in anti-India sloganeering is very much evident in the video that was put on YouTube, he said. "We also demand strong action be taken against the perpetrators of the anti-India event that took place on February 9. It is the central government who is politicising the entire episode," Nazar said. Campus India claims to be a pan-India student body with representatives from JNU, Jamia Millia Islamia, Delhi University, Hyderabad University and others. Jerusalem, Feb 16 : French and Israeli diplomats on Tuesday discussed the French initiative to hold a peace summit in Paris in efforts to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the Israeli Foreign Ministry said. French ambassador to Israel Patrick Masionnaive met Israeli Foreign Ministry's political director Alon Ushpitz and informed him about the proposed summit in Jerusalem, Xinhua cited a statement by the ministry as saying. No specific details were given as to the proposal's contents. The bid to hold a conference in France to restart negotiations was announced in late January by French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius. Fabius said that if the efforts to restart negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians fail, his country would recognise a Palestinian state. Israel's Foreign Ministry said Israel supports direct negotiations, the Palestinians do not, drawing on a statement a Palestinian official made on Monday. "Israel supports direct negotiations with the Palestinians but opposes any attempt to predetermine the outcome of negotiations," Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesperson Emmanuel Nachshon said, stating it to be the sentiment conveyed by the Israeli diplomat to his French counterpart in the meeting. The ministry added that the concept of direct talks guided Jerusalem in the process of signing peace agreements with Jordan and Egypt, referring to agreements signed in 1994 and 1979, respectively. Nachshon then alluded to a comment made by the Palestinian Authority's Foreign Minister Riyad al-Malki in his Japan visit on Monday, in which he said the Palestinians "will never go back and sit again in direct Israeli-Palestinian negotiations." Israel slammed the French bid to hold the summit once announced three weeks ago, whereas the Palestinian Authority welcomed it. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he supports negotiations without preconditions, he objects to the "ultimatum" of Paris recognising a Palestinian state if talks fail, which he charges would use as an incentive for Palestinians to blow the talks. The Palestinians announced on their part that they "strongly" welcome the bid, with Secretary-General of the Palestinian Liberation Organisation (PLO) Saeb Erekat saying it shows "Paris understands that the current Israeli government is a government of settlers that damages the two-state solution." Last week, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu said the "time is not yet right" for a two-state solution to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. He said he supports it, but the Palestinians do not accept Israel's basic principles of recognising Israel as a Jewish state and the future Palestinian state should be demilitarised, adding that the regional activity of Islamic radicals is also the reason that the two-state solution is not currently feasible. The last time Israel and the Palestinian Authority held talks took place between July 2013 and April 2014, ending without results. Talks of renewing the peace process come amid an ongoing five-month-long wave of violence that has claimed the lives of 26 Israelis and more than 160 Palestinians. Israel occupied the West Bank, East Jerusalem and Gaza Strip territories in the 1967 Mideast War. The Palestinians wish to establish their own state on those territories, in accordance with the two-state solution, deploring the Israeli expansion of Jewish settlements on those lands, deemed illegal by the international community. Manama, Feb 16 : As many as four US journalists who were arrested for unauthorised media coverage during the fifth anniversary of the 2011 protests were released in Bahrain on Tuesday. The Public Prosecution said it received a complaint on Monday regarding acts of vandalism and rioting in Sitra, Xinhua reported. "Security authorities detained four US nationals during the incident as a result of their involvement in the criminal acts, and that one of the individuals was concealing his face at the time of his arrest," said the prosecution. It said the US Embassy had informed about the arrests. "The individuals were questioned in the presence of lawyers and charged with unlawful obstruction of vehicles and attending unlawful gatherings." The public prosecution confirmed that all of the individuals were released pending further investigations. Kolkata, Feb 16 : Indian investors can explore a number of high potential sectors in Egypt like textiles, Information and Communication Technology, and wind and solar energy, the Egyptian envoy to India said here on Tuesday. Among other sectors which the Indian companies can tap are finance, logistics, tourism, agriculture, medical tourism, retail, construction and education, according to Egyptian Ambassador to India Hatem Tageldin. Participating in an interaction at the MCC Chamber of Commerce and Industry, he said the two countries are looking at the possibilities of starting a direct flight from Cairo to New Delhi. He said the tourist flow from India to Egypt rose by by 28.3 percent, though there was scope for more growth. Refering to the Special Economic Zone developed by his country at the Suez Canal Corridor, Tageldin said the mega project would make Egypt a logistic hub for the whole region, giving investors access to the Middle East, the European and the African markets. The ambassador invited Indian companies to develop an Indian industrial city beside the Suez Canal corridor. Another Egyptian official said Cairo has proposed six agreements to facilitate trade with India. Once these pacts are concluded, trade between the two countries would reach $7-8 billion over the next three-four years. Titagarh Wagons will invest $500 million in a wagons manufacturing unit in Egypt soon, the official said. Chennai, Feb 16 : A tearful final farewell was given on Tuesday to four soldiers from Tamil Nadu who were buried alive in an avalanche on the hostile Siachen glacier on February 3. All of them belonged to the Madras Regiment and their last rites were performed with full military honours. The bodies of Havildar M. Elumalai, Sepoy G. Ganesan, Sepoy N. Ramamurthy and Lance Havildar S. Kumar were brought here on Monday night and later taken to their native places. Elumalai was laid to rest with full military honours in Adukumparai village in Vellore district. In Madurai district, Ganesan was cremated in his native village Chokkathevanpatti, while Kumar was laid to rest in Theni district. The last rites of Ramamurthy were performed in Krishnagiri district. The Tamil Nadu government announced a solatium of Rs.10 lakh each to the families of the brave soldiers. Moscow, Feb 16 : Russia on Tuesday said it "categorically rejects" accusations of war crimes over the bombing of hospitals in Syria. "Those who make such statements are not capable of backing them up with proof," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. Up to 50 people were killed in missile attacks on at least four hospitals and a school in rebel-held areas of northern Syria on Monday. The UN said "intentionally directing attacks" at hospitals and medical units would constitute a war crime. Russia has been accused, by Turkey, among others, of being responsible for the attacks, BBC reported. Monday's strikes hit two hospitals -- including one for mothers and babies -- and a school sheltering internally displaced people in Azaz, near the border with Turkey, the UN said. Thirty-four people were killed and dozens were injured. Two hospitals were also struck in Maarat al-Numa, Idlib province, killing at least 12 people and wounding about 36. One of the hospitals in Maarat al-Numan was supported by Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF). It was reportedly struck by four missiles in what MSF said was "direct targeting" over the course of 90 minutes. Peskov said the only proof Russia would accept from the ground "comes from the Syrian authorities". He said their evidence "shows the opposite". The Syrian ambassador to Moscow, Riad Haddad, previously said the US was to blame, a claim the Pentagon dismissed as "patently false". International humanitarian law bans any attack on patients and medical personnel or indeed any attack on medical facilities, unless they are used for military purposes. However, even if they are identified as a military objective, such a target must not be attacked if the scale of collateral civilian casualties is likely to be disproportionate to the military gain. The strikes came days after world powers -- including Russia -- agreed to work towards a selective truce in Syria, due to begin later this week. The UN envoy to Syria, Staffan de Mistura, met Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Muallem on Tuesday, and planned to meet him again later in the day. They were due to discuss among other things one of the key priorities of the truce -- "unhindered humanitarian access to all besieged areas". There is no word yet on when aid convoys might reach those areas. Earlier, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, in his first comments on Friday's "cessation of hostilities" plan, said it was doubtful all parties would be putting down their weapons within a week. A Turkish official on Tuesday said Turkey would back a ground operation in Syria but only "with our international allies". "There is not going to be a unilateral military operation from Turkey to Syria," an official said in Istanbul. Turkey has been watching with growing alarm the fighting on the Syrian side of its borders -- accusing Russian warplanes of violating its airspace and warning against recent Kurdish successes. Meanwhile, Syrian government forces -- backed by Russian air power -- reportedly continue to make advances around the northern city of Aleppo, capturing the villages of Ahras and Misqan on Tuesday. Almost five years of civil war in Syria have led to the deaths of more than 250,000 people. More than 11 million people have been displaced. New Delhi, Feb 16 : The Congress on Tuesday alleged that the "barbaric and inhuman attack" on journalists, students and teachers at the Patiala House Court was carried out by "BJP goons" and said Delhi police remained "a mute spectator". In a statement, Congress leader Kapil Sibal said the BJP was "muzzling" the voice of India's youth, students, teachers, journalists, opposition and every individual or organisation that questions "subjugation of disagreement or paralysis of governance". "All such individuals or organisations are conveniently targeted by calling them 'anti-national' or 'naxalites'. May we remind that the same pattern was adopted during FTII protests, when the protesting students were called 'naxals'," Sibal said. "Students of Ambedkar Periyar Study Circle in IIT Madras were banned merely because they dared to criticise Narendra Modi. Students like Rohith Vemula and others were persecuted on the campus of Hyderabad Central University," he alleged. He said that instead of taking action against a handful of those responsible for shouting anti-India slogans on the JNU campus, "identical pattern is being repeated by branding the entire JNU as 'anti-national'". "The Congress condemns the barbaric and inhuman attack in Patiala House Court yesterday (Monday) on journalists, young students and teachers by BJP goons led by their MLA O.P. Sharma. "Delhi police remained a mute spectator as students, teachers and journalists were assaulted and thrashed with impunity, inside the court rooms, in the court complex and outside it," Sibal alleged. The violence took place on Monday when journalists were at the court premises to cover court proceedings concerning JNU student leader Kanhaiya Kumar. The JNU has been on the boil over Kanhaiya Kumar's arrest on sedition charges. The controversy began when some JNU students organised a meet on February 9 to mark the anniversaries of executions of parliament attack convict Afzal Guru and Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front co-founder Maqbool Bhat. Anti-India slogans were reportedly raised at the gathering. Sibal said the Congress condemns the "culture of violence and hooliganism" unleashed by the Modi government. "The truth is that the government is hell-bent upon destroying the autonomy of all premier educational institutions as also the spirit of students to ideate, debate, express and disagree," he said. He alleged that the Modi government was blindly following an "obscurantist agenda" set by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. Sibal alleged that events at JNU by the BJP and its related organisations were ploys to divert attention from "paralysis of governance and grave economic crisis" faced by the country. Asserting that the Congress does not need lessons in patriotism, Sibal said the government did not take action over objectionable statements by BJP's elected representatives including Sakshi Maharaj. "What about filing sedition charges against all those who fly ISIS and Pakistani flags and shout anti-India slogans in Jammu and Kashmir?" he asked. Sibal called upon the Modi government to "stop hoodwinking people of India and stop suppressing the freedom of expression, right to debate, to ideate and criticize on part of the young and students of India". Chandigarh, Feb 16 : The agitation by Jats in Haryana to demand reservation in jobs and educational institutions continued for the third day on Tuesday, affecting road and rail traffic in some parts of the state. On the other hand, Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Tuesday appealed to the community leaders to end their agitation and initiate talks with his government. Khattar invited all organisations of the Jat community for parleys at his residence here on Wednesday. Meanwhile, the stir cast its effect the most in Rohtak and Jhajjar districts. Railway officials said around a dozen-odd trains were cancelled and running of several others affected. People travelling to and from national capital Delhi from Haryana for work were the worst affected due to disruption of trains. Transportation of goods on trucks and plying of buses were also affected in some areas. The agitators tried to block all railway and road links to Rohtak town, 75 km from Delhi. Blockades were also put up in Sampla town, 25 km from Rohtak. The worst affected were national highway-10 (Delhi-Rohtak-Hisar) and NH-71 (Rohtak-Jhajjar). Highways connecting Rohtak to Sonipat, Bhiwani and Hisar were also blocked by agitators. Haryana Finance Minister Abhimanyu said the BJP government in the state had an "open mind" on the reservation issue and had even filed a review petition in the Supreme Court that last year disallowed reservation for Jats. "The chief minister has already set up a four-member committee under the chief secretary on this issue and sought its report soon," the minister said. The Jat protestors blocked railway tracks and a national highway in Haryana's Rohtak district on Monday to pressurise the Khattar government to announce reservation for the Jats under the Other Backward Class category. The agitation by a section of the Jat community resumed on Monday, just a day after the All-India Jat Aarakshan Sangharsh Samiti (AIJASS) announced that it was ending its agitation. The AIJASS agitation was on since Friday in Mayar village of Hisar district. The AIJASS announced an end to its agitation after meetings with Haryana Agriculture Minister O.P. Dhankar at Hansi town in Hisar district late on Saturday. The Jat protesters have been sitting on rail tracks at Mayar village in Hisar district, 250 km from here, since Friday. Dhankar assured the Jat leadership that the community will get reservation under the OBC category in Haryana if the Centre extended the same to them in nine other states. New Delhi, Feb 16 : The Supreme Court on Tuesday took exception to the government allowing the private airlines to operate on "lucrative routes" while escaping from flying on the less profitable destinations. "You are giving lucrative destinations on platter to private operators. Cream is taken away by big operators," said a bench of Chief Justice T.S.Thakur, Justice R. Banumathi and Justice Uday Umesh Lalit, adding the operators are allowed to shun less profitable routes. AAA Asking the government to file an affidavit spelling out its licencing policy, Chief Justice Thakur said: "You must have a policy by which if they get lucrative sectors (to operate) then they have to cater to uneconomical destinations." "File an affidavit by the government setting out the policy, if any, governing the allotment/grant of licence to operate commercial/scheduled airlines in various sectors within and outside the country," said the order passed by the bench as it directed the next hearing of the matter on March 9. "We will direct you to attach such a condition, that if want to fly on lucrative sectors, then you fly to Shimla (uneconomical destinations) also," said the court in the course of the hearing of a plea by Air India against the Himachal Pradesh High Court's December 7 order asking it to commence flights on trial basis connecting Shimla with Delhi by air. Additional Solicitor General P.S.Patwalia appearing for the government told the court that he had tried to persuade the national carrier to operate on Delhi-Shimla sector but they cite the estimated loss of Rs.1 crore in bringing it on the air map. The national carrier has earlier told the court that the flight connecting Shimla with Delhi was not economical as there were 12 to 15 one way passengers only, and that Shimla airport did not have refuelling facilities. However, the court was told on Tuesday that all the operational problems at Shimla airport have been overcome and tests flights are being undertaken. The apex court had on December 16, 2015, ordered status quo, putting on hold the December 7 high court direction. New Delhi, Feb 16 : BJP president Amit Shah on Tuesday hailed the victory of NDA candidates in seven of the 12 assembly by-elections across eight states as "victory of politics of development". "Congratulations to our karyakartas (workers), BJP state units and all National Democratic Alliance allies over the impressive performance in the by-polls," Shah said in a statement here. "I thank the people for reposing faith in the politics of development over vote bank politics," he added. NDA candidates won seven out of the 12 seats elections for which were held in eight states. The BJP won four seats. New Delhi, Feb 16 : The Supreme Court will hear on Wednesday a petition by a JNU alumnus seeking safe and conducive atmosphere in the Patiala House court complex in the wake of Monday's incident when students and journalists were beaten up by lawyers. Appearing for former student N.D. Jaiprakash, senior counsel Indira Jaisinh mentioned the matter before the bench of Chief Justice T.S. Thakur and said that there was a threat to the life of Kanhaiya Kumar -- the JNU students' union president, who has been charged with sedition. As Jaisinh said it was a serious matter requiring the court's intervention, Chief Justice Thakur said that it will be taken up on Wednesday. The plea by Jaiprakash is likely to come up for hearing on Wednesday morning as it is listed as matter before the bench of Justice J.Chelameswar and Justice Abhay Manohar Sapre. Jaiprakash, who was a councillor in the JNUSU in 1973, told IANS that "what had happened yesterday at Patiala House Court is totally unacceptable and is contempt of court". The four directions sought by the JNU alumnus Jaiprakash who had studied at JNU's School of Languages includes direction to police to provide full protection to Kanhaiya Kumar within and outside the court. He has sought direction to police to ensure that "the proceedings against Kanhaiya Kumar at the court of the Metropolitan Magistrate Loveleen, is carried out in a manner which is not prejudicial to the fundamental rights of the persons, such as the petitioner (Jaiprakash), attending the proceedings". He has sought further direction that the court room was "free of persons causing physical harm, any form of intimidation or any disturbance whatsoever". Jaiprakash has also sought directions for that "proper and appropriate action" was taken against any person who was involved in obstructing the proceedings against Kanhaiya Kumar before the court in any manner. He has also sought direction for the safe custody of the "CCTV footage in and around the said court - which may be used as evidence in any further proceedings in the matter". New Delhi, Feb 16 : Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay on Tuesday described the relationship between India and Bhutan as a model relationship between neighbours. He said this in a meeting with External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj during the course of which the two leaders discussed bilateral relations. Tobgay was on a transit visit to India on his way to Canada when he took the opportunity to hold the meeting with Sushma Swaraj. "The Bhutan prime minister hailed the India-Bhutan relationship as a model relationship between neighbours," external affairs ministry spokesman Vikas Swarup told IANS. Tobgay also informed Sushma Swaraj that the fifth five-year plan in the Himalayan kingdom was progressing well with India's support. "He expressed Bhutan's gratitude for India's continued support for the plan," Swarup said. Currently, over 3,000 projects are running in Bhutan with the Indian government's support. "The prime minister said that the small development projects are especially doing very well," the spokesman said. Till now, 498 SDPs in Bhutan have been approved by the Indian government. Tobgay also updated Sushma Swaraj on the progress in the work on three major hydroelectric projects being set up with India's support - Mangdechhu (720 MW), Punatsangchhu I (1,200 MW) and Punatsangchhu II (1,020 MW). According to Swarup, during the course of the meeting, the Bhutanese prime minister recalled his long association with India, including his student days in Kalimpong. "The prime minister also invited our external affairs minister to come on a standalone visit to Bhutan," he said. (Aroonim Bhuyan can be contacted at aroonim.b@ians.in) New Delhi, Feb 16 : Superstar Shah Rukh Khan on Tuesday returned to his alma mater, Delhi University's Hansraj College, to finally receive his graduation degree after 28 years. The actor was presented the degree by Hansraj College principal Rama Sharma. He even signed the register after taking the degree. The 50-year-old, who was a undergraduate student of economics at the college, was humbled by the love showered by thousands of his fans who were waiting to catch a glimpse of him here as he launched a promotional anthem for his upcoming film "Fan". Following the event, where he regaled his fans with an impromptu jig and some fun, the "Dilwale" actor tweeted: "What a beautiful day! Thank you university mates and faculty. Love to all for such a memorable emotional moment." It was like a walk down the memory lane for Shah Rukh as he recalled his days when he was a student in the city. "'Fan' took me to Delhi, my younger days and today to my college. Thank you YRF and Maneesh. JABRA mazaa aayaa," he added. Shah Rukh was accompanied by his "Fan" director Maneesh Sharma, who too is an alumnus of the same college. The actor has been living in Mumbai for over 25 years, but clearly, he has his heart in Delhi, where he studied at the St. Columba's School. Chennai/Kurnool (Andhra Pradesh)/Bengaluru, Feb 16 : A tearful final farewell was given on Tuesday to four soldiers from Tamil Nadu, two from Karnataka and one from Andhra Pradesh who were buried alive in an avalanche on the hostile Siachen glacier on February 3. All of them belonged to the Madras Regiment and their last rites were performed with full military honours. The bodies of Havildar M. Elumalai, Sepoy G. Ganesan, Sepoy N. Ramamurthy and Lance Havildar S. Kumar were brought to Chennai on Monday night and later taken to their native places. Elumalai was laid to rest with full military honours in Adukumparai village in Vellore district. Ganesan was cremated in his native village Chokkathevanpatti in Madurai district, while Kumar was laid to rest in his home village in Theni district, while the last rites of Ramamurthy were performed in Krishnagiri district. The Tamil Nadu government announced a solatium of Rs.10 lakh each to their families. In Andhra Pradesh, Sepoy Mustaq Ahmed waslaid to rest with full military honours in his native village in Kurnool district. A pall of gloom descended on Parnapalle village in Bandi Atmakur mandal of Kurnool as people bid tearful adieu to the soldier. Military, police and civil officials and politicians paid their last respects to Mushtaq, who was buried at a village graveyard. Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister K.E. Krishna Murthy and YSR Congress party chief Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy were among those who attended the last rites. The deputy chief minister later presented a cheque of Rs.25 lakh to the family of deceased soldier. The body of Mustaq reached the village late Monday night from Hyderabad, where it was brought from New Delhi on Monday by a special aircraft of Indian Air Force (IAF). Mustaq, 30, is survived by his wife and aged parents, according to a defence statement. He had enrolled in the 19th Battalion the Madras Regiment in 2004 and served as part of his battalion in counter insurgency operations in the North East and in Jammu and Kashmir. He had also served in the Rashtriya Rifles (RR) force in Jammu and Kashmir. A keen sportsman, Mustaq volunteered to be part of one of the most crucial posts in the icy Siachen Glacier. In Karnataka, hundreds of people paid homage to two more victims from the state as they were laid to rest with state honours in Mysuru and Hassan districts on Tuesday. Sepoy P.N. Mahesha of H.D. Kote in Mysuru district and Subedar T.T. Nagesha of Tejuru in Hassan district were given a 21-gun salute to the sound of bugles before their bodies were buried at their native places. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who hails from Mysuru district, laid a wreath on the flower-decked casket of Mahesha and consoled his bereaved family. "The chief minister has assured Mahesha's family of compensation, free farm land and a government job to one of its members soon," an official told IANS. Home Minister G. Parameshwara was present at Nagesha's last rites amid heart-rending scenes as his family was inconsolable. A junior commissioned officer (JCO) and nine other ranks (ORs) were buried under nearly 30 feet of ice and snow when the avalanche hit the Sonam Post on the Siachen glacier at an altitude of around 20,000 feet. Lance Naik Hanumanthappa Koppad was the only one found alive even though he was trapped under the snow for about six days. He succumbed to multi-organ failure at the Army Hospital Research and Referral in New Delhi last Thursday. Koppad was cremated in his home town in Karnataka on Friday. The bodies of the remaining nine soldiers were retrieved a week after the tragedy, and flown into New Delhi from the frontier Ladakh region on Monday. The mortal remains were later flown in IAF planes to Pune, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Madurai, Chennai and Thiruvananthapuram, for sending them to the native villages of the deceased soldiers. The other soldiers were Lance Naik Sudheesh B. of village Monroethuruth in Kerala's Kollam district and Sepoy (nursing assistant) Suryawanshi S.V. of village Maskarwadi in Maharashtra's Satara district. Mumbai, Feb 16 : Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel said on Tuesday that her state will set up foreign desks in global financial centres like New York, Dubai, Frankfurt, Guangzhou and Tokyo to attract investments from the Indian diaspora. "The Gujarati diaspora is present in huge numbers abroad and is prepared to invest towards the growth of their home state. In order to institutionalize this, we will set up foreign desks at New York, Dubai, Frankfurt, Guangzhou and Tokyo," Patel said while addressing the Gujarat Investor Summit at the ongoing 'Make In India Week'. Giving an overview of the investment proposals in the state, she said Gujarat has received investment intentions proposals worth Rs.62,403 crore in 2015, which is nearly 21 percent of the entire country. She said the state has proved its excellence in 97 multiple parameters for 'Ease of Doing Business' and also encourages small, medium-micro and medium and MSME industries. "More than 600,000 such MSMEs are present in the state providing opportunities to nearly four million people. Our policies have always been industry-friendly and have managed to attract both domestic and foreign investors through its biennial the Vibrant Gujarat Summit," Patel said. She noted Gujarat is the biggest auto hub in India with companies like Tata, Ford, Maruti, Honda Scooters and others operating from there. Besides, she said there is a huge growth potential in petrochemicals and electronics manufacturing sectors which have attracted investments of Rs.100,000 crore in past two years. At the MIIW, Gujarat signed three MoUs with a French, Indian and Danish company for various projects. These are development of a marine application for off-shore platform at a cost of Rs.341 crore by France's Tar Kovas Systems, with Danish wind energy major Vestas India for a Rs.426 crore blade factory and another MoU with Ameya Information Ltd, Gujarat. Cairo, Feb 16 : Former United Nations secretary general Boutros Boutros-Ghali died at a hospital here on Tuesday, officials said. He was 93. UN chief Ban Ki-moon hailed him as a "respected statesman" and a "memorable leader who rendered invaluable services to world peace and international order". Boutros-Ghali was earlier admitted to the hospital with a broken pelvis, BBC reported citing Egypt's state news agency. His death was confirmed by Rafael Dario Ramirez Carreno, the Venezuelan ambassador to the UN and current president of the UN Security Council. A former Egyptian foreign minister, Boutros-Ghali was the first Arab to serve as UN chief. He took office in 1992 at a time of increasing influence for the world body following its decisive role in the Gulf War, serving a five-year term. "I am deeply saddened to learn of the death of my predecessor, Boutros Boutros-Ghali," Ban said in a statement. Boutros-Ghali "was a respected statesman" and a "well-known scholar of international law and brought formidable experience and intellectual power to the task of piloting the United Nations through one of the most tumultuous and challenging periods in its history, and guiding the Organization of the Francophonie in subsequent years". Ban said that as secretary-general, Boutros-Ghali "presided over a dramatic rise in UN peacekeeping", and when the world "increasingly turned to the UN for solutions to its problems, in the immediate aftermath of the cold war". "His commitment to the UN -- its mission and its staff -- was unmistakable, and the mark he has left on the organisation is indelible," Ban said. Boutros-Ghali led the UN during one of its most difficult times, with crises in Somalia, Rwanda, the Middle East and the former Yugoslavia. Born on November 14, 1922 into a Coptic Christian family in Cairo, he was educated at Cairo University and in Paris. He later studied international relations at Columbia University in New York and became Egypt's foreign minister in 1977 under then president Anwar al-Sadat. After leaving the UN, Boutros-Ghali served from 1998 to 2002 as secretary general of La Francophonie, a grouping of French-speaking nations. In 2004, he was named president of Egypt's human rights council, a body created by then Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak. Ghali resigned in 2011, the year Mubarak was ousted by a popular uprising. New Delhi, Feb 16 : The Supreme Court on Tuesday asked the Delhi Sikh Gurudwara Management Committee (DSGMC) to suggest the ways to sensitise people on the adverse impact of jokes poking fun at the Sikh community. A bench of Chief Justice T.S.Thakur, Justice R. Banumathi and Justice Uday Umesh Lalit asked for the suggestion from the DSGMC which had urged the court to have orientation course at school level to curb such jokes demeaning or hurting the community. Before seeking the suggestions, Chief Justice Thakur pointed out that the country had a Sikh president Giani Zail Singh, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, the army and air force were at different points of time were headed by Sikhs and "very soon the country will have a Sikh Chief Justice of India" citing the appointment of Justice Jagdish Singh Khehar to the post when he demits office in January 2017. Seeking suggestion from senior counsel R.S.Suri and A.P.S. Ahluwalia, it said that if it passes an order to curb such jokes, then "how will we enforce it". "We will not say something that can't be enforced" as it damages judiciary, said Chief Justice Thakur. "I don't want any order to be passed that can't be enforced. We should have guidelines that court has issued in many cases," Suri told the court suggesting that there should be orientation of the children at school level to sensitise them against making jokes poking at the Sikhs, making unappreciable comments on Biharis or people from the northeast. He told the court that jokes should not become malicious, dirty, demeaning or hurting the sentiments of the people. Pressing for the orientation courses, Suri said that 68 years after becoming republic, what we are witnessing in India is an anarchy. Referring to the way a judge of the Madras High Court has passed an order staying his transfer order issued by Chief Justice of India, Suri said that there was "judicial anarchy.. lawyers in black robes were beating journalist in Patiala House courts". The "court must address the large picture. It requires consideration", he said. The court asked the DSGMC to give suggestion in the course of the hesaring of a PIL by a lawyer Harvinder Chowdhury seeking a ban on websites carrying jokes on Sikhs projecting the community in dim light. The petitioner has urged the court to direct the government to clamp down on the more than 5,000 websites like www.jokesduniya.com/category/sardar-jokes.htm, as they were "criticising one community and it should stop". Gurgaon, Feb 16 : A number of labourers on Tuesday protested the death of one of their colleagues in a road accident on the Delhi-Gurgaon expressway. Police said Arvind, a 45-year-old native of Bihar, died in a road accident on Tuesday afternoon in Sector 18. Labourers stopped work and cut power and water supply of a project by Raheja Developers in Sector 78 near Shikohpur. They demanded compensation of Rs.10 lakh and a permanent job for the family of the deceased. "The man died in a road accident, what is the fault of the company?" Dimple, general manager, media communication for Raheja Developers told IANS, adding that a few people were "unnecessarily pressurising the company". Police officer Dinesh Kumar of Kherki Daula police station said they were keeping a watch on the developments. Police said the deceased was on leave and returned on Tuesday after two months. He was asked to report to the company head office in Delhi's Saket, but he died on the way while travelling in a shared private transport. New Delhi, Feb 16 : BJP president Amit Shah on Tuesday hailed the victory of NDA candidates in seven of the 12 assembly by-elections across eight states as a "victory of politics of development" over vote bank politics. "Congratulations to our karyakartas (workers), BJP state units, all National Democratic Alliance allies, respective chief ministers and the people of the state over the unprecedented success in the assembly by-polls," Shah said in a statement here. "I thank the people for reposing faith in the politics of development over vote bank politics and good governance of BJP," he added. NDA candidates won in seven out of 12 seats, elections for which were held in eight states. The BJP won four seats. Shah, on this occasion, took on the Congress and other opposition parties and dubbed them "anti-development groups". "This victory is the mandate given by the people against all the baseless propaganda, criticism and negative politics of the opposition to obstruct the government's development works by blocking parliament and people have shown the real truth to such anti-development groups via this victory," Shah said. Shah said there was anger among the public against the negative tendency of obstructing the country's development and economic progress by the Congress and its allies. "People will continue to respond properly in the same manner in the coming days," he said. Shah said the "people's court" has dismissed the ongoing unrestrained and baseless allegations of the Congress and reposed faith in the BJP by expressing their allegiance to development and good governance. "Those who carry the ideology of anti-poor, anti-developmental negative politics, need to make serious introspection," he said. NDA candidates seized three seats, Devadurga (Karnataka), Khadoor Sahib (Punjab) and Maihar (Madhya Pradesh) from Congress and one seat, Muzaffarnagar (Uttar Pradesh) from Samajwadi Party. Other than this, the BJP won with a huge margin the post of mayor in Ghaziabad Municipal Corporation in Uttar Pradesh. New Delhi, Feb 16 : French Ambassador Francois Richier on Tuesday conferred the Chevalier de la Legion d'Honneur, his country's highest honour, on veteran designer Manish Arora in recognition for his renowned and critically-acclaimed contribution to the fashion world. "I'm thrilled and honoured by the recognition I have received from the country that I love with all my heart. France has been an inspiration always. I now live between Paris and Delhi and for me France is literally my own country. I hope to keep getting inspired by France, the beauty and elegance of the French people," said Arora at the investiture ceremony at the French embassy here. The event witnessed the attendance of socialites including Priya Paul, Ambika Pillai, Kalyani Saha, Rahul Mishra and Subodh Gupta. The Chevalier de laA Legion d'Honneur is France's premier award to recognize eminent accomplishments of service to France. It is bestowed on both citizens of France as well as foreigners. Pinning the insignia on the celebrated designer, Richier said: "Manish has a long-standing connection with France, which is like a second home for him. He is a pioneer in bringing the fashion culture of both countries together with his exuberant imagination. I am delighted to confer this high honour on him." In the past, eminent personalities such as Pandit Ravi Shankar, Amitabh Bachchan and J.R.D Tata have been honoured with the prestigious award. Panaji, Feb 16 : The Goa Union of Journalists on Tuesday condemned the attack on mediapersons at a court complex in Delhi, and also criticised Delhi Police chief B.S. Bassi for calling the multiple assaults a "minor incident". "The manner in which lawyers and others took the law into their own hands deserves to be condemned in the strongest possible terms," a statement issued by the journalists' body in Goa said on Tuesday. It called the attack "an attempt to silence the media with the use of brute force by rowdy elements". Several journalists, along with students and faculty of Jawaharlal Nehru University were assaulted at the the Patiala House Court premises on Monday, where mediapersons were present to cover the remand hearing of students' union president Kanhaiya Kumar. Journalists in the national capital on Tuesday took out a protest march to condemn the attack and demanded an investigation into the multiple assaults. Criticising Bassi's comments which referred to the attack as a "minor incident", the statement also said: "Never can an attack on journalists (working) on the field be considered 'minor'." Bengaluru, Feb 16 : Hundreds of people paid homage to two more Siachen glacier avalanche victims from Karnataka as they were laid to rest with state honours in Mysuru and Hassan districts on Tuesday. Sepoy P.N. Mahesha of H.D. Kote in Mysuru district and Subedar T.T. Nagesha of Tejuru in Hassan district were given a 21-gun salute to the sound of bugles before their bodies were buried at their native places. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who hails from Mysuru district, laid a wreath on the flower-decked casket of Mahesha and consoled his bereaved family. "The chief minister has assured Mahesha's family of compensation, free farm land and a government job to one of its members soon," an official told IANS. Home Minister G. Parameshwara was present at Nagesha's last rites amid heart-rending scenes as his family was inconsolable. H.D. Kote and Tejuru are both about 200 km from Bengaluru. Lance Naik Hanamanthappa Koppad of Dharwad district was the third soldier from the state who died in the avalanche that struck February 3 trapping the 10 men of the 19th Madras Regiment. Found miraculously alive after six days under heavy snow, he was flown out to New Delhi and admitted in an army hospital but died of multi-organ failure on February 12. Mumbai, Feb 16 : Despite more than a month of preparation and shooting for a role that was homosexual in the film "Aligarh", actor Manoj Bajpayee says he is still straight. Social activist Harish Iyer, who was present along with the cast and crew of the film at a press meet on Tuesday, told Manoj: "I promise you that you will not become gay if you support this film." Manoj replied: "He is right. Thirty days of preparation, and 35 days of shooting for this role, I'm still straight." Manoj plays a professor who is homosexual, and who was filmed while he became intimate with another male. That video led the college management to suspend him, after which he pursues a court case and gets his job back, but loses his life in the process. "Gulzar sahab says that all characters, if you really play them seriously, leave a mark in your brain. Most of the actors who take their work very seriously and work in these kind of films, you'll find them having mood swings. It creates a vacuum inside you, your mind is bruised after playing so many various characters from theatre days till now," Manoj said. "It's quite taxing when whole day you're in the character, and if you don't do that, you'll miss the 'sur'. You have to be in the character and you have to be walking, eating like him," he said. "Aligarh", directed by Hansal Mehta and also starring Rajkummar Rao, is releasing on February 26. On how to come out of the character, he said: "If you want to be sane, then you really have to switch off. This is what my psychiatrist told me 10-15 years back. I didn't know how to do that but I started working on it, and now I reached a point that after pack-up, I just switch off. I like to unwind by disturbing Hansal Mehta by knocking his door 50 times." "Find people from the unit, sit with them, talk to them, just forget what you've done and look for the next day. At the end of the day have a glass of wine, play up some music, dance, that's what I do," Manoj added. Doha, Feb 17 : Four top global oil producers agreed on Tuesday to freeze oil production in order to boost the slumping oil prices. The agreement followed a meeting in Doha between the energy ministers of Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Venezuela and Russia, Xinhua reported. Mohammed bin Saleh Al Sada, also the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) president, said at a press conference that the four ministers "agreed to freeze the production at January level provided that other major producers follow suit". He described the meeting as "successful" which reviewed the current situation of the global oil market amid oversupply, stressing that "this step is meant to stabilise the market". Al Sada said intensive talks will start with the OPEC members and non-cartel producers, including Iraq and Iran, in a bid to stabilise oil market and benefit oil producers as well as the global economy. "If these countries agree to the proposal, it will be implemented," he said, adding that he will lead the talks. The Venezuelan minister Eulogio Del Pino told reporters that he and Al Sada will meet on Wednesday with their Iraqi and Iranian counterparts in Tehran to discuss the production freeze proposal. "Freezing now at the January level is adequate for the market," said Saudi Oil Minister Ali al-Naimi. He elucidated that the freeze is "the beginning of a process" and the situation will be monitored in the next few months to "decide whether we need other steps to stabilise and approve the market". "We don't want significant gyrations in prices. We don't want a reduction in supply. We want to meet demand and we want a stable oil price," he added. Over a year ago, the oil cartel OPEC decided not to cut output, which triggered the slide to the lowest oil prices in the past decade or more. London, Feb 17 : Former Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher is supporting a campaign to get indie band Viola Beach to the top of the charts after its members died in a car accident. He has tweeted his support for the indie band, after the group died alongside their manager Craig Terry in a car accident on February 13, reports mirror.co.uk. The 43-year-old tweeted a link to the band's music on iTunes as family, friends and fans campaign to get them to the top of the charts. He wrote along with it: "Viola Beach - Swings & Waterslides - RIP LG X" Band members Kris Leonard, River Reeves, Tomas Lowe and Jack Dakin had played a festival in Norrkoping, Sweden, just hours before their tour vehicle plunged off a bridge. Those close to the band were pleased with the support, with one tweeting: "One of our heroes tweeting for you and the lads @ craigtarry - Wish you could see all this. Nice one Liam!" The group's single "Swings & waterslides" is currently placed at number four in the iTunes charts, according to the online store's ongoing rankings. The residential property market in Spain has started 2016 positively with the latest figures showing that the average value of housing increased in January. The latest data from property appraisal company Tinsa, shows that the Balearic and Canary Islands have seen prices rise the most, up 5.4% month on month and 3.2% year on year. While overall prices increased by 2.9% compared to December 2015 and are up 1.1% year on year. Prices in large cities increased by 2.9% year on year while priced on the Mediterranean Coast rose by 1% and in Metropolitan areas they increased by 0.8%. But in smaller towns the market is not doing as well, with average prices falling by 2.2% year on year although there was a small rise month on month. It also shows that since the peak of the market in 2007, the average property prices is still down by 41% but there are regional variations. For example, since the peak prices are down 48% on the Mediterranean Coast, down 44.2% in large cities and down 43.5% in Metropolitan areas. The gap is less in the Balearic and Canary Islands, with an accumulated decline of 29.1% from peak while in smaller town they are down 37.3%. Property portal Fotocasas latest data is also positive. It shows that the average price of second hand housing in Spain increased by 0.3% month on month in January, taking the average price to 1,623 per square meter. However, year on year this index is still showing an average decline in prices of 0.3%. It also shows that since the peak in 2007 average prices are down 45% and 12 of Spains 17 regions have registered price declines in excess of 40% since the peak. In a Rioja prices are down 54.7% since 2007, in Castilla-La Mancha by 52.2%, in Navarra by 52.1%, in Aragon by 51.4%, in Murcia by 50.1%, in Valencia by 47.8%, in Catalonia by 46.6%, in Asturias by 45.6%, in Madrid by 44.7%, in Andalucia by 42.7%, in Extremadura by 41.6% and in Cantabria by 40.1%. In January average prices increased in 10 regions. The biggest rise was in the Canary Islands with growth of 2.1%, followed by Aragon up 1.2%, Valencia up 1%, Andalucia and Catalonia both up 0.9%, Castilla-La Mancha, Navarra and La Rioja all up 0.8%, the Balearic Islands up 0.2% and Asturias up 0.1%. In contrast, Extremadura recorded the biggest fall in prices with a decline of 1% in January, followed by the Basque Country down 0.9%, Galicia down 0.6%, Cantabria down 0.5%, Castilla y Leon and Murcia both down 0.4%, and Madrid down 0.2%. The Basque Country remains the most expensive of Spains regions, with an average price of 2,730 per square meter, followed by Madrid at 2,197 and Catalonia at 2,064. The regions with the most economical second hand housing prices are Castilla-La Mancha at 1,058 per square meter, Extremadura at 1,100 and Murcia at 1,145. The index also shows that 30 of the 50 Spanish provinces saw month on month price rises, ranging from 2.6% in Las Palmas to 0.1% in Asturias. In Burgos house prices remained stable over December 2015, while the 19 remaining provinces registered price declines, ranging between the a fall of 3.3% in Ourense to a fall of 0.2% recorded in Madrid. 19877 Trotter sets new high mark for luxury estate property sold in Kerrigan Ranch in Yorba Linda. In a sign of the continuing strength of Orange Countys luxury estate market, First Team Real Estate Christies International announced the completion of two groundbreaking transactions in Yorba Lindas exclusive Kerrigan Ranch. The sales at 19877 Trotter for $2.22 million and the sale at 3793 Quarter Horse for $2.825 million are a testament to the hard work and attention to detail of The Williamson Team and specifically Erin Williamson and Christina Loomis, says Terry LeClair, Senior Vice President, Sales for First Team Real Estate Christies International. These two leaders have an incredible track record of selling nearly $1 billion in real estate and are one of many reasons the market for one-of-a-kind estates like these two properties maintained solid momentum over the last year, and 2016 looks to be extremely strong as well. The luxury estate at 19877 Trotter has an incredibly well appointed 5,200 square feet of living space with five bedrooms and six bathrooms spread over just under .4 acres. The sale was recently completed for $2.22 million with the Williamson Team serving as the listing agent. To see their lifestyle video go to: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z7zrFwaZ0m8. We are incredibly appreciative to Erin and Christina for selling our home so quickly and for an incredible price point, says J. Johnson, the seller of 19877 Trotter. The one-of-a-kind estate at 3793 Quarter Horse Drive comes with an incredibly generous five bedrooms, six bathrooms, and over 5,834 square feet of living space on nearly an acre of land. The landmark sale was completed for $2.825 million, setting a new record for exclusive Kerrigan Ranch in Yorba Linda. The sale also marks the third largest residential real estate sale in Yorba Linda in 2015. With the strength of the Christies International, Luxury Portfolio, and First Team networks, along with our work on international platforms like Juwai in China, we are able to give estates like these a global audience of high-net-worth buyers, explain Erin Williamson and Christina Loomis. These estates are generously laid out, impeccably decorated, designed and maintained, while at the same time being extremely approachable and livable for families. Our team worked intensively with the sellers of both of these exquisite properties to ensure that the sellers realized the true premium value for all of their hard work. For more information on these properties go to williamsonteamproperties.com. ABOUT FIRST TEAM REAL ESTATE CHRISTIES INTERNATIONAL First Team Real Estate Christie's International specializes in selling Orange County's most unique and exclusive properties. As part of the luxury division of Southern California's most trusted real estate company, First Team Real Estate has been recognized for its unparalleled level of service for luxury buyers and sellers. In 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 and now 2015, First Team Estates Christie's International was recognized as Best of OC for Real Estate Companies by the annual Orange County Register survey of 100,000 Southern California households. We can be reached at (888) 236-1943 or at firstteam.com. ABOUT THE WILLIAMSON TEAM Having closed over 1,000 residential real estate transactions worth over $1 billion in overall sales, the Williamson Team and specifically Erin Williamson and Christina Loomis have proven that by showcasing the incredible lifestyle opportunities provided by one-of-a-kind luxury estates, buyers and sellers can complete the transaction that best suits their long-term goals. They are currently preparing an incredible premier open house for January 30 at the six-bedroom luxury estate at 19228 Lipizzan in Yorba Linda listed for $2,499,999. For more information on the open house and the Williamson Team, you can reach Erin Williamson at (714) 612-4297 and Christina Loomis at (714) 813-2286. By partnering with SDBIC we are able to offer our customers the industrys most convenient and affordable way to protect their most valued possessions. -Ron Samford, Metairie Bank President & CEO Safe Deposit Box Insurance Coverage, LLC (SDBIC) announced today that it has entered into agreement with Metairie Bank & Trust Company to insure the contents of their safe deposit boxes. SDBIC coverage is offered in partnership with AXA ART, a member of the global AXA Group, one of the largest insurance companies in the world. Through this partnership, Metairie Bank is the first bank in Louisiana to offer its customers this type of coverage, which is the only insurance solution in the market that covers all legal property in a safe deposit box without compromising confidentiality or privacy. Most important, it protects customers stored valuables against all natural disastersincluding all forms of flooding as well as burglary, robbery and other man-made catastrophes. Our goal is to consistently bring the most essential and valuable services to our customers, and deliver them in a community bank atmosphere, said Ron Samford, Metairie Bank President and Chief Executive Officer. By partnering with SDBIC we are able to offer our customers the industrys most convenient and affordable way to protect their most valued possessions. Safe deposit boxes are the best option for storing valuables and universally recommended by federal, state and local law enforcement organizations, as well as disaster preparedness and relief agencies. Given the increased frequency and severity of natural disasters and other catastrophes, which no vault or box can protect against, it is widely recommended that box holders maintain some level of insurance coverage. From product to purchase process, SDBICs patented insurance solution is unlike anything available in the market today. No disclosures or appraisals of box contents, and no deductibles; Box holder selects the desired amount of coverage, starting as low as $25 a year for $5,000 coverage; Property added to the box is automatically covered up to existing limits; and The only insurance in the country that also covers important documents, such as wills titles and deeds, as well as photos and electronic back-up devices. Our patented solution is far more comprehensive and less expensive than a homeowners insurance policy, even covering flood-related events, such as hurricanes and all other natural disasters, said Jerry Pluard, SDBIC President. We are thrilled to be working with such a long-standing, respected institution as Metairie Bank, and look forward to providing their local customers with peace of mind knowing their most treasured possessions are protected in absolute best possible way. Founded in 1947, Metairie Bank & Trust Company was the first banking institution on the East Bank of Jefferson Parish, and today proudly operates seven offices throughout the New Orleans metropolitan area. The bank is a member of the Louisiana Banker's Association and the Independent Community Bankers of America. To learn more, or sign-up for coverage, please visit http://www.insuremybox.com/metairie. # # # Safe Deposit Box Insurance Coverage, LLC (SDBIC) was founded around one simple conceptto help consumers protect their most valued possessions. We are an advocate for the use of safe storage in financial institutions and the leading provider of insurance solutions for consumers valuables. Our patented insurance solution protects possessions stored inside safe deposit boxes, without compromising on confidentiality or privacy. SDBIC partnered with AXA Art Americas Corporation to offer this unique new insurance solution. AXA ART products are underwritten by AXA Insurance Company, which maintains an A (Excellent) Financial Strength Rating and an a+ Issuer Credit Rating from A.M. Best. To learn more and/or sign up for coverage please visit http://www.insuremybox.com or call toll free at (844) 426-9467. KidCheck, providers of secure childrens check-in software, is leading a workshop entitled The Child Protection Policy Unwrapped at the Childrens Pastors Conference, hosted by the International Network of Childrens Ministry (INCM). The Childrens Pastors Conference (CPC) 2-Day takes place February 26-27, 2016 in La Mesa, California. CPC 2-Day is a special, new event created for teams. The conference is a companion to the Childrens Pastors Conference held earlier this year. It provides a unique learning experience with networking opportunities, inspiring speakers, a multitude of workshops, and access to many ministry tools and resources. KidChecks The Child Protection Policy Unwrapped workshop is designed to help identify the most current and essential elements of an effective Child Protection Policy. It is led by Angela Lewton, KidChecks child safety expert and Darkness to Light Facilitator. The workshop provides helpful insight and ideas whether an organization is updating an existing plan or starting from scratch. Understanding, preparing, and writing a Child Protection Policy can be a daunting task, said Alex Smith, KidCheck CEO. This workshop delivers the necessary information, broken down into easily understood steps, and provides direction on how to plan, write and implement a comprehensive policy. KidCheck is a leader around child safety and security, as well as a key INCM partner, said Matt Guevara, Executive Director INCM. We are pleased to have them join us at the Childrens Pastors Conference 2 Day event both as a resource provider and workshop presenter. The Childrens Pastors Conferences provide an amazing opportunity for ministry leaders to connect, learn and share ideas, continues Smith. Were excited to be a part of CPC 2 Day leading the child protection policy workshop and helping churches increase security in their childrens ministry. About KidCheck KidCheck, Inc. provides secure, web based childrens check-in software and complete check-in station solutions for churches, fitness facilities, and organizations caring for children. KidCheck is committed to delivering easy-to-use, reliable and secure check-in systems backed by expert, personal service and support. To learn more or to sign up for a demo visit http://www.kidcheck.com. EPath Digital is excited to announce an expansion of their multi-year Agency of Record relationship with Optima Tax Relief. This extension builds upon the past two years where EPath has developed a performance email marketing channel that has significantly contributed to Optimas new customer acquisition volume. EPath has successfully scaled email marketing for Optima during a period in which Optima has risen to become the nations leading tax resolution firm. In Epath, we have a partner that shares our commitment to excellence and delivering great results, says Harry Langenberg, Optima Tax Reliefs managing partner. Optima was named the fast growing financial services company in 2015s Inc. 5000, a recognition that EPath is proud to have played an important role. Optima is a case study in how we help our clients attain their ROI and growth goals, says Jeremy Buttke, president of EPath. With extensive experience servicing advertisements to targeted demographics, EPath is looking forward to helping Optima attain even higher goals in 2016 and beyond. No company is better at solving peoples tax problems than Optima, says Buttke, and EPaths efforts are going to ensure an ever-growing number of people who need Optima, find Optima. About EPath Digital: EPath Digital, from its Laguna Beach, California corporate headquarters, represents a number of nationally recognized brands, and focuses on providing new customer acquisition through digital marketing. EPD works in numerous industries in the financial services, identity theft protection, green energy, automotive, and senior markets. With over 20 years of extensive industry experience and high integrity, EPath Digitals goal is to deliver campaigns that deliver a strong ROI for its advertisers, allowing them the opportunity to grow. EPath Digital also publishes nowitcounts.com, catering to the over 50 lifestyle. For more information visit http://www.epathdigital.com. About Optima Tax Relief Optima Tax Relief, headquartered in Orange County, CA, is a nationwide tax resolution firm which provides assistance to those individuals struggling with unmanageable IRS or state tax burdens. The companys unique two-phase approach to tax relief is revolutionary in the industry and provides consumers unparalleled clarity into their options to resolve tax issues. Fully accredited and A+ rated by the Better Business Bureau, Optima currently employs over 300 professionals, including over 25 Tax Attorneys and Enrolled Agents. Optima offers full service tax resolution for almost any IRS or state tax issue, and the companys mission is to obtain the best possible result for each clients specific situation, providing a better financial future by making their tax issues a thing of the past. Press Contacts: Michael Azzano Cosmo PR for Optima 415/596-1978 michael(at)cosmo-pr(dot)com EPath Digital Jeremy Buttke 949/379-8046 jeremy(at)epathdigital(dot)com NYC is known to have an array of different pests that plague commercial and residential properties. NYC pest control services are offered by Alliance Pest Services and this includes services throughout all five boroughs of the city. The company is locally owned and operated and has recently expanded to include all of New York City for pest control and rodent control services. According to the New York City Department of Health and Hygiene, there are a number of insects found throughout the city. This includes bed bugs, rodents, lice, spiders, ticks, mosquitoes, cockroaches, bees, chiggers, fleas, sewer flies, and wasps. Rodents can also be a problem, including mice, rats, and even different types of birds. As the Department of Health and Hygiene explains on their website, many people make a big mistake. They turn to pesticides that are not effective. Further, the pesticides can become dangerous to individuals and pets. The Poison Control Center files more than 1,000 reports every year where people have been accidentally poisoned or exposed to the pesticides and more than half of them are children under the age of five. Pests can be found in various areas of a home or business. This includes gaps in flooring, inside open food packages, and around leaky faucets. There may be signs of pests before actually seeing the pest itself. This can include cockroach and rodent droppings, webs, bed bug bites and more. When we get a call about someone complaining of bugs, we ask for what people have observed, says one of the technicians for Alliance Pest Services. We are then able to send out the right service specialist to determine the problem, what caused the pest problem to occur, and establish the best way to address it. Those who need pest control services in Queens are able to call Alliance Pest Services and have a technician come out immediately and solve your pest problems. A business or homeowner does not need to be able to identify the pest. The technicians are well-informed about the different kinds of pests and can choose the necessary treatment to get the problem under control. When pest control services in Brooklyn are offered, individuals and businesses alike have more than 100 options. The Better Business Bureau recommends that a person checks for a license prior to hiring any contractor. Over the counter products are not always capable of addressing pest issues. Many of the pests throughout New York City, including cockroaches, grow immune to the chemicals. This is why it is imperative to hire a professional extermination company. The pest control services in Manhattan and throughout NYC are capable of dealing with the pests. If there is an infestation in a home or business, pest services in Brooklyn can also make a difference. The main issue is addressed and then it is suggested that the area be monitored for several weeks to ensure that the specific pest is no longer an issue. We pride ourselves on prompt service, competitive rates, as well as customizable service plans, explains Matt Latif a spokesperson for Alliance. The service plans allow homeowners and businesses to get a monthly service where a technician will come out to take care of your bug problems. This can help to reduce the number of pests found throughout the property and reduce the likelihood of them returning. The materials used by Alliance Pest Services are safe enough to be used in the home, where there may be small children or pets. All of the concerns with the materials that may be used to treat a pest problem are addressed with the homeowner prior to any treatment taking place. In some instances, depending upon the level of problem or infestation, there may be other services recommended as well. This includes monitoring, reducing a conducive condition, vacuuming, caulking and sealing cracks, repairing screens, use of baits and other low impact items. At Alliance, we find the source of problem and figure out why the problem occurred in the first place prior to any treatment being performed. In most cases, a simple modification can solve the pest problem without the need to use non-low impact chemicals. Many positive reviews can be found about Alliance Pest Services across the internet. Ive used their pest control services for over a year now and havent seen a spider or roach since they began, comments one happy homeowner. Ive used the pest control services in several of my restaurants and have been highly satisfied, says one restaurant owner. Alliance Pest Services is a licensed pest management company and offers pest control services in Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, Bronx, and Staten Island. 24/7 services are offered and the company prides themselves on being able to get rid of pest problems. They also offer solutions on how to prevent bug problems in the future. Alliance Pest Services is a member of the National Pest Control Association. English and Spanish are spoken. Inspections and professional reports can be generated as needed. The company can be called day or night and the inspection is performed at no cost to the home or business owner. Cash and credit cards are accepted. Life Chiropractic College Wests Monte H. Greenawalt Health Center began construction in October 2015 and was completed this month. The multi-million dollar renovations are a major contribution to the community by providing an affordable and state-of-the-art chiropractic health and wellness center in the area. The health center facility gives interns, alongside their clinical faculty doctor, a modern practice experience using the latest in technology which allows patients ease in booking appointments, soothing and professional space to receive services and allows interns to learn all the advancements they could use in their own practice post-graduation. After a two year planning and building process, Life Wests Monte H. Greenawalt Health Center has risen to become a newly remodeled full service chiropractic outpatient health care facility. The improvements will add new technology, a better patient flow, and the potential of serving a larger number of patients in the Hayward and surrounding area communities, said Dr. Timothy J. Gay, Executive Vice President of the Health Center. This renovation will provide a higher quality training center, which will educate students with a significantly more hands-on practice setting before they enter their outpatient internship. Renovations created a world class chiropractic training facility in a new, real-world learning environment. This includes a modern style front reception area to welcome patients, computerized patient intake areas that help deliver the highest level of customer service, and state of the art technology aiding in the enhancement of patient care through automated health updates. We look forward to seeing you at the grand re-opening event coming up on April 13th. We encourage you to experience the changes and be involved with the future of natural health care, Dr. Gay added. The Life West Monte H. Greenawalt Health Center, established in 1981, is one of the leading chiropractic teaching and patient care facilities in the United States. The center is centrally located in Hayward, near Interstate 880 and Highway 92. The Health Center provides convenient, quality, and affordable chiropractic care. To set up an appointment or to learn more, please call +1 (510) 780-4567 or visit at 25001 Industrial Blvd., Hayward, CA. Additionally, you can visit them online at http://www.lifewesthealthcenter.com. XXX Images and Interviews Available By Request. Goverlan on a Microsoft Surfacde Goverlan is perfect for use on tablets running Windows 10 like the Microsoft Surface Today, Goverlan, a leader in IT remote management and monitoring software, announced the release and general availability of Goverlan version 8.01.10. Goverlan v8.01.10 adds support for Windows 10, devices with Higher Dots Per Inch (DPI) densities, and multi-touch displays and tablets. Goverlan is a suite of products that enable IT administrators and desktop support technicians to control, manage, and support Windows environments in real-time. Recent surveys indicate that Windows 10 adoption is happening twice as fast as Windows 8 within 6 month of availability. With this latest release Goverlan introduces full support for Windows 10 as well as support for tablet devices running Windows 10, like the Microsoft Surface. Added support for Windows 10 machines includes automated Active Directory provisioning and management, giving administrators a great tool to automate desktop migrations. Administrators can also download and install Goverlan on Microsoft Surface and other Windows 10 tablets and easily navigate and use the product with common touch and gesture movements, including touch to click, drag scrolling or sliding, and pinch to zoom. Goverlan CEO, Pascal Bergeot explains: This enhancement is a direct response to the growing popularity of Windows 10 and the Microsoft Surface. Goverlan is a powerful yet light-weight solution, making it perfect for use on tablet devices running Windows. Tablets today have as much, if not way more computing power than many desktops still running Goverlan. Now the IT Admin on-the-go can have powerful tools on their new powerful devices! Product Version Details Goverlan v8.01.10 is a free-upgrade for all existing Goverlan customers with active maintenance. New customers and prospects can try a fully-functional 30-day version of v8.01.10 by download the Goverlan trial found here: http://www.goverlan.com/landing_pages/request_freeTrial.php Learn more about Goverlan: http://www.goverlan.com Product Details The Goverlan Remote Administration Suite is an easy-to-use all-in-one client systems management solution designed to simplify and accelerate IT support within small, mid-sized, and enterprise organizations. Goverlan allows IT support staff to globally and dynamically control, manage, and support physical and virtual desktop infrastructures in real-time with minimal user interruption. By combining best-of-breed remote control, powerful support tools, detailed system reporting, and automated configuration and task management, Goverlan gets administrators to the root of problems quickly, resolving client issues more efficiently. About Goverlan: Goverlan, Inc. is a leading provider of IT systems support and remote management software solutions. Goverlan solutions provide innovative and simplified ways for businesses to address remote IT administration needs. At Goverlan, client feedback drives engineering to help create products that are efficient, secure and robust. With this client-centric philosophy, Goverlan continues to grow and service organizations spanning over 110 countries and 17 industries, securing a solid reputation in the IT RMM world. Established in 1998, Goverlan is a privately-held software company headquartered in Miami, FL. Goverlan creates, markets, and sells award-winning software solutions. Chosen by IT professional worldwide, Goverlan is renowned for its ease-of-use and extensive feature set. Learn more at http://www.goverlan.com or contact Goverlan at sales(at)goverlan(dot)com. Mentoring Inside Out Pathfinders of Oregon has been awarded a grant from the Spirit Mountain Community Fund. The grant will support Pathfinders' Mentoring Inside Out program for children whose parents are involved in the criminal justice system. Separation from a parent can be traumatic for any child, but when the separation is caused by a parents incarceration, it can be even more difficult. Children whose parents are involved with the justice system are at increased risk for depression, anxiety, withdrawal, delinquency, substance abuse, behavior problems, and school issues including school failure. Parental incarceration is also linked with poor health when youth become adults. Pathfinders of Oregon created the Mentoring Inside Out program to support children of incarcerated parents by providing them with an adult who can help them navigate their challenges, celebrate their successes and just be a friend. The Mentoring Inside Out experience is individualized to each youths interests and needs. Together, the youth and their mentor develop a plan that identifies goals and plans for academic achievement, social and family relationships and engaging in community activities. Pathfinders Center for Family Success offers Mentoring Inside Out to youth and families living in East Multnomah County. The Center for Family Success serves families that have a parent involved in the criminal justice system, offering a range of services including, the evidence-based Parenting Inside Out program, family advocacy, home visiting and mentoring. The Center helps criminal justice involved parents build parenting skills, navigate the justice and child welfare systems, reestablish contact with their children after prison and when appropriate, reunify with their families. Parents and caregivers enrolled in the Mentoring Inside Out will receive resources to help them support their youth. The program includes activities to help families overcome social isolation, develop relationships with their peers, and wrap around services such as support groups, service referrals and emergency family assistance. The Spirit Mountain Community Fund has previously supported Pathfinders' work with children of incarcerated parents through a project that created resource materials for social workers, educators and law enforcement officers who work with these children. This new grant will continue Spirit Mountain Community Funds commitment to ensuring that vulnerable youth have a chance to succeed. About Pathfinders of Oregon Pathfinders of Oregon is a 501(c) 3 organization whose mission is to break the cycle of criminality. Pathfinders has taught programs within the Oregon Department of Corrections for more than 20 years. In the community it offers programs to families impacted by the criminal justice system through its Center for Family Success in Rockwood and east Multnomah County Mashable, the leading media company for the digital generation, announced today that Retronauts New York, a pop-up exhibition of historic panoramas of New York produced by SC Exhibitions with Retronauts Wolfgang Wild will open on Thursday, February 25 in New York City. The exhibition will be in the lobby space of Premier Exhibitions (417 5th Avenue) for a limited time and is free to the public. Wild, also an editor for Mashable, founded Retronaut, the photographic time machine in 2010 and since then, has helped fuel the exploding public fascination with historical images. Starting in 2014, Mashable became the exclusive host of new Retronaut articles, photo spreads and videos created by Wild and his curators in a new section of the site devoted to history. Wild and his team scour the world's archives and museums, physical and digital, looking for extraordinary material - pictures, film, sound, stories and songs - that are not on our maps of the past. For Retronauts New York, Wild has taken as his starting point a set of extraordinary panoramic photographs capturing New York City more than a hundred years ago. These widescreen images are not the small, sepia and faded snapshots of the past that we have come to expect. The images are massive, super high-resolution, and extraordinarily over a century old. Each photograph has been painstakingly digitally cleaned and restored from the versions held by the Library of Congress, the results wiping away the decay of time and rendering the scenes of New York City into crisp detail. The past becomes the present once again. Taken together, the images form a time capsule of New York City at the turn of the nineteenth and twentieth century. This time capsule is a physical manifestation of the hundreds of online digital time capsules Wild has been assembling on Retronaut. At the center of the historic panoramas is a "Timescape" of Times Square created by Dynamichrome's Jordan Lloyd. Lloyd has woven together fragments from Times Square's hundred-year history into a seamless and spectacular image where decades cascade into one another. The hypnotic result is a beautiful and surreal panoramic photograph, simultaneously instantly familiar and disconcertingly anachronistic at once. It is a physical manifestation of Wild and Retronaut's mission to show "the past like you wouldn't believe." The exhibition will be unveiled during a private opening party on February 24, 2016 and will be on display to the public through March 28, 2016. Additional information can be found at http://www.tutnyc.com/retronaut. Retronauts New York: Retronaut's New York is a new free exhibition of historic panoramas of New York in the lobby space of Premier Exhibitions, 417 5th Avenue, New York, NY 10016 no ticket purchase is required. The exhibition is part of the accompanying program to The Discovery of King Tut. It is presented in co-operation with Mashable, and produced by SC Exhibitions. About Wolfgang Wild: Wolfgang Wild is the creator of Retronaut a brand that shows "the past like you wouldnt believe." In its article on Retronaut, Fast Company wrote: "Retronaut's images are chosen to make the viewer feel like theyre looking not at the past, but rather at a different version of the present." In 2014, Wild licensed Retronaut to Mashable, and National Geographic published the first Retronaut book with two further books following in 2016. Number 20 on the Times of Londons list of the "50 people you should follow on Twitter," Wild is guest curator for a range of digital and physical museums, and lives near Oxford, England, with his wife, Annie, and two children. About Jordan Lloyd: Jordan Lloyd is the director of Dynamichrome, a team of creative experts based in London and Cambridge. Dynamichrome is dedicated to sharing the stories behind some of history's greatest black and white photographs through digital color reconstruction. Early photographic technology lacked a crucial ingredient: color the gap between the world as we see it, and the abstract, black and white world we imagine. As early as the invention of the medium, skilled artisans applied color to photographs by hand, making an attempt to convey the vibrancy and immediacy of life in color. About Mashable: Mashable is the leading global media company that informs, inspires and entertains the digital generation. Mashable is redefining storytelling by documenting and shaping the digital revolution in a new voice, new formats and cutting-edge technologies to a uniquely dedicated audience of 45 million monthly unique visitors and 27 million social followers. About The Discovery of King Tut: Seen by millions of visitors worldwide, The Discovery of King Tut takes visitors back more than 3,000 years to trace the story of the boy king who reigned for a decade and died suddenly at age 19. This thrillingly unique experience explores the legendary tomb and its treasures as they were at the exact moment of their discovery. Visitors can feel the rush of excitement as they step into a moment only ever witnessed by Howard Carters excavation team, view more than 1,000 precisely crafted replicas and reconstructions and discover the story behind one of the most iconic moments in history. The tomb's magnificent burial goods have been reproduced exactly down to the finest detail by expert Egyptian craftsmen and renowned Egyptologists. These exquisitely crafted replicas and reconstructions allow visitors to step into the wonder of the discovery as if the original excavation in the Valley of the Kings has been reopened. Crucially, the exhibition also brings together a collection that can only be seen separately elsewhere, even in Egypt, where the kings treasures are kept in the Cairo Museum. In addition, Tutankhamun's beautifully painted tomb in the Valley of the Kings has been stripped of everything but his mummy, the outer coffin and the stone sarcophagus. By contrast, the exhibition experience culminates in exact reconstructions of three chambers from Tutankhamun's tomb, revealing themselves just as the discoverers saw them. A radioplay-like audio tour based on Howard Carter's diaries, video documentaries, extensive texts and object descriptions, as well as unhindered access to the objects, together provide an exciting, as well as informative, experience for all the senses. The Discovery of King Tut is scheduled to run through May 1st, 2016. Tickets are on sale now at http://www.TUTNYC.com. Premier Exhibitions 5th Avenue: Premier Exhibitions 5th Avenue is a state-of-the-art exhibition and special events center located at 417 5th Avenue, between 37th and 38th Streets. With a goal of bringing the love of learning to life, Premier Exhibitions 5th Avenue offers exciting, informative and behind-the-scenes experiences through a diverse range of museum quality exhibitions. The SupplyLogic logo is a registered Trademark As Asurions business continues to grow, we will help them focus outwardly on dealer support instead of internally, said Kevin Sherlock, SupplyLogic Founder and CEO. SupplyLogic, a top marketing supply chain optimization company, has signed an exclusive, multi-year agreement with Asurion, the global leader in technology protection services. Under the terms of the agreement, SupplyLogic will optimize Asurions procurement processes for marketing print and point-of-sale materials, boosting customer support and channel productivity. Our customers look to us to protect and optimize their experience with technology, said Tim Omaggio, Senior Director, Communications, for Asurion. We must be equally wise in our own use of technology to deliver greater value to our channel partners; by better managing this complexity at a lower cost it lets us focus resources on customer experience, provides marketing agility and the ability to be more strategic in our approach. This partnership will speed supporting materials to Asurion clients. It also places SupplyLogic subject matter experts directly at the companys Sterling, VA and Nashville locations to manage this marketing procurement, delivering process efficiencies and scalability. As Asurions business continues to grow, we will help them focus outwardly on dealer support instead of internally, said Kevin Sherlock, SupplyLogic Founder and CEO. This lets headquarters think more strategically while sales and marketing focus on the customer. Well continue to innovate with Asurion marketing over time to drive even better results. Their strategy and our execution can turn good marketing to great. About SupplyLogic SupplyLogic, a privately held firm of talented business experts based in New York and Chicago, specializes in the execution of corporate marketing strategy across print, promotional and digital channels. Founded in 2004, the companys managed service model has the unique ability to deliver up to 45 percent reduction in costs through a combination of on-site resources, process optimization, strategic sourcing expertise and automation. For more information about SupplyLogic, please visit http://www.supplylogic.com. One of our key differentiators is our unique ability to engage clients through a proprietary innovation methodology," shares Bob Hollander, vice president of sales and marketing for Netelligent. Netelligent Corporation, a technology solutions company, announced today that CRN, a brand of The Channel Company, has named Netelligent to its 2016 Managed Service Provider (MSP) 500 list in the Elite150 category. The Elite 150 recognizes large, data center-focused MSPs with a strong mix of on-premises and off-premises services. This annual list recognizes North American solution providers with cutting-edge approaches to delivering managed services. Their top-notch offerings help companies navigate the complex and ever-changing landscape of IT, improve operational efficiencies, and maximize their return on IT investments. In todays fast-paced business environments, MSPs play an important role in helping companies leverage new technologies without straining their budgets or losing focus on their core business. CRNs MSP 500 list shines a light on the most forward-thinking and innovative of these key organizations. Netelligent takes a neutral approach to helping mid-market to enterprise customers evaluate and implement solutions best suited for their environment and business objectives. Basing its services off a hybrid IT model, the expansive Netelligent portfolio offers clients on-premise, managed and cloud options with unparalleled expert professional services. Netelligent offers Cisco-certified HCS, IaaS, DRaaS, and DaaS plus managed services for device, network and firewall monitoring and managed security services. MSPs meet a critical need in the IT market, providing customized, turnkey services that allow for predictable operational expenses, effective control of expenditures, precise allocation of limited resources and convenient access to on-demand and pay-as-you-go technology, said Robert Faletra, CEO, The Channel Company. We congratulate the service providers of the MSP 500, who continually reinvent themselves to successfully meet their customers changing needs, helping businesses get the most out of their IT investments and sharpen their competitive edge. The technology landscape constantly changes. We are committed to our customers as we continually anticipate the technology needs of our customers and engineer the best possible solutions with the best services, shares Bob Hollander, vice president of sales and marketing, Netelligent Corporation. One of our key differentiators is our unique ability to engage clients through a proprietary innovation methodology that strategically transforms and optimizes their business with custom hybrid IT solutions. Its an honor to be recognized three years in a row by CRN for this type of forward thinking. The MSP 500 list will be featured in the February 2016 issue of CRN and online at http://www.CRN.com/msp500. About Netelligent Netelligent Corporation is a technology solutions company. Netelligent provides companies with the basic technologies they need to run their business (phone system, servers/virtualization, disaster recovery, security, networking, and video). Our mission is to help elevate business above technology. We take a neutral approach in helping to determine what IT consumption model best benefits each clients organization (on-premises, managed, or cloud services). Founded in 2003, Netelligent is headquartered in Chesterfield, Missouri with a regional office in Kansas City and two data centers located in Denver and St. Louis. Netelligent is a Cisco Gold Partner and SOC II Certified. Additional information about Netelligent can be found on their website http://www.netelligent.com. Jennifer Vogel Netelligent Corporation (314) 696-5558 jvogel(at)netelligent(dot)com About the Channel Company The Channel Company enables breakthrough IT channel performance with our dominant media, engaging events, expert consulting and education, and innovative marketing services and platforms. As the channel catalyst, we connect and empower technology suppliers, solution providers and end users. Backed by more than 30 years of unequaled channel experience, we draw from our deep knowledge to envision innovative new solutions for ever-evolving challenges in the technology marketplace. http://www.thechannelco.com Melanie Turpin The Channel Company (508) 416-1195 mturpin(at)thechannelco(dot)com TruPlace, the largest provider of interactive floor plans and professional photos for the vacation rental management industry, today announced the hiring of Tony Maganzini, past president of Floor Plan Marketing, a company competing with TruPlace in the vacation rental market. Ever since meeting the TruPlace team at a trade show event, I was really impressed with what I saw, said Mr. Maganzini. Their organization, their technology, everything I saw explained why their client base for interactive floor plans and photographs is the largest in the vacation rental market. When they offered me a position, why wouldnt I want to join the #1 player? Im thrilled to be a part of the TruPlace team. Prior to joining TruPlace, Tony Maganzini was the president of Floor Plan Marketing, Miramar Beach, Fla. Before that, Mr. Maganzini was director of international sales at The Placencia Group, Belize, where he spearheaded international relationships with key investors. Mr. Maganzini has received numerous sales and achievement awards and is a graduate of the University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Ala. We feel very fortunate to have Tony on our team, said Bob Cusack, president of TruPlace. He brings a wealth of market knowledge and network connections that will go a long way towards maintaining our #1 position in the vacation rental market. Interactive Floor Plans and Photographs Visitors to websites that incorporate TruPlace interactive floor plans and photos simply roll their mouse over an area or touch their finger on any portion of a floor plan and a high-resolution photo of that location instantly appears. TruPlace uses a proprietary method for instantly displaying photographs so that visitors dont have to wait for the image to load. This provides a much more enjoyable and informative tour experience for the guest and a faster booking process for vacation rental reservation agents. Research shows that vacation rental management companies using TruPlace interactive floor plans gain 17% more reservations than those not using TruPlace. About TruPlace TruPlace, headquartered in Germantown, Md., develops Interactive Floor Plans for the vacation rental management industry in the U.S. and the real estate sales market in the Washington DC/Baltimore area. TruPlace provides clients with professional, high-resolution photographs of the inside, outside and amenities of properties that are digitally linked to a detailed floor plan of the property. This combination provides a prospective guest with a quick and easy way to tour a property and get the most accurate view of what that property actually looks like. Website TruPlace.com. Moen Bridgestone Kitchen Faucet When it comes to selecting the right faucets for your space, personal design preferences are a key piece of the puzzle, said Maribeth Kwasniewski, director of retail marketing, Moen. North Olmsted, Ohio From classic to contemporary, Moen makes it simple to showcase your personal style at the sink. Introducing three new kitchen faucet collections exclusively at Lowes Bridgestone, Edison and Kendall as well as enhancing the existing Kinzel line, Moen continues to offer fixtures with the ideal combination of on-trend styling and intuitive, easy-to-use features. When it comes to selecting the right faucets for your space, personal design preferences are a key piece of the puzzle, said Maribeth Kwasniewski, director of retail marketing, Moen. At Moen, were dedicated to providing thoughtfully designed products that are both beautiful and functional, allowing the user to complete kitchen tasks efficiently without sacrificing style. Bridgestone Pulldown Kitchen Faucet Sleek square shapes give the new Bridgestone pulldown kitchen faucet a distinctive profile that complements trendy decor. The two-function pulldown spray wand allows users to switch the water flow from aerated stream to spray with the push of a button. Bridgestone is available with or without a deck plate to accommodate a variety of existing sink configurations. Edison Kitchen Faucet The new Edison kitchen faucet combines structured details with a curved, high-arc spout for an elegant, traditional look. A handle separate from the spout keeps the faucets profile clean. The faucet also offers a coordinating soap dispenser as well as a side spray to make washing dishes quick and easy. Kendall Pulldown Kitchen Faucet The new Kendall pulldown kitchen faucet offers a clean, contemporary style that is also soft and sleek. An angled side handle combines with smooth, flowing lines, providing a design style that truly makes a statement. Kendall can be installed as a single-hole mount or with an optional deck plate for two, three or four-hole installations. The faucet is equipped with a coordinating soap dispenser. Kinzel Pullout Kitchen Faucet Continuing to enhance the Moen offerings at Lowes, the Kinzel pullout kitchen faucet is now available in a Chrome finish in addition to Spot Resist Stainless. Featuring simple, refined lines, Kinzel also offers a lower profile spout that is just the right height fitting easily into a variety of kitchen countertops and window sill spaces, and helping consumers to fill large pots, reduce splashing and improve rinsing in and around the sink. It features a two-function pullout wand and also includes a coordinating soap dispenser. It can be featured as a single-hole installation, or with a deck plate if a three-hole sink application is desired. THE NEW FAUCETS ALSO OFFER SEVERAL MOEN INNOVATIONS: Spot Resist Finish Edison, Kendall and Kinzel are available in Moens exclusive Spot Resist finish, which resists fingerprints and water spots to maintain the brilliance of the fixture. Reflex System Bridgestone, Kendall and Kinzel include Moens innovative Reflex system. Pullout and pulldown kitchen faucets with the Reflex system offer a self-retracting spray wand designed to put itself away, while also providing smooth operation, easy maneuverability and secure docking. Duralock Quick-Connect System Featured on all four faucets, the intuitive Duralock Quick-Connect System uses a proprietary, push-button connector that makes installing faucets quick, secure and hassle-free no tools required. A telltale click audibly signals a secure connection. Each of the new products feature Moens limited lifetime warranty** to ensure superior quality. For more information about the Bridgestone, Edison, Kendall or Kinzel kitchen faucets, visit moen.com or call 1-800-BUY-MOEN (1-800-289-6636). ### **For complete warranty information, visit moen.com. LINKS TO ADDITIONAL ASSETS PHOTOGRAPHY http://www.moen.com/pressroom/image-library/results VIDEOS http://www.moen.com/pressroom/videos MOEN PRESS ROOM http://www.moen.com/pressroom MOEN LOGOS http://www.moen.com/pressroom/image-library/results?type=logos ABOUT MOEN As the #1 faucet brand in North America, Moen offers a diverse selection of thoughtfully designed kitchen and bath faucets, showerheads, accessories, bath safety products, kitchen sinks and garbage disposals for residential applications each delivering the best possible combination of meaningful innovation, useful features, on-trend styling and lasting value. In addition, Moen Commercial offers superior-performing products that can deliver lower lifetime costs for today's facilities. Moen is part of Fortune Brands Home & Security, Inc. (NYSE: FBHS), which creates products and services that help fulfill the dreams of homeowners and help people feel more secure. The Company's trusted brands include Moen faucets, Master Lock and Sentry Safe security products, MasterBrand cabinets and Therma-Tru entry door systems. Fortune Brands holds market leadership positions in all of its segments. Fortune Brands is part of the S&P MidCap 400 Index. For more information, please visit http://www.FBHS.com. CONTACT Jennifer Allanson or Kristi Stolarski Falls Communications (216) 696-0229 jallanson(at)fallscommunications(dot)com kstolarski(at)fallscommunications(dot)com Lil' Elmo and The Cosmos- America's Favorite Vintage Rock and Roll Band "Our Boomer generation founded rock and roll and we're not going quietly!" - Michael Bayouth, world-renowned film artist and band founder. Past News Releases RSS Say it isnt so the Boomers, the generation that reigned supreme, is now getting old. This past January saw the passing of music legends David Bowie, The Eagles Glenn Frey, and Jefferson Airplanes Paul Kantner, as Boomers felt their grip slip on their fiercely held culture. In addition, the Millennials, those born from 1981 to 1997, also recently surpassed the Boomers as the nations largest living generation. The Millennials may have surpassed us in numbers, but will they surpass our music? That is the question, says Michael Bayouth, world-renowned film artist and founder of America's favorite vintage rock and roll band, Lil' Elmo & The Cosmos. Bayouth adds, Our Boomer generation founded rock and roll and were not going quietly. Our mission, now more than ever, is to unite the tribe and rock till we drop! On Sunday, February 21, 2016, from 3:00 7:00 p.m. the Sagebrush Cantina in Calabasas, California will feature Lil' Elmo & The Cosmos live. Their Rockin The Past show will be the ultimate rockin dance party at no charge to the public. This event will launch their Boomer-attitude apparel brand featuring Bayouths' slick graphics, and the catchphrase from their new, fifth CD entitled, Not Going Quietly, which features their hit single, Chick City. The apparel is available now on pre-order at lilelmo.com. A portion of the apparel proceeds will go to Cancer research. "The Lil Elmo Brand is for Baby-Boomers," says promoter Joe Biafora, "The ones holding the greased rope - the ones who wont go quietly. We've made our mark and now its time our tribe has our own brand. From our generation of hot rods, hairstyles and rock and roll, comes Lil' Elmo an irreverent new mascot reflecting our older generation. A time that defined America, music, and lets face it, a time that was ultimately, optimized for cool." The band has performed with multiple superstar head-liners from Tony Bennett to Ray Charles to The Righteous Brothers, rocked high-end corporate gigs for Ford, Disney, ABC and Budweiser, played for the LA Lakers, Raiders and five Super Bowls, as well as headlined the MGM Grand, Harrahs and Bellagio casinos. The Sagebrush Cantina is located at 23527 Calabasas Rd, Calabasas, CA. Visit sagebrushcantina.com, or call (818) 222-6062 to book ahead as this show may sell out. As a California, Taft High School, band that formed in the San Fernando Valley in 1973, Lil' ELmo & The Cosmos still tours the world today - playing fairs, festivals, corporate and private events, fund-raisers, concerts and casinos. Their set list has long been touted as The music that was playin in the front seat while America was playin in the back. To book their Rockin The Past tour, buy Lil' Elmo apparel or their latest CD, visit lilelmo.com, Reverbnation, friend the band on Facebook, contact Joe Biafora at (818) 416-0511 or email the band at jbiafora(at)la.twcbc (dot)com. Based out of Santa Barbara, CA since 2008, Innovative Creative is a PR company producing successful content and campaigns for music, film, publishing and non-profits. Visit innovativecreativeco (dot) com. Clearinghouse CDFI We thank First Foundation for their ongoing partnership and their shared commitment to underserved communities Clearinghouse Community Development Financial Institution (Clearinghouse CDFI) announced today a new $500,000 equity investment from First Foundation Bank. This is their second such investment, making them Clearinghouse CDFIs fourth largest shareholder. First Foundations investments significantly improve Clearinghouse CDFIs capacity to improve distressed communities and address unmet credit needs in California and Nevada. We thank First Foundation for their ongoing partnership and their shared commitment to underserved communities, said Clearinghouse CDFI President and CEO Douglas Bystry. We look forward to working together to continue finding new and bigger ways to spur financial opportunity in these areas. Clearinghouse CDFI will use First Foundations investment to help finance loans for projects that provide measurable community benefit such as community facilities, affordable housing projects, commercial real estate, and small businesses. Examples of similar projects previously financed by Clearinghouse CDFI include: Rebuilding Together Southern Nevada (RTSN) - a $175,000 loan for RTSN to provide critical home repairs for 50 low-income individuals. Co-West Commodities a $3 million loan for a new commercial facility that will bring clean energy resources, greenhouse gas reductions, recycling and waste management, and wastewater treatment to the surrounding area. Quality Long Term Care of Nevada a $4.47 million loan to build a 75-bed skilled nursing facility. First Foundation is committed to supporting projects that make a positive impact on the underserved. That is why we are excited to partner again with Clearinghouse CDFI to support their mission of bringing economic opportunities to low-income individuals and communities in California and Nevada, said Scott F. Kavanaugh, CEO of First Foundation. ~ ABOUT CLEARINGHOUSE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FINANCIAL INSTITUTION: Clearinghouse Community Development Financial Institution (Clearinghouse CDFI) addresses unmet credit needs in California, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, and Sovereign Nations in the Western United States. Rated AA Stable by Standard & Poors Ratings Services, Clearinghouse CDFI is an industry leader helping to bridge the gap between conventional lending standards and the needs of low-income and distressed communities. Over the course of 19 years, Clearinghouse CDFI has funded $1.2 billion in total loans for over 1,650 projects which have created or retained more than 13,800 jobs and benefit over 1 million individuals. Clearinghouse CDFI is also a B Corpa certification received from the nonprofit B Lab. B Corps are companies who meet rigorous standards of social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability, and use business as a force for good. Today, Clearinghouse CDFI has over $270 million in assets. More information is available at: http://www.clearinghousecdfi.com. ABOUT FIRST FOUNDATION: First Foundation, a financial institution founded in 1990, provides integrated investment management, wealth planning, consulting, insurance, trust and banking services. The Company is headquartered in Irvine, California with offices in Newport Beach, Pasadena, West Los Angeles, Oakland, San Diego, Indian Wells and the Imperial Valley in California, in Las Vegas, Nevada and in Honolulu, Hawaii. For more information, please visit http://www.ff-inc.com. Mitchell Johnson, Ph.D. General Plastics Manufacturing Company recently announced the promotion of Mitchell Johnson, Ph.D., to Executive Vice President, further reinforcing the companys key initiative of providing advanced cost-competitive solutions to its present and future customers. General Plastics provides its signature Last-A-Foam rigid and flexible polyurethane foam to the commercial aerospace, industrial, military and composite-manufacturing industries. In addition, the company molds, fabricates and constructs parts and assemblies. Custom foam formulations are also offered to meet customers special applications. As EVP of General Plastics, Johnsons responsibilities include reinforcing sales and marketing functions and processes with technical expertise to improve customer experience and pinpoint better concept development for new products. In addition, he will provide direction for future investments in research and development, as well additional production capabilities. Were very excited to have Dr. Johnson as a member of our senior executive leadership team, said Bruce Lind, President of General Plastics. His in-depth knowledge of General Plastics sales cycle and unique knowledge of delivering value to our customers from a technical perspective will help us continue to succeed in the technically driven marketplaces in which we participate. Mitchell Johnson, Ph.D., joined General Plastics from 3M Company in 2008 as a product development chemist. In his recent role as General Plastics Vice President of Materials Technology, he was responsible for developing the companys strategic growth platforms, focusing on the development of new products and new applications of its current products. With Johnson, the company recently introduced the FR-3800 FST foam series, the first halogen-free polyurethane-based foam that satisfies fire, smoke and toxicity (FST) requirements as well as Ohio State University (OSU) heat release standards. Johnson earned his doctorate from the University of Utah and pursued post-doctoral studies at Los Alamos National Laboratory where he studied organometallic and lanthanide chemistry. About General Plastics Manufacturing Company Tacoma, Washington-based General Plastics Manufacturing Company has been a leading innovator in the plastics industry for more than 70 years. The company develops and manufactures rigid and flexible polyurethane foam products, which include its signature LAST-A-FOAM brand series and build-to-print composite parts. Directly or through its network of distributors, General Plastics supplies to the aerospace and defense, nuclear packaging, composite core, prototype and modeling, construction, dimensional signage, testing, marine and the renewable energies industries. General Plastics is certified to ISO 9001:2008/AS9100C and meets rigorous demands of a number of leading quality systems, including but not limited to NQA-1, Mil-I-45208A and Boeing Company D6-82479. Please visit http://www.generalplastics.com. WB Skinner, Inc We are thrilled to have Chuck join us to spearhead our broadening freight forwarding and logistics capabilities to better serve our clients needs, said WB Skinner President William B. Skinner. WB Skinner, a leading customs brokerage and freight forwarder serving NY and NJ ports since 1968, today announced that Charles (Chuck) P. Skinner has been named Director of Logistics and Trade Lane Management. This newly created position is a reflection of the marked expansion of the firms Logistics Division and the increasing customer demand for global freight forwarding and other related services. The company also announced it will be opening a full-service sales and operations office in Atlanta, in addition to its Lodi, NJ headquarters. We are thrilled to have Chuck join us to spearhead our broadening freight forwarding and logistics capabilities to better serve our clients needs, said WB Skinner President William B. Skinner. His deep and broad experience will provide the leadership and expertise our clients need to quickly, safely and cost-effectively get their shipments to and from wherever in the world they need to go. The new position marks Chuck Skinners return to the family-owned business where he began his career as a Senior Entry Clerk. At WB Skinner, Chuck will head up the firms freight forwarding functions, including strategic planning for B2B and B2C end-to-end delivery, CHB, NVO operations, and all aspects of freight management. Chuck Skinner joins the firm from Tigers (USA) Global Logistics in Atlanta, where he served as Regional Manager Southeast. Prior to Tigers, Chuck held management positions at a wide range of freight forwarding and customs brokerage companies including Panalpina Inc., Phoenix International Freight Services, Kamden International Shipping, Archer Freight Systems, and L. Braverman & Co. Official Premiere Event Daniel Frisch, Producer (Hostel): Not once did anything take me out of the moment. I thought it sounded great, the editing was perfect, and the directing and production value were as good as it gets. The remaining seven episodes of the first season will be playing on YouTube every Thursday over the next two months. Viewers are encouraged to subscribe to the channel to help make further seasons of the series possible. Daniel Frisch, Producer (Hostel): Not once did anything take me out of the moment. I thought it sounded great, the editing was perfect, and the directing and production value were as good as it gets. Ivan Kraljevic, Director/Producer (multiple film fest winner): It was very original and well done for a low-budget miniseries. Its a multicultural glimpse behind the scenes of Hollywood. And it is really, really funny. I enjoyed watching it and I look forward to the next season. Frank Borin, Director/Writer (Cypress Hill Still Smokin): I have to tell you it was very, very, very absolutely insanely ridiculously funny to see two stereotypical Russian characters have many layers to them, and be refreshingly different. I cannot wait to see more of those two guys because I am addicted to my Russian gangsters. Sponsors supporting the series premiere include world-famous lager Stella Artois and America's Top Hot Dog Pinks. For more information, please contact Val 424-216-0472 About Behind the Blinds AKA Filmmaking 101 The series is produced by ASCA Films -- a Los Angeles-based film and TV production company. The international team of Ukrainian, French and Spanish filmmakers (Anna Skrypka, Charles Ancelle, Adrian R. Morales) assembled together to shoot a hilariously provocative new web series comedy. Behind the Blinds AKA Filmmaking 101 is the first English scripted web comedy series on filmmaking to be released on YouTube. ASCA Films currently has produced one eight-episode season, running six to eight minutes each. Endorsed and supported by Rwandas Ministry of Infrastructure, the summit is officiated by its Minister, the Honorable James MUSONI. In a keynote address Njombo Lekula, Managing DirectorInternational Operations, PPCshares the companys approach to Africa, key enablers, current plans and expansion strategy. Next is Busisiwe Legodi, CEO, Cimerwa Cement, elaborating on the companys Development and Growth Plans in Rwanda and Neighboring Burundi and E.DRC. The Cement Market Outlook in West & Central Africa is presented by Luk Haelterman, Country Head - Senegal, Dangote Industries while Vally Khamisanis, Principal, International Finance Corporation (IFC) addresses Financing Cement Projects in Sub-Sahara Africa in Current Market Condition. Leading suppliers of equipment and services to the cement industry will also share insights Gebr. Pfeiffers Sales Director Carsten Schoow on the Efficiency Evolution in Grinding Technology while Michael Olsen, Managing Director, FLSmidth Kenya/ General Manager, Cement, East & Southern Africa, FLSmidth elaborates on the Strategy to Increase Efficiency & Productivity in Cement Production. Igor Zlobin, Senior Sales Manager Central Africa of Loesche will share Benefits from Compact Cement Grinding Plant Operation. Other key panelists are: Imran Akram, CEO, IA Cement Global Cement Market Outlook Piet Heersche, Managing Director, Cemcon Growth of the Cement Industry in Sub-Saharan Africa, Market Consolidation and Niche Opportunities Tony Hadley, Managing Director, Baobab Advisory SARL - North African Cement, What's Its Future and Implications for SSA Philip Wambugu, Director of Infrastructure and Peter Kinuthia, Senior Energy Officer at East African Community Secretariat Infrastructure Projects To Support Manufacturing And Inter-Regional Trade Daniel Shepherd, Regional Lead, Energy & Resource Efficiency Advisory Services, International Finance Corporation (IFC) Alternative Fuel Options For Africas Cement Sector Vassiem Sheikh, Director, SCB International Materials Introduction to the use of Cementitious Materials, Applications and Supply/ Demand Patterns in Africa The summit, organized by Centre for Management Technology (CMT), has Gebr. Pfeiffer as Corporate Sponsor cum exhibitor, Loesche, PPC and Cimerwa as Associate Sponsors. The exhibitors at the summit are BWF Envirotec, Fives FCB, TTL France, Intercem Engineering, BEUMER Group and LIBO International Mechanical & Electrical Engineering. Visit event website for more details or contact Ms. Grace at +65 6346 9147. In every city, we look for areas where gentrification is taking place, a place with established character. Latham says. Developers have spent the last few years restoring the 60,000 square foot building, which occupies a significant portion of the 400 block of Gay Street. Residents recently got their first look at the renewed outer facade. A flurry of construction has been going on inside as the upper floors are transformed into high-end apartments and the lower floors converted into retail space. Babalu which describes its cuisine as authentic gourmet tacos and Spanish-style tapas with a Southern twist, will occupy 5,000 square feet of the first floor. Mike Stack is chairman of Eat Here Brands, LLC, the holding company for Babalu and several other successful restaurants across the Southeast. Stack says the buildings location and proximity to the University of Tennessee was one of the deciding factors when the group began scouting potential locations for their fourth Babalu restaurant. However, Stack says the concept of rehabilitating downtown areas that have fallen into disrepair is a cause near and dear to the hearts of the Millennial generation, which makes up the majority of Babalus clientele. Our small plate concept has really been embraced by individuals within this generation, Stack explains. Many Millennials are moving back to the urban areas and we are seeing revitalization in downtown areas. Urban renewal is not new concept for Babalu. The restaurants original location in Jackson, Miss., is housed in a former elementary school in the citys Fondren neighborhood. Subsequent locations in Memphis and Birmingham, Ala., have followed suit, with a fifth location opening soon in the Historic Dilworth Neighborhood in Charlotte, N.C. Babalu is the brainchild of Bill Latham and Al Roberts, two successful restaurateurs who have collectively owned or operated various restaurants both in and outside of Jackson for more than 30 years. Babalu was an idea that had been in the back of my mind for awhile, Latham says. I thought some kind of Latin/Cuban restaurant sounded fun. We really looked closely at what was on trend, Roberts added. At that time, food trucks and ethnic street food was really heating up. We wanted to do something more edgy and high quality, gourmet food with small plates. The two men traveled across the country to large metropolitan areas with established ethnic neighborhoods and visited as many taquerias as they could. Says Roberts, We came back with a wealth of information that just solidified what we wanted to do. We discovered that this concept of small plates really resonates with women and Millennials. Of course, setting up shop in a historic building doesnt come without its fair share of challenges. You take a 100-year-old building and the ceilings are 15 feet high, the walls arent square, and the floors arent flat, said Stack as he describes some of the challenges faced by Director of Construction Greg Newkirk during the Knoxville renovation. Design Coordinator Mary Sanders Ferriss has been instrumental from the beginning in designing the unique look that has become characteristic for the Babalu brand. Ferriss says during the design process, using elements that are already in the space is key. We really try to utilize textures found within the space and preserve as much as we can of the integrity, she says. Ferriss adds that there are a few brand elements that are distinctive among every Babalu restaurant, such as the horseshoe bar, the logo wall, and scenes from I Love Lucy projected on the wall. The restaurants name pays homage to the signature song of fictional character Ricky Ricardo in the popular 1950s television sitcom. Overall, however, the design team does strive to give each restaurant its own personality. When Babalu Knoxville officially opened its doors on November 23, it was the first time many of its patrons had ever set foot inside the building. The menu features made-from-scratch cocktails and unique dishes utilizing fresh, seasonal ingredients. People are really excited to see the transformation, Ferriss adds. Renovations have already begun on a 1940s-era structure in Charlotte, N.C., which will be home to Babalus fifth location this spring. In every city, we look for areas where gentrification is taking place, a place with established character. Latham says. The success weve enjoyed so far comes from our guests and the people who work for us. They are great, young people who make this job exciting and fun. For more information on Babalu, log on to http://www.eathere.com. I am thrilled to become a part of the Six Red Marbles team. I look forward to continuing to develop educational materials that support mathematics educators and inspire students to greater understanding, said Carter. Six Red Marbles today announced that Kathy Carter and Carri Walters join the companys editorial team as Director of Mathematics and Curriculum Supervisor, respectively. We are excited to welcome both Kathy and Carri to the team, said Bob Fogel, CEO of Six Red Marbles. They each bring a wealth of experience in the educational publishing industry, and we are eager to incorporate their talents into the organization. For 20 years, Six Red Marbles has been a leader in developing blended learning materials, interactive curriculum and online courses for e-learning companies, educational publishers, schools and non-profit organizations with the goal of engaging students through rich personalized experiences. Carter has 30 years of experience in publishing and marketing mathematics grades K12 educational programs. Carter joins the team from MPS North America, where she was Editorial Director, Mathematics. Prior to that, she was VP Product Development, Mathematics, at Harcourt Achieve. She has experience running complex projects and managing large teams of in-house staff and freelancers. Carter has also held various leadership and editorial roles at major publishers. Walters brings her diverse background in publishing, teaching, and museum direction to the team. Most recently, Walters was Editorial Director, Science, at MPS North America. Prior to that, she was Editor, Science at the Mazer Corporation. Walters has previously held positions in higher education and at the Dayton Museum of Natural History. I am thrilled to become a part of the Six Red Marbles team. I look forward to continuing to develop educational materials that support mathematics educators and inspire students to greater understanding, said Carter. About Six Red Marbles Six Red Marbles is an award-winning creator of innovative digital and blended learning programs and educational solutions. As the largest U.S.-based provider of Learning Experience DesignTM, content development and education technology (edtech) services, the company works on approximately 250 projects each year for more than 50 customers, including publishers, schools, universities, foundations, and technology companies. Six Red Marbles is able to partner with customers to develop interactive and engaging products that support personalized learning for students across the early childhood to adult education markets. Backed by Calvert Street Capital Partners, a lower middle market private equity group, the company is headquartered in Boston, and has additional offices in Baltimore, Austin, and Delhi, India. Marys background and proven record of success, combined with Accumens mission of Profoundly Impacting Healthcare(TM), will provide great value to our clients. Accumen, a healthcare transformation company, announced today that Mary Kopp, MS, RN, NEA-BC has been appointed as Accumens Vice President of Clinical Operations. Hired for leadership and her extensive knowledge of what hospitals must do to attend to patient care, Kopp will be responsible for furthering Accumens laboratory offering in the strategic area of Test Utilization, in addition to working closely with our health system clients to further enhance the level of service and results they deliver. With more than 30 years of clinical and hospital leadership experience, Kopp has held several senior hospital operational management positions. In these roles, she has led successful initiatives to reduce variation in care and maintain quality, safety and patient experience, all while creating meaningful cost savings for hospitals (and patients). Additionally, she has managed the development of community partners to drive patient outcomes and successfully navigated her teams through the many shifts in the healthcare sector over the past few decades. We are delighted to welcome Mary to our management team, said Jim Brady, Chief Operating Officer of Accumen. Her distinguished track record in hospital management and leadership is a great addition to Accumen as we continue enhancing our lab transformation solutions with a focus on excellence. We are confident that Marys background and proven record of success, combined with Accumens mission of Profoundly Impacting Healthcare(TM), will provide great value to our clients. Kopp is a trained and certified member of the National Integrated Accreditation for Healthcare Organizations (NIAHO), and earned a Master of Nursing Science in Leadership degree. Kopp is joining Accumen from HonorHealth (formerly known as Scottsdale Healthcare) in Scottsdale, Arizona, where she served as Associate Vice President and Associate Chief Nursing Officer and oversaw the development of a new hospital. Disclaimer: Accumen has no authority, responsibility or liability with respect to any clinical decisions made by - or in connection with - a providers laboratory, patient blood management, or other operations. Nothing herein and no aspect of any services provided by Accumen is intended - or shall be deemed - to subordinate, usurp or otherwise diminish any providers sole authority and discretion with respect to all clinical decision-making for its patients. About Accumen Accumen is a healthcare transformation company. Using a proven blueprint, innovative customized approach and proprietary technology, Accumen partners with health systems to set new standards of performance in the hospital - performance that drives higher quality, better service and unprecedented value. Accumen delivers proven results in Laboratory operations, Patient Blood Management as well as customized services for smaller regional systems with solutions that are designed to help clients create healthier labs, healthier hospitals and ultimately, healthier communities. Accumen Accelerating Breakthrough Performance. Find more information at http://www.accumen.com. Gaia is a streaming-video subscription service offering exclusive streaming conscious-media content. Yoga as a lifestyle has taken root across North America. Gaia and Yoga Journal have narrowed down their search for this summers Live Be Yoga Tour ambassadors to the final six applicants. Beginning in April, the Live Be Yoga Tour will visit more than 50 yoga studios, festivals, and events across the United States to show how yoga is transforming lives both on and off the mat. The open call for tour ambassadors closed at the end of January and garnered interest from more than 450 men and women from all over the worldincluding more than 25 countries and 40 statesspanning ages 18 to 70. The overwhelming numbers and cross-section of yoga practitioners who responded are amazing, said Jaymi Bauer, Gaias chief marketing officer. Its truly a confirmation of what we at Gaia and Yoga Journal believe: Yoga as a lifestyle has taken root across North America. The Live Be Yoga Tour will take place from April through September of this year. At each stop, the tour will ask yogis to share on camera their inspiring stories of how they discovered yoga in the studio, at home, and elsewhere; how it transforms their lives; and how they continue to find life balance through living their yoga. The Live Be Yoga Tour will also discover and spotlight the countrys most talented yoga teachers and top locations for yoga practice, retreats, and teacher trainings. The people who raised their hands to say, I want to represent the tour, were a diverse groupsingles, couples, co-workers, and even a few pairs of twins, said Carin Gorrell, Yoga Journals editor in chief. Some of the applicants were yoga instructors or studio owners, but many werent working in the industry at allthey were chefs or engineers or doctors. Its a reflection of how broad and varied a group yoga practitioners are. The final selection of two ambassadors will be made in the coming weeks, as the tours full schedule is also being finalized. The Live Be Yoga Tour will begin at Yoga Journal LIVE! New York on April 6, and end at Yoga Journal LIVE! Colorado, in Estes Park, in September. The #LiveBeYoga movement can be followed online at yogajournal.com/livebeyoga, where viewers will be able to access exclusive content, interviews, and teachings. About Yoga Journal Founded in 1975 by members of the California Yoga Teachers Association, Yoga Journal (yogajournal.com) offers all practitionersfrom beginners to mastersexpert information on how to live a healthier, happier, more fulfilling life both on and off the mat. Every day, Yoga Journal engages its print, online, and live audience with top teacher insights and in-depth reporting on poses, breathing, meditation, nutrition, health, trends, and more. Always informative and inspiring, the magazines welcoming, inclusive point of view puts every reader in front of the worlds best teachers. With 12 international editions spanning 28 countries, and five national live events annually, Yoga Journal is the worlds largest and most influential yoga brand. About Gaia Gaia, previously Gaiam TV, is a streaming-video subscription service offering exclusive streaming conscious-media content. Gaias library contains more than 7,000 films, documentaries, yoga practices and original programs to guide its viewers on their journeys of personal growth, spirituality, and seeking truth. Gaia offers members the unique capability to download content for offline viewing. Gaia is currently available on Amazon Prime, Apple TV, iPad, iPhone, Google Chromecast, and Roku. For more information, visit Gaia.com. ### Helping our clients manage their daily tasks easier through third-party services like ChannelAdvisor is why the WebLinc Partner Ensemble exists. WebLinc, the commerce platform provider for the fastest growing online retailers, today announced ChannelAdvisor, a leading provider of cloud-based ecommerce solutions that enable retailers and manufacturers to increase global sales, has joined the WebLinc Partner Ensemble. This strategic partnership offers WebLinc clients a pre-built integration with ChannelAdvisor, enabling them to automatically push a single product data feed into the WebLinc Commerce Platform. By adding ChannelAdvisor to the WebLinc Partner Ensemble, users of the WebLinc Commerce Platform are able to sync existing inventory data through a pre-built integration. By sending order details such as payment and shipping information to WebLinc, retailers can spend their time fulfilling orders sold on top marketplaces and digital marketing destinations. For online retailers, keeping product inventory up to date with marketplaces can create headaches, said Darren C. Hill, CEO and co-founder of WebLinc. Our platforms integration with ChannelAdvisor not only simplifies the process, it creates additional revenue streams for our clients. Retailers should be spending their time ensuring customers are happy with orders, not worrying about sales channel management. Helping our clients manage their daily tasks easier through third-party services like ChannelAdvisor is why the WebLinc Partner Ensemble exists. The ChannelAdvisor platform offers brands and retailers leading cloud-based solutions to efficiently automate and manage the online selling process across multiple channels, including third-party marketplaces and digital marketing channels such as paid search and comparison shopping engines. Through a single inventory feed, ChannelAdvisor customers can manage their overall online selling process, from listing to order management, from one platform. To learn more about WebLincs Partner Ensemble, visit http://www.weblinc.com/partners or contact Austin Eason, partner channel representative at WebLinc, at aeason(at)weblinc.com. About WebLinc WebLinc is the commerce platform for fast growing online retailers. Mid to large-size retailers consistently outpace their competition with the modern, agile technologies of the WebLinc Commerce Platform and the companys strategic expertise. Based in Philadelphia with satellite offices in New York, and Toronto, WebLinc powers commerce sites for dynamic, high-growth retailers including Sanrio/Hello Kitty, Urban Outfitters, Inc.s brands Terrain and BHLDN, U.S. Polo Assn., Stila Cosmetics, Jeffers Pet, and others. To learn more, visit http://www.weblinc.com or follow @WebLinc. It is great to find that the industry echoes the success of these customer websites. Bayshore Solutions has won 10 2016 AVA Digital Awards for website design creativity and excellence in this international competition. Throughout its 20-year history as a Top Digital Marketing Agency, this is the most AVA Awards that Bayshore Solutions has won in a single year. Platinum 2016 AVA Awards were earned by FIS Globals Payments Leader blog website, Morphogenesis, and Restaurant Magic websites. Gold AVA Awards recognize creative excellence of the David A. Straz, Jr. Center for the Performing Arts, Lee Roy Selmons Restaurant, Physicians Leadership Institute and QC Energy Resources websites. AVA outstanding honors were given to Cee Bees Citrus, Port Canaveral, and the Columbia Restaurant websites. The AVA Digital Awards is sponsored and judged by the Association of Marketing and Communication Professionals (AMCP) and recognizes outstanding achievement by creative professionals involved in the concept, direction, design and production of media that is part of the evolution of digital communication. Nearly 2,100 entries from throughout the United States, Canada and several other countries entered the 2016 competition. AMCP judges are industry professionals who look for companies and individuals whose talent exceeds a high standard of excellence and whose work serves as a benchmark for the industry. Bayshore Solutions is honored to have this record number of AVA Digital Award winning websites, said Kevin Hourigan, President and CEO of Bayshore Solutions. We strive to create websites and digital marketing for our customers that impress and entice their audiences to action. It is great to find that the industry echoes the success of these customer websites. View more of Bayshore Solutions award winning results in web design and digital marketing here. ABOUT BAYSHORE SOLUTIONS Digital marketing agency, Bayshore Solutions, offers award-winning capabilities for custom web design, website development, e-commerce, and Internet advertising. Founded in 1996, the website design and digital marketing agency delivers custom web applications and marketing services throughout the USA and internationally. From offices in Denver, Colorado, Tampa and Miami, Florida, Bayshore Solutions integrates technology and marketing expertise to ensure measurable success for customers. # # # SutiSoft Inc., a leading provider of integrated business management platforms and standalone applications, today announces new enhancements to the benefits and time and attendance modules of SutiHR, its online HR management platform. The user interface of the benefits module has been revamped and enhanced. The new updates include: Clone Plans: HR administrators can now move selected plans from previous years to the current enrollment year. This feature prevents HR administrators from having to create similar plans each year. Deductions: The solution provides options to generate pay deductions for the year in which employees have enrolled in the plans. 401K Plans: Employees can select contributions for 401K plans either by percentage or a fixed amount. Time off Approval Notification: The solution sends approval notifications to HR administrators along with the employees. For additional information about the product, please visit http://www.sutihr.com or call us on 650-969-SUTI About SutiSoft Sutisoft provides a comprehensive suite of cloud-based business platforms and solutions for companies of all sizes. These platforms include scalable and easy-to-use solutions for HR, Employee Travel & Expense, Wireless Spend Management, CRM, Document Management, Business Data Analytics, and Electronic Signature. Our platforms and solutions enable small, mid-size, and large enterprise customers to control costs, save time and assist in making smart business decisions. Headquartered in Los Altos, California, SutiSoft also has regional offices in Germany, India, and Japan. For additional information, visit our website at http://www.sutisoft.com. From March 3 through March 6, 2015 at Pier 36, 299 South Street, in New York City, browngrotta arts will exhibit at the fair that Artnet has dubbed "a new kind of art fair. Many of the artists featured in the fair cut, fold, draw or print on paper and among the works browngrotta arts will feature in its display at art on paper will be Helena Hernmarcks color-washed collage prints and Insight, a Katagami-style handcarved paper wall sculpture by Jennifer Falck Linssen. Other artists whose work browngrotta arts will exhibit at take a more immersive approach to the medium stacking, molding, carving, stitching and weaving paper, as others would wood, linen, clay or marble. Examples include Takaaki Tanakas Hardened Nest series, spidery cubes of papier mache shown singularly and in groups, browngrotta.com/pages/hunt.php [Kate Hunts __title__ Kate Hunt] flag of stacked newspaper and rebar and Norma Minkowitzs stitched drawings. Best known for her sculptures, Minkowitz has been creating her intensely detailed pen-and-ink drawings for many years, but only recently begun to exhibit them. They are complex assemblages that include collage elements that the artist says, interest, intrigue or scare me. Working in concert with Beneficiary Partner Brooklyn Museum, Creative Director Sasha Wolf and sponsor The Wall Street Journal, art on papers second edition will feature special projects that push the boundaries of its celebrated medium. The art on paper Opening Preview, benefiting the Brooklyn Museum, will be on Thursday, March 3, 2016, 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. The hours on Friday, March 4 and Saturday, March 5 are 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Sunday, March 6 the fair is open from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. For more information visit: http://thepaperfair.com/ny/for-visitors/fair-dates-hours-location/ or http://www.browngrotta.com or call Tom Grotta at browngrotta arts: 203-834-0623. Follow browngrotta arts' blog, arttextstyle: http://arttextstyle.com/. about browngrotta arts browngrotta arts represents the work of more than 100 international contemporary textile and fiber artists. The firm has published 43 art catalogs and placed art work in dozens of private and corporate collections in the US and abroad, as well as in the permanent collections of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Museum of Arts and Design, the Art Institute of Chicago, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and the Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian Museum. browngrotta arts website, browngrotta.com, and its blog, arttextstyle.com, are destination sites for art consultants, interior designers, collectors and practitioners. Alliott Group CEO James Hickey welcomes Dorothy Tarver of Taggart Morton to Alliott Group's worldwide membership Joining Alliott Group provides our law firm immediate access to meticulously selected law and accounting firms focused on developing and protecting their clients business in different cities, states and countries worldwide, including here in Louisiana. Taggart Morton is the latest law firm to join Alliott Group in the United States, an international association of law and accounting firms that unites over 170 independent locally owned and managed firms in some 70 countries. Established in 1997, Taggart Morton is a nine partner Louisiana law firm that offers specialist legal services to businesses operating in regulated industries of all types, including public utilities, health care, gaming, technology, hotels, media and communications, transportation and oil and gas. The firms practice has a strong emphasis on business and tax litigation, representing business and property owners in a wide range of complex disputes, but also offers advice on employment law, company and commercial matters, corporate and tax issues, real estate and bankruptcy. Membership of Alliott Group enables the firm to remain fully independent while gaining access to an alliance of non-competing, similar sized firms facing similar challenges to stay competitive and service the growing number of clients who need access interrelated disciplines of tax, law and accountancy across geographic borders. Taggart Morton can now also tap into a global infrastructure and resource base that provides opportunities for peer group networking, joint marketing and business development, participation in thought leadership initiatives continuing education and the sharing of best practice and technical know-how. Dorothy L. Tarver, partner, comments: New Orleans is a thriving port city that has real significance to the international business community. Joining Alliott Group provides our law firm immediate access to meticulously selected law and accounting firms that are focused on developing and protecting their clients business in different cities, states and countries around the world, including here in Louisiana. This latest appointment ensures Alliott Group can now provide legal services across North America through independent member firms in California, Florida, Illinois, New York, Ohio, Ontario and now Louisiana. James Hickey, CEO at Alliott Group CEO, comments: We are delighted to appoint Taggart Morton in Louisiana and have every confidence that the firm will play an important part in ensuring clients receive the same high levels of service and personal attention in Louisiana as those received from Alliott Group member firms across the world. We will be working closely with Taggart Morton to support the firm in building its reputation in North America and internationally. Hickey adds: We encourage law and accounting firms interested in growth and building their reputation to explore what Alliott Group has to offer. About Taggart Morton, LLC Taggart Morton is a New Orleans law firm with a practice that reflects the specialization of its attorneys in regulated industries of all types, including public utilities, gaming, hotels, health care, technology, media and communications, transportation, and oil and gas. Drawing from this base of clients, together with its representation of numerous small businesses and property owners, Taggart Morton's practice embraces virtually every type of dispute, including commercial and business (including tax disputes), employment law, ERISA, tort and insurance defense (including products liability), antitrust and trade regulation, intellectual property, media/technology law, environmental and toxic tort, bankruptcy, workers' compensation, real estate, managed care, insurance regulatory services and construction. For more information, please visit Taggart Morton's website. About Alliott Group With some 170 member firms in 70 countries, Alliott Group offers independent, middle market accounting, law and consulting firms the opportunity to extend nationally, regionally and globally with their clients through access to other firms of like-minded professionals who are committed to providing the highest standards of service. Members exchange, benchmark and share know-how and best practice information at both the technical and practice management levels. For more information, please visit our website. CADTH Report on Capnography - Patients Stories Despite strong clinical evidence for the use of capnography in general anesthesia and moderate to deep sedation, preliminary scoping discussions suggested that there may be a low rate of access or use of this technology in Canada. Past News Releases RSS The Physician-Patient Alliance for Health & Safety (PPAHS) today released two reasons for supporting the Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health (CADTH) report, Capnography for Monitoring End-Tidal CO2 in Hospital and Pre-hospital Settings: A Health Technology Assessment. As the CADTH report states: In 2012, the Canadian Anesthesiologists Society (CAS) updated its guidelines to make capnography part of the standard of care in the practice of anesthesia in Canada. Specifically, the CAS guidelines require continuous use of capnography in monitoring patients during general anesthesia and sedation that corresponds to levels 4 through 6 on the Ramsay Sedation Scale. Despite strong clinical evidence for the use of capnography in general anesthesia and moderate to deep sedation, preliminary scoping discussions suggested that there may be a low rate of access or use of this technology in Canada. The Physician-Patient Alliance for Health & Safety encourages the adoption of the CADTH report recommending the use of capnography monitoring by hospitals for monitoring the adequacy of ventilation of their patients receiving opioids for two major reasons - to save patient lives and to reduce hospital expenses and malpractice claims. Both of these reasons may not have been emphasized enough in the report, said Michael Wong, JD (Executive Director, PPAHS). Mr. Wong pointed out that the use of technology alone cannot improve patient safety and reduce adverse events - The involvement of people and process must also be considered, and may be missed by readers of the report who might adopt technology without an accompanying improvement of process. As Eric Coleman, MD (Professor of Geriatric Medicine and Director of the Care Transitions Program, University of Colorado at Denver), said: The value of medical checklists lies in their consolidation of a considered body of knowledge in one simple document. As well, checklists assist with transitions of care and collaboration between different caregivers. An example of such a checklist in the administration of opioids is the PCA Safety Checklist. The checklist was developed in conjunction with renowned medical experts, including intensive care specialist and a leader in medical checklist development Peter J. Pronovost, MD, PhD, FCCM, Professor, Departments of Anesthesiology/Critical Care Medicine and Surgery, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and Medical Director, Center for Innovation in Quality Patient; and Atul Gawande, MD, Professor in the Department of Health Policy and Management at the Harvard School of Public Health, who is a surgeon at Brigham and Women's Hospital Professor of Surgery at Harvard Medical School and author of "The Checklist Manifesto." The PCA Safety Checklist reminds caregivers of the essential steps needed to be taken to initiate patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) with a patient, and to continue to assess that patients use of PCA. The PCA Safety Checklist is a free download at http://www.ppahs.org/pca-safety-checklist-download/ To read the open letter by PPAHS to CADTH, please click here. About Physician-Patient Alliance for Health & Safety Physician-Patient Alliance for Health & Safety is a non-profit 501(c)(3) whose mission is to promote safer clinical practices and standards for patients through collaboration among healthcare experts, professionals, scientific researchers, and others, in order to improve health care delivery. For more information, please go to http://www.ppahs.org Cloud Adrenaline Cloud Adrenaline, Inc. announced today it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Imagination Forward, LLC. Cloud Adrenaline appoints Imagination Forwards Phillip Tanner as CEO. This transaction is exciting. The addition of the Imagination Forwards Voice and Wireless assets is the perfect addition to the Cloud Computing Services offered by Cloud Adrenaline. Cloud Adrenaline now has a portfolio that allows delivery of all services from the Data Center to the Desktop and everything in between, said Phillip Tanner CEO of Cloud Adrenaline. About Cloud Adrenaline: Cloud Adrenaline is a leading provider of HIPAA and PCI compliant Cloud Solutions. Cloud Adrenaline supplies solutions to Education, Government, Small, Medium, Large Enterprise. Cloud Adrenaline delivers services out of 10 North America Data Centers and specializes in both Public and Private Cloud deployments. About Imagination Forward: Imagination Forward is a leader in VoIP, SIP Trunking, SD-WAN and Wireless LAN services. With advanced Cloud PBX switches in South Bend and Dallas, Cloud Adrenaline delivers Telephony services to every major network backbone in North America with less than 5ms latency and 99.999% uptime. For more information, visit http://www.CloudAdrenaline.com. Contact: Phillip C. Tanner Cloud Adrenaline. Inc. 317-688-9196 phillip(dot)tanner(at)cloudadrenaline(dot)com 2016 by Cloud Adrenaline, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Americaneagle.com to Exhibit at CUNA GAC in Washington D.C. Americaneagle.com provides websites and other online solutions and technology products to credit unions of all sizes, large and small, across America, and we look forward to strategizing at CUNA on ways we can help prospective credit unions..." Americaneagle.com will be exhibiting at the 2016 CUNA GAC (Credit Union National Associations Governmental Affairs Conference) located at the Washington Convention Center in Downtown Washington D.C. on February 21 25, 2016. Americaneagle.com will be exhibiting at Booth 275 and will be available on site to discuss technology issues related to credit unions and government. Americaneagle.com provides websites and other online solutions and technology products to credit unions of all sizes, large and small, across America, and we look forward to strategizing at CUNA on ways we can help prospective credit unions reach and exceed all of their online business goal and objectives. says Shawn Griffin, spokesperson for Americaneagle.com. Americaneagle.com has built a trusted reputation based on years of experience offering secure, convenient solutions for credit unions and other major financial institutions. For more information about the 2016 CUNA GAC conference, you can visit http://events.cuna.org/gac/home/about-cuna-gac and for more information about how Americaneagle.com can help your credit union, visit http://www.americaneagle.com/capabilities/industries/banking-financial. About Americaneagle.com, Inc. Americaneagle.com, Inc., founded in 1978, is a leading Web design, development, and hosting company based in Des Plaines, Illinois. Currently, Americaneagle.com employs approximately 300 professionals in offices throughout the country including Chicago, Cleveland, Dallas, Washington D.C., New York, Philadelphia, and Los Angeles. Some of their 5,000+ clients include the Chicago Bears, Capstone Publishing, Stuart Weitzman, International Paper, ADA, Komatsu USA, and more. For additional information about Americaneagle.com, visit http://www.americaneagle.com. DMS Quick Change Fixture DMS is continuously striving to be a better partner and we are constantly working with our customers to find ways to help them improve their process-CEO Patrick Bollar Diversified Machine Systems (DMS), an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) of DMS CNC Routers and Large Format Machining Centers, announces an industry changing fixture design now available on all DMS CNC routers. This revolutionary quick-change fixture dramatically reduces the time required to swap out fixtures on all DMS CNC machines. This tool cuts the fixture replacement time from approximately 15 minutes to just 30 seconds. By drastically reducing the time dedicated to fixture changes, production cycles can be notably improved without incurring any additional labor costs. The design base holds fixtures within .001 of their original location by utilizing an air lock system. Through pins and ball bearings, the quick-change fixture is able to hold fixtures firmly in place during the routing process. This allows for a clean cut on a variety of materials. This system is designed to be simple enough for any operator to utilize. The quick-change fixture system offers many levels of customization based on the clients needs. The Diversified Machine Systems engineering team works with each company to understand their specific needs in order to develop a customized solution to address their production concerns. The system can accommodate varying sizes and types of fixtures, and they can all be incorporated into the same system for ease of use. Another added benefit is the reduced physical strain for the machine operators. Employees will no longer be required to constantly rotate heavy fixtures, leading to improved workplace morale and worker productivity. The quick-change fixture is available exclusively on DMS machine and is produced in the Advanced Manufacturing Center (AMC) located at the DMS world headquarters in Colorado Springs, CO. The Advanced Manufacturing Center (AMC) is a new in-house resource that provides proof of concept and production consulting services, as well fixturing. CEO Patrick Bollar said, The quick-change fixture is something we have created for our customers. DMS is continuously striving to be a better partner and we are constantly working with our customers to find ways to help them improve their process. For more information visit http://www.DMSCNCROUTERS.com or contact info(at)dmscncrouters(dot)com for additional questions. About Diversified Machine Systems Diversified Machine Systems (DMS) is a leading designer and manufacturer of 3 Axis CNC Routers, 5 Axis CNC Machine Centers, and Large Format Machine Centers headquartered in Colorado Springs, CO. With more than 30 years of innovation and industry experience as an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM), DMS line of CNC routers and machining centers are routinely used on materials such as wood, composites, aluminum, plastics and foams. Renowned for quality and precision, DMS advanced machining centers are engineered to increase efficiency and productivity, while maintaining the quality and precision leading manufacturers have come to expect. Diversified Machine Systems was awarded the 2015 Governors Excellence in Exporting Award, named a 2014 Colorado Company to Watch and ranked in the 2014 Top 250 Private Companies in Colorado. Be sure to connect with us socially for the most current news: Twitter.com/DMSCNCRouters YouTube.com/DMSCNCRouters Instagram.com/DMSCNCRouters Facebook.com/DMSCNCRoutersandMachineCenters Plus.Google.com/+DMSCNCRoutersandMachineCenters "Weve used Transact to accelerate our sales contract cycles by 75% and save tons of time Sean Thorne, CEO, TalentIQ PactSafe, the Signature Acceleration Platform, announced today the launch of its new eSignature solution, Transact. Transact combines PactSafes proprietary click-to-sign eSignature technology with easy to use contract automation and management tools to create a seamless and comprehensive contracting solution. The contracting process is plagued by friction and bottlenecks at nearly every phase. Existing eSignature solutions simply digitize portions of existing ink on paper workflows, doing very little to actually transform and accelerate business processes said Brian Powers, CEO and co-founder of PactSafe. Transact changes this by making the entire process frictionless and fast, while also providing the flexibility to easily tailor the solution to the unique requirements of any business. PactSafe has really simplified everything about our sales contracting process - sending contracts and getting them signed takes only a few clicks. Weve used Transact to accelerate our sales contract cycles by 75% and save tons of time said Sean Thorne, CEO of TalentIQ. Some of the key features of Transact include: Click to Sign eSignatures that make signing a contract as simple and easy as buying something online. A mobile first contracting experience that allows contract review and eSignature on the go from any mobile device. Inline and real time collaboration and redlining prevent typical bottlenecks in the negotiating process. Realtime contract analytics that provide insight into what is being revised, why it is being revised, and how those revisions are slowing down deals. Transact is the second product launched as part of PactSafes Signature Acceleration Platform. The first product, Vault, is an industry first legal API that allows businesses to easily accept click-to-sign eSignatures on any website, mobile app or other digital platform. The combination of Vault and Transact provides a powerful solution for modern businesses that need to manage and deploy contracts in a versatile and scalable manner. About PactSafe, Inc. PactSafes signature acceleration platform is designed to simplify and automate the contracting process from contract creation to digital execution to automated recordkeeping. PactSafe is putting business teams in control of their electronic contracts at scale and empowering legal teams with analytical insight to help companies do business smarter and faster. For more information, see http://pactsafe.com. Bielat Santore & Company is hosting the first webinar in a ten part series on Tuesday, February 23, 2016 at 2:30 pm. Based on the companys Restaurant Tip of the Month video and blog series, this first webinar will explore the keys to finding the right restaurant location, evaluate the options of buying or leasing real estate and present an overview of the different types of New Jersey liquor licenses. In addition, the company will showcase three of its substantial inventory of businesses and real estate listings, all within the hospitality industry. Future webinars will provide restaurateurs and those looking to become involved in the hospitality industry with assistance, information and guidance from leading commercial real estate, banking, appraisal, insurance and other industry savvy professionals. Interested parties should reserve their place for the webinar in advance, available via online or through dial-in capability, using the following link; http://www.anymeeting.com/PIID=EC53D684884B3F. Registered attendees will receive a copy of the recorded webinar. Those who already own a restaurant or similar type establishment will be featured in the companys Annual Restaurant Guide. Bielat Santore & Companys Restaurant Tips of the Month can be found on their website http://www.123bsc.com, Hub page, sponsored Jersey Beats & Eats blog page, YouTube channel, as well as in Flipbook format at https://bsc.uberflip.com/i/639366-restaurant-tip-of-the-month. About Bielat Santore & Company Bielat Santore & Company is an established commercial real estate firm. The companys expertise lies chiefly within the restaurant and hospitality industry, specializing in the sale of restaurants and other food and beverage real estate businesses. Since 1978, the principals of Bielat Santore & Company, Barry Bielat and Richard Santore, have sold more restaurants and similar type properties in New Jersey than any other real estate company. Furthermore, the firm has secured in excess of $500,000,000 in financing to facilitate these transactions. Visit the companys website, http://www.123bsc.com for the latest in new listings, property searches, available land, market data, financing trends, RSS feeds, press releases and more. http://www.firediscgrills.com Driven by our founders Hunter and Griff Jaggard, who inspire us to never settle for the ordinary, we at FireDisc Grills continue to strive to bring to market the highest quality, most innovative portable grills out there, Bob Franke, SVP FireDisc Grills sales have catapulted since the brands inception in 2010. The sales trajectory is attributed to the razor sharp vision of founders, Hunter and Griffin Jaggard, who set out to custom-design a pinnacle-quality line of grills unique to the market. FireDisc grills are in a league of their own with innovative attributes spanning portability, counter height, surface temperature range, capacity and clean-up. These grills have also been ruthlessly vetted by some of the worlds leading Chefs via the Chef-tested/Chef-Approved quality assurance testing protocol, unheard of in the grill manufacturing industry. It is no wonder why sales for the brand are skyrocketing and the pivotal new hire of hardware industry influencer, Bob Franke as SVP Director of Sales and Marketing has taken place. Existing FireDisc success coupled with Frankes deep industry expertise positions the brand in powerful phase poised and ready for exponential growth. About Bob Franke: Prior to joining the FireDisc team, Franke held numerous positions with JFW Sales and Marketing, a Warrenville, Illinois-based sales and marketing firm dedicated to hardware manufacturers and retailers. Franke served for 8 years as an E-3 Aircraft Crew Chief in the United States Air Force before starting his sales career. Throughout his career Franke has guided a range of manufacturers, from startups to some of the most recognizable brands in the United States, from launch to successful expansion of diverse product assortments throughout a multitude of retail sectors. Frankes extensive retail merchandising background spans from major Big Box stores to regional, family-run establishments. His mechanical background, coupled with his merchandising expertise affords him the ability to not only understand the technical aspects of a product line, but also how best to merchandise the product to ensure long term success. Franke attributes the phenomenal growth of FireDisc Grills to product quality and portability, their unmatched Chef-Tested quality assurance program, and highly effective in-store point-of-purchase merchandising strategies. In the past year retail doors carrying FireDisc products have expanded from three hundred to five hundred, with more coming on board each month. Effective Merchandising: The highly versatile FireDisc moveable display which showcases a grill, an assortment of accessories and features an embedded educational product and cooking demonstration video, has increased turns by an astounding fifty percent. The fixture not only educates consumers about the product range and use, but also offers retailers the added bonus of mobile versatility as they are afforded the ability seamlessly move the display to accommodate ever-changing merchandising updates in their store. Retailer Incentive Programs: According to Franke, the retail support does not end with thoughtfully designed fixtures. FireDisc Grills has also kick-started retailer incentive programs such as their Demo Grill Program enabling stores to receive credit for their demo grills. Retailers understand the best pathway to strong sell-through is to be able to show grills in-use. Portability & Year-Round Use: The portability of FireDisc Grills continues to fuel sales for the brand in a big way. Unlike a regular BBQ, the FireDisc isn't a behemoth eyesore of a structure trapped in your backyard. The 3-piece portable design disassembles seamlessly for easy, flat storage in the car trunk, SUV, RV, tent, truck bed, or garage. This enables year-round use of the product for everything from summer camping to tailgating and holiday/family events. FireDisc customers claim that they never stop using their grills as there is no reason to. Millennial Lifestyle Appeal: Additional growth surges for the brand stem from millennial lifestyle appeal. The brand continues to achieve high demand from on-the-go millennials seeking portable, mobile and quality products to enhance their outdoor pursuits. New Product Expansions: FireDisc sales are strong throughout the entire collection. While the grills themselves are the sweet spot and entry point, accessory sales are equally strong. The existing accessory assortment include the bamboo cutting board, spatulas, grill covers and more. Due to this strong demand a suite of new offerings is in the works and scheduled to be unveiled by Q4 2016. As more and more people are exposed to our grills we will continue to capture more of the grilling market, says Bob Franke, VP of Sales and Marketing, FireDisc Grills. The FDG team continues to innovate on all fronts, product, merchandising and brand recognition. Driven by our founders Hunter and Griff Jaggard, who inspire us to never settle for the ordinary, we continue to strive to bring to market the highest quality, most innovate portable grills out there. About FireDisc Grills: Texas-based FireDisc Grills specializes in the design and manufacturing of the worlds most the innovative, high-quality and versatile outdoor grills and accessories. The company was founded by two entrepreneurial brothers, Griffin and Hunter Jaggard, who, armed with a makeshift tractor plow disc set out on a mission to build a grill worthy of everyone from the worlds top chefs to hunters, backyard family grill masters, tailgaters and campers. FireDisc Grill products are currently sold nationally via 500+ retail locations in over 31 states and online throughout the globe. Heavy-duty carbon steel construction render the grills indestructible, while meticulous designs yield convenient portability and ease-of-use. A rigorous Chef-tested/Chef-Approved quality assurance program enables the grills to deliver unmatched grilling characteristics, as they have been vetted by some of the worlds leading chefs. Prior to their launch of FireDisc Grills, the founders formed a non-profit to raise money and find a cure for Multiple Sclerosis. To date $1M has been raised via The Carney Men Bike MS team. Community involvement is the core of the FireDisc brand in addition to the National MS Society they are proud supporters of the American Cancer Society, Wounded Warrior Project and many more. For more information visit http://www.firediscgrills.com Community Involvement: http://www.firediscgrills.com/company-involvement/ ### Akoonu, Inc. today announced that it has expanded its strategic marketing platform to include a Content Planning module, which provides collaborative features, frameworks, and workflows enabling B2B marketers to develop strategic content plans from ideation through fully descriptive briefs. Through integration with the Akoonu Audience and Brand modules, the Content Planning module helps guide marketers to create buyer-centric content plans balanced to address purchaser needs across all personas and journey stages, giving Marketing and Sales the content coverage they need to engage and nurture all buyers throughout the entire funnel. Unlike current offerings that focus on planning for content production, Akoonu enables strategic content planning by tying audience understanding into the content planning process. Akoonu empowers marketers to develop in-depth journey maps and personas through qualitative and quantitative data, to collaboratively enhance brand messaging, and to develop targeted messages by persona and journey stage. Its Content Planning module integrates with these robust, data-driven buyer insights and corresponding targeted messaging to inform the planning and development of high quality content and sales enablement. I love that when I create a brief in Akoonu, I can easily share it and any relevant personas and brand guidelines on the Akoonu portal for the content producer to access. The ability to plan our content against our personas and journey maps and give our content creators all the information they need in one place allows them to more efficiently create content that our audience finds valuable, said Asma Stewart, VP of Marketing at Propel(x). Features within the Akoonu Content Planning module include: -Content Ideas: Add content ideas and define them with a summary and/or attached documents. -Mindmap: Brainstorm your content idea from inception by creating a visual map that can be automatically translated into an outline. -Idea Mapping: For each content idea being considered for promotion, tag the relevant business objectives, audience focus, themes, campaigns, lines of business, journey stages, journey stage needs, and personas. -Candidates: Promote content ideas that youre considering creating to candidate status for review by others. -Candidate Voting: Vote on candidates to assess their priority for promotion to completed briefs. All portal users can vote, which can include any number of people from any part of the organization. -Briefs: Promote winning candidates to briefs and leverage a framework that includes keywords, goals and cost, usage plan, targeted messages, production details, and outline to create detailed content briefs that fully inform the writer and enable you to track your content planning over time. -Themes and Audience Focus: Identify and define the themes and group within your total audience that will guide your content planning for a specified time period. -Portal: Publish journey maps, buyer personas, brand standards, and content plan to the online portal, where users can access, share, and comment on each of these elements in real-time. Benefits of the Akoonu Content Planning module include: -Strategic content planning: Create a content plan that provides the right balance across audiences, journey stages, and business objectives rather than over-invest in one audience or stage in the funnel. -More efficient, targeted content creation: Leverage detailed briefs and integrated rich buyer insights to efficiently create more targeted content thats aligned to buyers needs, produces better leads, and accelerates prospects through the funnel. -Faster content planning: Use efficient built-in workflows for more organized and productive content planning from ideation through completion of detailed briefs. -Organizational alignment: Vote on candidates to prioritize content assets and ensure your content plan supports the themes and audiences identified as important for your business. Today, buyers expect great content that is relevant, engaging, and satisfies their needs on their buying journey, said Jeff Freund, CEO and Founder at Akoonu. For organizations to stay competitive, they must take a data-driven, in-depth approach to understanding their buyers and how they buy, and use this knowledge to inform what and how content is created. Buyer-centric content planning that incorporates journey maps, personas, and targeted messages will produce content that drives more engagement, more conversions, and ultimately more revenue. About Akoonu Akoonu, Inc. is the first platform for strategic marketing that empowers B2B marketers to develop and operationalize the essential elements for successful buyer-centric marketing from planning through execution. Our configurable frameworks, data and systems integrations, workflows, and collaboration features enable B2B marketers to develop: in-depth buyers journey maps and buyer personas; brand messaging and targeted messages by persona and stage; and strategic content plans from ideation through fully descriptive briefs. Our platform activates these elements organizationally so that everyone across Marketing, Sales, Product, and Services can access, leverage, and share them in real-time. As a result, marketers can align internal activities like content creation, sales enablement, and campaigns to buyers needs and processes. Through this internal alignment and richer understanding of your audience, youll provide buyer-centric experiences that fuel relationships, convert leads, and drive business growth. For more information, visit http://www.akoonu.com and follow Akoonu @Akoonu. Dr. Amarik Singh Speaks at Pleasantdale Elementary School for Children's Dental Health Month In honor of Childrens Dental Health Month this February, Amarik Singh DDS, MS, recently volunteered at Pleasantdale Elementary School, to help educate second graders on the importance of healthy teeth and ways to maintain proper dental health. This is the sixth year in a row that Dr. Singh has volunteered to speak for this event, and he values the impact it has on the young minds in his community. A leader in dental implant therapy, having placed over 14,000 dental implants, and specializing in the maintenance of periodontal disease in Oak Brook, IL, Dr. Singh recognizes the importance of a maintaining a healthy mouth, at any age. A renowned periodontist who has lectured across the country to dental professionals, residents and students, Dr. Singh described this event as the one he looks forward to most. As part of his visit with the young students, Dr. Singh discussed the importance of good oral health, foods that are beneficial for their teeth as well as answered questions. In addition, each student was provided worksheets to complete with their parents as well as a toothbrush to take home with them to start them on the right track to excellent oral hygiene. The team at Periodontal Implant Associates says they find this one of the most satisfying events they attend, because the knowledge gained at this age can determine the future dental health of each one of these young children. As part of his presentation, Dr. Singh also educated students on how to avoid poor dental health by offering proper brushing and flossing techniques, and stressed the importance of seeing a dentist for regular dental cleanings. If proper oral health is not maintained, gingivitis and gum disease can set in. Gum disease is an infection of the gums that, if left untreated, can lead to a series of issues, including receding gums, tooth and bone loss and contribute to various systemic problems. Frequent periodontal disease maintenance is necessary to fully eradicate this disease and ensure it does not persist and create even greater health issues. Dr. Singh offers the minimally-invasive BIOLASE Waterlase REPaiR laser treatment for periodontal disease. This state-of-the art laser technique provides a gentle, non-surgical approach to periodontal care that increases effectiveness and minimizes pain. Dr. Singh welcomes those who are interested in learning more about their oral health, or who are in need of treatment for periodontal disease in Oak Brook, IL, to contact his office to schedule a consultation. More information can also be found on his website, http://www.pidentists.com or by calling (630) 424-9404. About the Doctor Periodontal Implant Associates is a periodontal practice offering personalized dental care for patients in Oak Brook, IL and the Chicago, IL area. After graduating from Northwestern University Dental School, Dr. Amarik Singh went on to obtain his Specialty Certificate in Periodontics and earn his Masters from Northwestern University. Dr. Singh is deeply committed to continuing education and prides himself on remaining on the cutting-edge of the newest techniques and technology in dentistry. Dr. Singh is part of an elite group of dental professionals at the forefront of the Chao Pinhole Surgical Technique (PST), a revolutionary new approach to repairing gum recession. To learn more about the periodontal services available at Periodontal Implant Associates, please visit http://www.pidentists.com or call 630-424-9404. Proove is on a mission to fundamentally change the way doctors and patients make healthcare decisionsand it starts with providing the proof required to improve prescribing decisions." Proove Biosciences, Inc., the commercial and research leader in personalized pain medicine, launched a pioneering genetic profile to help physicians treat patients who are seeking medically assisted treatment (MAT) for opioid dependence. As an under-reported epidemic, prescription drug abuse is responsible for nearly three times as many deaths as illegal drugs. In an effort to combat the problem, the Proove Medically Assisted Treatment (MAT) profile is designed to predict how patients are likely to respond to medications used to treat opioid addiction. The profile evaluates 27 genetic markers to assess patient response to methadone and buprenorphine/naloxonetwo commonly used prescriptions in medically assisted withdrawal programs. A study with 178 patients, which was published in BioMed Research International, confirmed that genes in the Proove MAT profile influence how a person responds to methadone. In a separate study, which was conducted by Macquarie University in Sydney, Australia, and published in Drug Metabolism & Disposition, suggested that a genetic variant impairs suboxone signaling in certain patients. By evaluating multiple genes in the Proove MAT profile, Proove Biosciences is able to help doctors understand how different patients are likely to respond drug detoxification. Proove is on a mission to fundamentally change the way doctors and patients make healthcare decisionsand it starts with providing the proof required to improve prescribing decisions, said Brian Meshkin, CEO at Proove Biosciences. By evaluating the factors underlying an individuals response to medications like suboxone and methadone, for example, we are able to help physicians make the right choices about which medications to prescribe. In addition, we can help them identify which doses are likely to yield the best resultsand we can do this prior to treatment. In the past, prescribing guidelines were limited to an assessment of behavioral, psychological, and environmental factors. With this new profile, doctors are able to incorporate genetics into the decision-making process. By using an objective tool, physicians are able to increase efficacy while minimizing withdrawal symptoms and adverse side effects. The profile could be an indispensable tool for physicians looking to adopt a precision-based approach to prescribing. By understanding how patients are likely to respond to treatment beforehand, the profile is expected to play an important role in addressing the healthcare burden of prescription drug abuse and its treatment. About Proove Biosciences Our mission is to change the future of medicine. Proove represents the proof to improve healthcare decisions. We seek to realize a future when clinicians look back and wonder how they could have ever prescribed medications without knowing how a patient would respond. Physicians use Proove Biosciences testing to improve outcomesboth safety and efficacy of medical treatment. From a simple cheek swab collected in the office, Proove performs proprietary genetic tests in its CLIA-certified laboratory to identify patients at risk for misuse of prescription pain medications and evaluate their metabolism of medications. For more information, please visit http://www.proove.com or call toll free 855-PROOVE-BIO (855-776-6832). AGILE Sensors This technology is a game-changer for developmental biologists. It opens the field of proteomics to a discipline that's previously used just RNA data. Nanomedical Diagnostics, a biotech company developing and commercializing bioelectronics for use in research and diagnostics, announces the completion of its first AGILE biosensor Early Access Development Kit test with a lab at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus. The lab needed in vitro protein concentration measurements to validate its RNA data, but doing so using traditional protein analysis methods such as Western Blot was almost impossible due to the amount of tissue required to observe the protein. The AGILE platform provided quantitative, reproducible protein concentration data in one afternoon. This technology is a game-changer for developmental biologists, says Dr. David Clouthier, Professor in the Department of Craniofacial Biology at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus. It opens the field of proteomics to a discipline thats previously used just RNA data because it was cost-prohibitive to gain the quantity of protein needed for detection on traditional platforms. AGILE requires an immensely smaller amount of starting material than traditional methods, which reduced sample costs for Dr. Clouthiers lab. Because AGILE can sense protein in crude tissue lysates with high sensitivity, the lab was also able to avoid protein loss from multiple purification steps. Were very pleased with Nanomedical Diagnostics AGILE technology, continued Dr. Clouthier. We expect to use the gathered data in a publication this year and are looking forward to future work with AGILE sensors. AGILE (Automatic Graphene Immunolinked Electronic) is the worlds first and only commercially available graphene biosensor. It is an all-electronic, portable, label-free system that provides real-time analysis of biomolecular interactions including kinetics, affinity, and concentration. Were excited to begin our Early Access Dev Kit tests with researchers who are on the cutting edge of their fields, says Nanomedical Diagnostics CEO, Ross Bundy. AGILE sensors have unprecedented flexibility and sensing range which enable unique capabilities that were only just beginning to discover and publish with our Early Access customers. Were already finding instances where the novel technology is enabling scientists to accelerate their research and accomplish science thats never been possible before. AGILE sensors are now available to participants in Nanomedical Diagnostics Early Access Dev Kit program. The company will be showcasing AGILE technology at MnMs Biomarker Conference on February 18 and 19, and at the Experimental Biology Conference from April 2nd through 6th, both in San Diego. For more information about Nanomedical Diagnostics or AGILE Sensors, including Early Access Dev Kit opportunities, visit http://www.nanomedicaldiagnostics.com. About Nanomedical Diagnostics Nanomedical Diagnostics is a biotech company based in San Diego, CA. Begun in late 2013, it is the first company to combine expertise in biology, nanotechnology, surface chemistry, engineering, and manufacturing to create practical and scaleable graphene biological field effect transistor (BioFET) products. Its ongoing mission is applying cutting-edge capabilities to produce affordable diagnostic and monitoring platforms that deliver accurate, timely health information and improve patient outcomes and lives. Rancho BioSciences Rancho's customizations regarding a better results visualization and improved batch filtering provide valuable new features to the PAA package for the analysis of protein array experiments. Rancho BioSciences, the Data Curation Company, announced it is donating software for analyzing protein microarrays to the general scientific research community. In past years, experiments on arrays like Invitrogen's ProtoArray platform required using point-and-click vendor-supplied software for parts of the analysis, thereby preventing automation of the analyses. However, thanks to the popular open source bioinformatics platform Bioconductor, primarily based on the R programming language, the proprietary software is no longer required, and all analysis steps can be automated. This was made possible by a Bioconductor package called Protein Array Analyzer (PAA, Turewicz et al., 2016) for analyzing ProtoArrays and other protein arrays, sponsored as part of de.NBI by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research. Currently, PAA v1.4.1 implements critical steps such as robust linear model (RLM) normalization and M-statistic calculation, previously demonstrated to produce more reliable results than competing methods (Sboner et al., 2009). Ranchos code contribution to PAA today includes a more flexible adjustment for batch effects as well as an improved plotting function for visualizing the results. An example R script demonstrating these custom features is provided by Rancho. Michael Turewicz (Medizinisches Proteom-Center, Ruhr-University Bochum, Germany), maintainer of the PAA Bioconductor package, welcomed the new features: Rancho's customizations regarding a better results visualization and improved batch filtering provide valuable new features to the PAA package for the analysis of protein array experiments. Contributions from the user community are the strength of open source software development. Ranchos code also includes functions for M-statistic calculation and RLM normalization, of which the latter was not available in older versions of PAA (v1.2 and earlier). These were written to meet the needs of Ranchos industry partners in mid-2015. The newer PAA version already has equivalent functions for these two methods, so these functions will not be changed. For me there is no unambiguous evidence whether Ranchos RLM implementation is better than [current] PAAs implementation or vice versa, commented Turewicz, highlighting the quality of the Rancho code. Dr. John Obenauer, Head of Bioinformatics at Rancho, recognizes the benefit of contributing code to existing open source software: Bioconductor has been valuable to the scientific community for years, and this contribution to PAA brings improved analysis options to the protein array field. The complete Rancho-modified PAA package, example R script, and test data are available in GitHub (http://github.com/ranchobiosciences/paa_rancho). The new batch correction and plotting features will also be added to future releases of the PAA package in Bioconductor. Bioconductors next release will be in April 2016. About Rancho BioSciences Rancho BioSciences is a fee-for-service data-curation company leveraging open-source tools and public-domain data with their customers internal data sets. Our customers include Pharma, Institutes, and Government. Rancho has a team of experienced Ph.D. and M.D. scientists around the world that deliver high quality work based on their expertise and domain knowledge in biology, diseases, and clinical data. Rancho BioSciences is flexible and cost effective, providing on site and off site curation, analysis and IT support. Rancho BioSciences also has expertise in databases and hosts or installs tranSMART for their customers. Our goal is to help the life-science community build better tools and take advantage of a wealth of scientific data by supporting and developing open source platforms. For more information about Rancho BioSciences, please visit us online at http://www.ranchobiosciences.com. Noemie Levy of the OSTP was among speakers at a BRAIN hot topics session 14 February at SPIE Photonics West in San Francisco. NPI has given individuals and companies that work with light a coherent voice in explaining photonic technologies that can greatly benefit biomedicine. Not enough is known about how the brain works yet to meet major challenges facing the world in this century, Ned Talley told the spillover audience of more than 150 gathered for an update on the U.S. BRAIN Initiative Sunday afternoon at SPIE Photonics West in San Francisco. Talley, a program director with the National Institutes of Health (NIH), was one of several agency, academic, and industry speakers reporting on the initiatives progress in a hot topics session sponsored by the National Photonics Initiative (NPI) Neuroscience Task Force. SPIE, the international society for optics and photonics, and The Optical Society (OSA) are Founding Sponsors of the NPI, a collaborative effort to advance photonics to help maintain competitiveness and national security. Launched by President Obama, the BRAIN (Brain Research through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies) Initiative is needed to help address major chronic non-communicable diseases and costly, disabling brain disorders, Talley said. The initiative is a coordinated effort among NIH, the National Science Foundation (NSF), academia, and industry, said Noemie Levy Senior Policy Advisor for Partnerships in the Presidents Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), convening people who might not otherwise work together. The OSTP has enabled exploration of how policy and programs might advance the initiative, but most of all, its role is to listen to the community, learn about needs, and help set the tone. Earlier in the afternoon, SPIE Director for Industry Development Stephen Anderson accompanied Levy on a tour of the world-class SPIE BiOS Expo, giving her a chance to hear from representatives and see displays from companies developing innovative photonics technologies that will be key to enabling our future understanding of the brain. At the hot topics session, NPI Neurophotonics Task Force Chairman Tom Baer of Stanford University introduced what he called a whos who of speakers from organizations working toward the initiative. Along with Talley and Levy were: Mahmoud Fallahi, NSF Brain Program Michael Lin, Johns Hopkins University Mark Schnitzer, Stanford University Arnd Krueger, Spectra-Physics Stephanie Fullerton, Hamamatsu Kunal Ghosh, Inscopix James Sharp, Zeiss Marco Arrigoni, Coherent, Inc. The NIH has developed a formal program for public-private partnerships, Talley said. Last year, the agency spent $85 million to support 125 projects, and its budget is $150 million for 2015, the second of what is hoped to be a 10-year program. So far, he said, the initiative is receiving strong bipartisan support in Congress for funding. Fallahi said that in addition to funding U.S. programs, NSF is collaborating with similar United Nations and European projects. Lin and Schnitzer described progress in mapping brain function, work which is enabled by several photonics technologies and applications, such as sensors, lasers, and imaging devices. Industry speakers stressed the role of collaboration in developing applications, including the work of scientific societies to move the conversations forward. Thanks to the NPI, we have guidelines to help us consider lasers for specific needs, said Coherents Arrigoni. SPIE Photonics West is an opportunity to help advance research and foster collaborations in this endeavor, noted Nitish Thakor, Johns Hopkins University, conference cochair of Optogenetics and Optical Manipulation, during the roundtable discussion following presentations. With the events many activities focused on this field, he said, this could become the go-to meeting for neurophotonics. The Optogenetics conference is part of a program organized by Rafael Yuste, Columbia University one of the advisors who helped conceptualize and launch the BRAIN Initiative. The program also includes conference on Clinical and Translational Neurophotonics, and Neural Imaging and Sensing. "The NPI, as a trusted resource for government, industry, and academia, plays a key role in focusing attention and support on the ways in which optics and photonics can efficiently solve problems of national importance, said Robert Lieberman, SPIE President and member of the NPI Steering Committee. Through outreach and educational briefings with legislators, Administration staff, and other policy makers, NPI has given individuals and companies that work with light a coherent voice in explaining photonic technologies that can greatly benefit biomedicine, particularly in cutting-edge areas like neuroscience. In order to develop new capabilities to treat brain diseases and disorders, there is an immediate need to fully understand brain function through mapping and observation. While our researchers and engineers have developed light-based tools that can make this happen, it is a complex task and a complex message. NPI, and its affiliate, the Photonics Industry Neuroscience Group (PING) have made notable progress in carrying this work forward. About SPIE SPIE is the international society for optics and photonics, an educational not-for-profit organization founded in 1955 to advance light-based science, engineering, and technology. The Society serves nearly 264,000 constituents from approximately 166 countries, offering conferences and their published proceedings, continuing education, books, journals, and the SPIE Digital Librar. In 2015, SPIE provided more than $5.2 million in support of education and outreach programs. http://www.spie.org About the NPI The National Photonics Initiative (NPI) is a collaborative alliance among industry, academia and government to raise awareness of photonics and the impact of photonics on our everyday lives; increase cooperation and coordination among US industry, government and academia to advance photonics-driven fields; and drive US funding and investment in areas of photonics critical to maintaining US economic competitiveness and national security. The initiative is being led by top scientific societies including the American Physical Society (APS), the IEEE Photonics Society, the Laser Institute of America (LIA), The Optical Society (OSA) and SPIE, the International Society for Optics and Photonics. For more information visit: http://www.lightourfuture.org. Swedbrand's TouchingLight and TopFlow will be showcased at exhibitions around Europe With EuroCIS just around the corner, over 400 exhibitors are getting prepared for a fantastic show, which will see the presentation of a huge array of innovative technological solutions, all revolving around the world of retail. One exhibitor showcasing such a product will be multinational packaging specialists, SWEDBRAND. TouchingLight is the latest in innovative retail technology. An LED display that is placed on a retailers shelf where traditional price tags and PoS signage is normally hung. The display, which uses very little energy, briefly lights up as a customer takes a product off the same shelf, and grabs their attention, drawing their eye to the TouchingLight lit product. The TouchingLight signage, which gently fades away, is backlit only, meaning that retailers can easily insert their normal labels, whether they be price labels, or promotional labels, and they can also be changed regularly, quickly, and simply. TouchingLight can already be found in retail stores across Sweden, in use by a selection of well-known beverage, dairy, tobacco, and food brands, however this will be the first time that the portable shelf display will be showcased in Germany. EuroCIS is one of the leading exhibitions specialising in retail technology. With over 9,000 international exhibitors in attendance, informative seminars led by industry professionals, and the chance to network with thousands of people in the business, EuroCIS is an event not to miss. EuroCIS is not the only exhibition that SWEDBRAND will be launching a ground-breaking new product at. The company, who have offices all over the world, will be also be showcasing their revolutionary TOPFLOW at the London Wine Fair, which takes place at Londons Olympia, from the 3rd 5th May 2016. TOPFLOW is a new-patented technology, which enables bag-in-box wines to be poured from the top, rather than having to engage in the awkward ordeal of attempting to hold the bag up in the air, as a wine glass is steadied underneath. This innovative solution works by a bottom plate being attached to the inside of the box, and a spring wire pushing the liquid towards a faucet at the top. The plate is easily inserted into any bag-in-box wine during the initial packaging process, allowing producers to still carry on purchasing their inner bag and box from their current supplier. With a total global market, for bag-in-box wines, of around 800 million a year, SWEDBRANDS TOPFLOW is a time-saving, environmental, and convenient solution for wine producers, and buyers that are unsatisfied with the current solution. Already the packaging innovation has drawn a lot of interest from companies across the globe, including in Asia and America, and it is sure to receive just as much praise and attention in the UK, when it is launched in May. SWEDBRAND will be exhibiting at both exhibitions with the aid of a Prestige Exhibition Stand from Quadrant2Design. Modular and portable in design, the stands are fully reconfigurable and use seamless effect, durable graphics, which can be changed easily for different exhibitions and shows around the world. For more information regarding TouchingLight, visit the newly launched website http://www.touchinglight.com, or visit the SWEDBRAND Team at EuroCIS, which takes place in Dusseldorf, Germany, from 23rd-25th February 2016. Registration can be found at: http://www.eurocis-tradefair.com. To discover more about TOPFLOW, and SWEDBRAND, visit http://www.swedbrand.com, or meet the team at London Wine Fair, at Olympia London, on the 3rd-5th May 2016. For a complimentary design consultation from Quadrant2Design, contact designteam(at)quadrant2design(dot)com. Karla Jo Helms, CEO of JoTo PR, announces her company's newest signing of Boyd Industries. We are media experts and are passionate about finding the compelling stories in our clients products and services and putting them on the map. JoTo PR owner and CEO, Karla Jo Helms, has just announced the signing of Boyd Industries, a company that serves the dental health profession by designing and creating highly reliable, aesthetically pleasing dental office equipment for orthodontic, pediatric dental and oral surgery practices. Helms said she is excited to take Boyd Industries on board because they are a company with long-standing ethical practices, consistent peer-reviewed best of awards, an ethnically diverse workforce and a new-ownership vision to take a greater part in the dental industries future. We are media experts and are passionate about finding the compelling stories in our clients products and services and putting them on the map. Under the terms of their contract, JoTo PR will create and execute a strategic communications plan that builds positive publicity through a well-run media campaign that includes press releases, articles, blog entries, and broad social media dissemination. Statistics and analytics will be run concurrently to keep momentum increasing through the campaign. The JoTo PR purpose is to make a significant impact on the economy and the news by helping businesses get their messages in the media in volume about solutions, services and products that will help people and companies grow, expand and thrive. They have a long history of successfully of putting key businesses on the map in ways that create greater overall ROI, lower overhead and expanded relationships in business. Boyd Industries was founded in 1957 in St. Petersburg, Florida and became one of the pioneers of sit down dentistry. Once that concept became the preferred technique, Boyd took firm hold of the dental industry and hasnt looked back. Today Boyd Industries is the market leader in the specialty dental equipment market, manufacturing their equipment at its Clearwater, Florida factory. About JoTo PR: Based in Clearwater, Florida, JoTo PR is an established Tampa Bay public relations agency headed by public relations veteran and innovator Karla Jo Helms. The PR firm was launched in 2009 to meet a growing demand for new media expertise. JoTo is a hybrid PR agency, blending proven traditional approaches with the latest technology to deliver the best advantages of both worlds. JoTos holistic approach to business PR and marketing begins with strategic planning and leads to a fully integrated program that is designed to optimize communication, improve return on investment (ROI) and expand business opportunities. JoTo PR primarily serves the healthcare, finance and IT industries. For more information, visit JoTo PR online at http://www.jotopr.com/ The Doctor Mastery Program is a big step in addressing the actual needs of the industry. Its a big step towards advancing Heartland Dental as a leader in dentistry and signifies our companys growth as a respected leader. Heartland Dental, LLC, the largest dental support organization in the country, recently announced the rollout of the Doctor Mastery Program, an initiative designed to help supported dentists truly achieve personal and professional expertise. Supported by Heartland Dental, the Doctor Mastery Program will help dentists of all experience levels become the definitive dental leaders of their respective marketplaces. The five-year program is open to all Heartland Dental supported dentists and consists of clinical training conducted by leading clinicians, beginning with foundational skills and advancing toward mastery of complex dental care. Over the five-year timeframe, the program will help participating dentists achieve a Fellowship with the Academy of General Dentistry, increase access to care, mentor other clinicians and grow their offices by the end of the program. In addition, participants who complete all program requirements will receive a mastery bonus up to $250,000 which can totally or greatly eliminate student loan debt. Im extremely proud and excited to kick off this program. All in all, everyone involved will benefit the participants, their families, their team members and most importantly, their patients, explained Rick Workman, DMD, founder and active executive chairman at Heartland Dental. The Doctor Mastery Program is a big step in addressing the actual needs of the industry. Its a big step towards advancing Heartland Dental as a leader in dentistry and signifies our companys growth as a respected leader. I believe all participants will be extremely proud of the results they achieve. This program addresses a vital component of the dental industry continuing education. As the dental industry continues to evolve, along with evolving patients and technology, advanced education is essential now more than ever. The program also offers an ideal solution to one of the biggest challenges facing young dentists student loan debt. In todays industry, the importance of this cannot be overstated. According to the ADA, only 50 percent of new dental graduates currently enter private practice once graduating and many new grads come out of school with upwards of $300,000 in debt, making it extremely difficult to open and grow a solo practice. It is our job to ensure supported dentists not only receive world-class, non-clinical support, but every possible opportunity to comprehensively further themselves as clinicians and leaders, added Dr. Rick Workman. The Doctor Mastery Program will allow Heartland Dental to accomplish this mission like never before. We have always emphasized continuing education, but the magnitude of this program, in terms of what is being offered and what can be achieved as a result, is on a whole new level. About Heartland Dental Heartland Dental, LLC is the largest dental support organization in the United States with more than 700 supported dental offices located in 32 states. Based in Effingham, Illinois and founded by Rick Workman, DMD, Heartland Dental offers supported dentists and team members continuing professional education and leadership training, along with a variety of non-clinical administrative services including staffing, human relations, procurement, administration, financial, marketing, and information technology. For more information, visit http://www.Heartland.com. Follow Heartland Dental on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. School Breakfast Important for Health and Learning "School breakfast ensures low-income children get the nutrition they need to support their health and learning," said Jim Weill, president of the Food Research & Action Center. - Companion Report Shows Many Large School Districts Make the Grade, Most Have Work to Do - The Food Research & Action Center (FRAC) today released its annual School Breakfast Scorecard which measures states on the rate of participation of low-income children in the federally-funded School Breakfast Program. West Virginia tops the Scorecard, while Utah is at the bottom. Nationally, school breakfast participation grew steadily in the 2014-2015 school year, continuing a trend of rapid expansion over the last decade. On an average day during the 2014-2015 school year, 11.7 million students eligible to receive free and reduced-price school meals participated in school breakfast, an increase of 4.2 percent, or nearly 475,000 children from the previous year. Overall, 44 states increased their free and reduced-price school breakfast participation in the 2014-2015 school year. The good news is that more low-income children across the country are starting the day with a nutritious meal to support their health and learning, said FRAC President Jim Weill. Progress is being made; however, there is still plenty of room for improvement. Federal and state agencies, school districts, and education stakeholders must continue to build on the momentum gained in recent years to ensure many more children participate in the School Breakfast Program if we are to reap all of that programs educational, health and anti-hunger benefits. A companion report to the Scorecard, School Breakfast: Making it Work in Large School Districts,also released today by FRAC, looks at trends and best practices for reaching more low-income children in the nations largest school districts. Of the 73 large, mostly urban school districts surveyed for the Large School District report, 23 more than double from the previous years report achieved FRACs 70 to 100 benchmark. A number of the top-performing school districts San Antonio Independent School District, Cincinnati Public Schools, and Detroit Public Schools, among others serve a particularly high proportion of economically disadvantaged students. The progress made by this years top performers in both reports demonstrates the power of linking alternative breakfast service models, such as breakfast in the classroom, grab and go, and second chance breakfast, with offering breakfast free to all students. We know what works, and more children are eating breakfast as a result, added Weill. Yet, our data show that there are still too many students, states, and school districts missing out on the benefits of school breakfast. Both school breakfast reports may be found at frac.org. Carr & Ferrell LLP, a leading Silicon Valley-based firm offering strategic Intellectual Property, Corporate and Litigation legal services, announced today Scott Mosko has joined the firm as a partner. Mr. Mosko is a well-known litigation attorney in most Federal District Courts in Northern California, as well as many California county state courts, specializing in Intellectual Property and business dispute litigation and cyber security protection. Scott most recently defended a trademark claim and acted as lead counsel in successfully asserting a First Amendment and anti-SLAPP defense and a claim for attorneys fees. He has handled cases assigned to most of the judges and magistrates in the Northern District, where he has tried patent, trade secret and copyright matters. More recently, Scott acquired a specialty in cyber security matters. Using the relationships developed with Federal and State law agents assigned to cyber piracy crimes task forces, Scott advises clients on how to protect themselves from such invasions and how to form cyber security teams to limit the effects from a cyber intrusion. We are pleased to welcome such an esteemed attorney to our firm, said firm co-founder John Ferrell. Scotts background and experience will be a strong addition to the excellence we offer our clients in helping them defend their intellectual property rights. Scott Mosko said I am excited to join forces with my good friend, John Ferrell, perhaps the best known patent attorney in Silicon Valley. Mosko added he was also eager to work alongside Barry Carr, firm co-founder. Barry is a wiz at all corporate-related matters, from formation to startup, to acquisition to M&A, and everything in between. The opportunity to collaborate with John and Barry was too great to pass up. Scott was recognized by The Legal 500 U.S. for his expertise in trade secret litigation. His appearances include multiple matters in the California state trial and appellate courts and the Supreme Court. He has lectured on many IP-related topicsmost recently on the trade secret protections implemented into the America Invents Act (A.I.A.) in Seattle and on patent damages in San Francisco. UNCF Logo The Cleveland local office of UNCF (United Negro College Fund) will host its Leaders Luncheon on Education on Feb. 19 featuring a panel discussion on Educating the Next Generation of Leaders. Panelists include: Eric Gordon, CEO Cleveland Metropolitan School District, Dr. Alex Johnson Ph.D., president Cuyahoga Community College and Timothy Roberts Sr., head of schools HBCU preparatory academy. This years Torchbearer award will be presented to Margot Copeland, executive vice president Corporate Diversity & Philanthropy at KeyCorp, for her dedication in providing Cleveland students with educational resources. Maxie C. Jackson III, station manager of 90.3 WCPN, will serve as the Master of Ceremonies. Key sponsors include: AT&T, Key Bank and OMNOVA Solutions. Who: UNCF Cleveland Office What: UNCF Cleveland Leaders Luncheon on Education When: Friday, February 19, 2016, 11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Where: Westin Cleveland Downtown, 777 St. Clair Ave. NE, Cleveland, OH 44114 To purchase tickets, which are $75 or for more information, please visit http://give.uncf.org/clevelandleaderslunch About UNCF UNCF (United Negro College Fund) is the nations largest and most effective minority education organization. To serve youth, the community and the nation, UNCF supports students education and development through scholarships and other programs, strengthens its 37 member colleges and universities, and advocates for the importance of minority education and college readiness. UNCF institutions and other historically black colleges and universities are highly effective, awarding 20 percent of African American baccalaureate degrees. UNCF administers more than 400 programs, including scholarship, internship and fellowship, mentoring, summer enrichment, and curriculum and faculty development programs. Today, UNCF supports more than 60,000 students at over 900 colleges and universities. Learn more at UNCF.org. We are thrilled to be working with The Reading Room. We want to reach readers beyond our walls and share our love of books, said Lynn Lobash, Manager of Reader Services at The New York Public Library. Understanding that the public has long relied on librarians as trusted experts in recommending books, The Reading Room is proud to partner with The New York Public Library to share the institutions expert staff picks with its members. Readers can now access carefully selected titles from the Librarys experts, alongside recommendations from their friends and the community. The New York Public Library recommendations come with commentary and span all reading interests, including childrens, and can be found on the individual book pages and a dedicated recommendations page on the site. Librarians have enormous expertise when it comes to finding your next great read, said Kim Anderson, CEO of The Reading Room. We are delighted to be able to host the NYPLs recommendations and to share with our audience some of the great services that the NYPL provides. Its a wonderful way for people all over the world to experience this great institution and its resources, most importantly that these recommendations come from its librarians. We are thrilled to be working with The Reading Room. We want to reach readers beyond our walls and share our love of books, said Lynn Lobash, Manager of Reader Services at The New York Public Library. Lobash and the NYPLs Reader Services department are now offering podcasts, lists, and more. The Reading Room members can look forward to more great features from The New York Public Library partnership, including podcasts about reading. For more information, contact Press (at)TheReadingRoom(dot)com. For more information about The Reading Room, visit at https://www.thereadingroom.com/page/about-us To see The New York Public Library Staff Picks, visit https://www.thereadingroom.com/new-york-public-library-staff-picks S.S. Joie de Vivre We are extremely proud to launch the S.S. Joie de Vivre in Northern France in March 2017, said Uniworld's President Guy Young. Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection will introduce their new masterpiece, the one-of-a-kind Super Ship, S.S. Joie de Vivre, sailing along Frances historic Seine River. We are extremely proud to launch the S.S. Joie de Vivre in Northern France in March 2017, said Uniworld's President Guy Young. Uniworld was one of the very first river cruise companies to sail the rivers of France, and our parent company, The Travel Corporation, has been bringing travelers from all over the world to this amazing country for over 70 years as this has been one of our most popular destinations, so our commitment to France is unwavering. Aptly named S.S. Joie de Vivre, Uniworlds new ship will reflect the French joy of living philosophy and their profound appreciation for food, wine, art and music. Everything from the ships decor and design to farm-to-table cuisine and superb local wines will be on full display for guests to enjoy. The design team from Uniworlds sister company, Red Carnation Hotels, will once again bring their creative talents to the S.S. Joie de Vivre, designing another ship as majestic as the destination itself. French inspired handcrafted furniture with rich fabrics, antiques, art, gilded and wrought-iron accents will blend in perfect harmony with modern-day conveniences. The S.S. Joie de Vivres Salon de Beaux-Arts lounge will feature a collection of fine art and antiques curated from auction houses, such as Sothebys and Christie's, as well as private collections. The Le Club lEsprit comes complete with a cinema and a surrounding pool with a hydraulic floor, which can turn into a dance floor or outdoor cinema at night. Dining venues include Le Restaurant Pigalle and La Cave de Vins, a vinoteque for private dining and wine-pairing dinners. The Joie de Vivre features two Royal Suites, eight Junior Suites, and 54 staterooms for a capacity of no more than 128 guests. Each suite will be designed with its own signature style and feature enhanced amenities and services, including butlers trained to the same exacting standard as Buckingham Palace. All suites and staterooms have custom-made-to-order Savoir of England beds with unique headboards of various designs and marble bathrooms in various color-schemes. This will be the most beautiful ship sailing the Seine and will provide every possible comfort for our guests, says Young. The S.S. Joie de Vivre will sail Uniworlds popular Paris & Normandy itinerary, and when in Paris, will dock in the heart of the city. We made the decision to build a 125 meter ship instead of 135 meters, so she can dock conveniently in the heart of Paris, furthers Young. Couples can save up to $1,600 by paying in full before May 15, 2016 on Uniworlds value-packed all-inclusive cruises. Cruises include scheduled airport transfers; all gratuities onboard and onshore; port charges; all meals with unlimited beverages including, incredible local wines, craft beers, premium spirits, such as Grey Goose and Glenfiddich; daily guided shore excursions with options to personalize; in-suite butler service; concierge services; 24-hour room service; and Wi-Fi. For more details, please visit uniworld.com. Join Uniworlds social media community at facebook.com/uniworldrivercruises or twitter.com/uniworldcruises using the hashtag #ExploreUniworld. About Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collectionthe world's only authentic boutique cruise linefeatures luxurious ships with an average capacity of 130 guests, exclusive excursions, gourmet cuisine, and the highest staff-to-guest ratio in the river cruise industry. Based in Los Angeles, California, Uniworld offers truly all-inclusive itineraries in Europe, as well as voyages in Russia, China, Vietnam and Cambodia, India, and Egypta total of 22 rivers in 26 countries worldwide. Uniworld is a member of CLIA and is highly regarded by discerning travelers, media, and cruise industry experts: Listed among the "World's Best River Cruises" by Travel + Leisure, and recognized for "Worlds Best Service" in the River Cruise category Seven ships listed among Travel + Leisures "Top 20 River Ships," with River Countess rated highest of all cruise ships (river & ocean) Included on Conde Nast Travelers Gold List for seven years (2008 2014) Top 3 ranking on Conde Nast Traveler's "Top Ten Cruise Lines" (river & ocean) Top 4 ranking on Conde Nast Traveler's Readers Choice Awards for "Top Cruise Lines" (2014) Named "Best Luxury River Cruise Line" by Cruise International (2012 2015) Named Best New River Cruise Ship for the S.S. Maria Theresa by Cruise International (2015) Named "Best Culinary Cruise Line" by readers of SAVEUR (2014 2015) Named River Cruise Line of the Year and Best River Cruise Line by readers of Food & Travel (2015) Awarded Best Overall River Line, Best New River Ship for the S.S. Maria Theresa and Best Shore Excursions (river) by the editors at Cruise Critic (2015) Image Download: For up-to-date, high resolution images, please visit Uniworld's Image Library at uniworld.com/why-uniworld/marketing-library. About The TreadRight Foundation Created as a joint initiative between The Travel Corporations family of brands, The TreadRight Foundation is a not-for-profit that works to help ensure the environment and communities we visit remain vibrant and preserved for generations to come. To date, TreadRight has supported more than 35 sustainable tourism projects worldwide. The foundations guiding principle is to encourage sustainable tourism development through conservation, leadership and support for communities. TreadRights past project partners include WWF, Conservation International and The National Trust in the UK. Current initiatives include sponsoring the National Geographic Societys inaugural World Legacy Awards, helping to combat wildlife crime with WildAid, and empowering individuals with the Alliance for Artisan Enterprise. To learn more about our past and current work at TreadRight, please visit us at TreadRight.org. ### Known for direct access to what turns people on the most, live cam network CAM4 is embarking on a new form of instant gratification. With headlines highlighting how to get her off every time complemented by grumbles regarding the elusive female orgasm, CAM4 is making it easy for clients to skip the rhetoric and go directly to the source: real live women. After months of review, CAM4 has officially released the final findings of a global sex survey aptly titled The Year of the Female Orgasm conducted by top market research and opinion poll institute iFOP, which studied the orgasm habits of more than 8,000 women around the world. With representative samples from eight countries, the CAM4 team is now using its research to help clients toward a better understanding of the who, what, when, where and HOW of the female orgasm. CAM4 and iFOP compared survey results from women in the U.S., France, Italy Canada, Germany, England, Spain and The Netherlands and the findings were full of surprises and fascinating outcomes. While some countries showed noticeable differences with regard to orgasm preference only 65% of French women orgasm easily from oral sex others were united by a shared experience of having difficulty reaching orgasm. Most notably, however, was a frequent outlier in almost every section of the research survey. Only 28% of Dutch women expressed having difficulty reaching orgasm last year, compared to 44% of Americans, and only 39% admit to having ever faked an orgasm. (The U.S. took the gold at a whopping 57%.) Want to see how your country stacked up? CAM4 and iFOP have compiled a selection of their results in an interactive infographic that can be seen and linked to here: http://www.cam4.com/insights/year-of-the-female-orgasm Raw data is available via PDF at the bottom of the infographic for those whod like to dig deeper into each countrys results. For further information about CAM4 and its initiatives, please visit: http://www.cam4.com/press Survey graphics can be downloaded here: http://bit.ly/en-cam4-graphics US Findings: http://edgecast.cam4s.com/web/promo/insights/en/pdf/USA_ifop_cam4.pdf?_ga=1.109887813.1528181170.1455296404 Justin Schad, CCIM Principal Broker TRIO Commercial Property Nashville "Were excited to offer commercial properties in the growing Tennessee retail market. TRIOs innovative resources and adaptable team will help our clients take full advantage of the states unique opportunities," says Justin Baker. TRIO Commercial Property Group, a commercial real estate brokerage firm headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky, responsible for $1 Billion in transactions, has expanded into Tennessee. This strategic expansion allows TRIO to offer their clients access to a vast network of relation-ships cultivated across the Southeast market. TRIO has invested in a Nashville office at 3102 West End Avenue, Suite 400, Nashville, TN 37203. TRIO will offer its experience with retail properties at the national, regional and local level to the growing Tennessee market. The firm delivers a variety of services, including: site selection, tenant and landlord representation, lease negotiations, market analysis, and investment sales. Were excited to offer commercial properties in the growing Tennessee retail market. TRIOs personal approach and service, combined with our business expertise, innovative resources and adaptable team, will help our clients take full advantage of the states unique opportunities, says Justin Baker, principal broker/partner of TRIO for Kentucky and Indiana. TRIOs expansion will give clients in the Tennessee market access to national retail relation-ships with a personal approach to leasing shopping centers, retail spaces, storefronts, new developments, and other commercial properties. The results are faster conversions, better rate of return, and improved community landscapes. Justin Schad CCIM, retail real estate professional since 2001, is joining the TRIO commercial real estate team as Principal Broker to open its new Tennessee office in Nashville. Justin has experience working with national and local Landlords, tenants and investors. Justin has completed over 650 lease and sale transactions in various product types including: shopping centers, enclosed malls, lifestyle centers, mixed use, urban, land and office. Justin has been an active member and volunteer of the ICSC, the largest retail trade association, since 2002. Justins experience in Tennessee dates back 14 years when he worked on the team that crafted and executed the redevelopment plan of Oakwood Commons Shopping Center in Hermitage, TN that saw the former K-Mart become a Ross, Bed Bath & Beyond and Petsmart. Justin continues to deliver his clients results with deep industry experience. TRIO Commercial Property Group is a full service commercial real estate brokerage firm head-quartered in Louisville, Kentucky, providing service to Kentucky, Indiana and now Tennessee. The TRIO Team has over 100 years of experience, participating in more than 1 Billion dollars in commercial real estate transactions. Fleur Du Mal main image We selected 7thingsmedia because of how well we connected with their senior team and how they immediately understood our business. Global, multi award-winning, digital media agency, 7thingsmedia, have been selected by luxury lingerie brand, Fleur Du Mal, to lead their digital marketing strategy in the US. Commencing immediately the New York & London-based agency will devise a digital media strategy for the lingerie & chic ready to wear retailer to then execute across affiliate, display, PPC, SEO and paid social. The agency boasts an enviable luxury, lifestyle and fashion client list with retailers such as kate spade new york, French Connection, Ted Baker and NET-A-PORTER. Jennifer Zuccarini, Founder at Fleur Du Mal, commented We selected 7thingsmedia because of how well we connected with their senior team and how they immediately understood our business. We are entering a pivotal time in our brands history and we are confident we have selected the best digital media agency to accelerate our web business. Chris Bishop, Founder & CEO at 7thingsmedia, said on the appointment The team and I are delighted to welcome Fleur Du Mal to the agency. Jennifer has created such a fabulous, sexy brand and we cannot wait to set their digital strategy and execute activity both domestically in the US and internationally. About 7thingsmedia 7thingsmedia is a global digital media agency with a proven track record of delivering hugely impressive returns for clients such as French Connection, Graziashop.com, James Villa Holidays, kate spade new york, NET-A-PORTER, TK Maxx & Ted Baker. With offices in London & New York; 7thingsmedia's services including digital media consultancy and the subsequent media planning & buying spanning; affiliates, display, lead generation, mobile, PPC, SEO and social media. 7thingsmedia http://www.7thingsmedia.com Twitter @7thingsmedia Contact: Emma Marti, Marketing Manager, +44 (0) 207 017 3193, emma.marti(at)7thingsmedia.com Dr. Albert W. Chow Sophie Azouaou owner of SophiSticate Interiors designed a space that is a pure reflection of my practice, what I do each and every day by creating beauty in a natural way, shares Dr. Chow Ken Henderson, Executive Director of the Richmond Aid Foundation, cuts the green ribbon at the Grand Opening of Dr. Albert W. Chow's newly expanded Plastic Surgery Center in San Francisco. On Friday February 5th, Sophisticate Interiors the San Francisco Bay Area Premier Residential and Commercial Design Company, renowned for its eco and green design, unveiled Dr. Albert W. Chow newly expanded Plastic Surgery Center in San Francisco. The cocktail private party, with ribbon cutting ceremony performed by Ken Henderson, Executive Director of the Richmond Aid Foundation, gathered over 150 guests. It featured a wonderful performance by violinist virtuoso Eileen Blum Bourgade, Richard Blums daughter. Shortly after, Sophie Azouaou, on behalf of San Francisco Mayor Edwin Lee, presented Dr. Chow with a Certificate of Honor commending him for his work in the city of San Francisco and for being part of the first US team of surgeons to perform a hand transplant. Eileen Blum Bourgade also presented Dr. Chow with a painting made by US Senator Dianne Feinstein. "Dianne Feinstein sends her congratulations. She commends you for being among the first US surgeon team to have performed a hand transplant, shares Eileen. Ken Henderson Executive Director of The Richmont Ermet Aid Foundation, with the help of Sophie Azouaou, conducted a live auction which raised much needed funds for the Foundation. REAF was the beneficiary of the grand opening. Soon after, checks in the amount of $35,000 were presented to REAF beneficiaries by The Board of Directors All of us at REAF can't thank enough Dr. Chow and Sophie Azouaou. I am thrilled to have presented checks to two outstanding agencies Larkin Street Youth Center and Aguilas, totaling $35,000 as proceeds from our recent "Help is on the Way for the Holidays XIV" gala, shares Ken Henderson. As a Board of Director Member of The Richmond Ermet Aid Foundation, I am happy to be one of the presenters of checks to beneficiaries of our Foundation to help those in the community. It is the icing on the cake to be able to give back in such a meaningful way, says Dr. Chow. Sophie Azouaou, with the help of her team, comprised of Studio Perez, and Conscious Construction designed the newly expanded surgical center. Sophie Azouaou, Eileen Blum Bourgade and SF #1 Luxury Real Estate agent Joel Goodrich hosted the green carpet event. San Francisco's VIPS, influencers and philanthropists attended. Located in the heart of San Francisco at 1 Daniel Burnhman Court, suite 368C, Dr. Albert W. Chow surgery center is one of the most renown Cosmetic Surgery Center in SF due to the newest, cutting-edge procedures. This center has established itself with procedure ranging from breast reduction surgeries, to eye brow lift, face lift and body contouring to name a few. I am so fortunate and honored to have Ken Henderson perform the ribbon cutting for us. Sophie Azouaou owner of SophiSticate Interiors designed a space that is a pure reflection of my practice, what I do each and every day by creating beauty in a natural way, shares Dr. Chow with pride. The center was designed to create a beautiful oasis for patients to come to. They will instantly feel wrapped in the Zen atmosphere and less apprehensive. We used a palette of soothing green colors and selected high end eco friendly finishes, mentions Sophie Azouaou Our city is North America greenest city, it was the natural thing to do to select environment friendly, reclaimed and sustainable finishes. I am thrilled with the selection Sophie made, adds Dr. Chow. One of the highlights of the evening was Sophie Azouaous official endorsement of Suki skin care. Dr. Albert W. Chows office will sell the products. I am thrilled and honored Sophie is endorsing our products. She is our Suki San Francisco crusader. She is naturally beautiful and I could not dream of a better person to endorse us," says Suki Kramer Founder of Suki skincare. I have been using Suki for 6 years now and proud to be the SF ambassador. Their tag line really does say it all: Strong, safe solutions for skin problems & sensitivities. Suki is advanced, synthetic-free & full of active ingredients in delivery systems that penetrate the skin without harm or caustic side effects, shares Sophie Azouaou. Photos taken by Drew Altizer Photography Cocktail party sponsors and supporters: STEPin2 my Green World, Dr. Albert L. Chow, SophiSticate Interiors, FSHNMagazine, GEV Magazine, Haute Living, SF Luxe, Earth Friendly Products, Signature Blowouts, Tango Diva, Jet Set Mama, Auve Daily, Numi Organic Tea, 21 HM Boutique, Replete Skincare, Shear Miracle Organics, Studio Perez, Secret Agent salon and Supply. About Sophisticate Interiors: SophiSticate Interiors owned by Sophie Azouaou, offers a complete line of design services ranging from color consultation, project management, to full blown commercial design. The firm also specializes in green design and high rise design. SophiSticate Interiors has broken new ground in the Interior Design industry by leveraging Interior Design to improve the lives of San Francisco's less fortunate. Lieutenant Governor and former SF Mayor Gavin Newsom has recognized its great work and efforts in the community by awarding the firm a City Proclamation. SophiSticate Interiors is committed to excellence and is dedicated to bringing quality design to its clientele. For more, visit http://www.sophisticateinteriors.com. About Dr. Albert W. Chow: Albert W. Chow, M.D., is a renowned cosmetic surgeon in San Francisco, California. Dr. Chow specializes in a full range of plastic surgery procedures, including breast augmentation, liposuction, facelift, rhinoplasty, blepharoplasty, and many other surgical options. He also offers non-surgical procedures such as BOTOX Cosmetic. Albert W. Chow, M.D., is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, and the American Board of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery. A native of San Francisco, Dr. Chow graduated from Lowell High School and completed his undergraduate education at the University of California, Berkeley. He graduated in the top 20% of his medical school class at the University of California at San Francisco. Following this, he completed his internship in General Surgery at the University of California at San Francisco. Remaining at the University, Dr. Chow completed a five-year residency in Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, focusing on his interest in facial plastic surgery. He was chosen for a fellowship position (American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery) at the University of Cincinnati, perfecting his skills by performing hundreds of operations under the guidance of a renowned facial cosmetic surgeon. Dr. Chow proceeded to complete his residency training in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at the prestigious University of Louisville Medical Center, where he worked directly with one of the most respected plastic surgeons in the field and the team of surgeons who performed the first hand transplant in the United States. For more, visit http://www.beautyplasticsurgery.com. About the Richmont/Ermet Aid Foundation(REAF): The Richmond/Ermet Aid Foundation (REAF) provides aid for HIV services, hunger programs and programs that serve homeless and underserved youth. REAFs founders, the late Barbara Richmond and Peggy Ermet, envisioned a world without AIDS when they created The Richmond/Ermet AIDS Foundation. REAFs focus has always been, and continues to be, to support AIDS services until there is a cure. Scholarship winner Kassandra Kaas received $2,500 from Standard Process Inc. during Northwestern Health Sciences Universitys Chiropractic Homecoming and Winter Gathering held February 4, 2016. I am incredibly grateful to have received such a generous award from a company dedicated to helping people achieve optimal health. Standard Process Inc. awarded a $2,500 scholarship to Kassandra Kaas, a student at Northwestern Health Sciences University (NWHSU), during the universitys Chiropractic Homecoming and Winter Gathering held February 4, 2016.The company considers the relationship between chiropractic care and nutrition a key factor in obtaining optimal health. It has offered chiropractic scholarships to students attending NWHSU since 2010. I am incredibly grateful to have received such a generous award from a company dedicated to helping people achieve optimal health, from Kaas. I deeply appreciate this scholarship and everything Standard Process does to support and elevate the chiropractic profession. Kaas is an eighth trimester student at NWHSU, located in Bloomington, Minnesota. To qualify for the scholarship, she maintained a cumulative grade point average of 2.9 or higher; provided a list of her contributions to the chiropractic profession, NWHSU, and the community; and provided a letter of recommendation. Kaas also submitted an essay describing how she will guide future patients around nutritional myths. Based in Palmyra, Wisconsin, Standard Process is the visionary leader in whole food nutrient solutions. It works closely with universities across the country to ensure students learn nutritional concepts while in school. By having a comprehensive understanding of the relationship between nutrition and chiropractic care, Standard Process believes the next generation of chiropractors and other health care professionals will immediately spark positive lifestyle changes to transform their patients lives. If you are interested in learning more about the scholarship programs offered by Standard Process, contact Lisa Hackett, professional development coordinator, at 800-848-5061, or by email at lhackett(at)standardprocess(dot)com. BTIs Ethernet Business Services have been game-changers for us as we see unprecedented growth in bandwidth demand," said CTS President Stacey Hamlin. "With BTI, we can take whatever comes at us and adapt rapidly to new technologies and market demands." CTS Telecom has received a trademark on Metro G, the company's marketing term for its ability to deliver high-value Carrier Ethernet services. Knowing that Ethernet drives the growth of Internet and IP networking, CTS replaced its legacy Wave 7 passive optical network with BTIs assembled packet-optical systems and software. As a result, CTS now meets the demand for vital Carrier Ethernet services from its rapidly growing base of customers in business, government, healthcare, and education. BTIs Ethernet Business Services have been game-changers for us as we see unprecedented growth in bandwidth demand," said CTS President Stacey Hamlin. "With BTI, we can take whatever comes at us and adapt rapidly to new technologies and market demands." By transitioning its infrastructure, CTS extended its service offerings to include next-generation Ethernet-to-the-Cloud connectivity. With its fully integrated MEF CE 2.0-certified solution, CTS also delivers high-performance Ethernet-based services that meet the most stringent Service Level Agreement (SLA) requirements. The transition enables CTS to differentiate its offerings by quickly tailoring innovative high-speed services to a rapidly growing customer base in a market thats moving to a service-based economy in which enterprises compete globally. CTS manages a large and growing multilayer network spread geographically across hundreds of sites while accelerating the delivery of service to customers. The company's Telecom Fiber Optic Network delivers more bandwidth for the money. This ensures consistent performance while enabling employees to work seamlessly across multiple or single locations. When businesses connect remotely over an Ethernet Wide Area Network (WAN), speeds are the same as they would be in the same building. CTS' Dedicated Optical Ethernet Internet Access ensures high performance and expandable service that can grow with bandwidth requirements. Its Ethernet Private Line (EPL) is a dedicated and reliable Ethernet connection providing VLAN transparency and flexible speeds that bypass the public Internet to transfer data safely and securely over CTS' private network. For applications requiring secure, ultra high-speed service, CTS offers custom-designed fiber-optic data network solutions for markets in healthcare, manufacturing, government, finance, and education. Two or more locations can be connected in customizable configurations through a redundant, reliable optical network. For more information on network service, please visit http://www.ctstelecom.com; call 269-746-4411; or write or visit CTS Telecom Inc. at 13800 E Michigan Avenue, Galesburg, MI 49053. CTS Telecom is a leading provider of advanced telecommunications services to businesses in western Michigan. With 2,000+ business and residential customers and owning more than 1,000 miles of fiber, CTS offers a range of traditional and advanced services, including Ethernet-to-the Cloud, Ethernet network services, high-speed optical wavelength services and private optical networks. Esthetix Dental Spa Personnel Join With the Bowery Mission Help is doing something to aid or assist someone, Esthetix Dental Spa is committed to helping. It's why we're here. On the 12th of February with temperatures well below freezing, Dr. Arvind Philomin and the Esthetix Dental Spa staff jumped in taxis and headed down to the Bowery Mission, battling Manhattan traffic all the way. At the Bowery Mission, the dental staff transformed into friendly and attentive cafeteria workers and served a tasty dinner to the Bowery Mission clientele. Why do this? Help is doing something to aid or assist someone, Esthetix Dental Spa is committed to helping. It's why we're here said Dr Philomin. Since being founded in 1879, the Bowery Mission strives to be the most effective provider of compassionate care and life transformation for people in need in New York City. This fits well with Dr. Arvind Philomin's support for the Marine Corps' Toys For Tots program and MGE Management with the Boys and Girls Club's Fight Against Illiteracy. About the Bowery Mission: it is a mission and men's shelter in the Bowery neighborhood of Manhattan. The Bowery Mission provides food, medical services and employment assistance to the working poor and homeless men women and children. At night The Bowery Mission opens its chapel to serve as a emergency shelter for homeless men. In addition to these services, The Bowery Mission offers a long-term (6-12 month) residential program providing homeless men the opportunity to rejoin society as working, contributing members. The Bowery Mission 227 Bowery, New York, NY 10002 http://www.bowery.org/ Phone 212-674-3456 About Esthetix Dental Spa: Arvind Philomin, DDS uses state-of-the-art dental implant technology and equipment to provide exemplary care to every patient needing dental implants in the 10471 area and nearby. Patients at Esthetix Dental Spa can feel confident about the work being done and their new, beautiful smile. Patients living in Upper Manhattan, VWashington Heights, Riverdale and the Bronx should look to the only dental office offering the "teeth in a day" service, Esthetix Dental Spa. Dr Arvind Philomin Esthetix Dental Spa 285 Fort Washington Ave #CD New York, NY 10032 http://www.esthetixdentalspa.com Phone 212-795-9675 Fax 212-795-1631 https://youtu.be/PR_oHd3jG50 Houseology With the interiors sector dominated by mid to low-end players, there is significant room in the higher end of the market for a challenger brand like Houseology.com to grow, Digital Interior Design business, Houseology.com has announced that it successfully exceeded its 1 million investment target via crowdfunding platform Seedrs.com, valuing the business at 8.1m. The funds will enable the business to accelerate the development of its digital one-stop-shop for interior design services and luxury homewares. To date, the company has already generated over 10 million worth of sales with a turnover of 3.7m in FY14-15 and reaches more than 30,000 customers in 100 countries. Formerly known as Occa-Home, Houseologys innovative model where interior design studio meets online store - offers a unique combination of advanced design-it-yourself technology, giving time-poor consumers the ability to create bespoke designs for their homes. Complemented by one of the UKs largest range of designer furniture and homeware brands online, the website also attracts trade customers, other interior designers and architects, who thanks to Houseology.coms buying and fulfilment capabilities, can easily source an extensive range of designer products in one place, have them consolidated then despatched in a single convenient delivery. The business is the brainchild of interior designer, Kate Mooney, who set up the original Occa-Home website in 2010 as an extension of her architectural and interior design practise Occa-Design, when she spotted a gap in the market for a tech-driven interior design service that could simplify the home design process. The company is backed by a board of directors including Sir Terry Leahy (former CEO, Tesco), Bob Willett (former CIO, Best Buy), Michael Welch (founder of online tyre-fitting company Blackcircles), Bill Dobbie (Founder, Iomart), Jill Little (former Strategy Director, John Lewis Partnership) and The William Currie Group. The new capital raised will contribute to delivering the brands growth strategy including broadening its offering of proprietary digital technology and design tools, expanding the companys B2B proposition and driving international growth. Key export markets currently include the United States, Australia and mainland Europe. Sir Terry Leahy comments, With the interiors sector dominated by mid to low-end players, there is significant room in the market for a challenger brand like Houseology.com to grow, Our vision is to transform the homewares market in the same way Net a Porter or ASOS did for fashion, With Kates expertise and the Boards experience, were confident that the business will continue to go from strength to strength. Kate Mooney, Founder and CEO Houseology.com adds, Were offering a unique proposition online by combining three key elements of the interior design industry in our portal designer brands, design community and retail consumers all within one convenient and customised digital experience." The UK homewares sector is worth 11.7 billion and expected to continue growing driven by higher consumer disposable income, economic recovery and a growing housing market. Analysts predict online sales will constitute the lions share of this growth. Bill Williams, Carruthers Product Manager, Marlen International In this position, Bill will strengthen Marlens market position by serving as a key member of our product management team while guiding product adaptations and the development of our size reduction and filling equipment offerings. Marlen International, Inc. [Marlen] announces the addition of Bill Williams as product manager for its Carruthers family of equipment which includes size reduction and filling solutions. Williams will be responsible for managing the portfolio of Carruthers size reduction and filler offerings, including product line profitability, driving new product development, and collaborating with marketing to develop strategies and product launch plans in support of new product development efforts. Bill joins Marlen in their Riverside, Missouri facility with 25 years experience managing established product lines, primarily in the food packaging industry. In past product management roles, he was accountable for revenue generation associated with new product expansion from infancy to market, including the development of new product requirements, sales forecasts, pricing strategies and execution of successful product launches for several high-end equipment companies. Marlens senior vice president of global sales and marketing, Jan Erik Kuhlmann stated, I am thrilled to welcome Bill to the Marlen team and am highly confident that his skillset will help us further grow our Carruthers equipment offering. Kuhlmann continued, In this position, Bill will strengthen Marlens market position by serving as a key member of our product management team while guiding product adaptations and the development of our size reduction and filling equipment offerings. Williams holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management from Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville, Missouri, and resides with his family in Kansas City. About Marlen International Marlen International is a premium manufacturer of highly engineered food processing equipment and systems specializing in high quality proteins and a variety of other food products. Sold under the brand names of Marlen and Carruthers, their products have long set the standard for performance in pumping, stuffing, portioning, size reduction, thermal processing and food handling. Marlens engineering, design and technical experts are recognized as industry consultants and process partners, serving the worlds leading food brands through the delivery of operational excellence for over 60 years. Marlen International is a Duravant Company. About Duravant Headquartered in Downers Grove, IL, Duravant is a global engineered equipment company with an over 100-year operating history. Through their portfolio of operating companies, Duravant delivers trusted end-to-end process solutions for customers and partners through engineering and integration expertise, project management and operational excellence. With worldwide sales distribution and service networks they provide immediate and lifetime aftermarket support to all the markets they serve in the food processing, packaging and material handling sectors. Duravants market-leading brands are synonymous with innovation, durability and reliability. Visit http://www.duravant.com. MRI Software, a leading provider of property and investment management solutions, announced its integration partnership with Hightower, a leasing management platform for the commercial real estate industry. This integration allows leasing and asset management teams to combine their leasing pipeline, inventory, and current tenant portfolio together onto a single, consolidated system of record to more easily highlight tenant relationships across large portfolios, surface encumbrance risks, and identify renewal opportunities. CRE professionals have traditionally had to pull data from several disparate systems to manage their leasing business. Hightowers leasing management platform brings these systems together in one place, all in the cloud, said Brandon Weber, CEO of Hightower. MRI is an industry leader in property management software and were excited to partner with them to offer our joint customers the opportunity to easily integrate their leasing and property management systems. Pat Ghilani, Chief Executive Officer at MRI Software, expressed similar enthusiasm for the partnership. We are excited to work closely with Hightower to create a smooth integration between their leasing management platform and MRI, he said. Hightowers proven success in the market has demonstrated that leasing management is becoming a critical part of the commercial real estate technology stack, and our partnership will deliver a strong integration between the two systems. Niall Smart, CTO of Hightower noted that, The Hightower and MRI partnership ensures our joint customers can leverage their investment in both platforms via a fully vendor-supported integration that is reliable, secure, and straightforward to deploy. About MRI Software MRI Software LLC is a leading provider of innovative software solutions for the global real estate industry. MRI delivers a comprehensive and truly configurable solution, from property-level management and accounting to the most complex, long-range financial modeling and analytics for both the commercial and multifamily real estate markets. As a leading provider of real estate enterprise software applications and hosted solutions, MRI leverages over 40 years of business experience to develop long-term successful relationships with its clients. Founded in Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.A., the company has offices in Toronto, London, Sydney, Singapore, and Hong Kong. For more information, please visit mrisoftware.com. About Hightower Hightower is the leading end-to-end leasing management platform for the commercial real estate industry that helps brokers and owners save time, improve visibility, and reduce risk in their portfolio. Founded in 2013, Hightower has thousands of customers from around the world using its platform, including Vornado, CBRE, NGKF, Beacon Capital, JLL, and Shorenstein. Contact Katie Paxton 914-266-0860| katie(at)gethightower(dot)com HOZIO Inc. is a leading SEO company based in New York City and Long Island that also specializes in all phases of website design and website development. We feel great about giving back to the community and helping mentor and support the leaders of tomorrow. HOZIO, Inc., a leading SEO company based in New York City and Long Island that specializes in all phases of website design and website development, announced today that is has launched an innovative education program to mentor and support students. Specifically, the program involves the HOZIO team visiting schools throughout the region and providing interactive workshops and Q&A sessions for students on: web design, web publishing, web development, SEO, web tracking and analytics, and other aspects of running a successful business. HOZIO is offering the program on a 100 percent volunary basis, and schools are not required to pay for any materials, or cover any of HOZIOs costs. Although the program has just launched, several local area schools have already expressed an interest in participating, including Wantagh Middle School which has scheduled an in-school workshop that will take place later this month. Wantagh Middle School and other schools learned about us through our new TV ads playing on Verizons FiOS1 News Long Island, which are getting plenty of airplay during the morning hours, and generating a significant amount of interest for our company, commented HOZIOs Founder and Chief Operating Officer Steven Orandello. We feel great about giving back to the community and helping mentor and support the leaders of tomorrow. While many of these students will not go into the web development and design field, helping them learn more about leading-edge concepts and best practices will certainly help, no matter where their career path takes them. Schools in New York City, Long Island and the surrounding area that wish to participate in HOZIOs new in-school education program are invited to call (855) 504-6946, or contact the company via their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/hozio. About HOZIO, Inc. HOZIO Inc. is a leading website designer on Long Island and NYC that also specializes in SEO and website development. The companys clients range from individual business owners to large enterprises and private equity groups, and its team is comprised of experienced designers, web developers, Internet marketers, search engine experts, and software engineers. Learn more at http://www.Hozio.com The timber frame is a modern take on a traditional Dutch style barn that was common in the Hudson Valley, states Mike Beganyi, the frame designer. Community Building projects are the heart and soul of the Timber Framers Guild: they are where all points of our mission converge. This fall, the Timber Framers Guild organizational members and volunteers will raise the new Gateway Community Visitors Center in Schuylerville, NY. The new timber frame building will be constructed at the site of General Burgoynes surrender in the Revolutionary War and will serve as the starting point for tourism of historic sites in the upper Hudson Valley. From September 5th through the 15th, instructors will work with more than fifty students and volunteers to process approximately 24,000 board feet of locally sourced white pine and red oak timbers to form the community center. Mike Beganyi, timber frame designer for the Schuylerville Community Building Project and Timber Framers Guild Project Manager Neil Godden, have incorporated characteristics of the Dutch barn frames native to the area into the Gateway Community Visitors Center plans. The timber frame is a modern take on a traditional Dutch style barn that was common in the Hudson Valley, states Beganyi. The traditional design has been adapted to meet program requirements for a visitor center which will house interpretive displays rotating exhibits, and host community events. Large anchor beams with thru tenons and celebrated joinery will tie the frame of locally harvested pine and hardwoods together. A community hand raising of the Gateway Community Visitors Center frame will take place on September 14th and 15th. A hand raising such as the one well conduct to conclude this event is something the community and the participants will remember for the rest of their lives, states Timber Framers Guild Executive Director Jeff Arvin. Since 1988, the Timber Framers Guild has collaborated with communities to create over seventy-five timber frame structures. Throughout their time, theyve worked in the US, Canada, Suriname and Poland and have built timber frames for bridges, market pavilions, picnic shelters, park structures and house frames for a Habitat for Humanity affiliate. Community Building projects are the heart and soul of the Timber Framers Guild: they are where all points of our mission converge, shares Arvin. Through these projects, we teach the craft, promote the craft and serve the greater community. The Guilds experience with projects and workshops began modestly in 1988, the organizations third year, with a pair of frame design workshops in Massachusetts. Plans were made to realize a daring plan to raise two house frames, and moreover, to cut pieces for the frames at shops all over the world. Once completed, the timbers were brought together in Hannover, Pennsylvania where some four hundred timber framers assembled and raised the two frames. The sites were turned over to Habitat for Humanity and completed in collaboration. The Timber Framers Guild is a nonprofit organized exclusively for educational purposes to provide training programs for timber framers, disseminate information about timber framing to the public, and serve as a general center of timber framing information for the professional and general public alike. If youd like to be involved in the hand raising of the Gateway Community Visitors Center, or with the Timber Framers Guild in general, please e-mail info(at)tfguild(dot)org. 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PSFK iQ - Where Innovators Turn for Research. Our professional-grade research platform is designed specifically for Retail and CX leaders who want to know whats next. Whether youre staying current on trends or need a real-time research partner to help you get ahead, count on PSFK iQ to deliver the info you need to make your next move. During a ceremony marking the first official visit of American publishers to the 25-year-old Havana Book Fair, representatives of Publishers Weekly and Combined Book Exhibit signed a memorandum of understanding with the Cuban Book Institute. The pact sees to it that the parties continue to promote "cooperation and understanding" between the U.S. and Cuban publishing industries. The memorandum was announced by Zuleica Romay Guerra, president of Instituto Cubano Del Libro--the Book Institute of the Cuban Ministry of Culture, and the organizer of the Havana Book Fair--at the first of two days of professional panels on the Cuban and U.S book markets organized by Publishers Weekly, PubMatch, and Combined Book Exhibit. The agreement supports a continuing American exhibition presence at the Havana Book Fair, while laying the groundwork to bring Cuban publishers and books to the 2016 BookExpo America. The pact also emphasizes the importance of continuing to organize panels and educational programs. The agreement was signed by Cevin Bryerman, executive v-p and publisher of Publishers Weekly; Jon Malinowski, president of Combined Book Exhibit; and Guerra. The signing ceremony took place at the San Carlos de La Cabana Fortress in Havana, a historic 16th century fortress which also serves as the site of the Havana Book Fair Guerra, in a presentation during one of three panels about Cuba and its publishing industry, was both optimistic and candid in her assessment of the challenges facing the country's book industry. As Cuba's publishing industry begins to emerge from the isolation of the long-running U.S. trade embargo, she said the country is facing drastic change. "Cuba is going through a crisis," she explained. "We have done things one way...but the dynamics of Cuba are changing and we need to act differently if we are to continue our publishing system." And part of "acting differently," Guerra went on, is learning how to publish books that the Cuban public wants to read. Addressing the importance of the pact, Guerra said Cuban publishers are looking to both learn from the U.S. market--seeing how it operates--and get into it. "In particular we are interested in the vast Spanish speaking market in the U.S. and in Puerto Rico, a country that we are close to because of language and custom." She then added: "We want Cuban classics translated into English. We want the best of American literature, and best of Cuban literature, to be visible and known in the U.S." Helping to lay the groundwork for the pact was the trip PW organized, the U.S. Publishing Mission to Cuba. It allowed 40 American publishers to exhibit at the Havana Book Fair and for a handful of U.S. industry members--publishers, authors, literary agents and distributors--to attend the Havana Book Fair and educational sessions on the Cuban publishing industry. The pact also commits PW, Combined Book Exhibit and the Cuban Book Institute to work to maintain an American presence at the Havana Book Fair. It also calls for the establishment of an exhibition of Cuban books and publishers in the U.S. "Eventually the Cuban market is going to open up," Bryerman said. "So getting publishers from both countries together will facilitate ideas that lead to new publishing partnerships." Malinowski added that the pact is laying the groundwork to access to a market that has been closed for 60 years. One of the goals of the U.S./Cuba Publishing Mission was to facilitate discussion about the cultural ties between U.S. and Cuban publishers. Although the U.S. trade embargo with Cuba has cast a long shadow--commercial trade between U.S. firms and Cuban ones remains illegal--publishers remain optimistic about generating new opportunities. In one of two panels, Edel Morales Fuentes, v-p of international relations for the Cuban Book Institute, offered some demographic data that gives a big picture look at the country's reading public. Women, he said, buy the majority of books in Cuba, with their purchases being for both themselves and their family. (Cuban women, Fuentes noted, account for 60% of the country's professionals, and they tend to command salaries commensurate with men for the same job.) When it comes to e-readers, Fuentes said 70% of Cubans are accustomed to digital reading but that "we don't have enough digital reading devices." Other demographic points of interest Fuentes touched on include the fact that Cuban children must attend school through ninth grade, the country has 300 public libraries, and 313 state-run bookstores. Digging deeper into the Cuban publishing scene, Zuleica Romay Guerra, president of the Book Institute of the Cuban Ministry of culture, said the longstanding trade embargo with the U.S. has made it costly to be in the book business in Cuba. That Cuban publishers are also working within a state-run model--with set budgets--only complicates things further. Yamila Cohen Valdes, who heads a state-run agency representing Cuban writers called the Cuban Latin American Literary Agency, said she encounters various hurdles in the day-to-day aspects of doing business. "It is difficult and cumbersome to deal with author payments," she explained. "We cannot use U.S. bank transfers. Even non-U.S. publishers use U.S banks and, because of the blockade, we cannot negotiate anything with U.S. currency." Guerra said Cuban publishing companies also struggle with the need to produce books at low prices. Noting that the Cuban people are poor, she said book are often sold for less than a $1. At the Havana Book Fair, for example, titles were generally priced between $2-$3. Another problem the Cuban publishing industry is dealing with--and one that affects the whole country--is the fractured state of the country's currency system. Currently, the system is split between the peso (predominantly used by Cuban citizens) and CUCs (predominantly used by foreign tourists). Cuba's lack of a unified currency system is, Guerra noted, a "problem for the whole country." With Cuba in the midst of a major digital transition as well, other problems surface. While the country's young people are increasingly "on the phone, on the computer, watching TV," Guerra said, the older guard is still firmly accustomed to a less technology-driven world. "Our system is conservative and many people still believe a true book is only on paper," she said. And, although the number of "paper readers" is shrinking in Cuba, the lack of e-reading devices means that e-books are not widely read. Other topics also surfaced during the panel coverage. Tina Jordan v-p at the Association of American Publishers responded to a Cuban panelist's reference to the long-running statistic that translations only account for 3% of the books published in the U.S. Jordan said the statistic is not accurate, but acknowledged that "we do not know what the true number is." She then said that "Cuban authors [and others] need to help [AAP members] find the authors we need to make available to U.S. readers." In a number of Spanish language panels organized by the Publishing Mission, and moderated by PW's Spanish Correspondent Leylha Ahuile, topics such as marketing, retailing and social media were discussed. Ahuile talked with Cuban-born authors Armando Correa (The German Girl, Atria Nov.) and Racquel Rogue, CEO of Miami's Downtown Book Center. She also hosted a talk with Author Solutions' Keith Ogorek, whose service offers a menu of for-pay services, and Smashwords CEO Mark Coker, whose platform is free to authors. Ogorek and Coker discussed their own distinct visions of self-publishing. Coker, as he explained, would like to "publish every Cuban writer" through his free services. "This is what Smashwords was founded to do," he said. "The Cuban people have no income, [but] Cuba [produces] incredible literature. Image what [the Cuban people] can share with the world. Books provide cross cultural understanding like nothing else." While exact figures on attendance at the Havana Book Fair were not available, PW was told that the event attracts more than one million people. Speaking to the importance of the event, Guerra said it demonstrates that the Cuban people are hungry for books and information. Although the country has more than 300 state-run bookstores, she said, many Cuban families wait for the book fair to purchase titles that are likely unavailable the rest of the year. "Many families only buy books once a year," she said. "You see families saving for months to go to the book fair and buy as many books as they can." WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. Purdue University has named Monica Bloom the inaugural director of CARE (Center for Advocacy, Response and Education) beginning Feb. 29. Bloom will report to Katie Sermersheim, dean of students. Bloom is the Title IX coordinator and executive director of the Office of Institutional Equity at Purdue. She is responsible for overseeing the university's response to sexual violence matters as well as other matters of harassment and discrimination. Bloom previously served as assistant director for conflict resolution in the Office of Institutional Equity, where she was the university's primary point of contact for faculty, staff and student concerns related to harassment and discrimination. Before coming to Purdue, she served as an associate attorney in Lafayette, specializing in employment, railroad and health-care litigation. Bloom holds a Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and a bachelor's degree in history from Duke University. She is a member of the Indiana Bar, the U.S. District Court for Northern District of Indiana, the U.S. District Court for Southern District of Indiana and the National Association of College and University Attorneys. "CARE will be a centralized resource center for students who are victims/survivors of sexual assault, relationship violence, and stalking," Sermersheim says. "Monica brings with her a great deal of experience, talent and expertise in the areas of Title IX/Violence Against Women Act/Campus SaVE Act, sexual assault prevention education and response, victim advocacy work, and harassment prevention. We look forward to her leadership in the development and creation of this new center and are confident that she, along with assistant directors Kasey Richardson and Chris Greggila, will provide Purdue and our students with an excellent resource for advocacy, response, and education." CARE is scheduled to be fully operational by Aug. 1. Source: Sermersheim, 765-494-1257 WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Vegetable and fruit growers in northern Indiana and southern Michigan will have the opportunity to hear Purdue University specialists speak and to visit an industry trade show. The Michiana Vegetables and Fruit Growers Meeting will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on March 9 at the Elkhart County Community Center, 17746 County Road 34, Goshen. The event is sponsored by Purdue Extension. Speakers are: * Dan Egel, Purdue University regional integrated pest management specialist in plant pathology. * Ricky Foster, Purdue entomologist specializing in pest management in fruit and vegetables. * Wenjing Guan, Purdue horticulture specialist for the Southwest Purdue Agricultural Center. * Scott Monroe, food safety Extension educator. * Jeff Burbrink, agriculture and natural resources Extension educator in Elkhart County. * Petrus Langenhoven, Purdue horticulture and hydroponics crop specialist. * Roy Ballard, agriculture and natural resources Extension educator in Hancock County and Indiana coordinator for Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education. * Liz Maynard, Purdue Extension vegetable specialist. This program also counts as a meeting for private pesticide or private fertilizer applicators. Registration fee is $30, with an additional $10 for those who are applying for private applicator certification. To register, contact Jeff Burbrink by March 2 at jburbrink@purdue.edu or 574-533-0554. Writer: Megan Tarter, metarter@purdue.edu, 765-496-6734 Source: Kelly Heckaman, kheckaman@purdue.edu, 574-372-2304 Agricultural Communications: (765) 494-2722; Keith Robinson, robins89@purdue.edu Agriculture News Page CHICAGO (TNS) -- Karyn Martin uses only one type of pen for everyday writing: a Uni-ball Vision with pink ink. "I do a lot of writing and editing, and all of my notes are in pink," Martin, 36, said. "People know that when they see pink ink, it's my comments." At the same time, her firm believes employees might like at least one expensive pen in their tool kits. "When you're at the company for three years, you get a Cross pen engraved with your name as an anniversary gift," said the executive vice president of 451 Marketing in Boston. The pens cost about $100 each. "That's the type of pen you write a check with for buying your first house or signing important contracts." Martin's pen preferences illustrate how, even in an increasingly digital world, consumers haven't written off the pen industry, data show. Pens and other writing tools generated revenue of $16.2 billion worldwide in 2014 and are expected to reach $20.2 billion by 2019, according to a December report by Technavio. The market research firm acknowledges the growing adoption of electronic devices is pressuring pen demand, but pen sales overall still are growing for a variety of reasons. "Demand for basic writing instruments is high in Asia, Latin America and the Middle East due to the increasing population and literacy levels, while in the United States and Europe the demand for luxury pens is higher as these are preferred as gift items and are nowadays perceived as fashion accessories, similar to high-priced watches," Technavio said. Retail sales of pens in the United States in 2015, through Nov. 28, were up 5 percent in dollars and 4 percent in the number of units sold, according to NPD Group. Another Chicago specialty retailer, Century Pens, said revenues have been up about 10 percent a year for the past two years. "All year round people are leaving their job, and their office-mates come in and buy them a new pen," said Century owner Ed Hamilton, 68. "People have birthdays, and people can buy them a pen, or people just treat themselves." He said his clientele includes doctors, lawyers, firefighters, police officers and street cleaners. Paul Conterato, an organizer of the Chicago Pen Show, said he is "seeing a resurgence of interest in fountain pens and their use among younger people." "Last year's Chicago show had a larger-than-normal number of 20- to 40-year-olds, first-time pen shoppers," Conterato said. "What we were hearing was that they felt they were sort of reconnecting with writing by using these pens, and once they were at the show they were blown away by the variety and selection." Petter Knutrud, Office Depot senior vice president of merchandising, recognizes that customers are increasingly using digital devices to stay connected and capture information. But "writing instruments such as pens are still essential," Knutrud said. Newell Rubbermaid, whose pen lines range from higher-end Waterman and Parker to mass-merchant lines such as Paper Mate and Sharpie, also said pen sales are holding up. "People think that the convergence of technology and writing is going to disable writing," chief executive Mike Polk told analysts last year. "That's not evident in the data." Last November, Newell Rubbermaid told analysts that its ideas for 2016 included Paper Mate InkJoy gel pens. But a merger announced in December between Newell Rubbermaid and Jarden, owner of class ring maker Jostens, has a luxury writing angle. "Jostens will enable our fine writing brands like Parker and Waterman to find their way into the hands of graduating high school and college students as phenomenal graduation gifts," Polk said when the deal was announced. Cross chief marketing officer Magnus Jonsson always tucks an A.T. Cross pen between two buttons on his shirt. That way his 14-karat-gold "writing instrument," as they're called in the business, is more likely to be a conversation starter. In July 2013, New York-based private equity firm Clarion Capital Partners bought the Cross accessory business for $60 million. Jonsson was hired by Clarion in 2014 as Cross chief marketing officer. He said Cross pen sales were falling about 15 years ago but have been "relatively flat" in recent years. Jonsson said growth is "strong" in emerging markets, including Brazil, Russia, India and China, where educational levels are continuing to rise. About 15 percent of Cross' business today comes from stylus pens that can be used to write on digital devices, he said. "Consumers are changing the surfaces on which they want to write, such as glass vs. paper," Jonsson said. "We need to adapt in terms of the products we launch." SOUTH KINGSTOWN, R.I. (AP) A University of Rhode Island professor has developed a sensor that detects the kind of explosive used in the Paris bombings, to try to stop future attacks. Professor Otto Gregory compares his sensor to a dog's nose, the gold standard in explosives detection. It "sniffs" the air for vapors emitted from explosives. Inside his laboratory, Gregory is evaluating how well his sensor detects triacetone triperoxide. The Paris attackers packed TATP into their suicide vests and wielded assault rifles, killing 130 people Nov. 13. TATP was also used in the 2005 London bombings, which killed 52 commuters, and by Richard Reid, who tried unsuccessfully to detonate a bomb in his shoe during a trans-Atlantic flight in 2001. TATP is relatively easy to make, and the materials are readily available in pharmacies and hardware stores, experts say. Even small quantities can cause large explosions. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security began funding Gregory's work through a center for explosives research in 2008. His sensor is designed to continuously monitor an area, unlike a quick swab of a hand or of luggage at the airport to screen for particulates from explosives. It doesn't need training or breaks, as bomb-sniffing dogs do. "Think of it as an electronic dog's nose that would run 24/7," said Gregory, a chemical engineering professor. Homeland Security created a center of excellence for explosives experts to collaborate and improve the nation's response to threats, called the ALERT, or Awareness and Localization of Explosives-Related Threats, Center. Gregory's work is fairly mature, and a commercial partner will probably want to invest, ALERT Center Director Michael Silevitch said. "You can't have a dog everywhere," Silevitch said. "The more we can screen vulnerable targets, the better off we're going to be." The sensor measures the energy that's released as a molecule as an explosive breaks down. Nanowires in the sensor act as a catalyst to cause that decomposition so the explosive can be detected. The system also measures the electrical properties of the catalyst as it interacts with the explosive vapor, as a second check. It detects both nitrogen-based and peroxide-based explosives, Gregory said. He envisions it being affixed inside a Jetway or an entrance to a nightclub, stadium, subway or other public space, triggering an alarm if explosives are detected. The first prototype would cost roughly $1,000 to $2,000, Gregory said. He's working on a hand-held version he estimates would cost several hundred dollars, and he's talking with companies interested in licensing it. A Homeland Security spokeswoman said she couldn't comment on the project until it's complete. Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts, leads the agency's ALERT Center. The University of Rhode Island is a partner. Gregory receives $80,000 to $100,000 annually for his sensor research through the center. Jimmie Oxley, the technical lead at URI for the center, said there's nothing exactly like it on the market today. A spokesman for Smiths Detection in London, a leading designer and manufacturer of sensors that detect and identify explosives, confirmed Gregory's technique is different than its own systems. FLIR Systems Inc., based in Wilsonville, Oregon, makes hand-held explosive trace detectors but uses luminescence to detect explosives. "We're always interested in new technologies that prove their capabilities in real-world operational environments," said Aimee Rose, the company's director of explosive detection products. "It's exciting to see these new technologies coming to light." Gregory said he has four patents on the technology. To test the sensor, Gregory and his team put TATP onto filter paper and blow gas over it. The vapor travels through pipes to two of the sensors. Each sensor looks like a SIM card for a mobile phone, though it's about half that size. Data is fed into a computer. Gregory is searching for the point at which the sensor can't detect an explosive because it's too diluted. So far, it can find one molecule of an explosive in a billion molecules of air, he said. He's also trying to make sure the sensor won't trigger false alarms. Gregory plans to test it at an FAA testing facility this year, then on cargo containers at the port in Savannah, Georgia. The sensor would need governmental approvals before it could be deployed. LOS ANGELES (AP) Taylor Swift's official switch from country to pop with her multi-hit, best-selling "1989" album brought the singer her second Grammy Award win for album of the year. Swift was shocked when she won the night's top prize, beating out Kendrick Lamar, Chris Stapleton, Alabama Shakes and the Weeknd. Swift used her speech to encourage young women who feel defeated at times or discouraged by others. "There will be people along the way that will try to undercut your success or take credit for your accomplishments or your fame. You just focus on the work and don't let those people sidetrack you," she said. Her speech could be directed partly to Kanye West, who recently said in a new song that he made Swift famous after he stole her microphone at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards. Beyonce also seemed to make a statement when she presented the final award for the night, record of the year. "Art is the unapologetic celebration of culture through self-expression. It can impact people in a variety of ways for different reasons at different times. Some will react. Some will respond. And some will be moved," she said, seeming to speak to those who were critical of her Super Bowl performance of the anthem, "Formation." Swift, who won the album of the year Grammy for "Fearless" in 2009, walked away Monday with three awards, including best pop vocal album and music video for "Bad Blood," at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. Alabama Shakes also won three awards, though Lamar was the night's big winner with five. He won best rap album for "To Pimp a Butterfly" as well as rap performance, rap song, rap/sung performance and music video. Along with his wins, Lamar also had a show-stopping moment when he took the stage. He started as he appeared beaten, in handcuffs, with chains around his hands and a bruise on his eyes. He went on to fuse rap, jazz, reggae and African sounds for a commanding performance as he rapped "The Blacker the Berry" and the Grammy-nominated "Alright" passionately. He ended with a map of Africa, and the city of Compton imprinted in it. "Hip-hop, Ice Cube, this for hip-hop, this for Snoop Dogg ...this for Nas. We will live forever, believe that," said Lamar onstage when he won best rap album. Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars won two awards for "Uptown Funk," including record of the year. Ronson gave a shout-out to Prince, James Brown and George Clinton for being leaders in funk. "This is dedicated to the fans right here," Mars added. Mars introduced Adele, who sang "All I Ask," which they wrote together for her new album "25." She was accompanied with a piano behind her, but the audio sounded off and appeared to throw off her performance. "The piano mics fell onto the piano strings, that's what the guitar sound was. It made it sound out of tune," Adele tweeted. "(Expletive) happens." A spokesperson for CBS, where the Grammys aired, said "there was a brief 5-8 second technical issue that was out of our control." Justin Bieber started "Love Yourself" on guitar in good form, but ended with a vocal struggle. Little Big Town and Demi Lovato, however, had shining moments during their performances, hitting impressive and smooth high notes. But Bieber also had a shining moment: He won his first Grammy on Monday night for best dance recording for "Where Are U Now" with Skrillex and Diplo. The Grammys also marked first-time wins for Alabama Shakes, the Weeknd, Stapleton, Pitbull and Ed Sheeran, who won song of the year for "Thinking out Loud." "We wrote it on a couch in my house," he said of his hit song he wrote with Amy Wadge, which also won him best pop solo performance. Alabama Shakes' three wins included best alternative music album for "Sound & Color," as well as rock song and rock performance for "Don't Wanna Fight," which they performed. "My heart is beating a mile a minute," said frontwoman Brittany Howard. "I promise we're going to keep going." The Weeknd, who won two awards, performed in a cube that was brightly lit for "Can't Feel My Face" until he switched to a piano-tinged version of his upbeat hit "In the Night." Stapleton, who has written for dozens of country acts, won best country solo performance and country album for "Traveller." "This is something you never ever dream of so I'm super grateful for it," he said. Stapleton lost best country song to "Girl Crush" songwriters Liz Rose, Hillary Lindsey and Lori McKenna, while the group behind "Girl Crush" Little Big Town won best country duo/group performance for the hit track. The Grammys featured a number of performances, including touching tributes: Lady Gaga was in David Bowie-inspired makeup and gear as she ran through 10 of the icon's hits, including "Space Oddity," ''Changes," ''Fame," ''Let's Dance" and "Heroes." B.B. King was remembered with a rousing performance by Stapleton, Gary Clark. Jr and Bonnie Raitt all on guitar and vocals with "The Thrill Is Gone." The Hollywood Vampires, a supergroup of Johnny Depp, Alice Cooper and Joe Perry, performed in their first televised performance and honored Motorhead's Lemmy Kilmister. Stevie Wonder, joined with Grammy-winning a capella group Pentatonix, sang "That's the Way of the World" in honor of Earth, Wind & Fire's Maurice White, while members of the Eagles and Jackson Browne sang "Take It Easy" for Glenn Frey. Rihanna, who was supposed to perform near the top of the show, couldn't due to doctor's orders. "Rihanna's doctor put her on vocal rest for 48 hours because she was at risk of hemorrhaging her vocal chords," a statement from her representative read. Recording Academy CEO said Lauryn Hill, who was supposed to surprise the audience by performing with the Weeknd, said Hill showed up for dress rehearsal but didn't make it in time for the show. The academy never officially announced Hill was performing. "She was invited by (the Weeknd)," Portnow said backstage. Collaborative performances were one of the themes of the Grammys: Carrie Underwood sang with Sam Hunt; Ellie Goulding and Andra Day performed; and while Lovato, Legend, Luke Bryan and Tyrese sang with Lionel Richie to honor the icon. Meghan Trainor, who was nominated for two Grammys last year for "All About That Bass," won best new artist. "Thank you to the Grammys, I love you so much," said a teary-eyed Trainor, who also thanked her parents and Epic Records CEO L.A. Reid. Other winners included D'Angelo, Kirk Franklin, Jason Isbell, Tony Bennett, the cast of Broadway's smash "Hamilton" and Jeff Bhasker. ___ The owner of a Rock Island auto dealership is challenging federal prosecutors' attempts to keep thousands of dollars seized using asset forfeiture laws. Joel Timothy McCalebb, 52, the owner of Trust Auto Sales Inc., in a response to a forfeiture complaint, wrote this month that more than $40,500 seized in June 2014 was from "legitimate endeavors" and not tied to criminal drug activity. In a separate criminal case against Mr. McCalebb also known as Omar Mukhtar federal prosecutors said he used the "sham" dealership at 801 11th St., Rock Island, as a reception site for the delivery of high-grade marijuana from Los Angeles between 2013 and June 2014. The marijuana was distributed, with proceeds from the sales deposited by Mr. McCalebb in several bank accounts tied to the drug scheme, prosecutors said. In September, Mr. McCalebb pleaded guilty in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of Illinois, Rock Island, to one count of conspiracy to distribute marijuana in exchange for the dismissal of 33 other charges. In January he was sentenced to serve two years in prison and three years on supervised release. Following the outcome of Mr. McCalebb's criminal case, prosecutors proceeded with a separate civil forfeiture case against him. According to a forfeiture complaint, police intercepted a package sent to Trust Auto and found it contained 1.25 pounds of high-grade cannabis. After making a controlled delivery of the package on June 18, 2014, police executed search warrants at Trust Auto and Mr. McCalebb's two properties in Davenport, as well as bank accounts at U.S. Bank accounts in his name and the name of his business. The search warrants resulted in the seizure of approximately $15,000 from one residence and about $25,000 from three U.S. Bank accounts, the complaint said. The complaint states that, during a police interview, Mr. McCalebb told officers he was "fronted" marijuana at his business and that he deposited money in accounts with Wells Fargo Bank and Bank of America to pay for the drugs. He stated, however, that accounts with U.S. Bank were used for personal and business accounts and not part of the marijuana scheme, the complaint said. In a written response, Mr. McCalebb said the forfeiture complaint contained "false, inconsistent and unsubstantiated claims" and that "the mere existence" of the money did not indicate it was linked to illegal activity. He and family members earned the money seized from his home, he wrote, and it had been saved for family expenses. Funds seized from three U.S. Bank accounts, he said, represented personal savings and proceeds from the auto dealership, which opened in October 2004. In a motion asking for the return of the funds, Mr. McCalebb wrote, "Trust Auto Sales Inc. property is all derived from legitimate, legal business endeavors conducted by the business." The civil forfeiture case was pending as of Monday with no future court dates set. BETTENDORF -- A driver killed Friday in single-vehicle crash has been identified by police as Douglas J. Wiegel, 22, of Bettendorf. Authorities said Mr. Wiegel died as a result of injuries sustained in the crash at 2:10 a.m. Friday in the 800 block of Middle Road. The crash occurred when Mr. Wiegel lost control of a 1992 Cadillac Brougham while driving east on Middle Road. Police said the vehicle left the roadway and entered a south curb/grass boulevard and stopped after striking a traffic signal support pole. Mr. Wiegel, who was not wearing his seat belt at the time, was partially ejected from the vehicle and had to be extricated by Bettendorf fire crews, authorities said. He was pronounced dead on the way to Genesis Medical Center East, Davenport. The cause and circumstances of the crash are under investigation. A native of Davenport, Mr. Wiegel graduated in 2011 from Pleasant Valley schools and attended Tennessee Tech University and Black Hawk College, according to an obituary. He was employed by Hy-Vee and was remembered for his love of playing music and spending time outdoors. The three Democratic candidates in next month's primary U.S. Rep. Tammy Duckworth, former Chicago Urban League CEO Andrea Zopp and state Sen. Napoleon Harris said during a live-streamed Chicago Sun-Times endorsement session that the nomination process should begin immediately under President Barack Obama. "It tugs at the democracy of our nation to not have this justice appointed," Harris said. Scalia's death on Saturday triggered political debates nationwide, but the issue is especially tricky for Kirk, who is one of most vulnerable Republican senators in the 2016 election and seeking a second term in Obama's home state. As other Senate Republicans in tight contests lined up behind the idea that Obama's successor should nominate Scalia's replacement, Kirk shied away from the issue. "The political debate erupting about prospective nominees to fill the vacancy is unseemly," Kirk said in a statement released by his campaign Tuesday, "let us take the time to honor his life before the inevitable debate erupts." He didn't elaborate on when he would take a position. The funeral for the 79-year-old Scalia is scheduled for Saturday. His casket will be on public view in the U.S. Supreme Court's Great Hall on Friday. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, of Kentucky, has said the winner of the presidency in November, should fill the vacancy. GOP incumbents facing tough races in other states, including Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, New Hampshire and Ohio, have followed suit. But Obama has said it's his constitutional duty and Democrats have said that denying Obama the chance to pick a replacement would be an unprecedented step. Zopp, a Harvard Law School graduate, said no matter who picks the nominee, there's no guarantee of how a new justice would evaluate cases and jurists' views can evolve. She said for Republicans to hold up the process now would be a mistake. "It is so typical of the challenges that we have in Washington," she said. Duckworth said the fact that Kirk had not weighed in on the replacement process was "a disservice" to the public. The candidates also briefly touched on gun violence and how the U.S. should deal with the Islamic State during the endorsement session. They are scheduled to participate in a debate Friday evening hosted by Chicago's WLS-TV. The winner of the March 15 primary is likely to face Kirk, who's considered a heavy favorite to win a GOP primary against lesser known candidate James Marter, a businessman. The petition, coming as Alvarez is in a heated primary battle for her job in large part because of this case, contends that her demonstrated reluctance to charge police officers and, in particular, her close ties to the police officers' union, creates a "conflict of interest and disqualifies" her from prosecuting Officer Jason Van Dyke and perhaps charge other officers. Alvarez, who has defended her handling of what she has called a complex case, suggested the call for a special prosecutor was politically motivated, noting several supporters of her challenger in the Democratic primary for state's attorney were among those who joined that call. "It's more than a little coincidental that this action is being taken less than 30 days before an election (primary)," she said in a statement, denying that her ties to the police union and the department are too close for her to be even-handed. "There is no legal conflict in this case." Activists have harshly criticized Alvarez for waiting more than a year to charge Van Dyke despite a now-famous dashcam video of the teen being shot 16 times as he seemed to be walking away from officers on Oct. 20, 2014. Since her office charged Van Dyke with first-degree murder in November, some activists said she should let another prosecutor's office handle the case. McDonald's great-uncle, Marvin Hunter, who has called for a special prosecutor in the past, said he supported the petition because he has no confidence in Alvarez or her office. Locke Bowman of Northwestern University's MacArthur Justice Center said he and others hoped Alvarez would decide on her own to let another office handle the prosecution but filed the petition when they believed that was not going to happen. The move underlines problems Alvarez may have in next month's primary, where she faces Kim Foxx, a former aide to the county board president, and former prosecutor Donna More. Since the video of McDonald's shooting was released, the relationship between law enforcement and the community has frayed further, spurring the chant of "16 shots and a cover-up" by demonstrators protesting the treatment of African-Americans by the police. While the police's use of force drew much of the attention, Alvarez's will to bring charges against police who have broken the law has turned into a critical issue of the campaign. The petition called the McDonald case only the most recent example of Alvarez's failure to prosecute officers who break the law themselves or cover up wrongdoing by fellow officers. Alvarez defended her record, saying in her statement that she has brought charges against 96 law enforcement officers since she took office in 2008. Chicago police union president Dean Angelo Sr. was not immediately available for comment. Illinois law dictates that in an ongoing criminal case it's the presiding judge who decides whether a special prosecutor is needed because of potential bias by a state attorney's office. But special prosecutors have been appointed in other high-profile cases. Former U.S. Attorney Dan Webb was asked in 2012 to look into whether then-Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley or his family members sought to impede an investigation into the 2004 death of a man punched by Daley's nephew. And a retired judge was appointed in 2009 to review allegations of police torture going back decades ago under former Chicago police commander Jon Burge. ROCK ISLAND An independent expenditure group headed by conservative talk show host Dan Proft and closely linked to Gov. Bruce Rauner has spent $165,530 to back Brandi McGuire's primary election campaign. Mrs. McGuire, a Republican, is running against Fyre Lake marketing manager Jordan Thoms for the GOP nomination to succeed the retiring state Rep. Pat Verschoore, D-Milan, in District 72. The primary is March 15. Mr. Thoms donated $55,000 of his own money to his campaign last week, according to the Illinois State Board of Election, but to date does not have the benefit of major backing from an outside group. The Liberty Principles money has largely gone on a TV advertising campaign for Mrs. McGuire. Liberty Principles also has spent money producing a newspaper called Rock Island Today that is distributed to local homes and includes favorable coverage of her campaign. Major donors to Liberty Principles include Richard Uihlein, owner of packaging supply company Uline, who donated $2.5 million to the group in December. Other backers include Super PAC Turnaround Illinois, which gave $1.8 million to Liberty Principles in January and is backed by Gov. Rauner's fundraising committee and Sam Zell, the wealthy investor and former Chicago Tribune owner. Mrs. McGuire said in an interview Monday she was "thrilled" to get the backing of Liberty Principles, and said she likes the TV commercial the group has funded to promote her campaign. She said she had no foreknowledge of the advertising campaign or the content of the commercial. Independent expenditure groups are not supposed to coordinate what they do with any candidate's campaign, although the candidates and the outside money organizations often have close ties. Liberty Principles spending on the District 72 race is an indication that the race to succeed Rep. Verschoore is shaping up to be an expensive proxy war between Gov. Rauner and Speaker Mike Madigan. Democrats Jeff Jacobs, Mike Halpin, Glen Evans and Kate Hotle are contesting the Democratic primary in District 72. Mr. Halpin and Mr. Jacobs are the front-runners and have raised almost $150,000 between them to date. Speaker Madigan is officially neutral in the Democratic primary in District 72 but Democratic Majority, a fundraising committee he chairs, has spent about $7,500 on mailers criticizing Ms. Hotle. It's not clear why Speaker Madigan has trained his sights on Ms. Hotle, a Rock Island alderwoman, although his spokesman called her a "Rauner plant." She said she has no links to the governor and would turn down any campaign money offered by any group linked to him. The large sums of money being invested in the Republican campaigns for District 72 is unusual, as the seat has been a Democratic stronghold for decades. In 2014, Rep. Verschoore was unopposed in the general election and in 2012 he took 64 percent of the vote to defeat now state Sen. Neil Anderson, R-Rock Island. Another local state race that's likely to see Gov. Rauner flexing his financial muscles is the District 71 contest between state Rep. Mike Smiddy, D-Hillsdale, and Savanna Mayor Tony McCombie, a Republican. Neither candidate has a primary opponent. Rep. Smiddy, who receives heavy financial backing from AFSCME, raised $453,000 in the last quarter of 2015 in preparation for what he expects to be a costly campaign. He beat Republican Jim Wozniak by less than 300 votes in 2014 and his seat is likely to be targeted by the governor. Mrs. McCombie has yet to file a financial report. The Putnam Museum and Science Center becomes the "Tutnam" March 5, and it's looking for people to help promote "The Discovery of King Tut." In preparation for the traveling exhibit, the Putnam is looking for seven to 12 people to serve as Tut Talkers and spread the word about the 10,000-square-foot exhibit, according to a museum release. According to the release, Tut Talkers will be expected to help publicize and generate interest about the exhibit through social media and daily interactions. In exchange, Tut Talkers will receive a free one-year family membership to the museum, exclusive access to the exhibit and eight free tickets they can use or give to others. Tut Talkers will be invited to media-only events at the exhibit days before the general public, Putnam spokeswoman Amber Ewoldt said Monday. Community engagement is important to the success of our museum, Putnam president/CEO Kim Findlay said in Monday's release. We work hard to bring quality exhibits and hands-on learning to the Quad-Cities. Its the influence of engaged community members that really helps us get the word out. Theyll have truly unique access to the exhibit and lots of photo ops." "The Discovery of King Tut" re-creates Egyptian Pharaoh Tutankhamens burial treasure assembled thousands of years ago and discovered in 1922 by Howard Carter. It features 1,000 precisely hand-crafted items of all the iconic artifacts, the museum said. "Tutnam" visitors can walk in the footsteps of Mr. Carter and experience the tomb as if they were there at the moment of discovery. The burial and treasure chambers shown in the exhibit cannot be seen in this form anywhere else; Tutankhamens original tomb in the Valley of Kings has been almost completely emptied, according to the Putnam website, Tutnam.org. Tutankhamens actual treasures are cordoned off behind glass in the display cabinets of the Egyptian National Museum in Cairo. General admission to "Discovery of King Tut" will cost $19 for adults, $17 for seniors (60 and older), military and college students with ID and $16 for youth 3-18. Tickets for Putnam members will be $10 for adults, $9 senior, military and college and $8 for youth. Admission to a giant-screen documentary paired with the exhibit will be $5. For tickets, visit tutnam.org or call 563-324-1933. For details on becoming a Tut Talker, send your name, phone number and email to Amy Behning at putnammuseum@gmail.com. "I'm not going to stop," Newman told scores of cheering students rallying outside the administration building. Although classes were canceled by a blustery snowstorm, students showed up with signs reading, "I Stand by Newman" and "Team Newman." They listened to brief speeches by Newman and student government leaders, and then invited their peers to discuss the dispute at a nearby cafeteria. Faculty members will meet later this week to discuss their reaction to Newman's refusal to step down, David McCarthy, a professor of theology and secretary to the faculty, said in an email. He said 90 of the roughly 110 full-time faculty voted by secret ballot Friday, and 87 of them supported the request for Newman to resign by Monday morning. "Our decision was based on what we think is the best way for the university to move forward," McCarthy wrote. He said there was also wide agreement that some of the initiatives Newman started during his first year on the job should continue. Three members of the school's Board of Trustees, which has so far backed Newman, attended the rally. They said afterward that the board planned to meet by teleconference Monday evening. "We're in the deliberative stage of gathering information," said board member Kevin Cashen, a Baltimore-area banker. "We're not at the point that we've gathered all the facts and talked to all the constituents to be able to decide on what the next step might be." On Sunday, the school's Student Government Association released a student poll indicating 3-to-1 support for Newman. The group said 951 of the 1,573 undergraduates voted in the online poll, and 76 percent of them answered yes to the question: "Do you believe in the president's (Simon Newman's) leadership and vision for the future of the Mount?" The faculty vote seeking Newman's resignation came several weeks after the student newspaper, The Mountain Echo, reported on his plan to identify freshman likely to fail and offer them tuition refunds if they chose to leave early in their first semester. The newspaper published excerpts from emails between Newman and then-provost David Rehm in which Newman wrote that his goal was to have 20 to 25 people leave by Sept. 25, the cutoff date for reporting enrollment to the federal government. The Echo reported that Newman wrote that the move would boost the school's official student-retention rate, one of the factors publications such as U.S. News & World Report consider when ranking universities. The Echo also reported that Newman, a former financial industry executive, had told a faculty member opposed to the plan: "This is hard for you because you think of the students as cuddly bunnies, but you can't. You just have to drown the bunnies ... put a Glock to their heads." Newman has apologized for the remarks. The Board of Trustees investigated the story and concluded it was a deliberate mischaracterization of the program perpetrated by a small group of faculty and recent alumni, whom the board said would be held accountable. Rehm was subsequently demoted and two faculty members, tenured philosophy professor Thane Naberhaus and pre-law program director Edward Egan, were fired. On Friday, Newman offered to reinstate Naberhaus and Egan. Naberhaus has said he won't return as long as Newman is president. Egan told The Frederick News-Post he was considering his options. Neither returned calls or emails Monday from The Associated Press. Vulnerable GOP incumbents in Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, New Hampshire and Ohio all states that Obama won twice echoed McConnell's contention that the winner of the presidency in November's election should choose the next jurist. Democrats counter that Obama is president until Jan. 20, 2017, and has every constitutional right to nominate Scalia's replacement. Obama has said he will fulfill his constitutional duty and nominate a replacement in due time. His Democratic allies made it clear that denying the president that right would be an unprecedented step and argued it would enshrine the GOP as "the most nakedly partisan, obstructionist and irresponsible majority in history." "By ignoring its constitutional mandate, the Senate would sabotage the highest court in the United States and aim a procedural missile at the foundation of our system of checks and balances," Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., said in a scathing op-ed in Tuesday's Washington Post. The No. 3 Democrat in the Senate, Chuck Schumer of New York, said Tuesday that he expects Obama to select a consensus candidate who could get bipartisan support. Following McConnell's lead, Republican Sens. Rob Portman of Ohio, Ron Johnson of Wisconsin and New Hampshire's Kelly Ayotte said the American people should have a say on who should make the lifetime appointment to the court, especially since it will decide the tilt of the court for generations. Sen. Ted Cruz, the Texan who has practiced before the high court and is seeking the Republican presidential nomination, has vowed to filibuster any nominee. Republican Sen. Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania said Obama has the authority to nominate, "but let's be clear his nominee will be rejected by the Senate." Senate Republicans have the numbers in this consequential "advice and consent" fight. Republicans outnumber Democrats 11-9 on the Judiciary Committee, which would hold confirmation hearings and vote on whether to send the nominee to the full Senate. The GOP holds the majority, 54-46, and Democrats face an almost insurmountable task in trying to get 14 Republicans to join them in breaking a certain filibuster. Beyond math is the political calculus. Control of the Senate is at stake this election and Democrats looking to unseat Portman and Toomey along with Ayotte and Johnson have seized on their call to wait until next year. In a fundraising appeal, Ohio Democrat Ted Strickland said Portman "has a clear choice to make: He can look out for his party and D.C. special interests by holding back President Obama's nominee, or he can do his job for the people of Ohio." In New Hampshire, Democratic Gov. Maggie Hassan criticized Ayotte and argued that Obama's constitutional right to nominate isn't suspended in his last year in office. In Pennsylvania, three Democrats looking to take on Toomey railed against the partisanship over senatorial responsibility. Democrats are counting on the pressure on Republican senators to force McConnell to allow a nominee to move forward, though the majority leader has shown no signs of relenting since his statement within hours of Scalia's death on Saturday that the vacancy should not be filled until a new president is sworn in. Various conservative groups which claimed victory when moderate Republican Speaker John Boehner of Ohio stepped down last year, and have questioned McConnell's fealty, made it clear the GOP must stand firm. "Senator McConnell is right: Under no circumstance should the Republican Senate majority confirm a Supreme Court nominee as Americans are in the midst of picking the next president," said Michael Needham of Heritage Action. "Republican rhetoric condemning President Obama's willful disregard for the rule of law will ring hollow if they do confirm a nominee." Republicans and Democrats have battled this year over Senate production or lack of it as possible action on trade and criminal justice reform look increasingly unlikely. Obama's allies made clear that if a nominee is ignored or delayed, they will accuse the GOP majority of obstruction, and use that argument in their bid to win back the Senate. "Senate Republicans continue to think that governing is as simple as being against President Obama at every turn," said Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois, the No. 2 Democrat in the Senate. "It's not, and the American people deserve better leadership than they're getting with this Congress." Press release submitted by Leslie McManus Deere-Wiman House and Butterworth Center 1105-8th Street, Moline, IL 61265 (309) 743-2701 One of the most groundbreaking and influential saxophonists of his generation, Miguel Zenon will perform in a Fridays at Deere-Wiman presentation on Feb. 26. A multiple Grammy award nominee, Zenon has developed a unique voice as a composer, and crafts a fine mix of Latin American folkloric music and jazz. Born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Zenon has a masters degree in jazz performance from Manhattan School of Music. He has continued those studies through his work as a sideman and collaborator, partnering with older jazz masters as well as young innovators. His latest release, Identities are Changeable, is a groundbreaking blend of original compositions, recorded interviews and video. It includes work by Zenons longstanding quartet as well as a 12-piece large ensemble comprising todays leading jazz musicians. In addition to performance and composition, Zenon has given hundreds of lectures and master classes all over the world, and is a permanent faculty member at the New England Conservatory of Music. In 2011, he founded a program that presents free jazz concerts in rural Puerto Rico communities. Caravana Cultural makes a cultural investment in the island by giving rural communities exposure to jazz of the highest caliber while at the same time getting young Puerto Rican musicians actively involved in the concerts. This event is part of the Fridays at Deere-Wiman House series funded by the William Butterworth Memorial Trust, and part of the Quad City Arts Visiting Artist Series. Programs at Butterworth Center and Deere-Wiman House in 2016 celebrate the 60th anniversary of the William Butterworth Foundation created by Katherine Deere Butterworth to serve the community. Miguel Zenon, 3 p.m., Friday, Feb. 26, Deere-Wiman House, 817 11th Avenue, Moline, Ill. No charge for admission; refreshments following. For more information, call (309) 743-2701; www.butterworthcenter.com. Press release submitted by The Salvation Army The Salvation Army of the Quad Cities Falls short of $815,000 Goal Quad Cities, USA: The Salvation Army of the Quad Cities fell short of its 2015 Red Kettle Campaign goal. A total of $792,126.34 was donated, leaving a $22,873.66 gap. The funds raised during the Christmas season help The Salvation Army meet the demand for services for shelter, food, clothing and other basic human needs; as well as provide programs and opportunities for children and adults to learn life and empowerment skills. Major Gary Felton notes, With the shortcoming of our goal, lack of funding from the State of Illinois, HUD, FEMA and United Way and other funding being lost, cuts will have to occur. We hope his cutting of government funds is not a reoccurring trend. With over $130,000 of cuts, there is no other recourse but to cut programs and services that we provide to the community. We continue to go over our budgets to examine what programs and services will be the least affected by these cuts. The Salvation Army of the Quad Cities is extremely thankful for the continued support of the Quad City community. We are grateful to everyone who encouraged our work and supported this years Christmas Campaign, either by supporting the red kettles, purchasing gifts for families, volunteering your precious time, supporting our efforts by spreading the word and encouraging others to participate or praying for the program itself and those we have the honor of serving, said the Major. Press release submitted by St. Ambrose DAVENPORT, IowaSt. Ambrose Universitys reputation as one of the Midwests health science education leaders is growing with the announcement that its long-standing Occupational Therapy program will move to granting a doctoral-level (OTD) degree. Currently, there are only seven OTD programs in the U.S. The new program is SAUs third doctoral-level academic program, and the second in the health sciences, joining the Doctor of Physical Therapy. St. Ambrose was the first university in Iowa to offer an accredited program leading to an entry-level occupational therapy degree, said Sister Joan Lescinski, CSJ, president of St. Ambrose. Being able to advance this degree to the doctoral level is an exciting development and an indication of the strength of our health science programs. Evidence of the OT programs strength includes last years stellar OT graduating class, which achieved a 100 percent first-time pass rate on the national licensing exam, and realized a 100 percent job placement rate in the field. Such success is a testament to the excellence of our OT program faculty and staff and the quality of students enrolled in the program, said Sandy Cassady, dean of the College of Health and Human Services. "With a first-time exam pass rate consistently above the national average and the knowledge that fulfilling, good-paying jobs are waiting, prospective students and their families are very interested in St. Ambrose." Occupational therapy studies at SAU began as a bachelors degree program in 1987 and developed into a masters degree in 1998. The programs assistive technology "solutions" house, Jims Place, provides students with additional educational opportunities, while serving community members and regional health care professionals by showcasing home adaptations for persons with disabilities. The OT program has graduated more than 800 occupational therapists, who have gone on to fill a critical need for highly trained health care professionals. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of occupational therapists is projected to grow 27 percent by 2024. In 2014, TIME listed occupational therapist as one of The Five Most In-Demand Jobs Right Now, and MSN included occupational therapy on its The 19 hottest jobs for 2016 list. The OTD program will begin admitting students in August 2016 having received candidacy status from the American Council for Occupational Therapy Education. A decision on full accreditation is anticipated in April 2018. The generalist curriculum requires three years of coursework that includes fieldwork and internships, emphasizes occupational justice and occupational participation for people of all ages and abilities, and includes a capstone doctoral project. The growing SAU College of Health and Human Services has more than 1,000 health sciences students, with nearly 300 enrolled in its graduate programs in occupational therapy, physical therapy, physician assistant studies and speech-language pathology. Along with nursing, PT and MPAS, the OT program is housed in the $15-million Center for Health Sciences Education, offering state-of-the-art classrooms and laboratories. St. Ambrose also offers a nationally accredited program in social work and has the only post-doctoral orthopedic PT clinical residency in the state of Iowa. SAU health science programs serve the community through volunteer work, clinical rotations and a free Rite Care speech therapy clinic. For more information on any of St. Ambroses health science programs, call 563-333-6000, or go to www.sau.edu/admissions. His imprisonment capped a stunning fall from grace that ended Israel's last serious round of peace efforts with the Palestinians and ushered in the era of Benjamin Netanyahu, a hardliner widely criticized in the region and around the world. Olmert checked into the Maasiyahu prison in central Israel early Monday, hours after releasing the three and a half-minute video. It shows a sullen and weary-looking Olmert alluding to his peace efforts with the Palestinians, expressing "pride and satisfaction" with his political career and acknowledging he made mistakes. "You can imagine how this change is painful and strange for me, for my family, my loved ones and supporters," he said. "It is important for me to say again, as I said inside the court and outside it, that I absolutely reject outright all the corruption allegations against me." Olmert is being held in "Wing 10," a special unit known as the VIP section because it houses people who cannot be held with the general prison population for security reasons. He becomes the fifth prisoner in the ward, built to hold 18 people. Israel's prison service said the wing has six cells each with three beds as well as a toilet, shower, cupboard, table, chairs and TV. There are public phones, exercise equipment, a library, a dining room and a yard. It said Olmert could bring a small set of personal belongings, including four pairs of underwear, four pairs of socks, two towels, a pair of tracksuits, two sheets, a blanket and a pillow cover, and a toothbrush, toothpaste and soap. He can bring nearly $400 for commissary purchases. He will wake up at 5 a.m. and be subject to a morning headcount before breakfast. The daily routine includes additional headcounts, cleaning and nightly activities before lights go out at 11 p.m. Olmert was a longtime fixture in Israel's hawkish right wing when he began taking a dramatically more conciliatory line toward the Palestinians as deputy prime minister a decade ago. He played a leading role in Israel's withdrawal from the Gaza Strip in 2005. He became prime minister in January 2006 after then-Prime Minister Ariel Sharon suffered a debilitating stroke. He subsequently led their newly formed Kadima Party to victory in parliamentary elections on a platform of pushing further peace moves with the Palestinians. A gifted orator, Olmert broke a series of taboos while in office warning that Israel could become like apartheid South Africa if it continued its occupation of the Palestinians and expressing readiness to relinquish parts of the holy city of Jerusalem under a peace deal. He led his government to the Annapolis peace conference in November 2007 launching more than a year of ambitious, but ultimately unsuccessful U.S.-brokered peace talks. Olmert enjoyed a warm relationship with then-President George W. Bush. Olmert has said he made unprecedented concessions to the Palestinians including a near-total withdrawal from the West Bank and an offer to place Jerusalem's Old City under international control and was close to reaching an agreement at the time of his resignation. In a documentary released last fall, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas confirmed Olmert's offer. But he said the Israeli leader pressured him to sign the deal without allowing him to study a proposed map, and that the offer did not adequately resolve the fate of millions of Palestinian refugees. Still, he described the talks as serious and estimated a deal could have been wrapped up in "four to five months" had Olmert not been engulfed in his legal problems. Olmert's departure cleared the way for the election of Netanyahu in early 2009, and subsequent Mideast peace efforts have floundered. Netanyahu rejects Olmert's territorial concessions, and with gaps so wide, the Palestinians say there is no point in resuming talks. Netanyahu's hard-line positions have also strained relations with Israel's closest allies, the U.S. and European states. In Monday's video, Olmert said that no one is above the law, but also suggested he was the victim of political persecution, saying it was possible "that the legal snowball into my affairs got bigger from an array of other reasons that are not just legal." He expressed hope the public would over time view him in a more "balanced" way. "I hope that then many will recognize that during my term as prime minister, honest and promising attempts were made to create an opening for hope and a better future of peace, happiness and well-being," he said. Olmert, 70, was convicted in March 2014 in a wide-ranging case that accused him of accepting bribes to promote a controversial real-estate project in Jerusalem. The charges pertained to a period when he was mayor of Jerusalem and trade minister, years before he became prime minister in 2006, a point he reiterated in his video statement. He was initially sentenced to six years, but Israel's Supreme Court later reduced the sentence to 18 months. That was extended by a month earlier this year because Olmert pressured a confidant not to testify in multiple legal cases against him. Israel has sent other senior officials to prison, including Moshe Katsav, who held the largely ceremonial post of president and is serving a seven-year prison term for rape. But having the once popular Olmert behind bars was met with mixed emotions by many Israelis. "When you look at a person like this, who is the salt of the earth, who is so talented, who is so charming, who is so capable, the fact that he is going to prison is something sad," Dan Margalit, a columnist with the daily Israel Hayom and a former Olmert confidant, told Israeli Army Radio. thesyriacampaign.org , an independent advocacy group campaigning for a peaceful and democratic future for Syria, has published a series of artworks by Syrian artists denouncing the starvation sieges civilians are subjected to. A million civilians are living in besieged areas in Syria without any access to food or medication, writes. To stave off starvation, these civilians are often forced to eat tree leaves, insects and cats. Hundreds have starved to death. Meanwhile, tons of the worlds aid remains undelivered.The brutal simplicity of these artworks makes them a powerful tool to awaken peoples conscience about the horrors of the Syrian war, if only they were widely shared on social media.Using the starvation of defenseless civilians as a weapon is perhaps one of the most abject crimes of this war. Hopefully, one day, when Syria is at peace again, there will be a reckoning. And criminals on all sides judged according to international law.In the meantime, everyones help is needed to spread these messages from a besieged starving people to an overweight world.Close to half a million people have already died in Syria. How many more still need to die before we forget ideologies and geopolitics and remember that Syrians are human beings? Meng Brings NASA Astronaut To Queens On October 17, U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (D-Queens) brought NASA astronaut Dr. Jonny Kim to Queens where he met and spoke with students at Francis... Celebrating Columbus The Federation of Italian-American Organizations of Queens (FIAO) held their annual Columbus Day parade in Astoria, on Saturday, October 8, during Italian Heritage Month. The... Russo-Elling Mourned More than 300 first responders lined up on Thursday night to honor FDNY EMT Lt. Alison Russo-Elling, as her body was placed into a waiting... Former late-night talk show host David Letterman often said, I wouldnt give those troubles to a monkey on a rock. Tag, youre it, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie. Christies trifecta of transportation related troubles is enough to make a preacher cuss, a monkey wail and tabloid headline writers momentarily put down the bottle for the typewriter. Recall that Christie angered legions in 2010 with a dummkopf decision to cancel state participation in constructing desperately needed new rail tunnels under the Hudson River. In 2013, he was enveloped in a politically motivated George Washington Bridge lane-closing, gridlock-inducing kerfuffle whose stench, no matter the denials of Christies involvement, will stick to his hide as Bridgegate longer than Hillarys Benghazi foofaraw. Now Christie reportedly is pressing a New Jersey Transit (NJT) board of directors that he appoints* to precipitate a strike or management lockout of some 4,200 NJT rail-union members March 13 that would inflict economic mayhem on the region and unpardonable discomfort on some 300,000 daily riders dependent on NJT commuter trains to reach their jobs. This is the same Christie who recently lectured Florida Sen. Marco Rubio on how the job of governors is to plow the snowand, by extension, improve the daily commute of state residents. Hizzoner, term-limited as governor and now out of the presidential race, is not necessarily out of politics, and certainly covets a positive legacy. Yet after involvement in two previous high-profile transportation snafus, Christie appears now to be energetically nailing himself to a self-constructed cross of intransigence inlaid with ineptness. Heres the deal: NJT, an interstate passenger railroad, is immune from state labor law and subject to the federal Railway Labor Act (RLA), whose core missionaptly described as a manual of peace rather than waris to prevent interruptions in rail service. So serious is that objective for interstate commuter railroads that the RLA provides for a series of lengthy cooling-off periods punctuated by the intervention of two White House-appointed, fact-finding Presidential Emergency Boards (PEB). Five years into protracted NJT labor talks, two separate PEBseach consisting of three seasoned labor arbitratorshave made non-binding recommendations acceptable to the rail labor unions, but NJT, under the sway of Christie, wants a war with its rail unions that NJT likely cannot win. Per the commuter rail provisions of the RLA, the first PEB makes non-binding recommendations. The second PEB asks the sides to submit their last-best offer, making a non-binding choice as to which it considers the most reasonable. The 11 NJT unions delivered to that second PEB a last-best offer mirroring the recommendations of the first PEB. Both PEBs recognized rail labors demands as more closely aligned with recent commuter rail settlements in the Northeastpatterns as they are known in labor negotiations, and perennially treated by PEBs with deified respect. If NJT, at Christies urging, refuses the non-binding recommendations of two PEBsrecommendations acceptable to laborNJT will shut down at 12:01 a.m., March 13. NJT may hope to run some trains with management at the throttle, but interstate railroad train and engine workers require federal licenses tied to extensive safety training standards. Such licenses are not willy-nilly handed out by the Federal Railroad Administrationnotably an executive branch agency of a currently labor-friendly White House. Should NJT shut down, expect Congress to legislate a new and binding contracttypically imposing the recommendations of a PEB. Christie may haughtily assume that because his fellow Republicans hold control of Congress, they will ignore PEB recommendations and impose a Christie-favorable settlement. His standing with the right-wing congressional leadership is not so chummy. More relevant is that congressional lawmakers of every political stripe abhor in election years having to cast controversial votes that invite nationwide media attention and voter interest. Congressional embracing of PEB recommendations also is better assurance that President Obama will sign the legislation into law quickly and move the issue out of Congress and off the front pages. Gov. Christie will not be wearing the white hat in this gunfight. Hizzoner must ask himself if a strategy leading to an NJT shutdown makes political sense when the most probable outcome is that Congress will impose a solution that NJT itself could accomplish immediately, avoiding unnecessary and widespread economic pain and suffering. In the 1971 movie, Dirty Harry, Clint Eastwood, as cop Harry Callahan, presented just such a choice: I know what youre thinking. Did he fire six shots or only five? Well to tell you the truth, in all this excitement, I kind of lost track myself. But being that this is a .44 Magnum, the most powerful handgun in the world, and would blow your head clean off, youve got to ask yourself one question: Do I feel lucky? Well, do ya ? *The following (under history and structure) is from NJTs website: As stakeholders in NJ TRANSIT, State residents are represented by an eight member Board of Directors, appointed by the Governor. Seven members are voting members; four members are from the general public and three are State officials. One non-voting member is recommended by the labor organization representing the plurality of the employees. The agency is structured to encourage broad public participation in the formation of transit policy for the State. NJ TRANSITs board meets monthly at NJ TRANSIT headquarters in Newark. The Governor can override board actions by vetoing the board meetings minutes. Welcome to Railway Gazette. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. By continuing to browse this site you are agreeing to our use of these cookies. You can learn more about the cookies we use here. OK It has been well-documented that the Single Market has contributed to economic growth and consumer welfare within the European Union. However, its true potential remains unfulfilled, with gaps in several key areas, including the free movement of goods and services, public procurement, the digital economy, and the body of consumer law. A fully functioning Single Market stimulates competition and trade, improves efficiency, raises quality and helps cut prices across the EU. Studies have highlighted the huge economic gains that would be made from completing the jigsaw that is the Single Market. The overview report from the European Parliament (PDF) has shown that these range from between 650 billion and 1.1 trillion per year, the equivalent to between 5 and 8.6 percent of EU GDP. An important area for these economic gains was the free flow of goods and services. In a study on the Cost of Non-Europe in the Single Market, commissioned by the European Parliament, RAND Europe found that there is still between 183 and 269 billion per year to be realised. The free movement of goods and services has been largely encouraged by the EU Single Market. Indeed, significant progress has been made through the abolition of hundreds of technical, legal and bureaucratic barriers in EU member states to help free trade and movement. However, our findings show that there is still more work to be done to fully realise the Single Market's full economic potential. The digital economy has been identified as another significant area within the EU Single Market. A growing number of studies have estimated that a more complete Digital Single Market could raise the GDP of the 28 EU member states by four percentmore than 500 billion overall. The significant gains would partly be a result of increasing the use of online services and improving digital infrastructure. This would include savings at a local levelan estimation by the European Commission suggested that the public authorities could save 100 billion per annum if all public procurement was managed online. All these potentially huge financial gains lead to the question as to why the EU is not doing more with the Single Market. Unfortunately, there are still a number of barriers which make the full integration of the Single Market challenging. These are mainly associated with regulation, private law issues, tax issues, language, logistics and other more nuanced differences across EU member states. Our report recommends a number of policy measures that could overcome these barriers and help retrieve some of the potential economic gains. This is specifically focused on harmonising product market regulation across EU member states, which would particularly help the free movement of services and goods. However, other studies recommend focusing on the implementation of an integrated EU digital economy. The overview report from the European Parliament recommends that moving towards a fully functional e-procurement regime and e-invoicing would unlock the potential of a complete Digital Single Market and the significant economic benefits that would come from it. The EU Single Market still remains an incomplete jigsaw, so its true potential remains unfulfilled. Reports, including our own, have shown that a robust case, largely based on economic gains, can be made for a more fully integrated Single Market and that EU member states should be encouraged to become more involved. By highlighting the benefits and addressing the challenges of different rules and regulations in the 28 member states, the EU can start to put the pieces together and fulfil the Single Market's true potential. Marco Hafner is a research leader at RAND Europe. Commentary gives RAND researchers a platform to convey insights based on their professional expertise and often on their peer-reviewed research and analysis. Hispasat's expansive phase continues to bring growth to the Spanish satellite operator, most of which is concentrated in Latin America. According to 2015's financial report, Hispasat invoiced 219.6 million, 8.7% more than in 2014. Slightly over a third of this was invoiced in European and North African markets, which produced 34.6% of the income. The rest, 6.50 of each 10 generated by the Spanish operator, was invoiced in Latin America.As the group's plan is to greatly increase its presence within the satellite industry over the coming years, Hispasat's investments have grown accordingly. The company invested 56.5% more in 2015 than in 2014, reaching 245 million. Most of the budget was aimed at the ongoing satellite projects Amazonas 5, Hispasat 1F and AG1.2015's strategy has driven good results, enabling the company to grow, stated Elena Pisonero, president, Hispasat. We have gained new orbital positions, inked important alliances with other operators and renewed agreements with large partners, especially in Latin America, in territories like Peru, Mexico, Colombia and Brazil .Despite currency instability in Latin America, Hispasat's EBITDA (178.9 million) has increased the company's operating margin.In addition, the group has secured long-term satellite capacity deals in Latin America, consolidating its back-log. Al Jazeera Media Network has launched an HD bouquet on Qatars Eshail-1 satellite, located at 25.5 East for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). The satellite , which began transmissions in 2013, is currently carrying HD versions of Al Jazeera Arabic and Al Jazeera English news channels, with Al Jazeera Mubasher and Al Jazeera Documentary Channel coming soon.We are delighted that Al Jazeera Media Networks has once again entrusted Eshail-1 to broadcast their premium content to the MENA region. A growing number of established and new channels are choosing Eshail-1, at the leading hotspot for TV content, for the distribution of their channels in MENA, said Ali Ahmed Al Kuwari, president and CEO, EshailSat.With Eshail-1 in operation and Eshail-2 on schedule to be launched in Q4 2016, we are ideally placed to support the continued growth and expansion of the media sector by providing premium content, communications independence, quality of service and market penetration. Victims appeal against Moscow teen school shooters sentence MOSCOW, February 16 (RAPSI, Diana Gutsul) Victims in the case of school student Sergey Gordeev, who took his classmates hostage and shot a teacher and a policeman in February 2014, have lodged an appeal against a ruling to send the teen for compulsory medical treatment, Trunov, Aivar and Partners, the firm representing the victims, informed on its website on Tuesday. On February 8, the Moscow Regional Military Court ordered that the case be closed because for absence of elements of crime in the act, the defendant be discharged from liability and sent for forced medical treatment. The court thus supported the position of prosecution. The injured persons insist that Gordeev is perfectly healthy. Moreover, judicial investigation was not conducted in principle, lawyer Igor Trunov said. Victims demand in the appeal to reverse the court ruling and to return the case to prosecutors. The trial was held behind closed doors because the defendant is under-age person. The incident took place on February 3, 2014, when Sergey Gordeev, 15, brought a rifle and a carbine to school. He killed a police officer and a teacher, injured one more person and took hostages. The Investigative Committee found that the student fired at least 11 times from the small caliber rifle before he was arrested. The teenager partially admitted his guilt. The psychiatric evaluation showed that he is mentally fit. Last summer, the Moscow City Court confirmed the original courts ruling that the student undergo compulsory medical treatment. In late September, relatives of victims filed a cassational appeal with the Presidium of the Moscow City Court. They requested that the original ruling of the Butyrsky District Court be overturned as well as the ruling of the Moscow City Court in the appeal. They wanted the case to be returned to the court of original jurisdiction for a review starting from initial proceedings. On November 13, the Moscow City Court Presidium revoked a ruling ordering Gordeev to undergo psychiatric treatment. Israel to extradite Russian priest accused of pedophilia MOSCOW, February 16 (RAPSI) The Supreme Court of Israel has ordered the extradition to Russia of Gleb Grozovsky, a priest from St. Petersburg who stands charged with sexual abuse of children, his lawyer Haim Azencott told RAPSI on Tuesday. According to Russian investigators, Grozovsky committed sex crimes against several minors in 2011 and 2013. In 2013, he fled to Israel where he applied for citizenship. However, his application was dismissed. In April 2014, Grozovsky was put on the international wanted list. Israeli police arrested him in September. In January 2015, a court in Jerusalem ruled that the priest should be extradited to Russia pursuant to the European Convention on Extradition. The ruling was appealed. According to defense, the charges against Grozovsky are politically motivated and the Convention provisions could not apply to him. ECHR sides with Russian detainees over their access to justice MOSCOW, February 16 (RAPSI) The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) ruled on Tuesday that rights of eleven Russian detainees were violated by Russian courts as they had been deprived of access to justice. Complaints were compiled and reviewed as one case. Russian citizens in this case have all at one time or another been detained due to criminal cases launched against them. In their complaints they wrote that during their detention they were not given an opportunity to be present at the hearings of their cases. Seven detainees filed lawsuits demanding compensations due to intolerable conditions they were put in during detention. Three other plaintiffs filed defamation lawsuits. Finally one of the detainees challenged the lawfulness of his prosecution in a Russian court. Most of the lawsuits were dismissed without the plaintiffs present during the hearings. Russian courts justified holding hearings without defendants by absence of laws in Russian legislation obligating them not to do so. ECHR, citing the Constitutional Court of Russia said that courts may utilize video broadcast or outdoor court sessions in order to defend the rights of detainees. The court held that there was a violation of Article 6 (Right to a fair trial) in all cases and granted, in total, 18,560 euros to suffering parties. Russian Supreme Court upholds life sentence for nationalist Goryachev MOSCOW, February 16 (RAPSI) Russias Supreme Court on Tuesday upheld the life sentence handed down to Ilya Goryachev, one of the leaders of "militant organization of Russian nationalists" known as BORN, for masterminding murders, according to the courts press office. The court dropped charges of creating an extremist group due to expiration of limitation period but this did not affect the term of punishment. On July 15, a jury unanimously found Goryachev guilty of masterminding five murders, arms possession and trafficking, and of creating an extremist group. On July 24, the Moscow City Court sentenced Goryachev to life in prison and ordered him to pay 5 million rubles ($64,300) in compensation to the mother of killed leader of Russian anti-Nazi movements Ilya Dzhaparidze. The homicides include the deaths of federal judge Eduard Chuvashov, attorney Stanislav Markelov, leaders of Russian anti-Nazi movements Fyodor Filatov, Ilya Dzhaparidze and Ivan Khutorsky, and Amateur Muay Thai world champion Muslim Abdullayev. According to investigators, nationalists Goryachev and Nikita Tikhonov created the Military Organization of Russian Nationalists (BORN) in Moscow in mid-2008. Members of BORN have been charged with racketeering, illegal weapons trafficking and several counts of ideological and racial homicide and the attempted murder of police personnel. Tikhonov, who is believed to be one of the groups leaders, was convicted and sentenced in May 2011 to life in prison for the murder of Markelov and Novaya Gazeta journalist Anastasia Baburova. He got 18 extra years in prison last September for killing Chuvashov. Tikhonovs accomplice Yevgenia Khasis, who was given 18 years behind bars, said in her testimony that Goryachev was a murderer because he ordered the murders. In April 2015, the Moscow Region Court sentenced two other BORN members to life behind bars and another to 24 years in prison. , We're sorry, this article is not currently available A young man from Melbourne is making big fortune in real estate. According to Domain, 32-year-old Tim Gurner made $10 million in one hour from selling several luxury apartments in a Melbourne development. Last Thursday, buyers quickly snapped up off the plan all six penthouses from Gurner's premium development on 74 Eastern Road, near Albert Park Lake, in South Melbourne, giving the young developer a total of $10.75 million instantly. One of the penthouse buyers also happens to own a penthouse in Gurner's Flatiron building in Fortitude Valley in Brisbane. Now he is preparing to inaugurate the remaining lower level apartments with 65 more units. Speaking about his buyers, Gurner said, "They don't know if they will use it or not - that was probably the only one that wasn't for an owner-occupier." According to the real estate listing website, Gurner has splurged $1 million for the display suite that was designed by David Hicks, the interior designer for high-end properties. He surely did have 10 times the investment with the recent sale of six penthouses alone. At just a little over 30, he has already created at $2 billion portfolio with his property development in several parts of Melbourne and Brisbane. Gurner's next target in the next four to five weeks is the Queens Parade apartments for which he plans to secure a permit before the year ends. Tim Gurner is only one of the few young men who choose to grow their financial wealth more than anything else. Another man, who is also into real estate for big returns is Andrew Morello who already has nine properties and counting in his portfolio at the age of 29. And as previously reported, he has released an e-book, The Morello Matrix, an e-book guide to property investment, which aims to guide individuals when it comes to property investment. As previously reported, former real estate agent Anthony Vito Brancatella, 43, been found guilty of swindling his clients of almost $2 million. He "fraudulently converted" funds from around 60 property transactions. While court was investigating allegations made against him, the court had his license suspended. But it was later found out that he carried on with his schemes while acting as a real estate agent with a website displaying his credentials. It was also reported that he has intended to pay them the victims back, but the bank noticed a red flag when funds inappropriately moved in and out of the account. Mr. Bracantella pleaded guilty last Monday to 62 charges of wrongful conversion and false accounts. Moreover, the court on Wednesday, according to Domain, slapped Brancatella with a sentenced to 40 months in prison after admitting guilty of converting clients' money 62 separate property deals for his own personal use, an operation that he ran between December 2013 and June 2014. The total amount for the 62 deals amounted specifically to $1,999,020. According to domain, he won't be eligible for parole until he has served 20 months. Defence Barrister Rob Melasecca has explained to the court how Brancatella has mishandled the funds to sustain his ailing business. Bracantella's activities were uncovered after Consumer Affairs conducted an audit of the former director of McDonald Real Estate in Mulgrave and Wheelers Hill in 2014 because of several complaints. Judge Carolyn Douglas used the phrase "robbing Peter to pay Paul" to describe the white collar offense. She accepts the claim that Brancatella did not use the money for lavish personal use but his action cost most of his victims around $30,000. His victims also suffered extreme anxiety and have lost trust in real estate agents. Judge Douglas said, "Unfortunately your offending can tarnish all of those working in the real estate industry." Historic neighborhoods or districts have great significance in preserving the community history. People all across the Unites States choose to live in historic neighborhoods to live in distinctive places as well as for its other benefits. According to City Lab, people in America tend to live in historic districts due to their charm and authenticity. Historic preservation districts provide certain benefits to its residents. The site claims that the Historic Pullman Community house tour in Chicago is one of the well-liked residential house tours in Illinois. People who visit the annual house tour learn and are able to witness how workers in George Pullman community lived earlier. Apart from providing people houses, historic neighborhoods such as the Harvard-Belmont Historic District in Seattle and Milwaukee Avenue Historic District in Minneapolis provide information on the life of the earlier residents in the area. It also gives people an idea of the rich history of the place. In short, historic neighborhoods provide the connection between the present and the past. Museum of the City Org adds that historic districts with great architecture explain how people live in the past, how their life affected the cities and how the places were constructed. Historic neighborhoods exemplify the importance of preservation in stabilizing the cities historically, socially, economically and environmentally. Historic neighborhoods including those in South Carolina have been erected a long time back in 1931. The first historic district was reviewed and grated by the Board of Architectural Review. Years later, other historic neighborhoods were recognized including the Vieux Carre (Old French Quarter) part of New Orleans. However, there are arguments concerning historic neighborhoods. Critics claimed that these districts are to be blamed for the affordable housing crisis in the US. However, it is said that historic neighborhoods actually expand housing options for everyone. Over the past months, China has been experiencing economic turmoil and turbulent market trends. Yet, there is one Chinese city that still has its booming market recently - Shenzhen. This southern Chinese town neighboring Hong Kong has housing prices that have a 46 percent rise since the first quarter of 2015. Shenzhen's increase was the most among all cities in China, Wall Street Journal reports. Housing prices in Shanghai rose to 16 percent while Beijing's was 10 percent; both rise took place in 2015. This is translated from last year's prediction that time element is the only factor for Shenzhen luxury homes prices to be at par with those in Shanghai and Beijing, as per China Daily. Said peculiar rise of Shenzhen City among the rest is due to the Chinese government's loosening of restrictions on mortgages, contributing to the city's bloom in 2014. Another factors that helped the city's real estate boom are the limited supply of products, the growing technology companies, and less buying restrictions that draw people into the city, The Real Deal reported. Recent reports show that Shenzhen now tops Hong Kong, one of the world's most expensive real estate housing markets which housing prices were 19 times average income in 2014, as per Demographia, a research firm. It has been noted that Shenzhen's home prices were 20 times the average income in 2014, and is now over 20 times, as per The Journal, specifically from the data in E-House China R&D Institute. Moreover, Global Property Guide recorded that the sale of duplex apartments and four-bedroom units has contributed to the biggest quarterly increase of 40.8 percent and 41.9 percent as of December 2015. Meanwhile, Guangzhou's housing prices had risen on a quarterly basis. In the third quarter of 2015, Guangzhou's house prices rose by 10.8 percent, as per Guangzhou Municipal Land Resources and Housing Administrative Bureau. In the previous week, the Sydney home auction market reportedly bounced back with 72.5 percent from 43.3 percent by the end of January. Over the weekend, Sydney again gave another promising result and now many are hopeful that the city's auction market is on its way to revival. According to Domain, the recorded auction clearance rate over the last weekend was 74.3 percent, not much of a leap from the previous 72.5 percent but it is on a healthy level. In fact, last week's auction clearance rate was the best since September 2015 even if it is 9 percent lower than the recorded rate in 2015 over the same weekend. What makes people think that the auction market is on its way to revival is that the rate was achieved with 358 homes going under the hammer. Last week's rate was based on the 217 listed homes. It should be noted that the results per region are considered balanced even if the Inner West outdid the North West. The gap between the two regions was 42.7. The highest sale over the weekend was a three-bedroom home by Stone Real Estate Seaforth at 28 Boyle Street, Balgowlah, that sold for $2,565,000. On the other hand, the lowest recorded sale was $395,000 by Ray White Wetherill Park for a one-bedroom unit at 46/93-95 Campbell Street, Liverpool. Last week's auction activity resulted in a median price of $1,041,500 which is higher than the previous weekend's $991,000. Moreover, the results are more balanced compared to the previous week. As previously reported, January was the worst month for Sydney's auction market. At the end of January, Sydney only had 46 properties that went under the hammer. The clearance rate way less than the healthy rate despite low number of properties auctioned. Hopefully, next weekend the auction market for Sydney outdo last year's records. The Bundesbank has issued a warning over properties in Germany, saying that they are overpriced. According to Reuters, the warning comes as housing demand in the country increases due to rising number of migrants and low borrowing costs. With these, home buyers are prompted to spend their savings on expensive properties. According to the bank, an apartment with 100 square meters of space in Frankfurt, for example, now costs over a million euros. "Apartments in the big cities continue to show the biggest overvaluations," said the Bundesbank in its monthly report. The trend has been observed amid new laws introduced to limit the rental rate increases in the country. In another news, it is hoped that the housing shortage in Germany can be addressed through the German Cabinet's approval of a tax incentive bill which will encourage construction of new affordable apartments. A report from Tax-News.com said that according to the Finance Ministry, the bill will provide a special temporary depreciation scheme for the development of new rental units in areas lacking apartments. Almost one-third of construction costs can be deducted within three years through this tax break. Only constructions worth less than 3,000 ($3,340) per square meter can qualify for the incentive, which will be available to those developers securing permits from 2016 to 2018. "The housing market in Germany is tense in some regions, especially in the large cities lacking apartments," said Finance Minister Wolfgang Schauble. "We now need to set the right incentives and promote the construction of new apartments." The shortfall in housing supply, particularly apartments, is expected to continue with the expected arrival of 800,000 refugees and asylum seekers this year. In 2015, over a million migrants arrived in Germany. "In the future, the strong migration of refugees will be reflected in the availability of apartments as well as having a moderate impact on the rate of property price rises," the Bundesbank said. Foreign real estate investors have been flooding the Cambodia market in recent years, a trend that looks set to continue. The increase in number of foreign investors in the country's real estate market has been observed since the passing of Foreign Ownership Property Law in 2010, Property Guru reported. The legislation enables foreigner to own a property in Cambodia, albeit the restriction that they can only acquire upper floor units. More real estate projects have been started in the country with the overseas buyers as the target clients. One of which is the Axis Residences in Phnom Pehn, a 566-unit property launched in March 2015, and the D'Seaview from Singaporean company HLH Group that was launched just this January. "The strong response to our D'Seaview project underscores the rising demand for good quality and affordable homes among Cambodians in the country's key cities," HLH Group CEO and Deputy Chairman Dato Johnny Ong said, "The majority of the buyers are young professionals and businessmen who see good value in owning these homes while the foreign buyers are keen to invest in real estate now in view of Cambodia's rapidly growing economy." Cambodia likewise becomes a more attractive destination for Japanese retirees, as per The Phnom Pehn Post. The Japanese Embassy in the country has noted a 30 percent increase in the number of Japanese aged 60 years and above in Cambodia. The slow but steady rise in Japanese nationals choosing to move in Cambodia has influenced the property development in the country, with more Japanese-styled condominiums being constructed. The construction of new properties in Cambodia also remains business as usual despite the ongoing economic turmoil particularly in China. According to The Phnom Pehn Post, the impact of the Chinese market slowdown in local property market will be minimal, as long as things will not get worse China. For now, ongoing Chinese projects in Cambodia are unaffected. Posted by Jay on at 11:01 AM CST Marvel has sent out solicitations for their May 2016 titles, including 14comics, one Trade Paperback and two Hardcovers! May the 4th Be With You!CHARLES SOULE (W) PHIL NOTO (A/C)VARIANT COVER BY TBA The first FORCE AWAKENS era comic series continues! Who is Captain Terrex of the First Order...and how did he find Poes squadron? Can Poe and company beat Terrex to their prize?32 PGS./Rated T $3.99Reprinting CHEWBACCA #132 PGS./Rated T $1.00Reprinting DARTH VADER #140 PGS./Rated T $1.00Reprinting DROIDS #132 PGS./All Ages $1.00Reprinting KANAN - THE LAST PADAWAN #132 PGS./Rated T $1.00Reprinting LANDO #132 PGS./Rated T $1.00Reprinting JOURNEY TO STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS - SHATTERED EMPIRE #132 PGS./Rated T+ $1.00Reprinting STAR WARS (2015) #140 PGS./Rated T $1.00Reprinting STAR WARS (1977) #132 PGS./Rated T $1.00Reprinting all your favorite Star Wars covers and variants32 PGS./Rated T $1.00Reprinting STAR WARS: VADER DOWN #140 PGS./Rated T $1.00KIERON GILLEN (W) SALVADOR LARROCA (A)COVER BY MARK BROOKSNew Story Arc! END OF GAMES begins this issue! Inspector Thanoth returns with some startling information. Vader may have passed his masters tests... ...but will his own schemes prove his undoing? PLUS: A bonus tale of Triple-Zero and Beetee!40 PGS./Rated T $4.99(of 5)CHARLES SOULE (W) MARCO CHECCHETTO (A/C) War breaks out...with our Jedi caught in the middle! Master and apprentice come to an important realization. Marvels first Jedi-centric miniseries draws to a dramatic close!32 PGS./Rated T $3.99JASON AARON (W) LEINIL FRANCIS YU (A/C)SKETCH VARIANT COVER BY LEINEL FRANCIS YUACTION FIGURE VARIANT COVER BY JOHN TYLER CHRISTOPHER Will Leia be able to save a prison full of Imperial forces? Or will the mastermind of the takeover strike back against the Empire? Find out as Rebel Jail concludes!32 PGS./Rated T $3.99ritten by JOHN WAGNER, PAUL ALDEN, RANDY STRADLEY, DARKO MACAN & BRIAN WOODPenciled by CAM KENNEDY, RAUL TREVINO, DAVIDE FABBRI, DAVE GIBBONS, CARLOS DANDA & RYAN KELLYCover by ALEX ROSSWhen the Death Star falls, what will happen next for the galaxy? Find out in this collection of tales set in the immediate aftermath of Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope! Stinging from defeat, Darth Vader is consumed with tracking down the Force-strong young pilot who destroyed his battle station. What would it mean for the Empire if Vader and the evil Emperor Palpatine discover Luke Skywalkers identity? With the Rebellion emboldened, Princess Leia leads a stealth squadron, Han Solo and Chewbacca face off against the bounty hunter Boba Fett, and Luke and Wedge Antilles infiltrate an Imperial Destroyer. Witness the continuing adventures of everyones favorite Star Wars heroes and villains! Collecting STAR WARS: EMPIRE #7, #14 and #16-18; STAR WARS: VADERS QUEST #1-4; and STAR WARS (2013) #1-12.504 PGS./Rated T $39.99ISBN: 978-0-7851-9546-7Written by KIERON GILLENPenciled by SALVADOR LARROCACovers by ADI GRANOV & ALEX ROSSOne of the greatest antagonists in all of fiction stars in his first volume of villainy! Fresh from a stinging defeat at the hands of the Rebel Alliance, Darth Vader must rise again to reassert the Empires iron grip on the galaxy. But will his personal desire for vengeance against the young Jedi who destroyed the Death Star distract from Vaders duty to the Emperor? As a fateful quest begins, the Dark Lord of the Sith will face a fresh threat to his power. And as other villains old and new play their parts from Boba Fett and Jabba the Hutt to diabolical debutant Aphra, as well as the killer droids Triple Zero and BeeTee how long until Vaders dangerous alliances blow up in his face? Join Darth Vader and feel the power of the dark side! Collecting DARTH VADER #1-12.296 PGS./Rated T $34.99ISBN: 978-1-302-90195-0Trim size: oversizedSTAR WARS: DARTH VADER VOL. 1 HC - ROSS COVER (DM ONLY)296 PGS./Rated T $34.99ISBN: 978-1-302-90209-4Written by JASON AARONPenciled by JOHN CASSADAY, SIMONE BIANCHI & STUART IMMONENCOVERS BY JOHN CASSADAY & STUART IMMONENThe greatest space saga of all returns to Marvel! The ragtag Rebel Alliance has just destroyed the massive Death Star but the Galactic Empire is not toppled yet! Join Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, Han Solo, Chewbacca, C-3PO and R2-D2 as they continue the fight for freedom against Darth Vader and his evil master, the Emperor! But when a rebel assault goes wrong, Luke comes face-to-face with the Dark Lord himself! The young Jedis quest to learn more about the ancient order will lead to an uncanny encounter with Boba Fett and land him in the middle of the Arena of Death. Meanwhile, Han and Leia face a mysterious woman from the charming smugglers past one with a very personal grudge! Plus: Discover a secret chapter of Obi-Wan Kenobis story! Collecting STAR WARS (2015) #1-12.288 PGS./Rated T $34.99ISBN: 978-1-302-90098-4Trim size: oversizedSTAR WARS VOL. 1 HC - IMMONEN COVER (DM ONLY)288 PGS./Rated T $34.99ISBN: 978-1-302-90198-1 This image made available by Flavio Cadegiani shows damage to Royal Caribbean's ship Anthem of the Seas, Monday, Feb. 8, 2016. The ship ran into high winds and rough seas in the Atlantic Ocean on Sunday, forcing passengers into their cabins overnight. No injuries were reported and only minor damage to some public areas. The ship is turning around and sailing back to its home port in New Jersey. (Flavio Cadegiani via AP) SHARE By FREIDA FRISARO, Associated Press MIAMI (AP) Federal transportation officials might soon be looking into a Royal Caribbean cruise ship that ran into high winds and rough seas in the Atlantic Ocean over the weekend. Sen. Bill Nelson has called for the National Transportation Safety Board to investigate the voyage that forced frightened passengers into their cabins overnight Sunday as their belongings flew about, waves rose as high as 30 feet, and winds howled outside. "The thing about this storm was that it was forecast for days. So why in the world would a cruise ship with thousands of passengers go sailing right into it?" Nelson said Monday on the Senate floor, according to a news release from his office. The National Weather Service's Ocean Prediction Center had issued an alert for a strong storm four days in advance, Susan Buchanan with the weather service said. The first warning was issued Saturday for possible hurricane-force winds in the area the ship was scheduled to sail through. Royal Caribbean announced Monday that the ship was turning around and sailing back to its home port in New Jersey. No injuries were reported, and the ship suffered only minor damage. "I was shaking all over," passenger Shara Strand of New York City wrote to The Associated Press via Facebook on Monday. "Panic attack, things like that. ... I've been on over 20 cruises, I've been through a hurricane, it was never like this. Never." Sixteen-year-old Gabriella Lairson says she and her father, Sam, could feel the ship, Anthem of the Seas, begin to sway by 2:30 p.m. Sunday. The captain directed passengers to their cabins. There, the Lairsons heard glasses shatter in the bathroom, and they put their belongings in drawers and closets to prevent them from flying across the room. They ventured to the balcony, where Sam Lairson shot video of wave after wave rising below. "The winds were so strong that I thought the phone would blow from my hands," Sam Lairson, of Ocean City, New Jersey, said in an email. "After that we had to keep the doors to the balconies sealed." The ship with more than 4,500 guests and 1,600 crew members sailed Saturday from Cape Liberty, New Jersey. It was scheduled to arrive for a stop at Port Canaveral, Florida, at noon Monday, then move on to other stops in the Caribbean. But Royal Caribbean said on its corporate Twitter account that the ship would turn around and sail back to Cape Liberty. "This decision was made for guests' comfort due to weather forecasts" that would continue to affect the ship's itinerary," Royal Caribbean tweeted. Guests will get a full refund and a certificate toward a future cruise. Passengers onboard buzzed happily about that news, Strand said. Gabriella Lairson said that by early Monday morning, people were out and about on the ship, checking out the minor damage in some public areas. Lairson praised the crew and captain. "They did everything they could to make us feel comfortable," she wrote to the AP on Facebook. She said she and her father were a little disappointed the ship was turning around, but she called it "the best thing for the safety of everyone." Fellow passenger Jacob Ibrag agreed. "I can't wait to get home and kiss the ground," said Ibrag, who saw water flowing down stairs and helped some people who were stuck in an elevator Sunday as he made his way to his cabin per the captain's orders. The 25-year-old from Queens, New York, then stayed in his cabin until noon Monday, at one point filling his backpack with essentials in case of an evacuation. Robert Huschka, the executive editor of the Detroit Free Press, was onboard and started tweeting when the inclement weather hit. He told USA Today that the ordeal was "truly terrifying." He described the cruise director nervously giving updates, and he later posted photos of shattered glass panels on a pool deck. But Huschka was among passengers who found a silver lining in the storm. On Monday, he posted: "The good news? They never lost the Super Bowl signal. Perfect TV picture throughout storm!" Royal Caribbean gave guests free Internet access and a complimentary cocktail hour, spokeswoman Cynthia Martinez said in an email. "Feeling better after the happy hour they just put on for the guests," Sam Lairson joked. And despite her own worries, Strand said her daughter, 8-month-old Alexa, slept through the entire episode. ___ Associated Press writers Janelle Cogan in Atlanta and Tamara Lush in Tampa, Florida, contributed to this report. SHARE By Nathan Solis of the Redding Record Searchlight City Attorney Barry DeWalt will present a report to the Redding City Council at its meeting Tuesday night on the connection between illegal massage parlors and sex-trafficking, highlighting the need for an ordinance regulating businesses that could act as a front to human-trafficking in the city. As of August 2015, there were 146 massage businesses registered with the city of Redding, according to the City Clerk's Office, but what number of those businesses would fall into the illicit category the city attorney's report mentions is undetermined. A citizens group concerned with sex trafficking in Redding drafted its own ordinance and presented it to city officials last month. With its proposed ordinance the Northern California Anti-Trafficking Coalition suggested the Police Department send officers to personally inspect each massage business and issue city permits, with associated fees. Acknowledging the concerns presented by the group, DeWalt will recommend massage therapists operating in Redding receive certification by the California Massage Therapy Council, ensuring therapists have at least a minimum number of hours of therapy education. The report will also suggest hours of operation for the businesses and appropriate dress or conduct for massage therapists. The city attorney's report comes only a week after a Shasta County jury convicted a Redding man and woman of multiple charges including human-trafficking pimping, and kidnapping in a case that involved several female victims. Melvin Baldwin-Green and Tanishia Savannah Williams were arrested in March 2014 on suspicion of abducting a 16-year-old Sacramento girl and forcing her into prostitution in the North State. This is the first case of human-trafficking the Shasta County District Attorney's Office has successfully prosecuted, according to Assistant District Attorney Stephanie Bridgett, but local law enforcement insists the case is not an isolated incident in the North State despite the lack of data. "There's no need to take an alarmist point of view, but people need to be aware that there is a reality of human trafficking," Bridgett said. Redding Police Chief Robert Paoletti said the issue is a concern for his department, but without a vice unit he cannot commit resources to investigating massage parlors or other instances of human-trafficking. Another concern is websites offering erotic massages and other services in the Redding area. "The Internet is the new street," Paoletti said. Last month the Victim's Assistance Center at the District Attorney's Office hosted a three-day training event with local law enforcement agencies on human-trafficking. The topic of identifying victims of human trafficking was part of the presentation, along with an overview of websites advertising erotic massages within the city of Redding. Victim Coordinator Angela Mellis said discussions showed how human-trafficking goes unnoticed within a community and with the victims themselves. "Often times, cases can go unreported. Many times victims of human-trafficking may identify that they are not a victim and they might feel like they're in a relationship with their pimp. These girls may be presented as domestic violence victims it could be both, but these victims don't consider themselves a prostitute," Mellis said, who remarks the purpose of the training was to prepare local law enforcement and the community in the event that this crime does come up. The county's one successful human-trafficking conviction was not part of an investigation or a task force targeting massage parlors, but occurred when a victim escaped from her trafficker and a citizen notified police of the situation. Paoletti calls that discovery dumb luck. "Our data does not show we have the problem, but we have a problem and we're not policing it," Paoletti said, referring to the lack of resources to create a vice unit. Law enforcement officials emphasize prostitution is illegal and victims are taken into custody when discovered, but building a case against the traffickers depends on law enforcement being able to talk with victims who might be apprehensive, because they are breaking the law. "If I say, 'Don't break the law,' then the victim will be hearing that from a law enforcement figure, but if they hear that from a victim's relief (trained person), from someone who can show there is a recovery from that life then it could mean something," Paoletti said. Matt Moseley, co-founder of the Northern California Anti-Trafficking Coalition, said a strict ordinance would make Shasta County a tough market for sex-trafficking. There is a fine line between prostitution and trafficking, Moseley said, remarking victims need all the help they can get. Human-trafficking victims may either be coerced through force or may be in a situation where they rely on their trafficker for basic necessities such as food, clothing or a substance addiction, according to Deputy District Attorney Sarah Van Slyke. In December the Department of Justice selected Sacramento as part of the Anti-Trafficking Coordination Team, aimed at developing investigations against high-impact cases of human trafficking, international sex trafficking and forced labor. Assistant U.S. Attorney Nirav Desai said sex-traffickers tend to work with multiple victims under the age of 18, and often use text messaging or social media to communicate. Desai breaks down trafficking into three categories: adult, child and labor. Sex-traffickers operating out of illegal massage parlors can meet all three of those categories. Desai said, "With child sex-trafficking you're dealing with someone traumatized who is not willing to talk with law enforcement. In the Department of Justice we have a victim center to treat them after. We do not view the victims as sex workers. They are victims and in their terminology they are also survivors." SHARE Siskiyou County sheriffs officials are investigating the mysterious shooting death of a man in Dorris. The incident began at about 11:40 p.m. Friday when sheriffs deputies were called about a disturbance where a man was waving a gun around and pointing it at people. Sheriffs officials received the disturbance reports at locations N. Oregon Street and W. 3rd Street. While deputies were interviewing witnesses they received another call that a man who may have shot himself was found behind a business in the 200 block of Main Street, officials said. The mans name was being withheld until his relatives had been notified of his death. The gunshot victim got into an argument with some other people on 3rd Street and threatened to shoot them, deputies said. They fled to another location on N. Oregon Street, officials said. Emergency personnel treated the man and then took him to Sky Lakes Medical Center in Klamath Falls, Oregon. The man died Saturday from the single gunshot wound, sheriffs officials said. Sheriffs officials said it doesnt appear the man was assaulted, but are still investigating the case. They are asking anyone with information about the shooting to call 530-841-2900. A sign on the Shasta Lake city limit sign along Shasta Dam Blvd. reminds of residents and visitors of the district's ongoing water woes. City officials earlier this year bought about 900 acre feet of water from the McConnell foundation after allocations from the Bureau of Reclamation, which runs Shasta Dam, were cut by about 50 percent. SHARE By Joe Szydlowski of the Redding Record Searchlight The Shasta Lake City Council will tackle homelessness, a land sale to move toward building its first power plant, creating a new training ground for the Fire Department and butane regulations. The meeting, which begins at 6 p.m., will begin with a discussion on homelessness at the request of Shasta Lake residents. City staff will seek information and ideas to try to alleviate concerns of the people in the Windsor Estates area, said City Manager John Duckett. "We want to learn what it's all about and need some specifics," he said. He will also ask the council for direction on the transfer of a city-owned 32-acre site south of Shasta Gateway Drive to the utility. The utility is eyeing that property as a place to establish the city's first power plant, Duckett said. Currently the city contracts with other utilities for electricity. That facility is needed to meet state-mandated renewable energy goals, Duckett said. In a memo to the council, utility director Tom Miller noted several studies have advised the city to generate some of its power. In the memo, Miller noted that the facility already has existing utility connections, and is near natural-gas transmissions for a small gas turbine. But solar power is also being considered. Council members will also consider allowing the Shasta Lake Fire Protection District to use 25 acres on Lake Boulevard just north of Pine Grove Avenue for training purposes. The department currently practices at the city's wastewater treatment plant. But the city will be upgrading that facility, meaning plenty of construction that's not conducive to training, Duckett said. The Lake Boulevard site has controlled access and is secluded, making it an ideal spot for small fire and training drills, he said. Finally, the council will have the second reading of an ordinance that bans the possession and sale of more than 600 milliliters of 5-times or more refined butane to individuals. It also would require businesses to track the sale of butane and refuse to sell to anyone more than 600 milliliters per month. The ordinance aims to reduce honey oil labs that manufacture concentrated cannabis using a volatile procedure. That ordinance is modeled on one passed by Anderson's City Council last year. Other municipalities in Shasta County have passed similar laws. Red Bluff will consider a similar measure at its City Council meeting Tuesday night. SHARE By Jenny Espino of the Redding Record Searchlight Those involved in the negotiations to relocate Costco to the Oasis Towne Center have lived this story before. The big box discount retailer is on its way to the north Redding property owned by Don Levenson's LD&C of Los Angeles, where he proposes to build a shopping center, but then plans stall. It happened in late 2003, when Costco pulled out of land negotiations. Finger-pointing between an adviser for the developer and the city of Redding followed. The talks continued about how to pay for a new interchange at Oasis Road and Interstate 5 and other road improvements needed to handle future traffic to the shopping center. The developer proposed the city waive $10 million in development fees and tap any sales and property taxes the shopping center generates to reimburse $30 million to pay for roads. But the council, concerned about saddling taxpayers with development costs, rejected the concept. That was in February 2006. Ten years later, a similar scenario is playing out. Levenson on Dec. 2 submitted a revised draft of a development agreement he seeks with the city to finance the road infrastructure. His attorneys say it will ensure their client can build the entire shopping center along with the relocation of Costco. But city officials say that's not the plan they, Costco and Levenson came up with in 2013. Officials argue Levenson's proposal dropped at the last minute requires $32 million in taxpayer commitments and taxpayers should not be investors in a development. On Tuesday, the City Council will receive an update on the status of the Costco project. Whether Costco continues to pursue a land deal in the Oasis Road area is unknown. Rumors are swirling that the wholesale giant is shopping around for land. "It takes two to do this," Walt McNeill, a Redding attorney who represents Levenson, said of an agreement between the city and his client. "I can tell you that LD&C is willing to do whatever it takes to get it done and make it work. ... We are willing to enter a room, order a pizza and lock the door until this is done, if we are able to get a willing negotiator on the side." McNeill sometimes represents the Record Searchlight. Vice Mayor Brent Weaver said he is comfortable entering into negotiations with a development agreement. What he doesn't want is a rushed process. And what happened in December felt to him like leverage. "The one lesson I've always learned in business is you never allow yourself to be leveraged because you end up making a bad deal for yourself and those you represent," he said. "It's a fine line you have to walk to do everything you can to help someone be successful but not give the farm away." A proposed development at Oasis Towne Center dates to 1981, when Norman Levenson presented a layout of what he called "Shasta View Mall," a 1 million-square-foot shopping center like no other he had developed. The land at the time was in Shasta County. Over the years, the proposal has taken numerous twists. There have been lawsuits. The project site has gone through name changes. It was the subject of a specific plan that took nearly four years to complete. During the building boom, planners at City Hall saw the development as a chance to make up for the lack of planning around Dana/Hilltop and showcase the city's northern limits. Then, during the worst of the Great Recession, the property escaped foreclosure. That 2006 development deal the council rejected happened under then-City Manager Mike Warren's watch. Kurt Starman, who was the assistant city manager at the time, asked whether councilors favored hiring a Los Angeles law firm to help the city and its Redevelopment Agency to negotiate a development deal with Levenson. The Oasis Road Specific Plan, completed in 2006, recognizes development agreements such as the one Levenson is seeking. They lock in zoning and entitlements over a period of time and spell out obligations for developers and local governments alike. Developers desire long-term approvals because they provide certainty for the costs. McNeill contends his client receives no profits from a stand-alone project like Costco, and a piecemeal approach to relocate the store without making all the necessary road improvements would create a "traffic nightmare" in the area. "It's not just about Oasis center and Costco. It's about development in the city of Redding. We have to use all the tools available to us to be competitive and to get large-scale projects done in a way that is feasible," McNeill said. Nonetheless, city officials have serious concerns because Levenson's proposal is built around the city being awarded the highly competitive federal grant, Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER), to widen the I-5 interchange. Council reports produced by the city show that with the exception of 2012, staff applied for funding each year from 2009 to 2015, but the funding has eluded it. Last year, the grant program had 627 applicants from across the country vying for a piece of the $500 million pie. All told, their requests for funding totaled $10.1 billion. The city's application ranked well but still fell short, said Brian Crane, public works director, noting that in a first, his staff was allowed an interview with grant administrators to find out what they can do differently to better the city's chances of being successful. "We're probably getting closer," he said. and added how over the years, the city has pared down how much money it requests. This past year, it asked for $15.5 million. "When we started out, we tried to get $25 million. We've backed off a little bit." Like Weaver, Mayor Missy McArthur, Councilman Gary Cadd and other city officials said the Oasis site remains the preferred site for Costco to relocate. But unlike Cadd, McArthur said the ball is in Levenson's court to make the land sale transaction happen with Costco. Cadd is in Levenson's corner and supports a development deal. "If they want to do something, let's do it right." McArthur protested Levenson's demands to the city and said this is not how you do business Two agreements were created one between Levenson and Costco to sell the land and one between the city and Costco to finance the infrastructure. Costco's contract with Levenson has since expired and the Feb. 1 deadline the company gave his firm to renew their agreement has passed. McArthur likened Levenson's new move to someone saying, "I almost went on a date with Marilyn Monroe" because she was asked and she said no. "You can dream," she said. "It does not mean you are going to get that." According to the revised draft, Levenson submitted, the city would need to pursue a municipal bond issue to generate $8 million and come up with an additional $24 million, half from traffic impact fees, to pay for infrastructure in the Oasis Road area. McNeill stressed the document is only a starting point in the negotiations and should not be held up as some justification for walking away. He noted various financing options the city would have to minimize risk and estimated a deal could be worked out in a month if both sides are willing. Said McNeill, "We're on the five-yard line. This is not the time to throw up our hands and say this is too hard. It's not that hard." Weaver isn't persuaded it works that quickly on a complex project and wants it known the city is not sitting on its hands but looking out for the public's best interest. "There is a lot of information in there for us as a city to really go through and do due diligence," he said but remained optimistic. "I think these things have a way of at the last minute of the last hour coming to an agreement." Kurt Starmans letter to Don Levenson: https://assets.documentcloud.org/documents/2704402/Starman-Levenson-Letter.pdf Don Levensons revised draft of a development agreement he submitted to the city on Dec. 2: https://assets.documentcloud.org/documents/2706457/OasisDraftDevAgmt12-01-2015.pdf The citys 2015 application for a TIGER grant: https://assets.documentcloud.org/documents/2708777/TIGER-2015.pdf Barry Tippins response with redlines to Levensons 2010 development agreement, not his revised draft: https://assets.documentcloud.org/documents/2713038/Dec-28-City-Response.pdf SHARE Nostalgia buffs, we return you to the spring of 2012: Everyone's talking about TV's "Mad Men," Mitt Romney is fending off Rick Santorum in the Republican primaries and a gallon of gasoline costs oof! $4.68. Remember the pain of high gas prices? How long ago it seems. Another Romney challenger, Newt Gingrich, pledged that if elected he'd give Americans $2.50-a-gallon gasoline. People scoffed, but it's a funny thing: Gingrich would have made good on his pledge, and more. The average price of a gallon of gas is about $1.70 nationally and dropping. Obviously, Americans don't have President Gingrich to thank, or President Barack Obama, either. The price of oil, the major component in gasoline, is determined by complex, global forces of supply and demand beyond the direct control of any White House occupant. But the other funny thing about Gingrich's dream is how unsatisfying it turned out to be: Now that we have cheap gas, we should feel a lot better than we do. While every visit to the pump produces a giddy feeling of savings, those extra dollars are not jolting the economy. Growth is anemic, consumers are cautious and markets are in the tank. Maybe you feel it yourself: how filling up the car for $25 instead of $70 represents more a breather from managing other bills than an excuse to splurge. Economists disagree on what percentage of the savings at the pump is being spent rather than saved or used to pay down bills, but no one can dispute that the big picture looks weak and unsettled. Shouldn't all that gas money have pumped up the economy? John Williams, president of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, acknowledged last month that the Fed "got it wrong" on its assessment of cheap oil's impact. Williams said that when the U.S. imported much of its petroleum, a big drop in oil prices acted like a fat tax cut. Instead of sending money to the Middle East, cash went into the pockets of consumers who could spend it on new refrigerators or dinners out. Then the U.S. went deeper into the energy business, fracking for oil to get the U.S. closer to energy independence. About one-quarter of the petroleum consumed by the United States is imported. Sounds great, but the 70 percent plunge in oil prices since 2014 is killing the energy sector and putting pressure on banks that lent to it. Oil and gas companies are cutting investment, laying off workers and taking a chunk of GDP growth with them. At best, cheap oil now looks to be a wash: Any boost by consumer spending is offset by the energy recession. Oil prices have tumbled for a number of reasons, including weakening demand from China and Saudi determination to keep pumping out supply, low prices or not. The U.S. economy is being affected, in part, because it had been feasting on a jobs-producing energy production boom here that has now been tempered. But that boom helped pull us out of the Great Recession when the U.S. economy didn't have many bright spots. And we're still better off being more vulnerable to a world economic slowdown and less vulnerable to unpredictable conflict in the oil-producing Middle East. It's smart to be less dependent on foreign oil. That was Gingrich's dream, and that's what happened under the Obama administration. But in a global economy, opposing forces in trade and business can balance each other in broad, unexpected ways. As Michael Levi, an energy expert at the Council on Foreign Relations, told us: "The rise in U.S. oil production didn't eliminate the U.S. relationship with the rest of the world. It changed it." And that's OK. Even if cheap gas does no more than cushion against the energy recession, consider that a positive function of the globalized economy, acting as a hedge by balancing out wins and losses. In this case, the longer gas stays cheap, the more comfortable Americans will feel spending that savings. But oil prices won't stay low forever. As they rise, U.S. energy companies will benefit, more people will go to work. Bottom line: The more ways the U.S. taps into the global economy, the more ways it produces for the world, the better. Chicago Tribune What David Headley's testimony does achieve is expose the Congress's ham-fisted attempts to taint an otherwise credible probe. That, however, does not become an assertion of Ishrat Jahan's membership of the LeT. One of the peripheral consequences of the 'revelation' by Pakistani-American terrorist David Headley that Ishrat Jehan is a member of the Lashkar e Tayiba has been a flurry of activity on my Twitter timeline, with several well-wishers suggesting that for the sin of proclaiming Ishrat's innocence, I should apologise/apply Burnol/leave for a neighbouring country (not Sri Lanka). Except I issued no such character certificate. Had these self-appointed hyper-patriots bothered to search the record of our reporting, they would find that it revolved around the mass of evidence that investigators produced to conclude that the encounter in which Ishrat and three men were killed in Ahmedabad in June 2004 was staged. How does this count as an exoneration of Ishrat? It doesnt. But it does to the Right because their defence of the encounter has not for a long while rested on legally credible proof. It simply boils down to -- weve always known Ishrat is a terrorist. Once her LeT membership is established, as Headley has done so convincingly, the Congress stands exposed, and the case collapses. Well, not exactly. To begin with the last assertion, on the case itself. The court had (sensibly) asked the Central Bureau of Investigation to limit its probe only to the encounter, an attempt to insulate whatever evidence it found on the criminality, from the murkier questions of who had been killed. But that isnt the only reason that the evidence trail establishing the encounter as fake is not as politically compromised as the Right would like to believe. Much before the CBI, an investigation by the Ahmedabad metropolitan magistrate, ordered by the Gujarat government, had found it to be a fake encounter. As did a Gujarat high court-monitored special investigation team. The eventual chargesheet may have been filed under a United Progressive Alliance-era CBI, but that probe too was closely monitored by the court. To suggest that the Congress could manage so many different investigations under different jurisdictions is to give its dark arts team more credit than they deserve. What Headleys testimony does achieve is exposing the Congresss ham-fisted attempts to taint an otherwise credible probe by attempting to paper over anything from the record which may present a more complex picture of Ishrats antecedents, or insert material which underlines her innocence. That, however, does not become an unswerving assertion of Ishrats membership of the LeT. The answer to that question (or the absence of answer) has always depended on where you are standing in the room. Take the CBI which despite directions to only probe the encounter, spends a few pages in its chargesheet on the antecedents of the deceased. It does carry a disclaimer that it cannot come to a conclusion without further probing. Disclaimer in place, on the three men (Amjad Ali, Zeeshan Johar and Javed Sheikh) it says that there is prima facie evidence to suggest that they may have links to, or even membership of terrorist groups. On Ishrat, the CBI says it is quite possible she knew about the 'illegal activities' of Javed and made several trips with him, but there is 'no evidence to indicate that she had any terrorist' links (exact quote). You could treat this as qualified clean chit (as a strand of liberal and political opinion has done) or as some late-stage editorialising by the agency. Similarly, you could make much of the declaration of Ishrat's martyrdom by the LeT a day after her killing. Or discard the first as typical, devious LeT opportunism, and emphasise the LeT retractions, the first 12 days later, by LeT spokesperson Yahya Mujahid, and the second in 2007, as an apology to Ishrat's family issued by another spokesperson. The same lens can apply to the home ministrys affidavit U-turns of 2009, with the first describing all four as terrorists, and the retraction, a month later, cautioning to not take intelligence inputs at face value. And finally, there is the Headley deposition -- a repetition of his earlier statement purportedly made to the National Investigating Agency -- which, in effect amounts to this: he overhears his Lashkar handlers discussing the propensity of one them, Muzammil, for botched operations. One of those botch-ups, he reports hearing, featured an Ishrat Jehan. You could treat this as clinching evidence, deliberately suppressed by the UPA when it first surfaced , or find it inconclusive, based on double-hearsay, and uttered by a chronically unreliable individual. You could laud Ujjwal Nikam for his laser-like focus, or you could question his theatrical, multiple-choice prompting to jog Headleys faltering memory. Since we are spared the arid joys of partisanship, our reportage took what I think is the only common sense view, that there is a fairly credible mass of evidence to back the claim of a staged killing, but given the conflicting, politically compromised, and at times unverifiable information trail on Ishrat-is-or-is-not-LeT, it is foolhardy to come to a definitive conclusion on her antecedents. In any other time, this would be called a nuanced view. But then we are not at the best point in our history for nuance. The results for the bypolls in Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Bihar, Telangana, Maharashtra, Punjab and Tripura were announced on Tuesday. Uttar Pradesh: In Uttar Pradesh, by-elections were held in Muzaffarnagar, Bikapur and Deoband assembly constituencies. The Bharatiya Janata Party wrested the Muzaffarnagar seat from the ruling Samajwadi Party, which also lost the Deoband seat to the Congress in two of the three by-elections in UP. The bypoll results are being viewed as crucial in the countdown to the assembly polls in Uttar Pradesh next year. The SP managed to retain the Bikapur (Faizabad) seat when its candidate Anand Sen Yadav defeated RLD candidate Munna Singh Chauhan. In Deoband, the seat of Islamic religious school, Darul Uloom, the Congress worsted the SP when its candidate Mavia Ali defeated Meena Rana. The by-elections were necessitated in Muzaffarnagar, Deoband and Bikapur due to death of of SP MLAs Chitranjan Swaroop, Rajendra Singh Rana and Mitrasen Yadav last year. Punjab: In Punjab, which also goes to polls next year, the ruling SAD won the by-poll to Khadoor Sahib Assembly seat, with party candidate Ravinder Singh Brahmpura defeating his nearest rival Independent candidate Bhupinder Singh by a margin of 65,664 votes. Main opposition parties Congress and Aam Aadmi Party had stayed out of the contest. Another Independent candidate Sumel Singh Sidhu could only poll 2,243 votes. He had parted ways with AAP to contest the poll. The bypoll was held as the seat fell vacant after Congress MLA Ramanjit Singh Sikki resigned in protest against sacrilege of Guru Granth Sahib last year. Maharashtra: Shiv Sena retained the Palghar assembly seat with its nominee Amit Ghoda defeating Congress candidate Rajendra Gavit by 18,948 votes. While Ghoda polled 67,129 votes, Gavit got 48,181 votes. The bypoll was necessitated following the death of sitting Shiv Sena MLA Krishna Arjun Ghoda. Ghoda passed away on May 24, 2015 following a heart attack and his son Amit was given a ticket by the Sena for the bypoll. Though it was a multi-cornered contest, the real fight was between Amit Ghoda and Gavit, former Maharashtra minister. Telangana: The ruling Telangana Rashtra Samiti wrested the Narayankhed Assembly seat in Medak district from the Congress with its candidate Bhupal Reddy winning the seat by a margin of 53,625 votes. Congress candidate P Sanjeeva Reddy polled 39,451 votes while M Vijaypal Reddy of TDP got 14,787 votes in the constituency, considered a Congress bastion. The bypoll was necessitated following the death of Sanjeeva Reddys father P Kishta Reddy. The result came as a further boost to the TRS, led by Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, as the party had scored a landslide win in the recent Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation polls, bagging 99 seats of the 150-member civic body. Tripura: Ruling Communist Party of India-Marxist won the Birganj assembly by-election in Tripuras Gomati district, with party candidate Parimal Debnath trouncing his nearest rival BJP candidate by a margin of 10,597 votes. While Debnath secured 20,355 votes, BJPs Ranjit Das polled 9,758 votes. Congress candidate Chanchal De got only 1,231 votes and his deposit was forfeited, Returning Officer Debapriya Bardhan said. The bypoll was held on February 13. The seat had fallen vacant following the resignation of the Manoranjan Acharjee from the assembly on December 10 last after he was expelled from CPI-M on charges of moral turpitude. Acharjee had allegedly molested an eight-year-old girl inside the party office at Amarpur sub-division late last year as per an FIR lodged against him, police said. Madhya Pradesh: Dealing a blow to the Congress in Madhya Pradesh, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party has won the Maihar assembly seat in a by-election with party nominee Narayan Tripathi defeating the main opposition party's Manish Patel by a margin of 27,544 votes. Tripathi secured 82,703 votes while Patel polled 55,159 votes, an election official said. The outcome came as a double jolt for the Congress as Tripathi, after winning the seat in 2013 assembly polls, had quit the party to join the BJP during the 2014 Lok Sabha polls. Later, he resigned from the seat which necessitated the by-poll. The victory came as a morale-booster for the BJP after it conceded to the Congress the Jhabua Lok Sabha seat in a by-poll shortly after the drubbing in the Bihar assembly elections, which analysts then took as a sign of declining fortunes of the long-ruling saffron party in the state. The win in Maihar is expected to enhance the confidence of the BJP in Madhya Pradesh where it heavily relies on the appeal of Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan. The victory comes just ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Sherpur in neighbouring Sehore district on February 18, where farmers will felicitate him for launching new crop insurance scheme. Buoyed by the by-poll victory, Chouhan said at Sherpur, "I am thankful to the people of Maihar for this victory and will visit the town on February 22 to personally convey my thanks to them." For the Congress too, the by-poll in Maihar was a prestigious battle as it had won it in 2013 despite the BJP getting more than two-third majority in the state assembly. Traditionally, Maihar in Satna Lok Sabha constituency is seen as a Congress stronghold. The BJP, keen on wresting the seat from the Congress, fielded Tripathi himself for the by-election. The Congress also made its best efforts to ensure Tripathi's defeat by fielding Manish Patel, who had joined the Congress by quitting the Bahujan Samaj Party, seeking to consolidate backward class voters in the Brahmin-dominated seat, a strategy which failed to click. While the Congress had won the seat eight times since 1957, Janata Party, an Indpendent, Janata Dal, the Samajwadi Party and the BJP tasted victory once each. Tripathi bagged the seat for the Congress in 2013 by a margin of 6975 votes by defeating BJP's Ramesh Prasad. The chief minister had campaigned vigorously in the last three-four days in Maihar to ensure the BJP's victory. The BJP's Motilal Tiwari won it in 2008. Others in the fray this time included BSP's Ram Lakhan Singh Patel, a former member of Legislative Assembly and the SP's Ram Niwas Urmalia. Karnataka: In a setback to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, the ruling Congress in Karnataka has won one seat and its rival, the BJP two in the fiercely-fought February 12 assembly bypolls. In the direct fight, the BJP retained Hebbal in Bengaluru and wrested Devadurga in Raichur district from Congress which snatched Bidar in north Karnataka from its arch rival. Of the three seats that went to by-polls due to the death of sitting members, the BJP had held two and Congress one. The outcome has come as a blow to Siddaramaiah considering the prestige invested in the contest to wrest the seats from the BJP. Bogged down by infighting, former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda-led JD-S lost deposit in all the constituencies. BJP candidate Y A Narayana Swamy defeated his nearest Congress opponent C K Abdul Rahman Sharief, grandson of former Railway Minister C K Jaffar Sharief, by a margin of 19,149 votes in Hebbal. Sharief was given the ticket at the last minute against the wishes of Siddaramaiah who had plumped for his favourite Byrathi Suresh, an MLC, as the candidate. In Bidar, Congress' Rahim Khan triumphed by a margin of 22,721 votes, defeating his closest opponent Prakash Khandre of the BJP. K Shivana Gouda Nayak of the BJP defeated A Rajashekhra Nayak of the Congress by a margin of 16,871 votes in Devadurga. Speaking to reporters in Mysuru, Siddaramaiah said he will "bow" to the verdict of the people but said that the verdict would have no bearing on his government. Home Minister and also state Congress Chief G Parameshwara said the party will introspect about its loss in two seats. "We aimed to win all the three but expected at least two but the outcome is not that way. We will introspect and find reasons about loss in two seats," he said. BJP leader Prahlad Joshi said it was a vote against the "arrogant conduct" of Siddaramaiah while another party leader and former Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar claimed it was an indicator of the future political direction in the state. Amid by-election results, all the three parties are also pinning hopes on Zilla and Taluk Panchayat elections outcome for which the first phase of polls in 15 districts were held on Friday. The second phase of polling for the rest 15 districts will be held on February 20. The results will be out on February 23. Bihar: The Congress, a part of the ruling grand secular alliance in Bihar lost Harlakhi assembly bypoll to BJP ally Rashtriya Lok Samata Party. The secular alliance suffered the jolt just about three months after its stupendous victory in the state assembly election. Union Minister Upendra Kushwaha-led RLSP candidate Sudhansu Sekhar riding on a sympathy wave defeated his Congress rival Mohammad Shabir by a margin of 18,650 votes. Sudhansu Sekhar's father Basant Kushwaha had died a day before oath taking in November last year. Returning Officer Bishnudeo Mandal said while RLSP nominee polled 62,434 votes, the Congress candidate bagged 43,784 votes and CPI nominee Ram Naresh Pandey secured 19,835 votes. The victory margin of the RLSP candidate is almost five times more than that of his father, who had defeated the same Congress candidate in October-November poll by about 3,600 votes. The Barack Obama Administration's decision to sell eight F-16 fighter jets to Pakistan should not be a cause of concern for India as the regional security situation was taken into account at the time of sale, the Pentagon has said. "We don't think it should cause concern for India," said Peter Cook, Pentagon Press Secretary. "We think this is a capability that will help Pakistan in its counterterrorism effort and we think that's in the national security interests of the United States," Cook said responding to questions on India's disappointment over sale of eight F-16s to Pakistan. The Obama Administration said on February 13 it had decided to sell eight nuclear-capable F-16 fighter jets worth nearly $700 million to Pakistan despite mounting opposition from influential lawmakers from both the Republican and Democratic parties. "This sale always took into account the regional security situation. We look at our relationship with Pakistan and our relationship with India as separate relationships. We think this is important capabilities for the Pakistanis to go after terrorists in that country," Cook said. India summoned US Ambassador Richard Verma to convey its "displeasure and disappointment" over the decision. India disagreed with the US' rationale that such arms transfers help Pakistan in combating terrorism and believes the US military aid to Pakistan goes into anti-India activities. These additional F-16 aircraft will facilitate operations in all-weather, non-daylight environments, provide a self-defence/area suppression capability, and enhance Pakistan's ability to conduct counter-insurgency and counter terrorism operations, the Pentagon had said. Three Indian-American legal luminaries may be among the possible candidates whom US President Barack Obama could nominate as a Supreme Court judge following the sudden death of conservative icon Justice Antonin Scalia. Within hours of the death of Scalia at a ranch in Texas, the name of Chandigarh-born Sri Srinivasan popped up as the top contender to the post. Sri Srinivasan, 48, is currently the US Circuit Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit which many call as a stepping stone to the Supreme Court. He is not only considered as a favourite of Obama, who has called him as a trailblazer, but also his nomination to the Court of Appeals was confirmed by a record 97-0 votes, which is an achievement given the bitter political divide in the US Senate. The White House on Monday refused to give any indication of the list of persons Obama is looking into to zero in on his nomination for the next Supreme Court judge. But given his track record -- wherein he has appointed a record number of Indian-American judges to various US courts -- and him publicly praising some of them, it would not be a big surprise that in addition to Srinivasan a few other individuals from the community too figure up in his list. Among them could be his home town resident Neal Katyal, who served as Acting Solicitor General of the US from May 2010 until June 2011 and California Attorney General Kamala Harris, who is considered to be very close to Obama. Harris, who traces her roots to Chennai, is currently running for the US Senate seat in California. On Monday several media outlets mentioned Harris as among the potential ones who could replace Scalia in the Supreme Court. Harris, 51, who was among the six people mentioned by New York Times, has not reacted to the speculation so far. In 2011, she became the first African-American, Asian-American, Indian-American and woman to hold the post of California attorney general. Many say Katyal, who would turn 46 on March 12, could emerge as a dark horse in the process. With extensive experience in matters of patent, securities, criminal, employment, and constitutional law, he has orally argued 27 cases before the Supreme Court of the United States, with 25 of them in the last six years. Obama intends to nominate someone as Supreme Court judge who honours constitutional responsibilities, have impeccable credentials and understands how laws affect the daily realities of peoples lives, the White House said. I would not anticipate an announcement this week, especially given that the Senate is out on recess, White House Press Secretary Eric Schultz told reporters. Schultz refused to engage in speculation about lists and names. When asked about what kind of individual Obama is looking to nominate someone to be the next Supreme Court judge, Schultz said the presidents judicial nominees should adhere to a number of basic principles. Number one, Id say the presidents judicial nominees are all eminently qualified with a record of excellence and integrity. The president looks for individuals who have impeccable credentials, he said. Number two, the president intends to nominate individuals who honour constitutional responsibilities. These are individuals who have a commitment to impartial justice, respect the integrity of the judicial process, and adhere to precedent. The president seeks judges who will faithfully apply the law to the facts at hand, he said. And lastly, the president is also mindful that there are rare cases where the law is not clear, and we acknowledge that those incidents occur most often at the Supreme Court, he said, adding that in those times, a judge will have to bring his or her own ethics and moral bearings into a decision. Image: Kamala Harris traces her roots to Chennai, is currently running for the US Senate seat in California. The escalating row over the Jawaharlal Nehru University issue on Tuesday found an echo at a meeting of political parties called by Prime Minister Narendra Modi with opposition leaders speaking against the sedition case slapped on the arrested student leader and government asserting that slogans raised by students were highly objectionable. The government said it is open to debating the JNU row in Parliament during the upcoming budget session starting February 23 with Modi saying that it will address the concerns raised by the opposition. Modi said during the meeting as opposition parties raised a host of issues that he was prime minister not only of Bharatiya Janata Party but the entire country, Parliamentary Affairs Minister M Venkaiah Naidu told the media after the over two-hour meeting. Tuesdays parleys were the first-ever meeting of political parties convened by Modi ahead of a Parliament session. We will respond to the issues raised by the opposition and address them... I hope the congenial mood here will be translated into action in Parliament, Modi told the meeting. Naidu said there was a general consensus that Parliament should run smoothly. With BJP targeting Congress over its support to anti-nationals in the JNU row, Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad said his party disassociates with all such students who shouted slogans attacking Indias unity and Constitution but insisted that there was no proof of sedition against Kanhaiya Kumar, the arrested JNU students union president. There is no proof of sedition against him, he said. He also hit out at Bharatiya Janata Party leaders for defaming the party leadership with their anti-national jibe and said the government should restrain them. Azad told the media that the atmosphere in the country has been vitiated since the BJP came to power and its government has taken no action against people responsible for it. Naidu shared the opposition leaders' concern over use of terms like "anti-national" and also spoke about 'Hitler' jibe made at the Prime Minister as he noted that all parties should show restraint. "The government will discuss every issue under rule. We have no objections. Government is willing to walk the extra mile... Let there be an open debate about what happened in JNU, the posters used there... Some said cops should not have gone there. The mood was very good and cordial. "It was also said that a section of media is blowing things out of proportion," he said. The meeting also saw Trinamool Congress pushing for the passage of the GST bill, Naidu said. Janata Dal-United Chief Sharad Yadav said Parliament must run and all issues debated there. Azad, joined by senior party leader Anand Sharma, claimed that his party was always of the view that bills should be passed on merit but if there is a stalemate in Parliament, then the government must find out the reasons and address them. "If people holding the constitutional positions are vitiating the atmosphere in the country, then it will find a reflection in Parliament. Had action been taken against them, then many things which we see today would not be happening," he said. Defending Kanhaiya, Azad said he did not speak against the Constitution and the country's integrity. "His arrest on the sedition charge is unfair... Action should also have been taken against those who vitiated the country's atmosphere." Congress leaders also spoke about a Dalit scholar's suicide in the Hyderabad Central University and "pressure" brought to bear on him allegedly at the behest of ABVP, the student wing of BJP. Arunachal Pradesh Governor's decisions leading to the imposition of President's Rule was also raised. Asked about his party's stand on the GST bill, Azad said the bill was not under discussion in the meeting. Naidu said the customary all party meeting ahead of the session will take place on February 22 in which bills and other issues related to the Session will be discussed. Azad welcomed Modi's move to invite leaders of various parties for the meeting. Naidu said all parties spoke in one voice that Parliament should function. "Frustration is rising among people due to stalemate in Parliament... Issues are not being debated," he said. In a veiled dig at Congress, he said the opposition party spoke about the atmosphere in the country but other parties said there should be no "ifs and buts" and Parliament should function. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley explained the government's stand on the JNU row and spoke about the slogans and posters related to the controversial event, calling them highly objectionable. Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal activists on Tuesday staged a protest outside Jawaharlal Nehru University against an event on the campus in support of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru. They shouted slogans and burnt effigies of the JNU vice-chancellor demanding action against the alleged anti-nationals. However, the protesters were not allowed to march inside the campus by university security and police force deployed outside the university. The Bajrang Dal protesters also demanded that the vice chancellor take action against the teachers who are supporting the agitation of left-leaning students. Meanwhile, protests inside the campus by students and teachers against the varsity administration continued with teachers joining them in boycotting the classes. JNU students union president Kanhaiya Kumar was arrested last week in connection with a case of sedition and criminal conspiracy registered over holding of the event at the varsity during which anti-India slogans were alleged to have been raised. His arrest has triggered widespread outrage among students and teachers and drew severe criticism from non-Bharatiya Janata Party political parties. Earlier in the day, JNU teachers joined the students in boycotting classes in protest against arrest of its student union leader in a sedition case and said they would take classes on nationalism in the varsity lawns. The students had on Monday gone on an indefinite strike till JNUSU president Kanhaiya is released and the sedition case against him dropped. Over 400 academicians from international varsities, including Columbia, Yale, Harvard, Cambridge, Oxford, SOAS, University of Toronto, McGill, Kings College, University of California, Berkeley and New York University have also expressed solidarity with JNU students condemning the illegal detention and autocratic suspension of students. A joint statement signed by 455 academicians from global universities, said, JNU stands for a vital imagination of the space of the university -- an imagination that embraces critical thinking, democratic dissent, student activism, and the plurality of political beliefs. It is this critical imagination that the current establishment seeks to destroy. And we know that this is not a problem for India alone. Similar attacks on critical dissent and university spaces are being attempted and resisted across the world. An open, tolerant, and democratic society is inextricably linked to critical thought and expression cultivated by universities in India and abroad. As teachers, students, and scholars across the world, we are watching with extreme concern the situation unfolding at JNU and refuse to remain silent as our colleagues (students, staff, and faculty) resist the illegal detention and autocratic suspension of students, said the academicians, some of which are JNU alumni. Image: Students protest against the police crackdown and the arrest of students' union president Kanhaiya Kumar. Photograph: PTI On Monday, Jawaharlal Nehru University Vice Chancellor Jagadesh Kumar said that the university stood with the JNU students and teachers and their right to freedom of expression. However, a letter has exposed the VCs doublespeak on the February 9 incident. The letter, written by the University Registrar to the deputy commissioner of police, South District, says the VC grants to the police force permission to enter JNU campus if need be and as you may deem fit. Dated February 11, the letter has no other riders or stipulations. The next day, the police -- in large numbers -- entered the campus and arrested Kanhaiya Kumar, the president of the JNU Students Union, and charged him with sedition. Following the police action, teachers from JNU supported their students and carried out a protest. Students boycotted classes on Monday and demanded the immediate release of their president. Vice-Chancellor Jadesh Kumar appealed to the students to not resort to strikes and protests so that academic functioning of the university is not hampered. We also stand for free expression of ideas but I believe there is no need for strikes as the problem can be solved amicably. We are reaching out to the entire JNU community to see how the problem can be addressed but academic functioning of the university is of prime importance and should not be hampered, he said. Image: JNU students agitating for the release of Kanhaiya Kumar at the campus in New Delhi on Monday. Photograph: Kamal Singh/PTI Justice C S Karnan of the Madras high court, who has been in the news lately, will arrive in New Delhi on Wednesday to meet Bahujan Samaj Party leader Mayawati and Lok Janshakti Party leader and Union minister Ram Vilas Paswan. Karnan is believed to have contacted other Dalit Leaders who have reportedly assured him of raising his issue in Parliament. Last week, a panel of judges headed by the Chief Justice of India ordered that Karnan be transferred to the Calcutta high court. The junior judge reacted that he would fight the order and asked the Chief Justice of India to "not interfere" with his jurisdiction, and also stayed his own transfer order. "I'm targetted as I am a Dalit," he reportedly said on Monday. "I'm ashamed to have been born in India. I want to move to a country without a caste system. The Supreme Court has recommended that Karnan not be assigned any cases for now, but has left the decision to the Madras high court. Bombay or Mumbai? Was a senior minister miffed by a breach of protocol? Why did the police commissioner not find a place on the dais? Vignettes from 'Make in Mumbai.' Text: Prasanna D Zore/Rediff.com. Photographs: Satish Bodas/Rediff.com Mumbai Police Commissioner Dattatray Padsalgikar's name was called out to take a seat on the dais at a 'Make In Mumbai' event on Monday, February 16,, but his name was not among the dignitaries mentioned on the dais. The former Intelligence Bureau special director got up from his seat no sooner his name was called, but retraced his steps after walking a few steps, having not found his name among those on dais. Padsalgikar was grace personified while returning to his seat, positioned right between the seats reserved for 'chief executive officers' and 'honourable MPs and MLAs'. When asked about the goof-up, he told Rediff.com that his name was called out due to a mix up of two separate lists. It turned out that the lady announcing the names of the guests "by mistake" read his name from the paper that was kept just under the list that had names of dignitaries that were supposed to speak at 'Make In Mumbai'. Padsalgikar was supposed to speak at the next seminar 'Mumbai: The Business Destination' and not at the 'Make In Mumbai' seminar that was lined up first. Later, the Mumbai CP spoke at length during the 'Mumbai: The Business Destination' seminar on how he and his police force plan to keep the city safe so that it can transform itself into an international financial services centre. Padsalgikar's 'no-airs-around-me' attitude impressed us! Seems like ',em>achche din' for Mumbaikars. *** Old habits die hard Rana Kapoor, managing director and chief executive officer, Yes Bank, who spoke during the 'Make In Mumbai' seminar, was not sure if he should refer to the "divine city" he came to when he was just 23 and where he achieved great success as Bombay or Mumbai. When Kapoor began his talk, for about ten minutes he kept referring to the city as Bombay. Midway through his speech, Kapoor changed Bombay to Mumbai and for the next 10 odd minutes kept calling his "karmabhoomi" as Mumbai. A couple of minutes before he concluded his address, Mumbai had once again changed into Bombay. Snehal Amberkar -- Mumbai's Mayor who belongs to the Shiv Sena which takes fierce pride in calling the city Mumbai and which had staged violent protests to get the city named thus -- said "sometimes it happens because of old habits." Kapoor, who had all through his address, handsomely praised Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Prime Minister Narendra Modi as "dynamic and brilliant leaders", while concluding his speech, said, "the dynamic leadership of our Prime Minister Manmo..." Before he could rattle Dr Singh's full name, the banker quickly made a course correction. Old habits, as they say, die hard! *** This man's disinterested in his kursi Maharashtra Industries Minister Subhash Desai, who was listed among those to speak at 'Make In Mumbai', arrived 15 minutes late for the seminar. He then sat in the audience without taking his seat on the dais. Promptly, reporterial tongues began to wag that Desai was miffed because protocol was not followed. As a senior minister in the Fadnavis cabinet, he should have been seated next to the CM, but instead, his seat was positioned next to Minister of Higher and Technical Education Vinod Tawde. During his address, Rana Kapoor request the industries minister to "take your seat," but Desai did not budge. The media speculation grew after Desai left midway. "You media always think negatively," Mayor Snehal Ambekar retorted when asked about the reason for the minister's exit. "He left because he had to meet Uddhavji and bring him to the seminar," Ambekar explained. Desai did return with Shiv Sena President Uddhav Thackeray, but much after the 'Make In Mumbai' seminar ended. A 31-year-old Indian engineer has been sentenced to three years in prison for espionage by a Pakistani military court over three years after he went missing when he illegally entered the country from Afghanistan reportedly to meet a girl he had befriended online. Hamid Nehal Ansari, a Mumbai resident, was convicted on Sunday in Kohat, a city in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan, and was shifted to Peshawar Central Prison, a jail spokesman said. He has a right to appeal under the Pakistan Army Act. India had sought consular access for Ansari, an engineer, and asked Pakistan to ensure his safety and security. According to the Dawn, Ansari has confessed to illegally entering Pakistan from Afghanistan for espionage. He had seven Facebook accounts as well as around 30 email addresses. He was reportedly found to be in possession of sensitive documents, it claimed. Over three years after Ansari went missing in Pakistan where he had allegedly gone to meet a girl he had befriended on the internet, authorities last month admitted that he has been in army custody and facing a trial in military courts. In light of the information, a two-member bench had on January 13 disposed of a habeas corpus petition filed by the convict's mother, Fauzia Ansari, against his alleged illegal detention. The court had asked the government to respond to the petition by Fauzia on the whereabouts of her son. In response, the military intelligence directorate intimated that Ansari was in military custody and is being tried by a military court. Ansari was taken into custody by police and intelligence bureau officials in Kohat, about 70 kms from here, in November 2012. Ever since, his whereabouts were unknown. Ansari's mother claimed he was in touch with some Pakistani friends who had suggested him to cross into Pakistan from Afghanistan without a visa. She claimed that he had befriended a Pakistani woman through social media and had gone to Pakistan to meet her. Hundreds of people on Tuesday bid an emotional farewell to Siachen bravehearts G Ganesan and S Kumar, whose last rites were performed with full state honours at Chokkathevanpatti in Madurai and Kumanan Kuzhu in Theni districts respectively. While Sepoy Ganesan, 25, was cremated at Chokkathevanpatti, Havildar Kumar, 37, was buried at Kumanankuzhu. The atmosphere at the funeral was highly emotional with friends, relatives and locals bidding tearful farewell. District Collectors of Madurai and Theni -- Veeraraghava Rao and Venkatachalam respectively -- handed over cheques of Rs 10 lakh each to the bereaved families, the aid announced by the state government. The government has also assured job to one family member of the two deceased soldiers. Ganesan, Kumar and eight other soldiers, including Havildar M Elumalai of Vellore and Sepoy N Ramamurthy from Krishnagiri of Tamil Nadu, got buried in snow after an avalanche hit their high-altitude post in Siachen glacier in Ladakh on February 3. One of them, Lance Naik Hanamanthappa Koppad, found alive under the snow, also died on February 11 after battling for life. Image: Jawans of the Madras Regiment pay homage to their fallen comrades. Photograph: PTI The first sign of Make In India's success, Uddhav Thackeray felt, would emerge when Maharashtra halted the outflow of Mumbaikars to foreign countries, by building schools, colleges and universities of repute. Prasanna D Zore/Rediff.com reports. IMAGE: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Shiv Sena President Uddhav Thackeray congratulate state Industries Minister Subhash Desai for successfully wrapping up Rs 6.11 lakh crore investment proposals in the first two days of the Make in India Week as Mumbai Mayor Snehal Ambekar looks on. Photograph Satish Bodas/Rediff.com Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Shiv Sena President Uddhav Thackeray, who are often at each other's political throats, patted each other on the back on Monday evening as they agreed that Make In India can happen only if Make In Maharashtra and Make In Mumbai succeeds. Thackeray, who delivered his speech in Marathi to an audience of mostly Shiv Sena cadres, state government officials, Mumbaikars and others who attended the Make In India seminar in this order of their numerical strength, credited Fadnavis for the successful organisation of the Make In India Week. The Maharashtra chief minister, in his speech earlier in the day at the Make In Mumbai programme, profusely praised the Shiv Sena-dominated BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation and city Mayor Snehal Ambekar for their contributions in helping make Mumbai a city of everybody's dreams. Fadnavis singularly praised his Industries minister Subhash Desai for providing leadership to the state's industries and putting up an exemplary show by ratcheting up investment proposals worth Rs 6.11 lakh crore in the first two days of the Make In India Week. IMAGE: Fadnavis and Thackeray at the Make In India Week event. Photograph Satish Bodas/Rediff.com Both Thackeray and Fadnavis were seen having convivial conversations, keeping aside their political differences, that many observers feel will manifest itself as the countdown to next year's election for the richest municipal corporation in India draws close. "Whatever good plans you have in mind for the development of Maharashtra and Mumbai you will find that I and my Shiv Sainiks will stand shoulder to shoulder with you in your efforts," Thackeray told Fadnavis at the end of his 15-minute speech. IMAGE: Fadnavis and Thackeray in a pensive mood. Contemplating the Mumbai of their dreams? Photograph Satish Bodas/Rediff.com Thackeray said he felt claustrophobic inside the hall "as politicians like us (pointing towards Fadnavis) prefer engaging with people out in the open." In the very next sentence, he remarked, "I am a simple man who likes to mingle with the masses. Thank god I am not wearing suits like these (again pointing towards Fadnavis and other dignitaries including the Shiv Sena's Subhash Desai, the state industries minister) or else I would have never been able to deliver this speech." He made it a point to espouse the cause of the Marathi manoos amid the din and hype of an event where Maharashtra signed MoUs that will create 1.7 million new jobs in the state. The Sena chief warned the state government that Make In India would be of no use if the state failed to meet the aspirations of its young citizens who, he said, were migrating out of Maharashtra for higher studies and job opportunities. The first sign of Make In India's success, Thackeray felt, would emerge the day Maharashtra halted this outflow to foreign countries by building schools, colleges and universities of repute and set standards so high that international students came to India to study. Putting the BJP-Shiv Sena government on notice, the Sena chief, who dreams of beautifying and developing Mumbai's eastern waterfront, said, "just like you have signed investment MoUs with investors, the Shiv Sena has signed an MoU with you to make my dreams about Mumbai come true." IMAGE: JNU students protest against the police crackdown and the arrest of the students union president. Photograph: PTI 'If they succeed in silencing this great university, it will be a tragic day for the nation.' Rashme Sehgal reports on the raging controversy at the Jawaharlal Nehru University. It was an ordeal by fire. Dr Jagdeesh Kumar, an electrical engineer by training, has been hit on the chin by the unprecedented chain of events that have engulfed Jawaharlal Nehru University to which he was appointed vice-chancellor barely two weeks ago. And though he may have put up a weak defence Monday, February 15, morning to claim he had not ordered the police crackdown on the student community, there is no doubt that it was his administrative machinery which supplied the names, addresses and phone numbers of 20 students led by JNU Students Union President Kanhiaya Kumar to the Delhi police. This unprecedented crackdown has seen the 8,000-strong JNU student community come out in protest. An enraged JNU teachers community has questioned why Dr Kumar did not use the press meet to raise the issue of the large police contingent including plainclothes policemen who arrived on the campus, which was reminiscent of the Emergency. Dr Kumar did make the point that the police had sought some audio footage and it was for this reason that they had been granted permission, but the JNU Students Union wants to know why the police have launched a veritable witch hunt against the absconding students. Airports, railway stations and bus depots are under surveillance in order to arrest these students, who police sources claim, will be slapped with sedition charges. The VC's observations were confirmed by statements given by the recently appointed JNU Registrar Bupinder Zutshi who insisted that no policemen or women were allowed on the campus. But at the same time he admitted to journalists that the police had sought help in identify Kanhiaya Kumar and 20 other students to whom 'we provided the video footage and whatever other details we possessed' as far back as last Thursday, February 11. Historian Mridula Mukherjee, who was present from the start at this controversial, some say ill-advised, meeting on Saturday held inside the JNU campus, wondered how students affiliated to the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad "arranged" to have an FIR (First Information Report) filed against these students for indulging in anti-national activities. "This paved the way for the police entry. As a historian, I would like to know whether the VC put up a fight against their entry. Did he call Home Minister Rajnath Singh in protest?" "Announcing the setting up of an inquiry committee by the VC is hardly enough," she said. "Even during the days of the colonial raj, VCs like Morris Gwyer did not allow the police to enter the campus. A campus is a protected space, it is not a government office." Recalling the events of 'Black Saturday,' Mukherjee said, "Over 2,500 students had gathered for this meet to mark the death anniversary of Afzal Guru. There was no violence, but a lot of slogan shouting. The electricity was disconnected. The mikes stopped working before Rahul Gandhi had to speak and the AVBP activists heckled him right through. Somehow, a hand mike was arranged and that is how the politicians including Rahul Gandhi and D Raja were able to address the students." "Around 15 students, who were members of the Democratic Students Union, which is a Maoist organisation, and a breakaway group had organised this meeting," JNU Professor Kamal Mitra Chenoy pointed out. "They had been granted permission which was subsequently withdrawn, but they went ahead and held it. Indeed, the electricity to the mikes was cut and the students were told that this was based on a Supreme Court order which disallowed the use of mikes." "The JNU has been a bugbear for the government because they see it as representing the views of the Left parties," Professor Mitra Chenoy added. "But I believe this entire episode has taken place in order to deflect attention from the suicide of Rohith Vemula." Professor Mitra Chenoy believes the boys shouting slogans were Bharatiya Janata Party sympathisers from Munirka colony and the video footage making the rounds showing Kanhaiya Kumar making inflammatory statements could well have been morphed since the JNUSU president was trying to dissuade the students from making anti-national remarks. "I believe the police are using manipulated video and a video with no sound to try and implicate Kanhaiya Kumar," Professor Mitra Chenoy added. JNU teachers maintain the university is well equipped with an internal complaint redressal mechanism whereby protesting students are taken to task. "We have dealt with such issues in the past," one professor said. "It must not be forgotten that JNU allows room for all shades of opinion and political affiliation." The other issue which has raised the bar of protest is Home Minister Rajnath Singh's claim that Lashkar-e-Tayiba terrorist Muhamad Saeed has supported the JNU protest. Some JNU students wonder if the country's home minister got his information from the Delhi police which tweeted a similar claim some time earlier. BJP spokesperson Nalin Kohli declared that the home minister received sensitive information from several sources, but the question doing the rounds is if the Delhi police provided Rajnath Singh with this information from a parody Twitter account. "The BJP government does not care about higher education," JNU physics Professor Ashok Rastogi said. "All these developments are playing out to a beautifully scripted script which is being engineered by the Centre itself. This happened in Hyderabad where they were not able to achieve the kind of success they wanted. And the same attempt to destabilise JNU is being unfolded here." Teachers from 40 central universities have come out in support of their counterparts at JNU. Nandita Narain, president of the Federation of Central University Teachers Association, in a statement declared, 'Forty central universities including Hyderabad University have extended support to JNU. This kind of police action against students on the grounds of national security is uncalled for.' Mridula Mukherjee believes the Sangh Parivar is deliberately trying to present this as a "national and anti-national debate" where everyone who does not agree with them is dubbed a desh drohi (traitor) otherwise how could "slogan shouting by a handful of students pose a threat to the Indian State?" "The reason why they are trying to silence JNU is because if they succeed, they can turn around and silence other universities and colleges which have much less capacity to be heard. If they do succeed in silencing this great university, it will be a tragic day for the nation," Mukherjee added. JNU has been in the forefront of contributing a large percentage of its students to the bureaucracy and other nation building posts. Communist Party opf India-Marxist General Secretary Sitaram Yechury, himself a JNU alumnus, listed 57 secretary-level positions in the Indian bureaucracy presently being held by former JNU students. Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Nirmala Sitaraman is a JNU alumnus as well. 'O P Sharma pulled me down to the ground and started punching and kicking me.' 'The Delhi police, instead of arresting Sharma and the others, detained me for five hours after this incident.' IMAGE: Caught on camera: BJP MLA O P Sharma assaults Ameeque Jamai. Photograph: Atul Yadav/PTI On Monday, February 15, the Patiala House court premises was a scene of chaos when lawyers and Bharatiya Janata Party members -- including a Delhi MLA -- attacked Jawaharlal Nehru University students who were present on the court premises to show solidarity with detained JNU Student Union President Kanhaiya Kumar. Ameeque Jamai, a member of the Communist Party of India, was caught on camera being assaulted by BJP MLA O P Sharma. Speaking to Syed Firdaus Ashraf/Rediff.com, Jamai recalls the punches and kicks that rained down on him and the violence that followed. I had gone to court in support of Kanhaiya Kumar who was arrested on sedition charges. Around 50 people -- supporters and JNU teachers -- were present with me. When we entered the court premises, all of a sudden some lawyers started beating us up for no reason. While attacking us, they said they would beat up all those who had come to support Kanhaiya. They started asking who was from JNU and as soon as they found a JNU person, they started assaulting them. As the violence intensified, some journalists intervened and asked why there were beating us up. The journalists said that as lawyers they were protectors of the law and had no right to take the law into their own hands. The lawyers then responded by stating, "Deshdrohi ka faisla hum karenge (We will decide the fate of traitors)." I saw the Delhi police were not doing anything. These assaults were happening on the court premises. Soon after, they started beating up journalists. I ran outside and told senior Delhi police officers that they should take action against the lawyers and stop the violence. But, shockingly, they just smiled and refused to take action. Soon after, I noticed Finance Minister Arun Jaitley leaving the court premises after attending a hearing. It was then that I yelled, "Kanhaiya Kumar ko arrest kar ke Rohith Vemula ki ladai nahi rukegi. Shri Arun Jaitleyji patrakaron par comrade par jo hamley huey hain woh nahi sahengey. Aap ko jawab dena hoga. (The fight against the injustice meted out to Rohith Vemula will not stop with the arrest of Kanhaiya. Shri Arun Jaitley, we will not tolerate attacks on journalists and comrades. You will have to respond to us)." It was when I was chanting this slogan that BJP MLA O P Sharma came running towards me with 10 supporters. They caught me, pulled me down to the ground around the India Gate circle area. When I fell to the ground, they started punching and kicking me. Along with that, they also abused me. They are accusing us of shouting pro-Pakistan slogans. But how can a CPI member shout pro-Pakistani slogans? We were simply protesting peacefully and this BJP MLA assaulted me. They wanted to teach me a lesson because I have been speaking very openly about Kanhaiya Kumar and Rohith Vemula everywhere. The Delhi police, instead of arresting Sharma and the others, detained me for five hours after this incident. I feel Sharma targeted me because he knows that I am from CPI and therefore they targeted Kanhaiya also. They constantly talk about a video, which shows Kanhaiya slouting anti-India slogans. But there is no audio heard in that clip. Kanahiya spoke for 22 minutes in that video, but the Delhi police is not letting people hear what Kanhaiya was saying. He wasn't being anti-national. Aap ki sarkar hai toh kya aap sab par deshdrohi lagayenge? Sabko aap jail mein bhejenge? (Just because the BJP is in power, it doesn't mean they can charge everyone with sedition and send them to jail). They have charged Kanhaiya with sedition without knowing that the chief security officer at JNU called Kanhaiya when the students were protesting. As president of the students union, Kanhaiya went to the spot to stop trouble. If the BJP wishes to declare an Emergency, they should declare it openly. Both Kanhaiya and I say arrest those who were shouting anti-national slogans. Kanhaiya has been saying this from day one when the incident erupted. The RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh is trying to misinform people about us. They want to weaken the Rohith Vemula struggle and therefore, caught hold of Kanhaiya.' Sudanese editors could face death penalty over critical coverage Publisher Committee to Protect Journalists Publication Date 21 December 2015 Cite as Committee to Protect Journalists, Sudanese editors could face death penalty over critical coverage, 21 December 2015, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/56c1eb5e24.html [accessed 21 October 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. New York, December 21, 2015 Sudanese authorities should drop all charges against two newspaper editors potentially facing the death penalty on charges stemming from their work, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. Osman Mirghani, editor of the privately owned daily Al-Tayar, and Ahmed Yousef Al-Tay, editor of the privately owned Al-Saiha, are charged with abusing their positions as journalists, publishing false news, and undermining the constitutional system, according to Mirghani and news reports. The latter offense can be punished by death, according to Sudan's penal code. Plainclothes agents of State Security, Sudan's domestic intelligence agency, arrested the two from their offices in Khartoum on Wednesday, according to news reports. "Charging journalists with a crime punishable by death marks an alarming escalation in the Sudanese government's battle against independent media," said Sherif Mansour, CPJ's Middle East and North Africa program coordinator. "We call on the authorities to drop all charges against Osman Mirghani and Ahmed Yousef Al-Tay immediately." Both Mirghani and Al-Tay were released on bail six hours after their arrest, according to news reports. Mirghani told CPJ that he expects his trial to start this week based on his experience of what Sudan's National Security Court uses as a time frame for similar cases, but he said he was not told of a fixed date during his interrogation. Mirghani told London's Guardian newspaper that he was being scapegoated for what he called widespread criticism of the government. Two days prior to his arrest, Al-Tayar announced on its Facebook page that security services had indefinitely suspended the newspaper's license. On the same day, Mirghani held a press conference challenging the legality of the ban on the newspaper, according to local news reports. In a December 12 column, Mirghani criticized Finance Minister Badr Al-Din Mahmoud for blaming the Sudanese people for frequent electricity cuts. In his column of the same day for Al-Saiha, Al-Tay likewise criticized the finance minister for his remarks, asserting that the government has not been able to restrict its own consumption. Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir on December 14 criticized his government's inability to "control the media" in an address to his ruling National Congress Party's parliamentary caucus. He warned that he himself would take "decisive measures" following press reports, which Bashir denied, that the finance minister had asked parliament to cut subsidies on fuel, bread, and electricity in the next annual budget, according to news reports. In 2013, after a wave of violent protests against reduced gasoline subsidies, the Sudanese government ordered editors to publish news in line with official statements. The government twice shut down Internet service to prevent protesters from using social media, according to news reports. In July 2014, Mirghani was beaten when a group of armed men in plainclothes raided Al-Tayar's offices, confiscating laptops and cellphones, and destroying equipment, according to CPJ research. In May 2014, Al-Saiha said that State Security agents raided its office and that at least 10 of its journalists had been summoned for interrogation in connection with corruption coverage, according to CPJ research. In February 2015, Al-Tayar and Al-Saiha were among at least 14 newspapers whose print run was confiscated by Sudanese security agents without an explanation. Copyright notice: Committee to Protect Journalists. All rights reserved. Articles may be reproduced only with permission from CPJ. Ethiopia arrests journalist after channel reports on protests Publisher Committee to Protect Journalists Publication Date 22 December 2015 Cite as Committee to Protect Journalists, Ethiopia arrests journalist after channel reports on protests, 22 December 2015, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/56c1eb5f15.html [accessed 21 October 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. Nairobi, December 22, 2015 The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on authorities in Ethiopia to release news anchor Fikadu Mirkana. Fikadu, who works for the state-run broadcaster Oromia Radio and TV, was arrested at his Addis Ababa home on Saturday morning, according to news reports. CPJ could not determine the reason for Fikadu's arrest. It comes as Oromia Radio and TV has, in recent weeks, covered protests against a plan to expand the Ethiopian capital, in a move that campaigners say would displace hundreds of thousands of farmers, according to news reports. Dozens of protesters have been killed during clashes with police during the unrest in the regional state of Oromia, according to a Human Rights Watch report. "Journalists have a vital role to play in ensuring the flow of information, both from the Ethiopian government and also, critically, from those who will be affected by its decisions," said CPJ Africa Program Coordinator Sue Valentine in New York. "We call on authorities to release Fikadu Mirkana immediately." It is not clear where Fikadu is being held and neither his family nor his lawyers have been allowed access to him, an Addis Ababa-based journalist, who has spoken with Fikadu's family and who requested anonymity for fear of retribution, told CPJ. The Ethiopian authorities in Addis Ababa and the Ethiopian embassy in Nairobi did not immediately respond to CPJ's request for details about Fikadu's arrest. In recent weeks, the Ethiopian government has used anti-terror rhetoric against campaigners, with the communications minister, Getachew Reda, branding them "terrorists" and "demonic," according to a column by Awol Allo, a fellow in human rights at the London School of Economics and Political Science, published Saturday on Al-Jazeera's website. This language usually presages a crackdown on dissenters, the column said. Protests in Oromia, a region that stretches across central Ethiopia and is home to a third of the country's population, have affected at least 30 towns and prompted the arrest of more than 500 people since mid-November, according to news reports. Ethiopia is the third largest jailer of journalists on the African continent, with at least 10 behind bars on December 1, CPJ's 2015 prison census shows. Copyright notice: Committee to Protect Journalists. All rights reserved. Articles may be reproduced only with permission from CPJ. Turkey press crackdown continues with arrests of three pro-Kurdish journalists Publisher Committee to Protect Journalists Publication Date 22 December 2015 Cite as Committee to Protect Journalists, Turkey press crackdown continues with arrests of three pro-Kurdish journalists, 22 December 2015, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/56c1eb6111.html [accessed 21 October 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. New York, December 22, 2015 The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on Turkey to end its crackdown on the press. Since the release of CPJ's annual prison census, three journalists working for pro-Kurdish outlets have been arrested in Turkey on terror accusations, according to news reports. Zeki Karakus, the owner of a local news website Nusaybin Haber (Nusaybin News), was arrested on December 1 on charges of "making propaganda for a terrorist organization," his lawyer, Gulistan Duran, told CPJ. On December 15, Deniz Babir, a journalist with the Kurdish-language daily Azadiya Welat, was arrested on charges of belonging to a banned group, reports said. And on December 16, Beritan Canozer, a reporter with the women's news agency JINHA, was arrested while covering a protest in the southeastern city of Diyarbakr, on charges of aiding a terrorist organization, local press reported. Tensions are high in southeastern Turkey due to the civil war in neighboring Syria, the refugee crisis, and a resurgence of violence since the collapse of peace talks this summer between Turkish security forces and the PKK. In at least one other case, documented by CPJ last month, journalists trying to cover the tensions were rounded up and imprisoned by authorities. "The Turkish government is never going to overcome its many complex challenges by throwing journalists in jail. Silencing news and opinion will only lead to a dangerous information vacuum," CPJ Europe and Central Asia Program Coordinator Nina Ognianova said. "We call on Turkish authorities to release Beritan Canozer, Deniz Babir, and Zeki Karakus immediately, drop all charges against them, and allow them to continue reporting on events in southeastern Turkey." Karakus's lawyer, Duran, said the journalist was summoned to a police station in the Nusaybin district of Mardin province in southeastern Turkey. When Karakus arrived, authorities brought him before a court on accusations of "making propaganda for a terrorist organization" through the media, Duran told CPJ. The court sealed the investigation into Karakus, the lawyer said, which has prevented her from establishing the exact charges and reviewing evidence authorities say they have against her client. Karakus, whose website focuses on pro-Kurdish local news, is being held in pretrial detention at the Mardin E Type closed prison. Separately, Babir was arrested in the Sur district of Diyarbakr while reporting on clashes between Turkish security forces and the Patriotic Revolutionary Youth Movement (YDG-H), a branch of the PKK, local press reported. CPJ's review of court files showed that he was ordered into pretrial detention on accusations of being a member of the PKK, which is banned in Turkey. The journalist's lawyer, Resul Tamur, told CPJ Babir denied being part of the PKK but admitted to a second charge of carrying false identification. According to Tamur, police questioned the journalist about his work. Babir is being held in Diyarbakr D Type prison. Four other journalists Ferit Dere and Elifcan Alkan of the pro-Kurdish daily Azadiya Welat, and Pnar Sagnac Kalkan and Savas Aslanwere of the pro-Kurdish political magazine Ozgur Halk (Free People) were arrested alongside Babir and released, reports said. According to the pro-Kurdish Dicle News Agency, Dere said police questioned all four about their reporting and confiscated their cameras, notes, and voice recorders. The equipment was not returned, he said. In the third arrest, Canozer was detained by plainclothes police officers while covering a protest over the state military campaign against the YDG-H, local press reported. According to news reports, police accused Canozer of participating in a protest, which the journalist denied. Three days later, a regional court ordered her to be held in pretrial detention on accusations of "knowingly and willingly aiding a terrorist organization," news reports said. Canozer is being held in Diyarbakr E Type prison. The new arrests which bring the number imprisoned in Turkey to 17 cement Turkey's ranking as Europe and Central Asia's leading jailer of journalists, CPJ research shows. Copyright notice: Committee to Protect Journalists. All rights reserved. Articles may be reproduced only with permission from CPJ. Embattled Kazakh editor detained following police raids Publisher Committee to Protect Journalists Publication Date 24 December 2015 Cite as Committee to Protect Journalists, Embattled Kazakh editor detained following police raids, 24 December 2015, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/56c1eb63c.html [accessed 21 October 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. New York, December 24, 2015 Kazakh authorities should immediately release Guzyal Baydalinova, editor of the independent news website Nakanune, and return all reporting equipment seized in police raids, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. Investigators in Almaty detained Baydalinova on December 23, bringing her to a local pretrial detention center on charges of deliberately publishing false information about the Almaty-based bank Kazkommertsbank and several individuals, the news website Tengri News reported Wednesday, citing police. The charge carries a penalty of up to seven years in prison under Kazakhstan's criminal code. "Kazakhstan should immediately release Guzyal Baydalinova, and stop harassing journalists for their work," said CPJ Europe and Central Asia Program Coordinator Nina Ognianova. "Instead of arresting members of the press, authorities should set about changing the laws that allow for criminal prosecution of journalists, are open to abuse, and have a chilling effect on the flow of information." On December 18, Almaty police searched Baydalinova's apartment, her colleague Yulia Kozlova's apartment, and Nakanune's newsroom, the independent regional news website Fergana News reported. During the raids, authorities confiscated journalists' reporting equipment as well as finance records from the newsroom, which they sealed after the raid, reports said. After the raids, police summoned Baydalinova and Kozlova to the Almaty Police Directorate for questioning, initially releasing both on the same day. The criminal proceedings against Baydalinova follow an Almaty court's June 2015 verdict ordering her to pay 20 million tenge ($60,689) in damages after Kazkommertsbank filed a lawsuit claiming that an article published by Nakanune undermined its reputation. Baydalinova has appealed the verdict, according to press reports. In a letter published by the news website Spektr on December 19, the bank's head of public relations confirmed the bank had asked authorities to bring to justice those responsible for allegedly damaging the bank's reputation. Neither the bank's letter nor the police statement quoted in the press on December 23 specified whether the new charges stemmed from new articles. Nakanune was founded by Baydalinova and other journalists from the independent news websites Respublika and the Assandi Times after authorities banned the sites in 2012 and 2014, respectively, according to news reports. Respublika continues to operate from Russia. Copyright notice: Committee to Protect Journalists. All rights reserved. Articles may be reproduced only with permission from CPJ. Egypt detains two journalists, sentences another already detained Publisher Committee to Protect Journalists Publication Date 5 January 2016 Cite as Committee to Protect Journalists, Egypt detains two journalists, sentences another already detained, 5 January 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/56c1eb642b.html [accessed 21 October 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. New York, January 5, 2016 Egyptian authorities should immediately release journalist Mahmoud al-Sakka, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. The arrest comes amid a series of repressive measures ahead of the anniversary of the January 25, 2011, uprising that forced former President Hosni Mubarak to resign. Police arrested Al-Sakka, who writes for the independent news website Yanair ("January"), on December 30, and, first took him to Giza's Dokki police station, according to his lawyer, Doaa Mostafa. From there, police transferred him to an unknown location and held him incommunicado for four days before bringing him to the Homeland Security headquarters in Cairo. There prosecutors ordered him detained for 15 days on charges of planning illegal protests to overthrow the government and belonging to an illegal organization, which they identified as "the January 25 youth movement," according to reports. Mostafa said on social media that Al-Sakka told her that police had beaten him in the Dokki police station and at the Homeland Security building where he is currently detained. From the time he was arrested to the time he surfaced at the Homeland Security headquarters, his family, friends and lawyer did not know where he was. "In its ongoing attempts to control the press and terrify critics, the Egyptian government shows total disregard for its own laws and processes," CPJ's Middle East and North Africa Program Coordinator Sherif Mansour said from Washington DC. "We call on Egyptian authorities to immediately release Mahmoud Al-Sakka and to stop harassing and arresting journalists." Al-Sakka's work for Yanair has focused on politics, including news about political parties, parliament, and labor strikes. Al-Sakka's family told reporters that police officers raided their home the day after the journalist went missing, but refused to give them any information about his whereabouts. His arrest comes amid increased reports of arrests, including three made on charges of "subversive Facebook activity," and raids of art spaces and a publishing house. In recent days, courts have also sentenced two journalists to prison. A Cairo court on January 3 sentenced Mohamed Abdel Moneim, a journalist for the privately owned website Tahya Masr, to three years in prison on charges of participating in an unlicensed, April 2015 protest and carrying Molotov cocktails. Abdel Moneim has been in custody since his arrest at the protest, which took place in Cairo's Dar al-Salam neighborhood. The administrative chief of Tahya Masr testified in court that Abdel Moneim was on assignment for the outlet to cover the protest, and was not participating in the protest itself. The judges decided not to recognize Abdel Moneim as a journalist because he is not a registered member of the Egyptian Journalists' Syndicate, according to the state-owned daily Al-Ahram. Membership in the syndicate, the only officially recognized press union, is not open to online journalists. In a separate case, a Cairo appeals court on December 28 sentenced television host Islam Al-Behery to a year in prison on charges of defaming Islam, reducing a sentence handed down in May 2015 of five years in prison. Al-Behery, who was taken into custody after the sentencing, hosted a religious talk-show, "Ma'a Islam" (With Islam) on the privately owned satellite channel Alkahera Walnas. Lawyer Mohamed Abdel Salam, who represents Al-Azhar, an influential religious institution, filed a lawsuit against Al-Behery in April 2015 for showing "contempt of religion" in statements made on his show. Al-Azhar is also seeking a court order to ban Al-Behery from appearing on any television program, and to have past episodes of "Ma'a Islam" removed from YouTube, according to reports. The next hearing in those proceedings is scheduled for February 14. Al-Behery's lawyer told reporters that he will appeal the verdict on the grounds that another court on June 2015 acquitted him of the same charges in a different case, and Egyptian law holds that a person cannot be tried twice for the same crime. According to a 2015 report, he faces 45 lawsuits stemming from statements he made on his show. A court is scheduled to hear his petition to be released pending appeal on January 11, according to the independent daily Al-Shorouk. EDITOR'S NOTE: The text has been modified in the first and third paragraph to correct the spelling of Mahmoud Al-Sakka's name. Copyright notice: Committee to Protect Journalists. All rights reserved. Articles may be reproduced only with permission from CPJ. Ethiopia arrests second journalist in a week, summons Zone 9 bloggers Publisher Committee to Protect Journalists Publication Date 27 December 2015 Cite as Committee to Protect Journalists, Ethiopia arrests second journalist in a week, summons Zone 9 bloggers, 27 December 2015, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/56c1eb646.html [accessed 21 October 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. Nairobi, December 27, 2015 The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on authorities in Ethiopia to release the editor-in-chief of Negere Ethiopia online newspaper, Getachew Shiferaw, who was arrested on Friday, according to news reports. "Ethiopia prides itself on development, but economic growth is a hollow achievement if the public does not enjoy fundamental human rights such as the right to receive and share information and divergent viewpoints," CPJ's Africa Program Coordinator Sue Valentine said. "Authorities should immediately release Getachew Shiferaw, drop all charges against him, and allow journalists to do their jobs." Getachew's arrest follows the detention on December 19 of Fikadu Mirkana, a news anchor at the state-run broadcaster Oromia Radio and TV, who was arrested at his Addis Ababa home. The arrests come amid protests over a plan by authorities to expand the Ethiopian capital, which campaigners say would displace hundreds of thousands of farmers, according to news reports. Authorities have cracked down on the demonstrators as well as clamping down on critical and independent voices in the press. At least five protestors have been killed and hundreds arrested, according to news reports. Getachew was arrested by federal police on December 25 while walking to his office in Addis Ababa in the morning, news reports said. He is being held at Maekelawi, the main federal police investigation center, where political detainees have been tortured or ill-treated, according to a 2013 report by Human Rights Watch. Getachew appeared Saturday in court, where police were granted permission to hold him for 28 days for interrogation, after which he is likely to be charged under the Anti-Terrorism Proclamation, news reports said. Ethiopia's broadly worded anti-terrorism law criminalizes any reporting that authorities deem encouraging to groups and causes the government labels as terrorists, including banned political opposition groups. CPJ wrote a letter to the government expressing its concern shortly after the law was passed in 2009. Negere Ethiopia is affiliated with the Blue Party, an opposition movement that has campaigned for greater political openness in Ethiopia, news reports said. The newspaper was forced to suspend its print edition a year ago, and now is distributed via social media. The outlet covers political trials, including proceedings against opposition politicians and journalists, co-founder of the Zone 9 blogging collective Soleyana S. Gebremichael told CPJ. It reported on calls by the Blue Party and the Oromo Federalist Party for a public demonstration to be held today, but for which authorities denied permission. The director general of Ethiopia's Government Communications Affairs Office, Getachew Reda, did not immediately respond to emailed questions from CPJ. Separately, authorities in Ethiopia on December 24 summoned five members of the Zone 9 blogging group Soleyana, Abel Wabella, Natnail Feleke, Atnaf Berhane, and Befekadu Hailu to appear in court on December 30. The bloggers were acquitted of terrorism charges in October, and the prosecution is appealing their acquittal, Soleyana, who was tried in absentia, told CPJ. Befekadu is still facing charges of "incitement of violence through writing." The Zone 9 bloggers were honored with CPJ's 2015 International Press Freedom Award in November. Ethiopia is the third worst jailer of journalists on the African continent, with at least 10 behind bars on December 1, CPJ's 2015 prison census shows. Copyright notice: Committee to Protect Journalists. All rights reserved. Articles may be reproduced only with permission from CPJ. Bahrain accuses journalist of supporting terrorism Publisher Committee to Protect Journalists Publication Date 6 January 2016 Cite as Committee to Protect Journalists, Bahrain accuses journalist of supporting terrorism, 6 January 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/56c1eb6515.html [accessed 21 October 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. New York, January 6, 2016 Bahraini authorities should immediately release journalist Mahmoud al-Jaziri and drop all charges against him, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. The terrorism charges were announced amid escalating sectarian tensions in Bahrain and other Gulf countries. The Bahraini Interior Ministry today named Al-Jaziri, a reporter for the opposition daily Al-Wasat, as among those arrested for allegedly plotting terrorist attacks funded by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard and Hezbollah, according to the official Bahrain News Agency (BNA). That announcement came amid a deepening diplomatic rift between Iran and Saudi Arabia and its allies, including Bahrain, after Saudi Arabia executed prominent Shiite cleric Nimr Al-Nimr on Saturday. It also followed years of official persecution including the 2011 death in custody of a founding investor of Al-Wasat staff. "The Bahraini government has long sought to silence Al-Wasat," said CPJ Middle East and North Africa Program Coordinator Sherif Mansour. "We call on the authorities to release Mahmoud al-Jaziri immediately and drop all charges against him." Police arrested Al-Jaziri from his home on Nabih Saleh Island, south of the capital Manama, on the morning of December 28. He was allowed to call his brother later in the day to say he was being held for criminal investigation, local human rights groups and Al-Wasat reported. Al-Jaziri's lawyer, Wafaa Marhon, told Al-Wasat on December 31 that prosecutors had not produced any evidence against her client. But on January 4, two days after Al-Nimr's execution, Al-Jaziri was referred to a special prosecutor for terrorist crimes, who charged him with supporting terrorism, inciting hatred of the regime, having contacts with a foreign country, and seeking to overthrow the regime by joining Al-Wafaa and the February 14 Youth Movement, which has organized protests since the 2011 uprising, according to news reports. The Interior Ministry statement carried by BNA today listed Al-Jaziri and three other recently arrested men as members of an armed wing of Al-Wafaa that was plotting bombings in cooperation with the Iranian Revolutionary Guard and Hezbollah. Mansoor Al-Jamri, editor-in-chief of Al-Wasat and CPJ's 2011 International Press Freedom Awardee, told CPJ that Al-Jaziri denied all these charges and that he told prosecutors that his relationship with Al-Wafaa had never extended past proofreading the group's public statements, and that he had stopped even that activity after he became a professional journalist in 2012. Al-Jamri said Al-Jaziri covers parliamentary news for Al-Wasat. On the day of his arrest, Al-Jaziri had reported on a member of parliament's proposal to deny housing to Bahrainis whose citizenship the government had revoked for their political activities. Over the course of 2013-2014, he had also written a series of opinion articles for Al-Wasat in which he blamed world and regional powers for what he called the "failures" of the 2011 uprisings collectively called the "Arab Spring," criticized the lack of compromise in the region's conflicts, and called for closer relationships between predominantly Sunni and Shiite countries in the region. Last year, at least four bloggers were stripped of their Bahraini citizenship because of their critical writings, according to CPJ research. Bahrain was holding at least five journalists behind bars when CPJ conducted its annual census on December 1, 2015. Copyright notice: Committee to Protect Journalists. All rights reserved. Articles may be reproduced only with permission from CPJ. Somalia intelligence agency detains journalist for weeks Publisher Committee to Protect Journalists Publication Date 6 January 2016 Cite as Committee to Protect Journalists, Somalia intelligence agency detains journalist for weeks, 6 January 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/56c1eb6615.html [accessed 21 October 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. New York, January 6, 2016 Somali authorities should immediately release journalist Abdirisak Omar Ahmed or disclose any charges against him, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. Somalia's National Intelligence and Security Agency arrested Abdirisak, a freelancer who wrote for the privately owned, Somali-language, news website Xogmaal, on the morning of December 17, near the Jubba Hotel in the Shanghani district of Mogadishu, according to a statement by the government-recognized National Union of Somalia Journalists (NUSOJ). "Somali authorities have held Abdirisak Omar Ahmed incommunicado for 20 days without presenting a shred of evidence he broke the law. That is 20 days too long," said CPJ Africa Program Coordinator Sue Valentine. "If Abdirisak is accused of committing a crime, authorities should disclose those charges immediately. Otherwise, they should release him now." Abdirisak was detained alongside journalist Abdukar Mohamed Ali of Star FM while the pair was walking to a coffee shop. Abdukar was released without charge the next day, but Abdirisak remains in detention, and has not been brought before the courts, according to his family and the Somalia journalists union. He is being held at the intelligence agency headquarters near the presidential palace in Mogadishu, Mohamed Ibrahim, secretary-general of the government-recognized NUSOJ, told CPJ. Ibrahim said he has raised Abdirisak's case with authorities, but has been unable to learn anything about his case. The journalist has been denied access to his lawyer and his family, including his wife, Maryan Arale. Maryan said in an interview on Universal Television on December 27 that she was concerned about Abdirisak's health because he had been suffering a serious case of malaria around the time when he was arrested. "They have not brought any charges against him," she said. "When we ask what he has done, they say they are investigating. He is not allowed to have a lawyer and we do not know who to share our grievances with. Abdirisak was the sole breadwinner of the family, and he was also studying at university and was due to sit exams in January." The reasons for Abdirisak's detention remain unclear. Neither Minister for National Security Abdirizak Omar Mohamed nor Information Minister Mohamed Abdi Hayir Maareeye immediately responded to CPJ's emailed request for information as to why the journalist has been detained. CPJ recorded several incidents in 2015 in which agents from the National Intelligence and Security Agency engaged in arbitrary arrest and detention of journalists. The continued detention of Abdirisak, apparently without charge, comes despite President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud's declared support for freedom of the media and his professed admiration for the role that journalists play in providing information to society in Somalia. On World Press Freedom day in May 2014 President Mohamud recognized journalists who, in his words, "work tirelessly to inform the population, often at great risk to themselves." EDITOR'S NOTE: The second and fourth paragraphs have been modified to clarify that the source of information is the National Union of Somalia Journalists (NUSOJ) that is recognized by the government in Mogadishu. There are two organizations that operate under the same name, only one of which is recognized by the government. Copyright notice: Committee to Protect Journalists. All rights reserved. Articles may be reproduced only with permission from CPJ. South Sudan arrests journalist, newspaper ceases publishing Publisher Committee to Protect Journalists Publication Date 7 January 2016 Cite as Committee to Protect Journalists, South Sudan arrests journalist, newspaper ceases publishing, 7 January 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/56c1eb6715.html [accessed 21 October 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. New York, January 7, 2016 -South Sudanese authorities should immediately release journalist Joseph Afandi, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. The editor of the newspaper where Afandi worked resigned after Afandi's arrest, and the newspaper has not published since. Afandi, an editor for the Arabic daily El Tabeer ("Expression"), was arrested by agents of the National Security Service (NSS) at the newspaper's offices in the Hai Thuwra district of the capital Juba on December 30 and brought to NSS headquarters, according to news reports. Afandi had recently written an opinion article criticizing the ruling Sudan People's Liberation Movement for failing to protect the lives of its people and for presiding over the civil war that has devastated the country. No charges against Afandi have been disclosed. South Sudanese Director General of Information Paul Jacob Kumbo told CPJ he was not aware of the issue and could not comment on Afandi's arrest or whether he faces any charges. "No journalist should be jailed for doing his job, which includes the right to publish or broadcast critical observations about public figures and institutions," said CPJ Africa Program Coordinator Sue Valentine. "South Sudanese authorities should release Joseph Afandi immediately or disclose any charges against him, and end their harassment of El Tabeer." A colleague of Afandi told a reporter for the South Sudanese station Radio Tamazuj that the arresting officers had verbally instructed the newspaper to cease publishing because the government was unhappy with its editorial content. The paper has not appeared since. The editor of El Tabeer, Wazir Michael, announced at a press conference the same day that he had resigned in an effort to appease the security services and to safeguard the interests of the newspaper. El Tabeer, one of three Arabic-language newspapers in Juba, began publishing in December after authorities shuttered Michael's previous newspaper, Al-Rai, according to news reports. CPJ research shows that journalists working in South Sudan are subject to arbitrary arrests and threats. In August, President Salva Kiir publicly threatened kill journalists for reporting "against the country." In January 2015, five journalists were killed in an ambush on a political convoy in Western Bahr al Ghazal state. CPJ is investigating the killings of two other journalists during 2015 to determine if they were work-related. Editor's note: The original text of this alert was modified in paragraph 4 to correct the name of the South Sudan's director general of information. Copyright notice: Committee to Protect Journalists. All rights reserved. Articles may be reproduced only with permission from CPJ. Indonesia denies media visa for France 24 reporter Publisher Committee to Protect Journalists Publication Date 12 January 2016 Cite as Committee to Protect Journalists, Indonesia denies media visa for France 24 reporter, 12 January 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/56c1eb6929.html [accessed 21 October 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. Bangkok, January 12, 2016 The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns Indonesia's refusal to issue a media visa to French journalist Cyril Payen. The Bangkok-based senior reporter for France 24 television received notice of the denial from Indonesia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs without explanation on Friday, he told CPJ. The Indonesian government's decision follows the broadcast of Payen's documentary, "The forgotten war in Papua." The film, broadcast by France 24 on October 18, examined allegations of state-sponsored human rights abuses and conflict-related casualties over the past 25 years in the country's eastern Papuan provinces. President Joko Widodo announced last May that his government would allow foreign journalists to report unrestricted from Papua, breaking a decades-long virtual blackout on international news coverage of the restive region. Payen applied for and received the required media permits to report from Papua, and reported freely from the region for about a week last July, he told CPJ. "Indonesia's move to deny France 24 reporter Cyril Payen a journalistic visa smacks of retaliation for his critical reporting," said Shawn W. Crispin, CPJ's senior Southeast Asia representative. "President Widodo should make good on his previous pledge to improve access to Indonesia for foreign journalists by reversing this arbitrary and ill-conceived decision." CPJ advocated for the removal of the foreign media restrictions as an important precondition for Widodo to achieve his campaign vow to bring peace and prosperity to Papua and West Papua provinces. The region has been locked in a long-simmering struggle between Indonesian security forces and the secessionist Free Papua Movement. Foreign journalists have been targeted for harassment under Widodo's rule. British filmmakers Rebecca Prosser and Neil Bonner were held in custody for nearly five months before being sentenced in November to two and a half months in prison for violating the terms of their tourist visas. They were first apprehended by the Indonesian navy while reporting a documentary on piracy commissioned by the magazine National Geographic. Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Luhut Binsar Panjaitan in November 2015 told CPJ that Widodo's administration was committed to ensuring the press has free access to Papua. Copyright notice: Committee to Protect Journalists. All rights reserved. Articles may be reproduced only with permission from CPJ. Iran arrests journalists, bans newspaper ahead of elections Publisher Committee to Protect Journalists Publication Date 11 January 2016 Cite as Committee to Protect Journalists, Iran arrests journalists, bans newspaper ahead of elections, 11 January 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/56c1eb694.html [accessed 21 October 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. New York, January 11, 2016 Iranian authorities should immediately release Farzad Pourmoradi, Meysam Mohammadi, and all journalists detained for their work, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. Authorities should furthermore lift the ban on the daily newspaper Bahar, CPJ said. The arrests and the ban on the newspaper come ahead of legislative elections scheduled to begin February 26. "Iranian authorities are clearly trying to intimidate the press ahead of parliamentary elections, and in the process they are undermining the legitimacy of the vote," said CPJ Middle East and North Africa Program Coordinator Sherif Mansour. Officers from the Revolutionary Guards arrested Farzad Pourmoradi, a freelance journalist who has contributed to the Kermanshah Post and Navai Vaghat newspapers, as he left his home on January 3, according news reports and the Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA). Arresting officers searched Pourmoradi's house and seized his computer, mobile phone, and tablet, but did not immediately disclose any charges against him, according to reports. Pourmoradi had recently started a public channel in the encrypted messaging service Telegram to report on news related to Iran's legislative elections, news reports said. Officials on Friday sent Meysam Mohammadi, the former editor of the reformist daily newspaper Kalameh Sabz, to Tehran's Evin Prison to begin serving a four-year prison term, according to news reports. Police had summoned Mohammadi for questioning earlier in the week, but arrested him unexpectedly. Mohammadi was freed on bail after serving two months in pretrial detention following his February 2011 arrest. He remained free, pending appeal, after Tehran's Revolutionary Court sentenced him to four years in prison on charges of "plotting against national security" in 2012. Prosecutors on January 2 ordered the reformist daily newspaper Bahar to cease publishing on the grounds that it "propagandized against the state and published material harmful to the foundation of the Islamic Republic," according to local news reports. Mansour Ghanavati, the newspaper's editor, told the BBC's Persian service that he did not know on what the charge was based. Bahar has frequently run afoul of authorities: Courts have ordered the newspaper to suspend operations at least twice before, and police have arrested its journalists. "We call on Iranian authorities to release Farzad Pourmoradi, Meysam Mohammadi, and all other journalists in custody for their work, and lift the ban on Bahar newspaper," said CPJ's Mansour. As of December 1, 2015, when CPJ conducted its annual, global census of imprisoned journalists, Iran had 19 journalists in custody, making it the third worst jailer of journalists in the world. On January 6, journalist Issa Saharkhiz resumed his hunger strike to protest his imprisonment in Evin Prison, now in its second month, his son Mehdi told reporters. Copyright notice: Committee to Protect Journalists. All rights reserved. Articles may be reproduced only with permission from CPJ. Unknown gunmen kill two Iraqi journalists Publisher Committee to Protect Journalists Publication Date 12 January 2016 Cite as Committee to Protect Journalists, Unknown gunmen kill two Iraqi journalists, 12 January 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/56c1eb6b2b.html [accessed 21 October 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. New York, January 12, 2016 Unknown gunmen shot to death two journalists working for the independent Al-Sharqiya TV station in Iraq today, according to the channel and news reports. The attack marks the first killings of journalists to be documented by the Committee to Protect Journalists in 2016. Correspondent Saif Talal and cameraman Hassan al-Anbaki were driving near the Diyala province capital of Baquba when unidentified gunmen intercepted their vehicle, forced them to exit, and opened fire, news reports said, citing unnamed security officials. "This deliberate killing of two journalists is a strong reminder of the need for the Iraqi government to step up measures to protect journalists, who take great risks every day," said Sherif Mansour, CPJ's Middle East and North Africa program coordinator. "We call on Iraqi authorities to bring the killers of Saif Talal and Hassan al-Anbaki to justice as quickly as possible." Al-Sharqiya journalist Minas al-Suhail told Agence France-Presse that the journalists were returning from a reporting trip in the company of an Iraqi general to the Muqdadiyah area, which the night before was hit by twin bombings that killed 20 people in a cafe. As they passed through the village of Abu Saida, the gunmen stopped the journalists' car, which had lagged behind the general's convoy. In a statement published on its website, Al-Sharqiya accused "one of the militias on the loose" of carrying out the murder. The station, whose license the Iraqi Commission on Media and Communications suspended in 2013 for using a "sectarian tone" in its coverage of Sunni protests, did not accuse any specific militia or armed group of carrying out the attack. In its live broadcast, Al-Sharqiya reported that Talal survived an assassination attempt by unknown gunmen two years ago. The station broadcast an interview with Talal from that time in which he vowed to continue his work for the channel. In a series of tweets just hours before his death, Talal warned that strict security measures were needed against all those who operate outside the law in Diyala province and criticized extremists of all sects for failing to know the true meaning of humanity. The Iraqi press freedom group Journalistic Freedoms Observatory said in an emailed statement that it holds the Iraqi military command in Diyala "completely responsible" for the killing of the journalists. The Iraqi Journalists Syndicate called on officials to take "all possible efforts" to uncover the perpetrators. Iraqi security forces bolstered by Shia militias declared victory over Islamic State fighters in Diyala province early last year, but violence has spiked repeatedly since that declaration, according to news reports. Meanwhile, human rights organizations and news organizations have documented likely war crimes and atrocities committed by Shiite militias supporting the Iraqi government, including in Diyala province. Copyright notice: Committee to Protect Journalists. All rights reserved. Articles may be reproduced only with permission from CPJ. Two Kurdish journalists jailed in southeast Turkey Publisher Committee to Protect Journalists Publication Date 12 January 2016 Cite as Committee to Protect Journalists, Two Kurdish journalists jailed in southeast Turkey, 12 January 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/56c1eb6b6.html [accessed 21 October 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. Istanbul, January 12, 2016 Turkish authorities should immediately release two Kurdish journalists jailed in southeast Turkey since last week and drop all charges against them, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. The arrests follow the detentions of at least three other journalists working for pro-Kurdish news outlets in December. Police in the southeastern city of Srnak arrested Nedim Oruc, a reporter for the pro-Kurdish Dicle News Agency (DIHA), on January 6 on charges of "making propaganda for a terrorist organization." Police in the eastern Van Province arrested Rojda Oguz, a reporter for the pro-Kurdish, all-female Jin News Agency (JINHA), on January 8 on charges of being a member of a terrorist organization. Both journalists are accused of being associated with the banned Kurdistan Workers' Party, or PKK. Both deny the charges, according to police records, news reports, and those close to the investigations. "The Turkish public has a right to information from a variety of sources and perspectives, but the government is clearly trying to stifle pro-Kurdish news outlets with these arrests," CPJ Europe and Central Asia Program Coordinator Nina Ognianova said. "We call on Turkish authorities to release Nedim Oruc and Rojda Oguz without delay and to stop harassing and obstructing journalists." Local police arrested Oruc from the home of a relative he had been visiting in Srnak, according to eyewitnesses cited in local press reports. According to those accounts, Oruc was among dozens of people detained in an operation in which police went door-to-door, arresting people on suspicion of being Kurdish rebels or being sympathetic to the rebels. Police confiscated the journalist's camera, computer, and reporting notes, Oruc's employer, DIHA, reported. A source close to the investigation, who wished to remain anonymous because he was not authorized to speak about the case, told CPJ that Oruc said in his police testimony that he was in the Sehitharunbey neighborhood of Silipi District in Srnak to report on clashes between Turkish security services and Kurdish separatists. In that document, Oruc said he filmed local residents digging trenches to prevent authorities from accessing the area, the source told CPJ. Oruc is currently held at Srnak prison, pending trial, according to the independent news website Bianet. Oguz is a university student and a reporter for JINHA. She was detained alongside other students, according to reports by her employer. Police questioned her about her social media posts, which included links to JINHA reports as well as posts from protest rallies she said she had attended as a journalist, according to the documents of her police interrogation, which CPJ has reviewed. The journalist was also questioned about her mobile phone conversations, which had been recorded by the police, according to the documents. The tapped phone conversations were used as evidence of Oguz's purported connection to a student organization allegedly linked to the PKK. Oguz denied having such a connection. She is at Van prison pending trial, her lawyer told CPJ. The arrests come amid clashes between Turkish security forces and ethnic Kurdish insurgents in urban areas across the country's southeast, which have intensified since the July collapse of a ceasefire between the two sides. CPJ has documented cases in which police and judicial authorities have detained and prosecuted Kurdish journalists based on vaguely worded charges under anti-terrorism legislation that authorities have read to make reporting on the activities of banned groups equivalent to propagandizing for them. Copyright notice: Committee to Protect Journalists. All rights reserved. Articles may be reproduced only with permission from CPJ. Egypt sentences journalists to prison for 'publishing false news' Publisher Committee to Protect Journalists Publication Date 13 January 2016 Cite as Committee to Protect Journalists, Egypt sentences journalists to prison for 'publishing false news', 13 January 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/56c1eb6c15.html [accessed 21 October 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. New York, January 13, 2016 The Committee to Protect Journalists on Wednesday condemned a Cairo court's sentencing of three journalists and one press freedom advocate to three years in prison each on charges of "publishing false news" and belonging to the banned Muslim Brotherhood group. Cairo's Sayeda Zeinab Criminal Court on Sunday sentenced Mohamed Adly, a correspondent for the independent newspaper Tahrir; Hamdy Mokhtar, a photojournalist for the opposition news website El-Shaab el-Jadeed; freelance journalist Sherif Ashraf; and Aboubakr Khallaf, the head of an electronic media syndicate, to three years in prison each. Khallaf was the only one of the four defendants present in court. The others were sentenced in absentia, according to news reports. "Egypt faces serious problems. Journalists practicing journalism are not one of them," CPJ's Middle East and North Africa Program Coordinator Sherif Mansour said in Washington D.C. "We call on authorities to reverse these convictions on appeal." Ashraf, the freelance journalist, told local press freedom group Journalists Against Torture Observatory that he was not aware of the Sunday court hearing. Two weeks prior, prosecutors had told his lawyers that the case against him, Mokhtar, and Adly would be dropped, Ashraf told the group. Police arrested Adly, Mokhtar, and Ashraf on July 1, 2015, outside of Cairo's Zeinhom morgue, where they were reporting on the deaths of nine Muslim Brotherhood members killed by security forces that day, according to police and news reports. The journalists were held for two months on charges of belonging to the banned Muslim Brotherhood group and spreading false news, then each released on 10,000 Egyptian pounds' (US$1,277) bail on August 31. The three journalists are not in police custody and will appeal the verdict, according to reports. Aboubakr Khallaf, the head of the independent Electronic Media Syndicate (EMS) who was sentenced with the three journalists, was arrested on July 21, 2015, days after state-owned newspaper Akhbar al-Youm published an article alleging that EMS was affiliated with and funded by the Muslim Brotherhood. The syndicate trains and supports online journalists in Egypt. EMS's website has been inactive since Khallaf's arrest, although it published a statement in September denying all allegations against it and against Khallaf. The court on Sunday ordered Khallaf released on 1,200 Egyptian pounds' (US$153) bail, pending appeal, according to reports. CPJ was unable to determine whether he remains in custody. Appeal proceedings are scheduled to being on March 17, according to news reports. In further moves against the press, Egyptian prosecutors on Monday pursued criminal investigations in response to complaints citizens had filed against several journalists for allegedly insulting the judiciary, according to news reports. Prosecutors are investigating editor and talk show host Ibrahim Eissa and writer Ahmed Samer over an article Samer wrote for Al-Maqal newspaper, which Eissa edits. The December 30, 2015, article criticized the imprisonment of television host Islam al-Behery on blasphemy charges. Prosecutors are also investigating television hosts Lamees al-Hadidy and Youssef al-Hosseiny for comments made on air regarding al-Behery's sentence, according to news reports. In a separate procedure, prosecutors on January 6 said they would bring six journalists to trial on defamation charges brought in a complaint by Minister of Justice Ahmed al-Zend. Zend had complained that the journalists defamed him by publishing stories in 2014 alleging that he had sold state-owned land to a relative at below-market prices during his former post as head of the Judges' Club. The journalists referred to trial in the case are Abdelhaleem Qandil, editor of the privately owned newspaper Sawt al-Ummah Gamal Sultan and Mahmoud Sultan, editors of the privately owned newspaper Al-Mesryoon Iman Yehia, a reporter at Al-Mesryoon Hisham Younis, editor of the state-owned news portal Ahram Gate Ahmed Amer, journalist at Ahram Gate Copyright notice: Committee to Protect Journalists. All rights reserved. Articles may be reproduced only with permission from CPJ. Journalists arrested without charge in Djibouti Publisher Committee to Protect Journalists Publication Date 15 January 2016 Cite as Committee to Protect Journalists, Journalists arrested without charge in Djibouti, 15 January 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/56c1eb6d15.html [accessed 21 October 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. New York, January 15, 2016 Officials in Djibouti should immediately release two journalists arrested this week, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. Police arrested Kadar Abdi Ibrahim on Thursday, and arrested Mohamed Ibrahim Waiss on Monday, but have yet to charge either, according to the Facebook page of a local publication. Kadar Abdi Ibrahim, a writer and the co-director of the monthly Aurore (Dawn), was arrested at his home on Thursday, US-based Djiboutian scholar Abdourahman Waberi told CPJ. Aurore is a publication of the country's opposition party, the Union Pour Le Salut National (USN). Police arrested Ibrahim immediately after the paper's most recent edition was published, Waberi said. "Journalists should not be jailed for reporting or commentating on events as they see them, even if they are deemed to work for politically aligned publications," said CPJ Africa Program Coordinator Sue Valentine. "Djibouti authorities must either explain why these journalists are detained or immediately release them." Mohamed Ibrahim Waiss, a journalist with the independent radio station Voix de Djibouti, was arrested on Monday afternoon, and has since been held incommunicado, denied access to either his family or his lawyer, according to a news report and the Voix de Djibouti's Twitter account. Waberi told CPJ that Wais was covering a small political demonstration in Balbala at the time of his arrest. Waiss had previously been targeted by Djiboutian authorities, having been arrested while covering local protests in 2014, according to CPJ research. Copyright notice: Committee to Protect Journalists. All rights reserved. Articles may be reproduced only with permission from CPJ. Washington Post reporter Jason Rezaian is free, Iran news outlet says Publisher Committee to Protect Journalists Publication Date 16 January 2016 Cite as Committee to Protect Journalists, Washington Post reporter Jason Rezaian is free, Iran news outlet says, 16 January 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/56c1eb6f25.html [accessed 21 October 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. EDITOR'S NOTE: This alert was updated at 01:23 p.m. Saturday to reflect U.S. officials confirming Jason Rezaian has been freed. Washington Post correspondent Jason Rezaian spent 544 days in jail in Iran. (AP/Vahid Salemi) New York, January 16, 2016 The Committee to Protect Journalists welcomes the release today of Washington Post correspondent Jason Rezaian, who spent 544 days in prison in Iran. Rezaian was freed as part of a prisoner swap deal, according to a report in the Post that said U.S. and Iranian officials had confirmed his release. "We welcome news of the release of Jason Rezaian, who should never have been imprisoned in the first place," said Sherif Mansour, CPJ's Middle East and North Africa program coordinator, from Washington. "The farce of a judicial process that kept him in custody for 544 days has earned Tehran nothing but scorn from the international community. The Iranian government should begin taking steps immediately to improve its press freedom record by releasing all journalists imprisoned in relation to their work." Rezaian was freed along with three other Iranian-American dual nationals, according to the Fars News Agency, which quoted Tehran's prosecutor, and other reports today. Rezaian was arrested in July 2014. On October 12, 2015, Iranian media reported that he had been convicted, according to the Post. The following month, Gholam Hossein Mohseni-Ejei, a spokesman for Tehran's Revolutionary Court, confirmed to Iranian media that Rezaian had been sentenced to prison but did not specify the length of the sentence. Charges against Rezaian included espionage, which he denied, according to reports. The Washington Post correspondent has been held longer than any other international journalist in Iran, according to CPJ research. In July 2015, a year after his arrest, CPJ's board urged Iran's leaders to intervene in Rezaian's case. With 19 journalists behind bars, Iran was the third worst jailer of journalists in the world in 2015, according to CPJ's annual prison census. UPDATE: The last paragraph of this alert has been updated to reflect that Jason Rezaian has been held longer than any other international journalist in Iran. Copyright notice: Committee to Protect Journalists. All rights reserved. Articles may be reproduced only with permission from CPJ. Press trying to cover politics in Uganda face restrictions, attacks Publisher Committee to Protect Journalists Publication Date 15 January 2016 Cite as Committee to Protect Journalists, Press trying to cover politics in Uganda face restrictions, attacks, 15 January 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/56c1eb6f6.html [accessed 21 October 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. January 15, 2016 The Committee to Protect Journalists is concerned that journalists in Uganda are being prevented from freely covering Parliament and campaigning for next month's presidential elections. The government announced this week that journalists without a university qualification will be barred from covering parliament, according to local reports. Journalists have also reported being attacked and threatened while covering the election campaign. "The entire democratic process is undermined if journalists are restricted whether through arbitrary regulations or physical violence from covering politicians," said Sue Valentine, CPJ's Africa program coordinator. On Monday, the Parliamentary Commission sent a letter to news outlets that said journalists without university degrees would be barred from covering parliament as of May 2016, according to news reports. Chris Obore, the communication manager for parliament, defended the decision and was quoted in news reports as saying, "We want journalists with degrees because we believe they are the ones who can ably follow the debate in parliament and report appropriately to the public." Several Ugandan journalists have protested over the change, reports said. "Demanding that no one can enter the press gallery without a bachelor's degree is tantamount to licensing for journalists," Valentine said. "Legislators lose all legitimacy unless they operate under public scrutiny. We urge the Parliamentary Commission to overturn this ban." Several journalists have also reported being attacked this month. "Security forces must respect the right of journalists to do their jobs and we urge all political parties to ensure their supporters allow the press to cover events without fear of harassment or intimidation," Valentine added. On Monday, Ali Golooba Lukuuba, a reporter for the privately owned Radio Buddu, based in Masaka, was beaten and had his equipment taken by security guards while covering a speech, he told CPJ. Lukuuba said he was recording a speech by local politician Hajji Muyanja Mbabaali, when he was surrounded by six security guards who asked why he was recording their candidate. The men then hit and kicked the journalist, and confiscated his equipment, reports said. According to Lukuuba, he told his attackers he was a journalist and showed his ID, but they ignored him. He said he has pain in his leg, back, and chest since the assault. Lukuuba has filed a complaint with police, according to the Human Rights Network for Journalists, a local rights organization. On Sunday, George Obia, the Moroto district police commander, allegedly assaulted and threatened four reporters and destroyed the camera of a journalist with NTV, according to reports. Galiwango Ronald, of the privately owned station NTV; Kenneth Oryema, of the privately owned daily New Vision; Ernest Kyazze, from the privately owned daily Bukedde; and Julius Ariong, correspondent for the independent Daily Monitor in Moroto, were in Nadiket to report on a road block allegedly set up by police to prevent an opposition presidential candidate from reaching his supporters, according to news reports. Ariong told the Human Rights Network for Journalists that Obia threatened the journalists and ordered them to hand over a camera. The rights group reported that Obia admitted the altercation but denied responsibility for breaking a camera. He said the damage resulted from the journalists' refusal to hand over equipment when asked. Police said the roadblock was set up because of an accident, not to prevent a candidate from reaching supporters, local reports said. Earlier this month, CPJ documented the case of two editors from the privately owned daily Red Pepper and privately owned weekly Kamunye who were summoned by local police for questioning on January 7, and subsequently arrested and held overnight. Ben Byarabaha and Dickson Mubiru were released without charge the following day, reports said. Other rights groups have also raised concerns ahead of the February 18 elections. On Sunday, Human Rights Watch released a report detailing threats and harassment of journalists and news outlets over their election coverage. Copyright notice: Committee to Protect Journalists. All rights reserved. Articles may be reproduced only with permission from CPJ. Freelance journalist killed by Saudi coalition airstrike in Yemen Publisher Committee to Protect Journalists Publication Date 19 January 2016 Cite as Committee to Protect Journalists, Freelance journalist killed by Saudi coalition airstrike in Yemen, 19 January 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/56c1eb7017.html [accessed 21 October 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. New York, January 19, 2016 The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns the killing of Almigdad Mojalli. The Yemeni freelance journalist was killed by a Saudi-led coalition airstrike outside the capital of Sanaa on Sunday morning while on assignment for Voice of America, the outlet reported this weekend. Mojalli reported for Voice of America, the international humanitarian news network IRIN, The Telegraph, and others on the devastating humanitarian toll that the conflict in Yemen has taken upon ordinary civilians. Mojalli, 34, also frequently assisted international journalists in covering the conflict as a fixer and source of information. According to IRIN, Mojalli considered fleeing Yemen multiple times but decided to stay to continue his work documenting the conflict. More than 5,800 people have died in the fighting since March, according to the Associated Press. "Almigdad Mojalli's terrible death highlights the extreme risks reporters face as they cover the fighting in Yemen," CPJ Middle East and North Africa Program Coordinator Sherif Mansour said from Washington, D.C. "All parties to this conflict must take every possible step to protect journalists trying to do their jobs." Bahir al-Sharabi, a Yemeni journalist working for the Yemen Digital Media production company, told CPJ he traveled with Mojalli Sunday morning along with a driver and a local resident to cover the effects of recent Saudi-led airstrikes in the Hamam Jarif area, about 25 miles south of the capital, Sanaa. According to The New York Times, at least 15 civilians had been killed in airstrikes there the previous week. Al-Sharabi told CPJ that they arrived to the scene around 9 a.m. After about 15 or 20 minutes, they were unexpectedly caught in a Saudi-led coalition airstrike. An explosion knocked Al-Sharabi unconscious. When he came to his senses, Al-Sharabi said, he found Mojalli seriously injured nearby. Al-Sharabi and others, many of them injured themselves, loaded their colleague into the car and tried to find medical assistance, but Mojalli died before they could find help. Al-Sharabi, who suffered light injuries, told CPJ he did not think he and Mojalli were directly targeted by the Saudi coalition airstrikes, and he was not sure if there were any military targets in the area when the airstrike hit. He said their car was not marked as a press vehicle, and nothing on their clothing identified them as press. At least four other journalists have been killed in airstrikes by the Saudi-led coalition since their military campaign against Ansar Allah, also known as the Houthis, and their allies began last year, according to CPJ research. CPJ called the Saudi Embassy in Washington to ask for comment today and was told to send emailed questions to their press office. CPJ has yet to receive any reply to earlier inquiries to the Saudi government regarding the deaths of Yemeni journalists killed by the coalition, and what measures they are taking to prevent future deaths of media workers. Yemeni journalists have also faced unprecedented pressure from Ansar Allah and its allies, who have detained scores of journalists, activists, and political rivals since taking control of the capital in 2014. Last year, Mojalli told CPJ he was facing increased harassment from Ansar Allah and that he feared the group would detain him in retaliation for his reporting. EDITOR'S NOTE: The text has been modified to clarify that Ansar Allah took control of Sanaa in 2014. Copyright notice: Committee to Protect Journalists. All rights reserved. Articles may be reproduced only with permission from CPJ. Tanzania imposes permanent ban on weekly newspaper Publisher Committee to Protect Journalists Publication Date 21 January 2016 Cite as Committee to Protect Journalists, Tanzania imposes permanent ban on weekly newspaper, 21 January 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/56c1eb7115.html [accessed 21 October 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. New York, January 21, 2016 The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on authorities in Tanzania to end their harassment of the weekly newspaper Mawio. The Kiswahili-language newspaper was permanently banned from publishing in print and online Friday and two of its editors were briefly detained, according to reports. Announcing the ban on Saturday, Tanzania's information minister Nape Nnauye told reporters the privately owned paper had been barred from publishing under the 1976 Media Act, Government Announcement 55, for allegedly inciting violence in articles. He cited a report in which he said the paper declared the opposition candidate the winner in presidential elections in Zanzibar, and a headline that loosely translates as "Unrest coming to Zanzibar." CPJ was not able to establish the content of the articles Nnauya cited. Elections in Zanzibar are often contentious because of calls in the Tanzanian archipelago for greater autonomy from the mainland. The Zanzibar Electoral Commission annulled the polls in October after the opposition party Civic United Front, which favors autonomy, declared victory. On Monday two editors at Mawio, Jabir Idrissa and Simon Mkina, were questioned by police about the paper's coverage of Zanzibar, according to Absalom Kibanda, chairman of the Tanzania Editors Forum. They were set free on bail the next day after the Tanzania Editors Forum pressed for their release, Kibanda told CPJ. The editors have been ordered to report daily to a local police station until further notice, according to reports. No formal charges have been filed against them. Kibanda added that the closure of the newspaper and the arrest of the journalists were especially disappointing coming only two months after the election of a new president, John Magufuli, stirred expectations for stronger democracy. "We are extremely concerned that Tanzanian news outlets are facing retaliation for reporting on the political crisis in Zanzibar," said CPJ's Africa Program Coordinator Sue Valentine. "We call on authorities to allow Mawio to publish freely and to set about changing the country's outdated media laws that can be too easily abused to stifle the flow of information." Mawio's distributor, Saed Kubenea, said the paper was shut down after it published a series of articles about the political crisis in Zanzibar, according to reports. The information minister was quoted in local media saying the newspaper had previously received eight warnings about its "inflammatory" reportage, but did not provide further details or cite specific articles. CPJ was unable to reach the paper's editors for comment but Kubenea confirmed in reports that the newspaper had previously received warnings about its coverage. Kibanda told CPJ the Tanzania Editors Forum was "shocked" by the ban and arrests. "We only recently held talks with the Minister of Information about some of the laws which create a repressive environment for the media and we had so much hope that this new government would be responsive to our requests. We are shocked that they have instead taken us 10 years back, to the era of banning newspapers," he said. He added that under the 1976 Act there are no provisions to appeal a ban. The 1976 Newspapers Act allows authorities wide latitude to ban publications, and press freedom campaigners have long demanded its repeal. In its 2013 report, "The Invisible Plight of the Tanzanian Press," CPJ called for the law to be scrapped. The latest developments come just days after the lifting of a year-long ban on the distribution of The East African, a weekly regional newspaper, according to reports. Copyright notice: Committee to Protect Journalists. All rights reserved. Articles may be reproduced only with permission from CPJ. Three journalists face military trial in Cameroon Publisher Committee to Protect Journalists Publication Date 21 January 2016 Cite as Committee to Protect Journalists, Three journalists face military trial in Cameroon, 21 January 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/56c1eb7215.html [accessed 21 October 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. New York, January 21, 2016 The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on Cameroonian authorities to drop all charges against three journalists for failing to disclose information to the state. The three are scheduled to stand trial before a military court on Friday. Baba Wame, president of the Association of Cyber Journalists, Rodrigue Tongue, a reporter who formerly worked for the privately owned daily Le Messager, and Felix Cyriaque Ebole Bola, a reporter for the privately owned daily Mutations, will appear in the military court in Yaounde on charges of "non-denunciation," Denis Nkwebo, president of the Cameroon Journalism Trade Union, told CPJ. "Journalists should not be required to disclose information they uncover in their work or act as police informers," said CPJ Africa Program Coordinator Sue Valentine. "The government should immediately drop these charges against Baba Wame, Rodrigue Tongue, and Felix Cyriaque Ebole Bola, and allow all journalists to do their work without fear of prosecution." The journalists were first charged with failing to disclose information that could harm national security on October 28, 2014, according to news reports. According to the news website Camer.be, they had found allegations that members of the security forces were colluding with the leader of an armed group from Central African Republic. When they charged the journalists, prosecutors also issued an order banning them from publishing in the news media and requiring them to register with police weekly. That order expired in January 2015, according to reports. If convicted, the three journalists face jail terms of between one to five years and a fine between 50,000 and 5 million Central African Francs (US$83 to $8257), according to Amnesty International. The journalists deny having uncovered any information about any act that could have harmed Cameroon's national security, and maintain that they were bound to protect their confidential sources, the reports said. Copyright notice: Committee to Protect Journalists. All rights reserved. Articles may be reproduced only with permission from CPJ. Two journalists missing, believed abducted in Yemen Publisher Committee to Protect Journalists Publication Date 21 January 2016 Cite as Committee to Protect Journalists, Two journalists missing, believed abducted in Yemen, 21 January 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/56c1eb7313.html [accessed 21 October 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. New York, January 21, 2016 Two journalists and a driver have gone missing and are believed to have been abducted in the Yemeni city of Taiz, their respective employers reported today. The Committee to Protect Journalists calls for their immediate release and for anyone with information on their whereabouts to come forward. A home is damaged by fighting in the Yemeni city of Taiz, May 25, 2015 (Reuters). Al-Jazeera correspondent Hamdi al-Bokari, Al-Masdar newspaper correspondent Abdul Aziz al-Sabri, and driver Munair al-Subaie disappeared shortly after having dinner together around 10 pm Monday in Taiz, the two news outlets reported. In a statement emailed to CPJ today, Al-Jazeera said al-Sabri was also working as a member of the network's crew covering Taiz. Al-Masdar and Al-Jazeera each said they believe the three men had been abducted, adding that their car was found empty later that night. "Security in Yemen has rapidly deteriorated in the past year, making it one of the most dangerous places in the world to work as a journalist," said CPJ's Middle East and North Africa program coordinator, Sherif Mansour. "We call on all parties to cease targeting journalists and to free immediately all members of the media that they are holding." Residents of Taiz have endured a months-long siege as a patchwork of pro-government and Islamist groups resist attempts by rebel fighters loyal to Ansar Allah, also known as the Houthis, to take the city. Doctors Without Borders, which was able to deliver medical supplies to the city on Saturday, posted on its website: "Airstrikes hit Taiz city on a daily basis, and residents live in fear of snipers, stray bullets and mortar shelling, which are being used indiscriminately by both warring groups." Al-Sabri was seriously injured last month when shrapnel hit his neck and shoulder while he was reporting on the fighting in Taiz, Al-Masdar reported at the time. He nonetheless continued to report throughout January. Al-Bokari, in one of his last dispatches before he disappeared, reported on civilians killed by pro-Houthi fighters' shelling of the city. Al-Jazeera and Al-Masdar did not accuse any specific group of abducting their correspondents, but Al-Jazeera said in its statement to CPJ that the network was in touch with unspecified "related parties" to secure their release. Yemen remains one of the most dangerous places for reporters in the world. On Sunday, freelance journalist Almigdad Mojalli became the fifth journalist to be killed by Saudi-led coalition airstrikes against Ansar Allah and its allies, according to CPJ research. At least three journalists have also been killed since 2014 as a result of abductions, bombings, and targeted assassinations carried out by Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula. Yemeni journalists have also faced pressure from Ansar Allah and its allies, who have detained scores of journalists, activists, and political rivals since taking control of the capital in September 2014. Houthi gunmen raided the offices of both Al-Jazeera and Al-Masdar last March. In June 2015, Al-Masdar graphic designer Tawfiq al-Mansouri was one of nine journalists and activists detained by pro-Houthi forces in Sanaa. All nine are still being held. Copyright notice: Committee to Protect Journalists. All rights reserved. Articles may be reproduced only with permission from CPJ. Critical reporter shot dead in Oaxaca, Mexico Publisher Committee to Protect Journalists Publication Date 26 January 2016 Cite as Committee to Protect Journalists, Critical reporter shot dead in Oaxaca, Mexico, 26 January 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/56c1eb7515.html [accessed 21 October 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. Mexico City, January 26, 2016 The Committee to Protect Journalists urges Mexican authorities to investigate the murder of Marcos Hernandez Bautista, including the possibility that he was killed for his work as a journalist, find all those responsible, and bring them to justice. Hernandez, a reporter for the daily Noticias, Voz e Imagen de Oaxaca, was shot in the head with a 9mm pistol as he climbed into his car outside a bar on Thursday in the municipality of San Andres Huaxpaltepec, in the state of Oaxaca, according to his paper and other reports. "Mexican authorities must exhaustively investigate Marcos Hernandez Bautista's killing, determine the motive, and bring those responsible to justice," said Carlos Lauria, CPJ's senior Americas program coordinator, in New York. "The Mexican government must put an end to the cycle of violence and impunity that has made Mexico one of the most dangerous countries in the world for the press." Ismael Sanmartin Hernandez, the editorial director of Noticias, Voz e Imagen de Oaxaca, told CPJ that Hernandez "took on the topic of local cacicazgos" local strongmen who rule parts of the region and wrote about their alleged influence in local politics. "He was often in fear," Sanmartin added. He told CPJ Hernandez had been working on sensitive stories and was afraid, but did not elaborate. Attempts by CPJ to reach Sanmartin for further details were unsuccessful. Hernandez, 38, was also a freelance correspondent for La Ke Buena radio in the municipality of Pinotepa Nacional and a community station in Santiago Jamiltepec, according to local news reports and a colleague at the paper, who spoke with CPJ. The colleague, who asked to remain anonymous out of fear of reprisals, said Hernandez reported on social issues including poverty, education, and politics. He said Hernandez had recently reported on protests over the construction of a dam. The colleague added that he did not know of any threats against Hernandez, but said the journalist had been afraid over his reporting on sensitive issues. Oaxaca state prosecutor Hector Joaquin Carrillo told Agence France Presse that investigators had not identified a motive for the attack. Sanmartin told CPJ Hernandez was affiliated with the left-wing opposition political party MORENA, and was a municipal official responsible for culture in Santiago Jamiltepec. The other colleague with whom CPJ spoke said that Hernandez took part in politics but was not a prominent party member. A column published in Noticias, Voz e Imagen de Oaxaca portrayed Hernandez as a brave reporter, covering a region beset by political violence and, increasingly, drug cartels. "Time and again, Marcos Hernandez Bautista, in the pages of Noticias, tirelessly revealed the true face of the coast; people's aspirations, their struggles and conflicts, not only with organized crime, but with the other powers that be and corrupt public functionaries suspected of being linked with narcotics trafficking activities," Amado Sanmartin Hernandez wrote in the newspaper over the weekend. Two journalists have been killed in direct relation to their work in Oaxaca in the past 12 months, according to CPJ research. Filadelfo Sanchez Sarmiento was shot dead in July outside a radio station where he hosted a news program, in the municipality of Miahuatlan de Porfirio Diaz. Sanchez had received death threats prior to the attack, according to news reports. In May 2015, the body of Veracruz radio journalist Armando Saldana Morales was discovered, with four gunshots to the head, in Oaxaca. Violence brought about by drug trafficking has turned Mexico into one of the most dangerous countries in the world to work as a journalist, according to CPJ research. Since 1992, 35 journalists have been killed there for their work. Mexico ranked eighth on CPJ's 2015 Impunity Index, which highlights countries where journalists are murdered and their assailants go free. Copyright notice: Committee to Protect Journalists. All rights reserved. Articles may be reproduced only with permission from CPJ. Jailed Turkish journalists face multiple life sentences Publisher Committee to Protect Journalists Publication Date 27 January 2016 Cite as Committee to Protect Journalists, Jailed Turkish journalists face multiple life sentences, 27 January 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/56c1eb7615.html [accessed 21 October 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. New York, January 27, 2016 Turkish prosecutors should immediately drop all charges against Can Dundar and Erdem Gul, journalists at the daily newspaper Cumhuriyet, and release them without delay, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. Turkish journalists protest the arrest of their colleagues Can Dundar and Erdem Gul, in Ankara, November 27, 2015 (AP/Burhan Ozbilici). Istanbul Deputy Chief Prosecutor Irfan Fidan today asked an Istanbul court to sentence Dundar, Cumhuriyet's editor, and Gul, the paper's Ankara bureau chief, to life in prison, life without parole, and an additional 30 years in prison on charges of accessing and exposing state secrets and aiding a terrorist group, according to CPJ's review of the indictment. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and the Turkish intelligence agency are listed as the complainants in the indictment. The journalists have been jailed since November. "Politically motivated prosecutions of journalists are again on the rise in Turkey," CPJ Deputy Executive Director Robert Mahoney. "Threatening journalists with life in prison is calculated to further intimidate reporters into self-censorship. President Erdogan seems intent on controlling the narrative of Turkey's handling of fighting in Syria and the Kurdish southeast by any means." Cumhuriyet in May 2015 published photographs ostensibly showing Turkish trucks carrying weapons to Syrian rebels in January 2014. Turkish officials accuse local security officers loyal to Fethullah Gulen, a preacher who lives in self-imposed exile in the United States, of stopping and searching the trucks in an effort to bring down the government, according to press reports. The Turkish government designates Gulen's followers as a terrorist group. The charges of aiding a terrorist group stem from this designation. Dundar and Gul remain in pretrial detention at Silivri Prison, outside Istanbul. Turkish authorities on January 22 denied permission for a coalition of international press freedom groups, including CPJ, to visit Dundar and Gul in jail. Representatives of those groups staged a vigil outside the prison today to express their solidarity with the journalists. EDITOR'S NOTE: This alert has been modified to reflect that the court is based in Istanbul. Copyright notice: Committee to Protect Journalists. All rights reserved. Articles may be reproduced only with permission from CPJ. Uganda forces radio station off the air ahead of elections Publisher Committee to Protect Journalists Publication Date 28 January 2016 Cite as Committee to Protect Journalists, Uganda forces radio station off the air ahead of elections, 28 January 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/56c1eb7811.html [accessed 21 October 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. New York, January 28, 2016 Ugandan regulators should immediately allow the privately owned radio station Endigyito FM to resume broadcasts, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. A man listens to the news on the radio in Kampala, August 16, 2003 (Reuters). Endigyito FM ceased broadcasting after the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) revoked the station's license and confiscated its broadcasting equipment on January 20, one day after the station aired an interview with opposition presidential candidate Amama Mbabazi, an employee of Endigyito FM told CPJ, speaking anonymously to avoid harming continuing negotiations with the UCC. Uganda is scheduled to hold presidential elections on February 18. "It is absolutely vital that Ugandan citizens can get information from a range of sources, particularly ahead of elections," said CPJ's Africa Program Coordinator, Sue Valentine. "We call on authorities to renew Endigyito FM's license and return its equipment as soon as possible so the station can resume broadcasts." UCC director Godfrey Mutabaazi initially told reporters that the station's license was suspended because it owed 38 million Ugandan shillings ($11,000) in licensing fees. The station's owner, Nulu Byamukama, said he had paid the outstanding fees in full following the suspension of the station's license, according to reports. On January 28 Mutabaazi told CPJ that the station could not simply resume broadcasting after it paid its fees, that it must apply for a new license. An Endigyito FM employee, again speaking anonymously so as not to jeopardize negotiations, told CPJ that regulators had given the station a series of reasons as to why they could not resume broadcasts, including that the vehicle needed to return the station's broadcasting equipment was being used for a mission in neighboring South Sudan. CPJ has documented several cases of Ugandan journalists' being harassed this month. Police on January 8 released two newspaper editors they had held for 24 hours without allowing them contact with the outside world, according to news reports. Copyright notice: Committee to Protect Journalists. All rights reserved. Articles may be reproduced only with permission from CPJ. Burundi arrests two foreign correspondents in wider crackdown Publisher Committee to Protect Journalists Publication Date 29 January 2016 Cite as Committee to Protect Journalists, Burundi arrests two foreign correspondents in wider crackdown, 29 January 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/56c1eb7915.html [accessed 21 October 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. New York, January 29, 2016 The Committee to Protect Journalists today called on authorities in Burundi to stop harassing journalists and allow them to freely report on events in the country. At least three journalists have been briefly detained in the past two days. Jean-Philippe Remy and Philip Edward Moore are pictured soon after their release from police custody in Bujumbura, Burundi, January 29, 2016 (AFP) Writer Jean-Philippe Remy and photojournalist Philip Edward Moore were on assignment for the French daily newspaper Le Monde in Bujumbura on Thursday when police detained them in the Burundian capital, according to press reports. Presidential spokesman Willy Nyamitwe, writing on Twitter, confirmed the two had been arrested in police raids in the neighborhoods of Nyakabiga and Jabe that saw 17 people arrested and weapons seized. After intense international pressure, including from French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius, the journalists were released on Friday, Le Monde reported. Their reporting equipment was not returned, according to Le Monde. A Burundian journalist, Hermes Ntibandetse of Radio Publique Africaine, which was one of the biggest independent stations in the country before the government shut it down in May, was also arrested around midday Friday and interrogated for an hour before being released, according to colleagues writing on social media. His arrest and interrogation were confirmed to CPJ by another Burundian journalist who asked not to be named for safety reasons. "We urge authorities to return Philip Edward Moore's and Jean-Philippe Remy's newsgathering equipment immediately, and to stop harassing journalists," said CPJ Africa Program Coordinator Sue Valentine. "People in Burundi, the region, and around the world have a right to be informed of events on the ground by a range of sources, so authorities must allow local and international media to freely to do their jobs." Moise Nkurunziza, a deputy spokesman for Burundian police, told The Associated Press on Friday that Moore was arrested in the Nyakabiga neighborhood while meeting with armed rebels and that he attempted to flee when the security forces arrived. He said Remy was arrested when he came looking for Moore. Le Monde said Moore was arrested from a church, and that Remy was arrested when he came to help his colleague. CPJ has documented a pattern of intimidation and harassment against the media in Burundi which has seen most independent journalists flee the country. CPJ and the Burundi Union of Journalists are aware of at least 100 journalists who have left the country since the mass protests of April 2015 and the attempted coup of May 2015 that followed President Pierre Nkurunziza's announcement he would seek a third term. Many of the journalists who left told CPJ they had been threatened or feared persecution. Burundi has also signalled its intention to seek the extradition of at least four journalists no longer in the country, according to news reports. CPJ has been able to determine the identities of two of them. One of them, Radio Publique Africaine's Egide Mwemero, was detained by police in the Democratic Republic of Congo in October 2015. The minister for communications and media in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Lambert Mende, told CPJ the journalist had been arrested for broadcasting foreign radio without prior authorization, and for exercising professional activities without a license. Bob Rugurika, director of Radio Publique Africaine, told CPJ in December that he fears Mwemero will be killed if he is sent back to Burundi. Human rights groups have documented many cases of extrajudicial killings in Burundi in recent months. Amnesty International accused Burundian security forces of killing dozens of people in Bujumbura on December 11 alone. The body of at least one of the victims was found tied up. Burundi on November 23 also petitioned Belgium to extradite Antoine Kaburahe, director of the independent Burundian newspaper Iwacu, according to the newspaper's website, which published what it said was a copy of the extradition request. Kaburahe travelled to Belgium after being interrogated on November 16 on suspicion of having supported the failed coup d'etat in May. In a statement published on Iwacu's website, Kaburahe said there were no restrictions on his movements when he left the country to prepare to assume an academic post in Antwerp. Copyright notice: Committee to Protect Journalists. All rights reserved. Articles may be reproduced only with permission from CPJ. CPJ urges full, independent investigation into killing of journalists in Yemen Publisher Committee to Protect Journalists Publication Date 2 February 2016 Cite as Committee to Protect Journalists, CPJ urges full, independent investigation into killing of journalists in Yemen, 2 February 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/56c1eb7bc.html [accessed 21 October 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. New York, February 2, 2016 Investigations into the killing in Yemen of journalists and other civilians in airstrikes by the Saudi-led coalition should be thorough and impartial, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. Brigadier General Ahmed Asiri, spokesman for the coalition, on Sunday announced the formation of "a high-level independent team in the field of weapons and humanitarian international law to evaluate the military targeting mechanisms and incidents taking place in civil[ian] locations," the official Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported. "Investigations into the deaths of journalists and other civilians in the conflict in Yemen must be truly independent if they are to be credible. They must assess how better to afford protection without whitewashing previous violations," Sherif Mansour, CPJ's Middle East and North Africa program coordinator, said. "We expect all parties to the conflict in Yemen to uphold international law and preserve the lives of journalists and other civilians." The coalition's announcement came a week after news outlets carried details of an unpublished report from a United Nations expert panel urging the Security Council to create an international commission to investigate violations of international humanitarian law in the conflict. Human rights groups have criticized the coalition for the high number of civilians killed in Yemen since airstrikes began in March 2015. The announcement also comes two weeks after the most recent killing of a journalist who was reporting on the aftermath of Saudi-led airstrikes. On January 21, 17-year-old cameraman Hashim al-Hamran was seriously injured in a coalition airstrike in the town of Dahyan, in Saada province, while reporting for the Houthi-run al-Masirah TV, the station and the Yemeni Journalists Syndicate said. He died of his wounds the following day. Al-Masirah published a graphic video claiming to show the last footage al-Hamran took before he died. The footage shows residents sorting through rubble from a previous airstrike when a second strike hits, knocking al-Hamran to the ground. Those strikes killed at least 20 people, according to news reports. At least five other journalists have been killed in airstrikes by the Saudi-led coalition since the military campaign against Ansar Allah, also known as the Houthis, began last year, according to CPJ research. A week before al-Hamran's death, a coalition airstrike killed freelance Yemeni journalist Almigdad Mojalli as he reported for the U.S.-government-funded Voice of America. CPJ emailed Saudi Arabia's embassy in Washington on Tuesday to ask for further information about the planned investigations and whether the panel would specifically examine the killings of journalists. CPJ has yet to receive a reply to earlier inquiries about what measures the coalition is taking to prevent deaths of media workers. In a January 31 statement on its website, the embassy said, "The coalition has and will continue to take all precautions to protect civilians, medical aZstaff, humanitarian organizations and journalists in Yemen." But in March 2015, Asiri had said in a press conference that the coalition would target media outlets supporting the Houthi movement and its allies as part of a comprehensive campaign in Yemen. The United States, which is providing logistical and intelligence support to the Saudi-led campaign, has said it expects investigations into civilian casualties to be independent. State Department spokesman John Kirby on Monday told reporters, "Our expectation is that [the investigation] will be exactly what the Saudis said it would be. It will be independent." Yemeni journalists have also faced intense pressure from Ansar Allah and its allies, who have detained scores of journalists, activists, and political rivals since taking control of the capital, Sanaa, in 2014. On January 30, Houthi forces detained Nabil al-Sharabi, a Yemeni journalist who works for multiple outlets including the news website Al-Rai Press, and released him a day later, according to news reports. Separately, an Al-Jazeera crew abducted on January 18 by unknown gunmen in the central Yemeni city of Taiz was released after 10 days, the network reported. It said the identities of the kidnappers were not clear. Copyright notice: Committee to Protect Journalists. All rights reserved. Articles may be reproduced only with permission from CPJ. Guinea journalist shot dead during clash at political meeting Publisher Committee to Protect Journalists Publication Date 5 February 2016 Cite as Committee to Protect Journalists, Guinea journalist shot dead during clash at political meeting, 5 February 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/56c1eb7c25.html [accessed 21 October 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. New York, February 5, 2016 The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns the shooting in Guinea today of El-Hadj Mohamed Diallo, a reporter for the news websites Guinee7 and Afrik, and calls on authorities to ensure justice is served. Diallo died on the way to the hospital after being shot during clashes outside a meeting of Guinea's main opposition party, the Union of Democratic Forces of Guinea, in the capital, Conakry, according to reports. The party has been divided after its vice-president, Oury Bah, was expelled from its leadership. When Bah was denied entry to the party's headquarters today, his supporters and those of the current leader, Cellou Dalein Diallo, clashed, according to reports. The publishing director of Guinee7, Ibrahima Sory Traore, told Reuters he had viewed the reporter's body and said, "He was shot at point-blank range." The government announced that it has opened an investigation into the murder. "We strongly condemn the shooting of El-Hadj Mohamed Diallo and call on Guinea's authorities to hold those responsible to account," said CPJ Africa Research Associate Kerry Paterson. "We welcome the government's commitment to investigate his murder and call on it to ensure a thorough and transparent process." It was not immediately clear who shot Diallo, according to Reuters. Attempts by CPJ to call police in Conakry for comment went unanswered. Diallo's paper, Afrik, said the 30-year-old reporter had been killed in the line of duty, and condemned the violence that led to his death. Copyright notice: Committee to Protect Journalists. All rights reserved. Articles may be reproduced only with permission from CPJ. CPJ concerned for safety of injured journalist trapped in Turkish city Publisher Committee to Protect Journalists Publication Date 4 February 2016 Cite as Committee to Protect Journalists, CPJ concerned for safety of injured journalist trapped in Turkish city, 4 February 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/56c1eb7c6.html [accessed 21 October 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. New York, February 4, 2016 The Committee to Protect Journalists is concerned for the safety of Rohat Aktas, a news editor and reporter for the Kurdish-language daily Azadiya Welat, who has been trapped in the southeastern town of Cizre with a gunshot wound since January 22. Aktas, whose paper is based in Diyarbakir, was shot in the arm while reporting on efforts to help those wounded during clashes between Kurdish separatists and Turkish forces, his editor, Zeynel Bulut, told CPJ. Bulut said Aktas is trapped with dozens of others and that the newsroom has lost communication with him. "He called his family two days after he was shot and said he was wounded in the left arm," Bulut told CPJ on February 3. The newsroom confirmed to CPJ today there has been no communication with Aktas for five days. Aktas was injured when Turkish forces fired on a group that was trying to help injured civilians, according to reports and Bulut. In a separate case, Refik Tekin, a Diyarbakir-based cameraman with the pro-Kurdish outlet IMC TV, told CPJ he was shot in the leg while reporting on clashes in Cizre on January 20. Authorities issued an order for Tekin to be questioned on suspicion of being a member of a terrorist organization and a police guard was stationed outside his hospital room, according to reports. Tekin told CPJ that when he was discharged, he was questioned by police who asked what he was doing in the city and what his job was. He said police released him after the testimony and he is not aware of an ongoing investigation against him. "We call on Turkish authorities to ensure that Rohat Aktas and others trapped in Cizre are given necessary medical treatment and safe passage out of the city," said CPJ Europe and Central Asia Program Coordinator Nina Ognianova. "Turkey must allow journalists to report freely on clashes in southeast Turkey and to make every effort to ensure their safety." Cizre has been under a government-imposed curfew for nearly two months. Both Aktas and Tekin had been reporting from the city since before the curfew. Turkish pro-government media claim that the people trapped in the city are terrorists and that separatists have prevented ambulances from helping the injured. Pro-opposition and pro-Kurdish media have reported that government forces are shooting indiscriminately at civilians and denying medical treatment to the injured. The U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights, Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein, urged Turkey on Monday to "respect the fundamental rights of civilians in its security operations" and to investigate claims that civilians have been shot in Cizre, Reuters reported. A Turkish official denied civilians were being targeted and told the news agency it would investigate the claims. In Tekin's case, the journalist told CPJ he was injured while accompanying a group of civilians and officials, including a parliamentary deputy and Cizre's deputy mayor, who were trying to collect the dead and wounded in the city's Cudi neighborhood. Tekin told CPJ the group was fired on as it left the neighborhood. Tekin kept filming even after he was hit and bleeding, and his uploaded video gathered traction on social media in the following days. "People were carrying the dead and the wounded and I was recording them," Tekin told CPJ. "They were walking with white flags, then the shooting began. People started to fall to the ground." Tekin was first taken to Cizre State Hospital, then transferred to Mardin State Hospital for treatment. He told CPJ that on the way to both hospitals officers assaulted and insulted him, including hitting him on the injured leg. Tekin filed complaints about the alleged treatment after the shooting and against his shooters, he told CPJ. He said he has not heard from police since filing the complaints. Copyright notice: Committee to Protect Journalists. All rights reserved. Articles may be reproduced only with permission from CPJ. Two TV stations ordered off the air in DRC Publisher Committee to Protect Journalists Publication Date 5 February 2016 Cite as Committee to Protect Journalists, Two TV stations ordered off the air in DRC, 5 February 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/56c1eb7d17.html [accessed 21 October 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. New York, February 5, 2016 The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns the decision by the Democratic Republic of Congo's government to close two privately owned news channels, and urges officials to allow the channels to resume broadcasting immediately. Lambert Mende, the Congolese minister of communication and media, released a statement on January 20 saying that Nyota TV, and Radio TV Mapendo, both part of a news group based in Lubumbashi, Haut-Katanga province, had been ordered off air effective January 28, for allegedly failing to pay taxes and licensing fees, according to reports. Though the transmissions were cut, the TV Nyota website has continued to operate. Olivier Tuta, the director general of both stations, said the outstanding payments of USD$40,000 had been made on January 25 and 26, according to the press freedom group Journaliste en Danger and a statement from the local press freedom group OLPA. Both stations are owned by Moise Katumbi, a businessman and politician who left the ruling party in September 2015 and later joined an opposition party, according to reports and the statement by Journaliste en Danger. Katumbi, who was formerly the governor of Haut-Katanga province, has been rumored in reports as a potential opposition candidate ahead of the presidential elections due to take place later this year. "The Congolese authorities should allow Nyota TV and Radio TV Mapendo to resume broadcasting immediately," said CPJ Deputy Executive Director Robert Mahoney. "Broadcasting is a public service and governments cannot use the pretext of non-payment of licensing fees to hastily shutter those stations whose views they may not like." CPJ attempted to reach the Minister of Information and Communication for comment but its calls went unanswered. It is not clear when the stations will be allowed to reopen. Over the past 12 months CPJ has documented several attacks on the press in the Democratic Republic of Congo, from blocking Internet and cell phone access and banning the screening of a critical documentary, to arbitrary arrests and physical attacks on journalists. Copyright notice: Committee to Protect Journalists. All rights reserved. Articles may be reproduced only with permission from CPJ. Turkish journalist arrested for posts on social media Publisher Committee to Protect Journalists Publication Date 8 February 2016 Cite as Committee to Protect Journalists, Turkish journalist arrested for posts on social media, 8 February 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/56c1eb7e15.html [accessed 21 October 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. Istanbul, February 8, 2016 Turkish authorities should immediately release Hayri Tunc, a reporter for the independent news website Jiyan, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. Police detained Tunc in Istanbul on February 2, and an Istanbul criminal court arraigned him the next day on charges of spreading propaganda for the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) and the Group of Communities in Kurdistan (KCK) in posts he made to social media websites linking to his articles, according to his arrest order, which CPJ has reviewed. The Turkish government has classed the PKK and the KCK as terrorist organizations. Tunc is currently at Istanbul's Silivri Prison awaiting trial, his lawyer told CPJ. "We call on Turkish authorities to release Hayri Tunc without delay and to stop harassing and arresting Kurdish journalists," CPJ Europe and Central Asia Program Coordinator Nina Ognianova said. "Posting links to news articles on social media sites and expressing personal opinions on Twitter are not criminal activities." According to Tunc's testimony before the Istanbul Chief Prosecutor's Office, which CPJ has reviewed, interrogators asked the journalist about his recent Facebook and Twitter posts, including links to articles from Jiyan, and to videos he recorded apparently showing police forcibly dispersing protests against the government's policies with regard to Turkey's ethnic-Kurdish minority. According to the testimony, prosecutors also asked him about personal photographs and remarks he had published to his social media accounts. Tunc denied the accusations of spreading propaganda, and said his postings were journalistic in nature, according to his testimony. Tunc's lawyer, Ahmet Baran Celik, told CPJ that his client was also detained two months ago on accusations of spreading propaganda in relation to other social media posts, but that he had been released on condition he check in regularly with police. In a separate case, Turkish authorities on February 2 arrested journalist Nuri Akman, Van Province bureau chief for the pro-Kurdish Dicle News Agency (DIHA), in Turkey's eastern Malatya Province, on the suspicion he was a member of a terrorist organization, according to press reports. CPJ is currently investigating the circumstances behind Akman's arrest to determine whether it was related to his journalistic work. Turkey has recently renewed its practice of imprisoning critical journalists in retaliation for their work a policy that gained the country the dubious honor of being the world's leading jailer of the press in 2012 and 2013. Turkish authorities arrested at least five Kurdish journalists in December 2015 and January 2016 alone, CPJ research shows. Copyright notice: Committee to Protect Journalists. All rights reserved. Articles may be reproduced only with permission from CPJ. UNICEF chief 'appalled' by reports of attacks on hospitals, schools in northern Syria Publisher UN News Service Publication Date 15 February 2016 Cite as UN News Service, UNICEF chief 'appalled' by reports of attacks on hospitals, schools in northern Syria, 15 February 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/56c2d36340d.html [accessed 21 October 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. 15 February 2016 - United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) Executive Director Anthony Lake said today he is appalled by reports of attacks against four medical facilities in Syria, two of which are supported by UNICEF. In a press statement, Mr. Lake said one of the facilities is a child and maternal hospital where children were reportedly killed and scores evacuated. Apart from compelling considerations of diplomacy and obligations under international humanitarian law, let us remember that these victims are children. Children, Mr. Lake stressed. Two of the strikes occurred at Azaz in Aleppo and another two occurred in Idlib, where one of the hospitals was reportedly struck four times. In addition, UNICEF said there are reports that two schools were attacked at Azaz, reportedly killing six children. The agency is urgently seeking further information. Mr. Lake also said that a third of hospitals and a quarter of schools in Syria 5,000 are no longer functioning. Nearly five years into the Syrian war, some 4 million Syrian and host community children and youth 5-17 years old are in need of education assistance, including 2.1 million out-of-school children inside Syria and 700,000 Syrian children in Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq and Egypt. LINCOLN - It was a packed room at the Capitol on Feb. 4, where agriculture authorities, mayors and the governor all gathered to testify on a bill that would change the state tax code affecting to Nebraska's farmers. Legislative Bill 958, proposed by Sen. Mike Gloor of Grand Island, would limit the average increase on agricultural land valuations to 3 percent and institute limits on levies and emergency funds available to municipalities. "Property taxes are the No. 1 issue people are talking about," Gov. Pete Rickets told the Revenue Committee. He said that Nebraskans across the state, especially farmers, have expressed concern over their share of the tax burden."[LB] 958 seeks to encourage fiscal restraint." Rickets said part of the motivation for the bill was the recent tax increase faced by agriculture producers. In the past five years, he said, there has been a 66 percent increase in their property taxes. They are now responsible for 30 percent of the state's total property taxes, according to the State Department of Revenue. Ruth Sorensen, Nebraska's property tax administrator, said that under the new bill, the state would look at the average increase in land evaluations across the state from the previous year. That figure would be used to determine the 3 percent tax limit. If valuations did not increase more than 3 percent, no limits would be imposed. She also said the bill would not affect homeowners or commercial properties. Property taxes make up a large percent of education funding in Nebraska. Many of the bill's supporters believe that this bill would rein in the burden ag producers bear when it comes to funding schools. "It's clear we must balance how we fund education in the state," said Nebraska Farm Bureau President Steve Nelson. He said agricultural property tax funds roughly 57 percent of education in Nebraska, compared to the national average of 35 percent. Supporters like Ken Herz of the Nebraska Cattlemen also said the bill would help keep their tax burden in check when agricultural land valuations rose but profits did not. "Whether it has been a good year or a bad year," he said, "property taxes must be paid every year." Proponents of the bill, like the Nebraska Cattlemen, support it because it is a step towards relieving tax burdens, which they see as already skewed against them. But opponents worry about the effects it might have on cities and other local political subdivisions. At the hearing, the line was drawn between statewide entities that supported the bill--like the governor's office and agricultural organizations--and local representatives who did not. Mayor Chris Beutler of Lincoln was one of the first to speak in opposition. "We have been working hard, as have all municipalities, to make do with less," he said, referring to Ricketts' call for cities to limit their spending increases to 3 percent the way state government tries to. But he said more spending is sometimes needed to match a city's economic growth. He also disagreed with the bill because it seemed written to fight irresponsible local spending, which he said was rare. "I don't think the evidence is there," he said, "that political subdivisions are wasting your money." Other opponents, several of whom were other mayors, said LB 958 would adversely affect small cities that cannot diversify their tax pool. La Vista Mayor Douglas Kindig labeled the bill as "anti-growth," because the limits on levies would hamper cities' flexibility in finding revenue when needed. La Vista's growth, he said, "would not have happened without our ability to build infrastructure." He described increases in local spending as investments that would pay dividends in the end. Other local leaders argued that limiting political subdivisions' spending to 3 percent was unnecessary, because municipalities were already frugal. Many opponents said their cities rarely exceeded 3 percent spending increases in a year, but that the ability to do so provided flexibility for small towns. Mayor Marlene Johnson of West Point opposed the bill because it would hamstring towns with small tax pools that were already cautious in their spending. Larger towns can dilute that tax burden among their citizens much more easily, she said. But less-populous cities have a less diverse tax pool. And in heavily agricultural communities, prohibiting local government from exceeding 3 percent spending growth can have serious consequences. She said levies in her town are used for urgent manners like repairing dikes. Without the power to tax agricultural property as much, such things would go unmaintained. That, she said, would "throw a quarter of our town into a flood plain." Contact Mac Wall at nns.mwall@gmail.com. What you need to know about Powerball and the $550 jackpot TUESDAY Women's luncheon A Christian Women's Connection luncheon will begin at 11:30 a.m. at the Abilene Country Club, 4039 S. Treadaway Blvd. Carole Chapel will be the guest speaker. Tickets are $16. For more information, contact 325-370-6567 or AbileneCWC@aol.com. Business workshop Texas Tech Small Business Development Center Abilene will present a franchising panel workshop from 6-8 p.m. in the Texas Tech Training Center, 749 Gateway St., Suite 301. Space is limited. To make a reservation, call 325-670-0300. Square dance workshop TYE The Wagon Wheel Squares will conduct a square dancing workshop at 6:30 p.m. at the Wagon Wheel. Religion discussion The Abilene Interfaith Council will present "How Do You View Islam?" at 7 p.m. at First Central Presbyterian Church, 400 Orange St. Abdulhakim Mohamed will be the presenter. For more information, call 325-692-3353. Chamber music A production of the musical "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum" will be presented at 7:30 p.m. in Van Ellis Theatre at Hardin-Simmons University. Admission is $10 for adults; $7 for military, seniors and students; and $5 for HSU faculty, staff and students. Other ... Mission on the Move Soup Kitchen, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Southwest Drive Community United Methodist Church, 3025 Southwest Dr. Abilene Southwest Rotary Club, noon, Beehive Restaurant, 442 Cedar St. High Noon Al-Anon, noon, Southern Hills Church of Christ, 3666 Buffalo Gap Road (south end; follow the yellow signs). Blood drive, 1-6 p.m., Cash Saver, Hamlin. Stroke/Aphasia Recovery Program support group, 1:30-2:30 p.m. West Texas Rehabilitation Center boardroom, 4601 Hartford St. 325-793-3535. Dystonia Support Group, 5:15-6:15 p.m., Not Without Us, 3301 N. First St. Suite 117. Take Off Pounds Sensibly (TOPS), 5:30 p.m., Brook Hollow Christian Church, 2310 S. Willis St. 325-232-7444. Legacies Al-Anon Family Group, 5:30-6:30 p.m., Open Door Building, 3157 Russell Ave. 325-280-7584. Family (of Mental Health Consumers) Support Group, 6-7 p.m., Mental Health Association in Abilene, 333 Orange St. 325-673-2300. MHAA Bipolar/Depression Peer Support Group, 6-8 p.m., Ministry of Counseling & Enrichment, 1502 N. First St. 325-673-2300. Free certified nurturing parent class (pregnancy to toddler), 6-8 p.m., Mission Church, North Third and Mockingbird streets. 325-672-9398. Abilene Star Chorus, 6:15 p.m., First Baptist Church, 1333 N. Third St. 325-829-1470. Overeaters Anonymous, 6:30-7:30 p.m., Exodus Metropolitan Community Church, 1933 S. 27th St. Family Support Group for parents with special needs children, 6:30-7:30 p.m., West Texas Rehabilitation Center boardroom, 4601 Hartford St. 325-793-3500. Alzheimer's Association North Central Texas Chapter, 6:30-7:30 p.m., Chisholm Place, 1450 E. N. 10th St. 325-672-2907. Abilene Area Aggie Moms' Club, 6:45 p.m., Coldwell Banker Panian & Mash, 2500 S. Willis St. Al-Anon Parents Group, 7 p.m., Hillcrest Church of Christ, 650 E. Ambler Ave. Use Church Street entrance. Al-Anon, 7 p.m., Doug Meinzer Activity Center, Knox City. 940-658-3926. Brigadier General John Sayles Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp 366, 7 p.m., American Legion Building, 302 E.S. 11th St. Abilene Society of Model Railroaders, 7-8:30 p.m., 2043 N. Second St. Unity Group of Alcoholics Anonymous, 8 p.m., Episcopal Church of the Heavenly Rest, 602 Meander St. WEDNESDAY Free tax assistance The AARP will offer free assistance in preparing income tax forms for low- and middle-income taxpayers from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Abilene Public Library, 202 Cedar St. Doors will open at 9 a.m. Space is limited, and help will be provided on a first-come, first-serve basis. Children's program COMANCHE A program about birds for children age 3-5 will be presented from 10-11 a.m. at Comanche Public Library. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Admission is free. Art film A showing of the art documentary "Robert Motherwell and the New York School, Storming the Citadel" will begin at noon at the Center for Contemporary Arts, 220 Cypress St. A discussion will follow. Participants are invited to bring a lunch. Candidate forum COMANCHE The Comanche County Law Enforcement Association will conduct a candidate forum at 7 p.m. at the Comanche Community Center. A dinner will be served. Participants are encouraged to bring a side dish or dessert. Ubuntu lecture As a part of the Ubuntu lecture series, Shannon Sedgwick Davis will give a presentation, "Justice for Kony's LRA: Seeking Peace in Central Africa," at 7 p.m. in Matthews Auditorium at McMurry University. Admission is free. 'A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum' A production of the musical "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum" will be presented at 7:30 p.m. in Van Ellis Theatre at Hardin-Simmons University. Admission is $10 for adults; $7 for military, seniors and students; and $5 for HSU faculty, staff and students. Other ... Overeaters Anonymous, 8 a.m., Hinds Square Building, Room 112, 100 Chestnut St. Blood drive, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m, First Financial Bank, 400 Pine St. Abilene Cactus Lions Club, 11:45 a.m., Cotton Patch Cafe, 3302 S. Clack St. Abilene Wednesday Rotary Club, noon, Abilene Country Club, 4039 S. Treadaway. $12 for lunch. Jo Ann Wilson, 325-677-6815. Kiwanis Club of Abilene, noon, Abilene Country Club, 4039 S. Treadaway Blvd. Clearly Speaking Toastmaster Club, noon, Westgate Church of Christ, 402 S. Pioneer Drive. 325-795-5570. Alzheimer's Association Caregiver Support Group, 2-3 p.m., Western Hills Healthcare Residence, Comanche. Alzheimer's disease support group, 5:15 p.m., Cedar Crest Care Center, 1901 W. Elliott, Breckenridge. Assists those who have a family member with symptoms of Alzheimer's disease. 1-800-272-3900 or 254-559-3302. Free swim class for people with multiple sclerosis, 5:30 p.m., YMCA, 3250 State St. Veterans Peer Support Group, 6 p.m., 765 Orange St. 325-670-4818. Mid-week Al-Anon Family Group, 6-7 p.m., Open Door Building, 3157 Russell Ave. 325-698-4995. Advanced Square Dancing, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Wagon Wheel. Al-Anon, 7 p.m., First United Methodist Church, 1501 N. Broadway, Ballinger. 817-689-2810 or 325-977-1007. DivorceCare support group, 7 p.m., Hillcrest Church of Christ, 650 E. Ambler Ave. 325-691-4200. THURSDAY Free tax assistance The AARP will offer free assistance in preparing income tax forms for low- and middle-income taxpayers from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Abilene Public Library, 202 Cedar St. Doors will open at 9 a.m. Space is limited, and help will be provided on a first-come, first-serve basis. Mac class The MacUser Group will conduct a free Mac computer class at 1 p.m. at the Mockingbird Branch of the Abilene Public Library, 1326 N. Mockingbird Lane. For more information, call 325-692-1087. Ubuntu lecture As a part of the Ubuntu lecture series, Shannon Sedgwick Davis will give a presentation, "Global Leaders and the Servant Leadership Model," at 7 p.m. in Matthews Auditorium at McMurry University. Admission is free. 'A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum' A production of the musical "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum" will be presented at 7:30 p.m. in Van Ellis Theatre at Hardin-Simmons University. Admission is $10 for adults; $7 for military, seniors and students; and $5 for HSU faculty, staff and students. 'Horrid Massacre in Boston' A production of "Horrid Massacre in Boston" will be presented at 7:30 p.m. in the Amy Graves Ryan Fine Arts Center at McMurry University. Admission is $10 for adults and $8 for McMurry faculty, staff and students. For more information, call 325-793-3889. Other ... Blood drive, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Baird High School. Chronic Pain and Depression Group, 11 a.m. to noon, Mental Health Association of Abilene, 333 Orange St., 325-673-2300. Abilene Founder Lions Club, 11:30 a.m., Al's Mesquite Grill, 4801 Buffalo Gap Road. Kiwanis Club of Greater Abilene, noon, Beehive Restaurant, 442 Cedar St. 325-695-0092. Retired Military Wives Club social meeting, 1 p.m., Rose Park Senior Activity Center, 2625 South Seventh St. 325-677-9656 or 325-793-1490. Mental Illness Open Support Group, 1-2 p.m., Mental Health Association of Abilene, 333 Orange St. 325-673-2300. Sagerton Hobby Club, 2 p.m. Sagerton Community Center. Abilene 42 Club, 6 p.m., Rose Park Senior Center. Teen Recovery Group, 6-7 p.m., Mission Abilene, 3001 N. Third St. Free certified nurturing parent class (all ages), 6-8 p.m., Mission Church, North Third and Mockingbird streets. 325-672-9398. Take Off Pounds Sensibly, 6:30 p.m. Brook Hollow Christian Church. Weigh-in begins at 5:30 p.m. 325-665-5052. Free swim class for people with multiple sclerosis, 6:30 p.m., YMCA, 3250 State St. Gambler's Anonymous, 6:30 p.m., Unity Spiritual Living Center, 2842 Barrow St. 325-338-2575. Round Dancing, 7 p.m., Wagon Wheel. 325-829-1517. South Pioneer Al-Anon Group, 8 p.m., 3157 Russell Ave. Unity Group of Alcoholics Anonymous, 8 p.m., Episcopal Church of the Heavenly Rest, 602 Meander St. FRIDAY Free tax assistance The AARP will offer free assistance in preparing income tax forms for low- and middle-income taxpayers from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Mockingbird Branch of the Abilene Public Library, 1214 N. Mockingbird Lane. Doors will open at 9 a.m. Space is limited, and help will be provided on a first-come, first-serve basis. Barn dance TYE A barn dance featuring Muddy Creek will be 7-10 p.m. at the Wagon Wheel. Information: 325-829-1517. 'Laughter on the 23rd Floor' A production of "Laughter on the 23rd Floor" will be presented at 7:30 p.m. in Fulks Theatre at Abilene Christian University. Tickets are $15. For more information, go to www.acu.edu/theatre. 'A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum' A production of the musical "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum" will be presented at 7:30 p.m. in Van Ellis Theatre at Hardin-Simmons University. Admission is $10 for adults; $7 for military, seniors and students; and $5 for HSU faculty, staff and students. Auto racing The Ice Breaker races will begin at 7:30 p.m. at Abilene Speedway, 6825 West Highway 80. Admission is $12 for adults, $10 for military, $5 for children age 6-12 and free for children age 5 and under. For more information, go to www.abilenespeedway.com. 'Horrid Massacre in Boston' A production of "Horrid Massacre in Boston" will be presented at 7:30 p.m. in the Amy Graves Ryan Fine Arts Center at McMurry University. Admission is $10 for adults and $8 for McMurry faculty, staff and students. For more information, call 325-793-3889. Dance OPLIN A dance featuring Midnight Blue will be 7:30-10:30 p.m. at the Oplin Community Center. Admission is $5. Information: www.grandoleoplin.com. Sing Song The 60th annual Abilene Christian University Sing Song will be presented at 8 p.m. in Moody Coliseum on campus. For tickets, go to www.acu.edu/singsong. Other ... Blood drive, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Eastland Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. Overeaters Anonymous, noon, Hinds Square Building, 100 Chestnut St., Room 112. Abilene Chinese Corner, 5:30-6:30 p.m., Abilene Christian University library. lld09a@acu.edu. Mid-City Al-Anon, 7 p.m., First Christian Church. 325-670-4304. Whether by sheer luck or some cosmic design, Hendrick Medical Center's media preview for its Day to Take Heart event coincided with some episodes I was experiencing. Both Hendrick and Abilene Regional Medical Center are offering free screenings at the end of the month. The event at Abilene Regional will be take place from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. (screenings will be from 8-10:30 a.m.) Feb. 25 at the Women's Center Classroom. Hendrick's event will take place from 1:30-6:30 p.m. Feb. 26 at the Shelton Building. The free screenings are open to the public. The ARMC screenings will cover blood pressure, HDL cholesterol, body mass index, pulse oximetry (the level of oxygen in the blood) and a pulmonary function test. The screenings at Hendrick also will test blood pressure, body mass, pulmonary function and cholesterol, as well as a blood sugar test, carotid artery assessment and an EKG. The public screenings are not intended to take the place of regular visits to your health care provider and annual checkups, according to Martee Tebow, chest pain coordinator at Hendrick, and Jon Yarbrough, director of cardiac rehab and wellness at ARMC. "These are just screenings," Tebow said. "We're giving education to the public about the risk factors for heart attack and stroke." Yarbrough echoed that sentiment. "The screenings do not take the place of annual checkups," he said. "We're looking at controllable risk factors. We're certainly going to encourage people to have follow-up visits with their physicians." To register for screening at Hendrick, call 325-670-3648 or go to tinyurl.com/hju59od. The event at ARMC doesn't require registration, but Yarbrough said people who wish to attend a physician panel discussion from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. should RSVP at 325-428-4935. Yarbrough said the screenings provide an easier option for people who have been putting off a visit to the doctor for a variety of reasons. "Our lives get so busy," he said. "We don't take the time to take care of our health. Or, people think, 'I'm afraid to go to the doctor because I might find out something I don't want to know.'" According to the American Heart Association, heart disease kills more than 370,000 people annually in the U.S. and remains the leading cause of death in the world. Tebow said she's seen firsthand the effects of heart disease. "We see 50 people a month who have had a heart attack," she said. Unless you run into someone who has trouble drawing your blood, the tests are painless. I ought to know. In the past several weeks, I've gone through the drill five times. The first time was right before Christmas in Denver, where my wife and I were visiting our son. I woke up in the middle of the night in full panic mode, feeling unable to breathe. At the emergency room, the tests showed nothing except high blood pressure, which went back to normal before I left the facility. The doctor chalked up the episode to being unaccustomed to the altitude along with an unusually bad day of dealing with my allergies. The next four episodes came in quick succession. On Feb. 3, I woke up with the strong feeling that something wasn't quite right. A trip to the emergency room again revealed nothing except the doctor's suspicion that sleep apnea (for which I have been diagnosed) was an issue. He urged me to schedule a doctor's appointment, which I did for Feb. 8. On Feb. 7, Super Bowl Sunday, while visiting a daughter in Fort Worth, I again woke up feeling like I couldn't breathe. A doctor there suggested the onset of COPD, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, as a result of my moderate to light pipe smoking for the past 40 years. The next morning was the media preview at Hendrick. The results of the screenings were mostly positive for a guy who will be 60 on his next birthday. My oxygen saturation was 98 percent (90 percent is considered healthy) and my spirometer reading (forcing air out quickly) was 89 percent (80 is normal, according to the professional doing the test). My carotid artery assessment, which measures plaque, showed no evidence of buildup. My blood pressure was 138/82, and by the time I went to my appointment with my regular doctor later that day, the diastolic number, the bottom one, had dropped to a much healthier number in the 60s. My body mass index was something else. My doctor let me know, in no uncertain terms, that my body fat, based on my weight and height, placed me a chicken-fried steak away from being a candidate for a gastric bypass. My blood work showed that my cholesterol number was way too high. To be honest, the testing had a liberating effect. My blood pressure is under control and my risk factors include things that are under my control. I can eat more sensibly, I can exercise, I can lose weight and I can quit smoking. Yarbrough said that response isn't unusual after the screenings. "We've heard back from several folks through the years," he said. "They'll tell us we found something and they had it treated by their doctor. There are a lot of positive stories out there." HEALTH SCREENINGS Abilene Regional Medical Center Where: Womens Center Classroom When: 8-10:30 a.m. Feb. 25 No registration needed Hendrick Medical Center Where: Shelton Building When: 1:30-6:30 p.m. Feb. 26 Registration: 670-3648 A look at elections in Taylor County and beyond COLUMBUS For half a century, Central Community College has been helping students achieve their educational goals. Its roots date back to 1966 when Area Vocational School #1 opened in Hastings. That single school was the beginning of what has grown to be CCC, a college system that now provides services to 25 counties in central Nebraska. This year is the 50th anniversary of the college, and all three campuses and the service centers will host events to mark the occasion throughout the year. To me, what we are doing every day is building an exceptional college, said CCC President Greg Smith. He and others spoke to faculty and staff Monday during a kickoff ceremony in Grand Island that was broadcast to the Columbus and Hastings campuses, as well as centers in Holdrege, Kearney and Lexington. CCC got its start in the 1960s when a committee was put together with the goal of forming a community-based college. A bill passed in 1965 created community college service areas for the establishment of vocational schools. A year later, the college in Hastings opened with 196 students enrolled and 11 programs offered the first year. In 1967, Platte Junior College in Columbus started as the states first county-supported college. Over the next six years, additional counties joined in the service area, and Platte College merged with the Central Nebraska Technical College in 1973, forming what is known today as Central Community College, said Dean Moors, vice president of institutional advancement. Over the next several years, a campus was also established in Grand Island and centers opened in Kearney, Lexington and Holdrege. Today, CCC covers more than 35 career and technical education programs and allows students to earn a certificate, diploma or degree in two years or less, Moors said. Courses are offered in 90 communities within the 25 counties. There are more than 25,000 students served each year. Gov. Pete Ricketts, who was the keynote speaker at the kickoff event, said community colleges have and will continue to play an important role in developing a skilled work force in Nebraska. I can tell you that as I travel the state and talk to companies about what you are concerned about, the absolute No. 1 thing they are concerned about is work force and work force development. Where am I going to get the people I need to be able to hire to grow my business? Ricketts said. He said the vast majority of jobs now and in the future will require some sort of postsecondary education. It will take innovation and creativity to deliver those services, and that is something community colleges have been doing all along. Thats where our community colleges, in particular the great work Central Community College has done, really fit in. Its helping to address that need of providing that education so that our young people can get that education and go into the work force, Ricketts said. As part of the anniversary recognition this year, the college system will have special programs in place to mark the year. Among them is raising money through community fundraising events to fund 50 student scholarships, planting two trees in each of the 25 counties, and asking the employees to give a combined 50,000 service hours to their communities. All of the campuses and service centers have their own celebration dates slated this year in recognition of the anniversary. The one in Columbus will be held Nov. 2. The anniversary is a time to celebrate the colleges past, present and future. This is our moment in time. It is a pause after 50 years of dedicated service to say thank you, to celebrate successes and to plan for many more, Smith said. Congressional candidate Michael Bob Starr on Monday responded to barbs tossed at him by a fellow candidate and published on right-wing websites, accusing the retired colonel of being a gay rights activist. Jason Corley, a farmer also running to replace retiring U.S. Rep. Randy Neugebauer in the 19th Congressional District, raised the issue of Starr being a gay rights activist during a candidate forum in Lubbock Friday night, according to Breitbart.com, a conservative news website. Corley pointed to photos of Starr participating in runs organized by the Dyess Air Force Base Pride Alliance in which he is wearing Pride Alliance run T-shirts. The website said Starr, who was commander of the 7th Bomb Wing at Dyess Air Force Base until last year, did not address the allegations at the forum or the question of why Dyess supports gay rights. In a news conference at his Abilene campaign office Monday afternoon, Starr said he simply enforced the law handed down by President Barack Obama, who ended the ban on gays openly serving in the military in 2011. He called the attacks "cowardly" because of anonymous letters he said were left across the district. "Now that my campaign is doing well and we are poised to make a runoff," Starr said, "there is a coordinated smear campaign aimed at me and Dyess Air Force Base." Starr said that was his reason for his response because the attack was directed at Dyess and the women and men who serve there. He added that he did not believe the remarks were limited to or had originated with Corley because they bear the marks of a traditional, expensive smear campaign. "This isn't new, and this isn't news," he said, noting the photos Corley mentioned have been on the Dyess website for years. Abilene Mayor Norm Archibald also spoke at the news conference, saying an attack on Dyess is an attack on Abilene. "When you attack one of our own, we can and will circle the wagons," he said. "We are Dyess." Starr said he is conservative, pro-life Christian who does not support gay marriage. Another candidate in the race, Greg Garrett, made a statement Monday about Starr's alleged gay rights activism. "I am disappointed that any Reppublican candidate would have engaged in and supported activities that are so diametrically opposed to both biblical and Republican principles," he said in the statement. "What this country needs, and what the 19th Congressional District has an opportunity to provide, is a representative that stands firmly on his beliefs regardless of the winds of politically correct dogma." Twitter: BrookeCrum_ARN Beverly Tarpley cherished the law and education, was an avid reader and world traveler, but her daughter said there was something else that tugged at her heart even more. "She loved her grandchildren more than anything in the world," said Beth Rathe, Tarpley's daughter and the mother of Tarpley's grandchildren. Tarpley, Abilene's first woman lawyer, died Sunday, 11 days shy of her 86th birthday. Born Feb. 25, 1930, Beverly Potthoff married Dick Tarpley, a courthouse reporter for the Abilene Reporter-News, in 1953. He was editor of the newspaper from 1979 to 1985 and died in 2012. Visitation will be 6-8 p.m. Friday at the Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road. Memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at St. Paul United Methodist Church, 525 Beech St. Beverly Potthoff starting turning heads early with her intellectual prowess. She graduated from high school in 1945 at age 15 and entered the University of Texas the same year. After earning a bachelor's degree, she became one of four women to enter the university's law school in 1949. She was the only one who finished, earning her degree in 1951. After graduating, she was hired by the Scarborough, Yates, Scarborough, and Black law firm in Abilene. A grandson of founder Dallas Scarborough, Charles Scarborough, was 10 years old when Tarpley joined the firm, but he would later earn a law degree from the University of Texas School of Law and join the family practice. Scarborough soon recognized that Tarpley had an excellent legal mind, which his grandfather must have realized, too. He was the first to offer her a job as a lawyer. Other firms wanted to hire her as a secretary, but she stood her ground and waited for a job as an attorney. Being a lawyer was so important to her, Scarborough said, that she rode a Greyhound bus to Abilene to interview with the one law firm that offered the opportunity. Later in her career, Tarpley got involved with mediation and arbitration, which she excelled at, too, Scarborough said. "When she got through talking to you," Scarborough said, "you figured out you really should settle that case." By the time Tarpley retired from her legal career in 2011, she had accumulated a lengthy list of accomplishments. Among her many "firsts" were Abilene's first woman lawyer, first woman appointed to the Texas Supreme Court Rules Committee, first woman to serve as chair of the Texas Board of Bar Examiners, and the first woman elected president of the Abilene Bar Association. She also served on national boards that provided opportunities for travel across the United States and to other others. Among her admirers are Cindy Allen and Aleta Hacker, who knew Tarpley well. Allen came to Abilene in 1984 to practice law with C.G. Whitten, who had been a law school classmate of Tarpley. In the late 1980s, Allen began practicing family law and that's when she and Tarpley first started opposing each other in court. She still remembers the painful experience of facing Tarpley for the first time. "She had me hooked, pulled in, cleaned, and filleted," Allen said, "before I knew she had the fishing pole out." Allen left the courthouse that day bruised, but with great admiration for Tarpley's skills. The next day, that admiration grew, but in a different direction. Tarpley called to invite her to lunch. Over the meal, Tarpley pointed out what Allen had done right and what she had done wrong. "She didn't have to do that," Allen said. "I didn't work for her." But Tarpley's forte, Allen said, in addition to her legal expertise, was her love of teaching young lawyers. Tarpley was a pioneer, Allen said, and she wanted to pass on what she had learned along the way. "She wanted you to benefit from her journey," Allen said. Aleta Hacker remembered that before she came to Abilene in 1977 to interview with a law firm, her professor at Baylor Law School told her to look up Tarpley when she got to town. She was glad she did. Tarpley was a great inspiration for young lawyers, said Hacker, who retired in 2014 as judge of the 326th District Court. Tarpley was a strong attorney but always courteous, something new lawyers needed see, Hacker said. "She always had such a respect for the court and the justice system," Hacker said. "I'm going to miss her dearly." Young lawyers in Abilene today might not know of the mountains that Tarpley climbed during her career. In 1956, she became the youngest lawyer and first woman attorney from Texas to argue a case before the U.S. Supreme. And she won. After that, her star began to rise. She soon was appointed to the Texas Supreme Court Rules Committee and later would become the first woman named to several legal posts. About the same time, she took up a hobby that was practically unheard of for women at the time. She earned her pilot's license and was one of several women who formed a local chapter of the Ninety-Nines, an international organization of female pilots. When the local chapter was formed, Tarpley was elected secretary-treasurer. One of the other founders was Mozelle Scarborough, wife of Davis Scarborough and mother of Charles and Frank Scarborough of the Scarborough law firm. But Tarpley's primary interest was the law. She gained one of Taylor County's biggest cases in the 1960s when Dallas Perkins tried unsuccessfully to get the city of Abilene to annex property known as Impact, just north of town. After that effort failed, Perkins incorporated the site and called for a liquor election for off-premise consumption. That was when Abilene was still dry. The city of Abilene objected to what Perkins was doing and filed suit. Tarpley represented Tom "Pinkie" Roden, owner of Pinkie's liquor stores, who opened a store in Impact. Eventually, Tarpley won the case and Impact was the closest place for Abilenians to buy alcohol until the city voted wet in 1978. Tarpley practiced law for 60 years, not retiring until 2011. Somehow, even with a demanding legal schedule, she managed to dote on her grandchildren, her daughter, Beth Rathe, said. Rathe, her husband, Brian, and two children, Jack 17, and Nick, 15, live in Coppell. An older daughter, Erica Dixon, is a certified public accountant in Houston. Rathe said both she and her children learned much about life from her mother. She was a woman who valued loyalty and integrity, Rathe said. "She is the most loyal person I know," Rathe said. "She taught me how to love and have a loyal relationship." BEVERLY TARPLEY TIMELINE Feb. 25, 1930 Born Beverly Potthoff in Houston 1945 Entered the University of Texas as a freshman at age 15 1949 Earned bachelor of arts degree, University of Texas 1951 Graduated University of Texas School of Law at age 21 June 17, 1951 Joined Scarborough, Yates, Scarborough, and Black law firm, becoming first woman to practice law in Abilene 1953 Married Dick Tarpley, a Reporter-News courthouse reporter who would become editor in 1979 1956 First woman appointed to the Texas Supreme Court Rules Committee 1956 Youngest lawyer and first woman attorney from Texas to argue a case before the United States Supreme Court 1957 Helped form and served as secretary-treasurer of the first local chapter of the Ninety-Nines, an international organization of women pilots 1975 Appointed by Texas Supreme Court to serve on nine-person Texas Board of Bar Examiners, which checks qualifications, writes test questions and conducts bar exams. Was elected first woman chair. 1975 First woman elected president of the Abilene Bar Association 1975 Named a director of the University of Texas Law School Association, an alumni organization 1985 Appointed to National Conference of Bar Examiners, serving as chair from 1992 to 1993 1990 Joined the council of the American Bar Associations Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar 1997 Became council chair of the American Bar Associations section on Legal Education and Admissions to the bar 2011 Retired from practicing law Feb 14, 2016 Died in Abilene at age 85 The race for Callahan County sheriff between incumbent Terry Joy and challenger Franklin "Bucky" Shackelford has heated up with Joy's tactics and Shackelford's past being brought into question. In a Facebook post last week, Shackelford accused Joy of contacting his current employer as a means of undermining him. "This call was made as an attempt to spread untruths about me with the hope of putting my job in jeopardy," Shackelford said in the post. "My current employer knows that I am a person and a deputy of honesty and integrity. The information provided to my employer was baseless." He added Joy also attempted to "jeopardize" his job as a deputy patrolman in Ector County in March when Shackelford said he began considering his run for sheriff. Joy told the Reporter-News that he recently contacted Shackelford's boss, Ector County Sheriff Mark Donaldson but didn't do anything wrong. Donaldson told the Reporter-News that Joy called asking about Shackelford's current employment status and saying he would not have Shackelford on his staff based on Shackelford's past employment. In an Oct. 16, 2013, document, signed by Stephens County Sheriff George "Billy" Wade, Shackelford was terminated from the Stephens County Sheriff's Office effective Oct. 22, 2013, for "Prosecutors rejecting criminal cases due to poor or improper procedures; Overall substandard performance; Failure to follow a verbal directive." Shackelford's firing was upheld by the State Office of Administrative Hearings, but he has filed a lawsuit against the Stephens County Sheriff's Office, contending he was fired in retaliation for whistle-blowing. Shackelford was hired as a Stephens County deputy sheriff in January 2013. "Throughout his brief tenure with the Stephens County Sheriff's Office, Shackelford repeatedly failed to live up to that oath" he took as deputy, according to court documents. The documents list three incidents in September 2013 that allege "Shackelford violated citizens' constitutional rights, submitted inaccurate and misleading official reports and in the process may have engaged in criminal and/or tortuous conduct." Attorneys in the pending civil case by Shackelford against the Stephens County Sheriff's Office did not want to talk on the record. Donaldson said Shackelford told his version of what happened. "What he told me was enough to convince me to give him a chance to work here," he said. "Since that's happened, as far as any major formal complaints against him, I haven't gotten." Shackelford's Facebook post also said Joy is dodging a debate with him because "he does not want to be in a position to defend his record." Joy told the Reporter-News he does not mind debating Shackelford but he wants it to be "fair" with each candidate's record released to the public. Joy is seeking his second term as sheriff, having defeated incumbent John Windham in the 2012 Republican primary and winning the general election without a Democratic opponent. Twitter: ARN_Titus Advertisement - Continue Reading Below This just in... Chili cook-off planned Sunday COLUMBUS -- The public is invited to attend the sixth annual chili cook-off from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Sunday at Immanuel Lutheran Church Family Life Center, 1470 23rd Ave. Entry deadline is Wednesday. Cooks who would like to organize a team and enter the competition can obtain an entry form at the church office or online at www.immanuelweb.org. Prizes will be given for Peoples Choice, Judges Choice, and best decorated table. Freewill admission will include samples of chili from the competitors as well as chicken noodle soup and cookies. Proceeds will benefit the Columbus Hispanic Lutheran Ministries. For more information, call Tom Bryan at 402-564-4572. Computer class slated Feb. 24 COLUMBUS -- Central Community College-Columbus will hold an Intermediate Excel 2010 class from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Feb. 24 in room 176. Preregistration is required at least a week in advance. The cost, which includes a book, is $105. For more information or to register, contact Sue Mahlin at 402-562-1409; toll-free at 1-877-222-0780, ext. 1409; or email smahlin@cccneb.edu. Ice jam meeting at Central City CENTRAL CITY -- A public informational meeting on ice jams in Merrick and Hamilton counties will be held 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Central City Community Room, 1515 17th St. The meeting will be hosted by Region 44 Emergency Management (Merrick County) in cooperation with Hamilton County Emergency Management, Central Platte Natural Resources District and the National Weather Service Hastings office. Residents, business owners and landowners along the Platte River are encouraged to attend. The goal of this public meeting is to gather and exchange information with members of the public and local agencies involved in ice jams and flooding. A power plant and electric lines are part of the scenery on the outskirts of Beijing, Jan. 8, 2016. While China's economic growth continues to lag, the country is making greater gains in energy efficiency, at least according to official reports. On Jan. 19, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) announced that China's "energy intensity" index dropped 5.6 percent last year, marking the largest decline in well over a decade. The index, which tracks total energy consumption per unit of gross domestic product (GDP), has been a closely-watched measure of efficiency and pollution-causing energy waste since the 1980s. Although China missed many of its economic goals last year, its progress in energy efficiency exceeded Premier Li Keqiang's annual target of 3.9 percent by a substantial margin. Last year's strong performance on energy-saving also pushed China past its five-year goal of lowering energy intensity by 16 percent compared with 2010. Calculations based on past reports suggest that energy intensity declined by over 20 percent under the 12th Five- Year Plan, including the NBS estimate for 2015. If the estimate is accurate, it could represent a major step toward controlling emissions that contribute to climate change and smog. China has struggled for years to improve its energy efficiency, which trails far behind rates in other countries. In 2011, China used 3.3 times more energy than the United States per unit of GDP, despite lower consumption on a per capita basis. China's energy intensity was 5.4 times higher than Japan's, according to U.S. Department of Energy figures for the most recent year available. Buried in a press release So, given the importance of conservation and the scarcity of other good news, it seems remarkable that the government hasn't done more to hail its success in curbing energy waste last year. The achievement was nearly buried in an NBS press release on 2015 economic performance, which announced the GDP growth rate of 6.9 percent, the slowest pace in 25 years. The suspense over the GDP estimate may partly account for the unusual lack of state media attention to the conservation accomplishment. By contrast, official coverage was widespread when the government pulled out all the stops to meet its previous five-year energy intensity goal in 2010, even to the extent of cutting power to some factories, homes and hospitals to keep consumption down. In the end, the government claimed it had "basically met" the 2006-2010 target of a 20-percent cut in energy intensity after recording a reduction of 19.1 percent. So, why hasn't China trumpeted its success with the latest results? David Fridley, staff scientist at the China Energy Group of the DOE's Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, cited several possible reasons. "This pretty much flew under everyone's radar, but probably rightly so," he said. Fridley said the efficiency ratio relies on a GDP estimate that is "simply too preliminary." The underlying energy figures, which are also preliminary, may not be known until an annual statistical communique is released, probably later this month. Even after that, both the GDP and energy intensity estimates may be open to question. On its normal schedule, the NBS will issue a "preliminary verification" of GDP by the end of September and a "final verification" the following January, Fridley said by email. If the GDP figure varies, so would the intensity ratio, assuming the energy figures remain constant. Special challenge Last year's GDP estimate may present a special challenge on several counts. The NBS changed its quarterly GDP accounting system in the third quarter to mirror international practices, but it is unclear whether the "reform" will require retroactive revisions, Fridley said. A bigger question is whether the GDP estimates accurately reflect the extent of China's slowdown. Analysts have discounted the NBS data for years, but the slump in heavy industry, trade and the property market have added to doubts as the government promotes China's transition from an investment-led to a consumption-driven economy. Fridley pointed to the NBS claim that consumption accounted for 66.4 percent of 2015 GDP, adding 15.4 percentage points from the previous year. The huge increase "seems unprecedented for a one-year change," he said. Available energy figures have presented analysts with a hard choice of what to believe. Electricity consumption rose only 0.5 percent last year, suggesting either that energy efficiency made an enormous gain or that GDP was overstated by a substantial amount. Power use by the industrial sector fell 1.4 percent while climbing 7.5 percent in the service sector, the National Energy Administration (NEA) said. The question is The question is whether the single-digit increase for services was high enough to make the 6.9-percent GDP growth rate credible. The preliminary nature of the energy intensity estimate could partly explain the government's apparent silence over the positive result. Controversy over the GDP figures and the government's economic policies may also have eclipsed the relatively good environmental news. But whatever the reason, the lack of attention to the exceptional over-target performance may send a message that the government has little confidence in the results. Adding to the questions, China's anti-corruption authorities announced that they had placed NBS director Wang Baoan under investigation for "severe disciplinary violation" one week after the 2015 economic report came out. The frequency of urban smog crises last year may also have made the government wary of exaggerated environmental claims. Even with improvement in the per-unit-of-GDP ratio, China's total energy use and emissions last year were still expected to rise. In December, inspectors from the Ministry of Environmental Protection (MEP) found that "excessive emissions were a big problem" in all 59 cities that were visited that month, the official English-language China Daily reported. Bouts of severe smog caused over half of China's 74 major cities to fail national air quality standards for two weeks in December, the paper said in a separate report. Although the MEP found that the average density of fine particulates fell 14.1 percent in big cities last year, the plague of smog suggests that the major statistical gain may be the result of economic weakening rather than a breakthrough in efficiency. "'Success' through recession is not the same as success through energy efficiency improvements," Fridley said. Chen Guangcheng speaks alongside his wife after receiving a U.S. award on Capitol Hill in Washington, Jan. 29, 2013. The ruling Chinese Communist Party, which has ushered in the harshest crackdown on critics yet under President Xi Jinping, has largely ignored a United Nations treaty banning all forms of torture or cruel and degrading punishment, an overseas rights group said in a recent report. "Torture and ill-treatment or cruel punishment in China remain rampant and worrisome, and authorities have continued to use many forms of torture against [rights activists]," the Chinese Human Rights Defenders (CHRD) said in its annual report. While the U.N. Committee against Torture reviewed Chinas implementation of its treaty obligations under the Torture Convention last November, Chinese police "have largely ignored this treaty," the group said. "The persistent use of torture is, in part, a consequence of the impunity enjoyed by torturers, including police and other state agents," it said. Blind Chinese rights activist Chen Guangcheng, currently in the United States, described his personal experience of torture in an essay for RFA's Mandarin Service. "The Linyi Detention Center ... echoed from dawn till dusk with the slapping and thudding sound of belts and rubber truncheons impacting on human flesh, and the cries of people being beaten up," Chen wrote in a recent blog post. "Often, the in-house prosecutors would pass by such scenes of torture, and pretend they hadn't seen it, sharing a laugh with the prison guards in their flagrant act of breaking the law," he said. Meanwhile, Gu Shuhua, the Canada-based wife of Chinese asylum seeker Dong Guangping, said she fears her husband may be tortured after he was detained by Thai police in Bangkok and handed back to China after being granted refugee status by the United Nations. "All I want right now is for some news of my husband, and I hope that he hasn't been tortured," Gu told RFA in a recent interview. "I hope that he is safe and well." Subversion charges According to CHRD, the authorities are also detaining more people on serious political charges like "subversion" if they engage in activity aimed at defending human rights. Twenty-two activists or petitioners were detained during 2015 on charges of either "incitement to subvert state power," or "subversion of state power," as many as in the three previous years combined. In January alone, CHRD said it had documented 11 cases of arrests on suspicion of "subversion," more than occurred from 2012-2014 put together. "More than 700 [rights activists] ... were arbitrarily detained for at least five days deprived of their liberty of movement in retaliation for their exercise or advocacy for human rights," the group said in a statement issued alongside the annual report. "Developments point to an overall escalation of persecution against HRDs in 2015, including longer average detention times and greater severity of criminal charges," it said. More than 100 rights activists spent some or all of last year in pre-trial detention that was prolonged beyond the legally allowed time limit, it said. "In some cases, detainees have been held for more than two-and-a-half years, which means that they have been punished and deprived of their liberty for a significant period of time without any judicial review," the group said. The group, which compiles reports from a number of rights groups inside China, called on the Chinese government to stop using political charges against those who seek to defend their rights, or those of others. It also called for an end to "unreasonably prolonged" pretrial detention, and an end to provisions in the Criminal Procedure Law allowing police to hold people under "residential surveillance" for up to six months in an unknown location, with no access to family or lawyers. Unprecedented attack "2015 will go down in history as the year that Chinese authorities launched an unprecedented attack on Chinas human rights lawyers," the group said, adding that of more than 300 detained and questioned, 22 remain in custody, 19 of whom have now been formally arrested. "Of the 19 arrested, all but three face 'political' charges of 'subversion' or 'inciting subversion of state power,'" CHRD said. It said "draconian" legislation passed in July and August has legitimized the continuing and escalating persecution of Chinese rights activists and those working in non-government groups, which often work to protect the rights of workers, people with specific diseases or disabilities, women and the LGBT community. Reported by Hai Nan for RFA's Cantonese Service, and by the Mandarin Service. Translated and written in English by Luisetta Mudie. One of the five missing Hong Kong booksellers associated with Causeway Bay Books could face criminal charges from authorities across the internal border in mainland China after concerns were raised over whether he was seized by Beijing's agents in the semiautonomous city. Police have reportedly found evidence that Lee Bo, who holds a British passport and whom the British government says arrived in China against his will, has "blackmailed" certain celebrities in mainland China. The U.S.-based Bowen Press cited unnamed sources on Tuesday as saying that Lee is alleged to have threatened to publish books that would damage the images of these celebrities. Lee is accused of demanding payment to prevent the books from being published, Bowen said. Lees case is being handled separately from that of his four disappeared colleagues, because of the amount of international criticism it has caused, its source said. Last week, Britain accused the ruling Chinese Communist Party of breaching an international treaty under which the former colony of Hong Kong was handed back to China, with its detention of Lee. In a six-monthly statement to parliament on the implementation of the 1984 Sino-British Joint Declaration under which Hong Kong was handed back to China in 1997, Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond said Lee was "involuntarily removed" across the internal immigration border to mainland China. "This constitutes a serious breach of the Sino-British Joint Declaration on Hong Kong and undermines the principle of 'One Country, Two Systems' which assures Hong Kong residents of the protection of the Hong Kong legal system," Hammond said in the statement. China responded by telling Britain to stop interfering in its internal affairs, and to "mind its words." Determining Lees fate Hong Kong chief executive Leung Chun-ying said on Tuesday that he was unable to verify the report, nor did he know if Lee was being charged with any other crimes, the Hong Kong Economic Journal reported. Calls to Lee's wife Sophie Choi rang unanswered on Tuesday. Veteran Hong Kong journalist and political commentator Ching Cheong, who once worked for a ruling Chinese Communist Party newspaper in Hong Kong, said it is still too early to say what Lee's fate will be. "We are hearing all sorts of reports and rumors that Lee has been charged with this crime or that crime," Ching told RFA. "But that's not the crucial point here." "They are deliberately putting out these stories piecemeal, so as to distract everyone's attention from what China did wrong," he said, adding that the disappearances constituted a serious breach of the "one country, two systems" promises under which Hong Kong was handed over to Beijing as a separate legal jurisdiction. "China, which has been crossing borders and detaining people [outside its jurisdiction] is in breach of the one country, two systems principle," Ching said. "That's the heart of the matter." Reported by Hai Nan for RFA's Cantonese Service and by Xin Lin for the Mandarin Service. Translated and written in English by Luisetta Mudie. Anne-Sophie Gindroz, a former Swiss humanitarian worker in Laos, observed forced displacement and evictions of rural populations to make way for dams and other controversial infrastructure and plantation projects in the impoverished Southeast Asian country. Gindroz, who was the country director for Helvetas Swiss Intercooperation, was expelled in 2012 for criticizing Laos in a letter to donors that said the country's one-party regime stifles debate and creates a hostile environment for aid groups. She spoke to Ounkeo Souksavanh of RFAs Lao Service about her new book, "Au Laos, La Repression Silencieuse," published in French by Asieinfo Publishing, and to be published soon in English as Laos, The Silent Repression. RFA: Why did you write this book? Gindroz: It is a testimony. After I was expelled, and especially after (civil society activist) Sombath Somphone was abducted (in 2012), it became urgent for me to share my experience in Laos, to tell about the repression and suppression of dissent. It is also a way to pay tribute to Sombath and the many wonderful people I had the privilege to work with in Laos. Anne-Sophie Gindroz in an undated photo. Credit: Photo courtesy of Anne-Sophie Gindroz RFA: What is your main focus? Gindroz: I am telling about the tears and despair of communities losing their land. I am telling about the restrictions on basic rights and the fear. I am telling about what happened before Sombath was abducted, the mounting pressure, the threats. And I am telling about development partners choosing to keep quiet... It is about the silent repression in Laos. RFA: Who would you like to communicate to through this book? Gindroz: Aid agencies and international organizations working in Laos should not underestimate how the lack of freedom of expression, the many limitations imposed on local associations, the control of the media and on information are hampering fair and sustainable development in Laos. Engaging in an authoritarian country requires that you chose carefully your partners, so as to empower the progressive actors within the government, the parliament, the civil society. And when a radio program is shut down, villagers are threatened or arrested for speaking out, people are disappeared, political dialogues and aid need to be used as leverage to address these abuses. Because keeping silent is not neutral. Silence means taking sides. RFA: What are your expectations from the book? Gindroz: I hope my words serve the cause of Sombath and mobilize support for people who are victims of abuses or who are at risk in Laos. Sharing information is a first step in building solidarity. I also hope that my testimony will stimulate some reflection among development partners and that action is taken to combat the climate of fear. Because those struggling for justice and positive changes deserve better than silence. Residents of three villages in the Hpakant jade mining region in northern Myanmars Kachin state have temporarily agreed to end a three-day protest that began Saturday against mining companies whose trucks transport and dump mountains of waste from worksites in the area, a local political leader said. Locals are worried that a series of deadly landslides from improperly dumped waste soil will continue in the area, especially during the heavy rains of the June-October monsoon season, and endanger the lives of those who live near the sites, said Shwe Thein, chairman of the National League for Democracy (NLD) party for the Seik Mu village tract. Representatives from the companies, protesters and departmental officials met on Tuesday to inspect the sites and later reached the temporary agreement, he told RFAs Myanmar Service. Residents agreed to temporarily stop blocking roads used by the trucks, while the companies said they would stop transporting mining waste until the Ministry of Mines issued a decision on the matter, he said. The protesters reached an understanding to end the protests and lift the blockade on the condition that the companies stop dumping, Shwe Thein said. The villagers want the trucks to stop dumping, but officials said they have no authority to stop it completely, he said. Only the Union government can do it, so they [villagers] will forward the issue to the Ministry of Mines. The road blockages had caused at least 10 companies in the area to temporarily cease operations during the past few days, according to a report by Eleven Myanmar media group. Deadly business In January, at least five landslides occurred at refuse sites around jade mines in Hpakant township, leaving six dead and dozens trapped beneath rubble. Last November, a 200-foot pile of dirt and other material from mining activities collapsed in Hpakant, engulfing huts in an encampment of itinerant jade scavengers and their families and killing more than 100 people. Hpakant, which lies 651 kilometers (404 miles) north of the capital Naypyidaw, is the center of the countrys jade mining industry and produces some of the highest-quality jade in the world, much of which is exported or smuggled to neighboring China, where demand for the precious stone is high. Aung San Suu Kyi, chairwoman of the NLD, which won national elections on Nov. 8, called for increased safety measures and government oversight of the industry following the deadly landslide. The transfer of power to the NLD from the current union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) government led by President Thein Sein will take place in March. Roughly 630 companies, including many Chinese-led firms, are engaged in the jade mining industry on 22,500 acres of land around Hpakant, according to the Myanmar government. Yet, the countrys U.S. $31 billion jade industry continues to be secretly controlled by networks of military elites, drug lords and crony companies linked to the countrys former military leaders, according to a report issued last October by the London-based environmental advocacy group Global Witness. Reported by Wai Mar Htun for RFAs Myanmar Service. Translated by Khin Maung Nyane. Written in English by Roseanne Gerin. Adem Karadag arrives at a Thai military court for arraignment on charges related to the August 2015 fatal bombing at a Hindu shrine, Feb. 16, 2016. Two Uyghur men pleaded not guilty Tuesday to the Aug. 17, 2015, bombing at a Hindu Shrine in central Bangkok that killed 20 people and injured 120 more. Appearing in a Thai military court, Adem Karadag, 31, and Yusufu Meiraili, 28, both identified themselves as Uyghurs from Urumqi, the capital of Chinas Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. Karadags lawyer claimed he entered Thailand on Aug. 21, days after the attack, so could not be responsible. He also alleged that unidentified officials tortured Karadag in custody with water boarding, dog intimidation and a threat to return him to Chinese authorities. The said actions were aimed at forcing him to admit that he was the suspected bomber who planted the bomb seen in security camera records, lawyer Chuchart Kanpai told reporters. Uyghur and English translators were present as Karadag and Mieraili heard the charges against them and pleaded innocent. Mieraili challenged the court for his incarceration. It is not the right thing to have detained a Muslim for too long, Meiraili said through an English translator. Potential death sentences Karadag, aka Bilal Mohammad, was arrested on Aug. 29, 2015, after police said they had found bomb-making materials at an apartment in Bangkoks suburban Nongjok district. He was charged with offenses ranging from premeditated killing and bomb possession to illegal entry into Thailand, and could face a death sentence if convicted. Mieraili was arrested on Sept. 1, 2015, while attempting to flee to neighboring Cambodia, police allege. Investigators claim he was attempting to acquire materials to make bombs. He could face a death sentence as well if convicted. In the days following their arrests, both men participated in police-staged reenactments of the alleged events leading to the bombing. The attack at the Hindu shrine, popular with both Thais and foreign tourists, took place during the busy evening rush time. A security camera captured footage of a man leaving a backpack on a bench at the shrine moments before the blast. A pipe bomb explosion the next day near Sathorn passenger pier, some five miles from the shrine, caused no injuries. No group claimed responsibility for the attacks. In September, then-police chief Pol. Gen. Somyos Poompanmuang told a press conference that a Uyghur group had carried out the attack to wreak revenge on Thai authorities for clamping down on them. We believe the motive behind this incident stemmed from government officials arresting or cracking down on a human trafficking ring, he said at the time. In June, Thai authorities forcibly repatriated nearly 100 Uyghurs to China, drawing criticism and protests from rights activists and Uyghur advocates who say the Muslim minority suffers harsh repression in China. The next court hearings in the Erawan case are scheduled between April 20 and 22. Thai investigators claim as many as 15 more suspects are wanted for their roles in the attacks, including a man who hurled a bomb near the Sathorn pier. Reported by RFA. Russia has welcomed a decision by EU foreign ministers to lift sanctions against Belarusian President Alyaksandr Lukashenka over the country's rights and democracy record. The EU ministers agreed on February 15 that 170 Belarusians, including Lukashenka, along with three blacklisted Belarusian companies should be permanently removed from the EU list of those facing asset freezes and visa bans. "Naturally we perceive this very positively," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on February 16, commenting on the EU decision to abandon restrictive measures against the Belarusian leader. Peskov added that the move "simply demonstrates once again the absolutely senseless nature of sanctions." Russian officials and companies are themselves facing economic sanctions from the EU, United States, and other countries over Russia's actions in Ukraine. Based on reporting by TASS and Interfax Schuyler Area Chamber of Commerce recognized some of the communitys movers and shakers during Saturdays annual banquet at the Oak Ballroom. The chamber awarded the 2015 Honorary Chamber Member award to lifelong Schuyler resident Richard Folda. Foldas accomplishments as an insurance agent and lawyer include his positions as manager and president of Schuyler Savings and Loan Association, president of Heritage Federal Savings Bank, a four-year term on the Federal Home Loan Bank Board, president of Nebraska Savings and Loan League and president of the Midwest Savings Conference. Folda has also devoted considerable time to public service. He was city attorney for eight years, a member of the Schuyler school board for about two decades, including a stint as president, and served as president of the Nebraska state school board. He was also a member of the Schuyler Rotary Club, chamber of commerce and chamber board, American Legion Post 47 and Schuyler Economic Development Board, a Divine Mercy Parish trustee and president of the church council and is part of the local World War II Last Mans Club. Laverne Kracl, who passed away in September, was honored with the 2015 Schuyler Legacy Award. Kracl owned and operated Last Chance bar for more than 40 years and served on the Schuyler Board of Public Works, Loup Public Power District Board of Directors and Schuyler Energy Commission and was a charter member of Schuyler Development Company. He also served as a volunteer firefighter and fire chief in Schuyler. His son, Jerry Kracl, accepted the award on his behalf. The 2015 Business of the Year Award was presented to Schuyler Inn owner Javier Arizmendi and his wife Ada Sanchez. When Arizmendi bought the property in 2011, it required a great deal of time, money and work to get it up and running again. Everything from the roof and windows to the carpeting and furniture was replaced. And now, thank God, we are seeing the fruits of our labor, Arizmendi said in his acceptance speech. Arizmendi and Sanchez are also active in the community. He is a member of the Comite Latino, Schuyler Community Development and Rotary Club. Sanchez is also a member of Rotary, Commodore for the Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce and on the board for East Central District Health Department. Arizmendi and Sanchez have plans to open a bar and grill in downtown Schuyler, possibly by October. Brian Bywater, president of the Schuyler Public Library Foundation, accepted the 2015 Organization of the Year Award on the foundations behalf. The foundation has been providing supplies and needed upgrades to the library for 20 years and, over the past few years, raising money for a new library building. Last year, this effort was helped by a $500,000 donation from a former Schuyler resident. Bywater is grateful for any opportunity to speak about the work the foundation is doing and its fundraising efforts for the new library. I (had) the opportunity to speak to a group of people who may not be in the loop of what the foundation is doing, said Bywater. (The award) recognizes and validates the efforts that the foundation has put in over the years. A lot of people have put in a lot of time to make the foundation a successful entity in Schuyler. Schuyler Central High Schools dance, choir and speech teams performed after the awards were presented. The banquet also signified the end of 2015 chamber President John Rices term and welcomed 2016 President Gwen Mach. Russia has been sending in thousands of recently mobilized troops to reinforce the defense of the southern region of Kherson, where Kyiv's forces have been making major advances in their offensive to retake territory occupied by Moscow, the Ukrainian military said, as fresh Russian strikes on civilian targets were reported on October 21. "Up to 2,000 mobilized Russians arrived in the temporarily captured Kherson region to replenish losses and strengthen units on the contact line," the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces said in a statement on October 21. Live Briefing: Russia's Invasion Of Ukraine RFE/RL's Live Briefing gives you all of the latest developments on Russia's ongoing invasion, Kyiv's counteroffensive, Western military aid, global reaction, Russian protests, and the plight of civilians. For all of RFE/RL's coverage of the war, click here. "At the same time, the occupation authorities issued an order to prepare for the evacuation of the so-called banking institutions and Russian medical workers and teachers," the statement said. Ukraine is trying to drive Russian forces in Kherson back east across the Dnieper River that bisects the country. Russian soldiers on the western bank, where the city of Kherson is located, are reportedly close to being cut off from supply lines and reinforcements. President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's office said on October 20 that Ukrainian forces mounted 15 attacks on Russian military strongholds in the Kherson region in what appears to be the start of a major push to liberate the region and the strategic city of Kherson. Russia's Defense Ministry, meanwhile, said the Kremlin's forces repelled Ukrainian attempts to advance with tanks on the Kherson villages of Sukhanove, Nova Kamyanka, and Chervoniy Yar. Neither claim could be independently confirmed. The city of Kherson, with a prewar population of about 284,000, was one of the first urban areas captured by Russia when it invaded Ukraine, and it remains the largest city it holds. The city is an important objective for both sides because of its key industries and a major port on the Dnieper River. Moscow-installed officials have urged residents to evacuate and allow the military to build fortifications. Officials said 15,000 residents of an expected 60,000 had been relocated from the city and surrounding areas as of October 20. Kherson is one of the four partially occupied Ukrainian regions that Russian President Vladimir Putin illegally seized following Kremlin-orchestrated referendums denounced as sham by Ukraine and the West. Putin declared martial law in the Kherson, Luhansk, Donetsk, and Zaporizhzhia regions on October 19 in an attempt to assert Russian authority in the annexed areas as Moscow faced battlefield setbacks, a troubled troop mobilization, increasing criticism at home and abroad, and international sanctions. In a video address to EU leaders gathered for a summit in Brussels on October 20, Zelenskiy warned that Ukraine suspects Russia has mined the dam and units of the Nova Kakhovka hydroelectric power plant on the Dnieper River in southern Ukraine, and if it were blown up, more than 80 settlements, including Kherson, would be in danger of flooding. Zelenskiy said Ukrainian workers have been thrown out of the facility, leaving Russians in control. He asserted that Russia "has already prepared everything to carry out this terrorist attack." He called for an international observation mission and the return of Ukrainian personnel to ensure the mines are removed from the dam and its units. Zelenskiy's comment came two days after Vladimir Saldo, the Russian-appointed head of the Kherson region of Ukraine, announced an "organized, gradual displacement" of civilians from four towns on the right bank of the Dnieper River to the left side. Saldo accused Ukrainian forces of planning to destroy the dam and also warned of "an immediate danger of flooding." The Moscow-appointed deputy head of the Kherson region, Kirill Stremousov, encouraged people to cross over to the left bank of the Dnieper River and posted a video of a column of buses on Telegram. Kyiv has denounced Moscow's move, calling it a "deportation" of Ukrainian civilians to Russia. Over the past 10 days, Russia has also unleashed a wave of deadly attacks on Ukrainian civilian and energy infrastructure using artillery, air strikes, and Iranian-made suicide drones that destroyed 40 percent of the country's energy grid and prompted Kyiv to introduce rolling electricity restrictions for the first time since the start of the Russian invasion eight months ago. WATCH: Ukrainian forces first got their hands on FH70 155-millimeter howitzers courtesy of Italy in May and received training in Estonia. RFE/RL journalists met with a frontline FH70 crew and watched them in action against Russian forces. Early on October 21, a series of blasts rocked the Ukrainian cities of Kharkiv and Zaporizhzhya, authorities said. Missiles hit an industrial facility in Kharkiv, Mayor Ihor Terekhov said. Separately, Kharkiv regional Governor Oleh Sinegubov said five people had been wounded. No further details were immediately available about the Zaporizhzhua blasts. Zelenskiy told EU leaders that the Russian attacks against civilians and infrastructure are aimed in part at provoking a new wave of migration of Ukrainians to EU countries. "Russian terror against our energy facilities is aimed at creating as many problems as possible with electricity and heat for Ukraine this fall and winter and for as many Ukrainians as possible to go to your countries," he said. This should be "answered immediately," primarily by more air-defense systems sent to Ukraine, the president said, speaking by video conference from Kyiv. "We must do everything possible to make it completely impossible for Russia to destroy our energy system with missiles and drones," Zelenskiy said in the virtual speech, calling on Ukraine's partners to provide systems "to create a truly reliable air shield." With reporting by Reuters, AFP, dpa, and BBC The Daily Vertical is a video primer for Russia-watchers that appears Monday through Friday. Viewers can suggest topics via Twitter @PowerVertical or on the Power Vertical Facebook page. A transcript of today's edition of The Daily Vertical can be found here. What do Turkey and the Baltic states have in common? They appear to be part of Russia's strategy of attempting to undermine NATO and expose the alliance's Article 5 selective security guarantee as hollow. A senior NATO official told the Financial Times that with Turkey "just like in the Baltics, Russia wants to push at NATO's ability to stand behind all its members." Russia's constant menacing of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania in recent years highlighted a thorny dilemma for the Atlantic alliance. If Moscow sent "little green men" to one of the Baltics to start a hybrid war, NATO would face a difficult choice -- either invoke Article 5 and go to war with Russia or expose the alliance's security guarantees as meaningless. NATO's recent decisions to deploy troops to the Baltics was a clear effort to create a tripwire and deter Moscow from ever forcing that choice. But now, the same scenario risks being played out with Turkey as Moscow directly challenges Ankara's interests in Syria. And the siege of Aleppo appears at least partially designed to increase the flow of refugees toward Turkey. Russia has also been engaging in psyops aimed at provoking Ankara. There have been massive military drills in southern Russia and in Crimea. Stories have been planted in the Russian media suggesting that the downing of a Russian passenger aircraft was the work of Turkish ultranationalists and that Russia is preparing for war with Turkey. If Russia persists in these provocations, and if Ankara ultimately takes the bait, NATO could soon face the same thorny dilemma on its southern flank that it once feared in the Baltics. Keep telling me what you think in the comments section, on the Power Vertical's Twitter feed, and on our Facebook page. MOSCOW -- An outspoken former chief Russian sanitary inspector has suggested that the United States could be infecting mosquitos with the Zika virus in the Black Sea area as a form of biological warfare against Russia. In comments to the BBC Russian Service on February 15, Gennady Onishchenko said that Russian scientists have identified a surge since 2012 in the kind of mosquito that carries the virus in Abkhazia, a breakaway Georgian region that borders Russia on the Black Sea coast. This worries me because about 100 kilometers from the place where this mosquito now lives, right near our borders, there is a military microbiological laboratory of the army of the United States, Onishchenko, who is now an aide to Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, told the BBC. The Pentagon did not build a military biological base to protect Georgian children from measles, the health official continued. He was apparently referring to a biological research facility in ex-Soviet Georgia that was built by the U.S. Defense Threat Agency (DTRA) in 2011 and handed over to the Georgian National Center for Disease Control for operation and ownership in 2013. The facility is part of an effort to address dangers to U.S. and global health security posed by the risk of outbreaks of dangerous infectious diseases, according to the U.S. Embassy. But Russian officials and media have frequently suggested its purpose is nefarious. The Zika virus has spread explosively across the world, particularly in South America, and although it often causes only mild illness, it has prompted major global concern because of its link to a birth defect called microcephaly. Onischenkos comments on February 15 came as Russias public health agency said it had registered its first known case of Zika. Authorities said a woman had been vacationing in the Dominican Republic and was diagnosed with Zika after returning to Russia. The virus was said not to have infected her family or fellow passengers on her flight home. Onishchenko's comments mark a rare return to prominence since he was dismissed in 2013 by Medvedev and made a government aide. As Russia' chief sanitary doctor since 1996 and head of the consumer protection agency Rospotrebnadzor since 2004, Onishchenko oversaw several politically charged bans on foreign products -- measures that Kremlin critics said were blatant attempts to strong-arm neighbors into cooperation with Moscow. The prohibitions included bans on wine from Georgia and Moldova and stiff restrictions on the import of fruit and vegetables from the European Union in 2011. He also showed a fondness for conspiracy theories. Iran's defense minister is visiting Moscow for talks about closer military cooperation with Russia. Hossein Dehghan met with President Vladimir Putin on February 16 and held talks with his Russian counterpart Sergei Shoigu. Shoigu hailed a "high level of mutual trust" between the two countries and their eagerness to coordinate policies. Russia and Iran have both been strong backers of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad during the nearly five-year conflict in Syria. Dehghan said in an interview with Russian state television that Tehran wants to expand military and technical ties with Moscow. Russia has a contract with Iran to deliver long-range S-300 air defense missiles, and Tehran also has expressed interest in other Russian weaponry. Dehghan revealed earlier this month that Tehran plans to ink a deal with Moscow for the purchase of Su-30 fighter jets. Based on reporting by AP and Interfax Three Americans who were abducted in Baghdad last month have been freed. The U.S. State Department on February 16 welcomed the release of Americans, crediting the Iraqi government with helping to secure their return. "We sincerely appreciate the assistance provided by the government of Iraq, and its whole-of-government effort to bring about the safe release of these individuals," State Department spokesman Mark Toner said in a statement. The three are in good health and have been handed over to the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad. The embassy confirmed in January that several Americans had gone missing. Iraqi authorities said the three were kidnapped from a "suspicious apartment" without elaborating, although officials suspected a powerful Shiite militia was behind the kidnapping. Based on reporting by AP and Reuters Iraq's prime minister has offered to pay the salaries of government employees in Kurdistan if the autonomous northern region stops selling oil on its own. The Kurdistan regional governments economic crisis, precipitated in 2014 by a collapse in oil prices, has worsened this year and forced cuts in public workers' salaries of up to 75 percent, fueling discontent in the once prosperous region. "I have a suggestion," Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi said on state television. "Give us the oil and we will give every Kurdish employee a salary like we do for every Iraqi employee." Baghdad stopped paying workers' salaries last year after a deal on oil and revenue-sharing fell apart and Kurdish leaders started bypassing the central government, exporting oil through a pipeline to Turkey. Abadis offer suggests that Baghdad sees current economic strains as an opportunity to woo back the increasingly independent Kurds. Kurdish officials have warned that the region faces economic collapse as the loss of oil revenues from falling prices has been compounded by a costly war with Islamic State (IS) militants and the influx of thousands of refugees fleeing IS into Kurdistan. Based on reporting by Reuters and AFP NATO powers and the UN chief have condemned air strikes on Syrian hospitals and schools that killed dozens of civilians on February 15, with Turkey and France saying they amounted to "war crimes" and Ankara blaming Russia for the bombings. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on February 16 that Russian forces had nothing to do with the attacks and urged that "in this case, the primary source of information is the statements of official representatives of the Syrian authorities." The United Nations said that up to 50 civilians, including children, were killed in the strikes on at least five medical facilities and two schools in the northern Syrian provinces of Aleppo and Idlib. The bombings came as Syrian troops with Russian air support intensified an offensive on Aleppo. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon condemned the raids as "blatant violations of international law" and said they "cast a shadow" over efforts to end Syria's five-year civil war. The United States said that two civilian hospitals were hit in and around Aleppo in northern Syria: one run by French medical group Doctors Without Borders (MSF) and another in the city of Azaz. While the United States did not directly accuse Russia of carrying out the strikes, the State Department said such action "casts doubt on Russia's willingness and/or ability to help bring to a stop the continued brutality of the Assad regime against its own people." Russia has been conducting air strikes in support of President Bashar-al-Assad's forces since September 30 and has backed his government's military campaign throughout the five-year war. Moscow says it is targeting Islamic State (IS) militants and other "terrorists," but Western government say the majority of its strikes have been against more moderate opponents of Assad. Moscow maintains that its air strikes do not target civilians, while the United States and others have accused Russia of bombing indiscriminately and causing significant civilian casualties. Anti-Assad Syrian monitoring groups have said the Russian air campaign has been the major cause of civilian deaths in Syria since it began. Syrian activist and journalist Baha al-Halabi told RFE/RL's Current Time on February 15 that "Russian warplanes carry out hundreds of air strikes every day." Halabi added, "Destruction has become the general standard in Aleppo city and the outskirts. In every street, there is something that has been damaged. Every neighborhood in Aleppo has been hit by bombardment or shelling. Residential buildings are damaged. Even on the outskirts of Aleppo, every street and every area has been hit by bombardment or shelling." The strikes on February 15 are likely to increase already mounting concerns over Russia's commitment to a cessation of hostilities starting later this week, as agreed by countries in the International Syria Support Group (ISSG) in Munich on February 12. "That the Assad regime and its supporters would continue these attacks, without cause and without sufficient regard for international obligations to safeguard innocent lives, flies in the face of the unanimous calls by the ISSG, including in Munich, to avoid attacks on civilians," State Department spokesman John Kirby said in a statement on February 15. French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault said acts such as the "deliberate" bombardment of a hospital "constitute war crimes," adding that "attacks against health facilities in Syria by the regime or its supporters are unacceptable and must stop immediately." Turkey's Foreign Ministry went a step further, blaming Russia for the attacks. Moscow has not responded to the allegations. Kremlin spokesman Peskov said relations with Turkey were "in a deep crisis" and added that Russia "regrets this, but it is not the initiator of the crisis." Ankara and Moscow have traded accusations and low-level sanctions since Turkey's air force shot down a Russian Su-24 military jet it claimed had ignored warnings after flying from Syria into Turkish airspace in late November. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, MSF, and other authorities said the air strikes were carried out by Russian or Syrian planes. Turkey has been hinting it may join the fight in the Aleppo region to stop Syrian Kurds from seizing strategic territory there near the Turkish border. Turkey has been shelling Kurdish troops in the area for several days. On February 16, an unnamed Turkish official told the Reuters news agency that Ankara has asked its allies, including the United States, to consider a joint ground operation in Syria. In the past Washington has ruled out a major ground action. However, the official said Ankara "is not going to have a unilateral ground operation." Syria's ambassador to Moscow, Riad Haddad, claimed a hospital had been hit by a U.S. air raid. "American warplanes destroyed it. Russian warplanes had nothing to do with any of it -- the information that has been gathered will completely back that up," he told Russian state-run channel Rossia-24. He did not provide any evidence, however. The increasing violence on the ground in Syria and war of words between NATO countries and Moscow have dampened hopes that the cessation of hostilities will take hold on schedule on February 18. Moreover, Assad, who was not present at the Munich negotiations, said on February 15 that honoring the truce would be "difficult" and his government will continue to battle any group that has taken up arms against it, insisting all such groups are "terrorists." "Cease-fires occur between armies and states, but never between a state and terrorists," he told members of the Bar Association in Damascus. With reporting by Reuters, AFP, Interfax, AP, and The New York Times 1. U.S. acceptance of coexistence as the only alternative to atomic war. 2. U.S. willingness to capitulate in preference to engaging in atomic war. 3. Develop the illusion that total disarmament of the United States would be a demonstration of moral strength. 4. Permit free trade between all nations regardless of Communist affiliation and regardless of whether or not items could be used for war. 5. Extension of long-term loans to Russia and Soviet satellites. 6. Provide American aid to all nations regardless of Communist domination. 7. Grant recognition of Red China. Admission of Red China to the U.N. 8. Set up East and West Germany as separate states in spite of Khrushchev's promise in 1955 to settle the German question by free elections under supervision of the U.N. 9. Prolong the conferences to ban atomic tests because the United States has agreed to suspend tests as long as negotiations are in progress. 10. Allow all Soviet satellites individual representation in the U.N. 11. Promote the U.N. as the only hope for mankind. If its charter is rewritten, demand that it be set up as a one-world government with its own independent armed forces. (Some Communist leaders believe the world can be taken over as easily by the U.N. as by Moscow. Sometimes these two centers compete with each other as they are now doing in the Congo.) 12. Resist any attempt to outlaw the Communist Party. 13. Do away with all loyalty oaths. 14. Continue giving Russia access to the U.S. Patent Office. 15. Capture one or both of the political parties in the United States. 16. Use technical decisions of the courts to weaken basic American institutions by claiming their activities violate civil rights. 17. Get control of the schools. Use them as transmission belts for socialism and current Communist propaganda. Soften the curriculum. Get control of teachers' associations. Put the party line in textbooks. 18. Gain control of all student newspapers. 19. Use student riots to foment public protests against programs or organizations which are under Communist attack. 20. Infiltrate the press. Get control of book-review assignments, editorial writing, policymaking positions. 21. Gain control of key positions in radio, TV, and motion pictures. 22. Continue discrediting American culture by degrading all forms of artistic expression. An American Communist cell was told to "eliminate all good sculpture from parks and buildings, substitute shapeless, awkward and meaningless forms." 23. Control art critics and directors of art museums. "Our plan is to promote ugliness, repulsive, meaningless art." 24. Eliminate all laws governing obscenity by calling them "censorship" and a violation of free speech and free press. 25. Break down cultural standards of morality by promoting pornography and obscenity in books, magazines, motion pictures, radio, and TV. 26. Present homosexuality, degeneracy and promiscuity as "normal, natural, healthy." 27. Infiltrate the churches and replace revealed religion with "social" religion. Discredit the Bible and emphasize the need for intellectual maturity which does not need a "religious crutch." 28. Eliminate prayer or any phase of religious expression in the schools on the ground that it violates the principle of "separation of church and state." 29. Discredit the American Constitution by calling it inadequate, old-fashioned, out of step with modern needs, a hindrance to cooperation between nations on a worldwide basis. 30. Discredit the American Founding Fathers. Present them as selfish aristocrats who had no concern for the "common man." 31. Belittle all forms of American culture and discourage the teaching of American history on the ground that it was only a minor part of the "big picture." Give more emphasis to Russian history since the Communists took over. 32. Support any socialist movement to give centralized control over any part of the culture--education, social agencies, welfare programs, mental health clinics, etc. 33. Eliminate all laws or procedures which interfere with the operation of the Communist apparatus. 34. Eliminate the House Committee on Un-American Activities. 35. Discredit and eventually dismantle the FBI. 36. Infiltrate and gain control of more unions. 37. Infiltrate and gain control of big business. 38. Transfer some of the powers of arrest from the police to social agencies. Treat all behavioral problems as psychiatric disorders which no one but psychiatrists can understand. 39. Dominate the psychiatric profession and use mental health laws as a means of gaining coercive control over those who oppose Communist goals. 40. Discredit the family as an institution. Encourage promiscuity and easy divorce. 41. Emphasize the need to raise children away from the negative influence of parents. Attribute prejudices, mental blocks and retarding of children to suppressive influence of parents. 42. Create the impression that violence and insurrection are legitimate aspects of the American tradition; that students and special-interest groups should rise up and use united force to solve economic, political or social problems. 43. Overthrow all colonial governments before native populations are ready for self-government. 44. Internationalize the Panama Canal. 45. Repeal the Connally reservation so the United States cannot prevent the World Court from seizing jurisdiction over nations and individuals alike. Oil prices have shot up ahead of a meeting between the energy ministers of Saudi Arabia and Russia, the worlds two largest oil exporters, in Qatar. Reports say Saudi Arabia's Ali al-Naimi and Russias Aleksandr Novak are meeting to discuss the glut in global oil production that has caused oil prices to collapse since 2014. The meeting comes even as Iran, freed this year from most Western economic sanctions, launched its first oil exports to the European Union in over three years on February 15. Iranian officials say the country has boosted exports by 400,000 barrels a day so far this year, adding to an already saturated global oil market. Crude-oil prices have plunged more than 70 percent since June 2014, falling below $27 a barrel last week, largely because of surging supplies from the United States, Russia, and members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) like Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and Iran. OPEC officials say a new idea has been discussed in recent days. Rather than trying to cut production -- a goal which appears unattainable right now -- members might agree along with Russia to simply not increase production any further. Such an output freeze would allow Iran to continue pumping at its current higher rate, while Russia could continue its recent record levels of productions, which were projected to flatten out this year anyway. Saudi Arabia has said it would need cooperation from other major producers like Iran and Russia before it would consider curtailing production. Russia has a tarnished record on cutting production, having failed to follow through with cuts it promised to coordinate with OPEC in 2001. Iran Reluctant To Cut Production Still, it is Iran that has been most reluctant to consider restraining production, since the lifting of nuclear-related sanctions this year has enabled it to ramp up its depressed output to levels that prevailed before the sanctions. An OPEC official told The Wall Street Journal that Venezuelan officials believe they can convince Iran to go along, however. Naimi and Novak will be joined in Qatars capital, Doha, by Venezuelan Oil Minister Eulogio Del Pino, the delegates said. Their Nigerian counterpart, Emmanuel Ibe Kachiwku, will join them on February 21. Nigeria and Venezuela have been strong advocates of a production cut coordinated with other large producers like Russia to try to bring supply back into balance with demand and boost prices. OPEC officials have said Saudi Arabia will be closely watching Irans return to the market before deciding whether a production cut is wise. The talks come after previous attempts led by Venezuela to agree on a production cut failed earlier this month. Nigeria has called for an emergency OPEC meeting to talk about cutting production ahead of the cartels scheduled gathering in June in Vienna. The fall in oil prices has devastated the economy in Venezuela, Nigeria, Azerbaijan, Iraq, and other oil producers. Russia's economy is also showing strain, as oil-dependent government revenues plummet. What stance Russia will take in the negotiations is a mystery. Igor Sechin, an ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin and president of the countrys largest oil company, state-run Rosneft, said last week that the market would benefit from a 1 million-barrel-a-day cut in production. But he downplayed the likelihood of a coordinated cut. Other Russian officials, including Novak, have been more willing to openly discuss working with OPEC. Russias representative to OPEC said on February 15 that his country wasnt in talks with OPEC on potential cuts to oil output, but was talking with some of the groups members, mostly through Venezuela. While its not clear what will be accomplished by the Doha meeting, battered oil markets reacted enthusiastically to the news. Oil prices surged by 2 percent in trading on February 15 and gained another 3 percent to 4 percent in early trading on February 16. "As much as we continue to believe that this is yet another meeting that would yield nothing, the markets remain wary of any sudden agreement that major oil producers could come to," Daniel Ang, investment analyst at Phillip Futures in Singapore, told AFP. "It does seem like Russia has been invited into the inner circle of OPEC countries, which was vastly different from a year ago." With reporting by Reuters, The Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg, and AFP Pakistan's southern province of Sindh has become the first region in the largely Muslim country to give Hindus the right to register their marriages officially. Lawmakers in Sindh, home to many of Pakistan's 3 million-strong Hindu community, passed the bill on February 15. Activists say that without a legal framework to register their unions, Hindu women are easy targets for forced conversions, abduction, and rape, and there is a lack of rights for widows. Under the new legislation, Hindus above the age of 18 in Sindh can register their unions. It can be applied retroactively to existing marriages. However, the law contains a controversial clause that allows the marriage to be annulled if any spouse converts. The country's national assembly is considering a similar legislation. Christians, Pakistans other main religious minority, have a colonial-era law regulating their marriages. Based on reporting by AFP and the BBC Kazakh authorities have selected two sites and allocated funds to set up two refugee centers in a move that appears to have come as a surprise to area residents. But the biggest questions now are: Who are these refugees? And when and why did Kazakh authorities decide to accept them? Russia's TASS news agency carried one of the first reports of this curious development on January 29. That report quoted Svetlana Nareshova, acting head of the economy and budget planning department of the government of Kazakhstan's southwestern Mangistau Province, as saying, "The regional budget provides for the establishment of refugee centers under the antiterrorism article of the defense program." That report made it sound as if these plans for refugees were common knowledge. But, in fact, many people in Mangistau did not seem to know about it and were not happy when they found out. RFE/RL's Kazakh Service, known locally as Azattyq, went to the region and learned that a petition against housing refugees was being circulated in Mangistau. Some 3,000 people had already signed it. "The experience in Europe shows that a flood of refugees is always accompanied by an increase in crime and additional strains on the budget," the petition says. Azattyq spoke with former Kazakh Deputy Defense Minister General Amirbek Togusov, who was asking the same questions that many people in Mangistau are asking. "It's not clear to me which refugees we are talking about," Togusov said. "Where will they come from? From Afghanistan or Iraq?" Togusov then came to the crux of the matter. "How will the local population receive them?" he said. Judging by the petition, there are at least 3,000 locals who are against the idea. Its authors claim the government never discussed such a plan with local residents. The authors also recommended spending the money allocated for the refugee center on "low-income families and invalids" in Mangistau. But rights activist Togzhan Kizatova claimed there is just a small group of xenophobes behind the circulation of the petition and noted that in the first half of the 20th century people of many nationalities were given refuge on the territory of present-day Kazakhstan. Kazakh political analyst Dos Koshim said there are no refugees but that it makes sense to at least be prepared and have a facility to house them, if they ever appear. Azattyq sought local officials who could shed light on what the plans were for the refugee centers. Azattyq first telephoned the deputy secretary of the provincial council, Sarzhok Saybagytov. Asked about the planned refugee centers, Saybagytov replied, "We have so many matters to look at every day. I'm not a computer. I can't keep everything in my head. Ask the budget-planning department; ask [Svetlana] Nareshova." So Azattyq returned to where this story started: Svetlana Nareshova. But while Nareshova was willing to provide some information to Russia's TASS news agency, she was not quite as accommodating with Azattyq. Nareshova said questions should be addressed to Gulmira Balgozhaeva, the press secretary for the Mangistau governor. Balgozhaeva said she would need the questions in written form. Azattyq still has not heard back from her. As mentioned, Nareshova was a bit more informative with TASS. She suggested that 340 million tenges (around $850,000) had been allocated for the first refugee center, near the border with Uzbekistan, and that a similar center could be established near the border with Turkmenistan. Nareshova also said no refugees were expected in the near future. The locations are curious. One center would be located in the Beyneu district along the Uzbek border and the other in the Karakiya district on the Uzbek and Turkmen borders. In terms of the landscape, this area -- the only place where Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan meet -- is the northwestern part of the Kara-Kum Desert. It's very dry and very hot and in winter can be bitterly cold. It is also difficult to believe authorities in Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan have been consulted about this planned refugee camp on their borders. Refugees from Afghanistan made their way into Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan in the mid-1990s. Neither country welcomed them, and both were anxious to repatriate them as quickly as possible. As recently as 2010, Uzbekistan made clear it would not provide any more than brief shelter for refugees, even when those refugees were ethnic Uzbeks fleeing from Kyrgyzstan. Azattyq pointed out that maybe nothing will come of this by recalling that, in April 2010, Kazakhstan set up a center in Zhambyl Province to accept anticipated refugees from the unrest in Kyrgyzstan, when the government of former President Kurmanbek Bakiev was ousted. No one ever came. One ironic aspect to the episode is that Kazakhstan will mark its first Day Of Gratitude on March 1. President Nursultan Nazarbaev created the holiday to remember all the different peoples whom Stalin forcibly resettled in Kazakhstan during World War II. Based on material by Azattyq correspondent Saniya Toyken The United Nations Security Council will discuss Turkey's shelling of targets in Syria at the request of Russia, which has voiced outrage at the attacks on Syrian Kurdish fighters who are backed by both Russia and the United States. Turkey shelled positions of the Kurdish YPG party for a third straight day to try to stop its fighters from seizing Azaz, just 8 kilometers from its border. Ankara fears the YPG, with ties to Kurdish militant groups in Turkey, is close to securing the last stretch of Syrian border not already under its control. "The Russian delegation is deeply concerned by the use of force by Turkey against the Syrian territory," a Russian diplomat said in an e-mailed request for the UN meeting, Reuters reported. The closed-door discussion on Syria is expected to take place on the morning of February 16 in New York after the council discusses the humanitarian situation in Yemen. A senior UN official will brief the council first on the situation in Syria. The spreading conflict in Syria has increased the risk of direct confrontation between Russia and NATO member Turkey. Relations between Moscow and Ankara deteriorated sharply after the Turkish military shot down a Russian warplane in November along the Turkish-Syrian border. The high tensions between the two countries have contributed to the shaky start of a Syrian truce that they agreed to start implementing this week at negotiations in Munich on February 12. Based on reporting by Reuters and TASS Russian lawmakers have tentatively backed new legislation aimed at thwarting protests by long-haul truckers, whose highly public demonstrations last year tied up Moscow's already notorious traffic. The protests in December, targeting a new national highway toll system, worried the Kremlin, fearing the country's ongoing economic woes would result in an uptick in antigovernment sentiments among working-class voters. The lower house of parliament -- the State Duma -- passed the amendments in the first of three readings on February 16, but only narrowly and after what Russian media said was a lively debate. Hundreds of long-haul truck drivers converged on the Russian capital in early December, snarling a key highway and prompting a showdown with police who tried to limit its impact on city traffic. The truckers were angry about the increased costs for using the national toll system, called Platon, and about the fact that a close friend of Putin's controls the toll's payment system. Transport Minister Maksim Sokolov and other government officials said the new tolls would help pay for the country's decrepit road infrastructure. But truck protesters charged that the revenues from the system, predicted at $700 million annually, would merely line the pockets of Kremlin insiders. Many also voiced concern about rising inflation and the plummeting ruble, trends fueled by the drop in global oil prices and sanctions imposed on Russia by Western nations in response to Russia's 2014 annexation of Ukraine's Crimea peninsula. Those economic problems are expected to continue through this year, potentially undermining Putin's still-strong support among Russians. The bill must go through two more readings before heading to the upper chamber and then to President Vladimir Putin for his signature. The Duma is widely seen as a compliant legislature, nearly always rubber-stamping Kremlin-backed initiatives. The amendments would essentially group "road rallies" in the same legal category as political demonstrations. Dmitry Gudkov, one of the only opposition lawmakers in the Duma, suggested the amendments were aimed at preventing a scenario similar to what happened in Ukraine, when months of government protests culminated in violent clashes and the ouster of President Viktor Yanukovych in February 2014. In a posting on Facebook, Gudkov also criticized the amendments as poorly worded, saying that classifying "road rallies" as political protests could also then apply to wedding convoys -- when newlyweds and their wedding parties drive around in celebration -- or even funeral processions. The measure was the latest in a series pushed by the Kremlin to restrict public displays of antigovernment sentiment. In 2014, Putin signed into law new measures that effectively criminalize street protests that don't have official authorization. Lawmakers also passed laws that steeply raise fines for participating in unauthorized demonstrations. Meanwhile, Russia and Ukraine escalated a growing trucker-trade war on February 16, as Moscow blocked entry for all Ukraine-registered trucks. The decision was made in retaliation for Ukraine blocking Russian trucks, a move which cut a major access route for Russian trucks to Europe. Poland has also moved to restrict access to its roads by Russian truckers. MOSCOW -- An opposition activist has accused the Moscow city government of fashioning thousands of young, civic-minded Russians into an army of bots to massage public opinion by posting messages on social networks lauding the mayors policies. Leonid Volkov, an ally of opposition leader and anticorruption campaigner Aleksei Navalny, posted a screenshot on his blog (below) of apparent written instructions issued to activists in which they were invited to praise the Moscow authorities for bulldozing scores of street properties last week. Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin has said the kiosk owners fraudulently obtained property papers. The Moscow municipal authorities have faced criticism for the decision, after which almost 100 kiosks were demolished on February 9 in an operation dubbed by detractors as Night Of The Long Shovels. Critics say the street properties were not built illegally, could not legally be designated for demolition, and that their removal makes thousands unemployed at a time of economic crisis. In the alleged written instructions posted by Volkov, activists were invited to argue against these lines of criticism and praise the Moscow government's liquidation of the "vast majority" of kiosks and illegally built street properties, which they said are a threat to peoples lives and health. Unlike the secretive troll factory in St. Petersburg widely reported in 2015, the supposed army of bots in Moscow is allegedly organized through a publicly visible, online community for members of Youth Parliament, a municipal-level movement partnered with the city government. The Youth Parliament comprises thousands of Muscovites between the ages of 18 and 30 who are placed in Youth Chambers in each of Moscows municipal districts. Volkov told RFE/RL that these chambers were formerly subordinated to elected municipal councils, but last spring they were made answerable to local government prefectures, which are under the control of the executive. Most likely, there are more of these instruments. What I have uncovered points to 3,000 people being involved in this work, Volkov told RFE/RL, adding that he soon intends to post more findings. WATCH: Muscovites React As Kiosks Demolished The young parliamentarians are registered as members of an online community called Dvizhok, which means "engine" in Russian, where they are awarded points for carrying out good deeds. The activists are then ranked against each other according to their point tallies. The leaders of the website's rankings have accrued hundreds of points, while members are given promises of "career development." The good deeds are not helping a granny across the road, not painting a bench, Volkov wrote on February 12. Good deeds for these young parliamentarians are -- as defined by the mayors office active work on social networks. In his blog post, Volkov published a screenshot of instructions inviting activists to carry out an assignment which would see them rewarded with 17 points. The goal of the task was to write positively about the campaign to demolish the kiosks. In a post on Dvizhok called Moscow Dismantles Danger, activists were prepped with background information and lines of argument: Even a small fire in a building like this can be the reason for the death of 200-300 Muscovites! The post invited activists to link to another post written by local Moscow city newspaper Vechernyaya Moskva. It also asked activists to link to pictures casting kiosks as dangerous, including one that appeared to show a man in a diving suit shoulder deep in brown water descending into a concrete pipe. Volkov posted screenshots of posts praising the removal of the kiosks that had been written by three leading points earners. In a follow-up post on February 13, Volkov said he had received messages from disgruntled young parliamentarians who defended their participation in the project. In one such message printed in full by Volkov, Aleksei Murashov protested Volkovs use of the term army of bots, noting that he is not paid a salary from the mayors office and only writes posts in line with his beliefs. Several phone calls to the Center for Youth Parliament, a coordinating body, went unanswered. Murashov protested that he genuinely supports the local government's demolition of kiosks. The reason for my personal participation in the given movement is my striving to show my civic position and to find like-minded people with whom I plan to participate in the creation of a nongovernmental organization at city district level. Volkov rejected this line of argument, saying that the Moscow authorities are using young people with the false promise of career progression. "They hope they will be selected and become municipal deputies at the elections in 2018. Of course, all of these hopes are absolutely unfounded," he said. Volkov told RFE/RL that he will file a formal complaint to the Moscow prosecutors office on February 16. YAROSLAVL, Russia -- At least seven people, including two children, have been killed by a gas explosion that ripped through a residential building in the central Russian city of Yaroslavl early on February 16. Eight other people were hospitalized. Authorities in Yaroslavl announced two days of mourning. Officials said a criminal inquiry has been opened to investigate whether safety regulations had been breached. Gas explosions are common in Russia. In December, a gas blast ripped through an apartment block in the southern Russian city of Volgograd, killing several people. Based on reporting by AFP and TASS Russian President Vladimir Putin will meet with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban on February 17, the Kremlin press service says. The Russian leader has been eager to exploit divisions within the European Union over sanctions on Moscow and develop economic ties with European countries like Hungary that remain willing to keep up business relations with their old Soviet-era trading partner. The two leaders will discuss enhancing cooperation in trade, technology, energy, culture and humanitarian areas, the Kremlin said on February 15. The two countries hope to further "agreements reached during the Russian president's visit to Budapest on February 17, 2015," it said. Based on reporting by Interfax Russia and Saudi Arabia, the world's two largest crude producers, have agreed to freeze output, as long as others follow suit. Freezing output at January levels will be "adequate," Saudi Oil Minister Ali al-Naimi said on February 16 after talks with Russian Energy Minister Aleksandr Novak in Qatar's capital, Doha. Naimi said Qatar and Venezuela also agreed to participate in the freeze, and expressed hope that other oil producers would adopt the proposal. Iran has said it intends to maintain its oil market share but said on February 16 that "there is room for discussion" on output, announcing talks with crude producers Iraq and Venezuela within 24 hours in Tehran. "What is important first of all is that right now the oil market faces an output surplus and, secondly, Iran won't relinquish its share," Oil Minister Bijan Zanganeh said. Iran has pledged to raise supply steeply as it looks to regain market share lost after years of international sanctions, which were lifted in January. A glut in global oil production has caused oil prices to plunge more than 70 percent since June 2014 to below $34 a barrel, putting financial strain on Russia, Azerbaijan, Iraq, and other oil-dependent economies. Based on reporting by AFP, Reuters, and Bloomberg Ukraine says three of its servicemen have been killed and seven wounded in fighting with Russia-backed separatists in the past 24 hours. Military spokesman Oleksandr Motuzyanyk said the fighting had taken place on the front line near the village of Zaytseve, some 50 kilometers north of the separatist stronghold of Donetsk. Meanwhile, the separatists said shelling from the Ukrainian government side had hit Zaytseve and Donetsk suburbs. More than 9,000 people have been killed in fighting between government forces and rebels in eastern Ukraine since April 2014, and a year-old cease-fire agreement has failed to completely stop the violence. On February 14, the head of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), Lamberto Zannier, told RFE/RL that fighting had flared up in eastern Ukraine and the humanitarian situation was "dire." Based on reporting by Reuters and Interfax Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk is due to address parliament in Kyiv amid signs that his ruling coalition is on the verge of collapse, threatening a no-confidence vote that could bring down his government. Yatsenyuk's speech comes just hours after his coalition partners in President Petro Poroshenko's party announced they would vote that the government's work has been "unsatisfactory." That raises the likelihood of a no-confidence vote against Yatsenyuk and the collapse of his government -- setting the stage for fresh coalition talks and possible early parliamentary elections. All of the parties that originally formed Yatsenyuk's coalition support integration with the European Union and moves to steer the country away from economic and political ties with Russia. Yatsenyuk's other coalition partners -- the Fatherland party of former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko and the Self-Reliance party led by Lviv Mayor Andriy Sadovyy -- have already signaled they could vote against Yatsenyuk and his cabinet. That would likely result in the 226 votes required to pass a no-confidence resolution. The far-right Radical Party of Oleh Lyashko left the ruling coalition in September 2015 in a move that led to highly charged debates about Yatsenyuk's government in December. Even then, Yatsenyuk's People's Front faction was at odds with its partners from the group loyal to Poroshenko amid growing public discontent over still-rampant corruption in Ukraine. During the December debates, as Yatsenyuk defended the work of his government, Poroshenko Bloc deputy Oleg Barna presented the prime minister with a bouquet of roses and then physically picked him up and pulled him from the podium -- leading to a fistfight on the parliamentary floor between members of the ruling coalition. Despite the brawl, the Poroshenko Bloc continued in its tenuous alliance with Yatsenyuk's People's Front into early 2016. Poroshenko Bloc leader Yuriy Lutsenko later apologized to Yatsenyuk, but said he personally supported Yatsenyuk's resignation. There are 450 seats in Ukraine's parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, but only 422 deputies were seated after the October 2014 elections. The other 28 seats have remained unfilled because there was no voting in Russian-occupied Crimea or in some constituencies in eastern Ukraine where Russia-backed separatists have been fighting government forces. Yatsenyuk's People's Front now has 81 deputies in parliament. The Poroshenko Bloc has 136 seats, Self-Reliance has 26, Fatherland has 19, and the Radical Party has 19. Rita Dowling came to Richmond from Kansas when her husband got a job to teach math at Open High School. What she found surprised her. Maybe its a small-town thing, but (public) schools dont seem to be as much a part of peoples lives here, Dowling said. In the big city you have to march to let them know that if we dont support our schools with money and in every other way, were doomed. Newcomers and veterans made their voices heard at a rally last week that attracted more than 200 to City Hall. Advocates say the numbers will grow until theres a commitment to address issues ranging from leaky roofs and neglected buildings to a compressed pay scale that encourages talented educators to seek employment elsewhere. In previous years we havent had the involvement were seeing this year, said Chris Lombardi, a fifth-grade teacher at Mary Munford Elementary School who organized the rally. People will be going out to City Council meetings to make their voices heard. Planning for the rally began with a few emails between colleagues at Munford and spread to other schools. This is the first time in 27 years of teaching here that Ive seen this level of organization and activity, said Lisa Callis, who teaches kindergarten at Munford. Theres been a buildup of frustration and were ready for things to change. The administration of Mayor Dwight C. Jones cautioned in recent weeks that cuts to city services or a tax rate increase could be needed to support the school systems $563 million plan to overhaul its facilities and a schools operating fund request for fiscal year 2017 that is $18 million higher than the current years. Jones has floated the possibility of taking the question of a real estate tax increase to voters in the form of a referendum this November. Don Cowles, a retired corporate executive and a longtime volunteer in city schools, said Jones referendum suggestion lacks inspiration and a purpose. Without these, the mayors proposal is mere political provocation, Cowles said in an email. Administration officials say the city cannot afford to tackle the facilities plan with current resources, owing in part to self-imposed constraints on the citys short-term debt capacity. The first five-year phase of the facilities plan is expected to cost $169 million. Every year we dont address it, what happens? said Tommy Kranz, assistant superintendent of support services. Its going to get more expensive to address the issue. Jones press secretary, Tammy D. Hawley, said that no one (is) saying anybodys wrong or right. Were not saying the needs dont exist, Hawley said, but this is something were going to have to decide together. School Board Chairman Jeffrey M. Bourne, 3rd District, has called on city leaders to have an adult conversation about the resources he says will be needed to boost school performance. He said the system has seen improvement under a change in culture that emphasizes openness and accountability. People know were not going to do things the way weve been doing them for the past 20 years, Bourne said. The School Board this month approved a stop-gap measure to use $18 million City Council authorized last year for school construction to address overcrowding in the citys South Side instead of putting the money toward the larger plan. Kranz led the last of a series of meetings on the $563 million plan the night after that School Board vote at Linwood Holton Elementary School in Richmonds North Side. He said that delaying the overhaul will exacerbate inequalities. Its fundamentally wrong that every child that goes to RPS doesnt have the same opportunities, Kranz said. Its wrong. But yet, weve allowed that to happen. And it happens every day for some of our students. The short-term fix advanced by the board just stops the holes in a sinking ship, said Garet Prior, a former high school teacher who is now a senior planner for the town of Ashland. Prior served on the school facilities task force that evaluated the districts needs in 2014. He has formed a grass-roots advocacy group Forward Richmond to help identify and advance solutions to the school systems challenges. Prior said he is encouraged by recent activism. Getting more peoples voices into the conversation is huge, he said, noting that 2016 is a year in which the position of mayor and all School Board and City Council seats are up for election. Theyre doing a good job of coming out and raising awareness. Now we need to ask, What are the steps we could take to make this happen? School leaders have questioned whether the city could reassess other capital projects planned for the next five fiscal years to free up funding for school construction. City spokesman Michael Wallace said the administration was not reexamining its plans. While Richmonders have expressed a desire for more school funding, they have not expressed a willingness to cut funding for other city services or capital projects, Wallace said in an email Friday. He did not say whether Jones intends to find additional funding for school operations next year. Richmond continues to spend more on public schools than anything else we do, and the citys contribution has helped offset state cuts made during the recession, Wallace stated last Friday. The School Board delivered its formal budget request (Friday), and were reviewing it in the context of the citys overall needs and current revenues. Any changes to the citys current two-year budget will be presented on March 4. School and city leaders, meantime, have not resolved the issue of more than $1 million in past-due stormwater fees the city attempted to collect from the district last summer. The city at the time said Jones included $638,000 toward the overage in his fiscal year 2016 budget allocation for the district. But school leaders said the money was not earmarked in the budget approved by the school board. The group behind a racially charged video shown to Glen Allen High School students almost two weeks ago is blasting Henrico County school officials for not allowing the video to be shown at other schools. This censorship of material that highlights historical and present-day policies constitutes an alarming capitulation to those who would prefer our youth to remain blissfully ignorant about the foundations of contemporary racial inequality, Kimberle Crenshaw, executive director of African American Policy Forum, said in a statement Monday. Honest engagement with the continuing legacy of our history should not be held hostage to those who can only relate to this information as a personal indictment. Educators who succumb to these sensibilities rather than working through them only contribute to the shameful miseducation of millions of Americans, many whose indignation about the video is only surpassed by their lack of knowledge about the facts it portrays. The AAPF, along with the National Association for Ethnic Studies, issued the statement Monday after public outcry over a four-minute video shown during two assemblies at the high school Feb. 4. A chorus of disapproval came down on the school system after complaints about the contents of the video went viral, leading school officials last Wednesday to apologize for showing the video. School Board Chairwoman Michelle F. Micky Ogburn said at that time that school leaders have been instructed not to use the video in our schools. The AAPF said video and companion materials have been used for more than a decade, in and out of schools, to start conversations and debates on contemporary racial inequality. Henrico, it says, is the first school system ever to ban it. The animated video portrays what some people refer to as white privilege advantages that they say white people have that those of color do not. It is called Structural Discrimination: The Unequal Opportunity Race and shows several runners on a track, with runners of color dealing with several obstacles while white runners are unimpeded. Those offended object to the notion that white people face fewer challenges than minorities, and that the video portrays life being easier for white people. Though that interpretation of the video is both misguided and unfortunate, Micky Ogburns reaction is far more disturbing, the AAPF said Monday. The School Boards blatant censorship of this pedagogical tool is reminiscent of both book banning that is unfolding elsewhere and other efforts to elide, obscure or completely ignore the historical facts of United States slavery, racial segregation, genocide, and colonialism, the New York-based group said. Schools especially, however, should not treat particular aspects of history as inconvenient truths. Instead of apologizing and stopping schools from showing the video, officials should have encouraged the school and students to have a conversation about its contents, even if it was uncomfortable, the AAPF said. Anyone who is remotely aware of the nations ugly history of suppressing materials that challenge dominant ideologies and political orthodoxies should be appalled by these developments, the organization said. Censorship is certainly not the answer to controversial material and is inconsistent with our most basic constitutional values. Neither the school system nor Ogburn responded to a request for comment Monday. Ravi K. Perry, an associate professor of political science at Virginia Commonwealth University and president of the National Association for Ethnic Studies, led the Feb. 4 discussion at Glen Allen High. Perry, in consultation with school officials, developed a program to facilitate a dialogue with students about contemporary racial issues. He was asked to make the presentation after an incident in October when a student at the school downloaded a YouTube version of a song with more than a dozen references to the N-word. The song was played over the public address system as athletes were warming up for a game against Richmonds John Marshall High School. BROYLES, Dorian N., 12, of North Chesterfield, died on Friday, February 12, 2016, at the University of Virginia Medical Center. He was born on December 15, 2003 in Philadelphia, Pa., a son of Anthony Neal and Christina Lynn (Wermann) Broyles. Dorian was a sixth grade honor student at Providence Middle School in Chesterfield, where he played French horn in the school band. His true passion was cooking (especially anything with shrimp) and his desire was to be a chef. He loved decorating for each holiday and playing holiday music, being outdoors, hunting with his grandfather and uncles, and loved spending time with his brothers playing XBox. In addition to his parents, he is survived by three brothers, Liam Anthony, Ezra James and Ashton Carl Broyles; maternal grandmother, Anita Minahan of Scottsville; and paternal grandparents, Carl and Lucille Broyles of Madison. A funeral service will be conducted at 2 p.m. on Thursday, February 18, 2016, at Wesley Chapel UMC, Scottsville Va. 24590. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, February 17, 2016, at Thacker Brothers Scottsville Funeral Home. Donations are being accepted through Dorian's GoFundMe account to pay for funeral and medical expenses. The family would like to extend a special thanks to the staff and students of Providence Middle School and A.M. Davis Elementary School for their love and concern for Dorian. Family and friends may share memories and photos at www.thackerbrothers.com. It looks like nothing was found at this location. Maybe try a search? Search for: Search A Place for All Conservatives to Speak Their Mind. This Position Is Closed to New Applicants This position is no longer open for new applications. Either the position has expired or was removed because it was filled. However, there are thousands of other great jobs to be found on Rigzone. A Vinton man admitted Tuesday he committed a string of burglaries last year at Roanoke businesses, but he faces even more charges in several surrounding counties. Joshua Andrew Kelley, 33, pleaded guilty in Roanoke Circuit Court to three counts of breaking and entering, plus single counts of grand larceny and attempted grand larceny. Those offenses are largely tied to break-ins that occurred early May 15 at the Stop In Food Store on Bennington Street and at the Gas N Shop on Walnut Avenue. The two southeast Roanoke businesses are about 2 miles apart and were broken into less than an hour apart, according to Roanoke Assistant Commonwealths Attorney Chad Simmons. Kelley also admitted this week he burglarized the Snappy Food Mart on Liberty Road in northeast Roanoke on May 22. In all three cases, surveillance cameras photographed two men forcing their way into the stores, typically by breaking windows, Simmons said. Kelley was arrested after witnesses saw a vehicle leaving the scene of yet another burglary, in Roanoke County, and wrote down the plate number. Kelley is due to be sentenced in May and his co-defendant, Jeffrey Lee Waddell of Roanoke, is slated to go to trial on the same charges in the same incidents in March. He is being held in the Botetourt County Jail. Both men have also been tied to other break-ins in the Roanoke and New River valleys. In February, the two were indicted in Roanoke County on charges including five counts of burglary, five counts of destruction of property and four counts of grand larceny. Theyve also been charged in Montgomery County on two counts each of breaking and entering, grand larceny and property destruction, and in Botetourt County with breaking and entering, attempted breaking and entering, grand larceny and petit larceny. The incidents theyre charged with all occurred on May 7, 10, 15 and 22. Grand larceny and statutory burglary are felonies that carry a range of punishments from one to 20 years in prison, and breaking and entering can bring up to 20-year terms as well. Destruction of property is a misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in jail and a $2,500 fine. The African Network for Environmental Sustainability (ANFES) aims to ensure that environmental sustainability research agenda and commercial exploitation of local communities natural resources benefit local communities by responding to their needs and aspirations and by improving their livelihoods opportunities. Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump lead their rivals two weeks before Virginia's March 1 primary, but voters have doubts about the front-runners, a new poll says. The leaders are highly unpopular with likely voters in Virginia, according to the Christopher Newport University survey. Trump's unfavorable rating is 64 percent and Clinton's is 59 percent. Clinton, the former secretary of state, has the backing of 52 percent of likely Virginia voters, to 40 percent for Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont. Trump, the business mogul, has the support of 28 percent, followed by Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., at 22 percent and Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, at 19 percent. The other remaining GOP candidates lag far behind, with retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson and Ohio Gov. John Kasich tied at 7 percent and former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush trailing at 4 percent. Sanders and Cruz also have favorability ratings that are upside down. Rubio has the highest favorability rating with the restive Virginia electorate - at 44 percent. "Almost all of the voters have an opinion about Donald Trump and twice as many see him in an unfavorable light as view him favorably," said Quentin Kidd, director of the Wason Center for Public Policy at CNU. "Even so, among likely Republican voters he's still winning the horse race." As for the Democratic primary, "Virginia Democrats continue to be hesitant about Clinton," Kidd said. "However, she maintains a solid lead over Sanders, with only a small percentage of undecided voters left." Clinton has the backing of Virginia's top Democrats, including Gov. Terry McAuliffe, who led her 2008 bid for the Democratic nomination, and U.S. Sens. Timothy M. Kaine and Mark R. Warner. Kasich, the Ohio governor, holds a rally Wednesday morning at George Mason University in Fairfax. The Right to Rise Super PAC, which backs Bush, is running an ad in Virginia that depicts Trump as a crumbling ice sculpture. Sixteen candidates qualified for Virginia's March 1 primaries, but one of the three Democrats and seven of the 13 Republicans have dropped out of the race. The candidates will compete in South Carolina and Nevada before Virginia and a dozen other states vote on Super Tuesday. RICHMOND The Virginia House of Delegates voted Tuesday to grant broad protections to private entities that hold religious views against gay marriage, transgender people and those who have sex outside of marriage. Supporters said the controversial bill, approved on a 56-41 vote, would prevent government persecution of people of faith, but critics said it would allow some Virginians to be treated as second-class citizens. Gov. Terry McAuliffe is expected to block the legislation, but the floor vote offered a test of the Republican-controlled chambers appetite to take on a red-hot social issue. Seven Republicans joined Democrats in voting against House Bill 773, titled the Government Non-Discrimination Act. Three Republicans did not vote. The bills patron Del. Todd Gilbert, R-Shenandoah said the measure would prevent government agencies from taking punitive action against religious people, businesses and groups as part what he described as an activist push to drive religion from public life. They are not satisfied with equality, said Gilbert. And they will not be satisfied until people of faith are driven out of discourse. Are made to cower. Are made to live in fear of speaking their minds. In an emotional speech, Del. Mark Sickles, D-Fairfax, one of two openly gay state lawmakers, said the vote would send a message to businesses considering moving to Virginia. They dont need to come here where people are second-class citizens when we pass legislation like this, Sickles said. He added that Republicans should not view the bill as a free vote due to its low chances of becoming law. Your vote will make a difference, Sickles said. Your kids will be looking back on what you do today and how you vote on this bill. The bill would prevent state agencies from altering tax treatment or canceling or reducing funding, contracts or other benefits for private entities based on beliefs that marriage is between a man and a woman, that sex should only occur within marriage or that the terms man and woman are based solely on biological sex. Critics said the legislation would lead to government-sanctioned discrimination. Supporters argued that traditional beliefs should not be swept away by a fast-changing, secular culture. Gilbert laid out a possible scenario in which tuition assistance could be denied for Liberty University in Lynchburg based on the institutions religious principles, which he said is one of many ways that religious people could be made to cower and go away. On my watch, I will be proud to say that I fought to keep the government from being used as a vehicle for making that happen, Gilbert said. Democrats also raised constitutional concerns, saying the bill seems to set certain religious beliefs above others. I dont see how you can interpret it any other way than a license to discriminate, said House Minority Leader David Toscano, D-Charlottesville. Del. Scott. Taylor, R-Virginia Beach, was the only Republican who took the House floor to explain his reasons for voting against the bill. A candidate for Congress in the 2nd District, Taylor called the legislation too broad. Del. Bob Marshall, R-Prince William, said the gay-rights movement has not taken a live and let live approach to religious views. This governor, if he really is tolerant, should support the bill, Marshall said. McAuliffes office said the governor opposes any legislation that will make Virginia less open and welcoming to people based on their race, gender, religion or sexual orientation. Hes working to build a more equal and more prosperous Virginia and this bill is a step in the wrong direction, McAuliffe spokesman Brian Coy said. Other Republicans voting against the bill were Dels. Glenn Davis, R-Virginia Beach; Peter Farrell, R-Henrico; Chris Stolle, R-Virginia Beach; Ron Villanueva, R-Virginia Beach; David Yancey, R-Newport News; and Joseph Yost, R-Pearisburg. The Republicans not voting were Dels. Manoli Loupassi, R-Richmond; Jason Miyares, R-Virginia Beach; and James Morefield, R-Tazewell. Morefield was not in the chamber Tuesday. Loupassi also called the legislation too broad, but did not elaborate. The House also approved legislation to limit public funding for Planned Parenthood and other abortion providers, but that legislation also seems destined for a gubernatorial veto. That measure, House Bill 1090, passed on a 64-35 vote. Martin Shkreli smirked while congressmen questioned him about raising the price of a drug by 5000 percent. Shkreli was CEO of the pharmaceutical company that produced the drug. Afterward, he went on Twitter and called the congressmen imbeciles. His actions appear appropriate and correct. It was Congress that passed the Medicare D bill (medicine part of Medicare) and President George W. Bush signed it into law. One provision of the legislation is that the government may not negotiate a price for medicine with pharmaceutical firms. Shkreli knows that pharmaceutical firms play a big part in funding persons elected to Congress. Only idiots would include such a provision in a bill and Shkreli could smirk at the people he funds into Congress. Burmas National League for Democracy (NLD) leader Aung San Suu Kyi looks on during a news conference at her home in Rangoon, November 5, 2015. (Photo: Jorge Silva / Reuters) By Brandon Tensley February 11, 2016 CHIANG MAI, Thailand Despite last weeks sea change in the Union Parliament following the roaring victory of Aung San Suu Kyis National League for Democracy (NLD) in Burmas historic November election, it is unclear if the dividing line that relegates the former pariah states LGBTQ citizens to the fringes of cultural and political life will persist. At least in part, the bones of this lie in the legacy of British colonialism that still stretches across large swaths of Asia. Section 377 of the former British penal code criminalizes carnal intercourse against the order of nature, which has typically been interpreted to mean same-sex acts, particularly sodomy. Britains penal code was exported to its colonies to entrench European mores among the local masses. This doubled as a form of control, and it remains intact in many former colonies today. Present-day Burma still has section 377 on its books. People who engage in same-sex acts can be punished with up to 10 years in prison. Laws against homosexuality are rarely enforced, but sexual minorities and their advocates often face abuse from police, who are known to extort bribes by using the threat of prosecution. In 2013, for instance, 12 gay men and transgender women in Mandalay were arrested and then forced to strip in public before they were taken to a police station and subjected to further humiliation. After the incident, Human Rights Watch reported that Myint Kyu, Mandalay Divisions minister of border and security affairs, said , The existence of gay men who assume that they are women is unacceptable, and therefore we are constantly taking action to have the gays detained at police stations, educate them and then hand them back to their parents, though this usually hinges on the ability to pay bond. Queer men are confronted with obstacles including greater risk of contracting HIV in a society whose stigma against homosexuality obstructs safe-sex education and shames those who are HIV positive into silence. However, non-gender conforming and queer women are arguably more obscured in larger human rights efforts in Burma. Lynette Chua, assistant professor of law at the National Singapore University, told The Irrawaddy that transgender women are overwhelmingly targeted by police because theyre seen as acting in a way thats gender transgressive. But social norms ignore abuses to this group by unspooling a narrative that its members invited violence. This is underpinned by broader discrimination against women and by a widely accepted belief in the majority-Buddhist country that being transgender is accumulated bad karma for past sins. In the lead-up to Novembers general election, activists aimed their efforts at summoning political muscle as a key way to protect and empower Burmas LGBTQ citizens. One of Burmas most prominent human rights voices, Aung Myo Min, said in an interview with The Irrawaddy that activists during this time had two main objectives: making sexual minorities visible, and prodding candidates to rethink social prejudices before the newly minted lawmakers took up their seats in Parliament. Much of the public still sees homosexuality as a negative element, he said, and politicians are wary of promoting LGBTQ rights because they fear that doing so might make it seem as if they have a more vested motive for taking up these causes. Raising awareness among political players is one of the best means of galvanizing support for LGBTQ citizens. This is likely because progress in conservative Burma must stem from simultaneous, equally powerful changes both to national culture as well as to national policy. David Gilbert, a researcher at Australia National University focusing on how regulation shapes gender and sexuality in everyday Rangoon life, put it plainly to The Irrawaddy, saying that Burma needs law reform, including the repeal of section 377 and vague anti-loitering laws, such as section 30(d) of the Rangoon Police Act, which has frequently been used to target male-bodied transgender women. In addition to a shift in public attitudes, new laws are needed to provide protection from discrimination, he said. Yet there is a healthy dose of skepticism to be had. While some politicians have called on the decriminalization of homosexuality in Burma, the countrys tenuous political climate makes it dubious as to whether qualified words will translate into action anytime soon. Indeed, LGBTQ rights have yet to secure a crowning position on political agendas. Burma has made headway over the past few years by bringing more attention to its admittedly grim LGBTQ situation. There is a burgeoning grassroots movement, and in January activists lauded the return of the &Proud LGBTQ film festival . Hopes are certainly high that this is the dawn of a new, liberal era in Burma. But looking ahead, advancing LGBTQ rightsgiving greater prominence to lesbian and transgender rights, building the capacity of local leaders and even having openly LGBTQ candidates contest electionswill require Burmas political top brass to grapple with what activists describe as a problem of political vision. New lawmakers must see LGBTQ rights as human rights. Its important for sexual minorities to be treated as equal human beings, Aung Myo Min said. What activists want is the universality of LGBTQ rights and the lives they protect. MURDER suspect Dale Jones stated No comment or stayed silent through six police interviews about the attack on and death of Mushin Ahmed, a court heard. Jones (30), of East Bawtry Road, Whiston kept quiet even though co-accused Damien Hunt (30) and other witnesses were talking to police, a jury heard today. Det Con Claire Moss confirmed at Sheffield Crown Court that detectives questioned Jones three times while Mr Ahmed (81) was in hospital and three times after his death. Jones was shown CCTV footage which put him near the scene of the attack on Mr Ahmed, last August 10. He was also told accounts given to police by Hunt (30) and witnesses Shane and Kieran Rice. But Jones said nothing at all through three interviews lasting nearly an hour each. Det Con Moss said Hunt, of Doncaster Road, East Dene, told her when she first arrested him on suspicion of assault: It werent me what did it. She added that Hunt later said, when charged with Mr Ahmed's murder: I didnt do it, miss. Jonesy did it, miss. Interviewed about his role in the attack, Hunt first told police that he was home in bed when it happened. He said an injury on his hand, linked by forensic scientists to DNA traces found on Mr Ahmeds broken dentures, was caused when he hit a lamp post on his bicycle. He told officers a Romanian gypsy woman had caused him to swerve, grazing his hand on the pole. Trial witnesses have claimed Jones urged them to tell police nothing after the attack on Mr Ahmed. One said he bragged that he would not be caught, as police had no evidence against him. Both Jones and Hunt deny murder. The trial continues. TESCO customers are being invited to help community groups and good causes in Rotherham bag a share of a 11.5million carrier bag charge fund. The supermarket has teamed up with Groundwork to launch its Bags of Help initiative, which sees grants of 12,000, 10,000 and 8,000 all raised from the 5p bag levy being awarded to environmental and community projects in Rotherham. Shoppers are now being invited to head along to their local store and vote for who should scoop which grant award. The groups set to benefit from the Tesco grant in Rotherham are Phoenix and Parkgate Angling Club, Treeton CofE Primary School and The Rowan Centre Pupil Referral Unit. Voting is open in store from February 27 until March 6 and customers will be able to vote using a token given to them at the checkout at the Tesco Extra branches in Rotherham and Wath. The bag charge was introduced in England on October 5, having already raised millions for good causes in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Nominations and applications for the next round of Bags of Help funding will open in April. As well as applying direct, groups can also be nominated by people living in their local communities. During his recent visit to South America, Kimberley Process Chair Ahmed bin Sulayem held several meetings with Venezuela's authorities regarding the possible return of the country to the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS), The National newspaper reports. Venezuela had unilaterally removed itself from the KPCS in 2008 amid concerns that it was not monitoring conflict diamonds rigorously enough. The country is rich in gems, but has been mostly reliant on its oil revenues, which are now shrinking due to low prices. Diamond trading could bring additional revenue to Venezuela's budget. The paper suggested that Venezuela could be back trading diamonds by the end of the year, subject to a formal review visit by members of the KP. "There is still some way to go but my meetings here have convinced me that Venezuela is serious about rejoining the process. I hope they will go further and play a leadership role in helping resolve other outstanding issues in the diamond business," said Bin Sulayem, as quoted by the news source. Theodor Lisovoy, Rough&Polished, Moscow Early signals are mixed for Canadian stocks Tuesday morning, as crude oil prices failed to sustain overnight gains despite a deal between Saudi Arabia and others to freeze production. Saudi Arabia, Russia, Qatar and Venezuela will keep output unchanged from January if Iran and Iraq agree to do the same. The major producers are looking to put a bottom under oil prices that fell to 13-year lows near $26 last week. Energy stocks will be in focus on Bay Street this morning, with crude oil prices slipping to $29.40. Gold stocks will likely come under pressure. April gold was down 25 dollars at $1215 an ounce, having touched a yearly peak near $1250 on Friday. On Friday before the long weekend, the S&P/TSX Composite Index rose 293.87 points, or 2.4 percent, to 12,381.24, resisting January's 3-year lows. In corporate news, Penn West Petroleum Ltd. (PWT.TO, PWE) announced agreements to settle all class action proceedings in Canada and the U.S regarding past financial statements. Paladin Energy Ltd. (PDN.TO) said it has appointed Alexander Molyneux as CEO following his six-month engagement as interim CEO. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Market Analysis Comcast customers throughout the country had to deal with cable TV and Internet service outages for several hours on President's Day. Thousands of enraged customers across the country complained about outages that have since been fixed. According to downdetector.com, an online resource that tracks outages across a variety of services, service outages were reported in Seattle, Denver, Houston, Portland, Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York, Washington and Minneapolis. Everyone hates dealing with cable companies, and Comcast is two-time winner of Consumerist's "The Worst Company in America" award. #comcastoutage. Today's outage clearly shows why this is a national security issue. No #Internet, no business. GPMiami (@gpmiami) February 15, 2016 @comcast I hope you are planning to refund us customers since Comcast cares right? #comcastoutage #comcast Brittany Donald (@BrittanyMDonald) February 15, 2016 For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com More Blogs TUESDAY, Feb. 16, 2016 (HealthDay News) -- College students aiming for an academic edge may explain a surge in the misuse of a stimulant commonly prescribed for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), new research suggests. Among U.S. adults, the number of Adderall prescriptions stayed stable from 2006 to 2011, but misuse of the drug jumped 67 percent and related visits to emergency rooms went up by 156 percent, researchers found. "The majority of adults who are using Adderall nonmedically are in the age range of 18 to 25," said lead researcher Dr. Ramin Mojtabai, a professor of mental health at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in Baltimore. Most get the pills from friends or relatives who have prescriptions, the study found. Mojtabai and his team suspect college students use Adderall to help them stay up all night to cram for exams. Similarly, young working adults may use it to stay sharp and focused on the job, he said. Also, "it's possible some of this use is recreational," said Mojtabai. "There's a pattern of concomitant use of other substances in about half of these adults." Whatever the reason, the use of amphetamines, including Adderall, can lead to dependence, sudden death and serious cardiovascular events, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, which requires a "black box" warning on the drug packaging. "They are not harmless simply because they are prescribed by doctors," said study co-author Dr. Lian-Yu Chen, an attending psychiatrist at Taipei City Psychiatric Center in Taiwan. Among the possible cardiovascular effects are high blood pressure and stroke, Chen noted. People with ADHD are often prescribed stimulant drugs and/or behavioral therapy to help them focus, reduce their hyperactivity and curb their impulsivity. Researchers looked at U.S. trends from 2006 through 2011, spurred by concern about misuse of the stimulants among children and teens. They analyzed three national surveys -- one on doctor visits, one on drug use and another on ER visits -- to track use of the stimulants Adderall (dextroamphetamine-amphetamine) and Ritalin/Concerta (methylphenidate). Ritalin is also commonly prescribed for ADHD. In adults, the researchers found, treatment visits for Adderall were unchanged, although nonmedical use and ER visits rose significantly. Concern about stimulant misuse among children and teens did not bear out. In adolescents, treatment visits for stimulants declined, and misuse of Adderall did not increase. Nonmedical use of Ritalin and Concerta declined by about 54 percent over the six-year period, the researchers found. The study was published Feb. 16 in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry. The researchers speculate that college students may prefer Adderall over the other stimulants because it increases two brain chemicals linked with better cognitive functioning and has a reputation for making people smarter. However, stimulant use often causes anxiety, insomnia or agitation, Mojtabai said. In younger children, growth can slow somewhat due to the medication's appetite suppressant effect. Aggressive behavior and depression may also occur with long-term Adderall use, he said. The study findings don't surprise Dr. Robert Glatter, an emergency physician at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City. "This study highlights the growing problem of drug diversion as the main factor behind both misuse and increased emergency department visits for Adderall," said Glatter. Doctors need to be aware of this and talk to patients who receive a stimulant prescription about misuse and the dangers of drug sharing, he said. "Many students mistakenly believe these drugs will make them smarter and more efficient at studying, so in their view the risk is worth the reward," he said. "And because Adderall can improve focus, it may also give some students an unfair advantage, thus constituting academic dishonesty." For those with legitimate stimulant prescriptions, Glatter recommended locking the drugs away to avoid theft from friends and even family members. "It's important to keep track of pills and do daily pill counts to be assured that no one is removing their medications," he said. More information For more on ADHD treatments, see the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has a substantial lead over Senator Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., in the South Carolina Democratic Primary, according to the results of a new Public Policy Polling survey. The poll found that 55 percent of likely Democratic primary voters support Clinton, while 34 percent prefer Sanders. The results are similar to other recent polls, with the RealClearPolitics average showing Clinton with a 59.5 percent to 35.5 percent lead. While Clinton and Sanders are tied at 46 percent among white voters, the former First Lady benefits from a strong 63 percent to 23 percent lead among black voters. "South Carolina continues the trend of Bernie Sanders running pretty well against Hillary Clinton with white voters," said Dean Debnam, President of Public Policy Polling. He added, "But a majority of the Democratic electorate there is likely to be African American, and Clinton still has a substantial advantage with them." According to exit polls, black voters made up 55 percent of South Carolina Democratic Primary voters in 2008, when President Barack Obama defeated Clinton. PPP noted Sanders could benefit from South Carolina's being an open primary, as Clinton has a 31-point lead among registered Democrats but Sanders has a 28-point lead among independents planning to vote in the Democratic primary. On the Republican side, the poll showed real estate tycoon Donald Trump in the lead at 35 percent, while Senators Ted Cruz, R-Tex., and Marco Rubio, R-Fla., are tied for second at 18 percent. Ohio Governor John Kasich is supported by 10 percent of likely Republican primary voters, followed by former Florida Governor Jeb Bush and retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson at 7 percent each. "Donald Trump doesn't seem to have lost any support in South Carolina following Saturday night's debate," Debnam said. "He has a pretty consistent across the board lead with the different segments of the Republican electorate." Among Trump supporters, 70 percent think the Confederate flag should still be flying over the South Carolina state capitol building and 38 percent wish the South had won the Civil War. The PPP survey of 897 likely Republican primary voters and 525 likely Democratic primary voters was conducted February 14th and 15th. The margin of error is plus or minus 3.3 percentage points among the Republicans and plus or minus 4.3 percentage points among the Democrats. (Photo Credit: Gage Skidmore) For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News Canadian stocks rallied for a second session, led by stronger banks and rebounding energy stocks. The S&P/TSX Composite Index rose 173.74 points, or 1.4 percent, to 12,554.98, moving further from January's 3-year lows. Plunging gold shares prevented a larger advance. Markets were cheered by news that Saudi Arabia, Russia, Qatar and Venezuela will keep output unchanged if Iran and Iraq agree to do the same. "We don't want significant gyrations in prices," Saudi Oil Minister Ali Al-Naimi told Bloomberg. "We don't want a reduction in supply. We want to meet demand. We want a stable oil price." On the New York Mercantile Exchange, West Texas Intermediate crude for March delivery fell 40 cents, or 1.4%, to settle at $29.04 a barrel. The gauge of Canadian energy stocks was up fractionally. Penn West Petroleum Ltd. (PWT.TO, PWE) announced agreements to settle all class action proceedings in Canada and the U.S regarding past financial statements. Shares were up 1.8 percent. The Financial Index jumped 2 percent. Element Financial (EFN.TO) was up 6 percent after saying it will split into two publicly traded companies. Gold stocks tumbled 6 percent. Gold for April was down 34 dollars at $1205 an ounce. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com The author of this page will appreciate comments, corrections and imagery related to the subject. Please contact Anatoly Zak Rockot launches Sentinel-3A A veteran Soviet ballistic missile converted into a space launcher successfully delivered a European Earth-watching satellite for the world's largest environment-monitoring constellation on Feb. 16, 2016. Previous mission: Sentinel-1A From the publisher: Pace of our development depends primarily on the level of support from our readers! Flight profile The launch of the Rockot booster with a Briz-KM upper stage took place as scheduled on February 16, 2016, at 20:57:45 Moscow Time (12:57 p.m. EST) from Site 133 in Plesetsk. The vehicle carried the 1,250 kilogram Sentinel-3A satellite for the European Space Agency, ESA. After few seconds of a vertical ascent, the rocket headed northwest on the so-called retrograde trajectory, which will take the vehicle westward, unlike most orbital missions flying east with the rotation of the Earth. The ascent profile was designed to insert the satellite into an orbit extending from the North Pole to the South Pole of our planet. It enables remote-sensing satellites to observe the entire planet, as the globe makes a full rotation from west to east under the spacecraft's flight path every 24 hours. The first stage of the Rockot booster separated two minutes 16 seconds into the flight at an altitude more than 68 kilometers in the upper atmosphere. Then, more than three minutes into the flight, the payload fairing protecting Sentinel-3A split into two halves and fell off. The second stage continued to fire until 5.3 minutes into the flight, followed by the separation of the Briz-KM upper stage along with the satellite. The Briz-KM immediately fired its engine for more than nine minutes to insert the stack into a 785 by 153-kilometer initial orbit over the Arctic Canada. The vehicle then continued a unpowered climb for slightly more than one hour, interrupted only be a pair of short bursts of attitude control thrusters on Briz-KM to put the vehicle into desirable attitude. The third low-thrust firing of Briz-KM at 22:12 Moscow Time (2:12 p.m. EST) oriented the stage for the second and final major maneuver of the mission. By that time, the vehicle was near the highest point (apogee) of its elliptical orbit, where the main engine fired for 32.4 seconds to make the orbit circular at an altitude of around 817 kilometers. Minutes later, the stage oriented itself for the separation of Sentinel-3A around one hour 20 minutes after the liftoff. The European Space Agency confirmed the successful separation of the Sentinel-3A, as its ground station in Kiruna, Sweden, had received signals from the satellite. A few minutes later, ground controllers confirmed that the solar panel onboard the satellite had began deployment. Sentinel-3A was soon confirmed in good shape to beging flight testing. Following the separation of its payload, the Briz-KM stage was programmed to perform two maneuvers to enter a burial orbit, where it would not represent a collision threat for other spacecraft. Shortly after the rocket delivers Sentinel-3A into orbit, control of the satellite will be taken over by ground teams at ESOC, ESA's mission control center in Darmstadt, Germany. According to Sentinel-3 Mission Manager Susanne Mecklenburg, the first five months of the mission will be dedicated to testing to ensure that the platform and the instruments on the spacecraft are working well and are up for routine operations. During this period, some images and other information from the Sentinel's instruments will be released to expert users for a first feedback on the data quality. At the end of these initial five months, ESA intends to release operationally qualified level 1 Sentinel-3 core data products, and also a preview for some of the geophysical level 2 products. Once the commissioning is complete, the spacecraft will be handed over to Europe's meteorological organization Eumetsat for routine operations. Event Moscow time EST Scheduled elapsed time Factual elapsed time Deviation Liftoff 20:57:45 12:57 p.m. 0 0.00 seconds - Stage I separation 20:59:47.23 12:59 p.m. 122.23 seconds 122.22 seconds 0.01 seconds Payload fairing separation 21:00:34.10 1:00 p.m. 167.48 seconds 167.30 seconds 0.18 seconds Stage II separation 21:02:49.96 1:02 p.m. 304.96 seconds 304.40 seconds 0.56 seconds Briz-KM firing 1 starts 21:02:55.96 1:02 p.m. 310.96 seconds 310.50 seconds 0.46 seconds Briz-KM firing 1 ends 21:12:00.57 1:12 p.m. 855.57 seconds - - Briz-KM firing 2 starts 22:12:35.26 2:12 p.m. 4,490.26 seconds 4,490.20 seconds 0.06 seconds Briz-KM firing 2 ends 22:13:07.65 2:13 p.m. 4,522.65 seconds 4,521.35 seconds 1.30 seconds Sentinel-3A separation 22:17:20.96 2:17 p.m. 4,775.96 seconds 4,777.90 seconds 1.94 seconds Briz-KM disposal orbit firing 1 starts 22:51:20.96 2:51 p.m. 6,815.96 seconds 6,820.20 seconds 0.06 seconds Briz-KM disposal orbit firing 1 ends 22:51:34.36 2:51 p.m. 6,829.36 seconds 6,828.95 seconds 0.41 seconds Briz-KM disposal orbit firing 2 starts 23:25:50.96 3:25 p.m. 8,885.96 seconds - - Briz-KM disposal orbit firing 2 ends 23:26:10.96 3:26 p.m. 8,905.96 seconds - - Copernicus system The Sentinel-3A is the first of two satellites within the Sentinel-3 series intended for monitoring land and ocean surface. Its imaging instruments are classified as medium resolution when compared to capabilities of more powerful satellites, however Sentinel-3 will be able to capture a wider swath of surface below its flight path than it would be possible with a higher zoom. The Sentinel-3A's optical and altimeter sensors will replace similar instruments on the Envisat spacecraft, while its capability to monitor vegetation will supercede the same function performed by previous-generation SPOT satellites. Sentinel-3A will be able to monitor the entire ocean surface, ice and land with optical instruments sensitive to multiple wavelengths. Besides traditional color photos, the satellite's payloads will be able to register surface temperature, while a special onboard altimeter will inform users about the topography of various surfaces. The thickness of sea ice could also be determined. Such characteristics as changes in sea level, marine pollution and biological productivity could also be determined. Last but not least, the satellite will be able to monitor the health of vegetation, detect fires and distinguish content in the atmosphere. In order to guarantee reliable delivery of satellite data as often as possible, each type of Sentinel satellite is designed to orbit the Earth along with its double. The Sentinel-3B satellite is expected to enter orbit on a Vega rocket within a year after its predecessor. In turn, the Sentinel-3 series is a part of a wider Copernicus project funded jointly by the European Commission, EC, and ESA. The project was previously known as Global Monitoring for Environment and Security or GMES. The first satellite in the constellation, Sentinel-1A, was launched in April 2014. Sentinel-2, launched on June 23, 2015, was designed to deliver high-resolution optical images for land services. Sentinel-4 and -5 will provide data for atmospheric composition monitoring from geostationary and polar orbits, respectively. Sentinel-6 will carry a radar altimeter to measure global sea-surface height, primarily for operational oceanography and for climate studies. In addition, a Sentinel-5 Precursor mission is being developed to reduce a time gap in data availability between the operation of the current Envisat satellite, and in particular its Sciamachy instrument, and the launch of new-generation Sentinel-5. The entire Copernicus constellation was designed to fulfill wide-ranging applications from environmental research to monitoring climate change and managing emergency situations. ESA called Copernicus the largest and most ambitious (space-based) environment-monitoring program in the world. Within the Copernicus program, the EC, acting on behalf of the European Union, is responsible for the overall initiative, setting requirements and managing the services. On its end, ESA manages all Sentinel satellites and serves users with satellite data available through the Sentinels and the Copernicus Contributing Missions at national, European and international levels. Design of the Sentinel-3A satellite The Sentinel-3A spacecraft was designed to be compatible with light-weight launchers, such as Vega or Rockot. The satellite's box-shaped architecture was primarily driven by the need to provide a large surface facing space to effectively radiate heat from its systems. The spacecraft features modular design for payload accommodation and simplified management of all on-board interfaces. The satellite mechanical configuration and its flight attitude have been optimized through intensive mission analysis studies and system trade-offs in the course of its development, resulting in significant improvements in comparison to the previous-generation Envisat spacecraft. According to ESA, the main subsystems of the Sentinel-3A satellite are: The Electrical Power System, EPS, comprised of a single solar array wing providing power to the spacecraft and its payloads; The Attitude and Orbit Control System, AOCS, composed of a coarse sun sensor, magnetometers, coarse rate sensors, star trackers, a GNSS receiver and control actuators including thrusters, magneto-torquers and reaction wheels; The satellite management unit for satellite commanding and monitoring; The data handling and mass memory unit for payload data processing; Mass memory units for the satellite and its payloads; Satellite telecommunication subsystems including an S-band subsystem for both telecommand, TC, uplink and telemetry, TM, downlink, and a dedicated high-volume X-band subsystem for mission data downlink. The satellite's service systems features gyroless, three-axis stabilized platform with three star tracker heads, four reaction wheels and magnetic off-loading for geodetic pointing and yaw steering. Eight one-newton hydrazine thrusters can be used for in-plane and out-plane maneuvers. The navigation system is capable of real-time on-board orbit accuracy determination of up to three meters, based on GPS and Kalman filtering. The power supply system features European-built gallium-arsenide solar cells and a lithium-ion battery with a capacity of 160 amperes per hour. The onboard communications system is capable of 64 kbps on uplink and 1 Mbps downlink via S-band command and control link (with ranging). Scientific data can be downloaded via two 280 Mbps X-band channels. The data can also be stored on a 384-Gbit solid state mass memory. Scientific data from the instruments can be transmitted to a ground station in Svalborg, Norway, while the telemetry to and from the satellite is routed via the Kiruna ground station in Sweden. Known specifications of the Sentinel-3A satellite: Spacecraft liftoff mass 1,250 kilograms, including 130 kilograms of hydrazine propellant Spacecraft dimensions 2.1 by 2.15 by 3.7 meters Solar panel Three-section 10-square meter rotary wing Power supply input 2.1 kilowatts Planned orbital altitude 814.5 kilometers Planned orbital inclination Polar, Sun-synchronous, 98.65 degrees toward the Equator Initial orbit eccentricity 0.0011 Mean local time at descending node of the operational orbit 10:00 Life span Seven years (carries consumables for 12 years) Spacecraft prime contractor Thales Alenia Space Instruments on Sentinel-3A Thales Alenia Space France served as a prime developer for the satellite itself, as well as for OCLI and SRAL instruments. In the meantime, Selex ES of Italy provided the SLSTR radiometer, while EADS-CASA built the MWR radiometer. According to ESA, a total of 100 European companies participated in the development of the satellite. Citing its four-instrument payload, ESA characterized Sentinel-3 as the most complex satellite in the constellation. Ocean and Land Color Instrument, OLCI, covering 21 spectral bands (from 400 to 1020 nanometers). The instrument is based on heritage from Envisats Medium Resolution Imaging Spectrometer and features 21 distinct bands in the 0.41.02 m spectral region (or 400 - 1020 nm) tuned to specific ocean color, vegetation and atmospheric correction measurement requirements. It has a spatial resolution of 300 meters for all measurements and a swath width of 1,270 kilometers, overlapping the SLSTR swath. OLCIs new eyes on Earth will allow ocean ecosystems to be monitored, support crop management and agriculture and provide estimates of atmospheric aerosol and clouds all of which bring significant societal benefits through more informed decision-making, ESA said. Sea and Land Surface Temperature Radiometer, SLSTR, covering nine spectral bands (from 550 to 12,000 nanometers), dual-view scan with swath widths of 1,420 kilometers, when satellites points directly down to nadir, and 750 kilometers, when the satellite scans behind its path. The instrument will measure global sea- and land-surface temperatures every day to an accuracy of better than 0.3 Kelvin. Continuing the legacy of Envisats Advanced Along Track Scanning Radiometer, it maintains a dual-view along-track-scanning approach and delivers measurements at a spatial resolution of 500 meters for visible/near-infrared and short-wavelength infrared channels and at one kilometer for thermal infrared channels. Furthermore, SLSTR includes two dedicated thermal infrared channels that are optimized for active fire detection and fire radiative power measurement, which is important for Copernicus Emergency Response and Climate Services. Synthetic Aperture Radar Altimeter, SRAL, works in Ku band (with a 300-meter resolution after SAR processing) and in C band. The synthetic aperture radar, SAR, altimeter is based on heritage from the CryoSat and Jason satellites. It provides measurements at a resolution of approximately 300 meters in the along-track direction after SAR processing and will be the first satellite altimeter to provide 100-percent coverage over all of Earths surfaces in SAR mode. Microwave Radiometer, MWR, with a dual frequency at 23.8 and 36.5 gigaherz. The MWR will support SRAL instrument to derive atmospheric correction and atmospheric column water vapor measurements necessary to reach the demanding performance requirements for Sentinel-3. The two latter instruments comprise the satellite's topography package promising to bring a step change in satellite altimetry, measuring the height of the sea surface, waves and the surface wind speed over the oceans. It will also provide accurate topography measurements over sea ice, ice sheets, rivers and lakes, ESA said. Key components of the Sentinel-3A satellite. Internal architecture of the Sentinel-3A satellite. Credit: ESA Mission history At the beginning of 2014, the launch of Sentinel-3A had to be postponed from October 31 of that year. The mission was later rescheduled for June 2015 and by August 2015, it was planned on November 7, 2015. By October, the launch was postponed from Dec. 10 to Dec. 23, 2015. Sentinel-3A left Europe for Plesetsk in November 2015 and the Briz-KM upper stage arrived at the launch site at the beginning of December 2015. The launch campaign began in Plesetsk on December 4, with the unpacking of the satellite from its transport container. Still, in the first half of January 2016, the mission had to be postponed again to January 4, 2016, at 20:53:31 Moscow Time. In the second half of the same month, the launch was pushed back one more time to the second half of February 2016. At the beginning of February, mission managers finally committed to the launch on February 16, 2016, and the Sentinel-3A was fully fueled with its toxic propellants by February 4, marking the start of irreversible pre-launch operations. On February 8, 2016, the satellite was integrated with the Briz-KM upper stage. Next day, the satellite was covered with its protective fairing, forming the upper composite (or payload section) of the mission. The payload section arrived at the launch pad at Site 133 on February 12, 2016, and within next 24 hours was hoisted to the upper floor of the service tower and integrated with its Rockot booster. Payload section with the Sentinel-3A satellite arrives at Rockot's launch pad at Site 133 in Plesetsk on Feb. 12, 2016. Read much more about the history of the Russian space program in a richly illustrated, large-format glossy edition: : . 506 505 701 . Three people killed in Saudi bombing in Saada SAADA, Feb. 16 (Saba) Three citizens were martyred in a Saudi airstrike in Ghamr district of Saada province, a security official said Tuesday. The three citizens were on board of a car on the main road in Ghamr district when a hostile air raid targeted the car, killing them all, the official explained. He added that the aggression warplanes waged four raids on houses of citizens in Bani Rabiah area in Razen district, leaving large damage to the public and private property. BA Saba Facebook Facebook Twitter Twitter Whatsapp Whatsapp Telegram Telegram Email Email Print Print [16/February/2016] SANA'A, Feb. 16 (Saba) - At least 77 million people have read the tweets on the hashtag "#USA_kills_Yemeni_people" on Facebook and Twitter since January 25. The hashtag campaign launched by Yemenis, Arabs and foreigner activists on aimed to spotlight the invisible role played by the United States of America (USA) and its involvement in the war crimes committed by the Saudi-Emirati-USA coalition on Yemen since March 2015. It also intends to unveil the genocide and brutal massacres committed by the coalition against civilians for more than 11 months as well as the US imperialism's role in creating conflicts in the region. Chairman of the Supreme Revolutionary Committee (SRC) Mohammad al-Houthi officially launched the campaign on January 25, aiming to send a message to the whole world that "USA is the country that kills the Yemeni people inconsistent with all false slogans it claims, and that the coalition's allies are just tools of the USA." The campaign came after explicit statements issued by US Secretary of State John Kerry in a news conference held in Riyadh with his Saudi counterpart Adel al-Jubeir in mid-January, in which Kerry confirmed Washington's support for Riyadh-led aggression on Yemen. The Saudi Foreign Minister had previously announced upon a meeting held with his USA and British counterparts in London that the Saudi regime has USA and British military officers in the control and command center of the aggression. HA/AF Saba By SA Commercial Prop News - I-Net Bridge Tongaat CEO Peter Staude says global sugar consumption has risen each year for the past decade and most analysts forecast this trend to continue at about 2% a year. Tongaat Hulett is best evaluated on a portfolio basis with the valuation underpin of the extensive property portfolio and highly profitable starch business complementing the cyclical but recovering Southern African sugar operations. This is the view of Tongaat Hulett shareholder who believes the group is taking the wrong tack as it battles the strong headwinds facing sugar producers and that it should shift more effort to developing and retaining its valuable KwaZulu-Natal property holdings. In the six months ended September 2013 Tongaats vast land holdings once again proved to be a fillip for the group with the sale of a small portion of its portfolio accounting for more than one-third of operating profit. While land is not Tongaats core focus the sale of 174ha in the period generated R512m in operating profit. The group has a further 8300ha earmarked for conversion for sale which involves planning installing some infrastructure and carrying out impact assessments. Meanwhile Tongaats sugar operations have been less buoyant weighed down by low international sugar prices and rising imports. Global sugar surpluses have seen the world price of sugar tumble from a high of about 34 USc/lb at the start of 2011 to just under 17 USc at the moment though fluctuations are common in line with variable supply. The sugar price in South Africa remains higher than the world price attracting a spike in imports. But South African producers are expecting an imminent change to import tariffs which will see an existing tariff come into effect to shelter local producers from what is seen as dumping. Chris Logan of Opportune Investments which is a minority shareholder in Tongaat Hulett believes a number of factors should prompt Tongaat to reduce its relative exposure to sugar while rather keeping land on the balance sheet and developing it. These include rampant cost rises in sugar production including a 57% increase in the salaries and wages bill over the past two years. The growing awareness of health concerns could also see future demand reduced he says. New draft guidelines published by the World Health Organisation this month recommend people slash their daily sugar intake to curb a number of health problems. Mr Logan says that after increasing for a number of years per-capita consumption of sugar in South Africa fell in 2012-2013 while production is expected to rise this year. Players like Tongaat have invested a lot of capital into producing more sugar he says. As local production picks up the increase gets channelled into the export market where prices are low and that will become all the more prevalent if local consumption starts falling. Mr Logan says Tongaats return on capital employed a key ratio for shareholders has fallen from 19.3% in the 15 months to March 2010 to 12.8% in its financial year ended March 2013. He says this negative trend is expected to continue in the 2014 financial year despite a marked increase in sugar production unless there is another sizeable land sale. Instead of taking capital out of land and putting it into sugar keep it in land theres no shortage of sugar in the world he says. However he praises Tongaat for a drive to reduce costs that is yielding substantial savings. Abdul Davids head of research at Kagiso Asset Management is more optimistic about Tongaats sugar operations. We recognise that the sugar industry is cyclical currently world prices are low due to an oversupply and surplus sugar emanating from Brazil and India. However recent adverse weather in Brazil should be supportive of pricing in 2014-15 Mr Davids says. Additionally the groups optimisation efforts in South Africa and a recovery in Zimbabwean sugar volumes will drive the companys profitability in the medium term. Mr Davids says while the Tongaat land earmarked for development is valuable the value needs to be realised through a managed disposal process which is the process Tongaat has undertaken. Tongaat is best evaluated on a portfolio basis with the valuation underpin of the extensive property portfolio and highly profitable starch business complementing the cyclical but recovering Southern African sugar operations Mr Davids says. Tongaat CEO Peter Staude says global sugar consumption has risen each year for the past decade and most analysts forecast this trend to continue at about 2% a year. The supply of sugar has been more volatile than demand due to fluctuating weather conditions and investments by farmers. With surplus output in recent years sugar producers have not invested materially in new milling capacity. It is a volatile surplus-to-shortage market. At the moment there has been very little investment taking place for some time in the milling side and if anything over the next 10 years we believe theres a likelihood that there will be a shortage of sugar. Standard Chartered this month recommended buying March 2015 sugar futures on expectation of shortages mainly due to anticipated lower production in Brazil. Tongaat has the milling capacity to produce 2.1-million tonnes of sugar and expects its production this year to rise to 1.4-million tons from 1.3-million in the 2013 financial year. Mr Staude says the company expects to grow its sugar production by about 100000 tonnes a year and therefore investments in new milling capacity will be needed only in about seven years. As much as 90% of Tongaats overhead costs are fixed and 80% of its milling costs are fixed which means as we are growing volumes our sugar production costs are coming down quite substantially. Meanwhile Tongaat is likely to convert its remaining 8300ha of land earmarked for development at a rate of 200ha-300ha a year a step up from the pace that we were at previously mainly due to more demand for developments. This is being driven by the growth of the area between Ballito and Umhlanga as well as an area called Cornubia where theres a lot of interest in the retail industrial and housing space. The land conversion strategy is a 20-year project with a likely increase in the current pace of conversion. Mr Staude says Tongaats Zimbabwean operations are the reason for the companys fall in return on capital employed between 2010 and 2013. This was because the Zimbabwean assets were fully included on Tongaats balance sheet only from 2011 resulting in an inflated return on capital in 2010. The fall in return on capital was accentuated by Tongaat reinvesting in its Zimbabwean assets as the countrys economy stabilised which was also behind the spike in the wage bill as well as from a longer 2010 financial year due to a change in Tongaats year-end. We have improved operating profits in eight of the past nine years Mr Staude says. As we grow sugar production we obviously face the volatility of the price but we have leverage through our high fixed-cost base and the volume growth. "Over a period of time without having to invest new capital in mills our return on capital employed will improve quite substantially. A first-of-its-kind journey along India and Pakistan border What binds the two most talked about nations - India and Pakistan together? What makes the I give my consent to Sakshi Post to be in touch with me via email for the purpose of event marketing and corporate communications. Privacy Policy Adrian Martinez thrives in K-State offense Turning Adrian Martinez loose has not come back to bite Kansas State. The senior quarterback has yet to turn the ball over this year. If I keep at it, I will find the absolute easiest way to do everything. It is not that I am lazy, but that I do not like to fuss. 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Ireland Uruguay, Eastern Republic of Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of Viet Nam, Socialist Republic of Wallis and Futuna Islands Western Sahara Yemen Zambia, Republic of Zimbabwe The Marinwood CSD did not want to share it with the public. As a continuing public service, we will post videos of our local CSD meetings... Albany, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 02/16/2016 -- With the Internet of Things (IoT) evolving continuously and smart devices becoming a commercial success, the conditions are presently highly favorable for the growth of the global embedded systems market, states a recent report by Transparency Market Research. According to the report, spending on embedded systems will touch US$233.13 bn globally by 2021, up from US$152.94 bn in 2014. This translates to a CAGR of 6.4% through the report's forecast period. The report is titled 'Embedded System Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast, 2015 - 2021.' An embedded system is programmed to perform a specific function or control a smaller device within a larger electrical or mechanical system. By doing so, embedded systems are able to fill in many of the gaps that a general-purpose computer's capabilities might leave. This also explains the unmatched degree of versatility that embedded systems afford in a myriad of uses across industry verticals. The automobile industry, in particular, is expected to generate high demand for embedded systems in the near future. As real time data transfer and information relaying becomes pivotal to most industries, the use of embedded systems will rise. However, the electronics industry is still grappling with challenges pertaining to the design and seamless integration of embedded systems in the latest electronic and electrical devices. This could result in the global embedded systems market's growth being restrained to some extent. This situation is exacerbated by the high degree of competition that currently prevails among market participants, making innovation a vital tool for survival. For the purpose of this study, the global embedded systems market is segmented on the basis of functionality, type, microcontroller, application, and geography. Segmented thus, the embedded systems market by functionality is composed of stand-alone embedded systems, networked embedded systems, real-time embedded systems, and mobile embedded systems. The highest revenue contribution in 2014 came from real-time embedded systems, thanks largely to their deployment in a myriad of applications ranging from industrial automation to automotive to consumer electronics. More Information : http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=995 By microcontroller, the report segments the embedded systems market into: Small-scale, medium-scale, and large-scale embedded systems. In 2014, medium-scale embedded systems raked in the highest revenue, with their preference primarily being dictated by desirable attributes such as low power consumption, affordability, and compactness. Several advanced systems being based on medium-scale embedded systems also contributes to the dominance of this segment. Similarly, the report classifies embedded systems by type into embedded software and embedded hardware. The embedded hardware segment contributed a higher share of revenue than embedded software in 2014 owing to a high demand for embedded systems with improved functionality. The applications of embedded systems studied in the report are: Telecommunications, automotive, industrial, healthcare, aerospace and defense, consumer electronics, and others. The global embedded systems market earned the highest revenue from the automotive application segment in 2014, and TMR analysts expect this trend to firmly continue through the report's forecast period. There are numerous areas where the automotive industry has come to rely heavily on embedded systems; these include: wiper controls, infotainment systems, anti-lock systems, and engine control units. On the basis of geography, the global embedded systems market is segmented into: North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Rest of the World. The North America embedded systems market raked in the highest revenue (36%) as of 2014, with demand being stimulated by the deployment of smart meters, smart grids, and smart vehicles. Trailing North America was the Asia Pacific embedded systems market, contributing 30.6% of the total revenue in 2014. Taiwan, China, and South Korea spearhead the growth of the embedded systems market in Asia Pacific. The Company Profiles section is a highlight of the report, wherein leading players and their growth strategies are discussed in detail. Companies profiled in this section include: HCL Technologies Limited, Atmel Corporation, Infosys Ltd., Microsoft Corporation, Texas Instruments, and Renesas Electronics Corporation. About Transparency Market Research (TMR) Transparency Market Research (TMR) is a global market intelligence company providing business information reports and services. The company's exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trend analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMR's experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information. TMR's data repository is continuously updated and revised by a team of research experts so that it always reflects the latest trends and information. With extensive research and analysis capabilities, Transparency Market Research employs rigorous primary and secondary research techniques to develop distinctive data sets and research material for business reports. Contact Mr.Sudip S 90 State Street, Suite 700 Albany, NY 12207 Tel: +1-518-618-1030 USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453 Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.com Website: http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com Trondheim, Norway -- (SBWIRE) -- 02/16/2016 -- Maria Johnsen, multilingual SEO expert and author of twelve fiction and nonfiction books announced lately her book's fourth edition "multilingual digital marketing" subtitle "Become the market leader". Become the market leader hits shelves this March in bookstores. There is always a million dollar question as to what is an ideal way of increasing sales in online marketing. Multilingual digital marketing has been seen as one of the most volatile and dynamic yet viable aid for online businesses. Although most of what happened during the past few years concerning search engine optimization, Pay Per Click, social media marketing and mobile marketing may be said to be erratic, a certain proportion of its possibilities for the coming years may be defined. The author provided the lucrative strategies in multilingual digital marketing in Europe and North America. Answers to most burning questions such as: how to become the market leader within your industry? Why many businesses fail in entering the new markets? What realistic steps should be taken in order to not lose money in online business? How can your business become successful in other countries? And most importantly which areas in your business must be improved in order to increase ROI. Maria Johnsen explains how to increase your company's share wallet and the significance of customer service and sales departments in your organization. She talks about the correlation between two important components in multilingual digital marketing and their impact on sales. How to save annual budget in human resources? What are the best strategies in hiring the right expert for the right job? One shared with you some secret components of becoming the market leader. Multilingual digital marketing contains both technical and marketing aspects of online sales along with some suggestions in regards to offline marketing and sales. About the author Maria Johnsen Maria Johnsen holds a degree in political economy, Beauty Arts from Sorbonne University in Paris, Information technology and a Master of Science degree in Human, Computer Interaction/Computer Sciences from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology. Her professional background and education is diverse and includes skills in areas such as sales, multilingual digital marketing, content writing, business intelligence, software design and development. In addition, she possesses the experience and education in the management of complex Information Systems. Maria knows eighteen languages and possesses experience in language instruction, tutoring, and translation. She has also developed a unique teaching method for fast learning "Implications for Upgrading Accelerated Learning Practices In Educational Systems" This method is applied in China and Norway. Maria Johnsen is also a multilingual SEO, PPC and social media marketing expert. She managed software projects for well known IT companies and Bank in Norway, China, the UK as well as cooperation with governments and police authorities in regards to projects related to data crime and tracing terrorists online. Starting in 2008, she began offering search engine optimization services. Her company Golden Way Media expanded internationally in 2009 carrying out various projects in Europe, North America and Asia. While offering services to the general public, Maria Johnsen continues to consult with corporate clients, agencies and small businesses. She has skills and proven records in all areas of search engine optimization including keyword targeting, competitor research and on-site optimization. Explore hidden strategies and tactic which successful companies have applied in order to become the market leader in their niche. Hard copy can be purchased at: Multilingual Digital Marketing 4th edition Smashwords: Become market leader Google books: Multilingual Digital Marketing Media Contact: Address: Trondheim, Norway Phone: +47(0)90612731 Email: mail@maria-johnsen.com Url: http://www.maria-johnsen.com/ Trondheim, Norway -- (SBWIRE) -- 02/16/2016 -- Maria Johnsen, multilingual seo expert offers digital consultancy to businesses who wish to increase their return on investment (ROI)and share of wallet. "One's digital consultancy aims to define a tight, digital strategy that focuses on driving your key commercial goals. Raising your profile, boosting revenue, increasing efficiency, reducing cost, training your staff and communicating better with your customers are only a few of the business priorities vital to any company's success. In order to avoid spending extra money for little return, you need a complex yet effective strategy. I have developed an approach to shaping digital strategies for our clients that result in defining prioritized, cost-effective solutions that deliver a measurable Return on Investment (ROI)."says the hyperpolyglot web enthusiast Maria Johnsen. In order to receive a thorough understanding of a company's product, service, customers, company needs and/or business goals, Maria Johnsen can offer group interviews with company's team members. The multilingual SEO expert can assess the impact and effectiveness of a company's digital technologies and even investigate what a company's competitors are doing well. Maria Johnsen can then identify KPIs for further measurement and evaluation of your online strategy for success. She also takes part in shaping and prioritizing solutions that will provide optimum impact and effectiveness to suit your budget, time restraints and internal resources. Explore Maria Johnsen's digital marketing services at maria-johnsen.com About Maria Johnsen Maria Johnsen holds a degree in political economy, Beauty Arts from Sorbonne University in Paris, Information technology and a Master of Science degree in Human, Computer Interaction/Computer Sciences from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology. Her professional background and education is diverse and includes skills in areas such as sales, multilingual digital marketing, content writing, business intelligence, software design and development. In addition, she possesses the experience and education in the management of complex Information Systems. Maria knows eighteen languages and possesses experience in language instruction, tutoring, and translation. She has also developed a unique teaching method for fast learning "Implications for Upgrading Accelerated Learning Practices In Educational Systems" This method is applied in China and Norway. Maria Johnsen is also a multilingual SEO, PPC and social media marketing expert. She managed software projects for well known IT companies and Bank in Norway, China, the UK as well as cooperation with governments and police authorities in regards to projects related to data crime and tracing terrorists online. Starting in 2008, she began offering search engine optimization services. Her company Golden Way Media expanded internationally in 2009 carrying out various projects in Europe, North America and Asia. While offering services to the general public, Maria Johnsen continues to consult with corporate clients, agencies and small businesses. She has skills and proven records in all areas of search engine optimization including keyword targeting, competitor research and on-site optimization. Media Contact: address: Trondheim, Norway phone: +47(0)90612731 Email: mail@maria-johnsen.com Url: http://www.maria-johnsen.com/ Atlanta, GA -- (SBWIRE) -- 02/16/2016 -- With the addition of a new Of Counsel Attorney to the team of litigators, The Cochran Firm Atlanta is expanding its practice into Georgia Workers' Compensation claims. Andre' Ramsay comes to The Cochran Firm well-versed in Workers' Comp claims. He previously worked as an associate attorney in another high-volume Atlanta law firm. His addition to the staff expands the reach of The Cochran Firm into serious area of need for injured people in Georgia. "Andre' came to us as a very respected workers' comp attorney. He has an established track record in pursuing claims and getting excellent results for the people he represents," said Shean Williams, a partner in the Atlanta firm. "What sets him apart from other attorneys is the way he cares about the people he represents. He treats them like they are members of his family and he won't quit. When it comes to workers' compensation attorneys, he is one of the best." The Atlanta office was considering an expansion into this area of legal practice when Mr. Ramsay expressed an interest in working with The Cochran Firm. "We couldn't ask for better timing. The Cochran Firm is dedicated to helping people who are being mistreated by the system. Workers' comp is one of the systems that tries to hold honest people down and prevent them from getting the help they need," Mr. Williams said. "Andre's interest in working with us came at precisely the right moment." The workers' comp website WorkCompCentral lists Georgia as 'This country's most difficult state'. Mr. Williams and Mr. Ramsay tend to agree with that assessment. "The Cochran Firm's Atlanta partners are fully confident in Andre's capabilities. His caliber and reputation are impeccable. To have achieved as much as he has at every level of his education and legal career, speaks volumes to the drive Andre' possesses. He brings this same tenacity to workers' comp cases. The Cochran Firm partners are expecting great things from Mr. Ramsay," Mr. Williams said. Adding to his list of accomplishments, Mr. Ramsay clerked directly under a former Georgia workers' compensation administrative law judge. "That experience gave me an understanding of the workers' comp law system that few other workers' compensation attorneys in Atlanta can match," he said. "Workers' comp is about getting injured employees the support and resources they deserve. I know what it takes to do that," Mr. Ramsay said. "The Cochran Firm stands ready to assist any person in Georgia who is not being treated fairly by the workers' comp system", both men said. "We have the ability to fight for you. We fight for the little guy against the big guy, no matter how many resources they have, or experience and reputation," Mr. Ramsay said. "You call us for workers' compensation and you get the full force of a dedicated law firm to fight for you. We have the money, time, resources and staff to fight the full fight. Your case isn't too big or small for us. But more importantly, we're not too big for you We Care." For more information about challenging a workers' compensation claim denial in Georgia, please visit http://www.CochranFirmAtlanta.com. Your first consultation is free. About Cochran Firm Atlanta The Cochran Firm Atlanta has a simple mission, to bring legal justice to the clients who have suffered personal injuries. Our partners are hand-picked by Johnnie L. Cochran, Jr., and are committed to continuing his legacy and his passionate advocacy for the disadvantaged, the disenfranchised, and the downtrodden. About Attorney Andre' C. Ramsay Workers' Comp Attorney Andre' C. Ramsay joined The Cochran Firm Atlanta in 2016. He previously worked as an Associate Attorney at a fast-paced Atlanta law firm specializing in the practice area of Workers' Compensation. Mr. Ramsay aggressively represents many injured workers in acquiring all income and medical benefits available to them to the full extent of the law. He has acquired millions of dollars in settlements for injured workers. Media Contact: Andre' Ramsay Shean Williams http://www.cochranfirmatlanta.com/ aramsay@cochranfirmatl.com 407-687-0196 A team of paleontologists has identified two ancient flowers trapped in the mid-Tertiary Dominican amber as belonging to a previously unknown species of the asterid family one of the largest lineages of flowering plants, containing groups such as the sunflower, potato, coffee and mint families. Asterids are among Earths most important and diverse plants, with 10 orders, 98 families, and about 80,000 species. They represent about one-third of all the planets diversity of flowering plants. The new fossils are about 20 to 30 million years old and are only known as flowers, more precisely corollas with stamens and styles. They represent a new species of the genus Strychnos, which ultimately gave rise to some of the worlds most famous poisons, including strychnine and curare. The specimens are beautiful, perfectly preserved fossil flowers, which at one point in time were borne by plants that lived in a steamy tropical forest with both large and small trees, climbing vines, palms, grasses and other vegetation, said team member Prof. George Poinar, Jr., from Oregon State University. Specimens such as these are what give us insights into the ecology of ecosystems in the distant past, he added. They show that the asterids, which later gave humans all types of foods and other products, were already evolving many millions of years ago. Prof. Poinar and his colleague, Dr. Lena Struwe of Rutgers University, named the new species Strychnos electri in honor of its amber origin, since elektron is the Greek word for amber. The species has likely been extinct for a long time, but many new species living and, unfortunately, soon-to-be-extinct species are discovered by scientists every year, Prof. Poinar noted. The discovery of these two fossil flowers suggests that many other related plant families could have evolved in the Late Cretaceous in tropical forests, the paleontologists said. Their fossil remains, however, still await discovery. Strychnos electri is described in a paper in the journal Nature Plants. _____ George O. Poinar Jr. & Lena Struwe. An asterid flower from neotropical mid-Tertiary amber. Nature Plants, article number: 16005, published online February 15, 2016; doi: 10.1038/nplants.2016.5 FLORENCE, S.C. At a campaign rally Monday evening in Florence, GOP presidential candidate and Texas Sen. Ted Cruz reinforced his record on defending religious freedom and upholding the constitution in front the nations highest court. Cruz said the next president should appoint a Supreme Court Justice who will follow in the footsteps of the recently deceased Justice Antonin Scalia or current Justice Clarence Thomas. They have a proven record of years standing for the constitution, standing for conservative principles, Cruz said. If you live 50 years of your life and youve never written or said anything to prove youre conservative, you arent. He said Scalias death has created a turning point for America that will be decided by the outcome of the 2016 presidential election. His vacancy underscores just how important this election is, Cruz said. We have right now, unfortunately, an activist-out-of-control Supreme Court. As radical as this Supreme Court is, we are one justice away from a radical, left-wing court the likes of which this country has never seen. He said some of his first actions as president include discarding the Iran nuclear deal, opening a criminal investigation on Planned Parenthood, totally repealing Obamacare and demanding a stop to religious persecution and American civil liberties. Our constitutional rights are under assault every day, Cruz said to an uproar of applause. If Im elected president, the first thing I intend to do, on day one, is rescind every illegal and unconstitutional executive action taken by our president. Cruz told the hundreds of people, gathered at the Southeastern Institute of Manufacturing and Technology Center on the Florence-Darlington Technical College campus, that other candidates claim to be conservative but dont have the record to back it up. Several Cruz supporters said hes the only potential nominee who has truly upheld the constitution. South Carolina Rep. Jay Jordan, a Florence Republican, introduced Cruz before the rally and officially gave his public endorsement. Ted Cruz stood up for all of our constitutional values as the solicitor general of Texas, appearing before the Supreme Court time and time again, Jordan told the crowd. We need a president that is never scared to stand up for the United States Constitution. Ron Hughes, a Vietnam War veteran from Aynor, said Cruz is the only remaining candidate who has the backbone to run the country and the only Republican who truly understands the value of the constitution. Hes a consistent conservative, unlike any of the other candidates, Hughes said. He told the folks of Texas what he was going to do, which was stand for the constitution and conservative values. He did it as their solicitor, he did it in the senate, and I dont think hes going to change one bit as president. Via Reuters: Missiles in Syria kill 50 as schools, hospitals hit; Turkey accuses Russia. Excerpt and then a question: Turkey on Monday accused Russia of an "obvious war crime" after missile attacks in northern Syria killed scores of people, and warned Kurdish militia fighters there they would face the "harshest reaction" if they tried to capture a town near the Turkish border. An offensive supported by Russian bombing and Iranian-backed Shi'ite militias has brought the Syrian army to within 25 km (15 miles) of Turkey's frontier. The Kurdish YPG militia - which Turkey regards as a hostile insurgent force - has exploited the situation, seizing ground from Syrian rebels to extend its presence along the border. Almost 50 civilians were killed when missiles hit at least five medical facilities and two schools in rebel-held areas of Syria on Monday, according to the United Nations, which called the attacks a blatant violation of international law. At least 14 were killed in the northern town of Azaz, the last rebel stronghold before the border with Turkey, when missiles hit a children's hospital and a school sheltering refugees, a medic and two residents said. Missiles also hit a hospital in the town of Marat Numan in the province of Idlib, south of Aleppo. Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said a Russian missile had hit the buildings and that many civilians including children had been killed. Turkey's foreign ministry accused Russia of carrying out an "obvious war crime." But Russian Health Minister Veronika Skvortsova said Russian air strikes were targeting Islamic State infrastructure and she had no reason to believe that Russian planes had bombed civilian sites in Idlib. "We are confident that (there is) no way could it be done by our defense forces. This contradicts our ideology," she said in Geneva. Syria's ambassador to Russia said U.S. war planes were responsible. Why would a health minister be the one to deliver the talking points on an issue like this one? Via DailyPost.ng: Three cases of Lassa fever confirmed in Kano. Excerpt: The Kano State government has confirmed three cases of Lassa Fever in the state. Dr Kabir Getso, Kano State Commissioner for Health made this disclosure while addressing newsmen. He said two of the confirmed cases were recorded in Garun-Malam Local Government Area of the state. He said that the third confirmed case, a young businessman from Dawakin Kudu Local Government Area, came to Kano from Benue last week. The commissioner said that all the contacts were identified and followed up. According to him, more than 70 per cent of them had either completed their 21 days follow up or tested negative. He, however, said that another two suspected cases were currently on admission at the designated isolation and treatment centre at Yargaya Hospital. Keep comments on topic for the post, and any comment containing links that aren't directly relevant to the post will be deleted, no matter how relevant the rest of the comment is. Comments are the opinions of their respective authors and do not represent any reflection of my own opinions and thoughts.To manage the amount of comment spam, comments are moderated. ConnecticutBob.Com is a modest blog on the internet since 2006. Progressive ideas are encouraged, and all politically-minded and reasonable people are welcome. America is the greatest country in the world, but we'll invade you if you disagree. "The first victory we can claim is that our hearts are free of hatred. Hence we say to those who persecute us and who try to dominate us: You are my brother. I do not hate you, but you are not going to dominate me by fear. I do not wish to impose my truth, nor do I wish you to impose yours on me. We are going to seek the truth together. THIS IS THE LIBERATION WHICH WE ARE PROCLAIMING." Oswaldo Jose Paya Sardinas (2002) First Silk Road train arrives in Tehran from China Published: February 16, 2016 The first long distance cargo train connecting Iran and China has arrived in the Iranian capital city Tehran after starting its journey from China. The train had started its journey from Chinas eastern Zhejiang province and it took 14 days to reach final destination. It had covered around 9,500-kilometre distance and passed through two Central Asian countries Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan. Henceforth such trains will run between both countries once in every month and the frequency will be increased if necessary. These trains will be run by private companies using existing routes. Significance It marks the revival the ancient Silk Road and gives impetus to Chinas ambitious One Belt One Road (OBOR) initiative part of revived Silk Road diplomacy. This trains journey was 30 days shorter compared to time taken by sea voyage from Shanghai to the Iranian port of Bandar Abbas. It also will boost to bilateral trade between both countries after they had agreed to build economic ties worth up to 600 billion dollars within the next 10 years. Currently, China is Irans biggest trading partner and accounts for its one third of foreign trade. China is also top customer for oil exports from Iran. Comment Iran is strategically located in the Middle East (West Asia) and shares land borders with 8 nations and sea channels on its northern and south-western coasts. China seeks to leverage Irans strategic location by making it part of its New Silk Road initiative in order to get access to extensive delivery routes connecting to the Eurasia and Middle East. Background The Silk Road was an ancient network of commercial land and sea routes that was named for the lucrative Chinese silk trade. This trade route was central to business across the Asian continent connecting China with the Mediterranean Sea. The revived Silk Road is envisioned as a rail and sea route as part of Chinas ambitious OBOR economic development strategy. Month: Current Affairs - February, 2016 Topics: Current Affairs 2016 International International Relations Iran-China One Belt, One Road Silk Route Latest E-Books : , ; The sale by Dryships of three 2013-built capesizes Fakarava, Rangiroa and Negonego has failed apparently over transferring loans on the vessels. Mr Economou has expressed his desire to proceed with the sale of the vessels subject to the transfer of the existing loan at the current fair market value of the vessels and we are in discussions with the respective lenders to achieve this, Dryships said. The company also said it had reached agreement with the charterer of the vessels for a lumpsum payment and conversion of daily rate charters to index linked charters. Adding to its woes Dryships oddly timed move into the OSV market last October with six vessels on charter to Petrobras has hit a speed bump with the Brazilian state oil and gas firm terminating the charter on a PSV. The contract on the OSV Vega Crusader is being terminated on 8 March this year. The vessel contracted to Petrobras until 8 January 2017 and Dryships said it would result in a $2.2m loss to EBITDA this year. Meanwhile discussions continue with its banks over restructuring its debt. While discussions are ongoing, the company may elect to suspend principal repayments to preserve cash liquidity, it said. Rotterdam headquartered GoodFuels has developed what it describes as a drop-in marine bio-fuel, which can be used on existing vessels without the need for retro-fitting. Speaking to Seatrade Maritime News Michael Schaap, commercial director of GoodFuels Marine, explains, Our biofuels are a drop in fuel - put simply, they blend seamlessly with traditional fossil fuels. This means that biofuels have a low barrier to entry, as they require no infrastructure investment and current power and propulsion systems can remain in place. All that is required is a standard fuel tank and ex-pipe facility at the berth or a bunker barge. As with LNG biofuels offer a 100% reduction SOx emissions, but they can also provide up to a 90% reduction in CO2 emissions compared to fossil fuels, an area in which shipping is facing increasing pressure. Schaap also stresses the sustainability of its biofuels and says it, assures customers that no biofuel streams that are in competition with food sources or that are otherwise unethical will be used in the final product. Not surprisingly GoodFuels initial focus is on areas where the environment and emissions from a shipping are already in focus such as Northern Europe, the Nordic region and West Coast US. The company is also looking at Asia and recently visited Singapore, which is home to the worlds largest biofuel plant. In terms of pricing Schaap says, At present the price of biofuels is just over the price of MGO - how much over depends on volume, logistics and geographical deployment but Phase 2 and Phase 3 biofuels coming on-stream over the next few years are envisaged to be cheaper than MGO. As with other alternative fuels subsidies and reduced port dues are also a factor. He says that premium MGO replacement biofuels are already available in Amsterdam and Rotterdam and that there has been considerable uptake but does not exactly how many vessels are using biofuels. GoodFuels Marines recent collaboration with the Dutch coastguard to supply biofuels for use in their vessels is a tangible example of the constantly increasing demand for biofuels. We are working with Boskalis, our launch customer, to have biofuels available in other locations as well soon. Dredgers are a vessel type the company sees as suited to biofuels working on government contracts close to sure where environmental credentials can be key. It also a market in vessels that operate in ports such as workboats and tugboats, shortsea shipping in Europe, and ferries and cruiseships. Asked about how he sees the market developing Schaap says: Over the next five years, we believe that the market will trend towards greater adoption of biofuels as a real part of the marine fuel mix. Longer-term estimates have put biofuels at 5% to 10% of the marine fuel mix. This is a significant volume and brings the question as whether there is the capacity supply the quantities of biofuels that would be required by the shipping industry. There are a number of streams that readily offer themselves up as a feedstock, some only a small step away from full-scale commercial use. Large industrial residues from the paper and pulp industry are already being converted into fuel for other sectors; the shipping industry could initially start with these. By the careful management of blending and supply, and by keeping hold of the reins on quality and quantity, biofuels can be refined in enough amounts for the fuel to become a wide-scale alternative marine fuel. The source of a blanket found covering the body of 3-year-old Titus Tackett after he was discovered dead in a van last Wednesday was revealed Monday by Iron County Sheriff Roger Medley. The blanket was placed over the boys body by a woman in the house after she discovered Titus in the van, Medley said. Mention of the blanket was first made at Wednesdays press conference when a member of the news media asked Sgt. Clark Parrott of the Missouri State Highway Patrol what the youngster was wearing when the childs body was discovered. Parrott responded that he couldnt tell what the child was wearing because the body had been covered by a blanket when he saw it in the vehicle. It was later confirmed that the child was only wearing a pair of underpants when found. Since word of Tacketts body being covered by a blanket became public knowledge, people on social media have questioned its source and what its presence and placement on the child might indicate in relation to the ongoing investigation into the childs death. Medley indicated it has no relevance at all. Tacketts body was discovered about 11 a.m. Feb. 10, approximately half-a-mile from the Killarney Shores residence where he had gone missing sometime between midnight and 1 a.m. According to Medley, the boy and his mother were visiting at the home of her boyfriend. They discovered the child was missing from the home when the two returned from running an errand in town and noticed the door was open. Medley said his department was contacted about the boy around 1:14 a.m., after which a large scale search for the missing youngster began by the department, along with the Missouri State Highway Patrol, FBI and a number of volunteer searchers that included family and friends. Efforts taken to find the child included aerial searches, as well as the use of Missouri Department of Corrections search dogs. A house-by-house search was also conducted by law enforcement in hopes of finding Tackett. Iron County Coroner Tony Cole announced Thursday that preliminary results from an autopsy had indicated Tackett died from hypothermia. He also noted that there were no signs of internal bleeding or bruises on the body. Toxicology results are still pending. Following comments made on social media regarding the case, Sheriff Medley released a statement Friday saying that, while preliminary results from the autopsy indicated the 3-year-old died of hypothermia, this was only part of the information required by law enforcement to determine how and why the child died. He stressed that family members had not been cleared of wrongdoing and that there might still be charges filed depending on the final outcome of the investigation. As of Monday, Medley said there had been no further developments in the case. Destined for dealerships in Western India, the cars were able to be transported from Hyundai Motor India Limiteds (HMIL) automotive manufacturing facility near Chennai, in Tamil Nadu State, thanks to a decision by the Indian Ministry of Shipping to relax cabotage regulations on special vessels. HMIL, the Indian subsidiary of Korean-based Hyundai Motor Company, is Indias second-largest car manufacturer, and for the past ten years, Indias largest passenger car exporter. The development is a landmark in using coastal shipping services, rather than often-congested Indian roads for domestic transportation - a pioneering use of economical and environmentally-friendly coastal transportation of Indian-manufactured automobiles, according to an APM Terminals statement. We are proud to be a part of this historic and innovative intra-costal shipment of Indian automobiles, serving Indias growing automotive industry with safe, and environmentally sustainable logistics alternatives, said APM Terminals Pipavav md Keld Pedersen. The technical reference, referred to as TR48:2015, covers a set of core requirements for metering system qualification, installation, testing procedures and documentation for bunker custody transfer using the Coriolis mass flow meter (MFM). The new standard, TR48, on mass flow metering for bunkering will strengthen the trust and raise efficiency in our bunkering industry through enhancing bunker measurement accuracy and transparency to a new level and will significantly improve efficiency by shortening each bunker delivery of about 12 hours by as much as three hours, said M Segar, assistant chief executive of Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA). The TR will also help facilitate the detection of any anomaly during the bunker fuel transfer through real-time and remote digital readings, he added. Even before the mandatory use of MFM next year, more than 500,000 metric tonnes of bunker fuel deliveries every month in Singapore are conducted via bunker tankers equipped with a MPA-approved MFM. Segar said Singapore is well on track to meet the 1 January 2017 implementation date. As of today, 64 Singapore-registered bunker tankers are equipped with the government-approved MFM, out of approximately 229 bunker tankers. And starting from 1 June 2016, TR48:2015 will be used by MPA to support the initiative for all bunker tankers to be fitted with an approved MFM. TR48 has been developed under the auspices of the Technical Committee (TC) for Bunkering of the Chemical Standards Committee (CSC). Back in March 2009, the TC for Bunkering agreed to undertake the MFM project and to form a Working Group to develop the standard. The Working Group comprises of SPRING Singapore, MPA, A*STAR and various stakeholders from the marine, shipping and oil and gas industry. The trials used MFMs that were verified and sealed by SPRING and the trials data were analysed by A*STARs National Metrology Centre to determine the performance of the MFM system. Some key references from the TR48 include the MFM sytem being able to operate within 0.5% overall measurement uncertainty, and to meet criterias such as system integrity, acceptance test requirements and delivery procedures. Singapore-based shipowner Pacific International Lines (PIL) shared that between July to December 2015, the company made 444 bunker liftings in Singapore via MFM-equipped bunker tankers, and the fuel quantity variance was 0.28% on average. Homegrown physical supplier Sentek Marine & Trading also shared that in January this year, its 6,000-dwt series bunker tankers made 13 deliveries and the fuel quantity variance was 0.13% on average. Seah Khen Hee, chairman of the TC for Bunkering, told Seatrade Maritime News that the TR48 would allow bunker buyers and suppliers in Singapore to virtually eliminate all disputes, while at the same time build up a higher level of trust and maintain Singapores position as the worlds largest bunkering port. Bunker suppliers, while agreeing that MFM will no doubt deliver an accurate fuel quantity, remain concerned over disagreements raised by owners especially those that have vessels installed with their own MFMs or a difference in fuel quantity after manual measurement was made. The final fuel quantity will be based on the bunker barge figures, and ships that bunker in Singapore will have to observe the local regulations, an industry source told Seatrade Maritime News. Following a protracted price-fixing investigation of 15 major container lines, the European Commission has issued a new directive enforcing a 31-day limit for prior announcement of General Rate Increases (GRIs), and each announcement should contain a breakdown of charges and the routes to which they related, as laid down in Article 9(1) of Council Regulation (EC) No 1/2003. The EUs watchdog body had accused the 15 lines - China Shipping, CMA CGM, Cosco, Evergreen, Hamburg Sud, Hanjin, Hapag-Lloyd, Hyundai MM, Maersk Line, MOL, MSC, NYK, OOCL, UASC and Zim - of announcing GRIs ahead of time as a way of testing the water and co-ordinating with one anothers pricing activity, rather than for the benefit of customers. Since 2009, these companies have been making regular public announcements of price increase intentions through press releases on their websites and in the specialised trade press, the Commission said in 2013, warning that this practice may allow the companies to signal future price intentions to each other and may harm competition and customers by raising prices on the market for container liner shipping transport services on routes to and from Europe. Despite the co-ordinated nature of GRIs, container lines had only been able to push up rates for a few weeks at best before their plunge in the second half of 2015. Mondays regular monthly meeting of the Bismarck R-5 Board of Education focused on the districts annual Local Assessment Plan as presented by Bismarck High School Principal Jason King. One of the things I want to highlight is our attendance here at Bismarck, he said. I dont know if [the board] really realizes that there are a lot of schools around us that are struggling with their attendance having serious issues. When we go to principal meetings we hear, What are you doing with your attendance? How are you getting kids to come to school? How are you doing such a good job of that? King noted that an important key to building strong attendance in the district is having administrators, counselors and teachers continually stressing to students the importance of regular school attendance while also making whatever efforts are necessary to get the young people in class. Thats just one area where we have a tremendous amount of contact with parents in the community that goes along with that, King said. Parent-teacher conferences are a big deal, of course, and Showcase Night and those kind of things. But the real work that makes a difference goes on behind the scenes a little bit every day. If you look around at some other schools, youre not going to see the attendance numbers that youll see here. So, were doing a great job and thats something I wanted to highlight. King told the board that every teacher in the district is participating in a book study during faculty meetings. Its on the seven simple secrets of the best educators, he said. Also tied in with their professional development (PD) plans, so above and beyond just we do what we do every day, were out there looking, researching, trying to find instructional strategies that are going to help improve the education were giving the kids. According to King, special education teachers are integrated into the schools Professional Learning Communities (PLC) teams. "So, theyre a part of all of our meetings. They are involved in all of the decisions that are made. Its not like in the past when they would be out there on their own and not a part of whats going on every day. We work hard to integrate them. Were in five years now of pulling them in now in just about everything we do. King next addressed the systematic procedures testing the effectiveness of curriculum and instruction. Really theres two parts to that, he said. One part is what we do through evaluations thats Randy and I and Heather in the classrooms. Watching what the teachers are doing. Number two, and most important, is what you see behind the scenes and thats the effect theyre having on the kids. So, the weekly meetings they have in their PLC teams, the work they do with their data boards to set up Response-To-Intervention (RTI) groups, the collaboration youre seeing with staff and watching the effect that it has on kids is the main part of testing the effectiveness of curriculum and instruction. Its very easy to walk into the classroom and for us to evaluate a teacher with what we see in 10 minutes, but the overall picture is something different. King said the district has opened up a tremendous amount of resources for the students and teachers. Just a few of these things Study Island; Rosetta Stone; USA Test Preps; Star Reading; Accelerated Reader; iPads; e-readers in our library; mobile labs; the laptop carts that we are using every day; Reading Eggs; the data room work that goes on and the resources to keep that going; a recent increase weve had in the budget for reading books Im opening those resources up to our kids. King reported that both he and elementary Principal Randy Crites have been seeing outstanding results. In August we were able to report that 22 percent of the kids in grades 6 through 12 were reading on grade level, he said. In October that was 48, and then in January when we had our latest benchmark, it was 63. Were real thrilled with that and it speaks a lot to what [the school board] has done to open up the resources for the kids and the teachers. Concluding his report, King told the board there was one more thing taken for granted at Bismarck School the Pilot Program. Its where our students can go to college and really get a head start on an associates degree, he said. Just in the last week Ive had people from Festus, people from Windsor and some people from Jefferson R-7 asking me, How do you do that? We love what youre doing in giving kids the opportunity to go to college and just get a head start. So kids at Bismarck really have a unique opportunity. If you have the aptitude and the work ethic to work as hard as you can, you can come real close or maybe be at earning an associates degree by the time you graduate from Bismarck. Other schools around here are not offering it to that level. They can not do it and I think speaks a lot about what [the board] is doing and what were doing as a school for the kids right here in a small community to give them that opportunity. NEGROS ORIENTAL VOWS SOLID VOTE FOR GUINGONA Setting aside political differences and election rivalry, incumbent officials and election aspirants in Negros Oriental vowed to support Senator Teofisto "TG" Guingona III in his 2016 re-election bid. Guingona kicked off his personal campaign on February 10 in the province to pay homage to his grandmother Josefa Tayko, mother of former Vice President Teofisto "Tito" Guingona Jr. "I am proud to say that I trace my roots from Negros Oriental. I hailed from Mindanao but my paternal grandmother is a native of Siaton, hence I started my personal campaign in her home province," Guingona said. Following Guingona's three-day visit in the province, members of the League of Mayors Negros Oriental Chapter came together to "strongly manifest and proudly declare" the re-electionist senator as a son of the province. In a resolution unanimously signed by all city and municipal mayors, the Oriental Negrenses recognized Guingona's "outstanding and exemplary performance" as a member of the 15th and 16th Congress and his roots as a descendant of the illustrious Josefa Lajato Tayko of Siaton municipality as sources of pride and inspiration. The resolution also appealed that henceforth, Guingona will also be referred to in the Halls of the Senate as "the Gentleman from the Province of Negros Oriental" aside from his current address as "the Gentleman from Mindanao." Among the programs that Guingona firmly declared to push for are the continuance of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), which he already filed for institutionalization in September 2015 through Senate Bill No. 2960, and the strengthening of the Bottom-Up Budgeting System that empowers local government units (LGUs) to directly and immediately implement programs and projects at the grassroots level. 16 filles enceintes apres lejaculation dun garcon dans une piscine Cest en Floride aux Etats-Unis, courant le mois de janvier de cette annee que Tommy Coulter, un garcon de 16 ans a engrosse 16 filles en une seule ejaculation. Selon le site Herald Tallahassee, le puissant pere aurait eu une ejaculation accidentelle dans une piscine publique. Tommy Coulter a avoue que cetait un accident et quil na pas eu de rapports sexuels dans la piscine. Lage des nouvelles meres varie entre 13 et 17 ans. Durant une simple fete danniversaire, la piscine sest transformee en un geant tube de laboratoire: le jeune qui est devenu depuis lors une star dans sa ville, y a ejacule sans avertissement. Des felicitations fusent a son endroit. Pour cause: sa performance hors du commun. Dr. John Suzukima de Tallahassee Memorial Hospital Healthcare, qui etait le premier a relier les naissances multiples a une seule cause, estime que le jeune homme a une rare maladie appelee spermafortis, qui rend son sperme exceptionnellement puissant. Ce genre de sperme est assez similaire a celui des mammiferes deau communs, tels que les dauphins, les lamantins et les phoques et a des proprietes qui le rendent incroyablement resistant a leau. Cette condition pourrait certainement expliquer ce qui est arrive dans ce cas, mais les essais cliniques et dautres tests seraient necessaires pour prouver cette theorie , a-t-il declare aux journalistes locaux. "The political turmoil of this year has left us in moral incoherence." No, that's not a premature assessment of the race for the presidency of the United States this year, but the line may resonate. It was actually spoken by the late William F. Buckley Jr. in 1999. Take a moment away from South Carolina and Super Tuesday, and travel for a moment in your imagination to Valladolid, Spain, in March of 1545, to a scene that Dawn Eden highlights in her new book, "Remembering God's Mercy." A Jesuit priest, Father Peter Faber, arrives at a royal court to enter the chapel there. But the porter outside does not recognize him or allow him entry. Faber recalls in his spiritual diary, "Memoriale": "I ... reflected on how Christ had been so ill received everywhere in the world. And I prayed that it be granted the porter and me not to stand and wait too long before the gates of paradise, undergoing purification. ... So it happened that I came to love the porter all the more, he being the cause of my devotion." Faber made no scene. He received the inconvenience as a gift. Who does such a thing? Reflecting on the life of Faber, who he named a saint, Pope Francis said: "An authentic faith always involves a profound desire to change the world. Here is the question we must ask ourselves: do we also have great vision and impetus?" A few months ago a famous, respected professor at an Ivy League university said to me something along the lines of: Jesus was pretty clear on the Sermon on the Mount. You remember -- where the Beatitudes were laid out: "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" et al. The professor, who is not a Christian, brought it up because he saw Pope Francis as representing that wealth for the nations: Jesus and His Gospel message, a radical way of life that could change the world. It would keep the poor, the sick and otherwise forgotten from ever being lost in the chaos of everything else. If our politics is missing moral coherence, this is because it is often missing from our own lives. Buckley, the founder of National Review, said in another speech: "We cannot repay in kind the gift of the Beatitudes, with their eternal, searing meaning ... But our ongoing failure to recognize that we owe a huge debt that can be requited only by gratitude (marks us as) in revolt against our benefactors, our civilization, against God Himself." Back on the campaign trail, I thought of Faber as I listened to Ohio Gov. John Kasich's speech on the night of his second-place finish in the New Hampshire primary. Here he was about to rev up his campaign with some new momentum, and yet, on the eve of Ash Wednesday, he seemed to be setting the stage for 40 days of something different, at least rhetorically. "The people of New Hampshire have taught me a lesson, and from this day forward, I am going to go slower, and spend my time listening and healing and helping and bringing people together to fix our great nation." He went on: ""We're all made to help the healing of the world, if we would just slow down." We can't be good stewards if we never take the time to notice what we ought to be grateful for. Lent during a time of chaotic, angry politics could include an ecumenical prayer such as the one that George Washington used to end a letter to a Hebrew congregation in Newport, Rhode Island, in 1790: "May the father of all mercies scatter light, and not darkness, upon our paths, and make us all in our several vocations useful here, and in His own due time and way everlastingly happy." An African American student at UC Davis was assaulted by a group of intoxicated men on campus early Monday morning, leading university police to investigate the case as a hate crime and arrest three suspects. Campus police officers arrested Lonny Lee, 24, of West Sacramento and Justin Sheppard, 22, of Sacramento on suspicion of public intoxication, assault and committing a hate crime. Jake Lee, 22, of West Sacramento was arrested only on suspicion of public intoxication, said Andy Fell, a university spokesman. The student was near her home at West Village, an on-campus apartment complex, when the men attacked around 3 a.m., Fell said. Police have yet to release details on the incident, including what led officers to believe a hate crime occurred. She did not need medical attention afterward, Fell said. School officials released a statement Monday, calling the attack deeply distressing. We cannot stress enough that those who commit hate crimes in our community will be held accountable for their actions, officials said in a statement. Acts of bigotry and discrimination have no place in a civilized society and they have no place on our campus. A hateful incident directed at any one of us is an unacceptable affront to all of us. Recent hate crimes at the school include an Oct. 10 incident where a white male vandalized 11 cars in an on campus parking lot, slashing tires and scrawling offensive and disparaging religious slurs with a metal object. In July, graffiti appeared in a mens restroom on campus with symbols associated with white supremacist groups, police said. In May, someone shattered the glass of a dorm window after possibly throwing a rock. Police investigated the incident as a hate crime because a specific flag could be seen hanging from the ceiling. Jenna Lyons is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. E-mail: jlyons@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @JennaJourno The search for a missing Alameda man known for his get-rich-quick books and videos turned to San Franciscos Lands End over the weekend after family members said he was spotted in a photograph there. Friends and relatives of John Beck, 73, who left his home Feb. 9 without telling his wife, scoured the coastal site run by the National Park Service on Monday and planned to expand their probe to the nearby Sea Cliff neighborhood Tuesday. Beck was troubled, family members said, by a court order requiring him to pay $113 million for cheating hundreds of thousands of people in his money-making schemes. Relatives, however, thought he was getting over the distress of the judgment and wouldnt have expected him to disappear without notice. Becks daughter Laura, of Los Angeles, said the latest breakthrough in the familys search came over the weekend. A person helping the family sent her a photo on Instagram that appeared to be her father walking on a path at Lands End, with the Golden Gate Bridge as the backdrop. I saw it and I knew immediately that was my dad, she said Monday. Her father had previously been seen in photographs boarding a San Francisco-bound BART train in Oakland. Laura Beck didnt know why her father would have headed for the northwestern edge of the city. But she said he was familiar with the National Park Service-managed Presidio in the area, where he spent time while he was growing up. His father was in the military. John Beck was the face of John Beck Amazing Profits LLC, which produced infomercials that marketed manuals, DVDs and CDs professing to offer ways to make vast sums of money by buying homes at government auctions and flipping them. Beck was sued by the Federal Trade Commission in 2009 for scamming customers. Kurtis Alexander is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. E-mail: kalexander@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @kurtisalexander This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate California Gov. Jerry Brown may have found a way to get some of his Republican counterparts to sign on to the clean energy revolution drop all mention of climate change. Brown and a bipartisan group of 16 other governors announced an agreement Tuesday to increase renewable power, integrate electricity grids across state lines and boost the number of cars running on alternatives fuels. The accord they signed touts clean energy as a way to boost state economies, cut pollution and improve public health. And nowhere does it discuss climate change, renewable powers main raison detre. (The accord, dated Tuesday, does include one brief mention of sea-level rise, which it lumps in with other extreme weather events.) The whole genius of this accord is that were bringing together parties, governors of different philosophies, Brown said Tuesday on a conference call with Nevadas Republican governor, Brian Sandoval, and Democratic Gov. Jay Inslee of Washington. Brown acknowledged that the agreement does not address global warming, one of his key issues and the focus of previous partnerships he has forged with other states. By setting it aside, the new plan may be able to sidestep the polarization that has blocked congressional action on climate change, he said. It takes not too much research to recognize theres a very sharp cleavage on this issue, a lot of partisanship, Brown said. We want to move forward. We want to get done important stuff without getting bogged down in the larger controversy. Sandoval, for example, told an interviewer in 2014 that he was not qualified to answer that question when asked whether human activity was the main cause of global warming. On Tuesday, he bragged of the $4.3 billion that companies have invested in renewable power projects within his state since 2009. The state already exports one-third of all the geothermal, solar and wind energy it generates, and more projects are on the way. When asked on Tuesday whether the new accord would eventually tackle climate change, Sandoval deferred. Im sure it will come up, going forward, he said. Right now, the focus is on what we have on the ground. In additional to Sandoval, only three of the governors signing the accord are Republicans, those representing Iowa, Massachusetts and Michigan. Michigan is among 26 states suing the federal government to block one of President Obamas most significant climate change regulations, the Clean Power Plan, designed to cut greenhouse gas emissions from power plants. Brown has made a point of pushing sub-national governments states and foreign provinces alike to tackle climate change together. His Under 2 MOU, for example, now includes 127 jurisdictions from 27 countries. All of them have agreed to slash their greenhouse gas emissions 80 percent to 95 percent by 2050, or limit per capita emissions to 2 tons of carbon dioxide by the same year. The Governors Accord for a New Energy Future, announced Tuesday, focuses on principles and avenues for discussion more than concrete steps. The governors agree to expand renewable power production, upgrade their electricity grids and further integrate grid operations across state borders, as well as boost the use of electric cars, fuel-cell vehicles and other forms of clean transportation. The other governors signing the accord represent Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont and Virginia. David R. Baker is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. E-mail: dbaker@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @DavidBakerSF A former San Francisco political consultant, accused in 2014 of possessing a bomb and chemical weapons that federal agents said they found in his apartment, pleaded guilty Tuesday to scaled-back charges of possessing biological toxins and a pistol with the serial number removed. Ryan Chamberlain, 44, has been in custody since June 2014, two days after agents said they found bomb-making materials at his Polk Street residence along with toxic substances, including sodium cyanide, that could be used as weapons. Federal prosecutors claimed Chamberlain had been scanning the Internet to learn more about bombs. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate The suspect nabbed in connection with a double homicide on San Franciscos Twin Peaks over the weekend was identified by police Tuesday as a Richmond man who was arrested in 2014 after crashing a stolen car into an AC Transit bus, injuring 11 people. Richard Contreras, 26, was arrested on suspicion of murder, attempted murder, carjacking, being a felon in possession of a firearm and aggravated assault with a gun, said Officer Albie Esparza, a San Francisco police spokesman. Officers headed to the Twin Peaks lookout Sunday after reports of a shooting came in around 2 a.m. There, they found three men suffering from gunshot wounds, said police Sgt. Michael Andraychak. Contreras reportedly knew the men he allegedly shot, police said. Two victims, Julio Peraza, 21, and Rene Mora, 19, both of Santa Rosa, died from their wounds. An 18-year-old man was also shot and hospitalized with life-threatening injuries. His condition was not immediately known. Contreras fled the scene in a gray GMC Yukon Denali that he allegedly carjacked, but was later apprehended by a SWAT team at his home in Richmond, police said. In September 2014, Contreras crashed a stolen car into an AC Transit bus in Richmond, sending the bus careening into the side of a house, injuring a mother, her baby and 3-year-old child inside, said Richmond police Lt. Andre Hill. The driver of the bus and seven passengers were also injured in the incident. Contreras fled the crash on foot but was arrested on warrants a few months later, Hill said. The Contra Costa County district attorneys office charged Contreras with unlawful driving, leaving the scene of an accident and violating probation, said Bobbi Mauler, a district attorney spokeswoman. He received a split sentence in December 2014: two years mandatory supervision and one year in jail with 112 days of credit for time served at the Martinez Detention Facility, according to Contra Costa Superior Court officials. Jenna Lyons is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. E-mail: jlyons@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @JennaJourno This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate WASHINGTON Senate Judiciary Committee Democrats spearheaded a counteroffensive Monday to Republicans who say confirmation of a replacement for Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia should be on hold until after Election Day. Certain aspects of governance should be above the political scrum, Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., said in an interview. And the Supreme Court is one of them. Blumenthal and Sen. Charles E. Schumer, D-N.Y., pledged to do their utmost to win confirmation this year of a successor to Scalia, the courts leading conservative intellectual, who died abruptly on Saturday. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., and other Republicans said there is ample precedent for not confirming a justice in a presidents final year in office. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., has all but closed the door to consideration of a replacement this year. Republicans fear a third Supreme Court pick by President Barack Obama would tip the courts balance in a liberal direction for the first time in several decades. There should be fair hearings and senators should be given the opportunity to make up their minds, Schumer said Monday. I hope that many of our colleagues will do just that and not follow Senator McConnells obstructionism, saying theyre going to block someone even before that person is nominated. We cant compel it As members of the Judiciary Committee, Blumenthal and Schumer would participate in any confirmation hearing for a new justice. But even if Obama nominates someone to take Scalias place on the nations highest court, Senate Democrats lack the power to get the Senate confirmation process rolling. We have the floor of the Senate, town halls and the media to make our case, but we cant compel it, said Blumenthal. We can put the moral onus where it belongs. The public will see this obstructionism for what it is. On Monday, the partisan divide on the new Supreme Court vacancy took on a whose ox is being gored? character. Democrats pointed to 1988, also an election year. The Democratic-controlled Senate that year confirmed Justice Anthony Kennedy, nominated by President Ronald Reagan in the wake of the failure of controversial conservative nominee Robert Bork to win confirmation the previous year. And Republicans pointed to a speech by Schumer in 2007, during the presidency of George W. Bush, in which he argued the Senate had been hoodwinked by Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Samuel Alito. Both had proven to be reliable high court conservatives, notwithstanding pledges to Judiciary Committee members they would approach cases with an open mind. Given the track record of this president and the experience of obfuscation at the hearings I will recommend to my colleagues that we should not confirm a Supreme Court nominee except in extraordinary circumstances, Schumer said at the time. There was no actual vacancy when Schumer made the speech. On Monday, his aides pushed back against the characterization of Schumer as guilty of a double standard. This is apples to oranges, said Schumer spokesman Jason Kaplan. Senator Schumer was arguing that after full hearings, it was a senators prerogative to vote no if a nominee didnt meet certain criteria. That would apply to any point in a presidents term and to any president. Senator Schumer never argued there should not be a vote, as Republicans are doing now. Republicans insisted it was standard practice, as Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, put it, to neither nominate nor confirm Supreme Court nominees in presidential election years. Delay tactics Actually, deferral of such vacancies are rarities. The prime example dates back to 1968, when then Chief Justice Earl Warren announced his intention to retire. President Lyndon B. Johnson nominated Justice Abe Fortas to succeed Warren and a Texas federal judge, Homer Thornberry, to succeed Fortas. With Republican Richard Nixon facing then Vice President Hubert Humphrey that November, Republicans filibustered the Fortas nomination until the New York lawyer withdrew his name. Thornberrys name also was withdrawn. The gamble paid off for Republicans when Fortas retired under an ethics cloud shortly after Nixon was sworn in as president, and Warren retired after 16 years as chief justice. Nixon picked Warren Burger to replace Warren and Harry Blackmun to replace Fortas. Since both were from Minnesota and were thought to be conservative ideological soulmates, wags at the time referred to them as the Minnesota Twins. Blumenthal, then a young Yale law school graduate, served as a clerk for Blackmun in the 1974-75 Supreme Court term. He used to joke in his dark humor (about) the chances of fate putting him on the court, Blumenthal said. He became a truly great justice after an inauspicious start. dan@hearstdc.com OXFORD, England These are exciting times for Larry Sanders, a stalwart Green Party campaigner in Oxford, England. Hes just been appointed to a new job as his partys national spokesman on health. And hes helping out his little brother, Bernie, with a small electoral campaign on the other side of the Atlantic. Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders is an outsider who has far exceeded expectations as he battles Hillary Clinton for the Democratic Partys presidential nomination. The left-wing senator has energized thousands of young supporters with his promise to transform the American economy, education and health care systems, and last week gained more momentum by winning the New Hampshire primary. More than 3,000 miles away, his brother, a retired academic who has lived in Britain since 1969, finds himself a sudden celebrity. I was at a meeting the other day and when I stood up to ask a question, half the people in the audience started clapping, Larry Sanders said. Ive been going to meetings for 40 years and no ones ever applauded before. Sanders, who ran for a seat in Britains Parliament last year (he came in fifth of seven candidates), has watched his brothers growing success with emotions that swing from pride to disbelief. He says he has only recently started to believe that underdog Bernie can do it, go all the way to the White House. Im not entirely surprised by it, actually, he added. I didnt expect it to happen quite so quickly, but Ive seen him in action: Hes a very powerful politician. And the other thing of course is, the basis of what hes saying is real. ... There has been a shift in wealth and income from the bulk of the population to the very richest, and it goes back 40 years. At 80, Larry Sanders is six years older than his brother, his Brooklyn accent mellowed by more than four decades in Britain. He says the brothers politics are rooted in the post-war Brooklyn where they grew up, the children of staunch New Dealer parents. Their father, Eli, was a Polish Jew who came to the United States when he was 17, their mother, Dorothy, the New York-born child of eastern European Jewish immigrants. He said their early values were simple ones learned in public school and Hebrew school: The Declaration of Independences assertion that all men are created equal, the Torahs exhortation to be kind to the stranger among you. Larry Sanders moved to Britain with his late first wife, becoming a university lecturer in health and social care, and serving for a decade as an Oxfordshire county councilor. Last week, he was named national health spokesman for the Green Party, which has thousands of members but just one lawmaker out of 650 in Parliament. He lives with his partner Janet in a cozy house full of books and knick-knacks and toys they have four grandchildren under 10. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate The bag of glittering silvery gems is pretty hard to miss when you walk into the secured media room at the unclaimed property office near Sacramento. The stones, discovered in a safe deposit box, haven't been appraised, but they look an awful lot like diamonds. "There's a lot of flashy things," said Ken Parham, an analyst in the California State Controller's Office. "There's a lot of really nice things to look at, like the gold bars, like the really nice jade and gold jewelry." Parham said he's gotten used to those kinds of discoveries. After more than eight years on the job, he's more interested in the historical items. "There's a congressional gold medal that was issued to the original 29 Navajo code talkers from World War II," he said. That medal was recently returned to the soldier's grandson. Most people likely don't have a military award or a bag of diamonds waiting for them, but they may have a few dollars that got lost along the way. Sacramento State student Sydney Johnson recently typed her name into the state website that lets you check its unclaimed property log. When there aren't any hits on her name, she decides to look up her dad. "Hey, my dad has one! That's my address! That's so weird. $2.96," she said. That $2.96 is noted on the state's ledger, part of the $8 billion in unclaimed property California has on the books. Say you have a rebate from a utility bill you overpaid, but you move before you find out about it. If the company can't find you, your money is supposed to be turned over to the state, which will hold it forever until you or your heirs claim it. The physical items in the Rancho Cordova office are fun to look at. But they actually make up less than 1 percent of all the unclaimed property just enough stuff to fill about 19 vans. In fact, 95 percent of the properties are cash assets. Nearly half are valued at under $25. Ryan Miller is with the Legislative Analyst's Office, and studies the unclaimed property program. "So we're talking checking accounts, but also insurance properties, stocks, dividends, bonds, things like that," he said. About 40 percent of the property finds its way home, twice as much as 20 years ago. Still, Miller says the state has put itself in a delicate situation. "On the one hand, the program is a consumer protection program. We take this sort of lost, abandoned property and we hold onto it and we have it so people can come claim it," he explained. "And on the other hand, we count it as general fund revenue and we can spend it each year in the budget." Unclaimed property is the fifth-largest revenue source for California's general fund, bringing in about $400 million a year. That is money the state counts on. But state Controller Betty Yee stresses that the money can be claimed at any time. "This money is available for whenever the claim is made and we return it, dollar for dollar," she said. Yee said her goal for the program is simple. "And that is to locate the rightful owners of property that has been turned over to the state because of the inability of companies like banks and insurance companies to locate the rightful owner," she said. But many Californian's aren't even aware the program exists. Yee has appealed to members of the Legislature to spread the word at their events and put links on their websites. The controller's office says it returned about $680,000 per day in the last fiscal year. Yee said she hopes more people check the website so they can find what they're owed. 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Ireland United States Minor Outlying Islands United States of America Uruguay, Eastern Republic of Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of Viet Nam, Socialist Republic of Wallis and Futuna Islands Western Sahara Yemen Zambia, Republic of Zimbabwe This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Seafood lovers pining to catch, sell and eat fresh crab may have to wait a bit longer after a task force of fishing industry representatives said Tuesday they would prefer to open the commercial Dungeness season only when the spindly crustaceans are deemed safe to eat everywhere in California. The recommendation by the California Dungeness Crab Task Force driven in part by a desire to buoy consumer confidence comes less than a week after Thursdays lifting of a three-month ban on recreational crab fishing, but only south of Point Reyes and with the directive that the guts be removed before dining. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife is expected to make a decision within the next two days on whether to partially open the commercial Dungeness season or wait until the coast is clear of domoic acid, the potentially deadly neurotoxin that has been found in crabs. The fishing ban continues for rock crabs, which health officials say remain unsafe to eat. The task force executive committee, made up of seven representatives of North Coast ports, said it would accept opening the commercial Dungeness season partially as a second choice, but with reservations. One big concern is that anything other than a statewide opening would concentrate all the crab boats and as many as 20,000 crab pots in one region, said Larry Collins, president of the Crab Boat Owners Association and the San Francisco Community Fishing Association. Danger to whales We need to do whats best for the fishermen and for the resource going forward, Collins said, adding that if a line is drawn at Point Reyes, the concentration of gear will be twice as much as the last year, which turned out to be the largest whale entanglement year on record. Marine biologists say migrating whales getting caught in crab pot lines is a growing problem on the West Coast. Other crab boat owners expressed worry that the public will not feel safe eating crab until all areas are clean, especially given that a single crab can travel 7 to 10 miles a day. Bill Carvalho, a seafood processor on the task force, said that if one or two people were to get sick because a contaminated crab wandered south, the whole industry would suffer. If we only have a pocket of crabs that are safe, that is probably not going to give much confidence to the public, Carvalho said, adding that sales might lag even if nobody gets sick. State health officials say domoic acid, which can cause seizures, coma and even death when consumed by marine mammals or humans, has declined to low or undetectable levels in Dungeness crab in numerous locations, including San Francisco, Half Moon Bay and Monterey. All areas arent safe The toxin still exists in a few areas, including Bodega Bay and Fort Bragg, which has not yet had a clean test. Even the crabs deemed safe for recreational fishing were not given a completely clean bill of health. Crab eaters were warned to remove the guts before cooking the crustaceans which should only be boiled or steamed and discard the cooking water. Such warnings, crab industry representatives said, damage the typically robust market for crab. Whatever Fish and Wildlife decides, the annual roundup of the meaty Dungeness wont begin for at least another week. Thats because the department agreed to give crab boat owners seven days notice before the opening so they have time to prepare. Not everyone who joined the task forces conference call Tuesday agreed on what should be done. Some crabbers urged task force members to push immediately for commercial crabbing everywhere, arguing that testing shows it is safe. Others urged calling the season off altogether. Disaster request Gov. Jerry Brown asked the Obama administration last week to declare the states crab fishery a federal disaster, which could free up federal aid for those who make their living at sea. Brown said the industry suffered a $49 million loss after blooms of toxic algae 40 miles wide in some places formed along the coast between April and October. Reps. Jackie Speier, D-Hillsborough, and Jared Huffman, D-San Rafael, are preparing legislation that would provide disaster relief to crabbers who can show theyve been harmed. Officials said the bill would provide a separate pool of money for research on domoic acid and for the monitoring of algal blooms. Peter Fimrite is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. E-mail: pfimrite@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @pfimrite The San Francisco district attorneys office is teaming up with the FBI to investigate public corruption in the wake of the sprawling, multiyear federal probe that snared former state Sen. Leland Yee, Chinatown crime boss Raymond Shrimp Boy Chow and others. The new task force, announced Tuesday by District Attorney George Gascon and David J. Johnson, the leader of the FBIs office in San Francisco, seeks to tap federal resources and investigators to look further into possible wrongdoing by the citys public servants. We as San Franciscans can no longer blame the lack of resources for systemic problems that cause the public to lose faith in local government, Gascon said at a news conference. This today is the beginning of a process to try to short-circuit that. The good old boys, the pay-to-play system that has worked in San Francisco so well for so long, has to end. San Francisco prosecutors filed corruption-related charges last month against former Human Rights Commissioner Nazly Mohajer, former commission staffer Zula Jones, and political consultant and former San Francisco school board President Keith Jackson. The bribery and money-laundering allegations emerged during a federal racketeering investigation into Chow, in which Mohajer and Jones allegedly discussed accepting $20,000 from an FBI agent posing as a businessman in secretly recorded conversations, in exchange for access to Mayor Ed Lee during his 2011 campaign. We filed cases on three individuals, Gascon said Tuesday. We do not believe that is the end of the road, and that is why we are continuing to see where that takes us. The FBI has launched scores of public corruption probes in San Francisco, Oakland, Richmond and other Bay Area cities in recent decades. In 2014, six plainclothes San Francisco police officers were indicted following an FBI investigation into allegations they entered single-room occupancy hotel residences without warrants and stole money. Prompt decisions Special Agent in Charge Johnson said the task force will allow for prompt decisions on whether cases should be filed locally or in federal court. This type of criminal activity erodes public confidence, undermines the strength of our democracy and, if left unchecked, threatens our government, Johnson said. Lee has said he did nothing wrong during his 2011 campaign, and theres no evidence he was aware that anyone had promised access to him in exchange for illegal campaign contributions. His spokeswoman, Christine Falvey, said Tuesday that he would work with new Ethics Commission Director LeeAnn Pelham and every city department to ensure that all employees are in full compliance. San Francisco has some of the strongest ethics and open government laws in the nation, and the mayor expects every public servant to fully comply with those laws, Falvey said. There is absolutely zero tolerance and no place in city government for anything less. According to campaign finance disclosures, Lee between July and December spent $7,297 of his 2015 mayoral campaign funding on legal representation from the San Francisco law firm Swanson & McNamara, which specializes in criminal defense and complex civil litigation. Falvey said the firm was retained by Mayor Lee in 2015 to ensure full cooperation and appropriate communication with the government. Supervisors react The creation of the task force prompted a mix of reactions at City Hall. Supervisor Scott Wiener said he believed accusations of corruption can get overstated. I know all of the elected officials at City Hall, and my experience is these are all dedicated, earnest people who are in (politics) for the right reasons, he said. Supervisor David Campos said he welcomes any extra scrutiny. I think that given some of the developments in the last few weeks, there are a lot of questions about what actually happens in City Hall, Campos said. We want our public to have complete trust in their elected officials, and I personally think there has to be a very clear message that corruption has no place in San Francisco politics. San Francisco Public Defender Jeff Adachi, whose office is representing Keith Jackson, said he worries that the corruption task force wont be transparent. When Jackson and his co-defendants appeared in court in January, the district attorneys office requested a protective order that would prohibit defense attorneys from disclosing any evidence they obtained from prosecutors. If youre talking about bringing in federal wiretaps and other things, Adachi said, then people have a right to know from their elected district attorney exactly what theyre doing and how its being done. San Francisco Chronicle staff writer Emily Green contributed to this report. Vivian Ho is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. E-mail: vho@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @VivianHo Geary, Shea, O'Donnel, Graton & A search for a missing Santa Rosa attorney who was representing a Sonoma County sheriffs deputy accused in the fatal shooting of a 13-year-old boy was suspended Tuesday after his car was found abandoned over the weekend near Bodega Bay, authorities said Steven Mitchell, 56, was last seen at his home around 9 a.m. Saturday, police said. His wife called the Sonoma County Sheriffs Office around 8 p.m., saying her husband had not been heard from all day and it was highly unusual for him. One of my friends/neighbors, Lowdon B. Heller, is a bit older than I am...well aproximately 20 years older. He was 18 years old when he was trained as a gunner for a B-24. The photo below was of that crew after they were graduated from training in Georgia. Not long after that they were on a ship sailing for Great Britain. I think this crew survived the 30 flights or whatever to get back to the US. Not sure about that. When the war with Germany was winding down, they flew back to the US preparing to enter the fight with Japan. Click on image for a larger view. This was their trainer plane in Georgia. Lowdon Heller may be the sole survivor of this crew by now. He has some interesting stories. Below is a text list of the crew members: Crew training in Georgia. Were soon shipped to Britain flying B-24 Bomber Top Row Left to right: A--Navigator Lt. John H. Lemert, B--Pilot Lt. Marcus A. Rubin, C--Co-Pilot Lt. Richard D. Lodge, D---- . Bottom Row left to right: Bombardier Lt. John W. Macklern, F--Gunner Sgt William J. Eckwell, G-- Engineer Sgt E.L. Wilcox, H-- Gunner Sgt Lowdon B. Heller, I--Radio Operator Sgt Eugene A. Aichroft, J--Tail Gunner Staff Sgt George W. Foster. **Stay tuned and remember those who served to protect our Democracy--- Doug Wiken 16th Street Heights is one of the least known and least tread upon neighborhoods in Washington, D.C., but, according to national real estate brokerage Redfin, it is set to be the city's second hottest neighborhood of 2016. The neighborhood doesn't have a Metro stop or restaurants and retail spaces, but it does have spacious single-family homes and great deals. So, what is there to know about a neighborhood that didn't even have its own name until the mid 1980s? It's difficult to know where exactly the neighborhood starts and stops. There are no official boundaries to Washington, D.C.'s neighborhoods, and as the areas grow over the years, so too do those imaginary boundaries set by residents and realtors. The current boundaries of the neighborhood are Military Road NW to the north, Georgia Avenue NW to the east, Arkansas Avenue to the south, and Rock Creek Park to the west, according to D.C. realtors Ellen and Barry Levy. The name of the neighborhood came about thanks to Ellen, who told Curbed she coined the term, "16th Street Heights," when she was trying to list a property in the neighborhood some time around 1986. Residents at the time referred to the area either as East Crestwood or North Columbia Heights, while tax records for the legal subdivision named the area "16th Street Highlands." When Ellen discovered this title, though, she said it was too long to fit into a Washington Post ad. So, she decided to switch "Highlands" to "Heights," and soon enough the name caught on. The types of homes found in the neighborhood are brick rowhouses, semi-detached Tudors, and colonials with prices that can run as low as $170,000 or as high as the millions. The median listing price for the area, including Crestwood and Brightwood Park, is $300,000, according to Redfin. The abodes found in 16th Street Heights date all the way back to the 1920s when the early residents were Italian and Jewish families. Ellen told Curbed that after the 1968 Riots these residents fled to just outside the edges of Washington, D.C. in areas like Bethesda and Silver Spring. The next wave of residents were largely African Americans. After this, the sounds of circular saws and hammers became common. The houses needed to be restored and renovated, and even today, it's not uncommon to see a few gutted houses ready to be sold within the next year or so with high-end fixtures and appliances. UrbanTurf. also reported in February 2015 that the neighborhood is located in the second most profitable ZIP code in the nation for highest gross profits for flipped homes. With the neighborhood in a new wave of change, the residents in 16th Street Heights today are more varied in race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and age. When Ellen lived in the neighborhood in the early 1980s, she said that there were issues with crime. She told Curbed: "One of the things that happened very early on when I was new to the neighborhood is I was returning to my home. I was driving, and there was a guy sitting at the bus stop, bleeding profusely and shaking, and I called the police, and he'd been beaten, and some time not terribly long after that at about two in the morning I was awaken by gun shots. I'd say, I think, the neighborhood has improved since then."It was difficult to sell houses in 16th Street Heights to clients during this time. Despite the neighborhood's low prices, large houses, and proximity to Rock Creek Park, those given the possibility to move into the area were wary. Even so, Ellen noticed that there were a number of realtors who lived in the neighborhood. "We are people who look at houses all the time, and we look at values all the time," she said. With that, she continued to believe in the neighborhood, and it looks like Redfin believes others should think the same. If you live in 16th Street Heights or are familiar with the area, let us know what you think of the neighborhood in the comments. 16th Street Heights [Official Website] Privacy Overview This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful. Customer service is one of those topics that often inspires the kind of ire that could fill a book called "The Gripes of Wrath." When was the last time you did the Snoopy dance after being sucked into the disgusting confines of Voice Mail Hell? Instead, let us celebrate the heavenly: the kind of customer service that makes shopping or seeking help an effortless, even pleasurable experience. Special thanks to Zogby Analytics, which surveyed more than 1,500 adults in 2015 to come up with a list of customer service champions. With a market capitalization of more than $215 billion, Amazon is HUGE. But if you think large size means small service, consider this: For six straight years, Amazon has topped Zogby's Customer Service Hall of Fame, with an "excellent" rating just shy of 60%. And while many companies are known for service after the sale, Amazon is honing in on service beforehand. Amazon just obtained a patent for a feature known as "anticipatory shipping," which would use your order histories to predict what you need and ship it to nearby warehouses before you even buy it. And yes, this includes crystal balls and mind reading kits. Back in early 2013, a letter from a 7-year-old kid named Luke to Lego customer service bemoaned the fact that he'd lost his Ninjago Jay ZX figure on an errand with his dad. He'd spent his Christmas dough to get the full Ninjago kit and asked for a new figure, sealing his pleading letter with, "I promise I won't take him [out] again." Enter Richard from Lego customer service, who wrote back not only to give the kid a new figure and some extras, but also to adopt the narrative voice of a court sage in a Ninjago drama: "Just remember what Sensei Wu said: 'Keep your minifigures protected like the Weapons of Spinjitzu!' And of course, always listen to your dad." No wonder the letter went viral, and only expanded Lego's sterling reputation for kid-friendly customer help. Sweetwater Sound Based in Ft. Wayne, Ind., Sweetwater has a top-flight system that pairs "sales engineers" with clients so that they can work together on a regular basis. It's a mom-and-pop approach they've replicated on a large scale and it's very effective, so the numbers show. The company ended 2013 at roughly $270 million in annual revenue. Today, it's up to more than $350 million. "My first mentor in sales taught me that if I earned a customer's business by offering the lowest price, that the customer's loyalty and I use the term in its loosest sense is only as strong as the next lowest price," says Jeff Radke, Sweetwater's executive vice president of sales. "But think about the last time you went to a restaurant, not even necessarily an expensive restaurant, and had an exceptional server with a great personality who made recommendations. The bottom line is that service matters." So do the little wrapped candies Sweetwater ships with every order. Sewell, which sells luxury cars at 14 locations throughout Texas, uses the tagline "Obsessed with service," and you can bet a tricked-out Cadillac on that. Buy a car there and you get free car washes for the life of the car, for starters. Family owned since 1911, this business compares itself to luxury hotels and department stores rather than other car dealers: "We like to say we are a world-class service organization that just happens to sell cars." Patriarch Carl Sewell helped popularize the customer-service-first approach with his bestselling book Customers For Life. Sewell famously boasted that the fanatical loyalty his dealerships inspired by thrilling buyers was worth $517,000 over the lifetime of each customer. While the conservative politics of the owners might not strike you as tasty, Chick-fil-a certainly loves serving its paying customers. So much so that the Atlanta-based chain finished second on Zogby's hall of fame list, with 47% excellent ratings. They're even known to greet customers with an umbrella escort when it's raining. Chick-fil-a also ranks as the only fast food mecca on the list, which just might make Ronald McDonald a tad jealous. And look at the profits: 47 consecutive years of annual sales growth, now near the $6 billion mark as of 2014. There are those with foul opinions, though: the chickens being consumed, no doubt at the urging of cows and their "Eat Mor Chikin" ad offensive. For some time, Samsung had a reputation for customer service on par with an operation run by post-apocalyptic zombies. But somehow, they turned things around a few years back and have earned high marks for helping customers solve irksome problems with consumer electronics. The free Samsung+ app for Android now provides online support, video chatting, troubleshooting guides and how-to videos for getting products on the mend. Still, Samsung may have a ways to go. This Yelp page chronicles 70 single-star complaints for Samsung's tech support and service. Huh. Maybe some renegade zombies are still in the building. Irony of ironies: While by all accounts Apple co-founder Steve Jobs was a loudmouthed tyrant with many of his employees, Apple is the top tech company on Zogby's list, and finished number 3 overall. Excellent ratings come in at 40%, and for Apple, the high marks likely have a lot to do with how consumers also rate the products, Zogby's points out. But the company also leaped from 10th in 2014, in part a sign of how well it treats its employees,who in turn work with customers. Also, chalk up the superior customer service to its very retail presence: When an Apple computer or iPhone dies, you're empowered to take care of the problem in person at an Apple Genius Bar, a feat you can't perform with most computer makes. A repeat visitor to the Zobgby's list, Trader Joe's has taken its goofy-yet-lovable vibe to the masses, and the customers love it. You can stop a busy employee in the midst of stocking shelves, ask them a dumb question about finding Cheddar Rockets crackers, and they'll escort you across the store to find it and take 10 minutes in the back to locate it if they're fresh out. Cashiers routinely pull people out of long lines when their registers open. As for the funky shirts, a company spokesperson puts it this way: "We're traders on the culinary seas, searching the world over for cool items to bring home to our customers. And when we return home, we think grocery shopping should be fun, not another chore." Ahoy, shoppers! While today's high-tech era has reduced much of company interaction to a pile of ones and zeros, some places still take pride in treating customers as number one. And we mustn't take that for granted, really: The next time you get superior treatment, tell the company rep how much you appreciated it and how they made a difference. You'll make that person's day, and those warm words of gratitude could just pay it forward to the next worried customer in line. Readers, where have you experienced amazing customer service? Let us know in the comments below. At the back of a humid bus traveling near the Costa Rica-Panama border in 2010, an idea struck Chase Adam. It began when a woman walked down the bus aisle, begging every person on board to make a donation to fund her sons medical bills. Adams first thought was to turn away. But the woman carried a red folder filled with her sons health records for anyone to peruse. Almost everyone on the bus, he said, ended up forking over spare change. The notion of a community coming together to fund a strangers health, Adam said, lit a fire in him. He was working for the Peace Corps in Costa Rica at the time, and when he got back to his hut, he started drawing up business plans to scale and technologize what he saw on the bus. He named the nonprofit that materialized from the months of planning after the town the bus had been traveling through, Watsi. I couldnt for the life of me figure out why no one had done this, Adam said in a recent interview in Watsis South of Market office. On the most basic level, Watsi is crowdfunded medical care the Kickstarter or Kiva of the health sector for impoverished people in 22 developing countries throughout the world. Treatments funded by Watsi donations must cost less than $1,500 and have a high probability of success. Another requirement is that the conditions, if left untreated, would severely impact the patients quality of life. Directly covering costs Donations of as little as $5 can go toward the costs of treating an infants brain swelling or a womans cervical cancer or any of the other procedures almost 7,000 patients have used Watsi for since it went live in 2012. The nonprofit guarantees that 100 percent of the donations go directly to the patients medical costs. Donors get updates on the patient even on the rare occasions procedures dont go as planned and can inspect Watsis financials at a granular level uncommon in the nonprofit world. Peter Dasilva/Special to The Chronicle People are more likely to give if they can see and understand where their money goes, Adam said. Thats our hypothesis, and I think were proving it. Youngest finalist At age 29, Adam is the youngest finalist for the second annual Visionary of the Year award, sponsored by The Chronicle and St. Marys College. He shies away from the title co-founder and redirects praise to Watsis investors, mentors and 11 other employees. Adam proudly said that he and co-founder Grace Garey decided to hire only people who were smarter than they are, who hired even smarter people. So by default we should be the least intelligent people in the whole organization, Adam said. With three months worth of savings, Adam quit his day job soon after Watsi opened to focus on it full time. He just kept developing the idea and never let it go, said his mother, Kim Adam. When Chase took that leap, he knew I could give him a bed, but that was it. Others soon followed suit, quitting their jobs to join the nonprofit. SV Angel founder Ron Conway, who invests in early-stage startups, including Watsi, nominated Adam for the Visionary award because, he said, the nonprofit is creating global impact at the same level as Facebook, Google or Twitter. Hes the Mark Zuckerberg of nonprofit leaders, Conway said. We need to honor these social entrepreneurs the way we honor company builders. A Marin native, Adam attended UC Santa Barbara but spent the bulk of his time traveling or volunteering, he said. When he graduated, he went straight to Haiti to work for a microfinance organization. While there, he began a micronutrients program in which loan officers going door to door through the community handed out vitamins as they went. We would always bring this first-aid kit with us, and half the time we were playing doctor and nurse, Adam said. Someone would have an insanely infected cut on their foot, like if it werent treated it would be amputated, and they just needed some antibiotics. Lack of bureaucracy Watsi the first nonprofit to go through Y Combinator, a kind of prestigious boot camp for startups is a tech product at its core, Adam said. And its not exactly revolutionizing the traditional health funding model: pooling money and disbursing it to hospitals to pay for medical expenses. But what makes Watsi unique in the global health care sector, its backers say, is its absence of bureaucracy and intense focus on efficiency and data analysis. This isnt something thats new the dynamic of people supporting other people when they need help, Garey said. But the Internet can be applied as a massive lever and democratize access. Last year was Watsis biggest yet, funneling $1.67 million from nearly 8,000 donors double the amount it saw in 2014. The goal, Adam said, is to double contributions every year. But ultimately, Adam doesnt care if Watsi survives indefinitely. Its the underlying technology he hopes governments, companies or nongovernmental organizations adopt to streamline their health funding processes and, someday, establish a universal health care system. Kimberly Veklerov is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. E-mail: kveklerov@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @kveklerov Visionary of the Year award This is one of eight profiles of nominees for The Chronicles second annual Visionary of the Year award, which is presented in collaboration with St. Marys Colleges School of Economics and Business Administration. The honor salutes leaders who strive to make the world a better place and drive social and economic change by employing new, innovative business models and practices. The eight finalists were nominated by a distinguished committee that included Evan Marwell, CEO and co-founder of the nonprofit group Education SuperHighway; Pam Baer, founder and CEO of For Goodness Sake, a nonprofit foundation that created an e-commerce site to connect consumers with curated brands and nonprofits; Ron Conway, an angel investor and philanthropist; Ben Fong-Torres, a noted rock journalist, author and broadcaster; Pamela Joyner, founder of the strategic marketing consulting company Avid Partners LLC; Zhan Li, dean of St. Marys School of Economics and Business Administration; and John Diaz, The Chronicles editorial page editor. Chronicle Publisher Jeff Johnson, Editor in Chief Audrey Cooper and Diaz will select the winner, which will be announced during a March 29 ceremony. To read more, go to www.sfgate.com/visionsf. MANAMA, Bahrain Four U.S. journalists arrested in Bahrain while covering the anniversary of the island nations 2011 uprising were charged, released and flew out of the country Tuesday, a lawyer said. Despite charging them, Bahraini officials allowed them to head for the airport, apparently after the intervention of the U.S. Embassy in Manama. Bahrain is the home of the U.S. Navys 5th Fleet, which patrols the Persian Gulf and surrounding waterways crucial to the global oil trade. But their arrest and charges highlight the sensitivity the kingdom still feels five years after the uprising, as low-level unrest and protests continue. The journalists left a police station after meeting with prosecutors and headed straight for Bahrain International Airport, which they flew out of Tuesday night, said lawyer Mohammed al-Jishi. Authorities kept their cameras and computers, al-Jishi said. The reporters had been held since their arrests Sunday while covering protests in Sitra, a Shiite community outside the capital, Manama. Bahrain police initially said they detained the four Americans on Sunday for providing false information that they were tourists and also alleged that one took part in an attack on Bahraini officers. In a statement Tuesday, Manamas chief prosecutor Nawaf al-Awadi said the journalists possession of cameras and computers sparked their investigation. It said the journalists were freed pending the completion of the investigation. An Arabic version of the statement from al-Awadi said the journalists had been charged with illegally assembling with the intent to commit a crime. A later English version carried by the state-run Bahrain News Agency said they were charged with unlawful obstruction of vehicles and attending unlawful gatherings. The differences between the two could not be immediately reconciled. The nature of the journalists release suggests theyll probably be banned from returning to Bahrain. Only one of the four journalists has been identified so far, freelancer Anna Therese Day of Boise, Idaho. A friend of Days, Jesse Ayala, has said the journalists were simply doing their job and denied they took part in any illegal behavior. Day had previously contributed to the Huffington Post and the Daily Beast. Police said one of the journalists was a woman and three were men. On Sunday, police arrested a photographer working with the group, two witnesses said. Later that night, police surrounded the area with checkpoints and arrested the other three, they said. The witnesses spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of being arrested. Bahrain requires international journalists to obtain special media visas before entering to work. The island kingdom allows citizens of many countries, including the United States, to get a tourist visa on arrival. Obtaining a media visa takes several days, and activists say Bahrain has denied media visas for some journalists since the 2011 protests. The Committee to Protect Journalists in New York said at least six reporters are imprisoned by the kingdom over their work. CAIRO Boutros Boutros-Ghali, a veteran Egyptian diplomat who helped negotiate his countrys landmark peace deal with Israel but then clashed with the United States when he served a single term as U.N. secretary-general, died Tuesday. He was 93. Boutros-Ghali, the scion of a prominent Egyptian Christian political family, was the first U.N. chief from the African continent. He stepped into the post in 1992 at a time of dramatic world changes, with the collapse of the Soviet Union, the end of the Cold War and the beginning of a unipolar era dominated by the United States. His five years at the helm remain controversial. He worked to establish the U.N.s independence, particularly from the United States, at a time when the world body was increasingly called on to step into crises with peacekeeping forces, with limited resources. Some blame him for misjudgments in the failures to prevent genocides in Africa and the Balkans and mismanagement of reform in the world body. After years of frictions with the Clinton administration, the United States blocked his renewal in the post in 1996, making him the only U.N. secretary-general to serve a single term. He was replaced by Ghanaian Kofi Annan. In a U.N. Security Council session Tuesday, the 15 members held a moment of silence upon news of his death Tuesday in a hospital in the Egyptian capital. He had been admitted after suffering a broken pelvis, Egypts Al-Ahram newspaper reported last week. The mark he has left on the organization is indelible, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said. Ban pointed to Boutros-Ghalis landmark 1992 report An Agenda for Peace, a proposal for how the U.N. could respond to and prevent conflict. Many of his proposals are still used by the United Nations. In his farewell speech to the U.N., Boutros-Ghali said he had thought when he took the post that the time was right for the United Nations to play an effective role in a world no longer divided into warring Cold War camps. In a 2005 interview with the Associated Press, Boutros-Ghali called the 1994 massacre in Rwanda in which half a million Tutsis and moderate Hutus were killed in 100 days my worst failure at the United Nations. But he blamed the United States, Britain, France and Belgium for paralyzing action by setting impossible conditions for intervention. Then-U.S. President Bill Clinton and other world leaders were opposed to taking strong action to beef up U.N. peacekeepers in the tiny Central African nation or intervening to stop the massacres. His legacy was also stained by investigations into corruption in the United Nations oil-for-food program for Iraq, which he played a large role in creating. Three suspects in the probe were linked to him either by family relationship or friendship. After leaving the United Nations, Boutros-Ghali served from 1998 to 2002 as secretary-general of La Francophonie a grouping of French-speaking nations. In 2004, he was named the president of Egypts new human rights council, a body created by Hosni Mubarak amid U.S. pressure to adopt democratic reforms. MOGADISHU, Somalia He was a teacher at an Islamic school, known in his hometown in northwestern Somalia as a talkative, religious man with a sense of humor. He has also been identified as a suicide bomber who tried to bring down an airliner. Abdullahi Abdisalam Borleh boarded a plane Feb. 2 with a bomb, which exploded at 11,000 feet. The blast created a hole in the fuselage of the Airbus 321, just above the wing, and Borleh was blown out, his body falling to earth and landing in the Somali town of Balad. Borleh said he was going abroad for health reasons, according to Sheikh Mohamed Abdullahi, a mosque imam in Hargeisa near where Borleh was from, and who met with him in January. Abdullahi estimated Borlehs age at between 50 and 52, described him as chatty, and said that he had a leg problem that required him to sometimes walk with a cane. He traveled to Mogadishu to obtain a passport to go to either Turkey or India for medical reasons, Abdullahi said. He was probably traveling overseas to straighten his leg. On Saturday, al-Shabab, Somalias Islamic extremist rebels, claimed responsibility for the attempt to destroy the plane with 81 passengers and crew aboard. The al Qaeda-linked group mocked efforts to prevent such attacks and threatened more to purify this Muslim land from the filth of the disbelievers. Despite all their security measures ... the mujahedeen can and will get to them, the group said. There are mounting signs that al-Shabab had inside help. A senior civil aviation security officer who supervised operations of screening machines at Mogadishu airport was one of 20 people arrested after he was seen on CCTV accompanying another man who handed the laptop believed to contain the bomb to Borleh after he had gone through security. The other man, identified as an airport employee, was also among those arrested. Borleh may also have had help from other official quarters. Officials are looking at a lead that runs straight to Somalias foreign ministry. Borleh was seen as very religious but not a firebrand in his northwestern town of Borama, far from the battlegrounds of al-Shabab, which operates mostly in southern Somalia. GENEVA The World Health Organization says it may be necessary to use controversial methods like genetically modified mosquitoes to wipe out the insects that are spreading the Zika virus across the Americas. The virus has been linked to a spike in babies born with abnormally small heads, or microcephaly, in Brazil and French Polynesia. The U.N. health agency has declared Zika a global emergency, even though there is no definitive proof it is causing the birth defects. Asked if we're at risk of a catastrophic fire here in Santa Fe, Porfirio Chavarria, wildland urban interface specialist for the city Fire Department, answered yes without hesitating. "We're talking about a fire that would burn at intensities that would burn complete landscapes down to mineral soil," Chavarria told city councilors. Chavarria was answering a question on Jan. 27 from Mayor Javier Gonzales, as the Santa Fe City Council debated before voting to officially designate the Greater Santa Fe Fire Shed as an area critical to the health and safety of city residents and a priority for efforts to reduce the ecological and economic threats of catastrophic fire. During that meeting, Chavarria described a fire that could wipe out the forest surrounding the city, as well as homes and hiking trails on its eastern fringe and the watershed that supplies much of the city's drinking water. The organic layers on the forest floorfallen pine needles, mosses and general nutrient basewould burn away, leaving only rock and sand. Snow and rainfall would then not be absorbed, but run off the bare soil, taking with it a river of debris and dirt. Something like that happens in Black Canyon, Chavarria said, and the road to the ski basin could be totally wiped out and take two or three years to rebuild. The official designation loops the fire shed into the 25-year Sustainable Santa Fe Plan and directs staff to find funding to support projects (though the fiscal impact report that's required when the city considers a policy has a box checked that says "no expected impact"). The key consequence of the resolution is that the city should see increased influence over federal, state and private dollars spent to manage the forests that directly affect the watershed and resident safety and recreation, according to the fiscal report. "The point of it is to give the city a bigger voice and to show our cooperators that this is a priority area and stymie some of the resistance that may occur in some of these areas regarding project proposals," Chavarria said. The city watershed, a sub-basin of the Rio Grande Watershed, has been protected since 1932 from human encroachment. In recent years, Forest Service personnel have undertaken major mitigation efforts like thinning and setting prescribed burns, particularly in the hillsides immediately surrounding the two reservoirs in the watershed. But past those boundaries, the city's say in how the forests are managed diminishes, as does management activity. The next step will be a National Environmental Policy Act analysis of the acres of surrounding forests, which cover multiple jurisdictions, to assess current conditions, to evaluate the effect of a wildfire today or in even drier conditions, and to prioritize areas for management activity, Chavarria later told SFR. "We only have NEPA [analysis] in the municipal watershedwhich makes sense, it's a very high priority areabut the surrounding area, there's no NEPA and no treatment on the horizon," says Eytan Krasilovsky, southwest regional director for Forest Stewards Guild. "So there's still a lot of risk out there both to the watershed and all the other values, the downstream values of people living in Tesuque in valley bottoms and all our recreation and ecotourism resources. That's what I'm worried about." The city joins state and federal partners in the National Wildfire Cohesive Strategy, a nationwide plan that focuses on creating resilient landscapes and fire-adapted communities and safer and more effective wildfire response. The state-level guiding document, the New Mexico Forest Restoration Principles, calls for reducing crown fires, restoring ecosystems and protecting watersheds and soil. "What we're trying to do here at the city in our wildland division is to protect homes and health and safety of the public, as well as our firefighters when they do respond to these large fires," Chavarria tells SFR. "And anything we can do to minimize the risk is a benefit to our city and to our department." In a slice of tree Krasilovsky carries with him, the number of times that tree burned and lived through a fire is recorded in the bark, like an autobiography written on the skin in scars. It's a story not only of individual resilience, but of the pattern of fire that landscape and ecosystem was made to endure. "About every 10 years, we should be having some kind of fire," Krasilovksy says. Fires have been shown to be a necessary for western forest health, but after nearly a century of government policies that called for wildfire suppression, forests have become over-crowded with trees, and that means if they do catch, they burn at higher temperatures and run out of control. The end result endangers homes, of course, but also the lives of wildland firefighters. In 2013, 31 firefighters died fighting brush, grass or wildland fires, including the 19 lost in one fire near Prescott, Ariz. "A lot of times, we're not taking about restoration anymore.We're talking about resilience. So while we're going to be restoring these forests to conditions that more closely resemble the conditions they had in the past, we know the climate future is uncertain, and insects, prolonged drought and wildfire are in our future at some point, so we want to make these forests resilient to those disturbances," says Krasilovsky. "That's not a large change, we still are doing similar things, but we're thinking about the future differently." From I-25 to Thompson Ridge, the forest stretches in one vast canopy, with a lot of potential ignition points, he says. A lightning strike there this summer, just by the grace of an unusually wet spring, avoided setting the whole strip of forest ablaze. "In a normal year, that fire would have run up to the ridge and been throwing embers into the watershed," Krasilovsky says. The Pacheco Fire went up Ravens Ridge in 2011, and the Tres Lagunas fire in 2013 made a run toward the upper part of the watershedboth were bullets dodged, he says, and a risk of fire equates to a risk to our lifestyle and economy. Downstream communities, like Tesuque, would be right in the newly defined flood plain. There's a huge amount of work to be done to prevent a crisis. Chavarria says the situation is just as dire as it was in 2011 for Las Conchas, a record-setting blaze in which the first 44,000 acres burned in 13 hours, a rate of almost an acre per second. "We have a similar forest, it's just on the other side of the valley," he tells SFR. "We have all the same elements that they had." Ongoing rehabilitation from that fire is still visible in Los Alamos, as is damage from flooding in Bandelier National Monument's Frijoles Canyon, threatening the visitor center and museum and damaging trails and infrastructure. A fire like that near Santa Fe would put structures in Tesuque and, for that matter, on Water Street, the historic path of the Santa Fe River before it was channelized, at risk of flooding. The reservoirs would be at risk of filling with sediment levels that could require closure to clean up. Hiking, biking and fishing spots would be blackened. A massive and costly effort to replant and reseed the forest, to restore the environment as much as possible, and rebuild lost infrastructure, would follow. But the management tools likely to come into play include prescribed burns, and that issue draws a lot of ire and angry emails, councilors observed during the meeting. As Councilor Joseph Maestas said during the City Council meeting, the word "fire shed" just "lit up my constituents." The hope is that framing this "fire shed" designation as an effort to protect the city's water supply will cool some of that response. In emails the councilor shared with SFR from some of those constituents, they question the science behind these choices and whose influence holds sway. "The language of the resolution ('Fire Shed ... Critical to the Health and Safety of the Citizens of Santa Fe ... Ecological and Economic Hazards') implies that our watershed (there is no such thing as a 'fire shed') is a hazard to be feared and burned rather than what it is: a natural, healthy riparian zone rich in wildlife. Decisions like this one should be made based on reason and science, not a politics of fear and money," wrote Cate Moses, who is involved with Once a Forest, an organization that opposes prescribed burns. "Destroying our watershed by fire and calling it 'restoration' is Orwellian doublespeak, not science. With the last two years' precipitation, our watershed is less likely to burn than it has been in decades. There is no science involved in the Forest Service's constant drumbeat warning of imminent catastrophic fire in our watershed. If no fire ignited there during our recent prolonged drought, why would one be more likely to ignite now? If it did ignite, why would the Forest Service not immediately put it out? Isn't that their job?" She raised further concerns for wildlife that might be trapped by and killed in fire, and she added that prescribed burns would increase risk for erosion and air pollution. Those who object to prescribed burns and argue that science is in disagreement about their efficacy point to a study by Mark Williams and William Baker. But what that research concludes is not that fire wasn't a part of the natural ecosystem in the American West, but that high-intensity fires were far more common than previously thought and may be necessary to resetting biodiversity. Milder controlled burns may not be enough to reset ecosystems and spur biodiversity, or prevent severe fires from following. But a rebuttal from Northern Arizona University's Ecological Restoration Institute that grouped responses from 18 forest ecologists disputed that conclusion, challenging that the researchers inaccurately inferred tree age from tree size, used a different standard for severe fires from the typical classification, and made "an unsupported leap in logic" in connecting tree diameters to previous fire severity. The question of signing on for prescribed burns again goes to City council during its March 9 meeting. Santa Fe Reporter While real-life New Mexicans scramble to find jobs in the state with the highest unemployment rate in the nation, it appears that Slippin Jimmy McGill (Bob Odenkirk) is headed to work at Davis and Manea fictional law firm in Santa Fefor the second season of Better Call Saul. Fans of the show got a hint about Santa Fes role in the AMC Networks hit program last April when McGill decided to head back west for an interview with the firms power player Clifford Mane (Ed Begley Jr.), after a weeklong hustling bender in Cicero, Il., that left his former con partner Marco (Mel Rodriguez) dead. But the City Different's real role in the series is dubious, as most of the scenes that take place in the city were actually filmed on an Albuquerque sound stage. Show developers Vince Gilligan and Peter Gould tell SFR this season will be even darker and more convoluted than last years quest, but they admit neither of them have figured out how McGill will transform into shady lawyer Saul Goodman. We thought that Jimmy McGill would become Saul Goodman a lot faster than he actually has, says Gould. Its taking longer because the shows writers are still discovering things about McGill that they love and fans are still rooting for the underdog who knows how to talk his way out of a jam. We expected the journey to be a straight line, but it turns out to have a lot more twists and turns than we ever expected, says Gould. Odenkirk tells SFR the emergence of his titular character remains a mystery even to him. Jimmys feelings of isolation and loneliness will be a big part of his characters mutation, says Odenkirk. Jimmy has gained confidence. Hes a lawyer now, not a criminal. He no longer needs the white-shoe law firms respect and realizes hell never get his brothers respect. Jimmy will start to recognize the skills he has and how he can manipulate things to his own personal benefit. When Odenkirk isnt rushing from scene to scene, hes having fun helping two local actors with reoccurring speaking roles on the show. Julian Bonfiglio, 22, who works as a waiter at Omira Grill when hes not on set, almost missed his chance to appear on his first network program. On the day Bonfiglio was scheduled to audition for a small speaking role, the former fashion model jumped on the wrong bus. Julian Bonfiglio (Peter St. Cyr) "It was the worst audition I ever had," Bonfiglio says. "I totally screwed it up." Fortunately, Bonfiglio had brought along his bike. He arrived for his audition just in time but completely drenched in sweat from the uphill pedal. He called Jody Black, his A&M Talent House agent, and remembers telling her he didnt think hed get a callback to play Sound Guy. When Bonfiglio learned hed made the cut and was needed for a costume fitting, he was at work at Chez Mamou in Santa Fe and remembered having to decide whether to finish his shift at the French bakery and lose the part or walk away to pursue his childhood dream of acting. It didnt take long before he removed his apron and headed out the door. Now, when there is free time on the set, Bonfiglio says Odenkirk, a former Saturday Night Live writer and Second City improv performer, shows him comedic falling techniques. The money Bonfiglio is earning, along with his first royalty checks, are helping to pay off his $1,000 Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists initiation fee and pay for Dustin Hoffmans online acting course. One of Bonfiglios acting mates, Santa Fe actor Brandon K Hampton, 25, is also counting his blessings after learning that his Season 1 character, Ernesto, is coming back for Season 2. The Texas native was first bit by the acting bug as an elementary student, when he was selected to read a school lunch menu on the air for a Houston television station. It wasnt long before he and several friends caught a bus to Austin and landed recurring roles on Friday Night Lights. Brandon Hampton (Peter St. Cyr) After the show ended, Hampton says he figured his odds of getting booked as an African-American male actor in New Mexico would be pretty good. His hunch proved to be rightwithin just a few months of relocating here, he landed a role as an FBI agent in USA Network's In Plain Sight with Mary McCormick, and he appeared in two episodes before the series wrapped. When hes not working on Better Call Saul or New Mexico independent films, Hampton has earned credits working on several big-budget films, including director Roland Emmerichs Independence Day: Resurgence and in Whiskey-Tango-Foxtrot with Tina Fey, which were both filmed in New Mexico last year. Santa Fe Reporter The government will deliver its annual budget statement on Thursday, May 26, Finance Minister Bill English has announced. Budget 2016 will be English's eighth since the election of the National Party-led government in 2008 and is expected to forecast a small fiscal deficit, according to last December's budget policy statement. The budget would focus on "delivering policies that support more jobs, higher incomes and opportunities for New Zealanders," said English. "While there are a number of positive signs in the domestic economy, there is still a lot of work to do. "There will be no let-up in the Governments ongoing commitment to spending restraint after achieving a surplus in 2014/15," although the BPS forecast a slide back to deficit in the current fiscal year after last year's wafer-thin $414 million surplus - the first since the year to June 2007, before the global financial crisis and Canterbury earthquakes punched holes in the government's accounts, peaking at an $18.4 billion deficit in 2011. In his speech to open the 2016 Parliament, Prime Minister John Key warned that lower growth forecasts would reduce anticipated tax revenues by $17 billion over five years, but the government remained committed to delivering tax cuts. The BPS included a $2.5 billion new spending allowance for the 2017 election year budget, up from $1 billion for Budget 2016 and falling again to $1.5 billion in 2017/18 and 2018/19. BusinessDesk.co.nz Comments from our readers No comments yet Add your comment: Your name: Your email: Not displayed to the public Comment: Comments to Sharechat go through an approval process. Comments which are defamatory, abusive or in some way deemed inappropriate will not be approved. It is allowable to use some form of non-de-plume for your name, however we recommend real email addresses are used. Comments from free email addresses such as Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail, etc may not be approved. Anti-spam verification: Type the text you see in the image into the field below. You are asked to do this in order to verify that this enquiry is not being performed by an automated process. Related News: Mainfreight Investor Day / Market Update GFI - Greenfern - Offer closes 27th Oct MCY - Quarterly Operational Update VCT - Operational performance for the 3 months ended 30 Sept 2022 NZL - Forestry Estate Acquisition October 21st Morning Report Air New Zealand Limited Retail Bond Offer Books Close Spark welcomes C-band spectrum allocation AIA - 2022 Annual Meeting Chair & Chief Executive Addresses MOVE Completes Purchase of Vessel for Trans-Tasman Service Zespri International, the kiwifruit marketer and exporter, has put the new Gold3 variety at the centre of its five-year plan and intends to make a major marketing push to cement it as a premium product selling for 20-to-40 percent more than the green or Hayward kiwifruit. The Gold3 fruit is more resistant to the Pseudomonas syringae pv actinadiae bacteria, better known as Psa, and was commercialised by Zespri in 2010. It is marketed internationally under the name of SunGold. Gold volumes are expected to rise to more than 60 million trays by 2020 from 32 million trays in 2015, with the bulk of the increase being Gold3, according to Zespri's five year outlook published today. Zespri said its strategy will focus on finding the premium price point in each market, and then driving sales using marketing rather than price reductions. Demand for gold kiwifruit from non-New Zealand supply is expected to increase by more than 400 percent to 17.4 million trays in 2020/21 from 3.9 million trays in 2015/16. However, growers are being warned that Gold3 is still a new variety and the company is still learning about early supply, storage and the ideal conditioning regimes. At the moment there are also no other high quality gold competing kiwifruit produced by rivals, but Zespri warns that could change, making product differentiation more difficult. In the organic market, Zespri is again planning to focus more on the Gold3 kiwifruit. It said organic Gold3 will increase to 2.3 million trays in 2020/21, up from 0.5 million trays in 2015/16. Production of organic green is expected to reduce to 3.5 million trays from 3.9 million trays over the same period. Zespri said the future of its sweet green or green 14 Kiwifruit is unclear and there will be a thorough review of the product at the end of the 2016/17 season. Retailers are reluctant to provide space for a second green kiwifruit on the shelves and customers often can't tell the difference between it and the Hayward kiwifruit, however Zespri plans to market the product on TV and internet home shopping in China to try to build a market there, it said. Looking globally, Zespri said the industry faces a number of challenges in the future. It warns kiwifruit production costs in New Zealand are twice as much as in Chile, while China is on track to become an exporter of kiwifruit and a competitor to all kiwifruit growing nations. Zespri is looking to source supply from within China and developing supply partnerships to underpin a long-term business, it said. BusinessDesk.co.nz Comments from our readers No comments yet Add your comment: Your name: Your email: Not displayed to the public Comment: Comments to Sharechat go through an approval process. Comments which are defamatory, abusive or in some way deemed inappropriate will not be approved. It is allowable to use some form of non-de-plume for your name, however we recommend real email addresses are used. Comments from free email addresses such as Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail, etc may not be approved. Anti-spam verification: Type the text you see in the image into the field below. You are asked to do this in order to verify that this enquiry is not being performed by an automated process. Related News: Mainfreight Investor Day / Market Update GFI - Greenfern - Offer closes 27th Oct MCY - Quarterly Operational Update VCT - Operational performance for the 3 months ended 30 Sept 2022 NZL - Forestry Estate Acquisition October 21st Morning Report Air New Zealand Limited Retail Bond Offer Books Close Spark welcomes C-band spectrum allocation AIA - 2022 Annual Meeting Chair & Chief Executive Addresses MOVE Completes Purchase of Vessel for Trans-Tasman Service Tenon, the Taupo-based wood processing, marketing and distribution company, has tripled first-half net profit mainly due to the improving US economy driving the American housing market recovery. Net profit was US$6 million for the six months ended Dec. 31, compared to US$2 million in the previous corresponding period, the NZX-listed company said in a statement. Tenon, which sells most of its wood mouldings in the US, was formerly known as Fletcher Forests when spun out of the old Fletcher Challenge conglomerate in 2001. Revenue was up 5 percent to US$210 million in the first half, with its dependence on the North American market increasing. The US accounted for US$188 million of revenue and Australasia for just US$22 million compared to US$178 million and US$31 million respectively in the first half of last year. Foreign exchange losses, which were up 70 per cent on the same time last year, and US$1.8 million in costs associated with its strategic review, reduced earnings before income and tax from US$12 million to US$10 million. Last year Tenon hired Deutsche Craigs and Deutsche Bank to review the gap between its value and the companys share price, now at $2.55. Chief executive Luke Moriarty said in a letter to shareholders today that the review was not yet at the point where it could formally announce any conclusions on the process. However, we can say that it remains on track for an announcement in Q2 of this calendar year, he said. He made no mention of talk last year that the review had sparked buyer interest. Tenon is nearly 60 percent controlled by forest research business Rubicon which NBR reported is appealing a December US court ruling that found it jointly liable to pay damages and costs of US$53 million to nine employees of Arborgen, its other investment in which it has a near 32 percent stake. Moriarty said the first-half results are a continuation of the recovery in Tenons earnings driven by on-going growth in the US and the commissioning of two capital upgrades at its New Zealand manufacturing plant. Tenon has already indicated that its target for the current fiscal year is to produce earnings before income, tax, depreciation, and amortisation in excess of US$20 million, excluding project costs and foreign exchange hedging contract losses. Our first-half result puts us well on track to comfortably meet this goal, Moriarty said. Woolworths announcement last month that its struggling Masters home improvement chain in Australia would be wound down or sold wont be material to Tenons earnings although it provides product and services to the chain, he said. Last year Tenon resumed dividend payments and will pay an interim dividend for the 2016 year of 5.75 cents per shares, a 15 percent increase on last years 5 cent final dividend. The record date is March 29 and it will be payable on Apr. 4. BusinessDesk.co.nz Comments from our readers No comments yet Add your comment: Your name: Your email: Not displayed to the public Comment: Comments to Sharechat go through an approval process. Comments which are defamatory, abusive or in some way deemed inappropriate will not be approved. It is allowable to use some form of non-de-plume for your name, however we recommend real email addresses are used. Comments from free email addresses such as Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail, etc may not be approved. Anti-spam verification: Type the text you see in the image into the field below. You are asked to do this in order to verify that this enquiry is not being performed by an automated process. Related News: Mainfreight Investor Day / Market Update GFI - Greenfern - Offer closes 27th Oct MCY - Quarterly Operational Update VCT - Operational performance for the 3 months ended 30 Sept 2022 NZL - Forestry Estate Acquisition October 21st Morning Report Air New Zealand Limited Retail Bond Offer Books Close Spark welcomes C-band spectrum allocation AIA - 2022 Annual Meeting Chair & Chief Executive Addresses MOVE Completes Purchase of Vessel for Trans-Tasman Service Foley Family Wines, the NZAX-listed company majority owned by US businessman Bill Foley, says profits rose sharply in the six months through December, mainly driven by a jump in exports to the United States. The company operates a range of brands including Grove Mill, Sanctuary and Te Kairanga. Net profit jumped to $1.6 million in the six months ended Dec. 31 from $400,000 a year earlier, the company said in a statement. Sales rose 12 percent to $17.4 million. Packaged export case sales were up 42 percent and the company said it has had strong interest from China. Foley sold 60,995 cases of wine to the US during the second half of 2015, an increase of 43 percent on a year earlier. That's more wine that it sold domestically in New Zealand, where it sold 60,000 cases, a drop of 12 percent. Chief Executive Mark Turnbull said this reflected "the highly competitive nature of the domestic New Zealand market and the carry-through of wine from the large 2014 vintage for some wineries leading to aggressive domestic pricing". NZ's wine exports reached a record high of $1.54 billion in 2015, up 14 percent according to figures from the trade body, New Zealand Winegrowers. Sales to the USA rose 26 percent to $430 million, Canada was up 18 percent and the UK up 12 percent. This was partly driven by the lower kiwi dollar which made New Zealand wine cheaper in overseas markets. Shares in Foley Family Wines recently traded at $1.42 and have fallen 4 percent in the last year, valuing the company at $74.1 million. BusinessDesk.co.nz Comments from our readers No comments yet Add your comment: Your name: Your email: Not displayed to the public Comment: Comments to Sharechat go through an approval process. Comments which are defamatory, abusive or in some way deemed inappropriate will not be approved. It is allowable to use some form of non-de-plume for your name, however we recommend real email addresses are used. Comments from free email addresses such as Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail, etc may not be approved. Anti-spam verification: Type the text you see in the image into the field below. You are asked to do this in order to verify that this enquiry is not being performed by an automated process. Related News: Mainfreight Investor Day / Market Update GFI - Greenfern - Offer closes 27th Oct MCY - Quarterly Operational Update VCT - Operational performance for the 3 months ended 30 Sept 2022 NZL - Forestry Estate Acquisition October 21st Morning Report Air New Zealand Limited Retail Bond Offer Books Close Spark welcomes C-band spectrum allocation AIA - 2022 Annual Meeting Chair & Chief Executive Addresses MOVE Completes Purchase of Vessel for Trans-Tasman Service Prof. Kam Wing Chan Their population has grown to more than 60 million; half of them are between age 6 and 14. They are left behind because their parents have gone to work in the city, often hundreds of miles away from home. A presentation by Prof. Kam Wing Chan, Geography Department, University of Washington on Thursday evening explains how Chinas special, incomplete urbanization policy and the hukou (household registration) system function in concert to produce a generation of left-behind children and migrant children, and their implications. Thursday, February 18, 7pm, PUB Room 9208, Shoreline Community College, 16101 Greenwood Ave N, Shoreline 98155 (campus maps). Admission to the event is free and the community is welcomed. Parking is free in the evenings. Presented by the Global Affairs Center at Shoreline Community College, directed by Larry Fuell. Lacking day-to-day parental care and close guidance, the left-behind children face many problems and many of them get into trouble. Some develop psychological problems; others fall victims to bullying, physical or sexual abuse, or even serious accidents.A presentation by Prof. Kam Wing Chan, Geography Department, University of Washington on Thursday evening explains how Chinas special, incomplete urbanization policy and the(household registration) system function in concert to produce a generation of left-behind children and migrant children, and their implications. In China, a new generation of children is growing up in the countryside with only one or no parent around during most of the time of the year. They are called left-behind children. Foreign Affairs Minister Stephane Dion (L) and P.M. Justin Trudeau (R) It's not exactly a pardon from the governor, but the Liberal government says it will automatically plead for the lives of Canadians sentenced to death in the United States and any other country abroad. Foreign Affairs Minister Stephane Dion announced the change on Monday as he met with the United Nations' top human rights official. The move effectively reverses 1 of the previous Conservative government's earliest and most contentious foreign policies. Dion also revealed plans to travel to Geneva at the end of the month to address the UN Human Rights Council, as Canada looks to re-engage with - and, some hope, help reform - its troubled human rights system. Successive Canadian governments had automatically sought clemency for Canadians sentenced to death by a foreign court. But that came to an end in 2007, when the Conservative government said it would begin asking for clemency on a case-by-case basis. The Conservatives said Canadians who commit crimes such as murder in a democratic country that adheres to the rule of law should not count on the government to help. Human rights groups and opposition parties said the Conservatives were effectively condoning the death penalty, which Canada abolished in 1976. In an interview Monday, Dion accused the Conservatives of "sending the message that Canada was not very sure we were against the death penalty, because we were ready to accept the death penalty under some circumstances. We were picking and choosing." In order to be able to maximize the possibility that you will get clemency for some, you need to ask for clemency for all. Aside from running contrary to domestic policy in Canada, Dion said the Conservatives' position made it more difficult to successfully advocate for clemency in those situations when the government decided to act. "Our credibility to be able to get clemency was negatively affected," he said. "In order to be able to maximize the possibility that you will get clemency for some, you need to ask for clemency for all." Dion was extremely critical of capital punishment during the interview. Aside from the risk of innocent people being mistakenly sentenced to die, he said the death penalty "is not something that should be done in a civilized society, because a civilized society is looking for justice and not vengeance." Some will interpret that as criticism of the U.S. But Dion defended his comment, noting that "many Americans will agree with me." He added that the majority of states don't execute inmates. While the death penalty is legal in 31 states, moratoriums are in place in 20. Alex Neve, the head of Amnesty International Canada, applauded the government's move, calling it a "renewal" of Canada's commitment to human rights abroad. He said the 1st beneficiary should be Ronald Smith, an Alberta man on death row in Montana whose case was directly affected by the Tories' policy. Dion also announced that Canada will be redoubling its support for the UN's controversial human rights system, as he hosted UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein. It was the 1st such visit by the UN's top human rights official since 2006. The United Nations is not a perfect institution ... But in order to improve the situation, Canada must be there. Canada will contribute $15 million over 3 years to help UN Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, which Al Hussein heads, investigate and report on human rights violations abroad. That is about double what Canada has given each year since 2013. Dion also said he plans to travel to Geneva at the end of the month to address the UN Human Rights Council (UNHCR), which has been steeped in controversy since it was established in 2006. Ostensibly the UN's leading organization for advancing human rights abroad, the council came under fire in September after members elected Saudi Arabia as its chair. The council has also spent a disproportionate amount of time and energy condemning Israel, while ignoring human rights violations elsewhere. "The United Nations is not a perfect institution," Dion acknowledged. "There are shortcomings everywhere, including with this human rights institution. But in order to improve the situation, Canada must be there. This idea that if it's not what we want, we'll pull out, has been a mistake that we need to stop." Shimon Fogel, head of the Centre for Jewish and Israel Affairs, said his organization remains deeply concerned about the council's "skewed and politicized character." He urged the government to adopt an "aggressive initiative," with Canada leading efforts to reform the UN's entire human right system. "We would hope and expect that (Dion) would set out the necessary steps to bring the UNHCR to a new, credible level of contributing to international peace and universal respect for human rights," Fogel said, "thereby earning the confidence of those who truly care about the protection of those rights." Ssource: National Post, February 16, 2016 Welcome to Utah Utah has filed 110 Aggravated Murder cases in the last 11 years, but has achieved only one execution, and only 1 new death sentence in that time. In 2012 the Utah Legislature's Fiscal Analyst's Office completed a study comparing the cost of a typical Aggravated Murder case in which the death penalty was sought and obtained, with the costs of an Aggravated Murder case in which the death penalty was never sought and a sentence of Life Without Possibility of Parole (LWOP) was obtained. That study determined that the additional cost of just one case ending in execution was about $1.6 million more than 1 LWOP case. As striking as the $1.6 million number is, it is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the cost of the death penalty. Only 10% of an iceberg is visible above the water line. If you are measuring the size of the iceberg you must count the full mass of the iceberg. The same is true of the cost of the death penalty. The full cost of achieving 1 execution, or "cost per execution," must include the costs incurred in all the other death-eligible cases that do not result in execution. Utah has filed 110 Aggravated Murder cases in the last 11 years, but has achieved only one execution, and only one new death sentence in that time. These other death-eligible cases may not result in execution for several reasons: They may be resolved by plea bargain before trial, or the defendant may not be convicted of Aggravated Murder at trial, or the jury may vote for a sentence other than death. But, the extra expenses begin mounting as soon as counsel is appointed in each potential death penalty case. For example, in 2015, Washington State found that the additional cost per case to the state for a death penalty case was $1 million. Then, adding in the estimated costs incurred in all the death-eligible cases that did not result in execution, and dividing that total amount by the 5 executions Washington had since 1976, resulted in a cost per execution of about $24 million. That is 24 times the additional costs of one capital case. Similarly, a 2008 study in Maryland found that the additional cost per case for a case resulting in a death sentence was about $2 million more per case than when the death penalty was not sought. Then, adding in the estimated costs incurred in all of the death-eligible cases that did not result in execution, and dividing that total amount by the 5 executions Maryland had since 1976, resulted in a cost per execution of $37.2 million. That is 18.6 times the additional costs of one capital case. Utah's statistics are similar to those of Washington and Maryland. Utah has had only 7 executions since 1976. Utah's 2012 cost analysis reasonably estimated that the additional cost per case to prosecute a case to execution is $1.6 million, which is right in the middle of the additional cost per case estimates of Maryland ($2 million) and Washington ($1 million). Now, even if Utah's multiple for death-eligible cases not ending in execution were only half that of Washington and Maryland, say 10, then Utah's estimated cost per execution would be over $16 million per execution. Moreover, not only is the death penalty shockingly expensive, it is also grossly ineffective. The State very rarely achieves an execution. As noted, Utah has filed 110 Aggravated Murder cases in the last 11 years, but has achieved only 1 execution and 1 new death sentence in that time. Would we accept a Fire Department that only showed up at only 1 of every 110 fires? Would we tolerate a Roads Department that fixed only 1 of every 110 potholes? What is the point of paying for the death penalty system if the prosecutions almost never result in executions? Another important "cost" of the death penalty is a human one. When the State seeks the death penalty, the families of the murder victims have to wait decades for the cases, including appeals, to come to an end. And, for the vast majority, those cases never do end in an execution. But when the death penalty is not sought, none of the costs or delays associated with a death case are incurred. The families get swift and sure justice. And for the most dangerous murderers, an LWOP sentence ensures that the murderer will never leave prison. Utah policymakers should apply that same prudent analysis as they did with last year's Justice Reinvestment Initiative, and cut out these wasteful costs by eliminating the death penalty. A sentence of LWOP provides swift and sure justice to the families of victims. And the millions saved by eliminating wasteful death penalty prosecutions could be invested in more productive crime prevention measures, or returned to taxpayers in the form of a tax cut. Source: Deseret News , Opinion by Ralph Dellapiana, Feb. 16, 2016. Mr. Dellapiana is Director of Utahns for Alternatives to the Death Penalty. Lawmaker wants to abolish death penalty in conservative Utah Utah's House of Representatives A Republican lawmaker wants Utah to join 19 states and the District of Columbia in abolishing the death penalty, but supporters acknowledge that it's a long shot in the conservative state. Sen. Steve Urquhart of St. George said Wednesday that the delays and costs associated with executions make it an ineffective punishment. His proposal has not yet been unveiled, but he said he is not sure the government should be in the business of killing people. "We understand that government is not perfect. And that realization to take upon ourselves the godlike power of life and death - that's something we should really think about," he said. Urquhart knows there is strong support for capital punishment in Utah, but he said its expense and the chance of wrongful convictions might resonate with his libertarian and conservative colleagues. A panel of state lawmakers debated the issue in October, weighing whether a repeal would be the most moral and cost-effective path. They didn't take action but brought up a 2012 legislative report that estimated each capital punishment case costs taxpayers about $1.7 million more than a life sentence. The number was based on the assumption that each inmate spends about 20 years on death row appealing their sentence. The state's last execution was in 2010, and the 9 inmates on death row are all years away from exhausting their appeals. "In Utah, we almost don't have a death penalty because it happens so infrequently," said Republican Rep. Stephen Handy, who opposes execution. Handy of Layton called it an important discussion to have but said he doesn't think it will go anywhere this year. Republican Gov. Gary Herbert said in October that he's a strong supporter of capital punishment but it should only be used for "the most heinous of crimes." Herbert signed a law last year that bolstered the state's execution policy by ordering that a firing squad be used if lethal injection drugs cannot be obtained. Urquhart acknowledged that he voted in favor of the firing squad bill, saying that because Utah has capital punishment on the books, "firing squad is as quick and effective as any means." He said his proposal would allow executions to go forward for the nine people on death row now but remove it as an option for any new convictions. He said he doesn't want to interfere with those pending cases out of concern it will cause further pain for the victims' families. Providing a sense of justice for victims and their families is a reason to keep the death penalty, said Republican Sen. Lyle Hillyard of Logan. He said he would oppose Urquhart's proposal. Democratic Sen. Luz Escamilla of Salt Lake City said she would support Urquhart's proposal but didn't know where her Democratic colleagues stood and whether their support might help it pass the Republican-controlled Legislature. Urquhart said he's been discussing it with his colleagues and thinks it may pass the Senate. "If you're betting, bet against it," he said. "But I'm kind of optimistic. We are a libertarian state and that leads us to do some interesting things at times." Source: Associated Press, Feb. 16, 2016 A Republican lawmaker wants Utah to join 19 states and the District of Columbia in abolishing the death penalty, but supporters acknowledge that it's a long shot in the conservative state.Sen. Steve Urquhart of St. George said Wednesday that the delays and costs associated with executions make it an ineffective punishment. His proposal has not yet been unveiled, but he said he is not sure the government should be in the business of killing people."We understand that government is not perfect. And that realization to take upon ourselves the godlike power of life and death - that's something we should really think about," he said.Urquhart knows there is strong support for capital punishment in Utah, but he said its expense and the chance of wrongful convictions might resonate with his libertarian and conservative colleagues.A panel of state lawmakers debated the issue in October, weighing whether a repeal would be the most moral and cost-effective path. They didn't take action but brought up a 2012 legislative report that estimated each capital punishment case costs taxpayers about $1.7 million more than a life sentence.The number was based on the assumption that each inmate spends about 20 years on death row appealing their sentence.The state's last execution was in 2010, and the 9 inmates on death row are all years away from exhausting their appeals."In Utah, we almost don't have a death penalty because it happens so infrequently," said Republican Rep. Stephen Handy, who opposes execution.Handy of Layton called it an important discussion to have but said he doesn't think it will go anywhere this year.Republican Gov. Gary Herbert said in October that he's a strong supporter of capital punishment but it should only be used for "the most heinous of crimes." Herbert signed a law last year that bolstered the state's execution policy by ordering that a firing squad be used if lethal injection drugs cannot be obtained.Urquhart acknowledged that he voted in favor of the firing squad bill, saying that because Utah has capital punishment on the books, "firing squad is as quick and effective as any means."He said his proposal would allow executions to go forward for the nine people on death row now but remove it as an option for any new convictions. He said he doesn't want to interfere with those pending cases out of concern it will cause further pain for the victims' families.Providing a sense of justice for victims and their families is a reason to keep the death penalty, said Republican Sen. Lyle Hillyard of Logan. He said he would oppose Urquhart's proposal.Democratic Sen. Luz Escamilla of Salt Lake City said she would support Urquhart's proposal but didn't know where her Democratic colleagues stood and whether their support might help it pass the Republican-controlled Legislature.Urquhart said he's been discussing it with his colleagues and thinks it may pass the Senate."If you're betting, bet against it," he said. "But I'm kind of optimistic. We are a libertarian state and that leads us to do some interesting things at times."Source: Associated Press, Feb. 16, 2016 WASHINGTON: The US and ASEAN nations can advance a shared vision of a regional order where disputes are resolved through peaceful means, President Barack Obama has said as he welcomed leaders from the region for talks expected to discuss Chinese assertiveness in the South China Sea. Hosting 19 leaders of the ASEAN countries for the summit, Obama said, "Few regions present more opportunity to the 21st century than the Asia Pacific." "Together, we can also continue to increase our security cooperation to meet shared challenges," he said as he welcomed leaders of Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Brunei, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar and Cambodia at Rancho Mirage in California. In recent years, the US has increased its maritime security assistance to its allies and partners in the region, improving mutual capabilities to protect lawful commerce and to respond to humanitarian crisis, he said. "Here at this summit, we can advance our shared vision of a regional order where international rules and norms, including freedom of navigation, are upheld and where disputes are resolved through peaceful, legal means," Obama said. This is for the first time that the US President has hosted ASEAN leaders for a summit meeting. Chinese assertiveness in the South China Sea, where China and several Southeast Asian states have conflicting and overlapping claims, is expected to figure in the joint declaration of two-day summit. "I'm very confident that, among other topics that we will discuss during the next day and a half, this (the South China Sea) will be an important one -- by no means the only one," National Security Advisor Susan Rice told reporters "I'm confident that our shared commitment to upholding these norms will be reinforced," she said in response to a question. "We will be continuing to work with our ASEAN partners on a potential statement that we might issue together. This statement will cover a wide range of topics. It won't be focused primarily on the South China Sea," she said in response to a question. "We obviously have issued such statements in the past with ASEAN, and in it we consistently underscore our shared commitment to a peaceful resolution of disputes, freedom of commerce and navigation, the rule of law, and the necessity of disputes being resolved through peaceful, legal means," Rice said. "We also have expressed concerns about efforts to resolve disputes through other means, and we'll continue to do so," she said. Observing that America's ties with Asia has expanded dramatically in the seven year of the Obama Administration, Rice said ASEAN is an increasingly important partner in addressing regional and global challenges -- from maritime disputes to climate change, pandemic disease to violent extremism, sustainable development to trafficking in persons. During the summit, she said, the leaders would discuss their shared interest in promoting innovation and entrepreneurship, encouraging peaceful resolution of disputes, and combatting terrorism, pandemic disease, climate change, and trafficking in persons. All countries were represented by their leader, except Myanmar, who sent Vice President Nyan Tun. Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung also turned up, reversing an earlier decision not to come. Rice said North Korea is a topic of interest to the entire region, certainly to the US and its allies in Japan and the Republic of Korea. "So we will continue our work to contain and reduce the threat posed by North Korea. We'll do it both in the context of our discussions here on the margins -- this is not a topic formally on the agenda -- but more urgently, as we have done bilaterally and trilaterally in our cooperation with the Korean government in Seoul and Japanese government as well," she said. Read Also: Bodies of 9 Siachen Soldiers Brought to Delhi Human Labour may be Obsolete by 2045 UNITED NATIONS: India has hit out at the UN Security Council over its current structure and methods of work, saying the 15-member powerful world body is divorced from reality and represents a bygone era warranting reform. It is ironical that the Security Council is working towards the establishment of democracy and Rule of Law in various parts of the world when its own house is not in order, Indias Ambassador to the UN Syed Akbaruddin said. The current structure and methods of work of the Security Council are divorced from reality and represent a bygone era, he told the UNSC yesterday. Akbaruddin said that to regain its legitimacy there is no option but for the Security Council to reform. The terse remarks were made by Akbaruddin during an open debate Respect to the Principles and Purposes of the Charter of the United Nations as Key Element for the Maintenance of International Peace and Security at the UN Security Council. We hope it does not require a cataclysmic crisis to foster this fundamental change. There has never been a greater need for reform of the Council which is a sine qua non for the optimal efficiency of the Council and would be the real form of tribute to the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations, he said. Akbaruddin said while terrorism remains a cardinal threat to the maintenance of international peace and security, the efforts of the United Nations and the Security Council in taking decisive action to combat terrorism leaves much to be desired. It has been noticed that even brazen public violations of the sanctions regime by listed individuals and entities, far from attracting punitive measures, do not even elicit the mildest censure, Akbaruddin said. Yet, we the general membership of the UN are expected to comply with the decisions of the Councils Sanctions Committees decisions or lack thereof, he said. Observing that the Council has taken the lead in referring to the purposes and principles of the Charter while attempting to maintain international peace and security, he said, however, its own actions have not always been in the spirit of the Charter. The UNSC is composed of 15 members, five of them permanent and 10 non-permanent elected for two-year terms by the General Assembly. The five permanent members include: China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Addressing the Security Council, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said for the millions living amidst war and extreme poverty, and for the countless others whose rights are violated or neglected in other ways, the ideals and values of the United Nations Charter remain elusive. Bringing the promise of the Charter to the most vulnerable must continue to be the main goal, Ban said. Read Also: Mysuru is India's Cleanest City, Varanasi Among Dirtiest India Set to Make F-16 Fighter Jets, Albeit Pak Controversy WASHINGTON: US presidential aspirants Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders today tried to woo minority Latino and African American voters as they sparred over issues like race and their records on immigration during a Democratic debate. Clinton, 68, who has struggled to regain momentum after losing badly to Sanders in the New Hampshire primary on Tuesday, sought to cast herself as a more sensible, pragmatic progressive. She also cited her experience as secretary of state, implying that she had a broader array of expertise than Sanders, who focuses largely on economic inequality. The debate came as contest between the two moves to Nevada and South Carolina, states with large minority populations. "I want to tackle those barriers that stand in the way of too many Americans right now," Clinton said in her opening statement. "African Americans who face discrimination in the job market, education, housing and the criminal justice system. Hardworking immigrant families living in fear who should be brought out of the shadows so they and their children can have a better future. Guaranteeing that womens work finally gets the equal pay that we deserve." At the PBS NewsHour televised debate, Clinton repeatedly emphasised her ties to President Barack Obama who is extremely popular among minority voters. Immigration reform was also a major topic of discussion. Both candidates supported creating a path to citizenship for the nearly 11 million undocumented immigrants in the US and they decried a recent uptick in deportations by the Obama administration. Clinton accused 74-year-old Sanders of voting against the 2007 immigration reform bill that included a pathway to citizenship. Sanders defended his vote, arguing that civil rights and immigrant groups were also opposed. "I dont apologise for that vote," he declared. Criticising the anti-immigrant positions of Republican front-runner Donald Trump, Sanders said immigrants should not be scapegoats for economic uncertainty. "We have got to stand up to the Trumps of the world, who are trying to divide us," Sanders said. Clinton accused the Vermont Senator of criticising Obama, who is also from their own Democratic party, in a language that is normally heard by Republican opponents. Read Also: Four Indian-Americans Selected To U.S. National Academy Of Engineering Sanders, Trump Leading in Battle of New Hampshire Source: PTI A 13-year-old Indian-origin boy has been honoured in the US for his efforts to improve access to education for underprivileged students in America and around the world through his charity organisation. Ishaan Patel, founder and CEO of Planting Pencils was recently honoured by the Milan Cultural Organisation during the Republic Day celebration in the Legislative Office building in downtown Hartford, Connecticut, the Bristol Press reported. Patel, son of immigrants from India, who attends KingswoodOxford School in West Hartford created his charity to improve access to education for underserved children around the world. Republic Day commemorates the Declaration of Indian Independence by the Indian National Congress to become a democratic government system. The Milan association is composed of people from India living in America. It is engaged in promoting the traditional art and culture of India in the US. It organises and participates in cultural events, setting up exhibitions of Indian handicrafts in schools, colleges, educational and cultural institutions, and works with other associations promoting social and civic activities. The goals of our organisation are to let the values of our culture and heritage contribute to the strength of America, and for us to all be productive participants in the civic and social issues of the bigger community, said Suresh Sharma, president of Milan Cultural Organisation. Mr. Sharma and all the directors of the organisation were impressed by this teenagers efforts to tackle global education problems. Ishaan is the embodiment of those goals, he added. The aim of Planting Pencils is to raise awareness that every child in the world has a right to basic, free, quality education and to give support to underfunded schools in lowincome areas in the US and underdeveloped countries where many children have no access or limited access to basic education. Read Also: Obama to Nominate Indian-U.S. Judge on U.S. SC? Clinton, Sanders Spar Over Race, Immigration Source: PTI This is to promote equal and fair opportunity for all sectors of society to earn sufficient fares as independent entrepreneurs on the platform. Mumbai: Taxi-hailing app Uber on February 16, signed an agreement with the Maharashtra government to help create 75,000 jobs across the state. Through this memorandum of understanding (MoU), Uber will focus on training women and people from marginalised sectors of society. "This is to promote equal and fair opportunity for all sectors of society to earn sufficient fares as independent entrepreneurs on the platform," Uber said in a statement. The move would train and provide 75,000 new job opportunities across Maharashtra over the next 5 years, the company added. The MoU was formalised by Uber through the Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Department (SDED) of the Maharashtra government here. "We are happy to be part of the Make in India initiative through this MoU with SDED, Maharashtra Government, to encourage and give women and persons from marginalised societies an opportunity to become micro-entrepreneurs through our platform," Uber West GM Shailesh Sawlani said. Principal Secretary (SDED) S S Sandhu said, "We are pleased to partner with Uber to create more economic opportunities in Maharashtra and mobilise women and persons from marginalised sectors of society to become micro entrepreneurs." Uber was launched in 2009 and has presence in over 361 cities in 66 countries today. If you like a clean car, and take care of the detailing yourself, you need microfibre in your life. Heres why The state has created a large land bank of Rs 1 lakh acres to cater to the industrial needs. Mumbai: The state of Odisha has emerged as a star investment destination for investors participating in Make in India Week being held at Mumbai. The state has already attracted an investment to the tune of Rs. 70,959 crores in just over three-four days. Odishas stellar show at Make in India Week was rolled out at an investors meet here inaugurated by Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik. Debi Prasad Mishra, Minister for industries Government of Odisha said, We have attracted significant investment at the ensuing Make in India Week. The portfolio includes an aluminium refinery by L&T, expansion by NALCO, investments in food processing and hospitality sector by ITC, expansion of power plant by GMR, expansion and setting up a container terminal at Dhamra Port, downstream industrial park by Vedanta, electronic manufacturing unit by SANMINA, infrastructure development in Tata Steel SEZ at Gopalpur etc. In addition, Ambassadors of Japan, Korea and an official delegation from China have met up with us and shown keen interest in partnering with the state. The Chinese delegation led by China Council for Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) has expressed interest in setting up an exclusive industrial park for Chinese companies. The delegation is visiting Odisha on 16th February to further discuss with the state government, Mishra added. The state government, has also launched two key reforms in easing the doing business in the state in the presence of captains of the industry. The eBiz portal covering 14 G2B services with a common application form and an integrated payment gateway was launched. The online portal eliminates all physical interface for investment related services to enable the investor set up an industry/business from anywhere in the world. This is a first of its kind in India and is integrated with the eBiz platform of Government of India. The second reform initiative for a hassle free environment, which is also a first of its kind in the country that was unveiled in the meet, is a unique online portal, Common Inspection Framework, which will synchronise the inspections and random selection of industries based on their risk profile. The framework mandates random allocation of inspectors with the inspection report uploaded in 48 hours after the visit. This will substantially ease the business operations and bring about transparency and objectivity to the inspection process. Odisha has embarked on broad basing the industrial base and promote investment in value added sectors. To catapult the state to a high growth trajectory, the government has strategised a New Odisha Industrial Development Plan-2025 (Vision -2025), was unveiled in this event. The Vision-2025 lays a 10-year roadmap for industrial development with transformational policies and strategies and presents a paradigm shift with the government acting as an enabler to aid to industrial growth. The Vision-2025 aims to achieve sustainable manufacturing and employment generation and intends to generate 10 lakh jobs and attract an investment of Rs 2.25 lakh crores and make Odisha the manufacturing hub of the east. In addition, the state government has carried out a slew of industry friendly reforms and activities to enhance the investment climate in the state and make the state the preferred destination to the investing community. The government has set up an Investor Facilitation Cell as single point facility for investors guidance and handholding, developed Go-iPlus: Government of Odisha Industrial Portal for Land Use and Servicesa GIS enabled land information system by leveraging IT to the fullest. The new industrial policy-2015 has excellent provisions and incentives to attract investments in the state. The state government has formulated sector specific policies and is developing investment regions and sector specific clusters with fully developed infrastructure which the investors can utilize and set up their manufacturing units. The state has created a large land bank of Rs 1 lakh acres to cater to the industrial needs. The government is finalizing a new start- up policy to boost the start-up ecosystem in the state. The Bhubaneswar Start-up Hub a 0.5 million sq. ft ready to move facility in Bhubaneswar was dedicated as part of the investors meet. The start-up ecosystem shall be mentored and guided by TiE Silicon Valley, with which the government has a strategic partnership, the first and only one of its kind in the country. The business reforms initiated by the State have been highly lauded by the investor community. In the inaugural session, Bibek Debroy, Member, Niti Aayog stated that they provide a template to other states for emulation. Checking Ted Cruz's climate science denial howlers Posted on 16 February 2016 by Guest Author I have no clue how many climate science denial myths a Republican presidential candidate can fit onto the head of a pin, but given these zingers are generally huge its probably not that many. But we do now have some clue how many myths one of those candidates, SenatorTed Cruz, can fit into an eight-minute diatribe. At least six. When asked about climate change at recent hustings, Cruz has been delivering a stock set of answers from the Little Book of Climate Change Denial (not a real book). At one such event in New Hampshire, the representative from Texas delivered a diarrhea-like splurge (sorry) of talking points, myths and cherry-picked factoids. The world isnt warming check. This is all about government control check. Scientists used to think an ice age was coming check. Every pinhead contains an etching of Al Gore in a loving embrace with a dirty private jet no check. This is not to single out Cruz who, we understand, is currently second in national polls. The Donald, currently leading in the polls for the Republican nomination, alsodenies the science of human-caused climate change. So does third placed Marco Rubio. Its a hat trick. We know already that denying climate science has become part of the Republican psyche in the United States, but every once in a while its worth pausing to remind ourselves just how nuts this situation has become. These are people who fancy themselves as the leader of the free world but think every science academy in the world together with the worlds thermometers, tide gauges and glaciers are all engaged in an elaborate hoax. Anyway, lets have a look at Cruzs Climate Clangers (this phrase is hereby released under a Creative Commons licence). Antarctic ice Cruz has been using a story from Christmas 2013 to try and make climate scientists look like idiots. He says: an exploration ship was sent down to Antarctica to document how the polar ice caps were melting. And the people who led this exception they believed the computer models that everything would be melted so they headed on down. They had to go and be rescued because they got stuck in the ice. Cruz is referring to the Australasian Antarctic Expedition, but it has been abundantly clear that the scientists did not think that everything would be melted because, as they wrote on their expedition website and Planet Oz has pointed out before, one of their tasks was to investigate why Antarctic sea ice was growing. I asked Professor Chris Turney, of the University of New South Wales and who led that expedition, about Cruzs remarks. The Australasian Antarctic Expedition 2013-2014 made it clear from the start that we went pole wards to try and refine our understanding of why there is more sea ice in the south. We most certainly never believed the computer models that everything would be melted. I fear Senator Cruz has confused which way is up. As I hope Senator Cruz is all too aware from his time chairing the US Senate Science and Space Sub-Committee, the Arctic is a large ocean surrounded by continents while Antarctica is a continental ice sheet surrounded by ocean. The two respond to climate change in quite different ways. Since satellite observations began in the 1970s, the amount of sea ice in the Arctic has suffered a long-term decline and is now at an all time low. In marked contrast, the amount of sea ice surrounding the Antarctic continent has reached an all time high. One thing we do know is as the worlds temperatures continue to climb, weather patterns around the planet are changing and some of the biggest changes are happening in the south. Stronger winds are shifting sea ice around the Southern Ocean, helping more survive the summer. But these winds are also causing a big change in ocean circulation that appear to be melting key parts of the continental ice, making surface waters less salty and therefore easier to freeze. Im sure Senator Cruz doesnt need reminding that as scientists were trained to test ideas, not believe in them. Another to have made the same claim about Turneys expedition is conservative commentator Mark Steyn, who is currently being sued by climate scientist Michael Mann. Steyn made the exact same claim in an article in The Spectator. Steyn was called to give evidence to a hearing of the US Senates science subcommittee, chaired by Cruz. Next week, Steyn begins a speaking tour of Australia, sponsored by the thinktank the Institute of Public Affairs the countrys prime pusher of climate science denial. Satellites When it comes to global temperature readings, Cruz has his laser vision set on the satellite data, which is showing slightly less warming than the temperatures on the ground (where we live, and grow stuff). Cruz uses this data to claim that global warming stopped 18 years ago. But even the senior scientist who looks after the satellite data that Cruz likes to cite, says the ground-based temperature measurements are more appropriate when it comes to climate change. Cruz does not seem so keen to mention those various collections of land-based measurements, which show, for example, that 14 of the 16 hottest years on record have all happened since 2000. The hottest year on record was 2015, but 2016 will give that a run for its money. Climate science deniers dont like land-based measurements because they go through various corrective processes. Some think scientists are doing this deliberately to fiddle the numbers and show warming. Conspiracy time. Yet Cruz and others are apparently ignorant of how scientists have to do far more fiddling around with data from satellites. For an excellent explainer on all this, watch this Yale Climate Connections video. This Yale Climate Connections video explains the problems in getting temperature readings from satellite data. 1970s cooling This one is an oldie but a goodie. Cruz has been telling people that in the 1970s you had Liberal politicians and scientists who were talking about global cooling and how we were headed to another ice age. While its true that a few scientists were writing about possible future cooling, a review of research appearing in academic journals found that between 1965 and 1979 there were more than six times as many papers saying the world was warming. Only seven academic papers in fifteen years were predicting cooling. Cruz goes on to criticise scientists because they then repackaged their theory when the evidence suggested they were wrong. But to suggest that scientists should not change their mind when presented with evidence fundamentally challenging their ideas is a supremely odd idea. Climate science is like a religion Another favourite of climate science deniers is to suggest that climate science is a religion. Cruz likes this line too, and seems to be suggesting that someones views should not be driven by a religious belief. Seems good advice. Guess who said this? Life, liberty, and property, the fundamental natural rights of man are given to every one of us by God, and the role of government fundamentally is to protect those rights. They changed the name In New Hampshire, Cruz told an audience: Anyone noticed in the last two or three years the terms magically changed? It had been global warming and then suddenly it became climate change. Ooh. Conspiracy? Not really. The United Nations Intergovernmental Panel onClimate Change (my emphasis) was formed in 1988. Was that two or three years ago? Click here to read the rest from Graham Readfearn This climate scientist has tried really hard to get a date Posted on 15 February 2016 by howardlee Seth Burgess has, literally, travelled to the ends of the Earth to find a date. Along the way he has endured attacks of giant flesh-eating bee-flies, paddled a raft 60 miles in driving Siberian rain, braved volcanoes in Alaska, and inhaled polluted air in China for weeks on end, all the while hauling pounds of rocks. And all in the name of Science. The date he seeks plays extremely hard to get. In Siberia, Seth and his colleagues whacked off rocks from cliffs in dozens of mosquito-infested riverbanks scattered across over a thousand miles of Siberia, and hauled them back to MIT in Massachusetts. He pulverized his rocks to free tiny zircon crystals and then baked them before bathing them in ultra-pure hydrofluoric acid (an acid so powerful that it dissolves glass) for two days. He then took his cleaned-up gems to the University of Arizona, where he inspected each and every tiny grain under a microscope and then zapped it with a laser and sucked the vapor into a machine called a LaserChron. Sadly, not a single gem was worthy. So all that work really for naught! Seth told me when I met him in the American Geophysical Union meeting in San Francisco in December. The date Seth was pursuing was the age of the most cataclysmic event to hit the Earth since animals evolved. No, not the end-Cretaceous when the dinosaurs were annihilated, a much bigger catastrophe even than that: the end-Permian mass extinction, when more than 90% of species ceased to exist. It was a time when severe global warming made oceans as hot as the legal limit of a hot tub, and gasses from Siberian volcanic eruptions were the suspected culprit. To convict the eruptions, Seth needed to see if they occurred just before the mass extinction, at a precision never before achieved. Obviously it makes sense if you want to date the onset of the eruption and tie that time in Earth history to when the mass extinction occurred, you want to date the first stuff to erupt. But that stuff formed so explosively that its now a jumble of volcanic ash and shattered sediments, and unfortunately for Seth it turns out that those sediments brought with them all those unworthy zircons. Seth told me, There were zircons that ranged in age from about 260 million years old to 2.5 billion. Its just a hodge-podge of stuff. The Ugly Stepsister Undeterred, Seth moved on to find a date for the 2 -mile-thick, thousand-mile-wide layer cake of the Siberian lavas. But the lavas had no zircons, so he had to settle for perovskite crystals instead. So we had to go to kind of like the ugly stepsister. But in the absence of the cute sister maybe the ugly sister is not so bad! Youre hard up, so thats where youve got to go! To cut a long story short, Seth did get his date several in fact. Some of them were actually from zircons extracted from volcanic ash he found sandwiched between layers of lava. And what those dates proved was that an unconscionable quantity of lava erupted in what geologists call a ridiculously short period of time about 300,000 years or less - and yes, right before the mass extinction. The eruptions delivered a huge slug of greenhouse gas to the atmosphere, far more than humans could even if we were to burn all our fossil fuels, which explains the hot tub ocean temperatures. The eruptions were so relentless that there wasnt any time for soil to develop between lava flows. Its a similar story in Antarctica, where lavas of the Ferrar Large Igneous Province have been tied to a minor (but still global) mass extinction known as the Toarcian Extinction. Every single rock I dated from the Ferrar, and were talking up the mountain, down in the ravine, from one side of the continent to the other, along the Transantarctic Mountains - theyre all 182.6 million years old! Its every single rock the same! And weve already talked about how much work it is to date one frigging rock! And when I date 22 of them and theyre the same age, and theyre from all over the place in the Transantarctic Mountains it gives me a great sense of: its all in one shot! Its not a big slow prolonged event. Seths dating quest, and similar travails by other geochronologists, have now proven the close link in time between several mass extinctions in Earths past and huge eruptions, including for the end-Cretaceous extinction that wiped out the dinosaurs. In that example geochronologists have tied the famous Chicxulub asteroid impact date to the same time as gargantuan eruptions in India, suggesting that the impact may have aggravated the eruptions. So it seems the dinosaurs were extinguished by the original double whammy. Click here to read the rest Oil prices jumped to $35.55 per barrel after the news about the secret meeting. Doha: Top oil exporters Russia and Saudi Arabia agreed on Tuesday to freeze output levels but said the deal was contingent on other producers joining in a major sticking point with Iran absent from the talks and determined to raise production. The Saudi, Russian, Qatari and Venezuelan oil ministers announced the proposal after a previously undisclosed meeting in Doha their highest-level discussion in months on joint action to tackle a growing oversupply of crude and help prices recover from their lowest levels in more than a decade. The Saudi minister, Mr Ali al-Naimi, said that freezing production at January levels near record highs was an adequate measure and he hoped other producers would adopt the plan. Venezuelas oil minister Eulogio Del Pino said more talks would take place with Iran and Iraq on Wednesday in Tehran. The reason we agreed to a potential freeze of production is simple: it is the beginning of a process which we will assess in the next few months and decide if we need other steps to stabilise and improve the market, Mr Naimi told reporters. We dont want significant gyrations in prices, we dont want reduction in supply, we want to meet demand, we want a stable oil price. We have to take a step at a time, he said. Oil prices jumped to $35.55 per barrel after the news about the secret meeting but later pared gains to trade below $34 as expectations for an immediate deal faded. It was the first attempt by Opec and non-Opec exporters to control production after almost 19 months of oil price declines. Oil prices have tumbled about 70 per cent since June 2014, hit by oversupply, sluggish demand and worries about the global economic outlook. The prices came under renewed pressure by the return of Iran to world markets after the lifting of international sanctions linked to its nuclear programme. We believe, the four of us, that freezing now at that January level is adequate for the market, the Saudi minister said. The gorgeous model from Manipur will be seen playing an interesting role in Vishal Bhardwajs Rangoon. Mumbai: Lin Laishram, a junior national champion in archery is all set to make her presence felt in Bollywood. The gorgeous model from Manipur will be seen playing an interesting role in Vishal Bhardwajs Rangoon. Lin feels that people will tend to stereotype her based on her looks, but she insists that she prefers to focus on the positivity. Lin, who was in consideration for the lead role of Mary Kom in the Omung Kumar biopic until Priyanka Chopra bagged it will now be seen in Rangoon. Looking forward to her big ticket to Bollywood, the actress has felt respected working with the noted director Vishal Bharadwaj along with the dedicated ensemble star cast. Lin thinks that her role in Rangoon is very special and a life-changing experience, not only for her but also for her people back home. By clicking Agree, you consent to Slates Terms of Service and Privacy Policy and the use of technologies such as cookies by Slate and our partners to deliver relevant advertising on our iOS app to personalize content and perform site analytics. Please see our Privacy Policy for more information about our use of data, your rights, and how to withdraw consent. Agree Neeraj Bhanot, Pan Am chief purser was gunned down by terrorists when Flight 73 was hijacked to Karachi in 1986. Mumbai: Sonam Kapoors upcoming film Neerja is a biopic on Neeraj Bhanot, Pan Am chief purser who was gunned down by terrorists when Flight 73 was hijacked to Karachi in 1986. With only few days left for the films' release, makers are releasing interesting bits to keep the buzz alive. The film's trailer has received kudos for its realistic portrayal of events, which has struck chords with the audiences heart. Neerja lost her life while saving children from a hail of bullets. She also became Indias youngest recipient of the Ashok Chakra award. The makers released Neerjas last ever flight announcement and it will surely give you goosebumps. Directed by Ram Madhvani and Produced by Fox Star Studio's and Bling Unplugged. The film is all set to release on February 19th, 2016. Best Canadian Blog 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 About Kate Why this blog? Until this moment I have been forced to listen while media and politicians alike have told me "what Canadians think". In all that time they never once asked. This is just the voice of an ordinary Canadian yelling back at the radio - "You don't speak for me." (goes to a private mailserver in Europe) I can't answer or use every tip, but all are appreciated! Katewerk Art Support SDA I am not a registered charity. I cannot issue tax receipts. Reconnaissance Man Economics for the Disinterested ...a fast-paced polar bear attack thriller! Want lies? Hire a regular consultant. Want truth? Hire an asshole. Weather Shop Click to inquire about rates. Dow Jones What They Say About SDA "Smalldeadanimals doesn't speak for the people of Saskatchewan" Former Sask Premier Lorne Calvert "I got so much traffic after your post my web host asked me to buy a larger traffic allowance." Dr.Ross McKitrick Holy hell, woman. When you send someone traffic, you send someone TRAFFIC. My hosting provider thought I was being DDoSed. - Sean McCormick "The New York Times link to me yesterday [...] generated one-fifth of the traffic I normally get from a link from Small Dead Animals." Kathy Shaidle "Thank you for your link. A wave of your Canadian readers came to my blog! Really impressive." Juan Giner - INNOVATION International Media Consulting Group I got links from the Weekly Standard, Hot Air and Instapundit yesterday - but SDA was running at least equal to those in visitors clicking through to my blog. Jeff Dobbs "You may be a nasty right winger, but you're not nasty all the time!" Warren Kinsella "Go back to collecting your welfare livelihood."Michael E. Zilkowsky Intelliweather Seismic Map Comments Policy Read this Best Of SDA Hide The Decline The Bottle Genie (ClimateGate links) You Might Be A Liberal Uncrossing The Line Bob Fife: Knuckledragger A Modest Proposal (NP) Settled Science Series Y2Kyoto Series SDA: Reader Occupation Survey Brett Lamb Sheltered Workshop Flakes On A Plane All Your Weather Are Belong To Us Song Of The Sled The Raise A Flag Debacle (Now on Youtube!) (.mwv Video) Abuse Ruins Life Of Girl Trudeaupiate Kleptocrat Jeans Child Labour I Concede Small Dead Feminist Protein Hoser: THK Interview The Werewolf Extinction Dear Laura (VRWC) We Wait Blogging The Oscars Jackson Converts To Islam Just Shut The HELL Up Manipulating Condi Gay Equality Rights After few pegs, Salman paid Katrina a visit which led to a heated argument between the two. Mumbai: Soon after Katrina Kaif and Ranbir Kapoor started shooting for their first film together, Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani, they fell in love. But the two kept it quiet as Katrina was dating Salman Khan at the moment. But when has any secret or affair managed to stay low in B-town? Salman got a whiff of the affair and soon things got intense. As reported by Spotboye, the incident took place in 2009 when after few pegs, Salman decided to pay Katrina Kaif a visit and talk the matter out. The actor visited the actress to her residence in Bandra. Yelling on top of his voice, Salman was heard saying, Dont go with Ranbir. Youre making a mistake, he will leave you heartbroken. The rant went on for next few hours as Salman warned Katrina how she was making the biggest mistake of her life. Reportedly, the actor also pleaded Katrina but the actress held her ground. Seeing no way out of this, the actor finally said, Youll regret leaving me for Ranbir, and with that, Salman walked out of Katrinas apartment with slurry words and shaky steps. By the time Salman came out, he was pretty drunk so his manager and driver drove the actor home. Now that Katrina Kaif and Ranbir Kapoor have called it quits, a new budding friendship is growing between Salman and Katrina. In many occasions, we saw Salman being by Katrina's side and supporting the actress. System error error: Can't call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25. context: ... 21: 22: 23: % foreach my $c (@categories) { 24: <%perl> 25: my $category_id = $c->get_id(); 26: my @stories = Bric::Biz::Asset::Business::Story->list ( { element_type_id=>1148, category_id=>$category_id , Order=> 'cover_date', publish_status => 't' , OrderDirection=> 'DESC' , Limit=>10 } ); 27: 28: 29: ... code stack: /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html:25 /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm:948 /var/cache/mason/obj/2011159162/main/smetimes/dhandler.html.obj:17 /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/autohandler_template.html:149 Can't call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25. Trace begun at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Exceptions.pm line 125 HTML::Mason::Exceptions::rethrow_exception('Can\'t call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25.^J') called at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 157 HTML::Mason::Component::run_dynamic_sub('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x5612f0c24db8)', 'main') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 948 HTML::Mason::Request::call_dynamic('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x5612f0c326a8)', 'main') called at /var/cache/mason/obj/2011159162/main/smetimes/dhandler.html.obj line 17 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 135 HTML::Mason::Component::run('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x5612f0c24db8)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1302 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1292 HTML::Mason::Request::comp(undef, undef, undef) called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 955 HTML::Mason::Request::call_next('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x5612f0c326a8)') called at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/autohandler_template.html line 149 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 135 HTML::Mason::Component::run('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x5612f0c024a8)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1300 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1292 HTML::Mason::Request::comp(undef, undef, undef) called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 481 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 481 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 433 HTML::Mason::Request::exec('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x5612f0c326a8)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/ApacheHandler.pm line 165 HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler::exec('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x5612f0c326a8)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/ApacheHandler.pm line 831 HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler::handle_request('HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x5612e2573060)', 'Apache2::RequestRec=SCALAR(0x5612f0be5310)') called at (eval 592) line 8 HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler::handler('HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler', 'Apache2::RequestRec=SCALAR(0x5612f0be5310)') called at -e line 0 eval {...} at -e line 0 System error error: Can't call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25. context: ... 21: 22: 23: % foreach my $c (@categories) { 24: <%perl> 25: my $category_id = $c->get_id(); 26: my @stories = Bric::Biz::Asset::Business::Story->list ( { element_type_id=>1148, category_id=>$category_id , Order=> 'cover_date', publish_status => 't' , OrderDirection=> 'DESC' , Limit=>10 } ); 27: 28:
29: ... code stack: /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html:25 /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm:948 /var/cache/mason/obj/2011159162/main/smetimes/dhandler.html.obj:17 /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/autohandler_template.html:149 Can't call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25. Trace begun at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Exceptions.pm line 125 HTML::Mason::Exceptions::rethrow_exception('Can\'t call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25.^J') called at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 157 HTML::Mason::Component::run_dynamic_sub('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x5612f03266f0)', 'main') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 948 HTML::Mason::Request::call_dynamic('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x5612f02dad98)', 'main') called at /var/cache/mason/obj/2011159162/main/smetimes/dhandler.html.obj line 17 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 135 HTML::Mason::Component::run('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x5612f03266f0)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1302 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1292 HTML::Mason::Request::comp(undef, undef, undef) called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 955 HTML::Mason::Request::call_next('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x5612f02dad98)') called at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/autohandler_template.html line 149 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 135 HTML::Mason::Component::run('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x5612f02dd358)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1300 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1292 HTML::Mason::Request::comp(undef, undef, undef) called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 481 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 481 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 433 HTML::Mason::Request::exec('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x5612f02dad98)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/ApacheHandler.pm line 165 HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler::exec('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x5612f02dad98)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/ApacheHandler.pm line 831 HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler::handle_request('HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x5612e2573be0)', 'Apache2::RequestRec=SCALAR(0x5612f02c7f00)') called at (eval 592) line 8 HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler::handler('HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler', 'Apache2::RequestRec=SCALAR(0x5612f02c7f00)') called at -e line 0 eval {...} at -e line 0 System error error: Can't call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25. context: ... 21: 22: 23: % foreach my $c (@categories) { 24: <%perl> 25: my $category_id = $c->get_id(); 26: my @stories = Bric::Biz::Asset::Business::Story->list ( { element_type_id=>1148, category_id=>$category_id , Order=> 'cover_date', publish_status => 't' , OrderDirection=> 'DESC' , Limit=>10 } ); 27: 28:
29: ... code stack: /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html:25 /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm:948 /var/cache/mason/obj/2011159162/main/smetimes/dhandler.html.obj:17 /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/autohandler_template.html:149 Can't call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25. Trace begun at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Exceptions.pm line 125 HTML::Mason::Exceptions::rethrow_exception('Can\'t call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25.^J') called at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 157 HTML::Mason::Component::run_dynamic_sub('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x5612e9542090)', 'main') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 948 HTML::Mason::Request::call_dynamic('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x5612e2573e68)', 'main') called at /var/cache/mason/obj/2011159162/main/smetimes/dhandler.html.obj line 17 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 135 HTML::Mason::Component::run('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x5612e9542090)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1302 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1292 HTML::Mason::Request::comp(undef, undef, undef) called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 955 HTML::Mason::Request::call_next('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x5612e2573e68)') called at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/autohandler_template.html line 149 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 135 HTML::Mason::Component::run('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x5612efe2cfb8)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1300 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1292 HTML::Mason::Request::comp(undef, undef, undef) called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 481 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 481 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 433 HTML::Mason::Request::exec('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x5612e2573e68)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/ApacheHandler.pm line 165 HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler::exec('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x5612e2573e68)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/ApacheHandler.pm line 831 HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler::handle_request('HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x5612e2572f70)', 'Apache2::RequestRec=SCALAR(0x5612e2574ca0)') called at (eval 592) line 8 HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler::handler('HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler', 'Apache2::RequestRec=SCALAR(0x5612e2574ca0)') called at -e line 0 eval {...} at -e line 0 System error error: Can't call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25. context: ... 21: 22: 23: % foreach my $c (@categories) { 24: <%perl> 25: my $category_id = $c->get_id(); 26: my @stories = Bric::Biz::Asset::Business::Story->list ( { element_type_id=>1148, category_id=>$category_id , Order=> 'cover_date', publish_status => 't' , OrderDirection=> 'DESC' , Limit=>10 } ); 27: 28:
29: ... code stack: /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html:25 /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm:948 /var/cache/mason/obj/2011159162/main/smetimes/dhandler.html.obj:17 /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/autohandler_template.html:149 Can't call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25. Trace begun at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Exceptions.pm line 125 HTML::Mason::Exceptions::rethrow_exception('Can\'t call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25.^J') called at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 157 HTML::Mason::Component::run_dynamic_sub('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x5612f01ba710)', 'main') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 948 HTML::Mason::Request::call_dynamic('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x5612f01fd698)', 'main') called at /var/cache/mason/obj/2011159162/main/smetimes/dhandler.html.obj line 17 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 135 HTML::Mason::Component::run('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x5612f01ba710)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1302 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1292 HTML::Mason::Request::comp(undef, undef, undef) called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 955 HTML::Mason::Request::call_next('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x5612f01fd698)') called at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/autohandler_template.html line 149 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 135 HTML::Mason::Component::run('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x5612f01eb848)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1300 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1292 HTML::Mason::Request::comp(undef, undef, undef) called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 481 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 481 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 433 HTML::Mason::Request::exec('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x5612f01fd698)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/ApacheHandler.pm line 165 HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler::exec('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x5612f01fd698)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/ApacheHandler.pm line 831 HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler::handle_request('HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x5612e7dc9f10)', 'Apache2::RequestRec=SCALAR(0x5612f01f0878)') called at (eval 592) line 8 HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler::handler('HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler', 'Apache2::RequestRec=SCALAR(0x5612f01f0878)') called at -e line 0 eval {...} at -e line 0 System error error: Can't call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25. context: ... 21: 22: 23: % foreach my $c (@categories) { 24: <%perl> 25: my $category_id = $c->get_id(); 26: my @stories = Bric::Biz::Asset::Business::Story->list ( { element_type_id=>1148, category_id=>$category_id , Order=> 'cover_date', publish_status => 't' , OrderDirection=> 'DESC' , Limit=>10 } ); 27: 28:
29: ... code stack: /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html:25 /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm:948 /var/cache/mason/obj/2011159162/main/smetimes/dhandler.html.obj:17 /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/autohandler_template.html:149 Can't call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25. Trace begun at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Exceptions.pm line 125 HTML::Mason::Exceptions::rethrow_exception('Can\'t call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25.^J') called at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 157 HTML::Mason::Component::run_dynamic_sub('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x5612f080cfb8)', 'main') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 948 HTML::Mason::Request::call_dynamic('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x5612f031f7e8)', 'main') called at /var/cache/mason/obj/2011159162/main/smetimes/dhandler.html.obj line 17 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 135 HTML::Mason::Component::run('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x5612f080cfb8)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1302 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1292 HTML::Mason::Request::comp(undef, undef, undef) called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 955 HTML::Mason::Request::call_next('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x5612f031f7e8)') called at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/autohandler_template.html line 149 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 135 HTML::Mason::Component::run('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x5612f066dc68)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1300 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1292 HTML::Mason::Request::comp(undef, undef, undef) called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 481 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 481 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 433 HTML::Mason::Request::exec('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x5612f031f7e8)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/ApacheHandler.pm line 165 HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler::exec('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x5612f031f7e8)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/ApacheHandler.pm line 831 HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler::handle_request('HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x5612e2573a48)', 'Apache2::RequestRec=SCALAR(0x5612f065c708)') called at (eval 592) line 8 HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler::handler('HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler', 'Apache2::RequestRec=SCALAR(0x5612f065c708)') called at -e line 0 eval {...} at -e line 0 There was a rumour on Monday morning that Malayalam superstar Mammootty has been hospitalised due to a severe illness in Bengaluru, and doctors were considering airlifting him to US on a chartered flight. It was reported that the multiple National Award winner was suffering from aneurism. However, a source close to the actor revealed that it was false news, and that the actor is fine and resting. It has been learnt that due to hectic travel, Mammootty could not sleep properly, and complained of uneasiness and discomfort on his flight from Dubai to Mumbai. Later, he had a thorough checkup and was found fit. He is resting in his daughters residence in Bengaluru, and will join the shoot of his forthcoming flick later this month, which is scheduled to take place in Karnataka. System error error: Can't call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25. context: ... 21: 22: 23: % foreach my $c (@categories) { 24: <%perl> 25: my $category_id = $c->get_id(); 26: my @stories = Bric::Biz::Asset::Business::Story->list ( { element_type_id=>1148, category_id=>$category_id , Order=> 'cover_date', publish_status => 't' , OrderDirection=> 'DESC' , Limit=>10 } ); 27: 28:
29: ... code stack: /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html:25 /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm:948 /var/cache/mason/obj/2011159162/main/smetimes/dhandler.html.obj:17 /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/autohandler_template.html:149 Can't call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25. Trace begun at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Exceptions.pm line 125 HTML::Mason::Exceptions::rethrow_exception('Can\'t call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25.^J') called at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 157 HTML::Mason::Component::run_dynamic_sub('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x5612f0959a70)', 'main') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 948 HTML::Mason::Request::call_dynamic('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x5612f0a0fb68)', 'main') called at /var/cache/mason/obj/2011159162/main/smetimes/dhandler.html.obj line 17 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 135 HTML::Mason::Component::run('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x5612f0959a70)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1302 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1292 HTML::Mason::Request::comp(undef, undef, undef) called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 955 HTML::Mason::Request::call_next('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x5612f0a0fb68)') called at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/autohandler_template.html line 149 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 135 HTML::Mason::Component::run('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x5612f09f8318)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1300 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1292 HTML::Mason::Request::comp(undef, undef, undef) called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 481 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 481 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 433 HTML::Mason::Request::exec('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x5612f0a0fb68)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/ApacheHandler.pm line 165 HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler::exec('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x5612f0a0fb68)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/ApacheHandler.pm line 831 HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler::handle_request('HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x5612f004bad8)', 'Apache2::RequestRec=SCALAR(0x5612efd06000)') called at (eval 592) line 8 HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler::handler('HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler', 'Apache2::RequestRec=SCALAR(0x5612efd06000)') called at -e line 0 eval {...} at -e line 0 System error error: Can't call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25. context: ... 21: 22: 23: % foreach my $c (@categories) { 24: <%perl> 25: my $category_id = $c->get_id(); 26: my @stories = Bric::Biz::Asset::Business::Story->list ( { element_type_id=>1148, category_id=>$category_id , Order=> 'cover_date', publish_status => 't' , OrderDirection=> 'DESC' , Limit=>10 } ); 27: 28:
29: ... code stack: /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html:25 /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm:948 /var/cache/mason/obj/2011159162/main/smetimes/dhandler.html.obj:17 /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/autohandler_template.html:149 Can't call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25. Trace begun at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Exceptions.pm line 125 HTML::Mason::Exceptions::rethrow_exception('Can\'t call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25.^J') called at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 157 HTML::Mason::Component::run_dynamic_sub('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x5612e9542010)', 'main') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 948 HTML::Mason::Request::call_dynamic('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x5612e2573ef8)', 'main') called at /var/cache/mason/obj/2011159162/main/smetimes/dhandler.html.obj line 17 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 135 HTML::Mason::Component::run('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x5612e9542010)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1302 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1292 HTML::Mason::Request::comp(undef, undef, undef) called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 955 HTML::Mason::Request::call_next('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x5612e2573ef8)') called at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/autohandler_template.html line 149 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 135 HTML::Mason::Component::run('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x5612efe2d308)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1300 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1292 HTML::Mason::Request::comp(undef, undef, undef) called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 481 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 481 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 433 HTML::Mason::Request::exec('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x5612e2573ef8)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/ApacheHandler.pm line 165 HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler::exec('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x5612e2573ef8)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/ApacheHandler.pm line 831 HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler::handle_request('HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x5612e2573bb0)', 'Apache2::RequestRec=SCALAR(0x5612e2574ca0)') called at (eval 592) line 8 HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler::handler('HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler', 'Apache2::RequestRec=SCALAR(0x5612e2574ca0)') called at -e line 0 eval {...} at -e line 0 System error error: Can't call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25. context: ... 21: 22: 23: % foreach my $c (@categories) { 24: <%perl> 25: my $category_id = $c->get_id(); 26: my @stories = Bric::Biz::Asset::Business::Story->list ( { element_type_id=>1148, category_id=>$category_id , Order=> 'cover_date', publish_status => 't' , OrderDirection=> 'DESC' , Limit=>10 } ); 27: 28:
29: ... code stack: /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html:25 /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm:948 /var/cache/mason/obj/2011159162/main/smetimes/dhandler.html.obj:17 /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/autohandler_template.html:149 Can't call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25. Trace begun at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Exceptions.pm line 125 HTML::Mason::Exceptions::rethrow_exception('Can\'t call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25.^J') called at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 157 HTML::Mason::Component::run_dynamic_sub('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x5612f020b0b0)', 'main') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 948 HTML::Mason::Request::call_dynamic('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x5612f043fff0)', 'main') called at /var/cache/mason/obj/2011159162/main/smetimes/dhandler.html.obj line 17 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 135 HTML::Mason::Component::run('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x5612f020b0b0)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1302 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1292 HTML::Mason::Request::comp(undef, undef, undef) called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 955 HTML::Mason::Request::call_next('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x5612f043fff0)') called at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/autohandler_template.html line 149 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 135 HTML::Mason::Component::run('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x5612f033f838)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1300 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1292 HTML::Mason::Request::comp(undef, undef, undef) called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 481 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 481 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 433 HTML::Mason::Request::exec('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x5612f043fff0)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/ApacheHandler.pm line 165 HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler::exec('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x5612f043fff0)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/ApacheHandler.pm line 831 HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler::handle_request('HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x5612e2573be0)', 'Apache2::RequestRec=SCALAR(0x5612f075f830)') called at (eval 592) line 8 HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler::handler('HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler', 'Apache2::RequestRec=SCALAR(0x5612f075f830)') called at -e line 0 eval {...} at -e line 0 Australians can expect to pay more for products such as soft drink and beer, with falling oil prices failing to translate lower energy costs for the country's biggest manufacturers, says the boss of packaging company Orora. Orora chief executive Nigel Garrard said high industrial gas prices were "new fact of life that we are going to have to deal with". Orora delivered a net profit of $87.9 million for the six months to December 31. Credit:Joe Armao "Ultimately it's a cost that has to be passed on to customers and to consumers," he said. "It's going to be something that we are going to see for some time in Australia that will fall through the economy." Australian women just can't get enough charm bracelets, judging by the latest results from Danish jewellery retailer Pandora. The Copenhagen-based retailer, known for its mix-and-match silver charms, has shown Australian retailers Lovisa and Michael Hill a clean pair of heels, lifting sales by 39.5 per cent to $240.6 million in 2015. Pandora Australia founder Karin Adcock has reportedly lodged a complaint to the anti-competition watchdog. Credit:James Brickwood Pandora's sales rose more than 40 per cent in the December and September quarters and the company which does not disclose Australian earnings has clocked up 10 consecutive quarters of same-store sales growth over 20 per cent. By comparison, Michael Hill's sales rose 9.7 per cent to $310.8 million in the six months ended December 31, while budget-jewellery chain Lovisa has flagged a 13 per cent increase in first-half sales to $82.6 million, underpinned by same-store sales growth of 4.1 per cent. Things may be gloomy in other countries, and even in parts of our own economy, but there's one aspect of Australian life where everything's on the up: we're enjoying a sustained prison boom. Consider this. Over the 66 years to 1984, Australia's rate of imprisonment per head of population rose by a paltry 13 per cent. Over just the past 30 years, however, it's more than doubled. Illustration: Kerrie Leishman How's that for progress? We now have more than 36,000 people behind bars, meaning our imprisonment rate exceeds that of Canada, Britain and most of Europe. And I'm happy to acknowledge that the Aboriginal community has made a quite disproportionate contribution to this achievement. The Indigenous imprisonment rate is now more than 45 per cent higher than it was at the time of the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody. Tim Wilson will give up his $400,000 Human Rights Commission job at the end of the week to demonstrate his willingness to sacrifice everything for his bid to enter federal politics. Considering himself too young to have made the tilt at politics any earlier, Mr Wilson believes at the age of 35, it is now his time. In conversation with the Catholic Commission for Employment Relations executive director Tony Farley in Sydney on Tuesday night, Mr Wilson said the opportunity to seek preselection for Andrew Robb's safe Melbourne seat of Goldstein may be his only chance to enter Federal Parliament. "I look at politics today and I worry that people aren't prepared to take tough decisions. And I am quite proud of the fact that I am prepared to make tough decisions," he said. Zulay Balza fails to close her eyes as neurologist Jairo Lizarazo tests her facial muscles at the Erasmo Meoz Hospital in Cucuta, Colombia. (Photo: AP) Cucuta, Colombia: The doctor taps Zulay Balza's knees with a hammer and she doesn't feel a thing. She can't squeeze his outstretched fingers or shut her eyelids. Her face is partially paralyzed. "The weakness started in my legs and climbed upward. The face was last. After three days, I couldn't walk," said Balza, 49. "My legs felt like rags." Balza is a patient at the public University Hospital in Cucuta, at the epicentre of the Colombian outbreak of the mosquito-borne Zika virus. Only Brazil has more cases. Two weeks ago, she came under assault by Guillain-Barre , a rare and sometimes fatal affliction that is the Western world's most common cause of general paralysis. Alarm over the Zika epidemic spreading across the Americas has been chiefly over birth defects, but frontline physicians believe a surge in Guillain-Barre cases may also be related. The World Health Organization says Guillain-Barre cases are on the rise in Brazil, Colombia, El Salvador, Suriname and Venezuela, all hit hard by Zika, though a link remains unproven. The auto-immune disorder historically strikes only one or two people in 100,000. About one in 20 of those cases ends in death, and it is frightful. "I thought my body was going to explode," said Balza, sitting on her hospital bed and apparently over the worst. Guillain-Barre attacks skeletal muscular nerves as if they were a foreign enemy. Fine motor skills rapidly erode, arms and legs tingle and weaken to numbness. Patients lose their balance, their speech. In rare cases, they require ventilators to stay alive. The syndrome typically strikes after a bacterial or viral infection, such as influenza, HIV or dengue, though its cause can't always be determined. Dr. Jairo Lizarazo, the neurologist treating Balza, has seen cases increase more than tenfold since December - 30 cases in all - in this muggy city bordering Venezuela. Like Balza, many patients never showed the characteristic symptoms of Zika - fever, rashes, joint pain and conjunctivitis. Four in five don't. He's convinced the virus boosts susceptibility to Guillain-Barre. "It's an epidemiological association," said Lizarazo. "We don't know exactly how it works. But it's there, for sure." Associated cases confirmed or suspected based on clinical evidence number in the hundreds. Guillain-Barre cases believed to be linked to the virus have killed three people in recent weeks in Colombia and health officials have attributed another three Guillian-Barre deaths in Venezuela to suspected Zika infections. WHO said Zika has been confirmed present in apparently just one Guillain-Barre death, in the northwestern Venezuela state of Zulia in January. Dr. Maria Lucia Brito Ferreira, chief neurologist at Hospital da Restauracao in Recife, Brazil, said she hopes to get laboratory confirmation this month that nine Guillain-Barre deaths recorded there in the past year were Zika-related. Cases of Guillain-Barre in Colombia - about 450 annually before Zika struck - were up nearly threefold in the past month and a half. El Salvador has reported 118 cases since November, nearly as many as previously seen in a year. "The only explanation is the Zika virus," said Deputy Health Minister Eduardo Espinoza. Dr. Osvaldo Nascimento, a leading Rio neurologist, estimates Brazilian cases of Guillain-Barre are up fivefold. Reporting is not compulsory, so the government's partial figure of 1,868 cases requiring hospitalization last year is a sketchy parameter. An upsurge in Guillain-Barre was documented in 2013 during a major Zika outbreak in French Polynesia, with a study finding cases up twentyfold. WHO said all 42 cases recorded in the Pacific archipelago tested positive for Zika as well as dengue fever, which is also currently present in Colombia, Venezuela, Brazil and other Zika-affected countries. Antibodies for the dengue and chikungunya viruses, which are far more debilitating than Zika, are often being found in infected patients. That is making establishing a direct Zika-Guillain-Barre link more complicated. Like Zika, both viruses are transmitted by the Aedes aegypti mosquito and could also trigger Guillian-Barre, experts say. Under normal circumstances, eight in 10 patients nearly fully recover from Guillian-Barre, though it sometimes takes months. Data on Guillain-Barre is scant in most of the developing world. Of 18 countries participating in a clinical study launched by Dutch physicians in 2012, only two are in Latin America: Mexico and Argentina. Brazil just joined. Across the region, investigators were simply unable to get government funding to participate, said Dr. Ken Gorson, a Tufts University neurologist and president-elect of an international foundation that combats Guillain-Barre. Poorer countries were ill-prepared to manage the crisis. Colombia's National Health Institute is overwhelmed with a weeks-long backlog in completing tests for Zika. The three Guillain-Barre deaths that the country's Health Ministry attributed to Zika on Feb. 5 have not yet been confirmed by laboratory tests, said spokesman Ricardo Amortegui. Nor have the three deaths in the Venezuelan state of Lara announced last week. One Guillian-Barre fatality in Colombia suspected of being linked to Zika was a 51-year-old man from the Caribbean island of San Andres who died in November, said Rita Almanza, epidemiology chief in Medellin. The others were a 45-year-old man and a 41-year-old woman flown from Turbo on the Caribbean coast who died in Medellin in February. Guillain-Barre grabbed hold of Nancy Pino in neighboring Venezuela with devastating effect. The 68-year retired school administrator developed fever, rashes and muscle pain while celebrating Christmas with her family in the hot lowland state of Anzoategui. She recovered quickly. Days later, her hands and feet started to go numb. Her tongue felt like it was asleep. She stopped eating. The family rushed her to a Caracas hospital. She could barely walk. Bed-ridden, she lost the ability to talk and soon, to breathe. Doctors attached her to a respirator. "It was so quick," daughter Nihara Ramos said between sobs. "It was like a flame consuming her from the bottom up." Doctors diagnosed Guillain-Barre with a spinal tap - they assumed she had Zika earlier - and suggested that the relatives obtain immunoglobulin, an expensive treatment that pools healthy antibodies from hundreds of donors. Gorson said it costs $15,000-$45,000 in the United States. The family, straightjacketed by Venezuela's economic crisis, couldn't find or afford enough. In less than three weeks, a woman who once bounded up seven flights of stairs to her apartment was dead. Canberrans well and truly embraced the first Enlighten Night Noodle Markets in 2015, and there will be even more to enjoy when they kick off again next month. This year's event, which runs alongside the Enlighten Festival over 10 nights from March 4-13, will have more stallholders, more food and more space. Head chef Shunsuke Ota from Lilotang preparing for the night noodle markets Last year saw large crowds flock to the Night Noodle Markets, causing lengthy queues. The director of Events and Arts ACT Adam Stankevicius said it was clear the event needed to grow. 8.53am: There's street sweepers on the way to clear up after that four-car crash on the Tuggeranong Parkway but there are still going to be major delays. Steer clear if you're headed that way! 8.43am: We're hearing reports other major roads like Melrose Drive are clogged as commuters try and find a way to get to work that doesn't involve the Tuggeranong Parkway. If you know any sneaky back road short cuts, now is the time to use them. 8.35am: Still no movement on the Tuggeranong Parkway. Just to recap, a four-car crash has blocked traffic heading north from Hindmarsh Drive to Cotter Road. There's no movement on that side while traffic heading south is excruciatingly slow due to people rubbernecking. Please avoid the area. 8.18am: Northbound traffic on Tuggeranong Parkway is going nowhere and apparently southbound traffic is also going nowhere fast. There are reports southbound traffic between Hindmarsh Drive and Cotter Road is banked up to the zoo. 8.12am: Access to the Tuggeranong Parkway from Hindmarsh Drive is now blocked due to a four-car crash. If this is your usual way to work, find a new route. 8.02am: Traffic is at a standstill on the Tuggeranong Parkway after a four-car collision. Northbound between Hindmarsh Drive and Cotter Road is blocked with a car wedged between a barrier. Massive delays expected. 7.59am: Expect significant delays on the Tuggeranong Parkway between Hindmarsh Drive and Cotter Road after a crash. One lane is blocked and police are warning motorists to avoid the area. Look out for roadworks on a northbound section of Gungahlin Drive from Sandford Street in Mitchell to the southern end of Kosciusko Avenue in Palmerston. The disruption should last between 7am and 4pm. There are other changes surrounding the Majura Parkway with new traffic lights at the intersection of Monaro Highway and Morshead Drive now operational. Motorists travelling northbound from Fyshwick to the airport and Queanbeyan have been encouraged to use either the Fairbairn Avenue exit off Majura Parkway or Morshead Drive. If you see any accidents or have any info on the morning commute, let us know whenever it is safe to do so: morningblog@canberratimes.com.au or tweet us @canberratimes Ben and Jerry's Openair Cinema is on at Canberra's central lakeside venue on Patrick White Lawns. Until 21 Feb. See 2015's best political cartoons at the Behind the Lines exhibition at the Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House. Touch or click through for more David Pope Today: Mostly sunny. Light winds becoming southeasterly 15 to 20 km/h in the late evening. Max 26. Thursday: Sunny, light winds. Min 10, Max 29. Former Marist students have urged the school to rename a student house that honours a brother who helped move and protect a known child sex offender in the late 1960s. Marist College Canberra has faced private calls to change the name of Othmar House, a student house body that honours the former Marist Brother Othmar Weldon, who held the senior position of provincial leader within the organisation in the 1960s and 1970s. Brother John William Chute, also known as Brother Kostka. Brother Weldon's actions came under close scrutiny in the Canberra hearings of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse last year. The royal commission found Brother Weldon had learnt of complaints that Brother John William Chute, also known as Brother Kostka, sexually abused a boy at a school in Lismore. The terms "mother" and "father" will effectively become interchangeable under new laws passed by the ACT parliament on Tuesday, with parents able to choose either label. Birth certificates will give parents the option of choosing "mother" and "father", but will also allow "parent 1" and "parent 2", or "mother" and "mother", or "father" and "father". Any of the options are acceptable on birth certificates, regardless of the sex of the person, but government records will be a little more specific, listing the woman who gives birth as a "birth parent" and a partner as "other parent". Joel Wilson, a trans man who will no longer have to be recorded as a female in official documents. Credit:Rohan Thomson The changes were a further step towards recognising gender diversity in Canberra, after legislation two years ago to allow people to alter their gender on their birth certificate to male, female or "X", without the need for reassignment surgery. Also on Tuesday, the government created a new identity document for gender diverse people not born in Canberra so unable to change their gender on their birth certificates. They will instead be able to apply for a document recognising their name and the sex they live by, so long as they have a statutory declaration from a doctor or psychologist, confirming their intersex status. Parents will be able to do the same for their children. The love-in between Malcolm Turnbull's Coalition government and the big business end of town began intensely but the honeymoon was over way too soon. While treasurer Scott Morrison is said to be portraying the fallout over the GST as a tiff, the reality is that there has been plenty of bruising sustained by both camps. What started off as a disagreement around tax reform has widened into a debate/attack on the effectiveness of big businesses' central lobby group, the Business Council of Australia's effectiveness as a means to get a stake in the debate around economic reform and enhance the interests of its members. High profile Liberal party royal Michael Kroger flew out of the gates last week calling for the chief executive of the BCA Jennifer Westacott to be dumped on the back of mishandling its lobbying to increase the GST to 15 per cent. Four Sydney car dealerships have been targeted in raids that uncovered evidence of illegal odometer tampering on 100 vehicles sold to NSW consumers. The raids on Tuesday were the culmination of a joint investigation between NSW Fair Trading and NSW Police and focused on the alleged winding back of odometers in second-hand cars imported from Japan. Fair Trading Commissioner Rod Stowe said the raids had targeted four licensed dealerships and three licensed repairers. "It's very concerning. What is unique to this particular matter is that all the vehicles were imported from Japan...with no local records that allow verification of odometer readings." The truck was donated by Abdul Gani. (Photo: Tirumala.org) Vijayawada: A Muslim man from Chennai has donated a refrigerator truck to the famous Tirupati temple for transporting vegetables. The vehicle, worth Rs. 35 lakh, was flagged off by Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu earlier on Monday. The truck, with a capacity of eight tonnes, was donated by Abdul Gani, and will be used for transporting vegetables to the shrine for its "Nitya Annadan (food donation)" scheme. The vegetables for the scheme have been donated by Mandava Kutumba Rao and his family members since 2007. Kerry Stokes' Seven West Media has bought a third of the fast-growing news and lifestyle website for baby boomers, Starts at 60, as part of its diversification beyond its traditional television, newspaper and magazine assets. It has bought a 33 per cent stake in the two-year-old service for an undisclosed sum, saying the investment will support further expansion of the business in content, technology and operations and help it "launch a range of brands and service offerings that go beyond media over the coming months". Seven is backing baby boomer website Starts at 60 Credit:Jessica Shapiro Starts at 60 was founded by Rebecca Wilson in 2013 and reported more than 1.5 million unique browsers and hit 5 million page views per month globally in January, chiefly centred in Australia and New Zealand. The Brisbane-based company has advertising partnerships with brands like Australian Super, AAT Kings, Dymocks, Connect Hearing and Hachette and a solid track record of both audience and revenue growth. Seven West Media said it plans to build on those relationships and sell across multiple platforms. Operations at one of the world's largest zircon projects will be suspended for up to two years in a bid to improve challenging market dynamics. Perth-based Iluka Resources, the world's largest producer of zircon, said it is preparing to suspend mining and concentrating operations at its Jacinth-Ambrosia project in South Australia's Eucla Basin. Iluka Resources managing director David Robb says the suspension will increase net cash flow. Credit:Philip Gostelow The suspension is expected to commence on April 16 for between 18 months and two years, "depending on market conditions". At peak production the Jacinth-Ambrosia operation has the ability to supply 25 to 30 per cent of global zircon demand. The private Epworth Hospital in Melbourne's trendy inner-city Richmond has lost a battle to halt a seven-storey apartment going up next door amid concerns residents will look into the windows of patients in the hospital's wards. The hospital, which itself is undergoing a massive $350 million multi-storey expansion, opposed plans for a mid-rise building with 15 dwellings above two shops now leased to retailers The Body Shop and Claudia on Bridge Road. Robotic surgery at the Epworth Hospital. Credit:Michael Rayner The hospital's extension will house a new emergency room and new wing with operating theatres and cardiac centre. The apartment at 123-125 Bridge Road is being developed by a company called Lee Enfield which bought the larger of the two buildings in 1998 for $1.3 million. Woolworths has admitted tapping suppliers for extra payments after finding a $53 million hole in 2014 profits, but says its demands were consistent with the "ordinary nature" of retailer and supplier relationships. Australia's largest retailer has denied allegations by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission it acted unconscionably by demanding payments it was not entitled to and by taking advantage of it's superior market power to try to force hundreds of suppliers to pay more than $60 million in extra payments. Woolworths same-store food and liquor sales fell for the fourth consecutive quarter. Credit:Bloomberg In documents filed in the Federal Court on Tuesday, Woolworths denied it had contravened Australian Consumer Law and suggested Section 21 of the law did not apply as some of the suppliers were listed public companies. The ACCC launched proceedings in December 2015, alleging that in December 2014 Woolworths developed a strategy, approved by senior management, to urgently reduce a $53 million short-fall in its first-half gross profits. With a total of $22 billion bet by VIPs at The Star in the last six months of 2015, even small changes in the amount they win can have a huge impact on a casino's bottom line. But for six of Asia's high-roller gamblers, a golden run at the casino netted tens of millions of dollars in winnings. The Star revealed on Tuesday that an unusual run of luck by just half a dozen gamblers in Sydney played havoc with its performance. The Star revealed on Tuesday that an unusual run of luck by a small group of gamblers in the last half of 2015 played havoc with its performance. Credit:Ian Waldie Playing their favoured game of baccarat, the high rollers bet up to $500,000 a hand, beating the house to win and stripping The Star of nearly $80 million in profit over a six month period. The Star models its VIP business on winning $1.43 from every $100 that is bet. But that 'theoretical' win rate of 1.43 per cent slumped to just 0.88 per cent in the first half of the 2016 financial year, meaning the casino only won 88c from every $100 bet. The bad run of luck for The Star prompted one sharemarket analyst to question The Star's finance chief Chad Barton over whether the low win rate had led him to gnaw off his fingernails. I wish to announce today my intention to nominate for Liberal Party preselection against Bronwyn Bishop in the northern beaches seat of Mackellar. But why, you ask, would a columnist for the green-left-nanny-state-anti-freedom-love-media who's not even in the Liberal Party want to nominate for a safe Liberal seat? Former speaker Bronwyn Bishop Credit:Alex Ellinghausen I've always wanted to ride in a helicopter. Duh. Mostly, though, I believe that too many politicians today do not understand the Mackellar beachside lifestyle because they come from ... the western suburbs. The sledging match between Virginia Haussegger and Samantha Armytage has descended into tit-for-tat jibes, with the ABC presenter revealing Armytage's failed attempt to land a job with the national broadcaster. In a Facebook post on Tuesday night, Haussegger questioned Armytage's memory after the Sunrise host claimed she had to 'Google' the senior journalist. "I did have to Google [Haussegger] to find out who she was," Armytage told Mamamia on Tuesday morning. Chance Developments by Alexander McCall Smith. Therapist: I understand you're a writer. (This is a good start, and may be used even if the therapist has no idea as to whether the client is a writer. Most people plan to write a book at some stage; many even begin to write the book they feel they have in them. Even if they have never written a word, they feel, nonetheless, that they are capable of writing a book and they will be pleased that the therapist has spotted their otherwise hidden talent.) Self: Well, since you mention it Therapist: Do you suffer? (This is a question that many people ask writers, and therapists might as well ask it too. A few years ago I was in the United States, giving a talk at a community college. At the end of the session a young man in the back row asked me, "Do you suffer?" I was momentarily taken aback, and then I realised that this is a perfectly reasonable question to ask a writer. Writers are meant to suffer. They put up with a lot for their art. The world hurts them into writing. Unfortunately I did not have time to work the answer out and simply replied, "No, not at all". This was the wrong response and will undoubtedly have confused the young man in question. What is the point, after all, in having writers who don't suffer doubts and torments? What sort of prose can one expect if contented people start writing books? Where will be all the angst, all the dysfunction that is so necessary in the contemporary novel? No, the answer to that question really is:) Self: Of course. Of course I suffer. (We now need to move on to what is really troubling the client.) Therapist: Suffering is inevitable, normal even what makes your suffering so different? (This is a difficult question. A writer must at all costs avoid being seen as elitist. That is as much a sin these days as using big words. Accessibility is all.) Self: I'm writing about about other places. Therapist: Other places? Self: Places where I don't live. Places that belong to other people. (This will be followed by a short period of silence while the full significance of this dawns on the therapist. Then we move on but not in the sense in which we should all move on from our problems; this moving on is from topic to topic, which is not the same as moving on in the sense of getting away from old issues, of concerns.) Therapist: Tell me about it. (This is a very good phrase for a therapist, or indeed anybody at all, to use. It is a good breaker of ice at parties immediately after you have shaken hands with a fellow guest, say, "Please tell me about it". That will produce a torrent of anguish, reproach, and recrimination. When that wave of feeling subsides, you should say, "How hard for you" or "What a terrible burden for you". This may be followed with, "How on earth do you put up with it? What a hero you must be.") Self: Well, you see, as a writer I have to set my books somewhere. Therapist: Naturally. We all have to be rooted, don't we even fictional characters. Self: Particularly fictional characters. But, be that as it may, I find myself setting a lot of my material in Australia. Therapist: But you don't live there. Self: No. And never have. Therapist: Well, there's clearly a bit of wish fulfilment going on. Self: Probably. Therapist: You'd like to live in Australia, you see, but you don't. You're deprived. So a way of achieving that is to set things there. Self: I see. Australia Deprivation Syndrome? Therapist: Possibly, we must be careful, though, not to invent too many new syndromes. That in itself may be a syndrome. Syndrome Syndrome. But, going back to your feelings, there may be conscious motivation too in your choosing to set things in Australia. Self: Such as? Therapist: Interest in its history. An attachment to the landscape. Self: I love the noise the wind makes in eucalyptus trees. It's a sort of swishing like waves on the beach. Therapist: And then there's the light. That lovely, limpid light Aegean in its qualities. Self: And the sound of birdsong. That wonderful cacophony of galahs. That gurgle of kookaburras. The very sky fills with those sounds. Self: And the people too. Their default position seems to be cheerful. Therapist: So was Pollyanna's. Self: What? Therapist: Oh nothing a literary reference. I thought that as a writer well, no matter. Give me an example. Self: Well. Last time I was in Sydney, I dropped into a pub near where I was staying a rather nice-looking place that called itself the oldest pub in the country or something like that. Therapist: There are so many oldest pubs in the country. Why do you think age confers respectability in a business? Anyway, this is your story, not mine Self: So I went into this pub and the barman smiled at me as I came in. Actually smiled at me Therapist: And that was significant? Self: Yes, immensely. It's one of the acid tests. W.H. Auden said you could tell the state of a culture by its attitude to its trees. I think one might add to that: by the attitude of its taxi drivers and its bartenders. Go into a Scottish bar and what do you get? A scowl. We have a tendency to be miserable, you see miserable and disapproving. Or an American bar you don't get a smile there. Therapist: I thought they went in for smiles. Self: You have to be careful to distinguish between smiles that are the result of plastic surgery or expensive dentistry, and smiles that are well, smiles. In an American bar, though, you get a look of professional sympathy. Therapist: So you like Australia for its cheerful bartenders? Self: Well, it goes deeper than that. That's symptomatic of something an attitude of fellow feeling of helpfulness. Therapist: Mateship? I've read about the notion of mateship. Apparently it helped the survival chances of Australian prisoners of war in the Far East. The officers looked out for the men in a way in which didn't always happen in more stratified outfits. Mateship. Self: Yes. They don't go in for attitude. They just get on with it. They make the most of things. They're positive. Therapist: Has it occurred to you that you're in love? Self: With whom? Therapist: With a place. (Silence. Suddenly the air is filled with the sound of birdsong. And then the wind gets up and there is the sound of its passage through the leaves of the eucalyptus trees.) Therapist: Don't fight it. You've no reason to fight it. You see, even if you suffer Self: No, I don't suffer Therapist: Even if you don't suffer, your heart may be broken by the beauty and feel of a place. Let yourself go. Acknowledge it. Write about it without feeling that you shouldn't. Self: Really? Therapist: Yes, really. But tell me, as a matter of interest, how did you feel about your mother? Pozieres by Christopher Wray. A century ago, the bulk of Australian troops were being withdrawn from the unsuccessful Dardanelles campaign to be retrained and prepared for deployment on the far more lethal and horrendous Western Front. As the centenary of Gallipoli passes, the focus for Australian commemorations and remembrance of World War I will shift to places such as Fromelles, Pozieres, Polygon Wood, Villers-Bretonneux and Hamel, among others. It is an oddity of Australian commemoration that we understand and mark Gallipoli with the greater devotion. Australian casualties on the Western Front far exceeded those at Gallipoli by a factor of five or six. Indeed, Australian casualties in a single day at Fromelles came to more than 5500, or nearly a fifth of the casualties sustained in eight months at Gallipoli, while Pozieres and Pozieres Ridge cost 23,000 Australian casualties in about seven weeks. Little wonder that C.E.W. Bean commented that Pozieres was more densely sown with Australian sacrifice than anywhere else on Earth. Throw Fromelles and Pozieres together and the casualties match those of the much lengthier and better-known Gallipoli disaster. These studies, then, are both timely and necessary. Taken together, they also illustrate notably divergent ways of exploring Western Front slaughter and its effects. Peter FitzSimons has in recent times made a name for himself as something of a military storyteller, with books on Tobruk, Kokoda and other iconic Australian battles. He makes no pretence at being a qualified historian, and makes no apology for it he aims to "bring the whole thing back to life" and convey the "feel" for his readers. He does this relatively well. There is a sense in reading him of the frenetic and chaotic nature of the furious encounters that comprised the battles, as well as the waste of young life, and the terror that far too many men were subjected to as they faced obliteration. This is military history as spectacle, as vicarious experience. It is uncomfortably close at times to "war porn", but does at least give the reader some insight into the horrors faced by the soldiers from artillery to flame throwers to the revolting rat-infested, vile-smelling and corpse-strewn wastelands such battles were fought on. But FitzSimons' shortcomings as a writer and as a historian are often all too readily apparent. At times he descends into cheap stereotypes and forced vernacular. There are needless nudge nudge wink wink references to Kitchener's alleged homosexuality, German soldiers are referred to on a number of occasions as "squareheads", and the Australians "never falter" even though they clearly did, and often. The book also stops rather abruptly part way through the Pozieres actions as if the desired word count had been reached rather than the story completed. At its worst, the effect is that of a war comic rendered in prose. In contrast, Christopher Wray's study, focused solely on Pozieres, is an extremely impressive one. The first half of the book is devoted to a narrative of the Australian assault on Pozieres and Pozieres Ridge. Wray locates the battle in the broader events of the Western Front in an opening scene-setting chapter, then goes on to describe the battle in what is a relatively standard structure. The narration and description is done much more briefly that in FitzSimons' work, but to no lesser effect. The horrors of men physically and mentally disintegrating in the face or the concentrated artillery that rained down on Pozieres, or being vaporised by flamethrowers, need little repetition for them to stick. Wray's economy with words created no less a vivid, and troubling, impression. In the second half of the book, Wray turns his focus to the effects of Pozieres in a series of sometimes horrifying but always illuminating chapters. Most obviously affected, of course, were the dead, the wounded, and those who, unable to bear the mental strain, succumbed to shellshock. Each group gets its own chapter. 'Had Mr Handigund filed a case when the incident took place, the Lokayukta extortion scam could have been exposed then itself.' BENGALURU: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) said that a member of the gang arrested in the Lokayukta extortion racket had also kidnapped a tahsildar and received Rs 2 lakh as ransom from him after threatening him at gunpoint. AAP convener in the state, Mr Ravikrishna Reddy, said that the Tahsildar of Bengaluru North (Additional) Taluk, Balappa Handigund, was the one who was kidnapped in November 2014. He demanded that Mr Handigund should be dismissed immediately for not filing a police complaint immediately after the incident. Based on its information, the party filed a complaint with the Special Investigation Team probing the Lokayukta extortion racket on July 20, 2015. The party stated in the complaint that a gang asked Mr Handigund to come to the official residence of the Lokayukta on Crescent Road. When he went near the residence, the gang kidnapped him and released him only after he paid Rs 10 lakh ransom. There has been no response from the SIT on the complaint for the last six months. On February 10, we received a letter from the SIT, confirming that the Tahsildar was abducted. The letter states that Mr Handigund was kidnapped by Ashok Kumar, who is already arrested by the SIT, and his associates Anand and Ashok on November 19, 2014. The SIT has also informed it has written to the Bengaluru police commissioner. Mr Handigund has filed a complaint with the High Grounds police on February 6, Mr. Reddy said. Based on this reply, the AAP has got the copy of the FIR registered by the High Grounds police. The FIR states that the abductors, who kidnapped Mr Handigund, threatened him at gunpoint and demanded the ransom. Within a few hours, revenue inspector B.A. Srinivas, who is subordinate officer to Mr. Handigund, arranged Rs 2 lakh and gave it to the abductors, who released Mr Handigund, Mr. Reddy added. Mr Reddy questioned why Mr Handigund did not file a complaint for 14 months after the incident occurred, and how Mr Srinivas could arrange Rs 2 lakh in just 2-3 hours? Mr Handigund should be dismissed on the grounds of conduct unbecoming an officer and a thorough probe has to be initiated. Had Mr Handigund filed a case when the incident took place, the Lokayukta extortion scam could have been exposed then itself. Also, six cases registered against the Tahsildar with the Lokayukta police have been closed without proper reason. The entire episode hints that there is something more to it. Only a fair and impartial probe could clear all doubts, Mr Reddy said. He also said that the accused in the kidnap case, Kumaraswamy, has died under mysterious circumstances and even this needs to be probed. It is said that Kumaraswamy was earlier working with a politician, he added. There's no doubt that My Kitchen Rules can at times get a little unpleasant, so it's a relief tonight when we are treated to the culinary stylings of JP and Nelly, a squeaky-clean couple from the Sunshine Coast who are so bowel-clenchingly nice that just watching them kiss each other is like taking a long, luxurious bath in a tub of warm Dettol. The lovebirds' first port of call is the tea store. "Tea means everything to me," says Nelly, and really, where can a conversation go after someone says something like that? She drinks tea, she cooks with tea, she says "tea-riffic": in any sane world she'd be on some kind of watchlist. JP and Nelly's instant restaurant is called The Sandy Teapot, because they want to give their guests the feeling you get from having sand in your drink. They begin preparations by assuring each other at length that they both look wonderful. They continue preparations by telling each other that they look wonderful some more. "It looks delicious and so do you," says Nelly about her dessert/husband, as thousands of Australians fail to suppress their gag reflex. The entree is perogi, a Polish dumpling and hit Bobby Brown song which will also involve tea to sate Nelly's unnatural desires. The guests arrive. They ring the bell. Nobody answers. They wait. The tension grows. Have JP and Nelly been murdered? Or have they merely succumbed to the irresistible siren's call of passion and left their guests on the doorstep while they grab a knee-trembler against the fridge? Ah, there we go after several bell-rings, they stop telling each other how beautiful they are for long enough to answer the door. Jessica wonders whether JP and Nelly have great poker faces, or whether they are genuinely happy to see her. I've got a hunch, Jessica. By the way, why was Kochie allowed to sit that skit out? If everyone on Sunrise is a SATC tragic, as they claim, they'd have noticed the uncanny resemblance between him and Stanford Blatch, the gay talent agent and honorary "fifth lady" of the hit show. Kochie didn't even need a wig. He could have leapt right in and reminisced with Carrie about that time she pretended to be his girlfriend, only for his grandmother to tell an "unsuspecting" Carrie, "You know, he is a fruit?". The now infamous Sex and the City skit. But of course, Kochie was over the other side, raising his eyebrows at the whole spectacle. At least there was some sympathy for Davis. Kristin Davis didn't object to talking about Sex and the City, but the scene they'd sprung on her live on air. Credit:Sunrise Not so for poor Melissa George, who got slammed after her alleged "hissy fit" on Seven's The Morning Show in 2012. Speaking to Fairfax Media two years after the incident, George claimed she overheard someone talking about her before she went on air. She said the person intended not to ask about her new projects, Hunted or The Slap, and instead "have the Aussie bitch promote Home and Away". Seven strongly denies this accusation. "I don't need credibility from my country any more," George said afterwards. "I need them all to be quiet." Not the most diplomatic choice of words. But her frustration is understandable. There's a peculiar line of questioning favoured by certain Australian TV and radio hosts. They get a celebrity on their show, then hector them about their earliest B-grade roles, embarrassing haircuts and how much they adore this country. Look Nicole, here's you with frizzy hair on BMX Bandits! Kylie, watch this video of you talking like a bogan on Neighbours! Melissa, tell us again why Angel from Home and Away has a special place in your heart, even though she doesn't! All of you, explain at length how Austraya is the best country in the world. Or At least give us a grab that'll fit with the voiceover we've already recorded: "She's made it in America, but she'll always be the girl from the Aussie suburbs." Awwww. Again, the guest must laugh along with it all or be seen as "too big for their boots". This is what happened to George. "I never saw her in anything after Home and Away" some scoffed on social media, even though she's had a strong career. "Who?" others asked. (Why are world leaders not using their powers to punish the numpties who post "Who?" underneath articles?) This is not a plea for special treatment of celebrities. They can look after themselves. It is to recognise the line between fun and embarrassment. Between laughing with people and that weird, narcissistic impulse to be the one who makes a big star cringe. The CSIRO's plans to dismantle most of its climate monitoring and modelling capability will be in the international spotlight at a series of conferences in coming months that had been intended to showcase Australia's world-leading research, senior scientists say. Hobart, home to many of the 110 of the 140 CSIRO scientists in the two main Oceans & Atmosphere programs facing the axe, will play host to two major gatherings in March and May. What goes up: Deploying weather balloons from CSIRO's RV Investigator. Credit:Stewart Wilde So far, six CSIRO researchers are understood to have submitted papers to the International Partnerships in Ice Core Sciences (IPICS) conference in March. Many other researchers are likely to attend an event which will include discussing Australia's role in extracting and analysing the world's oldest ice. Outgoing 'Freedom Commissioner' Tim Wilson has raised concerns that small groups of people in private homes could be subject to new laws against advocating genocide carrying jail terms of up to seven years. In the wake of a report by a high-powered, cross-party committee of MPs, Mr Wilson has taken issue with its call for the new crime to "advocate genocide" to apply to private as well as public situations. The parliamentary joint committee on intelligence and security recommended on Monday that the word "publicly" be removed from a section of the Turnbull government's latest counter-terrorism laws, in which a new offence is created banning advocacy of genocide. Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has moved to thwart plans to challenge a sitting MP in Sydney's south-west with a glowing letter of endorsement to NSW party bosses. "I [] strongly recommend Craig Kelly MP to be re-endorsed," Mr Turnbull writes to the party's acting NSW boss, Simon McInnes dated last Sunday. Mr Turnbull also addressed the letter to "fellow Liberals". Craig Kelly MP says the PM's letter should deter anyone from challenging him for the seat of Hughes. "He has developed a fine reputation for standing up for his local constituents. I ask that you give Craig your full support." Samantha Armytage has been embroiled in many a scandal during her time as a Sunrise host. Her appointment was marred by accusations that Channel Seven had traded then-host Melissa Doyle in for a younger model, she once congratulated a mixed race twin for having fair skin, and who can forget the "strippergate" hysteria of 2014? So, surely Armytage would know better than anyone that the best way to deal with controversy is to go into hiding for a bit, and emerge when everyone has forgotten the whole thing happened (which, nowadays, can mean just taking a hour-long nap). Yet, after a breakfast television skit made headlines and cost her a charity hosting gig last week, the 38-year-old presenter seems to be intent on keeping the story at the top of Australia's news feeds for as long as possible, embarking on a formidable press tour to challenge her critics. Cardinal Pell has claimed he is too ill to travel to Australia to give evidence to the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. Tim Minchin's song topped the Australian iTunes songs chart. Credit:Network Ten The Cardinal is planning to testify via video link from Rome, where he now manages the Vatican's finances, on February 29. In his controversial song, Minchin implores Cardinal Pell to return to Australia. Australian musical comedian Tim Minchin's new charity song urging George Pell to 'come home' has drawn strong reactions from listeners. Credit:Glen McCurtayne/Coleman-Rayner It begins quite innocuously: "It's a lovely day in Ballarat, I am kicking back, thinking of you," the lyrics say. "I hear that you have been poorly, I am sorry that you are feeling blue. "...But a lot of people here really miss you Georgy, we really think you ought to just get on a plane. I am sure they will make you feel welcome at the pub in Ballarat, they just want a beer and a chat." But then Minchin tells the Cardinal that he is not a "fan" of his religion, and believes that the clergyman is just being a "goddamn coward". "I mean with all due respect dude, I think you are scum and I reckon you should come home," Minchin sings. "Cardinal Pell, I know that you are not feeling well, perhaps you just need some sun. It is lovely here you should come home. "You pompous buffoon, and I suggest you do it soon." The Project's guest host broadcaster Steve Price could find no charity for Minchin. He said the entertainer's song was "disgusting". "Obviously, Tim Minchin feels really strongly about that, but I just think it is really disgusting the way he has resorted to personal abuse of George Pell," Price said. "He has called him a coward, scum and a buffoon. "Now this guy is the most senior Australian Catholic in the world. He is a Cardinal, regardless of what you make of it. "To use your talent to just simply abuse someone from a distance, I think it is pathetic." The Catholic Church's Truth Justice and Healing Council issued a statement re-iterating Cardinal Pell's preference to appear at the hearing in person. "It has always been our preference that Cardinal Pell give his evidence in person but his medical condition means this cannot happen," chief executive Francis Sullivan said. "What is most important now is that the commission hears his evidence in the most effective and timely way possible so that this case study can be finalised, that the commission can make findings and that abuse survivors can, hopefully, move forward with their lives." The song garnered swift support on social media, with listeners commending Minchin for standing up to the church. Some said Minchin was their hero and thanked him for the song. But there were a few who didn't agree and found the lyrics inappropriate for television. Minchin also received a lot of messages of support on his own website. But the singer hopes that, if nothing else, the outrage generated by his being "transparent" might motivate the Cardinal to return. Comfort's not the only reason to rug up when the temperature plummets - cold weather has been found to increase the risk of stroke. Cold ambient temperature leads to a heightened risk of the most lethal form of stroke, intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH), say The George Institute for Global Health researchers. The study found almost 80 per cent of strokes occurred below 20C. Credit:Eddie Jim Their study, published in PLOS One, involved 1997 patients globally between 2008 and 2012 and found almost 80 per cent of strokes occurred below 20C. Using 20 as their optimal reference temperature, they found the odds of experiencing ICH were 1.37 times higher at 10C, 1.92 higher at zero, 3.13 higher at minus 10 and 5.76 higher for minus 20. Washington: A revolutionary cancer treatment that remembers the disease and remains like a watchman to prevent it returning is being developed. Immune cells are being engineered so they not only boost the body's natural defences to fight tumours but stand guard for life, acting like a vaccine. A new form of immunotherapy using the body's T-cells has had outstanding initial results treating terminally-ill leukaemia patients. The study, presented at the American Association for the Advancement of Science meeting in Washington DC, has proven for the first time that engineered "memory T-cells" can persist in the body for 14-plus years. Professor Chiara Bonini, a haematologist at San Raffaele Scientific Institute in Milan, said: "T-cells are a living drug, and in particular have the potential to persist in our body for our whole lives. Senior NSW government minister Brad Hazzard has been drawn into the controversy over the corruption watchdog's pursuit of Crown prosecutor Margaret Cunneen after he admitted contact with a witness to the car crash which sparked the investigation. Mr Hazzard was challenged in parliament on Tuesday about whether he gave the witness Ms Cunneen's personal mobile phone number while the watchdog was investigating her for trying to pervert the course of justice in relation to the crash. He said he can't recollect if he did, prompting Labor to call for a full explanation to parliament. The witness to the 2014 car accident, which sparked the Independent Commission Against Corruption's ill-fated investigation of Ms Cunneen, contacted Mr Hazzard's office when he was attorney-general. The rape survivor, Aparna (name changed), who was raped, cheated, threatened and harassed by her boyfriend, got him arrested after a prolonged struggle of four months, involving two state police forces. (Representational image) BENGALURU: A 27-year-old rape survivor from Bengaluru, who went to the extent of trying to kill herself, pulled herself out of depression, gathered enough courage to track her abuser, who had fled to Mumbai, forced a reluctant Mumbai police to register a zero FIR (as the incident had taken place in Bengaluru) and, in a fitting gift for the Valentines Day, got him arrested in Bengaluru on February 12. The rape survivor, Aparna (name changed), who was raped, cheated, threatened and harassed by her boyfriend, got him arrested after a prolonged struggle of four months, involving two state police forces. The accused, Jatin Chhabria (27), an IT professional, is now cooling his heels at the Parappana Agrahara Central Jail and has been slapped with a case with Sections 376 (Rape), 420 (cheating), 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty) and 328 (causing hurt by means of poison, etc., with intent to commit an offence) of the IPC by the Mico Layout police. Jatin, who hails from Raipur in Chhattisgarh, was living in Southeast Bengaluru for the last eight years before moving to Mumbai through internal transfer. Aparna met Jatin through a common friend in the city in August 2015. Without a clue of what lay ahead of her, she fell in love with him. Jatin was always trying to get physical with me, but I resisted his attempts. During one of the get-togethers that I had organised, Jatin sedated my drink and raped me. I woke up with a lot of pain in my abdomen the next day, and realised that I had been raped. When I berated him for what he did, he said that he resorted to rape, as I wasnt allowing him to get near me, she told Deccan Chronicle. Things went worse from there. Jatin had told me that he would marry me, but moved Mumbai seeking an internal transfer. When I learnt about it, I attempted suicide and I was admitted to a hospital. But no police case was filed as Jatin convinced my mother to withdraw the complaint on August 15, 2015. While I was battling for my life, Jatin managed to move out of Bengaluru, she said. Tossed between 2 state police forces Aparna decided to teach Jatin a lesson and tracked him down in Mumbai. She approached the closest police station in Samta Nagar to register a zero FIR. I went to the police station along with my parents on November 5 2015. But the Station House Officer refused to accept the complaint saying the incident occurred in Bengaluru. After a long ordeal, I convinced the SHO to register the complaint for inquiry as he was not ready to file the FIR. For the next 15 days, I was at the police station every day. Finally, my abuser was summoned to the police station, and I too was called, she said. Jatins family offered Aparna a monetary compensation, but she rejected it. She told them that she wanted justice and the perpetrator punished. After numerous visits and continuous telephone calls, the zero FIR was registered on December 19, 2015. Even as she was running around to get the FIR registered, Jatin sent Aparna a threat message and the police registered a case against him. But there were more problems in store for Aparna in Bengaluru as the Mico Layout had not heard of zero FIR. After the FIR was sent to the Bengaluru DCP from the Mumbai DCP, I received a call from a police officer of MICO Layout police station enquiring about the case. I gave him the details, but was shocked to learn that he did not know about zero FIR. He told me that he needs to take a fresh complaint in Bengaluru and that I have to be present at the police station, Aparna said. The Bengaluru police also returned the complaint from the Mumbai police, saying it wasnt sent through proper channels. After a struggle of over one week, Aparna approached the DG, Maharashtra on January 14, 2016. She called the DGs office, took her case details, sought the reference number and pushed her file to the Karnataka DG on January 18, 2016. City police help victim When Aparna called the Additional DGs office, Bengaluru, on January 29, she learnt that her case file was gathering dust at the officers chambers since January 19. Disappointed at their functioning, Aparna wrote a mail to the Karnataka DG and police commissioner about the delay. After a long wait, I got a reply from the commissioners personal assistant, who asked me to contact the DGs office as the file was delayed. After making multiple calls every day, the case file reached the commissioners office on February 1, 2016. I called the police commissioner and told him about the delay. The top officer took note of the issue and directed Aparna to meet the Southeast DCP, Dr. H M Boralingaiah. I spoke to the DCP and I was satisfied with the way the senior police officer helped me. I requested him to take action on the case as it was getting delayed and kept in touch with him regularly. Finally, the case file reached Mico Layout police station on February 10 and an FIR was registered on February 11 under Sections 376, 420, 328 and 354 of the IPC. After a struggle of four long months, sleepless nights and running from one office to another, my struggle paid off and I have managed to get my tormentor behind the bars. Police are appealing for witnesses after two teenage boys were approached by a stranger with orange dreadlocks in two separate incidents in Sydney's inner-north west. A 13-year-old boy was walking home from school along Pitt Street in Hunters Hill at roughly 4.20pm on Thursday when he noticed a man following a short distance behind him. As the boy started to run away the man chased after him, police were told The stranger stopped following the boy when he noticed the boy was on his phone, police said. Two days later another 13-year-old boy was approached by a man on Ryde Road in Hunters Hill, one street away from where the first incident took place. The Texan arrived in Australia without warning in July 2014, with an axe to grind and two goals - to see his child, and intimidate the man he believed stood between them. A week later, the Texan, 51, was charged with attempted murder after lying in wait behind bushes at his ex-wife's Central Coast home on July 15. A rubber mask confiscated by police after an American man used a crossbow and tomahawk in an attack on a Central Coast man a week after arriving in Australia. He aimed a crossbow at her husband, ordered him to his knees and hit him on the head with the victim's own tomahawk, bought at Bunnings for a few dollars and picked up by the Texan as he walked through the property. But the Texan, who cannot be named for legal reasons, came off second best in a fist fight after the man used his laptop as a shield. Logan murder charges: Police suspect drug debt was behind deaths Logan murders: Charges laid against six people over missing pair Missing Logan duo search prompts vacant block crime scene Logan missing persons investigation continues "My gut feeling is not very good": Missing Logan man's partner 'No signs of life' from three people missing in south-east Queensland Missing Logan trio associated with 'nefarious characters': Police A seventh person has been charged with the bodies-in-a-box murders of Logan pair Cory Breton and Iuliana Trescaru. Police captured Tepuna Tupuna Mariri, 25, on Tuesday afternoon, just as they identified him publicly as the outstanding person they wished to speak to about the deaths. Mr Mariri fronted the Brisbane Magistrates Court on Wednesday charged with two counts of murder related to the Logan bodies-in-the-box case. Doctors at Brisbanes Lady Cilento Childrens Hospital are refusing to discharge a 12-month-old asylum seeker baby from their care, fearing her return to Nauru. The hospital has stated that the child will be discharged only once a suitable home has been identified. Baby Asha The child, known as Asha, was born in Australia to parents who arrived by boat. She was previously removed to Nauru in June 2015, and has been allowed returned to Australia for medical treatment after she was accidentally burnt by boiling water. Refugee advocates are asking the government to allow the baby to stay. The government has agreed to give the baby a 72-hour notice period prior to removal, after the Human Rights Law Centre filed emergency proceedings in the High Court. Thanks to Madman Entertainment, we've got 50 double passes to giveaway to one of the latest box office hits, 45 Years exclusively to readers of Brisbane Times. The movie is being billed as an intimate, moving and beautiful portrait of a marriage shaken to its core by things left unspoken. 45 Years launches in cinemas February 18. Actor Charlotte Rampling has been nominated for an Oscar for her performance in the film. To be in with a chance to win an in-season pass (added to a doorlist) to see the film at Palace Barracks, Palace Centro and Balmoral Cineplex, simply follow the instructions below: More than $12,000 has been raised overnight in a fund set up to help clerical abuse survivors travel to Rome to front Cardinal George Pell in person. On Monday afternoon, A Go Fund Me page was set up by Meshel Laurie and Gorgi Coghlan - hosts of Network Ten's The Project - to assist survivors with costs for flights and accommodation. By midday on Tuesday, the Courier reports, the fund had raised more than $12,700 with hundreds of people across Australia contributing to the cause. Survivors hoped to raised $55,000 which would allow up to 15 representatives from Ballarat to be in Rome when the Cardinal gives his evidence at the end of this month. Commuters have taken to social media to vent their frustration over delays of up to 75 minutes on Melbourne-bound trains on Tuesday morning. Commuters on the Cranbourne-Pakenham line bore the brunt of the pain, with some trains not moving for more than an hour. No so comfortable ... Melbourne peak-hour commuters will get no train timetable changes until the end of the year. Credit:Ken Irwin Some passengers were so fed up they decided to take a nap. A combination of signal faults, a track fire, a trespasser and a commuter who fell ill led to the lengthy delays that plagued Metro trains. The alleged ringleader of a group of brothers accused of raping a 14-year-old girl in Geelong is now facing more charges, a court has been told. Kevin Andrew Wild, 29, one of four brothers accused of attacking the girl on November 1 after a family reunion, applied for bail on Tuesday. The Geelong park where the men allegedly abducted the girl. The Melbourne Magistrates Court hearing has been told that since being originally charged with one count each of rape and abduction, the Olinda man is now facing 14 charges, which were not listed to the court. It is Kevin Wild's first bail application. A 53-year-old man has died following a shooting in Landsborough, about 200km west of Melbourne, near Ararat. Victoria Police spokesman Adam West said Homicide Squad detectives were enroute to Landsborough following a fatal shooting on Tuesday evening. Police are investigating after a fatal shooting in Landsborough. "Officers were called to a residence on Landsborough-Barkly Road around 7.30pm after reports that a man had been shot," Senior Constable West said. "Police had to negotiate with a 21-year-old man who was inside the premises. "He surrendered peacefully to police around 10.30pm and officers entered the residence." After eight years, the beleaguered Guildford Hotel is in the process of receiving its crowning glory as a new dome is prepared to be manouevred into place. The structure was craned over the hotel on Tuesday and will soon be guided into its final resting position by workers. The new dome of the Guildford Hotel is safely positioned. Credit:Helen Ganska The dome represents the next step in the reopening of the hotel which was gutted by fire in 2008. Chief executive of the Australian Hotels Association (WA) Bradley Woods was delighted to see the progress. Mumbai: The CBI on Tuesday filed a supplementary charge-sheet against media baron Peter Mukerjea, which said that Peter and his wife Indrani were not happy with Sheena Bora and Rahul Mukherjeas relationship. Since their efforts to separate them failed, they decided to kill Sheena. The investigating agency has also submitted the statement of a witness in a sealed envelope in the court saying that the evidence showed that Peter was directly linked to the murder. They added that there was a threat to the witness life and hence the statement was sealed. While seeking Peters remand, the CBI had mentioned monetary transactions from the bank account of the accused. however, the chargesheet is silent on any money trail. A CBI officer on condition of anonymity said that the agency would file another supplementary chargesheet against all the accused. Earlier, the CBI had filed a chargesheet against prime accused Indrani Mukerjea, her former husband Sanjeev Khanna and her driver Shyamwar Rai on November 19, 2015, in the Sheena Bora murder case. Peter was arrested later and hence the chargesheet against him was filed on Tuesday. According to the charge-sheet running into around 500 pages, both Peter and Indrani during a conversation with their friend Prithul Sanghvi, had said that this relationship is not correct. The CBI has recorded statements of 52 witnesses, but only 38 have been attached with the chargesheet. The agency is also relying on how much the husband and wife spoke on the phone immediately before and after the murder and disposal of the body and also exchanged several messages during this period. According to the CBI, the call data records show that Indrani spoke to Peter for 924 seconds soon after the disposal of the body on April 25, 2012. They also spoke on the phone on April 24 at around 12.24 pm for 1,329 seconds and at 1.36 pm for 242 seconds. Sheena cursed her mother Sheena Bora was killed as her relationship with Rahul was disapproved of by the latters father Peter Mukerjea and his wife Indrani both of whom were part of the plot to murder her, CBI said in its charge sheet filed in a court here on Tuesday against the former media baron. To show the soured relationship between the deceased and her mother Indrani, the agency has cited two emails written by the Sheena to her close friend. In one of the emails, Sheena had said that Indrani had tried her level best to ensure that she lost her job by trying to influence higher-ups at Sheenas workplace. But somehow she was able save her job. In the second mail Sheena termed her mother as a bitch and witch and said she was very unsupportive of her. The agency has also given a comparison of money given to Sheena and Vidhi (Indranis daughter with her former husband and co-accused Sanjeev Khanna) from 2005 to 2007. Los Angeles: Debra, a waitress, was discovered shot in the chest three decades ago in an alley. The body of 25-year-old Janecia was found in a dumpster in 2007. There were at least eight other women. And one who got away. Lonnie Franklin Jr is accused of killing 10 women between 1985 and 2007, Deputy District Attorney Beth Silverman said. The women, all between the ages of 15 and 35, were strangled or shot and left in alleyways near Franklin's home in south Los Angeles. Sexual contact was also usually involved, according to Associated Press. They were young and black and leading troubled lives, some working as prostitutes. Most were killed along a corridor in the Manchester Square neighbourhood of South Los Angeles. Police kept the cases quiet - a decision that later led to outrage over what seemed an apparent disregard for the victims as well as the community's safety. The slayings were eventually linked to a serial killer, dubbed the Grim Sleeper. Tokyo: Foreign Minister Julie Bishop has outlined a blueprint for greater strategic and defence cooperation with Japan to counterbalance a "profound transformation" in the regional strategic environment brought on in part by a rising China. In comments likely to be watched closely in Beijing on the eve of her official visit to China, Ms Bishop also announced Australia had reached agreement on a new Pacific Islands strategic agreement with Japan. Julie Bishop with Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida. Credit:Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade The pact, initiated under the Abbott government, will see the two militaries work closely on maritime security and surveillance in a region where China has gone to great expense to extend its diplomatic and economic clout. "In a time of strategic uncertainty, we must consider what more we can do," Ms Bishop said on Tuesday, in a speech to the National Press Club in Tokyo. It was her fifth visit as foreign minister and follows a whistlestop visit from Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull in December. Amsterdam: Islamic State militants attacked Kurdish forces in Iraq with mustard gas last year, in the first known use of chemical weapons in Iraq since the fall of Saddam Hussein, a diplomat said. A source for the global chemicals arms watchdog, the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), confirmed that laboratory tests had come back positive for the sulphur mustard, after about 35 Kurdish troops fell ill on the battlefield in August. Islamic State is a relatively sophisticated user of online material and connectivity. Credit:UIG/Getty The OPCW will not identify who used the chemical agent. But the diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity because the findings have not yet been released, said the result confirmed that chemical weapons had been used by IS fighters. The samples were taken after the soldiers became ill during fighting against IS militants southwest of Erbil, capital of Iraq's autonomous Kurdish region. Moscow: The Kremlin strongly rejected on Tuesday accusations by Turkey that Russia committed a war crime in Syria after missile attacks killed scores of people a day earlier, hitting several medical facilities and schools. "We categorically do not accept such statements, the more so as every time those making these statements are unable to prove their unfounded accusations in any way," President Vladimir Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters during a conference call. Turkey had accused Russia of carrying out an "obvious war crime" after two schools, a hospital and a Medecins Sans Frontieres medical centre near the Turkish-Syrian border were hit by missiles. "Unfortunately they cheated us," Mr Bayati said, adding George W. Bush was even more damaging in his handling of the fallout from the 2003 invasion. He says he has little faith that any president will improve things for Iraq. "They have the problem as Iraq, the same faces coming again and again, the same families, Bushes and Clintons," he said. "They exported a copy of this system to us." Republican presidential candidate and former Florida governor Jeb Bush, left, shakes hands with his brother, former president George W. Bush. Credit:AP As with other customers here, mention of Bernie Sanders, Marco Rubio, Ted Cruz, John Kasich or others candidates draws a blank stare. And what of Trump? "He's a funny character, I don't know how the American people can accept this kind of person. It's unfortunate." 2016 Republican Presidential candidates (from left): Jeb Bush, Senator Ted Cruz and Donald Trump at the start of the latest Republican presidential candidate debate on Saturday. Credit:Bloomberg Shahbandar sits on Baghdad's famed bookselling street, Mutanabbi. There's an old Arab saying: Cairo writes, Beirut publishes, and Baghdad reads, and nowhere in the Iraqi capital is testament to that more than Mutanabbi, named after a 10th century poet. On Fridays, stalls cram the streets, while some traders lay out their wares on the sidewalks. Copies of Hillary Clinton's Hard Choices mingle with anthologies of Khalil Gibran poetry, encyclopaedias and Arabic translations of Dan Brown novels. Aziz Hasson, 70, sitting near the doorway to Shahbandar, likes to pen his own poetry. His last effort was titled America. Its opening line is "Why, my love?" He leans forward on his cane to explain the thrust. "We gave them all of our dreams: the Arabian Nights, the magic carpet," he said. "But they used them for Disney films, and they brought us their Humvees, their tanks and their snipers." Every street corner in Baghdad has its own tale of violence. And Shahbandar's is no different. On a wall near the entrance five portraits hang. They show the four sons and a grandson of the owner, all killed in 2007 when a car bomb brought death right to the doorstep here, killing 68 people. When it reopened the following year, it adjusted its name. Shahbandar Martyrs' Cafe, the sign outside now reads. Mohammed Khish Ali, the owner, squarely blames the Americans, and George W. Bush. He said whoever is elected, unless they can improve security, he'd like them to leave Iraq "to its people". "I hope that Bush will remember before he dies that he killed my five sons," he said. "One day he will stand before God, and I will have God on my side." Perhaps surprisingly considering his family's legacy, Jeb Bush does have some supporters here. One is Mohammed Radha Ashir, a 72-year-old retired physician, who comes here every week to meet friends and family. "If you start a mission you should finish it," he said, sitting next to an antique wooden-cased radio. "Bush started all this, maybe another member of his family will be able to finish the policy of his brother." Mr Ashir feels the biggest mistake of US policy was not the 2003 invasion, but what came after, including the 2011 withdrawal of troops. "Obama left Iraq to destruction under the pretext that he doesn't want to be involved in wars, but it's a mission that should be finished," he said. "The Democratic Party didn't do anything for Iraq, at least the Republicans have an obvious policy." Hillary Clinton, given her tenure as secretary of state, would be "disastrous" for Iraq, Mr Ashir said. But Saad Mohammed Ikabi, 43, sitting a few feet away, disagrees. "She has the experience, she was a minister," he said. "We need someone with experience, and she also has a husband who is an expert." In a corner near the windows Mohamed Jobouri Mahdi, with cropped grey hair, wearing a faded brown leather jacket, described her as a "classy lady". "But most Iraqis prefer the Republicans rather than the Democrats," said the 51-year-old policeman. "We like the powerful, not the smooth." If he could vote, he says he'd be torn between Mr Bush and Mr Trump. "We'd like another Bush, we know that one and one would be two, without diplomacy, without discussion," he said. "Not like Obama." But in the end he would most likely settle for Mr Trump, because he thinks he'd bring back boots on the ground and help restore security. Mr Trump "has vision", he said. But he doesn't appear to have a full grasp of the Republican frontrunner's policies. PHILIPSBURG:--- On February 13th, 2016 SCELL, The University of St. Martins School of Continuing Education and Life Long Learning, the birthmother of the Womens Island Network (WIN), held its first WIN community event at the St. Maarten Home for the Elderly located in St. Johns and celebrated Valentines Day with the residents. WIN was founded in August 2015 by Dr. Natasha J. Gittens, Ph.D. CHE. Director of SCELL based on her vision to organize a consortium of powerful women on the island to embrace and mentor young women and empower women as a whole to pursue educational opportunities at USM/UVI that will directly increase student enrollment at USM. WINs event was the perfect mix of love and dedication, eloquently balanced on behalf of the WIN Board. The week prior to the event, WIN Board Members established a new program referred to as WIN Ambassadors. The Ambassadors are a mix of young men and women, high school age, preparing for university enrollment in the near future. WIN will provide the Ambassadors with mentoring opportunities and guidance to both prepare and support their decision to pursue degrees at the University of St. Martin and the University of The Virgin Islands at St. Maarten. The Ambassadors collaboratively made homemade Valentines Day Cards for the elderly the weekend prior to present to the residents of the home this past Saturday. Each resident received a homemade card and enjoyed Caribbean music by a DJ, provided by WIN for the event. The WIN Members and the Ambassadors engaged with residents one on one and danced the afternoon away. The staff and residents had a positive reaction to the event and stated: "This is a very good incentive by the WIN Organization. This shows alot of love, joy and respect towards the elderly, please keep coming back with the students. These students are examples of how other students should respect themselves and others." Lorna Goldin. Nursing Assistant "I give all praise to the TOP our Lord Jesus Christ for this Organization! I would have expected this visit only from churches and not from an Organization, All praises to God! Enid Bradshaw (Elderly Resident) "It's nice to know that young people remember the elderly." Claris Hodge (Elderly Resident) SCELL Director, Dr. Gittens stated: WINs President, Marilyn Cronie is a born leader and WINs Vice President Adelena Schapp is a visionary. With their passion for education and dedication to supporting Womens educational advancement at USM/UVI, WIN will soar to heights unimaginable and change the lives of both woman and community members in high numbers over the next several years. Become a part of WIN a vibrant professional womens group or to become a WIN Ambassador, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 554-2437. You can also visit the SCELL website @ http://scell.usmonline.onl/. Information Builders Now Offers WebFOCUS BI and Analytics Platform in Three Editions to Meet Every Business Need NEW YORK, NY (Marketwired) 02/16/16 Information Builders, a leader in (BI) and analytics, information integrity, and data integration solutions, today announced that its industry-leading self-service BI and analytics platform, WebFOCUS, is now available in three editions to deliver reporting and analytics capabilities to a wide range of users and environments. Three editions of the product offer governed self-service tools and apps to empower an organizations entire universe of stakeholders including management, operational staff, partners, customers, and citizens with better analytics for better decision-making. Designed for up to 100 business users and analysts who can autonomously access, consume, create, produce, and share analytical content. It includes the tool that supports self-service analytics, dashboard assembly, content automation, and data discovery. InfoAssist+ gives business and non-technical users the ability to generate new and impactful value out of their data without the need to involve BI developers for their analytical needs. Designed for the authoring and deployment of highly customized self-service analytical applications InfoApps to a wide range of non-technical users. The Application Edition includes the full-function WebFOCUS server with all of its infrastructure, security, and administration capability. It also includes App Studio, a sophisticated authoring environment for building rich, secure InfoApps that can be deployed on-premise, in the cloud, on mobile devices, or as software- as-a-service (SaaS) applications. Designed for organizations that want to deploy embedded, complex, and/or strategic analytical applications to thousands or even millions of users, often customer-facing and outside of the corporate firewall. WebFOCUS is uniquely suited to scale the deployment of InfoApps to large user populations, such as patients, students, and consumers who may not even realize they are benefiting from a BI platform. The licensing model for Enterprise Edition changes from seat pricing to server (core) pricing, providing superior economics for significant user populations. Self-service BI and analytics tools for business users must be adaptable and specialized to suit the needs of a particular type of user and their business need, said Gerald Cohen, president and CEO of Information Builders. From the experienced data analyst to the non-technical business user, our three editions of WebFOCUS are designed to provide powerful business intelligence through apps and tools catered to deliver information according to every users preferences. No other vendor can offer such a superb user experience backed by a flexible, scalable and secure enterprise platform. Information Builders helps organizations transform data into business value. Our software solutions for business intelligence and analytics, integration, and data integrity empower people to make smarter decisions, strengthen customer relationships, and drive growth. Our dedication to customer success is unmatched in the industry. Thats why tens of thousands of leading organizations rely on Information Builders to be their trusted partner. Founded in 1975, Information Builders is headquartered in New York, NY, with offices around the world, and remains one of the largest independent, privately held companies in the industry. Visit us at , follow us on Twitter at , like us on , and visit our page. Kathleen Moran Information Builders (917) 339-6313 Lillian Dunlap LEWIS (781) 761-4500 Glassbeam Unveils Revolutionary Data Transformation and Edge Computing Capabilities for Its IoT Platform SANTA CLARA, CA (Marketwired) 02/16/16 , the machine data analytics company, announced today two revolutionary product enhancements for the IoT analytics market. is the IoT industrys first data transformation and preparation tool focused on automating cumbersome manual work required to convert raw machine log data into actionable information. offers sophisticated IoT Analytics at the edge through a lightweight, yet powerful, platform that enables device manufacturers to perform mission critical activity in near-real-time without dealing with the costs or latency involved in sending data back to a central cloud. Glassbeam Studio gives business and technical users immense data modelling power at their fingertips through the industrys first ever data transformation and preparation tool for unstructured machine log data. Using Studio, a user can easily model and transform any kind of log format complexity through a friendly drag-and-drop interface. With this ground breaking functionality, the power of Glassbeam Studio is to revolutionize the IoT analytics industry by dramatically reducing the time it takes to design, implement and maintain an end to end IoT solution, by a factor of 100x. To learn more, please sign up for a . Glassbeam, as a long standing partner of the ThingWorx Ready partner program, will also be working closely with the ThingWorx Machine Learning platform to exploit the functionality of Glassbeam Studio and dramatically reduce the time to draw insights in machine learning projects. The ThingWorx platform helps automate the data discovery and predictive analytics process, speeding time to insights and reducing the dependency on expert resources normally required to create, operationalize, and integrate advanced or predictive analytics for key decision makers in the enterprise. It is a well-known fact that machine learning models are only as good as the data that is used for training and on-going predictive scoring. Unfortunately, by some industry estimates, over 60% of the time in a typical machine learning project is spent in data preparation and transformation before any meaningful analysis can be performed. This is particularly true in machine learning projects with unstructured log data where data scientists precious time is spent in doing these mundane repetitive tasks as opposed to spending time on building valuable models and predictions. Glassbeam Studio is a revolutionary solution to this chronic problem. Analytics and machine learning in the IoT world have a significant dependency on data transformation and preparation especially when dealing with unstructured machine log data said Ryan Caplan, President and GM of Analytics at PTC. This problem gets more compounded when you have to combine unstructured log data with its varying complex formats with structured data sources to create richer data sets for deeper analysis. We believe Glassbeam has created a valuable footprint in this space and GB studio is another proof of their mission to simplify IoT analytics implementation life cycles. Additionally, Glassbeam is announcing the availability of edge computing capabilities through a lightweight version of its platform that ingests, parses and analyzes unstructured data in close proximity to the actual device. These capabilities eliminate the significant, often prohibitive, costs and latency involved in sending voluminous data back to centralized data centers. Glassbeams edge capabilities are particularly useful for high growth IoT areas like predictive maintenance in verticals such as smart grids, oil and gas, and power generation. Intelligent distributed energy resources (DER) and IoT devices are transforming todays grid into smart grid said Vipul Gore, CEO of Gridscape. Analysis of the intelligence at the grid edge with Glassbeam Edge is both efficient and cheaper as you save unnecessary round-trips to the server, bringing immense benefits to smart grid operators. The promise of business IoT analytics is to transform and act on new machine information in real time. said Jason Stamper, Analyst at 451 Research. However, that has not been possible in the past due to lack of robust data transformation and analytics tools. With Glassbeam Studio, the ability for product manufacturers and service providers to transform complex machine log data into actionable information in minutes is going to have a major impact on the industry. The latest enhancements in Glassbeams platform are a true testament to the companys ability to produce differentiated, cutting-edge product in the IoT Analytics industry said Kumar Malavalli, Chairman, Co-founder and Chief Strategy Officer of Glassbeam. Transforming and preparing unstructured machine log data for the connected device world is always a daunting challenge and Glassbeam is an industry pioneer in solving this formidable problem Acting on the customer and partner feedback, we have built Glassbeam Studio and Edge Capabilities to alleviate two of the biggest pain points in the IoT industry, said Puneet Pandit, Co-founder and CEO of Glassbeam. Glassbeam is turning the IoT industry on its head with these new innovations. Now our platform has the most complete set of functionality for tackling the most daunting analytics challenges for the connected machine world and we are thrilled to make these available to the marketplace today. Glassbeam is the machine data analytics company. Bringing structure and meaning to data from any connected device, Glassbeam provides actionable intelligence around the Internet of Things. Glassbeams next generation cloud-based analytics platform is designed to organize and analyze multi-structured data, delivering powerful product and customer intelligence for companies including IBM, VCE, Aruba Networks, and Dimension Data. For more information, visit . The ThingWorx Ready Partner Program allows hardware and software companies to pre-integrate their product with the ThingWorx rapid application development platform, greatly simplifying the creation and deployment of IoT solutions. These companies provide a wide variety of products throughout the entire connected world value chain from software systems and cloud platforms to smart sensors, devices, gateways and machines. Becoming ThingWorx Ready reduces the cost and risk of Internet of Things deployments for end customers, helping accelerate the growth of the overall space. ThingWorx is a trademark or registered trademark of PTC Inc. or its subsidiaries in the United States and in other countries. Out of four convicts,two were sentenced to death, in the gangrape and murder of a 21-year old college girl at Kamduni. (Photo: PTI) Kolkata: Four convicts, of whom two were sentenced to death, in the gangrape and murder of a 21-year old college girl at Kamduni in North 24 Parganas district, on Tuesday moved the Calcutta High Court on Tuesday challenging a sessions court judgement. Counsel Firoz Edulji mentioned the matter before Justice Nadira Patheria for enlisting the four appeals as admission of appeal. Of the four, Ansar Ali and Amin Ali were awarded death sentence while Bhola Naskar and Sk Imamul Islam were sentenced to imprisonment for life by Additional District and Sessions judge Sanchita Sarkar on January 30. Two others were also convicted in the case. Of these, Saiful Ali was sentenced to death, while Aminul Islam was sentenced to life imprisonment. These two have not yet filed an appeal before the HC. Two accused, Rafiqul Islam and Nur Ali were acquitted owing to lack of evidence against them. Another accused Gopal Naskar died during trial in August last year. The gangrape and murder of the girl took place when she was returning home at Kamduni in North 24 Parganas district, about 50 km from Kolkata, after appearing at an examination at her college on June 7, 2013. The second year BA student was pulled into a farm when she was walking back home along a deserted road after alighting from a bus. She was subsequently gangraped and murdered. Her mutilated body was found the next morning in a corner of the farm. What you need to know about Powerball and the $550 jackpot Here's everything you need to know about Powerball from how to play for the lottery jackpot to when the next drawing will be. Two friends, both final year students one is pursuing engineering and the other architecture were arrested in this connection. Chennai: A Facebook post of an image, in which a friend is seen holding onto a booze bottle in a party during a recent road trip, led to the death of a 25-year-old man who posted and shared it, on Sunday night. Two friends, both final year students one is pursuing engineering and the other architecture were arrested in this connection. The deceased Gowtham, (21), of Triplicane, was lured to a spot in Ayodhi Kuppam by a quartet including the aggrieved youth who is pursuing final year engineering course in a private college here. Gowtham along with Md. Parvesh, (21), final year student, along with a few others, went on a trip to Bengaluru, a few weeks ago. During the trip, the gang boozed on different occasions while Gowtham had taken a picture of Md. Parvesh holding liquor. Gowtham had reportedly posted the same in his FB page and had also shared it despite Parveshs request not to share it. This caused an unease among the friends since most of their family members were in FB and that began drawing negative criticism. The friends, also used to disagree with the performance of their bikes, and used to compete with each other on city roads to establish their supremacy in riding and owning the machine. Gowtham who had studied up to class 12 got acquainted with Md. Parvesh, Deepak Kumar, who is pursuing B.Arch, and a few others since they went to the same tuition teacher. Ever since school days, they had been hanging out together. Though they used to always disagree on bikes, stayed friends most of the time until the Bengaluru trip, said a senior police officer privy to the investigation. Parvesh rang up Gowtham to come near Ayodhi Kuppam where the latter was reportedly thrashed. Gowtham who collapsed died on the way to hospital. Oak Creek to host outdoor 2022 World Cup watch party A partnership between Morans Pub in South Milwaukee and the city of Oak Creek will offer residents food, drinks, music and games on Nov. 25. Welcome to SwanseaOnline - your home for the best news, sports and what's on coverage of the city. Never miss a Swansea story with our daily newsletter Sign up to comment on our stories here Follow us on Facebook and Twitter | Swansea City news | Ospreys news | InYourArea Hyderabad: Last November the cyber crime wing of Cyberabad police raided a den of Nigerian fraudsters in Delhi with the help of Delhi police and arrested 12 men. The cops recovered 19 mobile phones and two laptops along with some other gadgets. Though the gang had wiped the laptops clean of all data, the police managed to retrieve evidence from them and produced it in court. In 10 similar cases in the last three months, the cyber police managed to collect evidence and file chargesheets. Earlier, the collection of evidence in cases related to cyber crimes used to get delayed as the cops had to depend on the State Forensic Science Laboratory (SFSL) for analysis, but that would take anywhere between two months to two years. The cyber police has now acquired technology for collecting digital evidence and recovery of erased data from hard disks or any other storage device without disturbing the original evidence. This is important, because not touching the original file means that the modified date of the files remains unchanged and the cops cant be accused of tampering with evidence. The latest equipment and software, costing Rs 18 lakh, is helping the police to collect digital evidence. Police commissioner C.V. Anand told DC that the new technology would be inaugurated during the inaugural function of the Command Control Center of Cyberabad. Cyber crime inspector Mohammad Riyazuddin said, We have procured high-end computers for using these equipment. The software consists of a flash-drive key, which enables the accuseds computer to boot up in check-protected mode. The check-protected mode enables us to open the computer in read-only mode. The software recovers deleted files from storage devices. All the data on the accuseds computer can be retrieved as a disk image, he said. He added that the transfer of data from one computer to another used to take two to three days. The new software increases the speed of transfer to six GBPS, he said. Cyber crime consultant Sundeep Mudhalkar who helps the Telangana and AP police said that most cyber criminals use Linux operating system instead of Windows. Linux needs only 3.7 GB disk space and works on the basis of commands. At the time of installation, there will be some options which enables quick format. The quick format option in Linux can format a 100 GB disk within 30 seconds to one minute. Similarly, during the installation of Windows, certain options enable quick format in less than 10 minutes, he said. Devices to analyse mobile phones, enhance images The Cyberabad police has acquired mobile phone analysing devi-ces along with physical and logical data retrieving tools and video enhancing tools for mobile phones and SIM cards. Inspector Riyazu-ddin told DC that the equipment can collect data from as many as 64,000 mobile handsets, branded and unbranded ones. We can recover erased chat data, call data, call logs, past tower locations, videos and enhance blurred images apart from details of browsed websites, he said. He added that the cyber crime wing can now analyse damaged SIM cards with the assistance of SIM-tool-retriever software. Around 130 cyber crime cases have been pending in Cyberabad since two years. Currently the cyber crime wing is receiving reports and analysis of cases that were registered in 2014. Although the cyber crime police has adopted advanced technology to overcome delays, the cyber crime lab needs authentication and has to obtain certain permissions from the government. Meanwhile, the lab can assist the staff of FSL. Jordanna Max Brodsky is the author of the new book "The Immortals (opens in new tab)," a modern tale that follows the ancient Artemis. Brodsky hails from Virginia and holds a degree in History and Literature from Harvard University. Living in Manhattan with her husband, she often sees goddesses in Central Park and wishes she were one. Brodsky contributed this article to Space.com's Expert Voices: Op-Ed & Insights. The ancient Greeks called constellations katasterismoi, meaning "placings of the stars" placed by the gods. The Greeks believed the Olympians put those people, animals and objects in the heavens for a reason: to serve as unmistakable lessons on proper behavior. Often, entire stories play out across the sky, traced from one constellation to the next. Much of the zodiac (a word coined from the Greek zodiakos kuklos, or "circle of little animals") represents beasts defeated by the great hero Heracles as part of his labors, such as Leo the Nemean Lion, Cancer the Crab, and Taurus the Cretan Bull. Other tales are even more bloody and brutish, reminding humanity of the punishments that await mortals who refuse to pay homage to the gods. Artemis, the virgin Greek goddess of the hunt, is credited with "placing" more than her fair share of constellations Ursa Major, Orion and Corvus, to name a few. So many, in fact, that one of her more poetic monikers is Lady of the Starry Host. [Hail Hydra! A Monstrous Constellation Explained ] My book "The Immortals (opens in new tab)" (Orbit Books, 2016) is a contemporary fantasy about Artemis, who now prowls the shadows of modern Manhattan under the name Selene DiSilva, defending women from the men who abuse them. Like so many New Yorkers, Selene rarely sees the heavens above too much light pollution, too many skyscrapers. But when she does, she reads her own history in the patterns of the stars. Today, we know that humans arbitrarily codified the constellations there is no scientific reason to group the stars. Yet civilizations throughout history have identified constellations, and even now we still call them by their old Greek or Roman names for a reason: The myths make the stars seem a little less distant , the universe a little less vast. Call that anthropocentric hubris if you like, but it's a universal impulse nonetheless. So why fight it? Much of our astronomical knowledge, from the identification of the zodiac to the prediction of eclipses, dates back to the ancient world. Sure, they believed in a geocentric universe, but they got a lot of other stuff right. And if nothing else, the myths are as captivating, dramatic and action-packed as any modern blockbuster. As a primarily oral civilization, the ancient Greeks told many versions of the constellation myths, so there's never one "correct" story. What we do know comes from rare and often fragmentary written sources. But, as a writer, that's part of why I love mythology: There's always room for our own imagination to fill in the blanks. Here are a few of my favorite stories behind the stars. Orion: Artemis's lost love The stars Alnilam, Mintaka and Alnitak form Orions belt. (Image credit: Martin Mutti, Astronomical Image Data Archive) Orion is the sole male hunting companion of the chaste Artemis . He wants to marry her, but her jealous twin brother Apollo can't let that happen. One day, when Orion is swimming far out at sea, Apollo points to the speck on the horizon and dares his sister to strike the target with her arrows. She accepts the challenge and, being the Goddess of Archery, easily hits the mark. When she realizes her brother has betrayed her, and that she has murdered her friend, she places Orion's body in the stars. Another version of the tale, less personally engaging but more ecologically relevant, claims that Orion boasted that he could kill all the beasts of the Earth and that, as punishment for his hubris, Artemis sent a scorpion to kill him, later turning them both into constellations so they could continue their chase for eternity. Even now, as Orion sets, Scorpius rises. Ursa Major: The cursed she-bear This sky map shows how the constellation Ursa Major, the Great Bear, appears in the night sky from mid-latitudes of North America at about 9 p.m. local time. (Image credit: Starry Night Software) The beautiful princess Callisto swears herself to Artemis as a chaste hunting companion. Zeus, the King of the Gods (and a notorious womanizer), seduces the princess anyway. When Artemis notices Callisto's swollen belly, she turns the girl into a she-bear as punishment for breaking her vow of chastity. Years later, Callisto's son, Arcas, sees a bear wandering through the temple grounds. Unaware that the bear is his mother, he sends an arrow through its heart. Callisto ascends to the heavens as Ursa Major, the Great Bear, and Arcas as either Ursa Minor or Bootes, which the Greeks originally called Arctophylax, or Bear-Watcher. Cassiopeia: The boastful queen The big W of Cassiopeia, marked in red, shines bright over an alpine hut, high in the Italian mountains, with the International Space Station (seen as a light streak) making a flyby. (Image credit: Copyright Huw James Media ) Anyone who saw "Clash of the Titans" might remember that Cassiopeia's daughter, Andromeda, was a princess chained to a rock as an offering to a great sea monster. The hero Perseus defeats the monster, saves the princess, and wins himself a bride. But why was she chained up in the first place? Because Cassiopeia bragged that her daughter was more beautiful than the sea nymphs. Poseidon, the Sea God, sends fearsome Cetus the Whale to attack the city as punishment for the queen's hubris. To commemorate the story, the gods placed the entire family, including Andromeda's father, Cepheus, in the stars. For her boasting, Cassiopeia must traverse the heavens lying on her back. [Cassiopeia: The Banished Queen Ruling the Night Sky] Corvus: The Tattling Crow The constellation Corvus the crow. (Image credit: pace.com using Starry Night software.) Apollo's pregnant lover Coronis, a princess of Thessaly, betrays him by sleeping with a mortal warrior. The god learns of her infidelity from the crow (or raven), his sacred bird. Enraged, Apollo sends his sister, Artemis, to slay Coronis with arrows. But as the princess lies dead on her funeral pyre, Apollo regrets his wrath: He cuts his unborn son from his mother's womb. The baby grows up to be Asclepius, the hero-god of medicine, often identified as the constellation Ophiuchus, the Serpent-Bearer, who carries the snake-twined rod now commonly associated with doctors. To punish the loose-beaked crow, Apollo turns its white feathers black and then banishes it to the heavens. As further punishment, Apollo places the Water-Serpent constellation HYDRA to guard the stars of Crater, the sacred Cup, so that the crow can never slake its thirst. Coronis's Hydra means "crow," while Corvus means "raven." Thus, the constellation Corvus honors them both. Excerpt from "The Immortals" Reproduced with permission from Hachette Book Group. A full chapter excerpt is available at Olympus Bound. After living for millennia without worship, Selene DiSilva no longer possesses the supernatural powers of Artemis, the goddess she once was. Like all the Athanatoi Those Who Do Not Die she has faded into a nearly mortal existence. Now, as a newly-revived ancient Greek cult murders virgin women in the streets of modern Manhattan, Selene finds her old powers suddenly revived. But she doesn't know why Selene opened the window wide and knelt before the sill, looking up at the sky above the rooftops. Even now, at the darkest hour before dawn, it shone with an unearthly glow. Selene knew it was just light pollution bouncing off the clouds above, but sometimes she imagined the city possessed the sort of divine radiance once reserved for the gods. Just as in ancient times the Olympians had chosen to walk among mortals in disguise rather than reveal themselves in all their terrible glory, so New York clothed itself in dirt and noise and stench. Its true power would be too much for mortal eyes to bear. "Imagine, Hippo," she said as the dog rested her chin on the windowsill. "Once I was the Lady of the Starry Host." She'd placed her victims in the heavens as eternal reminders of her rage and mercy. First Ursa Majora nymph who broke her vows of chastity and was metamorphosed into a bear by Artemis's uncompromising justice. Then Ursa Minorthe son of that illicit union who met the same fate. "But now, even the strongest Athanatoi no longer possess the ability to make men into stars. Especially not here, where the stars themselves are hidden from view. New York's radiance outshines my own." Over the centuries she'd watched the city's lights quench heaven's fire. With the constellations' disappearance, the history written in their outlines her own history dimmed alongside. She'd always imagined herself fading as well. Slowly, imperceptibly, disappearing into myth. But now, for the first time in an age, she felt hope. She knew the most obvious explanation for her strengthening, and she didn't want to face it. She could barely admit it to herself. It was possible that her mother's decline was adding to her own strength. With one fewer god to siphon away the limited worship man still provided, the remaining Athanatoi might benefit. Father, she prayed silently. Mighty Zeus, who once granted me six wishes, grant me one more. Help me find the answers I seek. Let my rebirth not come from my mother's death. And if you ever loved gentle Leto, help me save her. She closed her eyes and imagined her words reaching up to the vault of heaven, then soaring past the city, over the vast ocean, all the way to Zeus's lair on the island of Crete. And there the prayer died. Because her father could no longer hear. Since the Diaspora, Zeus had lost his strength and his wits, eventually breaking his own vow of exile and returning to the Cave of Psychro, where he'd spent his infancy. In the nineteenth century, her half-brother Hermes had finally dared visit the Father of the Gods. "By day, he looks up at the sky through the cave's mouth and watches the clouds pass," he told the Huntress afterward. "He waves his hands about as if he would bend the wind to his whim, and pouts when the sky doesn't obey. He's gone mad, Sister. There's moss in his hair and mold on his skin. By night, he crawls from the cave and raids the flocks of nearby farmers, eating sheep and goats raw. Mostly, though, he lives on bats and worms." "Maybe that's all this is," Selene said to Hippo, rising to her feet and reaching for the bow leaning against the windowsill. "My own inevitable descent into madness." She twirled a shaft between her fingers before settling it against the arrow rest. "Maybe this is all a dream." She sighted between the swaying branches of an oak over a hundred yards away on the border of the park, noting the skittering movement of a squirrel. It dashed down one branch then up another, hidden in the shadows of night. "Maybe I'm not going to make this shot," Selene said quietly. Then she loosed the arrow. A heartbeat later, the wind carried the faintest of squeals to the Huntress's ear. She lowered her bow. "For tonight, at least, I'm the Far Shooter. The Huntress. The Swiftly Bounding One. Go ahead," she said, looking down at Hippo. "Pick an epithet. I've got dozens." If you're a topical expert researcher, business leader, author or innovator and would like to contribute an op-ed piece, email us here (Image credit: SPACE.com) The dog just cocked her head, oblivious. For the first time in a long time, Selene wished she had a real friend. Can you see me, Orion? she wondered. Do you revel in my return to power or dread it? She looked up to where the scudding clouds left bare a patch of night sky and felt her triumph slip away. In a painful irony, the only stars bright enough to outshine the city lights were those that most tormented her. A star for each broad shoulder, a star for each strong leg, three stars slung in a glittering belt and a last for his sword. Cold, remote, a bare suggestion of a man, light years away from the one she'd known. Yet in the dark gaps of night, she saw strong limbs and fierce eyes, curling hair and a flashing smile. Orion, at once infinitely distant and just beyond reach, stared down like a reproachful judge upon the woman who'd loved him. The woman who'd killed him. The woman who'd placed him in the heavens as an eternal reminder of her guilt, her shame, her heartbreak. Selene rose and moved to her narrow bed. She thought suddenly of Theodore Schultz. He too had lost someone he loved. But in every photo, friends surrounded him, smiling, laughing, touching. He would grieve, but unlike Selene he would not be alone. She fell asleep with the wind streaming across her face from the open window. For the first time in centuries, she dreamed Orion was with her. He smelled like the dry hills of Attica. Like oregano crushed underfoot. Like sweat and heat and the thrill of the chase. His warm flesh pressed against her back. His fingertips traced a line of fire up her arm, to her neck, where his lips, rough and wind burnt, pressed a kiss into the hollow of her ear. With the frenzy of a drowning woman, Selene pulled herself from the dream and sat up, sure Orion was there. She imagined she could still smell him on the wind. But dawn reddened the sky, the stars had been put to flight, and she was alone. Follow all of the Expert Voices issues and debates and become part of the discussion on Facebook, Twitter and Google+. The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher. This version of the article was originally published on Space.com. The high point of the public performance was when he announced he would issue a judicial order directing the Chennai police commissioner to arrest the two Supreme Court judges (Inset: Justice C S Karnan) Chennai: High drama was witnessed on the precincts of the Madras high court on Monday with Justice C S Karnan addressing the media at the gates and pronouncing that India is a racist nation and he was ashamed to be born here. He also declared he would cancel birthright and migrate to a country where there is no racism. The high point of the public performance was when he announced he would issue a judicial order directing the Chennai police commissioner to arrest, under the SC/ST (prevention of atrocities) Act, the two Supreme Court judges who had earlier in the day ordered that no work be allocated to him. Read: Madras High Court judge defies Supreme Court They (the two Supreme Court judges) had passed the order against me only because I am a Dalit. This hurts not just me, it hurts 125 crore people of this country. Am I a subordinate of Supreme Court judges? What mistake have I committed? On what grounds did they pass their order? I was not given a hearing, no documents, no evidence.I questioned the increasing racism and they transferred me, he told the huge gathering of media persons plus members of the public, and lawyers. I will drag them (two judges) to the Parliament. I will seek their impeachment. I will prove my innocence Upper castes dominate all the high courts in the country and the Supreme Court, Justice Karnan declared, making it clear that he would stretch his battlefield well beyond the Madras high court and the Supreme Court by petitioning the lawmakers. He gave enough indication of his intent by marking copies of his letter to the Chief Justice of India which he even called a suo moto judicial order staying his transfer to Calcutta high court to Dalit political leaders Ramvilas Paswan and Mayawati, besides the chairman of the National Commission for SCs and STs. He had also marked copies to the President of India, the PM, Union law minister and Congress president Ms Sonia Gandhi. When a reporter asked him why he marked copies to Paswan and Mayawati, Justice Karnan shot back, They are our community (Dalit) leaders and they will effectively take up the issue before the Parliament. As for Sonia Gandhi, she will also take up this issue because she is the Opposition leader. To another question whether the media would not expose itself to contempt of court proceedings if it reported his media meet, Justice Karnan said, I am passing a judicial order right now directing the SC and the Madras HC not to initiate any contempt against print and visual media for reporting this (media meet). There was some drama earlier in the afternoon when reporters arrived at Justice Karnan's chamber on being informed that he wanted to meet the media. Where are the cameras? the judge demanded to know and when the reporters replied that they were all from the print media, he was visually disappointed. You will print (media meet) only tomorrow morning whereas TV will flash it to the world immediately. I want the cameras, declared the judge. The reporters then pointed out that TV cameras were not allowed into the court premises and there was the CISF security personnel guarding the entrance, the judge said, Then I shall go to the gate myself and meet the media. He then marched out of his chamber situated on the second floor of the court building and reached the gate in quick time. The government said it is open to debating the JNU row in Parliament during the upcoming Budget Session starting February 23. (Photo: PTI) New Delhi: The escalating row over the JNU issue on Tuesday found an echo at a meeting of political parties called by Prime Minister Narendra Modi with opposition leaders speaking against the sedition case slapped on the arrested student leader and government asserting that slogans raised by students were "highly objectionable". The government said it is open to debating the JNU row in Parliament during the upcoming Budget Session starting February 23 with Modi saying that it will address the concerns raised by the opposition. Read: In protest, JNU teachers to take classes on nationalism every day Modi said during the meeting as opposition parties raised a host of issues that he was Prime minister not only of BJP but the entire country, Parliamentary Affairs Minister M Venkaiah Naidu told the media after the over two-hour meeting. Today's parleys were the first-ever meeting of political parties convened by Modi ahead of a Parliament session. "We will respond to the issues raised by the opposition and address them. I hope the congenial mood here will be translated into action in Parliament," Modi told the meeting. Naidu said there was a general consensus that Parliament should run smoothly. With BJP targeting Congress over its support to "anti-nationals" in the JNU row, Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad said his party "disassociates" with all such students who shouted slogans attacking India's unity and Constitution but insisted that there was no proof of sedition against Kanhaiya Kumar, the arrested JNU Student Union president. "There is no proof of sedition against him," he said. He also hit out at BJP leaders for "defaming" the party leadership with their "anti-national" jibe and said the government should restrain them. Read: JNU row: Attack on journalists, teachers 'act of fascism', says Congress Azad told the media that the atmosphere in the country has been vitiated since the BJP came to power and its government has taken no action against people responsible for it. Naidu shared the opposition leaders' concern over use of terms like "anti-national" and also spoke about 'Hitler' jibe made at the Prime Minister as he noted that all parties should show restraint. Read: A group of people hit me, my action was 'natural': BJP MLA "Government will discuss every issue under rule. We have no objections. Government is willing to walk the extra mile. Let there be an open debate about what happened in JNU, the posters used there. Some said cops should not have gone there. The mood was very good and cordial. It was also said that a section of media is blowing things out of proportion," he said. The meeting also saw Trinamool Congress pushing for the passage of the GST bill, Naidu said. JD(U) Chief Sharad Yadav said Parliament must run and all issues debated there. Azad, joined by senior party leader Anand Sharma, claimed that his party was always of the view that bills should be passed on merit but if there is a stalemate in Parliament, then the government must find out the reasons and address them. "If people holding the constitutional positions are vitiating the atmosphere in the country, then it will find a reflection in Parliament. Had action been taken against them, then many things which we see today would not be happening," he said. Read: No NIA probe in JNU sedition charge, Delhi HC refuses to interfere Defending Kanhaiya, Azad said he did not speak against the Constitution and the country's integrity. "His arrest on the sedition charge is unfair. Action should also have been taken against those who vitiated the country's atmosphere." Congress leaders also spoke about a Dalit scholar's suicide in the Hyderabad Central University and "pressure" brought to bear on him allegedly at the behest of ABVP, the student wing of BJP. Arunachal Pradesh Governor's decisions leading to the imposition of President's Rule was also raised. Asked about his party's stand on the GST bill, Azad said the bill was not under discussion in the meeting. Naidu said the customary all party meeting ahead of the session will take place on February 22 in which bills and other issues related to the Session will be discussed. Read: Lawyers attack JNU students, scribes in Patiala House court complex Azad welcomed Modi's move to invite leaders of various parties for the meeting. Naidu said all parties spoke in one voice that Parliament should function. "Frustration is rising among people due to stalemate in Parliament, issues are not being debated," he said. In a veiled dig at Congress, he said the opposition party spoke about the atmosphere in the country but other parties said there should be no "ifs and buts" and Parliament should function. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley explained the government's stand on the JNU row and spoke about the slogans and posters related to the controversial event, calling them highly objectionable. Shiv Sena MP Anand Adsul said there was a general consensus at the meeting that Parliament should run smoothly during the session. The Left leaders said they raised several issues including "what is happening at universities", the President's Rule in Arunachal Pradesh and sought the Prime Minister's intervention. "Most of the opposition raised the issue of what is happening these days at universities. Even the CPI (M)office was attacked, Sitaram Yechury was threatened, CPI's D Raja is being threatened," CPI(M) leader Mohd Salim said. CPI National Secretary D Raja asked Modi if the Home Minister was acting on his own or he has approval of the entire government for action against JNU students. Raja said the Prime Minister did not give any assurance but promised to look into the issues. "If so many things are happening around, then naturally noise and sound will be heard in the temple of democracy (Parliament). The bell will ring in the temple," Salim added. TDP MP Thota Narasimha said the Prime Minister and the Parliamentary Affairs Minister requested all the parties for smooth functioning of the House. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate 5 1 of 5 Matthew Brown / Hearst Connecticut Media Show More Show Less 2 of 5 Michael Cummo / Hearst Connecticut Media Show More Show Less 3 of 5 4 of 5 Matthew Brown / Hearst Connecticut Media Show More Show Less 5 of 5 The Connecticut Senate, in its first bill filed in the 2016 legislative session, is seeking to create innovation districts statewide to encourage creation of fast-growth startups. The bill would extend an existing tax credit for angel investments in startups by individual investors, while expanding the applicability of that and other tax credit programs to support startups in newly established innovation districts. On a de facto basis, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy created innovation districts across Connecticut in 2011 by freeing up $5 million in funding to support a chain of startup accelerators, including the Stamford Innovation Center, B:Hive in Bridgeport and the Danbury Hackerspace among others, with the Stamford-based Business Council of Fairfield County also winning funding for its own efforts. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Connecticut towns are struggling to cover a budget gap that opened when the state slashed its contribution to the cost of resident state troopers. Localities are now required to pay 85 percent of the cost of the two highest-paid troopers, including salaries, benefits and cruisers, and the full cost for all other troopers, up from the 70 percent they paid until last year. Local officials have been grappling with the issue since the Legislature approved the cuts last June, after towns had set their budgets for the year. The states spending is out of control, the budgets out of control and the states out of control, said Oxford First Selectman George Temple. To get back in control they start taxing the municipalities resources. New Fairfield took $280,000 from its projected budget surplus to cover the costs of its seven troopers for the current fiscal year, First Selectman Susan Chapman said. For the coming fiscal year, the town budgeted more than $1.2 million, up from the $919,000 budgeted before the mid-year cut took effect in 2015. That alone raised the towns overall budget for 2016-17 by 2.8 percent. Its unfortunate that the state keeps doing this, Chapman said. In Washington, the decline in the states share forced the town to make a $28,500 appropriation this year to support its lone trooper and to budget almost $159,000 next year, up from the $132,000 for this fiscal year. Shermans trooper budget has increased by more than 50 percent since the state cut went into effect, rising from about $137,000 to more than $200,000, said First Selectman Clay Cope. Its more difficult for us and our budget and we had to make concessions in other areas, Cope said. As much as they deplored the states cut in its contribution, some town officials said they gave no thought to cutting back on expenses for troopers. Our resident state trooper is invaluable to our town, Cope said. You cant put a price on public safety. Temple agreed. I dont want to sacrifice public safety for anything, he said. If it costs more, it costs more. Temple said Oxford might have to make cuts to cover the increase. Still, several towns are reconsidering how they use resident troopers. Betsy Gara, executive director of the Connecticut Council of Small Towns, said some communities have reduced the number of troopers or paired up to pay for them, and some are considering a regional police force. Roxbury and Bridgewater, for example, are piloting a shared trooper arrangement. Bridgewater First Selectman Curtis Read anticipates a $12,000 increase in the towns trooper budget for next year, in addition to the $80,000 the town is already paying. What can you do? Read asked. Its a tough cut to take, but everybody across the state is facing the same thing. New Fairfield formed a committee to explore ways to more efficiently protect residents, including replacing some state troopers with local officers. But Chapman said she does not expect to create to an independent police department because of the expense. Temple said Oxford might examine its safety force, which includes both troopers and local officers. He added that the system is inherently unfair because residents troopers can be pulled away from town to cover calls elsewhere. Theyre actually working for the state while the town pays for it, he said. Im not overly delighted about that. Marketing is always about what the consumer needs and wants to hear. If its not immediately relevant or interesting, then its just annoying. Thats why theres such widespread use of ad-blocker browser extensions. Related: Top 10 Customer-Centric Marketing Trends for 2016 According to PageFair, ad blockers were estimated to cost publishers nearly $22 billion in lost revenue in 2015. And that dollar figure will continue to climb: Ad blocking has increased by 41 percent in the last year, with more than 198 million active ad-block users in the world. In order to stay visible, you need to adapt to growing technology trends and the way consumers prefer to digest relevant information. Look over these eye-opening trends that you can leverage in the coming months. 1. Virtual reality Virtual Reality has come a long way since the concepts and products released in the '90s. Technology like the Oculus Rift, which was bought out by Facebook to the tune of $2 billion, is going to have a big impact on the way companies engage individual consumers. Think about the current demand for personalization among consumers and how that can be implemented with a 3D virtual experience. You could quite literally provide your customers with a 360-degree immersive story through visual content. Virtual tours, one-on-one engagement and interactive and immersive commercials are just a few ways marketing will likely shift in the near future via the use of virtual reality. 2. The new age of search meets social Google has dominated the search market, followed closely by Yahoo! and Bing, for years. Were now seeing that Facebook is making continued advancements to step outside of the social bubble and create a more expansive service to rival those search giants. By expanding its search functionality, Facebook is able to tie in other components, which include call-to-action buttons and payment messaging. Mix that with the existing ability users have to follow groups, join social discussions and engage brands while chatting with friends on Facebook, and you can see why the social site is quickly positioning itself to be an all-in-one platform for the web. Its not just about social engagement anymore: Sites like Facebook are allowing brands to create real digital experiences. 3. A step away from evergreen Brands frequently embrace evergreen content, or content that will last for an extended period of time and continue to generate traffic. This year, were seeing a growing trend in the opposite direction: simple, brief content shared in real time. Platforms like Periscope and Snapchat are pushing a less is more concept, where we communicate with the end user for a shorter and briefer span of time. In a world where your target audience is on the go and strapped for time, these kinds of marketing hors d'oeuvres are exactly what users are looking for. Both Snapchat and Periscope provide unique peeks into brands that consumers feel connected to, while satisfying their voracious appetites for new content. Related: 4 Trends That Will Shape Marketing in 2016 4. Marketing automation Automation isnt new, but its become more necessary and more relevant, especially with the focus shifting to writing 10 times the amount of content that is 10 times better than what your competitors are putting out. The bulk of your time this year is going to be spent competing hardcore for the waning attention of your audience. You can expect that content creation to take up vast time resources, so you and automation are going to become best buddies. Theres no shortage of choices when it comes to platforms, and those marketing automation platforms will make it easier for you to segment your customers for improved email scheduling while tracking them through your sales funnel and monitoring social performance. 5. Location-based marketing growth The best way to create an interactive experience with your customers is to deliver content and target the user directly at or near the point of engagement. That can happen as a customer nears a retail location or other designated physical location such as a tradeshow or special event. Using Bluetooth technology, you can use push notifications to nearby devices, attracting the attention of your target audience. Applications go beyond retail- or location-based marketing. For instance, SK Telecom and Seoul National University Bundang Hospital are using Bluetooth Smart Beacons to provide round-the-clock patient information and navigation to 6,000 daily patients. Analysts estimate that beacons, acting as hubs, will be deployed all over airports and transit stations to easily send out notifications on departures, delays and passenger assignments. We are also seeing Bluetooth beacons being deployed in the smart home and at large event venues. That provides serious insight for marketers into ways they can promote engagement, not only with their brand, but among customers during B2B and B2C events. While retailers and brands have been experimenting with location-based push marketing for a few years, the support was lacking from major phone manufacturers. The new beacon technology from Bluetooth Smart is now widely supported by manufacturers, and is a reliable and cost-effective solution for location-based marketing adaption this year. 6. Better relationship marketing Relationship marketing is a strategy more businesses are picking up on in order to foster better customer loyalty, as well as improved long-term engagement. Over the last few years, many brands used social media to improve that level of engagement. While effective, the messaging was still broad -- to a group or community -- and less personalized than what were seeing now. Smartphone adoption continues to grow, with an estimated 2 billion consumers worldwide expected to own smartphones this year. A consumer with a 24/7 connection to the web provides the means to directly connect with that individual. Every smartphone is an opportunity to connect with a prospect. Through mobile technology and applications, you can build a stronger loyalty program and foster long-term engagement based around an emotional customer connection, not just a connection via a product. You have more data than ever before to fuel that outreach, and thats whats going to help you make the switch from mass-targeted content and interruptive marketing to solid relationships built on trust. What new trends are you seeing for 2016? Have you made any changes to your 2016 marketing strategy to improve customer engagement? Share in the comments below: Related: 4 Things Businesses Need to Know But Often Don't About Facebook Advertising Related: Learn This Man's Method for Rolling With Rejection We Are All Salespeople. Use These 3 Techniques to Become a Better One. 3 Steps to Qualify a Sales Lead Copyright 2016 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Jackie Welsh is the ultimate materials girl. This architect and ceramicist is endlessly curious about concrete, steel, ceramics, glass, adobe and clay. Even egg cartons, metal wire or lint from clothes dryers gets her attention. She is happy to spend hours on end testing and discovering new, unexpected uses for the materials that comprise much of our built environment. I have always been the person to break the rules, says Welsh, an Old Greenwich resident. She also finds inspiration in finding a context for her art that allows her to comment on societal or political issues. A sampling of the impressive results from breaking the rules hangs on the back wall of her studio, a small area at one end of a large communal space, set among the warren of old buildings that comprise the Clay Arts Center in Port Chester, N.Y. There are two ceramic chicken legs that look remarkably real, and two commercial-sized, 30-egg cartons that have been dipped in porcelain slip, a liquid clay coating and treated with deep red and yellow glazes. In a box at the base of a wall are chicken legs that also give her space for a narrative, which is applied by decals. These pieces were part of her exploration of corporate farming and agriculture, A Chicken Aint Nothin But a Bird, which was part of a four-women exhibit several years ago at the Greenwich Librarys Flinn Gallery. The back wall also displays work from her installation piece called Subversive Domestic, in which the mother of three grown children humorously depicts the implied drudgery of housework through an inventive treatment of common household items. There is a delicate bowl made of cotton lint coated with multiple layers of red glaze, bath mats creased in permanent folds by a ceramic coating, one bright yellow, the other bright orange, and several large sponges, which she dipped in the porcelain slip, then fired in a high temperature kiln that burned away the sponge, but left a ceramic shell. It looks like a creature from another planet. Housework is very Sisyphean to me. You are always pushing that rock, and then starting over again. Subversive Domestic was my take on the frustration of being a housewife, she says. Welsh is Canadian, born and raised in Toronto. She studied architecture at the University of Waterloo at a time when computers were first coming into use in that practice. She also studied ceramics, though she pursued a career in architecture that led her to work on building projects for big developers and eventually started her own firm. She graduated from the Harvard University School of Design in the early 1980s. There is a great deal of similarity in architecture and ceramics. Architecture is not only about the design, it is also about the materials. A building is a very dynamic environment. Each material reacts to its environment in unique ways. It shrinks or expands to adjust to conditions. And ceramics do the same thing, she says. Though ceramics form the core of her work, Welsh uses other art forms or techniques to flesh out her installation stories. One of those is lifted directly from the world of architecture: the cyanotype, a photographic technique that is most widely used to produce architectural blueprints. A cyanotype of chicken feet helped Welsh tell her story about big agriculture and she also transferred that distinct blue color onto several eggs for the show. When I visited her Clay Arts Center studio recently, Welsh was sitting at her workbench, carefully applying porcelain slip to paper. On her workbench were various objects, including a large ceramic-coated Wiffle ball, small cardboard boxes, a red sphere, photos of fish, a slender blue glass bottle and a small coil of electrical conduit. Its experimental land here, and I love it, she says. Welsh also is determined to keep learning about new techniques that might further her work. She seeks out classes that teach the unusual, and keeps abreast of industry developments by serving on an American Institute of Architects awards panel. She also teaches in the graduate design program at Columbia University. Her next show is scheduled for early next year at the A.I.R. Gallery in the Dumbo neighborhood of Brooklyn, N.Y., hard against the East River. I need to take my time. I go very slowly. I dont commit to a show until I have something that I think is ready, Welsh says. For the A.I.R. show, her story will be Reinvisioning Materials and Humans. That sounds like fertile ground for breaking the rules. www.jackie-welsh.com Bob Horton is a columnist for the Greenwich Time and a regular contributor to this magazine. Pixabay For years, Texas politicians have tried to lure business owners away from states such as New York and California, touting the Lone Star States lack of corporate or individual income tax. The idea of adding 9 to 13 percent to your personal income is hard to resist. But you may not want to pack up your office quite yet. Multistate business taxation rules have changed in recent years, and if you operate a service business across state lines -- if youre a consultancy or marketing agency, for example -- your presumed tax savings might be smaller than you think. Historically, states primarily taxed you based on the location of employees, offices and the business sales force. It was a question of where the work that created the income was performed, according to Shannon Ward, CPA and senior manager of Los Angeles-based Gursey Schneider, LLP. But now many states are enacting what are called market-based sourcing tax laws. For example: If you live in Texas and perform a service for an individual or company in California, then California requires your company to pay income taxes on the value of work received there. See how this can get tricky? And it gets worse: If youre conducting businesses in any of the 19 states currently using market-based sourcing, youre required to file and pay taxes in each of them. I spoke to one business owner who paid taxes in 17 states this year. A police man tries to save a JNU student who was being beaten up during a clash between the advocates and the students outside the Patiala House Courts in New Delhi. (Photo: PTI) New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday agreed to give an urgent hearing tomorrow to a plea seeking action against those involved in thrashing journalists and JNU students and teachers in the Patiala House court complex where a student union leader was to be produced. The petition filed by N D Jaiprakash, an alumnus of JNU, who was hurt in the violence on Monday, sought action against the people involved in the violence and over "inaction" on the part of Delhi Police. Read: Modi meets Opposition leaders, says govt open to debate JNU in Parliament The petition, which was mentioned before a bench headed by Chief J T S Thakur by senior advocate Indira Jaising, also demanded that the security measures in the court complex should be such that no person becomes victim of violence. Read: Probing JNU case from all angles: Delhi police The petition said the violence witnessed in the court not only endangered the life of JNUSU president Kanhaiya Kumar, arrested in a case of sedition, but also prevented journalists from carrying out their work of reporting court proceedings. Read: In protest, JNU teachers to take classes on nationalism every day It said the Kanhaiya will be produced in court again on expiry of his police remand. The petition also sought a direction to Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and Delhi Police to take all preventive action so that no such violence takes place either inside the court room or within the court complex as such type of activities in the court complex put the life of the accused in peril. Read: Court scuffle: Charge of police's inaction being probed, says Delhi top cop Hundreds of journalists held a protest march against the attack on mediapersons covering the hearing of a sedition case in which the JNU students' union president has been arrested and demanded that the culprits be brought to book. The scribes, representing various journalist bodies, took out a march from the Press Club to the Supreme Court raising slogans in support of freedom of expression and against alleged police inaction during the incident yesterday. Read: A group of people hit me, my action was 'natural': BJP MLA A delegation of journalists also met Home Minister Rajnath Singh and sought a thorough probe into the incident and strict action against those involved in the assault at the Patiala House Court Complex. The journalists questioned the "silence of police" over the attack on students and scribes and dubbed it an insult to the judiciary as the incident took place inside a court complex. Read: Lawyers attack JNU students, scribes in Patiala House court complex Journalists, students and teachers of JNU were beaten up allegedly by groups of lawyers, drawing criticism from the press amidst calls for the Home Ministry to look into the "dereliction of duty" by police, which has been accused of being a "mute spectator" during the incident. The journalist bodies said it was a matter of "great concern" that attacks on mediapersons are "going up". Read: Rahul Gandhi condemns attack on journalists in Delhi, calls it 'very wrong' Police have said two FIRs have been registered against unnamed persons in connection with the attack. Attacking Delhi Police over its inaction when journalists and JNU students were being thrashed in the court complex, AAP dubbed them "deaf and dumb", and asked why no action was taken against BJP MLA O P Sharma for his alleged involvement in the assault. The party also questioned why the police was not checking the video in which JNU Students' Union president Kanhaiya Kumar, who has been arrested on sedition charges, was talking in favour of following the Constitution. "The Delhi Police has become deaf and dumb since yesterday. It has taken no action against BJP MLA O P Sharma who is seen assaulting JNU students and journalists and terrorising them," AAP leader Sanjay Singh said. Earlier, Delhi Police Commissioner B S Bassi said the alleged negligence on the part of police is being probed and the guilty will face legal action. Singh also noted that those who raised anti-India slogans during the event have not been arrested yet and demanded an independent probe into who those people were. "There were anti-India slogans in JNU and those who gave those slogans have not been arrested yet. There should be an independent probe into this, on who these people were whose faces were masked and which party they belong to," he said. The AAP leader also accused BJP and RSS of "tarnishing" the image of JNU. "JNU has given the country several IAS and IPS officers, thinkers and academicians and the BJP and the RSS are tarnishing the image of a reputed organisation. There are many in Delhi Police who are from JNU and I urge them to stand up against the campaign to defame the varsity," he said. Singh also lashed out at BJP for "hobnobbing" with PDP leaders who consider Afzal Guru as "martyr" and not a terrorist involved in the attack on Parliament. "The BJP on one hand talks about nationalism, but it is hobnobbing with the PDP to form government in Jammu and Kashmir...the same PDP, which considers Afzal Guru a martyr and not a terrorist. "This reflects the dual standards of the BJP on nationalism," he said. Even with a worst-case scenario that could see 800 high-priced houses hitting the market in a short time span, local real estate experts say they are holding true to a basic principle dont panic. But following Wednesdays announcement that General Electric will leave its Fairfield headquarters for Boston, the future of its employees homes has agents keeping a close eye on the situation. Mary Beth Grasso, a Realtor in Trumbull with Keller Williams who is a member of the CT Realtors executive committee, said the region has learned to adapt to crises. If you think of what weve been through, back in 2008, 09 and 10, weve been through a lot worse, she said in reference to the housing market collapse. We get smarter every time we make it through a challenging event. GE said it is moving 200 corporate employees from Fairfield to a new headquarters to be built in Boston, but what will happen to the other 600 or so people based in Fairfield is the great unknown. The company has said some will be retained in office space it leases in Norwalk. The effect on the local real estate market will to a large degree be determined by what happens with those jobs. Focus on resiliency Grasso said too much was uncertain to predict how the situation would play out. We want to make sure we stop and think about the situation rather than panic, she said, adding that she hoped GE would remain accommodating to local communities as it leaves town. I dont want to use word devastating. This is challenging, and I think weve had worse, she said. The regions resiliency was a common theme. Brad Kimmelman, brokerage manager at William Pitt Sothebys International Realtys two Southport offices, said southwestern Connecticut, with its underlying advantages, would weather the storm. This is not Flint, Michigan, he said. This is not going to devastate Connecticut. He said 2015 was a strong year even with the looming possibility of GEs move. Theres a lot we dont know, he said. We dont know how many employees are leaving and whether something else might come in that would replace those jobs. In any case, the effect on the residential housing market would not be immediate, Kimmelman said. This is not like a flip being switched, he said. Whenever anything like this happens its human nature to put the worst possible spin on it, but we are urging people to look at the possibilities rather than the fear. With more towns focusing on denser downtown development, a glut of detached single-family homes could be coming at a bad time, analysts said. The state needs to figure out how we empower a new generation of home-buyers to be interested in buying in suburbia, said Joe Melendez, CEO of ValueInsured, a company that insures down payments. John Frey, a real estate agent in Ridgefield with Coldwell Banker who is also a state representative, said there are probably well under 100 GE employees living in the community, although at least two employees called him in November to check on the market conditions in the event that they had to sell their home. They werent calls of panic but more an effort to get a handle on the market, like we would expect from any good GE executive, he said. Frey said the Ridgefield market could likely absorb the additional inventory that may result from GEs departure from the state, unless many of the homes are priced in the million-dollar range. That segment of the market has been pretty slow, so it could potentially have an impact on the higher end of home sales, he said. Bedroom communities Danielle Hale, managing director of housing research for the National Association of Realtors, said the market depends on more than one company. We know that fundamental economic performance drives the housing market, she said. When the local market is creating jobs, that creates housing demand. When youre seeing companies leave, that creates a void, and those lost jobs could have an impact on the housing market. Hale said signs of a move toward urban preferences are mostly anecdotal. Theres not a whole lot of evidence of a distinct shift in preferences, its just that there is a very high number of young people right now, she said, adding that suburbs remain the most common setting for home purchases nationwide. The regions accessibility to New York remains a strength, experts said. Gregg Wagner, regional vice president of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage for Fairfield and Litchfield counties, said the towns that will be most affected are in high demand. If you look at Fairfield, Monroe, Trumbull, Easton and Westport, these are all desirable towns, he said. Wagner said the departures of other big companies around the state show that even major losses can be absorbed, citing the closure of Bayer HealthCare, which saw 1,000 people lose their jobs in West Haven in 2006, and Pfizer, whose 2009 departure from New London cost 1,400 jobs. It was too bad to see them go, but the market absorbed the inventory and it quickly got back to some form of equilibrium, he said. Joann Erb, president of the Greenwich Association of Realtors and director of sales for Halstead Property in Greenwich, cited the 2009 closing of U.S. Tobaccos Fairfield County headquarters after it was bought out by Altria. She said many employees followed the new parent company to Virginia after Altria, formerly Philip Morris, moved out of Manhattan that same year. UST was a Greenwich-based company that moved its headquarters to Stamford in 2006 before being acquired by Altria, and had more than 4,000 employees in Connecticut in 2007. Erb said many top executives from both U.S. Tobacco and Altria lived in Greenwich at the time, and while the companys acquisition and move was expected to have a severe impact on the Greenwich real estate market, she said many employees either left the company to stay in the area or commuted between Virginia and Connecticut. That could be a potential option for some GE employees, as well, with flight subscription services like Beacon Air providing constant transportation between Westchester County Airport and Logan International in Boston. John Glascock, director of the Center for Real Estate and Urban Economics at the University of Connecticut, said uncertainty in the local real estate market was inevitable. This will dampen sales even if people arent moving, because people will believe theyre going to move, he said. If you hesitate now and you dont know what the next year and a half will look like, youre going to hold your cards. A nglo American boss Mark Cutifani has put even more of the struggling miners assets on the sales block as the FTSE 100 company racked up eye-watering losses of $5.5 billion (3.8 billion). Anglo, which last year shelved its dividend and announced plans to cut around 80,000 staff through sell-offs and redundancies, is desperately attempting to weather a commodities market rout. The miners losses for 2015, its worst for a decade and driven by $3.8 billion in writedowns, have prompted Cutifani to raise the firms target for disposals from the originally planned $3 billion-$4 billion to $5 billion-$6 billion. This is to help reduce debts to below $10 billion. Concerns over the balance sheet and lingering low prices prompted ratings agency Moodys to cut its debt to junk status overnight. Anglo American is selling its iron-ore unit (Picture: Reuters) Anglos iron-ore unit is up for sale, with Cutifani ready to listen to offers for its 70% stake in Kumba Iron Ore, Africas biggest miner of the steelmaking ingredient. The company has initiated a review to consider options to exit from KIO at the appropriate time, including a potential spin-out, it said. The divisions profits slumped 61% to $739 million last year, largely down to the 42% China-driven plummet in iron ore prices to an average $56 a tonne. Cutifani also confirmed that Anglo plans completely to pull out of its coal business as part of its strategic review, at the right time, for the right value. The latest moves will leave the miner focused on three areas. These are diamonds, through its 85% stake in the worlds biggest producer, De Beers; platinum, through its major interests in South Africa and Zimbabwe; and copper, through its interests in two of the worlds largest copper mines, based in Chile. Anglo was the worst performer in the FTSE 100 last year, losing around three quarters of its value. The shares were slammed another 5% today, down 21p to 372.05p, and partly reversing a rally since the start of the year. Shore Capital analyst Yuen Low said the results were dire, if slightly ahead of expectations. I f, amid much fanfare, a company announced a 1 billion investment or launched a 1 billion takeover of a rival and then, within 15 months, wrote off pretty well half the value of that investment, questions would be asked, shareholders would be furious and there would be pressure for some of the directors to quit. But if a company puts in place a share buyback and then a few months later issues a series of profit warnings leading up to a massive cut in dividends, the net result of which is for the shares pretty well to halve from their peak, no one seems to care much. When you look at all the controversy around Rolls-Royce though there is a lot of upset about the profit warnings, the loss of dividend and the fact that the company should have stumbled so badly the role of the board in agreeing to a share buyback which clearly should never have taken place has not really figured. It did not used to be like this: as one fund manager was heard to reminisce last week, back in the day when Mercury Asset Management ruled the institutional fund management roost, if a board bought its own shares and then had to slash its dividend a few months later, it would have been called in, given a serious dressing down and presented with the choice of a 50% pay cut or resignation and sometimes both. And deservedly so buying shares which then almost halve in value is a massive and totally unnecessary squandering of shareholders funds. The silence on the issue these days underlines how even UK institutional shareholders are not really interested in UK equities any more in spite of the efforts by the Financial Reporting Council and the Investment Association to re-energise them. Pension fund and insurance company holdings have been slashed they hold fewer equities anyway and within that equity allocation they hold fewer UK stocks. Foreign investors who now hold far more shares in British companies than they once did, dont engage much. If they do any governance at all then they focus their efforts where they think they will get a more spectacular uplift if they succeed which is in emerging markets or on the occasional scandal in the US or Europe. Buybacks are an American idea of course it was against the law for a company to buy its own shares in this country until the Eighties so it is fitting that though Rolls-Royce is in the frame today, American businesses have lost even more. $126bn The combined losses on US share buybacks over three years Associated Press last week published an analysis based on recent FactSet data with a league table of the companies which had the biggest paper losses from buy backs: IBM came top with $9.8 billion (6.8 billion), followed by Qualcomm with $7.4 billion and American Express at $4.1 billion. The analysis should have come with a health warning that since the oil price plunge, it is best not even to look at whats happened to the oil majors. In summary, in the past three years virtually all Standard & Poors 500 companies got their timing wrong. The combined losses as a result for these buybacks is $126 billion, or 15% of what was paid out. (Note the boards managed to lose this money even during a time when the American market has been buoyant.) But the bigger truth is that it is time for a re-think on share buybacks, and if that is too much to expect perhaps shareholders and analysts could at least stop and think before celebrating every time a buyback is announced. They already understand that three-quarters of takeovers destroy value for the bidding company and they should apply the same scepticism to buybacks which after all employ the same logic that they can make more money for shareholders from buying shares than they could from investing it properly in the expansion and development of the business. "Companies are too susceptible to the snake-oil charms of their bankers in how they plan buybacks." The only time a buyback creates value is if the shares which are bought are trading below their intrinsic value. Ironically on the occasions when that is the case companies either dont have the spare cash to conduct such an exercise or the board finds the prevailing conditions too scary and wants to hold onto the money. There is of course a perverse incentive to do buybacks if you are senior management. Most of them these days are on some form of incentive scheme and more often than not part of their payout is linked to growth in earnings per share. When profits are flat, the business is going nowhere and management clearly has no idea what to do, then a buyback becomes its get out of jail card. Shrinking the number of shares in circulation automatically increases the earnings per share of the business as the unchanged level of profits are concentrated in fewer shares. When all else fails, it is one way to make sure those incentive bonuses keep flowing. In the US rather more than here, doubts are beginning to surface. The boss of BlackRock, Larry Fink wrote in an article last year that buybacks delivered immediate returns to shareholders while their companies are under-investing in innovation, skilled workforces and essential capital expenditures. Presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton picked up on this and made several speeches saying buybacks undercut the economy at the expense of needed investment. It is not really that simple but it does underline that companies are altogether too casual or too susceptible to the snake-oil charms of their investment bankers in the way they plan, cost and implement buybacks. If boards had to justify them publicly in investment terms, and formally explain why they thought they were incapable of finding a more promising and profitable way to spend shareholders money, they might make fewer mistakes. Kanhaiya Kumar was arrested on Friday allegedly for raising anti-India slogans at an event organised by students on the JNU campus to commemorate the death of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru. (Photo: PTI) New Delhi: The sedition case against JNU students union chief Kanhaiyan Kumar will not be probed by the National Investigation agency, the Delhi High Court ruled today amid escalating support for the university that has united civilians but divided the political class. The Delhi High Court dismissed the petition saying the plea was "premature" as the police is already investigating the matter. "It is an inicident of February 9. Delhi Police is probing the matter. Let the police investigate first. We cannot step in unless necessary," a bench of Justice Manmohan said, adding, "The present writ petition is premature and is dismissed." Read: All you need to know about the JNU controversy During the hearing, the counsel, appearing for petitioner Ranjana Agnihotri told the court that this is a serious and sensitive matter as anti-India slogans were raised inside the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) campus. Advocate Hari Shankar Jain, the counsel for the petitioner, argued that sovereignty and integrity of the country were threatened by a few students and people associated with the university and "hostile foreign forces" were trying to destabilise the country. The bench, however, observed, "We are not politicians. We just cannot jump into things. The investigation is on. The police, law and order are taken care of by the government and let them do the needful first." Read: JNU row: Attack on journalists, teachers 'act of fascism', says Congress During the proceedings, the counsel for the Centre submitted that it was a fact that anti-national slogans were raised in the university campus but whether there was a "youthful error or any conspiracy" behind it is being probed by Delhi Police. The counsel for the Delhi government said, "Who instigated these people is being probed by the police and we should wait till the probe is on." During the arguments, the petitioner's counsel contended that the bench should direct the government to appoint a judicial commission to look into the matter. "No. The State will look into it," the bench said. "In the present case, the incident has taken place only on February 9, so this court at this stage cannot say that the police is not investigating the matter properly. This court is confident that Delhi Police will investigate all the aspects," the bench said. In another development, Opposition parties sought clarification from Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the on-going protests at JNU. The Prime Minister has maintained silence over the issue that erupted on Friday. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal will meet Home Minister Rajnath Singh to discuss the JNU issue. Journalists too have sought an appointment with Singh to protest the attack on them by a group of lawyers at the Patiala House Court yesterday before Kanhaiyan Kumar was to be produced. BJP MLA Om Prakash Sharma was also captured on video beating up Communist Party of India leader Ameeque Jamei. Read: Lawyers attack JNU students, scribes in Patiala House court complex Kanhaiya Kumar, who has been arrested and charged with sedition for allegedly raising anti-India slogans, will remain in custody till Wednesday, a judge has said. Kumar was arrested on Friday for raising anti-India slogans at an event organised by students on the JNU campus to commemorate the death of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru, who was executed in 2013. He was sent to three-day police custody after the Delhi Police told the court that they wanted to probe his alleged links to 'terrorist groups'. Kumar was arrested on charges of criminal conspiracy and sedition under sections 124A and 120B of the Indian Penal Code. Hitting out at the Opposition, especially the Congress, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday said the JNU turmoil shouldn't be seen in terms of political preference. "I don't think this is a political matter as some political parties are forcing it to be. A matter of security of the country and sovereignty has to unite each one of us. It can't be seen only in terms of our preferences and our political preferences," said BJP spokesperson Nalin Kohli told the media. "We must allow the police and the investigating agencies to do their job. Anyone who finds something that is objectionable or crosses the parameters of reasonable restrictions of freedom of speech and expression has to be investigated... especially if it is contravention of any law of the land," he added. H eart bleeding news from deluded hedgie Martin Shkreli. Fresh from smirking his way through a cringe-worthy US Senate hearing, Shkreli attempted to make a fresh push into his fledgling career as a hip-hop mogul. The controversial pharma boss, who famously bought a one-off Wu Tang album for $2 million (1.4 million), wrote to fellow delusional Kanye West offering to buy his new album The Life of Pablo for $15 million. I have been a tremendous fan of your music for many years. Specifically, the album The College Dropout inspired me to succeed at a young age. But disaster struck! Shkreli furiously tweeted that hed been duped by someone he thought was Kanyes boy, sending the dosh in Bitcoin without receiving the cash. Hes now attempting to retrieve the dough. College Dropout included hits like Through the Wire, inspired by an incident when West was forced to have his jaw wired shut after an accident. We can only hope Shkrelis mouth gets a similar treatment. while West raps on moguls doors for investment Speaking of Kanye, the walking ego was on top form this week. The rapper claims to be in debt to the tune of $53 million (37 million) and called on Silicon Valley to help keep him in bling. Kanye West begs for money While imploring Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg to invest $1 billion into Kanye West ideas, he yelled on Twitter: Im this generations Disney I want to bring dope shit to the world I dont have enough resources to create what I really can. West claims all Zuckerberg and Google chief Larry Page do is to while away their hours listening to rap music refusing to give back to their treasured artform, and have been more interested in opening schools in Africa. How selfish. Bankers set the table for endless lavish meals Bankers are often accused of having their snouts in the trough, but the European Banking Authority is taking things literally. Spy is already looking forward to the canapes on offer at the EBAs London home in Canary Wharf, because the authority is looking to spend up to 840,000 over the next four years on a caterer who can deliver the preparation and supply of high-quality buffet lunches to EBAs visitors and staff, including EU delegates and dignitaries, at EBA-organised meetings. According to the ad in the Official Journal, it is looking to find someone who can provide balanced, healthy and appetising buffet lunches. You may scoff, but so will they Mercs the top trend at LFW No sign of the black cabbies war with Uber affecting London Fashion Week. As the fashion worlds elite gather in the capital, Mercedes-Benz became the vehicle of choice. It is estimated that 32,000 miles will be driven between shows by Mercedes-Benz chauffeurs. Look out for them pulling into the incongruous surrounds of Brewer Street car park, the events gritty home this time out. Is this ex-City man bitter in his spy tale? How do bankers cope when the millions have been pocketed and its time to retire to the yacht? Turning to writing fiction is the cliche which ex-Barclays man Simon Sharpe has plumped for. His spinners write with the important announcement that his novel, Yellow Metal, has hit number four in Amazons Espionage chart (no, us neither). The story covers a world of spies, terrorist plots and financial skulduggery with laughably named put-upon MI5 officer Tim Lemon. Lemon fed up with low-priority tasks while the rest of his team, under the brusquely efficient Helen Stride, concentrates on the critical business of pre-empting jihadist terror. Tim, however, is sidetracked with an investigation into a hedge-fund manager and his Russian oligarch business partner. Will his hero leave a sour taste for Sharpes former City chums? C ityJet and Flybe have joined British Airways in threatening to pull out of City Airport, if new owners raise airport charges. The airport has been owned by Global Infrastructure Partners since 2006 but was put up for sale last August and is understood to have attracted attention from five investors. The deadline for final bids is this Friday. But the airlines, which together account for 70% of City Airports passengers, are worried that a price tag of 2 billion will mean that any new buyer hikes landing charges in a bid to recover some of the purchase cost. An investigation commissioned by BA and CityJet showed that fees are likely to be raised should the airport be sold at the 2 billion asking price. This brings into question the long term sustainability of airline operations at London City Airport, Pat Byrne, executive chairman of CityJet, said. The price tag, dubbed foolish by IAG boss Willie Walsh, would represent a multiple of 44 times London Citys earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation in 2014. Hong Kong tycoon Li Ka-Shing, who owns Superdrug and mobile group Three, is thought to be interested in buying the airport. E urope's biggest energy firm, EDF, fuelled concerns about keeping Britains lights on after it was forced into a backdoor rights issue and failed to commit to the UKs biggest nuclear project. The UKs energy future was left up in the air after EDF dodged a decision on Hinkley Point C, the planned nuclear plant which will provide 7% of Britains electricity and employ 25,000 people by 2025. The French giant said the first phase of construction would launch very soon, but failed to commit to a timescale or confirm whether it had funding in place, casting doubt on the future of the project. Hinkley Point C is a strong project which is fully ready for a final investment decision and successful construction. Final steps are well in hand to enable the full construction phase to be launched very soon, it said. Prime Minister David Cameron has been trying to smooth through the 18 billion construction costs of the plant in Somerset by wooing Chinese investors to back the project. Lacking energy: Amber Rudds plans for Hinkley Point C are heavily reliant on French giant EdFs flagging financial strength (Picture: AFP/Getty Images/Paul Dallimore) / Paul Ellis/AFP/Getty Images EDF has already sold a 33.5% stake to China General Nuclear Power Corporation, but todays dividend cut could ignite fears the energy giant lacks the firepower to execute the plan. The group confounded investor expectations by slashing the dividend to 1.10 for 2015 from 1.25 in 2014. It has also offered shareholders the choice of taking shares instead of cash. The French government, which owns 82% of EDF, will take shares instead of cash to give the energy group an extra 1.8 billion (1.39 billion), an effective rights issue backed by the French taxpayer. The move was cheered by investors, heartened by EDFs bid to boost its beleaguered finances, and its shares rose 12% in Paris by 1.27 to 11.56. Lower prices in the energy market have hurt EDF, particularly for wholesale electricity, which are stretching the companys finances. Earlier this month EDF Energy, the firms UK energy company, also cut standard gas prices by 5%. The tumbling price of power has forced EDF to cuts costs and investments. It reduced operating expenses by 300 million last year and will seek to take out 700 million more within the next two years. The company also committed to keeping four of its eight UK nuclear power plants open for longer today, with two Heysham 1 and Hartlepool shutting in 2024 instead of 2019, and two more Heysham 2 and Torness closing in 2030 instead of 2023. Despite the roster of changes, analysts said chief executive Jean-Bernard Levys plans lack clarity. Power supply: Hinkley Point / EDF There is no detail on the disposal plan, the cost-reduction plan does not have granularity, and Hinkley Point C has not been mentioned, RBC Capital Markets analyst Martin Young said this morning. Our initial take is this falls far short of what is needed to reposition the company for the changing utility landscape. EDFs net income fell by 68% to 1.19 billion from 3.7 billion last year after it took impairment charges on assets in the UK, US, Poland and Italy. Adjusted net income was down 0.6% to 4.82 billion. F orget the Gatwick gusher, City Airport doesnt need to be sitting on 100 billion barrels of oil to fetch eye-popping valuations. Its owner Global Infrastructure Partners has no fewer than five bidders lined up for Fridays auction deadline despite a 2 billion asking price. That would mark a stunning profit for GIP which, with then-undisgraced AIG, bought City for only 750 million in 2006. But its nothing new for owners of Londons most convenient airport to make a killing. Dermot Desmond, the Irish tycoon, sold it to GIP, having paid poor old John Mowlem just 23 million to take it off its hands. With a history of such successful sales, its hard to take too seriously todays claims that airlines will shoot down the auction. Demand for travel in and out of London, combined with permanent political dither on Heathrow expansion, means airlines will need City in future decades no matter how much they huff and puff over charges. But politicians fumbling on airport decisions doesnt entirely work in Citys favour, and this should concern bidders more. Boris Johnson has refused to allow City to be extended, overruling Newham council and stymying growth plans. The mayoral election could flush away Boriss blockage Sadiq Khan would reconsider Citys case but theres no certainty until London votes. London Mayor Election 2016: Sadiq Khan Add in Brexit wobbles and you wonder why GIP didnt wait a bit longer to sell. Itll get its 2 billion anyway, but with clearer political skies could have made itself even richer. I nvestors flooded to the AIM-listed companies with fingers in the Gatwick Gusher pie after bonanza testing results from the well a mile down the road from the airport. A seven-hour test comprising 99% oil flowed at an unaided rate of 463 barrels a day, which surpassed expectations and pleased the long-suffering backers of the exploration minnows. Larger-than-life Australian entrepreneur David Lenigas, the man behind the project who coined the Gatwick Gusher nickname and came under fire last year for claiming there could be multiple billion barrels of oil under Gatwick, took to Twitter to tell his legion of fans the results were fantabulous. Five of the six companies involved were the top performers on the LSE, while shares in Doriemus the only one failing to make the cut have been suspended since September pending the completion of an acquisition. Fantabulous early oil results from the #gatwickgusher this morning. I always said HH was the sweet spot. A lot more to come I reckon. :) David Lenigas (@DavidLenigas) February 16, 2016 UK Oil & Gas Investments, the largest shareholder with a 20% stake, leapt 0.6p, or 43%, to 2p still well below the price at which it last raised issued shares Solo Oil rose 0.06p or 21%, to 0.33p, and Alba Mineral Resources flew up 0.11p or 41% to 0.38p. Other stakeholders include Evocutis, 0.01p or 15% higher at 0.09p, and Stellar Resources, up 0.08p, or 32%, to 0.31p. Its not all been plain sailing for Lenigas recently. His latest venture, Lenigas Cuba, has crashed from 5p to just 0.95p in a few months on ISDX. The oil majors, including Royal Dutch Shell, up 48p to 1590p, were also on a winning streak as the price of Brent floated higher, boosting the FTSE 100 by 33.35 points to 5857.63 even after a slight slip as Opec producers decided to freeze and not cut oil output. Standard Chartered was among the losers, tumbling 26.25p to 426.8p as brokers ruled the Asia-focused banks two-day rally was overdone. Investec scrapped its Buy tip and Morgan Stanley decided to slash its target price to 410p. Industrial-controls firm Spectris enjoyed its day in the sun, shining at the top of the FTSE 250 up 79p at 1594p after an expected 8% fall in pre-tax profits to 176.3 million as oil spending cuts bit. Elsewhere, posh tonic-water maker Fever-Tree trickled 7p higher to 569.5p even though Somerset cider drinks company Brothers, which has been bottling the AIM-listed firms tonic, slimmed down its stake to below 4%. R ussia and Saudi Arabia are among four oil producing nations to have agreed a freeze on oil production. The deal, struck by the countries' oil ministers, was made along with Qatar and Venezuela. The group said they would cap production at January levels provided others followed suit. The plan is an attempt to stem the decline in oil prices, which have plummeted by more than two thirds since hitting a peak of around $115 a barrel in the summer of 2014. The downturn has been triggered by a glut of global supply, exacerbated by the recent lifting of sanctions on Iran, and concerns about the global economy. The price of benchmark oil contract Brent Crude rose as much as 5% on the news before falling back. It was last flat at $33.39 a barrel. Saudi minister Ali al-Naimi said the freeze was an adequate measure to address the tumbling oil price, which has led oil firms around the world to slash thousands of jobs, costs and investment and hurt the economies of oil-producing countries. "The reason we agreed to a potential freeze of production is simple: it is the beginning of a process which we will assess in the next few months and decide if we need other steps to stabilise and improve the market," he said. "We don't want significant gyrations in prices, we don't want reduction in supply, we want to meet demand, we want a stable oil price. We have to take a step at a time." Oil prices have been under pressure due to oversupply (Picture: Thomson Reuters) / Thomson Reuters Talks with Iran and Iraq will occur on Wednesday. The oil price drop has been a boon for drivers, with petrol prices falling to around 1-a-litre in some places. V odafone ruled out tying the knot with Virgin Media even as it sealed a massive joint venture with Virgins owner Liberty Global in the Netherlands. There is nothing else going on with Liberty, Vodafone chief executive Vittorio Colao said. This is not a blueprint for other deals and our strategy is evolving market by market. In the Uk that means reselling fixed lines for broadband which we get from BT. Vodafone will pay 1 billion (773 million) to Liberty to even out the joint venture, which will use Libertys Dutch subsidiary Ziggos cable network alongside Vodafones mobile network to offer consumers the so-called quadplay of phone, broadband and TV. Colao said putting the two companies together should achieve synergy savings of around 3.5 billion, or 280 million at an annual rate. The deal gives the two companies a much stronger presence in Holland against the original incumbent telecoms operator KPN. T he good news is that the British standard of living nationally is as high as it has ever been. The less good news is that we cannot expect it to continue forever on this upward trajectory, especially in London where increases in income are inexorably outstripped by the rise in the cost of housing. his finding from think-tank, the Resolution Foundation, pufollows a report from the Office for National Statistics on the housing market which emphasises the sheer unaffordability of homes in the capital. Nothing new there for Londoners. Yet this still remains the best city in the world in which to live and work, which helps account for the inexorable rise in demand for housing. The ever-increasing numbers of people from elsewhere in the UK and from overseas net migration is running at a third of a million a year, much of it to London means that the problem is getting more challenging, not less. Our report today on the difficulties faced by renters points to one important element of the problem. The Government is keen to encourage home ownership, particularly among young people, and this is very much part of Conservative philosophy. Of course the instinct to own a home is both natural and commendable. But the focus in our housing policy cannot only be to encourage people to buy. Renting is not, in continental Europe, regarded as a sign of failure; in Germany, for instance, many people routinely rent their home when they are young and save money to buy somewhere later in life. But they can only do so because of the availability of secure and affordable tenancies. This in turn is because big institutions such as insurance companies invest in rental properties, which give them a good return on investment and they in turn provide reasonably secure tenancies and affordable rents for their tenants. This is happening in London but not to the extent it is elsewhere. The Government, having devoted enormous political energy to home ownership must now help the renters. College censorship Rag week is a normally an occasion for university groups to engage in irreverent, funny or eyecatching activities to raise money for charities. This year, the Rag magazine at Imperial College featured a spoof diary entry purporting to be by its Union president to which she took exception; she said it might deter other women from seeking leadership positions. The college authorities including its president warned the magazines authors that they faced serious consequences if they persisted in publishing it. The publication has now been withdrawn. This is a small but dispiriting example of the creeping censorship at universities of any views that might cause offence to anyone. The inevitable result is a diminution in free speech and the willingness of students to expose themselves to penalties for bad taste, engaging in satire or just expressing views that others may not agree with. Students are often priggish; what is worrying is when university authorities seem to collude in a repressive culture inimical to what universities should be about. Gatwick geyser Well, well, well. A trial extraction of oil near Gatwick airport has produced results far exceeding expectations. Yesterdays test saw oil flowing naturally from a depth of around 900 metres at a rate of 462 barrels a day. While commercial production remains some way off, the possibilities are exciting although the discovery shouldnt undermine ongoing investment in green energy. The site of the test well is Horse Hill, which sounds like the ideal place for a herd of nodding donkeys. W hy do bankers find it hard to tell the truth? They claim their sole concern is for their customers and their shareholders. They weigh taxes against profits, regulators against tax havens. Yet they never admit to their chief interest, which is bankers. Yesterday the worlds second biggest bank, HSBC, reduced London to grovelling hysteria by saying it would not move its headquarters back to Hong Kong. It would generously consent to remain in London. George Osborne reportedly swooned. For nine months HSBC had debated such a move, shamelessly leaking that the reason was Osbornes 2010 banking levy and tougher post-crash banking regulation. A frantic Osborne panicked. He slashed the levy for overseas banks such as HSBC. He sacked the hostile banking regulator, Martin Wheatley, and secured the shelving of an inquiry into the post-crash culture, pay and incentives of the banking industry. HSBC promised not to move after all, incidentally driving a stake in the thesis that City banking could not survive if Britain voted no in this summers EU referendum. While the bank murmured that it would prefer the UK to say yes, it did not bother to delay its decision until after the vote. It turns out that HSBC was bluffing. At most some 300 jobs at the Canary Wharf headquarters would have gone if the headquarters had moved east. While there might have been some loss of prestige for London, what is that against 700million in levy, and against the latest Vickers Commission update into banking regulation, stating regulation is now dangerously lax? HSBC is what the London underworld would term a thug bank. In the past five years it has survived accusations of money laundering, currency fixing, tax evasion, sanctions busting and laundering the funds of drug dealers, terrorists and dictators. In 2012 these activities, totally ignored by Londons bank regulators and police, saw HSBC hauled before the US Senate and fined a record $2billion for an admitted catalogue of crimes and misdemeanours. Last year it congratulated its staff by awarding them 2.2billion in bonuses. Not one HSBC executive has been prosecuted, not even in New York, but it was noticeable that the US was not prominent among possible venues for relocation from London. When the Government gave in to the banks demands, HSBC listed as among its reasons for staying Londons internationally respected regulation framework and legal system. That is bank-speak for yippee for the Wild West. This whole saga is probably a storm in a teacup. Where a bank locates is nowadays largely immaterial. Banks are both highly mobile in their activities and highly specific in where they want to live and avoid taxes. London speaks English and is in the perfect time zone, between occident and Orient. Its pivotal role in European finance outside the eurozone and institutionally hostile to the EU (whatever the referendum result) means it will always attract the buccaneers of world finance. Businesses always have ulterior motives in where they wish to operate. Provided they are in profit, they locate according to tradition, convenience and the bosses family preference. The story still does the rounds that when the depressed American city of Cincinnati sought to restore its prosperity, consultants dug deep into the factors that might attract corporate leaders. The headline reasons were costs, markets, suppliers and infrastructure. Below the surface were housing and schools for families. But the real truth emerged deeper down, from the executive wives, or rather the wives best friends. It was summed up in the response, You mean he is going to make you live in Cincinnati? Divorce him. The real question is what stops the divorce. When Morgan Stanley decided in the mid-Seventies to put its European base in strike-bound London rather than Paris or Brussels, an executive said the clincher was the availability of English-speaking nannies. London spoke English and was, even then, a funky city. When young Deutsche Bank staffers were moved from London back to Frankfurt, they had to be promised weekend plane tickets to their old London haunts as a bribe. Global bankers may love Londons domicile laws, property market and voluntary tax regime but the subconscious factor remains lifestyle. What influences a banker is what happens when he sits down with his family to discuss where they prefer to live. Remember, these people are so rich that they can choose. Bankers have little concern for Londons affordable housing, the state of the NHS or Britains influence in Europe. Mayor Boris Johnsons bike-lane chaos is beneath their radar. Their bank can operate where it likes, how it likes. But the hiccup in the bonus culture has always been that banking families especially the oft-neglected partners develop expensive tastes. London banking is in large part a matter of Italianate townhouses and high culture, gracious squares and Cotswold cottages, cheap help and hourly flights to the Mediterranean. It is about like-minded friends, good schools, great shopping, weekends in the country. Over in Hong Kong the store-bought luxuries of the Peak and Repulse Bay may indeed be luxurious but for those used to grazing the lush pastures of Kensington and Chelsea, Hong Kong can easily be Mandarin for divorce. In other words, I cannot see why Osborne needed to capitulate so meekly to HSBC blackmail. Having let this bank, of all banks, off every regulatory and investigatory hook, he did not need to bribe it to stay in London. It was always going to stay, and anyway it did not matter either way. He should have left London to win this victory for him. A few months ago you published a letter [Jeremy Hunt must stick to his word, December 9] after the BMA called off strikes and talks went to Acas. Our profession was fearful that negotiations with the threat of imposition werent actually negotiations at all. Mr Hunts agreement to go through Acas, with its principles of fair and reasonable discussion, and his promise not to impose a contract was a great moment. He has, however, gone back on his word, again manipulating and twisting the truth. It is with anguish that I write to show how our good faith has once again been trampled all over. This contract is not safe the principle of trying to run a routine service over seven days with no additional funding is like trying to fly a plane while thinking it will be okay that the co-pilot and ground support can do a few extra hours. It wont, and many people will die. Mr Hunts ignorance and pig-headedness is baffling, and I am sure that David Cameron doesnt like the thought of having the blood of thousands on his hands. Duncan Steele, core surgical trainee, St Georges Hospital Jeremy Hunt recently commented about the investment the Government has made in training junior doctors as part of the justification for imposing his new contract. However, he fails to mention the huge student loans that doctors have all incurred over the years of study to reach the required level of skill. It would be interesting to see how many MPs have undergone as much training as the average junior doctor, and consider the discrepancies between the significant pay rises MPs have given themselves and the rates of pay of junior doctors. J Longstaff As any doctor will tell you, its never a nine-to-five job. Patients are the priority, and while the contract Jeremy Hunt has imposed on them is certainly unfair, this doesnt mean doctors should be allowed to compromise those patients lives when their working hours are changed. I think doctors had the right to protest, but by exercising this right they put the people they should care most about in danger, which surely contradicts what they want to achieve in their job. J Curton I am a junior doctor and I love my job and my profession. I care more than anything about my patients and I will stand up for the NHS until the day I die. If Jeremy Hunt thinks that imposition of his unsafe and unfair contract on myself and my peers means that this fight is over, he is seriously mistaken. I am sorry, Mr Hunt, but this fight has only just begun. Dr Jonathan Barnes Crossrail 2 will be a blight on Chelsea We the undersigned wish to express our opposition to the planned Crossrail 2 station on Kings Road. We own small and medium-sized businesses in Chelsea and are concerned about our livelihoods and the preservation of our neighbourhood. Chelsea already has excellent transport links with access to two Tube stations and five bus routes and its unique village atmosphere must be preserved. We are aware that big businesses have teamed up with property developers to support the station but as representatives of the businesses that actually operate on or near Kings Road, we oppose a development that puts our futures at risk. Michael Hoppen, owner, Michael Hoppen Gallery and 79 other Chelsea business owners FGM should not be a matter for debate The British Museums display of a mask used by practitioners of female genital mutilation is no different to a weapon used in ritual sacrifice an item of historical interest and significance. But the museums statement in defence of its display is symptomatic of the twisted viewpoint of confused liberals. It says female circumcision ... continues to provoke serious debate both within Sierra Leone and internationally. A debate? This vile and barbaric practice is wrong, pure and simple. Michael Clarke Why the fuss about the display of instruments used in female genital mutilation at the British Museum? The so-called Bando mask used by cutters in Sierra Leone is plainly designed to be terrifying survivors recall it from the ceremony in which they were cut as frightening, and small wonder. No better means, then, to emphasise just how barbarous the practice is and how needful it is to eradicate it. We do not need a lecture from the British Museum to point out the wrongness of the practice. The job of the museum is to illuminate the past and present through artefacts, not to disseminate state propaganda. And its display of dance used by the cutters in the context of the ceremony also highlights not the validity of FGM but the remoteness of this African custom from the Western mindset. The campaigners who complain about the display fail to understand what a museum is for; its not for preaching. M Dauti, Brook Green, W14 Haringey shouldnt punish councillor I was concerned to learn that Gideon Bull has been suspended by the Haringey Labour Party for speaking out against cuts to services for vulnerable adults. It seems the councillors opposition to a decision to close day centres for adults with dementia and disabilities led him to be suspended my impression is that he is simply fighting diligently on behalf of his constituents. I would urge Haringey Labour to remember its partys values and duties toward the disadvantaged, and to urgently review the suspension of Mr Bull. Ian Hunt Hyderabad: As expected, Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Raos one-on-one meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi has led to buzz, both in media and political circles. Given the unpredictability synonymous with the TRS chief, speculations, rumours and predictions are the order of the day. The meeting by itself was a departure from the normal, with Mr Rao going alone to 7 Race Course Road and being closetted with Modi for over an hour. The timing of the meeting with Modi was also of political significance it came in the backdrop of the TRS sweeping the Warangal Lok Sabha and GHMC polls besides welcoming TD MLAs into the TRS on a large scale. It is a stated policy of Mr Rao that he wants a total wipe out of the TD from Telangana. Having achieved a remarkable margin of success in fulfilling this wish, he is now said to be devising ways to further weaken the Congress and the BJP in the state. Immediately after his meeting with Modi, there was speculation in a section of the vernacular media that Mr Rao was inclined towards a tie-up with the NDA at the Centre and was bargaining for Cabinet berths. The news created confusion in the BJP and Congress camps and both parties started analysing Mr Raos moves. Earlier, TRS and MIM did have some understanding in the GHMC polls, but not officially. The CM, though optimistic about a clean sweep in the GHMC polls, was not willing to overlook the possibility that MIM support might become necessary. However, even to the TRS camp managers surprise, the TRS came in second place in some Old City divisions dominated by the MIM and actually won a few divisions that had been dominated by Muslims, pipping the MIM to the post. TRS also hit BJP in its strongholds. This victory was attributed to his grand-scale organisation of the Ayutha Chandi Maha Yagam just a few days before the GHMC polls. Post GHMC polls, the TRS is now at crossroads. It has the support of both Muslim minorities and Hindus alike. Similarly it has the support of pro-Telangana as well as Seemandhra voters. After completion of elections to Warangal and Khammam municipal corporations, there are no polls scheduled in TS till the 2019 general elections. It is this factor that has given rise to some quite interesting questions. Is the TRS inclined to join the NDA government just to get more funds for the state and two to three Union Cabinet berths, thereby facing the wrath of Muslim minorities who have significant presence in a number of constituencies in the state. Will the TRS wipe out both the TD and BJP in TS by 2019 and strike a deal with the only formidable opposition party left, the Congress, by giving away a few seats to ensure a massive win for itself. After the massive wins by TRS, a few Congress leaders had started murmuring that it would be better for their party to enter into a seat sharing agreement with the TRS, rather than contesting alone and losing. I f you were passing through east London on a freezing February afternoon five years ago, you might just have spotted two shadowy figures scrambling over the icy roofs of the derelict St Clements Hospital in Mile End. The six-acre site, once a Victorian workhouse, had been closed to the public for more than 150 years. Unless you were an inmate or worked there, you could only imagine what lay behind the imposing gates. The two people adventurously clambering over the roofs were Dave Smith from the campaigning group London Citizens and an architecture student named Kate MacTiernan. They were exploring the empty buildings to see whether they might be suitable for a Community Land Trust, a radical new form of affordable housing that I wrote about last week. But Kate didnt only see the potential for housing in the spooky abandoned asylum, she also thought this public land should be opened up to the community. So with many helping hands from the local area, including the Oscar-winning film director Danny Boyle, as well as Lizzy Daish, Jess Sutton and Grace Boyle, they started the popular Shuffle arts festival in the uninhabited hospital. The festival continues to bring the Mile End community together every year and has since helped bring other places in the area to life as cultural venues and performance spaces. I know about this story because I later married Kate but she and the Shuffle team are just one group of a new generation of cultural entrepreneurs in London who are using the arts to breathe energy into neglected places. Take Hannah Barry, for example, who walked into an empty multi-storey car park in Peckham 10 years ago and started an arts project called Bold Tendencies that has since attracted almost a million visitors. Her project has also sparked new investment and job creation in the area, helping to change things for the better in one of the poorest parts of the capital. Or look at Fabien Riggall, the talented founder of Secret Cinema, which takes over empty spaces in London and transforms them into epic immersive experiences that draw huge audiences from all over the world. There are so many more great examples, including Tom Foxcroft, who created an amazing creative venue called Village Underground in Shoreditch using decommissioned Tube carriages, and Unlimited Productions, which organises arts installations in the most unexpected places, such as Londons only lighthouse. London leads the world when it comes to this type of dynamic cultural entrepreneurship, and its something we should be proud of. This movement has arisen partly because the new generation of creatives cant rely on state grants, so they have to innovate to attract audiences and new forms of revenue. The eye-watering cost of renting buildings in our city also plays a part too, meaning that young people are forced to take chances on places that no one else will touch. Whatever the reason, its now firmly part of the cultural life of the capital. So next time you walk past an empty car park, closed pub or derelict building, say to yourself: what could it be transformed into? Cultural entrepreneurs are asking precisely that question, and London is a more vibrant and exciting place as a result. Review at a glance E ugene Delacroix was thoughtful about the artists he admired. He said he liked the way Richard Parkes Bonington did so much research before executing a work. A Knight and Page (1826) by Bonington, which Delacroix owned, is deliciously constructed, full of clever abstraction, while at the same time seeming to be totally spontaneous, like so many paintings in this fabulous exhibition. Bonington did A Knight and Page in one go but he had a lot in mind. Delacroix must have looked often at the counterpointing volume the cones and spheres of skirts and sleeves that looms out from flat planes. Red and yellow outfits are essentialised into a pattern of the same colour scheme and placed in a corner of the picture, as a balancing element for everything else. A shadow that probably took less time to scribble than it took me to write this sentence assumes a formidable importance as it causes a skirt to have volume, while simultaneously animating and uniting different shapes of the same hue throughout the picture. All that quality of evanescent intensity is found in paintings by Delacroix of subjects as various as flowers in a bowl, women in a harem, Christ on the cross, the death of a lion, and Delacroixs own self. In a self-portrait completed in 1837 11 years after Boningtons death a 39-year-old Delacroix looks out, serious, curious, engaged. The artist causes a waistcoat to appear just by wiping a bit of diluted paint across a smudge of flake white. Baudelaire said he was all energy while being frail and delicate. Trembling contours and smouldering colour are what hes usually associated with. Odilon Redon praised his expressive and moral colour, and Van Gogh referred to his colour gymnastics. We all use Delacroixs language now, was Cezannes comment. Evanescent intensity: Delacroix in a self-portrait from 1837 RMN-Grand Palais / Jean-Gilles Berizzi Van Gogh noticed that Delacroixs lesson seemed to be that while art had to start with studies in nature the actual painting had to be made by heart. What was it they all thought the heart did? I would say it is movement that defines Delacroixs painting most, its sheer visual restlessness. That was the particular quality Manet highlighted when he created his copy of the painting that first made Delacroix famous, The Barque of Dante, 1822 Manets version was 32 years later. Manets treatment causes Delacroixs image, packed with human bodies, to be full of spaces and openings. Manet takes Delacroixs contortions and experiments with them. Your eye is kept from settling. Its led by one thing to another, one line of contour to another line, regardless of whats actually depicted. Or whether a set of limbs belongs to a standing man or a different man whos drowning, or two men who seem to be fused into one. By the time you reach the point in the show where Delacroixs Women of Algiers (1847-9) is positioned, and youve got used to Delacroixs language, it is possible to instantly recognise that characteristic effect of movement and its contribution to atmosphere. New impression: Manets version of The Barque of Dante, 1854 / Lyon MBA/Alain Basset Of the four figures in this mesmerising painting, three are motionless and one moves only very slowly, finishing the act of drawing a curtain. A womans arm and shoulder become slithering slopes leading to a lot of glowing curves and clouds out of which patterned fabrics, limbs, tassels and scarves all seem to emerge. A relatively vast and empty space fills a lot of the painting, its only purpose to radiate a sombre, lovely semi-darkness as a balance for points of brightness: the languid, sensual, sexy women. The Orientalist narrative is one thing, disturbing maybe, impossible to totally like. But your sense of its pictorial mechanics is another. And your eye darts and dances around Delacroixs ingenious play of tonal contrasts and musically vibrating different colour textures. 'Your eye darts and dances around his ingenious play of tonal contrasts and colour-textures' The show juxtaposes works by Delacroix with works by a range of famous modernists, from Courbet to Matisse, who seem to develop his principles. A Gauguin seashore scene was well chosen as it shows the artist using tone in a very Delacroix way. The intensity of Gauguins purple develops gradually from a much more muted version of itself: thats certainly a Delacroix initiative. The choice of works by Cezanne is 100 per cent fun, even though it can be a bumpy ride. Perhaps the most absurd painting Cezanne ever painted is The Eternal Feminine (1877). Its allegorical meaning unexplained by anything Cezanne ever said, it appears to be a grotesque response to Delacroixs sensuality generally, or maybe specifically the orgiastic scenes from his Death of Sardanapalus (1846), infamous for its writhing females dying nakedly on the evil old seventh-century emperors white sheets. In Cezannes homage, a variety of modern types, all male soldiers, trumpeters, a bishop, Cezanne himself, indicated by the back of a bald head, and perhaps Delacroix worship a naked woman on a canopied bed. It couldnt be more foolish but its also beautiful because of the web of marks Cezanne generates by breaking up every form into hatched little strokes. Delacroix and the Rise of Modern Art deserves five stars for exquisiteness, concentrating as it does on smallish and unfamiliar works, whose power is all the greater for being compressed. Sometimes the inclusions are more curious than marvellous. And for so much visual reward the show shouldnt be mocked if it sometimes goes off the rails. It happens with a painting of a red blanket by Matisse, done in 1906, which doesnt look like Delacroix and is explained in the catalogue as a response to Cezanne, with a pathetic additional appeal to the fact that Cezanne died that year. Differently handled areas, dotty, brushy and patterned, are joined together to make a colour chaos that is monotonous rather than dangerous, and unwittingly manifests the sort of incoherent effect that short-sighted critics in the 1820s wrongly accused Delacroix of going in for. But the curators otherwise hardly ever forget Delacroixs insight that the first merit of a painting is to be a feast for the eye. Delacroix and the Rise of Modern Art is at the National Gallery, WC2 (020 7747 2885; nationalgallery.org.uk) from tomorrow until May 22 Follow Going Out on Facebook and on Twitter @ESgoingout T he line-up for Roundhouse Rising, the music festival for new and emerging acts, is announced today. Now in its sixth year, the festival includes four days of live music alongside industry panels, workshops, demos and talks to help aspiring musicians. Headline acts this year include Brighton four-piece The Magic Gang, who have previously supported Wolfmother. Black Honey, tipped by the Guardian last year as an indie band to watch, and also from Brighton, will take to the stage with their African beats-inspired electro. Nigerian-born London grime artist Afrikan Boy, who has recorded and toured with M.I.A., will be joined by acts including Gillbanks, Hannah Lou Clark, Kurb and Nouria Bah. The Roundhouse Choir is also performing. The festival is staged in the Roundhouses intimate Sackler Space between March 17 and 20. There will be workshops on the Saturdays where attendees will have a live demo of Spinnup, a new distribution platform by Universal, and discuss the industry with a panel of promoters and managers. Entry is free, with a 5 fee to attend some discussions. On the Thursday, there will be a party to launch the Rising Sounds album, which features unsigned artists chosen by the Roundhouse team and produced by the likes of Arctic Monkeys producer James Lewis. Grime stars Stormzy, Kano and Big Narstie were among dozens of acts announced today for this years Lovebox festival in Victoria Park. They join a line-up including Major Lazer and LCD Soundsystem at the event on July 15 and 16. @LizzieEdmo Follow Going Out on Facebook and on Twitter @ESgoingout B rexit is looking like it might happen? Perfect, says a well-groomed German bond trader working for the Bank of Americas offices in Frankfurt over gin and tonics, currently the hip drink in the city, rather to my surprise. He is no Britsceptic but every so often the Bank of America raises the prospect of moving its European headquarters to London. If Britain leaves, it wont happen, he says, smugly. And I prefer it here. (In case you are wondering how I found him, checking Tinder in Frankfurt reveals a rich seam of singles in banking looking for something to do in the evening). For us Londoners this idea of any place better than here is an unusual concept. That might well be why we scoff every time a major financial institution headquartered in London threatens to decamp to Frankfurt if we do indeed Brexit. But this weekend three former British ambassadors to the EU, Sir Nigel Sheinwald, Sir John Grant and Sir Stephen Wall, opined in newsprint that they did not think Frankfurt or others would be sentimental in seeking to challenge the Citys prominence. That doesnt just extend to regulation the European Central Bank (ECB) had already tried to make all serious business transactions denominated in euros go through eurozone clearing houses but also in the physical move from London to this conservative German city. Frankfurt has homegrown banks, Commerzbank and Deutsche Bank, but a throng of international big hitters also has outposts there, among them JP Morgan, Goldman Sachs and Citigroup. All of whom currently headquarter their European operations in London. Goldman Sachs and JP Morgan have been throwing cash at the pro-EU campaign. Stephanie Flanders, the former BBC economics editor who is now at JP Morgan, spoke on the platform at the Stronger In launch, and a senior Goldman executive last year dropped far-from-veiled hints that Frankfurt was a serious option should Britain go to Brexit. What makes us sit back with ease and think itll never happen as Boris Johnson once put it, the hollow threat of buddleia sprouting in Throgmorton Street is the reaction of the London finance community. Can you imagine the reaction of our international bankers, suited in Savile Row, housed in St Johns Wood and Islington, and Ubered from shiny steel tower to some of the best restaurants and theatres in the world, issued with one-way tickets to Frankfurt, where half the bars dont even open on Monday nights? But maybe we shouldnt quite write it off, not just because the referendum polls show the outcome on a knife edge but because Frankfurt is bending over backwards to lure our bankers over there for culture and lifestyle. In the spirit of adventure, I visited Frankfurt last week. The German Tourist Board was very eager to have me and sent me off with a guide to show off the homelier sides of the city under the shadow of its banking towers. The guide had lived in Britain, knew the reputation of Frankfurt as Europes capital of boredom, but even she admitted that one could well be surprised. Ive known bankers who have been miserable about moving here for work for a four-year placement but when they are called back home they dont want to go because life is so good here for them and for their families it is so civilised, she says. The Zeil shopping mall in downtown Frankfurt (Image: iStock) / iStock There are old coffee houses, a South Bank full of museums, chic European design houses, an historic market full of fruit and vegetables and delicatessens which feels like Borough Market without the hype. But she also admits there are others who have taken the first plane out: one banker from Geneva, whose wife hated it, quickly worked out a transfer to London to keep the peace. The centre of gravity is the new European Central Bank that has risen in the east of the city among warehouses, club venues and car showrooms, a portly glass building that looks like it has burst its seams after a jolly good lunch. From here come Mario Draghis pronouncements on the eurozone, from here derive the Europewide financial regulations that, if Britain foregoes its seat at the top table, it would lose its say in. Its vast staff are cushioned against lifes hardships. The ECB has its own international school, drivers are laid on for the upper tiers and, by London standards, pretty affordable, smart housing, although to the rest of Germany it is exorbitant. A three-bedroom apartment, around 100 square metres in a rebuild of the old town centre, costs 450,000. A quayside one of the same size in Westhafen think Canary Wharf or in the cooler cafe district Bornheim (think Stoke Newington) costs around 300,000, while the villas in their West End our Kensington could be bought for 1 million. In scenes reminiscent of the London market, the new apartments are snapped up straight off the architects drawing board. When Londoners, New Yorkers and Parisians come and see our prices, they smile and say I will take three of those, says one priced-out local. A charming old German town this is not, though. It was pummelled by the Allies at the end of the Second World War and, aside from Altstadt and the West End, much of it isnt that attractive. But those spaces, and the relative density of Frankfurt its formal boundaries make it only a sixth of the size of London mean they started building up. From the Main, the river that runs through the centre, at sunset the 14 skyscrapers and dozens of high rises have the shimmer of a New York skyline, giving rise to the citys nickname Mainhattan. (Let me show you a beautiful panorama of the city, more than one financier suggested on Tinder. Not another trip up to the 22nd floor bar and lounge at the Innside Melia hotel, I thought.) Where London might also begin to feel the heat is the tortured question of the airport. Heathrow Express from Paddington to our two-runway airport takes 15 minutes? Frankfurt Airport, which has four runways and is also a global hub, has a cheaper train that sweeps you into town in 12 minutes. You see groups of Chinese and Indian tourists in the old town square from 8am, says my guide. They want to see Germany and they start here because this is where the planes land first. Goethestrasse is their Bond Street, with Prada and Burberry falling over themselves for a pitch. The city is Anglophone and international, not just in the banking communities but also its visitors. The rich Middle Easterners, Japanese and an increasing number of European tourists are rolling up to the city. It is trying to regain the glory days of the 19th century when Frankfurt-born Mayer Amschel Rothschild founded his financial dynasty and where, later in the century, grand hotels would spring up, the most notable of which, the Frankfurter Hof, went for Parisian grandeur and belle epoque concierge style as portrayed in the The Grand Budapest Hotel. Once run by Cesar Ritz, now called the Steigenberger Frankfurter Hof and refurbished for business and well-to-do leisure guests alike with a spa, a bar with leather club chairs and a Michelin-starred restaurant, it remains the heart of the old- school city charm but you can see its global ambition in its cuisine and spa treatments that look both to the East and the West. And the other thing that may well attract some to Frankfurt is that long list of well-educated, well-paid singletons on Tinder, only one of whom was sleazy, the rest extraordinarily polite. I had a super-productive day at work, chirrupped one in financial IT. And after a day of pouring rain, which would make Brits feel at home, another Frankfurter messaged: You can have awesome days inside buildings too. If only there was somewhere to go for a drink with them on a Monday night. That said, talking to a Londoner had other benefits: one lawyer in the finance world seemed most keen to meet because he was heading to one of our magic circle of solicitors firms, he told me, and wanted tips on London. Follow Joy Lo Dico on Twitter: @joy_lo_dico F lorida might have a reputation for choosing super-sized meals over taste and style but its capital Miami can now claim a truly internationally reputation. Locals and those passing through now have a wide range of good options with plenty of smaller, more intimate restaurants on the scene. Choose from the freshest rock crab, the best sushi cuts, health foods, American burgers, Cuban and South American dishes: if you cant find it in Miami, it probably doesnt exist. So grab an ice-cold mojito, the South Beach cocktail of choice, and check out some of Miamis favourite places to eat. 1. Quality Meats. Upmarket Steak House A new import from New York and part of the Smith & Wollensky family, Quality Meats Miami Beach has won a glowing reputation in double quick time for its epic steaks and ribs. Buzzing with an irresistibly infectious atmosphere the Collins Avenue restaurant pulls in groups of young businessmen and multi-generational families. Find it: 1501 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach, FL 22139, US; qualitymeatsmiami.com Charcuterie bar and dining room at Quality Meats 2. Baoli An unassuming entrance lined with paparazzi-style photographs of previous celebrity guests leads into this glamorous, young Mediterranean meets Japan fusion restaurant and club at the top of South Beach. Baoli is elegant with warm service and a menu that features generous sushi alongside familiar French and Italian dishes. Sunday night is jazz night so book a table from 8pm for a romantic and atmospheric end to the week. Find it: 1906 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach, FL 33139; baolimiami.com 3. Joe Stone Crab, South Beach Prepare to queue because there is no alternative but youll be glad you waited for the best stone crab claws in town, in season between October and May. This is a Miami institution, a no-glitz restaurant at the bottom of South Beach thats not to be missed. Find it: 11 Washington Avenue, Miami Beach, FL 33139; joesstonecrab.com Pool at the W Hotel Miami 4. Brunch at Dutch in the W Hotel The wide hotel reception on Collins Avenue is filled with super-sized pop-art posters by Andy Warhol but walk through to The Dutch and you find a restaurant covered in ceramic brick and wood that feels like a cosy yet bright summer beach house. A wide buffet and extensive a la carte menu make for the perfect weekend brunch to recover from Miamis legendary late night partying. Find it: W Hotel 2201 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach, FL 33139, thedutchmiami.com Follow Cathy on Twitter @cathyhawker W e are flying from Heathrow to see family in Perth over Easter. We arrive at 7.15am in Abu Dhabi but dont fly on to Perth until late the same night, 10.10pm. I assume we can get out of the airport at Abu Dhabi and visit the local area, without having to collect our luggage? Gary Prince I am relieved to hear that you have built in two overnight flights. Until non-stop flights to Perth begin, its the best way to handle the long haul to Australia, making the trip a more civilised and manageable experience as well as offering a taste of an exciting destination. If you take a mid-evening departure from Heathrow to Abu Dhabi, Doha or Dubai, or a late-morning flight to Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur or Singapore, you touch down around dawn. You can book an evening departure onwards from any of these cities for the non-stop run to Australia. That enables you to check through your bags to your final destination, allowing you to explore the city unencumbered (of course you must keep your valuables, any medicines and your essentials for the day in your cabin baggage). You can get through immigration without fuss, except for Doha where you must pay 50 rials (about 11) for a 30-day visa, even if you are just there for a day. Assuming an on-time arrival of 7.15am in Abu Dhabi, you should be in good time for the 8am air-conditioned bus to the city centre, which takes 75 minutes for a very reasonable fare of four dirhams (about 80p) each. Its important to get as much sunshine as you can, which will help start the process of adjusting to the Australian time zone. You could end your day out with supper by the waterside at Yas Marina, then catch the 7pm bus to arrive back in plenty of time for that night flight. Suitably worn out after a good day in an interesting city, with luck you can snooze your way to Perth arriving 5,626 miles later at lunchtime in Western Australia. N o All Bar One, no Dirty Martini where will our City boys go on the lash in Frankfurt? In a lift. Because with all those skyscrapers, socialising means getting high. Those hundred-floor skyscrapers dont just house expat stockbrokers but strobe lights, sound systems and steak restaurants: in the financial district, if youre trying to impress, its going to come with a view (albeit one of surrounding towers). For a boozy, client-impressing four-bottler theres the Main Tower, the fourth tallest building in the city, home to Bank of America and Standard & Poors, and on the 53rd floor, the Main Tower Restaurant & Lounge. White tablecloths, customers referred to as sophisticated connoisseurs its not quite got the vibe of Londons Heron Tower, with the superior sashimi in Sushisamba and witty seasonal riffs at Duck & Waffle. But for wining and dining, itll do. In terms of a casual bite, Frankfurt is deeply in arrears to London. While Bankfurters might not be resigned to noshing solely on their namesake, the city has yet to witness the street food scene which satiates our City boys. KERB, outside the Gherkin, and Street Dots at Broadgate Circle put the best of global cuisine in our City boys paws within minutes for less than a tenner. But surely if you fancy a noontime sausage Frankfurt wins? Not necessarily: the meat tubes at KERBs Engine Hot Dogs and Oh My Dog! give classic Bratwurst a run for its money. Oh My Dog!'s Bratwurst / Alamy At least less-than-impressive food negates gymming. As Londons food scene has rocketed so has our gym scene: City boys sweat it out in Psycle, 1Rebel and Gymbox from noon to night. Frankfurt needs to buy Airmax and catch up most recommended gyms are those in hotels, with climbing walls also a bizarrely popular feature. But you dont need the gym, right? After all, Frankfurt was where techno was born, and a pilgrimage site for any up-and-coming indie band doing the rounds (Rhodes and Villagers have both recently toured here). Those looking to segue straight from the office to da club might want to join the Bank of Scotland or Mizuho Financial Group, housed in the Japan Centre where, on the 25th floor, youll also find Club 101, which offers dance music in exchange for a smile on your face. Adorable and a pretty damn easy trip (literally) into the office the next day. Popular: Frankfurt dry gin Silbergold is the nearest thing the city has to a super club while wannabe hipsters in mourning for east London should head to Bahnhofsviertel, the Soho of the city, to nod to the beats at Plank. Homesick Peckhamites and Stoke Newingtonians flock to the industrial outer edges, Ost End and Bornheim. The latter even has a food market and more brunches than even the most dedicated Instagrammer could capture #eiporno. A n east London carer accused of murdering her bed-bound father with a plastic bag claims they made a suicide pact due to his "intolerable" multiple sclerosis, a court heard. Claire Darbyshire, 36, killed her 67-year-old father Brian at their home in Wykeham Green, Dagenham, on September 2 last year. The following day she was found wandering around the cliff tops of Dover, shivering, wet and asking for help, the Old Bailey heard. Prosecutor Jonathan Rees told jurors that Darbyshire accepts killing the former Ford motor company stock controller but denies murder, claiming it was part of a pact. He said: In essence, she asserts that they had come to this agreement because his life had become intolerable due to multiple sclerosis and she would have nothing to live for once her father had gone." But he told jurors that Mr Darbyshire had never expressed any suicidal thoughts before or complained about being in pain. The widower, a father-of-two, developed MS in 1995 and by 2014 he was confined to his bed, with daughter Claire acting as his sole carer. Miss Darbyshire, who was born Christopher but later changed her name and lived as a woman for many years, was getting "more and more stressed" about looking after her father according to a friend. After the killing, she caught a train to Dover and made her way to the White Cliffs, having texted the district nurse to visit "asap", jurors heard. On the evening of September 3, a shivering Darbyshire approached a National Trust worker for help. She was taken to police in Dover and found homeless accommodation before moving on to support services in Canterbury. Days later, on September 8, she mentioned the suicide pact, saying the pair had previously taken an overdose which failed to work on September 1, the court heard. The trial was adjourned until tomorrow. Additional reporting by the Press Association. A man was killed and two others were seriously injured after a Mercedes smashed into a wall in north-west London. Emergency services were called at about 8.45pm on Monday to Harrow View after a blue Mercedes C180 hit a roundabout before smashing into a wall. The driver, believed to be aged in his early 30s, and a teenage boy were taken to a central London hospital where they remain in a serious but stable condition, with injuries that are not believed to be life-threatening. A second male passenger, believed to be a 30-year-old, was also taken to hospital where he was pronounced dead just before 11pm. The man's next of kin have been informed, but he has not yet been named by police. A post-mortem examination will be held in due course. Detectives from the Roads and Transport Policing Command are investigating, and have appealed for anyone who witnessed the collision or saw the Mercedes in the moments leading up to the crash to come forward. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Serious Collision Investigation Unit based in Alperton on 020 8991 9555. B ritains most senior police officer has offered a full apology to the widow of Lord Brittan, his family have claimed. Metropolitan Police commissioner Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe has been criticised in recent months over his forces handling of an historical rape allegation made against the former Home Secretary. Today the police chief met with Lady Brittan to discuss the matter. Following the meeting, the family issued a statement saying she had accepted a full apology Sir Bernard made on behalf of the force. Later the commissioner threw into doubt the nature of his remarks, saying the apology related to the Mets failure to tell Lady Brittan earlier that her husband was not going to be prosecuted. Lord Brittan died in January last year without being told he would not face any action over the rape claim. In a statement on Tuesday, the family of the late politician said: "Lady Brittan met the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe, at a private meeting earlier this afternoon. Apology: Metropolitan Police Commissioner Bernard Hogan-Howe / PA "At the start of the meeting Sir Bernard offered Lady Brittan a full apology on behalf of the force, which she accepted. "Lady Brittan went on to ask and table some 30 questions regarding the two police enquiries as they related to Lord Brittan. "Sir Bernard promised to answer them in writing and Lady Brittan and the family await his response. "Lady Brittan and the family have nothing further to add at least until they have received Sir Bernard's written response." Speaking to BBC Radio London later, Sir Bernard admitted the force had been through some challenging times before confirming he had apologised to Lady Brittan this afternoon. "We had a private conversation. It was a constructive one and I hope she found it helpful, he said. I confirmed the apology that we made some months ago now. "It is an apology for not telling her at an early stage about the fact that Lord Brittan, who by that stage unfortunately had died, was not to be prosecuted in the future. Additional reporting by PA General Dalbir Suhag pays his last respects as the mortal remains of soldiers, who died in an avalanche in Siachen glacier, were brought to the Air Force Station, Palam in New Delhi, on Monday. (Photo: PTI) THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The absence of any officials representing the Kerala government while the body of Siachen avalanche victim Lance Naik B. Sudheesh of Kollam was brought to the Army area in Delhi on Monday has kicked up a row with charges of showing disrespect to the departed soul. The officials of other states were present when the bodies of jawans were brought from Leh to Delhi. However, it was clarified that the presence of state government officials during the transit of bodies was not needed as the state was formally receiving the jawans body in Thiruvananthapuram. This was the case on earlier occasions also, the liaison officer of Kerala House in Delhi told DC. Sudheeshs body was scheduled to be brought by a special flight late on Monday night to Thiruvananthapuram airport where Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and officials would receive the body. It will be kept at the Pangode military camp and taken to his native place at Mandrothuruthu in Kollam on Tuesday morning. The funeral will be held at his house by 1 p.m. with state honours after facilitating the public to pay homage to the departed jawan at Kallada CVKM higher secondary school and Mandrothuruthu government LPS. The bodies of the other victims from Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu were taken to the respective states in special flights. A man has been arrested in connection with a string of offensive Facebook comments about resettled refugees on a remote Scottish island. Police Scotland confirmed a 40-year-old man was held on Tuesday under the Communications Act following the social media posts. The remarks related to Syrian asylum seekers living in Rothersay on the Isle of Bute, an island of the west coast of Scotland. Several families have been resettled in the seaside town as part of the Government commitment to take one thousand refugees from the camps bordering Syria before the end of last year. Police Scotlands Inspector Ewan Wilson, from Dunoon Police Station in Argyll, said: "I hope that the arrest of this individual sends a clear message that Police Scotland will not tolerate any form of activity which could incite hatred and provoke offensive comments on social media. "Anyone with information about this type of incident is urged to contact police on 101." The first Syrian families arrived in Bute, which has a population of about 6,500, at the beginning of December. David Cameron pledged last year to resettle 20,000 refugees from border camps near Syria by 2020. P olice are hunting three teenagers after a duck was allegedly killed with a catapult. A witness reported seeing the boys carrying the bird near Guy Road, Wallington, at 1.30pm on Saturday but, by the time police arrived, they had disappeared. Officers are carrying out patrols and quizzed two teenagers seen near the same spot yesterday, but continue to appeal for witnesses. A spokesman for the Met Police warned the trio could be prosecuted under the Firearms Act, depending on the type of catapult they used. Anyone with information should contact Sutton police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. D etectives are refusing to speak to the family of an ex-head of MI5 who has been named as part of Scotland Yards inquiry into alleged VIP child abuse. Relatives of Sir Michael Hanley, director general of MI5 from 1971 to 1978, who died aged 82 in 2001, were told the Operation Midland investigation did not exist, according to The Times. Sir Michael was named as one of the men implicated in child abuse allegations by a witness known as Nick at a press conference held by former Tory MP Harvey Proctor last August. His family, who had been unaware of the claims, tried to contact detectives. A friend of Sir Michaels widow and children told the Times: They have been told, We dont even know of this particular operation. The claims will intensify scrutiny of the Midland inquiry, which is suggested to be on the brink of being shut down. There is huge criticism of Met chief Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe after Lord Bramall, 92, was cleared of historical abuse allegations as part of the inquiry. His home was raided and he was interviewed under caution before he was told in January that he would face no further action. Today Sir Bernard was due to meet the widow of former home secretary Lord Brittan to explain his forces handling of a separate historical rape allegation against her husband. Sir Bernard was expected to apologise to Lady Brittan at a central London hotel after her husband died aged 75 in January last year without being told he would not face any action. A soldier kidnapped his ex-girlfriend and threatened to crash and kill them both after she left him for a new man during his tour of duty in the Middle East, a court heard. Alvon Montgomery Tobias, 32, a Royal Engineer, was hiding in bushes when the single mother left her flat in Twickenham to go to work. She told a Kingston crown court jury he dragged her to his Mini car, pinned her to the passenger seat and refused to let her out. She said he took her on a crazy 40-minute drive, telling her he would kill them both and slamming the passenger door on her leg when she tried to escape at traffic lights. Tobias, from Ealing, has pleaded not guilty to kidnapping Monika Mikalak in Valley Mews on April 7 last year. She told the court: There were some text messages from him that day. He said he wanted to talk to me, but I realised he was not the right person. I was leaving for work at 9.15pm to get the bus to West Middlesex Hospital and when I opened my front door I realised he was hiding by the bushes. I told him I had to go to work and I did not want to see him. He dragged me to his car, he was holding my arms, and said he wanted me to be a part of his life and stuff like that. I was shouting and screaming at him to let me go. He forced me to get into the car and pushed me into the passenger side and sat on me. Then [he] closed the door and moved to the drivers seat and started driving like crazy. He said he would kill me and kill himself. I was scared... When he stopped at the traffic lights I tried to get out, but he shut the door on my leg. After driving around west London for 40 minutes, 6ft 3in Tobias who is based at Carver Barracks, Wimbish, Essex dropped her off at work. The couple met online and had known each other for nearly a year, but Ms Mikalak told Tobias shed met someone else while he was serving in Jordan for five weeks. Her new man phoned while she was in the car prompting Tobias to grab her mobile and shout: Shes with me. She denied inventing the story out of anger towards Tobias for revealing himself to her new boyfriend. Prosecutor David Brock said Tobias was questioned by police on May 11. He accepted the relationship had broken down and that he did meet her that day, but said she got into the car without force and he dropped her off at work, he said. The trial continues. B rixtons annual free Splash street party has been called off after a reported spike in violence, drug-taking and arrests marred last years tenth anniversary event. Lambeth Council last night rejected an application for this summers party saying south Londons answer to the Notting Hill Carnival had become a victim of its own success and grown potentially dangerous. More than 40,000 people attended last Augusts Splash, leading to complaints from residents about noise, crime and a mountains of litter. A gun was seized from one reveller among the 40 arrested. A council report into the event alleged a huge amount of drug taking, including event staff recruited as ambassadors smoking cannabis. The council now wants to install a new management board and recruit a new team of volunteers to plan the 2017 Splash. Revellers at Brixton Splash on its 10th birthday last year Ros Griffiths, who helped found the festival but stepped aside in 2010, said she hoped the postponement would allow a fresh start. She said: Last year the local reaction was that it has lost direction. Traders were complaining, residents were complaining and there was a problem. The event got too big and moved away from what it was meant to be about. She said the original event was aimed to showing Brixtons independent traders and talented young people, using local businesses and products to keep the money within the neighbourhood. Ms Griffiths added: The council has a duty of care to make sure all visitors are safe. They cannot have an event spiralling out of control or wait for something to happen. It became a high risk event. Brixton Splash cancelled - guest on London Live This years event has been put on pause to be reviewed and planned for 2017. We want it to be the centrepiece in everyones social diary next summer. The Splash is a non-profit community organisation established in 2005 which also runs an outreach programme for young people to get access to the arts, part-funded by the Arts Council. Organisers also offered a qualified stewarding training programme for young people to get work experience controlling the crowds during the event. The company currently has three board members but none were available for comment last night. In a statement the board said the town hall planned to take over the festival and accused the council of railroading them. They added: Lambeths dwindling financial support and physical support over the last few years shows its true feelings towards the event. A Lambeth council spokesperson said: Sadly, last years event became a victim of its own success and we need to pause it for this year, let the community take it back to its roots as a safe, fun event for everyone with professional organisation. Road closures, a lack of stewards and inadequate crowd control have added to a sense from local people that the event is too big, too uncontrolled and potentially dangerous. A coroner who left key documents into the case of murdered schoolgirl Alice Gross on a train has been found guilty of misconduct. Chinyere Inyama, senior coroner at West London Coroners Court, lost a 30-page police file in November 2014, just over a month after the schoolgirls body was found in the River Brent. The 14-year-old disappeared from her home in Hanwell in August 2014 and sparked the biggest police operation since the 7/7 London bombings. Her body was found weighed down in the river on September 30. An investigation was launched after Mr Inyamas major blunder came to light and police tried to trace the file, but it was thought to have been destroyed. Officials said Mr Inyama would be "issued with advice" and would remain in his job after the incident. The evidence file is believed to have contained information about Arnis Zalkalns, the prime suspect in the case, who was found hanged in Boston Manor Park on October 4, 2014. Murdered: The body of schoolgirl Alice Gross was found concealed in the River Brent Police previously said Zalkalns, who served seven years in prison for murdering his wife in Latvia, would have been charged with the 14-year-olds murder if he had been alive. The Judicial Conduct Investigations Office (JICO) today published a statement regarding its investigation. A JICO spokesman said: Senior coroner Chinyere Inyama, senior coroner for West London has been subject to a conduct investigation after temporarily misplacing a police report in relation to a case before him. The Lord Chief Justice and the Lord Chancellor found that coroner Inyamas failure to report the loss to the chief coroner at the time it occurred amounts to misconduct and have issued him with formal advice regarding the future handling of sensitive information. A spokeswoman for West London Coroners Court, in Bagleys Lane, Fulham, directed the Standard to contact Hammersmith and Fulham Councils press office. A council spokesman said: We received official notification from the JCIO today on its findings and we respect their ruling in this unfortunate matter. However as the JCIO is currently investigating our complaints about the senior coroner it would be inappropriate for us to comment further. Alices inquest will now take place at Westminster Coroners Court. A mother today claimed she was refused help with a pushchair by a TfL employee who told her: "I'm not paid for this." Tatiana Novaes Coelho, 40, hit out at the disgraceful service she said she experienced with her six-month-old daughter Sophie on the Underground. The pilates instructor, who lives in Clerkenwell, said the incident happened at about noon on Tuesday after she asked a member of staff at Barbican station to help her take the buggy down a flight of stairs. But instead of helping, the man allegedly left her to rely on another mother with a pushchair to come to her aid. Ms Coelho told the Standard: He was extremely rude and I just couldnt believe it. I said to him, Can you help me down the stairs? He said, No, I am not paid for this. Pilates instructor Ms Coelho pictured during her pregnancy Tatiana Novaes Coelho / Tatiana Novaes Coelho Ms Coelho said she pleaded with the man but alleges he declined to help her again, saying: No I am not paid for this. I am not a hauler. The mum-of-one, who was born in Brazil, said she was forced to wait at the top of the stairs and until another mother, who was also pushing a buggy, came to her aid. I was just so annoyed. Its bad enough that most stations dont have a lift, she added. With a wheelchair or buggy, you are usually doomed anyway but I thought the staff were there to help. Its disgraceful service. She said the incident had put her off travelling on the Tube with her daughter again. She added in future she would try to drive or travel by bus. Steve Griffiths, London Underground's Chief Operating Officer, said: Were sorry to hear of Tatiana Novaes Coelho's experience at Barbican station and we will investigate this incident. "Our staff are trained to help customers at all times where possible and we have modernised the Tube so that we have more staff available at stations to provide assistance." I mperial College is embroiled in a sexism and bullying row amid claims its Union president was unfairly trolled in an irreverent publication. Lucinda Jane Sandon-Allum, 21, a biological sciences graduate, branded the article in the universitys charity society magazine as bullying. The 16-page handout mainly features adverts for fundraising events but also includes a number of pages of satire. The offending piece is understood to be a spoof diary entry written from Ms Sandon-Allums perspective, and includes a reference to her murder. Five hundred copies of the magazine were given out on campus. The Union has strongly advised the society, known as RAG, to dispose of the remaining 1,600 and apologise to those affected as it was said to be beyond the acceptable bounds of satire or mockery. RAG was also reportedly warned that the authors could face serious consequences from Imperial if they continued to distribute the magazine. Critics said the move was censorship and an attack on free speech, while the Unions own feminist society said it did not consider the piece to be sexist. Ms Sandon-Allum, from Poole, Dorset, wrote in the official Imperial College student newspaper FELIX: We must stop this culture that accepts bullying, accepts fewer women leaders, and dresses up personal attacks as tradition or satire. "It is not acceptable for an article to be written to target an individuals personal life, and even more so depicting someones murder. She added: I know that the majority of Imperial students have no time for bullying, tasteless personal attacks, and gendered stereotypes masked as banter. The articles author told FELIX the Unions response was absurd, adding: I hope the Unions attempts to withdraw all copies of the uncensored version will not be successful. RAG said its magazine was designed to be funny but controversial, adding: In the past its made fun of natural disasters and human tragedies, this year the call was made to print a satirical piece about Lucinda, as such the Union feels that this overstepped the mark. Alexander McKee, the Unions interim managing director, said it had responded to students concerns about the magazine and RAG had apologised. Imperial declined to comment. T wo saleswomen at a luxury West End shoe shop today urged other women to stand up to bullying in the workplace after winning a employment tribunal against their boss. Mehrnoosh Bolhasani, 46, and Agnese Avota, 29, are in line for a payout of up to 100,000 after taking a stand against Boualem Guerbi, 61. The tribunal heard that the married father of two behaved like a randy old man at the flagship store of Barker Shoes in Regent Street, where pairs of leather shoes sell for 500. The panel was told Guerbi hired beautiful girls with nice bodies who were frozen out when they spurned his advances. The two womens complaints of sexual harassment and discrimination were upheld in a judgment released privately following a nine-day hearing at Central London employment tribunal last March. Despite the ruling, Guerbi remains an employee at the shop a situation Miss Bolhasani called an insult. Iranian-born Miss Bolhasani, who lives in Tottenham, told the tribunal how Algerian-born Guerbi, of Eltham, sexually assaulted her in his office at Regent Street in May 2012, pulling her towards him and trying to kiss her. If you rejected his ways you would be put in a situation you would feel like your life was hell. I was really scared, said Miss Bolhasani. I would encourage anybody else in this situation to step forward and say what happened. Latvian Miss Avota, from Hampstead, told the tribunal Guerbi humiliated her in front of colleagues and would threaten her with dismissal. She resigned after seven months, blaming his animal behaviour. A Barker spokesman refused to say why it was still employing Guerbi, adding that it is considering an appeal. Employment lawyer Joe Sykes, who represented the two women, said: The two claimants feel vindicated by the employment tribunal decision. However, Miss Bolhasani remains employed and is concerned that Barker has kept Mr Guerbi in place. She is concerned about going back to work when hes still there and doesnt want to be subjected to any more. T wo fire engines on blue lights crashed into each other on a roundabout near Canary Wharf while responding to the same 999 call. Seven firefighters were injured in the collision at the junction between Westferry Road and Westferry Circus shortly before 8pm on Tuesday. One was freed by other firefighters who arrived later to the scene after being "trapped by the nature of his injuries", the London Fire Brigade said. His condition is not thought to be life-threatening. A spokesman said the two fire engines, from Shadwell and Poplar stations, were on their way to a fire in a store room in Westferry Circus when they collided. He said: "One firefighter was trapped by the nature of his injuries and after being released was taken to hospital by London Ambulance Service. His injuries are not believed to be life threatening. "Ten further firefighters were assessed on the scene by London Ambulance Service for shock and minor injuries and six were taken to hospital." He added an investigation into the incident would now take place. Significant emergency services action around Westferry Circus. Many ambulances/ responders, fire engines and police on scene @BBCTravelAlert Mark Davis (@Judethecat) February 16, 2016 Police closed roads in the area while emergency services dealt with the aftermath of the collision. No-one was injured in the small store room blaze firefighters were on their way to attend. Guwahati: Intensifying his attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress vice- president Rahul Gandhi here on Tuesday accused him of being superficial in his approach. He apprised the people of how Modi called up Congress president Sonia Gandhi and informed her about the signing of the Naga accord, when none of the stakeholder states chief ministers knew about it. None of the chief ministers Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh and Assam knew about the accord. We tried to find out if union home minister Rajnath Singh would be able to inform us about the content of the peace accord but to our utter surprise he too was not aware of the accord, said Gandhi in an obvious dig at Prime Minister of running government alone. Congress vice-president who was on a two-day pre-election tour to Assam, earlier completed his padyatra in Eastern Assams Sibsagar district on Tuesday. Addressing a public rally at Sibsagar, Gandhi also chided Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his inability to fulfill his much talked of promise of bringing back black money from abroad and depositing Rs 15. lakh in every citizens account. Encouraged by public response to his padyatra, which turned into a roadshow, Mr Gandhi said, The BJP does not have issues of development and peace in mind. Instead, it is more interested in capturing power by putting people of different faiths in conflict. They did the same in Bihar and instigated Hindus against Muslims. They thought they would win elections by doing so but failed. He, further, added, They will try to do the same thing in Assam too. In Bihar the prime minister made many tall promises. They tried so many tricks. But when the results came they could not even understand how the BJP lost, he said. As a concluding remark, he said that he was encouraged by the response of the public in the state. D avid Cameron's attempts to portray his draft European Union reforms as rock solid were dealt a blow today by the president of the European Parliament. German socialist Martin Schulz dismissed the idea that MEPs would merely rubberstamp any decisions made by the 28 EU leaders at a summit this week, raising the prospect of the deal being altered after a UK in-out referendum. To be quite clear, no government can go to the parliament and say, This is our proposal, can you give a guarantee about the result? This is not possible in a democracy, said Mr Schulz. His statement, made after private talks with Mr Cameron, contradicted repeated assurances from Downing Street that any deal struck this week will be legally binding. David Cameron meets EU president for reform talks In reality, the details of how it is implemented will be issued by the European Commission after the referendum is staged, with the European Parliament then debating and legislating for it. The snub was a setback for Mr Cameron who had hoped that his trip to Brussels today would result in a declaration by European Parliament leaders that they would pass the deal intact. In another blow, Czech foreign minister Tomas Prouza said that around two million EU workers who were currently claiming child benefit in Britain for children who do not even live in the UK will keep the payments at the full rate, under unpublished terms of the deal. Downing Street has refused to confirm speculation that the draft deal will only curb child benefit payments for new arrivals. Mr Prouza told BBC radio: The proposals are clear that the limits on in-work benefits would apply only to the newcomers, as its a very UK-specific solution. Mr Cameron dashed to Brussels from Paris after talks last night with Francois Hollande. Officials said they had reached agreement on protecting the City of London from regulations to stabilise the euro-zone, without giving the City an unfair advantage. Mr Camerons plane was delayed and Mr Schulz asked him, tongue in cheek: Technical difficulties? Mr Cameron was later due to hold talks with Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker and leaders of the centre-right EPP and the Socialist grouping, plus three MEPs who have been acting as sherpas in the negotiations. B ritish Airways is set to become the first major international airline to ask passengers not to open bags of nuts if there is an allergy sufferer sat nearby. Flight attendants at the airline, which already does not serve or sell peanuts, will make an announcement asking flyers not to eat nut products. But passengers will be allowed to bring bags of peanuts on board as long as they remain sealed. Those who travel on British Airways flight are already asked to inform crew members if they suffer from nut allergies and whether or not they have their emergency medication with them. The new policy is due to take effect from Thursday, Allergic Living magazine reported. A British Airways spokesman told the MailOnline: We do our best to accommodate the needs of all our customers, including those with food allergies. We do not serve peanuts as snacks or include them in our meals and we do not sell peanuts on board our aircraft. We advise customers with peanut allergies to inform our cabin crew of their condition, and let them know if they are carrying emergency medication. We have now updated our policy and as an additional measure, our crew will also make an announcement on board to inform customers and to ask those in the vicinity to refrain from eating nut products. T he family of missing junior doctor Rose Polge have said they are "overwhelmed" by the support they have received. Police divers were today deployed as the search for the 25-year-old continues following her disappearance four days ago. Dr Polge, who works at Torbay Hospital in Torquay, Devon, has not been seen since Friday. The young doctor, from Royston, Hertfordshire., last spoke to her boyfriend at 1pm that day before her car was discovered in a car park near Anstey's Cove in Torquay, a shingle beach backed by hillside with thick woodland, at 6pm. On Monday police found a hooded top understood to belong to Dr Polge washed up by the tide. Police described her disappearance as "totally out of character". Her family today said: "We would like to thank everyone for their help, hope and kind words. "The support we have received from family and friends has been much appreciated, and clearly Rose is loved far and wide." Dr Polge was a supporter of the junior doctors strike, launched amid fierce opposition to plans to impose a controversial new contract. Dr Polge comes from a family of doctors. Her father Mark is a GP, her sister and brother are both doctors, and her grandfather Christopher Polge was an renowned biologist whose work formed the foundation of cryobiology. Martin Ringrose, interim director of human resources at Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust, said: "We are aware that one of our junior doctors is missing. "Our thoughts are with her family and loved ones at this very distressing time. "We will do whatever we can to support the authorities investigating her disappearance and searching for her, as well as providing support to her colleagues, who are anxious for her wellbeing." A Department of Health spokeswoman said: "Our thoughts are with Dr Polge's family and friends at an extremely difficult time." T he best way to increase your chances of success in a job interview, exam, or driving test is to take it in the morning, scientists have found. Danish researchers found that "cognitive function" - or the ability to perform tests involving simple brain power - diminished throughout the day. They studied two million tests taken by children aged eight to 15 over three years, and found that their results dropped by just under a per centage point for each hour later that the test was taken. This meant scores for a test taken at 9am were likely to be 5.4 per cent higher than if the same exam was taken at 3pm. Scientists from the Danish National Centre for Social Research concluded that this "cognitive fatigue" could apply in any situation that requires brain power. However, the researchers found that the situation could be avoided not by taking exams earlier in the day, but by having proper breaks. They discovered that taking a 20 to 30 minute break before a test improved results by an average of 1.7 per cent. The scientists took into account factors that could skew results, such as gender, income, and the day of the week. The report, in academic journal PNAS, said: "As the day wears on students become increasingly fatigued and consequently more likely to underperform on a standardised test." M ountain rescuers and police are appealing for information about a young couple who have gone missing on Ben Nevis. Rachel Slater, 24, and 27-year-old Tim Newton, from Bradford, West Yorkshire, were climbing on the mountain in the Scottish Highlands over the weekend. The pair are believed to have camped in a green tent near to the Charles Inglis Clark (CIC) hut, below the north face of the mountain. Rescuers began carrying out searches on Monday night with further searches underway today. Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team posted on Facebook: We are looking for some assistance in respect of two missing climbers on Ben Nevis. "Can anyone who was climbing/walking on Ben Nevis over the last weekend may have seen a couple in their 20's who were camped in green tent immediately behind the CIC hut. If you have any information can you please call Police Scotland on 101 and ask for Fort William police. Thank you. Writing on Facebook, Rachels uncle, Tony Walker, described the pair as very experienced climbers. He said: The missing persons are Rachel Slater (my niece) and her partner Tim Newton. Both very experienced climbers. Most likely they are wearing the same clothing as in the photo. Any info greatly appreciated. Police Scotland have released a photo of the climbers, who were last seen on Sunday, and said they would have been wearing similar hiking gear to that pictured. Anyone who was climbing or walking in the Ben Nevis area at the weekend and saw the couple is urged to contact 101. A student has told how he narrowly escaped death after leaving the band Viola Beach just months before they tragically plunged 80ft to their deaths in a car in Sweden. Frank Coulson, who was a founding member of the band, said it could have been me after a car carrying his former bandmates fell from a bridge over the Sodertalje canal near Stockholm at the weekend following a festival gig. He said he was devastated by the deaths of River Reeves, Kris Leonard and Jack Dakin, all 19, and Tomas Lowe, 27. Band manager Craig Tarry, 32, who was reportedly driving, also died. Tributes paid to Viola Beach Mr Coulson, 20, was in the band for two years before deciding to leave for the last year of university. He told The Sun: If I had stayed with them it could have been me...Viola Beach could have gone as far as they wanted to go. When I heard the news I was distraught. Swedish investigators are trying to find out what happened before the incident at 2.20am on Saturday morning. They are currently awaiting toxicology reports. R ock band Eagles Of Death Metal have performed at an emotional Paris concert filled with fans who survived the attack on the Bataclan. Frontman Jesse Hughes kicked off tonights Olympia concert hall show by blowing a kiss to the crowd and telling them: Bonsoir Paris, we're ready for this." Later, between two songs, he added: "Peace, love and rock and roll." The California groups performance at the Bataclan on November 13 turned into a bloodbath when Islamic extremist suicide bombers stormed in, slaughtering scores of concert-goers. Tribute: Frontman Jesse Hughes at the highly-charged gig / AFP Armed police guarded entrances to the Olympia for tonight's performance and ticket holders went through three bag and body searches before entering. Viewers seemed in good spirits ahead of the gig, with some drinking outside and little apparent nervousness in the crowd. TODO: define component type brightcove Survivor Alexis Lebrun described himself beforehand as "very scared", sayinghe would go to the Olympia venue but only if he deemed the security adequate. A bizarre sea creature has washed up on the shore of an Australian lake - leaving locals baffled. The sea monster that has a body like an eel but a head more like a crocodile washed ashore Lake Macquarie in New South Wales yesterday. Experts suggested the underwater creature was a nocturnal feeding pike eel. Father Ethan Tipper was stunned when he found the creature and posted a photo of it to Facebook. The image of the creature has been shared over 1,600 times on social media since yesterday. However, it has divided opinion online - with some believing it has been photoshopped, while others suggested it could be a large hairtale, similar to a cutlassfish. Australian Museum ichthyology manager Mark McGrouther told Australian media the creature appeared to be a nocturnal feeding pike eel. Feeding pikes can grow to 1.8m in length and have a long slender jaw with large teeth. P ope Francis asked indigenous Mexicans for forgiveness for decades of discrimination during a visit to the southern state of Chiapas. He made his appeal while celebrating Mass in three native languages. On many occasions, in a systematic and organised way, your people have been misunderstood and excluded from society, the 79-year-old pontiff said to a crowd of thousands, after citing Popol Vuh, an ancient Mayan text. Some have considered your values, culture and traditions to be inferior. Others, intoxicated by power, money and market trends, have stolen your lands or contaminated them. How sad this is, he said. How worthwhile it would be for each of us to examine our conscience and learn to say, Forgive me! The Pope also used the open-air service in San Cristobal de las Casas to warn about threats to the environment. Throughout his five-day trip he has condemned the evils of forced emigration and drugs. R yan Reynolds treated a young cancer patient to an early screening of Deadpool. The Canadian actor, 39 who plays the titular anti-hero travelled to Edmonton Alberta to show Connor McGrath the new film. He captured the moment in a Facebook post where he shared a picture of himself with the young fan. This is my friend, Connor McGrath, Reynolds posted. He's quite possibly the biggest #Deadpool fan on earth. He was also the first person ever to see the Deadpool film. Like Wade Wilson, Connor's trying to put cancer in his rear view mirror. Ladies, gentlemen, boys and girls. This is my friend, Connor McGrath. He's quite possibly the biggest #Deadpool fan on... Posted by Ryan Reynolds on Friday, 12 February 2016 About 6 weeks ago, I travelled to Edmonton Alberta to show Connor the movie at his hospital. Of course, the Deadpool was right up his alley because Connor's the funniest, potty-mouthed Canadian mercenary I've ever met. He's my friend. I know lots of celebrities jump up and down touting a cause -- and maybe I'm no different. But holy frozen s**t-slivers, I love this kid. He's the GREATEST. And he needs your help to get well. I've donated to help Connor and I hope you will too. The post comes days after the actor excited a female fan by gifting her tickets to New York and the films premiere after she feared that she had missed the film following surgery on her wisdom teeth. Speaking to Jimmy Fallon, Reynolds explained how the "power of the Internet" allowed him to reach out to the young girl. Deadpool: trailer breakdown - Explicit Content 1 /20 Deadpool: trailer breakdown - Explicit Content Deadpool - Red Band Trailer 20th Century Fox 1) Wade Wilson Before he was Deadpool he was Wade Wilson, a Special Forces operator / mercenary. Discovering he has cancer in his liver, lungs, prostate, and brain, he agrees to be experimented on to help find a cure. 20th Century Fox 2) The Recruiter Known only as The Recruiter, this is the guy who promises Wade a cure, but who a post-experiment Deadpool sets out to kill. Something about his eyebrows gives us a hint that hell be bad news. 20th Century Fox 3) The silhouette This is Deadpools classic look in silhouette the character traditionally has two Katana swords strapped across his back. 20th Century Fox 4) Meta jokes Please dont make the super-suit green or animated! In the comics, Deadpool is a character who knows hes a comic book character, and constantly makes jokes about it. This gag is a reference to Ryan Reynolds ill-fated Green Lantern film, where he had a green animated costume. 20th Century Fox 5) Cassette player Guardians of the Galaxys Star Lord isnt the only Marvel character whos partial to a cassette tape. 20th Century Fox 6) The full reveal Heres our first proper look at Deadpool in full costume and hes sitting drawing a cartoon in crayon 20th Century Fox 7) The cartoon of him rather adorably killing a bad guy with two shots to the head. Aww. 20th Century Fox 8) The constant quips Deadpools humour can often be juvenile and scatological in nature but his constant quipping is almost a character defect. The guy can barely stop himself from taking the mick. 20th Century Fox 9) The fury Dont mistake the silly jokes for weakness Deadpool means serious business. Expect acrobatic slo-mo kills a-plenty. 20th Century Fox 10) The healing factor Yes, thats a bullet hole right through Deadpool's arm. Luckily, the experiments Wade goes through imbue him with healing powers. This is set within the same continuity as the X-Men, so think of him as a sort-of-mutant. 20th Century Fox 11) Colossus Speaking of mutants, heres one that you may know. The metal-skinned Colossus has appeared in various X-Men films, and here gets a chunkier look. Hes likely to become an ally of Deadpool. 20th Century Fox 12) Negasonic Teenage Warhead This is Negasonic Teenage Warhead. Yes, really. Touted as the films secret weapon, shes originally a fairly minor X-Men character with precognitive abilities but that could completely change in Deadpool. Shell be another ally for Wade, with one hell of a cocked eyebrow. 20th Century Fox 13) Unsuited This is Wade, post-experimentation, out of the suit. No wonder he wants revenge. 20th Century Fox 14) Gun-sniffer With one last dirty joke out the way, thats the end of our first look at Deadpool. Roll on February. 20th Century Fox Follow @StandardShowbiz for more entertainment news. New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to pass an interim order on a plea of Congress leaders that Arunachal Pradesh Governor J P Rakhowa be restrained from swearing in a new government in the politically-fragile state which is now under President's rule. The five-judge constitution bench headed by Justice J S Khehar also declined the prayer of Congress leaders that status quo be maintained in the crisis-hit state and no new government formation be permitted. "We have heard your arguments on injunction. We don't propose to pass any order and we will hear the matter on merits," the bench, also comprising justices Dipak Misra, M B Lokur, P C Ghose and N V Ramana, said. Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi, who rushed to the court after coming to know that Congress leaders were seeking status quo on possible political developments in the state, said the courts cannot "pre-empt" a constitutional authority from taking any decision. "The decision of the constitutional authority can be annulled by the court, but this application is totally misconceived. Either today or tomorrow, President's Rule has to be revoked and the government has to be formed," he said while opposing the application in which Congress leaders have expressed apprehension that the proclamation of central rule is likely to be withdrawn. The bench then told senior lawyers Fali S Nariman and Kapil Sibal, appearing for Arunachal Pradesh Congress leaders, that the only order, which it had deemed fit at this juncture, has been suggested and if these leaders do not accept it, then they should argue on merits. During the hearing, Sibal cited a purported press note, issued on behalf of the Governor and said how can the Governor swear in a person as the Chief Minister, a rebel Congress leader who has been disqualified from the House. Sibal sought an order to ensure that no new government is sworn-in in the state till the apex court decides on the petitions. The bench then sought Attorney General's view asking what the Parliament would do, if it passes some interim orders on the plea of Arunachal Congress leaders. President's Rule is yet to be affirmed by Parliament and whatever is the verdict of this court, the only answer will be the floor test, Rohatgi replied. "Whatever is the verdict of the court, the only answer will be floor test and the ultimate answer will be the floor test. Whether 'A' becomes the Chief Minister or 'B' becomes Chief Minister, it will be decided on the floor of the House," he said. There was exchange of words between the senior lawyers appearing for both sides on the authenticity of the press note purportedly issued by the office of Rajkhowa. Nariman said he had information that the Governor has made a recommendation about revoking President's Rule in the state and the press note substantiated it. T R Andhyarujina, who represents the Governor, said till now, the proclamation is very much in place and the assembly stands in "suspended animation". "Yesterday some leaders have met the Governor but he has categorically told them that nothing could be done till the proclamation is revoked. No report of Governor recommending revocation has been made till now," Andhyarujina said. Sibal said at present, they were not asking for any order on the proclamation as they also do not wish to pre-empt the actions of the President on recalling of the proclamation. The bench then asked, "what does this status quo mean then?" "We have nothing to do with the proclamation but the court can't allow a person to be sworn-in as a Chief Minister who is disqualified," Sibal argued, adding that Congress leaders be given an opportunity to approach the Governor once the proclamation is revoked. The bench observed that this injunction cannot be granted and Congress leaders were at liberty to approach the Governor. It asked the Attorney General whether a person, who is disqualified from the House, can be asked not to be sworn in. No, in that case, the court would get itself into the politics by suggesting whom to appoint or whom not to, Rohatgi said. "The subject matter of disqualification can be adjudicated by the court but it can't suggest who to appoint as Chief Minister or who not to," Rohtagi said. The bench is hearing a batch of pleas on constitutional powers of the Governors and would continue the hearing tomorrow. JNU teachers and students form a human chain inside the campus in protest against arrest of JNUSU President Kanhaiya Kumar in New Delhi. (Photo: PTI) New Delhi: The row at the JNU campus in Delhi has left the nation divided as situation in the varsity remains tense. The students' union leader of JNU, Kanhaiya Kumar, was arrested last week on charges of sedition for allegedly participating in an event on the campus to mark the anniversary of the execution of 2001 Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru, in which anti-India slogans were raised. Harshit Agarwal, a student from Jawaharlal Nehru University, described what actually happened at the varsity on February 9 through Quora. "I am a JNU student studying right now and also happen to be a witness from distance for some events that happened on that controversial date - 9th February 2016. So, that kinda renders me more legitimate to answer this question than people who only know about it through Zee News and Times Now," JNU student Harshit Agarwal wrote in response to a Quora question on the issue. Here is full text of the post: A lot of answers are here. The only weird thing is not one of them is from a JNU student or who witnessed what happened on that controversial day and yet everyone has such strong opinions about the whole incident from people calling everyone studying in JNU as terrorists, jihadis and naxals to asking for the university to be completely shutdown! I am a JNU student studying right now and also happen to be a witness from distance for some events that happened on that controversial date - 9th February 2016. So, that kinda renders me more legitimate to answer this question than people who only know about it through Zee News and Times Now. On 9th February 2016, ex-members of a student organization DSU, short for 'Democratic Students Union' had called for a cultural meeting of a protest against what they called 'the judicial killing of Afzal Guru and Maqbool Bhat' and in solidarity with 'the struggle of Kashmiri people for their democratic right to self-determination.' A lot of Kashmiri students from inside and outside the campus were to attend the event. 'Democratic Students Union(DSU)' is an ultra-leftist group in the campus that believes in the ideology of Maoism. It's a very small group of very well read students. They are not terrorists or naxals by any means. I have been in the campus for more than 2 years and never have I witnessed or heard of them committing a terror activity as much as of throwing a stone, let alone overthrowing the state! Now, first things first. Did they do something wrong in organizing a meeting over the issue of Kashmir? Is the issue of Kashmir so sacred to us and our brains so brainwashed with the idea of nazi-like nationalism that we are not even ready to hear about the issue of Kashmir from Kashmiris themselves? Do I support the secession of Kashmir from India? No. I am not even aware of the exact nuances of the political matter, but I am ready to hear, learn and debate all sorts of opinions, especially from the inhabitants themselves. Now, did the organizers of the meeting do something wrong in calling Afzal Guru and Maqbool Bhat's execution 'judicial murder'? And was it the first time somebody raised an objection on capital punishment and the judgement of a court? After Afzal Guru was hanged, a lot of human rights group condemned the hanging. The political party PDP with whom BJP has formed a government in Jammu and Kashmir itself called Afzal's hanging 'travesty of justice'. Arundhati Roy condemned it. Shashi Tharoor called it wrong. Markandey Katju has severely criticized it. Praveen Swami, Indian journalist, analyst and author specialising on international strategic and security issues wrote in The Hindu, "The Supreme Courts word is not, and ought not to be, the final word. Indeed, the deep ambiguities that surround Gurus case are in themselves compelling argument to rethink the death penalty." Former Delhi High Court chief justice, Justice AP Shah, said that the hanging of Afzal Guru and Yakub Memon were politically motivated. Now were all these people anti-nationals, terrorists, jihadis? I have faith in your wisdom to answer that. Now coming to next issue - the shouting of 'anti-national slogans'. Now 20 minutes before the meeting was going to start, ABVP, who consider themselves to be the sole harbingers of nationalism, wrote to the administration asking it to withdraw the permission of organizing the meeting as it was 'harmful for campus' atmosphere'. The administration, feeling afraid of clashes, denied the permission. Now, for those who do not know, JNU is a beautiful democratic space where all voices are heard, all opinions however radical, respected. And ABVP was scuttling that space. DSU asked for help from JNUSU (Jawaharlal Nehru Students' Union) and other left student organizations like SFI(Students Federation of India), and AISA(All India Students Association) to gather in support of their right to democratically and peacefully hold meeting and mind you, NOT in support of their ideology or their stand on Kashmir. DSU, JNUSU, and other student organizations decided they would not let the administration and the ABVP scuttle their hard-earned democratic space to debate and discuss, and decided to go ahead with the meeting. The administration sent security guards to cover the badminton court where the meeting was supposed to happen, and denied the permission to use mics. The organizers agreed. They decided they would continue the meeting around the dhaba itself and without the mics. However, the ABVP mobilized its cadres and started threatening and intimidating the students and organizers. They started shouting cliched slogans like 'Ye Kashmir Hamara hai, saara ka saara hai.' The organizers as a response to them, and to create solidarity among the students attending the meeting started shouting, "Hum kya chaahte? Azaadi!" Do you think there was something highly inflammatory and dangerous in this statement? Think about it. Nations break all the time. We were chanting the same slogan under Britishers. Soviet Union disintegrated. Secession is neither good nor bad. It depends on the precise circumstances of the region. And mind you, I don't support the secession of Kashmir. I claim to have insufficient knowledge of the situation and conditions of the people residing in that region. Hence, I am neither for nor against it. Hence, I have no problems with a group of students simply shouting slogans in support of a particular region's freedom. They were not planning a conspiracy to overthrow the government and seize Kashmir from India. They were simple students who read, travel and learn about socio-political issues and have a stand about it. Next slogan - "Tum kitne Afzal maaroge, har ghar se Afzal niklega!" Now, I did not study the case closely, and hence, would believe in the courts of India and therefore, I believe Afzal Guru was a terrorist. Though principally I am against capital punishment. However, this group of students believed that he did not deserve capital punishment and also have their skepticism about his involvement in the parliamentary attack. I am picking up this from wikipedia - "It has to be noted, that in its judgement of 5 August 2005, the supreme court admitted that the evidence against Guru was only circumstantial, and that there was no evidence that he belonged to any terrorist group or organisation." And this directly from the Supreme Court judgement: "The incident, which resulted in heavy casualties, had shaken the entire nation and the collective conscience of the society will only be satisfied if the capital punishment is awarded to the offender." So, a group of students believe that Afzal Guru was framed, had no role in the attack on the parliament and his capital punishment was wrong. Big deal? And were therefore shouting, "Har ghar se Afzal niklega!" And mind you, these people are not carrying any arms, all they are carrying are ideas. So, in such a case, what should the state do? Charge them for conspiracy against the state? Or maybe merely try to engage with them, debate with them about a difference of opinion? And was this some secretly organized meeting about overthrowing the government smuggling in bombs and grenades? No, this was a public meeting. Everyone was invited. You were free to disagree with them. They are not doing it in hiding. If they were terrorists they would not come out in public! But didn't you see them all at your TV channels courageously defending themselves and their right to have a difference of opinion? Tell me, which traits of terrorists do you find in them? Now, I'll come to the most controversial part - the slogans against India. In the meeting, there was a whole group of Kashmiri students which had come from outside JNU to attend the meeting. If you would even look closely at the video that is being circulated, you will only see these students who had formed a circle in the center of the gathering. And trust me ,not one of whom was from JNU! I was present during the event for some time, and I could not recognize a single face from that group as being from JNU. This group of students, who belonged to Kashmir, and had faced the wrath of the AFSPA for decades, were angered to see ABVP disrupt their meeting, and started shouting the slogans against India, like: "Bharat ki barbaadi tak, jung rahegi, jung rahegi!" "India, Go Back" In my almost 2.5 years of stay in JNU, I have never heard these slogans shouted anywhere. These are nowhere even close to the ideology of any left parties, let alone DSU. To make things clearer, here is what a Kashmiri student who is not a JNU student and who was not present in the meeting, has written about the slogans on his facebook wall, after hearing them on Youtube: Let me do the DECONSTRUCTION not Derridian but Kashmiri deconstruction of the slogans that have become so controversial. 1. BHARAT KEE BARBADI TAK JANG RAHEY GEE Bharat for a Kashmiri young men and women who were born in 1990s and after means Indian Military Establishment. The representative image of Indian state is always, Men-in-uniform-with-weapons. BARBADI is used in the same lexicon as its used by different organizations in India. It means end to the military occupation of Kashmir. JANG means struggle, whether peaceful, Gandhian, Marxian, Gramscian or violent depends on your interpretation of the word. I hope it leads to some clarity. Anyways it might be a fringe slogan in spaces like JNU but its a mass slogan in Kashmir. 2. AZADI: The word AZADI, which is the most confusing word for Indians. Let me simplify it for you. Its not a seditious slogan nor is it secessionist. AZADI as a slogan is historically, socially, culturally, conceptually and principally rooted in the principle of Right to Self Determination of people belonging to a region occupied by two nation-states identified as Kashmir. Let me add more, Azadi is a synonym of Resistance and has a very deep aspirational value attached to it." About the slogans of 'Pakistan Zindabad', it is disputed. I did not hear any such slogan while I was present there. There is a slogan in a video, but it's not clear as to who shouted it - the Kashmiri students or the ABVP as a conspiracy, as this video below explains: Now, that it's been clear that no JNU student was involved in shouting anti-India slogans, let's come to the way the government responded to this: The police on the orders of Home Minister Rajnath Singh raid our univeristy and then hostels. They pick up the JNUSU President from within the campus with no substantial evidence and the court remands him for a 3 day police custody. He did not shout the slogans. He is a member of the All India Students Federation(AISF) which is the student wing of the Communist Party of India(CPI) which has no Maoist or secessionist ideology and is the mildest of all left parties. Yesterday too, seven more students were picked up by the police from the campus. I say, if you are hell bent on arresting, arrest those Kashmiri students at the most. But ruthlessly witch-hunting students is outrageous and clearly not what you would expect from a democratic government! And finally, I am going to touch a raw nerve here, but I think it's become important that someone does - "Why are we so volatile regarding our ideas of nationalism? Why do we treat it like religion? Somebody shouts few slogans and it becomes absolute blasphemy! A university is a place for debate, discussion and dissent! Slogans should be answered by slogans, and not by sedition charges!" Elaborating on this, I would like to quote the first prime minister of India 'Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, whose name the university bears: "A University stands for humanism. For tolerance, for reason, for the adventure of ideas and for the search of truth. It stands for the onward march of the human race towards ever higher objectives. If the Universities discharge their duties adequately, then it is well with the Nation and the People." At such a crucial time, when JNU is facing all kinds of fabricated lies and flak from media, I would urge all of you to stand with JNU. It is one of a kind of university and it's absolutely beautiful, both in it's spirit and geography. I urge you all to visit my university sometime. It welcomes everyone, accommodates everyone...:) Disclaimer: The opinion expressed in the article are those of the author. Visakhapatnam: The foundation stone for the Nations first dedicated medical devices manufacturing park, at Nadupuru near Anakapalle, is expected to be laid in the month of April. State government had recently signed an MoU with Association of Indian Medical Device Industry (AIMED)on setting up of the Park which is coming up at an approximate cost of Rs 20,000 crore. A high-level delegation comprising representatives of the Union government, AIMED, state government, various banks, had already visited Vizag twice during the last four months on finalising the location and other details. Union health department senior official Dr Jithendra Sarma, senior officials of the state medical and health department, representatives from Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI), World Association for Small and Medium Enterprises (WASME) took part in a meeting held in December last year with district senior officials on setting up the Park and discuss other issues. Union government has extended all assistance in setting up this manufacturing park. Export and import offices will be opened at the Park premises to facilitate trade. Production of electric, electronic and surgical equipment used in health sector at a low cost and make it available at affordable price is what union government is aiming at by setting up the Park. After the district administration shortlisted land sites at Aganampudi, Gajuwaka and Anakapalle, AIMED officials finally zeroed in Nadupuru site of 200 acres. While common facilities will be created in the Park for the industries WASME will act as the facilitator in establishing it. SIDBI offered to provide financial assistance to set up industries in the Park. Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu along with some Union ministers will take part in the foundation laying ceremony, for the countrys first dedicated industrial park for medical devices and equipment manufacturing, said a senior official of the state government. We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Go to form Western Nebraska Community College is hosting a lecture sponsored by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln E.N. Thompson Forum on World Issues focusing on Womens Rights titled Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide, presented by Sheryl WuDunn. This free lecture is open to the public and can be viewed live online at the John N. Harms Advanced Technology Center, Room A111 at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 23. Participants are welcome to stay for refreshments and a general discussion following the lecture. The first Asian-American reporter to win a Pulitzer Prize, Sheryl WuDunn has journeyed through several industries, from banking to journalism and book writing. Her latest book, A Path Appears, is about spreading opportunity and making a difference in the world. Her previous book, the best-selling Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide, (co-written with her husband, Nicholas Kristof,) had an immense impact on exposing the plight of oppressed peoples around the globe, sparking activism and a new sense of awareness worldwide. Thanks to the books popularity and global impact, it soon grew into a multi-platform digital media effort that now includes a highly popular documentary series on PBS, mobile games and an online social media game on Facebook. Sheryl WuDunn A former vice president at Goldman Sachs, WuDunn possesses an adept understanding of macro and micro economic trends. Selected as one of Newsweeks 150 Women Who Shake the World, she has co-taught on China as part of a global affairs course at Yale University. She frequently discusses economics on major television and radio programs, including Bloomberg TV, Fox Business News and National Public Radio. Lecture Summary The greatest unexploited resource in the world today isnt oil or gold or wind. Its women. While there is no simple economic formula for overcoming global poverty, there is growing evidence that one of the simplest and most effective ways is to educate girls, empower them with knowledge and the ability to make their own decisions, and then help them develop financial independence. That way, they are integrated into their local economy, and potentially, the larger economy of the world. WuDunn will share stories that serve as reminders of a fundamental truth about gender injustices around the world: girls arent just the problem or the victim; theyre also the solution, and their ingenuity and courage is beginning to spread with many helping hands from the West. There is a growing realization that when you educate a girl, you educate a village. And there are a growing number of ways to tap into this increasingly globalized network of empowering women around the world. Countries & Areas Search for country or area A Afghanistan Albania Algeria Andorra Angola Antigua and Barbuda Argentina Armenia Australia Austria Azerbaijan B Bahamas Bahrain Bangladesh Barbados Belarus Belgium Belize Benin Bhutan Bolivia Bosnia and Herzegovina Botswana Brazil Brunei Bulgaria Burkina Faso Burma Burundi C Cabo Verde Cambodia Cameroon Canada Central African Republic Chad Chile China Colombia Comoros Costa Rica Cote dIvoire Croatia Cuba Cyprus Czechia D Democratic Republic of the Congo Denmark Djibouti Dominica Dominican Republic E Ecuador Egypt El Salvador Equatorial Guinea Eritrea Estonia Eswatini Ethiopia F Fiji Finland France G Gabon Gambia Georgia Germany Ghana Greece Grenada Guatemala Guinea Guinea-Bissau Guyana H Haiti Holy See Honduras Hungary I Iceland India Indonesia Iran Iraq Ireland Israel Italy J Jamaica Japan Jordan K Kazakhstan Kenya Kiribati Kosovo Kuwait Kyrgyzstan L Laos Latvia Lebanon Lesotho Liberia Libya Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg M Madagascar Malawi Malaysia Maldives Mali Malta Marshall Islands Mauritania Mauritius Mexico Micronesia Moldova Monaco Mongolia Montenegro Morocco Mozambique N Namibia Nauru Nepal Netherlands New Zealand Nicaragua Niger Nigeria North Korea North Macedonia Norway O Oman P Pakistan Palau Palestinian Territories Panama Papua New Guinea Paraguay Peru Philippines Poland Portugal Q Qatar R Republic of the Congo Romania Russia Rwanda S Saint Kitts and Nevis Saint Lucia Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Samoa San Marino Sao Tome and Principe Saudi Arabia Senegal Serbia Seychelles Sierra Leone Singapore Slovakia Slovenia Solomon Islands Somalia South Africa South Korea South Sudan Spain Sri Lanka Sudan Suriname Sweden Switzerland Syria T Taiwan Tajikistan Tanzania Thailand Timor-Leste Togo Tonga Trinidad and Tobago Tunisia Turkey Turkmenistan Tuvalu U Uganda Ukraine United Arab Emirates United Kingdom Uruguay Uzbekistan V Vanuatu Venezuela Vietnam Y Yemen Z Zambia Zimbabwe Bengaluru: The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), an animal rights group, has shot off a letter to state Forest Minister Ramanath Rai, reminding him that under the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972, a captured wild animal cannot be kept in captivity if it can be rehabilitated. The letter by PeTA CEO Poorva Joshipura refers to the leopard that escaped from the Bannerghatta Biological Park, where it was kept after being captured at a school in Varthur. Ms Joshipura said that Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) Dr Ravi Ralph had informed the group that the forest department was planning to keep the leopard permanently at the zoo. However, Dr Ralph had also admitted that the leopard need not live in captivity and that though it has escaped, it should not be a cause for worry as it can survive in nature. The PeTA letter pointed out that Dr Ralph gave the impression that the big cat could be caged permanently as he had said that it has a problem in one eye, and is missing a tooth. But the condition is not severe enough to warrant permanent capture and prevent the leopard from surviving in nature. The leopards physical and mental well-being would be much higher in its natural habitat than in captivity, it said. The leopard acted in what it perceived to be self-defence and strayed into a school because it was lost. There is no reason to believe that it would pose a greater threat to the people if it is rehabilitated back into the forest than any other leopard, the group said. We understand that efforts are being made to recapture the leopard. We request you to send instructions to relevant officials to stop such efforts to recapture him and if it is unavoidable, relocate him immediately upon capture so as to allow him live freely in his natural habitat, Ms Joshipura stated in the letter addressed to the minister. This page may have been moved, deleted, or is otherwise unavailable. To help you find what you are looking for: Enter Search Term(s): Still cant find what youre looking for? Send us a message using our contact us form. To report a broken link or other problems with the website, please include the URL. Thank you for visiting state.gov. New Delhi: With the Supreme Court putting no hurdle in formation of a new government, the Union Cabinet may recommend revocation of President's rule in Arunachal Pradesh soon, possibly by tomorrow. The Home Ministry is waiting for a report from Governor J P Rajkhowa about the latest political situation in the sensitive border state after 31 MLAs, led by Congress dissident Kalikho Pul, met him on Monday. Official sources said the Governor's report is expected soon and if it suggests formation of a new government, the Home Ministry will present a note before tomorrow's scheduled meeting of the Union Cabinet to be chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. On Monday, Pul, accompanied by 31 MLAs, had called on the Governor to stake claim to form the next government in the state which is under President's Rule. He was accompanied by 19 Congress MLAs along with 11 BJP legislators and two independent members. This led to Congress moving the Supreme Court seeking an order that no new government formation is permitted and status quo be maintained. However, the apex court refused to pass an interim order restraining the Governor from swearing in a new government in Arunachal Pradesh. The revolt by Congress dissidents led by Pul led to a political crisis in the state that finally led to imposition of President's rule on January 26. Former chief minister Nabam Tuki reportedly has the support of 26 MLAs in the 60-member Assembly. Congress, which had 47 MLAs in the 60-member assembly, suffered a jolt when 21 of its lawmakers revolted against Tuki's leadership. Eleven BJP MLAs and two independents backed the rebels in the bid to upstage the government. Later, 14 rebel Congress MLAs were disqualified by the Speaker. The Supreme Court, which is considering pleas against imposition of President's rule in Arunachal Pradesh, is hearing petitions seeking examination of constitutional schemes on the scope of discretionary powers of the Governor. By MARK EVANS mevans@stegenherald.com During last Thursdays county commission meeting, the topic of tourism came up. First District Commissioner Karen Stuppy reported on the Tourism Advisory Council and Tourism Tax Commissions joint meeting earlier that week, at which a task force was formed. She said that the tourism department has an $89,548 budget, with $45,000-50,000 Romania's acting Prosecutor General Bogdan Licu on Tuesday said he will reopen criminal investigation into the Firea v. Basescu alleged blackmail case after mediation failed. ''On Monday, a report was submitted to the Prosecution Service informing us about the failure of the mediation; consequently, the case prosecutor will reopen prosecution and continue investigation," Licu said upon arriving at the main offices of the Supreme Council of Magistrates (CSM).Asked whether the next step is bringing former President Traian Basescu to the court, Licu said he cannot speak before official action is taken, and that the case prosecutor has full mastery over the solution.''I only say what is going to be done, and that is reopening the prosecution in the case,'' said Licu.About other court files on Basescu's name, Licu said investigations have been conducted in several of them, mentioning the Casuneanu case and the Mihaileanu House case.''Investigations have been conducted, documents have been filed and witnesses heard. Investigations continue,'' added Licu. AGERPRES Prime Minister Dacian Ciolos confirmed his presence on Wednesday in the Senate, where he was summoned to explain the eviction of Antena 3 private TV and other stations of its group by tax authorities. Ciolos asserted he has nothing to explain, as neither he, nor the finance minister were consulted by the National Tax Administration Agency (ANAF) on this case.Private TV stations Antena 1 and Antena 3 got a five-day eviction notice on Monday from the Bucharest Public Finances Regional General Directorate of the ANAF. Tax authorities are thus attempting to enforce a court sentence of 2013, confirmed on an appeal in 2014, against Dan Voiculescu, a former senator and owner of the two TV stations, convicted to a 10-year prison term in a case of fraudulent privatization of a research institute. The sentence included the confiscation of Voiculescu's real estate to cover his share of prejudices of 60 million euros."Let's not ask the independent government to solve within months problems procrastinated for years, including the matter of Antena 3. (...) There is a court sentence there, and ANAF suddenly decided to enforce it at the last minute, without asking anybody. I haven't been asked, neither has the finance minister; not that we should have been formally informed - the president of the ANAF decides how they apply the law; they should have enforced it some time ago. (...) So I have no explanations to provide for decisions of a manager of an agency subordinate to the government, but who does not have to ask for government's permission on some decisions," Ciolos told journalists on Tuesday.Asked why he does go to the Senate in these circumstances, he answered, "Because the Senate Speaker has invited me. "I have asked to be informed by the ANAF on the context of this decision. (...) I can understand it's difficult to move within five days; on the other hand, it was not my decision and it was not I who stipulated this five-day term in the law."All the political groups in the Senate supported on Tuesday the proposal of Speaker Calin Popescu-Tariceanu to summon the prime minister, and the plenary vote was 70-to-3 with two abstentions. AGERPRES In criminal cases when police resort to lie-detector tests it should be concluded that the investigation has reached a dead-end and other methods of discovering evidence or eliciting information, including procuring a confession, have failed. Take the recent instances of Peter Mukerjea in the Sheena Bora murder case and Salwinder Singh in connection with the Pathankot attack case they both underwent the test and Mr Singh reportedly cleared it. Shashi Tharoor, in connection with the death of his wife Sunanda Pushkar in January last year is facing the threat of the lie-detector test. In India the most popular form of lie-detector test is narco analysis, where the person is injected with a chemical sodium pentothal popularly known as the truth serum. The subject enters into a hypnotic trance and answers questions without having conscious control over the replies. Another test is the Brain Electrical Activation Profile (BEAP) test, also known as P-300 wave test, where electrical waves emitted from the test subjects brain are recorded through electrodes attached to the scalp. The subject is then exposed to external stimuli like sound and visuals relevant to the facts being investigated. The theory behind it appears to be that when exposed to material stimuli, the suspect emits P-300 waves on the basis of which the expert draws inferences. According to Wikipedia, polygraph is a machine that can measure several physiological indices like blood pressure, pulse, respiration and skin conductivity simultaneously hence named, polygraph while the subject answers a series of questions. The belief underlying the use of polygraph is that deceptive or untruthful answers will produce physiological responses that can be differentiated from those associated with non-deceptive or truthful answers. But, ultimately, the polygraph analysis is like any opinion, say that of a handwriting expert. Mr Singh clearing the lie-detector test means nothing because it is an established fact that the body of a habitual liar does not react differently while giving evasive answers or while uttering outright falsehood. At the same time, many innocent individuals passionate to establish their innocence fail the test due to the fear that the findings might possibly go wrong. For these, and other reasons, the findings of a lie-detector test are not admissible in any legal proceedings in India, which is also the case in major parts of the world. Many from the scientific community assert that the lie-detector test is a big lie; that it is pseudo-science. If that is indeed the case, it is one of the longest surviving fakes, still in circulation world over since the invention of the polygraph in 1921 in California. All lie-detector tests are invasive. Hence, a person cannot be subjected to a lie-detector without his/her consent, because Article 20(3) of the Constitution of India guarantees that no person accused in a criminal case shall be compelled to be a witness against himself or herself. This question came up before the Supreme Court of India in Selvi vs State of Karnataka (2010). The court, by a detailed judgment, after examining authorities from the world over held: The use of narco-analysis, brain-mapping and polygraph tests on accused, suspects and witnesses without their consent is unconstitutional and violation of the right to privacy. In criminal cases, the protection of Article 20(3) extends to the investigative stage as well. The National Human Rights Commission of India had, in 2000, published guidelines for the administration of polygraph tests. The Supreme Court, in Selvis case, directed that these guidelines be strictly adhered to. The guidelines are as follows: No lie detector tests should be administered except on the basis of consent of the accused. An option should be given to the accused whether s/he wishes to avail such test. If the accused volunteers for a lie detector test, s/he should be given access to a lawyer and the physical, emotional and legal implication of such a test should be explained to him/her by the police and his/her lawyer. The consent should be recorded before a judicial magistrate. During the hearing before the magistrate, the person alleged to have agreed should be duly represented by a lawyer. At the hearing, the person in question should also be told in clear terms that the statement that is made shall not be a confessional statement to the magistrate but will have the status of a statement made to the police. The magistrate shall consider all factors relating to the detention, including the length of detention and the nature of the interrogation. The actual recording of the lie-detector test shall be done by an independent agency (such as a hospital) and conducted in the presence of a lawyer. A full medical and factual narration of the manner of the information received must be taken on record. Surprisingly, in spite of this knowledge, the media in India considers it sensational if someone is about to undergo a lie-detector test. In the US, there is little scope for the use of third degree methods to extract a confession because of the Miranda principle. According to this, an accused about to be interrogated in custody has a right to demand the presence of a lawyer of his/her choice. In addition, there are stringent safeguards against custodial torture. The police there use lie-detector tests extensively as an intimidatory tool to extract confession. Typically in the US, there are DVDs and literature on how to fool lie detectors and some of the authors are facing prosecution for this. In India too, lie-detector tests are part of the tactics used by the police lay people prefer making confessions to undergoing tests that they fear. Occasionally, the test results may provide the right direction to the investigator. The lie-detector test is a double-edged sword. If the accused refuses to undergo it, s/he is seen as someone who is trying to hide something. If s/he agrees then theres the danger of the machine wrongly finding him/her a liar. And the media will condemn the accused. It is like the ancient practice of trial by ordeal used to identify a witch. The subject would be thrown into a raging river if she floated, she undoubtedly was a witch and stoning could follow. If she sank, no scope for further questions. Resort to lie detector in India is just an excuse for the police to steal a nap while real investigations stall. Should we retain this drama as an investigative tool? Private TV stations Antena 1 and Antena 3 got a five-day eviction notice on Monday from the Bucharest Public Finances Regional General Directorate. The eviction enforces a criminal sentence of 2013 against Dan Voiculescu, a former senator and owner of the two TV stations, convicted to a 10-year prison term in a case of fraudulent privatization of a research institute. The sentence included the confiscation of Voiculescu's real estate to cover his share of prejudices of 60 million euros.The National Tax Administration Agency (ANAF) faced the legal opposition of the Voiculescu family to the confiscation; Dan Voiculescu had transferred his ownership of the TV stations and other businesses to family members.On February 2, the National Anticorruption Directorate - who had prosecuted Dan Voiculescu - has opened a case against ANAF for failure to enforce the court sentence, as explicitly allowed by the Bucharest Court of Appeals a week earlier.A release of the ANAF on Monday mentions that the five-day term for eviction is stipulated by the Civil Code.AGERPRES Virgin Galactic later this month in Mojave, California, is preparing to roll out its new SpaceShipTwo, a vehicle the company hopes will one day take tourists to the edge of space. It comes roughly 15 months since an earlier incarnation was destroyed in a test flight, killing one of the pilots. Despite the setback, the dream of sending tourists to the edge of space and beyond is still alive. Space tourism companies are employing designs including winged vehicles, vertical rockets with capsules and high-altitude balloons. A look at projects currently under development: Virgin Galactic We were busy working on #SpaceShipTwo over the break. Here's a sneak peek in the leadup to rollout. pic.twitter.com/mfurcOcUEO Virgin Galactic (@virgingalactic) January 7, 2016 The most prominent space tourism program, the commercial space line founded by adventurer-business mogul Sir Richard Branson will use a winged rocket plane dubbed SpaceShipTwo, successor to SpaceShipOne, which in 2004 won the $10 million Ansari X Prize that was intended to spur the industry's development. SpaceShipTwo is designed to be flown by two pilots and carry up to six passengers on a suborbital trajectory to altitudes above 62 miles (100 kilometers), an internationally recognized boundary of space. Like early US X-planes, Virgin Galactic's craft will be carried aloft by another aircraft, called WhiteKnightTwo, and released at about 50,000 feet before its rocket engine is ignited for a supersonic thrill ride to the fringes of space and a view of the Earth far below. The space line says SpaceShipTwo's cabin is roomy enough for passengers to float during a few minutes of weightlessness before beginning an unpowered glide to a runway landing. A key feature of the design is the so-called feathering system - a term derived from the feathers of a badminton projectile. Twin tails extending rearward from the tips of each wing rotate upward as a means to slow and stabilize SpaceShipTwo as it re-enters the atmosphere. The "feathers" then rotate back to their normal position for the rest of the glide and landing. Virgin Galactic's first SpaceShipTwo was destroyed on Oct. 31, 2014, when a co-pilot prematurely unlocked the feathers during a powered test flight and aerodynamic forces broke the craft apart. The co-pilot was killed but the pilot parachuted to safety. The company will roll out its new SpaceShipTwo later this month in Mojave, California, but the timeline for testing and commercial operation has not been released. Hundreds of people have put down deposits of $250,000 for a chance to fly into space with Virgin Galactic, which plans to operate from Spaceport America in New Mexico. Blue Origin Our New Shepard booster finishes the return leg of its January 22, 2016 mission. Video sped up to maximize ... https://t.co/xxDyO46NrS Blue Origin (@blueorigin) February 5, 2016 Amazon founder Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin project is testing a vertical-takeoff rocket topped by a six-passenger capsule for suborbital hops. Like Astronaut Alan Shepard's pioneering 1961 flight during Project Mercury, the capsule separates from the booster rocket and descends beneath parachutes without going into orbit around the Earth. The unconventional twist is reusability. Blue Origin recently conducted a test launch from Texas in which the rocket dubbed New Shepard performed a vertical landing, slowing its descent by relighting its engine as it fell back to Earth. In January, the company launched the same rocket and it again landed intact. Blue Origin says that during flights passengers will experience a few minutes of weightlessness after the capsule separates from the booster. Passengers will be able to leave their seats and float about the capsule before a signal tells them to be reseated for landing. The company has chosen Florida for its base of operations. Details of space tourism operations have not been released. Xcor Aerospace Are you ready to fly into space aboard Lynx? Well then visit https://t.co/xk6zdC6Zi6 pic.twitter.com/tVy7nsdEOW XCORSpaceExpeditions (@XCORspaceexp) November 14, 2015 The company has spent years developing a rocket plane named Lynx that is intended to be capable of making multiple flights each day with a pilot and one passenger aboard. Unlike Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo, the Lynx will take off under its own power from a runway, climb toward space and then glide back to a runway landing. XCOR also plans flights surpassing an altitude of 62 miles. In December, the company said it reached a milestone in development of the Lynx propulsion system by successfully using waste heat to drive essential engine parts, eliminating the need for large and heavy tanks of compressed gas. XCOR, now headquartered in Midland, Texas, also reported progress late last year in completing structural components of its first Lynx as well as a flight simulator system for pilot training. The company says it has more than 350 clients. The price of booking a seat rose from $100,000 to $150,000 on Jan. 1, but the company has not said when flights will begin. "The fact is that we are in a process in which you just can't rush things," Lynx test pilot Harry van Hulten said in press release last fall. World View Announcing Spaceport Tucson and World View's Global HQ through partnership with Arizona. pic.twitter.com/UxCWnAiRG3 World View (@WorldViewVoyage) January 19, 2016 The Arizona company plans to loft passengers to altitudes above 100,000 feet in a capsule suspended below a "parawing" and a helium balloon. The trip some 19 miles high would be to "near space" but would give a substantial view of the Earth far below while avoiding the stress of G forces endured during rocket flight. Compared to flights on rocket-powered space tourism vehicles offering a few minutes at the top of a suborbital trajectory, World View envisions spending two hours at the maximum altitude, with amenities such as a lavatory. The two-member crew then begins the landing process by venting helium until the capsule descends to 50,000 feet. The balloon is then released and the parawing allows the capsule to glide to a landing spot. The company announced last month that it plans to conduct launches from Spaceport Tucson. Click on Deccan Chronicle Technology and Science for the latest news and reviews. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter. Texas Gov. Rick Perry is bringing his swagger and his job-recruiting campaign to Missouri this week. Hes backed by $206,400 worth of TV and radio commercials that tell Missouri business owners why theyd be better off in Texas. And he has an unusual ally: The Missouri Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber is supposed to promote the interests of Missouri businesses, not expose them to someone whod like to steal them away. But the Chamber was a big backer of the income tax cut that was vetoed by Gov. Jay Nixon, and it is lobbying hard to convince the Legislature to override that veto. Inviting Perry to speak at a Chamber lunch on Thursday at the St. Louis Club is part of that effort. Yes, he is coming to tout Texas, said Dan Mehan, president of the Missouri Chamber. Hes doing what governors do. When Gov. Perry meets with our group hes also going to be sharing the success story of tax cutting in Texas and how they market it very aggressively. A commercial running on Missouri radio stations says: Vetoing a tax cut is the same thing as raising your taxes. But there is a state where businesses flourish and jobs are created: Texas. The ads emphasize that Texas has no state income tax, a fact that Missouri tax-cut proponents have also mentioned frequently. Mehan says both the veto-override campaign and Perrys visit are about competitiveness: We want Missouris governor to have an additional tool in his toolbox, another arrow in his quiver, when he goes on trips. Perry took even more aggressive ads with him this year to Illinois, California, New York and Connecticut all of which, not coincidentally, have Democratic governors. In Illinois, one spot told businesses to get out while theres still time. The escape route leads straight to Texas. Scott Holste, Nixons spokesman, said in an email that he found it unfortunate that Governor Perry feels the need to make misleading attacks on another state. Holste said Nixon sometimes meets with out-of-state employers, as he did at the Detroit Auto Show in January, but he hasnt attempted to steal jobs from another state. Certainly we do not do ads that attack another states policies. Thats a big difference here, Holste added. Perrys trips and ads are paid for by TexasOne, a public-private marketing partnership. The Texan has stirred up controversy wherever he has gone, with Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn calling Perry a big talker and Californias Jerry Brown dismissing the ad campaign as barely a fart. Kenneth Thomas, a political science professor at the University of Missouri-St. Louis, has studied the economic competition among states. He says Texas is definitely one of the most aggressive, and because of Perry the most publicity-seeking in its efforts. Thomas said he wasnt surprised to see the Missouri Chamber providing a forum for Perry. Its member companies benefit when states compete to lure them away, and they also benefit if Perry can scare the Legislature into a competitive tax cut. They want to use Perry to increase their profits without having to move, Thomas said. It serves their purposes, and it serves Perrys at the same time. Still, its one thing to criticize your states policies; its quite another to host a brash competitor who wants to poach its jobs. One St. Louis radio station, KTRS, dropped the Texas ads last week, saying it didnt want to be disloyal. Too bad the Missouri Chamber has no such qualms. Missouris controversial income tax cut has been touted as an elixir for what ails the states economy. If other states experience is a guide, though, the benefits will be hard to see. Lower taxes on their own should be good for growth, but states rarely cut taxes without cutting spending too. Thats OK if you think the state is wasting a lot of money, but not if the quality of critical services such as education is compromised. Kansas, whose big tax cut became a rallying cry for anti-tax forces in Missouri, is not an encouraging example. Since the cuts took effect last year, Kansas has lagged the nation in job growth, income growth and business-creation measures, and a budget shortfall led Moodys to cut the states credit rating last month. Theres no evidence of adrenaline pumping through the economy like Gov. (Sam) Brownback was hoping for, says Michael Leachman, director of state fiscal research at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities in Washington. Theres not much reason to think that the tax cuts will kick in and youll have a boom. His think tank looked at six states that cut taxes in the early 2000s. Three performed better than average; three did worse. The above-average performers Louisiana, New Mexico and Oklahoma all benefited from an oil and gas boom. The Show-Me Institute has published several studies that advocate reducing or even eliminating Missouris income tax. It cites examples such as Tennessee, a neighboring state that has no income tax and has outperformed Missouri in recent decades. Leachman has read numerous studies of tax cuts, however, and finds little support for the notion that they lead to growth. If you look at the serious economic literature, its not encouraging, he says. State and local taxes just arent an important factor in determining economic growth. Businesses will locate where they can best serve their customers and where they find the right workforce, transportation infrastructure and other amenities. A few percentage points of state income tax will rarely be the deciding factor. One part of Missouris tax-cut package a deduction of up to 25 percent of business pass-through income is likely to be particularly ineffective, Leachman said. It benefits anyone who reports business income on their personal return, such as self-employed people and partners in law firms. This is very poorly targeted, Leachman says. A lot of small businesses who get a tax cut are businesses that have no employees besides the owner. Wage earners also get a tax cut beginning in 2017. Assuming that a revenue trigger is met and it probably will be the states 6 percent marginal rate will fall by 0.1 percentage point each year until it reaches 5.5 percent. Proponents such as the Show-Me Institute argue that a lower rate will give people more incentive to work and deploy capital in the state. Leachman, though, says you also have to look at what it does to the states budget. To the extent that makes it harder to fund schools and other public services, it can harm growth, he said. A true pro-growth tax change might have reduced rates in exchange for trimming or eliminating Missouris hodgepodge of special-interest tax-credit programs. Even the Show-Me Institutes original idea a revenue-neutral switch to higher sales taxes and lower income taxes would have been better than what we got. What we got is a package of poorly targeted benefits and uncertain costs thats unlikely to provide the economic pick-me-up Missouri needs. Updated at 2:39 p.m. NEW YORK Brent oil fell almost 4 percent on Tuesday, erasing early gains after top producers Russia and Saudi Arabia dashed expectations of an outright supply cut by agreeing only to freeze output if other big exporters joined them. Benchmark Brent prices jumped briefly through $35 a barrel after Russia and Saudi Arabia agreed to keep output at January levels, in what could be the first joint OPEC and non-OPEC deal in 15 years. Qatari energy minister Mohammad bin Saleh al-Sada said the step would help to stabilize the oil market, which has experienced price declines not seen since the early 2000s because of a supply glut. Elsewhere, inventories at the Cushing, Okla., delivery point for U.S. crude futures rose by nearly 705,000 barrels during the week to Feb. 12, traders said, citing data issued by market intelligence firm Genscape. Brent settled down $1.21 at $32.18 a barrel, after rising earlier to $35.55. U.S. crude settled down 40 cents at $29.04, off the day's high of $31.53. Oil prices have fallen by more than 70 percent in the past 20 months, driven down by near-record production both from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and other producers, such as Russia. Tuesday's early rally ran out of steam as investors weighed the chances of an output freeze while Iran remained absent from the talks and determined to raise production. Sources familiar with Iranian thinking on supply said Tehran would be willing to consider a freeze once its production had reached pre-sanctions levels. "I'm adding to the short positions I have in U.S. crude spreads as I only expect price declines from here," said Tariq Zahir at New York's Tyche Capital Advisors. "The output freeze will do nothing to alleviate excess supply." Goldman Sachs, Wall Street's most influential voice in oil trading, was equally bearish on the plan, saying "there remains high uncertainty that it even materializes, in our view." But analysts also cautioned of violent price spikes and market volatility in coming weeks should there be indications of serious production or stockpile declines. On Friday, both Brent and U.S. prices jumped about 12 percent each, rocketing from 12-year lows, on the renewed speculation that OPEC might cut output. Additional reporting by Amanda Cooper in London. ______ Our earlier update, from the Associated Press, which was posted at noon Tuesday DUBAI, United Arab Emirates Oil powerhouses Russia and Saudi Arabia joined Qatar and Venezuela in pledging Tuesday to cap their crude output if other producers do the same, aiming to halt a slide that has pushed oil prices to their lowest point in more than a decade. The decision followed an unexpected closed-door meeting involving the four countries in the Qatari capital, Doha, and reflects growing concern among big producers about the effects the slump poses to their domestic economies. Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak said in a statement issued after the meeting that the four countries would be ready to cap production based on last month's output levels if others join. "We are ready to maintain on average in 2016 the level of oil production of January 2016 and not exceed it," he said in a subsequent statement. Whether the plan is enough to put a floor under prices is uncertain. The proposal depends on cooperation from a range of producers with differing budget priorities all scrambling for market share since prices began falling in summer 2014. Among the hardest to bring on board will likely be Iran. It was noticeably absent from Tuesday's gathering even though it shares control of a major underwater natural gas field with fellow OPEC member Qatar. Iran is eager to ramp up its exports now that sanctions related to its nuclear program have been lifted, saying recently it aims to put another 500,000 barrels a day on the market. Figures from the International Energy Agency show it pumped 2.9 million barrels daily in December, before sanctions were lifted. Iran's petroleum minister, Bijar Namdar Zangeneh, signaled the Islamic Republic has no intention of giving up its share of the market. He acknowledged that global markets are "oversupplied," but said Iran "will not overlook its quota," according to comments carried by his ministry's Shana news service. Venezuelan Oil Minister Eulogio Del Pino heads to Tehran next for talks with his Iranian and Iraqi counterparts Wednesday. "The key OPEC members that need to take part are Iran and Iraq, where the big increases are likely this year, but there are big doubts over whether this can be achieved," Barclays analysts Miswin Mahesh and Kevin Norrish said in a research note. Efforts to make the plan work are complicated by deep levels of distrust between regional rivals Saudi Arabia and Iran, which has built close ties to Iraq's government in the years since the 2003 U.S.-led invasion. The two countries are in opposing camps in regional disputes from Yemen to Syria. Last month, Sunni-ruled Saudi Arabia cut diplomatic ties with Shiite powerhouse Iran after the Saudi embassy and a consulate were torched by Iranian protesters angry over the kingdom's execution of a prominent Shiite cleric. Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Saudi Oil Minister Ali Naimi said producers would continue to assess the state of the market in the months ahead. He described freezing output at January levels as an "adequate" step for now. All of the countries at Tuesday's meeting except Russia are part of OPEC. Saudi Arabia dominates policy-making within the 13-member bloc of oil producing countries, which has refused to cut its official production targets. Doing so could bolster faltering prices. The aim of OPEC's keep-pumping strategy has been to attempt to ride out the 12-year lows in prices and force higher-cost producers, including shale drillers in the U.S., out of the market. The bloc collectively pumped 39 million barrels of crude and natural gas liquids a day in December, or about two out of every five barrels globally. Russia pumps around 11 million barrels a day. Analysts at London-based Capital Economics were skeptical of Tuesday's announcement, saying that even without a deal Saudi Arabia and Russia which along with the U.S. are by far the world's biggest producers would have been unlikely to boost production further. "For the deal to have any teeth, Saudi Arabia in particular needs to be willing to cut output, not least to offset the increased supply still to come from Iran," said the analysts, Julian Jessop and Thomas Pugh. Traders seemed less than impressed too. After rising soon after the meeting, a barrel of benchmark New York crude was trading down 35 cents at $29.09 by mid-morning in New York. A barrel of Brent, the international standard, fell 59 cents to $33.42. Associated Press writer Lynn Berry in Moscow contributed to this report. ______ Our earlier story, from Reuters, posted at 4:18 p.m. Monday LONDON The worlds top two oil exporters, Saudi Arabia and Russia, will hold talks on Tuesday, sources said, as producers try to tackle a glut that has pushed prices to their lowest in over a decade. Saudi Arabias oil minister Ali al-Naimi and his Russian counterpart Alexander Novak will meet in Doha, the capital of Qatar, where they will be joined by ministers from OPEC members Qatar and Venezuela. Oil prices rose 2 percent on the news on Monday. Booming U.S. supplies and a decision by OPEC to ramp up exports have pushed crude oil prices to their lowest level in more than a decade. For U.S. consumers, cheap oil has translated into lower gasoline prices; for energy companies, it has meant shrinking earnings and cutbacks. Saudi Arabia has said it would cut its output only if non-OPEC producers agreed to join it. But Russia, the worlds top producer, has long refused to cooperate, saying its industry was competitive at any price and it was technically challenging for Moscow to reduce production. The mood started to change in January as oil prices fell below $30 per barrel a fraction of what Russia needs to balance its budget as it is heads towards parliamentary elections later this year. Public finances in Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states are also suffering badly. Many oil industry observers say the biggest obstacle to a deal would be the positions of OPEC members Iran and Iraq. Both have indicated they plan to raise production this year, although there was no indication either would participate in Tuesdays meetings. What is "The New Yorker Presents," debuting today (Tuesday, Feb. 16) on Amazon Prime Instant Video? It's pretty much the magazine in video form, producer Alex Gibney says. Sort of. In general. Confused TV critics wanted to know more when Amazon introduced the series during TCA, the Television Critics Association winter press tour, last month in Los Angeles. (The first question: "I didnt understand, even from the promo there. Some of these things will be real documentaries, but some of the things will not be documentaries? Some of the things will be fictionalized versions of short stories that were in the New Yorker?) Yes and yes. Plus humor pieces, and even cartoons. Gibney, a documentarian whose work includes "Going Clear," about Scientology, explained: "The idea is that it celebrates the eclecticism of the magazine itself, and so while the focus is nonfiction, nevertheless, we embrace the humor, whether it be in the cartoons or in some of the shorter humor pieces. We are transforming some of the fiction pieces into into dramatic pieces in video, and also doing documentaries that are inspired by or come directly out of some of the nonfiction pieces" in the magazine. Maybe the best thing to do is watch, if you're so inclined. The first two episodes of "The New Yorker Presents" are up now, with two more arriving weekly over five weeks, for a total of 10. India said that to regain its legitimacy there is no option but for the Security Council to reform. (Photo: AP) United Nations: India has hit out at the UN Security Council over its current structure and methods of work, saying the 15-membered powerful world body is "divorced from reality" and represents a bygone era warranting reform. "It is ironical that the Security Council is working towards the establishment of democracy and Rule of Law in various parts of the world when its own house is not in order," India's Ambassador to the UN Syed Akbaruddin said. "The current structure and methods of work of the Security Council are divorced from reality and represent a bygone era," he told UNSC. Akbaruddin said that to regain "its legitimacy there is no option but for the Security Council to reform." The terse remarks were made by Akbaruddin during an open debate 'Respect to the Principles and Purposes of the Charter of the United Nations as Key Element for the Maintenance of International Peace and Security' at the UN Security Council. "We hope it does not require a cataclysmic crisis to foster this fundamental change. There has never been a greater need for reform of the Council, which is a sine qua non for the optimal efficiency of the Council and would be the real form of tribute to the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations," he said. Akbaruddin said while terrorism remains a cardinal threat to the maintenance of international peace and security, the efforts of the United Nations and the Security Council in taking decisive action to combat terrorism leaves much to be desired. It has been noticed that even brazen public violations of the sanctions regime by listed individuals and entities, far from attracting punitive measures, do not even elicit the mildest censure, Akbaruddin said. "Yet, we the general membership of the UN are expected to comply with the decisions of the Council's Sanctions Committees decisions or lack thereof," he said. Observing that the Council has taken the lead in referring to the purposes and principles of the Charter while attempting to maintain international peace and security, he said, however, its own actions have not always been in the spirit of the Charter. The UNSC is composed of 15 members, five of them permanent and 10 non-permanent elected for two-year terms by the General Assembly. The five permanent members include: China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Addressing the Security Council, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said for the millions living amidst war and extreme poverty, and for the countless others whose rights are violated or neglected in other ways, the ideals and values of the United Nations Charter remain elusive. Bringing the promise of the Charter to the most vulnerable must continue to be the main goal, Ban said. Athens, Greece: EU President Donald Tusk said on Tuesday that Russia's aerial bombardments in Syria had dealt a blow to hopes of a ceasefire in the war-torn country. "Russian bombing leaves little hope" for a solution to the five-year conflict, Tusk said on a visit to Athens, with days to go until an internationally agreed "cessation of hostilities". "The whole world is hoping for peace and is ready for talks," Tusk said after meeting Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras as part of a European tour. "Even though, the Russian bombing in Syria leaves us with little hope. The Assad regime is strengthened, the moderate Syrian opposition is weakened, and Europe is flooded with new waves of refugees." Russia launched air strikes in support of its ally President Bashar al-Assad in September. It says the bombings target the Islamic State group and other "terrorists", but the West accuses it of targeting moderate rebels opposed to the Assad regime. CLAYTON St. Louis County, frustrated by the failure of the Missouri Legislature to address the issue, is introducing legislation to enact a program to monitor the distribution of prescriptions medicines that act as a gateway to heroin addiction. County Executive Steve Stenger at a Tuesday morning news conference noted that every state but one has established a database to track physician-prescribed opioids, such as OxyContin. "That lone exception is our own state of Missouri, where prescription opioid misuse and the heroin abuse it leads to -- have become epidemic," Stenger said. "Missouris failure to properly monitor such prescriptions has led to our states macabre designation as the top tourist destination for pill shoppers from across the nation." The county announcement preceded a separate round table in Olivette attended Tuesday morning by Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.) Joined by officials representing area health departments, school districts, religious organizations, law enforcement, social services agencies and the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse, McCaskill also called Missouri to task for lagging behind the rest of the nation in taking steps to slow opioid misuse. McCaskill said there "are some stubborn people in Jefferson City" blocking development of a statewide database of opioid prescriptions due to privacy concerns. She encouraged St. Louis County to work with the city on its proposal so it would have broader reach. "We are drunk on medication in this country," McCaskill told the group regarding the urgency of the issue. JEFFERSON CITY Missouri women younger than 18 already need parental consent for an abortion, but a Republican state lawmaker wants to make sure that parent isn't lying. The measure, sponsored by Rep. Sonya Anderson, from Springfield, would require the notarized, written consent of both the minor and the parent or legal guardian before an abortion is performed. The parent also would have to provide government-issued identification and written documentation establishing the parent is, in fact, the minor's parent, under the measure. Abortion opponents say the state currently has no way to tell if it is actually the parent giving consent. "We have no idea how many minors are getting abortions in the state where someone is pretending to be a parent" for consent reasons, said Kerry Messer, lobbyist for the Missouri Family Network, at a House committee hearing Tuesday. Abortion rights proponents, however, say this change puts an undo burden on the physician performing the abortion, the minor and the parent. Additionally, M'Evie Mead, Missouri director of organizing for Planned Parenthood, said the health care and abortion provider already seeks documentation from a parent when he or she provides consent. Under the measure, a physician would have to inform a parent within 24 hours if an abortion has to be performed on a minor because of a medical emergency. Sarah Rossi, director of advocacy and policy for the ACLU Missouri, says this change raises privacy concerns. Abortion advocates already are concerned about the current consent law, saying that it puts young women in abusive households in a difficult situation. Rep. Rick Brattin, R-Harrisonville, said that if parental consent is required for tattoos, aspirin at school and other surgeries, it should be required for an abortion. To this Rossi said, "Abortion is a constitutional right protected by the constitution. Taking an aspirin isn't a constitutional right. Having your appendix taken out isn't a constitutional right." The House Committee on Children and Families did not vote on the measure Tuesday. The bill is House Bill 1968. CAMDEN, S.C. Out on the hustings, people often ask me: Can you explain South Carolina? I just shake my head. Its complicated, I say. The simple answer, eternal and everlasting, is anti-secessionist James Petigrus remark: South Carolina is too small for a republic and too large for an insane asylum. For those keeping an eye on the upcoming South Carolina primary contests, including the droves of journalists now combing the state for fresh fodder, a bit of background is in order. As to my bona fides, suffice it to say that my family settled hereabouts in the late 1600s. Essentially, the state is three within one, each with its own personality and voting history Upcountry (conservative), Midlands (mixed) and Lowcountry (liberal) plus the separate nation of Charleston, which is its own, singular place. The city is a Democrats town, owing not least to its large African-American community. But also, port towns tend to play a little looser than the land-locked. Most of South Carolina otherwise consists of small rural towns that honor tradition in all its forms. Most important, however, South Carolina is the joker in the nations deck. Although increasingly difficult to put the state in a box politically so many non-natives have discovered its charm and beauty certain relevant characteristics of its indigenous peoples bear mention. First, South Carolinians arent just anti-establishment. Theyre anti-everything if it means theyre expected to perform or respond in certain predicted ways. This tendency is especially acute when elites (aka not from around here) are involved. Thus, a local might do the opposite of what is anticipated based on history or demographics, even if against his own interests. Companion to this quirk is a strong current of what-the-hell-ism that courses through the veins of generations of good ol boys and girls, i.e. descendants of the Scots-Irish with all their stubborn pride. If they dont much cotton to foreigners (see above), they also dont care much for authority. In their book, the fact that candidates think they should be president pretty much disqualifies them for the office. But you gotta vote for somebody. May as well be Donald Trump. Is he everything a true Southerner dislikes in another human being? Absolutely. But if the elites dont like him, goes the thinking, then maybe I do. See how this thing rolls? Same thing on the Democratic side. At any other time, Bernie Sanders would be an impossible candidate unfamiliar and beyond the norms of Southern rectitude. Hes loud, angry and graceless with an accent you dont hear much in these parts. But Sanders has something the others dont. Hes real as dirt. If theres one thing a native son or daughter cant stand, its fakery. Whether from the ladies who smile and say, How nice, when they mean something extremely different or the politician who suddenly cant take his hands off a gun or Bible Southerners have a knack for spotting a fraud. Hillary Clinton enters troubled waters here, particularly among African-Americans. Despite a likely endorsement from the ever-influential Rep. James Clyburn, it may not matter enough. As just one signal, Clintons recent visit to the state for Martin Luther King Day celebrations left many feeling colder than the weather dictated. She was nowhere in sight for the march in Columbia, where Sanders joined the front line. At a ceremony on the State House steps, she breezed out of the warmth of the building, took her seat and read her prepared remarks. People notice these things. At another service later in the day, half of the black audience held Sanders signs, according to Bud Ferillo, a longtime South Carolina political operative and now head of the nascent South Carolina Collaborative on Race and Reconciliation. The message? The Clinton machine is showing its age and is out of touch with Democratic voters in 2016, says Ferillo. His prediction: Clinton might still win the Palmetto State, but if Sanders puts in the time Barack Obama did in 2007-08 (he lived here), he could pull an upset. An African-American friend in Camden responded to my plea for comment with only a photo showing Clinton dancing on The Ellen DeGeneres Show with the hosts black DJ. The caption, playing off the rap hit Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae): Now watch me beg, for all the black votes. Ouch. So there you have it, much condensed but representative based on my own several conversations and interviews. Then again, what the hell, its South Carolina. All you know for sure is that whatever happens, there will be blood. Kathleen Parker Copyright The Washington Post Istanbul: Turkey said on Tuesday that it wanted a ground operation in neighbouring Syria with its international allies, as a UN envoy held talks in Damascus aimed at saving a troubled ceasefire plan. Tensions escalated over Russia's air war in support of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, with Ankara branding it "vile, cruel and barbaric" and EU President Donald Tusk saying it "leaves little hope" of a solution. Turkey sees the ouster of Assad as essential to ending a five-year conflict that has killed more than 260,000 people, and is highly critical of Iran and Russia over their support for the Damascus regime. "We want a ground operation with our international allies," a senior Turkish official told reporters in Istanbul. "There is not going to be a unilateral military operation from Turkey to Syria," the official said, but added: "Without a ground operation it is impossible to stop the fighting in Syria." Saudi Arabia, another fierce critic of Assad, has said it is ready to send special forces to Syria to take part in ground operations against the ISIS. The United Nations said Monday that nearly 50 civilians, including children, had died in the bombings of at least five medical facilities and two schools in northern Syria. The region around Syria's second city of Aleppo has been the target of a major offensive by Syrian government troops, backed by Russian warplanes, which has sent tens of thousands fleeing to the Turkish border. Russia denied it had bombed any hospital in Syria, calling such reports "unsubstantiated accusations". Ceasefire hopes fade UN envoy Staffan de Mistura met Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Muallem in Damascus Tuesday to try to keep alive the proposal announced by world powers in Munich early Friday for a "cessation of hostilities" in Syria within a week. "We have been particularly talking about the issue of humanitarian unhindered access to all besieged areas not only by the government but also by (the) opposition" and ISIS, De Mistura told reporters afterwards. He said they would meet again later today"to address this urgent issue which is as you know related to the wellbeing of all Syrian people and is connected to the very clear discussions and conclusions of the Munich conference." Assad on Monday downplayed prospects of a halt in fighting, saying that it would be "difficult" to implement a truce. "They are saying they want a ceasefire in a week. Who is capable of gathering all the conditions and requirements in a week? No one," Assad said in televised remarks. Turkey meanwhile shelled Kurdish positions in northern Syria for a fourth straight day today, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based monitor. It said the shells had struck the town of Tal Rifaat which was captured on Monday from mostly Islamist rebels by a Kurdish-Arab coalition known as the Syrian Democratic Forces. Turkish media also reported shelling on Kurdish positions around the rebel stronghold of Azaz. Diplomatic Tensions Flare Ankara accuses the Kurdish forces of ties to the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) that has waged a decades-long insurgency against Turkey. Turkey fears the Kurds will be able to create a contiguous Kurdish territory just across the border in northern Syria. Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu on Tuesday accused Kurdish fighters of being "Russia's legion working as mercenaries" with a priority aim of harming Turkey's interests. Moscow says its military intervention has targeted IS and other "terrorists", but activists say Russia's raids have caused disproportionately high civilian casualties. Russia's air strikes have allowed government forces to press a major operation that has virtually encircled rebels in eastern Aleppo city, as well as pushing them from much of the region to the north. "Those vile, cruel and barbaric planes have made close to 8,000 sorties since September 30 without any discrimination between civilians and soldiers, or children and the elderly," Davutoglu said in parliament. Moscow meanwhile called Turkey's shelling in Syria "provocative" and said it supported raising the issue at the UN Security Council. A US State Department spokesperson urged Turkey and Russia to avoid any further escalation. "It is important that the Russians and Turks speak directly, and take measures to prevent escalation," the spokesperson said. Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu expressed "uneasiness" about France's call over the weekend for an immediate halt to the shelling of Kurdish forces, a Turkish diplomatic source said. Speaking on Monday with his French counterpart Jean-Marc Ayrault by telephone, Cavusoglu said Turkey was fighting against "elements of terror" in Syria. LONDON MARKET OPEN: UK retail sales fall adds to investor gloom Friday, October 21, 2022 - 09:01 Both the pound and London share prices were losing ground early Friday, after two UK economic indicators made for depressing reading, compounding the sense of unease caused by preparations to pick the third prime minister so far this year. The FTSE 100 index opened down 21.47 points, 0.3%, at 6,922.44. The FTSE 250 was down 99.48 points, 0.6%, at 17,289.45 and the AIM All-Share down 0.88 of a point, 0.1%, at 785.56. The Cboe UK 100 opened down 0.2% at 692.34, the Cboe UK 250 down 0.4% at 14,779.33, and the Cboe Small Companies down 0.1% at 12,259.67. Following the resignation of Liz Truss, the Conservative Party now begins the process to select a new leader, with the result to be announced no later than next Friday. "Normally, a PM resignation means uncertainty and limited visibility; it's not a preferred scenario for the market. But the little time Liz Truss stayed in power was so hectic that investors welcomed the news that she departs sooner rather than later," said Swissquote Bank's Ipek Ozkardeskaya. Amongst those believed to be in the running are former chancellor Rishi Sunak, leader of the house Penny Mourdaunt, and even former PM Boris Johnson. "Whoever it is, the main challenge for the next PM will be to reassure the markets! We expect to see some more bumpy trading for the British assets until the dust settles," Ozkardeskaya added. Sterling was quoted at $1.1199 early Friday, lower than $1.1294 at the London equities close on Thursday. UK retail sales suffered a bigger-than-expected decline in September, according to figures from the Office of National Statistics. Retail sales fell 6.9% annually in September, with the decline accelerating from a 5.6% fall in August. It also was worse than FXStreet-cited market consensus, which had expected a fall of just 5%. On a monthly basis, retail sales fell 1.4% in September, with the decline easing slightly from 1.7% in August. However, sales saw a steeper fall than expected, with consensus expecting a 0.5% drop. Meanwhile, consumer confidence rose slightly in October but remains near historic lows as the UK grapples with the "new abnormal" of soaring energy, food and mortgage costs. GfK's long-running consumer confidence index clawed back two points but continues to languish at an overall score of minus 47. Among retailing stocks, Next was 2.3% lower, while JD Sports Fashion lost 4.4% and Frasers shed 3.3%. Elsewhere, InterContinental Hotels Group was down 2.3%, on news that its chief financial officer, Paul Edgecliffe Johnson, will leave to become CFO of sports betting firm Flutter Entertainment. Flutter was down 1.6%. IHG reported strong revenue growth in the third quarter, with revenue per available room rising 28% year-on-year. RevPAR now exceeds pre-pandemic levels, it noted. The hotel owner said demand remained "robust", and it managed to open 51 hotels during the quarter, despite an industry-wide slowdown in hotel opening activity. In the FTSE 250, Asos lost 4.1%. The stock was cut to 'reduce' by HSBC. Elsewhere, food delivery firm Deliveroo said gross transaction values rose 8% annually in the third quarter to 1.70 billion, as orders fell 1% to 72.8 million. However, it lowered its guidance range for GTV growth for the full year to 4% to 8% in constant currency, compared to a previous range of 4% to 12%. It expects a slight improvement in the margin for earnings, aiming to reach breakeven earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation at some point between the second half of 2023 and the first half of 2024. Deliveroo shares rose 1.9% in early trade. On AIM, Orosur Mining surged 22%. The South America-focused mineral exploration and development company shared "encouraging" drill results from Pepas and Pupino. Holes PEP005 and PEP007 returned "substantial gold intersections", including 80.55 metres at 3.05 grams per ton gold. "PEP001 was clearly a spectacular result, but being only the first hole, caution was warranted. It is encouraging therefore that further holes have confirmed this first result and we eagerly await results from better positioned holes," CEO Brad George said. In European equities on Friday, the CAC 40 in Paris opened down 1.1%, while the DAX 40 in Frankfurt opened 0.9% lower. The euro stood at $0.9774 early Friday, against $0.9822 on Thursday. Against the yen, the dollar was quoted at JP150.42, up versus JP149.77. Gold was quoted at $1,620.01 an ounce early Friday, lower than $1,641.90 on Thursday. Brent oil was trading at $92.03 a barrel, lower than $93.29 late Thursday. In Asia on Friday, equities traded mostly lower. The Japanese Nikkei 225 index closed down 0.4%. In China, the Shanghai Composite closed up 0.1%, while the Hang Seng index in Hong Kong was down 0.1% in late trade. The S&P/ASX 200 in Sydney closed down 0.8%. Still to come on Friday's economic calendar is eurozone consumer confidence at 1500 BST. Copyright 2022 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved. The British leader will hold talks Tuesday amid criticism that any reform package could be vetoed by lawmakers after the referendum because it will not be secured by a change in the EU treaty. (Photo: AP) London: Britain's Prime Minister, David Cameron, is heading to Brussels to persuade skeptical members of the European Parliament to back a package of reforms ahead of a key summit this week. Cameron wants European leaders at the summit to accept reforms so he can call a June referendum on whether Britain should remain in the European Union. The British leader will hold talks Tuesday amid criticism that any reform package could be vetoed by lawmakers after the referendum because it will not be secured by a change in the EU treaty. The meetings come a day after Cameron traveled to Paris for talks with French President Francois Hollande. Cameron's Downing Street office says the leaders agreed a draft of reforms "provides a firm basis to reach agreement at this week's summit." Israel recently revealed that in the last few months it has been subject to a growing number of Internet based attacks from Iran. Some of the attacks were serious but Israel would not reveal the extent of the damage done and much about these attacks is still under investigation. While Israel has some of the best Internet defenses on the planet, many of the recent Iranian attacks relied more on psychology than software skill. This method of attack is known as spear fishing (phishing as hackers spell it). Spear fishing is a fishing operation where targets are carefully chosen and researched before putting together the attack. Despite the Israeli Defense Ministry having software and user rules in place to block spear fishing attacks there are so many email accounts to attack and you only have to get one victim to respond to a bogus email with a vital attachment that must be opened immediately. Among the targets for these attacks were over a thousand active duty and retired generals as well as senior civilian officials in the government and the Internet security industry. Most of these spear fishing attacks sought to quietly get spyware on the receiving PC so that future message traffic would be passed on to the hackers along with details of all over activities on the infected computer. Spear fishing begins with an email purporting to be from someone the recipient would expect to hear from. Unlike older spear fishing efforts that include an attachment the recent ones infect the recipients PC if the email is simply opened. The automated defenses are supposed to block the actions of the hacker software that is triggered when the victim clicks on the email or an attachment, but hackers keep finding exploitable vulnerabilities to these defenses and this creates an opening, as least until that vulnerability is recognized and patched. This is what the Iranians are doing and Israel is hustling to keep up. Normally the growing number of Internet based attacks on Israel (since early 2014 over million a day) are foiled because Israel has one of the largest (per capita) collections of Internet security products and service companies on the planet. The Defense Ministry has long been a user of many of those products and services. But with that volume of attacks even a miniscule chance of success adds up to a lot of hackers getting in. Israeli networks have some of the best intrusion detection software in the world which keeps monitoring inside networks for any unusual activity. This tends to catch any hackers who get in but often only after damage is done. What apparently did the Israelis in (other than a careless Defense Ministry employee) during the most recent incident was the use of hacking software that employed a new vulnerability. Called "Zero Day Exploits" (ZDEs). These ZDEs are very expensive because in the right hands these vulnerabilities/flaws can enable criminals to pull off a large online heist or simply maintain secret control over thousands of computers. The most successful hackers use high-quality ZDEs. Not surprisingly ZDEs are difficult to find and can be sold on the black (or legitimate) market for over $250,000. A lot of these are sold from black market Internet sites based in Russia and anyone is welcome to buy. Iran has apparently become a major buyer in this marketplace. Finding ZDEs is still a favorite activity for hackers. A growing number of countries (like Iran) encourage local hackers to find ZDEs. For example, China encourages and helps organize patriotic Internet users in order to obtain hacking services. This enables the government to use (often informally) thousands of hackers to attack targets (foreign or domestic) and find ZDEs or do other mischief. Government sponsored organizations arrange training and mentoring to improve the skills of group members. While many of these Cyber Warriors are rank amateurs, even the least skilled can be given simple tasks. And out of their ranks will emerge more skilled hackers, who can do some real damage. These hacker militias have also led to the use of mercenary hacker groups, who will go looking for specific secrets, for a price. Iran has learned much about this from its Chinese friends and in return China has been assured that Chinese firms will have no problems competing for new business in Iran now that many economic sanctions have been lifted. Since 2001 a growing number of Moslem software professionals and eager amateurs found out about this black market (for ZDEs and hacking software in general) and have the cash to buy high-end stuff. In the Islamic world successfully hacking into an Israeli network is a big deal that is a whole lot safer than the more traditional terrorism. All nations with a large Internet user population have these informal groups but not all nations have government guidance, subsidies, immunity from prosecution, and encouragement to make attacks like China does. Another factor is events that cause highly publicized tensions between nations with large number of Internet users. This almost always results in the "hacker militias" of both nations going after each other. Many "white hat hackers" (as opposed to the evil "black hat hackers") made a very good living selling their attack skills in effort to reveal flaws (that can be fixed) or confirm defenses in security software. But techniques like spear fishing also rely on human weaknesses (like inattention or being distracted) and this is often vital in getting past good security software. At the moment, the black hats are winning. While some sites (most financial institutions, some government agencies) are largely invulnerable to hacker attack because of onerous (to employees) restrictions to deal with spear fishing, most networks are not so well equipped. The Israelis are discovering this. As the scope of the losses becomes more widely known, that may change. The most successful hackers make use of Russian-based hacker resources. The irony of this is that it has led to sharp increases in sales for Israeli Internet security firms. At the same time Israel has become a favorite target for Moslem and leftist hackers worldwide. Some of this is pure anti-Semitism but a lot of it is the desire to score a victory, any kind of victory, against the most formidable Internet target. Indonesia is the latest nation to learn that sending Islamic terrorists to regular prisons and allowing them to mix with non-terrorist criminals simply results in many of common criminals being radicalized and turned into Islamic terrorists. This was discovered as information Indonesian counter-terrorism forces obtained from captured Islamic terrorists was added to what was discovered then the backgrounds of dead Islamic terrorists were investigated and added to a database. It was found that a growing number of new recruits were coming from prisons where men with obvious criminal tendencies were often easily influenced by imprisoned Islamic terrorists and radicalized by that experience. Since 2001 most Islamic terrorist organizations have not only recognized this form of recruiting but encouraged it. For a long time it was thought that this was mainly a phenomenon in Western nations where Moslems were a minority. But now Moslem majority nations are also finding prisons are increasingly effective for radicalizing Moslem criminals and turning them into Islamic terrorists. Prison officials in Moslem nations tend to be more corrupt than elsewhere and Islamic terror groups found that it paid to bribe prison guards to get recruiting materials into prisons. Another problem is the growing number of new converts to Islam who encountered Islam while in prison and were radicalized there as well but when released did not become Islamic terrorists. Instead these Western recruits were employed to radicalize civilians and passing them on to Islamic terrorist organizations for further training. The best tactic here was detecting and monitoring radicalized prisoners after release and going after those found to have turned into Islamic terrorist recruiters. Meanwhile all nations with Moslem inmates are seeking a fix for this problem. One solution that works is to isolate imprisoned Islamic terrorists from non-radicalized prisoners and each other. This is expensive in the short term but pays off in fewer Islamic terrorists in the long term. Prisons have become a major source of new Islamic terrorist recruits and this method, along with greater use of the Islamic terrorists to recruit is replacing more traditional sources. For long time the Islamic boarding schools were the prime training ground for potential terrorists. It was difficult to deal with this problem in Moslem countries because most students of these schools do not become radicalized. The police found that an effective technique was to monitor these schools more carefully and then only raiding the ones where there was clear evidence of Islamic terrorist recruiting and training. In colleges Islamic radicals were succeeding in radicalizing college students and this was handled by infiltrating Islamic radical college student organizations and then going after the leaders and the advanced radicalized students who were heading for active Islamic terror activities. Whatever solutions are developed to cripple efforts to radicalize Moslems the Islamic terror organizations have, so far, proved effective at coming up with new recruiting methods. The casualties reported by Motuzyanyk were the highest losses for the Ukrainian army since five servicemen were killed on November 14, according to Reuters calculations based on military data. (Representational Image, Photo: AP) Kiev: Three Ukrainian servicemen have been killed and seven wounded in fighting with pro-Russian separatists in the past 24 hours, the Ukrainian military said on Tuesday, reporting the highest daily casualty toll since mid-November. A year-old ceasefire deal has failed to stop violence in Ukraine's separatist eastern territories, and international monitors have voiced concern over increased shelling in recent weeks. "Yesterday the situation on the front line escalated. In general, every third enemy attack is from a heavy weapon or mortar banned under the Minsk (ceasefire) agreement," military spokesman Oleksandr Motuzyanyk said in a daily televised briefing. He said the fiercest fighting had taken place on the front line near the village of Zaitseve, about 30 miles (48 km) north of the rebel-controlled city of Donetsk. The casualties reported by Motuzyanyk were the highest losses for the Ukrainian army since five servicemen were killed on November 14, according to Reuters calculations based on military data. This month, the head of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), which monitors the implementation of the ceasefire, said he was deeply concerned about signs the conflict was escalating despite the peace agreement. Meanwhile separatist rebels accuse government troops of violating the ceasefire on a daily basis. On Tuesday, separatist officials said shelling from the Ukrainian government side had hit Zaitseve as well as western suburbs of Donetsk. Over 9,000 soldiers and civilians have been killed since the conflict began in April 2014, when pro-Russian separatists rose up after Moscow's seizure of Ukraine's Crimea region following the ousting of Kiev's pro-Russian president by mass protests. The government is not only faced with a growing money crises (because of the sharp and persistent fall in oil prices) but growing dissatisfaction within its own ranks. A growing number of key officials, especially in the security forces and the intelligence organizations are speaking (or leaking) what they know of how rampant corruption and government mismanagement that continues to generate new Islamic terrorist recruits. Officials identified doing this too often or publicly tend to be fired or retired, no matter how senior they are. A growing number of senior officials are facing up to the fact that government corruption and mismanagement are the major reason for the persistent high unemployment that causes so many young (and often well educated) Algerians it migrate or join Islamic terror groups. A growing number of the migrants are the kind of talented people the government wants to hire to try and revitalize the government and the economy. These migrants no longer believe the government can reform itself and this issue is causing growing discontent within the government itself. There is a sense that the government was lucky in 2011 and avoided a major uprising only because so many Algerians still had vivid and painful memories of Islamic terrorist driven uprising in the 1990s. Those memories are fading while the housing shortages, unemployment and government corruption are daily experiences. The improved intelligence sharing agreements with European governments are paying off. With access to known Algerian Islamic terrorists European governments have an easier time finding Islamic terrorists hiding among many (over a million in the last year) Moslem illegal migrants flooding into Europe to escape violence, corruption and poverty in their homelands. Algeria notes that some of the remaining Islamic terrorists in Algeria spent time in Europe or were radicalized there. However there appear to be more Algerian Islamic terrorists outside the country (Syria and Europe) than inside Algeria, which has become a very hostile environment for Islamic terrorists. February 13, 2016: About 120 kilometers east of the capital (Tizi Ouzou province) soldiers killed an Islamic terrorist who was armed with an AK-47 and lots of ammo. Further south (Ain Defla, 145 kilometers southwest of the capital) a search operation found more than ten bunkers built by Islamic terrorists for shelter and storing equipment. The bunkers were destroyed. Meanwhile in Boumerdes province (60 kilometers east of the capital) police found and disabled two locally made bombs. February 9, 2016: In Bouira province (120 kilometers southeast of the capital) troops encountered an Islamic terrorist, killed him and seized several weapons, including a machine-gun and over a hundred rounds of ammo. February 8, 2016: In the south, on the Mali border near Bordj Badji Mokhtar, troops discovered an underground storage site containing weapons (two AK-47s one machine-gun, RPG rockets, over 60 grenades plus explosives and thousands of rounds of ammo.) It was unclear if these weapons were to later be moved deeper into Algeria or into Mali, where there is more demand for illegal weapons. February 7, 2016: The parliament passed much needed changes to the constitution, but reformers were not impressed because as long as power is monopolized by a few families (which were prominent in the 1960s rebellion against France) new laws will not change anything. Thats because some of the new reforms were implemented in the past but then cancelled when it suited the corrupt and dictatorial ruling families. Unless the government introduces and enforces honest voting and then obeys the law, there can be no real reform. This is a common pattern worldwide and especially in the Middle East. Everyone knows that corruption and bad government are the main cause of stagnant economies and general unrest but not enough of those in charge are willing to give up enough power to fix the problem. In part this is because of the well-founded (in history) fear that another group of corrupt officials will resume the practice of rigging elections. February 2, 2016: A court sentenced six oil company managers to prison after they were convicted of corruption. It is common knowledge that there is a lot of corruption in the state oil company (Sonatrach) because oil and gas exports account for 30 percent of GDP, 95 percent of exports and provide enough income to cover 60 percent of the government budget. That was in 2013, before the price of oil fell over 70 percent. Oil and gas are still important, even more so because that income has been reduced by more than half and the government cannot make a lot of cuts because much government spending is to buy the loyalty of key segments of the population like government employees, especially those in the security forces and oil industry. Thus many people see the sudden eagerness to prosecute corrupt officials directed mainly at maintaining the loyalty (to the corrupt government) of key groups. What most people want is less corruption and incompetent government officials getting in the way of starting and running new businesses. There is little enthusiasm for that among the ruling families, who prosper by using their government power to help other family members to establish profitable monopolies. These inefficient monopolies would be destroyed if not for the corruption that hinders the creation and operation of competing firms. January 27, 2016: The government suspended commercial airline flights to Libya over concern about Islamic terrorist movements. This came days after the government prevented 270 Moroccans from continuing their flight to Libya because none of the Moroccans had a legitimate reason to go to Libya and some were suspected of going there to join ISIL. The government asked Morocco for help but the matter is still unresolved. On January 20th members of a Chinese message board (Di Ba) launched a massive attack on Facebook that resulted in over 100,000 comments added over eight hours to the Facebook page of Tsai Ing-wen, Taiwans newly elected president. Also hit were several Taiwanese Facebook pages advocating an independent Taiwan. The Di Ba member comments opposed Taiwanese independence. China considers Taiwan a renegade province of China and threatens to invade if Taiwan declares independence. Tsai Ing-wen has expressed interest in independence. China has banned its citizens from using Facebook and made it very difficult for anyone inside China to even access Facebook. There are Chinese equivalents as well as some of the largest message boards on the Internet. Di Ba is one of the largest of these with about 20 million members. The Di Ba attack was considered a non-government effort by the Chinese but that is unlikely. The more likely culprit is the network of pro-government Internet militias. Since the 1990s China has been organizing and expanding a volunteer Internet Army (as it is called in China). In 2011, for example, the government encouraged companies to organize their Internet savvy employees into a cyber-militia and inspire these geeks to find ways to protect the firm's networks. This did not turn out exactly as expected, as many of the volunteers have become successful, but unpopular, censors. Its now widely accepted one of the most annoying things for the new Chinese middle class is the censorship (especially on the Internet). The most annoying censorship is the online version that is carried out by paid and volunteer censors at your company or in your neighborhood. This use of local activists to control discussions and inform on possible troublemakers (or worse, like spies or criminals) is an old Chinese custom and one that was highly refined by the 20th century communists (first the Russians, who passed it on to their Chinese comrades). The old-school informer network suffered a lot of desertions and other damage during three decades of economic freedom. But the government has been diligent about rebuilding the informer and censor network online, where its easier for the busybodies to remain anonymous and safe from retribution. The on-line informers are also useful for keeping an eye on foreign businesses. The 2011 effort was described as an Internet security measure and it involved businesses and local governments were ordered to organize local militias to protect their Internet access and computer security in general. In practice, many companies just told all males under 30 that they had volunteered for the Online Red Army. Less publicized was the training given to some of these company militias on how to carry out Internet based espionage. The understanding was that there is much less risk if this capability is only used against foreign firms in China. But these volunteer company Internet spies found they now had some power, and despite the relative anonymity of these spies, it introduced a new source of fear and intimidation into the workplace. The Chinese military also has a growing number of formal Cyber War units, as well as military sponsored college level Cyber War courses. These Cyber War units, plus the volunteer organizations and Golden Shield bureaucrats apparently work closely with each other and have provided China with a formidable Cyber War capability. Volunteers groups like NET Force, with only a few thousand personnel, appears to be the controlling organization for all this. With the help of volunteer militias and Golden Shield, China can mobilize formidable attacks, as well as great defensive potential. No other nation has anything like it. Wellesbourne Airfield Bell Court, as it will be renamed, will open sometime next year. See Thursdays Herald for the latest on the multi-million pound project and more pictures. Wellesbourne Airfield Originally from Solihull, Elliott comes from a musical family with esoteric tastes. Captivated by his mothers and grandmothers piano-playing, he started to play the piano himself at the tender age of five. Sixteen years later, Elliott is fast gaining a reputation amongst jazz aficionados. He has formed his own jazz trio and together with his older brother, he is even in the process of setting up a recording studio to enable him to develop his musical talent further. After learning of his nomination, Elliott said: My time at Stratford College was instrumental in guiding me towards where I am today. The facilities were great and the staff were always incredibly supportive. Elliott credits all the lecturers with providing inspiration and guidance, adding: They gave me confidence in my ability as a musician and helped me define the kind of musician I wanted to be. The final will take place on Saturday, 12th March, at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama in Cardiff, and will be broadcast on BBC Four. Good luck, Elliott! Saudi Arabian Oil Minister Ali al-Naimi talks to journalists before a meeting of OPEC oil ministers at OPEC's headquarters in Vienna in this file picture taken December 4, 2013. REUTERS/Heinz-Peter Bader/Files By Rania El Gamal DOHA/LONDON (Reuters) - The fate of the first global oil deal in 15 years could be decided on Wednesday when OPEC members travel to Iran to persuade the country to participate in a deal to freeze output levels, possibly by offering Tehran special terms. Dominant OPEC power Saudi Arabia and non-OPEC Russia, the world's top two producers and exporters, agreed on Tuesday to freeze production levels but said the deal was contingent on others joining in - a major sticking point with Iran absent from the talks and determined to raise production. OPEC members Qatar, Venezuela and Kuwait said they were also ready to freeze output and oil sources in Iraq - the world's fastest-growing producer in the past year - said Baghdad would abide by a global deal aimed at tackling a growing oversupply and helping prices recover from their lowest in over a decade. On Wednesday, Venezuelan Oil Minister Eulogio Del Pino and Iraqi Oil Minister Adel Abdel Mahdi will travel to Tehran for talks with their Iranian counterpart Bijan Zanganeh. OPEC member Iran, Saudi Arabia's regional arch rival, has pledged to steeply increase output in the coming months as it looks to regain market share lost after years of international sanctions, which were lifted in January following a deal with world powers over its nuclear programme. "Our situation is totally different to those countries that have been producing at high levels for the past few years," a senior source familiar with Iran's thinking told Reuters. Benchmark Brent oil prices fell 2 percent on Tuesday to below $33 per barrel on concerns that Iran may reject the deal and that even if Tehran agreed it would not help ease the growing global glut. [O/R] The fact that output from Saudi Arabia and Russia is near record highs complicates any agreement since Iran is producing at least 1 million barrels per day below its capacity and pre-sanctions levels. "It requires discussion and examination to be seen what has been their point," Iranian news agency Shana quoted Zanganeh as saying on Tuesday. "What is important is that, first, the market is oversupplied, and, second, that Iran will not overlook its quota," he added. The comments by Zanganeh revived memories of the last OPEC meeting in December which ended without a decision after Zanganeh said he rejected any plan to curtail Iran's production before it rises to pre-sanction levels. However, two non-Iranian sources close to OPEC discussions told Reuters that Iran may be offered special terms as part of the output freeze deal. "Iran is returning to the market and needs to be given a special chance but it also needs to make some calculations," said one source. The sources did not elaborate on the special terms, which technically could be anything from setting limited production increase levels for Iran to linking future output rises to a recovery in oil prices. The last global deal - OPEC and non-OPEC - dates back to 2001 when Saudi Arabia persuaded Mexico, Norway and Russia to contribute to production cuts, although Moscow never followed through and raised exports instead. (Additional reporting by Alex Lawler in London; Writing by Dmitry Zhdannikov; Editing by Pravin Char) Overseas Shipholding Group, Inc. (NYSE: OSG) (NYSE: OSGB) announced today that, in connection with the previously-announced settlement of the Companys lawsuit against Proskauer Rose LLP (Proskauer), its Board of Directors expects to declare a dividend of approximately $0.16 to $0.18 per Class B common share and to make a cash distribution of approximately $0.16 to $0.18 per Class B warrant. Each of the record holders of the Companys Class B common stock and Class B warrants will be entitled to receive a cash distribution equal to their pro rata portion of an aggregate of 10% of proceeds received by the Company as a result of its lawsuit against Proskauer, less certain costs and expenses (as determined by the Companys board of directors), including legal fees, of the Company related to that lawsuit and counterclaims filed by Proskauer. The Companys estimates concerning the approximate dividend and distribution amounts are preliminary and subject to revision. The final calculation of the exact amount of the dividend, the date on which any dividend and cash payment may become payable and the related record date for any such payments will only be determined once the settlement payment has been received by the Company, and the payment of any dividend or payment remains subject to such receipt. We are pleased that we will soon be in a position to pay a dividend in connection with the final settlement of the Proskauer lawsuit, which reflects our requirement to return a percentage of the proceeds to our Class B securityholders, said Captain Ian T. Blackley, OSGs president and CEO. With this matter behind us we can increase our focus on executing on our strategy and delivering value for our shareholders. Each share of Class B common stock will automatically convert into one share of Class A common stock and each Class B warrant will automatically convert into one Class A warrant on the tenth business day after both the entry of a final order approving a stipulation of dismissal of the Proskauer lawsuit and the distribution of the above described dividend and payment to the holders of Class B securities. Stryker Corporation (NYSE: SYK) announced a definitive agreement to acquire 100% of the stock of Physio-Control International, Inc. ("Physio-Control") in an all cash transaction for $1.28 billion. Physio-Control, which is a portfolio company of Bain Capital Private Equity, develops, manufactures and markets monitors/defibrillators, automated external defibrillators (AEDs) and CPR-assist devices along with data management and support services. The company was founded in 1955 and has a long history of innovation with products that target urgent patient care, specifically designed to improve survival rates and patient outcomes. The company's portfolio is highly complementary to Stryker Medical's EMS (Emergency Medical Services) offering and will drive a greater balance between capital and disposables. Physio-Control also brings an enhanced presence and infrastructure that will expand Stryker's global footprint. Physio-Control sales for fiscal 2015 totaled $503 million, up 6% in constant currency over the prior year. "Physio-Control has achieved global leadership positions with a strong brand and customer-centered solutions that can predict or intervene in life-threatening emergencies," stated Kevin A. Lobo, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "Physio-Control's focused strategy and their culture will fit well within the EMS business of our Medical division, further leveraging our existing call pattern. We look forward to welcoming the Physio-Control team to Stryker." "Joining Stryker is an exciting next step in the evolution of Physio-Control for both our team and our customers," said Brian Webster, President and Chief Executive Officer of Physio-Control. "Stryker has a deep understanding of capital equipment and of our core market segments. We will build on the success our team has achieved in partnership with Bain Capital, and further accelerate the execution of our strategy, including continued investment in great product solutions for our customers." "It has been a privilege to work collaboratively with Brian and the management team as the company has shown great progress and built even more enduring customer loyalty," said Chris Gordon, a Managing Director at Bain Capital Private Equity. "Physio-Control has added significant operational strength and made substantial investments in R&D to accelerate the development and launch of its next generation product lines. We believe the business is well positioned for further growth, and are confident that Physio-Control will continue to thrive under Stryker's ownership." The closing of the transaction is subject to expiration or termination of the applicable waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act and other customary closing conditions. The acquisition of Physio-Control is expected to close at the beginning of the second quarter and be slightly accretive to our adjusted per share earnings in 2016. Our revised adjusted 2016 EPS guidance reflecting the Physio-Control acquisition and the previously announced transactions is now $5.57-5.77 up 8.8-12.7% which includes a 2.5% negative foreign exchange rate impact on our adjusted earnings per share. For 2017 we expect the acquisition of Sage and Physio-Control combined will be accretive by $0.15-0.18, net of the negative impact of postponing our share repurchases that were included in our original guidance for 2016. Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP are serving as outside legal counsel for Stryker in connection with this transaction. Citi and Jefferies LLC acted as financial advisors, and Kirkland & Ellis LLP served as legal counsel, to Bain Capital. Stryker will host a conference call for financial analysts at 8:00 a.m., Eastern Time, today to discuss additional details regarding the proposed transaction. To participate in the conference call dial 888-771-4371 (domestic) or 847-585-4405 (international) and be prepared to provide confirmation number 41816481 to the operator. A simultaneous webcast of the call will be accessible via the Company's website at www.stryker.com. The call will be archived on this site for 30 days. A recording of the call will also be available from 11:00 a.m., Eastern Time, on Tuesday, February 16, 2016, until 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time, on Tuesday, February 23, 2016. To hear this recording, dial 888-843-7419 (domestic) or 630-652-3042 (international) and enter the participant passcode 4181 6481#. (Updated - February 16, 2016 10:35 AM EST) Fed's Kashkari: Should Consider Breaking Up Large Banks. Stocks of interest: Bank of America (NYSE: BAC), Citigroup (NYSE: C), Goldman Sachs (NYSE: GS), JPMorgan (NYSE: JPM), Morgan Stanley (NYSE: MS), Wells Fargo (NYSE: WFC) Below is the prepared speech from Minneapolis Fed President Neel Kashkari: Lessons from the Crisis: Ending Too Big to Fail Thank you, David, for that kind introduction. It is great to be back at the Brookings Institution. Before I begin, I just want to remind everyone that the views I express today are my own and not necessarily those of the Federal Open Market Committee or the Board of Governors, which sets supervision and regulatory policy for the Federal Reserve System. Today I will offer my assessment of the current status and outlook for ending the problem of too big to fail (TBTF) banks.1 I come at this problem from the perspective of a policymaker who was on the front line responding to the 2008 financial crisis. When Congress moved quickly to pass the Dodd-Frank Act (the Act) in 2010, I strongly supported the need for financial reform, but I wanted to see the Act implemented before I drew firm conclusions about whether it solved TBTF2. In the last six years my colleagues across the Federal Reserve System have worked diligently under the reform framework Congress established and are fully utilizing the available tools under the Act to address TBTF. While significant progress has been made to strengthen our financial system, I believe the Act did not go far enough. I believe the biggest banks are still too big to fail and continue to pose a significant, ongoing risk to our economy. Enough time has passed that we better understand the causes of the crisis, and yet it is still fresh in our memories. Now is the right time for Congress to consider going further than Dodd-Frank with bold, transformational solutions to solve this problem once and for all. The Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis is launching a major initiative to develop an actionable plan to end TBTF, and we will deliver our plan to the public by the end of the year. Ultimately Congress must decide whether such a transformational restructuring of our financial system is justified in order to mitigate the ongoing risks posed by large banks. Although TBTF banks were not the sole cause of the recent financial crisis and Great Recession, there is no question that their presence at the center of our financial system contributed significantly to the magnitude of the crisis and to the extensive damage it inflicted across the economy. Given the scale of job losses, home foreclosures, lost savings and costs to taxpayers, there is widespread agreement among elected leaders, regulators and Main Street that we must solve the problem of TBTF. We know markets make mistakes; that is unavoidable in an innovative economy. But these mistakes cannot be allowed to endanger the rest of the country. When roughly 1,000 savings and loans failed in the late 1980s, there was no risk of an economic collapse. When the technology bubble burst in 2000, it was very painful for Silicon Valley and for technology investors, but it did not represent a systemic risk to our economy. Large banks must similarly be able to make mistakeseven very big mistakeswithout requiring taxpayer bailouts and without triggering widespread economic damage. That must be our goal. Ongoing progress Since 2008, legislators and regulators have worked hard to address the TBTF problem. My colleagues in the Federal Reserve System, working closely with other financial regulators, have implemented important tools and regulations that are making the financial system stronger. Regulators have forced large firms to hold more capital and have deeper, more resilient sources of liquidity. Our stress tests check whether the most systemically important institutions can withstand a serious shock to the economy. In some cases, institutions have responded to these higher regulatory requirements by reducing certain activities. Considerable progress has been made, and these are steps in the right direction. But regulators know that despite these best efforts, banks will still sometimes make mistakes and run into trouble. To ensure that banks can fail without requiring taxpayer bailouts, regulators are using the living will review process to try to address the hurdles that make large banks so hard to resolve.3 They are establishing a resolution approach intended to give regulators the ability to restructure large banks without massive spillovers.4 And they have proposed requiring banks to issue debt that would help recapitalize the firm if necessary.5 All of these measures are sensible. Policymakers are committed to seeing these important efforts through. The question is, should we be satisfied with this approach or should we do more? Lessons from the crisis The lessons I learned during the 2008 financial crisis strongly influence my assessment of new regulatory measures to address the TBTF problem. I learned in the crisis that determining which firms are systemically importantwhich are TBTFdepends on economic and financial conditions. In a strong, stable economy, the failure of a given bank might not be systemic. The economy and financial firms and markets might be able to withstand a shock from such a failure without much harm to other institutions or to families and businesses. But in a weak economy with skittish markets, policymakers will be very worried about such a bank failure. After all, that failure might trigger contagion to other banks and cause a widespread downturn. Thus, although the size of a financial institution, its connections to other institutions and its importance to the plumbing of the financial system are all relevant in determining whether it is TBTF, there is no simple formula that defines what is systemic. I wish there were. It requires judgment from policymakers to assess conditions at the time. I know this is unsatisfactory to many people, but it is the truth today. Perhaps one day we will have better tools to make this determination analytically. A second lesson for me from the 2008 crisis is that almost by definition, we wont see the next crisis coming, and it wont look like what we might be expecting. If we, or markets, recognized an imbalance in the economy, market participants would likely take action to protect themselves. When I first went to Treasury in 2006, Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson directed his staff to work with financial regulators at the Federal Reserve and the Securities and Exchange Commission to look for what might trigger the next crisis. Based on his experience, we were due for a crisis because markets had been stable for several years. We looked at a number of scenarios, including an individual large bank running into trouble or a hedge fund suffering large losses, among others. We didnt consider a nationwide housing downturn. It seems so obvious now, but we didnt see it, and we were looking. We must assume that policymakers will not foresee future crises, either. A third lesson from the crisis is that the externalities of large bank failures can be massive. I am not talking about just the fiscal costs of bailouts. Even with the 2008 bailouts, the costs to society from the financial crisis in terms of lost jobs, lost income and lost wealth were staggeringmany trillions of dollars and devastation for millions of families. Failures of large financial institutions pose massively asymmetric risks to society that policymakers must consider. We had a choice in 2008: Spend taxpayer money to stabilize large banks, or dont, and potentially trigger many trillions of additional costs to society. A very crude analogy is that of a nuclear reactor. The cost to society of letting a reactor melt down is astronomical. Given that cost, governments will do whatever they can to stabilize the reactor before they lose control. My assessment of where we are Regulatory reforms since the crisis have focused both on making banks safer so they are less likely to fail, and on creating tools to resolve troubled banks by imposing losses on creditors without destabilizing the economy. Based on lessons from the recent crisis, I evaluate these restructuring tools by asking the following questions: Would policymakers responding to a future crisis actually use them? And how likely are they to be effective? To answer these questions, I consider two simplified scenarios: An individual large bank runs into trouble, while the economy and financial system are otherwise healthy and stable, and One or more large banks run into trouble while there is broader weakness and risks in the global economy. My assessment of these tools under the first scenario is that they do have the potential to deal with the failure of a single large financial institution without requiring a bailout or triggering widespread economic damage. But we dont know that for certain, and the work on these tools is incomplete and slow moving. For example, reviews of the largest banks living wills find that they have significant shortcomings, with the government requiring the banks to try once again to make themselves able to fail without massive fallout. Until this work is complete, which could be years from now, we must acknowledge that the largest banks are still too big to fail. And even then, we wont know how effective these tools are until we have actually used them. Unfortunately, I am far more skeptical that these tools will be useful to policymakers in the second scenario of a stressed economic environment. Given the massive externalities on Main Street of large bank failures in terms of lost jobs, lost income and lost wealth, no rational policymaker would risk restructuring large firms and forcing losses on creditors and counterparties using the new tools in a risky environment, let alone in a crisis environment like we experienced in 2008. They will be forced to bail out failing institutionsas we were. We were even forced to support large bank mergers, which helped stabilize the immediate crisis, but that we knew would make TBTF worse in the long term. The risks to the U.S. economy and the American people were simply too great not to do whatever we could to prevent a financial collapse. Going forward I believe we need to complete the important work that my colleagues are doing so that, at a minimum, we are as prepared as we can be to deal with an individual large bank failure. But given the enormous costs that would be associated with another financial crisis and the lack of certainty about whether these new tools would be effective in dealing with one, I believe we must seriously consider bolder, transformational options. Some other Federal Reserve policymakers have noted the potential benefits to considering more transformational measures.6 I believe we must begin this work now and give serious consideration to a range of options, including the following: Breaking up large banks into smaller, less connected, less important entities. Turning large banks into public utilities by forcing them to hold so much capital that they virtually cant fail (with regulation akin to that of a nuclear power plant). Taxing leverage throughout the financial system to reduce systemic risks wherever they lie. Options such as these have been mentioned before, but in my view, policymakers and legislators have not yet seriously considered the need to implement them in the near term. They are transformationalwhich can be unsettling. The financial sector has lobbied hard to preserve its current structure and thrown up endless objections to fundamental change. And in the immediate aftermath of the crisis, when the Dodd-Frank Act was passed, the economic outlook was perhaps too uncertain to take truly bold action. But the economy is stronger now, and the time has come to move past parochial interests and solve this problem. The risks of not doing so are just too great. Many of the arguments against adoption of a more transformational solution to the problem of TBTF are that the societal benefits of such financial giants somehow justify the exposure to another financial crisis. I find such arguments unpersuasive. Finance lobbyists argue that multinational corporations do business in many countries and therefore need global banks. But these corporations manage thousands of suppliers around the worldcant they manage a few more banking relationships? Many argue that large banks benefit society by creating economies of scope and scale. No doubt this is truebut cost/benefit analyses require understanding costs, too. I dont see the benefits of scale of large banks outweighing the massive externalities of a widespread economic collapse. Some argue that if we limited U.S. banks in size or scope, they would be at a disadvantage relative to banks in countries with looser regulations. If other countries want to take extreme risks with their financial systems, we cant stop thembut the United States should do what is right for our economy and establish one set of rules for those who want to do business here. Given the complexity of this issue, any bold plan will be imperfect, and there will be unanswered questions that skeptical experts can point to as a reason for inaction: How can we precisely define which firms are dangerous and need to change? How can our plan adapt and endure as the financial system evolves over decades? What if strictly regulating some firms just pushes risk onto other, less regulated firms? How will new rules impact families and businesses ability to make important investments, and what will that mean for employment and economic growth? Experts also correctly point out that there is always the possibility that an economic shock could hit us in the future that is so large, or so different from anything we have considered, that it overwhelms all of our efforts. In that scenario, only the balance sheet of the federal government would be strong enough to stabilize the financial system, as was required in 2008. These are all important considerations, and there are many more. We must work to address them. But if we are serious about solving TBTF, we cannot let them paralyze us. Any plan that we come up with will be imperfect. Those potential shortcomings must be weighed against the actual risks and costs that we know exist today. Perfect cannot be the standard that we must meet before we act. Better and safer are reasons enough to act. Otherwise we will be left on the default path of incrementalism and the risk that we will someday face another financial crisis without having done all that we could to protect the economy and the American people. Next steps The Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis has been at the forefront of understanding the risks and challenges posed by large banks and moral hazard for a long time. Our work on these topics goes back to the 1970s, with specific work on TBTF beginning in the 1990s. In fact, my colleague Ron Feldman and one of my predecessors, Gary Stern, both of whom are here today, authored the original book on this topic, Too Big to Fail, arguing in 2004 that policymakers would not stick to their no-bailout pledges.7They were right. Building on this important work, and the work done since the crisis, the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis is launching a major initiative to consider transformational options and develop an actionable plan to end TBTF. Starting in the spring, we will hold a series of policy symposiums to explore various options from expert researchers around the country. We will also invite leaders from policy and regulatory institutions and, yes, the financial industry to offer their views and to test one anothers assumptions. We will consider the likely benefits, costs, risks and implementation challenges of these options. We will invite the media to these symposiums and livestream them so that the public can follow along and learn with us. Following the symposiums, we will publish a series of policy briefs summarizing our key take-aways on each issue, so that all can provide feedback. And feedback can start now. We have established a website where anyone can share with us their ideas on solving TBTF. If you are a researcherif you work in the financial sectorif you just have a good idea for solving TBTF, wherever you are, please share it with us at minneapolisfed.org. We will use all of this work to inform our plan to end TBTF, which we will release by year-end for legislators, policymakers and the public to consider. Congress created the Federal Reserve System to help prevent financial crises from inflicting widespread damage to the U.S. economy. Doing everything we can to address the systemic risks posed by large banks will be an important step to fulfilling that mission. Seven years after the crisis, I believe it is now time to move forward and end TBTF. Thank you. Turkish artillery fire from the border near Kilis toward northern Syria, in Kilis, Turkey. (Photo; AP) Kiev/Beirut: Turkey on Monday accused Russia of an obvious war crime after missile attacks in northern Syria killed scores of people, and warned Kurdish militia fighters there they would face the harshest reaction if they tried to capture a town near the Turkish border. An offensive supported by Russian bombing and Iranian-backed Shia militias has brought the Syrian army to within 25 km (15 miles) of Turkeys frontier. The Kurdish YPG militia -- which Turkey regards as a hostile insurgent force -- has exploited the situation, seizing ground from Syrian rebels to extend its presence along the border. Almost 50 civilians were killed when missiles hit at least five medical facilities and two schools in rebel-held areas of Syria on Monday, according to the United Nations, which called the attacks a blatant violation of international law. At least 14 were killed in the northern town of Azaz, the last rebel stronghold before the border with Turkey, when missiles hit a childrens hospital and a school sheltering refugees, a medic and two residents said. Missiles also hit a hospital in the town of Marat Numan in the province of Idlib, south of Aleppo. Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said a Russian missile had hit the buildings and that many civilians including children had been killed. Turkeys foreign ministry accused Russia of carrying out an obvious war crime. But Russian health minister Veronika Skvortsova said Russian air strikes were targeting Islamic State infrastructure and she had no reason to believe that Russian planes had bombed civilian sites in Idlib. We are confident that (there is) no way could it be done by our defence forces. This contradicts our ideology, she said in Geneva. Syrias ambassador to Russia said US war planes were responsible. White House national security adviser Susan Rice on Monday condemned in the strongest terms the intensified bombing of northern Syria, adding that it ran counter to commitments to reduce hostilities made by major powers last week in Munich. The Syrian civil war, reshaped by Russias intervention last September, has gone into an even higher gear since the United Nations sought to revive peace talks. The talks in Geneva were suspended earlier this month before they got off the ground. World powers agreed in Munich on Friday to a cessation of hostilities in Syria to allow humanitarian aid to be delivered, but the deal does not take effect until the end of this week and was not signed by any warring parties. Turkey shelled YPG positions for a third-straight day on Monday to try to stop its fighters seizing Azaz, just 8km from the border. Ankara fears the Kurdish militia, backed by Russia, is trying to secure the last stretch of around 100km along the Syrian border not already under its control. We will not allow Azaz to fall, Davutoglu told reporters on his plane on the way to Ukraine. If they approach again they will see the harshest reaction, he said. The standoff has increased the risk of direct confrontation between Russia and Nato member Turkey. UN envoy in Damascus UN Syria envoy Staffan de Mistura made a surprise visit to Damascus on Monday and will hold talks with Syrias foreign minister on Tuesday, a Syrian government official told Reuters. A senior UN official later confirmed that de Mistura had arrived in Syria for an unscheduled visit to follow up on commitments made in Munich. But in a further clouding of the Munich deal, Syrian President Bashar al Assad said on Monday that any ceasefire did not mean each side had to stop using weapons, and that nobody was capable of securing the conditions for one within a week. At a news conference in Kiev, Turkeys Prime Minister doubted Russias commitment to any deal to cease hostilities, pointing to comments from Moscow that it would continue its air strikes regardless. They want to have just two options in front of the international community: Daesh or Assad, Davutoglu said, using an Arabic acronym for Islamic State. Turkey is enraged by the expansion of Kurdish influence in northern Syria, fearing it will encourage separatist ambitions among its own restive Kurds. Ankara considers the YPG a terrorist group. Davutoglu said Turkey would make the Menagh air base north of the city of Aleppo unusable if the YPG, which seized it over the weekend from Syrian insurgents, did not withdraw. Turkish defence minister Ismet Yilmaz said Ankara was not considering sending troops to Syria, according to the state-run Anadolu Agency. Syrias rebels, some backed by the United States, Turkey and their allies, say the YPG is fighting with the Syrian military and its backers - including Russia - against them in the five-year-old civil war. The YPG denies this. South of Azaz, the Kurdish-backed Syria Democratic Forces (SDF) alliance, of which the YPG is a member, took around 70% of the town of Tal Rifaat, according to the Syrian Observatory, which monitors the war. Hospitals hit Tens of thousands have fled to Azaz from towns and villages where there is heavy fighting between the Syrian army and militias. We have been moving scores of screaming children from the hospital, said medic Juma Rahal, following the missile strikes. At least two children were killed and ambulances ferried scores of injured people to Turkey for treatment, he said. French charity Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) said seven people were killed and at least eight staff were missing after missiles hit a hospital in the province of Idlib, west of Aleppo, in a separate incident. The author of the strike is clearly ... either the government or Russia, MSF president Mego Terzian said. PulteGroup, Inc. (NYSE: PHM) announced that Ryan Marshall has been named President of the Company and Harmon Smith has been named Chief Operating Officer, effective immediately. Mr. Marshall previously was Executive Vice President of Homebuilding Operations, and Mr. Smith previously was Executive Vice President of Field Operations. Richard J. Dugas, Jr. remains Chairman and CEO of the Company. In his new role as President, Mr. Marshall is responsible for PulteGroup's homebuilding operations and its marketing and strategy departments with P&L responsibility for approximately 90% of the Company. Mr. Marshall will continue to report to Richard Dugas. As Chief Operating Officer, Mr. Smith will continue overseeing day-to-day homebuilding operations, while now managing additional functions including new home sales, architectural services and purchasing. Mr. Smith will report to Mr. Marshall. "I am extremely pleased and proud to announce the promotions of Ryan to President of PulteGroup and Harmon to Chief Operating Officer," said Mr. Dugas. "Both have made important contributions to PulteGroup over the past several years and have distinguished themselves as leaders. I look forward to working even more closely with them as PulteGroup continues to focus on growing its revenues and earnings, while generating high returns on invested capital and consistently returning funds to shareholders." Additional Information on Ryan R. Marshall Mr. Marshall, 41, previously served as Executive Vice President of Homebuilding Operations for PulteGroup, in which he was responsible for all facets of the Company's homebuilding and sales operations. Over more than 13 years with the organization, he has overseen various financial and operating functions within PulteGroup, with responsibilities including financial reporting, land acquisition and strategic market risk and opportunity analysis. Prior to his role as Executive Vice President of Homebuilding Operations, he was Area President for the Company's Southeast Area. Other previous roles included Area President for Florida, Division President in both South Florida and Orlando, and Area Vice President of Finance. Mr. Marshall received a BA in accounting from the University of Utah and an MBA from Arizona State University. Additional Information on Harmon D. Smith Mr. Smith, 52, previously served as Executive Vice President of Field Operations for PulteGroup. He joined the company in 1989, and subsequently held various leadership positions, including Area President for the Company's Great Lakes Area, Gulf Coast Area and Texas Area and was Division President for the DiVosta division in South Florida. Prior to being promoted to Division President, Mr. Smith held various financial and managerial positions with the Company, including Director of Investor Relations. Mr. Smith received a BBA in accounting from Stephen F. Austin State University and an MBA from The University of Texas at Austin. He is also a Certified Public Accountant. WASHINGTON, Feb. 16, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Following is the daily "Profile America" feature from the U.S. Census Bureau: COLLEGE FOR THE DEAF Profile America Tuesday, February 16th. The nation's first college for deaf students traces its beginning to this date in 1857, when Congress incorporated the Columbia Institution for the Instruction of the Deaf, Dumb and Blind. In 1864, the school was federally chartered to confer degrees, the first three of which were awarded in 1869. Those diplomas were signed by President Ulysses S. Grant, and all subsequent diplomas awarded by the school bear the U.S. President's signature. In 1954, the name of the institution was changed to Gallaudet College in honor of Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet, a pioneer is educating deaf students. An estimated 9 million Americans are functionally deaf or hard of hearing. About 1,700 of them are seeking a degree from Gallaudet and are among the nation's nearly 19.2 million students enrolled in universities. Profile America is in its 19th year as a public service of the U.S. Census Bureau. Sources: Kane's Famous First Facts, 3033Founding/accessed 12/10/2015: http://www.gallaudet.edu/history.html Enrollment/accessed 12/10/2015: http://www.gallaudet.edu/about_gallaudet/fast_facts.html Disability estimate accessed 12/10/2015: https://research.gallaudet.edu/Demographics/deaf-US.php University enrollment/t. 1 All Races: http://www.census.gov/hhes/school/data/cps/2014/tables.html Profile America is produced by the Center for New Media and Promotions of the U.S. Census Bureau. These daily features are available as produced segments, ready to air, on the Internet at http://www.census.gov (look for "Multimedia Gallery" by the "Newsroom" button). Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110428/DC91889LOGO To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/us-census-bureau-daily-feature-for-february-16-college-for-the-deaf-300214582.html SOURCE U.S. Census Bureau The GM logo is seen at the General Motors Lansing Grand River Assembly Plant in Lansing, Michigan October 26, 2015. REUTERS/Rebecca Cook DETROIT (Reuters) - General Motors Co (NYSE: GM) on Tuesday said it is recalling about 200,000 vehicles of its former brands Saab and Saturn as part of a wider recall of more than 5 million autos with potentially defective air bag inflators made by Takata Corp <7312.T>. There will be 180,000 of the vehicles recalled in the United States and another 20,000 in Canada, GM said. The models recalled are Saab 9-3 from model years 2003 to 2011 and Saab 9-5 from 2010 and 2011 model years, as well as Saturn Astras from 2008 and 2009 model years. These vehicles have Takata PSDI-5 front driver-side air bag inflators. No injuries, deaths or inadvertent ruptures of air bags in these vehicles have been reported but at least 10 deaths have been linked to Takata air bags, all but one of them in a Honda Motor Co <7267.T> model. U.S. safety regulator National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has said that Takata air bag inflators can explode with too much force, sending metal fragments into a vehicle. Last week, the three largest German automakers - Volkswagen AG , Daimler AG and BMW - each recalled about 850,000 vehicles with the same inflator as the vehicles in the GM recall. Takata said last month that inflators in more than 5 million vehicles were defective and that those vehicles should be recalled. (Reporting by Bernie Woodall; Editing by Bill Trott) By Barani Krishnan and Ron Bousso NEW YORK/LONDON (Reuters) - Oil prices rose 7 percent on Wednesday after Iran voiced support for a Russia-Saudi-led move to freeze production to deal with the market glut that had pressured crude prices to their lowest in a dozen years. Iranian Oil Minister Bijan Zanganeh met counterparts from Venezuela, Iraq and Qatar in Tehran for over two hours on Wednesday, saying the proposed production "ceiling" should be the first step toward stabilizing the market. Zanganeh, quoted by Tehran's Shana news agency, did not say explicitly say that Iran will keep its own output at January's levels, in line with the proposal that major producers including Russia and Saudi Arabia restrict output. An Iranian official, speaking before Wednesday's meeting, said Iran would continue increasing its oil output to levels held before the 2012 trade sanctions imposed on the fourth largest producer in the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries. Tehran has been the main obstacle to the first joint OPEC and non-OPEC deal in 15 years, after its pledge to recapture market share lost to sanctions. Even so, Zanganeh's endorsement of the production freeze plan helped spark a powerful rally. Brent settled up $2.32, or 7.2 percent, at $34.50 a barrel. U.S. crude closed up $1.62, or 5.6 percent, at $30.66 a barrel. Prices extended gains in post-settlement trade after data from industry group the American Petroleum Institute showed a stockpile drop of 3.3 million barrels versus analysts' forecasts for a build of 3.9 million barrels. The U.S. government will release official stockpile data on Thursday. Options expiry in U.S. crude also fed Wednesday's rebound, some traders said. Some investors said they had a better outlook for oil now. "I'm pricing between $35 and $45 for Brent by summer, as we still have a daily surplus of up to 1.7 million barrels of oil to contend with," said Phil Davis, an independent crude trader at PSW Investments. Others were more skeptical. "I think people will be in a wait-and-see mode," said Scott Shelton, energy broker for ICAP. "Risk would be lower because of the volatility involved." Traded volume in U.S. crude futures was just above 500 million barrels, lower than the past three sessions, Reuters data showed, despite the price gains and activity prior to options expiry. (Additional reporting by Ron Bousso in London; Editing by Chris Reese, Marguerita Choy and David Gregorio) An armored carrier, imitating an enemy vehicle, drives during military exercises conducted by Ukrainian armed forces at the Shiroky Lan training ground in Mykolaiv region, Ukraine, in this October 30, 2015 file photo. REUTERS/Oleksandr Klymenko KIEV (Reuters) - Three Ukrainian servicemen have been killed and seven wounded in fighting with pro-Russian separatists in the past 24 hours, the Ukrainian military said on Tuesday, reporting the highest daily casualty toll since mid-November. A year-old ceasefire deal has failed to stop violence in Ukraine's separatist eastern territories, and international monitors have voiced concern over increased shelling in recent weeks. "Yesterday the situation on the front line escalated. In general, every third enemy attack is from a heavy weapon or mortar banned under the Minsk (ceasefire) agreement," military spokesman Oleksandr Motuzyanyk said in a daily televised briefing. He said the fiercest fighting had taken place on the front line near the village of Zaitseve, about 30 miles (48 km) north of the rebel-controlled city of Donetsk. The casualties reported by Motuzyanyk were the highest losses for the Ukrainian army since five servicemen were killed on Nov. 14, according to Reuters calculations based on military data. This month, the head of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), which monitors the implementation of the ceasefire, said he was deeply concerned about signs the conflict was escalating despite the peace agreement. Meanwhile separatist rebels accuse government troops of violating the ceasefire on a daily basis. On Tuesday, separatist officials said shelling from the Ukrainian government side had hit Zaitseve as well as western suburbs of Donetsk. Over 9,000 soldiers and civilians have been killed since the conflict began in April 2014, when pro-Russian separatists rose up after Moscow's seizure of Ukraine's Crimea region following the ousting of Kiev's pro-Russian president by mass protests. (Reporting by Natalia Zinets and Alessandra Prentice; Editing by Mark Heinrich) *** The ADT Corporation (NYSE: ADT) announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired by an affiliate of certain funds managed by affiliates of Apollo Global Management, LLC (NYSE: APO) and co-investors and merged with a subsidiary of Prime Security Services Borrower, LLC, a leading full-service business and home security company in the United States also owned by the Apollo Funds, for $42.00 per share in cash. The purchase price represents a premium of approximately 56% over ADTs closing share price on February 12, 2016 and, when combined with Protection 1, represents an aggregate transaction value of approximately $15 billion. The headquarters of the combined company will remain in Boca Raton, FL, and the combined company will operate primarily under the ADT brand. This transaction represents a highly attractive premium for ADTs shareholders, said Naren Gursahaney, President and CEO of ADT. Were proud to have strengthened the quality of our customer base, improved service and retention, and extended our leadership in innovative solutions such as our ADT Pulse platform and our new Security-as-a-Service offering, ADT Canopy. By combining Protection 1 with ADT, we will be better positioned to expand the breadth and depth of the services we offer to our customers throughout the United States and Canada. The combined company will be a market leader with a powerful brand and scale resulting in an enhanced overall customer experience, said Timothy J. Whall, President and CEO of Protection 1, who will be the CEO of the combined business following the closing of the transaction. In addition, Protection 1s robust commercial presence will speed ADTs expansion into the commercial sector supported by increasing commercial sales and technical skills across a well matched national footprint. We are tremendously excited by this unique opportunity to combine two premier businesses, said Marc Becker, Senior Partner at Apollo. This transaction provides the opportunity to dramatically enhance our position in the large, fragmented and growing residential and business interactive electronic monitoring industry. Pro forma for the transaction, the newly created company will generate a combined $318 million in recurring monthly revenue and total annual revenue in excess of $4.2 billion, placing the businesses in a strong position to drive innovation and to capitalize on growth opportunities in the future. The Board of Directors of ADT unanimously approved the transaction. The acquisition of ADT is expected to be completed by June 2016. The transaction is subject to the conclusion of the applicable antitrust waiting periods in the United States and Canada, ADT stockholder approval and other customary closing conditions. The merger agreement includes a go-shop period, during which ADT and its Board of Directors may actively solicit, receive, evaluate and potentially enter into negotiations with parties that offer alternative proposals during a 40-day period following the execution date of the definitive agreement. There can be no assurance that this process will result in a superior proposal. ADT does not intend to disclose developments about this process unless and until its Board has made a decision with respect to any potential superior proposal. The transaction, which has fully committed financing in place, will be financed primarily through the incurrence of $1.555 billion in new first lien term loans, $3.140 billion in new second lien financing, the issuance of $750 million of preferred securities to an affiliate of Koch Equity Development LLC, the investment and acquisition subsidiary of Koch Industries, Inc., and an equity contribution of approximately $4.5 billion from funds managed by Apollo and co-investors. Protection 1 will also enter into a new $255 million first lien revolving facility concurrently with the closing of the merger, bringing the total combined senior secured revolving facility to $350 million. Protection 1 further expects that its existing $1,095 million first lien term loan and $260 million second lien term loan will remain outstanding. In addition, concurrently with the closing of the merger, Protection 1 intends to redeem all of ADTs outstanding senior unsecured 2.250% notes due July 2017 and senior unsecured 4.125% notes due April 2019, which will be redeemed in accordance with the applicable indenture, and to repay all outstanding borrowings under ADTs revolving credit facility. Finally, ADTs remaining $3.750 billion of total senior unsecured notes will be guaranteed by Protection 1 and all wholly owned domestic subsidiaries of the combined company and will be secured by first priority security interests in substantially all of the assets of the issuer and the guarantors. As a result, Protection 1 expects that these notes will maintain their current ratings and remain outstanding. Financing is being provided by Barclays, Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Deutsche Bank and Royal Bank of Canada. PSP Investments Credit USA LLC is also a committed lender under this debt financing. Goldman, Sachs is serving as lead financial advisor to ADT and BofA Merrill Lynch is also serving as financial advisor to ADT. Barclays, Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Deutsche Bank, and RBC Capital Markets, LLC are serving as financial advisors to Protection 1. Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP is acting as legal advisor to ADT. Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP is acting as legal advisor to Protection 1 and Apollo. *** Liberty Global plc (Nasdaq: LBTYA) and Vodafone Group Plc (Nasdaq: VOD) announced that Liberty Global Europe Holding B.V. and Vodafone International Holdings B.V. have reached an agreement to merge their operating businesses in the Netherlands to form a 50:50 joint venture (the JV). The JV will operate under both the Vodafone and Ziggo brands and will create a nationwide integrated communications provider with over 15 million revenue generating units, of which 4.2 million are video, 3.2 million are high-speed broadband, 2.6 million are fixed-line telephony and 5.3 million are mobile4. By combining Ziggos market-leading Horizon TV product suite, 200 Mbps nationwide broadband internet and extensive Wi-Fi network, together with Vodafones market-leading, data-rich 4G mobile propositions, Dutch consumers will enjoy a high-quality customer experience with superior connectivity and entertainment both in and outside the home. In addition, the JV will become a leading national enterprise business through the combination of Vodafones B2B expertise, product portfolio and strong distribution footprint together with Ziggos B2B operations and its high-capacity nationwide cable network. This will ensure sustainable competition in the small, medium and large business segments across the Netherlands, which will benefit the overall Dutch economy. Financial Profile of the Joint Venture5 Vodafone and Liberty Global will ensure that the JV will benefit from the scale benefits and complementary expertise of each partner. The parties have agreed to provide a suite of services to the JV post completion. These services principally comprise IT and technology-related services, procurement, brand management and other support services. The annual charges to the JV will depend on the actual level of services required by the JV. Financial information for Ziggo and Vodafone Netherlands is presented below for the 12 months ended December 31, 2015. m; December 31, 2015 Ziggo6 m; December 31, 2015 VodafoneNetherlands Revenue 2015 2,484 Revenue 2015 1,929 OCF 20157 1,352 EBITDA 20158 643 EstimatedShareholder Recharges9 (81) Estimated IncrementalShareholder Recharges9 (48) OCF 2015 After Estimated Shareholder Recharges 1,272 EBITDA 2015 After IncrementalShareholder Recharges 595 Property & Equipment Additions 2015 (484) Capital Additions 2015 (338) Transaction Details Based upon the enterprise value of each business, and after deducting Ziggos 7.3 billion of net debt2, Vodafone will make a cash payment to Liberty Global of 1 billion to equalize ownership in the JV, reflecting the 2 billion difference in the two companies equity value. Vodafone Netherlands will be contributed to the JV on a debt and cash free basis. The JV will target a leverage ratio of 4.5-5.0x covenant3 EBITDA. Accordingly, the JV is expected to raise new debt financing in the future to reach its target leverage ratio, with proceeds to be distributed equally between Liberty Global and Vodafone. The transaction will not trigger a change of control under Ziggos existing third-party debt. The JV intends to distribute 100% of its available cash to the shareholders and is expected to undertake periodic further recapitalizations, subject to market and operating conditions, to maintain its 4.5-5.0x target leverage ratio. Between signing and closing, each party will retain the free cash flow of their respective operations. Liberty Global will contribute an estimated 321 million10 of Ziggo net operating losses to the JV at closing and retain ownership of the remaining 2.9 billion11 of its other Dutch net operating losses. Following completion of the transaction, neither Vodafone nor Liberty Global will consolidate the JV. After closing, Liberty Globals 50% interest in the JV will be attributed to the Liberty Global Group, which is primarily comprised of Liberty Globals European operations. The transaction is expected to be enhancing to Vodafones free cash flow per share from the second full year post completion. Synergy Opportunity The JV is expected to generate significant efficiencies, with run-rate cost and capex synergies of 280 million1 on an annual basis by the fifth full year post closing, equivalent to a net present value of approximately 2.5 billion after integration costs. The key expected sources of cost and capex synergies include: Use of existing infrastructure to provide services for each entitys customers at lower cost compared to standalone / wholesale capabilities; Combination of regional and national network infrastructures and IT systems; Reduction in combined marketing expenditures; Potential to reduce general and administration costs; and Site rationalization. To achieve these synergies, the JV expects to incur approximately 350 million of integration costs, most of which will be incurred in the first three years post completion. The JV will have a significant opportunity to provide Ziggos triple-play services to Vodafone Netherlands existing mobile consumers and enterprise customers and to provide Vodafone Netherlands mobile services to Ziggos existing residential and business customers. The JV will also benefit from Vodafones and Liberty Globals collective global scale and technical expertise and will offer customers a wide range of products, content and services that draw on each companys products and networks, greatly enhancing choice and competition in the Dutch market. It is expected that the JV will generate revenue synergies from these areas with a net present value of 1 billion. Inclusive of revenue synergies, the total expected synergies have an estimated net present value of approximately 3.5 billion after integration costs. The estimated synergies mentioned above are incremental to the unrealized portion of the synergies announced by Liberty Global from the combination of Ziggo and UPC Netherlands. Management, Governance and Exit The Supervisory Board of the JV is expected to be comprised of three representatives from each of Liberty Global and Vodafone and two members nominated by the Works Council. Certain matters will require unanimous approval of both companies representatives. The post of Chairman will be held for alternating 12 month periods by a Liberty Global or Vodafone appointed director. Key management positions will be announced prior to completion of the transaction. Each shareholder has the right to initiate an Initial Public Offering of the JV after the third anniversary of closing, with the opportunity for the other shareholder to sell shares in the IPO on a pro-rata basis. The parties have agreed to restrictions on other transfers of interests in the JV until the fourth anniversary of closing. After the fourth anniversary, each shareholder will be able to initiate a sale of the entire JV to a third party, subject to a right of first offer in favor of the other shareholder. Integration, Organization and Employees Vodafone and Liberty Global recognize that their employees will be vital to the success of the JV. The agreement to merge Vodafone Netherlands and Ziggo is subject to customary consultations with the respective Works Councils. Conditions to Completion and Indicative Timetable The transaction is subject to prior regulatory approval. Liberty Global and Vodafone have undertaken preparatory work on the required competition filings and will formally request approval from the European Commission in due course. Based on the required steps and subject to the customary closing conditions and approvals, Liberty Global and Vodafone anticipate that completion will take place around the end of 2016. The transaction is not subject to Vodafone or Liberty Global shareholder approvals. *** Stryker Corporation (NYSE: SYK) announced a definitive agreement to acquire 100% of the stock of Physio-Control International, Inc. ("Physio-Control") in an all cash transaction for $1.28 billion. Physio-Control, which is a portfolio company of Bain Capital Private Equity, develops, manufactures and markets monitors/defibrillators, automated external defibrillators (AEDs) and CPR-assist devices along with data management and support services. The company was founded in 1955 and has a long history of innovation with products that target urgent patient care, specifically designed to improve survival rates and patient outcomes. The company's portfolio is highly complementary to Stryker Medical's EMS (Emergency Medical Services) offering and will drive a greater balance between capital and disposables. Physio-Control also brings an enhanced presence and infrastructure that will expand Stryker's global footprint. Physio-Control sales for fiscal 2015 totaled $503 million, up 6% in constant currency over the prior year. "Physio-Control has achieved global leadership positions with a strong brand and customer-centered solutions that can predict or intervene in life-threatening emergencies," stated Kevin A. Lobo, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "Physio-Control's focused strategy and their culture will fit well within the EMS business of our Medical division, further leveraging our existing call pattern. We look forward to welcoming the Physio-Control team to Stryker." "Joining Stryker is an exciting next step in the evolution of Physio-Control for both our team and our customers," said Brian Webster, President and Chief Executive Officer of Physio-Control. "Stryker has a deep understanding of capital equipment and of our core market segments. We will build on the success our team has achieved in partnership with Bain Capital, and further accelerate the execution of our strategy, including continued investment in great product solutions for our customers." "It has been a privilege to work collaboratively with Brian and the management team as the company has shown great progress and built even more enduring customer loyalty," said Chris Gordon, a Managing Director at Bain Capital Private Equity. "Physio-Control has added significant operational strength and made substantial investments in R&D to accelerate the development and launch of its next generation product lines. We believe the business is well positioned for further growth, and are confident that Physio-Control will continue to thrive under Stryker's ownership." The closing of the transaction is subject to expiration or termination of the applicable waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act and other customary closing conditions. The acquisition of Physio-Control is expected to close at the beginning of the second quarter and be slightly accretive to our adjusted per share earnings in 2016. Our revised adjusted 2016 EPS guidance reflecting the Physio-Control acquisition and the previously announced transactions is now $5.57-5.77 up 8.8-12.7% which includes a 2.5% negative foreign exchange rate impact on our adjusted earnings per share. For 2017 we expect the acquisition of Sage and Physio-Control combined will be accretive by $0.15-0.18, net of the negative impact of postponing our share repurchases that were included in our original guidance for 2016. Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP are serving as outside legal counsel for Stryker in connection with this transaction. Citi and Jefferies LLC acted as financial advisors, and Kirkland & Ellis LLP served as legal counsel, to Bain Capital. *** Freeport-McMoRan Inc. (NYSE: FCX) announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to sell a 13 percent ownership interest in its Morenci unincorporated joint venture to Sumitomo Metal Mining Co., Ltd. (SMM) for $1.0 billion in cash. Richard C. Adkerson, FCXs President and Chief Executive Officer, said: We are pleased to expand our partnership at Morenci with Sumitomo. This transaction represents an important initial step toward our objective to accelerate debt reduction and restore our balance sheet, while retaining a portfolio of high quality assets and resources. Mr. Adkerson continued: Our Morenci partnership with Sumitomo was first established 30 years ago and both companies are confident of the operations long-term future. With its long-lived reserves, substantial resource position, attractive cost structure and best in class operating team, the Morenci joint venture is positioned to be a continuing strong contributor to the success of FCX and Sumitomo. The Morenci unincorporated joint venture is currently owned 85 percent by FCX and 15 percent by Sumitomo Metal Mining Arizona Inc. (SMMAz is owned 80 percent by SMM and 20 percent by Sumitomo Corporation). Following completion of the transaction, the joint venture will be owned 72 percent by FCX, 15 percent by SMMAz, and 13 percent by an affiliate that is fully owned by SMM. As of December 31, 2015, FCXs 85 percent share of consolidated recoverable reserves totaled 12.0 billion pounds of copper and its 85 percent share of 2015 production approximated 900 million pounds of copper. In 2015, FCXs 85 percent share of Morenci revenues totaled $2.2 billion and production and delivery costs totaled $1.5 billion. The transaction is expected to close in mid-2016, subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions. FCX expects to use the proceeds to repay borrowings under its bank term loan and revolving credit facility. FCX expects to record an approximate $550 million gain on the transaction. FCX expects to use losses to offset cash taxes on the transaction. FCX is a premier U.S.-based natural resources company with an industry-leading global portfolio of mineral assets, significant oil and gas resources and a growing production profile. FCX is the world's largest publicly traded copper producer. FCX's portfolio of assets includes the Grasberg minerals district in Indonesia, one of the world's largest copper and gold deposits; significant mining operations in the Americas, including the large-scale Morenci minerals district in North America and the Cerro Verde operation in South America; the Tenke Fungurume minerals district in the DRC; and significant U.S. oil and natural gas assets in the Deepwater GOM, onshore and offshore California and in the Haynesville natural gas shale, and a position in the Inboard Lower Tertiary/Cretaceous natural gas trend onshore in South Louisiana. To keep up on all the Mergers & Acquisitions data in real-time, go to our M&A Insider page. A man and woman had to be cut from the mangled wreck of their car after it collided with a truck in the Auckland suburb of Mt Wellington on Tuesday. The crash happened on Penrose Rd just after 7pm. "Early indications are that the car has crossed onto the wrong side of the road and the truck has crashed into the car," said Mt Wellington road policing Sergeant Marty Tompkins. Sam Sword Emergency personnel had to cut two people from their car after it collided with a truck on Penrose Rd. A police communications spokesman said both of the car's occupants had to be cut from the vehicle by the fire service. They were taken to hospital in a serious condition, but their injuries were not thought to be life-threatening. The truck was an Auckland Transport vehicle. Police said the driver was uninjured. "[This] early stage in the investigation indicates that the truck is not at fault, however it is an ongoing investigation and the absolute outcome won't be known for another few days," Tompkins said. The two people in the car were wearing seatbelts, he said, which undoubtedly reduced the trauma they suffered. The crash blocked on lane on Penrose Rd but traffic was still flowing. Homes such as this one on Eskdale Road in Birkdale were left unfinished when Valiant Homes collapsed. An Auckland company director who fled after his residential property development group collapsed last year owing $6 million is still nowhere to be found. A year on the receivers and liquidators trying to unravel the Valiant Homes failure say they have no idea where Hamish Clarke is. Creditors remain around $6.5m out of pocket. This includes $1.2m owed to tradespeople who worked on the firm's in-fill housing developments. "I don't know if he's in New Zealand, I don't know if he's overseas," receiver Chris McCullagh of PKF Corporate Recovery said. "All I know is no-one seems to have heard from or seen him in quite some time. "Hamish Clarke has been a particularly difficult person for everybody to deal with." READ MORE * Failed property developer puts a ring on it * Developer a devotee of US motivator Tony Robbins Clarke vanished soon after putting Valiant Homes into liquidation on March 4. So did all of the company's records, computers and server. It later emerged that as Valiant's tradies were going unpaid Clarke was in Europe staying at a $1500-a-night Italian hotel and presenting a large diamond ring to his Austrian fiancee. Clarke also spent thousands attending seminars by American motivational speaker Tony Robbins, of whom he was reportedly a big fan. A group of related companies which carried out Valiant's projects on Auckland's North Shore are also in liquidation. Given the absence of accounting records the liquidators have had to rely on what related parties tell them, Gareth Hoole, liquidator of VH Projects Two Ltd, said. "There is evidence of inappropriate activity on the part of the director," he said. The Valiant Homes group went under leaving 13 properties in varying stages of completion. Two houses on one site in Birkdale sat half-completed for months. One of Valiant Homes' financiers, west Auckland-based Savings and Loans, called in the receivers on the day after the liquidation to protect its interests. It has since sold three of the four properties it lent on, recovering $745,000 of its $3.2m debt. It is continuing with an application for resource consent to develop 11 houses on a fourth North Shore site, in order to maximise its value. The property has a CV of $1m. Other financiers to the group have similarly continued with developments to try to recoup some of their losses. The finance companies thought they were lending against particular projects but in reality the funds could have gone anywhere, McCullagh said. "All the money went into Valiant and it went to pay whoever needed to be paid. "I don't think any of these guys knew that." The Valiant group's debt includes $840,000 owed to the Inland Revenue Department. Two of the planes were armed and mock dogfights occurred on two occasions when Greek fighters moved to intercept. (Photo: AP) Athens: Turkish warplanes repeatedly entered Greek airspace on Monday, the state ANA news agency said, as Nato prepared to deploy ships to the Aegean Sea against migrant smugglers. The Athens News Agency said six warplanes and a navy transport plane had carried out over 20 violations of Greek national airspace near the eastern and central Aegean islands. Two of the planes were armed and mock dogfights occurred on two occasions when Greek fighters moved to intercept, the agency said. No live rounds were exchanged. The incident occurred as a Nato naval group was to launch patrols in the waters between the two countries to deter people-smugglers facilitating the influx of hundreds of thousands of refugees and migrants into Europe. Albeit Nato allies, Greece and Turkey have a fraught history going back centuries and remain at loggerheads over territorial and airspace rights in the Aegean. Athens fears that Ankara could exploit the refugee crisis to strengthen its presence in the Aegean, where it claims the waters and airspace surrounding many Greek islands near its coastline. Greece and Turkey nearly went to war over a cluster of uninhabited Aegean Sea islets in 1996. Athens has said it is keen to work with Turkey on stamping out people-smuggling networks, but it wants Ankara to apply a bilateral agreement on migrant re-admission which is currently all but inactive. Thousands of migrants are still crossing the Aegean daily from Turkey -- with many dying in the attempt -- after over a million made the perilous journey last year. Trout fisherman in Taupo are not happy with a proposal to fram silver carp in the area. The price of a silver carp fish farm in Taupo could be in the millions if they escape and breed, says one opponent. While farm proposer Golden Harvest Aquaculture director Richard Clark has said he is "totally confident" there is zero risk of fish entering the waterways, New Zealand First's Richard Prosser is not convinced. And he's not alone with the Taupo Fishery Advisory Committee, local anglers and Taupo Distract Councillors all expressing concerns about the project. MATT SHAND/FAIRFAX NX Turangi's Peter Church and Graham Whynot are firmly against the proposal to build a carp farm in Taupo. "It's not a good idea," Prosser said. "Even with the best technology and the best intentions these will escape because they do." The Carp farm is to be sited on Rakaunui Road, about 6km from the Taupo township and 2.5km away from the Waikato River. FAIRFAX NZ A silver carp from a farm in Rodney. The closest gully that leads to the Waikato River is 1.4 kilometres away. The proposal is still awaiting final approval from the Department of Conservation, Ministry of Primary Industries and Waikato Regional Council. Research into the species undertaken by NIWA and Ministry of Primary Industries suggests Grass and Silver Carp cannot breed in the wild in New Zealand conditions because the rivers do not meet the correct temperature and flow rate required for reproduction. While a Department of Conservation report in 2014 said grass carp breeding population could "theoretically establish" in the Waikato River if a series of conditions were all met but, due to high mortality rates expected, a rampant population was unlikely. During Parliament's question time on February 10 Prosser asked Conservation Minister Maggie Barry if she was confident that silver carp posed no threat to the trout fishery. In reply Barry said DoC's technical and science advisory team had advised her that the company had gone a long way down the track to make sure the silver carp stayed within the ponds. "Silver carp and grass carp, as the member may know, are breeds of fish that will not breed in New Zealand waters unless they have hormonal injections," she said. But Trout Fishery Advisory Council chairman Graham Whyman wanted to make sure the worst case scenario was looked at before a decision was made on the farm. "When I see words like highly unlikely, and low probability it does not inspire me with confidence," he said. Whyman is calling on people to attend public meetings and speak to their local representatives about the issue. "Politicians are aware of what anglers can do," he said referring to National MP Duncan McIntyre losing his seat in a massive upset in the 1970s after he supported establishing a trout farm in the area. Turangi Fishing guide for 30 years Peter Church said the politicians "won't be able to put the cork back in the bottle" if things go wrong. "The catfish in the lake are one example," he said. "No one thought they could breed in there but they are." Golden Harvest Aquaculture has said all breeding for the Taupo farm would be conducted in a controlled laboratory at the Mahurangi Technical Institute in Auckland. There would also be a system that preventeds birds picking up the fish, as well as heated ponds to kill any escaping fish and clear land between the farm and river are some of the mitigating factors. "We've worked on the plans for this project for the past two years and I am totally confident that there is zero risk of the Carp entering the waterways around Taupo from a breach in our system," Clark said. "We have had numerous experts from many fields assist us in our planning and we have had no issues with receiving any of the many consents and licences required before we can start construction." The boss of an Invercargill meatworks plant says it is "gut wrenching" to have 130 employees out of work after processing was suspended last week. Prime Range Meats general manager Paul Hamilton has expressed his frustration after employees were sent home last Tuesday until further notice. He was reluctant to delve into details of what was wrong, but confirmed the issue was at a director level. "It's gut wrenching to have them [employees] without work and the sooner I can get this sorted the better," Hamilton said. READ MORE: Meat workers told to go home Meetings were continuing on Monday and Hamilton said he would be contacting employees as soon as he had information to tell them. "It's very, very difficult, but it's a directors' situation." Hamilton put out a notice to employees on February 9 saying the company had no option but to suspend meat processing. "Due to delays with set-up of support processes by the new owner, we have no option but to suspend processing until these support processes are in place," the notice says. "The support processes are under implementation but have not been finalised as yet. We understand this is a difficult time but appreciate your support." It was unclear on Monday when or if the Invercargill plant would reopen. The Chinese directors of the company were expected to make a public comment in the next 48 hours. It is understood the advent of the Chinese new year festivities, which has coincided with delays in the setting up support services, has not helped the situation. A Prime Range Meats employee, who received a text from his manager on Friday saying work prospects were not looking good for a fortnight, said on Monday he had not heard anything else. He was trying to secure financial assistance from WINZ, but said the weekly WINZ payment would be about $400 less than his Prime Range Meats wage. Prime Range Meats director Ian Tulloch said on Friday he understood the issue was a shareholders issue at the Chinese directors' level. "We aren't in control of the company, [the] Chinese are and ... yeah, we will be keen on getting it sorted as soon as possible as well." "It's not good for Southland, any sort of setback like this isn't good." Chinese trading group Lianhua was announced as the new majority shareholder for Prime Range Meats 15 months ago. The New Zealand companies website lists the directors of Prime Range Meats as Anthony Forde of Invercargill, Yong Sheng Ma of Auckland, Tulloch of Gore, Xiaojun Wang of China and Lineng Zhu of China. Justice Jill Mallon asked about the assurances China had given for the treatment of a New Zealand resident. The decision to extradite a New Zealand resident to China for questioning about a murder, should be scrapped and reconsidered if necessary, the man's lawyer says. Kyung Yup Kim has spent nearly five years on what his lawyer Tony Ellis has called "death or torture row", fighting extradition. The assurances from China that Kim would not be executed if found guilty, that he would not be tortured and would get a trial that accorded to Chinese law, emerged as central considerations in a case heard at the High Court in Wellington on Monday and Tuesday. FAIRFAX NZ Crown lawyer Austin Powell said assurances China had given raised Kim's treatment up to the level of an international obligation - but he conceded those rights could not be enforced. Kim, 40, is challenging Justice Minister Amy Adams' decision that he should be extradited for questioning about the death of a woman in Shanghai in 2009. READ MORE: * Extradition seen as test case for Chinese 'economic criminals' * Kyung Yup Kim refused bail while fighting extradition * New Zealand resident loses latest round of long extradition case Kim's brother Dion was at court with his mother for the hearing. He said it had been a very hard time for the family for nearly five years. Kim is a Korean citizen but a New Zealand resident since coming here with his family as a teenager. He has been in an Auckland jail since 2011 even though he has not be charged with any offence. Dion Kim said his brother had been in Shanghai on business. Crown lawyer Austin Powell said the assurances the New Zealand government had obtained from China elevated the protection of Kim's rights and treatment to a matter of international obligation normally reserved for matters of national importance. "And how is that enforceable?" Justice Jill Mallon asked. "It's not," Powell said. Kim's lawyer, Tony Ellis, said the assurances could not be relied on. Notwithstanding the assurances the evidence was that the applicable Chinese law would not be followed and was not worth the paper it was written on. Kim denies being responsible for the death of the woman. He says another person is responsible and he left China before the body was discovered on wasteland in Shanghai. The judge has two decisions to make and has indicated she will probably issue them separately. The first is whether the length of time taken over extradition means Kim should be discharged and the process done again, if necessary. The second is whether Adams followed the right process in making the decision, including whether she had the relevant information and took into account the proper considerations. Money and cameras were stolen from Te Rangimarie Kohanga Reo on Collins Rd, Melville. A spate of school burglaries across the Waikato has caused thousands of dollars worth of damage and left children without classroom equipment. And although the weekend spree meant heartache for some schools, one daycare centre was surprised when police recovered a stash of toys thieves stole from them in December. Vandals caused damage to five classrooms at Te Aroha Primary School and ripped electronics from the walls. Principal Kevin Johnson said the school would be now forced to change the locks. READ MORE: Tots lose out after toys stolen from Te Awamutu daycare centre "We think the thefts occurred on the Saturday night and unfortunately, we've had to re-key the whole school because at this stage, it doesn't look like there's been any forced entry," Johnson said. "They took a projector and ripped speakers from the wall. "The kids are mortified. A lot of community funding went in to purchasing the goods they stole, it's beyond disappointing." Johnson said the total cost of damage and to replace the locks at the school would tally at least $10,000. "These people need to realise that it's the kids that miss out here," he said. "We have to replace the things that were stolen. "My message to anyone who knows what happened, is to call police because the [thieves] can go on and do this again." In Hamilton, Te Rangimarie Kohanga Reo on Collins Rd, Melville, had money and cameras stolen. Staff believe the thefts happened on Saturday or Sunday night. Staff member Carla Marino said around $500 was stolen. The money was to be banked into their fundraising account on Monday, the day they realised they had been robbed. "We've been saving for a deposit to move to a new premises for five years now," Marino said. "We fundraise every month and it may not seem like much money to some but that sets us back a bit." Marino said the kohanga had been on Collins Rd for ten years and they had never had any problems with thefts. "We let families play on the playground equipment on the weekends, as long as they tidy it up, and it's been fine," Marino said. "They stole a camcorder and two small cameras that we use to take pictures of the tamariki. They took the cash, drinks from the fridge, change I had in my office drawer. "I don't get why they would want to steal from our kids, from us, we don't have much." Hamilton Senior Sergeant Juliet Burgess said police were informed of the theft at Te Aroha Primary School. Burgess said she is aware the items could be sold online. "It's also important to encourage people not to buy cheap electronics online. Give some consideration to the victims that have been disadvantaged through these crimes," she said. "If people want to remain anonymous, they can report crimes at 0800 555 111." And in Te Awamutu, police recovered a large amount of toys when they searched a property on an unrelated matter. Acting detective sergeant Dean Schrader said they toys "didn't fit in at where they were found". The toys, which included Little Tykes bubble cars, a pedal tractor, green plastic motorbikes and plastic ride-on bikes, matched the description of the items taken from Barnyard Childcare on Racecourse Rd, Te Awamutu, just before Christmas. Barnyard supervisor Ros Griffin said she believed a good majority of the recovered toys were taken from the centre. "We're thankful the toys have been found but we understand we can't get them back until police have prosecuted whoever took them," she said. "We've had toys gifted and have replaced some of them, but it will be great to get these back." The items can be viewed on the Te Awamutu Police Facebook page. Te Awamutu detectives have asked any potential owners or outstanding victims to call the station on 07 872 0100. Mitchell Heward, 17, died after drinking alcohol at a lakeside party on Lake Kaniere, near Hokitika, on Saturday. A West Coast 17-year-old who died after drinking beer and spirits through a funnel was not usually a heavy drinker. Police have called the death of Hokitika twin Mitchell Heward "binge drinking at its worst". Heward was drinking heavily at a party at Lake Kaniere on Saturday when other partygoers failed to realise he was in trouble. Detective Senior Sergeant Kevin Tiernan said his behaviour was out of character. "Information we've received is that he wasn't usually a drinker. He would have one beer from time to time but never more than that. On this occasion it seems he has consumed an excessive amount." Police are investigating who supplied the alcohol, which was bought legitimately, to the teens. READ MORE: West Coast teenager dies after drinking incident The group was at the lake playing drinking games, Tiernan said. "They were pouring alcohol into a funnel and down a tube. It's binge drinking at its worst. This young guy has paid a terrible price for it. "People he was associating with didn't have the experience, or weren't motivated to look after him, or didn't recognise the signs that he was getting into difficulty due to their own drinking. "It was a lot of young people not drinking socially, but drinking stupidly and on this occasion it ended with tragic consequences." Another 17-year-old girl was treated for "extreme intoxication" but has since been released from hospital and interviewed by police. Tiernan said investigators at first believed the death was suspicious, but were now treating it as sudden death inquiry. The Heward family put up a short request on an a public R.I.P page. "For those who [in]tend on attending Mitchells funeral and if you attend(ed) scouts, boys brigade, South Westland area school or Westland high could you please wear the uniform many thanks Mitchells family." DEATH 'SO UNFAIR' West Coasters have posted tributes to Heward who died "too young" and messages of sympathy to his family on the facebook page. "It seems so unfair that you have been taken so suddenly and tragically," Teena Vincent, who taught Mitchell and his siblings at Kaniere School, posted. "I'm not sure I will ever understand how something so avoidable could have taken you way before you were ready to go." "I truly hope that your passing is not in vain and your legacy to others in our community is that 'life is precious'." Former rugby manager Jenny Keogan posted that Heward was "way too young to go". Terry Sheridan, who Mitchell milked cows for, said he was "a real good kid" who worked hard. Police said Mitchell was part of a group of about nine at the lake on Saturday. Some were drinking despite not being old enough to buy alcohol. Several people tried to help the teenagers before emergency services arrived, including people at the lake and an off-duty doctor. In New Zealand, it is illegal to supply alcohol to someone under 18 unless: * The person supplying alcohol is the parent or legal guardian and it is supplied responsibly. * The person supplying alcohol has the consent of the young person's parent or legal guardian. Failure to do so could result in a $2000 fine. There is no age at which it is illegal to drink alcohol in New Zealand. Mother Bronwyn Tracey Saunders, 46, was the first person convicted for supplying alcohol to minors in Canterbury under the current liquor laws that came into effect in December 2013. She was fined $2000 in the Christchurch District Court on six charges of supplying alcohol to minors after parents of the teenagers she bought alcohol for complained to police. Saunders supplied alcohol to several teenagers her daughter invited to two parties held at their house. Truck driver Eddie Davies said an advertisement about heart attacks saved his life. It took a television ad for Eddie Davies to realise the pain in his chest was a heart attack, not heartburn - and it saved his life. The Waikato truck driver said he has no doubt he is alive today because he diagnosed his own heart attack after watching a Heart Foundation advert. The 63-year-old Matamata man had been having small heart attacks all week before a major heart attack in September that required surgery. MATT SHAND/FAIRFAX NZ. Truckie Eddie Davies, 63, from Matamata, said men are generally stubborn and don't like to seek medical help. "I had what I thought was heartburn, but I had that for five days," Davies said. "I just thought it was bloody heartburn." READ MORE: * How to spot a heart attack * Intense anger could trigger heart attack hours later * NZ heart disease deaths higher than OECD average * Heart-attack patient told to take bus home from hospital * Man dies of heart attack in front of hospital Davies and his wife Kay were watching TV one evening and a Heart Foundation advertisement played. "The ad was about the three men and you had to guess which one was having a heart attack," he said. "I looked at the wife and said hmmm. The symptoms were so common. "But what do you know, 11 o'clock that evening. I had a heart attack." Davies said the pain radiated through his chest. "I was hot and clammy and the pain was like heartburn but it was a lot more severe," he said. "I knew it was a heart attack. All the symptoms fit with what I saw on the TV. He said had he not watched the advertisement, he would have taken an antacid and gone back to sleep. "I could've been dead. That ad saved my life." Davies had surgery at Waikato Hospital the day after he was admitted. "Two out of three arteries were totally blocked so they put in two stents and I was discharged the next day, he said. "It was the 'I'll be right' attitude for five days. So I'd say to anybody, no matter who they are or what they do, if you've got a pain in the chest, go straight to the doctor or ring the ambulance." Heart Foundation medical director Gerry Devlin said he encouraged Kiwis totake stock of their own heart health. According to the OECD, New Zealand loses 138 lives to heart disease per 100,000, which is 18 per cent higher than the OECD average. New Zealand trails Australia and the United Kingdom (98 per 100,000), Canada (95 per 100,000) and the US (128 per 100,000). "We already knew heart disease was New Zealand's biggest killer but this new data shows we're also performing far worse than many of our OECD counterparts," Devlin said. "It's disappointing because although we've made great gains in preventing and treating heart disease in New Zealand, we still have a long way to go." Devlin said he was unable to explain why the rates are higher than other countries as the research wasn't there. He said the Heart Foundation appeal, held this month, is the organisation's largest campaign of the year. "We simply cannot continue our life-saving work without the generous support of everyday Kiwis. Every single dollar makes a difference." And for Davies, he believes 50 years of smoking was probably what caused his heart attack. He said although he's not smoking anymore, it was "sheer hell giving it up". Retirement is looming and Davies is thinking about driving around New Zealand with his wife. "I survived leukemia, I survived the heart attack, I'm not sure if I'll get a third chance so I better do it soon." Shh... The Adult Fun Spot owner/operator Nicky Hughes and Kai Kitchen Hawera founder Rochelle Steer talk about their connection. A brothel is holding an open day to raise money for a charity that feeds hungry children. Nicky Hughes, owner of Hawera's "Shh... Adult Fun Spot" brothel in South Taranaki, is touting the March 12 open day as a two-pronged effort to break down barriers between the community and the sex industry, while raising funds for Hawera's Kai Kitchen charity Hughes is a committee member of the charity that provides more than 40 lunches every day for school children in South Taranaki. PETRA FINER Shh... The Adult Fun Spot, Union Street and High Street Hawera. READ MORE: * Ngaruawahia sandwich gang now feeding close to 1000 children * Gang feeds hungry school kids * Bail no barrier to Head Hunter's play time * Eat My Lunch start-up to feed children in need "[It's an] awesome cause, feeds our children, no discrimination, no judgment and the kids are able to have a lunch," she said. "This industry gets a bit of bad rap and we want to open up to the public to show what it is we really do. PETRA FINER Kai Kitchen Hawera founder Rochelle Steer and Shh... owner/operator Nicky Hughes. "The industry is not what it's made out to be on TV really, it's about education. We want to educate people about what we do and why." Hughes didn't know how many people she could expect at the R18 event, but said she would have three of her staff members on site to lead tours and answer questions about their jobs. She employed four permanent staff, and three others who chose their own hours, Hughes said. Kai Kitchen founder Rochelle Steer, who is a friend of Hughes, said it was possible, if not probable, there would be people who disapproved of the partnership between the brothel and the charity. "This is how I look at it. I'm really open-minded and the work we do, we don't judge people. "If somebody needs help we just help them and in return I would expect people to do the same for us." Working in a brothel did not make these people any less a part of the community or any less in need of a job and money to provide for their own families, Steer said. Steer, who was nominated for Taranaki Daily News 2015 Person of the Year, for establishing the Koha Shed, of which Kai Kitchen is an offshoot, said the open day idea was a winner because "people are nosy". "They want to know what goes on here, I wanted to know that's why I came up here and had a look," she said. "If I'm as nosy as half the people in town, they'll want to have a look too." And as for people's disapproval, Steer said she had a plan of attack for dealing with it. "I'm just going to ignore it," she said. New Zealand Prostitutes Collective national coordinator Catherine Healy commended Hughes on her decision, which she saw as an act of bravery. "I take my hat off to people who are courageous enough to put a face to sex work, because it comes at a severe cost." Sex workers continued to face discrimination by the community and other employers and opening the brothel doors to allow people to understand the occupation better was a good thing, Healy said. "Sex workers have bigger lives than just simply being sex workers. They're active members of other parts of the community." South Taranaki District Mayor Ross Dunlop said while he was unable to attend the open day he wished Hughes and Steer well in their endeavour. "Like any legitimate business in South Taranaki I wish them well. "And good on them for supporting a good cause," he said. A man who used a key-ring camera to film a teenage girl as she showered has been sentenced to five months of home detention. The 43-year-old man earlier pleaded guilty to a representative charge of making an objectionable publication. Christchurch District Court Judge Raoul Neave rejected the suggestion the man, who migrated to New Zealand 12 years ago, was unaware of acceptable standards of behaviour. He told the man: "I would be highly surprised if this conduct would have been tolerated in your own country as well". The 43-year-old's offending was found out when the 15-year-old girl found a key ring camera had been left operating under some plastic on the bathroom window sill. The girl took the camera to school where she put its memory card into an iPad and found recordings. The 43-year-old had secretly video-taped her 35 times in the bathroom and in her bedroom. The man is living at a friend's house because his relationship broke up after the offending was discovered. Judge Neave imposed a sentence of five months' home detention at a Christchurch address, with a special condition that he continue treatment. The girl had been left "feeling vulnerable and paranoid", but she had a fairly robust attitude and she had not had counselling. He said the man had a good work history and his employer was continuing to support him. The judge refused name suppression, but said publishing the man's name would identify the victim, so it could not be published. A 20-year-old man is facing a jail term after he admitted being the ringleader for two armed dairy robberies described as "amateur hour exercises" by a judge. Defence counsel Craig Ruane applied for bail for Joshua Felise Nuu pending sentencing, saying the Christchurch robberies were "pretty amateur" since no disguises had been used and the incidents had been caught on security camera. Christchurch District Court Judge Raoul Neave told Nuu though that "stupidity is not a ground for granting people bail". He remanded Nuu in custody for sentencing on May 10, after guilty pleas on charges of armed robbery and assault with intent to rob. Judge Neaveaccepted Nuu had been co-operative with police, and his family had taken him to the police station, but he believed a prison term would be imposed because there were two incidents and someone had been hurt. Police posted images and made an appeal on Facebook after the robberies last month. Nuu's family then took him to the police station where he admitted being the ringleader. He told police a friend had died recently and he had found things tough. He knew he would be caught for the robberies. Nuu was armed with a hammer when he went to a dairy in Avonside, and an associate was armed with a knife. A third, unidentified robber drove the car. Nuu demanded cigarettes and cash and got about $500 in the first robbery on January 8. At another dairy in Bowhill Rd on January 25, he and his associate tried to rob the 21-year-old shopkeeper, who became upset. She lay curled on the floor, but Huu swung the hammer causing a graze on her forearm. When the woman's mother came to her aid, the two robbers ran out and drove away, without taking anything. Nuu's alleged co-offender would appear in court on Thursday. he Foreign Office said Pakistani troops are part of the multinational military exercise being staged by Saudi Arabia. In a statement issued late last night, it said Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have close defence ties going on for decades. (Representational Image) Islamabad: Pakistani troops have joined armed forces from around 20 countries for "the largest, most important military manoeuvres" ever staged by its close ally Saudi Arabia to ramp up their counter-terrorism skills. The Foreign Office said Pakistani troops are part of the multinational military exercise being staged by Saudi Arabia. In a statement issued late last night, it said Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have close defence ties going on for decades. "It is in this backdrop that Pakistan is participating in a multi-national exercise on counter-terrorism being held in Saudi Arabia," it said. "This includes military exercises and intense training cooperation in various domains. Both countries have training exchanges in which trainers are sent to Saudi Arabia for multiple training areas and Saudi Armed Forces personnel also receive training in Pakistan," it said, without giving details about the schedule of the military exercise. A small Pakistani defence contingent remains stationed in Saudim Arabia under a bilateral arrangement, it said. The remarks by the Foreign Office came after Saudi Arabia announced it was conducting "the largest, most important military maneuvers" ever staged in the region. The "Thunder of the North" exercise involves ground, air, and naval forces. According to official Saudi SPA news agency, troops from around 20 countries, including Pakistan, were gathering in northern Saudi Arabia for military exercises, sparking fears that these countries might also deploy ground troops in Syria. The countries participating in the military exercise include Saudi Arabia's five partners in the Gulf Cooperation Council, and Chad, Egypt, Jordan, Malaysia, Morocco, Pakistan, Senegal and Tunisia, the SPA reported. Saudi Arabia is currently leading a military campaign against Houthi rebels in neighbouring Yemen. Pakistan has already announced it will be part of Saudi Arabia's 34-nation alliance to fight "terrorism" in Islamic countries. But it had also said that it will not deploy troops in foreign countries in combat role. Since the Saudi alliance excludes Shiite regional power Iran, it is feared that the initiative may further sharpen the sectarian divide in the region. Locals from in and around the South Waikato can't get enough of the treasure that is Putaruru Blue Spring. A jewel in the South Waikato's crown has the potential to bring money into the district despite protests from residents to protect it, one councillor says. South Waikato District councillor Herman Van Rooijen said the council had spent years promoting the Te Waihou walkway and Blue Spring in Putaruru and he saw it's recent increase in popularity as a great financial opportunity. "Now that it is happening I don't think we should throw our hands up in the air," he said. FRANCES FERGUSON/FAIRFAX NZ The cooling waters of Te Waihou Blue Springs attracted visitors from far and wide over the sweltering summer weather. "I think we should say 'this is great, how can we manage it?'." READ MORE: * South Waikato jewel in the crown a successful nightmare * Putaruru Blue Spring - NZ's best kept secret? While he agreed that more needed to be done to protect the natural resource, he was concerned that people were coming up with solutions the council couldn't carry out. FRANCE FERGUSON/FAIRFAX NZ With views overlooking the Te Waihou walkway Cheryl Waite is waiting to get the green light to build a licensed cafe and restaurant next to the Springs Some people have suggested closing the Springs off to swimmers, with some going as far as wanting it closed off completely. "The way things have gone over the last few months [with increased visitors] we're going to do things differently." Van Rooijen was an advocate for private development of the Springs with the money council invested in it being returned back to the community. "I see a great opportunity for investment but it would have to be in partnership so we have economic benefit from it." "In our mission statement it says, we want to make our district more vibrant and having all those people come is certainly making our district vibrant," Van Rooijen said. Signs at the Springs carpark also told visitors of other attractions to visit in the South Waikato. I-site manager for Tokoroa and Tirau, Garry Brunton, said the Blue Spring was a "springboard" to other activities. "It brings people here and if you do the right job to attracting them to do other activities and stay longer. "Instead of doing one activity and then leave, we need to cluster lots of other activities around that, that are not mass tourism, that don't compete with Rotorua." A total of 8949 people visited in January. Some of these visitors were from China and came specifically to see the spring which is similar to one back in their home country, he said. "In about 15 to 20 years time our biggest market coming into New Zealand for inbound tourism are the Chinese.The potential for Chinese tourism is huge," Brunton said. Owner of Waihou Lodge & Blue Springs Farmstay Cheryl Waite said developments she had planned for the area would generate jobs for locals. Waite submitted a Resource Consent in October 2015 and is waiting for councils approval to build a licensed cafe and restaurant, carpark, playground, dog run and kayaking business next to the Springs. "I'm trying to hire local people. It's what's best for the area and that's what I'm trying to do." An introduction to the high-tech adventure of geocaching. A network of containers forms a mysterious seam beneath the surface of most New Zealand cities and towns. Reporter Selina Powell explores the hidden world of geocaching in Marlborough. I thought we had found our treasure nestled under a tree on a warm summer evening. The camouflaged metal container had a promising heft to it. DEREK FLYNN/FAIRFAX NZ 28012016 News Photo - Derek Flynn/Fairfax NZ. Teresa Hinton has completed more than 300 geocaches. pic is for feature on geocaching - basically an adult, hi-tech version of a treasure hunt. The geocache is a very small one - half the size of a bullet cartridge, and filled with a type of ticker-tape that records the usernames of those that have found the cache. But when we looked inside, it turned out the puzzle was just beginning. A set of more than 100 keys lay beside a locked blue cash box. READ MORE: * Travelling around the world and geocaching as I go * Geocaching - a challenge for mind, body * Avoid muggles when hunting first cache SELINA POWELL/FAIRFAX NZ Trinkets in a Blenheim geocache. This is geocaching - a high-tech outdoor adventure where people navigate to hidden containers using a GPS device or smartphone. There are hundreds of these mystery boxes deposited around Marlborough and more than 2.5 million hidden internationally. It's a hobby that reveals surprises inside surprises, and the extraordinary in the everyday. Blenheim vineyard supervisor Teresa Hinton, 29, made short work of opening the cash box. She had already come to the cache before. This time she brought her own addition, adding a key to the jangling metal collection. Inside the box were an assortment of trinkets. There was a marble, a plastic toy motorbike, and a handwritten poem. Hinton pointed to a small metal truck with a chipped coat of yellow and orange paint. "That's a travel bug," she explained. Travel bugs are items that carry a unique code, and are carried from cache to cache, racking up considerable distances. Hinton tapped a code into her phone and revealed the well-worn toy had travelled 109,489 kilometres since it was first left in a hideaway in the East Midlands, England in 2009. We found caches in a tree, the corner of an alleyway and under a park bench over the course of the afternoon. Each time we made a find Hinton would check there were no muggles, or non-geocachers, around before taking the container from its hiding place. Geocachers have been mistaken as drug dealers because of the secrecy that surrounds the hobby. "I've had people asking me what I'm doing and people who were going to call the police," Hinton said. Geocaching alone around a children's playground was not ideal, particularly if you were an older male, Hinton said. The furtive nature of geocaching led to awkward standoffs between fellow geocachers who did not know each other, each waiting for the other to leave. There was also the occasional tension between geocachers and members of the public who vandalised, stole or misplaced caches. In January, a New Plymouth grandmother, who knew nothing about the hobby, received a torrent of angry messages on Facebook after she took a rock back to her house before discovering it was a cache. When Hinton was travelling in Europe, the hobby added another element to her international adventure. She found caches on a bridge with thousands of locks in Frankfurt, beside a castle in Slovenia and disguised as a step in a staircase of fungi adorning a tree in the middle of a German forest. "When I travel, it takes me somewhere different," Hinton said. "Somewhere the tourists don't usually go and the tour guides don't take them." Caches ranged in size from ones that are no larger than the rubber on a pencil to large treasure chests. A common thread among the geocachers I talk to is the way the hobby changes how they look at the world around them. They study their surroundings for a break in familiar patterns - rocks in a formation that is too perfect or twigs arranged in a way that they would not fall. A quotation in the cache with hundreds of keys reads: "Joy in looking and comprehending is nature's most beautiful gift". I met the owner of the key cache as he supervised his young children at the skate park on a Saturday morning. The 38-year-old Blenheim man asked that I use his geocaching pseudonym "Mr Siftee", so his creations would keep an air of mystery. Siftee started geocaching two years ago as a way of exploring the outdoors with his children and was soon hooked. "There's a whole other level of adventure out there. It's everywhere, and when you know it's there, you start looking for it. "It can give you a whole new perspective on life." The most isolated geocache Siftee discovered was located at a hut in the Kahurangi National Park. Siftee had planned for some time to visit this hut with his father, and at the same time find one of New Zealand's most remote caches. There was no official track leading to the hut, no cellphone coverage and no hut bookings. And unfortunately for Siftee, he had no idea where the cache was located when he arrived at the hut, having left the GPS co-ordinates behind. "I spent hours crawling around in the bush looking under random rocks. "I was looking under every rock and checking everything that looked out of place." When he finally found it, Siftee's discovery was the first time the cache had been located close to a year after it was hidden. The owners of the cache were "stoked" when Siftee got back and logged his find. "They were going to go back and check the wekas hadn't stolen it." Hiding geocaches is one of the greatest joys for Siftee. He has created five caches in the Marlborough region, receiving positive feedback on his contributions through the Geocaching app. "There's posts like, 'Today I felt like a teenager again. These old bones haven't climbed a tree for 45 years. Thanks for a great adventure'. "It gives you an amazing sense of achievement. I get quite a buzz out of it." Hinton's twin sister Amelia Hinton recently completed her 1000th geocache in Blenheim after picking up the hobby in 2012. Like her sister, she has found caches overseas as well as in New Zealand, including in an ammunition box under a layer of snow at the top of Scotland's highest mountain, Ben Nevis. For Amelia Hinton, geocaching is about exploring new places and meeting new people. "People who like to get from A to B as quickly as possible are probably not going to be geocachers, but people who like taking back roads, taking their time and seeing random things, that's someone who should give it a try." What is geocaching? Players use a free mobile app or a GPS device to find hidden containers. A geocacher hides a geocache, lists it on Geocaching.com and challenges other geocachers to find it. At minimum, geocaches contain a logbook for finders to sign. After signing, finders log their experience on Geocaching.com or with the Geocaching app. Some geocaches contain small trinkets for trade. If a geocacher takes something from the geocache, they replace it with something of equal or greater value. Geocaches are put back where they are found for the next geocacher. Source: Geocaching.com Geocaching terms BYOP: Bring Your Own Pen/Pencil. An acronym often used by geocache owners to let other geocachers know they will need to bring their own writing utensil in order to sign the cache logbook. Logbook: A physical record of everyone who has found a geocache. Usually made of paper, logbooks come in many different sizes, shapes, and formats. Signature Item: An item unique to a specific geocacher that is left behind in caches to signify that they visited that cache. SWAG: Stuff We All Get. Trade items left in caches by geocachers. TFTC: Thanks For The Cache. An acronym written by geocachers in logbooks or online when logging cache finds. Muggle: A non geocacher. Based on "Muggle" from the Harry Potter series, which is a non-magical person. Muggled: The discovery of a geocache by a non geocacher. When a cache has been "muggled", it usually means it was dismantled or removed by an unsuspecting non-player. Source: Geocaching.com Security forces at Pathankot Air Force base following an attack by terrorists on the base. (Photo: PTI) Islamabad: Pakistan will "soon" ask India to allow its team of investigators probing the Pathankot terror attack to visit the site of the assault, the country's Interior Minister said on Tuesday. "We will soon ask India to let our special investigation team experts to visit Pathankot's attack place," Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan told reporters in Taxila near. Khan said the officials who were part of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) have held several meetings. The SIT was set up by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif last month to work on the leads provided by India on the involvement of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) militants from Pakistan in the attack. Pakistan officials say the planned visit to Pathankot will help in the completion of the probe. Sharif had said last month that "the investigation into the Pathankot incident is underway and we will make its findings public soon." Prime Minister Sharif had formed the six-member investigation team headed by Additional Inspector General of Punjab's Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) Rai Tahir to probe India's assertion that JeM was behind the January 2 Pathankot attack. Asimov said: Strange. You want a "quote" from the Constitution justifying a political assessment of the judicial power by a highly respected former Chief Justice who actually served on Court... . Click to expand... Those who reject and ignore abiding by the intentions and beliefs under which our Constitution was agree to, as those intentions and beliefs may be documented from historical records, wish to remove the anchor and rudder of our constitutional system so they may then be free to interpret the Constitution to mean whatever they wish it to mean. What is strange is that you allegeThat, my friend is an absurd statement, regardless of who has made it. The fact is, the Constitution means what it states, and states what it means, and Justices on our Supreme Court have not been granted an authority to make the Constitution mean what they want it to mean. They have taken a specific oath to support and defend this Constitution and not one they imagine based upon their personal whims and fancies.-- Justice Hugo L. Black ( U.S. Supreme Court Justice, 1886 - 1971) Source: Lecture, Columbia University, 1968JWK Ephedrine with the street value of more than $2 million dollars has been seized by the Organised and Financial Crime Agency of New Zealand. Ephedrine is a precursor drug to methamphetamine, and the 19kg seized would have been used to make about 12kg of P or about $12 million dollars worth. The law managing criminals deported from Australia is helping keep New Zealanders safe, says Justice Minister Amy Adams. About 70 per cent of deportees returned to New Zealand since the law passed in November are being supervised by New Zealand authorities. The "Brooks Brother Riot" that physically shut down the 2000 Florida recount with Republican Congressional staffers identified as paid goons.Multiple DKos writers have done a terrific job of demolishing all the fake historical arguments raised by Republicans to justify their intention to deny President Obama his constitutional authority to appoint a Supreme Court justice. It turns out that when Republicans propose doing something for the first time in history that history provides no support for such radicalism.However, all these 100 year old history debates can obscure the more relevant point. Recent history demonstrates unambiguously that this latest Republican move is part and parcel with a dangerous, decades-long break with democracy by the modern Republican party.Of course, we all know that is true in some sense. But the speed and proximity of events can blind both the country and the press to the fact that something new and dangerous, something historically significant, is happening right now. And instead of connecting the dots, each new ahistorical, radical event is quickly rationalized as the new normal.Consider my personal history with voting which began with the election of Bill Clinton. In just that relatively short time period there has been a consistent, increasing form of power politics (to be charitable) exercised by Republicans that represents a disturbing break with democratic governance and principles.In 1995-1996, under President Bill Clinton, Republicans engaged in the first deliberate, sustained government shutdowns to try to force their own policy outcomes.In 1998, after an unsuccessful midterm election that publicly turned on this issue, Republicans in a lame duck Congress nonetheless voted to impeach President Bill Clinton.It was subsequently learned that in 2000 during the contested Bush-Gore Florida recount, the Republican Party secretly sent hundreds of Republican staffers to Florida to pose as ordinary protestors so as to physically intimidate and successfully halt the recount of the Florida vote. (This appalling episode which came to be known as the Brooks Brothers riot is the subject to the excellent Rachel Maddow video above.)On top of this, George W. Bushs brother then Florida Governor Jeb! oversaw a program of wrongfully disenfranchising thousands of African-American voters, more than enough to have easily swung the national election.Ultimately, in Bush v. Gore, a Republican Supreme Court majority, on a straight Republican vote, effectively declared George W. Bush the winner of the 2000 election in a decision that was so partisan and contrived that the Majority famously dropped a footnote that the decision would have no precedential effect and should not be cited as authority in any future cases.When Obama first won election in 2008, Republican leadership and donors famously met in a restaurant on inauguration night and made a pact to oppose every single initiative of the new president regardless of merit or content.During Obamas presidency, Republicans instituted the first permanent filibuster in history, transforming the Senate into a 60-vote institution and eliminating the one governing role for the Vice President (breaking a 50-50 Senate tie). At the same time, invoking a made-up, non-existent Hastert Rule, Republicans turned the venerable House of Representatives into a de facto one-party, parliament style institution.Thereafter, Republicans engaged in a string of undemocratic hostage governing that was so recurring that it can be difficult to recall in its entirety:* April 2011: House Republicans threaten a government shutdown unless Democrats accept GOP demands on spending cuts.* July 2011: Republicans create the first-ever debt-ceiling crisis, threatening to default on the nations debts unless Democrats accept GOP demands on spending cuts.* September 2011: Republicans threaten another shutdown.* April 2012: Republicans threaten another shutdown.* December 2012: Republicans spend months refusing to negotiate in the lead up to the so-called fiscal cliff.* January 2013: Republicans raise the specter of another debt-ceiling crisis.* September 2013: Republicans threaten another shutdown.* October 2013: Republicans actually shut down the government.* February 2014: Republicans raise the specter of another debt-ceiling crisis.* December 2014: Republicans threaten another shutdown.* February 2015: Republicans threaten a Department of Homeland Security shutdown.* September 2015: Republicans threaten another shutdown [over Planned Parenthood].Continuing, Republican Senators actually sent correspondence to a foreign government seeking to disrupt nuclear arms talks, and have refused to ratify even the most banal treaties.Recently, Congressional Republicans have refused to confirm unobjectionable executive appointments in the war-on-terror, and for the first time in history have refused to acknowledge that the Presidents budget even exists.Indeed, due to Republican obstruction, a quarter of the world has no U.S. ambassador.So, yes, today Republicans have determined that a twice elected Democratic President shall have no right to appoint a Supreme Court Justice for the remainder of his or her term.But the explanation for what is happening today is plainly laid out in the recent history above, and no one needs to dust off the pages of remote history for contrived justifications and excuses.Looking at the recent history of the modern Republican party tells us that one of the two major political parties has decided defiantly to break with our democratic system and traditions.The Republican determination to withdraw from democratic government is the single most important and emerging domestic threat to the country. It needs to be openly acknowledged and debated in the public sphere. and it only compounds the harm if we pretend that something more limited, something more obscure, is going on.Unfortunately, todays affront and yesterdays outrages are not isolated events. Win or lose on this one issue, Democrats have to make sure that Independents and any remaining fair-minded Republicans know that another important agenda item for the next election is whether the voters subscribe to democracy itself.Please click on the link to the article to view the video. Federated Farmers meat and fibre chair Rick Powdrell is calling for action to be taken to address issues in the marketing of kiwi lamb overseas particularly in the UK to prevent our sheep farmers continuing to face low returns. Speaking at Federated Farmers meat and fibre council in Wellington today, Rick says meals featuring lamb had fallen seven per cent in the UK, while lamb consumption in the US was rising at 10 per cent per year. Tauranga Chamber of Commerce hopes to give a face, name and voice to the citys small businesses with the launch of its new initiative Small Business Tauranga at Club Mount Maunganui tomorrow morning. Tauranga Chamber of Commerce chief executive Stan Gregec is expecting a large turnout to Wednesday mornings launch, which invites small business owners of Tauranga to learn what support is available to them. FOCUS ON DEFENSE CAPABILITY DEVELOPMENT IN SOUTHEAST ASIA AND OCEANIA This year the Friends of Mount Rogers will celebrate the Mount Rogers National Recreation Areas 50th anniversary. As part of the U.S. Forest Service, Mount Rogers National Recreation Area occupies over 100,000 acres in five counties in Southwest Virginia. With 11 campgrounds, more than 400 miles of trails, the highest mountain in Virginia, and an array of unique species and ecosystems, it is regarded as an outdoor treasure in this regions backyard. Area Ranger Beth Merz said, We are looking forward to an exciting year and an opportunity to celebrate and honor the culture, history and natural beauty of the region. The Congressional Act that established the National Recreation Area was signed on May 31, 1966 and states that the area will provide the public outdoor recreation use and enjoyment of the area in the vicinity of Mount Rogers, the highest mountain in the State of Virginia, and to the extent feasible the conservation of scenic, scientific, historic, and other values of the area. The Friends and the Forest Service kicked off the yearlong celebration with Smokey Bear and Woodsy Owl participating in several local Christmas parades followed by an outdoor photography workshop in January. Throughout 2016, the Friends of Mount Rogers and Mount Rogers National Recreation Area staff, as well as many volunteers and partners will host a variety of field trips, demonstrations and presentations that will be open to the general public. The next event will be a Family Fun Hike and Craft on Saturday, Feb. 27, from 1-2 p.m. at the headquarters at 3714 Highway 16, Marion. For details on the growing list of upcoming events, visit www.mountrogersfifty.org or call 800-628-7202. Joel E. Moses, M.D. joins St. Joseph's Hospital Health Center as a specialist in infectious disease. Most recently, he was in private practice as an adult infectious disease consultant and provided services to both Samaritan Hospital and Seton Hospital. Moses received his doctor of medicine from Albany Medical College. He completed a fellowship in the division of infectious diseases, and his residency at North Shore University Hospital of Cornell University Medical College in Manhasset. Moses is Board Certified by the American Board of Infectious Disease and certified in Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy and Supervision. He is an active member of the Infectious Disease Society of America and the Health Information Exchange of NY. Moses is a five time recipient of the Vitals.com Patient Choice Award, and in 1999 received the Trailblazer in HIV/AIDS Care Award by Southern Tier AIDS Program. His research has been published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, and the Journal of AIDS among others. Stephen V. Faraone, Ph.D., named one of the 'World's Most Influential Minds' in psychiatry/ psychology by the Thomson Reuter's list. Faraone is a SUNY distinguished professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Upstate Medical University. He also serves a professor of neuroscience and physiology at Upstate. Faraone holds appointments as senior scientific advisor, pediatric psychopharmacology research program and psychologist at Massachusetts General Hospital. He has been principal investigator on several National Institutes of Health funded grants that address numerous psychiatric conditions, including attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), bipolar disorder and substance use disorders in children. Thomson Reuters is a multinational mass media and information firm. Nissan has revealed an "Intelligent Parking Chair" in a new video designed to promote the company's intelligent parking technology in vehicles. The self-parking office chair uses automatic steering, a 360 degree roller and a system of four cameras positioned around a room to navigate a fleet of the chairs into their appropriate positions around a conference table via Wi-Fi. "With this innovation in office technology, Japanese businessmen are now freed from the troublesome task of arranging chairs, using this new technology already adopted in the X-Trail Hybrid and other Nissan vehicles," the company said in a press release. A simple clap is used to trigger the auto-park mode, but it will only work if the chair is unoccupied, according to SlashGear. Apart from keeping your office and conference room tidy in 21st Century style, the chairs don't serve much purpose except to promote Nissan's "Intelligent Park Assist" technology which is available in Nissan vehicles. Engadget reported that the modified Okamura office chairs won't be for sale any time soon. cazkiller_2.JPG Stephen Schumedja (orange jumpsuit) talks about his girlfriend Amy Bradstreet who he killed on Labor Day 2014 before he was sentenced to prison in Madison County court on Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2016. He previously said he did not know what he was doing when he killed her and he talked in court Tuesday about how he is going to miss the fairy tale life he and his girlfriend had planned. Elizabeth Doran | edoran@syracuse.com WAMPSVILLE, NY - Stephen Schumedja, who admitted stabbing to death his girlfriend, Amy Bradstreet, on Labor Day 2014, sobbed in court today as he apologized for his actions. "I'm sorry,'' he said. "I'm infinitely sorry. "I loved her so much,'' he said, at times barely able to speak.. "We planned a fairy tale life together. " Schumedja asked both God and the Bradstreet family for forgiveness. "God gave me an angel and her name was Amy,'' he said. Schumedja spoke at his sentencing in Madison County Court Tuesday morning. He was sentenced to 25 years for first-degree manslaughter with five years post-release supervision, and a sentence of 1 1/2 to 4 1/2 years for unauthorized use of a motor vehicle. The judge ordered the sentences to be served consecutively and issued orders of protection for the couple's two young sons. Amy Bradstreet Under terms of a plea agreement, Schumedja pleaded guilty in December to manslaughter with intent to kill under extreme emotional disturbance and unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, a felony. Bradstreet, 44, was found stabbed to death in her home at 4481 E. Lake Road in Cazenovia on Labor Day 2014. Madison County Chief Assistant District Attorney Robert Mascari said in court Amy Bradstreet suffered up to 62 stab wounds from the attack. "It was vicious, it was brutal and it defies explanation,'' Mascari said. "Then,after inflicting all those stab wounds, Stephen he said he tried to wake her up." Prosecutors have said Schumedja was intoxicated that night. He previously admitted in court that he got the couple's two boys - then aged 3 1/2 and 19 months - out of bed after the murder, put them in the car and then drove Bradstreet's Toyota Highlander to his mother's in Delaware County, leaving the scene of the homicide Schumejda, who is from Riverhead on Long Island, then called police to report the stabbing about 8 a.m. Labor Day. Amy Bradstreet's father, Roger Bradstreet, is Nelson town supervisor. He has not spoken publicly about the case. In court today, he stood by his wife Bonnie's side as she spoke about their daughter and the immense pain the murder has caused both families. "May God forgive you,'' Bonnie Bradstreet said to Schumedja in the courtroom. "The person we thought we knew would never have done this." When talking about Schumedja, Amy Bradstreet would always say "he rocks,' her mother said. "She had total faith in you, and so did we." Amy Bradstreet loved life with a passion, adored her two boys, worked and played hard and didn't hesitate to try new things. She collected sea glass and made jewelry and when she lost her home in Hurricane Sandy, she talked about her blessings rather than the loss of her house, her mom said. During their last conversation, Bonnie Bradstreet said her daughter was on the phone driving from Virginia, and sounded great. She thought she'd earned a promotion, and was looking forward to a trip to Martha's Vineyard in October. The Bradstreets wanted to set up a Labor Day barbecue with Amy and Schumedja, and planned to ask if they wanted to move into the farm house for more room. On Labor Day, the Bradstreets' world crumbled when they got the news their daughter had been killed. Bonnie Bradstreet then read a letter Amy had written to her son while she was away on a trip. The letter talked about how much Amy loved her son. Bonnie Bradstreet said when she was having trouble decorating for Christmas the first year after her daughter's death, she felt like she got a message from her daughter telling her the holiday was "not about you" it's about Dougie and Jack, her boys. "We wish you no harm,'' she told Schumedja in court. "The sentence is just, and nothing can bring her back... We will always miss the Steve we thought we knew." Judge Dennis McDermott said "this is a crime that cries out for an explanation... and also leaves Jack and Dougie rendered orphanless by you." This Page Is Under Construction - Coming Soon! Why am I seeing this 'Under Construction' page? This blog aims to present an ever-expanding repository of links to news stories and other sources of information that will help readers determine the reality of present-day Haiti as they seek to help the country on its path to building a more just and equitable society. I will also post an expanding library of my own writings on Haiti from 2000 until the present. VERO BEACH No question where craft beer drinkers and wing aficionados will be hanging out this weekend. The fifth annual Florida Craft Brew and Wingfest returns Saturday to Royal Palm Pointe Park in Vero Beach. The festival is a fundraiser for more than 10 local charitable projects supported by Rotary Club of Vero Beach Sunrise. "It started off as an idea of doing something different in Vero Beach," said Steve Kepley of the Rotary Club of Vero Beach Sunrise. "The Brew & Wing Fest attracts some younger folks who are always looking for something to do and has been very well-received." Featuring more than 150 craft brews and 18 varieties of wings, organizers said the festival draws more than 8,000 people each year. For a $35 drink bracelet, individuals can enjoy unlimited tastings of more than 150 different craft beers. Single glasses of selected beers also can be purchased from vendors set up throughout the festival. Individuals and local restaurants wil compete for the title of "Best Wings in Vero Beach" including Pizzoodles, Hurricane Wings, Osceola Bistro and others. There also will be a wing-eating contest and a best homemade brew competition. Other food items from Royal Palm Pointe restaurants, as well as sodas, water and kid-friendly food like pretzel necklaces will be available for purchase. Last year, Hurricane's took home first place for its wings in the restaurant division while Creative Pest Management were the first place winners in the individual wing competition. This year, two new competitors including Saussie Pig and Dyer Chevrolet will try to "wing over" their competition with their own special recipes. Live music will be set up on two stages and bands will perform throughout the day. From 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., the Gas House Gorillas will perform on the west stage and Southern Exposure will perform on the east stage. From 2 to 4 p.m., Jeff Vitolo & the Quarter Mile Rebels will perform on the west stage and Dave Scott & the Reckless Shots will perform on the east stage. Parking is available along Royal Palm Pointe, with secondary parking and bus transportation from the Parc24 garage on Indian River Boulevard, half a mile south of the event, between the two bridges. Water transportation from Riverside Park will be available via a pontoon boat across the lagoon. FLORIDA CRAFT BREW AND WINGFEST Where: Royal Palm Pointe Park, 2 Royal Palm Pointe, Vero Beach When: 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Feb. 20 Admission: Free Unlimited brew sampling bracelet: $30 in advance, $35 at the door Parking: On site and shuttle service Information: For a list of craft beers and food vendors, visit www.floridabrewandwingfest.com. Martin County felony arrests: Feb. 15, 2016 Jongelene Adams, 46, Riviera Beach; passing worthless check/draft. Jason Alburquerque, 28, 2700 block of Rawlings Road, Port St. Lucie; possession of marijuana over 20 grams; warrant for violation of probation or community control, possession of marijuana under 20 grams. Eric Burns, 38, 400 block of Armory Circle, Port St. Lucie; possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell or deliver. Rajesh Chande, 30, Hollywood; possession of drug equipment (manufacture or deliver); distribution of marijuana; possession of cocaine; possession of a controlled substance without a prescription; possession of marijuana over 20 grams; use/display of a firearm during a felony. Michael Cooper, 45, 300 block of Lake Forest Way, Port St. Lucie; possession of a controlled substance. Terra Cooper, 31, 700 block of Church of Street, Stuart; grand theft. Algalita Desume, 39, Miami; warrant for violation of probation, grand theft. Peter Dimitrion, 53, 1500 block of Oriole Avenue, Stuart; aggravated assault. Steven Brink, 32, Jacksonville; warrant for violation of probation, felony charge. Richard Jakubowski, 28, 1400 block of Fork Road, Stuart; sale/delivery of Buprenorphine within 1,000 feet of a convenience business. James Nicol, 27, 8100 block of Wildwood Drive, Stuart; unlawfully transporting a controlled substance (oxymorphone) into the state. Frank Sollecito, 31, 2300 block of Rockspring Drive, Stuart; possession of a controlled substance without a valid prescription or from a lawful practitioner. Andre Woodall, 22, 700 block of Martin Luther King Boulevard, Stuart; dealing in stolen property. Razalin Badalian, 49, 800 block of River Shores Boulevard, Stuart; warrants for third degree grand theft, organized fraud, fraudulent use of a credit card. Arrested in St. Lucie County. News release The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers South Atlantic Division has approved a request from Florida Governor Rick Scott for deviation from its water control plan for a key Everglades reservoir located west of Miami. The division made the decision to grant the request for deviation based on extensive documentation from within the Corps and multiple partners representing federal, state, and tribal interests. The deviation raises water levels in the L-29 canal, which runs along the north side of the Tamiami Trail (US Hwy 41) between Water Conservation Area 3 (WCA-3) and Everglades National Park. The WCA-3 water control plan limited those levels to elevation 7.5 feet (NGVD). The deviation raises the levels as high as elevation 8.5 feet, which would allow more water to flow from WCA-3 to Everglades National Park. "WCA-3 is a foot above its regulation schedule," said Col. Jason Kirk, Jacksonville District Commander. "This action will allow us to get more water out of the conservation area and lower the water level." Before granting the deviation, the Corps coordinated with tribal staff, while the State of Florida coordinated to obtain the necessary permissions from private property owners who face potential flooding from higher canal levels. The action would allow up to 900 additional cubic feet per second (cfs) to flow through the L-29 canal and into Everglades National Park. "Our current focus is to lower the water level in WCA-3," said Kirk. "If the level drops and we start seeing capacity in the conservation areas, then we could look at sending water from Lake Okeechobee south as well." Today's stage in WCA-3 is 11.41 feet and rising. The top of its regulation schedule is 10.21 feet. Nearly all water control plans for lakes and reservoirs in south Florida call for decreasing levels during the traditional dry season to make room for rain that falls during wet season, which typically begins in the latter part of spring. The Corps of Engineers partnered with the U.S. Dept. of the Interior, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, South Florida Water Management District, Florida Dept. of Environmental Protection, Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission, and coordinating with the Miccosukee and Seminole tribal staff to undertake this emergency action. For more information on water levels and flows data for south Florida, visit the Corps' water management website at http://www.saj.usace.army.mil/Missions/CivilWorks/WaterManagement.aspx. More water should soon be heading to Everglades National Park. On Monday, the Army Corps of Engineers approved a request from Gov. Rick Scott to raise the level in a Miami-Dade County canal by a foot so "substantial volumes of water" can flow from a huge man-made marsh south of Lake Okeechobee into the park. The action is being taken primarily to keep wildlife, including deer and panthers, from drowning in the marsh, which is more than a foot deeper than it should be and rising. The marsh, known as Water Conservation Area 3, has been taking on water from heavy rainfall since early January and drainage from farmland south of the lake. The Corps' action has the potential to help move some excess lake water south rather than east to the St. Lucie River and west to the Caloosahatchee River. A combination of Lake O discharges and local runoff threatens to cause environmental damage to both the St. Lucie and Caloosahatchee estuaries. The L-29 Canal runs east to west, parallel to Tamiami Trail, on the border between the park and Water Conservation Area 3. Raising the canal level a foot would allow up to 580 million more gallons of water a day to flow from the water conservation area into the park. The South Florida plumbing system is designed so water south of the lake goes into stormwater treatment areas and then moves slowly into water conservation areas to remove excess nitrogen and phosphorus before reaching the park. "Our current focus is to lower the water level in WCA-3," said Col. Jason Kirk, the Corps' Florida commander. "If the level drops and we start seeing capacity in the conservation areas, then we could look at sending water from Lake Okeechobee south, as well." Lake O water is flowing into the St. Lucie River at a rate of about 2 billion gallons a day. The discharges have totaled nearly 30 billion gallons of lake water into the river since Jan. 30. Getting water from the conservation areas into the park has been a "longtime bottleneck" in restoring flows south of the lake, said Gary Goforth, a Stuart environmental engineer who formerly designed and monitored water systems for the South Florida Water Management District. Raising the canal level to facilitate the flow, Goforth said, "probably is the right thing to do right now." Before granting Scott's request, the corps and the state coordinated with the Miccosukee and Seminole tribes, which have land in the area, and private property owners who face potential flooding from higher canal levels. Thousands of seasonal visitors have been spotted around the Jupiter Inlet in Palm Beach County, but these aren't the two-legged variety from northern states who call South Florida home several months of the year. Instead, we're talking large aggregations of blacktip sharks some staying just yards from shore that Stephen Kajiura, professor of biological sciences at Florida Atlantic University, has spent years researching. But they don't seem to be congregating north of Jupiter Inlet or along the Treasure Coast. There were no shark sightings at Martin public beaches, nor were there beach closures because of sharks, said Gabriella Ferraro, Martin County spokeswoman. "It seems the sharks really like Palm Beach," Kajiura said. "They like Palm Beach County for some reason." It could be because the continental shelf an underwater landmass that results in an area of relatively shallow water gets broader further north. It narrows dramatically against Palm Beach County, funneling sharks close to shore, he said. "That's why we have this huge number, Palm Beach area and south, where you simply don't have them up north," he said. "They're there, but they're probably distributed over a much broader area and so you just don't see those large dense aggregations that you see down here." Kajiura said he's been taking aerial surveys of shark abundance in Palm Beach County since 2011, and last year expanded south to Miami Beach. The largest concentration of blacktip sharks is north of Boynton Inlet to Jupiter Inlet, estimated at more than 10,000 of them, Kajiura said. "Certainly other shark species migrate but they're in deeper water or we just never see them, so these huge numbers are just the blacktips," he said. Read more of the story below. Kajiura said the sharks typically spend January through March in Southeast Florida before returning to Georgia and the Carolinas where mating occurs. At that point, they pass through the Treasure Coast. The sharks now are close to shore, perhaps because of the presence of mullet and menhaden, which is the preferred meal of the sharks, he said. Another theory is that the sharks are avoiding larger sharks, using the near shore waters as protection, he added. "They're about 6 feet long total, and so if you're a big hammerhead or a big tiger shark you could munch down on one of these guys," Kajiura said. Kajiura said he looks for sharks once a week from the air starting in December. Usually, the sharks arrive in large numbers starting in mid-January, but this year, he wasn't seeing much until the end of January. He said that could be because of the warm winter. These sharks prefer temperatures of about 70 to 77 degrees Fahrenheit, and when the water is too warm they leave. "It's like a 99 percent decrease (in the summer)," he said. He said these sharks also tend to be skittish and when they do bite people it's typically when the water is murky and they can't differentiate between a fish and the palm of your hand. TALLAHASSEE A deal to fix a problem 10 years in the making over how much counties pay the state in juvenile detention costs has hit a wall as the Legislature reaches the halfway point of its annual two-month session. The deal would evenly split costs between the counties and the state Department of Juvenile Justice and counties that were overcharged would be reimbursed for their losses. But the House Justice Appropriations Subcommittee didn't take up HB 1279 by Rep. Chris Latvala, R-Clearwater. The reason: The detention-sharing agreement has a recurring annual cost to the state of $7 million to $8 million, committee chairman Larry Metz, R-Yalaha, said Tuesday after the committee's final meeting of the session. "It was not in our budget," Metz said. Still, he said, as the saying goes, anything can happen until lawmakers adjourn. "A lot of things that sometimes seem like they're dead come back." The state Department of Juvenile Justice houses about 16,000 young offenders in detention centers in 21 counties. Marion, Sumter and Polk counties operate their own detention centers. In 2004, the Legislature passed a law requiring the counties to share the cost of detention. Counties have been contesting the charges ever since. Courts have ruled the counties were overcharged $100 million to $200 million. Based on the department's own calculations, Hillsborough was overcharged about $10 million more than any of the state's 67 counties. Orange County was overcharged by $9.6 million, Miami-Dade by $9.1 million and Broward by $7.2 million. Pinellas was overcharged $6.3 million, and Pasco $2.9 million. "The cost share relationship regarding juvenile detention has been a bastion of inefficiency for more than a decade and it is the taxpayers that are footing the bill," Mosteller said. Before the session, Rep. Metz said he had consulted with Sen. Rob Bradley, R-Fleming Island, about whether the Senate was going to take up the bill and Bradley said it was unlikely. The Florida Association of Counties also thought the issue was dead for this year, but Sen. Jack Latvala, the Clearwater Republican and Chris Latvala's father, filed a bill in the Senate. It cleared the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Criminal and Civil Justice unanimously, but has not been placed on the agenda of its next stop the Senate Appropriations Committee, which meets for the last time Feb. 25. "With it having passed one Senate committee we are in a good position for it to be taken up as part of the conference process," said Cragin Mosteller, spokeswoman for the Florida Association of Counties. The House and Senate meet in conference to hash out differences in their budgets. Rep. Darryl Rouson, vice chairman of the House Justice Appropriations Subcommittee, said he'd like to see the bill funded. "If we can find the money we need to pay them that money," said Rouson, a St. Petersburg Democrat who represents parts of Hillsborough County. "I am very hopeful it will get addressed in conference." Under the Latvala plan, solvent counties would pay $42.5 million for detention care costs during the upcoming fiscal year beginning July 1, and requires the state to pay the remaining costs. The state would continue to pay all costs for providing detention care for counties that can't afford it and for young offenders living out of the state. Starting July 1, 2017, the state and counties would split the costs 50-50. As a result, counties would pay less and recoup their costs over time while the department said it would need an additional $8.8 million a year to cover its share of the cost. Senate President-designate Joe Negron, R-Stuart, said he'd support the deal as long as the 23 counties with outstanding lawsuits including Hillsborough, Pasco, and Pinellas agreed to drop their cases. All but two counties, Collier and Bay, have voted on the issue and submitted letters agreeing to drop their suits, Latvala told Negron last week at a committee meeting. Collier and Bay county commissions have not had a chance to vote on the matter, Latvala said. Bay was taking it up Tuesday and Collier next week. Said Mosteller, "For just $8 million, the state has the opportunity to end decades of litigation and make good policy, so the Florida Association of Counties will fight for passage of this bill until the hankies drop and the Legislature goes home." INDIAN RIVER COUNTY When county budget director Jason Brown takes over the county administrator job this summer, he will save the county about $52,000. Brown's three-year contract, approved unanimously earlier this month, pays Brown a much lower salary and benefits than the current administrator Joe Baird. Brown takes over the job July 1. Brown, 41, will be paid $167,000 in salary, with a $2,600 car allowance and $1,200 for cell and technology expenses. His total compensation package will be $222,434. In contrast, Baird has a $274,547 total compensation package, which includes a $201,960 annual salary. Baird, who in 2011 joined the state Deferred Retirement Option Program, is to retire June 30 after about 35 years with the county. The deferred retirement program allows a retirement-age employee in the Florida Retirement System to accrue benefits in a trust fund for five years while continuing to work and draw a paycheck. When the employee retires, a lump sum is given along with a monthly pension benefit. Commissioners agreed in September to search for an internal candidate to replace Baird. They decided in December to hire Brown, the lone internal candidate. Brown has been a county employee for 17 years. He began in 1998 as a budget analyst for the county, moving to budget director in 2004. "The current county administrator has been there a long time," said Brown about the salary differences. As budget director, Brown said the contract with the new county administrator saves money. "It's a good thing for the taxpayers," he said. Brown said he already is beginning to make the transition to his new office. The county is advertising for his replacement, so he can spend more time learning the administrative duties and job responsibilities. He said being already on staff is beneficial, especially because the change takes place in the midst of budget season. Brown's contract is without a large severance package. Commissioners can end the contract without cause with 30 days notice. If that happens, Brown gets five months severance in the first year of the contract, four months severance in the second year and three months in the third. Commissioner Wesley Davis said at the Feb. 2 meeting he preferred removing the severance package from the contract, but got no support from the other commissioners. Davis later voted for the contract. "I don't believe there is a golden parachute here," said Commissioner Joe Flescher. "The county administrator should have some sort of comfort zone and it's only a few months." PORT ST. LUCIE City Attorney Pam Booker was fired Tuesday by a unanimous City Council. Bad legal advice, poorly executed court strategy and a lack of communication were among the reasons for Booker's firing, council members said during the special meeting. "Mistakes (in the legal department) are not isolated, but a repeated pattern stemming from a lack of focus, tactics and management, communication and accountability," Mayor Greg Oravec said. Oravec called the special meeting last week to address a communication breakdown between administration and the City Council over the design of the Crosstown Parkway Extension Project. But late Monday he released a memorandum to Vice Mayor Linda Bartz and the City Council, blasting Booker as a "liability" to the city. Councilman Ron Bowen was absent from Tuesday morning's meeting. Oravec, in the memo, expressed disappointment with top management's handling of pressing issues and high-profiles cases such as Crosstown Parkway, City Center, economic development, the demise of the Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute of Florida and the mishandling of public-records requests. During the meeting, Oravec voiced displeasure with Booker and management that he and fellow council members often learn of city news through the press specifically that the city is considering buying the controversial City Center land. "I do not like to find out about the goings-on of the city by reading the newspaper," Oravec said. "In my capacity as an elected official, I should probably know, so that I can fulfill my duty as being a translator and communicator of bringing the city's message to the people and when I'm not informed, I can't do that. "... It makes me feel stupid, it makes me feel irresponsible and makes me feel like I'm failing in my duties as mayor." Port St. Lucie's Revolving Door Former city attorney Pam Booker is the latest in a long list of appointed city officials who have been fired or pressured out of office. INTERACTIVE | Hover or click over the red stars for more information. The story continues below the graphic. Booker's firing was a long time coming, Councilwoman Michelle Berger said. Booker hired outside legal counsel for court matters first, then asked for City Council approval later, Berger said. "I lost confidence in (Booker's) office," Berger said. Booker who earned $190,591 was hired as a staff attorney nearly 19 years ago and appointed city attorney in June 2014. She did not speak during the meeting. Afterward, however, she defended herself, saying her firing was part of the "political process" and she was "perplexed" by her termination. She declined to elaborate. "A comment was made to me that I am too strict letter-of-the-law and I'm not flexible enough for the politics of the politics. And to me, that's a compliment," Booker said. "I'm not a political figure. My job is not to sway to the winds of the political whims of our community, and I stand firm by my convictions and my legal opinions that have been provided to this council." Booker said she plans to provide a detailed written response to her firing by Monday's City Council meeting. City Manager Jeff Bremer took the blame for the communication disconnect. "I want to apologize to staff and City Council for any embarrassment over actions or inactions that have happened over the past several months," Bremer said. "It is my responsibility to accept that responsibility, and I have failed to properly identify needs that need to be brought back to the City Council for their consideration." The council unanimously voted to hire a search firm to find Booker's replacement. The process could take six months, city officials said. The City Council appointed Assistant City Attorney Azlina Goldstein Siegal as interim city attorney. Her last day with the city, however, is Friday. City officials plan to ask Goldstein Siegal to defer her new job with a law firm until a new city attorney is hired. They also discussed using Goldstein Siegal's new firm or even Booker at an hourly rate for legal issues until Booker's replacement is found. Bremer and Berger were appointed by the council to craft Booker's severance package for the council at its Monday meeting. Treasure Coast Newspapers on Tuesday afternoon requested a copy of Booker's employment contract, as permitted under Florida's public-records law. The city did not immediately provide it. Councilwoman Shannon Martin was reluctant to fire Booker on the spot, because of the city's inexperienced legal staff. Without Booker or Goldstein Siegal, the city's senior-most attorney has just over four years of work in the municipality, city officials said. "We do not have an assistant city attorney that is capable of stepping into Ms. Booker's role, because we've lost our two assistant city attorneys," Martin said. "We have some young talent in the department. We have some new people in the department." I was Barack Obama's first full time volunteer in New York City. PORT ST. LUCIE Mayor Greg Oravec says he has lost confidence in City Attorney Pam Booker and wants her fired. Oravec plans to debate the issue Tuesday at a special City Council meeting, according to a Feb. 15 memorandum from the mayor to Vice Mayor Linda Bartz and City Council. "She is a liability to the city, cannot be relied upon for good advice and counsel and should, therefore, be separated from service as soon as possible," Oravec wrote. Oravec, in the memo, expressed disappointment with top management's handling of high profiles cases, such as the demise of the Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute of Florida; Crosstown Parkway; City Center; economic development; and the mishandling of public records. MORE | Continue reading for the entire memo Oravec called the special meeting last week to address a communication breakdown between the administration and the City Council over the design of the Crosstown Parkway Extension Project. Booker opposed the special meeting, questioning the mayor's legal authority to schedule the meeting without the council's consensus, according to an email exchange last week between Oravec and Booker's legal assistant. According to the city's rules of the council, special meetings may be "held on the call of the mayor or upon the request of a council member to the city manager with the concurrence of a majority of the members of City Council." "This complete lack of judgment and willingness to generate legal opinions for self-service or political or other purposes has left me with no confidence in the city attorney," Oravec wrote in the Feb. 15 memo. Terminating the city attorney would require a majority vote from the five-member council. His grandfather was one of Indian River County's founding fathers in 1925. His father was a three-term state legislator and ran for Congress in 1962, only to witness a Ku Klux Klan cross burning in his Vero Beach yard. Both were lifelong progressives, despite Indian River County's sea change to the Republican Party in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Louis B. "Buck" Vocelle Jr., 59, an alternate delegate to the 1976 Democratic National Convention in New York, followed in their footsteps. On Monday, Tom Lockwood, the head of the county's Republican Party for the past 25 years, accompanied the third-generation lawyer to the Supervisor of Elections Office to witness history: a Vocelle lawyer and community leader becoming a Republican. Vocelle was one of many voters altering registrations before Tuesday's deadline to vote in Florida's March 15 presidential preference primary. Three other Vero Beach residents I met Monday switched from independent to Republican. Mike and Pat Smith were fed up by the GOP, but saw things getting worse with a Democratic administration. Stan Kozlowski just wants to opportunity to vote in the primary. But the Vocelle move was historic. "In every election cycle, I've been getting closer and closer and closer (to registering as a Republican)," said Vocelle, whose grandfather was known as "Mr. Democrat" and namesake of an annual party fundraiser. "It's time to pull the trigger," Vocelle said. "The barometer kept rising and rising and rising." Lockwood had been bugging Vocelle to change party affiliations for about 20 years. He'd remained a Democrat, unable to vote for his onetime law partner, Chester Clem, in GOP primaries for Florida House and governor. But the choice between Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders was Vocelle's tipping point. None of the Republican candidates for president could be as bad as Barack Obama, Vocelle said, noting he has not decided which Republican he will support in the primary. "It's just now the party has gotten so far afield from where it started," said Vocelle, adding the GOP has changed, too. Few men serve their communities and states as much as Vocelle's grandfather, James T. Vocelle. He was one of the first Catholics elected to the Georgia Senate in 1920. Four years later Vocelle moved to Vero Beach to become city attorney. In 1925 he successfully lobbied Gov. John Martin to create Indian River and Martin counties, carving them out of St. Lucie County. Vocelle had represented owners of the Florida Theatre, who were prohibited from showing films on Sundays because of so-called "blue laws" enforced by the St. Lucie County sheriff. Vocelle later served several governors in various capacities before passing away at age 95 in 1992. His son, Louis T. "Buck" Vocelle, a longtime private attorney in town, represented many African-Americans and supported what would become the 1964 Civil Rights Act as a candidate for Congress in 1962. In 1979, Democrat Gov. Bob Graham appointed Vocelle as circuit judge. He became the circuit's chief judge before dying on Nov. 30, 1996. Respect for their legacies was much of why Buck Vocelle Jr. retained the Democrat affiliation. Now he hopes to follow his ancestors' footsteps: as an elected official. Vocelle recently filed for a seat on the Indian River County Mosquito Control District Board. He'll challenge longtime representative Janice Broda, also a registered Republican. Vocelle said he has served on the board of governors for the Florida Bar and other boards and is completing his term as president of the Vero Beach Sunrise Rotary Club. He said he has time to serve a tax district his grandfather helped to create. It's a nonpartisan race; but he and Broda are Republicans. To me, it's another unusual moment in what promises to be an unusual political year in Indian River County one that could be compounded by the death of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia. Recently I also was surprised by bipartisanship shown with local Republicans hosting a fundraiser for U.S. Senate candidate Patrick Murphy, a Democrat. The fundraiser and Vocelle prove politics isn't always just blue and red. Thinking carefully and doing what you think is right as opposed to blindly supporting a party is a good thing. This column reflects the opinion of Laurence Reisman. Contact him via email at larry.reisman@tcpalm.com, phone at 772-978-2223 or Twitter @LaurenceReisman. MONDAY REGISTRATIONS On Monday in Indian River County: The Republican Party picked up 65 new members: 21 former Democrats and 44 independents. The Democratic Party picked up 11 new members: 4 former Republicans and 7 independents. Since Jan. 1, there are 419 new Republicans, 182 new Democrats and 31 independents. The largest shift was that 284 independents joined the GOP. SOURCE: Indian River County Elections Supervisor With recent amounts of record-setting rain elevating water levels on Lake Okeechobee, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has been discharging billions of gallons of water to the east and west. The discharges have even prompted Gov. Rick Scott to ask the corps to move waters south in an effort to relieve the flooding of the Everglades Water Conservation Areas. The effects of these discharges are an important reminder that water management is a vital issue for Florida. Our state's water supply isn't just for our health and recreation; it affects our ecosystems, agriculture and tourism sectors as well. In an effort to aid our water management systems, a reservoir was proposed for the treatment and storage of water flowing from Ten Mile Creek to the North Fork of the St. Lucie River. It was authorized by Congress in 1996 and completed 10 years later. Unfortunately, the project sat dormant for 10 years as a result of poor engineering. The corps, which oversaw construction of the Ten Mile Creek Water Preserve, and the engineering firm that was responsible for the design, spent the better part of a decade in a legal battle over who was at fault and who would make the necessary repairs. In the meantime, billions of gallons of polluted water flowing from the creek could have been treated had the reservoir and storm water treatment area been operational. It is a critical tool that has gone unutilized for far too long. To remedy the situation, the South Florida Water Management District stepped up in 2014 to take full ownership and responsibility for the project. However, in order to officially transfer the Ten Mile Creek project from the corps to the district, Congress needed to de-authorize the federal project. In January 2015, I introduced a bill (S.124) to do just that. After months of working with colleagues, the de-authorization language was included in a larger bill that was signed into law this past December. The corps now has until June 15 to fully transfer operation of the reservoir to the water management district, which has already rebuilt and repaired the main pumps and managed vegetation overgrowth. It has developed the design for modifications to be constructed once the transfer is finalized and, once completed, Ten Mile will have the capacity to hold up to four feet and nearly 685.6 million gallons water that would otherwise be sent, untreated, into our surrounding estuaries. The Ten Mile Creek Water Preserve will eventually play an important role in Everglades restoration. I am proud to have been part of the reservoir's restoration efforts and will continue to support other water projects our state desperately needs. I have long supported the Central Everglades Planning Project, which ultimately will allow water to flow through the Everglades and restore this national treasure. It was my hope that this important project would have been authorized in 2014, but President Barack Obama's administration dropped the ball. It was a major missed opportunity, but I remain committed to working toward the project's final approval. In fact, I joined again this past week with our Florida delegation to urge that CEPP be included in the upcoming Water Resources Development Act. We have a second chance to get it signed into law and, once authorized, this project will be a step forward in alleviating the current discharges from Lake Okeechobee by sending water south to the Everglades. What happened with the Ten Mile Creek project is an example of the inefficiencies of the federal government. For more than a decade, a problem affecting the local and state economy suffered from the slow pace of bureaucracy. It took a tireless fight and an act of Congress to make the reservoir serve its purpose. In situations like this, we have a responsibility to recognize government wastefulness and we must work, where necessary, to take control away from federal authorities and turn it over to the states. Only then can we successfully execute long-term solutions for the people and places we hold most dear. ADVISORIES 6:55 a.m.: NWS cancels tornado watch for Treasure Coast as storms move offshore. A tornado watch was issued for the Treasure Coast until 8 a.m. A strong line of thunderstorms is moving along a line extending from Barefoot Bay to eight miles northwest of Canal Point. The storms are moving northeast at 35 mph. Dime-size hail and winds in excess of 45 mph will be possible with these storms. Locations impacted include: Port St. Lucie, Palm Bay, Fort Pierce and Sebastian. The storms are bringing heavy rainfall. A cold front is moving across central Florida and into the Atlantic Tuesday morning. Storms ahead of the front will move east at 25 mph and impact locations from Vero Beach south. These storms will be capable of producing wind gusts to 50 mph. 6:01 a.m.: Tornado warning issued for central Palm Beach County until 6:30 a.m. As a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was spotted about 12 miles southwest of Lion Country Safari. The storm is moving northeast at 35 mph and radar is indicating rotation. TODAY'S FORECAST There's a 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 10 a.m. It'll be cloudy through mid morning, then gradually clearing. High today will be near 80. Winds will be out of the southwest around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. It'll be mostly clear Tuesday night, with a low around 53. West wind 5 to 10 mph. Keep an eye on conditions with our live weather radar. Sunrise will be at 6:59 a.m. Sunset will be at 6:14 p.m. EXTENDED FORECAST Source: National Weather Service Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 74. West northwest wind 5 to 15 mph. Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 52. West northwest wind around 10 mph. Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 73. North northwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 57. East northeast wind 10 to 15 mph. Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 72. East wind around 15 mph. Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 60. East wind 5 to 10 mph. Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 73. East northeast wind around 5 mph. Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 58. East southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm. Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 73. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph. Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 59. Southeast wind around 5 mph. Monday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 76. Light south southeast wind increasing to 5 to 10 mph in the morning. TODAY'S TIDE FORECAST Source: National Weather Service Sebastian Inlet Bridge High tides: 2:16 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Low tides: 8:28 a.m. and 8:59 p.m. Fort Pierce Inlet, South Jetty High tides: 2:33 a.m. and 2:47 p.m. Low tides: 8:34 a.m. and 9:05 p.m. MARINE FORECAST Source: National Weather Service 4:56 a.m.: A special marine warning has been issued from Melbourne Beach to the Jupiter Inlet. Strong to severe thunderstorms capable of producing waterspouts and gusty winds of at least 40 knots are moving over intracoastal waterways as they move offshore. Today: Southwest winds 15 to 20 knots becoming west 10 to 15 knots in the afternoon. Seas 4 to 6 feet with a dominant period 8 seconds. Choppy on the intracoastal waters. Chance of showers and slight chance of thunderstorms in the morning. Tonight: Northwest winds 10 to 15 knots. Seas 3 to 4 feet with a dominant period 9 seconds. A light chop on the intracoastal waters. Wednesday: Northwest winds 10 knots. Seas 4 to 6 feet with a dominant period 10 seconds. A light chop on the intracoastal waters. Wednesday Night: North winds 10 to 15 knots. Seas 4 to 6 feet. A light chop on the intracoastal waters. Thursday: North winds 15 to 20 knots. Seas 5 to 7 feet. Choppy on the intracoastal waters. Thursday Night: Northeast winds 15 to 20 knots. Seas 5 to 7 feet. Friday: East winds 15 to 20 knots diminishing to 10 to 15 knots in the afternoon. Seas 5 to 6 feet. Friday Night: East winds 10 to 15 knots diminishing to 5 to 10 knots after midnight. Seas 5 to 6 feet. Saturday: East winds 5 to 10 knots. Seas 4 to 5 feet. PORT ST. LUCIE Janice Goldsberry lost more than her family when she entered foster care. She lost her self-identify. 'Children in care move through so many homes, so many schools and are constantly worrying about all the movement around them, they never truly get a chance to know themselves,' said Goldsberry, 22, a local chapter member of Florida Youth SHINE, a statewide advocacy organization under Florida's Children First of teens and young adults in foster care who advocate for change in the child-welfare system. Goldsberry, who is also a participant in Devereux CBC's Road to Success program, was one of 10 young people chosen to participate in a digital storytelling project called Our Voices, Our Stories. The 10-video series was created by Youth SHINE to help amplify the collective voice of children in foster care and to educate others about children in the child-welfare system. Participants wrote, edited and helped produce their own videos. The project launched Jan. 20 with the release of its first video and features experiences that are common among children in foster care, like being separated from siblings, loss of identity or self-esteem and feelings of instability. 'These stories were not messaged or made by professionals,' said Geori Berman, Youth SHINE coordinator. 'They are the real experiences of real children who were involved in the system. 'These are their truths.' Goldsberry's story will run Feb. 17 and can be viewed at the http://www.floridaschildrenfirst.org. New stories will be released every Wednesday, with the final story running March 23. 'My digital story is about losing your self-identity,' Goldsberry said. 'I was in care for 11 years, I went to five elementary schools, eight middle schools and three high schools. I lived in at least 15 different homes, and the whole time I was worried about my sister, worried about a new school, worried about what my foster parent thought of me, worried about when I was going to move again. It's hard to figure out who you are when your world keeps changing.' In the video, Janice tells her story of self-loss against the haunting melody of a song she wrote when she was 16. Called Walking By, the song describes a need as obvious as a sign on the street but as unreachable as a cloud in the sky and as ignored as a stranger walking by. 'I remember when I wrote that song,' she said. 'I had just come home for the fourth time, and I was so happy. The only time I truly felt that I was free to be me was when I was with my family.' The advocate song-writer has come a long way since then, championing children's issues locally, in Tallahassee and, most recently, in Washington, D.C. 'I am extremely proud of Janice,' said Chris Martinez, Road to Success supervisor. 'She is dedicated to helping people, and her commitment to improving Florida's foster-care system is clearly demonstrated by her work with Youth SHINE.' ST. LUCIE COUNTY St. Lucie Public Schools (SLPS) Superintendent E. Wayne Gent accepted a rebate check from Florida Power and Light (FPL) in the amount of $97,440 during a recent School Board meeting. The rebate resulted from the recent installation of a new Thermal Energy System (TES) at Lakewood Park Elementary. The district has had a long-standing commitment to maximizing the efficiency of its facilities, and the installation of such systems in local schools has proven effective. Schools with systems such as these have demonstrated an average savings of approximately 50 percent in energy costs. 'Every dollar is important to education, and these savings equate to a re-investment in our students,' said Gent. Over the lifetime of SLPS's partnership with FPL, a total of $2,428,873 worth of incentives and rebates has been realized. Replacement projects on roofs and lighting control retrofits along with other TES system installations contribute to this total. Specifically, the TES is an ice storage system for chilled water cooling in air conditioners that helps reduce the energy bills while still keeping the school at a comfortable temperature for students and staff. The TES system runs during off-peak hours to take advantage of FPL's Time of Use Rate. This rate allows for lower electric charges during off-peak hours. Nikhilb2008 Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 5,159 Thanked: 9,143 Times re: Turbo R18 Honda Civic: 38,000 kms, new leather & Yokohama Advan Neovas! What I liked about my entire experience with Venkat and Joe: They are not as famous as some others who have a justifiably great reputation. However, Joe and Venkat are a little unknown. They are known within a certain circle but not as famous as Race Concepts or Red Rooster or Raj Hingorani or any of those guys! I felt this made them listen to me and my requirements better. They dont have any particular marketing hype to live up to. Because of that they arent any pressure to show any numbers like 200 bhp or 250bhp. They can focus on getting my car to be fast and reliable. However what I realised through this whole process is that I am partly wrong. They are genuinely good listeners, Joe more than Venkat! Venkat gets excited a lot and sometimes has a tendency to push his point through. He's rarely wrong though and he hasnt given me reason to complain. I realised that even if I pressurise them into giving me a 250 bhp car, they wont unless they think it will be rock solid reliable. They can be strict and put their foot down when needed! Another point here is that Venkat is based in Bangalore and Joe shuttles between Kerala and Bangalore. So, a large part of my interaction was with Venkat. It's phenomenal the effort he puts in to ensure I am happy. When we had a few issues with the coolant leaking, this bugger probably never slept. Worked through the night to ensure that I will get my car back when I need it. We needed to change the main power cable from the battery(which is in the boot now) to a thicker wire and Venkat worked through the night just so that I have my car during the day when I need it. I dont think I've ever met anyone who can do this for a customer's car. Working through the night is common during racing season but for a customer's car? Highly unlikely! Due credit to also be given to this boy Chandru who adores Venkat and will follow him through the gates of hell. He is superb with his hands and is prepared to do anything to ensure that the customer's car is perfect and ready. His attention to detail matches Venkat's and that's saying something! They also understood my usage well. I am in sales and I use my car a lot to cover South India. I have covered 1,38,000 kms in less than 6 years. So, my car cannot be down AT ALL. It has to be ready to run whenever I want it to run. I dont want to run through an entire checklist like an aircraft pilot every time I drive long distance. When we faced issues with the Comp Turbo, they both were very supportive and didnt worry. They calmed me down and assured me that they had my back. I didnt lose a single penny over the whole fiasco with Comp Turbo. Now would be a good time to call them out for the unethical company they are. They were just not forthcoming over the issues that we might face. Looks like they purposely built a turbo that was supposed to leak their high speed grease and then they make a fortune selling over priced grease for $100 a tube. Even now, some of our money is stuck with them. They are yet to refund it. Very unethical company and forget the oilless turbos which dont work, I wouldnt touch any product from this company with a barge pole. I would recommend every enthusiast to make a note of this and not bother even considering this fraud company. There are many other good companies out there making good turbos. Just ignore this one. Coming back to Joe and Venkat; I felt like I couldnt have been in better hands. Whatever doubts I had they answered patiently. I could feel my own knowledge expand over the past 2-3 months being with these guys and hearing them answer my questions. We spent a lot of time driving around Bangalore. NICE Road, Airport road, NH7 to Krishnagiri, NH4 (to Kolhapur and back on work) and so on. When I was planning a trip t Kolhapur with the Comp turbo (1st week of December), I just shared my apprehensions with Venkat and Joe. The turbo had run just about 1500 kms. Venkat instantly offered to come with me to Kolhapur and take care of any issues if they arose. And I was lucky he was with me. There was an issue with a vacuum hose of some sort that tore as it was meant to be under vacuum but now it was running with boost. If I was alone, I wouldnt have known what to do. Venkat coolly inspected the whole thing and repaired it and we reached Bangalore. Unfortunately, it tore once more and eventually we replaced that OEM hose with an aftermarket stronger one. When coolant was leaking into the engine resulting in a billowing cloud of vapour, it was past 11:00 pm and I called Venkat. He immediately dropped everything and came to my house to inspect the car. When we realised it was coolant, he immediately left his car at my disposal and took my car to remove the turbo and fix the OEM catcon. He delivered the car the next day. This kind of customer service is just fantastic. Gave me peace of mind. Venkat's attention to detail is just something else altogether. I've rarely met someone who is as anal as Venkat when it comes to doing things right. They are very honest and kept my expectations realistic. They made my realise the importance of OEM tuning. They made it very clear that reaching OEM levels of refinement is very difficult. OEMs spend hundreds of hours, millions of dollars, many months and thousands of kms of testing to fine tune their final engine map. And doing that for us in the aftermarket is very difficult. This was a pleasant change for me. I am used to people from the aftermarket industry always complaining about how badly designed the stock car or components are! At the end of the whole process, I have renewed respect for the guy who fine tune an OEM car for all conditions the car is supposed to go through. So, my car isnt as refined as the stock Civic but currently, it is not too bad. Again, I am told it will improve once they do the final tuning session on the dyno. Last edited by Nikhilb2008 : 15th February 2016 at 12:30 . Mumbai, India, February 16, 2016: ICICI Bank today announced the launch of a virtual mobile app development challenge, Indias largest mobile app development initiative by a bank. Christened ICICI Appathon, the programme aims to attract developers, technology companies, startups, technopreneurs and students to create the next generation of banking applications on mobile. Hosted on the IBM Bluemix cloud based platform, ICICI Appathon will offer a diverse set of over 50 APIs (Application Programme Interface) from ICICI Bank and its group companies namely ICICI Prudential Life Insurance, ICICI Lombard General Insurance and ICICI Securities. As a first, payment APIs from Visa and the Unified Payment Interface API from NPCI will also be available for the app development challenge. Visa and NPCI are the partners of ICICI Appathon. Using these APIs, participants will have to create innovative working prototypes of mobile applications that provides a superior customer experience. Speaking about the initiative, Ms. Chanda Kochhar, MD & CEO, ICICI Bank said, At ICICI Bank, technology has been at the core of our strategy. In line with this vision, we have introduced the ICICI Appathon that will allow us to foster innovation and tap into the minds of the most innovative developers. With India being among the top three internet users in the world, mobile banking is witnessing an exponential growth. It is also bringing about a shift in consumer preference wherein they want innovative solutions on the go. Through the ICICI Appathon, we want to broad base and leverage on the innovative ideas and the exceptional talent in our developers, technopreneurs and technology startups. We believe that programmes like these will encourage young developers to create world class banking applications on mobile and will strengthen the Governments Digital India mission. We hope to get ideas for some exceptional apps at the end of this development challenge. Freelance developers, technology enthusiasts working in companies, startups and students from the technology space can participate in the ICICI Appathon in the following way: Registration: Participants can register on iciciappathon.com from February 16 to March 01, 2016. The names of the shortlisted candidates will be announced on March 4, 2016. They will be given access to the APIs hosted on the IBM Bluemix platform on March 5, 2016 Development: Participants will have to create minimum one innovative working prototype using the virtual banking and financial services APIs. These need to be submitted by March 27, 2016 Evaluation: Finalists will be announced on April 7, 2016. They will be invited to the ICICI Bank headquarters in Mumbai to compete in the Grand Finale in mid of April 2016 ICICI Bank Limited ICICI Bank Towers Bandra-Kurla Complex Bandra (E) Mumbai-400051. Three ICICI Appathon champions will be selected by a jury of eminent leaders from the BFSI segment and startups. All participants will be judged on five criteria that include uniqueness, functionality, business potential, user experience and scalability. Three ICICI Appathon champions will be selected by a jury of eminent leaders from the BFSI segment and startups. All participants will be judged on five criteria that include uniqueness, functionality, business potential, user experience and scalability. The top three winners will win prizes from a pool of over Rs 20 lakh along with a potential engagement opportunity with ICICI Bank. They will also be given a chance to be mentored by the event partners. Additionally, winners of the ICICI Appathon, who apply to the 10,000 Startups of NASSCOM will get a fast tracked entry into it. Moreover, two members of the winning team shall also have access to the network and coworking community of 91springboard (a co-working community of freelancers, startups and established small to large businesses) across India. Technuter.com News Service The American Legion, Albany Post 10, held a commemorative ceremony on Feb. 14 in observance of the sacrifice of the Four Chaplains during World War II. Last Wednesday, Albany Mayor Sharon Konopa proclaimed Feb. 14 as Four Chaplains Sunday. On the frigid night of Feb. 3, 1943, the overcrowded Allied ship U.S.A.T. Dorchester, carrying 902 servicemen, was torpedoed by a Nazi submarine 80 miles south of Greenland. It sank in 27 minutes. Two escort ships, Coast Guard cutters Comanche and Escanaba were able to rescue only 231 survivors. In the chaos of fire, smoke, oil and ammonia, four chaplains calmed sailors and soldiers and distributed life jackets: Lt. George L. Fox, Methodist; Lt. Clark V Poling, Dutch Reformed; Lt. John P. Washington, Roman Catholic; and Lt. Alexander D Goode, Jewish. When there were no more life jackets, the four chaplains ripped off theirs and put them on four young men. As the ship went down, survivors floating in rafts could see the four chaplains linking arms and bracing themselves on deck. They bowed their heads in prayer as they sank to their icy deaths. The commemorative ceremony, led by Commander Steve Adams and Post Chaplain Floyd Bacon began with a salute to the flag and music by the Salvation Army Brass Band. It ended with a lighting of a candle for each of the Four Chaplains and a 21-Gun Salute by the Post Honor Guard and TAPS. LG's featured attraction at next week's Mobile World Congress will no doubt be the G5 but that's not the only handset that'll be vying for attention. On Tuesday, the South Korean technology giant announced a follow-up to last year's G4 Stylus phablet. The new LG Stylus 2 features a large 5.7-inch display operating at 1,280 x 720 that's powered by an as-yet unknown quad-core chip clocked at 1.2GHz and 1.5GB of RAM. The handset includes 16GB of local storage that's expandable via microSD card, a 13-megapixel rear-facing camera, a respectable 8-megapixel front shooter, 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.1 and a removable 3,000mAh battery. The phone measures 7.4mm thick and tips the scales at 145g, making it both thinner and lighter than its predecessor. The hardware isn't all that impress but LG is hoping the work it's done to the included stylus - and that fact that it'll apparently be "exceptionally-priced" - will be enough to attract buyers. LG says the new stylus utilizes a nano-coated tip for improved accuracy versus the previous rubber-tipped model. What's more, LG has added a feature called Pen Keeper that will trigger a notification when the phone is in motion and the stylus bay is empty in an effort to prevent losing it. There's also a new Calligraphy Pen font that'll allow users to write "as beautifully and decoratively as if using a fountain pen" and a feature known as Pen Pop that toggles a shortcut menu for stylus-related tasks when the stylus is removed from its bay. LG hasn't yet shared pricing and availability plans for the Stylus 2 but those details will almost certainly be released next week in Barcelona. A Microsoft job listing hints that HTC could be planning to manufacture its own Windows 10 Mobile-powered smartphone. Originally pushed out in December last year, the posting considers HTC as among Microsoft's third-party phone device partners. This says the Redmond-based company is looking for a Director of Account Management in Taipei, Taiwan, where the phone maker is based. He will be tasked to work with HTC in bringing new Windows 10 Mobile products on the market. "[T]his person will lead all aspects of sales and business development interaction with HTC, one of our top [third-party] phone device partner accounts," reads the job posting. "Impact must be driven through senior executive levels up to and including CEO level with the goal to build product portfolio that highlight focused user scenarios around our Windows 10 Mobile and Microsoft services combined with HTC's devices, applications and services," it further adds. Is HTC Already Giving Up On Android? HTC's first handsets were powered by Windows Mobile. These phones range from the HTC Touch Diamond, HTC Touch Pro, HTC Imagio, HTC HD2 and more. HTC then decided to build Android-powered devices, such as T-Mobile G1 and Nexus One. Eventually, the phone maker rolled out a Windows version of the One M8 in the United States. While it offers an international variant of the phone in some markets, the handset did not gain traction among fans of Windows devices. It seems, however, that HTC is not giving up on Android yet, as it is geared to launch its next flagship phone, the One M10, which happens to run on Google's operating system, This phone is believed to come out in April. At the moment, it remains to be seen whether or not HTC will still produce Windows 10 Mobile phones. A report from Softpedia says the release of such a phone will depend on how well the forthcoming Android flagship will sell beginning this year's second quarter. WMPoweruser also believes the job post is an indication that "Microsoft is pursuing [its] OEM agenda with many other Chinese OEM/ODMs, suggesting we have just seen the start of a profusion of [third party] Windows phones over the next year." Time will tell if HTC will release a Windows 10 Mobile device down the road, especially since the company is still recovering from its losses. Last month, Tech Times reported that HTC has net losses of up to $101 million for the last quarter of last year. While earnings showed a slight jump of 20 percent as opposed to the third quarter because of the A9 handset, the improvement is still lower than what it earned in the same quarter of 2014. 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. This new form of frozen water could have the lowest density for ice ever discovered. The proposed ice whose molecular form was calculated by a University of Nebraska Lincoln-led team of researchers has a record-low density of 25 percent less than the one synthesized by European scientists back in 2014. If this proposed ice can be synthesized, it would be the 18th of known crystalline forms of water, as well as the first to be discovered in the U.S. since before the World War II. According to study author and chemistry professor Xiao Cheng Zeng, they made a lot of calculations to determine if it is the lowest-dense ice at present. "A lot of people are interested in predicting a new ice structure beyond the state of the art, says Zeng, who earlier discovered a 2D Nebraska Ice that contracts instead of expands when frozen under specific settings. A computational algorithm as well as molecular simulation helped the team predict the new frozen-water form, which will be called Ice XVII. The said configuration appears to be a kind of clathrate, a series of water molecules forming an interlocking and cage-like foundation. While it has been long established that those clathrates structures can only keep their integrity when containing a so-called guest molecule such as methane, the researchers are calculating if these cages would hold together despite a guest molecular exiting the environment. It wont be an easy process to synthesize this new form of ice, as it is only predicted to form when water molecules are put inside an enclosure subjected to extremely high and outwardly expanding pressure. The temperature is another critical factor. At -10 degrees Fahrenheit, warned the researchers, the pressure level necessary for producing the ice would be four times greater than that of the deepest trench of the Pacific Ocean. At -460 degrees F, it would be even greater, or about the same amount one would feel while trapped underneath 300 jumbo jets at sea level. The ice could then be synthesized through vacuuming guest molecules out. Zengs team is inspired by the mere wonders of ordinary ice, which has covered the planet for billions of years. "Water and ice are forever interesting because they have such relevance to human beings and life, he says. The low density of ice ably protects the water beneath it anything denser would freeze the water from the bottom up and hinder life from flourishing, he cited as an example. The findings were discussed in the journal Science Advances. 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. When Mobile World Congress begins next week in Barcelona, Spain, we'll finally get an official look at the next Xiaomi flagship smartphone. At least that's for those of us who aren't in China. All we'll get is a look at it, at the very least, because for the most part, the Chinese company has kept away from U.S. shores. Its focus has been on mainland China and Southeast Asia where it sold over 70 million phones last year. If anything, the closest the Chinese company has gotten to American shores is in selling its Mi line of accessories through its online store in the U.S. and by poaching Hugo Barra, a former Google vice president and product spokesperson for Android, to fill its VP slot of International. Xiaomi's consumers in China will get a real, first-hand look and feel of Xiaomi's next generation flagship. Revealed over its blog, the company has indeed sent out invites to its Feb. 24 launch event to be held at the China National Convention Center. There will be, however, a limited media preview of the device at MWC next week and that would mark a first for the Chinese company. That's the first part of all the hype surrounding the Mi 5 overseas. By coming out at MWC, even if it is just a limited media preview, it could be a sign that the device may finally be coming to other markets. By launching a simultaneous debut of the Xiaomi Mi 5 outside of China, maybe Xiaomi is ready to finally spread its businesses to other countries, namely the United States. Even if it did sell 70 million phones last year, that number still falls below expectations. Sooner or later, Xiaomi's investors will be looking for an upside, and breaking into the U.S. market may just be it. Beyond the Chinese company finally venturing out its business to the other side of the world, the device itself seems to be deserving of all the hype. The Mi 5 is rumored to be one of the first devices to be powered by Qualcomm's latest Snapdragon 820 chipset. In addition, the device is also said to pack one of the first pressure-sensitive touchscreens that's not an Apple device. Xiaomi does run a forked version of Android so its software tweaks are also expected to be a standout feature of the Mi 5. Finally, Hugo Barra himself has been touting and tweeting the Mi 5's supposed class-leading camera capabilities especially in HDR mode, describing its shots as "insanely AMAZING." By next week's end, we'll be seeing for ourselves if the device does indeed live up to all the hype so far. 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Repeated intake of a class of heartburn drugs known as proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) may raise seniors' risk of developing dementia. The drugs, which include Prilosec, Nexium and Prevaci, work by lowering the amount of acid the stomach produces. For the study published in JAMA Neurology, researchers look at the data of 73,679 patients who were at least 75 years old and did not have dementia at the start of the study. Over the course of seven years, 29, 510 of these patients were diagnosed with dementia. Analysis of PPI use revealed that the 2,950 patients were regularly taking the drug. These PPI users were also found to have increased risk for dementia compared with those who do not take the drug. The results of the study were in line with findings of earlier research with mice that found rodents on PPI tend to have higher levels of amyloid plaques, whose buildup in the brain is associated with dementia. Based on their findings, the researchers said that avoiding PPIs may help prevent the development of dementia albeit further studies are still needed to get a closer look at the connection between the medication and development of dementia. "Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are widely used for the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases but have also been shown to be potentially involved in cognitive decline," the researchers wrote in their study. "The avoidance of PPI medication may prevent the development of dementia." It isn't the first time that PPIs have been linked to unwanted side effects. The drug, for instance may lead to low magnesium levels. It also raises risk for gastrointestinal infection, kidney disease, fracture, pneumonia and Clostridium difficile infection. How the drug works could determine the cause of the problem. PPIs block the production of stomach acids, which help digest food and serve as a barrier against ingested pathogens. When there are less stomach acids, people become vulnerable to nutritional deficiencies and infections. Study author Britta Haenisch, from the German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, said that patients should take the drugs according to the instructions of doctors, who in turn should make sure not to overprescribe PPIs, which commonly happens. 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Sea levels are not rising as rapidly as anticipated despite the accelerated melting of ice sheets and glaciers. In fact, the hot, parched Earth is soaking up more of the water inland before it flows into the oceans, a new study revealed. NASA scientists examined satellite measurements over the last 10 years. They found, for the first time, that planet Earth's continents absorbed and stored an additional 3.2 trillion tons of water in lakes, soils and underground aquifers. By doing so, the rate of sea level rise has been temporarily slowed by 20 percent, researchers said. Thirsty Continents Act Like Sponge John Reager, lead author of the study and a hydrologist from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, said they have always assumed that the reliance on groundwater for consumption and irrigation resulted in a net transfer of water from the land to the ocean. What scientists didn't realize until the study was that the changes in the global water cycle more than compensated for the losses from groundwater pumping. The land began to act like a sponge, albeit temporarily. Reager said that as the force of gravity depends on mass, the only thing that is mobile enough and heavy enough to affect Earth's gravity is water. "That movement of water has one of the biggest effects on the earth's gravity field," he said. The water cycle involves the flow of moisture, from evaporation over the oceans to the fall of precipitation, to rivers and runoff that lead back to the ocean. Earth's continents go through 6 trillion tons of snow, soil moisture, groundwater and surface water. The stores of water are gradually released into the seas, and the process begins again. Doubling Numbers, But Still Not Fast Enough The strength of the global water cycle, however, can vary from decade to decade, year to year, because of the changes in weather and climate. Over the past century, the sea level rise has sped up because of melting ice sheets and glaciers, pouring more water into the ocean. Warming temperatures have caused the sea's volume to expand. Reager and his colleagues studied data spanning from April 2002 to November 2014, from the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE). At this time, the sea level rose at an average rate of 2.9 millimeters per year. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, this is approximately double the average rate during the 20th century. It's fast, but this was not what scientists had anticipated, and so they added a fourth factor to their calculations: water stored inland. The NASA research team discovered that weather cycles and natural climate brought more snow and rain over land, where it collected in the soils and led to the rise of water tables. With that, the continents absorbed 3.2 trillion tons of water, reducing the rate of sea level rise by 0.71 millimeters annually. The Pattern May Not Continue Alex Gardner, a JPL glaciologist, said the land can only store so much water before the continents begin to lose water mass again. They expect the extra absorption of water won't last forever. Gardner said the only way to reduce the rate of sea level rise is to lessen the amount of energy that the planet soaks up. The only way to do that is by stopping the emissions of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide. "We can't compete with the Earth's system. It's just so huge. Some years are wet, some years are dry. You wait long enough and the climate wins," added Gardner. "Climate always wins." The findings of the study are featured in the journal Science. Photo : David Stanley | Flickr 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The Republic of Fiji has marked history by being the first country in the world to ratify the Paris Climate Change deal, which was drawn up by 195 countries in December last year. On Friday, Fiji's lawmakers unanimously agreed to approve the United Nations climate agreement, pledging to curb greenhouse gas emissions. According to media reports, the motion to ratify the deal was brought to parliament by Aiyaz Sayed Khaiyum, Fiji's attorney general and acting foreign minister. Khaiyum told the parliament that the Fijian government would need to formalize the deal before the signing ceremony in New York on April 22, where Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama will sign the document on behalf of the island nation. The attorney general said tackling climate change is one of the major priorities of the archipelago. In a report, Fiji said it was already facing wide-scale flooding, eroding shorelines, more vicious tropical storms, and depleting supplies of fish as a result of the changing climate. Fiji is a volcanic archipelago with about 300 islands and with a population of 881,600. Under its climate change action plan (PDF), Fiji vowed to generate 100 percent of its electricity from renewable energy by 2030. The island nation also pledged to cut overall emissions from its energy sector by 30 percent in 15 years. "We also want to establish Fiji as one of the leading island nations in the world to discuss the new areas of legal implications of climate change," said Khaiyum. This included the loss of land, land that sinks under water due to sea level rise, and the situation of climate change refugees. Fiji's decision to formalize the agreement is the beginning of an expected wave of ratification as other countries prepare for their attendance at the ceremony in New York. The Paris Climate Change agreement needs at least 55 countries to ratify the treaty in order to formally take effect worldwide. The number represents at least 55 percent of the greenhouse gas emissions in the planet. Experts believe the milestone can be accomplished in time for the New York event, especially because all the world's major economies showed their support for the climate change deal. Photo : Brew Books | Flickr 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Hackers have taken the computer system of the Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center hostage, demanding 9,000 Bitcoin or $3.6 million. The Southern California hospital is a victim of ransomware, and it has been down for over one week as it recovers from the attack. According to NBC, the damage has caused the hospital to be unable to continue day-to-day operations. To keep up activity at the medical center, the staff has turned to manual documentation using pen and paper to take down patient information and jammed fax lines and telephones to communicate from one department to another. The administration has forbidden the use of other computers for fear that the harmful software could spread to more workstations. Allen Stefanek, President and CEO of the hospital, says that "significant IT issues" began to emerge last week, leading to a declaration of "internal emergency." He also mentions that the attack was random, not malicious, noting that the emergency rooms have been "sporadically impacted since Friday." The hospital sought assistance from experts in cyber forensics and government authorities such as the FBI and the Los Angeles Police Department. An unnamed doctor says that the system is being held for ransom, suggesting that the motive of the cybercriminals was not to steal patient data. "At this time, we have no evidence that any patient or employee information was the subject of unauthorized access or extraction by the attacker," Stefanek tells NBC4. With that said, the patients are not safe from harm. Stefanek insists that the incident has no impact on the overall care for the patients, but some have spoken out to say otherwise. Jackie Mendez and her 87-year-old mother say that they have to drive to Palmdale to pick up medical tests, which takes them over one hour to do so. "It's bad. She's an older person. It's not right she has to do this," she says. Another patient named Belmont West is also affected by the incident. Belmont says he went to the hospital to get his grandmother's medical test results to no avail. "It's a little worrying because when you go to a hospital you expect the best care, but it seems there is some sort of delay and failure in the system," he says. Some outpatients had to miss their medical treatments because of the ransomware. Also, some patients had to be transferred to other hospitals, as some of the medical equipment that need computers at the Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center were rendered inoperable, including apparatuses for X-ray and CT scans, documentation and pharmacy and lab work. Ransomware is a type of malware that is often spread via phishing attacks and downloads. Once it installs itself on a machine, it'll proceed to encrypt crucial system files. The affected computer will have its system locked up this way, and the malicious software will pull up a message that warns users of a time limit before all their files are deleted, extorting money in the process. Users who want to get rid of the ransomware will have to pay a certain fee to the attackers so that they would hand over release key codes that'll restore the system. To make it hard to track them down, cybercriminals usually ask for cryptocurrency. In this case, the currency asked for is bitcoin. To put things into perspective, 9,000 bitcoin or $3.6 million is a relatively steep demand for a ransomware attack, but seeing as this is a high-profile case, that is more or less expected. Photo: Yuri Samoilov | Flickr 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Gravitational waves are ripples in the space-time fabric. Albert Einstein proposed it way back in 1916. One hundred years later, on Feb. 11, scientists announced for the first time a direct evidence of gravitational waves from a collision of two black holes. The groundbreaking moment in history was captured by the advanced Large Interferometer Gravitational Wave Observatory (LIGO) on Sept. 14, 2015. But why is the discovery making so much wave? Fresh Look At The Universe First of all, humanity gets a fresh new look at the universe. The colossal stellar occurrences can now be documented using an advanced instrument. It opens the window to a whole new range of information we still don't know about our universe. The LIGO instrument provides the scientific community a way to listen to the gravitational waves and give a better explanation to what was once just a theory. "You're opening your eyes in this case, our ears to a new set of signals from the universe that our previous technologies did not allow us to receive, study and learn from," said LIGO team member Vassiliki Kalogera, an astronomy and physics professor at the Northwestern University in Illinois. "We can observe the universe in this new way; not using light, but using gravity," said physicist Brian Greene. Black Holes Merging There's also the collision itself. Before the study, there was no actual proof of black holes fusing together to form an even bigger one. Forty years after the LIGO instrument was proposed, it finally captured the elusive phenomenon. Due to lack of light, black holes can't be easily observed by light- and X-ray-detecting telescopes. Some can be observed by light-based telescopes due to the light from nearby stars. The black holes LIGO found were 29 and 36 times bigger than our own sun's mass. With a new instrument on board, we can be sure that scientists will shed new light on cosmic objects and activities. For instance, if a supernova happens in our galaxy, its actual dynamics can now be recorded using LIGO. Space-Time Warp Einstein's theory of relativity was tested by numerous scientists since its proposal in 1916. However, some of the theory's aspects were so elusive to observe, especially the space-time warp. Warped space-time expert and LIGO founding member Kip Thorne said that the two black holes that collided in September created a "violent storm in the fabric of space and time." Many questions are still left unanswered, including the inner mechanics of black holes, but these will unravel slowly now that the scientific community has a new set of ears. Photo : NASA Blueshift | Flickr 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Half of humans could be hounded by unemployment in 30 years time as machines fill job vacancies, warned a scientist in an expert panel that sounded the alarm on the threat of increasing use of autonomous systems on jobs. Robots and smart machines such as self-driving car and intelligent drones are fast taking over traditional jobs, possibly resulting in this unprecedented rate of unemployment, according to computational engineering professor Moshe Vardi from Rice University in Texas. I do believe that, by 2045, machines will be able to do a very significant fraction of the work a man can do, said Vardi, presenting at the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) in Washington. [I]f machines are capable of doing almost any work humans can do, what will humans do? he continued. Artificial intelligence experts predicted at the Feb. 13 news briefing during the annual meeting that these autonomous systems will march into society in the next two or three years. Driving is expected to be completely automated in 25 years. With over a billion dollars allocated in 2015 for AI research the biggest in the entire history of the field experts agreed that these advances may threaten job security as well as unleash a number of ethical, legal, and regulatory challenges. With the advent of self-driving cars, for instance, car accident rates will likely be reduced; the labor market can be seriously wounded and courts would have to determine liability given computers involvement in accidents. Automation, said Vardi, has already slashed the number of jobs in the American manufacturing sector, whose jobs have now dropped below 1950 figures. The country now has more than 250,000 industrial robots, with a double-digit growth rate. The scientist harped on whats called job polarization, where jobs in the middle in terms of skill requirements and cost efficiency will be the easiest target for automation. Great inequality will result from the job disappearance, Vardi said, adding that the issue should be on the radar of U.S. presidential candidates. "We need to start thinking very seriously: What will humans do when machines can do almost everything?" urged Vardi. It is not too late, however, for policymakers to act on potential legal and ethical concerns surrounding AI machines. "There's a need for concerted action to keep technology a good servant and not let it become a dangerous master, said ethicist Wendell Wallach of Yale University, calling for strong, meaningful human control of the rapidly growing technology. Wallace proposed the devotion of 10 percent of AI research funding to studying the machines societal effects. 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. SALEM Yamhill, Wasco and Klamath counties have given their support to Linn Countys efforts to derail proposed increases in the states minimum wage laws. Thursday, on a 16-12 vote, the Oregon Senate approved a modified Senate Bill 1532 that would allow incremental increases in the states minimum wage levels starting in July. The increases would cap in 2022, when the wages would be adjusted annually based on the Consumer Price Index. The top minimum wage for rural counties would be $12.50 per hour, $13.50 in urban counties that include the cities of Salem and Eugene and $14.75 in the Portland area. Linn County contends that the Oregon Constitution prohibits the Legislature from creating mandates for local governments without also providing funding. In turn, the county commissioners informed the state it will not comply with new minimum wage laws if enacted. Nyquist spent Friday and Monday in Salem, meeting with elected officials, including the Paul Holvey, chair of the House committee. Nyquist said he was pleased by an editorial in Fridays Oregonian newspaper that contends the Senate is in a big rush to push the issue through, without considering all potential costs. The editorial noted: Worse, in the rush to pass the legislation, there's been little consideration of the unintended consequences that a blanket wage hike would trigger. It's not just businesses warning of layoffs to compensate for higher costs, or seniors on fixed incomes who will have to stretch their limited dollars to cover more expensive food and other staples. Local governments are weighing in on the double whammy that Oregonians will face on the local level, with a reduction in both county jobs and services to the public as a result of such a mandate. Last week, Coos and Douglas counties sent letters of support to Linn County Commissioners Roger Nyquist, John Lindsey and Will Tucker, and elected officials. Yamhill County commissioners Stan Primozich, Allen Springer and Mary Starrett said in their letter of support that the various proposals being considered are financially irresponsible; we also believe they violate Article XI, Section 15 of the Constitution of the State of Oregon. The commissioners believe the impact will be $450 million to $500 million statewide. The Yamhill commissioners added, All businesses should have the autonomy to pay their workforce at the level they deem economically sustainable. We believe mandated wage increases outside of what is already in place in Oregon will hurt the economic sustainability of our local business climate, do a disservice to our most vulnerable workforce participants and will not achieve the desired outcomes that the authors and supporters wish to achieve. Klamath County Commissioners Tom Mallams, Kelley Minty Morris and Jim Bellet believe a minimum increase to $13.50 per hour would cost the county about $551,000 and an increase to $15 would cost $1,051,500. This would likely necessitate the need to drastically reduce certain departments or eliminate entire departments. Surely the economic impact of this change on county governments is something you will consider. The commissioners also believe increased wages could lead to some employees becoming ineligible for the Oregon Health Plan, childcare subsidies and other public provided services. This would create a situation where even though workers earn an increased income, they are forced to pay out that additional income in increased health care and day care costs, the commissioners letter notes. Increasing Oregons minimum wage will cause the same people who are currently struggling to make ends meet to be significantly worse off than they already are. Wasco County Commissioner Steven Kramer wrote, Based on constitutional questions, a lack of financial resources to pay for a minimum wage increase and the unreasonable timeline to consider such a weighty matter, I request that you forego taking action on a minimum wage package in the upcoming 2016 session. Stephen King's novel has finally come to life in Hulu on Feb. 15 and the James Franco-led adaptation may just be as thrilling as the original literature despite the few necessary changes that were made. The 90-minute episode had viewers who have read King's book pleasantly surprised at not only a faithful adaptation of the thriller but some extra surprises to keep them interested as well. The first of eight episodes already established the time-traveling Jake Epping, played by Franco, and wasted no time in throwing him in the middle of things. A noticeable change that was made to compress the book's timeline was the year through which Jake enters the past. "I think that people who know the book will feel rewarded, but I also think that there are enough surprises and deviations to make it fresh... In the book, Jake Epping goes back for a very lengthy, long period of time [...] I compressed that time. And by the very nature of TV, it's just going, so episode-by-episode, there are some great cliffhangers," Showrunner, Writer and Executive Producer Bridget Carpenter said. The premier episode sets up Jake's motivation in the beginning. He just got divorced and he feels as if he has nothing else left to lose so, when his friend, local diner owner Al Templeton, reveals that he has a pantry that connects to the past and he wants Jake to go back in time and stop JFK's assassination, he goes for it. There are, of course, rules that Jake must remember. For instance, Al told him that the pantry will always connect to one specific time and date and, everytime he returns to the past, time resets and his previous changes to the past are erased. The most important bit of information is that time does not like it when the past is changed, and this is what Jake learns firsthand as, with every attempt to change something, he is met with tragic events afterwards and strangers remind him that he is not supposed to be in that time. It turns out that each change he makes in the timeline is the direct cause of the tragic events and, the bigger the change he makes, the more massive the consequences are. With three years to go before the JFK assassination, Jake spends his time as a teacher while researching more on Lee Harvey Oswald's involvement- whether he acted alone or had accomplices. He is finally able to gain some knowledge about Oswald's involvement after following the assassin's only friend, George de Mohrenschildt, who was meeting with the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). The first episode ends with Jake deciding to go back to the present, but not before driving to the home of one of his students, Harry Dunning, to prevent Harry's father from killing the family on the Halloween night of 1960. 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Aston Martin will only be making 24 units of its now $2.3 million Vulcan supercar, a track-only, all-carbon fiber vehicle powered by a new 820-horsepower, 7-liter V-12 engine. The Aston Martin Vulcan's exhaust is made from titanium and Inconel, for maximum rear downforce, with the vehicle packing a 600E gear box that can push the supercar to speeds of over 200 miles per hour. Drooling yet? How about after learning that the first batch of the supercar's buyers were taken to Abu Dhabi for professional race training? With the Aston Martin Vulcan not legal to be driven on streets, the buyers of the supercar are required to have knowledge of race track driving in a variety of conditions, which is what the training they're receiving is focusing on. The location of the training is nowhere else but on Abu Dhabi's Yas Marina F1 circuit, with elite professional racing drivers, including Aston Martin's Darren Turner, serving as the instructors. The Aston Martin Vulcan buyers were given one-on-one training, with the instructors sitting on the passenger side as they raced through laps on the race track in both day and night to subject the drivers to various conditions. "The guys here this week have all been in the car as my passenger at recent events, but this was the first time they got to see and drive their very own Aston Martin Vulcan," said Turner about the sessions, which are a part of a two-year driver experience program. "The priority of all of us on the team was to produce a car that provides immense enjoyment for the customers. Judging by the reactions we have seen this week, that goal has been achieved and surpassed," Turner added. It seems then that the customers are enjoying their mean machines. The Aston Martin Vulcan is pegged to compete with Ferrari's FXX K and McLaren's P1 GTR as luxurious track-only supercars, as these other car companies also offer their buyers with similar programs to introduce elite cars to their customers. The treatment is understandable, though, specially with the buyers dropping that much cash to purchase these supercars. 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. In mythology, the Lernaean Hydra was a multi-headed serpentine with virulent blood and poisonous breath. This water monster was considered as an entrance to the Underworld. Heracles, more prominent as Hercules in Roman mythology, killed the multi-headed serpentine beast as part of his Twelve Labors. The story may have been just a myth, but snakes with more than one head do exist in real life. Two-Headed Baby Python In Australia, a reptile breeder hatched a baby coastal carpet python on Sunday, but he was stunned to see that the baby snake had two heads. Experts call it a Siamese snake, as both heads of the snake are on one end but it only has one tail. Victorian breeder John McNamara said the two-headed baby python is the offspring of a 5-year-old female snake that he owns and a male snake owned by Ben Robson. Siamese snakes are the result of two yolks that were not properly split, similar to the case of how human Siamese twins are developed in the embryo. McNamara said he decided to make public the birth of the baby python in order to find a veterinarian who could help determine which head is the snake's dominant one, which reaches the stomach, and which organs are conjoined and could cause complications. "I've got a lot of mates that breed reptiles," said McNamara. After asking around, he said two-headed snakes are quite rare in the trade. "To be alive still is even rarer," he said. Chances For Survival Bioscientist Ben Phillips said the Siamese python has a reasonable chance at living an extraordinary life. He said the Siamese python needs extra care. Phillips, who is a senior lecturer at the University of Melbourne School of Bio-Sciences, said the first feed is a vital test to figure out which head is dominant. "Snakes aren't all that clever," said Phillips. "If you throw a mouse to a two-headed snake, it is likely one will grab the front and one will grab the back and they attempt to eat each other." The Siamese snake's survival largely depends on how well everything -- the organs and body parts -- is integrated inside, he said. Dan Damblett of Hands on Wildlife Townsville said he has heard of a double-headed rat that survived for two decades. Several two-headed snakes, however, have only lived for a few days. Meanwhile, Phillips noted that two-headed animals are fascinating because "there is a sense of them being separate entities and the same." Coincidentally, McNamara gave names to the baby python's heads: one is Katana, while the other is Wakizashi, both are short swords used by samurais. His young daughter calls the python "The Twin Destroyers." 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. After allegations broke out online that a toxic larvicide may be the real cause of the microcephaly outbreak in Brazil, biotechnology company Monsanto has spoken out about the issue on Monday to clear up "rumors and misinformation." In response to a story published by Tech Times, Monsanto told us that neither the company nor its products have any connection to microcephaly or the Zika virus as it does not manufacture or sell Pyriproxyfen or any other larvicides. Monsanto cleared up its relationship with Sumitomo Chemical Company. "Monsanto does not own Sumitomo Chemical Company," the company wrote in an email. The Japanese firm, however, has been Monsanto's business partner since 1997 in the sector of crop protection. According to Monsanto, Sumitomo supplies the American biotech company with herbicide products. Sumitomo is also a participant in the Roundup Ready Plus program, which focuses on developing effective tools and solutions for weed and insect management. Monsanto also said the herbicide glyphosate or genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are not connected in any way to microcephaly or the Zika virus outbreak. "As a science-based company working to help meet some of the world's biggest challenges, we support all efforts to combat this health crisis," said Monsanto. "We hope all efforts will be taken based on the facts, not rumors." Suspending The Use Of Pyriproxyfen On Water Supplies Brazilian health officials were forced to address the allegations as reports surfaced online. On Saturday, the local government in Rio Grande do Sul, a state in the south of the country, has suspended the use of Pyriproxyfen in its water supplies. "We decided to suspend the use of the product in drinking water until we have a position from the Ministry of Health," said Joao Gabbardo dos Reis, Rio Grande do Sul's health secretary. Dos Reis said the state will still reinforce the appeal to eliminate probable mosquito breeding sites. The federal government, however, was quick to dismiss the rumors, insisting that there is no scientific evidence linking Pyriproxyfen to microcephaly. The Brazilian government said that, unlike the relationship between Zika and microcephaly, which has been confirmed through tests, the link between microcephaly and Pyriproxyfen has no scientific basis. The Zika virus was detected in the samples of tissue, blood and amniotic fluid of pregnant patients. "It's important to state that some localities that do not use Pyriproxyfen also had reported cases of microcephaly," the government said, adding that state-run programs used larvicides that were recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). Some experts also say that Pyriproxyfen, which has been used for quite a long time now in agriculture as insect larvae inhibitor, is not linked to birth defects. University of Melbourne Professor Ary Hoffmann said the development of insects is different from that of humans because both processes involve different series of genes, hormones, and developmental pathways. "It cannot be assumed that chemicals affecting insect development also influence mammalian development," said Hoffmann. Link Between Zika Virus And Microcephaly Questions have been raised about the sudden spike of microcephaly in Brazil, particularly because of the absence of a surge in other regions hit by the Zika virus. Brazil has registered a total of 3,852 suspected cases of microcephaly. Roughly 1,200 cases have been investigated but, according to reports, only 462 cases have been confirmed. In February, scientists in Paraiba reported that the state has been seeing high numbers of microcephaly cases since 2012. In mid-2014, the birth defect had become more common than in mid-2015, the report said. Paraiba is one of the worst hit areas of the microcephaly outbreak in Brazil. So far, two separate studies last week found evidence of Zika in the brain tissue of babies who died after birth and aborted fetuses who all had microcephaly. In addition, a new report by a team at the PUC-Parana University also found the Zika virus in the brain tissue of two babies with microcephaly. Both lived for only 48 hours. "The Zika virus caused brain damage," said researcher Lucia Noronha, a pathologist from the Brazilian Society of Pathology. She said this reinforces evidence of a link between microcephaly and Zika virus. Meanwhile, the WHO said a definitive link between Zika and microcephaly will be confirmed in a few weeks. Scientists are also racing toward the development of an effective vaccine and treatment for Zika virus. Clinical trials are expected within 12 to 18 months. Chemical manufacturer Sumitomo released a statement to clear its name and deny any connection to microcephaly. " Sumitomo Chemical, since it's foundation more than 100 years ago, has rigorously used science as a base for its activities and has regarded the safety of our products as of paramount importance, and thoroughly reviews any new reports and information relevant to our products," the company said. "Pyriproxyfen, after going through extensive toxicological testing, has shown no effects on the reproductive system or nervous system in mammals, and has been approved and registered for use in the past 20 years by the authorities of around 40 countries," it added. Sumitomo's pyripoxyfen is used in countries such as Spain, Netherlands, France and in 37 other markets. 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. In light of the discovery that one in five children who use the Internet has seen porn online, the UK government intends to exercise some stringent measures to curb such trend. The UK government is proposing the implementation of age verification technology on all porn websites. If the porn providers do not comply, they will stand to face civil sanctions. Nearly 1.4 million British kids who are under 18 have visited porn sites in a month as divulged by the government. The alarming figure is reflective of the fears that impressionable kids are increasingly developing a "warped view of sexual relationships". Therefore, in a bid to curb this problem, the UK government is proposing the introduction of the age verification system, which will be mandatory for all adult websites. Sites that don't follow the rules will be facing sanctions. A regulator will be monitoring this and the rules will be applicable to "all sites containing pornographic material." The ministers have plans of fining the porn sites up to 250,000 in the event they do not transition to the age-verification software, which will ensure that kids do not view adult videos online accidentally. If the porn providers do not comply with the legislations, then the sites could see their payments getting affected. The commercial providers flouting the government mandates will have sanctions imposed on them. A public consultation for the intended law has been opened and will run till April 12 this year. This will take place post meetings with several Internet companies, telcos, charities and academics. According to the terms of the proposal a new legal requirement needs to be implanted, whereby all adult content providers in the country are required to enforce age verification controls. "We are delivering on our manifesto promise by launching this consultation today, which proposes we require companies providing this pornographic content to ensure they have safeguards in place to ensure those accessing their websites are over 18," said baroness Shields, Internet and security minister. The consultation document put forwards the proposal that checks need to be applicable to content that receive an R18 or 18 rating from the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC). "We are keen to hear from parents, schools, child protection experts, the pornography industry, internet service providers and online platforms that provide access to pornographic content," explains the consultation document. The DCMS is keen on implementing the new mandate in the coming months. Davide Restivo | Flickr 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Volkswagen continues to get hit as a direct fallout from its ongoing emissions scandal. Bloomberg is reporting that the embattled automaker's European market share has continued to slide for a fifth consecutive month, with deliveries dipping in Germany and the United Kingdom for January. What's worse, while VW's brand fell by four percent to less than 128,350 vehicles registered in Europe for January, competitors like Fiat Chrysler experienced a surge of sales last month. Bloomberg reports that Fiat Chrysler's European sales rose 15 percent last month to snatch hold of the market away from Volkswagen. The saving grace for VW's month was that its group sales with owned brands Audi and BMW had an uptick of one percent, largely due to the latter two companies experiencing gains, and that the automaker's European car demand actually rose by 6.3 percent. That gives VW hope that the worst days of its emissions scandal are behind it. "The impact from the diesel scandal does not seem overly concerning," Arndt Ellinghorst, an analyst with Evercore ISI, told Bloomberg, adding that the "negative news headlines" seem to be over. That isn't stopping competitors from trying to kick the brand while it's down and attempt to emerge from the trudge of its messy emissions crisis. Fiat dealers in Germany are offering rebates of nearly 14.5 percent off its models' sticker prices, according to Bloomberg, hitting VW where it hurts most at home. Specifically, the same news agency adds that VW sales dropped over January in Germany by 8.8 percent and by 14 percent in the UK. This news comes two weeks after Volkswagen began its massive recall to bring 8.5 million compromised diesel vehicles in Europe to comply with emissions regulations. The vehicles will be recalled in groups, with some requiring simple software updates and others needing a flow transformer device installed to ensure that emissions regulations are maintained. While the company can at least take solace in knowing that its recall is underway in Europe, the United States is another issue. Just last month, the latter's Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and California Air Resources Board (CARB) rejected VW's proposed fix for the nearly 600,000 compromised vehicles in the U.S. VW has yet to have be given the green light over a proposal that would bring affected vehicles up to date. 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Daigo Umehara is something of a legend. Known in Japan as "the god of 2D fighting games," Umehara is one of the most famous Street Fighter players in the world and he just lost to a rapper. Rapper Lupe Fiasco and the professional video gamer duked it out in a Street Fighter V exhibition contest on Monday night at The Foundry in San Francisco that was livestreamed via Twitch. Umehara played as Ryu, while Fiasco played as Ken during the best three-of-five matches. The rapper, whose real name is Wasalu Muhammad Jaco, showed off his skills early only, winning the first match after three rounds. Even though Umehara's Ryu was knocked down early on, he got back to his feet to win the second and third match. However, the champion player could not hold up against the rapper's nonstop attacks in the last two matches, making Lupe the overall winner with the final score of 3-2. Even he was shocked (check out his reaction in the video below). Lupe Fiasco may be known as a hip-hop artist, but he also has a strong love for video games. So much so that he often makes video game references in his lyrics, such as in his track "Adoration of the Magi." The rapper tweeted back in January that he would love to go head-to-head against the professional Street Fighter champ after the former community and sponsorship manager Mark "MarkMan" Julio of the arcade joypad makers MadCatz proposed the exhibition. Seems like a dream come true from my view. Been playing SF since I was 5 years old. Chance to play the GOAT is https://t.co/0zMPg3acPz Lupe Fiasco (@LupeFiasco) January 27, 2016 !!!! It would be an honor to lose to Daigo-San... https://t.co/GLrSl3wxcd Lupe Fiasco (@LupeFiasco) January 27, 2016 However, many fans watching were left wondering if Lupe taking home the title was fixed. How could an amateur Street Fighter enthusiast defeat such an elite player? According to Kotaku, MadCatz has denied that the end results of the matches were set up. "No sir, it was not! Daigo would never allow such a thing," MadCatz's Alex Verrey told the site. While some think that Umehara intentionally didn't block and drop combos, it's important to remember this was just an exhibition to generate buzz about the latest title from the Street Fighter franchise. Even though it was all in good fun, Lupe did take the exhibition seriously, stating that he was practicing and planning his strategy. Don't confuse my actual skill level with your personal opinion. Lupe Fiasco (@LupeFiasco) November 21, 2015 Regardless of whether it was fixed or not, it's still entertaining to watch the professional recording artist take on the professional video gamer. Although the rapper announced that he will be releasing a new album "soon" via his Twitter, he could always change careers to become an elite gamer in the future. Street Fighter V was released today, Feb. 16 for PS4 and PC. Watch Lupe Fiasco defeat Daigo Umehara in the video below. Source: Kotaku 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. File this one to "random": a mob of social media users in Brazil is spamming Tyler James Williams, the former star of the sitcom Everybody Hates Chris, by posting quotes from the show on the actor's Instagram account for no discernible reason whatsoever. As reported by BuzzFeed, lines from the show, a comedy based on the life of comedian and creator Chris Rock that premiered in 2006 and went off the air in 2009, have been popping up en masse on almost every single 'gram Williams has posted. While the pairing of some quotes with certain pictures might make a modicum of sense (for instance, the one-liner "Quem e toda essa gente branca??" which means "who are all these white people?") has been repeatedly posted alongside a picture of Williams with his fellow (mostly white) cast members from the Criminal Minds spin-off Beyond Borders despite the fact that fellow castmate Daniel Henney is of Korean and Irish descent. Other photos are plastered with phrases like "essa calca custou 100 dolares e 10 centavos" ("these jeans cost $100 and 10 cents") and "voce nao precisa disso, seu pai tem dois empregos" ("you do not need it, your father has two jobs"). Yesterday's TCA #missingalana #oneshyofafulldeck #CMBB #criminalmindsbeyondborders A photo posted by Tyler James Williams (@willtylerjames) on Jan 13, 2016 at 12:00pm PST Goodmorning. #backtowork A photo posted by Tyler James Williams (@willtylerjames) on Jan 14, 2016 at 7:00am PST (The last line in question is in reference to a quote repeated by the character Rochelle, played by Tichina Arnold, the protagonist Chris' mother). According to the blog Black Women of Brazil, the show is incredibly popular in the South American country due to the fact that it's one of the only shows with a mostly-POC cast that has aired there in recent memory. "This is of particular interest in a city like Salvador where 80 percent of the population is Afro-Brazilian," the site purported. The Brazilian census also reported that the majority of the country identifies as such, with 50.7 percent of the population declaring themselves as POC either Afro-Brazilian or mixed-race in 2010. While this fact doesn't necessitate a good reason or any reason for the influx of spam on Williams' account, it does explain why the target is seemingly random to North American Instagram users. Williams, who starred in 2015's critical darling Dear White People, was understandably unhappy with the sudden torrential downpour of trolling, and decided to combat it with a message of his own. Using Google Translate, Williams posted a warning in Portuguese, informing followers that he would block them if they continued to post. For those who don't speak Portuguese , disregard. Just had to clear something up to some fans internationally A photo posted by Tyler James Williams (@willtylerjames) on Feb 15, 2016 at 4:22pm PST ... which only prompted spammers to fire back with another line from the show: "comprou o tradutor no perigo," another quote from the show, which means, "used a Translator from Risky?" While there seems to be no end in sight for Williams, the question still remains as to what began the flood of spam and it looks like we won't be getting an answer anytime soon. Source: Instagram 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. A sneak peak into the confirmed, rumoured and expected features of Googles Android N ahead of Google I/O 2016 With Google I/O 2016 just a few months away, the excitement surrounding the new New Android N release from Google is gathering pace. Following the path established with Lollipop, Google will now release major new Android updates every year, as confirmed at last years I/O. Several features have been confirmed by Google that the Android 7.0 OS is expected to bring in October. Lets have a look at all the confirmed, rumored and expected Android N features. Confirmed Android N features Android N developer preview is expected to be released on May 18 during Googles annual developer conference, Google I/O 2016. The final Android 7.0 release is expected to be launched alongside the next-gen Nexus releases at the end of October or early November. This Android 7 release will be limited to Nexus devices at first and make its way to all other manufacturer devices and carriers networks over the next six months or so. Multi-window mode Googles Product Director Andrew Bowers during a Reddit AMA with the Pixel C team had said that Android N would have multi-window mode. Were working on lots of things right now for N that, of course, we wish we had, you know, yesterday. But wed spoil the surprise of N if we shared all of them. Split screen is in the works! disclosed Bowers at the time. Of course, you can already get a version of stock multi-window mode in Android Marshmallow, but it is anything but polished. Enhanced tablet support During the same Reddit AMA, Pixel C team member Murphy, a member of the Pixel C team, acknowledged that: Were working hard on a range of enhancements for this form factor, referring to split-screen multitasking support. While no further details were disclosed, these Android N feature could bring better support for tablets such as, more functional multi-tasking, tablet optimized apps, custom navigation buttons, DPI switcher, tablet-specific System UI Tuner features, and stock floating mini-apps. Move to OpenJDK from Java APIs Google will be officially switching to OpenJDK for Android N, due to the issues with Oracle pertaining to rewritten Java APIs. OpenJDK is basically part of the Java Development Kit, which is open source. Google confirmed the news, its spokesperson said, We plan to move Androids Java language libraries to an OpenJDK-based approach, creating a common code base for developers to build apps and services. The change should make the growth for Android N that much easier and external changes will be insignificant. Rumored Android N features Android N name There is a big guessing game going around the Android N name with fans being asked to pick their favorite dessert that starts with an n and place their bets. Currently, the firms favorite is Android 7.0 Nutella, with Nougat coming a close second and a variety of Indian desserts have also been discussed. Sundar Pichai even said he would ask his mother or let fans vote for the official Android N name. Stock stylus support It is expected that Google will bring stock support for styluses in Android N with Samsung hinting at this possibility by planning to retire some of the main S Pen features from its Look API. On its developer page for Look API, Samsung says that several Look API S-Pen features will be deprecated in N a term used to describe a soon-to-be-obsolete feature. Chrome OS integration This seems to be a strange one. On one hand, where initial reports had claimed that Chrome OS would be discontinued, Google responded to it by saying that it was fully committed to Chrome OS and the platform was here to stay. However, it was looking at ways to bring Chrome OS and Android together. There are high chances that we might be able to see at least some application of Chrome OS and Android compatibility in Android N. New messaging app According to the rumors doing the rounds, Google will be introducing an all-new messaging app with Android N likely to replace the largely unpopular Hangouts SMS/MMs integration. Based on the Rich Communications Services (RCS) platform, the new app will allow text to be shuttled around and have much more than just talk, including file sharing, instant messaging and video chat. While Google has publicly acknowledged its commitment to the RSC standard, there is no confirmation if it would be included in Android N. Expected Android N features Return of the Dark Theme The Dark Theme, which had appeared provisionally in the Android M preview builds disappeared again to everyones dismay. It still hasnt made a comeback into an official Android Marshmallow update. Since, its such a popular feature request and with AMOLED displays all set to take over the display market, we can only assume it will make its way back in as an Android N feature much like stock multi-window mode. Improved Smart Lock for Passwords Android Marshmallow introduced Smart Lock for Passwords, a basic Google password manager that can store your app passwords so that any time you re-install an app you will be automatically logged in. The idea is that the entire process of setting up a new device in combination with Androids restored app backup, is continuous. The only problem is that its value is still largely underutilized, as not that many apps support Smart Lock for passwords yet. MOAR battery optimization One of the most important aspects of any Android release will and always be battery optimization. Marshmallow introduced Doze Mode and App Standby and Lollipop introduced a stock Battery Saver Mode. Android N will likely improve these features and hopefully allow Doze to work even when its in your pocket. Improved security and app stability Google took a major step in the right direction with the arrival of granular app permissions in Marshmallow. It allows users to select the app permissions they were comfortable with on an app-by-app basis and discard those they felt were not reasonable. It is expected that Google should have committed devs to updating their apps by the time Android N rolls out in order to offer the same level of stability with or without certain non-critical permissions allowed. End corruption says Anonymous as it hacks and leaks a whopping 18 gigs of data belonging to Turkish police authorities The online hackers collective, Anonymous has turned its attention to corruption and police excesses happening in Turkey. Anonymous members dumped a massive database belonging to Turkeys General Directorate of Security (EGM) in response to various abuses by the Turkish government in recent months. The the massive dataset which is around 2.8GB in compressed format, and the uncompressed version at around 17.8GB is being shared on peer-to-peer file sharing sites for the public to download freely and view. The hacker, believed to be using the pseudonym ROR[RG] is a member of Anonymous collective, chose to release the police files via The Cthulhu website which has been used by Anonymous previously. Data leak coming soon, stand by pic.twitter.com/LESY9JaczY Anonymous (@YourAnonNews) February 15, 2016 The Albany Planning Commission voted 5-0 during its Monday night meeting to deny the Somerset subdivision, which would bring 118 homes to northeast Albany. Developer and property owner Myles Breadner said afterward that he would appeal the decision to the Albany City Council, which would need to hold a new public hearing. Commission members chief concern was that the proposed neighborhood has only one road in and out, and they worried about the ramifications for public safety. Dala Rouse wondered if an ambulance would be able to reach residents in an emergency. Its a landlocked piece of property, said Roger Phillips, commission member. Commission members also cited concerns about traffic increases on Clover Ridge Road, the potential for flooding, drainage problems, housing affordability and other issues. The Somerset subdivision would sit on approximately 35 acres southeast of the intersection of Clover Ridge Road and Trinity Street. The northern boundary of the subdivision is Truax Creek, and nearly 14 acres of the area would be preserved due to wetlands. City of Albany planning staff recommended that the Somerset application be approved, and believed that concerns regarding traffic, flooding and drainage had been adequately addressed. Ron Irish, Albanys transportation system analyst, said that in every case where the city has required a second access to a subdivision, the property is owned by the developer. Future development to the south of the Somerset neighborhood would eventually extend a street connection to Santa Maria Avenue and a possible connection to Timber Ridge Street. That land to the south, however, is owned by the city and zoned for residential development. There isnt a way to put a street through property we dont control, said Mark Grenz, CEO of Multi Tech Engineering, which conducted studies for the application. Since 2002, the Clover Ridge Road area has seen approximately 880 new houses approved, and most of those have been constructed, according to the city. Four people spoke in opposition to the subdivision during the hearing, and all live in the Clover Ridge Road area. They said that residents in that area already have to pump water out of their crawl spaces and that traffic impacts would destroy the livability of nearby neighborhoods. They also worried about the access issue. Grenz said storm drains from the subdivision could result in an outlet for water retained in the wetlands and result in less swampy conditions for residents. He also said that Breadner didnt develop existing properties that have drainage problems. The city required that if the subdivision was approved, a roundabout or traffic light would need to be installed at the intersection of Clover Ridge and Knox Butte roads to mitigate traffic impacts. Grenz said that a roundabout would be built, as it was less expensive and any traffic solution would be temporary until Knox Butte Road is widened. Irish noted there was no firm timetable for the road-widening. It could be there for five years. It could be there for 15 or 20, Irish said. Planning Commission Chairman Larry Tomlin said that he could not recall an instance where the government body had outright denied an application in his five years or so of leadership, though some approvals came with excruciating conditions. Commission members Cordell Post, Linsey Godwin, Daniel Sullivan and Sue Goodman were absent from the meeting. Disable this feature to stop your Samsung Smart TV from listening to you We had reported how Samsungs Smart TV eavesdrops on owners and reports it back to Samsung servers. Samsung had come out with a shocking suggestion that its smart TV owners should not discuss personal information in front of the TV. Its privacy policy also reveals the fact that the smart TV is capable of spying on the owners. Samsung warns that customers should be aware that if your spoken words include personal or other sensitive information, that information will be among the data captured and transmitted to a third party through your use of Voice Recognition. This sort of news can make any potential Samsung smart TV buyer nervous about investing 1000s of dollars in a snooping machine that could disclose personal secrets to unknown persons somewhere across the globe. However, there are many collararies attached to this spying TV business which you should know. Not all Samsung smart TVs have snooping capabilities. While most of Samsungs Smart TVs have some sort of voice function, almost all of them require you to press the microphone button on the remote before it starts listening. Only the advanced and costlier Samsung models that can recognize your voice are the ones that include a built-in camera and microphone, such as the Samsung PN60F8500. How do I stop my Samsung TV from listening? Now if you are an owner of a high-end Samsung smart TV, you can simply disable the voice recognition feature in settings and stop the TV from spying on you. To do this, head to the Settings menu and select Smart Features. Then scroll down to Voice Recognition and switch it off. While you will no longer be able to use the Hi TV command to activate the voice features, you can still access them by pressing the microphone button on your remote. In Samsung TV models (2017-2019): Open the main menu and click the Settings icon. Now go to Support and scroll down to Terms and Policies. Click Turn off the Voice Recognition Services option. If you consider that even this is a big task for you, you should dump the idea of buying a high-end Samsung smart TV and go for some cheaper version/other brands instead. A 40 anos de Malvinas "Revisar el pasado es pensar el futuro". La frase de la presidenta de Telam, Bernarda Llorente, resume el espiritu del documental coproducido entre la agencia de noticias y el canal publico de TV sobre la cobertura que los medios de comunicacion hicieron del conflicto, plagada de censura y mentiras. Una autocritica necesaria para mirar hacia adelante en un (ya viejo) contexto de fake news y negocio informativo. Richard Hirschi, in his reply to Tessa Green (Mailbag, Feb 12), claims that "citizens possessing liberty cannot be required to serve the interests of others." I call that the 'Library Argument': I never use the library (or schools, or roads, or police), so I always vote against it. That argument fails to realize that our personal "pursuit of happiness" is greatly influenced by our personal economic contribution to overall society. Our individual "pursuit" is dependent upon the benefit we derive from a healthy, educated, and mobile citizenry. As many third world countries have proven, the individual pursuit of happiness always bogs down amidst the hopelessly ill, uneducated, and immobile masses. That, Richard, is where tyranny truly flourishes. David Mears Albany (Feb. 12) "Out contribution to Enigma is something that we learned a lot about as children in Poland but we have a feeling that the knowledge is not so widespread. It was a crucial association which gave the allies the edge over the Germans. "We were trapped on the wrong side of the Iron Curtain during the Cold War which meant we did not get the credit that we should have received and nobody wanted to admit that anyone in Eastern Europe had anything to do with Enigma. "We felt it was important to fill in the blanks. It is our moral obligation to right this wrong and put this picture in a more complete way." The Enigma machine was invented by German engineer Arthur Sherbius at the end of the First World War and was used by the military and governments of several countries. The British had struggled to work out how to crack the early Enigma machines, and by the early 1930s the Poles were way ahead. I have long decried the fact that our electorate seems to be getting dumber at every election. That isn't too surprising since most of our schools no longer teach civics or U.S. history, and those that do teach a rewritten, sanitized and mostly false version. Now, the task of dumbing America has been handed to the syndicated columnists who are featured in our only local daily newspaper. On Feb. 2, Froma Harrop, whose views are on display weekly in this paper, wrote an article titled "Government keeps West going." She was trying to convince us that government control was preferable to local jurisdiction. In the article she said, "It's easy to blame environmentalists and ignore the biggest killer of logging jobs; automation and a large forested landmass called Canada." Automated feller-bunchers are great automated logging machines if you only intend to harvest fence posts on level land. But on our steep West Coast slopes full of trees that haven't seen a chainsaw in 30 years they would never work without killing the operator. It's the spotted owl! By the way, It wasn't logging that threatened the owl, it was, and is, the Barred owl that continues to deplete the spotted owl population. How about you write about that? Gene Gradwohl Shedd (Feb. 14) We've noticed you're adblocking. We rely on advertising to help fund our award-winning journalism. We urge you to turn off your ad blocker for The Telegraph website so that you can continue to access our quality content in the future. Thank you for your support. Life in the Desert I danced in the desert, I swam by the shores, I spent warm nights under starlit blankets of silver, I made friends from far-away places I ate and drank and savored it all I loved and was loved What more could anyone ask for? (Desert Girl, Kuwait) NEW YORK - After an icy morning commute, heavy rains and gusty winds will be moving in throughout this afternoon. The rain will slide from west to east, with a heavy band of precipitation crossing the New York/New Jersey metro area around 2-3 p.m. before heading out to Long Island and Connecticut. Fortunately, we are not expecting the rain to linger this evening with clear skies after the rain exits the eastern end of Long Island between 6-7 p.m. Consulta nuestra pagina del tiempo aqui. In front of the storm, we will experience a surge of warm air with the chance of some areas reaching record highs this afternoon as temperatures climb into the upper 50s. As far as the rain, we can see some localized urban flooding as the heavier rain band moves through dropping anywhere from .5 1 of rain. There is a coastal flood advisory in effect from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. for the southern coast of Long Island where strong, gusty South to Southeast winds can lead to a pile up of water along the coast during the high tide cycle. Fortunately, we are expecting astronomically low tides so our concern is only for minor flooding with tides up to 3 feet above normal. Wednesday will be the first of a series of days where we will enjoy quiet, comfortable weather conditions, culminating in a great weekend! We are starting to see the development of another winter storm as well as the return of cold temperatures for early next week. It is still too early to give any exact details but it is definitely something La Autoridad en el Tiempo will keep an eye on. Tuesday High: 55, Windy and rainy with the rain ending Wednesday High: 44, Partly Sunny Thursday High: 38, Mostly sunny and colder Friday High: 40, Partly sunny with chance of rain/wintry mix late in the evening into early Saturday morning Saturday High: 54, Wintry mix inland, rain further south & metro area in the am, the sun returns as well as much warmer air. Be careful driving today! The former president of Brazil, Luis Inacio Lula da Silva, deemed the comeback of the incumbent, Jair Bolsonaro, unlikely. | Read More KCR promises Rs. 1.25 lakh crore for irrigation Hyderabad, Feb 16 (INN): Chief Minsiter K. Chandrasehkar Rao said that the Telangana Government would spend Rs. 1.25 lakh crore on the construction of irrigation projects in the State. Speaking after laying foundation stone for Bhakta Ram Das and Seetharama Lift Irrigation Projects in Khammam district on Tuesday, the Chief Minister said that Bhakta Ram Das project would be completed within six months so as to supply irrigation water to farmers during Khariff season. He said that the Telangana Government would complete all the irrigation projects as per scheduled to turn Telangana into a Green State. The Chief Minister said that Telangana would be a power surplus State in the next two years and there would be no power cuts even for a second. He said that the State Government has been working hard for the welfare of Dalits, Tribals and minorities. He said all deserving poor families in the State would be given 2BHK houses at a cost of Rs. 14,000 crore. He said all BCs, Dalits and Minorities, who are holding white ration cards, would be extended the benefit of Kalyana Lakshmi/Shaadi Mubarak scheme. Referring to the protest held by PDSU workers on the first day of his visit to Khammam on Monday, KCR accused them of indulging in cheap politics. He warned them of stern action if they resort to similar protest in future. The Chief Minister also visited Paleru Reservoir. Speaking on the occasion, he said that the Telangana Government would fight to get back 4-5 mandals which have been merged with Andhra Pradesh. He also claimed that AP Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has agreed to return those mandals to Telangana. He said that drinking water would be supplied through Paleru Reservoir by this year-end under Mission Bhagiratha. Meanwhile, former Congress MLA Younus Sultan joined the TRS in the presence of the Chief Minister. News Posted: 16 February, 2016 Narayankhed victory is KCR's birthday gift: Harish Rao Hyderabad, Feb 16 (INN): Irrigation Minister T. Harish Rao described the victory in Narayankhed assembly by-election as a birthday gift for Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao by the people. Speaking to media persons in Medak, Harish Rao said that the TRS has won the by-election on the slogan of development. Therefore, he said that the State Government would fulfill all the promises that it made with the people of Narayankhed. He said that Narayanakhed did not develop during the last 60 years under Congress and TDP regimes. However, he assured that the constituency would witness fast pace development and would emerge as a model constituency. News Posted: 16 February, 2016 In December of 2012, prominent Ho Chi Minh City attorney Fred Burke told the assembled members of the Vietnam Business Forum (VBF) and a raft of government officials that urgent reforms were needed in to the country's increasingly byzantine process of obtaining a work permit. "Work permits can take many months when the police or other authorities do not perform their role, and it is unreasonable to waste trained professionals' time waiting month after month on the company payroll for these administrative formalities," he said during a presentation of the findings of the Trade and Investment Working Group. Two years have passed, but little has changed. Despite repeated outcry from the business community, cities and provinces continue to muddle and complicate the already byzantine process of obtaining a work permit for a foreign employee. Even as the director of the Baker McKenzie law firm and a major player in the VBF, a consortium of international and local business associations and chambers of commerce, Burke continues to have a hard time getting work permits for his foreign paralegals and proofreaders. Early this week, one such applicant was denied a work permit despite the fact that she had graduated from a top US university, taught English for two years and been trained on the job for three years. On Thursday, Burke mounted a podium in Hanoi, and announced that under current requirements, Bill Gates and Steve Jobs wouldn't qualify for permits to work in Vietnam--drawing wide applause from the room. "A radical revisit of the current rules should be initiated, especially in light of the special circumstances we are facing." he said during the midterm meeting, which focused greatly on repairing Vietnam's investment climate, which has been hit hard by extreme riots triggered by Chinas deployment of a US$1-billion oil rig in Vietnams territorial waters since early May. Many Taiwanese factories are now scrambling to replenish their foreign personnel who fled the country --a situation which prompted Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung to specifically call on provinces to momentarily straighten a seemingly crooked process. Other problems A report submitted by the VBF's Investment and Trade Working Group noted that Vietnam's work permit process has made it difficult for the country to make the manufacturing upgrades it needs to actually benefit from the impending US-led Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) Agreement. Many manufacturers noted that they could not get short-term permits for experts and consultants heading to Vietnam to implement new technology or to conduct trainings. "Almost every business represented at the two most recent Vietnam Business Forums had complaints about the new work permit rules, and this is something that is reportedly affecting the entire textile and garment industry," the group noted. Much of the problems centered around the "new rule" also known as Decree 102, which took effect last November and required foreign laborers to submit a completed application, two passport photos, a health certificate (issued either in Vietnam or abroad), a copy of one's passport, and a notarized certificate(s) of expertise. The decree also required five years of professional experience and a four-year university degree--for everyone from English teachers to corporate executives--to obtain written approval from a municipal or provincial leader. The decree also required a legalized declaration of no criminal record issued by the applicant's home authorities--in addition to criminal records issued by Vietnamese agencies--six months before the application is submitted. Open to interpretation The implementation of the decree "has been extremely complicated and inconsistent between Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Vung Tau and different provinces," wrote Laurent Quistrebert of the HR and Training Committee of the European Chamber of Commerce (EuroCham) in Vietnam in a report submitted during the meeting. "This has confused companies and provincial labor officers, which has delayed the work permit application process." Labor departments in Hanoi and Bac Ninh Province had required work permit applicants who had only been in the country for a few days to obtain a certificate from the local police attesting to the fact that they'd never been arrested in Vietnam. Government officials present at the meeting seemed to acknowledge this issue and indicate that it had been largely resolved. "Initially interpretations by some municipalities were not consistent," said Le Quang Trung -- deputy director of the Employment Department under the Ministry of Labors, Invalids and Social Affairs -- during the Thursday meeting. "In response, through this business forum and dialogues with investors, we revisited the expectations with local governments and agencies, especially in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, to ensure proper adoption." Renewal woes However, this month, Ho Chi Minh City authorities further confused the problem by mistranslating a central government decree and implementing stringent requirements on foreigners looking to simply renew their existing work permits. The citys labor department incorrectly applied the requirements placed on foreign laborers seeking work permit for the first time to those seeking renewals, news website Thoi Bao Kinh Te Sai Gon (Saigon Times) quoted Nguyen Van Khai, deputy director of the City Labor Federation, as saying. For all the confusion it did add, Decree 102 did not actually further complicate or alter the perfunctory process of renewing an existing permit. Despite misinterpretations of the law, renewals only require the submission of a completed application, two passport photos, a health certificate and a work permit that is (still valid for between 5-15 days) and a labor contract. Under the decree, foreign laborers who want to renew their work permit do not have to submit a criminal record issued in their home country. Incomplete statistics from the occupation department under the labor ministry shows a total of more than 80,000 foreigners are working in Vietnam as of 2013, of which more than half are in HCMC. These people come from more than 60 countries, of which 58 percent are from Asia and 28.5 from European countries. New rules prompt confusion and outcry The HCMC labor department began befuddling employers and foreign workers on May 16, when it appeared to announce new changes to the renewal process. Without mentioning the process of renewal, the department stated that foreign laborers with expired work permits must re-apply for a new permit--a process that entails returning to one's home country to obtain a declaration of no criminal record. The citys announcement was sent to companies and organizations who require foreign workers as well as the management agencies of industrial parks and export processing zones, prompting widespread concern. David Watson, general director of Industry Travel Asia, a HCMC-based tourism company, said he interpreted the rule as yet another layer of bureaucracy to navigate. [The changes] will generate a new revenue stream level of 'agents' to manage the process and of course coffee money for the official document stampers, he told Thanh Nien News. Nguyen Van Hau, deputy chairman of the HCMC Jurists Association, said the citys document hinders company operations and the work of foreign laborers. It is also an ineffective move in governmental management, he said. Nicola Connolly, chairwoman of EuroCham Vietnam, said the citys notice remains new--so it's too early to tell whether work permit holders in HCMC will be able to renew their permits or they'll have to apply for new ones. Connolly said that if the city is concerned about illegal workers, the city should focus on site inspections and bringing tighter control over tourist visa issuance. "The people that apply for work permits are trying to be compliant," she said. Like us on Facebook and scroll down to share your comment Economists are scratching their heads over the surge in Chinese new lending, attributing it to increased injections by the central bank ahead of the Lunar New Year holidays, a traditional tendency among Chinese banks to "front load" loans at the start of a year and companies reducing their exposure to foreign-currency loans. "Chinese banks expanded their balance sheet aggressively in the first month of this year, which implies implicit support from the government to counter the economic slowdown," said Zhou Hao, Commerzbank Asia senior emerging markets economist in Singapore. Analysts also attributed the surge in new loans to soaring demand for mortgages as property prices recover and government steps to fast-track infrastructure projects to spur activity. While economists have sometimes speculated that big swings in China's credit data were linked more to speculative activity, the latest data appeared to suggest solid demand in the real economy. Medium-and long-term loans to households were up 45 per cent in January from the same period a year ago while such loans to companies jumped 73 per cent. Total social financing, another important indicator of China's credit expansion, rose to 3.42 trillion yuan in January from 1.82 trillion yuan in December. Part of that may reflect massive infusions of cash into the banking system by the People's Bank of China ahead of the long holiday to avert any risks of a cash crunch. The PBoC injected 1.53 trillion yuan via its standing lending facility (SLF), medium-term lending facility (MLF) and pledged supplementary lending (PSL). Some economists believe the PBoC is currently favouring liquidity injections as a policy tool rather than long-expected cuts to its policy interest rate and bank reserve ratio requirements (RRR), which authorities worry could put further depreciation pressure on the yuan currency. According to sources, Zhang Xiaohui, an assistant governor at the PBoC, has said the central bank would not rush to cut the amount of cash banks must hold in reserves, as doing so could send a strong signal on policy easing. But while the central bank may shun further cuts in its main interest rate and RRR in the near term, it may still have to ease policy again, analysts say. The PBoC has cut its policy rate six times since November 2014 and reserve requirements several times, but both remain relatively high, giving it plenty of room. "As capital outflows continued, we believe that the PBOC will still need to lower the reserve requirement ratio to permanently inject liquidity into the economy," wrote ANZ economists in a research note, noting that a further cut in RRR was still possible in the first quarter. Bank lending usually spikes in China in January as banks, which face limits on how much they can lend each year, squeeze as much lending as possible into the first month to protect their market share. The spike in new loans in January also could be due to Chinese companies making early repayments of their foreign-denominated loans and bonds to reduce their currency exposure after the yuan weakened, analysts say. Lawyers fear the Turnbull government is secretly plotting the quick return of asylum seekers to Nauru after it allegedly suggested a 72-hour notice period for the deportations would soon be lifted, meaning they could be returned with little warning or legal help. The Human Rights Law Centre said the government had indicated to its legal team that the notice period for many of the 267 asylum seekers and refugees "will soon cease to apply". The government undertook to provide the notice during a High Court legal challenge to offshore detention, which it won. The centre's director of legal advocacy, Daniel Webb, said the government "appears to be moving to rapidly clear the way for fast-track deportations without notice". "Not only does it want to be able to return 267 incredibly vulnerable people to harm, it wants to do so suddenly and secretively without warning," said Mr Webb. Former UN Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali, whose term was marked by war in the former Yugoslavia and famine and genocide in Africa, has died, the president of the Security Council said on Tuesday. He was 93. The 15-member Security Council observed a minute's silence after the death was announced by Venezuelan UN Ambassador Rafael Dario Ramirez Carreno, head of the Security Council for February. No details were given. An Egyptian, Boutros-Ghali served as UN chief from 1992 to 1996. As the United Nations' first secretary-general from Africa, Boutros-Ghali associated himself with the famine in Somalia and organised the first massive UN relief operation in the Horn of Africa nation. Istanbul: Turkey is about to conclude a deal with Israel on "all issues", a Turkish official said on Tuesday, a sign the two former allies may be moving toward a compensation agreement for the killing of 10 Turkish activists by Israeli commandos in 2010. The two countries have stepped up efforts in recent months to restore a relationship that was severely damaged after an Israeli raid on a Turkish boat, the Mavi Marmara, which had been trying to breach a blockade on the Gaza Strip. Passengers on the Mavi Marmara run as tear gas is fired by Israeli commandos. Credit:Kate Geraghty The official made the comment at a briefing with reporters in Istanbul. South-east Queensland must find 700,000 homes for an extra 1.4 million people within 15 years, Australia's pre-eminent infrastructure body says. On Wednesday, Infrastructure Australia said if no key infrastructure projects were built in the south-east, the cost of waiting in traffic for commuters, small, medium and large businesses will escalate from $1.9 billion in 2011 to $9.2 billion by 2031. Infrastructure Australia identified "solutions" to Queensland's share of the national problems of congestion, population growth and transport infrastructure. Credit:Glenn Hunt Queensland's population will grow to 6.4 million and south-east Queensland's population will grow by 1.4 million in 15 years. That is the blunt warning to Australian governments and industry organisations from Infrastructure Australia as it begins a major campaign to persuade governments they must commit to big infrastructure projects. A Harrison university professor, almost bankrupted when his builder, Sublime Constructions and Development, folded two years ago, has been hit with a demand from the company's liquidator for more than $150,000. Dr Masoud Mohammadian, an associate professor at the University of Canberra, signed a $425,000 contract with Sublime on September 10, 2011. Masoud Mohammadian, who contracted with Sublime to build his house back in September 2011. Credit:Jay Cronan Acting on advice from the Master Builders Association, which had repeatedly tried to get Sublime to finish the job, he cancelled the agreement in October 2013. Despite having taken $233,750 of Dr Mohammadian's money and negotiating two contract extensions, Sublime failed to get the five-bedroom, three-bathroom home to lock-up although it had two years to do so. Malaysia Airlines plans to begin heavily promoting Malaysia as an alternative holiday destination to Bali in the local market after having lost some of its Australian traffic by ending its popular flights to Paris and Amsterdam. "We will introduce our new airline in the months to come in Australia, really doing roadshows and demonstrating what we can offer to nice places like Kota Kinabalu and so forth," Malaysia Airlines chief executive Christoph Mueller told Fairfax Media on the sidelines of the Singapore Airshow Aviation Leadership Conference on Monday. Malaysia Airlines is considering whether to change its livery and its brand name. Credit:AP "But I would like to do that in conjunction with promoting Malaysia as a destination. The diversity [in Malaysia] is such that once you come here, if you like it, you can come back three or four times without repeating yourself because you can go to east Malaysia, you can go to Langkawi. And it is a good alternative if you have been 15 times to Bali and you want to see something else." Malaysia Airlines ended its flights to Paris and Amsterdam last month, leaving London as its sole European destination as part of a strategy of returning the loss-making carrier, hit by two aircraft losses in 2014, to profitability. A former Macquarie Group fund manager has copped a six-year ban from the corporate watchdog after he was found to have duped his rivals into providing confidential information by using an email address linked to a fake family office. The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) said on Tuesday it had banned Tim Hornibrook, of Clovelly, NSW, from providing financial services for six years. Tim Hornibrook, a former head of Macquarie Agricultural Funds Management, was found to have extracted sensitive commercial information from a rival fund using an email address from a fictitious family office. Credit:Chris Fowler Mr Hornibrook, who was a former head of Macquarie Agricultural Funds Management, along with some members of his sales team, were found to have extracted sensitive commercial information from a rival fund. The ploy was first revealed by The Australian Financial Review in 2014, which ASIC said spurred it to investigate. Key Liberal MPs are concerned the Nationals may derail the long-planned loosening of media ownership laws if they continue to push for changes forcing tougher local content obligations on regional broadcasters. Communications Minister Mitch Fifield presented a package of measures to a backbench committee last week, including the abolition of the so-called reach rule and the two-out-of-three rule, which both limit further industry consolidation. Communications Minister Mitch Fifield took the reforms to cabinet. Multiple sources present commented on the crispness of his shirt. Credit:Wayne Taylor The Australian Financial Review revealed on Tuesday that changes to the points system for local content were discussed which would incentivise networks to produce authentic local stories. The Nationals want local content changes to be introduced upon new media laws passing but some Liberals are against any extra regulations, with some arguing any new rules should only apply on a "trigger" basis that is, if there is an actual ownership change which would only affect incoming owners. Property fund syndicator Quintessential Equity has won a Victorian state government bid to build a new 14-storey office for 700 WorkSafe employees in Geelong. Quintessential beat off stiff competition from construction giant Grocon and at least three other suitors for the right to construct the $120 million head office above the historic Dalgety and Co building at 1 Malop Street. The new WorkSafe building in Geelong that Quintessential will develop. The WorkSafe structure is not the only office tower being proposed for Geelong, with most bidders also expected to chase an Australian government brief released in October last year for a further 7700 square metres of new office space. That new office will house workers from the National Disability Insurance Agency and Department of Human Services. Malcolm Turnbull's new Defence white paper is due out in just a few weeks. Before he and his colleagues finally sign off on it, they should take a couple of hours off to watch The Big Short. That's the movie about the collective delusions that led to the global financial crisis, and it opens with a line from Mark Twain: "It ain't what you don't know that gets you into trouble. It's what you know for sure that just ain't so." What everyone in Canberra thinks they know for sure about Australia's defence is that we can depend on the United States, which means we will never have to rely on our own forces for our security. They assume the US will remain the dominant power in Asia and the guarantor of Australia's security for as far ahead as we can imagine. That's the rock on which Australian defence policy is built. Malcolm Turnbull with US President Barack Obama. Credit:Andrew Harrer They know this, because it is what they hear when they go to Washington. From the White House and the Pentagon to the think tanks and the universities, Australian visitors are assured the US remains unshakably committed to upholding its global leadership and defending its allies. And who are we to doubt them? But this is a bad time for any kind of political and policy orthodoxy in the US. Neither Donald Trump nor Bernie Sanders is likely to become president on November 8, but the astonishing success so far of these two insurgents from the outer margins of the political spectrum shows big things are changing in the US today. As many US commentators say, there is revolution in the air. Whoever winds up in the White House next year will find they are governing a different country from the one they expected. In May 2010, the Rudd government released the findings of the Henry tax review. Kevin Rudd lost the prime ministership the next month; not as a result of the review but because his fractious, micromanaging style had worn his colleagues' patience too thin. However, those colleagues had also feared the damaging backlash that Mr Rudd's tax on mining "super profits" had created, and its effects on their re-election prospects. The mining tax was one of just five recommendations of 138 proposed by the review that Labor accepted. Almost all the others were ignored. However, Mr Rudd ensured that he very publicly rejected a small handful. On the same day he released Dr Ken Henry's findings, he said "we will never, ever embrace ... the recommendation to include the family home in means testing [or] to introduce lands tax on the family home". The "family home" has long been a sacred cow of Australian politics. Six years ago, Mr Rudd knew that taxing it whether through land tax, capitals gains tax, death duties or means tests was political suicide. Indeed, this shibboleth extended to property in general. Generations of Australians have shaped their working lives around relying on tax-free, or at least minimally taxed, housing their own home plus one or more investment properties to fund their retirement years. The NSW Carr government was burned badly in 2005 when it increased land tax for multimillionaires who owned three or more high-value homes; it was forced to dump the change after less than a year. In the ACT, Katy Gallagher almost lost the 2012 election after the Liberals campaigned almost exclusively on opposing Labor's shift towards rates and investment property taxes. Yet the public mood appears to have shifted. Over the weekend, federal Opposition Leader Bill Shorten announced he would limit Labor's support for negative gearing (tax breaks for property investors) and capital gains tax exemptions (tax breaks for property traders). Treasurer Scott Morrison also said the Turnbull government planned to wind back negative gearing for high-end investors. Rather suddenly, both parties have decided that tax incentives for (at least some) property investors are not in the national interest. New Zealand Prime Minister John Key, a man Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull says provides an admirable model of public policy formulation and governing, has perhaps also provided Mr Turnbull with a solution to the moral and political problem of what to do with people seeking asylum who are due to be returned to Nauru and Manus Island. There has been widespread concern and outrage in Australia that our government is planning to send back these people including 37 babies, 50 children and about 160 adults who were transferred to Australia primarily to receive medical support unavailable in Nauru and Manus Island. The "Let Them Stay" rally in Melbourne on February 4 was organised by the Refugee Action Collective to demand asylum seekers are not returned to Nauru. Credit:Wayne Taylor Doctors, teachers, church leaders and advocates have spoken out against the imminent move, and there have been large public protests across Australia, as well as a big campaign on social media. The looming return of these people, the overwhelming majority of whom precedent would suggest are genuine refugees, follows a High Court decision that it is not illegal for the government to detain them offshore. Nine in 10 people who arrive by boat which is not illegal, despite claims to the contrary by the government are found to be genuine refugees. Mr Key, who is due to meet with Mr Turnbull this week, has offered to accept 37 children. Presumably, the total number of asylum seekers New Zealand would take would be significantly higher than that, as the children would obviously need to remain with their families. This masthead understands that the issues are complex and devilishly difficult. Were there a simple solution to the problem of, on the one hand, dealing humanely and in accordance with Australia's obligations as a founding signatory of the 1951 United Nations' Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and, on the other hand, the desire to prevent desperate and vulnerable people perishing at sea after taking to boats operated by people smugglers, it would have been evident long ago. At the same time, The Age has long argued that detaining people in offshore detention centres where they suffer mistreatment and profound health problems, both physical and mental, is a disgrace. It lowers the standing of our nation; it cruelly mistreats people who, in the overwhelming majority of cases, are fleeing persecution and worse. We have long advocated for an enhanced regional and, indeed, international solution with sufficient resources to process people in a timely and just way, so that they do not need to take the dreadful risks inherent in boarding people smugglers' boats. In other words, we believe queues must be established. The claim that these people are queue jumpers is ridiculous, for in so many cases there simply are no queues. Mr Key's offer, which reflects a deal he did with Julia Gillard when she was leading the Australian government, can be seen as potentially forming part of an enhanced regional solution. New Zealand has provided this type of compassionate, enlightened leadership before. It granted asylum and then gave citizenship to about 150 people who were on the Tampa, a vessel that rescued hundreds of people seeking asylum and was rejected by the Australian government in 2001. I'll declare my interest I want Sydney to be a safer city. This is my only motivation. I'm not a religious zealot or a prohibitionist. I like a drink. I would like to see a vibrant city but also a safe and attractive one. If this means slightly shorter trading hours for pubs and clubs, so be it. In January 2014 the O'Farrell government introduced a range of measures designed to curb the incidence of alcohol-related violence. At the time there was a call for changes, with this newspaper one of the leading advocates. The most contentious change was the 1.30am lockout laws and 3am last drinks in the Sydney precinct. Since then there has been a dramatic drop in assaults in Kings Cross and the city. While statistics can be manipulated and misquoted it is undeniable that there are less assaults and there has not been an increase in the surrounding precincts anyone who doubts this can see it on the BOCSAR website. In April last year Dr Don Weatherburn, director of BOSCAR, described the drop in assaults as "simply precipitous It is certainly one of the most dramatic effects I've seen in my time, of policy intervention to reduce crime". This should be the endgame to save lives and stop the assaults. But it's not. There has always been opposition to the laws there are powerful vested interests that would like to see greater access to alcohol, namely the alcohol industry itself and various associated industries. Recently vocal opponents have found a voice, no matter how misguided their comments. It seems the more personal they get, the more media exposure they receive. At the State Theatre, the first of four sell-out shows over two days, the night turned into a heartfelt dedication to his long-term protege and muse, Vanity, who died yesterday, aged 57. Denise Matthews-Smith, given the name Vanity by Prince, fronted the trio Vanity 6. Tonight Prince invited us into his loungeroom for the most intimate Australian show of his career. Unlike previous Prince tours, including 2012's shows at Rod Laver Arena, this Piano and Microphone tour was a solo performance, playing old and new songs at a grand piano. The ecstatic Melbourne crowd could barely believe their good fortune; this was the type of show only previously witnessed recently at Paisley Park, his home in Minneapolis. Prince at Rod Laver Arena during his last visit to Melbourne in 2012. Credit:AP Melbourne is used to Prince throwing us a few curve balls. His stadium shows have previously been followed by late night, word-of-mouth secret club shows, such as jazz bar Bennett's Lane. This time he was kind enough to give us two weeks' notice, adding his four dates to what is already a jammed packed calendar of live shows. Seats, ranging from $100 to $400 and beyond, were snapped up despite the short notice. Flanked by four large candelabras and a kaleidoscopic slide show backdrop, Prince arrived on stage dressed in loose fitting but typically stylish clothes. He opened with a cheeky homage to Melbourne, playing Big City from his recent album HITnRUN Phase Two. Bouncing up and down on his toes, this was going to be "an interesting night" he said with a wink. Known the world over for his eclectic mix of funk and soul-infused pop, he filled the room with sounds that otherwise might have been full of drums, bass and guitars. Former NGV deputy joins Mossgreen Frances Lindsay, former deputy director of the National Gallery of Victoria, is the new director of Australian art at Mossgreen. Mella Jaarsma: Dogwalk. From March 1 Lindsay will be responsible for growing the local portion of Mossgreen's $56.5 million business, across all departments, including auctions, private sales and galleries. Mossgreen is unusual in that it combines an auction house with the representation of several Australian artists. It's been a "long, round" journey across Australia for theatre director John Sheedy but, finally, he's landed a job that brings him back to Melbourne after 14 years. The director of the Helpmann Award-winning opera production The Rabbits, and former artistic director of Perth's youth theatre company Barking Gecko, takes over as chief executive and creative producer at St Kilda's Theatre Works in March. He inherits an organisation that has seen turnover increase 171 percent in the five years his predecessor Daniel Clarke was there and which has established itself as a breeding ground for some of the city's most innovative independent theatre productions. John Sheedy, St Kilda's Theatre Works' new chief executive and creative producer. Credit:Shayne Francis "Theatre Works has a 35-year history of creating works, working with independent artists and established artists it's worked with some of the best in Melbourne. And over the last five years I think Dan has done a great job of lifting its profile, lifting the quality of the works here as well. For me the organisation has been placed beautifully to lift it into its next chapter," he said. Most recently, Sheedy comes to Theatre Works after five years with Barking Gecko in Perth where his productions of Shaun Tan's The Rabbits and Australian children's classic Storm Boy both won national acclaim. Prior to Perth he spent nine years in Sydney, attending NIDA and working with local companies including Belvoir Street and Sydney Theatre Company, but grew up on the Victorian coast, at Torquay. "About children of different backgrounds, black or white, at risk of being left in the care of people incapable of looking after themselves, let alone their children." Some Indigenous leaders had branded Jones racist for his comments following the weekend's Indigenous All Stars rugby league match. On Monday, Jones had taken a call from a listener, Dell, who criticised the minute's silence held to acknowledge the stolen generation before the rugby league match kicked off at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane on Saturday night. Dell claimed the commemoration was a "load of twaddle", and that "half the stolen generation were taken for their own protection", to which Jones responded: "Correct. To look after them. And we need stolen generations." On Tuesday morning, Jones told his listeners: "Now if there have been children in the past wrongly taken from their families on the basis of their Aboriginality, well that of course is appalling, and [former prime minister] Kevin Rudd apologised for that years ago. "That's not the point I'm making," Jones added. "There are children, Indigenous and non-Indigenous, out there today who are being given no hope in life from an early age because they're being returned to families where drug, alcohol addiction and violence predominate. "What Australian, hand on heart, can say this is the best we can do for these kids? But are we frightened to take them away from their biological parents for fear of being branded as creating a stolen generation?" Jones also quoted a 2014 editorial written by conservative commentator Andrew Bolt, in which Bolt claimed that "the stolen generation is a myth". In that editorial, a section of which Jones read out on air on Tuesday, Bolt claimed: "No academic or Aboriginal group has yet met my challenge ... to produce even 10 names of children stolen just for being Aboriginal. Even so, no politician dares question the myth for fear of seeming racist." Jones also referred to the case of an 11-year-old boy in Perth who was charged with murder following the death of a 26-year-old man last month. "My heart broke for this little boy, an Aboriginal boy," Jones said. "His father had been in and out of jail more times than you could imagine. It was a large family. I believe the grandmother wanted the family removed to other accommodation to protect them from wandering the streets. She was ignored. What would have happened had this little fellow, he's called Max, been given a home, removed from violence and the dysfunctionality that he has lived with all his 11 years? Now he's charged with murder." On Monday, Professor Tom Calma, the co-chair of Reconciliation Australia, said Jones' "racism" was a denial of rights and history. "For decades Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have suffered wrongs and have had abuses committed against them," he said. "Many of our mob were removed from their families, banned from travelling freely, punished for speaking our languages and denied access to citizenship, education and health care." The Turnbull government would seize a rare, absolute majority in the Senate if it finalises a deal on voting reform and calls a double-dissolution election, according to two experts on the preference system. The Greens - who are negotiating with the Coalition to end "preference harvesting" among minor parties - would likely lose two of its current 10 senators if it agrees to support reforms and both houses of Parliament are dissolved. A review of voting data by Graham Askey and Peter Breen, veteran players in minor party preference negotiations, forecasts the Coalition would win 40 Senate seats - a gain of seven - while Labor would remain anchored at 25 under the proposed changes being sought by the government. Nick Xenophon, who is pushing to abolish the group voting ticket - the mechanism that allows minor parties to transform a tiny primary vote into seats in the Senate through preference deals - would be the biggest winner, with two new senators joining him in Parliament, according to their projections. Scott Morrison looked to have killed it, and most thought Malcolm Turnbull had put it down as well, but it seems the GST is a candle that just won't blow out. Speaking on television on Monday night, cabinet minister Michaelia Cash breathed fresh life into the politically toxic tax hike her colleagues, and the public too, had assumed was now officially off the agenda. Defending the Turnbull government's fast atrophying reform muscle, the Employment Minister from the party's right faction rejected the assertion that the government was "at sea" on tax reform and other difficult issues, instead explaining that it was having a national conversation with the people for which it was receiving "positive feedback". Dumped Turnbull government frontbencher Stuart Robert will repay around $1600 he billed taxpayers to attend the opening of a mine owned by a company in which he owned shares. In a letter to the Department of Finance on Tuesday, Mr Robert defended the legitimacy of his April 2013 trip but said he would repay the money to avoid any perception of a conflict of interest. Stuart Robert says he wanted to ensure there was no perception of a conflict of interest. Credit:Stefan Postles Mr Robert was forced out of the ministry last week after revelations he attended the signing of a mining deal involving a Liberal donor when travelling in a "private capacity". Mr Robert also owned shares in the company involved in that deal. It was reported on the weekend that Mr Robert spent $1091 of taxpayers' money to travel from Brisbane to Townsville to visit the $200 million Mt Carlton, operated by gold producer Evolution Mining. He spent a further $580 on Comcar limousine rides and travel allowance. A year earlier, Mr Robert had declared ownership of Evolution Mining shares for him and his family. DISCLAIMER: All books reviewed on this site are owned by me, or borrowed from the public library. Exceptions are a very occasional review copy sent to me by a publisher or author, as indicated. Receiving a book for review does not influence my opinion or evaluation of it. A Sydney school board has been forced to step down after hundreds of parents and students demanded its resignation in a heated protest on Monday night. Malek Fahd school in Sydney's west had $19 million in federal government funding stripped last week after a department of education investigation found it was operating for profit. Fairfax Media has since revealed that the school's management has failed to pay for basic services such as air-conditioning while allegedly taking out up to six-figure loans from public funding. Former school board members have denied taking out loans. On Monday night, year 12 students arrived at the school demanding answers as they faced the threat of their school being closed mid-way through their HSC. NSW will scrap the time limit for civil claims by survivors of child sexual abuse against their abusers. Attorney-general Gabrielle Upton will introduce legislation to the NSW Parliament on Tuesday which will allow survivors of child abuse claim for damages regardless of when it occurred. Gabrielle Upton, Attorney-General of NSW. Credit:James Brickwood There is currently a three-year limit on bringing civil actions against perpetrators or, if the person was a child at the time, three years after they turn 18. Victoria scrapped the statute of limitations for civil action by child sexual abuse survivors a year ago. A homeless man accused of attempting to snatch a baby at a popular Sydney beach allegedly told the infant's mother: "This is not your baby. Give it to me. I'm taking it". Court documents have revealed the terrifying alleged encounter between 38-year-old Ronnie Ramirez and a new mother, 31, as she lay on the sand at Bronte Beach last Monday with her baby boy on a towel beside her. The mother was lying on a towel with her baby when the man allegedly attempted to flee with the infant. Credit:Steven Siewert The woman told police she feared Ramirez was going to "take her baby and kill him" after the stranger lunged at her son and shoved her into the ground. The 24th million Australian has arrived. At 12.51am on Tuesday, the Bureau of Statistics' population clock ticked over to mark the milestone. And while there is no official 24 millionth person - it could have been a baby or a new migrant arriving - Peina Milosia's son would have to come close. Little Brandon Oliver was born at about 1.29am on Tuesday at Fairfield Hospital in south-western Sydney. But there are certain other situations when capitals are used appropriately, while the same word in another context would be incorrect if expressed with the first letter in the upper case. The instance above of people using a capital for a word they think is important but is not actually a proper noun is one of my pet hates. For the uninitiated, and at risk of sounding incredibly condescending, proper nouns are for things like countries, capital cities and personal names Australia, Adelaide and Alexandra, for example. They are not used just because someone thinks a word or idea is important. You don't write: I went to a wonderful Wedding on the weekend, for example. One of the most common and, dare I say it, most grating grammatical errors is incorrect capitalisation of nouns. As I see it, it means very few people understand what a proper noun is. Legal style is one example. In this instance, it's perfectly acceptable to capitalise defined terms, for instance, the Contractor, the Agreement. As the name suggests, these terms are usually defined at the start of the document and the convention is that once defined, they are capitalised thereafter. But the same word would not be capitalised in another context, for example newspaper style. I've had my fair share of arguments with lawyers over the years trying to get them to see that it's fine to capitalise a defined term in a legal document, but not in newspaper style. Another bugbear is capitalisation of job titles. Everyone's business card capitalises their title Marketing Manager, Chief Executive Officer. But we don't capitalise titles in newspaper style. Not usually even prime minister. I've had people whose titles have not been capitalised in a story I have written ring me to complain. Grammar and language has for decades moved away from the unnecessary use of capitals. When I see unnecessary capitalisation it reflects on the organisation producing the materials to me it says the business is old-fashioned. This is an important point for small businesses to understand in terms of the way they present themselves. However I think in some instances people go too far in eschewing the use of capitals. Trendy business names are often expressed just in lower case, for example. But I think this can produce a branding issue because in many contexts, for example form filling, a capital is required. So the business ends up with inconsistent branding because you see examples of the business name capitalised as well as in lower case. Half of central Melbourne's newest high-rises have been installed with flammable cladding, prompting a fresh audit of "hundreds" of buildings across Victoria and new investigations into building practitioners. The state's building regulator says it has discovered "an unacceptably high" level of non-compliance in its coercive audit of 170 large apartments, hotels, hospitals and aged-care homes. A 2013 fire at the Lacrosse building in Docklands prompted the initial VBA probe. Credit:Wayne Taylor Victorian Building Authority (VBA) chief executive, Prue Digby, said there was a "systemic issue" across the building industry with the correct installation of external cladding. "We have a problem with what the people who are designing and constructing and signing off buildings know and understand about compliance. And that is the issue that has to be fixed." The company contracted to deliver the software for the botched Ultranet IT schools program was asked to fund a lavish trip to New York for Victorian education department officials, just three years before its tender partner won the lucrative government contract, an inquiry has heard. Emails tendered to the Independent Broad-Based Anti-Corruption Commission (IBAC) on Tuesday revealed that the education department's former deputy secretary Darrell Fraser demanded that global computer giant Oracle foot the bill for the business trip to New York. He made the demand on behalf of himself, a colleague at the department, and a group of academics, IBAC heard. A real estate agent bound a sex worker with cable ties and repeatedly raped her in a vacant house after being told his hour-long booking had ended, a trial has heard. Henry Jiang, 34, is accused of raping the woman several times between 4am and 6am on April 2, 2014 in a house that was for lease in Leeds Street, Doncaster, all while the woman's driver was outside asleep in his car. But a defence lawyer told the County Court on Tuesday that all the sexual activity that took place in the house was consensual, after Mr Jiang and the woman agreed for her to stay longer and not inform the escort agency she worked for so she didn't have to pay a higher commission. Defence counsel Con Heliotis, QC, conceded the pair agreed to engage in "light bondage" with the woman bound in the cable ties, and that some of the sexual activity was "unusual, deviant and distasteful". But he urged jurors not to let their morals stop them keeping an open mind. A wheelchair-accessible taxi has failed to show up to transport the six-year-old face of the Royal Children's Hospital Good Friday Appeal to the fundraiser's launch. Simone Lionetti, who has spinal muscular atrophy, and her mother Ella were forced to drive themselves to the launch on Tuesday morning because a taxi booked on Monday evening never arrived. Simone Lionetti, 6, is the face of this year's Good Friday Appeal. Credit:Good Friday Appeal / David Caird Father Mario waited at home for the cab and was still not at the event minutes before it was scheduled to begin. Ella Lionetti told radio station 3AW the wheelchair-accessible taxi was needed in order to transport Simone's wheelchair to the event. A mentally unwell man who held his elderly father hostage in Perth's Kings Park has had his sentencing postponed, with the judge saying the man is still ill. In July 2012, David Charles Batty held his then 79-year-old father hostage in a car and threatened police with a gas bottle and a lighter in the CBD park, with the stand-off ending after police fired non-lethal beanbag rounds. David Charles Batty has been found too ill to be sentenced. Batty fled psychiatric hospital Graylands in May 2014, two months after he pleaded guilty to three offences and before he could be sentenced. On Tuesday in the West Australian District Court, Chief Judge Kevin Frederick Sleight said Batty, who was suffering from psychosis at the time of the siege, could not yet be sentenced. http://donpolson.blogspot.com/ Bringing you the very best information, analysis and opinion from around the web. NOTE: For videos that don't start--go to article link to view. A man shot in the face by police after allegedly terrorising five hostages in a Perth home will appear in Fremantle Magistrates Court on Tuesday. Daniel Ashley, 27, is accused of bursting into the Mosman Park home of a 23-year-old woman he knew in June last year, armed with a gun and baton, before taking her and four others hostage for three hours. The siege in Mosman Park ended in dramatic fashion. Credit:Emma Young After emerging from the house, Ashley allegedly ignored calls from police to drop his gun and was shot once before falling to the ground. He then pointed his weapon at officers who shot him again. An internal affairs police investigation declared officers' actions in twice shooting him were lawful. Ashley was granted bail last month with a $50,000 personal undertaking and $50,000 surety. The United Nations are urging the Barnett government not to introduce a tough new anti-protest law cracking down on "radical protesters" because it could breach international human rights laws. The WA government introduced a bill into parliament in March, which will be debated in the Upper House on Tuesday, that could see protesters jailed for up to 12 months or face a $12,000 fine if they used devices like thumb locks or arm locks to attach themselves to objects. UN human rights experts urge the Barnett government not to introduce anti-protest laws. In some cases protesters could face 24 months behind bars and be slugged with a $24,000 fine if they became aggressive and endangered the safety of others, including themselves. According to UN law experts David Kaye, Maina Kiai and Michel Forst, the introduction of this law would go against "Australia's international obligations under international human rights law, which includes the rights to freedom of opinion and expression as well as peaceful assembly and association". The former head of the Catholic Church's defence force diocese has been found not guilty of inappropriately touching boys at a college more than 40 years ago. Bishop Max Leroy Davis, 70, had been on trial in the West Australian District Court charged with six counts of being grossly indecent with five boys under the age of 15 between 1969 and 1972 at St Benedict's College in New Norcia, northeast of Perth. Bishop Max Leroy Davis has denied the child sex abuse claims dating back to the 1970s. Credit:Rebecca Trigger, ABC News The jury returned its verdict late on Monday. Davis testified during the trial that he never thought of children sexually or committed a child sex offence, describing it as wrong and inappropriate. Monterrey, Mexico: Vast luxuries such as saunas, mini-fridges, a bar, a king-size bed and food stands were discovered by authorities entering a prison in northern Mexico to investigate a riot that killed 49 inmates. Nuevo Leon state authorities said in a statement the cells inside Monterrey's Topo Chico prison were equipped with mini-fridges, airconditioners, digital cable and aquariums. There were 280 food and grocery stands where inmates could buy goods. Inmates from the female block shout from the Topo Chico prison after a riot broke out last week. Credit:AP The riot broke out on Thursday between two rival factions of the Zetas drug cartel. Zetas drug cartel leader Ivan Hernandez Cantu, alias "El Credo", had a king-sized bed in his cell, a huge flat-screen television and a luxury bath, the Nuevo Leon state prosecutor's office said, according to Agence France-Presse. In Palo Alto, California, the Silicon Valley city that has given birth to HP, Tesla Motors, Facebook and Google, the shrill horn of incoming trains bring a constant reminder of young lives lost too soon. For the last seven years, trains have been the suicide technique of choice among teenagers here where the adolescent suicide rate has soared to five times the national average. Gunn High School in Palo Alto. Credit:Gunn HS It was in this way that a bright, popular, goofy kid named Cameron Lee ended his life in November 2014. By then, his classmates at Henry M. Gunn High School were all too accustomed to this sort of inexplicable tragedy. They hailed, after all, from a part of the country that had become known for its affluence, technical ingenuity and the number of kids that had been pushed to the brink. "I am 15 years old and I just organised a memorial," Isabelle Blanchard, the sister of one suicide victim, told The Atlantic. Writer, director, and actor Warren Manzi, author of the longest-running play in New York theater history, died on February 11 from pneumonia in Lawrence, Massachusetts. He was 60 years old. Born on July 1, 1955, in New Hampshire and raised in Massachusetts, Manzi attended Worcester's College of the Holy Cross before attaining a master's degree from the Yale School of Drama in 1980. After finishing his education, Manzi moved to New York City where he pursued a career as an actor. It was while working as an ensemble member and understudy to Tim Curry in the 1980 Broadway production of Amadeus that Manzi completed Perfect Crime, which would go on to become the longest-running straight play in New York theater history. When the murder mystery thriller was considered for Broadway production, Manzi, at the age of 25, became the youngest American ever to have a play optioned for Broadway. Though never produced on Broadway, Perfect Crime was eventually presented for a four-week limited run at the Courtyard Playhouse beginning April 18, 1987. Since that time, Perfect Crime has gone on to occupy a long list of off-Broadway theaters including the Second Stage, the Harold Clurman Theater, and the Duffy Theatre, before eventually landing at its current home at the Theater Center. One of the most remarkable aspects of Perfect Crime's long run is its leading lady Catherine Russell, who has starred in the show since its first performance. In her nearly 30-year, 11,820-performance tenure, Russell has taken only four vacation days. In addition to Perfect Crime, Warren Manzi's works include Cleo Liberman's All Girl Revue, The Award and Other Plays, and Stages, all of which have been produced in New York. While living in Hollywood, Manzi wrote several screenplays, including two versions of the movie Clue for John Landis. As an actor, he appeared in 1986's The Manhattan Project and 1987's Nuts. Manzi's directing work includes the world premieres of Kurt Vonnegut Jr.'s Between Time and Timbuktu and Samm-Art William's Cork as well as Eugene Ionesco's Rhinoceros. He is a five-time winner of the Best Director Award at the New England Theatre Conference. Manzi's wife, Ellen Margaret Michelin, died due to kidney failure in 1996, the year after the couple were married. He leaves no immediate survivors. According to his publicist, before his death, Manzi was working on a novel and several short stories. TOKYO, Feb. 15, 2016 -- Nissan Motor Co Ltd (Headquarters: Yokohama, Japan, CEO: Carlos Ghosn) announced the first "Intelligent Parking Chair", a concept inspired by its intelligent park assist technology that allows drivers to easily park their vehicles using automatic steering. The "Intelligent Parking Chair" is a unique chair that automatically moves to a set position. The chair includes a roller to automatically move 360 degrees paired with a system that indicates the target position. Four cameras placed on the room's ceiling generate a bird's-eye view to wirelessly transmit the chair's position and its route to destination. With this innovation in office technology, Japanese businessmen are now freed from the troublesome task of arranging chairs, using this new technology already adopted in the X-Trail Hybrid and other Nissan vehicles. Backstory The Intelligent Parking Chair is a promotional project that materializes Nissan's corporate vision of "enriching people's lives through technology". It was produced in collaboration with the award-winning creative team BIRDMAN. This concept aims at increasing knowledge around the latest technology adopted by Nissan vehicles, while showing how this is slowly changing our daily lives. Concept The "Intelligent Parking Chair" was inspired from Nissan's latest "Intelligent Park Assist" technology. The base "Bird's-eye view" and "Automatic Movement" concepts are also introduced in the Intelligent Parking Chair. Conversely, the surprise and comfort earned from this effortless process can be equally seen in the Intelligent Parking Chair. The only important thingand certainly the most interesting thingabout the 2016 presidential election is that neither Donald Trump nor Bernie Sanders are real members of the parties for whose nominations they are running. Yet each is burning down his political home of convenience to the ground. Party identification is already at all-time low, according to Gallup, which finds just 29 percent of us are willing to admit to being Democrats and just 26 percent cop to being Republican. With a few more strong showings in upcoming primaries, Trump and Sanders might even push those numbers down to single digits. Unless youre one of those suckers still carrying water for political parties that reach back before the Civil War, you have no reason to fear their destruction. In fact, the best thing that can happen to politics is that the two major parties are forced to reboot themselves like a played-out superhero movie franchise. Who can blame us for not wanting to be branded with an R or a D next to our names? The faltering, pre-primary anointees of each partys establishmentJeb! Bush and Hillary Clintoninspire as much enthusiasm among the body politic as a long-scheduled colonoscopy. Jebwhose stylized, unintentionally hilarious exclamation point must have been suggested by someone who knows him very well and hates him very muchseems to be running only because its been eight years since a Bush has thrown his shadow in the Oval Office. Similarly, Hillary is too busy reciting her resume to bother explaining why her reign as president would be any less clusterfucky than her generally disastrous turn as secretary of state. This is a woman, after all, who still points to Americas intervention in Libya as an example of smart power at its finest. Together, Jeb! and Hillary left the field open to interlopers such as Trump and Sanders who, even though they are unconvincing as party loyalists, are nonetheless proffering cartoon versions of what it means to be a Republican and a Democrat. Each has distilled the essence of what liberals and conservatives have to offer and the parties thus implicated will be hard pressed to survive such an unironic display of core values. Consider Trump, whose success so infuriated the editors at National Review, the conservative gatekeeping magazine that routinely endorses every Republican presidential nominee, that they published an entire issue on the theme, Against Trump. Among the Buckley boys complaints was that The Donald doesnt quite hate Mexicanswhom he characterized as rapists and drug traffickers--with enough undisguised vitriol. Not surprisingly for a Republican Party organ, National Reviews editors chided the billionaire steak seller for saying he would let some Mexicans back in after deporting all of them and building a beautiful wall to keep them out. Thats an implicit endorsement of the dismayingly conventional view that current levels of legal immigration are fine. He is also a menace to conservatism and crude. Yet for all of the hes-not-one-of-us bluster against Trump, he does a passable impersonation of a National Reviewstyle conservative Republican for most of us. He is by his own words strongly against immigration (which NRs editors call a defining issue for todays right-wingers). He is obsessed with displays of masculinity and dismisses opponents as weak and as pussies. His trucker-hat promise to Make America Great Again is simply a (slightly) dumbed-down version of conservative Republicans fixation on American exceptionalism and Barack Obamas supposed contempt for the same. Trump may indeed be philosophically unmooredunlike Ted Cruz, he doesnt know or care enough to sprinkle his applause lines with bon mots from Ludwig von Mises or Ronald Reaganbut nobody would confuse him with, say, a liberal Democrat, would they? No, that would be Bernie Sanders, who is causing equal levels of discomfort among the Democratic Party establishment by admitting that hes not really a socialist. He just wants to give away a ton of free stuff, most notably education, health care, and retirement but also paid family leave and a laundry list of whatever else he can think of. When he got into the race, he refused to apologize for being a tried-and-true socialist, which he redefined later as being a democratic socialist and now characterizes as simply wanting to import the very best Denmark has to offer before it becomes even more like the United States. As was clear from the Democratic debate in Milwaukee, Sanders is not quite as transparent as he would have us all believe. When he was directly asked how much he thought the federal government should spend as a percentage of the overall economythe current figure is already a historically high 21 percenthe dodged the question, even as he outlined his plans to give more stuff to more people. Back-of-the-envelope calculations done by The Economist find that such largess would require new taxes on most workers worth 8.4% of their income and still be short around $1 trillion a year. Nor has he explained why his home state scrapped its unworkable experiment in providing single-payer health care (the governor shut it down in 2014, saying it would require enormous taxes). Hillary Clinton, no slouch when it comes to buying votes with promises of free (or free-er) health care, college, and all the rest, distanced herself from Sanderss plans in Milwaukee, saying that the still-unpopular Obamacare originated as Hillarycare and was good enough for government work. Mend it but dont end it, she counseled. Shes the pragmatic one, she implied again and again. But its clear that when Clinton wins the nominationthe corrupt super-delegate system employed by the Democratic Party will see to that, thank you very muchshe has already lost the thread of whatever her presidency might have been. Like Jeb! Bush, Clinton has failed completely at articulating a larger vision that either she or her party can offer the country. If she did, she would end up simply echoing Sanders, who does a pretty good job of distilling whats left of the Democratic version of the American Dream. For Bush and other establishment Republicans, the same problem holds. Trump is promising to make America great again, by which he means he will lead a country that once again issues orders to the world. Bush and other underwhelming presences such as John Kasich can only mumble that Trump isnt philosophically consistent and that hes mean, which has never troubled conservatives overly much (they believe in justice more than compassion, after all). If its true that Trump and Sanders are the only candidates throwing off sparks, its worth underscoring that they are not genuinely popular among Americans writ large. Rather, they are generating intense responses among the shrinking ranks of partisans and dead-enders who respond to what they think are purer and purer distillations of what the parties really should stand for. As fewer and fewer of us choose to identify as Republicans and Democrats, those that still do will get harder- and harder-core until the number of true believers approaches zero. And when that happens, the major parties will be forced to change what they stand for, not because they want to but because they wont be able to win elections otherwise. Because of our first-past-the-post system, American will always have two major parties and theres every reason to believe, at least for the foreseeable future, they will be called Democrats and Republicans. But what those parties stand forand what sorts of people can fit comfortably in one or the othercan and will have to change if they once again want to represent more than tiny slices of the electorate. On Feb. 4, the spokesman for the Saudi military, Brig. Gen. Ahmed al Asiri, made a bold announcement. The Gulf kingdom, he said, would commit troops to a ground operation against ISIS if the United States asked it to and if the coalition agreed to it. Asiri made the statement sitting in front of the flags of all six Gulf Cooperation Council member states, implying that Saudi Arabia could take up the mantle of leading a grand Arab coalition to fight in Syria. Not two weeks later, it seems Riyadh is keeping good on its word. According to the Turkish foreign minister, Saudi troops and fighter jets have already arrived at Turkeys Incirlik airbase and are preparing for operations in Syria. Also, Saudi sources speaking to Arabic media claim that the kingdom will run training exercises with its own forces alongside troops from Egypt, Jordan, Sudan, and other countries in preparation for the fight against ISIS, the so-called Islamic State. Washington has repeatedly called on its partners in the region to step up their efforts in the fight against ISIS. Having nominally reached a nationwide ceasefire that, if implemented (a big if), would allow the various opposed forces in Syria to focus on ISIS rather than each other, a Saudi troop commitment would seem to be a welcome development. Good news? Not really. Riyadhs offer of support is most likely a bluff, since Saudi Arabia already is stretched thin on both military and economic fronts. And on the off chance that this is a serious offerif Saudi Arabia and its partners actually intend to send troops to Syriait will be an incredibly risky move that will prolong the civil war. Saudi Arabia, along with some of the other Gulf countries, initially took part in the U.S.-led coalition of airstrikes against ISIS that started back in September 2014. Its efforts, however, dwindledespecially after it began its own military campaign against the Houthis in Yemen. The Saudis are still active in Syria, but ISIS is by no means their priority; they are far more focused on Iran. To this end, Riyadh, in cooperation with Turkey, has supported the most effective (and radical) forces fighting the Iranian-backed Assad regime. The Saudi-backed groups have included the Army of Conquest umbrella group of which Syrias al Qaeda affiliate, Jabhat al Nusra, is a dominant member. Even if the recently agreed upon ceasefire is implemented, it seems Saudi Arabia will not stop supporting the Army of Conquestdespite the fact that its radical members were not part of the negotiations and will not likely respect the truce. Saudi Arabia is not offering its troops to fight ISIS because it has reassessed its priorities. Even after signing the ceasefire, Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al Jubeir has said that Saudi Arabia would support removing Assad by force rather than diplomacy. Instead, by offering to contribute troops, Riyadh and its partners hope to make it more palatable for Washington to deepen its own involvement in Syria. If the ceasefire breaks down with a significant U.S. presence in the country, Saudi Arabia hopes the United States would be dragged into the fight against Bashar al-Assad and even directly against Iranian troops. Saudi Arabia would be more than happy to see the United States push Iran out of Syria, and perhaps more important, it would welcome such an entanglement ruining the chances for improved U.S.-Iranian relations. Beyond dragging the United States into its conflict with Iran, Saudi Arabia hopes to gain better international standing, improving its somewhat battered reputation. By simply offering to fight ISIS directlyeven if they never actually send troopsthe Saudis can claim they are trying to be part of the solution. This, they hope, will overshadow the fact that they are indeed part of the problem, pouring gasoline on Syrias fire by sending weapons and money to radical groups. Saudi Arabia is badly bogged down, far from the Syrian front, in Yemen. Despite making some progress against the Houthis, the Saudis have no exit strategy to speak of, have been unable to convince their longtime military ally Pakistan to contribute troops (surely a blow to King Salmans ego), and are spending a fortune on the war. In March 2015, Reuters reported that Riyadhs air campaign in Yemen was costing up to $175 million a month. Now that the Saudis are engaged on the ground, the cost is likely much higher. A year ago, this might have seemed easily affordable for the oil-rich monarchy. Maybe it still is, but now, after having driven the price of crude to below $30 per barrel in an effort, not least, to hurt Iran, Saudi Arabia is in a much worse position and is burning through its cash reserves at a dangerous pace. The economic situation is so bad that Saudi Arabia is considering taking its oil giant, Saudi Aramco, public. While it would only have to sell a small percentage of its shares to stave off the cash crisis, putting even part of Aramco into outside investors hands would make it more difficult for the Saudi family to play games with oil prices to pursue political goalssomething they have done since they acquired full control of the company in 1980. Beyond this, if the Saudis took Aramco public, they would have to make the organization far more transparentlikely exposing a great deal of corruption and implicating the royal family. For this, Saudi Arabia will avoid selling Aramco shares if possible, and as such, it likely wont undertake an expensive campaign in Syria. But, still, what if it does? If Riyadh sends forces to Syria to fight in coordination with U.S. Special Forces that are already in country, it may very well conduct operations against ISIS. This symbolic effort would legitimize its presence in Washingtons eyes. However, Saudi Arabias main purpose inside Syria will, of course, be providing even greater support to its radical allies in the opposition. After all, it is no coincidence that Saudi Arabia is offering to send troops now, after the rebels have lost significant ground against the regime in Aleppo. If the recent territorial losses are locked in place with a ceasefire, it will be much more difficult for the opposition groups to get supplies and weapons from Turkey, something they have heavily relied on to maintain their stronghold in the northwest. While the United States might hope a Saudi troop presence in opposition-held areas would prevent Riyadhs proxy forces from violating the ceasefire, it is more likely Saudi Arabia will use the ceasefire to resupply and build up these groups. Saudi Arabias alliesespecially those in the Army of Conquest in the northwestarguably are more dangerous than ISIS in the long run. They are more able to blend in and rebrand themselves as moderate rebels, and as such they have more staying power than the highly visible Islamic State in its caliphate. With a Saudi military presence in the country, they will have a steady stream of weapons they will be able to stockpile. These Salafists will be a permanent problem well after this war ends. If the Saudis operate from the Kurdish-controlled territory as U.S. forces do, they will risk confrontations with the Kurds who will certainly reject their presenceespecially since the Saudis are coordinating military efforts with Turkey. Would they instead operate from opposition-held territory in the northwest or the southwest? It seems they are planning to, given their troop buildup in Turkey. If they do this, they would be right in the line of fire of Russian airstrikes and likely face direct combat with Iranian troops. Their presence in the country will not be a solution to the conflict; it could drastically escalate it. Assuming they are not bluffing, the Saudis have put their next move in the hands of the United States by saying that sending their troops is dependent on U.S. approvalindeed, Brig. Gen. Asiri reiterated this on Feb. 11. The United States must be careful when deciding whether to accept Saudi Arabias offer. Washington has far different objectives and goals than Riyadh does, and if it is not careful, the Saudis could pull it into fighting their battle with Iran for them. This would be extremely costly for the United States and would by no means end the war any sooner. Instead, it could make the conflict far more complicated and far more difficult to resolve. A new Cru for the Cotes du Rhone Last year's harvest, 2015, is the first vintage for Cairanne, the Cotes du Rhones newest Cru. On February 10, 2016, the Cotes du Rhone Villages Cairanne appellation was officially recognised by Institut National des Appellations dOrigine as an appellation communale an appellation defined only by the name of its village (commune). This will be confirmed in a decree due to be published shortly. Since 1953, when it was first entitled to add its name to the bottles of Cotes du Rhone wine it produced, the Cairanne appellation has shown enormous drive and energy. Two examples best illustrate the Cairanne state of mind: the first goes back to 1959 and the creation of Caveau du Belvedere, the first cellar to feature a range of Cotes du Rhone wines, while the second is more recent: the creation of the Vendanges dArtistes event an initiative inviting artists to transform harvest trailers into temporary works of art. Cairannes winegrowers have always been fully aware of the quality potential of their products. In 2008 they submitted an application to INAO requesting promotion to Appellation Cairanne status. This week, the Comite National handed the file over to the French authorities for approval before passing it on to the European Commission. For us, promotion to Cru status is an acknowledgement of the huge improvements we have made to the quality of both our white and red wines, says Denis Alary, president of the Syndicat des Vignerons de Cairanne - an association comprising 37 winegrowers in private wineries and three cooperative wineries. One Cru, two colours Red wines: The diverse range of grape varieties particularly suited to the Cairanne terroirs ensures production of unique, refined and elegant wines. Grenache accounts for 60% of the total AOC surface area, Syrah for 16%, Carignan for 15% and Mourvedre for 6%. 60% of these varietals are over 30 years old, and 70% of plots are over 20 years old. The combination of the broad varietal mix and the Cairanne terroir produces a range of rich, complex wines. Cairannes winegrowers are determined to preserve their old vines to safeguard the quality potential of their wines. Vines over 50 currently account for over 400 hectares of vineyard. White wines account for 5% of appellation production. These are made from Grenache, Clairette, Roussanne, Marsanne, Bourboulenc and Viognier. Clairette and Roussane grapes when blended together give wines with a nose of white flowers, and a fruit-filled, mineral-tinged palate. Add any of the other secondary white varietals and you have a wine with great complexity. After a few years ageing, Cairanne white wines show good complexity, with aromas of baking spices and beeswax; their flavours of candied citrus peel are lifted by a good edge of minerality Cairanne lies within the Rhone Valley area, 40 km north of Avignon and 15km north of Orange, at the heart of Haut Vaucluse. 16 February 2016 - Felicity Murray The Drinks Report, editor Veterinarians at A&M had their first look over the weekend at a steer that was bound for processing, but received a pardon and now lives on campus. Animal activists jumped on the story of the 964-pound steer named Oatmeal after it was publicized that he was nearly blind and headed for processing. Like the other steers that were sold at the Fort Worth Stock Show, Oatmeal was headed to a Kane Beef Company processing plant. The Stock Show and Kane Beef drew criticism from animal activist groups, so the vice president of the stock show, State Rep. Charlie Geren, began looking for another option for the steer. The Republican from Fort Worth said in a statement that he quickly contacted A&M System Chancellor John Sharp. Not long after that, the stock show released Kane Beef from its contractual obligation to process the animal and donated the animal to Texas A&M. Megan Palsa, executive director of communications for the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, said in a news release that Oatmeal would not be used for research, but rather would be helpful in training students on how to care for and diagnose animals with vision problems. Since he arrived at the colleges Large Animal Hospital on Saturday, veterinarians, staff and students have been working to assess his condition. Oatmeal has cataracts present in both eyes and congenital birth defects in his eyes that make surgery unrealistic, Palsa wrote. Two ranchers from Hereford, Johnny and Jana Trotter, offered to pay for the steers housing at the veterinary school. It wasnt clear how much it would cost. Eleanor Green, dean of the college, thanked the couple for the financial assistance. This proves, once again, how our industry leaders reach out to help in many different ways, she said in the release. We are grateful to them for their support. A diverse mix of Texas A&M students are taking it upon themselves to try and right a wrong that unfolded last week when two high school students touring the campus were subjected to racial slurs. The Student Government Association set up eight letter-writing stations across campus Monday, encouraging classmates to help in securing 10,000 hand-written notes to be delivered to the Uplift Hampton Preparatory School in Dallas, which is where the touring students attend. The incident remained under investigation by the university. A&M Student Body President Joseph Benigno said the initiative is an effort to show the high school students that the behavior of a few does not reflect the values of the student body as a whole. Its a great way to show that school that Texas A&M really stands up for whats right, Benigno said. We know what our core values are and none of those were displayed last week. Now is a chance for us to change that memory of Texas A&M in the minds of those students who were effected. Hopefully their memory of Texas A&M is not based on their experience last week but based on the response and overwhelming support that they receive from our student body. Benigno said that he was pleased to see the number of students and organizations that stepped up to show support. He said the universitys fraternities and sororities alone accounted for nearly 6,500 letters, each vowing that all of their members would take time during weekly meetings to pen a note. The student leader estimated that roughly 100 student organizations showed interest in participating in the initiative. Ive just been so pleased to know that every great thing that I know about Texas A&M has been confirmed in the last few days, Benigno said. Texas A&M President Michael Young said that following the disturbing racist incident, he believes that the university as a whole has responded in a way that leaves no questions as to where it stands. I believe that our swift action and ongoing efforts to address this matter make it abundantly clear that racism and hate speech have absolutely no place at Texas A&M, Young said. He added that he is extremely proud and inspired by the student-led letter-writing initiative aimed at reaching out to the school and the students who were impacted by the visit. This initiative by our thoughtful students is yet another example of how Aggies exemplify our core values, Young said. I could not be prouder of our concerned and thoughtful students, as well as the numerous faculty, staff and former students who have reached out to me offering support. Katheryn Greewade, vice president of communications and human resources at the Association of Former Students, said that after being contacted by Benigno about the initiative, the Association agreed to pay for the stationary and any postage materials that the students need for their effort. On Tuesday, Sharp and Young met privately with the junior class at Uplift Hampton Preparatory, according to a statement from Uplift Education CEO Yasmin Bhatia. State Sen. Royce West joined the A&M leaders at the public charter school in South Dallas. "The leadership team extended an apology to the class, praised them for the manner in which they handled a difficult and offensive situation, and offered them the opportunity to ask questions," Bhatia said. The A&M officials and West had expressed outrage last week over treatment of the teens. Benigno, who also made the trip, presented letters from thousands of students at the college who disavowed racism and supported the high school students. Organizers had hoped to send 10,000 handwritten notes. Uplift Education spokeswoman Sara Ortega did not have an estimate on how many letters the students received but said there were thousands. "I encouraged our scholars to keep the letters as a symbol of time when they overcame an obstacle on their journey to a college degree," Bhatia said. Uplift Education is largest charter school network in North Texas, with 16 campuses in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, according to its website. Billy Frank Price February 11, 1930 - February 13, 2016 Up, up the long, delirious burning blueI've topped the wind-swept heights with easy graceWhere never lark, or ever eagle flew And, while with silent, lifting mind I've trodThe high untrespassed sanctity of space,Put out my hand, and touched the face of God. --"High Flight," Pilot Officer John Gillespie Magee, Jr., RCAF Billy Price passed away peacefully at his home during the glorious sunrise of February 13, 2016; he had turned 86 only two days before. Born in Bryan on February 11, 1930, to his parents Horace and Mabel Ballard Price, Billy was also raised here with his brothers Lindale, Thomas (now deceased) and Donald. While growing up in Bryan, Billy worked long hours at Coulter Field Airporton Highway 21in exchange for flying lessons and developed a lifelong love for aviation. He attended Travis Elementary school and later, Allen Military Academy before joining the United States Army and serving in Germany (1951-1953). Aside from being a dedicated soldier for his country, Billy's allegiance was also found in his loyalty to his family, especially to his wife Janie Parker Price (of Madisonville), whom Billy married on November 3, 1951; Janie now survives her husband of 64 years. The Price family eventually grew to include the couple's two daughters, Melanie Dee Price (now deceased) and Amy Elizabeth Price Proctor, as well as son-in-law Stanley T. Proctor and two grandsons: Nicholas Price Proctor and Spencer Kyle Proctor. Upon leaving military service, Billy's aviation skillset led him to employment as a pilot with Sun Oil; this position magnified his mechanical knowledge to the point that Billy invented, developed and patented a high-pressure compressor used for oil exploration and seismic activity. His new compressor became the foundation for Billy's own company, Price Compressor Co., which he created in 1961; it continues to this day. In addition to business, Billy was also active in the community at large and philanthropic causes, such as his role as a board member of Marine Military Academy in Harlingen, TX. Throughout his life, Billy remained invested in the arts, and among other endeavors, this passion lead to his ambitious purchase of a chandelier from the Helen Hayes Theater in New York, later donated to the Wortham Theater in Houston. Indeed, Billy had a fondness for the history and natural beauty of Texas, and he would agree with Sam Houston that, "Texas is the finest portion of the globe that has ever blessed my vision." This love for the history of his home state initially became evident in Billy's role as a pecan farmer in West Columbia, TX. Later, he even purchased and restored the nearby property on which Stephen F. Austin had passed away; then annually, Billy would invite local school children to a flag raising ceremony there. Thanks to his knowledge of orchards, Billy was additionally able to harvest the acorns from an ancient oak on the property, cultivate them and subsequently donate them to be planted at historic sites in every Texan county. In standing under the shade of those massive trees, Billy hoped that future generations of Texans would appreciate the sacrifices and foresight of those who came before them, just as he had. In loving memory of Billy Frank Price, his family will hold a private graveside service in College Station. In lieu of flowers, the Price family requests that donations be made instead to Billy's favorite charity: St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Log on to www.hillierfuneralhome.com to learn more about Billy's life and to leave condolences. 'Keep fossil fuels in the ground' was the soundbite of climate campaigners in 2015. This year, it's time to put that into practice in the UK. The Government professes its enthusiasm for the Paris climate agreement - the aim of which, to limit global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees, requires us to leave over 80% of all fossil fuel reserves untouched. Yet David Cameron's administration is still going all out to frack for shale gas - and, astonishingly, it's still allowing millions of tonnes of coal to be dug up from massive opencast coal mines. Britain's last deep coal mine shut its doors last December - its closure marked with sombre reports that, understandably, mourned the passing of an industry that once employed hundreds of thousands of men. It came not long after the Energy Secretary, Amber Rudd, pledged to phase out coal power stations by 2025 (but only if some other form of power generation has appeared to take its place). So reports of the imminent death of British coal are, as Mark Twain might have put it, greatly exaggerated. Indeed, in 2016, plans are afoot for new opencast mines that would extract a further 10 million tonnes of coal from UK soil. This highly destructive form of mining - gouging great holes in the landscape, employing far fewer workers than deep mines - has been the preferred method of profit-seeking companies since the coal industry was privatised in 1994. Two huge mines, in particular, are currently in contention -one that will forever damage one of England's most stunning landscapes; and another that will blight one of Wales most impoverished communities. A gigantic coal mine between sand dunes and nature reserve The beautiful Druridge Bay in Northumberland is the proposed site for one of these mines - Highthorn, a 3-million-tonne monstrosity. I visited Druridge Bay recently with local members of Friends of the Earth, Greenpeace and the Save Druridge campaign group. As we walked through the sand dunes lining the shore, I tried to imagine how this planned carbuncle would look, squatting between a nature reserve thronged with birds, National Trust beaches and the windswept arc of the bay. But it wouldn't only wreck a stunning view; tourism is also a big part of Northumberland's economy. It's no surprise that the owner of the bustling cafe next to the beach, fill to bursting when we visit it for coffee, is vociferously opposed to the mine. The EF! Winter Moot offers you the opportunity to spend time, space and inspiration with people involved in a diverse collection of environmental and social justice campaigns from across the UK, and you get to do all of that with tea and cake. Direct action is at a critical stage in our evolution, as fast as the State are labelling us 'terrorists,' the State are being exposed for lying, stealing, cheating and destroying the very fabric of this Planet. As the threat facing our communities grows, more and more people, from broad cross-sections of society, are standing up and saying "No!" No with their minds, hearts and bodies. Sometimes our front lines are journeys of many years and we meet companion souls along the way. Sometimes there are instant moments of kindred soul knowing, when we gather and connect with each other. Our hearts beat together as we share our journeys and our support for each other in a nourishing, powerful way. Between the 19th and 21st February 2016, we can collectively plan to say "No!" In voices that speak louder than words as the winter moot nourishes us to plan, to speak, to act and to build new friendships. The battle against fracking in the UK has added a potent momentum to actions for environmental justice. Mothers and grandmothers from across the land have been standing in front of trucks and taking control of fields in the middle of the night, councillors have chained themselves to diggers, and at Crawberry Hill in Yorkshire, a former Director of Education meditated in front of the gates blocking the only access route onto the frack pad. The nonviolent direct action movement is growing exponentially Those, who consider themselves to have conventional backgrounds are literally putting themselves in front of machines and declaring: "Enough is enough - land, air, water are threatened and we will protect all life forms!" Communities across the land have become exasperated with the 'traditional channels' of democracy. Residents living near fracking sites have moved from writing 'strongly worded' letters to their MP, to literally putting their bodies on the line. Walking in front of lorries delivering drilling equipment and camping out at anti-fracking protector camps such as Borras and Holt near Wrexham in North Wales. Anti-fracking protector camps are springing up across the country. As we write this article, there are people defending the Horse Hill fracking site in Surrey whilst experiencing illegal and disproportionate policing. During the last few years, residents of Barton Moss in Manchester and Balcombe in Sussex, became part of a massive groundswell of people. Communities are rising up, as central government impose their extreme energy schemes, across the country. The direct action movement is no longer a marginalised activity perpetuated by the few, it is now mainstream. The Moot is a momentous opportunity for us to reflect on how broad and inclusive the direct action movement has become, and we can spend time discussing some fundamental issues, such as inclusivity. This is especially important in the light of recent undercover police exposes. The direct action movement can choose openness instead of paranoia; we can remain attuned to solidarity and link in with new, established and international groups. This year's Winter Moot has an exciting timetable with a creative mix of UK campaign groups giving updates on 2016 threats of ecological destruction. We will facilitate an introduction to the groups, individuals and camps that are fighting for better world. Ditching coal, bioenergy, nuclear and fracking Biofuelwatch will be working alongside the Coal Action Network who have recently launched the comprehensive 'Ditch Coal' report. They are regular Earth First! attendees, a British and US NGO who campaign against bioenergy power stations, including Drax which burns more wood than any other plant in the world and more coal than any other plant in the UK. Biofuelwatch are campaigning to axe Drax and to raise awareness on proposals to build new biomass power stations in Wales. Port Talbot, Anglesey and Milford Haven are all potentially affected by this toxic method of electricity generation and the knock on effects in terms of pollution, carbon emissions as well as severe adverse impacts on biodiversity, animal and human health are devastating. The safety records of biomass power stations are not impressive either. Coal Action Network (UK) are facilitating a theatrical interactive work shop, ahead of their UK 'Ditch Coal' road show which coincides with the release of their new report 'Ditch Coal', an expose of global mining impacts caused by the UK's addiction to coal. While we are on the subject of energy, campaigners from South West Against Nuclear are Winter Mooters and we are waiting with baited breath to find out if their current actions to stop Hinkley Nuclear Power Station have been successful. It's make or break week coming up for Hinkley as EDF, the company behind this white elephant, have their board meeting in France and the decision of whether they will proceed with building a new nuclear power station in Somerset may well be made on Tuesday 16th Feb 2016. There is a current shout out for anyone and everyone to participate in #OccupyEDF actions. Anti-fracking campaigners from across the UK will be sharing their stories, learning about what's happening at the current planning inquiry in Lancashire, and delighting in some of the successes of recent times. The National Anti-Fracking campaign, No New Roads, Incinerators and toxin free communities will also be attending. A global movement for environmental justice The Moot is hosting a discussion on Security vs Inclusivity, how to be open and stay safe, and on climate vs capitalism: ways forward for the anti-capitalist climate movement since the COP climate talks in Paris. It's rather exciting for the Moot to be hosting international campaigners, a network of Palestinian communities, Jordan Valley Solidarity are coming along to share how they collectively resist Israel's attempts to implement ethnical cleansing via a strategy of 'To exist is to resist.' Undercover Research Group will also be attending the winter moot and they want to speak to people spied upon but not (legally) represented yet as part of their independent inquiry into undercover police infiltrating political groups. The URG workshop will explore the topic of being targeted by undercover police. Groundswell is working on a year of action for climate justice, and activists from Reclaim the Power are coming along to the Moot and bringing their agenda of inclusivity with them. There is a place for everyone in Groundswell action and not everyone needs to climb a tripod (although we do recommend having a go, it's really aerobic and fun!) Tripod opportunities are available if you come along to our Summer Gathering on August 17th to 22nd. Alone we can do so little Together we can do so much Participating in direct action can release an immense adrenaline rush, which compliments thoughts and feelings that reinforce the fundamental importance of standing up for our beliefs, putting our hearts, minds and bodies on the line and listening to our inner voices, knowing we are 'a part of doing something right, something that may make a positive difference.' Members of the Earth First! Collective will be joining with many activists and supporters at Willesden Court for the sentencing of the #Heathrow13 on the Tuesday morning following the Moot. We are grateful the Moot is the weekend before their court case as the judge has recommended a prison sentence. The EF! collective send a message of solidarity and welcome to activists and campaigners worldwide, please come and join us, in Stroud this coming weekend, 19th to the 21st February. Who knows ... you might even fall in love? We did. More information: The Earth First! Winter Moot is an indoor event with sleeping, vegan meals and cake provided. The cost is in the region of 30 full price and 25 concessions. It's being held in Stroud's Centre for Science and Art GL5 1BB from 17.00 on Friday 19th to 17.00 Sunday 21st February. There is very little car parking nearby, however; the train station is a five minute walk from the venue. Louise Somerville Williams is a passionate environmental campaigner, a founding member of Frack Free Somerset and No Geo Nuke Dumping. She has founded a number of online campaign groups which include the first UK based anti TTIP FB group and anti-GM FB group, and an anti-Glyphosate Facebook group. Her main role is with Biofuelwatch as their UK based bioenergy campaigner and volunteers with End Ecocide England in her spare time. Twitter: @Loolovestea Hinkley C opponent Nikki Clarke from Bridgwater said today: "Pressure on EDF ito abandon it's EPR programme is mounting in France. On Friday, Greenpeace France took action against the transport of a faulty reactor lid to Flammanville, and called for an end to public subsidies. We call on the people of Britain & France to say 'non merci' to Hinkley C and to come together to create the renewable energy revolution that we all know is necessary to combat climate change." Ornella Sabeine of SouthWest Against Nuclear added a sideswipe against the UK's trade unions, among them GMB and Unite, which - in marked contrast to their French counterparts - are strongly supporting Hinkley C in the hope of jobs for their members. "It is about time that British Unions realised that nuclear workers will be always be needed for decomissioning and waste management tasks", said Sabeine. The only secure future for British jobs and power supplies, she inisisted, are in renewable sources of energy like wind and solar, which are constantly falling in price. Joe Fox, also from South West Against nuclear, said: "It's becoming increasing apparent that this project is 'unconstructable'. The head of the project has resigned and even nuclear engineers have said that this type of plant is too complicated to be constructed. Nuclear is getting in the way of a clean-energy future for Britain, and the idea that nuclear has a role to play is a red herring." The protest is part of the Groundswell year of action for climate justice. It coincides with other actions happening at EDF premises in Manchester, Plymouth and London. Could Hinkley C fiasco sink UK's whole nuclear dream? The government had originally planned to have 16GW of nuclear capacity - equivalent to five Hinkley C sized nuclear projects - on stream by 2025. But three years ago in March 2013 the target slipped five years to 2030. Now, with the continuing unresolved problems with Hinkley C, it now appears that 2030 is likely to come and go without a single watt of new nuclear power having been generated. The Hinkley C failure may also prejuduce the UK's wider nuclear ambitions. The chief operating officer of Horizon Nuclear Power, Alan Raymant, yesterday told the Telegraph that Hinkley C was having a 'knock-on' impact on its plans to build a twin-reactor nuclear plant at Wylfa on Anglesey, Wales, followed by another twin reactor plant at Oldbury, Gloucestershire. Both would use the Advanced Boiling Water Reactor (ABWR) design. The Wylfa project is due for completion by 2025, says Raymant, but few believe that is now possible. He says that to achieve that date a final investment decision on the plant would need to be made in "early 2019" - giving Horizon just three years to gain planning consent, get safety approval for the ABWR, line up a Government subsidy contract, receive state aid clearance from the EU, and secure finance from investors. Unlike the EPR, there are examples of actual AWBRs, with four reactors in Japan. However investors will need a lot of convincing to invest in the design: the Japanese ABWRs had a very low capacity factor of just 45% between 2006 and 2010. With a new plant's operators being paid per megawatt-hour (MWh) of electricity produced, that means they woud receive only about half as much as they were counting on assuming a 90% capacity factor. Meanwhile China General Nuclear Corporation's (CGN) plan to build a new reactor at the EDF site at Bradwell looks like running into trouble if the Hinkley C project - in which CGN is meant to take a 33.5% stake as a quid pro quo for taking on the Bradwell site - is stalled. Another problem is that the 'Hualong' reactor design that CGN wants to build there is completely new and untested anywhere in the world. EDF's plan for twin reactors at Sizewell is also looking tenuous as it wants to use the same failed EPR design that it is unable to progress at Hinkley, or complete anywhere else. That leaves only Nugen's planned 3-reactor nuclear project at Moorside next to the Sellafield nuclear reprocessing plant. But there's no cause for optimism there either. The AP1000 reactor design planned for Moorside is already failing badly at sites in the US and China with multi-year delays reported, huge cost over-runs, and damaging lawsuits. Oliver Tickell edits The Ecologist. Investors in fossil fuels are being warned that they may risk losing their money, because the markets for coal and liquefied natural gas are disappearing. In both cases it is competition from renewables - principally wind and solar power - that is being blamed for the threat. The cost of electricity from renewables continues to fall in Europe and Asia as the number of wind and solar installations grows in both continents, cutting demand for imported gas and coal. Two separate reports on coal and gas were published at the same time as a round of annual financial reports from oil companies showed that this third fossil fuel could be in serious trouble too. Despite massive cutbacks on exploration and development, companies like Shell and BP still need a price of US$60 a barrel by the end of this year if they are to break even on many of their current projects - almost double the current market price. The news comes just as the UK government reveals its plans to ban local authorities and other public sector bodies from divesting their pensions funds and investment portfolios from fossil fuels - on pain of "severe penalties". The paradoxical move could condemn public sector pensioners to an impoverished retirement. Australian and US coal most vulnerable as export markets fall away Overproduction of coal, gas and oil spells trouble for investors in mines, pipelines, ports and the other infrastructure needed to transport fossil fuels round the globe. The cost of development requires a long lifetime for the equipment and a high long-term guaranteed price for the fuels if investors are to get their money back. The first report, 'Stranded Assets and Thermal Coal', found that Australian and US coal assets were the most vulnerable. Australian mines were particularly at risk because of their heavy reliance on exporting coal to markets that were rapidly shrinking. Australia exports three times as much coal as it consumes locally, but two of the world's largest markets for coal, India and China, are cutting imports. India's imports fell by 34% last year and China's by 31%. Australia's mines were also seen as high-risk because of environmental regulations and the widespread opposition to their development. US coal assets were risky because of competition from cheap gas for the same markets. This meant exporting coal and competing in a world market where there is already a significant surplus. The report said company statements made it clear that investors were not being given the full picture of the risks from environmental regulation and policy. SHARE By Beth Smith of The Gleaner Opponents of the school district's Nickel Tax asked Henderson County Fiscal Court on Tuesday to stop the "wrongful" tax levy or reimburse residents for the amount not approved by voters on Nov. 3. The panel did not take any action on the issue. Henderson County residents Robert Pruitt and Dean Spooner presented paperwork to each magistrate outlining their position that the Nov. 3 ballot asked people to vote for or against a $0.05 per $100 valuation levy on property. While voters narrowly approved the tax on Nov. 3, Pruitt and Spooner said, the following day Superintendent Marganna Stanley signed a document which was then submitted to the Kentucky Board of Education that said the tax rates levied for the 2015-2016 school year was $0.059. "The reason we are here this morning is that (an assistant attorney general) has told us that we need to come to the Fiscal Court," Pruitt said. "(The assistant AG) said he believes you have the power to put a stop to this ... the power rests with the fiscal court to tell County Attorney Steve Gold to file an injunction in Henderson Circuit Court to stop this illegal tax if you deem necessary." "I appreciate you hearing us this morning," Spooner said. "We are formally requesting that you as a county since you're also responsible for tax collecting would stop this wrongful tax levy on us citizens. We believe the ballot result of the citizens of Henderson County is authoritative and binding upon governing officials and agencies of this county. That is our main contention." "I believe we citizens have been deceived, because all the way through this thing it's been marketed as $0.05 per $100 valuation," he said. "This is a bad precedence, and I pray that you will help us nip it in the bud." Before they spoke, Magistrate Butch Puttman, who was presiding over Tuesday's meeting in Judge-executive Hugh McCormick's absence, told Pruitt and Spooner that the court would listen to their concerns, but would not be able to act at this time. "I understand this is under litigation and the Attorney General's Office is looking into it, and so we welcome your comments, but I don't think it would be appropriate for us to take a position at this particular time," Puttman said. This statement prompted its own protest from Henderson County resident Ernest Green, who was in attendance during Tuesday's meeting. "These two individuals deserve a response a little more complete than what was given at the offset," he said. "How about this response, Mr. Green," Puttman said. "We'll take everything said in this courtroom under advisement. I don't think we need to be making any kind of comments based on what was presented this morning at this time." After contacting School Superintendent Marganna Stanley and public information officer Julie Wischer regarding the discussion during the fiscal court meeting Tuesday morning, The Gleaner received the following statement: "We are still in litigation regarding the nickel tax, so we have no comment." Witnesses begin testifying in West Burlington pool shooting trial Testimony began on Wednesday in the trial of the man accused of attempted murder after a shooting at the West Burlington Swimming Pool in June. Associated Press HAVANA -- The Obama administration has approved the first U.S. factory in Cuba in more than half a century, allowing a two-man company from Alabama to build a plant assembling as many as 1,000 small tractors a year for sale to private farmers in Cuba. The Treasury Department last week notified partners Horace Clemmons and Saul Berenthal that they can legally build tractors and other heavy equipment in a special economic zone started by the Cuban government to attract foreign investment. Cuban officials already have publicly and enthusiastically endorsed the project. The partners said they expect to be building tractors in Cuba by the first quarter of 2017. "Everybody wants to go to Cuba to sell something and that's not what we're trying to do. We're looking at the problem and how do we help Cuba solve the problems that they consider are the most important problems for them to solve," Clemmons said. "It's our belief that in the long run we both win if we do things that are beneficial to both countries." The $5 million to $10 million plant would be the first significant U.S. business investment on Cuban soil since Fidel Castro took power in 1959 and nationalized billions of dollars of U.S. corporate and private property. That confiscation provoked a U.S. embargo on Cuba that prohibited virtually all forms of commerce and fined non-U.S. companies millions of dollars for doing business with the island. Letting an American tractor company operate inside a Cuban government facility would have been unimaginable before Presidents Barack Obama and Raul Castro declared on Dec. 17, 2014, that they would restore diplomatic relations and move to normalize trade, travel and other aspects of the long-broken bilateral relationship. Since then, Obama has been carving exceptions into the embargo through a series of executive actions, and his administration now says they allow U.S. manufacturing at the Mariel port and special economic zone about 30 miles west of Havana. One exception allows U.S. companies to export products that benefit private and cooperative farmers in Cuba. Berenthal and Clemmons say they will sell only to the private sector. The Obama administration says it is eager to make the opening with Cuba irreversible by any future administration. Since the start of the year, U.S. and Cuba have made a series of announcements that appear designed partly to create a sense of unstoppable momentum in their new relationship. Cuba announced late last month that it would more than double the number of public Wi-Fi access spots to more than 100 across the country this year and bring broadband Internet to a small number of Cuban homes, where it is currently illegal. Obama said in 2014 that Castro had promised to increase Cubans' access to the Internet as part of detente. On Saturday, Cuba announced that it had returned a U.S. Hellfire missile that it said was mistakenly shipped to Havana from Paris in 2014. On Tuesday, Cuba's Transport Minister and the U.S. Secretary of Transportation will sign a deal authorizing the first regularly scheduled commercial flights between the U.S. and Cuba since shortly after the 1959 revolution. The Oggun tractor plant, named after a god in Cuba's syncretic Santeria religion, will assemble commercially available components into a durable and easy-to-maintain 25-horsepower tractor selling for less than $10,000, Clemmons and Berenthal said. The men believe they can sell hundreds of the tractors a year to Cuban farmers with financing from relatives outside the country and to non-government organizations seeking to help improve Cuban agriculture, which suffers from low productivity due mostly to excessive control of both basic supplies and prices by an inefficient, centrally planned state bureaucracy. "I have two countries that for 60 years have been in the worst of terms, anything I can do to bring to the two countries and the two people together is tremendously satisfying," said Berenthal, a Cuban-born semi-retired software engineer who left the country at age 16. He met Clemmons, who is from Paint Rock, Alabama, when they worked at IBM in the 1970s. They left to form a successful cash-register software company that grew to earn $30 million a year before they sold it in 1995 for a sum that Clemmons says was "enough that I don't have to work." Between their own capital and commitments from private investors they say they have enough cash in hand to build the Oggun factory as soon as Cuba lets them proceed. "Everything's locked in," Clemmons said. Berenthal said they are optimistic that they will also be able to export Oggun tractors to other Latin American countries, which have low or no tariffs on Cuba products, making them competitive on price. The men expect a 10-20 percent profit on each tractor. For the project's first three years, Clemmons and Berenthal say they will export components from the United States for assembly in Cuba. They hope to eventually begin manufacturing many of the parts themselves on the island. They said they expect to start with 30 Cuban employees and, if things go as planned, grow within five years to as many as 300. Clemmons and Berenthal will publish all the schematics of their tractors online in order to allow Cubans and other clients to more easily repair their equipment and come up with designs for other heavy equipment based on the same frame and motor that Cleber can then produce at their Mariel factory. The men already have plans to produce excavators, backhoes, trench-diggers and forklifts, equipment that's badly needed across Cuba, where virtually all the infrastructure is crumbling after years of neglect and mismanagement and a lack of cash that the government blames on the embargo. "I think it'll have a tremendous impact on their ability not only to help their economy but to set an example across the Caribbean and Latin America," Berenthal said. HARTFORD -- Gov. Dannel P. Malloy wants to restart bipartisan budget talks with legislative leaders, saying Connecticut must change its ways to make the state's budget more predictable and sustainable. It's unclear, however, whether this latest effort to come up with a plan that Democrats and Republicans can agree on will actually bear fruit. Two weeks into the new legislative session, Democratic and Republican leaders of the General Assembly are questioning one another's commitment to righting the state's fiscal ship. Senate President Martin Looney, D-New Haven, wrote an editorial last week that accused the GOP of "fear-mongering, misinformation and bombast" about the state budget for short political gain. Meanwhile, Senate Minority Leader Len Fasano, R-North Haven, accused the majority Democrats of ignoring the "death spiral" that faces Connecticut. "As naive as it may sound, I always try to be optimistic in the beginning," said House Minority Leader Themis Klarides, R-Derby, who is planning to attend the closed-door meeting, anticipated to occur Tuesday. "I'm hoping that this is a first step at trying to come to a reasonable solution." Democrats and Republicans met privately with Malloy in the fall and early winter, in an attempt to reach a bipartisan deal to address a $350 million shortfall that developed in the current $20 billion budget. Ultimately, however, the GOP could not agree to the final proposal, which cleared the General Assembly during a special session by mostly Democratic votes. That plan, however, didn't fix the problem. A deficit re-emerged weeks later. Meanwhile, the next fiscal year, which begins July 1, is projected to have an approximate $560 million shortfall. Much larger deficits totaling about $4 billion are predicted in the following two fiscal years. "We must change our ways if we want to move forward," Malloy said in a letter to the top six legislative leaders. "We need to make our budget more predictable, more sustainable, outcome-based and constituent-focused. I believe the sooner we engage, the easier it will be to create a more sustainable and enduring economy for the families and businesses of Connecticut." The private talks between Malloy and the legislative leaders come at an unusual time. The General Assembly's Appropriations Committee has just begun holding public hearings and state agency presentations on Malloy's proposed $19.8 billion budget, which is $569 million less than what lawmakers originally agreed to last year when they passed a two-year $40 billion plan. Typically, the leaders and the governor meet at the end of the process, hammering out a final deal for the rank-and-file lawmakers to vote on. Lawmakers are already being pressured to restore many cuts, especially to human services programs. "For years we have balanced the budget on the backs of Connecticut's most vulnerable population," Candace Low told the Appropriations Committee. She is the executive director of Independence Unlimited, a nonprofit that provides services to help people with disabilities transition from institutions into the community. "We all realize we have to cut something," she told the lawmakers. "But to eliminate these programs that are really crucial to people is really putting people in jeopardy." Klarides said she doesn't blame Malloy for suggesting tough cuts but added that the governor can "no longer say everything is fine." Malloy has proposed an across-the-board 5.75 percent reduction to certain state agencies -- a proposal that has been met with concerns from some lawmakers who question where those cuts will be made and whether he's overstepping his authority. "We are in a very dire situation in this state," she said. "I think it's irresponsible not to look at every option." CUCUTA, Colombia (AP) -- The doctor taps Zulay Balza's knees with a hammer and she doesn't feel a thing. She can't squeeze his outstretched fingers or shut her eyelids. Her face is partially paralyzed. "The weakness started in my legs and climbed upward. The face was last. After three days, I couldn't walk," said Balza, 49. "My legs felt like rags." Balza is a patient at the public University Hospital in Cucuta, at the epicenter of the Colombian outbreak of the mosquito-borne Zika virus. Only Brazil has more cases. Two weeks ago, she came under assault by Guillain-Barre (gee-YOHN-bah-RAY), a rare and sometimes fatal affliction that is the Western world's most common cause of general paralysis. Alarm over the Zika epidemic spreading across the Americas has been chiefly over birth defects, but frontline physicians believe a surge in Guillain-Barre cases may also be related. The World Health Organization says Guillain-Barre cases are on the rise in Brazil, Colombia, El Salvador, Suriname and Venezuela, all hit hard by Zika, though a link remains unproven. The auto-immune disorder historically strikes only one or two people in 100,000. About one in 20 of those cases ends in death in the developed world, and it is frightful. "I thought my body was going to explode," said Balza, sitting on her hospital bed and apparently over the worst. Guillain-Barre attacks skeletal muscular nerves as if they were a foreign enemy. Fine motor skills rapidly erode, arms and legs tingle and weaken to numbness. Patients lose their balance, their speech. In rare cases, they require ventilators to stay alive. The syndrome typically strikes after a bacterial or viral infection, such as influenza, HIV or dengue, though its cause can't always be determined. Dr. Jairo Lizarazo, the neurologist treating Balza, has seen cases increase more than tenfold since December -- 30 cases in all -- in this muggy city bordering Venezuela. Like Balza, many patients never showed the characteristic symptoms of Zika -- fever, rashes, joint pain and conjunctivitis. Four in five don't. He's convinced the virus boosts susceptibility to Guillain-Barre. "It's an epidemiological association," said Lizarazo. "We don't know exactly how it works. But it's there, for sure." Associated cases confirmed or suspected based on clinical evidence number in the hundreds. Guillain-Barre cases believed to be linked to the virus have killed three people in recent weeks in Colombia and health officials have attributed another three Guillian-Barre deaths in Venezuela to suspected Zika infections. WHO said Zika has been confirmed present in apparently just one Guillain-Barre death, in the northwestern Venezuela state of Zulia in January. Dr. Maria Lucia Brito Ferreira, chief neurologist at Hospital da Restauracao in Recife, Brazil, said she hopes to get laboratory confirmation this month that nine Guillain-Barre deaths recorded there in the past year were Zika-related. Cases of Guillain-Barre in Colombia -- about 450 annually before Zika struck -- were up nearly threefold in the past month and a half. El Salvador has reported 118 cases since November, nearly as many as previously seen in a year. "The only explanation is the Zika virus," said Deputy Health Minister Eduardo Espinoza. Dr. Osvaldo Nascimento, a leading Rio neurologist, estimates Brazilian cases of Guillain-Barre are up fivefold. Reporting is not compulsory, so the government's partial figure of 1,868 cases requiring hospitalization last year is a sketchy parameter. An upsurge in Guillain-Barre was documented in 2013 during a major Zika outbreak in French Polynesia, with a study finding cases up twentyfold. WHO said all 42 cases recorded in the Pacific archipelago tested positive for Zika as well as dengue fever, which is also currently present in Colombia, Venezuela, Brazil and other Zika-affected countries. Antibodies for the dengue and chikungunya viruses, which are far more debilitating than Zika, are often being found in infected patients. That is making establishing a direct Zika-Guillain-Barre link more complicated. Like Zika, both viruses are transmitted by the Aedes aegypti mosquito and could also trigger Guillian-Barre, experts say. Under normal circumstances, eight in 10 patients nearly fully recover from Guillian-Barre, though it sometimes takes months. Data on Guillain-Barre is scant in most of the developing world. Of 18 countries participating in a clinical study launched by Dutch physicians in 2012, only two are in Latin America: Mexico and Argentina. Brazil just joined. Across the region, investigators were simply unable to get government funding to participate, said Dr. Ken Gorson, a Tufts University neurologist and president-elect of an international foundation that combats Guillain-Barre. Poorer countries were ill-prepared to manage the crisis. Colombia's National Health Institute is overwhelmed with a weeks-long backlog in completing tests for Zika. The three Guillain-Barre deaths that the country's Health Ministry attributed to Zika on Feb. 5 have not yet been confirmed by laboratory tests, said spokesman Ricardo Amortegui. Nor have the three deaths in the Venezuelan state of Lara announced last week. One Guillian-Barre fatality in Colombia suspected of being linked to Zika was a 51-year-old man from the Caribbean island of San Andres who died in November, said Rita Almanza, epidemiology chief in Medellin. The others were a 45-year-old man and a 41-year-old woman flown from Turbo on the Caribbean coast who died in Medellin in February. Guillain-Barre grabbed hold of Nancy Pino in neighboring Venezuela with devastating effect. The 68-year retired school administrator developed fever, rashes and muscle pain while celebrating Christmas with her family in the hot lowland state of Anzoategui. She recovered quickly. Days later, her hands and feet started to go numb. Her tongue felt like it was asleep. She stopped eating. The family rushed her to a Caracas hospital. She could barely walk. Bed-ridden, she lost the ability to talk and soon, to breathe. Doctors attached her to a respirator. "It was so quick," daughter Nihara Ramos said between sobs. "It was like a flame consuming her from the bottom up." Doctors diagnosed Guillain-Barre with a spinal tap -- they assumed she had Zika earlier -- and suggested that the relatives obtain immunoglobulin, an expensive treatment that pools healthy antibodies from hundreds of donors. Gorson said it costs $15,000-$45,000 in the United States. The family, straightjacketed by Venezuela's economic crisis, couldn't find or afford enough. In less than three weeks, a woman who once bounded up seven flights of stairs to her apartment was dead. ___ Associated Press writer Frank Bajak reported this story from Lima, Peru, and AP writer Libardo Cardona reported in Cucuta, Colombia. AP writers Hannah Dreier in Caracas, Venezuela; Marcos Aleman in San Salvador, El Salvador; and Luis Henao in Santiago, Chile, contributed to this report. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate HUNTSVILLE, Texas (AP) -- One 16-year-old drove drunk, ran a red light and crashed into a pregnant woman's car, killing her and her unborn child. Another drunken teenager rammed a pickup truck into a crowd of people assisting a stranded driver, killing four. Jaime Arellano went to prison. Ethan Couch went free. The stories of the two Texas teens illustrate how prosecutors' decisions in similar cases can lead to wildly different outcomes. The poor immigrant from Mexico has been behind bars for almost a decade. The white kid with rich parents got 10 years of probation. Couch lost control as he drove his family's pickup truck back to a party where he and some friends had been playing beer pong and drinking beer that some of them had stolen from Wal-Mart. The vehicle veered into a crowd of people helping the driver on the side of the road. Authorities later estimated that he was going 70 mph in a 40 mph zone. The crash fatally injured the stranded motorist, a youth minister who stopped to help her and a mother and daughter who came out of their nearby home. But prosecutors in Fort Worth said they didn't ask to have his case moved to the adult system because they thought the judge would refuse. Instead, he stayed in juvenile court and became infamous for his psychologist's assertion that his wealthy parents coddled him into a sense of irresponsibility the psychologist called "affluenza." Arellano was charged with intoxication manslaughter and intoxication assault, the same counts against Couch. But prosecutors in Arellano's case moved quickly after his June 2007 crash to send him to adult court. Arellano took a plea deal and got 20 years in prison, where he remains today. Sending Arellano's case to the adult system opened the door to the kind of punishment many say Couch should have received from the beginning. Matt Bingham, the Smith County district attorney and head of the office that prosecuted Arellano, declined to comment on Couch's case but said he considered adult prison to be a fair option for any teenager who has killed someone. Juveniles don't always commit "what people think of as juvenile crimes," Bingham said. "There is an appropriate punishment for what they have done. And the fact that they're 16 years of age doesn't negate that." Arellano could never have argued he had "affluenza." Arellano and his family crossed the U.S.-Mexico border illegally two years before the crash and settled in East Texas. He spoke little English and had little knowledge of the court system. Five months before the crash, he dropped out of high school. Now 24, he spoke to The Associated Press about his case from behind a narrow glass partition at a Texas prison. Wearing a white inmate uniform, he spoke in soft, accented English that he said he learned while in prison. Arellano had his first beer at 15 and had driven drunk a few times before. His parents tried to stop him from driving under the influence, but he said he wouldn't listen. "They talked to me way too many times," he said. "But I just didn't want to hear it." On the night of June 23, 2007, Arellano was driving an SUV through Tyler, about 100 miles east of Dallas, on his way to a party. He had an open beer and several more in a cooler. Witnesses saw him swerve through the intersection and slam into a Ford Mustang making a left turn ahead, according to police reports. Driving the Mustang was Martha Mondragon, a 31-year-old woman who was nine months' pregnant. Mondragon and the child she was carrying were killed. Her 6-year-old daughter flew out of her booster seat and through a car window. She was hospitalized and survived. Prosecutors quickly sought to have Arellano's case moved to adult court, and a judge agreed. At that point, Arellano faced two choices: a plea deal with the promise of 20 years in prison and possible parole after a decade, or a jury trial in one of the most conservative regions of the United States and the risk of 50 years in prison. He took the plea. While he once thought he might have gotten probation if he were white, Arellano said he doesn't feel that way today. "I know it was serious," he said. "It had to happen this way so I could better myself, so I could think better." Arellano becomes eligible for parole next year. Once released, he expects to be deported to Mexico, where he hopes to work on a ranch. Couch faces possible detention for violating his probation when he returns to court on Feb. 19. Depending on the judge's ruling, he could get three months in jail and adult probation, which if violated could land him in prison for up to 40 years. In the juvenile system, intoxication manslaughter cases in Texas over the last decade were just as likely to result in probation as they are detention, according to figures from the Texas Juvenile Justice Department. Juvenile justice experts say the state's juvenile system places more weight on rehabilitation than the adult system, where punishments are tougher. Since 2005, Texas has prosecuted 38 juveniles for intoxication manslaughter or intoxication assault. Only three were sent to the adult system, and half of all cases resulted in probation of some kind. Those numbers do not include juveniles who commit similar offenses but might be charged with different crimes or cases not reported by local authorities to the state. Once juveniles are in detention, it's more likely than not that they will go free when they turn 19. Only 33 percent of all juvenile offenders are sent to adult prison, according to a study of juvenile sentencing conducted by the University of North Texas professor Chad Trulson. Trulson said a probation sentence for killing four people might seem "absurd" to the average person. But in the juvenile system, he said, that type of sentence for intoxication manslaughter and potentially more serious offenses "is probably more typical than we would think." ___ Follow Nomaan Merchant on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/nomaanmerchant . ___ This story has been corrected to show that Mondragon was 31, not 33. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate NORWALK -- Speculation abounds about who will choose the successor of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, who died Saturday, but State Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff, D-Norwalk, thinks the furor has arisen "too soon." "We just found out the man passed away 24 hours ago, and we ought to respect his work. We ought to respect his family, and grieve somebody who basically gave his life to public service," Duff told The Hour. "I think the fights over whether or not the U.S. Senate will confirm another justice before President Obama leaves is really a conversation for another day," Duff added. Duff emphasized Scalia's life as exemplary of the American dream, even though he would likely diverge with Scalia on "most of" the justice's positions. Scalia, an outspoken conservative who has been called the "most provocative member of the Supreme Court," took a hard line on controversial issues like gay marriage, abortion and affirmative action. "(Scalia) had a really interesting story," Duff told The Hour. "He was the son of immigrants and worked his way through school, and then became an associate justice of the Supreme Court." Duff said that the career trajectory of Scalia -- who was raised in Trenton, N.J. to a Sicilian father and a mother who was the daughter of Sicilian immigrants -- could serve to inspire first-generation Americans in Norwalk and elsewhere. "(Scalia) is one who lived the American story," Duff said. "(It's) something that other people who are new to this country will look at and say, 'His parents were from out of this country, and he made it to the highest court in the land.'" U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., expressed a sentiment similar to Duff's. In a statement regarding Scalia's death, Blumenthal paid his respects and refrained from overt politicking. "I am saddened by the death of Justice Antonin Scalia," Blumenthal said in the statement. "The son of an immigrant, dedicated public servant, acerbic wit, and gifted writer and orator, Justice Scalia lived a uniquely American life. I respected his intellect and patriotism. My thoughts are with his wife, Maureen, and their entire family." Blumenthal is a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, which considers nominations to fill seats on the U.S. Supreme Court. In the same statement, Blumenthal pledged to "work vigorously" with the committee to achieve the confirmation of Scalia's successor. "My hope is that the president will promptly nominate someone with strong intellect and integrity who can win bipartisan support," Blumenthal said. On Feb. 13, the U.S. Marshal's Service confirmed Scalia's death, aged 79, at a private residence in the Big Bend area of South Texas. The service's spokeswoman, Donna Sellers, said Scalia had retired for the evening and was found dead Saturday morning after he did not appear for breakfast. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate NORWALK -- Japanese is one of three world languages available to students at Ponus Ridge Middle School. Seventh graders enrolled in the course had an opportunity to share lessons learned in the classroom with Japanese natives Thursday. Ponus Ridge Middle School hosted visitors from the Greenwich Japanese School. Visitors, which included nine students, one teacher and the school's principal, attended classes and ate lunch with students. With Ponus Ridge eighth-graders scheduled to visit Japan this year, the program's instructor wanted to provide an incentive to seventh graders enrolled in the program. "I wanted to give motivation to seventh graders to keep studying Japanese," said Misae Pergolizzi, Japanese teacher at Ponus Ridge Middle School. "Luckily, I found a Japanese school in this area." There are currently 38 students enrolled in Japanese class at Ponus Middle School. Sixth and seventh graders are learning Japanese every other day, while eighth graders take the class every day. Learning Japanese is not an easy task for English-speaking students but it is very achievable. "Grammatically, it's completely different," said Pergolizzi. "It takes time to learn the Japanese alphabet. Young students can learn Japanese from the sound very easy." "We're constantly looking to expand our Japanese program here at Ponus," said Damon Lewis, principal of Ponus Ridge Middle School. "Mrs. Pergolizzi is new to Ponus and she has done a very good job of transitioning and bringing new ideas. This is the first year, we done an exchange with the Greenwich Japanese School." The Greenwich Japanese School opened more than 40 years ago in Queens, N.Y., as the Japanese School of New York. The school, which educates students in grades 1-9, started to support Queens' growing Japanese population at the time. The school relocated to Greenwich in 1992. Japanese is one of three world languages taught at Ponus Ridge Middle School. Students also have the option of taking French or Spanish. On March 1, Ponus Ridge seventh grade students will visit the Greenwich Japanese School. Eighth graders at Ponus Ridge and Roton Middle Schools will take a 10-day trip to Japan this year to visit a school there. Ponus Ridge graduates looking to further their education in Japanese studies have the option of applying to Norwalk's Center for Global Studies, an interdistrict magnet high school, which specializes in Arabic, Chinese and Japanese language, history and culture. NORWALK -- A Norwalk man who is currently in police custody following a Feb. 9 arrest on narcotics charges was charged with interfering with a police officer during a Monday morning incident at Norwalk Hospital. According to police, Shawn Milner, 25 was at the hospital as a patient on a medical issue unrelated to his arrest. Police officers who were guarding the suspect stated that the incident began as Milner was whispering on the telephone while hiding under the bed sheets. Police said that when officers attempted to question Milner and lift the bed sheets, he allegedly refused to cooperate with police and resisted officers with the hand that was not handcuffed to the bed. According to police, Milner was escorted to the rest room, and allegedly refused to get back into bed in spite of verbal commands by police to do so. He reportedly resisted officers' attempts to move him back to the bed. Police said that their Taser was drawn, and the suspect continued to be uncooperative, necessitating an officer to 'drive-stun' the suspect with the Taser. Police said that once shackled, the suspect allegedly requested officers to draw their firearms and said "just shoot me." In the Feb. 9 arrest Milner, of 59 Connecticut Ave., was charged with possession of narcotics, two counts of illegal possession near a school and sale, possession within distance of a school. He was issued a $5,000 bond on those charges. Milner was additionally charged with interfering with an officer for the Feb. 15 incident. He was issued a $5,000 bond on that charge and was given a court date of Feb. 26. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate FAIRFIELD A Fairfield man was shot to death by police early Tuesday morning after what officers describe as a violent domestic assault that left a woman and three children injured. At approximately 6 a.m. on Feb. 16, Fairfield Police received a report of a violent assault at 22 Mountain Laurel Road. According to Connecticut State Police, which has assumed the investigation, when the first Fairfield Police officer arrived on scene, he was immediately confronted by a male suspect who was in possession of a weapon. The officer discharged his firearm, striking the suspect, who was later identified as 51-year-old Christopher Andrews. Additional officers arrived on scene and assisted with providing medical care to the wounded suspect and checked the residence for victims. Andrews was transported to Bridgeport Hospital, where he was pronounced deceased. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner has been notified and will conduct an autopsy to determine the cause and manner of death. While checking the residence, officers located four injured victims Andrews wife, Kathleen Andrews, 50, and children, ages 12, 13, and 15. Kathleen Andrews was transported to Bridgeport Hospital as a result of her injuries. One child was transported to Yale New Haven Hospital and two other children were transported to St. Vincents Medical Center in Bridgeport. Police said the children suffered a variety of blunt trauma injuries and stab wounds. The officer involved in the shooting was also transported to St. Vincents Medical Center for evaluation. The scene was secured and the road was shut down to all traffic to allow the investigation to take place. At the request of the Stamford States Attorneys Office, State Police Detectives from the Western District Major Crime Squad responded to the scene and assumed the investigation. Investigators from the Stamford States Attorneys Office responded to the scene and also assisted with the investigation. "State Police Detectives are assisting in the police-involved shooting for now," said Connecticut State Police Trooper First Class Kelly Grant on Tuesday morning. "The incidents leading up to it are being investigated by Fairfield PD as of right now." The Associated Press contributed to this story. The following editorial appears in Monday's Washington Post: Antonin Gregory Scalia held many titles in the remarkable life that ended on Saturday after 79 years. Maureen McCarthy Scalia called him her loving husband for 55 years. Five sons and four daughters called him father; more than two dozen of their children called him grandfather. This good family mourns him, as do the numerous friends who knew "Nino" -- as a professor, an assistant attorney general and, for the past three decades, as a justice of the Supreme Court. At the court, he earned another title, "Leader of the Opposition," albeit informally, in a magazine headline. But it fit: Scalia was the intellectual avatar of a conservative movement that took issue not only with modern American jurisprudence but also, in a real sense, with modern America itself. It was not simply the Supreme Court's expansion of federal power and the declaration of new rights -- to Miranda warnings, to some affirmative action and, in Roe v. Wade, to abortion -- that energized Scalia during the 1960s and 1970s. It was the arrogance with which, in his view, the court departed from, or even ignored, constitutional and statutory text, contrary to democratic accountability and the rule of law. By dissecting the court's methodological failings, Scalia believed, he could ultimately win the underlying substantive battles. He thus acquired another title - "originalist" - and used his considerable verbal gifts against liberal shibboleths in one tartly worded opinion after another. Scalia's vision of a society that decides its big issues through democratic processes, as opposed to delegating them to nine unelected lawyers, as he liked to call the Supreme Court, is not unattractive. Its weakness, of course, is the tendency - manifest with sad frequency in U.S. history -- of majorities to trample the rights of minorities. That was the tendency the Warren Court tried to correct in the 1950s and 1960s. Scalia was not blind to individual rights himself; he wrote seminal rulings expanding certain protections for criminal defendants, and he stood up for protesters' right to burn the American flag. Scalia helped promote state sovereignty as one of five Republican-appointed justices who made up a majority bloc on those issues under Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist. He wrote the court's opinion in the 2008 case establishing an individual right to firearms possession, a 64-page tour de force that showed how the court's arguments had shifted to Scalia's originalist terrain; his historical interpretation of the Second Amendment's drafting obliged dissenter Justice John Paul Stevens to respond with his own. But on the issues that most animated him and the conservative activists who cheered him -- abortion, affirmative action and gay rights -- Scalia did not, over time, carry the day. Originalism, however cogent, could not sway more pragmatic justices, such as his fellow Republicans Sandra Day O'Connor and Anthony M. Kennedy, who understood, better than Scalia did, the risks of setting the court against contemporary culture. To the contrary, when his wit, soured perhaps by deep disappointment at Roe's durability, morphed into sarcasm, or even insult, he alienated those colleagues - and many citizens, too. At his best, though, Scalia embodied the wisdom of Proverbs 27:17: "Iron sharpens iron." For decades, he wielded mental steel against liberalism, and this obliged progressives to acknowledge their excesses and toughen their arguments. The essential achievements of the pre-Scalia court survived -- their legitimacy enhanced for having been so relentlessly and brilliantly tested by him. The shocking news of Justice Antonin Scalia's death cast a pall over the South Carolina GOP debate. But not even the death of a Supreme Court justice was enough to derail the political bloodletting. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., came into the debate needing a comeback. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, came in on defense, and Donald Trump came in with the wind at his back while Jeb Bush emerged from New Hampshire still alive. Ohio Gov. John Kasich and Dr. Ben Carson came in with low expectations in a state in which neither is expected to break out of single digits. Jeb Bush had his best, most relaxed debate. He managed to get under Donald Trump's skin, reducing Trump to blaming George W. Bush for 9/11. "The lack of leadership in this country by Barack Obama, John Kerry, Hillary Clinton, thinking that this is a policy that works, this policy of containment with ISIS. It's a complete, unmitigated disaster," Bush said. "And to allow Russia now to have influence in Syria makes it harder, but we need to destroy ISIS and dispose of Assad to create a stable Syria so that the four million refugees aren't a breeding ground for Islamic jihadists. This is the problem. Donald Trump brought up the fact that he would -- he'd want to accommodate Russia. Russia is not taking out ISIS." Later he went after Trump, calling him "weak" for disparaging women, Hispanics and Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz. While some Wall Street Republicans oppose it, Bush made a compelling case for treating carried interest as ordinary income. He struck gold when he slammed eminent domain when used to take an old woman's home for a parking lot for "failed casinos for high rollers." At one point, he compared Trump to Reagan: "Reagan did not tear down people like Donald Trump. He tore down the Berlin Wall." Later in the evening he made an effective and articulate defense of executive leadership, ignoring Trump, who tried to insist he never went bankrupt. He chopped Kasich down to size for expanding Obamacare (i.e. expanding Medicaid under the law): "We should be fighting Obamacare, repealing Obamacare, replacing it with something totally different." Rubio also had a strong comeback debate. He ably defended his child tax credit, making the night's only pitch to shore up families. ("Parenting is the most important job any of us will ever have. Family formation is the most important thing in society. So what my tax plan does, is it does create - especially for working families, an additional Child Tax Credit.") His shining moment however came when he reeled off the list of Cruz's "lies" - reversing himself on immigration, telling Iowa voters Carson had dropped out of the race, and insisting Rubio didn't fight against Planned Parenthood funding. In essence, it was his Chis Christie moment, leaving Cruz back on his heels. He went a long way toward debunking the false narrative that he is robotic. He was at ease in explaining his immigration plans, stressing his emphasis on border security first. In his closing argument he came back to values again, observing, "Wrong is now considered right, and right is now considered wrong." While it may make no difference to his mesmerized fans, Trump had his worst debate. He lost his temper and showed his ignorance regarding Syria in the exchange with Bush, insisted that eliminating waste, fraud and abuse would save Social Security, and came up short trying to insult Jeb Bush. He was booed frequently, whereupon he accused the crowd of being lobbyists. He had a screaming match with Cruz as well, calling him a liar and getting slammed in return for his past support for Democratic candidates. He was at a loss to explain when he had listened to criticism and changed his mind. More surprising was Ted Cruz's performance. He came out strong in his tribute to Scalia, but was unconvincing in insisting his Value Added Tax is not really a VAT. He launched a broad-based attack on Rubio's immigration policy, but clumsily tried to avoid answering whether he would expel the hundreds of thousands of illegal immigrants idenified by the president's executive order. He seemed flummoxed when Rubio delineated his "lies." For much of the debate he was quiet, letting Bush and Rubio shine. Kasich seemed to be the robotic candidate, repeating over and over his intention to be a unifier and healer. Too often he came across as if legitimate criticisms of his political positions are out of bounds. Dr. Ben Carson, as always, seemed out of place in a presidential debate. Winners: Bush, Rubio, CBS moderators (for informed, well formulated questions) Losers: Donald Trump, Ted Cruz, John Kasich Jennifer Rubin writes the Right Turn blog for The Post, offering reported opinion from a conservative perspective. The European Commission and the International Energy Agency will address the impact of the energy crisis on SMEs in an online event on 21 October. Looking for the big games to watch in Week 9? We have them right here. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Corry Elyda (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, February 16, 2016 With seven years remaining before its contract ends, private water operator PT Aetra Air Jakarta (Aetra) is still struggling to reduce water losses that continue to cause inefficiencies. Aetra president director Mohamad Selim said recently that his company managed to reduce water losses, known as non-revenue water (NRW), by 1 percent, or 100 liters per second (lps), last year. 'Our NRW used to always be above 40 percent. However, by the end of the year, it became 39 percent,' he said. Selim said 80 percent of NRW was a result of old and rusty pipes while the other 20 percent was because of water theft. Aetra and fellow private water operator PT Palyja Lyonnaise Jaya (Palyja) took over water operations in Jakarta from city-owned PAM Jaya in 1997. There have been no major pipe replacements or revamps since the takeover. NRW is the main reason neither company has been able to expand its services. Selim said the company had revamped its distribution system by replacing 23.4 kilometers of pipes, fixing leaks in 23,000 spots as well as fixing pipes in more than 13,900 customers' homes. 'We also calibrated the water meters of 27,258 customers and replaced old meters for at least 81,100 customers,' he said. He added that the company had inspected pipes in 37,500 places and found 3,618 illegal installations. 'We saved around 4.6 million cubic meters of water from last year's efforts,' he said. Selim said the company spent around Rp 36 billion (US$2.7 million) to reduce the NRW by 1 percent. 'Saving 1 percent of NRW means we can serve 12,000 new customers,' he said. To break even on its investment, the company would need four years, he said. Selim said, however, that the company would continue to focus on reducing NRW by targeting a further 2 percent decrease this year. The company has set aside Rp 165 billion for investment this year. Of the total, Rp 72 billion is to reduce water losses, including replacing old meters and fixing leaking pipes. Another Rp 15 billion is for building a reservoir and boost pumps in Kemayoran, Central Jakarta, to supply clean water to the planned Asian Games athletes' village in 2018. The company has also allocated Rp 30 billion to increase water volume and Rp 48 billion for increasing water treatment plant capacity. PAM Jaya president director Erlan Hidayat has announced his intention to take back operations once Aetra and Palyja's contract ends in 2023. 'We will start the transition as soon as possible,' he said. Erlan said PAM Jaya would start to build water treatment plants, including in the East Flood Canal, to increase raw water for the city. The city is planning to take over water services from the two companies as they have been deemed as failing to fulfill residents' needs. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Arsen Mollayev (The Jakarta Post) Makhachkala Tue, February 16, 2016 A powerful car bomb exploded Monday at a police checkpoint in Russia's Dagestan republic, killing two officers and the car's driver and wounding 19 others, in what appears to have been a suicide attack, investigators said. The attack was believed to have been organized by Islamic militants who have sworn allegiance to the Islamic State group and carried out by a man who spent time in Syria, said Rasul Temirbekov, spokesman for the Dagestani branch of the federal Investigative Committee. The explosion, set off by two 122 mm shells, destroyed the Russian-made Lada Priori and four other vehicles parked at the police post near Derbent, he said. All that remained of the Lada's driver were fragments of his head, hands and feet, the spokesman said. The suspected attacker was tentatively identified as a 23-year-old man who had studied in the southern Russian city of Astrakhan and spent time in Syria and Turkey, Temirbekov said. A search of his father's home in Derbent turned up materials confirming the suspect's allegiance to the Islamic State and past travels, he said. Dagestan has become the center of an Islamic insurgency that spread across the Caucasus region after two separatist wars in neighboring Chechnya. For more than a decade, Dagestan has seen bombings, attacks on police and kidnappings blamed on the Islamic militants. In recent years, many of the militants have proclaimed allegiance to IS, while at the same time the republic has grown markedly less violent as hundreds of them have left to join the IS in Syria. Some are now coming home with battlefield experience. While the returning fighters usually land in jail or are kept under close police surveillance, there have been concerns that the presence of radical Muslims trained in IS warfare could lead to greater instability and violence. "Those who went to fight in Syria are now returning to the republic and continuing to do the same things ' to bomb and kill," Dagestan's regional leader, Abdusamad Gamidov, told members of his administration on Monday. "We need to unite to fight terrorism and do everything to defend our residents." His spokeswoman, Tamara Chinennaya, said 16 of the wounded remained hospitalized, three of them in critical condition. Russian President Vladimir Putin has described the IS threat to Russia as a key factor behind his decision to launch air strikes on militants in Syria. He said that between 5,000 and 7,000 people from Russia and other former Soviet countries are now fighting alongside Islamic State militants. Meanwhile, Russia's air campaign in Syria has drawn threats of retaliation from militants there. (ags) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin The Jakarta Post Jakarta Tue, February 16, 2016 Women's Empowerment and Child Protection Minister Yohana Yembise has said her ministry has finalized the composing of a draft bill on chemical castration as a punishment for sex offenders. 'I have handed over the chemical castration draft bill to the coordinating human development and culture minister [Puan Maharani],' she said as quoted by tempo.co on Sunday. Yohana further said the composing of the draft bill, recently handed over for an examination process at the coordinating ministry, was based on President Joko 'Jokowi' Widodo's request as part of the government's efforts to push down the number of sexual violence cases in Indonesia. The minister did not give further details on whether the draft bill would be used as a government regulation in lieu of law (Perppu) or included in the Criminal Code (KUHP) revision bill. Puan, she said, was currently examining the draft bill before Jokowi studied it. After that, the draft bill would be handed over to the House of Representatives to be deliberated. Yohana indicated that the chemical castration draft bill would be deliberated at the House this year. 'In principle, we have agreed on the concept of chemical castration as a punishment for perpetrators of sexual violence,' she said. Yohana did not give details on the categories of sexual violence cases in which the perpetrators would be punished with chemical castration, or on the health treatment the government would give those subjected to the procedure. Separately, National Commission on Child Protection chairman Arist Merdeka Sirait urged the government to immediately enact its plan to issue a Perppu on chemical castration punishment for sex offenders. 'The President has agreed to chemical castration for child predators,' he said as quoted by tempo.co on Sunday. Arist, who said he had attended a discussion on the issuance of a Perppu on chemical castration in a limited Cabinet meeting on Jan.20, said President Jokowi had asked Puan to enact the plan at the beginning of February. Chemical castration, Arist said, would act as a deterrent against those tempted to rape and murder children. 'Indonesia is an emergency state of sexual violence [against children], so this regulation is desperately needed,' said Arist. Child-sex offenders tended now to receive only light sanctions, he said. 'What have been committed by the child predators are not ordinary crimes. These are extraordinary crimes,' said Arist. He said chemical castration had been practiced in several countries, such as Poland, Romania, South Korea and the UK, on predators who had taken children's lives after inflicting sexual violence on them. 'It's not imposed on ordinary sex attackers,' said Arist. National Commission on Violence Against Women (Komnas Perempuan) chairwoman Azriana said the idea of imposing chemical castration on sex predators through a Perppu should be re-examined, noting that the commission had at least eight reasons to consider the policy inappropriate. Chemical castration, Azriana said, removed a person's sexual and reproductive rights, basic human rights. 'Forced sterilization is categorized as a crime against humanity,' said Azriana. (liz/ebf)(+) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Yuliasri Perdani (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, February 16, 2016 The taste of homemade cooking is hard to beat and a mobile app is helping home cooks reach out to customers. Restaurants and cafes in your town may offer a plethora of dishes to satisfy your appetite, from pricey five-course meals to cheap junk food. But nothing beats a home-cooked meal. Recognizing people's craving for home-cooked dishes, three young app developers from Surabaya, East Java, have created Delihome, a food delivery app dedicated to cooks and small and medium-sized businesses to share their hearty dishes with the city. The app was founded by Andree Wijaya, James Junianlie and Elisabeth Be, three employees of a Surabaya-based app development firm. 'During a break at our office, we used to have lunch at a nearby restaurant. Often times, we were not satisfied with the taste,' Andree, who studied computer science at Singapore's Nanyang Technological University, said in a telephone interview. 'Let's say, my friend ordered chicken. When I tasted it, I thought, 'my mother cooks tastier chicken than that.' It got me thinking, why we don't create a platform that helps housewives and home cooks sell their meals online,' he said. The three submitted the idea to Startup Sprint, a competition held by the startup incubation program Start Surabaya with the support from the Surabaya city administration and several private companies. From the 500 applications submitted in October 2015, Start Surabaya selected the 10 best applications and helped the entrepreneurs develop the app within three months. Delihome, which received total funding of Rp 50 million (US$ 3,729) from the program, emerged as the winning app. With a few taps on the smartphone, users in Surabaya can have home-cooked meals and snacks delivered to their door. Delihome offers dozens of menus ranging from savory sausage rolls to succulent hot pork cooked with petai (bitter bean). Delihome charges Rp 10,000 for every delivery. The users can pay cash or pay via bank transfers. 'Two hundred and fifty home cooks have offered to partner with us. But so far, we have just authorized 50 home cooks to sell with Delihome. It is because we need time to assess the quality and hygiene of every dish proposed by the home cooks,' said Andree, who serves as Delihome's CEO. Making food look interesting is important in the online food delivery business. Andree and his team ensure that the home cooks have great photos and proper packaging to go with the menus. 'If they don't have them, we can help to photograph their dishes and provide the packaging,' he added. The app, available on Google Play and the Apple Store, has been downloaded over 1,100 times. One of the hardest tasks, Andree said, is to educate the home cooks on how to operate the app. 'It is a challenging process, but at the end, I am always glad with the results. One of our home cooks, Mrs. Kasmiati, could only use her phone to make a call and send text messages. She was enthusiastic when we invited her to the platform and taught her to operate the app,' Andree said. Kasmiati's effort to master the app paid off. Nasi campur Kasmiati (Kasmiati's Mixed Rice) has become the one of the best-selling dish on the app. It consists of a generous portion of steamed rice served with fried chicken, sambal, perkedel (potato fritters), stir-fried noodles and vegetables, all for Rp 15,000, or just over one US dollar. So far, the app only provides a pre-order service, where users place their order days prior to the delivery, says Elisabeth, who serves as Delihome's chief marketing officer. 'With the pre-order system, every vendor is better-prepared in handling the orders. They only cook the number of meals ordered in the day. So there won't be leftovers,' the 22-year-old Elisabeth said. James, the chief financial officer of Delihome, said the company planned to establish a presence in more cities later on this year. As part of Startup Sprint's winning prize, Andree, Elizabeth and James were invited to visit Silicon Valley from Jan. 13 to 19. The visit gave them a chance to exchange ideas with professionals from world-class companies and startup incubators such Google, Facebook, Code for America, Start X, Startup Weekend and GSVlabs. James said the discussions had inspired them to develop food hygiene guidelines for Delihome's home cooks. 'We will focus on what the home cook needs,' said James, who earned his master's degree in entrepreneurship and innovation management at the University of Nottingham Ningbo in China. 'We're thinking about providing training programs or a practical guideline that helps them to ensure food hygiene,' James added. Start Surabaya will accept applications for its next batch of startup companies in March. 'We want to show the youth that they can be entrepreneurs in the technology sector,' said Apriska Afiolita, the project officer of Start Surabaya. 'As we are entering the ASEAN Economic Community, Startup Surabaya wants to help Indonesian youth create technology-based innovations that can compete on the global stage,' she added. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Nurul Fitri Ramadhani and Margareth S. Aritonang (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, February 16, 2016 Despite being embroiled in a graft case at the Attorney General's Office (AGO), former House of Representatives speaker Setya Novanto expressed on Monday a plan to run for the chairmanship of the Golkar Party. The lawmaker, who landed in hot water after being accused of masterminding a conspiracy involving mining firm PT Freeport Indonesia, said he had secured support from party members from the Regional Representatives Council (DPD) to pocket a nomination. 'Of course, I have secured the support. I trust the candidacy to the DPD members. They know what to do,' Setya said after a celebration of the party's birthday at the legislative complex. Setya said that he promised to improve the party's organizational structure and try to lead the party to victory in the 2019 presidential election. The AGO is currently still dealing with Setya's case and has several times questioned Setya, who now holds the position of Golkar House faction chairman. Setya and oil tycoon Muhammad Reza Chalid are suspected of misusing the names of President Joko 'Jokowi' Widodo and Vice President Jusuf Kalla in a meeting with then Freeport Indonesia president director Maroef Sjamsoeddin regarding the negotiation of the company's contract renewal. Kalla called for Golkar members to comply with the party's internal regulations and thus exclude individuals implicated in irregularities from contesting the upcoming leadership race. Citing the party's internal regulations, Kalla, who is also a senior Golkar politician, reminded members that irreproachability was among the crucial competencies required of a hopeful chairman. '['] Thus, [those who are implicated in legal processes] must not be included,' Kalla told The Jakarta Post at his office on Monday. In addition to irreproachability, the list also includes track record, dedication and loyalty. 'That's the regulation. It's all included in the AD/ART [Golkar's internal regulations],' he emphasized. Kalla's reminder came as party chairman hopefuls unofficially kicked off their campaigns. The selection is slated to take place at a extraordinary meeting in April this year. Setya claimed that the AGO's ongoing investigation would not disrupt his candidacy as he was innocent. 'I appreciate what the AGO has done to me, and I have given clarification. More importantly, I never violated the law and was not involved in that conspiracy. Of course, the DPD understands [that I'm not guilty],' he said. He also claimed that even the National Police had announced his innocence. Party executive Mahyudin and secretary-general Idrus Marham have already declared themselves as candidates to replace current chairman Aburizal Bakrie. House Speaker Ade Komarudin has also been nominated although he has yet to declare whether he will take part in the race. Eclaircissage: Wine in Singapore and beyond Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Dewanti A. Wardhani (The Jakarta Post) Tue, February 16, 2016 The planned electronic road pricing (ERP) system in Jakarta faces further delay after the city administration revealed that its preparations are still far from complete despite years of discussions. The ERP is among the city administration's programs to limit private vehicles in the capital. Academic studies on ERP have been instigated since 2006. However, the plan to implement ERP has been stalled with a number of excuses, including legal issues, technology and the city's lack of decent public transportation. Jakarta Financial and Asset Management Board head (BPKAD) head Heru Budi Hartono said that the ERP system was complex and that the city administration needed to thoroughly prepare before beginning the project. For example, he explained, the city administration still needed to complete its business scheme and cooperation contract, in which, through bidding, private firms will develop and operate the system using their own funding with a build-operate-transfer (BOT) program. Heru said that the city administration also still needed to thoroughly review its business program to make sure that the city administration would benefit from the ERP system. The city will specify needs and standards for the system and private firms will offer their bids. The firm who is awarded the contract will be fully responsible for business risks and potential losses. 'Drafting a cooperation contract is very tricky because we have to make sure it has no loopholes,' Heru said during a press conference at City Hall Monday. The BOT program, he went on, would require private companies to install ERP gantries as well as operate and manage the system with their own funds. The cooperation will end in eight years, with the addition of a maximum two years for the company or companies to hand over the system and management to the Jakarta administration. Heru added that, in addition, the administration must prepare infrastructure and facilities to help residents to transition from private vehicles to public transport. For example, he said, a spacious parking lot should be developed nearby each ERP gantry, where vehicles can be parked. City-owned bus operator PT Transportasi Jakarta (Transjakarta) will have to increase their fleet, as the amount of passengers is expected to increase once the ERP system is implemented. The Jakarta administration also needs to integrate its data with the Jakarta Police, he said. Moreover, Heru said that the city must further familiarize residents with the system as there would be significant changes. He said that bidding is expected to begin in June and that there should be a bid winner confirmed by the end of the year or early next year. An Investment bid, Heru said, takes longer than a goods and services bid as it is more complicated and significantly higher in value. Transportation Agency head of ERP division Zulkifli said that the first ERP route would be from Sisingamangaraja in South Jakarta to Kota Tua in West Jakarta, stretching through the city's thoroughfares at Jl. Sudirman, Jl. MH Thamrin, Jl. Medan Merdeka Barat, Jl. Hayam Wuruk and Jl. Gajah Mada in Central Jakarta. Its second route, he said, will be from Jl. Buncit Raya in South Jakarta, to Jl. Mampang Prapatan and Jl. HR Rasuna Said before ending in Jl. Galunggung, South Jakarta. Zulkifli said that the ERP system was already mandated under Bylaw No. 5/2015 on Transportation. 'After bid winners are announced, we need roughly 18 months before implementing the system because we must make sure that it is perfectly ready,' he said. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Marguerite Afra Sapiie (The Jakarta Post) Tue, February 16, 2016 The government and security apparatus, particularly the police, could use groups opposed to the Islamic State (IS) movement to counter IS in Indonesia, but doing so would be risky, terrorist experts say. Institute for Policy Analysis of Conflict (IPAC) director Sidney Jones said certain Indonesian extremist groups, such as Jamaah Ansharusy Syariah (JAS) and the Indonesian Mujahiddin Council (MMI), opposed IS. Jones added that senior leaders of Jamaah Islamiyah (JI) who support Al-Qaeda and the Al-Nusra Front ' enemies of IS ' could be very useful for the police to counter the group's supporters on Indonesian soil. However, the security apparatus was loath to encourage supporters of Al-Qaeda, and this created a dilemma, Jones said. "So the question for the police is can you use the [anti-IS] groups tactically as a tool against IS without encouraging their growth and creating problems for Indonesia in the future," Jones told thejakartapost.com recently. The main priorities for the police were to stop IS from recruiting, to uncover its network and to understand its dynamics, he added, noting, however, that these were only short-term priorities. No one knew at what point JI and other anti-IS extremist groups would decide to return to violence, he went on. If they decided that the political situation was in their favor, then their calculations might change, Jones added. "I think that in the long-term, JI [and other anti-IS extremist groups] is the real problem for Indonesia that the police should keep their eyes on," he said. Separately, an expert staff at the House of Representatives Rakyan Adibrata said the government could indeed use anti-IS extremist groups' power to create effective counternarratives to IS propaganda in Indonesia, but the stakes were too high. The government should not attempt to apply a divide and conquer strategy by using the anti-IS extremist groups to fight against pro-IS groups as it could spill over, potentially leading to greater conflict, like the bloody clash between IS and the Al-Nusra Front in Syria, Rakyan said. "The consequences that the government will face are not only in terms of religious debate, but a potential turf war," he warned. Recently in Syria, he said, one Al-Nusra Front leader was captured and beheaded by a young member of IS, showing that the use of humiliation had reached a critical stage in the conflict. If such conflict were to spread to Indonesia, Rakyan said, the government could lose control of the clash as in fact, anti-IS groups had more capability in terms of war tactics and weaponry than IS supporters in Indonesia, or, in other words, were stronger, Rakyan said. "In terms of counter-narrative, the government should involve all anti-IS groups, but it should ensure there is no spill-over. We don't want what's happening in Syria to happen in Indonesia," Rakyan asserted. (dan)(+) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Haeril Halim, Hans Nicholas Jong and Nurul Fitri Ramadhani (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, February 16, 2016 As the latest conservative stride in the wake of the LGBT paranoia gripping the nation, the government has demanded a UN body end an awareness program to empower the minority group. Vice President Jusuf Kalla said on Monday that the National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas) had summoned the UN Development Program Indonesia to seek clarification about US$8 million in funding allocated for LGBT programs in several countries in Asia, including Indonesia, and demanded termination of any LGBT programs in the country. '[UNDP Indonesia] knows nothing about the matter. It said that UNDP Thailand had these programs first, we asked them not to replicate such projects [in Indonesia],' Kalla told reporters at his office on Monday. Kalla reiterated that the government respected citizens' rights to diverse sexual expression, but said that exercising such a right should not include campaigns to encourage other people to join the LGBT cause, which Kalla said contradicted long-standing religious and cultural norms in the country. Kalla said that the government had also asked UNDP Indonesia to tell its partner office in Thailand to stop the latter's LGBT programs because they were not in accordance with values in ASEAN countries. 'There is nothing wrong with [LGBT] if it is something related to the exercise of individual rights. It only goes in the wrong direction if it becomes a movement to encourage people to become a part of it. For example, by campaigning to legalize same-sex marriage in Indonesia,' Kalla added. Kalla also discouraged LGBT people from publishing information on the internet that promoted the LGBT movement. 'When it comes to privacy, it is not a problem, but if it deals with disseminating information [about LGBT campaigns] then we disagree.' Hostility toward an LGBT group at a university campus recently triggered larger condemnation of the minority group in the country. The Indonesian Broadcasting Commission (KPI) said it had discouraged broadcasters, television and radio stations from running programs promoting the activities of the LGBT community. UNDP Indonesia spokesperson Tomi Soetjipto told the Jakarta Post that the institution was still negotiating the ban of the program. 'We are aware of the situation. We are now in discussions with the government of Indonesia and also with the UNDP regional center [Asia Pacific] in Bangkok,' he said. Yuyun Wahyuningrum, senior advisor on ASEAN and human rights at the Human Rights Working Group (HRWG), lamented the backlash against the UNDP program, saying that it was horribly misguided. '[LGBT people] are like second class citizens. The [UNDP] aims to show that there are citizens whose rights should be protected but only because they're different, their rights are denied,' she said. 'I don't see any reason why the government should reject a program like this seeing how it's for the sake of the country,' she said. Coordinating Political, Legal and Security Affairs Minister Luhut Pandjaitan said that all LGBT people possessed basic rights as citizens, which were protected under the law. 'We also have to protect them,' Luhut said. He went on to say people could not condemn LGBT people using religious reasons because homosexuality was genetic, arguing that studies had found that such a condition was found on a person's chromosome. He said that it was difficult for people to avoid such a genetic predisposition. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Marguerite Afra Sapiie (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, February 16, 2016 The government has proposed that a mooted revision of the 2003 Terrorism Law contain a new category for terrorism offences. A new category would fill the gaps in current legislation, Attorney General M Prasetyo said on Monday, and would cover the sale of chemical, biological, radiological, micro-organism, nuclear and radiactive weapons for acts of terrorism. In the revision of the law, the government also proposes a prohibition on forming relations with terrorist groups abroad, as there is currently no law that can be used to charge Indonesians who go overseas to join such groups. The government also plans to prohibit Indonesians from undergoing military training in other countries or communicating directly or indirectly with terrorist groups abroad. The proposed revision also included a ban on adopting radical Islamic values, recruiting people for terrorism purposes, sending people to carry out terrorist attacks, funding terrorist movements, giving assistance to terrorist groups and committing violence in the name of terrorism, Prasetyo said. "If we continue to use the old means, it will be hard for us to address terrorism in the future," he said during a joint meeting to discuss the bill with House of Representatives Commission I overseeing military and foreign affairs and Commission III overseeing legal affairs. The government is also set to begin to increase cross-border supervision in relation to a 2014 UN Security Council Resolution on measures to counter foreign terrorist fighters. Efforts to prevent the flow of foreign fighters include investigations into documents to detect suspicious travel, cooperation with other countries on deradicalization, investigating banking information and creating an early warning system for travel agents and airlines services to detect suspicious travel. Meanwhile, Coordinating Political, Legal and Security Affairs Minister Luhut Pandjaitan said the revision bill would focus on preemptive action, with law enforcement officers enabled to arrest alleged terrorists planning to carry out attacks. "The police will coordinate with the National Intelligence Agency [BIN] to detect suspected or alleged terrorists," Luhut said. The draft of the revision also orders tighter cooperation among stakeholders such as the National Police, the Indonesian Military (TNI), the Attorney General's Office and the Supreme Court. The government would also involve Islamic organizations such as Indonesia's largest Muslim organization Nahdlatul Ulama, Muhammadiyah and the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) to help deradicalization programs, Luhut added. (rin)(+) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Nurul Fitri Ramadhani (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, February 16, 2016 The government has urged the House of Representatives to accelerate its deliberations on the amendment to the existing 2003 Terrorism Law so as to improve preventive measures. Speaking during a meeting with the House Commission I and III on Monday, Coordinating Political, Legal and Security Affairs Minister Luhut Pandjaitan said that Indonesia's counterterrorism laws were still weak. 'We have to immediately strengthen the authority of the National Police because we can't detect precisely when and where a terrorist attack may occur. The best solution is to strengthen our preventive measures,' Luhut said. Luhut said that, in the amendment, in order for the police to have sufficient time to stop a planned attack, the National Police should be granted the authority to arrest suspected terrorists, even if they had yet to act, with the ability to detain them for at least ten months, an increase from the current six months. Attorney General M. Prasetyo said at the meeting that the country's counterterrorism actions remains slow because the police were hampered in their ability to collect evidence. He, therefore, recommended that the amendment stipulate that evidence collected by intelligence agencies be considered as valid evidence. He also wants the amendment to stipulate clear prohibitions on making connections with those individuals or radical organizations abroad proven to have potential for conducting terrorism attacks. 'The current law does not stipulate with regard to organizations that send combatants abroad to join radical groups,' Prasetyo said. He also requested that the amendment prohibit military training abroad that is conducted by radical groups. Furthermore, the law should also stipulate clear punishment for those people or groups who join and or recruit people to join radical groups, or help such groups to prepare terrorism attacks by providing financial aid. Prasetyo also said that there should be a strict and long-term monitoring of ex-terrorism defendants. 'They should be monitored for at least a year after they are freed,' he added. _________________________ 'The current law does not stipulate with regard to organizations that send combatants abroad to join radical groups.' He further said that current deradicalization programs were not effective and that the country should have a more comprehensive deradicalization program, citing a statistic suggesting that at least 15 percent of the country's 600 ex-terrorist defendants had repeated acts of terrorism. However, the amendment may still take time to deliberate as pros and cons still being discussed among the lawmakers. Abu Bakar al-Habsy of the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) said that the amendment was not urgent as he felt that the current terrorism law stipulated sufficient regulation for preventing terrorism. 'It's not about the regulation, but more about the implementation of it by the authorities in the field. Moreover, there have been many wrongful arrest cases toward suspected terrorists. We have to evaluate it first,' Abu said. Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) politician Effendi Simbolon said that the lawmakers had to support the amendment in order to strengthen the country's preemptive measures. He also recommended that the Military (TNI) be granted a similar authority to arrest suspected terrorists as the police. 'So we create a better special force to deal with terrorism, one that comprises both TNI and the police, so that TNI may be more useful,' Effendi said. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin The Jakarta Post Jakarta Tue, February 16, 2016 Actress Rianti Cartwright tries to keep healthy during the tight filming schedule for Elif Indonesia, a local soap opera adaptation of Turkish TV drama series Elif. The best recipe for maintaining a healthy lifestyle, the 32-year-old actress said, is to have a good eight-hour sleep each day, take vitamins and eat well. 'I try to sleep at least eight hours and I always ask for one day off each week so that I can have a good rest,' Rianti said while on location in Bogor, West Java, as quoted by kapanlagi.com on Thursday. Although she enjoys the cool air of the Elif Indonesia set location, Rianti finds that the distance between Jakarta and Bogor can be a challenge. The star of film Ayat-ayat Cinta (Verses of Love) said she and her husband often used their day off to visit a variety of businesses and to enjoy quality time with family. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Ayomi Amindoni (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, February 16, 2016 Indonesia and Vietnam have agreed to boost bilateral trade to US$10 billion by 2018; the target is almost twice the current trade value between the two countries, which stands at $5.3 billion. The agreement was concluded in a bilateral meeting between President Joko 'Jokowi' Widodo and Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung in the US on Monday. The meeting was preliminary to the ASEAN-US Summit. 'Prime Minister Nguyen Tang Dung welcomed the invitation to boost cooperation in trade and investment. Vietnamese investors have expressed their interest in investing in Indonesia's oil and gas sector, as well as agriculture,' read a press statement issued by the State Secretariat. In addition, the two leaders discussed the maritime boundaries between the two countries. Jokowi said he expected immediate consultations to resolve boundary issues between the two countries, following a technical meeting on exclusive economic zones (ZEE) held between the two countries in December. Jokowi reiterated that Indonesia was often disadvantaged by illegal fishing, and said he hoped sharper maritime delimitation would reduce the uncertainty regarding maritime boundaries. (ags)(+) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Callistasia Anggun Wijaya (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, February 16, 2016 The Jakarta administration's plan to close down the Kalijodo red-light district and relocate the residents is likely to meet with success as authorities push forward more quickly with their plan to rid the city of prostitution and crime. On Monday, officials from the Jakarta Police, the Jakarta Military Command, the Public Order Agency (Satpol PP) and West and North Jakarta administrations held a coordination meeting to discuss the closing of Kalijodo at the Jakarta Police headquarters. Kalijodo, home to the city's largest red-light district, hit the headlines following a collision last week between a Toyota Fortuner and a motorcycle in which four people died. The driver of the Fortuner, Riki Agung Prasetio, was declared a suspect for violating the Traffic Law. Riki reportedly drank alcohol at a cafe in Kalijodo before the accident. Jakarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama insists the city administration will shut down the Kalijodo area as it has had too many negative impacts on society. 'The city will close down the Kalijodo area and build a green open space,' Ahok said. The police have voiced support for the plan and stated they will take measures to ensure a safe and smooth operation to shut down the area. "This is the right moment for us to carry out a law enforcement operation to eliminate preman [thugs], alcoholic beverage distribution and prostitution, especially in the Kalijodo area," Jakarta Police spokesman Sr. Comr. Muhammad Iqbal said on Monday. Hundreds of personnel will reportedly be deployed to close down the Kalijodo area. The Indonesian Military has said it will back up the police in the operation. Kalijodo is full of thugs who are active in criminal activity and the police say they will map out gangster movements in the area to avoid violence perpetrated by any party that resists the closing down of Kalijodo and the residents' relocation. East Jakarta Mayor Rustam Efendi says his administration has started disseminating information on the plan to Kalijodo residents. As reported earlier, the Jakarta administration will relocate Kalijodo residents to low-cost apartments in several areas, such as Marunda and Daan Mogot. Kalijodo residents received notification letters on Monday that informed them that the red-light district would be converted into a green area. "We will keep promoting the plan until the residents understand," Rustam said. Currently, the Jakarta administration is collecting data to determine the exact number of people living in the area. Rustam said his administration would offer skills training at its vocational training centers to Kalijodo residents who wanted to change their professions. For people in Kalijodo who do not have Jakarta identity cards, the administration will assist them to return to their hometowns, he said. Rustam said the Jakarta administration expected to finish the closing down of Kalijodo and the relocation of its residents by the end of the year. About 300 residents will reportedly be relocated from Kalijodo. The Jakarta administration will prepare 300 low-cost apartments for evicted residents. Separately, the Jakarta Public Housing Agency said the administration was collecting data to differentiate between longtime Kalijodo residents and newcomers and to categorize their professions, including prostitutes and beverage sellers. "Our principle is to provide low-cost apartments to people who need them," Public Housing Agency chairwoman Ika Lestari told thejakartapost.com on Monday. (ebf)(+) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Farida Susanty (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, February 16, 2016 The government will soon revive a plan to develop a port on Java's northern coastline after cancelling the construction plan of the Japanese-funded Cilamaya port in Karawang, West Java because of issues related to its proposed location. A National Development Planning Board (Bappenas) official said government representatives will soon talk with their Japanese counterparts about the financing for a port to replace the Cilamaya project. Bappenas' director for transportation, Bambang Prihartono, said he was slated to meet a representative from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) next week about the possible investment from Japan. He said the new seaport project would be developed in a public-private partnership (PPP) scheme, with the government relying on loans for the project, in contrast to the previous plan. 'The amount is still under discussion. It could be complimented by the state budget. We need to know how much they are willing to lend and our capacity to borrow,' Bambang said over the phone on Sunday. He said the private sector will be involved in the port project as it would still be open for tenders, as reported previously. It was feared the tendering process would strain the relationship between Jakarta and Tokyo, since the Japanese government previously thought it would secure the now cancelled project and JICA had conducted a feasibility study that cost between US$2.5 million and $3 million. Vice President Jusuf Kalla scrapped the Cilamaya project because of concerns it would affect the expansion of state oil and gas firm Pertamina's nearby offshore operations. Bambang said the government had picked an area in Subang as the new location of the port. Subang is a regency about 50 kilometers east of Karawang. 'We have just been looking for the funds and the feasibility study and the detailed engineering designs will follow afterwards,' he said. He said that the tendering process would likely to take a while as the government needed to put the project in its soon-to-be launched Blue Book, which lists the country's public-private partnership projects. The government previously aimed for the project to be fully funded by the private sector to reduce state expenditures. It is rumored that one reason the government is looking at private-sector involvement is that Japan offered to invest in the form of a loan, an idea disliked by both President Joko 'Jokowi' Widodo and Transportation Minister Ignasius Jonan, who paid a visit to Tokyo in December to discuss the port project, among other topics. The planned port, which needs an initial investment of more than $1.2 billion for the first phase of construction, will have the capacity to serve 3.75 million 20-foot equivalent units (TEUs) containers, or more than two-thirds the capacity of Indonesia's largest port, Tanjung Priok in North Jakarta. The port was also recently included in the list of 30 priority infrastructure projects for the country, backed up by Presidential Regulation No. 3/2016, which also instructs related government officials to help accelerate the development of projects by speeding up the issuance of the required permits. The 30 projects, which also include the Manado-Bitung toll highway in North Sulawesi, are expected to be finished within the next four years to help boost economic growth. Bambang said the government aimed to accelerate the issuance of permits for the seaport project, such as the environmental impact analysis, so construction can start during Jokowi's administration. 'The construction will take a while and may finish after 2019, but the construction should start soon,' he said. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Ayomi Amindoni (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, February 16, 2016 President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo has congratulated Laos on its selection for the ASEAN chairmanship in 2016, saying that this year is an important milestone for ASEAN, as the ASEAN Economic Community was coming into effect. At a courtesy call with President Choumaly Sayasone of Laos in California, the US, on Monday morning local time, Jokowi stressed that Laos was adopting the chairmanship at a key moment for the regional group. "Congratulations to Laos on the ASEAN chairmanship. I am sure the chairmanship will lead ASEAN to be better and more successful," Jokowi said in a statement on Tuesday morning. He stressed that a number of issues would remain a priority, including economic and maritime cooperation, peace and stability in the South China Sea, the empowerment of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to ensure equitable development in the region, cross-border crime prevention and the protection of migrant workers. Jokowi underlined that the unity of ASEAN in a fluid and competitive world was vital. "As such, Indonesia gives its full support to Laos in the ASEAN chairmanship," the President reiterated. Laos, one of the least developed members of ASEAN, will serve as the group's chairman in 2016. On the same occasion, Jokowi said he expected bilateral relations between Indonesia and Laos to continue to increase, especially in the fields of trade, investment and tourism. Jokowi also welcomed Laos' interest in buying Indonesia's strategic industrial products, such as light transportation aircraft. He also said Indonesia was ready to participate in infrastructure development in Laos. Jokowi further said he expected increases in tourist visits from and to Laos. The government also aims to boost people-to-people contacts between the two countries by inviting Lao citizens to continue their education at universities in Indonesia. (ebf)(+) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Dewanti A. Wardhani and Agnes Anya (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, February 16, 2016 The planned eviction of residents in Kalijodo, an infamous area that straddles the border between North and West Jakarta, has become the subject of contentious debate as residents put up a fight while the city administration remains adamant that it will clear the capital's largest red-light district in its entirety by the end of this month. A renowned Kalijodo figure, Abdul Aziz, accompanied by five other residents' representatives, visited both the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) and the City Council on Monday to register their pleas against the eviction plan. 'Don't say that land and people in Kalijodo are illegal,' Azis said as quoted by kompas.com, presenting a statement letter illustrating house ownership on state land, as well as a receipt for property tax (PBB) payment. The letter showed that Azis had rights over a 1,037 square-meter house on a 1,847 square-meter plot of land. 'The letter is signed by both the Pejagalan subdistrict chief and a notary officer.'. He added that he paid more than Rp 16 million (US$1,192) in PBB each year for the land. Abdul proceeded to question the city's policy, saying, 'Which one came first, the green space program or the residents who have resided in the area for over 70 years? If there had been such a thing as a green space program we would have known.' They also filed a report against the city administration with Komnas HAM citing the terror residents felt when the administration deployed hundreds of armed officers from the Jakarta Police and Public Order Agency (Satpol PP) in its attempt to familiarize local residents with the eviction plan on Sunday. 'They came with rifles. We felt like we were terrorists,' said one of the residents, Leonard Eko Wahyu, adding that neighborhood unit (RT) and community unit (RW) chiefs in the area had not received any information regarding the deployment. Kunarso Suro Hadi Wijoyo, chief of RW 5, lauded Leonard, confirming that the force had accompanied officers from the city administration to inform residents about the eviction plan. He further said that the residents rejected the eviction plan as they made a living from businesses, like cafes and karaoke parlors, in the area. 'We urge the administration not to shut down the businesses. There is no gambling or thuggery as reported,' Kunarso said. Despite several past attempts to eliminate one of the oldest and largest red-light districts in Southeast Asia, businesses consistently return. The last time a large area of Kalijodo was cleared by the city administration was in 2003, under the leadership of then governor Sutiyoso, the current chief of the National Intelligence Agency. Amid the rejection pleas, Governor Basuki 'Ahok' Tjahaja Purnama is insistent that the plan will go ahead because he claims that all buildings in the Kalijodo red-light district, not only cafes but also residences, are built over green space. Ahok said that, according to Bylaw No. 1/2014 on detailed spatial and zoning plans, the Kalijodo area had been allocated as green space as it was located along Jl. Kepanduan II and situated by the Angke River. He said that the city administration aimed to clear the Kalijodo area before the upcoming Islamic Cooperation Organization (OKI) summit slated for March 6-7, which Jakarta will host. 'I want Kalijodo to be cleaned up before the OKI summit starts, so I want it sorted out by the end of this month,' Ahok told reporters. Unlike Ahok, West Jakarta Mayor Annas Effendi said that his administration would evict residents after the OKI summit, adding that a notification letter would be issued about the eviction on Tuesday and that the information regarding the plan would be disseminated among the residents of Kalijodo on the West Jakarta border. He added that the administration would send all three warning letters this month. 'We have coordinated with the North Jakarta administration about the eviction plan. We will work together to empty the area and transfer the residents,' Annas said on Monday after a meeting with the Jakarta Police, Satpol PP and the North Jakarta administration. He added that his administration and the North Jakarta administration would evict residents in six RTs, an area that covers 17,500 square meters; 3,500 m2 rests on the West Jakarta side, while the other remaining area is located within North Jakarta. Meanwhile, North Jakarta Mayor Rustam Effendi said that the administration had prepared 300 rusunawa (low-cost rental apartments) in Marunda, North Jakarta, and in Daan Mogot, West Java, for those evictees with Jakarta identity cards. He added that those who did not possess Jakarta ID cards would be sent back to their hometowns. _______________________________________ To receive comprehensive and earlier access to The Jakarta Post print edition, please subscribe to our epaper through iOS' iTunes, Android's Google Play, Blackberry World or Microsoft's Windows Store. Subscription includes free daily editions of The Nation, The Star Malaysia, the Philippine Daily Inquirer and Asia News. For print subscription, please contact our call center at (+6221) 5360014 or subscription@thejakartapost.com Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Callistasia Anggun Wijaya (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, February 16, 2016 A clash between security forces and Kalijododo residents seems unavoidable as the latter has vowed to fight the Jakarta administration's plan to shut down the red-light-district, saying that many buildings, especially mosques and churches in the area, were built with official land certificates. 'If, according to the city's urban planning documents, this area was allocated for open green space, the National Land Agency [BPN] shouldn't have issued land certificates for the buildings. Certificates for these buildings were issued by the BPN, an official government agency,' Kalijodo residents' lawyer Razman Arif Nasution told journalists on Tuesday. Razman further said the government had misused its authority regarding the issuance of the land certificates. The lawyer said that he and Kalijodo residents were collecting data on which buildings in the area had official land certificates. Most houses in Kalijodo have only a Letter C certificate, which is issued by a neighborhood unit head and used as the basis for the city administration to determine land taxes that residents must pay. Razman deplored the attitude the Jakarta administration had shown with its recently announced plan to transform the Kalijodo area into a green open space, saying that for many years it had not expressed any objection to residents living in the area. That was why, he said, many Kalijodo residents had been living and making their livelihoods in the area for generations. The lawyer further said Kalijodo residents also resented the method Jakarta governor Basuki 'Ahok' Tjahaja Purnama had used to announce his plan to shut down the area. Razman said Jakarta administration officers, backed up by police personnel, had announced the Kalijodo removal by simply putting up notices of the plan on the walls of buildings in the area. He said the move had shocked residents. 'We don't want to hear anyone claiming that Ahok will complete the eviction in one month. They [Kalijodo residents] are not animals. Just come here and discuss the plan with us,' he said. The Jakarta administration's plan to remove the Kalijodo area has been widely perceived as discriminatory, as the administration has never taken action against the owners of Season City and Taman Anggrek Mall, which were both built on land allocated for open green spaces. Razman further said that many prostitution hotspots could be found in Mangga Dua and Pesing, but the Jakarta administration had never take any action against them because they were upmarket areas, not like Kalijodo, which was home to low-class prostitution. 'All Indonesian people are equal before the law. So we hope that the Jakarta administration officers do not act with impropriety here,' Razman said. Daeng Azis, a Kalijodo figure, said all Kalijodo residents would not hesitate to fight the eviction plan. 'We don't want our rights to be disregarded, even for a moment. We can also file a lawsuit against the administration as we now have a legal team to represent us. Don't force us to fight this eviction," Daeng said. On Monday, Kalijodo residents officially submitted a letter to the Jakarta Legislative Council (DPRD), asking for protection. Previously, they have also asked for protection from the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM). The Kalijodo residents have called on into question the Jakarta administration's plan to turn Kalijodo into an open green space. One of the representatives of Kalijodo, Leonard Eko, questioned the administration's reluctance to hand over to them a copy of the city's open green spaces map. 'When was Kalijodo mapped out as a green open space? The City Spatial Planning Agency has never told us about the open green spaces map,' he said. Leonard further said that if the administration wanted to return Kalijodo to its original function, it had to be able to prove to residents that the area was initially allocated as an open green space. He said Kalijodo residents had fought for land certificates for a long time but the BPN had always complicated the process of securing legal status for their land. Leonard said he had been living in Kalijodo since 2000 and had also been hampered by these complicated procedures. He said that all Kalijodo residents would refuse low-cost apartments offered by the Jakarta administration and would continue to fight for their right to live in Kalijodo. (ebf) . Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Nani Afrida (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, February 16, 2016 The National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) has taken a firm stance in formally opposing the government's plan to punish sex offenders using chemical castration. The commission argued that the penalty was not only against human rights, but would not be effective in reducing sex crimes, especially against children. 'Castration as a punishment using any means undermines man's dignity. This is against human rights principles and it is not in line with Indonesia's spirit of upholding human rights,' Komnas HAM member Siti Noor Laila said on Monday. 'We believe the problems of sexual abuse and crimes are not medical so do not need castration as a solution. Such crimes are related to psychological and social issues,' said commissioner Roichatul Aswidah. President Joko 'Jokowi' Widodo has agreed to issue a regulation in lieu of law (Perppu) to create a legal basis for the punishment. Currently the Perppu is pending approval from the Law and Human Rights Ministry. The government also needs approval from the House of Representatives to implement the policy. Komnas HAM said it had held meetings and discussions with medical experts, psychologists and criminologists before announcing its stance to the public. Aswidah said in dealing with rapists and child predators, the government should take a comprehensive approach, adding that chemical castration was not the answer. Komnas HAM was also pessimistic about implementation, saying the government should consider factors such as monitoring, budget and carrying out the procedure. Among the potential issues is who would monitor the perpetrators, as they should receive chemical injections every three months. Previously, Women's Empowerment and Child Protection Minister Yohana Yambise said chemical castration would act as a deterrent to child sex offenders. Based on the latest data from the National Commission for Child Protection (Komnas PA), 3,726 sexual crimes were perpetrated against children in 2015, up by 12 percent from 3,326 cases recorded in 2014. Unlike surgical castration, chemical castration involves the administration of anti-androgenic drugs to reduce sexual urges, compulsive sexual fantasies and the capacity for sexual arousal. The drugs are given in the form of an injection every three months and the castration is reversible when treatment is discontinued. There are, however, lasting side effects. Chemical castration laws are in force in a number of US states and other countries including South Korea, Moldova, Russia and Estonia. The treatment is used differently in each country. Some enforce it as part of sentencing, while others use it as a way for perpetrators to reduce their prison terms. Criminologist Iqrak Sulhin told The Jakarta Post that castration was related to reproductive organs and had no relation to why someone committed sexual crimes. 'I think the punishment is only to calm the public. However, this effort will not address the root of the problem, or why the amount of sex crimes is high,' Iqrak said. He suggested the government address fundamental problems in society such as gender inequality to reduce such crimes. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin The Jakarta Post Jakarta Tue, February 16, 2016 The debate over lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transsexuals (LGBTs) has continued, with Coordinating Political, Legal and Security Affairs Minister Luhut Pandjaitan throwing in his two cents' worth. Luhut on Monday called for the protection of the LGBT community's rights. "Yes, I agree that religion forbids it, but to me is a right," Luhut said during a meeting between the government and House of Representatives commissions I and III as quoted by kompas.com. Still, Luhut said, the condition was an illness involving a chromosome and LGBT people needed curing. He previously expressed regret that members of the LGBT community had been victims of abuse and urged the public to refrain from showing prejudice toward them. Meanwhile, Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) lawmaker Aboe Bakar Alhabsy said the LGBT community posed problems within society. He urged the government to take a firm stance on the issue. "What is Indonesia's stance on this [issue]? It would be a disgrace to ignore it," he said. A neurosurgeon from private Mayapada Hospital, Roslan Yusni Hasan, said lesbianism, homosexuality, bisexuality and transsexuality were not diseases and therefore there was nothing to cure in LGBT people. "We used to see it as an abnormality, but now it is just a variation of life. In biology, there is no such thing as an abnormality, everything is a variation," he told kompas.com last week. The tendency to be LGBT starts in the womb, he said. Sex, gender and sexual orientation had different establishment processes, he said. Thus, there were men who were not masculine but it did not mean they were not attracted to the opposite sex. Moreover, those with the XX chromosome are not necessarily female while those with the XY chromosome were not necessarily male. Based on biological facts, there are many genetic variations, such as missing or extra chromosomes, Roslan said. (liz/rin)(+) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin The Jakarta Post Jakarta Tue, February 16, 2016 The Environment and Forestry Ministry released documents that had been demanded by the Forest Watch Indonesia (FWI) on Monday after a lengthy legal dispute centering on open access to information. The FWI sued last year the ministry at the Central Information Commission (KIP) for refusing to release what the ministry deemed to be confidential documents. The KIP then delivered a ruling in favor of the FWI, after which the ministry filed an appeal with the Jakarta State Administrative Court (PTUN). The ministry, however, lost again. 'This afternoon's ceremony shows that we as the government are very concerned with open access to public information,' the ministry's spokesman, Novrizal, said during the submission of the documents in Central Jakarta. The documents requested are the Annual Production Forest Working Plan (RKT-HT), 283 documents of the Industrial Material Fulfillment Plan (RPBBI) for volumes of more than 6,000 square meters, 222 documents of the Natural Forest Working Plan (RKU-HA) and the Timber Exploitation Permits (IPK). The ministry's secretary for the director general of sustainable forest products management, Sakti Hadengganan, said that the government initially refused to disclose the documents to the FWI because it had to listen to input from timber companies that did not want sensitive data to be misused against them. 'We listened to the Association of Indonesian Forest Concessionaires [APHI] before and we couldn't ignore them. In democracy, the government has to listen to everyone,' he said. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin The Jakarta Post Jakarta Tue, February 16, 2016 The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) said on Monday that it had filed a cassation plea with the Supreme Court to challenge a verdict in a graft case involving the former regent of Bangkalan, East Java, Fuad Amin, who was found guilty of money laundering last October. The Jakarta Corruption Court sentenced Fuad to eight years in prison,but it ordered the antigraft body to return the hundreds billions of rupiah in ill-gotten gains KPK investigators seized from Fuad during the investigation. The Jakarta High Court later increased the cleric-turned-politician's sentence to 13 years, but it upheld the primary court's decision that the KPK must return Rp 197 billion in dirty assets to Fuad despite the two courts confirming that Fuad was guilty of laundering bribes he accepted during his 10-year tenure as head of the Bangkalan administration. KPK spokesman Priharsa Nugraha said that the KPK filed the cassation plea in an attempt to get the verdict that ordered the KPK to return the confiscated assets annulled. 'The verdicts, both ruled by the primary and high courts, did not match that of the demands earlier sought by KPK prosecutors, who demanded a 15-year prison sentence and to keep the assets to be returned to the state,' Priharsa said on Monday. He said that KPK prosecutors filed the cassation motion with the Supreme Court last week. The Corruption Law carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison for both corruption and money laundering, collectively. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Nurul Fitri Ramadhani (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, February 16, 2016 The House of Representatives on Monday strongly opposed the government's plan to waive visa fees for visitors from another 76 countries, including restive Pakistan, arguing the policy would further compromise security amid already poor immigration control. Coordinating Political, Legal and Security Affairs Minister Luhut Pandjaitan delivered Tourism Minister Arief Yahya's proposal to expand the list of countries exempted from visa fees to the House. The proposal was delivered during a hearing with House Commission I, which oversees foreign affairs, and Commission III overseeing security and legal affairs. Countries on the new list include Australia, Brazil, Guatemala, Mauritius, Namibia, Pakistan, Palestine, Ukraine and several Middle Eastern countries, according to the Law and Human Rights Ministry's director general of immigration, Ronny F. Sompie. Should the government proceed with the plan, tourists from a total of 169 countries, that is 87 percent of the 193 UN member countries, would be granted easy entry to the archipelago. 'The policy is aimed at luring more visitors to Indonesia and attracting a minimum of 20 million foreign tourists over the next five years,' Luhut said, adding that the government wanted to make tourism the largest contributor to state income by 2019. 'It's a very promising source of revenues,' Luhut added. Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) politician Effendi Simbolon attacked the minister's argument, claiming that such a policy was not a determining factor in people's decision to visit Indonesia. 'Tourists do not take into account visa matters if they have already planned to spend their holidays here,' said Effendi. He also argued that Indonesia was currently in a fight against terrorism and was seeking ways to strengthen security. 'This policy does the opposite,' he said. 'Indonesia is a country on the list of radical movements and terrorism. It's very unwise to widely open the door for foreigners now.' Daeng Muhammad of the National Mandate Party (PAN) said the policy would not guarantee reciprocity and would bring few benefits to the country. 'If the government wants to boost tourism, it's better to improve infrastructure first and do better promotion,' Daeng said. In response, Luhut argued that the government had already put in place anticipatory measures, such as strengthening monitoring of foreign arrivals at airports and seaports. 'We can't deny concern over security, but from hundreds of thousands of foreign arrivals, few are suspected to be linked to terrorism,' Luhut said. 'It's our responsibility to secure the country without casting aside the potential tourism income.' However, he said the government would take the House's advice into account. Immigration chief Ronny expressed confidence that his agency had the capability to monitor and identify risks associated with foreign arrivals. He said the agency had strengthened the monitoring of foreigners at the regional level, in cities and regencies and in villages and neighborhoods. Officials at various levels are required to report suspicious activity from foreigners to the nearest police station. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin The Jakarta Post Bangkok Tue, February 16, 2016 Thailand's 88-year-old King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the world's longest-reigning monarch, is suffering from a 38.1 C fever, fatigue, rapid breathing and occasional high blood pressure, the royal palace announced Tuesday. The king has lived in a Bangkok hospital for much of the past six years, and Tuesday's health bulletin described the same general set of symptoms that he has been suffering for about six months. The king has been a stabilizing figure through much of his reign, but his participation in public affairs has sharply declined in recent years. Worries about the king's health and succession have contributed to Thailand's political instability over the past decade. The heir apparent, Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn, does not command the same respect and affection as his father. The health bulletin said blood tests showed the king was suffering from an infection whose cause was still being investigated. It said the king was being given antibiotics and oxygen and treatment to remove excess saliva and phlegm, as well as physical therapy. The king last month made a low-profile trip of several hours to his Bangkok palace, and in December was seen on the nightly royal news on television presiding over a swearing-in ceremony for judges at the hospital where he lives. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Grace D. Amianti (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, February 16, 2016 State-owned banks are assessing companies providing digital payment services and may acquire them to support the development of the much-anticipated integrated payment system. The so-called National Payment Gateway (NPG) is under the supervision of Bank Indonesia (BI) and Indonesia Payment System Association (ASPI), of which the state-owned lenders are also members. To speed up development of the system, the four state-owned lender ' the Bank Mandiri, Bank Negara Indonesia (BNI), Bank Rakyat Indonesia (BRI) and Bank Tabungan Negara (BTN) 'are each eying prospective online payment systems as new subsidiaries. The potential companies, also known as special purpose vehicles (SPVs), are expected to then collaborate to either establish or acquire a local interbank network provider, known as a switching company. Banks need the SPVs to acquire the local interbank network provider, as the Banking Law bans lenders from running subsidiaries outside their core business. BTN director Sis Apik Wijayanto said the lender plans to acquire an IT-based payment company this year. It is now partnering with a public assessor firm to calculate the value of the target company. Sis said BTN was still waiting for the assessment result to know how much capital it should prepare for the acquisition, which would also help the bank enhance its digital banking system. 'We hope that company can support the consolidation of the newly launched ATM Himbara Link and the National Payment Gateway program,' he said after an event in Jakarta on Monday. The ATM Himbara Link is a new joint ATM network established by the four state banks incorporated in the State-Owned Banks Association (Himbara) and launched in December last year to help them reduce operating costs and strengthen their presence in the regional market. Sis said BTN expected that its future subsidiary could collaborate with prospective SPVs owned by the three other state lenders in establishing the payment gateway, which would be the country's next step in a more enhanced payment system after the establishment of ATM Himbara Link. Another state-owned lender, Bank Mandiri, recently launched a new venture capital firm called Mandiri Capital Indonesia that would also act as its SPV to partake in the acquisition of the local switching company. The NPG scheme, which is expected to be completed this year, will focus on building interoperability between switching companies to support the rise of electronic payments in Indonesia, which has seen a boom in e-commerce. Currently, Indonesia has four switching companies that provide a network for e-payments, namely Artajasa Pembayaran Elektronis (ATM Bersama), Rintis Sejahtera (ATM Prima), Daya Network Lestari (ATM ALTO) and Sigma Cipta Caraka (ATM Link), which is a second-tier subsidiary of state-owned telecommunications firm Telkom. Under the auspices of BI, all four switching companies agreed to enable interoperability with each other in 2013, with certain fees charged on customers of other banks. However, the implementation is still limited. The NPG, which has been postponed since 2012, will pave the way for the establishment of a central institution overseeing interconnectivity of all electronic payments through various means, including debit and credit cards as well as e-money. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Dylan Amirio (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, February 16, 2016 The country's largest mobile network operator, Telkomsel, will team up with drivers of the rapidly expanding motorcycle taxi app Go-Jek to promote sales amid growing competition in the country's cell phone market. Under a partnership agreement announced on Monday, Telkomsel would launch a new product called Go-Pulsa to enable Go-Jek drivers to sell phone credit vouchers valued between Rp 50,000 (US$3.7) and Rp 100,000. Speaking to reporters following the announcement of the partnership, Go-Jek CEO Nadiem Makarim said that the partnership would also create a new source of income for Go-Jek drivers. 'Our drivers' most important asset is not their motorbikes, but their [assigned] phones will also become the source of their other income. We want our drivers to also become an economic fulcrum of their community too,' he said. Mobile phone distributor PT TiPhone Mobile Indonesia is also part of the partnership, as they will supply the vouchers. Telkomsel sales director Mas'ud Khamid said, with more than 300,000 passengers a day, Go-Jek could become an effective marketing tool to promote sales. If the passengers bought phone credits of at least Rp 50,000 each, the mobile operators could generate sales of up to Rp 150 billion daily from Go-Jek services. 'In a month, Telkomsel generates up to Rp 240 billion from phone credit voucher sales. The new service would offer more benefits on our part and could be a major contributor to our voucher sales. Especially because the average person would top up their credits more than twice a day,' he told reporters on Monday. Mas'ud added that the service would also help Telkomsel achieve its ambitious growth and revenue targets for 2016. The company is targeting to book this year up to Rp 87 trillion in total revenues, But, with its new sales campaign, the company is upbeat that total revenues will reach Rp 90 trillion, exceeding the target. In 2015, Telkomsel's revenues rose 14.5 percent to Rp 76 trillion year-on-year, exceeding its target of Rp 73 trillion. Other plans Telkomsel has this year is to expand its 4G/LTE network to 10 more cities, making their network available in 40 cities by the end of 2016. It also plans to improve its e-payment mechanism, T-Cash. Meanwhile, Nadiem said further that his company did not have any plans to expand outside of Indonesia, as he felt that Indonesia's economic potential was still great enough to traverse, thus eliminating the need to expand into other markets. He claims that Go-Jek is currently the largest transactional app in the country and that the company's performance often tends to exceed their own targets. Go-Jek currently offers up to 10 services under its belt, including Go-Ride, Go-Send, Go-Food, Go-Mart, Go-Busway, Go-Tix, Go-Box, Go-Clean, Go-Glam and Go-Massage. The services range from food delivery, mobile ticket purchases, couriers and hospitality. Disclaimer The views expressed on this site are my own and do not necessarily represent the views of the Department of Economics or the University of Oregon. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Michael Graczyk (The Jakarta Post) Texas Tue, February 16, 2016 A 43-year-old Texas prisoner convicted of killing a liquor store clerk and accused in a similar fatal holdup a month later is set for execution on Tuesday. Gustavo Garcia, now 43, is set for lethal injection in the 1990 slaying, when he was 18 years old. He'd be the third prisoner executed this year in Texas, which puts more inmates to death than any other state. A federal judge said Friday he won't stop the execution, and the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles refused a clemency petition. No additional appeals are expected, Seth Kretzer, one of Garcia's lawyers, said Monday. In the federal court appeal, Garcia's attorneys had argued that lawyers at his trial and in earlier appeals failed to uncover details of an abusive and alcohol- and drug-influenced youth ' disclosures that could have convinced jurors to spare him from a death sentence. They also said they needed additional time to investigate those claims. "Garcia's guilt is clear," responded Fredericka Sargent, an assistant Texas attorney general. The U.S. Supreme Court last month refused to review an appeal that raised questions about deficient legal help, and last week turned down a request for a rehearing. At least nine other Texas inmates have execution dates set for the coming months, including three in March. (ags) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin The Jakarta Post Tue, February 16, 2016 Your comments on the four-year prison sentence handed down by the Jakarta Corruption Court to former energy and mineral resources minister Jero Wacik after he was found guilty of accepting bribes and misusing around Rp 5 billion (US$374,000): Jero's prison sentence is very light, but he is well-connected. Any government official found guilty of embezzling state funds should receive a heavy sentence, be denied future involvement in politics and stripped of all perks related to their current or former jobs. TG Jero made a 'thank you' announcement after receiving the much lighter sentence. I am reminded of the saying, 'birds of a feather flock together.' MA Any judge who sentences a man like Jero to only four years in prison needs to be thoroughly investigated himself. Any vice president that appears in court to speak for such a person needs to be thoroughly investigated, and any former president who writes a letter in support of such a person needs to be thoroughly investigated as well. In Indonesia, the elite feel that people get what they deserve. Indonesia pays lip service to democracy but its people are failing to enforce it. Surprised By Nothing Jero is probably of the 'sharing' kind, sharing a bit here and a bit there. I am always amazed that Indonesia actually knows how to spell words like 'democracy', 'ethics', etc. Yaudah Key players in the tourist industry formed a negative opinion of Jero within weeks of him getting the tourism minister job. He did such a poor job in tourism, how could he have ended up running oil and gas? Why is there no public criticism of dull, corrupt, self-serving or just plain untalented government officials? Evanjinbatam _____________________________________ Topic of the day ASEAN-US Summit As President Joko 'Jokowi' Widodo and his delegation attend the ASEAN-US Summit in California, Indonesia will exchange ideas with ASEAN leaders and leaders from the US on how to boost partnerships and maintain peace, stability and prosperity in the fast-growing region. What do you think? Send your thoughts by email, SMS, Twitter or Facebook. Include your name and city. A lifetime of art: Renowned artist Srihadi Soedarsono continues to create. His works are currently on display at the a70 Tahun Rentang Kembara Rosoa (Rosoas 70-Year Journey) exhibition at the National Gallery in Central Jakarta. The showcase exhibition will run until Feb. 24. (JP/DMR)" height="341" border="0" width="512"> Thereas no such thing as retirement for Srihadi Soedarsono. The 84-year-old maestro always keeps the flame of art burning. Despite his advanced age, renowned artist Srihadi Soedarsono continues to create. aEven though Iam over 80 years of age, I never lose the spirit to create as I always want to improve my quality as an artist,a Srihadi said. True to his word, Srihadi recently invited The Jakarta Post to his studio in Bandung, West Java, to see the paintings that he was working on for an exhibition to celebrate his 70-year journey as an artist. The a70 Tahun Rentang Kembara Rosoa (70-Year Span of Rosoas Journey) exhibition is held at the National Gallery in Central Jakarta, showcasing his work from the day he became a painter-journalist during the pre-independence era. Srihadi said that roso became the main theme of the exhibition because it was a key aspect to everything that he had ever done. For him, roso is more than just a feeling a it is an intuition that is intensified by meditative focalization that becomes the symbol of spiritual transcendence between artistic ideas and feeling and energy. Over 400 works, all curated by Rikrik Kusmara, featuring the development of the maestro, will be on display at the exhibition that runs until Feb. 24. Rikrik said that many of Srihadias drawings and sketches on paper were still unknown to public. aSrihadi is an intellectual who always records his journey through his work. But most importantly, his work also serves as a record of the nationas history,a he said. In the exhibition, Srihadi also tried to brush off the opinion that it was only painting on canvas that was worth collecting. aItas about appreciation. Many think that art on paper is hard to keep because paper is easily broken. If we take care of it carefully, it actually can last for a long time,a he said. Surakarta-born Srihadi was always interested in drawing. Growing up in the colonial era, Srihadi joined the Tentara Pelajar student military group. aI never dreamed of becoming a painter, but when there was a call to become a student soldier, I enlisted,a he said. Stationed with the publication division, he was tasked with making slogans, posters and graffiti to fire up the peopleas fighting spirit. His talent led him to become a painter-journalist, documenting important events through his drawings. aThere was no camera at that time so I had to draw events or people correctly. I asked for the signatures of the people I sketched to prove the authenticity,a Srihadi said. aI also always duplicated the sketches; one to be given to the office, and one for myself.a His habit of duplicating drawings turned out to be a blessing as the office building that kept all the archives was burned down during the post-proclamation period. Srihadi was also involved in guerrilla warfare in 1947 as seen from one of his drawings entitled Reruntuhan kapal VT-CLA (The Ruins of the VT-CLA Ship). He was also sent to prison in Semarang after he was caught with a grenade. In between his job as a journalist, he joined arts communities where he met S. Sudjojono, Affandi and Hendra Gunawan. aSudjojono often talked about art books, while the others also had sessions with young artists discussing the development of art from around the world,a the Bintang Gerilya award recipient said. In recognition of his service to the nation, the government offered him the choice of working as a civil servant, continuing his career in the military, or going back to school. He chose the latter, enrolling at the Bandung Technology Faculty (now ITB), rather than the Indonesian Academy of the Arts (now ISI). aIad knew the lecturers at ISI. I didnat find it interesting to learn something that I already understood. In ITB, the professors were mostly Dutch and they brought the world to us,a he said. aI had freedom of expression, not limited to nationalism anymore. And that fascinated me.a He learned about cubism, abstract art and anatomy at ITB, while constantly searching for a new vision in art. Srihadi went to Bali and discovered essence of the horizon line in nature. He pursued his postgraduate degree at Ohio University in the US a a period when he made paintings imbued with logical aspects. He returned home in 1960, becoming a lecturer at ITB. There, he met his wife, Sitti Farida, one of the students in his class. aI didnat know that he was the teacher, because he was so quiet and small. I thought he was just a student,a said Sitti. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Farai Mutsaka (The Jakarta Post) Harare Tue, February 16, 2016 Zimbabwean aviation authorities impounded a U.S.-registered cargo jet, a senior official said Monday, after a dead body later believed to be a stowaway and millions of South African rand were found on board. The Herald, a state-run newspaper, reported that the MD-11 trijet was traveling from Germany to South Africa "with millions of rands." At today's exchange rate, 1 million rand is worth $62,500. Authorities here learned the money belonged to the South Africa Reserve Bank, the country's central bank. Police planned to issue a statement later Monday. The plane had landed in Harare for refueling, said Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe general manager David Chawota. He said the jet, registered with Western Global Airlines, was impounded at Harare airport on Sunday. A website says Western Global Airlines is based in Estero, Florida. The airline on Monday said the cargo belonged to the South African Reserve Bank and the dead body belonged presumably to a stowaway. Zimbabwe police said it was still investigating the matter. The crew did not know there was someone else on the plane, according to a police officer, who insisted on anonymity because he is not authorized to speak to the press. It appears from photos on social media that the dead person had sneaked into the plane's landing gear, which severed his arm when it contracted, causing blood to splatter onto the fuselage and arousing the suspicion of the ground crew when the flight landed here. In a response to AP queries, Western Global Airlines said it didn't have the identity of the dead person, believed to be a stowaway. "The aircraft is leased to Network Airline Management, a longtime customer based in the UK, and the shipment consignee was the South African Reserve Bank. This particular flight was from Germany to South Africa, we are told for the South African government. During a routine fuel stop in Zimbabwe, a body was found in the lower compartment. The body is presumed to be a stowaway who may have entered the airplane during a previous stop. The situation is currently under review," the airline said in an e-mail response to The Associated Press. South Africa's ambassador to Zimbabwe, Vusi Mavimbela, confirmed that the cargo belonged to the South African Reserve Bank but refused to divulge further details, saying he was still liaising with the Zimbabwe government to resolve the matter. He refused to divulge the nature of the cargo or the amount of money that was in the plane. Zimbabwe police spokeswoman Charity Charamba said investigations are still underway. "Our officers are on the ground investigating the case. We are working hard to get the identity of this dead person but I will only give clearer details when investigations are complete. The body has been taken for tests by experts," she said on Monday night. The crew, according to the Herald, includes two Americans, a South African and a Pakistani. (ags) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Arya Dipa (The Jakarta Post) Bandung Tue, February 16, 2016 An architect by training, 26-year-old Ronaldiaz Hartantyo has decided to make a living as a farmer, a career choice most Indonesian people of his age would never think of. After completing his bachelor's degree from the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB) in 2011, Aldi, as he is affectionately called, and three friends set up Agritektur, a cooperative to help small-scale vegetable farmers in Bandung, West Java, develop strategies to expand their market. It did not take long for him to finally roll up his sleeves and start his own organic farming business. 'Many young people see farming as an obsolete profession that earns you no money,' Aldi said over the weekend. 'In fact, it can be a cool job.' Despite labeling itself an agricultural country, Indonesia has seen a continuous decline in the number of farmers ' by an average 1.93 percent each year between 2010 and 2014. The sector's contribution to the country's gross domestic product (GDP) has fallen from 15.2 percent in 2003 to 14.4 percent a decade later. A lack of regeneration in the country's agriculture sector could jeopardize Indonesian food security in the future. Only 12 percent of the country's 35 million farmers are younger than 35 years. A survey conducted last year in three Central Java regencies by the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI) also found that most children of farmers objected to following in the footsteps of their parents, as they thought working in cities offered a more promising life than labor-intensive farming. Speaking at a recent discussion in Bandung, Ben White, a professor of rural sociology at the International Institute of Social Studies (ISS) in The Hague, said many countries were facing a similar challenge. White, who speaks fluent Indonesian, urged continuous attempts to encourage young people to get involved in agriculture in order to guarantee the sustainability of national food production. Despite their reluctance, young people, he said, had the potential to significantly improve the agricultural sector, as they were more responsive to innovation and technological changes than older farmers. 'Regeneration is very important in the agricultural sector,' White stressed. 'If young people do not fill this gap, there is a possibility that they will contribute to increasing unemployment, which has become a major problem in the 21st century,' he said. Researchers Yogaprasta A. Nugraha and Rina Herawati of the Bandung-based Akatiga Social Analysis Center shared a similar view. To attract young people to work as farmers, the researchers suggested that local governments provide them with rent subsidies for farmland. 'A subdistrict administration can make use of its land assets in a land bank [program], in which young villagers can access the land with a certain subsidy,' they said in a paper published recently in Akatiga's Social Analysis Journal. Aldi, meanwhile, acknowledged that encouraging people to go into farming required more than just words. They had to see how the profession could be financially rewarding. To achieve such a goal, Aldi and his friends, for instance, regularly organize a mobile market, in which farmers can meet directly with customers in downtown Bandung and learn about the latter's product preferences or research opportunities to expand their business, including by opening small-scale agrotourism services. 'In the end, customers understand that they will always need farmers, as they cannot eat money,' he said. President Barack Obama recently welcomed Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos to the White House to discuss how the United States can help Colombia seize the opportunity to build a just and lasting peace. In the late 1990s, Colombia was on the verge of becoming a failed state, besieged by financial difficulties, guerilla movements, and violent drug cartels. But thanks to the efforts of Colombian leaders and citizens, supported by the United States-through Plan Colombia-the country now stands poised to usher in an era of peace and reconciliation. Under President Santos, Colombia has reached a pivotal point in the effort to end the war with the rebel group the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC a war that has lasted nearly fifty years. "The outlook is promising," said U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, "but the stakes are much too high to take anything for granted." "Peace has to be built on a solid foundation. ... And improvements in maintaining law and order are only a beginning," said Secretary Kerry. With support from the United States, Colombians have been improving governance, strengthening the rule of law, building a more inclusive economy, and extending protections to journalists and to civil society. Just as important, said Secretary Kerry, the government came to terms with the fact that human rights abuses were committed by both guerillas and government forces, and those responsible must be held accountable. The United States believes that the same comprehensive approach that brought Colombia this far is needed for Colombia to sustain its progress. That's why President Obama announced a successor plan called Peace Colombia. It will support the Colombian government's efforts to consolidate security and counter narcotics gains, establish government presence and economic opportunities in areas vacated by FARC, and provide justice and other services for conflict victims. As part of Peace Colombia, the U.S. and Norway have launched a global demining initiative to help Colombia rid itself of these deadly devices by the year 2021. The U.S. and Norway committed an initial $50 million to this effort. Colombians now have good reason to dream of a future that is more peaceful and prosperous than at any point in the last half century. In the effort to make that dream a reality, the United States will continue to stand with Colombia as a partner and a friend in the common cause for peace. Heres whats new on the Lower East Side restaurant scene: After many, many delays, Giuseppe Gonzalez is finally opening his new cocktail bar, Suffolk Arms, on Thursday. You know him from PKNY, Golden Cadillac, Dutch Kills, etc. Suffolk Arms has taken over the old Local 269 space at 269 East Houston St. According to Time Out, An annotated menu touts 11 original cocktails ($14) like the Tough Room, which fuses a Guinness with a whiskey sour stout, as well as a selection of 13 Something Like Classics quaffs ($13), which play on time-honored libations from the likes of PDTs Jeff Bell and Jeffrey Morgenthaler of Pepe Le Moko in Portland, Oregon. Ryan Sutton of Eater is mystified by the wacky R-rated website for Le Turtle, the trendy new restaurant from taste maker Taavo Somer and Carlos Quirarte of The Smile. But if you can stand the theme park-like show and occasionally inattentive service, he says, the sceney spot is one of the citys most satisfying new venues in which to consume (or watch others consume) smart French fare. Have you checked out The Lucky Bee, the new Southeast Asian restaurant from Matty Bennett and Rupert Noffs? The lively, farm-fresh spot at 252 Broome St. opened late last month. Tonight, theyre debuting The Lucky Hour, the Lower East Sides newest happy hour. From 5:30-7 p.m., theyre offering $1 oysters, $5 dumplings, $4 beers and $10 cocktails. A new burger joint called LES Kitchen is now open at 15 Essex St. Theyre using Pat LaFrieda meat, buns from Parisi Bakery and pickles from the Pickle Guys. Have you noticed that this stretch of Essex Street is becoming a cheap eats mecca? A reminder: the Essex Street Market and the Lowline are teaming up Sunday for a winter food festival. See details here! The Real Deal reports that Goldman Sachs is investing almost $500 million in Essex Crossing, making it the biggest bet ever for the banks Urban Investment Group. The New Yorker offers more thoughts about the looming demise of St. Marks Bookshop, one of the last living vestiges of the East Villages punk history, a symbol of an older era of New York City life. But writer Ada Calhoun notes, St. Marks Bookshop has seemed frustratingly unwilling to seek out new streams of revenue. Meanwhile, Jeremiah Moss talks with Rafay Khalid, who has been quietly working behind the scenes to make sure the East Village still has a bookshop here tomorrowand for a long time. ICYMI: The Times pays tribute to a Neighborhood Joint, 169 Bar. The intense lighting, the empty fish tank, the wall-mounted Tyrannosaurus rex head all are all part of 169 Bars psychedelic, ramshackle charm. Fashion Times talks with David Zarin of Zarin Fabrics. They love Penny Arcade in Australia and are a little perplexed why the Lower East Side performance artist isnt a bigger deal in the United States. Happening Today: Community Board 3s State Liquor Authority Committee meets at 6:30 p.m., 59 East 4th St. On the agenda: an application from the Talde team to open several venues at a new Chinatown hotel; a proposal for a large venue next to Fontanas Bar on Eldridge Street. Fontanas is closing in a few weeks. Scarrs Pizza is scheduled to open this evening at 22 Orchard St. Scarr Pimentel has blended a 1970s aesthetic with high quality pizza-making in this new local spot. Hes milling the flour on site and vegetables are sourced locally. The restaurant has a beer and wine license. Fire crews keep busy over holiday weekend The Millen Fire Department and North Jenkins Volunteer Fire Department received a call Friday afternoon, 10/7, regarding a house fire at 3579 Clayton Road. When fire crews arrived on the... Jenkins Grand Jury returns true bills The Grand Jury, in the Superior Court of Jenkins County has handed the following indictments during the September 2022 term: Davon LaChristopher JonesCharles Allen Webb Burglary in 2nd degree- 2... All aboard! The Jenkins County Senior Citizens Center recently took a Savannah Dinner Cruise. Thanks to the community for supporting our spaghetti dinner fundraiser and also helping with contributions and donations, we... Fair on the Square sees large crowds The 49th annual Fair on the Square saw the largest crowds in years. Despite having to reschedule due to Hurricane Ian that battered the Florida coast, and losing several vendors... The best way to help the Syrian people, both in Syria and those who have sought refuge abroad, is to end the countrys five-year civil war. But while the international community is trying to bring the warring parties to the negotiating table, the people of Syria are suffering. The Syrian war has caused a crisis beyond compare. Over 250,000 have been killed, while 17 million people are in desperate need of aid. Nearly half of all Syrians have been forced to flee their homes. Of these, about 4.6 million people have taken refuge in neighboring countries, while another 6.5 million have been internally displaced. In an effort to alleviate the worst hardships these people face, the United Kingdom, Kuwait, Germany, Norway and the United Nations co-hosted a conference in early February, to raise the enormous sums of money needed to help. The conference raised over $11 billion in pledges: 5.8 billion for 2016 and another 5.4 billion between 2017 and 2020. During the donors conference, Secretary of State John Kerry announced a U.S. contribution of nearly $601 million in additional life-saving humanitarian assistance, bringing the total U.S. humanitarian assistance so far provided to help Syrians devastated by war to over $5.1 billion. The funding announced last week will provide humanitarian aid to people across the region and to support those nations that host large populations of Syrian refugees. Secretary Kerry also announced more than $290 million in U.S. development assistance for education to Jordan and Lebanon. Eleven billion dollars in donations from around the world is a lot of money, but the needs are enormous. Thus, said Secretary of State John Kerry, We call on the global community to increase by at least 30 percent the overall response to humanitarian funding appeals for refugees. We urge at least 10 countries to make pledges that have never made pledges before. We urge 10 nations to open their doors to refugee admissions that have not done so in the past. We urge multilateral development banks to find ways to help countries like Jordan and Lebanon by offering concessional finance for programs that support services or job creation, and to help host communities, he said. And we urge special attention to the problem not simply of housing but of helping refugees through education and employment, to build self-reliance and to resume a normal life. Although you probably know her best as Pitch Perfects Fat Amy, Rebel Wilson has been dominating film screens for a long time. In How To Be Single, its time to meet her as Robin, the viciously independent, outrageous best friend who gives you that advice that you need - but dont necessarily want - to hear. In, its time to meet her as, the viciously independent, outrageous best friend who gives you that advice that you need - but dont necessarily want - to hear. The extremely likeable Rebel even turned up at the How To Be Single screening we were at last week, so to celebrate this utterly unique star we thought wed put together a list of random facts pertaining to her. Enjoy! She Became An Actress After Imagining She Had Won An Oscar Before she became a huge star, Rebel was a lawyer in Australia (yes, we know how hard this is to believe.) However when she caught a serious illness which left her in a coma, she believed she was an Oscar winning actress. Upon waking up, she went after her dream. Whilst she was growing up, her family bred beagles When she was growing up in Sydney, Australia, her parents bred Beagles. Weirdly, though, on moving out the star found out that she was actually allergic to dogs. She Is Absolutely Fabulous If there is one lady who can lead the singletons then it is Rebel, as she takes inspiration from the Absolutely Fabulous leading lady Edina. Well even be seeing her taking on a cameo in the new film... Siblings for life After appearing together as brother and sister in Bridesmaids, Rebel moved in with her co-star Matt Lucas for a time. The pair are said to have annoyed their neighbours often with constant singing. People confuse her with Adele Rebel has stated in an interview with BBC Radio 1 that she is sometimes confused with Adele by numpty fans. "Sometimes I get confused for Adele. And I'm like, 'Are you kidding me? Are you serious? She's like well better,'" shes said. Wed beg to differ, though. How about a duet...? Her great aunt was married to Walt Disney Were praying for the next Disney princess to be an all-singing, all-swearing, dont-give-an-eff Australian. Grant our wishes, Disney! How To Be Single hits UK cinemas on 19th February. You worked hard for years at your A-levels, moaning to your friends about how easy they had it studying Sociology and History whilst you were suffering through Biology and Chemistry. You put in that extra effort needed to secure those top grades whilst the rest of your mates were out discovering the benefits of being finally old enough to legally get drunk in a pub. Well done you did it! You got accepted onto the Medicine degree you'd been hoping for - surely all the hard work will mean once you finish you'll be rewarded with a good life. After all NHS is one of Britain's most famous brands and is an international hallmark of the post-World War 2 establishment. Jeremy Hunt, however, begs to differ. On the 10th February he decided to force his new contract for Junior Doctors onto the NHS after months of negotiation with the BMA failed. Last week doctors walked out of their jobs in protest as part of the third national strike against the contract. This led Mr. Hunt - the Conservative Health Secretary - to decide that the best course of action would be to impose the contract upon the NHS, which was met with immediate scorn from across the political spectrum. When the contract is imposed on hospitals in August the conditions of Junior Doctors will become deplorable. Saturday will be seen as a normal working day, working till 10pm will be classed as 'normal hours' andall this comes at a time where NHS staff are already beginning to feel the strain put on them by the Tories devastating cuts. One Junior Doctor told me how he currently gets paid to work 9am to 5pm, but in reality he works 8:30am to 7pm and sometimes stays as late as 9pm. The 25-year-old first year Junior said to me that if he took the actual hours he worked into account he'd be earning around 9 an hour - just over a quid more than you earn at Tesco. The contract is also aiming to remove many of the safeguards that stop hospitals from overworking their already overworked Juniors. Working nights and weekends are going to shift from being viewed as extraordinary to just plain ordinary. My friend described to me the horrors of working a night shift (which is 9pm-9am): "Once you hit three or four o'clock and you haven't had time to eat or drink, you occasionally just get this moment where it's just like you have to take a second because you're fucked." For someone who's in charge of someone else's life, they should not be in that situation. But instead of working to improve this situation, under the new contract, it is only going to get worse. I was told of the 'post-nights hangover' where you feel sick, get acid refluxes and just generally feel like rubbish for two or three days after, but you're still required to go back to work after just one days rest. So for you medicine students out their looking forward to the rewards of being a fully qualified doctor you've got up to ten years of low pay and hard hours ahead of you if Hunt gets his way! And you thought your degree was hard. Don't worry though if you're smart enough you can quickly progress through the ranks by passing the 1,000-a-pop exams which reportedly have less than a 25% pass rate. If you're reading this and you're feeling pretty downtrodden about your future prospects and you just want the hard work to end, all is not lost, there are still options available to you. For starters, you could move abroad, Australia and New Zealand are eager to attract Medicine grads and trainee doctors who have received the benefits of a British education. However, if you don't feel like to the other side of the planet in order to be treated with respect, there are still choices you can make. Even though Mr. Hunt - who by now must have the most commonly mispronounced name in England - is determined to impose the contract, the fight isn't over. Hospitals are already declaring that they won't force the contract on anybody, Labour has been finding numerous loopholes in the wording of the contract and the BMA has quite literally said 'this means war'. For the sake of the next generation of British medical professionals, the future of the NHS and the safety of patients we cannot lose hope in defeating this ill-concieved contract and Jeremy Hunt's attempts to undermine our National Health Service. The United States and India face a common challenge: overcoming the threat of terrorism. The rise of groups like ISIL underscores the limits of conventional approaches. We need a broader bolder, and smarter approach to turn back terrorism, said Under Secretary for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights Sarah Sewall, one that goes beyond countering terrorists with our military, intelligence, and law enforcement tools to also preventing people from becoming terrorists in the first place. The best way to do that is through a comprehensive approach that calls for partnerships at every level between government and civil society. Public officials play a role by governing effectively and upholding the rule of law. At the same time, religious, business, and academic leaders need to challenge violent extremism and promote messages of peace. Religious leaders are among the most critical actors in pushing back against violent extremism, said Under Secretary Sewall. They can teach curious young minds tenets of faith and refute extremist interpretations that exalt violence. Across India, from Kerala to Kashmir, faith communities are mobilizing to challenge violent extremism. One-and-a-half million Muslims from the region gathered in Uttar Pradesh last month to reject global terrorism and affirm the Qurans injunction that killing one innocent person is equivalent to killing all humanity. More than 70,000 clerics from around the world gathered in Bareilly to condemn ISIL as inhuman and un-Islamic. And in Delhi, students at a local college lit candles to outshine ISILs darkness as Muslim women raised their voices to decry ISIL for carrying out such inhuman acts in the name of Allah. Governments can help by ending stifling regulations on civil society and allowing citizen groups to peacefully speak and organize around sensitive topics. They can go a step further by proactively reaching out to build ties with communities targeted by violent extremists for recruitment, like in Maharashthra, where local police are partnering with local clerics to de-radicalize youth. As detailed in the U.S.-India Joint Declaration on Combatting Terrorism, the U.S. stands shoulder-to-shoulder with India against this common threat, from expanding intelligence sharing, to cracking down on illicit terrorist financing, better securing our borders, ports, and public transportation, and helping to train thousands of Indian security personnel. The United States and India are committed to pursuing a comprehensive approach to countering violent extremism by empowering local communities, embracing diversity, and staying true to shared common values. 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Rick Santorum, R-Pa., said in a quickly called press conference late Wednesday afternoon. Reading from a declassified portion of a report by the National Ground Intelligence Center, a Defense Department intelligence unit, Santorum said: "Since 2003, coalition forces have recovered approximately 500 weapons munitions which contain degraded mustard or sarin nerve agent. Despite many efforts to locate and destroy Iraq's pre-Gulf War chemical munitions, filled and unfilled pre-Gulf War chemical munitions are assessed to still exist." He added that the report warns about the hazards that the chemical weapons could still pose to coalition troops in Iraq. "The purity of the agents inside the munitions depends on many factors, including the manufacturing process, potential additives and environmental storage conditions. While agents degrade over time, chemical warfare agents remain hazardous and potentially lethal," Santorum read from the document. "This says weapons have been discovered, more weapons exist and they state that Iraq was not a WMD-free zone, that there are continuing threats from the materials that are or may still be in Iraq," said Rep. Pete Hoekstra, R-Mich., chairman of the House Intelligence Committee. The weapons are thought to be manufactured before 1991 so they would not be proof of an ongoing WMD program in the 1990s. But they do show that Saddam Hussein was lying when he said all weapons had been destroyed, and it shows that years of on-again, off-again weapons inspections did not uncover these munitions. Hoekstra said the report, completed in April but only declassified now, shows that "there is still a lot about Iraq that we don't fully understand." Asked why the Bush administration, if it had known about the information since April or earlier, didn't advertise it, Hoekstra conjectured that the president has been forward-looking and concentrating on the development of a secure government in Iraq. Offering the official administration response to FOX News, a senior Defense Department official pointed out that the chemical weapons were not in useable conditions. "This does not reflect a capacity that was built up after 1991," the official said, adding the munitions "are not the WMDs this country and the rest of the world believed Iraq had, and not the WMDs for which this country went to war." The official said the findings did raise questions about the years of weapons inspections that had not resulted in locating the fairly sizeable stash of chemical weapons. And he noted that it may say something about Hussein's intent and desire. The report does suggest that some of the weapons were likely put on the black market and may have been used outside Iraq. He also said that the Defense Department statement shortly after the March 2003 invasion saying that "we had all known weapons facilities secured," has proven itself to be untrue. "It turned out the whole country was an ammo dump," he said, adding that on more than one occasion, a conventional weapons site has been uncovered and chemical weapons have been discovered mixed within them. Hoekstra and Santorum lamented that Americans were given the impression after a 16-month search conducted by the Iraq Survey Group that the evidence of continuing research and development of weapons of mass destruction was insignificant. But the National Ground Intelligence Center took up where the ISG left off when it completed its report in November 2004, and in the process of collecting intelligence for the purpose of force protection for soldiers and sailors still on the ground in Iraq, has shown that the weapons inspections were incomplete, they and others have said. "We know it was there, in place, it just wasn't operative when inspectors got there after the war, but we know what the inspectors found from talking with the scientists in Iraq that it could have been cranked up immediately, and that's what Saddam had planned to do if the sanctions against Iraq had halted and they were certainly headed in that direction," said Fred Barnes, editor of The Weekly Standard and a FOX News contributor. "It is significant. Perhaps, the administration just, they think they weathered the debate over WMD being found there immediately and don't want to return to it again because things are otherwise going better for them, and then, I think, there's mindless resistance to releasing any classified documents from Iraq," Barnes said. The release of the declassified materials comes as the Senate debates Democratic proposals to create a timetable for U.S. troops to withdraw from Iraq. The debate has had the effect of creating disunity among Democrats, a majority of whom shrunk Wednesday from an amendment proposed by Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts to have troops to be completely withdrawn from Iraq by the middle of next year. At the same time, congressional Republicans have stayed highly united, rallying around a White House that has seen successes in the last couple weeks, first with the death of terror leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, then the completion of the formation of Iraq's Cabinet and then the announcement Tuesday that another key Al Qaeda in Iraq leader, "religious emir" Mansour Suleiman Mansour Khalifi al-Mashhadani, or Sheik Mansour, was also killed in a U.S. airstrike. Santorum pointed out that during Wednesday's debate, several Senate Democrats said that no weapons of mass destruction had been found in Iraq, a claim, he said, that the declassified document proves is untrue. "This is an incredibly in my mind significant finding. The idea that, as my colleagues have repeatedly said in this debate on the other side of the aisle, that there are no weapons of mass destruction, is in fact false," he said. As a result of this new information, under the aegis of his chairmanship, Hoekstra said he is going to ask for more reporting by the various intelligence agencies about weapons of mass destruction. "We are working on the declassification of the report. We are going to do a thorough search of what additional reports exist in the intelligence community. And we are going to put additional pressure on the Department of Defense and the folks in Iraq to more fully pursue a complete investigation of what existed in Iraq before the war," Hoekstra said. Wild Thing's comment............. I will never forget this, I posted this article and several others back then. I hope someone points the TRUTH out to the creep Trump. Here is some input from a Veteran I know that was there.............. 500 metric tons of shells loaded with mustard gas, ricing, ddt & other corrosives destroyed by special US Army Weapons Disposal team commanded by CWO4 Les Rayburn. That was his job & that's what they found, not counti ng the yellow cake Uranium underground in the Baghdad tunnels. I will be bring Les back on my show in the near future to talk about this. Because of his exposure to these WMD's, he's now 100% disabled with Lung Disease... Posted by Wild Thing at February 16, 2016 02:47 AM It seems the truth doesn't matter to Trump. Posted by: BobF at February 16, 2016 09:59 AM Biggest and Coolest Full Moon Paradise Start From: Saturday 20 February 2016, 04:00PM to Saturday 20 February 2016, 11:30PM PARADISE BEACH PHUKET presents the Biggest and Coolest Full Moon Paradise on the island with the Professional open air beach party production VS International famous DJs. 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Photo: Rassada Health Centre Health officials are continuing their fight against dengue, as Phuket has been named as a one of the 'danger zones' in the country. Photo: Rassada Health Centre Health officials are continuing their fight against dengue, as Phuket has been named as a one of the 'danger zones' in the country. Photo: Rassada Health Centre Health officials are continuing their fight against dengue, as Phuket has been named as a one of the 'danger zones' in the country. Photo: Rassada Health Centre Phuket has been identified as having the fifth-highest rising incidence of dengue in the country. Image: Department of Disease Control Health officials are continuing their fight against dengue, as Phuket has been named as a one of the 'danger zones' in the country. Photo: Rassada Health Centre The number of people in Phuket contracting dengue is rising, and its serious, Dr Bancha Khakong, Chief of the Phuket Provincial Health Office (PPHO), told The Phuket News yesterday (Feb 15). A total of 70 people in Phuket have been reported as contracting dengue from January 1 to February 9 this year, explained Paphada Rujiwongsakon of the Department of Disease Control Phuket Office. Thats a jump from 22 patients in same period in 2015, she said. According to the cases reported, the highest risk group were people from 25 to 34 years of age, Ms Paphada added Almost all of them are Thai; only 5 per cent are foreigners, she noted. Last year, 833 people in Phuket were reported to have contracted dengue. There were no fatalities from the disease in Phuket, Dr Bancha confirmed. Dr Bancha attributed the rise in dengue cases to the simple combination of rain and hot weather. This leaves a lot of standing water around homes, which allows mosquitoes to breed more, he said. Eliminating standing water anywhere near residential communities was a key weapon in the PPHOs fight against dengue, Dr Bancha dded. This is critical as it denies mosquitoes places to lay their eggs, he said. Ms Paphada added, The Phuket Public Health Office will send teams out to warn people in risk areas and repeat the message for them to be aware of where mosquitoes breed so they can better protect themselves. Phuket has been identified as one of Thailands danger zones for dengue so far this year. Ministry of Public Health Permanent Secretary Dr Sopon Mekthon late last month disclosed that the number of dengue fever cases from January 1-11 had reached 583 patients nationwide. Most patients were aged between 15 and 24, showing that students and youngsters are the most susceptible to the disease. Dr Sopon said the number of patients this year could reach 166,000, surpassing that of last year. Provinces with the highest incidence of dengue fever were named as Nakhon Pathom, Phuket, Phichit, Sisaket and Songkhla. Provincial public health offices have been instructed to cooperate with local organizations in the disease control operation, Dr Sopon said. (See story here.) Husband nabbed for dismembering Chiang Mai spa owner CHIANG MAI: Police in Chiang Mai yesterday evening (15) arrested a man for allegedly killing, dismembering and trying to burn the body of his wife after reading messages from another man on her phone. homicidecrimepolice By Bangkok Post Tuesday 16 February 2016, 09:06AM Police have murder suspect Phiphat Kanthima, 41, in custody for allegedly killing and dismembering his wife in Sansai district, Chiang Mai. (Photo by Cheewin Sattha) Phiphat Kanthima, 41, was arrested while dressed as a monk at a monastery in Sansai district after investigators identified him as a suspect in the murder of Suree On-sanit, a 46-year-old owner of Jasmine massage spa in Muang Chiang Mai district. Her body was discovered at her house in Pacharaporn Park Home housing estate in tambon Sannameng of Sansai Sunday evening (Feb 14). According to police, Mr Phiphat was a resident of tambon Nong Hoi in Muang Chiang Mai district. He had lived with Suree for years and lately gone to Turkey to be a construction worker. The suspect was quoted as saying that he had sent his earnings, about B1 million altogether, to Suree. He returned to Thailand about a month ago to find that she had invested part of his money in the spa and the rest was missing. On Feb 4, while Suree was taking a bath, repeated alerts from her phones Line messaging app kept annoying Mr Phiphat so he picked it up and read the texts. That was when he found out she had had romantic conversations with another man, he said. They then quarrelled and fought as Mr Phiphat thought she had spent his money on the other man. Mr Phiphat said that Suree threatened him with a knife and he tried to snatch it from her but the knife accidentally hit and killed her. Mr Phiphat said he tried to chop up her body and drop parts into the Ping River. But he hurt his own hand after cutting her into six pieces, so he stopped. Then he tried to make it look as if Suree had been killed in her burnt house. He managed to light a candle and put it on a burner normally used in floating lanterns and left the house hoping it would set fire to the whole property. It turned out that the fire he set burned only a small part of the room. Read original story here. One woman dead, two men injured in four car collision in Phuket PHUKET: One woman was killed and two men injured in crash involving four vehicles on Thepkassattri Rd in Thalang yesterday afternoon (Feb 15). accidentstransportdeath By Eakkapop Thongtub Tuesday 16 February 2016, 10:30AM It was reported that three people had been injured when a car crashed into the back of a pick up truck causing the truck to cross the central reservation and collide with another two vehicles. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub It was reported that three people had been injured when a car crashed into the back of a pick up truck causing the truck to cross the central reservation and collide with another two vehicles. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub It was reported that three people had been injured when a car crashed into the back of a pick up truck causing the truck to cross the central reservation and collide with another two vehicles. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub It was reported that three people had been injured when a car crashed into the back of a pick up truck causing the truck to cross the central reservation and collide with another two vehicles. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub It was reported that three people had been injured when a car crashed into the back of a pick up truck causing the truck to cross the central reservation and collide with another two vehicles. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub It was reported that three people had been injured when a car crashed into the back of a pick up truck causing the truck to cross the central reservation and collide with another two vehicles. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub It was reported that three people had been injured when a car crashed into the back of a pick up truck causing the truck to cross the central reservation and collide with another two vehicles. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub It was reported that three people had been injured when a car crashed into the back of a pick up truck causing the truck to cross the central reservation and collide with another two vehicles. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub It was reported that three people had been injured when a car crashed into the back of a pick up truck causing the truck to cross the central reservation and collide with another two vehicles. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub Capt Krasorn Boonprasop from Thalang Police was called investigate an accident on the northbound section of Thepkassattri Rd near the Toyota showroom at 4:30pm. It was reported that three people had been injured when a car crashed into the back of a pick up truck causing the truck to cross the central reservation and collide with another two vehicles. Police arrived at the scene with an EMS unit from Thalang Hospital and Kusoldharm rescue workers to find a Chevrolet pick up truck smashed into an Isuzu pick up truck in the middle of the road. The driver of the Isuzu, Mr Wasuwat Saeloo, 62, had suffered leg injuries, while the Chevrolet driver, 30-year-old Mr Charit Saetan, had no visible injuries but complained of neck and back pain. A passenger in the Chevrolet, 56-year-old Ms Lampoon Saetan, was suffering severe chest injuries. All three were immediately taken Thalang Hospital. Ms Saetan was later pronounce dead at the hospital. The driver of a Toyota Vigo which was also involved in the accident, Prawat Suwandang, 36, told police, A Toyota Altis was heading in the direction of Phuket Town when it crashed into the back of the Chevrolet, this caused the Chevrolet to lose control. It travelled over the central reservation and then collided with the Isuzu and my car. Capt Krasorn said that no charges have been filed yet as police are waiting to question the injured drivers who are still currently in hospital. Guilio and his family in his sister's graduation Egypt's Ministry of interior "MOI" issued a statement early Monday in Arabic and English denying Giulio Regini on 25 January 2016.that what was published in the New York Times about the arrest of lateFrom three days ago , New York Times issued published a report about Regini's murder where it claimed that he was taken into custody by the Egyptian authority quoting anonymous witnesses as well unnamed three officers allegedly with knowledge about his case. Those unnamed sources claimed that late Regini was arrested by plainclothes officers because "he was rude" and that he was believed to be a "spy ".The NY Times came at the same time Reuters published a report with more alleged shocking details from Giulio Regini's autopsy in Cairo. Now on Monday, the MOI issued that statement in Arabic and English. Security Information Center official denied reports by western media and newspapers that Egyptian police arrested the...Needless to say, the Italian media and press published the NY Times report as a fact and their evidence was the human rights record of the Egyptian interior Ministry.Despite what the Egyptian interior ministry says, it is still among the primary suspects when it comes to the tragic and enigmatic cold bold Regini's murder for one simple reason: Its past black record when it comes to human rights.As usual, the ministry of foreign affairs and the ministry of interior will blame the foreign media of spreading lies when they do not realize that the Italian officials themselves release statements about the incident. The Italian officials speak and their words reach to us in Cairo in no time directly thanks to the internet as we are in the 21st century for God's sake.We are not in the 1960s.I expect at any moment a media gag order issued by the Egyptian prosecutor general in Giulio Regini's case by the way. This is a site for discussion about writing sponsored by the Writing Center and the Writing Across the Curriculum program at Eastern Illinois University. Watertown students who qualify for reduced meal plans eating for free As of Oct. 11, students within the Watertown School District who qualify for reduced meal plans will eat for free for the 2022-23 school year. Re: Tories win Whitby- Oshawa byelection, Feb. 12 Tories win Whitby- Oshawa byelection, Feb. 12 Voters are not idiots and the fact that a government simply wears the Liberal brand does not make it worthy of the trust of the electorate. We all expect governments to be competent and ethical and many of us have high hopes that these characteristics can be the foundation of the Trudeau government. Unfortunately, the last decade of Liberal power in Ontario is strewn with broken promises, scandals and breathtaking incompetence. Indeed, it would appear they cant get anything right, including state-of-the-art bridges and airport rail links. So although Justin Trudeau and Kathleen Wynne are politically aligned, when it comes to the fundamental responsibility of delivering good government, they couldnt be further apart. This byelection result should put Wynne on notice that her governments days are numbered. Jonathan Household, Niagara on the Lake SHARE: ELKO In May of 2014, Lori Ayala opened A+ Urgent Care with a vision of introducing the power of choice when it came to same-day, affordable medical care. Recent business developments under the A+ name may soon present even more choice to residents of Elko and surrounding communities when it comes to quality care. When a persons health is at stake, having little choice in treatment can create unnecessary worry and suffering. Waiting is not a reasonable option, says Ayala. But waiting, resorting to a costly emergency room visit, or even traveling out of town for assistance were some of the limiting options that inspired her to open the A+ Urgent Care clinic nearly two years ago. Thousands of satisfied customers and multiple Readers Choice awards later, A+ Urgent Care has become a trusted resource for those with minor, non-life-threatening health issues by providing prompt, convenient care. Uninsured customers as well as those with insurance who cant get in to see their primary care provider right away can equally be treated. Businesses can send their employees to the clinic for on-the-job injuries, physicals, drug screens, and other occmed services. But there is still a fundamental need that Ayala sees as unmet. A number of customers at our clinic do not have a primary care provider, especially those who are on Medicare and Medicaid, she explains. In response to the continuing call for choice driven by local demand, Ayala again has focused her vision by creating a broader range of service offerings under a more comprehensive business name, A+ Total Care. A+ Total Care will integrate urgent care, occupational medicine, and a new, much-needed service under one roof at the clinics current 976 Mountain City Highway location in Elko. We will be introducing primary care services under A+ Family Care in March of this year, announces Ayala. She explains that opening a primary care option at the clinic will play a significant role in providing a regional, unified health solution under the A+ Total Care name. In addition to urgent care, occmed services, and convenient on-site radiology and lab, A+ has also added independent specialists in physical therapy, bariatric surgery, behavioral health, and orthopedic care who will comprise the A+ Total Care interdisciplinary team. Our expansion into an integrated clinic under the description of A+ Total Care better communicates the seamless experience we can offer customers in providing ongoing care, says Ayala. Listening and being attentive to customers has been key to Ayalas success. Providing a welcoming, caring environment for patients has won overwhelming support from the local community who has observed the A+ promise of Treating you like family firsthand. JB Allen, PA-C, exemplifies this core value of A+ providers in sharing, If you treat every single patient like you would want your family to be treated, you can never go wrong in medicine. JB, along with Karen Wright, MD, whos been with A+ from the beginning, are just a few of the friendly, professional staff who will continue to deliver A+ service in caring for the whole person. To learn more about A+ Total Cares offerings, including the new A+ Family Care coming this March, stop by the clinic at 976 Mountain City Highway in Elko or follow A+ on Facebook at APlusTotalCare. ELKO Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton told about 300 people in Elko on Monday that the death of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia has become a big issue in the campaign. Im absolutely adamant that the president, under our Constitution, has a duty to send forth a name to be considered by the Senate, and the Senate has a duty to consider that and to decide whether or not to confirm whoever the president nominates, she said during a morning rally at Adobe Middle School. President Barack Obama said he is going to nominate a replacement, but Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has said the nomination should wait until there is a new president. Clinton said as soon as the news hit about Scalia, Republicans said they werent going to even look at candidates so the president shouldnt send them a name. In 1988, Ronald Reagan was in his last year of office; there was a Supreme Court vacancy, Clinton said. There was an election going on. President Reagan nominated Justice (Anthony) Kennedy. He was confirmed. She said back then both parties understood constitutional principles, and that how government is conducted is more important than partisan politics. Clintons rally took place just five days before Nevada Democrats caucus to determine their preference for the presidential nomination. Many at the rally said they were there in support of the former secretary of state, while others wanted to hear her message to help them decide who to vote for. Traci Reyes of Spring Creek began the rally and said she has been canvassing for the Clinton campaign. I didnt know what I was going to say, and I thought well, I love Hillary, she said. The reason why I love her is from day one, when she graduated from college, she has, her core is that she wants to make lives better for women and children. Elko City Councilman John Rice introduced Clinton and told the crowd he is proud to be a Democrat in Elko County. I just want you to know how pleased I am to support Secretary Clinton and when it gets down to it, we all want the same thing, he said. We want to be safe. We want to get a good education. We want good health care, and we want the opportunity to be successful. Clinton spoke on several issues, and after her speech she took questions from the audience on a number of topics including mental health issues, Second Amendment rights and public lands. Scalia Replacement The Supreme Court was brought up again during questions from the public. Clinton was asked how she would work with an obstructionist Congress when it comes to issues like nominating Supreme Court candidates or other government business. I think its gonna be more difficult for Mitch McConnell and the Republicans to avoid actually acting, and heres why: We, the Democrats, have a chance to take back the Senate, and there are senators running from states like Illinois, like Pennsylvania, like New Hampshire, where they have to be more moderate than some of the Republicans are in the Senate who come from states where, you know, theyre rewarded for their obstructionist behavior, she said. But we also have to make it a voting issue; weve got to make it a voting issue in this election. I mean the future of the Supreme Court affects practically anything that you are concerned about. Health Care Clinton said the Affordable Healthcare Act gave many Americans piece of mind, but the government still has work to do on the program. Is it everything we want? No, weve got to get the costs down, she said. Out-of-pocket costs are too high, co-pays, deductibles are too high. Prescription drug costs are ridiculously high and need to be dampened down. She said her opponent, Sen. Bernie Sanders, wants a single-payer system. Clinton said that sounds great, but she doesnt want to start all over again. I think the last thing our country needs right now is to be plunged into another contentious debate about health care, she said. Were at 90 percent coverage. We can get from 90 to 100. I dont want to start at zero and try to get to 100 again. Public Lands During the town hall-style question period, Clinton was asked her stance on public lands. The federal lands provision is in the Constitution, that we own that the federal government owns a lot of land, obviously in a state like Nevada the big proportion of it, she said. And again I see this as you know part of the anti-government feeling that I know is out there. But anybody whos run the numbers on it, you take a look. If all of the sudden tomorrow the federal government were to say to all the states where they own land, from the East Coast to the West Coast and Alaska, OK you take care of it, your state and local taxes would skyrocket, because trying to take care of this and manage it is a big, big proposition. She said the incident in Oregon was not indicative of most people in the West. I know weve got people like the Bundys and all of that. Most people who graze federal lands actually pay their grazing fees, right? Clinton said to applause. That terrible incident in Oregon, where they claimed to go up there to support two guys who, unfortunately, burned down part of a national forest, and the two guys said We dont want your help, get out of here. Were going to prison ... we did wrong, we got convicted, were going to do our time. You know, this is a fringe movement, with a lot of anger and rhetoric, but we cant let people like that call the shots. Gun Rights During questions, Reyes asked what Clinton would say to people who think she wants to take their guns. I believe with all my heart that we can have commonsense gun reform measures that are consistent with the Second Amendment, Clinton said. She challenged anyone to find someone who had their gun taken away because of the Brady Bill. I want you to find one person who couldnt go hunting because they had to have a background check, she said. She said the gun lobby represents gun makers more than gun owners. Clinton said she is for comprehensive background checks, and the gun show and Internet sales loopholes need to be closed. Too many mentally ill people are getting a hold of guns, she said. She said the mass shooter from Colorado bought his ammunition from online sellers. The vast majority of gun sellers and dealers have common sense. Youve seen pictures of that guy from Aurora. Man, if he walked into your store to buy a gun or buy thousands of rounds of ammunition, I think youd take a look and say, whoa there is something wrong with him. She said about 92 percent of the American people are for the gun control measures she has proposed and 85 percent of gun owners support them. Clinton asked those in attendance to caucus for her Saturday. The Democratic caucus starts at 11 a.m. at several locations. To match a precinct with a location go to nvdems.com. I know weve got people like the Bundys and all of that. Most people who graze federal lands actually pay their grazing fees, right? Hillary Clinton ELKO Due to increasing temperatures, there have been reports of flooding on Last Chance Road and on Coal Mine Canyon Road in Ryndon. Undersheriff Clair Morris told the Free Press sandbags have been ordered to help with the road conditions. He said the flooding started in low-lying areas. However, more sandbags are being ordered, especially to help with the runoff when snow in Lamoille Canyon begins to melt. Lamoille floods on a dry year, he said. The National Weather Service issued a flood advisory until 3:15 a.m. Wednesday. Very warm temperatures are causing the snow to melt into rivers, streams and low-lying areas in Northern Nevada, the weather service stated. The situation is not life-threatening and residents are being asked to turn around if they encounter a flooded or closed road. Only about a foot of water can move your car downstream, stated the advisory, explaining residents can get stuck in both the water and the mud. At this time flooding seems to be occurring along the Owyhee River around Mountain City, Martin Creek in Paradise Valley, and Last Chance Road. The weather service said low spots, gravel and dirt will be the worst areas affected. Some locations to experience flooding include Elko, Winnemucca, West Wendover, Carlin, Wells, Kings River Valley, Currie, Valmy, Montello, Pequop Summit, Charleston, Denio, Gibbs Ranch, Jackpot, Jarbidge, Ryndon, Spring Creek, Lee, Ruby Valley and Midas. Capt. Brian Hoehne of the Elko County Fire Protection District said the minor flooding is expected to worsen given the weather services flood watch and the expected increase in temperatures. The sheriffs office is in charge of the countys emergency management. The fire protection district is providing support. After the Great Recession, the issuance of contingent convertible bonds, or CoCo bonds, as they are popularly known, hasn't really been the subject of too many discussions. But now with crude oil collapsing, China's economy slowing, equity markets in a tailspin and pessimists predicting a recession, the focus is back on these bonds. CoCo bonds are not as secure as other senior debt issued by banks, falling behind other debt instruments in the event of a default. So, why would investors opt for them instead of safer fixed-income bond? Their returns are more lucrative. According to CNBC, CoCo bond returns from developed-market issuers have largely trumped those on other forms of bank debt, which makes them attractive for your long-term wealth building strategy. That said, they are also high on risk. Here's what you need to know about them: 1. After the financial meltdown of 2008, which consumed giants such as Lehman Brothers, banks came up with a debt instrument that would free them of debt obligations in the event of a crisis. Banks pay interest to holders of CoCo bonds, but in the event of a "contingency" -- cash streams dry up, or share prices fall below a certain level, for example -- these bonds would change to equity, effectively "converting" bondholders to shareholders. The bottom line: Banks avoid default. They can get rid of their obligations to pay back investors by canceling coupon payments, converting bonds into shares and even writing off the debt. Banks lower their debt burden and boost capital ratios, which have become mandates as a result of new regulatory requirements on stress tests and capital buffers. Stress tests check a bank's financial health, while capital buffers require banks to keep some amount of capital aside apart from their minimum capital requirements. 2. According to data compiled by Dealogic for CNBC, global issuers released a record 160 CoCo bonds in 2015, up from 109 in 2014. Demand for the higher yields of these bonds spiked as government bond yields slipped due to the bond-buying programs of central banks. But with fears of an impending financial doom enveloping global economies, investors are scared. As a result, CoCo bond prices have come under pressure over the past few weeks, with those issued from banks like Deutsche Bank (DB) losing over 20% of their value since a year ago. 3. According to the Financial Conduct Authority, about 20%, or 52.35 billion pounds of CoCo bonds, were issued between 2009 and 2013 by U.K. banks. In recent weeks, shares of banks such as HSBC Holdings (HSBC) , Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) , Barclays (BCS) , and Lloyds Banking Group (LYG) have gotten hammered. European banks such as Spain's Banco Santander (SAN) and Switzerland's Credit Suisse (CS) are also facing the heat. Deutsche Bank issued approximately $5 billion worth of CoCos to build its Additional Tier 1 capital in 2014. Despite the bank's reassurances that it was in a comfortable position to pay off its debts, disappointing earnings and a share drop of more than 47% over the past year have investors on edge. Meanwhile, the U.K. Supreme Court will reconsider if Lloyds can redeem $4.76 billion of contingent capital bonds, according to Bloomberg. Lloyds is down 27% over the last year. So do your homework before investing in CoCos. Are you making the right investment moves for your retirement, or are you blowing it by making all-too-common money mistakes? There are crucial steps you should be taking now, to build wealth over the long haul. To find out whether you'll have enough money in your later years, download our free report: Your Ultimate Retirement Guide. This article is commentary by an independent contributor. At the time of publication, the author held no positions in the stocks mentioned. More Republican senators -- in particular, those facing reelection this year -- have joined Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell in his vow to block any Supreme Court justice nominee put forth by President Barack Obama to succeed Antonin Scalia, who passed away over the weekend, according to reports. Sen. Rob Portman (R., Ohio,) and Sen. Patrick J. Toomey (R., Pa.) are among those who have promised to obstruct Obama's appointment of a justice during his final year in office. Before funeral arrangements were announced for Justice Scalia, who passed away suddenly in Texas Saturday, front pages were rife with competing views on who should name his successor. Democrats demanded President Obama fulfill his constitutional duty to nominate a justice and keep the Supreme Court fully seated, which the president has vowed to do. Scalia's passing represents an opportunity to tilt the judicial branch's former conservative majority of 5-4 in favor of the liberals. Republicans, angling at a chance to replace Scalia with another conservative justice on the chance that the next president will be Republican, flexed their majority position and promised to delay the justice's selection until after Obama's term ends. Media reports suggested that pressure from the Republican majority would likely force the president to select a successor who had secured bipartisan support in the past. Among those seen as possible candidates are Sri Srinivasan, a Washington D.C. federal appeals court judge who was confirmed unanimously in 2013, Merrick Garland, a chief justice on the D.C. Circuit Court who is a moderate, Jane Kelly, a judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit who has had support from Sen. Chuck Grassley (R., Iowa), and Cory Booker, who could be one of three potential nominees from the senate. Scalia was found dead at the Cibolo Creek Ranch in West Texas, according to areport in the San Antonio Express News. Chief Justice John Roberts confirmed Scalia's death, issuing a statement Saturday evening. "He was an extraordinary individual and jurist, admired and treasured by his colleagues," Roberts said. "His passing is a great loss to the Court and the country he so loyally served. We extend our deepest condolences to his wife, Maureen, and his family." Scalia was the longest-serving member of the Court, having been appointed by President Ronald Reagan in 1986. As a legal theorist, Scalia insisted that in making its rulings, the Court need look no further than the text of the Constitution and that its meaning has not changed since its authors set it down. In practice, that meant that legislative history -- how Congress came to enact the laws under the Court's review -- is irrelevant. Critics, though, suggested that Scalia's fealty to original intent extended only as far as it produced the ideological results he desired. ELKO Republican presidential candidate Sen. Ted Cruz is scheduled to campaign in Elko next Monday. The Texas senator will appear at the Boys & Girls Club at 4:30 p.m. Doors will open at 3:30. His visit comes just one day before the GOP caucus in Nevada. Prior to that, Cruz will compete Saturday in the South Carolina primary, where the latest polls show him trailing Donald Trump by a 2-1 margin. Other Republicans still in the race include Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, former Florida governor Jeb Bush, former Ohio governor John Kasich, and retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson. Over the past several months, the Zika virus has grown from a regional outbreak to a global health scare, one that is resulting in confusion among travelers and a flurry of canceled vacations, honeymoons and business trips. The developments over just the past few weeks have been fast-paced and sometimes hard to keep abreast of when information about the mosquito-borne virus is coming from so many different sources around the world. Christina Ernst, owner of Georgia-based travel agency VIP Southern Tours, says her phones have been ringing continually, with concerned clients trying to figure out what they need to know about Zika. "A lot of people are confused because the details that are out there are not very clear, and I think that's because the answers aren't really clear," says Ernst. "It's really frightening people, not knowing what the right answer is," she adds. "They're hearing it's anywhere tropical, it's spreading, it's getting people sick - so they're not getting the facts about it." Amid such confusion, says Ernst, one couple canceled their honeymoon to St. Lucia, while others are working with Ernst to find alternative vacation destinations that avoid the Americas and the Caribbean. (Alaskan cruises are becoming a popular alternative, she notes.) Among the latest developments travelers should be aware of: -On February 1 the World Health Organization (WHO) declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern because of the clusters of microcephaly and other neurological disorders emerging in some areas affected by Zika. -About a week prior to the WHO announcement, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) activated its Emergency Operations Center (EOC) to respond to Zika outbreaks in the Americas, and then on February 8, elevated its EOC activation to a Level 1, the highest level. -There is no vaccine to prevent Zika virus disease, according to the CDC. -The best way to prevent Zika is to avoid mosquito bites. -Mosquitoes that spread Zika bite mostly during the daytime. There are currently about 30 countries, primarily located throughout South and Central America and the Caribbean, that have reported active transmission of the virus. The World health Organization expects the Zika virus to spread to almost every country in the Americas. No local, mosquito-borne Zika virus disease cases have been reported in the 50 U.S. states, but there have been travel-associated cases, according to the CDC. In terms of U.S. territories, local, mosquito-borne transmission of Zika virus has been reported in Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and American Samoa. The CDC is regularly updating its travel information page with notices about impacted countries and locations and recommends checking its site before traveling anywhere. If you are traveling, there are some very simple precautions that will go a long way toward maintaining your safety, says Ronald St. John, a retired public health and infectious disease control physician whose 35-year career included working at the CDC and the WHO, Regional Office for the Americas. "The best thing is to avoid mosquito bites," St. John explains. "Take some OFF or DEET with you, and try to cover up. And sleep in an air conditioned place or a place that has a screen." Women of reproductive age, who are traveling to an affected country, should take precautions to avoid pregnancy, says St. John. And perhaps more importantly, if you are already pregnant and in your first trimester, St. John recommends postponing the trip entirely. The Zika virus can be spread from a pregnant woman to her fetus, says the CDC. The Atlanta-based agency's website says there have been reports of a serious birth defect of the brain called microcephaly in babies of mothers who contracted the Zika virus. Both the CDC and St. John point out that the knowledge regarding the link between Zika and birth defects is still evolving. But for the time being, pregnant women need to be more cautious then the general population. For those who are headed abroad, St. John has created a handy app designed to keep international travelers healthy. Called Sitata, the free app provides real time notifications and updates regarding health and safety events wherever you happen to be, as long as you've registered your travels with Sitata. "Travelers are so good at inadvertently spreading disease," St. John says. "A small amount of knowledge will really keep people healthy when they travel anywhere. Travelers can register their trip with us and get free trip info - safety precautions, things to watch out for. And while traveling, if something is going on where they are, such as an outbreak of disease, they get an instant alert, as well as advice on what to do." Some additional advice worth noting comes from Dyan Summers, a nurse practitioner and author of the first scientific paper published about Zika being imported by an American recreational traveler. In 2013, one of Summers's patients, who had recently visited French Polynesia, became the first reported case of Zika in the United States linked to the French Polynesian outbreak. Summers points out that there are no commercially available tests for Zika and no specific medications to treat it, so the overall strategy with regard to the virus is aimed at prevention. Important tips she shares includes applying sunscreen before insect repellent when traveling in affected countries because you want the mosquitos to land on the repellent. Summers also suggests minimizing the amount of exposed skin. It's also important to know the symptoms, which may be flu-like, including malaise, muscle and joint pains, rash and conjunctivitis or discharge from the eyes. "If you've traveled to an affected country and experience these symptoms, contact your medical provider immediately," says Summers. For those who may not want to risk traveling in light of all of this information, airlines are being very cooperative and issuing refunds for tickets, says Diana Ramos, an OB/GYN physician and co-chair of the National Preconception Health and Health Care Initiative (PCHHC), a public-private partnership of more than 70 national organizations working to advance preconception health and reproductive life planning. Echoing many other public health professionals, Ramos stresses that those most at risk are pregnant women and women of reproductive age, who could become pregnant. "The CDC is saying that reproductive age women should avoid travel to affected areas," she emphasizes. "And men who may have traveled to affected countries, if they have a wife who is pregnant, should use a condom." It's not only medical professionals and travel agents who are witnessing an increased level of concern in light of the the Zika virus' spread. Stan Sandberg, co-founder of TravelInsurance.com, says he too has seen a significant increase in traffic this past week and has been fielding customer inquiries primarily about trip cancellation coverage. According to Sandberg, most insurance plans are treating the Zika virus like any other illness in the plan's terms and conditions. In other words, if a traveler contracts the virus while abroad, most plans would cover emergency medical services, medical evacuation and trip interruption benefits. What's more, the CDC warnings are not impacting the availability of travel insurance. Translation - travelers can still purchase insurance plans for visits to countries listed in CDC warnings. "It's still important to note that none of the travel insurance providers are considering the CDC warning a reason to cancel a trip to an affected country," says Sandberg. "For travelers going to an affected country who want an option to cancel, we recommend plans with a Cancel for Any Reason option." The CDC says the Zika virus will continue to spread and it will be difficult to determine how and where the virus will spread over time. St. John, the former CDC and WHO physician, says it's dangerous to try to predict how long it will take a virus to run its course, but estimates Zika could remain a significant concern for anywhere from two to three years. "With Zika, over time enough people will have been infected and they will develop immunity and then the virus becomes a background noise -there will be a few cases here and there but no major outbreaks," says St. John. "In general, the whole thing subsides when you have a good immune response." ELKO Five days before the Nevada Democratic caucus about 300 people went to Adobe Middle School to see presidential candidate Hillary Clinton. Many were there Monday to show their support, and a few just wanted to hear the former Secretary of State speak. City Councilman John Patrick Rice introduced Clinton. I think its wonderful that everyones here to see Hillary, Rice said before the rally. A lot of people have made up their minds, but a lot of people are still undecided and this is a terrific opportunity for people to get a firsthand look at a candidate and what they stand for. Personally she has a terrific track record of providing for education and affordable health care. Linda Moore of Spring Creek said she went to the rally to show her support. I voted for her the last election and Im hoping that she will be getting in here, Moore said. I hate all the childish remarks that are going on between the candidates and I wish that they would just stick with being human beings. You know we all make mistakes. Moore said she and her sister plan to caucus Saturday. She said people need to be more outspoken about supporting Clinton. Martina Little Boy of Spring Creek said I want to see the first woman to be president. I think she could do it. Sure dont want Trump. Candace James of Elko said she was undecided whether she would vote for Clinton or Sen. Bernie Sanders. I want to hear her take on running for president, James said. Josi Schauf of Spring Creek said she had not decided on a candidate yet. She said she attended the event because it was a historic moment. I want to see if she can win me over, Schauf said. Gil Hernandez, vice chair of the national legislative committee for the Veterans of Foreign Wars, said he attends all political rallies that are in Elko to hear what the candidates have to say about veterans and to educate them. Mental health is a big issue, he said. Twenty-two veterans a day die from suicide, thats a big issue. We want to hear what the candidates have to say and what theyre going to do for our veterans. Sanford L. Beshear, representing a Utah VFW, said he lives in Salt Lake City but he has a fondness for Elko because his parents were married here. He also came to the event because he knows Elko County veterans go to the veterans clinic in Salt Lake and he knows Clinton. Theres a lot of veterans here today, and I wanted them to see the Hillary that I knew and what she was talking about, he said. When she was talking about when she worked in the White House with veterans and how touched she was by the Gulf War. She had all these mothers coming to her, and wives, about how their husbands had changed since they came home from that first Gulf War. She was coming back to the White House in tears about some of these people that she had met. He said Hillary Clinton was the catalyst to opening up the VA to all veterans. Michael Polise of Elko said he and his wife, Charlotte, came to the event as Clinton supporters. Im very definite I will be voting for her, he said. I dont see anybody else more suitable or even close on the horizon. Charlotte Polise said it was a great way to spend the morning. In our country we need Hillary, but also the world needs Hillary, she said. Her influence on the world as a president would be exactly what we need at this time. Russ Minter of Elko said the event was great. She is the most common sense candidate right now, he said. Minter didnt think much of Sen. Bernie Sanders so-called political revolution. I know everybody in the country is so fed up with the way the government is not working, he said. But I think revolution sounds great, but I think to actually get things done, you have to have a commonsense person in the White House, at the top. I think she is the best candidate for that. Minter encouraged everyone to caucus. The power that rural Nevada has right now is tremendous, he said. This is a chance for our voice to be heard. Anybody who complains about politics or about Washington, if you dont stand up and be heard you have no right to complain, and the caucus is where you can do that. A Friday report by the New York Federal Reserve Bank found consumer credit on the rebound for the most parts of the economy. Americans are borrowing more on a variety of consumer debt and, with one exception, staying current on their loans. The growth has been primarily the result of large increases in non-housing balances, particularly in auto and student loans. Autos had another banner year in 2015 with a $109 billion loan increase, the highest level of origination since 1999, while student loans increased by $75 billion--pushing the nation's outstanding loan balances over $1.3 trillion. second only to mortgage debt. Credit card balances increases lagged by comparison, going up by $33 billion. Newly originated mortgage balances remained somewhat sluggish, with the lions share of new mortgages going to borrowers with the highest credit scores. The news on autos may bode well for the Millennial economy. The conventional wisdom has been that student loans were keeping recent college grads away from dealer showrooms and used car lots. "Overall, 5.4% of consumer debt was delinquent" in 2015, said Andrew Haughwout, a New York Fed economist and author of the report, the lowest since early 2007, those halcyon days that preceded the housing market crash and the onset of the Great Recession. Even if mortgage origination was slow, signs of the housing market's return to health have been evident. "New foreclosures are at the lowest we've seen since 1999 and bankruptcies are trending down," Haughwout stated. The dark cloud? Student loans. "Student loan delinquency remains high," Haughwout said in the report. The New York Fed also noted that delinquency rates for student loans are likely to understate effective delinquency rates because about half of these loans are currently in deferment, in grace periods or in forbearance and therefore temporarily not in the repayment cycle. The New York Fed said that this implies that among loans in the repayment cycle, delinquency rates are roughly twice as high. At a press conference in New York on Friday, New York Fed chairman William Dudley seemed to hold out hope that the housing market, Ground Zero for the Great Recession, would be a source of economic strength and stability. Even if mortgage originations were low, those with mortgages seemed reluctant to gamble with the equity in their homes. "Households appear to be much more cautious in how they are responding to the rise in home values," Dudley said. "Rather than borrowing against equity, mortgage balances have essentially stabilized and remain well above previous levels." NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- SunEdison (SUNE) stock is up by 0.70% to $1.42 in mid-morning trading on Tuesday, as a Delaware court will hear a case regarding the company's proposed acquisition of Vivint Solar (VSLR) today. The deal has drawn significant criticism from investors including billionaire David Tepper's Appaloosa Management. Appaloosa Management, which acquired a 9.5% stake in SunEdison's TerraForm Power (TERP) yieldco, sued last month to block TerraForm Power from purchasing some of Vivint Solar (VSLR)'s assets following SunEdison's acquisition of the company. The acquisition is contingent on TerraForm Power's immediate purchase of certain Vivint Solar assets after the deal closes. Additionally, shares of SunEdison tanked on Friday on a separate lawsuit barring SunEdison from selling or transferring assets "without fair consideration or in the ordinary course of business," until later this month. Separately, TheStreet Ratings team rates the stock as a "sell" with a ratings score of D. SunEdison's weaknesses include its generally high debt management risk, generally disappointing historical performance in the stock itself and feeble growth in its earnings per share. You can view the full analysis from the report here: SUNE TheStreet Ratings objectively rated this stock according to its "risk-adjusted" total return prospect over a 12-month investment horizon. Not based on the news in any given day, the rating may differ from Jim Cramer's view or that of this article's author. SUNE data by YCharts 3-D printing companies were all the rage before many of their stocks cratered over the past year. But one Israeli 3-D printing company. Nano Dimension (NNDMY) , managed to weather the storm and become Israel's top performing technology stock in 2015. The four-year-old company, which is based in Ness Ziona, Israel, uses 3-D printing to create electronic circuit boards. "We're basically taking a process that can take several weeks to prototype and turning that into an in-house process that occurs within several hours," explained Amit Dror, CEO of Nano Dimension. The company, which trades on the Tel Aviv stock exchange and the U.S. OTC market, has filed a patent application in the U.S. for its printing models and is currently in beta testing with numerous companies, according to the CEO. "We're just at the beginning of starting to provide these beta systems to those customers. Toward the end of the year we're hoping to turn those beta customers into paying commercial customers," said Dror, who said he's going after an estimated $70 billion market. Dror said Nano Dimension currently has no competition, although "we're definitely looking over our shoulder every day." Nano Dimension has raised more than $18 million in venture capital in the past year and a half. Dror said the company decided against taking the risk of going to the public market through an initial public offering, opting instead to list through a reverse merger. "We took that step and we were able to show results. It was about expanding what we were doing and then showing how we were meeting the milestones. And investors were basically rewarding us for it," he said. Nano Dimensions recently signed an agreement with Flextronics (FLEX) , which will manufacture its 3-D printer, known as the DragonFly2020. Dror spoke with TheStreet's Rhonda Schaffler in New York. Feb. 13 Bobby Brigham, 51, of Elko was arrested for failure to change address on registration within 30 days, driving with a suspended, revoked or cancelled drivers license, failure to give appropriate signal when required, driver disobeying peace officer, open alcohol container in vehicle, failure to have proof of insurance, unlawful texting or talking without a hands-free device, and on an NCJIS detainer. Bail: $3,105 ------ Alycia J. Hegy, 26, of Elko was arrested at Fifth and Elm streets for failure to appear after bail on a misdemeanor crime. No bail listed ------ Colby J. Jayo, 22, of Elko was arrested on West Idaho Street for failure to appear after bail on a misdemeanor crime. Bail: $1,040 ------ Jerrel B. Johnson Jr., 32, of Ellicott City, Maryland, was arrested on Interstate 80 for failure to maintain lane or improper lane change and DUI. Bail: $1,255 ------ Dion M. Larue, 36, of Elko was arrested at Clarkson Drive and Monroe Way for failure to appear on a traffic citation. Bail: $495 ------ Agustin M. Mangus, 24, of Sparks was arrested at Silver and Fourth streets for possession of a controlled substance, possession of less than one ounce of marijuana, and driving with a suspended, revoked or cancelled drivers license. Bail: $6,095 ------ Anthony L. Parson, 38, of Syracuse, Utah, was arrested at the Peppermill Hotel for fugitive felon from other state and non-resident driving when privilege is suspended, revoked or cancelled. Bail: $415 ------ Rodrigo Rivas-Sandoval, 40, of Elko was arrested at Idaho Street and Sharon Way for driving with a revoked drivers license for DUI, operating a vehicle with expired registration or plates, and no proof of insurance. Bail: $1,995 ------ Clair R. Smedley, 50, of Syracuse, Utah, was arrested at the Red Garter in West Wendover for DUI. Bail: $1,050 ------ Shana R. Veesart, 24, of Elko was arrested on Idaho Street for driving with a suspended license, and non-surrender of suspended, revoked or cancelled registration card. Bail: $710 NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- Shares of Tegna (TGNA) are rising by 3.74% to $23 in afternoon trading on Tuesday, after the company reported its 2015 fourth quarter earnings. Before today's market open, the McLean, VA-based media and marketing company reported earnings of 53 cents per diluted share, surpassing analysts' estimates for earnings of 46 cents per share. Revenue dropped by 4.4% to $805.3 million and missed analysts' expectations of $811 million. Tegna's media business includes 46 television stations. It is the largest independent owner of NBC and CBS affiliates. The company, formerly Gannett Co. (GCI), spun off its publishing business in June. As part of an effort to streamline its operations during the quarter, Tegna divested Clipper Magazine, sold its digital ad technology and services company PointRoll and completed the $270 million sale of its corporate headquarters. Revenue for its media business fell 6.6% amidst a sharp decline in political advertising spending, the Wall Street Journal noted. "We are more certain than ever that we have built a strong foundation for long-term growth and success. This, coupled with tail winds associated with the upcoming elections and 2016 Olympic Games, are expected to result in a banner year for TEGNA," President and CEO Gracia Martore said in a statement this morning. TGNA data by YCharts It's official: Apple Pay is finally coming to China. Following months of speculation, investors only knew the tech giant was planning on launching the service in one of its strongest growth markets, but only had "as soon as early 2016" as a beacon. We now know it will launch on Feb. 18. Of course, Apple (AAPL) isn't going at it alone, and just as it has in the U.S., it's partnering with some of the country's largest banks. China UnionPay, which controls all the credit and debit cards in China, is one partner, while 15 other leading Chinese banks are also on board. While all of that sounds great for Apple, it won't find success in China without a fight. Alibaba's (BABA) Alipay and Tencent's (TCEHY) Tenpay have already cemented themselves in the mobile wallet world. As if leading positions weren't enough, Chinese customers are already quite familiar with Tencent and Alibaba, the country's two largest Internet companies. "Alipay's 83% control over the third-party mobile payment market (as of 2014) will make it difficult for UnionPay (and thereby Apple Pay) to break into the market," said TheStreet'sJim Cramer and Jack Mohr, portfolio manager and research director, respectively, of the Action Alerts PLUS Charitable Trust Portfolio, which holds Apple. "We expect Apple to be aggressive -- in coordination with UnionPay -- now that it has been given keys to the door." While its move into the mobile payments space may not be as easy in China as it was in the U.S., doesn't mean Apple isn't prepared to fight. Shares of Apple climbed 2.8% on the day to close at $96.56. ________________________________________________________________ Gogo (GOGO) investors couldn't have been pleased Tuesday as shares crumpled to new 52-week lows, hitting $7.90 in early trading. The catalyst? American Airlines (AAL) is suing the company. As a result, the company has "decided to exercise its rights under the agreement," notifying Gogo that it has found a faster Internet provider in ViaSat (VSAT) , whose shares climbed 12% on the day. As per its contract, Gogo will be able to submit a competing proposal back to American, something the company said it plans to do. According to the company's most recently filed 8-K, Gogo noted that "American is a valued customer of ours and that we look forward to resolving the disagreement regarding contract interpretation that led to this declaratory judgment action." Roughly 200 American Airline aircraft units are equipped with Gogo's in-flight wireless service. It's no surprise that investors worry about the potential loss of revenues, as it would only likely accelerate the stock losses seen thus far in 2016, with shares down a whopping 45% year-to-date. On the bright side, the stock closed north of $10 per share, although not by much, up over 25% from its session lows. Shares of Gogo ended lower by 27.4% to $10.08 on Tuesday. ________________________________________________________________ Apple plans to hit the debt market once again. But the tech giant isn't doing so to fund its business operations or make a big acquisition. It's doing so to help fund its massive share repurchase program. As of the company's most recent earnings report, Apple had chewed through more than three-quarters of its $200 billion buyback plan. Over the past few years, Apple has made it routine to boost its capital return plans in April, when reporting its second quarter results. It might seem odd to some investors a company as large as Apple is looking to the debt market in order to fund these initiatives -- especially considering it has more than $215 billion in cash and securities on its balance sheet. But much of that cash is now located overseas and isn't available without paying a steep repatriation tax of 40%. So given the incredibly low interest rate environment, it makes sense for the company to look to alternative methods of funding. The company has filed to issue debt maturing in 2018, 2019, 2021, 2023, 2026, 2036 and 2046. This article is commentary by an independent contributor. At the time of publication, the author held no positions in the stocks mentioned. Montreal, CA (H4T1V6) Today Partly cloudy. High 56F. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Low 44F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. In this Nov. 30, 2004 file photo, former United Nations Secretary General Boutros Boutros-Ghali arrives for a meeting in Brussels. he U.N. Security Council has announced on Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2016 the death of former U.N. Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo, File) In this , Feb. 8, 2016 picture , Timea Meszaros AVIA gas station attendant speaks about the European Schengen zone of border-free travel during an interview with The Associated Press near the Hungarian border in Siegendorf, Austria. (AP Photo/Ronald Zak) Next time youre talking with one of your GOP politicians, ask them for their opinion on Binding of Delegates. Good luck on getting a straight and honest answer. When I questioned the NVGOP on their Platform position We are against binding of delegates the response I received was: The platform is a statement of political principles. It is not an administrative document with any parliamentary force on the operations or management of the party. I will decipher that for you. The entire NVGOP Platform is merely general ideas on issues that probably concern some of the voters once in a while from time to time every so often; but dont hold us to them. Remember, were talking about the NVGOP Party Platform which is supposed to be matters the Party believes in and if questioned will explain why they stand for them. The Platform addresses many areas including Economy, Taxation, Education, Health Care and Immigration; to name a few. I count at least 17 general Party Platform topics containing some 63 bullet point specific Party positions on the various subjects. Window dressing I guess. Not one person in the NVGOP would clearly answer my simple question: Would you please inform me as to why the NVGOP Party Platform opposes binding of delegates? Binding of Delegates is a huge issue in Presidential Politics as to who will become the Republican Nominee for President. But trying to find a Politician to discuss why the NVGOP Party opposes binding of delegates well youd have better luck finding an aquifer in Virginia City. The NVGOP subject on What Are Caucuses? states: The reason the election of delegates and alternates is so important is because the Republican nominee for President is chosen by the delegates at the Republican National Convention. One important function of the precinct caucus is the election of delegates that might make it all the way to the State Convention in support of their candidate. Hopefully their candidate is also their precinct vote winner. Remember the old concept of The voice of the people shall be heard? How about The vote of the precinct caucuses shall be heard? The NVGOP rules do state that precinct delegates on the way to the County Convention are not bound by the precinct caucus presidential vote. Nevadas delegates to the Republican National Convention are supposed to be proportionally representative of the statewide caucus votes for the various Presidential Candidates. Under current GOP Party Rules, these delegates are bound to their candidates. But, the NVGOP opposes this binding of delegates. Why is that? Do they not want the voices of the caucus voters to carry through to the National Delegates? How did that Republican majority in both State Chambers work out for us in the 78th Session last year? Fortunately for us Douglas County residents, we have two of the finest legislators in the State of Nevada; Jim Settelmeyer and Jim Wheeler. President Barack Obama, right, stands with Brunei's sultan, Hassanal Bolkiah, left, at a meeting of ASEAN, the 10-nation Association of Southeast Asian Nations, at the Annenberg Retreat at Sunnylands in Rancho Mirage, Calif., Monday, Feb. 15, 2016. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais) In a shocking act of vandalism, a Delhi lawmaker was caught on camera leading an assault on an unidentified person with group of his supporters and later justifying his violent actions. BJP MLA O.P. Sharma who was at the Delhi's Patiala House Court on Monday to show his support to Finance Minister Arun Jaitley who had a court hearing in a defamation case. After Jaitley left the court, Sharma and his supporters took to violence, along with lawyers who launched a blatant attack on JNU students, teachers and journalists. Sharma while talking to a TV channel justified assaulting a person, saying there is nothing wrong in even killing those who raise pro-Pakistan slogans. "If you ask me, there is nothing wrong in beating up or even killing someone shouting slogans in favour of Pakistan," he was quoted by CNN IBN as saying. He further added that he sought to reason with the people who were raising anti-India slogans and they turned violent. On Monday, lawyers turned violent during the hearing of a bail plea of Kanhaiya Kumar, JNU students union president. Lawyers shouting anti-JNU slogans got into the fight with students, teachers and mediapersons present there. According to the reports, police has been accused of inaction as lawyers went on a rampage. Kanhaiya was arrested by Delhi police in a sedation case for allegedly organising an event inside the JNU campusagainst the hanging of 2001 Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru, where allegedly anti-India slogans were shouted by the agitating students. The event has triggered a major political controversy, after police cracked down on the students inside the university campus. YWN regrets to inform you of the Petira of the Erlau Rebbe ZATZAL, one of the elder of the Admorim. He was 93-years-old. The Rebbe was hospitalized during the past three weeks, and his condition took a drastic turn for the worse during the past 24 hours. Chassidim and Yidden around the world were being Mispallel for his Refuah until his Petira early Monday morning. The Rebbe served as a member of Nesios of the Moetzes Gedolei hatorah of Agudas Yisroel in Eretz Yisroel. The Rebbe was born in 1923 in Eger (Erlau), Hungary to his father, HaRav Moshe Sofer, and was a great-great-grandson of the Chasam Sofer. The Rebbe survived the Holocaust and founded the Eraluer Yeshiva first in Hungary and then in Yerushalayim. The levaya will begin at 11:30 from the Erlau Beis Medrash in the Katamon neighborhood of Yerushalayim. Kvura will be on Har Tamir. His father and grandfather were murdered in Auschwitz at the hands of the Nazis YMS, and the young Yochanan survived the war and returned to Erlau to lead the survivors, who constituted barely a minyan. In 1946, he was asked to serve as rosh yeshiva of the year-old Yeshivas Chasam Sofer, the only yeshiva in Hungary at that time, which had been established by Rav Shmuel Binyanim Frey for 30 orphaned young men in Budapest. He continued at that position for a year and a half, after which he opened a yeshiva in Erlau. In 1947, the Rebbe re-established the yeshiva in Erlau with a small group of boys and adolescents (mostly orphans / Yesomim). He married and was appointed Rov of the fledgling Orthodox Jewish community there. Due to the Communist grip on Hungary and oppression of Judaism there, the Rebbe assisted his students and members of his community to escape Hungary. In 1950, after the last Jew had left Erlau, the Rebbe immigrated to Israel together with his yeshiva. For a short period of time, the yeshiva merged with the Pressburg Yeshiva in Jerusalem, which was headed by HaRav Akiva Sofer (known as the Daas Sofer), a great-grandson of the Chasam Sofer. The Rebbe served there as a maggid shiur. During this time, the Rebbe became a close disciple of the Belzer Rebbe (R Aharon). Although his ancestors were not Chasidic and conducted themselves as Rabbonim, not Rebbes, he was influenced by the Belzer Rebbe and the Skverer Rebbe to adopt numerous Chasidic Minhagim. In 1953 the Rebbe founded the Erlau yeshiva and community in the Katamon neighbourhood of south-central Jerusalem, starting with the purchase of a few rooms in the building of the former Syrian Consulate on Yotam Street. The yeshiva was named Yeshiva Gedolah of HaRav Akiva Eiger after the father-in-law of the Chasam Sofer. Later this yeshiva expanded to the whole building, where he founded a dormitory and orphanage for Holocaust survivors and students from needy families. In 1961, he constructed a new building in the empty lot adjacent to the yeshiva. It was named Ohel Shimon-Erlau after his grandfather, HaRav Shimon Sofer. This new campus includes a Bais Hamedrash, which serves until today as the main Bais Hamedrash and study hall for the yeshiva gedolah, a smaller study hall for the yeshiva ketana, dormitory, classrooms, library, kitchen and offices. In addition, he opened the Institute for Research of the Teachings of the Chasam Sofer. This Institute researches and deciphers handwritten documents of the Chasam Sofer, his pupils and descendants. It has brought to light and printed hundreds of sefarim and distributed them worldwide. The Rebbe was appointed to the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah of Agudath Israel by the Beis Yisroel when he was only 38 years of age. At the time, the protocol was amended to allow this new member, as the original protocol allowed only Rabbonim above the age of 40 to join. He was also appointed a member of the administration of Mifal HaShas by that organizations founder, the Klausenberger Rebbe ZATZAL. Yehi Zichro Boruch (YWN World Headquarters NYC) A military author says its time to find where scores of Maryland soldiers are buried in New York City so a monument can be erected to honor their sacrifice during the Revolutionary Wars Battle of Brooklyn 240 years ago this summer. My goal is to make people aware of the story, and hopefully someone will put the resources together to find out where theyre buried, said Patrick K. ODonnell, whose book Washingtons Immortals portrays the Maryland troops as some of Gen. George Washingtons most dependable fighters during the eight-year war. Local lore in Brooklyn says they were buried somewhere in what is now the boroughs Park Slope neighborhood. They died, along with hundreds of other Americans, during the August 1776 engagement, also known as the Battle of Long Island, that was the wars largest. Hundreds of Maryland soldiers made several assaults against a larger British force centered around a stone farmhouse. The ferocious bayonet charges prevented two wings of the advancing redcoats from attacking the 10,000 Americans outnumbered about 2 to 1 who had retreated to Brooklyn Heights. The British commander decided to put off resuming the attack until the next day. The delay gave Washington time to ferry his entire army across the East River to Manhattan in the dead of night. The British took control of New York the next month, but Washingtons forces escaped to continue the fight for independence. They saved the army there, but they saved the army several times, especially in the South, ODonnell said. Theyre Washingtons shock troops. According to some accounts, more than 250 out of what became known as the Maryland 400 died in the fight at the farmhouse, although the exact number killed remains murky. Their burial place has never been found. Some historians believe they were buried in unmarked trenches next to the farmhouse, while others say the more likely burial spot is nearby, under what is now a vacant private lot. The last official archaeological excavations, conducted in the 1950s, failed to turn up any evidence of military burials from the battle. The burial location remains one of the great questions of the battle, one of great mysteries of history in Brooklyn, said Kim Maier, executive director of the Old Stone House, a museum reconstructed nearby in 1933 from material from the original battlefield structure that was torn down nearly 120 years ago. Washingtons Immortals is a bit of a departure for ODonnell, author of nine previous books, most of them about World War II spies and elite American units such as the U.S. Army Rangers. He said he became obsessed with the Marylanders story after touring the Brooklyn battles sites in 2010. ODonnell, who lives outside Washington, D.C., spent the next five years researching the Marylanders exploits, visiting every battlefield where they fought from New York to South Carolina and combing through archives in the U.S. and Britain. What he learned prompted him to dub those patriots Americas original band of brothers, men who continued the fight despite overwhelming odds and constant lack of food, clothing and equipment. These volunteers marched often barefoot, starving and unpaid thousands of miles and battled the one of the finest armies in the world at the time, ODonnell said. (AP) The Supreme Court abhors even numbers. But thats just what the court will have to deal with, perhaps for many months, after the death of Justice Antonin Scalia. Eight justices will decide what to do, creating the prospect of 4-4 ties. Here are some questions and answers about the effect on the court of the death of its conservative icon and longest-serving justice: Q. What happens to cases in which Scalia cast a vote or drafted an opinion, but no decision has been publicly announced? A. It may sound harsh, but Scalias votes and draft opinions in pending cases no longer matter. Veteran Supreme Court lawyer Roy Englert says that the vote of a deceased justice does not count. Nothing is final at the court until it is released publicly and, while it is rare, justices have flipped their votes and the outcomes in some cases. Q. What happens if there is a tie? A. The justices have two options. They can vote to hear the case a second time when a new colleague joins them or they can hand down a one-sentence opinion that upholds the result reached in the lower court without setting a nationwide rule. When confirmation of a new justice is expected to happen quickly, re-argument is more likely. In this political environment, the vacancy could last into 2017. Q. Why doesnt the court like tie votes? A. A major function of the Supreme Court is to resolve disputes among lower courts and establish legal precedents for the entire country. Tie votes frustrate those goals and they essentially waste the courts time. Q. How does Scalias death affect specific cases? A. It deprives conservatives of a key vote and probably will derail some anticipated conservative victories in major Supreme Court cases, including one in which labor unions appeared headed for a big defeat. Next months Supreme Court clash over contraceptives, religious liberty and President Barack Obamas health care law also now seems more likely to favor the Obama administration. Q. Unions have suffered a string of defeats at the Supreme Court. Is that likely to change? A. Yes, at least in the short term. Many of the cases involving organized labor were decided on 5-4 votes, with the conservative justices lining up against the unions and the liberal justices in support. The pending case seemed like more of the same. Public sector labor unions had been bracing for a stinging defeat in a lawsuit over whether they can collect fees from government workers who choose not to join the union. The case affects more than 5 million workers in 23 states and Washington, D.C., and seeks to overturn a nearly 40-year-old Supreme Court decision. Now, what seemed like a certain 5-4 split, with the conservatives in the majority and the liberals in dissent, instead looks like a tie that would be resolved in favor of the unions, because they won in the lower courts. Q. What other pending cases could be affected? A. A challenge to the way governments have drawn electoral districts for 50 years now appears to have little chance of finding a court majority. The court heard arguments in December in a case from Texas on the meaning of the principle of one person, one vote, which the court has said requires that political districts be roughly equal in population. But it has left open the question of whether states must count all residents, including noncitizens and children, or only eligible voters in drawing district lines. Q. What will happen in the upcoming case over the Obama health care overhaul? A. The Supreme Court will be looking at the health care law for the fourth time since its 2010 enactment. This time, the focus is on the arrangement the Obama administration worked out to spare faith-based hospitals, colleges and charities from paying for contraceptives for women covered under their health plans, while still ensuring that those women can obtain birth control at no extra cost as the law requires. The faith-based groups argue that the accommodation still makes them complicit in providing contraception to which they have religious objections. A tie vote here would sow rather than alleviate confusion because the appellate courts that have looked at the issue have not all come out the same way. That prospect suggests that Justice Anthony Kennedy will join the courts four liberal justices to uphold the arrangement, Supreme Court lawyer Thomas Goldstein said. Q. Are there cases in which a tie would be a loss for the Obama administration? A. The administrations plan to shield up to 5 million people from deportation was struck down by lower courts and a Supreme Court tie would leave that ruling in place. On abortion, the administration is backing a challenge to Texas strict new regulations for abortion clinics. A federal appeals court upheld the regulations. (AP) North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has praised scientists involved in the countrys recent rocket launch that he said struck a telling blow to enemies and ordered them to press ahead with more launches, state media reported Monday. Earlier this month, North Korea ignored repeated international warnings and launched what it said was an Earth observation satellite aboard a rocket. Washington, Seoul and other view the launch as a prohibited test of missile technology and are pushing hard to have Pyongyang slapped with strong sanctions. The Norths official Korean Central News Agency said the ruling Workers Party on Saturday gave a banquet in honor of scientists, officials and others who it said contributed to the Feb. 7 rocket launch. Kim and his top deputies were present. In a speech, Kim said the launch gave confidence and courage to his people and dealt a telling blow to the enemies seeking to block the advance of our country, KCNA said, in an apparent reference to Seoul and Washington. Kim said the Norths launch decision was made when the hostile forces were getting evermore frantic to suffocate North Korea, and called for launching more working satellites in the future. The launch, which followed the Norths fourth nuclear test last month, aggravated already-strained ties between the rival Koreas. Last week, Pyongyang expelled all South Korean workers from a jointly run factory park in the North and put the area in charge of the military in retaliation for Seouls decision to suspend operations there. Seoul on Sunday accused North Korea of having channeled about 70 percent of the money it received for workers at the Kaesong park into its weapons programs and to buy luxury goods for the impoverished nations tiny elite. North Korea was able to divert the money because the workers in Kaesong were not paid directly. Instead, U.S. dollars were paid to the North Korean government, which siphoned off most of the money and paid only what it wanted to the employees in North Korean currency and store vouchers, according to a statement from Seouls Unification Ministry. The South Korean government estimate did not detail how it arrived at that percentage. North Korea has previously dismissed such views. The jointly run park, which was the Koreas last major cooperation project, employed about 54,000 North Koreans who worked for more than 120 South Korean companies, most of them small and medium-size manufacturers. The project, which began during an era of relatively good relations between the Koreas, combined cheap North Korean labor with the capital and technology of wealthy South Korea. While the Kaesong closure will hurt North Korea, it is not critical to that nations economy. North Korea gets the vast majority of its earnings from trade with China. (AP) George W. Bush won a bruising South Carolina presidential primary on his way to the Oval Office, as his father did before him. Now its his brothers turn, and for Jeb Bush, the most consequential foreign policy decisions of his brothers tenure are suddenly front-and-center in his bid for the Republican presidential nomination thanks to Donald Trump. The 43rd president already had announced plans to campaign for his younger brother Monday in South Carolina, marking his most direct entry into the 2016 race to date, when Trump, the GOP front-runner, used the final debate before the states Feb. 20 primary as an opportunity to excoriate George W. Bushs performance as commander in chief. The former president, Trump said, ignored the advice of his CIA and destabilized the Middle East by invading Iraq on dubious claims that Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction. I want to tell you: They lied, Trump said. They said there were weapons of mass destruction. And they knew there were none. Trump dismissed Jeb Bushs suggestion that George W. Bush built a security apparatus to keep us safe after the 9/11 attacks. The World Trade Center came down during your brothers reign, Trump said, adding: Thats not keeping us safe. The onslaught blood sport for Trump, Jeb said was the latest example of the billionaire businessmans penchant for mocking his rival as a weak, privileged instrument of the Republican Party establishment. But the exchange also highlighted the former Florida governors embrace of his family name as he jockeys with Florida Sen. Marco Rubio and Ohio Gov. John Kasich to emerge from South Carolina as the clear challenger to Trump, who won the New Hampshire primary, and Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, the victor in Iowas caucuses. The approach takes away from Bushs months-long insistence that hes running as my own man, but could be a perfect fit for South Carolina. The Bush name is golden in my state, says South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham, who ended his White House run in December and endorsed Jeb Bush in January. George W. Bush retains wide appeal among Republicans, from evangelicals and business leaders to military veterans. All are prominent in South Carolina, with Bush campaign aide Brett Doster going so far as to say that George W. Bush is the most popular Republican alive. After the debate, some Republicans again suggested Trump had gone too far. Bush wasnt alone on stage leaping to his brothers defense, with Rubio coming back to the moment to say, I thank God all the time it was George W. Bush in the White House on 9/11 and not Al Gore. The attack on George W. Bush carries risk for Trump, given the Bush familys long social and political ties in South Carolina and the states hawkish national security bent, bolstered by more than a half-dozen military installations and a sizable population of veterans who choose to retire in the state. Bush and his backers certainly hope its the case. Right to Rise USA, a super political action committee backing Bush, is airing two television ads blasting Trump and touting Bush for taking him on, and on Friday, a committee spokesman says, a radio ad will launch that compiles multiple audio clips of Trump using profanity in public settings, most recently when he used an uncouth epithet about Cruz. The time is now for South Carolina to end the Trump charade, an announcer says. Yet Trump has repeatedly defied predictions that his comments might threaten his perch atop the field. As he jousted Saturday with Trump, Jeb Bush said, this is not about my family or his family. But the Bushes have quite a history in South Carolina. In 2000, George W. Bush beat John McCain in a nasty contest, marred by rumors that McCain had an illegitimate black child. McCain adopted a child from Bangladesh. George H.W. Bush, the 41st president, won twice here, beating Bob Dole in 1988 and demolishing Pat Buchanan in 1992. One of the elder Bushs top strategists, Lee Atwater, hailed from South Carolina. Last week, Jeb Bush touted the endorsement of Iris Campbell, the widow of former South Carolina Gov. Carroll Campbell, a national co-chairman of previous Bush presidential campaigns. Yet even as he defended his brothers presidency at Saturdays debate, Jeb Bush found a way to distance himself from George W. Bushs business affairs and criticized Trump at the same time. The issue: eminent domain. Before entering politics, George W. Bush was part-owner of the Texas Rangers, and their home city of Arlington, Texas, used eminent domain to take private land and build a stadium for the team. Trump has defended such uses of eminent domain as a way to foster economic development. Retorted Bush, who argued eminent domain should be reserved for public infrastructure projects, There is all sorts of intrigue about where I disagree with my brother. There would be one right there. (AP) Major Arab countries are changing their view of Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told a visiting Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations leadership delegation in Jerusalem on Sunday. They dont see Israel anymore as their enemy, but they see Israel as their ally, especially in the battle against militant Islam with its two fountainheads: the militant Islamists led by Iran, and the militant Islamists led by Daesh (Islamic State), Netanyahu said, adding, This is something that is forging new ties, many of them discreet, some of them open. Meanwhile, Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon said at the Munich Security Conference on Sunday, We have channels to talk with our Arab neighbors, the Sunni statesnot just Jordan and Egypt, with which we have peace, the Gulf states and North African states too. The situation is sensitive. We cannot even shake hands in public. (Source: JNS.org) New British government directives are aiming to prevent public bodies, universities, and student unions from boycotting Israeli products, The Independent reported Sunday. According to The Sunday Times, the move follows mounting concern among Jewish leaders about anti-Semitism. British media quoted U.K. Cabinet Office Minister Matthew Hancock as saying such boycotts are divisive, potentially damaging to the U.K.s relationship with Israel, and risk fueling anti-Semitism. The new bill, already described as a controversial crackdown, seeks to prevent any public body from imposing a boycott on a World Trade Organization member, which Israel has been since 1995. The regulation will essentially outlaw boycotting Israeli productsa threat often made against goods produced in Judea and Samariaand allow the British government to take legal action against organizations that impose such boycotts. Under the plan, all publicly funded institutions would be barred from excluding goods produced by their idea of unethical companies, such as companies involved in arms trading, fossil fuels, tobacco products, or companies based in Judea and Samaria. Any public bodies that continue to pursue boycotts would face severe penalties, The Independent reported. Critics of the initiative said it constituted a gross attack on democratic freedoms. (Source: JNS.org) [By Judith Dinowitz] On February 2nd and 3rd, parents in Brooklyn and Queens attended important workshops on special education. Hosted by Agudath Israels highly successful Project LEARN, the workshops featured a step-by-step, detailed explanation of the application process to obtain special education services. Parents were able to interact directly to members of the New York Citys Committee for Special Education (CSE), asking questions and clarifying options in seeking help for their children. As Claire Donnellan, Deputy Executive Director of the Committees on Special Education (CSE), explained, these workshops were created to make the process of obtaining services less mysterious for parents, as well as to build communication and partnerships between the CSEs and families. Jennifer Lozano-Luna, CSE Chairperson, and Lynette Aqueron, Senior School Improvement Specialist for Special Education, guided parents through a slide presentation that addressed every aspect of the process for both preschool and school-age children. They then answered such questions as how long parents can expect each step to take. The five steps of the process are: Referral, Consent for Evaluation, Evaluation, the CPSE (Committee on Preschool Special Education) or CSE Meeting, and the Annual Review or occasional Reevaluation. The presenters stressed that parental consent is essential for the process to move forward, and that by law, all evaluations must be completed within 60 calendar days from the time a parent gives consent. If the process has stalled, parents can always reach out to their CPSE or CSE Chairperson to investigate. Participants received a sheet with the names and phone numbers of local committee administrators. CSE Chairpersons Esther Morrell and Arlene Rosenstock stayed after the workshops to meet privately for one-on-one consultations. In the question and answer session at the end of the meeting, some participants expressed concern about delays they had experienced in finding service providers for their children once services were approved. Parents appreciated the detailed explanation and the clarifications of often confusing terminology. It was a good beginning, one mother said, just to get the background terminology so that when I proceed, I understand. A service coordinator who attended added, They really gave a clear description of who to contact for each issue, and where those issues may arise. Many parents also were happy for the opportunity to meet directly with members of the Department of Education. It was nice to have people to meet with, when you have problems, said one mother. Another parent remarked, Making the connection was more important to me than the lecture. Mrs. Leah Steinberg, Director of Project LEARN, remarked, These workshops were a huge help to parents. I thank Bais Yaakov of Queens and Prospect Park Yeshiva for Girls for providing meeting space, and the Department of Education for sending so many professional presenters. There was a true spirit of collaboration in the room for the benefit of the children. I hope that this will be the first of many such workshops to help parents navigate the complex process of securing special education services for their children. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) Donald Trump and Texas Sen. Ted Cruz continued to joust for primacy heading into the South Carolina primary next weekend, foregoing policy differences for name-calling and insults. Trump called Cruz nuts, dishonest and an unstable person, while Cruz questioned both Trumps conservative credentials and whether he had the temperament to be president. Cruz is trying to weaken Trumps standing among South Carolinas social conservatives and evangelical Christians, a key voting bloc in Saturdays contest. The people of South Carolina want a consistent conservative they can trust, Cruz told reporters before his rally in Aiken. About the same time at a rally 130 miles away in Mount Pleasant, Trump called Cruz the most dishonest guy I think Ive ever met in politics. I think hes an unstable person, he said, later declaring: Hes nuts Speaking to hundreds of supporters, Cruz said he intends to make the presidential race a referendum on the Supreme Court and the importance of electing a president who will nominate conservatives. The issue is at the forefront of the presidential race following the sudden death of conservative Justice Antonin Scalia, whom Cruz praised as a lion of the law. Cruz said before his rally that a vote for Trump would be a vote for doing away with Second Amendment gun rights, predicting that the billionaire businessman would appoint liberal justices to the Supreme Court. He ticked off a list of Democrats Trump had donated to in the past, including 2004 presidential nominee John Kerry. Cruz also took issue with Trump and Florida Sen. Marco Rubio. Both called him a liar during Saturdays debate. Cruz said they both simply scream Liar, liar!' whenever their records are questioned, and that approach would not work when negotiating with the likes of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Cruz also blasted Trumps apparent confusion during a Republican debate last year over what constituted the nuclear triad as an example of how the real estate mogul is unprepared to be president. And Cruz again returned to criticizing Trumps praise of Planned Parenthood. Cruz released a television ad on Sunday attacking Trump for previously saying Planned Parenthood serves a good function. In Saturdays debate Trump said that the organization does do wonderful things, but not as it relates to abortion. Hes entitled to have that opinion, Cruz said Monday. A lot of liberal Democrats have that opinion. Cruz also said Rubios positions on supporting a path to citizenship puts him in line with a lot of liberal Democrats including Hillary Clinton. Rubio has previously supported a path to citizenship for people in the country illegally, but has backed off that position and now says border security must be increased first. Even as Cruz sharpened his attacks on Rubio and Trump, he said the campaign shouldnt just be about insults and personal attacks. (AP) In his last shiur to talmidim prior to entering prison on Tuesday, 7 Adar I, Rabbi Yoshiyahu Pinto instructed them not to be sad but to remain upbeat and to be thankful to HKBH. Rabbi Pinto will be serving his sentence in the Nitzan Prison. HKBH does what he wishes, not just that it is good for us but we must thank Him, even when it is not pleasant for us we must thank Him. The rav spoke in some detail of the difficulties he is experiencing due to his cancer, stating I am dealing with a difficult health situation and that is what troubles me. He told talmidim he was the victim of bloodshed, but he knows this was not for naught but This was a tikun for olamos haelyonim which we had to endure. We do not permit anyone to express even the most minute measure of sorrow for there is no reason for the suffering has been to our meritthe ruchniyus is what is important. After exhausting all his appeals to the High Court of Justice, it became clear to Rabbi Pinto that all that remains is to enter prison and serve his one-year sentence in line with the plea bargain agreement that he signed with the prosecution. The rabbi will be jailed in a hospital facility and upon entry to the prison system, he will be checked thoroughly by doctors. On his way to Nitzan Prison on Tuesday the rav did not feel well and with permission from the prison authority, he redirected to Hadassah Ein Kerem for treatment. His entry to prison was delayed from noon to 13:00 as a result. It is reported that the rabbi will be in Hadassah often for continued treatment and follow-up of his cancer during his 12-month imprisonment. (YWN Israel Desk, Jerusalem) Not everyone who one might expect to support the so-called Suspension Law is on board. Among those opposing the bill are President Reuven Rivlin and Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein. The President spoke in reference to the recently proposed Suspension Law and said that it was an example of a problematic understanding of parliamentary democracy. He said, The President and the Speaker of the Knesset are chosen by the Knesset, which also has the power to dismiss them, but unlike that relating to the President, the law to depose a Member of Knesset oversteps the reality that the Knesset is representative of the sovereign, not the sovereign itself, and places the elected above the public. The Attorney General must instruct an investigation into Members of Knesset who have, or are suspected of having broken the law, and any such criminal investigation should be conducted thoroughly following the removal of parliamentary immunity. And yet, we cannot allow the Knesset, whose representatives are chosen by the public, to independently overturn the publics choices. A Knesset that is able, even if justly, to today decide upon the cessation of the office of such representatives of the public, will tomorrow, unjustly do so to others, and then where will we be? And those sitting here today at the Begin Center will remember well the days without Herut and Maki. (Referencing Ben-Gurions words during disputes with leaders of the right wing Herut party, and Maki, the Communist Party of Israel.) The Knesset cannot be allowed, as a legislative body to become judge and jury. Such a situation will over time, overstep and undermine its purpose, and the sole victim will be the State of Israel. The President condemned the activity of the Members of Knesset who visited terrorists families, and stressed the duty of the Attorney General to address the issue. He said, When three Members of Knesset decide to visit the families of terrorists, to spit in the faces of the citizens of Israel, in the faces of the families of the victims, in the faces of all those working to rebuild trust between the Jewish and Arab citizens of Israel it is not only the right of the Attorney General to instruct an investigation of the facts, it is his duty to do so. The President added, At the same time, even if it is appropriate that they stand trial, Heaven help us if the Knesset would be the one to sit in judgment. As such, it is the task of the liberal right to shape, within the right camp, a fresh alternative, decisive and cutting to the narrow version of democracy. This is an ideological and educational struggle, yet one that must take place also in practice. If the liberal right will succeed in this mission, as it has succeeded in the past, it will reward the State of Israel with an invaluable gift a government that is not only of the people, but a liberal democracy which will be of the people, and at the same time, respect the individual. Rivlin and Edelstein are going head-to-head with PM Netanyahu, who has consulted with the Attorney General to determine the legality of such a law, which would permit a majority of 90 Knesset members to vote out a colleague who has spoken out or acted against the State of Israel. Another coalition member who has spoken out against the bill is Bayit Yehudi MK Betzalel Smotrich, who warns today it is going to be used against Arab lawmakers but tomorrow it will be used against chareidim. (YWN Israel Desk, Jerusalem) A hunting dog with mutilated ears. Twenty-six hunters have been arrested in the Andalusian province of Huelva for mutilating hundreds of dogs, whose tails and ears they sliced off with their own knives. Six veterinarians are also being held in custody for allegedly issuing phony certificates to try to cover up the crude procedures. To see such clumsy mutilations of ears and tails, and especially to see veterinarians trying to cover it up, in our day and age, is frankly surprising. Were talking about slicing animals ears right off, said one source familiar with the case. It is cruelty without anesthesia, just to save themselves the vet fee. The owner is aware that the animal is suffering As a result of the mutilations, the dogs were left with open wounds that can take years to heal or never will. The hunters goal was to save themselves the 40 charged by veterinary clinics for the operation. By law, however, cosmetic surgeries of this nature have been banned in Andalusia since 2003. The raid, named Operation Ears by the Civil Guards environmental protection department, Seprona, began a year ago. Sources said they expected the number of arrests to rise to 50 among the community of hunters and pit bull owners in three different areas in Huelva. After the environmental prosecutors office got involved, a court this week handed down a 10-month prison sentence to the first of the hunters, said sources familiar with the situation. Most of the suspects have refused to give statements following their arrest, but privately asserted that cutting off their own dogs ears and tails is an ancestral tradition meant to prevent them from getting caught in the thorns of brambles. As such, they claim that they were simply following a rural tradition. The Andalusian governments health department and the regional council of veterinary associations have been cooperating with the Civil Guard to determine the responsibility of the six professionals involved in the case. Since 2003, Andalusian laws have established that dog mutilation for purely esthetic reasons or without any use, save that practiced by veterinarians is a very serious breach of animal rights legislation. For years many Huelva hunters have traveled to vet clinics in the nearby region of Extremadura to bypass Andalusian legislation. However, last year several hunters presented inspectors with dubious-looking Andalusian vet certificates, with a single document for more than one dog. Officers began investigating various zoological premises where hunters keep their packs, which are typically made of up 24 dogs. Alfonso Aguado, president of the Spanish Association of Pack Dog Keepers, has hit back with a veiled threat of his own: This is manifestly an unfair act by the Civil Guard. If people are being arrested for this motive, we feel that it is the authority which is placing itself outside the law. This is our starting point for any discussion. Sources said they expected the number of arrests to rise to 50 among the community of hunters and pit bull owners in three Huelva areas Aguado admits that his association tries, though not always successfully, to get hunters to perform the ear and tail cuts with sanitary guarantees. But he also spoke out in the hunters defense. We are expressing our protest because theyve been treating us abusively. If it is dog welfare that they want, what [the Civil Guard officers] need to do is talk, instead of arresting dog pack keepers. Aguado also denies that cutting off the animals ears and tails is a cosmetic issue, and claims that mutilating their ears benefits the dogs. But Huelva prosecutors confirm the seriousness of the abuse. It is cruelty without anesthesia, just to save themselves the vet fee. The owner is aware that the animal is suffering, said a source at the prosecutors office. The investigation shows that some of the dogs had very recent open wounds, urinary incontinence and fear of humans. Economic favors for the vets The suspect vets allegedly issued certificates to the hunters to try to give legal cover to the rudimentary surgeries. This represents a violation of ethical codes and criminal conduct in that they forged public documents. These individuals are also facing preliminary charges of cover-up and being an accessory to abuse. In exchange for issuing these legal documents, the vets were allegedly rewarded by becoming the service providers for all animals at the premises, including microchips and vaccinations for all new pups. This represents unfair competition with regard to other veterinary surgeons who were respectful of the law, prosecutors argue. Fidel Astudillo, president of the Andalusian Council of Veterinary Associations, said that the suspect vets will have their licenses revoked if they are found guilty by a court of law. The community of 3,700 Andalusian vets has an interest in clearing this up. If there are professionals involved, there is no reason why they should jeopardize the credibility of everyone else. English version by Susana Urra. This site contains copyrighted material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. The material is being made available in an effort to advance understanding of technology, for non-profit research and educational purposes only. I believe this constitutes a 'fair use' of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. If you wish to use this copyrighted material for purposes of your own that go beyond 'fair use,' you must obtain permission from the copyright owner. This is a completely non-commercial site for private personal use. On December 7, I sent a parcel of Christmas presents to my grand-daughter, paying Parcelforce 12.98 for the 48-hour service. The tracking service said it had been delivered on December 9 at 5pm, but it wasnt. A long conversation with Parcelforce got me nowhere and a letter dated December 18 was ignored. On December 28, I wrote directly to Parcelforces managing director Gary Simpson but I have not had a reply. P. G., Flintshire. No show: Parcelforce managed to lose 70 worth of Christmas presents one reader had sent to their grand-daughter What has it come to when a letter to the office of the managing director of Parcelforce part of Royal Mail doesnt even elicit the courtesy of a response? This is one occasion when being lost in the post is no excuse they are the post! And please dont tell me Royal Mail employees now only respond to emails. It seems your package was delivered to a post office by a Parcelforce driver who has since left the business hence the amount of time it took to carry out the investigation. It wasnt clear which post office it was delivered to, but having searched two possible ones, the items have not turned up. Parcelforce has now settled your claim for 70 for the contents and a refund of the postage. It has also added 10 goodwill to cover the cost of your phone calls, plus a tiny bit on top. But none of this makes up for the disappointment of Christmas presents that failed to arrive on time. However, Parcelforce has now been in contact with you to apologise for the inconvenience. A spokesman says: We value our customers greatly and regret that on this occasion Mr G. did not get the great customer service we always aim to deliver to all our customers. So what happened to your letter to the managing directors office? It seems it was received but incorrectly filed which is why you didnt get a reply. Lets face it, these mistakes can happen to all of us. I had a lot of problems with Vodafone so decided to cancel my contract and pay a 124 early exit fee. That was on October 5, 2014. When I asked to pay the fee I was told there was no one in the office who could take the money. I was told a bill would be sent to me. After numerous emails, phone calls and letters, I have had no reply and no bill. As we had cancelled the direct debit, we couldnt pay online. We couldnt pay by phone because the account number was no longer recognised. Now Vodafone says it is putting the matter in the hands of debt collectors, who incidentally have no details about us at all. W. I., Hants. Good old Vodafone. Even when you want to pay a bill it puts up barriers to prevent you doing so. The problem is that when you cancelled your direct debit, it couldnt take the termination fee that would have been added to your November bill. Its always worth leaving a direct debit open for a few months so any refund due can be made or take a final payment. If it gets it wrong, the direct debit guarantee puts the onus on your bank to sort it out. A Vodafone spokesperson says: Were sorry this happened as its clear that Mr I made every effort to pay his bill. There is nothing owing on his account now, and well make sure there is no adverse information on his credit file. Vodafone has refunded you 65 by way of apology. YOU HAVE YOUR SAY Every week Money Mail receives hundreds of letters and emails about our stories. Heres what you had to say about our report into banks that dont let good borrowers extend their mortgage: My husband is about to turn 60 and, despite having a large deposit, we cannot get a mortgage. Even though Im younger than he is, the bank looks at his age first. P. F., Chester. Ive always thought the point of home ownership is to be able to live mortgage-free once you reach retirement. I would hate to be in the situation where I was having to borrow more at that stage of life. J. B., London. I dont understand why banks think it is OK to sell equity-release products, but not give them a short, interest-only mortgage at least with the latter the debt doesnt keep growing. D. J., Doncaster. As long as the borrower is making repayments and there is a plan in place to repay the mortgage, I dont see why a bank would not agree to a mortgage. They are just making life onerous because they can. J. S., Sevenoaks, Kent. Any decision about a mortgage should be based on the persons ability to repay the loan, not how old they are. T. N., Surbiton, Surrey. I dont generally agree with equity release, but this seems like the sort of situation where it may have to be used if banks arent willing to lend. T. H., Halesworth, Suffolk. Rather than remortgage in retirement, surely it would be better to just avoid all of this hassle and downsize. J. N., Devon. People are older before they get on the property ladder these days so its not surprising if they need their mortgages into their 70s. Banks need to catch up. V. G., London. I know that most banks have an upper age limit on their mortgage lending, but they should really use it as more of a guide and be flexible depending on peoples circumstances. J. R., Warwick. People berate the banks for their decision not to lend to older people but the real problem is the regulators. The bank probably wants to offer this loan its low risk and it wants the money but it is scared of putting a foot wrong. S.R., London. EDF replaced my meter in December 2011, then began sending me inaccurate estimated bills. Though I reported this, it claimed the new meter wasnt operating until June 2013. At this stage, I was sent a bill crediting me with 3,748.87 made up of cancelled charges, a VAT rebate, goodwill gestures and a government rebate. To this day, EDF is reluctant to say when and how it applied the code for accurate billing. Also, does HMRC receive the returned VAT that the computer program records has been returned to a customers account? To top it all, Ive been summoned to appear at a magistrates court by EDF but no hearing is listed. R. N., Bromley, Gtr London. Your letter suggests youve had a rough time with EDF. But you omitted one important point: Ombudsman Services has already reviewed your complaint and you refused its decision. It ordered, among other things, a written apology, confirmation that a 30 goodwill payment had been made, any erroneous VAT charges removed and an accurate bill issued upon receipt of up-to-date meter readings. EDF has fulfilled these obligations but you are refusing to pay money you owe. EDF was initially at fault because it did not update the details on its computer system when it installed a meter at your property. However, it then applied the back billing code which meant you were only charged for 12 months energy usage up to June 5, 2013. This led to the 3,748.87 cancelled charges and rebates. As for the VAT 172 was refunded to you, so there is nothing for EDF to pay HMRC. EDF has written to you on several occasions requesting payment. Pre-warrant visits were made and letters hand-delivered. As the bill still remained unpaid, EDF applied for a Rights of Entry warrant and a debt-related charge of 60 was added to your account. It admits the hearing did not go ahead, so that 60 has been removed. You should contact EDF and discuss a repayment plan. Can I remind readers that I will not intervene on a case that is with an ombudsman or that has been decided by an ombudsman in favour of a company. I will only look at an ombudsman complaint if the ombudsman has found in your favour and the firm has not abided by the ruling. Cruise ships are back at a new terminal on the famous waterfront outside the Three Graces of Liverpool the Royal Liver Building, the Cunard Building and the Port of Liverpool. It was here that thousands of well-wishers gathered last summer when Cunards Three Queens the Queen Elizabeth, Queen Victoria and Queen Mary 2 returned to their spiritual home to celebrate the birth of the cruise line in Liverpool 175 years earlier. The celebration marked a significant day for the city. The River Mersey has long been the lifeblood of Liverpool helping to turn the city into the one of the greatest ports in the world in its heyday. Special guest: Cunards Queen Mary 2 returns to its spiritual home to celebrate the birth of the cruise line in Liverpool 175 years earlier It now marks the start of what could be its revival putting Liverpool at the heart of George Osbornes Northern Powerhouse. A deep water container terminal at the Port of Liverpool is part of variously dubbed the Ocean or Atlantic Gateway that will see 50billion invested in 50 projects in the North West over 50 years. The container terminal, known as Liverpool2, can cater for a giant new breed of post-Panamax container ships the biggest ever to take to the seas and so large the Panama Canal had to be widened to accommodate them opening up the North West to new trade from all over the world. Liverpool already handles 45 per cent of all UK-bound container traffic from North America and the city is the closest port to over half of UK manufacturers. But 91 per cent of deep sea containers that come to the UK enter via ports in the South. Today Lord Heseltine will speak to Liverpool business leaders at the Mansion House in the heart of the City of London. Heseltine, dubbed the minister for Merseyside for his work turning the citys fortunes around after the 1981 riots, will hail Liverpool as one of the leading lights in the Northern Powerhouse and the gateway to the Atlantic. Liverpool has a real opportunity to shape its own destiny and it will be important to set clear priorities for investment for it to really thrive as part of the Northern Powerhouse, he will say. The citys post-war decline has been well-documented and the dark days of the 1970s and 1980s, including the strikes and the riots, still hang over the region. Unemployment of nearly 10 per cent in Liverpool compares with a national average of around 5 per cent while typical incomes and life expectancy are far lower than in other parts of the country. Official figures show Liverpools economy shrank by 0.8pc between 2009 and 2014 making the only one of 13 cities covered in the report by the Office for National Statistics to see output fall (see graph). But transformation is imminent. The Ocean Gateway project is being led by Peel Group and involves the redevelopment of the Manchester Ship Canal as well as the Port of Liverpool and the Wirral Waters project on the other side of the Mersey in Birkenhead. Peel chairman John Whittaker sees the regeneration and renaissance of the corridor between Merseyside and Greater Manchester as the chance to create the most dynamic and economically sustainable region in the UK. He warns, however, that more needs to be done to give the private sector the confidence and ability to deliver in the North. Part of that is the Chancellors devolution revolution, where regional cities will get more powers, though critics argue this is no silver bullet for Liverpool and the surrounding region. Merseyside voters will next year chose a directly elected mayor who will take on a raft of powers and 30million of investment a year for the next 30 years a total pot of 900million. But not everyone convinced by talk of the Northern Powerhouse and some senior business figures in Liverpool worry that the real focus is on Manchester and Leeds. The feeling is not helped by the fact that Osbornes constituency of Tatton lies just outside Manchester. And there is also concern that the Government is more interested in the North-South HS2 rail link rather than the West-East HS3 line. Whereas it can take just over two hours to take a train from Liverpool to London, it takes over three hours to get from Liverpool to Newcastle. Economists warn that the Northern Powerhouse must focus on growth across the region not just a handful of hotspots. In the North East, there is concern that areas such as Teesside will be left behind. The closure of the SSI steel works in Redcar with the loss of thousands of jobs has hit the region hard. Wide load: The Liverpool2 container terminal will be able to cater for giant post-Panamax container ships like China's CSCL Globe (pictured), which are so large the Panama Canal had to be widened to accommodate them According to analysis by KPMG, of the 20 investment opportunities pitched to Chinese investors during the Chancellors recent visit to China, only two were in the North East and none were in the Tees Valley and Durham region. Business leaders across the North are desperate to attract new investment and improve transport links. Robert Hough, chairman of the Local Enterprise Partnership in Liverpool, says the regions entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well but adds that connectivity to both new and existing markets is crucial to the success of the Northern Powerhouse. John Hall, chief executive of Professional Liverpool, which promotes financial services and the professions across the region, says todays gathering with Heseltine at Mansion House in London is an attempt to put Liverpool on the map. There are plenty of success stories, from Jaguar Land Rover at Halewood to the record number of start-ups in Liverpool in 2015. Liverpool will host the International Festival for Business this June. That Liverpool has been chosen to host as it was in 2014 and has been for 2018 and 2020 is a major coup for Merseyside and the North West as the region looks to consign years of economic failure to history. A recent report by the University of Liverpool and Liverpool John Moores University notes: Liverpool city region faces many significant economic and social challenges and it still compares unfavourably with many city regions in the UK and beyond. But it has shown it is moving in the right direction. Devolution can help with this. But it is not a silver bullet. 'The last thing the city region needs to do is find itself in spring 2017 with lots of new powers and responsibilities but no plans or people in place to put them into action. Crucial to this will be the Mersey, just as it was when the old dock opened for business in 1715, making Liverpool the birthplace of modern commercial shipping. Too good to discount? Pernod Ricard is refusing to get drawn in to a supermarket price war The maker of Absolut vodka, Jameson whiskey, Beefeater gin and Havana Club rum has refused to enter into a supermarket price war, writes Laura Chesters. Pernod Ricard, the worlds second largest spirits company, said firms had come under pressure from the big stores to offer bottles of spirits at an offer price of 15 a litre at Christmas. But Pernod Ricard refused and said it kept prices constant to focus on value not volume, meaning not worrying about how much of a drink they can sell. Alex Ricard, grandson of one of Pernod Ricards founders who is a year into his job as chief executive and chairman of the 20billion company, said: We age some of our spirits for 12 or 15 years, why give it away? 'Consumers are ready to pay a premium if they think it deserves it if the brand has both substance and style. He said the company may have commercial conflicts with the likes of supermarkets but that it will stick with its value over volume plan. Bringing up a child in the UK costs almost a quarter of a million pounds, more than the price of an average home, research suggests. With spiralling childcare and education costs, the average cost of raising a child to the age of 21 in the UK is 231,843, the Centre for Economics and Business Research and insurer LV said. It added that households spend around 38 per cent of their combined net incomes on raising a child. According to building society Nationwide, the average UK home cost 196,829 in January 2016. Cute but costly: Bringing up a child in parts of the UK costs over a quarter of a million pounds, more than the price of an average semi-detached house, research suggests Across the country, childcare costs increased by 4.3 per cent last year, the report said. In the past year, the cost of raising a child increased by 2,500. Over the past five years, the average cost of bringing up a child has increased by 13,000, the research suggests. The most expensive years are between the ages of one and four, when parents spend an average of 63,224 on their offspring. Education is the most expensive element of raising a child, coming in at an average of 74,430 up to the age of 21, excluding any private school fees, LV says. COST OF BRINGING UP A CHILD BY REGION London, 253,638 South East, 245,756 East of England, 239,125 South West, 236,534 West Midlands, 234,269 North West, 223,832 East Midlands, 229,416 North East, 217,820 Yorkshire and the Humber, 214,559 England, 233,136 Scotland, 230,988 Wales, 215,144 Northern Ireland, 242,413 Source: LV The 74,000 figure includes school uniforms, lunches, trips and equipment as well as university costs. Sending a child to private school would add, on average, 141,863 for a child attending day school, or 260,927 for a child boarding at school. Aside from education, the second most expensive aspect of raising children stems from childcare and babysitting costs, which can spiral to around 70,466. Keeping offspring well-fed is also expensive and will cost parents around 19,004 up to the age of 21. London is unsurprisingly the most expensive area of Britain to raise a child. LV estimates that the cost of raising a child in the capital is around 253,638. In the South East this figure falls slightly to South East, 245,756, while in the East of England the total average cost is 239,125, LV suggests. Across the North East, the cost of bringing up a child to the age of 21 is in the region of 217,820, while in Yorkshire and the Humber it is 214,559. Myles Rix, Managing Director, Protection at LV= said: 'The cost of raising a child is at an all-time high and, with the price-tag of childcare continuing to rise, family incomes are being stretched even further. Ruling the roost: London is unsurprisingly the most expensive area of Britain to raise a child 'An unforeseen illness or accident could have a huge impact on family finances and we would urge parents to ensure they have a plan in place to guard against a sudden loss of income, for example taking out an income protection product.' Facing ever-increasing costs, 59 per cent of parents admitted to struggling with the cost of bringing up a child. Over 60 per cent said they ask friends and family to help them take care of their little ones. But, nearly half said people are less available to pitch in than they were in previous years. One in seven parents said they need to pay for a babysitter at least once a week. In London, this figure rises to 52 per cent. Tantrums: Facing ever-increasing costs, 59 per cent of parents admitted to struggling with the cost of bringing up a child Breakdown of costs: Childcare and babysitting are the most expensive elements of raising a child, LV says Nearly half said they have no plan in place if their household's main breadwinner lost their main source of income. Nick Hill, Money Expert at the Money Advice Service, comments: 'Having children is a hugely exciting time but it can also be very expensive, as these figures show. 'The cost of childcare can eat up a large chunk of the family budget, which is why planning is essential. Pulling together a budget is a great way to get a quick idea of how much spending money you have after you've paid your most important bills.' Cost by year: Parents spend the most money on their child from ages one to four, LV says President Nicolas Maduro addresses party leaders this week. REUTERS More information Dimite el ministro de Economia de Venezuela tras un mes en el cargo With just over a month in the job, Venezuelas Economy Minister Luis Salas has stepped down from his post for personal reasons, President Nicolas Maduro announced late Monday. Salass resignation comes as Maduro is trying to introduce new emergency fiscal strategies to help his country cope with an anemic economy, high inflation, food shortages and cuts in revenue caused by the global fall in oil prices. The government hasnt introduced any new economic policies in the month since Salas was appointed I thank our companion, Salas, who I know has made great efforts to change some situations regarding family matters, the president said. Maduro made the announcement during a meeting with leaders from his party to review the economic situation and adopt new measures under his Emergency Economic Decree. The Supreme Court last Thursday approved the decree after the opposition-controlled National Assembly rejected it in January. Just five months ago, Maduro presented the 39-year-old Salas, a sociologist, as his new economic chief. The president had said then that Venezuela would resist the temptation of adopting orthodox macroeconomic adjustments to alleviate the crisis. Venezuela will take the road toward economic stability and consolidation of a new advanced social model in developing production, he said. However, the government hasnt introduced any new economic policies in the month since Salas was appointed. The Maduro administrations ongoing conflicts with the new National Assembly, and fears that introducing unpopular adjustments would include a political cost for his already weak government, have postponed the new measures. Its still not clear whether Salas was fired or if he resigned from the Cabinet. He will be replaced by Miguel Perez Abad, who is the current industry and trade minister. Perez Abad is a businessman close to the Chavismo movement and has served for more than a decade as president of the association of small- and medium-size businesses. His appointment is seen as pragmatic move by the government to concentrate on improving productive sectors in the country. Maduro said that Salas would continue to work in other activities with other economic teams directly with me. English version by Martin Delfin. Juan Carlos I was a major figure in Spain's transition to democracy after the Franco years. French state television has broadcast a documentary about Spains former monarch that Spanish public network TVE has so far refused to air. Yo, Juan Carlos I, rey de Espana (or, I, Juan Carlos I, King of Spain) was broadcast during primetime on Monday night on France 3. Directed by Miguel Courtois, who also co-wrote the script with Laurence Debray, author of a biography of the Spanish ruler, the film reviews the last 40 years of Spains history through the eyes of Juan Carlos. This is absurd. In the end, Spaniards will have to travel to France to watch it, just like in Francos time Although TVE co-produced the documentary, it has so far declined to show it in Spain. In the film, Juan Carlos sits inside his office and reviews key moments of his life and reign (1975-2014), including his first meeting with Franco, the tragic death of his brother in a gun-related accident, his own fathers influence, his own proclamation as king, and the legalization of the Spanish Communist Party (PCE). The monarch, who abdicated in June 2014 in favor of his son Felipe VI, provides some little-known details about his reign (1975-2014) in a documentary that seeks to enlighten French viewers about recent Spanish history. These are some of the highlights of the 90-minute film: Juan Carlos arrives in Spain Juan Carlos arrives in Spain at the age of 10. His arrival in Spain as a 10-year-old child, after being born in exile in Rome: I think that nobody was as scared as I was, recalls Juan Carlos. I spoke Spanish with a French accent... and a 10-year-old child knows nothing about politics. Juan Carlos documentary Juan Carlos recalls living under Franco's wing. The years spent under Francos wing: He called me to his office, and I was still a kid then, he explains. He was talking about who knows what, but the truth is I wasnt paying attention, because there was a little mouse running around on the floor, and I kept staring at it. He realized and asked me what was going on, and I told him that I was focusing on the mouse. The former monarch, who has retained the honorary title of king, recalls that the dictator was a secretive man, and explains why he agreed to spend so many years with Franco and accept the title of head of state from him. If I hadnt put up with what I put up with, then events wouldnt have unfolded in Spain the way they did: the return of democracy and of parliamentary monarchy. The legalization of the Spanish Communist Party (PCE). Juan Carlos unveils little-known details about his decision to legalize the Spanish Communist Party before the first democratic elections following Francos death. I was very clear about the fact that there could be no democracy without the PCE, he says on screen. I had the message conveyed to [PCE] leader Santiago Carrillo months in advance, warning him that I would give the order whenever and in whatever way I saw fit; he accepted the deal and supported the monarchy and the Spanish flag. Later, when we met, he apologized for having called me Juan Carlos the Brief. Juan Carlos documentary Juan Carlos has tears in his eyes as he remembers terrorism victims. Terrorism in Spain. The worst moments of my reign were the terrorist attacks suffered by Spaniards for so many years; over 800 people dead, says Juan Carlos with tears in his eyes. There are 829 deaths attributed to the Basque terrorist organization ETA, which announced a permanent end to armed violence in October 2011. The TVE veto Ana Teruel / Rosario G. Gomez The French press has described the documentary, filmed over several months in 2014, as an intimate and moving portrait of a personality with an exceptional destiny and as a brilliant piece of work. Yet the Spanish broadcaster feels that the production is of little interest to anyone, that it is taken out of context, and that it is no longer relevant. Its about a king who is no longer king, said a station spokesperson. It is anchored in the past. The source added that despite its French premiere, there are no plans to air the piece in Spain. The deal between the French production company Cineteve and TVE which contributed archive footage was brokered under RTVE chief Leopoldo Gonzalez-Echenique. But he was replaced in September 2014 by a new president, Jose Antonio Sanchez, and relations cooled off. Cineteve handed over the finished production to TVE months ago, but there are no indications that a Spanish voiceover has even been added. We have a treasure, which is this interview with the king just a few months before his abdication, and that we want to share with Spanish audiences, said filmmaker Miguel Courtois at a recent press screening of the film. This is absurd. In the end, Spaniards will have to travel to France to watch it, just like in Francos time. English version by Susana Urra. Nuns and other followers walk near the Cathedral in Morelia, Michoacan, ahead of the pope's visit. ALFREDO ESTRELLA (AFP) More information Parada especial en Michoacan contra el terror del narco Pope Francis is on Tuesday due to continue his five-day visit to Mexico in Michoacan, one of countrys most violent states where armed drug-trafficking groups have been fighting for years for control of the marijuana and poppy fields abundant in the fertile region. In the same way that the pontiff has already attacked corruption and asked indigenous groups in Chiapas for forgiveness for the Churchs abuses against their culture, he is expected to speak out against the drug gang-inflicted terror that has kept Michoacan residents on edge. Three years ago, a civil self-defense vigilante force group was formed to fight the Knights Templar Cartel, a powerful regional drug organization whose leaders messianic messages have also given it the air of a religious sect. Despite more security, the violence has continued and residents still do not live in peace Former cartel head Nazario El Chayo Moreno, who was killed in a shootout with authorities in March 2014, ordered chapels to be built with his image on their doors. El Chayo had also exploited the government's mistaken announcement of his death in 2010 to recruit drug addicts to bear witness to his resurrection. The government of President Enrique Pena Nieto sent troops and federal police into the state under the supervision of one of the presidents closest aides, Alfredo Castillo, who for a time had far-reaching powers over security issues. The Templars dominance was weakened by the capture or killing of many of its leaders. At the same time, a good number of the self-defense forces were legalized and joined a government-sponsored rural security unit, while the police and military took over important areas that drug traffickers had once controlled. But the violence continued especially in Tierra Caliente, the most troubled area of Michoacan demonstrating that residents still do not live in peace. It was Pope Francis who chose to go to Morelia, the state capital, during his five-day visit to Mexico The city you chose, read a battery of proud signs posted on highways, buildings and other areas. Five priests have been murdered over the past 15 years in Apatzingan Priests in Michoacan are not immune to violence as they are in other parts of the country, where they sometimes hear the confessions of drug hit men in exchange for money to build a church or buy a vehicle. In Apatzingan, the center of the conflict between the cartels and the self-defense forces, five priests have been murdered in the past 15 years. One clergyman who gave authorities the names of politicians and drug traffickers who work together, Father Goyo, had to take a year-long sabbatical after he received threats. Alfredo Gallegos, a priest of a small parish, offered Mass on Sunday armed with a revolver. During the homily, he implored for the popes safety. They told me not to think of going anywhere the pope is headed, he told his faithful. English version by Martin Delfin. MBABANE Uyangigcagcalata kakhulu nakatsi ngiyamucaphata Ndvunankhulu, said Senate President Gelane Zwane. Zwane said the premier was undermining and belittling her by his assertion that she had undermined him in front of Their Majesties: the King, Queen Mother and the international community. In vernacular, the PM had said: Nakunemuntfu longicaphatile nguGelane. Embikwe makhosi ne international community ayokhuluma emanga, ngiko ngitsi awu sekuyasolisa nalokutsi kambe sophilile. Zwane said she wondered if the premiers words meant that he did not want what was in the Constitution to be relayed to the nation. The Senate president said she was not attacking the prime minister in her speech during the official opening of Parliament. On Friday, Zwane made remarks in her speech talking about the Kings powers, warning the head of State about any lopsided and unconstitutional restoration of the power relations of 1968 in the total absence of any semblance of a popular mandate this time around. This was viewed by many as an attack on the PM. When interviewed about this yesterday, Zwane said she simply narrated what was in the Constitution and was not attacking the PM. She wondered why she should avoid educating the citizenry when an avenue like the official opening of Parliament was there. This she said in reaction to a question posed by this publication on why bring the Constitution to the fore and specifically touch on the powers of the King being under threat from the PM during the official opening? Zwane insisted that the issue she discussed was part of politics and the Constitution was the relevant document as it was the local politics manual. Why shouldnt we quote the Constitution? Its a national document, she said. JERUSALEM Chief Justice (CJ) Bheki Maphalalas bodyguards played spoilsports when they apprehended the lovers of his two maids ahead of Valentines Day celebrations. The duo of Dumisani Simelane (50) and Jabulani Masuku (24) were busted at the CJs homestead, which is situated at Jerusalem area in the outskirts of Hlatikhulu on Wednesday night, while in the company of their girlfriends, who are employed by the CJ as maids. The pair had paid a visit to their girlfriends at the homestead, when three police officers attached to the head of the Judiciarys security unit arrived at the homestead unannounced, just after 9pm. The two couples were all lovey-dovey in a rondavel, where the women also sleep in the Maphalala compound, when they heard an unexpected knock at the door, which abruptly ruined their night of fun. When the maids enquired who was at the door, the three officers introduced themselves as the CJs bodyguards and told them they were patrolling the homestead after they were informed that there were strangers with an unknown mission in the compound. The two maids; Khombisile Lubhedze (20) and Futhi Dlamini (34), proceeded to open the door for the police officers, who then conducted a search inside the hut. Apparently, the maids boyfriends tried to take cover behind two brown sofas, where they were eventually retrieved by the officers. The officers subsequently asked the two women about the mens identities and they introduced them as their boyfriends. Madrid City Hall security commissioner Jose Javier Barbero and municipal police chief Andres Serrano were forced to seek refuge inside a restaurant after a group of protesting police officers chased after them following a noisy demonstration in the city center on Tuesday. The officers were protesting against a decision by the Madrid security commission to dissolve the municipal riot squads (UCS). Hurling insults and demanding their resignations, demonstrators followed the two public officials down the capitals Calle Mayor and tried to prevent them from leaving the area. Barbero was unable to leave the establishment until his official vehicle arrived The incident occurred at around 11am, when the citys security commission ended a meeting in which changes to UCS squads were discussed. Outside, around 500 protestors held a demonstration against the move. Last December, leftist Mayor Manuela Carmena ordered the UCS to be scaled down to around 80 officers half its original size and prohibited them from monitoring people at public demonstrations and home evictions across the city. As they left the meeting, Barbero and Serrano were soon confronted by the angry demonstrators. Barbero was surprised when he saw that his official car was not waiting for him when he reached Calle Mayor. His bodyguards, who protected him from the rowdy crowd, had to call for another vehicle. But when he realized that the second vehicle was late in arriving, the commissioner started walking toward the central Puerta del Sol square. Protestors tried to block his way while calling him a fascist and other names. Passers-by were taken aback by the pandemonium that erupted. Mayor Manuela Carmena ordered the riot unit to be scaled down to about 80 officers last year Before they reached Sol, an aide to Barbero and Serrano advised them that they should wait in a nearby cafe until the vehicle arrived. However, they were refused admission because the premises were not yet open for business. They proceeded to seek refuge at a second bar, where they waited for the vehicle. Barbero did not leave the establishment until his car reached the front of the building with the help of members of the National Polices riot squad. Protestors once again began insulting him and tried to block him from leaving the premises, but bodyguards helped the politician get inside the vehicle. The crowd kicked and rocked the car before it drove off. Some police officers on duty at the time came up to applaud the actions of their colleagues. The demonstration later broke up without further incident. English version by Martin Delfin. Sign up for our amNY Sports email newsletter to get insights and game coverage for your favorite teams By Madina Toure The Ramones, the legendary punk-rock band hailing from Forest Hills, will be the subject of a two-part exhibition at the Queens Museum starting this April. The exhibit commemorates the 40th anniversary of the groups first album. The exhibit, Hey! Ho! Lets Go: Ramones and the Birth of Punk, will be on view at the museum from April 10 through July 31. It will then open Sept. 16 at the Grammy Museum in Los Angeles, where it will be up through March 2017. The exhibition is organized by the Queens Museum and the Grammy Museum in collaboration with Ramones Productions Inc., JAM Inc. and Silent Partner. Marc Miller, a guest curator for the Queens Museum, and Bob Santelli, the Grammy Museums executive director, co-curated the exhibit. The bands first album, The Ramones, came out in April 1976. Miller, 69, said he hung out with the Ramones a little bit in the mid-1970s when he was hanging out at CBGB, a former music club in the East Village where the band often played. He said the Ramones management was integral to bringing the exhibition to fruition, a process that took nearly three years. This was quite a long, drawn out negotiation but the end result is that everyone hopped on board, he said. The Queens Museums exhibition will consist of key objects from more than 50 public and private collections throughout the world. It will track the bands roots in Queens and show their influence on music, fashion, fine art, comics and film. The exhibit at the Grammy Museum will place the band within the larger context of music history and pop culture. The main themes of the two-part exhibition are places, events, songs and artists. One highlight is a specially commissioned cartoon map by Punk Magazine co-founder John Holstrom tracing the bands path from Forest Hills to the downtown nightclub CBGB. Other highlights include rare artifacts such as an early press package and early fliers and lyrics, video monitors playing early Ramones shows, vintage concert fliers and photographs, the bands iconic eagle logo that art director Arturo Vega turned into T-shirts and other merchandise, album covers and outtakes, original lyric manuscripts, guitars and leather jackets. The presentation of the exhibition is supported by Delta Air Lines, the official airline sponsor of the Queens Museum, and Fred Heller, a member of the museums advisory committee and a local businessman who was once involved in the music business. The city Department of Cultural Affairs and the New York State Council on the Arts, with the support of Gov. Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature, provided additional support for the exhibition. Airport development adding to economy, jobs in the region Pittsburgh may always be known as the Steel City, but a wave of new industries are popping up near its airport to redefine business in the region. SHARE TORIN HALSEY/TIMES RECORD NEWS This building at 711 Indiana Avenue is up for Wichita Falls historical landmark status at the City Council meeting Tuesday. The site currently bears a marker from the Texas Historical Commission for Gorsline's Livery Stable, a vital horse and carraige service in the city in the 1890s. By Claire Kowalick of the Times Record News The Wichita Falls City Council approved a downtown address for one of the highest honors a city can bestow on a property. An ordinance as approved Tuesday to name the building at 711 Indiana Avenue as a city landmark. The business was originally Gorsline's Fashion Livery Stable and later was Liepold Clothing Store. A state historical marker was placed at the site in 1979. Owner John Dickenson spent several years restoring the building to its 1920s-era design. As required by city law, a public hearing was held prior to the approval of the ordinance. City planning administrator Karen Gagne said the address was chosen for its historical, architectural and cultural significance to the city. In other matters, council approved four resolutions at Tuesday's meeting including: A resolution to authorize purchase of two commercial side loaders for $443,192 from East Texas Mack Sales LLC though the buy board cooperative and Kann Manufacturing Corp. from the Houston-Galveston Area Council Cooperative Purchasing Program. A resolution to authorize purchase of two automated side loaders $521,572 through the buy board cooperative from ETMC, LLC and Texan Waste Equipment Inc., DBA Heil of Texas. A resolution authorizing a bid for the purchase of four half-ton pickups from local bidder Wichita Falls Ford-Lincoln Inc. for $78,718.48. A resolution awarding bid and contract for $865,581 to Bowles Construction Co. for the annual water budget utility improvements project. Mansur SHARE By Richard Carter A New Yorker for nearly three and a half decades, native (and current) Wichitan Susan Mansur had a pretty fabulous career on Broadway and in TV commercials. In addition to working with major stars in musicals like "Damn Yankees," "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas," and "Steel Magnolias," she did a wealth of iconic commercials. More recently, she's appeared in movies with such stars as Kevin Sorbo, Jean-Claude Van Damme and Betty Buckley as well as in a TV program with Lucy Liu. Mansur grew up in Wichita Falls on Pearl Street, left in 1969 for the bright lights of Manhattan and musical theater and finally returned in 2003 to live on Pembroke St, thus the title of her program "From Pearl to Pembroke." It will be the "few stops in-between" of her life's journey that will be Mansur's major focus starting at 5 p.m. Thursday in the Great Hall of the Kemp Center for the Arts. The program is the annual Wichita Falls Symphony League lecture to raise funds for the Wichita Falls Symphony Orchestra as well as area symphonic music including the youth and community orchestras. Wine and heavy hors d'oeuvres will be served. Mansur's mother Evelyn was a founding member of the WF Symphony League in 1953, and she played viola in the symphony. The league asked Mansur to do a program, where she would tell some stories about her life. "It's almost like writing your obituary," she said with a laugh, so putting it together, she realized she wanted to belt a tune, or so. Mansur, a sponsor of the league's Applause, asked two of the talented high school group's 17 members to join her. Kara Hix will sing "I am Still Hurting" from "The Last Five Years," and Mary Grace Scales will sing "As Long as He Needs Me" from "Oliver." The three will perform "Falling Out of Love Can Be Fun" from "White Christmas" and close the program with "Doatsey Mae" from "Best Little Whorehouse in Texas." Accompanist Karen Bacus has rearranged the latter song, and Mansur is so pleased with how it's come together, that she will have the version recorded and sent to composer Carol Hall. "I think it's going to be a very fun evening," she said. "I've tried to tell as non- stereotypical show business stories as I can. One story she shared, which she has not told, is when she played Sister in the Broadway revival of "Damn Yankees" in 1994-95, the latter half of the run when Jerry Lewis played Applegate (the Devil). When the musical later went on tour, Mansur was unable to travel with the cast because of her children. Mansur did play the role for three weeks to help out. "One night," she said mischievously, "I thought I would play a trick on him because Jerry loved breaking up and being funny on stage, Not too much, because he tried to stay disciplined. "Jerry was the perfect devil, the perfect devil with a New York accent. So, he had a line across the stage from me, where I said something and he turned to me and says, "And, who are you? The ugly stepsister?" "My line was 'I'm her sister, mister, if it's any of your business.' "But that night, I crossed to him. I had never done that before and went right into his face and (loudly) said, 'I'm her sister, mister, if it's any of your Beeswax.' "I could see the joke computer," Mansur said. "What am I going to come back at? What am I? He looked at me and said, 'How'd you like to make a quick buck fifty?' "I couldn't respond," Mansur said a laugh. "What do you do? Like I was going to carry it any further? The audience laughed so hard. "Afterwards, I saw him way backstage. He was waiting to go on and he looked at me and went 'Mansur, you've been missed!'" "He is the greatest guy," she said. Mansur said she and Lewis used to play tag back stage. "He said he was a 9-year-old in a grown man's body," she laughed. As the devil, Lewis wore the old swank suits from the "Oceans 11" days and was a joy to work with, she said. The musical had opened with Victor Garber playing Applegate, but really seemed to click when Lewis assumed the role. "Damn Yankees" also starred Bebe Neuwirth and was choreographed by (now major film director) Rob Marshall. Mansur said between her stories and the songs, the evening should last about an hour or so. SHARE Tack photo H&V Paul Tack passed away on Saturday, February 13, 2016. Funeral Services with military honors will be at 10 a.m., Wednesday, February 17, 2016, at Hampton Vaughan Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Les Banks officiating. A visitation will be held from 4 6 p.m., Tuesday, at the funeral home. Burial will be private. Paul was born on February 3, 1947 in Columbus, Ohio to George Bruno and Dorothea Bauerle Tack. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army serving in Vietnam. He married Patricia Perkins on October 24, 1970 in Wichita Falls, Texas and he lived in the area since 1979. He loved his family, friends, animals. and bowling. He bowled in two leagues and achieved a perfect 300 game. He was a member of the Corvette Club and loved cars. He went to all his nieces and nephews ballgames in Wichita Falls and Oklahoma. He was the neighborhood fix it guy and he worked at the food pantry and supported the Wichita Falls Teen Shelter. He was a member of Colonial Church of Wichita Falls. He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Dorothea Tack, his mother in law and father in law, Nora and Howard Perkins, and brother in law, Joe Hess. Survivors include his wife: Pat Tack of Lakeside City; sisters: Sharon Hess and Marilyn Cornell of Columbus, Ohio; sisters-in-law: Marlene Ledford, Marie Snyder, and Gayle Lovelace, and brother-in-law: Jack and wife Sherry Perkins. Paul is also survived by 14 nephews, 1 niece, and a host of great nephews and nieces that he considered as his own children. In lieu of flowers, please donate to Colonial Food Pantry and Wichita Falls Teen Shelter. Vote SHARE Kaye Holland, League of Women Voters, Wichita Falls The League of Women Voters of Wichita Falls has distributed the Voters Guide for the Texas Primary Election on Tuesday, March 1, 2016, and early voting starting on Tuesday, February 16. The Voters Guide gives voters information on locations and times for early voting in Wichita County. All the voting locations are listed for the March 1 election. Voters will be choosing candidates on the national, state and local levels. Candidate information is given on all contested elections including local contested elections. Voters can take the guide or any other paper information to the voting machine. However no electronic devices are allowed to be used in the voting area. It is the goal of the League of Women Voters to give information the voters need to be an informed voter. The Guide lists all acceptable required Texas photo ID information. In Wichita County Voters Guides are at the public libraries in Wichita Falls, Electra, Burkburnett, and Iowa Park. They are available at Luby's Cafeteria, Martin Luther King Center, KFDX, KAUZ, Times Record News, First National Bank and Wichita Falls Teachers Federal Credit Union. To view the Voters Guide online, visit www.lwvtexas.org/Wichita_Falls.html. The Voters Guide is paid for by voluntary contributions. Some of the contributions come from members, but some come from our citizens who want non-biased information about the people running for public office and the issues in front of them as a voter. Any voluntary contributions can be sent to the League of Women Voters. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Join Capital Region Women@Work to network with local professionals FINANCIAL KEYBANK N.A. Susan Mooradian was promoted to chief operating officer of the Institutional Asset Services group. Mooradian has more than 30 years of experience in administrative services, operations and leadership. Scott Rosebrook was named vice president and relationship manager, Business Banking, for the Adirondack region. HEALTH CARE MVP HEALTH CARE Ellen Sax was promoted to vice president of community engagement. Sax previously served as director of community engagement. TURNING POINT CHIROPRACTIC Kevin Campopiano joined as a licensed acupuncturist. Campopiano has experience working with employees, jockeys and trainers at Saratoga Race Course as well as local and professional athletes. NONPROFITS LEGAL AID SOCIETY OF NORTHEASTERN NEW YORK Victoria Esposito was named advocacy coordinator. Esposito joined in 2011 as a staff attorney in the Canton office and became a senior attorney in 2014. EMPIRE STATE SOCIETY OF ASSOCIATION EXECUTIVES Vanessa LaClair joined as executive director. LaClair previously worked at Independent Power Producers of New York. PROFESSIONS HODGSON RUSS LLP Rick W. Kennedy was named president and CEO. Kennedy joined as an associate attorney in 1983 and became a partner in 1990, concentrating his practice in complex environmental matters and the law governing lawyers. WHITEMAN OSTERMAN & HANNA LLP Lisa Wickens-Alteri was named president of Health & Human Services, a new division within Government Solutions LLC. Wickens-Alteri joined in 2013 to develop the division and previously worked for 26 years in the public and private health care sector. Jacqueline Pappalardi was named vice president of Health & Human Services. Pappalardi has extensive public and private sector health care experience, including acute and long-term care. Anoush Koroghlian-Scott joined as counsel. Koroghlian-Scott previously served as vice president and general counsel at a large community hospital. ISEMAN, CUNNINGHAM, RIESTER & HYDE LLP Marc A. Antonucci was named partner. Antonucci practices primarily in the areas of litigation and health care. REAL ESTATE REALTYUSA Tessa Partridge joined the Delmar office as a licensed real estate sales associate. SERVICES TECH VALLEY OFFICE INTERIORS Josh Jennings joined as director of business development. Jennings previously worked at The College of Saint Rose. Robert Brisson joined as an interior designer. Brisson previously worked at a residential design firm in Albany. SPIRAL DESIGN STUDIO Elizabeth Hage joined as an account manager, responsible for working with clients to meet their Web design, graphic design and digital marketing needs as well as helping with business development. Hage previously worked at Mohawk Hudson Humane Society. ACV AUCTIONS Cody Spohler and Randy Tart joined the Albany office. Spohler and Tart will help Capital Region car dealers create accurate listings that promote transparency for buyers. H&V COLLISION CENTERS Matthew Robilotta joined as district manager. Robilotta previously served as an area manager at GEICO. TECHNOLOGY JAHNEL GROUP Chadd Portwine joined as a project manager, working with top companies in the financial, health care and public sector markets. Portwine previously worked for 20 years in the video game industry. Jennifer Patterson Havana The Obama administration has approved the first U.S. factory in Cuba in more than half a century, allowing a two-man company from Alabama to build a plant assembling as many as 1,000 small tractors a year for sale to private farmers in Cuba. The Treasury Department last week notified partners Horace Clemmons and Saul Berenthal that they can legally build tractors and other heavy equipment in a special economic zone started by the Cuban government to attract foreign investment. Cuban officials already have publicly and enthusiastically endorsed the project. The partners said they expect to be building tractors in Cuba by the first quarter of 2017. "Everybody wants to go to Cuba to sell something and that's not what we're trying to do. We're looking at the problem and how do we help Cuba solve the problems that they consider are the most important problems for them to solve," Clemmons said. "It's our belief that in the long run we both win if we do things that are beneficial to both countries." The $5 million to $10 million plant would be the first significant U.S. business investment on Cuban soil since Fidel Castro took power in 1959 and nationalized billions of dollars of U.S. corporate and private property. That confiscation provoked a U.S. embargo on Cuba that prohibited virtually all forms of commerce and fined non-U.S. companies millions of dollars for doing business with the island. Letting an American tractor company operate inside a Cuban government facility would have been unimaginable before Presidents Barack Obama and Raul Castro declared on Dec. 17, 2014, that they would restore diplomatic relations and move to normalize trade, travel and other aspects of the long-broken bilateral relationship. Since then, Obama has been carving exceptions into the embargo through a series of executive actions, and his administration now says they allow U.S. manufacturing at the Mariel port and special economic zone about 30 miles west of Havana. One exception allows U.S. companies to export products that benefit private and cooperative farmers in Cuba. Berenthal and Clemmons say they will sell only to the private sector. The Obama administration says it is eager to make the opening with Cuba irreversible by any future administration. Since the start of the year, U.S. and Cuba have made a series of announcements that appear designed partly to create a sense of unstoppable momentum in their new relationship. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate The Eagles' Glenn Frey and Maurice White of Earth, Wind & Fire received touching tributes from longtime friends at the Grammy Awards, while Rihanna pulled out of the awards show. Stevie Wonder, joined with Grammy-winning a capella group Pentatonix, sang "That's the Way of the World" in honor of White, while members of the Eagles and Jackson Browne sang "Take It Easy" for Frey at the Staples Center. White died on Feb. 4 and Frey died on Jan. 18. Natalie Cole was also set to be remembered during the telecast, while Lady Gaga was scheduled to pay tribute to David Bowie Rihanna's representative said in a statement that the singer couldn't perform at the show due to doctor's orders. Ed Sheeran walked away with one of the night's top honors, song of the year for "Thinking Out Loud." "We wrote it on a couch in my house," he said of his hit song, which also won him best pop solo performance. It was the first time Sheeran won a Grammy; and the night marked first wins for Justin Bieber, the Weeknd, Chris Stapleton, Pitbull and Alabama Shakes. The Weeknd, who won two awards in the pre-telecast, performed in a cube that was brightly lit for "Can't Feel My Face" until he switched to piano-tinged version of his upbeat hit "In the Night." Stapleton, who has written for dozens of country acts, won best country album for "Traveller." Stapleton walked in with four nominations, including album of the year, but lost best country song to "Girl Crush." Little Big Town earned a standing ovation when they performed the hit song. Collaborative performances was the theme of the Grammys: Carrie Underwood sang with Sam Hunt; Ellie Goulding and Andra Day performed; and Demi Lovato who shined brightly John Legend, Luke Bryan and Tyrese Gibson sang with Lionel Richie to honor the icon. Taylor Swift kicked off the Grammys with a performance of her latest hit single, "Out of the Woods," while Kendrick Lamar collected his fifth trophy for the night. Lamar won best rap album for his sophomore effort, "To Pimp a Butterfly." It was the first award televised Monday. "Hip-hop, Ice Cube, this for hip-hop, this for Snoop Dogg ...this for Nas We will live forever, believe that," said Lamar, who also won best rap song, rap performance, rap sung collaboration and music video earlier in the day. Albany Symphony Orchestra bested "Joyce & Tony Live From Wigmore Hall," featuring mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato, won the Grammy for best classical vocal solo album, besting Albany Symphony Orchestra and three other nominees during an afternoon awards ceremony in Los Angeles. Two years after its maiden Grammy nomination and award, the Albany Symphony Orchestra earned its second nomination for its recording of "Christopher Rouse: 'Seeing' 'Kabir Padavali.'" Tapped in the best classical vocal solo album category, the album features soprano Talise Trevigne and pianist Orion Weiss performing with the ASO led by music director and conductor David Alan Miller "We're against really heavy-hitting people as we were last time. ... So to be mentioned in the same breath with them is very exciting," Miller told the Times Union when the nominations were announced. The piano concerto "Seeing," inspired in part by Robert Schumann, in part by the band Moby Grape, is a dramatic musical summoning of mental illness; "Kabir Padavali," or "Kabir Songbook," employs poems by the 15th-century Indian mystic Kabir. The ASO rendered both works live, with Weiss and Trevigne, in 2013. The ASO won its inaugural statuette in 2014 for a recording of John Corigliano's "Conjurer Concerto For Percussionist & String Orchestra." Miller described that Grammy win as "one of the highest, the most thrilling experiences of my professional life." Associated Press and staff reports On this date in ... 1916: Harold L. Severy, previously misidentified as George Beverly, was arraigned in Albany on charges of first-degree assault based on the accusations of a hospitalized victim in the "silent shootings" the week before near the state Capitol. Severy, seemingly in a daze during the proceedings, perked up when the charges were read and exclaimed, "I am not guilty of an intent to kill" and explained he had only gone to machine shops in the city to see if they could make him a new Gatling gun of his own design. 1966: The battle lines were being drawn in the fight to reform New York's 179-year-old divorce law: The Catholic Church, which had opposed reform in the past had been silent during this effort until a day ago, when it requested a report on the legislation for consideration before the bill was acted upon. Sen. Jerome L. Wilson, a co-sponsor of the divorce bill, responded from the Senate floor with a bitter, point-by-point attack on the complaints sent in a letter to all legislators by Charles J. Tobin Jr. of Albany, secretary of the State Catholic Welfare Committee. 1991: The proposed 50 percent cut in state funding to public television stations were a potential "disaster" for WMHT Educational Telecommunications. For its 1990-91 fiscal year, WMHT received $2,062,426, which was 29 percent of its budget of $7,098,984. Elizabeth Hood, WMHT's director of administration, said the state cuts, scheduled to take effect April 1, should not affect the company until its 1991-92 fiscal year, which would begin July 1. Want to read more about the Capital Region's past? Have any memories or thoughts about how our history relates to today's events? See http://blog.timesunion.com/history/ Albany A registered sex offender from Glenmont who was convicted at trial of taking vulgar photos of a young girl was sentenced to 80 years in federal prison on Tuesday. Robert McCoy, 56, who received five years probation in 2009 for possessing child pornography, started victimizing the child when she was 7 years old and when he was still on federal probation and undergoing court-ordered sex offender treatment. In a pre-sentencing memo to the judge, Assistant U.S. Attorney Lisa Fletcher said McCoy was only emboldened to commit more sex crimes after being given leniency for his earlier conviction. The prosecutor asked U.S. District Court Judge Mae D'Agostino to impose the 80-year term. "Given the nature and extent of the defendant's crimes, including his complete lack of remorse or acknowledgment of responsibility for them, and the fact that the offenses occurred over a period of time and while under court supervision, the sentence will justly ensure public safety by removing McCoy from any further access to children," Fletcher stated. Frederick Rench, the attorney for McCoy, argued in a memo to the judge that his client an Albany area native who dropped out of Berne-Knox-Westerlo schools in the 11th grade and has worked for the last 27 years as an interstate truck driver, mechanic and security guard should have received a more lenient sentence. In August, a jury took less than two hours of deliberation to convict McCoy of creating and storing images of the young girl on his phone and possessing other images of child pornography. The photographs of the child were discovered by a witness in June 2014. Evidence showed that McCoy forced the young girl to pose in sexually explicit positions and touched her. McCoy was convicted of commission of a felony offense involving a minor by a registered sex offender and possessing child pornography. "While we do not have the power to restore a child's innocence, we do have the power to ensure that Mr. McCoy and those of his ilk are held accountable for their unspeakable crimes," Andrew Vale, the special-agent-in-charge of the Albany-based FBI, said in a statement. "McCoy's sentence reflects the heinousness of his crimes," U.S. Attorney Richard Hartunian said. This case was investigated by Bethlehem town police, the FBI and assisted by State Police. rgavin@timesunion.com 518-434-2403 @RobertGavinTU TROY A rape case against a 55-year-old city man was dismissed in Rensselaer County Court Tuesday on a motion by the district attorney's office Andre McClenos faced first-degree counts of rape and sexual abuse on Sept. 22, 2014. Judge Andrew Ceresia dismissed the case. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Washington Sen. Charles E. Schumer and fellow Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee on Monday spearheaded a counteroffensive to Republicans who say confirmation of a replacement for Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia should be on hold until after Election Day. Republicans fear a third Supreme Court pick by President Barack Obama would tip the court's balance in a liberal direction for the first time in several decades, and Senate GOP Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has all but closed the door to consideration of a successor this year for Scalia who died Sunday. "There should be fair hearings and senators should be given the opportunity to make up their minds," said Schumer. "I hope that many of our colleagues will do just that and not follow Sen. McConnell's obstructionism, saying they're going to block someone even before that person is nominated." Judiciary Committee members would participate in any confirmation hearing for a new justice. But even if President Obama nominates someone to take Scalia's place on the nation's highest court, Senate Democrats lack the power to get the Senate confirmation process rolling. "We have the floor of the Senate, town halls and the media to make our case, but we can't compel it," said Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut. "We can put the moral onus where it belongs. The public will see this obstructionism for what it is." On Monday, the partisan divide on the new Supreme Court vacancy took on a "whose ox is being gored" character. Democrats pointed to 1988, also an election year. The Democratic-controlled Senate that year confirmed Justice Anthony Kennedy, nominated by President Ronald Reagan in the wake of the failure of controversial conservative nominee Robert Bork to win confirmation the previous year. And Republicans pointed to a speech by Schumer in 2007 during the presidency of George W. Bush, in which he argued the Senate had been "hoodwinked" by Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Samuel Alito. Both had proven to be predictably conservative on the high court, notwithstanding pledges to Judiciary Committee members they would approach cases with an open mind. ''Given the track record of this president and the experience of obfuscation at the hearings ... I will recommend to my colleagues that we should not confirm a Supreme Court nominee except in extraordinary circumstances," said Schumer at the time. There was no actual vacancy when Schumer made the speech. On Monday, Schumer aides pushed back against the characterization of Schumer as guilty of a double standard. "This is apples to oranges," said Schumer spokesman Jason Kaplan. ''Sen. Schumer was arguing that after full hearings, it was a senator's prerogative to vote no if a nominee didn't meet certain criteria. That would apply to any point in a president's term and to any president. Senator Schumer never agued there should not be a vote as Republicans are doing now." Republicans insisted it was ''standard practice," as Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Charles Grassley of Iowa, put it, to neither nominate nor confirm Supreme Court nominees in presidential election years. Indeed, deferral of such vacancies are rarities. The prime example dates back to 1968 when then Chief Justice Earl Warren announced his intention to retire. President Lyndon B. Johnson nominated Justice Abe Fortas to succeed Warren and a Texas federal judge, Homer Thornberry, to succeed Fortas. With Republican Richard Nixon facing Vice President Hubert Humphrey that November, Republicans filibustered the Fortas nomination until the New York lawyer withdrew his name. Thornberry's name also was withdrawn. The gamble paid off for Republicans when Fortas retired under an ethics cloud shortly after Nixon was sworn in as president, and Warren retired after 16 years as chief justice. Nixon picked Warren Burger to replace Warren and Harry Blackmun to replace Fortas. Since both were from Minnesota and were thought to be conservative ideological soulmates, wags at the time referred to them as the Minnesota Twins. Blumenthal, then a young Yale law school graduate, served as a clerk for Blackmun in the 1974-75 Supreme Court term. "He used to joke in his dark humor the chances of fate putting him on the court," Blumenthal said. "He became a truly great justice after an inauspicious start." Email: dan@hearstdc.com If you have good idea, share it! (video) Youth work concept is at the level of daily conversation in England. It is the type of work, which is carried out by the young by assisting people at their age and younger in different spheres. Thirty young people all over the world gathered in Birmingham for exchange of experience. Youth worker Mike Collyer says, I really enjoy being a part of this project this week. I think it is exciting seeing people from all the countries committed to youth work and learn about youth work. As for me, what I enjoy about youth work is seeing new people empowered and enabled to do things for themselves. I enjoy the fact that young people choose to participate in activities. The youth work is unique as it is done with team people. So the power is equal. Each opinion is taken into consideration. My advice is to start smart. If there are issues the youth people face, they must start from those issues. There were different issues the young people were concerned about. The participants from Armenia were mainly concerned about the educational issues. Non-formal education will be the best solution to all those issues. Razvan-Victor Sassu from Romania stresses the importance of creating your own projects, Such trainings are very important. We have new ideas. I hope that with the help of this training we will find partners and will implement our ideas. Pauline Grace, organizer of Youth work training, has special advice given almost after all the meetings, This training program is really trying to help people to create their own projects. My first piece of advice is to have good relationship with the team, as good relationship is a long way to solve all the problems. The next piece of advice is if you have a good idea, share it with your partners, as together you can make your ideas even better. And the third piece of advice is make sure you take a lot of time, which can be between 3 to 6 months together to complete the idea for the project. Youth work training course was organized within the frames of Erasmus + program of the European Union. THE ISSUE: A judicial panel says special plates don't necessarily post an ethical conflict. THE STAKES: The damage, like the abuse, may not be measurable, but it's real. More Information To comment: tuletters@timesunion.com or at http://blog.timesunion.com/opinion See More Collapse It may not be unethical for judges to put vanity plates on their cars signifying their position, but it sure looks bad. And as the most prominent representatives of our system of justice, judges should know that appearances matter. The 2,265 judges, give or take, who display special judicial plates can no doubt cite valid reasons for doing so courthouse parking while on the job, or simply showing pride in their office. But given the documented abuses of these tags, they would seem to be an indulgence the judiciary individually and collectively could do without. It's about the public perception of an institution that must be above reproach. That's not, unfortunately, how a majority of the state Commission on Judicial Conduct sees it. In a report last week, this watchdog group declared that the plates themselves do not in themselves create an appearance of impropriety. To its credit, the commission didn't ignore the potential for abuse and favoritism. It noted that some police, in fact, have acknowledged that they'll forgo writing a ticket if they know the driver is a judge, and that these plates are a signal of that. The commission also stressed that asserting one's judicial status to avoid a ticket is unethical, and urged judges to tell family and friends not to use their relation to or relationship with a judge to get a break. Where the report fell short was in setting out a host of questions judges should think about. They include: Does displaying a judicial license plate confer on a judge a benefit or the appearance of a benefit? Can it fairly be said that a judge who drives a car with judicial plates implicitly invokes the prestige of judicial office when stopped by an officer for an alleged violation? Sign up for the Observation Deck newsletter Read the latest Times Union opinion, perspective and letters to the editor on Mondays by signing up for our Observation Deck newsletter. If judicial plates are intended to facilitate courthouse parking, would removable dashboard placards suffice as an alternative? Is public respect for the judiciary diminished whenever a car with judicial plates is observed in an illegal parking spot without a ticket or is otherwise engaged in questionable activity? Those questions invite easy answers. Of course these plates invoke judicial prestige and can confer a benefit in a traffic stop, as surely as if the driver declares he's a judge. Of course a courthouse parking permit would be just as good. And, you bet, public respect is diminished when people see judges getting away with what the average driver would not. The lone dissenting voice on the commission the only member who concluded that judges should give up the special treatment was Richard Emery, a noted civil rights lawyer. He admonished the panel for a "schizophrenic ... milquetoast" report, and added: "The use of judicial plates is an attempt by judges to identify themselves as judges to all who may see those plates, including law enforcement officers. That is wrong, at a minimum because of its appearance, regardless of the judge's lack of intent to use special influence or get special benefits from his or her official position." In other words, your honors, these plates have all the appearance of license to escape judgment. If the commission won't say so, the state Legislature should, by ending the privilege. THE ISSUE: U.S. Senate Republicans say they'll refuse to consider any Supreme Court nominee from President Barack Obama. THE STAKES: This is a refusal to govern. More Information To comment: tuletters@timesunion.com or at http://blog.timesunion.com/opinion See More Collapse The death of Antonin Scalia a Supreme Court justice whose term was marked by his avowed fealty to the original intent of the authors of the U.S. Constitution has been met with calls by Republican senators and presidential candidates to essentially ignore the document they, too, profess to revere. With 11 months left in President Obama's term, Republicans have put forth the argument that he should forgo his constitutional mandate to nominate a justice, and leave it to his successor. Or, they say, the Senate should ignore him. Since the Constitution fails to support their case, they cherry-pick history for alleged precedents. So goes the latest chapter in a seven-year-long political saga that might be called "The Sour Grapes of Wrath," about a political party that refuses to accept the verdict of not one but two elections that put Mr. Obama into the White House. A party that now tries to act as if he is simply not there. Whether it's threatening a government shutdown, taking the nation to the brink of debt default, or refusing to discuss the latest federal budget, the GOP is now a party functioning more on petulance than governance. Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and features with our afternoon newsletter. Not that Senate Democrats haven't made Supreme Court appointments difficult for Republicans. When they were in the majority, they did, notably blocking President Ronald Reagan's 1987 nomination of Robert Bork. And New York's own Sen. Charles Schumer suggested late in George W. Bush's presidency that the chamber not approve any more of Mr. Bush's Supreme Court nominees. But Democrats objected specifically to Mr. Bork; they did support Mr. Reagan's next choice, Anthony Kennedy. And Mr. Schumer was one senator. Today an entire GOP majority declares it will not consider anyone Mr. Obama nominates, utterly shirking the Senate's constitutionally prescribed role of advice and consent. The Republicans claim that such late term appointments haven't happened in 80 years, ignoring Justice Kennedy's appointment in Mr. Reagan's last year. They point to an unwritten rule of the 1960s that no lifetime judicial appointments should be approved in the last six months of a presidency. Well, they have five months before that informal window closes, plenty of time to do their job. Of course, the real issue here is that Republicans hope to win the White House in November, and preserve the narrow conservative majority on a court that's become a mini-legislature unto itself, deciding once and for all some of the most important issues of the day, from gay marriage to voting rights to abortion rights to the power of labor unions. But our nation wasn't designed to run on what one party wishes were the results of the last election, or how it hopes the next one will turn out. The nation must be governed in the here and now, with three functioning branches of government in place. One would think Republicans would be doing all they could to prove they grasp this, instead of undermining it. Identifying the Islamic State threat to Georgia Tbilisi rubbishes Russian claims that jihadists have set up training bases within the country. Analysts are warning that a focus on Islamic radicalisation in Georgias remote Pankisi Gorge may serve to divert attention from extremist threats elsewhere in the country. Several dozen Pankisi residents are known to have travelled to fight with Islamic State (IS) in Syria and Iraq. The region, 160 kilometres northeast of the Georgian capital, hit the headlines again last month after Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov claimed that jihadist training camps were operating there. Lavrov told a televised press conference on January 26 that IS militants were using this barely-accessible territory to train, rest and replenish their supplies". The previous month, Davit Sanakoev, head of the de-facto government delegation of the breakaway region of South Ossetia, also claimed that IS was operating in Pankisi. The gorge has a largely Muslim population, which includes many ethnic Chechens. Russia was accused of bombing Pankisi, then considered a rebel stronghold, during its Chechnya campaign in 2002. This meant that Lavrovs comments set alarm bells ringing in Tbilisi, which strenuously rebuffed his claims. I am absolutely sure that our law enforcement agencies fully control the situation in Pankisi, Georgias president Giorgi Margvelashvili told a meeting of the countrys national security council on January 29, according to the Gruziya Online website. The next day, the president travelled to Pankisi together with the American and EU ambassadors and visited its largest settlement, the village of Duisi. US ambassador Ian Kelly stressed that Tbilisi and Washington cooperated very closely in the fight against terrorism. The prime minister has stated unequivocally that there are no training centres for terrorists here in Pankisi Gorge and you have heard the president repeat that, he told journalists, according to the US embassy website. I take their words at face value. There are no training camps for terrorists in the Pankisi Gorge. The gorge is inhabited by around 8,000 Kists, a Muslim ethnic minority related to the Chechens of the North Caucasus. There are also Chechen refugees who escaped over the mountains from two wars in their own lands over the last two decades. Some of those fleeing Chechnya brought Islamic fundamentalist ideas with them. This conservative strand is known here as Wahhabism, a loose term used to describe various forms of Sunni fundamentalist ideology. FIGHTING RADICALISATION Up to 200 Georgian nationals are believed to have travelled to Syria and Iraq to fight with IS. (See https://iwpr.net/global-voices/keeping-islamic-state-out-georgia). While the government says only 30 came from Pankisi, other estimates are higher. Local new source the Information Centre of Khakheti (ICK), for example, put the number from Pankisi alone at 50. Bennett Clifford, a researcher from Wake Forest University in the US who carried out a study in Georgia last year, said the number from Pankisi may be double that figure. At the beginning of January, the Georgian media reported that two Pankisi fighters in their early twenties, Ramzan Pareulidze and Mikhad Turkoshvili, had died in Syria. Both may have served under Tarkhan Batirashvili, also known as Abu Omar al-Shishani, a senior IS commander and Pankisi native. However, Clifford said the focus on Pankisi threatened to divert attention from radicalisation elsewhere in the country. Although the numbers remained small, other Georgian Muslims were also vulnerable, he said, highlighting the southern region of Adjara where he said discriminatory practices against Muslims by Christians could be a push factor towards extremism. The mix of people travelling to Syria and Iraq included ethnic Georgian Muslims from Adjara, some ethnic Azeri villages, and possibly a few Christians who ended up converting to Islam, he said. Policymakers must recognise that the issue of violent extremism and radicalisation has metastasised. It is no longer merely a Pankisi problem, Clifford continued. The government and local communities need to adopt strategies that deal with the specific problems that individual Muslim communities in Georgia face today. Last November, Georgian IS fighters in an IS online video were identified as coming from Adjara and Guria in western Georgia rather than Pankisi. One of them, Khvicha Gobadze, died fighting in Syria earlier this year. Also in November 2015, Merman Paichadze, a former imam of Tsalka, a town which includes several thousand people resettled from landslides in Adjara, was reported to have left for Syria with his family. Clifford noted that Paichadze was related to Tamaz Chaghalidze, an Adjara native who also left for Syria. In early 2015 Chaghalidze issued online threats against Georgia, writing, We will raise so much hell over your patriarchys oppression of Adjara that you robe-wearing rats will regret not being born as reptiles. I swear on Allahs name that all you kaffirs [unbelievers] will pay with your dirty blood for everything. OTHER ETHNICITIES AT RISK Experts also warn that the countrys ethnic Azeri minority is another group at risk from radicalisation. Last month, 23-year-old Fikret Ahmadov was stabbed to death by a Wahhabi convert after giving an interview to Georgian Public TV criticising the spread of radical Islam in his home village of Ponichala. Residents of the majority ethnic Azeri village near Tbilisi demonstrated against the Wahhabism following the murder. Giorgi Bobghiashvili, project associate at the Tbilisi office of the European Centre for Minority Issues (ECMI), has been following the situation there. In general, the outflow [to extremism] is not as much as in Pankisi or Adjara and Guria, but the Salafi faith is still actively practiced and the younger generation is mainly affected, with the internet as the main source and instrument for recruitment, he told IWPR. The first two women reported to have left for Syria came from the ethnic Azeri village of Karajala in eastern Georgia. Karajala is the only Sunni Azeri village in Kakheti, while four other villages that rejected extremist ideology were Shia, Bobghiashvili noted. These incidents are growing in frequency, which points to a growing challenge for extant Muslim institutions in the regions, added Clifford. In Karajala, there were several incidents of petty thieves having their fingers cut off by Salafists, as this is the punishment suggested by their interpretation of Shariah. According to Clifford, a main driving force behind pan-Islamic movements such as Salafism is an attempt to decouple religious identity from a national one. For the Georgian Azeri minority, this is expressed through competition between members of the community who favour traditional iterations of Islam such as Shia and Sunni Islam, which are often times highly tied to the Georgian state and its political institutions, versus those who disavow traditionalism on the basis that Georgian national identity is incompatible with Muslim identity, he said. Bobghiashvili said that the spread of such ideology was most likely to happen in communities where religious observance and traditional forms of Islam were weak. Clifford said that this also offered a potential solution to the problem. It points to the number and relative strength of independent Muslim institutions to limit the effects of sectarian conflict, he explained. Without a doubt, the Georgian Azeri community is still heavily affected by radicalisation, but the situation could be improved by measures to improve religious education, involving local community leaders in institutional decision-making, and implementing bottom-up approaches to prevent violent extremism and sectarian conflict. Author Onnik James Krikorian Onnik James Krikorian is a journalist and media consultant from the UK. Institute for War and Peace Reporting, GLOBAL VOICES, CRS ISSUE 804 Please allow ads as they help fund our trusted local news content. Kindly add us to your ad blocker whitelist. If you want further access to Ireland's best local journalism, consider contributing and/or subscribing to our free daily Newsletter . Support our mission and join our community now. I agree with the program I don't agree with the program I like the idea, but feel the current proposal is too broad Let me park where I want! Vote View Results [February 16, 2016] Meggitt Training Systems to Highlight Facility Investment Trends at 2016 NRA Range Development and Operations Conference The NRA Range Development and Operations Conference on March 12-15, 2016 in Birmingham, Alabama will provide a forum for Meggitt Training Systems' representatives to meet current and prospective range owners. Topics include the future of range planning, design, installation, equipment, proper ventilation and opportunities for greater facility sharing with local, state and federal authorities. "The shooting community is often very knowledgeable about range design before they contact a vendor, but it's critical to consider every element early in the process," said Jon Read, vice president of live fire systems, Meggitt Training Systems. "Meggitt understands and works with all facets of shooting range design, construction and installation. With 90 years of experience, 24/7 customer support and the industry's leading products, Meggitt provides turnkey range development assistance to range owners around the world." Together with live-fire instruction, law enforcement and commercial range managers want virtual marksmanship and judgmental firearm training systems too. With early and long-term preparation, range owners can save time and money by planning for future investments and new technology. The integration of both live-fire and virtual training systems allow range owners the opportunity to service more customers, including local and regional law enforcement agencies. As consumer expectations grow, espcially on potential lead contamination, range owners will need to upgrade their facilities. Meggitt Training Systems' recent "10 Commandments of Clean and Healthy Range Design" show the way forward. http://meggitttrainingsystems.com/About-meggitt/10-Commandments-of-Range-Design Visit Meggitt's booth in the Hyatt Regency Birmingham - The Wynfrey Hotel exhibit hall for information on virtual or live-fire products, or schedule an appointment at http://meggitttrainingsystems.com/NRA_Spring. About Meggitt Training Systems Meggitt Training Systems, makers of FATS and Caswell technologies, a division of Meggitt PLC, is the leading supplier of integrated live fire and virtual weapons training systems, unmanned land and sea vehicles, aerial targets and electronic scoring systems. Over 13,000 Meggitt live fire ranges and 5,100 virtual systems are fielded internationally, providing judgmental, situational awareness and marksmanship training to the armed forces, law enforcement and security organizations. Meggitt Training Systems employs more than 400 people at its headquarters in Atlanta and at facilities in Orlando, Canada, the United Kingdom, Netherlands, UAE, Australia and Singapore. It can deploy service personnel anywhere in the world for instructor training, system installation and maintenance. About Meggitt PLC Headquartered in the United Kingdom, Meggitt PLC is an international group operating in North America, Europe and Asia. Known for its specialized extreme environment engineering, Meggitt is a world leader in aerospace, defense and energy. Meggitt employs nearly 11,000 people at over 40 manufacturing facilities and regional offices worldwide. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160216005001/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] SUBSCRIBERS OF UCOMS ALL TIME BEST OFFER TO ENJOY ADDITIONAL BENEFITS Armenia-Azerbaijan: EU sets up monitoring capacity along the international borders PACE co-rapporteurs on Armenia concerned by reports of alleged war crimes or inhuman treatment perpetrated by Azerbaijans armed forces There is still 35% gender pay gap: Sona Ghazaryan Google Ad Global Finance Names Ameriabank the Safest Bank in Armenia Mikayel and Karen Vardanyans provided 136 million AMD support for the overhaul of the Myasnikyan statue, which was in unsafe state of disrepair Believe me, as a representative of a country which uses the Schengen system very often, it is quite important. Vardanyan I really look forward to having answers from the Azerbaijani side for these alleged gross human rights violations: Secretary General I call on Armenian and Azerbaijani parliamentarians to use this Assembly as an agora of opportunities President Tiny Kox UCOMS SPECIAL OFFER OF THE UNLIMITED INTERNET IS NOW TERMLESS There is no place for the death penalty in a State that respects human rights: PACE General Rapporteur EU and CoE call on two Member States that have not yet acceded to this Protocol Armenia and Azerbaijan to do so without delay An urgent debate requested on "The military hostilities between Armenia and Azerbaijan". UCOM AND PES-PES CONTINUE COOPERATION WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF EDUCATIONAL PROJECT The statement of the meeting between Prime Minister Pashinyan, President Aliyev, President Macron and President Michel of October 6, 2022 Largest Corporate Bond Program at the Securities Market of Armenia Completed Successfully Google Ad The statement of the Defender on the video of the execution of Armenian PoWs by the Azerbaijani armed forces LEVEL UP ONLY FOR STUDENTS: UCOM OFFERS X2 AND X3 MORE INTERNET STATEMENT BY SECRETARY ANTONY J. BLINKEN This criminal act is another proof that the Armenophobia policy. Tatoyan Nikol Pashinyan, Nancy Pelosi discuss a number of issues related to the Armenian-American agenda and regional developments Delegation by Nancy Pelosi Accompanied by Alen Simonyan Visits Tsitsernakaberd Memorial Complex Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi Arrives in Yerevan Armenian Revytech, global technology leader SAP and financial services software specialist SAP Fioneer sign a cooperation agreement With 120 million drams donated by Mikael Vardanyan, the defenders of the homeland will be treated in a new building OSCE Chairman-in-Office and OSCE Secretary General call for immediate cessation of hostilities along Armenia-Azerbaijan border Statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Artsakh USA Embassy Message for U.S. Citizens ANCA Issues National Call to Action to Stop Taxpayer Funding of Aliyevs Aggression SUBSCRIBERS OF UCOMS ALL TIME BEST OFFER TO ENJOY ADDITIONAL BENEFITS Armenia-Azerbaijan: EU sets up monitoring capacity along the international borders PACE co-rapporteurs on Armenia concerned by reports of alleged war crimes or inhuman treatment perpetrated by Azerbaijans armed forces There is still 35% gender pay gap: Sona Ghazaryan Global Finance Names Ameriabank the Safest Bank in Armenia Mikayel and Karen Vardanyans provided 136 million AMD support for the overhaul of the Myasnikyan statue, which was in unsafe state of disrepair Believe me, as a representative of a country which uses the Schengen system very often, it is quite important. Vardanyan I really look forward to having answers from the Azerbaijani side for these alleged gross human rights violations: Secretary General I call on Armenian and Azerbaijani parliamentarians to use this Assembly as an agora of opportunities President Tiny Kox UCOMS SPECIAL OFFER OF THE UNLIMITED INTERNET IS NOW TERMLESS There is no place for the death penalty in a State that respects human rights: PACE General Rapporteur EU and CoE call on two Member States that have not yet acceded to this Protocol Armenia and Azerbaijan to do so without delay An urgent debate requested on "The military hostilities between Armenia and Azerbaijan". UCOM AND PES-PES CONTINUE COOPERATION WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF EDUCATIONAL PROJECT The statement of the meeting between Prime Minister Pashinyan, President Aliyev, President Macron and President Michel of October 6, 2022 Largest Corporate Bond Program at the Securities Market of Armenia Completed Successfully Google Ad The statement of the Defender on the video of the execution of Armenian PoWs by the Azerbaijani armed forces LEVEL UP ONLY FOR STUDENTS: UCOM OFFERS X2 AND X3 MORE INTERNET STATEMENT BY SECRETARY ANTONY J. BLINKEN This criminal act is another proof that the Armenophobia policy. Tatoyan Nikol Pashinyan, Nancy Pelosi discuss a number of issues related to the Armenian-American agenda and regional developments Delegation by Nancy Pelosi Accompanied by Alen Simonyan Visits Tsitsernakaberd Memorial Complex Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi Arrives in Yerevan Armenian Revytech, global technology leader SAP and financial services software specialist SAP Fioneer sign a cooperation agreement With 120 million drams donated by Mikael Vardanyan, the defenders of the homeland will be treated in a new building OSCE Chairman-in-Office and OSCE Secretary General call for immediate cessation of hostilities along Armenia-Azerbaijan border Statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Artsakh USA Embassy Message for U.S. Citizens ANCA Issues National Call to Action to Stop Taxpayer Funding of Aliyevs Aggression Natalia Vutova touched upon the constitutional reform Prime Minister Hovik Abrahamyan received Council of Europe Armenia Mission Head Natalia Vutova. Appreciating the ongoing Armenia-Council of Europe cooperation, the Prime Minister hailed the support provided by the CoE Armenia Office to democratic reforms in our country. The Premier said Armenia is an active member of the Council of Europe and is participating in the CoE proceedings at all levels. As a good example of successful cooperation, Hovik Abrahamyan cited the contribution made by the Venice Commission to constitutional reform in Armenia in the form of expertise. Pleased with Armenias active participation in Council of Europe proceedings, Natalia Vutova said that there are good opportunities for cooperation. Highly appreciative of Armenias chairmanship in the Council of Europe in 2013, she said there are effective ties of cooperation established between different State institutions and the CoE Armenia Mission, adding that the Council of Europe is ready to continue assisting the Government with the ongoing reforms. The CoE-Armenia action plans (2009-2010, 2012-2014 and 2015-2018 respectively) were described as an important tool of interaction. Noting that the local stakeholders are pleased with both the progress and results of the action plan for 2012-2014, as well as with the work of the Armenia Mission of the Council of Europe, the Premier stressed the need for continued efforts in the priority areas. Coming to the constitutional reform in Armenia, which was endorsed in the December 6, 2015 referendum, Hovik Abrahamyan said the parliamentary form of governance will help develop democracy in our country by virtue of a more open and flexible political system. Natalia Vutova underscored that the Council of Europe will continue to provide expert support to Armenia in terms of legislative harmonization. In this context, the parties looked at the expected amendments to the Electoral Code as a result of the constitutional reform. The interlocutors exchanged views on bilateral cooperation within the PACE frameworks. Violent Soho are heaps busy at the moment. They just finished a run on the Laneway Festival circuit and theyre gearing up to release their new album, the eagerly anticipated WACO. Lucky for them a committed Soho fan by the name of Luke Pleydon is taking some of the load off the boys shoulders by giving them free promo for their new album. Shout out to Luke Pleydon for being a total legend and putting up home-made WACO posters around his neighbourhood. What a lord! a no doubt very tired Soho recently wrote on Facebook. Pleydon, who runs Haunted Clothing, even got props from the bands label: Shout out to Luke Pleydon who has been putting up home-made WACO posters up around his neighbourhood. Certified legend. As you can see in the post below, Pleydons campaign is very DIY, which is part of its charm, and weve gotta say it warms our hearts to see a true Aussie music fan out there showing his favourite band some love. Pleydon is such a committed Soho fan that he even gave bass player Luke Henery a free T-shirt made just for him, which the muso ended up wearing during one of the bands Laneway performances. WACO, the follow-up to the bands breakthrough, Hungry Ghost, is set to drop on the 18th March via I OH YOU. The boys recently dropped the second single from the album, Viceroy. Having spent the last eight months recording and mixing WACO at The Shed studios in Brisbane with producer Bryce Moorhead, its fair to say Mansfields favourite sons have been putting in the hard yards to make sure their next album is a cracker. New tactics from strangely polite Kansas City crooks who still present a clear and present danger to residents of the urban core: "One of the suspects hit the man over the head with a gun. The suspects demanded money and forced the man and woman who lived in the apartment into a back bedroom, but the two victims ran off and hid in a closet. The victims told police they heard two gunshots from the other room. Then the suspects took off." KCMO police search for two suspects in overnight home invasion Members of the community, including KCPS parents, MORE2, Urban Summit, NAACP, AFT, Black Agenda Group, will be attending and speaking at the Port KC Commissioners business meeting, 300 Wyandotte, Suite 100 - 3:00 PM. We, as citizens, continue to have concerns regarding the use of tax incentives and abatement for projects in areas that are not blighted, while areas clearly in need of economic stimulation receive little if any benefit from such programs. We strongly encourage our city leaders to put forth a clear, reasonable and balanced tax incentive policy in order for economic development to continue for all areas of the city. In the aftermath of a TIF victory . . . Kansas City tax fighters continue their advocacy . . .#########Developing . . . "We want to create awareness of whats happening in ALL of our communities, and inspire people to take a stand against violence and homicide. We want people to come forward and help authorities solve crimes, without having to worry about their own safety. We want to help influence stricter laws for gun control. If one woman can make a difference, imagine what could happen if individuals and communities everywhere take a stand." For the overnight lets consider art, commerce and the topic of Kansas City killing along with ensuing media images.Some of the most brilliant members of our TKC blog community direct us toward theNow, take a look some impressive footage and images from the upcoming documentary:We hope this group meets its goals but it's also important to realize that the topic of Kansas City's homicide count is coming under increasing scrutiny as community activists, social media denizens and now moviemakers are starting to tell the story of this ongoing slaughter.Developing . . . CHECK THIS NORTHLAND KANSAS CITY COMPLAINT REVEALING NO CASH TO REPAIR STREETLIGHTS!!! INSOLVENT NORTHLAND STREETLIGHTS I was driving down Searcy Creek Parkway the other night and almost hit a deer. Wiring for the street lights along Searcy Creek Parkway and the outer roads of M-210 Highway were stolen over a year ago. Multiple 311 cases have been opened since the theft occurred. The City hasn't done anything because they dont have $200,000 for the repair. Yet the City plans to spend $500,000 to repair damage to streetlights from copper theft just west of 169 in the 2nd District. Request for Service Number: ############### Problem Summary: Lights / Signals-Street Light-5+ lights out Date Created: 2015-11-12 Incident Location: ####### NE RUSSELL RD, Kansas City, Clay, MO, 64117, USA Department: Public Works-Street and Traffic-Streetlights Your request for service was forwarded to the above department for action. The department reports that your request for service has been resolved as follows: Closed Date: 2015-11-12-18.43.16.000000 Solution: The City's Street Lighting Section dispatched a contractor to investigate. It was reported that the outage is due to the theft of cable in the street light system. The Street Lighting Section does not currently have sufficient funding to replace the cable and is working with the budget office and City Council members to secure funds to replace the cable . ########## Here's an important note about the old and busted finances of Kansas City that don't really reflect the "robust" financial outlook with the "right priorities" that media hacks would suggest.Accordingly . . .Here's the word from the nice side of the bridge that struggles to secure funds for infrastructure, police protection and basic services that are more focused on the South side of the river: EU Commission will do its best to complete Greek program's review, spokesman says Greek government will be engaged in tough and difficult negotiation talks as yesterdays Eurogroup meeting showed while Commissioner Pierre Moscovici said that negotiation talks will end by Easter Greeces lenders are asking the government to take decisions, which are becoming more and more difficult, as the completion of the Greek program evaluation has been delayed, proving that Jeroen Dijsselbloem statements in January, who claimed that evaluation will take months to complete, were not at all assumptions. Constructive negotiations "The European Commission will do its best in order to achieve the rapid completion of the program's review. However, this does not only depend on us," European Commission spokesman Margaritis Schinas said on Monday regarding the date of the institutions' representatives return in Athens. He added that the first round of the negotiations was "constructive" adding that "substantial progress was recorded in several issues." He also underlined that intensive work at technical level continue so that the heads of the institutions' representatives return "as soon as possible" in order to reach an agreement on a technical level in the coming weeks. Critical meeting In the meanwhile, Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras has arranged to meet with the President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker in Brussels on Wednesday, a day ahead of the refugee summit. During the meeting the Prime Minister will underline that reforms to be implemented in Greece must not cause any further explosions, in response to recent demand by the IMFs Poul Thomsen for even more cuts. With the European Commission and European Central Bank both stressing the need to complete the bailout review as soon as possible, the pension system reform which is the greatest hurdle to overcome will be at the forefront of Wednesdays meeting, along with the return of the institutions to Athens, to complete the procedure. RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations , Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report Merkel said to the German daily Stuttgarter Zeitung: "To simply build a fence in Macedonia, which is not even an EU member, without a thought about what it would do to Greece, it is not just an un-European act, but it would also not resolve our probl Leaders of four Central European states met in Prague on Monday with controversial plans to assist Macedonia in sealing its border with Greece, as some EU members look outside the bloc for ways to clamp down on migration flows. The moves are a direct challenge to German Chancellor Angela Merkel ahead of an EU summit this week. European countries have been struggling to get to grips with a migration surge that saw more than 1 million people reach the continent last year. The crisis has strained relations within the EU and triggered the return of border controls two decades after they were lifted. With Greece coming under fire for allowing people to enter and cross its territory unchecked, attention has shifted to its border with Macedonia, a Balkan country outside of the EU that is next in line on the so-called Western Balkan migration route to northern Europe. The Visegrad Group, comprising the Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia and Poland, has been sharply critical of Greece over its inability to prevent thousands of migrants from arriving via the Aegean Sea from Turkey. Sign of solidarity "There is the possibility to stop illegal economic migrants on the borders of Macedonia and Bulgaria," Czech Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka said ahead of the conference. The invitation of representatives from Macedonia and EU member Bulgaria to the meeting was "a sign of solidarity" with the two countries, which "must not be left alone in the crisis," Sobotka said. Slovakia and the Czech Republic have sent a contingent of police officers to patrol Macedonia's border with Greece, and Polish Foreign Minister Witold Waszczykowski said Sunday that Warsaw could soon send more. But it was not immediately clear what measures the Visegrad four are planning. Fence along the border Macedonia is already expanding and reinforcing a fence along the border with Greece, on the main corridor of the migration flow arriving from Turkey, to hamper trespassers. Closing off the frontier would put further pressure on Athens, which fears that closing the Balkan borders would strand tens of thousands of migrants in the European Union's south-easternmost country. Greece has been told it has to improve controls along its sea border or else face the possibility of other countries in the Schengen passport-free travel zone reintroducing controls on their borders for up to two years. That would effectively amount to excluding Greece from Schengen, many have argued. The Schengen zone was launched in 1995 and now comprises 26 European countries. Merke'sl concerns The idea upset Merkel, who expressed her concerns to the German daily Stuttgarter Zeitung. "To simply build a fence in Macedonia, which is not even an EU member, without a thought about what it would do to Greece, it is not just an un-European act, but it would also not resolve our problems," Merkel said in comments for Tuesday's edition of the paper. The German ambassador to Prague, Arndt Freytag, urged "constructive solutions" in an interview with the daily Pravo and warned against the building of fences in Europe. "The atmosphere in Europe is turning increasingly poisonous," he said, pointing to a growing split between western and eastern European countries. Visegrad defiance But Visegrad leaders remained defiant. Slovakian Prime Minister Rober Fico said that Germany made a mistake by welcoming migrants last year and was now trying to pressure others to deal with the consequences. The nationalist Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who sealed his country's border to migrants coming through Serbia and Croatia by erecting a fence, promised to further strengthen and expand the border protection and fight the redistribution of migrants within the EU. European Commission warning In Brussels, meanwhile, the European Commission warned against sealing off Greece. "The European response to the refugee crisis will be done with Greece, not against Greece," commission spokesman Margaritis Schinas added. The EU's executive announced Monday that it will provide Macedonia with another 10 million euros (11 million dollars) to help the country improve its border and migration management systems. Managing borders But Tove Ernst, a spokeswoman for EU Migration Commissioner Dimitris Avramopoulos, noted that this aid "will not help to finance the construction of any fence." "The commission's work is aimed at managing borders and not closing them," she added. Another 12.7 million euros will be funnelled to Greece as emergency funding for the installation of prefabricated houses to host migrants and refugees on its mainland, the commission said. Struggling to deal with the crisis, the EU overcame the hostility of the Visegrad Group countries and imposed a plan to redistribute asylum seekers across the 28 member states, but Hungary and Slovakia legally challenged the programme. Read more here. RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations , Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report A leading Saudi Arabian businessman has asked the King to intervene to ensure that the government makes delayed payments to construction companies, in a sign of growing pressure on the economy due to low oil prices. Some construction firms have seen scheduled payments from the government delayed by over six months, Abdulrahman Al Zamil, president of the Council of Saudi Chambers business association, wrote in a letter to King Salman. "If the delay in payments continues, these companies will be at risk of default, or go completely out of business," said the letter. Direct pleas to the monarch are not unknown in Saudi Arabia, but the letter underlined the pressures facing the Saudi construction sector, which has run into difficulties since the second half of last year as the government has reduced spending in response to low oil prices. The finance ministry has cut advance payments to firms doing state construction work, the government has awarded fewer contracts, and its payments to companies for work already done have slowed, industry executives say. Despite shrinking oil revenues, the government does not lack money to pay its debts; it still has about $600 billion in overseas assets. But the spending clampdown appears to have slowed approvals for payments and their disbursement. Partly because of the payment delays, some firms have delayed paying their staff or laid off thousands of workers, and several have begun talks to reschedule debts. Jabal Omar Development said last month it was in talks with creditors after failing to make a SR650 million ($173 million) first repayment on a SR3-billion ($799 million) government loan. In his letter, Zamil said construction companies hoped authorities would investigate the situation and create a mechanism for the firms to receive money owed to them. "The contracting sector seems to have been hit twice, first by controls on government spending on projects, and second by delays in receiving financial payments," said prominent local economist Fadl Al Buainain. "Adding to that the tightening liquidity and banks being reluctant to lend to contractors because of increased risk, the result becomes a painful negative impact on these companies." John Sfakianakis, a Riyadh-based economist, said: "It's not the government's intention to see growth slow in the private sector and it will surely take an appropriate course of action."-Reuters Mourjan Marinas Lusail City, Dohas premier yachting destination, will be showcasing the success of its floating mangroves project in a special documentary to be shown on Qatar TV this month. It was launched in 2012 together with Unesco and Lusail City to monitor the use of mangroves for capturing carbon emissions, or sequestration, helping to reduce atmospheric carbon levels, said a statement from Mourjan Marinas, an international marina developer, operator and investor based in Dubai (UAE). The project continues to capture international attention from the science and environmental communities as mangroves also provide a safe, sheltered home for hundreds of birds and marine species, which aids biodiversity and helps to increase fish stocks, it stated. In 2014, Mourjan Marinas Lusail City was awarded a regional-first marine industry international achievement award with the Clean Marina accreditation. Mourjan Marinas was also named Leading marina developer in the GCC in The World of Yachts Recognition Awards for Excellence 2015. The special documentary, which is expected to air later this month, will be shared across social media. "The protection of the environment has definitely become a factor taken into consideration in every business and not just in the marine industry," remarked Wayne Shepherd, the general manager of Mourjan Marinas. "As human activity increases across the globe, it is the duty of every noble citizen and organisation to employ initiatives that reduce the impact of carbon emissions," stated Shepherd. According to him, all of the marinas at the Lusail City were built and maintained with the greatest sensitivity to the local environment. "For a long time, it has been our vision to have this breakthrough initiative incorporated into the design and construction of our marinas, and we are delighted to have partnered with Unesco and Lusail Real Estate Development Company to make it a reality," he added.-TradeArabia News Service Italy-based Maire Tecnimont, a leading engineering company, has signed an agreement worth 1 billion ($1.11 billion) with the Persian Gulf Petrochemical Industries Co (PGPIC) to construct refineries and petrochemical plants in Iran, a report said. The agreement includes providing finance, parts and equipment, as well as solutions to Iran's processing issues, added the report. Speaking at the signing ceremony, Maire Tecnimonts CEO Pierroberto Folgiero said that Italy is seeking to open a new chapter in its cooperation with Iran, especially in the oil and petrochemical industries. Maire Tecnimont will help Iran build an acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) and rubber plant in the industrial city of Asaluyeh, said the report. The ABS product has a variety of applications including in the automotive industry, it added. Iraq is aiming to attract Egyptian investors to build two industrial cities as part of plans to construct such projects with the help of other countries, a report said. Iraqi industry and minerals minister Mohammed Al Daraji discussed the plan for the two cities during talks held in Egypt recently, added the Emirates 24/7 report, citing Shafaq News. Al Daraji said that he would meet more Egyptian industrialists during the visit to discuss their contribution to the two projects. Additionally, Abdul Aziz Saifuddin, chairman of the Cairo-based Arab Industrialisation Organisation, added developing the industrial cities projects was under serious consideration. The oil ministers of Venezuela, Iraq and Iran will meet in Tehran on Wednesday to discuss an agreement to freeze producers' output at January levels, Venezuela's oil minister said on Tuesday. Eulogio Del Pino was speaking at a news conference in Doha after he and the ministers of Qatar, Russia and Saudi Arabia agreed to freeze output providing other major producers followed suit. "Tomorrow we are going to have a meeting with ministers of Iran and Iraq in Iran, and I hope the minister of Qatar will be going with me to discuss with them the basis of this agreement, which is very important for the stabilisation of the market." Reuters Lekela Power, a pan-African renewable power generation company, has signed a deal with Egyptian government to build a 250 MW wind power station in the Gulf of Suez area at an investment of $350 million. Lekela Power is 60 per cent owned by Actis, a leading emerging markets investor and 40 per cent Mainstream Renewable Power, a global wind and solar company. This is the company's third project in Egypt following the signing of two power station contracts earlier this year - a 50 MW solar power station and 50 MW wind power station. The upcoming project, to be situated in the Gulf of Suez area, aims to capitalise on Egypts unique wind resources and will be managed with a build, own and operate (BOO) framework, said a statement from Lekela. Commenting on the deal, Chris Antonopoulos, the chief executive of Lekela Power, said: "We are delighted to have agreed heads of terms for our third project in Egypt and we look forward to continuing to provide clean, safe, and cost competitive energy to the Egyptian people through our wind and solar projects." Launched in February of this year, Lekela Power has over 1,100 MW of wind and solar projects under construction or due to commence construction across South Africa, Egypt and Ghana. Lekela Power is one of the biggest international platforms focused on renewable energy targeting the emerging markets.-TradeArabia News Service Novotel & Adagio Abu Dhabi Al Bustan, a leading four-star property in the UAE capital, has welcomed three new executives to its management team. Bruno Debray joins the hotel as its new general manager. A French national, Debray has 33 years of experience in the hospitality industry, the majority of which as general manager. Considered a hospitality veteran, Debray has successfully developed operational key-skills and international competencies in Hotel Management, Business Development, Rooms Division, Food & Beverage, Finance, Human Resources as well as Hotel opening. He has worked with several hotel chains including Al Hamra Hotel and Accor. Prior to his new role, Debray was the general manager of ibis properties in Kuwait where he took over Ibis Salmiya and successfully opened Ibis Sharq in 2010. Novotel & Adagio Abu Dhabi Al Bustan has welcomed Hazem Makled as executive assistant manager of the four-star complex property. Born in Cairo, Makled has over 19 years of experience in the hospitality industry. He began his career in hospitality as a guest service agent during the opening of the Makkah Hilton Hotel in 1995 and later developed his career holding various top positions across properties in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. He joined the pre-opening team of Novotel & Adagio Abu Dhabi as director of operations in 2013 and has now been promoted to his new role. Ashraf Ramez has taken on the role of rooms division manager at the luxurious property. Bringing 15 years of experience in the hospitality industry, the Egyptian national began his career as a Front Office shift leader at Rotana Hotels. Over the years, he moved across various positions in the Front Office Department before joining the pre-opening team of Novotel & Adagio Abu Dhabi in 2013 as Front Office Manager. TradeArabia News Service UAE conglomerate Al Habtoor Group has purchased the historic Hotel Imperial, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Vienna from Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide for $78.8 million. The acquisition brings the total number of hotels overseas within the investment arm of Al Habtoor Group to seven. Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor, Chairman, Al Habtoor Group said: I am delighted to add such a historic hotel to our international hospitality portfolio. The hotel is one of the citys most renowned pieces of architecture. Hotel Imperial will continue to operate as part of The Luxury Collection brand under a new long-term management agreement. Built in 1863 as Prince Philipp of Wurttembergs Viennese residence, Hotel Imperial was transformed into a hotel to accommodate visitors of the 1873 Worlds Fair. Situated on the iconic Ringstrasse (Ring Boulevard) in the citys center, Hotel Imperial occupies a prime location at Karntner Ring 16. The luxury hotel is next to the legendary Musikverein concert hall and a short walk from attractions such as the Vienna State Opera, Kunsthistorisches Museum and Secession Building. Al Habtoor said: Hotel Imperial is one of Europes most extraordinary luxury hotels and a premium addition to our growing global portfolio. We look forward to making further improvements to this legendary property and continuing to provide exceptional luxury hospitality to the next generation of luxury travellers. Hotel Imperial is the fifth Starwood property in the groups portfolio of 14 world-class hotels, joining the newly opened The St. Regis Dubai, as well as the upcoming W Dubai - Al Habtoor City, The Westin Dubai, Al Habtoor City and The St. Regis Dubai, Al Habtoor Polo Resort and Club. Michael Wale, president of Starwood for Europe, Africa and Middle East said: We are delighted to extend our relationship with the Al Habtoor Group, with whom we are launching Starwoods largest hospitality project in the Middle East this year. Hotel Imperial was one of the first Luxury Collection hotels and its full restoration together with our partners will reinforce the majestic heritage of this historic hotel as we continue to provide global explorers with indigenous experiences in Vienna. The seven-storey Hotel Imperial Vienna consists of 138 rooms, including 59 suites. It has three food and beverage outlets. The 105 seat Cafe Imperial Wien, a veritable institution among Viennese coffee houses, offers delicious Austrian specialties with fresh local ingredients. The award-winning Opus Restaurant combines artistic creativity and culinary enjoyment with emphasis on aesthetics as well as on light dishes created of local produce. The historic 1873 Halle&Salon Bar has been transformed into a modern, popular lounge bar offering guests a relaxing environment. The hotel, which will continue to operate as part of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide The Luxury Collection brand under a new long-term management agreement, boasts five hotel meeting rooms and conferences salons equipped with state of the art technology. Vienna in the 19th century is reflected by the magnificent frescoes and crystal chandeliers in the historic Festsaal and Marmorsaal. The hotel also has a fully equipped gymnasium complete with sauna. Al Habtoor Investment the investment arm of Al Habtoor Group recently acquired its first hotel in London with the purchase of the Hilton London Wembley. It also has two Hilton-branded hotels in Lebanon (Hilton Beirut Habtoor Grand Hotel, Hilton Beirut Metropolitan Palace), one in the United States (President Abraham Lincoln Springfield a DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel), and two five-star hotels in Hungary (InterContinental Hotel Budapest, The Ritz-Carlton Budapest). TradeArabia News Service You can opt out of certain types of cookies (e.g. those used in social media sharing) by choosing "I do not accept". The website will still largely function well, but with slightly less functionality in places. To manage your cookie preferences in future, visit the "Cookie Statement" link at the bottom of any page. Some posts on this site contain affiliate links, meaning if you book or buy something through one of these links, we may earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). Rotterdam is full of surprises. We knew very little about the second-largest city in the Netherlands before we decided to add a few days here onto our trip to Amsterdam. What we discovered was a modern, vibrant city full of architecture, art, culture, and lots of great food. Heres a look at some of the fun things to do in Rotterdam if you have 48 hours to explore. Sailing under the Erasmus Bridge on a boat cruise Take a Spido boat tour One of the best ways to see things in the city is by waterspecifically by exploring its harbor on a Spido boat tour. The port of Rotterdam is the largest port in Europe and one of the busiest in the world. On a 75-minute Spido cruise, you can experience the activity of the harbor and see many of the citys sights from a different angle. From the distinctive Erasmus and Willems bridges to the De Rotterdam building, youll see some of Rotterdams unique architecture. Youll also get a view of the shipyards and docks that make the port hum with energy. Its a great way to orient yourself to all the places to see in Rotterdam. Eat your way through Fenix Food Factory The bakery and cidery are just two of the great places to try at the Fenix Food Factory The Fenix Food Factory space is occupied by eleven entrepreneurs, including a brewery, bakery, cheese monger, and butcher, among others. Its a great place to try out everything from Dutch foods like stroopwafels to Moroccan tapas. Vintage furniture and benches make inviting places for you to hang out in this hip market with a great view of the city. When youre done eating, check out the cute bookstore. Explore Museumpark Temporary fashion museum at the New Institute Museumpark is home, as the name suggests, to a group of the citys finest museums. These attractions showcase everything from the work of Old Masters to temporary fashion shows to animals preserved in formaldehyde. At the Kunsthal Rotterdam, you can find rotating exhibits of all types of art and photography, while the Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen has an impressive collection of masterpieces from medieval to contemporary artists. The New Institute (Het Nieuwe Instituut) focuses less on pieces of art and more on innovation in architecture, fashion, and design. Nearby is the Huis Sonneveld, an actual home that is one of the best-preserved houses in the Dutch branch of the International School of Modernism. To round out the offerings, the Natural History Museum features skeletons, fossils, and a wide variety of items from nature. Visit the SS Rotterdam The ss Rotterdam in her permanent home Rotterdam is home to one of the most unique hotels/museums weve encounteredthe ss Rotterdam. This ship from the Holland America line was once known as The Grande Dame and sailed the oceans for over 40 years until being permanently docked in the port. She opened as a combined hotel and museum in 2010. You can visit the ship for events, to dine, or to take one of the many tours available. Possible stops include the bridge, engine rooms, Captains quarters, and the various public spaces of the ship. Staying overnight in one of its 254 hotel rooms (decorated in 1950s motif, of course) is also quite an experienceone of the more unusual things to do in Rotterdam. Shop at the Market Hall The enormous, delicious Market Hall Market Hall (Markthal) is an explosion of colors and scents. From the moment you walk through the doors of this enormous, horseshoe-shaped building, all you see are bright fruits, vegetables, and other foodsboth actual items at the numerous food stalls and images of items on the massive ceiling artwork. You can browse your way through the 100+ shops and stands or stop for a meal at one of the 15 restaurants in the market. Pretty much anything you can think of from tapas to hamburgers is available here. Browse Binnenrotte Market Vendors at Binnenrotte Market One of the largest street markets in the Netherlands, Binnenrotte Market has over 500 stalls. Every Tuesday and Saturday, you can browse the massive area just outside Market Hall. Theres everything from clothes to books to produce at great prices, and its truly a local experience. See the Old Harbor Old Harbor is a mixture of the old and the new Dating from the 14th century, the Old Harbor (Oude Haven) is one of the more historic places to visit in Rotterdam and is the citys oldest harbor. This unique area is home to an eclectic mix of old and new. In the Old Harbor, youll find a small shipyard where historic ships are renovated (part of the Maritime Museum) as well as a group of regal, old ships that are actually moored in the harbor. There are also historic merchant houses, which are some of the oldest surviving buildings in the city. This history is juxtaposed against a lively group of waterfront cafes, modern architecture, and innovations like the first skyscraper in the city. Its a great place to grab a drink or a snack and take in the view. Visit the Cube Houses The remarkable Cube Houses, up close Rotterdams unique Cube Houses are recognized around the world for their striking appearance. Dutch architect Piet Blom designed each cube to be tilted at a 55-degree angle and perched atop a hexagonally-shaped base. Plus, theyre bright yellow, so they more than stand out from the nearby buildings. Many people just walk by the Cube Houses and marvel, but its also possible to visit the Show-Cubea fully-furnished cube house that serves a museum. A step inside shows that it is indeed possible for people to live in these unique structures. See the city from the Euromast The remarkable view from the top of the Euromast The 185-meter-tall Euromast is Rotterdams highest tower. From its rotating elevator that ascends to the top of the building, you can see brilliant 360-degree views of some of the citys most notable landmarks. For those a little bit less adventurous, the observation platform and restaurant at 96 meters also offer a great view of the city, perhaps paired with a meal or cup of tea. I chose the traditional elevator route down to the ground, but its also possible to abseil or zipline down from the tower during the summer if youre looking for something adventurous to do. Visit Delfshaven The picturesque marina of Delfshaven The inner-city harbor of Delfshaven is one of the few areas that survived the bombing of Rotterdam during World War II. In this charming enclave, you can visit Pelgrimskerk, the church from which the Pilgrim Fathers left for America, and De Pelgrim Brewery which has been making craft beer for over 20 years. The restored grain mill De Distileerketel is also worth a visit. Or, if youve had your fill of sites, just walk around and enjoy the historic marina area. Stroll Witte de With Street The colorful Witte de With Street is full of activity at night Witte de With Street is one of the cool areas. Filled with cafes, restaurants, art galleries, and shops, theres always something happening on this street adjacent to the Museumpark. Pop into the Bazaar restaurant for some hummus, browse for sleek fashion at Design Studio Armeni, or stop by a thought-provoking exhibit at the Kunstinstituut Melly. See the original Holland America headquarters Hotel New York dates from 1901 In the Kop van Zuid neighborhood, youll find the original headquarters of the Holland America line built in 1901. For decades, the distinctive Art Nouveau building was the point of departure for many Dutch people leaving for America. Now, the historic building is the stylish Hotel New York. Despite the changes, many of the buildings architectural elements have been preserved, including its distinctive signage. Its a great place to stop in for a drink or one of the restaurants seafood specialties. Get outside at Keukenhof tulip garden Gorgeous Keukenhof is less than an hour from Rotterdam For eight weeks every spring, Keukenhof, the most famous tulip garden in the Netherlands, opens less than an hour away . With over 1600 varieties of flowers and lots of sculptures, demonstrations, and unique exhibits, visiting Keukenhof is a gorgeous experience. The 80-acre garden is accessible by public transportation from The Hague or Leiden, which are only 30 minutes away by train. Once youve seen Keukenhof, rent a bicycle in the parking lot to explore the flower fields nearby. To easily visit Keukenhof from central Rotterdam, consider this tour. Visit the Kinderdijk windmills The historic windmills of Kinderdijk Like tulips, windmills are quintessentially Dutch. The ones you can see at Kinderdijk are some of the most historic and majestic things to see in the Netherlands. Theyre so close to the city that a visit to Kinderdijk is a must do day trip from Rotterdam. The Kinderdijk windmills arent just amazing to see in persontheyre an essential part of life here. At 5 feet below sea level and surrounded by water, the mills are necessary to help keep the water out, and theyve been doing their job for centuries. On a walk around this UNESCO World Heritage site, you can see inside the windmills and learn about their history and their importance to the Netherlands, or you can just take a canal cruise and enjoy the peaceful scenery. We loved seeing the windmills at Zaanse Schans near Amsterdam, but the authenticity and history at Kinderdijk takes it to a different level. Handetour.Com will be available at This year's Los Angeles Travel & Adventure show on the 27-28 Feb to share 10 best places to visit in Vietnam in 2016 (TRAVPR.COM) VIETNAM - February 16th, 2016 - Vietnam is a land of striking landscapes that range from the lush rice terraces and forested mountains in the North to the picturesque valleys in the Central Highlands and the fertile delta, beautiful beaches in the South. Included in the mix are bustling modern cities, colonial towns, traditional villages, archaeological sites and otherworldly islands. 10 best places to visit in Vietnam in 2016 1. Halong Bay: Visit the World Heritage bay where dragons emerge from the deep as limestone cliffs. 2. Hue: Explore this resplendent Forbidden City on the banks of the Perfume River 3. Hanoi's Old Quarter: Spend a day wandering the ancient streets of Vietnams most atmospheric city. 4. Sa Pas hill-tribe villages: Visit exotic ethnic groups amid breath-taking mountain scenery. 5. Cu Chi Tunnels: Crawl through the extraordinary network of subterranean passages 6. Nha Trang: Vietnams favorite party town is blessed with accessible coral reefs. 7. My Son: Wander among ancient Cham temple ruins, reflecting on more than 1,000 years of history. 8. Phu Quoc Island: Coconut groves, sandy beaches and coral reefs, still relatively undeveloped 9. Mekong Delta: Take the scenic route to the floating markets. 10. Modern Ho Chi Minh City: Catch a view from the 68th floor, shop in luxury malls then go clubbing until late in this booming metropolis. Handetour.Com will be available at This year's Los Angeles Travel & Adventure show on the 27-28 Feb 2016 and have their own Booth at number 1015 to share their travel experience, to offer discount tour packages and to share 10 best places to visit in Vietnam in 2016 ### (TRAVPR.COM) Feb 16rg, 2016 - United Kingdom - More than 60% of travel companies are now using Instagram as part of their marketing according to new research from EyeforTravel. This puts it behind only Facebook, Twitter, Youtube and LinkedIn. The engagement befits the networks meteoric growth, with the report also noting that more than 400 million users access Instagram on a monthly basis up by an estimated 100 million from the start of 2015. Although Facebook was the clear winner, with 95% of marketers using it, a number of newer networks have made inroads alongside Instagram, with Pinterest, Vimeo, Foursquare and Tumblr also making the top 10. Imagery is a critical part of the travel decision-making process and we can see that from our results with the ascendancy of sites specialising in this and video, said Alex Hadwick, head of research at EyeforTravel. This should open up exciting opportunities for travel companies to engage in more direct marketing to consumers through social media channels. They are also now able to close the loop, with several of these sites adding buy buttons that can redirect to a brands booking pages. According to James Quarles, Global Head of Business and Brand Development at Instagram: "Inspiring people to Book Now on Instagram is already being adopted by the industry, including major hotel brands and airlines, and [the] results are promising. The incorporation of travel companies onto social media is also happening in reverse, with brands placing social media directly onto their brand websites. Over three-quarters of those surveyed reporting that they incorporate social media content onto their websites already, and nearly half host blogs and videos. ### Waterville Valley Resort is celebrating Leap Year with four fantastic deals on Leap Day. 1) If your birthday is on February 29th, you and one guest will ski for FREE that day, 2) lift tickets are just $29 for all other guests, 3) all ski and snowboard rentals are just $29, and 4) Learn to Ski & Snowboard packages are just $39 (TRAVPR.COM) USA - February 16th, 2016 - Waterville Valley, NH Waterville Valley Resort is celebrating Leap Year with four fantastic deals on Leap Day. 1) If your birthday is on February 29th, you and one guest will ski for FREE that day, 2) lift tickets are just $29 for all other guests, 3) all ski and snowboard rentals are just $29, and 4) Learn to Ski & Snowboard packages are just $39. All deals are valid exclusively on February 29, 2016 and cannot be combined with other offers. Its a day that only comes around once every four years so we thought wed give our guests a few different ways to make it a memorable day, said Marketing Coordinator Peter Sununu. Its especially great for those born on the 29th. We wanted to make sure that one of the rare times they actually get their birthday to themselves, they can have a real celebration. Maybe Leap Day William will even pay us a visit and hand out candy. This month also features some great deals during New Hampshire Vacation Week. February 21-26 is Kids Week at Waterville Valley Resort. From February 21 to February 25, the Kids Rule WatervilleKids Ski FREE deal is a Ski & Stay package that includes a free Junior Lift Ticket along with every Adult Lift Ticket. Also that week, from February 22-26, kids 17 and under can ski or ride for just $25 with the purchase of an Adult Lift Ticket at the ticket window. Learn to Ski or Ride packages are also just $59 on those days. For details on these deals and more go to waterville.com. ### Waterville Valley Resort was designed and planned specifically as a self-contained four-season resort. Known as New Hampshires Family Resort, it features 220 skiable acres with an altitude of 4,004 feet and vertical drop of 2,020 feet, 50 trails, and 11 lifts. Lodging options include country inns, condominiums and all-suite hotels. For more information, call 1-800-GO-VALLEY or visit waterville.com. ### The Container Cycle Hub is one solution to what is going to be a very big problem. We are in the midst of a cycling revolution with the proliferation of electric bikes, which are often far more expensive that the regular bikes people ride in cities. But this creates a problem; nobody I know with a Cevelo road bike leaves it chained to a post in the middle of the city (they keep a junker bike for that), but lots of people have e-bikes now that cost as much. That's why secure bike parking and storage is really going to be the third leg of the stool that will make the e-bike revolution happen: good bikes, good bike lanes, and a safe, secure place to park. Cyclehoop That's why the Container Cycle Hub from Cyclehoop is such a good idea; in the space of a single car parking space it provides parking for 24 bikes. It's made out of a recycled high cube shipping container. A key feature of this product is the high security gate. The original container has been modified to fit space saving secure sliding gates with perforated panels that allow natural light inside while reducing the visibility of the bicycles from the outside for security. The sliding gates are opened using a mechanical code lock, with electronic options available, facilitating keyless access. Cyclehoop They get so many bikes inside by parking them double high, with Cyclehoop's "gas assisted two tier racks." It has bright motion-sensor lights powered by solar panels and enough batteries to keep it going all year. I do hope that there is enough power to run an alarm and video system as well, just in case someone breaks it open, as often happens in bike storage lockers. You still have to lock your bike, even in this. As more and more people ride e-bikes instead of cars, more and more of them are going to cost as much as used cars, and security is going to become a very big problem, as critical a part of bike infrastructure as bike lanes. Gazelle goes to the Home Depot/ Lloyd Alter/CC BY 2.0 I am facing this issue all the time now, as I am testing a Gazelle e-bike that is worth as much as a Cevelo road bike and 5 times as much as I got for my beloved Miata. I want to ride it to a lecture tomorrow, but do I dare leave it outside a theatre in the evening in Toronto? In a previous post, What's the best way to lock an e-bike, I quoted an Abus representative who follows a lock-per-hour rule: "If I go to a three-hour movie, I put three locks on the bike." I will be doing that, but I will still be nervous through the entire evening. Cyclehoop But cities now provide free or cheap storage for automobiles in public streets. They can get 24 bikes or e-bikes in the same space. If cities are serious about getting people out of cars and on to bikes, they should get serious about bike parking; it is a critical part of bike infrastructure. Dropping Container Cycle Hubs on every block would be a great way to do it. With people riding $5,000 Terns and Surlys and $2500 Gazelles instead of cars, parking is going to become very, very important. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. Bharat Khanna Tribune News Service Bathinda, February 16 District residents should not expect much from the government health authorities, especially from the Civil Hospital, in case of swine flu treatment, as the facility of ventilators is still not available for such patients. There is no option but to approach private hospitals that charge high fees. The only help one can get from the government is the facility of free swab tests conducted to confirm the swine flu virus. There are about 15 samples taken by the Health Department, out of which, eight have been declared positive, including five patients who died. Last year too, five deaths were reported due to swine flu in the district. About 10 samples have been tested by Max Super Speciality Hospital, out of which, two were confirmed with swine flu. These two patients died after they left the hospital to get treatment from another hospital. However, the civil health authorities neither confirmed the swine flu reports nor the deaths as their date does not include the deaths or reports from any reputed institute or laboratory except PGIMER, Chandigarh. The Civil Hospital doesnt have ventilator facility available for treatment of swine flu infected patients and the isolation ward has been locked since long. The Civil Hospital also lacks staff to operate the other ventilators available at the hospital that could be used in urgency for swine flu patients. On the other hand, at reputed private hospitals, including Max and Delhi Heart, there is an availability of isolation wards, ventilators and special teams for treatment of swine flu patients. The district health authorities are also claiming to have trained ANMs (auxiliary nursing midwives) and paramedical staff in dealing methods and precautions of swine flu, besides disseminating necessary information about the disease among people. Cost of treatment The cost of treatment of swine flu depends upon the condition of the patient. In a private hospital, the patient, if his condition is not serious, will have to pay Rs 5,000-6,000 for treatment but the amount would increase if the patient needs ventilator facility. The private hospitals are charging from Rs 5,000 to 10,000 per day for ventilator room and a patient is treated for minimum one week. The cost may increase with increasing expenses on medicines plus ventilator treatment in case of bad condition of lungs of the patient. Speaking out Unavailability of ventilator The unavailability of staff and machines, including ventilators at the Civil Hospital, is a mere joke by the government that has always been promising better health facilities to the residents. Hundreds of crores are being spent on sangat darshans but the ground reality has not changed. Instead of wasting money on sangat darshans, the government should provide a ventilator, along with a team, at the Civil Hospital so that life of poor patients can be saved. Karam Singh, resident of Paras Ram Nagar Action against private hospitals Either the government should recommend and recognise the reports of swine flu from private reputed laboratories or it should take stringent action against the private hospitals, which get the swine flu samples tested from laboratories other than PGIMER, Chandigarh. The failure of the department to recognise these reports leads to no follow up of the infected patient in which the family members are given tamiflu medicine as a precautionary measure. Surinderpal Singh, resident, Paras Ram Nagar Treatment beyond reach of poor My wife Meera Devi died due to the negligence of the civil health authorities. I have filed a complaint with the State Health Minister and Human Rights Commission. The private hospitals are charging the patients a hefty fee. Even those from the middle class cannot afford to bear these expenses, leave aside the poor. There is no facility available at the Civil Hospital. Mahinder Kumar, resident of New Basti Bathinda Keep immune system strong One should take care of symptoms, including high fever, cough, runny nose or stuffy nose, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills, fatigue or tiredness, diarrhoea and vomiting. An eight-hour sleep every night and drinking sufficient water (about 4 to 5 litres a day) to keep your immune system in top flu-fighting shape is necessary. Dr Jang Bahadur, doctor at Max Hospital Officialspeak We dont have ventilators to treat swine flu patients. However, an isolation ward is there. We have already put forward our demand for ventilators to senior officials. Awareness regarding precautions and symptoms can help people a lot and one should consult the doctor in case of severe cough and cold. Dr Tejwant Singh Randhawa, Civil Surgeon Simran Sodhi Tribune News Service New Delhi, February 16 Nepal Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli today said Nepals national interest would be the top priority during his upcoming India visit. Olis visit to India, which begins on Friday, comes in the backdrop of a severe strain in the India-Nepal bilateral relationship. Oli acknowledged as much today when he said that his India visit aimed at removing the recent differences between the two countries and strengthening the historical bilateral ties. India-Nepal relations have suffered of late on two major counts. One: the six-month blockade, which ended just a short while ago, crippled Nepal to the point of a humanitarian crisis. Nepal suffered from a severe shortage of fuel and medicines as a result of the blockade on major points between the India-Nepal border. Two: India publicly expressed its unhappiness with the new Nepalese Constitution, which it felt was not inclusive enough and failed to protect the rights of the Madhesis in the Terai region. Nepal, on more than one occasion, accused India of being behind the blockade and the statements on its Constitution were deemed as interference in its internal affairs. Olis visit here will see both sides working hard to put these uncomfortable facts behind them and to reach some sort of an amicable understanding. Olis announcement today, that a high-level political committee will be formed before his India visit to study the remaining contentious issues, including the redoing of provincial boundaries, will be welcome news to India. The new Constitution can be amended. There is no problem among us, he said. India has been pushing Nepal to amend its Constitution to address the demands of the Madhesis who are ethnically and culturally closer to India. PTI & TNS New Delhi, February 15 Violence broke out on the Patiala House Courts complex when groups of lawyers today thrashed journalists and students and teachers of Jawaharlal Nehru University. The lawyers also attacked unidentified people in and outside the court dubbing them anti-nationals. Delhi BJP MLA OP Sharma, who happened to be in the complex, also joined the lawyers in beating up a person, identified as CPI activist Ameeque Jamai, who was taken to the Tuglaq Road police station. The violence broke out when JNUSU president Kanhaiya Kumar, against whom a sedition case has been filed, was to be brought before metropolitan magistrate Lovleen for remand proceedings but was later taken elsewhere. The lawyers, claiming to be patriots, said the JNU was a den of anti-India elements and terrorists. MLA Sharma, who was in the complex in connection with the hearing in the defamation case filed by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, was seen beating up Jamai. Later, Sharma claimed he was roughed up when slogans such as Pakistan Zindabad, Hindustan Murdabad were raised. When told there was footage about him beating up somebody, Sharma said: I do not known which video you are talking about. And in the same breath, he said: It is not wrong if somebody shouting such slogans is beaten up or even done to death. PTI Sanjiv Kumar Bakshi Hoshiarpur, February 16 As many as 150 youths, including 25 from Punjab, are stuck in Eastern province capital city Dammam of Saudi Arabia after their company abandoned them due to closure of construction work on the site they were working at. They are suffering in extreme cold conditions and are on the verge of starvation as the company they were working for had not paid them for months. Besides, the company officials have kept their passports and demanding 1,500 riyals for returning the same. They also asked them to show their return tickets. The family of one of them, Punit Mehan of nearby Baghpur village, informed the Ministry of External Affairs a month ago about the sufferings of the youth stuck there by writing a letter to Union Minister Sushma Swaraj. His brother had also lodged a complaint on online grievance portal Madad for NRIs, but to no avail. Now, the family has again written to Swaraj and PM Narendra Modi to intervene in the matter. Mehan had gone to Saudi Arabia to work as a diesel mechanic in a construction company, Saad Sahmi Al Hajri, at Dammam three-and-a-half years ago. His brother Rajat Mehan said Punit had come home as his father had expired and retuned to Dammam in July last. At that time his three-month salary was pending and the company had then sent him home with a return ticket. About four months ago, Punit told them that company officials had not paid him. Following some dispute with the Saudi government, the company closed the work. The company allegedly took passports of the foreign workers, including 150 Indians, and left them at the construction site. Neither the company is giving them work, nor allowing them to return, he said. Punit told the family that they barely had any money and were passing days by eating once a day or even less. Rajat said, My brother told me that they had contacted the Indian Embassy and they had appointed a person, Zakir Hussain, to sign a settlement but in vain. The youths also filed a case in the labour court, but they were yet to get any relief. Washington, February 16 President Barack Obama has held preliminary discussions with his team about whom to nominate to the Supreme Court, the White House said on Monday, while accusing Senate Republicans of bluster for saying they would not confirm his pick. White House spokesman Eric Schultz told reporters administration officials had started talking with Senate offices about the process, which is shaping up to be an epic fight between Republicans and Democrats in a presidential election year. Republicans, who control the Senate, say Obama should put off naming a replacement for conservative Justice Antonin Scalia, who died over the weekend, and leave it to the next president to decide. Democrats say it is the presidents responsibility and right to make the choice. Americans will choose a new president in the November 8 elections. Obama leaves office in January 2017. Scalias death leaves the court evenly divided between liberal and conservative justices just as it is set to decide major cases on abortion, voting rights and immigration. A growing number of Republican senators have already said they will not support an Obama nominee, including a dozen who are up for reelection in November. On Monday, Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania and Rob Portman of Ohio each announced their opposition. Both are up for reelection this year. This is not the first time that Republicans have come out with a lot of bluster, only to have reality ultimately sink in, Schultz said, citing recent spats over raising the US debt limit and approving a nuclear deal with Iran. At each pass, they took a hard line. They tried to play politics. But ultimately, they were not able to back up their threats, Schultz said. Republicans shrugged off the criticism, pointing to past political battles over Supreme Court nominees. In 2006, Democratic leaders in the Senate, as well as then Senator Obama tried but failed to block President George W. Bushs nomination of Samuel Alito to the Supreme Court, noted Don Stewart, a spokesman for Senate Republican Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. Memories tend to be short around here sometimes, he said. Leaving the vacancy unfilled could affect the court both this year and next, Schultz said, calling on the Senate to act. The Constitution does not include exemptions for election years or for the presidents last term in office. Theres no exemptions for when a vacancy could tip the balance of the court, he said. Reuters 3 Indian-Americans may be among nominees Three Indian-American legal luminaries may be among the possible candidates whom US President Barack Obama could nominate as a Supreme Court judge. Within hours of the death of Justice Antonin Scalia at a ranch in Texas, the name of Chandigarh-born Sri Srinivasan popped up as the top contender to the post. Sri is currently the US Circuit Judge of the United States Court of Appeals Another probable name can be Neal Katyal, who served as Acting Solicitor General of the US from May 2010 until June 2011. Many say Katyal, who would turn 46 on March 12, could emerge as a dark horse in the process California Attorney General Kamala Harris, who is considered to be very close to Obama, too can be a surprise inclusion. Harris, who traces her roots to Chennai, is currently running for the US Senate seat in California Yes, you can transfer your domain to any registrar or hosting company once you have purchased it. Since domain transfers are a manual process, it can take up to 5 days to transfer the domain. Domains purchased with payment plans are not eligible to transfer until all payments have been made. Please remember that our 30-day money back guarantee is void once a domain has been transferred. For transfer instructions to GoDaddy, please click here. Beginning this summer, a visit to a local Army recruiting office will include a new set of gymnastic tests to help determine what military jobs a recruit is physically capable of performing. Prospective soldiers will be asked to run, jump, lift a weight and throw a heavy ball all to help the Army figure out if the recruit can handle a job with high physical demands or should be directed to a more sedentary assignment. The new tests come as the Pentagon is opening all combat posts to women, a process that involves setting physical standards for every job that both men and women will have to meet. As part of the effort, the Army will increase the number of female recruiters to better target women. The goal will be to add 1 percent each year for the next three years in order to get at least one woman at each of the Armys more than 780 larger recruiting centers across the country. Right now, only about 750 of the 8,800 Army and Army Reserve recruiters are women. The head of U.S. Army Recruiting Command, Maj. Gen. Jeff Snow, told The Associated Press that adding more women as recruiters will give female recruits someone more credible to talk to about options for women in the military and how an Army career could affect married or family life. But he said that getting that increase will be tough because other commands across the Army are also competing to get more women in their units. As women move into combat roles, Army commanders want to have women in leadership positions across the force to serve as mentors and role models. In particular, Army leaders want more women as drill sergeants and platoon sergeants as recruits go through basic and advanced training. Defense Secretary Ash Carter in December ordered the military services to allow women to compete for all combat jobs. But he and other military leaders have been adamant that the physical standards for the jobs will not be lowered in order to allow more women to qualify. Brig. Gen. Donna Martin, deputy commander of Army Recruiting Command, said that despite the added recruiting efforts, there may not be a flood of women rushing to compete for combat jobs. But she said the Army may see an eventual increase in women enlistments as they see the array of options. I think its all about awareness about a choice, Martin said. Its not forcing any women to go into combat arms. Its about making them aware that this is a choice. Its the whole question of can you have it all, said Martin, who has been in the Army for 29 years, has been married for 21 years, and has a 19-year-old son. You can have as much as you want. The new physical tests, according to Army leaders, will evaluate all recruits men and women and will judge their core strength and endurance. Recruits still will have to take the routine aptitude tests and physical evaluations. By doing predictive tests we can marry people up with those specialties that physically they should be able to do, which should reduce attrition and be a better fit for the Army, Snow said. It is truly about the right person at the right time with the right skill sets to perform, and we think that were setting them up for success in that particular specialty. He added, however, that Army leaders are trying to finalize what scores will be needed to qualify for a highly physical job and what would limit recruits to less physical occupations. While the tests coincide with the campaign to bring women into combat fields, military officials note that setting specific physical standards for all jobs may prevent some men from getting into certain infantry or armor posts if they dont qualify. The tests stem from the three years of study the Army did as it considered whether all combat jobs, including grueling infantry, Army and special operations careers, should be opened to women, and what abilities recruits needed to succeed at the more difficult battlefront posts. The questions also reflect concerns that women are injured at a higher rate than men, even during the early days of enlistment. Injuries or difficulties doing physical requirements often lead many women and men to fail or decide to leave the military. The physical assessment test is made up of four tasks: a standing long jump; an interval, aerobic run; a dead lift of weights; and a seated power throw of a weighted ball. Snow said the tasks test upper and lower body strength, body core strength, endurance and power. He said it will cost about $3 million to get all the testing equipment to the Armys 1,300 recruiting locations. Superintendent of Broken Arrow School District Dr. Jarod Mendenhall took a realistic approach when talking with the school board Monday night about the budget. With state funds down because of a drop in oil and gas prices, the school district will be facing cuts. Mendenhall said there would be monthly updates February through June on an expected budget reduction process. He went on to say he wants to involve many people in making the decisions about what will be cut, involving parents and teachers, providing surveys to get feedback. "We have a good district budget committee," Mendenhall continued. There will be monthly meetings with the principals. "We are all in this together," he said of the teachers, staff and support staff, promising to see that everyone needed the necessary data in helping make decisions. The school cabinet will make many of the final decisions but will report to the board monthly with a progress report. Dewayne Thompson, who recently received the Certified Administrator of School Finance and Operations certification, said cuts are being kept away from the classroom. "We will be maintaining all student instructional programs," he said. The district will also secure the funding for stipends and protect the fund balance. He expects the budget cuts to go on for another year. "Everything counts," Mendenhall said, adding that the district is "backing off two Arrowpoint publications" which will save $30,000. "We will monitor and make tough decisions." There are possible solutions at the board level, avoiding redundancy in technology and evaluating cost-effective ways to deliver student services. Travel and printing costs will be reduced, and new revenue streams will be evaluated. Thompson said he will know more later, but possible actions at the state level could be could include a state reform effort, a one-cent sales tax; 5-cent gasoline tax; a wind energy tax; a $1.50 cigarette tax; or school/district consolidation. A good thing, he said, is that the legislature is in session. School board president Cheryl Kelly asked if there would be any way in the future to recapture what has already been lost. Thompson replied that the state says, "Let's start from where we are now and go from there." Changes could be very traumatic for some districts. Kelly asked what assurance the board has if they do everything they are asked to do. Thompson said in the end "it's a frustrating cycle. We have no assurances moving forward. It's disheartening, but it's what we are dealing with." "Our culture is very strong," said Mendenhall. "Our people understand it's important for them to be part of the solution." He thanked the board for being supportive and encouraging. Mendenhall said his contract has been approved for the next three years. In that contract is offer of a raise in salary. "From my perspective you should freeze my salary," he said. "My priority is to have resources to take care of the students and staff first. I'm here for the long haul, and I want to be part of the solution. He said starting the meeting with the success of the Pride gave the board an opportunity to start off with a positive note even knowing how serious the budget challenges are. "The key here is to collaborate and get information to all the stakeholders. We will have goals and will work toward them." Updates on other school board news will continue as the week progresses. Just because you sing the blues, that doesnt mean life is miserable. For local blues musician Dylan Whitney, things are going his way, and he couldnt be happier. Whitney, a 2015 Charles Page High School graduate, has been playing guitar for a while now, and he just keeps getting better. Whitney plays a lot locally, but hes also hit the road, playing venues like B.B. Kings Blues Club in Tennessee, and Loretta Lynns Ranch also in Tenneesee. Hes also been a part of Pinetop Perkins Workshop experience in Mississippi, and played at the Exit 56 Blues Festival in Brownsville, Tennessee. Whitney has done more in a few years than some musicians do in a lifetime, and he doesnt do it by himself. He has a full band comprised of local musicians, and his father is very involved on the business side. The teenage guitar phenom cut his teeth on gospel and blues when he was a child thanks to his parents gospel singing group. That started a love for music and the guitar. My parents were in a southern gospel singing group for years and that got me started. Im not a big fan of the old Delta Blues. I really like the blues from the 1950s to the contemporary stuff. I like Eric Clapton, Stevie (Ray Vaughan), B.B. King, Los Lonely Boys, and anything from country to gospel or Christian music. I really like Lincoln Brewster, Whitney said. In the blues, guitarists often steal licks from other players. Whitney isnt immune to that, but he likes to make those licks his own. Its my interpretation of those licks. I take them and transform them to fit my style, he said. Even though Whitney has not paid his dues for 40 years, playing in smokey bars, honing his craft, you would never know it by watching him play. He understands the importance of putting on a show and not just loitering on stage. Whitney always has a smile on his face and he often plays the guitar behind his back or behind his head. Its also common to see him drop to his knees while playing a solo, and sometimes he leaves the stage altogether. He knows the importance of putting on a show. I think I realized it the first time I was on stage. My dad always said it was an important part of the performance, and he was right, Whitney said. While at CPHS, Whitney started playing the trumpet in the high school band and played guitar in the jazz band. However, hes now picked up an instrument that cant be found in school the harmonica. Harmonica is used almost exclusively in blues music, but Whitney hasnt abandoned the guitar. He plays both. Whitney keeps the harmonica in his pocket and will pull it out and play a solo before turning back to the guitar. Whitney wants to be a full-time musician, but he also understands the importance of a good education. He is going to college, majoring in accounting with a minor in music. He wanted to finish with a double-major, but his playing schedule is too rigorous. I want to expand my horizons musically. I want to go into a recording studio and travel more, he said. The Sand Springs Leader staff is excited to welcome new readers to this space in the coming weeks and benefit our school district during a budget crisis in the process. Publisher Jamey Honeycutt said 1,000 households that arent currently subscribed to the paper will receive copies during the next few weeks and half the cost of subscription for those that choose to subscribe during the campaign will be donated to Sand Springs Public Schools. Were proud of our paper and we want people who arent currently subscribed to the paper to see it, Honeycutt said. We wanted to step up and do our part. Sand Springs Public Schools Assistant Superintendent Sherry Durkee said she appreciates the community support for the school district and how Sandites come together to help each other when theres a need. Weve established the gift fund for donations from businesses, which gives us versatility to use it for projects not in the general fund budget, such as STEM. We are in the midst of a crisis with our budget, Durkee said. I was pretty excited [about the promotion]. Its interesting how the Sand Springs community comes together for our students. Sand Springs Leader Managing Editor Kirk McCracken said the Leader staff decided to donate to Sand Springs Public schools to benefit the community. We want to help in any way we can in regards to the budget deficit, McCracken said. We were looking for a way to give back and reach more people. OKLAHOMA CITY School vouchers survived a close vote in the Oklahoma House Common Education Committee on Monday, thus avoiding the trap door that swallowed them a year ago. House Bill 2949, by Rep. Jason Nelson, R-Oklahoma City, advanced on a 9-8 vote. Votes from Speaker Jeff Hickman, R-Fairview, and Speaker Pro Tem Lee Denney, R-Cushing, were necessary to get the measure through the committee, where a similar bill had failed on a 9-9 tie a year ago. The speaker and speaker pro tem can vote on any bill in committee but generally do so only when needed for a majority. The difference from a year ago was that Rep. Dennis Casey, R-Morrison, a former educator who voted against the measure in 2015, has been removed from the committee and not replaced. All other votes were exactly the same as a year ago. Nine Republicans voted for the measure. Four committee Chairwoman Ann Coody of Lawton, Katie Henke of Tulsa, Jadine Nollan of Sand Springs and Todd Thomsen of Ada joined the committees four Democrats, including Jeannie McDaniel of Tulsa, in opposition. Area Republican legislators voting for the measure were Chuck Strohm of Jenks and Michael Rogers of Broken Arrow. Gov. Mary Fallin, Oklahoma City Archbishop Paul Coakley and several influential conservative and school-choice groups lobbied hard for HB 2949, which is officially called the Oklahoma Education Savings Account Act. Education savings account is the current term for school vouchers. Opposing the bill are school boards and school administrators who fear it would further erode public educations financial resources and those who believe it constitutes an unwise and perhaps illegal transfer of public money to private hands. Nelson said legislative staff was unable to determine how much the education savings accounts might cost. The bill would instruct the Department of Education and the state treasurer to deposit money into individual accounts for students who choose not to attend their local public schools. The amount deposited would range from 30 percent to 90 percent of the per-pupil expenditure of the local school, depending on household income and whether the child has special needs. The funds could be accessed only through approved schools and vendors. They could be used to pay for a variety of education services, including private school tuition, home school curricula and tutoring, but not to buy computers or other technology or pay for normal transportation. Converting the account to cash would be considered fraud. Opponents and even some of those who voted for the bill said they are concerned the measure amounts to a blank check that gives away taxpayers money without sufficient accountability. Nelson contends it is a way out for parents and children who are stuck in schools not meeting their needs and in the end should not affect per-pupil funding of public schools. From the time Camaron Larson was born, his mother had problems keeping up with his disabilities, leading to a string of visits by the Oklahoma Department of Human Services in three counties and ultimately a child-neglect conviction related to his November 2014 death. Sarah Amanda McKay, 32, and her husband, Robert James Stewart McKay, 35, were found guilty Feb. 5 of two counts of child neglect. The jury recommended a life sentence for the charge associated with Camarons death and 27 years for the neglect count pertaining to their other son. Sarah McKay is their biological mother and Robert McKay is their stepfather. A pre-sentencing report has been requested by District Judge Bill LaFortune, and formal sentencing is set for March 18. A report from the Office of Juvenile System Oversight, which is administered by the Oklahoma Commission on Children and Youth, states that DHS offices in Tulsa, Creek and Mayes counties received at least 11 calls with concerns about Camarons health. The complaints were not substantiated, but workers recommended various supportive services after each instance. Camaron was born with multiple disabilities. After the child was taken to the emergency room in February 2006, DHS workers believed his death to be imminent, but due to natural causes, not neglect. Almost 10 years later, Camarons death was ruled by the Medical Examiners Office to be natural. DHS spokeswoman Sheree Powell said the workers in each investigation over the years interviewed parents, neighbors, medical professionals and other family members to determine the safety of the child. There were several prior calls of concern referencing the family, and workers who visited this family, particularly the mother, found they were struggling with poverty, the mother had a physical disability and they were raising a child with very severe disabilities, Powell said. The medical professionals throughout DHS involvement said these disabilities would be difficult for any family. Two months before Camarons death, DHS workers visited the family on an allegation they were living with a relative who smoked, which would compromise their sons health. They found the family had been keeping the medical appointments for Camaron and had plans to move within the month. They were not living in the conditions where the child later died, Powell said. Our workers saw them in a completely different environment. After our workers saw them, their circumstances obviously changed. The charges filed against the McKays state the couple failed to treat the childs medical condition and did not take care of their home, which did not have electricity and had several piles of trash and dog feces. Charges also state the couple did not meet Camarons needs by failing to attend doctor appointments, provide medical services, give prescribed medication and maintain medical equipment. On Nov. 24, 2014, Sarah McKay called 911 reporting Camaron was not breathing and that her son is frozen, a police affidavit states. He was pronounced dead a few minutes later by emergency personnel who arrived at the familys residence in the 1000 block of North Florence Avenue. The detective wrote in the affidavit that the boy was wearing a T-shirt and diaper in a bedroom with a temperature of 62 degrees. Robert McKay told an officer the house had running water, but had been without power for a few days. The family had been using a gas generator to power the childs medical equipment, McKay told the officer. The detective found the boys feeding pump was plugged into the wall, and his oxygen bottle appeared to be empty though there were two sealed oxygen bottles in the closet. There were also several bottles of prescription medication with a number of pills in the bottles indicating the boy hadnt been taking the necessary amount, according to the affidavit. The home was cluttered, with several large piles of dog feces on the floor, and a bag of marijuana was found on the parents bed, the detective wrote. The detective learned that about two months earlier, the boy had been seen by a Child Advocacy Center doctor who specializes in child abuse and neglect. In the doctors report, it was stated Camaron was at risk for aspiration and pneumonia because of his lack of activity and his thick secretions and needed 24-hour monitoring and help, according to the affidavit. Powell said with each DHS investigative report, a copy is sent to the district attorneys office, which can ask for additional information or further review if the officers dont agree with the findings or have more questions. Thats the checks and balances to what DHS does, she said. The reports from the Office of Juvenile System Oversight are in addition to the information DHS releases after a child dies or nearly dies due to abuse and neglect and a charge is filed against a caregiver. Powell cautions the public in making judgments based on a single report. The (Office of Juvenile System Oversight) reports do not give a complete picture of DHS involvement with any given family, Powell said. It lists out the referrals, made sometimes in calls to the hotline, with great detail. But it does not give the rest of the story. It does not tell what the worker found, the condition of the house, what the parents were doing, what other family members were doing to help out or not and what the worker recommended and why. Poverty is an issue that sometimes complicates investigations into child abuse and neglect, Powell said. Many families we deal with are in poverty or at a standard of living that would not meet many of our standards of living, but that does not always constitute neglect of children, Powell said. Families struggling with poverty and other issues are why services are recommended by workers. One of the candidates for Chairman in the People's National Movement's internal election says there is a major detachment between those in office and people at the grass root level. Kenneth Butcher says things need to change from the inside. Tonight on SBS Insight looks at the questions home-owners face with impending bushfires. Is it best to stay or go? How do you decide? How can we prepare and prevent? What are the financial damages, and the cost of new building regulations? Should we be allowed to build in high-risk areas? Tim and Tammy Holmes sheltered under a jetty with their five grandchildren while a firestorm swept across their property in Tasmania, destroying their home and putting their lives in jeopardy. They thought they were prepared. They werent. Their story is not uncommon. This summer alone, four people have been killed in fire events, and almost 400 homes lost in Victoria, Western Australia, and South Australia. Despite countless major bushfires over the past decade, there are many things we still dont know. Host Jenny Brockie delves into one of the most terrifying feats of nature; one that has scarred the Australian landscape for centuries. Guests include: Tim and Tammy Holmes Tim and Tammy survived the 2013 Tassie firestorm by sheltering under their jetty, with their five grandkids. They have since returned to their Dunalley property, and despite having no hesitation in rebuilding, they have made a number of changes to their new home in order to make it more fireproof. It was almost like a tornado of just flame. Everything was on fire. The boat shed was burning, the trees were burning, trees were falling, birds were dropping out of the sky and splashing around about us. Victor Steffensen Victor is an indigenous fire practitioner, who has been involved in traditional fire management for over twenty years. He visits communities from Tasmania to WA, and as far north as Cape York, to pass on what he in turn learned from the elders. We live in a country that needs fire and what happens is that weve stopped evolving with fire. When we put a fire in, we can tell you what the behaviour of the fire and what the fire will do before we light the fire. John Schauble John is an active fire-fighter with the Country Fire Authority, with thirty years experience in Victorian bushfires. He is also the strategic advisor to Emergency Management Commissioner Craig Lapsley, who oversees bushfire management in Victoria. Very few people have a written [bushfire] plan or have thought much about it at all It would be less than 10 per cent in most communities, even in high risk areas. People are overly optimistic about their capacity to stay and defend their homes. Justin Leonard Justin is a fire scientist with the CSIRO, who has worked with Australian bushfires for 23 years. Having attended the aftermath of dozens of bushfires around the country, he says a lack of fire knowledge means people are too often caught out by fires. Most people who have died in house fires and bush fires have died in bathrooms and in areas where theres one exit to the rest of the house, not an exit to the outside. So theyre sort of cordoning themselves into an entrapment scenario. Tuesday at 8.30pm on SBS. Bertrand Escolin, Bordeaux agglomeration, restructuration majeure pour la station depuration , Le Moniteur, no 5579, 29 octobre 2010, p. On peut notamment mentionner la communaute de Recife au Bresil (premiere communaute en Amerique latine), celle dAmsterdam, ou lon peut visiter la synagogue portugaise dAmsterdam, celle de Bordeaux (cimetiere des juifs portugais), celle de Rhode Island (premiere synagogue dAmerique du Nord Synagogue Touro, a Newport), celle de Montreal avec la plus ancienne synagogue du Canada, Shearith Israel, mais egalement celle de Londres (synagogue de Bevis Marks) egalement connue sous le nom de : Congregation of Spanish and Portuguese Jews (plus ancienne synagogue du Royaume-Uni), Hambourg, Livourne (Granas), Curacao, etc. Golf : Championnat Kraft Nabisco : lAmericaine Morgan Pressel devient la plus jeune joueuse a avoir remporte un titre majeur. Il prend part au mouvement artistique La Jeune Peinture et recoit en 1963 le prix Othon Friez pour ses gravures executees en France. Lio, chanteuse et actrice (Belgique et France). A cet Euro 1992, le Danemark a ainsi elimine les trois grands favoris de la competition (Allemagne, France et Pays-Bas) qui en etaient egalement les trois derniers vainqueurs. Les pays ayant la plus grande communaute portugaise, dans lordre decroissant dimportance demographique, sont le Bresil, les Etats-Unis et la France. En plus des 10 720 000 Portugais vivant au Portugal, on en compte environ 72 millions de plus dans le monde, de premiere generation ou luso-descendants, faisant un total de plus de 82 millions de portugais dans le monde entier. Dapres le recensement de 2001, la paroisse civile compte 476 habitants. Dapres les historiens, cest dans un palais de Moledo, quInes de Castro aurait vecu. La diaspora portugaise est la population portugaise et de descendance portugaise dans le monde. Chaque ile est gouvernee comme une entite distincte jusquen 1753. En 1951, les iles deviennent provinces doutre-mer du Portugal. Cet article est une ebauche concernant le Portugal et les sciences humaines et sociales. Elle est evaluee a plus de 82 millions dont 10 720 000 residents au Portugal. Generalement, ils ont pour point commun davoir une forme de blason bleu, barre parfois dune ligne jaune, sur lequel est ecrit le nom du club ( CA BOCA JUNIORS , ou plus recemment CABJ ). A ce jour, seul Otto Rehhagel a plus entraine que lui dans le championnat allemand. Grujic simpose comme un titulaire regulier durant la saison 2015-2016, qui le voit prendre part a 29 rencontres en championnat, dont 27 comme titulaire, pour six buts marques et sept passes decisives delivrees, contribuant activement a la victoire du club en championnat au terme de lexercice. Cyclisme, Amstel Gold Race : victoire de lAllemand Stefan Schumacher. Parmi les regions concernees, on peut notamment citer : Goa et Diu en Inde, Sri Lanka, Malacca en Malaisie, Phuket en Thailande, Macao en Chine. Le gouverneur de Macao etait responsable du controle interne de la colonie. Le Grand Prix a ete cree principalement pour promouvoir les voyages internationaux dans le cadre des competitions de Diplomatie et a ce titre tous les tournois ont le meme poids du point de vue du classement general independamment du nombre de participants. 15/08/09 : Gabriel Campillo (19-2, 6 KO), champion WBA poids mi lourds, conserve son titre en battant aux points Beibut Shumenov (8-1, 6 KO). Resultat de lectures des uvres geographiques ou cosmographiques, tres en vogue en son temps, classiques (Ptolemee, Strabon, Pline, Pomponius Mela dou il tire une partie de son titre (De Situ Orbis)-), et modernes (Alfraganus, Sacrobosco, Vincent de Beauvais), ce livre est tonifie, rehausse, par une meditation personnelle, et par une connaissance directe, qui a chaque pas permet a Pacheco de critiquer ou rejeter des affirmations danciens auteurs : Chez Duarte Pacheco ecrit Joaquim Bensaude, dans Lastronomie nautique au Portugal a lepoque des grandes decouvertes, maillot flamengo 2022 p. Puerto Pizarro est la porte dentree du sanctuaire national des mangroves. Composee que dune localite unique, la paroisse a donc Moledo pour chef-lieu et est represente par le president de la paroisse, Alexandre Manuel de Jesus Mauricio (PS). Corner concede par Andrew Weber. Corner concede par Bill Hamid. Dans la meme periode, il y eut un processus dexpansion imperiale et de colonisation, au peuplement des iles de lAtlantique, par la colonisation du Bresil (ou la plupart de la population a des ancetres portugais) et la propagation dans dautres parties de lEmpire qui faisait partie des communautes dorigine portugaise, culturels et academiques. Pour plus de details sur survetement bordeaux visitez notre page daccueil. It is not a bad thing for us, that the route known as the Goldene Strae or the Golden Road as we will get to know it- has escaped the attention of so many. It has been spared being overrun by hordes of tourists and as you will discover the 8:24 a.m., Feb. 16, 2016--Approximately 2,500 University of Delaware undergraduate students completed the first-ever campus climate survey conducted last spring to examine the extent of sexual misconduct on campus, students attitudes about how the University deals with sexual assault and their knowledge of the resources available. As part of its ongoing commitment to addressing the issue of sexual misconduct, the University invited all 18,222 degree-seeking Delaware undergraduate students to participate in the survey. Twenty-two percent responded and 14 percent completed the survey. (See Table 1). The White House Task Force to Protect Students from Sexual Assault recommended the climate survey as a useful tool for colleges and universities, part of a wider federal effort to raise awareness of sexual violence on American campuses. This survey was conducted to give us important insights into a problem affecting students at UD and campuses around the country, said Susan Groff, Title IX coordinator and director of the Office of Equity and Inclusion. The data will be invaluable as we further our efforts to make our campus a safe and welcoming environment. Student experiences The first set of survey questions asked students whether they had experienced one or more of five incidents while a student at UD: stalking, an abusive relationship, sexual harassment, sexual assault and rape. Nearly one third of females (30.6 percent) and one tenth of males (9.5 percent) who completed the survey said they had experienced one or more incidents. Among female respondents the most common incident was sexual harassment, reported by 348 women (21 percent). Among male respondents, the most common experience was stalking, being followed or receiving unwanted messages, texts or emails, reported by 30 men (4.5 percent). The survey also found that 176 women (9.5 percent) and 12 men (1.8 percent) experienced sexual assault; and 73 women (4 percent) and 6 men (0.9 percent) experienced rape. (See Figure 1). Any degree of unwanted sexual activity is extremely troubling and we are taking these findings very seriously, said Nancy Targett, acting president of the University. The University of Delaware is deeply committed to maintaining a safe campus for everyone, and this information underscores the importance of stronger education, prevention and awareness. The relatively low response to the survey means the findings are not considered to be a valid measure of rates of sexual misconduct across the entire undergraduate population. While participation was low, the survey results are consistent with what other colleges and universities have found in similar surveys. Thus the data will serve as a baseline to track progress going forward, said John Sawyer, associate provost for institutional research and effectiveness, the office that conducted the survey analysis. A second set of questions asked students about specific acts of unwanted sexual activity while attending UD: fondled or kissed, clothing removed, attempted penetration, sexual penetration, attempted oral sex, and oral sex. Overall, based on responses to this second set of questions, 683 female respondents (48.5 percent) and 80 male respondents (19 percent) experienced one or more incidents of unwanted sexual contact. (See Figure 2). These responses indicate that some students who identified experiences of specific unwanted sexual contact in the second set of questions were hesitant to classify or label the incident as assault or rape. This is exactly why we need to ask students about specific behaviors and experiences, said Ruth Fleury-Steiner, associate professor of human development and family studies and member of the UD Faculty Senate Commission on Sexual Harassment and Assault. These findings are consistent with years of research that suggests we still think of sexual assault as only attacks by strangers in dark alleys. We need to do more to both prevent sexual assault at UD and to help everyone understand just how widespread and damaging sexual assault really is. Perceptions of University response Students were asked a series of questions about general perceptions of how the University administration handles sexual assault and sexual misconduct. Nearly half of respondents (45.4 percent) agree that sexual assault is a big problem on campus. And relatively few survey respondents (12.6 percent) agree that the UD administration already does enough to prevent sexual assault from happening. Over three quarters of respondents (76.7 percent) agree that the UD administration should take stronger action when sexual assault occurs. More than half (57.6 percent) of the students who responded to the survey thought it likely or very likely that UD would support the person making the report of sexual assault. Two-thirds (68.6 percent) of respondents said they believed it was likely or very likely that UD would maintain the privacy of the person making the report. At the same time, the survey findings suggest a lot of uncertainty among students with regard to how the University responds to reports of sexual assault and the resources that are available for them. Just over a third of survey respondents (36.2 percent) reported they knew where to seek help for sexual harassment incidents. More than half (51.7 percent) of respondents were uncertain whether UD would forward the report to the police, even if the victim did not want them to. (As required by law, the University reports incidents of sexual assault, dating/domestic violence and stalking to the Clery compliance officer within UDs police department, but does not include the victims name or other identifying information. Victims are informed of their right to report an incident to law enforcement.) While nearly all victims told a friend, classmate, or peer, just 4.9 percent formally reported the incident to the University. And 90 percent of survey respondents who had been victimized said they did not use any University resources. From July 1, 2014, through June 30, 2015, the Office of Equity and Inclusion (OEI) received a total of 204 formal reports from various members of the University community alleging sexual offenses such as sex discrimination, stalking, sexual harassment, domestic violence, dating violence and sexual assault. Full data is available in the OEI annual report. Effective July 1, 2015, the University implemented a new policy and process, bringing clarity to how UD will respond to reports of sexual misconduct and making the investigative process less intimidating for students. We want students to feel comfortable reporting their experiences, and confident knowing that if they report an incident it will be thoroughly and fairly investigated through resolution, said Groff. We have a number of resources and trained staff available to support victims throughout the process. Strengthening UD efforts Since the survey was conducted, OEI and Student Wellness and Health Promotion have put considerable resources toward sexual misconduct education and awareness: During fall 2015, the University administered an online training to educate and bring awareness to employees about UD policies and federal and state laws pertaining to sexual misconduct. The University is strengthening student programming, including: an online training on sexual misconduct; new learning outcomes for new-student orientation; and a new bystander intervention program. The Sexual Assault Prevention and Education (SAPE) committee, a grassroots effort, was bolstered as a standing committee. SAPE provides year-round gender-based violence prevention and awareness programs. UD has increased the number of staff devoted to handling sexual misconduct and assembled a committee structure to ensure all areas of campus are focused on prevention and response. OEI regularly provides information sessions for the campus community. The office has conducted more than 100 workshops over the last year, and led over 50 training sessions for faculty, students and staff this past fall. (See below for upcoming sessions.) Other key survey findings Incidents reported by survey respondents occurred in a range of settings, with 51 percent in off-campus student apartments or houses, 30 percent in fraternity or sorority houses, 26 percent in UD residence halls, and 11 percent elsewhere on UDs campus. Over three-quarters of students who responded to the survey and said they were victimized reported that one or more of the perpetrators were UD students. Nearly all women surveyed (96.3 percent) and most men (90.1 percent) reported they always or usually made sure that a friend was not left stranded. About three-quarters of women and men who completed the survey said they always or usually talked to the friends of a drunk person to make sure he/she wasnt left behind. A smaller proportion of women (63.4 percent) and men (62 percent) tried to intervene when someone was about to take advantage of a drunk person. About the survey The survey was developed collaboratively by the data collection subcommittee of the Faculty Senate Commission on Sexual Harassment and Assault, Institutional Research and Effectiveness and the Office of Equity and Inclusion. Institutional Research and Effectiveness analyzed and compiled a report of the findings with input and direction from the Faculty Senate subcommittee. Read the executive summary. Read the full report. Upcoming sexual misconduct information sessions Feb. 24 3:30 to 5 p.m., Perkins Ewing room March 10 9 to 10:30 a.m., Perkins Ewing room March 22 3:30 to 5 p.m., Perkins Rodney room April 4 3:30 to 5 p.m., Perkins Ewing room April 22 9 to 10:30 a.m., Perkins Gallery room Students can sign up for a session by emailing oei@udel.edu. Full-time staff and faculty must register through ConnectingU. 9:55 a.m., Feb. 16, 2016--Daniel Charytonowicz locked up admission to medical school when he was just a sophomore through the FlexMed Early Assurance program in the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, which left him free to pursue his studies unencumbered by traditional pre-medical requirements and admissions exams. That freedom allowed the University of Delaware Honors Program student to create a mobile app, uMash Collage Generator, that has more than 300,000 users; launch an annual computer science initiative, TechDay, at his high school on Long Island; compete on UDs cross country and track and field club teams; and conduct research on topics ranging from cognitive psychology to systems biology. Now the senior, who is majoring in biomedical engineering with a minor in computer science, will postpone medical school for a year to gain additional experience through one of the top international scholarships in the world the Gates Cambridge Scholarship. Charytonowicz is the first Blue Hen to be selected as a Gates Cambridge Scholar. The 35 recipients, selected from more than 800 applicants, are described as the most academically brilliant and socially committed young people in the U.S. Charytonowicz, who is from Wantagh, New York, will spend the 2016-17 academic year studying for a masters degree in Cambridge Universitys bioscience enterprise program. The program will provide him with what he sees as a valuable and critical link between engineering and medicine. At Cambridge, I hope to gain a better understanding of how to translate research into the devices and treatments that will best meet patients needs, he says. I really want to bring change to health care. Charytonowicz sees technology merging into medicine, enabling the implementation of personalized medicine and the development of new ways for patients to connect with medical professionals. Everything revolves around patient need, he says. With that at the core, we have to ask, What are the solutions, are they affordable, does the technology exist to solve the problem, and how do we get it to market? But most of all, Charytonowicz, who attended UD as a Unidel Eugene du Pont Memorial Scholar and also was recognized as a Goldwater Scholar in 2014, knows that the year in Cambridge will bring new people into his life and provide him with new perspectives. Dawn Elliott, professor and chair of biomedical engineering at UD, foresees for Charytonowicz a successful career that impacts global health and wellbeing. His combined interests and education in biomedical engineering, computer science, neuroscience, medicine, and entrepreneurship will uniquely position him for his career goals, she says. His various experiences, including the upcoming year at Cambridge, will prepare him to be a practicing physician who also works as a medical consultant and investor in biomedical-based ventures, specializing in computer software technologies with healthcare applications. Charytonowicz plans to earn both M.D. and Ph.D. degrees after his year at Cambridge. The Gates Cambridge Scholarship was established by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation in 2000. For more information, visit the website. Article by Diane Kukich 8:58 a.m., Feb. 16, 2016--Dr. Velma P. Scantlebury, associate chief of transplant surgery at Christiana Care, will be the featured speaker in a Making Black History presentation sponsored by the University of Delaware Minority Association of Pre-Med Students (MAPS). Scantlebury, the nation's first African American female transplant surgeon, will discuss her experiences at 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 23, in Multipurpose Room C of the Trabant University Center. Scantlebury became the nations first African American female transplant surgeon in 1989, and since has performed more than 1,000 kidney transplants. She has served as a national spokesperson for Linkages to Life, an initiative to address the shortage of African American donors, and has been recognized by BestDoctors.com. Scantlebury earned her medical degree from Columbia University in New York City and was an intern and resident in general surgery at Harlem Hospital Center in New York City. She completed her fellowship training in transplantation surgery at the University of Pittsburgh and then joined the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine as an assistant professor of surgery in 1989. Before joining Christiana Care, she was professor of surgery, assistant dean for community education and director of transplantation at the University of Southern Alabama in Mobile. Scantleburys special interests include: researching the end results of donation and transplantation in African-Americans; increasing organ donation in the African-American community through education and awareness; increasing the incidence of living donor transplantation by education; and treating viral infections in kidneys. TIDE participants will learn about Delaware's estuary through hands-on activities, and also will have time to relax. Working along the coast can get a little messy. 1:20 p.m., Feb. 16, 2016--The University of Delawares Taking an Interest in Delawares Estuary (TIDE) camp offers high school students with a passion for the ocean or coastal environments the opportunity to explore interests in marine science by providing them with hands-on experience in the field. Hosted by UDs College of Earth, Ocean, and Environment (CEOE) and supported by the Delaware Sea Grant college program, TIDE camp covers a wide array of topics, ranging from sea breeze and tides to habitat loss, species adaptation and climate change. The 13-day residential program scheduled for July 31 to Aug. 12 is open to rising 10th through 12th graders. Applications as well as scholarships are now available. The priority application deadline is Sunday, March 20. Students who attend will spend one week at UDs Newark campus and one week at its Hugh R. Sharp Campus in Lewes. Students will gain exposure to marine science through coursework by interacting with faculty and staff in laboratory facilities, classrooms, residence halls and the beach. Field excursions to the Delaware Bay and tours of UDs research vessels, the R/V Sharp and R/V Daiber and 2 mega-watt wind turbine will allow students to explore and sample what they learn in the classroom and laboratory. Tours of these prestigious sites will provide students with firsthand experience of actual research laboratories, along with lessons in coastal research and renewable energy. UD faculty will guide students through this experience as they complete activities such as building their own underwater remotely operated vehicle. Although the program largely focuses on academics, students will also enjoy outdoor activities like volleyball, picnics, movies and game nights. High school students interested in the field or with a strong knack for science or math are strongly encouraged to apply. Applications are available on the programs website and include the completion of a form and submission of a grade transcript and a letter of recommendation, preferably from a science teacher. Tuition is $2,000 and includes room and board, lab and class materials, field excursions as well as other activities. Scholarships are available to students who qualify. For more information about the camp or application process, visit the TIDE website or contact Nina Buchanan, CEOE assistant dean for student services, by calling 302-831-6295 or via email at jb@udel.edu. Article by Laura Bilash Photos courtesy of the University of Delaware and by Ambre Alexander The NATO countries need to provide Ukraine with lethal weapons, which will allow it more effectively resisting the Russian aggression. James Bezan, MP for Selkirk-Interlake in the Conservative Government of Canada, expressed such opinion in an exclusive interview with Ukrinform. "The NATO, in particular the United States together with Canada, should consider the issue on providing Kyiv with lethal equipment as Russia does not fulfill the Minsk agreements. It will give Ukraine the possibility to defend its territory," Bezan said. "Ukraine needs to be able to defend properly itself against the Russian troops. I sent a request to the Defense Ministry of Canada on a number of redundant equipment. We will examine this list to find out whether it meets the needs of Ukraine," he said. ish facebook like button Tweet tweet button for twitter Published February 16, 2016 MONROE, La. Students who think they cant eat in the University of Louisiana Monroe library are in for a real treat. Last week, the ULM library opened a food market known as a P.O.D., or Provisions on Demand. The P.O.D., which is located on the first floor of the library near the computer lounge, offers grab n go dining options, including: freshly made sandwiches, wraps, salads, fresh produce, yogurts, parfaits, chips, fresh gourmet coffee, juices, a variety of soft drinks, and candy bars. In addition to food and drink items, students may take advantage of the P.O.D. markets Everyday Supplies on Demand stand, which is stocked with items such as lip balm, Tylenol, toothbrushes and tooth paste, batteries, and much more. According to the companys website, P.O.D. reinvents the campus store experience by blending the features of corner store quick convenience with modern market style and service. Owned by Aramark Higher Education, these convenience stores are operated on over 250 college campuses. The first P.O.D. market stores opened in 2008. I think the P.O.D. will be greatly appreciated by our students, particularly in the late evenings when there is a lack of other things opened at this time, said Donald Smith, Dean of the library. Prior to the opening of the P.O.D., eating and drinking were not allowed in the library. A no food or drinks sign still greets students when they enter the library. Similar signs can be found on doors to offices in the library, such as Admissions and Recruitment, located on the second floor. Such signs are scheduled to be taken down in the coming days. There is currently no designated eating and drinking area in the library; students may eat or drink anywhere in the building, except in the Special Collections on the fifth floor. However, Smith did express a desire for students to keep food and drinks away from one area: We wont ban it, but we do hope that students will refrain from eating in and around the stacks. He also indicated that students should always try to keep lids and covers on their drinks to prevent spills. So, what do students think of the new campus addition? According to Ethan Chandler, a junior Biology major, the P.O.D. market makes a whole lot of sense. I like the idea of having it close to where we study, said Chandler. Now, we dont have to leave the library anymore to get food or drinks; we can just grab it right here. From my perspective, the P.O.D. is actually an incentive to use the library more. Other students are quickly learning to appreciate the convenience of having a food market in the library, where classes are held daily. I dont get a lunch break in between classes here, so having a place where I can just grab and go is so nice, said Sydney Davis, a junior Music Education major. The famous British novelist C. S. Lewis once said, Eating and reading are two pleasures that combine admirably. Now, students at ULM just might begin to understand what Lewis meant. Payment methods include cash, personal check (with valid I.D.), debit and credit cards, Warhawk Express and Flex dollars. The hours of operation are Monday Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 1 a.m., Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., Sunday from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m.; the store is closed on Saturday. Images of the P.O.D. are available here. UNHCR delivered blankets, mattresses, and other emergency relief assistance for 1,000 conflict-affected families on 14 February in the embattled enclave of the city centre of Taizz. This is the first time UNHCR has been able to access the city after more than five months of trying to bring in much needed aid. With the support of local aid organisations, UNHCR conducted the distribution in three locations in the city: Al Qahirah, Salh and Al Mudhaffar districts. Some of the most intense fighting in the ongoing conflict in Yemen, now in its tenth month, has been centred in Taizz city where more than 200,000 people are cutoff from regular access to humanitarian aid. UNHCR had been negotiating with the parties for over three weeks in this most recent effort to bring in trucks with essential supplies. This assistance comes in the immediate wake of the recent delivery by other humanitarian actors of food aid and medical supplies into Taizz city. UNHCR Representative Johannes Van Der Klaauw, led the mission to oversee the distribution and witnessed the critical need for the supplies UNHCR is providing. He noted that this first distribution of domestic relief items should be a prelude for sustained access and delivery of various types of aid into the city and surrounding districts in the governorate. He also reiterated UNHCR's call for sustained and unhindered access to humanitarian responses. Displacement figures continue to rise in Taizz governorate, which now hosts the highest number of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the country. At approximately 400,000 this accounts for 16 % of the current total of 2.5 million IDPs. Although this week is the first time that UNHCR aid has reached the locked-down enclave in the centre of Taizz city, UNHCR has been distributing emergency relief assistance to various districts in the governorate since June 2015, when UNHCR succeeded in distributing relief items to nearly 1,800 individuals in four districts of Taizz governorate (Maqbanah, Ash Shamayatayn, Dimnat Kadir and Ta'iziyah) through a national partner. Several attempts to reach areas in Taizz city in September failed. Since December, UNHCR and its partner have distributed humanitarian aid to around 29,000 IDPs in five districts in Taizz governorate (Dimnat Khadir, Al Ma'afer, Al Mawasit, At Ta'iziyah, and Jabal Habashy). As of 15 February, UNHCR has reached some 346,500 IDPs and conflict-affected persons in 20 of the 21 governorates in Yemen with emergency relief assistance such as blankets, sleeping mats, plastic buckets, plastic sheeting, kitchen sets, tents, and emergency shelter kits (comprising wooden poles and planks, plastic sheeting, and tools such as hammer, axe, rope and nails). The humanitarian situation in Yemen remains critical, with an estimated 21.2 million people (82 per cent of the population), in need of some kind of humanitarian assistance, and the conflict continues to force families to flee their homes across 21 of the 22 Yemeni Governorates. UNHCR's recently launched Yemen Situation Emergency Response for those displaced inside Yemen and those forced to flee to neighbouring countries is currently just 5% funded at $8.6M with a funding gap of $163.6M for the required $172.2M. UNHCR's response inside Yemen is 7% funded. The response in Djibouti is 1% funded while no funding has been received for the responses in Ethiopia, Somalia and Sudan. The revised 2016 Yemen Humanitarian Response Plan will be launched by the Humanitarian Coordinator for Yemen in Geneva later this week. For more information on this topic, please contact: Ahmed Najee, aged 9, collects UNHCR aid items in Taizz, Yemen. UNHCR/M. Al Hasani GENEVA, Feb 16 (UNHCR) - The UN Refugee Agency, UNHCR, has delivered blankets, mattresses, and other emergency relief aid to 1,000 families largely isolated by months of intense fighting in the embattled centre of Taizz city in southwest Yemen. Some of the most intense fighting in the ongoing conflict in Yemen, now in its tenth month, has been centred in Taizz, where more than 200,000 residents are cut off from regular access to humanitarian aid. UNHCR has been unable to access the city for more than five months. The February 14 delivery, which was supported by other local aid organizations, followed more than three weeks of negotiations between UNHCR and the warring parties, and allowed trucks with essential supplies to reach the Al Qahirah, Salh and Al Mudhaffar districts. The assistance comes in the immediate wake of the recent delivery by other humanitarian actors of food aid and medical supplies into Taizz city. UNHCR Representative Johannes Van Der Klaauw, led the mission to oversee the distribution and witnessed the critical need for the supplies UNHCR is providing. "He noted that this first distribution of domestic relief items should be a prelude for sustained access and delivery of various types of aid into the city and surrounding districts in the governorate," UNHCR spokesperson Andreas Needham told reporters at a news briefing in Geneva. "He also reiterated UNHCR's call for sustained and unhindered access to humanitarian responses. Displacement figures continue to rise in Taizz governorate, which now hosts the highest number of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the country. At approximately 400,000 this accounts for 16 per cent of the current total of 2.5 million IDPs. Although this week is the first time that UNHCR aid has reached the locked-down enclave in the centre of Taizz city, UNHCR has been distributing emergency relief assistance to various districts in the governorate since June 2015, when UNHCR succeeded in distributing relief items to nearly 1,800 individuals in four districts of Taizz governorate -Maqbanah, Ash Shamayatayn, Dimnat Kadir and Ta'iziyah - through a national partner. A man unloads a mattress from a truck delivering UNHCR non-food aid in Taizz, Yemen. UNHCR/M. Al Hasani Several attempts to reach areas in Taizz city in September failed. Since December, UNHCR and its partner have distributed humanitarian aid to around 29,000 IDPs in five districts in Taizz governorate - Dimnat Khadir, Al Ma'afer, Al Mawasit, At Ta'iziyah, and Jabal Habashy. As of February 15, UNHCR has reached some 346,500 IDPs and conflict-affected persons in 20 of the 21 governorates in Yemen with emergency relief assistance such as blankets, sleeping mats, plastic buckets, plastic sheeting, kitchen sets, tents, and emergency shelter kits, which comprise wooden poles and planks, plastic sheeting, and tools such as hammer, axe, rope and nails. The humanitarian situation in Yemen remains critical, with an estimated 21.2 million people - equivalent to 82 per cent of the population - in need of some kind of humanitarian assistance, and the conflict continues to force families to flee their homes across 21 of the 22 Yemeni Governorates. UNHCR's recently launched Yemen Situation Emergency Response for those displaced inside Yemen and those forced to flee to neighbouring countries is currently just 5 per cent funded at US$8.6M with a funding gap of US$163.6M for the required US$172.2M. UNHCR's response inside Yemen is 7 per cent funded. The response in Djibouti is 1 per cent funded while no funding has been received for the responses in Ethiopia, Somalia and Sudan. The revised 2016 Yemen Humanitarian Response Plan will be launched by the Humanitarian Coordinator for Yemen in Geneva later this week. Days after an incident in which white students at Texas A&M University allegedly shouted racial slurs at a group of high school students touring the campus, administrators hand delivered thousands of apology letters. About 60 students from the Uplift Hampton Preparatory charter school were visiting TAMU last week, but complained that people shouted racial slurs at them while touring the campus, The Dallas Morning News reported. State Sen. Royce West (D-Dallas) said in a statement one white female approached two black Uplift students and asked how her Confederate flag earrings made them feel, The Texas Tribune reported. After that, other white males and females began "using the most well-known racial slur that's directed toward African Americans." According to The Morning News, TAMU set up letter-writing stations on campus in an effort to apologize as a united campus community. TAMU's president, Michael K. Young; system chancellor, John Sharp; and student body president, Joseph Benigno hand delivered the letters to Uplift Hampton on Tuesday. Uplift Hamilton is mostly made up African-American and Latino students, though many major universities in the state of Texas are severely lacking diversity. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, TAMU's student body was made up of just three percent African-American students. Additionally, UT - Austin, UT - Dallas, Texas Tech, TCU, SMU, Baylor, and Rice all failed to surpass 10 percent. "In the aftermath of the disturbing racist incident that occurred on our campus last week, I believe that our swift action and ongoing efforts to address this matter make it abundantly clear that racism and hate speech have absolutely no place at Texas A&M," Young said in a statement. "Also, I am extremely proud and inspired about the enormous letter-writing initiative our students have undertaken to reach out personally to the young students who experienced racial slurs while visiting our campus. This initiative by our thoughtful students is yet another example of how Aggies exemplify our core values. I could not be prouder of our concerned and thoughtful students, as well as the numerous faculty, staff and former students who have reached out to me offering support." Academy to celebrate religious plurality with National Prayer Luncheon The U.S. military has long celebrated religious pluralism, and the support and inclusion of its service members and their families with its National Prayer Breakfast, an annual event symbolizing mutual respect across all faith groups, in a unified inclusive gathering. The first National Prayer Breakfast was held in 1953 in Washington D.C., with President Dwight D. Eisenhower as the featured speaker. Since then, the event occurs annually at the national level on the first Thursday of February, with every president taking part. "Today I think that prayer is just simply a necessity, because by prayer I believe we mean an effort to get in touch with the Infinite," Eisenhower said at the first National Prayer Breakfast. President Barack Obama spoke at last years prayer breakfast, saying the U.S. would continue to promote respect for all religions across the world. "Here at home and around the world, we will constantly reaffirm that fundamental freedom: freedom of religion, the right to practice our faith how we choose, to change our faith if we choose, to practice no faith at all if we choose, and to do so free of persecution and fear and discrimination," he said. Congress members routinely host the National Prayer Breakfast, but most government offices from the city, county and state level celebrate the nations religious pluralism with National Prayer Breakfasts at differing times following the lead of our nation. Religious plurality across the Defense Department continues to grow. Our nation has made tremendous strides in acknowledging our religious, gender-based and sexual orientation differences. As proof, the National Prayer Breakfast was segregated by gender, with separate rooms for men and women, from 1953-1968. President Richard Nixon was the first president to preside over a gender-integrated Breakfast. At our Academy, we support faith-based beliefs and those who choose no faith. We are all united by our dedication to accomplishing our mission of developing leaders of character and to the Air Force mission to fly, fight and win in air, space and cyberspace. Regardless of our choice of individual systems of belief, we are all Airmen. The U. S. Air Force Academy will celebrate religious pluralism with its own National Prayer Luncheon, 11:30 12:30 p.m., Feb. 23 at the Falcon Club. Our topic is "A Climate of Respect... From Good to Great." Chaplain (Maj. Gen.) Dondi Costin, Air Force Chief of Chaplains, is the guest speaker. It is my sincere hope you will join us in celebrating our Constitutional right to the free exercise of religion, and the religious pluralism of our Total Force Airmen and our great nation. Call 333-3300 or 333- 2636 for more information. UW Economist Shogren Endorses Change in Reporting Climate Change Benefits The federal government has a duty to inform Americans about the reductions in domestic climate damages that may result from federal regulation, according to University of Wyoming Professor Jay Shogren and a group of other renowned economists. The current approach of reporting only the global benefits neglects that duty, Shogren and the others wrote in a letter that appears in the scientific publication Science. The group also explains its position in a column written for Forbes. In the context of international negotiations, such as the recent Paris accord, a global focus is clearly relevant, writes Shogren, the Stroock Professor of Natural Resource Conservation and Management in the Department of Economics and Finance in the UW College of Business. But, when evaluating regulations that will impose large costs on U.S. citizens, it is incumbent upon the federal government to estimate and report domestic benefits as well. He says the costs to the United States are relatively lower than many other nations because most of the economy does not depend directly on climate like it does elsewhere. The National Academies of Sciences (NAS) has assembled a committee to review the economic aspects of climate change to better estimate the social cost of carbon (SCC). The SCC is an estimate in dollars of the long-term damage caused by a one-ton increase in global carbon emissions in a given year. Although the SCC oversimplifies a dauntingly complex reality, agreement on an SCC is necessary for cost-effective emissions controls, the economists wrote. A key question is whether the SCC should reflect social costs to the United States or the entire world. Shogren says using the global value, rather than the U.S. value on the SCC of carbon, implies more regulations aimed toward coal and other fossil fuels that drive Wyomings economy. The economists say the NAS should refocus regulatory analysis of U.S. regulations on their domestic effects by recommending the use of a domestic SCC and supporting separate reporting of estimates of effects beyond the United States. In 2013, an interagency group established the current federal SCC values -- $43 per metric ton of CO2 in 2020 assuming a 3 percent discount rate -- based on the estimated global SCC. Regulatory agencies use this global SCC as the sole summary measure of the value of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and compare it with estimates of domestic costs. This approach, Shogren and the others write, conflicts with long-standing federal regulatory policy directing agencies to issue regulations only upon a reasoned determination that the benefits justify the costs. A decision to issue a regulation with substantial domestic costs based on a finding that benefits to foreigners justify such costs would be irregular at best, they conclude. Even with explicitly stated altruistic or strategic motivations, analyses that present only global benefits of regulations to reduce U.S. emissions would be misleading. Other economists who contributed to the column and letter are Susan Dudley, director of the Regulatory Studies Center; Art Frass, visiting fellow at Resources for the Future; Ted Gayer, vice president and director of economic studies at the Brookings Institution; John Graham, dean of the School of Public and Environmental Affairs at Indiana University; Randall Lutter, professor of public policy at the University of Virginia; and W. Kip Viscusi, distinguished professor of law, economics and management at Vanderbilt Law School. Colorado has become one of the highest gross sellers of legitimate marijuana. The sales have reached a massive amount of approximately $1 billion as per the Colorado's Department of Revenue. To be very exact, the actual sales on record were $996,184,788, as released in final monthly marijuana tax report for 2015. There are two sets of policies in Colorado related to the use of cannabis, one for recreational and the other for medicinal purposes. An increase of more than 42 percent over the previous year, the Cannabis Business Alliance said in a statement applauding the sales, for contributing $135 million in taxes - $35 million of which is earmarked for the construction of schools, as reported in Huffington Post. Colorado was the first state to introduce the legal recreational marijuana industry which is regulated and taxed by the state. This industry has put the state in black with tax revenues and fees which led the state in top position with $135 million. The state will utilize the tax profit of about $35 million for construction of schools. "With greater growth and continuation of operators entering the industry, Cannabis Business Alliance members and Colorado operators have continually set the standard of the maturing industry nationwide, impressively thriving amidst increasing regulation, including stamping, equivalency, and pest management," said Mark Slaugh, CBA Board member and iComply CEO, noted Market Watch. This industry has not only made the state top ranked in sales of cannabis but also provided employment to the people resulting in the overall growth of the country's economy. Initially marijuana sales were considered as "ILLEGAL" in the country. The major advantage of illegal supply is a tax free income which is directly counted as profit. The demand of cannabis has significantly increased due to illegal nature of product in market. Since, November 2012 the product has been marked "legal" with regulated tax in the state in order to turn the situation in control and also to use it exactly for the medicinal and recreational purposes.There have been three types of taxes invoked on marijuana including the standard 2.9 percent sales tax, a 15 percent excise tax on wholesale marijuana transfers and a 10 percent special marijuana sales tax according to The Cannabist. Other states of America including California, Arizona, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Nevada, Maine and Vermont, are reported to decide on legalizing the use of marijuana this year. Meanwhile, states like will Missouri, Florida, Pennsylvania and Ohio will hit polls for deciding on medicinal usage of marijuana. Alphabet, Google's parent company made a big investment last year to SpaceX, but there are not many attention paid to Google's investment to space exploration program. Meanwhile, SpaceX set February 24 for its next rocket launch to put communication satellite owned by SES television into orbit. Google is not the only tech company that put a great interest in space exploration. Amazon.com, Virgin Group, Facebook, and Qualcomm, are among tech companies that have invested in the development of either rockets or satellites. Google VP for corporate development Don Harrison said, "Space-based applications like imaging satellites can help people more easily access important information, so we're excited to support SpaceX's growth as it develops new launch technologies", as quoted by the Motley Fool. Alphabet made a $1 billion investment in Series F funding to Space Exploration Technologies Corporation in January 2015. Following the investment, Alphabet have 10% of shares in the space-transportation startup company and Don Harrison also joined the board of SpaceX. SpaceX is a space transportation company founded by Elon Musk in 2002 in El Segundo, but now operates out of Hawthorne, California. The company was established with a vision to build an inexpensive reusable rocket that would go into space multiple times. In 2006, Elon Musk invested his own $100 million in the seed funding in 2006. The company then developed its own Falcon orbital launch vehicle and Dragon spacecraft. SpaceX also planned to develop a low-cost, high-performance satellite to be used as a new space-based internet communication system. As an Internet company, Google was interested in this space-based Internet technology. SpaceX has offices in Washington DC and Hawthorne, as its headquarter. The company also own a test facility in McGregor near Waco, Texas. It also has two launch facilities in Cape Canaveral, Florida, and the Marshall Islands in the Central Pacific. SpaceX has set another date for another rocket launch on February 24 from Cape Canaveral, carrying SES television service satellite into orbit. The company also scheduled more launch as President and COO Gwynne Shotwell informed Federal Aviation Administration business space meeting a week ago. "Before the current years over, we ought to be at more than 30 centers for every year," said Gwynne Shotwell as quoted by TechBits. Previously SpaceX successfully launched and landed its Falcon 9 rocket at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station on Monday, December 21, 2015. However, due to less fuel in the next launch, according to SpaceX won't attempt to land the Falcon 9 booster back on shore like the previous launch, according to Florida Today. SpaceX set the February 24 for its next scheduled rocket launch, to put SES television communication satellite into orbit. Meanwhile, Google's Alphabet has made a big $1 billion investment last year to help the company developing its space-based internet communication system. The authorities of Australia have snatched liquid methamphetamine worth over A$1 billion from a cargo of art supplies and silicon bras. According to the authorities, this is the biggest seizure in the history of the country's customs. The officers arrested nationals of China and Hong Kong for importing nearly 720 litres of liquid methamphetamine, which is commonly known as ice. This operation utilized the information collected by Australian Federal Police in a joint enterprise with China's National Narcotics Control Commission, Sinema Blaze said quoting Michael Keenan, Federal Justice Minister. On 14th January, the Australian authorities held a 33-year-old man of Hong Kong for supplying "push-up bras" to a Burwood storage plant. The officers found that the bras valued at about A$1.26 billion were concealed in glue bottles and bra inserts. Moreover, the officers noted that the man smuggled the drug from China. Last March, the Crime Commission of Australia said that nearly 1.3 million people in Australia have used the ice. Keenan added that the incident marks a great day for law enforcement agencies of Australia and a gloomy day for the smugglers who targeted the Australian drug industry. The maximum penalty for these smugglers is life imprisonment. In December 2015, the officers discovered 190 litres of liquid methamphetamine concealed inside a pack of gel bras in a cargo from Hong Kong, CNN said. In connection with this issue, the authorities arrested a Hong Kong man. The customs officers also found 530 litres of methamphetamine hidden in art supplies in a storage plant near Sydney and held two from Hong Kong nationals and one from China. According to Chris Sheehan, AFP State Manager NSW Commander, China is the source nation for drugs like methamphetamine not only in Australia but also globally. Sheehan also added that with the help of Chinese authorities, the Australian Federal Police (AFP) could trace the stem of the smuggling unit outside the nation. The seizure comes after the Australian Prime Minister, Malcolm Turnbull, announced an A$300 million plan to stop the usage of ice in Australia subsequent to a report that the nation had more drug users than other countries in the world. There is an increase in the number of Australian drug users from 2007 to over 200,000 in 2013, The Telegraph said citing an official report. The Australian government has been facing a chain of hurdles with the ice that is associated with road deaths, robberies and other violent activities. These drugs can create havocs and psychological problems for a long time, experts say. The drugs are available even among remote and regional societies where it was not prevalent previously. The government under Malcolm Turnbull is working hard to eradicate this serious issue from the Australian soil and rescue the drug victims from being depleted. The AFP is working with foreign agencies to save its citizens. The Philippine government has announced on Friday approving the public exhibition and auction of the jewelry collection of late Dictator Ferdinand Marcos' wife Imelda. International experts have appraised the collection now to be worth at least 1 billion ($21 million). The appraisal has reportedly been conducted in a conservative manner. The hoard has been seized from Hawaii in 1986 when Marcos and his family fled there after a revolt that ended the power regime enduring two decades. The announcement has been made by the officials of the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG). However, the approval has been rendered by the Privatization Commission headed by the Department of Finance (DOF), reports The Guardian. Appraisal of the jewelry collection has been conducted by Christie's and Sotheby's in November 2015. The collection has originally been estimated to be valued $5 million to $8 million or 376 million in maximum. But PCGG claims that value of the items has been increased significantly, reports GMA News. PCGG has been assigned to recover Marcos' ill gotten wealth. The commission expects to conduct exhibition and auction before departure of existing Presiident Benigno Aquino III's term in June, reports Honolulu Star-Advertiser quoting Andrew de Castro, its Chairman. The economy of Thailand has grown with acceleration during the fourth quarter of 2015 (Q4:2015) surpassing analysts' forecasts. The growth has been followed by military ruler's series of stimulus measures to boost up the economy amid political turmoil and slowed exports. Gross domestic product (GDP) has been expanded 2.8% during the last three months of 2015. A median survey on 22 analysts has forecast for a 2.6% growth while another separate median survey has opted for 2.7% growth. However, Thailand's estimated GDP during Q4:2015 has surpassed all the predictions by a limited margin, reports Bloomberg citing a statement from the National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB), disclosed in Bangkok on Monday. The GDP has been reported to rebound from 0.8% existed during the same period of 2014. While representing a comparative growth feature with the previous year, analysts have expressed cool expectations for 2016, reports Channel News Asia. Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-Ocha has accelerated budget spending to boost local demand amid falling exports. The central bank has also retained benchmark rates unchanged for a sixth straight meeting. Monetary policy remains accommodative to help the economy recover from sluggish growth, reports The Straits Times quoting Veerathai Santiprabhob, Governor for the Bank of Thailand. Five years after the sanctions from the world powers, Iran has sent out its first crude oil to Europe. The shipment was only one month after a landmark nuclear deal achieved. According to Deputy Oil Minister Rokneddin Javadi, as stated in CNBC, has declared that this shipment was the first in five years and denoted "a new chapter" for oil industry in Iran. He didn't explain further, however, IRNA pointed out that a few western tankers have stacked Iran's oil lately. Iran arranges to produce an additional one million barrels of oil to execute the nuclear deal, in which the world power stopped the international sanctions while Iran's nuclear activities were limited. The sanctions lifting is very important for Iran because it will enable them to reach the abroad assets and trade crude oil with more freedom. There are some countries that have made oil export agreements with Iran, including Russia, France, and Spain. Bloomberg mentioned that according to an Iranian oil ministry official, there was a tanker being loaded at Kharg Port, which was identified as France's Total SA. Besides that, chartered vessels for Chinese and Spanish companies were expected to arrive later Sunday. While a Russian company was also said to hire a tanker, but it has not get there yet. After sanctions were elevated in January, Iran is attempting to re-establish its oil production by increasing oil export up to 1 million barrels per day this year. Iran and Total and Hellenic Petroleum SA of Greece have signed agreements on supply. During January, the country produced 2.86 million barrels each day. There are three preliminary shipments to Europe, based on Iran's plan, conveying 4 million barrels of oil with 2 million barrels are given to Total and the rest to Spain and Russia companies. Pirouz Mousavi, managing director of Iran Oil Terminals Co., said, "The loading operation of the three tankers at Kharg terminals will be done within 48 hours." Meanwhile, RT also confirms that Iran has marked an arrangement with French oil giant Total to ship 160,000 to 180,000 barrels of a day, as indicated by the IRNA. Despite this new start in the Europe market, Iran has been stable in growing its oil exports to Japan. Japan seems to be quite promising. Since December 2015, the oil export to Japan has grown for at least 34 percent, beating Saudi Arabia with only 5 percent increase. Iran is expecting to grab 10 percent of Japan's market with 350,000 barrels per day. The sanctions were removed in January after a confirmation by the UN nuclear watchdog. It said that Tehran had fulfilled all requirements in the deal that has been designed to prevent the country's nuclear weapon development. The first crude oil shipment to Europe becomes a new start for Iran to rebuild its oil industry. More oil outputs are expected to be exported in the near future. The Environmental Protection Agency (PROFEPA) of Mexico has fined Volkswagen (VW) Mexico, local unit of the German automaker for Mex$168 million ($8.9 million) on Monday. The fine has been slapped for selling 2016 model vehicles lacking corresponding environment compliance certificate. PROFEPA has levied the fine followed by an inspection in December. The inspection unearths that the 2016 model vehicle hasn't been certified. The 45,494 imported vehicles under penalty include Audis, Bentleys, Porsches, Seats and Volkswagens, reports Mexico News Daily. However, counting this amount of fine is not the last word for VW. Mexican authorities are still investigating the vehicles sold between 2009 and 2015 on suspicion of software induced cheat on diesel emission test, reports The Wall Street Journal quoting attorney general's office for environmental protection. PROFEPA has discovered in December inspection that the 2016 model vehicles lack two NOM environmental compliance certificates. One certificate establishes the maximum allowable level of total hydrocarbon, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxide and particles from new cars' exhaust pipes. The other certificate sets the maximum allowable level of noise and the measurement methodology, according to a news published in Fox News Latino. Palantir Technologies Inc, which data analysis technology was well-known in U.S. intelligence community acquired Kimono Labs. Palantir is aiming to expand its data collection capacity using Kimono Labs' data extraction tool. While Kimono Labs will shut down its service at the end of this month. Kimono Labs was founded in January 2014 by Ryan Rowe and Pratap Ranade. Both founders want to provide a tool to ease data extraction from an unstructured web. They have sucessfully developed a point-and-click tool to etract information from website that does not have API available, enabling web developers to avoid exhausting web scraping effort to extract data from the web. This San Fransisco-based company attracted attention during a Y Combinator demo day in March 2014. Kimono Labs was selected as one of five best startups company in that startup incubator event which held to allow startups to pitch their ideas to potential investors. Prior to acquisition from Palantir, Kimono Labs have raised $5 million seed funding in two funding rounds from 33 investors. Palantir and Kimono did not disclose about financial details of the deal. As a result of the acquisition, Kimono Labs will shut down its service which have ease the work of many web developers. In the statement, Kimono Labs said, "Because of our new roles at Palantir, it will not be possible for us to continue providing the publicly available cloud hosted kimono product." In regard to Kimono Labs decision to shut its service, co-founder Pratap Ranade told Tech Crunch, "We care deeply about our users, but unfortunately I'm not at liberty to discuss the details." Venture Beat reported Kimono Labs will officially shutdown its service on on February 29, 2016. All customers data can be retrieved from Kimono Labs' site until then. Kimono Labs also give a 30-day window to import APIs created from its service up to March 31. After that day, Silicon Valley Business Journal reported that Kimono Labs will securely purge all users' data and Palantir won't have access to that data. Up to now, there are 125,000 developers, data scientists and businesses which used its data extraction tool. Therefore, wiping out the data collected and stored in Kimono Labs cloud service is necessary to protect privacy of the data owners. Palantir Technologies Inc, the company that acquire Kimono Labs is a data analysis company which provide data mining, integration and data analysis software. Its data analysis technology was used heavily by American intelligence community to visualize relationship between data from multiple sources. Founded in 2004, the company's seed funding was raised by In-Q-Tel, a venture capital firm owned by U.S. federal government. The acquisition of Kimono Labs will increase Palantir's capacity to extract data from the web. As a result of the acquisition, Kimono Labs will stop providing its data extraction service to public by the end of this month. Wikimedia Foundation, the parent organization of Wikipedia, has received a $250,000 grant from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation. The grant, to be used to develop the service's search engine, was awarded in September but the organization had just publicized it in the past week. Wikimedia Foundation is developing a search engine project called the Knowledge Engine. The grant is allocated to advance the project, as stated in the grant's description from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation. "The grant is to be used as follows: To advance new models for finding information by supporting stage one development of the Knowledge Engine by Wikipedia, a system for discovering reliable and trustworthy public information on the Internet." SearchEngineLand revealed that the $250,000 fund they just received will be used to support an investigation of search and browsing on Wikipedia and other Wikimedia projects. The ultimate goal of that project is to improve how people explore and acquire information, especially with the organization's services, whereas Wikipedia itself includes more than 35 million articles across hundreds of languages. In doing so, Wikimedia also seek to expand the context beyond just textual search. With the help of the fund, the Wikimedia Foundation has already begun six months of its planned research, testing, and prototyping on user search practices on its services. The data will be used in the project development's later stages to improve discoverability across its vast information database. As for now, the project is in the discovery stage that includes an exploration of prototypes of future versions of Wikipedia.org to be more like open channels rather than an encyclopedia, as reported by The Register. According to ABC News, the $250,000 grant covers only just a part of the total financial plan submitted by the Wikimedia Foundation. The project's budget is almost $2.5 million in total. The budget is divided among 14 staffs, hardware, and associated costs including travel and medical expenses. The Knight Foundation funding is the first that Wikimedia Foundation received. The Wikimedia Foundation specifically claimed that they are not trying to build another Google. However, the organization acknowledges that the project's biggest risk is that other existing search engine like Google or Yahoo could also devote resources to a similar project. If that happens, Wikimedia believes that it could reduce the success of the project. The $250,000 grant awarded by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation provides seed money to begin the early stage of the Wikimedia Foundation's project. The Knowledge Engine project will transform Wikipedia.org and other Wikimedia projects to be more discoverable with a new advanced search engine being developed. A fantastic 404-carat diamond was just found in Angola. This is the world's 27th biggest diamond that could be worth $14.3 million or A$20 million. NBC New York has informed that the diamond was unearthed by miners from the Lucapa Diamond Company of Australia, in association with Endiama, Angola's national diamond company and the privately owned Rosas e Petalas. Lucapa is one of the global top diamond producers. The company has announced that the amazing precious stone is 7 cm long, and is the largest to be discovered in Angola. Before it, a 217.4 carats diamond was found in 2007 in Angola, and was called as the "Angola Star." Yehuda, a diamond retailer based in New York examined the spectacular diamond, according to CNN. Lucapa has mentioned that it is tested from its color and clarity, and classified as a Type lla stone, which means it is almost perfect. The most extraordinary thing from the diamond is the D-colored, or nearly without color, Lucapa added. According to the Gemological Institute of America, this color grade is what makes white diamond the most valuable. In 2015, the Lulo Diamond Project started the exploration of a 1,148 square-mile plot of area. The company confirmed that it has so far delivered more than 60 special diamonds in large sizes. Lucapa is a smaller diamond exploration company with the symbol LOM on Australia's ASX stock exchange. Before the phenomenal diamond finding was announced, the company had suspended trading for several days. When it started trading again on Monday, the shares hiked to 30 percent. The diamond value of A$20 million had been confirmed by Chairman Miles Kennedy. It has been known that Angola is the fourth greatest nation in the world to produce diamond. While this Angolan diamond is the 27th biggest diamond in the world, in the first position is the "Cullinan", a huge diamond in 3,106 carat pearl. It weighed 1.3 pounds and was discovered in 1905 in South Africa. It was now displayed at the Tower of London. Yahoo News Australia cited Stephen Watherall, Lucapa Diamond Company chief executive, "We have always emphasized the very special nature of the Lulo diamond field and this recovery - together with the other 100 carat-plus diamonds recovered this year alone - is further evidence of that. And while we continue mining these exceptional alluvial gems from mining blocks 6 and 8 at Lulo, we are also continuing to advance our systematic exploration program to find the kimberlite source of these diamonds." It is no doubt that Angola is one of those countries, which have produced the biggest diamonds in the world. The 404 carat diamond news has positively increased the company's share. The diamond is spectacular not only for its size, but also for the quality, which has been proven to be very rare and valuable in the world. Iluka Resources said it will cease production in zircon operation at Jacinth-Ambrosia project in South Australia following fall in zircon prices. The activities at Jacinth-Ambrosia project will be halted for 18 - 24 months, depending on zircon market conditions. The suspension of concentrating and mining operations will commence on April 16, 2016. Iluka noted that the halt will increase its net cash flow as the company reduces its production costs, which is partly offset by restructure costs and advanced rehabilitation. The net cash cost profit for 2016 is anticipated to be about $30 million while the restructure, rehabilitation and idle costs are predicted to be around $16 million. Iluka expects 2017 total cash cost profit to be around $45 million and restructure, rehabilitation and idle costs to be near $25 million. The company believes that the stoppage of activities at the South Australian project will enhance its return on capital by increasing the inventory drawdown. Iluka also hopes that this move will have a positive impact on global market dynamics. Unfortunately, the halt will result in the reduction of nearly 33 workforces out of 79 direct employees. The company added that nearly 46 workers will be retained while few will be moved to other operation sites. Iluka will retain workers at the site in order to accomplish activities like asset supervising, focusing on transport as well as environmental restoration duty. According to the company, there will be additional workforce losses linked with the backup services and contractors to the zircon operation. David Robb, managing director at Iluka, said that the company is working with official agencies in the state to promote a transition in the life of workers who lost their job due to the halt. The Jacinth-Ambrosia venture has a high fame among the domestic communities for the environmental benefits it brought and the company hopes to maintain the reputation even in the slowdown period, Robb added. The fragility in the industrial and construction sectors of China contributed to zircon demand, Bloomberg said quoting Rio Tinto, a producer of zircon. Producers like South32 and Glencore plc are also ceasing output due to the wavering demand resulting from poor development in China. The demand in zircon stems from the last three-month period of 2015 as Europe sales remained lower than the historical rates. Iluka also suspended mining activities at Virginia operations in 2015, halting the production work of chloride-ilmenite and zircon in the US. The shares of Iluka are currently trading over 1% higher at $6.77 at AEST, according to The Advertiser. The company will still supply its consumers by handling the 800,000 tonnes of concentrate inventory at the Western Australia and Virginia units. In addition, this move will not affect the company's royalty payment commitments in South Australia. The company's decision will positively impact the global market and enable it to concentrate on other operations in Australia. Iluka expects to resume operations as soon as the zircon market reaches normal condition. For ruler of socialist-communist countries, giant statues, murals and tapestries are used for propaganda purpose, and North Korea has a knack to craft a good quality ones. Therefore the country will start to sell its art form to the outside world. Mansudae Art Studio is the studio appointed by North Korean regime to produce art foms since 1959. The art studio have been in business for years producing huge statues, murals and banners for domestic propaganda. It now employs 4,000 staffs working to make government publication. Since 1980's the studio has launched Mansudae Overseas Projects (MOP) to export its art craft to fellow socialist countries, mainly in Africa. Recently, Mansudae studio also sent its artists to work on the giant statues in Angola, Benin, Chad, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia and Togo. In Zimbabwe, the art studio has finished two giant statures of Robert Mugabe which is stored and waiting to be put in place when the Zimbabwe leader pass away. In Senegal, North Korean artists has created a giant African Renaissance Monument which was dedicated in 2010 in Dakar. For crafting statue in the West African capital, Mansudae studio was reported to earn $10 millions. Representative of the studio Pier Luigi Cecioni told BBC about the North Korean art studio, "It's in the heart of Pyongyang, Mansudae is the name of the district." He also explained, "Actually, it's more of a campus than a factory, more of a studio, the biggest in the world." North Korea has made a new national income with production of giant statue for propaganda purpose. The country fill in the vacant position because "The Russians and Chinese don't make that kind of stuff any more," said art critic William Feaver. "The appeal is in the statement of the obvious - and of course size is everything." This has been a good news for North Korea that was in the midst of economic turmoil following its nuclear ambition. The country thirst for nuclear weapon has depleted the country's economic resources. South Korean president President Park Geun-hye as reported by Fox News on Thuesday has warned that North Korean nuclear ambition will face economic collapse. In the televised address to National Assembly, president Park also vowed to take a strong measure against North Korea as quoted by Yonhap News Agency. North Korea has seen a niche in the market to produce giant statue for countries that aim to to glorify their leaders. Its experience for more than 50 years in creating giant statues for propaganda purpose has become useful to support its economy. Especially after its nuclear ambition has exhausted the country's economy. FILE PHOTO Bell tower at CSU Channel Islands. SHARE By Staff Reports CSU Channel Islands has gotten a $3 million grant that will allow graduate students to do stem cell research at top institutions. The grant, which comes from California Institute for Regenerative Medicine, will provide 10 paid internships over five years. The program, which provides a total of $40 million in grants, is open to California universities that do not have a major stem cell research program. Research institutions that are participating include Stanford University, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and City of Hope. Channel Islands has received the grants before, in 2009 and 2012. This time, the grant includes opportunities for students to work directly with patients, attend workshops and participate in community events on stem cell research. FILE PHOTO SHARE By Tom Kisken of the Ventura County Star Between 3,000 and 6,800 immigrants 18 and younger living illegally in Ventura County could receive full government-paid health insurance in May through a controversial California law. Immigration and health care advocates of a law that opens the door to full Medi-Cal coverage are pushing families to begin enrolling now. "What counties should be doing is going through active efforts to enroll these kids," said Daniel Zingale of The California Endowment, a foundation focused on improving access to care. Ventura County and community groups focused on people living illegally in the country say efforts to reach and enroll them in an emergency Medi-Cal program are beginning. Once signed up, they would be automatically transferred to full benefits when the law takes effect. An opponent of the new law passed by the Legislature last year contended it further fractures an already broken system. "When is California going to wake up to that there are 39 million people in this state," said Joe Guzzardi, spokesman for a Santa Barbara group, Californians for Population Stabilization. "Bills like this are going to encourage more people to come." Existing law allows immigrants living in the country illegally to enroll in restricted Medi-Cal, enabling them to receive emergency care. The new law makes those younger than 19 eligible for full benefits if they meet the same income standards that apply to other Medi-Cal members. "The law would treat undocumented children in California like we treat other children," said Zingale, noting they would be eligible for preventive care not covered by emergency Medi-Cal benefits. State officials say the earliest the new law will be enacted is May 1. Advocates say they've been told the state will need until mid-May before the program is launched. But reaching immigrants isn't easy, said Arcenio Lopez, executive director of the advocacy group, Mixteco/Indigena Community Organizing Project, known as MICOP. People worry about deportation. Teenagers working in the fields worry about laws requiring them to be in school. "There's a lot of fears," he said. "It takes time to educate and to be careful on how we share the information." Officials for the California Department of Health Care Services estimate 170,000 children across the state will be newly eligible for Medi-Cal under the law. Officials of the Gold Coast Health Plan that provides Medi-Cal care in Ventura County say they've been told by the state to expect between 3,000 and 3,400 new members. Estimates from The California Endowment are much higher. They project 300,000 people statewide could be covered by the new law, including 6,700 or more in Ventura County. "The truth is no one knows precisely how many undocumented children are in the state," said Zingale. Guzzardi said he thinks the Department of Health Care Services estimates are low, asserting the law also will draw more illegal immigration into California. The Ventura County Taxpayers Association has not taken a position on the law. On Monday, association President Richard Thomson wondered about the law's financial impact. Analysts estimate the state's cost at $40 million in the current fiscal year and then about $132 million a year after implementation. "My belief is that if you were to take a survey and ask what are the three things people are most concerned about, people will talk about things like jobs, they'll talk about traffic, they'll talk about education," Thomson said. " ... I don't think anyone is going to have health care for undocumented children on that list." But advocates say the care will save money in the long run by making children eligible for preventive care. In the current system, the emergency care that is covered is the most expensive, said Zingale. "In the long term, there will be lower costs because you will have less kids getting sick," he said. "Half of the things that ail us as a society are preventable." Fliers on the program are being handed out at La Hermandad Hank Lacayo Family and Youth Center in Oxnard. Still, a woman from El Salvador taking a night class knew nothing about it. What she does know is four of her five kids were born in the United States and qualify for Medi-Cal. The fifth, a 17-year-old girl, was born outside of the country. Until the new law kicks in, she is not eligible for full coverage. "It's not fair," she said through an interpreter. MORE INFO For information about Medi-Cal enrollment in Ventura County, go to www.vchsa.org. Or call 888-472-4463. For The California Endowment outreach program, go to http://health4allca.org. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO/FOX Olivia Rox, an Agoura Hills 17-year-old, competes in the American Idol episode that airs Wednesday. SHARE CONTRIBUTED PHOTO/FOX Olivia Rox, an Agoura Hills 17-year-old, is competing on the final season of American Idol. By Robyn Flans Olivia Rox was an "American Idol" baby. Since the show's first season in 2002, Agoura Hills' Rox has been seated in front of the TV set with her parents, immersed in Fox's coveted hitmaker for wannabe artists. "I was 7 or 8 when I said to my parents, 'You know what? One day I would love to be on that show.'" Now, at 17, she is fulfilling that dream and singing on that stage. She made it to the top 24 now pared down to 19 and will perform on Wednesday night's broadcast. Viewers will find out the next night if she moves on in the competition. It was last October when she auditioned in San Francisco and received her golden ticket to Hollywood, stunning judges with her voice and her piano rendition of Bruno Mars' "When I was Your Man." "I hardly remember what happened in my audition," Rox said. "When I came out, my parents said, 'Tell us everything. What did they say?' And I was going, 'I have no idea, but I got through.'" Rox was born in Boulder, Colorado, to musical parents. Her father, jazz saxophonist Warren Hill, and her mother, Tamara Van Cleef, who used to sing, met when Hill was hired for Van Cleef's CD project. At 2, Rox joined her father on stage to sing "Someday My Prince Will Come." She began playing piano at 4 and guitar "as soon as my hands could fit around the neck," she said, "at about 7 or 8." By 9, she realized how much performing meant to her when she landed the role of Annie at the Boulder Dinner Theatre with an all former-Broadway cast. During the middle of the run, when she came down with mononucleosis, she was told she could continue if she did nothing else except the show that summer. "I didn't miss a performance," Rox said. The family moved to Los Angeles when she was 10 and to Agoura Hills about four years ago. "Agoura Hills reminds us so much of where I grew up," Rox said. She's been homeschooled throughout her life and joined Conejo Valley Homeschoolers a couple of years ago. "That's really cool because as a homeschooler you have to find ways to meet other kids your age who are into the same things you are," Rox said. "American Idol" producers noticed the original music videos Rox has been posting since she was 10 and asked her to audition for last season. She made it through the audition, but when she was about to sign with Warner Brothers Records, she had to drop out. "Then, just as I was getting signed, the guy who was signing me got fired," Rox said. The day after last year's finale, she received a call asking if she wanted another shot at "Idol." Rox said the competition is fierce. "There are some seriously talented people on the show," Rox said. "Some of them come with the most insane voice you've ever heard, some come with performance skills or looks. There are so many different people on the show who bring so much to the table that it's incredible. My challenge is to raise myself to that level." On Thursday she'll perform with prior "Idols." "I see it on TV and I'm like, 'Oh, that happened to me!'" Rox said. "It just hasn't hit me that I'm in the Top 24 of the final season of 'American Idol.'" SHARE If, as promised, President Obama nominates a replacement for Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, the U.S. Senate should hold hearings and then vote on whether to consent to the appointment. That would be fulfilling its constitutional duties. There is nothing in the Constitution that gives the Senate the wiggle room to obfuscate and delay the vote simply because it wants to wait until a new president is inaugurated in the hopes it will be a Republican. It was appalling Saturday that only a few hours after the world learned of the death of Justice Scalia, and before his body was even removed from his deathbed, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell immediately thought of politics. "The American people should have a voice in the selection of their next Supreme Court justice. Therefore, this vacancy should not be filled until we have a new president," Sen. McConnell said. The crassness of turning the focus so quickly to politics was probably best summed up by California Gov. Jerry Brown in a response on Twitter: "Couldn't (McConnell) have the decency to wait until the funeral before playing cynical politics. Such obstructionism must not stand." The justification for the delay, as explained by the Senate majority leader, is a unique reading of the Constitution that probably would have elicited one of Justice Scalia's famous scathing rebuttals, maybe a reprise of his view of a Justice Anthony Kennedy decision he termed a "tutti-frutti opinion." There is nothing that calls on the American people to have a voice in the selection of a Supreme Court justice. We fully understand that those appointments are always part of a robust presidential debate. But under Sen. McConnell's vision, we apparently would need to wait on every Supreme Court vacancy until we hold the next presidential election. Just as bad is all the Republican presidential candidate babble about precedence and ignoring appointments by presidents in their last year in office. This is only the second time in the past 61 years that a member of the court has died in office. There is ample evidence of presidents nominating justices in their final year in office to dispel any campaign rhetoric about some other kind of precedent that would call for the president to leave the position vacant. It is no mystery what is at stake here. With the death of Justice Scalia, the court is divided 4-4 among conservatives (all nominated by Republican presidents) and liberals (all nominated by Democratic presidents). There are enormous, bedrock issues regarding individual rights and the role of government that sit at the marble steps of the U.S. Supreme Court, awaiting action. The next justice will swing those decisions. That understanding, however, should not be the fodder that allows us to ignore the process. The president should nominate the best person he can find. The Senate should conduct thorough hearings. The Senate should then vote. If the conservatives hold on to all 54 Republican votes, then the nomination will not be approved. It's happened before. We survived a rejected Supreme Court nomination. To follow Sen. McConnell's course would be a politicalization of the Constitution that would tarnish the unique reputation left by Justice Scalia. As he might have said to Republican senators: Do your job. SHARE Re: your Feb. 10 editorial, Package of bills to fix teacher shortage a start: There is no teacher shortage in California. Your endorsement of bills is to fix a problem that doesn't exist. In 2015 there were 42,000 teacher openings out of a total workforce of 295,000. This 14 percent turnover sounds high until one remembers that 50 percent of beginning teachers quit within the first five years. Those 3,900 positions that were unfilled by mid-October were most likely special education positions, where burnout is extremely high due to special education rules and regulations the size of a phone book. A teacher shortage was predicted when the baby boomer teachers retired. These teachers, like my own recent retirement from Los Angeles Unified, are now retiring in large numbers but declining enrollment in most areas is balancing the numbers. The old days of the San Fernando Valley being mostly mom, dad and three kids are long gone. Further, state Sen. Fran Pavley's bill to grant student loan forgiveness to new teachers is misguided. New teachers should be in the classroom because they want to be there and not to simply cancel a debt after a required four years of service. Bob Munson, Newbury Park Tacos & Tequila (T&T), located at Luxor Hotel and Casino, has introduced new brunch selections available from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday (Pictured: T&T Breakfast Burrito Photo credit: Tacos & Tequila). Corporate Executive Chef Saul Ortizs new additions include Steak and Eggs, an 8-ounce steak and two eggs served with potatoes and bell peppers, priced at $18. T&T will also serve existing brunch favorites including the South-of-the-Border-style Breakfast Burrito, filled with scrambled eggs, smoked bacon, a three-cheese blend, lettuce, pico de gallo and salsa roja, priced at $13. A bottomless frozen margarita option is available in the restaurant on Sundays during brunch hours only and is priced at $15 per person with the purchase of one entree. PM Nguyen Tan Dung The Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) was signed on February 4, 2016 by 12 countries, namely Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, the US and Viet Nam, representing 40% of global GDP and 30% of global trade. This is a new-generation free trade agreement (FTA) which is expected to become a model for regional and international trade development with higher standards in the context of fast production force development, increasingly deep and wide international integration. Viet Nams signing of the TPP was not merely the outcome of the five-year persevering negotiations under the spirit of both cooperation and struggle, based on the top objective of national interest. More profoundly, this is the fruit of the 30-year renovation, in which economic integration is a vital component which has been strongly asserted and clearly interpreted in the resolutions of the Party. This is also experience withdrawn from the countrys international integration realities following the signing and implementation of the Viet Nam-US bilateral trade agreement; the participation in the ASEAN free trade area, FTAs between ASEAN and its partners, and the accession to the World Trade Organization, etc. Economic integration is also an important content of the modern socialist-oriented market economy institutions that are under construction. I In pursuance of the orientation of proactive and active international integration, Politburo (tenures 10th and 11th) approved the Governments proposal of joining talks on several new FTAs. These are the agreements with higher commitments to market access compared to the commitments of the World Trade Organization and other FTAs inked earlier. Especially, the TPP and the Viet Nam-EU FTA are the comprehensive and balanced trade pacts featured with higher commitments on market access to trade in goods and services, investement, protection of intellectual property rights as well as commitments on market economy institution, State-owned enterprises, public procurement, etc in order to create a transparent business environment and equal competition. These agreements also cover trade related issues like environment and labor. The aforesaid contents make the TPP and the Viet Nam-EU FTA the new-generation FTAs. The TPP is the comprehensive market access agreement, which ensures the free movement of goods, services, capital and technology at a higher level through fast elimination of import-export tariffs and non-tariff barriers to trade and investment; formation of equal and non-discriminatory business environment; facilitation of trade and investment, thereby bringing more benefits to businesses, laborers and consumers. The TPP will speed up the formation of a new production network and supply chain among 12 member countries; facilitate intra trade development; improve economic effectiveness, accelerate growth, support job generation, increase incomes and improve people living conditions; contribute to handling challenges of the current economy, encourage innovation, creativity and development of digital economy, establishment of competition policies and operation rules of State-owned enterprises, and protection of the basic rights of laborers and environment. The agreement also includes regulations to guarantee that the member economies with different development levels and enterprises of all sizes could gain benefits; helps small and medium-sized enterprises to overcome challenges and make the best of opportunities for development. The TPP also includes commitments on technical assistance, capacity building, and flexibilities in terms of implementation roadmap according to the levels of development for signatories to satisfy commitments and take full advantage of the benefits of the agreement. Simultaneously, it includes regulations on implementation supervision mechanisms and sanctions. The TPP respects the political regime of each country; recognizes the requirement of full compliance of national laws in accordance with international commitments, and excludes contents related to national defense and security. The agreement is also expected to create a new foundation for economic integration in the region as well as opportunities for other countries on the Asia-Pacific belt to join. Despite the low development level of the economy and numerous difficulties, the decision to actively participate in the new-generation FTAs, especially the TPP, with the spirit to accept competition, surmount challenges, grasp opportunities for fast and sustainable development demonstrates the political stuff, sharp thought and time vision of our Party and State. This is also the evidence of the belief in the will, ability and power of the Vietnamese people and nation. II The TPP along with the Viet Nam-EU FTA will bring back a lot of opportunities but challenges and difficulties are also numerous. These agreements will add more impulses for socio-economic development, particularly in investment attraction and export acceleration with the worlds biggest economies, in which the 28-member EU has a combined GDP of US$18 trillion and the TPP currently comprising of 12 members has a combined GDP of more than US$20 trillion. These economies have source technologies and remain the major importers and the biggest investors of Viet Nam over the past consecutive years. Taking into account of the resonant effects of the two agreements and the FTAs under negotiations or have been signed, opportunities are greater as our country has established free trade relations with 55 countries, including 15 members of the G20. Export and investment are of decisive importance to economic growth, job creation, improvement of living standards, especially in the context that the average income per capita and domestic consumption are low. The proportion of import/export between Viet Nam and these markets also makes the countrys overall trade relations more balanced. The commitments of the agreements are the frameworks and standards which contribute to the improvement of the modern market economy institution and acceleration of restructuring and growth model transformation. Joining these agreements is also a new step forward to the consistent pursuance of the countrys foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, diversification and multilateralization of relations, and to the improvement of Viet Nams position in the international arena, especially in such a region where strategic competition becoming increasingly fiercer. Beside opportunities, these agreements also roll out huge challenges and difficulties, including fiecier competition among the TPP members as well as within each of the markets in all three levels: product, business and national levels especially the competition in terms of the quality of institutions and business environment. In the face of competition pressure, some enterprises, after being transformed or restructured may be dissolved or go bankrupt if they fail to better themselves, and part of laborers will loose job; agriculture sector and farmers will be vulnerable; the poor-rich gap will be bigger if we can not effectively realize the strategy on fast and sustainable development and or can not ensure that all people benefit from the growth fruits. Challenges in terms of implementation are also huge, ranging from perfection of the legal system to workforce training, capacity building for cadres, technical and legal experts. The labor and union issues also generate new challenges and requirements for the operation of the Viet Nam General Confederation of Labor and the whole political system of ourc country. Being deeply aware that favorable opportunities can not transform themselves into economic power, interests and competitiveness without the efforts and goal-oriented activities exerted by stakeholders - the State, people, and enterprises. Difficulties and challenges will not be minor pressure but the magnitude of pressure depends on how each subject respond. If opportunities are well grapsed, challenges would be pushed back and new greater opportunities would come; conversely, difficulties and challenges will dominate and we will loose [things] that we cant recover. One important thing is that opportunities generated from FTAs always go hand in hand with challenges and challenges always contain opportunities this is dialectical development. III Against the backdrop of globalization and increasingly deep and wide international integration, establishment of the ASEAN Economic Community, participation in new FTAs, including the TPP and the Viet Nam-EU FTA, information technology and the Internet boom, rising proportion of cross-border transactions in global trade and service, advancement of multimodal transport and logistics services and flattening boundary between domestic and foreign markets, the classic nuances of the export-replacement or export-oriented industrialization models are fading. Many countries have shifted to industrialization models based on competitiveness, exploited and developed comparative advantages, conversed comparative advantages into competition advantages, joined global production network and value chain while striving to control high value added steps of such value chain. To fully take advantage of opportunities and overcome challenges, improving the competitiveness of the whole economy becomes an urgent matter, in which, the role and actions of the stakeholders to perform this vital task need to be clarified. Businesses are the subject that decides the micro competitiveness, reflecting the strength and the competitiveness of the economy. Businesses must be brave to accept competition and implement solutions proactively and creatively to unceaselessly sharpen the competitiveness of their goods and services, not just in domestic market but also in regional and global markets. However, businesses themselves can not decide all. They must perform in a defined institutional framework and business environment and this totally depends on the State. Many researches and real conditions of different countries show that, national governance institutions are the most decisive factor to the macro-competitiveness and the development of economy. Fast and sustainable development or stagnation and lagging behind are mainly due to the quality of institutions. Good institutions, law-governed State, peoples right to democracy and compatiblity with modern market economy rules will stimulate the aggregate strengthen to the fullest level and resources for development. Thus, institutions play a decisive role in the effectiveness and competitiveness of enterprises. To have good institutions, it is a must to precisely define the relations between the State, market, businesses and the society. The State must perform well its role as a development creator, especially in stabilizing macro-economy; develop the system of laws, policies, strategies and planning and apparatus organization to create an open, transparent business environment to ensure the right to business freedom and equal competition; use its resources, policies and tools to develop culture, pursue social equality and progress, ensure social security, improve social welfare and living standards; protect the environment; ensure the provision of essential services, develop socio-economic infrastructure system, train human workforce, enhance national security potential, and firmly maintain political security, social order and safety. The market decides the mobilization, allocation and effective use of resources. Businesses are free to decide the business lines that are not prohibited by law and must raise high their social responsibility and corporate culture. The society contributes constructive ideas, comments and supervises the implementation of policies via through citizens and organizations, professional associations, experts and independent researchers in order to mitigate shortcomings of the market and the State. Based on right understanding of the aforesaid relations, we need to quickly improve institutions and the legal system to meet the requirements of a modern market economy, international integration and commitments to the FTAs, especially the new-generation ones with the spirit of comprehensive and synchronous innovation in both economic and political dimensions; exert all efforts in buiding and improving the law-governed and law-abiding State of the people, by the people and for the people. Citizens can do whatever the laws do not prohibit. Cadres and civil servants can only do and must do things prescribed by law. To continue reforms to ensure the compatibility and synchronousity of laws, structural organization and contingent of cadres and civil servants. Overlapping organization will cause waste of resources and hinder development. [We] must dare to accept innovation, overcome slackness and conservativeness to perfect the system of leadership and administration, improve national governance capacity to meet the requirements of national construction and Fatherland protection in the new development stage. The improvement of the business environment needs to be part of the requirement of institutional reform. Institutions create framework and limits for improvement of business environment. The business environment can not be considered good without suitable institutions. Advances in institutional reform must be translated into improvements of business environment. This does not only relate to the apparatus organization but also the quality of cadres and civil servants. There is a must to focus on building a contingent of capable cadres and civil servants who devote their minds and hearts to serving the people. It needs speciall attention to the training of legal staffs, business administrators meeting the requirements of international integration, competition and development. Only by reforming national governance institutions properly, can we improve the quality, effectiveness of the process of restructuring and growth model transformation, accelerate the application of science and technology, raise productivity, and improve the competitiveness of products, businesses and the whole economy. And only by properly reforming institutions can we facilitate the accumulation and concentration of land and the formation of large-scale production regions and a clean, high-value added agriculture with substainable supply to quickly raise global market share. Otherwise, opportunities from the TPP, Viet Nam-EU FTA and other new-generation FTAs could not be grasped. The TPP as well as the Viet Nam-EU FTA requires open and transparent operations of State-owned enterprises and their equal competition with enterprises of other economic sectors. It needs to beef up the process of restructuring, improving the effectiveness of State-owned enterprises along with encouraging the development of Vietnamese business circle, especially private ones, as the driving force for improving the competitiveness and self-reliance of the economy. To ensure the success of international integration and effective implementation of the FTAs, especially the TPP and the Viet Nam-EU FTA, there must be resolutions of the Party and the National Assembly as well as the action plans of the Govenrment, sectors and the business community. Communication work needs to be carried out well to create awareness consensus and unity in action, strive to raise competitiveness for fast and sustainable development. *------ * ------* We are living in the era of very fast movement and development where the world is entering the 4th industrial wave, thus the industrialization process becomes shorter. With great determination and strong will to better themselves, creativity spirit and proper growth strategies, countries with lower development levels can catch up with and surpass countries with higher level of development and new small-sized enterprises could become big ones quickly. Joining these agreements opens more opportunities for Viet Nam to improve economic effectiveness thanks to the expansion of the scope and create favorable conditions for the establishment of big enterprises in association with individualization of businesses. This is also an opportunity to nuture the spirit of innovation and creativity, encourage business startup movement among all people and improve the development level of the economy. The whole Party, people, army and business community should raise high the national pride and join hands and minds to proactively exploit and bring into full play opportunities, strive to overcome difficulties an challenges emerged in the integration process to strengthen the national aggregate power, firmly protect national independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, strive to build Viet Nam into a strong country with wealthy people, democratic, just an civilized society, being able walk abreast with powers as President Ho Chi Minh ever wished. PM Nguyen Tan Dung at the ASEAN-US Summit, California, February 15, 2016 Photo: VGP PM Nguyen Tan Dung attended the event at the invitation of U.S. President Barack Obama. This was the first summit between ASEAN and a partner country after the formulation of the ASEAN Community and the first ASEAN-U.S. Summit in the U.S. U.S. President Barack Obama and ASEAN leaders discussed issues on the theme: Promoting Regional Prosperity through Innovation and Entrepreneurship. The Southeast Asian and Asian Pacific regions were forecast as dynamic areas despite numerous challenges. In the next period, ASEAN member states were projected to focus on new economic development models in favor of high-tech and innovative sciences. ASEAN members states agreed to cement and deepen the ASEAN-US strategic partnership. As the largest economy in the world and ASEANs leading partner, with advantages in science, technology, production system, and global enterprise network, the U.S. was asked to support the process of ASEAN community building, development of SMEs, high-tech, and clean energy. As the chair of the summit, President Barack Obama congratulated the establishment of the ASEAN Community, affirming that the U.S. attaches importance to the relations with ASEAN and backs ASEANs central role in the shaping regional architecture. The U.S. hopes to shake hands with ASEAN member states to boost economic and trade ties, said Mr. Obama. Addressing the event, PM Nguyen Tan Dung highlighted that as a positive and responsible member of ASEAN, Viet Nam has spared no effort for the ASEAN Community and regional prosperity. In the coming time, Viet Nam would implement deeply international integration policies and join economic linkages at different levels especially the ASEAN Economic Community, the Asian Pacific Economic Cooperation, the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPP), and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). The PM also emphasized the strategic importance of the ASEAN-US relations for regional peace, stability, and development. He suggested the two sides effectively realize signed agreements, especially the ASEAN-US Action Plan for the 2016-2020 period, strengthen cooperative and investment activities; share experience on starting a business, knowledge, technology; build advantageous business environment; and develop IT and sustainable development. PM Dung also proposed the establishment of an ASEAN-US center in Viet Nam to support the formation of startups and develop SMEs with a view to developing creations and connectivity of ASEAN enterprises. Cambodia is beginning to coordinate efforts to respond to climate change, a government official said ahead of high-level talks in California at which the environment is set to be on the agenda. Recent years have already seen hotter weather and more irregular rainfall in Cambodia, which is predicted to be badly hit when global temperatures change further. Prime Minister Hun Sen and leaders from the other nine Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) are currently at the Sunnylands estate in Rancho Mirage to meet with U.S. President Barack Obama and discuss a range of topics, from regional security to trade. The changing climate is also a priority for American engagement with the region, according to Ben Rhodes, Obamas deputy national security adviser. At a public forum last week in Washington, Rhodes reiterated that the United States has been working with ASEAN countries following the landmark global climate deal in Paris last year. We have good partnership with ASEAN oncombating climate change, he said. And ASEAN countries have various ways in which they are contributing to the Paris conference, and promoting sustainable development in a way to combat climate change. Cambodia has been ranked among one of the countries most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change in Southeast Asia. The impacts may already being felt. Between 2005 and 2012, the United Nations Development Program estimates that more than 22,000 Cambodians were affected by flood or drought. Successive Cambodian governments under Hun Sen have not had a reputation as being forward thinking on environmental issues. Authorities have long struggled to get to grips with rampant logging that has wiped out large parts of previously forested land, and environmental regulations on industry are poorly enforced. However, Sao Sopheap, a spokesman for the Ministry of Environment, said the government had recently been taking proactive steps toward preparing Cambodia. In January, the ministry released the countrys Climate Change Action Plan 2016-2018. The plan sets out priority areas for government departments to focus on, including the so-called mainstreaming of climate change in national and subnational planning and budgeting processes; environmental protection; biodiversity; the conservation of national resources; and strengthening knowledge management and information systems. In the region, Cambodia has been very proactive in adopting a strategic plan to the mainstreaming of climate change and responses to climate change working hand in hand with all stakeholders, Sopheap said. So far, he said, 14 government agencies have developed their own sectoral Climate Change Action Plans to contribute toward the countrys climate change efforts and toward the successful implementation of the countrys national strategic plan. However, Sopheap said, We are facing a lack of institutional capacity building, knowledge management officers, as well as a lack of technical and financial support. In recent years, international donors including the United States, Sweden and the European Union have provided both technical and financial support to help the governments efforts in coping with climate change. Chheang Vannarith, chairman of the board of directors at the Cambodian Institute for Strategic Studies, said developed countries like the United Stateswho have over time contributed the most to global warmingmust take a leadership role and help poorer countries like Cambodia to prepare for the negative effects of the changing climate. Industrialized and rich countries have an obligation to help developing countries in capacity building and response mechanisms to climate change. A determination as such was made at the Paris conference, he said. Poor countries like Cambodia, Laos and Burma are the most vulnerable to natural disasters because these countries tend to lack capacity in response to, and in adapting to climate change. More than 60 former residents of the Boeung Kak lake neighborhood staged a protest in front of the World Bank office in Phnom Penh on Monday, claiming the bank was complicit in the loss of their homes and demanding help getting more compensation. The protesters represent 169 households from the neighborhood, which was razed to make room for a commercial and residential development that never came to fruition. They called on the World Bank to leave the country. The residents each received about $8,000 in compensation for the loss of their homes. Protesters say the World Bank failed to implement a land-titling project in 2006 that would have prevented the loss of their homes. They are calling on the World Bank to provide them additional compensation for the loss. Some threw eggs at the World Banks gates on Monday, smearing its name placard with yolk. The World Bank, they used loans to the government to force us out of Boeung Kak, protesters Sea Sarath told VOA Khmer. World Bank officials did not come out of the office to meet with protesters and declined comment afterward. The former Boeung Kak residents say they have been unable to properly relocate since their ouster, because resettlement sites are far from schools, hospitals and decent forms of livelihood. Tep Vanny, an outspoken Boeung Kak activist, said the current protesters are in a risky position, because they took some compensation to leave when the situation was quite heated. Sea Phearum, director of the Housing Rights Task Force, a group that supports the residents, said the egg-throwing should not be misconstrued as an act of violence. They made people struggle, he said. The people are struggling and holding protests to demand compensation. Hundreds of Cambodian-Americans demonstrated outside the Sunnylands Estate, in Southern California, on Monday, as Prime Minister Hun Sen and other ASEAN leaders met there with US President Barack Obama. Demonstrators demanded justice and respect for human rights from Hun Sens government and the president, while inside, the leaders discussed trade potential and broader security concerns. We want to demand that President Barack Obama focus on human rights and democracy in Cambodia, said Vannak Men, a protest leader from Lowell, Massachusetts. The Cambodian Peoples Party, led by Prime Minister Hun Sen, has gravely violated international treaties on human rights and democracy. Demonstrators held placards calling for justice and calling Hun Sen, who has ruled Cambodia for three decades, a killer. Dont kill people; dont sell the nation, read one protesters sign. We want to tell [Hun Sen] that all the people here want freedom, peace, and democracy in Cambodia, Vibol Touch, president of the Cambodian American Alliance, told VOA Khmer. We want respect for human rights in Cambodia. We want him to fully respect democratic principles. Hun Sen had met with a group of some 500 supporters in the US on Sunday, calling for unity and discouraging disputes among Cambodian people, both in their home country and in the US. Sam Rainsy, the president of the Cambodia National Rescue Party, earlier this month called on his own supporters to avoid the Sunnylands protests, in Rancho Mirage, California. But demonstrators here called for the release from jail of Sam Rainsy Party Senator Hong Sokhour and for the release of Meach Sovannara, a Rescue Party activist who also hold US citizenship. Demonstrators also called for an end to land grabs, particularly those involving corrupt government officials. Their main source for enriching their cronies is through grabbing land from the people, Touch Vibol said. Supporters for the ruling Cambodian Peoples Party have canceled a planned demonstration, following protests against Prime Minister Hun Sen in the US. Hundreds of anti-Hun Sen protesters gathered outside the Sunnylands Estate, in Rancho Mirage, California, on Monday, where Hun Sen and other ASEAN leaders are meeting with US President Barack Obama. But a counter-protest by the pro-CPP Youth Alliance Group was canceled in Cambodia, in part because the US demonstrations were not seen as a legitimate threat to the CPP, Sok Eysan, a spokesman for the ruling party, said. Sok Eysan said the CPP did not dictate the decisions of the Youth Alliance, but that they had come to the decision on their own. They saw that the situation [demonstration] in the US was not strong, so they decided not stage a demonstration, he said. Demonstrators outside Sunnylands on Monday demanded an end to injustice under Hun Sen, calling him a killer and demanding the release of pro-opposition supporters, including the aged senator Hong Sokhour and activist Meach Sovannara. Counter-protesters had earlier threatened to gather outside the headquarters of the Cambodia National Rescue Party if such a demonstration took place in California. The threat prompted statements from the Rescue Party reiterating the importance of non-violent demonstrations. Rescue Party spokesman Yem Ponhearith said the party had been concerned that a counter-protest could lead to violenceparticularly following the severe beatings of two opposition lawmakers following a similar demonstration last year. After that violent demonstration, we are still concerned, he said. As U.S. President Barack Obama greeted leaders of the 10 members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations at the Sunnylands estate in Rancho Mirage, California Monday, protesters outside said they want human rights at the top of the agenda. Obama told the leaders gathered for the two-day summit on trade and security issues that his administration has rebalanced its foreign policy toward Asia and the Pacific. This has included engagement with Southeast Asia and ASEAN, which is central to the regions peace and prosperity, the president said, and to our shared goal of building a regional order where all nations play by the same rules. Among the hundreds of protesters outside, many were from Cambodia, where Prime Minister Hun Sen has dominated politics for 30 years. We are here today to send a clear message to Hun Sen that we don't support communists, we don't support a dictator, we don't support a tyrant, said Bona Chhith of the Cambodian American Alliance. Hun Sen must go, he said. Others criticized the government of Laos, and Vietnam's dominance over Laos and its others neighbors. Vietnam, go home, said one protester. Laos belongs to Laos. The 2014 coup in Thailand drew protests over the inclusion in the meeting of the Thai prime minister, Prayut Chan-o-cha. Thai-American Chao Suethae said of the country's leader, a former general, He shouldn't come to [such a] free land as the United States. The dictator should not stay in this free country. An American who served in the US Army during the Vietnam War, Ruben Treviso of the American GI Forum, worried that the sacrifice of fallen soldiers would be in vain if these trade talks are not tied to human rights. Inside the meeting, President Obama said they are. Four ASEAN members have joined the US-led Trans-Pacific Partnership, and Mr. Obama said that in joining the TPP, Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei have committed to high labor and environmental standards. The standards, the protesters say, are not high enough. TPP allows for corporations to offshore jobs to countries with the weakest environmental protections where it's easiest to exploit workers and create a downward momentum in wages here in the United States, said Lua Masumi of the Citizens Trade Campaign, a coalition of labor and rights groups. Obama said the talks will create opportunities for workers in the United States and Southeast Asia. The demonstrators say they're not convinced. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad says a proposed cease-fire would be "difficult" to implement, and accused Turkey and Saudi Arabia of being directed by powers abroad. Speaking Monday in Damascus, Assad said Turkey and Saudi Arabia have long wanted to send troops into his country, but are "only followers that carry out orders." He said the five-year war in Syria has been an international conflict since its first few months. Both Turkey and Saudi Arabia are taking part in U.S.-led airstrikes against Islamic State targets in Syria, and have signaled their willingness to send in ground troops, but have not deployed any troops inside Syria. Meanwhile Turkey has conducted cross-border airstrikes on Kurdish fighters in northern Syria since Saturday and warned of a "harsh response" if Kurdish-led forces do not retreat from their positions near the border. The Kurdish YPG militia has taken over large amounts of territory from Islamist rebels along Syria's border with Turkey in recent days, exploiting a Russian-backed Syrian government offensive against the rebels. The YPG advance has alarmed Turkey. It accuses the group of having links to the PKK, a Kurdish rebel group viewed as a terrorist group by Ankara, and worries the Kurds may be trying to set up a separate region along the border. Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu on Monday said his country will not let Kurdish fighters take the town of Azaz, located only a few kilometers south of Turkey. He warned if the Kurds do not withdraw from a nearby air base then Turkish forces will make it "unusable." But it is not clear that Turkish airstrikes will stop the Kurdish advance. On Monday, the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) - an alliance that also includes Arab groups - was making gains in Tel Rifaat, one of the Islamist rebels' last remaining bastions in the region. The SDF now controls more than two-thirds of Tel Rifaat, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based war monitoring group that relies on a network of contacts on the ground in Syria. Diplomats in New York said Monday that Russia has asked the UN Security Council to hold discussions on Turkish military actions in Syria and Iraq. Russia has not commented. The fighting underscores the complicated nature of the conflict in Syria, where fighting has killed hundreds of thousands of people and created millions of refugees over the past four and a half years. Turkey is opposed to the Assad government and has aided various rebel groups fighting against him. But it also opposes Kurdish fighters, who have been fighting a decades-long battle for autonomy in Turkey. Further complicating matters, the YPG Kurdish militia group is backed by the United States, a key ally of Turkey. Washington has called for Turkey to scale back its campaign against the Kurds, but Ankara appears to be undeterred. In a phone call this week with Prime Minister Davutoglu, U.S. Vice President Joe Biden "noted U.S. efforts to discourage Syrian Kurdish forces from exploiting current circumstances to seize additional territory near the Turkish border," according to a White House statement. But Biden also urged Ankara to "show reciprocal restraint by ceasing artillery strikes in the area," the statement said. Turkey's foreign ministry said Monday the statement was received with "astonishment," since it put U.S. "ally Turkey and a terrorist organization in the same equation." The ministry also insisted Turkey would continue its airstrikes, which it has portrayed as being retaliatory. The fighting comes as major powers try to implement a temporary cessation of hostilities this week. The cease-fire is set to begin this week, and is meant to allow humanitarian agencies to disperse badly needed emergency aid. The pause in fighting is also meant to create space for the resumption of international peace talks, which collapsed earlier this month, in part because of a massive Russian-backed Syrian government offensive. Bosnia and Herzegovina applied this week to join the European Union the latest of the former Yugoslav states to seek a future in the bloc. While the move was welcomed in both Sarajevo and Brussels, significant hurdles lie ahead. Twenty-one years after the end of the war that cost an estimated 100,000 lives, the chair of Bosnia and Herzegovinas presidency, Dragan Covic, pledged Monday to work toward a future in the European Union. He said that 2016 would be a year of significant reforms for Bosnia and Herzegovina, adding that the government would not stop on this road because Bosnia wanted to catch up with its neighbors. EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini warmly welcomed Bosnias application. "Seeing that with our immediate neighborhood there is such an energy and willingness to join and work hard to adapt the country's society, economy, institutions, systems to the European standards gives us the sense of responsibility we have also towards our European Union citizenship," said Mogherini. Both sides recognized that Bosnian membership in the EU was several years away, said James Ker-Lindsay of the London School of Economics. There have been a lot of areas of improvement but theres also a lot thats still very, very wrong with the country and I think the European Union sees this as a good opportunity to try to take forward the process of reconciliation, he said. In Sarajevo, there was some skepticism that the countrys divided politicians could compromise. A Sarajevo resident said that "with our mentality and with our politicians, I think we will never live to see the day we join the EU. Under the U.S.-brokered 1995 Dayton Peace Agreement, administration of the country was split between the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina with mostly Croats and Bosnian Muslims, or Bosniaks and the Republika Srpska, with a Serb majority. That system will have to change if Bosnia is to join the EU, said Ker-Lindsay. So whats happening is that, for example, the Bosniak community wants to try to centralize power as much as possible; they resent the Bosnian Serbs having their own entity. Meanwhile, the Bosnian Serbs jealously guard any powers that they have, and they dont want to give those up, even if its in the name of EU accession, he said. More than a million Bosnians fled the country during the war. As Europe grapples with its current refugee crisis, diplomats in Brussels see Bosnia and Herzegovinas application as an endorsement of the blocs founding principles of peace and reconciliation. Cameroon says its soldiers have liberated the northeastern Nigerian town of Goshi from Boko Haram and handed it to the Nigerian government. A spokesman for the government of Cameroon said more than 160 Boko Haram fighters were killed and hundreds of hostages, both Cameroonian and Nigerian, freed. Cameroon Communications Minister Issa Tchiroma Bakary said between February 11 and 14, Cameroon's military launched raids on Goshi, where intelligence reports indicated Boko Haram fighters were running training camps and bomb factories. He said the terrorists were also training teenagers, especially girls, and brainwashing them to be suicide bombers. Cameroon obtained the approval of Nigeria to free Goshi from the insurgents. "During this victorious assault 162 Boko Haram terrorists were neutralized, four artisan mine factories were dismantled, a previously identified training center was set ablaze, war weapons seized. The operation led by Cameroon special forces also led to the release of hundreds of people held hostage by Boko Haram. Several Nigerian hostages were also freed," said Bakary. The spokesman said Cameroon lost two soldiers in the battle, adding that Nigerian troops celebrated the victory with Cameroon troops who have now left Goshi, a town 15 kilometers from Cameroon's border with Nigeria. Regional forces from Cameroon, Nigeria, Chad, Niger and Benin have been launching raids on Boko Haram strongholds along the border since last year. According to the United Nations and Amnesty International, Boko Haram's 6 year insurgency has killed over 20 000 people, and displaced 2.5 million people. Campaigning for Uganda's elections officially came to a close Tuesday, with all the main presidential candidates holding rallies. Many voters are still angry about Monday's events, when police briefly arrested opposition candidate Kizza Besigye. Tensions and uncertainty were high, after the arrest Monday of presidential candidate Kizza Besigye. Although Besigye was held for only a short period of time, his arrest sparked massive protests at Makerere University and in downtown Kampala. Police dispersed the crowds with teargas and live ammunition resulting in multiple injuries and one fatality. WATCH: Campaigning Officially Ends in Uganda's Presidential Race The response was widely condemned by the opposition, including presidential candidate Amama Mbabazi, who held his final rally Tuesday outside Kampala. He told reporters the violence Monday was avoidable. It is absolutely unnecessary. Why would you hold a presidential candidate, and cause the kind of ruckus there was yesterday? All he was doing was going through the streets to go to his final public rally ... It is absolutely unacceptable and uncalled for, so I condemned it," he said. "And I hope the police and the state will desist from such actions." Besigye was allowed to campaign on the final day and given a police-sanctioned route away from President Yoweri Museveni's final rally at the city's airstrip. Peaceful protest Flanked by thousands of supporters, the ride through the city was peaceful, although many still expressed anger about Monday's events. Everybody is annoyed, we are very pissed for this and must fight. Come 2016, February 18th, I am very fortunate. I will go upcountry, I will vote and guard my vote until it is announced. We shall win this race, I am very sure. What they have done has gained that more popularity, said one supporter. At the Kololo Airstrip, where Museveni had his rally, supporters arrived on buses from different parts of the country. With a main stage packed with performers, many expressed happiness at the way Museveni has run his campaign. Many voters say they have seen progress in the past few years and think Museveni has run a fair race. They say that they expect the voting process to go smoothly. One voter named Frank says he sees Museveni as a paternal figure. We are welcoming the president now ... Me I support him now, surely. Now at my age, I was born in 1990, and up till now all I am seeing is him and the situation now," said Frank. "So he is more like a dad. That is why I am supporting him. More like a dad. Museveni, in power since 1986, is favored to win another term in Thursday's election. This is Besigye's fourth attempt to unseat the president and Mbabazi's first. Chinese state media are playing down the significance of President Barack Obama's two-day meeting with leaders from the 10 members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or ASEAN, in Sunnylands California, saying the talks are unlikely to bring any striking geopolitical decisions. Even so, opinion pieces and commentaries online highlighted Beijings concerns that the meeting may be used to forge a consensus about how to handle territorial disputes in the South China Sea. An editorial in the Communist party-backed Global Times entitled Sunnylands wrong place to discuss South China Sea Row argued that while the desire of ASEAN nations and the U.S. to expand ties is real, most are unlikely to choose sides between Beijing and Washington. These countries may know that if they pick a side from either China or the United States, they would be controlled by it and used as leverage, the opinion piece said. It noted that while Vietnam has territorial disputes in the South China Sea with China, it has been cautious in walking a fine line between Beijing and Washington. Among the 10 ASEAN members, only the Philippines publicly adopts a pro-U.S. attitude, but it does not stand in complete opposition to China, it added. China is ASEANs biggest trade partner, but its claims to almost all of the South China Sea as its own and its rapid buildup of artificial islands there is a growing source of concern among Beijings Southeast Asian neighbors. China insists that the disputes be handled between individual claimants and has long opposed what it calls outside interference in the issue. According to the Pentagon, China has reclaimed 2,900 acres of land in the South China Sea. Just last month, it tested for the first time a 3,000 meter runway on one of the reclaimed islands in Fiery Cross Reef, landing civilian planes on the islet. The United States says it does not take sides in the dispute, but has been increasingly taking steps to ensure freedom of navigation remains the norm. "Here at this summit, we can advance our shared vision of a regional order where international rules and norms, including freedom of navigation, are upheld and where disputes are resolved through peaceful, legal means," President Obama said in his opening remarks. President Obamas remarks appeared to be aimed at sending a strong signal to China. But getting all of the leaders of ASEAN to agree on a strong statement may prove tricky, analysts say. And if they do, some commentators online in China are already saying Beijing should let ASEAN pay an economic price. President Barack Obama would veto a law proposed by Republican Senator Ted Cruz of Texas to rename the plaza in front of the Chinese Embassy to honor jailed Nobel Laureate Liu Xiaobo, a State Department official said Tuesday. Deputy spokesperson Mark Toner said that while the administration continues to press China to respect human rights and to release Liu, the bill complicates such efforts. "We do not believe Senator Cruz's tactic to rename a street in Washington, D.C., is a very effective way to achieve either goal, Toner said. We view this kind of legislative action as something that really complicates our efforts. So we oppose this approach." Toner added that the administration shared the same goal with Congress to improve human rights in China. The U.S. Senate last week passed a measure to name the plaza after Liu, which would potentially change the Chinese embassy's address in Washington to 1 Liu Xiaobo Plaza. Earlier, China's foreign ministry warned the United States there will be "serious consequences" if the plaza is renamed after the pro-democracy dissident. The move "violated the basic norms of international relations," China's foreign ministry spokesman Hong Lei told reporters. China views Liu as a criminal. He was jailed for 11 years in 2009 on subversion charges for organizing a petition urging an end to one-party rule. His Nobel award the following year outraged Beijing. With five days to go before Nevada's Democratic caucus, party front-runner candidate Hillary Clinton is emphasizing that she is more than a "single issue" candidate as she tries to fend off opponent Bernie Sanders, with whom she is running virtually neck and neck. In a national poll by Quinnipiac University, the former secretary of state leads the Vermont senator 44 percent to 42 percent. The Clinton campaign sees multi-ethnic Nevada as a key test of her pull with minority and union voters. For Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, the western state presents a demographic opportunity to expand his electoral viability nationwide after his success in the low-minority states of Iowa and New Hampshire. Nevada has a 40 percent non-white electorate. In a campaign speech Saturday in Henderson, Nevada, Clinton attacked Sanders as a one issue candidate. Not everything is about an economic theory, right? Clinton said. She went on to list sexism, LGBT discrimination and immigrants rights as key issues not addressed by Sanders emphasis on the power of Wall Street and big banks. Sanders has made an appeal to union voters a crucial part of his push in the state, repeatedly mentioning on the campaign trail that union members are broadly behind him. The Culinary Workers Union is a major force in the state caucus but has not yet endorsed a candidate. Sanders' campaign has argued that his history of activism and background as the son of an immigrant will appeal to the states Latino voters. The Clinton campaign has had a presence in Nevada since April 2015 and is counting on the strength of its efforts with seven state offices and more than 7,000 volunteers. The Sanders campaign has 12 state offices and says it has several thousand volunteers. The Nevada Democratic caucus on Saturday, February 20 will come just one week before the South Carolina primary. Nevada's Democratic Party encourages participation by allowing shift workers such as casino and food service employees to register on the day of the caucus and participate at any caucus site. Analysts say the unusual nature of the caucus and the states transient population are two factors that could impact the results. Clinton narrowly beat Sanders in the Iowa caucus but lost to him by a large margin in the New Hampshire primary. A Planned Parenthood clinic in the U.S. state of Colorado has reopened nearly three months after a gunman opened fire in the building, killing three people and wounding nine others. The building's entrance was still partially boarded up after being heavily damaged by a police vehicle in an effort to stop the attack. Vicki Cowart, the president of Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains, said the clinic had more than 30 scheduled appointments Monday. She said the clinic would resume offering a full spectrum of services, including abortion. Several abortion protesters also returned to the clinic Monday, holding signs along a nearby street. However, they distanced themselves from the shooting and expressed sympathy for the attack victims. Robert Lewis Dear, 57, has been charged with the killings on Nov. 27. Dear declared himself guilty in a courtroom outburst in December, calling himself a "warrior for babies." His public defender Dan King the same lawyer who defended Colorado movie theater killer James Holmes told the judge it is obvious Dear is not mentally competent to stand trial. Police have not publicly talked about Dear's motive. But reports say he muttered the phrase "no more baby parts" after his arrest. Dear could face the death penalty if convicted. Ted Cruz has always talked about the Supreme Court as a candidate for president, but it's become the new focal point of his White House bid following the weekend death of Justice Antonin Scalia. The Texas senator on Monday recast the stump speech he's offered voters for the past several weeks to highlight the importance of electing a conservative who will appoint what he called the right kind of justices to the Supreme Court, which he described as currently being activist and out of control. Cruz argued before the Supreme Court nine times by age 40, winning two cases and losing four, with three cases having a murkier outcome. He says that gives him alone the background, the principle, the character, the judgment to find a solid conservative to replace Scalia. The tea party darling also has vowed to filibuster any nominees offered by President Barack Obama, saying one more liberal Supreme Court justice could wipe out state-level abortion restrictions while undermining religious liberty and curtailing gun ownership. This presidential election is the turning point between either prevailing or losing that fight for a generation, Cruz told a crowd in Florence, South Carolina. A graduate of Harvard Law School, Cruz clerked for Supreme Court Chief Justice William Rehnquist. His high court arguments were the bedrock of his underdog Senate victory in Texas and are woven into the DNA of his presidential run. If elected, Cruz would be the ninth president to have argued before the Supreme Court, but the first since Richard Nixon in 1966, according to The American Bar Association. Cruz constantly reminds audiences he defended states' rights, gun rights, the Ten Commandments and capital punishment before the high court. He doesn't suggest he won every case, but Cruz's defeats can get lost in translation. While canvassing for Cruz in Iowa last month, a volunteer visiting from Georgia proclaimed to caucus-goers that her candidate won every one of his nine cases. Cruz did prevail in his final Supreme Court appearance. He won a patent infringement case in 2011 involving a deep fat fryer while working for a private Houston law firm. His other eight appearances came during his five years as Texas solicitor general, a job he took on in 2003 at 32. Cruz didn't get to pick his own cases as he argued for Texas. But then-Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott, now the state's governor, encouraged him to join out-of-state cases that could promote conservative values. Ted Cruz was tireless in searching for every possible opportunity, not just to talk about, but to implement and execute, a conservative constitutional vision for the country,'' said James Ho, Cruz's successor as Texas solicitor general. In his first Supreme Court case in 2003, Cruz argued Texas shouldn't have to honor an agreement to improve health coverage for poor children. He lost 9-0. The following year, Cruz implored the Supreme Court to uphold a 16-year prison sentence for a man convicted of stealing a calculator from Wal-Mart. The justices remanded the case to a lower court, which sentenced the man to time served. The case Cruz most trumpets brought him to the Supreme Court twice and involved a Mexican national named Jose Ernesto Medellin. Medellin was convicted of the rape and murder of two teenage girls in Houston in 1993, but wasn't notified of his right to contact Mexican diplomats upon arrest, as dictated by the 1963 Vienna Convention. The International Court of Justice ruled in 2004 that U.S. courts should review the convictions and sentences for Medellin and 50 other Mexican-born prisoners because of the treaty violation. President George W. Bush directed state courts to review such cases, and Texas sued. It was an unusual circumstance, Cruz, who once worked for Bush's presidential campaign and administration, told The Associated Press in 2014. Especially when the president was a Texan, was a Republican and was a friend. The Supreme Court first sent the case back to state courts. Upon hearing it a second time, the justices sided with Texas 6-3 and Medellin was executed. In 2006, Cruz defended congressional redistricting maps drawn by Texas' GOP-controlled legislature. The Supreme Court didn't declare them unconstitutional, despite claims they deliberately dispersed the voting power of the state's growing Hispanic population. But it did rule that a sprawling South Texas congressional district had to be redrawn. Two more Cruz Supreme Court arguments came in 2007 and involved the death penalty. Cruz argued a man convicted of killing a former Taco Bell co-worker should be executed despite the jury not being instructed to consider several factors, including his having been abused as a child. Cruz also defended the death sentence of a killer whose schizophrenia meant he might not be able to understand why he was being executed. He lost both 5-4. Cruz also lost 5-4 his final case as solicitor general, an unsuccessful defense of states' imposing the death penalty in cases of child rape. It originated in Louisiana, but Cruz served as lead attorney for 10 states. In his filings, Cruz overlooked that in 2006, Congress had modified the military's justice code to add child rape as a crime punishable by death. He was so worried that The New York Times would write that his office screwed up by not finding that statue that he wrote to another attorney via email: Would love to have some sort of response, so we don't look silly. Tibets Lhasa River is being turned into a series of artificial lakes, according to Chinese state media. Launched in 2013, Beijings Lhasa River Project (LRP) aims to complete construction of six dams along a 20-kilometer stretch of river that edges the city center. Unlike hydropower projects upstream from the Tibetan capital, the artificial lakes are designed to promote tourism, improve water quality, prevent sandstorms and create a green environment. But some critics, including Professor Fan Xiao, a Chinese geologist with the Sichuan Geological Society, disagree. Dams can slow down the river flow and damage the water quality, Fan told VOAs Tibetan Service. The water environment capacity will decrease and more easily be polluted flowing water is much better than still water. Regarding tourism LRPs marketing slogan is making Lhasa enjoyable Fan, former chief engineer at the Sichuan Bureau of Geology and Mineral Society, calls the dams problematic, explaining that they will cause sedimentation, which damages water quality. Tibets tourism industry, he adds, shouldnt require an engineered landscaping project. The main attraction of Tibet is the ethnic culture and natural scenery, he said. Its not about building an artificial lake, which affects the environment. It affects the local people as well, since the rising water level will cause [flooding] in certain areas, including farms. Agricultural Impact Also known as Kyichu, the Lhasa River is a primary source of irrigation and drinking water for Tibetan farmers in nine counties, many of which have already been affected by construction of the two major hydropower dams northeast of Lhasa, in Lhundup and Maldro Gungkar counties. Built independently of the making Lhasa enjoyable campaign, Drikung (Ch: Zhikong) Hydro Power Station has been operational since 2006, while Phudo (Ch: Pangduo) Hydro Power Station also known as Pangduo Water Control Project, which has been described by official media as Tibetan Three Gorges Dam began operation in 2014. According to China Tibet News, construction of the two hydropower dams is estimated at over $1 billion, representing the largest engineering project undertaken in the Tibetan Autonomous Region since the 1950s-era liberation of Tibet Chinas term for what many Tibetans call the invasion of Tibet. In 2013, China Central TV quoted local officials who said these two massive dams had significantly reduced water levels and stranded fish. Changing City Recent years have seen the Tibetan capital sprawl across the Lhasa Valley floor, its newer southern districts connected by bridges of gleaming steel and concrete. Thieves Island, long known as a popular picnic and outdoor recreation spot for locals, has been rechristened Sun Island as part of a redevelopment scheme that appears to be positioning the parcel as Tibets own Las Vegas, replete with open gambling venues and what writer Tsering Woeser calls the most open red-light district of Lhasa. What is today known as Old Lhasa, the section of the city around Barkor district that surrounds the seventh-century Jokang Temple, underwent a substantial 2013 facelift that left it looking more like a movie set than an ancient Buddhist spiritual center, its traditionally dressed locals and pilgrims now looking as if theyve landed in the wrong world. Some critics attribute the rapid changes to Lhasa's Communist Party Secretary Che Drahla (Ch: Qi Zhala), an ethnic Tibetan whose political career got a boost after successfully securing millions in tourism revenue for the city Gyalthan (Ch: Zhongdian). The county-level city in northwestern Yunnan province had been in a rivalry with another city competing for the privilege of calling itself the model for Shangri-La the mythical Himalayan paradise at the center of James Hilton's iconic 1933 novel, "Lost Horizon." Che's victory saw Gyalthan officially renamed Shangri-La on December 17, 2001. Similarly, Fan and fellow critics say the recent development projects are designed according to what the Chinese officials deem necessary or attractive without considering Tibets cultural heritage and local opinion. This is a strategy undertaken by many Chinese cities these days, said Fan, the geologist. They build dams on the rivers going through cities to expand water surface and lift up water level. They think it will generate a pretty waterscape for the city. But we think its problematic. Earthquake risk He also says Chinese officials ignore the serious risk of triggering earthquakes. While prominent engineers and geologists have linked the 7.9-magnitude Sichuan quake of 2008 with construction of Chinas massive Three Gorges Dam, bedrock micro-fracturing from the comparatively miniscule dams slated for Lhasas artificial lakes project nonetheless leave the Tibetan capital, which is situated in seismically active region, vulnerable. Building big dams could bring local governments more tax revenue and GDP, which is viewed as an economic driving force, he said, adding that such strong economic interests eclipse government concerns about natural disasters or severe environmental consequences. According to Canadian author Michael Buckley, a longtime Tibetan river explorer, Beijings damming of the Lhasa River goes beyond mere landscape aesthetics. The concern is that eventually dams will become points for water diversion, he said, explaining that he thinks Beijing is using Tibetan rivers to satisfy mainland Chinas hunger for power resources and meet water demands in other parts of the country. If you can store the water, you can send it somewhere else, he said. According to China Daily, the TRPs first operational dam counterintuitively named Dam No. 3 has already widened the river more than 300 meters and created a water storage capacity of 1.5 million cubic meters within a 3-kilometer range. If all six dams are of similar size, they could hold about 9 million cubic meters of water in Lhasa Valley upon completion. Environmentalists are specifically concerned about how the remaining construction will impact Salmon migration, along with other ecological disruption. A China Daily article quoted an individual described as Dam No.3s project manager making assurances that the project wouldnt harm fish migration. The dam gate will open for the fish to propagate in due time; therefore, it wont pose a threat to the ecology of river downstream, the project manager said. According to China Tibet News, Chen Quanguo, Chinese Communist Party chief in the Tibetan Autonomous Region, also defended the project while visiting a site slated for dam construction. By implementing the Four Comprehensives ideology, he said, referring to President Xi Jinping's philosophical directive that was unveiled in 2015, the Tibetan mountains, valleys and rivers should be protected. He also described the project as a project of peoples mind a window to show the image of the city and to beautify the environment of Lhasa City. Four American journalists charged in Bahrain have been released and are due to fly out of the country, their lawyer said Tuesday. The journalists, arrested on Sunday, had been charged earlier in the day with illegally assembling with the intent to commit a crime. Police said the woman and three men entered the country last week and performed journalistic activities without permission from authorities "in addition to carrying out illegal acts." The journalists went to Bahrain to cover the anniversary of the tiny island's pro-democracy protests that were crushed by authorities five years ago. They were arrested Sunday in the Shi'ite town of Sitra during clashes between protesters and security forces. Protests by the country's majority Shi'ite opposition have persisted since the 2011 uprising, which came amid the wave of pro-democracy movements in other Arab countries. Demonstrators have demanded democratic reforms and an end to what they say is the discrimination by Bahrain's Sunni rulers. Bahrain, an important U.S. ally, is home to the U.S. Fifth Fleet and is part of the U.S.-led coalition against the Islamic State militant group. Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hong Lei (Photo source: fmprc.gov.cn) BEIJING, Feb.15 (Xinhua) -- China on Monday hoped for an easing of tension on the Korean Peninsula against the backdrop of a sensitive and complex situation. Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei made the remarks when asked to comment on the shutdown of an inter-Korean industrial zone last week. The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) decided Thursday to shut down the Kaesong Industrial Zone and deport all people from the Republic of Korea (ROK) staying there. All assets of ROK companies operating there were frozen. The move came a day after ROK announced its decision to stop operations at the zone, which started manufacturing products in December 2004. Pyongyang launched a satellite-carrying rocket, which Seoul sees as a cover for a long-range ballistic missile, on Feb. 7 after conducting its fourth nuclear test on Jan. 6. Under UN Security Council resolutions, the DPRK is banned from firing any kind of ballistic missile. The United States and the ROK have decided to discuss deployment of an advanced U.S. missile defense system, Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD), on the Korean Peninsula. As one of the most advanced missile defense systems in the world, THAAD can intercept and destroy ballistic missiles inside or just outside the atmosphere during their final phase of flight. China has serious concerns over a sophisticated U.S. anti-missile system on the peninsula, said Hong at a regular press briefing. THAAD goes far beyond the defense needs of the peninsula and the coverage would penetrate deep inside the continental Asia, he said. "It will cause immediate damage to the strategic security interests of China and other Asian countries," he added. China firmly opposes use of Korean Peninsula nuclear issue to undermine China's national security interests, said Hong. China will continue to steadfastly promote denuclearization of the peninsula and is committed to solving the issue through dialogue and negotiation, he said. The focus of the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue is between the U.S. and the DPRK, he said, urging communication and negotiation between the two sides. [ Editor: Zhang Zhou ] India is making an aggressive push to become a global manufacturing hub at a week-long event being attended by thousands of industry leaders in the financial capital, Mumbai. But businesses say success will hinge on the governments ability to fast track promises to make the country an easier place to do business. Calling on investors to take advantage of Indias cheap labor and growing economy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reiterated pledges of ushering in business friendly policies. India is blessed with 3 Ds, Democracy, Demography and Demand, to this we have added another D Deregulation, he told the gathering at the Make in India event. The high-profile event, which concludes Thursday, has attracted attention with participants including Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven, Finland's Prime Minister Juha Sipila, and senior officials from Germany, Japan and other countries besides representatives of many global corporations. Emulating China It is all part of an ambitious initiative launched a year and a half ago to emulate Chinas runaway success in becoming an export powerhouse. The aim: to ramp up manufacturing to 25 percent of gross domestic product from the existing 17 percent by radically transforming the bureaucratic hurdles, complex regulations and shoddy infrastructure that have deterred investment in Asias third largest economy. The governments bid has met with some success foreign direct investment nearly doubled last year to an estimated $59 billion. Some pledges of investment have flowed in -- London-based Vedanta Resources promised an investment of $3 billion to set up the countrys first plant to manufacture LCD panels and Foxconn last year pledged to invest $5 billion to establish an electronics manufacturing plant. Others putting up new facilities or expanding existing factories include carmakers BMW and Ford and chocolate manufacturer Mars. But economists warn the governments pitch for Make in India could remain a mere slogan unless there are speedier changes in regulations in areas critical for manufacturers, such as land, labor and power. State governments Domestic businesses who are still at the heart of Indian manufacturing complain that is not happening. A.K. Jain, the commercial vice president of one of Indias largest apparel exporters, Orient Craft, says they are finding it tougher to stay competitive after the Haryana state government, where many of their factories are located, raised minimum wages by about 20 per cent last October. With wages constituting a major chunk of production, that has raised costs versus apparel manufacturers in countries such as Bangladesh and Vietnam. We have become scared to increase the manufacturing base because we do not know whether we will be able to survive under this growing cost or not..the cost of electricity, there are so many things, said Jain, whose company employs nearly 30,000 people and is one of northern Indias largest apparel exporters. Corporations say while the federal government is promising deregulation, most states have not relaxed rigid labor laws, acquiring land remains difficult, taxes are high and power continues to be expensive and unreliable. Rafeeque Ahmed, a businessman and former head of the Federation of Indian Export Association, feels state governments are not in step with the federal governments call to ease the path of doing business. Ninety percent of the work is with the state governments, the licensing, the pollution, the factory inspection, everything -- the approval has to be given by the state and I dont see any urgency with the state government on this. This is worrisome, he said. Robust growth Despite such deterrents, experts say India could draw large scale investment from those attracted by the huge market of 1.2 billion people in a country whose economy is posting over 7 percent growth at a time when most major economies are faltering. However, several economists have raised questions about those growth numbers, which are being calculated using a new method that India says is closer to the international formula. Economist Rajiv Kumar at New Delhi's Center for Policy Research points out that many are taking those numbers with a pinch of salt and seeking more clarity on Indias growth rate. So unless that happens people will just remain unclear as to where the Indian economy is, whether it is treading water, it is recovering, it is not doing so well, and that of course affects investor sentiment, he said. The jury is still out on whether India will meet with success in its campaign to woo global manufacturers and create millions of much-needed jobs. Experts say while the campaign has attracted attention, most investors will remain in a wait and watch mode until they see more changes on the ground in a country whose ranking in the World Banks index for Ease of Doing Business improved last year, but still remains a lowly 130 among 189 countries. The Liberian government said it has asked the United States to assist in the investigation of the mysterious death of Harry Greaves, former managing director of the Liberia Petroleum Refinery Company, whose partly decomposed body was discovered January 31 on a beach near Monrovia. Greaves, a Liberian citizen, had been politically active in the past and had recently been critical of the current Liberian government led by President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf. A U.S.-based pathologist has determined the cause of death to be drowning. But Liberians have been demanding to know the manner of Greaves death. Information Minister Eugene Nagbe said the Liberian government has asked for U.S. assistance in the investigation because it too wants to get to the bottom of the circumstances surrounding the death. We are doing this because we ourselves as a government want to know the actual circumstances leading to the death of Mr. Greaves, and we want to bring finality to this situation, he said. A letter said to be written to the acting U.S. Ambassador to Liberia by Liberias Justice Minister and attorney General Benedict Sannoh and published in the local FrontPage Africa online publication indicates President Johnson-Sirleafs own interest in the Greaves death. The President, Her Excellency Madam Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, has expressed the desire to have an independent, credible and transparent investigation in to the circumstances leading to the death of Mr. Greaves and has directed me to exhaust the possibility of the Government of the United States of America conducting this investigation with the support of the Liberia National Police, part of the letter said. Information Minister Nagbe said Liberian government officials have had a series of meetings with the Americans but have yet to receive a formal response. Meanwhile Nagbe said the Liberian government is continuing its own investigation because it considers the Greaves death suspicious. An autopsy done by a team of U.S.-based pathologists led by Doctor Thomas Bennett concluded that Greaves died from asphyxiation by salt water drowning. The autopsy report said there is no gross evidence of ante mortem traumatic injuries. Still, there have been many theories, including whether Greaves was murdered because of his political activities. Another is whether Greaves body might have been tampered with before the autopsy. Nagbe said the investigation into the death is ongoing and the Liberian government has been transparent all along. Nagbe said some of the unanswered questions will be resolved once the toxicology results expected from the St. Louis University Toxicology Department are finalized. He said some of the rumors being circulated about the circumstances surrounding Greaves death are being peddled by those who want to gain political capital. Even though Iran has agreed to a landmark deal curbing its nuclear activities, relations can only fully normalize when it recognizes the existence of Israel, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Tuesday. Speaking at the side of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Merkel told reporters after a meeting of the two countries Cabinets that shes made very clear that there cannot be a normal, friendly relationship with Iran so long as the existence of Israel is not recognized. Ahead of the sixth such meeting normally held annually but postponed last year after violence in Israel kept Netanyahu at home Germanys foreign minister said the situation in the Palestinian territories isn't sustainable in the long term. In an op-ed for Bild newspaper, Frank-Walter Steinmeier condemned the near-daily street attacks by Palestinians that have killed 27 Israelis as despicable terror. He stressed Germany's view that only serious negotiations aimed at a fair, two-state solution can offer hope of peace for Israel and the Palestinians. Germany has been critical of Netanyahus continued pursuit of new settlements, but Merkel sidestepped a question on that, reiterating only that Berlin sought a two-state solution. Netanyahu was complimentary of Merkel, thanking her for her leadership and emphasizing the values that Germany and Israel shared. Some 6 million Jews were killed by Nazi Germany, and the fact that Israel and Germany are close allies some 70 years later "gives hope to all of mankind," Netanyahu said. Its an example of how, despite the unparalleled horrors of the past, our two peoples have forged a unique and constructive friendship, he said. And I believe that this offers hope for the entire world. U.S. President Barack Obama has called for "tangible steps" to lower tensions over ongoing territorial disputes in the South China Sea. On the concluding day of talks with Southeast Asia leaders at a security and economic summit in California, Obama said the leaders affirmed that disputes should be resolved peacefully and through legal means. "The United States and ASEAN are reaffirming our strong commitment to a regional order where international rules and norms and the rights of all nations, large and small, are upheld," Obama said. He also called for a halt to further land reclamation, a reference to Beijing's massive effort to assert its claims over disputed territory through new construction and island-building. The Sunnylands meeting was aimed at boosting entrepreneurship and innovation to attract trade and investment. Obama said there is strong support among ASEAN nations for improving the rule of law and the protection of intellectual property, and investing in education. However, he also called for a return to civilian rule in Thailand, and said the United States would continue to stand with people across Southeast Asia who work to uphold the rule of law and improve human rights. WATCH: Related video report Obama is seeking to develop a leadership role with ASEAN, which the White House sees as key to the U.S. rebalance to the Asia Pacific. The strategic shift toward the region is critical to Americas further security and economic prosperity and a vital counterbalance to Chinas influence, the White House has said. The ASEAN nations include Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar and Cambodia. The dynamic and diverse region is experiencing robust growth and rising tensions, potentially affecting the global economy and security. North Korea The U.S. and ASEAN leaders are also addressing what role China can play in pressuring North Korea to end provocative actions, including Pyongyangs recent rocket launch. While China and the U.S. have disagreed on North Korea, the United States sees a common interest with China in ensuring the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. Young, rich region The 10 ASEAN members comprise the third-largest economy in Asia, and the seventh-largest in the world, with a combined GDP of $2.4 trillion. More than 65 percent of its 632 million people are younger than the age of 35. Trade between the United States and ASEAN countries has increased by 55 percent in seven years, according to the White House. Southeast Asia is now Americas fourth-largest goods trading partner, said the president, including U.S. exports that sustain more than 500,000 U.S. jobs. And he credited investment by U.S. companies in ASEAN for the regions growing middle class. WATCH: ASEAN meeting opens amid protests The White House says President Barack Obama has accepted an invitation to visit Vietnam in May. An administration official says Obama accepted the invitation Monday during a meeting with Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung on the sidelines of the U.S.-ASEAN Leaders summit in Rancho Mirage, California. The invitation was offered last year when Nguyen Phu Trong, the head of Vietnam's Communist Party, visited the White House to mark the 20th anniversary of normalized relations between the former Cold War foes. The president's visit to Vietnam coincides with his trip to Japan for the G-7 summit. Just a week after riots rocked the streets of Hong Kong, in a neighborhood called Mong Kok, the government says it will not launch an independent investigation of the incident. Thirty scholars and professionals had begun a petition calling for an investigation, which received more than 2,000 signatures. But a government spokesperson late Monday said there is no need for such an investigation, and described Hong Kong as a transparent and democratic society where members of the public are entitled to freedom of speech and can express their opinions and aspirations on social problems and government administration through many channels. Pro-democracy activist Joseph Cheung said the governments actions in the aftermath of the protests reveal a continued lack of responsiveness to the concerns of Hong Kong people. The administration, after the riots, still refused to engage the opposition or the young generation groups, he said. The protests broke out during the Chinese New Year holiday, when police tried to clear illegal food stalls. Masked demonstrators hurled bricks and bottles at the policemen, who responded with batons and pepper spray. One policeman fired two warning shots into the air as the riot continued. About 100 people were injured and 65 were arrested, with 30 charged with rioting. Beijings top official in Hong Kong, Zhang Xiaoming, called the protesters "radical separatists" who "showed terrorist tendencies." Hong Kongs Chief Executive CY Leung said the protesters were mostly jobless radicals who represented a small minority of Hong Kongs population. Regina Ip, a member of the city's cabinet and chairwoman of the conservative and Beijing-friendly New People's Party, said, I think the great majority of people know that Hong Kong cannot become independent of China, or even achieve so-called economic autonomy. But it is hardly unfortunate that a small number of young people harbor such ideas, and they are turning their ideas into quite violent actions targeting the police. Others in the territory have had a very different reaction. Benny Tai, a leader of the 2014 Occupy Central movement, said in an open letter Saturday that Hong Kongs chief executive bears responsibility for the discontent which led to the riots. Democracy activist Wong said the protests were a predictable result of what he described as the government not hearing or addressing the concerns of average people. Because the government hasnt solved the problem way back from the umbrella revolution until now. They dont solve any of the problems; they just let the problems add up, and that has caused the situation right now, he said. Wong expects there will be continued protests in Hong Kong. In 2014, a pro-democracy demonstration blocked city streets for more than two months in reaction to Chinas decision to require candidates for chief executive to be vetted by a pro-Beijing panel before being allowed on the ballot. Russia on Tuesday rejected accusations that its forces were responsible for deadly airstrikes on hospitals in northern Syria. The United Nations said the attacks Monday on medical facilities and schools killed nearly 50 civilians, including children. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which monitors violence in Syria, said the airstrikes were believed to have been carried out by Russian jets. But Dmitry Peskov, a spokesman for President Vladimir Putin, rejected the accusations and said the Syrian government should be the source of information about who was responsible. U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said "such attacks are a blatant violation of international laws," according to his spokesman. Syrian rebels blamed President Bashar al-Assad's forces for the strikes that destroyed a 30-bed hospital run by Doctors Without Borders and damaged three other medical facilities in northern Syria. Doctors Without Borders said the strike at Maarat al-Numan in Idlib province killed seven people. This appears to be a deliberate attack on a health structure, and we condemn this attack in the strongest possible terms, said Massimiliano Rebaudengo, MSFs Head of Mission. The destruction of the hospital leaves the local population of around 40,000 people without access to medical services in an active zone of conflict, Massimiliano said. Medics and witnesses say at least 10 people were killed at a maternity and pediatric clinic hit by missiles and rockets in the border town of Azaz. US condemnation The U.S. State Department condemned the attacks. "We call again on all parties to cease attacks on civilians and take immediate steps to grant humanitarian access and the cessation of hostilities that the Syrian people desperately need," spokesman John Kirby said. An official with the U.S.-led coalition against Islamic State (Col. Chris Garver) stressed on Twitter there were no coalition aircraft operating near the medical facilities that were attacked. According to political activists, warplanes also targeted the hospitals in Maret al-Noman and Orem Al-Kubra. Another airstrike in the northern Aleppo countryside left a school sheltering Syrians displaced from other nearby towns seriously damaged with an unknown loss of life, according to Mazin Ibrahim, a relief worker. Another school in the region was also hit, according to the U.N. As a precaution, staff shuttered the National Hospital Maret al-Noman and a clinic at Mare'. Four of the world's biggest oil-producing nations moved to freeze their production Tuesday to try to halt the 70 percent drop in the price of crude because of a glut of oil on world markets. The agreement was reached by the oil ministers of Russia and three members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, Saudi Arabia, Venezuela and Qatar, during a closed-door meeting in Doha, the Qatar capital. The quartet said they would freeze output at January levels, which Saudi oil minister Ali al-Naimi called "adequate." But Naimi said the pact is conditional on other large producers also agreeing to freeze their output. Further talks involving Iran and Iraq are set for Tehran on Wednesday. Iran might not agree to a production curb as it again looks to export oil with the lifting of United Nations and Western economic sanctions that had been aimed at curbing Tehran's development of nuclear weaponry. "We don't want significant gyrations in prices," Naimi said. "We don't want a reduction in supply. We want to meet demand and we want a stable oil price." The pact to freeze production marks a shift in Saudi oil policy. For months, as oil prices plunged, Riyadh had refused to curb its production in an attempt to force other oil producers, especially U.S. shale oil producers, out of the market. But with producers across the globe drilling too much oil, coupled with some economies slowing and thus not needing as much oil to fuel their industrial production, prices continued to fall. That in turn has hurt oil-dependent government budgets, particularly in Russia and Venezuela. But even oil-rich Saudi Arabia, with some of the world's biggest untapped oil reserves, says it has a record budget deficit. The Doha meeting could be a signal that oil-producing nations, including OPEC members, might eventually agree to an outright production cut to halt a 19-month slide in prices that has sent oil falling below $30 a barrel for the first time in well over a decade. The price for the benchmark U.S. crude dropped 51 cents a barrel Tuesday to $28.93, while the price for Brent crude drilled in the North Sea fell to $32.61 a barrel. Analysts said oil fell Tuesday because investors had hoped the countries meeting in Doha would cut their production, not just freeze it. Some analysts have predicted that prices will eventually fall to at least $20 a barrel before any recovery begins. Four of the world's biggest oil-producing nations have reached an agreement to freeze output to tackle the global oil surplus. The oil ministers of Russia, Saudi Arabia, Venezuela and Qatar agreed to the pact Tuesday during a closed-door meeting in the Qatar capital of Doha. The quartet will freeze output at January levels, which Saudi Arabian oil minister Ali al-Naimi called "adequate." The meeting is a signal that oil-producing nations, including members of OPEC, will eventually agree to an outright production cut to end a 19-month decline in prices that has sent oil falling below $30 a barrel for the first time in well over a decade. Those factors, combined with falling demand for oil, have drained government budgets in Russia, Saudi Arabia and Venezuela. Oil prices rose to just over $35 a barrel Tuesday on anticipation of a deal to cut production, but dropped to under $34 a barrel after the output freeze was announced. Observers predict oil prices will eventually fall to at least $20 a barrel before any recovery begins. A notable international humanitarian organization has urged European leaders to keep borders open for migrants, adding that measures to seal off the continent are inhumane. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) warned Tuesday against building fences in Europe to stem the flow of asylum-seekers. Speaking to reporters after a two-day meeting in London, IFRC Undersecretary-General Garry Conille said the present refugee and migrant crisis is and certainly will continue to be "a very complex issue" that needs a comprehensive solution with "the dignity and humanity of the individuals" as its first priority. I think most observers will agree that building up walls and fences is probably not the best way to handle this crisis, Conille said. I think judging success for the humanitarian community based on how many people come through is probably not the best indicator. We need to have a comprehensive solution that puts the dignity and humanity of the individuals first." Tightening borders Several European countries have reacted to the influx of migrants into the continent by tightening border controls and building fences. Greece, in particular, is under intense pressure from its EU partners to tighten border checks. It has been the main European port of entry for more than a million refugees and migrants since early last year, many of whom cross the sea from Turkey. Leaders of Eastern European countries Hungary, Poland, the Czech Republic and Slovakia plan to help Balkan counties seal borders with Greece, if attempts to limit the number of newcomers heading from Turkey to Greece fail. The Austrian government said Tuesday that it would step up border controls at checkpoints along its southern frontier with Italy, Slovenia and Hungary to slow the migrant influx and would consider implementing crowd-control measures at a dozen additional crossings. Austria has been the transit route for migrants aiming to reach Germany, the country that has hosted the largest number, most of them fleeing the Syrian war. The International Organization for Migration said that in the first six weeks of this year, about 84,300 migrants arrived in Europe and more than 78,300 of those landed on Greek islands after traveling by sea from Turkey. More than 400 have lost their lives or gone missing. More than 300 employees of Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) across South Sudan have been on strike this week, demanding a sixfold pay increase to cover the soaring cost of living. The staffers say they need the pay hike to keep up with increased prices for food and other basic needs, which have skyrocketed since the government devalued the South Sudanese pound against the U.S. dollar in December. Bank customers said Tuesday that they had not been informed about the strike. Peter Mayen, a student preparing to attend the University of Bahr El-Ghazal this year, said he had come to the bank to withdraw money to pay his tuition fees. Speaking in Arabic, Mayan said he would be in a tough position if the bank did not reopen. Now I am surprised, because when I came to get [money] from my account, its supposed to be done today, and if theyre not working today I dont know really what I can do," he said. "If there is something happening, they should inform the people in advance. Rebecca Mail Limbo, 35, owns a restaurant across from the KCB bank in Wau. Many of her customers are bank employees. She estimated the strike was costing her 1,200 South Sudanese pounds per day. Fewer customers I am also a victim. I have prepared food and everything is ready, but till now customers are not coming," she said. "When the bank is working, their customers are also my customers, so the closure of the bank has affected my business. Paul Ajok Garang, chairman of the South Sudanese national staff at the Kenyan Commercial Bank office in Juba, said the cost of living has increased to such an extent that salaries of bank employees do not come close to covering basic needs. We will continue [the strike] as long as the issue is not settled, because we are the majority in the bank and we do most of the work." he said. "The work of the bank is a relation management, and when you are not comfortable in your seat, you cannot manage that relation very well. But we are going to observe the labor laws that apply to employees and employer rights. Okej Ben Taban, head of the Nyakuron branch of KCB in Juba, said bank managers were aware of the national strike and were working to settle the issue as soon as possible. Last week, officials in South Sudans Ministry of Labor asked nongovernmental organizations to adjust salaries of their national staff in order to avoid further turmoil across South Sudan. The civil war has led to food shortages and displaced more than 2 million people, although the rival sides have started to implement a peace deal signed in August. Chemical weapons now appear to be a part of the Islamic State group's arsenal. Sources close to the world's chemical watchdog told the AFP and Reuters news agencies that mustard gas was used last August in two attacks in Iraq near the Kurdish capital of Irbil. The news came Monday, days after U.S. officials said IS jihadist fighters had the capability to make small quantities of chlorine and mustard gas and had used it in Syria and Iraq. The Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), based in The Hague, said the samples it was sent after 35 Peshmerga fighters became ill near Irbil tested positive for sulfur mustard. But its report does not level the blame for the attack on any one group. Iraqi Kurd authorities last year said two attacks were carried out by Islamic State fighters on August 11 on the frontline towns of Gweyr and Makhmur, southwest of Irbil, during which around 50 mortar rounds were launched. "Thirty-seven of the rounds released a white dust and black liquid when they exploded. Thirty-five Peshmerga fighters were exposed and some were taken for treatment," said the Peshmerga ministry. At the time, the ministry said, "The results of the tests on blood samples ... reveal traces of mustard gas," but the origin of the suspected gas was unclear. Sulfur mustard commonly known as "mustard gas" is an oily yellow, almost liquid-like substance that smells similar to mustard or garlic. It causes severe damage to skin, eyes, the respiratory system and internal organs. It was banned by the United Nations in 1993. Experts believe the sulfur mustard used last year came from an undeclared Syrian chemical stockpile, or that militants have gained the basic knowledge on how to develop and conduct a crude chemical attack with rockets and mortars. Iraq's chemical arsenal was mainly destroyed in the Saddam Hussein era, although U.S. troops encountered some old chemical munitions during the 2003-2011 occupation of Iraq. Syria gave up its chemical weapons, including stockpiles of sulfur mustard, under international supervision after hundreds of civilians were killed with sarin nerve gas in a Damascus suburb in 2013. Western countries blame that attack on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's government, which denies it. Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons spokesman Malik Ellahi said a team of experts has been sent to Iraq to help its investigation of possible use of chemical weapons and the findings would be made public. He offered no further details. South Korean President Park Geun-hye has called for unity and support for her hardline response to North Koreas recent nuclear test and rocket launch. During a televised address to the National Assembly in Seoul Tuesday, Park said many South Koreans have become desensitized to the often repeated threat of nuclear war since North Korea first warned in 1994 that it would set the Seoul sky on fire. We have lived in fear of North Korea for so long that we have become somewhat insensitive to the security issues. And I think we have overlooked that the North Korean nuclear threat is directed towards us, Park said. Closing Kaesong Parks address follows the Seoul governments sudden decision last week to close the jointly-run Kaesong Industrial Complex. She repeated claims that the move was made to halt the North from diverting hundreds of millions of dollars that was intended to pay the wages of the 54,000 workers and instead was used to develop weapons of mass destruction. The United Nations has banned North Korea from developing nuclear weapons and ballistic missile technology. After the Norths third nuclear test in 2013, the U.N. imposed sanctions prohibiting bulk transfers of cash that could be linked to Pyongyangs illicit activities. The Park administration first made the allegation only days ago that Kaesong funds were being funneled into the North's nuclear program. As recently as January the Seoul government rejected claims that the complex might be in violation of U.N. sanctions regarding bulk transfers of cash to the North. The South Korean leader said that the Kaesong project, initiated more than a decade ago to build trust, as well as millions of dollars in aid Seoul has provided to the North over the years, has failed to reduce tensions on the Korean peninsula. On the contrary she said Seouls attempts at engagement only emboldened the North Korean leadership to believe that it can provoke and threaten the South and defy the international community without consequence. Our good intentions cannot reduce North Koreas willingness to develop nuclear weapons and it will only help further develop its nuclear capabilities, she said. Closing Kaesong will cause economic pain for the North, but will also hurt the 124 South Korean companies that were forced to evacuate their manufacturing plants. North Korea seized all assets at the complex preventing companies from removing much of their equipment and finished goods. President Park assured the manufactures that the government will reimburse them for most of their losses and assist them to relocate. Forcing compliance Seouls commitment to a purely punitive approach to compelling Pyongyang to halt its nuclear development program, aligns with strong sanctions being imposed by the U.S. and Japan, she said, and with strong international measures being developed in the U.N. The U.S. Congress recently passed sanctions that would target U.S. assets of individuals or companies that import North Korean goods, technology or training related to weapons of mass destruction. Japans sanctions include prohibiting North Korean ships from entering Japanese ports and a total entry ban on North Korean nationals into Japan. There are recent indications that China may go along with imposing stronger U.N. sanctions on North Korea. On Friday Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Beijing will support a U.N. Security Council resolution to make Pyongyang "pay the necessary price." In an editorial Monday the official China Daily called for sanctions to "truly bite. And at the ASEAN summit in California, U.S. National Security Advisor Susan Rice said Washington and Beijing are closer to agreeing on significant new sanctions. China is North Koreas chief economic trading partner and supporter. Beijing has been reluctant to support measures that would cripple its ally and trigger regional instability, such as banning the import of fuel into the North and cutting off all cross border trade. Bolstering defenses Citing the evolving North Korean nuclear threat, South Korea's president defended her decision to proceed with formal talks with the United States to deploy the controversial Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile defense system. We are increasing our Korea/U.S. joint capacity to deter North Korean attacks and also continuing our discussions to improve our joint missile defense posture, she said. China and Russia oppose stationing THAAD in Korea because it increases the U.S. military presence in the region and could potentially be used against them. Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Hong Lei said Monday that Beijing firmly opposes any countries' attempt to infringe [on] China's strategic security interests. Following the Norths nuclear test the United States has rotated more military assets into South Korea. This week the U.S. deployed the nuclear powered submarine USS North Carolina to participate joint exercises with the South Korean Navy. And a Seoul defense ministry official said Washington will soon send four F-22 stealth fighter jets to South Korea. Parks decision to support THAAD will likely set back gains made to improve economic and diplomatic ties with Beijing. China is now South Koreas biggest trading partner. The trade volume between the two Asian neighbors, over $200 billion, is more than double the volume between South Korea and the U.S. Some analysts expect Beijing to retaliate against Seoul by redirecting trade elsewhere and making it more difficult for Chinese tourists to visit. On Tuesday Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Zhang Yesui met with his South Korean counterpart Lim Sung-nam in Seoul to discuss the regional security concerns. A Syrian Islamist group released a video showing what appears to be a sprawling underground city the Syrian regime allegedly used to command military operations in Damascus and elsewhere in the war-torn country. The Army of Islam, one of the largest Islamist rebel groups in Damascus suburbs, said the operation to take over the Auxiliary Staff Center came after fierce battles with President Bashar al-Assads troops in the town of Harasta, northeast of the Syrian capital, Damascus. The offensive was launched in September by the former commander of the rebel group, Zahran Alloush, who was killed last December by a Syrian government airstrike. The center was used as a second building to rely on in case something happens to the main one inside the capital, Oula A. Alrifai, a Syrian analyst who does research on Syria security, told VOA. Alrifai said losing the center was a blow to the Syrian regime in Damascus where it has maintained a strong presence despite rebel attacks in the suburbs since the beginning of the civil war in 2011. Rebels took control of the facility in early February, according the video that was released by the Army of Islam this week. In the beginning we thought it was just a hideout, said Abu Samir, a rebel commander. But then we were surprised to discover that the place had paved roads and multiple exists. The three-floor facility has been equipped with advanced technology. Our experts believe the regime had it for emergency situations to direct the war in the entire country. The underground building was a headquarters for security apparatus and military intelligence agencies, according to analysts. Rebel commanders said they were able to retrieve secret military documents that belonged to the Syrian army. Rebels said they found a section inside the building that was designed to plan chemical weapons attacks. VOA could not independently verify these claims. While the rebels are touting the takeover of the center, their gains have been few in recent months, according to reports. The Syrian regime, aided by Russian air power and Iranian-led troops on the ground, has been pounding rebel forces. Regardless of success by rebels, the regime is not going to become weaker in Damascus, a local journalist in Damascus who preferred anonymity told VOA. Three Americans abducted in Baghdad last month have been freed, Iraqi officials said Tuesday. Unknown gunmen kidnapped the three from a private apartment in mid-January, with U.S. and Iraqi officials saying they believed an Iranian-backed Shi'ite militia carried out the abduction. Iraqi officials said the three Americans were freed by Baghdad's intelligence service and handed over to the U.S. embassy there. The Americans were reported to be in good health. The U.S. State Department praised the Iraqi government for helping secure the release of the three Americans. "We sincerely appreciate the assistance provided by the Government of Iraq, and its whole-of-government effort to bring about the safe release of these individuals," spokesman Mark Toner said. "Specifically, we express our gratitude to the Iraqi Security Forces, and in particular the Ministry of Defense and the Iraqi National Intelligence Service, for their role in achieving this outcome." Turkey called Tuesday for a ground operation with its international allies to end the war in Syria, as the United Nations announced aid convoys are being sent to besieged towns. "So far, I understand that the government of Syria has approved access to seven besieged areas," said Vanessa Huguenin, spokeswoman for the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. In Damascus, U.N. envoy Staffan de Mistura announced that aid convoys would be sent Wednesday to test the resolve of warring parties to allow in humanitarian supplies. "It is clear it is the duty of the government of Syria to want to reach every Syrian person wherever they are and allow the U.N. to bring humanitarian aid, particularly now after [such a] long time," he told journalists after meeting Foreign Minister Walid Muallem. Meanwhile, a Turkish official told reporters in Istanbul that his country was pushing for ground operations in Syria, hoping for the involvement of the U.S. and other allies against the Islamic State group. "Without ground operations, it is impossible to stop the fighting in Syria," the official said, adding that Turkey has pressed the issue in recent discussions with the U.S. and other Western nations. But he ruled out the possibility of Turkey undertaking unilateral action or the prospect of a joint Saudi-Turkish venture without broader consensus in the U.S.-led coalition against IS. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he wasn't authorized to speak publicly on the issue. In Lebanon, the leader of Hezbollah said Turkey and Saudi Arabia were using the fight against IS as a "pretext" to launch a ground operation in Syria. A Turkish official said Tuesday Turkey is asking allies to take part in a ground operation in Syria, saying that is the only way to stop the country's five-year war. But the official told reporters that while Turkey wants a ground effort, it will not undertake the effort on its own. Turkey is taking part in U.S.-led airstrikes against Islamic State targets in Syria, along with Saudi Arabia, which has also signaled willingness to deploy ground troops as part of a wider coalition. Syria: cease-fire will be difficult Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said Monday that both countries have long wanted to send troops into his country. He accused them of being directed by powers abroad and said they are "only followers that carry out orders." Assad also said the war in Syria has been an international conflict since its first few months, and that a proposed cease-fire would be "difficult" to implement. Turkey has conducted cross-border airstrikes on Kurdish fighters in northern Syria since Saturday and warned of a "harsh response" if Kurdish-led forces do not retreat from their positions near the border. The Kurdish YPG militia has taken over large amounts of territory from Islamist rebels along Syria's border with Turkey in recent days, exploiting a Russian-backed Syrian government offensive against the rebels. The YPG advance has alarmed Turkey. It accuses the group of having links to the PKK, a Kurdish rebel group viewed as a terrorist group by Ankara, and worries the Kurds may be trying to set up a separate region along the border. Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu on Monday said his country will not let Kurdish fighters take the town of Azaz, located only a few kilometers south of Turkey. He warned if the Kurds do not withdraw from a nearby air base then Turkish forces will make it "unusable." But it is not clear that Turkish airstrikes will stop the Kurdish advance. On Monday, the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) - an alliance that also includes Arab groups - was making gains in Tel Rifaat, one of the Islamist rebels' last remaining bastions in the region. The SDF now controls more than two-thirds of Tel Rifaat, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based war monitoring group that relies on a network of contacts on the ground in Syria. Syria conflict creating refugees Diplomats in New York said Monday that Russia has asked the UN Security Council to hold discussions on Turkish military actions in Syria and Iraq. Russia has not commented. The fighting underscores the complicated nature of the conflict in Syria, where fighting has killed hundreds of thousands of people and created millions of refugees over the past four-and-a-half years. Turkey is opposed to the Assad government and has aided various rebel groups fighting against him. But it also opposes Kurdish fighters, who have been fighting a decades-long battle for autonomy in Turkey. Further complicating matters, the YPG Kurdish militia group is backed by the United States, a key ally of Turkey. Washington has called for Turkey to scale back its campaign against the Kurds, but Ankara appears to be undeterred. In a phone call this week with Prime Minister Davutoglu, U.S. Vice President Joe Biden "noted U.S. efforts to discourage Syrian Kurdish forces from exploiting current circumstances to seize additional territory near the Turkish border," according to a White House statement. But Biden also urged Ankara to "show reciprocal restraint by ceasing artillery strikes in the area," the statement said. Turkey's foreign ministry said Monday the statement was received with "astonishment," since it put U.S. "ally Turkey and a terrorist organization in the same equation." The ministry also insisted Turkey would continue its airstrikes, which it has portrayed as being retaliatory. The fighting comes as major powers try to implement a temporary cessation of hostilities this week. The cease-fire is set to begin this week, and is meant to allow humanitarian agencies to disperse badly needed emergency aid. The pause in fighting is also meant to create space for the resumption of international peace talks, which collapsed earlier this month, in part because of a massive Russian-backed Syrian government offensive. Intense fighting in northern Syria, near the Turkish border, has raised sharp concerns that a huge new wave of Syrian refugees will soon be pouring into Turkey. Turkish officials and a rebel commander manning a border post fear that Assad regime forces and Kurdish fighters will press their offensive to the Syrian border crossing at Azaz, following major gains on the battlefield overnight in the northern Aleppo countryside. Both the Turks and Syrian rebels say that could spark a new wave of refugees to push toward Turkey. With tens of thousands of desperate civilians crowded in camps along the border near Azaz, Turkey may be forced to admit them, and that could attract even more refugees. Turkish officials contend this is a deliberate Kurdish strategy to drive as many Sunni Arab families as possible out of the northern Aleppo countryside. This would allow Kurds to lay claim to the territory as part of their homeland, and the Turks believe this plan has been endorsed by the Assad regime, if only as a wartime tactic. Militiamen with the Peoples Protection Units, or YPG - the armed wing of the Syrian Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD) - took control overnight of Tell Rifaat, a strategic town 15 kilometers from Azaz that overlooks the junction of two main roads leading to Aleppo city. Tell Rifaat sits higher than the surrounding countryside, providing clear firing lines for artillery batteries. Pockets of rebel resistance were still reported Tuesday, but the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a pro-opposition monitoring group, said the YPG and its allies were in control of Tell Rifaat and the village of Kafr Naseh after heavy clashes with rebel and Islamic factions. Regime forces mainly Iranian, Afghan and Iraqi Shiite fighters also seized control of the villages of Masqan and Ihres overnight. Ihres is an important way station for civilians fleeing territory controlled by the Islamic State. A 'calamity' The rebel commander overseeing security at the Bab al Samah border crossing said the latest developments are a "calamity." In an exclusive interview with VOA Tuesday, Abu Ali Sijjos said without Tell Rifaat, rebel fighters have nowhere to establish a defensive line. All we can do is to form a protective line around the displaced civilians, but the Russians can still attack with their warplanes and the regime would be able to lob mortars over the line, Ali Sijjos added. He confirmed that some rebel factions withdrew Tuesday from the town of Mare, 25 kilometers north of Aleppo, based on American officials' advice to avoid a clash with the approaching YPG. Those Kurdish fighters are now just seven kilometers from the border at Azaz. The rebel commander's account of contacts with U.S. officials could not be verified immediately by VOA. The Russian warplanes are driving the civilians to the border," Ali Sijjos said, "and they are terrified. He admitted that rebel fighters are panicking and fear for their families' safety. If regime forces or the Kurdish YPG militia enter the Azaz pocket where tens of thousands of civilians have sought sanctuary, Ali Sijjos said, the displaced will try to storm the fence if the Turks dont open the border for them. The rebel commander, who survived a jihadist car-bomb attack two months ago, said: The Turks keep issuing statements that Azaz is a red line for them, but we dont take them seriously. The Turkish shelling is not really assisting us. It is doing nothing to deter the Russian airstrikes. New tide of refugees According to Turkeys Hurriyet newspaper, Turkish security officials have warned that PYD militias and Assad regime forces are trying to create a new tide of refugees wave by moving toward Azaz, from which 10 refugee camps stretch along an eight-kilometer route to Kilis in Turkey. YPG commanders deny they are part of the Assad regime's offensive, or coordinating their activities with Russia's warplanes. They contend they have sheltered Arab Sunni families who fled heavy fighting in the Kurdish enclave of Afrin. Syrian rebel commanders, however, insist there has been clear military coordination, and say they will never forgive what they consider treachery by the Kurds. Regardless of the ultimate outcome of Syria's five-year-long civil war, which has already left upwards of 250,000 dead and 11 million people displaced, the Syrian rebels say they will exact revenge on the Kurds for joining a battlefield alliance with the Assad regime. Kurd betrayal General Salem Idris, former chief of staff of the Western-backed Free Syrian Army, contends such revenge is inevitable. He says the FSA and the political opposition cautioned U.S. officials that while the YPG may have been a useful ally for the West in the struggle to defeat Islamic State jihadists, in the longer term it was always ready to work with the Assad regime. "There is very strong coordination between the YPG and the regime," Idris says. "It is not hidden today. The moment the regime's offensive began, after repeated Russian airstrikes against rebel targets, Idris said the YPG decided Assad was likely to win and grasped the opportunity to side openly with the regime on the battlefield. This will have bad results for the Kurds in the future," the Free Syrian Army general said. "People will remember what they did when we were fighting the regime and Hezbollah, and the Russians and all the mercenaries from Iran and Iraq as well as the Islamic State. They came from behind and attacked us. The U.S. could put more pressure on the Kurds to stop their intervention on the side of the regime, Idris said. Other rebel commanders also voice deep bitterness toward the Kurds' political party, the PYD, which they blame for repeated failure of the rebels' efforts to arrange a truce with the Kurdish militiamen. They tricked us, says Mohammed Adeeb of the rebel alliance known as the Shamiya Front. Nader Othman, the deputy prime minister of the opposition Syrian Interim Government, also says the PYD will come to regret its actions against Sunni Arabs, and he predicts that Kurdish leaders will discover [Syrian President Bashar] Assad is not to be trusted. He will turn on them when the opportunity presents itself, Othman said. But the problem for us is now, and the problem is that the U.S. sees the YPG as a partner when it comes to the Islamic State. Impact on US policy The Kurdish fighters' battlefield moves have been devastating for U.S. policy in Syria, and they are unraveling the alliance the Obama administration has been trying to build to confront and destroy the Islamic State group, according to Daveed Gartenstein-Ross, an analyst with the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies, a Washington think tank. It's a complete wreck, says Gartenstein-Ross. There are literally U.S.-backed groups fighting other U.S.-backed groups right now. Specifically, the U.S.-backed opposition in northern Aleppo is fighting the U.S.-backed YPG. I have never seen a situation where one CIA-backed group is fighting another with this kind of intensity. It illustrates why so many people have trouble trusting the United States. It's hard for people to believe our government is this incompetent, so they search for some hidden conspiracy, he says. Candidates in Uganda are holding final rallies Tuesday ahead of the country's presidential and legislative elections. Voters will decide on Thursday whether to give President Yoweri Museveni a fifth term or elect an opposition candidate and have a new leader for the first time since 1986. Museveni took power in a coup and won landslide elections in 2006 and 2011 that observers said were marred by irregularities and intimidation of opposition parties. On Monday, Ugandan police detained opposition candidate Kizza Besigye as he campaigned in the country's capital. Witnesses said police fired tear gas at a Besigye event and took him into custody. He was then taken to another location outside of Kampala before being freed. Ugandas assistant inspector general of police accused Besigye of violating campaign rules. If you choose because it is political period, to campaign, to go to a place where you are not supposed to be at that time, and then lead a procession through the central business district, the nerve center of economic activity, at such a time, I think we must protect other people, he said. One of Besigyes lawyers Lukwago Shifrah said she was in a car with the opposition candidate when they were stopped by police and tear gassed. Yeah, we were together and actually we finished the first rally which was carried out there, and then we left to go to the convoy and then we had another rally but we were blocked, and they had to tear gas us, which wasnt called for because hes a candidate like any other people," Shifrah said. Charles Opakrwoth says he had been a long-time supporter of NRM, President Musevenis party, until recently, when he switched Besigyes FDC party. He says he was at the junction when the police took Besigye. Me, as a Ugandan, and I know human rights law, what they have done today, is not fair. Even if they do to other person, even if to do to another person, its still not good, he said. After Besigye was released, his supporters and police faced off in Kampala, as supporters waited for him to make an appearance at Makerere University. Some supporters threw stones and police fired tear gas canisters to disperse the crowds. The United Nations human rights chief Zeid Ra'ad al-Hussein called on China Tuesday to immediately and unconditionally release detained lawyers and activists. Since last July, China has detained about 250 "human rights lawyers, legal assistants and activists," according to a statement from Zeid's office. Many of those detained have since been released but the U.N. official says the arrests represent a "worrying pattern" in China. The United Nations and China have been in constant contact regarding the issue, according to Rupert Colville, a spokesman for Zaid's office. Colville said China's response letter accused those arrested of criminal activities and did not "address the core issues." Zeid expressed concern about the trend of governments cracking down on dissenters. "Lawyers should never have to suffer prosecution or any other kind of sanctions or intimidation for discharging their professional duties," Zeid said. He also expressed concern about the January disappearance of five Hong Kong employees of a publishing house that had released works critical of the Chinese government and the arrest of a Swedish civil society worker offering legal assistance in China. U.N. envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura is in Syria where he is due to hold talks Tuesday with officials on implementing a cease-fire this week. He arrived late Monday in the Syrian capital, Damascus, for the unannounced visit. World powers agreed last week to a cessation of hostilities, set to begin Friday, in order to let badly needed humanitarian aid be delivered. The cease-fire is meant to help make it possible to resume international peace talks that collapsed earlier this month in Geneva after just three days. Since then, the violence has shown no signs of letting up. The Syrian government has continued an offensive backed by Russian airstrikes. A wide array of rebel groups also continues to fight in the country, each with different objectives and international backers. World powers have said they hope to resume peace talks by the end of the month. The U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights has condemned airstrikes on at least four hospitals and a school Monday in northern Syria. He says if intentional, these attacks could amount to war crimes. The United Nations reports scores of people were killed and many more injured in the aerial attacks, which have been widely blamed on Syria's government and its ally, Russia. Four missiles reportedly hit one of the hospitals, run by the charity Doctors Without Borders. Additionally, another facility, a mother-and-child hospital supported by the United Nations Childrens Fund, was struck with heavy loss of life in the bombardment. This hospital had previously come under attack on December 25. U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights spokesman Rupert Colville told VOA he did not know whether attacks against medical facilities and personnel have increased since Russia began bombing what it said were terrorist targets in Syria. It is a bit hard to judge motivation like that; but, the sheer scale of these attacks would suggest it could well be a tactic of war... So, this apparent, at least partial targeting of hospitals, it is very difficult to tell if an individual event, immediately whether it is a deliberate targeting, obviously; but, the situation is just quite atrocious, he said. Colville said it was not clear whether these hospital facilities were intentionally targeted. The sheer number of incidents raises huge question marks about the failure of the parties to the conflict in Syria to respect the special protections afforded to medical facilities and personnel under international humanitarian law. Depending on the circumstances, an airstrike on a hospital may constitute a war crime, he said. Since the Syrian conflict began almost five years ago, the World Health Organization reports nearly 700 health workers have been killed and that an estimated 60 percent of public hospitals and 49 percent of primary health centers have become either partially or completely non-functional. Two days after the death of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, the path to installing a successor remains murky and a topic of intense intrigue in a nation where political divisions and polarization are magnified by a fierce presidential campaign. The White House said Monday that President Barack Obama has started preliminary discussions about a nominee. Spokesman Eric Schultz said Obama would look for a nominee who understands that justice is something that affects people's daily lives, and not just an abstract theory. Schultz added that it is "wholly irresponsible" for the Republican Congress to leave the Supreme Court short staffed by refusing to confirm an eventual nomination from Obama. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has said the chamber will not act to ratify any candidate named by Obama, preferring to leave the post open until a new president takes office in January 2017. Obama could avoid that logjam by exercising his right to make a "recess" appointment, an option that exists while Congress is not in session as is the case this week. The White House signaled Monday that the president will not take that step, however, which would infuriate the Republican-led legislative branch. Should Republicans hold firm to their pledge, the November elections could become a watershed moment for all three branches of government, determining not just control of the White House and Congress, but also shifting the Supreme Court's ideological makeup for decades to come. Speculation rampant With Congress adjourned and Obama hosting Southeast Asian leaders in California, speculation about next steps in the confirmation battle is running far ahead of real information. Judicial watchers say Obama could nominate an Indian-American, Sri Srinivasan, whom the Senate confirmed to the next highest court by a vote of 97-0 in 2013. Srinivasan has worked for both Republican and Democratic administrations, and would be the first South Asian as well as the first person of the Hindu faith to serve on the Supreme Court. Srinivasan has not publicized his ideological leanings, a fact that could make Republican opposition to his nomination less likely. But his selection could also disappoint members of Obama's Democratic Party, who are eager to replace the arch-conservative Scalia with a confirmed moderate-to-liberal jurist. Also often mentioned are Attorney General Loretta Lynch, an African-American whom the Senate narrowly confirmed last year, and several Democratic senators, including Amy Klobuchar, who served as a prosecutor in her home state of Minnesota. Much may depend on the White House's reading of resolve among Senate Republicans. If Obama believes he can cajole the Senate to vote on a nominee, the case for a consensus candidate with bipartisan support grows stronger. If the president takes McConnell at his word, he may be more inclined to nominate a liberal trailblazer who will excite and rally progressive, Democratic constituencies ahead of the November elections. A few Republican senators facing tough re-election battles in November, such as Mark Kirk of Illinois and Rob Portman of Ohio, have yet to endorse McConnell's call for delay. Also withholding any firm commitment are Republican senators who buck their party's opposition to abortion rights, like Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska. Numerous hurdles Even so, the hurdles for an Obama Supreme Court pick remain formidable. That nominee would need 14 Republican senators to join with Democrats in order to advance to a final confirmation vote. And full Senate consideration would occur after the Republican-controlled Judiciary Committee vetted and confirmed the nominee with a majority vote. The committee's chairman, Senator Chuck Grassley, is backing the majority leader's call to await a new president before considering Scalia's successor. "The fact of the matter is that it's been standard practice over the last nearly 80 years that Supreme Court nominees are not nominated and confirmed during a presidential election year," Grassley said in a statement. "It only makes sense that we defer to the American people who will elect a new president to select the next Supreme Court Justice." Democrats argue that Obama has almost a full year left in his presidency and is duty-bound to put forward nominees for judicial vacancies. "The president can and should send the Senate a nominee right away," said the Senate's minority leader, Democrat Harry Reid. "It would be unprecedented in recent history for the Supreme Court to go a year with a vacant seat. Failing to fill this vacancy would be a shameful abdication of one of the Senate's most essential constitutional responsibilities." The U.S. Constitution calls for the president to nominate judges and for the Senate to render its advice and consent. But the founding document establishes no deadlines or time limits neither on how late in his tenure a president may nominate, nor how long the Senate may take to confirm or reject a nominee. The United States and Cuba signed a deal Tuesday that allows U.S. commercial airlines to make up to 110 daily flights to the communist island, the most significant new business link between the two countries since the end of their five-decade Cold War-era hostilities. U.S. transportation chief Anthony Foxx and his Cuban counterpart, Adel Yzquierdo Rodriguez, agreed to the pact at a ceremony in Havana. It calls for 20 flights a day to the Cuban capital, in addition to the current 10 to 15 charter flights. The remainder of the new flights, which could start later this year, would carry travelers to nine other Cuban cities, where there is far less demand than for flights to Havana. "Today is a historic day in the relationship between Cuba and the U.S.," Foxx said. "It represents a critically important milestone in the U.S. effort to engage with Cuba." Several U.S. carriers say they plan to add flights to Cuba as soon as details on flight routes can be worked out, but Cuban carriers will still have to obtain their own licenses from U.S. authorities. U.S. President Barack Obama and Cuban President Raul Castro restored diplomatic ties between the two countries in late 2014. They subsequently opened embassies in Havana and Washington and now are moving to improve business links, even as a U.S. trade embargo remains in place. Under the airline agreement, U.S. visitors would still have to meet one of the 12 qualifying reasons to go to Cuba, such as traveling as part of an educational tour or arranging a professional meeting. But the distinction between banned tourism and travel for other reasons has blurred significantly. Regular commercial flights between the U.S. and Cuba ended 53 years ago, but in recent years charter flights have accommodated a growing number of American visitors. Last year, about 160,000 Americans made the short trip to Cuba, located 145 kilometers off the southeastern U.S. state of Florida, home to thousands of Cuban-born immigrants and their families who left their homeland after revolutionary Fidel Castro seized control in 1959. Castro subsequently nationalized millions of dollars worth of U.S. corporate and private property in Cuba. The airline deal comes a day after the U.S. approved the construction of the first American factory on the island since the restoration of diplomatic relations, a farm tractor assembly operation that plans to hire Cuban workers. Turkey shelled Kurdish forces advancing in northern Syrian for a fourth day Tuesday, despite calls from Western allies to stop. Damascus has also condemned Turkey's military actions in Aleppo, calling the shelling a violation of Syria's sovereignty and asking the U.N. Security Council to step in. Ankara, however, appears determined to continue targeting Kurdish YPG militia. Russia is set to raise the issue Tuesday with the U.N. a move dismissed by Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu. "What an attitude!" he said, adding that Russia is bombing hospitals and schools, and then turning around and referring Turkey to the Security Council to address border security. The Turkish prime minister also repeated his threat against the Syrian Kurds. "We will do what is necessary if they continue to advance," he warned. The YPG militia is moving ahead with its westward advance to link up with a Syrian Kurdish canton. A senior Turkish official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the shelling is in retaliation for attacks by the Syrian Kurdish group. However, the official could not give any photographic evidence of the attacks, or say when and where they occurred. Ankara accuses the YPG of being an extension of the PKK rebel group that is operating inside Turkey. Kadri Gursel, a political columnist for the Al-Monitor website, said Ankara is becoming isolated from its allies over their support of the YPG and its political wing, the PYD. "The West, in general, sees the PYD as a reliable ally in the fight on ISIS, Gursel said, using an acronym for Islamic State. Ankara seeing the PYD as more of a threat than ISIS is a very, very problematic outlook; this is a totally upside-down approach." Them or us Ankara's relations with Washington, which has conducted airstrikes in support of the YPG, are becoming particularly strained. Turkish officials say U.S. weapons given to the Syrian Kurds have ended up in PKK hands. Washington denies arming the YPG. Late last month, the U.S. State Department official coordinating the global effort against Islamic State, Brett McGurk, traveled to the Syrian town of Kobani, where he met with PYD and YPG members. Following that meeting, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Washington must choose between Turkey and the PYD as its partner. Still, the dispute over the Syrian Kurds is unlikely to lead to a complete rupture between the U.S. and Turkey, said international relations expert Soli Ozel. "The Turkish challenge it's either them or us and the American response it's both of you and we will continue with the PYD under normal circumstances would create a severe diplomatic crisis, Ozel said. But Turkey does need the United States, and [on] the issue of the PYD, it's quite evident the U.S. will not change its ways and Turkey will not change its ways." Pro-government media in Turkey are calling for U.S. forces to be barred from using Turkish air bases for its airstrikes against Islamic State. So far, however, Ankara has resisted calls for any sanctions against Washington. The leaders of the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia gathered around a cake this week in Prague, celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Visegrad Group, an organization that has been largely forgotten since its creation in 1991 following the collapse of communism. The mini-bloc is finding a new purpose as frustration grows among governments in the region over what they see as the European Union's chaotic and ineffective response to the growing migrant crisis. "The migration policy that we have seen so far has failed, and this only created terrorism, violence and fear," said Hungary's prime minister, Viktor Orban, whose policies of not welcoming the migrants have received criticism in Western Europe. "Our position tends to be that the migration flow must be under control and must be stopped," he told reporters at the end of a Visegrad gathering Monday in Prague. At odds with Greece, Merkel For some in the V-4 grouping, the enemies in the newest divide between East and West are Greece and German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Orban proposes a solution that is directly opposed to the policy promoted by Merkel, who wants all EU members to absorb an equal number of migrants. Officials project 4 million migrants and refugees will seek asylum in Europe this year. Instead, the Hungarian leader wants a fence built on Bulgaria and Macedonia's border with Greece, effectively cutting off Greece from the 26-nation Schengen Area, of which it is a part. Athens has failed to prevent hundreds of thousands of migrants, largely from Syria and Iraq, from crossing its territory and therefore, Orban and others argue, has not met its obligations to protect Europe's borders. Testing our union The proposal has rattled EU officials, who are campaigning to keep the European Union from breaking apart. "The migratory crisis we are currently witnessing is testing our union to its limits," European Council President Donald Tusk said Tuesday in Prague. The EU chief was completing a five-nation tour to build consensus before a summit Thursday on Britain's bid to renegotiate the terms of its EU membership, another deeply contentious issue that could bring the departure of the bloc's second-richest economy. In Athens, also on Tuesday, Tusk found himself offering reassurances to Greek leaders shaken by the prospect of being cut off from Europe. "Greece did not cause this crisis, nor did Europe, Tusk said at a joint news conference with Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras. To all those talking of excluding Greece from Schengen, thinking this is a solution to the migration crisis, I say no, it is not. Let me be clear: Excluding Greece from Schengen solves none of our problems." Until now, Visegrad countries had been in line with the rest of Europe in terms of economic development and open borders. The migrant crisis, however, has changed things. In the eyes of some, calls by Merkel and others for all EU nations to accept migrants recall an ugly chapter in history, when Nazi Germany dictated an extremist ideology to its eastern neighbors. There are concerns the calls are fueling nationalist sentiments and giving rise to right-wing political movements in central Europe and beyond. "This is not only Orban who is speaking about building fences in Europe, Dariusz Kalan, a political analyst at the Polish Institute of International Affairs, a Warsaw research organization, told VOA. These voices are significant and visible, not only in Hungary but also in the Balkans and also in Austria, not to mention radicals in Germany or France." Search for internal compromise Aside from its unanimous rejection of any attempt to impose migrant quotas, the V-4 grouping is far from united in its approach to the migrant crisis. Czech Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka is seen as the most liberal and ready to compromise. Slovakia's Robert Fico, a hard-liner, is under pressure to appear even tougher as his country heads toward elections. Poland has traditionally had strong ties with Western Europe, but elected a right-wing government late last year. "What is happening at the moment is an attempt to find a compromise within the V-4 countries which would somehow enable them to speak with a single voice on the European level, but at the same time would not undermine their position completely as a part of Europe," Tomas Jungwirth, an analyst at the Association for International Affairs, a Prague research institution, told VOA. V-4 leaders are walking a delicate line, and their summit declaration in Prague this week was conciliatory. They pledged not to block any EU solution to the crisis and work against "emerging new dividing lines" in Europe. "Let me stress very clearly that the declaration adopted today includes a clear call of support from the V-4 for a European solution to the crisis," said Beata Szydlo, Poland's new prime minister, at the close of the V-4 summit Monday. The Visegrad countries' challenge now is to preserve their membership in Europe with all its economic benefits, while answering to a constituency frustrated with the rest of Europe's response to the migrant crisis. Meanwhile, Merkel is going ahead with her push for Europe to absorb more refugees. In view of the Visegrad countries' opposition to her proposal, the German leader is working on a plan to receive more refugees who transit through Turkey. Merkel last week said "a group of countries" may be willing to accept a larger number of refugees if Turkey does more to boost its efforts to stop migrants from illegally transiting its territory. Countries dealing with Zika outbreaks should consider using controversial methods to fight its spread, such as using genetically modified mosquitoes and biological agents that stop mosquito larva from hatching, the World Health Organization said Tuesday. "Given the magnitude of the Zika crisis, WHO encourages affected countries and their partners to boost the use of both old and new approaches to mosquito control as the most immediate line of defense,'' the agency said. The WHO said its advisory board recommended trials using "sterile irradiated male mosquitoes," a technique used to fight dengue in the Cayman Islands. It says other U.N. agencies have deployed sterilized mosquitoes to control other agricultural pests. But environmentalists have cautioned against the use of genetically modified mosquitoes, saying the long-term effects of killing off an entire insect population is unknown. The Zika virus is transmitted primarily by the Aedes aegyoti mosquito. Also Tuesday, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration recommended people who have had potential exposure to Zika put off donating blood for at least four weeks. They include people who show any symptoms of Zika, anyone who has traveled to a Zika-stricken area, and those who have had sex with someone who lived in or traveled to one of those countries in the last three months. "The FDA has critical responsibilities in outbreak situations and has been working rapidly to take important steps to respond to the emerging Zika virus outbreak," acting chief scientist Luciana Borio said Tuesday. "We are using this guidance for immediate implementation in order to better protect the U.S. blood supply." While there are no cases of Zika virus entering the U.S. blood supply, the FDA says the latest scientific evidence shows the risk of blood transmission is likely. There is currently no treatment for Zika, and much remains unknown about the disease. Experts suspect Zika could cause microcephaly, a condition in which babies are born with unusually small heads because the brain has not developed properly or has stopped growing. The Zika virus is becoming a major problem in Latin America, particularly in Brazil, which reports more than 4,300 suspected cases of microcephaly. The United Nations refugee agency has delivered desperately needed emergency relief supplies to thousands of people in the besieged Yemeni city of Taiz. After more than three weeks of negotiations, the U.N. refugee agency entered Taiz on Sunday. The agency has delivered blankets, mattresses and other emergency relief assistance for 1,000 families affected by Yemen's civil war. Taiz has seen intense fighting during the past 10 months. Houthi rebels have prevented most humanitarian aid from getting through to the citys 200,000 inhabitants for nearly six months. UNHCR spokesman Andreas Needham says agency representative Johannes Van Der Klaauw oversaw the distribution of the aid and witnessed the critical needs of the people who have been deprived of life-saving assistance. Needham told VOA Van der Klaauw hopes the delivery is not a one-time occurrence. He said that he hoped that it would not be, that it would be a prelude for sustained access of delivery of various types of aid and that it would include from our partners, the WHO (World Health Organization) and ICRC (International Committee of the Red Cross) as you mentioned for essential medical supplies. And, he also reiterated our call for sustained and unhindered access for all humanitarian actors, Needham said. Last week, the World Health Organization delivered more than 20 tons of medical supplies to Taiz. WHO spokeswoman Fadela Chaib says conditions in the city are life-threatening. Many hospitals have been forced to close their intensive care units due to a lack of fuel, medicines and health staff and patients with chronic medical conditions, such as diabetes, kidney disease and cancer are struggling to access essential medicines and dialysis centers, she said. Chaib said the WHO hopes to distribute an additional 40 tons of medicines and medical supplies across the country in the coming weeks. Zimbabwean lawmaker Joseph Chinotimba and his wife, Vimbai, cruised to victory this weekend in a kissing competition sponsored by the Book of African Records. The two, marked Valentines Day in style, beat other contests to win $1,000, a food hamper and a years subscription with DSTV. Chinotimba told Studio 7 that he is happy that they won the competition, which did not need any rehearsals. We do this at home and so it was easy to win this competition, said the Zanu PF legislator for Buhera South. The two scooped the top prize after kissing for 10 minutes and 17 seconds. The runners-up only identified as a Mr. Mbundure and his wife lasted only 5 minutes and 23 seconds. The third spot went to Jabulani Maphosa and Shyline Hama, whose smooching lasted two minutes and 35 seconds. According to the state-controlled media, the contestants were married people who had to kiss continuously with lips glued to each other all the time. A Thai couple is believed to be holding the world record in such a kissing competition 58 minutes. As debate on the deployment of non-Ndebele speaking teachers in Bulawayo and Matabeleland continues, some locals say the Ministry of Education should address the situation quickly, while others say there is need for a proper scientific research into why students in the region perform poorly at Ordinary and Advanced Level compared to their counterparts elsewhere. Bulawayo resident Iphithule Maphosa has a daughter in primary school. Maphosa says he has had to arrange for remedial studies for his daughter because she was not doing well in her Ndebele courses. Maphosa, who is also the southern region spokesperson for ZAPU, says he subscribes to the view that the poor performance by students in Matabeleland in their Ordinary and Advanced Level examinations can be traced to their being taught by teachers that cannot speak IsiNdebele, the main language spoken in the region. As a parent, and together with many other parents in this region, we feel the main contributing factor is the deployment of non-Ndebele speaking teachers, especially in primary schools. I can give an example of my own daughter who was taught by a non-Ndebele speaking teacher from ECD up to Grade Two. "Her Ndebele language was so bad to the extent that there was need for her to get extra lessons in order to pick up. POOR RESULTS The debate on whether or not the deployment of non-Ndebele speaking teachers in Matabeleland has been going for a while now. The latest episode was sparked by the recent release of A Level results, showing that students in the region fared poorer than those in other regions across the country. Parliament recently debated the issue of the deployment of non-Ndebele speaking teachers to Matabeleland. Education Minister Lazarus Dokora said having a regulation that bars such deployment would be the same as segregating teachers on the basis of their mother language. But Dokoras pronouncement has not stopped the debate. A student teacher, who want to remain anonymous, says it is important to have teachers who can speak pupils mother tongue, especially at primary school level. I think it is bad especially for children who are still in primary school because at some point in the teaching process, you will be compelled to use their mother language in order for them to understand things better. So if you are not conversant with that language, you wont be able to use any other language except English and there will be a lot of misunderstanding. Most children in primary school dont understand English so I think it is very important to have teachers who are fluent in the (local) vernacular. MEDIUM OF INSTRUCTION But another Bulawayo resident, who only wants to be identified as Emilia, says she does not agree with this school of thought. Emilia says since English is the medium of instruction as well as examination for all subjects, except the local languages, she doesnt believe that having a non-Ndebele speaking teacher would necessary make students perform poorly. A teacher, who does not want to speak on tape as he is not allowed to talk to the press, says Zimbabwe has in the past had expatriate teachers were unable to communicate in local languages but would still help people perform well in various exams. The teacher adds that Zimbabwean educationists are highly rated in the region and have taught in neighbouring countries without necessarily being able to speak the native languages of people in those countries. EDUCATION CHALLENGES Former under-secretary in the Ministry of Education, Isaac Mpofu, who is also a prolific IsiNdebele author, says hunger is one of the factors affecting the level of education in Zimbabwe. He says lack of IsiNdebele teachers in Matabeleland is also crippling education standards in the region. Linguist and director Samukele Hadebe of the Public Policy Research Institute of Zimbabwe says from a purely academic point of view, it may not matter much what language a teacher speaks. Hadebe says the debate on the issue of language is laden with some social, economic and political concerns that have been expressed by people in the region and there is need to discuss the issue openly but responsibly. More often when we debate the issues of language, we use it because it is manifest, but the deep-seated issues, the root causes which are socio-economic, political and power issues are never brought up. So, when people say in this area these are the results of a community that does not speak our language, we need to interrogate it and say what does it mean? Is it really about language or about other issues? Hadebe argues that instead of making simplistic conclusions there is need for a thorough research on the problem of poor results in the Matabeleland region so that it can be adequately addressed. Until the suggested research on the cause of poor examination results in the region has been carried out, people will continue to speculate. The Zimbabwe Republic police says the body of a dead person found in a Western Global Airlines cargo plane destined for Durban, South Africa, on Sunday has been taken for a post-mortem. The police refused to give further details about investigations being carried out. However, according to a statement issued by Pradeep Maharaj, the currency cluster group executive of the Reserve Bank of South Africa on Tuesday, the plane and its cargo are still holed in Harare. Maharaj said the South African Authorities are still working closely with the relevant authorities in Zimbabwe to have the cargo released. The South African central bank also confirmed that they print some of their notes outside South Africa but explained that while the bulk of the annual production of banknotes is done locally in South Africa, a small percentage is printed offshore as part of the banks contingency plans. The bank further explained that these arrangements are put in place to mitigate any major disruption in the domestic banknote operations. Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe boss, David Chawota, on Monday told Studio 7 that the plane belonging to Western Global Airlines registered in Florida, United States, was impounded when human remains were found on the plane. Chawota said the plane, which was carrying millions of South African rands belonging to South Africas Reserve Bank, had stopped at Harare International Airport for refueling when blood was found dripping from the plane by ground handling staff at the airport. South Africas ambassador to Zimbabwe, Vusi Mavimbela, who was not reachable today confirmed to Studio 7 yesterday that the cargo plane flying from Germany was carrying some South African goods. He said two South African nationals are part of the six crew members that are being questioned by Zimbabwean authorities. Zimbabwe in tight-lipped over the issue after it summoned some ambassadors for a urgent meeting Monday to discuss the issue surrounding the impounded plane. Western Global Airlines officials did not respond to inquiries made by Studio 7. A Zanu PF linked group that claims to be working for the restoration of Zanu PFs founding principles alleges that Americans are working with some top government and ruling party officials in an effort to remove President Robert Mugabe from power. Addressing a news conference in Harare, the coordinator of the group calling itself Save Zanu PF Campaign, Godfrey Tsenengamu, accused Higher Education Minister Jonathan Moyo of being an American front tasked with removing Mr. Mugabe from office. Tsenengamu could not elaborate. Officials at the United States Embassy in Harare were also not available for comment. Studio 7 failed to also get a comment from Minister Moyo who was not answering his mobile phone. President Mugabe has over the years accused America of spearheading a regime change agenda in Zimbabwe, with him being the prime target. These accusation come in the wake of factionalism in the ruling party that has reached alarming levels with First Lady Grace Mugabe convening a rally recently where she publicly ridiculed a Zanu PF faction allegedly led by Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa calling itself Team Lacoste. She claimed that the group is attempting to topple President Mugabe. She once levelled similar allegations against expelled former Vice President Joice Mujuru. Some political commentators rubbished Tsengamus claims. One of them, Terry Mutsvanga, director of the Coalition Against Corruption, said America has more pressing issues on the international front than to focus on Zanu PFs internal fights. This view is also shared by another independent political analyst, Mlondolozi Ndlovu. Tsenengamu further urged President Mugabe to reign in his wife saying the first ladys rallies where she is ridiculing party members were dividing the fractious ruling party. Tsenengamu also alleged that Local Government Minister Saviour Kasukuwere was harboring presidential ambitions. He alleged that the partys political commissar was also using his party position to sideline some party figures that he suspects of standing in his way. However, Kasukuwere told a rally addressed by Mrs. Mugabe in Mashonaland Central province last week that he was backing President Mugabe and declared war on anyone who would want to challenge him. Local journalist Edgar Gweshe said factionalism in now rife in Zanu PF because President Mugabe has failed to groom a successor. As factionalism intensifies in Zanu PF, the partys politburo is set to meet tomorrow to discuss the internal fights in the party. Zanu PF spokesperson, Simon Khaya Moyo, however, told Studio 7 that tomorrows event was not an extra-ordinary politburo meeting although some Zanu PF sources claimed that it was primarily called to discuss the widening rift in the ruling party. With serious infighting in the ruling Zanu PF party and instability in other major political parties in Zimbabwe, some political analysts and ordinary people believe that former Vice President Joice Mujuru and her Zimbabwe People First party stand a better chance of the winning the next elections in 2018. But others say her Zanu PF past will seriously dent her chances of removing President Mugabe from power. Several political parties and ordinary Zimbabweans are backing Mrs. Mujuru and her grouping in an attempt to wrestle power from Zanu PF, which has ruled the country since independence from British rule in 1980. They say instability in major political parties and the two factions of the Movement for Democratic Change present her a clear chance to claim power in her first poll outside the ruling party. Great Zimbabwe media lecturer, Golden Maunganidze, says Zimbabwe People First is attracting huge crowds in Masvingo province and stands a better chance of doing well in the forthcoming general elections. Here in Masvingo they have high chances of getting a lot of people considering that they are finishing from other political parties. You can see they are people from the People Democratic Party and MDC T considering join Mujuru, they have been there at their meetings. He adds that chances are high that disgruntled people from other political parties will join her when she eventually launches her political party. Independent political commentator, Blessing Vava, also believes that Mrs. Mujuru will do well in the next crucial elections. I think it will be too early to rubbish her off considering the turmoil that is in Zanu PF and people reportedly joining her party from Zanu PF and the MDC so I think she is going to pause a serious threat in as far as the elections in 2018 are concerned. But others like former Zanu PF lawmaker, Temba Mliswa, who was expelled from Zanu PF at the same time with Mrs. Mujuru thinks that she would have a tough time to market herself given her strong links to Zanu PF. From the corruption in Zanu PF how then do you exonerate yourself from it? The diamonds, something you are mentioned in it, yes when you were in power and when you were acting whom did you fire for being corrupt? Questions will be asked by the electorate, they want to know, its a credibility issue, its an issue which has brought the country down. Independent political commentator, Vivid Gwede, concurs, noting that only those people that resigned from Zanu PF stand a better chance of doing well in elections. Maybe Mujuru has to first prove herself. We have seen her pausing in photographs but pausing is not the same as rallying. She hasnt held any rally at the moment. There is the issue of ideology that she is pursuing, there is also the issue of the political heritage that she carries on her back. Zimbabwe Democracy Institute director, Pedzisai Ruhanya, cautions against seeing Mrs. Mujuru as a Messiah saying people should learn from the 2008 elections in which Mavambo Kusile Dawn Party leader Simba Makoni, despite high expectations, came third after Tsvangirai and Mugabe. He said the best for way for the opposition is a coalition. So the Messiah is Mujuru, Tsvangirai , Biti, Welshman and others that are complaining about (President) Mugabe coming together to work as a group. So the Messiah is in the coalition of democrats people who believe that this country need political redemption from Mugabes 36 years of failed political and economic leadership. In her clearest signal that she is ready to participate in elections, Mrs. Mujuru registered her party with the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission last Friday though the party is yet to be officially launched. The interim leader of the opposition Zimbabwe People First party, Joice Mujuru, says members of Movement for Democratic Change and Mavambo Kusile Dawn are defecting to her party though she does not rule out a coalition with other opposition parties to challenge President Robert Mugabe in the next polls. On working with her longtime rival and now under fire Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa, Mrs. Mujuru told VOA Studio 7 there are conditions and the major one being acceptance by the grassroots. As national democrats and as People First, we want to listen to the ordinary people. And we are going to practice that. Nobody who is coming to People First is coming with their baggage, whether you have been holding the highest posts where ever you are coming from. In People First we do not recognize that. You are coming as a person and you start from zero. Its the people who will promote you. Mrs. Mujuru says ever since she was expelled from Zanu-PF and fired from her post as vice president she has managed to understand the plight of Zimbabweans as she now spends more time with them including going to dip cattle. She announced the registration of her party that occurred on Friday in a short statement, which read, We are pleased to announce the formal registration of Zimbabwe People First (People First) as a political party through the lodging of the constitution of the party with the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) on the 12th of February 2016. She added that People First is a home-grown, inclusive party that will promote the wishes and aspirations of Zimbabweans first. In an exclusive interview with Voice of Americas Studio 7, Mrs. Mujuru was asked if she is indeed now the interim president of the party. In her response on Monday, she said, Yes please. On Thursday, 12 February, US Secretary of State John Kerry met his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov in Munich. Kerry announced that a ceasefire agreement could be implemented within days [1]. Lavrov replied that the main result of meeting in Munich was a confirmation of the UN resolution on Syria. Many media sources say that the West, largely represented by the United States and its British amanuensis, are in a panic because Russian military assistance to Syria has turned the tide of battle in the proxy, not civil war against the Syrian government in Damascus. Kerry is in a hurry now to stave off disaster and a remarkable Russian victory. In fact, the Syrian Arab Army is encircling Jihadist terrorists in Aleppo and moving toward the Turkish border to cut off their supply routes. What sweet irony, the Jihadists who encircled government-held Aleppo, now themselves risk encirclement. Turn-about is fair play everywhere except for the western Mainstream Media (MSM). The US role in the proxy war against Syria is well known except in the United States apparently. The Obama administration has directly or indirectly supported ISIS and various iterations of Al-Qaeda in Syria and is now rushing to save them through a ceasefire agreement that would let them survive and replenish themselves. US policy is redolent of another Munich agreement in September 1938 when Britain and France sold out Czechoslovakia to get on better terms with Nazi Germany. Then as now, the Russians played a positive role [2], seeking to organise resistance against an aggressor. The aggressor in 1938 was Nazi Germany; in 2016, the aggressor is a western coalition led by the United States, and including various NATO and regional vassal states, amongst them, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Turkey. All these desperados would be appropriate candidates for a police lineup in The Hague. In 1938, the idea was to break up Czechoslovakia; in 2016, the idea is to breakup Syria, by overthrowing the legal government in Damascus. In 1938 the Czechoslovak government chose to capitulate; in 2011 the Syrian government chose to fight. Whereas the USSR did not intervene militarily in 1938, the Russian government took a big risk in 2015 and intervened at the request of Damascus to fight the foreign backed, foreign Jihadist armed forces entrenched in Syria. You would think that Kerry would have chosen another place to meet with Lavrov to avoid the odium of association with another western evil deed done in Munich almost eighty years ago. This time its the United States and its vassals waging war against Syria. In fact, as I write these lines, Turkey is bombarding Kurdish and Syrian Arab Army positions in northern Syria. The United States is reported to be pleading with its Turkish NATO ally to stop attacking US Kurdish allies who are fighting against Jihadists who are also US allies. Its illegal, some western commentators like to say about the war against Syria, but thats just a politically correct euphemism for aggression. Theres no other way to put it unless you believe western fairy stories about spreading democracy. But who gave the West the right to spread democracy at the point of a gun, allied with Arab absolute monarchies? Yet suddenly the United States has become a humanitarian and wants to stop the fighting it has brokered and nurtured for five years. We have to help refugees leaving Aleppo, the Americans say, to escape Russian bombing, to save children and innocents being threatened by that barrel-bombing tyrant, President Bashar al Assad. Trouble is refugees from Aleppo headed for safety in Turkey are reported to be Jihadists on the run from the advancing Syrian Arab Army. Oh, how the West hates those others who do not bow to western hegemony. We have to provide humanitarian aid to help starving Syrians. This is what the world wants, say US shills, Global opinion is clear We are seeing a lot of people killed The Russians are bombing hospitals, murdering civilians Here we go again. Will Pot ever stop calling Kettle black? Will the West ever stop thinking it represents global opinion? Will the US and its vassals ever be shamed by their preposterous hypocrisy and double standards? Clearly not. This bogus western script is redolent of Responsibility to Protect (R2P), the spurious US justification for aggression against Iraq and Libya. It is now a returning refrain, this time, to protect foreign supplied, foreign Jihadists. The Western Mainstream Media has become hysterical about the Russian bombing of moderate Jihadists, though there are no moderate Jihadists. And have you noticed? There is virtually no mentioning now in the MSM about the composition of ISIS and Al-Qaeda forces fighting in Syria, about the foreign Jihadists estimated to come from at least forty countries, and numbering several tens of thousands. In fact, the MSM talks about Saudi Arabia and Turkey committing more resources to fighting ISIS. Who does the MSM think its fooling? In fact, Saudi Arabia and Turkey are the principal arms purveyors and quartermasters of ISIS and their Al-Qaeda allies. The former is an intimate US vassal, the latter a NATO member. An American report [3] indicates that US allies have [just] delivered a massive shipment of ground-to-ground Grad missiles to rebels in Syria. That was one day after the conclusion of the ceasefire agreement. One wonders how ordinary Europeans and Canadians feel about NATO members backing a Jihadist proxy war against Syria and risking a confrontation with Russia in defence of their faltering moderate Jihadist allies. Of course the moderate opposition is an imaginary cover to justify R2P. A German intelligence source estimates that 95% of combatants fighting against the Damascus government are not Syrian [4]. As one commentator puts it [5], the moderates are only to be found in fancy suits in Western hotel lobbies. The four or five moderates armed by the United States at a cost of $500 million are all that existed as a military force on the ground in Syria. What a fiasco. US armed moderates are long gone, either ran away or gone over to Al-Qaeda. If you want to ask why Assad is still the president of Syria, says the above mentioned commentator, the answer is not simply Russia or Iran, but the fact that his army remains resilient and pluralistic, representing a Syria in which religion alone does not determine who rises to the top. Can you imagine anything more despicable than the Wests role in Syria and elsewhere in the Middle East? Now we have Munich 2016 where the West is again on the wrong side. Of course, a ceasefire would save the Jihadists from defeat, allow them to resupply and refit from Turkey, Jordan, and apartheid Israel, and enable them to fight another day. The US is still talking about an interim government without Assad. So are Saudi Arabia and Turkey. Humanitarian aid would eventually be delivered not by airdrops but by US and other western military forces on the ground, allied with moderate Al-Qaeda derivatives, which would then attack the lawful government in Damascus. It is reported that Britain is sending 1600 troops to Jordan to train for action against Russia. Who are they kidding? And to be sure its just a coincidence that the MSM is talking up humanitarian aid to the Syrian people in need thanks to western military aggression against them. Kerrys proposal for a ceasefire has nothing to do with humanitarian aid and everything to do with giving new life to the Jihadist proxy war against Syria. It has everything to do too with saving face. Can you imagine the humiliation in Washington, and the US cartoonists field day with the Nobel Peace Prize winner Obama, portrayed as a cowardly pipsqueak who cannot stand up to Russia? Kerrys ceasefire proposal is a formula for permanent war in Syria and the Middle East. During a ceasefire, will Turkey stop supplying ISIS and Al-Qaeda across its borders? Will Saudi Arabia and Qatar stop funding Salafi Jihadist forces in Syria? Of course, they will not. And what about Iraq? Who will stop ISIS in Iraq from strengthening itself and gaining strength from ISIS and Al-Qaeda in Syria? One American dissident group says the Munich ceasefire is not worth the paper its written on, incidentally, the same metaphor used for the Munich accords in 1938. Lavrov insists that there will be no ceasefire against ISIS and the al-Nusra Front. Thats all to the good. But what about the other Jihadist groups, backed by the US and its vassals? Minister Lavrov undoubtedly knows that Kerry is trying to finesse Russia into stopping its support of the Syrian Arab Army, so that the US can snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. Time will tell whether Kerry succeeds or not. Will Russia sell out its friends to buy off its enemies, as the West did at Munich in 1938? Not this time. Once burnt, twice shy. I hope that Lavrov will be not be fooled again by his double-dealing, Russophobic western partners. Peter Fischli David Weiss: How to Work Better at the Guggenheim. Photo: David Heald/Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation, New York When I first heard that the Guggenheim was doing a big show of my favorite collaborative artistic duo ever, Peter Fischli and David Weiss, I fretted that it might be too late for a retrospective of these artists who came to prominence and have been beloved by the art world for more than 40 years. Since the 1970s, this Swiss duo crossed the unusual materials and processes of post-minimalism with a squirrelly spirit of inquiry via fanciful metaphysical experiments and arrived at their own astylistic blend of sculpture, photography, and video. They were spanners in the works of art philosophical phenomenologists in pursuit of what they called the pleasure of misuse. (Too bad we dont use the word pleasure much anymore when talking about art.) I feared the proceedings would turn sad, with Weiss recently deceased; that the work might come off as one long, wacky what we did on our summer vacation romp, or it would just seem like another slick show of male artists. I was way wrong. The tipping incline of the Guggenheim ramp turns out to be the perfect place to highlight the divine instability of the great art of these masters of recalibration, imbalance, trial and error, eclecticism, doubt, looking for success in failure, asking unexpected questions, and of arriving at waggish answers like Illuminati alchemists of modern life. This deep content resonates wonderfully in the Guggenheims majestic exhibition. The timing of the show, called How to Work Better, is more auspicious still. In this strange moment when so many young artists, strapped with debt, seem spooked by art-school strictures and whats permissible, many have become ultra-self-conscious, almost crippled over how they brand, commodify, and present themselves. The way Fischli and Weiss let art unspool, following process and materials to logical and illogical ends, never bothering to make sense or have elaborate external backstories, could set a lot of artists free. Still from The Way Things Go by Fischli/Weiss Photo: Peter Fischli and David Weiss/Courtesy of Solomon R. Guggenheim Start with the 30-minute The Way Things Go. Not only is it the best art video Ive ever seen (this from someone whos watched Matthew Barneys Cremaster 4 and Pipilotti Rists Sip My Ocean over 75 times), it could have won the Best Picture Oscar in 1987. (The year of the okay Platoon.) A masterpiece of unnamed genre, its located in the proto-cosmic space between Hitchcockian suspense (e.g., the chain reaction in The Birds when a man at a service station is knocked over by birds and spills gasoline, which flows across the street to someone lighting a cigarette, who throws his match to the ground, which leads back to the gas station exploding), Marx Brothers comicality, ingenious Rube Goldbergness, slapstick, silent films, popular science, and situation comedy, as well as the set-up theatricality, weird pacing, and bizarre poses of porn. The Way Things Go was shot in what looks like some cold-water Zurich garage. A camera follows apparently without interruption one long Godard Weekend-like shot. In fact, the film took almost a year to produce. The stars of this film are cruddy, 30-gallon black Hefty bags, plastic water bottles, candles, foam, buckets, balloons, fire, and tires toppling over. Behold a ladder or chair tipping over, and maybe bumping a plank or a tabletop, which falls onto tires that roll down and bump into one another until one strikes a match that lights a fuse that makes a rocket-car on a roller skate zoom into some other sequence of absurdity. No part of the film is any more or less important than any other part, and the entropic work as a whole perfectly encapsulates what Robert Smithson said about his own 1970 masterpiece, Spiral Jetty: A great pleasure arose from seeing all those incoherent structures evidence of a succession of manmade systems mired in abandoned hopes. The Way Things Go is all about systems forming and breaking down, inertia and structure, perpetual motion, decay, growth, and the Swiss obsession with time. Most of all, its about how order comes from chaos and chaos from order, and how this harnessed right creates art. Its an extended rendition of Lynda Bengliss famous 1970s paint spills on the ground, and embodies what Brian Eno meant when he wrote, Abandon normal instructions; Repetition is a form of change; Emphasize the flaws. Better than any other video I can think of, in a very vivid way, The Way Things Go shows how beauty is that which works, and how, in all its nobility, humility, and believability, beauty produces pleasure and knowledge. Fischli and Weiss have said that by removing function objects are no longer enslaved by it this opens a space in which to do something else. The animated undeadness I see makes me believe that objects might possess psychoactive possibilities like mushrooms. To see how artists get this far out into alchemical space, peruse the early photographs of sausages and salami, called things like Carpet Shop. Or serious-looking, Constructivist-like still lives: cheese graters, wine bottles, silverware, and whatnot in odd arrangements. Soon your eye gleans that the picture is a lie, that what youre seeing is the precarious instant before the arrangement collapses. Fischli and Weiss love deflating highfalutin doctrine. It cant be a coincidence that the doctrine they begin with is the most Swiss one of all: Dada. Elsewhere, theres a home movie of the artists dressed in rat and panda costumes and walking like Abbot and Costello through Los Angeles, or in the mountains while pontificating on grand philosophies. Dogma fizzles as these modern Flaubert know-it-alls, Bouvard and Pecuchet, living versions of Tweedledum and Tweedledee, try to order the world around them. Fischli and Weiss met in the mid-1970s in Zurich, amid the citys bourgeoning punk-rock scene. Its DIY pieced-togetherness, parody, and being on the edge of chaos connects well to punk. By the end of the 1970s, art had gotten so insular and about itself, and at the same time so pluralistic, that whatever was being made seemed destined only for small audiences of like-minded cognoscenti. Moreover, New York was the epicenter of everything; Europe was wrongly seen as backward by comparison. What were two Swiss misters to do? They began by overturning the authority of authorship itself, preferring instead to embrace the spirit of collaboration and the camaraderie of working together. Plus, two straight men bonding for life keeps their work ticklish. Anyway, its just this unstable underground mixture that coalesced into their own incredibly influential, wide-ranging, openhearted aesthetic, one that eschews high-minded connoisseurship and heavy doctrine for experience, immediacy, and a fearlessness about asking profound questions in seemingly silly ways, and elevating the seemingly silly to wonderful heights. As Fischli remarked, they want to simultaneously ask, What is the diameter of the Earth? and Why is the earth not a cube? At the Guggenheim, all this flashes with insight and originality. At the Guggenheim, you can grasp just how deep this team really is. The epic Suddenly This Overview began in 1981, and it consists of over 175 small, unfired clunky clay sculptures. At the time, according to the artists, working with clay was taboo, regulated to handicraft, domestic creativity. This is similar to the ways that Kara Walker turned in the 1990s to the outre form of cutout paper silhouette. Here are scores of cute, cartoonlike, tabletop-size sculptures. (Think Far Side comics in clay.) In one work, a couple in bed is titled Mr. and Mrs. Einstein Shortly After the Conception of Their Son, the Genius Albert. A slab with a reptilianlike bump rising out of it is titled The First Fish Decides to Go Ashore. An animal in a mountain pass is titled Fox, Following His Instincts. Suddenly, youre seeing all these moments of wonder, the world unfolding. I see the movement of imaginative magma, all this trancelike magic, wit, fairy illusion, glee, and philosophical substrata. I feel myself crack a smile of reason and delight. After this mad re-creation of the history of time, and following the choreography of entropy of The Way Things Go, Fischli/Weiss set out on another impossible project, one that took them out of the studio, at last, into the world. Once again, they followed Sol LeWitts credo that Irrational thoughts should be followed absolutely and logically, or, as John Baldessari put it talking about Chris Burden, Doing and redoing an absurd idea. Amen, unorthodox artists. Starting in the late 1980s, they set out to map the planet in images; thousands of simple color pictures of outdoor places, known, unknown, banal, spectacular, monuments, airports, sunsets, palm trees, pyramids, the Taj Mahal, suburban sprawl. About Visible World, they said, We have a desire to attempt the encyclopedic a longing to grasp the world and at the same time to run it aground. An eight-hour three-channel silent video consists of all these images slowly blending into one another. In this work, they anticipate our modern, awash-in-images world, foreseeing the titanic shift in the photographic image itself, from carefully composed thing to pictures shot from the hip or pieced together, unconcerned with meticulous formal characteristics, immaterial, existing visually and digitally more than in the material world. I see this mesmerizing work as an animated electronic version of Rothkos bewitching Buddhist TVs. Further up the ramp are all the piles of what looks like wood, pedestals, tables, tape, milk cartons, bowls, and paint cans. Basically, it looks like the show is mid-installation. Which is exactly what I thought the afternoon of March 19, 1994, when I walked into the Sonnabend Gallery to see the new Fischli/Weiss show. I looked in, saw all this stuff scattered about, assumed the gallery wasnt done with the show, got huffy, and left. It turns out every object is a perfectly fabricated painted polyurethane replica. Saying they wanted to work as normal as possible straightforward, they invented normcore. As Fischli put it, people thought there was no show to visit that the objects belonged to real life, so they werent interested in them. Many refer to Fischli/Weisss art as based in the readymade. The artists protest their art is the complete opposite of the readymade we have to make them ready! That theyve gone to such lengths to falsify things so worthless and everyday, invested all this labor into making insubstantial and unimportant things as perfectly as they can be made by hand, creates a confusion in the mind, a flooding of information whereby the eye pours over this stuff looking for glitches or mistakes, until the space between the readymade and the deeply made collapses into a beautiful black hole of sculptural meaning. This is where their work really opens a space between found objects, installation, and conceptualism. This cleavage has changed almost all such work that has followed, infusing art with an informal, investigative eccentricity. And for all the irony, wit, humor, and cunning in their art, it all radiates earnestness, sincerity, and a deeply human doggedness and warmth. And so it goes all the way to the final gallery with The Raft, another trompe loeil bunch of crates, barrels, chairs, shoes, cooking utensils, a suckling pig, and more, all surrounded by heads of hippopotamuses and alligators. Maybe its about that age-old question: What would you take to a desert island? Perhaps the answer is in the animals, the way that 90 percent of everything we see is hidden below the surface of perception. Whatever; revel in this show, and know it should always be a Fischli/Weiss moment. *This article appears in the February 22, 2016 issue of New York Magazine. Lady Gaga. Photo: Kevin Winter/WireImage Well, this was not the year the Grammys finally felt brisk. The problem with letting an awards show run past the 210-minute mark is that even when you have a good number of impressive performances, they still feel too few and far between. Kendrick turned in an instant classic (again). Hamilton proved to be the fan favorite everyone expected. Alabama Shakes provided an unnecessary reminder of why they were taking home three Grammys. And the tributes to David Bowie, to B.B. King, to Lionel Richie were powerful and entertaining. (Er, sorry, Lemmy.) But despite those incredible moments, it was yet another interminable Grammys broadcast that left you feeling like you just broke even on the night. Below are the highs and lows that contributed to that zero-sum sensation. Get better, Grammys. HIGHS Kendrick Lamars racially charged performance What do the two years Kendrick Lamar was robbed of Album of the Year at the Grammys now have in common? Kendrick still won each night. In five years, Taylors shade-filled speech will be a distant memory, but the image of Kendrick in chains, glowing in the dark, and practically set on fire will live forever and so will the memory of Trayvon Martin, whom Kendrick says he died with on February 26, just like the rest of civilization as we thought we knew it. Everything Hamilton For most of us plebes, this was the first chance we got to see Hamilton performed onstage, via a live satellite feed from the Richard Rodgers Theatre in New York. Capital G genius Lin-Manuel Miranda was also fully prepared for the moment when Hamilton would win Best Theater Album, as he rapped his acceptance speech, thanking the cast and crew, the Roots, and his family. #Gram4Ham. Feeling it. Photo: ROBYN BECK/Getty Images Stevie Wonder talking about accessibility It was a simple gesture to have the winners envelope for Song of the Year written in braille. It was practical, for one, because it allowed Stevie Wonder to read the winner, which gave him the opportunity to delight in the fact that he could read the paper and the audience couldnt. I just want to say before saying the winner, Wonder said, that we need to make every single thing accessible to every single person with a disability. It wasnt an obvious political moment, but an important one nonetheless. Everything Alabama Shakes The Grammys tend to be a murky wasteland for fans of what you might call rock and roll, or indie rock, or punk rock, or any kind of rock music that postdates Creed. But this year Alabama Shakes, a legitimately great rock-and-roll band, took home three Grammys and laid down a blistering, exultant performance, giving relevance to an awards show that so often seems unaware of the music world at large. Led by indomitable front woman Brittany Howard, Alabama Shakes reminded an audience of pop artists why rock and roll remains a vital and exciting genre and why capes need to make a comeback. Lady Gagas David Bowie tribute There arent many pop stars or human beings, or even, presumably, extraterrestrials who would be able to properly pay tribute to the wild genius of David Bowie. Lady Gaga, fortunately, is one of them. She was born for this moment, flaming orange hair and all. Gaga rocketed through Bowies oeuvre, from Space Oddity to Suffragette City to Fashion, before capping it all off with Heroes, and across the board, she did the starman proud. Lionel Richies face The Grammys Lionel Richie tribute performance had a bewildering mix of people (your new favorite supergroup: John Legend, Demi Lovato, Luke Bryan, Meghan Trainor, and Tyrese), but Lionel Richie was feeling it. His face spoke volumes, especially when Tyrese just kept going on that stage. Bless his heart. B.B. Kings tribute This years Grammys were all about loss (and in Lionel Richies case, celebrating a life still being well lived), but not every performance had to feel six feet under (hi, Hollywood Vampires). Chris Stapleton, Gary Clark Jr., and the legendary Bonnie Raitt who sauntered onstage, guitar in hand, just when you thought she wouldnt proved together, on a deliciously soulful The Thrill Is Gone cover, that you can mourn an icon and still do right by their spirit. T-Swifts not-so-secret handshake This thing starts out fine, like everyone knows what theyre doing, and then, all of a sudden, it takes a slight turn for the worse. Who needs to explode that big? A Grammy winner? Okay, fine, but the reaction is still kind of like, Oh shit, that explosion was way too big, lets just hug. Quick. Its an emotional roller-coaster of a handshake, but thanks to that hug, the interaction ends on a high note, somehow playing out as goofy, self-aware, and endearing all at the same time. Aww. LOWS T-Swifts not-so-entertaining opening performance Taylor Swift kicked off the ceremonies with a wobbly, pitchy performance of Out of the Woods that was plagued by bad sound and omitted what was arguably the best verse of the song. More to the point, it was an oddly downbeat way to begin a three-and-a-half-hour show. At least Taylor had the good sense to end the Grammys on a memorable note. Rihanna canceling her appearance Rihannas whole I serve vocals reinvention started roughly around last years Grammys, when she performed FourFiveSeconds, so it wouldve been nice to see that transformation come full circle post-Anti. But now that shes playing in the Adele leagues, she has to roll with all those vocalist-specific punches including, evidently, not singing on live TV when you have bronchitis. Sadly, the live debut of Kiss It Better will likely have to wait until shes on tour, when shell hopefully have figured out this whole taking-care-of-her-vocal-cords thing. Hollywood Vampires There is something vampiric about the way classic rock i.e., classic-rock radio; i.e., rock and roll stripped of its context and depth and rendered in the most impotent and commercialized manner possible continues to hold this weird, brainwashy sway over certain elements of the culture. There is also something vampiric about Johnny Depp, who seems to be responding to his increasingly overwrought film roles by becoming a dad-rock ouroboros, a bandana neckerchief swallowing its own tail. But the combination of these two things, which the Grammys insisted we call the Hollywood Vampires complete with Joe Perry of Aerosmith and Alice Cooper, both costumed as themselves was less Dracula or Nosferatu than Count Chocula. I dont begrudge Depp or Cooper or any of these other dudes the freedom to perform the music they like in the clothes their assistants buy for them on Melrose Avenue, but next to the sociopolitical virtuosity of Kendrick Lamar and the newness of Hamilton, Hollywood Vampires just served as a reminder of why so many people see rock and roll as secondary. The Grammys PSA Moment, Or: Common, Cents Whats the one thing viewers want from an awards show that already feels like its never going to end? Other than the willpower to change the channel? A lecture, of course. Recording Academy president Neil Portnow was once again happy to oblige, using his mid-show soapbox moment to discuss the financial injustices of the modern streaming model. When you stream a song, all the people that created that music receive a fraction of a penny, he explained, standing next to an uncomfortable-seeming Common onstage. Isnt a song worth more than a penny? The sentiment is valid, but also laughably idealistic (and, again, poorly timed). Its market forces that will change consumer behavior, not a stern talking-to from the Grammys stage. Unless that talking-to comes from Adele, Empress of Culture, who already has full authority to take our money at will. Lauryn Hill missing her duet with the Weeknd Lauryn Hills late-in-life career has been talked about more for how long it takes her to get to the stage than what actually happens when she gets there. Tonight, she never it made it that far, instead skipping out on what was supposed to be a surprise duet with the Weeknd on In the Night. It wouldve been incredible to hear Lauryns interpretation of that Michael Jackson homage anything wouldve been better than Abels stuttering falsetto but well have to wait and hope another opportunity presents itself and that by the time it does, shes purchased a wristwatch. (Or just checked her phone.) Adeles sound issues If Adeles going to deign to perform on your measly stage, you had better get it right. And boy, did the Grammys ever not get it right. What shouldve been a triumphant performance of All I Ask turned into cacophony that threw off Adeles whole vibe (and key). Its by far Adeles worst TV performance, all thanks to piano mics [that] fell on to the piano strings. But, hey, like Adele tweeted, shit happens. And at least she got In-N-Out afterward, which is really a win for us all. The piano mics fell on to the piano strings, that's what the guitar sound was. It made it sound out of tune. Shit happens. X Adele (@Adele) February 16, 2016 Because of it though... I'm treating myself to an in n out. So maybe it was worth it. Adele (@Adele) February 16, 2016 Ending the show with Pitbull, Robin Thicke, and Sofia Vergara dressed as a car (plus Travis Barker, dont forget Travis Barker) Its as if the producers wrote each of the nights performances on small slips of paper, put them in LL Cool Js hat, and then drew them at random to determine the order in which theyd appear during the show. Its the only explanation for having two of the evenings most unforgettable moments the cast of Hamilton doing Alexander Hamilton, and Kendrick doing Kendrick appear back to back around the halfway point, and then wrapping up the night with a performance so clumsy and uninspired that it was remarkable only because Vergara, a person who definitely does not need to appear onstage dressed as a taxi, appeared onstage dressed as a taxi. Also, Robin Thicke was there. That was how the Grammys bid us adieu. To them, we say: The rebel, Wilson. Photo: Theo Wargo/Getty Images Rebel Wilson was on deck at the BAFTAs, where she presented the award for Best Supporting Actor (it went to Mark Rylance for Bridge of Spies), and she started things off light and easy, with some jokes about how white the Oscars are. I have never been invited to the Oscars because, as you know, they are racists, said Wilson. But the BAFTAs have diverse members, and thats what we all want to see in life. Diverse members. Jokes about racist Americans are something everyone can get behind! So it wasnt the #OscarsSoWhite joke that raised eyebrows, but the following one: One day I hope to return here to win a BAFTA myself. I have already been practicing my transgender face. Then she smized into the camera to laughter from the audience. On social media, many called Wilson out for the joke. how coincidental @RebelWilson, i've been practicing my cisgender face so i don't get harassed & assaulted in public! https://t.co/Gmk9NKzex1 Tyler Ford (@tywrent) February 14, 2016 Tell me again what sorta "feminist" Rebel Wilson is...I double dog dare you. https://t.co/DO8DJL0zwy Z Nicolazzo, Ph.D. (@trans_killjoy) February 14, 2016 The joke itself, however, is open-ended enough to allow other interpretations, meaning you could read it as Wilson making fun of Hollywood rather than trans people. It is often the case that Hollywood tells the stories of trans and queer people by centering straight people in both the narratives and their productions. Its become an awards truism that when cis actors play trans people, they tend to receive plaudits from various awards bodies. (See: Jared Leto in Dallas Buyers Club, Eddie Redmayne in The Danish Girl, Jeffrey Tambor in Transparent.) But perhaps thats a generous interpretation. After all, Rebel Wilson now has a history of making callous, tone-deaf jokes in the name of edginess at awards shows. At last years VMAs, she introduced the nominees for Best Hip-Hop Video by showing up as a policewoman and saying, A lot of people have problems with the police. But I really hate police strippers. Then she tore off her costume to reveal a T-shirt that read, Fuck Tha Police Strippers. She finished off her bit by saying, I hate this injustice, hence the shirt. Rebel Wilson: Offensive, or just white? The cast of Hamilton perform onstage during Hamiltons performance for the 58th Grammy Awards at the Richard Rodgers Theatre on February 15, 2016 in New York City. Photo: Theo Wargo/WireImage The whole point of a play is that its not on TV, says Daveed Diggs, who plays both Thomas Jefferson and Marquis de Lafayette in Hamilton. Its live, and its really hard to create that and have it feel that way. Yesterday, though, it had to be: At about 9:30 p.m., the Grammy Awards telecast cut from L.A. to the Richard Rodgers Theatre, and the cast leapt into a performance of the shows opening number, Alexander Hamilton, as the cameras swooped and bobbed among them. I spent the afternoon on Monday watching as the cast and crew of Hamilton rehearsed to do just that blocking, staging, framing, and preparing to introduce their smash hit to 25.3 million viewers. The Grammys dont often feature a musical act thats not live onstage. (The last time in memory that this happened was when Amy Winehouse couldnt secure a work visa in 2008 and appeared via satellite from London.) Before this, the Hamilton cast had never performed a number on television, period, says producer Jeffrey Seller. We made an early decision that we would not be able to do justice to our production by taking it out of this theater. So when the Grammys originally expressed interest in our performance, we politely declined. We said, We cant get to L.A., we just wont look good on your stage, and we wont be good enough. It was the genius of the Grammys and producer Ken Ehrlich, who said, What if we come to you? That was an idea we couldnt help but be enthusiastic about: a number on TV, but in our own theater. The best Presidents Day gift ever! Musical director Alex Lacamoire was so sure a performance wouldnt happen that he had already purchased his plane ticket to Los Angeles. Next came the decision of which song to perform. Lacamoire says that The Schuyler Sisters was a strong contender because its fun and girl-centric, but that the Grammys producers requested the shows opener, Alexander Hamilton, instead. The Hamilton team was onboard: We dont believe in medleys, Seller says. We believe in giving people a substantive chunk. Given that this is our first television appearance, it made so much sense to introduce America to our show with the beginning of our show. And of course theres that lovely rhyme, in that this was the first number Lin[-Manuel Miranda] performed from Hamilton, at the White House. There were relatively few modifications required to make the performance work for the television broadcast; Mondays all-day rehearsal was really for working out how seven cameras would zoom around and among the cast, capturing the action as Seller put it, This is a graduate course in camera choreography. The actual choreographer, Andy Blankenbuehler, had one of the harder jobs, though: What I do for a living is make the frame happen make the audience look specific places, he says. And so with the camera doing that for me, what Tommy and I are doing is looking at frames and saying, That could have a bigger visual impact. Then we decide on the frame size, I push and pull spacing just so that you can still see other people. (Hamiltons director, Thomas Kail, recently managed a vastly larger version of this task for Grease: Live, on Fox.) The complex staging of that opening number in which Hamilton makes his way from his Caribbean hometown to New York to reinvent himself wasnt coming through the tighter view of the camera at first. The ensembles dance steps are supposed to signify the workers on the dock rigging the ship, tying the ship down, he explains. The original camera shot of it was skipping past their steps and only showing Burr on the staircase, so it was losing the imagery of the shipyard. So we rejiggered it so that the camera shoots through the dance step, and the action informs the location. During the four-hour-plus rehearsal, the cast bounced around, clearly enjoying each other. Miranda teased Renee Elise Goldberry (who plays Angelica Schuyler); Phillipa Soo (Eliza Hamilton) and Jasmine Cephas Jones (Maria Reynolds, Peggy Schuyler) twirled each other and danced; and Diggs and Anthony Ramos (John Laurens, Philip Hamilton) told jokes. Someone it sounded like Kail had to bellow, Please keep quiet onstage. Overall, no one appeared especially nervous. Weve worked all today and yesterday, so its not like theres really been time to think about it, Diggs says. They made my entrance a couple of seconds earlier, and I had to move six inches over in one spot. Pretty minor stuff for me But Im so glad that there will be an audience, so we get to feel like its live. I think that will help with everything. At 7:30 p.m., audience members mostly friends of the production whod trudged through the snow began settling into their seats. Stephen Colbert, here to introduce the performance on the air, rehearsed his bit, and then entertained the audience with show tunes and banter (a riff on how you always must say the word Broadway with great enthusiasm). Everyone cheered as Miranda popped out of the wings, and the cast did a dry run around 8:15. An hour or so later, the cue from Los Angeles came. The four-minute performance went off without a glitch and was met with a standing ovation. And some cheering before the end: At Mirandas entrance, the cheers were so loud that they stepped on his initial My name is Alexander Hamilton lyric. But of course there was an award still to be given out. A little before 10, audio of Kendrick Lamar piped into the theater not the ideal way to enjoy his great performance as anticipation built for the announcement of Best Musical Theater Album. When the name Hamilton was read out, Miranda & Co. rushed from backstage, faced the camera, accepted the trophy from Colbert, and rapped his acceptance speech as Ramos held up a Puerto Rican flag. Afterwards, Miranda stood at center stage, shouting, Take your pictures! What the crowd wanted, though, was more Hamilton, and people screamed, Song! in lieu of Speech! (Sadly, he did not oblige.) Even though their win wasnt exactly a surprise, the cast members were clearly emotional as they embraced. The way a play works is that you do something that only a few people, in the grand scheme of things, can come see, Diggs says. And the rest of the world doesnt care at all. Thats what happens with plays, for the most part. And Hamilton is a different thing. Its in the Zeitgeist, and now a lot of people care. I think thats so great for those of us who love to do theater. Michael Shriver said he knew there were problems at Robinson Elementary School when his 6-year-old daughter came home with scratches and welts on her arms. My wife questioned (our daughter) and she said this little girl was hitting her with a stick on the playground. When she told the teacher, the teacher told her to go play, Shriver said. The Shrivers are one of multiple families in the Robinson Independent School District unsatisfied with the administrations response to physical and verbal altercations among students. The Shrivers transferred their daughter to a new school district during the recent semester break. Robinson parents came to the board of trustees meeting Monday to demand a better response from the administration. Scott Butler, a Robinson parent of a seventh-grade boy, said the teachers and administrators need to be more aware of whats occurring between students. Butler said his son would never tell an adult if he was being bullied due to peer pressure, and its the teachers job to be aware if its occurring. Butler also said the administration needs to change the consequences for bullying. Butlers son was punched in the mouth a few weeks ago, but the aggressive student received the same punishment that students receive for forgetting homework: in-school suspension and lunch detention. The consequences have to represent the crime, Butler said. In an interview before the meeting, Sara Laughlin, Robinson Intermediate School principal, said the district identifies bullying as a persistent behavior from one student that is harmful to another student. The motive of the aggressive student can play a factor, but it doesnt always, according to Laughlin. When there is a complaint about bullying, administrators and counselors meet with the students to investigate the complaints. The districts student code of conduct prohibits bullying, and students can receive a range of disciplinary action, including being removed from class by a teacher to out-of-school suspension. But, Laughlin said, few legitimate bullying complaints surface during the year. The Tribune-Herald was unable to contact the elementary school principal. Shriver said the reason why more bullying incidents arent logged is because the administration doesnt take them seriously. They kept saying it was accidents or that it was a misunderstanding, Shriver said. Shrivers daughter began experiencing unwanted attention from another student at the beginning of October. On the playground during recess, along with hitting Shrivers daughter with a stick, the girl hit her with a shoe and told the other students not to play with her, Shriver said. In a letter responding to Shrivers concerns, a campus administrator explained how school officials met with both students together and then separately to address the problem. After listening to both girls, we concluded that the other student is experiencing some jealousy when (your daughter) would play with other girls in the class. We spoke with the other student and talked about appropriate play and how to best be a good friend, the letter states. But, Shriver said, the abuse didnt stop. The child continued to hit and punch at his daughter with little intervention from the school. My daughter loves school, and she got to the point where she would cry because she had to go to school, Shriver said. Robinson Superintendent Michael Hope responded to the comments during the meeting, saying he and his principals take bullying accusations seriously and urged parents to be sure to report any problems to the campus or the bus drivers. If theres any type of allegation, it will be investigated, he said. We want to make sure that all of our kids are safe. Hewitt residents soon will be able to choose how the wastewater portion of their monthly utility bills is calculated. Hewitt City Council on Monday approved a new Consumer Choice Wastewater Rate Program in response to residents concerns about rates. The new system only is available for detached, single-family residential customers and becomes available March 1. The council adopted an ordinance outlining guidelines for the program. By default, all customers will remain on the current flat wastewater rate structure. One of the two new options is the winter average billing method, which takes the residents average water consumption from November through February as a basis for a year-round fee. If homeowners have not lived in their current home during the past winter months, they will have to wait for the next winter month cycle for an average. Residents cannot use a winter average from a previous home. The other option is a flat rate, which allows customers to elect to pay a predetermined rate for sewer service throughout the year. The winter average monthly wastewater rate starts at a $18 base fee, plus $2.80 per 1,000 gallons. The plan does not include a minimum or maximum gallon amount. The flat rate for wastewater is $36.50 per month. Customers can elect to change between the two plans after March 1. But council member Ronnie McNiel said the new plan includes an early termination fee to get off a chosen plan before 12 months are up. After 12 months, a resident can choose a new method. City Manager Adam Miles said city staff will not offer recommendations to customers on which plan to choose. You get to pick whats best for you and your family, Miles said. Council member Wilbert Wachtendorf asked city staff if they planned to notify residents about the change. Miles said the city plans to send out notices with the information, as well as post the information to social media accounts. Also at Mondays meeting, the city council approved a bid of more than $397,000 for Warren Park improvements. Three bids were submitted and evaluated before council members chose H&B Contractors. According to Miles, most of the work, which will take three to four months to complete, involves extending electricity, primarily for the new amphitheater. Improvements also include additional parking and stations to allow up to four food trucks to set up with access to water and electricity. The food truck addition will be a new feature at the park, which city leaders hope will be used during the summer months with multiple events, movie nights, bands and festivals already scheduled. The Friends of the Hewitt Public Library at the meeting also presented a $13,000 donation check to purchase shelves at the new library, set to open April 14. The library is moving from its current structure on Zuni Drive to a larger facility on Patriot Court. The joint library and city hall will cost $4.5 million and be paid for with certificates of obligation. The library Monday also received the 2015 Achievement of Library Excellence Award from the Texas Municipal Library Directors Association. The library had to demonstrate excellence in 10 categories and was one of 41 out of 556 public library systems in the state to receive the award. Baylor Universitys Louise Herrington School of Nursing in Dallas received a $652,800 grant to fund a four-story medical facility in India. The grant goes toward the Simulation Education and Research Centre for Nursing Excellence in Bengaluru. The building will house up to 48 nurses at Bangalore Baptist Hospital, and students and staff will be trained there in simulation and nursing education. All of us at Bangalore Baptist Hospital would like to say thank you to the faculty and students of the Baylor University Louise Herrington School of Nursing and to USAID for partnering with us, Naveen Thomas, CEO of Bangalore Baptist Hospital, said in a statement. The simulation center will go a long way in strengthening our ability to impart quality education and to train students and staff to care for patients. The United States Agency for International Developments Office of American Schools and Hospitals Abroad awarded the grant. Baylor Scott and White Healths Faith in Action Initiatives donated medical supplies for the new building, including carts, stretchers, IV poles and furniture. Here in Baylor Scott and White Health, we in Faith in Action Initiatives are honored and humbled to have the chance to assist our friends at the Bangalore Baptist Hospital, Donald E. Sewell, director of Faith in Action Initiatives, said in a statement. We also collaborate with the School of Nursing of Baylor University in order to make a small impact at Bangalore. These efforts help us to carry out the spirit and intent of BSWHs Christian ministry of healing, Sewell said. Six Baylor representatives attended the buildings groundbreaking ceremony last month. CHARLESTON, S.C. George W. Bush never mentioned Donald Trump. But with his folksy touch, the former president unleashed a tough takedown Monday of the billionaire businessman who has upended a Republican Party his family has long led. "I understand Americans are angry and frustrated," Bush said during his first campaign rally for his brother, Jeb Bush. "But we do not need somebody in the Oval Office who mirrors and inflames our anger and frustration." Trump's rise has confounded the Bush family and its allies. But despite months of predicting the brash billionaire would fade, it's Jeb Bush whose White House hopes are in peril, particularly if he's unable to pull out a strong showing in Saturday's South Carolina primary. The former president emerged from his self-imposed political hibernation to try to give Bush a boost. He layered each validation of his younger brother with an implicit critique of Trump. He urged voters to back a candidate who will be "measured and thoughtful" on the world stage. A candidate whose "humility" helps him understand what he doesn't know. A candidate who can win in November's general election. "All the sloganeering and all the talk doesn't matter if we don't win," Bush said. "We need somebody who can take a positive message across the country." With his brother as a strong warmup act, Jeb Bush delivered an impassioned version of his campaign speech, touting his experience as Florida governor and vowing he could put Republicans back in the White House for the first time in eight years. "I can beat Hillary Clinton," he said of the Democratic front-runner. "I can promise you that." The former president's return to presidential politics has been met with blistering attacks from Trump about the unpopular Iraq war and the economic recession that began at the end of his administration. Trump has also repeatedly reminded voters that the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks happened on Bush's watch. "If the ex-president is campaigning for his brother, I think he's probably open to great scrutiny, maybe things that haven't been thought of in the past," Trump told reporters Monday. Rather than gloss over 9/11, Bush leaned in. As the crowd fell into a hushed silence, he recounted in detail his whereabouts on the morning of the attacks and praised the troops that served in the two wars he started in response. "Your most solemn job as voters is to elect a president who understands the reality of the threats we face," he said. As he praised South Carolina's Republican Gov. Nikki Haley, the daughter of Indian-born parents, Bush pointedly said: "Thank goodness our country welcomed her parents when they immigrated here in 1969." It was a reminder of how much the Republican Party has changed since he was president. While Bush championed failed legislation that would have provided a pathway to citizenship for millions of people in the U.S. illegally, many current GOP presidential candidates have fought to outdo each other with tough enforcement policies and even mass deportations. Jeb Bush spent months trying to figure out what role, if any, his brother might play in his campaign. The 43rd president left office deeply unpopular with a nation fatigued by the Iraq War and angry over his botched response to Hurricane Katrina. He's also a reminder to voters eager to break with the political establishment that Jeb Bush would be the third man from his family to serve as president. But South Carolina is a state that has long been friendly to the Bush family. Presidents George W. Bush and George H.W. Bush each won two Republican primaries in the state, and their family retains deep social and political ties here. Pete and Tisha Petersen were among the Bush family fans who attended Monday's rally. Neither is sure who they'll vote for in Saturday's primary, and both said the former president's return to the campaign trail has indeed rekindled memories of the Iraq war and the economic recession. But Tisha Petersen said that, "for people who love the Bush family, I think it's not such a bad thing either. It shows loyalty." And her husband said that with Jeb Bush struggling to get traction, he may not have had any other choice but to campaign with his brother. "Jeb doesn't quite have that edge that his brother had," he said. "Maybe his brother will give him a little bit of that." George W. Bush has kept a low profile since leaving the White House in early 2009. He retreated to his home state of Texas, where he picked up painting and delved into work on his presidential library, public health projects in Africa, and events for wounded military service members. The former president is the latest member of the prominent political family to hit the campaign trail to help prop up Bush. Family matriarch Barbara Bush had hit the campaign trail in New Hampshire, delighting voters with her outspoken style and tenacity, as the 90-year-old traipsed through snow to get to events. If death was to come for intellectually vibrant, colorful U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, 79, Texas Big Bend country was perhaps the most appropriate of locales. Anyone who has spent time in this rugged land knows the people who live there are conservative but in ways that are as consistent day in and day out as traditional tea-party conservatism is not. One can see this quality in Scalia opinions that, for instance, protected the rights of criminal defendants something that irked at least some conservatives. Scalias most famous opinion broadening Second Amendment rights to most citizens a decision championed by gun-rights advocates was accompanied by his sometimes overlooked caveat that government also has the right to limit or regulate those gun rights. Incidentally, the power to regulate gun ownership is not just encapsulated in Scalias District of Columbia v. Heller opinion but in Texas law. But Scalias reputation as the most influential American jurist of the past three decades rests on his firm belief in the U.S. Constitution. He vehemently stressed the importance of courts regularly consulting that founding document. He warned against drawing meanings from passages that the Framers clearly never intended. In fact, Scalias legacy may well be that he prompted more progressive jurists to rigorously justify their own subsequent opinions through bedrock constitutional principles. Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnells opening salvo before Scalias body was even cold that his successor should be picked by President Obamas own successor a year from now was crass, inappropriate and contrary to the very constitutional tenets Scalia spent his life championing. Article II, Section II of the Constitution says the president shall nominate judges to the Supreme Court. It says nothing about that power being abridged because a president is in his last full year in office. U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz said in Saturdays debate that tradition for 80 years has precluded a Supreme Court judge from being confirmed in the final year of a presidents time in office. But like so much Cruz says, this isnt true. A Supreme Court nominee put forward by no less than President Reagan was confirmed in 1988 the last full year of Reagans considerable eight years in office. To deny Obama the same consideration would demonstrate the hypocrisy of Republicans who pretend to respect the Constitution. That said, we would hope that the president recognizes the intense political divide that exists by selecting as his nominee a moderate acceptable to reasonable people in both parties such as D.C. Circuit Judge Sri Srinivasan, approved by the Senate unanimously in 2013 and labeled even by Sen. Cruz a longtime friend. To pick a liberal jurist at this perilous juncture in our history would only further inflame our badly polarized nation. We dont need that. PRESS RELEASE Aviation fans are being given the chance to climb on board a selection of historic aircraft and sit in the pilots seat during an Open Cockpits Evening event taking place at the Royal Air Force Museum Cosford. The event which runs on Friday 13 and Saturday 14 May will offer 300 visitors each evening the rare opportunity to step inside some of the worlds most iconic aircraft, including two research jets which have never been opened to visitors before.Visitors can experience what it feels like to sit inside a military aircraft thats seen action around the world and marvel at the advanced technologies on unique airframes. So whether its a fast jet to spark interest in the younger generation, or a nostalgic wartime aircraft that brings back memories with older visitors, with the mix of aircraft available there is something to please everyone. Confirmed aircraft include the never before opened English Electric P1A. This experimental aircraft was the basis for the RAFs front line fighter, the English Electric (later BAC) Lightning and was the first and only truly supersonic aircraft developed by Britain on her own. This radical and far sighted design was considered so novel there were concerns as to whether it could succeed. The museums example is the first of two prototypes built to test the 60 degree sweepback wing and the low position tail plane, a concept that was later confirmed. The P1A exceeded the speed of sound in level flight, achieving in excess of Mach 2.0 and went on to become the RAFs front line fighter, staying in service for nearly three decades. Also new to the event list is the Fairey Delta 2 (FD2), one of only two FD2S ever built. Devised in response to Britain trailing behind in supersonic aircraft design during the late 1940s, the Ministry of Supply issued a specification for a supersonic research aircraft. Fairey set about meeting this with a single-seat, delta-winged aircraft powered by a Rolls-Royce Avon engine with an afterburner and called it the FD2. To improve the pilots forward view during landing, taxiing and take-off, the aircraft had a unique feature whereby the cockpit and nose section could be hinged downwards by ten degrees. In March 1956 the FD2 broke the World Air Speed Record reaching speeds of 1132mph, breaking the record by 300mph set by an American F100 Super Sabre the year before. This May will be the first time Visitors at Cosford have been able to get on board both the P1A and the FD2 and organisers are confident they will be popular with aviation fans wanting a closer inspection. Visitors to Open Cockpits Evening can also view inside the cockpit of the British Aircraft Corporation TSR2 one of the most exciting and controversial British combat aircraft designs of the 1960s. Plus, the giant Short Brothers Belfast, a long-range, strategic RAF transport aircraft weighing over 56 tonnes when empty, will be opened up for visitors along with the Handley Page Hastings and the Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15bis to name but a few. RAF Museum Cosford Event Manager, Abi Betteridge said:Events like this make a visit to the museum extra special as its such a unique opportunity to have access inside military aircraft. To make sure visitors get the most out of the event, we have a fantastic team of Volunteers on hand to answer any questions they may have. We have also added two new aircraft to the list, along with some that havent been open for a number of years, so there is something new and exciting for our repeat visitors.Open Cockpits Evening is part of The Museums at Night cultural event, an annual international event where hundreds of museums, galleries, libraries, archives and heritage sites across Europe open their doors to the public for special after hours events. Visitors will have exclusive after-hours access to the museum which displays a collection of over 75 aircraft, military vehicles, engines and aviation artefacts within three wartime hangars and the National Cold War Exhibition. Tickets are now available to purchase through the museums website www.rafmuseum.org/cosford and cost 12.50 per person which includes parking. Minimum height restrictions of 1.07 metres will apply. The Museum will close at 5.00pm both days, however the Visitor Centre and Refuel Restaurant will remain open for visitors attending the evening event which commences at 6.00pm and finishes at 9.00pm. Tickets for a second Open Cockpits Evening taking place in September which will feature a different collection of aircraft to the May event are also on sale via the Museum website. Aircraft available for close viewing on 13-14 May (subject to change) include: Hawker Siddeley Dominie T.Mk.1 Scottish Aviation Jetstream T Mk1 Junkers Ju52/3M (CASA 352L) Vickers Varsity T Mk I de Havilland Chipmunk English Electric P1A British Aircraft Corporation TSR2 (view only) Bristol Type 188 Fairey FD2 Short Brothers Belfast Handley Page Hastings Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15bis Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG 21PF (view only) PRESS RELEASE The Commemorative Air Force (CAF) Red Tail Squadron, Americas tribute to the Tuskegee Airmen, today announced their RISE ABOVE Red Tail spring schedule of outreach events that will take them to several spots in the eastern U.S., before their tour heads across the country in the summer and fall. Their mission is to educate audiences everywhere about the history and legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen Americas first black military pilots and their support personnel and each event is a platform to share this inspirational message. Although the P-51C Mustang Tuskegee Airmen will most likely not be on tour the remainder of the year after an incident earlier in February, the CAF Red Tail Squadron, along with support from other CAF aircraft and Mustang operators, will maintain their full schedule of events with their RISE ABOVE Traveling Exhibit. This mobile panoramic movie theater features the original film Rise Above, an immersive experience that creates the feeling of being in the cockpit and soaring above the clouds in a P-51C. It is a visually compelling and exciting way to learn about the Tuskegee Airmens triumph over adversity. The spring 2016 event schedule includes: Dallas until February 17 CAF National Airbase Tallahassee, Fla. February 22-27 Tallahassee Airport Sarasota, Fla. March 2-6 Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport With the CAF AirPower History Tour Titusville, Fla. March 11-13 TICO Warbird Airshow Tampa, Fla. March 19-20 Tampa Bay AirFest Miami, Fla. March 24-27 Wings Over Miami Air Museum Lakeland, Fla. April 5-10 SUN n FUN International Fly-In Alcoa, Tenn. April 16-17 Smoky Mountain Air Show Clinton, Tenn. April 19-20 Green McAdoo Cultural Center Oak Ridge, Tenn. April 22-23 Museum of Science and Energy Cherry Point, N.C. April 30-May 1 MCAS Cherry Point Air Show Lynchburg, Va. May 21-22 Lynchburg Regional Airshow Reading, Pa. June 3-5 Mid Atlantic Air Museum WWII Weekend Greenfield, Ind. June 17-18 CAF Warbird Expo Events are subject to change, and more are being added. For updated and detailed information, visit the groups calendar at redtail.org/calendar. Entrance to the RISE ABOVE Traveling Exhibit is always free, although tickets may be required for entry to individual events. While on tour, the RISE ABOVE Traveling Exhibit makes additional visits to area schools where students are encouraged to think critically about the groups Six Guiding Principles Aim High, Believe In Yourself, Use Your Brain, Be Ready To Go, Never Quit and Expect to Win. Contact Marvona Welsh, logistics coordinator, at marvona@redtail.org or (812) 240-2560 for information on how to bring your school, group or community organization to be inspired by the history and legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen. Individuals, businesses, community organizations and foundations that are interested in supporting the CAF Red Tail Squadrons mission can learn more about sponsorship opportunities by contacting LaVone Kay, marketing director, at info@redtail.org or (888) 928-0188. One-time or recurring donations can be made securely online at https://secure.qgiv.com/for/crts or sent to: CAF Red Tail Squadron, 971 Hallstrom Drive, Red Wing, MN 55066. About the CAF Red Tail Squadron The CAF Red Tail Squadron is a volunteer-driven non-profit organization dedicated to educating audiences across the country about the history and legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen, Americas first black military pilots and their support personnel. RISE ABOVE Red Tail, their three-fold outreach program, includes a fully restored WWII-era P-51C Mustang, the signature aircraft of the Tuskegee Airmen; the RISE ABOVE Traveling Exhibit 53 mobile theater featuring the original panoramic film Rise Above; and resource materials for teachers and youth leaders. Each year, they embark on a nine-month cross-country tour that includes appearances at air shows, schools, museums and community events. The groups Six Guiding Principles Aim High, Believe In Yourself, Use Your Brain, Be Ready To Go, Never Quit and Expect to Win serve as the foundation for their outreach programs and are based on the experiences and successes of the Tuskegee Airmen. The CAF Red Tail Squadron is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization part of the Commemorative Air Force (CAF). Learn more at www.redtail.org. About the Commemorative Air Force The Commemorative Air Force (CAF) honors the men and women who built, maintained and flew in these airplanes during World War II. The organization believes that is best accomplished by maintaining the airplanes in flying condition; taking the airplanes to the people allowing them to experience the sight and sound of the aircraft in flight. Collecting, restoring and flying vintage historical aircraft for more than half a century, the Commemorative Air Force ranks as one of the largest private air forces in the world. The CAF is dedicated to Honoring American Military Aviation through flight, exhibition and remembrance. A non-profit educational association, the CAF has more than 13,000 members and a fleet of over 165 airplanes distributed throughout the country to 79 units located in 25 states for care and operation. For more information, visit www.commemorativeairforce.org. In the past 18 months, firms including Deutsche Bank, HSBC Holdings and JPMorgan Chase & Co have hired dozens of former agents from the US and British military, the Central Intelligence Agency and the top secret UK Government Communications Headquarters, executives and recruiters said. Officials at the banks declined to comment. While banks have been hiring law-enforcement types for years, it was typically to combat thieves, said Chris Mathers, who spent 20 years with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police before joining the forensic-investigations division at accounting firm KPMG in 1995. More recently, banks have been hiring to keep out cyber criminals. "The biggest threat to banks today, the absolute biggest threat, is the regulator," said Mathers, who now runs his own consulting firm, Chrismathers Inc, in Toronto. Sifting emails In the wake of the financial crisis and a litany of legal probes, banks are under scrutiny like never before. The industry has become an extension of law enforcement, with managers expected to spot and report any potential wrongdoing or face the consequences, Deutsche Bank co-chief executive John Cryan said in Davos, Switzerland, last month. Linnehan, a native of Queens, New York, who grew up fishing off the coast of Brooklyn, joined the US army a month before the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. He started at Barclays last May, just as the firm was fined a total of 1.5 billion for colluding with other banks to manipulate the foreign-exchange market. The London-based bank had already been fined 290 million for interest-rate rigging and about $US435 million for manipulating electricity markets. Linnehan, who served as an intelligence officer in a cavalry tank battalion in Iraq, now spends each day sifting through hundreds of emails. Seeking patterns It's not just manpower that the banks are poaching. Most of the technology they are using to monitor employees has its roots in Cold War-era Defense Department programs. Barclays is one of several firms exploring the use of behavioural science technology to analyse past scandals, seeking patterns that could enable them to prevent traders from becoming the next Kweku Adoboli, the former UBS Group employee who racked up a $US2.3 billion loss from unauthorised trading. JPMorgan is rolling out a surveillance program that uses algorithms to identify potential rogue employees. Banks are on the lookout for outliers - those who deviate from the norm, either by consistently making more money than colleagues, using their work email less than peers, taking fewer holidays or accessing back office systems they don't need to. Just about every moment of a trader's workday is under scrutiny, from which areas of the building they access to how long they take for lunch. The websites they look at are of particular interest: frequent visits to spread-betting and gambling sites trigger alerts. Skill sets "The compliance functions at most big banks and corporates don't resemble what existed five years ago," said David Fein, group general counsel at Standard Chartered, which employs former government intelligence agents. "Whether it's in terms of advances in data mining or artificial intelligence, today's systems permit much more sophisticated surveillance." Sceptics say the technology and former intelligence operatives serve more as window-dressing than as an effective deterrent. "It's naive to assume that bank-hired spies would even have the appropriate skill set needed for early detection of fraudulent trading given the sophistication and complexity of such schemes," said Mark Williams, a lecturer at Boston University and author of Uncontrolled Risk, a book on the rise and fall of Lehman Brothers Holdings. "Setting up draconian measures such as Big Brother also sends the wrong message to hard-working and law abiding traders." Austere environments Those sentiments haven't slowed the race to hire in compliance, even as trading operations are being scaled back. UBS, the largest Swiss bank, announced plans last year to add 350 compliance staff to keep tabs on its employees and clients. One recruit in late 2014 was Emily Trageser, who spent years in "austere tactical environments" with the US military as a signals-intelligence specialist and cryptologic linguist, according to her LinkedIn profile. A UBS official declined to comment or to make her available. All the surveillance is fomenting paranoia on trading floors, said four dealers who asked for anonymity in discussing their places of work. Fearful of being fired for the slightest infraction and banned from using personal mobile phones on the desk, some traders are texting their spouses while hiding in the toilet, they said. Others have left for hedge funds, where conduct isn't monitored as closely. For banks, such concerns are secondary. Fines have become a top business risk, said Mathers. "If the regulator comes in and says you guys have screwed up, then they're going to fine you and name you and shame you." Christopher James will forever remember February 14, 2016, as the "Valentine's Day from hell". Celebrating his first Valentine's Day with his girlfriend of 10 months, Mr James ventured from Wollongong to Manly to enjoy a romantic dinner. "Hungry Jack's and Yogurtland. That was where my Valentine's Day ended up," he said. Mr James, 25, had booked to take his girlfriend to Criniti's Manly, one of six in the Italian restaurant chain in NSW. Upon arrival, Mr James said he was told there was no booking under his name, but after producing a booking confirmation text message he was given a table. But some executives have delayed judgement until they see details the final package while metropolitan network Ten Network Holdings has warned that any new local content obligations should not be too onerous. Communications Minister Mitch Fifield took the reforms to cabinet. Multiple sources present commented on the crispness of his shirt. Credit:Wayne Taylor Regional television networks have welcomed news that Communications Minister Mitch Fifield is working on a breakthrough with the Nationals on local content in regional television , in a move which would pave the way for long delayed changes to media ownership rules. A deal on local content between the Liberal Party and the Nats would increase the likelihood of that both the so-called reach rule and the two-out-of-three rule will be dropped when Cabinet considers the issue within weeks. The reach rule limits ownership of media to 75 per cent of the available audience. The two-out-of-three rule means media proprietors can own two out of three of newspapers, television and radio in a single market. However, the rule doesn't cover pay television or the internet. The Nat's original proposals on local content were branded as "Stalinist" by one regional television executive last month and there remains a split in opinion between the Nats and the networks on whether the new system should be implemented as soon as media law changes are enacted or upon a "trigger event" such as a takeover. However, the regional networks are adopting a united, emollient tone as they seek to get reforms through while they battle tough advertising market conditions. A spokesman for Southern Cross Austereo said the broadcaster was "strongly encouraged by the reports that the government is finalising a package to reform outdated media ownership laws". Fringe and suburban office markets are expected to feel the heat in 2016 as investors squeezed out of the CBD start hunting for new assets. Intense competition has been generated by overseas investors who see Australian property as cheap and getting cheaper with the falling dollar driving yields down 100 basis points in the past 18 months between 5.25 per cent and 7 per cent. Melbourne's suburbs take on increased investor appeal as prices rise in the CBD. JLL sales and investments regional director James Kaufman said "We are now seeing a number of investors priced out of the CBD look to fringe locations." "But the lack of new office stock in the pipeline in the fringe markets is expected to produce solid rental growth and we've seen yields compress even faster in the fringe office market by approximately 125 basis points to between 6.5 per cent and 7.25 per cent," Mr Kaufman said. Our relationship with fire and with the environment has changed over the past century, in particular. There is a huge disconnect between Australians and the bush. No matter how many four-wheel drives and camper trailers we own (or perhaps because of them) not many of us actually know much about the bush environment any more. The activities that connected people to the bush have steadily been eroded. In 1916, only about half of all Australians lived in towns and cities. A century later, that figure is closer to 90 per cent. According to the World Bank, the proportion of Australians living in rural Australia had dropped from just under 16 per cent in 1967 to 10.7 per cent by 2014. The decline of rural communities has been well documented, but apart from the simple loss of physical connection is the loss of work in rural and forest landscapes that once connected people inextricably to an understanding of weather and landscape, vegetation and land management. At the same time, there has been a fundamental shift in the values and beliefs attached by our society to the remnants of a natural environment. We no longer see the bush simply as something to be chopped down, dug up or redefined for agriculture. The changes wrought by European settlers to the Australian landscape are self-evident. From nearly 20 million hectares of forest in 1869, Victoria's forest cover was reduced to about 8 million hectares by the late 20th century. We have introduced new plants and animals, fenced, farmed and cruelled the land. Land managers are having to relearn how to mitigate the impact of fire in landscapes that have been totally altered. The increased use of controlled burning merely to achieve a quantum of hazard reduction is not, as Victoria discovered after Black Saturday, the simple answer. Any bush firefighter with more than a few years of experience will tell you that the incidence and severity of bushfires is increasing. The climate is changing. Fire seasons are longer. There is less rainfall across much of the most fire-prone parts of Australia. There are simply more fires in the bush more often than there were only a few decades ago. Almost perversely, cities and towns are pushing out into the very remnant landscape that we are anxious to protect. Australians are injecting themselves back into an environment that remains rich in fire. They do not bring with them the knowledge that it is a fire environment, let alone what they need to do to protect themselves and their families either through the type of homes they build orthe way they behave when fires occur. So all Australians whether living in a bushfire-prone area (as about 20 per cent of us do), working, travelling through or holidaying in such areas need to relearn things that have been lost. That means rebuilding a relationship with the bush that will reinstate fire as a natural part of it and a part of it that will not simply go away if we rely on the state to buy more helicopters and air tankers. Once you have the scent of politics, it is hard to get it out of your system. The longer you have been in politics the greater the shock when you announce that you are leaving politics. Literally, from that moment, your political life slowly drains away from you. The ones who best manage the transition are the ones who leave politics voluntarily. The saddest ones are those who lost their seat and don't realise that they will never get it back. They end up in no man's land. Former ministers Phillip Ruddock, Andrew Robb and Warren Truss will already be noticing that the phones have virtually stopped ringing. I am not cynical about the aftermath. But it's a good idea to be realistic. Everybody is quick to shake your hand including the ones who never liked you anyway and then the ones who are wondering if they might get your job. You are quickly becoming a mere observer. The departure is a wrench but managing the shift is helped if you accept that abuse or applause is not worth much; the thing that counts is what you have done. It also helps to appreciate that there are a lot of good people in the Australian Parliament and most will tell you that being an MP is the most important thing they have ever done in their life. Beijing: Julie Bishop has arrived to a frosty reception in Beijing after being rapped over Australia's stance on the South China Sea ahead of a series of high-level meetings in the Chinese capital. Australia's foreign minister, who arrived in Beijing late on Tuesday night, had made clear during a preceding trip to Tokyo that she intended to push her Chinese counterpart Wang Yi for clarification on how China intended to use its man-made islands in the disputed waters, the product of an audaciously rapid land reclamation programme that has riled its neighbours. The Philippines, a rival claimant, has challenged Beijing at an arbitration court in The Hague over China's territorial claims. Beijing has repeatedly said it will not recognise the case and defended its right to build on what it considers to be its sovereign territory. An Afghanistan war veteran who now works for Christopher Pyne is taking on the factional forces of the NSW Liberal Party for Philip Ruddock's Sydney seat of Berowra. John Bathgate, a former adviser to Mr Ruddock, is a surprise inclusion in preselection for the blue-ribbon Liberal seat. Factional players have dismissed his challenge as doomed, saying Julian Leeser, considered Mr Ruddock's longtime heir apparent, has the numbers locked up with the backing of the left, centre right and hard right factions. "Party members in Berowra would not be able to pick John Bathgate out of a police line-up," said one senior Liberal. British comic Stephen Fry has "quit" Twitter following the backlash from a joke he made while hosting Monday's British Academy of Film and Television Arts awards. The actor, who has hosted the BAFTAs for 15 years and had more than 12 million Twitter followers, came under fire after referring to Mad Max: Fury Road costume designer Jenny Beavan's appearance. "Only one of the great cinematic costume designers would come to an awards ceremony dressed as a bag lady," he said. A brazen laundromat bandit may have made a clear getaway so far, but police are confident they have him pegged. The thief recently struck coin-operated laundry facilities in the Ocean Beach Hotel backpackers last Thursday. CCTV image of a man wanted for questioning with regard to a series of laundromat coin box robberies Credit:Ocean Beach Hotel Backpackers A Cottesloe police spokeswoman said he was very cool and confident. "He waits until other users have left, then he whips out a battery-operated drill from his laundry bag and very quickly drills out the coin boxes, one after the other," she said. A Perth woman who brazenly stole a Valentine's Day gift from the doorstep of a home in Port Kennedy last week has been arrested by police. Security camera footage captured the woman riding a bike up on to the porch of the house where the parcel was sitting on Wednesday. The woman then returns in a car driven by another person, then allegedly grabbed the parcel before jumping into the passenger seat of the car before it drives off. The woman has been charged with stealing, trespassing and possession of a smoking implement. Vienna: The flow of migrants through the Balkans and towards Germany will be slowed progressively as part of a co-ordinated "domino effect" of restrictions by countries along the route, Austria's interior minister said in comments published on Tuesday. Austria has largely served as a corridor into neighbouring Germany for the hundreds of thousands of people, many of them Syrian refugees, who have streamed onto its territory since the two countries threw open their borders to them in September. Migrants arrive to be registered in a tent of the reception centre at the Austrian-Slovenian border crossing in Spielfeld on Monday. Credit:AP It has, however, taken in a similar number of asylum seekers to Germany in proportion to its far smaller population, and the coalition government has said it will not be able to cope if the influx continues unabated. Technically, racial profiling is forbidden under European Union law, and records of stop-and-searches are not routinely kept in many nations, including France and Germany. But from Barcelona to Warsaw, Munich to Paris, it has become commonplace to see ethnic minorities held up at police checkpoints as white Europeans and tourists whisk through unmolested. German police in front of a refugee shelter. Credit:AP After a series of gigs, French comedian Yassine Belattar hopped a train from Brussels to Paris last month with his business partner. They disembarked, he said, but didn't get far before the police brusquely stopped and searched the copper-skinned Belattar as his white associate walked on by. "I was like: 'What? He's travelling with me! Why don't you search him too?' But they just waved through everyone white," said Belattar, 33. "They opened my suitcases and took out my clothes one by one. I felt nervous and humiliated." French police officers stand guard at the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France. Credit:Bloomberg At Berlin's Tegel Airport this month, two German police officers combed through a crowd at baggage claim. They demanded passports from half a dozen passengers, all of whom were darker skinned. "Why?" said one middle-aged man from India wearing a colourful wool cap. "Because of this, eh?" he said, rubbing the skin on his arm. "If I looked like them? Nothing." European officials strongly deny that they are conducting racial profiling. But privately, several security officials conceded that given certain shared ethnic characteristics of many terrorism suspects and migrants, they are far less likely to stop and search, say, a French grandmother or a well-dressed German executive. But race is not the main factor, they insist, also citing behaviour and dress when deciding whom to single out. "We have increasingly been confronted with accusations of racism," said Ivo Priebe, spokesman for the German Federal Police. "I reject this accusation. We carry out controls on the basis of current police information, not based on skin colour." In Germany, where 1.1 million migrants arrived last year and thousands more are coming every week, the issue is not just terrorism. A rising number of sexual harassment and assault allegations against asylum seekers has led nightclubs, bars and public pools to ban young men who have a certain look. In the German city of Muenster, the activist group Anti-Deportation Alliance Muenster documented a police checkpoint during the annual carnival celebration on February 8 at which seven people were stopped and searched. All of them, the group said, were of "non-German" appearance. When questioned, police told them they had been selected "by pure chance." Others warn that fears related to terrorism and migrants are making racial profiling more socially acceptable. In Denmark, at least one nightclub has adopted a policy to weed out refugees that requires guests to speak Danish, German or English, with other establishments reportedly considering the same. In Munich, a group of four young men two white and two black conducted an unscientific study in November, testing the entry policies of discos on two different nights. On one night, all but one of 20 clubs allowed the white Germans in, while 14 refused entry to the black men. Another night, the white Germans gained entry everywhere, while the black Germans were barred from 14 out of 25 establishments. "We were also verbally and physically attacked," said Boubacar Bah, an immigrant to Germany from Senegal who took part in the study. "When I tried to walk past the bouncer at one place, he pushed me away. We expected that he would say, 'You're not getting in,' but not to be pushed. It's hard not to lose control, if you're deprived of your human dignity in such a way." In France, authorities have defended the 3200 raids made under state-of-emergency laws. While there may have been only five terrorism investigations opened, they say, the raids uncovered significant caches of weapons, drugs and other evidence of illegal activity. Jerusalem: Israel's former prime minister Ehud Olmert made a last-minute plea to salvage his legacy, appealing to Israelis to remember his peacemaking attempts as leader, and denied any wrongdoing in the bribery charges against him just hours before heading to prison. Olmert, 70, reported to Israel's Maasiyahu prison on Monday to begin a 19-month prison sentence for bribery and obstruction of justice. He is the first Israeli leader to be imprisoned. Former Israeli prime minister Ehud Olmert enters prison to begin his sentence in the central Israeli town of Ramle, Israel, on Monday. Credit:AP In a 3-minute video released by his office and filmed at his residence on Sunday, a weary-looking Olmert said it was a "painful and strange" time for him and his family. He said he was paying a "heavy" price, but added that he accepted the sentence because "no man is above the law". "At this hour it is important for me to say again ... I reject outright all the corruption allegations against me," Olmert said. He said that in hindsight, the Israeli public might view the charges against him and the seven-year legal saga that enveloped him in a "balanced and critical way". Miami: The US Coast Guard says a passing cruise ship has rescued 12 Cuban migrants from an unseaworthy vessel in the Caribbean. A Coast Guard spokesman in Miami says the crew of the Disney Wonder spotted the migrants south-east of Cuba. Petty Officer John-Paul Rios said the cruise ship took the migrants to its next port of call in the Cayman Islands on Sunday. The Disney Wonder on a trip to Alaska. There were no reported injuries but Mr Rios said cruise ships have agreed to notify the Coast Guard if they see migrants on dangerous vessels at sea and to rescue them if necessary. Seoul: South Korean President Park Geun-hye has pledged further "strong" measures against North Korea, after suspending operations at a jointly run industrial park as punishment for the North's recent long-range rocket launch and nuclear test. It was time to face the "uncomfortable truth" that the North would not change, Ms Park said in comments that mark a significant reversal for a leader whose policy on Pyongyang had been based on what she had described as "trustpolitik" that she hoped would lay the ground for eventual unification. Park Geun-Hye speaks at the National Assembly on February 16 in Seoul. Credit:Getty Images Ms Park said past efforts at engagement had not worked. "It has become clear that the existing approach and goodwill are not going to break the North Korean regime's nuclear development drive," she told parliament on Tuesday. Email To : Multiple e-mail addresses must be separated with a comma character(maximum 200 characters) Email To is required. Your Full Name: (optional) Your Email Address: Your Email Address is required. Advertisement By West Kentucky Star Staff Feb. 16, 2016 | CALVERT CITY, KY By West Kentucky Star Staff Feb. 16, 2016 | 04:55 PM | CALVERT CITY, KY A contractor for the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet plans to start work February 29 on reconstruction of the Interstate 24/Julian Carroll-Purchase Parkway Interchange at Calvert City in Marshall County. KYTC Spokesman Keith Todd says some preliminary work, such as placement of construction signage will begin in the next few days, along with some initial prep work along the right of way. Jim Smith Contracting of Grand Rivers is the prime contractor on the $37.8 million reconstruction project to bring the existing interchange up to current standards for Interstate 69 to be extended southward along the parkway. "This is an extended reconstruction of the interchange to allow full flow traffic for I-69 to make the transition from the east leg of the existing interchange to the south leg of the interchange," said KYTC District 1 Chief Engineer Mike McGregor. "It will be very similar to the new I-69 Interchange at the connection with the Breathitt-Pennyrile Parkway and the Western Kentucky Parkway south of Madisonville in Hopkins County." The project includes a 55 mile per hour work zone speed limit with an enhanced enforcement presence. The work zone includes an extended area at the existing Interstate 24 Exit 25 and Purchase Parkway Exit 52. It also maintains the existing connection between the end of the parkway and US 62 at Calvert City. Reworking the intersection with US 62 will be among the first visible elements of the reconstruction effort. The new I-24/I-69 Calvert City interchange has a target completion date of July 1, 2018. In his initial announcement of the contract award Governor Matt Bevin said the Calvert City interchange project and a corresponding interchange project at Mayfield are important links in the I-69 Corridor through Kentucky. "The continued expansion of I-69 through western Kentucky is a catalyst for future economic development," Gov. Bevin said. "Reconstruction of these interchanges is a critical step in maintaining the positive momentum for the I-69 corridor projects." Rita Redmond was a true lady who felt that every pupil had something to gift to the world Christopher Wheeldon's production of the Gershwin classic An American in Paris could be on its way across the pond after a casting call circulated yesterday announcing 'exploratory auditions' for a possible London production in 2017. Adapted from the 1951 film starring Gene Kelly, An American in Paris premiered in Paris at the Theatre du Chatelet before transferring to Broadway. It won four Tony Awards including Best Choreography for Brit director and choreographer Christopher Wheeldon. The musical tells the story of an American soldier and a mysterious French girl yearning for a new beginning in the aftermath of war. Songs include "I Got Rhythm", "Shall We Dance" and "They Can't Take That Away From Me." The post that has been circulated on Facebook: Loading... Though written in 1975, John Kander and Fred Ebb's smokin' hot jazz age tale of criminality and celebrity has hardly aged its satiric swipes at how you can get away with murder as long as you "give 'em the old razzle dazzle" seems if anything more applicable in an age of 24-hour rolling news and the mutually dependent industry of the z-list celebrity and gossip rags. So there's something almost cruelly cynical about casting fading X Factor winners, Dancing on Ice champs and former-soap stars as its leads, to pout for the paparazzi and despair when their lightbulbs turn away. With its 1996 revival, Chicago became a long-running, international hit and this touring production reminds you why. Kander and Ebb zestily have their cake and eat it: drawing on a play by Maurine Watkins, a Chicago journalist who covered women on trial for murder in the 1920s, the show is almost wantonly sexy, revelling in wicked women's ingenious spirit whilst revealing the press and legal system's shallow hypocrisy. The flash of showbiz matches the fakery of the courtroom as form and content knit together in a series of vaudeville turns: the sad clown for an overlooked husband, the smooth crooner of a lawyer. And the music is just irresistible, serving up truly memorable tunes that mix comic cabaret with swinging brass and jazz club sultriness. You can't help but sing "All That Jazz" all the way home. Sadly, the performers here are lacking oh the irony the x factor: that certain tingle and shimmer. Sophie Carmen-Jones as Velma Kelly, the original sex-pot on the cell block, gives the best performance; she makes for a kittenish vamp, while a frantic hunger underpins her coyly flirtatious little-miss-innocent act. But Hayley Tamaddon (Coronation Street; Dancing on Ice) as Roxie Hart fails to reel you in: if she's never more than a grinningly dumb, shallow and fame-seeking murderer, the show becomes just too cynical. John Partridge - fresh outta Celebrity Big Brother is lizardy as hot-shot lawyer Billy Flynn, but his super-suave delivery goes all the way to stagey. Sam Bailey 2013 X Factor winner as prison warden Mama makes good use of her powerful lungs, but seems ill at ease. It is, in general, hard to relax into these performances; you can see too many of the joins. The same could not be said for the dancers, who thrust and flick and do the splits like they're in the seediest sex club. They're tight and taut, but the staging doesn't make it easy for them to live up to the Bob Fosse-style choreography: the band is onstage in a large slanted box, and while it's a joy to watch them deliver the lively score, it doesn't leave much room. Costume designs by William Ivey Long are also now horribly dated: black stretch hipster trousers and lots of skin-tight, see-through black nylon makes the cast look like they've been dragged backwards through New Look and Ann Summers circa 1996. It's bizarrely distracting. There are moments where the whole show lifts an uncanny number where Billy Flynn controls Roxie like a ventriloquist's dummy comes off perfectly, and the final show trial is similarly buoyant, revelling in its own staginess with slick choreography. It's currently underpowered, but this Chicago may yet find its razzle-dazzle. Chicago runs at the New Theatre, Oxford until 20 February and then tours. Loading... "You're so far back in the closet you're in Narnia," is one of the more unexpectedly challenging lines thrown across the stage in this re-cast, Tony-nominated Broadway import. So let's come out, at least, on the show itself, the funniest and filthiest puppet glove punch-up I've ever seen. A far cry, indeed, from Sooty and Sweep, and even from Avenue Q. Actually, the puppets are sock puppets, woolly bobbly things with button black eyes and tufts of synthetic hair. But when two of them copulate on the arms of Harry Melling (Dudley Dursley in the Harry Potter movies) and Jemima Rooper - finding new ambiguity in the term "hand job" - you simply don't know where to look, so you laugh instead. I suppose Nina Conti and her Monk started it all with the latter's complaints about fist jobs and fiddly fingers, but the extra brilliance of Hand to God, written by Robert Askins and directed by the unbelievably monikered Moritz von Stuelpnagel, lies in the fact that puppet sex is the upshot in a Texan religious community centre with its own fair share of piety, misery and human tragedy. In other words it is a proper (or, rather, highly improper) play with situations, inter-action and outcomes. Janie Dee's frantic Margery, recently widowed, is running the puppet practice sessions in the church hall, hoping to help out with her teenage son Jason's (Melling) emotional therapy. Jason has a crush on Jessica (Rooper), a fellow puppeteer, while school bully Tim (Kevin Mains) is coming on strong to Margery; as indeed is Neal Pearson's hypocritical pastor. Avenue Q meets The Book of Mormon, with elements of The Exorcist, is a fair label, but Jason's puppet Tyrone, at first an alter ego, then a sort of ectoplasmic manifestation, is no less scary than Michael Redgrave's dummy in Dead of Night. But this is not about ventriloquism, it's puppetry as a further expression of oneself, and that dichotomy is brilliantly channelled by Melling, not least in the infamous sex scene. For the joy of that sex scene resides in a sort of identity reversal in which Melling and Rooper, expressing themselves in their puppet socks, are literally invaded by a sort of orgasmic puppet rush (puppet love?) and have to find faces for what the puppets are doing. Ripping up the bible is the least someone can do after this impious explosion, and your faith in the show only wavers a bit when it moves on to discuss other peoples'. Still, we've come a long way in a short time, and the community cosiness of the church hall designed by Beowulf Boritt (another name worthy of a sock puppet?) has been well and truly monstered. Hand To God runs at the Vaudeville Theatre until 11 June. Welcome to my random web of succulent wine tasting and travel features, winery profiles small and large, 'wines of the moment', conversations with winemakers and atmospheric regional guides. All stamped by my take on planet vino and some of the people who populate it. There's also a hint of culinary talk, restaurant reviews and food pairing, as well as occasional insight into posh spirits (Armagnac, Calvados, marc...), craft beer and cider. The extensive 'wine words' pages, blog archive and A to Z list of featured countries and themes are highlighted in this column below, revealing hundreds of posts and articles published on WineWriting or other magazines and websites. These include many organic, biodynamic and 'natural' wine producers, but certainly not exclusively. Roussillon (delve deeper and buy my book!) and Languedoc, the southwest, Bordeaux, Burgundy, Rhone Valley, Provence, French Riviera, Corsica, Alsace, Loire Valley and Champagne. 'French Mediterranean Wine' is the mostly south of France part of the blog oozing with opinions, wines, winegrowers, places and vine-scapes across the(delve deeper and buy my book!) and Languedoc, the southwest, Bordeaux, Burgundy, Rhone Valley, Provence, French Riviera, Corsica, Alsace, Loire Valley and Champagne. Obviously, any reviews or images of alcoholic drinks on this site are destined for those of legal drinking age, whatever that is in your part of the world. RMJ fully endorses sensible consumption of alcohol, especially with good food and company. Lecture over. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 15/02/2016 (2440 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. MONTREAL After eliminating provincially funded in vitro fertilization procedures, Quebec Health Minister Gaetan Barrette is suggesting funding of the drugs used in the treatments may be reduced. Barrette says its possible the drugs wont be reimbursed directly any longer under the provincial drug plan, with the cost of the medication possibly being folded into a tax credit. Thats what the Quebec government did when it passed Bill 20 last fall, putting an end to publicly funded IVF treatments. Quebec Health Minister Gaetan Barrette responds to reporters questions on health, at the end of a caucus meeting, Thursday, February 11, 2016 at the legislature in Quebec City. After eliminating provincially funded in vitro fertilization procedures, Barrette is suggesting funding of the drugs used in the treatments may be reduced. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jacques Boissinot Some are able to take advantage of a tax credit at the end of the year depending on their income and circumstances. Barrette acknowledged, however, that the tax-credit option will still be more expensive for couples. But its still less costly than if we were to abolish it altogether, he said Monday. Barrette says hell follow the recommendation of a provincial health institute, which may decide to put an end to the free drugs. Assisted procreation had been free in Quebec since August 2010, but the cost of the publicly funded program was higher than expected. The vice-president of an association that represents infertile couples in Quebec expressed disappointment with Barrettes comments. Its as though they were completely abandoning an illness, said Martine Vallee Cossette. She pointed out that the maximum tax credit is $10,000 but that the drugs for one cycle can go for between $4,000 and $10,000, while the actual in vitro procedures can range from $6,000 to $10,000. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 15/02/2016 (2440 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. OTTAWA The federal banking regulator says it is taking permanent control of the assets of the Canadian branch of German-based Maple Bank GmbH. The Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions is also asking the Attorney General of Canada to apply for a winding-up order with respect to these assets. OSFI said last week that it was temporarily taking control of the assets of Maple Banks Canadian branch. That was after a German regulator suspended the lenders activities following investigations into certain trading activities during the 2006-2010 taxation years. OSFI says an insolvency administrator was appointed in Germany last week to handle the winding up of Maple Bank GmbH. Maple Banks main business at its Toronto branch was securitization, securities financing and structured secured wholesale lending. Its deposits are not covered by Canada Deposit Insurance Corp. insurance. Follow @alexposadzki on Twitter. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 15/02/2016 (2440 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Winnipeg-based aid groups working in the Middle East for decades are glad Canada is shifting its fight against Islamic State terrorists toward more humanitarian help. The heads of the Canadian Foodgrains Bank, Canadian Lutheran World Relief and the Mennonite Central Committee in Winnipeg saluted the federal governments recent announcement of a three-year, $1.11-billion assistance package for the war-ravaged region. The needs are enormous and we think this is a role Canada can play effectively, said Jim Cornelius, executive director of the Canadian Foodgrains Bank. Making a three-year commitment shows Canada means business, he said. Sean Kilpatrick / The Canadian Press files Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan, left to right, International Development Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Foreign Affairs Minister Stephane Dion attend a news conference in Ottawa on Monday, Feb. 8, 2016. The Liberal government announced Canada's contribution to the war against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant. Often crisis funding is very short-term stuff but everybody recognizes that this crisis is not going to be over when the rains come next year, said the head of the faith-based organization. Even if there is a peace settlement negotiated, the humanitarian needs there will be long term. Canadas retooled mission against IS is just what the MCC asked Stephen Harper to do when he was prime minister. Letters from MCC executive director Don Peters to Harper warned that airstrikes would exacerbate problems in Syria and Iraq, fuel extremist activity and add to more violence and long-term instability. The letters sent last April and in October 2014 condemned IS atrocities while expressing concern over Canadas involvement in the U.S.-led military campaign. For some of the pacifist organizations partners in Iraq, early airstrikes by the U.S. brought a measure of safety and security, wrote Peters. At the same time, all of the relief agencies the MCC worked with in Iraq, Syria, Jordan and Lebanon were worried about the economic chaos caused by airstrikes in Syria, civilian deaths, and the widening of bombing targets as IS terrorists retreat and hide, he wrote previously. The letters asked the Canadian government to focus its resources on non-military means of addressing insecurity by supporting civil society organizations and programs that keep kids and youth from being recruited by armed groups in the region and doing more to increase access to food, water, medicine and shelter for people in Syria and neighbouring countries. The MCC boss urged the government to keep humanitarian assistance separate from military intervention so aid doesnt get politicized and put workers on the ground and civilians in conflict zones in further danger. It got its wish. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Canada is retooling its role in the mission against IS, withdrawing fighter jets and adding a three-year, $1.1 billion humanitarian aid plan. Both Cornelius with the Foodgrains Bank and Robert Granke with Canadian Lutheran World Relief based in Winnipeg applauded the three-year commitment to humanitarian aid but neither would comment on Canada calling back its fighter jets from bombing missions. Cornelius would only say that the local agencies they work with are trying to get aid to people in very dangerous situations. Wayne Glowacki / Winnipeg Free Press files Jim Cornelius, Executive Director of the Canadian Foodgrains Bank Inside Syria, the needs are the largest and its also where its the most difficult to deliver the assistance, said Cornelius. The situation constantly changes. Close to seven million Syrians have been internally displaced. More than three million fled to neighbouring Turkey, Jordan and Lebanon a tide of people thats putting the region at further risk for conflict, he said. Its put an incredible strain on the social fabric of Lebanon where they themselves are coming out of a long civil war. By helping Lebanon cope with refugees, Canada may be preventing another conflict, said Cornelius. Theres a danger things could implode in Lebanon. carol.sanders@freepress.mb.ca In the past five months Taff Roberts, the director and photographer, traveled to Panama, Australia, Wales and England to interview crew members aboard other sailboats that were met along the way who were also trying to sail the Northwest Passage. Most of the other crew members were in their 60s and 70s and they share their passion and thoughts about attempting such a voyage. The goal of this new documentary is to inspire and propel both young and older people to remove their fear and pursue the dreams and aspirations that they have always held. March 10, 1951, would turn out to be a very bad day for Merlin Lidtke. For three months, the Winona man had carried a bazooka as his infantry squad patrolled near the 38th parallel in Korea, fighting cold, fear, and Communist Chinese and North Korean forces. A clash with the enemy left a soldier with a massive chest wound, and Lidtke and two others loaded the injured man on a stretcher and headed out in darkness over rugged terrain to bring the man to the regimental aid station. After several hours slogging through the Korean hills with their mission accomplished, the three American soldiers made their way back to their position to be greeted not by comrades-in-arms, but a detachment of Chinese soldiers. Outnumbered and outgunned, they had no option but to surrender. Lidtkes experience as a prisoner of war was recognized Feb. 6 during a private ceremony at the annual veterans dinner sponsored by the Winona VFW Post 1287. Lidtke was born in Sebeka, Minn., in October 1932, according to information provided by his daughter, Valerie. He was about 5 years old when he and his father moved to the Weaver/Minneiska area. Just months before the North Koreans rolled across the border to invade the south, Lidtke, then 17, was working as a cream grader at the Weaver Creamery, and convinced his father to sign his Army enlistment papers. By November 1950 he was aboard a troopship, bound for Korea and captivity. Lidtke said the Chinese herded him and his buddies to a cave dug into the side of a hill being used as a command post by the enemy. Their boots and overcoats were taken and they were kept under guard until they could be taken moved to a POW camp behind enemy lines. They were there for five days, freezing and hungry, when gunfire erupted outside the cave. Seizing the opportunity, the three American prisoners made a break for it, splitting up and taking cover, fearing theyd be shot on purpose by the Chinese or by accident by the Americans. Neither happened. Racism. Heteronormativity. White privilege. Genocide. Police brutality. All uncomfortable issues, all issues that need to be acknowledged and discussed in order to promote understanding and create change, said Lora Hill, Winona Senior High School teacher and adviser of the school and community social-justice group, FORTITUDE. FORTITUDE (Forever On Route To Independence, Tolerance, Understanding, Diversity and Education) will perform a play for the community Saturday night, titled Dark & Light: Our History Matters, that deals with those issues and more. The play is written, arranged, choreographed and performed by students, recent graduates and community members, and composed of short skits, poetry, video clips, monologues, songs and dances. The students will perform about the history of Native American genocide, the history of slavery, and Winonas history. Theyll share stories about racism, homophobia, about being misunderstood. Theyll perform a letter to students in Flint, Michigan and perform about Black Lives Matter. And theyll look to the future and offer solutions. The purpose? To educate and promote understanding. If we cant recognize and acknowledge, then we cant heal, Hill said. And thats the bottom line. One student, Bathscheba Duronvil, will perform a poem about what really happened in 1492 when Columbus sailed the ocean blueincluding the struggles still going on in Haiti today as a result. People dont talk about it as much; its like Haiti is invisible, she said. I want to show people its time to stop ignoring them. Another student, recent graduate Nolan Maxwell, will perform a mirror piece, a piece where one looks inside oneself and reflects, in this case focusing on white privilege. I dont think a lot of white people realize the privilege they have, he said. Its just to let people know that this is actually happening. You cant make a change unless you know what needs to be changed. Student Xavier Pittman will perform a dance he put together and choreographed as well as a personal speech. He said he hopes that by attending the play, people are able to open their eyes to different issues that are not just in the past, but happening every day. Everybodys always in a dark place...and now were trying to bring everything to light, he said. Community member LaShara Morgan, who has been heavily involved with the group for many years now and whose children are performing, said the play is not about criticizing and pointing fingers, but about raising awareness and working towards something positive. We just want people to know what were going through and what were facing, to know our side, because we want you all to join us and make a change, she said. Lets make a positive change together. Melissa Hages knowledge of geology is rock solid. The University of Wisconsin-Baraboo/Sauk County geology professor will share her understanding of ancient rocks and their formation in a presentation March 3. The event will be the first time Hage has been a part of the campus distinguished lecture series, but she has given presentations about Baraboo geology to various local groups. Its nice to get to talk a little more about my research and what Ive spent many, many years studying, Hage said. Her research, which was partially funded by NASA, involved collecting billion-year-old banded iron formation rock samples from southwest Greenland and along the west coast of Lake Superior in northern Minnesota and southern Ontario. Hage said NASA is interested in research like hers to assist its search for other livable planets. The kind of geology I specifically do is I look at the chemistry of some of the most ancient sediments on Earth, she said. These precipitate out of ancient oceans, this kind of rock. She said the rock contains some layers that are rich in iron and other layers of silica. The really cool thing is, as these iron layers and silica layers are forming, they take a snapshot of ocean chemistry, she said. Understanding ocean chemistry can help us understand atmospheric chemistry as well. The oldest rock sample Hage will present was recovered from Greenland and formed 3.8 billion years ago, not long after the earths estimated formation 4.6 billion years ago. Her Lake Superior area sample is 1.9 billion years old and she has rocks from South Africa that are about 3 billion years old. Ive got these samples that span a huge part of the Earths history, she said. There are a lot of major changes in the chemistry from the rocks. She said such formations are unique to the period. These are not rocks that are forming on Earth anymore, she said. These rocks only form when no oxygen is in our atmosphere. Hage said she will take questions and talk about different aspects of geology, but attendees to the free lecture do not need to know anything about science to appreciate the ancient rocks. What makes geology really cool is that time factor you dont get with any other subject matter, she said. Anything that happened in the past 10,000 years is recent. When it comes to preparing pork, Mike Althen knows how to bring the bacon. The Baraboo chef won this months Taste of Elegance competition at Kalahari Resort, which was sponsored by statewide pork and soybean organizations. Snaring the Chef Par Excellence Award netted Althen $750 and a trip to this years Pork Summit in California. Theres something cute about his charcuterie. Althen topped seven other finalists with a dish called Babe at First Light. Judges pigged out on his stuffed roasted pork loin, slow-roasted smoky side pork, soy biscuit with soy sausage gravy, and glazed bacon corn fritter. The contest is designed to develop creative dishes using pork and soybeans, demonstrating its fine to dine on swine. Its a chance to stretch the muscle, Althen said, noting that he competes a few times a year to test his skills and gather fresh ideas. He was intrigued by the challenge of developing innovative pork and soy entrees. Ever the ham who is full of beans, Althen said, You can only do beef tips and chicken so many ways. The items he prepared for competition were variations on dishes he has served while cooking for Elite Catering and at the Oaks, a restaurant he and wife Deb once owned in Merrimac. He pulled pork ideas from memory. The whole thing was an augmentation of what Ive done before, he said. Judges agreed Althen brought a lot to the table. They praised his sauces and his expertise in preparing perfectly cooked food at the right temperature. Also making judges squeal was Rodrigo Juarez of Kalahari, who was named Premium Chef. He received a $250 Best of Soy award sponsored by the Wisconsin Soybean Marketing Board. His entree featured pork ossobuco and smoked pork belly complemented with soy-infused mashed potato. Chefs presented their entrees to a panel of three judges who evaluated each dish on its taste, appearance and originality. This years Taste of Elegance, held Feb. 4, was sponsored by Pork Checkoff of Johnsonville, the Wisconsin Soybean Marketing Board and the Wisconsin Pork Association. Althen will use his winnings to bring his family to the Pork Summit in St. Helena, California in April. Its held at the Culinary Institute of Americas Greystone campus, which is hardly a sty. As was the case with the Taste of Elegance competition, Althen said hell use the educational weekend to pick up new ideas. I just do it to rub elbows with the other chefs, he said. It gives me exposure. As the population ages, the need for health care, both in rural and urban areas, will increase. Advances in medicine and technology will save more lives and allow for quicker recoveries, but hospitals will grapple with ways to provide care for a larger aging population. The nurses providing care for these patients are getting older, too. With the Baby Boom generation already heading into or thinking about retirement, hospitals across the country will be faced with an employment gap as they try to recruit new nurses into the field. Hospitals in rural areas of the state already are dealing with the challenge of nursing shortages. However, many large hospitals in the area are implementing programs to retain quality nurses and ensure theyre efficiently staffed. Rural challenges From Ashland to Monroe, rural Wisconsin hospitals face many of the same challenges, but they have an ally supporting them along the way. The Sauk City-based Rural Wisconsin Health Cooperative serves 40 hospitals across Wisconsin. The co-op supports many of the areas regional hospitals, including Mauston, Reedsburg, Portage, Baraboo, Sauk Prairie, Hillsboro and Friendship. Cella Janisch-Hartline has worked in rural health care for 30 years and has spent the past five years working as the co-ops nursing leadership senior manager. Its very difficult for rural hospitals, at this time, to recruit experienced nurses, Janisch-Hartline said. The Baby Boomers are now at a place where theyre beginning to leave practice and thats going to open up millions of jobs across the nation. Feeder facilities Hospitals such as Mile Bluff Medical Center in Mauston or Divine Savior Healthcare in Portage are playing the role of teaching facilities for young nurses to gain experience. Theres a surplus of new graduates that apply at our centers because some of the urban hospitals like in Madison really want experienced nurses who have at least a year of experience to come in and work in their organizations, Janisch-Hartline said. She said the nurses who work in the rural facilities gain valuable experience, since Registered Nurses often are asked to work in multiple departments. They dont get to just work in medical surgery or just work in OBGYN; they have to work across the continuum, so they become a generalist, Janisch-Hartline said. However, once a nurse has gained that experience, smaller hospitals have to find creative ways to retain the best workers or risk losing them to larger hospitals such as UW Health or St. Marys Hospital in Madison. Historically weve wanted to stay away from sign-on bonuses and those types of programs, but now were being forced to look at that type of structure and strategy, Janisch-Hartline said. Residency program To keep entice rural nurses to stay at their current locations, hospitals across the region are taking part in the co-ops nurse residency program. Its definitely had a positive impact on the organizations that are participating, Janisch-Hartline said. Since the program started in 2004 through a Marquette University grant, turnover of first-year nurses at co-op member hospitals fell from a high of 50 percent to 8 percent. It helps nurses become integrated into the program in a networking, supportive environment, Janisch-Hartline said. It helps people get more comfortable in rural health care. Janisch-Hartline said the residency program isnt a full-proof solution. That doesnt mean they stay forever, but just maintaining and holding onto those new people for that first year is a significant reimbursement for organizations because they invest a lot of time and energy into training new nurses, Janisch-Hartline said. In the past 12 years, more than 500 rural nurses from 15 of the cooperatives member organizations have gone through the residency program. Program benefits In Mauston, Mile Bluff Medical Center has seen the benefits of the residency program. Jean Surguy has served as chief nursing officer at the hospital for six years and is always looking for programs to keep nurses happy and productive. That residency program gives them a good foundation from being a student to being a practitioner, Surguy said. It gives them that perspective that Im not the only one feeling this, because they were finding that many nurses were leaving within that first three years. She said the biggest factor in retention was stress, and that many who left their first job left nursing entirely. health care is an intense profession because youre dealing with peoples lives, she said. If a young nurse has a bad day or a doctor gets angry with them, they need to know that its just the heat of the situation and that its not them. I think the program has really helped with keeping young nurses around. Similar to many rural hospitals, Mile Bluff faces challenges to find specialty nurses who have experience in specific fields such as emergency care, surgery and OBGYN. Surguy said rural facilities have difficulty attracting experienced nurses from larger, metro hospitals. Because you have smaller volumes here, it takes longer to get the experience because youre not working a 100-bed OB unit, we have a five-bed OB unit, Surguy said. Nationwide, nursing shortages have come and gone in recent years. The recession kept many nurses working longer for job security so it was difficult for young nurses to break into the field. Many students decided to pursue another field or leave the profession early. But now its kind of opening up again, so theres definitely been an ebb-and-flow with what the market is doing, Surguy said. We know theres going to be a lot of nurses retiring in the next five to 10 years. Experience wanted For most rural hospitals in Wisconsin, the search for experienced specialty nurses is challenging. Ginger Selle, Vice President of Patient Care Services at St. Clare Hospital in Baraboo, said her hospital takes part in a fellowship program for nurses. St. Clare, which is also associated with Dean Health Clinic in Lake Delton, also has its nurses go through a long orientation process. Selle also has seen many Certified Nursing Assistants develop into RNs after a few years on the job. A lot of our nursing assistants are nursing students, which is nice because they get experience taking care of patients on the job, Selle said. While theyre here they go through school and graduate and we do hire a fare number of those grads and it works out really well that way. St. Clare offers programs to help nurses transition from a two-year to a four-year degree. St. Clare also works with local high schools to attract students to the hospital for hands-on experience. High school students can get a taste of the rigors of nursing before paying for the education and training during college. We have an advantage at St. Clare because people like the community and they tend to stay, Selle said. Our nursing turnover at St. Clare is very low far below the national average and we have a lot of longevity here. We also have opportunities to advance so we set up programs for nurses who want to specialize in a certain area to allow them to gain experience and they feel more comfortable to take care of those patients over time. Positive staffing Not all rural hospitals face a nursing staff shortage. We have not had trouble recruiting or retaining nurses at Sauk Prairie Hospital or our clinics, said Denise Cole-Ouzanian, Vice President of Patient Care Services at Sauk Prairie Hospital in Prairie du Sac. But we are aware that nationally there are some reports of up to 20 percent vacancy rates. Sauk Prairie Hospital is part of the Sauk Prairie Healthcare system, which includes several clinics in the Sauk Prairie area. According to Cole-Ouzanian, the hospital has built a strong reputation and nurses want to stay and contribute to that legacy. We do a good job of attracting individuals and once they come here, they tend to stay here, Cole-Ouzanian said. We have won several awards for best patient experience and best patient safety and outcomes, and nurses do like to work in places where there is evidence-based practice and success. While its turnover rate is about the same as other local hospitals, according to Cole-Ouzanian, Sauk Prairie has a solid track record of retaining nurses after their five-year mark. Several stay for 25 years or more. Unlike similar hospitals, Sauk Prairie has recruited both new grads, along with experienced nurses. Nationally, there have been a lot of efforts since 2000 to address the nursing shortage gap that was coming by 2020, Cole-Ouzanian said. As of 2006, it was projected that about 64 percent of the vacancy in nursing would be filled. In the past 10 years, hospitals have developed programs to raise that 64 percent even higher. Changes in technology also have increased the workforce with organizations using telemedicine, utilizing online video conferencing and assessments. Real-time questions can be fielded and answers can be met through the comfort of a patients home. In the meantime, the staff at Sauk Prairie Hospital continues to forge ahead with a full complement of nurses. Were just very fortunate to have great nurses here and to be able to recruit great nurses, Cole-Ouzanian said. Goodbye, Gov. Chris Christie. You did your best in New Hampshire. And you sure did put a good New Jersey-style hit job on Kid Marco Rubio, whom you out-psyched and out-boxed at the debate last weekend. But the primary voters of New Hampshire sent you a clear message Tuesday night: Quit. Christie did the right thing for the Republican Party on Wednesday by taking himself out of the presidential primary race. It was not a hard decision. When you finish 6th and cant reach double digits in a presidential primary, its time to start planning your career as a future U.S. Attorney General. Carly Fiorina also has finally faced reality. She also suspended her hopeless campaign which is a way to call it quits but still be able to raise money, pay your bills and jump back in if a miracle occurs. Ben Carson needs to join the rush of losers to the exits and soon. The good doctor never should have cluttered up the over-cluttered GOP primary race in the first place. Republicans are rapidly running out of time if they want to stop the Trump Express. They have to settle on one candidate so all of the partys conservative voters can unite behind him. The media likes to say there are three lanes in the GOP primary the Donald Trump lane, the establishment lane and the outsider lane. But there really are only two lanes the Trump lane and everyone else. The everyone-else lane is now the conservative lane, which includes outsiders Ted Cruz and Carson. Trump has his lane all to himself and always will. Except for his own ego, he has no competition that can split up the Trump vote. He has the same advantage my father had in the 1980 Republican primary, when he was the only conservative candidate in a sea of moderates who were splitting the moderate vote. The reverse happened in 2008 when John McCain, the only moderate in the primary, won because Mike Huckabee, Mitt Romney and Rudy Giuliani split the conservative vote. Meanwhile, this year, even with Christie and Fiorina gone, the remaining candidates still will split the conservative vote into six pieces. Trump captured 35 percent of New Hampshire voters. Kasich had almost 16 percent and Cruz, Jeb Bush and Rubio virtually tied for third with around 11 percent. Fiorina, Christie and Carson collectively got almost 14 percent. In other words, about 65 percent of New Hampshire voters didnt want Trump and voted for one kind of conservative or another. Conservatives have to get out of their own way and choose their one hero to battle Trump before the wave of March primaries, when itll be too late. But its not looking good. In South Carolina and for the near future, even if Carson and someone else quits, it looks like were going to have three or four conservative Republicans taking turns beating each other up, while Trump gets his automatic 35 percent. With Hillary Clintons cruise to the Oval Office being sunk by a 74-year-old socialist, the Democrats seem to be trying their best to hand Republicans a victory this fall. Itll be a major tragedy if conservatives in the GOP blow their big chance and America ends up with President Trump. But that would still be better than Clinton. Melba L. Novak, 95, Elkhart Lake, passed away early Sunday morning Feb. 14, 2016, at Sharon S. Richardson Hospice in Sheboygan Falls. She was born Nov. 12, 1920, in Commonwealth, Wis., the daughter of Frank A. and Anna E. (Barta) Novak. She graduated from Florence High School and attended UW-Milwaukee and received her masters degree from the University of Northern Colorado. She was a lifelong member of First Presbyterian Church in Florence. Melba taught music at Florence schools, music and history at Elkhart Lake schools, and music at Prentice and Waupun schools. Her students remembered her wonderful teaching years with many cards, letters and visits long after her retirement. Melba had many stories and had a very detailed memory for stories, names and dates. She loved music and taught piano. She was always kidding around with those she cherished and loved. Survivors include four nephews and two nieces; many great-nieces and nephews; and her special friend for many years, Rosemarie Lauer of Elkhart Lake. She was preceded in death by her parents; one sister, Alma Rudstrom; three brothers, Donald F., Raymond E. and Frank J. Novak. Following Melbas wishes, cremation has taken place and a memorial service will be held Thursday, Feb. 18, at 6 p.m. at Suchon Funeral Home in Plymouth. The Rev. Deborah Tyler of Community United Church of Christ in Elkhart Lake will officiate. Visitation will be at Suchon Funeral Home in Plymouth from 4 p.m. on Thursday to the time of the service. Inurnment will be in Commonwealth Cemetery in Florence. A memorial service will be held in May 2016 in Florence. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund is being established in Melbas name. Suchon Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Plymouth is serving the family. To leave online condolences visit www.suchonfh.com. Special thanks to the Sharon S. Richardson Hospice staff for all the care and compassion given to Melba. Thomas E. Napier, 89, Mauston Thomas Edward Napier, 89, of Mauston, passed away Feb. 12, 2016, at the Cottage Care Assisted Care facility in Mauston. Tom previously resided with his wife Ella (deceased) in Mauston. Tom was born in Chicago, Illinois, Oct. 15, 1926. His parents, Edward and Marian (Ivy) Napier had one more child, Mary Ann (deceased). He grew up in Chicago. His passionate hobby was fishing in Lake Michigan. Often times he would fish off of the then undeveloped Navy Pier. Tom attended Hawthorne Elementary School and Lane Tech High School in Chicago. Tom served in the Navy from October 1944 through 1947. In addition he was in the Naval Reserve until October 1952. In his twenties Tom was introduced to Ella by her brother Richie. He said it was love at first sight. They were married Nov. 22, 1950. Tom and Ella relocated to a Northwest suburb of Chicago, Cary, Illinois. In Cary, Tom and Ella had three children, Thomas Jr., Timothy and Tamerra. He always made his children a priority in life sometimes working two jobs to financially support the family. Tom possessed versatile trade skills in carpentry, masonary, plumbing and electrical work. He used these skills to remodel and add on to their first property acquisition in Cary. When Tom and Ella finished they had developed two commercial store fronts and three apartment buildings from what originally was a family house. He was just getting warmed up though. Next, he constructed a larger family residence in Cary. Not finished Tom constructed another house in a resort area in Northwest Illinois called Lake Summerset. It should be noted that he maintained a full time job while constructing these buildings. Tom truly defined the term jack of all trades. He later obtained his GED high school degree and attended McHenry Junior College graduating with a certificate in mechanics. In 2001 Tom and Ella moved to Mauston to be close to their son, Dr. Timothy Napier, and his family. Tom is remembered as a very kind soul with a smile always on his face. The cup was always half full with Tom. He is survived by his children, Thomas Jr. (wife, Colette), Timothy (wife, Jane) and Tamerra Napier; grandkids, Katie Mansoura (husband, Rami), Jen Windmiller, Janie Windmiller, Andrew, Aaron, Tom and Annie Napier; and great-grandchild, Emma Windmiller. A celebration of Toms life for family and friends will be held Friday, Feb. 19, from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. at the residence of Timothy and Jane Napier, 605 Elm Street in Mauston. A memorial has been set up for Tom at the Mile Bluff Medical Center Foundation, which you can visit online at http://www.milebluff.com/MBMC%20Foundation.htm. For online condolences please go to www.crandallfuneral.com. Gov. Scott Walker on Monday issued an executive order barring state agencies from coming up with a plan to comply with President Barack Obama's new rules for cutting greenhouse gasses. Walker's order comes after the U.S. Supreme Court last week issued a stay of the implementation of the new Environmental Protection Agency's rules pending the outcome of legal challenges to the new plan. Obama's power plan aims to cut greenhouse gas emissions from power plants in the United States by about one-third within 15 years. It relies heavily on wind and solar energy, among other renewable resources, to accomplish the goal. Wisconsin joined a number of states last year in suing the Obama administration over what Attorney General Brad Schimel called "a radical plan for reducing carbon emissions." In 2014, a lawsuit filed in the U.S. Court of Appeals in Washington D.C., 12 coal-dependent states sued over the proposed restrictions, including Alabama, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, South Carolina, West Virginia and Wyoming. Wisconsin will join this lawsuit. In his order that lasts until the court's stay is lifted, Walker called the rules "burdensome." "Clearly, this rule exceeds the Presidents authority and would place an undue burden on the Wisconsin ratepayers and manufacturers," Walker said in a statement. "The stay granted last week by the Supreme Court validates our concerns about this rule. The Executive Order we issued today protects our taxpayers from an unnecessary cost of up to $13 billion as we continue to act in the best interests of Wisconsin citizens." A copy of Governor Walkers Executive Order is attached. Milwaukee-based Johnson Controls is joining Apple and Facebook in the land of green. The company merged with Tyco International and they have decided to set up their international headquarters in Ireland. The move will save the company $150 million in taxes. This is called corporate inversion. Its what happens when a company relocates its legal domicile, or headquarters, to a lower-taxed nation while retaining its material operations in the higher-taxed nation. The corporate tax rate in America is 35 percent the highest rate in the world. The corporate tax rate in Ireland is 12.5 percent. Facebook, a California company, set up its international office in Dublin in 2009. The savings allowed it to have positive cash flow for the first time in company history. Apples headquarters for Europe, the Middle East and Africa is located in Cork, Ireland. The money the company makes over there isnt penalized by bringing it into the United States. The one thing politicians can agree on is that corporate inversions are a bad deal. Its probably likely that most corporate leaders would also agree. Sen. Bernie Sanders called it a disaster while Hillary Clinton called it a perversion. Both candidates believe these companies have a duty to support the country a country that has pick-pocketed their corporate wallets. What they dont offer is a real solution to the problem. At least the Republican candidates acknowledge we need to be more competitive when it comes to corporate taxes. The failure of politicians to modernize the corporate tax structure will only continue to push more businesses overseas along with billions of America dollars. The Democrats solution comes right out of the socialist handbook. According to the Democrat Socialists of America, they believe, In the short term we cant eliminate private corporations, but we can bring them under greater democratic control. They believe that even more regulation will prevent this problem. Under the lefts plan, instead of just moving the headquarters, corporations will be forced to move their entire operation to tax-friendly countries. Its failed logic when you consider they essentially require world domination to occur because we are left with the same problem, only compounded. Democrat control is nothing more than code for the regime. If you vote them in, they will use government power to force corporations, or any business and person for that matter, to capitulate to a system of government regulation that has not only evolved over the past 80 years, but has failed repeatedly around the world. Prior to the progressive liberal policies instituted by President Franklin Roosevelt, the black and impoverished communities were flourishing. The Great Depression didnt change their fate; it was the liberal policies which followed that did. As those policies expanded through the 1960s, we are now left with greater economic divides in those communities and greater rates of poverty than at any time in American history. If you believe that socialist control of a nation is good for people, just ask those folks in China and Cuba how well its playing out for them. The Foundation Economic Education reports, While it (socialism) promised prosperity, equality, and security, it delivered poverty, misery, and tyranny was achieved only in the sense that everyone was equal in his or her misery. The foundation adds, In a world with perfect beings and infinite abundance, any economic or political system socialism, capitalism, fascism, or communism would work perfectly. This country has lost a lot of corporate headquarters to our stifling corporate tax structure. It has resulted in billions of dollars being moved out of the country as corporations shelter their profits. Unfortunately, they also have to spend that money and it isnt being spent here. Imposing more rules on corporations to prevent this problem, as the left proposes, will only force them to take their entire operations out of the country. This path is one that expands government controls over the private business sector and, in all reality, would require the government to restrict companies from leaving. It brings to mind the former Soviet Union. The other path is to lower the corporate tax rate and let American business compete on a global scale. We should be incentivizing companies for bringing money into the country, not punishing them. When the money is allowed to flow back in, these corporations can reinvest in America. Lowering the corporate tax rate will lead to more growth and ultimately, more jobs right here in this country not Ireland. President Barack Obama added another chapter to his reputation for running an imperial presidency last week when his administration announced plans for visa entry program changes that created a carve-out for travelers who have been in Iran. It was Congress, however, that was really carved out and Republicans wasted no time in lambasting the president for his unilateral move. The Obama administration is essentially rewriting the law by blowing wide open a small window of discretion that Congress gave it for law enforcement and national security reasons, said Rep. Bob Goodlatte, R.-Va., the head of the House Judiciary Committee. In fact, the categories of people that the Obama administration is exempting from the law were expressly rejected by Congress. When Congress passed and Obama signed legislation at the end of last year, it was intended to tighten the reins on travelers who have visited Iran, Iraq, Syria or Sudan in the last five years in an attempt to dampen the threat of European nationals involved with the Islamic State from entering the country. Congress allowed a waiver of the visa restrictions for reasons of national security or law enforcement but rejected proposals easing restrictions for other reasons. Yet the administration issued the carve-outs for Iran that would allow business travelers to be included under that exemption, saying it was intended to balance security and economic interests. We want to make sure that we are doing everything to keep the country safe, said White House spokesman Josh Earnest, But we also dont want to unnecessarily disadvantage American businesses that are trying to do business overseas. No, no and no. Congress explicitly rejected that notion, but the president, enamored with Irans supreme leader and the implementation of the Iran nuclear accord, has chosen to throw it out the door and write laws of his own much in the same way he did with his shielding of as many as 5 million immigrants from deportation. That use of executive power is currently headed for the Supreme Court. The visa carve-out should as well. This is a republic, a nation of laws not a kingdom that is ruled by royal decree. Congress should reassert its decision, challenge the president and take away Obamas crown. A Friesland man being held on first-degree homicide and weapons charges in Columbia County Jail is accused of shooting his estranged wife to death Monday morning at a Portage hotel. About 7:48 a.m. a Portage police officer responded to a report of shots fired at the Ridge Motor Inn, 2900 New Pinery Road. In the northwest parking lot, at the rear of the building, the officer found Tracy Krueger. The 41-year-old mother from Friesland was critically injured. She had been shot and they called an ambulance, but she died almost instantly, said Portage Police Chief Ken Manthey. There was no chance of helping her recover. A witness at the hotel told the officer that the suspect drove away in a white Jeep Grand Cherokee, also giving a license plate number. As Kevin Krueger, Tracys 51-year-old husband, was leaving Portage, a Columbia County Sheriffs deputy identified the vehicle heading west on Highway 16. The deputy pulled Krueger over near Klappstein Road. Sheriff Dennis Richards, Chief Deputy Michael Babcock and the Portage Police Department K-9 unit arrived to assist in the arrest, while the deputy held Krueger at gunpoint. In Kruegers vehicle, officers found a firearm, thought to match the one that killed Tracy Krueger. Krueger was arrested less than 15 minutes after his vehicle was seen at the Ridge Motor Inn. At 9:25 a.m. he was booked into the Columbia County Jail to await his court hearing on the charges of first-degree intentional homicide and possession of a firearm as a felon. The Kruegers had been in the midst of a divorce, scheduled for a hearing on Thursday to show cause, according to court documents. The divorce, which was filed for in the end of October, had over several months involved Tracy Krueger giving change of address notices between Friesland and Greeneville, Tennessee. Speaking to reporters at the scene of the crime, Manthey was not able to say how the man later determined to be her husband knew she was at the hotel, but only that she had been staying there with a friend. Police questioned guests and local people who had been using the hotel gym Monday morning. Many were only aware something had happened when they heard squad cars come screaming into the parking lot. Officers taped off the northwest corner of the parking lot starting with the rear entrance, where light glared through a small hole in the glass of the entryway. Manthey would not comment on evidence detectives may have seen, such as shell casings or holes found. Wisconsin pension beneficiaries stand to lose more than $2 billion if lawmakers dont stop a recovery plan for Central States Pension Fund, according to opposition groups. The recovery plan would slash pension checks for about 25,000 state residents in multi-employer plans involving 530 companies. The numbers discussed Saturday in a meeting of the Endeavor Committee to Protect Pensions provided only a glimpse of the total economic impact, said Bob Brockway. Cuts to pensions would rock the U.S. economy, affecting up to 10 million people in multi-employer plans, as more struggling funds follow the lead of Central States, he said. Its going to be a tragedy for everybody involved, Brockway said Monday. Brockway leads the Endeavor committee, which meets on the second Saturday of each month in the Moundville/Endeavor fire station. Brockway estimated about 70 attended Saturdays meeting. This is for everybody who has a pension. This is why we dont have our meetings at union halls. Its for everybody. Central States, with billions of dollars in liabilities, is the first pension fund to use the Multiemployer Pension Reform Act in an alleged attempt to save itself from going broke, but they wont be the last, Brockway said. If they let the big guys fall, its going to be like dominoes, Brockway said, noting that at least 200 funds are currently viewed as in the red. To try to stop it, Protect Pensions committee members have been hand-delivering letters written to lawmakers like Sen. Ron Johnson, Rep. Glenn Grothman and Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner, driving recently to Oshkosh and Fond du Lac, Brockway said. Endeavor members delivered about 300 letters in January and hope to have close to 800 letters when they make deliveries later this month. Endeavor committee members also visited representatives in the Capitol last week. They wanted this passed in January 2015, and we stopped them, Brockway said of Central States recovery plan. Were not small potatoes like they thought we were. Brockway said he was supposed to meet Grothman at the Montello Public Library two weeks ago, but Grothman never showed up. We wont stand for this anymore. We want participation or we will vote them out, Brockway said. Committee members have been supporting Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders, who sponsored a bill dubbed Keep our Pension Promises Act. Brockway, who retired in 1999, stands to lose 50 percent of his pension, or $1,400 a month. Retirees face cuts of up to 70 percent of their pensions, according to Protect Pensions. The U.S. Department of Treasury is reviewing Central States proposal. Protect Pensions members said in Januarys meeting that a decision is expected in May. Rally in D.C. Endeavor committee members will visit the nations capital for a rally set for April 14. Teamsters Local 695, Local 200 and the state union committee each contributed $1,000 for a bus trip, estimated to cost $150 a person, Brockway said. Wayne Schultz of Local 695 in Madison who did not support Protect Pensions two months ago presented the check to the Endeavor committee Saturday, Brockway said. At least 50 buses from across the U.S. will bring people to Washington, D.C., and Endeavor hopes to find more participants in the coming weeks. If we have more, well get two buses, Brockway said. For more information, visit mycspensionhandsoff.com. People ask Portage residents Doug and Lois Fearing why they seek help for Haitians when theres so much needed in America. Answers to those questions are never easy, they said. We have poverty in the U.S., but its nothing like Haiti, said Doug Fearing, who along with wife, Lois, has regularly visited Haiti since 2010. In Haiti, they only have the willingness of people to make a difference. The Fearings are among a group of Portage residents and businesses seeking support of Schools For Haiti, a nonprofit organization that provides education for Haitian youth. They and several Madison-area business leaders will host a fundraising dinner and silent auction, set for April 30 at the Madison Marriott West in Middleton. SFH, established about nine years ago, supports about 400 students in four schools and a childrens home for orphans and abandoned children. Haiti ranks 177th of 186 nations in education spending, according to SFH. What really stuck with us was our first trip to Haiti: We saw a need for everything, Lois Fearing said. Ninety percent of education efforts in Haiti, Doug Fearing said, are the result of nonprofits, churches and other nongovernmental groups. Their lack of resources, he added, is due largely to a Haitian government that has proven itself to be pretty corrupt. If we werent doing it, it wouldnt be happening, he said. If I had to say one thing, its that theres no safety net. We dont have great safety nets in America, but we have them. Once youve been over there and actually experience the poverty, its hard to turn your back and walk away. SFH also provides administrative support, employing Haitian teachers and Haitian construction workers, he added. Were not over there trying to do it for them. Were involving them. The Portage couple owns Fearings Audio and Video Security, a business that started in Portage in 1997 but moved to Madison in 2009. Other local supporters of SFH include Klay Vehring, of Edward Jones Financial Advisors; Mike Cooper of Portage Veterinary Clinic; Carol L. Heisz of Portage Printing; Rhyme; Two Rivers Signs; and Cory Otto of Realty Executives Office, who traveled to Haiti with the Fearings in 2014. SFH schools only go up to sixth grade right now, and organizers hope to soon build a junior high, high school and trades school, as well as a community center. For more information about the dinner and auction or to learn how to help SFH, contact Lois Fearing at 608-443-2595. Even lame ducks have been known to fly. Teddy Roosevelt made the Grand Canyon a national monument in his final year as president. Ronald Reagan steered a historic reduction of nuclear weapons through the U.S. Senate while communism was collapsing. Bill Clinton oversaw a record budget surplus. Expectations are understandably low for the final year of Barack Obamas second term. A highly partisan presidential election will only encourage further gridlock in Washington. Yet with help from House Speaker Paul Ryan of Wisconsin, some big things can still get done. Obama, of course, is a Democrat, while Ryan is a Republican. The two were rivals in 2012, when Ryan ran as the GOPs vice presidential nominee. But big differences on policy and politics shouldnt stop progress for America. Where agreement does exist, legislation should move forward, with both leaders benefiting from accomplishment. Ryan has little interest in enhancing Obamas legacy. But approving popular measures with bipartisan support will improve the GOPs chances of holding swing seats and majority control in the House this fall. Obama highlighted several promising goals for the coming year during a recent White House meeting with Republican leaders, followed by a private lunch with Ryan. Four of Obamas priorities can and must be achieved, with the Democratic president staying open to GOP suggestions for cooperation: 1. Approve the free trade agreement with a dozen Pacific Rim countries. This wont be easy because several Republican and Democratic presidential candidates are stoking economic fears for electoral advantage. But free markets are the most effective way to lift prosperity in America and abroad. The Trans-Pacific Partnership will let the United States guide the rules for global trade, rather than China. That will mean more protection and opportunity for innovators, labor and the environment with stronger economic growth. 2. Commit more resources to fighting cancer. The president called for a moonshot effort to cure cancer in his State of the Union address. The goal deserves more resources for research, including promising studies at UW-Madison. If new dollars cant be found, then existing federal spending should be reprioritized. 3. Confront heroin addiction. Bipartisan support for stopping this scourge is strong, as evidenced by several smart laws the Wisconsin Legislature has adopted in recent years. This includes stricter monitoring of pain medications, better data to improve deterrents, and wider availability of a drug that counteracts overdoses. 4. Overhaul the criminal justice system. Ryan seems especially interested in this goal as a way to reduce poverty. He and the president have expressed support for flexibility on sentencing nonviolent drug offenders, and doing a better job of reintegrating inmates back into society, including federal help in finding work. Obama has less than a year remaining in the White House. But thats enough time to get these four goals done. The city of Reedsburg will not grant a building owners request for a parking arrangement the owner believes would facilitate the sale of the building on the citys busy Main Street. The citys Plan Commission rejected a request by the owner of the former church at 121 W. Main St. to allow parking at the city-owned parcel at 140 Eagle St. directly across Main Street on Feb. 9. Brian Duvalle, the citys planning and zoning administrator, said the owner has reported difficulty selling the old church, which has been converted into a single-family home. Duvalle said the owner believes the building could be better marketed if returned to its original use as church or if converted to a commercial purpose. But parking at the property is a problem. Theres no off-street parking at that site, Duvalle said. Everythings on the street. The building owner or agent did not attend the meeting. According to online Sauk County records, the property is owned by Michael and Patricia Lill, who receive property tax bills at an address in Nevada. The property is assessed at $303,100 and has an estimated fair market value of $295,900, according to online property records. According to the online information from the real estate firm acting as agent, the 5,349-square-foot, seven bedroom, 4.5 bath building is priced at $269,900. The Eagle Street location is part of the old Baraboo Concrete property, which the city bought last year for tourism-related redevelopment because of its proximity to the 400 State Trail. The city hopes to attract a bicycle-related business to set up shop at the Eagle Street location. Last year, a Wonewoc outfitter used the site as a temporary location for rental of canoes and kayaks for paddlers on the adjacent Baraboo River. Mayor Dave Estes, who chairs the Plan Commission, said he could not support the parking request. The biggest thing I can see with this is youre catering to one, Estes said. What about the other businesses that are wedged in that block as well? Commission member Steve Zibell, who is also the citys public works director, suggested the parking arrangement would be impractical since it would require people parking at the Eagle Street property to walk across busy Main Street, which is also a state highway. Theyre not going to over there to park to use that building, Zibell said. Alderman and commission member Dave Knudsen also panned the idea. I dont believe its the best use of the property, Knudsen said. I dont know that weve determined what the best use is, but I am relatively sure that is not the highest and best use. The Eagle Street property is controlled by the citys Community Development Authority, not the Plan Commission, but Duvalle said the commission would have to eventually approve the parking arrangement, so it made sense to run the proposal by the commission first. Because the commission was only asked to discuss the request it took no vote, but commissioners left little doubt that, if the site is used for parking, it will be for parking that supports visitors to the 400 State Trail. The parking lot gets full at the Chamber (of Commerce), Estes said. It would be good for overflow. At Mondays Wisconsin Dells School District board meeting Superintendent Terry Slack and Director of Curriculum Brian Grove unveiled results of a state assessment report for the 2014-15 school year. The state has made several changes in the last few years in the way it assesses student achievement including ending the WKCE program in 2014 that had been in place since 1975. In Slacks opening PowerPoint presentation he showed a graphic that said at every level of the district and every school, we have pieces to celebrate and areas to improve upon. Grove then displayed the first of many graphics breaking down the progress of third- through eleventh-grade students in the district. Showing test results from 135 third-grade students from last years school year, he noted the gap in English Language Arts (ELA) is something we need to watch. His charts showed last years third- and fourth-graders scored about four points below the state average. He did note, however, that as a district, students have been above the state average for the past four years. Math results brought better news for the two grades as third-graders almost achieved the state average, while fourth-graders far surpassed it. The report partially credited the success with different things Spring Hill School is doing in math. The report showed district fifth-grade students exceeded the state average in both ELA and math, but of all 413 elementary students tested, the group fell below the state average in that category. We have demonstrated a reduction by more than half (of the gap) over the past two tested years, said Grove. Slack then pointed out the overall five-year trend for the districts elementary students showed test scores in ELA and math have stayed consistently close to state averages. As Slack and Grove presented middle school results they noted more disparities. While sixth-grade students scored considerably lower that the state average in ELA, they scored considerably higher in math testing. Seventh-grade students scored at or just above state averages in ELA and math, while eighth-graders scored below state averages. At the high school level the report showed ninth-grade students scored very close to state levels in the ACT Aspire exam in English, reading and science, but were noticeably well below state averages in the math and writing portion of the exam. Slack made note of the districts new writing program instituted in the high school that has brought excitement to teachers and students this school year. Tenth-grade ACT Aspire results were very positive showing students either were at or above state averages in all five categories. For the first time last year, all 11thgrade students took the ACT college entrance examination. The composite score for the 108 students that took the test was 19.4, while the state average was 19.9. The Wisconsin Dells High School class of 2015 had a composite score of 21.9 very close to the state average of 22.1 While Slack said the district has work to do bring test scores up in some areas, he said the community should be proud in many ways of what its students have accomplished. He noted the successful Advanced Placement program in the high school, noting that recently Wisconsin Dells High School was placed on a prestigious honor roll of AP programs in North America. The school was one of only 500 high schools in the U.S. and Canada that was recognized for its high AP test scores. During the presentation Slack noted another PowerPoint slide saying that we should jump up and down about this one. He noted seventh-grade ELA and math scores jumped 28 percent and were above the state average for the first time in more than 10 years. Top scholars announced In other school board news Wisconsin Dells High School Principal Greg Bell announced that the Wisconsin Dells High School Class of 2016 valedictorian is Sierra Vickers and the class salutatorian is Hannah Rasmussen. Vickers is planning on attending UW-Madison to study nursing while Rasmussen is planning on attending UW-La Crosse. She said she is leaning toward a biology degree with the hope of becoming an optometrist. Bell noted the Class of 2016 is the first to graduate under the Laude System that recognizes not only the top students in the class but others who have chosen to challenge themselves by taking rigorous coursework that will further prepare them to be career or college ready. Bell said the award distinctions were extremely competitive among students, noting that one student told him if he had not taken one half-point Laude course he would have dropped 12 spots in the final rankings. Bell announced that three students reached the highest achievable honor of Summa Cum Laude, 11 achieved Magna Cum Laude and 11 Cum Laude. The high rigor courses these kids take are demanding and theyre taking them so that they can get a good education, Bell Said. Not only when you see the valedictorian and salutatorian at graduation, when you see these kids that have Laude cords on even if you dont know them put your hand out and congratulate them. The School Board also announced it will next meet March 3 at 6 p.m. with architectural firm PRA to further discuss an ongoing facility study the firm conducted last year. The meeting is not a community listening session but one for the board to determine what its next steps are in the process. USDA announces $1 billion debt relief for 36,000 farmers The USDA announced a program to provide $1.3B in debt relief for about 36,000 farmers who have fallen behind on loan payments or face foreclosure. From test tube to YouTube Megastar scientist, Sir Martyn Poliakoff, to lecture at Wits about becoming a YouTube phenomenon by making videos on chemistry. World-renowned British chemist, Sir Martyn Poliakoff, will be visiting Wits in March to deliver a lecture on the use of YouTube to spread his passion for chemistry. Poliakoff, a Professor at the University of Nottingham in the UK is known as one of the pioneers in Green Chemistry and a mega star on YouTube for his videos of the Periodic Table of Elements. Poliakoff, the Foreign Secretary of the Royal Society, will visit South Africa later in February to attend The International Academy Partnership Meeting of Science Academies, in Hermanus, after which he will be visiting Wits to present his lecture. Poliakoff who prides himself on looking a bit like Einstein was appointed Commander of the British Empire in 2008 for his services to science. His research revolves around gaining insights into fundamental chemistry and also on developing environmentally acceptable processes and materials. The planets population is growing. We have to find cleaner, greener ways of making the chemicals that we need, he says. I am particularly interested in how to make reactors where light is used to drive chemical reactions with less waste. One reactor is based on an idea I had while I was in the bath. Poliakoff is not only a recipient of the highest honours in the science, social life and from Royalty, but he has cultivated a huge following on YouTube, where on his Periodic Table of Videos has earned him almost 720 000 subscribers. His lecture tells the story of how his participation in making some videos for the University of Nottinghams YouTube channel, led him to collaborate with video journalist Brady Haran, to create his own channel. This began as a collection of 120 videos (one for each of the 118 elements of the Periodic Table, plus an introduction and a trailer). It quickly gathered momentum and now eight years later we have uploaded 584 videos, with 718 274 subscribers and a total of 119 million views over 200 countries, he says. Poliakoffs lecture will be held on Friday, 4 March, at 10 am at the Bernard Price Institute on the Wits Braamfontein East Campus. Restoring pride in African people Professor Christopher Henshilwood is the co-winner of the Vice-Chancellors research award. Henshilwood currently holds a 15 year South Africa NRF-funded Research Chair and Distinguished Professorship within the DST-NRF Centre of Excellence for Palaeosciences at Wits, is A-rated by the National Research Foundation and is a Professor of African Prehistory in the Archaeology, History, Culture and Religion Institute at the University of Bergen, Norway. I believe the award was made because of the discoveries that my team and I have made over the past 20 years that have helped to restore pride in African people by demonstrating the principal role that Africa played in the evolution of our own species, Homo sapiens, a role that just two decades ago was accorded mostly to Europe, says Henshilwood. Since 1991, Henshilwood has directed excavations at Stone Age sites in South Africa. With his research team, he increasingly provides evidence for an African origin for behavioural and technological modernity associated with Homo sapiens from about 100 000 years ago and has decisively shown that Africa is the birthplace for the early development of modern human cognition. In sum, my work on early Homo sapiens cognitive abilities has frequently challenged mainframe views, says Henshilwood. My discoveries, with my team, over the past four years of new archaeological sites located in the southern Cape will add significantly to existing knowledge of early Homo sapiens in southern Africa, especially in coastal environments. Henshilwood has published more than 60 papers in leading peer reviewed journals, volumes and books on aspects of African archaeology, especially the Middle and Later Stone Age; on the origins of language and symbolism; the effects of climatic variation on human demographics; and the epistemology of early behavioural evolution. His research on the recognition of symbolic material culture among Middle Stone Age people and their ability for complex technology has enabled us to question the once dominant paradigm of a sudden European origin of human behavioural modernity. A central achievement and focus of my many publications is recognising that the most ancient symbolic traditions in Africa date back at least 100 000 years, he says. For Henshilwood, excavating an archaeological site is like travelling in a time-machine. The deposits that were laid down up to 100 000 years ago in these sites by the direct ancestors of all of us, Homo sapiens, are still lying in the exact place in which they were put. It is a great privilege to painstakingly recover these deposits and to reconstruct, piece by piece, the daily lives of these ancient people, he says. Together with his intercontinental multi- and cross-disciplinary research teams in South Africa, Europe and the USA, Henshilwood says he will directly address some of the still unanswered questions about Homo sapiens in the next decade. Some of these questions include: when and why did humans first become behaviourally modern; did cognitive changes in the human brain accelerate behavioural variability; how were these groups of hunter gatherers socially organised; was social cohesion enhanced by the adoption of symbolic material culture; how adaptable were humans to environmental change and did climatic unpredictability act a driver for technological innovation and subsistence adaptations, he says. Our research will focus explicitly on the period between 100 000 - 50 000 thousand years ago. Michael Gerson to serve as 2016 Andrews Fellow Washington Post columnist, author and former presidential speechwriter Michael Gerson has been named the 2016 Hunter B. Andrews Distinguished Fellow in American Politics at William & Mary. He will be on campus April 4-5 to meet with students, faculty and staff. Mike Gerson has spent his career awash in American politics, working in them and writing about them, said President Taylor Reveley. It is marvelous to welcome him to campus as William & Marys 2016 Andrews Fellow. We look forward to his words of wisdom gained over the course of an exceptional career. He will speak to us at a very unusual moment in our countrys political evolution. The Andrews Fellowship was created in 1998 by friends of the former state senator and William & Mary alumnus who died in 2005. Andrews served on the William & Mary Board of Visitors from 2003 to 2005. Gerson is a nationally syndicated columnist who appears twice weekly in The Washington Post. He is the author of Heroic Conservatism and co-author of City of Man: Religion and Politics in a New Era. He appears regularly on PBS NewsHour, Face the Nation and other programs. Previously, Gerson served as a top aide to President George W. Bush where he served as both a speechwriter and as assistant to the president for policy and strategic planning. Currently, Gerson serves as senior advisor at One, a bipartisan organization dedicated to the fight against extreme poverty and preventable diseases. During his time in the Bush administration, Gerson was a key advocate for the Presidents Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, the President's Malaria Initiative, the fight against global sex trafficking and funding for womens justice and empowerment issues. Prior to serving as assistant to the president, Gerson served in the White House as deputy assistant to the president, director of presidential speechwriting, assistant to the president for speechwriting and policy advisor. Gerson joined Bush's presidential campaign in early 1999 as chief speechwriter and a senior policy advisor. Gerson was previously a senior editor covering politics at U.S. News and World Report. He was a speechwriter and policy advisor for Jack Kemp and a speechwriter for Bob Dole during the 1996 presidential campaign. He also served Senator Dan Coats of Indiana as policy director. Each year, the Andrews Fellowship program brings a notable journalist, politician or scholar to campus to talk with students, faculty and staff. Previous fellows have included political scholar and analyst Larry Sabato; former Washington Post columnist David Broder; Tom Foley (D-Wash.), 49th Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives; Representative and civil rights leader John Lewis (D-Ga.); journalist, author and Supreme Court scholar Linda Greenhouse; former Sen. John Warner (R-Va.); former Governor Gerald Baliles (D-Va.); and U.S. Senator Richard G. Lugar (R-Ind.). The 2015 fellow was news anchor, journalist and author Gwen Ifill. China News on Women Sorry, the page you requested was not found. If you're having trouble locating a destination on Womenofchina.cn, try visiting the Womenofchina Home page European tourism gathers momentum Icelandic tourism is growing rapidly Holidaymakers are flocking to European destinations in significantly increasing numbers for the sixth successive year, according to new figures. Nowhere is fuelling this growth more than Iceland, the European Travel Commission (ETC) reports. Its European Tourism 2015 - Trends & Prospects study shows that Iceland enjoyed a 30% increase in international tourism numbers last year. Europe's biggest tourism winners The biggest-growing countries in terms of international tourism are: - Iceland 30% - Romania 17% - Slovakia 16% - Montenegro 15.5% - Ireland 14% Other countries which have shown substantial growth include Croatia and Portugal (both 10%) as well as Greece (8%). Well covered in Europe Europe pretty much covers all bases whether visitors want culture, architecture, natural attractions, sun-kissed beaches or parties. It is a similar story with travel insurance, which can give holidaymakers peace of mind no matter where in Europe or elsewhere they travel. Travel cover can reimburse tourists for a range of losses - from suitcases to sunglasses, from passports to medication. Other end of the scale According to the ETC report, the fastest-shrinking countries regarding overseas arrivals are said to be: - Finland -5% - Estonia -3% - Turkey -1% - Bulgaria -1% All have suffered from a drop in visitor numbers from nearby Russia. Montenegro is the lone European exception in the region, enjoying a 6.4% growth in Russian arrivals. Stat attack - One in 20 European-bound tourists come from the US, at 25.7 million visitors. - This percentage is likely to grow a full percentage point to 6% by the start of the next decade. - The ETC's executive director Eduardo Santander predicts that European tourism will grow by a further 3% this year. Beneficial factors Europe is already the world's most visited area. The ETC says there are several factors behind the continued desire to travel there, including: - The drop in the price of oil. - More affordable holidays due to better exchange rates. - The eurozone's continuing economic upsurge. Study finds that classrooms across the country minimize global warming in curriculum. Climate change isnt a topic frequently studied in middle and high-school classrooms, a new study indicates, according to a report, and schools are teaching misinformation about the phenomenon. The first national survey of public middle and high school teachers discovered that only 30 percent of them said they emphasize that humans are the culprit for burning fossil fuels. Another 12 percent didnt even mention human involvement, and 31 percent reported that they about the controversy in the scientific community. In an earlier survey of climate scientists conducted in 2009, found that 97.4 percent agree that burning fossil fuels were the cause, but U.S. teachers were also unaware of the consensus, according to the National Center for Science Education, in coordination with Pennsylvania State and Wright State University on Feb. 12 reported in the journal Science. Political pressure did not seem to be the reason for global warmings lack of attention. Only 4.4 percent of teachers indicated pressure not to teach the about the controversy. And a majority of teachers, approximately 68 percent believe that climate change to be the reason. But the findings suggests that a combination of ignorance about the scientific consensus and current research might explain issues lack of coverage in classrooms. Study author, Minda Berbeco, a climate change policy specialist at NCSE, said in a statement,Its clear that the vast majority of surveyed teachers are hungry for additional professional development, and adds, Even half the teachers who deny the scientific consensus on climate change say they would take this training. Global warming is such a heated subject, documents leaked in 2012 revealed that the conservative think tank, The Heartland Institute schemed to create school curricula that would minimize the impact of climate change. In 2014, the Texas Board of Education wanted to circulate textbooks that dissembled evidence for global warming. But under pressure from various educational groups, including the NCSE, publishers that denied climate change revised their texts. Caruso said that it will still be necessary to speak to the pharmacist and be trained on how to safely use the drug, which is administered by either nasal spray or injection. Naloxone, an opioid drug overdose antidote, has been sold without prescription at CVS pharmacies in Tennessee for some time. Walgreens will be joining them this year, offering Naloxone in 35 states. According to Walgreens spokesman Phil Caruso, it is a move to try and decrease the number of deaths due to heroin overdose. Kroger in Ohio and northern Kentucky will also be offering the lifesaving medication within days. Caruso said that it will still be necessary to speak to the pharmacist and be trained on how to safely use the drug, which is administered by either nasal spray or injection. Krogers spokesperson said that the Tennessee legislature is working with the states Pharmacy Association on a statewide protocol for selling Naloxone without prescription in the state. Micah Cost, Tennessee Pharmacy Association executive director, said the association supports making the drug overdose antidote easier to buy. The Tennessee Department of Health reports that the number of heroin-related deaths rose from 18 to 147 between 2009 and 2014. The 2014 National Survey on Drug Use and Health found that approximately 6.5 million Americans misused prescription drugs in 2014. Also in 2014, the CDC reported 47,055 drug overdose deaths, which included both prescription and illicit drugs, a 6.5 percent increase from 2013. Once the Walgreens program becomes effective, naloxone will be available without prescription in more than 5,800 of their 8,200 stores. Prasad Moparti with his daughter By: Wayne Morin (Scroll down for video) A family was very excited to fly to the United States for their loved oneas wedding. However, the bride and her family are now very concerned after her father went missing during the wedding reception. The 55-year-old father of the bride came from India, to celebrate the wedding of his daughter Durga Moparti, in California. The wedding was held at the historic Grand Island Mansion, which overlooks the Sacramento River and rows of orchards. After walking his daughter down the aisle, Prasad Moparti went outside for a walk and was not seen again. The family is very concerned over his well-being. Instead of going on a honeymoon, the bride along with many wedding guests stayed in the area to search for the father. Divers were called to the area to search in the water, but so far, he was not found. The family has posted flyers of the missing person, and are asking anyone with information to come forward. Handcuffs (illustration) By: Tanya Malhotra A couple was left humiliated after they were forced to call the police for help to unlock a pair of handcuffs. However, the intimate evening between the husband and wife ended in an arrest of the man. According to the police report, 21-year-old Dustin Taylor of Fort Smith, Arkansas, was handcuffed during sex, but the couple lost the key and called the police for help to get him out of the toy. When police arrived, they did a routine search of Taylors name in a police database and realized that he had a warrant out for his arrest. He was wanted for first-degree criminal mischief in Sebastian County, the police report said. Police removed Taylors personal handcuffs and replaced it with their own, and he was taken to jail. aI sort of wish the guy had invested in an extra handcuffs key,a Sergeant Daniel Grubbs, spokesperson for the Fort Smith police, said. Wine bottles (illustration) By: Wayne Morin A man was arrested on a charge of burglary after breaking into a womanas home and drinking her alcoholic beverages, police in the United Kingdom said. Now, 54-year-old James Reid of Perth, has been ordered to complete 50 hours of community service after being convicted of burglary for breaking into the home of Vikki Banks, and stealing her alcoholic beverages numerous times. A court heard how Banks installed a hidden camera in her home after her alcoholic beverages went missing numerous times. She told investigators that she once found an empty bottle of alcohol on the living room table. After reviewing the footage on the surveillance camera, Banks was surprised to see that Reid had been breaking in and out of her home for drinks. To cover his tracks, Reid replaced alcohol with water and closed the door behind him. Reid had discovered a house key hidden under a rock outside the property, and used it to enter the house on a number of occasions. Young girl (illustration) By: Tanya Malhotra A husband and wife were arrested on a charge of rape after the alleged rape of their 4-year-old niece, police in Zimbabwe said. Harare police said that they have arrested the 29-year-old husband and his 30-year-old wife, who were not identified, after the husband raped his niece while the wife watched. They were both charged with one count of rape. They were booked into jail, and they were denied bail. According to the police investigation, the wife lured her niece to her home before sending her into the bedroom, where her husband waited for her. The wife then stood at the door to make sure that nobody disturbs her husband as he raped the girl. The incident came to light after the girls grandmother noticed that the child is having a difficult time walking. She asked her what happened, and the girl revealed that her uncle raped her. The US war in Afghanistan produced at least 11,000 civilian casualties last year, setting a new official record, according to a report by the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan. The total number of civilians killed and wounded during combat actions by US and US-backed government forces, Taliban militias and other insurgent groups rose nearly five percent above 2014s figure, according to the UN. Afghan government forces were responsible for 17 percent of the casualties, while US and NATO forces were responsible for 2 percent, the UN found. The report identified at least 1,000 civilian casualties that could not be definitely attributed to any of the warring parties. The UN report repeats the claims of the US military, blaming the Taliban for the bloodshed and implying that the relative drawdown of international forces carried out since 2014 has intensified the killing. In reality, responsibility for the deepening social catastrophe in Afghanistan lies squarely with American imperialism, which has fomented and waged a series of wars against the Afghan people over a period of decades. Since the invasion in 2001, US forces have carried out a continuous reign of terror against the population, in which regular killing of civilians has been considered unavoidable collateral damage. The latest UN report found that targeted and deliberate killings accounted for a substantial share of civilian deaths caused by American and US-backed Afghan units. Indeed, as last Octobers bombing of a Doctors Without Borders hospital in Kunduz made clear, the murder of civilians has increasingly been employed as a deliberate tactic to intimidate adversaries of the US-installed Kabul government. US special forces scouted the hospital just days before it was bombed by an American gunship, working in concert with another commando team. It was subsequently revealed that US military officers suspected the hospital of providing aid and shelter to Taliban forces, treating wounded insurgents and allowing them to use its facilities as a staging area. The disaster inflicted on the country is being utilized to justify an expanded US military presence and permanent occupation of the country. Over the past six months, the White House has repeatedly signaled its agreement with Pentagon demands for a much larger US military role in Afghanistan, for years and decades to come. Last October, the White House announced that it was delaying a planned drawdown, keeping at least 10,000 troops in Afghanistan through the end of Obamas term. US military leaders now speak openly about their plans to indefinitely maintain a force of thousands of combat troops on the ground, along with extensive special forces deployments and a network of permanent bases. The US determination to continue combat operations in Afghanistan is fueled by the growing breakdown of the US-backed puppet government in Kabul, the instability of which is threatening Washingtons ability to use the country as an organizing center for military operations throughout Central Asia, countering both Russian and Chinese influence in the region. Afghanistan is at serious risk of a political breakdown during 2016, occasioned by mounting political, economic and security challenges, US Director of National Intelligence James Clapper warned earlier in February. The fragility of the Afghan government, headed by President Ashraf Ghani, flows from the fact that it is little more than a loosely organized drug mafia, propped up by opium money and massive doses of US military violence. Until recently, the Kabul regime was headed by Hamid Karzai, a man with close family ties to the countrys leading drug trafficker. The State Departments own Afghanistan special inspector characterized the political regime in Afghanistan as a burgeoning narco-terrorist state in recent testimony, noting that US anti-drug officials often refuse to visit Afghanistan out of fear for their lives. Despite Washingtons constant rhetorical denunciations of the Taliban, the US is striving to stabilize its puppet regime by working out a compromise with sections of the Taliban via the Afghan Peace Process. US and Afghan leaders have issued increasingly open calls for members of the Islamic fundamentalist militia to join the ruling coalition in recent days. Any opposition group that seeks to live in brotherhood with us is welcome, President Ghani said Monday. I think there are a lot of Taliban who want to come to the peace table, US commander in Afghanistan John Campbell said on Saturday in statements from Kabul. Noting the absence of one person who speaks for the Taliban, Campbell called for efforts to get the right people to the table. The leadership of Indias principal Stalinist party, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) or CPM, is at loggerheads over whether it should ally with the Congress Party, the Indian bourgeoisies traditional party of government, to fight the West Bengal state election. Party leaders have been sniping at each other for weeks over the possibility of a tie-up with the Congress, even as senior leaders of the West Bengal CPM, including former West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, publicly appeal to the Congress for an electoral bloc so as to defeat the ruling Trinamool Congress and save democracy in West Bengal. The CPM is supposed to finalize its policy for the state elections to be held this spring in West Bengal and four other statesKerala, Tamil Nadu, Pondicherry and Assamat a Politburo meeting today and a meeting of its Central Committee on Wednesday and Thursday. However, speculation is rife that the party could be heading for a split over its decision in respect to West Bengal. Indias fourth most populous state, West Bengal long served as the principal base of the CPM and its Left Front in electoral politics. But having pursued what it itself described as pro-investor policies, the CPM fell from state office in 2011 and in the 2014 national election won just 2 of West Bengals 42 seats. Fearing another electoral debacle, the CPM leadership in West Bengal is desperate for a tie-up with the Congress. In this they have the support of CPM General-Secretary Sitaram Yechury. But most of the party leadership in Kerala, the only other major state where the CPM is a contender for office, is opposed. They fear a partnership with the Congress in West Bengal will undermine their efforts to oust the crisis-ridden Congress-led state government in Kerala, where elections are also due this spring. Yechurys predecessor, Prakash Karat, is also opposed. The former general-secretary has reportedly suggested that Yechury resign if he is not ready to adhere to the partys tactical line. Last April, at its 21st party congress, the CPM reiterated its readiness to form all manner of third front electoral alliances with regional- and caste-based capitalist parties, but ruled out electoral blocs with either the neo-liberal Congress or the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the Hindu supremacist party that currently forms Indias national government. The differences between Yechury and Karat and between the West Bengal and Kerala party leaderships are a falling out among thievesa wrangle over what right-wing course to pursue so as to best bolster the CPMs influence in the Indian establishment. While Karat leads the CPMs reputed hardline anti-Congress faction, it was under his leadership that the Stalinists propped up Indias Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government for four years, from May 2004 through June 2008. And did so as the UPA implemented a raft of pro-market reforms and forged a strategic partnership with US imperialism. Nor has Karat ever voiced any disagreement with the neoliberal policies the CPM-led West Bengal Left Front government pursued under Bhattacharjees premiership. These included slashing social spending, banning strikes in IT and IT-enabled industries, and using police and goon violence to suppress peasant opposition to the expropriation of their lands for big business projects. Karat has signaled he would be willing to support some type of back-room deal with the Congress in West Bengal, just not a formal electoral alliance. Speaking late last year on the sidelines of a CPM organizational plenum, Karat said he recognizes the CPM faces an extraordinary situation in West Bengal and that tactical flexibility is required. The Kerala-based Onmanamora website reported last week, based on discussions with senior party leaders in the south Indian state, Karat and company do not want to be branded as insensitive to the partys plight in Bengal. They insist that they wouldnt have bothered (i.e., objected) if the party cooperated with the Congress in some of the constituencies in Bengal without making it official. However, they view a formal alliance as suicidal, because it would so identify the CPM with the traditional party of the Indian bourgeoisie and do so under conditions where the Congress Party has been reduced to an also-ran in much of the country because of its implementation of right-wing, big business policies. Indeed in the 2014 national election, the Congress finished fourth in West Bengal, winning just 9.6 percent of the popular vote. Karats faction calculates a somewhat more oppositional posture will better serve the Stalinists in rallying support among Indias workers and toilers who are voicing increasing opposition to the 20-month old BJP government and thereby regaining significant influence in official Indian bourgeois politics. From 1991 through 2008, the Stalinists played a pivotal role in sustaining in office a succession of Congress and Third Front governments that spearheaded the drive to make India a cheap-labor producer for world capitalism and were consequently courted and feted. A senior Kerala CPM politburo member talking to Onmanorama, accused the partys Bengal unit of challenging the political line that wants the CPM to strengthen itself and the larger Left and suggested that the Bengal unit might form another party if it cannot agree to what the party congress resolved (last April). On Friday, the West Bengal CPM State Committee met to discuss its recommendation to this weeks central leadership meetings. On the eve of that meeting, the former CPM Chief Minister Bhattacharjee tried to claim that in seeking an alliance with the Congress Party, the West Bengal CPM is responding to popular pressure. The people of Bengal, he told a public rally in Barackpore, have a strong opinion for a larger alliance of all political parties against the ruling Trinamool Congress. Meanwhile, Biman Basu, the head of the West Bengal Left Front and a CPM Politburo member, announced that the CPMs sister Stalinist party, the Communist Party of India (CPI), and the other nine parties that comprise the Left Front in West Bengal had unanimously agreed to consider an electoral alliance with the Congress. According to information leaked to the press, at Fridays CPM State Committee meeting more than forty party leaders spoke in favour of jointly fighting the elections with Congress and less than a dozen against. The meeting concluded with the adoption of a resolution calling for the CPM to spearhead a campaign to defeat the Trinamool Congress in the coming state elections and to rally the support of all forces opposed to (the) ruling party, an obvious reference to the Congress Party. Supporters of a tie-up with the Congress explained that if the resolution did not specifically mention an alliance with the Congress, it is because the Congress high command has yet to formally endorse opening talks with the CPM on an electoral pact. However, the West Bengal Congress leadership is strongly in favour of contesting the polls jointly with the CPM and according to a February 4 report in the Kolkata-based daily the Telegraph, Yechury has already held two meetings with the All India Congress Committee member in charge of Bengal, C.P. Joshi, to initiate discussions on the divvying up of seats. Both Yechury and Karat attended Fridays West Bengal leadership meeting, but in accordance with CPM practice did not speak. While in Kolkata the two senior-most CPM leaders reportedly met separately with leaders of the CPI and other key Left Front constituents in an attempt to convince them of their respective positions. Such a public breakdown of the unity of the CPM leadership is unprecedented and underscores the depth of the divisions and the potential for a party split. Revelations continue to emerge pointing to the criminal activities of authorities that resulted in the poisoning of the drinking water of Flint. The new evidence is included in some 20,000 pages of emails related to Flints water that were released by Michigan Governor Rick Snyder on February 12. One of the most damning is an email by a water quality official warning that the citys water plant was not prepared for the planned switch to the Flint River on April 25, 2014 and could not monitor the safety of the water on time. Mike Glasgow, Laboratory & Water Quality Supervisor for the City of Flint, warned eight days before the switch, in an April 17, 2014 email to Adam Rosenthal of the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), I was reluctant before, but after looking at the monitoring schedule and our current staffing, I do not anticipate giving the OK to begin sending water out anytime soon. He added, If water is distributed from this plant in the next couple weeks, it will be against my direction. In the same email, Glasgow complained, I have people above me making plans to distribute water ASAP and I need time to adequately train additional staff and to update our monitoring plans before I will feel we are ready. I will reiterate this to management above me, but they seem to have their own agenda. The Flint Water Treatment Plant (WTP) had not been used to chemically treat water for 50 years. Drinking water had been supplied to the city by the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department (DWSD) since 1965, and since 1974, it came directly from Lake Huron, the third-largest of the Great Lakes through a newly-built 72-inch pipeline. This delivered treated water from the then brand-new Lake Huron Treatment Plant, run by the DWSD. The agenda Glasgow referred to evolved from a scheme hatched in 2007 by Genesee County Drain Commissioner Jeff Wright called the Karegnondi Water Authority (KWA) pipeline. Intending to garner the participation of three Michigan counties: Sanilac, Lapeer and Genesee, the plan, required the commitment of Genesee Countys largest city, Flint. The KWA pipeline, once built, would parallel the DWSD Lake Huron pipeline, but would be several miles to the northa completely irrational use of resources. The project has led to what one DWSD official called a water war. A critical point to note is that the KWA plan, as opposed to what the DWSD had been providing for years, would require the Flint WTP to treat the raw Lake Huron water. A March 2013 email between Michigan State Treasurer Andy Dillon and Stephen Busch of the DEQ raised concernsa month before Flints then-Emergency Manager Ed Kurtz signed on with the KWA and more than a year before switching from DWSDover the risks involved with the use of the Flint WTP to process Flint River water. Analyzing a study that Dillon himself had contracted from engineering firm Tucker, Young Jackson and Tull (TYJT) to evaluate the switch from DWSD water, Busch noted: Continued use of the Flint River at such demand rates would: a. Pose an increased microbial risk to public health; b. Pose an increased risk of disinfection by-product (carcinogen) exposure to public health; c. Trigger additional regulatory requirements under the Michigan Safe Drinking Water Act; d. Require significant enhancements to the Flint WTP. Each one of these points were realized after the switch. Cases of Legionnaires Disease spiked, resulting in 10 deaths, E. coli appeared in Flints drinking water, then as a result of over chlorinating to kill bacteria, trihalomethanes were introduced into peoples tap water. Buschs email noted that the Flint WTP would require significant enhancements, knowing full well that the manpower level and technical ability to apply corrosion control chemicals to the water did not exist in that outdated facility. The failure to add phosphates, which form a protective layer around pipes, resulted in the leaching of lead and other chemicals from the citys antiquated pipe system into the water supply. Yet, Treasurer Dillon, a Democrat, disregarded the warnings and approved the switch, despite the $357 million cost estimate$100 million higher than KWA estimatesin the TYJT study. Besides pointing out that Flint would not have a seat on the water board despite being responsible for 30 percent of the pipeline construction cost and therefore having no say on possible future rate hikes, the study reported that the KWA would be less cost-effective than any of the proposals presented by the DWSD. The report added, Separating the water system appears to run counter to the Treasurys efforts of consolidating services. Kurtz was already pushing for the KWA option as early as January 2013, and held a January 28 meeting with pipeline engineers, Wright, Flint officials and representatives from the Michigan Treasury department to lobby for the deal, as documented in another email. After getting the okay from Dillon, Kurtz signed the deal in April 2013. Groundbreaking on the pipeline followed in June. Since the KWA plan duplicated the already underutilized DWSD pipeline, the motivations behind the new pipeline remain shady. Scenes of Roman Polanskis 1974 film Chinatown are brought to mind. Control of water resources is an enormous political and financial boondoggle as illustrated early in 2011, when DTE Energy told the KWA that it would be interested in purchasing 3 million gallons of raw Lake Huron water daily, for cooling its Greenwood electrical plant. Wright announced the offer at a board meeting, saying that others could follow, as more businesses are made aware of (what we are doing and) the lower cost of untreated water. An indication of the avarice behind the KWA project is Wrights 2007-2008 hiring of Sam Riddle, a corrupt Detroit official during the infamous terms of Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, who is currently serving a 28-year prison term for crimes committed in office. While chief of staff for Detroit Council President Monica Conyers, who also served time in prison for bribery, Riddle ran an extortion racket. Wright retained him as a consultant to help the KWA acquire the needed permits to construct the pipeline. In 2010, it was revealed publicly that Wright served as an FBI informant, recording conversations with Riddle to assist in prosecuting him. What did the FBI have on Wright to get him become an informant? There is public speculation that Wright faced money laundering charges from his 2000 election campaign to become drain commissioner and that was the leverage that the US intelligence agency used. According to a Detroit Free Press article from February 9, Former Genesee County Prosecutor Arthur Busch told the Free Press this week he wanted to charge Wright with money laundering in 2005 but was unable to do so because of legal issues involving the statute of limitations. It is becoming clearer that the force driving the decisions to sever relations with the DWSD and then to use the polluted Flint River as the citys water source, had nothing to do with protecting the citizens of Flint from rate increases. Rather, the predatory schemes of a few well-placed individuals ruthlessly determined to turn the economic duress faced by the mass of the populace into a source of massive profits. This included efforts by Dillon to further undermine the financial position of Detroit in order to justify throwing the city into bankruptcy, slashing city worker pensions and preparing the privatization of public assets, including the DWSD. When the City of Flint did make the April 2014 switch from DWSD water to the Flint River, a deep-going conspiracy against the population stepped into action. The newly released emails show just how deep the complicity went. The same MDEQ Lansing District Supervisor Stephen Buschnow suspended pending Snyders investigationwho internally warned of the risks involved with using Flint River water in early 2013, rewarded MDEQ staff more than two years later with a pay increase for lying to worried residents who complained about the safety of their drinking water. The emails released last Friday by Snyders office expose the depth of the criminality of public officials in Michigan over the Flint disaster, but Flint is just the tip of the iceberg. The New York Times published an editorial on Sunday titled, Fixing Our Broken Water Systems. It warned, The country has invested too little in its public works as governments at all levels have become obsessed with cutting spending. Pointing to similar lead-in-water disasters such as in Sebring, Ohio, the newspaper cites figures of $384 billion by the EPA and $1 trillion by the American Water Works Association over the next decades to continue providing safe water to the population, and warns Congress to act. The Times expresses the concerns of the capitalist class. While warning that the reactionary drivel of Republican candidate Donald Trump, saying that the entire Environmental Protection Agency can be scrapped, more conscious layers in the ruling elite know that they must at least pay lip service to the right to clean drinking water in order to prevent a further growth of social opposition. Predictably, the Times does not mention the Obama administration, which has overseen the further undermining of the nations infrastructure, while providing endless resources for Wall Street and the Pentagon war machine, while championing the further privatization of public services. The disaster in Flint is but one example of the decades of political policies of both capitalist partiesderegulation, attacks on public services and on the jobs, wages, healthcare and pensions of public employees. At the same time the determined opposition of working class residents in Flint who stood up against the lies and machinations of government agencies has brought these social crimes to light throughout the US and the world. Like many rallies across the country, Bernie Sanders appearance at Eastern Michigan University (EMU) on Monday drew thousands of young people, many who are participating in the first political activity of their lives. For a generation that has known nothing but political reaction, endless wars and a vast growth of social inequality, Sanders denunciations of the corrupt political system and an economy rigged to only benefit the richest 1 percent was greeted with enthusiasm. However, the candidate for the presidential nomination of the Democratic Party, who describes himself as a democratic socialist, has been the temporary beneficiary of the initial stages of a political radicalization among young people and workers, which will go far beyond Sanders efforts to contain opposition within the Democratic Party and appeals for mild reforms of the capitalist system. In comments to reporters for the World Socialist Web Site students and others at the rally expressed a growing desire to create a fairer economic and political system, which they vaguely associate with their understanding of socialism. At this point several expressed the belief that this can be accomplished through the Democratic Party and his political revolution, which amounts to campaign finance reform and proposals to make the rich pay their fair share, while keeping capitalist property relations intact. Stacie Johnston, an EMU student, said, I always vote but I havent been this excited in a while. The fact that Sanders is for the people is very refreshing, as opposed to those for big money interests or corporations. I really like that hes authentic and that hes for womens rights. Hes always voted for womens health, to keep Planned Parenthood funded and also to reform the criminal justice system. I really like that he wants to look at the defense budget and our strategies there. I like that hes for a more diplomatic approach to solving our international issues instead of just going to war, having senseless wars like the war in Iraq. I believe Bernie Sanders is more honest than Clinton and that hes for me. I dont believe that Hillary Clinton is for me, she flip-flops her policies all the time. She was against gay marriage and then shes for it. She was for the war in Iraq and then she was against the war in Iraq. She was for Keystone [the gas pipeline] and then she was against Keystone. She does what suits her because I think her sole goal is simply to get elected. Its not about the people. The WSWS reporter pointed out that Sanders has repeatedly expressed his support for Obamas wars, from Afghanistan to Syria, and the supposed war on terror and drone assassinations. There were a few times that I think he probably could have shown better judgment, she said. But so far he has maintained consistency in what he has supported. Yes, that would be one instance in which you could not call him a socialist, but he is looking at the more diplomatic ways that America should not always go in first into other countries and their conflicts. I think thats a better plan. As for socialism, Stacie said, I dont know enough about socialism, but Im not against it. What I do know of it, I think its a good idea. Im for people having equal rights and for things being fair. Jaime, a young teacher, said she thought the major issues in the elections were Health care and war. It seems like war is a waste of lives and resources. Its ridiculous. Lets put that money toward more peaceful things. A number of young people expressed outrage over the situation in Flint, with one young professional in the health and safety field saying, I think there was a lot of negligence shown by the officials in the state and local government, going all the way to the top. I was shocked that when they reported lead in the water it didnt immediately get a wide response. Andrew, a student, said he hadnt made up his mind yet about the election. I am here to listen, I havent made a decision. He said for him the biggest single issue was war. I am very much against American imperialism. The drone issue is very big for me. During his remarks Sanders said nothing about US militarism. While he made a passing reference to the government having no money for Flint, while spending billions on the Iraq War, he made no criticisms of Obama or the Democratic Party. When the WSWS reporter explained Sanders support for US military interventions to Andrew, and this support for US aggression against Russia and China, he replied that he thought the Democratic Party could be pressured, The older Democrats are much more right-wing in my thinking. Pritpaul, a software engineer, said, I think Sanders is the only hope we have for someone to fix the problems. Unfortunately we have a two-party system; third parties dont stand a chance I realize Bernie is not going to dismantle capitalism, but I am sort of an FDR kind of guy. Members of the Bock family also spoke with the WSWS. Asked what they thought were the main issues in the 2016 elections, Bill Bock Sr., a public school principal said, It is the environment. His son, Bill Jr., replied, income disparity. I am a Detroit teacher with a Masters degree making $43,000 a year. I owe more now on my college loans than when I finished school seven years ago. Asked what they thought of when they heard the word socialism, Lidi Armenta, Bill Jr.s wife, said, I think a lot of people confuse socialism and communism. The majority of people are seeing beyond labels. When you see that capitalism is failing you are open to new things. The system is doing well for the people on top. Bill Jr. said, I think the government, all of us, should make sure people are taken care of. His father added, the social conservatives want big government to tell women what to do with their lives. Bernie Sanders wants smart government, not big government. Lidi continued, For some reason we are led to believe that everything that is not capitalist, not driven by profit, is anti-American. But if you look at what is happening with privatization, we are having problems with the mortality rate rising. Ryan, who tutors students and develops educational curriculum, said, I favor Sanders approach on spending less money on the military and spending more expressly on the needs of citizens. The special economic interests that control the political system have disenfranchised the people. I voted for Obama in 08 but not in 2012. I was disappointed with him, especially with his policy towards education and continuing the wars. Joshua is a bell attendant at a hotel. He was at the event with Jenne, a Taco Bell worker and a student at Wayne State University, and Courtney, another WSU student. Courtney said, Sanders is for equality. A lot of young people cant afford to go to college and are dropping out. Jenne said she liked Sanders foreign policy and that he would not be for more wars in the Middle East and meddling in their affairs. Josh said Sanders had stood firm for his principles for many years and hadnt waivered like Clinton. If someone is going to be president they need to have integrity. Courtney said Obama had tried to change the country but the billionaire class controls both parties structurally. The WSWS reporter pointed to the contradiction between Sanders criticism of the billionaire class and the fact that he was promoting the Democrats, which were controlled by the billionaire class, just as much as the Republicans. Far from genuinely expressing the political radicalization of workers and youth in the US, Sanders was trying to capture it and contain it within the Democratic Party, the second party of American capitalism. In response to these points, the students expressed interest in attending the public meetings sponsored by the International Youth and Students for Social Equality on What is Socialism? Alex and Bill are Eastern Michigan University students. Bill said, Obama could have done more progressive things. Inequality has such a strong hold in America and the wealthy have all the power. It will be kind of difficult to break their hold unless there is a movement from below. A charter schoolteacher said, Sanders is the only one that does not have a super PAC. The Democrats and Republicans are two sides of the same coin. But Sanders is different. He is a man of the people, the only one that wants to take away the tax breaks from the rich. Another EMU student said, I, my generation, a lot of people like Sanders so I came here to see what he stands for. The American Dream is outdated. Its from the 1950s and the dream of a suburban life. It cant inspire people any more because it is really hard to achieve. It cant be pull yourself up from your bootstraps anymore. We have do solve things in a communal, not an individual, sense now. Sandra, another EMU student, said, Sanders is the only candidate who has clear and achievable goals. After eight years things have only gotten a little better under Obama, like the cost of gas going down. What I dont like is that some people think they are entitled to the best of education, the best quality of life, but they say that a fast food worker doesnt deserve $15 an hour. They dont think the people of Flint, Detroit or Highland Park should have access to education. People were poisoned in Flint just to save money. Its all about them keeping the power and passing the best education down to their own. Its not just the wealthy but those are in a position of power and want to help their friends. The remarks of students highlighted the initial stages of the shift to the left among youth and workers. This is only a precursor, however, of a far broader radicalization and a greater social differentiation as the working class begins to assert its own class interests. The development of the political independence of the working class requires the most determined struggle to expose the efforts by Sanders to promote the Democratic Party and subordinate the interests of workers and youth to the war aims of US imperialism. On February 4 and 5, students at the Cortines School of Visual and Performing Arts in Los Angeles performed Woman at the Window: The Triangle Factory Fire. The work is an oratorio about the tragic fire at the Triangle Shirtwaist factory in New York City in 1911 in which 146 people died. The incident was the deadliest industrial disaster in US history. The new work was written by students who performed it under the guidance of musicians from the Los Angeles Master Chorale. The owners of the Triangle Shirtwaist factory in lower Manhattan had accused workers, mostly recent Jewish and Italian female immigrants, of stealing the clothing they produced. They began locking the doors during shifts, posting guards and taking other measures to reduce theft. Theft was a code word to refer to both direct theft, workers taking the articles they produced without paying, and indirect theft, including workers taking breaks during their shifts. Thus, when the fire broke out, the doors were locked, and the workers were either incinerated, or forced to jump to their deaths, from eight to ten stories up. On the ground, emergency response was inadequate. Firefighters ladders could only reach the sixth floor and life nets tore on impact. The two owners of the factory, Max Blanck and Isaac Harris, were eventually charged with wrongful death and made to pay $75 to each victims family. Their insurance covered these costs and paid them $60,000 more than they needed. For locking the doors, Blanck was fined an additional $20. Both were acquitted of the more serious manslaughter charges. In a brief filmed introduction shown to the audience before the performances of Woman at the Window, students spoke about the process of creating the work. One pointed out that the reason to study history is to learn from it, so that we might not repeat the mistakes of the past. This perspective is prominent in the piece. The oratorio takes as its starting point the social background to the fire and shows how events unfolded from that perspective. There is no shortage of artistic pitfalls Woman at the Window could have fallen into, but happily these are largely avoided. In dealing with the mindset of workers in the factory, the piece makes clear the workers are predominantly female and immigrant. Some time is devoted to the notion of a 20th century woman, a more autonomous person than her 19th century counterpart, who was able to work for herself, go out alone and so forth. But this aspect is not overdone, and is more of an attempt to show the social mentality of women at the time than an adaptation to the identity politics so common today. Later, Woman at the Window establishes that the idea of a new and independent 20th century woman is useless against womens oppression by capital. When the hostility of the factory owners to the workers is shown, it has the character of capitalist exploiting worker, not man exploiting woman. The workers generally feel a mild satisfaction about their place. While taking pride producing clothes for the rest of society, they are happy enough to be able to provide for their families. They are humble, and are even tolerant to a fault regarding their working conditions. There is something universal about the overall state of things in the factory. One of the lyrics begins Rows and rows of workers, speaking different tongues, and continues on about how friendships are made despite language barriers. Conversely, other lyrics include lines about the foreman, breathing down our necks, or about how, whenever the foreman left, laughter would resume. The work is eminently humane. The factory owners themselves, though detestable, confess to having once been workers themselves. One issue that comes up is the need for the working class to engage in active struggle. Some of the garment workers have the illusion that conditions may improve on their own. This is bound up with the notion of America being a land of opportunity, a recurring theme in the oratorio. For other workers, struggle is the means through which the working class can improve its lot or even overturn the profit system. A scene is devoted to a union organizer appealing for a strike against the factory owners. This is presumably a reference to Clara Lemlich, a Ukrainian-born, Jewish socialist and a leader of the 1909 shirtwaist strike. In her lyrics, she brings up the issues of low pay, long hours, constant harassment by management. At a famed rally in November 1909, Lemlich (who later joined the Communist Party), then 23, speaking in Yiddish, called for a general strike of ladies garment workers. Over the next couple of days, some 20,000 workers went on strike, the Uprising of the 20,000, a struggle that would last until February 1910. That the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire was chosen as the subject of an oratorio, an event about which many of those the students age know nothing about, indicates considerable seriousness and is a welcome sign of an interest in grappling with critical historical questions. The social misery and endless war generated by capitalism today must increasingly call the system into question. Woman at the Window elevates the viewers understanding of history and consciousness in general. However, it would be an error to suggest that the oratorio has no weaknesses, as nearly inevitable as they may be. The last lines of the oratorio raise some of the difficulties. After dirges in Latin and Hebrew, the piece closes with the lyrics, From their ashes, we will rise. We will rise. We will rise! In the aftermath of the blaze, outrage and a certain defiance emerge (which is historically accurate). As this lyric is slowly sung, the choruss perspective and tone undergo a transformation. What was at first mournful becomes rebellious. The final We will rise! is sung in such way as to indicate those who died in the fire will not have died in vain. It marks a renewed resolve for struggle. This raises questions that oratorio could not possibly answer. Among those surely is If this were the mood in 1911, why does the world look the way it does now? The conditions of masses of humanity are abysmal, and horrifying industrial disasters, especially in low-wage countries like Bangladesh and China, are a regular occurrence. To answer the question adequately would involve studying concretely the course of the class struggle over the past century. The socialist aspirations of workers in the early part of the 20th century found expression, above all, in the Russian Revolution of 1917, which established the first workers state. That revolution and the founding of the Communist International attracted millions in every part of the globe, including Clara Lemlich and many other New York City garment workers. The emergence of Stalinism in the USSR and the various Communist parties led to the betrayal of the socialist cause and brought about the most catastrophic defeats. But capitalism has not solved any of its contradictions, and the global population today confronts the need to finish the work begun by the October Revolution. There is an interesting parallel lodged in the last lyric of Woman at the Window that was probably not consciously intended by the oratorios creators. The transformation in the tone of the lyrics from forlorn to defiant was a savvy device to show the change in the attitude of the workers in 1911, but it applies equally to the trajectory of workers consciousness today, including in the US. The oratorio does not address the immediate or longer-term outcome of the historical issues posed by the events it dramatizes. That would be asking a great deal. However, it is admirable that the work goes as far as it does. Moreover, that it was written mostly by high school students is extremely noteworthy and speaks to the radicalization of a new generation and its hunger for history. Although it may be a local Los Angeles production, Woman at the Window deserves a wide audience. The author also recommends: 100 years since tragic blaze killed 146 garment workersTriangle Fire on PBSs American Experience: compelling documentary marred by liberal perspective [12 March 2011] The sickening tributes across the official US political and media spectrum to Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, who died suddenly on Saturday at the age of 79, are a barometer of the putrefaction of American democracy. The universal deference towards Scalia from what passes for the liberal faction of the establishment is particularly repulsive. The statements of the Democratic presidential candidates, the supposed socialist Bernie Sanders no less than Hillary Clintonechoing similarly sycophantic drivel from the likes of the New York Timesare monuments to political cowardice. One would say these people lack the courage of their convictions if they had any convictions to lack! They have sprung into action to join their Republican counterparts in hailing Scalia as a towering figure in American jurisprudence. Virtually every description of the deceased justice includes the words brilliant and intellectual. One is reminded of the programmed acclamation of Sergeant Raymond Shaw recited by his brainwashed fellow soldiers in the film The Manchurian Candidate: Raymond Shaw is the kindest, bravest, warmest, most wonderful human being I've ever known in my life. Sanders took time off from his hollow calls for a political revolution to demonstrate his political obeisance to the ruling class, declaring, While I differed with Justice Scalias views and jurisprudence, he was a brilliant, colorful and outspoken member of the Supreme Court. Clinton praised Scalia as a dedicated public servant who brought energy and passion to the bench. President Obama called Scalia a towering legal figure. The New York Times Ross Douthat hailed Scalia for putting originalist principle above a partisan conservatism, and for his combination of brilliance, eloquence, and good timing. No one dares say what needs to be said. The object of their veneration was a black-robed thug and sadist who used his position on the bench to attack the basic civil liberties laid down in the US Constitution and Bill of Rightsseparation of church and state; due process; protection from arbitrary arrest, search and seizure; the right to trial by jury; protection from cruel and unusual punishment; the right to vote. His supposed juridical brilliance boiled down to starting with the political outcome he desired (invariably reactionary) and then cobbling together pseudo-legal arguments to justify his rulingoften with flagrant disregard for legal precedent and the unambiguous language of statutes and constitutional provisions. In one case last year, Scalia argued that a police officer did not use deadly force when he climbed onto an overpass and used an assault rifle to kill an unarmed man fleeing in a car. According to Scalias reasoning, it was not deadly force because the officer claimed to have been aiming at the car, not the person in the car. Perhaps the most infamous example of this methodabsurdly described in the media as constitutional originalismwas the 2000 Supreme Court decision Scalia engineered to halt the counting of votes in Florida and hand the White House to the loser of the election, Republican candidate George W. Bush. The 5-4 decision to steal the election all but acknowledged its own speciousness when it declared that the justifications it advanced could not be applied to any future cases. In his separate concurring opinion, Scalia declared that the Constitution did not give the people the right to elect the president. At the time of the theft of the 2000 elections, the World Socialist Web Site wrote that the Supreme Courts decision to stop the counting of votes, and the acceptance of that ruling by the Democrats and the entire political establishment, demonstrated that there was no longer any significant constituency for democratic rights within the American ruling class. The reaction to Scalias death is a measure of the further erosion of democratic sentiment in the ruling elite. Scalia personified the decay of bourgeois democracy in the United States over a protracted period of time. Appointed to the bench by Ronald Reagan, he flourished and exerted increasing influence in the decades of political reaction, militarism and Wall Street criminality that ensued, continuing without a hitch under Obama. Not only in the anti-democratic substance of his rulings, but also in his methods and bearing, he embodied the promotion by the ruling elite of backwardness, prejudice and outright cruelty. He was corrupt and made no bones about his corruption, proudly voting to remove limits on corporate bribes in elections and flaunting his private outings with Vice President Dick Cheney while the latter was a party in a case before the court. He was a bully, making a practice of baiting and harassing lawyers who came before him. Throughout his career, Scalia consistently advocated positions that can only be described as barbarous and fascistic. Fittingly, his last judicial act was to deny a stay of execution. He was a figure who relished the power and trappings of the state, openly defending torture and internment camps. Scalia worked tirelessly to break down constitutional and democratic limits on state power, infiltrating fascistic doctrines into Supreme Court jurisprudence. His theory of executive power, according to which the American president has unlimited and unreviewable powers for the duration of the war on terror, resurrects Nazi jurist Carl Schmitts state of exception doctrine in all but name. Scalias mere presence on the court testified to the advanced decay of American democracy. That decay is linked, on the one hand, to the extreme growth of social inequality, accompanied by the rampant parasitism and criminality of the ruling class, and on the other hand to unending war, which has its domestic reflection in the build up of the repressive state apparatus that Scalia championed. The bitterness of the disputes over his replacement is a reflection of the importance of his role in American politics over three decades during which the political establishment shifted violently to the right. The deference shown to such a figure from all quarters of the political establishment should be taken as a warning by the working class. The ruling elite fears above all the growth of social opposition and class struggle. It exalts the legacy of Scalia because it is preparing police state methods to defend its power and property against an insurgent working class. Diplomatic tensions between the EU member states are intensifying in the run-up to the meeting of heads of state and governments this week. The issue of what measures can better seal off Europe against refugees is further inflaming these conflicts. While the countries of the Visegrad Group, consisting of Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic and Slovakia, together with Austria, are insisting on the complete closure and militarization of the Macedonian-Greek border in order to strand refugees in Greece. Germany, France and Italy, above all, reject such a step, which would mean the de facto exclusion of Greece from the Schengen Area. The German government, which is also supported by the European Commission, is pursuing the plan to seal off the Mediterranean passage between Greece and Turkey, using NATO warships and the prompt deportation of refugees who still land in Greece back to the Turkish mainland. In return, the EU countries are ready to receive fixed quotas of civil war refugees from Turkey, which has taken in more than 2.5 million refugees from Syria. The aim is, in the medium term, to return to the Dublin process, under which the state where a refugee first arrives in Europe is responsible for processing their asylum application. A meeting of Eastern European government leaders in Prague last Monday refused any further admission of refugees based on quotas. By sealing off the border at the Macedonian town of Gevgelija they are attempting to create a fait accompli. For days, soldiers on the Greek-Macedonian border have been building a massive border fence some 37 kilometres long. A Macedonian officer said, The message to the immigrants is: Give up trying to cross the border illegally. The Hungarian government had already provided the NATO barbed wire, concrete pillars and the necessary construction equipment in December. The Visegrad Group have recently received support in their endeavours from Austria. The government in Vienna had agreed a few weeks ago to take no more than 37,500 refugees this year. Since they will have reached this quota in a few weeks, the coalition of the conservative Austrian Peoples Party and Austrian Social Democratic Party is now looking to seal off the border. Austrias Foreign Minister Sebastian Kurz told Die Welt, I support the considerations for a civilian-military mission at the Greek-Macedonian or Serbian-Macedonian border. Macedonia must be the first country to be ready after Greece to stop the influx. Kurz described it as the duty of Austria to help the Macedonian government with border security. Austrian Defence Minister Hans Peter Doskozil sang the same tune when he announced the dispatch of soldiers to Macedonia to deter refugees there. We cant wait for an EU solution, we must rely on border security measures both nationally and on the Balkan route, the Ministry of Defence told the news agency APA. On broadcaster TA3, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico accused the German government of trying to impose dictates against all those holding other views on refugee policy. Fico also reported that the German government had even protested against the meeting of the Visegrad Group through an official diplomatic note. What allows the Visegrad Four, together with Bulgaria and Macedonia, to speak on the protection of external borders? the note said, according to Fico. The approach of the Visegrad Group, unauthorised in the eyes of the EU, met with unusually sharp reprimands from parts of the German government. According to the Suddeutsche Zeitung, in an open letter to the Social Democratic government leaders and foreign ministers in Europe, German Vice Chancellor Sigmar Gabriel and Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said, a formal expulsion of a member state from Schengen or its de facto exclusion are false solutions that poison the European debate. Europes external borders cannot be simply redefined, and especially not over the heads of the member states concerned. The criticisms from the German government are not directed against the humanitarian consequences of the closure of the Balkan route, but represent an attempt to preserve EU institutions. The German plans for repelling refugees are no less militarized. The plans of Chancellor Merkel to use NATO in sealing off the Aegean also include the illegal rejection of refugees. Such pushbacks, as the measures on the high seas are called, would mean that the crossing becomes increasingly dangerous for refugees, leading to a rapid rise in thethe death toll on the Aegean. Immediately before the EU summit Thursday, Chancellor Angela Merkel is gathering together what the media has dubbed a coalition of the willing, a group of government leaders to negotiate a quota solution with Turkey. According to the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, the proposal involves taking in some 240,000 specially chosen refugees from the Syrian civil war. However, the Turkish government wants to move this figure upward if faced with a further growth in refugee numbers, while the EU is insisting on a penalty mechanism. If the number of so-called illegal border crossings from Turkey to Greece rises above a predetermined value, the quota that the EU wants to take will automatically fall. In this way, while Turkey is made Europes guard dog in deterring refugees, and the border to Syria is simply closed, as at Kilis, the EU Commission is increasing the pressure on the Greek government to strengthen border controls and to register all refugees who land. The government in Athens has received an ultimatum from Brussels to work through a list of 50 measures to deter refugees within three months. Otherwise, the country will be excluded from the Schengen Area. The Syriza-led government under Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras supports the EUs brutal methods to deter refugees. It has now ordered the army to the Aegean islands of Kos, Chios, Lesbos and Leros to construct the so-called hotspots (internment camps where refugees are registered) ordered by the EU Commission. But the closure of the border with Macedonia would bring the entire system down like a house of cards. Each day, despite the cold and dangerous seas, more than 2,000 desperate refugees risk the crossing from the Turkish mainland to the Aegean islands. Since the beginning of the year, the Greek authorities have registered more than 80,000 new refugees, an increase of about 20 times compared with the same period last year. According to official figures, at least 366 have drowned trying to cross the Aegean. Within a month, the newly created asylum structures in Greece will be completely overcrowded. Under these conditions, calls are increasing within the ruling coalition in Germany for Greece to be expelled from the Schengen Area, and for the sealing off of the Balkan route. All the refugees are to be held in this small country. The general secretary of the Christian Democratic Partys influential economic council told Die Welt, The basic conditions for completely open borders within Europe are no longer guaranteed at the moment in all member states. Speaking of Greece, he added, If a country fails to meet its obligations, then Schengen must move toward central Europe. The cost of temporary border closures was less than continuing the open door policy, Geiger added. Similar voices can also be heard from the Social Democratic Party. We need the shutdown of the Balkan route, the deputy chairman of the partys parliamentary group, Axel Schafer, told Der Spiegel, adding, with twisted logic, Those who want to keep open borders in Europe, must also close borders. President Jacob Zuma delivered his annual state of the nation address February 12. He was deemed to have failed to reassure big capital of the ruling partys commitment to boosting economic growtha euphemism for waging war on the working class, slashing public spending and privatising large sections of the economy. This is despite the speech, which ran to more than 5,000 words, being strongly pro-business. Zuma stressed that he was taking business more seriously, saying, We have heard the suggestions from [the] business community on how we can turn the situation around and put the economy back on a growth path. The president acknowledged the poor performance of the countrys state-owned enterprises (SOEs), including the national airline and the electricity supply monopoly. He emphasised that SOEs need to be financially sound, as well as properly governed and managed. Zuma hinted at restructuring the SOEs, adding, We have to streamline and sharpen the mandates of the companies and ensure that where there are overlaps in the mandates, there is immediate rationalisation. Those companies that are no longer relevant to our development agenda will be phased out. Zuma said government would test the market to ascertain the true cost of building modern nuclear plants. He emphasised, We will only procure nuclear on a scale and pace that our country can afford. This was a climb-down from his previous position on the contested deal to acquire 9,600 MW of nuclear power from Russia. The Treasury opposed the contract, citing the estimated cost of an astronomical R1.4 trillion (US$90 billion), while the pro-nuclear lobby put it at less than half that. Zuma sought to convince the country that his government is getting serious about waste and corruption. Auditor-General Kimi Makwetu last year reported irregular expenditure of R25.7 billion ($1.62 billion) across national and provincial departments, and public entities, for the 2014/2015 fiscal year. Mmusi Maimane, leader of the right-wing opposition Democratic Alliance (DA), said he expected Zuma to do much better. The president was not bold enough on budget cuts, Maimane complained. He literally cut food and travel. Those are small things. The president should have announced the privatisation of South African Airways and other [SOEs] to make sure we can recoup the capital to finance the developmental projects. ... Maimane was referring to Zumas contribution to the debate around South Africas two political centres, Pretoria and Cape Town, which require politicians to maintain residences and cars in both capitals. In his address, the president called this a big expenditure item, adding that it requires the attention of Parliament soon. Pieter Mulder, leader of the conservative Afrikaner-based Freedom Front Plus party, claimed the move towards one capital was mooted and should have been carried out in 1994. He cautioned that if it did happen, it would itself be an expensive exercise that could take as long as 10 years. Zumas state of the nation address came days after the countrys Constitutional Court heard a concession, through Zumas lawyers, that he is bound to carry out the remedial actions put forward by Thuli Madonsela, the public protector. In her report on an investigation into R246 million (US$15.5 million) of public funds unlawfully spent on Zumas family compound at Nkandla in KwaZulu-Natal province, Madonsela decreed that Zuma should pay back the cost of some of those renovations that were not security-related. The ongoing Constitutional Court cases against the president and the African National Congress (ANC)-controlled National Assembly were brought separately by the DA and the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), but are being heard together. Appearing for Zuma, Advocate Jeremy Gauntlett said Police Minister Nathi Nhlekos report should have no standing in law. After being roped in by Zuma to chair an ad hoc parliamentary committee into spending at Nkandla, Nhleko declared in his report that Zuma was liable for nothing. Advocate Lindi Nkosi-Thomas, appearing for Baleka Mbete, speaker of the National Assembly, conceded that Parliament took a wrong position on Zumas liability regarding spending at Nkandla. The EFFs representative maintained that Mbetes decision to view the public protectors remedial actions as mere recommendations, and the National Assemblys support for parliamentary processes exonerating Zuma, amounted to failure to discharge their dutynamely to call the president to account. ANC Secretary-General Gwede Mantashe tried to put a brave face on things, claiming in an interview with radio station Talk702, If you have not forced apartheid architects to apologise repeatedly for the suffering of millions of South Africans, I think you are exaggerating Nkandla. Mantashe conveniently forgot that he is defending a president who heads a party that ensured the South African and international bourgeoisies interests were safeguarded after the fall of Apartheid and at the expense of the working class. Moreover, he only recently assented to the release on parole of Apartheid-era state policeman and mass murderer Eugene de Kock. According to veteran ANC member Ben Turok, The ANC in Parliament is hugely embarrassed and [Zuma] has put good loyal comradesin a false position, which they did not believe in. The indications are that the concessions before the Constitutional Court were made without consultation and without the knowledge of Zumas fellow ANC members. Advocate Gauntlett insisted that the court should not make a finding that Zuma breached the constitution. [I]f [at] any time, either the official opposition or the EFFwish to bring impeachment proceedings, they of course have that right, he said. Referring to the countrys economic malaise and the upcoming municipal elections, in which the ANC is expected to lose at least the two biggest metropolitan areas, Gauntlett reminded the judges, This is a delicate time for society. [It] would be wrong for this court to be inveigled into the position of making some form of wide condemnatory order that could be used by those seeking Zumas impeachment. The EFF, led by Julius Malema, is making political capital from the crisis confronting Zuma and the ANC by posturing as a left anti-corruption alternative. The joint sitting of parliament prior to Zuma delivering his state of the nation speech saw noisy protests by EFF representatives dressed in red overalls and hardhats, after which they quit the chamber. Malema declared, He is not our president and has launched a campaign #PayBackTheMoney, or alternatively Zupta must falla reference to Zumas close links with the influential Gupta family and an echo of the EFF-influenced Rhodes Must Fall campaign in South African campuses. Malema is calling for limited nationalisations and a leading role in the economy for the state, citing land and mining as areas where black South Africans need compensation. However, he has been forced to reassure big business that his stance is largely rhetorical. The EFF is not proposing the shutdown of private capital but calling for a mixed economy with the state taking the lead he said, during a debate organised by the Cape Chamber of Commerce in a plush hotel. The nationalisation of banks was centred on the creation of a state-owned bank rather than any targeting of existing banks. This indicates how seriously anyone should take his call for 60 percent nationalisation of South Africas mineswhich would only mean in the end more places at the boardroom table for Malema and other black bourgeois figures than already exist under the Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) arrangements set up by the ANC. On land reform, he stressed, We do not want a Zimbabwe here. It has to be done legally in way that will not compromise the economy. Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders spoke to an overflow crowd of mostly youthful supporters at Eastern Michigan University (EMU) in Ypsilanti on Monday. It was Sanders first campaign stop in Michigan ahead of the states March 8 primary election. The EMU Convocation Center, site of the rally, was filled close to its 10,000-person capacity. When the doors opened at 12:30 there was already a long line of people waiting outside, even though the Vermont senator was not set to speak until 2:30. The turnout seemed to take even Sanders supporters by surprise. The crowd included large numbers of students and young professionals, but few workers. It was evident, however, that bitter experience had alienated wide layers of the population from the official nostrums about the superiority of the market and the free enterprise system. During Sanders speech, more than half of the audience raised their hands when the Vermont senator asked who was burdened with student loan debt. Opening the rally, a representative of the Michigan Nurses Association announced that organizations endorsement of Sanders, calling the US health system broken beyond repair. Sanders took the podium next, speaking for close to an hour. He began by discussing the lead poisoning crisis in Flint. While repeating his call for the resignation of Republican Governor Rick Snyder, Sanders said nothing about the role of local Democratic officials in approving the decision to switch the citys water supply to the polluted Flint River. Nor did he mention the complicity of Obama administration officials in the Environmental Protection Agency, who covered up the lead poisoning of Flint residents for months. He went on to call for the federal government to get in and do the right thing in Flint, without offering any specific proposals. Democrats in Congress and the Obama administration are proposing a completely inadequate aid package of $600 million for Flint. Conservative estimates put the cost of replacing Flints antiquated lead piping at $1.5 billion. This does not count the cost of caring for Flints children, who have suffered irreversible neurological damage, not to mention the cost of replacing lead pipes in other cities across the United States. Sanders touched on the central themes of his campaign, including campaign finance reform, universal health care, a $15 an hour federal minimum wage, reform of the criminal justice system, family medical leave and free college tuition at public universities. In addition to raising issues related to social inequality, Sanders devoted a substantial portion of his speech to various identity questions. He dwelt at some length on issues relating to discrimination against African Americans, gays, immigrants and women. But, like his campaign rival Hilary Clinton, he sought to separate these questions from the more fundamental issues of class and the capitalist system. Even in raising the question of social inequality, Sanders never referred to the working class, speaking instead of the fate of the declining middle class. Sanders made a direct pitch for the support of the unions based on an appeal to economic nationalism and American chauvinism. We must stop the loss of millions of good-paying jobs because of disastrous trade policies, he declared. He denounced the Trans Pacific Partnership and declared, Corporate America has got to start investing in this country, not just China. As a defender of capitalism, Sanders appeals to nationalist sentiments to cut across the strivings of workers to unite their struggles against the transnational corporations across national boundaries. His nationalist poison is the exact opposite of a socialist program, which takes as its starting point the famous Marxist slogan, Workers of the world unite. The hollowness of Sanders denunciations of social inequality and his program of modest social reforms was reflected in his refusal to criticize the policies of the Obama administration. While repeatedly pointing to the spread of various social evils, from crumbling infrastructure to collapsing schools, he failed to point out the obvious fact that all of this has grown worse under a Democratic administration. Obama has presided over a massive transfer of wealth from the working class to the top one percent. Sanders silence on this record demonstrates that his campaign does not represent the interests of the working class. It is, rather, the response of the ruling elite to the political radicalization of broad social layers and the danger of the emergence of an independent movement of the working class. Sanders so-called political revolution is an attempt to abort this development and corral social opposition back into the death grip of the two-party system. This is underscored by Sanders support for the ongoing US interventions in Iraq and Syria and Washingtons aggressive policies toward Russia and China. Sanders generally tries to evade these issues in his stump speeches. In his EMU speech, his only reference to the question of war was a reiteration of his vote 14 years ago against the invasion of Iraq. The author also recommends: Youth discuss war, inequality at Michigan rally for Sanders [16 February 2016] Fighting in Syria continued to escalate Monday, posing the threat of a far wider and more dangerous war even as the deadline for the cessation of hostilities agreed to in last weeks talks in Munich drew nearer. Turkish artillery shelled towns south of Turkeys border with Syria for a third straight day in a bid to halt an offensive by the Kurdish Peoples Protection Units (YPG), the military wing of the Syrian Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD). The human cost of the wars escalation was made clear Monday with the United Nations report that at least 50 people had been killed in attacks on hospitals and schools. Turkey and its Western allies blamed Russia and Syrian government forces for the attacks, while Moscow and Damascus insisted they had been carried out by Turkey and the so-called coalition led by the US. Two of the hospitals hit were in the northwestern Syrian city of Azaz, which occupies a strategic point on the Turkish-Syrian border. Turkeys prime minister, Ahmet Davutoglu, vowed to reporters Monday that Ankara would not let Azaz fall and would mount a severe response to the Kurdish advance. The intensifying clashes on the Syrian-Turkish border have placed the five-year-old conflict in Syria on a hair trigger for provoking a global confrontation involving a dizzying array of antagonists and contradictory alliances. The gravest danger stems from the mounting tensions between Russia and Turkey, both of which are now involved in military strikes against contending armed groups within Syria. Since September 30, Russia has carried out air strikes against Sunni Islamist militias that have been backed, funded and armed by Turkey and Washingtons other principal regional allies, Saudi Arabia and Qatar, with the coordination of the CIA. Then, in November, a deliberate ambush of a Russian jet by Turkish warplanes on the Syrian-Turkish border brought the two countries to the brink of war. Within recent weeks, an offensive by Syrian government forces, backed by Russian warplanes as well as Hezbollah fighters from Lebanon and Shia militias based in Iraq, has succeeded in cutting off a main supply route from Turkey into Syria while nearly encircling the rebel-held eastern part of Aleppo, once Syrias largest city and commercial center. At the same time, the YPG and its allies in the so-called Syrian Democratic Forces have overrun areas close to the Syrian border that had previously been held by the al-Nusra Front, Al Qaedas Syrian affiliate, along with allied Sunni Islamist militias. The Turkish government has branded the Syrian Kurdish party and militia as terrorist organizations because of their links with the PKK (Kurdistan Workers Party) in Turkey itself. The government broke off a two-year ceasefire with the PKK last year, using its supposed entry into the US campaign against the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) as a cover for air strikes against PKK camps in neighboring Iraq. Since then, Ankara has launched a bloody crackdown against Turkeys Kurdish population, resulting in the deaths of hundreds of civilians. The Turkish governments principal aim in Syria is not to fight ISIS, which it has supported with arms and funding, but to prevent the consolidation of a Kurdish enclave on its southern border. The latest escalation has also been driven by tensions between the US and its NATO ally Turkey over the role of the YPG. Washington has supported Turkeys branding of the PKK as a terrorist organization, but has balked at imposing the same designation on the YPG, which has collaborated with the US in the anti-ISIS campaign, proving itself one of the few reliable and effective ground forces inside Syria. The government of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was outraged by the January 30 visit by the Obama administrations diplomatic envoy dealing with the US war in Iraq and Syria to the Syrian town of Kobane, where he met with Syrian Kurdish representatives, including one who is reportedly wanted by Turkish authorities for activities as a PKK militant. Erdogan publicly challenged the Obama administration, demanding that it choose between its alliance with Ankara and the YPG terrorists. This challenge was subsequently answered by the State Department, which declared its solidarity with the Turkish regimes internal crackdown on the Kurds while insisting that it viewed the Syrian Kurdish militia as an effective forcein fighting Daesh [ISIS] and in takingretaking territory. Last week, asked about the US-Turkish tensions over the YPG, Prime Minister Davutoglu replied cryptically, Just wait, youll see. The meaning of his words has been made clear by the Turkish armys long-range howitzers pounding the Syrian border region for the past three days. Speaking after the Munich Security Conference on the weekend, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said that Turkey and Saudi Arabia could enter into a ground operation inside Syria, adding that the Saudi monarchy was sending its warplanes to the Turkish base of Incirlik. Moscow has denounced the Turkish bombardment as a provocative act of aggression and obvious support for international terrorism, vowing to bring the matter to the United Nations Security Council on Tuesday. The Obama administration, meanwhile, has called for Turkey to halt its shelling and for the Kurdish YPG to stop taking territory from the Al Qaeda-linked militias. Ankara responded with an angry condemnation of the State Department line, saying that it put Turkey on a par with a terrorist organization. A ground invasion by either Turkey or Saudi Arabia would almost certainly result in a military confrontation with Russian and Iranian forces backing the Assad government, posing not only the outbreak of a far wider regional war, but also a US response in support of its two key regional allies, bringing the worlds two largest nuclear powers into a military confrontation. In a further indication of the dangers of military escalation, German Chancellor Angela Merkel told the Stuttgarter Zeitung that she now supports Turkeys proposal for the imposition of a no-fly zone over Syria. In the present situation it would be helpful if there were an area over which none of the warring parties would fly air attacksa sort of no-fly zone, she said. Turkey has been pressing for the creation of such a zone for years, seeing it as a means of carving out a buffer area to halt the influx of Syrian refugees while at the same time imposing military control that could block the advance of the Syrian Kurds. Merkel suggested that such a zone could be created through negotiations, stating, If its possible for the anti-Assad coalition and the Assad supporters to come to an agreement, that would be helpful. This is, of course, nonsense. The anti-Assad coalition does not exist. The main forces on the ground in the border area are the Al Qaeda-linked militias, including ISIS and the al-Nusra Front, which have rejected any negotiations. None of the sectarian militias opposing the Assad government have embraced the so-called cessation of hostilities agreed to by the US, Russia, and the other 15 members of the International Syria Support Group in Munich last week. No Syrians, either for or against the government, were party to the deal. The deadline for the so-called cessation is this coming Friday, but the events on the ground indicate that the US-backed war for regime change will produce only a continued escalation of death and violence. TALLAHASSEE, FL (WTXL) -- It's been more than a year since same-sex marriages became legal in Florida, but a state law banning the unions is still on the books, and a proposal to repeal it seems doomed. Clearing the statutes of the gay-marriage ban is among a handful of measures dealing with LGBT issues either ignored by the Republican-controlled Legislature or fated to fade away before the 2016 session ends next month. Only one piece of legislation --- aimed at giving lesbians the opportunity to be named as a "parent" instead of a "father" on birth certificates --- has even a chance of passing this session, and that chance is extremely thin. The birth certificate measure, the proposed repeal of the ban on gay marriage and a third bill that would allow pastors to refuse to marry same-sex couples --- something already guaranteed under the First Amendment --- are byproducts of court decisions striking down same-sex marriage bans as unconstitutional. A closely divided U.S. Supreme Court in June ruled that same-sex couples have a fundamental right to marry. The decision came nearly a year after a federal judge in Tallahassee struck down Florida's voter-approved ban on gay marriage as unconstitutional. U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle's ruling went into effect in January 2015, nearly six months before the high court decision, but Hinkle has yet to issue a final order in the case. An appeals court in October dismissed Florida's legal fight about same-sex marriage and said Hinkle should consider questions about whether the state is required to pay fees for the plaintiffs' attorneys, who are seeking $455,000 for their work on the case. "I just want the door closed permanently in the state of Florida, by the state of Florida, with respect to the statutes and the constitutional amendment," Jim Brenner, a plaintiff in the Florida case, told The News Service of Florida on Monday. "We need a final order from Judge Hinkle." The "pastor protection" act, which religious conservatives contend is needed to protect minsters and churches that refuse to marry same-sex couples, is headed to the House floor for a full vote and is slated for a final Senate committee vetting this week. In contrast, an attempt to remove the same-sex marriage prohibition from state statutes has not been heard by a single committee in either chamber. For Republicans, the issue could be too controversial to even debate, especially in an election year. "A lot of people still feel firmly that the Supreme Court overstepped its bounds and that it is a states' rights issue that we should be able to decide who, what, where and when marriages happen within our state boundaries," House Rule Chairman Ritch Workman, R-Melbourne, said in an interview. Changing the state Constitution, amended by voters to include the gay marriage ban in 2008, would require a statewide vote. But, for many Floridians, leaving the ban in legislatively written statutes carries more than a symbolic threat. Rep. Alan Williams, who filed the measure to repeal the law, said he wanted to amend Florida's statutes to reflect the Supreme Court decision and to provide assurances to clerks of court, some of whom initially balked at Hinkle's ruling, based on advice from their lawyers. "Obviously, this is one of the most polarizing issues of our time in the Legislature, and in the country. This decision by the Supreme Court has begun to swing doors wide open for individuals that otherwise didn't have that," Williams, D-Tallahassee, said. "As an African-American, I understand all too well the significance of being able to have equal rights under the law." For Rep. David Richardson, the sponsor of the measure dealing with birth certificates, the issue is even more personal. The Miami Beach Democrat is the only openly gay member of the Legislature. Richardson tried to get Workman to include the repeal of the gay-marriage ban in what is known as a "reviser" bill, passed by lawmakers annually to clean up state statutes. But Workman said reviser bills are supposed to correct errors such as punctuation and grammar and aren't intended to deal with policy issues. Richardson said he understands that Republicans control the agenda in Tallahassee, but he called the repeal of an unconstitutional law a "no-brainer." "It just shows you how far the majority party feels they must go because they don't want to take a vote on something that may be controversial," he said. "What they're saying is that, even in a situation where the Supreme Court has determined that a law is unconstitutional, we don't want to take it off our books because we don't want to take the risk that someone's going to have to vote on it and a member may be punished at the polls." When asked if legislators should repeal the statute, Gov. Rick Scott said the "law is already clear." "The Supreme Court has made that decision," Scott told the News Service late last week. Richardson's plan to change birth certificates to reflect the Supreme Court decision (HB 1151) received unanimous approval from a House committee earlier this month after he amended the measure to ensure that documents will still label husbands as "father." But the measure has two more committee stops before it is scheduled to go to the House floor, and a Senate companion bill has not received a hearing. Richardson remains hopeful that he can tack his bill onto another piece of legislation, but time is running out. Meanwhile, the issue may be settled in court if lawmakers don't act. Two female couples and an advocacy group are asking a federal judge to require the Florida Department of Health to list both spouses on birth certificates of children born into same-sex marriages --- as the department typically does when married parents are a man and a woman. The plaintiffs in the Brenner marriage case are also asking Hinkle to sort out the issue. Lawyers for the state argue that the department lacks the authority to change the rule without legislative approval. Florida is one of only four states that have not changed the language on birth certificates to reflect the high court ruling, according to Richardson, but Florida's laws regarding agency rule making may be more restrictive. Changing the statute about birth certificates would save women in same-sex marriages --- now forced to go to court to have their parentage legally recognized, unless they are the birth mother --- thousands of dollars in legal fees, Richardson said. "There's a presumption in state law that in a marriage, when a woman has a baby, the husband is presumed to be the father, unless that's challenged. Same-sex couples want to enjoy the same benefit. Even though we know biologically that is not possible, legally they want to have the same benefit," he said. DOUGLASVILLE, Ga. (AP) - A man convicted in the death an elderly woman who was found hogtied in her apartment has been sentenced to life in prison without parole. Multiple media outlets report 54-year-old Odes Dupree was sentenced Monday in the death of his 75-year-old neighbor Florene Duke. Dupree was convicted of two counts of felony murder, malice murder, kidnapping, robbery and burglary in Douglas County Superior Court. Authorities have said Dupree tied Duke up before stealing her television sets in November 2014. Douglasville Police Chief Chris Womack has said Duke's face had been covered, causing her to asphyxiate and die on the floor of her bedroom. Prosecutors have said Dupree robbed Duke for drug money. WAGA-TV reports (http://bit.ly/1moqKcq ) Dupree told the judge that he plans to appeal. CAMILLA, Ga. (WTXL)--A south Georgia district attorney is remembering U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia. Scalia was found dead over the weekend at a Texas ranch from what appears to be natural causes. He was 79 years old. They hunted together in Mitchell County with others in their profession. Joe Mulholland says Justice Scalia lived life to the fullest. District Attorney Joe Mulholland says whoever replaces Scalia has some big shoes to fill. "I had the pleasure of having him down a couple of times over the past four to five years," said Mulholland. "One particular time, I had a cigar with him after dinner talked about hunting, and the law." Scalia has gave him this piece of wisdom he'll remember for the rest of his life. "There's more important things than just your profession," said Mulholland. "You have to have some kind of quality outside of what you do, and seeing how he was able to manage that. I think that made him a better justice." Mulholland says another hunting trip was being planned with Scalia. LIVE OAK, FL (WTXL) - A man was arrested Sunday after holding his girlfriend against her will, beating her for four days, and then trying to burn down her house. According to the Live Oak Police Department, 36-year-old William Santiago physically assaulted the woman and threatened to kill the her and himself with a knife. Santiago also destroyed the woman's car, disabled the phones and prevented her from leaving the house, officers said. The woman was able to escape Sunday morning after officers said Santiago failed in an attempt to burn the house down and lost track of her. Officers said that's when she contacted them. Police searched for Santiago with a K-9 but were unable to find him. They caught up with him when he returned to the house later. When officers approached Santiago, they said he ran and was finally found hiding in a shed. Santiago is charged with two counts of false imprisonment, arson, criminal mischief, and domestic violence battery. He is being held in Suwannee County Jail on $80,000 bond. Die Fledermaus's contemporary comedic elements and brilliantly choreographed ballet combined with the timeless musical score render this imported production uniquely entertaining. The audience was engaged from the very first moment, when renowned stand-up comedian Yisrael Katorza walked onstage to play the role of Frosch, the besotted jailer. His rambling monologue was replete with satirical references to Israels current socio-political situation, evoking familiar laughter. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter Katorza, who was advised in this role by fellow comedic artist Moni Moshonov, traveled to Hungary to rehearse with the company. Moreover, at strategic moments in the development of the plot, key members of the Hungarian cast delivered their lines in Hebrew, adding another dimension to the performance that was appreciated by the audience. There were other subtle messages that were unspoken: when the revelers at Prince Orlofskys ball paired off, some of the couples were same-sex. A statue of Sigmund Freud -- obviously not a character in the original operetta -- came to mute life early on in the performance, and then occasionally meandered around the stage miming taking notes. It was hard to gauge what this was supposed to signify, or even what it added to the show. As usual, surtitles translated the German libretto into both Hebrew and English. Helpful as these surtitles are, they were alternately enlightening and maddening. The translator deserves credit for trying to rhyme in both languages; and when it works, it is admirable. Unfortunately, more often than not, the effort fails, resulting in unwelcome distractions -- especially when totally made-up words would appear, like manner-hood instead of etiquette. There were also embarrassing misspellings, such as council instead of counsel. One memorable scene where the spoken word did not need translating was when Eisenstein and Frank, each masquerading as a Frenchman, tried to speak that countrys language; the impressed reaction of the onlooking crowd amounted to a lampooning of the buffoonish upper classes of Viennese society. Still, the lilting music of the Waltz King is the reason opera lovers come to see Die Fledermaus, and the Budapest Operetta and Musical Theater did not disappoint. The visiting artists voices were in fine form, especially those of the sopranos singing the lead roles of Rosalinde and Adele. The biggest crowd-pleaser of the evening, however, was when Orlofsky and Ida integrated vigorous dancing into their duet; indeed, it was also a feat of acrobatics, as were some of the other dance numbers. The name of the company might well be the Budapest Operetta, Musical and Ballet Theater. It is clear that this company has made Die Fledermaus a cornerstone of its repertoire; and undoubtedly, it performs this Strauss classic in many foreign countries, incorporating local comic actors as another way to make the operettas libretto as relevant and timeless as its captivating music. It is equally evident that anyone who enjoys lively opera in the spirit of French farce -- with a good bit of entertaining dancing thrown in -- will enjoy this Hungarian production of an Austrian mainstay in an Israel much in need of light-hearted diversion. The Israel Opera 19 Shaul Hamelech Boulevard, Tel Aviv A Border Policeman was filmed Sunday in Hebron pushing a disabled Palestinian and knocking him off his wheelchair. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter The incident, documented by Palestinian photographers, took place after an attempted stabbing attack in Hebron . Border Policemen and local Palestinians arrived at the scene when some residents started throwing rocks at the officers. Majid al-Fakhouri, a 50-year-old handicapped Palestinian who uses a wheelchair, approached the scene wanting to get near the female terrorist who had been shot by the officers and was lying just 15 meters from him. X The police prevented Palestinians from approaching and an altercation began between al-Fakhouri and one of the border policemen. At this point the police officer was filmed pushing al-Fakhouri's wheelchair of and knocking him backwards. "I arrived at the scene to help and rescue the girl who was lying on the ground after having been shot. I did exactly what a person is expected to do," recounted al-Fakhouri. "I spoke with the officer standing there in a dignified way and he yelled at me, telling me to go home and then he pushed the chair and knocked me backwards." "My son and my nephew came immediately and carried me back home. The police should be ashamed of what they did," Al-Fakhouri added. He was then was evacuated to a hospital in Hebron, but was released a short time later since he was only slightly bruised. He stressed that he was considering filing a complaint against the officers following the incident. The Border Police issued a statement that read: "Upon receipt of the video, it was sent to the internal affairs department which has begun an investigation." Rabbi Yoshiyahu Pinto began serving a one year sentence in Nitzan prison in Ramle Tuesday, following his conviction for bribery and money laundering charges. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter Before his incarceration, in coordination with Israel Prison Service (ISA), the cancer-suffering Pinto went to the hospital for a medical examination at a hospital. Pinto will later go the ISA medical center in jail due to his shaky health condition. Pinto headed the Shuva Israel yeshiva when the investigation of him and his wife began in August 2012, with the Police suspecting them of bribing Police Assistant Commissioner Efraim Braha, as well as laundering money. He signed a plea bargain with the Attorney General's Office and sought to give authorities information to implicate police Commander Menashe Arbiv of accepting illegal benefits. "This suffering only purified us". (Photography: Gil Yochanan) The plea bargain stated that Pinto will cooperate with police investigators, and that he will be indicted and sentenced to a year in prison. Rabbi Pinto was convicted for offering Brigadier General Bracha $200,000 in order to get him to give Pinto confidential information relating to the police investigation into his affairs. Last month, the Supreme Court rejected Pintos request to commute his sentence to community service. They stated that "this is the minimum penalty for a recognized and revered rabbi who sinned by committing serious crimes and made others go astray." The Rabbi said goodbye to his followers in a lecture held at Ashdod on Monday: "We do not think about tomorrow for a single moment. Tomorrow is like today, like two days ago, like a month ago. Do not give it a thought. "What the Almighty wants - that's what he does. We dont just thank him when its good for us, we also thank him when we are not comfortable. We are faced with a difficult health problem. This is what bothers us," added Pinto. He continued by saying that "we strictly forbid any person who considers himself as one of our disciples from feeling the slightest grief. There is nothing to be grieve about. This misery has purified us. Spirituality is the essence. The bloodshed in recent years was not in vain. It was a correction for the upper worlds that we had to go through this. In 22 years we have not stopped for one minute from Torah, kindness and good deeds. We sacrificed our life for the common good." Pinto concluded by saying "do not be sorry, dont think, keep the Torah with all ones strength, whoever is hurt by what they did to us it will not help him to yell or do something else. Our spirit will not be broken. We went through serious illnesses, and we were not afraid or concerned for even a moment. We hope to overcome the disease, and that we will see you again. Pray for us so that we shall overcome those things. Everything will be for the best. Anyone who needs it, anyone whom we promised to help, see Rabbi Yoel (Rabbi Pintos 15 year old son KN)." Chairperson of the Knesset Constitution, Law, and Justice Committee MK Nissan Slomiansky announced Tuesday that discussion of the Knesset's new suspension bill, which would create new rules with which the Israeli parliament could suspend its members who break certain rules, will be halted. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter The decision came after the bill received heavy criticism from Knesset Speaker MK Yuli Edelstein (Likud), as well as Israeli President Reuven Rivlin. MK Slomiansky (Habayit Hayehudi) decided to postpone discussions of the bill until Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu returns to Israel and the Likud party's position on the issue is officially solidified. President Rivlin. Heavily criticized the new bill. (Photo: Eli Mandelbaum) President Rivlin said in a speech on Monday that the bill exemplifies a problematic understanding of democracy in Israel, and that it betrays the voters and the essence of the Knesset. He called the liberal wing of the Israeli right to form an alternative to what he said was a narrow and dangerous perception of democracy. The suspension bill came about after Knesset members from the Balad faction of the Joint List party met with family members of Palestinian terrorists, who asked the MKs to help return their bodies to the families. According to Netanyahu's bill outline, the Knesset would be able to suspend an MK who worked toward advancing or inciting terrorism. If the bill is to take effect the Israeli Parlaiment would need to amend one of the state's basic laws. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected on Tuesday the French initiative to hold an international peace conference, saying it is "curious" and bound for failure. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter France has for months been preparing to hold a conference that would bring together the two parties and their American, European and Arab partners in order to revive the peace process. Paris has warned that if its peace efforts fail, it will recognize a Palestinian state. Speaking during a press conference in Germany with Chancellor Angela Merkel, Netanyahu said this threat "ensures that the conference will fail, because if the Palestinians know that their demand will be met a priori, and they do not need to do anything." Netanyahu and Merkel hold press conference in Berlin (Photo: Amos Ben Gershom, GPO) The proposal, Netanyahu said, does not take into consideration the complexities of the conflict. "It does not matter if this Palestinian state could become another Islamic dictatorship, one of many in the Middle East. It does not matter if it will not genuinely commit to ending the conflict and recognizing the state of the Jews. It does not matter if there will not be security arrangements that will prevent the capturing of territory that Israel would be due to evacuate by Daesh or Hamas or both of them. It does not matter," he said of the proposal. The Palestinians welcomed the proposal, but the conference does not seem to be generating much enthusiasm from Israel or the international community, which is struggling to cope with far deadlier Middle East conflicts in Syria and Iraq. Palestinian official Ahmad Majdalani said French officials had not discussed specifics about their country's plan. Still, he said the Palestinians support the initiative, and that he expected an international group would be formed after the conference to support the negotiations. Netanyahu and Merkel during the meeting in Berlin (Photo: Reuters) A French diplomat said his country hopes to hold the conference this summer. Merkel, meanwhile, struck a relatively downbeat tone on prospects for peace. "As a member of the EU, Germany is trying hard to pursue a realistic approach," she said. "Now is undeniably not the time to make a major step forward but we can achieve improvements here and there and we agreed Germany will help in terms of financial support," she said. She also said that while Israel and Germany have different views on a sanctions-ending nuclear deal between world powers including Germany and Israel's arch foe Iran, there was a limit to how friendly Germany could be with Tehran. Merkel and Netanyahu in Berlin (Photo: Reuters) "We have made it very clear that there cannot be friendly relations with Iran as long as Iran has not recognised Israel's right to exist," she said. Earlier, Germany's foreign minister said the situation in the Palestinian territories isn't sustainable in the long term. In an op-ed published ahead of the G2G meeting in the German daily Bild, Frank-Walter Steinmeier condemned the near-daily street attacks by Palestinians as "despicable terror." Steinmeier stressed Germany's view that only serious negotiations aimed at a fair, two-state solution can offer hope of peace for Israel and the Palestinians. 'Israel is West's protective wall' The Israeli prime minister and the German chancellor spoke to the media after the sixth G2G (government to government) meeting in Berlin. The two governments discussed the civil war in Syria, the fight against ISIS and other Islamic terror organizations in the Middle East and in Africa, and the wave of refugees flooding into the European continent. Netanyahu thanked Merkel for Germany's cooperation with Israel, particularly in matters of defense, security and cyber security. Netanyahu's comments during press conference with Merkel (: ) X He stressed Israel and Germany's shared interests in dealing with the new situation in the Middle East. "In the midst of this terrific storm and the midst of these global turmoil there's one country in the Middle East that maintains not only an advanced society, a democratic society, an innovative society, but a society that maintains the very values that you here in Europe and you in Germany hold dear," Netanyahu said. "We defend ourselves, there's no question about that, but in so doing we defend also your values. And by being where we are, in the center of the Middle East, by defending our flanks, by helping defend the neighborhood, we are preventing the addition of as many as a 100 million more people to the tragedy and turbulence of militant Islam," he continued. Merkel and Netanyahu meet in Berlin (Photo: AFP) "If Israel didn't exist, the entire Western part of the Middle East would be flooded by the forces of extremist Islam, and with this flood many additional millions would flow into Europe. Israel is the protective wall of Western civilization in the heart of the Middle East," Netanyahu concluded. The prime minister also discussed the end of the crisis between Israel and the European Union, which began when the EU decided to label products originating from Israeli settlements, and escalated further when Netanyahu decided to suspend contacts with EU officials over the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. "I heard from Federica Mogherini several very clear things: First, they will not surprise us with further initiatives. Second, they are against BDS and boycotts. What they have determined does not relate to the setting of the permanent borders of the State of Israel in a future agreement. And, as has been noted, we stood on (our) interests," he said. Suspension bill Netanyahu rejected criticism from President Reuven Rivlin and Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein about the suspension bill he proposed. "There is a difference between anarchy and democracy. Democracy must protect itself. We won't allow for democracy to be taken advantage of in an effort to try and bring to its collapse," Netanyahu said. Israeli and German governments (Photo: AP) The suspension bill would empower the Knesset to suspend its members if they worked toward advancing or inciting terrorism. The bill would require an amendment to one of the state's Basic Laws. Prime Minister Netanyahu proposed the legislation in the wake of a meeting Balad MKs held with family members of Palestinian terrorists and the outrage that followed. "When MKs back movements that openly call for the destruction of Israel, when they support terrorism and observe a minute of silence in memory of the murderers of children, the Knesset needs to act against them based on existing legislation," he continued. "I've spoken to the Knesset speaker and told him we were moving ahead with the legislation. I hope members of opposition parties will also join the effort to pass the bill. There are limits a democracy must maintain in order to protect itself." Netanyahu also rejected criticism of the NGO labeling bill from a German journalist who drew a comparison between human rights in Israel and human rights in Russia or Egypt. "The NGO bill is one of transparency. It's not one of censorship," the prime minister said. PARIS - An Airbus executive urged European banks on Tuesday to overcome their wariness about financing export projects to Iran because of US sanctions, highlighting difficulties European companies face in their rush to Tehran. French banks, deterred by a $9 billion US fine on BNP Paribas in 2014 for violating US financial sanctions, have been reluctant to handle deals with Iran despite Iranian authorities urging them to return now the measures have been lifted. For companies like Airbus, which signed a deal to sell Iran 118 Airbus jets worth $27 billion after international sanctions were lifted against Tehran last month, that makes getting financing for such deals more complicated. European governments and their export credit agencies support a resumption in trade with Iran, said Nigel Taylor, senior vice-president for Customer, Project and Structured Finance at Airbus. "With this blessing, I can't understand why we only see the back of banks at the moment. Don't be afraid!" he told a conference on export financing at the French Finance Ministry. BREMEN - The northern German city-state of Bremen shut down an Islamic cultural centre on Tuesday after police raided it and the apartments of 12 of its members on suspicion of associations with Islamist militants. Bremen Interior Minister Ulrich Maeurer said The Islamic Association Bremen was closely linked to a similar cultural organization that was banned after some of its members joined the Islamic State (IS) insurgent group in Syria. More than 220 officers participated in the raids, confiscating mobile phones, computers, hard drives and other memory cards, Maeurer told a news conference. No arrests were made. Police also searched a car repair shop in Delmenhorst, just outside Bremen. Palestinian Security Forces thwarted a bombing attempt at the Jalame checkpoint in Jenin on Tuesday morning. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter Palestinian sources told Ynet that two teenagers were caught in possession of pipe bombs and knives. The two teenagers were caught by Palestinian Security Forces stationed on the Palestinian side of the checkpoint moments before they were to enter Israel, the Palestinian sources told Ynet. The teenagers, both 15, planned to carry out a two stage attack - first detonating the pipe bombs, then knifing the survivors. The two, from the town of Yamun next to Jenin, are related, and study at the same school. Jalame Checkpoint outside of Jenin (Photo:Ministry of Defense Crossings Authority) Throughout the recent escalation in violence, the Palestinian Security Forces have stopped at least three attacks at the Jalame checkpoint. The Palestinian forces were deployed at the checkpoint after four attempted stabbings by teenage Palestinians from the town of Qabatiya, also next to Jenin. Israeli forces neutralized the attackers each time. Jalame Checkpoint outside of Jenin (Photo:Ministry of Defense Crossings Authority) This attempted pipe bomb attack is a worrying development . The fact that the Palestinian Security Forces were able to stop this attack proves that the Palestinian Authority is still continuing to stop attacks against Israeli targets, and that the security cooperation between Israel and the PA is still strong, despite the calls by many within the PA to stop all security cooperation with Israel. The attempts come at the heels of a general Palestinian teachers' strike, which left many of the schools in the West Bank closed, and left students with nothing to do. The worry is that these kids will keep themselves busy by going on social media and watching TV - of which many of the pages and stations are affiliated with Hamas and Islamic Jihad - and that the number of attacks will increase. Denmark's parliament has instituted a new decoration for valor in memory of Israeli security guard Dan Uzan, who stopped a terrorist trying to infiltrate a synagogue in the country, saving the lives of 70 girls celebrating a Bat Mitzvah. The decoration honors both Uzan and Swedish director Finn Nrgaard who also stopped a terrorist. "The purpose of the decoration is to give thanks to civilians who showed exceptional bravery while risking their lives in an effort to save the life of others," the Danish parliament said in a statement. MOSCOW - Iran's Defense Minister Gen. Hossein Dehghan met on Tuesday with President Vladimir Putin in Moscow and also held talks with his Russian counterpart Sergei Shoigu for talks about closer military cooperation. Shoigu hailed a "high level of mutual trust" between Moscow and Tehran and their readiness to coordinate policies. Dehghan said in an interview with Russian state television that Tehran wants to expand military and technical ties with Russia. Russia has a contract with Iran to deliver long-range S-300 air defense missiles, and Tehran also has expressed interest in other Russian weapons. Dehghan said earlier this month that Iran plans to sign a deal with Russia for the purchase of Su-30 fighter jets. The Supreme Court has rejected on Tuesday a hunger striking Palestinian prisoner's request to receive treatment in a Ramallah hospital. Mohammed Al-Qiq stopped eating 84 days ago to protest his incarceration without trial. He's being treated in a hospital in the Israeli city of Afula. Israel says al-Qeq, 33, is involved in militant activities linked to Hamas. Al-Qiq refused an Israeli offer to move to a Palestinian hospital in East Jerusalem because Israel could easily detain him again there after being discharged. Judge Elyakim Rubinstein said in court that Israel aims "to save his life but under no circumstances will we remove him from Israel's borders." Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah threatened on Tuesday to fire missiles at the ammonia plant in Haifa, which he claimed would cause an explosion similar to that of a nuclear bomb. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter Nasrallah, speaking from his bunker in an undisclosed location, has his speech broadcasted on screens across the terror organization's Dahiyah stronghold in south Beirut to mark "The Loyalty to Martyrs and Leaders" day. Amongst those honored during the ceremony were several previous Hezbollah leaders, including Abbas Musawi, who was killed 24 years ago, and former head of military operations Imad Mughniyeh, assassinated in 2008. Tuesday marks the eighth year anniversary of Mughniyeh's death, for which the terrorist group blames Israel. This year's ceremony was held under the slogan "the resistance isn't defeated." Hassan Nasrallah during his speech Nasrallah also had message for IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot, "its simple mathematics. A few missiles on a few ammonium plants equals the same amount of death as an atomic bomb...you can destroy Lebanon and Dahiyeh. You have the strongest airforce, you have missiles, and you have other means by which to do it. But we can do the same thing to you (Israel) with only a few missiles aimed at a few amonium plants." "Haifa is just one of many examples," he said. "The leaders of Israel understand that the resistance (Hezbollah) has the ability to cover the entirety of occupied Palestine with missiles. We must keep this capability because it acts as a deterrent for the Third Lebanon War. As I said to you on the anniversary in memory of the victims in Qunietra, we do not seek war nor do we want war. The strategy of the resistance is not to start wars of this type, but we must be prepared for war in order to deter against it, in order to be able to deal and conquer it." Nasrallah then quoted an Israeli expert saying that the residents of Haifa are afraid of a deadly attack on the ammonia plant which contains more that 15,000 tons of gas. An explosion there could kill hundreds of thousands of people in the area. The same expert compared the hypothetical attack to a "nuclear bomb." "The residents of Haifa are worried about a deadly attack, with or without a war. They worry in any case. They are afraid of a large, deadly attack on the ammonia plants. These plants are in Haifa, and possibly even beyond the city. The tanks in the ammonia production facility contain 15 thousand tons of gas which will cause the deaths of tens of thousands." The same Israeli expert, according to Nasrallah, criticized the Israeli government by putting the lives of 800,000 people in danger. "Instead of moving the factories, they have instead put in even more sensitive infrastructure." Ammonia plant in Haifa (Photo:Gil Nachshon) Nasrallah then charged that the Israel's psychological war regarding the Second Lebanon War was not great, saying "We will not withdraw, we will not surrender, and we will not fail. We will continue with our preparations, increasing by orders of magnitude our manpower capabilities and our weapons capabilities." Nasrallah then went on to analyze Israeli claims that they won the Second Lebanon War, and described why Hezbollah will win the third one. "The Israelis, after the Second Lebanon War, only go to war when they are convinced they can win They are unable to take Tel Aviv being bombarded for months at a time," he said. Haifa Municipality: We're pleased that we were on today's agenda The Hezbollah leader also alleged that Israel was involved in the war in Syria. "Israel, as a participant in this war, has failed. Israel's goal was to topple the Assad regime, and this goal has not come to fruition." He continued, "there is a consensus in Israel that any option is better than Assad." The Hezbollah leader went on to talk about the Israeli, Turkish, and Saudi consensus that they are not ready to permit the Assad regime to stay. Haifa industrial area (Photo: Gil Nachshon) Afterwards, he spoke about a new trend in Israel and in other forums that argues against letting the Assad regime fall, and instead "divide Syria into four countries: an Allawite country, Sunni country, Druze country, and a Kurdish country." After the Second Lebanon War, the Haifa municipality ordered a report from a British company, in order to mitigate the risks to the ammonia plant. The report revealed that in the event of a hit on the ammonia plant, it will release a cloud ten miles in diameter, and will cover all of Haifa and Acre. "Researchers who conducted the studies in the 1990's concluded that there could be 70,000 casualties," said professor Amos Natua from the Technion. "The State Comptroller released a statement in 2003 that the number will likely be much higher." The Haifa municipality issued a response to the speech saying "We don't believe that we should run the country based on Nasrallah's arrogant speeches, but we're happy that he put this worrying and important issue on the agenda- even if it is coming from a frightened man who's been hiding in a bunker for the last several years." UNITED NATIONS - The United Nations Security Council expressed concern during a closed-door meeting on Tuesday over Turkish shelling of Kurdish YPG militia targets in Syria and called on Turkey to abide by international law, the council president Venezuela said. Syria wrote to the council and Russia requested the briefing by UN political affairs chief Jeffrey Feltman, according to Venezuela's UN Ambassador Rafael Dario Ramirez Carreno, president of the Security Council for February. Turkish artillery returned fire into Syria for a fourth straight day on Tuesday, targeting the Kurdish YPG militia which Ankara says is being backed by Moscow. Ankara fears the YPG are trying to secure the last stretch of around 100 km (60 miles) along the Syrian border not already under its control. "All members of the Security Council are agreed to ask for Turkey to comply with international law," Ramirez Carreno told reporters after the briefing. When asked if all 15 members expressed concern about Turkey's action, he said: "Yes." Agriculture is the undisputed foundation of Nebraska. The economic engine of our state, Nebraska agriculture represents one in every four jobs and over $23 billion in economic impact. The vitality of our rural communities, the conservation of our natural resources, and the protection of our defining culture as Nebraskans is inextricably linked to the success of the 50,000 Nebraska farm families who provide food, fiber, and fuel for every Nebraskan and millions more globally. Protection of Nebraska agriculture is my highest priority. It is for that reason my legislative priority bill for the 2016 session will be LR 378CA, a resolution to establish a constitutional Right to Farm and Ranch in Nebraska. Nebraskas farm and ranch families are producing higher quality crops and meats with greater sustainability and a smaller environmental footprint than ever before. Modern stewardship practices and the use of technology for crop protection and promotion of animal health have enabled family farms and ranches of every size to thrive in a competitive global commodity market. As a national leader in agriculture and natural resources research, the opportunities for Nebraska to be home to new agricultural innovation are limitless. Unfortunately, as fewer and fewer consumers have a direct connection to agriculture and food production, misconceptions about modern agriculture created by activist groups take root. In the social media age, anyone with an anti-agriculture agenda can quickly undermine Nebraskas farm families, even using the guise of pro-farmer or pro-food groups. Activist groups also promote increasingly restrictive legislation and regulation that impairs the right of family farmers and livestock producers to use accepted, safe practices on their farms and ranches. Nebraskas farm families do not have the resources to defend legal challenges in response to suits filed by deep-pocketed, anti-agriculture activist groups. Even incremental adoption of their agenda is crippling to Nebraskas rural communities and to our entire state. With constitutional protection provided by LR 378CA, Nebraskas family farmers and ranchers will have certainty as they build their operations and invest in our rural communities. Proposing an amendment to the Nebraska Constitution is no trivial matter. The significance of Nebraska agriculture, economically and culturally, raises it to the level of inclusion in the guiding principles of our state. Doing so clearly codifies the role and significance of agriculture as the foundation and stabilizing force of Nebraska. Placing the protection only in statute, which can be amended, fails to provide adequate protection. The amendment process in the Unicameral will require a super-majority of 30 votes on Final Reading to be placed upon the general election ballot. Then people of Nebraska have the final voice. In the past year Nebraska has seen the disruption that can be caused by anti-animal agriculture extremists targeting producers. Misinformation about the use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and animal health practices is rampant on social media. Activist anti-agriculture legislation in California, Ohio, and Rhode Island has been crippling to agriculture not only in those states, but has had far reaching impacts on states nationally due to the interconnected nature of agriculture. The threat is real. The time to proactively protect Nebraska agriculture is now. Constitutional Right to Farm already exists in North Dakota and Missouri, and the Oklahoma legislature has placed the issue before the voters this November. As the national leader in crop and livestock production, Nebraska needs to provide a similar level of protection to our farm families, now and for generations of future farmers and ranchers. Senator John Kuehn of Heartwell, NE is an associate professor of biology at Hastings College, a livestock producer, and a member of the Nebraska Veterinary Medical Association. He represents District 38 in the Nebraska Legislature, encompassing southwest Buffalo County and all of Clay, Franklin, Kearney, Nuckolls, Phelps, and Webster counties. YORK Young leaders from across the state will gather to network and build skills at the 2016 Connecting Young Nebraskans Summit. The community of York has been selected out of seven community proposals to host the event. The summit is scheduled for Oct. 27-28 at the Holthus Convention Center. Connecting Young Nebraskans (CYN) is a statewide network designed to connect, empower and retain young Nebraskans. CYN strives to enhance opportunities for individuals to impact their communities through networking and learning experiences. The network is a dynamic and diverse group of 640 peers with a passion for making a difference, a willingness to learn and the desire to build important relationships to help shape the future of Nebraska. Volunteers from across the state work together with CYN network coordinators Kayla Schnuelle and Jordyn Bader, graduate assistant, both of the Rural Futures Institute at the University of Nebraska, to strategize and develop the summit. This year will be the fifth CYN Summit with the goal to energize, develop and retain talented individuals in our communities. The energy and enthusiasm is contagious and Im proud to have the opportunity to work with exceptional individuals from both the host community team in York and the CYN steering team, says Kayla Schnuelle, CYN network coordinator. The communities that applied for the summit were Alliance, Broken Bow, Columbus, Norfolk, Ord, West Point and York. This has been the best set of applications that we have received, said Schnuelle. It is incredible how diverse the community planning teams were this year and how much energy the applications exuded. In the application for the summit, York shared many ideas which will bring fresh ideas to the agenda. The summit bid has brought new excitement to the city of York and the Chamber team. We are truly looking forward to welcoming the CYN participants and leaders to our community, says Rhonda Veleba, Main Street coordinator and member of Yorks Host Community Planning Team. YORK A number of municipalities will submit letters of support for the countys likely application to be declared Livestock Friendly. County commissioners have been meeting with boards of trustees and city councils over the past few months, to explain the process and ask for written support as those types of documents prove valuable in the application process. Last week, York County Commissioner Kurt Bulgrin said city and village boards from McCool Junction, Henderson, York and Bradshaw had agreed to submit letters of support. At that time, he said he was preparing to meet with Gresham and Lushton board members. He noted that the Village of Waco would not be sending a letter of support. And village boards from Benedict and Thayer were considering it, but had not given a definitive answer. It was also noted that District 24 Senator Mark Kolterman has also agreed to provide a letter of support for York Countys designation. The commissioners are planning to take a vote today (Tuesday) as to whether or not the formal application will be made with the Nebraska Department of Labor. Currently, there are 35 counties in the state that have this designation. If the designation is granted, it would not affect the countys local zoning control when it comes to animal operations, according to supporters. Supporters say the designation is more of a marketing tool that also shows the countys support and recognition of the role livestock production plays in the local economy. Also on Tuesdays agenda before the county board: The commissioners will decide whether a temporary public defender should be hired. Formal action will be taken regarding the one- and six-year road program. This was presented last week and a public hearing was held. The board will sign off on an interlocal agreement with Polk County regarding shared services through the veterans service office. Lisa Hurley, executive director of the York County Development Corporation, will present the findings of a local labor study. The assessor will present tax corrections. The public is encouraged to attend the meeting, which will begin at 8:30 a.m., in the basement of the courthouse. Air Force officials released force structure changes resulting from the presidents fiscal year 2017 budget Feb. 12. This years budget request continues the momentum gained from the recovery provided by the 2015 Bipartisan Budget Act, but still reflects the tough choices the Air Force was forced to make as the demand for Air Force capability continues to increase as the Budget Control Act looms in fiscal 2018. The fiscal 2017 budget leverages the total force -- active duty, Guard and Reserve -- to maintain the services ability to support ongoing operations while ensuring the service is ready to face future threats. The budget keeps the active-duty force at 317,000 while posturing the force for future growth. Guard and Reserve manning will remain constant, but the Air Force will continue plans to transfer aircraft and flying missions to Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve locations that would otherwise have no mission due to fleet divestments. We are using the strengths of our total force team while we continue to balance readiness today and tomorrow, said Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James. In this budget, we will transfer some strategic airlift capability from active-duty to Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve locations, maintaining critical surge capability in the Reserve component. The budget rephases divestment of the A-10 Thunderbolt II to coincide with fielding of follow-on capabilities and will delay retirement of the first A-10s until fiscal 2018 to align with F-35 Lightning II bed down, keeping the A-10 in the inventory until fiscal 2022. Rephasing the retirement of the weapons system until later in the Future Years Defense Program ensures critical capability is retained in the near term to support ongoing operations, as well as any potential changes in the geopolitical environment, said Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III. This plan will allow us to maintain vital fighter capacity as we transition to the F-35 and deal with a resurgent Russia and a protracted counterterrorism war in Iraq, Afghanistan and Syria. The Air Force also plans to grow the tanker force over the next several years to the required 479 tanker aircraft before it considers divesting tankers as it receives KC-46A Pegasus aircraft to replace them. The fiscal 2017 plan also maintains all 14 of the current EC-130H Compass Call fleet through fiscal 2018, while retiring 28 C-130H Hercules aircraft between fiscal 2017 and fiscal 2019 to reduce excess capacity and free up resources to invest in enterprise requirements. Additionally, a small number of F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft will be transferred to formal training units to help increase the rate of pilot production to help fill critical fighter pilot shortages. The actions in this budget represent our best plan to balance readiness for the warfighter today and into the future, but we need to ensure our Air Force stands ready for any unseen challenge of tomorrow, James said. Our (fiscal 2017) budget continues the recovery and gives us a larger and better equipped force. However, we still had to make tough choices in modernization, infrastructure and people to live within Bipartisan Budget Act limits. We need to continue the recovery, repeal sequestration in FY18, and give America the Air Force it deserves ... now and in the future. This has been a long time in the making, but in our continuing pursuit to bring only the best of firearms, 2nd Amendment and defence related news to our readers, we are very excited to announce the next step in our evolution as a company. As of 2020, Minuteman Review is now the proud owner and operator of Your Defence News, a website with a long history of breaking huge news stories and investigative journalism. We hope you are equally as excited as us. This means that now the teams of Minuteman can combine with the firepower of Your Defence News to stay at the absolute forefront for our readers. Keep an eye. Big things are coming soon. We couldn't be more excited. In the meanwhile, here are some of our most popular posts and categories to keep you busy. Happy shootin' my friends! Buying Guides: Firearms Firearm Accessories Ammunition Gun Safes Scopes & Optics Hunting Air Rifles Best AR-15 Best AR 15 Scope Best Hunting Rifle Best Gun Safe Best AK 47 Best AR 10 Best Glock Triggers Best Glock Best Home Defense Shotgun As part of a submission into the New South Wales Governments review into the states residential tenancy legislation, the Tenants Union of NSW (TUNSW) has called for an end to no-pet clauses in lease agreements. While many landlords may be concerned by the idea of tenants keeping pets due to the possibility of damage to their investment, Ned Cutcher, TUNSW policy officer, said there are already enough legal avenues in place to ensure landlords are not left out of pocket. We already have a system where tenants are liable for any damage that is attributed to them, and that includes any damage that would be the result of a pet, Cutcher said. Theres really no argument that the landlord isnt going to be able to recover costs. There are sufficient renting laws in place that mean landlords arent going to be hurt financially, he said. According to Cutcher and the TUNSW, the removal of no-pet clauses would lead to a healthier rental market. I think it would be a healthier approach to the rental process and better for society in general. I think we need to have a look at the idea a lot of landlords have about their properties, he said. Youve bought the property as an investment to make money off, so why do you need to retain so much authority and control of how people make it their home? We think having a pet should be a matter of personal choice and responsibility. The proposal has some support from those in the industry, with Vanessa Tsokos, director of North Shore Property Management, believing the right level of communication between tenants, landlords and property managers can make no pet clauses unnecessary. It comes down to management. If you have the right management system in place you dont need no-pet clauses, Tsokos said. I have a number of clients who allow pets in their properties and when theyre considering it we come up with a system to suit that. Youre allowed four periodic inspections a year in New South Wales, so we make sure we use all them and reassess each time if anything needs to change, she said. But the TUNSWs idea has gained little support from those on the other side of the argument. In our opinion, the current arrangement where landlords and tenants negotiate the issue of having pets should remain, Property Owners Association of NSW (POANSW) president John Gilmovich said. I dont think you can have a situation where you have a blanket, broad-brush approach to banning no pet clauses. The property owner should have some right to decide what happens in their property and there are also issues with strata living, where there might be by-laws in place that ban pets or apartments simply arent suitable for pets to live in, Gilmovich said. While strata living may pose some challenges for those wanting to have their pets live them, Tsokos said some common sense would likely prevent any issues. Obviously it would be at its hardest in a unit, in that situation you need to have some common sense and not try and have something like a Rottweiler or German Shepherd in a flat. In that situation, you might say you can only have something like a cat or a small dog at the most. While not supportive of a one-size-fits-all approach to the issue, Gilmovich said the POANSW would support measures to encourage more owners to be pet-friendly. We would support the idea of a pet bond, Queensland has a system in place at the moment and we think it should be something that is allowed in NSW. Landlord and tenants would still negotiate the issue of allowing pets and the landlord would be able to ask for something like an additional two weeks rent on the bond. Last weekend saw the Opposition propose that from 1 July 2017, negative gearing would be available only to investors who purchase new housing, while the current capital gains tax discount of 50% would be reduced to 25%. The Federal government is believed to be considering either capping the amount that is deductible via negative gearing or a cap on the number of properties that can be negatively geared. While property and construction lobby groups came out swinging against the proposed changes, there has been a more pragmatic response from people within the industry. For Phillipe Brach, chief executive officer of Multifocus Properties & Finance, Labors proposal of halving the CGT discount is something he disagrees with as an investor, but he has no philosophical objection to it. When you look at when negative gearing was first introduced it was supposed to be a tax deferral method, not a way to avoid paying tax. The idea was that you defer the tax you pay and then you sell the property you pay the whack of taxes, Brach said. But then the 50% discount was introduced and it meant that people really were avoiding paying their taxes. So while as an investor I dont like to see the discount cut, I dont have any philosophical issues with it, he said. While Brach recognises the rationale behind the Labors CGT proposal, he isnt so enamoured with their plan for negative gearing. I think if you restrict negative gearing to new housing stock, then youre going to spook the market. A lot of people are going to look at that and see that when it comes time to sell the potential pool of buyers has been reduced," he said. I think this is just a bit of a witch-hunt really. Somebody has decided that we cant have an increase to the GST and now theyre scrambling to find another area of the taxation system to change and unfortunately negative gearing is one of those areas where they can get some political kudos. Rich Harvey, managing director of Property Buyer had a similar opinion of Labors negative gearing proposal. With their plan, Labor is trying to create more jobs by stimulating the construction industry, but Im not sure its going to lead to economic prosperity, Harvey said. I think youll end up with a real dichotomy between new housing and existing housing. A lot of the time new housing isnt really attractive to investors, youve got things like developers margins that impact prices and its often in areas that investors arent looking at, he said. Harvey also agreed that politicians were looking to negative gearing as its an easy way for them to secure political points. As an economist, Id much rather see an increase to the GST as its a consumption based tax. Taxes on investments are generally negative for the economy. Negative gearing is one of those things thats always bandied about and its always an emotional debate. Its something that politicians seem able to use to score some cheap points. Both Harvey and Brach said it was difficult to comment on the Governments proposal without more specific detail; however Brach was sceptical that capping negative gearing in any way would deliver a revenue windfall to the government. Theres something like 1.9 million or 2 million investors in Australia and 75% of them only have one investment property. So there are probably very few people who a cap would probably impact," he said. I think its one of those things that it politically palatable, but wont have much of an impact. But while Brach and Harvey are in favour of retaining the negative gearing status quo, Antony Bucello, Victorian state manager for National Property Buyers doesnt believe changing the system would be the end of the world. It may affect some people, but the majority of our clients view negative gearing as a bonus. Its a tax concession that helps out a little, but theyre in it for the capital growth," Bucello said. Labor have said they want to level the playing field a bit to help first time buyers and I think we need to do that at the moment. Right now theyre just losing out to cashed-up investors, he said. Analysis of Perths rental market over the December quarter by REIWA suggests there are sub-regions in the city where the market is showing resiliency or moving in a positive direction. While the overall rental market experienced some softening in the December quarter, when we drill down further we see there were a number of pockets where stable or positive rental yields were felt, REIWA president Hayden Groves said. Groves points to the performance of suburbs such as Wanneroo South, where the median rent increased by $15 to $430 over the quarter. This is $30 more than Perths overall median rent, and represents a 3.6 per cent lift on the September quarter median, Groves said. The median rent in the Fremantle sub-region [also] lifted by $15 over the quarter, up to $485 per week from $470 in the September quarter which is an increase of 3.2 per cent, he said. Rents remained stable in five other sub-regions, with the citys overall median rent sitting at $400 over the three months. When we break this down into house and unit rent prices, our latest data shows house rents dipped $5 to $405 per week in the three months to 31 December, while units came in at $380 per week, down from $395 in the September quarter, Groves said. The December quarter saw 15,779 rental properties leased across the Perth metropolitan area; with 42% of those being priced from $301 - $400 per week. Groves said the take up of properties in that price range pointed to people looking to take advantage of Perths moderating rental market. Renting has become more affordable in Perth in recent times, which has presented tenants with a good opportunity to secure a lease at a competitive price. Weve also seen a bigger increase in the uptake of one to two bedroom rentals in the Perth metro area, which suggests that tenants living in share houses recognise they are in a position to improve their living arrangement and secure a lease of their own. According to the REIWA figures, rental properties are taking on average 46 days to find a tenant, which is unchanged from the December quarter. On average, houses are being listed for 44 days before being occupied, while units are taking an average of 50 days. According to the Real Estate Institute of New South Wales (REINSW), Sydneys vacancy rate pulled back by 0.1% to 2% over January, as the citys market moves back on trend following a 0.4% increase over December. REINSW President John Cunningham said the city-wide reduction in January came despite mixed conditions across Sydney. Vacancy rates in Inner Sydney rose 0.1% to 1.9 %, while Outer Sydney rose 0.4% to 2.3% and middle Sydney was at 1.8%, down 0.6%, Cunningham said. The REINSW predicts Sydneys overall vacancy rate will remain tight, however Cunningham previously told Your Investment Property Magazine that pockets of the city could see periods of elevated vacancies. Come February and March a lot of those bigger apartment developments that are currently underway in the middle and inner suburbs are going to be finished, Cunninghams said. Thats going to see a lot more competition in those areas for tenants and I think well see an increase in the vacancy rate as a result." Outside of Sydney, the Hunter saw a regional rise of 0.7% to 3%, driven by Newcastles 0.9% increase to 2.7%. Vacancies in Albury fell 0.5% to 2.7%, while the rental market in the Northern Rivers tightened further by 0.3% to 0.7%. The Riverina saw a 0.3% fall to 3.7%, while the Central Coast increased 0.3% to 2.8%. The New England region saw a 0.3% increase over January to 3.6%, while on the Mid North Coast vacancies rose 0.7% to 1.8%. As a homeowner, you probably already know that you should be working to maintain your home. But, chances are, you Read More The Global and United States Hydrobike Market Report has been published by QY Research recently. Hydrobike Market Analysis and Insights This report focuses on... The Zika virus has become a global cause for concern in a little over a year. To date, the virus has infected one and a half million people in Brazil and has since spread to 30 different countries. Recently, news about Zika deaths made its way online. While the virus was previously thought to be non-fatal, the Venezuelan president, Nicolas Maduro, confirmed three deaths this week. The scientific community is knee deep in trying to find a vaccine for the virus. Studies surrounding the Zika vaccination are still coming up short. However it seems like there is yet another disease people should be looking out for. Two months following reports of an outbreak, Angola's National director of Health has confirmed that fifty-one people have died from yellow fever. To date, a total of 240 cases of the disease has been recorded in the city of Luanda and other neighboring areas. The Yellow Fever, which was first definitively observed in the 17th century, is a mosquito borne disease that typically causes fever, loss of appetite and muscle pain. In severe cases people infected with Yellow Fever suffer from liver damage which causes the eponymous yellow tinge. If left untreated, 50% of the patients die from the disease. Advertisement According to officials from Angola, the outbreak was caused by the local government slashing their budget for trash collection. As a result, piles of trash begun to build up in poorer areas which is prime real estate for mosquito breeding. The Health Department of the country have since made efforts to distribute necessary vaccines to combat the spread of Yellow Fever. According to Adelaide de Carvalho, one of Angola's leading health officials, almost half a million people have been vaccinated. It would however take a little longer to distribute vaccines to the rest of the targeted 1.6 million residents. According to statistics, plastics make up approximately 10% of all discarded wastes. A typical foam plastic cup takes fifty years to decompose. Likewise disposable diaper or other similar material takes almost half a millennium. Because of the current population's sheer plastic usage and plastic's considerable decomposition rate, plastic debris tend to accumulate. The accumulation has unfavorable effects on land, water and wildlife. Recently, NY/NJ Baykeeper, a non-profit environmental organization, conducted a study on the amount of plastic in the bodies of water surrounding New York City and New Jersey. The team collected samples in East River, the Upper New York Bay, Newtown Creek, the Lower Harbor, Passaic River, the Morris Canal, the Arthur Kill, the Lower Newark Bay and the Upper Newark Bay using a net called manta trawl - similar to the net used by the 5 Gyres Institute for International Ocean Research. The results of the research were startling to say the least. According to the data, the average amount of plastic particles per square kilometer is at a whopping 256,322. 85% of the plastic debris are classified as microplastics which experts consider the most damaging kind of plastic to aquatic life. Advertisement The scientists involved in the study were quick to explain that plastic pollution is more evident in areas closer to the source - human beings. The team claims that plastic in itself is not bad. However they explain how people should reevaluate their relationship with plastic. According to the team, there was life before plastic and as such it is possible to return to thriving without or with minimal use of it. "Single-use disposable plastics are a plague to our waters and therefore to our society, but fortunately it is one that is easily solved. We had life before plastic and I have full faith we can find a way to break our plastic addiction" explained Dr. Sherri Mason. The article/blog entry below from the JTA reminds me of the arguments about Lenin's Jewish ancestry. Now that we can look at the records, we know that Leni... 11 years ago The YWCA Zambia is Christian Non-partisan, Non-governmental membership organization dedicated to the empowerment of the community especially women, youth and children to realize their potential as human beings with a view to contribute to a just society. The primary target for YWCA Interventions are Women Youths and Children. In order to contribute to ending child marriage, YWCA pioneered and continues to implement the Safe Space model for girls and engaging boys as change agents equipping them as change agents by equipping them with life skills so that they can make informed choices and also to help them have respectful relationships aimed at promoting gender equality and ending vices such as child marriage. In finding support, DFID through UNFPA YWCA will be implementing a project in Ending Child Marriage in four districts in Zambia. YWCA seeks to recruit the following: Driver (1) Duty Station: National Officer Lusaka Qualifications/Requirements Secondary education Professional driving for at least two years Valid driving license Able to drive in long distances Finance Officer (1) Duty Station: National Officer Lusaka Qualifications/Requirements ZICA Licentiate, ACCA or CIMA Level Two More than three years working experience on donor funded products Pleasant personality and able to work with minimum supervision Site Coordinators (4) Report to : Program Coordinator Duty Station: Luapula and Eastern Provinces (Samfya (1). Milengi (l), Katete (1), Petauke (1)) Main Duties Overall supervision of all End Child Marriage activities in the Site Mobilize and Train community leaders/parents To Conduct mentor monthly meetings Oversee and monitor the implementation of Safe Spaces Supervise mentors and ensure their timely submission of Safe Space meeting activities report Submit weekly/monthly reports to the Program Coordinator Qualified candidates interested in applying for the above positions are invited to submit their cover letter and Curriculum Vitae maximum three pages only to the: Executive Director YWCA, National Office P.O Box 50115 Plot no.7391, Nationalist Road, Opposite UTH Lusaka, Zambia OR send via email to ywca@iconnect.co.zm. Closing date for receiving application is 11th February end of business hours. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. About ZVTS Even with the Biden Administration adults in charge and Democrats in control on Congress (barely), there remains an increasingly crumbling global economy imperiling the world, rising nationalism and deadly racism across Europe and Asia, a seemingly endless war against terror, a federal government nobody trusts or believes in, global climate change putting us on the brink of destruction and a Village media that barely does its job on even the best day. Needless to say there's a lot of Stupid out there when we need solutions . Dangerous levels of Stupid. Into the fray, dear Reader. Tray tables, crash helmets, arms inside blog at all times. New Delhi: The Congress on Monday demanded an investigation into "horror stories of rapes and molestation" concerning tribal population in Chhattisgarh. Congress general secretary B.K. Hariprasad, Chhattisgarh chief Bhupesh Baghel, leader of its legislative party T.S. Singhdeo and party spokesperson Ajoy Kumar alleged that the state government was indulging in "fake surrender" of Maoists and attempts were also being made to muzzle the voice of the media. "What is shocking and terribly dreadful is the fact that under active watch of the Raman Singh-led BJP government, horrific incidents of rape of tribal women, fake killings and fake surrender of Naxals are openly used as instruments of state terror. Intimidation is used as a potent weapon to muzzle the voice of members of media exposing these crimes," Kumar said. He said a tribal woman was killed in a shootout in 2011, and police dubbed her a Maoist. But the inquiry report was not made public. Kumar said nearly 40 tribal women have complained of rapes and gang rapes by police between October 9-14 last year and January 11-14 this year. He said a team of Congress MLAs had gone into the allegations of rapes in October last year and found the allegations to be true. "The incidents bring out the alarming state of things on the ground. It establishes the anti-tribal and anti-poor mindset of the Chhattisgarh government. We demand a fair investigation into all these incidents," Kumar said. Baghel demanded imposition of President's Rule in the state. New Delhi: Delhi Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA OP Sharma, who allegedly chased and hit a Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) student outside Patiala Court, Tuesday, defended himself saying, he was attacked first. Presenting his side of the story, Sharma said, When I was coming out of the court, I saw a person raising 'Pakistan Zindabad' slogans. I asked to stop him from shouting such slogans, and in between scuffle started, he said, adding that he was then hit by that person on his head. The BJP MLA maintained that the person hit him on his head and started running away. While justifying the beating of the youth, Sharma said, Natural act that takes place when someone hits you on head, happened there also. The BJP has backed Sharma, saying he was opposing anti-India slogans and was hit on the head first, to which he reacted. Four journalists, including one from IANS, and some JNU students and teachers were assaulted by a section of lawyers on Monday at a city court. The incident took place just before the president of the Jawaharlal Nehru University Students Union (JNUSU), Kanhaiya Kumar, who has been arrested on charges of sedition, was to be brought to the court. New Delhi: Condemning the attack on journalists at Patiala House complex on Monday, scores of journalists took out a protest march in New Delhi. Journalists on Tuesday gathered in the national capital and marched from Press Club of India to Supreme Court to register a strong protest against the shocking violence that was carried out on them by a section of lawyers. According to NDTV report, one of the journalists who was present at the venue said, that while reporters and camera persons were present outside the Patiala House complex to cover the cover hearing, a group of men dressed up as lawyers threatened them of dire consequences, before asking them to vacate the place. The 'lawyers' not only threatened and abused them verbally but also took law into their hands by thrashing few journos as well as teachers of Jawaharlal Nehru University outside the court complex. Four journalists, including one from IANS, and some JNU students were roughed up at the Patiala House courts by a section of lawyers. IANS reporter Amiya Kumar Kushwaha was slapped inside a courtroom while some other journalists were attacked outside the court premises by lawyers. According to an eye-witness, these lawyers were seen raising "Bharat Mata ki Jai" slogans. The incident took place minutes before Jawaharlal Nehru University Students Union president Kanhaiya Kumar, arrested on charges of sedition, was to be presented before the court. Zee Media Bureau Moscow: Russia on Monday confirmed the first case of Zika virus in the country. According to sanitary and epidemiological watchdog Rospotrebnadzor, the infected woman returned to Moscow from a holiday in the Dominican Republic, but now she was in satisfactory condition in an infectious diseases hospital. The woman, whose name has not been revealed, was admitted to hospital after she spiked a fever and displayed a rash. "Medical observation of family members was established. No clinical manifestations of the virus were registered among them, and they tested negative for the Zika virus," the statement said. Precautionary measures were taken in regard to the passenger plane on which the infected Russian citizen flew home, and there was no threat to the health of other passengers, it added. Rospotrebnadzor started weekly monitor of individuals coming from countries troubled by vector-borne infections since the beginning of 2016. Russia enhanced inspection measures on Monday as over 50,000 people were checked at airports and sea border crossing points for signs of infectious diseases, the public health watchdog said. Russian Health Minister Veronika Skvortsova confirmed that "all aircraft and ships arriving from 21 countries affected by Zika are disinfected and all passengers are checked onboard before entering Russia". Russian doctors have prepared methodological recommendations on diagnosing and treatment, she was quoted by Tass news agency. Noting that Zika is not likely to spread considering the climate conditions of Russia, Rospotrebnadzor said the situation remains under control. The agency warned Russians of visiting tropical or subtropical countries troubled by epidemic diseases, noticing such symptoms of the Zika virus as fever, a rash, conjunctivitis, joint and muscle pain, headache and fatigue. The Zika outbreak has reportedly affected more than 30 countries, and the World Health Organisation said on Friday that possible Zika vaccines were expected to come out for large-scale clinical trials in at least 18 months. Transmitted by mosquitoes, the Zika virus is suspected of causing infected pregnant women to give birth to babies with microcephaly. (With IANS inputs) New Delhi: BJP and its NDA allies on Tuesday won seven out of 12 seats in the Assembly by-elections in eight states, making gains in Uttar Pradesh and Karnataka. BJP wrested the communally-sensitive and politically significant Muzaffarnagar in Uttar Pradesh from the ruling Samajwadi Party and Devadurga seat from ruling Congress in Karnataka. It retained a seat each in Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh while its allies Shiv Sena and RLSP also retained their seats in Maharashtra and Bihar. Another BJP ally Akali Dal won the Khadoor Sahib seat in Punjab. It was earlier held by Congress, which chose not to contest this time round. The win in Muzaffarnagar besides the victory in Ghaziabad mayoral poll are of particular significance for BJP which has suffered a series of electoral setbacks in UP after it swept the state in the 2014 Lok Sabha poll on the back of 'Modi wave'. Western UP, of which Muzaffarnagar is a part, has seen the saffron party and its affiliates playing the Hindutva card to the hilt and attacking the Akhilesh Yadav government over its vote bank politics aimed allegedly at appeasing Muslims. The results are a mixed bag for Congress as it could win only one of the three seats in Karnataka. Both the parties snatched the remaining two seats from each other. However, Congress win in Muslim-dominated Deoband in Uttar Pradesh will come as a morale-booster for the party. Jammu: A UK lawmaker Tuesday said that the entire state of Jammu and Kashmir, including parts "illegally controlled" by Pakistan, were integral part of India. "State of Jammu and Kashmir in totality is part of India an integral part of India and it needs to be reunited and should come under the dominion of India," UK Member parliament and leader of ruling conservative party Robert John Blackman told reporters in Jammu during a meet the press function organized by the Press Club of Jammu. Blackman said Pakistan must vacate the territory of Jammu and Kashmir "illegally occupied" by that country. "The erstwhile ruler of Jammu and Kashmir had signed instrument of accession with India and given the control of the entire state of Jammu and Kashmir to India, it is Pakistan which illegally occupied its territory which it should hand back to India through negotiation," he said. Blackman said that as both the countries were nuclear power, so there was no question of both the nations for going on war for Kashmir, but Pakistan must itself vacate the territory and hand it over to India. The lawmaker from the Harrow East constituency in England said that in the past Pakistan lobby had strong presence in the UK parliament but things have changed and people like him who are "friends of India" have been started speaking about India. He said that the ties between India and the United Kingdom have grown stronger even since Prime Minister Narendra Modi took over the reins of power in India and his last year's "historic visit" to UK has further strengthened the bond. Invoking the Gujarat model of development he said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has a vision to develop India as an economic and military power of the east and United Kingdom was ready to provide all possible support to India for attaining the goal. He said Modi has been working tirelessly to take India to "greater heights", he said. He said India has been a victim of terrorism originating from Pakistani soil and it should take measures to rein in the "forces" that spread terrorism in countries like India. Asked why UK does not declare Pakistan as a terrorist state, Blackman said he cannot speak on behalf of the UK government, but he was aware of the terrorist attacks that India faced and that originated from the Pakistani soil. He said that UK government was aware of the terrorism being faced by India and it stands shoulder to shoulder with India to combat terrorism. New Delhi: SAR Geelani, a former Delhi University lecturer who has been booked for sedition in connection with an event at the Press Club of India here, was arrested early Tuesday by the Delhi Police, PTI reported. Geelani was detained by the police late on Monday night and subsequent to his questioning at the Parliament Street Police Station, he was arrested, police said. "Geelani was arrested around 3 am at the Parliament Street police station under IPC Sections 124A (sedition), 120B (criminal conspiracy) and 149 (unlawful assembly)," DCP (New Delhi) Jatin Narwal said. After his arrest, Geelani was taken to RML Hospital for a medical examination, Narwal added. Geelani's arrest comes amid the raging row over the arrest of JNU students' union president Kanhaiya Kumar over sedition charges in connection with an event on the varsity's campus against the hanging of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru on February 9. At the Press Club event on February 10, a group allegedly shouted slogans hailing Guru, following which the police had registered a case under Sections 124A (sedition), 120B (criminal conspiracy) and 149 (unlawful assembly) of the IPC against Geelani and other unnamed persons. The police had claimed to have registered the FIR taking suo motu cognisance of media clips of the incident. Police also claimed that Geelani was booked as he is presumed to be the "main organiser" of the event. "Request for booking a hall at the Press Club was done through Geelani's e-mail and the nature of the event was proposed to be a public meeting, which did not turn out to be so," a senior official had said. Following the registration of the FIR, the police questioned for two consecutive days DU professor Ali Javed, a Press Club member, who had booked the hall for the event. Geelani was arrested earlier also in connection with the 2001 Parliament attack case but acquitted for "need of evidence" by the Delhi High Court in October 2003, a decision upheld by the Supreme Court in August 2005, which at the same time had observed that the needle of suspicion pointed towards him. (With PTI inputs) New Delhi: Members of All India Government Nurses Federation will go on mass casual leave on February 26 as part of their ongoing agitation for a hike in their salaries and other allowances. The Federation has warned the government that work would be halted at every public hospital from March 15 onwards if their demands are not met. AIIMS nurses' union has also extended support to the strike and 50 nurses from the institute participated in the protest held at Jantar Mantar on Tuesday. "We have extended support to the strike called by All India Government Nurses Federation and on February 26, all of us will be on mass casual leave," Biju Kesri, President of AIIMS nurses' Union, said. Federation members said they wanted to discuss the issue with the government but were not being given an appointment. "We have been trying to get appointment with the Health Minister but are not being given time. Also, they themselves have never tried to contact us over the issue," Federation's Secretary General G K Khurana said. "We are protesting against the retrograde recommendations of the Seventh Pay Commission. We are demanding that the entry pay grade for staff nurses should be enhanced to Rs 5,400 from the existing Rs 4,600. Also the nursing allowance should be enhanced by Rs 7,800. Risk allowance and night duty allowances should be given to all nurses as it is given to all other government employees. "We deal with the deadly infections daily but we are not provided enough risk allowance. If the demands are not met, we will go on an indefinite strike from March 15," Khurana said. Nurses across the country are already on a relay hunger strike since 12 till February 27 over the issue. New Delhi: Days after Delhi Police arrested and booked sedition charge on Jawaharlal Nehru student union president Kanhaiya Kumar, intelligence agencies have zeroed on four suspects, who according to them are the mastermind behind the anti-India event at JNU. Omar Khalid, Anirban Bhattacharya, Riazul Haq and Rubina Saifee, the four students of JNU, have been named by intelligence agencies as suspects behinf organising pro-Afzal Guru event at the JNU campus as well as participating in anti-India activities. All the four JNU students are said to be members of democratic student union, which is considered to be a frontal organisation of CPI-Maoists. According to India Today report, intelligence agencies have claimed that these four students activists used to work on the instructions of Delhi University professor G.N. Saibaba, who is currently lodged at Pune central jail, on charges of having links with Maoists. Reports said that democratic student union member Omar Khalid had submitted an application to Jawaharlal Nehru University administration, seeking permission to organise a cultural evening in the campus on February 9. He was granted permission by the JNU administration. Posters were put across the campus by the student body inviting the university students to participate in the event. However, a complaint was filed by ABVP members before college administration alleging that pro-Afzal Guru event was scheduled to be held by JNUSU, following which JNU administration cancelled its permission for the event. Despite JNU administration cancelling its permission to allow the event in the campus, the DSU went on to organise the cultural evening at JNU campus. New Delhi: In a bid to reach out to the Opposition ahead of the Budget Session of Parliament which starts on February 23, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called a meeting with leaders of major political parties on Tuesday. The meeting comes amid raging issues like JNU row, President's Rule in Arunachal Pradesh and Pathankot terror attack. All these issues are expected to generate heat in Parliament. By holding a meeting with Opposition leaders, PM Modi is aiming to seek a smooth functioning of the Budget Session the last two sessions of Parliamant were virtual washouts due to several issues. Ity will be the first such meeting between PM Modi and Opposition leaders since the BJP-led NDA stormed to power in May 2014 General Elections. Modi has on a number of occasions been accused of not taking the Opposition into confidence. As per PTI, government sources said it is not an all-party meeting and the bills the government seeks to introduce or pass in the upcoming session will not be discussed. "He will seek their cooperation to run the Houses smoothly," a government functionary said. Sources said the the government is aiming to push key reform bills like GST and labour laws in the upcoming session. New Delhi: In the backdrop of a deadly assault on an Indian Airbase last month, Pakistan's interior minister said on Tuesday that they may approach India to let its special investigation team to visit Punjab's Pathankot. Pakintan would approach India to allow special investigation team to visit Pathankot to gather relevant information on Pathankot attack, Pak Interior Minister Nisar Ali Khan. The official further said, Foreign Office will formally contact India to seek permission for the visit, as answers to many questions & links can be identified there, ANI reported. Khan also said that the investigation team has held many meetings and its work was proceeding. Khan today made the remarks after Pakistan earlier offered to send an SIT to probe the Pathankot attack that left seven security personnel killed. Indian security personnel also killed six militants in the January 2 attack on the airbase, which is merely 50 km from Pakistani border. The development comes days after Pak officials said that they found no evidence implicating Jaish-e-Mohammad chief Maulana Masood Azhar whom India blamed for the attack. The raid on the air base stalled efforts to revive bilateral talks between the nuclear-armed neighbours after Prime Minister Narendra Modi made an unscheduled visit to his Pakistani counterpart, Nawaz Sharif, in December. In January, Pakistani authorities detained Azhar and several members of Jaish-e-Mohammad, sealed offices belonging to the outfit, and shut down several religious schools run by the group. The security officials said earlier that Azhar remained in custody, but did not say whether authorities were considering his release. The investigating team has not ruled out the possibility that other members of Azhars group may have been involved, the officials said. It also continued to look into groups affiliated with the United Jihad Council, an alliance of pro-Pakistan militant groups based in the Pakistani-administered part of the divided Kashmir region that claimed responsibility for the assault in Pathankot. Jaish-e-Mohammad did not claim responsibility for the attack, but praised it in a statement released a few days afterward. New Delhi: In order to reach out to Opposition, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday chaired a meeting with senior leaders of major political parties. The meeting comes amid raging issues like Jawaharlal Nehru University row, President's rule in Arunachal Pradesh and January 2 terror attack on Pathankot airbase. A report by NDTV said, JNU controversy and sedition charge over student union president Kanhaiya Kumar was raised by Opposition leaders with PM Modi during the all-party meet. The last two sessions of Parliamant were virtual washouts as opposing parties disrupted both Houses and demanded action by Modi-led central government on several issues including Lalit Modi and Vyapam controversies. It is said that by holding a meeting with Opposition leaders, PM Modi is aiming to seek a smooth functioning of the Budget session. This is the first such meeting between PM Modi and Opposition leaders since the BJP-led NDA stormed to power in May 2014 Lok Sabha elections. Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi and several other opposing senior leaders have accused PM Modi of not taking Opposition into confidence. New Delhi: As Jawaharlal Nehru University continues to boil since February 09, over the event on the death anniversaries of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru and Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front co-founder Maqbool Bhat, a JNU student recounts what exactly happened on the fateful day. While recalling the February 09 incident, JNU student Harshit Agarwal shared the story on 'Quora' He writes: "On 9th February 2016, ex-members of a student organization DSU, short for 'Democratic Students Union' had called for a cultural meeting of a protest against what they called 'the judicial killing of Afzal Guru and Maqbool Bhat' and in solidarity with 'the struggle of Kashmiri people for their democratic right to self-determination.' A lot of Kashmiri students from inside and outside the campus were to attend the event. 'Democratic Students Union(DSU)' is an ultra-leftist group in the campus that believes in the ideology of Maoism. It's a very small group of very well read students. They are not terrorists or naxals by any means. I have been in the campus for more than 2 years and never have I witnessed or heard of them committing a terror activity as much as of throwing a stone, let alone overthrowing the state." Akhil Bharatiya Vidhyarthi Parishad (ABVP) opposed to the program wrote to JNU administration, asking it to withdraw permission as it was harmful for campus atmosphere. The administration fearing clashes didn't allowed the event to take place. Following this, DSU then asked JNUSU (Jawaharlal Nehru Students' Union) and other leftist student organizations such as the SFI (Students Federation of India), and AISA (All India Students Association) to help them hold their meeting "democratically and peacefully". The administration sent security guards to cover the badminton court where the meeting was supposed to happen and denied permission to use microphones. The organizers decided they would continue the meeting around the dhaba area on the campus without the mics. The ABVP members gathered there and started shouting slogans such as "Ye Kashmir Hamara hai, saara ka saara hai." In response, the organisers raised slogans, 'Hum kya chaahte? Azaadi! and "Tum kitne Afzal maaroge, har ghar se Afzal niklega!" Harshit further writes "This group of students believed that he (Afzal Guu) did not deserve capital punishment and also have their skepticism about his involvement in the parliamentary attack. I am picking up this from wikipedia - "It has to be noted, that in its judgement of 5 August 2005, the supreme court admitted that the evidence against Guru was only circumstantial, and that there was no evidence that he belonged to any terrorist group or organisation." "So, a group of students believe that Afzal Guru was framed, had no role in the attack on the parliament and his capital punishment was wrong. Big deal? And were therefore shouting, 'Har ghar se Afzal niklega!' And mind you, these people are not carrying any arms, all they are carrying are ideas. So, in such a case, what should the state do? Charge them for conspiracy against the state? Or maybe merely try to engage with them, debate with them about a difference of opinion?" In the meeting, there was a whole group of Kashmiri students which had come from outside JNU to attend the meeting. If you would even look closely at the video that is being circulated, you will only see these students who had formed a circle in the center of the gathering. And trust me ,not one of whom was from JNU! I was present during the event for some time, and I could not recognize a single face from that group as being from JNU. This group of students, who belonged to Kashmir, and had faced the wrath of the AFSPA for decades, were angered to see ABVP disrupt their meeting, and started shouting the slogans against India, like: "Bharat ki barbaadi tak, jung rahegi, jung rahegi!" "India, Go Back" (The views of the JNU student have been taken from Quora and Zee Media doesn't take any responsibility for the statements) Kannur: A fierce blame game is on over the murder of a 27-year-old RSS worker in Kerala. In a brutal incident, a 27-year-old RSS worker was hacked to death in Kannur district of the poll-bound state. Here are five things you may not know about the case:- - RSS worker Sujit was brutally hacked to death in front of his aged parents; he succumbed to the injuries before reaching hospital late Monday night - His aged parents and a brother tried to stop the assailants, who stormed into their house at Papinesseri around 11.30 PM and suffered injuries in the process. They have also been hospitalised. - BJP's Kannur District President Satyaprakash told reporters that CPI-M was allegedly behind the attack; he alleged that CPI-M had decided to whip up violence to get over the embarrassment of the arrest of its party district secretary, P Jayarajan, an accused in the murder of a BJP functionary in 2014, after his anticipatory bail plea was rejected in the case. - 10 CPI-M sympathisers have been taken into custody and they are being questioned for the RSS worker's murder. - Denying the blame by RSS, CPI-M has said that it was the fallout of a local incident relating to insulting a girl. CPI-M State Secretary Kodieryi Balakrishnan said the attack was not political and was a purely local issue and had nothing to do with the CPI-M. BJP state President Kummanam Rajasekharan, however, said the attack cannot be considered an 'isolated' incident. Hartal by BJP BJP is observing 'hartal' in Kannur, Papinesseri and Azhikode areas to protest against the killing. On December 1, 1999, K P Jayakrishnan Master, a BJP leader was hacked to death, allegedly by CPI-M workers, in front of his students while he was taking class. Washington: The Obama Administration's decision to sell eight F-16 fighter jets to Pakistan should not be a cause of concern for India as the regional security situation was taken into account at the time of sale, the Pentagon said on Tuesday. "We don't think it should cause concern for India," said Peter Cook, Pentagon Press Secretary. "We think this is a capability that will help Pakistan in its counterterrorism effort and we think that's in the national security interests of the United States," Cook said responding to questions on India's disappointment over sale of eight F-16s to Pakistan. The Obama Administration said on February 13 it had decided to sell eight nuclear-capable F-16 fighter jets worth nearly USD 700 million to Pakistan despite mounting opposition from influential lawmakers from both the Republican and Democratic parties. "This sale always took into account the regional security situation. We look at our relationship with Pakistan and our relationship with India as separate relationships. We think this is important capabilities for the Pakistanis to go after terrorists in that country," Cook said. India summoned US Ambassador Richard Verma to convey its "displeasure and disappointment" over the decision. India disagreed with the US' rationale that such arms transfers help Pakistan in combating terrorism and believes the US military aid to Pakistan goes into anti-India activities. These additional F-16 aircraft will facilitate operations in all-weather, non-daylight environments, provide a self- defence/area suppression capability, and enhance Pakistan's ability to conduct counter-insurgency and counter terrorism operations, the Pentagon had said. New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday asked the Delhi Sikh Gurudwara Management Committee (DSGMC) to suggest the ways to sensitise people on the adverse impact of jokes poking fun at the Sikh community. A bench of Chief Justice T.S.Thakur, Justice R. Banumathi and Justice Uday Umesh Lalit asked for the suggestion from the DSGMC which had urged the court to have orientation course at school level to curb such jokes demeaning or hurting the community. Before seeking the suggestions, Chief Justice Thakur pointed out that the country had a Sikh president Giani Zail Singh, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, the army and air force were at different points of time were headed by Sikhs and "very soon the country will have a Sikh Chief Justice of India" citing the appointment of Justice Jagdish Singh Khehar to the post when he demits office in January 2017. Seeking suggestion from senior counsel R.S.Suri and A.P.S. Ahluwalia, it said that if it passes an order to curb such jokes, then "how will we enforce it". "We will not say something that can't be enforced" as it damages judiciary, said Chief Justice Thakur. "I don't want any order to be passed that can't be enforced. We should have guidelines that court has issued in many cases," Suri told the court suggesting that there should be orientation of the children at school level to sensitise them against making jokes poking at the Sikhs, making unappreciable comments on Biharis or people from the northeast. He told the court that jokes should not become malicious, dirty, demeaning or hurting the sentiments of the people. Pressing for the orientation courses, Suri said that 68 years after becoming republic, what we are witnessing in India is an anarchy. Referring to the way a judge of the Madras High Court has passed an order staying his transfer order issued by Chief Justice of India, Suri said that there was "judicial anarchy.. lawyers in black robes were beating journalist in Patiala House courts". The "court must address the large picture. It requires consideration", he said. The court asked the DSGMC to give suggestion in the course of the hesaring of a PIL by a lawyer Harvinder Chowdhury seeking a ban on websites carrying jokes on Sikhs projecting the community in dim light. The petitioner has urged the court to direct the government to clamp down on the more than 5,000 websites like www.jokesduniya.com/category/sardar-jokes.htm, as they were "criticising one community and it should stop". Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to pass interim order on plea of Congress to restrain Governor from swearing-in a new CM in Arunachal Pradesh. SC also declines Congress prayer for maintaining status quo in crisis-hit Arunachal Pradesh. "We have heard your arguments on injunction. We don't propose to pass any order and we will hear the matter on merits," the bench, also comprising justices Dipak Misra, MB Lokur, PC Ghose and NV Ramana, said. Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi, who rushed to the court after coming to know that Congress leaders were seeking status quo on possible political developments in the state, said the courts cannot "pre-empt" a constitutional authority from taking any decision. "The decision of the constitutional authority can be annulled by the court, but this application is totally misconcieved. Either today or tomorrow, President's Rule has to be revoked and the government has to be formed," he said while opposing the application in which Congress leaders have expressed apprehension that the proclamation of central rule is likely to be withdrawn, as per PTI. The bench then told senior lawyers Fali S Nariman and Kapil Sibal, appearing for Arunachal Pradesh Congress leaders, that the only order, which it had deemed fit at this juncture, has been suggested and if these leaders do not accept it, then they should argue on merits. The bench then sought Attorney General's view asking what the Parliament would do, if it passes some interim orders on the plea of Arunachal Congress leaders. President's Rule is yet to be affirmed by Parliament and whatever is the verdict of this court, the only answer will be the floor test, Rohatgi replied. "Whatever is the verdict of the court, the only answer will be floor test and the ultimate answer will be the floor test. Whether 'A' becomes the Chief Minister or 'B' becomes Chief Minister, it will be decided on the floor of the House," he said. There was exchange of words between the senior lawyers appearing for both sides on the authenticity of the press note purportedly issued by the office of Rajkhowa. Nariman said he had information that the Governor has made a recomendation about revoking President's Rule in the state and the press note substantiated it. T R Andhyarujina, who represents the Governor, said till now, the proclamation is very much in place and the assembly stands in "suspended animation". "Yesterday some leaders have met the Governor but he has categorically told them that nothing could be done till the proclamation is revoked. No report of Governor recommending revocation has been made till now," Andhyarujina said. Sibal said at present, they were not asking for any order on the proclamation as they also do not wish to pre-empt the actions of the President on recalling of the proclamation. The bench then asked, "what does this status quo mean then?" "We have nothing to do with the proclamation but the court can't allow a person to be sworn-in as a Chief Minister who is disqualified," Sibal argued, adding that Congress leaders be given an opportunity to approach the Governor once the proclamation is revoked. The bench observed that this injunction cannot be granted and Congress leaders were at liberty to approach the Governor. It asked the Attorney General whether a person, who is disqualified from the House, can be asked not to be sworn in. No, in that case, the court would get itself into the politics by suggesting whom to appoint or whom not to, Rohatgi said. "The subject matter of disqualification can be adjudicated by the court but it can't suggest who to appoint as Chief Minister or who not to," Rohtagi said. Yesterday, Congress leaders had informed the apex court that they have learnt about the recommendation of Arunachal Pradesh Governor JP Rajkhowa to lift the President's Rule in the state. Nariman and Sibal, who represent former Chief Minister Nabam Tuki, former Speaker Nabam Rebia and others, had said there was a plan to swear-in a new government in the state. Nariman had told a five-judge Constitution bench headed by Justice JS Khehar that they had filed a fresh application in this regard as there was apprehension that the Centre and the Governor may go ahead with this plan. (With PTI inputs) Jalandhar: A son of a Shiv Sena leader in Punjab's Jalandhar city was on Tuesday shot at and critically injured by unidentified assailants, police said. Deepak, son of Shiv Sena leader Vinay Jalandhari, was shot at by two motorcycle-borne assailants outside a school in Deen Dyal Upadhaya Nagar locality on Tuesday afternoon as Deepak arrived there to pick up his children. Deepak was rushed to a nearby private hospital here, 150 km from Chandigarh. Police said CCTV footage from the school and other areas showed that the assailants had covered their heads and faces. The rear number plate of the motorcycle used in the crime was missing. Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh on Tuesday condemned the murderous attack on Deepak. Expressing grave concern over such incidents, Amarinder Singh said it was the third incident of its kind in the state in the past one month. "Two similar incidents took place in Ludhiana earlier and police were yet to identify the culprits," the Congress leader said in a statement here. Amarinder Singh flayed the Akali-BJP government in Punjab for its failure to identify and arrest the guilty. Unidentified miscrants had fired at a Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh 'shakha' in Ludhiana on January 18. No one was injured. In the second incident in Kidwai Nagar in Ludhiana, a single shot was fired by a person at one of the participants at an RSS 'shakha'. Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has written Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the wake of the arrest of JNU students' union president in a sedition case, as per media reports on Tuesday. The Delhi CM has told the PM that anti-India activities could not be tolerated but in garb of nationalism innocents should not be detained. He also added that the slogan shouting incident was being utilised to portray JNU as hub of anti-national, terrorist activities. Meanwhile, Kejriwal today met Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and took up with him the situation in Jawaharlal Nehru University. During the meeting that lasted 15 minutes, Kejriwal voiced concern over the prevailing atmosphere at the institution arising out of an event to protest against the hanging of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru. The President of JNU Students' Union, Kanhaiya Kumar, was arrested following that event. Sources said the Chief Minister told Singh that the issue got complicated due to police action against the students, as per PTI. The Home Minister reportedly told Kejriwal that police were probing the matter and action is being taken as per the law, the sources said. The Chief Minister also discussed with the Home Minister a few administrative issues relating to the Delhi government, they said. (With PTI inputs) New Delhi: Talking tough, the Narendra Modi government on Saturday categorically told the Opposition parties that the type of slogans raised in Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) was unacceptable. The government's reaction came after Opposition parties today sought clarification from the Prime Minister on JNU row at a meeting ahead of Budget session. PM Modi, including several NDA ministers met Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha MPs to deliberate on the smooth running of Budget session, commencing February 23. Meanwhile, Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad said that his party was against anti-national sloganeering, but there is no proof of sedition against JNUSU president Kanhaiya Kumar, who has been arrested on charges of sedition. The arrest of Jawaharlal University Students' Union president on sedition charges has evoked condemnation from the opposition parties. The JNU has been on the boil over the arrest of Kanhaiya Kumar on Friday. The controversy began when some JNU students organised a meet on February 9 to mark the anniversaries of executions of parliament attack convict Afzal Guru and Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front co-founder Maqbool Bhat. Anti-India slogans were reportedly raised at the gathering. Delhi Police Commissioner BS Bassi said on Monday maintained Kanhaiya Kumar had joined the meeting on the campus where anti-national slogans were raised and he also raised slogans. Kanhiaya Kumar, who belongs to the CPI-affiliated All India Students Federation (AISF), has denied the charge. Zee Media Bureau New Delhi: February 17th marks the 235th birth anniversary of Rene Laennec, the inventor of the one thing that became the trademark of every doctor in the world the stethoscope. Internet giant Google has, in its trademark doodle style, paid a 'stethoscopic' tribute to Laennec. The doodle shows Laennec in black and white holding his prized invention to his ear, while a doctor stands next to him holding a modern-day version of the stethoscope. Born on this day in 1781 in Quimper (Brittany), Laennec invented the medical tool in 1816, while working at the Hopital Necker and pioneered its use in diagnosing various chest conditions. Apart from the stethoscope being his biggest invention, other contributions, according to Wikipedia, included the development of the understanding of peritonitis and cirrhosis. Although the disease of cirrhosis was known, Laennec gave cirrhosis its name, using the Greek word (kirrhos, tawny) that referred to the tawny, yellow nodules characteristic of the disease. He coined the term melanoma and described metastases of melanoma to the lungs. In 1804, while still a medical student, he was the first person to lecture on melanoma. Laennec died at a young age of 45 in 1826, 10 years after his invention, due to tubercolosis. Chennai/Kurnool: A tearful final farewell was given on Tuesday to four soldiers from Tamil Nadu and one from Andhra Pradesh who were buried alive in an avalanche on the hostile Siachen glacier on February 3. All of them belonged to the Madras Regiment and their last rites were performed with full military honours. The bodies of Havildar M. Elumalai, Sepoy G. Ganesan, Sepoy N. Ramamurthy and Lance Havildar S. Kumar were brought to Chennai on Monday night and later taken to their native places. Elumalai was laid to rest with full military honours in Adukumparai village in Vellore district. Ganesan was cremated in his native village Chokkathevanpatti in Madurai district, while Kumar was laid to rest in his home village in Theni district. The last rites of Ramamurthy were performed in Krishnagiri district. The Tamil Nadu government announced a solatium of Rs.10 lakh each to their families. In Andhra Pradesh, Sepoy Mustaq Ahmed waslaid to rest with full military honours in his native village in Kurnool district. A pall of gloom descended on Parnapalle village in Bandi Atmakur mandal of Kurnool as people bid tearful adieu to the soldier. Military, police and civil officials and politicians paid their last respects to Mushtaq, who was buried at a village graveyard. Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister K.E. Krishna Murthy and YSR Congress party chief Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy were among those who attended the last rites. The deputy chief minister later presented a cheque of Rs.25 lakh to the family of deceased soldier. The body of Mustaq reached the village late Monday night from Hyderabad, where it was brought from New Delhi on Monday by a special aircraft of Indian Air Force (IAF). Mustaq, 30, is survived by his wife and aged parents, according to a defence statement. He had enrolled in the 19th Battalion the Madras Regiment in 2004 and served as part of his battalion in counter insurgency operations in the North East and in Jammu and Kashmir. He had also served in the Rashtriya Rifles (RR) force in Jammu and Kashmir. A keen sportsman, Mustaq volunteered to be part of one of the most crucial posts in the icy Siachen Glacier. It was February 3, when an avalanche swept away one Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) and nine Other Ranks (ORs) in the Siachen Glacier while they were on duty. The soldiers were buried under nearly 30 feet of ice and snow when the avalanche hit the Sonam Post on the Siachen glacier at an altitude of around 20,000 feet. Lance Naik Hanumanthappa Koppad was the only one found alive even though he was trapped under the snow for about six days. He succumbed to multi-organ failure at the Army Hospital Research and Referral in New Delhi last Thursday. Koppad was cremated in his home town in Karnataka on Friday. The bodies of the remaining nine soldiers were retrieved a week after the tragedy, and flown into New Delhi from the frontier Ladakh region on Monday. The mortal remains were later flown in IAF planes to Pune, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Madurai, Chennai and Thiruvananthapuram, for sending them to the native villages of the deceased soldiers. The other soldiers were Subedar Nagesha T.T. of village Tejur in Karnatakas' Hassan district, Karnataka, Lance Naik Sudheesh B. of village Monroethuruth in Kerala's Kollam district, Sepoy Mahesha P.N. of village HD Kote in Karnataka's Mysuru district, and Sepoy (nursing assistant) Suryawanshi S.V. of village Maskarwadi in Maharashtra's Satara district. Kolkata: With the high voltage 2016 West Bengal Assembly Elections just months away, the Congress and the Left are expected to forge an alliance to take on the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which is desperately trying to make inroads into the state. During the last Assembly polls, the Trinamool created a history by ousting the Left, which had ruled the state for more than three decades. According to reports, the Congress which suffered a humiliating defeat in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, wants to align with the Left as it has no other option left. The West Bengal Congress has vehemently pitched for the alliance, however, the party high command is yet to take a call on the matter. It may be noted that TMC has openly supported the GST Bill, which somewhere gives the indication that the ruling party might side with the Modi-led NDA after the Assembly polls. Well at the same time Congress can be rest assured about Left that it won't go with the BJP. Notably, pitching for an alliance with Congress in the coming elections in Bengal, CPI(M) leader Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee last week said people want such a tie-up to oust Trinamool from power. "... Lots of people are talking about the alliance. You need to understand why people are talking about the alliance, because they are demanding that all of us fight together to oust TMC from power," he said. "There may be differences - differences between people but there is a single point which is to defeat TMC. We all have to fight together," Bhattacharjee said. The CPI-M in Kerala will certainly face the heat if the CPI-M in West Bengal goes forward with an alliance with its arch rivals here - the Congress party. Kerala and West Bengal go to the polls at the same time and the BJP is certain to rake up the issue of this new found alliance to its maximum, if the CPI-M decides to have a tie-up in Bengal. The grand old party, which is going through a very bad phase, on Saturday sealed an alliance with Karunanidhi-led DMK for the upcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. Kabul: At least 14 Taliban militants were killed during military operations in two provinces of Afghanistan, government representatives said on Tuesday. "Members of Special Operation Force of Afghan National Police (ANP) carried out a raid in Tagab district of Kapisa province on Monday. Eight Taliban terrorists were killed and three injured in the operation," Xinhua quoted the country`s interior ministry as saying in a statement on Tuesday. The targeted militants were involved in several terrorist attacks, including roadside bombings and landmine blasts and ambushes against security forces, the statement said. Three heavy machine guns, a rocket launcher, a PKM automatic gun with 6,000 rounds of bullets and 50 kg of explosive materials were recovered during the raid, the statement added. In a separate incident, six militants were killed and five injured in an attack on an army convoy in Qush Tipa district of Jawzjan province on Monday, an army spokesman said on Tuesday. "No member of the convoy was harmed during the clash lasting for hours," he said. The militant group was yet to make comments. Tokyo: Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said on Tuesday she will seek clarification from China about how it intends to use reclaimed islands in the South China Sea, including whether Beijing intends to grant access to other countries. China claims much of the South China Sea, through which more than $5 trillion of trade moves annually. Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam have rival claims. "In the past (Chinese) Foreign Minister Wang Yi has said they will be public goods, so I am seeking more detail as to how other nations could access these public goods," Bishop said of the islands. "Depending upon the answer he gives, we will look at the situation," she told reporters in Tokyo, where she met Japanese counterpart Fumio Kishida. Bishop, who will fly to Beijing later on Tuesday for talks with Wang and other Chinese officials, would not say whether Australia would seek access to the islands. Beijing has asserted its claim in the region with island building projects that have reclaimed more than 2,900 acres (1,170 hectares) of land since 2013, according to the Pentagon. It tested for the first time last month the 3,000-metre runway built on a reclamation on Fiery Cross Reef by landing several civilian airliners from Hainan island. China has accused Washington of seeking maritime hegemony in the name of freedom of navigation after a U.S. Navy destroyer sailed within 12 nautical miles of a disputed island in the Paracel chain of the South China Sea in late January. Vienna: The flow of migrants through the Balkans and towards Germany will be slowed progressively as part of a coordinated "domino effect" of restrictions by countries along the route, Austria`s interior minister said in comments published on Tuesday. Austria has largely served as a corridor into neighbouring Germany for the hundreds of thousands of people, many of them Syrian refugees, who have streamed onto its territory since the two countries threw open their borders to them in September. It has, however, taken in a similar number of asylum seekers to Germany in proportion to its far smaller population, and the coalition government has said it will not be able to cope if the influx continues unabated. With European measures to address the continent`s migration crisis facing mounting delays and public support for the far right having risen, Vienna is turning to a "Plan B" aimed at stemming the flow of people without going through Brussels. It has already said it will limit asylum applications to less than half last year`s total, and last week Foreign Minister Sebastian Kurz told Macedonia to be ready to "completely stop" the flow of migrants across its southern border, adding that Austria would soon do the same. "The domino effect along the Balkan route is developing according to plan," Interior Minister Johanna Mikl-Leitner, who is expected to announce new border measures later on Tuesday, was quoted as saying by Austrian newspaper Kurier. "It is important that each country progressively restrict the flow on its border, and that we do that in agreement with each other," she said, adding: "The brakes are being applied step by step." Macedonia, lying near the bottom of the Balkans next to Greece, has erected two lines of metal fencing topped with razor wire along its border at the main crossing point for migrants. Austria has erected barriers and a roughly 4-km (2.5-mile) fence as crowd-control measures at its main crossing for migrants, at Spielfeld on its southern border with Slovenia. Kurier said the country was preparing to introduce a similar crowd-control system further west at the Karawankentunnel crossing, also on the border with Slovenia. The introduction of such barriers was also possible at the Brenner crossing with Italy, a vital transport link, the paper said, adding that border supervision might be stepped up at nine other crossings on the Italian, Slovenian and Hungarian borders. Brussels: Belgian police on Tuesday arrested ten people in the Brussels area allegedly part of a network recruiting people to fight with the Islamic State group in Syria, prosecutors said. The ten were arrested during raids in Molenbeek and others areas of the Belgian capital but the case is not linked to the deadly November Paris attacks, the federal prosecutor`s office said in a statement. Several of those involved in the Paris killings came from Molenbeek. "The raids were carried out as part of an investigation into a recruitment network linked to Islamic State. The investigation helped determine that several people had travelled to Syria to join Islamic State," it said. The raids were ordered by a counter-terrorism judge in the eastern city of Liege who will decide later in the day whether to continue holding them, the statement said. Investigators were studying mobile phones and computer equipment seized in a total of nine raids across Brussels. Belgium has produced more jihadist fighters relative to its population than any other country in Europe, with some 500 believed to have gone to fight in the Middle East. Many have joined the Islamic State group which claimed the November attacks on the French capital. Belgian police are holding several people in connection with the November 13 attacks in Paris which left 130 people dead and hundreds wounded as it emerges that the onslaught was largely organised and coordinated from Belgium. Earlier this month, the authorities identified three safe houses used by key Paris suspects -- in Brussels, in Charleroi, an hour`s drive south of the capital, and in Auvelais, a village near the French border. Bangkok: Two Chinese Uighurs said by police to have admitted a deadly bombing at a Bangkok shrine denied involvement in the unprecedented attack when they appeared handcuffed and shackled in a Thai court Tuesday. Bilal Mohammed, also known as Adem Karadag, and Yusufu Mieraili were barefoot during the plea hearing in the military court. A judge read the charges of attempted and premeditated murder, possession of illegal weapons and illegal entry to the pair through a Uighur translator. Both said they were not guilty of the bombing charges, although Mohammed conceded he had entered the country illegally. "I`m not guilty... but I`ve been in prison for six months," a disconsolate-looking Mieraili added. The August 17 bomb killed 20 people and wounded scores more at a shrine popular with ethnic Chinese tourists. A convincing motive has yet to be established for an attack that dented Thailand`s key tourist industry and spread fear through a politically febrile country that is under military rule. Police say the two men initially admitted their roles in the bombing. Mohammed, who told the court he was 31 and a Chinese citizen from the Uighur ethnic minority, is accused of being the man seen in CCTV footage wearing a yellow T-shirt and placing a backpack at the Erawan shrine moments before the explosion. Mieraili, 26 and also a Chinese Uighur, was the second of the two to be arrested. During questioning authorities say he confessed to delivering the backpack bomb to another man who planted the device. Police chief Chakthip Chaijinda said it was the "defendants` right" to retract their earlier confession. "But we have witnesses and clear evidence to prosecute them," he told reporters. Mohammed was arrested in late August a a block of flats in a Bangkok suburb. Photographs released at the time showed him surrounded by bomb-making paraphernalia and dozens of fake Turkish passports. Shortly after the arrest, his lawyer told reporters that Mohammed admitted carrying out the bombing on the orders of an apparent mastermind - one of more than a dozen suspects, both foreign and Thai, still at large. But before Tuesday`s hearing the lawyer, Schoochart Kanpai, alleged his client had been tortured to confess to the crime. The pair have been held at a barracks in Bangkok, appearing only for a re-enactment of the bombing and at their November indictment. Mystery still surrounds the motive for the attack, in which the majority of the dead were ethnic Chinese tourists. Speculation has centred on a link to militants or supporters of the Uighurs, an ethnic group who say they face severe persecution in China, after Thailand forcibly repatriated 109 of the minority last July. Mohammed`s lawyer says he is a Chinese Uighur whose family settled in Turkey while Mieraili is a Chinese passport-holder of Uighur ethnicity. Thai authorities have rejected the theory that the bomb was a revenge attack for the deportations. Instead investigators have stuck to the line that it was carried out by a people-smuggling gang angered by a crackdown on its business -- a theory many analysts have questioned. Until Tuesday`s hearing the case had largely dropped off the news cycle, easing the pressure on authorities to arrest further suspects despite fears of a bungled investigation. Police awarded themselves a $84,000 reward after the arrest of Mohammed, even though he had not even been charged at the time. The Hague: Dutch F-16 fighter jets have bombed Islamic State targets for the first time in Syria since broadening its mission in the US-led air campaign, the defence ministry said on Tuesday. "Dutch F-16s carried out around 10 missions over Iraq and eastern Syria," the Hague-based ministry said in its weekly summary of operations on its website. It is the first time the summary has mentioned targets in Syria since the Dutch government late last month announced it was fanning out its current air support mission over Iraq into Syria, in the wake of US and French requests. The air strikes were directed against "combat positions, military equipment and strategic aims of the IS terror organisation," the ministry said, without detailing when and where the attacks took place. The Netherlands is participating in the Iraq strikes with four F-16 aircraft specialising in close air support of ground operations by Iraqi forces. Late last year in the wake of the November Paris attacks, the Dutch government received a request from US and French allies to broaden its campaign against the IS jihadist group - also known by the acronym ISIS. Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte in January said the extended air operations would target eastern Syria "in particular to stop the IS 'pipeline' leading from Syria into Iraq." US air strikes in Iraq began in August 2014 after IS captured a swathe of territory in Iraq and Syria in a lightning offensive. Washington and Arab allies broadened the strikes against IS into Syria a month later in September 2014, with the US also leading moves to build an international coalition of some 60 nations against the jihadists. The four Dutch F-16 jet fighters which have been pounding IS jihadists in Iraq since October 2014 will "remain active until July 1 over the enlarged zone," the government said last month. Dutch Foreign Minister Bert Koenders has cautioned however that bombing was not the whole solution in a "complex conflict" in Syria. More than 260,000 people have been killed in Syria's conflict and more than half the population has been displaced. New York: Former UN secretary-general Boutros Boutros-Ghali, who led the world body during one of its most difficult periods, with failed missions in Rwanda and Bosnia, died Thursday in Cairo. He was 93. The Egyptian diplomat became the first secretary-general from Africa in 1992, but his tenure ended abruptly five years later when the United States vetoed his second term. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon described Boutros-Ghali as a respected statesman and scholar of international law who brought "formidable experience and intellectual power" to the top UN job. "His commitment to the United Nations -- its mission and its staff -- was unmistakable, and the mark he has left on the organization is indelible," Ban said. A former Egyptian foreign minister, the veteran diplomat headed the world body during one of its most difficult times with crises in Somalia, Rwanda, the Middle East and the former Yugoslavia. After a series of clashes with the US administration, Washington turned against Boutros-Ghali and decided to back Ghanaian Kofi Annan for the top post in late 1996. French President Francois Hollande paid tribute to Boutros-Ghali, saying this "great Egyptian and great servant of the United Nations" had worked tirelessly to preserve peace and to prevent conflicts worldwide. "His message must serve as inspiration to the international community`s action at a time when the Middle East knows new tragedies," Hollande said. British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond said Boutros-Ghali`s "contribution to international affairs will long be remembered." UN Security Council diplomats began a meeting in New York by observing a moment of silence in memory of Boutros-Ghali, who died in a Cairo hospital. Under his tenure, the United Nations expanded its peacekeeping missions but the retreat from Rwanda ahead of the 1994 genocide and from the Bosnian enclave of Srebrenica a year later were seen as dismal failures. Boutros-Ghali served as the United Nation`s sixth secretary-general.Relations with the United States began to sour in late 1993, when a US-led operation in Somalia led to major casualties among American troops. Further problems emerged during peacekeeping operations in the former Yugoslavia, and after the genocidal massacres of 1994 in Rwanda, which the United Nations failed to halt. There was also friction over UN sanctions against the regime of Saddam Hussein in Iraq, which had invaded and then been ejected from Kuwait a year before Boutros-Ghali took up his post. Washington`s then ambassador to the United Nations, Madeleine Albright, argued that Boutros-Ghali had failed to enact reforms needed to make the world body more efficient. When his candidacy for a second term was vetoed, Boutros-Ghali felt that he was being punished for pushing UN member states to pay their membership arrears -- an issue on which the United States has long been a laggard -- and for condemning Israeli actions in southern Lebanon. In his tribute, Ban said Boutros-Ghali had "rightly insisted on the independence of his office and of the secretariat as a whole." After leaving the United Nations, Boutros-Ghali served as secretary-general of the Francophonie group of French-speaking nations. Boutros-Ghali was born on November 14, 1922 into a Coptic Christian family in Cairo. He was educated at Cairo University and in Paris, where he established a lifelong connection with France. After a university career centered on international relations, including a spell at Columbia University in New York, he became Egypt`s foreign minister in 1977, under president Anwar Sadat. He accompanied Sadat on his groundbreaking trip to Jerusalem in that year, an event which both forged a peace agreement between Egypt and Israel and led to Sadat`s assassination four years later. Moscow: At least four people have been killed and several injured by a gas explosion that ripped through a residential building in the Russian city of Yaroslavl early today, authorities said. "Unfortunately, four bodies have been recovered. The four victims were evidently the occupants of neighbouring apartments, the walls of which were blown up," regional governor Sergei Yastrebov told news agency RIA-Novosti. "The situation is not clear right now," Yastrebov said, adding that more bodies could be under the rubble. A source in the emergency situations ministry told the TASS state news agency that nine injured people had been hospitalised following the blast in the central Russian city, which damaged nearly 15 apartments. Authorities said 550 rescuers and 130 vehicles were being sent to the scene, while a criminal inquiry has been opened to investigate whether safety regulations were breached. Gas explosions are common in Russia. The last serious accident, in February 2012, killed 10 people in the southern city of Astrakhan and destroyed the entire side of a nine- storey building. In December several people were killed in a similar explosion in the southern city of Volgograd. Hong Kong: Hong Kong property tycoon Thomas Kwok and ex-deputy leader Rafael Hui saw their appeal bids against graft convictions rejected Tuesday as they faced serving out their jail time. The pair were found guilty of corruption in 2014 after a blockbuster trial over a cash for favours scandal. Francis Kwan and Thomas Chan, sentenced to five and six years respectively for acting as middlemen for the payments, also saw their appeals fail. A written judgement to the court of appeal Monday said: "The appeals against conviction of Rafael Hui, Thomas Kwok, Thomas Chan and Francis Kwan are dismissed." A frail-looking Hui and grey-haired Kwok were grim-faced during the hearing, which lasted less than a minute. Former chief secretary Hui, 68, was the highest-ranking official in Hong Kong`s history to be found guilty of taking bribes. The seven-month trial centred around a total of HK$34 million ($4.3 million) in handouts, which the prosecution said were made to Hui by Kwok and his billionaire brother Raymond, to be their "eyes and ears" in government. Hui was jailed for seven-and-a-half years in December 2014, while 64-year-old Kwok -- who was joint chairman of Hong Kong`s biggest property company, Sun Hung Kai -- was sentenced to five years. The case shocked the city and deepened anger over cosy ties between officialdom and big business. Thomas Kwok`s son Adam said the rejection of the appeal was "disappointing", adding he hoped the case would be brought to the Court of Final Appeal. "I personally believe in my heart... that my father is innocent and that this is an unjust case," he said outside court. Hui, Kwok, Kwan and Chan are serving out their sentences in the maximum security Stanley Prison. Raymond Kwok was cleared of all charges at last year`s trial.During the appeal case, lawyer Edwin Choy challenged the legitimacy of an interview between the city`s graftbusters and Hui three years before he was arrested. Choy argued Hui had not been put under caution by investigators before giving statements that could later become formal evidence. Clare Montgomery, representing Kwok, said the court failed to identify any specific advantage that Kwok had received after paying Hui. Monday`s full judgement rejected those arguments. Appeal court judge Michael Lunn said in the document that it was "not necessary" for the prosecution to prove the accused had agreed on a specific act of misconduct by Hui. Lunn added that the evidence pointed to the fact that Hui`s statement was "voluntarily made" and did not need to have been excluded by the original trial judge. Hong Kong has been seen as relatively graft-free. But new cases in the semi-autonomous Chinese city have fuelled public suspicions over links between authorities and business leaders. In a separate high-profile corruption case, former leader Donald Tsang, who ended his term in disgrace after accepting favours from tycoons, has been charged with misconduct and will face trial next year. Male: A court in the Maldives on Tuesday sentenced the leader of the country's main Islamist party to 12 years in jail after convicting him on a terrorism charge. Sheikh Imran Abdulla of the opposition Adhaalath Party (AP) was charged under a tough 1990 anti-terrorism law for allegedly inciting unrest during an anti-government rally last May on the capital island Male. Tight security was on hand at the Criminal Court as a judge read out the sentence during a night time sitting of the court. His lawyers said they will appeal to a higher court. Imran's AP joined the main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party in May last year to stage a mass rally to protest the jailing of dissidents by the government of President Abdulla Yameen. Following the demonstration, some 175 people, including Sheikh Imran, were arrested by the police. Imran's imprisonment came just 11 months after the highly controversial jailing of the country's main opposition leader Mohamed Nasheed, who last month obtained prison leave to undergo urgent surgery in London. President Yameen is under intense international pressure to free Nasheed, the country's first democratically elected president. The authorities have also arrested Yameen's former deputy Ahmed Adeeb on "treason" charges after he was implicated in a plot to assassinate the president in September by setting off an explosive device aboard his speedboat. Almost all of the president's key rivals are either in jail or living in exile. The tiny nation of 340,000 Sunni Muslims has been gripped by political turmoil damaging its reputation as a luxury holiday destination since Nasheed was toppled four years ago in what he claimed was a coup led by mutinous police and troops. President Yameen, who has refused to accept a UN panel ruling that Nasheed's jailing was illegal, has invited opposition parties for talks to resolve their differences. However, no dates have been set for the talks. Similar negotiations last year ended in failure with the opposition demanding that their leaders should first be released before any discussions commence. Brussels: European Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker insisted Tuesday that Britain leaving the EU is not an option, saying the bloc has no Plan B, as Prime Minister David Cameron sought support in Brussels for his contentious reform proposals. Cameron came to Brussels for talks with Juncker, European Parliament head Martin Schulz and top MEPs aiming to win them over to the changes he says Britain must get to avoid a feared `Brexit`. Schulz, a veteran and fervent supporter of the whole European Union project, pledged parliament would be an "honest partner" for Britain but it also had "concerns to raise." "The European Parliament will move very quickly on the proposals ... but I cannot make any guarantees on the outcome," Schulz said. Cameron`s Downing Street office said parliamentary group leaders had "made clear their support for the proposals on the table and said they were ready to take any necessary EU legislation through the European Parliament swiftly." The European Parliament will have an important say on any agreement, but Cameron must first strike a deal at a summit of all 28 EU leaders in Brussels on Thursday and Friday. If Cameron gets what he wants there, he will take the deal into a proposed referendum, most likely in June. If Britons vote to remain in the EU, then the deal returns to Brussels to be put in legal form. Parliament will be closely involved in that process alongside the Commission, the EU`s executive arm, and the bloc`s 28 leaders. A source in the European People`s Party, the biggest group in parliament, dismissed accusations by British eurosceptics that MEPs would unravel the deal after the referendum. "If we have a `yes` from the British voters, then we will deliver," he said.The discussions in Brussels are part of a frenetic merry-go-round of diplomacy ahead of this week`s summit. Juncker, speaking before meeting Cameron, said he refused to even entertain the idea of Britain leaving the bloc. "If I would say now that we have a plan B, this would indicate a kind of willingness of the Commission to envisage seriously that Britain could leave the European Union," Juncker said. "So I am not entering into the details of a plan B, because we don`t have a plan B, we have a plan A. Britain will stay in the European Union as a constructive and active member of the Union." Cameron made no public comment during his four-hour visit to Brussels. EU chief Donald Tusk in Prague warned that the sides still had an "extra mile to walk" and nothing could be taken for granted. Tusk said the proposals he had drawn up in response to Cameron`s demands were "balanced," meeting London`s concerns "without compromising on our common freedoms and values."Cameron`s most controversial proposal is to restrict welfare payments for four years for EU citizens working in Britain. Many of the EU`s eastern member states such as Poland, which has hundreds of thousands of its workers in Britain, say such a measure would discriminate against them and undercut the core bloc principle of freedom of movement. Initially, Cameron`s demand that non-euro countries such as Britain have safeguards against closer integration of the single currency area was expected to be relatively straightforward but it has now run into serious opposition, especially from France which says London must not have a veto over the eurozone. An opt-out from the EU`s mission of "ever closer union" and strengthened national sovereignty are also facing unexpectedly strong opposition. The prime minister agreed to hold the referendum largely to head off gains by the anti-EU UK Independence Party which was exploiting sharp differences over Europe within his own Conservative Party. Separately, Britain`s Prince William on Tuesday made a speech that the British media interpreted as backing continuing membership of the EU. "For centuries Britain has been an outward-looking nation," the prince, the grandson of Queen Elizabeth II, said. "We have a long, proud tradition of seeking out allies and partners... Our ability to unite in common action with other nations is essential, it is the bedrock of our security and prosperity." A spokesman for his Kensington Palace office insisted of the speech: "This was not about Europe." The royal family does not usually intervene in political issues due to its constitutional position but has been known to issue carefully worded pronouncements on sensitive issues. Bethlehem: After two years of painstaking work, experts have completed the initial phase of a delicate restoration project at the Church of the Nativity, giving a much-needed face-lift to one of Christianity's holiest sites. The project, partially funded by the Palestinians and conducted by a team of Palestinian and international experts, is the biggest restoration at the iconic church in some 600 years. The removal of centuries of dust has left Crusader-era mosaics sparkling in sunlight filtering through brand new windows. Structural repairs on the fragile rooftop and windows have been completed and art treasures have been returned to their delicate elegance. Although the Palestinians are overwhelmingly Muslim, they consider the church a national treasure and one of their most visited tourist sites, and President Mahmoud Abbas has been actively involved in the project. Ziad al-Bandak, who leads the Palestinian committee in charge of the restoration, calls what has been accomplished so far nothing short of "revolutionary." "For the first time you can see, when you go up, mosaics really magnificent and beautiful and unique in the whole world," he said. The Church of the Nativity, located in the biblical West Bank town of Bethlehem, was built by Saint Helena in the 4th century over the grotto where the Virgin Mary is said to have given birth to Jesus. Despite its spiritual significance, the church was neglected for centuries and is listed as endangered by UNESCO, the United Nations cultural agency. Until two years ago, rain leaked through the severely damaged rooftop, threatening to harm priceless artworks inside. Then, in 2013, the Palestinian Authority, the internationally backed self-rule government, took the lead in financing the restoration. The rest has come from the Palestinian private sector, the Roman Catholic, Greek Orthodox and Armenian churches and other countries. Al-Bandak said nearly $8 million has already been spent. The renovation is being conducted by a joint team of engineers, restoration experts and workers Palestinians as well as Italians from "Piacenti," a firm which specializes in the renovation of historical sites and has worked on dozens of villas, palaces, churches and monasteries in Italy and Russia. Michoacan: Pope Francis heads Tuesday to Mexico`s troublesome western state of Michoacan, where the cult-like Knights Templar drug cartel and its pseudo-messianic leader terrorized the population until farmers revolted against them. The 79-year-old pope will visit the state`s capital, Morelia, for a mass with priests, nuns and seminarians, followed by a tour of the cathedral and a second mass with Mexican youths in a stadium. Nuns milled about the city on Monday while Catholic faithful brought sleeping bags to spend the night outside the cathedral to wait for the pope. A heavy police contingent guarded the colonial center. "I hope that the pope`s visit will quell the ugly things that are happening: the violence, the kidnappings and murders," said Ana Maria Campos, a 58-year-old Morelia resident who bought small pope flags at the historic center. Michoacan endured some of the most gruesome episodes of Mexico`s drug war, which has left 100,000 people dead or missing in the past decade, including dozens of priests, some of them in this state. Francis has used his five-day cross-country trip, which ends Wednesday, to press Mexican leaders to provide "effective security" to their citizens. It was just steps away from Morelia`s 17th century cathedral that two grenades blew up in a packed plaza during independence day festivities on September 15, 2008, killing eight people and injuring some 100. Drug cartels were the main suspects.While the massacre shocked the country, the gangs mainly afflicted rural areas of Michoacan, especially the fertile lime and avocado region known as "Tierra Caliente" ("Hot Land"). It was there in 2006 that the country came to know La Familia Michoacana after the cartel rolled five severed heads down a dance floor with a message promising "divine justice." The gang was founded by Nazario Moreno, alias "The Craziest One," a self-styled messiah who wrote the "Gospel of La Familia" -- a religion-inspired rulebook banning gang members from consuming drugs or alcohol. The government wrongly declared him dead after a 2010 gunfight with police. Troops killed him for good in 2014. After his first death, the Knights Templar cartel emerged and Moreno became a folk saint known as "San Nazario," with shrines in his honor dressed like a crusader with a red cross. While the Knights claimed to defend Michoacan against other cartels, the gang killed, kidnapped and extorted regular people. Fed up with the police`s inability or unwillingness to act, farmers formed vigilante groups. "We had to do a job that wasn`t ours to do," Hipolito Mora, a lime grower and founder of the vigilante movement, told AFP. Even clergymen were not safe. In 2013, authorities provided security to a bishop who backed the vigilantes over fears of an imminent attack. Another pro-vigilante priest in Apatzingan, a former cartel bastion, wore a bulletproof vest during mass.The federal government deployed security forces to help the self-defense forces, leading to the capture or killing of the cartel`s top leaders. "Francisco will see a Michoacan that is very different than when we were hurt by drug trafficking," said Jaime Rivera, a security expert at Michoacana University. "But he will also find a financially broke government that hasn`t been able to eliminate criminal cells that continue to commit crimes." While the cartel was severely weakened, smaller gangs have emerged, including La Nueva Familia (The New Family). Meanwhile, the vigilantes were marred by infighting and accusations that some were infiltrated by cartels. Authorities decided to fold the militias into a government-sanctioned rural defense force in 2014. Authorities are now integrating them into a regular police force. "Hopefully the government will do its job well so that we don`t have to take up arms again," Mora said. Seoul: South Korean President Park Geun-hye pledged on Tuesday further "strong" measures against North Korea, after suspending operations at a jointly run industrial park as punishment for the North`s recent long-range rocket launch and nuclear test. North Korea`s recent actions, and threats to conduct more "extreme acts of provocation", demonstrate that it has no interest in peace, Park said in a speech to Parliament. "The suspension of the Kaesong industrial zone is only the start of a series of actions we will be taking together with the international community," she said. "The government will take strong and effective measures for the North to come to the bone-numbing realisation that nuclear development will not help its survival but rather it will only speed up the collapse of the regime," she said. South Korea suspended the operation of the Kaesong industrial zone last week, which had been run jointly with the North for more than a decade and was a key source of hard currency for the impoverished North, as punishment for Pyongyang`s rocket launch on February 07. Seoul and the United States said the launch was in fact a test of a long-range missile that violated UN Security Council resolutions. The North said the launch was part of its scientific programme designed to launch satellites into space. Washington and Seoul are seeking support from Beijing, Pyongyang`s main ally, for tougher sanctions against North Korea for the rocket launch and January`s nuclear test. South Korea is on heightened alert for any kind of "extreme actions" Pyongyang might take, Park said, asking for bipartisan support. She also warned against using the increased tension for political purposes, "which would be exactly what the North would want to see". Seoul: South Korea's UN ambassador has asked the UN Security Council to adopt "extraordinary" measures in response to North Korea's recent nuclear test and rocket launch to avoid falling prey to its "nuclear blackmail." Ambassador Oh Joon told a council meeting yesterday that members must approve "a robust and comprehensive" sanctions resolution to make clear to the North "that it will no longer tolerate its nuclear weapons development." Pyongyang started off the new year with what it claims was its first hydrogen bomb test and followed that up with the launch of a satellite on a rocket condemned by much of the world as a test of banned missile technology. The ambassador called the test and launch "a clear threat to international peace and security and a blatant challenge to the international community." Over the past 10 years, North Korea has conducted four nuclear tests and launched six long-range missiles all in violation of Security Council resolutions and Pyongyang's international obligations, Oh told a council meeting on respecting the principles of the UN Charter. "If we go on business-as-usual vis-a-vis the DPRK's repeated nuclear tests and advancement of missile capabilities, the entire world could fall prey to the DPRK's nuclear blackmail," he said, using the initials of the country's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. "Extraordinary threat requires an extraordinary response," Oh said. The United States and China are negotiating the text of a new resolution and the council pledged after the February 7 rocket launch to "expeditiously" adopt a new resolution with "significant" new sanctions. The US and its allies want sanctions that go beyond the North's nuclear and missile programs, but China, Pyongyang's neighbor and supporter on the council, is reluctant to impose measures that could cause the country's economy to collapse. Beirut: Hopes for a ceasefire in Syria were fading on Tuesday, after dozens were killed in air strikes on hospitals that France branded war crimes and Syria`s president said implementing a truce would prove "difficult". The United Nations said nearly 50 civilians, including children, died in bombings of at least five medical facilities and two schools in northern Syria`s Aleppo and Idlib provinces. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said the raids violated international law and "cast a shadow" over efforts to end Syria`s five-year civil war, while France said the attacks "constitute war crimes". "Attacks against health facilities in Syria by the regime or its supporters are unacceptable and must stop immediately," said French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault. The United States, which like the UN did not identify who carried out the air strikes, said two civilian hospitals were hit in northern Syria: one run run by medical charity Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) and another in rebel-held Azaz city. The region around Syria`s second city of Aleppo has been the target of a major offensive by Syrian government troops, backed by Russian warplanes, which has sent tens of thousands fleeing to the Turkish border. "That the Assad regime and its supporters would continue these attacks... casts doubt on Russia`s willingness and/or ability to help bring to a stop the continued brutality of the Assad regime against its own people," the State Department said. MSF confirmed a hospital supported by the charity was hit in Idlib, northwest Syria, and said seven people were killed and at least eight were missing, presumed dead. But Syria`s ambassador to Moscow, Riad Haddad, said the hospital had been targeted by a US raid. "American warplanes destroyed it. Russian warplanes had nothing to do with any of it -- the information that has been gathered will completely back that up," he told Russian state television channel Rossiya 24.The heated words cast fresh doubt on a days-old deal to enforce a nationwide ceasefire later this week, with Syria`s President Bashar al-Assad saying it would be "difficult" to implement. "They are saying they want a ceasefire in a week. Who is capable of gathering all the conditions and requirements in a week? No one," Assad said in televised remarks. Seeking to keep alive the deal for a "cessation of hostilities" in Syria clinched in Munich, Germany, last week, the UN`s envoy for Syria, Staffan de Mistura, arrived in Damascus on Monday. Kurdish fighters in northern Syria meanwhile captured a key town, despite Turkey resuming shelling in several parts of Aleppo, alarmed by their recent advances against mostly Islamist rebels. Ankara accuses the Kurdish forces of ties to the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) that has waged a decades-long insurgency against Turkey. Britain-based monitor the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said at least two children died in Monday`s shelling and an AFP journalist on the border said Turkish howitzers fired for around 20 minutes from the Akcabaglar region. Nonetheless, the coalition of Kurdish and Arab fighters known as the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) captured the town of Tal Rifaat from mostly Islamist rebels, the Observatory said. The SDF had already seized the nearby Minnigh airbase and severed the road between Tal Rifaat, which lies 20 kilometres (12 miles) from the border, and rebel-held Azaz. Turkey fears the Kurds will be able to create a contiguous Kurdish territory just across the border in northern Syria. Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu warned earlier Monday that Ankara would not let Azaz fall to the SDF, adding that "the necessary intervention will be made".Moscow says its military intervention has targeted the Islamic State jihadist group and other "terrorists", but activists say Russia`s raids have caused disproportionately high civilian casualties. Russia has been accused of hitting several health facilities since its Syrian aerial campaign began September 30. EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini branded the Idlib attack "unacceptable" and urged "all parties (to respect) basic principles of humanitarian law". Beirut: Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said on Monday any ceasefire did not mean each side had to stop using weapons, and nobody was capable of securing the conditions for one within a week. "Regarding a ceasefire, a halt to operations, if it happened, it doesn`t mean that each party will stop using weapons," Assad said in Damascus in televised comments. "A ceasefire means in the first place halting the terrorists from strengthening their positions. Movement of weapons, equipment or terrorists, or fortification of positions, will not be allowed," he said. World powers agreed in Munich on Friday to a "cessation of hostilities", scheduled to start a week later, but Syrian army offensives across the country, backed by Russian air strikes, continue unabated. He said that there were many questions before a ceasefire could happen, including defining who is a terrorist, adding that as far as the state is concerned, anyone who carried a weapon against it was a terrorist. "There can`t be a ceasefire without a goal or a time. So far they say they want a ceasefire within a week. Who is capable of gathering all these conditions and requirements within a week? Nobody," Assad said. "Who will talk to the terrorists? If a terrorist group rejects the ceasefire, who will hold it to account?" Washington: Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump has threatened to sue his rival Ted Cruz over his eligibility to serve in the White House unless he receives an apology from the Texas Senator for spreading lies about the real estate tycoon's record. "Ted Cruz is a totally unstable individual. He is the single biggest liar I've ever come across, in politics or otherwise, and I have seen some of the best of them. His statements are totally untrue and completely outrageous," Trump said, days ahead of South Carolina's pivotal Republican primary. In a statement, Trump, 69, threatened to take legal action against Cruz for him being born in Canada and not in the US. The businessman ordered Cruz to retract statements about his past inconsistencies on abortion rights and other social issues. Trump also demanded that the senator from Texas take down advertisements attacking him. "It is hard to believe a person who proclaims to be a Christian could be so dishonest and lie so much," he said. "Cruz has become unhinged and is lying with the hopes that his statements will go unchecked until after the election and he will save his failing campaign," Trump alleged. "If Ted is going to continue to lie with such desperation, I have no choice but to fight back," he adding that one of the ways he can fight back is to bring a lawsuit against him relative to the fact that he was born in Canada and therefore cannot be President. "If he doesn't take down his false ads and retract his lies, I will do so immediately," Trump said. Cruz, 45, fired back, claiming that he is simply pointing out Trump's actual positions. "You cannot simply scream 'liar' when someone points out your actual positions," he tweeted. The Texas Senator said he won't engage in personal attacks, but will continue to focus on his competitor's records, policies and vision. The Florida Senator Marco Rubio also attacked Cruz and accused him of lying. "Senator Cruz will say or do anything to win an election including employing underhanded tactics and making charges against all his opponents that he knows are outright lies. America can't afford more politicians like Ted Cruz who will easily sacrifice principle for political gain," said Joe Pounder, Rubio spokesman. Cruz insisted that the election is about vetting the candidates. "It is not being honest or candid for either Marco Rubio or Donald Trump to pretend that their records are different than what they are and simply to yell and scream at anyone who points to the words that have come out of their own mouths," he said. Istanbul: Turkey called Tuesday for a ground operation with its international allies to end the war in Syria, as the United Nations announced aid convoys are being sent to besieged towns. "So far I understand that the government of Syria has approved access to seven besieged areas," said Vanessa Huguenin, spokeswoman for the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). In Damascus, UN envoy Staffan de Mistura announced that aid convoys will be sent on Wednesday to test the resolve of warring parties to allow in humanitarian supplies. "It is clear it is the duty of the government of Syria to want to reach every Syrian person wherever they are and allow the UN to bring humanitarian aid, particularly now after so long time," he told journalists after meeting Foreign Minister Walid Muallem. "Tomorrow (Wednesday) we test this," he said, referring to the warring parties. According to a Red Crescent source, the first convoys will head for the rebel-besieged Shiite villages of Fuaa and Kafraya in the north, and to Madaya and Zabadani which are encircled by the army. Around 486,700 people in Syria currently live in areas besieged by either government or rebel forces, UN figures show. Scores of people are reported to have died of malnutrition or because of a lack of medical treatment. On the international front, tensions escalated over Russia`s air war backing Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, with Ankara branding the bombing "barbaric". Turkey sees Assad`s ouster as essential to ending a five-year conflict that has killed more than 260,000 people, and is highly critical of Iran and Russia for supporting the Damascus regime. "We want a ground operation with our international allies," a senior Turkish official told reporters in Istanbul, adding such an operation would require the involvement of the United States and Gulf states."There is not going to be a unilateral military operation from Turkey to Syria," the official emphasised, but added: "Without a ground operation it is impossible to stop the fighting in Syria." Analysts fear that any ground incursion by Turkey and its NATO allies could lead to a dangerous confrontation with Russia. Saudi Arabia, another fierce critic of Assad, has said it is ready to send special forces to Syria to take part in ground operations against the Islamic State (IS) jihadist group. The UN said Monday that nearly 50 civilians, including children, had died in the bombings of at least five medical facilities and two schools in northern Syria. The region around Syria`s second city of Aleppo has been the target of a major anti-rebel offensive by Syrian government forces backed by Russian warplanes, which has sent tens of thousands fleeing to the Turkish border. Russia denied it had bombed any hospital, calling such reports "unsubstantiated accusations". De Mistura and Muallem met Tuesday to try to keep alive a proposal announced in Munich last Friday for a "cessation of hostilities" in Syria within a week. Assad on Monday said it would be "difficult" to implement a truce by Friday. "Who is capable of gathering all the conditions and requirements in a week? No one," he said. Turkey shelled Kurdish positions in northern Syria for a fourth straight day Tuesday, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. It said shells hit the town of Tal Rifaat which was captured on Monday from mostly Islamist rebels by a Kurdish-Arab coalition known as the Syrian Democratic Forces. Turkish media also reported shelling on Kurdish positions around the rebel stronghold of Azaz. Kurdish forces were negotiating with rebels to enter the virtually encircled town of Marea, one of the last remaining opposition bastions in Aleppo province, the Observatory said.Turkey and Syria analyst Aaron Stein said that already "the events on the ground are moving too fast" for Turkey to be moving ground troops into Syria. Ankara accuses the Kurdish forces of ties to the outlawed Kurdistan Workers` Party (PKK) that has waged a decades-long insurgency against Turkey. It fears the Kurds will be able to create a contiguous Kurdish territory just across the border in northern Syria. Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu on Tuesday accused Kurdish fighters in Syria of being "Russia`s legion working as mercenaries", with a priority aim of harming Turkey`s interests. Russia`s air strikes have allowed government forces to press a major operation that has virtually encircled rebels in eastern Aleppo city, as well as pushing them from much of the region to the north. The head of Lebanon`s Shiite movement Hezbollah which has been fighting alongside Assad`s forces, declared Tuesday that "victory" was imminent. "In the days ahead and for the decade to come... we will proclaim victory alongside the Syrian army," Hassan Nasrallah said in a video message to supporters in the southern suburbs of Beirut. Turkey has been infuriated by the Kurdish advances, focusing its anger on Russia`s air support. "Those vile, cruel and barbaric planes have made close to 8,000 sorties since September 30 without any discrimination between civilians and soldiers, or children and the elderly," Davutoglu told his ruling party. Moscow has called Turkey`s shelling of Kurdish forces in Syria "provocative", and said it supported raising the issue at the UN Security Council. Kampala: Uganda`s presidential contenders held their final rallies Tuesday, a day after opposition supporters clashed with police leaving at least one dead. Key opposition candidate Kizza Besigye, a three-time loser who was briefly detained by police in chaotic protests on Monday, said he was still confident of ending veteran President Yoweri Museveni`s three-decade grip on power in the East African nation. "The election cannot be free or fair, but it doesn`t mean it can`t be won," Besigye told AFP, saying he was still aiming for an "outright win", not a second round run-off in which the opposition might unify. At least one person was killed Monday as police fought running battles with Besigye supporters from the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party. "We believe we can win the unfree and an unfair election, that`s what we are trying to do," Besigye said, before zooming off towards the city centre accompanied by some 300 supporters to hold rallies. Many were riding motorbikes, waving tree branches and blowing whistles and horns, and wearing shirts with Besigye`s face emblazoned on the front. "If rigged, as we expect, we will continue the struggle for democracy," Besigye said. "The struggle will simply continue." Museveni is widely predicted to win a fifth term in power in Thursday`s polls. Both Museveni and Amama Mbabazi, a former prime minister and ruling party stalwart now running as an independent, are also holding rallies on Tuesday. Campaigning is banned on Wednesday. Seven opposition candidates are vying to deny veteran leader Museveni a fourth decade in power at the February 18 election and there are fears violence could mar the vote, with all sides accusing each other of arming militias to press their claims. Police spokesman Fred Enanga said Besigye had been "in total disregard of his authorised programme" on Monday, and that one person had died in the chaos, with protestors "throwing bricks and projectiles" at officers. "The police have a duty to protect the safety of the public, together with the right to protect themselves, and had to act accordingly, given the intensity of the attacks they faced from an emerging crowd of rowdy protesters," Enanga said. Police said 19 people were wounded, including a policewoman, and 22 people arrested. Washington/New York: An expansive winter storm bore down on the US East Coast on Monday, scuttling almost 1,600 flights, while tornadoes downed trees and flattened homes in the South, trapping some residents in their dwellings. From 2 to 4 inches (5 to 10 cm) of snow blanketed Washington by nightfall, with less accumulation forecast for New York City. National Weather Service meteorologist Patrick Burke said the snow would turn into freezing rain and then rain amid rising temperatures. "It could be pretty tricky for the morning commute on Tuesday," he said. The New York City Office of Emergency Management issued a travel advisory for Monday and Tuesday, warning residents about potentially slick roads and possible coastal flooding. Record-breaking cold intensified by gusting winds gripped the US Northeast over the Presidents Day holiday weekend. But temperatures on Tuesday were predicted to rise as high as 56 degrees Fahrenheit (13 Celsius) in New York and 53F (12C) in Washington. On the southern edge of the cold front, Mississippi, Alabama and the Florida Panhandle were hit by heavy rain, hail and tornadoes. A high school was damaged in Wesson, Mississippi, and a fire department headquarters was destroyed in Conecuh County, Alabama, the National Weather Service said. In Escambia County, Florida, about 30 homes were damaged and that number could increase as crews assess damage in coming hours, according to Joy Tsubooka, a spokeswoman for the county emergency agency. Two people were taken to hospital with minor injuries. "We`ve been going door to door and doing search and rescue," Tsubooka said. Almost 1,600 US flights were canceled, mostly at Washington, North Carolina and New York-area airports, according to flight tracking website FlightAware.com. The vast storm stretched to western parts of Pennsylvania and New York, where Buffalo was expected to get more than 12 inches of snow. New England ski resorts, struggling through a relatively warm and snowless winter, may receive up to 5 inches of snow, meteorologist Burke said. Kampala: Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni`s success in Thursday`s election is widely predicted, but the violence in pursuit of victory that characterised previous polls has scarcely been seen. After three decades in office, Museveni and his National Resistance Movement (NRM) are eyeing a fifth term for one of Africa`s longest-serving leaders, but have little need to bludgeon opponents who can be overpowered with money and reach instead. "The NRM is attempting to run a clean campaign, and that`s something new," said Angelo Izama, a political commentator. Elections in 2006 and 2011 were marred by violent, and occasionally deadly, street protests and the liberal use of tear gas by heavy-handed police. Campaigning for Thursday`s election so far has been largely peaceful despite leading opposition candidates, Kizza Besigye and Amama Mbabazi, posing the strongest challenge yet. Monday was an exception, with police saying at least one person was killed as they fought running battles with opposition supporters. Opposition politicians said three people were shot dead, and Besigye was briefly detained. The electoral playing field, however, is pitched at such a steep gradient that challengers are beaten before they begin. "Elections in Uganda are bought more than rigged," said Henry Muguzi, national coordinator of the Alliance for Election Campaign Finance Monitoring, a civil society watchdog. Muguzi calculates the NRM party and all its candidates spent $35 million (32 million euros) on campaigning in November and December, equivalent to 87 percent of all party election spending. He says Museveni spent $8 million on his campaign in the same period, nearly 12 times the amount spent by all the other seven presidential candidates put together. Among the tools at Museveni`s disposal is a helicopter leased from a Kenyan businessman that previously helped carry Tanzania`s John Magufuli to victory in the neighbouring nation`s October poll. While Museveni flies over their heads, other candidates are forced to drive Uganda`s frequently potholed and congested roads to reach far-flung voters in 290 constituencies, across a country roughly the size of Britain. "Museveni is in a league of his own," said Muguzi. "The level of spending of the ruling party is insane." Muguzi lists cash giveaways, handouts of farming equipment or party goodies and "voter hospitality" where voters are invited to "eat and drink until you can drink no more". Like other observers of Ugandan politics, Muguzi says government money is regularly deployed to party ends, especially during elections. "The government raids the national treasury and diverts public resources for campaigns," said Muguzi. "The party and the government are fused, you cannot separate them." That fusion extends to the military, a one-time rebel army that commands an outsized proportion of the national budget, with uniformed men and women widely seen as NRM partisans. When opposition rallies come to the capital, armoured water cannon trucks and police officers appear at a traffic-clogged junction by the electoral commission headquarters.Every day pick-ups race around Kampala ferrying police, soldiers and feared red beret troops, and every evening gangs of so-called "crime preventers" -- a hastily-recruited pro-government neighbourhood watch scheme -- jog through the streets chanting slogans. "The threat of violence is pervasive," said Gabrielle Lynch, a researcher at Britain`s Warwick university. The NRM`s broad and deep reach results in a "localisation of intimidation", he said, with people knowing a vote against the ruling party can mean the withholding of government funds in the future. When polling day comes, said Lynch, "you don`t need to rig the election."Museveni has always played patronage politics, preferring to buy off opponents rather than fight them, thus maintaining the peace and stability that is a key element of his re-election message. "Uganda has refined corruption as a peace-building strategy," said Izama. But demographics are working against the old guard. Most Ugandan voters have never know any leader but Museveni: the country`s median age is less than 16, while its president is at least 71. Disenchantment with politicians, their politics and the faltering economy is increasing. Voter turnout has followed a downward trajectory with nearly three-quarters of eligible voters casting a ballot in 1996, during the country`s first-ever competitive election, but only three-fifths bothering to turn out in 2011. Museveni`s share of those votes has also declined but most 2016 polls give him more than the 50 percent needed to avoid a second round run-off. He won his last five-year term in 2011 with 68 percent. Few outside of the opposition`s political camps and urban strongholds believe Museveni and his NRM can be beaten. "The opposition parties can`t win," said Muguzi. "They are wasting their time." I first met Tinashe about 10 years ago. He was a teenager that had come to know the Lord through another teen in our church and was invited to become a part of a discipleship group I was leading. (Tinashe is the one on the front left.) When he first came he was a bit shy, and the answers he gave to questions concerning the Bible and spiritual things were not always on target. . . BUT something happened. He read and studied His Bible, he spent time in prayer and time fellowshipping with other Christian youth. He began to grow. An event was held whereby the young men in the discipleship group led a rugby sport day with local high school boys. My husband Gregg and our sons helped coach the boys. Then the guys in the discipleship group, including Tinashe, led small groups of the high school boys in an evangelistic Bible study. This was an exciting day as the young men began to put into practice the things they had been learning. Over time he also became part of a group of young men that chose to spend some of their free weekends going into rural areas to do evangelism, disciple the youth, and encourage the rural churches. A few years later I had another opportunity to teach Tinashe and other young people a Bible Study series. This time I realized that Tinashe had truly grown much in the Lord. His answers were deeply spiritual and well thought out. I was truly amazed at the spiritual maturity I saw in this young man. When he finished high school, I was concerned that without help he might not receive further education. We asked him what he was thinking about and he said he was thinking about becoming a carpenter, so we went with him to a local training school to enquire. When we left I reminded him that we would be leaving for the states soon, and that if he chose to do this and needed some financial help he would need to let me know before we left. . . Time passed and I didnt hear from him so I let it go. Six months later we returned from our time in the states. The first Sunday we attended church the first person out the door to greet me with a big smile was Tinashe. I asked him immediately if he had been able to get started in carpentry. . . He bowed his head as if ashamed and said quietly, No, Amai Fort, I did not. . . Then he looked me straight in the face and said, I decided to go to seminary instead! Wow, I could hardly contain myself! We had a time of celebration right there! (Tinashe, just to right of me in red shirt, along with the other seminary students.) This past Sunday, it was a joyful time as I listened to my student preach Gods Word to me! Business MarketWatch It might feel tough sometimes to link the IRS with the concept of good news, but the adjustments for 2023 income tax brackets, the widely-used standard deduction and roughly 60 other inflation-indexed tax provisions might be one of those times. The large upward adjustments could create a chance to hold onto more cash when you file you 2024 tax return on next years income. The payout on the standard deduction is jumping 7% from 2022 to 2023, the IRS numbers show. barack obama President Barack Obama chided Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Florida) on Tuesday for supposedly "running away" from a 2013 immigration bill he previously co-sponsored. Obama said that although Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump's inflammatory rhetoric on issues like immigration was particularly concerning, candidates like Rubio were guilty of pandering to voters by shifting their stances on key pieces of legislation. "He may express strong anti-immigration sentiment, but you've heard that from the other candidates as well," Obama said of Trump. He continued by dinging Rubio. "You've got a candidate who sponsored a bill, that I supported, to finally solve the immigration problem, and he's running away from it as fast as he can," Obama said. Rubio was one of four Republican senators who crossed party lines to sponsor a 2013 immigration bill that included a path to citizenship for some of the approximately 11 million immigrants living in the US without permission. Rubio now maintains that the US needs stronger border-security measures before allowing some immigrants to begin a decades-long pathway to citizenship. Obama spent much of the press conference attempting to strike parallels between Trump and the Republican presidential field, and said that foreign leaders were "struck" by Trump's front-running status. "Intrigued is an interesting way of saying it," Obama said, when asked about world leaders' reactions to Trump's rise. "Struck?" "I think foreign observers are troubled by some of the rhetoric that's been taking place in these Republican primaries and Republican debates," Obama said. "I don't think it's restricted, by the way, to Mr. Trump. I find it interesting that everyone is focused on Trump, primarily because he says in more interesting ways what the other candidates are saying as well." NOW WATCH: Watch Trump go head-to-head with a reporter and attack Megyn Kelly for being a lightweight reporter More From Business Insider By Stephanie Nebehay and Kate Kelland GENEVA/LONDON (Reuters) - The World Health Organisation advised women on Wednesday on how to protect themselves from Zika, particularly if pregnant, but also reassured them that most women in areas affected by the mosquito-borne virus will give birth to "normal infants." The illness, until recently viewed as relatively mild, has sparked concern because of a possible link between infection in pregnancy and microcephaly, a rare birth defect in which infants are born with abnormally small heads that can be accompanied by developmental problems. Brazil, the worst hit country in an outbreak sweeping the Americas and now present in more than 30 countries, is investigating a potential link between Zika infections and more than 4,000 suspected cases of microcephaly. Researchers have identified evidence of Zika infection in 17 of these cases, either in the baby or in the mother, but have not confirmed that the virus can cause microcephaly. In its advice, the Geneva-based WHO said women in areas with the virus should protect themselves, especially during pregnancy, by covering up against mosquitoes and practicing safe sex through the use of condoms. It said more evidence was needed to confirm whether sex commonly transmits the virus. The agency, which declared a health emergency over Zika on Feb. 1, did not recommend travel restrictions but suggested women should consult their doctors or authorities if traveling. Pregnant women in general, including those who develop symptoms of Zika infection, should see their health care provider for close monitoring. But the WHO was also reassuring, declaring: "Most women in Zika-affected areas will give birth to normal infants." A study published Wednesday in the New England Journal of Medicine provided new evidence strengthening the association between Zika virus and a spike in birth defects, citing the presence of the virus in the brain of an aborted fetus of a European woman who became pregnant while living in Brazil. Professor Tatjana Avsic Zupanc, who led the researchers in the study, said in an email her team's findings "may present the most compelling evidence to date" of the link between Zika and birth defects. As scientists race to find out more about the virus and its possible effects, 30 of the world's leading scientific research institutions, journals and funders pledged to share for free all data and expertise on the virus as soon as they have it. "The arguments for sharing data and the consequences of not doing so (have been) ... thrown into stark relief by the Ebola and Zika outbreaks," said the agreement by an unprecedented number of signatories in the Americas, Japan, Europe and elsewhere. There is as yet no vaccine or treatment for the disease. Specialists welcomed the initiative, saying it showed how the global health community had learned crucial lessons from West Africa's Ebola epidemic, which killed more than 11,300 people. Mark Woolhouse, a University of Edinburgh professor of infectious diseases, said the commitment "if acted upon...will save lives." ABORTION AND THE CHURCH The Zika outbreak has raised the issue of a woman's reproductive rights including abortion, a contentious issue in much of Latin America. The WHO said on Wednesday that, "Women who wish to terminate a pregnancy due to a fear of microcephaly should have access to safe abortion services to the full extent of the law." Abortion is illegal in many cases in Brazil, and in much of the region. Reflecting the influence of the Roman Catholic Church in many parts of the Americas, a Catholic group appealed to Pope Francis on Wednesday to allow Church members to "follow their conscience" and use contraception or to let women have abortions to protect themselves against Zika. Catholics for Choice, a liberal advocacy group based in Washington, said in a statement it would run ads in the International New York Times and El Diario de Hoy in El Salvador on Thursday, the eve of a papal trip to Cuba and Mexico. "When you travel tomorrow (Friday) to Latin America, we ask you to make it clear to your brother bishops that good Catholics can follow their conscience and use birth control to protect themselves and their partners," the ad will say, according to advance excerpts released in the statement. The Catholic Church teaches that life begins at the moment of conception and that abortion is killing. It also bans artificial birth control such as condoms, arguing that they block the possible transmission of life. The ban is widely disregarded in many countries, but activists say there is still a stigma attached to birth control in some Latin American countries because of the edict. In its statement on Wednesday, the WHO said microcephaly cannot reliably be predicted by early ultrasounds, "except in extreme cases." This point is important, as even in countries where abortion services are freely available, they are generally prohibited after a certain point in the pregnancy. The head of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Wednesday told a Congressional hearing that he expects Puerto Rico, a U.S. territory in the Caribbean, to be hard hit by Zika. Mosquitoes have already passed the virus to people in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. "We will likely see significant numbers of cases in Puerto Rico and other U.S. territories," CDC Director Dr. Tom Frieden told the House Foreign Affairs subcommittee hearing. So far there have been no cases of Zika passed by mosquitoes in the continental United States, said U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Burwell on Wednesday. (Additional reporting by Philip Pullella in Vatican City, Bill Berkrot in New York and Toni Clarke in Washington; Writing by Frances Kerry and Lisa Shumaker; Editing by Bernard Orr) Rumble This video shows the incredible behaviour of a caring mother elephant on high alert, quickly stopping her adorable baby which was curiously straying away from her towards a vehicle full of safari tourists. Going on safari in the Kruger National Park is a life changing experience. Driving around multiple tarred roads, slowly scanning a massive area of wilderness is all part of the thrill. You never know what will be around the next corner or what animal will suddenly appear from the bush onto the road. Its an exciting experience and one of the must-see animals for most tourists are elephants. Not only are they the largest land mammals on our planet and fairly intimidating, elephants are also one of the most intelligent and emotionally intelligent animals that roam this planet. Seeing these giants in the wild is always a sight to remember. The video shows an incredible moment filmed in the Kruger National Park when a safari vehicle full of tourists found a large elephant cow and her adorable calf next to the road. The safari vehicle stopped and it looked like the mother elephant and her baby wanted to cross the road. The baby elephant was the cutest thing alive in the wild right at that moment. While the elephant cow remained focussed on crossing the road, her baby took notice of the safari vehicle and curiously started straying away from its mother towards the vehicle. The caring mother elephant immediately went into high alert and quickly took her trunk and stopped her baby from going any closer to the safari vehicle. The mother elephant gently used her trunk to guide her baby back and into the right direction. It was incredible to see how quickly the elephant cow became protective over her baby. The elephant calf listened to its mother and in a well-behaved manner, walking on the opposite side of its mother, continued to focus and follow its mother as it should. This is crucial for the survival of the calf in the wild. The gestation period of an elephant is twenty-two months, so it is very understandable that an elephant calf is seen as a huge investment and there will always be a mother around, ready to protect her calf from any potential danger. Even though the tourists were not a direct threat, the mother elephant knows all to well that there are humans that still pose a danger for them in the wild. The mother of such a small calf is definitely not something to mess with at all and its best never to get too close to a mother and her calf. The city's environment committee today voted to set stiffer greenhouse gas emission targets, a move the committee chair said is supported by federal environment minister, Catherine McKenna. Members also signaled that a name change to the "Environment and Climate Protection Committee" should be considered during an upcoming city governance review. Moreover, approval of his motion is meant to send a message to the public that the city takes tackling climate change very seriously, said Coun. David Chernushenko. "We care. We are acting. We have adopted a very audacious goal because that is what we need to do and because we're hearing that from so many voters and people we represent," said Chernushenko. Until now, the city's approach had been lukewarm, he said. Most councillors willing to aim high for climate change targets Scott Moffatt was the sole councillor at environment committee to vote against Chernushenko's motion, because he said he wanted goals set to be achievable. The others said they were willing to set lofty goals or "fail trying" as Coun. Catherine McKenney put it. Chernushenko's motion aims to lower greenhouse gas emissions produced within city limits to 80 per cent below 2012 levels by 2050. The city's air quality management strategy, passed in 2014, set a target of reducing emissions by 20% below 2012 levels by 2024. "There is no question that no matter how ambitious and bold the target we set, we have to then have the process to follow up and do it," said Chernushenko. Public presenters strongly support climate change action A dozen people told the committee they supported the motion. For Ecology Ottawa, leadership on climate change matters more than emissions targets. "I think this represents a new phase. The stars are aligning to some degree," said Graham Saul of Ecology Ottawa. "If you live in Ottawa, your city government, your provincial government and your federal government all say that they care about taking action on climate change, which means now is the moment for people who care about this issue to demand they follow through on that." Story continues Saul credited leadership on the environment committee and said Mayor Jim Watson has also shown he cares about the issue. The city can help need keep global temperatures from rising by building compact communities connected by transit, he said. It should also insist that buildings be built to higher standards, and enable existing buildings to be retrofitted so they're more energy efficient, Saul added. The climate change motion passed by the environment committee is expected to go to full city council next week. The number of Zika cases in Colombia is expected to soar when the rainy season starts in a matter of weeks. The country's National Institute of Health says almost 32,000 people have been diagnosed with the mosquito-borne disease since the start of the epidemic. But mosquito eggs lying dormant for up to a year will hatch within hours of coming into contact with water, leading to a population explosion. It could lead to hundreds of thousands of cases nationwide. Sky News travelled to the heart of the country's epidemic, the town of Turbaco, 30 minutes inland from the tourist beaches of the Caribbean. The first Zika case was diagnosed here in October. There have since been another 200 residents affected. Dr Luis Padilla, the area's health secretary, fears there will be 500 more in the coming weeks. He is warning women not to chance having a baby with the brain damaging condition microcephaly. "We are recommending that couples make their own decision whether to take that risk," he said. "But we as the authority are advising that they don't have children for the next six months." The advice has come too late for some. We tracked down Hilary Garcia, who is 16 years old and 21 weeks pregnant. She is recovering from the fever and joint pain of Zika. Her doctor has attempted to scan her baby and said it should be born healthy, but there are no guarantees. Hilary said: "From what I had heard (about Zika) I was really worried and I said 'I don't want my baby to be ill'. So that is why I went immediately to hospital. "I thank God. Not all women are as fortunate." Health workers in Turbaco are going house to house, urging people not to leave water in open containers that could allow mosquitoes to breed. But the country is currently hotter and drier than normal because of the El Nino weather phenomenon, and people are storing large amounts of water. We found several containers containing mosquito larvae, which would become adults in a matter of days. Colombia is stepping up its fight against the mosquito. But it won't be enough to stop a surge in Zika cases. JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israeli police officers fatally shot two Palestinians who opened fire at them outside Jerusalem's walled Old City on Sunday, police said, on a day when officials said three other Palestinian assailants were killed in two other incidents. A police spokeswoman said two men used automatic weapons to shoot at officers stationed on the Damascus Gate plaza, a busy entrance to the Old City and the scene of many previous violent incidents, and they responded swiftly and shot the two. Multiple rounds of gunfire could be heard on amateur video footage taken during the incident late in the evening, with traffic, including a commuter bus, stopped nearby. There were no reports of other casualties. Earlier, the Israeli army said troops shot and killed two Palestinian teenagers who were throwing stones at cars in the occupied West Bank after coming under fire from one of them. In a third incident, a Palestinian tried to stab an Israeli paramilitary policeman at a checkpoint in the West Bank, near Jerusalem, and was shot dead, police said. Israeli security forces have killed at least 163 Palestinians, 107 of whom Israel says were assailants, while the others were shot dead during violent anti-Israeli protests, as the bloodshed persists into a fifth month. Stabbings, shootings and car rammings by Palestinians have killed 27 Israelis and a U.S. citizen since early October. As well as frustration over Jewish settlement-building, deemed illegal by the United Nations, on land Palestinians want for a state, tensions have been rising over Jerusalem's al-Aqsa mosque compound and Islamist calls for Israel's destruction. In Sunday's shooting near the West Bank city of Jenin, "two assailants hurled rocks at cars", a military statement said. "Forces arrived and were fired upon by an assailant. Soldiers responded and shot the attackers, resulting in their deaths." The Palestinian Health Ministry said two 15-year-old Palestinians were killed. Wassef Abu Baker, a 56-year-old local resident, told Reuters that after hearing gunshots, he drove to within 40 meters (yards) of where one of the teenagers was lying on the ground. "He was still moving. The soldier shouted at me to move back and they fired at him - maybe it was 12 bullets," he said. Abu Baker said he could not see whether the person on the ground was armed. A spokesman for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu tweeted a photograph of what appeared to be an M-16 assault rifle on the pavement, which he said was the weapon used against the soldiers. (Reporting by Jeffrey Heller and Ori Lewis in Jerusalem and Ali Sawafta in Ramallah; Editing by Louise Ireland and Peter Cooney) By Alana Wise WASHINGTON (Reuters) - For months Republican presidential candidates traded insults such as "dummy," "jerk" and "loser." Then, party front-runner Donald Trump repeated a supporters description of Ted Cruz as a "pussy." With the contest for the party's nomination moving into South Carolina and the stakes rising, it is possible the most disparaging discourse of the Nov. 8 election campaign is yet to come. The epithets may be characteristic of schoolyard bullies, but there is some evidence that candidates are reveling in the attention they draw. The harshest attacks elicit the biggest responses at rallies, on the Internet and on cable TV. Trump, the billionaire former reality TV star, sent a New Hampshire rally into a frenzy on Monday when he repeated the term "pussy" shouted by a person in the crowd, effectively questioning Cruz's manliness. Trump went on to win the state's primary the next day, ahead of the third-place Cruz by a 3-to-1 margin. "Its one of the reasons I won. You have to be yourself," Trump said in a television interview on NBC's Today show. Trump later promised to clean up his foul language and to be more presidential. History suggests the language could turn even more coarse in the run-up to next Saturday's Republican nominating contest in South Carolina. It was there that U.S. Senator John McCain of Arizona was accused in 2000 of fathering an illegitimate African-American child, and former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney in 2008 of supporting polygamy. "These adults are acting like elementary children," Leslie McRobbie, a former fifth-grade schoolteacher from New Hampshire, said of this year's Republican contenders. President Barack Obama, a Democrat, this week spoke of the snark that characterized a Republican race of the past when he recalled that Ronald Reagan was described by rivals as an "unshapely man" and a "yahoo" before his election as president in 1980. 'THE POLITICS WE DESERVE' Coming off the first nominating contests in Iowa and New Hampshire, the seven remaining candidates for the Republican nomination are under pressure either to break away from the crowd or prevent others from doing so. Insults can foster that. Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush, mocked more than once by Trump as a "low-energy" candidate, has since retaliated by tweeting that Trump was "not just a loser," but also a "liar and a whiner." The put-down was re-tweeted nearly 3,000 times and liked by more than 4,000 users. Cruz, responding to Trump's decision to skip a Fox News-hosted Republican debate, branded his rival "Ducking Donald" and sponsored a special edition filter on picture-sharing app Snapchat that featured a blond-haired duck with an exaggerated pout meant to represent the real-estate mogul. "When we create so much of the modern campaign around the characters that are running, and not on the subjects, the natural byproduct of that is calling people names," said political scientist Michael Artime. Artime said that while bickering and name-calling have always existed in elections, this cycle has seen a notable uptick in the negative. "In the past, if somebody wouldve said what Trump said the other night, that would have been a very damaging thing to their campaign," Artime said. "The kind of politics we get is kind of the politics we deserve," he said. BULLIES While many have gleefully or indifferently watched as candidates hurled barb after barb, others have condemned it. "Bullying can be highly instrumental and used for social climbing," said Bob Faris, associate professor of sociology at University of California-Davis, who studies aggressive behavior in adolescents. "And it works," he said, "provided that kids target the right kids." For Trump, perhaps the most blustery of the candidates, the target is constantly changing, his numbers remaining constant in the opinion polls while he assails rivals for being "stupid," "weak" and "pathetic." "He does look like a bully," Faris said. "Donald is a whole new development. I cant think of a candidate like him." Presidential historian Mike Purdy, however, cites a precedent in the late Republican President Theodore Roosevelt. "Roosevelt loved more than anything else to be the center of attention, and he had a huge, huge ego," Purdy said. "They both have a certain amount of ego. They both have trouble controlling their mouths," Purdy said, likening Roosevelt to Trump. Purdy said Roosevelt called his onetime ally William Howard Taft a "fathead" during the 1912 presidential campaign, and went on to say then-rival Taft, seeking re-election at the time, had the "brains of a guinea pig. Neither won the race. Purdy noted the attacks also came at the expense of substantive political discourse. "Theyre incredibly personal attacks, and theyre not just attacks just on somebodys position, theyre attacks about personal characteristics," he said. "That is part of the civility I think we need to recapture. On Friday, Trump suggested he agreed. I do this for effect, Trump said of his foul language in an interview with WOR Radio in New York. "As we get closer, you will be shocked at how presidential I will be. You will be very proud of me. (Editing by Richard Valdmanis and Howard Goller) The Prime Minister will travel to Paris this evening for talks with French President Francois Hollande ahead of this week's crucial EU summit. The announcement from Downing Street comes as Sky News understands David Cameron has offered to talk to any Cabinet colleagues who may have questions over his EU renegotiation efforts. A full meeting of the Cabinet this week was cancelled because 16 ministers are away from London during the parliamentary recess. The PM is trying to seal a deal with member states before a leaders' summit on Thursday and Friday. Securing the backing of the French will be crucial if an agreement is to be reached in Brussels later this week, paving the way for a referendum on UK membership before the summer. :: Blunkett: EU Exit Would Be 'Catastrophe' Mr Cameron needs to win over Mr Hollande on proposals for protections for non-eurozone states, which have caused consternation in Paris. The PM is insisting on legally-binding assurances that countries which are not part of the single currency will not face discrimination as the eurozone integrates further. However, France has made clear that it will resist anything that looks like special treatment for the City of London. Sources in Brussels have also told Sky News that proposals to limit child benefit to recent EU migrants are proving a stumbling block with the so-called Visegrad Four: Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary. The current suggestion in a proposal brokered by the EU Council President Donald Tusk is to ensure the benefit is index-linked to the claimant's country of origin rather than the host country. :: Germany's Merkel Backs Cameron's EU Reforms Mr Tusk said on Monday he hoped the UK and other EU nations would agree a deal. Asked after a meeting of his own with Mr Hollande whether he thought an agreement was possible later this week, Mr Tusk said: "I hope so." Back home, several cabinet ministers have reservations about the entire process and believe the leadership has not secured sufficient changes, Sky News understands. Story continues Northern Ireland Secretary Theresa Villiers is believed to have told friends that she sees the deal as a smokescreen, while Justice Secretary Michael Gove is also thought to be wavering. Others want to be able to air their views immediately after the summit has concluded. Downing Street is suspending collective responsibility, so colleagues can support either "leave" or "remain" campaigns, but only after a scheduled cabinet meeting to outline the deal, if one is agreed in Brussels. By Philip Pullella and Christine Murray MORELIA, Mexico (Reuters) - Pope Francis visited Mexico's gang-infested heartland on Tuesday, calling on priests to fan out and combat the scourges of corruption and drugs trafficking that have stoked a decade of bloodletting that the government has been unable to stop. Gang wars over the lucrative methamphetamine trade have torn the western state of Michoacan apart. Widespread kidnapping and extortion by gangs have sparked an uprising by vigilante groups. The pope visited Morelia, Michoacan's picturesque capital known for its Spanish colonial architecture, amid tight security given scattered outbursts of violence in recent months. "What temptation can come to us from places often dominated by violence, corruption, drug trafficking, disregard for human dignity, and indifference in the face of suffering and vulnerability?" the pope asked an estimated 30,000 priests, nuns and seminarians at a Mass in a stadium in Morelia. Tens of thousands more people lined the streets outside the venue for a glimpse of the first Latin American pope, who is traveling to some of the poorest and most violent corners of the country on his Feb. 12-17 trip to Mexico. The Argentine pontiff urged priests not to be resigned to evils around them like drug trafficking, and not to remain entrenched in their churches, but rather to head out to the front lines to help those suffering. Before the pope entered, the crowd in the stadium counted aloud to 43, a gesture to remember dozens of trainee teachers who were abducted and apparently massacred by a drug gang in league with corrupt police in 2014 in the neighboring state of Guerrero. Relatives of the students have lobbied for a meeting with the pope, but his spokesman has said some of them will be at a Mass on Wednesday when the pope visits Ciudad Juarez on the U.S. border, once one of the worlds deadliest cities "Its a miracle that he has chosen to come here to lift our spirits," said housewife Maria Hernandez, 66. "Michoacan has suffered so much." In his first trip to Mexico as pontiff, Francis has had some sharp words for a privileged elite that he accused of exploiting the nation's poor. In Mexico City, he chastised bishops for being gossips obsessed with coddling wealthy patrons and failing to denounce the evils of the drug trade. Francis is set to visit Morelia's downtown cathedral on Tuesday and meet with youth groups. "Everyone is hoping he brings some comfort, something that makes the people react and see things differently," said Miguel Angel Ruiz, a 58-year-old industrial consultant. In early 2014, Michoacan descended into bitter conflict as vigilante groups took up arms against the powerful Knights Templar drug gang. President Enrique Pena Nieto's government later sent in the army and forged an uneasy alliance with the vigilantes, offering them jobs in the police force, but progress was muted. More than 100,000 people have been killed in Mexico's drug war over the last decade. (This version of the story was refiled to remove an extraneous paragraph after paragraph 8.) (Additional reporting by Noe Torres; Writing by David Alire Garcia and Michael OBoyle; Editing by Simon Gardner, Lisa Von Ahn and Alistair Bell) Alberta's NDP premier has asked a former journalist to review her government's media policies following public outcry over a ban of correspondents from The Rebel, a website owned and run by former Sun News commentator Ezra Levant. Premier Rachel Notley confirmed Tuesday that the review would be undertaken by Heather Boyd, the former Western Canada bureau chief for The Canadian Press. Boyd will take three weeks to examine "how this is dealt with in other jurisdictions, consult with the press gallery, to look at how we deal with new media participants and then we'll move forward with that on the base of those recommendations," Notley said. The conservative news site, which hasn't been shy in its criticism of Notley and her government, was sent a letter late last week from the Justice Department defending the ban. Notley's spokeswoman and communications director Cheryl Oates provided a written statement on Tuesday about the decision. "The government's position is that if you have testified under oath that you are not a journalist, then we don't consider you a journalist," she said. Oates's comment refers to testimony given by Levant in a libel suit in 2014. He told the court that he was a commentator and a pundit, not a reporter. Last week, The Rebel sent a letter to the government through Edmonton media lawyer Fred Kozak, outlining problems correspondents Holly Nicholas and Sheila Gunn Reid have encountered. The Justice Department responded to Kozak with a brief letter dated Feb. 12. "Our client's position remains that your client and those who identify as being connected to your client are not journalists and are not entitled to access media lockups or other such events," the department wrote. 'Dangerous precedent' According to The Rebel, Nicholas was removed from a Calgary lockup for the royalty review. Lockups allow media access to embargoed documents and unattributed technical briefings from government experts. Story continues On Feb. 3, Rebel correspondent Reid was barred from covering a news conference at the Alberta Legislature with the premier and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Reid said security told her she was on a "no go" list. When she asked for more information, someone called the head of security, who ordered her to leave. Reid said she left peacefully but was never given a chance to ask why she was banned. "My job is to cover Alberta politics and give commentary on Alberta politics," she said. "And tell the stories of everyday Albertans and sometimes that does, in fact, take me to the steps of the legislature. "Now I can't do my job because of what is obviously a problem with either my personal politics or the politics of my employer. Neither one of those is a reason to prohibit me from doing my job." Reid doesn't think a review of media policies is necessary because there has never been a problem before. "It's about The Rebel. The two-line response we got back from the Department of Justice was that nobody from The Rebel or associated with The Rebel would be considered journalists," Reid said. "We have a right to report on the government in the building that houses our democracy." MacEwan University journalism professor Brian Gorman said he isn't a fan of The Rebel, but agrees that governments shouldn't decide who gets to cover them. "It's a really dangerous precedent and makes me very, very nervous," he said. "I really hope that they reconsider. "I'd love to know what the thinking was. I mean, why they thought this was a good idea. That just baffles me." Darcy Henton, president of the Alberta Legislature press gallery, confirmed that journalists do not need accreditation from the gallery to cover news conferences at the legislature "It has long been the practice in Alberta that reporters and photographers who present their news credentials to legislature security can acquire visiting media passes to cover news conferences," he said in a written statement. "The press gallery supports the right of journalists to provide vigorous and diverse coverage of the Alberta Legislature." Manon Cornellier, president of the National Press Gallery on Parliament Hill, said decisions about who to accredit are made by her organization, not by the government of the day. Members of the Ottawa press gallery include newer digital outlets such as BuzzFeed, Vice and iPolitics, in addition to sites like Rabble and The Tyee that have ideological viewpoints. Cornellier said that's allowed. "We don't touch their opinion," she said. The dispute between Levant and the Alberta government may end up in a courtroom. Levant has set up a petition called "Notley is a bully" and is fundraising for future legal costs. "Unfortunately we have to sue the government," the site said. "We're not asking for money. We're asking for a judge to declare that what Notley is doing is illegal it violates our constitutional freedom of the press." By Jeff Mason and Bruce Wallace RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. (Reuters) - U.S. President Barack Obama and Southeast Asian leaders turned their attention to China on Tuesday on the second day of a summit intended to improve commercial links and provide a united front on maritime disputes with Beijing. After a first day discussing trade and economic issues at the Sunnylands resort in California, Obama and his Association of Southeast Asian Nations counterparts were to try to arrive at a common position on the South China Sea, where China and several ASEAN states have conflicting claims. Not all the 10 ASEAN nations agree on how to handle the disputes and U.S. officials want a statement calling for China to follow international law and handle disputes peacefully. "We will be continuing to work with our ASEAN partners on a potential statement that we might issue together," White House national security adviser Susan Rice said on Monday. She said past statements had underscored a "shared commitment to a peaceful resolution of disputes, freedom of commerce and navigation, the rule of law, and the necessity of disputes being resolved through peaceful, legal means." Obama is expected to address the issue at a news conference at the conclusion of the summit around 1:30 PST (2100 GMT.) On Monday, Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung urged Washington to use a stronger voice and "more practical and more efficient actions" to prevent militarization and island-building in the South China Sea, the Hanoi government said. China claims most of the South China Sea. ASEAN members Malaysia, the Philippines, Brunei and Vietnam have rival claims. The United States has criticized Chinas building of artificial islands and facilities in the sea and has sailed warships close to disputed territory to assert the right to freedom of navigation. China accused Washington of seeking maritime hegemony through such patrols. On Monday, Washington responded to a weekend report in The Diplomat magazine that said China was building a helicopter base at Duncan Island in the Paracel island chain by calling on all claimants to halt construction and militarization of outposts. "Such a reciprocal halt would help to lower tensions and create space for diplomatic solutions, State Department spokeswoman Katina Adams said, repeating a call on China and ASEAN to conclude a meaningful Code of Conduct for the South China Sea as soon as possible. The White House also has emphasized non-China related aspects at Sunnylands and CEOs of IBM, Microsoft and Cisco were brought into Mondays private sessions with the leaders to help strengthen commercial ties. "The potential for deepening our economic engagement is tremendous," U.S. Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker said. Mondays discussions ranged from the need for capital to creating an entrepreneurial culture in Asia that is prepared to tolerate business failure. But even business leaders are watching the South China Sea. "What keeps us up at night is that one of the big tension areas is the South China Sea," said Alexander Feldman, president of the U.S.-ASEAN Business Council. "We would like as a business community to see those differences and overlapping claims be addressed in a way that is done though discussion rather than military confrontation." (Additional reporting by David Brunnstrom; Editing by Larry King and Bill Trott) A 16-year-old Syrian boy who arrived at the Canadian border at Fort Erie, Ont., claiming refugee status last month was taken into custody and placed in isolation for three weeks in a Toronto detention centre. Last week, officials with the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) ordered the boy deported, because by law, Canada no longer accepts refugees who come through the United States. But his lawyers say the boy is an unaccompanied minor and should be allowed into Canada to claim refugee status. Aviva Basman of the Refugee Law Office in Toronto called it "outrageous" that Mohammed (we are not using his last name for safety reasons) was not only denied entry but was detained in isolation for three weeks at an immigration holding centre in the Toronto neighbourhood of Rexdale. "Everyone who's involved in Mohammed's case has found the way CBSA treated him quite shocking," she told CBC News. "We're talking about a 16-year-old Syrian boy who's just trying to find protection." Mohammed has since been released from the centre and is being housed at Romero House, a Toronto shelter for refugees. Family felt Canada a safe place He met with a CBC reporter and, in broken English, described his time in isolation. "I don't sleep good. I dream," he said. "Three weeks in detention, I'm feeling sad, and I cry all the time. The room, the iron on the windows, I'm afraid." While detained, he was not able to contact his family and was allowed outside for 15 minutes twice a day. The rest of the time, he watched television or tried to sleep, he said. "I want to stay here. I want to go to school. I no have anyone in the United States," he said. "Canada government bring many people from Syria, Jordan and Lebanon, Turkey, but I am coming here, and they don't accept me." Audrey Macklin, a professor of human rights law at the University of Toronto Faculty of Law, says Mohammed's detention violates the international conventions governing the rights of children and the treatment of refugees to which Canada is a signatory. Story continues "Detention of children is supposed to be a last resort because detention is not in their best interests," Macklin said. "There is no way, looking at the facts of this case, that you can say this was the last resort. "There is no contention here that he was dangerous, that he had done wrong, that there was any reason to detain him, much less in solitary." The CBSA states in some of its information documents that it detains children under 18 "only as a last resort." But Macklin says Mohammed's case illustrates that when it comes ot the reality on the ground, there is a disconnect between the open-door approach to refugees that the Liberal government advocates and the CBSA's perception of foreign nationals and asylum seekers as "threats and potential wrongdoers." 'Very scared and confused' Hannah Deloughery, an intern at Romero House, has been working with Mohammed since he arrived there. "He's very scared and confused and doesn't really understand why this happened," said Deloughery. "He's alone in Canada and needs our protection." Mohammed's family fled Syria for Egypt after the war began. But when Mohammed turned 16, his residency permit in Egypt expired. He faced being sent back to Syria and being conscripted into the military. Fearing that, his parents flew with him to the United States and then arranged to get him to the Canadian border. They believed Canada's openness to accept Syrian refugees meant he would be safe here while they flew back to Egypt. "They had heard the prime minister say that Syrians were welcome in Canada and would be safe and protected here, and they felt this was the best place for Mohammed to come," Deloughery said. The family has cousins in the Toronto suburb of Mississauga. Deportation delayed a week CBSA officials denied the boy entry. They took him into custody, even though he had arrived on his own and would have been considered an "unaccompanied minor" and, therefore, admissible. Last week, he was ordered deported to the U.S. From there, he could be sent back to Syria via Egypt. "It is a terrifying prospect for him to go to the United States, where he doesn't know what will happen to him. He doesn't know if he will be able to stay in the United States or if he will be deported to Egypt and then face deportation to Syria," Basman said. "He doesn't have any family or friends in the U.S., where here, he has cousins and family friends and a developing community of support." Mohammed was scheduled to be deported on Feb. 18, but on Monday, border officials delayed that for a week. His lawyers are now appealing to the minister of immigration and refugees to allow him to stay and have his case heard by a refugee determination board. The minister, John McCallum, has yet to respond. "We're asking the minister to intervene," Basman said. "This boy's been through a lot, and we really hope that, ultimately, this will resolve well for him and that Canada will do the right thing here." Meanwhile, Mohammed remains at Romero House. He's passing his time helping other recently arrived refugees from Syria settle into Canada. He says he hopes to remain in Canada, finish high school and study to be an engineer. By Steve Holland GREENVILLE, S.C. (Reuters) - Donald Trump will face pressure on Saturday night to show a more presidential side to his personality at a debate with his rivals where he may draw more fire than in previous encounters. With a week to go until South Carolina's Republican primary vote on Feb. 20, the 9 p.m. EST debate comes at a time of high anxiety for Trump's opponents. Trump, who won New Hampshire handily on Tuesday after placing second in Iowa on Feb. 1, has a big lead in the polls in South Carolina. Unless he is slowed down, he could be in position to roll to his party's presidential nomination for the Nov. 8 election. That means it is in the interests of Texas Senator Ted Cruz, Florida Senator Marco Rubio and former Florida Governor Jeb Bush to try to raise questions about the New York billionaire before it is too late. Those three candidates, along with Ohio Governor John Kasich, are competing to emerge as the top alternative to Trump for mainstream Republicans. "My sense is this is going to be a melee," said Republican strategist Doug Heye. Attempts to knock down Trump at previous debates have rarely been successful, as the former reality TV star has been quick on his feet and mercilessly dismissive of rivals. Trump's use of vulgar language during the New Hampshire primary campaign, repeating a comment from someone at one of his rallies who said Cruz is a "pussy," may raise eyebrows in South Carolina, where evangelicals form an important voting bloc. At a candidates' forum at evangelical Bob Jones University on Friday, Bush told the crowd: "Is anybody worried about the front-running candidate shouting out obscenities at children?" Trump was not at the event, sending instead a surrogate to speak for him, Pastor Mark Burns. When Burns told the crowd that Trump is "pro-faith," someone shouted out from the audience "Trump is profane." 'EACH HAS SOME IMAGE ISSUE' All Trump's rivals have something to prove at the CBS-hosted, two-hour debate, particularly Rubio, who needs to show he can rebound from a disastrous debate performance a week ago in New Hampshire. Kasich must try to generate more momentum after a second-place finish in New Hampshire, Cruz must solidify his position with evangelical voters and Bush needs upward movement anywhere he can get it. Retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson, whose campaign has turned anemic, has to show he is still in the race. "Each has got some image issue they need to fix," said David Yepsen, director of the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute at Southern Illinois University. "Can Trump start acting more presidential without losing what makes him so appealing? Can Jeb continue the flicker of momentum he has coming out of New Hampshire? Have Rubio's bruises healed? Can Carson show something that puts a spark back into his campaign? Has Kasich got more than his New Hampshire game?" Heading into the debate, Trump was taking swipes at Cruz and Bush, who finished third and fourth in the New Hampshire primary. Responding to an attack ad run by the Cruz campaign against him, Trump tweeted that he might sue Cruz to try to settle any remaining questions about whether the Texan can legally run for president since he was born in Canada. Cruz and many legal experts say Cruz meets the constitutional requirements because he was born to an American mother and grew up in the United States. But Trump, who famously questioned President Barack Obama's citizenship, fired off a tweet against Cruz. "If @TedCruz doesn't clean up his act, stop cheating, & doing negative ads, I have standing to sue him for not being a natural born citizen," Trump said. The Cruz campaign dismissed the blast with spokesman Rick Tyler saying Trump was demonstrating a "Trumper-tantrum." (Editing by Mary Milliken and Helen Popper) By Stephanie Nebehay GENEVA (Reuters) - The Syrian government has approved access to seven besieged areas and U.N. convoys are expected to set off in days, the United Nations said on Tuesday after crisis talks in Damascus. U.N. Special Envoy Staffan de Mistura, who won the green light at talks with Foreign Minister Walid al-Moualem, said the world body would test the government commitment to allow access on Wednesday but gave no details. Their meeting in Damascus came at a time when government forces have been advancing rapidly with the aid of Russian air strikes, and just days before an internationally agreed pause in fighting is due to take effect. De Mistura said they had discussed the issue of humanitarian access to areas besieged by all sides in the five-year war. "It is clear it is the duty of the government of Syria to want to reach every Syrian person wherever they are and allow the U.N. to bring humanitarian aid," de Mistura said in a statement. "Tomorrow we test this." The Syrian government hit back at de Mistura's comment, saying his own credibility needed testing, Syrian state media said. It quoted a Syrian foreign ministry source as saying that Damascus would not allow de Mistura to talk about testing its seriousness. "The truth is Syria needs to test the credibility of De Mistura who has been contradicting what happened during the meeting with the Syrian government," the foreign ministry source was quoted as saying. "Delivering aid to areas besieged by terrorists has been the government's commitment towards its people for years." The U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said that Syria had approved access to Deir al-Zor; Foua and Kafraya in Idlib; and Madaya, Zabadani, Kafr Batna and Mouadamiya al-Sham in rural Damascus. "Humanitarian agencies and partners are preparing convoys for these areas, to depart as soon as possible in the coming days," the OCHA said. It was not immediately clear whether the convoys would begin on Wednesday, as de Mistura had indicated. Nor was there any indication of a breakthrough on access to areas besieged by armed opposition groups. U.N.-backed peace talks are scheduled to resume in Geneva on Feb. 25, after de Mistura suspended a first round earlier this month. Last Friday global powers meeting in Munich agreed to the pause in fighting in the hope that this could allow the talks to resume, but the deal does not take effect until the end of this week and was not signed by the Syrian warring parties. "We are witnessing a degradation on the ground that cannot wait," U.N. spokesman Ahmad Fawzi told a news briefing. "The reason (de Mistura) suspended (the talks) was, as you know, that cities were still being bombed, people were still being starved on the ground." SUPPLY ROUTES The Syrian government is meanwhile advancing in the north of the country with Russian air support. Damascus says its main objectives are to recapture Aleppo - Syria's biggest city before the war - and seal the Turkish border, lifeline of rebel-held territory for years. Those would be the biggest victories for Damascus of the war so far, and would all but end rebel hopes of overthrowing President Bashar al-Assad, the goal they have pursued since 2011 with the support of the West, Arab states and Turkey. Syria's ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva, Hussam Aala, said in an interview in the daily Tribune de Geneve: "We have done all we could to facilitate the passage of aid convoys in January and February." "The advance of the Syrian army in this region has allowed us to break the siege imposed against two towns, Nubul and al-Zahra. It opened the way for the Syrian Arab Red Crescent to deliver aid to 70,000 residents. Our objective was to cut all the supply routes for arms and for men to the terrorist groups armed by Turkey." The United Nations has reported that hospitals have been struck in northern Syria in areas where Russian and Syrian warplanes are launching air strikes as part of their advance. U.N. rights spokesman Rupert Colville condemned the air strikes on hospitals and schools in Idlib and Aleppo provinces. "If it's deliberate, intentional targeting, then it may amount a war crime. But at this point, we're not in a position to make that judgment. Ultimately that's only a court that can make that judgment, and you need sufficient evidence," he said. "Clearly those two, both Russian and Syrian planes, are very active in this area. So obviously they should know who is responsible." Russian news agencies quoted a Russian Defence Ministry spokesman as saying on Tuesday that Russia's Caspian Sea flotilla did not have a boat capable of firing a ballistic missile on the hospital in Idlib province. International humanitarian law says hospitals and health care personnel must be protected, Colville said. (Reporting by Stephanie Nebehay; editing by Angus MacSwan) BERLIN (Reuters) - Bashar al-Assad will not be ruling Syria in the future and Russia's military interventions will not help him stay in power, Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir told a German newspaper in an interview published on Saturday. "There will be no Bashar al-Assad in the future," al-Jubeir told newspaper Sueddeutsche Zeitung. "It might take three months, it might take six months or three years - but he will no longer carry responsibility for Syria. Period." Saying that the Syrian people's determination to topple al-Assad was unbroken despite heavy Russian air strikes and persecution within the country, al-Jubeir criticized Russia's involvement in the five-year-long war. He said that Assad's previous calls for help to his own military, Iran, Hezbollah and Shiite militia forces from Iraq and Pakistan were all in vain. "Now he called the Russians, but they won't be able to help him either," al-Jubeir said. Russia entered the war on Sept. 30 2015 in support of the Syrian president. At least 250,000 people have been killed, 11 million made homeless and hundreds of thousands have fled to Europe since the conflict began in 2011. Moscow has said its air strikes are against the extremist militant groups Islamic State and the Nusra Front, but other countries and rebel groups say the attacks target civilians. Asked about a more direct military involvement with 'boots on the ground', al-Jubeir said such discussions were currently underway among the member states of a U.S.-led coalition against the Islamic State. "If the coalition should decide to deploy special forces in the fight against IS in Syria, Saudi-Arabia will be ready to participate," he said, using the initials IS to refer to Islamic State. At a peace and security conference currently underway in Munich, major powers said a peace deal could only be reached if Moscow stops bombing insurgents other than Islamic State. But Russia pressed on with its air strikes in support of al-Assad, who vowed to fight until he regained full control of the country. (Reporting by Tina Bellon; Editing by Andrew Hay) By Abhirup Roy BENGALURU (Reuters) - Taiwan-based Delta Electronics Inc expects to quadruple annual revenue from India over the next three years as it makes more power components in the country, in tune with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's push to develop industry. Boosted by the rollout of India's 4G broadband network, the company aims to generate about $700 million in revenue from the country by 2019, Dalip Sharma, Delta's India managing director, said in an interview on Tuesday. Delta's revenue from India totalled $169 million last year. The company, a supplier of components to Apple Inc, entered the Indian market in 2003. It recently unveiled a $500 million investment in manufacturing and research facilities in India. Since becoming prime minister in 2014, Modi has travelled far and wide to promote his 'Digital India' and 'Make in India' campaigns, seeking to connect 250,000 villages to the Internet and courting investment to expand India's manufacturing base. "It's taking time to change but we are feeling a lot of traction on the ground," Sharma told Reuters on the sidelines of an industrial exhibition in the city of Bengaluru. Indian mobile carriers are also spending billions of dollars buying up airwaves to meet surging demand for better connections as more Indians access the Internet through their smartphones. Bharti Airtel Ltd, India's biggest telecoms carrier, plans to invest nearly $9 billion over three years to upgrade its network to 4G, bracing for the full rollout of Reliance Industries Ltd's 4G network, which will be the country's biggest. "The Indian market is actually pretty similar to China 20 years ago. Everything is moving up," Delta Chairman Yancey Hai told Reuters at the same event. Delta, founded in 1971, makes devices that control the flow of electricity in a range of products such as smartphones, personal computers and servers. The company has 60 research and development centres and 38 manufacturing facilities around the world, including the United States and China. Story continues In India, Sharma said Delta also expected to benefit from the expansion of data centres and solar power initiatives. Competition among individual state governments has improved the investment climate in the country, he said. "We are in the right businesses," Sharma said, "because the government is going to spend heavily on infrastructure in the next five to 10 years." (Reporting by Abhirup Roy in Bengaluru; Editing by Robin Paxton) U.S. President Barack Obama makes opening remarks at the 10-nation Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit at Sunnylands in Rancho Mirage, California February 15, 2016. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque By Jeff Mason RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. (Reuters) - President Barack Obama gathered with leaders from Southeast Asia on Monday to strengthen trade ties and form a common stance over the South China Sea in a summit that the White House hopes will solidify U.S. influence in the region. Obama, who leaves office next year, has championed a foreign policy pivot to Asia during his presidency and is determined to present the United States as a Pacific power. His meeting with leaders from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) was aimed at cementing that legacy. "This reflects my personal commitment, and the national commitment of the United States, to a strong and enduring partnership with your 10 nations," he said at the start of the two-day summit at Sunnylands, a California resort. The meeting, at the same location where Obama once hosted Chinese President Xi Jinping, was designed to demonstrate Washington's role as a counterweight to Beijing and as an eager trading partner with ASEAN members. White House National Security Adviser Susan Rice told reporters U.S. companies had more than doubled investment in the region since 2008. On Monday the leaders were slated to focus on economic issues, including discussion of the Trans-Pacific Partnership deal, which includes four ASEAN members: Vietnam, Singapore, Brunei and Malaysia. Others are interested in joining, and the White House wants to make sure the pact takes effect. On Tuesday, the leaders will discuss maritime issues, particularly the South China Sea, where China and several Southeast Asian states have conflicting and overlapping claims. White House officials have said Obama would deliver a tough message to China that disputes over the South China Sea must be resolved peacefully and not by bullying. "Here at this summit, we can advance our shared vision of a regional order where international rules and norms, including freedom of navigation, are upheld and where disputes are resolved through peaceful, legal means," Obama said. Story continues The challenge may be to get all ASEAN countries to agree on a strong statement on the issue. Officials say China has put pressure on countries such as Cambodia and Laos not to sign. "I'm ... confident that our shared commitment to upholding these norms will be reinforced," Rice said. China's role in the region hung over the meeting. Rice said she expected China would support new international sanctions on North Korea for its recent rocket launches. An editorial in the influential Chinese tabloid the Global Times on Tuesday said the summit was the wrong place to discuss South China Sea issues and that it would not yield "striking geopolitical decisions". "ASEAN countries have no such desire, and the U.S. knows it is not able to do so," the Global Times said, repeating Beijing's stance that disputes in the sea should be handled bilaterally. Advocacy group Human Rights Watch urged the Obama administration to object to human rights violations in countries such as Cambodia and Thailand during the summit. The president touched on the issue without specifics during his remarks. "Here at the summit, we can reaffirm that strong, prosperous and inclusive societies require good governance, rule of law, accountable institutions, vibrant civil societies and upholding human rights," he said. Combating climate change and cooperating on counter-terrorism and the fight against Islamic State militants were also on the agenda. Obama returns to Washington on Tuesday. (Additional reporting by Roberta Rampton, Bruce Wallace and David Brunnstrom, and Michael Martina in BEIJING; Editing by Dan Grebler and Simon Cameron-Moore) CENTENNIAL, Colo., Feb. 16, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NioCorp Developments Ltd. (NioCorp or the "Company) (TSX:NB) (OTCQX:NIOBF) (FSE:BR3) announced today that it will expand its March 16, 2016 Elk Creek Nebraska Town Hall Meeting to allow citizens, news media representatives, investors, and others to call in and hear the latest updates on the Company's Elk Creek Project by phone. Residents of Elk Creek are encouraged to attend the Town Hall Meeting in person. The event will start at 6 p.m. CST on March 16, 2016, and will be held in the Elk Creek Fire Hall. A buffet style dinner will be provided. Mark Smith, CEO and Executive Chairman of NioCorp Developments Ltd., and Scott Honan, President of Elk Creek Resources Corporation, the operating subsidiary overseeing the Elk Creek Project, will update area residents on the Company's plans to advance its niobium / scandium / titanium project and will answer residents' questions. Niobium, scandium, and titanium are superalloy materials used in a variety of applications in the automotive, aerospace, defense, construction, clean energy, medical, oil and gas, and other industries. Those participating by phone will do so in listen-only mode. Residents of North America can connect to the Town Hall meeting by one of two methods: 1. Arrange to be called directly at the start of the Town Hall Meeting by registering in advance here: https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form?EQBCT=b275c00c9672480d9a684ba37dfe365e. 2. Dial in at the start of the Town Hall Meeting using this toll number: 540-409-4372. Those outside of North America can participate by dialing direct via 540-409-4372. Mark Smith Mark Smith Executive Chairman, CEO and Director Source: NioCorp Developments, Ltd. @NioCorp $NB $NIOBF #Niobium #Scandium #ElkCreek For More Information Contact Jim Sims, VP of External Affairs, NioCorp Developments, Ltd., 720-639-4650, jim.sims@niocorp.com About NioCorp NioCorp is developing a superalloy materials project in Southeast Nebraska that will produce niobium, scandium, and titanium. Niobium is used to produce various superalloys that are extensively used in high performance aircraft and jet turbines. It also is used in to High Strength, Low Alloy (HSLA) steel, a lighter, stronger steel used in automotive, bridges, structural systems, and pipeline applications. Scandium can be combined with aluminum to make super-high-performance alloys with increased strength and improved corrosion resistance. Scandium also is a critical component of advanced solid oxide fuel cells, an environmentally preferred technology for high-reliability, distributed electricity generation. Titanium is a component of various superalloys that are used for aerospace applications, armor, and medical implants. It also is used in pigments for paper, paint, and plastics. Cautionary Statements Neither TSX nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. As of August 26th, 2021 Yahoo India will no longer be publishing content. Your Yahoo Account Mail and Search experiences will not be affected in any way and will operate as usual. We thank you for your support and readership. For more information on Yahoo India, please visit the FAQ Next increase in energy tariffs for public will take place on April 1 The next stage of increasing energy tariffs for the population in Ukraine will take place on April 1, Prime Minister Arseniy Yatseniuk has stated. "The next date of changing energy tariffs and their actual increase is April 1. I also publicly declare that this is the responsibility of the entire political class," the premier said, while speaking with the report in the parliament. According to Yatseniuk, those who need subsidies will receive them, however the tariffs should be marketable. Donbas seeing escalation, number of attacks grows to 79 in past day Ukrainian troops in Donbas were attacked 79 times in the last day, the press center of the Anti-Terrorist Operation (ATO) headquarters reported on Tuesday morning. "The situation in the ATO zone has considerably escalated. Illegal armed groups increase the number of their attacks every day and use mortars more often," the report said. The enemy shelled Ukrainian positions in the village of Zaitseve with the use of 120mm mortars and a self-propelled artillery system. Ukrainian troops stationed near Kominternove, Hnutove, Shyrokyne, Krasnohorivka, Maryinka and Mayorsk also came under mortar fire. Areas near the villages of Novotroyitske and Mykolayivka saw skirmishes with enemy sabotage and reconnaissance forces. ATO forces near Hranitne, Novhorodske, Opytne, Pisky, Avdiyivka and Butivka coal mine were shelled by the enemy with the use of grenade launchers and large-caliber machine-guns. In the Luhansk sector, Donbas militants attacked Ukrainian positions near Triokhizbenka and Sokolnyky. Ben Hider/Getty Images(NEW YORK) -- A power outage at Grand Central Terminal on Monday left its lower level dark. According to ABC News affiliate WABC-TV, the power went out after a 6-inch water pipe burst, but it did not disrupt train service. Trains normally on the lower level were diverted to the upper level tracks. MTA spokesman Aaron Donovan told WABC-TV the burst pipe "delivered 18 inches of water into the vault that holds the electrical equipment." Luckily more commuters were not affected by the power outage because of the holdiay, but commuters who were there said that Grand Central Terminal looked "scary." "It's scary. Like I walked in and all I saw was black over there in the corners and I was like wow!" commuter Tae Edwards told WABC-TV. WABC-TV said about 100 stores and food vendors on the lower level were forced to close for most of the day after police blocked off the area. Copyright 2016, ABC Radio. All rights reserved. Prosecutor General Viktor Shokin has accepted his deputy Vitaliy Kasko's resignation, Prosecutor of the Prosecutor General's Office of Ukraine (PGO) Vladyslav Kutsenko has said. "A decision has been made. An order to accept Kasko's resignation from the deputy prosecutor general's office has already been signed," Kutsenko wrote on Facebook. According to him, Kasko will have to visit the HR department to get familiarized with the order and pick up his employment record book on Tuesday. Kasko announced his resignation on February 15 over corruption at the PGO. The Prosecutor General's Office has handed over the investigation into the murder of journalist Oles Buzyna to the Odesa regional prosecutor's office, the press service of the prosecutor's office of Odesa region told Interfax-Ukraine. "The Prosecutor General's Office of Ukraine has charged the Main Investigation Directorate of the Main Department of the National Police in Odesa region with conducting the pre-trial investigation in the criminal case under clause 12, part 2, Article 115 (murder) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine," the press service said. They did not disclose any other details. As reported, Buzyna was killed in the yard of an apartment block where he lived in Kyiv on April 16. Two suspects in his killing, Kyiv residents, Andriy Medvedko and Denys Polischuk, are currently under house arrest. Three Ukrainian soldiers killed, seven wounded in Donbas in last day Three Ukrainian soldiers were killed and another seven were wounded in the Anti-Terrorist Operation (ATO) zone in the last day, presidential administration spokesman for ATO issues Oleksandr Motuzianyk has said. "Three Ukrainian soldiers were killed and seven were wounded in hostilities in the past 24 hours," he said at a briefing in Kyiv on Tuesday. Tensions escalated in Donbas in the past 24 hours, with militant forces firing more than 200 mines at Ukrainian army positions in the area, Motuzianyk said. All in all, the militants violated the ceasefire 79 times in the past 24 hours, using heavy weapons on 26 occasions. According to Motuzianyk, the militants breached the ceasefire twice in Luhansk region. On both occasions, the attacks continued for 20 minutes, and Ukrainian servicemen returned fire on one occasion. There have been ten mortar strikes in the Zaitseve-Mayorsk area in the Donetsk zone. The militant forces also used 120mm Gvozdika artillery systems, Motuzianyk added. A brief armed clash occurred between the villages of Mykolayivka and Dokuchayevsk. The visiting session of the Munich Security Conference will be held in Odesa, Odesa region administration head Mikheil Saakashvili has said. "We've discussed the organization of the visiting session of the Munich conference in Odesa with Chairman of the Munich conference Wolfgang Ischinger to discuss anti-corruption initiatives. It is good for the further promotion of Odesa if this important international forum holds a special meeting here," he wrote on his Facebook page on Sunday. The Munich Security Conference is the annual conference held in Munich (Germany) since 1963. Since 1998 it has been funded by the German government. United Nations (United States) (AFP) - Former UN secretary-general Boutros Boutros-Ghali, who led the world body during one of its most difficult periods, with failed missions in Rwanda and Bosnia, died Tuesday in Cairo. He was 93. The Egyptian diplomat became the first secretary-general from Africa in 1992, but his tenure ended abruptly five years later when the United States vetoed his second term. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon described Boutros-Ghali as a respected statesman and scholar of international law who brought "formidable experience and intellectual power" to the top UN job. "His commitment to the United Nations -- its mission and its staff -- was unmistakable, and the mark he has left on the organization is indelible," Ban said. A former Egyptian foreign minister, the veteran diplomat headed the world body during one of its most difficult times with crises in Somalia, Rwanda, the Middle East and the former Yugoslavia. After a series of clashes with the US administration, Washington turned against Boutros-Ghali and decided to back Ghanaian Kofi Annan for the top post in late 1996. French President Francois Hollande paid tribute to Boutros-Ghali, saying this "great Egyptian and great servant of the United Nations" had worked tirelessly to preserve peace and to prevent conflicts worldwide. "His message must serve as inspiration to the international community's action at a time when the Middle East knows new tragedies," Hollande said. British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond said Boutros-Ghali's "contribution to international affairs will long be remembered." UN Security Council diplomats began a meeting in New York by observing a moment of silence in memory of Boutros-Ghali, who died in a Cairo hospital. Under his tenure, the United Nations expanded its peacekeeping missions but the retreat from Rwanda ahead of the 1994 genocide and from the Bosnian enclave of Srebrenica a year later were seen as dismal failures. Story continues Boutros-Ghali served as the United Nation's sixth secretary-general. - Clashes with the US - Relations with the United States began to sour in late 1993, when a US-led operation in Somalia led to major casualties among American troops. Further problems emerged during peacekeeping operations in the former Yugoslavia, and after the genocidal massacres of 1994 in Rwanda, which the United Nations failed to halt. There was also friction over UN sanctions against the regime of Saddam Hussein in Iraq, which had invaded and then been ejected from Kuwait a year before Boutros-Ghali took up his post. Washington's then ambassador to the United Nations, Madeleine Albright, argued that Boutros-Ghali had failed to enact reforms needed to make the world body more efficient. When his candidacy for a second term was vetoed, Boutros-Ghali felt that he was being punished for pushing UN member states to pay their membership arrears -- an issue on which the United States has long been a laggard -- and for condemning Israeli actions in southern Lebanon. In his tribute, Ban said Boutros-Ghali had "rightly insisted on the independence of his office and of the secretariat as a whole." After leaving the United Nations, Boutros-Ghali served as secretary-general of the Francophonie group of French-speaking nations. Boutros-Ghali was born on November 14, 1922 into a Coptic Christian family in Cairo. He was educated at Cairo University and in Paris, where he established a lifelong connection with France. After a university career centered on international relations, including a spell at Columbia University in New York, he became Egypt's foreign minister in 1977, under president Anwar Sadat. He accompanied Sadat on his groundbreaking trip to Jerusalem in that year, an event which both forged a peace agreement between Egypt and Israel and led to Sadat's assassination four years later. Havana (AFP) - The United States and Cuba signed an agreement Tuesday authorizing daily US commercial flights to the communist-ruled island for the first time in more than 50 years. The deal allows up to 110 daily flights to 10 destinations in Cuba, with about 20 of them to the capital Havana, where authorities have ordered renovations to double the capacity of Jose Marti airport. "Today is a historic day in the relationship between Cuba and the United States," said US Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx in Havana, where he signed the accord with his Cuban counterpart Adel Rodriguez. "For the first time in more than five decades, the United States and Cuba will allow (airlines) to establish a service between our two nations." Rodriguez said the accord marked "the start of a new era in air transport links between Cuba and the United States, which will contribute to the deepening of ties between our two countries." Currently, all flights between the two countries are charter flights. US authorities said they would immediately invite American airlines to submit applications to operate the flights, with routes to be set up within months. The Cuban government will also give "thorough consideration to future requests from the US government to increase this level of service," said US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Transportation Affairs Thomas Engle. The agreement allows for regular flights "between any city in the US and any city in Cuba," provided it is equipped with infrastructure for international air travel, he added. Airlines in the two countries can now strike deals on code-sharing and aircraft leasing, the Cuban embassy said in December when the plan was announced. However, travel by US tourists is still barred under the trade embargo that the United States slapped on Cuba in the 1960s after Fidel Castro came to power in a revolution. The US Treasury Department has set 12 categories of authorized travel including for artists and journalists. Story continues - Multiple destinations - "Initially, the US carriers will be allowed to fly 20 scheduled frequencies per day to Havana, the largest market, and remember that the current level is zero," Engle said. They may also "fly 10 scheduled frequencies per day to any other city in Cuba that has an airport open to international service." Besides Havana, flights will be allowed to Camaguey, Cayo Coco, Cayo Largo, Cienfuegos, Holguin, Manzanillo, Matanzas, Santa Clara and Santiago de Cuba. The agreement formally opens the door for Cuban airlines to start operating future flights into the United States. But Deputy Assistant Secretary for Aviation and International Affairs Brandon Belford said Cuban airlines will still have to obtain their own licenses from US authorities. "So we do not anticipate Cuban-owned aircraft serving the US in the near future," he said. - Call for applications - On Tuesday, the Treasury Department was to invite US airlines to submit applications to be allocated the new flights. American Airlines, Delta and United Airlines have previously expressed an interest in running regular flights to Cuba as has JetBlue, which already operates charter flights. Belford said "carriers will have 15 days to submit their applications if they want to serve Havana and the other nine airports." All final decisions will be made in within about six months. "Our expectation is that we will be in position to make a decision and make it final sometime in the summer, in terms of which carriers and which US cities will have service into Cuba," Belford said. Commercial flights between Cuba and the United States were cancelled 53 years ago but since the mid-1970s, authorized charter flights have been allowed under certain conditions. Cuba is strengthening its foreign commercial ties after formally restoring diplomatic relations with the United States in July. Top Singapore-listed property trusts saw their dividend yields hit a five-year high, attracting to global investors seeking refuge from the oil price slump and jitters over the weakest economic prospects of China, reported Reuters. Using comparable month-end data available during the past five years, a Thomson Reuters analysis of 14 real estate investment trusts (REITs) showed that the median dividend yield as at end-January was 6.7 percent,the highest since April 2011. Notably, the end-January spread between Singapore's 10-year government bond yield and that yield was also at its highest during the said period, at 4.4 percentage points. The yield trend provides a timely reminder of the allure of investments related to brick and mortar like REITs, which generally offer stable income streams. We believe current (REIT) valuations are attractive re-entry levels and believe that large caps (large-capitalisation trusts) are likely to benefit as investors turn yield-hungry in a tepid growth environment, said DBS analysts Derek Tan and Mervin Song. Meanwhile, the REIT horizon may be littered with clouds, with Singapore trusts facing a potential industrial and office space supply glut, the report said. Some prospective tenants, on the other hand, may hold off on new leases amid the same macro-economic concerns plaguing the financialsegments. Nikki De Guzman, Editor at CommercialGuru, edited this story. To contact her about this or other stories emailnikki@propertyguru.com.sg More from PropertyGuru: Wandervale EC to open for applications amid oversupply worries London home prices up 5.4% Singapore's first luxury EC completed New home sales down 16% from December Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko as part of a meeting with Foreign Minister of Norway Borge Brende at the Munich Security Conference has said that Ukraine is interested in cooperation with Norway in the energy security area and in participation of Norwegian companies in construction of terminals in Ukraine and supplies of gas to them, the press service of Klitschko has reported. "In the future Norway could become the largest gas supplier to Ukraine and a dialog at the political level should be started. As for the economic area and investment, today we speak about the possibility of participation of Norwegian companies in construction of terminals in Ukraine and supplies of gas to them," Klitschko said. He also said that assistance in training of military servicemen, including naval forces, is important for Ukraine. "Today Ukraine needs skilled staff, in particular, in Naval Forces, and the help of Norway in training of the staff would be useful for us. It would be interesting if Ukrainian staff is trained on the basis of Marinejegerkommandoen (MJK)," the mayor said. Military cooperation was discussed at a meeting of Klitschko with Chief of Staff at Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe Werner Freers. Klitschko said that tighter cooperation between the NATO Headquarters and the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine is required. Klitschko at the meeting with Freers asked for the assistance from the U.S. to organize psychological adjustment of servicemen who return from the Anti-Terrorist Operation (ATO) zone. OUAGADOUGOU (Reuters) - An Australian woman who was freed by al Qaeda after three weeks in captivity said on Monday her husband who was seized with her in Burkina Faso was still alive and she hoped he too would be released soon. Jocelyn Elliott, 76, gave no further details of the couple's captivity but her comment provided the first confirmation that her husband, Dr Ken Elliott, 81, was still alive. The couple were seized on Jan. 15 from the town of Djibo near Burkina Faso's border with Mali where they have operated a 120-bed clinic for over 40 years. "I really hope to be with my husband soon so that we can again go to Djibo and continue (our work)," she told journalists after meeting Burkina Faso President Roch Marc Kabore. Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) said last week it had kidnapped the couple and would release the woman unconditionally due to public pressure and guidance from al Qaeda leaders not to involve women in war. [nL8N15K4K6] They were abducted from the town the same day that al Qaeda fighters raided a restaurant and hotel in Burkina Faso's capital, Ouagadougou, and killed 30 people, many of whom were foreigners. [nL8N150075] Niger's President Mahamadou Issoufou presented Elliott at a news conference on Saturday. But since then she has given no details of her kidnap, captivity or release. [nL8N15L0NF] She expressed gratitude to the governments of Niger, Burkina Faso and Australia for her release and said she was very happy to be back "amidst my Burkinabe family." (Reporting by Mathieu Bonkoungou; Writing by Matthew Mpoke Bigg; Editing by Richard Balmforth) LONDON/PARIS (Reuters) - Britain and France criticised Russia's role in Syria's war on Tuesday and said Moscow must stop the conflict rather than fuelling it, after missile strikes killed dozens of civilians on Monday. Almost 50 civilians were killed when missiles hit at least five medical facilities and two schools in rebel-held areas of Syria on Monday, according to the United Nations, which called the attacks a blatant violation of international law. Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu blamed Russia for at least one of the missile strikes, when civilians and children were killed in a school and hospital in the town of Azaz, calling it an "obvious war crime". "The reported air strikes conducted on hospitals in northern Syria in recent days could amount to war crimes and must be investigated," British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond said in a statement. "I am appalled that the Assad regime and its Russian supporters are still bombing innocent civilians despite the agreement last Thursday to a cessation of hostilities ... Russia needs to explain itself, and show through its actions that it is committed to ending the conflict, rather than fuelling it." Russia, which has said it is targeting terrorist organisations and their allies, does not have a vessel in its Caspian Sea flotilla that is capable of hitting a hospital in Syria's Idlib governorate, a Defence Ministry spokesman was quoted as saying by Russian news agencies. France's new Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault, who on Monday accused Syria's government and its backers of carrying out war crimes, told lawmakers that the immediate urgency was to protect civilians. "All bombings must stop. It's unacceptable that hospitals and schools are targeted. These acts are flagrant violations of international law," he said. Last week in Munich, international powers agreed to try to bring about a "cessation of hostilities" within a week, and U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry accused Russia of hitting legitimate opposition groups with its bombing campaign. Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said the accusations were "just not true". Ayrault said the Munich deal must be respected. "Of course, we talk to Russia, but we have demands and our demands today are for the respect of the commitments made in Munich. Russia, like other partners, agreed to end hostilities, end bombings and allow humanitarian aid. "It's not sentamentalism to say that there are millions of people that are under bombs who have no solution but to flee and become refugees." (Reporting by Kylie MacLellan and John Irish, editing by Tom Miles) "In Rwanda we're safe. I don't see anywhere else to go," says Audrey, one of thousands of Burundian refugees now living in Rwanda -- but fearful after Kigali unexpectedly announced plans to relocate them to other countries. The 27-year-old, who was personally threatened for taking part in demonstrations against President Pierre Nkurunziza at home, says she cannot return to Burundi. And she is equally unsure of her safety in other countries in the region. "When we heard the news, we were amazed," she said. "We did not expect it." Burundi has been in turmoil since Nkurunziza announced plans in April 2015 to run for a third term, which he went on to win. In less than a year, hundreds of people have been killed and around 230,000 Burundians have fled the country. According to the UNHCR, some 75,000 of those have taken refuge in Rwanda. Like many of her compatriots, Audrey has been put up by a Rwandan family since fleeing three months ago and she remains too frightened to be photographed or clearly identified. "We talk about it a lot amongst ourselves, especially on social media, we wonder where we are going to be able to go," she said. Rwanda's plan to relocate the refugees comes amid accusations that Kigali is meddling in the affairs of its troubled neighbour. Burundi has repeatedly accused Rwanda of backing rebels intent on overthrowing the government in Bujumbura. Kigali has fiercely denied the accusations. - Victims for second time - The United States has also accused Rwanda of involvement in "destabilising activities" in Burundi. "There are credible reports of recruitment of Burundian refugees out of camps in Rwanda to participate in armed attacks by Burundian armed opposition against the Burundian government," Thomas Perriello, US envoy for the Great Lakes region of Africa, said Wednesday. UN experts also told the Security Council last week that Rwanda had recruited and trained refugees from Burundi, among them children, who wanted to remove Burundi's Nkurunziza from power. Rwanda's relocation announcement came out of the blue on Friday, even taking the UN refugee agency by surprise. "The government of Rwanda... will immediately begin working with partners in the international community to plan the orderly and safe relocation of Burundian refugees to third countries," the government said in a statement. Reacting to the plan UNHCR said it was "concerned", saying it "seems to undermine the precedent of refugee protection Rwanda has set over decades." "A third country? What does that mean?" said Amandine, a mother of two children, one of whom has just started at a primary school in the Rwandan capital. Neighbouring nations already host thousands of Burundian refugees in overstretched camps, with Tanzania hosting some 130,000 and the Democratic Republic of Congo over 18,000. Uganda, which borders Rwanda to the north, has 21,000. "Many refugees have started a new life in Kigali," said Sandrine, 26. "Some started their own business. Students who had had to interrupt their studies when they fled Burundi have resumed their education here," she said. "We will be victims for a second time," she said. - Goodwill of Rwandans - Kigali has assured the UNHCR that it "would continue to respect its international obligations to protect refugees, would not close its borders, and would not forcibly expel Burundian refugees". The agency, however, urged "the government to make such clarifications publicly as soon as possible to prevent panic on the part of refugees in Rwanda". "We would like to have more information. We are in the dark on this," said Audrey, who is only half reassured by the UNHCR statements. Exiled Burundian journalist Reverien Bazikanwe said he too was concerned. But he said he understood Rwanda's decision. Kigali, he said, was reacting to unfounded accusations which he accused the Burundi government of using to "drown out the major issue" of the crisis in Burundi. "It's in the interests of Bujumbura to cloud the real issue," he said. UNHCR spokeswoman in Rwanda, Martina Pomeroy, said she feared possible tensions between the Rwandan population and the refugees. Most of the refugees are "living in families or the community where they have been dependent on the generosity and goodwill of Rwandans hosting them", she said. "So what can happen if the population thinks that refugees have become undesirable for the government?" she added. Andre Migifuloyo and Djuma Uweko lived together, worked together and last October died together fighting to protect Congo's elephants from voracious ivory-seeking poachers. In the continental war to protect Africa's elephants, the rangers of Garamba National Park in north-eastern Democratic Republic of Congo are manning the frontline. The two men grew up in the same small town of Dungu and joined the park service in their early twenties, a good job that pays a decent monthly wage of around $200 (180 euros). Migifuloyo became a ranger in 2011 and two years later Uweko followed. Both were quick to make friends with others and lived with their young families in Nagero, the park village by the Dungu River with its little red brick church and thatched homes. In his spare time Migifuloyo, 26, enjoyed war films. Uweko, 27, liked a beer. Both earned reputations for discipline and courage in the field. On a sweltering Monday afternoon in early October they were part of a 10-man patrol that ran into a large gang of poachers in the north of the park. Almost as soon as the firefight began Uweko, armed with an AK-47, was shot. Migifuloyo was fatally hit moments after firing off a rocket-propelled grenade. - Rhinos slaughtered - Uweko dragged himself into the thick elephant grass where he lay bleeding until the poachers found him, and shot him dead. Two others also died: one in the initial exchange of fire while the other, like Uweko, was wounded then executed. Dieudonne Komorewa, 33 and a ranger for nearly eight years, was Migifuloyo's close friend and second cousin. "I could tell he was a disciplined person, and brave, from the start," Komorewa said. "He was fun to be around." The day before his friend was killed they had gone shopping together for baby clothes for Migifuloyo's unborn child. Most days Komorewa takes up his dead friend's toddler son to play with his own children. "I love that kid so much," he said. Komorewa remains a determined ranger. "The enemy is the enemy and everything we do here is against them. We mustn't be scared of them, we must always be ready," he said. Who the enemy is varies. Sometimes it is members of the ragtag yet brutally effective rebel Lord's Resistance Army (LRA), more often it is armed groups from South Sudan or pastoralist-poachers from Sudan or Central African Republic, or occasionally unknown shooters in helicopters who kill the elephants with a bullet in the top of the skull. - 'If they see us they shoot' - Every year more than 30,000 elephants are poached in Africa, according to conservationists, leaving around 450,000 in the wild while the illegal ivory trade their tusks supply is estimated to be worth $3 billion (2.7 billion euros) a year. The poachers are killers, so African Parks, the South Africa-based, European Union-backed conservation organisation that manages Garamba, has brought in military trainers and a helicopter to help level the battlefield. The 120 park rangers - a quarter of what's needed to patrol the 12,400 square kilometre (4,800 square mile) park, about half the size of Wales -- are looking more and more like the paramilitary force they must be to win the ivory war. In 2015 there were 28 firefights with poachers. Four rangers were killed and 114 elephants shot - almost one in 10 of those left in Garamba - but just 40 years ago there were 23,000 elephants here, plus close to 500 northern white rhinos. Poachers killed Garamba's last rhino a decade ago and the rangers are fighting to stop Garamba's elephants meeting the same end. At the 50-metre (yard) firing range cut out of the thick bush, military trainers from Pretoria-based security company Noctuam are working on the rangers' marksmanship. A year ago rangers would shoot from the hip or, sometimes, over their heads holding the gun sideways like in a gangsta movie. Now they steady themselves in a low crouch, aim, exhale and squeeze the trigger. Lack of bullets means each ranger gets just five practice shots before each deployment. - 'Bush justice' - The adjacent obstacle course is made out of rough branches and tree trunks. The teaching happens at the camp but the real learning is in the field, said one of the trainers who did not want to be identified. "Here you can only tell them what to do. In the bush you show them," he said. Garamba's security advisor Peter Philippot, a 45-year old French former soldier, says weapons and ammunition are his priority. The armoury is mostly filled with battered and ageing AK-47 rifles with an effective range of 100 metres, but in the park's thick, tall grass and forests most firefights begin at frighteningly short range. "In the bush you can't see nothing after 20 metres and most fights start at 10 metres. We need shotguns," said Philippot. A $2 million (1.8 million euros) Squirrel helicopter donated by Howard Buffett, the philanthropist son of a billionaire businessman, helps even the odds, said the 60-year old South African pilot Frank Molteno. His aircraft was hit by gunfire and nearly shot down as he rescued the surviving rangers during October's battle. "If they see us they shoot at us, so we shoot at them. It's bush justice," he said. The war is merciless. The poachers who killed Migifuloyo, Uweko and the two others stripped their bodies, looted their gear and left their corpses strewn in the baking sun. It took four days for the rangers to find, retrieve and bury their colleagues. Komorewa visits his friend's grave a couple of times a month, clearing the dead leaves that gather on the concrete, but despite the loss he has never considered giving up. "I could be killed riding my motorbike, not just in the bush," he said. "Death is everywhere." Five years after the uprising began against dictator Moamer Kadhafi, many Libyans have lost hope of seeing the rule of law return to a divided country threatened by jihadist expansion. The Islamic State (IS) group has exploited the chaos engulfing the oil-rich North African nation since the 2011 revolution to gain a foothold and expand its influence. Last June, it seized Kadhafi's coastal home town of Sirte -- 450 kilometres (280 miles) east of Tripoli -- and has since transformed it into a training camp for Libyan and foreign militants. "The Islamic State likely sees Libya as the most favourable country in which to establish a regional hub of its caliphate," Ludovico Carlino of the IHS Jane's think-tank said. With a port and airport, there are growing fears that IS -- which seized large parts of Syria and Iraq in 2014 -- may try to use Sirte as a base from which to attack Europe. Despite the jihadist threat, there are also signs of hope on the political front. On Monday, a UN-backed council of rival factions announced the formation of a revised government of national unity line-up to be put to lawmakers. Approval of the cabinet -- headed by prime minister-designate Fayez al-Sarraj -- would be a vital step in resolving Libya's political disarray, capping off months of difficult diplomacy. "The journey to peace and unity of the Libyan people has finally started," UN Libya envoy Martin Kobler wrote on Twitter. - Africa's largest oil reserves - Beyond Libya's current political and security vacuum, "the availability of large stockpiles of weapons and porous borders, made it the main transit point for North African militants seeking to reach Syria and Iraq to wage jihad there," Carlino said. The country also sits atop the largest oil reserves in Africa, estimated at 48 billion barrels, although output has slumped since 2011. "The presence of large oil assets, the existence of well-established and lucrative smuggling routes to sub-Saharan Africa, and porous borders all make Libya as attractive as Iraq and Syria to the Islamic State, if not more so," Carlino said. Last month, the group launched attacks from Sirte on facilities in the "oil crescent" along the coast. The Soufan Group think-tank in a report last month said jihadists existed in Libya under Kadhafi, but have thrived in the turmoil since his downfall. "Libya has a long violent jihadist tradition dating back to the Soviet Afghan War, though the oppressive and authoritarian Kadhafi regime was largely able to keep militant jihadist activities in check," it said. "With the collapse of the regime, the long-suppressed militant Islamist factions sought to fill the resulting vacuum." Since a coalition of Islamist-led militias overran Tripoli in August 2014, the country has had two administrations. - Living day to day - An Islamist-dominated legislature, the General National Congress, sits in Tripoli while the internationally recognised government has been driven to the country's far east. As Libya on Wednesday marks five years since the uprising began, its people are still waiting for a panel elected in February 2014 to draft their first constitution since Kadhafi seized power in 1969. With anniversary preparations under way in Tripoli's Martyrs Square, the mood remains gloomy among many residents. "The last five years have been nothing but one mistake after another," said Karima Leguel, a bank employee in her fifties. "Our daily lives have become increasingly difficult. We have to plough on despite the high prices, no proper health care, long power cuts and -- recently -- no cash at the bank." Libya's conflict has left 1.9 million people with serious health needs in a country that lacks medical professionals, medicines and vaccines, the World Health Organization said last month. No foreign airline has flown to Tripoli since its airport was destroyed in summer 2014, and few countries allow Libyan aircraft to land on their soil. Libyans who want to travel abroad struggle to obtain the required visas as most foreign missions have been closed for 18 months. Florence, a Frenchwoman in her fifties who is married to a Libyan, said the cost of living was increasing and cashpoints were empty. "We live day to day," the mother-of-two said. "But if things don't get better we'll leave." "My greatest fear is that IS will reach Tripoli." DUBAI (Reuters) - Islamic State says it will fight any Saudi ground intervention in Syria and that Saudi action might add to complications but would not bolster enemies of the militant group. Saudi Arabia has said it is ready to participate in any ground operations in Syria that the U.S.-led alliance may decide to start. "This intervention, if it happened, would not provide much to the enemies of Islamic State ...," Islamic State said in an editorial on Tuesday carried by the group's al-Naba weekly newspaper, referring to President Bashar al-Assad, his Russian and Iranian allies and the U.S-led coalition. "Thus, Islamic State's view towards this intervention would be no different from its view of the U.S. intervention in favour of rejectionists (Shi'ites) and the apostate Kurdish parties or the Russian intervention in favour of the Nusairis," it said, using a derogatory term to describe Assad's Alawite sect. "It will keep fighting the apostate and polytheists no matter how they change their colours, tongues and homelands." Saudi Arabia said earlier this month that the kingdom, which has been leading Arab military operations against the Iran-allied Houthis in Yemen since March last year, believed that to win against Islamic State in Syria the coalition needed to combine aerial operations with ground operations. Saudi Arabia, a main supporter of Syrian rebels fighting to overthrow Assad, has been an active member of the U.S.-led coalition that has been fighting Islamic State in Syria since 2014, and has carried out more than 190 aerial missions. U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter said last week that he expected both Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates to send special operations forces to Syria to help local opposition fighters in their campaign to retake the city of Raqqa, Islamic State's de facto capital in Syria. On Saturday, Saudi Arabia confirmed it had sent aircraft to the Incirlik air base in NATO-member Turkey for the fight against Islamic State. Major powers agreed in Munich on Friday to a pause in combat in Syria, but Russia pressed on with bombing in support of Assad, its ally. Assad has promised to fight until he regains full control. U.S. President Barack Obama has ruled out sending U.S. ground troops to Syria. But Turkey said both Ankara and Riyadh would support a coalition ground operation. (Reporting by Ali Abdelaty, writing by Sami Aboudi; Editing by Ruth Pitchford) The Verkhovna Rada has passed at first reading the bill on the transparency in organization of operation of the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecution in pursuance of recommendations of the International Monetary Fund (IMF). On Tuesday, a total of 236 lawmakers supported bill 4055 on amending the law on prosecution in part of the provision for transparency of organization of operation of the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecution. The bill improves legal basis for the organization of operation of the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecution, provides for transparency of operation of the tender commission that appoints candidates for administrative ports and posts of prosecutors in the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecution. According to the document, members of the tender commission who will organize the holding of tenders to appoint candidates for administrative ports of the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecution could be persons with the unblemished business reputation, high professional and moral features, public image and large experience in preventing or fighting corruption. According to the amendments, Prosecutor General of Ukraine will be empowered to appoint head of the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecution, first deputy head and deputy head. The head of the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecution will appoint persons to other administrative posts in the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecution, and the tender commission will submit only one candidate for each of the posts. The head of the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecution will be also empowered to hire and dismiss employees who are not prosecutors. Speaker Volodymyr Groysman said that the bill will be discussed at second reading on Thursday. BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Around 5,700 structures in the western Iraqi city of Ramadi and its outskirts have incurred some level of damage since mid-2014, and almost 2,000 buildings have been destroyed, the United Nations said on Monday, citing satellite images. Iraq declared victory over Islamic State in December after seizing the main government building in the city, the provincial capital of Anbar. But more than six months of fighting shattered most infrastructure and levelled many homes in the city, where around half a million people once lived. The impact of Islamic State bomb attacks and U.S.-led coalition air strikes has been documented by the United Nations Institute for Training and Research, which compared satellite imagery collected last month with images from July 2014. More than 3,200 structures in the city centre have been affected, with 1,165 destroyed, the analysis showed. Those figures nearly double when outlying areas are included. It is not clear what percentage of Ramadi has been affected, but the imagery shows none of the central districts has been spared and almost every block has incurred at least some damage. A U.N. statement called the analysis preliminary and said it had not been validated in the field. Baghdad has not yet declared the city safe for return; Iraqi special forces clashed with militants in some districts as recently as last week. The cash-strapped government in Baghdad is appealing to international donors to help rebuilding Ramadi, the largest city retaken from Islamic State. But it must first clear explosives planted by the militants in streets and buildings - an effort which also requires funding Iraq doesn't have. The United Nations is working with local authorities on plans to rebuild health, water and energy infrastructure. Meanwhile, displaced residents are waiting in camps or rented accommodations in other parts of the country. It is expected to take months to secure the city before reconstruction can begin. (Reporting By Stephen Kalin, editing by Larry King) SEOUL (Reuters) - South Korean President Park Geun-hye pledged on Tuesday further "strong" measures against North Korea, after suspending operations at a jointly run industrial park as punishment for the North's recent long-range rocket launch and nuclear test. North Korea's recent actions, and threats to conduct more "extreme acts of provocation", demonstrate that it has no interest in peace, Park said in a speech to parliament. "The suspension of the Kaesong industrial zone is only the start of a series of actions we will be taking together with the international community," she said. "The government will take strong and effective measures for the North to come to the bone-numbing realisation that nuclear development will not help its survival but rather it will only speed up the collapse of the regime," she said. South Korea suspended the operation of the Kaesong industrial zone last week, which had been run jointly with the North for more than a decade and was a key source of hard currency for the impoverished North, as punishment for Pyongyang's rocket launch on Feb. 7. Seoul and the United States said the launch was in fact a test of a long-range missile that violated U.N. Security Council resolutions. The North said the launch was part of its scientific programme designed to launch satellites into space. Washington and Seoul are seeking support from Beijing, Pyongyang's main ally, for tougher sanctions against North Korea for the rocket launch and January's nuclear test. South Korea is on heightened alert for any kind of "extreme actions" Pyongyang might take, Park said, asking for bipartisan support. She also warned against using the increased tension for political purposes, "which would be exactly what the North would want to see". (Reporting by Jack Kim and James Pearson; Editing By Paul Tait and Tony Munroe) By Stephanie Nebehay GENEVA (Reuters) - The Syrian government has approved access to seven besieged areas and U.N. convoys are expected to set off in days, the United Nations said on Tuesday after crisis talks in Damascus. U.N. Special Envoy Staffan de Mistura, who won the green light at talks with Foreign Minister Walid al-Moualem, said the world body would test the government commitment to allow access on Wednesday but gave no details. Their meeting in Damascus came at a time when government forces have been advancing rapidly with the aid of Russian air strikes, and just days before an internationally agreed pause in fighting is due to take effect. De Mistura said they had discussed the issue of humanitarian access to areas besieged by all sides in the five-year war. "It is clear it is the duty of the government of Syria to want to reach every Syrian person wherever they are and allow the U.N. to bring humanitarian aid," de Mistura said in a statement. "Tomorrow we test this." The Syrian government hit back at de Mistura's comment, saying his own credibility needed testing, Syrian state media said. It quoted a Syrian foreign ministry source as saying that Damascus would not allow de Mistura to talk about testing its seriousness. "The truth is Syria needs to test the credibility of De Mistura who has been contradicting what happened during the meeting with the Syrian government," the foreign ministry source was quoted as saying. "Delivering aid to areas besieged by terrorists has been the government's commitment towards its people for years." The U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said that Syria had approved access to Deir al-Zor; Foua and Kafraya in Idlib; and Madaya, Zabadani, Kafr Batna and Mouadamiya al-Sham in rural Damascus. "Humanitarian agencies and partners are preparing convoys for these areas, to depart as soon as possible in the coming days," the OCHA said. It was not immediately clear whether the convoys would begin on Wednesday, as de Mistura had indicated. Nor was there any indication of a breakthrough on access to areas besieged by armed opposition groups. U.N.-backed peace talks are scheduled to resume in Geneva on Feb. 25, after de Mistura suspended a first round earlier this month. Last Friday global powers meeting in Munich agreed to the pause in fighting in the hope that this could allow the talks to resume, but the deal does not take effect until the end of this week and was not signed by the Syrian warring parties. "We are witnessing a degradation on the ground that cannot wait," U.N. spokesman Ahmad Fawzi told a news briefing. "The reason (de Mistura) suspended (the talks) was, as you know, that cities were still being bombed, people were still being starved on the ground." SUPPLY ROUTES The Syrian government is meanwhile advancing in the north of the country with Russian air support. Damascus says its main objectives are to recapture Aleppo - Syria's biggest city before the war - and seal the Turkish border, lifeline of rebel-held territory for years. Those would be the biggest victories for Damascus of the war so far, and would all but end rebel hopes of overthrowing President Bashar al-Assad, the goal they have pursued since 2011 with the support of the West, Arab states and Turkey. Syria's ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva, Hussam Aala, said in an interview in the daily Tribune de Geneve: "We have done all we could to facilitate the passage of aid convoys in January and February." "The advance of the Syrian army in this region has allowed us to break the siege imposed against two towns, Nubul and al-Zahra. It opened the way for the Syrian Arab Red Crescent to deliver aid to 70,000 residents. Our objective was to cut all the supply routes for arms and for men to the terrorist groups armed by Turkey." The United Nations has reported that hospitals have been struck in northern Syria in areas where Russian and Syrian warplanes are launching air strikes as part of their advance. U.N. rights spokesman Rupert Colville condemned the air strikes on hospitals and schools in Idlib and Aleppo provinces. "If it's deliberate, intentional targeting, then it may amount a war crime. But at this point, we're not in a position to make that judgement. Ultimately that's only a court that can make that judgement, and you need sufficient evidence," he said. "Clearly those two, both Russian and Syrian planes, are very active in this area. So obviously they should know who is responsible." Russian news agencies quoted a Russian Defence Ministry spokesman as saying on Tuesday that Russia's Caspian Sea flotilla did not have a boat capable of firing a ballistic missile on the hospital in Idlib province. International humanitarian law says hospitals and health care personnel must be protected, Colville said. (Reporting by Stephanie Nebehay; editing by Angus MacSwan) By Orhan Coskun and Daren Butler ANKARA/ISTANBUL (Reuters) - Turkey's military shelled Kurdish militia targets in northern Syria on Saturday and Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu demanded that the group withdraw from the area in a move that further complicated the conflict across the NATO member's border. The shelling took place after Kurdish YPG fighters backed by Russian bombing raids drove Syrian rebels from a former military air base, south of the town of Azaz and near the Turkish border. "Today retaliation was taken under the rules of engagement against forces that represented a threat in Azaz and the surrounding area," the prime minister told reporters in comments shown live by state broadcaster TRT Haber. A Kurdish official said the Menagh base which was hit had been captured by the Kurdish-allied Jaysh al-Thuwwar group rather than the YPG. Both are part of the Syria Democratic Forces alliance. The shelling came amid growing anger in Ankara with the United States for supporting the YPG, which Ankara regards as a terrorist organisation, in its fight against Islamic State militants. The Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD), which backs the YPG, controls most of the Syrian side of Turkey's border and Ankara views it as an extension of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), which has waged a three-decade-old insurgency for autonomy in southeast Turkey. U.S. State Department spokesperson John Kirby urged both Turkey and the Syrian Kurds to step back, saying they should focus instead on tackling a "common threat" of Islamic State militants who control large parts of Syria. "We have urged Syrian Kurdish and other forces affiliated with the YPG not to take advantage of a confused situation by seizing new territory," Kirby said in a statement. "We have also seen reports of artillery fire from the Turkish side of the border and urged Turkey to cease such fires." Davutoglu demanded that the Menagh base be evacuated and said he had spoken to U.S. Vice President Joe Biden to make that point and stress that the PYD was an extension of the PKK and a direct threat to Turkey. "We will retaliate against every step (by the YPG)," he said after a visit to the eastern Turkish city of Erzincan. "The YPG will immediately withdraw from Azaz and the surrounding area and will not go close to it again." Turkey's disquiet has been heightened by the tens of thousands of people fleeing to the Turkish border after attacks by Russian-backed Syrian government forces, swelling refugee numbers in the area to 100,000. Turkey, which already hosts 2.6 million Syrian refugees, has kept the latest arrivals on the Syrian side of the border, in part to pressure Russia to cease its air support for Syrian government forces near the city of Aleppo. Davutoglu earlier condemned the attacks in Aleppo as "barbarity, tyranny, a war strategy conducted with a medieval mentality" and said hundreds of thousands faced the danger of starvation if a humanitarian corridor was not opened. "We will help our brothers in Aleppo with all means at our disposal. We will take those in need but we will never allow Aleppo to be emptied through an ethnic massacre," he said. NATO-member Turkey is one of Assad's most vehement critics and an ardent supporter of opposition forces. Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu was reported as saying on Saturday that Saudi Arabia would send aircraft to Turkey's Incirlik air base for the fight against Islamic State. (Reporting by Orhan Coskun and Tom Perry in Beirut; Writing by Daren Butler; Editing by Dominic Evans) ISTANBUL (Reuters) - Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu expressed dissatisfaction on Tuesday with French criticism of Turkish shelling of Kurdish YPG militia targets in Syria, diplomatic sources said. In a strong statement on Sunday, the French Foreign Ministry urged Turkey to stop bombarding Kurdish zones in Syria. The comments were rare criticism by Paris of its NATO ally, especially since France has adopted an ambiguous position towards the Syrian YPG and its political affiliate, the PYD. Cavusoglu subsequently requested a call with new French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault and spoke with him on Monday, the sources said. "Of course, we need to talk to Turkey," Ayrault told lawmakers after speaking to Cavusoglu. "But we speak to each other bluntly, including over what's happened in the last few hours." Turkish artillery returned fire "in kind" into Syria, military sources said on Tuesday, marking the fourth straight day of shelling by the Turkish military. The French Foreign Ministry said Ayrault had told his Turkish counterpart that there was a common objective to stop all bombings in Syria, and that their focus should be to strengthen cooperation against Islamic State. French diplomats have said the PYD should only be represented in Syria peace talks at the end of a political process and not at the beginning, fearing that it could splinter a wider Riyadh-backed opposition coalition and cause a Turkish backlash. However, Paris has provided military support to Kurdish groups in Syria, and this month French officials accompanied the U.S. envoy to the coalition against Islamic State, Brett McGurk, to Syria's Kurdish region. (Additional reporting by John Irish in Paris; Writing by Daren Butler; Editing by Kevin Liffey) By Stephanie Nebehay GENEVA (Reuters) - The United Nations will test the commitment of Syria's government to allow access for humanitarian aid on Wednesday, the UN Syria envoy said, indicating the world body is preparing to attempt to reach areas that have been cut off. Staffan de Mistura met Foreign Minister Walid al-Moualem twice in Damascus on Tuesday at a time when government forces have been advancing rapidly with the aid of Russian air strikes, and just days before an internationally agreed pause in fighting is due to take effect. In a statement issued after their second meeting, de Mistura said they had discussed the issue of humanitarian access to areas besieged by all sides in the five-year war. His comments implied that the world body had won governmental approval for U.N. convoys to deliver supplies to some areas, although he gave no specific details. "The access to these areas is done by convoys, coordinated by the UN country team ... It is clear it is the duty of the government of Syria to want to reach every Syrian person wherever they are and allow the UN to bring humanitarian aid, de Mistura said. "Tomorrow we test this." A U.N. aid official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Reuters: We are getting some good and positive signs from the ground... Convoys would go to different locations." U.N.-backed peace talks are scheduled to resume in Geneva on Feb. 25, after de Mistura suspended a first round earlier this month. Last Friday global powers meeting in Munich agreed to the pause in fighting in the hope that this could allow the talks to resume, but the deal does not take effect until the end of this week and was not signed by the Syrian warring parties. "We are witnessing a degradation on the ground that cannot wait," U.N. spokesman Ahmad Fawzi told a news briefing in Geneva. "The reason (de Mistura) suspended (the talks) was, as you know, that cities were still being bombed, people were still being starved on the ground." The Syrian government is meanwhile advancing in the north of the country with Russian air support. Damascus says its main objectives are to recapture Aleppo - Syria's biggest city before the war - and seal the Turkish border, lifeline of rebel-held territory for years. Those would be the biggest victories for Damascus of the war so far, and would all but end rebel hopes of overthrowing President Bashar al-Assad, the goal they have pursued since 2011 with the support of the West, Arab states and Turkey. Syria's ambassador to the UN in Geneva, Hussam Aala, said in an interview in the daily Tribune de Geneve on Tuesday: "We have done all we could to facilitate the passage of aid convoys in January and February." "The advance of the Syrian army in this region has allowed us to break the siege imposed against two towns, Nubul and al-Zahra. It opened the way for the Syrian Arab Red Crescent to deliver aid to 70,000 residents. Our objective was to cut all the supply routes for arms and for men to the terrorist groups armed by Turkey." The United Nations has reported that hospitals have been struck in northern Syria in areas where Russian and Syrian warplanes are launching air strikes as part of their advance. On Monday, Turkey accused Russia of an "obvious war crime" after missile attacks in northern Syria killed nearly 50 people. U.N. human rights spokesman Rupert Colville condemned the deadly air strikes on hospitals and schools in Idlib and Aleppo provinces, the latest in a series. "If it's deliberate, intentional targeting, then it may amount a war crime. But at this point, we're not in a position to make that judgement. Ultimately that's only a court that can make that judgment, and you need sufficient evidence," he said. "Clearly those two, both Russian and Syrian planes, are very active in this area. So obviously they should know who is responsible." International humanitarian law says hospitals and health care personnel must be protected, Colville said. "It's completely outrageous, all the norms and rules and standards on conduct of warfare have just been swept aside in Syria. Everything you can think of has been broken." (Reporting by Stephanie Nebehay; editing by Kevin Liffey, Katharine Houreld and Peter Graff) The number of OSCE monitors stationed in Donbas will grow to 800 people in late March, OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) Principal Deputy Chief Monitor Alexander Hug has said. The mission head has announced the enlargement of the monitors' number to 800 by late March, Hug told reporters in Zaitseve, Donetsk region, on Tuesday. He said the mandate allowed for the enlarging the number of monitors to 1,000, and more personnel would be stationed in the worst affected regions. For now, the mission has 13 offices, including eight in the territory controlled by the Ukrainian government, and five in the territory beyond the government's control, he said. DAMASCUS (Reuters) - Staffan de Mistura, the United Nations envoy for Syria, has arrived in Damascus and will meet Syria's foreign minister on Tuesday, a Syrian government official said. De Mistura is making the surprise visit as world powers push for a ceasefire in the Syrian conflict. He suspended peace talks in Geneva last week after only three days, but hopes to bring parties back to the negotiating table by Feb. 25. "He will be meeting (Foreign Minister Walid al-Moualem) tomorrow," a Syrian government official, who was outside of the country, told Reuters. A senior UN official confirmed that de Mistura had arrived in Syria for an unscheduled visit to "follow up on commitments made in Munich." World powers agreed in Munich on Friday to a cessation of hostilities that would let humanitarian aid be delivered in Syria. The talks in Damascus will include discussion of the resumption of peace talks set for Geneva on Feb. 25, including procedural issues, the Syrian official said. The ceasefire was scheduled to start a week later, but Syrian army offensives continue unabated across the country, backed by Russian air strikes. A recent push by Kurdish-backed forces to take territory between Aleppo and the Turkish border from Islamist and other rebel groups is further complicating the conflict. Turkey is now shelling Kurdish positions in Syria. (Additional reporting by Jonathan Landay in Washington, writing by Lisa Barrington; editing by Angus MacSwan and G Crosse) Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk was fighting for his political life on Tuesday as parliament considered holding a vote of no confidence in the government over its perceived failure to fight graft. Even President Petro Poroshenko appeared to withdraw support for the 41-year-old former banker after he reportedly told his own party members that he no longer believed his ministers' reform pledges. The risk of the Ukrainian government falling also threatens a massive IMF-led rescue package aimed at reviving the country's shattered economy and slashing its reliance on Russian financial support. Yatsenyuk was a seminal figure during Ukraine's 2014 pro-EU revolution who enraged Moscow but endeared himself to the West by promoting belt-tightening measures that could return growth to the former Soviet state. But his vows to clean up the government by cutting its ties to shadowy tycoons soon fell flat with voters who accused him of defending the interests of the very same billionaires he had vowed to sideline. A former lawmaker accused a close Yatsenyuk associate in December of receiving a massive bribe for giving the Czech company Skoda the right to provide equipment for Ukraine's nuclear power plants. Yatsenyuk dismissed the charges but was unable to shed the shadow of corruption that has trailed him ever since. Recent opinion polls show 70 percent of Ukrainians supporting Yatsenyuk's dismissal and only one percent backing his People's Front parliamentary bloc. "People expected real and quick changes from Yatsenyuk, and they did not come," political analyst Mykola Davydyuk told AFP. The prime minister appeared to have been dealt another blow when Poroshenko reportedly told his party members at a meeting Monday that they were free to vote for Yatsenyuk's dismissal if they wished. "I am not going to put pressure on you," Poroshenko ally Sergiy Leshchenko quoted the president as saying. - Western aid under threat - "When ministers tell television channels about the government's successes, even I do not believe him," Leshchenko further quoted him as saying. Parliamentary procedure requires at least 150 deputies in the 450-seat chamber to sign a petition to put a vote of no confidence on the agenda. That number is likely to be exceeded because most members of Ukraine's existing coalition now back Yatsenyuk's ouster. Deputies will then need to collect 226 votes to dismiss the government and propose a new prime minister. Poroshenko will have the right to call snap legislative elections if parliament fails to form a new coalition and agree on a prime ministerial nomination within two months. Yatsenyuk assumed office in February 2014 -- just weeks before Russia's annexation of Crimea and the bloody pro-Moscow revolt in eastern Ukraine that followed. His resolute commitment to the European Union helped persuade the IMF to cobble together a $40-billion (35.8-billion-euro) economic rescue package aimed at cementing Kiev's new westward tilt. But the political uncertainty that has riven the country since this month's resignation of its reformist economy minister and a top prosecutor over their alleged inability to fight state graft threatens to put that assistance on hold. IMF chief Christine Lagarde warned last week that it was "hard to see" how the bailout could continue without Ukraine pushing through the economic restructuring and anti-corruption measures it had signed on to when the package was agreed. Economists said funding of around $4 billion in IMF and other Western aid that Ukraine was expecting in January were almost certainly going to be delayed. "If the government is quickly changed and filled with technocrats, there is a chance we can quickly emerge from this crisis," Dragon Capital investment company economist Olena Bilan told AFP. "But if politicians are appointed, then we might see reforms rolled back. The crisis will end, but the country will not move forward." Ukraine's embattled Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk survived a no confidence vote in his government Tuesday that came just hours after the president asked him to stand down. The motion to oust the pro-Western government leader collected only 194 of a required 226 votes in Ukraine's 450-seat parliament. President Petro Poroshenko had earlier asked Yatsenyuk to resign because he had lost the public's trust in his ability to fight corruption and overcome Ukraine's deep economic malaise. Recent opinion polls show 70 percent of Ukrainians supporting Yatsenyuk's ouster and only one percent backing his People's Front parliamentary bloc. But Yatsenyuk put up a stiff defence of his record, in a passionate address to lawmakers delivered shortly before the vote. "We saved this country and I want you to respect that," Yatsenyuk said. The 41-year-old former banker has been in office since Urkaine's dramatic February 2014 revolution ousted the ex-Soviet country's Russian-backed leader and set it on a westward course. He was credited with helping negotiate Ukraine's massive Western financial rescue package that helped bolster the government while it was fighting a brutal pro-Russian revolt in the country's separatist east. "Dear deputies: we now have a country with full state coffers, an armed Ukrainian army, written-off debts, and paid salaries and pensions," Yatsenyuk said. "We will hand over the country to a new government with honour and dignity," he concluded before parliament decided to keep him in office. The human gut is a complex and amazing system, and the more we learn about it, the more amazed we are. It turns out Research OECD: Teacher Professionalism Needs Improvement Worldwide Teachers in Europe tend to have a higher level of autonomy than teachers in East Asian countries, the Middle East and Latin America. However, education systems in East Asian countries are more likely to emphasize peer networking. Yet both regions of the world have higher-scoring and lower-scoring PISA countries. In other words, there are no hard and fast rules for figuring out what makes for a quality teaching force, which is a problem especially for those schools that could most benefit from them. That's the overall finding of a new international study put out by the Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD) that examines "teacher professionalism." OECD is the same organization that runs the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), a triennial international survey that attempts to evaluate education systems worldwide. The point of the more recent research project was to look at three basic questions: What does teacher professionalism look like around the world? How do activities related to teacher professionalism affect educator job satisfaction and commitment to teaching? And how does the overall composition of students in a school affect teacher professionalism and their satisfaction with the job? The results aren't purely academic. A report of results suggested that the way that teachers are supported can influence their satisfaction with their present employers. And the practices that support strong teacher professionalism are particularly beneficial in schools with a high population of students who are "socio-economically disadvantaged," are second-language learners or have other special needs. "Teachers in such schools can face many challenges that are unfamiliar to teachers in well-performing, low needs schools," Analyst Katarzyna Kubacka wrote in a blog article about the report. Kubacka, who served on the TALIS research team, noted that, "Unfortunately, practices to support teacher professionalism are, in many countries, less frequent in high than in low needs schools. This is a missed opportunity to provide a boost to teachers in challenging situations, particularly because the positive relationship between teacher professionalism and job satisfaction is amplified in high needs schools." The report is based on a survey of teachers and principals in 34 countries and economies around the world as well as data collection from "an additional four systems" that took place after the original data collection. The researchers defined teacher professionalism as covering three domains: A knowledge base that includes the necessary knowledge for teaching, including pre-service formal education, support for in-service professional learning and practitioner research, among other best practices; Autonomy or the teachers' decision-making abilities related to their work (asked not of the teachers themselves but of the principals they report to), such as curriculum choices, learning materials and course content; and Peer networks to provide opportunities for information exchange and support, including such practices as participation in a formal induction program and development of a professional development plan. For the sake of "scoring" teacher professionalism in each country or world region, the researchers calculated the "average number of best practices" that teachers enjoyed in those study areas. Among the overall findings worldwide: Teachers have more support for pre-service education than in-service professional development; Teachers are least likely to get financial support for in-service professional development outside of working hours; Of the five areas of possible autonomy (content, course offerings, discipline practices, assessment and materials), teachers overall have the most say over what materials are used in their courses and considerably less in the other areas; Most peer networking comes in the form of direct observations by peers and supervisors rather than participation in a PD network or formal induction program; and Primary and lower secondary teachers (those teaching students ages 12-15) are more likely to participate in a pre-service education program than upper secondary teachers (working with students ages 16-18); yet the latter group is more likely to have higher levels of autonomy. Although scores for the United States were included in two areas of the report for "information purposes," because it didn't meet "international participation rates," it was left out of the bulk of the research results. That said, what the report shared about the United States exposes some definite gaps. According to the researchers, more than 9 in 10 (95 percent) teachers have participated in teacher education programs; yet only two-thirds (65 percent) get release time for professional learning and only 4 in 10 (41 percent) participate in research. As with teachers globally, the biggest area of autonomy appears to be control over materials (61 percent). Only 1 in 4 has say over discipline practices (27 percent) or assessments (26 percent). While nearly every American teacher (97 percent) receives feedback from direct observation, only half (47 percent) participate in teacher networks. While the report shrinks from making "any assumptions about what policies will work best in any one education system," the researchers do put forth four recommendations for supporting teacher professionalism: Require teachers to participate in pre-service formal teacher education programs; Expand induction and mentoring programs; Support teachers in conducting classroom-based individual or collaborative research; and Encourage teachers to participate in networking with other teachers. These are especially "beneficial," researchers reported, in schools with high concentrations of students in need. "One of the best investments [high needs] schools can make in increasing teacher satisfaction is providing practices that support teacher professionalism." As Kubacka explained, "By supporting these practices, stakeholders can build a teaching force that is more professional, happier and more confident. The results might not be seen in a teacher's appearance, but definitely in the quality of the teaching and learning." The report is available for viewing online. The primary page for the research project is on the OECD Web site. By Francois Murphy SPIELFELD, Austria (Reuters) - Austria will introduce quotas to limit the flow of migrants onto its territory and is preparing crowd-control measures at up to a dozen additional crossings in case a bottleneck prompts a shift in peoples' movements, it said on Tuesday. Countries between Austria and Greece on the migrants' main route into Europe, through the Balkans and towards Germany, were also progressively tightening their border restrictions, creating a "domino effect", government officials said. "We have reached our capacity in various areas and must apply the brakes step by step," Interior Minister Johanna Mikl-Leitner told a news conference at the country's busiest crossing, at Spielfeld, on the border with Slovenia. "There will be a daily quota and an hourly quota and, as soon as these are reached, we will stop (letting people through)," she said, adding that Germany has used a similar system on its border with Austria for months. That system has caused backlogs and delays in Austria. A similar outcome was to be expected in Slovenia, Mikl-Leitner said, adding that preparations would be made at a dozen additional border crossings, including the vital Brenner connection with Italy, for greater restrictions if necessary. She declined to say how large the quotas would be. Austria has mainly been a corridor into Germany for the hundreds of thousands of people, many of them Syrian refugees, who have reached its territory since the two countries threw open their borders to them in September. Austria and Germany have taken in a similar number of asylum seekers in proportion to their populations, a much larger share than most in Europe but still a far smaller burden than Syria's neighbours Lebanon and Jordan. With concerns about the influx fuelling support for the far right in Austria, the country's coalition government has grown increasingly impatient with the slow progress of European measures aimed at addressing the continent's migration crisis. "My impression is that a European solution will not be possible at least in the short term and possibly also in the medium term," Defence Minister Hans Peter Doskozil told the joint news conference with Mikl-Leitner in Spielfeld. "We must act now," he added. Mikl-Leitner said preparations would be made at a dozen crossings in addition to Spielfeld for measures to manage larger numbers of arrivals if necessary. Those could include a fence like the 4-km (2.5-mile) one there, she added. The Brenner crossing with Italy is one of those 12, Mikl-Leitner said, adding that efforts would be made to limit any effect on traffic. The highway there is one of the busiest commercial thoroughfares between Italy and northern Europe. Austria has already said it will halve asylum applications from 2015, and last week Foreign Minister Sebastian Kurz told Macedonia to be ready to "completely stop" the flow of migrants across its southern border, adding that Austria would soon do the same. (Additional reporting by Kirsti Knolle in Vienna and Steve Scherer in Rome; Editing by Alison Williams) Bahraini prosecutors have released four US journalists accused of illegal gathering, pending a further investigation. The four, award-winning reporter Anna Therese Day and three members of her camera crew, have been charged with illegal assembling with intent to commit a crime, prosecutors said in a statement. Despite the charges against them, they have been permitted to fly out of the country, according to a lawyer. Bahraini police said the reporters were detained on Sunday for providing "false information" in order to enter the country as tourists. An interior ministry statement alleged one of the four was also seen "wearing a mask and participating in attacks on police". However a friend of Ms Day of Boise, Idaho, said the journalists were simply doing their job and denied they took part in any "illegal behaviour." The reporters were said to be on the island covering the anniversary of Bahrain's 2011 uprising - the largest of the Arab Spring wave of demonstrations. Reporters Without Borders condemned their detention, calling on Bahraini authorities to release them "rapidly and without harm". The organisation described Ms Day and her crew as experienced journalists, who most recently worked on virtual reality documentaries in Egypt and Gaza. Bahrain requires international journalists to obtain special media visas before entering Bahrain to work. The country is considered a US ally and is home to the US Navy's 5th Fleet. Bahrain's uprising was driven by the country's Shia majority, who demanded greater political rights from the Sunni-led monarchy. Some low-level unrest continues five years on, particularly in Shia communities. From the NATO point of view, the conflict between Russia and Turkey has been provoked by the repeated trespassing of the Turkish airspace by Russian military planes, NATO Special Representative for the Caucasus and Central Asia James Appathurai said in Baku on Tuesday. He said that Russian military planes violated the Turkish airspace several times, despite the repeating warnings. The NATO secretary general has urged the sides to resolve problems and to reduce bilateral tensions, he said. NATO and Turkey made statements, saying that Russia should stop violating the Turkish airspace, Appathurai said. NATO heads and all of the countries of the alliance want to achieve greater transparency and to reduce risks throughout the Euro-Atlantic space, he said. The level of military activity in the region is obviously very high, Appathurai said, primarily pointing the finger at Russia. South Korea should acquire "peaceful" nuclear weapons and missiles to combat the threat posed by the North, a senior ruling party politician has said. Won Yoo-chul, floor leader for the ruling Saenuri party, said Seoul needed the "peaceful" weapons to deter Pyongyang from using its "fearful and self-destructive" ones. His comments came amid concerns in South Korea over rising tensions with the North, which was internationally condemned earlier this month for violating United Nations Security Council resolutions after launching a long-range rocket. It claimed the launch was part of its space exploration programme, but most of the world viewed it as a disguised ballistic missile test. Just weeks earlier Pyongyang tested its fourth nuclear device which it alleged was a hydrogen bomb, although that claim was widely disputed. Mr Won said South Korea, which currently does not have its own nuclear weapons, should not just rely on the US to deter North Korea. He said Seoul should either be independent from Washington's so-called nuclear umbrella of protection or should consider stationing US tactical weapons in South Korea once again. "We can't borrow umbrellas from next-door every time it rains. We should wear a raincoat of our own," Mr Won said. His calls for an independent nuclear weapons programme have widespread public support, particularly at times of surging tensions with the North. A poll of 1,000 people released on Monday by the JoongAng Ilbo newspaper showed 67.7% favoured South Korea having its own nuclear weapons. On Sunday, a poll by the Yonhap news agency put that figure at 54.8%. Nevertheless, Defence Minister Han Min-koo confirmed on Monday that Seoul was not considering acquiring nuclear weapons. South Korean President Park Geun-hye, who has been criticised by opposition liberals for failing to come up with a clear strategy to deal with the security threat, is due to address parliament on the issue on Tuesday. Story continues Meanwhile, China's foreign ministry has called on the US and North Korea to hold face-to-face talks to address the rising tensions following the latest rocket test. "We urge the United States and North Korea to sit down and have communications and negotiations, to explore ways to resolve each other's reasonable concerns and finally reach the goal we all want reached," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei told a news briefing. Numerous efforts to restart talks have failed since previous negotiations collapsed in 2008. By Agustinus Beo Da Costa and Kanupriya Kapoor JAKARTA (Reuters) - Indonesia has drawn up plans for tougher anti-terrorism laws following last month's militant attack on the capital, including detention without trial for up to three months compared with a week now, government sources told Reuters on Tuesday. The proposals are likely to draw fire from human rights activists, who have warned against jeopardising hard-won freedoms over nearly two decades since the end of authoritarian president Suharto's rule. However, officials anticipate little opposition in parliament to the legislation, which would not be as strict as counter-terrorism laws passed in recent years by neighbours Australia and Malaysia. President Joko Widodo's government moved quickly to reform the country's 2003 anti-terrorism law after Jan. 14, when four men attacked Jakarta's business district with guns and explosives. Islamic State claimed responsibility for the assault, in which the militants and four others died. Details of the overhaul have been kept confidential, but two government sources with direct knowledge of the draft law said it would broaden the definition of terrorism and make it easier to both arrest and detain suspects. The sources declined to be named because the legislation, which could be passed within the next few months, is still under consideration by parliament, where Widodo enjoys strong cross-party support. "The new definition of terrorism includes the possession, distribution and trade of any weapons ... or potential material that can be used as weapons for terrorism acts," said one. EVIDENCE IN COURT The maximum period allowed for detention without trial will be lifted to 90 days and for preventive detention to 120 days, both from a current limit of one week. The law will also allow authorities to target anyone who recruits members for, or cooperates with a militant group, and to use electronic communications, intelligence reports and financial transactions as evidence in court against suspects. Indonesians who have joined militant training or participated in terrorist acts in a foreign country will be stripped of their citizenship. Security officials say about 500 Indonesians have travelled to Syria and Iraq to join the radical group Islamic State and they estimate that about one in five of these has returned, although most did not see frontline combat. Over the past two months, Indonesian counter-terrorism forces have arrested dozens of men suspected of plotting attacks on government targets and major landmarks, and last week seven men were jailed for being sympathisers of Islamic State. But police have long complained that even when they are aware of radical activities, they are unable to detain known militants unless they threaten or actually carry out an attack. The new law will allow the arrest of people merely "if they assemble to discuss terrorist and radical acts". The International Commission of Jurists last month urged the government not to undermine the process of justice by making it easier for authorities to arrest people irrespective of whether there is sufficient evidence of criminal activity. OTHERS ARE MORE STRICT Elsewhere in the region, counter-terrorism measures have been more far-reaching. Malaysia last April reintroduced a law under which individuals can be detained without trial for up to two years with two-year extensions thereafter. Australia has in recent years passed measures banning its citizens from returning from conflict zones in Syria and the Middle East, while making it easier to monitor domestic communications. Indonesia has the world's largest population of Muslims and the vast majority of its 250 million people practise a moderate form of Islam. However, the Southeast Asian country saw a spate of attacks in the 2000s, the deadliest of which was a nightclub bombing on the resort island of Bali that killed 202 people. Police have been largely successful in destroying domestic militant cells since then, but officials have grown increasingly concerned about a resurgence inspired by Islamic State and officials say homegrown radicals are regrouping. Security experts say one problem is that high-security prisons have become breeding grounds for militants, with radical clerics being able to preach and communicate with followers from behind bars. The government sources said one of the legislative changes proposed involves segregating prisoners convicted of terrorism from other inmates to minimise radicalisation in prisons. Terrorism convicts will also be separated into three categories: masterminds or those involved in planning attacks, those involved in executing plans, and followers. (Writing by Kanupriya Kapoor; Editing by John Chalmers and Mike Collett-White) By Tim Hepher and Siva Govindasamy SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Aerospace leaders gathering for this week's Singapore Airshow face conflicting pressures as they juggle growing concerns over jetliner demand while keeping record production plans on track. Worries about the effects of a faltering global economy and tensions in the South China Sea overshadow the two-yearly event in Singapore, which is both a major commercial travel hub and home to Southeast Asias most potent and best-trained air force. For now, airline traffic continues to grow rapidly, spurred by continued growth in Asian household incomes, while airline profits also benefit from low oil prices. But as aerospace industry shares fall in step with tumbling global markets, analysts increasingly question the durability of an aerospace expansion cycle now in an unprecedented eighth year. After a lacklustre show in Dubai in November, the industry's expo bandwagon rolls into the crucial Southeast Asian region without the carnival atmosphere of previous years. "All the thoughts that this is no longer a cyclical industry have disappeared. We are due for a down-cycle," said aerospace consultant Jerrold Lundquist, managing director of The Lundquist Group."(But) I don't think there will be any impact in the next 18-24 months. It is when you get beyond 24 months that you might see some softening." Southeast Asia is one of the industry's major drivers and has placed record orders in recent years, leading to speculation of overcapacity. Some carriers, including Philippine Airlines, are expected to acquire new aircraft this week. But rather than counting up new orders, analysts say investors' main concern this week will be to check for signs of waning travel or jetliner demand and whether an overloaded supply chain is in danger of breaking as manufacturers work to turn a record backlog of orders into a smooth flow of deliveries. "We will be keeping a close eye on traffic this year to see if we can detect emerging signs of weakness," said Rob Morris, head of consultancy at UK-based Flightglobal Ascend. Doubts over economic conditions have not stopped Airbus and Boeing pursuing a battle of wits over new designs. Airbus, anxious to close the gap between its new 369-seat A350-1000 and the 406-seat Boeing 777X, is seeking an influential champion such as Singapore Airlines for a potential bigger version of its A350 series, industry sources said. Boeing has said it will decide soon on a potential new "mid-market" jet with about 240 seats to retrieve lost market share for relatively small jets - a project that could lead to a small twin-aisle jet with an unusual, oval-shaped cross-section. Industry experts will scour comments out of Singapore from both manufacturers for clues to what products they intend to launch ahead of July's premier aviation event at Farnborough, southwest of London, coinciding with Boeing's centenary. Defence remains at the forefront of the Singapore show, amid growing tensions over Chinese maritime and territorial claims that compete with those of several Southeast Asian nations. A number of regional states are looking into ways to beef up their fighter fleets and to boost their intelligence gathering, surveillance and reconnaissance capability. Intense competition to provide maritime surveillance equipment may also characterise the event, along with a significant presence of Western and Asian unmanned aircraft. At a pre-show gathering on Monday, airline executives will debate the economy, threats to airliner safety from drones, and efforts to cut jet emissions after the Paris climate summit. (Reporting by Tim Hepher; Additional reporting by Anshuman Daga, Alwyn Scott; Editing by Eric Meijer) ATHENS (Reuters) - Greece said on Tuesday it had set up four out of five proposed registration centres for refugees, drafting in the army to help, after criticism from its European Union peers it was not doing enough to stem Europe's chaotic influx of migrants. Last week, EU ministers gave Greece three months to fulfil 50 recommendations to fix its borders. If it does not, the EU members of the free-travel Schengen zone can impose checks on internal frontiers for up to two years. The Greek government drafted in the army last month to ensure the five registration centres and two relocation camps on the mainland were completed on time. The registration centres are set up on the "hotspot" islands of Samos, Lesbos, Chios, Kos and Leros near the Turkish coast, where migrants leaving Turkey tend to arrive. All but the centre on Kos is now ready, and that one will be ready in five days, after opposition from island residents. Two disused military camps on the mainland will operate as relocation centres, each with a capacity to house up to 4,000 people. "It was a rather difficult operation," Greek Defence Minister Panos Kammenos, leader of the co-ruling Independent Greeks party, told journalists. Greece, the main entry point into Europe for more than a million refugees and migrants since last year, has come under fire for failing to control the influx through the sea border it shares with Turkey. Athens says numbers are too big to handle, that it cannot turn back boatloads of refugees and migrants into the sea, and that Turkey do more to stop the migrants at its shores. Some residents of Kos protested putting a registration centre on the island, saying it would hurt tourism. Scuffles have broken out between protesters and police on the island in recent weeks. (Reporting By Karolina Tagaris, editing by Larry King) Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has asked Prosecutor General of Ukraine Viktor Shokin to resign. "This morning I have met and had a serious conversation with the prosecutor general. I have suggested Viktor Mykolayovych [Shokin] should write a letter of resignation," the president said in a statement to the nation made public on Tuesday. Poroshenko highly praised Shokin's achievements as prosecutor general but at the same time noted that society lacks confidence in the Prosecutor General's Office. "Viktor Shokin has introduced reforms that the Ukrainian Prosecutor General's Office had resisted for decades, including the deprivation of prosecutors of general supervisory functions, the establishment of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau and the State Investigations Bureau, and so on. It's on the one hand. On the other, the Prosecutor General's Office has unfortunately been unable to win society's confidence. And this is precisely why the prosecutor general's resignation is on the agenda," he said. Shokin was appointed Ukrainian prosecutor general in February 2015. By Tom Miles GENEVA (Reuters) - A U.N. expert on human rights in North Korea has asked the United Nations to officially notify North Korean leader Kim Jong Un that he may be investigated for crimes against humanity. A landmark 2014 report on North Korean human rights, co-authored by Marzuki Darusman, concluded that North Korean security chiefs and possibly Kim himself should face justice for overseeing a system of Nazi-style atrocities. Pyongyang has consistently brushed off the allegations and rejected any responsibility for human rights violations. In a report to the U.N. Human Rights Council, Darusman recommended that the Council arrange an official communication, sent directly to Kim and signed by Darusman or U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad al-Hussein. "(It should) advise him and other senior leaders that they may be investigated and, if found to be responsible, held accountable for crimes against humanity committed under their leadership," Darusman wrote. His report, dated Jan. 19 but published on Monday, also said three experts should be appointed to find the best legal path to hold North Korea to account and find "creative and practical" ways to establish the truth and ensure justice for victims. Darusman stressed the importance of using the International Criminal Court but said it was "able to handle only the uppermost leadership". Only the U.N. Security Council can involve the court, but North Korea's sole ally, China, a veto-wielding member of the top U.N. body, has repeatedly rejected calls for the Security Council to tackle human rights in North Korea. However, China said on Friday it would back a U.N. resolution to make North Korea "pay the necessary price" for recent North Korean rocket launches, with the aim of bringing Pyongyang back to the negotiating table. Darusman's report, which will be considered by the Human Rights Council next month, said the human rights situation in North Korea did not appear to have improved. However, he said that last September North Korea had invited Zeid to visit and expressed interest in continuing discussions on technical assistance from the U.N. human rights office. (Reporting by Tom Miles; Editing by Mark Heinrich) By Ercan Gurses and Suleiman Al-Khalidi KIEV/BEIRUT (Reuters) - Turkey on Monday accused Russia of an "obvious war crime" after missile attacks in northern Syria killed scores of people, and warned Kurdish militia fighters there they would face the "harshest reaction" if they tried to capture a town near the Turkish border. An offensive supported by Russian bombing and Iranian-backed Shi'ite militias has brought the Syrian army to within 25 km (15 miles) of Turkey's frontier. The Kurdish YPG militia - which Turkey regards as a hostile insurgent force - has exploited the situation, seizing ground from Syrian rebels to extend its presence along the border. Almost 50 civilians were killed when missiles hit at least five medical facilities and two schools in rebel-held areas of Syria on Monday, according to the United Nations, which called the attacks a blatant violation of international law. At least 14 were killed in the northern town of Azaz, the last rebel stronghold before the border with Turkey, when missiles hit a children's hospital and a school sheltering refugees, a medic and two residents said. Missiles also hit a hospital in the town of Marat Numan in the province of Idlib, south of Aleppo. Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said a Russian missile had hit the buildings and that many civilians including children had been killed. Turkey's foreign ministry accused Russia of carrying out an "obvious war crime." But Russian Health Minister Veronika Skvortsova said Russian air strikes were targeting Islamic State infrastructure and she had no reason to believe that Russian planes had bombed civilian sites in Idlib. "We are confident that (there is) no way could it be done by our defence forces. This contradicts our ideology," she said in Geneva. Syria's ambassador to Russia said U.S. war planes were responsible. White House national security adviser Susan Rice on Monday condemned in the "strongest terms" the intensified bombing of northern Syria, adding that it ran counter to commitments to reduce hostilities made by major powers last week in Munich. The Syrian civil war, reshaped by Russia's intervention last September, has gone into an even higher gear since the United Nations sought to revive peace talks. The talks in Geneva were suspended earlier this month before they got off the ground. World powers agreed in Munich on Friday to a cessation of hostilities in Syria to allow humanitarian aid to be delivered, but the deal does not take effect until the end of this week and was not signed by any warring parties. Turkey shelled YPG positions for a third straight day on Monday to try to stop its fighters seizing Azaz, just 8 km from the border. Ankara fears the Kurdish militia, backed by Russia, is trying to secure the last stretch of around 100 km along the Syrian border not already under its control. "We will not allow Azaz to fall," Davutoglu told reporters on his plane on the way to Ukraine. "If they approach again they will see the harshest reaction," he said. The standoff has increased the risk of direct confrontation between Russia and NATO member Turkey. U.N ENVOY IN DAMASCUS U.N. Syria envoy Staffan de Mistura made a surprise visit to Damascus on Monday and will hold talks with Syria's foreign minister on Tuesday, a Syrian government official told Reuters. A senior UN official later confirmed that de Mistura had arrived in Syria for an unscheduled visit to "follow up on commitments made in Munich." But in a further clouding of the Munich deal, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said on Monday that any ceasefire did not mean each side had to stop using weapons, and that nobody was capable of securing the conditions for one within a week. At a news conference in Kiev, Turkey's prime minister doubted Russia's commitment to any deal to cease hostilities, pointing to comments from Moscow that it would continue its air strikes regardless. "They want to have just two options in front of the international community: Daesh or Assad," Davutoglu said, using an Arabic acronym for Islamic State. Turkey is enraged by the expansion of Kurdish influence in northern Syria, fearing it will encourage separatist ambitions among its own restive Kurds. Ankara considers the YPG a terrorist group. Davutoglu said Turkey would make the Menagh air base north of the city of Aleppo "unusable" if the YPG, which seized it over the weekend from Syrian insurgents, did not withdraw. Turkish Defence Minister Ismet Yilmaz said Ankara was not considering sending troops to Syria, according to the state-run Anadolu Agency. Syria's rebels, some backed by the United States, Turkey and their allies, say the YPG is fighting with the Syrian military and its backers - including Russia - against them in the five-year-old civil war. The YPG denies this. South of Azaz, the Kurdish-backed Syria Democratic Forces (SDF) alliance, of which the YPG is a member, took around 70 percent of the town of Tal Rifaat, according to the Syrian Observatory, which monitors the war. HOSPITALS HIT Tens of thousands have fled to Azaz from towns and villages where there is heavy fighting between the Syrian army and militias. "We have been moving scores of screaming children from the hospital," said medic Juma Rahal, following the missile strikes. At least two children were killed and ambulances ferried scores of injured people to Turkey for treatment, he said. French charity Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) said seven people were killed and at least eight staff were missing after missiles hit a hospital in the province of Idlib, west of Aleppo, in a separate incident. "The author of the strike is clearly ... either the government or Russia," MSF president Mego Terzian said. (Additional reporting by Lisa Barrington in Beirut, Humeyra Pamuk in Istanbul, Tulay Karadeniz, Orhan Coskun and Ece Toksabay in Ankara, Stephanie Nebehay in Geneva, Jack Stubbs in Moscow; writing by Nick Tattersall and G Crosse; editing by David Dolan, Giles Elgood and Pravin Char) LIMA (Reuters) - Peru's electoral board on Tuesday left the question of whether "outsider" presidential hopeful Julio Guzman - now seen as the biggest threat to front-runner Keiko Fujimori - will be able to participate in April elections. Guzman has rapidly risen to second place, but allegations that his centrist party failed to comply with technical electoral rules last year threaten to upend his bid. In an ambiguous statement, the National Jury of Elections reaffirmed its previous move to bar the registration of Guzman's party, but said a separate electoral body would determine if Guzman can run for president. Several lawyers said the board's decision would likely force the Special Jury of Elections to reject Guzman as a presidential candidate. Others said the constitutional right to participate in elections should trump any relatively minor violations. Guzman interpreted the electoral board's 3-2 move to reject the appeal he filed last week as a victory. "Our campaign continues!" Guzman said after emerging from a tent in front of the headquarters of the National Jury of Elections where had been camped out with supporters. Guzman said he would continue his legal push to stay in the race and called for a national march to back him up. He has previously vowed to take his fight "to the ultimate consequences." Guzman, 45, has tapped a well of support from Peruvians hoping to vote for someone new in a race dominated by well-known but unpopular politicians. Campaigning on promises to take the country back from a corrupt political establishment, Guzman was seen in a recent Datum Internacional poll as virtually tied with Fujimori in a likely June runoff, a first for any of her rivals. Fujimori, the rightwing populist daughter of jailed ex-president Alberto Fujimori, enjoys a double-digit lead over Guzman and others for the April 10 election but is not expected to garner enough votes to win outright. The electoral board said earlier this month that Guzman's party broke several rules, including modifying its own statutes in an assembly without enough advance notice, that merited disqualification. Guzman has accused the board of acting in the interest of other candidates, which it has denied. Guzman, unknown to most months ago, is an economist and former official in the government of President Ollanta Humala. Humala cannot run for a second consecutive term and the ruling party candidate is trailing in polls. (Reporting by Mitra Taj and Marco Aquino; Editing by Lisa Shumaker) By Philip Pullella and David Alire Garcia MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Pope Francis launched a broadside against endemic corruption on Saturday on his first visit to Mexico as pontiff, calling on President Enrique Pena Nieto and his government to combat it. Corruption is deeply ingrained in Mexico, and Pena Nieto, his wife and finance minister have all been embroiled in conflict of interest scandals involving homes purchased from government contractors. The pope also exhorted Mexico's bishops to take a more active stand against the drug trade, which he said "devours like a metastasis." He told them to make it clear to drug dealers that they could not consider themselves good Catholics if their hands were "drenched in blood, but pockets filled with sordid money and their consciences deadened." Drug-trafficking gangs have infiltrated police forces across the country and more than 100,000 people have been killed in drug violence over the last decade. Some 26,000 are missing. "Experience teaches us that each time we seek the path of privilege or benefits for a few to the detriment of the good of all, sooner or later the life of society becomes a fertile soil for corruption, the drug trade, the exclusion of different cultures, violence and also human trafficking, kidnapping and death," the pope said in a speech to Pena Nieto, the government and foreign diplomats. He said Mexico's leaders have a "particular duty" to move past corruption and violence and work for the collective good. Speaking in his native Spanish before bishops inside the city's main cathedral, the Argentine-born pontiff urged religious leaders to do more to help migrants, "pouring balm on their injured feet" through social and charity programs. "Brothers, may your hearts be capable of following these men and women and reaching them beyond the borders," he said, calling on Mexico's Church to strengthen its ties to the U.S. episcopate. The pope has made migration one of the central issues of his papacy, and is due to end his visit to Mexico in the notorious northern border city of Ciudad Juarez, where he will meet relatives of victims of violence. MASS AT VIRGIN OF GUADALUPE From the U.S. border to the indigenous south, Francis will visit some of Mexico's poorest and most violent corners on his five-day trip. Mexico is the world's second most populous Roman Catholic country and hundreds of thousands of people are expected to join the pope on Saturday afternoon in a Mass at Mexico City's basilica for the country's patroness, the Virgin of Guadalupe. "'Don't be afraid,' that is what she tells me," the pope said ahead of his visit, adding that he wanted to reflect silently in front of her image. Carrying pictures of the pope and the Virgin of Guadalupe, and wrapped up against the winter chill, thousands converged on Mexico Citys historic center as the pope addressed the government at the presidential palace. "This country needs his blessing. Were really struggling with corrupt politicians, unemployment and drug gangs, and everyone knows it," said Juanita Lopez, a 58-year-old maid, as she walked to the Zocalo, the capitals main square, clutching a rosary. The pope earlier this month urged Mexicans to fight against corruption and brutal drug gang violence. Some Mexicans are looking to him to take that even further while he's here. During his visit, the pope will say Mass with indigenous communities in Mexico's poorest state Chiapas, and speak with young people in Morelia, the capital of Michoacan state that has been plagued by violence between drug gangs and armed vigilante groups. In Juarez, he will also visit a prison. In a reminder of Mexico's corruption and violence, 49 people were killed in a fight between rival gangs in a prison just days before the pope's arrival. (With reporting by Christine Murray, Anahi Rama and Lizbeth Diaz; Writing by Simon Gardner; Editing by Anna Yukhananov, Kieran Murray and Mary Milliken) ALMATY (Reuters) - Russia plans to reduce troop numbers at its military base in Tajikistan, a Russian defence ministry spokesman said on Thursday, another move that suggests its political influence in the Central Asian country and wider region may be waning. The surprise development comes less than two months after Russia pulled back a motor rifle regiment from an area close to the Afghan border, which it said it had wanted to reinforce, to Dushanbe, the Tajik capital. The decision to cut troop numbers -- whether voluntary or not -- will be seen as a setback for Russia, which is facing increasingly tough competition from the United States and China for diplomatic supremacy in Central Asia, whose strategic location and natural resources make it a prize. A Russia-based spokesman for the Central Military District said the Russian military group in Tajikistan, a former Soviet republic, would be scaled down to become a brigade rather than a division. "In plain language, its headcount will decline slightly, but its mobility and ability to react quickly to any situations will improve," the spokesman said by phone, without providing any exact figures or a timeline for the move. The move could point to tensions between Moscow and Dushanbe. There is little evidence of a public disagreement but Western diplomats and analysts say Imomali Rakhmon, the Tajik president, has long been uneasy about Russia's military presence. Sharply lower remittances from Tajik workers in Russia due to the economic crisis there mean Dushanbe may feel less obliged to accommodate the Russian military, they say. With up to 7,000 troops, the Russian military group in Tajikistan is Moscow biggest army base abroad. In December, it withdrew one of its regiments from the city of Kulyab, located 42 kilometres from the Afghan border, to the capital Dushanbe, about 200 kilometres further away. That also ran counter to previous statements. Russia has said it wants to beef up, not weaken, its military presence in Tajikistan in order to guard against a possible overspill of Islamic extremists into the former Soviet Union. The two countries had announced a deal that would have eventually increased Russian troop strength to 9,000. Tajik Foreign Minister Sirodjidin Aslov said on Thursday Russia remained Tajikistan's strategic partner and that Dushanbe supported Moscow's military operation in Syria, according to Tajik state news agency Khovar. He did not mention the troop reduction plans. (Reporting by Olzhas Auyezov; Editing by Jon Boyle) Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has called for a complete reboot of the government of Ukraine, but said that it should be conducted based on the current coalition with the participation of the People's Front. "We have missed the moment for the partial renewal of the Cabinet of Ministers. It was talked about too much and was finally shelved. Now the demand is obvious for a full reboot of the government. The prime minister still has an opportunity to decide on the best way to give space for this aspiration to be realized," Poroshenko said in his address to the nation published on the presidential website on Tuesday. "The total reformatting of the Cabinet of Ministers must be performed on the basis of the current coalition that includes the Solidarity, the People's Front, Samopomich, and Batkivschyna. I particularly address the People's Front and its leaders with whom we go way back shoulder to shoulder and whom I have seen and will see in future as people with the same views and my political partners," Poroshenko said. DAKAR (Reuters) - Senegal's President Macky Sall said on Tuesday he will complete a seven-year mandate that runs until 2019, ditching a promise made during his election campaign to cut the term to five years. Senegal is viewed as a bulwark of democracy in Africa, and that pledge would have brought it into line it with former colonial power France at a time when several other leaders across the continent have sought to extend their rule. Such actions have often triggered unrest, most recently in Burundi, where President Pierre Nkurunziza's decision to seek a third term has triggered months of violence, killing over 400 people. "The mandate currently under way will be completed in 2019," Sall said in a statement in French on state television that followed a recommendation by the country's constitutional council. He had told voters in the West African country in 2012 that he would shorten his current term by changing the constitution. While the U-turn is not expected to destabilise the country, it could prove politically costly for Sall, who is widely expected to seek a second term. "The mid-term risk is that he is seen as back-peddling on his promises and (voters) could punish him in legislative elections next year," said a Western diplomatic source. Sall said he will hold a March referendum on a package of constitutional changes, including the shorter mandate, although they will only take effect after the current term. (Reporting by Diadie Ba and Emma Farge; editing by John Stonestreet) By Jack Kim SEOUL (Reuters) - South Korean President Park Geun-hye pledged on Tuesday further "strong" measures against North Korea, after suspending operations at a jointly run industrial park as punishment for the North's recent long-range rocket launch and nuclear test. It was time to face the "uncomfortable truth" that the North would not change, Park said in comments that mark a significant reversal for a leader whose policy on Pyongyang had been based on what she'd described as "trustpolitik" that she hoped would lay the ground for eventual unification. Park said past efforts at engagement had not worked. "It has become clear that the existing approach and goodwill are not going to break the North Korean regime's nuclear development drive," she told parliament. Washington and Seoul are seeking support from Beijing, Pyongyang's main ally, for tougher sanctions against North Korea for the Feb. 7 rocket launch and January's nuclear test. "The premise of 'trustpolitik' was that the North was a partner. The president's comments in effect mean that premise was wrong. It is a complete turnabout in North Korea policy," said Hong Sung-gul, a political science professor at Kookmin University. South Korea last week suspended the operation of the Kaesong industrial zone, which had been run jointly with the North for more than a decade. The industrial park was a key source of hard currency for the impoverished North. Seoul also agreed to enter talks with Washington for deploying a missile defence system in South Korea, which China strongly opposes. "The government will take strong and effective measures for the North to come to the bone-numbing realisation that nuclear development will not help its survival but rather it will only speed up the collapse of the regime," Park said. She did not specify what the measures would involve. Seoul and Washington have said the rocket launch was in fact a long-range missile test that violated U.N. Security Council resolutions. The North said the launch was part of its scientific programme designed to launch satellites into space. RETURN TO HARD LINE Park, whose father ruled South Korea for 18 years, had set out an ambitious plan early in her single five-year term to prepare the two Koreas for unification. That, and her call for confidence-building steps between the rivals, were a departure from the hard-line policy of her predecessor, Lee Myung-bak. In a 2014 speech in Germany that became known as the "Dresden declaration", Park called for a new push for cooperation and exchange to bring the two societies closer. She hoped Germany's reunification would eventually be emulated on the Korean peninsula. Park had sought to engage the North in dialogue since then, while also responding firmly to moves by North Korea that raised tensions, including a landmine blast at the border last year that wounded two South Korean soldiers. Her top national security officials met senior aides to the North's young leader, Kim Jong Un, in August and agreed to take steps to improve ties in the most substantial diplomatic engagement since a 2007 summit between the Koreas. Those efforts have since fizzled. South Korea is now on heightened alert for any kind of "extreme actions" Pyongyang might take, Park said. South Korea's Defence Ministry has said upcoming annual joint military drills with U.S. forces would be the largest ever. Seoul has been in talks with Washington to deploy U.S. strategic assets on the Korean peninsula, such as stealth bombers and a nuclear-powered submarine. (Additional reporting by James Pearson; Editing By Paul Tait and Tony Munroe) By Gavin Jones and Giuseppe Fonte ROME (Reuters) - Italy's public finance difficulties are set to deepen as its economy weakens, and it may be punished by the markets even if Prime Minister Matteo Renzi reaches a compromise with the European Commission over this year's budget. Gross domestic product grew just 0.1 percent in the last quarter of 2015, data showed on Friday, as the recovery from a three-year recession petered out. The official forecast of 1.6 percent growth in 2016 already looks far out of reach. Tax revenues may also disappoint, making it less likely Italy can bring down its huge debt for the first time in eight years as Renzi has promised. In another blow, officials say privatisations of the state railways and public air traffic control company are unlikely to go ahead this year as planned due to difficult market conditions. Before these setbacks, Renzi was already locked in an unusually heated row with Brussels over his 2016 budget, which the Commission says risks breaking the EU's fiscal rules after he raised targets for the budget deficit and public debt. It will give a definitive verdict in the spring, and may ask for adjustments. Renzi has demanded more leeway in the rules and attacked the Commission's "budget pedants". Experience suggests a face-saving compromise will be reached. But the Commission knows it risks losing credibility. "Italy has benefited more than any other country from budget flexibility," its Deputy President Jyrki Katainen said this month. "If we go on with this flexibility of the rules we won't have any more rules." But even if a deal is done, it will only push back the problems for a few more months, and they are getting bigger all the time. DEBT MOUNTAIN Having delayed promised debt reductions for four years now, Rome would have to make a much bigger fiscal adjustment to meet its commitments in 2017. Its public debt ratio of more than 130 percent of economic output is the second-highest in the euro zone after Greece's, and unless Renzi wins even more concessions he will have to find cuts of more than 15 billion euros ($17 billion) in 2017. Rome has not seen that kind of entrenchment since the height of the 2011 debt crisis when former prime minister Mario Monti passed draconian measures to save the country from bankruptcy. But Renzi faces a toxic combination of faltering growth, stalled privatisations and, despite the shield of the European Central Bank's bond-buying programme, higher borrowing costs. There is also a growing risk of a full-blown Italian banking crisis. The country's lenders, burdened with some 200 billion euros of bad loans, have lost almost 30 percent of their value on the Milan stock market this year. The gap between the yields on 10-year government bonds (BTPs) yields and safer German Bunds has climbed to more than 1.3 percentage points from 0.9 points in December. Some analysts fear Italy could follow Portugal, whose bond yields posted their biggest weekly rise for more than three years last week as investors fretted over Lisbon's public finances and the health of the world economy. "Italy is definitely vulnerable. As long as there is a risk-off environment, there is a risk that the BTP-Bund spread could widen further," said Daniel Lenz, a bond strategist at DZ Bank. Renzi must call an election by early 2018 at the latest. He has seen austerity-minded governments in Lisbon and Madrid thrown out of office recently and does not want to follow suit. His approval ratings have slumped over the last year and domestic hostility to cuts remains high due to the listless economy and high unemployment. He is under pressure from opposition parties eager to cash in on the strong rise in anti-European sentiment among ordinary Italians. Nevertheless, Italy signed the tougher "fiscal compact" that the euro zone drew up in 2012 in response to the debt crisis, mandating steep annual debt falls. It even made annual balanced budgets a constitutional requirement. But Rome has yet to put the rules into practise. Its debt has climbed steadily and parliament has voted each year to allow itself a special exemption to the balanced budget law. SQUARING THE CIRCLE This year, if the Commission does not force Renzi to amend his budget, the deficit will fall marginally to 2.4 percent of gross domestic product from 2.6 percent in 2015. After cutting taxes by more than 5 billion euros this year, Renzi has slated deeper cuts to corporate and income tax in 2017. At the same time, he has pledged to narrow the deficit in 2017 down to 1.1 percent of GDP. How he hopes to perform this feat has not yet been explained. Gustavo Piga, an economics professor at Rome's Tor Vergata University, urged him to take his dispute with the Commission even further and renege on his budget commitments for 2017. "Italy needs real fiscal stimulus," he said. "Renzi should tackle the 20 percent of wasteful spending in the state sector, while launching a programme of public investment and hiking the budget deficit target to 4 percent." Renzi is unlikely to follow that advice, even with problems mounting from all sides. Although growth is weakening, Italy has been out of recession for more than a year, meaning that under current rules justification for more EU budget leeway has all but disappeared. "There is no more room for flexibility, and it wouldn't be good for Italy either," said Daniel Gros, head of the Brussels-based economic think-tank CEPS. "Now, with markets more averse to risk, Italy would be well advised to be very prudent." (Additional reporting by Dhara Ranasinghe in London; Editing by Hugh Lawson) By Tulay Karadeniz, Ece Toksabay and Humeyra Pamuk ANKARA/ISTANBUL (Reuters) - Turkey, Saudi Arabia and some European allies want ground troops deployed in Syria as a Russian-backed government advance nears NATO's southeastern border, Turkey's foreign minister said, but Washington has so far ruled out a major offensive. Syrian government forces made fresh advances on Tuesday, as did Kurdish militia, both at the expense of rebels whose positions have been collapsing in recent weeks under the Russian-backed onslaught. The offensive, supported by Iranian-backed Shi'ite militias as well as Russian air strikes, has brought the Syrian army to within 25 km (15 miles) of Turkey's frontier, while Kurdish fighters, regarded by Ankara as hostile insurgents, have extended their presence along the border. The advances have increased the risk of a military confrontation between Russia and Turkey. Turkish artillery returned fire into Syria for a fourth straight day on Tuesday, targeting the Kurdish YPG militia which Ankara says is being backed by Moscow. "Some countries like us, Saudi Arabia and some other Western European countries have said that a ground operation is necessary," Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu told Reuters in an interview. However, this kind of action could not be left to regional powers alone. "To expect this only from Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Qatar is neither right nor realistic. If such an operation is to take place, it has to be carried out jointly, like the (coalition) air strikes," he said. Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said the "brutal operation" by Russian and Syrian forces was aimed at forging a YPG corridor along Turkey's border, something Ankara has long feared would fuel Kurdish separatist ambition on its own soil. Turkey accused Russia on Monday of an "obvious war crime" after missile attacks in northern Syria killed scores of people, and warned the YPG it would face the "harshest reaction" if it tried to capture a town near the Turkish border. Russian air support for the Syrian government offensive has transformed the balance of power in the five-year-old war in the past three weeks. World powers meeting in Munich last week agreed to a pause in the fighting, but that is not set to begin until the end of this week and was not signed by the warring Syrian parties. The U.N. Syria envoy, Staffan de Mistura, held talks with Syria's foreign minister on Tuesday aimed at securing a cessation of hostilities and said Damascus had a duty to let the world body bring in humanitarian aid. Damascus says its objectives are to recapture Aleppo, Syria's biggest city before the war, and seal off the border with Turkey that has served as the main supply route into rebel-held territory for years. Those would be the government's biggest victories of the war so far and probably end rebel hopes of overthrowing President Bashar al-Assad by force, their objective since 2011 with the encouragement of the West, Arab states and Turkey. SYRIAN MILITARY GAINS Kurdish forces continued their push eastwards towards Islamic State-held territory northeast of Aleppo. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a British-based group which monitors the war, said the Kurdish-backed Syria Democratic Forces (SDF) - of which the YPG is a part - took a village near the town of Marea. That is the last major settlement before territory held by the radical militants stretching into Iraq. The Syrian army also made advances, with state media saying it had taken two villages north of Aleppo near the town of Tal Rifaat, which fell to the SDF on Monday. With the help of Russian air strikes it also advanced from the coastal city of Latakia, fighting to take the town of Kansaba. With hundreds of thousands trapped in areas the government aims to seize, Turkey and others accuse Moscow of deliberately firing on civilian targets such as hospitals to force residents to flee and depopulate territory. Almost 50 civilians were killed when missiles hit at least five medical facilities and two schools in rebel-held areas on Monday, according to the United Nations, which called the attacks a blatant violation of international law. At least 14 were killed in the northern town of Azaz, the last rebel stronghold before the border with Turkey north of Aleppo. Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said a Russian missile was responsible and vowed that Turkey would not let Azaz fall into YPG hands. Russia's foreign ministry said Turkey was using Azaz as a supply route for Islamic State and "other terrorist groups", while the Kremlin strongly rejected Turkish accusations it had committed a war crime after the missile strikes. "We categorically do not accept such statements, the more so as every time those making these statements are unable to prove their unfounded accusations in any way," President Vladimir Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters. "Our relations (with Turkey) are in a deep crisis. Russia regrets this. We are not the initiators of this." DOUBTS OVER GROUND TROOPS The advances by the YPG risk creating friction between Turkey and its allies, including the United States. Ankara sees the Syrian Kurdish militia as an extension of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) which has fought a three-decade insurgency for Kurdish autonomy in Turkey's southeast. But the United States sees the YPG as one of the few effective ground forces fighting Islamic State militants in Syria, and has lent the group military support. Washington has so far ruled out sending its own ground troops into Syria, apart from small numbers of special forces. Sunni Arab Gulf states including Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) said this month they were ready to send ground forces as part of an international coalition against Islamic State, providing Washington takes the lead. But Turkey's focus on the YPG means it cannot necessarily count on support from NATO, which, while reluctant to pressure Ankara in public, is working behind closed doors to discourage it from targeting the Kurds and escalating with Russia. (Additional reporting by Lisa Barrington in Beirut, Darya Korsunskaya and Dmitry Solovyov in Moscow, Robin Emmott in Brussels, Noah Barkin in Berlin, Daren Butler in Istanbul, Stephanie Nebehay in Geneva; writing by David Dolan and Nick Tattersall; editing by Peter Graff and David Stamp) By Rujun Shen SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Any move by China to fly jet fighters from runways on its new man-made islands in the disputed South China Sea would be destablising and would not deter U.S. flights over the area, a senior U.S. naval officer said on Monday. Vice Admiral Joseph Aucoin, the commander of the U.S. Navy's Seventh Fleet, also urged Beijing to be more open over its intentions in the South China Sea, saying it would relieve "some of the angst we are now seeing". "We are unsure where they are taking us," Aucoin said of China's recent moves during briefing with journalists in Singapore. "So we are going to sail, fly, operate throughout these waters....like we have been doing for so long," he said. That, he added, included "flying over that airspace." Chinese and regional security analysts expect Beijing to start using its new runways in the disputed Spratlys archipelago for military operations in the next few months. It last month tested for the first time the 3,000-metre runway built on a reclamation on Fiery Cross Reef by landing several civilian airliners from Hainan island. (Link to previous stories) Aucoin said he could not give an estimate when he expected Chinese military jets to start operating in the Spratlys. "It's a destablising uncertainty," he said when asked about the impact of possible Chinese jet fighter patrols. He said it would raise questions about the intentions. China claims much of the South China Sea, while Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam have rival claims. International concern is growing over tensions in the waterway, which carries an estimated $5 trillion in trade every year, including oil used by northeast Asian nations. Since last October, two U.S. warships have sailed close to Chinese claimed features in the Spratly and Paracel archipelagoes in so-called freedom-of-navigation operations that Beijing has warned are provocative. Chinese officials complained last December that a U.S. B-52 bomber flew close to one of Beijing's artificial islands. Other U.S. surveillance and transport planes routinely fly throughout the South China Sea. Chinese warships and civilian vessels routinely flank U.S. naval ships in the area, but Aucoin said engagement between the two navies would continue, saying the relationship was "positive". "(The) International Law of the Sea has helped (China) for so many years. We just want them to respect those rights so that we can all continue to prosper," he said. (Reporting by Rujun Shen in Singapore; writing by Greg Torode in Hong Kong; Editing by Simon Cameron-Moore) HANOI (Reuters) - Vietnam's prime minister has urged a greater U.S. role in preventing militarization and island-building in the South China Sea, the government said on Tuesday, in a rare call for Washington's support to curb Beijing's maritime expansionism. During a summit of Southeast Asian countries in California on Monday, premier Nguyen Tan Dung suggested to U.S. President Barack Obama that Washington uses a stronger voice and "more practical and more efficient actions", in comments likely to rile China. Tension has spiked since Beijing's construction of seven islands in the Spratly archipelago. "Prime Minister Dung suggested the United States has a stronger voice and more practical and more efficient actions requesting termination of all activities changing the status quo," the government said on its news website. The statement did not specifically name China, but it said Dung was referring especially to "large-scale construction of artificial islands" and "militarization". With a large U-shaped line on its official maps, China claims most of the South China Sea. Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan, Brunei and Vietnam have rival claims. Obama and allies from Southeast Asia will turn their attention to China on Tuesday on the second day of a summit intended to improve trade and provide a united front on maritime disputes with Beijing. Whereas China accuses the United States of seeking maritime hegemony in Asia, Washington says its interest in the South China Sea is preserving freedom of navigation. In recent months, the United States raised the stakes by sending guided-missile destroyers USS Lassen and USS Curtis Wilbur close to disputed areas occupied by Beijing. Though communist Vietnam routinely opposes China's activities in disputed waters, its leaders are usually wary of provoking a giant neighbour with which it shares over $60 billion of annual trade and maintains close ideological ties. Dung has earned popularity in Vietnam for pursuing stronger U.S. trade and defence links and for taking a tougher line against China, compared to measured responses by other Vietnamese leaders to Beijing's assertiveness. Dung was controversially overlooked by the politburo last month in its nomination for party chief, meaning the end of his political career when his term ends this year, posing a possible blow for Washington. Dung also asked Obama to fully lift a lethal arms embargo on Vietnam, which would be an "important way to strengthen political trust", the government website quoted him saying. Obama will visit Vietnam in May, the White House said. (Reporting by Martin Petty; Editing by Simon Cameron-Moore) In his parliament speech Yatseniuk does not mention any resignation plans Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatseniuk did not say that he is going to resign, when addressing the Verkhovna Rada, the Ukrainian parliament, with a report of the government's work in 2015. His speech was delivered as part of the Ukrainian government's reporting on Tuesday. When addressing the parliament, Yatseniuk requested to give him five minutes on top of the allotted time, as this might be his last speech in the Verkhovna Rada. Verkhovna Rada Speaker Volodymyr Hroisman replied to him: "Why are you so pessimistic?" It was reported earlier that Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko made a statement on Tuesday, calling for the total replacement of Ukraine's Cabinet of Ministers based on the current coalition, with participation of the People's Front. Three Hills Capital Partners has soared past 1bn for the final close of its fourth flagship fund, almost doubling the total it collected for its predecessor vehicle. Legal Help A $13 million settlement has been reached in a consumer fraud class action lawsuit pending against MoneyGram Payment Systems Inc. Brought by New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman, the lawsuit claimed that consumers who used MoneyGram' wire transfer service to send money to third parties were subject to fraud schemes.Forty-eight other states and the District of Columbia participated in this settlement with New York.As part of the settlement, MoneyGram agreed to maintain and improve a comprehensive anti-fraud program. The goal of the program is to prevent consumers from suffering financial losses due to fraud-induced wire transfers.The $13 million that MoneyGram agreed to will go to the states and be used to fund a nationwide consumer restitution program. The settlement documents note that a third party administrator will review MoneyGram records and send notice to eligible restitution recipients.If you have a similar problem and would like to be contacted by a lawyer at no cost or obligation, please fill in our form. Proceeds from social security tax in January 2016 amounted to 86% of the January 2015 figure, which indicates the correctness of the decision to reduce social security tax and the start of the economy's coming out of "shadows," Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatseniuk has stated. "The process of the economy's coming out of shadows has started, people are paid public and fair wages, not wages in envelopes," he said, speaking with the report in the parliament. Yatseniuk explained that the transition from multiple rates of social security tax with an average level of about 41% of payroll to a single rate of 22% should have led to a two-time fall in revenues [to be more precise by 53.7%, and this is without taking into account the growth in wages, which in December 2015 stood at 21.9% from December 2014 that would have brought this arithmetic index to about 65.4%). As reported, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) expressed concern that the effect of unshadowing from the reduction of social security tax will be low, therefore proposed the reduction of the rate to 28%. Published On Feb 16, 2016 02:17 PM By Nabeel Mahindra is planning on investing Rs. 8,000 Crore in its automotive plants, in Maharashtra. These investments will be made over a period of 7 years. This information was conveyed by Mahindra & Mahindra to the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE). Pawan Goenka, executive director, Mahindra & Mahindra signed an agreement (MoU) with Apurva Chandra, principal secretary (Industries), Maharashtra, in the presence of Devendra Fadnavis, chief minister, at the ongoing 'Make in India' Week. The company during a regulatory filing said, "The company plans to make an investment of Rs. 8,000 crore at the automotive plants in Maharashtra as part of its expansion plans." It added, "The investment will be made over a period of seven years and will be utilised towards infrastructure development, product development and capacity expansion for vehicles to be rolled out from the company's plants in Maharashtra." The company currently has plants in Nashik, Kandivali, Chakan (Pune), Igatpuri, Zaheerabad (Telangana) and Haridwar (Uttarakhand). Mahindra recorded a growth of 10% last month by selling 43,789 units during January 2016 as against 39,930 units sold during January 2015. The Passenger Vehicles segment sold 22,088 units in January 2016 as against 19,573 units during January 2015, recording a growth of 13%. The companys domestic sales stood at 40,693 units during January 2016 as against 37,045 units during January 2015. Exports for January 2016 stood at 3,096 units as against 2,885 units in January 2015. Speaking on the auto sales performance for January 2016, Pravin Shah, president and chief executive (Automotive), M&M Ltd. said, "We are happy to have achieved a growth of 10% during January 2016 which has been possible due to the demand for our products especially the newly launched KUV100 and TUV300. The ensuing Auto Expo is expected to provide a strong fillip for the auto industry which would be beneficial for all OEMs. We are also hopeful that the upcoming Union Budget will have significant sops for the automotive industry, enabling it to post sustainable growth in times to come. We are also happy to see good growth in MHCV & Exports performances." Also Read: Mahindra XUV500 & Scorpio Get 1.9L mHawk in Delhi The Verkhovna Rada has passed a bill, which gives political parties the right to exclude candidates for members of parliament of Ukraine from their party tickets in a multi-member election district after the announcement of the election results but before the recognition of this candidate as an elected MP by the Central Election Commission. During an evening meeting on Tuesday, a total of 236 lawmakers voted for bill No. 3700 on the amendments to the law on the election of Ukrainian MPs, which concerns the expulsion of candidates for MPs from the election ticket for a multi-member constituency, an Interfax-Ukraine correspondent reported. The bill says that subject to a resolution of the congress (meeting, conference) of the party, it can exclude candidates from the party's electoral list after the announcement of election results but before their recognition by the Central Election Commission. According to the document, a candidate can be excluded from the party's election ticket at any time after the election day before the CEC issues a decision to recognize this candidate as the one that has been elected to parliament. Researchers from Plymouth University are looking to speak to farmers who have a family member suffering from dementia. Statistics from the Alzheimers Society predict the number of dementia cases will increase by 156% by 2051. The increase in cases is likely to particularly affect rural areas where there are higher proportions of elderly people. The project, called Farming, Dementia and Networks of Care, is focusing specifically on the impact of dementia in farming communities how it affects farmers, their families and carers. The project has three main aims: To consider the impact of dementia on farming businesses To evaluate how dementia affects farming families and communities To consider how voluntary and state agencies can support farming families dealing with dementia Richard Yarwood and Claire Kelly from Plymouth University will carry out the project, which will be funded by the Seal Hayne Educational Trust. Take part in the project If you or someone in your family is suffering from dementia and would like to share your experiences email Richard Yarwood (r.yarwood@plymouth.ac.uk,) Claire Kelly (claire.kelly@plymouth.ac.uk) or Ian Sherriff (ian.sherriff@plymouth.ac.uk). Growing problem They will be assisted by a steering group on which will include Joanne Jones from rural charity Farming Community Network (FCN). Dementia is a growing problem and, as an organisation, the FCN wants to ensure that we are offering the best possible support to farming families where there is a diagnosis of dementia, said Mrs Jones. We are aware of families who are struggling to care for loved ones whilst managing the farm it might be a disturbed nights sleep meaning a struggle to work the following day, or having to take the member of the family with them in the tractor because they are afraid that person will wander off during the day. Starting point Dr Yarwood said: The project is a starting point and we hope that it will be useful to care agencies and provide support for farming families affected by dementia. We will be making our key findings public and we hope, in turn, that this will lead to a wider understanding of dementia in rural places. We plan to build on this small-scale project to develop applications for future research into care of those with dementia in the countryside. Dementia Friends Farming Community Network are encouraging all their volunteers to become Dementia Friends. A Dementia Friend learns a little bit more about what its like to live with dementia and then turns that understanding into action you can find out more about the Dementia Friend project on the Alzheimers Societys special website. James Pickett, head of research at the Alzheimers Society said: A diagnosis of dementia can be a frightening and confusing experience, and in tight-knit and geographically isolated communities it can be hard to reach out and get information and advice. Many people dont know theres any support available for them, let alone how to access it. Research into dementia care offers a great opportunity to improve quality of life for people with dementia. This programme looks like an interesting way to understand the impact of dementia in farming communities and will hopefully look at ways families can better manage their condition and access services. If you or someone in your family is suffering from dementia and you would like to share your experiences to help this project, you can contact Dr Yarwood by email at r.yarwood@plymouth.ac.uk, Dr Kelly at claire.kelly@plymouth.ac.uk or Ian Sherriff at ian.sherriff@plymouth.ac.uk. A Welsh government decision that it will not be accepting applications during 2016 for a popular agri-environment scheme has been attacked by farm leaders. The Farmers Union of Wales (FUW) said it had been left feeling angry and let down following the Welsh governments announcement that there will be no Glastir Entry application round this year. It described the decision as a betrayal of the commitments on which the scheme was founded. See also: Glastir rural development scheme opens to Welsh farmers The programme, which rewards farmers for carrying out a variety of environmentally responsible tasks, has been the most popular part of the Glastir scheme since its launch. Nick Fenwick, head of policy at the FUW, said that around 1,600 farmers would be left high and dry from 2017 once their Glastir Entry contracts ended in December. A further 3,000 were likely to be affected in subsequent years if the policy remained in place. He described the move as a severe blow for the industry. The FUW bitterly opposed the Welsh governments decision to remove 25m from Wales disadvantaged areas by abandoning our Tir Mynydd LFA scheme, said Dr Fenwick. That money was effectively diverted to the Glastir agri-environment scheme, along with a promise that all farmers throughout Wales would be able to access the scheme. It appears that that principle has now been reneged upon. Now it seems the quid pro quo offered at the time an agri-environment scheme which would be open to all has also been abandoned at a time when farm incomes are on the floor. According to Dr Fenwick, the decision to scrap disadvantaged area payments, in the form of Tir Mynydd, effectively replaced a simple and cheap-to-administer compensatory scheme with the hugely complex and costly Glastir agri-environment scheme. Palestine Legal, the Center for Constitutional Rights, and the National Lawyers Guild issued a legal memorandum to New York State legislators raising alarm over two McCarthyist bills pending in the state legislature. One bill passed the State Senate in late January. The bills would blacklist individuals, businesses, and organizations that boycott (or encourage others to boycott) Israel. The version that passed the State Senate also affects those who boycott several other "allied" nations. New York State would be prohibited from contracting with or investing in individuals and entities on the blacklist should the bill pass the Assembly and be signed into law by Governor Cuomo."Instead of protecting and advancing civil and human rights, our elected officials in Albany are taking steps to punish First Amendment-protected activity and blacklist human rights activists around the world," said Palestine Legal Staff Attorney Rahul Saksena. "The lawmakers who support these bills are not only out-of-touch with the growing movement to boycott, divest from, and sanction Israel, they are also out-of-touch with the U.S. Constitution."At least twenty-two bills aimed at suppressing the BDS movement were introduced last year. These bills are part of a broader effort to shut down the movement for Palestinian rights, and BDS efforts in particular. For more information about other efforts to suppress First Amendment-protected activities in support of Palestinian human rights, including other legislative efforts to restrict the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement, see CCR and Palestine Legals report, The Palestine Exception to Free Speech: A Movement Under Attack in the U.S. The text of the New York memo is included below.----------------------------------------------------------------Legislative MemorandumAntiboycott bills: S6086/Gianaris and A8220/Lavine (Relates to purchasing restrictions on persons boycotting Israel and the investment of certain public funds in companies boycotting Israel) S6378A/Martins and A9036/Weinstein (Relates to purchasing restrictions and persons boycotting American allies)OPPOSES6086/A8220 and S6378A/A9036 require the State of New York to create a list of persons and entities that express a particular political viewpoint, and then bars New York from doing business with and investing in persons and entities on that list. These bills harken back to the McCarthy era when the state sought to deny the right to earn a livelihood to those who express controversial political views. The courts long ago found such McCarthy era legislation to be at war with the First Amendment.The viewpoint targeted by these bills is support for a boycott of Israel (S6086/A8220) and/or American allies (S6378A/A9036). Those who support human rights boycotts like the boycott of Israel see boycotts as a peaceful means of putting an end to injustice, just as supporters of the Montgomery bus boycott in the 1950s, of the California grape boycott in the 1960s, and of the boycott of apartheid South Africa in the 1980s saw those boycotts as a means of overcoming other forms of injustice. While some may disagree that one or another of those boycotts addressed injustice, just as proponents of these bills presumably disagree with those promoting the Palestinian cause, the law is well settled that participation in and support of such boycotts is a form of politicalexpression fully protected by the Constitution.While people may have differing opinions about the issues pertaining to Israel and Palestine, debate on issues of public concern is the lifeblood of the First Amendment, and the State of New York should not be in the business of punishing those who line up on one side or the other of such debates.These bills seek to unconstitutionally punish human rights boycotts of Israel (and other American allies in the case of S6378A/A9036) by:1. Creating an online blacklist of individuals, nonprofit organizations, companies, and other entities that support politically motivated boycotts;2. Prohibiting blacklisted individuals and entities from doing business with the state of New York, and3. Prohibiting state pension funds from investing in companies engaged in politically motivated boycotts of Israel.S6086/A8220 and S6378A/A9036 are a blatantly unconstitutional attack on freedom of speech and establish a dangerous precedent reminiscent of McCarthyism.I. Understanding BDS. The global movement for a campaign to boycott, divest from and sanction (BDS) Israel until it complies with international law and respects Palestinian rights was initiated by Palestinian civil society in 2005, following the example of the struggle against apartheid South Africa. BDS is a nonviolent strategy that allows people of conscience to play an effective role in the Palestinian struggle for freedom, justice and equality in their homeland when all other diplomatic efforts have failed to achieve their rights. Supporters of BDS include South African rights activist Archbishop Desmond Tutu and The Color Purple author Alice Walker, among many others.[1] Religious institutions, including the United Church of Christ and the Presbyterian Church (USA) have embraced BDS[2], as have many racial justice activists[3], immigrant rights activists, and labor organizations. Most recently, the Connecticut AFLCIO passed a resolution supporting the BDS movement.[4]II. First Amendment Concerns. Human rights boycotts are protected First Amendment activities. Boycotts are a constitutionally protected form of speech, association and assembly, and have a long history of being used successfully to address injustice and demand political change. The Supreme Court has held that speech on public issues occupies the highest rung of the hierarchy of First Amendment values, and is entitled to special protection.[5] The Supreme Court has specifically held that advocacy of and support for boycotts to bring about political, social, and economic change like boycotts of Israel are unquestionably protected under the First Amendment.[6] The denial of public contracts and public investment in order to punish speech violates the First Amendment. The State of New York cannot punish individuals, businesses, organizations, and other entities because of their speech and political views. Such actions would violate well established First Amendment principles.[7] Creating a blacklist of boycotters and denying public contracts with and public investment in boycotting entities will have a chilling effect on protected speech, in violation of the First mendment . It is unprecedented for the state to create a list of all individuals and entities that support or engage in a First Amendment-protected political activity. Such a list would chill First Amendment-protected activities by requiring persons to renounce such activities before they can be considered beneficiaries of public funds. This violates the Constitution and the principles on which this country was built.III. Due Process Concerns. In addition to violating well established First Amendment principles, this bill also presents serious constitutional problems given the vast and imprecise net that the bill casts with its requirement to create a blacklist, and the practical difficulties of creating and maintaining a blacklist of individuals, nonprofit organizations, and other entities based on their First Amendment-protected speech. In particular: Procedural impracticality. The bill requires the commissioner to use credible information available to the public to create a list of persons and entities engag[ed] in actions that are politically motivated and intended to inflict economic harm on Israel. There is no geographic scope to this list, and the task would create a time-consuming and bureaucratic nightmare that would infringe on individuals constitutional due process rights. For example:o The commissioner would be required to give written notice to all individuals who will be blacklisted and to make every effort to avoid blacklisting errors. How will the commissioner find individuals contact information, especially for individuals who are not residents of New York? What process is afforded to individuals or entities that are erroneously blacklisted? How do individuals and entities challenge blacklisting errors? Who is responsible for reviewing blacklisting errors, and what criteria will they use to make their determinations? Vagueness. What does the bill actually punish? The average person would not be able to discern what actions would land them on the blacklist. For example: What qualifies as engaging in actions? Attending a protest in support of BDS? Encouraging friends to boycott Israel? Signing a petition? Abstaining from buying specific goods? Overbreadth: The bills vagueness would deter constitutionally protected speech by intimidating persons from engaging in actions they think would land them on the blacklist, but that are in fact constitutionally protected speech activities.These bills will lead to confusion, both on the part of potential bidders, as well as the commissioner, and will likely invite legal challenges.IV. Iran Divestment. New York law prohibits state contracts and procurement from certain entities doing business in or with Iran. While we take no position on the wisdom of the Iran divestment law, it is important to note its key difference with S6086/A8220 and S6378A/A9036. The Iran divestment law does not penalize individuals/entities for their First Amendment-protected conduct. Rather, it penalizes businesses doing business with a country on the U.S. State Departments State Sponsors of Terrorism list. S6086/A8220 and S6378A/A9036, on the other hand, penalize individuals and entities who have responded to Palestinian civilsocietys nonviolent human rights campaign to boycott, divest from, and sanction Israel due to grave human rights concerns. These bills therefore punish political speech activities, in violation of the First Amendment.S6086/A8220 and S6378A/A9036 unconstitutionally target core political speech activities and infringe on the freedom to express political beliefs, a fundamental American value. These bills should be withdrawn.1 See Palestinian BDS National Committee, Cultural Boycott, http://bdsmovement.net/activecamps/culturalboycott 2 See United Church of Christ, UCC votes for divestment, boycotts of companies that profit from occupation of Palestinianterritories, June 30, 2015, http://www.ucc.org/news_general_synod_israel_palestine_resolution_06302015 3 See Ishaan Tharoor, The growing solidarity between #BlackLivesMatter and Palestinian activists, Washington Post, Oct. 15,2015, https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2015/10/15/thegrowingsolidaritybetweenblacklivesmatterandpalestinianactivists/ 4 Ali Abunimah, Connecticut labor federation backs Israel boycott, Electronic Intifada, Nov. 11, 2015, https://electronicintifada.net/blogs/aliabunimah/connecticutlaborfederationbacksisraelboycott 5 Connick v. Myers, 461 U.S. 138 (1983).6 NAACP v. Claiborne Hardware Co., 458 U.S. 886 (1982).7 See OHare Truck Service v. City of Northlake, 518 U.S. 712 (1996). On February 11, 2016, the Center for Constitutional Rights, the National Lawyers Guild, and Palestine Legal sent a memorandum to California lawmakers regarding anti-boycott bills pending in the state assembly that threaten core First Amendment-protected activity and raise serious due process concerns. The recently introduced bills would prevent the state from investing in entities that comply with boycotts of Israel (AB 1551) and from contracting with entities that engage in "discriminatory" boycotts (AB 1552).These legislative efforts are part of a growing trend to introduce anti-boycott legislation in numerous states and the U.S. Congress. For more information about other efforts to suppress First Amendment-protected activities in support of Palestinian human rights, including other legislative efforts to restrict the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement, see CCR and Palestine Legals report, The Palestine Exception to Free Speech: A Movement Under Attack in the U.S. -----------------------------------------February 5, 2015Subject: AB 1551 and AB 1552 (Travis Allen)Position: OPPOSEWe write in urgent opposition to two bills, AB 1551[1] and AB 1552,[2] that if passed, would unconstitutionally penalize core political speech, set standards that are impossibly vague and overbroad, contradict longstanding U.S. foreign policy, and result in the blacklisting of businesses, major churches and other entities.AB 1551, the California Israel Commerce Protection Act introduced Jan. 4, 2016, by Assembly member Travis Allen, R-Huntington Beach, would prohibit the state from investing in businesses and institutions that comply with boycotts called for by a foreign country or international organization against Israel or Israeli-controlled territories. AB 1552, introduced by Assemblyman Allen in tandem with AB 1551, would prohibit the state from contracting with entities that engage in what he calls boycotts due to discrimination and bigotry.Although it does not make explicit reference to Israel, the author has made clear that its intent is the same as AB 1551s: to penalize participation in boycotts affecting Israel.[3]Under the guise of expressing concern for purported discriminatory practices affecting Israel, the true agenda of these bills is to shield Israel from growing criticism of its policies and from nonviolent measures taken to express and make meaningful that criticism. Such measures, including boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) campaigns, are being adopted by an increasing number of socially responsible investors, churches, academic associations, unions, elected student governments and many thousands of individuals, who are motivated by conscience.The context for boycott and divestment campaigns in connection with Israel Israels occupation of the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and of the Gaza Strip has been ongoing for almost half a century, with the daily violence of occupation periodically becoming deadly on a far greater scale. Gaza has been held under a crippling land, air and sea blockade by Israel for nearly a decade. Despite the strict prohibitionunder international law against transferring citizens of an occupying power to occupied territory, there are now over 650,000 Jewish-Israeli settlers residing in the West Bank. These settlers enjoy the full rights of Israeli citizenship, while nearly 5 million Palestinians in the territories lack basic human rights, including the right to move freely, the right to due process and the right to elect those who exercise ultimate control over their lives.Most of the Palestinian land that was once expected to form the basis for a Palestinian state has been confiscated to accommodate settlements, their infrastructure and the massive separation wall, all of which are illegal under international law.[4] In addition, Palestinian citizens of Israel 20 percent of the population experience many forms of de jure and de facto discrimination, while Palestinians forced from their homes by Israel in the period surrounding its establishment in 1948 and their descendants are denied the right, guaranteed under international law, to return to their homeland.Despite abundant documentation and condemnation of Israeli policies by the United Nations and virtually every major human rights organization in the world, the global community has failed to hold Israel accountable and to enforce compliance with international law.Because of this, in 2005 some 170 Palestinian civil society organizations called upon people of conscience throughout the world to engage in a grassroots campaign to implement nonviolent boycotts against and divestment from companies and institutions that perpetuate these human rights violations and to demand sanctions against Israel until Palestinian rights are recognized in full.Many thousands of people and organizations worldwide have responded by embracing a variety of strategies as a way to peacefully pressure Israel to end its human rights violations and to influence public opinion in favor of Palestinian rights. These campaigns have undoubtedly been controversial, and they have begun to bear fruit, to a small extent economically and much more so in the court of public opinion. Major church denominations have voted to boycott products from illegal settlements and/or divest from Israeli and multinational corporations whose actions and profits are tied to the occupation. Numerous student governments, unions and academic associations have declared their support. Some large corporations, under pressure from public outcry, have ended their involvement with Israels occupation.The government of Israel and its supporters in the United States and Europe are engaged in a concerted campaignto stifle and suppress activism for Palestinian human rights.[5] They are pressing for legislation at the federal, state and local levels to unconstitutionally punish people who support this nonviolent political movement. AB 1551 and AB 1552 are part of this campaign of repression.Boycotts are political speech and therefore must be accorded the highest level of First Amendment protectionBoycotts in pursuit of political aims are an integral part of American history. From the original Boston Tea Party protest have followed other transformative campaigns such as the Montgomery bus boycott against segregation, the grape boycott in support of farm labor rights, boycotts of companies and institutions enabling South African apartheid, and current divestment campaigns against fossil fuel and private prison companies. All of these boycotts were controversial when first proposed by small groups of activists. Eventually, all came to win widespread public and bipartisan political support.The constitutional protection due a political boycott was articulated in the landmark Supreme Court case, NAACP v. Claiborne Hardware Co.[6] In that case, a local NAACP branch boycotted white merchants to pressure elected county officials to adopt racial justice measures. The merchants sued NAACP for interference with business. The Supreme Court found that the boycott clearly involved constitutionally protected activity through which the NAACP sought to bring about political, social, and economic change. It concluded that the boycott constituted a political form of expression protected by the First Amendment rights of speech, assembly, association and petition.It is a stunning inversion of free speech principles for AB 1551 to make politically motivated boycotts a singular target of government repression, since it is precisely their political dimension that requires heightened First Amendment protection for those who engage in such boycott activity. As the Supreme Court pointed out in Claiborne, a political boycott, like other forms of speech concerning public issues, occupies the highest rung of the hierarchy of First Amendment values. http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill id=201520160AB1551 http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill id=201520160AB15523 See Allens press releases of Dec. 10, 2015, https://ad72.asmrc.org/press-release/13866 , and Jan. 4, 2016, https://ad72.asmrc.org/press-release/14104 4 See the 2004 opinion by the International Court of Justice. Its summary: http://www.icj-cij.org/docket/index.php?pr=71&code=mwp&p1=3&p2=4&p3=6 5 Report by Palestine Legal and the Center for Constitutional Rights, Sept. 2015: http://palestinelegal.org/the-palestine-exception 6 458 U.S. 886 (1982)7 Claiborne, at p. 913, quoting Carey v. Brown, 447 U. S. 455, at p. 467----------------------------------------------------------------Unconstitutional ... and bad for CaliforniaTo: California state legislatorsFrom: Coalition to stop AB 1551 & AB 1552 (see list of endorsing organizations)Date: February 3, 2016Contact: stop.1551.1552 [at] gmail.com An attack on free speechAssembly Bills 1551 and 1552 , introduced by Assembly Member Travis Allen on January 4, 2016, would penalize those who engage in politically motivated boycotts as a nonviolent means to influence Israel to end its occupation and human rights abuses. Under these bills, the state could not invest in entities that comply with foreign boycotts against Israel (AB 1551), and could not contract with entities that engage in discriminatory boycotts (AB 1552). Although AB 1552 does not explicitly refer to Israel, press releases make clear that it is a companion bill to 1551 and the goals are the same: to shield the Israeli government from criticism of its policies.The bills fail to take into account that boycotts and other economic measures based on support for social justice are by nature politically motivated, and have been recognized by the Supreme Court as political speech that occupies the highest rung of the hierarchy of First Amendment values. See NAACP v. Claiborne Hardware, 458 U.S. 886 (1982).Moreover, regardless of ones views on Israel and Palestine, it would be blatantly unconstitutional for California to punish political speech by withholding the potential benefit of financial relationships with the state based on the speakers viewpoints. See Rutan v Republican Party of Illinois, 497 U.S. 62 (1990).Boycotts aimed at securing civil and human rights are an integral part of American history, beginning with the Boston Tea Party and through the Montgomery bus boycott against segregation, grape boycotts in support of farm labor rights, boycotts of companies enabling South African apartheid, and current divestment campaigns against fossil fuel and private prison companies.The boycotts imposed by AB 1551 and 1552, however, not only do not seek to secure social justice they aim to use the heavy hand of the state to unconstitutionally punish and silence those who do.Contrary to longstanding U.S. foreign policyAB 1551 includes Israeli - controlled territories the Palestinian areas under Israeli occupation for almost half a century as a prohibited target of human rights boycotts or divestment measures.But successive U.S. administrations have reiterated that Israeli settlements in the West Bank are illegitimate and a serious obstacle topeace. In 2015, the State Department declared that the U.S. government has never defended or supported Israeli settlements or activity associated with them, and, by extension does not pursue policies or activities that would legitimize them. Neither should California.Who would be blacklisted?A growing number of businesses, major church denominations, charitable foundations, university student governments, unions, and socially responsible investors have all heeded the grassroots call to boycott or take other economic measures against companies and institutions complicit in Israels human rights abuses. In addition, a number of multinational corporations under fire for such complicity have ended their business operations in the occupied Palestinian territories or in Israel altogether.All could be blacklisted in California under AB 1551 and/or AB 1552. This would foreclose valuable investment opportunities for state pension funds, and would prohibit essential contractual relationships with, for example, large corporations, churches that run public charitable programs, and contractors who employ workers represented by unions that have voted for divestment.California can do betterSimilar legislation passed or pending in other states will likely be found constitutionally wanting. But California has the opportunity to lead the way in blocking the true agenda of such bills, which is to enforce uncritical support of Israeli policies. The Legislature must uphold precious constitutional liberties while acting in the best interests of the people of California and their democratic institutions. Kate Middleton, Prince William Having Twin Girls? Bhutan Trip Happening Despite Pregnancy? Kate Middleton and Prince William just welcomed their baby daughter, Princess Charlotte, but recent rumors suggested that they're expecting more than one baby later this year. According to recent news from OK! Magazine as reported by Hollywood Life, the royal couple are expecting two more little Charlottes coming soon. "It's early days, but the buzz in the royals' inner circle is that Kate's pregnant again, and, this time, she's got not one but two buns in the over," the magazine's insider said. "They weren't even trying." Advertisement The source further revealed that the Duchess went for a sonogram and surprised her husband with the image. "He immediately called her and said, 'You're joking aren't you? We're not really having another baby right now,'" the source continued. The mother-of-two then supposedly dropped the bomb that she was indeed carrying twins and was already 12 weeks along. There were previous talks that Kate Middleton and Prince William weren't too keen about expecting again so soon after Princess Charlotte. On the other hand, the Duke Of Cambridge's younger brother, Prince Harry reportedly started jumping up and down in delight when the couple shared the news with the family over the holidays. The future king and queen of England are reported to be going on a state visit to Bhutan sometime this year. Hello Magazine reported that Kate Middleton and Prince William will be meeting the King and Queen of Bhutan, King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and his wife Jestun Pema, this spring. Dubbed as the "William And Kate Of The Himalayas," the country's monarchs are expecting their first son together and will reportedly welcome him around the same time as the British royal couple's visit. The two sets of parents will definitely have a lot to talk about Prince George's mother is still confirmed to join the trip with her husband, despite rumors of her pregnancy. She previously suffered from severe morning sickness when she was carrying her two children. Advertisement Advertisement Like us and Follow us Follow @Koreaportal and 2022 Korea Portal, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Puerto Rico's House of Representatives approved legislation to reform its highly indebted public utility company "PREPA." The utility company's investors want the reform package before they approve a debt restructuring deal that includes a 15 percent cut in repayments. Puerto Rico's House of Representatives approved legislation to reform its highly indebted public utility company "PREPA." The utility company's investors want the reform package before they approve a debt restructuring deal that includes a 15 percent cut in repayments. The bill passed the island's Senate but was amended in the House so will now head back to the Senate for another vote. Puerto Rico is likely to get an extension from lenders on a midnight February 16 deadline to pass the legislation."While the deal does offer some relief, it's hardly a model to deal with the island's debt," stated Eric LeCompte, executive director of the religious development coalition Jubilee USA. "If we saw a broader deal along these lines it would fail to bring Puerto Rico's debt back to sustainable levels."PREPA's $8 billion debt is part of the portion of Puerto Rico's debt impacted by the island's exclusion from Chapter 9 of the US bankruptcy code. Both Republicans and Democrats in Congress have introduced legislation to extend Chapter 9 to Puerto Rico. The US House of Representatives' Natural Resources Committee is drafting legislation to address Puerto Rico's debt crisis and will hold its third hearing on the issue February 25."It's clear we are now in a critical stage of this crisis," noted LeCompte, who testified at the Natural Resources Committee's February 2 hearing. "Congress can't stand on the sidelines any longer."Jubilee USA Network is an alliance of more than 75 US organizations and 550 faith communities working with 50 Jubilee global partners. Jubilee's mission is to build an economy that serves, protects and promotes the participation of the most vulnerable. Jubilee USA has won critical global financial reforms and more than $130 billion in debt relief to benefit the world's poorest people. http://www.jubileeusa.org Kentucky Derby Top 10: Caseys Picks After an eventful weekend at Oaklawn and the return of our 2015 Champion, Nyquist, the Kentucky Derby top 10 has changed shape once again. My top two stay the same from my recent list, posted on my personal blog, but have changed since my last top 10 pick for Lady and The Track. Here is the current Derby list by yours truly. Mohaymen (Tapit Justwhistledixie, by Dixie Union) With his first recorded work since the Holy Bull win, Mohaymen posted a bullet at Palm Meadows, traveling 4f in 47.75. The Tapit colt has yet to miss a beat this winter and looks to be the top Derby contender for his sire, trainer, and connections. His owners and trainer are looking for their first Kentucky Derby and how fitting would it be for the wishes to be granted the year following a Triple Crown? His next start is likely to come in the Fountain of Youth. Mor Spirit (Eskendereya Im a Dixie Girl, by Dixie Union) This year seems to be kind to those coming from the Dixie Union line, as my top two are produced from his daughters. Mor Spirit won the Robert B. Lewis at Santa Anita on 2/6 and has yet to return to the work tab. The ridgling looks to ride his Santa Anita path toward Kentucky. This is the only one on Bafferts stable that looks to be Derby material. Like I said in my blog post, Mor Spirit puts images of A.P. Indy in my mind. Nyquist (Uncle Mo Seeking Gabrielle, by Foresty) With the same team who had success in Louisville in 2012, Nyquist extended his record to a perfect 6-for-6 with an easy win in the San Vicente. The colt is likely to come out well from this easy race and head to Florida for a showdown with Mohaymen. Nyquist will only have one two-turn race under his belt as a three-year-old before his Kentucky Derby start. This is reason to worry about his ability to go 1 miles, but this time last year, I was also skeptical of another top contender: American Pharoah. Airoforce (Colonel John Chocolate Pop, by Cuvee) With a sprinter distaff side to his pedigree, this colt has not given me reason to doubt him yet. He would be perfect on both turf and dirt had the European colt, Hit It a Bomb, narrowly caught the colt at the wire in the Breeders Cup Juvenile Turf. This colt is to start in the upcoming Risen Star, where he is likely to be favorite. I dont see a reason he should lose, as he has been working amazingly, according to his trainers Mark and Norman Casse. Exaggerator (Curlin Dawn Raid, by Vindication) There are many saying he will not be able to handle the 10 furlongs of the Kentucky Derby, but there is something else that worries me. He is such a strong competitor who likes a fight, but his inability to cut into margins that he should be able to, worries me. Nyquist didnt even break a sweat holding him off in the San Vicente, and the colt barely defeated Sunny Ridge, who came out of the Delta Downs Jackpot to win a very, very slow Withers Stakes back in New York. This is the reason he has since moved back down the list. Smokey Image (Southern Image Special Smoke, by Free House) Smokey Image is to debut in open company in the San Felipe with the goal being the Santa Anita Derby and the Kentucky Derby. There are some quirks to this horse that I want to see fixed in the San Felipe, as in running with his head high and throwing it every which way, but other than that, this colt is clearly the best California-bred, and potentially the best on the West Coast, but right now, I cant put him higher for lack of points and untested in open company. Suddenbreakingnews (Mineshaft Uchitel, by Afleet Alex) This one is bred for the Belmont, let alone the Kentucky Derby. He runs late, and takes down tired frontrunners, which is exactly what he did in the Southwest Stakes to pick up his first set of Kentucky Derby points. This gelding doesnt seem to need insane paces to run late, and his stride is very long and reaching. I picked this one to win the Southwest. I am happy to put this one on the list and I like him moving forward. Brodys Cause (Giants Causeway Sweet Breanna, by Sahm) This one is working steadily to debut as a three-year-old in the Tampa Bay Derby before heading to the Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland. We know he can win at Keeneland, as he won the 2015 Breeders Futurity over Exaggerator last fall. This one looks like Romans best chance at the Kentucky Derby this year. I have him so low because he has not started yet and timing is everything in this sport. Greenpointcrusader (Bernardini Ava Knowsthecode, by Cryptoclearance) This one was taken out of his comfort zone in the Holy Bull, being asked to run on early in the race. He tired after trying to take it to Mohaymen, who easily shook him off at the top of the Gulfstream stretch. I am keeping him on here because 1) he needs to run late, not early so I am going to give him another shot, and 2) I have been informed he has been working amazingly since the Holy Bull. What I dont like is that he will only have one more start before the Derby, which will come in the Louisiana Derby. I wonder if they are taking him to a track that may favor late closers a bit more or that fact that they want to duck Mohaymen until May. Whitmore (Pleasantly Perfect Melodys Spirit, by Scat Daddy) This one could no longer stay off my short list. After his game effort in the Southwest, I think he will be just fine moving forward. He looked good at Oaklawn, and I hope I see him back in the Rebel or the Arkansas Derby. I am hoping he starts in both to get those Derby points. He has, from what I saw in the Southwest, a perfect running style, where he sits off the speed and pounces at the perfect time. Keep an eye on this one! In the stables Zulu (Bernardini Temporada, by Summer Squall) He has been working fantastically at Palm Meadows for trainer Todd Pletcher, and is on course for the Fountain of Youth Stakes. This colt is a perfect 2-for-2, and looks to keep improving with age and distance. I have said it before and Ill say it again, I love the inbreeding to Weekend Surprise in this one. Cherry Wine (Paddy OPrado C.S. Royce, by Unbridleds Song) Romans has been telling all that this is the one he wanted to get to the Derby, thinking this was his Derby horse all along, and yet, this colt is taking this time off to get ready for the Fountain of Youth after ducking the Holy Bull for whatever reason. I am wondering about the horses he was making look cheap in his last two races, but so far, the colt has been working lights out at Gulfstream and looks to step up at the right time. Mo Power (Uncle Mo Rhiana, by Runaway Groom) I am still very high on this one after watching him break his maiden at Gulfstream. There is not telling where Pletcher sends him next, but he has yet to return to the work tab since his 1/30 race at Gulfstream. I hope to see him back soon. American Dubai (E Dubai Smash Review, by Bates Motel) I wasnt very high on this one going into the Southwest, but he was a game third, tiring just before the wire. I like him going forward, as it looks for a moment that he would be battling Whitmore for the win. His pedigree suggests he will be fine with added distance. Keeping an eye on this one for sure. Porter Ranch (February 12, 2016) (Press Release): The Santa Susana fault, which begins east of Fillmore and runs into the San Fernando Valley, intersects all of the natural gas injection wells located in the Aliso Canyon Underground Storage Facility. Combined with the aging infrastructure, the presence of this fault increases the risk of additional well blowouts. Southern California Gas Company (SoCalGas), who owns and operates the facility, has yet to address the number of wells damaged from fault line activity or what steps have been taken to prevent another massive well blowout. SoCalGas first admitted its Aliso Canyon Underground Storage Facility had safety problems in December 2010. SoCalGas expressed more concerns in November 2014. The four-month long gas well blowout shows SoCalGas total neglect for safety, said attorney Patricia Oliver.SoCal Gas must be forced to complete all repairs before forcing the residents of Porter Ranch to return, says Robert F. Kennedy Jr. speaking on behalf of thousands of Porter Ranch families. The Santa Susana earthquake fault lines intersect every gas injection well in this facility, magnifying the risks to human health and property values in Porter Ranch and surrounding communities, reports Kennedy. SoCalGas admits the subsurface safety valve on the well that blewout was removed in 1979, and yet SoCalGas reported its presence to state regulators through 2014. How can the community be assured that SoCal hasn't told the regulators the same story for the ninety plus other wells in Aliso Canyon that coukd be ticking time bombs? asks Kennedy.No one should be asked to return until SoCalGas has shown the Aliso Canyon facility is operating safely. This is not a question of whether SoCalGas should be allowed to store natural gas, but an independent audit of the facility to allow full disclosure of whether it is safe to return.Before anyone is asked to return, the people of Porter Ranch have a right to know is it safe? This requires SoCalGas to answer many questions including the following: (1) how many aging wells are damaged from the movement on the fault lines; (2) how many wells have safety valves; (3) how many aging wells need new casings; (4) how many aging wells have operational sub-surface safety valves; and (5) how fast is methane migrating into Porter Ranch from surface and underground operations. Until SoCalGas can answer these questions, we cannot say it is safe to return home, said attorney Patricia Oliver.Kennedy & Madonna, LLP is an environmental law firm that specializes in representing communities that have been impacted by pollution. The firm uses a variety of legal tools including federal citizen suits, administrative challenges and tort law to hold polluters accountable for their actions. The firm was formed in 2000 by founding partners Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and Kevin J. Madonna. For more information, visit www.kennedymadonna.com.Morgan & Morgan is one of the largest exclusively plaintiffs' law firms in the US, with 25 offices throughout Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, Tennessee, Kentucky, Pennsylvania and New York. The firm handles cases nationally and has been a leader in cases such as the BP Oil spill and Chinese Drywall litigation. We have over 300 lawyers with years of experience involving personal injury, medical malpractice, consumer class action, and securities fraud - as well as complex litigation against drug and medical device manufacturers. For more information, visit www.forthepeople.com.For over 30 years, R. Rex Parris has devoted his practice to protecting the rights of injured people and aggrieved workers. With over $1.1 Billion recovered on behalf of clients, Rex and his dedicated team has the experience and track record necessary to help families in need. The R. Rex Parris Law Firm provides thorough, high-quality representation with integrity and compassion. These lawyers fight aggressively to ensure their clients get the compensation they deserve. For more information, visit www.rrexparris.com.Panish Shea & Boyle LLP is a plaintiff's personal injury law firm that takes on large corporations and government entities whose negligence causes our clients' injuries, and holds them accountable. In June 2014, Panish Shea & Boyle obtained at $19.8 million jury verdict to a man who suffered severe burn and traumatic brain injuries when his rental home exploded as a result of a Southern California Gas Company's negligence. In 2008, the firm obtained a $15 million jury verdict against SoCalGas for a 14-year-old boy who was hit by a company truck. Panish Shea & Boyle LLP also represented numerous plaintiffs in the San Bruno PG&E gas explosion cases. Our attorneys are and have always been champions of consumer rights. The size, clout or financial strength of wrongdoers is never a deterrent to our pursuit for justice. For more information, visit www.psblaw.com. Jersey City, NJ The state of New Jersey is following the lead of other jurisdictions in filing a The state of New Jersey is following the lead of other jurisdictions in filing a Volkswagen lawsuit against Volkswagen Group of America Inc. and other defendants, alleging consumer fraud and violations of The Clean Air Act. Its just the latest arrow in the quiver of seemingly endless litigation since September of last year, when the emissions scandal broke. Volkswagen, the proud German automaker that grew from the original Peoples Car - The Volkswagen Beetle - was early amongst manufacturers equipping passenger cars with diesel engines for the longevity and fuel efficiency that diesel engines are known for. However, diesels have historically been characterized as having a high emissions output. In recent years technology has reduced emissions significantly, but is also prohibitively expensive and well beyond the capacity for the typical car owner to afford.In recent years Volkswagen has been putting a push on diesel cars that were promoted as being far more emissions-friendly than diesels of yesteryear, and consumers responded.And then came September, when it was revealed that Volkswagen had built into some 11 million cars a defeat device that translated to sleight of hand for a favorable emissions report, only to allow the car to spew 40 times the allowable level of emissions into the atmosphere at all other times, or so it has been alleged.This is what the state of New Jersey is alleging in its VW Lawsuit, characterizing the emissions scandal as one of the largest frauds in the history of the automobile industry, according to court documents.The Volkswagen Recall Lawsuit - not unlike others previously filed in New Mexico and other jurisdictions - was brought earlier this month by Attorney General John J. Hoffman on behalf of the state of New Jersey and consumers allegedly duped into paying a premium for diesel-equipped cars promoted as falling within guidelines set forth by the Clean Air Act.Like any other business - large or small - automakers have an obligation to represent the products they sell honestly, and to ensure those products comply with all applicable laws, Hoffman said February 5, when the New Jersey Volkswagen Lawsuit was filed. When they fail to do so, as we allege was the case with Volkswagen, we will hold them accountable.The lawsuit alleges violations of the New Jersey Air Pollution Control Act and the Consumer Fraud Act. Hoffman is also seeking restitution for the owners of some 17,400 affected vehicles registered in the state of New Jersey.Hoffman, in his statement, referenced Volkswagens alleged emissions fraud as a decade-long scheme that served to materially harm consumers having bought into the favorable emissions claims, paying a premium for vehicles that are now - prior to a VW Recall - worth less than they might be otherwise, given the assumed capacity for optimum emissions performance. The attorney general for the state of New Jersey also noted that Volkswagens promotion and marketing of its cleaner-burning diesel engines proved extremely successful and translated into significant growth and revenue at the expense of the unsuspecting public.Hoffman also noted the environment took a significant hit as well, due to the alleged deception carried out by the automaker.Audi and Porsche are also named as defendants in the New Jersey VW lawsuit. The case isin the Superior Court of New Jersey for Hudson County. Cuban star Yulieski Gurriel, who reportedly defected recently with younger brother Lourdes Gurriel, may have an easier path to free agency than had been expected. Jorge Ebro of El Nuevo Herald reports that both brothers have moved across the border from the Dominican Republic to Haiti, which is a popular launching point for Cuban players seeking to make it to the majors. (Spanish language link.) Importantly, per the report, the 31-year-old infielder has already established Panamanian residency, which might well provide a faster route to the open market since some hurdles would already be cleared. Ebro provides other interesting details on the situation of the famed elder Gurriel brother, who is apparently looking to take his last chance at playing in the majors in his prime. Though hell soon turn 32, Gurriel is considered a prime talent and will create an interesting market situation remember, quality infielders such as Ian Desmond, David Freese, and Juan Uribe remain unsigned if and when he is deemed eligible to sign. The younger Lourdes, meanwhile, still appears likely to wait until October to ink an agreement, when hell be old enough to fall ouside of international signing restrictions. Here are some more notes on the international market: A newly launched app can serve as a data collector that will use a phone's accelerometer to record shaking, according to a report in China's scientific newspaper. Scientists at the University of California in Berkeley released MyShake app (available for Android phones) that runs in the background with little power, so that a phones onboard accelerometers can record local shaking any time of the day or night. The app only collects information from the accelerometers, analyzes it and, if it fits the vibrational profile of a quake, relays it and the phones GPS coordinates to the Berkeley Seismological Laboratory for analysis, according to official website of UC Berkley. The app has been programmed to know the difference between normal activity and the rumblings of an earthquake. The developers have found that the app is 93 percent accurate in knowing the difference between earthquake motion and other activity. "So basically it monitors the motions of the phone, and it detects whether this motion is due to earthquake or some human activities," said MyShake co-developer Qingkai Kong. MyShake can turn your phone into a seismometer, recording magnitude 5 earthquakes at distances of 10 km or less. Richard Allen, the leader of the app project, director of the Berkeley Seismological Laboratory and a professor and chair of the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences said simulations suggest they will need 300 users in a 1,000 square kilometer area to get good data from that quake. A major goal for developers is to provide location-specific warnings in which the phone can determine how long it will take before the shaking is going to begin in your area. Allen said the target is 40 seconds of lead time. The developers hope to add a feature that alerts the user to impending quakes in their area. Legit.ng is #1 online trusted source of the latest news in Nigeria. We are covering Nigeria news, Niger delta, world updates, and Nigerian newspaper reviews. We guide our readers to the world of politics, business, energy, sports, entertainment, fashion, lifestyle and human interest stories. -The Indigenous People Of Biafra (IPOB) have threatened to embark on a major protest if anything happens to its detained leader and director of Radio Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu while in prison -The IPOB alleged that Kanu was been denied access to food and toiletries by prison officials -The group have demanded the unconditional release of Nnamdi Kanu Leader, IPOB and director Radio Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu during his recent appearance at the Federal High Court in Abuja The Indigenous People Of Biafra (IPOB) have threatened to embark on a major protest if anything happens to its detained leader and director of Radio Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu while in prison. The group was reacting to allegations that Kanu had been denied access to food and toiletries by some officials at the Kuje prison. READ ALSO: NBA chief comments on Nnamdi Kanu's bail denial Addressing journalists in Nnewi, Anambra state, IPOB media and publicity officer, Emma Powerful, alleged that Kanu was had been subjected to serious intimidation and harassment by some prison officials. He said: "The inhuman treatment being melted to Kanu was meant to demoralize him as directed by the federal governments agents, who are now convinced that he will be set free by the court at the end of the day and they now resorted to denying him access to food in order to starve him to death." He maintained that the action, if true, would attract a protest "never heard of in Nigeria." Similarly, the Igbo spiritual leader, Rommy Ezeonwuka has appealed to the federal government to unconditionally release Kanu adding the agitation of the group could be more pronounced if anything happens to him in prison. Meanwhile, The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) members have resolved to start carrying guns in self-defence from Wednesday, February 17, 2016. The groups spokesman, Emma Nmezu, stated that failure to carry arms had exposed its members to attacks and killings by security agents. Source: Legit.ng It's the biggest night in music, so guests at the 58th annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles on Monday pulled out all the stops when it came to their outfits. All eyes were on best friends Taylor Swift and Selena Gomez as they arrived at the star-studded event together, both sporting show-stopping outfits. The pop stars showcased their toned stomachs for the occasion, with Taylor sporting a red bandeau top with a hot pink skirt, which was slit open to reveal her matching underwear. Turning every head: Selena Gomez (L) and Taylor Swift looked sensational as they arrived on the red carpet at the Grammy Awards in Los Angeles on Monday The 26-year-old, who revealed that her outfit was by Atelier Versace, was also showing off a new shorter hairdo complete with blunt fringe. Meanwhile Selena went for a more glitzy look in a blue Calvin Klein gown that was covered in sequins, and featured daring cut-outs on the side, while also allowing her to flash plenty of cleavage thanks to a low-cut neckline. Selena, whose hair was styled in soft curls, picked nude lipstick and dramatic smoky eye make-up, while Taylor kept her eye make-up toned down but wore her signature red lipstick. Inseparable: Selena, who wore a glitzy blue gown by Calvin Klein, joked that Taylor was her date for the evening Bright young thing: The 26-year-old was bringing back the colour block trend with an red bandeau top and hot pink skirt by Atelier Versace - A slight modification has been made to President Buharis itinerary for forthcoming trips which will see him visit three countries. - President Buhari will spend just one night in Cairo, Egypt when his three-nation tour starts on February 20 - He will also make stops at Riyadh in Saudi Arabia before moving on to Doha in Qatar - The presidency has made emphasis on the essence of Buhari's foreign trips Emerging reports suggest that there is a modification in President Muhammadu Buhari's itinerary for his forthcoming visits to three different countries. According to Sahara Reporters, the modified program will now see the president spending just one night in Cairo, Egypt when the three-nation tour starts on Saturday, February 20. Presidency says there is a slight modification in President Buhari's forthcoming trip to three countries. READ ALSO: NIPR President reacts to Buharis anti-corruption war President Buhari will then dash back to Abuja on February 21 for a 24-hour stopover before traveling to Riyadh in Saudi Arabia on Monday, February 22. On Tuesday, February 23, the Nigerian president will fly from Riyadh to Madinah, while on Wednesday, February 24, he is scheduled to travel by road from Madinah to Makkah. It is gathered that President Buhari is scheduled to travel from Jeddah to Doha, Qatar before returning to Abuja on Saturday, February 27. Meanwhile, the presidency has reacted to the insinuation that President Buharis frequent oversea trips are mere jamborees. Garba Shehu, the senior special assistant to Buhari on media and publicity, recently told reporters at the State House that the foreign trips were necessitated by the president's desire to block and recover funds looted out of Nigeria. Source: Legit.ng US President Barack Obama kicked off a two-day summit Monday with 10 Southeast Asian leaders at Sunnylands, the first-ever such meeting on US soil. The Americans are talking up this summit, with some media even calling for a "Sunnylands Principle," which exaggerates the importance of the meeting. It is understandable that the US has felt a sense of crisis as ASEAN enhances cooperation with China and is trying to boost ties with ASEAN members. The ASEAN leaders have traveled thousands of miles to the US, a gesture showing support to Washington. Although some will leave their posts soon, the desire of both the US and these nations to expand cooperation is real. The summit will discuss the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and the US is set to raise the South China Sea issue. At previous ASEAN summits, there were divergences over how to bring up the South China Sea issue. But since the US is the host this time, Washington may invite the leaders to talk freely about the issue. Washington has reiterated that the summit is not targeted at China. It is perhaps not because it does not want to, but because it dares not, for it knows if it does so, many Southeast Asian leaders would not attend at all. That ASEAN countries strike a balance between major powers is considered as its core diplomatic interest and an outcome of realpolitik. Even Vietnam, which has territorial disputes with China, has taken a cautious approach in walking a fine line between Beijing and Washington. Among the 10 ASEAN members, only the Philippines publicly adopts a pro-US attitude, but it does not stand in complete opposition to China. These countries may know that if they pick a side from either of China and the US, they would be controlled by it and used as leverage against the other. We believe the summit will not make any striking geopolitical decisions. ASEAN countries have no such desire, and the US knows it is not able to do so. If the summit is to yield any results, it should work on normal cooperation between the US and ASEAN. The TPP is considered to be partly aimed at China. But if more ASEAN countries join the TPP, it will not help the TPP isolate China, but it will only complicate the issue. China has long been ASEAN's largest trading partner. The TPP and the China-ASEAN free trade zone can be compatible. The South China Sea disputes are between China and the relevant countries. ASEAN hopes to talk with China about regional peace, and bilateral territorial disputes should be handled by China and the party concerned. This China-proposed dual track approach is based on pragmatism. ASEAN will not be taken in by the US if the US tries to turn the South China Sea disputes into a row between China and ASEAN. - APC has revealed how Governor Nyesom Wike procured Supreme Court judgment - The party link a former governor of the state whose wife is a justice of the Supreme Court as the brain behind judgement The All Progressives Congress in Rivers state has stated that the revelation of Governor Nyesom Wike about how he won the state gubernatorial poll dispute at the Supreme Court as an indictment on the apex court. APC exposes how Wike won election Wike had said during a thanksgiving service on February 7, narrated how a former governor of the state, Dr. Peter Odili would call him at night to instruct him on what to do and who to see adding that he took all the advice which could be attributed to his victory. READ ALSO: Bayelsa election tribunal relocates to Abuja The APC in a statement by its chairman, Dr. Davies Ibiamu Ikanya, on Tuesday, February 16, in Port Harcourt said that the governor statement had ended the mystery over how he secured the judgment considering that Odilis wife, Mary Odili, is one of the justices of the Supreme Court. Ikanya said: That Wike may have influenced the outcome of the judgement given by the Supreme Court for PDP in Rivers State was further exposed by PDP supporters, who started celebrating the judgement by 9am almost ten hours before the incredulous judgement was delivered at 6.45pm on Wednesday, January 27, 2016. The APC expressed disappointment over the judgment adding that by the verdict, the people of the state had been denied the opportunity to vote for the gubernatorial candidate of their choice just because to Wike, everything in this world, including every judgement, has a price tag, PM News reports. The party further added that the party aligned itself with the position of the Head of the Presidential Anti-Corruption Committee, Professor Itse Sagay, who said that the apex court reason for delivering the judgment was not convincing. Sagay had reacted to the verdict of the court saying: Everybody knows that people like Wike climbed into the governorship seat over dead bodies and over the blood of human beings. There were no elections, they wrote the results; the evidence is there. He lamented that what the Supreme Court had done is to set the clock of electoral excellence and fairness and credibility back. Sagay said: I do not want to say a thousand years, but certainly it is taking us back to where we were before (former INEC Chairman, Prof. Atahiru) Jega came in and sanitized the system. The party, however, stated that: the blood of our 100 members killed to install Wike as Rivers State Governor will one day touch the minds of the Supreme Court Justices and make them to give correct judgments that will save Nigeria from the shame in the international community occasioned by this unjust judgment. Source: Legit.ng - Pastor Enoch Adeboye has made an august visit to Aso Rock - The RCCG leader arrived the Presidential villa in the Vice President's official car - Adeboye is in a meeting with Buhari and Osinbajo President Muhammadu Buhari was paid a visit today by the General Overseer of The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye. The prominent pastor arrived the Presidential Villa, Abuja inside the Vice Presidents official car at about 12.30pm He arrived shortly after the visit of the Liberian President Ellen John Sirleaf. READ ALSO: Buhari alters trip schedule to three countries The clergyman was led straight into the Presidents office by Prof Yemi Osinbajo, the vice president. According to The Punch, the trio hold a meeting meeting in the presidential villa. Details regarding the purpose of the august visit and the meeting outcomes are still unknown. Sources disclose that the private meeting lasted for about 20 minutes after-which Osinbajo led the clergyman out of the venue of into his waiting car. Adeboye however, did not speak with State House correspondents. When asked for comment, he simply said: God bless you. As he was entering his white unmarked car, Adeboye repeated: God bless you all. Below are photos of Pastor Adeboye at the forecourt with Buhari and Osinbajo. President Buhari and Pastor Adeboye Pastor Adeboye meets with President Buhari and Prof Osinbajo President Buhari meets the General Overseer of RCCG More details to follow shortly. Source: Legit.ng An undated photo shows penguins meeting tourists in Xiannv Mountain, southwest China's Chongqing Municipality in the new year. [Photo: Chinanews.com] As temperatures dropped, Chongqing's Xiannv Mountain saw the first snow in the Year of the Monkey. Six penguins recently brought here from the South Pole have added more liveliness to the snowy mountain. The six tiny creatures are Adelie's, the same breed of penguins as the ones in the animated film "Madagascar." The penguins are presented in a cartoon wagon to highlight their cuteness. An Igbo coalition group, Southeast-Based Coalition of Human Rights Organizations, (SBCHROs) has alleged that Justice John Tsoho of a Federal High Court in Abuja may sentence Nnamdi Kanu to death the same way Justice Ibrahim Auta did to the leader of Movement for the Survival of Ogoni people (MOSOP), Ken Saro-Wiwa. Saro-Wiwa was hanged by the military government of General Sani Abacha in 1995 when he led a MOSOP on a protest to protest the environmental degradation of the land. He and some Ogoni chiefs were sentenced to death by Justice Auta. READ ALSO: Kanu makes strong declaration Vanguard reports that SBCHROs in a statement it released on Monday, February 15 in Onitsha claimed that the hostility shown so far by Justice Tsoho in the felony case brought against Kanu might make him sentence the director of Radio Biafra to death. The coalition group said the judge should not continue to hear the case as he may be swayed by the desire to please President Muhammadu Buhari. It claimed the judge might be eyeing the position of the chief justice of the Federal High Court after the retirement of Auta and his second-in- command, Justice Adamu Abdu Kafarati. The two are expected to retire in 2017, based on the attainment of their statutory required age of 65 or 35 years of service. SBCHROs advised the judge to hand off the case if he has his eye for position of the chief justice or change his hostile attitude towards Kanu. READ ALSO: IPOB threaten protests over Kanu's well being We make bold to say that we shall resist unstoppably all attempts to sacrifice the lives and liberties of Nnamdi Kanu and others for selfish interests such as CJ ambition powered by sheer act of puppetry and politico-judicial leprosy. The group warned Tsoho that he would be dragged before the National Judicial Council and be made to face local and international advocacy campaigns if he does not handle the case well. A week ago, Justice Tsoho refused an application by Kanu for the release of his passports. Kanu's lawyer had requested that his passports and money seized by security operatives at the time of his arrestbe returned but the judge refused the application. Source: Legit.ng Editor's note: As intensive preparations get underway for the 11th G20 Summit, which will be held in Hangzhou on September 4 and 5, attention and expectations about the summit are running high among the international community and Chinese in particular. Our correspondent talked to State Councilor Yang Jiechi, who is in charge of preparations, in a special interview. The following is the comprehensive overview of the preparatory work as given by Yang. State Councilor Yang Jiechi (front, third from left) joins other officials from G20 economies at the First G20 Sherpa Meeting in Beijing on Thursday. The three-day gathering forms part of the runup to the G20 Summit in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province. (FENG YONGBIN / CHINA DAILY) China will host the G20 Hangzhou Summit in 2016. President Xi Jinping has laid out China's vision for the summit. What are the objectives that China hopes to achieve at the summit? How are the preparations going? China will hold the 11th G20 Summit in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, on September 4 and 5. This summit will be the culmination of China's diplomatic agenda this year. It will be a milestone not only in the political and diplomatic sense, but will also have far-reaching impact economically and socially. At the Antalya (Turkey) Summit in November, President Xi Jinping laid out the theme, priorities and the general idea of China's presidency. President Xi emphasized that the theme of the Hangzhou Summit, "Toward an Innovative, Invigorated, Interconnected and Inclusive World Economy", is designed in light of the development needs of all countries amid the current economic situation to promote stable growth in the short term by addressing the symptom and to drive growth in the long term through tackling the root cause. To be specific, "innovative" refers to innovation-driven development, including innovation in science and technology, as well as innovation in development concepts, systems and institutions, business models and structural reform, which will help find new sources of growth for the world economy. "Invigorated" means to lend impetus to the sluggish world economy by exploring new paths, tapping new forces and stimulating new vitality. "Interconnected" indicates a sense of community with shared interests and common future, calling for closer international economic cooperation, sharing of opportunities through connectivity and creation of synergy through sound interactions. "Inclusive" aims to narrow development gaps among countries, focus more on developing countries and all groups of people, and allow all people to benefit from the growth of the world economy. On December 1 last year, the very day of China's assumption of the G20 presidency, President Xi delivered a message, further explaining China's vision and consideration for the summit. These messages from President Xi have shown the direction for the preparations for the Hangzhou Summit and have been warmly received by various parties. As a premier forum for international economic cooperation, the G20 has played an important role in tackling the international financial crisis. In November 2008, the first G20 Summit was held in Washington. At that time, the world economy was on the brink due to the impact of the sub-prime mortgage crisis emanating from Wall Street . The G20 came to the fore at the critical juncture and, in the spirit of partnership and win-win cooperation at times of difficulty, took resolute and timely actions and steered the world economy away from the brink of precipice to a path of stability and recovery. Today, as the world economy and international economic cooperation have come to yet another turning point, expectations are high for the Hangzhou Summit among various parties. China hopes that the G20 Hangzhou Summit this year will achieve the following objectives: First, to play a leading role, demonstrate ambition and chart the course for world economic growth. Second, to strengthen international economic cooperation and highlight the spirit of partnership and joint efforts in response to risks and challenges. Third, to innovate institutional building and create cooperation platforms to shift the G20 from a mechanism for crisis response to one of long-term governance. China will work with all parties for positive outcomes of the G20 Hangzhou Summit for the benefit of the whole world and future generations. China attaches great importance to the preparations for the summit. We have set up a committee to coordinate the preparatory work. Thanks to the concerted efforts of relevant departments and provincial and municipal authorities, the preparations are going smoothly. Not long ago, the first Sherpa Meeting and the Finance and Central Bank Deputies Meeting were held successfully. Basic consensus was reached on the framework, priorities, key areas and roadmap of the work for this year, marking a major step forward. Programs of events and arrangements for venues, facilities, logistics and security are being fleshed out. These efforts have received full recognition from G20 members, guest countries and relevant international organizations. We have every reason to be confident about the success of the summit. >>>Related: State Councilor outlines China's goals in hosting G20 summit State Councilor Yang Jiechi has stated China's goal to enhance the role of the G20 from a mechanism tackling crisis to one exercising long-term, effective management. State Councilor Yang Jiechi has stated China's goal to enhance the role of the G20 from a mechanism tackling crisis to one exercising long-term, effective management. Yang made the remarks when addressing the First G20 Sherpa Meeting on Thursday in Beijing, a gathering of senior officials preparing for the G20 summit in September in Eastern China's Hangzhou city. As new uncertainties loom large in the world economy since the major global financial crisis in 2008, some observers voiced their skepticism over the validity and influence of the G20 mechanism while others called for a reform of its functions. When outlining China's goals for hosting the summit this year, Yang said one target is "to renovate the mechanism building, forge a cooperative platform and provide a firm guarantee of the transformation of the G20". According to Yang, as a major international economic cooperation forum, whether the G20 will realize a successful transformation and record achievements in addressing new global economic challenges "concerns the overall development of all the member states and influences the very interests of all the countries in the world". Also, the G20 will play a leading role, showcase ambitions and outline directions of world economic development and international economic cooperation, Yang said. The G20 is expected to formulate rules and indicators and press ahead with inspections on implementation, offering benchmarks for evaluating relevant cooperation, Yang said. The streetscape of Burlington Road, Dublin 4, is set to change with the addition of 'Vertium' a new 172,000 square foot office building. It is due for completion in Q2 2017. The 6 storey building is described by joint letting agents Savills and Knight Frank as a statement office development de... [] Sponda Plc has sold land areas in the Vermo district of Espoo, to Etera Mutual Personal Insurance Company and Suomen Asunnot ja Tontit I Ky. NCC Construction Ltd, Housing owns the housing construction rights for the area. Suomen Asunnot ja Tontit I Ky invests in residential plots and housing in Finla... [] Verdion has handed over the completed 271,668 sq ft (25,238 sq m) bespoke logistics facility in Cloppenburg to Derby Cycle Werke GmbH. The new 15 million development, which comprises 265,414 sq ft (24,657 sq m) of warehouse space and 6,243 sq ft (581 sq m) of offices, was completed on [] Malaysian classifieds website Mudah.my carries an advertisement which hints that bookings for the BMW G 310 R are open in the country. The advertiser who goes by the name Contibikestore claims that the vehicle is priced between 25,000 30,000 Malaysian ringgits (around INR 4.10 lakhs 4.92 lakhs). The ad also invites prospective customers to book the street fighter with a refundable deposit of 300 ringgits. The authenticity of the information in the advertisement however stands unverified. The G 310 R is the first product to be born from the BMW-TVS technology cooperation agreement. While TVS is in charge of manufacturing the bike, BMW Motorrad is responsible for the engineering and design aspects. The platform will also spawn a fully faired TVS derivative (codenamed U69) which was previewed by the Akula 310 concept. If the price range specified by the Malaysian website is anywhere near the truth, then the G 310 Rs price tag in India would be roughly around INR 2.0 lakhs 2.5 lakhs (Malaysia levies heavy import tax and local excise duties on automobiles). However we would like to wait for a more reliable info before jumping into conclusion. Coming back to the motorcycle, the G 310 R is powered by a single-cylinder liquid-cooled 313 cc engine which is pivoted 180-degrees to achieve more efficient packaging. The fuel-injected motor is mated to a 6-speed transmission to pump out 34 PS and 28 Nm of torque. The BMW G 310 R is expected to enter production at TVS Hosur plant. The motorcycle would launch in India sometime in mid-2016. Photos Via Paultan.org The 2020 Datsun redi-GO BS6 comes with a range of cosmetic and equipment updates It was only recently that Datsun India teased the 2020MY redi-GO facelift. The updated BS6 version of the budget hatchback was spotted on multiple occasions in the recent past in its test mule avatar. Compared to the outgoing BS4 version, the Datsun redi-GO BS6 features a host of changes in terms of styling and equipment. The recent teaser images shed some light regarding its revamped styling such as the L-shaped LED DRLs and 5-spoke wheel caps. As per Datsun India (under Nissan India), the new redi-GO packs more than 50 extra features including a segment-first 8.0-inch touchscreen. Automotive YouTube channel Pilot On Wheels has shared the complete details of the 2020 Datsun redi-GO. The video (in Malayalam) explains its design, variants, features and full changelog. Though the exact launch date could vary depending on the Indian governments COVID-19 lockdown protocols, Pilot On Wheels shares that Datsun India will start online and offline bookings from May 15. If the ongoing lockdown is not extended (beyond May 3), one can expect the car to be launched in about two weeks. Furthermore, Datsun/Nissan India dealerships would start receiving BS6 redi-GO units from May 10. Ex-showroom prices are expected to start from just under Rs 3 lakh. The 2020 Datsun redi-GO is based on the same CMF-A platform which underpins the Renault Kwid BS6. Compared to its BS4 model, the 2020 Datsun redi-GO gets an all-new front profile. The headlamps are sharper and the bumper receives some chrome treatment. Its L-shaped DRLs also accompany an LED fog lamp. The rear profile receives considerable changes such as LED tail lamps, spoiler and a tweaked bumper. Datsun has also added a pair of roof rails alongside new 14-inch wheel caps (165/70 tyres). On the inside, the dashboard follows a dual-tone layout with added features. The larger infotainment system supports both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto while also incorporating a rearview camera display. Material usage is better but the seats still lack adjustable headrests. However, it has finally received internally-adjustable ORVMs (manual). In terms of safety, the Japanese brand has added some essentials such as dual airbags, speed warning, 3-point seatbelts with pre-tensioner and load limiter; seatbelt reminder as well as better crash/impact protection. The 2020 Datsun redi-GO BS6 comes in four variants: D, A, T and T (O). Engine choices include the same 0.8-litre and 1.0-litre units. In its BS4 format, the power plants make 53bhp/72Nm and 67bhp/91Nm, respectively. A 5-speed manual is standard while the top T (O) will be available with an AMT option. Toyota Urban Cruiser name was trademarked about two years ago for the Indian market It is not news that Toyota Kirloskar Motor is working on a subcompact crossover over Maruti Suzukis Vitara Brezza. The Japanese automaker has already introduced the Glanza hatchback back in June 2018. Compared to the Maruti Suzuki Baleno on which it is based, the differences are almost inexistent. With the discontinuation of Toyotas Etios range, the Glanza hatchback has become the brands new entry-level product. Unlike the Toyota Glanza, visual changes in the upcoming Urban Cruiser may not be limited to just badging and colour choices. It might sport revamped exteriors in line with Toyotas global design language. It still remains unknown if Urban Cruiser would be the final name for Toyotas rebadged Vitara Brezza. Meanwhile, @motor_marvel_autoblogs on Instagram has shared a Toyota Urban Cruiser render on a Vitara Brezza base. The team has done a questionable job imagining a Toyota-branded sub-four-metre crossover (or compact SUV in wider Indian terms) since Suzukis S badging still remains on the wheels. Even the number plate reads Vitara Brezza but mirrored. The render basically morphs a 2020MY Toyota Raize crossover on the latest BS6 Vitara Brezza facelift. However, one can expect the Urban Cruiser to sport a similar styling if Toyota intends to make a difference from its Maruti Suzuki counterpart. Various reports state that it will be launched later this year after the current COVID-19 and lockdown situation. As the Urban Crusier trademark dates back to 28 June 2018, we have reason to expect such a fast-approaching timeline. The crossover will employ the same powertrain as its donor. At Auto Expo 2020, Maruti Suzuki debuted the updated BS6 Vitara Brezza with a 1.5-litre K15B four-cylinder petrol motor. It makes roughly 103bhp and 138Nm of torque while mated to a 5-speed manual or 4-speed TC automatic transmission. For the BS6 era, Maruti Suzuki has chosen a petrol-only portfolio. Many would miss the BS4 Vitara Brezza that came only with a 1.3-litre DDiS diesel mill (sourced from FCA) and made 89bhp and 200Nm of torque. Transmission choices included a 5-speed manual and its AMT unit. Once launched, the Toyota Urban Cruiser will take on the Mahindra XUV300, Tata Nexon, Hyundai Venue and of course, the Vitara Brezza as well. Kia Motors Indias upcoming Sonet subcompact crossover would also be its major rival. Nissan and Renault are apparently working on their own products to be dominant players in the compact SUV race in India. College students spend more class time than ever playing with their smartphones and other digital devices, according to a new University of Nebraska-Lincoln study. Students check their phones and other digital devices in class more than 11 times a day on average, according to the survey of 675 students in 26 states. The study was published online in the Journal of Media Education. It's not just a quick glance to see if someone's trying to reach them. Students in the study estimated that, on average, they spent 20 percent of their classroom time using digital devices for activities unrelated to class -- mostly text messaging but also emailing, web-surfing, checking social media and even playing games. "That can add up," said Barney McCoy, associate professor of broadcasting and journalism who conducted the survey. "During the typical four years they're in college classrooms, the average student may be distracted for two-thirds of a school year." The study's purpose was to learn more about so-called Millennial students' behaviors and perceptions regarding their classroom uses of digital devices for non-class purposes. Students acknowledged the costs of monitoring digital devices instead of their professors: They admitted they don't pay attention, miss instruction, that their grades may suffer and they can be called out by their professors. Yet most respondents indicated they can't or won't change their behavior. Nearly 30 percent believed they could use their digital devices without distracting from their learning. More than one-fourth said it was their choice to use a digital device when they wanted. Nearly 13 percent said the benefits of using digital devices for non-class purposes outweighed the classroom distractions they caused. More than 11 percent of the respondents said they couldn't stop themselves from using digital devices. "Most were aware of the downside in their behavior when it comes to their ability to learn," McCoy said. "But they have justified that tradeoff. It's not so much a sense of entitlement; it's their desire to be connected and not wanting to miss a message." He said the findings indicate faculty as well as students must change their practices to adapt to the reality of phones and other digital devices. He said boredom was the top reason students gave for turning to their devices during class. advertisement "This suggests a need for students to learn more effective self-control techniques to keep focused on the learning at hand in classroom settings," McCoy said. "It also suggests instructors might benefit from learning and experimenting with new ways to engage college students in classroom activities." The study is the second time McCoy has surveyed college students on this topic. Since his first survey in 2013, smartphones have become ubiquitous among students and basic cellphones have fallen out of favor. The latest study found more students checking their devices with more frequency than in 2013. One-third of responding students said they used digital devices for non-class purposes at least 10 times a school day in 2015, compared to 30 percent in 2013. In 2015, the number of students who never used their devices for non-classroom purposes dropped to 3 percent, compared to 8 percent in 2013. The 2015 survey was McCoy's first attempt to measure how much class time students spent being distracted by digital devices. Nearly 11 percent said they spent more than 50 percent of their class time using their phones and other digital devices for non-class purposes. Students in the survey were overwhelmingly opposed to banning digital devices from the classroom. A majority said it didn't believe students should be penalized for using them in the classroom. Study respondents included freshmen through graduate students attending colleges and universities from the following states: Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Kansas, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New York, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and Wisconsin. Most were mass communications majors, but participants also included marketing, business, law, education and agriculture majors. advertisement Digital distraction on the rise in classrooms A new UNL study shows acceptance of digital devices in the classroom has grown. Here are the most recent results compared with 2013, the year the previous survey was taken. On a typical school day, how often do you use a digital device during class for non-classroom related activities such as texting, talking on a smartphone, emailing, surfing the Web, tweeting or other social networking? More than 10 times: 2013: 30%; 2015: 34%. 1-10 times: 2013: 62%; 2015: 63%. Never: 2013: 8%; 2015: 3%. If you use a digital device during class for non-class purposes, please describe all those purposes: Texting: 2013: 86%; 2015: 87%. Checking the time: 2013: 79%; 2015: 75%. Email: 2013: 68%; 2015: 76%. Social networking: 2013: 66%; 2015: 70%. Web surfing: 2013: 38%; 2015: 42%. Games: 2013: 8%; 2015: 10%. The journal issue can be found at: http://en.calameo.com/read/00009178915b8f5b352ba Collapsed cave systems are a new type of reservoir in the Barents Sea that can accommodate significant petroleum resources. "Characterizing the reservoir properties of such systems is quite a challenge," says researcher Jan Tveranger at Uni Research CIPR in Bergen, Norway. In 2013 and 2014 Lundin Petroleum discovered significant amounts of oil and gas in the prospects Gohta and Alta on Loppa high, north of the Snhvit field. The reservoir type encountered represent something new on the Norwegian shelf: carbonate and gypsum formations with evidence of pervasive dissolution and cave formation (commonly known as "karst") followed by infilling and collapse during subsequent burial. Similar reservoirs are known from the Middle East, China and the US. "Such "paleokarst reservoirs" are quite intriguing from a scientific point of view, but far more difficult to characterize than the reservoirs we are familiar with from elsewhere on the Norwegian shelf. The processes acting during their formation produce extreme contrasts in porosity and permeability over short distance," says Tveranger. A detailed understanding Drill holes and seismic surveys provide only limited information in this context. "Thus forecasts of spatial distribution of formation properties, a prerequisite for successful well placement and production planning, have to employ other means. A detailed understanding of the processes these reservoirs are subjected to during their formation is the key to their successful development," Tveranger says. advertisement "Predictable reservoir behaviour ensures that optimal recovery with a minimum number of wells. This cuts both installation cost and risk for operators. The need for fewer wells and prolonged operational life for individual fields is also less environmentally disruptive," he adds. The size of the Alta discovery is promising. Preliminary resource estimates based on wells drilled by the Island Innovator rig in the autumn of 2015 suggest reserves of between 14-50 million standard cubic metres of oil and 5-17 billion cubic metres of gas, according to offshore.no. Lundin will continue the evaluation of the reservoir with two new assessment wells planned for 2016. Could the neighbouring prospect on Loppa High, Lakselv, Brselv and Neiden contain similar reservoirs? According to Tveranger, an exploration well is in progress on the latter. Unique combination Unusual reservoirs require unusual solutions. This also extends to team composition. advertisement Uni Research CIPR, the Department of Earth Science at the University of Bergen (UoB) and NORSAR have joined some of their competences in an effort to improve characterization of paleokarst reservoirs. This includes Norway's premier research environment on karst processes, extensive experience in reservoir modelling and simulation and a suite of new tools for seismic forward modelling. "Simply explained, we start out by establishing what different karst systems look like. This is linked to the initial properties of the rock as well as local tectonics and climate. Knowledge of the processes acting during subsequent collapse, infill and burial can be used to forecast property distributions in the subsurface. This is followed by seismic forward modelling to see what a given system will look like in seismic data from real reservoirs," says Tveranger. A long-lived research effort Uni Research CIPR is one of small number of Norwegian research institutions who have worked on this type of reservoirs for a long time through field studies in Texas, Wyoming and Billefjorden on Svalbard. "Students and researchers at CIPR have built reservoir models and conducted fluid flow simulation studies based on these field studies since 2008," Tveranger points out. Lundins discoveries in the southern Barents Sea have been described as a potential game changer for the petroleum production in the region. Although the company in November 2015 expressed their intention to develop the two discoveries, falling oil prices emphasize the need for reliable forecasts to lower investment risks. Composing a team Norway's foremost karst expert, Professor Stein-Erik Lauritzen from the University of Bergen is part of the research team. "Cooperation with UoB is a key element. The link between modern karst and paleokarst reservoirs is well known, but the disciplines working in these two fields (karst research and petroleum reservoir characterization) traditionally don't mix much," says Tveranger. "However, our close collaboration with UoB allows us to set up untraditional teams in a targeted manner to handle specific problems, or simply explore the vast scientific ground between normally compartmentalized disciplines," Tveranger points out. Seismic forward modelling Seismic interpretation of paleokarst reservoirs is challenging. The processes forming them give rise to geometrically complex structures and substantial heterogeneity. It is difficult to identify and interpret these structures if one doesn't know what to look for. Here seismic forward modelling of modelled structures from known paleokarst reservoirs can aid interpretation. "Our collaborators at NORSAR have developed a tool for seismic forward modelling of the reservoir models we build. This will make it possible to identify what different structures look like in the seismic data and thus give the interpreter an idea of what he or she should look for." Heart attack patients who experience cardiogenic shock have a higher risk of death or rehospitalization than non-shock patients in the first 60 days post-discharge, but by the end of the first year, the gap between the two groups narrows, according to a study published today in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology. Cardiogenic shock is low blood pressure that lasts for more than 30 minutes, often requiring the use of mechanical devices to sustain it at a safe level. The condition results in inadequate circulation of blood throughout the body. Using data from the American College of Cardiology's National Cardiovascular Data Registry's ACTION Registry-GWTG linked with Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services claims data, researchers examined records from 112,561 heart attack patients treated at 677 U.S. hospitals between January 2007 and September 2012. Of this group, almost 5 percent experienced cardiogenic shock during the initial hospitalization. These patients were younger than non-cardiogenic shock patients and were less likely to have had a previous heart attack, angioplasty, or coronary artery bypass graft surgery. Researchers found that at 60 days, almost 34 percent of shock patients were rehospitalized or had died, compared with about 25 percent of non-shock patients. At the one-year mark, however, the difference was not as great: about 59 percent of shock patients were rehospitalized or had died, compared with about 52 percent of patients without shock. After adjusting for patient characteristics such as age and gender; comorbid conditions, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and chronic lung disease; hospital region and size; and in-hospital events and interventions, the study demonstrated that patients who survive to 60 days have similar outcomes, regardless of shock status. For both groups, factors associated with one-year mortality include older age, discharge to a skilled nursing facility, and the number of hospitalizations in the year before the heart attack. Rashmee Shah, M.D., the study's lead author and assistant professor of medicine at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, noted that since outcomes between shock and non-shock patients were similar after 60 days, "there is a need to address the vulnerable immediate post-hospital period." She said that "future investigations should identify reasons for this pattern so that interventions could be tailored to improve early survival and identify the sickest patients, who may be better served with palliative care or hospice." "We have to better understand this pattern of early mortality versus late survivorship," said Valentin Fuster, M.D., Ph.D., JACC editor-in-chief. "We need to better understand the mechanism, in order to possibly convert these early mortality rates." In an accompanying editorial, Adnan Kastrati, M.D., professor of medicine at the German Heart Centre in the state of Bavaria, said the findings support the theory that early survival is determined predominately by the extent of damaged muscle, while late survival is related to lower baseline risk. He noted that high mortality rates for shock patients should "motivate us to search for potentially modifiable factors that may lead to improved outcomes." He suggested further investigation of the best way to address multivessel coronary artery disease and the optimal strategy for reversing cardiogenic shock. Concurring with Shah, Kastrati added that the study "should increase awareness of the importance of close medical surveillance of this population in the immediate post-hospital discharge period." Scientists used the full DNA sequences of Schistosoma mansoni parasites from Africa and the French Caribbean to discover the fluke's origins, map its historic transmission and identify the secrets of its success. Their findings show how the global slave trade transported the disease from Senegal and Cameroon to Guadeloupe. Further genomic comparison with a closely related schistosome species that infects rodents reveals how the parasite has adapted to infecting human beings. Schistosoma mansoni is a blood fluke (flatworm) that infects more than 250 million people worldwide and causes more than 11,000 deaths each year. Six years ago the Sanger Institute published the parasite's first full DNA sequence (genome); this latest study used that 'genetic map' to construct and compare the genomes of S. mansoni parasites gathered from across Africa and the New World, the majority of which were held at the Schistosomiasis Collection in the Natural History Museum, London. By analysing the differences between the human-infecting S. mansoni and its close relative, the rodent-infecting S. rodhaini, the scientists calculated that the two species evolved from a common ancestor approximately 107,000 to 148,000 years ago in East Africa. This finding suggests that the species is much 'younger' than previously thought. "The timing of the separation of the two species coincidences with the first archaeological evidence of fishing in Africa," explains Thomas Crellen, first author of the study from Imperial College London, the Sanger Institute and the Royal Veterinary College London. "The parasite develops in freshwater and infects people by burrowing through their skin. The introduction of fishing would have meant that people spent more time in the water, greatly increasing their chances of being infected." Analysing the differences between genomes from different locations also revealed the darker side of human history. "Comparing the S. mansoni genomes suggests that flukes in West Africa split from their Caribbean counterparts at some point between 1117AD and 1742AD, which overlaps with the time of the 16th-19th Century Atlantic Slave Trade," says Professor Joanne Webster from Imperial College London and the Royal Veterinary College. "During this period more than 22,000 African people were transported from West Africa to Guadeloupe by French slave ships, and the fluke was carried with them." Comparing the genomes of S. mansoni with S. rodhaini also revealed the genetic variations that have been positively selected over time in the human-infecting fluke and have been "fixed" into its DNA. It is likely that these variations are the evolutionary adaptations that have occurred to enable the fluke to successfully tunnel into, and thrive within, human beings. "When we looked for the differences between human-infecting S. mansoni DNA and its rodent infecting cousin S. rodhaini, we found two important variations. We found that changes to two genes in S. mansoni's DNA -- VAL21 and an elastase gene -appear to be important in allowing the fluke to enter and live in humans," says Dr James Cotton, senior author of the study from the Sanger Institute. "VAL genes produce proteins that cause allergic responses, so it is possible that the variation in VAL21 helps the fluke to hide from our immune systems. The elastase gene helps the parasite to burrow in to the body, by breaking down elastin -- a major component of human skin." It is hoped that exploring the genetic makeup of the fluke it will be possible to discover more about the processes the parasite relies on to infect humans and offer new opportunities to develop preventive and therapeutic interventions. The Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets will make a dominant contribution to 21st century sea-level rise if current climate trends continue. However, predicting the expected loss of ice sheet mass is difficult due to the complexity of modeling ice sheet behavior. To better understand this loss, a team of Sandia National Laboratories researchers has been improving the reliability and efficiency of computational models that describe ice sheet behavior and dynamics. The team includes researchers Irina Demeshko, Mike Eldred, John Jakeman, Mauro Perego, Andy Salinger, Irina Tezaur and Ray Tuminaro. This research is part of a five-year project called Predicting Ice Sheet and Climate Evolution at Extreme Scales (PISCEES), funded by the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Scientific Discovery through Advanced Computing (SciDAC) program. PISCEES is a multi-lab, multi-university endeavor that includes researchers from Sandia, Los Alamos, Lawrence Berkeley and Oak Ridge national laboratories, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Florida State University, the University of Bristol, the University of Texas Austin, the University of South Carolina and New York University. Sandia's biggest contribution to PISCEES has been an analysis tool, a land-ice solver called Albany/FELIX (Finite Elements for Land Ice eXperiments). The tool is based on equations that simulate ice flow over the Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets and is being coupled to Earth models through the Accelerated Climate for Energy (ACME) project. "One of the goals of PISCEES is to create a land-ice solver that is scalable, fast and robust on continental scales," said computational scientist Irina Tezaur, a lead developer of Albany/FELIX. Not only did the new solver need to be reliable and efficient, but it was critical that the team develop a solver equipped with next-generation and advanced analysis capabilities. Tezaur said the team next needs to run the solver on new and emerging computers. They also need to be able to calibrate models and quantify uncertainties in expected sea-level rise. advertisement "The data we get from climate scientists are usually measurements from the top surface of the ice," she said. "To initialize an ice sheet simulation, we need information about what is happening inside and at the bottom of the ice. Determining interior and bedrock ice properties is what we call model calibration, and requires the solution of an inverse problem. A lot of our work has been in developing and implementing optimization algorithms that are able to solve these inverse problems robustly and efficiently." Tezaur stresses that the success of PISCEES is due in large part to strong collaborations between glaciologists, climate modelers, computational scientists and mathematicians. "Glaciologists and climate scientist collaborators on PISCEES provide us with data sets to go into our model, while computational scientists come up with the right algorithms to use and implement them efficiently," she explains. Improving computational modeling The PISCEES project began in 2012 because there was no robust land-ice model as a building block for earth system models that calculate sea-level rise predictions to support the DOE's climate missions. advertisement Sandia's Albany/FELIX solver includes advanced capabilities and provides increased robustness, scalability and speed, Tezaur said. "In just three years of work, we have created a next-generation land-ice model that is verified, scalable and robust and portable to new and emerging architecture machines," Tezaur said. "These models are equipped with advanced analysis capabilities." The Albany/FELIX solver was written using the so-called "component-based" software development strategy, an approach devised by Sandia computational scientists in which new application codes are written using mature modular libraries. New solvers created using this approach are "born" scalable: fast, robust and capable of advanced analysis since they are based on a collection of algorithms developed and tested by domain experts. The components comprising Albany/FELIX are the Trilinos libraries, a collection of open-source packages developed by Sandia. In addition to recommending and executing the component-based code development strategy, Sandia researchers have developed approaches for improving the robustness of the nonlinear solver. The Albany/FELIX code has demonstrated scalability up to 1 billion unknowns and tens of thousands of cores thanks to parallel scalable iterative linear solvers and newly developed preconditioning methods by Tuminaro. Adjoint-based deterministic inversion algorithms and software developed and implemented by Perego have enabled rigorous model calibration. In collaboration with experts from the QUEST SciDAC institute, Eldred and Jakeman, a framework for forward and inverse uncertainty quantification (UQ) has been developed. Finally, Albany/FELIX has been made portable to new architecture machines thanks in large part to the efforts of computer scientist, Irina Demeshko. Verification and validation are important While code performance is critical to the success of Albany/FELIX, equally important are verification and validation, two procedures for evaluating a model and its code. Verification ascertains that a code is bug-free. In contrast, validation seeks to check that the physical process described by a model is consistent with what is seen in the real world. Sandia has done a thorough verification of the Albany/FELIX solver using the method of manufactured solutions, code-to-code comparisons on canonical land-ice benchmarks and by performing convergence studies on realistic Greenland and Antarctica landscapes with real data, Tezaur said. Tezaur explains that, in general, validation is much harder to do than verification. The degree to which ice sheet models have been validated by observations is fairly limited, due in part to the limited duration of the satellite observation era and the long adjustment time scales of ice sheets. The PISCEES team has checked that its solver predicts ice sheet quantities such as surface velocities, surface mass balance and that these quantities are consistent with past and recent observations. "We are in the process of doing a validation study for the Greenland Ice Sheet for the period 1991-2012," Tezaur said. "The ice sheet model output will be compared to ice surface elevation and ice sheet mass change observations from ICESat and IceSat 2, the Ice, Cloud and land Elevation Satellite." Early results show promise for assessing the performance of different model configurations. A verification and validation test suite, known as the Land Ice Validation and Verification Kit, is being developed by PISCEES collaborators at Oak Ridge, and goes hand-in-hand with the efforts at Sandia. Snowshoe hares arrived on tiny Hay Island, at the mouth of the Bay of Fundy, in 1959, traveling by boat from Grand Manan Island, New Brunswick, Canada, with Wesley Ingalls and his nephew, Junior. The two fishermen had the idea that trapping hares would make an entertaining winter activity, when they were not fishing, and bring in a little extra money. With no competitors and few predators, Ingalls' original dozen hares quickly became several hundred. When low tide opened a causeway to neighboring Kent Island, they hopped across. Junior went out to Hay two years later to harvest young balsam firs for his herring weir, as was his custom. The forest stand never grew back. A bramble of wood fern and raspberry grew up in its place, crowding out other plants and providing excellent cover for bunnies hiding from bald eagles and wintering snowy owls. Snowshoe hares are native to North America and range across the north of the continent from Alaska to the coast of Maine, but had not colonized the remote islands of the Bay of Fundy, 15 miles off the coast of Maine, without human help. On Hay and Kent their population reached 3-50 times the density of hare populations on the Maine mainland. They had an impact. Intrepid eaters, the hares mowed though young saplings as well as grass. In winter they even climbed the bases of trees to gnaw on twigs and bark. As mature trees aged and blew down in storms, no young trees grew to replace them. The hares bonsaied surviving young spruces into the shape of alpine cushion plants. For nearly five decades, the hares shaped the vegetation of Hay and Kent islands. Ingalls had unintentionally initiated and ecological experiment by introducing a keystone herbivore to the island. Kent island also happens to house Bowdoin College's biological field research station, originally established in 1930s as a preserve for the then near-extinct common eider (Somateria mollissima, the largest duck in the northern hemisphere, now stable in the tens of thousands, in a conservation success story). In 1998 Nathaniel Wheelwright, a professor at Bowdoin and then the director of the Bowdoin Scientific Station, set out to eradicate the snowshoe hare with the help of Junior's son and grandchildren. The hares came back. They tried again 2002, with additional recruits from Maine and New Brunswick, but failed again. Wheelwright decided he needed help from the experts. He emailed the chief of New Zealand's national pest control agencies, who replied, "Eradicating the hares using hunters and dogs from 70 ha ought to be trivial. You're not trying very hard." The team tried harder, and in 2007, succeeded in removing the last hare. Now, Bowdoin's Scientific Station is observing the experiment in reverse. A think carpet of tree seedlings covers the forest floor. The trees are so successful in recolonizing open fields that they threaten the breeding habitat of the islands' savanna sparrows, under observation by the station since the 1960s.. In an ironic twist, station biologists will have to mow fields to hold back the resurgent forest and preserve a long-running study from the era of the hare. Washington Post reporter Juliet Eilperin explains the difficulties ahead facing both Republicans and Democrats as they battle to fill the vacant Supreme Court seat left by the sudden passing of Associate Justice Antonin Scalia. (Dalton Bennett/The Washington Post) Washington Post reporter Juliet Eilperin explains the difficulties ahead facing both Republicans and Democrats as they battle to fill the vacant Supreme Court seat left by the sudden passing of Associate Justice Antonin Scalia. (Dalton Bennett/The Washington Post) Conservative and liberal advocacy groups are gearing up for a ferocious political brawl over President Obamas pick to fill the Supreme Court vacancy created by the weekend death of Justice Antonin Scalia, and already the battle is spilling from the presidential campaign into some of the nations most hotly contested Senate races. White House deputy press secretary Eric Schultz repeated Monday that the president intends to fulfill his constitutional responsibility by nominating a new justice and predicted that Senate Republicans, despite their current loud opposition, will ultimately hold a confirmation hearing and vote for the nominee. This is not the first time the Republicans have come out with a lot of bluster only to have reality sink in, Schultz said. We need a fully staffed Supreme Court. Schultz quoted President Ronald Reagan, who pressed for a vote on his Supreme Court nominee Anthony M. Kennedy, who was confirmed in 1988: Every day that passes with a Supreme Court below full strength impairs the peoples business in that crucially important body. But across the board, Republicans have argued that Obama should allow his successor to make the pick and that they would block any attempt to confirm a new justice this year. [Why blocking Obamas pick could cost Republicans the Senate] One consideration that may force Republicans to recalibrate their strategy is the prospect of political damage to some of the embattled Senate incumbents up for reelection this fall. Sens. Kelly Ayotte (N.H.), Ron Johnson (Wis.) and Rob Portman (Ohio), all Republicans in swing states, have called for the Senate to disregard any Obama nominee. Other Republicans in tight races have remained silent so far. Democrats see a potential confirmation battle as an opportunity to put Republicans on the defensive and as a wedge issue that could help them retake control of the Senate. In Ohio, former Democratic governor Ted Strickland, who is vying for his partys nomination to challenge Portman, said Monday that by opposing an Obama nominee, Portman was failing to do his job, shirking his responsibilities to our nation, jeopardizing the institutions of our democracy and engaging in exactly the kind of dysfunctional behavior that frustrates Ohioans about Congress. P.G. Sittenfeld, a Cincinnati City Council member running against Strickland in the Democratic primary, declared Monday that Portman was advocating actions that would put the Senate in violation of both historical precedent and the clear language of the Constitution itself. Portman responded in a statement Monday that the next president should choose Scalias replacement: With the election less than nine months away, I believe the best thing for the country is to trust the American people to weigh in on who should make a lifetime appointment that could reshape the Supreme Court for generations, he said. [The Fix: Senate Republicans have made a big mistake] Conservative activists are drawing up plans to mobilize support and pressure lawmakers to reject any nominee. 1 of 8 Full Screen Autoplay Close Skip Ad Inside the ranch where Justice Scalia died View Photos The Texas resort ranch spanned 30,000 acres. Caption The Texas resort spans 30,000 acres. Feb. 14, 2016 One of the ponds outside the suite where Justice Antonin Scalia was found dead at Cibolo Creek Ranch, the West Texas resort that stretches over 30,000 acres. Matthew Busch/Getty Images Wait 1 second to continue. FreedomWorks, a group that pledges to promote smaller government, lower taxes, free markets, personal liberty and the rule of law, said it would wage a grass-roots campaign to oppose Democrats who would ram liberal judicial nominees through the Senate . . . occasionally with the help of unprincipled, big government Republicans. Carrie Severino, chief counsel and policy director for the Judicial Crisis Network and a former clerk for Justice Clarence Thomas, said conservatives are still mourning Scalia. But, she added, if the president tries to pack the court, as it is apparent he may, then JCN will be leading the charge to delay a Senate vote until the American people decide the next president. Liberal groups are working hard to undercut the prevailing Republican argument that it is inappropriate for Obama to nominate a Supreme Court justice at this late stage of his presidency. Americans United for Change, a group closely allied with the White House, is trumpeting an article written by now-Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) in 1970. McConnell wrote that the Senate should discount the philosophy of the nominee and that the president is presumably elected by the people to carry out a program and altering the ideological direction of the Supreme Court would seem to be a perfectly legitimate part of a presidential platform. Nan Aron, president of the Alliance for Justice, said the sudden Supreme Court vacancy has mobilized progressive groups and broadened the coalition usually assembled for nomination fights. Whats unusual about this moment, and this effort, is that the community as a whole is coming together, said Aron, whose group focuses on federal judicial nominations. In addition to organizations focused on judicial selections, others that arent realize whats at stake and are weighing in already. MoveOn.org and CREDO Action, liberal advocacy groups, have launched petitions calling on the Senate to fill Scalias seat. As of Monday evening, each petition had garnered more than 100,000 signatures. [Harry Reid to GOP: Stop your nakedly partisan obstruction] People close to the administration expect that Obamas choice this time will resemble his earlier ones. I think the best way to think about who the president might appoint is to look at who he has appointed, said Caroline Fredrickson, president of the American Constitution Society for Law and Policy. He has picked people who are qualified beyond question and with an eye toward making the court more diverse. I think those will be the main touchstones. A person close to the administration, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to protect those relationships, said the pick is likely to be someone super-qualified who had been confirmed by overwhelming majorities of currently sitting Republicans; that would make it difficult for the GOP to argue that the nominee is unqualified. Meanwhile, a wall of silence went up Monday around Scalias final hours and the confusion after his death. Local officials in rural West Texas, where he died, spent hours trying to locate a justice of peace after his body was discovered. The justice who was eventually found, Presidio County Judge Cinderela Guevara, pronounced Scalia dead without seeing his body which is permissible under Texas law and declined to order an autopsy. A second justice has said that one should have been performed. [Conspiracy theories swirl around Scalias death] Scalias family opposed an autopsy, and Guevara said Sunday that she determined by telephone that Scalia died of natural causes because he was having health issues. She cited information from federal officials at the scene and a conversation she had with Scalias physician. She said she was awaiting a statement from the physician to complete the death certificate. Scalias physician, Brian Monahan, declined to divulge any details about Scalias health when reached by telephone at his home in Maryland on Monday. Patient confidentiality forbids me to make any comment on the subject, he said, before hanging up. Jerry Markon, Sari Horwitz, Lena Sun and Alice Crites in Washington, and Eva Ruth Moravec in Austin contributed to this report. The Russians were obviously up to something. A Soviet ship out in the middle of the Indian Ocean was struggling to pull some kind of vessel out of the water, though it was unclear exactly what. So while an Australian spy plane patrolling that day in 1982 made a few passes, intelligence officers snapped photos. The Australians passed the images to their intelligence counterparts at the CIA, which in turn looped in NASA officials. And together they helped solve the mystery: It was the BOR-4, an unmanned prototype spacecraft used to test heat-shield ideas for what the Soviets envisioned would be their space shuttle program, according to a NASA account of the incident. In other words, a space plane. Those Cold War spy images could have been an aeronautical footnote lost to history. But NASA last month announced that one of the vehicles chosen to fly cargo to the International Space Station would be the Dream Chaser, a snub-nosed craft derived from that lost Soviet one. The award was an improbable triumph for Sierra Nevada Corp., and it marked the latest chapter in the winding tale of the captivating little spacecraft. The Dream Chasers revival comes as NASA has helped touch off a renaissance in the commercial space industry by awarding millions in contracts over the past decade to companies to develop new space vehicles that could take cargo and, by 2017, astronauts to the space station. Mark Sirangelo, head of the Sierra Nevada Corp.'s space systems. (Sierra Nevada Corp.) NASA first engineered a model of its own after studying the images of the Soviet spacecraft. The Americans were stunned by how well it performed. Eyes were opened, according to a NASA historical account posted online. For years, the Air Force had been working to developing similar technology, and NASA had also worked on developing it. But now armed with the images of the Soviet vehicle, NASA decided to pursue a new program, dubbing it the HL-20, which was going to be used as an escape vehicle for the astronauts aboard the space station. But the agency eventually canceled the program, citing a lack of money among other reasons. Mark Sirangelo, then the head of a small space company that later merged with Sierra Nevada Corp., was looking to enter the competition for spaceflight contracts, and decided it would be more efficient to acquire a design that had already been developed instead of starting from scratch. He had heard of the HL-20 program, but by the time he went to see a wooden model of it in 2005, it was stashed away in the corner of a NASA hangar, hidden under a tarp that was covered in bird droppings. After sitting in limbo for at least a decade, NASA officials were getting ready to trash it, he said in a recent interview. Everything was boxed up, said Sirangelo, now the head of Sierra Nevada Corps space division. Still, he was intrigued. It had a robust pedigree of flight testing and analysis, even if the data appeared to be crunched using a hand-held calculator. So Sierra Nevada Corp. went to work reviving the space plane and entered the renamed Dream Chaser in NASAs competition for a spacecraft that would fly astronauts to the space station after the shuttle retired in 2011. The company fared well, making the final round and collecting $363 million in development money from NASA in the process. Government funding has been critical in developing a host of new spacecraft, lifting a once-stagnant commercial space industry in full innovation mode. Upstarts such as Elon Musks SpaceX and Blue Origin (founded by Jeffrey P. Bezos, who owns The Washington Post) are building rockets that can be reusable, capable of blasting off and landing, instead of being discarded at the end of a mission at huge expense. The United Launch Alliance, a joint venture between Lockheed Martin and Boeing, is developing a rocket that would reuse the most essential part: the engines. Instead of the whole first stage of the rocket flying back to Earth, the engines would drop out and deploy parachutes. Later, a helicopter with a grappling hook would scoop them up. Meanwhile, Richard Bransons Virgin Galactic is set to unveil its new SpaceShipTwo this month. Instead of launching from land, it would be tethered to the belly of a massive mothership, which would fly to 50,000 feet then drop the spacecraft, which would fire its engines and air launch into space. It would land on a runway, like an airplane. Dream Chaser would combine some of those approaches. It would be perched atop a rocket, similar to a traditional capsule, as in the Apollo era. But on its return, it would fly back to Earth, land on a runway, and could also be reused. Sierra Nevada Corp. thought there was a certain poetry to having a miniature shuttle become a serious contender in the race to replace the space shuttle. But it almost didnt happen. After making it to the final round of a competition to fly astronauts to the space station, the company lost out to two competitors. It was like a death in the family, Sirangelo would say at the time. About 100 people would lose their jobs, and the teams prospects teetered. So Sierra Nevada Corp. pivoted. NASA had launched a new competition for a craft to take cargo, not astronauts, to the space station. The deadline to enter was January 2015, a few months away. Some people had doubts why would we bother, Sirangelo said. If you didnt win the first time, what makes you think you could win the second time? Besides, the companies that had held the previous cargo contracts SpaceX and Dulles-based Orbital ATK were up and flying. And this time around, Boeing and Lockheed Martin, the two largest defense contractors in the world, were also bidding. Sirangelo knew his group would have to climb a bigger mountain from an even deeper hole, he said. The Sierra Nevada team would work through the holidays, submit their bid and begin the long wait until June, when NASA was expected to make the award. June would be a good time to get the news, especially if it was bad. Families with kids could finish the school year, then have the summer to figure out what to do next. But NASA pushed the date to July, then to September, then to November. And once more to January. The delays took a toll on everybody, said Steve Lindsey, the program manager. Finally, NASA called. Sirangelo and his leadership team walked stone-faced into the conference room of their Colorado offices, where his staff waited anxiously. Im sorry, Sirangelo began, letting the dramatic pause sink in. The room was silent. But it looks like were going to be working together for the next decade. The room erupted in raucous applause. Sirangelo marveled at how, with a big government contract win, life can change for thousands of people with just one sentence. Sierra Nevada Corp. joined SpaceX and Orbital ATK in being selected for a minimum of six missions each on a contract that could be worth as much as $14 billion. The first flights to fly food, supplies and science experiments to the space station are slated to begin in late 2019. And now that Dream Chaser has won such a potentially lucrative contract, executives said that they plan on bidding on the next round of NASA contracts to fly astronauts to the station the competition they had previously lost. Others are rooting for Dream Chaser, too. In 2005, Sirangelo took a trip to Russia and visited with some of the engineers who worked on the BOR-4. He told them that their idea lived on. They were stunned, and had no idea that their invention had been resurrected, as reported by the website Ars Technica. Sirangelo promised that when Dream Chaser flew, it would carry a list of the names of the Russian engineers along with people at NASA who worked on the HL-20 program. A couple years later, Sirangelo got a letter from the daughter of one of those engineers, saying that her father had recently died, but it was very important to him that his name be on that flight. When the vehicle flies, he said she told him, it would be as of a small piece of him would be in space. One kind of artist is always striving to annihilate the past, composer Steven Stucky once wrote, to make the world anew in each new work, and so to triumph over the dead weight of routine. I am the other kind . . . who only sees his way forward by standing on the shoulders of those who have already cleared the path ahead. Such was the case with his Second Concerto for Orchestra, the work that won him the 2005 Pulitzer Prize in music. The composition was deeply informed by tradition he called it an homage piece to the orchestra and to my heroes, Ravel, Stravinsky, Sibelius and Bartok. But it also was squarely in keeping with his championing of contemporary classical music, neither parroting nor repudiating some of the experimental musical motifs of his time. Dr. Stucky, an emeritus professor at Cornell University, died Feb. 14 at his home in Ithaca, N.Y. He was 66. The cause was brain cancer, said his wife, Kristen Stucky. In a career straddling academia and major concert halls, Dr. Stucky spent 21 years affiliated with the Los Angeles Philharmonic and also wrote for major orchestral ensembles in Chicago, Baltimore, Cleveland, Dallas and Philadelphia. The L.A. Philharmonic reigned large. His Pulitzer Prize-winning concerto relied heavily on a complicated framework in which letters of the alphabet were assigned to musical pitches. The piece made playful references to friends and mentors associated with the philharmonic, including architect Frank Gehry, who designed the Walt Disney Concert Hall where the group performs, and former conductor Esa-Pekka Salonen. Dr. Stucky focused on orchestral work and wrote only one symphony, a short, four-part work that was praised upon its debut in 2012 for its accessibility and emotional power. Reviewing the work, simply titled Symphony, New York Times classical music critic Anthony Tommasini described Dr. Stuckys style as intricate, pungent yet transparent and, in the best sense, accessible. Dr. Stucky drew heavily from the classical canon in pieces such as Funeral Music for Queen Mary, a re-orchestration of three 17th-century works by the English composer Henry Purcell, and the dreamy Partita-Pastorale (After J.S. Bach). He did not hesitate to draw from more contemporary material. In 2014, he adapted The Classical Style, Charles Rosens National Book Award-winning analysis of Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven, into a comic opera with the pianist Jeremy Denk. The work gently mocked the earnestness with which classical music is sometimes analyzed as well as the now-common refrain that classical music is dead. Steven Edward Stucky was born in Hutchinson, Kan., on Nov. 7, 1949, and grew up in Kansas and Texas. Neither of his parents was musical, but Dr. Stucky learned the viola at a young age and wrote a pair of symphonies. (Neither was published.) He once told a radio interviewer in Eugene, Ore., that his early years immersing himself in music transformed him into an orchestra groupie who would rather be listening to an orchestra rehearsal more even than a concert than to do anything else. In 1971, he received a bachelors degree in music from Baylor University in Waco, Tex. At Cornell, he received a masters degree in 1973 and a doctorate in 1978, both in music. In graduate school, he immersed himself in the work of Polish composer Witold Lutoslawski, whom he later befriended. Lutoslawskis music, he later said, had a powerful combination of intellectual integrity and beautiful sound so that when you heard it the last thing you thought of was that sort of stereotypical, cerebral, modern composer. His music is very direct, very emotional, very communicative. He published a biography of the composer, Lutoslawski and His Music (1981), to strong reviews. The book also won an ASCAP-Deems Taylor prize. He later told the Los Angeles Times that the book slowed my development as a composer at a fairly crucial, tender age but taught him a good deal of technical craftsmanship from burrowing himself in Lutoslawskis scores. Dr. Stucky joined the Cornell faculty in 1980, becoming a professor and chair of the music department in the late 1990s. He was named professor emeritus in 2014, when he left Cornell to join the composition faculty at the Juilliard School in New York City. Because many of his works premiered in academic settings, Dr. Stucky lacked prominence until relatively late in his career. His breakthrough was a 1986 work called Dreamwaltzes, a 15-minute conjuring of Viennese waltzes that had been commissioned by the Minnesota Orchestras summer festival. It was a popular hit and brought him to the attention of Andre Previn, who conducted it with the L.A. Philharmonic. In one of the longest relationships between any American orchestra and composer, Dr. Stucky was associated with the L.A. Philharmonic from 1988 to 2009, as composer-in-residence and then as new music adviser. The orchestra commissioned his Second Concerto for Orchestra. His first marriage, to Melissa Whitehead, ended in divorce. Survivors include his wife of three years, Kristen Frey Stucky; and two children from his first marriage. Dr. Stuckys later works included August 4, 1964 (2008), an oratorio commissioned by the Dallas Symphony Orchestra. Dr. Stucky and the librettist, Gene Scheer, examined a day on which the bodies of three civil rights workers were discovered in Philadelphia, Miss., and erroneous reports on an attack in the Gulf of Tonkin led President Lyndon B. Johnson to escalate the Vietnam War. The piece was considered to be a criticism of the George W. Bush administration and the ongoing war in Iraq, but Dr. Stucky said that his aims for the oratorio, as for any of his works, were not strictly political. I think a great piece, whenever it was written, gets under our skin, makes us feel something, he told the Aspen Times in 2013. Thats what Beethoven was trying to do. I dont think music teaches about mundane, everyday life. It teaches us what it is to be a human being. Im trying to do the exact thing Verdi or Mendelssohn did open up that spiritual space where we can all be fully ourselves. Joe Duquette as Stalin and Paul Reisman as writer Mikhail Bulgakov in Spooky Actions U.S. premeire of John Hodges Collaborators. (Tony Hitchcock/Tony Hitchcock) British writer John Hodge has created dozens of films, miniseries and television shows since becoming quasi-famous for his screenplay of the 1996 cult classic Trainspotting. Many of those subsequent projects, however, were aborted somewhere in the process, which was more or less fine with Hodge, a former physician who still got paid for the scripts and had never expected to have such a successful Plan B career. Some projects are eight years in development, he said. It all grinds. Then, around 2010, Hodge began writing about Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin for director Pawel Pawlikowski. First it was a screenplay, then a miniseries and then it wasnt happening at all. But before the whole project could be cast into BBC oblivion, Hodge reworked one potential episode into a play a play that ended up winning the British Laurence Olivier Award. I still think it would be great as a television series, Hodge said in a recent interview. But I think broadcasters feel more at ease investing in War and Peace. Collaborators, still Hodges only play, is a dark comedy about Stalins relationship with a dissident playwright. It debuted at Londons National Theatre in 2011, directed by Nicholas Hytner. Now, Spooky Action Theater, a small troupe that operates out of the Universalist National Memorial Church on 16th Street NW, is staging the plays U.S. premiere. Although a number of American theaters had expressed interest, none followed through with a production, Hodge said. But Spooky Action, which gravitates toward new international works, requested the rights to stage the play, which Hodge welcomed. After nearly two decades of working on movie and television sets, Hodge said the theater was a revelatory experience. I almost felt like I was treated too reverentially, Hodge recalled. There isnt that kind of pressure to be time-efficient in theater that there is in television and film. Yet I think a lot of plays may benefit from being a little more clipped. On most movie sets most of his films have been directed by Danny Boyle, including The Beach, A Life Less Ordinary, Trainspotting and its upcoming sequel Hodge is accustomed to actors of Leonardo DiCaprios stature saying, Thats not what I think my character would say, I think Id say this, and then prattle off a line of revised dialogue. As a screenwriter, Hodge has to smile, nod and pull out his laptop. In that sense, writing Collaborators was much less collaborative, even though Hytner is an internationally respected director and Simon Russell Beale starred as Stalin. The theater has a tradition in which the text is sort of sacred, Hodge said. It has become a forbidden transgression to change Shakespeares lines, and living playwrights are the beneficiaries of that. In Collaborators, Hodge reimagines the life of Mikhail Bulgakov (The Master and Margarita) in Moscow circa 1938, when he was commissioned to write a play about Stalin to celebrate the dictators 60th birthday. He found himself in a dance with the devil, Hodge said. Like Shostakovich, Bulgakov wrote some works that Soviet leaders praised and others that they banned. Most of the action in Collaborators is set in the cramped apartment that the writer shares with a series of government-assigned roommates, including a disgraced aristocrat and a disgruntled teacher. As fans of Trainspotting will recall, Hodge is an expert on nutty apartments. His Trainspotting sequel will revisit the characters played by Kelly Macdonald, Ewan McGregor, Jonny Lee Miller and the other then-young English and Scottish actors. Unless something terrible happens, Hodge said, filming will begin in May. As for the plot, Hodge was tight-lipped, but he did say that it would not be an adaptation of the sequel to Irvine Welshs novel (not his best work) and that it would reference the first, metatheatrically. The fact is, there is a lot of interest in this, he said. Its nice to work on something that there is already an audience for, except theres a lot of pressure to deliver. Kids songwriting contest Disney Theatricals is helping to launch a songwriting contest for children, working with the National Endowment for the Arts and Playbill on the project, which launches Wednesday in Seattle. In this pilot effort, teens in Seattle, Minneapolis-St. Paul and Dallas will be able to attend songwriting workshops and then enter local songwriting contests. Three finalists will travel in September to New York and work with yet-to-be-named mentors. Sony has agreed to publish the No. 1 song, and the winner will receive a $5,000 scholarship. Each of the three organizations is chipping in up to $40,000 toward the initiative, said NEA Chairman Jane Chu, who explained that although television is saturated with singing contests, there is room for a government-funded songwriting challenge. Its about how are we creating an infrastructure . . . where the arts can thrive, Chu said. The FAA reauthorization bill has come down to two contentious issues for consumers: seat size and fare disclosure. (Jason Redmond/AFP/Getty Images) The struggling Federal Aviation Administration reauthorization bill, which seems increasingly unlikely to receive congressional clearance for takeoff in its current form, has come down to two contentious issues for consumers: seat size and fare disclosure. An amendment that would have set minimum seat room on planes was narrowly defeated last week by the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee but will probably be considered again by Congress, either as a stand-alone bill or as an addition to the Senate version of the FAA bill. And a proposed addition that would reverse a consumer-friendly full-fare advertising rule sailed through the committee during a Thursday mark-up session but faces strong headwinds in the Senate. Taken together, these issues could make the fight for the reauthorization bill, a once-every-four-year Washington ritual, must-watch drama for air travelers. [Airlines are resorting to increasingly devious ways to charge you for luggage] The Seat Egress in Air Travel (SEAT) Act proposed by Rep. Steve Cohen (D.-Tenn) faced stiff opposition from Republicans during the committee mark-up session. It would have established a minimum seat size and minimum distance between rows of seats for the safety and health of passengers. The amendment failed by a 26-33 vote, but one Republican Don Young of Alaska broke ranks with his colleagues and voted to support the measure, suggesting that there may be some bipartisan support for the bill. A representative for A4A, a trade association for airlines, said Congress did the right thing. We believe that the government should not regulate, but instead market forces, which reflect consumer decisions, and competition should determine what is offered, said Jean Medina, a spokeswoman for the group. The brief debate about seat standards during an almost 10-hour mark-up session drew heavy criticism from air travelers, who were incredulous that their representatives would oppose a proposal that would set a minimum seat standard. The average distance between rows of seats has dropped from 35 inches before airline deregulation in the 1970s to about 31 inches today, according to Cohen. The average width of an airline seat has also shrunk, from 18 inches to about 16 . Cohen said he was disappointed with the vote but promised to continue fighting for minimum seat standards. This was a vote against the safety and health of airline passengers, he said. The FAA requires that planes be capable of rapid evacuation in case of emergency, yet they havent conducted emergency evacuation tests on all of todays smaller seats. Thats unacceptable. Its time for the FAA to take action. Cohen plans to introduce the amendment again when the bill comes to the floor of the House. Observers also say its likely that the companion bill in the Senate will contain language that requires the Department of Transportation to set minimum seat room standards, which would have to be reconciled with the House bill in committee. Either way, consumer advocates insist the fight for a safe and humane amount of space in an airline seat is far from over. [Airline lobbyists and consumer advocates are poised to duke it out over the FAA bills fine print] The Cohen amendment addressed a pressing safety question, said Sally Greenberg, the executive director of the National Consumers League (NCL), a consumer group. Has the airline industrys continuing efforts to pack ever more consumers into planes limited capacity compromised travelers ability to evacuate safely? Greenberg said her group will push the Senate to include his amendment when it takes up the FAA reauthorization bill. The second key issue for consumers came as a surprise to some members of the House Transportation Committee. It was a measure introduced late in the session by Rep. Carlos Curbelo (R-Fla.) and proposed to allow airlines to prominently quote a fare without taxes and other mandatory fees. If passed, it would reverse the DOTs full-fare advertising rule, which requires airlines to quote the entire fare but allows them to break down the taxes and fees less prominently. Permitting airlines to advertise their fares in this way would leave air travelers with an initial impression that ticket prices are less expensive than they are. By some informal estimates, it would translate into an additional $1 billion in annual revenue to the domestic airline industry. Airlines lobbied the House to pass the same measure two years ago, but it was blocked by the Senate. Few expected the amendment, referred to as the Transparent Airfares Act, to be included in the FAA bill, which may explain why the proposal passed unanimously without any debate. (The discussion lasts until the 8:20 marker.) An online petition to stop transparent airfares drew more than 100,000 signatures when the issue was first raised in 2014. The only reason that airlines want this rule is so that they can mislead and deceive passengers into thinking the price of flying is lower, said Charles Leocha, president of Travelers United, a consumer group that represents air travelers. Sen. Robert Menendez (D.-N.J.), who was instrumental in stopping the bill last time, promised to do it again. Once again, the airline industrys pursuit of profits at the expense of its customers has proven relentless, he said. After failing two years ago, it is sad that some of my colleagues in the House would consider allowing a powerful special interest to try to cheat its customers. Its time for the public to say Enough is enough. Menendez said that at a time when airlines are making record profits, they should be giving consumers more information, not less. He vowed to not sit back and let the airlines purposely cover up the true cost of ticket prices in an attempt to gouge their customers. [Carrying a throwaway wallet and other tips in avoiding travel scams] An A4A representative dismissed such concerns. Airline customers deserve to know how much of the advertised ticket price is actually going to federal taxes, while still knowing the full price of air travel before they purchase a ticket, which is how every other consumer product, with the exception of gasoline, is sold, Medina said. Rep. Curbelos amendment will make airfare more transparent for consumers, while also holding the Washington accountable for taxes it imposes on every who flies. Consumer groups are digging in for a fight. Instead of seeking to gut existing consumer protections, we think the FAA reauthorization bill is an excellent opportunity to address the many anti-consumer practices that airline consolidation has enabled, said NCLs Greenberg. She said its time for Congress to address the misery airline passengers experience when they fly. For now, the legislation seems headed toward gridlock over the issue of air traffic control privatization. Many believe the bill is likely to be extended by weeks, if not months. And that means the fate of these issues will remain up in the air for now. Elliott is a consumer advocate, journalist and co-founder of the advocacy group Travelers United. Email him at chris@elliott.org. More from Travel: Travelers are less certain about the airport screening experience than theyve been in years Uniteds effort to regain air travelers trust gets off the ground slowly Write a negative online review and get sued? It can happen, but maybe not for long. Read past Navigator columns here Survivors after a German torpedo hit and sank the Chenango in 1942 off the coast of North Carolina. (National Archives) Somewhere off North Carolinas Outer Banks lies the wreck of a passenger ship, City of New York, sunk by a German U-boat on March 29, 1942. Twenty-four people were killed in the attack. A pregnant woman who went into labor in one of the lifeboats survived, as did her baby. But the wreck has never been located. Also off Cape Hatteras is the wreck of Dixie Arrow, a tanker, torpedoed three days earlier. The ships helmsman steered it into the wind, to keep the flames off survivors, but was himself burned to death. Scores of other vessels, along with a few U-boats, litter the bottom off North Carolina, part of what the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration calls one of the unsung American battlefields of World War II. Now NOAA wants to protect the area by including it in one of its National Marine Sanctuaries. The agency is hosting a public meeting on the idea at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Navy Memorial in downtown Washington. The proposal is to extend NOAAs Monitor National Marine Sanctuary which protects the wreck of the famous Civil War ship USS Monitor off Cape Hatteras to include ships sunk in what is known as Torpedo Alley. No restrictions on diving or fishing would be imposed, said James Delgado, director of maritime heritage in NOAAs office of National Marine Sanctuaries. Rather, the sanctuary would honor the area and tell its story, as if it were a battlefield on land. In a recent statement, NOAA said the area off the Outer Banks contains the single greatest concentration of World War I and World War II shipwrecks in American waters and includes sunken vessels from the United States, Britain and Germany. [U-boat and victim, side by side on the bottom] After Germany declared war on the United States in December 1941, the German navy dispatched waves of its deadly submarines U-boats to the U.S. East Coast to prey on allied shipping. Many of the U-boats converged on Cape Hatteras, because it was so heavily traveled and because it was close to deep water in which the subs could escape after they attacked. The hunting was good. Off North Carolina, about 90 ships were lost, said Joe Hoyt, a NOAA underwater archaeologist. And most of those are tankers and freighters that were sunk by U-boats, he said. The area is the so-called torpedo alley, where the U-boats wrought havoc in the early months of 1942, after the Nazis declared war on the U.S. (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration ) But an armed British trawler, the Bedfordshire, also was among those lost. It was sunk by a torpedo fired by U-558 on May 12, 1942. The Bedfordshires entire crew of 37 perished. The site of the Bedfordshire wreck, and many of the others, is known. But about a dozen wrecks have never been found. Weve done a fairly exhaustive historical inventory, and archaeological inventory, of the sites that are out there, Hoyt said in a telephone interview last week. I know exactly what the [missing] ships are, and where they approximately ought to be, he said. But no ones had a look for them and been able to identify them. One of those is City of New York. The American ship was bound from Trinidad to New York with a load of ore, wood, wool, hides and asbestos, according to the website Uboat.net. It was also carrying 41 passengers, including Desanka Mohorovicic, the pregnant wife of a Yugoslav consular officer in New York, according to Hoyt and news accounts. The ship was about 40 miles east from Cape Hatteras in heavy seas when it was spotted by U-160, skippered by 27-year-old Georg Lassen. The sub fired two torpedoes, which struck home and sank the ship in about 20 minutes. Among those who escaped was Mohorovicic, 28, who went into labor and gave birth in the lifeboat. She named the baby boy, Jesse Roper Mohorovicic, after the Navy destroyer that rescued those in the lifeboat. There are countless stories that are out there to be told, Hoyt said. Were just starting to just scratch that surface. Desanka Mohorovicic survived the war years and died in 1992. Her son died in 2005. Lassen, the U-boat captain, died in 2012, at the age of 96. Democrat Hillary Clinton and Republican Donald Trump still have the lead in Virginia's upcoming presidential primaries, according to a new poll from the Wason Center at Christopher Newport University but both have lost ground in recent months to others in the race. Clinton leads Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders 52 percent to 40 percent with likely voters in the March 1 contest, according to the poll. Trump leads the crowded Republican field with 28 percent, followed by Florida Sen. Marco Rubio at 22 percent and Texas Sen. Ted Cruz at 19 percent. [Fearing anger from Trump voters, Va. officials want to close schools for primary] There have been few independent surveys of Virginia in recent months. Christopher Newport Universitys last poll, in October, found the same front-runners: Clinton and Trump. At the time, however, neither Sanders, Rubio nor Cruz performed nearly as well; all have gained ground in the past few months. In the new poll, released Tuesday, both Clinton and Trump are viewed less favorably by the overall electorate than their rivals. Thirty-nine percent of Virginia voters view Sanders favorably, compared with 33 percent for Clinton. Likewise, only 30 percent of voters view Trump favorably. [Sanders seeks to reassure nervous voters about his democratic socialist label] At the same time, a slight majority 52 percent of all Virginia voters say they are less likely to vote for a candidate, who, like Sanders, identifies as a democratic socialist. An identical majority is less likely to vote for a candidate, who, like Trump, called for a ban on non-citizen Muslims entering the country. Across the spectrum, voters are interested in picking a candidate who can win the general election two-thirds say it's more important than agreeing on all the issues. [Muslim woman gets kicked out of Trump rally] Ohio Gov. John Kasich appears to be the least divisive Republican in the field, but that's because 39 percent of voters don't know enough about him to form an opinion. He takes only 7 percent of Republican voters in the survey. Former Florida governor Jeb Bush fares worse, winning only 4 percent of voters, despite being far better known. Kasich aside, Rubio is the only candidate on the Republican side viewed more favorably than unfavorably. [John Kasich, the medias favorite Republican, gets his moment in the sun] Only 8 percent of likely Democratic voters and 6 percent of likely Republican voters say they are undecided, giving the trailing candidates little time to catch up before Super Tuesday. Republicans appear more engaged: 50 percent say they plan to vote, compared with 39 percent of Democrats. The pollsters interviewed 735 Virginia voters, including 408 on landline phones and 327 on cellphones, from Feb. 3 to 14, 2016. The margin of error for the whole survey is +/- 4.3 percent. Opponents of Dominion Virginia Powers plan to release treated coal-ash water into a tributary of the Potomac River have found a new ally: Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan. The Republican governors administration notified the office of Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe (D) this week of its intent to appeal a permit that was approved last month for Dominion to release about 215 million gallons of treated coal-ash water into Quantico Creek. The fact is, Virginias decision to dump millions of gallons of polluted wastewater into the Potomac River could adversely impact both human and aquatic life, chief Hogan spokesman Matthew Clark said Tuesday. Ignoring the risk simply isnt an option. The Maryland governors opposition to Dominions plan is the latest development in a mounting legal battle over what to do with the coal-ash residue held in five ponds at the utility companys power plant at Possum Point in Northern Virginia. A spokesman for McAuliffe declined to comment, citing the pending litigation. [Dominion wins permit to discharge treated coal-ash water into nearby creek] Virginias water-control board overwhelmingly approved Dominions plan to release the treated coal-ash water into the creek as part of a larger effort to comply with a nationwide Environmental Protection Agency mandate to safely dispose of all forms of coal ash. Dominion, which has not burned coal at the Possum Point plant since 2003, intends to permanently seal all five coal-ash ponds at Possum Point once they have been drained of water, company officials said. On Tuesday, the company argued that misinformation is being spread about its plan for the coal-ash water. Dominion estimates that executing th e plan will take three to four years. The permit is appropriate, properly issued and consistent with federal and state regulations, Dominion spokesman David Botkins said in a statement. As part of the process to close coal ash ponds, water will be filtered, treated, monitored and released in a controlled manner with ongoing testing. This process meets the very stringent limits imposed by the Virginia [Department of Environmental Quality] and ensures the safety and health of the public and aquatic life. [Potomac oil spill came from Dominion, utility admits] Marylands appeal, to be heard at the Circuit Court in Richmond, will be handled by the office of state Attorney General Brian E. Frosh (D). Virginias Prince William County and the Potomac Riverkeeper Network, an environmental group, have filed similar notices of their intent to fight the permit. Those groups argue that the permits standards for water treatment are insufficiently stringent to protect fish and other wildlife. They also contend that Dominion has been allowed to release contaminated water into Quantico Creek for years. Once the coal-ash water is released, the potential damage is irreversible, said Corey A. Stewart, chairman of the Prince William Board of County Supervisors. We just want more time so this can be evaluated scientifically. Maryland officials said they also intend to lobby McAuliffes administration to change some of the permits requirements. Any time we are releasing potentially toxic substances into the watershed, we need to ensure that we are doing our utmost to protect the ecosystem, the environment and most importantly human health, especially in the Chesapeake Bay watershed, Mark J. Belton, Marylands secretary of natural resources, said in a statement. We are confident that additional efforts by our two states working together will benefit the river and reduce any risks to the people, fish and wildlife that depend on its health. As a child, Erin Merryn learned how to say no to drugs in her schools DARE program and how to avoid talking to strangers during stranger-danger lessons. What she didnt learn in school, she says, was how to stop a person she knew and trusted from becoming her sexual abuser. Merryn, who was sexually abused by a friends uncle at age 6 and a cousin a few years later, recently testified before a Maryland House committee in support of a bill that could help stem such abuse. The bill would require school districts to teach personal body safety to their students. The only message I got was from my abusers: This is our little secret. No one will believe you. If you tell, I will come get you, said Merryn, 31, an Illinois resident who has been traveling to state capitals across the country to push passage of Erins Law. Nobody was educating me on personal body safety, on the differences between safe touch, safe secrets and unsafe secrets. Under the Maryland version of Erins Law, the state Board of Education and nonpublic schools that receive state funding would be required to develop and implement an age-appropriate curriculum on the awareness and prevention of sexual abuse and assault. The program would be part of a schools health-education program. Twenty-six states have passed laws to study or implement child sex-abuse identification and prevention curriculums for students in pre-K to 12th grade, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Some states, including Mississippi and Nevada, have formed task forces; others such as Pennsylvania allow school districts to design programs; and several others, including Rhode Island and South Carolina, have required a curriculum. Del. Eric G. Luedtke (D-Montgomery), sponsor of the Maryland bill, said the Prince Georges County case in which an elementary school volunteer is accused of abusing at least 16 students proves the need for the child-abuse prevention law. Police have charged Deonte Carraway, 22, of Glenarden, Md., with 10 counts of child pornography in connection with about 40 videos that show children performing sex acts. [Child-porn investigation widens at Prince Georges school] Every child should be given a simple message which is that if an adult does something inappropriate to you, that you need to tell another trusted adult immediately, Luedtke said. Its the simple, most effective thing we can do to reduce abuse. Luedtke introduced the measure last year after three sex abuse cases in two years were reported in public and private schools in Montgomery County. The bill passed the House 138 to 2, but died in the Senates Education, Health and Environmental Affairs Committee. Luedtke said some senators seemed to think that the bill was about teaching sex education, and he vowed to do a better job this year educating lawmakers about the legislation. [Parents concerned about handling of inappropriate contact with students] Del. Neil C. Parrott (R-Washington), one of the two no votes in the House last year, said schools should be doing a better job teaching core subjects instead of delving into these things like personal body safety. But Parrott said his main objection to the bill was the provision that required certain nonpublic schools to teach the material. I think a private school should have the freedom to teach it or not teach it, he said. This just goes way too far into the private sector I think we should allow them to have the freedom. Luedtke, a former teacher, said the legislation is designed to help students who are being warned by their abuser not to tell anyone. Somebody has to be there with the message that, You have to tell, Luedtke said. In Prince Georges, had one of the first victims reported it, there would have been fewer victims. The abuser would have been stopped earlier.Thats the idea. A different bill introduced by Luedtke that became law last year requires school contractors and subcontractors to receive background checks and was inspired by a 2014 allegation that a contractor working in a middle school inappropriately touched a 12-year-old girl in a school hallway. Next year, Luedtke said, he wants to look at the training of teachers. Most teachers know they are expected to report abuse but are not trained on what signs to look for, he said: Were trying to keep advancing the law. According to the 2013 Child Maltreatment Report by the childrens bureau of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, there were 60,956 child sex-abuse cases reported in 2013. The D.C. Metropolitan Police Department is seeking assistance in identifying three people in connection with the assault and robbery of a former U.S. Marine on Friday, Feb. 12, 2016, in the 900 block of E St., NW. (D.C. Metropolitan Police Department/ Youtube) The D.C. Metropolitan Police Department is seeking assistance in identifying three people in connection with the assault and robbery of a former U.S. Marine on Friday, Feb. 12, 2016, in the 900 block of E St., NW. (D.C. Metropolitan Police Department/ Youtube) A former U.S. Marine was assaulted at a downtown Washington McDonalds restaurant Friday night in an attack the victim said was racially motivated, according to D.C. police. Christopher Andrew Marquez who attends American University and ran unsuccessfully for Congress in 2014 in California said in an interview that the attack occurred after several black youths asked him whether black lives matter and then called him racist. Marquez, who is Hispanic, called the incident unprovoked. It occurred at the restaurant in the 900 block of E Street NW. According to a D.C. police report, Marquez, 30, told officers that a group of at least four youths were loud and began to argue with him. The report says Marquez told police that one youth hit him in the face with a handgun and stole bank cards and his wallet with $400 inside. The incident was first reported by the Daily Caller, a conservative Internet news and opinion site. Police could not verify the motive as described by Marquez and said they are continuing to look into the case. Dustin Sternbeck, the chief D.C. police spokesman, said detectives are reviewing surveillance video of the assault but it was not immediately clear what it shows. Its an active investigation, and in this case, as in any other, were going to investigate it to the fullest, Sternbeck said. Marquez told The Washington Post he had just come from a book signing when he stopped at the McDonalds. He said he was eating in a back corner when a group of teens and young men approached. They saw me and crowded around my table, and they started asking me if I believed black lives matter, Marquez said. I was ignoring them, then they started calling me racist. Marquez said they were trying to intimidate him, and soon after he said things got fuzzy. He said he believes he was hit in the back of the head with what might have been a pistol. Marquez flagged a cab and returned to his apartment complex, where a worker at the front desk called police. He was treated at George Washington University Hospital. He said he contacted the restaurant manager about the incident, who he said provided him with some details of the attack. The manager could not be reached for comment. As a Marine, Marquez fought in the battle of Fallujah as an infantryman. He served eight years in the Marines, deploying to both Iraq and Afghanistan. He is also a recipient of the Bronze Star Medal. Hank Stawinski waves to County Executive Rushern L. Baker III (D) as he waits to be confirmed as chief of police for Prince Georges County on Tuesday. (Bill O'Leary/The Washington Post) As a young boy, Hank Stawinski would often be out and about with his father, watching in awe as the Prince Georges County police officer interacted with the community. I could see that my dad saw things that other people didnt see, Stawinski said. It was always curious to me. We would talk about what someone in his job did and how you learn human nature and human behavior. It was work that continued to fascinate Stawinski and eventually pushed him to follow his father and become a member of the department himself. Twenty-three years later, Stawinski was selected to lead the force and confirmed as chief Tuesday. After serving as the departments interim leader since Mark A. Magaws retirement a little more than a month ago, Stawinski was unanimously confirmed by the County Council. [Magaw retires as Prince Georges police chief but stays with county] Hank Stawinski is taking over as Prince George's County police chief. (Prince George's County Police Department) In his first month as interim chief, Stawinski had to address the slaying of a 2-year-old girl and her mother, allegedly over child-support payments, and the investigation into an elementary school volunteer arrested on child porn charges involving more than a dozen students. I want this community to be intolerant of violence and terrible crimes, particularly those that affect children, Stawinski said. The worst thing you can do is commit a crime against a child. As chief, Stawinski said he isnt interested in shaking up the department. Instead, he wants to focus on finding efficiencies in the departments budget and build on improvements the county has made over the past five years in reducing crime and strengthening relationships with the community. What Id like to see is a community secure in the knowledge that crime is actively managed, Stawinski said. In addition to preventing victimization, Stawinski said, much of his work will be about redefining in peoples minds Prince Georges County as a safe community a vibrant community where you can travel and do wonderful things. The lifelong Prince Georges resident graduated from DeMatha Catholic High School in Hyattsville. He received a degree in biology from Boston College before entering the county police academy in the early 1990s. Over two decades, Stawinski rose through the ranks, working as a homicide detective and commander of one of the countys busiest police districts before eventually becoming deputy chief over daily operations. While head of the bureau of patrol, Stawinski became known for his data-driven approach to analyzing crime throughout the day to deploy resources. In the past, the department would review crime reports from the day before and make strategic decisions in the morning. We manage this department in real time now, Stawinski said. We are constantly evaluating and reallocating resources in the course of the day. In naming Stawinski to the position of interim chief,County Executive Rushern L. Baker III (D) referred to Stawinskis work with crime data and building community relationships as part of his success. His diversity of talents and abilities will continue the transformation of PGPD as one of the nations premier police departments, Baker said in December. At his confirmation hearing, county council members pointed to Stawinskis open communication and dedication to community relationships as benefits for Prince Georges. Council member Mel Franklin (D-Upper Marlboro) noted that Stawinski was standing with faith leaders, hip-hop leaders and other members of the community in a Stop the Violence march this year. You were there showing that you understand the diversity of the community and the importance of those issues and how far weve come as a county on these issues, Franklin said. Even though we have some work to do, weve come a long way. When asked if he had concerns about being a white police chief for a majority-minority county, Stawinski said he grew up in Prince Georges and has worked hard to develop relationships among all groups in the community. Council member Deni Taveras (D-Adelphi) said Stawinski is highly analytical and highly intelligent. You are someone who has been around, Taveras said. Its going to show there is going to be a lot of continuity from the previous leadership to your leadership. But there will be hard work ahead for Stawinski as chief, council members reminded him. There are some people who dont believe you have enough diversity in your upper ranks, council member Andrea C. Harrison said, calling the issue the 800-pound gorilla in the room. Remember those who have been in the force who have been in blue shirts that may look like me that can end up in the white shirts as well. Stawinski later told reporters that he is committed to ensuring that the people working in the department reflect the makeup of the county. Also on Tuesday, the County Council approved former deputy chief Gevonia Whittington as the head of the countys Homeland Security operations. Former Prince Georges assistant chief and current Baltimore Police Commissioner Kevin Davis attended the council meeting to support Stawinski and Whittington. Davis said Whittington was straightforward, collaborative and honest. I appreciate the opportunity to make you all proud, Whittington told the council. Last week, Stawinski addressed his first class of academy graduates as the departments top leader. He urged the latest group of officers to be kind, patient, compassionate and strong as they embarked on their new careers. He also asked them to be mindful of what kind of career they would want to look back on when they retired, and make the officers who came ahead of them proud. Its a sentiment Stawinski said he hopes to continue as chief. Our job is to take the work that theyve done and build upon it in such a way that when we retire, people will say of us that this department is a better place for our having been part of it, Stawinski said. A county sheriff in Maryland has posted online an open letter to President Obama, complaining that he has failed to publicly recognize the deaths of the two deputies in another Maryland county who were killed last week in the line of duty. James T. DeWees, the sheriff of Carroll County, in the north-central part of the state, posted the complaint on his public Facebook site Saturday, referring to two Harford County deputies who were fatally shot there. In A Letter from me to our president, DeWees, a Republican, appeared to offer an unusually strong expression of public dissatisfaction with the president on the part of a high-ranking law enforcement officer. The two Harford senior deputies, Patrick Dailey and Mark Logsdon, were fatally shot Feb. 10 in a confrontation with a man that began in an Abingdon restaurant at lunchtime. The man was killed by other deputies. In addition to citing the deaths of the Maryland deputies, DeWees chided Obama for what the sheriff said was the presidents failure to acknowledge the deaths of six other law enforcement officers who had been killed in the eight days before DeWees posted his open letter. DeWees, a state police veteran who has been the Carroll sheriff since December 2014, said he understands that Obama has a demanding schedule. But, he said, when my president doesnt take the time to openly recognize the sacrifices that brave men & women of law enforcement make each day to keep domestic peace, Im disappointed! He noted the proximity of Abingdon to Washington, which is about 60 miles away. DeWees took the position that if the deputies had, unprovoked, killed an innocent man, the president and his staff would have tried to make an example of police officers nationwide. Efforts to obtain comment Monday night from the White House were not immediately successful. Fire Chief Gregory M. Dean, seen in January 2016, said that if a private company handles non-urgent calls, the Districts emergency crews will have a greater ability to reach patients in urgent need. (Kate Patterson/For The Washington Post) The D.C. fire department has chosen a private ambulance company with a nationwide reach to help augment its own fleet, which has been troubled by delays in responding to emergencies and unable to keep up with a surge in 911 calls from a growing population. Colorado-based American Medical Response, a subsidiary of Envision Healthcare, was the lead bidder for a temporary contract that begins in 30 days, reflecting the situations urgency. After about a month, new bidding will take place for a permanent contract, and AMR can bid again. Thomas Milton, a spokesman for the ambulance company, declined to comment Tuesday. The private ambulances will handle low-priority calls, a shift that officials say will free up D.C. emergency workers to focus on calls involving patients with more serious injuries or illnesses. The company already works in the District and contracts with the city to help out at special events. As the demand for pre-hospital medical care continues to grow, this is an extremely important step in EMS reform, Mayor Muriel E. Bowser (D) said in a statement. This agreement will supplement our resources so that [the fire department] can most effectively deliver on its mission responding to medical emergencies, and saving lives. [D.C. fire departments medical director quits, saying reforms blocked] Officials said that firefighters, many trained as advanced-life-support paramedics, will continue to respond to all 911 calls. They will evaluate patients to determine the level of medical care and resources required, including how the patient will be transported to the hospital, according to a statement. The department said that patients with minor injuries or illnesses, including conditions such as ankle sprains or cold symptoms, will be taken to hospitals by the private company. Calls for more serious problems such as heart attacks, respiratory arrest, chest pains, strokes and shootings will be handled entirely by the District, which will automatically dispatch advanced-life-support ambulances. [Fire chief wants to privatize ambulance service in District] Officials say that by being spared non-urgent calls, emergency crews will be freer to reach patients in urgent need. Its important that our units are available to respond to these critical emergency calls, Gregory M. Dean, chief of the fire and emergency medical services department, said in a statement. But Deans plan has not been universally embraced. His recently hired medical director, Jullette M. Saussy, quit last week saying that reform efforts have been blocked and that people are dying needlessly because we are moving too slow. Saussy wrote in her resignation letter that a private ambulance service is as unlikely to fix the situation as placing a Band-Aid on a gushing artery. D.C. Council Chairman Phil Mendelson (D) also has expressed reservations, saying he supports the privatization plan only as a short-term fix. The fire department has been plagued by problems for years in responding quickly to medical calls, with several deaths reported after delayed responses. Officials attributed many of those delays to the fleet of 39 ambulances being tied up on calls. The District also is trying to relieve a shortage of paramedics. [Districts new fire chief works to reform agency] District officials say the biggest problem, though, has been call volume. From 2010 to 2015, calls for medical emergencies have soared more than 20 percent, from 130,870 to 162,168. On some days, at the busiest times, the District does not have enough ambulances to get to every 911 call. Under the terms of the contract, AMR will bill the District about $95 an hour, with a cap set at $1 million for the first month. The company will not directly bill patients. Money for the program is coming from a multimillion-dollar withdrawal from the Districts reserve fund. The fire department also recoups money by billing patients between $428 and $735, depending on the level of care. Fire officials said the city also will bill residents for the use of the private service. Members of a coalition of Asian Americans ride a bus on the way to lunch in Richmond after visiting with state legislators. The group is trying to enhance the political presence and power of their communities. (Timothy C. Wright/For the Washington Post) Sixteen Asian American men and women boarded a van in Springfield, Va., early one recent morning, armed with brochures and talking points. They were headed to Richmond for a day of lobbying, strategizing and mingling with state legislators and officials. Some were seasoned advocates, such as Dewita Soeharjono of Arlington, 50, an Indonesian immigrant who has spent years pushing for minority access to Virginias Democratic Party machinery. Others were neophytes, such as Trung Nguyen, 28, a youth worker in Falls Church and the son of Vietnamese refugees whose first civic experience was serving on his fifth-grade student council in New Orleans. Everyone in the van was anxious about the journey ahead, both the long-planned day of outreach events and the uncharted future of their fast-growing minority as it begins to test the rough waters of public life. Over the past 15 years, Virginias population of Asian Americans has soared from 261,000 to 628,000, including 250,000 U.S. citizens of voting age. But despite their potential to influence elections in a closely watched battleground state, many remain reluctant to engage in politics. The group in the van, and a growing number of younger Asian Americans, are determined to change that. [Clinton, Trump see their leads shrink in new Va. poll] Dewita Soeharjono, left, and Rose Chu present a policy position paper to Del. Jennifer B. Boysko (D-Herndon) in Boysko's office at the General Assembly Building in Richmond. (Timothy C. Wright/For the Washington Post) The older generation was told to be quiet, not to participate, Nguyen said as the van cruised south on Interstate 95. I grew up here speaking English. . . . I want Asian Americans to speak out and have our voices heard. With immigrants a focus of angry debate in the 2016 presidential race, activists are working to mobilize the nations 18 million Asian Americans, about 75 percent of whom are U.S. citizens. One national nonprofit group is setting up phone banks in every state with a significant Asian American population. A new progressive PAC, the Asian American Pacific Islander Victory Fund, aims to register 100,000 voters in six battleground states. [In Iowa church, Trump hears sermon about welcoming immigrants] Some advocates say they hope the anti-immigrant vitriol that has marked this years campaign can propel new activism from Asian Americans who have stayed on the sidelines. In Virginia, Asian American activists from both parties are gearing up for Super Tuesday on March 1, when Virginia and 14 other states and territories will hold primaries or caucuses. They have been visiting Korean churches, speaking at Filipino community halls and seeking coverage in Vietnamese-language newspapers, trying to reach potential voters in their comfort zones. But even though 61 percent of adult Asian American citizens in the state are registered to vote a total more than double the margin of victory in many recent elections advocates say they face a struggle to translate that potential into action. [Battle over new Supreme Court justice spills into close Senate races] Members of a coalition of Asian Americans line the steps leading to the gallery for the House of Delegates in Richmond. (Timothy C. Wright/For the Washington Post) According to U.S. census tables, turnout among Asian American citizens in Virginia has been consistently lower than among the overall population; in the 2012 election, Asians had lower turnout than all other ethnic groups. Their participation has zigzagged from race to race, with 61 percent voting in 2008, a presidential year, but only 23 percent voting in 2010. In the most recent state election, in 2014, turnout was 42 percent overall, 45 percent for whites, 34 percent for blacks, 32 percent for Asians and 25 percent for Hispanics. We are a pivotal constituency in a swing state with close elections, and both parties are trying for the Asian American vote. You see candidates shaking hands at all our events. But it is still very hard to mobilize people, said Wesley Joe, an adjunct assistant professor of government at Georgetown University whose father immigrated from Korea. We have the values and the education, but we just dont have the turnout. Historic, cultural obstacles Mark L. Keam (D), 49, one of two Asian Americans in the Virginia House of Delegates, describes one of the challenges as permanent foreigner syndrome. Keams district includes part of Fairfax County, home to 183,000 Asian Americans. Many people have arrived recently, and mentally they are still in the old world, he said. I have a hard time convincing them they have to cross over to the new. Among first-generation immigrants, obstacles to political involvement include concentration on moving up economically, poor English skills, unfamiliarity with the American political system and reluctance to invite public scrutiny. Many, especially those from China and Vietnam, harbor memories of political intimidation abroad. Others remain glued to issues in their homelands often through foreign-language cable TV rather than shifting their attention to U.S. politics. Among second-generation Asian Americans, there is more political interest. Yet Asian-born parents tend to steer their children into professions rather than public service, community leaders said, leading to a dearth of candidates and role models. Even in Northern Virginia, only a handful of Asian Americans have been elected to local office. [Fairfax County more diverse, candidates mostly not] Sharon Bulova, a Democrat who chairs the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, said many Asian newcomers have been too focused on work to join homeowner associations and other portals to politics. Even their more assimilated children, Bulova said, have to be invited to feel comfortable. Another reason for the disconnect between size and clout is ethnic balkanization. Despite various efforts to form pan-Asian coalitions, many Asian immigrants identify themselves chiefly by country of origin and socialize in their native languages. Some remain divided by historical conflicts, such as the rivalry between Pakistan and India. And although Asian Americans tend to share common concerns, such as small business benefits and high-quality education, there are differences in ideology and partisan affiliation. Indian Americans tend to be Democrats; Vietnamese Americans tend to be Republicans. Nationwide, nearly half of Asian Americans register as independents or undecided, making them hard for political groups to target. Our biggest challenge is diversity. People bring baggage from home, and they are still fighting old battles, Keam said. I tell them, only if we join forces can we be strong and fight for our rights and become a swing vote. Go right up and greet them After arriving in Richmond, Soeharjono and the others were guided to a caucus room in the capitol for a formal welcome to the 12th annual Asian American advocacy day. Ting Yi Oei, a retired teacher from Reston who chairs the Council of Asian and Pacific Islander Americans of Virginia, urged them to venture out and practice their lobbying skills. Feel free to seek out your own delegates. Remember to go right up and greet them, Oei said. [In Richmond, black senator feels betrayed by fellow Democrats] For the next hour, Soeharjono and two other women wandered the carpeted corridors, stopping often to consult a floor map, and poking their heads in several doors. In the office of Del. Patrick A. Hope (D-Arlington), they sat primly on a sofa and asked him about understaffed schools and improving health-care benefits. In the office of newly elected Del. Jennifer Boysko (D-Herndon), they chatted about her bill to expand immigrants access to drivers licenses. Soeharjono said she went door to door campaigning for Boysko, whose district is 21 percent Asian. She noted that the delegate lost her previous race by only 32 votes, but then triumphed in November. So we really do count, she said, beaming. Senior Democratic figures in Virginia, including Sen. Timothy M. Kaine and Gov. Terry McAuliffe, also have received strong support from Asian American voters and taken pains to court them. Former senator Jim Webb (D-Va.), whose wife is Vietnamese, won election in 2006 with widespread backing from that ethnic community. Both candidates and elected officials know they cant ignore the Asian Americans in their regions anymore, said Jason Chung, a former Republican activist in Virginia who is now on the staff of the Republican National Committee. With surging numbers and many uncommitted voters, he said, these ethnic groups are all up for grabs. The activists day in Richmond was capped by a reception in the penthouse of a downtown bank, hosted by Oeis council and several other groups. A stream of politicians and officials, including Attorney General Mark R. Herring (D), made brief welcoming speeches. State Senate Minority Leader Richard L. Saslaw (D-Fairfax) was especially effusive, saying, We are extremely lucky that you all chose to come here. You are making a phenomenal contribution to the United States and Virginia. The only sobering moment came when Keam introduced Karen Korematsu, an activist from California whose late father legally challenged the 1942 presidential order confining most Japanese Americans to wartime internment camps. There are echoes of the same thing today, she told the momentarily subdued crowd. Some candidates want to round up Muslims and put them in concentration camps. It could happen again, and it is up to all of us to stand up. Oei was one of several leaders there who suggested that the current political animosity could galvanize Asian immigrants who have remained aloof from politics. The Muslim experience of today is definitely waking up this community, Oei said. In the past, it has been tough to confront our model minority image, to get people to identify with the struggles of other groups. But now . . . people are beginning to see the parallels. This is not just about immigration. It is about all our rights. Lisa Smith from White Stone, Va., hugs her daughter, Haley Smith, 14, at a 2015 hearing on a medical marijuana bill. A new but related bill passed a Senate committee Monday. (Bob Brown/AP) RICHMOND A bill meant to make it easier for Virginians with severe forms of epilepsy to obtain therapeutic oils made from marijuana got a last-minute reprieve Monday from a Senate panel. The bill seemed in danger of dying in a Senate committee, where it had lingered for about a week. But on Monday, one day before the deadline for legislation to clear one chamber and cross to the other, the bill received and survived a critical vote in a hastily called meeting of the Senate Courts of Justice Committee. The action drew tears from some parents with epileptic children, who said they have been struggling to obtain the oils. The oils are sold legally in Colorado but makers there are wary of shipping it across state lines because doing so violates federal law. The parents also risk prosecution for travelling to Colorado and transporting the oils themselves. And they would have to make frequent trips in any case because the oils have a short, 30-day shelf life, I have to be very creative and risk a lot, said Beth Collins of Fairfax, Va. who had traveled to Richmond to press lawmakers on the legislation. [Northern Virginia families move to Colorado for medical marijuana] Mark Obenshain (R-Rockingham), chairman of the committee, warned senators before the vote that passage would bring Virginia one step closer to legalizing marijuana. This is certainly going to help some folks, but next year were going to have a request by somebody to make provisions for people to grow pot, he said. Some of the Senates most conservative Republicans joined with Democrats to advance the bill. Only one other Republican, Sen. Bryce Reeves (Spotsylvania), joined Obenshain to vote against it. Another, Majority Leader Thomas K. Norment (James City), abstained. God bless you guys. Youre awesome, Sen. Thomas Garrett (R-Buckingham), told Collins and Lisa Smith, of White Stone, Va., who had brought her epileptic daughter, Haley, to watch the vote from her wheelchair. Last year, the General Assembly passed a law intended to make it easier for people with severe forms of epilepsy to use two oils derived from marijuana, which lack the plants intoxicating properties but help alleviate debilitating seizures. The bill provided a way for epileptics or their legal guardians to avoid prosecution for possession of cannabidiol oil (also known as CBD) and THC-A oil. Passage came as something of a surprise in a legislature that has remained staunchly opposed to legalization of marijuana, but the measure was so narrowly tailored that conservative members were largely on board. Virginia legalized medical marijuana in 1979 for patients with cancer and glaucoma, but that law requires a valid prescription something doctors cannot legally provide as long as marijuana is federally restricted. [Va. House approves marijuana oils for epilepsy] Marijuana-oil bills began sweeping though legislatures many of them in conservative states after an August 2013 CNN documentary Weed that showed the plight of a family seeking the oil for their daughters seizures. The law passed in Virginia last year was intended to prevent patients or their caretakers from being prosecuted for possession of the oils, but it stopped short of making the oils legal. And it did not provide a way for patients to obtain the oils a flaw in the eyes of critics on the left and right, who said at the time that would force the use of products purchased on the black market whose quality will be uncertain. But the original bill laid the groundwork for possibly producing the oils in Virginia after 2017, when and if the legislature votes to re-enact it. The law says that no pharmaceutical processor could produce the oils without first obtaining a permit from the state Board of Pharmacy. The current bill, which still faces a vote in the full Senate and House, would direct the board to start to develop those regulations. Sen. David W. Marsden (D-Fairfax), who sponsored the measure, said he does not want to wait until the measure is reenacted next year because the regulatory process takes as long as 280 days. Del. Mark D. Sickles (D-Fairfax), seated right, gets a standing ovation after an emotional speech on a bill relating to religious objections to same-sex marriage at the Capitol in Richmond on Feb. 16. (Steve Helber/AP) The Virginia House passed a bill Tuesday that would prohibit the government from punishing people and businesses who discriminate against same-sex couples, transgender individuals and those who have sex outside marriage. Supporters say the Government Nondiscrimination Act is needed to protect what they call religious freedom in the face of shifting cultural attitudes toward gay rights and the legalization of gay marriage. Opponents say its a license to discriminate, with broad-reaching consequences. The bill passed the Republican-controlled chamber 56 to 41, with seven Republican members voting no, two not voting and one absent. Although the vote is a win for the socially conservative wing of the party, the fact that some Republicans voted against it reflects a divide within the Republican Party in Virginia and the nation. Before the vote, Del. Mark D. Sickles (D-Fairfax), who is openly gay, gave an emotional floor speech urging his colleagues to consider the sweep of history before they cast a vote that will stay with them for the rest of their lives. Youll have to excuse me for taking this bill a little personally, he said. Gov. Terry McAuliffe (D) has said he would veto the measure if it passes the Senate and reaches his desk. But, Sickles said, Your kids will be looking back at what you do today and how you vote on this bill. He went on to read from the program of Equality Virginias annual dinner, noting prominent businesses and political donors that support gay rights, including utility giant Dominion, whose ad trumpeted the power of diversity, and Lutheran Family Services. He received a standing ovation from House Democrats. The bills sponsor, Del. C. Todd Gilbert (R-Shenandoah), defended the bill, which he said would provide reasonable accommodation for deeply held religious beliefs. We find ourselves constantly under attack by the shifting cultural winds . . . that blow against us, Gilbert said. Gay rights activists are not satisfied with equality, he said, and they will not be satisfied until people of faith are driven out of this discourse. They want us driven out. At Gilberts urging, some of his colleagues clapped and stood for him, as well. [Religious freedom or license to discriminate?] Under the bill, an individual, corporation, partnership, association, trust, society or any other legal or commercial entity can cite religious belief in defense of its opposition to gay couples, transgender people or unmarried couples without fear of losing tax benefits, grants, contracts, loans, scholarships, certification, accreditation or jobs. There are exceptions for hospitals making decisions about visitation or emergency medical treatment. MARYLAND Woman dies after single-car crash An 18-year-old woman died after the vehicle she was riding in hit a concrete wall Sunday in the Potomac area of Montgomery County, authorities said. Christina Koutsoukos of Gaithersburg died at a hospital, authorities said. The accident occurred about 3 p.m. on Travilah Road, between River and Stoney Creek roads. The driver, 21-year-old Brandon Bussard suffered injuries not considered life-threatening, authorities said. Montgomery County police were investigating. Perry Stein Wife, husband killed in 3-vehicle crash Anne Arundel County police said a husband and wife are dead after a three-vehicle crash south of Edgewater on Valentines Day. Police said in a statement that officers were called Sunday afternoon to a crash at Solomons Island Road near Swallow Lane. Police said witnesses reported that the driver of a Toyota crossed the center line and struck a Honda and that a third vehicle then hit both vehicles. Police said the driver of the Honda, 21-year-old Daniel Brian Amos, was declared dead at the scene. His passenger, 20-year-old Kayla Nicole Amos, was taken to a hospital, where she died. A police spokeswoman, Cpl. Jacklyn Davis, said the couple were from California, Md. Associated Press VIRGINIA Three killed in separate crashes Three people were killed in car crashes in Virginia on Monday, one of them in a collision with a snowplow. It was not clear whether the other two crashes could be linked to Mondays storm. Steven Gibbs, 63, of Linden, Va., died in the head-on crash into the plow in Fauquier County, state police said. They said slick roads may have contributed to the accident. The snowplow driver was uninjured. In Loudoun County, one fatality occurred about 7 p.m. in a two-vehicle crash on Charles Town Pike near Harry Byrd Highway. The third death occurred in Chesterfield County, near Richmond, state police spokeswoman Corinne Geller said. She also said a state trooper was seriously injured. As of late Monday, Geller characterized road conditions in the state as extremely treacherous. Perry Stein and Martin Weil LIKE REVOLUTIONARIES run amok, the gun control movement has started to turn on its own. Late last month, Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe (D) scrapped an undeniably good deal for gun control advocates: an order, issued by the states attorney general, ending the commonwealths policy of recognizing concealed-carry permits from 25 states with lax standards. In return, Mr. McAuliffe got something better: a concession from the pro-gun lobby that will allow Virginia to criminalize gun possession by the nearly 5,000 domestic abusers smacked with protective orders annually. Legislation to do just that has failed repeatedly in Richmonds Republican-dominated legislature since at least 1997. Yet rather than being hailed for achieving what pro-gun-control lawmakers had been unable to attain for nearly two decades, Mr. McAuliffe has been vilified by gun safety advocates, including Everytown for Gun Safety, Michael Bloombergs deep-pocketed gun safety group, which has launched a muddle-headed social media and advertising campaign against him. Mr. McAuliffe is a weapons safety advocate who made gun control bills the centerpiece of his legislative agenda last year, to no avail. His deal, reached in negotiations with the National Rifle Association and its allies, isnt perfect. But cold-eyed assessment suggests that Mr. McAuliffe got the better bargain. According to state statistics, 112 Virginians were killed in domestic violence incidents in 2014. In six cases, the suspect was under a two-year domestic violence protective order, and the victims, killed with firearms, were the ones who had sought that order. Under Mr. McAuliffes deal, it is precisely those domestic abusers a class of individuals adjudged to pose a credible threat of violence who would be ordered to forfeit their weapons for the duration of the two-year, renewable protective order. Its unknown how many gun owners were among the 4,800 Virginians hit with protective orders in 2014, but it could be a good chunk of them. By contrast, the evidence is scant that out-of-state concealed-carry permit holders pose an equivalent threat. True, some Virginians barred from obtaining permits in the commonwealth may be able to obtain one from a state with more lenient standards, which Virginia would have to recognize. Its doubtful that will be widespread. Gun control advocates, including Everytowns chief, John Feinblatt, are disingenuous. They suggest Mr. McAuliffe, without making concessions, could have signed legislation cracking down on gun-owning domestic abusers. In fact, GOP lawmakers in Richmond have killed such bills for years, and there was no sign they were relaxing their opposition. Granted, problems remain. In order to enforce the requirement that abusers forfeit their weapons, the state will rely mainly on their protective-order-seeking partners for verification and reporting noncompliance to the police. Nonetheless, the state will wield a big stick: the threat of a felony conviction, and up to five years in prison, for violations. Mr. McAuliffe has notched a victory for gun control. What a shame the advocates for that position are blind to it. Cousins Rayanna Connor, 5, left, and Damoni Cheeks, 2, both of Flint, Mich., hold up signs asking for presidential help and calling for the arrest of Gov. Rick Snyder at a water crisis rally with filmmaker Michael Moore on Jan. 16. (Jake May/The Flint Journal-MLive.com via Associated Press) Depending on whom you ask, Michael Moores latest documentary either shows off his kinder, gentler side or shows that he is angrier than ever. Headlines have alternately described Where to Invade Next, released in theaters nationwide last week, as lighthearted and optimistic, radical, Moores funniest film in years and his most subversive. It is, in other words, Moore at his best. But the film is a departure from Moores previous work for one major reason: Instead of pointing his camera at problems in the United States, in Where to Invade Next, Moore embarks on an international search for policies that might help Americans live better. Throughout the film, Moore personally invades foreign countries to learn about their ideas, many of which actually originated in the United States, and reclaim them for the American people. The result is both an entertaining romp and a powerful demonstration of what can be achieved by thinking outside the box or, in this case, our borders. Many American viewers will be startled by the policies that Moore encounters on his journey, including free college tuition in Slovenia, generous paid vacation time in Italy, and state-sponsored reproductive health services in Tunisia. And thats precisely the point. Even though the entire film was shot abroad, Where to Invade Next is ultimately a commentary on inequality in the United States, where basic economic rights that are taken for granted elsewhere are increasingly out of reach for much of the country. Accordingly, the film is perfectly timed for the moment, in which the devastating impact of deeply entrenched inequality is on full display in Flint, Mich., and elsewhere. And its especially relevant to the 2016 election as millions of Americans, largely due to the campaign of Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), are coming around to the idea that the kind of progressive policies Moore highlights can and should be part of their lives. Indeed, it is an unhappy coincidence that Where to Invade Next was released amid the ongoing crisis in Flint, Moores home town, where a corrupt and captured governments futile cost-cutting efforts tragically poisoned the citys water supply with toxic lead. Of course, Moore put Flints widening inequality problem in stark relief with his breakthrough 1989 film Roger & Me, so it should come as no surprise that he has been among the most vocal critics of Republican Gov. Rick Snyders disastrous handling of the water crisis. In a Time magazine column, for example, Moore described the poisoning of Flints mostly black residents as a racial crime, and he has publicly called for Snyders arrest. But while Flint may have been forgotten, as Moore recently said, the citys residents are far from alone. In cities and towns across the country, rising inequality is taking a heavy toll and fueling the decline of the middle class. As the Pew Research Center reported in December, the middle class is shrinking both as a percentage of the population and in terms of the nations overall wealth, more and more of which is being accumulated by those at the top of the economic ladder. In Michael Moore's most recent documentary, he spends time in countries like Finland, Italy and Portugal to experience alternative methods for dealing with social and economic ills. (Courtesy of IMG) As a result, a growing number of Americans believe that the economy is rigged against their interests, and that belief is shaping the 2016 presidential campaign. Exit polling from the New Hampshire primary found that Democratic voters ranked income inequality as their top concern, making it plain to see why Sanders won in a rout. Meanwhile, the disturbing rise of Republican demagogue Donald Trump is largely a consequence of white, middle-class angst and anger. Beyond voters visceral response to inequality, there is also the metastasizing problem of inequality in our elections themselves. Six years after the Supreme Court ruled in Citizens United, the role of money in politics continues to expand. The 2016 election is projected to feature record spending totals, much of it coming from super PACs and dark money groups funded by billionaire donors. The Koch brothers and their political network, for example, plan to spend $750 million on the election which is actually less than their original estimate of nearly $900 million. This flood of spending threatens to drown out the voices of regular citizens, and, in many places, it has already threatened their right to vote. Twenty-one states have enacted voter-ID requirements or other restrictive voting laws since 2010, according to the Brennan Center for Justice, and 16 states will have new voting restrictions in place for the first time in a presidential election this year. (In the wake of Justice Antonin Scalias sudden death, the election-year battle over his replacement may very well become a referendum on the courts ruling in Citizens United, as well as its partisan dismantling of the Voting Rights Act in Shelby County v. Holder.) Yet, while this is in many ways a perilous moment for the nation, there are some promising signs for our fragile democracy. As a coalition of reform groups shows in a new report titled Our Voices, Our Democracy, the American people are speaking out and demanding a government that is truly by the people, where every voice is heard and every vote counts. In November, for example, voters in Maine and Seattle overwhelmingly approved ballot initiatives to make their elections more democratic through public financing systems. The momentum for action to fight inequality of all kinds can also be seen in President Obamas call last week for automatic voter registration, in movements such as Black Lives Matter and Moral Mondays, and in the fact that the next primary debate between Hillary Clinton and Sanders will take place in the forgotten city of Flint. In a 2014 speech, Moore commented that humor can be used in a devastating fashion to shake people out of their seats and do something. The headlines are right: Where to Invade Next is funny and angry and optimistic and radical. Go see it, get up and do something. Read more from Katrina vanden Heuvels archive or follow her on Twitter. Of all the surprises, of all the unexpected ironies, of all the unanticipated turns in the Republican presidential race, its possible that Donald Trump has been hurt by telling the truth. Trump himself must be reeling from such a development and has probably by now vowed to return to lying and bluster seasoned with personal insult Youre a loser but the fact remains that when he called the war in Iraq a big, fat mistake, he was exactly right. Jeb Bush, the very good brother of a very bad president, has now turned legitimate criticism of George W. Bush into an attack on his family. His family survived the war. Countless others did not. Jeb Bushs problem is that he has the record and the demeanor of someone who would have opposed his older brothers invasion of Iraq. In this, he would have been no different from many other moderate Republicans former national security adviser Brent Scowcroft , for instance who feared we would be creating a civil war that would rip Iraq apart and entrap us for years to come. As it happened, they were right. Trumps problem is that he is not, in his downtime, a member of various right-wing coffee klatches where the sagacity and downright brilliance of the Iraq War are undisputed. It goes like this: Saddam Hussein is gone, his threat has been vaporized and his weapons of mass destruction, which by now he would have developed and perfected, are no longer an issue. In fact, long after Hussein was executed, I heard the late Christopher Hitchens tell members of a conservative luncheon society that Husseins WMD did indeed exist and would he assured them with a nod be found. They were buried somewhere. Over the years, the Republican Party has been a vast incubator of foreign policy conspiracy theories. A current one has to do with Benghazi, Libya, where the Obama administration, for reasons no doubt having to do with its intrinsic evil, allowed Americans to die when, with very little effort, they could have been saved. Hillary Clinton, then the secretary of state, lied to the next of kin about why their loved ones had died a local, spur-of-the-moment uprising instead of the terrorist attack it most certainly was. The theory ignores the muddle of the time. It is also insane. Once, large parts of the GOP believed that a cadre of leftists and yes homosexuals had somehow enabled the communists to win the Chinese civil war. The charge of Who lost China? rang out from the halls of Congress and was supported even by Republicans who knew better. Secretary of State John Foster Dulles permitted this, allowing his department to be purged and careers ruined. A grateful nation named an airport for him. Now we see an attempt at revision concerning the Iraq War. Trump, though, has it mostly right. It was a debacle and it forever will remain so. It was unwise to invade, unwise to eliminate the Baath Party, unwise to eviscerate the Iraqi army and not realistic to think anything could be done on the cheap. Where Trump goes wrong is the implication that President Bush himself lied about what intelligence he had at the time. Others are more culpable. Vice President Dick Cheney surely exaggerated and manipulated the threat, and national security adviser Condoleezza Rice got carried away in her mushroom cloud description of Husseins nuclear potential. Hussein by then didnt have a nuclear weapons program. As for Bush, he didnt have a clue. In the current campaign, with the occasional exception of John Kasich, Jeb Bush has been the only adult in the room. His answers have usually been prudent and often complicated by facts that do not lend themselves to the bumper-car format of televised debate. Possibly his finest moment occurred when he reacted with evident disgust after Trump, doing a spot-on imitation of Vlad the Impaler, enthusiastically endorsed waterboarding and a hell of a lot worse. Bush simply said he would not bring back waterboarding. He seemed appalled. On Saturday, Trump started to come apart in the South Carolina debate. The truth is that he was once pro-choice and he did contribute to Democrats but he came to find the GOP more hospitable to his growing intolerance and moved right. On those issues, he has now fudged and blustered and denied the undeniable. But on Iraq, Donald Trump has stood firm. He called the war a mistake. He may not understand. In his new political party, thats a mistake. Read more from Richard Cohens archive. Harry Reid, a Democrat from Nevada, is Senate minority leader. We are entering uncharted waters in the history of the U.S. system of checks and balances, with potentially momentous consequences. Having gridlocked the Senate for years, Republicans now want to gridlock the Supreme Court with a campaign of partisan sabotage aimed at denying the presidents constitutional duty to pick nominees. Republicans should not insult the American peoples intelligence by pretending there is historical precedent for what they are about to do. There is not. The Senate has confirmed Supreme Court nominees both in election years and in the last year of a presidency as recently as 1988, a presidential election year when a Democratic Senate confirmed President Ronald Reagans nomination of Justice Anthony M. Kennedy in the final year of his administration. My colleague and the chairman of the Judiciary Committee, Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), was a member of the Judiciary Committee then and voted to confirm Kennedy. More recently, Sen. Grassley stated, The reality is that the Senate has never stopped confirming judicial nominees during the last few months of a presidents term. That is true. For his part, my counterpart, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), on Saturday called for the American people to have a voice in this process. Their voice was heard loud and clear when they elected and reelected President Obama, twice handing him the constitutional power to nominate Supreme Court justices. That is how our system works and has worked for more than 200 years. Until now, even through all the partisan battles of recent decades, the Senates constitutional duty to give a fair and timely hearing and a floor vote to the presidents Supreme Court nominees has remained inviolable. This Republican Senate would be the first in history to abdicate that vital duty. Washington Post reporter Robert Barnes explains where the Supreme Court stands after the death of Justice Antonin Scalia and how the vacant seat will impact the presidential election. (Whitney Leaming/The Washington Post) [Read more: If Republicans block Obamas Supreme Court nominee, he wins anyway] This constitutional duty has transcended partisan battles because it is essential to the basic functioning of our co-equal branches of government. By ignoring its constitutional mandate, the Senate would sabotage the highest court in the United States and aim a procedural missile at the foundation of our system of checks and balances. The good news is that there is still time for heated rhetoric to yield to reasoned action. The Senate can get there if Republicans take a deep breath, put partisan politics aside and think this through, as Americans first and foremost. It is easy to get caught up in the partisan swirl of an election year, but I would urge my Republican colleagues to remember that the consequences of blocking any nominee, regardless of merits, would hang over their heads for the rest of their careers. The rash statement that Sen. McConnell issued a few hours after Justice Antonin Scalias death was announced framed the precedent at stake in the broadest possible terms, arguing that, starting now, any president should be denied the right to fill a vacancy in a presidential election year. Not only is that principle absurd on its face, but if we set that precedent now, there is nothing to stop future Senates from sliding further down that slippery slope. It is a small and easily envisioned step to go from no Supreme Court confirmations in this specific election year to no confirmations in any election year. Our founders who envisioned a fair, bipartisan process must be rolling in their graves. If we enshrine this precedent and declare a functioning Supreme Court optional, subordinate to the whim of the Senate majority, it is easy to envision a future where the Supreme Court is routinely crippled. If my Republican colleagues proceed down this reckless path, they should know that this act alone will define their time in the majority. Thinking otherwise is fantasy. If Republicans proceed, they will ensure that this Republican majority is remembered as the most nakedly partisan, obstructionist and irresponsible majority in history. All other impressions will be instantly and irretrievably swept away. My Republican Senate colleagues should know, too, that they will be unconditionally surrendering their party to hard-line presidential candidates Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Tex.) and Donald Trump. Behind closed doors, many of my colleagues complain about the direction their party has taken in recent years. But if they cross this Rubicon, they will be as culpable as Sen. Cruz or Trump themselves, having resigned any claim to leadership and enlisting as foot soldiers in a radical effort to obstruct and delegitimize the president at all costs. I understand that this is a strategy born of necessity, not strength. My Republican colleagues fear the right wing of their party. But I would ask my colleagues: Are the cheering of Trumps crowds or the adulation of Sen. Cruzs acolytes worth sacrificing your basic constitutional duty? Are these the forces you went into public service to serve? If there were ever a time to take a stand for moderation and common sense, this is it. [Read more: Justice Scalias death and the case for Supreme Court term limits] I have participated in my fair share of fights over the judiciary. But throughout them all, we always guaranteed Supreme Court nominees a fair hearing and a floor vote. Even nominees such as Robert Bork, whom Democrats vehemently opposed, were given that basic courtesy. Indeed, in the most recent debates over the judiciary, Democrats actions have been aimed at guaranteeing fair votes for as many qualified nominees as possible. In response to unprecedented Republican obstruction, Democrats changed the Senate rules in 2013 to allow qualified nominees to be confirmed by a simple majority vote, instead of 60 votes. This change alleviated judicial emergencies across the country by allowing a flood of qualified nominees to be confirmed. (We stopped short of changing the threshold for Supreme Court nominees maybe that was a mistake.) If Republicans proceed down this path, one side effect will be settling that debate once and for all and proving that Republican obstruction is so extraordinary so historically unprecedented that this nuclear option was indeed necessary. That said, I would much rather be vindicated in some other way. I urge my Republican colleagues, for the good of the country and the sanctity of the American system of government, to recall what Sen. Grassley said only a few short years ago: A Supreme Court nomination isnt the forum to fight any election. It is the time to perform one of our most important Constitutional duties and decide whether a nominee is qualified to serve on the nations highest court. Those words are as true today as when they were first spoken. Pursuing their radical strategy in a quixotic quest to deny the basic fact that the American people elected President Obama twice would rank among the most rash and reckless actions in the history of the Senate. And the consequences will reverberate for decades. The writer, a Democrat from Nevada, is Senate minority leader. Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Charles E. Grassley said Saturday that replacement of the late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia should be postponed until after the presidential election. (Jacquelyn Martin/Associated Press) In elementary school, I was taught that presidents serve four-year terms. Apparently that number is off by three or so Ive learned recently from listening to Republican politicians. See, according to former Florida governor Jeb Bush and Sen. Marco Rubio (Fla.), the first year of a presidents term doesnt really count. After all, both have argued that George W. Bush kept us safe, suggesting that 9/11 didnt stain Ws otherwise spotless safety record because it occurred too early in his presidency. Also, according to Republican Senate leadership, the last year of a presidents term doesnt count either; thats why President Obama shouldnt get to nominate a replacement for late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia. Finally, it turns out the second-to-last year of a presidents term also doesnt count. How can you tell? Because Republican senators obstructed nearly all of Obamas judicial picks last year, too. And obviously per their recent rhetoric about Scalias successor they would have only done that in a year when the president was already a lame duck. Washington Post reporter Juliet Eilperin explains the difficulties ahead facing both Republicans and Democrats as they battle to fill the vacant Supreme Court seat left by the sudden passing of Associate Justice Antonin Scalia. (Dalton Bennett/The Washington Post) By process of elimination, then, U.S. presidents really serve one-year terms, occurring just once every four years. The other three-quarters of the time, presidents presumably disappear into the ether, like Brigadoon. Seriously though, Ive been puzzled by how much of the should-Obama-get-to-choose-a-judge debate has been framed as a last-year-of-presidency issue. Republicans strategy of blocking everything this president wants to do, and everyone he wants to appoint, did not exactly begin when we rang in the recent new year. It may be convenient for Republicans to blame their latest bout of obstructionism on some unwritten election-year rule, but its also pretty bogus. Republicans were just as dedicated to Confirmationus Interruptus in 2015. Last year, the Republican-controlled Senate confirmed just 11 federal judges, the fewest in any year since 1960. Only one appeals court judge was confirmed, the lowest number since 1953. As a result, there are 76 vacancies (including Scalias) for Article III judgeships, nearly twice as many as there were when Republicans regained Senate control in January 2015. Another way to measure just how aggressively Republicans have obstructed the judicial confirmation process is to look at the number of judicial emergencies, a term used when judges cant keep up with growing caseloads. That figure has nearly tripled over the past year, from 12 in January 2015 to 31 today. Now, its not like Democrats always rubber-stamped Republican presidents judicial nominees (see: Robert Bork). But this level of jurisprudential sabotage is nearly unprecedented. Republican senators have created at least four choke points in the confirmation pipeline. In some cases, theyve delayed setting up the local committees that vet possible nominees. Sen. Ted Cruz, and his fellow Republican senator from Texas, John Cornyn, have used such delays to make their state ground zero for judicial emergencies. Elsewhere, Republicans refuse to return blue slips, the century-old forms that give home-state senators an effective veto over any judicial nominee. In some instances, senators have publicly endorsed a candidate but then never actually delivered this paperwork, which is necessary for the nominee to get a confirmation hearing. Rubio, for example, publicly recommended Mary Barzee Flores to fill a district court vacancy in Florida. But nearly a year after Obama nominated her, Rubio still hasnt returned his blue slip. In other cases, the Senate Judiciary Committee has received blue slips, but delayed holding hearings or votes on nominees; or Senate leadership has put off floor confirmation votes. The nominees in question dont look especially controversial or unqualified either. Last years lucky 11 judges waited an average of 283 days between their initial nomination and a confirmation vote, according to the Alliance for Justice, a coalition of mostly liberal advocacy organizations. But when they were confirmed, 10 of the 11 were approved with either unanimous or near-unanimous support from both parties. Senate obstructionism isnt reserved for judicial branch openings alone. A January analysis from Politico found that more than a quarter of the administrations most senior executive branch jobs more than 100 overall were missing permanent occupants. It also reported that the Senate in 2015 confirmed the fewest civilian nominations for the first session of a Congress in nearly three decades. Meanwhile, senators congratulate themselves for getting back to the business of governing. I think I can safely say here, Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) proclaimed recently, that at the end of the first year of this new majority, dysfunction is over. Hmm. Maybe its not the president whos been vacationing in Brigadoon all this time. Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton at the PBS NewsHour Democratic presidential candidate debate at the University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee on Feb. 11. (Win Mcnamee/Getty Images) Democratic presidential candidates Hillary Clinton, a former secretary of state, and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) have celebrated their tens of thousands of small donors to their presidential campaigns [Big win by Sanders inspires big rush of contributions, Campaign 2016, Feb. 11]. The American people should not have been manipulated into the position of needing to purchase a president. Citizens United doubled down on the power of the purse by granting free speech to powerful and wealthy corporations, forever disadvantaging the average citizen. The reason for the emergence of outsider candidates is clear: Americans no longer believe they control or elect their own government. Robert J. Latham, Ellicott City THE BEST way to help Ukraine fend off Russias aggression is to build a strong and prosperous nation. That has been the core of Western thinking in the nearly two years since Russia seized Crimea and staged a separatist uprising in the Donbass. Now, a fresh warning to Ukraines leaders has appeared, this time from within, challenging them to heal the countrys chronic corruption and oligarchic rot. They must listen or risk losing all. The warning came from the economic development and trade minister, Aivaras Abromavicius, 40, a technocrat and dedicated reformer brought in 14 months ago to help make a decisive break with the past and point Ukraine toward a long-overdue economic overhaul under President Petro Poroshenko. We came here to do big things like deregulation, state-owned enterprise reform, and public procurement reform, Mr. Abromavicius said this month, adding that the nations leaders had promised him absolute political support and commitment to reforms. It was always going to be uphill. Ukraine has remained mired in a system in which billionaires gobble up state assets and siphon off the revenue streams. This corrupt form of oligarchic capitalism grew rapidly in the years after the Soviet Union imploded it flourished in Russia, too but Ukraines variant has been particularly deep-rooted. Finally, on Feb. 3, Mr. Abromavicius announced he was resigning because Ukrainian plutocrats were grinding down his efforts at reform. He declared that businessmen close to Mr. Poroshenko were seeking to infiltrate the oil and defense industries and attempting to put their own people in government and corporate posts. It has become clear that any kind of systemic reform is decisively blocked, Mr. Abromavicius said. I refuse to be part of this system. Neither me nor my team are prepared to serve as a cover-up for the schemes, old or new, that have been set up in the private interest of particular political or business players. He added, Evil forces still want to wind things back. Let us get rid of all those who shamelessly siphon billions off the Ukrainian economy. Specifically, he identified Ihor Kononenko, a businessman who is a deputy faction leader in Mr. Poroshenkos bloc in parliament, as an obstacle to reform. As economist Anders Aslund of the Atlantic Council pointed out, Mr. Kononenko is Mr. Poroshenkos right-hand man and often called the partys gray cardinal by journalists; the crisis now goes all the way to the top. The outburst was a needed shock to the status quo in Ukraine, and the question now is whether Mr. Poroshenko will do anything about it. Ambassadors from the United States, Canada, Britain, Germany, France, Italy, Lithuania, Sweden and Switzerland demanded in a statement that Ukraine put the vested interests that have dominated it for so long squarely in the past. The International Monetary Fund has indicated that Ukraines fiscal lifeline could be cut off in the absence of clear government action. Ukraines leadership must not ignore the warnings. Oligarchic capitalism was a messy first phase after the collapse of communism, but to survive, Ukraine must bid it farewell. Sen. Ted Cruz and Donald Trump sought to verbally obliterate one another Monday ahead of South Carolinas crucial primary, with the threat of a lawsuit, accusations of lying and assertions that a candidate has lost it. Trump said he is prepared to immediately sue Cruz over his Canadian birth, claiming it could disqualify him from the presidency. The businessman ordered Cruz to retract statements about his past inconsistencies on abortion rights and other social issues. Trump also demanded that the senator from Texas take down advertisements attacking him. We will bring a lawsuit if he doesnt straighten his act out, Trump told reporters in Hanahan, S.C., Monday afternoon. This guys just a plain out liar. Trump said Cruz just comes out, and boom, boom, boom, absolute lies. . . . He doesnt even have the right to serve as president or even run for president. Trumps threat and biting comments come days before voters in this state cast ballots in the nations third voting contest Cruz and Trump each came here with a win, and Cruz has said he believes the nominating contest is a two-man race. But the presence of a third man loomed large Sen. Marco Rubio (Fla.) who, along with Trump, accused Cruz of distorting the facts in the Republican debate Saturday. Cruz remains squarely in the crosshairs of both men as campaigning heats up here this week. Republican presidential candidate Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Tex.) speaks at a rally at the Southeastern Institute of Manufacturing & Technology in Florence, S.C. (Jacquelyn Martin/AP) I have never seen anybody that lied as much as Ted Cruz, Trump said Monday. Trump also called Cruz the most dishonest guy I think Ive ever met in politics. In response, Cruz has ratcheted up his attacks on Trump and Rubio. Cruz, who has sought to end federal funding for Planned Parenthood, has highlighted Trumps assertion Saturday that the organization is doing wonderful things for womens health. Pointing out past support for Democrats, Cruz argues that Trump has long been a liberal who will not appoint conservative justices to the Supreme Court. Cruz says that Rubio supported a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants, arguing Monday that illegal immigration is an issue that hurts blue-collar workers. Cruz is also sharpening his attacks on Rubios foreign policy, seeking to tie him to President Obama, Secretary of State John F. Kerry and his predecessor, Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton. Two of the candidates in this race, Donald Trump and Marco Rubio, both have the very same pattern, Cruz said in Aiken. Whenever somebody points out their record, they simply start screaming liar, liar, liar. Its a very odd dynamic. [You didnt hear this from me, but .. why South Carolina politics are so dirty] Cruz said Trump would appoint liberal justices to the court such as his sister, a federal appeals court judge. Trump has said in the past that his sister would be a phenomenal justice, but walked it back, stating he was joking. Now its good to stand with your sister, but Donalds sister was a Bill Clinton-appointed federal appellate judge who is a radical pro-abortion extremist, Cruz told reporters in Aiken. In July 2000, Trumps sister, Maryanne Trump Barry, wrote the majority opinion on a panel that found New Jerseys ban on late-term abortions unconstitutional. It said the law banning the procedrue was constitutionally vague and unduly burdened a womans constitutional right to obtain an abortion. Donald Trump, if he were president, would appoint liberals to the court, Cruz said. We know this for a fact. Why? Because Donald has been a liberal his entire adult life. The senator blasted Trumps command of national security, stating that he does not have a grasp of the nations nuclear capability, an understanding Cruz said works in reality television, but not for someone vying to be commander-in-chief. Cruz also chided Trump for calling for the impeachment of George W. Bush, a popular figure here who campaigned in North Charleston on Monday night for his brother Jeb. When Donald Trump sided with MoveOn.org and Michael Moore and the extreme fever swamp left wing on calling for the impeachment of George W. Bush, that demonstrated where he was coming from, Cruz said. Trump has questioned for weeks whether Cruzs birthplace disqualifies him from running for president, and Cruz brushed off threats of a lawsuit. The Constitution mandates that only natural born citizens can be president, though there are varying interpretations of the law. Cruz has long said that he is a natural-born citizen through his mother, who was born in the United States. You know, today Donald Trump held a press conference where he apparently lost it, Cruz said. I mean, he was just going on and on about how Im the most horrible person in the world because you know, I keep repeating things hes said. Cruz also sharpened his barbs for Rubio as he looks to draw a foreign policy contrast between the two with Cruz attempting to thread the needle between Rubios hawkishness and the more anti-interventionist, libertarian wing of the party. Cruz said Rubios vote confirming Kerry to be secretary of state has undermined Israel, has undermined our allies, has aided our enemies, has facilitated Iran toward acquring nuclear weapons. Rubios campaign shot back Monday, accusing Cruz of engaging in a a series of outright lies and questionable tactics that show he cannot be trusted. Rubios campaign said Cruz has distorted the senators stance on abortion and marriage and accused the Cruz campaign of engaging in push polls here in South Carolina. All three candidates are looking to woo this states heavy concentration of religious voters. Cruz has spent the entirety of his campaign attempting to win over evangelical Christian voters, a group that helped propel him to victory in the Iowa caucuses. Trump mocked Cruz for infusing his Christian faith into his campaign in an effort to win their support. The worst is holding up a Bible all the time, Trump said of Cruz. Youre willing to lie about anything, but then youre holding up a Bible? To me, its no good. philip.rucker@washpost.com Rucker reported from Hanahan, S.C. Patrick Svitek contributed to this report from Camden, S.C. Former United Nations secretary general Boutros Boutros-Ghali gives an interview to the Associated Press in New York. May 27, 1997 Former United Nations secretary general Boutros Boutros-Ghali gives an interview to the Associated Press in New York. Michael Schmelling/AP Boutros Boutros-Ghali, an urbane Egyptian diplomat whose service as United Nations secretary general during the early 1990s coincided with genocides from Rwanda to the Balkans as well as political frictions that caused the Clinton administration to block him from a second term, died Feb. 16 at a hospital in Cairo. He was 93. The U.N. Security Council announced the death. Al-Ahram, an Egyptian state-run newspaper, said the cause was complications from a broken pelvis. In an almost unprecedented display of very public strong-arming in an international forum, the United States, led by Madeleine K. Albright then the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations defied the widespread support mustered by Mr. Boutros-Ghali in his 1996 bid for reelection and forced the 185 U.N. members to choose instead Washingtons candidate, Kofi Annan of Ghana. Although Mr. Boutros-Ghali had arrived at the United Nations as a distinguished, high-ranking diplomat from a country with close ties to the United States, he came to be perceived in Washington as a man who personified many of the fears and concerns directed against the United Nations by conservatives. As a result, the administration concluded that Mr. Boutros-Ghali had become a symbol of U.N. mismanagement in the eyes of many Americans. His departure was seen as necessary to defuse the possibility of the world body becoming an issue in President Bill Clintons 1996 reelection campaign. Boutros Boutros-Ghali in 1996, at the end of his term as U.N. secretary general. (Peter Morgan/Reuters) Specifically, Mr. Boutros-Ghali was seen as insufficiently committed to the widespread financial and administrative reforms being demanded by Republican members of Congress as the price for paying sizable U.S. dues owed to the United Nations. He also was frequently at odds with the views of the administration and Congress about how to deal with such crises of the early and mid-1990s as the genocidal conflicts in the Balkans and Africa. Mr. Boutros-Ghali would later call the 1994 ethnic massacres in Rwanda when hundreds of thousands of Tutsis and Hutus were slaughtered and countless women raped my worst failure at the United Nations. He also laid blame on world leaders, including Clinton, for indecision and not providing sufficient resources to tackle daunting peacekeeping missions that had already spread U.N. soldiers across the globe. The degree to which those tensions would roil the waters of the United Nations was not apparent when Mr. Boutros-Ghali was elected on Nov. 22, 1991, to serve a five-year term as the sixth U.N. secretary general. With long experience at the top of his countrys diplomatic service and wide contacts in both the industrialized and developing worlds, he benefited from Egypts position as an Arab country located on the northern periphery of Africa, which enabled him to be considered a candidate from the African bloc, the largest group within the U.N. membership. Boutros Boutros-Ghali was born in Cairo on Nov. 14, 1922. He was a Coptic Christian from a family with deep roots in Egypts old aristocracy. He married an Egyptian Jew, Leia Maria Nadler, who is his only immediate survivor. After obtaining his law degree at Cairo University in 1946, Mr. Boutros-Ghali earned a doctorate in international law at the University of Paris in 1949. His experience in Paris made him a lifelong lover of all things French a trait that some critics believed would later add to his difficulties in getting along with the Americans because of his tendency to see things from a French perspective. It extended even to matters of language: Although his English was fluent, he peppered it with French circumlocutions and grammatical constructions. After returning to Egypt, he taught international law at Cairo University for nearly two decades, while churning out a dozen books on the subject. His entry onto the world stage came in November 1977, when Egyptian President Anwar Sadat made his historic decision to fly to Israel. When the anti-Israeli Egyptian foreign minister resigned in protest, Sadat put Mr. Boutros-Ghali in charge of the team that accompanied him to Jerusalem. Mr. Boutros-Ghali then led the Egyptian negotiations with Israel that prepared for the Camp David meetings between Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin. For the next 14 years, Mr. Boutros-Ghali stood near the pinnacle of Egyptian foreign policy, holding such posts as acting foreign minister, deputy prime minister and secretary of state. But the fact that he was a Christian barred him from becoming foreign minister in a country where political considerations dictate that the post be held by a Muslim. Blocked from advancement at home, he became a candidate for the U.N. post at a time when the African bloc was asserting that it was its turn to hold the secretary generals post. Although most African states would have preferred someone from black Africa, they were unable to get enough support and agreed to Mr. Boutros-Ghali as the alternative. The one sour note came from the United States, which was never enthusiastic about Mr. Boutros-Ghali. But after a U.S. attempt to push Brian Mulroney, then Canadas prime minister, for the post fell through, the United States, in deference to its Egyptian ally, agreed to permit Mr. Boutros-Ghalis election. The secretary general effectively is chosen by the 15-member Security Council, and a permanent member such the United States can veto any decision. In the actual vote, the United States abstained. Differences between Mr. Boutros-Ghali and Washington first percolated unmistakably to the surface in October 1993, when U.S. troops backing up a U.N. relief mission in Somalia became involved in a disastrous raid that left 15 American soldiers dead. The Americans were under the command not of the United Nations but of the United States, which had planned and ordered the abortive mission. But the Clinton administration, maneuvering to escape outraged domestic opinion, sought to foster the impression that the raid had been the work of the United Nations. Clinton, in a televised address, announced that henceforth U.S. troops will be under American command, as if that were a change in their status. And administration officials let it be known that senior U.S. officials, led by Albright, had dressed down Mr. Boutros-Ghali for the alleged U.N. failure in Somalia. For his part, Mr. Boutros-Ghali squelched the desire of U.N. officials to respond to Washingtons attempts to cast him as a scapegoat. He told reporters: I dont want to provoke the member states. . . . I must help the member states so that they will be able to help me. If the member states need the United Nations to overcome certain internal problems, the United Nations must accept. The Somalia incident proved to be a harbinger of difficulties to come. Mr. Boutros-Ghali nagged Washington incessantly about its propagation of a U.N. financial crisis through its failure to pay between $1 billion and $1.5 billion in back dues and assessments. At the same time, he proved reluctant to institute many reforms demanded by Washington because their implementation would have caused substantial cuts in U.N. jobs and programs favored by the countries of the developing world that were his hard-core base of support. The greatest difficulty came over the bloody civil war in Bosnia, with Mr. Boutros-Ghali exerting a role in efforts to end the fighting that was too ambitious for Washingtons taste. He and Albright clashed repeatedly over his insistence on U.N. control of the international peacekeeping force operating in Bosnia, particularly his refusal to delegate to British and French officers commanding most of the force the right to authorize airstrikes against the Serbs. Mr. Boutros-Ghalis supporters contended that his alleged bowing to pressures from the Serbs reflected the pragmatic reality that they were the strongest party in the Bosnia conflict and that treating them gingerly was necessary to gain their cooperation and deter them from violence against the peacekeepers. Nevertheless, an independent report about the failures in Bosnia harshly criticized Mr. Boutros-Ghali and his chief lieutenants for their reluctance to use air power against the Serbs and their failure to oppose more vigorously Serb actions that led to the slaughter of thousands of Bosnian Muslims. By the beginning of 1996, when it became apparent that Mr. Boutros-Ghali intended to seek a second term, the Clinton administration concluded that he could become a negative factor in Clintons reelection effort. Senate Majority Leader Robert J. Dole (R-Kan.), later to be Clintons opponent in the election, was making mocking references to Boo-trus Boo-trus before audiences across the country. The administration quietly mounted a year-long campaign to derail the secretary generals candidacy. Mr. Boutros-Ghali had at least the nominal support of almost all the other U.N. members, with the developing-world countries passionately behind him. In the face of that backing, other candidates were unwilling to come forward. And the U.S. campaign was led by Albright, scorned by the suave Mr. Boutros-Ghali as an unskilled, novice diplomat who had alienated many of her U.N. colleagues with what they regarded as a hectoring manner. In the end, though, she won out. Albright, described by an aide as convinced that support for Mr. Boutros-Ghali was a mile wide but only an inch deep, skillfully chipped away at him. Africans, fearful of losing the secretary generals job, were offered Annan as an alternative. When Clinton, at the end of 1996, tapped Albright to become secretary of state, other U.N. delegations became especially leery of antagonizing her. Most telling of all, the United States never wavered in asserting that it would use its Security Council veto against Mr. Boutros-Ghali, making efforts to push his candidacy in council deliberations an exercise in futility. That threat prevailed. When the United States voted against him in the councils preliminary straw votes, it became clear to all the membership that Washington would not change course. First, some of Mr. Boutros-Ghalis supporters on the council turned away from him. Then the Africans broke their solid wall of support and began to put forward other candidates. Finally, with the writing clearly on the wall, Mr. Boutros-Ghali withdrew his candidacy and opened the way to Annans election. On Jan. 1, 1997, Mr. Boutros-Ghali walked out of the United Nations and flew to Egypt, ending five tumultuous years as head of the world body. Goshko was a longtime diplomatic affairs writer for The Washington Post. He died in 2014. A protester holds a candle next to a portrait of jailed Chinese pro-democracy activist Liu Xiaobo in 2010 in Hong Kong. (Bobby Yip/REUTERS) The Obama administration said Tuesday that the president would veto legislation to rename a stretch of street in front of the Chinese Embassy in Washington after a jailed Chinese dissident, after the Chinese government warned of serious consequences if the proposal was enacted. Friday, the Senate unanimously backed a proposal introduced by Sen. Ted Cruz (Tex.), a Republican presidential candidate, to rename the plaza in front of the embassy after Liu Xiaobo, who in 2009 was sentenced to 11 years in jail on charges of inciting state subversion. [Chinese dissident Liu Xiaobo sentenced to 11 years on subversion charges] Liu had organized a petition in 2008 calling for an end to one-party rule. He won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2010. His wife, Liu Xia, has been placed under house arrest. State Department spokesman Mark Toner told reporters that the bill would only complicate efforts to impress upon China the need to respect human rights and release Liu, the Associated Press reported. He said the White House had indicated that the president would veto the bill. We view this kind of legislative action as something that only complicates our efforts, so we oppose this approach, Toner said in Washington. Its our desire to work more productively and cooperatively with Congress on ways to address our shared goal of improving human rights in China. Earlier, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said that the proposal ran contrary to the basic norms of international relations. If the relevant bill is passed into law, it will cause serious consequences, Hong told a daily news conference. We demand the U.S. Senate stop promoting the bill and hope the U.S. executive authorities put an end to this political farce. The bill would make 1 Liu Xiaobo Plaza the official address of the Chinese Embassy. The white-stone compounds current address is 3505 International Pl. NW, not far from the National Zoo and its panda house, home to animals on loan from China. The bill would need to clear the House and be signed by the president before it could become law. [7 simple questions and answers to understand China and the U.S.] Nevertheless, the move has angered China. On Sunday, the Global Times tabloid, which often reflects government views, called the proposal futile. The US has been at its wits end in dealing with China as it is reluctant to employ military threats or economic sanctions that may backfire, the newspaper wrote. The only option for Washington seems to be petty actions that disturb China. Last year, the House Appropriations Committee also voted to instruct Secretary of State John F. Kerry to rename the street. Cruz said in a statement Tuesday that the veto threat showed the administrations eagerness to coddle an authoritarian Communist regime at the expense of pro-American dissidents, the AP reported. He said it was ironic that Obama, who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2009, wants to veto a bill honoring the 2010 prize winner, Liu. Read more: As U.S. pressure mounts, China talks up prospect of N. Korea sanctions that bite Chinas booming ocean parks mean misery for bears, belugas and more Look whos talking and whos not. Western nations choose words carefully on China human rights. Todays coverage from Post correspondents around the world Halim Abdelmalek at home in the Paris suburb of Vitry-sur-Seine. He was placed under house arrest on Nov. 14 after authorities wrongly suspected him of possible terrorist activity. (Laurence Geai for The Washington Post) The avowed ideals of a free, open and tolerant Europe are under assault as never before, with a surge in police spot checks and house raids ushering in what some are calling a new era of racial profiling. In France, the home of liberte, egalite, fraternite, Muslims are especially alarmed, warning of a new climate of fear in the wake of the November attacks that killed 130 people in Paris. Suspicion is also deepening over foreign asylum seekers and terrorist threats in nations including Germany and Denmark, heightening police actions targeting minorities and racial profiling at nightclubs and public swimming pools. [How Muslims are using social media to shame European cops] Minority activists have denounced alleged racial profiling in Europe for years. But never, they say, has it been so frequent and obvious. Under an ongoing state of emergency in France, for instance, police now have broad powers to detain suspects and conduct raids without court orders. So far, authorities have staged 3,200 raids and put almost 400 people under house arrest. Yet those raids have resulted in only five terrorism-related investigations while leaving a lot of broken doors in Muslim homes. In a nation where the state is said to be so color-blind that not even census-takers ask about race, counterterrorism operations are also leading to false confinements. Halim Abdelmalek prays inside his house. I am scared, he said. We are no longer in a state of law here. We are in a state of profiling. We are all suspects now. (Laurence Geai for The Washington Post) A French judge in late January found that, after nine weeks of house arrest, small-business owner Halim Abdelmalek had been wrongly detained by overzealous authorities. The 33-year-old Muslim was ultimately freed but not before his detention, he said, nearly ruined his motorbike repair service and forced him to fire two employees. I said nothing to my children. I told them, Daddy has hurt his back, and thats why Ive been home, whispered Abdelmalek in his living room in the Paris suburbs as his two young sons peered out from behind a door in the hallway. I am scared. We are no longer in a state of law here. We are in a state of profiling. We are all suspects now. [The stunning acceleration of Europes migration crisis, in one chart] Activists are describing a higher level of profiling directed at a variety of nonwhites, including South Asians and blacks, sparking a debate with echoes of the one in the United States over the treatment of ethnic minorities by law enforcement. But in Europe, such profiling appears chiefly aimed at Muslim looking peoples. Technically, racial profiling is forbidden under European Union law, and records of stop-and-searches are not routinely kept in many nations, including France and Germany. But from Barcelona to Warsaw, Munich to Paris, it has become commonplace to see ethnic minorities held up at police checkpoints as white Europeans and tourists whisk through unmolested. After a series of gigs, French comedian Yassine Belattar hopped a train from Brussels to Paris last month with his business partner. They disembarked, he said, but didnt get far before the police brusquely stopped and searched the copper-skinned Belattar as his white associate walked on by. I was like: What? Hes traveling with me! Why dont you search him too? But they just waved through everyone white, said Belattar, 33. They opened my suitcases and took out my clothes one by one. I felt nervous and humiliated. Halim Abdelmalek prays inside his house in the Paris suburb of Vitry-sur-Seine on Feb. 10. (Laurence Geai for The Washington Post) At Berlins Tegel Airport this month, two German police officers combed through a crowd at baggage claim. They demanded passports from half a dozen passengers, all of whom were darker skinned. Why? said one middle-aged man from India wearing a colorful wool cap. Because of this, eh? he said, rubbing the skin on his arm. If I looked like them? Nothing. European officials strongly deny that they are conducting racial profiling. But privately, several security officials conceded that given certain shared ethnic characteristics of many terrorism suspects and migrants, they are far less likely to stop and search, say, a French grandmother or a well-dressed German executive. But race is not the main factor, they insist, also citing behavior and dress when deciding whom to single out. We have increasingly been confronted with accusations of racism, said Ivo Priebe, spokesman for the German Federal Police. I reject this accusation. We carry out controls on the basis of current police information, not based on skin color. [More European nations are barring their doors to migrants] In Germany, where 1.1 million migrants arrived last year and thousands more are coming every week, the issue is not just terrorism. A rising number of sexual harassment and assault allegations against asylum seekers has led nightclubs, bars and public pools to ban young men who have a certain look. In the German city of Munster, the activist group Anti-Deportation Alliance Munster documented a police checkpoint during the annual carnival celebration on Feb. 8 at which seven people were stopped and searched. All of them, the group said, were of non-German appearance. When questioned, police told them they had been selected by pure chance. Others warn that fears related to terrorism and migrants are making racial profiling more socially acceptable. In Denmark, at least one nightclub has adopted a policy to weed out refugees that requires guests to speak Danish, German or English, with other establishments reportedly considering the same. In Munich, a group of four young men two white and two black conducted an unscientific study in November, testing the entry policies of discos on two different nights. On one night, all but one of 20 clubs allowed the white Germans in, while 14 refused entry to the black men. Another night, the white Germans gained entry everywhere, while the black Germans were barred from 14 out of 25 establishments. We were also verbally and physically attacked, said Boubacar Bah, an immigrant to Germany from Senegal who took part in the study. When I tried to walk past the bouncer at one place, he pushed me away. We expected that he would say, Youre not getting in, but not to be pushed. Its hard not to lose control, if youre deprived of your human dignity in such a way. [Man in failed attack on Paris police lived in German shelter for asylum seekers] In France, authorities have defended the 3,200 raids made under state-of-emergency laws. While there may have been only five terrorism investigations opened, they say, the raids uncovered significant caches of weapons, drugs and other evidence of illegal activity. But civil liberties groups say the targeting of Muslims is based on flimsy evidence. Abdelmalek, for instance, was placed under house arrest shortly after the November attacks in Paris. Among other charges, authorities cited a months-old allegation that he had been caught taking photographs of the home of a cartoonist from Charlie Hebdo, the satirical newspaper targeted by homegrown extremists in January 2015. In fact, Abdelmalek says, he was simply talking to his wife on the phone at a nearby intersection. The two of them were meeting, he said, to take one of their sons to his mothers house. She happens to live a few doors down from the cartoonist. After he appealed his house arrest, a judge ruled in his favor last month. The French state must pay him $1,635, a sum he said does not come close to covering the hit to his business from nine weeks of house arrest. Its not the money, though, he said. Its the dignity. You cannot put a price on that. Virgile Demoustier in Paris and Stephanie Kirchner in Berlin contributed to this report. Read more Fear and paranoia lead Finns to form vigilante groups that protect women from asylum seekers German chancellor pledges crackdown on criminal asylum seekers Germany springs to action over hate speech against migrants Todays coverage from Post correspondents around the world Refugees and migrants walk in a temporary camp after they crossed the Slovenian-Austrian border, near the village of Spielfeld, Austria, on Feb. 16, 2016. (Christian Bruna/European Pressphoto Agency) After an unparalleled tide of asylum seekers washed onto European shores last summer and fall, the continents leaders vowed to use the relative calm of winter to bring order to a process marked by chaos. But with only weeks to go before more favorable spring currents are expected to trigger a fresh surge of arrivals, the continent is no better prepared. And in critical respects, the situation is even worse. Ideas that were touted as answers to the crisis last year have failed or remain stuck in limbo. Continental unity lies in tatters, with countries striking out to forge their own solutions often involving a razor-wire fence. And even the nations that have been the most welcoming toward refugees say they are desperately close to their breaking point or already well past it. The result, analysts say, is a continent fundamentally unequipped to handle the predictable resurgence of a crisis that is greater than any Europe has faced in its post-Cold War history. Its a very dangerous situation, said Kris Pollet, senior policy officer at the European Council on Refugees and Exiles. Anything can happen. Due to the lack of alternative routes, hundreds of thousands of refugees fleeing war and persecution are making the dangerous journey by sea from Turkey to Lesbos, Greece in hopes of finding safety in Europe. The United Nations Refugee Agency is calling on the international community to support them. (Zoeann Murphy/The Washington Post) On Thursday, European leaders will have one last opportunity to reckon with the crisis before the pace of new arrivals inevitably begins to climb again in the spring. But few have any expectations that this weeks summit will succeed where countless others before it have failed. Europe can deal with this if it wants to. But there needs to be a political breakthrough. And Im not optimistic, Pollet said. Without one, he said, its going to be chaos. Thats clear. The scale of disorder and political disruption could be even greater than what Europe faced in 2015. [The stunning acceleration of Europes migration crisis, in one chart] The numbers themselves are already of an entirely new magnitude: Although arrivals are down from the height of the crisis last fall, the number of people who crossed the sea to reach Europe in the first six weeks of the year around 75,000 is 25 times what it was during the same period last year. More than 400 have drowned along the way. On the Greek islands, the most common European landing spot for people fleeing war and oppression in the Middle East, South Asia and North Africa, thousands have arrived even on days when the rough winter seas have been churned by gale-force winds. 1 of 21 Full Screen Autoplay Close Skip Ad Some of the most powerful images of Europes migrant emergency View Photos Waves of migrants continue to head to Europe despite new efforts to tighten borders. Caption Waves of migrants continue to head to Europe despite new efforts to tighten borders. Nov. 24, 2015 A man is carried after collapsing while waiting to continue his journey into Europe near the Macedonian town of Gevgelija, which is located on the border with Greece. Robert Atanasovski/AFP/Getty Images Wait 1 second to continue. But once the asylum seekers have landed in Europe, the continent still has no coherent system for managing the flows. Just three out of an intended 11 hot spots locations in Italy and Greece where those deemed likely to receive asylum will be separated from those expected to be denied were up and running at the start of the week. A quota system that was intended to evenly distribute 160,000 refugees across the continent has similarly foundered: Fewer than 500 people have taken part. Countries in eastern and central Europe, meanwhile, have boycotted the program. With countries improvising their own responses to the mass migration, the most basic tenet of Europes post-Cold War identity that national leaders should act collaboratively to reach continent-wide solutions to common problems is being called into question as never before. At most immediate risk is Europes decades-old system for borderless travel, the Schengen zone. European leaders have warned that it could come crashing down within months, and it has already been riddled by an array of new fences, military patrols and identification checks where once there was free movement. Greece could be the first casualty of Schengens decline, with the rest of the European Union threatening to kick the cash-starved nation out of the free-movement club unless authorities in Athens can get better control of the nations sea border with Turkey. Last week, the E.U. gave Greece a three-month deadline to do so. But some do not want to wait that long. Eastern European countries including Poland and Hungary are attempting to form an anti-refugee front ahead of this weeks Brussels summit, seeking to combine forces on a plan that would effectively trap refugees in Greece and allow them to travel no farther into Europe. [NATO ships to combat migrant-smuggling networks in Aegean] Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who on Monday called Europe defenseless and weak in stopping what he regards as an Islamic invasion, has called for the construction of razor-wire fences along Greeces northern borders with Bulgaria and Macedonia. Such a barrier is already going up on the Greek-Macedonian border, a major transit point for those heading farther north. Even governments regarded as reasonably pro-refugee say that border will soon need to be sealed. On a visit to the Macedonian capital Friday, Austrian Foreign Minister Sebastian Kurz said that his country is rapidly nearing the limit it has set for asylum seekers this year less than half the total of last year and that Macedonia should be ready to completely stop the flow of migrants in the coming months. On Tuesday, Austria announced a plan to limit new arrivals, part of what is now being called a domino effect of measures from Greece through the Balkans and into Western Europe meant to deter migrant flows. In a news conference, Interior Minister Johanna Mikl-Leitner said Austria was preparing to set up 12 new checkpoints along its southern border and impose a daily, perhaps even hourly, quota on migrant flows. Austria will also follow Sweden in denying entry to anyone without a valid travel document. If fences are necessary, additional fences will be built as well, Mikl-Leitner said. Those comments only add to the pressure on German Chancellor Angela Merkel, whose nation has taken more asylum seekers than any other in Europe but who faces growing demands to live up to her pledge to dramatically reduce the flows. She heads to Brussels this week with an urgent need to break the political gridlock. One possibility would be to form what some are calling a new coalition of the willing or a list of nations, probably in northern Europe, willing to take in asylum seekers who qualify for resettlement directly from Greece and Turkey. She is also putting stock in a new NATO effort to combat people-smugglers in the Aegean Sea, while pushing Greece to more rapidly ramp up its hot spots for registering and processing asylum seekers. Meanwhile, she is continuing to press Turkish leaders to live up to their end of a bargain in which the E.U. agreed to pay Ankara 3 billion euros ($3.34 billion) in exchange for Turkish cooperation in cracking down on smuggler networks. But with arrivals already far outpacing those in the same period last year, Germans are running out of patience with Merkel. At home, she faces a falling approval rating and a conservative backlash against her steadfast refusal to close Germanys borders, even after it took in more than 1 million people last year. The refugee crisis is a Gordian knot Merkel has to cut. But she tied her political future to it, and theres no way back for her, said David Kipp, an associate at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs. [Could Europes refugee crisis be the undoing of Angela Merkel?] If Merkel fails in her attempts to cajole European leaders into cooperating, refugee advocates say there could be grave consequences not only for the continent but also for the millions of people seeking an escape from the wars that have consumed Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan and other conflict zones. Our fear is that there will be a domino effect where countries say, Weve had enough, said William Spindler, a spokesman for the Office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees. Refugee flows are a reality. As long as you have conflict, you will have people fleeing for their lives. And at the moment, more people are doing so globally than at any time since World War II some 60 million. The number trying to enter Europe is a relatively small fraction. Heaven Crawley, who chairs the study of international migration at Britains Coventry University, said Europe should be able to handle the number of people reaching its shores. Syrias neighbors, she noted, have coped with much higher proportional totals. But, she said, the continent has been plagued by internal division, as well as a focus on keeping people out rather than honestly reckoning with what should happen once refugees arrive. Its a crisis of Europes own making, she said. If Lebanon and Jordan can manage it, why cant the richest region in the world? Its politics. Faiola reported from Berlin. Karla Adam in London and Stephanie Kirchner in Berlin contributed to this report. Read more More European nations are barring their doors to migrants In supposed no-go zone, British Muslims, Christians say no to fanatics Racial profiling seems to be a weapon in Europes war on terrorism For better or worse, a refugee assembly line in Germany Police officers stand guard before an annual report of Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk at parliament in Kiev on Feb. 16. (Roman Pilipey/European Pressphoto Agency) Ukraines government under Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk survived a rowdy vote of no confidence on Tuesday, as outrage over economic recession and political cronyism threatened the collapse of his ruling coalition. The motion to oust the cabinet, which gained momentum as President Petro Poroshenko endorsed a government reshuffle, received 194 votes in Ukraines parliament, falling short of the 226 votes required to pass. Fears of greater political turmoil, including snap elections, appeared to save Yatsenyuk, whose ratings with voters have plunged into the single digits in recent months amid the countrys deepest political crisis since the pro-Western revolution of 2014. Tuesdays vote revealed the raw anger directed at the post-revolutionary government, which has failed to enact promised reforms. After a wave of resignations from reform-minded political appointees this month, Poroshenko on Tuesday said that Yatsenyuks cabinet had lost the publics trust and that he had also asked Prosecutor General Viktor Shokin, who had been accused of blocking prosecutions of corruption, to resign. Obviously, society and the government are not satisfied with the pace of change, Poroshenko said in a blistering statement published Tuesday as lawmakers whipped votes for the motion in the Verkhovna Rada, Ukraines parliament. Therapy is already not enough to restore confidence. Surgery is needed. Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk, center, reacts after surviving a vote of no confidence Tuesday. (Efrem Lukatsky/AP) [As focus remains on Syria, Ukraine sees heaviest fighting in months] The conflict in eastern Ukraine long diverted public attention to questions of separatism and Russian intentions. But as that conflict has reached a stalemate, attention has returned to the glacial pace of reforms in Kiev. Ukraines government has also been under increasing pressure from its backers in the United States and Europe, who have looked with increasing dismay at ongoing problems with corruption. Christine Lagarde, the head of the International Monetary Fund, threatened last week to halt a highly anticipated $17.5 billion aid package for the Ukrainian economy. Yatsenyuk, who gave a report on the governments progress Tuesday, called for the no-confidence resolution to be put to a vote, saying he would transfer the government with honor and dignity. Perhaps ironically, some of the key abstainers in the no-confidence vote came from the Opposition Bloc, who backed the previous, pro-Russian government that Yatsenyuk replaced. Mustafa Nayyem, a journalist elected to parliament after organizing the protests that led to the 2014 revolution, said in a Facebook post that lawmakers tied to several prominent oligarchs left the parliament hall rather than vote against Yatsenyuk. That is all you need to know about Arseniy Yatsenyuks government, he wrote. Several key reformers in the government have resigned this month with scandalous denunciations about the state of reform in Ukraine. On Monday, Deputy Prosecutor General Vitaly Kasko left office, writing that the current leadership of the prosecutors office has once and for all turned it into a body where corruption dominates, and corrupt schemes are covered up. Its not justice and law that are in charge here, but arbitrary rule and lawlessness, he wrote. [In blow to Ukraines reform hopes, top official resigns, citing corruption] The problems with the Ukrainian government are so severe that some Western diplomats have begun to worry that they will weaken the Western sanctions regime against Russia. E.U. measures expire at the end of July, unless the 28 E.U. nations vote unanimously to extend them. The Ukrainians have not helped themselves, said one Western diplomat involved in the sanctions regime, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss internal talks candidly. The E.U. sanctions against Russia are linked in part to whether the Kremlin helps Kiev regain control of rebel-held parts of the Russia-Ukraine border. But whether or not Russia lives up to its end of the bargain, fractious European nations may be losing their appetite to make financial sacrifices on Ukraines behalf, the diplomat said. European nations, besieged by a flood of refugees from the conflict in Syria, may be looking for more cooperation from the Kremlin, the diplomat said, with Russias airstrikes now playing a major role in the grinding battle there. E.U. leaders may also be less willing to line up behind German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who until now has been the main enforcer of sanctions discipline but is under attack for throwing open Germanys doors to refugees. Michael Birnbaum in Moscow contributed to this report. Read more Ukraine should heed its economy ministers warning on corruption Is Mr. Putin serious about making peace in Ukraine? After being held captive for a month, three Americans who were kidnapped in the Iraqi capital have been freed. Saad al-Hadithi, a spokesman for the prime ministers office, confirmed that the three had been released but said he had no further details. The State Department said it welcomed the release and thanked Iraqi authorities for their assistance. The Americans, two men and a woman, were working as contractors training Iraqi security forces, according to an Iraqi security official. Apparently, on an unauthorized off-base trip, they were seized in southern Baghdads Dora neighborhood in an apartment Iraqi police described as suspicious. Some residents described it as a brothel, but details of the kidnapping have remained murky. Other reports have said the group was visiting the home of its Iraqi interpreter. Shiite militias have a strong presence in the area, a sprawling mixed neighborhood that suffered some of Iraqs worst violence during the sectarian bloodshed that followed the 2003 U.S. invasion. Gunmen regularly carry out raids and take it upon themselves to enforce moral codes, leading to suspicions that such a group was behind the abduction. Since a call to arms to defend the country from the advance of Islamic State militants in the summer of 2014, Iraqs Shiite militias have operated with increasing impunity. Senior Iraqi officials have expressed concerns about how they will be brought back under state control. [Iraqi official: 3 Americans missing in Baghdad were kidnapped by gunmen] Iraqi fighters of the Shiite militia Asaib Ahl al-Haq (The League of the Righteous) stand guard outside their headquarters on May 18, 2015, in the mainly Shiite southern city of Basra. (Haidar Mohammed Ali/AFP/Getty Images) The security official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the subject, claimed that the Peace Brigades a Shiite militia headed by Moqtada al-Sadr helped release them, implying that the group may have held sway with the kidnappers. The security official said he was present when the armed group handed the hostages over to Iraqi intelligence officials, but he declined to give details of the location of the swap or anything further on who was responsible. Iraqi security officials have given the names of the abducted individuals as Amro Mohamed, Wael al-Mahdawi and Rusul Farad, but the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad has declined to confirm personal details. The contractors were the first Americans to be kidnapped since U.S. troops withdrew from the country in 2011, and there were fears that the abduction may have been orchestrated by Iranian hard-liners for political gain. Iran backs and funds a range of Shiite militias in the country. The name of the company that the Americans were working for has not been released. The State Department welcomes the news that the Government of Iraq has secured the release of three U.S. citizens who were reported as missing in January, deputy spokesman Mark Toner said in a statement. We sincerely appreciate the assistance provided by the Government of Iraq, and its whole-of-government effort to bring about the safe release of these individuals. Read more [Feared Shiite militias back in spotlight after three Americans vanish in Iraq] Saudi Minister of Oil and Mineral Resources Ali al-Naimi, center, speaks to reporters in Doha, Qatar, on Tuesday after agreeing to a proposal to freeze oil production. (Str/EPA) Saudia Arabia and Russia agreed Tuesday to seek a freeze on oil production levels with other major oil-exporting nations in an attempt to prop up slumping prices that have cut deeply into revenue and weighed on global financial markets. The proposal, reached after talks in Qatar, received important backing from OPEC members Venezuela and Qatar, statements said. But it remains unclear whether it will garner support from other big producers such as Iraq and Iran, which has rejoined international supplies after the lifting of sanctions as part of Tehrans nuclear deal with world powers. [Cheap oil equals perilous politics] Without wide-ranging support, the output-freeze plan could likely fall apart and expose further rifts as the group struggles to cope with steadily falling oil prices currently around $30 a barrel after being more than $100 a barrel as recently as 2014. Sharp cuts in export revenue has forced rare belt-tightening measures in nations such Saudi Arabia and other Gulf Arab partners. The mix of oversupply and dropping oil demand also has led to wild swings in financial markets amid wider worries of a slowing Chinese economy, which had been a key driver of global growth. The moves in Qatar, however, were not greeted with immediate enthusiasm by traders, although benchmark oil prices remained slightly higher. European stock markets were largely flat after the news of the proposed production cap at January levels, announced by Russias oil ministry following the Qatar meeting. Wall Street opened higher. This agreement needs the nod from other OPEC and non-OPEC nations, which seems unlikely, said Stephane Ekolo, chief European strategist at Market Securities, told the Reuters news agency. Therefore, market participants turned again cautious and risk-off sentiment is back on again. Read more: Today's coverage from Post correspondents around the world North Koreas pursuit of a nuclear weapons program will only hasten its collapse, South Korean President Park Geun-hye said Tuesday, forgoing her usual caution to warn in uncharacteristically blunt terms that her government will do all it can to punish Pyongyang for its recent provocations. Talk of the Norths collapse is normally a no-go topic here, because the prospect not only alarms South Koreans but also enrages Kim Jong Uns irascible regime. But following the Norths nuclear and missile tests this year, Park is taking a markedly more confrontational approach. Dear people of South Korea, its obvious now that our previous methods and goodwill cannot break Pyongyangs nuclear will, she said in a special televised address to the National Assembly. I believe we should not provide them with unconditional support anymore or succumb to their provocations. We now need to find a fundamental solution to effectively change North Korea, and it is our time to be brave. Her tough words come at a time when South Korea, Japan and the United States are in unusual accord on how to deal with North Korea. Her address also coincides with a buildup in U.S. military muscle on the Korean Peninsula. Four U.S. F-22 stealth fighter jets are set to arrive in the South on Wednesday, while the USS John C. Stennis aircraft carrier is due later in the month ahead of joint military exercises. Park has pursued what she calls a trustpolitik approach to North Korea trying to build trust without weakening deterrence. But last week, she signaled a significant shift when she ordered the shutdown of the inter-Korean industrial zone at Kaesong on the northern side of the demilitarized zone that separates the two countries. [To punish Kim Jong Un, South Korea shuts down industrial zone in North] The Kaesong complex, where about 54,000 North Koreans worked in 124 South Korean-owned factories, had long been kept separate from politics; it was not shuttered even after a North Korean attack on a South Korean naval corvette in 2010 that killed 46 South Korean sailors. But Park, citing estimates that the Souths government and private enterprises have contributed $3 billion to the Norths government over the past 20 years, including through the Kaesong project, has pulled the plug. The shutdown was just the start, she said Tuesday. From now on, the government will start taking stronger and more effective measures to push North Korea to make changes by creating an environment in which the North will realize that nuclear development is not a way to ensure its survival, but a way to ensure the quick collapse of the regime, she said. Parks comments, including the mention of the Norths collapse, took many analysts by surprise. She has announced a real change in her policy, said Choi Kang, vice president of the Asan Institute for Policy Studies, a Seoul think tank. She didnt say regime change, but it seems that she has something like that in mind. There are few economic avenues left for the South to punish the North. The Kumgang tourist area, where South Koreans could visit a North Korean mountain range in a project that generated foreign currency for the Kim regime, was shut down years ago after a South Korean woman was shot by a North Korean guard. Direct sanctions put in place after the 2010 naval attack also curbed economic cooperation and trade. But there is plenty that South Korea could do militarily, Choi said, including beefing up the capabilities of its armed forces, continuing to blare anti-Kim messages across the DMZ and perhaps even cutting off humanitarian aid. The Souths recent actions especially the loudspeaker messages have infuriated the North. In a statement last week after the Kaesong shutdown, the Norths official Korean Central News Agency labeled Park a confrontational wicked woman operating at the groin of her American boss. Pyongyang also has been sending anti-South leaflets over the DMZ with balloons. Some that landed north of Seoul on Tuesday, according to local media, featured a caricature of Park and warned of divine vengeance for what it said were her failures, including the 2014 Sewol ferry sinking, in which hundreds died; the high suicide rate; and a MERS outbreak. The leaflet featured death portraits of Parks mother, who was shot by a North Korean agent, and her father, former president Park Chung-hee, who was assassinated, suggesting that her turn was next. Separately, Japan has introduced new unilateral economic sanctions against North Korea in response to the tests, banning its citizens from entering Japan and North Korean ships from calling at Japanese ports. Transfers of money also will be restricted. In Washington, the House and Senate have passed a bill imposing new sanctions against North Korea, and it is now awaiting President Obamas signature. But China, the Norths closest ally, has been reluctant to take punitive action that would risk destabilizing its neighbor, a stance that is likely to weaken any measures that the United Nations comes up with. Yoonjung Seo contributed to this report. Read more: China backs U.N. move to denounce North Korea over nuclear test Today's coverage from Post correspondents around the world The United Nations envoy for Syria, Staffan de Mistura, speaks to the press as he heads for Damascus on Tuesday. (Louai Beshara/AFP/Getty Images) Russia on Tuesday denied reports that its warplanes carried out a deadly strike on a hospital in northern Syria the previous day, complicating efforts to broker a cease-fire as the United Nations top Syria envoy arrived in Damascus to push for greater humanitarian access. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov called the reports that Russian planes had struck the hospital unfounded accusations and pointed to a statement from Syrias ambassador to Russia that U.S. warplanes were responsible. The United States is conducting airstrikes in Syria against suspected Islamic State targets. U.S. planes were not flying in the region, nor were those of any U.S. partners, Pentagon spokesman Peter Cook said Tuesday. State Department spokesman Mark Toner blamed Russia for the airstrikes. At least seven people were killed in the strike Monday morning, according to the nonprofit aid group Doctors Without Borders, which runs the hospital. U.N. human rights spokesman Rupert Colville said the strike may amount to a war crime. [Nearly 50 people killed in strikes on hospitals and schools in Syria] A photo released by Doctors Without Borders shows Syrians gathering outside a hospital after the building was hit by air strikes. (Sam Taylor/AFP/Getty Images) The statements came as the U.N. special envoy for Syria, Staffan de Mistura, met with Syrias foreign minister in the capital, Damascus, on Tuesday. De Mistura pressed for unhindered access to besieged populations across Syria, spokeswoman Jessy Chahine said. The U.N. envoy said later in a statement that he had a useful meeting with Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moualem. The priority for the United Nations is humanitarian access to besieged areas, by anyone who is besieging it, de Mistura said, adding that it was the duty of the government of Syria to reach Syrian civilians under siege. In northern Syria, at least two schools and four hospitals were hit by airstrikes on Monday, according to the United Nations. UNICEF said Tuesday it was still trying to assess the impact of strikes on two hospitals in the north the day before. Video footage of the aftermath at one of the facilities a childrens and maternity hospital showed babies crying in incubators, their monitor alarms ringing. UNICEF staff are working with our partners to verify the number of casualties, including children killed and injured in the attacks, spokesman Kieran Dwyer said. Colville, in Geneva on Tuesday, called the incident completely outrageous, the Reuters news agency reported. All the norms and rules and standards on conduct of warfare have just been swept aside in Syria, he said. The fighting has intensified in the country since Syrian government forces including Iraqi and Iranian fighters backed by Russia advanced on rebel positions in the north this month. Russia intervened in the five-year-old conflict to prevent its ally, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, from being toppled by rebels. The governments gains came as Russia and the United States met in Geneva for peace talks that swiftly collapsed. De Mistura is working to bring stakeholders back to the table for a new round of talks starting Feb. 25. We are witnessing a degradation on the ground that cannot wait, U.N. spokesman Ahmad Fawzi said Tuesday in Geneva, according to Reuters. [Battered Aleppo latest stage for Syrias proxy war] But in comments carried by the state-run Syrian Arab News Agency, Assad said it is unlikely the fighting will stop. Regarding a cease-fire, a halt to operations, if it happened, it doesnt mean that each party will stop using weapons, he said. Hashim al-Moussawi, a spokesman for the Iraqi Shiite militia Harakat al-Nujaba, which has fighters battling for Assad in Syria, said the pro-government forces were in a position of strength. Weve proved that we still have the upper hand, he said. Moussawi said it was too early to talk about a cease-fire. Theres a war, he said. Morris reported from Baghdad. Erin Cunningham in Cairo and Daniela Deane in London contributed to this report. Read more: The current chaos in Syria may help the Islamic State Syrian rebels are losing Aleppo and perhaps also the war Today's coverage from Post correspondents around the world A Texas county judge said on Monday that U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia had been suffering from serious health problems in the days leading up to his death, contradicting claims that Scalia had been in good health before passing away in his sleep on Saturday. Presidio County Judge Cinderela Guevara, who declined to request an autopsy on Scalia, told The Associated Press that she spoke with Scalias personal physician, who said that he had been dealing with heart conditions, high blood pressure and a torn rotator cuff that he was too weak to have surgically repaired. Guevara also said she had spoken with Rear Adm. Brian P. Monahan, the attending physician for the Supreme Court and Congress, who told her that Scalia had undergone MRIs for the shoulder injury this past Wednesday and Thursday. Also Read: John Oliver Rips GOP for Trying to Delay Justice Antonin Scalia Replacement (Video) Guevaras account conflicts somewhat with those of Scalias close friends, who say that he had been in good spirits in his final days and had not complained of heart problems. Bryan Garner, the co-author of two of Scalias books, told the AP that Scalia seemed strong as ever during a trip the two took to Hong Kong and Singapore a few weeks ago. Monahan has not yet confirmed Guevaras explanation or that he spoke with the judge. John Poindexter, the owner of the Cibolo Creek Ranch, where Scalia died, said Scalia had gone to bed around 9 p.m., saying he needed a long nights sleep. Poindexter had previously told the San Antonio Express-News that Scalia had been found with a pillow over his head. Despite insistence to the contrary by Guevara and Presidio County law enforcement, several websites have included speculation over possible foul play in their coverage of Scalias death. Related stories from TheWrap: Let the 'Antonin Scalia Was Murdered' Conspiracy Theories Commence Justice Antonin Scalia's Death: 5 Latest Developments Justice Scalia's Body Found 'Like He Was Taking a Nap' The Washington Posts Jerusalem bureau chief William Booth was briefly detained by Israeli authorities on Tuesday while at the Damascus Gate. According to a statement from police spokeswoman Luba Samri, A passer-by complained that he witnessed a number of people intending to stage a provocative situation and disturbances by young Arabs toward policemen responsible for security in the area, apparently for propaganda purposes. In view of the complaint, the policemen detained a number of suspects in order to clarify the facts in a sensitive and discreet manner at the nearby police facility. Booth, as well as another Post employee, were quickly released, according to an email by Kris Coratti, a spokeswoman for The Post. The Foreign Ministry later issued a statement saying that the arrest was regrettable and an unfortunate misunderstanding. Also Read: Detained Vice News Journalists Sent to Prison Hours Away From Lawyers, Court According to another police spokesman named Micky Rosenfeld, law enforcement have been increasing security measures around the Damascus Gate leading into the Old City because Palestinians have been carrying knives, guns and other weapons to carry out stabbings and shootings in the past four months. According to the New York Times, at least 27 Israelis, an American student and a Palestinian have been killed since Oct. 1 When the details of the incident were clarified and no suspicion at all of criminal activity was raised, the detainees were released immediately by the investigating officer without any other steps taken in the matter, added Samri. Also Read: Washington Post and HuffPost Blast Trespassing Charges Against Reporters While Covering Ferguson Booth has previously served as a bureau chief in Mexico City, Miami and Los Angeles. The Posts Tehran bureau chief Jason Rezaian was freed last month after being held prisoner in Iran for more than 500 days. Related stories from TheWrap: Washington Post's Jason Rezaian Flying Home After Iranian Detention Iran Releases Jason Rezaian, Jailed Washington Post Reporter Photo: Stocksy As anyone who has ever made a late-night trip to McDonalds after an evening of drinking knows: Big Macs and booze go together like fries and ketchup. Now, one South Korean franchise of the mega-chain is seeking to cash in on this perfect pairing by selling beer directly to thirsty customers. While the location, opening in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province next week, will be the first in Asia to sell beer, the adult beverage has been available at other locations across the globe for years, starting with Germany in 1971. McDonalds franchises in the Netherlands and Austria also serve brews, and customers in France can purchase beer and wine straight from the drive-thru. This boozy news comes after other buzzed-about and somewhat cringeworthy releases out of Asian branches of the chain, including Japans chocolate-covered French fries and the Modern China Burger with a distinct ash-colored bun dyed gray with sesame seeds. The South Korean chains are no doubt hoping the introduction of a more conventional commodity beer will boost sales and possibly set the stage for further integration of alcoholic beverages into other locations around Asia. Although theres been no word that beer will be sold in U.S. locations any time soon, perhaps that sales strategy would help them appeal more to the elusive millennial demographic, or at least to throngs of college kids looking to grab a bite and a brew after a night out. Want more McDonalds scoops? Check these out: The Big Problem With McDonalds All-Day Breakfast We Ate (And Ranked) Everything on McDonalds Secret Menu McDonalds Kale Salad Has More Calories Than a Big Mac NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. Sixteen years ago, South Carolina saved George W. Bushs presidential aspirations, and on Monday, he made a triumphant return to the political stage here, hoping to convince Republicans to work the same magic for his brother, Jeb. In his first political rally since leaving office in 2009 and his first public appearance on behalf of Jeb Bushs bid for the GOP nomination, George W. Bush pointedly acknowledged the anger and frustration that has pushed Republican voters toward frontrunner Donald Trump. But he argued the country needs a president like his brother who can be a steady and calm hand in the White House in order to fix the countrys problems not someone who offers empty bluster. I understand Americans are angry and frustrated, but we do not need someone in the Oval Office who mirrors and inflames our frustration, George W. Bush told a crowd of at least 1,000 people at a convention center. We need someone who can fix the problems that cause our anger and frustration and thats Jeb Bush. Former President George W. Bush campaigns for his brother Republican presidential candidate, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush on Monday in North Charleston, S.C. (Photo: Matt Rourke/AP) The former president did not mention Trump or any of his brothers rivals, Republican or Democrat by name. But in a 20-minute speech, the elder Bush repeatedly alluded to the business mogul and former reality star whose insurgent candidacy has thrown the GOP race into turmoil, urging voters to choose a candidate who offers more than slogans and who can appeal across party lines in order to win the general election in November. All of the sloganeering and all of the talk doesnt matter if we dont win, George W. Bush said. The former presidents appearance came just days before Saturdays pivotal South Carolina GOP primary, which could be make or break for Jeb Bushs struggling presidential bid. After losses in Iowa and New Hampshire, the former Florida governor trails badly in the polls here well behind Trump, who has a 20-point lead over his closest rival, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz. According to many polls, Bush is running in fifth place, behind Ohio Gov. John Kasich and Florida Sen. Marco Rubio. Story continues Slideshow: Republican candidates duke it out in South Carolina >>> But Bush aides hoped to spark a comeback for their boss by bringing in the former president, who remains incredibly popular here seven years after leaving office particularly with veterans and members of the military, who make up a significant part of the states Republican electorate. Its a change in strategy for Jeb Bush, who has not always embraced his family legacy on the campaign trail. Since declaring his bid for the GOP nomination, the former Florida governor has struggled to deal with his brothers complicated political legacy, including his handling of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. Last year, Jeb Bush stumbled over questions about whether he would have handled the Iraq war differently torn between acknowledging the mistakes made by the former presidents administration and staying loyal to his brother. When rivals pounced on that and the idea that yet another Bush might be in the White House, Jeb Bush argued, Im my own man. More recently, Trump has tried to make George W. Bush an issue in the campaign arguing at Saturdays GOP debate that he should have been impeached for his handling of the Iraq War. He has also repeatedly questioned whether George W. Bush kept the country safe, pointing out that the World Trade Center came down during his reign. Republican presidential candidate and former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, right, accompanied by his brother former President George W. Bush, left, and Georges wife Laura Bush, takes the stage during a campaign stop on Monday in North Charleston, S.C. (Photo: Matt Rourke/AP) But with little to lose, Jeb Bush seems willing to accept the political risks of embracing his brother on the campaign trail especially in South Carolina, which has been central to the political successes of the Bush family. George H.W. Bush won the 1992 GOP primary here on his way to becoming the nations 41st president. And in 2000, Republicans here revived George W. Bushs bid for the presidency, handing him a decisive victory just days after a blowout loss to Arizona Sen. John McCain in New Hampshire. As he took the stage in North Charleston, Bush, grayer and a little heavier than his last appearance on the campaign trail, was met with thunderous applause and screams as he and his wife, Laura, joined Jeb Bush on the stage. This is Bush country, Sen. Lindsey Graham, who introduced the former president, declared. Until Monday, Bush had pointedly stayed off the political stage. But as soon as he took to the podium, he reverted back to the Dubya of old charming voters with his folksy one-liners and easy charm. (At one point, he spoke of his presidential afterlife. Weve become tree farmers, he said. It gives me time to practice my stump speech.) It was a sharp contrast to Jeb Bush, who often comes across as awkward and stiff on the stump. (There had been some concern in the Bush campaign that an appearance on the stump by the former president, with his natural political talents, could overshadow Jeb.) But George W. Bush defended his brothers style, repeatedly emphasizing his quiet and steady leadership as governor of Florida and as a candidate for the White House. Again and again, he spoke of the need to have a president who is calm and chooses his words carefully. Strength is not empty rhetoric, the elder Bush said. It is not bluster, it is not theatrics. Real strength, strength of purpose, comes from integrity and character. In my experience, the former president added, the strongest person usually isnt the loudest one in the room. Behind him, Jeb Bush politely applauded. Former President George W. Bush and his wife Laura Bush, meet with attendees during a campaign stop for his brother Republican presidential candidate, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush on Monday in North Charleston, S.C. (Photo: Matt Rourke/AP) A promotion for the Israel Defense Forces at the CyberTech 2016 conference. (Images by Rob Pegoraro/Yahoo Tech) The first day of the recent CyberTech 2016 conference on cybersecurity in Tel Aviv, Yuval Steinitz, Israels minister of national infrastructure, energy and water resources, dramatically demonstrated the urgency of the matter at hand: He admitted that the state electric authority itself was currently facing a very serious cyber attack. His government agency had identified the malware and isolated the infected computers. And the attack affected only a regulator of the electric industry, not the actual power generation or transmission systems. But Steinitzs point still stood: This is a fresh example of the sensitivity of infrastructure to such attacks. Or, as Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu put it during an address earlier that day: In the Internet of everything, everything can be penetrated. Everything can be sabotaged, everything can be subverted. Israel knows this better than most countries. It has been on the receiving end of numerous online attacks of varying levels of competence (though not as many as the United States receives), and it has launched some particularly advanced and effective assaults of its own most famously, the Stuxnet malware that it and the U.S. reportedly collaborated on to disable Iranian nuclear centrifuges. Israel is one of the top targets of cyber attacks, and also a source of a lot of defensive and offensive cybersecurity technology, according to Johannes Ullrich, dean of research at the SANS Technology Institute, a cybersecurity research and training organization in Bethesda, Maryland. A report released before the conference by the IVC Research Center, a Tel Aviv tech-startup hub, touted Israel as second in the world to only the U.S. in cybersecurity. I spent a week in Israel to get an overdue introduction to its cybersecurity sector, courtesy of a trip for a group of U.S. journalists and analysts sponsored by the America-Israel Friendship League, a New York- and Tel Aviv-based nonprofit, and by Israels Ministry of Foreign Affairs. I wanted to see how the countries private and public sectors were coping with cybersecurity threats and to see what U.S. might learn from them. Story continues My conclusion: If only the Israeli approach were something we could pack in a box and put on a plane to the States. Lines of code on a monitor at CyberGyms training facility. Keeping the lights on Yes, we are in war, said Israel Electric Corp. senior vice president Yosi Shneck at the start of a briefing at the companys headquarters in Haifa. If not war, at least a significant battle. At the low end, the almost-entirely-state-owned utility is subject to 4 to 5 million online attacks a month; at the peak of the OpIsreal campaign, that number approached 25 million. None have succeeded in taking IECs grid offline, although Shneck wouldnt say how close theyd been. I dont think we are smarter, but I am sure that we are unique in one thing: We are in a political situation that puts us in front, Shneck said. He did say that the nature of these attacks had changed, with fewer distributed denial of service attacks (in which massive numbers of computers are used to flood a targeted site with useless traffic) but more phishing attacks and attempts to tunnel into its networks with long-lived advanced persistent threat malware. Its important to remember that these attacks dont all represent a Stuxnet level of danger. "Israel isnt really high up on the level of state-on-state targets, said Alex Crowther, cyber-policy specialist at the National Defense Universitys Center for Technology and National Security Policy. The top three most capable states are China, Russia and the United States, and none of them are going to target Israel. Against them, IEC has about 100 full-time cybersecurity employees and a 24-hour security operations center that monitors 16,000 events a second for signs of trouble, even if its just a door opened at a power facility. The company has since spun off a security training operation, CyberGym, that challenges technicians to defend against attacks in a simulated power-plant control room on its campus in Caesarea. If the blue team trainees lose control of their systems to the red team adversaries in an adjacent building (decorated with such hacker-ish art as a painting of Darth Vader and a stormtrooper in business attire), their lights will go out, an alarm will sound, and water can flood the floor. I asked CEO Ofir Hason whether any U.S. utilities had sent employees to take its training. None have so far, he said, but the company is looking to open a location in the U.S. Thats a good thing, observed one veteran of the U.S.-Israel technology relationship. Theres a lot of knowledge you can bring here to the U.S. experience, knowledge, training, said Ronen Kenan, managing partner of Atlanta-based BizDev USA Israel. Alex Crowther concurred: They have a lot to teach at the tactical level. Hacker art to motivate red team instructors at CyberGym. Armed forces as farm team Almost every Israeli working in cybersecurity shares the experience of compulsory service in the Israel Defense Forces. And many of them, in turn, come out of a particular part of the IDF, the 8200 intelligence unit. Its the Israeli version of the NSA, explained Nir Lempert, a former deputy commander of the 8200 unit and now CEO of C. Mer Industries, a tech holding company except that the National Security Agency cant force people work there for the first few years of their careers. The unit can choose every year the best people, Lempert said. Now imagine that as the CEO of a company, I can choose the best of the best. This is a real privilege. As I talked to various security startups on the CyberTech show floor, the importance of 8200 and similar IDF units kept coming up. "Service in the 8200 is a little like an MBA in the U.S., said Amit Rahav, a marketing vice president at the network-security firm Secret Double Octopus. The biggest driver for cybertech in Israel is the intelligence and military communities, commented Dror Liwer, founder of the wireless-security company Coronet. Having this sort of farm team has made it easier to decide who merits a job or an investment, said Jerusalem Venture Partners managing partner Gadi Torish: "It was fairly easy to track their references back to their intelligence units in the military. But that connection comes with some costs as well. There is a sensitivity in the world to companies associated with their government, said Gil Schwed, CEO of Check Point Software Technologies. And because the government exempts Israels Arab citizens from conscription (a few of them volunteer anyway), some homegrown talent may never show up on the 8200s radar. Its unclear how well such ventures as a new technology accelerator in Nazareth to assist Israeli Arab startups can offset that. Prime minister Benjamim Netanyahu speaks at CyberTech. Top-down priority, top-down direction Another facet of Israels approach that may be tough to export is its government-driven approach. Israel Electric, for instance, is not only 99.85 percent government owned, but its cybersecurity regulator is the governments Shin Bet security agency the equivalent of having the FBI oversee a utilitys cybersecurity here. Cybersecurity has been an official government priority since 2002, when then-prime minister Ariel Sharon set up a data-security unit in Shin Bet. (For references sake, that was about the time in the U.S. when we officially realized we shouldnt have let Enron treat the California power grid as its playground.) And that top-down emphasis will only increase. Netanyahu made that point in his speech when he noted Israels creation of a national cybersecurity authority to direct efforts across private industry. We are coordinating all of our civilian cybersecurity efforts in one address, he said. Every single business, here is what we expect you to do in cyber. Gabi Siboni, head of the Institute for National Security Studies cybersecurity program, suggested that Americans wouldnt like that approach: I know that in your part of the world, regulation is a bad word, but I assume that in 10 years everything will be regulated. The government also invests directly in startups: The Office of the Chief Scientist in the Ministry of Economy has about $500 million a year, matched by private money, to put into promising companies. Israels collective experience of being a New Jersey-sized country repeatedly attacked by its neighbors makes national security an easier priority for everybody to agree on. If you have this small homogenous state which feels threatened, which has faced extinction they are very focused, Crowther said. They are able to do cybersecurity stuff that we cant do. A cluster of tiny houses at a CyberTech exhibit dramatizes the effect of an attack on the power grid. Whats to share? All this experience and attention was not enough to stop Israels electric authority from being hacked, nor did it stop such earlier intrusions as the 2014 compromises of three Israeli defense contractors or a successful malware attack in 2012 on Israels police department. And while some tech figures here may sound a little cocky sometimes We have an amazing opportunity here as Israel, because 95 percent of those companies worldwide dont know anything about cyber, said CyberSpark Initiative CEO Roni Zehavi others noted that Israel didnt build this itself. The multinationals, primarily the U.S. multinationals here, are part of our revolution, said JVP founder and parliamentarian Erel Margalit, a Labor member of the Knesset. We needed the U.S. management culture and needed venture capital to kick ass. The U.S., in turn, could learn a thing or two from the seriousness Israel brings to online security, even if its state-centric approach isnt likely to fit here. Or, as IECs Shneck put it, sounding perhaps a bit paranoid but speaking truth, The most risky moment for an organization is when they feel protected. Email Rob at rob@robpegoraro.com; follow him on Twitter at @robpegoraro. A crowded street in Hong Kong. (Photo: Thinkstock) If Washington, D.C. is all about politics and Nashville is all about country music, Hong Kongs favorite pastime is easily shopping. We caught up with Jacquelyn Tryde, marketing assistant for the swank Four Seasons Hong Kong in the Central District a chic native, and cultural ambassador for guests who want to learn more about regional cuisine and shopping. The hotel is located in the Central District, a corporate area thats home to banks, and yetwith its dead-sexy rooftop pool lined by curtained cabanasit manages to feel as much about vacation as it does about business. Jacquelyn likes to start her tours right in the neighborhood. In some cities, the financial district is dead and theres a lack of things to do. People work and then leave as soon as they get off. But in Hong Kong, this is the happening scene. In this town where shopping is king, she gets tired of hearing people recommend the Ladies Market, with its hard sells, and the Jade Market, with its goods of questionable quality. And she understands that, for real shoppers, the flower market and bird market arent terribly fruitful for travelers. Related: The Weekender: The Perfect 3 Day Guide to Hong Kong Jacquelyn loves mixing high-end pieces with cheap finds and bargain scores. Her own style is a unique blend of the cultures she embodies. Moms Chinese, Dads from Denmark, she explains. When I am with my Mom we talk in Cantonese, and when Dad enters the room we switch to English. Still, her unique mix of East and West isnt out of place in Hong Kong, which is often described in just that way. Homegrown Hong Kong girl here, she nods proudly when I ask her if shopping is her favorite hobby. Here, her favorite finds: Jacquelyn Tryde, marketing assistant for the Four Seasons Hong Kong. (Photo: Sherry Eisenberg) G.O.D.: The name of this local brand, which sells everything from clever flip flops to playful Zodiac mugs, Double Happiness frames, and colorful glass chopstick rests, is play on a Cantonese phrase that means to live better. The English translation: Goods of Desire, and there may be no better place to pick up unique little gifts before heading home. Story continues PMQ: This former apartment building in the cool SoHo neighborhood now serves as a multi-use work/sell space for local crafters and entrepreneurs. The mix leans heavily toward designers, and you can catch the next generations of artisans on their way up. Mondavis glamorous nightgowns and robes, for example, combine lots of black lace and saturated colors in elegant designs and sumptuous fabrics. The building is also home to a variety of bakeries, ice cream shops, and lunch spots and the courtyard often hosts live musicians on the weekends. The ground floor is home to more established brands, including G.O.D and Vivienne Tam. No lines and great food at Man Mo. (Photo: Man Mo Cafe/Facebook) Man Mo Cafe: Our Chinese restaurant is pretty baller, she says of Lung King Heen at the Four Seasons, the first Chinese restaurant in the world to get three Michelin stars. Even guests of the hotel cant get in if they dont book in advance. (Note to self: Must plan better next time.) For a quick lunch without months of planning she heads to Man Mo, just around the corner from P.M.Q. Youll find duck dumplings inside red wrappers dyed with beets and brie and truffle dumplings colored with squid ink. These modern East-meets-West style plates are served up with fresh, equally bright blends from the juice bar. Cant bear to lose shopping time? Jacquelyn likes Lan Fong Yuen for milk tea and Tai Cheong for still-warm egg custard tarts. Cameron Road and Kimberley Road: Locals in the know do not go to expensive malls for their perfume. They come here, Jacquelyn explains. If youre willing to brave these small, cramped, and exceedingly crowded shops in the Tsim Sha Tsui neighborhood you can find all the same brandsin their original packagingfor as much as half off. Bonus: the stores have large samples of high-end make-up and perfumes for a couple dollars each, so you can try new beauty products without the risk. Youll find good prices at Yue Hwa. (Photo: Yue Hwa) Yue Hwa: One of the first department stores in Hong Kong, this no-frills stalwart continues to sell wares from the mainland at better prices than youll find elsewhere. Jacquelyn recommends the customized name stamps and the bespoke traditional Chinese dresses, both of which can be had cheaper here than elsewhere. The basement grocer hawks otherwise hard-to-find products from all over China, including her favorite indulgence: buttery record-shaped tea biscuits. Tang Tang Tang Tang: Opened by Sir David Tang of Shanghai Tang and named for the opening bars of Beethovens Fifth Symphony, this year-old housewares store extends his playful take on luxury to home goods and accessories. Look for fortune cookie-shaped salt and pepper shakers and silk scarves in striking zebra patterns. Related: The Only Dim Sum You Need to Eat in Hong Kong Lane Crawford Warehouse Outlet: The outlet of this local department store is to Hong Kong what Century 21 is to New York. Its not for everyone, Jacquelyn explains, as if already aware of my lack of patience: Expect to sift through bins in the hopes of finding discounted Prada pieces and other designer items from last season. Unusual designs can be slashed as much as 70 percent; timeless designs are more likely 20 to 30 percent off. Its a hike from Central, and no longer a secret, but Jacquelyn loves the sport of hunting for buried treasure here just the same. I can dig through those bins, she says, smiling wistfully, for hours. WATCH: Forget Diamonds in the Far East Imperial Jade Is a Girls Best Friend Let Yahoo Travel inspire you every day. Hang out with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest. My Favorite Quotes Recent Quotes Portfolio Summary Your most recently viewed tickers will automatically show up here if you type a ticker in the Get Quotes box on the top of the page. Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb.16 By Elmira Tariverdiyeva - Trend: Germany is for intensifying the talks on resolving the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict within the OSCE Minsk Group format, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Germany's federal minister for foreign affairs said in an interview with Interfax. He made the remarks on the occasion of Germany's presidency of OSCE. The minister said he wouldn't like to accept the fact that the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is called a frozen one, adding that armed clashes along the contact line of Armenian and Azerbaijani armies cause concern. Creating a mechanism for clarifying the circumstances of ceasefire violations would be an important step here, according to Steinmeier. The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts. The two countries signed a ceasefire agreement in 1994. The co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group, Russia, France and the US are currently holding peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented the UN Security Council's four resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding districts. Edited by SI Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 16 By Aygun Badalova - Trend: NATO supports the OSCE Minsk Group's efforts in resolving the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, the NATO Secretary General's Special Representative for the South Caucasus and Central Asia James Appathurai told reporters in Baku Feb.16 Appathurai reminded that while NATO is not directly engaged in the conflict resolution process, NATO does support the Minsk Group efforts. He said the alliance is concerned about the deterioration of the situation on the contact line of Armenian and Azerbaijani armies. The special representative said NATO encourages the conflicting parties to work towards a peaceful resolution of the conflict. "We have two members of Minsk Group that are NATO allies," he said, adding that the official position of the allies is to support the Minsk Group and a peaceful resolution to this conflict. The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts. The two countries signed a ceasefire agreement in 1994. The co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group, Russia, France and the US are currently holding peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented the UN Security Council's four resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding districts. Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb.16 Trend: President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has congratulated his Lithuanian counterpart Dalia Grybauskaite on the occasion of the national holiday of Lithuania. "On my own behalf and on behalf of the people of Azerbaijan, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to you on the occasion of the national holiday of the Republic of Lithuania," said Aliyev in his congratulatory letter. "I believe that the development of friendly relations, political, economic and cultural ties as well as mutually beneficial cooperation between our countries will continue serving the best interests of our peoples," said the president. "On this remarkable day, I wish you robust health, success in your activities and the friendly people of Lithuania peace and prosperity," he added. Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 16 By Elmira Tariverdiyeva - Trend: Azerbaijan turning into a strategically important energy exporter to the West did not give Azerbaijan diplomatic leverage, Haaretz wrote. The article said that it did not motivate the Western countries in the Minsk Group and other forums to work vigorously to restore Azerbaijan's lost territory. "The Western mediators in the Minsk Group stated outright over the years that Azerbaijan's energy exports did not give it any geopolitical advantage," Avinoam Idan, research fellow at Johns Hopkins University, wrote. The writer also teaches at the Energy Studies Program at the University of Haifa. The author wrote that moreover, not only did energy exports do nothing to resolve the conflict with Armenia, it hasn't even given Azerbaijan any advantage in the corridors of power in the United States or Europe. "Europe, which sought to reduce its dependence on Russian energy, saw Azerbaijan as an important player," the article said. "Azerbaijan's share of energy exports to Europe has increased significantly since 2005, when gas and oil pipelines began operating from Azerbaijan directly to the Mediterranean. This would improve Azerbaijan's diplomatic standing in the West." The author wrote that to date, this diplomatic activity by the United States and European countries has yielded little progress, and the territories remain in Armenian hands. The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts. The two countries signed a ceasefire agreement in 1994. The co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group, Russia, France and the US are currently holding peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented the UN Security Council's four resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding districts. Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb.16 Trend: President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has received NATO Secretary General's Special Representative for the South Caucasus and Central Asia James Appathurai. Conveying the greetings of NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, Appathurai recalled the latest visit of President Aliyev to NATO headquarters and the meetings held there. Azerbaijani president, for his part, recalled with satisfaction his meeting with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg during the discussions held in Davos. During the talks, the sides expressed satisfaction with the successful cooperation between Azerbaijan and NATO, praised Azerbaijan's contribution to international security as part of the peacekeeping operations in Afghanistan. President Aliyev and Appathurai also exchanged views on the current status of negotiations on resolving the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and expressed satisfaction with continuous support for Azerbaijan's territorial integrity in the documents adopted by NATO. President Aliyev expressed gratitude for Jens Stoltenberg's greetings and asked to convey his greetings to NATO secretary general. Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 16 By Aygun Badalova - Trend: Azerbaijan is a reliable, consistent contributor to joint activities, NATO Secretary General's Special Representative for the South Caucasus and Central Asia James Appathurai told reporters in Baku Feb.16. Appathurai said he met with Azerbaijani leadership and thanked for the contribution that Azerbaijan is making to the partnership between the two sides. He especially noted the cooperation in Afghanistan. "Azerbaijan has a very special relationship with Afghanistan. Through NATO, we managed together to help train Afghan security forces, said the special representative. "Azerbaijan has offered us logistics and land transport." He added that NATO was also contributing to security for Azerbaijan. "We have worked consistently to provide advice and technical support to help [the country] with defense reform, to help the forces to become more effective," he said. Appathurai noted that during today's meeting, the importance of Azerbaijan in providing the energy security for Europe and progress in the implementation of the Southern Gas Corridor project was highlighted. Talking about the Individual Partnership Action Plan (IPAP), the special representative said that the end of the second year is approaching - it is usually a two years cycle. "My colleagues will be coming here [Azerbaijan] soon to begin discussions of the next two years cycle," he said. "We have set partnership goals - what we want to achieve together and we will be of course discussing updating goals." "The cooperation has been good. Azerbaijan has worked very closely to us to implement what we have set and what we are going to do. That's very positive," he added. Azerbaijan-NATO cooperation is carried out within the "Partnership for Peace" program. Earlier, NATO adopted a document of the fourth stage of the Individual Partnership Action Plan for 2015-2016. Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 16 By Anakhanum Khidayatova - Trend: NATO Secretary General's Special Representative for the South Caucasus and Central Asia James Appathurai has said the Alliance doesn't rule out cooperation with Iran. "We have received no indication from Iran, there are no discussions within NATO about establishing relations," he told Trend Feb. 16, adding however, "I don't exclude that it might happen at some point in the future." However, Appathurai said NATO doesn't plan to cooperate with Iran for now. He added that the arrangement with regard to Iran's nuclear program is a step in a right direction. Following months of negotiations with six world powers (the US, France, the UK, Germany, China, and Russia), Iran agreed to curb its nuclear activities, in exchange to removal of the international sanctions. Last January, the US and the EU lifted their nuclear-related sanctions, as the deal, dubbed the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) came into force. "The lifting of sanctions and the nuclear deal obviously offer opportunities for Iran to play a more constructive role in the region, and I think everybody hopes for that," said Appathurai. "It also offers an opportunity for Iran to play less constructive role in the region, including with more resources coming and that is what some people are afraid of. So, what we all hope is that Iran chooses more constructive role." "There is so much respect for Iran as a great country with a great history and that can play extremely positive role in the region," Appathurai further said. "Iran and the countries of the region have to come to peaceful accommodation for the peace in the region, which will be for the benefit of everyone," he added. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @Anahanum Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 16 Trend: President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has arrived in the country`s Tovuz district on a visit. The president started his visit by laying flowers at a statue of national leader Heydar Aliyev in the center of the city of Tovuz. Head of Tovuz District Executive Authority Tofig Zeynalov informed the president about the extensive landscaping work carried out in Heydar Aliyev Park. All conditions have been created here for residents. Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 16 Trend: President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has attended the opening of the newly-reconstructed Tovuz-Hunanlar-Garakhanli-Duz Jirdakhan highway. The president viewed photo stands reflecting the work done. The Azerbaijani president was informed about the work done as part of the project on the reconstruction of the road. Some three million manats were allocated from the President`s Contingency Fund to Tovuz District Executive Authority for the reconstruction of Tovuz-Hunanlar-Garakhanli-Duz Jirdakhan highway at the initial stage. The reconstruction of the 33.8 km-long highway started in October, 2014. The width of the 3rd degree road is four km. Five water crossings were installed along the highway, and two bridges were repaired. The road links 13 residential areas with the total population of 32,000 people. The head of state cut the ribbon symbolizing the opening of the highway. Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 16 Trend: President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has attended the opening of Tovuzchay water reservoir in Tovuz. Chairman of Azerbaijan Melioration and Water Management company Ahmad Ahmadzade informed the head of state of the work done here. The President was informed that the total capacity of Tovuzchay water reservoir is 20 million cubic meters of water, while its net capacity is 18 million cubic meters. The dam surrounding the facility is 45 meters in height, 10 meters in width and 1,340 meters in length. The water basin of the reservoir occupies an area of 160 hectares. It is 2.6 km in length. Bridges were built over Tovuzchay and Axinchay rivers as part of the project. President Ilham Aliyev then met with representatives of the general public of Tovuz. The head of state launched Tovuzchay water reservoir. Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United Arab Emirates to Azerbaijan Mohammed Ahmed Hamel Al Qubaisi visited Baku Higher Oil School and made presentation on 'Development of the United Arab Emirates'. Taking the floor during the meeting, BHOS rector Elmar Gasimov welcomed Al Qubaisi at the higher school. BHOS rector also recalled the recent visit of the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev to the UAE. Touching upon the development of relations between Azerbaijan and UAE, Elmar Gasimov noted that the development of UAE could be seen in many spheres, including tourism and architecture. Speaking about cooperation between BHOS and higher educational institutions of UAE, BHOS rector talked about perspective cooperation to be established between BHOS and the Petroleum Institute of Abu Dhabi. In addition, he expressed his confidence that the similar meetings would be organized at BHOS in the future as they served to foster development of students' world outlook. Ambassador Mohammad Ahmed Hamel Al Qubaisi said he was pleased to be at BHOS and briefed about his background and his diplomatic activities. Ambassador's speech was backed by demonstration of video reflecting the development of UAE. Al Qubaisi went into particulars on history, geography, statehood, management system, traditions existing in his country. He also shared information about the most develop fields in UAE which encompass natural resources and education system. The meeting proceeded with questions and answers session. Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 16 Trend: Official delegation led by Kazakh First Deputy Prime Minister Bakytzhan Sagintayev paid a visit to Baku, Azerbaijan Feb. 16, 2016 with an aim to get acquainted with the Baku International Sea Trade Port's experience in its operations, the message of the Baku port said Feb. 16. As part of the visit, the delegation toured the new port of Baku which is being constructed at the Alat settlement and Main Cargo Terminal in downtown Baku, according to the message. Director General of the Baku port Taleh Ziyadov familiarized the delegation led by Sagintayev with port's operations and the parties exchanged views on ways to accelerate cargo shipment between Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan. In accordance with the established partnership, the sides mentioned continuous information and experience exchange between the port of Baku and the port of Aktau. Both parties discussed results of such processes and noted future partnership in this direction. In accordance with instructions of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, the port of Baku took a number of steps to create favorable conditions for trucks moving from Turkey to Central Asia and to simplify procedures for transit cargo that goes through the territory of the country. As a result, after the introduction of the new system, the time spent on cargo handling decreased from two days to three hours. The guests were informed about important work implemented at the Baku port in recent years with an aim to create transparent environment, apply innovative systems and carry out operations in accordance with the international standards, as well as about its future plans and perspectives. The director general of the Baku port also talked about the importance of a free trade zone, which is planned to be established around the port's territory and its role in diversification of Azerbaijan economy's non-oil sector. Sagintayev suggested to learn from the Baku International Sea Trade Port's experience in handling cargo that goes to Central Asia to eliminate delays in the port of Aktau. Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 16 By Anakhanum Khidayatova - Trend: Azerbaijan and Indonesia will discuss the interparliamentary relations during Deputy Chairman of the House of Representatives of Indonesia Fahri Hamzah's visit to Baku, the Indonesian embassy in Azerbaijan told Trend Feb. 16. Hamzah will arrive in Baku Feb. 16. A number of high-level meetings with Hamzah are expected to be held during the visit. In general, the development of relations between the two countries will be discussed during these meetings. The visit will last until February 19. According to the Azerbaijani State Customs Committee, the trade turnover with Indonesia exceeded $497.51 million in January-November 2015. Some $477.82 million of this amount accounted for the export to this country. Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 16 By Anvar Mammadov - Trend: Gunay Bank OJSC refused to merge with Atrabank OJSC and Caucasus Development Bank OJSC, Emin Aghayev, chairman of the Gunay Bank's management board, told Trend Feb. 16. Earlier, the three banks signed a protocol of intent in connection with asset merging. "This is a quite complex and long process," said Aghayev. "As you know, the Central Bank of Azerbaijan (CBA) revoked the licenses of Atrabank and Caucasus Development Bank. This also delays the process." Aghayev added that if the banks don't come to an agreement on merging, Gunay Bank will consider alternative consolidation options. He said that earlier Gunay Bank had merger discussions with other banks, and now it is conferring with Atrabank and Caucasus Development Bank. "If we fail to agree, we will negotiate with other banks," added Aghayev. "But I would like to say that Gunay Bank will surely remain in Azerbaijan's banking market." Among the mentioned three banks, only Gunay Bank has a banking activity license. The other two banks' licenses were revoked on Jan. 27, 2016. The CBA had said the two banks' licenses were revoked because their total capitals didn't correspond to the minimum requirement of 50 million manats. The banks also couldn't fulfill obligations to creditors, CBA explained. Russia, Saudi Arabia, Venezuela and Qatar will freeze oil production at January levels if other countries follow the suit, Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak said Feb. 16, Sputnik International news agency reported. Earlier in the day, Novak had a meeting with Saudi Petroleum Minister Ali Al-Naimi, Venezuelan Energy Minister Eulogio Del Pino and Energy and Industry Minister of Qatar Mohammed bin Saleh Al-Sada to discuss oil production and situation on the energy market in the Qatari capital Doha. "Following the meeting, four countries - Russia, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Venezuela - are ready to freeze oil production at January levels if other producers join this initiative," Novak said. According to media reports, the ministers decided to freeze oil extractions to stabilize them at January 11 levels. After meeting with Aleksander Novak, Ali Al-Naimi said that freezing output at the January 11 level would be "adequate." Since the collapse in oil prices in the first half of January, officials from OPEC member states and non-OPEC countries have been considering holding a meeting to address the declining oil prices, which have caused significant financial problems for some states. Meanwhile, oil prices slowed Feb. 16 after reports over an alleged agreement between Russia and a number of OPEC countries to freeze their levels of extractions. Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 16 By Huseyn Valiyev - Trend: Richard Shearer, CEO of the Azerbaijani mobile operator Bakcell Ltd., has said that his contract with the company will expire in April. Shearer told reporters Feb. 16 that after the expiration of the contract he will leave the company for family reasons. Shearer was appointed the CEO of Bakcell in April 2011. He has held several leadership positions at major telecommunications companies prior to joining Bakcell. Prior to joining Bakcell in 2011, Shearer served as the Management Board Member for the Consumer Segment in TPSA/Orange, which is the leading mobile operator and Incumbent Telco, new TV Service Provider in Poland. With more than 5,300 base stations Bakcell's network covers more than 99 percent of the population and 93 percent of the land area of the country (excluding occupied territories). Bakcell 3G service is available in all regions of Azerbaijan and covers 93 percent of population. Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 16 Trend: The International Bank of Azerbaijan (IBA) congratulates its female customers with forthcoming International Women's Day and prepared a special surprise for them. From February 15, the bank started a new campaign "Your opportunities increase". According to this campaign all women who are current clients of the IBA are granted a 50% discount on service fee of payment cards (except VISA Infinite, WorldElite MasterCard and American Express). The main purpose of this campaign is to create new possibilities for existing clients and increase customer loyalty. The campaign will last till March 7. The IBA offers its clients wide range of plastic cards. Besides non-cash payments, these cards give access to diverse e-banking services, provided by the bank. Payment cards can be ordered in all branches and service offices of the IBA. Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 15 By Aygun Badalova - Trend: Energy ministers of several OPEC member countries and Russia will hold talks on the current the situation in the oil market in Doha today, on Feb. 16, the The Wall Street Journal reported, citing OPEC Sources. In particular, the meeting will be attended by ministers of Saudi Arabia, Nigeria, Venezuela and Russia. Venezuela is an initiator of holding an urgent meeting with involvement of non-OPEC producers to discuss the possible production cuts. Analysts are too skeptical about the chances of cooperation between OPEC and non-OPEC on production cuts. The main reason for that, analysts believe, is the willingness of OPEC major oil producers to defend its market shares by keeping oil production high. Total OPEC production in 2015 amounted to 31.846 million barrels per day compared to 30.771 million barrels per day in 2014. The official production quota for OPEC production is set at 30 million barrels per day. Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb.16 Trend: Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif expects the world of oil prices to stabilize, RIA Novosti reported. "There are opportunities for more stable oil prices," said the minister Feb. 16, during his speech before the members of the European Parliament Committee on Foreign Affairs. On Feb. 16 Iran got most of the sanctions imposed on the country lifted. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) submitted a report Feb. 16 confirming the readiness of the country's authorities to implement a program created for it by long negotiations to significantly reduce its nuclear potential. Later, the EU and the US confirmed the removal of economic and financial sanctions from Iran related to its nuclear program. During the sanctions Iran exported about 1 million barrels of oil per day, in particular to China, India, Turkey, Japan and South Korea. Iran previously said that after sanctions lifting it plans to regain its former position in OPEC and international markets and to increase crude oil exports up to two million barrels per day by autumn. Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 16 By Maksim Tsurkov - Trend: Azerbaijan doesn't plan to freeze the oil output, said Natig Abbasov, the country's deputy energy minister. "Azerbaijan doesn't have a significant share in the world oil production and it [the share] doesn't affect the process of price formation," he told Trend Feb. 16. "Therefore, freezing the production in Azerbaijan won't have the desired effect," according to the deputy minister. Earlier, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Venezuela expressed readiness to freeze the oil production at January levels as long as others follow the suit. Azerbaijan produced around 0.8 million barrels of oil per day in 2015, while the global export output was 95.71 million barrels per day. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @MaksimTsurkov Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 16 By Aygun Badalova - Trend: Successfully implemented agreement between Saudi Arabia, Russia, Venezuela and Qatar to freeze oil production should support oil prices but there are reasons to be cautious, Jason Tuvey, Middle East Economist at British economic research and consulting company Capital Economics believes. "To start with, not all OPEC members have signed up to the deal (notably Iran and Iraq). History would also suggest that compliance may be an issue. And even if output is frozen, this will still be at extremely high levels - Saudi oil production remains close to record highs of more than 10 million barrels per day," Tuvey said in a report, obtained by Trend. At the same time the economist believes that output freeze will not be a game-changer for the Gulf economies. "While we did not expect oil production to be cut in order to shore up oil prices, we had never anticipated that output would rise significantly over the few years," Tuvey noted. The Capital Economics' forecasts remain unchanged - they expect oil prices to recover to $45 a barrel by end-2016, but this based on stronger demand and cuts to non-OPEC supply rather than a successful deal between OPEC and Russia. Energy ministers of Russia and a number of OPEC countries have agreed to freeze the production of oil after the negotiations in Qatar's capital Doha. Oil output will be stabilized at the level of Jan. 11, according to Saudi Arabia's oil minister Ali Al Naimi. Cartel's 13 members produced 32.335 mbpd in January, about 130,700 bpd more than December 2015. The official quota for OPEC oil production stand at 30 million barrels per day. Alexander Novak, Russian energy minister, said Jan. 28 that the planned OPEC meeting in February with representatives of other oil-producing countries could discuss reduction of oil production by each producer country by five percent, but a general agreement is needed for that. Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 16 Trend: Oil ministers of Venezuela, Iran and Iraq plan to discuss the proposal about freezing the oil output agreed in Doha, a source in Iran's Oil Ministry told Sputnik news agency. The proposal will be put forward during the trilateral meeting to be held in Tehran Feb.17, according to the source. Earlier, following the talks in Doha, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Venezuela expressed readiness to freeze the oil production at January levels as long as others follow the suit. Iran didn't participate in that meeting. Earlier, Iran's acting deputy oil minister Masoud Hashemian Esfahani said that Tehran calls for wide cooperation to achieve high oil prices and will try to reach this goal by various means. Edited by SI Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 16 By Aygun Badalova - Trend: The announcement of an agreement between Saudi Arabia, Russia, Venezuela and Qatar to freeze oil output is tantalizingly close to something that could mark a turning point in the market, analysts of the US JP Morgan bank said in a report, obtained by Trend. Yet, until further crucial elements are agreed - notably Iran's acceptance of a very unfavourable deal from their perspective - analysts expect prices to surrender gains thus far, in the coming days. Energy ministers of Russia and a number of OPEC countries have agreed to freeze the production of oil after the negotiations in Qatar's capital Doha. Oil output will be stabilized at the level of Jan. 11, according to Saudi Arabia's oil minister Ali Al Naimi. JP Morgan analysts believe that despite some positive elements of the agreement, the negatives of this deal outweigh these positive factors. Among the positive elements is that the deal includes an agreement by OPEC and non-OPEC producers - rather than an adjustment that purely relies on GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) members to do the heavy lifting, analysts said. It also demonstrates the principle that any adjustment is enforced equally across participants, according to the analysts. Moreover, the output freeze will be monitored - moving OPEC back towards country level production targets - something that has been missing from OPEC's framework for nearly five years, analysts said. Coming to the negative factors, analysts said that the deal appears only to refer to crude output - in common with current OPEC agreements - and thus growth from non-crude sources, e.g. NGLs are excluded - particularly pertinent for Russia and Saudi Arabia where NGL volumes will account for the majority of their liquids growth in 2016. "All four producers are at, or close to, maximum output, effectively capping production at historically high levels that will likely ensure that markets remain over-supplied in the first half of 2016," analysts said. Analysts also stressed that the participation by other OPEC members, most importantly Iran, has yet to be secured. "The logic behind Iran agreeing to limit output to a level that was restricted by sanctions is weak and contrary to their public statements regarding output policy for the balance of 2016," they said. Cartel's 13 members produced 32.335 mbpd in January, about 130,700 bpd more than December 2015. The official quota for OPEC oil production stand at 30 million barrels per day. Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, Feb.16 By Huseyn Hasanov- Trend: Turkmenistan's President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov has signed a decree to appoint Nazarguly Shaguliyev the country's extraordinary and plenipotentiary ambassador to Lithuania. He will also continue serving as head of Turkmenistan's diplomatic mission in Belarus. As for the status of current relations, the two countries are holding talks on creating a new route linking the Caspian, Black and Baltic sea regions and opening great prospects for boosting regional and interregional trade and economic relations in Eurasia. Lithuania has also expressed readiness to share its experience with Turkmenistan in the spheres of port management and logistics, maritime transport and shipbuilding. Other promising areas of cooperation include the energy sector, a number of industrial spheres, as well as textile industry and high technologies. Edited by SI Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, Feb.16 By Huseyn Hasanov- Trend: Electricity output amounted to 22.5 billion kilowatt-hours in 2015 in Turkmenistan, while its export to neighboring countries amounted to 3.2 billion kilowatt-hours, the country's energy ministry said Feb. 16. Currently, work on increasing electricity export to Afghanistan, Iran and Turkey is carried out in Turkmenistan. Meanwhile, the country studies the possibility of electricity export to Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Pakistan and the Caucasian countries. It is planned to build 14 gas-turbine power stations in the country's different regions, according to the Concept of Electric Power Industry Development of Turkmenistan for 2013-2020. Turkmenistan plans to increase electricity output up to 27.4 billion kilowatt-hours by 2020, and 35.5 billion kilowatt-hours by 2030. Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 16 By Farhad Daneshvar - Trend: The first test container train connecting China to Iran has arrived in Tehran, Fars news agency reported. The train, which was launched from China in late January, reached Tehran after passing 10,399 km in 14 days. The test train was launched following a trilateral agreement between Iran, Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan. The inauguration of the Kazakhstan-Turkmenistan-Iran railway route in December 2014 paved the way for journey from China to Iran through railways. The move seems to be a part of a plan to revive the Silk Road aimed at boosting China's trade turnover. Back in 2013, Chinese President Xi Jinping proposed a project namely "Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Maritime Silk Road" aimed at establishing wider logistics networks. Iranian media have also reported that Tehran eyes participating in the ambitious Chinese plan to revive the Silk Road which is seeking to connect Asia to Europe and Africa through a network of roads, railways, ports and airports. According to Iranian Customs Administration, Iran exported 17.56 million tons of non-oil goods, worth $5.33 billion to China during the first eight months of 2015. China was the main importer of Iranian goods in the mentioned period. Beijing's imports accounted for 22.7 percent of Iran's total non-oil exports in terms of value and 33.3 percent in terms of volume. Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 15 By Umid Niayesh - Trend: Iran and Russia are stepping into new strategic oil cooperation in the market, said Mehrdad Emadi, consultant at the U.K.-based Betamatrix International Consultancy, commenting on Lukoil's purchase of Iran's oil. Recently, Lukoil has purchased crude oil from Iran to supply its refinery in Romania. On Feb. 14, three oil tankers including one of Lukoil, sailed from Iran's Kharg Island to Europe. As Emadi told Trend, considering the latest restrictions imposed on Russia by the EU, Moscow has to face new challenges in selling energy derivatives. "Furthermore, because of sanctions, refineries which have been sourcing their crude from Lukoil or Rosneft, are facing legal issues when they try to supply the refined output to EU member countries," Emadi said. "Now that the sanctions on Iran have been lifted, with the approval of Russian oil companies, these European refineries find Iranians both willing and able to fill the gap left by the reduced supply from Russia," Emadi explained. In a larger context, this is a win-win situation for Iran and Russia, given the tightening of the restrictions on Russia, according to the expert. "Russian oil companies can continue business arrangements with European refineries and hence avoid being displaced by the competitors from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Iraq," said Emadi. "And as for the Iranian side, it is very keen to increase its presence in Europe and this allows it to achieve this objective with a smaller cost." He further said that in the longer term, it seems that Iran is aligning its oil and gas strategy more closely with Russian energy companies. According to Emadi, the deepening of split in OPEC between Saudi Arabia and its tactical allies - who are flooding the market and have inflicted immeasurable harm on the interest of oil exporting countries - and Russia and Iran, who perceive oil as a commodity with strategic values beyond its pricing significance, has resulted in new forms of cooperation between Russia and Iran. "This is one of the many indications which we will see in the next 18 months," he underlined. Follow the author on Twitter: @UmidNiayesh Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 16 By Farhad Daneshvar - Trend: Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has announced Iran's readiness to stand by ceasefire in Syria. "I called for a ceasefire in Syria three months ago and we are ready to stand by a ceasefire in Syria today," Zarif said, speaking at a Joint press conference with Elmar Brok, Chairman of the European Parliament Committee on Foreign Affairs, in Brussels. Zarif denied that Iran has boots on the ground in Syria saying there is a legitimate government in Syria recognized by the United Nations and those who are operating in Syria without the authority of the sovereign government of Syria are violating the international law. "We have military advisors in Syria as we have them in many other places on the invitation of the local government," the foreign minister said. "We will move advisors when local governments deem it necessary for us to remove them. I hope others would do the same," he added. Speaking about the necessity of a ceasefire in Syria, Zarif called for a political dialogue instead of "monologue" between Syrian groups. He urged the parties involved in Syrian crisis to stop dictating the terms for a political dialogue adding that only Syrians should be allowed to decide their fate. "It is a Syrian process; the Syrians should make the decision. People from outside cannot say what should be the outcome of the negotiation," Zarif said. The Iranian minister further criticized Saudi Arabia over crisis in Syria and Yemen urging for a political solution to Syrian crisis. "The outcome of the negotiation will be determined by the Syrians inside the negotiation room, not in the capitals of the region particularly in Riyadh. They will not make the decision for the people of Syria; they cannot make the decision for the people of Syria." "If you are talking about the military forces we have to stop the bombardment of Yemen. They are just taking action on the daily basis against innocent civilians killing a lot of people. There are no military targets to hit any more in Yemen. Civilians are being killed. We need to end that and we need to end that now," the minister said. Zarif arrived in Brussels Feb. 15 at a two-day official visit to discuss key regional issues with European Union officials. Russia could supply about 100 short-haul passenger aircraft Sukhoi Superjet 100 to Iran, Vice-President of the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) Vladislav Masalov said Feb. 16 at the Singapore Airshow 2016, TASS Russian news agency reported. "We reviewed the potential market of Iranian airlines, according to various estimates, we can talk about 100 aircraft," Masalov said. "We have set up a working group, because we are talking about wider contracts, not only for the supplies of aircraft, but the intention to localize production of components," he said. "Due to the lifting of sanctions, there are no formal restrictions on supplies, but since a number of components for aircraft are US-made, we must receive permission." "For example, Airbus occupies a different segment," Masalov said, speaking about other aircraft manufacturers contacts with Tehran. "There are a lot of regional companies a lot, so the UAC hopes to secure a footing in the Iranian market." A total of 64 Sukhoi Superjet 100 aircraft are currently in service, according to Sukhoi Civil Aircraft (SCA) data. The largest aircraft operators are Aeroflot (26 airplanes), Mexico's Interjet (19) and Gazpromavia (10 jets of the long-range series). The SSJ-100 aircraft are produced in two versions: 75-seat and 95-seat jets (the number of seats may vary depending on the passenger cabin configuration). Claims that Russia is allegedly behind a recent bombing of a hospital in Syria are baseless and unacceptable, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Feb. 16, RIA Novosti news agency reported. On Feb. 15, the Doctors Without Borders (MSF) said that a hospital in the northwestern Syrian city of Maarat al-Numan, in the Idlib province, was hit by four rockets. It did not say which of the warring parties was suspected to be behind the deadly attack. "Once again, we categorically dismiss these statements and consider them to be unacceptable. Especially because those making these statements are unable to prove their allegations in any way," Peskov told reporters. Meanwhile, Syrian Ambassador to Moscow Riad Haddad accused the US of striking a hospital in Syria's Idlib province, while Turkey's Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu accused Russia of striking the hospital. The Russian Defense Ministry has repeatedly said that allegations of civilian casualties in Russia's strikes are aimed to distract the international community form the four-year-long Syrian civil war. Moscow reiterated that all information regarding targets is always checked and double-checked before delivering strikes. Moscow urged not to trust distorted media reports and "not become a victim of perverse information". Moscow regrets the crisis in Russian-Turkish relations but is not the initiator of the poor atmosphere between the two countries, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters Feb. 16, Sputnik International news agency reported. "Relations are in a deep crisis and Russia regrets this and [knows] it isn't the initiator of this crisis," Peskov said. Diplomatic relations between Russia and Turkey soured after a Russian Su-24 was shot down by the Turkish Air Forces Nov. 24, 2015. Turkey said the warplane violated its airspace, while Russia dismissed the claims. Following the incident, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree on measures to ensure national security and economic measures against Turkey. Former U.N. Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali, whose term was marked by war in the former Yugoslavia, famine and genocide in Africa and confrontation with the United States, died on Tuesday. He was 93, Reuters reported. The 15-member U.N. Security Council observed a minute's silence after the death was announced on Tuesday by Venezuelan U.N. Ambassador Rafael Dario Ramirez Carreno, head of the Security Council for February. An Egyptian, Boutros-Ghali served as U.N. chief from 1992 to 1996. He died at Al Salam Hospital in Cairo on Tuesday, an official at the hospital said. As the United Nations' first secretary-general from Africa, Boutros-Ghali associated himself with the famine in Somalia and organized the first massive U.N. relief operation in the Horn of Africa nation. But success eluded him there and elsewhere as the United Nations tottered in an increasingly disorderly post-communist world, with the world body and the big Security Council powers underestimating the deep animosity behind many conflicts. Boutros-Ghali, who had a reputation for being proud and prickly, also took on the daunting task of reorganizing the U.N. bureaucracy by slashing posts and demoting officials at a pace that earned him the nickname "the pharaoh." But Washington had wanted him to do more to reform the body and the U.S. Congress would not pay more than $1 billion in back dues while he remained at the helm. Many diplomats suggested he was jettisoned by U.S. President Bill Clinton's Democratic administration during an election year to pre-empt criticism from Republicans deeply hostile to Boutros-Ghali and the United Nations. In 1996, 10 Security Council members led by African states sponsored a resolution backing him for a second five-year term but the United States vetoed Boutros-Ghali when his reappointment came up for a vote. A series of militant attacks have claimed the lives of dozens of soldiers and policemen across the southern province of Helmand over the past three days, Press TV reported. Local Afghan officials said on Tuesday that at least 18 soldiers were killed during clashes with the Taliban militants in Sangin and Musa Qalah districts of the volatile province. In another incident, at least 10 policemen lost their lives during a gun battle with Taliban in Gereshk area, a road junction north of the district capital Lashkar Gah. At least two more policemen were killed when armed men clad in Afghan police uniform opened fire on them in Khan Nashin district on Monday night. In the worst incident in Helmand on Sunday, a militant attack on a checkpoint in the district center of Sangin killed seven soldiers and 15 policemen. Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 16 By Rufiz Hafizoglu - Trend: The Turkish police arrested Dilek Kaya, a potential female suicide bomber in the Sanliurfa province, south-eastern Turkey, the Turkish Hurriyet newspaper wrote Feb. 16. Kaya is a member of the Revolutionary People's Liberation Party-Front (DHKP-C) terrorist organization. The police said that the DHKP-C terrorist organization was planning to commit a terrorist attack in the province. The newspaper wrote that a list of state agencies of the province with addresses was seized from the detainee. The DHKP-C is responsible for terrorist acts committed in May 2013 in the city of Reyhanli of Turkey's Hatay province, which killed 46 and injured 155 people. Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 16 By Rufiz Hafizoglu - Trend: Russian military actions in Syria further complicate the resolution of crisis in that country, said Turkish Defense Minister Ismet Yilmaz, TRT Haber news channel reported Feb. 16. "Russia is expanding the opportunities of the "Islamic State" terrorist group by striking the opposition in Syria," he said. He also called Russia's actions in Syria a war crime against that country's civilian population. "Turkey will do the utmost to defend its security," Yilmaz said speaking about Turkish army's firing upon the positions of the Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD) and the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) and shelling of Turkey's territory. Turkey resumed artillery strikes on positions of PYD and PKK on Feb. 16. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @rhafizoglu Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan spoke to Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud by telephone on Tuesday about Syrian government and Russian attacks in northern Syria, Anadolu reported. Erdogan stressed the alarming nature of the attacks, which further aggravated the humanitarian crisis, a presidential source said. Erdogan and the king discussed the preparations for the forthcoming summit of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation in Istanbul as well as regional developments, the source said under customary condition of anonymity. The leaders agreed to work to end attacks targeting opposition forces in Syria and urged the international community to act to secure access for humanitarian aid. Historic Silk Road Town Of Kashi Remains A Political And Commercial Centre (Photo : Getty Images) Carrying dozens of cargo containers, the first cargo train from China arrived in Tehran on Monday, representing the revival of the Silk Road. The Silk Road train left Chinas Zhejiang Province on Jan. 28 and traveled 10,399 kilometers, passing through Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan. Iranian Road and Urbanism Minister Mohsen Pour-Aqaei welcomed the Silk Road train, part of the Belt and Road initiative of Chinese President Xi JinPing in 2013. Aqaei noted that the train made about 700 kilometers of trip per day, significantly faster than the original Silk Road journey by water from Shanghai to Bandar Abbas in Iran which cut the travel time by 30 days. Advertisement The trip would be a regular monthly journey between Iran and China, said Aqaei, also the managing director of Iran Railway Corp. Iran is just one stopover, because in the future, the cargo train will go all the way to Europe. The New Silk Road Economic Belt refers to the route that connects Europe and China via Western and Central Asia. There is another route, this time connecting China with Southeast Asia, Africa and Europe, called the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road. Even before the first journey started, China was already enjoying higher levels of trade with Maritime Silk Road nations by logging an average of 18.2 percent annual growth rate over the last 10 years, reported Xinhua News Agency. Chinas trade with these countries accou nted for 20 percent of total foreign trade, up from 14.6 percent a decade ago. There was also growth in Chinese direct investments in these nations to $9.27 billion, up by $240 million or 44 percent boost, according to data from the State Oceanic Administration. A retired security officer in southern Saudi Arabia has been shot dead in an attack claimed Monday by IS group. Police spokesman Colonel Mohammed al-Harbi said that a man in the Abu Arish area of Jazan region, bordering Yemen, reported at about 2:30 am (1130 GMT Sunday) that his father "was being shot at from an unknown source at his farm". Police did not identify the victim or give further details of his former security duties. They said a "criminal investigation" was under way into the killing. Usually the Saudi authorities describe IS-related attacks as "terrorism". IS said in a statement that it had shot dead retired Brigadier Ahmed Fayie Assiri "at his farm in Abu Arish area of Jazan." IS has claimed previous attacks on Saudi security forces as well as deadly bombings and shootings that targeted the Sunni kingdom's Shia minority, which the Sunni jihadist IS group considers to be heretics. Jazan and other southern border districts have also been subjected to shelling from Yemen since last March when Saudi Arabia began leading an Arab military coalition against Houthi rebels in the neighbouring country. Search Keywords: Short link: Egypt's Health Minister Ahmed Emad critisised on Monday a decision made by the Doctors Syndicate to provide free medical service to citizens in public hospitals starting 26 February, as long as policemen accused of assaulting doctors are not referred to court. The syndicate's general assembly was held in response to the 28 January attack where policemen allegedly assaulted two doctors at Cairo's Matariya Hospital after one of the doctors refused to fake a medical report for one of the policemen. It also decided to refer Emad to a disciplinary committee and demanded that he be sacked for failing to protect and ensure the safety of doctors, among other decisions. Emad, who said he can only be questioned by the parliament, seemed to be mostly concerned about the decision to provide free medical services through public hospitals. "According to the law and constitution, the money that the citizens pay in public hospitals to receive treatment goes directly to the state treasury, or used as funds allocated to improve services or as bonuses for doctors," said Emad, as he commented for the first time on the decisions in a TV interview with the privately-owned CBC. "I see that the decisions taken by the general assembly are inconsiderate to the state," he added. When asked why there isn't any kind of communication between the health ministry and the Doctors Syndicate, the minister invited the syndicate's council for talks with the government. "The health ministry and the Doctors Syndicate both have a mutual interest, which is the interest of the doctors," said Emad, who stressed he has already been communicating with syndicate members. On the alleged assault on doctors, Emad said that attacks on hospitals have been on the rise since 2011. He assured that he has called for an investigation into the incident, and is also seeking to instigate better security measures to provide a safer working environment for doctors at hospitals. "ln cooperation with the interior ministry, there will be a security checkpoint inside each hospital," Emad revealed. "Since the incident I have been working on action plans. I have been in touch with the interior minister, the prosecutor general and also the prime minister." Search Keywords: Short link: Kuwaiti investments in Egypt are worth $4 billion, the Kuwaiti Emir said at last year's economic conference Kuwaiti foreign minister and deputy prime minister Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah arrived in Cairo Monday with a top-level delegation to attend the 11th round of the Joint Egyptian-Kuwaiti Committee meeting. The meeting, headed by the Kuwaiti FM and his Egyptian counterpart Sameh Shoukry, will discuss developments in the region and ways to strengthen cooperation. The 10th meeting was held in Kuwait for three days in December 2014 and witnessed the signing of 12 agreements on cooperation in multiple areas such as taxation, maritime transport, and education. The volume of trade exchange between Egypt and Kuwait was recorded at $2.876 billion in 2014. At the Economic Development Conference in Sharm El-Sheikh last March, Kuwait said its investments in Egypt are worth $4 billion dollars. Search Keywords: Short link: Egypt's parliament speaker talks mutual ties, stolen assets with Swiss counterpart during his first international trip since assuming office Egypt's speaker of parliament Ali Abdel Al has again called on Switzerland to work with Egypt in recovering millions of dollars of assets linked to ousted Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak, state news agency MENA said. Abdel Al began his visit to the Swiss cities of Bern and Geneva on Sunday, his first international trip since coming to office last month. The speaker held talks with the president of the Swiss National Council, Christa Markwalder, to discuss means of bolstering cooperation and mutual ties between both chambers. Abdel Al urged cooperation from the chamber on recovering nearly 700 million Swiss francs worth of ill-gotten assets stashed by former Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak and his entourage in Swiss banks. Swiss authorities blocked the funds following the ouster of Mubarak in February 2011, with Egyptian officials making several formal requests to Switzerland for judicial assistance to recover the money. Markwalder said her country is awaiting final court rulings proving the funds were illicitly transferred from Egypt to take necessary measures for the recovery, MENA said. Swiss officials have previously said they need legal evidence that the money was obtained unlawfully. Abdel Al, a constitutional expert who was elected to head parliament in January, was due late on Monday in Geneva where he would hold talks at the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU). He is also planning to fly to Albania to take part in the 10th Session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Union for the Mediterranean (UFM). Egypt's parliament convened for the first time in January after a three-day lapse since the 2012 Islamist-dominated chamber was dissolved by a court order. Search Keywords: Short link: Taymour El-Sobky said that almost half of Egyptian women have a tendency to cheat on their husbands Egypts top prosecutor has ordered the arrest of a Facebook page administrator over accusations of insulting Egyptian women following recent remarks he made on TV. Taymour El-Sobky sparked public fury after claiming during his December appearance in a talk show on private CBC channel that almost half of Egyptian women, mainly those of Upper Egypt, have a tendency to cheat on their husbands. A short clip of part of the interview has resurfaced over the past week. The public prosecutor issued an arrest warrant on Tuesday for El-Sobky after a number of people issued complaints claiming he "slandered Egyptian women" and made "honour damaging" comments, a statement by the public prosecution office said. The prosecution has ordered an investigation of El-Sobky be opened after finding that his description of Egyptian women is "incompatible with the values" of Egyptian society. Several videos have been uploaded online of Upper Egyptian men responding with outrage to comments made by El-Sobky, who said he has received death threats. El-Sobky is the founder of a Facebook page called Diary of a Suffering Man, which frequently posts comics and memes about married life. He apologised earlier this week following the public outrage, saying that he "did not mean to insult anyone" and that his remarks were taken out of context. During his 9 December appearance, El-Sobky said, "thirty percent of women, plus another 15% [to be more accurate], has a readiness for immorality... but just cannot find the opportunity." "Nowadays, it is very normal for a woman to cheat and seek it out," he said, claiming the phenomenon is "pervasive." A media chamber has suspended for 15 days CBC's Momken talk show, pending probe by a technical committee into accusations of slander. Egypt's press syndicate has condemned the comments and the broadcaster has apologised to "whoever was offended" by the video. Search Keywords: Short link: The doctors will protest assaults by police on doctors as part of a campaign for dignity launched at the general assembly last week Egypt's doctors' syndicate sent a letter to the interior ministry Monday notifying officials of nationwide rallies that will take place at hospitals on Saturday, 20 February. The rallies aim to condemn repeated assaults on doctors, according the syndicate's official website. "Kindly take the necessary measures to secure the rallies," the notification letter read. The decision was part of a set of measures the syndicate's emergency general assembly voted for last Friday. The assembly was held in response to a recent assault by nine policemen against doctors at Matariya Hospital on 28 January. Thousands of doctors at the assembly voted to provide medical service to citizens for free in public hospitals starting 27 Februrary until the policemen are referred to court. Before the assembly, Cairo's prosecution charged the policemen of assault and use of violence, but they were released without bail after 24 hours of detainment pending further investigations. Search Keywords: Short link: Cairo is expected to witness a high of 33 degrees Celsius and a low of 16, while the coastal city of Alexandria will see temperatures of 28, 15 High temperatures are expected in Egypt on Wednesday, Egypts Meteorological Authority told state news agency MENA. The weather will be slightly cooler on the north coast, but the rest of the country should brace themselves for balmy temperatures. Winds spreading sand and dust will be active in northern Upper Egypt. Cairo is expected to witness highs of 33 degrees Celsius and lows of 16, while the coastal city of Alexandria will see highs of 28 and lows of 15. Tourist resort Sharm El-Sheikh will witness highs of 30 and lows of 20 degrees Celsius. Warm weather is expected to last until the end of the week, before temperatures start decreasing again. Search Keywords: Short link: iStock/Thinkstock(NEW YORK) -- Prosecutors in Bahrain have charged and released four United States journalists for partaking in an unlawful gathering, the BBC reports. A statement released by the official Bahrain News Agency (BNA) Tuesday said the four journalists were arrested Sunday during a protest that marked the fifth anniversary of Bahrains uprising supporting democracy. The public prosecution stated that security authorities detained four U.S. nationals during the incident as a result of their involvement in the criminal acts, and that one of the individuals was concealing his face at the time of his arrest, BNA said in the statement. The statement only named one of the journalists: Anna Therese Day. The others are male crewmembers of Days. According to the BBC, the journalists were charged after being questioned in front of their lawyers. They were released pending further investigation. The BBC reports a friend of Day claimed the journalists were just doing their job and denied that they took part in any illegal activities. Copyright 2016, ABC Radio. All rights reserved. On 16 February 2015, a graphic video was posted online showing IS militants on a Libyan beach beheading the Coptic Christians and vowing to fight what they described as "crusaders" Hundreds attended on Tuesday a mass in Upper Egypts Minya governorate in commemoration of the 20 Copts who were slain in Libya by the Islamic State militant group one year ago. The mass was held in the Dioces of Minyas Samalout, from where the victims hailed, and was led by Bishop Pavnotios. On 16 February 2015, a graphic video was posted online showing IS militants on a Libyan beach beheading the Coptic Christians and vowing to fight what they described as "crusaders." Less than 24 hours after the release of the video, Egypt launched airstrikes on IS hideouts in the Libyan cities Derna and Sirte in coordination with the Libyan army. Search Keywords: Short link: Alexandria criminal court acquitted on Tuesday ex-national security officer Hossam El-Shennawy in a retrial on charges of torturing to death detainee Sayed Bilal. El-Shennawy had received a 15-year sentence, which he appealed. He was granted a retrial in the case and has now been acquitted. The sentence can still be appealed by the prosecution. Another officer, Osama El-Kenisy, was previously acquitted on the same case after he appealed his 15-year sentence. Sayed Bilal was arrested on 5 January 2011 and tortured to death while being interrogated by the now-dissolved State Security Investigations Services. Bilal was being investigated for the bombing of the Two Saints Church in Alexandria on New Year's Eve that left more than 20 dead five days earlier. Search Keywords: Short link: Dozens of lawyers have started a sit-in at a court in Gharbiya governorate to protest an alleged assault by a lower ranking policeman against their colleague. Lawyer Hany Salem said he was assaulted by the policeman in front of a court in the Gharbiya town of Basyoun, sustaining lacerations and bruises to the face. A Lawyers Syndicate official in the village, Emad Hamed, said he has presented an official complaint to the chief justice of the court and the deputy attorney-general against the policeman, accusing him of humiliating Salem and assaulting him as he was performing his public duty. Eyewitnesses say that the incident occurred when the policeman opposed the parking of a tuk-tuk that was being used by the lawyer's relatives in front of the court complex, leading to verbal insults by the policeman and a physical altercation. The protesting lawyers have abstained from attending court trials and investigations by prosecutors. Gharbeyas security officials have arrived to court to convince the protesters to end their sit-in for the "public interest and the rights of citizens." This is the second major case in 2016 where members of a professional union protested against assaults by the police. On Tuesday, Egypt's Doctors Syndicate notified the interior ministry of nationwide standing protests at hospitals on Saturday 20 February over assaults on doctors. In June 2015, a nationwide strike by the Lawyers Syndicate took place to protest an incident of an assault by a police officer against a lawyer in a court in the city of Damietta, as well as repeated police violations against syndicate members. Search Keywords: Short link: The decision to send ground troops to Syria has no relation to the Saudi-led Islamic military coalition to combat terrorism, Shoukry says Egypts foreign minister Sameh Shoukry said on Tuesday that the announcement of military ground operations in Syria by Saudi Arabia and the UAE is a "sovereign decision" not related to the Islamic military coalition. In a meeting with his Kuwaiti counterpart Sheikh Sabah Al-Khalid Al-Sabah, Shoukry said that the autonomous decision by the Gulf states is one that was undertaken as part of their own foreign policy initiatives. The Egyptian minister also discussed the future of the joint Islamic military force that was first agreed on last May to fight terrorism, saying that although no meetings were conducted in the frame of the Arab league and the Arab Army chiefs of staffs, the discussions were still ongoing between the Arab countries for a shared vision for the coalition. He added that as soon as the protocol regarding the coalition's military objectives is ready, it will be immediately announced. Kuwaits Al-Sabah said that both Kuwait and Egypt believe in a political solution in the Syrian civil conflict; asserting that they will strive to support and strengthen such a consensus. Cairo has never called on Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad to leave office, and has repeatedly restated its belief that a political solution is necessary to end the five-year conflict. Last week, Saudi Arabia said it would be willing to send troops as part of a US-led military campaign against the IS militant group, which currently controls large areas of Syria and Iraq. US defense secretary Ash Carter said he expected both Saudi Arabia and the UAE to send special operations forces to Syria to help local opposition fighters in their drive to retake the city of Raqqa, the IS group's de facto capital in Syria. Syria has warned that foreign ground troops entering Syria would "return home in wooden coffins." Search Keywords: Short link: The new database will provide services like issuing Egyptian National IDs Egypt's Ministry of Immigration and Affairs of Egyptians Abroad will launch an online database within day for Egyptians abroad to facilitate official government services, minister Nabila Makram announced on Tuesday. In a meeting with Egyptian community members in Washington on Tuesday, Makram stated that the new database would provide Egyptians abroad with services like issuing official documents online, including Egyptian national IDs. The minister's visit to the US, which started earlier this week, involves meetings with Egyptian community members in Washington and New York, including Egyptian-American businessmen and doctors. Search Keywords: Short link: Four of Greece's five new migrant registration centres are "ready to function and welcome refugees", Defence Minister Panos Kammenos said Tuesday, as Athens comes under intense pressure to control the massive influx to Europe. The four long-delayed "hotspot" centres will open on the islands of Lesbos, Chios, Leros and Samos, which have been struggling to cope with a relentless flow of migrants landing from Turkey. A fifth centre on the island of Kos will be ready "in five days" despite strong opposition from the local mayor and residents over the impact on the vital tourism industry, Kammenos told reporters in Athens. Each of the facilities will have enough prefab housing to accommodate 1,000 migrants, who will spend three days being registered, having their fingerprints taken and being sorted between those eligible for asylum in the EU and economic migrants facing eventual deportation. One aim will be to help spot jihadists using the migrant crisis to enter Europe -- a pressing concern after two of the men who carried out November's attacks in Paris sneaked in via Greece, posing as refugees. More than 850,000 migrants, fleeing war and poverty in the Middle East and elsewhere, transited through Greece last year on their way to northern Europe. Athens has faced heavy pressure from fellow EU members to better control its borders, with the bloc giving Greece a three-month ultimatum last week to remedy "deficiencies" or face effective suspension from the Schengen passport-free zone. However, visiting EU President Donald Tusk said that removing Greece from the Schengen bloc "solves none of our problems" as he met Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras. Speaking alongside Kammenos, junior interior minister for police Nikos Toskas reported a sharp drop in arrivals on the Greek islands in recent days. "We've gone from 2,500 arrivals per day on the islands to around 200. Yesterday evening nearly zero arrived... It's too early to draw conclusions, but it confirms that Turkey holds the key to the influx," he said. NATO is gearing up to launch an operation in the Aegean Sea against smugglers bringing migrants from Turkey, with Kammenos saying the force was "in the Aegean awaiting details of the operational plan being prepared in Brussels". The hotspot centres were supposed to open late last year but have faced repeated delays. Athens stresses it has already been registering migrants with the help of 400 staff from EU border agency Frontex. "Greece has honoured its commitments -- we expect that others do the same," junior defence minister Dimitris Vitsas told reporters. "We must see if Europe wants to keep its sense of solidarity, or become a space where everyone wants to shut themselves in their own little castles." Two more centres are to open on the Greek mainland, near Athens and Thessaloniki, where registered migrants will be transferred while their asylum requests are examined. As in Kos -- where riot police fired tear gas at residents protesting against the planned centre over the weekend -- the hotspots on the mainland have faced strong opposition from some residents. Search Keywords: Short link: Turkey and Russia are already waging a proxy war in Syria as Istanbul backs rebels against Syrian government troops supported by Moscow. But the recent escalation in rhetoric has sharpened fears of a direct confrontation, analysts warn. The two major players in the Syrian conflict have historic enmities dating back to the 16th century with the first Russo-Turkish wars, and more recently the Crimean War between Russia and the Ottoman Empire backed by Britain and France, in the mid-19th century. Russia's bombing campaign in Syria that began in September and the Turkish shelling of Kurdish positions in Syria have effectively created a separate sub-crisis within the geopolitical cluster bomb of the five-year-long war. This conflict is also being played out on the ground as rebel groups backed in particular by Turkey are attempting to contain the advance of Syrian troops supported by Moscow, which is also backing Turkey's sworn enemies the Syrian Kurds. Currently the conflict between Moscow and Ankara is primarily a war of words. But analysts warn it could spiral into a real clash. "We are on the eve of such a confrontation. Not because anyone plans to attack anyone else. But when there are so many weapons and armies and intersecting interests, chance can play a major role," said Alexander Konovalov of the Strategic Analysis Institute in Moscow. Ankara this week railed against Russia's bombing, threatening an "extremely decisive response" and calling strikes "vile, cruel and barbaric." Moscow for its part has condemned Ankara's "provocative" shelling of Kurdish positions in the strategic northern Aleppo province, and on Tuesday said that Turkish security services are training militants from ex-Soviet countries that are then dispatched to Syria. Turkey has openly suggested it could launch a ground operation against the Islamic State group (ISIS) alongside its allies, particularly Saudi Arabia, which could lead to a direct confrontation with Russian forces. Along with the fate of Assad, the question of the Kurds is one of the main obstacles to agreement between Turkey and Russia. Turkey wants to prevent the Kurds, who already control a large part of northern Syria, from establishing a permanent presence west of the Euphrates river and creating an autonomous zone on the Turkish border. The Syrian Kurds have benefited from the alliance with Russia and this month opened a representative office in Moscow. Asked about the risk of an escalation with Turkey Tuesday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said "he would rather not answer," adding that "our relations are in a deep crisis." The climate of confrontation has intensified since late November when Turkish F-16 fighters downed a Russian bomber plane which Ankara said strayed into its air space. Russia was swift to react to this "stab in the back" with economic sanctions followed by a beefing-up of its firepower in Syria, notably deploying its latest S-400 air defence systems. Meanwhile Putin accused his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan of involvement in illegal oil trading with ISIS militants in Syria. Before the conflict, Erdogan was often likened to Putin with both keeping a grip on power and using glories of past empires to boost patriotism while cracking down on rights. An escalation is possible if Turkey launches the ground operation, said independent military analyst Alexander Golts: "Russia will face the alternative to evacuate immediately and lose face or launch a ground operation." This showdown has sparked concern in Washington and Brussels as Turkey is a NATO member and can rely on support of other members if there is an attack on its soil, making the current situation potentially explosive. "Even while expressing official support for Turkey, NATO will do all it can to restrain the Turks from any abrupt moves in Syria," Golts said. There is "a risk of the Syrian crisis transforming into a whole new one, a very dangerous level: direct military confrontation between the region's states," Nikolai Bordyuzha, the head of the Collective Security Treaty Organisation made up of Russia and former Soviet states told the Interfax news agency. "The consequences of such a turn of events are hard to predict." Search Keywords: Short link: Turkish police have identified four Islamic State members as the killers of two young anti-IS activists found beheaded in October in the southeastern city of Sanliurfa, local media said Tuesday. The main suspect was Talas El Surur, a Syrian who befriended the pair by claiming he had fled the militants group, the Dogan news agency said. Ibrahim Abdul Qader, 20, and his friend Fares Hamadi were found beheaded at a friend's house on October 30. They were members of this morning of the "Raqa Is Being Slaughtered Silently" (RBSS) group. They were originally from Raqa, the IS stronghold fiefdom. Dogan said the chief suspect and two accomplices had fled to Syria after the killing while a fourth had escaped to Germany. It also put out a video of the four men who were caught on a surveillance camera. Sanliurfa is 55 kilometres (35 miles) from Turkey's border with Syria's Raqa province. Turkey has long been accused by Syrian opposition activists, Kurdish fighters and sometimes even Western partners of allowing IS members to slip back and forth across its 900-kilometre (560-mile) frontier with Syria. The RBBS, which was formed in April 2014 not long after IS seized control of Raqa from other opposition groups, regularly publishes information, photos and videos about IS decrees and behaviour in Raqa, from a ban on private Internet connections to a decision to begin issuing identity cards. Turkey has recently beefed up security along its border and stepped up raids on militants cells within its territory after a series of attacks claimed by the IS, including deadly bombings in Ankara and Istanbul. Search Keywords: Short link: Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah on Tuesday accused Ankara and Riyadh of dragging the entire region into war and said "victory" was imminent for his Shia Lebanese group and its Syrian regime allies. "They (Turkey and Saudi Arabia) are ready to drag the region into a war," Nasrallah said in a video address to supporters in the southern suburbs of Beirut, a Hezbollah bastion. He said the two countries have been pushing to send in international ground forces because they "are not ready to accept a political solution to the conflict in Syria, which is why they want to continue the war and destroy it". Nasrallah said Riyadh and Ankara planned to intervene directly because their allies "the Islamist rebels on the ground have suffered successive defeats" at the hands of Kurdish and Syrian regime forces. He also said victory for President Bashar al-Assad's forces, backed by Hezbollah, Iran and Russia was coming. "In the days ahead and for the decade to come... we will proclaim victory alongside the Syrian army," he said. He also vowed "to prevent Daesh (Arabic acronym for the Islamic State group), Al-Nusra Front (the Syrian Al-Qaeda affiliate), America, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and their pawns from occupying Syria and Israel to realise their ambitions." On Saturday, Turkey said that it could, alongside fellow international coalition member Saudi Arabia, mount a land operation against IS in Syria. Syria's ally Iran, which has sent thousands of "military advisers" into Syria, warned Tuesday that the deployment of Saudi troops would violate "international law". Search Keywords: Short link: At least seven people, including two children, were killed in Russia on Tuesday when a gas explosion caused part of a block of flats to collapse, officials said. "Due to the explosion, one section of a five-storey residential building collapsed" in the city of Yaroslavl north of Moscow, the regional emergencies ministry said in a statement. "Five flats have been completely destroyed. Seven people died, including a teenager and a five-year-old child," it said. The incident happened around 4:20 am (0120 GMT). Three injured people rushed to hospital while authorities evacuated 131 residents and put them in temporary housing. A spokeswoman for the emergencies ministry told AFP the reason for the blast was not yet clear but Russia's Investigative Committee said it had launched a probe into possible safety violations. The governor of the Yaroslavl region, Sergei Yastrebov, said work was ongoing to check whether it was safe for other residents to pick up their belongings from the part of the building still standing. Explosions caused by natural gas leaks are frequent in Russia, especially in older Soviet-era buildings. The last serious gas explosion in February 2012 killed 10 people in the southern city of Astrakhan and destroyed the entire side of a nine-storey building. Building collapses are also not uncommon, either due to faulty construction or worn-out infrastructure. In July, 23 Russian conscripts were crushed to death when their military barracks collapsed in Siberia after renovation works just two years before. And on Friday, a ceiling collapsed in a school classroom during a lesson in the town of Kostroma on the Volga. The teacher managed to rush her class out of the room in time, but the entire school building for 400 children is now closed.At least seven people, including two children, were killed in Russia on Tuesday when a gas explosion caused part of a block of flats to collapse, officials said. "Due to the explosion, one section of a five-storey residential building collapsed" in the city of Yaroslavl north of Moscow, the regional emergencies ministry said in a statement. "Five flats have been completely destroyed. Seven people died, including a teenager and a five-year-old child," it said. The incident happened around 4:20 am (0120 GMT). Three injured people rushed to hospital while authorities evacuated 131 residents and put them in temporary housing. A spokeswoman for the emergencies ministry told AFP the reason for the blast was not yet clear but Russia's Investigative Committee said it had launched a probe into possible safety violations. The governor of the Yaroslavl region, Sergei Yastrebov, said work was ongoing to check whether it was safe for other residents to pick up their belongings from the part of the building still standing. Explosions caused by natural gas leaks are frequent in Russia, especially in older Soviet-era buildings. The last serious gas explosion in February 2012 killed 10 people in the southern city of Astrakhan and destroyed the entire side of a nine-storey building. Building collapses are also not uncommon, either due to faulty construction or worn-out infrastructure. In July, 23 Russian conscripts were crushed to death when their military barracks collapsed in Siberia after renovation works just two years before. And on Friday, a ceiling collapsed in a school classroom during a lesson in the town of Kostroma on the Volga. The teacher managed to rush her class out of the room in time, but the entire school building for 400 children is now closed. Search Keywords: Short link: Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump on Monday offered rival Ted Cruz an ultimatum, threatening to sue Cruz over his eligibility to serve in the White House unless the Texas senator stops airing what Trump calls "false ads" and apologizes for what the billionaire real estate mogul called a series of lies about his positions. With less than a week to go before South Carolina's pivotal Republican primary, the front-runner also reiterated that the 9/11 attacks happened during President George W. Bush's time in office an apparent attempt to overshadow the former president's Monday campaign appearances on behalf of his brother, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush. The new attacks came as the race entered an increasingly nasty phase, with numerous negative ads airing on local television following an unusually caustic debate this past weekend. Some of the harshest ads have been aimed at Trump, often using the political newcomer's past words to illustrate his evolving position on issues including abortion and gun rights. Trump also took aim Monday at the Republican establishment, accusing the Republican National Committee of packing its debate audiences with donors a move he claimed violated the loyalty pledge he signed in September vowing to run as a Republican and support the party's eventual nominee. "I signed a pledge, but it's a double-edged pledge," Trump said at a luncheon in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina. "The pledge isn't being honored by the RNC." RNC spokesman Sean Spicer responded to the criticism by saying: "Ten tickets from the RNC went to donors 10." But Trump saved the bulk of his criticism for Cruz. "If he doesn't take down his false ads and retract his lies," Trump said in a statement bashing Cruz, he will immediately file a lawsuit challenging Cruz's eligibility to serve as president. Trump has previously said a federal court should decide whether Cruz meets the constitutional requirement of being a "natural-born citizen" to serve as president. Cruz was born in Canada to an American mother, and many legal experts have said he meets that test. "Ted Cruz is a totally unstable individual. He is the single biggest liar I've ever come across, in politics or otherwise, and I have seen some of the best of them. His statements are totally untrue and completely outrageous," Trump said in the statement. At events in the Charleston area and at a rally in Greenville, Trump piled on, slamming Cruz as "the most dishonest guy I think I've ever met in politics, "nuts" and a "basket case." He also questioned Cruz's faith. "He goes around saying he's a Christian. I don't know, you're going to have to really study that," Trump said at a freewheeling news conference. Cruz responded to Trump during a question-and-answer in Camden, characterizing Trump as nervous about his standing in the state. "Today Donald Trump held a press conference. He apparently lost it. I mean, he was just going on and on about how I was the most horrible person in the world because I keep repeating the things he said," Cruz said to laughs. "And it's an amazing thing. Have you noticed how rattled Donald gets when his numbers start going down? He gets very, very upset. "But I guess the only explanation one can have is his internal poll numbers in South Carolina must be plummeting following the debate," Cruz said. Earlier, during an afternoon news conference, Trump also renewed his criticism of former President George W. Bush. While Trump would not say whether he considered Bush to be a failed president and declined to label him responsible for the 9/11 attacks, the former reality TV star repeatedly noted that "the Word Trade Center came down during the reign of George Bush." Trump said his decision to go after George W. Bush who made his campaign debut on his brother's behalf on Monday in South Carolina was akin to his attacks on former President Bill Clinton, which began once the former president ramped up his campaigning for his wife, Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton. "If the ex-president is campaigning for his brother, I think he's probably open to great scrutiny, maybe things that haven't been thought of in the past," Trump told reporters. Trump said the real purpose of his news conference was to protest the Obama administration's consideration of the Consolidated Naval Brig in Charleston as a potential site for relocating detainees now housed at the U.S. Navy base in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Trump vowed to keep the Guantanamo prison open and stop the movement of any detainees to American soil. Search Keywords: Short link: Internet censorship in Russia soared last year as the government stepped up efforts to filter content online, a report by a rights group said Tuesday. Titled "The Triumph of Censorship," the report by Agora, a respected group of human rights lawyers, counted media reports and government statements about blocked web pages as well as prosecutions of people for what they posted online. The group found incidents of Internet censorship increased from 1,019 in 2014 to 9,022 in 2015. This included bans on online content issued by courts as well as similar decisions by government agencies that do not require court approval. Russia blacklists web pages for extremist content or making calls to join an unsanctioned rally, as well as for posting child pornography or information about committing suicide or making illegal drugs. Russia has also prosecuted a growing number of individuals for posting information online. "The number of people sentenced to actual prison terms for expressing their opinion on the web has multiplied," the report said. One of the authors, rights lawyer Damir Gainutdinov, said he expects the degree of Internet censorship to intensify this year. "There will be more prison terms," he told AFP. "They will attempt to block announcements of demonstrations." The government is also likely to crack down on those who publish tips for circumventing bans and filters -- such as by using VPNs or dark web browsers -- and to increase pressure on foreign companies such as Twitter and Facebook, he said. The government "fine-tuned" its methods of filtering content in 2015, leading to a race of sorts among different regions to report the most blocked material, the report said. Russian courts are "rubber-stamping decisions about banning information" while prosecutors boast of removing extremist materials from thousands of sites, it said. "Prison terms for posting 'likes' and shares (on social media) are meant to frighten people and make them stop discussing social problems," the report said. It named taboo topics as the conflict in Ukraine and corruption among government officials as well as LGBT rights and those of religious believers. Gainutdinov however said the government's goal was not to introduce a total Internet filter, which would be too expensive, but to make access to information too difficult. "The goal is to have most people give up and go back to watching television," which is overwhelmingly state-controlled, he said. Search Keywords: Short link: German prosecutors Tuesday said human error caused a train crash that killed 11 people and charged a 39-year-old signalling worker with negligence leading to the accident. "If he had complied with the rules ... then there would have been no collision between the trains," said Wolfgang Giese, the prosecutor who led the investigation into last Tuesday's accident in southern Germany. "There is no evidence of technical problems... Our investigation shows that this was human error with catastrophic consequences," he added. Search Keywords: Short link: Three Syrians living in Germany have been arrested in Bulgaria on their way to join Islamic State fighters back home and are facing terrorism charges, prosecutors in Sofia said Tuesday. It is the first such case in Bulgaria since it introduced new legislation last year criminalising the intent of joining terrorist groups. Police detained the men -- aged 21, 22 and 25 -- last week as they tried to illegally cross Bulgaria's southeastern border with Turkey, near the main Kapitan Andreevo checkpoint. Bulgarian newspaper Capital reported Tuesday that the Syrians were refugees residing in Germany for between two and six years, meaning they did not arrive with the recent influx of migrants. After their February 8 arrest, the suspects had initially been handed six-month suspended sentences for trespassing. However, authorities then found "pictures with jihadist content on their mobile phones and tracked down correspondence between them and Islamic State members who are well known to European authorities," the special prosecution's press office told AFP Tuesday. The trio denied the allegations, but authorities said that several witnesses had confirmed the suspects' intention to join fighters in Syria. They had tried to enter Turkey earlier this year after travelling by bus from Germany to Greece, but had been turned back, according to officials. Bulgaria, which has remained on the sidelines of the huge migrant influx from Turkey and Greece to Europe, has become a major transit country for jihadists seeking to join IS in Syria. Search Keywords: Short link: Menna Shalabi described her role in the film Nawara, which earned her the Best Actress award at the 12th Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF), as the role of her lifetime and one of the most important artistic endeavors she has taken throughout her career. The film is written and directed by Hala Khalil, presenting a story that takes place Nawara is set in the wake of the 2011 revolution, centering on a woman in her twenties who works as a housemaid at a villa in a luxury compound. As the owners flee the politically unstable country, she invites her fiance over, and together they enjoy a taste of the life of the rich and famous. In an interview on Saheba El-Saada television program on CBC channel, presented by Esaad Younes, Shalaby recounted how she got a phone call from director Hala Khalil proposing the films script. I liked it so much that it took me just 90 minutes to read through it, Shalaby said on the programme, adding that she immediately called Khalil to accept the role, and even offered to produce it herself, before producer Safy El-Din Mahmoud eventually did. Shalaby commended Khalil as a very sensitive author and director who depicts everything in detail. The actress further expressed how the film was made with a lot of passion and good spirit. Stars alongside Shalabi in Nawara include Mahmoud Hemeda, Sherine Reda, Ahmed Rateb, and Amir Salah Eddin. The film premiered in Egypt as it opened the 5th edition of the Luxor African Film Festival (LAFF), which runs between 17 and 23 March. Nawara premiered in the Arab region at DIFF, and was one of five Egyptian films in competition for the Muhr Awards at the festival. The film is scheduled for release in Egyptian mainstream cinemas in March. For more arts and culture news and updates, follow Ahram Online Arts and Culture on Twitter at @AhramOnlineArts and on Facebook at Ahram Online: Arts & Culture Search Keywords: Short link: Anja Ahcin and Ahmed Yehia, first dancers of the Cairo Opera Ballet Company, will perform in Bari Related What goes on in the minds of ballet dancers The known duet Ahmed Yehia and Anja Ahcin have been chosen to perform a segment of the Romeo and Juliet ballet during the closing gala of the International Ballet and Contemporary Dance Competition Domenico Modugno in Bari, Italy, Yehia revealed on his Facebook profile. The international competition is held annually with the aim of promoting and encouraging young talents in the discipline of dance and choreography. This year, the competition will take place between 18 and 21 March and will close with an awards ceremony and gala. Yehia and Ahcin will be joined by German ballet dancers. Egyptian Ahmed Yehia and Anja Ahcin, Egypt-based Serbian ballerina, are the best known ballet pair in Egypt. They are both first dancers of the Cairo Opera Ballet Company, managed by artistic director Erminia Kamel. Now married, Yehia and Ahcin have been dancing together for almost a decade and have presented numerous iconic duos that got engraved in Egyptian audiences' hearts. Romeo and Juliet is among their most remarkable works, in which they fuse skill, ballet power, with a highly emotional performance. Erminia Kamel, artistic director of the Cairo Opera Ballet Company has been chosen as this year's guest of honor of the International Ballet and Contemporary Dance Competition Domenico Modugno. For more arts and culture news and updates, follow Ahram Online Arts and Culture on Twitter at @AhramOnlineArts and on Facebook at Ahram Online: Arts & Culture Search Keywords: Short link: Erminia Kamel has been named guest of honour of this year's International Ballet and Contemporary Dance Competition, Domenico Modugno, in Bari, Italy The artistic director of the Cairo Opera Ballet Company, Erminia Kamel, has been chosen as a guest of honour for this year's International Ballet and Contemporary Dance Competition, Domenico Modugno, which will be held in Bari, Italy between 18 and 21 March 2016. This is the first time that Erminia Kamel has been rewarded such recognition. "Being a guest of honour of this prestigious competition is a great honour to me," Kamel told Ahram Online. "It has been so many years that I have worked in this field. In fact I gave all my life to it. Being a guest of honour is a reward for this entire fascinating journey," she comments. The Italian ballerina's career began in Milan at the renowned La Scala Theatre. She then made Egypt her home where, accompanying her late husband and an iconic figure in the country's ballet, she added her share to the development of this art form in Egypt. Back in Italy, Kamel's career moved forward fast. Four years into her becoming a soloist at La Scala, she met Abdel Moneim Kamel, a soloist from Egypt who was on temporary assignment in La Scala. The couple married and moved to Egypt where Abdel Moneim Kamel "had a duty towards his country" as he always described referencing his mission to revive Egypt's ballet company, which following successes of the 1960s, in the 1970s -- after the old Cairo Opera House was burned down -- was completely obliterated. "All my formation, my school, my academy, it was in La Scala Theatre in Milano, and after eight years of school I entered the corps de ballet," she revealed to Youssef Rakha, the novelist and journalist writing for Al Ahram Weekly, a publication where she was interviewed by back in 2007, exactly 25 years after her arrival to Egypt. Moving to Egypt in 1982, Erminia Kamel worked alongside her husband, creating a new company from scratch, first at the Academy of Arts, then moving it to the Cairo Opera as in early 1990s, the already strong ballet company turned into what we know today as the Cairo Opera Ballet Company. At this time, Erminia Kamel also danced in several main roles at the Cairo Opera House, before she stepped down from the stage and continued to support her husband in work related to the troupe that included training the dancers, compiling the scenes directed by Abdel Moneim. Abdel Moneim Kamel passed away in 2012 and since then Erminia Kamel has been the Cairo Opera Ballet Company's artistic director. She continues to cherish the legacy of ballet in Egypt, revives ballets that are already in the company's repertoire and invites foreign choreographers to work on new ones. Held annually, the International Ballet and Contemporary Dance Competition, Domenico Modugno, is the only event of this kind in the area, the competition's website reads. The competition aims "to promote, stimulate, and encourage young talents in the discipline of dance and choreography. The main purpose of the event is to create opportunities for the young dancers to network, to see and to be seen by their peers, teachers, schools and companies directors, and of course, the audiences. Connections made under such circumstances inevitably result in generous and even career altering offers of scholarships and jobs." For more arts and culture news and updates, follow Ahram Online Arts and Culture on Twitter at @AhramOnlineArts and on Facebook at Ahram Online: Arts & Culture Search Keywords: Short link: The following are some questions and answers about the virus and the current outbreak Global health officials have said that the Zika virus, which has been linked to severe birth defects in thousands of babies in Brazil, is rapidly spreading in the Americas and could infect up to 4 million people. The race is on to develop a Zika vaccine. The following are some questions and answers about the virus and the current outbreak. How do people become infected? The virus is transmitted to people through the bite of infected female Aedes mosquitoes, the same type of mosquito that spreads dengue, chikungunya and yellow fever. The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) said Aedes mosquitoes are found in all countries in the Americas except Canada and continental Chile, and the virus will likely reach all countries and territories of the region where Aedes mosquitoes are found. How do you treat Zika infection? There is no treatment or vaccine available for Zika infection. Companies and scientists are racing to develop a safe and effective vaccine for Zika, but the World Health Organization said it would take at least 18 months to start large-scale clinical trials of potential preventative shots. How dangerous is it? The PAHO said there is no evidence that Zika can cause death, but some cases have been reported with more serious complications in patients with pre-existing medical conditions. The virus has been linked to microcephaly, a condition in newborns marked by abnormally small heads and brains that have not developed properly. It also has been associated with Guillain-Barre syndrome, a rare disorder in which the body's immune system attacks part of the nervous system. The suspected link between the Zika virus and the two birth defects could be confirmed within weeks, the WHO said. How is Zika related to microcephaly? Much remains unknown about Zika, including whether the virus actually causes microcephaly. Brazil is investigating the potential link between Zika infections and more than 4,300 suspected cases of microcephaly, a condition marked by abnormally small head size that can result in developmental problems. Researchers have identified evidence of Zika infection in 41 of these cases, either in the baby or in the mother, but have not confirmed that Zika can cause microcephaly. It is unclear whether in pregnant women the virus crosses the placenta and causes microcephaly. Research in Brazil indicates the greatest microcephaly risk appears to be associated with infection during the first trimester of pregnancy. What are the symptoms of Zika infection? People who get Zika virus disease typically have a mild fever, skin rash, conjunctivitis, muscle and joint pain and fatigue that can last for two to seven days. But as many as 80 percent of people infected never develop symptoms. The symptoms are similar to those of dengue or chikungunya, which are transmitted by the same type of mosquito. How can Zika be contained? Efforts to control the spread of the virus focus on eliminating mosquito breeding sites and taking precautions against mosquito bites such as using insect repellent and mosquito nets. International health officials have advised pregnant women to avoid travel to Latin American and Caribbean countries where they may be exposed to Zika. How widespread is the outbreak in the Americas? Health officials said Zika outbreaks have been reported in at least 33 countries in the Americas. Brazil has been the nation most affected. Other nations and territories include Barbados, Bolivia, Cape Verde, Colombia, Curacao, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Fiji, French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Maldives, Martinique, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Puerto Rico, Saint Martin, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Suriname, Tonga, Vanuatu, U.S. Virgin Islands, Venezuela, according to the WHO. (bit.ly/1SxYwub) What is the history of the Zika virus? The Zika virus is found in tropical locales with large mosquito populations. Outbreaks of Zika virus disease have been recorded in Africa, the Americas, Southern Asia and the Western Pacific. The virus was first identified in Uganda in 1947 in rhesus monkeys and was first identified in people in 1952 in Uganda and Tanzania, according to the World Health Organization. Can Zika be transmitted through sexual contact? Two cases of possible person-to-person sexual transmission has been described, but the PAHO said more evidence is needed to confirm whether sexual contact is a means of Zika transmission. British health officials reported Zika was found in a man's semen two months after being infected, suggesting the virus may linger in semen long after infection symptoms fade. The WHO has advised women, particularly pregnant women, to use condoms. The PAHO also said Zika can be transmitted through blood, but this is an infrequent transmission mechanism. There is no evidence the virus can be transmitted to babies through breast milk. What other complications are associated with Zika? The WHO says because no big Zika outbreaks were recorded before 2007, little is known about complications caused by infection. During an outbreak of Zika from 2013-2014 in French Polynesia, national health authorities reported an unusual increase in Guillain-Barre syndrome. Health authorities in Brazil have also reported an increase in Guillain-Barre syndrome. Long-term health consequences of Zika infection remain unclear. Other uncertainties surround the incubation period of the virus and how Zika interacts with other viruses that are transmitted by mosquitoes such as dengue. Search Keywords: Short link: The whole world will celebrate the golden jubilee of Abu Simbel temple salvage operation at its footsteps next week On Monday 22 February, tourists and top officials from the Aswan governorate, the antiquities and tourism ministries, as well as Egyptian and foreign journalists, photographers and TV presenters, will flock to Abu Simbel temple that overlooks Lake Nasser. Before sunrise they will admire the equinox when a stream of light gradually sneaks through the temple's sanctuary and illuminates the faces of King Ramses II and the gods Re and Amuns statues. However, the statue of the god of darkness Ptah will remain in the shade because of its connection to the underworld. This phenomenon is repeated twice every year and coincides with the king's birthday and coronation, but as there is not quite enough evidence to support this, some believe that they represent the days of cultivation and harvest. However, this time the equinox coincides with the golden jubilee of the Abu Simbel temples salvage operation. Hamdi El-Sotouhi, the founder of Abu Simbel salvage campaign, describes this years celebration as unique and a message to the whole world that Egypt is a country of peace, science and great civilisation. He told Ahram Online that the celebration is completely different than usual and includes several events. Entitled Abu Simbel in the Eyes of Painters," a plastic art exhibition is to be organised at the footsteps of the temple where a group of Egyptian artists are to draw a collection of paintings expressing their thoughts on the temples salvage operation. An imitation of the Abu Simbel salvage operation is to be shown revealing how the architects dismantled the face of King Ramses II, the head of the statue. The jubilee celebration is to last for two days initially, said El-Sotouhi, though will continue until 2018 due to several events that will highlight the goals of the 1960s salvage operation for Abu Simbel and Nubian temples. Minister of Antiquities Mamdouh Eldamaty told reporters during a press conference held on Tuesday afternoon that the launching of the Abu Simbel jubilee celebration is only connected to Abu Simbel temple and not to any other ancient Egyptian temples. "If any equinox occurs in any other ancient Egyptian temple it is just a coincidence," Eldamaty said. He explained that the equinox used to happen on 21 February and 21 October but after the relocation it shifted one day. He also told reporters that the Nubian temples salvage operation is proof that Egypt is able to face all changes and cannot stand cross-armed with all of the difficulties that it has to deal with. "This celebration is a great event that will help to promote tourism to Egypt," he said. Eldamaty also called on journalists and the media not to believe rumours and they should be sure of any information before publishing it on Facebook, Twitter, television or in print. "Publishing these rumours without being sure of their credibility would create confusion and wrongly stir public opinion," Eldamaty told Ahram Online. He added: "Publishing incorrect rumours is not only an insult to the antiquities ministry but it harms Egypt's reputation abroad." He also told all reporters in the conference to shed more light on the positive parts and the achievement that the ministry has recently achieved in an attempt to regain its role of protecting and preserving Egypt's archaeological heritage. He said that in 2014 and 2015 the ministry succeeded in recovering 723 artefacts that have been stolen and illegally smuggled out of the country during the security vacuum in the aftermath of January 2011 revolution when several antiquities storehouses were subjected to theft and when illicit excavation was wide spread at several sites. In collaboration with the Tourism and Antiquities Police, the ministry, Eldamaty pointed out, also succeeded in seizing a collection of 511 stolen authentic objects in 2014 and 2015. Abu Simbel consists of two temples: one dedicated to the New Kingdom king Ramses II and the second belongs to his beloved wife Queen Nefertari. The one dedicated to King Ramses II is described by Bruce Williams of the Oriental Institute of Chicago as one of, if not the largest, rock-cut temple in Egypt. Both temples are not sitting in their original location after being relocated in 1968 to a neighbouring location on an artificial 65-metre tall hill made from a domed structure above the High Dam. They were relocated in order to prevent them from being submerged during the construction of the High Dam and the creation of the massive artificial Lake Nasser. Members of the United Nations Education, Science, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) orchestrated a massive construction project that moved the temple back 200 metres to its present site. Search Keywords: Short link: A short video on the CBC show Momken (Its Possible) stirred controversy for its perceived portrayal of women from Upper Egypt as unfaithful to their husbands The Chamber of Media Industry suspended late on Sunday the CBC programme "Momken" (It's Possible), hosted by Khairy Ramadan, for 15 days pending investigations by a legal technical committee on accusations that a guest insulted women from Upper Egypt. The show hosted Taymour El-Sobky, the Facebook administrator of "Diary of a suffering man", which has over 1 million followers, who said women -- especially from Upper Egypt -- have a tendency to cheat on their husbands. In response to a question about the main problems of marriage that he receives on his page, he said that women cheat on their husbands, and the latter know, forgive them, then get tired and leave. "Thirty percent of women have a readiness for immorality... but just cannot find someone to encourage them," he said, explaining that his page has a significant number of followers, which is revealing. "Today, it is very normal for a woman to cheat and seek it," he said. El-Sobky cited Upper Egypt's governorates of Assiut, Minya, Sohag, Qena, Luxor, and Aswan as places where arranged marriages take place, meaning that women often find themselves with men they did not know previously. The Chamber of Media Industry called on all channels to boycott El-Sobky, adding it would support any legal action against him. The decisions also included calling for the parliament to issue a law that organises the media collectively so that rights and duties in the industry can be defined. CBC channel also issued a statement on Sunday apologising for El-Sobky's statements. "We apologise to all the citizens of the governorates of Upper Egypt, women and men, and to everyone who got offended by this in every Egyptian governorate, and to all the women of Egypt. We also assure you that the pride and honour of every Egyptian citizen is a priority and more worthy than anything else," CBC's statement said. CBC said that the video, which was approximately five minutes long, was extracted from an episode that was aired two months ago, and did not include any objections from anyone regarding El-Sobky's comments. The clip made it appear as if the channel was only showing one side of the story, "which contradicts reality," the CBC statement added apologitically. CBC's statement also read that the rest of the episode included replies from people who called in to refute El-Sobky's conclusions, as well as ojections from the host and the other guests on the show. The administration at CBC decided to boycott El-Sobky, "in respect to popular sentiment because people were hurt by what he said. The Press Syndicate also issued a statement late on Sunday condemning the content of the controversial video CBC aired. "While the Press Syndicate appreciates CBC channel's apology about the video that angered Egyptian women, its assurance that it is partial to the views and that they do not represent the channel's opinion about Egyptian women, it [the Press Syndicate] calls upon journalists and media people to watch out and not be dragged into the crises that distract us from discussing the main issue in society. "It also calls for not repeating this in the future and to avoid hosting such people who insult women or any sect of the society, in respect of all citizens' feelings and to protect public safety and societal cohesion." After receiving threats death threats, El-Sobky apologised in a video last Thursday, saying his words were taken out of context by administrators of Facebook pages in Upper Egypt who shared the video, adding that even his mother is from Upper Egypt's Qena. "I strongly apologise if my words in the episode were misunderstood and I call upon people to watch the whole episode and they will find that I did not offend or insult. It is impossible that I would insult the women of Upper Egypt or women in general. "On my page, I discuss marriage situations sarcastically. And I apologise for the third time, as the issue has taken another turn. I get death threats, and reports have been filed to the police to protect myself and my family. I apologise again and I did not mean to offend anyone by any means." Search Keywords: Short link: Egypts Ministry of Interior dismissed reports by western media of slain Italian Giulio Regeni being taken into police custody as 'completely incorrect' Egypt's police denied that an Italian student who was recently found dead in Egypt had been in custody as he disappeared days before his recent murder. A media official from Egypts Ministry of Interior "dismissed [on Monday] reports in Western media that Giulio Regeni was arrested by Egyptian security before his death," the ministry said in a statement Monday. The New York Times reported on Friday that eyewitnesses claimed that the student was led away by two men believed to be Egyptian security agents, on the night he disappeared. The newspaper also reported that, three security officials said Mr. Regeni had indeed been taken into custody." These claims were later published in an Italian paper. On Friday, Italian newspaper Il Corriere Della Sera said a street vendor told Italian investigators that he saw plain-clothed officers "taking" Regeni outside a metro station the evening he vanished. The newspaper also reported that Regeni feared for his safety after noticing that he was being photographed by an unknown observer while attending a meeting with fellow researchers on 11 December. The Egyptian interior ministry said information published about Regeni's disappearance is "completely incorrect," adding that a team of investigators is in "complete cooperation" with the Italian authorities to determine the circumstances of the killing. The ministry added that results of the investigation will be made public once "definite information is obtained." Italy has sent investigators to work with Egyptian authorities to determine the circumstances of Regeni's death. The body of Regeni, a PhD student who had been conducting research on independent trade union movements in Egypt, was found with signs of torture along a road on the outskirts of Cairo earlier in February. The discovery of Regini's body came nine days after he disappeared on 25 January, the five-year anniversary of the 2011 revolution. Two days following the discovery of Regeni's body, the corpse was repatriated upon Rome's request. An autopsy conducted by Italian authorities in Rome revealed that the 28-year-old was subjected to torture. Egypt's Forensic Authority sent its own autopsy report to the general prosecution on Saturday. The reports findings have not been made public yet. Search Keywords: Short link: (Anyang, Henan) China's steelmakers have done booming business over the past two decades, but they are now struggling to survive in the face of weakening demand due to the economic slowdown and the central government's efforts to curb pollution. An index by China Iron and Steel Industry Association (CISA) shows that average price of steel dropped by more than 32 percent by the end of 2015, from the same time a year earlier. This follows slides of 16 percent and 6 percent in 2014 and 2013, respectively. More than half of the country's steel producers reported losses in 2015, causing losses for the industry to hit 64.5 billion yuan, the industry association said. Big steelmakers like Shanghai-listed Anyang Iron and Steel Group, based in Henan Province, are feeling the pain. The central province's largest steelmaker, with annual production capacity exceeding 10 million tons, has reported losses since 2012. This has forced company executives to consider not handing out annual bonuses to employees. We decided "to pay the bonus as usual in 2015, but it may be canceled next year," said Anyang Steel's chairman, Li Tao. The industry has been a main contributor to the nation's economy in recent decades, especially after the 2008 financial crisis, when the government rolled out a 4 trillion yuan stimulus package. In 2012, the steel sector reported the highest revenue of any industry in the country. Between 2008 and 2012, national production capacity rose by 42.7 percent. But since 2013, worsening overcapacity has prompted the central government to start a campaign to try to cut back. In a January meeting with executives and industry officials in Taiyuan, in the northern province of Shanxi, Premier Li Keqiang reemphasized efforts to trim production overcapacity and close unprofitable factories. Scaling back was also atop the agenda of the Central Economic Work Conference in December, a Communist Party meeting called to set the economic roadmap for 2016. Top leaders have the reason to worry. In 2015, China produced 800 million tons of raw steel, but only 664 million tons was used. Both figures were lower than the year before for the first time in a decade. More worryingly, total production capacity stood at 1.1 billion tons. The prospects for steelmakers are also gloomy. Li Chuangxin, director of the China Metallurgical Industry Planning & Research Institute, predicted that the country's steel consumption will continue declining and by 2030 stand at less than 500 million tons. A CISA survey covering the first nine months of last year ranked Anyang Steel No. 35 of 59 large and medium-sized steel companies in the nation in term of profitability. The firm has more than 30,000 employees and a debt ratio of more than 80 percent. Despite this, Anyang Steel has not halted production or cut its workforce, counting on a business rebound. Is that realistic? Zhao Xizi, the former head of the old Ministry of Metallurgical Industry, doesn't think so. "Spring for China's steel industry will never come," he said. Luster Lost Anyang Steel, established in 1958 as part of a central government strategy to develop steel production facilities nationwide, was initially among the 18 provincial-level producers with designed capacity of around 100,000 tons. In the 1980s, it was one the country's fastest growing steel companies, and by the end of the decade had expanded its capacity to 1 million tons. A housing market boom that started in 2003 and stimulus package launched in 2008 encouraged steelmakers to build more production facilities. Anyang Steel currently has total production capacity of more than 10 million tons. The company was also one of the earliest to suffer from the market slowdown and overcapacity problems, partly because its inland location boosts transportation costs. The firm also lacks any unique products to help it compete with factories in neighboring cities. The large workforce is another big burden for Anyang Steel. It has more than 30,000 permanent and contract employees, whose total salaries and benefit payments exceed 2 billion yuan each year. Payments on bank loan interest and taxes push the company's annual operating costs to more than 7 billion yuan, said Li, who has headed the firm since 2013. In 2012, Anyang Steel reported a loss of 3.5 billion yuan, the first since its founding. This spurred Li to try to cut production costs and the size of the workforce and to improve the sales network. In the summer, Anyang Steel mulled raising money through a private placement, but dropped the idea due the stock market turmoil. Li's efforts have done little to help the steelmaker. In the first three quarters of 2015, Anyang Steel reported a loss of 1.28 billion yuan, and people close to the firm said that since January the company has lost 100 yuan for every ton of steel it makes. Anyang Steel offers a snapshot of a troubled industry. A survey by the China Chamber of Commerce for Metallurgical Enterprises at the end of 2015 found that 70 percent of 110 surveyed steelmakers were running losses. CISA said in 2014 that the average debt-to-asset ratio of China's 88 major steel companies stood at 68 percent, but Zhao said the real situation is even worse. He estimated on January 15 that the value of bank loans owed by the nation's steel companies total 300 billion yuan and that there is another 2 trillion yuan worth of non-bank lending. One-fifth of the country's steel companies have debt-to-asset ratios of over 80 percent, he said. China's steel production capacity rose from around 500 million tons in 2009 to 1.1 billion tons in 2013, largely fueled by the stimulus policies. To put in perspective how rapid and large this increase was, it took nearly six decades for capacity to rise from 2 million tons in the early 1950s to the level in 2009. Many steel companies are finding they have to idle some of their facilities to cut losses as the market cools. CISA has said that in 2012 less than 70 percent of the country's steel production facilities were operating. Many overseas experts say that anything below 75 percent in a developed country is an indication of overcapacity. The Way Out Liu Haimin, deputy director of the China Steel Development and Research Institute, said industrial companies usually enjoy sustainable growth when their average profit margin is around 5 percent. From 2003 to 2007, major steel companies reported margins of 6.5 percent to 8 percent, but after 2009 the figure slid to less than 1 percent. In the first 11 months of last year, the industry's average profit margin stood at minus 1.99 percent meaning that for every 100 yuan worth of steel products a firm sold, it lost nearly 2 yuan. Liu said a major reason for the slump in profitability is a large number of loss-making companies dumping their products onto the market at very low prices. Data from CISA show that from January to November last year more than 10 firms lost more than 500 yuan loss for every ton of steel made. The worst performer lost 1,000 yuan. Amid these problems, local officials are keen to help struggling companies because the firms are viewed as economic pillars and a large number of layoffs would cause big headaches. In late 2015, a number of firms including Lingyuan Iron and Steel Co. in the northeastern province of Liaoning; Baogang Group in the northern region of Inner Mongolia; and Chongqing Iron and Steel Company, in the southwest said they had received subsidies of more than 100 million yuan from their local governments. Anyang Steel said it benefitted from a new policy that helped it save 60 million yuan in electricity costs. But policymakers in Beijing want to get rid of the poorest performers, a move they see as benefiting the entire industry, and since October, several companies in Fujian, Hebei, Liaoning and other regions have halted production. The industry information portal custeel.com says facilities with the capacity to produce 67 million tons of steel a year suspended operations in 2015. Data from CISA showed that in the last 10 days of December, the country was producing 2 million tons a day, 12 percent less than the same period a year earlier. In a meeting of the State Council on January 22, Li said production capacity should be cut by as much as 150 million tons over the next five years and no new factories should be opened. The cabinet also agreed to set up a fund dedicated to handling issues related to plant closures, such as employee settlements and disposing of bad loans. Li said Anyang has two options: merge into a larger company or acquire some smaller ones to form a stronger entity. Either way, Li is waiting for policy direction. "I am still confused" on which way will Anyang Steel should go, he said. (Rewritten by Han Wei) (Beijing) The central government is stepping up efforts to protect the children that migrant workers leave behind in rural areas when they head off to work in big cities in part by banning parents from letting youngsters under age 16 live alone but a rights activist says authorities must make more resources available to families for the situation to improve. The State Council issued a directive on February 14 that detailed measures intended to protect children whose parents go off to work in big cities. The cabinet said that parents should do their best to take their children with them or put them in the care of at least one parent or relatives before they leave. No children under the age of 16 are allowed to live on their own, the State council said. Kindergartens, schools, medical facilities, village committees and government-run aid agencies at the community level are responsible for identifying children who are not adequately cared for and for reporting problems to police, the cabinet said. China has for years grappled with issues related to the youngsters it calls "left-behind children," who often suffer amid dramatic social and economic transformations that see millions of migrant workers head to big cities in search of better-paying jobs. The country has about 60 million left-behind children, official data show, and more than 2 million take care of themselves. Four children who were left by their parents in a rural village in Bijie, in the southwestern province of Guizhou, committed suicide on June 9 last year, in an incident that received widespread publicity. The oldest boy, 13, was left to care for his three sisters, aged nine, eight and five, though local officials and relatives occasionally helped them. The cabinet said that parents who fail to provide their children with proper care will be deprived of their parental rights and the children will be put in the care of relatives or foster parents. Du Shuang, the head of Growing Home, a Beijing-based non-governmental organization that advocates for the rights of left-behind children, said that the government is moving in right direction by laying out guidelines addressing the plight of the youngsters. However, it must offer more concrete support, such as a system of social workers in underdeveloped areas, she said. Du said that both schools and the township government were aware of the conditions that the four children in Bijie were living in, but they did not have the resources to help them. The children of migrant workers would be better off joining their parents in the city, but the reality is that the youngsters are denied access to basic services such as public schooling when they move, Du said. (Rewritten by Li Rongde) Over 1,000 Korean fans showed up at Incheon International Airport for the arrival of American television host Conan O'Brien on Sunday. O'Brien is recording a special episode of his talk show "Conan" in Seoul. His visit was prompted by letters a Korean teenage girl sent him with a box of Korean snacks. He said he would come here to personally thank her, and indeed met her at Incheon and took a selfie with her. He is also to hold a fan meet on Monday and shoot a segment in a folk village. Conan, as he is known to everyone, graduated from Harvard and hosted NBC's "Late Night Show" for 15 years from 1993. Bosnia has formally submitted an application to become part of the European Union. President Dragan Covic submitted the paperwork to become a member of the 28-nation European bloc Monday in Brussels to Dutch Foreign Affairs Minister Bert Koenders. Bosnia had attempted to join the EU in the early 2000s, but deep divisions among its Serb, Croat and Muslim communities following the bloody breakup of Yugoslavia blocked the necessary reforms to become part of the European group. The United Nations says nearly 50 civilians, including children, were killed Monday in missile attacks on medical facilities and schools in northern Syria. "Such attacks are a blatant violation of international laws," UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon said, according to his spokesman. A 30-bed hospital run by Doctors Without Borders was destroyed Monday while three other medical facilities were damaged in northern Syria by what rebels battling the Assad government claim were targeted airstrikes by the regime. The charity group said the strike at Maarat al-Numan in Idlib province killed seven people. The group known by its French initials, MSF, said the hospital was hit four times in two attacks, leaving at least eight staff members missing. "This appears to be a deliberate attack on a health structure, and we condemn this attack in the strongest possible terms," said Massimiliano Rebaudengo, MSF's Head of Mission. "The destruction of the hospital leaves the local population of around 40,000 people without access to medical services in an active zone of conflict," said Massimiliano. Medics and witnesses say at least 10 people were killed at a maternity and pediatric clinic hit by missiles and rockets in the border town of Azaz. Condemnation, Calls for Ceasefire The U.S. State Department condemned the attacks. "We call again on all parties to cease attacks on civilians and take immediate steps to grant humanitarian access and the cessation of hostilities that the Syrian people desperately need," spokesman John Kirby said. An official with the U.S-led coalition against Islamic State (Col. Chris Garver) stressed on Twitter there were no coalition aircraft operating near the medical facilities that were attacked. According to political activists, warplanes also targeted the hospitals in Maaret al-Numan and Orem Al-Kubra. Another airstrike in the northern Aleppo countryside left a school sheltering displaced Syrians from nearby towns seriously damaged with an unknown loss of life, according to Mazin Ibrahim, a relief worker. Another school in the region was also hit, according to the UN As a precaution, staff shuttered the National Hospital at Maaret al-Numan and a clinic. Dr. Wasel al-Jurk told VOA by phone, "We closed because we feared we would be hit, too. We evacuated the patients as best we could." Seoul is mulling denying entry to its ports to all ships from third countries sailing to and from North Korea, an official here said Monday. Seoul is imposing independent sanctions against North Korea in the wake of its recent nuclear test and rocket launch that also include the closure of the joint Korean Kaesong Industrial Complex and halt of humanitarian aid. The naval blockade would extend to both ships from third countries that seem to be doing business with North Korea and de facto North Korean ships that fly another country's flag. Bona fide North Korean ships and aircraft have been banned from South Korea since 2010, when the North sank the Navy corvette Cheonan. "A blockade of cargo ships would deal a considerable blow to the North's exports and imports," said Chun Young-woo, a former chief presidential secretary for foreign affairs and security. "Shipping companies doing business with the North will also feel the pressure." Seoul is also considering a ban on imports of North Korean agricultural and fishery products disguised as Chinese goods. North Korean hackers are suspected of sending e-mails to South Korean state agencies and institutes on Jan. 13-14, right after the North's latest nuclear test, purporting to come from Cheong Wa Dae and other government bodies. National Police Agency chief Kang Shin-myung made the announcement Monday. The IP addresses the mails came from were traced to China's Liaoning Province, which was also the source of a North Korean cyber attack on Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power in 2014, according to police. A police spokesman said the hackers must have either worked in Liaoning or stolen IP addresses from nearby areas in North Korea. Two of the e-mail accounts were used in the 2014 cyber attack, and some of the language in the e-mails is typically North Korean. Some 759 people received the false e-mails asking them their opinions about the North's nuclear test. Most were researchers at government-funded think tanks or other institutions specializing in North Korea. A majority of South Koreans support the deployment here of the U.S.' Terminal High Altitude Area Defense batteries, a poll suggests. The THAAD batteries form a core part of the U.S. missile shield aimed mostly at containing China, and some parts of the South Korean political establishment are vocally opposed to their deployment here. But 67 percent of ordinary people here seem in favor, and many also back the government's decision to shut down the inter-Korean Kaesong Industrial Complex after the North's recent nuclear test and rocket launch. KBS and Yonhap News polled 1,013 South Koreans and found that 67.1 percent support the U.S. Forces Korea's deployment of THAAD batteries here. Some 26.2 percent are against due to the potential damage to Seoul-Beijing relations. Some 54.4 percent also support Seoul's decision to close the joint-Korean Kaesong Industrial Complex, while 41.2 percent felt it should continue. Asked whether the industrial park is useful in principle, 56.6 percent said yes and 40.9 percent no. Only 29.3 percent support for South Korea developing its nuclear weapons and 23.2 percent for the redeployment of tactical U.S. nuclear weapons here, while 41.1 percent want South Korea to remain free of nuclear weapons. A majority also now favor a tough response to North Korea's endless provocations. Some 30.9 percent are for tougher sanctions and 18 percent the option of military measures against the North's nuclear facilities. A combined 40.1 percent favor appeasement. In another survey by the Joongang Ilbo, 67.7 percent favored the THAAD deployment compared to 27.4 percent against. Household loans surged W2.2 trillion last month to a record for January (US$1=W1,211). The Bank of Korea blames a surge in real estate transactions last year that led to an increase in loans to cover downpayments. The central bank said Monday that household loans from commercial banks last month totaled W641.3 trillion, up 0.3 percent from December. In January last year only W1.4 trillion worth of new loans were taken out. According to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, 1.19 million home transactions took place across the nation last year, the most since the ministry started tallying data in 2006. Defense Minister Han Min-koo on Monday rejected calls from fellow politicians for South Korea to acquire its own nuclear weapons. Han told the National Assembly's Defense Committee that the calls are mainly an expression of anger and disappointment at North Korea's latest nuclear test and rocket launch. In a speech earlier that day, Won Yoo-chul, Saenuri Party floor leader called for a review of "various strategies for survival," including responding to North Korea's nuclear armament in kind. Turning to the deployment of Terminal High Altitude Area Defense batteries by the U.S. Forces Korea, Han said their location will be determined based on "military efficiency and tactical and geographical conditions." "We will find a place that is optimal to protect us and strike the North's missiles," some of which are stationed just north of the border, he said. Southwest village keeps tie-dye legacy alive From:chinadaily.com.cn | 2016-02-16 13:30 Local women work in a tie-dye workshop in Zhoucheng village, in Yunnan province. The craftsmanship is a cultural treasure.[Photo by Yang Feiyue/ China Daily] The Puzhen tie-dye workshop in Zhoucheng village doesn't have any modern machinery despite being one of the largest such operations in Yunnan province's Dali area. On a recent day, a few big wooden buckets filled with dark blue liquid are seen in the front yard of this workshop in Southwest China. Here, clothes in floral patterns flutter in the wind from ropes attached to poles as a bunch of elderly women in colorful traditional hats sew sheets. "When you look at pieces of cloth under the sun, you will notice countless needle holes in them," says workshop owner Duan Shukun. "That can only be realized by hand. Machines won't do." Although similar artisans can be found in the provinces of Guizhou, Jiangsu and Sichuan, women from practically every household in Zhoucheng are involved in making tie-dye clothes. Some 6,000 people of the village's 10,000 residents are employed by a few dozen tie-dye cloth producers in Zhoucheng. The handicraft with local ethnic elements requires at least eight stages of delicate work and was named a national intangible cultural heritage in 2006. At first, floral patterns are drawn on plastic sheets, then a tool resembling a needle is used to puncture the edges of the patterns. Then the punctured sheet is placed on white cloth and plastered with paint that percolates into the cloth. The resulting impression of floral patterns is then highlighted with dots in the cloth. A plastic sheet can be repetitively used as a mold. The artisans then use needles and threads to tie up the dots into myriads knots before dipping the cloth in dye, mostly made of isatis roots. When the cloth is taken out of the dye, the tied parts remain in their original white color while the rest is dyed, with various images also formed. A piece of cloth is dyed about three times a day for four days before the entire process ends. Tying up the knots is the most important and difficult of all the steps. "A slight difference in the way a knot is made will result in subtle changes in the final image," Duan says. The tighter the knot, the clearer the image, he says. His wife, Duan Yinkai, 41, has been named a provincial inheritor of the tie-dye art. She has grasped more than 30 ways of tying up the knots. On an average, workers know five to six different ways of tying the knots and receive further training at their workshop. Duan Yinkai picked up the practice at age 10 by watching her parents on the job. The images that emerge once the knots are untied are sometimes unexpected. For example, if some 10 people tie the knots from the same pattern, 10 different images may follow, she says. The couple took over the workshop in 2008 after the original establishment failed. In 2014, the workshop was named a national intangible cultural heritage production site by the Culture Ministry. Their workshop now hires roughly 2,000 temporary tie-dye workers, mostly older women, and a full-time workforce of more than 30. The workshop's annual output is worth 6 million yuan ($910,000), but its profit is around 300,000 yuan, Duan says. The work is time-consuming. A piece of tablecloth that is 2 meters long and 1.5 meters wide is priced between 180 and 200 yuan, but on an average it takes more than a week to finish. Low income is the biggest problem that keeps young people from getting into the business. Tie-dye workers usually earn 20 yuan for three to four days of work. But the local government has paid attention to protecting the craft. Duan Shukun says he has received assistance of 100,000 yuan from the government over the years. Now, he's preparing to build a tie-dye museum in the hope that more young people will be encouraged to join in. Roughly 4,000 finished products, semifinished products and plastic sheets will be displayed at the museum that will likely be built in Zhoucheng. Italian show celebrates strength of Chinese characters From:chinadaily.com.cn | 2016-02-16 13:30 Xu Bing has created many works related to Chinese characters. Some of them are now on display at the Milan Triennale.[Photo by Jiang Dong/ China Daily] For the first time in Italy, the strength of Chinese characters in the works of a leading artist was central to an exhibition that kicked off on Saturday at the Palazzo dell'Arte (Palace of Art), the headquarters of the Triennale art institution. Xu Bing, born in Chongqing city in 1955, is one of China's most acclaimed living artists. His Character of Characters, a video animation illustrating the birth and relation of Chinese characters with human history, was the starting point of this project aimed at making the excellence of Chinese art known to a Western audience, curator Hans de Wolf said at the exhibition preview. "The idea to make this exhibition occurred a couple of years ago, when I saw for the first time this absolute masterpiece of Xu Bing at the Central Academy of Fine Arts in Beijing," De Wolf recalls. "For me it was a moment of inspiration. I understood immediately the extreme quality of this artwork." Yet also in the same year 2013, the Venice Biennale welcomed more than 100 Chinese artists who won no attention, a sign that Western audiences were not much aware of the fact that in China there were excellent artists, De Wolf says. "That is why I decided to put Xu Bing at the center of an exhibition gathering other artists from different countries but all dealing with the same phenomenon, written language," he says. It was in this way that the Milan Triennale's exhibition running through March 6 and titled Xu Bing Worlds of Words/Goods of Gods was born. It brought together eight artists from Africa, Europe and India who have all explored the world of words. "Looking back at my life as an artist, I find that I have made a lot of works related with Chinese characters," Xu says. "In fact, when we write a word, we are actually drawing a picture. Our children copy thousands and thousands of characters and they draw thousands and thousands of pictures." This culture and education system aroused profound reflection in his mind about the relation between China's culture and language, he says. In Chinese history, a new dynasty always started with the reform of the language. Xu says in his rich life experiencehe has witnessed the "cultural revolution" (1966-76) and has lived for 18 years in the United States before going back to Chinahe has put a "high degree of research" in these artworks produced in a stretch of time of more than 30 years. All of this complexity together with the contrasts and harmony born from his encounter with Western culture is reflected in Square Word Calligraphy, also on display at the exhibition. At first glance it appears to be Chinese characters, but it is a new way of rendering English. Chinese viewers expect to be able to read it but cannot, while Western viewers are surprised to find that they can read it. In Book from the Sky, another of his artworks, invented characters play a joke as they look real but have no meaning. "Here I tried to present the major elements of characters, a functional one and a decorative one," Xu explains. "Take calligraphy as an example, it is like a ritual for worshipping characters, which become 'holy', something higher than a tool passing information, and able to give space to knowledge instead of giving things." "I never think that an art form or style is very important in order to be looked at as art. I just want my artworks to benefit humankind, help people think and go to a right way of thinking," he adds. Manichan was released from Nettukaltheri open jail after the Supreme Court ordered the Kerala government to release him without collecting Rs 30.45 lakh fine. #Navy plans Navy eyes creation of unmanned command in 2040s South Korea's Navy is seeking to create a new command running unmanned ships, submarines and aircraft in the 2040s, the armed service said Friday, in an effort to address a potenti... #SK data center fire SK C&C's data center raided over massive server outage Police on Friday raided regional offices of SK C&C, the host of the data center for Kakao Corp., in an investigation into a data center fire last week that caused massive servi... As we've already reported, ADIFF are pulling out all the stops this year for the 20th anniversary of Neil Jordan's classic biopic, Michael Collins. In addition to hosting a get together for all extras that appeared in the film, they'll also be screening the film as part of the festival. We already knew that director Neil Jordan and cinematographer Chris Menges would be there for a Q & A but today brings the news that Harry Boland himself, Aidan Quinn, will also be in attendance. "I'm thrilled to be a part of honoring this remarkable film, said Aidan Quinn. It was an absolute privilege to work on and with, this extraordinary group and remains one of my favorite film making experiences." The film will have its 20th Anniversary Premiere on Saturday, February 20th at The Savoy Cinema on OConnell Street while it will also be re-released nationwide from March 18th. Your digital subscription includes access to all content on our agricultural websites across the nation. Access unlimited content and the digital versions of our print editions - This Week's Paper. The Irish summer music calendar has been dealt a blow with the news that Slane will not take place in 2016. The news was revealed via the Castle's Twitter account, which said that Lord Henry Mountcharles had confirmed that there would be no concert at Ireland's most iconic outdoor gig venue in 2016. It is understood that the construction of the Slane Whiskey Distillery & Visitors Centre - which is currently being built on the Slane estate at a cost of 44 million - would be disrupted if a concert were to take place. It is believed to be scheduled for completion in late 2016/early 2017. In other words, those Coldplay at Slane rumours are over before they've even begun. Last year, Foo Fighters headlined Slane, supported by Ash, The Strypes, Kaiser Chiefs and Hozier. AWARD 1 I won the second prize in policy category of the African Information society Initiative ( AISI) awards 2004 which is annually organized by the United Nations- Economic Commission for Africa ( UNECA) based in Addis-Ababa, Ethiopia. On the first photo above standing with other awardees after the Ceremony at the National Settlers monument in Grahamstown, South Africa.This was during the 8th Highway Africa Conference.The second photo shows the cross section of Jounalists from different African countries who attended the ceremony. AWARD 2 I also won the AISI-GKP/SDC Media Award special reporting on WSIS process and Africa, and conferred with the award in Tunis, Tunisia during WSIS summit in 2005. See the photo above. AWARD 3 Winner on the Media Competition on writing about " Stigma denial and Discrimination " associated with HIV/AIDS . This was organized by the Association of Journalists Against Aids in Tanzania ( AJAAT ). On the Photo above President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete of Tanzania, ( then the Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation) was the guest of honour during the award giving ceremony.This was at Maelezo auditorium in Dar-es-Salaam September 2005. AWARD 4 Winner on the Media Competition on writing about " Vulnerable Children " associated with HIV/AIDS This was organized by the Association of Journalists Against Aids in Tanzania ( AJAAT) AWARD 5 Winner of the National ICT Media Award organized By SWOPNET in the Country. On the photo above Morogoro Regional Commissioner, Brigadier General ( Rt) Saidi Kalembo was the guest of honour during the award giving ceremony which was held at New Sarvoy Hotel in morogoro town.I was awarded a Mobile phone and a tape-recorder. AWARD 6 I participated in the Media Competition in writing about VCT (Voluntary Counseling and Testing) in Tanzania which was held between July 15th and October 30th 2008 whereby I emerged among the top five winners. The competition was under the program known as Tanzania bila Ukwimwi inawezekana which literally means, Tanzania without AIDS disease transmission is possible. This is a program which was organized by the Association of Journalists Against AIDS in Tanzania (AJAAT) under TACAIDS funding. In the photo, I am being presented with a certificate of participation by the Chairman of the Tanzania Commission for AIDS (TACAIDS) Dr. Fatma Mrisho in a colorful ceremony which was held on 22nd December 2008 at Tanzania Information Centre in Dar es Salaam. AWARD 7 AWARD 8 AWARD 9 Google Site Translator Get the Google Site Translator widget and many other great free widgets at Widgetbox! The European Union wants to get faster at responding to health emergencies such as the recent Ebola and Zika virus outbreaks. The blocks executive body, the Commission, admitted on Monday (15 February) that the EUs response to the Ebola crisis was too slow especially when the deployment of medical personnel and logistical issues were concerned. In an attempt to take lessons from the past crises, the Commission and a number of Member States are now establishing medical corps that can mobilize staff during health emergencies both inside and outside the bloc. The medical teams will be coordinated by their own coordination experts and they will be equipped with mobile bio-safety laboratories, medical evacuation planes and logistical support teams. Commissioner Christos Stylianides, in charge of for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management, commented that the aim of the European Medical Corps is to create a much faster and more efficient EU response to health crises when they occur. He added that the EU needs to learn the lessons from the Ebola response; a key difficulty was mobilising medical teams, he added. It is not mandatory for EU Member States to join the new medical corps. So far only nine EU countries Belgium, the Czech Republic, Finland, France, Luxembourg, Germany, Spain, Sweden and the Netherlands have expressed their interest. The new medical teams will fall under the EUs Civil Protection Mechanism framework, under the new European Emergency Response Capacity. On top of creating new medical units, the EU will allocate 10 million to fight the spread of the Zika virus in the Americas. Moreover, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) will establish a unit that will be working on developing a vaccine against the virus that can cause abnormal brain development in the foetuses of pregnant women by mother-to-child transmission, which may in turn result in miscarriage or microcephaly. EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW with Professor Vytautas Landsbergis, Former President of the Republic of Lithuania EUBULLETIN has talked, in an exclusive interview, with Professor Vytautas Landsbergis, a former Lithuanian President in 1990-1992, who also later served for ten years as Member of the European Parliament. Professor Landsbergis is widely respected as a hero of Lithuanias independence movement and an outspoken critic of Russia. EUBULLETIN: Mr. President, despite of the fact that the situation in Ukraine has now seemingly calmed down, many, if not most, observers and experts warn that the long-term Russian strategy of a limited conventional aggression, of Finlandization, if you want, was not going to change. Its not only a temporary development but its part of a long-term Russian strategy, at least as long as Putin is in power. What is your view on that? Landsbergis: As for now, you can see that the US is lacking of consistency and of a clear goal but it also reminds me of a previous situation after the Cold War when it was clear that the expansionist and aggressive Soviet Union was a loser and was going out of business, and it was not yet clear what the new Russia under President Yeltsin would be like. Back then there was a strange concern among Western political leaders when the Russian leaders began to repeat the idea that they didnt want to see Russia weak. We may contribute this concern also to the sophisticated Russian propaganda run by Russian services you know the Russians, they have people of influence everywhere. This was in around 1993-1995. At that time, there were, of course, internal clashes in Russia between Yeltsin and the parliament. Then Yeltsins referendum came, the parliament announced impeachment to him, he liquidated the parliament, thus managed to stay in power and got this referendum with stronger power for the president and this post-Soviet opposition was ousted. As many say, oh, he executed the parliament, Yeltsin shot the parliament. But the parliament was claiming the restoration of Soviet Union. Putin was totally against it and totally against the new influence of the Communist Party. So, it happened that Yeltsin won this temporary battle but finally lost the war. The old guard came back and now they are flourishing. Yeltsin and the Yeltsinists, of course, wanted Russia to be a democracy or at least a more democratic state, to be European, but in the end, they lost. There were plotters against Yeltsin, they have been forgiven, amnestied, and they came back and took everything. EUBULLETIN: But, in fact, it was Yeltsin who hand-picked and appointed Putin first as a Prime Minister and as a hair-apparent to replace him as the President of Russia. Landsbergis: I dont know. I may only suppose that Yeltsin was ordered to do it. Maybe it was not his own choice oh, there are candidates, oh, this is the best one I dont think so. But Yeltsin may have been told that if you want to survive, if you want your family not to be dispossessed of all goods and not to be put into jail, then you have to do what we order. And we order you to appoint Putin as the Prime Minister and the next day you leave the politics and transfer all your powers to Putin. It was a deal and Yeltsin was left with all his family possessions, not punished, not prosecuted but for Russia this was the end of all hopes for more democratic, more European Russia. Because this old guard came back and any democracy was forgotten they came to stay forever, but of course, democracy means that nobody is forever. EUBULLETIN: So, is it what you are saying that this has been the situation in which Russia has found itself ever since Putin rose to power? Landsbergis: Yes, and this continues until today. As Khodorkovsky has said recently, that in 1998, when there was a financial crisis in Russia and Russia was going to bankruptcy, Russia was asking for a massive $60 billion aid from the West and was not given that. Khodorkovsky is of the opinion that it was a mistake because if the money had been given, then maybe Yeltsins semi-democracy would have continued. When this crisis went on, the old guard has been accused and together with them the old democracy was blamed for Russias economic quagmire. Then they said: This means democracy, this is a catastrophe for us. Russia is not for democracy and democracy is not for Russia. (laughing) And this is deeply embedded in the minds of people they until now blame democrats for that failure. But maybe the main point that the old KGB or the Communist guard has been making is that the democrats are guilty of the dissolution of Soviet Union. As Putin claims that it was a greatest geopolitical tragedy of 20th century. In Putins view, it was not the WWII, Bolshevik Revolution, or the Nazis all of these were less tragic than the fact that Soviet Union ceased to exist and new countries were given a chance to build themselves into a democracy. Why is this a tragedy? Why is the dissolution of a prison a tragedy? It is a tragedy only for prison guards because they get jobless but not for the prisoners of the former Soviet Union. EUBULLETIN: In this context, what would you say about the average Russian citizens mentality. It does not, generally speaking, seem to be compatible with the Western or European emphasis on democratic values. Talking about the average Russians fascination and admiration of the leader the Tsar the Russian mentality seems to be much closer to some Asian or African societies that are often rigidly hierarchical, not critical of their leader, not questioning their leaders credentials. Landsbergis: Yes, this is Russian tradition and mentality from times of the Tsar who could not be criticized. It was every so often that when discontent among the public, the proletariat at the increasing poverty was growing, always the ministers were guilty, the government was guilty, but never the Tsar. Tsar is good, ministers are bad. It was then exploited by Lenin, by Stalin well, Stalin is good while he executed his ministers, his teams and then people applauded. He was on top and untouchable, even treated as a saint. Maybe about ten years ago, one Orthodox Church claimed they had an icon of Stalin as a saint. I am not sure if you have seen this, you can find it on the Internet, but there are even painted pictures in the headquarters of the ruling party Unified Russia where Putin is shown as a saint. He is going to the people like the Jesus from the desert, around him are little ugly beasts and Putin is walking and bringing on his shoulders a young girl and this girl is Russia. And it is serious when I was shown this picture I said Oh, what a cartoon! but they replied: No, its not a cartoon, it is (an) icon for a new religion! (laughing) Market-stabilizing policies right call, says Premier Li Updated: 2016-02-16 14:11 By Dai Tian(chinadaily.com.cn) Chinese Premier Li Keqiang speaks at the Central Urban Work Conference in Beijing, Dec 22, 2015.[Photo/Xinhua] Policies used to tide over last year's unusual volatility in the stock and exchange market were a right call, said Premier Li Keqiang in his first appearance after the Spring Festival holiday. Those market-stabilizing measures, consisting with international practice, defused some "bombs" over a period of time and warded off systematic financial risk, said Premier Li at an executive meeting of the State Council, according to Xinhua. However, authorities in charge should also draw lessons from the experience, address internal management issues and implement initiatives and take both timely and effective approach, added the Premier. The recent sharp decline in the international equity market has brought new challenges and uncertainties to China's economy, but it is also a test of tenacity, he said. "China's economy has proved stronger and stronger in the time of challenges." A-share market edged down on Monday as trading resumed after the weeklong holiday. The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index slid 0.7 percent to close at 2,746.20 after losing as much as 2.8 percent during early morning trading. Latest statistics showed national unemployment rate rose to 4.99 percent in January after the country expanded the survey from 31 major cities to all prefectural-level cities, said Li, adding that such level is not easy to achieve given that China has a population of more than 1.3 billion. "As long as the labor market remains stable, the economic fundamentals are stable," said Premier, according to Xinhua. Li also urged all departments to be more cautious and efficient. "China's economy has great potentials, as its high savings rate leaves much room for resilience. Once the economic growth shows signs of slipping below the reasonable range, we should take decisive moves when needed." China's GDP grew by 6.9 percent last year, the lowest since 1990, according to the National Bureau of Statistics. New yuan-denominated lending in January jumped 71 percent year-on-year to 2.51 trillion yuan ($385 billion), official data showed on Tuesday. 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Site: waydate From: thomas1969 Date: 2016-01-10 12:06:36 Dear Friend, My name is Dr Thomas Kohler. I am an independent external auditor for the World Bank handling the Foreign Banks Debt Management Office. I have in front of me an abandoned transfer file from the African Development Bank containing details to an escrow account setup in the name of our deceased customer who died in plane crash along with his family. The file shows that have correctly made application to have the funds released to the beneficiary. It is also clearly noted on the file that the beneficiary could not handle the financial commitment required of him. Due to this the funds were pegged and abandoned. As an international independent external auditor i think it is very absurd to abandon ones funds for this simple reason. To tell you the truth i do not believe this to be true and my reason is simply because of the irregularities i noticed while compiling the audit report for the end of the financial year. I have perfected plans to have this funds transferred to you within the next 24hrs. Upon your confirmation i will give you further directives. Email: drthomaskohler@gmail.com Regards, Dr Thomas Kohler Date: Wed, 13 Jan 2016 09:05:04 +0100 From: Dr Thomas Kohler Subject: From Dr. Thomas Kohler Thank you very much for your response to my message at waydate.com I am Dr. Thomas Kohler the Chief Auditor General of African Development bank (ADB) Accra Branch. while compiling the audit report for the end of the financial year in my department, I discovered an abandoned sum of US$7,500,000 (SEVEN MILLION FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND UNITED STATES DOLLARS) in an account that belongs to one of our foreign customer who died with his entire family on July, 2000 in a plane crash that occurred in Paris France. Please confirm the crash on this BBC news link http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/859479.stm Since we got information about his death, we have been expecting his relation to apply for the claim of the money because the bank cannot release it unless somebody applies for it as the next of kin or relation to deceased as indicated in our banking laws. But unfortunately I learnt that his supposed next of kin died alongside with him in the same plane crash, I believe, it is therefore upon this discovery that I personally decided to make this business proposal to you so that the money can be released to you as a next of kin relation or business associate to the deceased since nobody is applying for the claim. I hope you understand what I mean? I don't want this money to go into the bank treasury as unclaimed Fund. The banking law here stipulates that if such money remains unclaimed after the period of 18 years, the money will be transferred into the bank treasury as unclaimed fund. I need you to stand as the sole beneficiary of the fund and for your information it will not pose any problem for the successful transfer of this fund into your bank account as the sole beneficiary. All the arrangement to put claim over this fund has been put in place and directives will be relayed to you as soon you indicate your interest and willingness to assist me in this great opportunity. My request of a foreigner in this business is occasioned by the fact that the late customer was a foreigner and a Ghanaian cannot stand the sole beneficiary to a foreigner. I think you understand my points? I agree that 40% of this money will be for you as respect of your assistance, 10% will be set aside for any expenses during the transaction and 50% will be for me and my family. Thereafter, I will visit your country for the sharing of the money according to the percentage indicated. Upon receipt of your reply and contacts information's, I will send to you an email containing the Letter of Application that you will fill, sign and send to the bank for approval. I will not fail to bring to your notice that this transaction will be carried out under a legitimate arrangement, so you should not entertain any fear as all required arrangements have been made for the transfer and I'm always here to back you up with every information needed. Please I need your urgent response as soon as possible with assurance that you will not betray me when the money is transferred to you. Please if you have any question regarding to this transaction feel free to ask me and I will clarify you. Regards Dr. Thomas Kohler. Date: Thu, 14 Jan 2016 13:24:49 +0100 From: Dr Thomas Kohler Subject: Application Letter. Dear How are you doing today? I hope you are doing great and in good heath? Thank you for your response and information's you sent to me, I am happy to inform you that I have just finished replacing of your names and information's in the bank today to make you the true next of kin to our diseased customer late Mr. Andrew Bell which have been done today on your behalf, as I am writing to you right now you are the sole beneficiary/next of kin to the deposited amount US$7,500,000 USD. I'm very glad to have you as my partner with the hope that you will stick to my instructions, guidelines and never betray me when the money is transferred to you? if you must know, am still single 44 years of age and I believe to get married some day and make my own family, therefore, I don't want to lose the opportunity of getting this funds transferred for our use and benefit. I hope you understand what I mean? Actually, as the external independent auditor of the bank, I want to assure you that we will have a very successful and legal transaction which is safe and risk free. The money will be transferred to your bank account as your inheritance and after that me and you will share the money as indicated earlier in the percentage. I have every information concerning the account of Late Mr Andrew Bell here in my office which will be used to substantiate our claims. All I require is your consent and honest co-operation to enable the transfer of the money into your account successfully and after the successful transfer of the money to your account I will come over to your country for the sharing of the money and celebration. I would like us to start the application of the fund $7,500,000 Million USD, as soon as possible before it gets confiscated by the bank as unclaimed fund. Therefore, find the attached Application Letter which you will fill out, sign and send the bank email address for approval. The Application Letter must be printed out filled and signed before sending it to the bank for approval. attached below is the APPLICATION FORM which you will fill sign and send to the bank for the Approval of the total funds, I hope you understand what I mean? My friend Kat, I want to assure you that this transaction will be executed under legitimate arrangement that will protect you against any Law both here and in your country, therefore, do not be afraid or entertain any fear about this deal it is 100% risk free. I advise after filling and signing of Letter you forward it to me for confirmation before you send it to the Bank. There will be no mistakes my friend because if it happens to be any mistake during the Application of the fund the bank will not approve it. Ask questions and I will give you all the information and guidelines. After filling the Application Letter, you will forward it to the following bank email address (adb.info@accountant.com) or (customerscare@columnist.com) Telephone number Tell: +233302662818 I advise you to communicate to the bank by email so there will be no much question, if any question is send to you via email by the bank do not answer or reply to the bank without informing me for guideline and directions. I hope to hear from you as soon as you fill the Application Letter attached. Best Regards Dr. Thomas Kohler. From: "info adb" Date: Sat, 16 Jan 2016 10:32:56 +0100 Subject: OFFICIAL QUESTIONNAIRE FORM A. (ADB BANK ACCRA BRANCH) FROM THE DESK OF AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT BANK GROUP (ADB) FOREIGN OPERATIONAL DEPARTMENT OFFICE NO.2 HIGH STREET ACCRA CENTRAL P.O BOX 2117 ACCRA GHANA WEST AFRICA TELEPHONE +233302662818 ATTENTION: . FOLLOWING SUBMISSION OF YOUR APPLICATION FORM TO THIS NOBLE BANK, PUTTING CLAIM OVER THE TOTAL FUNDS US$ 7,500.000 MILLION UNITED STATE DOLLARS LEFT OVER BY OUR DECEASED CUSTOMER LATE MR. ANDREW BELL. YOUR APPLICATION LETTER AS NEXT OF KIN/RELATIVE TO LATE MR. ANDREW BELL WAS RECEIVED AND ALL THE CONTENTS ARE WELL NOTED AND UNDERSTOOD. HOWEVER. THE MANAGEMENT OF THIS NOBLE BANK HAS DECIDED AFTER THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING TO SEND YOU BANK OFFICIAL DOCUMENT CALLED QUESTIONNAIRE FORM A, IT IS ATTACHED TO THIS MESSAGE BELOW. YOU ARE HEREBY ADVISED BY THE MANAGEMENTS OF THIS BANK TO ANSWER THE QUESTIONS IN THE FORM CORRECTLY SIGN AND RETURN IT BACK TO THIS OFFICE FOR VERIFICATION AND APPROVAL. IMMEDIATELY WE RECEIVE THE QUESTIONNAIRE FORM AND AFTER THE VERIFICATIONS IF THE ANSWERS ARE ACCURATE THE FOREIGN REMITTANCE DEPARTMENT WILL COMMENCE THE RELEASE AND TRANSFER OF THE TOTAL FUNDS INTO YOUR NOMINATED BANK ACCOUNT IN UNDER 24 HOURS VIA SWIFT TELEX TRANSFER DIRECTLY TO YOUR BANK ACCOUNT. WE SINCERELY APOLOGIES FOR THE INCONVENIENCES DR. LAMBA SAMBUDU FOREIGN OPERATIONAL DIRECTOR AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT BANK (ADB) ACCRA BRANCH Date: Sat, 16 Jan 2016 19:05:41 +0100 From: Dr Thomas Kohler Subject: Answers about the Questionnaire Form. Dear , Thank you so much for your information, I really appreciate it. I got your message earlier but I was trying to get all the information needed in the Questionnaire Form. Below are the information you will fill in the Questionnaire form the bank sent to you: WHAT IS THE NAME OF THE DECEASED CUSTOMER? Mr. Andrew Bell WHAT IS HIS NATIONALITY? American WHAT IS YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE DECEASED CUSTOMER? Business Associate (Cousin) HOW OLD WAS HE WHEN HE DIED? He was 57 Years Old WHEN EXACTLY DID HE DIE AND WHAT LED TO HIS DEATH? July, 2000 Plane AF4590 Crash WHAT WAS THE DECEASED CUSTOMERS PROFESSION? Insurance Executive, Royal & Sun Alliance DOES THE DECEASED CUSTOMER OWN A FIRM IN THIS COUNTRY BEFORE HIS DEATH? NO WHAT KIND OF ACCOUNT WAS HE OPERATING WITH THIS BANK? Current Account WHAT WAS HIS ACCOUNT NUMBER? 0641339164 WAS HE/SHE MARRIED? Yes IF YES,WHAT IS THE NAME OF HIS/HER WIFE/HUSBAND? Jean Bell (Aged 55 years) DID THEY HAVE ANY CHILD/CHILDREN? Yes IF YES,HOW MANY WERE THEY,WHAT WERE THEIR SEXES AND WHAT WERE THEIR NAMES? 2 children ( Anthony Bell (male), Rose Bell (female) all died in the same crash) STATE CLEARLY HIS RESIDENT ADDRESS No 3 Green Brook, NJ, United States Above are the correct information required in the form, please make sure you fill it correctly and avoid mistakes because if it happens to be any mistake the bank will not approve the claim. Make sure you fill and sign the form today and return it to the bank. I believe and pray for the approval of this claim because it's where all my hope are now.. Do not forget to sign in your signature the same as you signed on the Application Letter you sent to the bank, please avoid mistake useless error.. I hope to hear from you soon. regards Dr. Thomas Kohler From: "Approval Department Office" Date: Mon, 18 Jan 2016 13:19:23 +0100 Subject: APPROVAL NOTIFICATION OF $7,500.000.00 USD. (ADB BANK ACCRA BRANCH) FROM APPROVAL DEPARTMENT OFFICE (ADB) AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT BANK GHANA NO.2 HIGH STREET ACCRA CENTRAL P.O BOX 2117 ACCRA GHANA WEST AFRICA TELEPHONE +233302662818 ATTENTION: BENEFICIARY CONGRATULATIONS. PLEASE VIEW THE ATTACH DOCUMENT OFFICIAL APPROVAL NOTIFICATION ORDER FOR RELEASE AND TRANSFER OF USD$7,500.000.00 MILLION UNITED STATE DOLLARS INTO YOUR NOMINATED BANK ACCOUNT IN S-PANKKI OY BANK, . THE TRANSFER OF THE ABOVE MENTIONED AMOUNT SHALL COMMENCE IMMEDIATELY THE REQUIREMENTS ARE WELL PRODUCED BY YOU AS THE BENEFICIARY , AS STATED IN THE OFFICIAL APPROVAL DOCUMENT ATTACHED TO THIS MESSAGE BELOW. (1) DEATH CERTIFICATE OF LATE MR. ANDREW BELL TO CONFIRM HIS DATE OFFICIALLY. (2) AFFIDAVIT OF OATH & CLAIM FROM FEDERAL HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE GHANA (3) CERTIFICATE OF LEGALITY & DECLARATION OF FUNDS CERTIFICATE (4) GOVERNMENT MANDATORY CLEARANCE TAX FEES ($4,872.00 DOLLARS ONLY) THIS MANDATORY CHARGES MUST BE PAID BY YOU USING THE SAME IN THE APPLICATION LETTER YOU SENT TO THIS BANK AS . ONCE AGAIN, PLEASE ACCEPT OUR SINCERELY SYMPATHY FOR THE DEATH OF YOUR LATE COUSIN AND ALSO SORRY FOR ANY INCONVENIENCES. PROF DR. JOSEPH ADAMS APPROVAL DIRECTOR AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT BANK (ADB) ACCRA BRANCH Date: Mon, 18 Jan 2016 21:14:59 +0100 From: Dr Thomas Kohler Subject: Contact the bank about the payment method which you will use to pay the tax $4972 dollars. Dear , How are you today? I have been waiting since morning to hear from you concerning this approval. I thank you so much for your information and all your effort so far concerning our success. I'm very happy for the new development and approval of our claim. I have seen what the bank send to you and I would not advise you to come down to Accra in person for some obvious reasons. We have to try all our possible best to make sure we get all that are required for the immediate transfer of our money to your account in . As you know, Mr Andrew Bell died on a plane crash and for that reason there is no Death Certificate issued. We will provide the Death Certificate to the bank but it must be forged by a lawyer who will also assist you in signing off our funds to your account. The 2 other documents (Certificate of Legality and Affidavit of Claim) will also be issued by the Federal High Court of Justice in Ghana through Barrister Emmanuel Katoka Esq. I advise you contact Barrister Emmanuel Katoka requesting those documents as you are directed by the bank. Contact the lawyer and tell him that you need his assistance urgently. Try and get the cost of the Lawyer's service and tell him that your friend who lives in Accra Ghana will pay him for his service to help you issue those documents from high court of justice Ghana. Note that you must not mention my name to the Lawyer or the bank because I still work in the bank and I don't want the lawyer or bank to suspect that I have been the one giving you all the information. I will send one of my friends to the lawyer's office to make the payment on your behalf. The Government Mandatory Clearance Tax Fee payment ($4,872) must be made by you with the same name you use in the Application Letter and have to be paid from bank in . Therefore, I want you to contact the bank and ask them to tell you how the tax $4,872 dollars will be paid to them. but I suggest that you use western union money transfer because it is faster and quick. I don't know how much the Lawyer's service will cost but I will try and borrow the money from my friends because I don't have savings at the moment. I have large family brother and sister 3 girls and 5 boys almost 4 of them are in the University Level and I always struggle to pay their school fees and also feed them because my father and my mother are old. I'm currently facing difficulties and that is reason why I'm desperately in need of this fund. We have only 4 bank working days to provide those documents and also make the payment of the tax to the bank $4,872 dollars, so please make sure you contact the lawyer requesting those documents as soon possible and also attach the Approval Letter from the bank to him for better understanding. Please you don't have to tell anybody about this transaction because I want it to be confidential until the fund is successfully transferred to your account. Please try as much you can to make sure you get the tax $4872 dollars and send it to the bank as soon as possible. contact the bank and demand for a method that you will use to pay the tax to them. I'm very happy for our success so far and I assure you soon we will celebrate together in your country face to face. I hope to hear from you soon. regards Dr. Thomas Kohler Date: Mon, 18 Jan 2016 21:37:58 +0100 From: Dr Thomas Kohler Subject: Copy and send to the lawyer. Dear , I hope you have read my first message? I want you to write to the bank and request an account where you will pay the Government Mandatory tax fee ($4,872) as required by the bank management. Write to the bank and make the request as soon as possible so the you will receive response by tomorrow morning and make sure you get the money ready for the payment before the 4 days given by the bank. Below is the message which you will send to the Lawyer: Katoka Chamber and Associate Barrister Emmanuel Katoka Esq, Email: katoka_chambers@lawyer.com Dear Sir, My Name is from . It's my pleasure to write to your honorable office with recommendation of African Development Bank Accra Ghana Branch. I'm a good costumer of African Development Bank with an on going transaction that requires your legal services urgently. Please I need your kind service in signing of my fund $7,500,000 and providing the 3 documents required by the bank to complete my transaction. Approval given to me by the Bank Management is attached with this mail for the better understanding of your service. The 3 documents required are as follows: (1) Certificate of Legality (2) Affidavit of Claim (3) Death Certificate My Cousin and Business Associate Late Mr Andrew Bell died on plane crash that occurred in the year 2000. For this reason his Death Certificate was not issued which plead with your with honorable office to help me produce (forge) to the bank. I will pay any cost in providing these documents and in appreciation of your good service. The cost of your legal services will be paid through my friend who lives in Accra Ghana. Please I need your service as urgent as possible. I need your urgent response to me with the cost of this service which will be paid to you by my local friend as soon as possible. I thank you so much for your kind cooperation. Your Sincerely Please copy the above Letter on blue text and send to the Lawyer and also attach the Approval Letter the bank sent to you. I will try and pay the Lawyer for the 3 documents. I want you to write to the Bank and request the account where you will pay the Government Mandatory Tax fee $4,872 dollars so that you can make the payment this week. Please make sure you send the Letter to the Lawyer and contact the Bank concerning the payment. I believe before the end of this week our money ($7,500,000) will be transferred to your account successfully as I'm putting every effort to make sure it work out. Note that immediately the money gets into your account, I will visit you in for the sharing of our money and celebration of our success. But before coming to your country, I will clear and delete every history of this transaction out from the bank systems so that there will be no trace of the money. You don't have to worry yourself my friend, just do what you have to do to help for the success of this transaction. I hope to hear from you as soon as you contact the Lawyer and the Bank. Regards Dr. Thomas Kohler From: "katoka chambers" Date: Tue, 19 Jan 2016 13:10:29 +0100 Subject: LEGAL REPRESENTATION AND SERVICE FEE KATOKA CHAMBERS & ASSOCIATES NO. 3 HIGH STREET ACCRA CENTRAL P.O BOX 2118 ACCRA GHANA WEST AFRICA HELLO WE ACKNOWLEDGE THE RECEIPT OF YOUR MESSAGE BY (KATOKA CHAMBERS & ASSOCIATES), YOUR LETTER AND THE CONTENT ARE RECEIVED BY THIS LAW FIRM REQUESTING FOR LEGAL SERVICES ISSUANCE OF DOCUMENTS FROM FEDERAL HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE TO BACK UP YOUR CLAIM OF $7,500.000.00 USD WITH AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT BANK ADB BANK ACCRA BRANCH. THIS LAW CHAMBERS HAVE ASCERTAIN THE COST OF THE DOCUMENTS FROM FEDERAL HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE AND MINISTRY OF INTERNAL AFFAIRS AND THE AUTHENTICATION NOTARIZATION FROM DEPARTMENTS AND OFFICES INVOLVED. THE AUTENTICATION OF PROVISION AND NOTARIZATION OF THE THREE CERTIFICATES FROM THE HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE ATTACHED WITH MINISTRY OF INTERNAL AFFAIRS IN REPUBLIC OF GHANA AND ITS ENDORSEMENTS AT THE LAW COURT TAKE A TOTAL OF TWO WORKING DAYS FROM THE DATE OF ITS FORMAL APPLICATION APPROVAL. IN REGARDS TO THE ABOVE INFORMATIONS GATHERRED PLEASE BE ADVISED AS FOLLOWS: THE AUTHENTICATION PROCESS THE NOTARY STAMPING FROM NOTARY OFFICE AND ITS ENDORSEMENT OF THOSE CERTIFICATES FROM CENTRAL NOTARY DEPARTMENT OF DEATH IN INTERNAL REVENUE OFFICE. IN VIEW OF THE ABOVE AND FROM MY INQUIRES. IT WILL COST $1,580.00 DOLLARS FOR AUTHENTICATION OF (1) CERTIFICATE OF LEGALITY (2) $870.00 DOLLARS FOR SWEARING OF AFFIDAVIT OF OATH AND CLAIM (3) $3,740.00 DOLLARS TO FORGE THE DEATH CERTIFICATE AND REGISTRATION AT CENTRAL NOTARY DEPARTMENT OF DEATH (4) OUR CHAMBERS CONSULTATION FEES $2,200.00 DOLLARS ONLY. TOTAL COST FOR THE ISSUANCE AND OBTAINING OF THE THREE CERTIFICATES IS $8,390,00 DOLLARS ONLY. FURTHERMORE. MY TELEPHONE CONVERSATION AND INVESTIGATION TODAY WITH THE MANAGEMENT OF AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT BANK (ADB) CONFIRMED YOUR INHERITANCE CLAIM WITH THE BANK GENUINE AND AUTHENTIC. I ACCEPTED THAT EVERY DOCUMENT RELATED TO THIS TRANSACTION WILL BE SIGN AND ENDORSE BY THIS LAW FIRM AFTER COMPOSING DRAFTING AUTHENTICATE AND LEGALIZE WITH THE FEDERAL HIGH COURT WHICH WILL BE SIGN BY CHIEF JUDGE OF FEDERAL BEFORE IT BECAMES VALID AND AUTHENTIC. IMMEDIATELY THE ABOVE MENTIONED AMOUNT IS PAID TO FACILITATE THE ISSUANCE AND PROVISION OF THE CERTIFICATES IT WILL BE READY AFTER 2 DAYS WE RECEIVE THE PAYMENT. TO PROCEED THE PROCESSING. YOU WILL BE REQUIRED TO SEND ALL YOUR DATA INFORMATION AS YOU WOULD WANT IT TO APPEAR IN THE LEGAL DOCUMENTS FROM FEDERAL HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE. (1) FULL NAME..................... (2) NATIONALITY.................. (3) DATE OF BIRTH............... (4) YOUR CONTACT ADDRES....... (5) TELEPHONE NUMBERS.......... YOURS SINCERELY IN SERVICE BARRISTER EMMANUEL KATOKA ESQ PRINCIPAL PARTNER KATOKA CHAMBERS & ASSOCIATES. From: adb.approval-office@financier.com Date: Tue, 19 Jan 2016 15:53:14 +0100 Subject: ALTERNATIVES OF PAYMENT (AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT BANK) FROM APPROVAL DEPARTMENT OFFICE (ADB) AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT BANK GHANA NO.2 HIGH STREET ACCRA CENTRAL P.O BOX 2117 ACCRA GHANA WEST AFRICA TELEPHONE +233302662818 ATTENTION: , WE ARE IN RECEIPT OF YOUR LETTER DATED MONDAY 18TH JANUARY 2016 AT 11:57 PM. THE REQUIRED GOVERNMENT MANDATORY CLEARANCE TAX FEES SUM OF $4,872.00 USD. YOU ARE HEREBY ADVISED BY THE MANAGEMENT OF THIS BANK TO DIRECT THE PAYMENT OF $4,872.00 USD TO THE GOVERNMENT TREASURY DEPARTMENT OFFICER WITH THE RECEIVING BANK ACCOUNT DETAILS BELOW: BANK NAME: ACCESS BANK OF GHANA LIMITED ACCOUNT NAME: MICHEAL QUIST ACCOUNT NUMBER: 0041203481191 SWIFT CODE: ABNGGHAC BRANCH: LASHIBI-GHANA NOTE: PAYMENT TO THE ABOVE MENTIONED BANK ACCOUNT WILL TAKE THREE BANK WORKING DAYS TO ARRIVE INTO THE GOVERNMENT TREASURY ACCOUNT. THEREFORE, WE SUGGESTED IN ALTERNATIVE THAT YOU USE WESTERN UNION MONEY TRANSFER WHICH IS EASY AND FASTER IN RECEIVING MONEY WORLD WIDE. WESTERN UNION MONEY TRANSFER IS MORE FASTER IN SENDING AND RECEIVING MONEY INSTANT PAYMENT. BELOW ARE ALSO THE INFORMATIONS OF OUR WESTERN UNION DEPARTMENT OFFICER WHO IS IN CONTROL OF WESTERN UNION DEPARTMENT OF THE BANK, YOU CAN SEND THE TAX $4,872.00 USD THROUGH WESTERN UNION MONEY TRANSFER TO HIS NAME AND ADDRESS BELOW . FIRST NAME: OCHIFE LAST NAME: CHIZOBA MOSES ADDRESS: NO. 2 HIGH STREET ACCRA CENTRAL P.O BOX 2117 TELEPHONE 00233 302 662818 COUNTRY: GHANA CITY: ACCRA ZIP CODE: 023 QUESTION: ANSWER: MOSES HOWEVER, REMEMBER THAT YOU HAVE ONLY THREE DAYS LEFT TO MAKE THE PAYMENT AND PRODUCE THE DOCUMENTS NEEDED FROM HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE. WE HAVE GIVING YOU ALTERNATIVES OF PAYMENT BANK TO BANK TRANSFER OR WESTERN UNION MONEY TRANSFER CHOOSE THE BEST WAY TO MAKE THE PAYMENT IT IS OPTIONAL. YOU ARE TO SCAN THE PAYMENT RECEIPT AND SEND TO THIS OFFICE IMMEDIATELY PAYMENT IS MADE FOR QUICK CONFIRMATION OF YOUR PAYMENT. ONCE AGAIN, SORRY FOR ANY INCONVENIENCES PROF DR. JOSEPH ADAMS APPROVAL DIRECTOR AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT BANK (ADB) ACCRA BRANCH Date: Tue, 19 Jan 2016 17:49:30 +0100 From: Dr Thomas Kohler Subject: Thank you for your contribution and effort. Dear , How are you doing? I have been waiting to hear from you concerning the lawyer service fees. I would like you to know that we don't have much time. Please I would like to know if you have contacted the bank concerning the payment of tax $4872 dollars? My Friend, we don't have much time remaining only 3 days left. Let's try all our possible best to make sure that we provide everything that the bank need to transfer the money into your bank account. I hope you understand what I mean? make sure that you pay the bank tax tomorrow morning and also I want you to contact the lawyer and tell him that your partner in Accra Ghana will come to his office around 10 AM tomorrow to pay him the $8,390 dollars he require for his service fees so that he can issue those documents and submit to the bank on your behalf. However, concerning the lawyer service fees $8,390 dollars, I will send my younger sister to the Lawyers office tomorrow morning to pay him the money $8,390 dollars, I want you to make sure that you contact the bank and pay the tax $4872 dollars tomorrow morning so that our total funds $7,500.000.00 USD will transferred into your bank account this week. You have to understand that I'm trying my best concerning this transaction. As the Auditor of the bank, I did a lot of work before the bank approved the money to you. You are now the sole beneficiary all by my effort and good work. I appreciate your contribution also, but you have to understand that we are team and must work together as a team. I will feel so hurt if we lose this money because I have already suffered a lot concerning this transaction which is my only hope to start a better life with my family brothers and sisters. do you understand what I mean? Please tell me if you have contacted the bank about the payment? and if you have receive any response from them. Please respond to me as soon as possible because we don't have much time to waste. Like I said earlier, I would not want to lose the opportunity of getting the money because it's my only hope of taking care of my family because my salary is not always enough. I hope to hear from you soon. Regards Dr. Thomas Kohler. Date: Wed, 20 Jan 2016 10:10:10 +0100 From: Dr Thomas Kohler Subject: The lawyer service fees. Dear How are you? just to inform you that I have send my Sister to the Lawyer office to pay the $8390 dollars for the three certificates we need. It is really very difficult to raise $8390 dollars. I borrowed a lot of money from my close friends which I used to complete the amount. Barrister Emmanuel Katoka is a well recognize lawyer in Ghana and I believe he will get those certificates ready in 2 days as he said in his message. However, I told my sister to try and obtain receipt of payment from the lawyer to cover the payment of $8390 dollars and I will scan the receipt and send to you immediately my sister return back from the lawyer office. I hope you understand what I mean? Concerning the payment of tax $4872 dollars I want you to think of ways possible to send it to the bank because we don't have much time left. using western union transfer will be very easy and faster to send the tax to the bank, what are you still waiting for? I want you to understand that the bank have their own rules and procedures in this kind of claim? we don't need to delay in responding and providing the requirements to the bank before the specific mandate giving for approved funds to be claim by the beneficiary. you have to use your personal emotional intelligence to understand everything. I also want you to write a letter to the bank tell them that the 3 certificates required to transfer the $7,500.000.00 USD to your account will be submitted to them on Friday 22rd January 2016 by your lawyer Barrister Emmanuel Katoka Esq. try and complete your own duty as I am only waiting for my sister return to send you scan copy of the lawyer payment receipt of his service fees paid today. right now our success in this transaction is in your hand to decide. I hope to hear from you as soon as possible. Regards Dr. Thomas Kohler If you received a similar letter, please ignore it. Do not answer it. If you do, you will end up on more of the mailing lists used by the criminals behind this fraud. Read more.... Southern California Aircraft Spotting (Featuring Long Beach Airport (LGB/KLGB) and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX/KLAX), Gulfstream News, plus Domestic and International Airline News About Me africanelections www.africanelections.org contact us at africanelectionsproject AT gmail.com View my complete profile SAN DIEGO, CA--(Marketwired - February 16, 2016) - Abacus Data Systems, a global provider of fully managed technology solutions that serves legal, financial, and healthcare organizations, announced today the opening of their new headquarters in La Jolla, California. Alessandra Lezama, who took over the leadership role in 2013 bringing with her 16 years of High-Tech Leadership experience, spearheads the company's efforts to deliver One-Stop-Shop Virtual Desktop-as-a-Service (DaaS) offerings, HIPAA and ePHI compliant ready. "Abacus' new 19,000 square feet headquarters is our second office expansion in only 18 months, coming at the heels of incredible growth in 2015, and allows us to expand our core teams to support the larger client base," said Lezama. "With our expansion, I'm excited to announce 80 new jobs in sales, development, engineering, and client services by the end of 2016." The office expansion is in line with an additional data center presence that was added last month to fortify the national network that support Abacus' private cloud offerings. Jerome Fodor, CTO of Abacus, weighs in on the infrastructure investment. "Our private cloud is essential for modern businesses, making their critical data accessible anywhere and completely secure in our network of SOC2 / SSAE16 facilities," explained Fodor. "Our clients live in a dynamic and scalable world, so we'll continue to enlarge our architecture to maintain our full suite of private cloud DaaS services." Additionally, with the expansion news Abacus is unveiling its new corporate logo as part of a transformation to increase awareness and offerings in new markets. "We tasked ourselves with developing a brand identity which speaks to our commitments to quality, technology, and corporate vision," said Eric Cutler, CSMO of Abacus. "In doing so, we re-evaluated the company's visual identity and have created a unique and representative look that aligns well alongside our long-term strategic goals." Story continues Abacus Data Systems new San Diego headquarters is located at 9171 Towne Centre Drive, 92122. For more information about Abacus, visit www.abacuslaw.com. About Abacus Data Systems Abacus Data Systems is a leading provider of business technology products and solutions, serving small enterprise companies worldwide. Abacus gives companies sustainable and predictable performance gains while decreasing operational costs related to managing complex IT infrastructure and data center operations on their own. Headquartered in San Diego, California, and backed by private investment with Providence Equity, Abacus operates three fully redundant data center footprints in the United States specifically engineered to host and safeguard sensitive data, giving its clients robust security and compliance policies with zero capital investment and complete data ownership in a flexible and dynamic environment. About Providence Equity Providence is a premier global asset management firm with $45 billion in assets under management across complementary private equity and credit businesses. Providence pioneered a sector-focused approach to private equity investing with the vision that a dedicated team of industry experts could build exceptional companies of enduring value. Since the firm's inception in 1989, Providence has invested in more than 150 companies and is the leading equity investment firm focused on the media, communications, education and information industries. Providence is headquartered in Providence, Rhode Island, and also has offices in New York, London, Hong Kong, Singapore and New Delhi. TORONTO, ON--(Marketwired - February 16, 2016) - ABC Life Literacy Canada (ABC) launched UPskill on Essential Skills Day in the fall of 2015. Now, in support of UPskill, Great-West Life, London Life and Canada Life have joined the movement to create an enterprise that will advance the literacy and essential skills of all Canadians. Their commitment of $200,000 to UPskill will provide ABC the opportunity to develop and implement resources and tools for businesses to "up-skill" their employees. UPskill is a social enterprise that addresses literacy and essential skills needs as they pertain to business. The nine essential skills are the building blocks for all learning; they are: reading, writing, numeracy, document use, oral communication, working with others, computer use, thinking skills and continuous learning. When essential skills are improved, employees are more capable to meet job demands and are better prepared to assume greater responsibilities. Employees who undergo literacy and essential skills training increase their self-confidence, acquire new skills, are better prepared to seek promotion opportunities and believe they are valued by their workplaces. "We are thrilled Great-West Life, London Life and Canada Life have committed to providing UPskill with the catalytic funding needed for liftoff," said Gillian Mason, President, ABC Life Literacy Canada. "With this support, UPskill will advance business training strategies and ensure literacy and essential skills training is integrated into all levels of job training. The fast pace at which business and technology is changing means that learning no longer happens just in school. It is critical that Canadians have access to literacy and essential skills training and support at work, and UPskill is the vehicle that will make this happen." A recent ABC survey of more than 800 employers found that retaining skilled employees was a pressing concern. Globally, the supply of workers with the appropriate skill set -- technical skills and the literacy and essential skills needed to apply them -- is growing exponentially. To maintain Canada's economic competitiveness on a global scale, it is critical to address the growing skills shortage and invest in literacy and essential skills training. "We've been supporters of ABC and its goals for a fully literate Canadian population for many years," says Dave Johnston, President and Chief Operating Officer, Great-West Life, London Life and Canada Life. "Now ABC is uniting a coalition of exceptional organizations in their own right, providing a high-calibre response to an acute -- if silent -- need in Canadian society and industry. We add our support to ABC's leadership knowing that investments in literacy and essential skills carry over into all facets of personal well-being, and by extension, the well-being of our society." "Forty percent of Canadians do not have the literacy and essential skills they need in order to be successful in the workplace," says Jim Warrington, Board Chair of ABC Life Literacy Canada. "This results in decreased productivity, health and safety concerns, paperwork and document-use problems and leadership needs. To address these growing concerns, it is urgent that Canadian businesses make investment in literacy and essential skills training an immediate and ongoing priority." ABC recognizes that creating change requires a collaborative approach among multi-industry stakeholders to achieve and multiply impact. UPskill has support from over 30 private sector, union and non-profit organizations and stakeholder groups, united in the belief that UPskill is a long overdue and critical workforce initiative. On March 10, ABC and Great-West Life, London Life and Canada Life will formally launch UPskill at an event at Boeing Canada in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Boeing Canada's leadership and investment in literacy and essential skills training is a beacon for business leaders across Canada. Boeing Canada's commitment exemplifies a workplace model that acknowledges the importance of embedding literacy and essential skills training into business culture. About ABC Life Literacy Canada ABC Life Literacy Canada is a non-profit organization that inspires Canadians to increase their literacy skills. We mobilize business, government and communities to support lifelong learning and achieve our goals through leadership in programs, communications and partnerships. ABC Life Literacy Canada envisions a Canada where everyone has the skills they need to live a fully engaged life. For the latest news and information on adult literacy please visit www.abclifeliteracy.ca, follow us on Twitter or join our Facebook page. Visit upskill.ca for information, resources and tools to help make essential skills training a priority in workplaces across Canada. About Great-West Life, London Life and Canada Life Great-West Life, London Life and Canada Life offer a broad portfolio of financial and benefit plan solutions, and serve the financial security needs of more than 12 million people across Canada. Responsible and ethical management is an intrinsic value of the companies and is essential to long-term profitability and value creation. As an Imagine Caring Company supporting the principles of corporate citizenship and benchmarks for community investment established by Imagine Canada, the companies donate a minimum of one per cent of average pre-tax profits to non-profit, charitable and community organizations each year. (Adds quotes, details) By Tim Hepher and Fathin Ungku SINGAPORE, Feb 16 (Reuters) - Qatar Airways threatened to cancel an order for Pratt & Whitney engines for a fleet of Airbus narrow-body jets on Tuesday, saying the newly developed powerplants had "a lot of problems". The Gulf airline has ordered 50 A320neo-family aircraft and was originally due to take the first delivery in December, but rejected the jet due to what it called an engine problem and the first jet went last month to Lufthansa instead. Asked at the Singapore Airshow to describe his concerns, Qatar Airways Chief Executive Akbar Al Baker said: "There are a lot of things wrong with A320neo, with the engines. So we have refused to accept those airplanes. "Let me be very clear: it is not the fault of Airbus. Airbus has delivered all their part, and as you know, no airplane can fly without an engine. And they have huge issues with the engine," he said in a group interview. "I don't want to get into the detail but Qatar Airways will not accept an aircraft with those engines unless they are very much corrected. Otherwise we have no alternative but to look at an alternate engine supply." Pratt & Whitney competes with CFM International, co-owned by General Electric and France's Safran, to supply engines for the narrowbody Airbus jet family. Pratt & Whitney has acknowledged teething problems on the engine but says they do not affect its 15-percent fuel savings. "We will not cancel the A320neo order. Our relations with Airbus are very strong. We have full confidence in the neo programme but yes, we could cancel the entire Pratt & Whitney order," Al Baker told reporters. Al Baker, who has a record of criticising manufacturers at air shows over the airline's exacting quality standards, said engines had been delivered without the desired performance. "According to them, they're on the way to correct these issues, but I have no confidence unless I see it really happen." Asked whether Qatar Airways had set a deadline for the problems to be resolved, he said, "Yes we have given them a deadline...Months". Story continues Pratt & Whitney officials could not immediately be reached for comment. In an interview with Reuters earlier, Pratt & Whitney President Bob Leduc gave further details of two problems which have affected engine startup times and faulty engine software messages, but said these were being resolved. Pratt & Whitney is delivering according to the latest schedule, he said. Airbus and Pratt & Whitney officials said the schedule had been slowed in the first half of the year to ensure a smooth production rampup. Leduc said some 60-65 percent of the 200 Geared Turbofan engines that Pratt intends to build in 2016 would be delivered in the second half of the year. (Editing by Muralikumar Anantharaman and Anshuman Daga) house of cards kevin spacey frank underwood season 2 Saudi Arabia, Russia, Qatar, and Venezuela agreed to freeze oil production at the level of supply produced in January. Most analysts weren't exactly impressed with the news. They argued that this wasn't a game-changer as (1) production from Russia, Qatar, and Venezuela wasn't expected to rise much anyway, and (2) Iran and Iraq weren't involved. But RBC Capital Markets' Helima Croft and her team think that Iran and Iraq's absence actually says a lot. "Saudi Arabia has ... strategically placed the ball back in the court of their regional archrival, Iran, and by extension, Iraq," Croft argued in a recent note to clients. "It almost appears that Saudi Arabia has taken a page from the Frank Underwood (House of Cards) playbook when it comes to managing the cartel relations," she suggested. Frank Underwood is the Machiavellian protagonist of Netflix's hit show "House of Cards." Screen Shot 2016 02 16 at 2.04.16 PM Since the nuclear sanctions have been lifted, Iran is now the one major oil producer gearing up to hike exports this year in the hopes of reaching pre-sanction levels. As for Iraq, the country was one of the biggest contributors to OPEC supply growth in 2015. Notably, in the days leading up to the December OPEC meeting, while de facto leader Saudi Arabia adopted a more conciliatory posture, Iran decided to play hardball. At the time, Bijan Namdar Zangeneh, the Iranian oil minister, ruled out Iran accepting any output restrictions until the country's exports returned to pre-sanctions levels. Since then, Iran has sent mixed signals, including dialing down on the aggressive talk of flooding the zone with its oil in mid-January. But "even when the Iranians have been more conciliatory, they still have blamed the Saudis and their GCC allies for being the architects of the price decline by continuing to flood the market," observed Croft. But now, following Tuesday's announcement, Croft argues: Story continues If the Iranians and Iraqis refuse to get on board with this production freeze, they will likely bear the brunt of cartel criticism for failing to protect the fiscal position of all the members. Today's announced production freeze really carries few political or economic costs for Saudi Arabia, but for Iran, the political and economic calculations are much more complicated. For what it's worth, Zanganeh indicated that his country won't agree to freezing its output at January levels. JUST IN: Iran has no immediate plans to cap oil output, may reduce production once it has returned to pre-sanctions level - DJ CNBC Now (@CNBCnow) February 16, 2016 Additionally, a senior source familiar with Iran's thinking told Reuters that "our situation is totally different to those countries that have been producing at high levels for the past few years." Still, that's not the only thing that's significant about the decision to freeze production. "Today's announcement by select OPEC players and Russia of an agreement to freeze output levels marks the first, albeit mostly symbolic, collective action by sovereign producers in the face of low oil prices," writes Croft. Moreover, "it is an acknowledgment among the oil heavyweights that all is not well, [and] it signals a true potential willingness to be more proactive later in the year," she added. In short, this latest decision to freeze production is more than meets the eye. NOW WATCH: 5 scary things scientists and economists think could happen by 2050 More From Business Insider Why Were Investors Surprised at Intels Fiscal 4Q15 Earnings? (Continued from Prior Part) Intels fiscal 2016 guidance In the previous part of this series, we saw that Intels (INTC) gross margin is expected to improve slightly in fiscal 2016 due to a reduction in depreciation expense. The company has reported a strong guidance of mid-single-digit to high-single-digit revenue growth in fiscal 2016 compared to a 1% YoY (year-over-year) decline in fiscal 2015. Intel has a history of reporting optimistic annual guidance. But many analysts believe this time the company has reported conservative guidance. Many analysts have upped their ratings for the company. But analysts dont expect much upside in the stock price. They do expect a strong upside for Qualcomm (QCOM) stock. Intels guidance history As you can see in the above table, Intels revenue guidance was more optimistic than the actual results in three of the past four years. However, it managed to achieve its other targets related to expense and profits. In its fiscal 2015 earnings, Intel managed to report a gross margin of 62.6%, in line with its guidance of ~62%. Operating expense of $20.1 billion was also in line with the guidance of $20 billion. However, the company missed on its capital spending target of $10 billion. Actual spending was $7.3 billion in fiscal 2015. Factors that would affect fiscal 2016 guidance Improving on its past mistakes, Intel has posted a conservative guidance for fiscal 2016. It expects certain factors to affect its earnings negatively. The Altera acquisition is an expensive deal, equating to more than 7.5 times its 2016 sales. There are many acquisition-related charges associated with it that would lower GAAP (generally accepted accounting principles) earnings. Altera is expected to contribute just above $1.6 billion to Intels revenue in 2016 and post a revenue growth in the mid-teens. However, its contribution to gross margin would be minuscule, as its a small part of Intels business. China (MCHI) is a major PC (personal computer) and mobile market. Economic slowdown in this area would slow growth in fiscal 1Q16. Story continues Even Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (TSM) expect weak growth in fiscal 1Q16 due to uncertainty surrounding the macro environment, especially in China. While Intel has been missing revenue guidance, it has also been underestimating competition in technology. Well shed more light on this in the next part of the series. Continue to Next Part Browse this series on Market Realist: SYDNEY, Feb 16 (Reuters) - Australian ports and rail giant Asciano Ltd formally dumped an A$8.9 billion ($6.4 billion) buyout from Canada's Brookfield Asset Management Inc after it failed to match a higher offer from local rival Qube Holdings Ltd. In a statement on Tuesday, Asciano said that after giving the Canadian infrastructure investor five days to match a A$9 billion rival approach from locally listed Qube, Brookfield did not front up with a better offer. "The Brookfield bid will now be terminated," the statement said, adding that Asciano has now signed binding sale documents with Qube. ($1 = 1.4013 Australian dollars) (Reporting by Byron Kaye; Editing by Leslie Adler) Saudi Arabia's Oil Minister Ali al-Naimi attends a meeting at the U.S. Center during the World Climate Change Conference 2015 (COP21) at Le Bourget, near Paris, France, December 8, 2015. REUTERS/Jacky Naegelen By Rania El Gamal and Tom Finn DOHA (Reuters) - Top oil exporters Russia and Saudi Arabia agreed on Tuesday to freeze output levels but said the deal was contingent on other producers joining in - a major sticking point with Iran absent from the talks and determined to raise production. The Saudi, Russian, Qatari and Venezuelan oil ministers announced the proposal after a previously undisclosed meeting in Doha. It could become the first joint OPEC and non-OPEC deal in 15 years, aimed at tackling a growing oversupply of crude and helping prices recover from their lowest in over a decade. Saudi Oil Minister Ali al-Naimi said freezing production at January levels - near record highs - was an adequate measure and he hoped other producers would adopt the plan. Venezuelan Oil Minister Eulogio Del Pino said more talks would take place with Iran and Iraq on Wednesday in Tehran. "The reason we agreed to a potential freeze of production is simple: it is the beginning of a process which we will assess in the next few months and decide if we need other steps to stabilise and improve the market," Naimi told reporters. "We don't want significant gyrations in prices, we don't want reduction in supply, we want to meet demand, we want a stable oil price. We have to take a step at a time," he said. Oil prices (LCOc1) jumped to $35.55 per barrel after the news about the secret meeting but later pared gains to trade near $33 on concerns that Iran may reject the deal and that even if Tehran agreed it would not help ease the growing global glut. [O/R] OPEC member Iran, Saudi Arabia's regional arch rival, has pledged to steeply increase output in the coming months as it looks to regain market share lost after years of international sanctions, which were lifted in January following a deal with world powers over its nuclear programme. "Our situation is totally different to those countries that have been producing at high levels for the past few years," a senior source familiar with Iran's thinking told Reuters. Story continues Iranian Oil Minister Bijan Zanganeh also indicated Tehran would not agree to freezing its output at January levels, saying the country would not give up its appropriate share of the global oil market. SPECIAL TERMS The fact that output from OPEC kingpin Saudi Arabia and non-OPEC Russia - the world's two top producers and exporters - is near record highs complicates any agreement since Iran is producing at least 1 million barrels per day below its capacity and pre-sanctions levels. However, two non-Iranian sources close to OPEC discussions told Reuters that Iran may be offered special terms as part of the output freeze deal. "Iran is returning to the market and needs to be given a special chance but it also needs to make some calculations," said one source. Russian Deputy Prime Minister Arkady Dvorkovich said freezing output was not a problem for his country as he anyway expected its production to be flat this year versus 2015. An Iraqi oil ministry source said Baghdad was also happy to freeze production if all parties agreed. "The agreement (if successful) should support oil prices but there are reasons to be cautious. Not all OPEC members have signed up to the deal - notably Iran and Iraq. History would also suggest that compliance may be an issue," said Capital Economics' analyst Jason Tuvey. OPEC has been quarrelling for decades over output levels and Russia, which last agreed to cooperate with OPEC back in 2001, never followed through on its pledge and raised exports instead. Also complicating any potential agreement is the geo-political rivalry in the Middle East between Sunni Muslim power Saudi Arabia and Shi'ite Iran. Saudi Arabia and its Gulf allies are fighting proxy conflicts with Russia and Iran in the region, including in Syria and Yemen. In Syria's five-year-old civil war, Riyadh politically and financially backs some rebel groups battling President Bashar al-Assad's government, which has gained the upper hand with the help of Russian warplanes and Iranian-backed Shi'ite militias. RUSSIAN BUDGET The Doha meeting came after more than 18 months of declining oil prices, knocking crude below $30 a barrel for the first time in over a decade from as high as $115 a barrel in mid-2014. The slump was triggered by booming U.S. shale oil output and a decision by Saudi Arabia and its OPEC Gulf allies to raise production to fight for market share and drive higher-cost production out of the market. But although U.S. output has begun to decline and global demand has been robust it has still not been enough to offset booming global production which has led to oil stockpiles rising to record levels. Saudi Arabia has long insisted it would reduce supply only if other OPEC and non-OPEC members agreed, but Russia - the world's biggest oil producer and No.2 exporter - has said it would not join in as its Siberian fields were different from those of OPEC. The mood began to change in January as oil prices fell below $30 per barrel. While Venezuela has been the hardest-hit producer, current oil prices are a fraction of what Russia needs to balance its budget as it heads towards parliamentary elections this year. Saudi finances are also suffering badly, running a $98 billion budget deficit last year, which it seeks to trim this year. But while talking about potential cooperation with OPEC, Russia raised its output to a new record high in January. For a table on OPEC and Russian output, click here "Even if they do freeze production at January levels, you have still got global inventory builds which are going to weigh on prices. So whilst it's a positive step, I don't think it will have a huge impact on supply/demand balances, simply because we were oversupplied in January anyway," said Energy Aspects' analyst Dominic Haywood. (Additional reporting by Alex Lawler, Reem Shamseddine, Ahmad Ghaddar and Amanda Cooper; Writing by Dmitry Zhdannikov; Editing by Dale Hudson and Pravin Char) (Adds regional details) TORONTO, Feb 16 (Reuters) - Sales of existing homes in Canada rebounded in January from December as strong demand in Toronto and Vancouver offset declines in Calgary and Edmonton, a report from the Canadian Real Estate Association showed on Tuesday. The industry group for Canadian real estate agents said sales activity was up 0.5 percent last month from December. Actual sales for January, not seasonally adjusted, rose 8 percent from January 2015. Canada's two largest markets, Toronto and Vancouver, have experienced a long housing boom, leading to concerns about a bubble. A slump in oil prices has cooled markets in Alberta and Saskatchewan, while others have plateaued. "January 2016 picked up where 2015 left off, with single-family homes in the (Greater Toronto Area) and Greater Vancouver in short supply amid strong demand standing in contrast to sidelined home buyers and ample supply in a number of Alberta housing markets," said CREA Chief Economist Gregory Klump. He said a rule change that doubled the minimum down payment for insured mortgages on more expensive homes, to 10 percent from 5 percent on the portion of a property's value between C$500,000 and C$1 million, could cool the market in the months ahead. The change took effect on Monday. "(The change) may shrink the pool of prospective home buyers who qualify for mortgage financing," Klump said. The federal government tightened the mortgage rules in an effort to cool activity in hot markets without slamming on the brakes on those that are already slowing. The CREA report showed the national sales-to-new-listing ratio rose to 59.2 percent in January as the number of new listings fell 4.9 percent. A ratio between 40 percent and 60 percent is consistent with balanced market conditions, with readings above 60 indicating a sellers' market. There were 5.3 months of inventory at the end of January, down from 5.4 months in December and the lowest level of supply in nearly six years, CREA said. Story continues The national average price for homes sold in January was C$470,297 ($339,075), up 17 percent from a year earlier. CREA's home price index, which helps adjust for the outsized increases in Toronto and Vancouver, rose 7.7 percent from January 2015. ($1 = 1.3870 Canadian dollars) (Reporting by Andrea Hopkins; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama and Lisa Von Ahn) Divers and rescue service personnel search for the victims of the deadly car crash in the canal under the E4 highway bridge in Sodertalje, Sweden, February 13, 2016 that left the band members of the indie band Viola Beach and their manager dead (AFP Photo/Johan Nilsson) (TT News Agency/AFP/File) Stockholm (AFP) - Swedish police said Tuesday that they were still trying to find out why the car of British indie band Viola Beach broke through two barriers and plunged off a canal bridge this weekend, killing the musicians and their manager. "We have not found anything that could explain what happened. We do not know," police spokesman Lars Bystrom told AFP. Early Saturday, the car, which one witness said was travelling at around 70 kilometres (40 miles) per hour, drove through several signal lights and two barriers towards a canal bridge near Stockholm -- the centre of which was up to let a vessel pass. The four band members and their manager, aged between 20 and 35, died when the car crashed 26 metres (85 feet) into the water. Lorry driver Jonny Alexandersson told the Aftonbladet newspaper that other vehicles were waiting for the bridge to close fully, but the band's car sped towards the bridge "at a crazy speed". Swedish police and bridge operators said that the barriers and signal lights were working normally at the time of the crash. "For the moment we are examining the car, to see if everything functioned properly, including the brakes, and we are examining the bodies of the people that were inside," Bystrom said. When asked what kind of tests police were conducting, Bystrom said authorities were carrying out "routine tests for this kind of accident". Swedish public broadcaster SVT reported that the crew of the vessel for which the bridge had been lifted said they saw something fall into the water but were given the green light. Police told AFP they were looking into the claims. The band, who last year released a debut single, had been in Sweden for a Friday night "Where's the music" festival in the central city of Norrkoping and were headed back to Britain for a gig the following day. John Brennan CIA Director John Brennan told CBS' "60 Minutes" on Sunday that encryption is impeding investigations into ISIS activity. The agency reportedly knew, for example, in the days before the terror attacks in Paris, that the terrorist group ISIS (also known as the Islamic State, ISIL, or Daesh) was "trying to carry out something." But it wasn't sure of the specific nature of the attack. "We knew the system was blinking red," Brennan said. "We knew just in the days before that ISIL was trying to carry out something. But the individuals involved have been able to take advantage of the newly available means of communication that are that are walled off, from law-enforcement officials." Brennan was referring to encrypted communications. Encryption is reportedly hampering efforts to gain insight into possible ISIS plots, allowing communications between operatives like the Paris attackers to slip through the cracks. Those attackers killed 130 people in November in coordinated, simultaneous attacks across the city. And Brennan warned that ISIS is also targeting the US. "That there is a lot that ISIL probably has underway that we don't have obviously full insight into," Brennan said. He called the terrorists' use of encryption "very sophisticated" and said that US intelligence officials have to work harder to identify and stop attacks before they happen. Intelligence agencies have reportedly had some success with this already. "Believe me, intelligence security services have stopped numerous attacks operatives that have been moved from maybe the Iraq to Syria theater into Europe," Brennan said. "They have been stopped and interdicted and arrested and detained and debriefed because of very, very good intelligence." And though ISIS would like to attack the US, it's far from inevitable that they will eventually succeed. "I'm expecting them to try to put in place the operatives, the material or whatever else that they need to do or to incite people to carry out these attacks, clearly," Brennan said. "So I believe that their attempts are inevitable. I don't think their successes necessarily are." Story continues The Paris attacks opened up a debate about encrypted communication. The extent to which the Paris terrorists used encryption and how, specifically, they used it to plot the attacks remains murky. But officials have said that the attackers did use some encrypted apps to hide their activity. Some experts say that giving law enforcement and intelligence agencies a back door into encrypted apps might open up privacy issues for consumers. If police can eavesdrop on encrypted communications, the argument goes, then criminals and repressive governments could find ways to eavesdrop on the people using these apps as well. NOW WATCH: The tragic story of Donald Trumps late brother Fred More From Business Insider BOGOTA, Feb 15 (Reuters) - Colombia's coal output in 2015 fell 3.5 percent from a year ago to 85.5 million tonnes, due to train transport restrictions and closures along the border with Venezuela. The Andean nation, the world's fifth-largest exporter of the fuel, had produced 88.5 million tonnes in 2014. "We are sure that despite the difficulties, the figures show a solid mining industry," Silvana Habib Daza, president of the national mining agency, said in a statement on Monday. The sector struggled last year with court-ordered transport restrictions, including a ban on nocturnal train shipping on the Fenoco railroad, which serves U.S.-based Drummond Co, Glencore PLC's Prodeco unit and Murray Energy's Colombia Natural Resources. A tribunal lifted the ban in November. Closures along the border with neighboring Venezuela forced small producers to use more expensive transport to Colombian ports, rather than using Venezuelan ports closer to their mines. Besides Drummond, Glencore and Murray, the country's coal sector includes Cerrejon, which is jointly owned by BHP Billiton , Anglo American PLC and Glencore. (Reporting by Luis Jaime Acosta, Writing by Julia Symmes Cobb; Editing by Himani Sarkar) TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Feb 16, 2016) - Nutritional High International Inc. (the "Company" or "Nutritional High") (CSE:EAT)(SPLIF) is pleased to announce a number of developments in its efforts to establish a medical marijuana dispensary and extracts and edibles business in Illinois. In this regard, the Company has: Entered into joint-venture agreement (" JV Agreement ") with an Illinois investor group with ties to the medical marijuana industry to build and operate the Company's planned dispensary in Lawrenceville, Illinois (the " Lawrenceville Dispensary "); Been granted conditional approval (" Conditional Approval ") by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (" IDFPR ") to establish the Lawrenceville Dispensary; Commenced renovations at the Lawrenceville Dispensary property; and Entered into an agreement with an Illinois cannabis cultivation and extraction facility to develop a framework under which the extraction facility will manufacture and distribute Nutritional High's oils and edibles in Illinois. David Posner, CEO of Nutritional High commented - "We are very pleased with these significant steps toward establishing our medical cannabis business in Illinois. We have attracted respected partners for both our Lawrenceville Dispensary and our core oils and extraction business. It was always our intention to use the dispensary license as a wedge to enter the extractions and edibles sector of the Illinois market while limiting our capex, and these new relationships are significant steps toward achieving our goals. Mr. Posner continued: "While the Illinois market for medical cannabis is still in its infancy, as the only medical cannabis dispensary within a 100 mile radius, we are excited to move toward opening our facility. As the industry gains legitimacy and support in Illinois, we expect that qualifying conditions will be expanded and we are confident of the long term value proposition of this initiative. We are glad to welcome our new partners and are excited to have their support as we continue to advance the efforts to establish the dispensary in Lawrenceville." Terms of the Joint-Venture Under the terms of the JV Agreement the Illinois investor group will fund up to USD $300,000 of the expenses and working capital required to complete and launch the Lawrenceville Dispensary. In addition, this investor group will provide Nutritional High with a guarantee for half the seller's mortgage of US$250,000 the Lawrenceville Dispensary property previously purchased by the Company. In exchange for its contribution, the investor group shall receive a 50% interest in NH Medicinal Dispensaries Inc. ("NHMD"), the Company's wholly owned subsidiary which holds the Conditional Approval for the Lawrenceville Dispensary, and a 50% interest in Small's Mill Holdings Inc. ("SMHI"), the Company's wholly owned subsidiary which holds the Company's interest in the Dispensary real estate property located in Lawrenceville, IL. The investor group has already made initial advances to fund the Lawrenceville Dispensary renovations and property mortgage payments. The JV is subject to the approval of the IDFPR and the entry into a shareholders agreement. Furthermore, it is contemplated that the investor group will contribute to the management of the Lawrenceville Dispensary and its relationships in the surrounding community will help accelerate the growth and development of the Dispensary. Grant of Conditional Approval by IDFPR and Operations Update The Company is pleased to announce that its wholly owned subsidiary NHMD, has been advised by the IDFPR that it has been awarded Conditional Approval to register the Lawrenceville Dispensary under the Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Pilot Program Act (Illinois) ("CUMCPPA"). The Conditional Approval sets out the requirements that NHMD must fulfill prior to IDFPR approving the registration of the dispensary, which includes completing the renovations and passing the final inspection to the satisfaction of IDFPR. Upon meeting IDFRP's conditions, it is expected that NHMD will be granted a final license to operate the Lawrenceville Dispensary. Extracts and Edibles Relationship in Illinois The Company is pleased to announce that it has entered into an agreement with an Illinois cannabis cultivation and extraction facility to develop a framework under which the extraction facility will manufacture and distribute Nutritional High's oils and edibles in Illinois. The cultivation and extraction facility is licensed with Illinois Department of Agriculture and was amongst the first of the companies to commence commercial cultivation and processing of cannabis products under the CUMCPPA. The Company will develop its business framework with the extraction facility over the next 18 months and will provide updates as this business initiative develops. According to ArcView Market Research, the medical cannabis industry in Illinois is estimated to reach approximately $15.6 million in 2016. It is estimated that approximately 4,400 qualified patients have received permits to purchase cannabis products under the currently-approved conditions, and this figure is expected to increase exponentially as the program develops and additional permitted medical conditions are added to the program. Nutritional High is looking to benefit from this expected growth in furtherance of its singular goal of continuing to add value for shareholders. Nutritional High endeavors to become one of the premier suppliers of industry-leading medical cannabis products in Illinois, with a view of serving the majority of the patients in the southern part of the state. About Nutritional High International Inc. Nutritional High is focused on developing, manufacturing and distributing products and nationally recognized brands in the hemp and marijuana-infused products industries, including edibles and oil extracts for nutritional, medical and adult recreational use. The Company works exclusively through licensed facilities in jurisdictions where such activity is permitted and regulated by state law. For updates on the Company's activities and highlights of the Company's press releases and other media coverage, please follow Nutritional High on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Google+. NEITHER THE CANADIAN SECURITIES EXCHANGE NOR OTC MARKETS GROUP INC, NOR ITS REGULATIONS SERVICES PROVIDER HAVE REVIEWED OR ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE. This news release may contain forward-looking statements and information based on current expectations. These statements should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results. Such statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those implied by such statements. Such statements include submission of the relevant documentation within the required timeframe and to the satisfaction of the relevant regulators, completing the acquisition of the applicable real estate and raising sufficient financing to complete the Company's business strategy. There is no certainty that any of these events will occur. Although such statements are based on management's reasonable assumptions, there can be no assurance that such assumptions will prove to be correct. We assume no responsibility to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances. Company's securities have not been registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act"), or applicable state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold to, or for the account or benefit of, persons in the United States or "U.S. Persons", as such term is defined in Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act, absent registration or an applicable exemption from such registration requirements. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the securities in the United States or any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. Additionally, there are known and unknown risk factors which could cause the Company's actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information contained herein. All forward-looking information herein is qualified in its entirety by this cautionary statement, and the Company disclaims any obligation to revise or update any such forward-looking information or to publicly announce the result of any revisions to any of the forward-looking information contained herein to reflect future results, events or developments, except as required by law. ATHENS, Feb 16 (Reuters) - Cyprus said on Tuesday it was planning a third offshore licensing round for hydrocarbons exploration in the eastern Mediterranean, moves which have triggered opposition from Turkey in the past. Cyprus discovered natural gas offshore in late 2011 in an area close to a sea boundary with Israel, where some of the world's largest natural gas discoveries have been made in the past decade. "Cabinet today decided to move ahead with a third licensing round ... it authorised the energy minister to submit the relevant proposals to implement the proposal the soonest possible," government spokesman Nikos Christodoulides told journalists. Cyprus's attempts to tap offshore reserves have previously been a source of friction with Turkey, which supports a breakaway Turkish Cypriot state in northern Cyprus. The island was split in a Turkish invasion in 1974 after a brief Greek Cypriot coup, and Turkey does not recognise the Cypriot government conducting the licensing rounds. Cyprus has 13 offshore licensing blocks, five of which are already licensed to Italy's ENI, France's Total and a consortium comprised of Noble Energy, BG International and Israel's Delek Drilling and Avner. (Writing By Michele Kambas, editing by David Evans) ATLANTA, GA--(Marketwired - Feb 16, 2016) - Dominovas Energy Corporation (OTCQB: DNRG) announces an agreement of principal terms to acquire Grupo Trebol Holding, based in Guatemala City, Guatemala. Grupo Trebol is a private global energy solutions company with operations and strategic partnerships throughout Central and South America. Grupo Trebol operates with minimal debt and more than ~US$2.5 million in verifiable assets, generating a number exceeding US$1 million in net operating profits with ~US$5 million in annual revenue. According to Dominovas Energy Chairman and CEO Neal Allen, "The acquisition of Grupo Trebol by Dominovas Energy will leverage a deeper suite of energy solutions for implementation across targeted global emerging markets, including Latin America". Senior Vice President of Finance and Investments Eric Fresh added, "The acquisition of Grupo Trebol catapults Dominovas Energy from a 'pre-revenue' company to an enterprise with a positive cash flow. With this acquisition, Dominovas Energy has dramatically accelerated its goal to achieve net operating profits, which previously was set to commence in the next 9 - 12 months. The Company now realizes immediate impact to its bottom line, while simultaneously and significantly bolstering its asset profile." Dominovas Energy COO Michael Watkins commented, "Using innovation for the generation, distribution and transmission of electricity, our combined corporate business models will serve as force-multipliers in supporting long-term growth within specific energy solution verticals. Dominovas Energy encourages growth through the replication and optimization of micro-grids using our proprietary RUBICON, alongside other complementary and synergistic technologies such as Hydro and bio-mass, for the efficient delivery of power to governmental, industrial, and commercial customers worldwide." "Guatemala, considered by many to be the 'jewel' of Latin America, is a model of efficient and balanced electricity production and distribution," lauded Allen. "Guatemala operates with a government mandated and planned mix of Hydro, bio-mass, solar and geo-thermal energy systems generating approximately 4000MWs of power with only 1500MWs being consumed in-country. Guatemala is an example of a nation that utilizes its natural resources and leadership to allow for profitable "net production and export" of electricity to El Salvador, Nicaragua and Panama. Even with this export of electricity, Guatemala continues to efficiently and effectively serve the needs of its citizens". Grupo Trebol CEO and a Principal Mario Aguiluz agrees the synergies of the two companies make for a joining of forces that accelerate the goals and objectives of each. "Trebol is at the forefront of a paradigm shift and its cutting edge approach to engaging the multiple market opportunities within Guatemala has allowed for our company's strong growth and profitable market penetration. Now falling under the umbrella of Dominovas Energy Corporation, the Company's technical prowess and access to billions of dollars in project finance will allow this division to flourish relatively uninhibited of the financial constraints we have worked through previously." About Dominovas Energy Corporation (OTCQB: DNRG) Founded in 2005, Dominovas Energy Corporation (DEC) is a publicly traded company, based in Nevada. With its operating headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia, USA, Dominovas Energy Corporation is a leading power solutions provider to emerging markets around the world. DEC employs its proprietary RUBICON Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) technology for deployment in multi-megawatt power generation units worldwide. The worldwide pursuit of clean and efficient production of electricity via Solid Oxide Fuel Cell technology inspired its founders to create an "energy solutions" company. Recognizing that "green" and "alternative energy" markets offer immense potential for growth, Dominovas Energy is aggressively moving to allocate its intellectual and financial capital forthwith, in order to strategically address a green energy solution that is 100% reliable, efficient, and measurably cleaner than GenSets and CCGT. Additionally, unlike wind and solar solutions the RUBICON provides baseload power 24/7/365 days a year. By manufacturing and deploying the RUBICON throughout of the world, Dominovas Energy is committed to creating shareholder value by not only generating guaranteed revenue streams, but also by increasing the value of "human and community capital." Devoted to core values by operating under the utmost of honesty and integrity in all its business transactions, Dominovas Energy is additionally dedicated to respecting the rights of all individuals, while acknowledging and respecting all cultures necessary to support the growth and development of the communities and countries in which it operates. The Company strongly believes in the impact this singularly advanced technology will make on the world and is resolute in its mission to provide electricity where and when economically viable. For more information, visit www.dominovasenergy.com. Forward-Looking Statements This press release, as well as other statements made by Dominovas Energy Corporation (the "Company"), contain forward-looking statements that reflect, when made, the Company's current views with respect to current events and financial performance. Such forward-looking statements are subject to many risks, uncertainties and factors relating to the Company's operations and business environment, which may cause the actual results of the Company to be materially different from any future results. All statements that address future operating, financial or business performance or the Company's strategies or expectations are forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements as is applicable would be discussed under captions as follows: "Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in the Company's filings as would be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as required. New risks and uncertainties arise from time to time, and it is impossible for us to predict these events or how they may affect the Company. It should be remembered that the price of the ordinary shares and any income from them can go down as well as up. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events and/or otherwise, except as may be required by law. Donald Trump. If Republican presidential front-runner and business mogul Donald Trump wants to sue Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), over his eligibility to run for president, he's going to have to do so within days. Wait any longer, and it might be too late to matter. In a lengthy Facebook post Trump wrote Monday, the GOP front-runner called Cruz "the single biggest liar Ive ever come across" and "a totally unstable individual." Then Trump threatened to file a lawsuit against Cruz claiming he is ineligible to run for president because he was born in Canada. Legal experts said Trump must act quickly if he's serious. "It could be that Super Tuesday will end the race, and if he doesn't do it before Super Tuesday then the race is effectively over," Adam Winkler, a constitutional law professor at UCLA, told Business Insider. "If he's going to challenge Cruz's eligibility, he should do so soon." Rick Hasen, an election law professor at the University of California at Irvine, agreed, telling Business Insider in an email that, "The longer he waits, the more likely a court would say he's waited too long." ted cruz Although most legal experts believe that Cruz is eligible for the presidency because his mother was a US citizen at the time of his birth, federal courts have never ruled on a presidential candidate's eligibility based on the Constitution's "natural-born" citizen requirement. The potential Trump lawsuit wouldn't be the first challenging the eligibility of a candidate, however. Winkler said Trump will need to prove that he is being "injured" by Cruz being in the race in order to show he has "standing" to sue. He added that courts have ruled that candidates would be injured which would involve losing votes and/or money because of an ineligible candidate. "Because, the argument goes, they would be injured if the other candidate stays on the ballot and takes away votes from them, so it is possible that Donald Trump could sue," he said. "I'm not familiar with any case challenging a candidate on [natural-born citizenship]." Story continues Hasen, the election law professor at the University of California at Irvine, listed some of the previous litigation that set precedent involving "competitive standing." Competitive standing was more broadly described as a candidate or his or her political party having "standing to challenge the inclusion of an allegedly ineligible rival on the ballot, on the theory that doing so hurts the candidates or partys own chances of prevailing in the election," in the 2008 case Hollander v. McCain. All Trump has to do is file the suit in one state or one federal district, Winkler said. That suit would provide guidance for other courts, whether he won or lost. If he lost in one state, such as South Carolina, Winkler said that would likely put the debate over Cruz's eligibility to rest. But should Trump file the suit and win, a snowball effect would take place. "You'd likely see just a wave of lawsuits brought by Trump and possibly other candidates challenging the eligibility," he said. "You might not even have Trump having to bring any other lawsuits. If Trump were to win the first lawsuit, then some secretaries of state might determine on their own that Cruz isn't eligible and leave him off the ballot. That could lead to Ted Cruz having to file suit just to bring him back on." Donald Trump Ted Cruz Hasen told MSNBC the case could progress quickly through the state and federal court system if taken up, based on how urgent the ruling would be. He brought up how fast the Bush v. Gore case went to the Supreme Court after the 2000 election. If Trump were to win the case, Cruz would almost certainly file an appeal of the decision, which could land in the now-eight member Supreme Court shortly after. A split decision would lead to the ruling of the previous court standing. Hasen said Trump would be wise to file the lawsuit in a state or federal district that is more likely to take an "originalist" view of the Constitution a view that was prominently held by Justice Antonin Scalia. Hasen said the Fifth District Court of Appeals, which encompasses Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi, might be a smart place to file the suit. Hasen told Business Insider that, although the issue of Cruz's eligibility is debatable, he believes Cruz would win the case. Winkler said that, since the Supreme Court has never "authoritatively interpreted" the natural-born citizen requirement, all people can do is speculate how the court would rule. "There are good arguments on both sides," he said. "I think at the end of the day, the purpose of that language was to ensure that no one was elected president who had loyalties to another country. I believe that in a close case like Ted Cruz's, that purpose would not be served by keeping him off the ballot." NOW WATCH: This botched intro was the most entertaining moment of the GOP debate More From Business Insider TOKYO - The shake-up in Japan's refining industry, where four of the five biggest refiners are pursuing mergers, will result in the biggest contraction of capacity by a single country and reshape international markets, a Reuters analysis shows. Japan, the world's third-biggest economy, is likely to be left with about 3.2 million barrels per day (bpd) of refining capacity by 2020, the analysis shows, a contraction of about 1.5 million barrels in a little over a decade. Reuters spoke to industry officials, analysts, government officials and suppliers to try to map out the short-term direction of the refining industry, which is in the throes of the biggest merger spree in its history. At 3.92 million bpd, Japan has the world's fifth-biggest oil-refining capacity, including splitters for condensate, an ultra-light crude oil. But, with 23 gasoline stands going out of business every week, there is less and less justification for operating some existing refineries. With domestic oil demand in long-term decline, industry sources told Reuters about 100,000 bpd of capacity, the size of a standard crude distillation unit (CDU) that is the centrepiece of a refinery, will need to be cut every two years. The merger between JX Holdings <5020.T> and TonenGeneral Sekiyu <5012.T> and Idemitsu Kosan's <5019.T> takeover of Showa Shell Sekiyu <5002.T> may also result in refinery shutdowns, according to the Reuters analysis. JX, the country's biggest refiner with seven refineries, may shut one plant located in western Japan to comply with government requirements to tighten excess supplies by March 2017, industry sources said. Because of its size JX is also the most likely company to shut units once it completes the merger with TonenGeneral. JX officials have said there are opportunities to streamline operations in Osaka and near Tokyo where it and TonenGeneral have refineries. Looking longer term, one in three CDUs may be shut by 2030, bringing capacity as low as 2.3 million bpd, the Reuters analysis showed. The following table lists Japan's refineries with the year they started operations in brackets in the first column. The "retain" column lays out the likelihood each unit will be closed or kept in operation. Capacity is in 1,000 bpd. Refineries Capacity Retain Notes JX Nippon Oil Sendai(1971) 145.0 Yes Only refinery in northern Tohoku region. Handles Mideast, Asia-Pac crude Negishi No.1 120.0 No Handles mostly Mideast (1964) crude Negishi 150.0 No Handles mostly Mideast No.4(1964) crude Mizushima-A 140.0 No Handles Mideast, No.3(1961) Asia-Pac crude Mizushima-B 95.2 Yes Handles Mideast, No.2(1961) Asia-Pac crude Mizushima-B No.3 110.0 Yes Handles Mideast, (1961) Asia-Pac crude Mizushima-B(1961 35.0 Yes processes condensate ) Marifu 127.0 No Needle coke output from No.4(1943) coker profitable. Handles Mideast, Asia-Pac crude Oita (1964) 136.0 No Only refinery on Kyushu island. Only JX plant that docks VLCCs. Handles Mideast, Asia-Pac crude Kashima No.1 189.0 Yes Operated jointly with (1970) Mitsubishi Chem, Tepco Kashima 63.5 Yes processes condensate. (1970) Osaka (1971) 115.0 No JV with PetroChina. Handles Mideast, Asia-Pac crude TonenGeneral Kawasaki 180.0 Yes Handles Mideast, West No.2(1960) Africa, Asia-Pac crude Kawasaki No.3 78.0 No Handles Mideast, West (1960) Africa, Asia-Pac crude Sakai No.1(1965) 156.0 Yes Handles Mideast, West Africa, Asia-Pac crude Wakayama 132.0 Yes Export capacity raised. No.3(1941) Handles Mideast, West Africa, Asia-Pac crude Chiba No.1(1968) 152.0 Yes Handles mainly Mideast crude. Idemitsu Kosan Hokkaido 160.0 Yes The only plant in No.1(1973) northern Hokkaido island. Handles mostly Mideast crude Chiba No.2(1963) 200.0 Yes Capacity to be cut by up to 35,000 bpd by March 2017. Handles mainly Saudi crude Aichi No.1(1975) 175.0 Yes Highly efficient export plant. Handles mainly Saudi crude Showa Shell Yokkaichi 100.0 Yes Tie-up with Cosmo at No.2(1958) Yokkaichi complex. Handles mainly Mideast crude Yokkaichi 155.0 Yes Handles mainly Mideast No.3(1958) crude Seibu Yamaguchi 120.0 Yes Handles mostly Mideast (1969) crude Toa Oil 70.0 Yes Handles mostly Mideast Keihin(1955) crude Cosmo Oil Chiba (1963) 100.0 No To be scrapped possibly in mid-2018. Handles mainly Saudi crude Chiba No.2(1963) 120.0 Yes Handles mainly Saudi crude Yokkaichi 63.0 Yes Tie-up with Showa Shell No.5(1943) at Yokkaichi to streamline ops. Yokkaichi 69.0 No One of Cosmo's No.6(1943) Yokkaichi CDUs to be shut by March 2017. Sakai (1968) 100.0 Yes Coker exists. Handles mainly Mideast crude Fuji Oil Sodegaura 143.0 Yes Capacity may be lowered No.2(1968) by March 2017. Used to refine large Iran volumes. Taiyo Oil Shikoku 88.0 Yes Capacity may be lowered No.1(1938) by March 2017. Handles Mideast, Asia-Pac crude Shikoku 30.0 Yes Capacity possibly cut No.2(1938) by March 2017. Handles Mideast, Asia-Pac crude Nansei Sekiyu Nishihara 100.0 No Operations suspended. (1972) To be closed and turned into oil terminal Total capacity: 3,916.7 (Compiled by Osamu Tsukimori; Editing by Aaron Sheldrick and Christian Schmollinger) (Adds details, background) By Wilda Asmarini JAKARTA, Feb 16 (Reuters) - Indonesia will review rules banning exports of partially processed metal ores, including copper and zinc, as the smelters they were intended to develop have not materialized amid low commodity prices, the country's mining minister said Tuesday. Indonesia banned metal ore exports in early 2014 to encourage firms to build smelters to create jobs and shift exports from raw materials to higher-value finished metals. However, the ban cost the country, the world's top nickel ore exporter and a major supplier of bauxite for aluminum, billions of dollars in lost revenue. Since the ban, many of Indonesia's nickel and bauxite miners have shelved smelter projects amid falling commodity prices. Up to seven projects are expected to be completed this year. While the 2014 ban has remained intact for nickel ore and bauxite exports, the government gave producers of partially processed metals known as concentrates until 2017 to continue exports if they paid an export tax and developed domestic processing facilities. Indonesia will this year review the concentrates export ban as part of a revision of the 2009 mining law that led to the export edicts and other regulations, said Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Sudirman Said. "If no review is done, it is almost certain there will be a lot of breaches," Said told reporters. "Articles (in rules) that can't be implemented have no value." "Smelters must be built in three years, and that's while mineral industry prices have dropped. Many mining companies are facing difficulties," Said told reporters. The mineral export rules have been a flashpoint between the government, which is constitutionally bound to maximise returns from resources, and companies including U.S. miners Freeport McMoRan Inc and Newmont Mining Corp. Indonesia's government in January halted copper exports from Freeport's Grasberg mine, only agreeing on Feb. 9 to allow them for a six-month period, because of its unhappiness with the progress on a second smelter at the site. It was not immediately clear if the planned revision of mining rules would ease the ban on nickel ore or bauxite exports. When asked whether the planned revision of the mining law would affect rules on exports of bauxite and nickel, Coal and Minerals Director General Bambang Gatot told the same group of reporters on Tuesday, "Let's see ... If it's not regulated in detail we can make new regulations." (Reporting by Wilda Asmarini, Writing by Fergus Jensen; Editing by Himani Sarkar and Christian Schmollinger) Why Were Investors Surprised at Intels Fiscal 4Q15 Earnings? (Continued from Prior Part) Longer node life So far, weve seen that Intel (INTC) has posted conservative guidance for fiscal 2016 due to macroeconomic weakness. It has also delayed the launch of the 10-nm (nanometer) due to technical complexities that arise with every shrink in the node. As the tick-tock technology cycle slows, its reducing the companys technology advantage over its competitors. Intel versus Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing So far, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (TSM) has been behind Samsung and Intel in introducing smaller nodes. The foundry is ramping up production of 16-nm technology. Looking at the companys technology roadmap, its investing heavily in future nodes. In its fiscal 4Q15 earnings call, TSM president and co-chief executive officer Mark Liu stated that the companys research is progressing on 10-nm, 7-nm, and 5-nm technology, with volume production planned in 2017, 2018, and 2020, respectively. Intel versus AMD Advanced Micro Devices (AMD), Intels only competitor in the server and PC (personal computer) processor market, has been struggling to make its mark in the server space with its 20-nm chips. The company has signed a deal with Samsung (SSNLF) and Global Foundries to produce its chips on 14-nm. Intels Xeon chips are currently being built on the 14-nm node. Intel versus Qualcomm Qualcomm (QCOM), a dominant player in ARM- (Advanced RISC Machines) based mobile chipsets, is looking to diversify into the server space. The company is eyeing China (FXI), which is expected to be the second-largest server market. It has formed a joint venture with the Guizhou Province government for server chip technology licenses. The conflict between the United States and China over IP (intellectual property) stealing has created a challenge for Intel to tap the Chinese server market. The United States blocked $1 billion worth of Intels Xeon orders. Intel has thus started collaborating with Tsinghua University to protect its server market in China. Story continues If Intel doesnt compete in terms of node, it will compete in terms of architecture-driven metrics such as performance/$ and performance/watt. Intel versus Apple Even in terms of architecture, Intel is slowly witnessing an increase in competition. Smartphone giants such as Apple (AAPL), who were once Intels customers, are now becoming its competitors. Apple has started developing processors in-house. AnandTech analyzed Apples latest A9X chips and stated that its processing power and performance are close to that of Intels chips. Continue to Next Part Browse this series on Market Realist: LONDON (Reuters) - OPEC member Iran is willing to discuss a freeze in oil production levels once its own output has reached the pre-sanctions rate, a source familiar with Iranian thinking said on Tuesday, underlining Tehran's reluctance to curb supplies. Top global oil exporters including Russia and Saudi Arabia agreed earlier on Tuesday to freeze output levels to tackle a global glut but said the deal was contingent on other producers joining the pact. "We have not yet reached our level of pre-sanctions production. So when we get there we will be on an equal level, then we can talk," the source said. "Our situation is totally different to those countries that have been producing at high levels for the past few years." (Reporting by OPEC team; Editing by Greg Mahlich) An Iranian Revolutionary Guard speedboat cruises past an oil tanker off the port of Bandar Abbas, Iran, on July 2, 2012, in recent years, Iranian oil exports have fallen from more than 2.2 million barrels per day to about one million (AFP Photo/Atta Kenare) (AFP/File) Tehran (AFP) - Iran is poised to export its first oil shipments to Europe since international economic sanctions were lifted in mid-January, the oil ministry's SHANA news service reported on Monday. It said two million barrels of oil were being pumped aboard a tanker at Kharg Island in the Gulf, bound for French energy giant Total. Another two tankers were preparing to ship a million barrels each to Spain's CEPSA and Lukoil of Russia, SHANA reported. It cited oil terminals official Pirouz Moussavi as saying on Sunday that loading of the tankers would be complete within 24 hours. "For the last four years, no oil has been shipped to Europe because of the unjust sanctions against our country," Moussavi added. In early 2012, the European Union and United States strengthened economic sanctions against Iran because of its controversial nuclear programme, forcing the Islamic republic to halt oil exports to Europe. Since then, Asia -- mainly India and China -- have been the main market for Iranian oil. In recent years, Iranian oil exports have fallen from more than 2.2 million barrels per day to about one million bpd. It currently produces 2.8 million bpd. Iran's nuclear agreement last July with world powers means that now that most of the sanctions have been lifted it can resume oil exports to Europe. Last month, the National Oil Company said it had ordered production to increase by 500,000 bpd -- a move Tehran had long planned once the nuclear deal with world powers took effect. When President Hassan Rouhani visited France in January, a deal was signed with Total to buy 160,000 bpd. Oil Minister Bijan Zanganeh said the contract with Total would take effect from February 16, SHANA said. Oil prices rose on Monday with US benchmark West Texas Intermediate for March delivery climbing 57 cents to $33.01 per barrel from Friday's close. Brent North Sea crude for delivery in April advanced 36 cents to $33.72 a barrel in midday London trade. NAIROBI, Feb 16 (Reuters) - Kenya Airways has selected U.S. investment banking firm PJT Partners to advise on long-term capital-raising and the restructuring of its balance sheet, as it seeks to secure its survival after a long period of losses. The airline has been making losses for the past three and a half years and last year needed a bridging loan to keep flying. The Kenyan government, which holds a 29.8 percent stake, has said the carrier requires a capital injection of $500-$600 million to survive. "We are at a stage where our turnaround strategy is beginning to gain traction," Mbuvi Ngunze, the airline's chief executive said late on Monday. He said PJT Partners, which offers strategy, restructuring and fund-raising services, will work with the carrier over the next six to nine months. The airline, also 26.7 percent owned by Air France KLM , drew down half of its $200 million bridging loan with Cairo-based Afreximbank last year. It is also selling some of its Boeing-made, wide-body aircrafts as well as land to shore up its capital. A series of Islamist militant attacks in Kenya has hurt the country's tourism industry, cutting into the airline's revenue right after it bought expensive, modern airplanes. Its shares ended at 4.30 shillings on Monday, close to a record low of 4.05 shillings. The shares have lost 57 percent of their value in the past year. ($1 = 101.7000 Kenyan shillings) (Reporting by Duncan Miriri; Editing by Edwina Gibbs) WASHINGTON, DC--(Marketwired - February 16, 2016) - Last week, Morocco's King Mohammed VI concluded a week-long trip to southern Morocco during which he presided over the launch of numerous infrastructure projects in Laayoune and Dakhla. There, officials released details of an $8 billion development plan designed to "make the Moroccan Sahara a hub for communication and exchange with sub-Saharan African countries," as promised by the King in November. In Laayoune on February 5, the King launched the construction of a new Phosboucraa fertilizer plant; a new port to facilitate shipments; and the Foum El Oued technology park, or Technopole, which will serve as a platform for research and development and will be the site of the Mohammed VI Polytechnic University. Altogether, the investment, made in part by OCP Group subsidiary Phosboucraa and the Phosboucraa Foundation, amounts to nearly $2 billion and will support a community of thousands. In Dakhla on February 8 and 9, the King presided over the opening of a new fish market; the "Oued Massa" seawater desalination vessel, which can supply 20 liters of drinking water per day per person to 75,000 inhabitants; and the Azura Aquaculture farm, which boasts state-of-the-art facilities for water filtration, phytoplankton production, and spawning and fertilization, as well as a laboratory, a micro-nursery area and a nursery. Regional representatives announced public-private investments to the tune of $3 billion for projects including Dakhla's Atlantic port, the development of aquaculture, a new water desalination plant, expansion of the seafood industry, educational and cultural initiatives, road infrastructure improvements, dam and other water management projects, the healthcare sector, and environmental conservation efforts. Announced by the King in a November speech from Laayoune marking the 40th anniversary of the Green March, the investment is the next step in Morocco's regionalization plan -- which aims to devolve power to local and regional governments. It is also designed to make the Southern Provinces a hub for business in Africa. And, as King Mohammed VI said in November, "by starting to implement advanced regionalization and adopting a development model, Morocco wishes to increase the chances of finding a lasting solution to the artificial dispute over our territorial integrity." "This massive investment is a clear and concrete demonstration of King Mohammed VI's and Morocco's commitment to prosperity and growth for the people of the Moroccan Sahara," said former US Ambassador to Morocco Edward M. Gabriel. "But it's also a key element in Morocco's ongoing efforts to democratize by empowering local populations." The Moroccan American Center for Policy (MACP) is a non-profit organization whose principal mission is to inform opinion makers, government officials, and interested publics in the United States about political and social developments in Morocco and the role being played by the Kingdom of Morocco in broader strategic developments in North Africa, the Mediterranean, and the Middle East. This material is distributed by the Moroccan American Center for Policy on behalf of the Government of Morocco. Additional information is available at the Department of Justice in Washington, DC. Image Available: http://www.marketwire.com/library/MwGo/2016/2/16/11G083121/Images/fertilizer_complex_launch_2-15daaa5609ad952d96d5b7e117c39e99.jpg TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Feb 16, 2016) - Kombat Copper Inc. (TSX VENTURE:KBT) ("Kombat Copper" or the "Company") has signed an addendum to the previously announced Memorandum of Agreement ("MOA") with EBM Mining Namibia (Pty) Ltd. ("EBM") whereby EBM will be Kombat Copper's contractor and will essentially manage the refurbishment of the local infrastructure as well as carry out development and mining of near surface mineralization at the Kombat Mine for a minimum period of three years. Initial production is expected before the end of this year. Kombat Copper is also discussing several other business opportunities associated with the Kombat Mine property with EBM including the stockpiling and distribution of aggregate stone and sand material, important byproducts of the mining operations to be run by EBM, which could potentially be sold to the local market. Another possible opportunity is the reprocessing of tailings at the Kombat Mine, however, further technical test work and studies will be required to determine if this is economically viable. Paul Bozoki, President and CEO of Kombat Copper, commented: "Kombat has an extensive database and significant local infrastructure that will allow for a relatively quick start up of mining and milling operations at the Kombat Mine with our contractor EBM Mining Namibia. The management of EBM Mining Namibia has extensive contract mining experience in Southern Africa and the Company feels that this relationship will be financially beneficial to both parties. This work will no doubt have a ripple effect with positive economic implications in the local region. Kombat Copper shares this positive news with its local partners, Epangelo Mining and Havana Investments in contributing to the economy of Namibia." Commencement of Mining at the Kombat Mine by EBM Mining Namibia EBM is a newly established company in Namibia with offices in Windhoek. Their management team has extensive experience in small-scale mining operations around Southern Africa. Recent projects operated by EBM South Africa have included the profitable retreatment of base metal tailings. Other mining projects in which EBM's management have been closely associated with include: diamonds, fluorspar, tin and precious metals. EBM has a reputation for running efficient operations on a timely and cost effective basis. Initial mining by EBM of near surface mineralization will focus on the Kombat East and Kombat Central areas and EBM will also be assessing the Gross Otavi deposit located 12 kilometers to the west of the Kombat Mine where a historic resource had been defined. The Kombat East and Kombat Central areas have shaft and ramp access, which will allow for a relatively quick start up of operations. Under the agreement, the Kombat mill will be refurbished by EBM to produce both lead and copper concentrates. Kombat Copper through its Namibian subsidiary, Manila Investments (Pty) Ltd, will hold any export permits. Kombat Copper's decision to (i) mine the near surface mineralization on the Kombat East and Kombat Central areas; and (ii) produce any concentrate from such mining and processing is not based on a feasibility study or mineral resource/reserve with demonstrated economic viability. Kombat Copper has decided to put certain areas of the Kombat Mine into production without first establishing mineral resources or mineral reserves, supported by a technical report and/or feasibility study. The Company cautions readers that such production may not be economically feasible and historically such projects have a much higher risk of economic or technical failure. The MOA is structured so that it does not exploit Kombat Copper's core copper resource base located in the Asis West and Asis Far West zones and does not prohibit Kombat Copper from resuming full mining activities on the remainder of the deposit upon completion of technical and engineering studies with respect to mineral resources. It is being structured to provide up front monthly payments to the Company with an attractive profit sharing component in the event the operation is profitable. Additional details on the MOA will be provided upon completion of the definitive agreement, which is expected in the near term. Appointment of Chief Financial Officer Further to the management changes announced in the press release of February 8th, 2016 Kombat Copper is pleased to announce the appointment of Heidi Gerry as Chief Financial Officer. Ms. Gerry is an accredited finance professional (CPA, CMA) with over fifteen years post designation experience in finance and accounting with controller/manager level experience in reporting, budgeting, forecasting and analysis within small to large-scale public organizations. Qualified Person F. W. Nielsen, P.Geo., a director of, and consultant to Kombat Copper, is a "qualified person" as such term is defined in National Instrument 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the technical information and data included in this press release. About Kombat Copper Kombat Copper is a publicly traded Canadian exploration and development company with its core operations focused on copper resources in Namibia, one of the world's most prospective copper regions, where it has substantial assets in place with significant upside. The Company holds an 80% interest in five mining licenses in the Otavi Mountainlands, an area of Namibia particularly known for its high-grade copper deposits. Within these licenses are three past-producing mines including the Company's flagship property, the past-producing Kombat Mine. The Kombat Mine's extensive infrastructure includes an 800 m production shaft which was opened in 2006, two additional recently-operational shafts, three ramp systems, extensive underground workings, mine buildings, a tailings facility, a mill and concentrator. The Kombat Mine opened in 1962 and historically produced 12.46 million tonnes of ore grading 2.62% copper over a period of 45 years. It is linked to vital existing infrastructure, including power, water, roads, and rail with close proximity to the port of Walvis Bay and to one of only five commercial-grade smelters in Africa located in Tsumeb, located 100 road kilometers away from Kombat. Cautionary Notes Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This news release may contain forward-looking statements. These statements include statements regarding the drill program, possible mineralization and deposits, the anticipated timeline regarding future exploration work, availability of results and production, the Company's expectations regarding mineral resources, the Company's expectations regarding entering into a definitive agreement for production of mineralization from the Kombat Mine and potential development work and the Company's plans for the Kombat Mine, including its dewatering and any financial impact. These statements are based on current expectations and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially because of factors discussed in the management discussion and analysis section of our interim and most recent annual financial statements or other reports and filings with the TSX Venture Exchange and applicable Canadian securities regulations. We do not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, except as required by applicable laws. Novo Nordisk Stock Fell 6% after 4Q15 Earnings Release (Continued from Prior Part) Valuation for Novo Nordisk The valuation of a pharma or biotechnology company is subject to the success of its pipeline, having a number of candidates in the late development stage, and the operating efficiency of the company. Novo Nordisk (NVO) is trading at a premium when compared with its peers. The graph above portrays the forward price-to-earnings (or PE) ratio of Novo Nordisk in comparison with peers such as Merck (MRK), Eli Lilly (LLY), and Sanofi (SNY). Relative valuation To value any pharma or biotech company, one must look at multiple industry-specific factors such as the number of late-stage candidates, industry dynamics such as pricing strategy, competitor drugs, and the success rate of the company for drug development. The discounted cash flow (or DCF) method takes into account future cash flows that would be generated by the launch of such pipeline drugs. However, a number of inputs required as a prerequisite make it a difficult valuation technique. Relative valuation, a comparatively easy method for analysis, has the challenge of selecting an appropriate competitor. For relative valuation, well look at Novos peers Merck & Co, Eli Lilly, and Sanofi. Merck, Eli Lilly, and Sanofi were trading at an earnings multiple of 13x, 19x, and 12.79x, respectively, on February 3, 2016. Novo was trading at a PE multiple of 19.7x. All of these companies hold significant market share in the diabetes field. Thus, we have chosen them as peers for comparison. Novos innovative pipeline might be the reason for the premium multiple in comparison to peers. Novos guidance for 2016 In local currency terms, Novo expects 5-9% sales growth. Modern insulin along with Victoza, Tresiba, Xultophy, and Saxenda are expected to be the critical sales drivers during 2016. While providing the outlook, Novo has accounted for the adverse impact followed by US healthcare reforms and fierce competition. Story continues Operating profit would grow by 5-9% in line with sales growth. Further, the company plans to invest 7 billion Danish kroner for manufacturing capacity expansion. The company doesnt expect further significant margin expansion considering the industry dynamics. It is often risky to directly invest in a biotech company, as any news release about the success or failure of its drugs can result in volatility in the stock price. Thus, to remain on a comparatively safer side, investors can choose the PowerShares International Dividend Achievers Portfolio (PID), which holds 0.52% of its total holdings in Novo Nordisk stock. Browse this series on Market Realist: By Jeff Mason RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. (Reuters) - President Barack Obama and leaders from Southeast Asia gathered on Monday for a summit aimed at boosting trade and creating a common stance on the South China Sea in a gathering the White House hopes will solidify U.S. influence in the region. Obama will discuss efforts to curb North Korea and to fight Islamic State militants during the two-day summit with Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) at Sunnylands, a California resort. The meeting, at the same location where Obama once hosted Chinese President Xi Jinping, is designed to demonstrate Washington's commitment both as a counterweight to Beijing and as an eager trading partner with ASEAN nations. It also helps cement a legacy issue for Obama, who has championed a trade and foreign policy pivot to Asia during his presidency and is determined to present the United States as a Pacific power. The Asia Pacific region is increasingly the worlds political and economic center of gravity, White House National Security Adviser Susan Rice told reporters on Monday, noting that U.S. companies have more than doubled investment in the region since 2008. China's role in the region hung over the meeting. Rice said she expected China would support new international sanctions on North Korea for its recent rocket launches. Goals of the two-day gathering include increasing commercial ties, which will be underscored by the presence of several U.S. corporate executives; cooperating on counter-terrorism; and setting principles for maritime security in the region, the White House said. The first day of the summit was scheduled to focus on economic issues and trade, including discussion of the Trans-Pacific Partnership deal, which includes four ASEAN members: Vietnam, Singapore, Brunei and Malaysia. Others are interested in joining, and the White House wants to make sure the pact takes effect. On Tuesday, the leaders will discuss maritime issues, including the South China Sea, where China and several Southeast Asian states have conflicting and overlapping claims. White House officials have said Obama would deliver a tough message to China that disputes over the area must be resolved peacefully and not by bullying. Im ... confident that our shared commitment to upholding these norms will be reinforced," Rice said. The challenge at the summit may be to get all ASEAN countries to agree on a strong statement on the issue. Officials say China has put pressure on countries such as Cambodia and Laos not to sign on. Encouragement from Obama, and a message that the United States will continue to engage with the group, may counteract that. "If the ASEAN leaders feel that the United States is investing in ASEAN ... that would encourage even the weakest, the most susceptible ASEAN states to sign on with their brothers to make these statements," said Ernest Bower, an Asia expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. "No one in Southeast Asia wants the Chinese to run roughshod over their smaller neighbors." (Additional reporting by Roberta Rampton and David Brunnstrom in Washington; Editing by Dan Grebler) By Barani Krishnan NEW YORK (Reuters) - Brent oil fell almost 4 percent on Tuesday, erasing early gains after top producers Russia and Saudi Arabia dashed expectations of an outright supply cut by agreeing only to freeze output if other big exporters joined them. Benchmark Brent prices jumped briefly through $35 a barrel after Russia and Saudi Arabia agreed to keep output at January levels, in what could be the first joint OPEC and non-OPEC deal in 15 years. Qatari energy minister Mohammad bin Saleh al-Sada said the step would help to stabilize the oil market, which has experienced price declines not seen since the early 2000s because of a supply glut. Elsewhere, inventories at the Cushing, Oklahoma delivery point for U.S. crude futures rose by nearly 705,000 barrels during the week to Feb. 12, traders said, citing data issued by market intelligence firm Genscape. Brent (LCOc1) settled down $1.21 at $32.18 a barrel, after rising earlier to $35.55. U.S. crude (CLc1) settled down 40 cents at $29.04, off the day's high of $31.53. Oil prices have fallen by more than 70 percent in the past 20 months, driven down by near-record production both from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and other producers, such as Russia. Tuesday's early rally ran out of steam as investors weighed the chances of an output freeze while Iran remained absent from the talks and determined to raise production. Sources familiar with Iranian thinking on supply said Tehran would be willing to consider a freeze once its production had reached pre-sanctions levels. "I'm adding to the short positions I have in U.S. crude spreads as I only expect price declines from here," said Tariq Zahir at New York's Tyche Capital Advisors. "The output freeze will do nothing to alleviate excess supply." Goldman Sachs, Wall Street's most influential voice in oil trading, was equally bearish on the plan, saying "there remains high uncertainty that it even materializes, in our view." But analysts also cautioned of violent price spikes and market volatility in coming weeks should there be indications of serious production or stockpile declines. On Friday, both Brent and U.S. prices jumped about 12 percent each, rocketing from 12-year lows, on the renewed speculation that OPEC might cut output. (Additional reporting by Amanda Cooper in London; Editing by Marguerita Choy and Chris Reese) kn 08 north korea The Pentagon outlined in a report to congress on Friday that North Korea's mobile intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) are a top threat to the nation, Bloomberg Business reports. According to the Pentagon report, Pyongyang has already developed and deployed six "road-mobile" launchers for the KN-08 missile. Estimations of the missile's range vary, although The Heritage Foundation published in its 2016 Index of US Military Strength that the missiles could have ranges up to 9,000 km. This estimation was echoed by the Pentagon today, Bloomberg notes, as the military believes that the KN-08 would likely be capable of reaching much of the continental United States." The Pentagon did clarify the threat from the KN-08 by saying that "ICBMs are extremely complex systems that require multiple flight tests to identify and correct design or manufacturing defects." And currently, the missile's reliability is likely extremely low due to a lack of testing. But the KN-08 remains the most serious missile threat emanating from the hermit kingdom. kn08 north korea The KN-08 is a road-mobile intercontinental missile, meaning Pyongyang can move the launch system throughout the country. In contrast, other long-range missiles must be fired from stationary launch pads. "It's the relocatable target set that really impedes our ability to find, fix, and finish the threat," Adm. Bill Gortney, the commander of NORAD, told reporters in April 2015. "And as the targets move around and [if we] don't have the persistent stare and persistent [intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance] that we do not have over North Korea at this time, that relocatable nature makes it very difficult for us to counter it." The KN-08 is also different from the Taepodong 3, which North Korea tested earlier in the month. That ballistic missile is nuclear capable with an estimated range of 13,000 kilometers which would place the entire US in range. Story continues north korea missile map The missiles, however, are both unlikely to have the accuracy required for precision targeting on large US cities. And although the Pyongyang may soon develop the capability needed to launch missiles toward the US, it's still possible that it wouldn't be able to evade existing US missile defenses. "Should [a missile] get airborne and come at us, I'm confident we would be able to knock it down," Gortney told reporters. In the face of such a challenge, the US has agreed to deploy the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile system to South Korea. The missile system is able to knock enemy missiles out of the sky, hopefully limiting the utility of any long-range missiles in North Korea's arsenal. NOW WATCH: Meet THAAD: Americas answer to North Korean threats More From Business Insider By Marco Aquino LIMA, Feb 15 (Reuters) - Peruvian exports of liquefied natural gas (LNG), usually nearly 1 million cubic meters per month, have stopped entirely since mid-January when a key pipeline was ruptured, official data showed Monday. The Andean country will likely resume its usual half dozen shipments of between 130,000 and 170,000 cubic meters per month in coming days, said a source with the consortium that produces the gas, led by Argentine energy company Pluspetrol. The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the pipeline leak first stopped exports. Maintenance work at a liquefaction plant later delayed shipments after the pipeline was repaired, the source said. Peru is one of Latin America's biggest LNG exporters and mostly ships LNG to Manzanillo, Mexico. Its last shipment went to Spain on Jan. 16, just before Transportadora de Gas del Peru SA (TgP) reported a new leak in its 560-kilometer natural gas liquids pipeline, data from state energy regulator Perupetro showed. Representatives of Royal Dutch Shell, the company that exports the LNG, and PERU LNG, the consortium that operates the liquefaction plant, could not immediately comment. PERU LNG is controlled by Hunt Oil Co with Shell, SK Corporation and Marubeni holding minority stakes. Last year a leak in the same pipeline forced the government to import liquefied petroleum gas, a fuel made from natural gas and used widely in homes and cars. TgP said on Feb. 2 that the pipeline, which stretches from the Amazon to the Pacific coast, had been fixed and causes of the leak were under investigation. TgP did not respond to requests for comment on Monday. The energy and mines ministry and state energy regulator Perupetro also did not provide comment. The source, who works for the Pluspetrol-led consortium that drills for gas in Peru's abundant Camisea fields, said the company declared force majeure in January. (Reporting by Marco Aquino; Editing by Dan Grebler) By Rujun Shen and Fathin Ungku SINGAPORE (Reuters) - The aviation market is holding up well despite a faltering global economy, with customers finding funds for purchases and taking deliveries of planes, Boeing and Airbus said at the Singapore Airshow. A cloud had settled over the biennial event in the city-state as the ripples from China's economic slowdown and unsettled global financial markets stoked concerns of potential cancellation or deferment of plane orders, especially from fastest-growing Southeast Asia. But planemakers, whose production lines are loaded for rapid growth in deliveries after a recent order boom, defied the industry's growing number of sceptics, saying an unprecedented eight-year expansion in aerospace remains on track, underpinned by a tailwind from low oil prices. "Our market has been growing. It's been very resilient, and our customers are making a lot of money," Randy Tinseth, vice president of marketing for Boeing Commercial Airplanes, told a press conference. The Boeing executive said low oil prices had helped airlines post record profits. The planemaker had not got any requests for deferrals of deliveries from airlines, it said. Airbus sales chief John Leahy also said the planemaker had not been asked for deliveries to be deferred. Their views were echoed by aircraft parts makers. Pratt & Whitney's new chief Robert Leduc, in an interview with Reuters, played down concerns over aircraft demand, saying the engine maker had seen no deferrals or cancellations. The airshow also saw new orders for some planemakers, especially the smaller ones. On Tuesday, Mitsubishi Aircraft Corp, a unit of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd, struck a deal to supply 20 regional jets to U.S. leasing firm Aerolease, its first agreement with a lessor. And ATR, a joint venture between Airbus and Italy's Finmeccanica, signed a $130 million deal to supply five ATR 72-600 aircraft to Singapore-based lessor Avation PLC. "I was concerned that there may be some serious slowdown, and I didn't see it happen," the turboprop planemaker's Chief Executive Patrick de Castelbajac told a media briefing. "It's good to see that the customers are turning up, they are taking deliveries, they are finding the financing," Castelbajac said. NOTE OF CAUTION But no large orders were announced on Tuesday, the first day of the airshow, and some analysts said they were unlikely. Bertrand Grabowski, DVB Bank's global head of aviation, said he sees little appetite for large new orders because low oil prices were a powerful incentive for airlines not to rush to order. Airlines generally tend to order fuel-efficient modern jets to cut costs when oil prices are high. However, the strong balance sheets of airlines, boosted by cheap oil, could also help them to place new orders. Some also sounded a note of caution on the industry. Akbar al-Baker, the CEO of premium middle-eastern airline Qatar Airways, said premium traffic in the industry was dropping. At the airshow, it was not just passenger planes that grabbed the attention. Spy planes - including converted passenger planes and business jets - are on some nations' shopping lists in a region where complex territorial disputes between China and several Southeast Asian nations are fuelling security concerns. Swedish arms firm Saab formally launched a militarised Bombardier business jet, dubbed GlobalEye, after selling the early warning and control system to the United Arab Emirates in November. And Boeing is promoting its P-8 converted 737 passenger jet for maritime surveillance at the air show, Asia's largest. (Additional reporting by Tim Hepher, Anshuman Daga and Siva Govindasamy; Editing by Muralikumar Anantharaman) WARSAW, Feb 16 (Reuters) - Poland's eurosceptic Law and Justice (PiS) government approved an investment plan on Tuesday aimed at maintaining fast economic growth with wages catching up with western Europe within 15 years. Deputy Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki told a news conference that the plan was aimed at boosting industry, innovations and exports. The government said it would have 1 trillion zlotys ($252.58 billion) available to boost investments, a figure that was already criticised by economists as unrealistic. This amount includes almost 500 billion zlotys from European Union funds, expected loans from international institutions and private company investments, the government has said. "The diagnosis is quite good, but how to achieve it is the most difficult element. Answers to the most important questions are inadequate," said Piotr Bielski, a senior economist at BZ WBK, a bank previously headed by Morawiecki. PiS won last October's general election with pledges to spread wealth more evenly and boost Poles' wages. It approved a child benefit scheme, granting 500 zlotys per month for every child from the second one in the family. PiS, which enjoys stable support in public opinion polls despite criticism at home and abroad, plans to also deliver on its other election promises such as lowering the retirement age and raising the ceiling on tax-free income. Economists warn this increased spending may cause Poland fiscal problems but Morawiecki said he hoped the country's deficit would not exceed 3 percent of its gross domestic product (GDP). According to Morawiecki, a former head of Santander's Polish unit, most Poles earn 2,200 zlotys to 2,900 zlotys ($557-$735) per month, while corporate wages stood at 4,100 zlotys in January, according to statistics office data. ($1 = 3.9483 zlotys) (Reporting by Marcin Goclowski and Jakub Iglewski; Editing by Tom Heneghan) Feb 16 (Reuters) - The following are the top stories from selected Canadian newspapers. Reuters has not verified these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy. THE GLOBE AND MAIL ** The University of British Columbia's board of governors has rejected a proposal by faculty and students to sell off investments related to oil, gas and coal, marking the latest blow for a national movement to rid university endowments of their involvement in fossil-fuel industries. (http://bit.ly/20B3tBq) ** British Columbia will introduce new measures to improve the collection of data around real estate transactions, which will then be shared with the Canada Revenue Agency, information Finance Minister Mike de Jong said on Monday. (http://bit.ly/1mEf3hT) NATIONAL POST ** Analysts believe aircraft maker Bombardier could report a significant decline in year-over-year aircraft deliveries and net orders when it releases Q4 results on Wednesday, as it struggles with a weak market for business jets and an ongoing order drought for its CSeries jetliner. (http://bit.ly/1OdEqgE) ** As politicians coast to coast engage in a war of words over the safety of TransCanada Corp's Energy East pipeline, Canada's pipeline industry association is working to build confidence by holding meetings with first responders to drum up more grass-roots support, particularly in Quebec. (http://bit.ly/1Vjr7RR) (Compiled by Vishal Sridhar in Bengaluru) Qatar Airway's Chief Executive Officer, Akbar Al Baker speaks to journalists during a news conference on the second day of the Bahrain Air Show 2016 at Sakhir south of Bahrain, January 22, 2016. REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed By Tim Hepher and Fathin Ungku SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Qatar Airways threatened to cancel an order for Pratt & Whitney (UTX.N) engines for a fleet of Airbus narrow-body jets on Tuesday, saying the newly developed powerplants had "a lot of problems". The Gulf airline has ordered 50 A320neo-family aircraft and was originally due to take the first delivery in December, but rejected the jet due to what it called an engine problem and the first jet went last month to Lufthansa (LHAG.DE) instead. Asked at the Singapore Airshow to describe his concerns, Qatar Airways Chief Executive Akbar Al Baker said: "There are a lot of things wrong with A320neo, with the engines. So we have refused to accept those airplanes. "Let me be very clear: it is not the fault of Airbus. Airbus has delivered all their part, and as you know, no airplane can fly without an engine. And they have huge issues with the engine," he said in a group interview. "I don't want to get into the detail but Qatar Airways will not accept an aircraft with those engines unless they are very much corrected. Otherwise we have no alternative but to look at an alternate engine supply." Pratt & Whitney competes with CFM International, co-owned by General Electric (GE.N) and France's Safran (SAF.PA), to supply engines for the narrowbody Airbus jet family. Pratt & Whitney has acknowledged teething problems on the engine but says they do not affect its 15-percent fuel savings. "We will not cancel the A320neo order. Our relations with Airbus are very strong. We have full confidence in the neo programme but yes, we could cancel the entire Pratt & Whitney order," Al Baker told reporters. Al Baker, who has a record of criticising manufacturers at air shows over the airline's exacting quality standards, said engines had been delivered without the desired performance. "According to them, they're on the way to correct these issues, but I have no confidence unless I see it really happen." Asked whether Qatar Airways had set a deadline for the problems to be resolved, he said, "Yes we have given them a deadline... Months". Story continues Pratt & Whitney officials could not immediately be reached for comment. In an interview with Reuters earlier, Pratt & Whitney President Bob Leduc gave further details of two problems which have affected engine startup times and faulty engine software messages, but said these were being resolved. Pratt & Whitney is delivering according to the latest schedule, he said. Airbus and Pratt & Whitney officials said the schedule had been slowed in the first half of the year to ensure a smooth production ramp-up. Leduc said some 60-65 percent of the 200 Geared Turbofan engines that Pratt intends to build in 2016 would be delivered in the second half of the year. (Editing by Muralikumar Anantharaman and Anshuman Daga) Armed Yemeni tribesmen from the Popular Resistance Committees, supporting forces loyal to Yemen's Saudi-backed President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi, stand next to armoured vehicles west of Marib city (AFP Photo/Abdullah Al-Qadry) (AFP/File) Riyadh (AFP) - Saudi Arabia intercepted a Scud missile fired towards the kingdom by Iran-backed rebels in Yemen, the Riyadh-led coalition fighting the insurgents has said. The official Saudi SPA news agency said the missile was destroyed by the kingdom's air defences at around 2145 (1845 GMT) on Saturday, around 100 kilometres (60 miles) from its border with Yemen. Yemen's Shiite Huthi rebels meanwhile said in a statement on their sabanews.net website that the missile targeted the Abha Regional Airport in southern Saudi Arabia. The missile "precisely hit its target," it said. Saturday's incident is the third time Saudi Arabia says it has shot down a Scud fired from Yemen. On Tuesday, the coalition said that a Saudi Patriot missile had downed a Scud fired from the rebel-held Yemeni capital, Sanaa. Riyadh has deployed Patriots designed to counter tactical ballistic missiles, which have been fired occasionally since March when the coalition began air strikes in support of the Yemeni government after Huthi rebels seized Sanaa and advanced towards second city Aden. In April last year the Saudi defence ministry said coalition strikes had removed threats to the kingdom's security "by destroying heavy weaponry and ballistic missiles" seized by the Yemeni rebels. Vehicle-borne Scud ballistic missiles have a much longer range and more powerful warhead than the rockets and mortar bombs which have struck the kingdom's southern border regions, killing about 90 civilians and soldiers since the coalition intervention began. The United Nations says more than 6,100 people in Yemen have been killed in the conflict since March, about half of them civilians. NEW DELHI (Reuters) - State Bank of India (SBI) launched an initiative on Tuesday to help strengthen business ties between Asia's third-largest economy and Japan, where investors eyeing Indian markets need support in navigating the country's notoriously complex bureaucracy. SBI dedicated Japan desk offers wholesale and retail banking products like rupee funding for Japanese businesses and banks, as well as guidance on Indian companies and regulations. "Whereas Japan has the skill and the capital, India has the skill and the market," SBI Chairman Arundhati Bhattacharya told reporters in New Delhi after launching the initiative. "Japanese companies need special attention to understand the complexities (of markets like India)." Japan is the fourth largest foreign investor in India, and PM Narendra Modi and his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe, who enjoy a close relationship, have made much of the opportunity for both countries as India tries to grow its manufacturing industries. But Japanese firms investing in India face complex and at times baffling regulatory hurdles. India ranked 130th in the World Bank's latest ease of "Doing Business" report of 189 countries, behind fellow emerging markets South Africa, China and Brazil. (Reporting by Tommy Wilkes; Editing by Gopakumar Warrier) Thomas Northcut | Getty Images. Only when Joaquin Garcia was expected to receive an award for his service did people notice that he had not shown up, according to The Guardian. While half the battle of a successful career is showing up, for Joaquin Garcia, not going to work was actually more lucrative. Only when the 69-year-old Spanish civil servant was expected to receive an award for two decades of loyal service did anyone notice that he had not gone to work for at least six years, according to a report by The Guardian. Garcia was employed as an engineer by the municipal water board in Cadiz, Spain, where his job was to supervise a waste water treatment plan. "He was still on the payroll," said the deputy mayor who had hired him, Jorge Blas Fernandez, to The Guardian. "I thought, where is this man? Is he still there? Has he retired? Has he died?" After the former manager of the water board, whose office was across from Garcia, told Fernandez he had not seen his employee for several years, the deputy mayor decided to question Garcia and called him in. "I asked him: What are you doing?" Fernandez said. "What did you do yesterday? And the previous month? He could not answer." A court this week finally slapped Garcia with a fine of 27,000 ($30,000), the most his former employer could legally reclaim, after finding that the engineer did not occupy his office for at least six years and had done no work between 2007 and 2010. In his defense, Garcia told the court that he had gone to the office, although he did concede he may not have kept a regular schedule. He also added that he was the victim of workplace bullying because of his family's socialist politics. Still, Garcia supposedly made the most of the confusion and became an avid reader of philosophy during his time away from work. The Spanish media even dubbed Garcia "el funcionario fantasma" (the phantom official) due to his elusiveness, a title that is now ill-fitting thanks to the significant media attention he has recently received for his attendance record. Read the full report here. More From CNBC Staffing 360 Solutions, Inc. today announced that The JM Group operations will be undergoing its previously announced rebranding. The JM Group's rebranding and new logo design falls in line with Staffing 360's Intelligent Integration strategy.Click here for high-resolution version NEW YORK, NY--(Marketwired - February 16, 2016) - Staffing 360 Solutions, Inc. (STAF), a public company executing a global buy-and-build strategy through the acquisition of staffing organizations with operations in the US and UK, today announced that The JM Group operations will be undergoing its previously announced rebranding. The official rebranding of The JM Group will take place this week, including a refreshment of its website with the new logo. The JM Group's rebranding and new logo design falls in line with Staffing 360's Intelligent Integration strategy. "We are pleased to announce the official rebranding of The JM Group," said Matt Briand, President and CEO of Staffing 360 Solutions. "The JM Group team has proven to be a great addition to quickly growing operations in the United Kingdom, adding over $25 million in annualized revenues. We believe The JM Group's expertise in the IT staffing space will be a fantastic driver of new business and higher margin opportunities." The logo for The JM Group now follows the same layout and design of Staffing 360's other subsidiaries, by adding a strapline below the historical brand, as well as a customized 360 orb, reflecting the unique characteristics of The JM Group. At the same time, the original logo, which customers have come to know over the company's three decades of operations in the UK, remains intact above the strapline. This is a key aspect of Staffing 360's Intelligent Integration approach, as it maintains the strong brand recognition and goodwill The JM Group has gained over the years, while also providing an enhanced logo and stronger connection with the rest of the Staffing 360 family. Founded in 1981, The JM Group has been one of the UK's leading recruitment firms for over three decades and now boasts a run-rate of approximately $25 million in annualized revenue. The JM Group has over 25 employees in its London office who are keen to help individuals find the right job at the right organization. Over 60% of revenue comes from organizations that have been clients for more than 5 years. Two global Fortune 500 companies were the firm's first clients in 1981 and remain clients today. Story continues "The JM Group has been servicing the greater London market for the last 34 years," continued Mr. Briand. "Despite the fact that the branding has evolved with a slight refresh, our steadfast commitment to candidates and clients will remain unchanged. The JM Group will continue to provide qualified professionals to a growing universe of IT and professional clients across the United Kingdom and we are thrilled with our combined future growth opportunities now that the JM Group has become an integral part of Staffing 360 Solutions." To view the refreshed website for The JM Group, which includes the new logo, sector specific news items, job search functionality and more, please visit: www.thejmgroup.com About Staffing 360 Solutions, Inc. Staffing 360 Solutions, Inc. (STAF) is a public company in the staffing sector engaged in the execution of a global buy-and-build strategy through the acquisition of domestic and international staffing organizations with operations in the US and UK. The Company believes the staffing industry offers opportunities for accretive acquisitions that will drive its annual revenues to $300 million. As part of its targeted consolidation model, the Company is pursuing acquisition targets in the finance and accounting, administrative, engineering and IT staffing space. For more information, please visit: www.staffing360solutions.com. Follow Staffing 360 Solutions on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter. Forward-Looking Statements Certain matters discussed within this press release are forward-looking statements including, but not limited to the timing and ability to enter into any additional acquisitions, as well as the size of future revenue. Although Staffing 360 Solutions, Inc. believes the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, it can give no assurance that its expectations will be attained. Specifically, in order for the Company to achieve annualized revenues of $300 million, the Company will need to successfully raise sufficient capital, to consummate additional target acquisitions, successfully integrate any newly acquired companies, organically grow its business, successfully defend current and any potential future litigation, as well as various additional contingencies, many of which are unknown at this time and generally out of the Company's control. The Company can give no assurance that it will be able to achieve these objectives. Staffing 360 Solutions does not undertake any duty to update any statements contained herein (including any forward-looking statements), except as required by law. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from expectations include general industry considerations, regulatory changes, changes in local or national economic conditions and other risks detailed from time to time in Staffing 360 Solutions' reports filed with the SEC, including quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, reports on Form 8-K and annual reports on Form 10-K. Image Available: http://www.marketwire.com/library/MwGo/2016/2/16/11G082953/Images/JM_S360_Logo_RGB_Final-f50e04be716d88a4b26eee95f4244956.jpg * Targets 2016-18 Italy spending of 12 bln euros * To push broadband development, expand in multimedia * 2015 EBITDA falls 20 pct on one-off charges, weak Brazil * Shares fall 5 pct on weaker than expected results (Recasts, adds analyst comments, details throughout) By Agnieszka Flak MILAN, Feb 16 (Reuters) - Telecom Italia plans to step up spending on building out faster fixed and mobile networks in its home market as the government pushes to bring Italy's digital reach up to speed with the rest of Europe and help kick-start a flagging economy. The development of a national ultra-fast broadband network is one of the top priorities of Prime Minister Matteo Renzi, but the former state phone monopoly has long resisted the push, deeming it too expensive. However, as demand for higher-margin broadband services has been on the rise and under pressure from the government, Telecom Italia accelerated its investments at home. Outlining its new plan to 2018, the heavily indebted company said on Tuesday it would spend 12 billion euros ($13.4 billion) in Italy, including 3.6 billion to lay fibre optic cables. The target is 20 percent higher than the sum it had earmarked in its previous three-year plan. "We view today's announcement as an effort to appease the government," Societe Generale analysts said in a note. Telecom Italia, which is regarded as a potential takeover target, said its fibre optic cables would cover 84 percent of the country by 2018, while its 4G mobile network would cover more than 98 percent. The additional spending is expected to stimulate demand and return domestic core earnings to growth from next year in a market where Telecom Italia's traditional fixed-line phone services are losing appeal amid competition from Internet rivals. The renewed focus on Italy comes at a time when the worst economic downturn in decades has weighed on majority-owned Brazilian unit TIM Participacoes SA. The company capped planned spending on upgrading its mobile network in Brazil, where it expects to grow market share and EBITDA margin, at 14 billion reais ($3.5 billion). Story continues Telecom Italia, whose top shareholder last year became French media group Vivendi with a 21.4 percent stake, also said it plans to strengthen its position in multimedia, including in video, music, gaming and publishing. "There is a strong dose of Vivendi influence shaping strategy, not only in Telecom Italia's elevated expectations on high-speed broadband but also in multimedia and convergence," said Jerry Dellis, an analyst at Jefferies. Telecom Italia's shares were down 5.2 percent at 0.83 euros by 1351 GMT after it reported earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) fell 20 percent last year, hit by one-off charges totalling 1.08 billion euros and a further deterioration of its Brazilian business. Analysts said the EBITDA result was slightly below expectations but they welcomed a return to growth in mobile service revenues in Italy in the last quarter of the year. The group said its net debt would fall to below three times EBITDA by the end of 2018. However, the new target is less ambitious than the 2.5 multiple by the end of 2017 which management had forecast in its previous plan. An analyst said it was also less aggressive than the two multiple average target of European peers. The stock is down 25 percent so far this year, making it the worst performer among European telecoms operators. ($1 = 0.8960 euros) ($1 = 4.0168 Brazilian reais) (Additional reporting by Stefano Rebaudo; editing by Greg Mahlich and Susan Thomas) donald trump Real-estate tycoon Donald Trump said Tuesday morning that he was "very seriously" looking at launching a lawsuit to officially disqualify Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) from the presidency. "I'm thinking about it very seriously," Trump said on ABC's "Good Morning America" after host George Stephanopoulos repeatedly pressed him on the subject. "We're looking at it very seriously," he added. "We're thinking about it." The day before, Trump released a raging, nine-paragraph statement threatening to "immediately" sue Cruz unless he "retracted his lies" about Trump's record. Trump claims that Cruz is likely not eligible for the Oval Office because the senator was born in Canada, and the Constitution requires presidents to be "natural-born" citizens. Most legal experts believe that Cruz is eligible for the presidency because his mother was a US citizen at the time of his birth, but the courts have never ruled on the issue. "He was born in Canada. Lawyers many lawyers are saying he doesn't even have the right to run for president. He can't be president because of the fact he was born in Canada, lived there for years," Trump said Tuesday. "I mean, under that theory I guess Winston Churchill could be" president. During his "Good Morning America" interview, the Republican presidential front-runner also repeatedly ripped Cruz for his alleged lies. "I've dealt with many people over my lifetime and I've been very successful and I've dealt with some people a lot tougher than him but I've never dealt with anybody that lied like him," Trump said. He added: But Ted Cruz is a liar. I mean, He really just outright lies. My whole thing is, "Obamacare, we're going to repeal it and replace it." He said I love Obamacare. He said I'm going to keep Obamacare. My whole thing. Every single speech. You've heard numerous of my speeches. He'll say whatever he wants to say. I actually think he's a very unstable person. I really believe that. I think he's a very unstable person. But I've never had somebody take something that you believe in and just say the exact opposite. Story continues For his part, Cruz dismissed Trump's accusations as unfounded. He has sought to group Trump with Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Florida), another presidential candidate who also accuses Cruz of lying about his record. "It really is remarkable," Cruz said Monday when asked about Trump's lawsuit threat on Fox News. "And it's quite odd that both Marco Rubio and Donald Trump respond the same way," Cruz added. "Which is that when anyone points to their actual records, they get very upset and begin screaming, 'Liar, liar, liar.'" NOW WATCH: Donald Trump's 'strange' morning habit tells you everything you need to know about him More From Business Insider Turkish Army vehicles and tanks move near the Syrian border in Suruc on February 23, 2015 (AFP Photo/Ilyas Akengin) (AFP/File) Beirut (AFP) - Turkish forces shelled Kurdish fighters in northern Syria for a third day on Monday but failed to stop their advance, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. The Britain-based monitor said Turkish troops were shelling the road to the west of the town of Tal Rifaat, which has been a key target of a Kurdish-Arab alliance called the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), in Aleppo province. The group said the shelling also targeted the region to the west of the Syrian border town of Azaz. The alliance's advances have angered opposition-backer Turkey, which accuses the Kurdish forces of links to the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party that has waged a decades-long insurgency against the Turkish state. "Fighting has been ongoing since Sunday in the western part of Tal Rifaat between the SDF and rebels," said Observatory director Rami Abdel Rahman. "At least 26 rebels have been killed in the fighting" for the town in recent days, he added. Tal Rifaat is a key remaining bastion of mostly Islamist rebel forces in Aleppo province, where the regime this month launched a major operation backed by Russian warplanes. Simultaneously, the SDF forces have been advancing in the region, seizing the Minnigh air base from rebels, attacking Tal Rifaat and cutting the road leading from the town to Azaz on the Turkish border. On Monday, SDF forces seized the village of Kfarnaya, two kilometres (1.2 miles) south of Tal Rifaat, the Observatory said. The Kurdish advance is a complication for Washington, which has backed the SDF in its fight against the Islamic State group, but has also warned the alliance not to take advantage of the fluid situation in Aleppo by seizing new territory. Former army officer Steelmer Francisco Reyes Giron (R), accused of keeping 11 indigenous women as sex slaves during the country's bloody 36-year civil war, sits during a hearing, in Guatemala City on February 1, 2016 (AFP Photo/Johan Ordonez) (AFP) Guatemala City (AFP) - Two retired soldiers were in court Monday facing charges of murder, forced disappearance, and forcing 11 indigenous women into sexual slavery during Guatemala's 1960-1996 civil war. Prosecutors accuse Esteelmer Reyes, a 59-year-old retired colonel, of "authorizing and consenting for soldiers under his command to exercise sexual violence and inhuman, cruel and degrading treatment against Maya-Q'eqchi' women." His co-accused was Heriberto Valdez, a 74-year-old former soldier. The two allegedly carried out the crimes in 1982 and 1983 in the northeastern town of Sepur Zarco, where the military was deployed. Earlier in the trial, indigenous women with their faces and heads covered told the court of what they had suffered as sexual slaves. Guatemala's 36-year civil war left more than 200,000 people dead or missing, according to the United Nations, which cast most of the responsibility for wartime atrocities and excesses on the government forces. More than 40 percent of Guatemala's population of 16 million is indigenous, and that group was the most affected by human rights violations committed at the time. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell surprised a lot of people when, less than an hour after the death of Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonin Scalia was announced, he declared that his seat shouldnt be filled until a new president is sworn in in 2017. That would leave one of the nine seats on the court vacant for a full year or more, assuming even a relatively rapid confirmation of someone nominated immediately by President Obamas successor. Surprising as it was, McConnells willingness to subject the court to a year of frequent 4-4 deadlocks which could necessitate a re-argument of a case is just another symptom of the overall dysfunction that virtually guarantees Washington will accomplish little or nothing in the next 12 months. Thats because, of the three branches of the federal government, there are now two that appear likely to be be seriously hobbled until 2017. Related: Republicans Gear Up for a Bitter Fight Over Scalias Supreme Court Seat With the Judicial branch in limbo, Speaker of the House Paul Ryan appeared on Fox News Sunday afternoon and said, in effect, that the Legislative branch isnt likely to get much done, either. He suggested that no progress is possible on issues including government spending, the national debt and the federal deficit while President Obama is in office. Ryan laid out a five-point GOP agenda that includes, among other things, tax reform, energy development, regulatory reform, entitlement reform, repealing the Affordable Care Act (of course) and strengthening national security. We don't think the nation's heading in the right direction, and we believe we owe it to our fellow citizens to offer an alternative, he said. If we had a pro-growth economic policy, there is no doubt in my mind that we could get this economy growing faster, people could get better jobs and get a rise in wages, but for our government. Thats why were going to roll an agenda out there and give the country a choice. Story continues Given the broad swathe of policy areas that Ryan wants to address, its inconceivable that there arent some areas of agreement, or at least principled compromise, where the White House and the Republican-controlled Congress could come together and strike a deal. But Ryan didnt even suggest the possibility of seeking common ground. Instead, he jumped straight to 2017. Related: Why Paul Ryans Budget Deal Could Go Down in Flames Youve got to have a president to sign bills into law, he told Fox News host Maria Bartiromo, according to a transcript provided by his office. Thats why you need a new president. Thats why were putting an agenda out there in 2017 showing how we would do that. Weve passed five budgets that specifically show how we would balance the budget, how we would pay off the debt. We can do this, but you have to have a Republican president to do this, and thats the whole point of our agenda. Of course, President Obama has shown a willingness to sign compromise legislation when he gets it, often to the chagrin of his Democratic allies in and out of Congress. What Ryan is essentially saying here is not that progress at least incremental progress is impossible, but that he has no expectation of trying to achieve it. Evidently all that the GOP-controlled House will produce, at least this year, is maximalist GOP placeholder legislation like ACA repeal that gives Republicans everything they want and offers Democrats nothing in return. It also means that American voters who might like to see progress on big issues like immigration reform, tax reform, the federal deficit, and really anything else of significance, also get nothing. Top Reads from The Fiscal Times: KIEV, Feb 16 (Reuters) - Ukraine's biggest party will ask the parliamentary speaker to hold a no confidence vote in the government on Tuesday, its parliamentary leader told reporters, shortly after President Petro Poroshenko suggested the prime minister should resign. Parliament is due to vote on a report that reviews the government's performance in 2015 and its agenda for this year. If the government loses, lawmakers will need 150 signatures in parliament to hold a no confidence vote, which could lead to national elections if the coalition cannot agree on a new cabinet. "I will give these signatures to the parliamentary speaker with the suggestion not to postpone all this (and) today ... to hold the vote of no confidence in the government," party leader Yuriy Lutsenko said. (Reporting by Pavel Polityuk; writing by Matthias Williams) The following factors are likely to influence Malaysian palm oil futures and other vegetable oil markets. FUNDAMENTALS * Malaysian palm oil futures fell nearly 2 percent on Monday after earlier hitting their highest level in nearly two years, weighed down by weaker-than-expected export data. * Chicago soybeans extended gains to one-week highs on Friday, as higher than expected U.S. export sales and the prospect of post-holiday demand in China boosted demand prospects. * U.S. oil prices jumped back above $30 a barrel on Tuesday as news of a rare private meeting of top officials from the world's biggest oil producers spurred speculation of an eventual deal to tackle a deep supply glut. MARKET NEWS * World stocks rose sharply on Monday as China's central bank fixed the yuan at a much stronger rate and oil cemented recent gains, easing fears of global deflation. RELATED > India's target to import GMO-free corn - mission impossible? > Brazil ports' lineup of ships to load soy, corn surges > Egypt rejects U.S. soybean cargoes -traders > European vegoils-Palm oil eases on poor exports and firm dollar > European feeds-Soymeal easier on technical selling in Chicago DATA/EVENTS > Cargo surveyor ITS releases Malaysia's Feb 1-20 palm oil export data on Feb 20. > Cargo surveyor SGS releases Malaysia's Feb 1-20 palm oil export data on Feb 20. * For a table on Malaysian physical palm oil prices, including refined oil, Reuters Terminal users can double click on or type. * To view freight rates from Peninsula Malaysia/Sumatra to China, India, Pakistan and Rotterdam, please key in and press enter, or double click between the brackets. * Reuters Terminal users can see cash and futures edible oil prices by double clicking on the codes in the brackets: To go to the next page in the same chain, hit F12. To go back, hit F11. Palm, soy and crude oil prices at 0033 GMT Contract Month Last Change Low High Volume MY PALM OIL MAR6 0 +0.00 0 0 0 MY PALM OIL APR6 0 +0.00 0 0 0 MY PALM OIL MAY6 0 +0.00 0 0 0 Story continues CHINA PALM OLEIN MAY6 4996 +8.00 4980 5010 185512 CHINA SOYOIL MAY6 5816 -14.00 5802 5832 73656 CBOT SOY OIL MAR6 31.80 -4.50 0.00 0.00 0 INDIA PALM OIL FEB6 480.80 -4.50 470.80 485.00 1953 INDIA SOYOIL FEB6 617.40 -2.15 616.50 620.50 2310 NYMEX CRUDE MAR6 30.86 +1.42 28.95 30.94 139628 Palm oil prices in Malaysian ringgit per tonne CBOT soy oil in U.S. cents per pound Dalian soy oil and RBD palm olein in Chinese yuan per tonne India soy oil in Indian rupee per 10 kg Crude in U.S. dollars per barrel Vegetable oils -- Malaysian palm oil exports -- CBOT soyoil futures -- CBOT soybean futures -- Indian solvent -- Weekly Indian vegetable oils -- Dalian Commodity Exchange -- Dalian soyoil futures -- Dalian refined palm oil futures -- Zhengzhou rapeseed oil -- European edible oil prices/trades -- (Reporting by Joseph Sipalan) * Venture to rank as 2nd-largest telco in the Netherlands * Entity would have had 2015 sales of 4.41 billion euros * Operating profit seen at roughly 1.9 billion (Updates with context on significance for Dutch market, adds dateline) By Toby Sterling AMSTERDAM, Feb 16 (Reuters) - UK mobile phone operator Vodafone Plc and John Malone's cable company Liberty Global Plc agreed on Monday to combine their operations in the Netherlands in a bid to gain a stronger presence in the local market. Vodafone will pay 1 billion euros ($1.1 billion) cash to Liberty to equalize their stakes in the venture, which will rank as the second-largest telecoms company in the Netherlands after former incumbent KPN. It will also create a stronger competitor to smaller players Tele2 and Deutsche Telekom unit T-Mobile. U.S.-based Liberty's Ziggo is by far the largest cable TV operator in the Netherlands, while Vodafone is the second-biggest mobile network operator behind KPN. Vodafone has faced increasing pressure in national markets from former telecoms network monopolies such as Deutsche Telekom, Telefonica, KPN and BT, which are able to sell packages of broadband Internet, TV and mobile telecoms services. In the Netherlands Tele2 is attempting to scale up its operations, while Deutsche Telekom has been attempting to sell T-Mobile to private equity investors and exit the market. Earlier this month, Vodafone said it was in talks with Liberty about the joint venture in the Netherlands, after the companies could not agree on a larger tie-up or exchange of assets last year, a deal that could have covered as many as seven European markets. The Dutch joint entity would have had 2015 sales of 4.41 billion euros and operating profit of roughly 1.9 billion, the companies said. The companies said they would see savings of 280 million euros per year from the fifth year after the closing of the deal, which they expect towards the end of 2016. ($1 = 0.8965 euros) (Additional reporting by Ismail Shakil in Bengaluru; Editing by Dan Grebler and David Holmes) File picture of guests standing next to a Volkswagen logo at the stage of the company at the 16th Shanghai International Automobile Industry Exhibition in Shanghai Guests stand next to a Volkswagen logo at the stage of the company at the 16th Shanghai International Automobile Industry Exhibition in Shanghai, in this April 20, 2015 file picture. REUTERS/Aly Song/Files By Paul Carsten BEIJING (Reuters) - Volkswagen AG (VOWG_p.DE) expects its China sales may rise in line with the overall auto market this year, as it explores potential cooperation with domestic firm JAC Motors in what could be a third partnership with Chinese automakers. The head of the German firm's China business, Jochem Heizmann, told reporters in Beijing that he expected China's total passenger car market will expand in line with, or perhaps even exceed, gross domestic product growth in the world's second-largest economy. "If we look to the general growth situation, it's still tremendous, big growth," Heizmann said, adding that there is potential for expansion in China's lower-tier cities despite the country's economy registering its weakest growth in a quarter century. "These are still cities with millions of inhabitants but in a different development stage," Heizmann said. The executive said VW will stick to existing investment plans for China, investing more than 4 billion euros annually for the coming years. VW's global business has come under increased scrutiny since it admitted last September it misled U.S. regulators about vehicle emissions. Sales in China, a stable source of revenue for VW for years and the carmaker's biggest market, fell 3.4 percent in 2015 before rebounding in January. U.S. rival General Motors Co's (GM.N) vehicle sales in China rose 5.2 percent last year, allowing it to overtake VW to claim the number one spot in the world's largest car market. While confident in VW's existing operations in China, including two tie-ups with domestic automakers, Heizmann said VW is now in early talks with JAC Motors about the potential for cooperation between the pair. Asked whether cooperation with JAC Motors could involve electric vehicles, actively being promoted by China's government as a solution to chronic pollution in the country's large cities, Heizmann said, "We have started talking about potential for cooperation, but no more detailed plans at present." Story continues JAC Motors, based in Hefei city, in the central province of Anhui, is one of China's smaller automakers. VW's existing joint ventures in the country are FAW-Volkswagen, a joint venture with FAW Car Co Ltd , and Shanghai Volkswagen, a joint venture with SAIC Motor Corp Ltd . Overall, Heizmann said, the German automaker plans to increase its Chinese workforce by a third, reaching 120,000 by 2019 from the current staff of 90,000. (Writing by Winni Zhou; Editing by Kenneth Maxwell) Genesee & Wyoming's 4Q15 Earnings: On Track or Derailed? (Continued from Prior Part) GWRs Australian operations Genesee & Wyomings (GWR) Australia operations cover rail freight services in New South Wales, the Northern Territory, and South Australia. The company also operates the 1,400-mile Tarcoola-to-Darwin rail line in Australia. After the Freightliner acquisition, GWR merged Freightliners Australian business into its own Australian operations. Freightliner transported coal and containerized agricultural products in New South Wales. Australian revenues in 4Q15 The revenues from Australian operations declined from $72.4 million in 4Q14 to $55.2 million in 4Q15, a fall of 31.2%. Weakness in the Australian dollar and reduced iron ore revenues of $23.7 million put downward pressure on revenues. However, these were positively impacted by $11.8 million in Freightliner revenues. On a comparative basis, GWRs same railroad Australian revenues declined by 28.8% due to lower shipments of iron ore. Australian revenues fell primarily due to a previous closure of two iron ore mines and the recent closure of a manganese mine in November 2015. Its important to note that GWR served two fewer iron ore mines in Australia in 2015. Management guidance GWR expects its Australian revenues to be $215$225 million for 2016. For 1Q16, it expects $50 million in revenues. The company anticipates Australian revenues to decline approximately 10% year-over-year. It predicts a $42 million impact of the weak Australian dollar and a decline in mining. However, Freightliner Australia and new customers are expected to compensate the revenue loss by $19 million. The company further stated that its remaining iron ore exposure in Australia is a tentative $44 million in revenues for 2016. Investors should note that GWR management has provided a detailed guidance for 1Q16 and full year 2016. Even though GWR is not a Class I railroad, its often compared to other Class I railroads. Among the peer group, Union Pacific (UNP) and Kansas City Southern (KSU) havent yet issued guidance for the current year. Eastern US peers such as CSX (CSX) and Norfolk Southern (NSC) have both issued their 2016 business outlooks. Story continues GWR forms part of the portfolio holding of the First Trust Mid Cap Core AlphaDEX ETF (FNX). FNX invests 0.63% in GWR shares. If you want to invest in Class I railroads, you can invest in the iShares Transportation Average ETF (IYT), which holds 21.7% in Class I railroads. Continue to Next Part Browse this series on Market Realist: Antonin Scalia Conspiracy theories that Justice Antonin Scalia was murdered on Saturday are circling the internet. The predominantly right-wing conspiracy theorists who believe foul play might have been involved point out that Scalia's cause of death has not been officially determined and an autopsy was not ordered. Some note that Scalia, who died at 79, was pronounced dead over the phone and was allegedly found later with a pillow over his head. Others point out that Scalia had declined a security detail for his weekend visit to the Cibolo Creek Ranch in Texas. The theories first began to swirl after John Poindexter, who owns the ranch where Scalia was staying, said he found the jurist under a pillow, although he looked "as if he was taking a nap. " "We discovered the judge in bed, a pillow over his head. His bedclothes were unwrinkled, he told the San Antonio Express-News. Scalia was alone at the time of his death because he had declined a security detail from US marshals, which provide security for Supreme Court justices. GOP presidential front-runner and business mogul Donald Trump is among those who have fanned flames on the theory. "I'm hearing it's a big topic," Trump said in a Monday interview with conservative radio host Michael Savage. "It's a horrible topic but they're saying they found the pillow on his face, which is a pretty unusual place to find a pillow." "I can't give you an answer," he continued. "It's just starting to come out now." antonin scalia Without having seen the body, Presidio County Judge Cinderela Guevara pronounced Scalia dead over the phone and told a Dallas TV station that he died of a "myocardial infarction," known as a heart attack. Later, however, she told The Washington Post she was only aware that his heart had stopped, not that he suffered a heart attack. She then said Scalia underwent an MRI last week and was suffering from multiple conditions. It's allowed in Texas to pronounce a person legally dead without seeing his or her body. Indeed, a US marshal on the scene said it wasn't necessary to observe the body in person, Vox reported, and law enforcement officials made clear to Guevara that no foul play was evident. Story continues A manager at the funeral home Scalia's body was taken to, moreover, told the Post that his family didn't want an autopsy performed a choice that has been heavily scrutinized. "If it had been meI would want to know," Juanita Bishop, a justice of the peace in Presidio, told the Post. Scalia death Supreme Court The former head of criminal investigations for Washington DC police, William O. Ritchie, further fueled the conspiracy in a Facebook post he wrote Sunday, per the Post. As a former homicide commander, I am stunned that no autopsy was ordered for Justice Scalia, he wrote. You have a Supreme Court Justice who died, not in attendance of a physician," he continued. "You have a non-homicide trained US Marshal tell the justice of peace that no foul play was observed. You have a justice of the peace pronounce death while not being on the scene and without any medical training opining that the justice died of a heart attack. What medical proof exists of a myocardial Infarction? Why not a cerebral hemorrhage? "My gut tells me there is something fishy going on in Texas," he added. Ed Whelan, president of the Ethics and Public Policy Center and former clerk for Scalia, called the conspiracy theories "baseless" on Twitter. "To those peddling baseless claim that Scalia might have been murdered: STOP!!! This is poisonous and grossly irresponsible rhetoric." Many others have taken to Twitter to denounce the theories, calling them "disrespectful" and "desperate." Scalia's death, which opened seat on the Supreme Court, is now at the heart of the 2016 election. Republicans are demanding that the Senate refrains from confirming US President Barack Obama's eventual appointment to the court, while Democrats are lambasting Republicans for obstructing a constitutional right of the president. NOW WATCH: A Harvard Law professor explains why he thinks Ted Cruz is ineligible to run for president More From Business Insider Donald Trump is the clear front-runner heading into Saturdays South Carolina Republican primary. A new Public Policy Polling survey released Tuesday found Trump leading in the crucial third-nominating state by a large margin. According to the poll, 35% of likely Republican voters supported Trump. Sens. Marco Rubio (R-Florida) and Ted Cruz (R-Texas) tied for second with 18%. Ohio Gov. John Kasich trailed in fourth with 10%, while former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush and retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson each captured 7% of the support. Trump blasted out the poll results almost immediately in a Tuesday tweet. New PPP Poll just out Trump up big, Cruz, Rubio and Bush down. The debate results, even with a stacked RNC audience, were wonderful! Trump tweeted, referencing the rowdy audience that frequently booed him during Saturday nights Republican debate. The survey found that as in New Hampshire, Trumps support in South Carolina seemed firm among wide swaths of Republican primary voters. Donald Trump doesnt seem to have lost any support in South Carolina following Saturday nights debate, Dean Debnam, PPPs president, said in a statement. He has a pretty consistent across-the-board lead with the different segments of the Republican electorate. Though Trump has led in the state for months, recent polls have shown a slight realignment of the race. Rubios lower-than-expectations fifth-place finish in New Hampshire hasnt appeared to deflate his popularity in South Carolina. Several recent polls have found him locked in a dead heat with Cruz for second place. Kasich appeared to receive a bump after his second-place finish in New Hampshire. Several polls conducted earlier this month have seen him emerging from single-digit support in the Palmetto State. The rise of Rubio and Kasich could be bad news for the Bush campaign, which has played up the former governors advantages in the state. Bush has the endorsement of Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina), and he was joined on the campaign trail Monday by former President George W. Bush, who has appeared in multiple ads in the state touting his brothers commitment to national security and veterans issues. Story continues David Kochel, the Bush campaigns senior strategist, told Business Insider last week that he thought the former governor would perform well with the states military and veteran population, which makes up a sizable chunk of the Republican primary electorate. South Carolina is going to be important because its going to be the commander-in-chief primary there, Kochel told Business Insider. Youve got 25% of the state [that] is military or veteran. We have the support of Lindsey Graham and we have a strong organization. I think this race is going to narrow. NOW WATCH: Labels are for soup cans watch George W. Bush take a shot at Donald Trump More From Business Insider 2000 - 2022 24 .- . focus-news.net, () . 24 . 24 . . 24 . We value your privacy. Focus Taiwan (CNA) uses tracking technologies to provide better reading experiences, but it also respects readers' privacy. Click here to find out more about Focus Taiwan's privacy policy. When you close this window, it means you agree with this policy. To activate the text-to-speech service, please first agree to the privacy policy below. Taipei, Feb. 16 (CNA) Former President Lee Teng-hui () has called for a constitutional revision to change the Republic of China into a "new republic," saying that this is something that will have to be done sooner or later. Forgot your Password? By logging into your account, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy , and to the use of cookies as described therein. Corb Lund says Alberta diversification bound to happenDespite Alberta's economic downturn, a self-described sixth-generation Albertan Corb Lund says that the economy and its industry need to diversify, but he thinks the province "will figure stuff out."Lund, a country musician, played in Regina and Saskatoon this past week. He spoke with Saskatchewan Weekend host Eric Anderson about how he sees the oil's slumping value effecting his fellow Albertans.He recently toured through wild rose country."My sense of the situation is when they came to our shows, it was a big chance to party and forget about all that [stuff], you know?" Lund said.Lund added thatt he made a point to thank everyone for coming out to his shows."It was meaningful that people came out in a time of economic uncertainty," he said.Of the recent downturn in the province's economy, Lund said he thinks "it was maybe due for a correction.""So, oil boom, oil bust; we need to be looking beyond that. We need to have been doing it 25 years ago," he said. "Like I'm a sixth-generation Albertan. I've got a triple-great-grandpa in Mountain View buried in the cemetery. My desires for the province and my hopes are very wide and long reaching."In his opinion, Lund said Alberta "can't just depend on oil.""That's silly. I'm not anti-oil or anything like that. It's just common sense, especially if the Saudis can flap their butterfly wings half a planet away and affect us like this," he said.Lund said he thinks it makes sense for Alberta to diversify its industry."I don't think that's revolutionary idea or anything," he said.Lund said that's likely to happen soon for the province. Libs outspent Tories in first 100 days OTTAWA - In its first 100 days in office, the majority government of Stephen Harper handed out about $4 billion worth of grants, loans, or other spending commitments.Justin Trudeaus Liberals, though, topped that in their first 100 days in office by more than a billion dollars.From its swearing-in on May 18, 2011 to August 26, 2011, the Harper government distributed 443 cheques worth a combined $3.9 billion.From its swearing-in on Nov. 4, 2015 to Feb 12, 2016, the Trudeau government distributed 208 cheques worth a combined $5.3 billion.The biggest cheques the Trudeau government cut (or promised to cut) were for big-ticket overseas aid commitments. Last week, for example, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau promised $1.3 billion in new humanitarian aid as part of Canadas new contribution to fighting ISIL.In fact, of the $5.3 billion in spending commitments announced by the Trudeau government in its first 100 days, just $997 million was for projects inside the country. The rest $4.3 billion will be spent outside Canada on everything from aid for refugees to helping poor countries fight climate change.For some of the cheque handouts for projects inside the country, the Trudeau government dipped into an envelope of money created in the last Harper budget called the Canada 150 Community Infrastracture Program.This $150-million program was designed to help community groups rehabilitate, renovate and expand existing public infrastructure for community use in time for the countrys 150th birthday in 2017.Newly elected Liberal MPs Kate Young and Peter Fragiskatos last week got to announce 10 projects in their city of London, Ont. that will split $1.8 million from this fund. The money will help fix up a local legion, put a new roof on a German Canadian Club, tidy up some local trails, and restore a cenotaph.But heres the funny thing.While in opposition, Trudeaus Liberals thought this Canada 150 fund was a terrible idea and would be used for nothing but pork-barrel politics.The Conservative government is playing politics with Confederation, hurting cities in this country, and this fund is a disgrace, Liberal MP Adam Vaughan, thundered in the House of Commons on May 29. Vaughan is now Trudeaus parliamentary secretary and is a key liason between municipal governments and the federal government.Judy Sgro, the long-time Liberal MP, was as harsh as Vaughan when it came to criticism of the Canada 150 infrastructure fund.Canadas 150 Slush Fund will now dole out ad hoc goodies without a plan for Canadas long-term infrastructure needs, Sgro said in the House of Commons last June.Well, this Slush fund, as Sgro described it, just paid for 8 projects in Youngs and Fragiskatos ridings and 2 in a riding held by New Democrat Irene Mathyssen.In its first 100 days in office, the Trudeau government has provided just three grants for projects in Alberta. Olds College in Olds, Alta., got $3 million for clothing research while the universities of Alberta and Calgary split $17 million in new research money.Meanwhile, the Trudeau government doled out 7 grants worth more than $18-million to tiny Prince Edward Island.The Liberals have as many seats on PEI four as they have in Alberta. Mind you, there are only four seats in PEI. Theres 34 in Alberta, of which 29 are held by Conservatives.These tidbits on federal government spending come from a database Ive maintained since 2008 which tracks, as best I can, every single spending announcement made by MPs.During the 41st Parliament the Parliament of the Stephen Harper majority government I tracked more than 7,300 different spending announcements in which a total of $45 billion. The single biggest spending announcements was a $2 billion commitment to build Windsor-Detroit bridge.The smallest was a grant of $150 to buy flags for kids at a Remembrance Day Parade in Silverton, B.C.***The Trudeau government was sworn in on Nov. 4. As of Friday, that was 100 days ago.Heres a by the numbers look at the first 100 days:Number of sitting days in the House Of Commons since then: 17Number of Question Periods since then: 15Number of QPs attended by Trudeau: 8Number of QPs attended by Opposition Leader Rona Ambrose: 11Number of kilometres Trudeau travelled in the RCAF Challenger executive jet: 31,490Estimated number of kilometres Trudeau travelled overseas in the RCAF CC-150 Polaris passenger jet: 59,602Number of one-on-one meetings with foreign presidents and prime ministers: 32Number of Cabinet Ministers appointed: 30 who each get $80,100 a year on top of MPs $167,400 salary.Number of Parliamentary Secretaries appointed: 35 who each get $16,600 a year on top of MPs salary.Number of nannies hired: 2 (who will make between $11 and $20 an hour for round-the-clock care of the Trudeau children)Source: Libs outspent Tories in first 100 days | Akin | Canada | News | Calgary Sun shinySenator Linda Frum Retweeted Robert FifeTrudeau promised Jews during elxn there would be "no daylight "btwn his support for Israel and Harper'sThe federal Liberals are open to restoring funding for a controversial UN agency that works with Palestinians and was cut off by the former Conservative government over its alleged ties to Hamas, International Development Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau confirmed Sunday.The government has indicated it wants Canada to return to its role as an honest broker in the region while remaining closely allied with Israel. It is now reviewing whether to extend humanitarian funding for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency, which was established in 1950 to deal with Palestinian refugees and continues to work in Gaza, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon.The channel of communication is open, Ms. Bibeau said on CTVs, which aired SundayWere discussing it; were evaluating the situation. And a decision will be taken shortly.The Liberals are eyeing a plan to provide $15-million to the Palestinian relief agency, The Globe and Mail reported earlier this month. But Bnai Brith Canada, a leading Jewish lobby group, said Sunday that it strongly opposes the resumption of funding to UNRWA.mo Have Researchers Really Found Life Within Earths Mantle? An international team of scientists, having just returned from a 47-day-long expedition to the mid-Atlantic, have announced in a statement that they have found microbial life dwelling in mantle rocks. Despite several headlines declaring or implying that life has been found within the molten mantle itself, the reality is far less controversial.The team was excavating samples from a deep, rocky region called the Atlantis Massif. It is situated on the western side of the Mid-Atlantic ridge, the fiery chasm from which new oceanic crust is born. This dome-shaped formation is unlike the basaltic rock typically found in the surrounding oceanic crust, in that it is made of green peridotite, a rock type found in the depths of the mantle.The team, investigating how seawater interacts with crustal and mantle rocks, began drilling into the Massif, and it was within this formation that their discovery was made. During the expedition, we were able to find evidence for microscopic microbial life in shallow mantle rocks that have been brought near the seafloor, expedition member Dr. Beth Orcutt, a senior research scientist at the Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences in Maine, told IFLScience.However, despite reports to the contrary, the researchers are not saying this life originated in the mantle itself. Instead, they have simply found evidence of life in the mantle rocks within the seafloor, suggesting that the interaction of the rocks and the seawater may fuel life, even in the absence of sunlight.Although the Massif once formed within the depths of the molten mantle, which even near the oceanic crust can reach temperatures of up to 900C (1,650F), it is no longer there; it has been exhumed to the seafloor long ago, and has since cooled down considerably. It now rises up 4,000 meters (2.5 miles) from the seafloor.By chance, this complex now happens to be situated nearby the Lost City Hydrothermal Field, a series of hydrothermal vents that form when near-boiling seawater reacts with shallow mantle minerals. At both the vents and within the nearby geology, a process known as serpentinization occurs, which among other things produces microscopic holes or pores within the rock.Within these pores, dissolved substances used by primitive life forms including hydrogen and methane are known to be concentrated. Some think that the nucleic acids that form RNA, a vital component within all living cells, has a good chance at forming in these pore spaces.Indeed, life is found all across these vents, from more advanced shellfish to far more primitive bacteria. Even biofilms of archaea single-celled microorganisms without a cell nucleus are found using the methane and hydrogen within these serpentinite pores, oxidizing them to produce energy.This research team, part of the International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP), may have found microbial life within the nearby exhumed Massif, but considering that microbial life is commonplace in the region, this shouldnt come as a huge surprise. The rocks within the Massif are also serpentinite-rich, and also contain pore spaces full of hydrogen and methane.At this time, we do not know the identity of these microbial cells, Orcutt added. Formal identification will require more laboratory analyses over the coming months to years. Going by whats found in the nearby hydrothermal vent ecosystems, it is likely that they are either bacterial or from the archaea domain of life. Russia, Saudis offer oil output freeze Russia's energy minister said on Tuesday that his country has agreed with OPEC members Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Venezuela to freeze oil production levels if other producers do the same.The ministry quoted Energy Minister Alexander Novak announcing the decision following an unexpected, closed-door meeting involving the four countries in the Qatari capital, Doha.The meeting reflects growing concern among major oil producers about the effects a prolonged slump in crude prices will have on their domestic economies.Novak said the countries are willing to freeze output levels at January levels "if other oil producers join the initiative."Getting other major oil suppliers to go along with that plan could be tricky. Prices have fallen sharply since summer 2014, leaving producers scrambling to win market share from competitors.Oil prices rose following the meeting, with a barrel of benchmark New York crude trading up 77 cents at $30.21 US. A barrel of Brent, the international standard, gained 89 cents to $34.28 US.Adequate stepSpeaking to reporters after the meeting, Saudi Oil Minister Ali Naimi said producers would continue to assess the state of the market in the months ahead. He described freezing output at January levels was an adequate step for now.All of the countries at the meeting except Russia are part of OPEC, which has refused to cut its official production targets in an effort to bolster faltering prices. Saudi Arabia dominates policy-making within the 13-member bloc of oil producing countries.The aim of OPEC's keep-pumping strategy has been to attempt to ride out the 12-year lows in prices and force higher-cost producers, such as shale drillers in the U.S., out of the market.Compliance is a challengeNotably absent from Tuesday's meeting was Iran, which shares control of a major underwater natural gas field with Qatar. It is eager to ramp up its exports now that sanctions related to its nuclear program have been lifted, saying recently it aims to put another 500,000 barrels a day on the market.Jason Tuvey, Middle East economist at Capital Economics, said Tuesday's agreement should help support prices. But he noted that only some OPEC members have signed on to the deal, and that compliance to the bloc's own quotas has long been a challenge for the group."And even if output is frozen, this will still be at extremely high levels," he added. "Saudi oil production remains close to record highs" of more than 10 million barrels a day. Syrian boy seeking refugee status ordered deported to United States Family felt Canada a safe place Deportation delayed a week LOL Worried if Trump was elected he would be sent back home to Syria, I'd guess.. A 16-year-old Syrian boy who arrived at the Canadian border at Fort Erie, Ont., claiming refugee status last month was taken into custody and placed in isolation for three weeks in a Toronto detention centre.Last week officials with the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) ordered the boy deported. By law, Canada no longer accepts refugees who come through the United States.But his lawyers say the boy is an unaccompanied minor and should be allowed into Canada to claim refugee status.Aviva Basman of the Refugee Law Office in Toronto called it "outrageous" that Mohammed (we are using a pseudonym for safety reasons) was not only denied entry but was detained in isolation for three weeks at an Immigration holding centre in Rexdale."Everyone who's involved in Mohammed's case has found the way CBSA treated him quite shocking," she told CBC News. "We're talking about a 16-year-old Syrian boy who's just trying to find protection."Mohammed has since been released from the centre and is being housed at Romero House, a shelter for refugees.He met with a CBC reporter and, in broken English, described his time in isolation."I don't sleep good, I dream," he said. "Three weeks in detention, I'm feeling sad and I cry all the time. The room, the iron on the windows, I'm afraid."He said he was allowed outside a half hour each day. The rest of his time he said watched television or tried to sleep."I want to stay here. I want to go to school. I no have anyone in the United States," he said."Canada government bring many people from Syria, Jordan and Lebanon, Turkey but I am coming here and they don't accept me."Hannah Deloughery, an intern at Romero House, has been working with Mohammed since he arrived there."He's very scared and confused and doesn't really understand why this happened," said Deloughery. "He's alone in Canada and needs our protection."Mohammed's family fled Syria for Egypt after the war began. But when Mohammed turned 16, his residency permit in Egypt expired. He faced being sent back to Syria and being conscripted into the military.Fearing that, his parents flew with him to the United States and then arranged to get him to the Canadian border. They believed Canada's openness to accept Syrian refugees meant he would be safe here, while they flew back to Egypt."They had heard the Prime Minister say that Syrians were welcome in Canada and would be safe and protected here and they felt this was the best place for Mohammed to come," Deloughery said, adding that the family has cousins in Mississauga.But officials with the Canadian Border Services Agency denied the boy entry. They took him into custody, even though he had arrived on his own and would have been considered an "unaccompanied minor" and therefore, admissible.Last week he was ordered deported to the U.S.; from there he could be sent back to Syria via Egypt."It is a terrifying prospect for him to go to the United States where he doesn't know what will happen to him, he doesn't know if he will be able to stay in the United States of if he will be deported to Egypt and then face deportation to Syria," Basman said. "He doesn't have any family or friends in the U.S. where here he has cousins and family friends and a developing community of support."Mohammed was scheduled to be deported on Feb. 18. But on Monday, border officials delayed that for a week. His lawyers are now appealing to the Minister of Immigration and Refugees to allow him to stay and have his case heard by a refugee determination board. The minister, John McCallum, has yet to respond."We're asking the Minister to intervene," Basman said. "This boy's been through a lot and we really hope that ultimately, this will resolve well for him and that Canada will do the right thing here."Meanwhile, Mohammed remains at Romero House.He's passing his time helping other recently-arrived refugees from Syria settle into Canada. He says he hopes to remain in Canada, finish high school and study to be an engineer........................:lol: Louisville Public Schools will host its annual Kindergarten Parent Orientation 7 p.m. Thursday, March 17, in the Elementary Gym and Kindergarten Round-Up Friday, March 18 in the kindergarten rooms. Parents are encouraged to preregister their students prior to Kindergarten Roundup. Children who will be five years of age on or before July 31, 2016, are eligible to attend kindergarten as stated by Nebraska State law. If you have a child who will be attending Kindergarten Roundup, please preregister your student on the schools website www.lpslions.org under the Elementary School tab and click Registration/Open Enrollment. Kindergarten Roundup: 2016-2017 School Year Learn a Language with Live Conversations The Plattsmouth Public Library offers Pronunciator, a language-learning service, to library cardholders. Pronunciator has recently added conversation groups, ProCitizen and ProTour to its services. The program currently offers 225 live, teacher-led conversation group sessions per week. The sessions are offered in many of the 80 languages and 50 English-as-a-second-language courses. The real-life situations and actual conversations with native speakers more effectively teach a new language. Two additional features from Pronunciator are ProCitizen, a citizenship prep course with 100 instructional videos, and ProTour, which features virtual city tours for those planning a trip. Links to the programs can be found on the librarys website, www.plattsmouthlibrary.org. Click on Resources and Links on the right side. Log in with your library card number and Pronunciator will keep track of your progress. Learn in the comfort of your home or use an app on your mobile phone or tablet. Call the library (402-296-4154) for more information. Memories wanted As the Plattsmouth Library prepares to celebrate the 100th anniversary of its current building, library staff is beginning to hear reminiscences of programs, activities, and past library staff from our library visitors. The library is asking that you submit these memories to library staff so they can be included in the celebration. Handwrite your memories or email them to plattsmouthpubliclibrary@hotmail.com. Wed love to hear from you! Basic IRS Tax Forms Available The Plattsmouth Public Library has received multiple copies of Forms 1040A and 1040EZ along with the instruction booklets. Copies of Form 1040 will be made available as soon as they arrive. Nebraska's Department of Revenue stopped sending copies to libraries several years ago. Copies of both federal and state tax forms can be printed at the library for 10 cents a page or 20 cents for double-sided copies. Senator Deb Fischer's Staff Offer Assistance, Feb. 18 U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) will be sending Sarah Skinner, Fischer's constituent services and outreach representative, to the Plattsmouth Public Library on Thursday, Feb. 18. Skinner will meet personally with constituents 3-4 p.m. in the library auditorium to provide help with casework and other issues at the federal level. Adult Game Night, Feb. 19 Join the fun at the next Adult Game Night 7-9 p.m. Friday, Feb. 19, , in the Plattsmouth Public Library auditorium. Game nights, usually held on the third Friday of each month, are great gathering times for friends who want to play card games or board games. You may bring your own games or play one of the library's board games, including Yahtzee and Rummikub. If you'd like, bring a snack to share; coffee will be provided. No registration is required. This year, our Senior Senator Deb Fischer is undertaking an important project to honor Nebraskas fallen heroes. Sen. Fischer will honor the 77 Nebraskans who have died in the war against militant Islam in Iraq and Afghanistan since 2001. These Nebraskans paid the highest price for the freedoms that all of us enjoy each and every day. They fought so that families in Fremont can worship freely; they bled so that the Rotary club in Kearney can meet on Wednesday mornings; they gave their lives to ensure that folks from Scottsbluff to Lincoln can voice their opinions in newspapers, on Facebook, and in person. This year marks the 15th anniversary of the attacks that brought global jihadism to our doorstep. Although the fight against militant Islam will continue for decades, it is important to pause and remember those who have died to defend our founding principles. In January, I had the great privilege of presiding over the Senate as Sen. Fischer began this project by honoring Joshua A. Ford. A specialist from Pender, who was killed in Iraq in 2006, he was remembered lovingly by his family as ornery but extremely caring. Sgt. Ford joined the Nebraska Army National Guard after his junior year of high school. While other kids spent their summers mowing lawns and detasseling corn, Sgt. Ford went to what he called Fat Mans Camp, getting in shape for the military. Basic training helped him shed some extra pounds, but it also made him a man. Sgt. 1st Class Brad Wieland said he watched Sgt. Ford grow up from a kid to a soldier almost overnight." In 2005, Sgt. Ford was deployed to Iraq. By all counts, the heavy-vehicle driver was enthusiastic and friendly. A man of courage and resolve, he was reliable and often volunteered for extra missions. Active duty made him intentional and focused. During a short leave, he proposed to his girlfriend, Michelle, and made an audio will for his family and friends. His dad, Lonnie, said he wanted people to celebrate his life. On July 31, 2006, six months before he was supposed to return home, Sgt. Ford was killed on a routine patrol near Al Numaniyah, when an explosive device ripped through the truck he was driving. He was only 20 years old. Sgt. Ford's life is just one of many stories of courage. As Nebraskans have faithfully answered their countrys call, we must honor and celebrate the lives and service of all our fallen heroes. In the face of great danger and evil, these patriots stepped out in bravery and paid the ultimate cost. We cannot thank them enough. We cherish the freedoms they defended. Sen. Fischer has done all of us a great service by commemorating these stories. Her initiative reminds us of the important principles that established our great nation and the men and women who have died protecting those freedoms. I am greatly moved by these stories and grateful for Senator Fischer's leadership. I hope families all across Nebraska will join me in following this series. We will not forget our fallen heroes. The Legislature tackled a lot of large and controversial issues this past week in the Committee hearing process. The Appropriations Committee heard testimony from Nebraska Department of Correctional Services (NDCS) Director, Scott Frakes, regarding the agency's strategic plan and the estimated funds needed to begin implementing the strategy. There has been, as of late, some disagreements between the head of the Legislatures Ombudsmans office and the department as to how best to address several issues that have arisen within our correctional system. Senators and stakeholders are falling on one side or the other on what to do about buildings, renovations, priorities and timelines. This is all directed at reaching the goals of the Governor and the Legislature to improve our correctional system, address increased inmate populations and ensure the publics safety. Director Frakes arrived in Nebraska in February of 2015 with a charge to implement reforms in corrections. Soon, he had to deal with a riot at Tecumseh and its aftermath, and meet the expectations of a legislative oversight committee which is still focusing on several issues that arose prior to the director's tenure. I have to admit, I dont envy his position. Yet, I have been impressed over this last year with his competency and steady process of review and strategic planning in the midst of the pressures that he faces. Last weeks hearing was more of the same: hard questions, as now our committee continues work to identify the funds needed now and what will be needed down the road. One of the central issues facing the department is inmate populations and crowding in certain facilities. There has been a proposal by the Ombudsman to lease and renovate a Lancaster County building in Airpark, which the county had used to house 134 inmates, to increase capacity for community corrections in Lincoln. Director Frakes testified that his examination of the Airpark building revealed a less than ideal floor plan, higher operational costs, and the need for extensive renovations. His view is that there would have to be high costs made to the building which the state would not own. He would rather make spending investments in properties that are already owned by the State. His strategic plan would instead call for an expansion at Community Corrections Center-Lincoln (CCCL). It would create a consolidated 160-bed female unit, increasing CCCLs housing capacity from 400 to 560. The $26.1 million dollar price tag would also include renovations of support and rehabilitation programming spaces for a more safe and effective community custody prison. After this project in the strategic plan, the director addressed the next step to complete a revised program statement for the Reception and Treatment Center at a cost of $69,000. This would begin addressing the operational needs of the Diagnostic and Evaluation Center and the Lincoln Correctional Center, along with inmate care and behavioral health needs. Frakes also revealed that the spending made for housing inmates in county jails has reduced the population in the prison system's Diagnostic and Evaluation Center from 164 percent to 157 percent of capacity. Around $5 million was requested for housing these inmates in the county jails while the long term expansion project is completed and the reforms from LB605 take effect, with the plan for all inmates to be in state facilities by the end of 2017. The correctional facility in Tecumseh also was discussed. Additional funds for a camera and door integration project of around $2 million at the prison, along with costs to address the critical incident report recommendations that came out a few months ago. There are also costs that exceed the insurance cost for the damage to the facility last May of over $500,000. A lot of taxpayer money is at stake. I know some senators and legislative staff has recently been critical of the director, but I believe we need to give him a chance to implement his plan. Public safety is a priority of state government, and the correctional system is a part of the safety network. Properly funding corrections is a serious and important issue for the state that the Legislature needs to ensure is done right. At this point, I am confident we are headed in the right direction with a very competent leader at the helm. I will continue to pay close attention as we move forward with funding correctional reform in the state. As always, I really appreciate hearing from you on important matters. Please do not hesitate to contact me or my staff for information on legislative bills or if I may be of assistance. Please reach me at: Sen. Bill Kintner, 1000 State Capitol, Lincoln, NE 68509 (402-471-2613), or at my email: bkintner@leg.ne.gov. One day you wash up on the beach, wet and naked. Another day you wash back out. In between, the scenery changes constantly. Iran officials have signed two agreements with Airbus covering new aircraft orders and a comprehensive civil aviation co-operation package. Iran Air has signed an agreement with Airbus for the acquisition of the full range of new Airbus airliners (73 widebodies and 45 single aisle). This includes pilot and maintenance training and support services to help the entry into service and efficient operations of these new aircraft. These two agreements took place as part of the implementation of the JCPOA (Joint Comprehensive Plan Of Action) on January 16th 2016, and its associated rules and guidance. The agreement for 118 new aircraft signed by Mr Farhad Parvaresh, Iran Air Chairman and CEO, includes 21 A320ceo family, 24 A320neo family, 27 A330ceo family, 18 A330neo (-900), 16 A350-1000 and 12 A380. The skies have cleared for Irans flying public and Airbus is proud to welcome Irans commercial aviation back into the international civil aviation community. Today is a significant step in the overhaul and modernisation of Irans commercial aviation sector and Airbus stands ready to play its role in supporting it, said Fabrice Bregier, Airbus President and CEO. Ryanair, Europes favourite airline, announced it will open a new base from 30th October, with 3 aircraft (an investment of $300m), 2 new routes to Athens and Timisoara, and more flights to Brussels, Dublin and Milan. The new base will be at Bucharest Airport (No 81), which will deliver 1.4m customers p.a. and support over 1,000* on-site jobs, as Ryanair grows its traffic at Bucharest by 75%. Ryanairs Bucharest winter 2016 will deliver: 3 based aircraft ($300m) 2 new routes: Athens (daily) & Timisoara (2 x daily) More flights to Brussels (9 weekly), Milan M (daily) & Dublin (5 weekly) 10 routes (incl. Bologna, London, Madrid, Milan B & Rome) 90 weekly flights 1.4m customers p.a. (+75%) 1,000* on site jobs p.a. Ryanair also launched a new Romanian website, www.ryanair.com/ro where customers can now book flights to/from Bucharest at fares starting from just 9.99. Ryanairs Michael OLeary said, We are pleased to announce a new base at Bucharest from 30th October with 3 based aircraft, 2 new routes to Athens and Timisoara (10 routes in total), and more flights to Brussels, Dublin and Milan, which will deliver 1.4m customers p.a. and support over 1,000 jobs, as we grow traffic at Bucharest by 75% and invest $300m. Our Bucharest winter schedule includes daily services to London (2), Madrid (1) and Rome (2), making Ryanair the ideal choice for both business and leisure customers and we look forward to growing routes, traffic, jobs and tourism at our 2 new Romanian bases at Bucharest and Timisoara. To celebrate our new Bucharest base, we are releasing seats on sale at prices from just 9.99 for travel in March, which must be booked by Thursday (18 Feb). Since these amazing low prices will be snapped up quickly, customers should log onto www.ryanair.com and avoid missing out. InterContinental Hotels Group today announced the signing of a management agreement with Proud Resort Phuket Co., Ltd to develop InterContinental Phuket Resort. It will be a part of a luxury community project, MontAzure, in the most exclusive area on Phuket's stunning west coast. Scheduled to open in 2019, the luxurious InterContinental Phuket Resort is located on Kamala Beach, between Millionaire's Mile and the Amanpuri headland, one of the island's most popular destinations and perfect for travelers looking for a relaxing and luxurious getaway. This well-enclosed bay and fishing village situated off the west coast of Thailand in the Andaman Sea, is surrounded by forested hills and is one of the most beautiful places in Phuket. Kamala Beach is known for its expansive white sands and crystal clear waters, providing travelers the choice of both tranquility and exclusivity with easy access to Phuket's vibrant night life, with the popular Patong Town just a short drive away, as well as the Phuket International Airport. The resort will be the sixth IHG property in the Greater Phuket area, and the 19th IHG property in Thailand. InterContinental Phuket Resort will comprise of a mix of villas and hotel rooms, with unobstructed views of the glittering Andaman Sea and surrounded by forests of pine trees and facilities designed by award-winning designers and architects. Guests will have direct beach access, experience an exquisite gastronomic adventure with the resort's F&B offerings, as well as enjoy breath-taking views from the swimming pool, an uncompromising spa, the Club InterContinental, the Fitness Centre and Kids' Club. Designed as a complete leisure destination, the resort is also a place for both of honeymoons and families, with an exceptional ability to cater for weddings and meeting functions. InterContinental Phuket Resort will be a key component in the overall MontAzure development. The entire 454 rai site includes 75 upscale beachfront branded condominiums, 13 exclusive private hillside estate villas, beach clubs for public and private use, a lifestyle retail component, a medical and wellness center and a 200 rai protected nature reserve. The inaugural Middle East Aviation Careers Conference and Exhibition (MEAC), awaits anyone interested in a career in the aviation or aerospace sectors. The MEAC will be held on the 8th-10th March 2016. Held as part of the Abu Dhabi Aviation and Aerospace Week, the first MEAC will bring leaders from the airline, aerospace, airports and related logistics industries, under one roof, to discuss workforce related issues. Plenary panels will feature speakers from across the sectors, including representatives from leading brands such as Etihad Airways, Boeing, Gulfstream, Dassault Aviation, and Bombardier. The Advanced Military Maintenance repair Overhaul Center (AMMROC), the UAEs specialized military MRO service provider to all ranges of military aircraft in the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia regions, is the official sponsor of the pioneering conference being held at the Gulf Centre for Aviation Studies (GCAS), in Al Bateen Executive Airport. The theme of the conference is Strengthening Human Capital Capacity in the Abu Dhabi aerospace and aviation sectors. It will highlight specific challenges related to Emiratization, empowerment through training, skill development and education. Career progression, the latest trends recruitment, and the important role of women in aviation and aerospace, will also be discussed. Students from high schools, colleges and universities in the UAE will participate in workshops, giving them the chance to understand sector related workforce issues in greater depth, through case studies and partnership examples. H.E. Ali Majed Al Mansoori, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Airports, said: Aviation and aerospace are among the key sectors identified by the Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030. The Middle East Aviation and Careers Conference and Exhibition is the perfect platform to raise awareness of career prospects, as well as to attract and retain the skilled workforce required to support the rapid growth of these sectors in the Emirate. Taking place from 8-10 March 2016, the event is part of the inaugural Abu Dhabi Aviation and Aerospace Week, which is held under the patronage of His Highness General Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces. According to a new independent economic research commissioned by Wine Australia finds out the direct and indirect contribution of the Australian wine sector to the national economy. The Australian wine sector defined as winegrape growing, winemaking and wine - related tourism: supports 172,736 full-and part-time jobs, most of which are located in regional Australia. contributes $40.2 billion to the value of gross output to the Australian economy. Gross output includes $19.7 billion in value (value-added or the difference between the cost of goods and their sale price) and $10.4 billion in wages and salaries from full-and part-time employment. These figures do not capture margins on wine sales through wholesale, retail and restaurant sales. Andreas Clark, CEO of Wine Australia said, Wine is a unique, high-quality product created in Australias 65 wine regions by highly skilled winegrape growers and winemakers. We welcome the recognition of the wine sectors contribution to the Australian economy. The wine sector brings together agriculture, sophisticated production and tourism. It is pleasing to see that wine-related tourism accounts for 15.8 million domestic visitor nights and 44.2 million international visitor nights. An integral part of Australias tourist offering, wine-related tourism contributes $9.2 billion to the economy. The report, Economic Contribution of the Australian Wine Sector by AgEconPlus and Gillespie Economics, shows direct employment in the wine sector of 68,395 full- and part-time jobs and a further 104,341 indirect full- and part-time jobs. Income from both direct and flow-on employment in the wine sector totals $10.4 billion. Importantly, the report also includes the average effects of a contraction or expansion within the wine sector, suggesting: the wider economy would gain an extra 1.53 jobs for every job gained in the wine sector. the economy would gain an extra $2.01 million for every additional $1 million of gross output generated by the wine sector. the economy would gain an extra $2.17 million in contribution to value-added for every additional $1 million of value-added generated by the wine sector. The Web Summit, one of the biggest and most influential events for entrepreneurship, technology and innovation in the world, has chosen to move for the first time since 2010. The 2016 Web Summit will take place in Lisbon from November 7 to 10th. Portugal will continue to host future editions in 2017 and 2018. Web Summit 2016 will be held at the MEO Arena and FIL Feira Internacional de Lisboa. In 5 years, Web Summit has grown from 400 attendees to over 42,000 from more than 134 countries. Its been called the best technology conference on the planet. After 5 years in Dublin, Web Summit leaves the city for Lisbon. For more information, visit https://websummit.net/ a. Make a phone call: to a lawyer or relative or anyone b. Ask to see a lawyer immediately: if you dont have the money ask for a Duty Council c. A Duty Council is a lawyer provided by the state d. Talk to a lawyer before you talk to the police e. Tell your lawyer if anyone hits you and identify who did so by name and number f. Give no explanations excuses or stories: you can make your defense later in court based on what you and your lawyer decided g. Ask the sub officer in charge of the station to grant bail once you are charged with an offence h. Ask to be taken before a justice of The Peace immediately if the sub officer refuses you bail i. Demand to be brought before a Resident Magistrate and have your lawyer ask the judge for bail j. Ask that any property taken from you be listed and sealed in your presence Cases of Assault:An assault is an apprehension that someone is about to hit you The following may apply: 1) Call 119 or go to the station or the police arrives depending on the severity of the injuries 2) The report must be about the incident as it happened, once the report is admitted as evidence it becomes the basis for the trial 3) Critical evidence must be gathered as to the injuries received which may include a Doctors report of the injuries. 4) The description must be clearly stated; describing injuries directly and identifying them clearly, show the doctor the injuries clearly upon the visit it must be able to stand up under cross examination in court. 5) Misguided evidence threatens the credibility of the witness during a trial; avoid the questioning of the witnesses credibility, the tribunal of fact must be able to rely on the witnesss word in presenting evidence 6) The court is guided by credible evidence on which it will make its finding of facts alfa_beta01 wrote: But your approach is similar to Kaplan's. You are suggesting that we paraphrase the passages in our own words, so we will need to read the passage anyway!!! Quote: Secondly, what do you mean by skimming? If I have to understand what I'm reading, there's no difference between skimming and reading. Secondly, if I don't understand anything and still read it anyways, what's the point of skimming? I very well can leave the text alone altogether! That took me about 20 seconds. I did that in about 15 seconds. ANYTHING It's attached at the bottom. Solar ponds circulation incomplete + high salt concentration that increase w/ depth. This traps heat. Low water traps heat, higher water insulate. Heat thus retained at depth. Artificial pond made in dead sea to test its ability to convert heat to electricity. water. solar ponds, chemicals, penetration, algae Algicide proposed to control algea. Dead sea, chemcials, lucrative, tourist, contaminated. Recent exp more promising for controlling algea repress, distortion, bouyancy, storage layer, destroyed , evaporation, diluted, algea. 3 MINUTES 20 SECONDS QUESTION: The primary purpose of the passage is to: (a) discuss ways of solving a problem that threatens to limit the usefullness of an energy source. (b) explain the mechanisms by which solar heat may be converted into energy (c) detail the processes by which algae colonize highly saline bodies of water (d) report the results of an experiment designed to clean contaminated bodies of water (e) describe the unique properties of solar ponds in the dead sea. "According to the passage, the growth of algae was considered a threat to the sucess of the artificial pond near the dead sea beacuse the algae..." (a) produce excess oxygen that lowers water temperature (b) restrict the circulation of the pond (c) enable heat to escape through the upper level of the pound (d) prevent light from penetrating to the lowest level of hte pond (e) prevent accurate measurement of the heat collected in the pond. water. solar ponds, chemicals, penetration, algae "An immediate threat to the sucess of the venture was the growth of algae". "Water in solar ponds must be kept maximally transparent to allow penetration of light to the deep storage area." long-three.jpg [ 171.22 KiB | Viewed 256783 times ] No, thats not what I'm saying - I think you the issue is how you understand skimming.... . I'm saying PARAPHRASE THE FIRST PARAGRAPH and THE FIRST SENTENCE OF EACH PARAGRAPH. Thats it. Not the entire passage. DON'T EVEN READ the other paragraphs, just skim and write down names or dates in case they come up in the exam. If you are good at skimming text to look for names - you can do what I do, dont even bother skimming the paragraphs. Just read the first paragraph and the first sentence of each paragraph.By skim, all I mean is GLANCE. I don't read sentences.For example: (dont read it yet, read my notes first, then try it)If the second paragraph said:"Though the basic concept of the strip is straightforward, Herriman always found ways to tweak the formula. Sometimes, Ignatz's plans to surreptitiously lob a brick at Krazy's head succeed; other times Officer Pupp outsmarts the wily mouse and imprisons him. The interventions of Coconino County's other anthropomorphic animal residents, and even forces of nature, occasionally change the dynamic in unexpected ways. Other strips have Krazy's simple-minded or gnomic pronouncements irritating the mouse so much that he goes to seek out a brick in the final panel."Paraphrase first sentence: (I'll time myself)"Strip straightforward, but author found ways to tweak. "NOW, DO NOT READ THE REST OF THE PARAGRAPH. GLANCE OVER IT, JUST LOOKING FOR KEY WORDS. NAMES, DATES, THINGS OF THE SORT. (I'll explain why in a minute)All I would write is: (I'll time myself again)Herriman, Ignatz, Krazy, Officer Pupp, mouse, Coconino, residents, Krazy.. I know that sounds crazy, but try it - just glance over it looking for names, dates, or otherwise things that might appear important - anything in capital letters for example. This includes scientific names. So if you see something like "proto-plasmic neurons" in the middle of a passage, scribble it down.I haven't read the above paragraph, and to be honest I have no idea what it says.In order to understand why this works you have to understand the two types of RC questions that come up.Type 1 is general. These are questions that ask things like "The author is most concerned with" or "the primary purpose of hte passage is" or "the author would most agree with..."IN ORDER TO ANSWER THESE YOU ONLY NEED TO KNOW THE GENERAL POINT OF THE PASSAGE. THIS POINT IS ALWAYS MADE DURING THE FIRST PARAGRAPH AND TOPIC SENTENCES (FIRST SENTENCE) OF EACH SUBSEQUENT PARAGRAPH. THATS IT. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO KNOWABOUT THE DETAILS BEHIND THE GENERAL POINT. IN FACT, USUALLY, KNOWING THESE DETAILS THROWS YOU OFF BECAUSE YOU'LL SEE AN ANSWER THAT LOOKS REALLY SIMILAR TO SOMETHING YOU JUST READ.Thats type 1. Type 2 is the SPECIFIC QUESTION. These are things like "Dr. Neilsen agrees that ...." or "In 1914, the primary differences between colonial europe and the americas were... " or "The author states what about proto plasmic neurons?"In every single case, these questions will boil down to a sentence, or at most two sentences, SOMEWHERE in the passage.... thats it. So, if you scribbled down key words, it should take you a few seconds to figure out what paragraph the answer is in and another few seconds to read the setnence it's in. The answer is always there - plus or minus one sentence.The key to understanding this methodology is: you are not trying to understand the passage. You only need understand the first paragraph, and first sentence of each piece.We'll do one more together.I'll time myself and try to write down details of what I read and did not read.First paragraph:Time taken to read and take notes: 1 minute 20 secondsMy notes:Second paragraph:Time taken to read first sentence and paraphrase: 27 seconds.My notes:Second paragraph SKIMMING:Time taken to SKIM and write down key words: 17 seconds.My notes:(NOTE how quickly that was done. SKIM SKIM SKIM)Third paragraph:Time taken to read first sentence and paraphrase: 9 seconds.My notes:Third paragraph SKIMMING: 16 seconds.My Notes:Fourth paragraph first sentence: 15 seconds.My notes:Fourth paragraph skim: 24 seconds.My notes:Total time taken:Thats pretty decent, maybe even a bit slow - but notice how quickly I ate up the remaining paragraphs. I skimmed paragraphs 3 and 4 in under a minute....Its not about READING the paragraphs. Just skimming. You may have noticed that my skim notes are out of order - words that come later are first... the reason this is the case is because I let my eyes see a word, write it down, if it then sees another word that I didnt see, even if its before, i write it down. I know that finding the word again will take me a few seconds - if you can write them in order, all the better. I found that I can be much faster if I just glance and write - even if its out of order.How did I do it so fast? I have not read a single sentence (other than the first sentence) in paragraph 2,3 or 4. I have no idea what details are in there - but I do know what they generally talk about BECAUSE I WROTE DOWN THE FIRST SENTENCE, WHICH ALWAYS INTRODUCES THE PARAGRAPH'S TOPIC. That's all I need to know to answer a question like:"What is the author primarily concerned with?"Well, without even looking at answer choices, I know he's primarily concerned with salt water ponds and their suitability to generate electricity.I know this because he introduces them in the first paragraph, mentions an expirement in #2, cites a possible solution to some problem in #3, and then says theres a better solution in paragraph #4. I know all this just by reading hte first setnence of each paragraph. I do NOT know WHY or WHAT the better solution is - but if I get asked, I know where to look. (It'll be somewhere in paragraph #4)Can you see which one it is?Look again at the first sentences and the first paragraph.(1) Solar ponds retain heat(2) Artificial pond made in dead sea to test its ability to convert heat to electricity.(3) Algicide proposed to control algea.(4) Recent exp more promising for controlling algeaWhat story is this telling? There are some ponds, there's one in the dead sea, theres some problem with it, algicide is one solution, but there is a better one. Look again at the answer choices.Do you see it?(b) explain the mechanisms by which solar heat may be converted into energy ------- Well no, that doesnt really jibe with the topic sentences... He mentions it, but the topic sentences aren't describing a mechanism, they decribe a problem.(c) detail the processes by which algae colonize highly saline bodies of water ---- No, again, theres not much discussion of processes in the topic sentences. The guys talking about a problem.(d) report the results of an experiment designed to clean contaminated bodies of water --- Possibly, but this is really only part of the passage probably. I dont know for sure, because I haven't read it, but again if you look back at the notes, he's not so much reporting as much as suggesting something.(e) describe the unique properties of solar ponds in the dead sea. - Well, definetly not. For starters, i dont remember it saying solar ponds in the dead sea were the only ones that existed, plus, again, the word Dead Sea doesnt come up much in the topic sentences.(a) discuss ways of solving a problem that threatens to limit the usefullness of an energy source. - Hmm ok, that makes sense. There is a pond, there is an experiment to check it as an energy source, there are some solutions to that problem, but one solution is better. Yea, thats exactly what he's saying.Now say you got a specific question:How do you solve this given that YOU HAVENT EVEN READ THE PASSAGE?Just find where Algae and Dead sea come up. Dead sea comes up first in the second paragraph - we know this because I wrote it in my SKIM NOTES for the second passage.Did the word algae come up?Lets go look at what I wrote as my SKIM notes for paragraph two.My notes:Yea, there it is. If your notes are lucky, you might notice that I wrote down the words algae and penetration... gives you a pretty huge hint what it might be, but thats kind of dumb luck... so lets pretend I didnt write that down.How do we find the answer?Find the sentence with algae in the second paragraph, because that's where we first saw Dead Sea.Ok, that doesnt give us the answer, what about the sentence right next to it.Ok, look back at the answer choices.The answer should jump out at you now. It's D.It's not A because theres NO MENTION of oxygen.Its not B becuase theres NO MENTION of circulation.It's not C becuase theres NO MENTION of heatIts not E because theres NO MENTION of measurement.The only answer that even has words that match words in that sentence is D.Now how much did you read to answer that? TWO SENTENCES.How long did it take you to find them? 10, maybe 20 seconds. Tops. 20 more seconds to read them. You've answered the question in under a minute.How long do you think it would have taken to find that answer otherwise? I mean, all the other options SOUND reasonable right? Circulation was mentioned in paragraph 1, heat definetly came up somehwere, and there might even be a mention of oxygen somewhere I missed.the point is this:YOU DO NOT HAVE TO READ THE PARAGRAPHS TO GET THESE RIGHT. ONLY READ THE FIRST PARAGRAPH AND FIRST SENTENCE. SKIM THE REST. AND BY SKIM, I MEAN 20 SECONDS, KEY WORDS, DONT EVEN READ THE SENTENCES, JUST WRITE DOWN SCRIBBLES.With time, you can get really really fast at it. burton1980 wrote: Hi, thanks in advance for evaluating my profile. Background: MSc in Computer Science Age: 35 GMAT 710 (Q44/V42/IR8) (First try - thinking of re-taking it, because I can do better in Quant. Do you think a higher quant/overall score will be important?) GPA Grad: 3.90 GPA Undergrad 3.72 Schools: Round 3 at MIT, Haas, Columbia, ESADE and IESE Ethnicity: White Caucasian/Austria/Europe Work Experience: Past 3 Years (promoted to Director Partner Management last year): Big Data Startup, Silicon Valley funded, got acquired by Cisco 2 months ago. Past 5 Years CTO of a US-based startup, leading a team of 5 developers in Austria Before that: Started my own company, 4 employees and 1 Year Consultant for a Data Visualization company. During studies internships at Yahoo, Inter American Development Bank, CERN Studied abroad in Spain, India, Philippines and France Misc: Speak 5 Languages President of an international student organization Hold a Patent in Data Visualization I know my age is potentially an issue, but I think I can bring a lot of experience to the program and if invited to an interview, should be able to get that hurddle out of the way. Further, Round 3 is of course a disadvantage, though due to the circumstances of the acquisition of my previous company, I was not able to apply earlier and really want to give it a shot this year and not wait yet another year to apply. Looking forward to your evaluation. Thanks, Martin mbaMission Senior Admissions Consultant Chicago Booth Alum, over 70 5-star reviews on GMAT Club Sign up for a free 30-minute consultation at https://www.mbamission.com/consult/mba-admissions/ Read our Insider's Guides to the top b-schools: http://www.mbamission.com/guides.php?category=insiders Kate RichardsonmbaMission Senior Admissions ConsultantChicago Booth Alum, over 70 5-star reviews on GMAT ClubSign up for a free 30-minute consultation at https://www.mbamission.com/consult/mba-admissions/Read our Insider's Guides to the top b-schools: http://www.mbamission.com/guides.php?category=insiders Signature Read More Hi there,Thanks for sharing your profile with us. Your GPAs are both excellent, and your overall GMAT is great too. Have you only taken the GMAT once? Were you practicing higher in Quant? If so, then I think it is worth retaking. Again, your overall score is great, but your Quant raw score is just below what I like to see for top programs. Plus, since it's Round 3 (which is historically very tough!) and you are an older applicant, I think you should do everything within your control to put forth the best application. Plus, they will always look at your highest score so retaking definitely will not hurt your chances.Make sure you are explaining "why MBA now" and "why Round 3" somewhere in your application too, don't just wait to explain those in the interview. Those are important questions to answer for applicants who have more experience. Have you looked at Executive or 1-year options (e.g., Kellogg or Cornell)? Might be worth considering too. Also, remember that since Columbia has rolling admissions, their class can be quite full at this point. So that could be tougher than the others.But otherwise, I think your work experience sounds quite strong, and your experience at startups plus going through an acquisition should be an interesting perspective to bring to the class.Keep us posted if we can help with anything else!_________________ Nez wrote: guerrero25 wrote: School Administrator: The number of fourteen year olds in Britain who are considered gifted that is who score higher than 90% of their peers on the mandatory secondary school entrance exam (MSEEE) has increased steadily over the past decade. If the school administrators findings are correct, which of the following can be concluded on the basis of those findings? A)There has been at least some improvement in British education over the past decade. B)The number of British fourteen year olds who are not considered gifted has decreased over the past decade. C)The number of British fourteen year olds taking the MSEEE has increased over the past decade. D)Preparation for the MSEEE has improved in British schools over the past decade. E)The percentage of British fourteen year olds who are considered gifted has increased as a percentage of the total population. if C can be concluded then E also can be concluded, just as both MUST not be concluded. Both are possible conclusion but not inevitable. WHY? IN E - an increase in gifted proportion can be caused by increasing number of gifted kids if the number of ungifted did not increase more than the increase in the number of gifted. IN C - the number of kids taking taking the test can be increased by increasing number of gifted kids taking the test but not necessarily since the number of gifted can increase while the number of ungifted reduces. So in fact C can be concluded if the number of ungifted did not reduce more than the increase in the number of gifted. So how is C the answer please? Am I missing something? if Cbe concluded then E alsobe concluded, just as bothnot be concluded. Both are possible conclusion but not inevitable.WHY?IN E - an increase in gifted proportion can be caused by increasing number of gifted kids if the number of ungifted did not increase more than the increase in the number of gifted.IN C - the number of kids taking taking the test can be increased by increasing number of gifted kids taking the test but not necessarily since the number of gifted can increase while the number of ungifted reduces.So in fact C can be concluded if the number of ungifted did not reduce more than the increase in the number of gifted.So how is C the answer please?Am I missing something? who are considered gifted that is who score higher than 90% of their peers on the mandatory secondary school entrance exam (MSEEE) all those who score more than 90% of their peers are gifted, so its clearly 10 % of total.. nothing will happen to this %, because word 'gifted' is dependent on CLEAR % DEMARACATION:- top 10% are gifted.. so if this number of 'GIFTED' kids has increased, it will also mean rst 90% number has increased, total taking exam has also increased Quote: E)The percentage of British fourteen year olds who are considered gifted has increased as a percentage of the total population. NO.. this is WRONG.. the definition of 'gifted' is dependent on 10%, so itwill always remain so.. Hi,..what does it mean..Hope it helps_________________ Estimados amigos, Les doy cordialmente la bienvenida a este Blog informativo con articulos, analisis y comentarios de publicaciones especializadas y especialmente seleccionadas, principalmente sobre temas economicos, financieros y politicos de actualidad, que esperamos y deseamos, sean de su maximo interes, utilidad y conveniencia. Pensamos que solo comprendiendo cabalmente el presente, es que podemos proyectarnos acertadamente hacia el futuro. Las convicciones son mas peligrosos enemigos de la verdad que las mentiras. There are decades when nothing happens and there are weeks when decades happen. You only find out who is swimming naked when the tide goes out. No soy alguien que sabe, sino alguien que busca. Only Gold is money. Everything else is debt. Las grandes almas tienen voluntades; las debiles tan solo deseos. Quien no lo ha dado todo no ha dado nada. History repeats itself, first as tragedy, second as farce. If you know the other and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. We are travelers on a cosmic journey, stardust, swirling and dancing in the eddies and whirlpools of infinity. Life is eternal. We have stopped for a moment to encounter each other, to meet, to love, to share.This is a precious moment. It is a little parenthesis in eternity. Two more costume characters were arrested in Times Square yesterday, this time while dressed as Star Wars creatures. Casey Braxton, 36, and Robert Williams, 46, dressed as a Stormtrooper and Chewbacca, respectively, were posing for pictures at the corner of Broadway and 45th Street during yesterday's afternoon snow at around 3:30 p.m., according to a NYPD spokesperson. They took a picture with a 71-year-old Swedish tourist who offered them five dollars; according to the police, the unlikely duo (unless, of course, it was actually Han Solo inside the Stormtrooper armor) demanded ten dollars each. They allegedly stood in the tourist's way until he paid up, at which point nearby officers intervened and arrested Braxton and Williams for aggressive panhandling and harassment. Yesterday's arrests appears to be part of an increase in cops arresting costume characters, who often pose for tips in Times Square and other tourist-heavy areas. Last week, four people were arrested under similar circumstances (aggressively soliciting tips, according to the NYPD) while dressed as Batman, Cookie Monster, Minnie Mouse, and Olaf from "Frozen." One of the four, Jose Escalona-Martinez, had been arrested twice before while in costume, and has sued for wrongful arrest both times. He intends to do so once more, and claims that he is being unfairly targeted for lawfully posing for tips. Escalona-Martinez's lawyer, James Franzetti, represents many people who dress in costume in tourist-heavy areas, and is currently representing both Williams and Braxton in pending civil rights cases against the city in which they're alleging wrongful arrests. Franzetti was not aware of these most recent arrests, but said that in working for tips only, his clients do not commit any crime. "These costumed individuals, 'characters,' garner a lot of attention, including from the patrolling NYPD, in part, because their costumes are iconic," Franzetti told Gothamist over email, adding, "According to those 'characters' with whom I've spoken, although arrests are less common, unlawful stops, inappropriate handcuffing, and other overreaching on the part of the NYPD occurs with alarming frequency." Some city officials have been weighing formal restrictions on costume characters, troubling buskers and even constitutional law scholars. In 2014, Bronx Councilmember Andy King introduced legislation that would required costumed characters to pay a $175 fee and register with the Department of Consumer Affairs, or else face fines and jail time for noncompliance. That bill was roundly denounced by those who testified, with one man dressed as The Joker calling it "straight up fascism." To date, the bill has been stalled. And just last summer, Mayor de Blasio formed a "task force to address aggressive solicitation and other nuisance and quality of life issues," focused particularly on the desnudas and costumed characters. That task force later recommended that the city create designated performance zones, outside of which posing for tips would be illegal. No word yet on whether the "Times Square Commons" will come to fruition. "The civil rights lawsuits of these 'characters' are within a legal bulwark which must constantly be refortified to protect the freedoms which too many of us take for granted," Franzetti said. "Chewbacca and the Storm Trooper, Batman, Spider Man, and the other 'characters' are much more in touch with this constitutional reality than those who criticize them would expect." Former governor Eliot Spitzer (AP) The woman that former Governor Eliot Spitzer visited at the Plaza Hotel and then, apparently later at a hospital, is apparently a 26-year-old Russian woman who has written about her life as a high-end escort. Inside Edition reports that Svetlana Travis wrote about sex work under a pen name on Medium. In the post, "Svetlana Z" explains why she doesn't want to "spoil" boyfriends: "If someones not paying you, you dont have to do blow jobs, you dont have to smile all the time, you can be yourself. But after a while you feel like something is missing. The something is money. Youre sitting in the same apartment, youre the same you, but something is missing. Your wallet is empty. Sex is sex, but money is money." Police sources tell the tabloids that Travis and Spitzer were in a suite at the Plaza Hotel on Saturday night when an argument ensued, apparently about Travis's decision to return to Russia. From the Daily News: Police sources said that after Spitzer, 56, allegedly choked and pushed Travis someone hes known for two years at the hotel, she cut herself with a broken glass. She then cut herself with the glass, one source said. It wasnt really on the wrist, like she was trying to kill herself. It was more on the arm. She said she was having a nervous breakdown. Travis went to Roosevelt Hospital, where she named the Luv Gov as her attacker, the sources said. After the hospital visit, while she was being driven by police, at one point she gets out of the car and says she doesnt want to press charges, a source said. In the hours after the alleged scrap, Spitzer was caught on hotel video wearing a wool cap pulled down low over his eyes, sources said. While Travis was in the hospital, a man identifying himself as George called twice to ask about seeing her. Spitzer would call himself "George Fox"a friend's nameduring meetings with prostitutes that preceded his extremely embarrassing fall from public office. Spitzer's lawyer Adam S. Kaufmann told the NY Times, "There was no assault," and offered an alternate story, saying that Travis reached out to Spitzer last week: "'This is someone that he had a relationship with in the past,' Mr. Kaufmann said, though he declined to say how long Mr. Spitzer had known her or how the two had met." Mr. Kaufmann said she told Mr. Spitzer, Im in New York and Im going back to Russia on Sunday Id like to see you on Saturday. She asked him to book a hotel room and Mr. Spitzer did so, Mr. Kaufmann said. On Saturday afternoon, the former governor visited her at the Plaza and they talked for less than an hour amiably, Mr. Kaufmann said about her plans on her return to Russia. Mr. Spitzer left the hotel but heard from her again a couple of hours later, he said. This time, she sounded distraught and asked to see him again. According to the lawyer, Mr. Spitzer went back to the hotel around 7 and found her in a highly agitated state. Mr. Kaufmann said she threatened suicide, made a superficial cut in her wrist and called 911, but then tried to cancel the call. She left the hospital on Sunday and flew to Russia as scheduled, Mr. Kaufmann said. And on Monday, she sent the email. I just read the news, Im so sorry, she said, offering to send a statement to the police that my report was all fake. She said she would tell the police that she attempted suicide as I had before. You tried to save me, she wrote to Mr. Spitzer, according to the copy of the email provided by Mr. Kaufmann. She suggested that she made up the assault story because she was scared she would be hospitalized for a long period. She offered to send documents from all mental homes where I have been Russia, Catskill New York, California. If I didnt say Eliot started (it) all, I think I would be hospitalized in some mental home for a few months. I made up the story in order to not be hospitalized, the person claiming to be Travis wrote. that Travis referred to herself as Spitzer's girlfriendone added, "They met before this, and she was a prostitute at the time"and that they've known each other for "at least" two years. Spitzer was dating Lis Smith, his former communications director for his failed NYC Comptroller campaign, from late 2013 until December 2015. Smith was on track for a top position on Mayor de Blasio's press team but the furor (and slut-shaming) over her choice of boyfriends led her to resign. Most recently, she worked on Martin O'Malley's presidential campaign; you can see her giggling while Triumph the Insult Comic Dog poops on O'Malley. In her essay on Medium, Travis goes into detail about her entrepreneurshipshe spent thousands to ensure she had the best photographs and ad placementand the kinds of clients she dealt with: The big part of my job started at the door. You dont pay attention to the envelope he has. You pretend it doesnt even exist. Youre smiling because hes a handsome man, and theres chemistry. If hes shy, you offer him a glass of wine. If hes super shy, you ask, can you massage him, theres nothing wrong with a massage, right? Sometimes I would say, Oh, youre so handsome, because people like to be flattered, even if its not true. People like to believe the better things, because believing better things is easier. And guys who are paying $1,000 an hour really believe the better things! If he can afford $1,000 an hour, he already thinks hes cool. When a guys got money, he thinks hes cool, cooler than regular people. Spitzer himself said, "The woman who initially made the allegation was not my girlfriend. Lis Smith was my girlfriend, and I had and have deep affection for Lis. She is the love of my life." Police are still investigating the incident, but haven't interviewed Spitzer yet. Through the darkness I heard the labored breathing of a sweaty Bobby Cannavale, and in that opening scene of Vinyl, where we first meet Richie Finestra of American Century Records, I knew it wouldn't be for me. I had been guardedly optimistic about a trip back to the '70s with Martin Scorsese, specifically a real and dark snapshot of the music industry during that decade as its players wheeled and dealed about New York. But it's doing to 1970s NYC what Gangs of New York did to 1860s NYC the pilot (which runs 2 hours long) delivered a costumed glimpse into a vibrant era that loses its flavor through Hollywood over-scripting. I wanted Cameron Crowe's Plaza and Maxs Kansas City of Almost Famous, not a focus on thugs and mafia-esque beatings, with Robert Plant simply one of the out-of-focus guys in the background. But let's look at how they portrayed New York City during one of its most trying decadesspoilers ahead. MERCER ARTS CENTER In that opening scene, Finestra stumbles in to the Mercer Arts Center where the New York Dolls are charging up the room with youthful energy and joyful chaos. But then the building collapsescracks spread along the sides of the walls, the floors come crashing down, and a pile of rubble is left over. Did this happen? Sort of. The building didn't collapse, so much as it caved in. And the New York Dolls weren't performing when it happenedduring an episode extras feature on HBO, one of the crew explains that another band was rehearsing when it went down. The collapse occurred in August 1973, and the NY Times reported that most of the Center was not damaged. The scene photographed outside of 673 Broadway following the cave-in, however, was quite similar to the portrayal of the damage in Vinyl. You can see a photo at the NY Times, where they reported that the incident injured "at least a dozen persons, halting subways and bringing scores of policemen and firemen to the scene to begin digging in the debris." Today the property belongs to NYU. More on the New York Dolls can be found here. THE SUBWAY SYSTEM Graffiti was certainly all over the subway system in the 1970s, as the NYPD Vandal Squad wasn't formed until 1980. So in that respect, the station looks fairly legit, if a little bit over-the-top. But that doesn't mean we can't find something wrong with this picture: were there wooden benches in the system back in 1973? Probably not. The MTA pins them closer to an early 1980s addition. More photos of the NYC subway system in the 1970s can be found here. ROBERT PLANT Oh dear. Listen, I don't know 1970s Robert Plant personally, but I am pretty sure this is not him. It's certainly his jacket, but the person filling that jacket is a goofy bizarro Plant, with an air of Arthur Fonzarelli to him. Aaaaay! Anyway, in the storyline Led Zeppelin is about to play one of the 1973 shows at MSG, which would later become The Song Remains The Same live film. As they hit the stage Plant starts to belt out "Somethin' Else" (which didn't make it to the video). Prior to this scene we see Finestra and his crew on a private plane that, while smaller than Led Zeppelin's Starship jet, was reminiscent of that party-in-the-air vibe. The band took that jet to New York City for the shows. In the background of the Finestra-Plant scene you can also see manager Peter Grant flipping out. Though this likely isn't why, during this trip (right before their final performance), the band had $180,000 stolen from them at the Drake Hotel. No one was ever arrested, even after Grant went on television to discuss the matter. More on The Song Remains the Same concerts can be found here. TIMES SQUARE Finestra glides through Times Square briefly, taking it all in from the back seat of his chauffeured car. Though for someone who holds court at the nearby Brill Building, and has seen the city after dark, he seems almost surprised by its X-rated marquees and flashy squalor. More photos of Times Square in the 1970s can be found here. 1520 SEDGWICK AVENUE Just as the show jumps from time and place with a jerky rapidity, it also squeezes in as much of the vast music landscape as possible in the first episode, to a fault. We encounter hip-hop on the same drive that brings Finestra through Times Squarea drive that also includes trying to force in some news of the world over a radio broadcastand it begins to feel like we're on Walt Disney's Carousel of Progress ride. Out the window we see the city passing by, and suddenly the numbers "1520" appear as a record is spun and scratchedthis is the Birthplace of Hip-Hop, or 1520 Sedgwick Avenue in the Bronx. As legend has it, on August 11th, 1973, "DJ Kool Herc's sister Cindy Campbell decided to throw a back to school party in her building's small rec room at 1520 Sedgwick Ave. Kool Herc introduced extended break beats, which mesmerized the jam packed crowd. Soon, he had to take the party outside and down the street to Cedar Park, drawing thousands throughout the night to see the birth of the art form." More on 1520 Sedgwick Avenue can be found here. BRILL BUILDING The Landmarks Preservation Commission deemed the beautiful art deco Brill Building, located at 1619 Broadway, worthy of landmark designation in 2010. During the pilot it seems to be of a Too Old era, with one record company employee suggesting they move to a new, cooler office building. The first three music companies to move into the circa-1930s building were Southern Music, Mills Music and Famous-Music, and by 1962 more. Steely Dan's cofounders Walter Becker and Donald Fagen got their start writing songs there in 1969-1970. More on the Brill Building can be found here. THE SCENE Richard Hell reviewed the show for Stereogum, and he didn't like it, writing, "The show is a typical TV soap opera. By modern standards its mediocre even at that." Here's some more: "I dont want to be too hard on Vinyl. I thought it was boring, I thought it was innocuous trash, but I may not be objective. A major selling point of the show is its setting in the 1970s New York music scene, wherein were born punk and hip-hop and much of disco. Fascination with down and dirty, crazed, but semi-glamorous, 70s New York has been durable. I was a part of the punk emergence back then, and the main character in one of the many subplots of the series is partly based on me. That had a lot to do with my getting invited to write this review, and agreeing to. But the show isnt really about music, its about business, and business as understood by Martin Scorsese. I respect and admire Scorsese, but I get tired of his relentless framing of life as nothing but competition among men for power." And Alison Martino offered up a real glimpse into the record industry back then, noting that Vinyl fell short of capturing that: Anyway, it's not supposed to be a frame-by-frame adaptation... but we hope, any inaccuracies aside, that the show hits its stride soon, and pulls us in. Pastor Tony Williamson is here for our Youth Camp 2016. What a huge blessing to all. He has helped us with two Youth Camps and our last In... Finally, some real de-incarceration talk Deputy Goforth's murder motivated by mental illness, not Black Lives Matter Easing sex-offender residency restrictions in small towns a broad legal challenge has led more than 20 towns in Texas to ease restrictions over the last few months on where sex offenders can live instead of fight a costly battle in court. While other states, including neighboring Oklahoma, continue to push offenders away from some neighborhoods, about 45 Texas towns received letters in November from the group Texas Voices for Reason and Justice demanding they repeal residency restrictions. The nonprofit, which is critical of sex offender laws it considers ineffective, also has sued 14 towns and has a powerful ally the state attorney general's office. Pregnant, in jail, and can't make bail In Texas, 300 to 500 pregnant women are booked into county jails each month, and dozens gave birth while in custody last year. Women report not getting enough food. They say the notoriously uncomfortable sleeping mats cause back pain. And they feel mistreated and disrespected by guards. One woman in a Travis County lockup last year said she was shackled to her hospital bed while delivering her baby. Here are a few of items which merit readers' attention even if they haven't made it into independent posts:At the House Corrections Committee on Tuesday, reported Chuck Lindell at the Austin Statesman, "Taking the first step on a topic that could generate heat in the 2017 legislative session, Texas lawmakers began discussing Tuesday whether some nonviolent drug crimes should carry shorter sentences or be converted from felonies to misdemeanors. Your correspondent was otherwise engaged but plans to watch the hearing over the weekend. See also coverage from KLRD KXAN , the Houston Chronicle , and Grits' preview of the issues on the agenda.Yes, the Harris County Sheriff claimed Deputy Darren Goforth's murder was motivated by Black Lives Matter protests. For the record, whether that was an intentional lie or just flawed supposition, we now know for certain that's not the case. Instead, the killer, Shannon Miles, is seriously mentally ill, reported AP , and was declared incompetent to stand trial by a court. He'll be back again for another bite at the apple after four months on his meds at a state mental hospital. Records show Miles "has been committed to mental health facilities at least twice in recent years." In the end, I'm guessing Miles shot Deputy Goforth for the same reason Abraham took Isaac to the mountain to sacrifice him: He heard voices telling him to do it.Texas Voices is flexing its muscle, aiming to eliminate sex-offender residency restrictions in dozens of small "general law" towns, according to this AP report Next session, someone will surely file a bill to give general law towns that authority. But then Texas Voices gets to have the debate, which is what they're trying to start here. Go get 'em, Mary Sue! And good for Richard Gladden, too, I was glad to see his name pop up in the story representing the group.Grits was on vacation and missed an awesome piece from the Texas Observer last summer by Alex Garcia-Ditta on pregnant women in jail revealed that:That's a lot of pregnant women in Texas jails at any given point in time. I wonder what proportion are otherwise eligible for release but simply could not afford to make bail? Three hundred to five hundredper month is a really big number. The anecdote in Garcia-Ditta's lede about the woman who lost her baby during unattended childbirth in a Wichita County Jail broke my heart. The Texas Commission on Jail Standards didn't learn of the incident for two years, until the woman filed a civil suit.Finally, speaking of incarcerated women, check out a Texas Observer podcast from last month with the founder of Conspire theater group. I like to think of myself as a Renaissance Man, who champions the values of the Enlightenment and aspires to the Cardinal Virtues of Prudence, Temperance, Justice and Fortitude. I am also a student of the Misery of the Human Condition. "" [more] Opinion Clear message The Darwin awards are for the best approaches, normally successful, to removing yourself from the gene pool. The latest attempt by American Rebecca Clark shows how to do it in so many ways, a solo walk in a park, poor phone reception and then getting within a few feet of a 2000-pound bison. Of all the places I have ever lived, Wisconsin was my least favorite. I truly mourn the five years of my late 20s, from 1964-1969, that I spent there while Terry finished his PhD. It stifled me, as a not very far out person from Berkeley who had a lot of skills and experience that were of no interest to people around me but not having the practical skills Wisconsonites favored. Terry was better off there, having grown up with parents from the Midwest, but after a while he was dying to get out of there, too. A relative of mine by marriage bitterly resents her girlhood on a Wisconsin dairy farm, taking care of farm animals and baking pies for the county fair, and she warns, "If you are brought up to do the practical things competently you will be doing them all your life." She would rather have been Scarlett O'Hara or a hippie chick. While cultivating her romantic fantasies, she surprises me from time to time by being very mean to me and ridiculing my activities. So I'm not good enough to let it go, but I let her have it too, but only in my defense. The pettiness of ordinary Wisconsin people was remarkable, just in the air, and I guess that has not changed. I've lived in other places where there was much pressure to conform, backbiting, sometimes vicious, and a strong tendency to kick the underdog, but in Wisconsin there was always this bland facade of niceness that people put up to hide their petty nastiness and love of tricking and outsmarting others. Scott Walker has it down. Another exemplar of that mentality is Ann Althouse, the blogger. It's unique, never found this peculiar combination anywhere else as far as I know. It is not even talked about, because the trait is considered normal and "everyone" is like that. The really good people there, the progressives like John Nichols, usually look distressed, because they see so much injustice and feel helpless against it. I tried going to nursing school in Madison. My existential position was that I was older, from somewhere else, and not especially good at manual tasks. To be fair, they gave me a chance to drop out for a while and come back, but I did other things instead. There was something I had to deal with about myself, and doing low level hospital work suited me better at that time. This all probably could have been dealt with in an easier and happier way if I had been somewhere else and not in Madison, Wisconsin. And once I had a baby, I was perfectly happy and have been so, mostly, every since. Here are two anecdotes that stick in my mind: In nursing school one of our tasks was to learn to give an enema. Our teacher chose a woman totally paralyzed with stroke as the person to be demonstrated on. The students stood around her bed while she regarded them with terror. As the nurse started to administer the enema, exposing her entire body to our gaze, I left, followed by another student. We were horrified at this insensitivity. Sure, it was a teaching hospital, and you could argue that it was something we needed to know how to do, but this was so crass. The teacher chewed us out and I flunked her course because of this insubordination. In the student housing where we lived a woman who had numerous health issues installed her own washer-dryer. This was against regulations, and her neighbor reported her to the manager. Maybe not so bad, but she added to this a lot of gloating, remarking on the woman's academic ambitions, her female problems, her less than immaculate apartment and disheveled kids, and so on and congratulating herself on her personal superiority. These are two of the numerous incidents I saw or heard about where people were gratuitously mean and unhelpful to each other. When I moved to Germany I recognized this as the peasant mentality of these people transferred to the New World. By then I was stronger and not so impacted by it, but I sure could spot this mindset a mile away. If they did not like what I did, I considered the source. And I could dish it out if I had to. As soon as I'm finished watching all the episodes, I'll say more about Making a Murderer, the Netflix crime documentary set in Manitowoc County, Wisconsin. Here is a response by Rob Thomas from The Capital Times to this series. Murderer, though, stays on the right side of that line. Part of that is because it is so even-handed and respectful to all parties, refusing to sensationalize. But the other part is that it tells a story that is much larger than its whodunit narrative, a story of how easy it is for working class people to get knocked around by our legal system and how small town prejudices can influence how local law enforcement operates. And how easy it is for the rest of us to accept the official narrative put before us, how much lip service we pay to the notion of innocent until proven guilty. Making a Murderer hits close to home for Wisconsin viewers like me, whether were part of the media or not, who had instantly made up their minds about Avery before knowing the evidence against him. And it should. If I did not know better I would take this at face value. Who is this "we" he sets up anyway? And what does he think is the purpose of this documentary? To make us think and become better middle of the road don't rock the boat types? And what about taking on a system that is corrupt from top to bottom instead of implying that well, the good people have been led astray? Ann Althouse says she won't watch it or comment on it, except to say that it's no good. That is so typical!!! That way she can avoid the whole situation, in spite of being a law professor at the University of Wisconsin!!! This series has me so upset that I couldn't even sleep last night but kept wandering around the house, not like me at all. More: This is the best piece on this series, by novelist and Wisconsin native Lorrie Moore, and I'll write more after I've watched the last episode. At trial, Officer Billins testified that he administered the horizontal gaze nystagmus test and noticed that Tsujimura was swaying from left to right. The district court sustained objections for the admission of the HGN. During the walk-and-turn test, Tsujimura twice failed to maintain the initial heel-to-toe stance, stepped off the line five times, failed to walk in a heel-to-toe fashion on all steps, raised his arms contrary to the officers instructions, and in making his turn, stumbled backwards and had to raise his arms to keep balance. During the one-leg stand, Tsujimura was unable to keep his foot six inches above the ground, put his foot down on several occasions during the first ten seconds, did not raise his foot off the ground in the last ten seconds, did not follow the officers instructions to count after several prompts to start counting, and he did not maintain balance without keeping his hands at his side. No person shall . . . be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against oneself. Haw. Const. Art. I, Sec. 10.U.S. Const. Am. V. In order to safeguard a defendants constitutional right against self-incrimination, officers must apprise the defendant of his or her constitutional right to remain silent and the right to counsel. Officers must also tell the defendant that anything he or she says can and will be used against him in court and that if he or she cannot afford an attorney, one would be provided free of charge. Finally, before a statement can be used in court as evidence, there must be proof that the defendant waived these rights., 384 U.S. 436 (1966). For All U of U Health Patients & Visitors BILLINGS -- Across Montana, small-town skylines are dominated by, or in many cases solely consist of, decades-old grain elevators in various states of disrepair. Some of the elevators still operate, helping farmers send crops to market. Others held their last grain decades ago, and as they deteriorate they become financial and legal burdens. Elevators in Laurel, Columbus and Wilsall recently were toppled. Preparation began this week for the demolition of the iconic Teslow Inc. grain elevator in Livingston, but the building has new hope after a grassroots preservation group called a last-minute meeting Monday night. The group, Save the Teslow, reached a tentative agreement with current owner and local real estate developer Chris Salacinski, who took possession of the building in January. Barclay Rogers, a local lawyer and member of the community-based effort, said the short-notice meeting was well attended and a success by any measure. There was a strong show of public support," Rogers said. "The grain elevators owner has agreed to sell, the funding is in place to acquire the building, and demolition is halted. There are logistical issues that need to be solved, but the grain elevator is going to be saved." Salacinski took possession of the building in January after the previous owner struggled to maintain and insure the elevator. Rogers said a private group will initially put forth the money to account for expenses accrued so far, but the ownership will eventually transition to a nonprofit organization. I dont want the building, and theres so much damn liability because its been compromised, Salacinski said. Theres a big old hole on top. The railroad wants it gone or repaired. Montana Rail Link owns the land the elevator sits on, and new owners will need to secure a new lease. Salacinski said strong winds ripped large chunks of the roof off, and the top tier is structurally deficient. Repairing the building will be costly, but demolition was also complicated by nearby structures and power lines. He estimated the tear-down would have cost $75,000 to $100,000. One in a trend The Teslow was the latest in a string of elevators to be threatened across the state. The G.D. Eastlick elevator toppled in Laurel at the beginning of February, a simpler project because of its open surroundings. Dick Jonason, a Billings grain purchaser with 46 years of experience, said the crib-style elevators have been out of date for decades and have been torn down or built around since that time. They used to ship (grain) in trucks and single (train) cars way back when. Then, oh back in the early 80s, they went to 26-car trains, Jonason said. During the next decade the trains doubled in size, and big trains today pull about 110 cars. The old crib-style elevators just couldnt keep up with that workload. The facilities were either closed or remodeled with more modern equipment. Before the multicar trains were put in use, the crib elevators loaded at a rate of about 1,000 bushels an hour. Todays elevators load 20 to 30 times faster. They also require less maintenance and generally offer a much greater capacity. Every little town had an elevator back in the day, but theyre kind of getting away from that because they cant build these big high-speed elevators, Jonason said. So, theyve kind of stretched out a bit. The modern elevators were built in centralized locations to serve more farms. Small towns lost the business but the old elevators remained. Theyre really some of the most iconic and community defining architectural specimens out there and really a delight for all, said Kate Hampton, Montana Historical Society community preservation coordinator. Hampton said the buildings are often landmarks for small towns, welcoming residents as they approach home from miles away. Sometimes people contact MHS looking for help preserving their local elevators or finding a new purpose for the structures. Elevators across the country have been turned into climbing gyms and breweries. One in Anthony is now a residence. The MHS office identified about a dozen crib-style elevators possibly eligible for the National Register of Historic Places, and elevators in Beaverhead, Gallatin and Sheridan counties already are listed on the registry. A listing on the National Register doesnt limit property owners rights to manage the structures as they see fit, but Hampton said it educates people on the historical significance of the elevators and the importance of preserving Montanas agricultural heritage. Within minutes of opening statements, jurors in Joseph Campbell's deliberate homicide trial viewed graphic photos of a dead man flat on his back next to a wood fence. Prosecutors say Campbell gunned down a neighbor in cold blood to end a long-running dispute about land access near Augusta. Campbell contends he fired in self defense after Timothy "Tim" Newman came after him armed with a pistol in 2013. During the ongoing dispute, Campbell vocalized his desire to kill Newman, who owned a nearby cabin, prosecutors say. "I'm going to put him down," Mary Cochenour, assistant attorney general, said Campbell told neighbors. "Two days later, he put Tim Newman down," she said, adding it played out at the gate just like he said it would. Judge Jeffrey Sherlock came out of retirement to preside over the trial, which is being held in the Old Supreme Court Chamber of the State Capitol. A photo of Newman's bloody body was displayed for jurors behind Cochenour as she gave opening arguments. A sheriff's deputy found Newman's corpse with bolt cutters at his feet in the woods nearly 20 miles southwest of Augusta on Oct. 18, 2013. Campbell, who contends he fired in fear for his life, sat on the other side of the fence awaiting the arrival of authorities after his wife called 911. Newman was the aggressor armed with a revolver, the defense argues. "As Mr. Campbell looked into that barrel, he looked into his own death," his attorney Gregory Jackson said. "That's what this case is about. It's about self defense," he added. Testimony began Monday in what is expected to be a lengthy, weeks-long trial. Much of the testimony will focus on the shooting death itself, but another key component of the case is the ongoing battle regarding land access. Testimony from more than 60 witnesses is anticipated. Both sides accuse the other man of being the provoker. Prosecutors say Campbell, who was 67 at the time, had intent and motive in shooting Newman deliberately in the back. The evidence does not match Campbell's account of the events by the fence that day, Cochenour said. "This was not a justified killing," she told jurors. Jackson said an aggravated and erratic Newman got his .357 pistol, grabbed his bolt cutters and headed to the gate anticipating a confrontation. Newman pointed the gun at Campbell's chest, he said. "Joe's thoughts: I'm a dead man. I'm a dead man," Jackson told the jury. Jackson said the years of disputing over land access and gates Campbell had put up led Newman to become disgruntled. His client was simply asking neighbors to gain permission before stepping foot on his 300 acres, he added. "Somehow he became fixated on Mr. Campbell as the source of his problems," Jackson said. Prosecutors say Campbell began maintaining an armed guard on his land and gates. He attempted and was mostly successful in intimidating his neighbors to stay away from his fences. The owner of the land where Newman died testified to not being surprised by Campbell shooting Newman. "He admits to taking aim and he shot him in the back," Cochenour told the jury. Campbell's wife called 911 to report an "altercation" with a neighbor threatening to cut their locks. She called again 16 minutes later to say shots had been fired. The first sheriff's deputy on the scene said he found Campbell sitting on his own land, which was on the opposite side of the fence from Newman's body. The deputy said he removed the semiautomatic gun from Campbell's holster before putting the suspect in his patrol vehicle. Campbell admitted to shooting twice. Campbell has pleaded not guilty to the felony charge and posted a $300,000 property bond after his bail was lowered from $1 million. Testimony will continue Tuesday morning. BILLINGS -- Montana State Prison inmate Dewey Eugene Coleman died on Sunday at the Lewistown Infirmary of natural causes, according to a news release from the Montana Department of Corrections. He was 67. Coleman was sentenced out of Rosebud County on Nov. 21, 1975. On July 4, 1974, 21-year-old Peggy Lee Harstad went missing. Her car was found the next day, abandoned just a few miles from her home in Rosebud. Her purse was found in a culvert a few more miles away, according to news archives. Harstad was driving between Rosebud and Harlowton when she offered a ride to two hitchhikers, later identified as Dewey Eugene Coleman and Robert Dennis Nank. Her body was discovered in late August on the north bank of the Yellowstone River near Forsyth. Nank and Coleman were arrested in October 1974 in Boise, Idaho. Nank confessed that he and Coleman had raped, beaten and drowned Harstad, while Coleman denied that he was involved. Both were charged with deliberate homicide, aggravated kidnapping and rape. At the time, a conviction of aggravated kidnapping had a mandatory death sentence attached, but that law was repealed in 1977. Nank entered a plea agreement, allowing him to have the kidnapping charges dropped, avoiding the death penalty, in exchange for testifying against Coleman. Coleman was convicted on all three counts, and was sentenced to 100 years for the homicide and 40 years for the rape charge. For the kidnapping, he received the mandatory death sentence, archives show. Nank later escaped from the Nevada prison in which he was being held in 1981, along with three other convicted murderers. He had been transferred to the prison from Deer Lodge out of fear of retribution for testifying against Coleman. Coleman appealed the sentence, and the Montana Supreme Court determined the mandatory death sentence to be unconstitutional. Coleman was again sentenced to death in 1978 under a new statute. The execution was scheduled for late November 1981. Though no executions had been carried out in Montana for more than 39 years, the primary means of execution was still hanging. However, Montana State Prison Warden Hank Risley had the prison's gallows removed, stating that he didn't want his institution to carry out executions. Yellowstone County Sheriff Richard Shaffer took matters into his own hands, secretly constructing a gallows over a stairwell on the ninth floor of the Yellowstone County Courthouse. Just days before the hanging was to take place, Coleman was granted a stay of execution. Coleman later argued that his death sentence was handed down because he was black, and that Nank was given preferential treatment because he was white. The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in favor of Coleman in 1988, commuting his death sentence to life imprisonment. Coleman was to be eligible for parole this year, though a previous hearing with the Montana Board of Pardons and Parole in 2011 did not go in his favor. Feb. 12 At 1:31 p.m. a school resource officer took a report of a Helena High student that was in possession of a small amount of marijuana. A 17-year-old male was cited for possession of dangerous drugs (marijuana) and referred to juvenile probation. Feb. 13 At 10:18 a.m. a Helena Police Department officer responded to the 40 block of Hibbard Way for a report of a criminal mischief to a building. A window on the building had been broken. This case is active. At 12:17 p.m. an officer took a report of a theft from a vehicle that occurred in the 700 block of South California Street. The person reported their laptop was taken from their vehicle sometime during the night. At 2:01 p.m. an officer was dispatched to a business in the 2700 block of Prospect Avenue on a report of a theft. Upon investigation a 28-year-old man was cited for misdemeanor theft and referred to Helena Municipal Court. At 4:19 p.m. an officer responded to the 1300 block of Lyndale Avenue for a report of a theft. The complainant advised they had some cash taken from them. The officer is following up with the possible suspect. At 9:19 p.m. an officer was dispatched to the 2500 block of Ferndale Lane for a report of a person possibly using drugs. Investigation into the matter led to a 60-year-old man being issued a citation for possession of dangerous drugs (marijuana). He was referred to Helena Municipal Court. At 10:57 p.m. officers were dispatched to the 3000 block of North Montana Avenue for a report of a suspicious male in the area. At 11:30 p.m. an officer responded to a business in the 50 block of North Last Chance Gulch for a report of a person trying to enter the business with a false identification card. An unknown male presented a driver's license that was not his own. The driver's license was seized and the male left the area. Feb. 14 At 1:36 a.m. an officer was dispatched to the 1700 block of Knight Street for a report of threats being made. This case is active. At 1:41 a.m. an officer responded to the 300 block of Euclid Avenue for a report of a theft. The complainant advised a male had left the business with a grocery cart full of merchandise and did not pay for anything. The officer has suspect information and is following up on this information. At 9:06 a.m. an officer responded to the 600 block of North Last Chance Gulch for a report of a 24/7 violation. At 1:17 p.m. an officer was dispatched to the 400 block of South Fee Street for a welfare check on a young child. The young child was outside alone without a parent. The parent for the child was located a short time later. At 2:45 p.m. an officer was dispatched to the 3200 block of Highway 12 East for a report of a possible assault. The officer met with all parties and the information has been forwarded to the City Attorney's Office for consideration of charges. At 5:02 p.m. an Officer was dispatched to the 500 block of Logan Street for a report of a trespass to property. The complainant advised a female was on the property that was trespassed earlier in the week. This case is active. Feb. 15 At 1:58 a.m. an officer responded to a business in the 3000 block of Queen Anne Street for a report of a theft. A female had concealed merchandise on her person and left the business without paying for the merchandise. The 23-year-old woman was issued a citation for misdemeanor theft and referred to Helena Municipal Court. HAMILTON -- Theres something not quite right when it comes to the Bitterroot Valleys mule deer herd. Talk to people who have lived here for decades and they will tell you there used to be a lot more mule deer on the public lands surrounding the valley floor. Others are quick to say that theyve never seen so many mule deer in the bottomlands. There are a lot of opinions out there about why that is, said former state biologist Craig Jourdonnais. Its just like there used to be a lot of opinions on elk five or six years ago. Were going to try to come up with facts for people. Jourdonnais is currently employed as the MPG Ranchs principal investigator for big game. Hes joining with Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Bitterroot biologist Rebecca Mowry and lead FWP research biologist Kelly Proffitt to conduct a three-year mule deer study in the valley. The study got underway earlier this month when Mowry, Jourdonnais and other researchers began darting mule deer does in the south and north ends of the Sapphire Mountains and fitting them with GPS collars that will track them for the next three years. Before winters end, the researchers plan to have captured and collared a total of 30 mule deer does for the study. On the south end of the valley, the study will focus on the herd that lives between Skalkaho Road and the East Fork of the Bitterroot. On the north end, does will be captured between Miller Creek and Burnt Fork. The radio collars will be divided equally in both areas. The collars provide six to eight locations per day via satellite. The collars also have a mortality sensor, which will allow researchers to find any animal that dies, hopefully quick enough to determine the cause of the mortality. Both the areas have already had a large amount of vegetative survey work completed during previous elk studies. That data that we already have in place will help be a benefit, Jourdonnais said. These studies that weve completed in the Bitterroot are now starting to build on one another. Jourdonnais completed a smaller deer study in the West Fork several years ago, which he said kind of primed the pump and helped us to develop the questions that we wanted to pursue. Statewide issue This mule deer study in the Bitterroot could serve as a pilot for other locations around the West that are seeing similar declines and changes in land use by mule deer, Mowry said. When state biologists and researchers first started talking about the potential of taking a hard look at why mule deer numbers fluctuate so much and sometimes dont rebound, there was talk about completing a statewide study, she said. After that was considered, we found that the different regions had different issues, she said. It didnt make sense to do one statewide study. The Sapphire Mountains offer good mule deer habitat, but their numbers have fluctuated over the years, especially in Hunting District 270 where buck mule deer are protected under regulations designed to grow large trophy bucks. While buck numbers are on the upswing in the East Fork of the Bitterroot, Mowry said doe numbers have remained stable or are declining. Im interested to see if the differences in management strategies or components of the habitat are making a difference in doe mule deer survival, Mowry said. Im also curious to see if the large numbers of bucks that we carry in the trophy district might be detrimental to the herd. I dont know what well find. Were all coming at it with an open mind and see what the data says. So far, the researchers have collared three does in the East Fork of the Bitterroot in the Rye Creek area. Another eight have been collared in the northern reaches of the Sapphire Mountains. There have been a couple of interesting observations. The first deer we collared moves a lot further than we thought it would, Mowry said. The researchers also noted a significant difference in body condition between does captured in the north and south ends of the valley. In the north end, they were a little bit fatter, she said. In the south, weve only captured deer right off Rye Creek. There isnt a lot food for them there. They are quite a bit thinner. Ill be interested to see if the deer are doing better in areas like French Basin and Sula Peak. Initially, the researchers had planned to capture the deer using baited clover traps, but a late elk hunt in the north end of the valley forced them to dart the animals with a fast-acting tranquilizer instead. Once the animals go down -- usually just a few minutes after being darted -- the researchers blindfold the animals to keep them calm. They then take a blood and fecal sample, assess body condition, attach the collar and insert two ear tags, including a red one that warns people about eating the deer. The tranquilizer can be bad for humans, Mowry said. If someone does harvest one of the deer with a red ear tag, they can call us and we can tell them when they were darted. After finishing the process, the researchers give the deer a reversal drug. They usually wake up in four or five minutes, Mowry said. They get up and walk away. Jourdonnais said the MPG Ranch is one of the principal funders of the project. The Ravalli County Fish and Wildlife Association donated money as well. Obama's Department of Interior recently announced a moratorium on federal coal leases, and few states will be hit harder than Montana. Not only is our state home to over one-third of all coal reserves in the United States, but about half of the coal production in our state happens on federal land. Halting all future leases means that much of this coal is untouchable. Montana has already lost hundreds of jobs as a direct result of the federal actions aimed at stopping coal mining. We stand to lose thousands more in the coming years unless those policies are reversed. The state of Montana receives half of the royalties that the federal government collects from federal coal production. That amounts to between $40 million and $50 million each biennium. This is above and beyond the taxes paid by coal producers to the state that go to fund schools, infrastructure and law enforcement across our state. Think about it this way: The coal owned by the federal government is owned by all of us. By producing our public coal we create high-wage jobs and we reap tax revenue that benefits each and every Montanan. About one in 10 of the tax dollars collected by the state of Montana is connected to our coal industry. That windfall could disappear, but the needs of Montanans wont. Filling a budget gap of that magnitude would require some combination of service cuts and steep tax hikes. One has to ask: Why are we doing this? The presidents own plan to shut down coal-fired power plants around the country results in about a 1 percent reduction in global carbon emissions. Thats a tiny, barely-worth-mentioning benefit compared to the severe economic pain that Montana is already starting to feel as a result of his plan. For all of the moves Obama has made against the coal industry, the fact remains that they will have no impact on Montanas climate no impact on drought or rainfall, on temperatures or weather events. The biggest effect of all these measures that I see is a forthcoming shift in our tax base away from natural resource taxes to higher income and property taxes. To paraphrase Hemingway, the way you go bankrupt is slowly, then all at once. Right now Montana is slowly losing jobs and slowly seeing a shrinking tax base due directly to the Obama administration. The way the trends are going isnt pretty. So what can we do about it? Fortunately, most of the moves by President Obama were done unilaterally by executive order, without congressional approval. That means the next president can undo them with the stroke of a pen. For Montana, that makes the next election all the more important. But more immediately, we need all our Montana elected officials united against the president and the environmental groups fueling this anti-coal agenda. That isnt happening right now Senator Tester and Governor Bullock are too often backing the president in his plans. No one is saying that we should go back to the days of irresponsible natural resource production (those of us who make their living off the land have the greatest incentive to protect it) but we shouldnt go in the direction of incredibly overzealous environmental policy either. We can find middle ground on these issues. We have to Montana has too much at stake to let one-sided policies destroy our coal industry. Sen. Rick Ripley, R-Wolf Creek, serves on the Environmental Quality Council and the Interim Legislative Finance Committee. EASTBOROUGH, Kan. Kelsey Cary humbly said shes just a good copycat. Long before she and her husband bought their house in Eastborough, Kan., in 2014, the stay-at-home mom had pinned a photo of the exterior of a Georgia house that shed fallen in love with white brick, black windows, set back in the trees to a board on Pinterest. After the Carys bought the Eastborough house red brick, dark-green trim, set back in the trees, like something out of Hansel and Gretel Cary called forth the photo that shed put on the Pinterest social-media bulletin board. The photo had come from the blog of a Georgia company that was chronicling a house it was redoing. I followed them on Instagram and asked them, What color did you paint that house? and they actually replied and said, Natural Choice by Sherwin-Williams, Cary said. It was like, ah! I can execute my vision. Cary is one of millions of people who go to social-media sites such as Pinterest and Instagram and the craft site Etsy for home decor ideas and DIY projects. Pinterest is a sort of online bulletin board where you see images (photos, diagrams, recipes) and pin them to bulletin boards you create to refer back to later. You can follow certain people or businesses to see what theyre pinning, and you can repin what you like to your own boards. Thanks to Pinterest and Instagram, the Carys house is now bright where it was dark, painted Natural Choice (not too white, but more natural, naturally) and cars slow down to examine the new look on the 1940 house. The exterior is only one of many home-decor ideas Cary has pinned to Pinterest boards under such categories as boy bath, girl room and shut the front door. The stay-at-home mom uses the site to organize ideas for the house as well as other areas of life such as recipes, clothes for the kids and vacations. Whereas some people pin vicariously, dreaming of things they pin that never see the light of day, Cary sees Pinterest as something quite practical. I dont have to go out and find my own color, she said of painting the house, for example. Its the perfect color. With inspiration from Pinterest shes also redone a bathroom, decorated a hallway and tore into the fireplace wall in the den. One red-brick wall was taken up with a fireplace, a long narrow mantle, and built-in shelves. I got inspired on Pinterest one day and tore out all the built-ins on the side. I texted my husband and said, Hey, I started a project! Jay Carys response: Youre killin me! It turned into a team project. Kelsey painted the red brick white. My husband took down the mantle and sanded it, and I stained it, and we put it back up together. For $50, it totally changed the look. Except for the built-ins, that is; theres still the hole in the wall where they were. The contractor has been called. Inside the entryway, along the wall at the base of a staircase, this little nook is Pinterest-y and -inspired. I saw an image I liked and thought, I could do something like that, Cary said. She bought a wooden bench at Juliana Daniel Antiques, some pillows on Etsy, art from last years local Young Life Art Show, and a basket online. It kind of worked out perfectly. But her biggest Pinterest project was gutting a bathroom on the first floor of the house. It started with a pin of some tile shed fallen for because of its unique pattern again, before theyd moved into the house. The floor was the main piece, and I had pinned that floor like a year and a half ago. Then I saw this bathroom that had the tile, and I said, No way. Ive gotta have it. She tracked down the source of the tile and saw that it wasnt available locally. But she talked to Designers Expo in Wichita and found out that it was getting ready to become a distributor for the manufacturer of the tile. So she ended up being able to buy it locally. When people see the tile, they say, Are these floors original? Because they have that 40s vibe. Almost all of the other elements in the bathroom are also exactly what Cary saw on Pinterest, or its pretty darn close, from the brass hardware to the custom-built cabinet vanity. Ah, I love it, Cary said. Every time I walk in the door. Kathy Haines of Designers Expo who worked with Cary said that while customers can be overwhelmed in a store, not able to see different elements pulled together, such online tools as Pinterest or Houzz can help with that. In the past we were loathe to send customers to the Internet, Haines said. But now they are able to show us things they like. Its something that makes it much easier to get inside their head. We refer people back to it all the time because you do a search of Carrera marble backsplash and you get millions of pictures and they can usually find something they like. Cary said she thinks she gets her love of design from her mother, who, among other things, was always rearranging the furniture. Cary tells the childhood story of the time her father carried her and her sister to bed and dropped them on the floor because her mom had moved the beds and not told anyone. She was of that generation that tore ideas out of magazines and collected them, and this is kind of our generation of that, Cary said of Pinterest. Its all online. Makes it pretty easy. And Cary has only just begun. The kitchen still has to be finished, and she wants a big fire pit out back. All this gives me a sense of accomplishment, she said. DECATUR Former Decatur Police Chief Brad Sweeney filed a lawsuit Tuesday alleging that his firing by City Manager Tim Gleason was retaliation for disagreements between them, including Sweeney confronting him for illegally using a police car for personal use. Sweeney, who is represented by attorney Jon D. Robinson, is asking for a judgment that will reinstate his seniority status, as well as back pay, compensation for litigation costs and other relief the court deems just. The suit alleges his termination was a violation of the Illinois Whistleblower Act because he disclosed violations of state laws, rules and regulations to his employer. In this case, the employer was represented by the city manager. On May 7, 2015, on Gleason's orders, an on-duty, uniformed Decatur police officer drove Gleason to the St. Louis airport in a city of Decatur squad car, the complaint says. The uniformed officer was taken out of service for at least five hours that day. The complaint alleges that Gleason's actions violated one or more laws and regulations, including the Illinois Official Misconduct statute, a Class 3 felony. About a week later, Sweeney met with Gleason in his office. During that meeting, Sweeney again advised Gleason that his use of a police car and driver for personal purposes was improper and insisted it could never happen again, the complaint alleges. Sweeney's relationship with Gleason was difficult thereafter, the complaint says, adding that Gleason apparently resented being warned about his improper personal use of police department resources. The complaint also alleges that about six days before the Feb. 1 city council meeting Gleason told Sweeney he expected him to speak in support of a local motor fuel tax. Sweeney immediately refused to make the public statement. Gleason responded with hostility, and he told Sweeney to leave his office. On Feb. 2, following the city council meeting, Sweeney attended a staff meeting with the city's other department heads. When it was Sweeney's turn to speak, he again stated his opposition to a further tax increase and said there were other potential revenue sources. Gleason immediately became furious and ordered Sweeney to leave the staff meeting. Later that day, and again the following day, Gleason threatened Sweeney by asking him, Do you know who you work for? and Do you want to keep your job as police chief? Sweeney was terminated on Feb. 4, after declining Gleason's offer to resign. Sweeney obtained his personnel file on Feb. 11, and there is no documentation of any kind to support Sweeney's termination, the complaint says. This story will be updated. In the first minutes after the shocking news spread Saturday that Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia had died, Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Charles E. Grassley tried to be reasonable. It didn't go well for him. The Iowa Republican, informed in a phone call from Des Moines Register reporter Jason Noble that Scalia had died, responded honorably, saying he didn't want to talk about replacing Scalia yet. "I wouldn't make any prognostication on anything about the future because there's so many balls in the air when those things are considered," he said. But in the following two hours, those balls fell, on Grassley. The conservative Twitterverse erupted with demands that the Senate refuse to confirm anybody nominated by President Obama to replace Scalia. Conservative firebrand Ted Cruz, the presidential candidate and a member of Grassley's committee, declared that "we owe it" to Scalia "for the Senate to ensure that the next president names his replacement;" a sentiment echoed by other Republican presidential candidates. Then, at 6:41 p.m., not two hours after the San Antonio Express-News broke the news of Scalia's death, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., declared that "this vacancy should not be filled until we have a new president." About 40 minutes later, Grassley folded. "The fact of the matter is that it's been standard practice over the last nearly 80 years that Supreme Court nominees are not confirmed during a presidential election year," he declared. He added that "it only makes sense that we defer to the American people who will elect a new president to select the next Supreme Court justice." Grassley climbed down so quickly that he erroneously accepted a conservative claim, which was making its way around the Internet, that no nominee had been confirmed in a presidential election year; Justice Anthony M. Kennedy was, in 1988. Grassley corrected his statement to say "nominated and confirmed." Observed Noble, the reporter who had spoken to Grassley earlier: "Grassley's forceful statement marks a rapid rhetorical shift from less than two hours before." The swift reversal by the Senate judiciary chairman was part of an unseemly, but not unsurprising, spectacle that greeted Scalia's death. Democrats and Republicans alike rushed to dig in about whether a successor for Scalia should be considered in the next 11 months, without even a respectful pause. Whether one loved him or hated him, Scalia was a towering figure, and he deserved at least a moment before the bickering began. McConnell, in his statement, said "the American people should have a voice in the selection of their next Supreme Court justice." But the people have already had their say. They re-elected President Obama in 2012. And they elected a Republican majority to the Senate in 2014. That majority has every right to reject Obama's nominee. This is a grim commentary on the current state of dysfunction in American government. If Republicans refuse to confirm an Obama nominee, they will almost certainly break the record for the longest vacancy on the court since it expanded to nine members in 1869. The proverbial before-the-body-was-cold pronouncements began nine minutes after the San Antonio paper tweeted Scalia's death. Sean Davis of the right-wing publication the Federalist tweeted: "If Scalia has actually passed away, the Senate must refuse to confirm any justices in 2016." Four minutes later, Conn Carroll, a spokesman for Senate Judiciary Committee member Mike Lee, R-Utah, tweeted that chances were "less than zero" of an Obama nominee succeeding. Another committee Republican, John Cornyn of Texas, tweeted a headline to justify inaction. Schumer in 2007: Dont confirm any Bush Supreme Court nominee, it said. But that's not what Charles E. Schumer of New York, the incoming Senate Democratic leader, said. "I will recommend to my colleagues that we should not confirm any Bush nominee to the Supreme Court except in extraordinary circumstances," Schumer said, and in the next breath explained: "They must prove by actions, not words, that they are in the mainstream." That's a fine standard. Force Obama's nominee to prove that he, or she, is in the mainstream. But unless the Senate wants to return to antebellum divisions, don't deny that nominee consideration. The Decatur school board has created a lot of questions with their decision not to renew Superintendent Lisa Taylors contract when it expires in June 2017. Board president Sherri Perkins told the popular Taylor last week that she had met all of the performance goals set by the board, but her contract would not be renewed. When news got out on Thursday, the reaction was immediate. A wear yellow campaign was quickly launched via social media and many groups pointed to tonights school board meeting to voice their feelings. Three board members who opposed the decision Brian Hodges, Dan Oakes and Fred Spannaus released statements disagreeing with the boards decision. The Decatur Education Association, which represents teachers and staff, also issued a statement in support of Taylor. When the board meets this afternoon, the members who voted not to extend her contract, Perkins, Barry A. Buttz, Alida Graham and T.J. Jackson, need to clear up several issues and answer some questions: What did the board actually do? The board apparently made the decision in a closed session last week. While personnel matters can be discussed in a closed session, action has to be taken in an open, public session. So, its questionable whether any action has been officially taken. The board will have to take the action in open session, which is required by law. In addition, the board did not give the proper notice that the meeting was being held. The Herald & Review has asked the Illinois Attorney Generals office public access counselor to review the boards process. What are the next steps? If the board follows through, what can students, teachers, parents and taxpayers expect for the next 18 months? Its hard to imagine that more than a year with a lame-duck superintendent will be beneficial to anyone. Is the board planning another extensive, and expensive, superintendent search? What is the basis for this decision? As weve seen over the last few days, Taylor is widely popular with students, faculty, staff and the public. Its rare to see such public support for a school superintendent. The board apparently conceded that Taylor met all of the performance goals, which were set by the board. So why consider dismissal of a superintendent who is popular with nearly all of her constituents, met the goals set by the board and has capably led the district? How is this decision going to improve Decatur schools? Its difficult to understand how this decision will make Decatur schools better in the short or long term. The four board members should explain why they believe this is the best decision for Decatur schools. Finally, board members should remember that Decatur school district taxpayers have been supportive of the districts efforts. The voters agreed to tax themselves in order for the districts two high schools to undergo renovations and property tax increases have been accepted with little complaint. Decatur residents care about their schools and the board needs to explain why they made this decision. With the aim of strengthening health sector cooperation, an Iranian delegation headed by the countrys deputy minister of health Rasul Dinarvani has arrived in Armenia for talks. Welcoming members of the Iranian delegation, Armenia Minister of Health Armen Muradyan noted that it had been two months since an Armenian health ministry delegation had visited Iran and that a new cooperation agreement had been signed since. We are certain that your talks with Armenian colleagues will have a positive result beneficial for the health of our two nations, Muradyan said. Muradyan added that a state of the art regional medical facility opened a few days ago in Meghri would be of interest to Iranian physicians. The Rental Solutions company has launched https://rentyerevan.com, a website that offers a new rental car system that unites all existing available vehicles for rent in the country. The new system allows tourists to view all offers in one place, compare prices and rent a car. The aim of the system is to ease the search of the car and the process of renting for tourists. This rental system allows tourists to choose the vehicle before the arrival by sending a request and booking the selected car. Rent Yerevan also offers a rental service of transport with a driver and a transfer from the airport. Rent Yerevan also provides car owners the opportunityto rent their vehicle. Individuals who have vehicles that meet all technical criteria will be able to advertise on the website. Soon, the website will offer users to browse and rent apartments in Armenia. This section will include apartments across the country including both luxury apartments and standard apartments for budget travelers. The project also includes the rental of bikes and everything that a tourist would need for an unforgettable vacation in Armenia. United rental system will allow visitors to choose a car, an apartment and everything needed without a third party. The Legend..... but should danger ever come, then Holger Danske will rouse himself, and the table will burst asunder as he draws out his beard. Then he will come forth in his strength, and strike a blow that shall sound in all the countries of the world. - Hans Christian Andersen Share your opinion on this topic by sending a letter to the editor to tctvoice@madison.com. Include your full name, hometown and phone number. Your name and town will be published. The phone number is for verification purposes only. Please keep your letter to 250 words or less. Salud! is a weekly wine and spirits column featuring locally available products. Prices and availability may change. Share your opinion on this topic by sending a letter to the editor to tctvoice@madison.com. Include your full name, hometown and phone number. Your name and town will be published. The phone number is for verification purposes only. Please keep your letter to 250 words or less. Top Wisconsin lawmakers want the state attorney general to issue an opinion to clear up a backlog of requests for high-capacity wells. A Friesland man being held on first-degree intentional homicide and weapons charges in the Columbia County Jail is accused of shooting his estranged wife to death Monday morning at a Portage hotel. A Portage police officer responded to a report of shots fired at the Ridge Motor Inn, 2900 New Pinery Road shortly before 8 a.m. Monday. In the northwest parking lot, at the rear of the building, the officer found Tracy Krueger. The 41-year-old mother from Friesland was critically injured. She had been shot and they called an ambulance, but she died almost instantly, said Portage Police Chief Ken Manthey. There was no chance of helping her recover. A witness at the hotel told the officer that the suspect drove away in a white Jeep Grand Cherokee, also giving a license plate number. As Kevin Krueger, Tracys 51-year-old husband, was leaving Portage, a Columbia County Sheriffs deputy identified the vehicle heading west on Highway 16. The deputy pulled Krueger over near Klappstein Road. Sheriff Dennis Richards, Chief Deputy Michael Babcock and the Portage Police Department K-9 unit arrived to assist in the arrest, while the deputy held Krueger at gunpoint. In Kruegers vehicle, officers found a firearm, thought to match the one that killed Tracy Krueger. Krueger was arrested less than 15 minutes after his vehicle was seen at the Ridge Motor Inn. At 9:25 a.m. he was booked into the Columbia County Jail to await his court hearing on the charges of first-degree intentional homicide and possession of a firearm as a felon. The Kruegers had been in the midst of a divorce, scheduled for a hearing on Thursday to show cause, according to court documents. The divorce, which was filed for in the end of October, had over several months involved Tracy Krueger giving change of address notices between Friesland and Greeneville, Tennessee. Speaking to reporters at the scene of the crime, Manthey was not able to say how the man later determined to be her husband knew she was at the hotel, but only that she had been staying there with a friend. Police questioned guests and local people who had been using the hotel gym Monday morning. Many were only aware something had happened when they heard squad cars come screaming into the parking lot. Officers taped off the northwest corner of the parking lot starting with the rear entrance, where light glared through a small hole in the glass of the entryway. Manthey would not comment on evidence detectives may have seen, such as shell casings or holes found. The new restaurant going into the old Shakey's location on the corner East Washington Avenue and Stoughton Road will mainly focus on South Indian food, but will also offer other cuisines from the region, its owner said. Om-Indian Fusion at 3579 E. Washington Ave., will incorporate cuisines such as Nepalese, Tibetan and Indo-Chinese, said Nancy Viswanathan, who will own the restaurant with her new husband Sumanth Viswanathan. "We are also looking at doing some fusion with a number of different dishes that our two chefs will be concocting," she said. Like the vast majority of the area's 13 Indian restaurants, the new restaurant will have a lunch buffet. Since 1999, the 5,000-square-foot space was home to China Buffet. Before that, it was Shakey's Pizza Parlor for 35 years. "We understand that a lot of the locals have a lot of good memories in that particular location, especially back when it was Shakey's," Nancy Viswanathan said. "We thought we'll get in there and give it a nice, modern look and hopefully bring a lot of people back to that corner." An extensive renovation is underway and Viswanathan said they expect the restaurant to open in spring. Nancy Viswanathan recently left the military after a 10-year career. She has had about 15 years experience in the hospitality industry as well, she said. Sumanth Viswanathan is a project manager at American Family Insurance. He is from the city of Ooty in the Southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu, and has been in living in Madison for a few years, she said. The two met in college at Globe University in Minneapolis, where they studied business management. They were married in a ceremony in India in May, with Nancy Viswanathan moving to Madison this past summer. "I actually knew quite a bit about the Indian culture before I married into it," she said. Om will be the couple's first restaurant. Nancy Viswanathan said she likes the Indian spiritual symbol on a "personal level," and the name just fell into place. Although her husband has lived in Madison the last several years, he was unfamiliar with Om Asian Market, a 1-year-old international grocery store in Sun Prairie, whose owner, Nancy Kaushal, is unhappy with the restaurant using the same name. Nancy Viswanathan said despite learning about the grocery store, they intend to stick with the name for now. "Our goal is for people to have a nice, peaceful experience at the restaurant," Nancy Viswanathan said. "We want it to be a place where people can feel like they have friends and family around," she said. "We want to show the beauty of Indian culture and hopefully we can do that through the cuisine." There were some local connections to Monday night's Grammys, but none came away with awards. Jim Leary: The UW-Madison professor of folklore and Scandinavian Studies and Mount Horeb resident was nominated in the category of Best Album Notes. Learys project, Folksongs of Another America: Field Recordings from the Upper Midwest, 1937-1946 was released by the University of Wisconsin Press and Dust-to-Digital in July. The Grammy went to Joni Mitchell for "Love Has Many Faces: A Quartet, A Ballet, Waiting to be Danced" Ryan Truesdell: The Verona native and New York jazz producer was involved with the Gil Evans Project's "Lines of Color," which was nominated for Best Large Jazz Ensemble. That category was won by Maria Schneider Orchestra for "The Thompson Fields." Skylar Grey: The 29-year-old singer, songwriter and Mazomanie native, who goes by the stage name Grey but grew up as Holly Brook, was involved with two nominated projects. She co-wrote and performed "I Know You" for the "Fifty Shades of Grey" soundtrack, which was nominated for Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media. That category was won by "Glen Campbell: I'll Be Me." Grey also was featured on the song "Bed of Lies" on Nicki Minaj's album "The Pinkprint," which was nominated for Best Rap Album. That category was won by Kendrick Lamar's "To Pimp a Butterfly." Chris Rickert | Wisconsin State Journal Urban affairs, investigations, consumer help ("SOS") Follow Chris Rickert | Wisconsin State Journal Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today It looked like one of those rare cases where a piece of state legislation is not only simple, but sensible. When taxpayers are footing the bill for health care for the poor, why wouldnt government require health care providers to charge taxpayers only what it costs to treat them? Alas, few things can be simple in government, and whether the legislation in question is sensible probably depends on whether you think abortion is murder or a constitutionally protected right. As amended, Senate Bill 238 prevents clinics that perform abortions from dispensing prescription drugs to people covered by Medicaid from charging Medicaid any more for those drugs than it cost the clinics to obtain them, plus a government-set dispensing fee. Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin claims its the only agency targeted by what it describes as a politically motivated defunding effort. Of course, reasonable people might take this to mean that the organization is essentially admitting to bilking the government. For if it were already charging only what its services cost, there would be no defunding. PPWI doesnt see it that way. PPWI bills Medicaid under the maximum allowable fee standard set by the state under the federal 340B program, according to Planned Parenthood Advocates of Wisconsin government relations director Nicole Safar. The 340B program allows providers to purchase drugs at a discount. PPWI isnt like a pharmacy in that we do not just hand over a prescription and send the patient on their way, said PPWI spokeswoman Iris Riis. There is a lot of clinician time spent on patient health history, patient education and assessing patient needs. And what PPWI can bill for these other services doesnt cover our costs, Riis said, because of low Medicaid reimbursement. In effect, PPWI appears to be doing the kind of cost-shifting health care providers often say they are forced to do: charging more when they can to make up for losses elsewhere. In a statement, bill author Rep. Andre Jacque, R-DePere, said that in many other states, Planned Parenthood operates under the same rules proposed in his bill. PPWI estimates the bill will cost it around $4 million. Just as important, though, is how much it would save state taxpayers. A fiscal estimate prepared in September by the Department of Health Services estimates those savings at about $900,000. But that was before the bill was amended to apply only to health care providers that also perform abortions. Previously, the bill would have applied to 51 agencies, according to DHS. It seems fair to assume that the amended bills savings now amount to an even smaller chunk of the state budget. I asked Jacque why, if the bills provisions save tax dollars, they arent being applied to other health care providers who bill Medicaid the way PPWI does. He didnt respond. You sure cant accuse Republicans of missing any opportunity to stick it to abortion providers even when it provides little help to state taxpayers, and could end up hurting state patients. A UW-Madison alumna is one of four American journalists being detained by the government of Bahrain, according to an organization supporting reporters in dangerous areas. Independent journalist Anna Therese Day, who graduated from UW-Madison in 2010, was arrested on Sunday along with three members of her camera crew, a statement from the Frontline Freelance Register said. Day is much loved and missed and we are concerned about her well being as well as that of her three American colleagues, a spokesperson for Days family said in the statement. We hope the Bahraini authorities will release all four journalists as soon as possible so they can return home. The statement did not name the spokesperson nor the three other crew members who were arrested. Reuters reported Bahraini police acknowledged arresting four foreign nationals they said were suspected of offences including entering Bahrain illegally having submitted false information to border staff, and participating in an unlawful gathering. Local media reported the group was arrested while covering demonstrations on the fifth anniversary of the widespread Arab Spring protest movement across the Middle East, according to Reuters. Reporters Without Borders, which monitors arrests of journalists and threats to freedom of the press worldwide, says Bahrains monarchy has sought to exert tight control over media, including coverage of Arab Spring protests and the governments response to them. The Bahraini authorities continue to obstruct the work of journalists and to arrest, imprison and prosecute news providers, the organization said. The spokesperson for Days family denied that she or her crew were involved in illegal behavior or anything other than journalistic activities. Anna and her crew are committed journalists who only want to ensure they could undertake their profession ethically and thoroughly, the spokesperson said. Day is a co-founder of the Frontline Freelance Register, which she told a UW-Madison alumni magazine aims to protect journalists and preserve or improve the quality of international news. Days reporting, from across the Middle East and around the world, has appeared on media outlets such as The New York Times, CNN, the BBC and CBS. She was named a Fulbright fellow in 2013, and is an adjunct professor in the CUNY Graduate School of Journalism. The vote on a bill written to help corporations buy municipal water systems was scrapped in the state Senate on Tuesday in the face of opposition from nearly 20 groups, including the League of Wisconsin Municipalities, which withdrew its support late last week. The only organizations registered in favor of the proposal were a state contractors association and the Pennsylvania water utility corporation that requested the legislation be introduced. We all drink water and senators should think twice before taking away our rights to protect our community-owned drinking water supply facilities just because an out-of-state corporation asked them to, said Kimberlee Wright, executive director of the public interest law firm Midwest Environmental Advocates. The legislation would legalize purchases of water utilities by out-of-state corporations and change existing law to make public referendums on such purchases optional instead of mandatory. Under Assembly Bill 554, members of a community would need to collect signatures of 10 percent of voters in a service area to force a referendum. The vote would take place before the state Public Service Commission set the terms of the sale. Under current law the mandatory, binding referendum takes place after the price and other terms are known. Organizations representing electrical utilities, municipal water and sewer system operators, environmentalists and union members registered in opposition to the bill, which already passed in the Assembly. Assembly Bill 554 was introduced at the request of Aqua America Inc., a Pennsylvania company that owns water utilities in eight states. Backers said the state Department of Natural Resources would continue to regulate water quality and the Public Service Commission would control water rates. However, the PSC has granted the highest base rate and rate of return in the state to the only large water system owned by a private corporation. Allete Inc. of Duluth, Minn., has owned Superiors water utility since 1923. The PSC factors in the private companys higher debt costs and the profit expectations of investors when setting rates for Superior customers. Aqua America said in September that it had increased shareholder dividends 25 times in the past 24 years. The lead Assembly sponsor, Rep. Tyler August, R-Geneva, has said the referendum provision was meant to avoid the expense of elections in cases when there is little opposition to a sale. A spokesman for the lone Senate sponsor, Sen. Frank Lasee, R-De Pere, said the legislation would add an option for local communities. Backers of the bill said they dont know of any communities that want to sell, but there may be some facing high repair and maintenance expenses that would consider it. Staff members for the League of Wisconsin Municipalities registered the organization in favor of the bill after Aqua America sought support because the league typically favors laws that place policymaking in the control of elected officials as opposed to public referendums. But on Friday, the leagues board held its quarterly meeting and voted 13-0 to withdraw support. The board believes that a mandatory referendum is preferable and better recognizes the extraordinary public investment municipal taxpayers have made in municipal water utility assets, league assistant director Curt Witynski said. Some voters had to run home to retrieve their IDs, and some poll workers struggled to comply with the new regulations, but the first statewide test of Wisconsins voter ID law on Tuesday resulted in few major problems thanks in part to the fact that hardly anyone actually voted. So far so good, said Elaine Staley, the chief poll inspector for Madisons 73rd ward. Weve had a few people register and theyve come with the proper credentials. It has been fairly easy for us. I just wish we had more voters. By mid-afternoon, she said just 55 people had voted at the polling place on South Park Street, in one of the citys poorer neighborhoods, and no one had been turned away because they lacked proper identification. The sleepy state primary consisted of one statewide election and a smattering of county and municipal elections and had state election officials predicting that just one in nine eligible voters would show up at the polls. Government Accountability Board spokesman Reid Magney said there were some minor issues with the new law involving a few election workers who went beyond the laws requirements. Those included questioning people whose address on their ID did not match the poll book or trying to match the IDs signature with the voters signature on the poll book, neither of which is a requirement, he said. Magney called it a good learning experience for the presidential primary and nonpartisan election April 5, the partisan primary on Aug. 9 and the partisan general election Nov. 8. We will incorporate lessons learned from this election into our regular clerk webinars, as well as the training sessions for municipal clerks and chief election inspectors before the next election, he said. The voter ID law was enacted in 2011 and briefly took effect for the 2012 spring primary election, when there were no statewide contests on the ballot, until court challenges halted its implementation. Last March, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled the new voting requirement was constitutional, clearing the way for the Republican-authored legislation to take effect. Wisconsins voter ID requirement is among the most restrictive of any state. Voters must come to the polls with one of a list of approved photo IDs that include their signature, such as a Wisconsin drivers license, U.S. passport or U.S. military ID. Some student and tribal IDs qualify if theyre not expired. Student IDs also must be accompanied by a separate document that proves enrollment, such as a tuition statement. On the UW-Madison campus, few students were taking the time to cast ballots. At the Red Gym, 15 people had voted by 12:30 p.m. while across the street at Memorial Library just five people had voted by midday. Poll workers at both sites said directing students to the correct polling place was more time-consuming than checking IDs. Everythings worked out fine. Everybodys prepared and has their ID and we havent had any issue at all, said Jim Fortner, who has been the chief inspector at Ward 48 since 2000. The polling place is normally at Memorial Union but was moved to the Red Gym because of construction. Those that are coming are prepared, Fortner said. Students are informed and theyre ready to do their business. There was a heavy voter turnout in Jefferson because of a school referendum, but there were no problems with voter ID other than a couple of people who had to return home to retrieve their identification, said Mary Kuehl, the deputy city clerk. Turnout also was strong in the villages of Marshall and New Glarus because of school referendums, and neither village reported any problems. Near Camp Randall, at First Congregational Church, 1609 University Ave., 147 people had voted by 1:05 p.m. One person was turned away because of a lack of an ID but returned a short time later with the proper identification, said Jordan ONeil, chief inspector of ward 61. He also said that voter ID is helping poll workers more quickly find the names of voters on the voting list during the check-in process. Instead of having to ask their name and address we can just look it up with the drivers license, ONeil said. Even if the address doesnt match, we can still look up the persons name. A 13-minute lockdown at Madisons Aldo Leopold Elementary School, 2602 Post Road, Tuesday afternoon led to a one-hour extension of polling hours there for residents of wards 74 and 75. The lockdown occurred at 1:07 after Madison police called the school and said a suspect was in the area, according to Aldo Leopold principal Karine Sloan. We wanted to take precautions and it was over very quickly, she said. No voters were turned away because of the lockdown, according to Michelle Flores-Herrero, the chief inspector for the polling place. She said a court order to extend the polling hours can be granted in that situation because of the potential voting deterrence that a police presence in the area can create. Flores-Herrero said she explained what happened to Dane County Circuit Judge Peter C. Anderson and he then granted an order to keep the schools polling location open until 9 p.m. For now, Madison will continue to explore two vastly different proposals for the Judge Doyle Square redevelopment south of Capitol Square. The citys Board of Estimates on Monday unanimously agreed to schedule a public meeting with Beitler Real Estate Services and Vermilion Development, both of Chicago, before choosing one of the teams to undertake the redevelopment of prominent blocks that now hold the landmark Madison Municipal Building and crumbling Government East parking garage. The city should continue talking to both developers, Mayor Paul Soglin said. The public meeting is likely to be held at Monona Terrace at a date sometime before the Board of Estimates next scheduled meeting on March 7. A $125 million proposal from Beitler and a $200 million offering from Vermilion contrast sharply in cost, design, a hotel for Monona Terrace, housing, commercial space, parking and public investment. The city is spending roughly $30 million to renovate the Municipal Building in a separate project starting this fall. Beitler proposes a 252-room hotel, 210 apartments, retail and limited office space, and 910 parking spaces, most above ground. A glass-sheathed structure with public parking, retail and a bicycle center would be on the Municipal Building block. The glassy hotel and apartments would be above parking across the street. Vermilion offers a 279-room hotel, 125 apartments, 94,000 square feet of office space, retail and 1,108 parking spaces, almost all underground. The hotel, restaurant and some retail would be on the Municipal Building block, with housing, offices, retail and a bicycle center on the other. A hotel skywalk connects to the Hilton hotel across East Wilson Street, which has a skywalk to Monona Terrace. On the bottom line, Beitler would need $27.5 million in public investment while the larger Vermilion project, with more costly underground parking sought by the city, requires $59 million, the citys negotiating team says. On public investment, both proposals use $13 million in Parking Utility funds the cost of replacing Government East above ground and $2 million to replace Fleet Services parking and build a bicycle center, the team says. Vermilion would pay the city $2 million for land on both blocks valued at $11 million, adding a $9 million subsidy to the $35 million it seeks in tax incremental financing (TIF) support. With Beitler, the city owns all land, with the developer paying ground leases for property on the Government East block, which is valued at $6.5 million. The ground leases deliver $5 million to the city in the first 10 years, and more afterward. The city would also get lease income for retail space on the Municipal Building block. Beitler would need $11 million in TIF. Although it offered outlines, the citys negotiating team has not analyzed the proposals in detail, city project director George Austin said, adding that actual negotiations with either developer have not begun. Soglin and Board of Estimates members on Monday began to drill into differences in the two proposals and are expected to forward questions to the negotiating team, which will be relayed to the developers before the public meeting. Top Beitler officials attended the meeting but didnt speak, and Vermilion did not send any representatives. Soglin, noting a major design and financial difference centers on parking, suggested that Bietler put more parking underground without escalating costs and that Vermilion try to reduce costs and lower its TIF request. Several board members also wanted more analysis on which hotel is better for Monona Terrace, as well as on labor issues, financial benefits and parking. I think theyre both responsive, theyre just coming at it a little differently, Monona Terrace director Gregg McManners said of the hotel. The parking designs result in differing densities, with Vermilions allowing a bigger project, Austin said. But there is some question about whether Vermilion can find the market for the office space it proposes, he said. The city must move with some pace to make a choice in order to access funds in a flush Downtown TIF district, where binding commitments must be made by September 2017 in anticipation of its closure in late 2022, Austin said. Using the TIF funds requires approval of the City Council and Joint Review Board of taxing entities, he said. I think theyre both responsive, theyre just coming at it a little differently. GREGG Mcmanners Monona Terrace director, on hotel plans A bill making fraud against the states job-creation agency a felony has stalled in the state Senate even as the Assembly has scheduled a floor vote for Tuesday. The Wisconsin State Journal reported in May that the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. had given a $500,000 loan to a struggling Milwaukee construction company in 2011 without a thorough review and at the urging of Gov. Scott Walkers top aides. The company had been sued three times in the previous five years, though claimed in its application it faced no lawsuits. The loan has not been repaid and the companys owner, who told creditors he would repay debt with the state funds, has not been charged with a crime. The case became a focal point for a bipartisan proposal to make committing fraud against WEDC a felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison and five years of extended supervision and a $50,000 fine. Some Democrats and the Wisconsin Economic Development Association have argued it could discourage legitimate businesses from applying for WEDC awards for fear of being punished for unintentionally misleading the agency. Sen. Rick Gudex, R-Fond du Lac, has not held a hearing on the Senate version of the bill for that same reason, according to spokesman Tim Lakin. A spokeswoman for Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald said Monday that the bill still might come up on the Senate floor in March, but nothing was definitive. Walker and Assembly Speaker Robin Vos have voiced support for such a measure. News & Information Visit us at the new www.wklawbusiness.com for all legal, business and health care products and services from Wolters Kluwer Law & Business CCH UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE 2/16/16 Montana sets its 2016 contribution rates For 2016, Schedule I is in effect and there is also a 0.13% Administrative Fund Tax (AFT) in effect for employers in Rate Class 1 and 2 and a 0.18% AFT for all other experience-rated employers. Total rates for positive-balance employers range from 0.13% to 1.60%. Total rates for negative-balance employers range from 3.10% to 6.30%. New employers that are rated by industry classification pay the following rates, which include the 0.18% AFT, for 2016: agriculture, forestry, hunting, and fishing employers, 1.68%; construction employers, 2.78%; mining employers, 1.38%; finance, insurance, and real estate employers, 1.18%; manufacturing employers, 1.48%; retail trade employers, 1.18%; services employers, 1.18%; utilities, transportation, and warehousing employers, 1.18%; wholesale trade employers, 1.18%; and unclassified employers, 2.78% (DLI Communication). All of us, every single man, woman, and child on the face of the Earth were born with the same unalienable rights; to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. And, if the governments of the world can't get that through their thick skulls, then, regime change will be necessary. Looking over to Grabrokafell from its crater-kin, Grabrok (Grey-Pants). They last erupted ca. 1600BC here, under your porous and newly-formed shelter, its not bravery that will save you but an idiots luck and maybe the foolishness of the true believer...thats all thats going to save anyone on this blasted island. forget everything youve ever learned about ingenuity, courage, smarts, can-do spirit and the frontier mentality. all it takes to survive here is a cowards ability to hunker down, and shut the fuck up, and wait out the worst. a survivor on this chuck of newly-birthed land is the one who digs a hole, and not the one who raises his house to the gods. here you burrow into the crumbly earth and cover your lowly and fearful head with any sod you can find. this close to the very gaping maw of the polar hole we should forsake ridiculous fantasies of kissing the sky with towers dreamt of by boys, and built by men. a mamma says, come here and cower with me, and well be safe. we listen to her, we crawl into her warm arms, returning to where we were as babes but now its her and the dank soil that comforts us. we hide with our mothers under the cover of sharp lava, filling our cowls with thousand-year old moss. we shun the men who try to call us out to their structures, and we stay in our shelter holes. we relax, and we begin to see the lovely trickle of a very small and constant stream of tears that leak from the geometric forms of the shelter wall. in stillness we see the very small: we see how lichen sprouts in cracks not longer than the wrinkle on our smallest finger, and how it wants to bloom, if only it could. and we wonder if it really is only time that makes everything possible - if time gives such a tenuous and tenacious entity as this growth the potential to one day overtake the entire overhang. and you imagine the place where you are laying, hiding from the plasma storm with your mamma, carpeted in some remote millennium with the progeny of this very same lichen, which may never ever give up. it is day 38. Walking a crater rim. Can you spot the two humans? And is this a visual metaphor for life in general? I made a little bit of a commotion with the last few posts, baring frustration at how systems (human systems) can get so complicated so easily, and how hard it can be for a society to find its way into the future with integrity and heritage intact.On that note, I thought about how much of dire challenge it's always been to live here on this island. It's not just the cold, but the incessant volcanic activity as well. According to data gathered by Jon Frimann Jonsson on his website, Iceland geology , there've been at least 200 eruptions in the past 1100 years (I counted each item on this list he's published ). Most of those were in remote regions, affecting few if any, but some wiped out huge swathes of the population, human and beast alike, most due to starvation after toxic ashfall blanketed whole sections of the island. Add to that the decimation of the population after two separate plagues in the 15th century plus a millennia of subjugation under foreign rule and internal clan warfare, honor/revenge killings and blood feuds, and you could say it's a miracle that anyone's left.Maybe we've earned every ounce of pride we feel in being Icelanders, having made it this long on this hyper-active chunk of lava, and maybe our opportunism is hardwired into our survivors-brains. Maybe, even though it seems imperative to take a long-term approach to how we're going to step into all the tomorrows in front of us, something whispers to us that we might not have an endless supply of them to experience.Hekla or Katla could blow, or an earthquake could cause devastation at any time. Nothing unique about that, though: my family, for example, experienced first-hand two huge quakes out in California (the LA quake of 1971 , and the Loma Prieta quake in northern California in 1989 that luckily did no damage to our property or persons.) And across the globe natural disasters strike in all sorts of different forms. We're all at the mercy of Nature, always.But I think that given the intense geological activity here, the desolated landscape, the remoteness, the potential bitter cold and unpredictable weather, the lack of a wide range of flora and fauna for sustenance, it's understandable that we are who we are. The Icelandic psyche has a hardcoreness, a stubbornness, a pragmatism, an innovativeness that helped us survive this long, and that can hopefully be applied in more humane, compassionate and respectful ways in the generations to come.For more on our volcanos, go visit Come to Iceland , the excellent tour booking portal, where you can read some bits I was commissioned to write (all the stuff under the main Nature tab : )Also, here's an excerpt from my book,I wrote it while a harsh storm was battering our island in November 2012, right around the Iceland Airwaves festival where poor festival guests were nearly blown out to sea ... The Marco Rubio campaign was active in Chicago with a rally Monday night at Fairways, a golf-themed tavern in Chicago's Lincoln Park. Rubio was in South Carolina, but newly-elected Colorado Senator Cory Gardner was in town talking up his pick for president. Sen. Gardner was the first United States Senator to endorse Marco. His passion is incredibly motivating as he shares Marco's desire to turn the 21st century into a new American century. Gardner said, "Marco understands the struggles of everyday Americans because he's lived them, and is the only candidate with detailed policies to tackle the issues." Attendees left eager to help Team Marco IL. Gardner won a decisive victory in Colorado with 57% of the vote. The other senate seat is held by a democrat currently up in this cycle. Gardner is confident that seat will flip to the Republicans if the right candidate is found. Colorado does not have their primary until June 2016. The event was organized by Christopher Grozev, a local financial advisor and delegate for Rubio in the 5th Congressional district. He is also the Young Professionals chairman for Marco in Chicago and is active in the Chicago GOP. Grozev has traveled to Iowa and New Hampshire in recent weeks to work on the Rubio campaign. The South Carolina Republican Primary is this Saturday, February 16, 2016. We await The Nevada Caucus on November 23, Super Tuesday primaries on March 1, and Illinois on March 15, 2016. The next debate is Thursday, March 23, 2016 in Houston, Texas, sponsored by CNN. Then two more in Detroit on March 3 and Florida on March 10. The race continues to get exciting with many twists and turns. Love the article on Gaddaf i Samosa Iyoha Hello from Johannesburg I was amazed to find a website for Africans in Hungary . Looks like you have quite a community there. Here in SA we have some three million Zimbabweans living in exile and not much sign of going home ... but in Hungary??? Hope to meet you on one of my trips to Europe; was in Steirmark Austria near the Hungarian border earlier this month. Every good wish for 2011. Geoff in Jo'burg I'm impressed by ANH work but... Interesting interview... My comment to the interview with his excellency Mr. Adedotun Adenrele Adepoju CDA a.i-- B.Ayo Adams click to read editor's mail We must rise above tribalism & divide & rule of the colonialist who stole & looted our treasure & planted their puppets to lord it over us..they alone can decide on whosoever is performing & the one that is corrupt..but the most corrupt nations are the western countries that plunder the resources of other nations & make them poorer & aid the rulers to steal & keep such ill gotten wealth in their country..yemen,syria etc have killed more than gadhafi but its not A good investment for the west(this is laughable)because oil is not in these countries..when obasanjo annihilated the odi people in rivers state, they looked away because its in their favour & interest..one day!I think from what have been said, the Nigerian embassy here seem to be more concern about its nationals than we are for ourselves. Our complete disregard for the laws of Hungary isn't going to help Nigeria's image or going to promote what the Embassy is trying to showcase. So if the journalists could zoom-in more focus on Nigerians living, working and studying here in Hungary than scrutinizing the embassy and its every move, i think it would be of tremendous help to the embassy serving its nationals better and create more awareness about where we live . Taking the issues of illicit drugs and forged documents as typical examples.. there are so many cases of Nigerians been involved. But i am yet to read of it in e.news. So i think if only you and your journalists could write more about it and follow up on the stories i think it will make our nationals more aware of what to expect. I wouldn't say i am not impressed with your work but you need to be more of a two way street rather than a one way street . Keep up the good work... SylviaHe is an intelligent man. He spoke well on the issues! Thanks to Mr Hakeem Babalola for the interview it contains some expedient information.. By India Today Web Desk: In the era where the use of solar energy is being extensively implemented, Sri Aurobindo International Centre for Education in Puducherry has became the first fully solar-powered educational institute in India. Solar energy is the most important renewable energy source in terms of globally installed capacity. According to newspaper reports, the institute generates thrice the electricity it consumes through solar power plants installed on the roofs of the dining room, primary school, library and high school in the campus. Since September 2014, the institute has been self-reliant in energy and produced 15KW initially . Later on, so as to provide energy to its ashram as well, the school expanded its solar panels and today it is fully solar-powered. An additional 30 KW was added in 2015 to power the ashram. School authorities reported that they now save up to Rs 10,000 per month due to the almost-nonexistent electricity and utility costs. Within the next ten years, they hope to recover the investment made on the solar panels (Rs 1 crore). advertisement The school was set up by Mirra Alfasa, called The Mother, the spiritual collaborator of Sri Aurobindo, in 1943 and got its present name in 1959. The school produces 45 KW energy from its solar power plant, three times its requirement. Almost all the roof tops in the campus have been fitted with numerous solar panels which add power to its grid. Currently, the entire campus, with the exception of the the ashram's dining room, are net energy positive, which means they produce two to seven times the electricity they consume. The dining room consumes about 50 per cent of the electricity the campus produces. The school is involved in various social economic issues, with the newest being addressing the energy resource problem in India. Read: Would shutting down JNU put a pause to such blatant anti-national activities? Read: Delhi University to host three-day 'gender mela' For information on more latest news and updates, click here --- ENDS --- Teachers of 40 Central Universities on Sunday came out in support of their counterparts and students in the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) protesting the arrest of the varsity's students union president in a sedition case. By India Today Web Desk: Over 400 academicians from international varsities, including Columbia, Yale, Harvard and Cambridge, have come out in support of students in Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) protesting the arrest of the varsity's students union president in a sedition case, condemning the "illegal" detention and "autocratic" suspension of students. A joint statement signed by 455 academicians from global universities, said, "JNU stands for a vital imagination of the space of the university ? an imagination that embraces critical thinking, democratic dissent, student activism, and the plurality of political beliefs. It is this critical imagination that the current establishment seeks to destroy. And we know that this is not a problem for India alone". advertisement Teachers of 40 Central Universities on Sunday came out in support of their counterparts and students in the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) protesting the arrest of the varsity's students union president in a sedition case. Students of the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Pune, also expressed solidarity with the protesters and accused the government of harassing and threatening those who opposed its ideology. According to PTI, Nandita Narain, President of Federation of Central University Teachers Association (FEDCUTA), said that the teachers' bodies of 40 central universities, including Hyderabad University, have extended support to the agitation by the students and the teaching community of JNU. "The event could be in bad taste but was not seditious. Whatever opposition the students have is against the present government and not against the Constitution. This kind of police action against the students on the pretext of national security is uncalled for," Narain said. "JNU has stood for excellence over decades, its students have always raised their voice whenever there has been any issue in varsities across the country... be it Rohith Vemula's suicide in Hyderabad University or the FTII row. It's time we stand by them," she added. "Today it is JNU, tomorrow it could be any other university. Any voice of dissent being branded as anti-national is dangerous for any educational institution or community at large. No university should allow such indiscriminate raids on student hostels," a faculty of Ambedkar University said. Harishankar Nachimuthu, the president of Students Association, FTII, in a statement said, "We express our solidarity with the JNU students and condemn the random arrest of JNUSU President Kanhaiya Kumar on charges of sedition and criminal conspiracy and demand his immediate release." "The current government had not learnt anything from the tragic death of Rohith Vemula and is continuing with the vilification, harassment and threat to those who dare to oppose its ideology," he further added. Earlier this week, JNU students union president Kanhaiya Kumar was arrested in connection with a case of sedition and criminal conspiracy registered over holding of the event at the university during which anti-India slogans were allegedly raised. advertisement Check: Would shutting down JNU put a pause to such blatant anti-national activities? Click here to get more education news. Get latest updates on exam notifications and scholarships across India and abroad here . --- ENDS --- Thanks to a seven-year-old's photographic memory, a man who allegedly raped the boy's six-year-old friend is behind bars within 48 hours. The child, who was playing with the victim at the time of the incident, gave such precise description of the accused that the cops managed to identify him quickly. By Ankur Sharma: Thanks to a seven-year-old's photographic memory, a man who allegedly raped the boy's six-year-old friend is behind bars within 48 hours. The child, who was playing with the victim at the time of the incident, gave such precise description of the accused that the cops managed to identify him quickly. He was identified as Jishan (22), a local criminal, who had lured the girl while she was playing in a park in Tilak Nagar area last Friday. advertisement The boy Vijay (name changed) thoroughly assisted the investigators. He accompanied the cops to various locations, including the scene of crime, and clearly identified the accused. Finally on Monday, cops managed to arrest Jishan. Senior officers were all surprised by Vijay's wit and sharpness as he provided them a clear picture of the accused and all crucial details. They have planned to felicitate Vijay and reward him for his exemplary contribution. Talking to Mail Today, Vijay said he aspires to become a police officer. "The cops came to me and took me to various locations, including the spot where my friend was raped. I roamed with the cops for two days and they were very happy with me," Vijay said, adding, "I want to be a police officer. I can easily tell you various things about the police. I want to study properly and fulfil my dreams." According to police, they received a call that a five-year-old girl was allegedly raped by an unknown person in Tilak Nagar area on Friday night. When police reached the hospital, they found the victim was bleeding. A case was registered under related sections of the IPC and POCSO. The cops remained clueless for almost 15 hours. Finally, on Saturday, they came to know that Vijay was also present when the accused took the victim to an isolated place and after raping the girl he gave him Rs 10 and left the place. "When we contacted him, Vijay very swiftly told us about the spot and went with us to the place where the victim was raped. Later, he told us about the accused's physical features. Investigators were stunned by his sharpness as he recalled every detail. He alone was enough for us to crack the case. Finally, we managed to nab the accused on Monday. He is a local criminal. Everything happened because of the sharpness and smartness of Vijay," a police officer said. Vijay said he was playing with his sister and the victim in front of his house when the accused took all three of them to a nearby place. Later, he took the victim to an isolated place and asked Vijay to keep his sister with him. advertisement "This boy is very sharp and extremely intelligent. He helped us nab the accused. Our team efficiently used his smartness and due to him, we managed to crack the case. We will definitely reward him and help him as much as we can," Joint Commissioner, South Western range, Dependra Pathak told Mail Today. The seven-year-old studies in Class I in Sarvodya Vidyalaya No.1 in Tilak Nagar. His father is a scrap labourer and earns around Rs6,000 per month. The family lives in a single-room house and struggles to make ends meet. "We are not sure whether he will be able to study for long as he may have to help his father earn money. We will try our best to fulfil his dreams. He has done a good job and police also praised him much," Vijay's mother told Mail Today. Also Read Minor girl kidnapped from JNU campus, gangraped --- ENDS --- ISIS militants are 'gifted' with widows of executed fighters so that they are motivated enough to continue fighting. What is more appalling than this? By India Today Web Desk: Held by the ISIS as a sex slave in Iraq, Nadia Murad Basee Taha, revealed how girls as young as nine are still being held by the terror group and are being assaulted by IS fighters on a regular basis. "Imagine until now, for more than a year and a half, girls as young as nine are being rented and sold out [for sex]," says Nadia. advertisement Nadia, who belongs to the Iraqi town of Sinjar, was held captive along with 5,000 Yazidi people. The plight of the Yazidi population in the northern Iraqi town of Sinjar is sad. The captives were forced into sex slavery by the IS and nearly 3,400 Yazidi captives are still being held by the extremists. Nadia herself was raped in the IS's Iraqi capital of Mosul. She recalls how her mother and six brothers were killed in front of her in 2014. In fact, ISIS has reportedly executed 19 women who refused to have sex with their fighters. ISIS militants are 'gifted' the widows of executed fighters so that they are motivated enough to continue fighting. 21-year-old Nadia is currently campaigning in UK to ensure that the world comes together and fights against the terror group. She says she forgot about her family when she saw what was happening to other women was more difficult than death. --- ENDS --- The James Bond franchise is in a dire need to find a new Bond as reports claim Daniel Craig will soon quit. The Spectre actor has been offered an American television series titled Purity which is expected to run for several seasons. By India Today Web Desk: Last year, rumours were rife that James Bond star Daniel Craig might leave the series before his contract is over, which includes one more Bond film. ALSO READ: I'd rather slash my wrists than do another James Bond movie, says Daniel Craig ALSO READ: Daniel Craig told to shut up after bashing James Bond? ALSO READ: Who would you like to see as Mr Bond? Here's our pick Now, The Sun has reported that Daniel Craig, who has played the legendary James Bond role for nearly a decade now, may leave the hit series for a character in the new American television series Purity. advertisement It's not long since Craig said in a press conference that he would "rather slash his wrists" than play the James Bond character again. According to reports, Daniel Craig won't have time to play the 007 agent as he is up for another role as a secret agent in Purity. The television series will be based on the adaptation of Jonathan Franzen's novel and is expected to run for several seasons, dailymail.co.uk reported. Earlier, the actor had dropped hints of bidding goodbye to James Bond prior to the release of the franchise's 24th instalment Spectre last year. "I'd rather break this glass and slash my wrists," he said, "No, not at the moment. Not at all. That's fine. I'm over it at the moment. We're done. All I want to do is move on." However, Craig has also said that he may not be able to leave just yet as he had signed a contract that requires him to make another film. If the reports are true, the franchise will have to find another actor to play Bond. Actors who have been tipped for the role are Damian Lewis, 45, Tom Hardy, 38, Henry Cavill, 32, and Michael Fassbender, 38. Even Idris Elba, 43, has been considered to play the suave British spy, who if chosen, will be the first black Bond. --- ENDS --- A joint delegation of 32 members of the Arunachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly led by Kalikho Pul, along with leader of Opposition Tamiyo Taga, on Monday submitted a memorandum to Governor JP Rajkhowa, making a bid to form the next government in the crisis-hit state. By Manogya Loiwal : At a time when the battle for government formation continues in Arunachal Pradesh amidst President's rule, dissident MLAs have now gone a step further, staking claim to form the government in the state. A joint delegation of 32 members of the Arunachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly led by Kalikho Pul, along with leader of Opposition Tamiyo Taga, on Monday submitted a memorandum to Governor JP Rajkhowa, making a bid to form the next government in the crisis-hit state. advertisement The governor has assured to put forward their claims to President Pranab Mukherjee for information and direction if any, after duly examining and consulting legal experts. Pul was supported by 18 other Congress Legislative Assembly members. Chowna Mein along with 4 other MLAs, namely CT Mein, Zingnu Namchoom, Wangki Lowang and Honchu Ngandam, who were claimed to be with the other group of the Congress Party submitted a memorandum stating that they are with Kalikho Pul. They reaffirmed their "support to the leadership of Kalikho Pul to be the head of the council of ministers that may be sworn in" at the end of the President's rule. Taga, who also came along with 10 other BJP MLAs submitted a memorandum stating unconditional support to Pul. The two Independent MLAs, Paknga Bage and Tsering Tashi also submitted a memorandum extending their support to Pul. They affirmed their "support to Kalikho Pul to be the leader of the house and to be the next Chief Minister of the state whenever the Proclamation under article 356 of the Constitution that is currently operatives is revoked or ceases to be operative". Interacting with the MLAs, the governor said that it is for President Pranab Mukherjee to decide whether to lift the President's rule in the state or not and when. It is also for him (President) to make a decision on reviving the life of the assembly by revoking the suspension order. The governor hoped that there will be a stable, solid and democratically elected people's government in the state on revocation of the President's rule. The governor advised the 32 MLAs and also those currently residing outside the state to be in the state and attend to the welfare of the people who elected them. Earlier, the MLAs conveyed their gratitude to the governor for his initiatives to resolve various problems of the people and government employees during the Central's rule. They informed that people of the state are appreciating his welfare measures and for streamlining the law and order machinery and financial matters. Pul, Chowna Mein, Wanglin Lowangdong, TN Thongdok and Tamiyo Taga briefed the governor on the status of their respective party position. Taga in his brief speech made it clear that the BJP would be supporting a Congress Government led by Kalikho Pul as the leader and had no intention to form a BJP-led Government. advertisement --- ENDS --- Ayushmann Khurrana recently revealed that he has been a victim of casting couch. The actor was approached by a casting director for sexual favours but Khurrana didn't give in to the latter's demands. By India Today Web Desk: After Bollywood stars such as Ranveer Singh, Kangana Ranaut and Kalki Koechlin, now Ayushmann Khurrana has opened up about the reality and existence of casting couch in Bollywood. ALSO READ: Parineeti Chopra's next film is called Meri Pyaari Bindu. And she's singing it out to the world ALSO READ: Yahin Hoon Main - Have you ever fallen in love? Watch Ayushmann and Yami in this romantic song advertisement The 31-year-old actor recently revealed that he too had experienced it while trying to enter the film industry. The Dum Laga Ke Haisha actor said that he was asked for sexual favours by a casting director despite being an anchor on television. "In fact, I have been through that initially when I was part of the industry. I was a TV anchor, so a casting director directly told me that I would have to do it (provide sexual favours). So, I told him that if I was not straight, I might have given it a thought, but I can't do it. So yeah, the casting couch exists, but eventually, it's your talent or potential as an actor or performer which would last. You don't need to give in to such stuff," said Ayushmann. He further added that on a personal level, he would not judge anyone if they took up the offer to become a part of Tinsel Town, but it is unethical on part of the casting director to ask for such favours. According to him, talent is enough to prove and establish oneself in the industry. Casting couch has plagued Bollywood for long, as time and again actors have shared their experience of dealing with the same. Ayushmann will next be seen sharing screen space with his Dum Laga Ke Haisha co-star Bhumi Padnekar and Masaan-fame actor Vicky Kaushal in Sameer Sharma's Manmariziyaan. The actor has also been roped in for a role in Meri Pyari Bindu opposite Parineeti Chopra. (With inputs from ANI) --- ENDS --- Barack Obama gathered leaders from Southeast Asia to strengthen trade ties and form a common stance on the South China Sea in a summit the White House hopes will solidify US influence in the region. US President Barack Obama makes opening remarks at the 10-nation ASEAN summit at Sunnylands in Rancho Mirage, California on February 15. By Reuters: President Barack Obama gathered leaders from Southeast Asia on Monday to strengthen trade ties and form a common stance on the South China Sea in a summit the White House hopes will solidify US influence in the region. Obama, who leaves office next year, has championed a foreign policy pivot to Asia during his presidency and is determined to present the United States as a Pacific power. advertisement His meeting with leaders from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) was aimed at cementing that legacy. "This reflects my personal commitment, and the national commitment of the United States, to a strong and enduring partnership with your 10 nations," he said at the start of the two-day summit at Sunnylands, a California resort. The meeting, at the same location where Obama once hosted Chinese President Xi Jinping, was designed to demonstrate Washington's role as a counterweight to Beijing and as an eager trading partner with ASEAN members. White House National Security Adviser Susan Rice told reporters US companies had more than doubled investment in the region since 2008. On Monday the leaders were slated to focus on economic issues, including discussion of the Trans-Pacific Partnership deal, which includes four ASEAN members: Vietnam, Singapore, Brunei and Malaysia. Others are interested in joining, and the White House wants to make sure the pact takes effect. On Tuesday, the leaders will discuss maritime issues, particularly the South China Sea, where China and several Southeast Asian states have conflicting and overlapping claims. White House officials have said Obama would deliver a tough message to China that disputes over the South China Sea must be resolved peacefully and not by bullying. "Here at this summit, we can advance our shared vision of a regional order where international rules and norms, including freedom of navigation, are upheld and where disputes are resolved through peaceful, legal means," Obama said. The challenge may be to get all ASEAN countries to agree on a strong statement on the issue. Officials say China has put pressure on countries such as Cambodia and Laos not to sign on. "I'm ... confident that our shared commitment to upholding these norms will be reinforced," Rice said. China's role in the region hung over the meeting. Rice said she expected China would support new international sanctions on North Korea for its recent rocket launches. Advocacy group Human Rights Watch urged the Obama administration to object to human rights violations in countries such as Cambodia and Thailand during the summit. The president touched on the issue without specifics during his remarks. advertisement "Here at the summit, we can reaffirm that strong, prosperous and inclusive societies require good governance, rule of law, accountable institutions, vibrant civil societies and upholding human rights," he said. Combating climate change and cooperating on counter-terrorism and the fight against Islamic State militants were also on the agenda. Obama returns to Washington on Tuesday. ALSO READ Obama phones Putin, asks him to stop Russian jets bombing Syria --- ENDS --- A BJP worker was hacked to death by a group of men in Kannur on Monday night. BJP has called for a 'hartal' in Kannur, Pappinessery and Azhikode areas to protest against the killing. By India Today Web Desk: A BJP worker was hacked to death by a group of men in Kannur on Monday night. According to reports, PV Sujith, 27, was at his home in Pappinisseri in Kannur district when around 10 men barged into his house around midnight. They thrashed Sujith, his parents and his brother. Sujith was attacked by one of the attackers with a sword injuring the BJP worker seriously. advertisement The Bharatiya Janata Party district leadership have claimed that the attack was carried out by CPI(M) workers. The official Twitter handle of the state BJP unit , tweeted "BJP Karyakarta Sujith hacked to death by CPM at his home in Kannur district. Parents critically injured" along with a photo of Sujith's heavily wounded body. Police have intensified law and order measures in the area in view of the tension following the murder. His aged parents and a brother tried to stop the assailants, who stormed into the house at around 11.30 PM last night, and suffered injuries in the process. Police said some CPI(M) sympathisers have been taken into custody for questioning. BJP has called for a 'hartal' in Kannur, Pappinessery and Azhikode areas to protest against the killing. Sujith was taken to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. In December 2013, a BJP worker hacked to death and two others were injured seriously in clashes with CPI(M) workers at Perumba near Payyanur town in Kannur district. The victim, Vinod Kumar, was also a local instructor of the RSS. --- ENDS --- Independent legislator of Jammu and Kashmir Assembly, Engineer Rashid, said Congress and Peoples Democratic Party had endorsed his stand on Parliament attack convict Muhammad Afzal Guru while seeking support for Rajya Sabha and Legislative Council elections last year. By Naseer Ganai: Independent legislator of Jammu and Kashmir Assembly, Engineer Rashid, said Congress and Peoples Democratic Party had endorsed his stand on Parliament attack convict Muhammad Afzal Guru while seeking support for Rajya Sabha and Legislative Council elections last year. "As such Congress and PDP's ally BJP can't label the brave hearted students of JNU as anti-national for raising voice in favor of Afzal Guru," Rashid said while interacting with media person after he was not allowed to move towards Pulwama where two students were killed after the army and police opened fire on protesters on Sunday. advertisement Rasheed said he has always described Guru's hanging as grave injustice and travesty of justice and the act of not returning his body to his family as criminal act. In February last year, Rashid said, Congress endorsed his stand on Guru to secure his vote in Rajya Sabha elections when five legislators of State Congress issued a statement on Afzal Guru. The Congress legislators issued a press statement saying that the hanging of Guru was a mistake and his mortal remains should be handed over his family. After the statement the independent legislator voted in favour of Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad. The Congress legislators made the statement on Afzal Guru on Azad's behest as Rashid wanted statement before voting of four Rajya Sabha seats. Azad won the RS seat later. Rashid had elicited similar statement from the PDP before voting for the party in the council elections. Rashid also condemned arrest of SAR Geelani. "Despite the fact that Congress and BJP are trying to use JNU issue for political gains all major political parties are claiming that pro-Kashmir and pro-Afzal slogans were raised by a bunch of miscreants, which is contrary to facts," Rashid said. He said national media ignores atrocities on Kashmiris and didn't bother to report about killings of two students in Pulwama. "The same media was forced to show pictures of hundreds of students hailing from every nook and corner of India raising slogans against Afzal Guru's hanging and Maqbool Bhat's hanging. The JNU protests have proven that Afzal and Maqbool are alive even after their hangings and the state has miserably failed to prove them terrorists," Rashid said. Pro-independence Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) founder Mohammad Maqbool Bhat was hanged in Tihar jail in 1984 on charges of being involved in conspiracy of killing of a CID inspector, while on February 9, 2013 Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru was also hanged in Tihar jail. Over the years, Rashid has been on forefront in taking up issues of alleged human rights violations. In 2011, Rashid brought clemency resolution for Guru in the Assembly. But, the resolution didn't come up for debate as the Congress and BJP scuttled it. advertisement In July last year Jammu and Kashmir police detained Rashid when he was protesting against hanging of Yakub Memon. Last year Rashid also was first to submit a bill which called for repeal of laws that criminalizes beef sale in the state. In August 2015 Rashid created controversy by visiting the house of a militant commander Tariq Ahmad Mir, who has drowned in a rivulet while fleeing after attacking a police party. --- ENDS --- While Lady Gaga delivered a stellar performance as a tribute to the legend that David Bowie was, Miguel's rendition of MJ's classic, She's Out of My Life, warmed up some hearts. By India Today Web Desk: Lady Gaga sets the stage on fire with her tribute to David Bowie Only an artiste like Lady Gag could pay a befitting tribute to a legend like David Bowie. For those of you who didn't know, Gaga also recently got herself a Bowie tattoo! The lady took to the Grammys 2016 stage to perform a multi-song medley that roared through nine of Bowie's best-known songs in six minutes-- Space Oddity, Changes, Ziggy Stardust, Suffragette City, Rebel, Fashion, Fame, Let's Dance and Heroes. advertisement She kept it to his classic era--the most recent song was 1983's Let's Dance--and wrapped it up with Heroes, which earned her a standing ovation. Jackson Browne, Eagles members pay tribute to Glenn Frey One of the founding members of the Eagles, Glenn Frey, breathed his last on January 18, 2016, at the age of 67. To recount the legend's gift to the music industry, his buddies and former bad mates Don Henley and Joe Walsh performed Frey's iconic Take It Easy alongside musician Jackson Browne. Browne took lead vocals on the travelers' tale, as the rest of the group added backing vocals and harmonies, bowing to a standing ovation as the song ended, with a giant photo of Frey looking on them. Chris Stapleton, Bonnie Raitt, Gary Clark, Jr pay tribute to BB King The three got together to pay a befitting tribute to the King of Blues, with their rendition of his classic, The Thrill Is Gone. "We honor a king that we lost this year," Bonnie Raitt said in her introduction as she set foot on the 2016 Grammy Awards' stage. Chris Stapleton was joined by Gary Clark, Jr and Raitt, and together, the trio of country and blues masterminds gave the song the all-star treatment. The song, as well as most of his catalog, came back into the limelight after the legend's death in May 2015. < Miguel pays homage to Michael Jackson American Miguel (Miguel Jontel Pimentel) took the stage at the 2016 Grammys to perform the legend's She's Out of My Life, a classic ballad. Miguel was joined by a special accompanist for the performance: Greg Phillinganes, who was the song's original keyboardist. While Miguel sand, a video of MJ singing the song played behind him. Stevie Wonder, Pentatonix Perform pay tribute to Maurice White Stevie Wonder and Pentatonix honored the legacy of Earth, Wind & Fire's Maurice White at the 2016 Grammy Awards with an emotional performance of That's the Way of the World. --- ENDS --- The Hindu Sena today registered a complaint at the Mandir Marg police station against Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal for hurting religious sentiment by posting a cartoon on Twitter. By India Today Web Desk: The Hindu Sena today registered a complaint at the Mandir Marg police station against Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal for hurting religious sentiment by posting a cartoon on Twitter. Kejriwal today tweeted a cartoon by well known cartoonist Surendra depicting how issues are deflected by politicians and used an arsonist with his tail set ablaze saying "Done Sir. All attention is on JNU" to PM Narendra Modi, thus directing all attention away from the fire at the Make In India venue. advertisement Also read: Arvind Kejriwal slammed on Twitter again! Twitterati trend #KejriwalInsultsHanuman JNU row: Kejriwal writes to PM Modi, demands action against OP Sharma --- ENDS --- Indian national Hamid Nehal Ansari, who went missing after illegally entering Pakistan over three years ago to meet his Pakistani girlfriend, has been jailed for three years for espionage. By Indo-Asian News Service: Indian national Hamid Nehal Ansari, who went missing after illegally entering Pakistan over three years ago to meet his Pakistani girlfriend, has been jailed for three years for espionage. A military court passed the sentence over the weekend in Kohat city in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province. He has been shifted to the Peshawar Central Prison and has a right to appeal, Dawn reported on Tuesday. advertisement The convict, 31 and a teacher at a Mumbai management college, reportedly confessed to illegally entering Pakistan from Afghanistan for espionage. Dawn quoted unnamed officials as saying that Ansari had seven Facebook accounts as well as around 30 email IDs. He was reportedly found to be in possession of "sensitive documents". Last month, the Pakistan defence ministry informed the Peshawar high court that Ansari was in army custody and would face court martial. After that, a two-member bench on January 13 disposed off a habeas corpus petition filed by Fauzia Ansari, the Indian's mother, against his alleged illegal detention. Ansari was arrested in Kohat in November 2012. Until last month, his whereabouts remained unknown. Ansari's mother claimed he was in touch with some Pakistani friends who had suggested to him to enter Pakistan from Afghanistan without visa. She claimed he had become friends with a Pakistani woman through social media and went to Pakistan to meet her. Ansari's lawyer earlier sent an application to the Pakistan supreme court's human rights cell, which forwarded the case to the commission of inquiry on enforced disappearances. The commission had on April 10, 2014 directed the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Home Department to set up a joint investigation team to trace Ansari. It also told the police to register an FIR about his disappearance. --- ENDS --- The Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) sedition case has sparked a heated political debate and ugly street fight. JNU campus resembled a battlefield on Monday as the Left and Right-wing students, teachers and general staff remained in a state of high alert in their respective barracks. By India Today Web Desk: UPDATES: SAR Geelani sent to 2-day police custody Supreme Courtagrees to give urgent hearing tomorrow to a plea seeking action against those involved in the violence at Patiala House court complex. The Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) sedition case has sparked a heated political debate and ugly street fight. JNU campus resembled a battlefield as the Left and Right-wing students, teachers and general staff remained in a state of high alert in their respective barracks. advertisement The Delhi High Court has rejected a plea demanding a probe by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in the sedition case filed against JNU student leader Kanhaiya Kumar. The court dismissed the plea while terming it 'premature'. Meanwhile, situation remains tense on JNU campus. The JNU Teachers Association (JNUTA) has also come out in support of the students. JNUTA representatives met the VC in the morning and demanded him to ask the concerned authorities to release JNU student leader Kanhaiya Kumar. "We don't support unconstitutional activity on the campus. But it is an internal issue and university mechanisms should have been used to tackle it. The Home Minister should not have interfered in it," the JNUTA said. JNUTA and Delhi University Teachers Association (DUTA) will hold a general body meeting and decide further course of action. The Jamia Teachers' Association (JTA)has also come out in support of Kanhaiya Kumar. A letter issued by the JTA stated," Jamia Teacher's Association unequivocally disapproves all forms of anti-constitutional activities in any form and manner." "Jamia Teachers' Association extends support to JNUTA and JNUSU in their hour of crisis. We endorse their demand for a police-free campus, the immediate and unconditional release of Kanhaiya Kumar and dropping of cases of sedition against all students," the letter added. Delhi Police Commissioner BS Bassi, however, maintained that Kanhaiya Kumar's arrest was based onsolid evidence. "Investigation is on and after identifying the people action will be taken as per the law. Kanhaiya is under arrest, others still on the run. It was a little bit surcharged environment and allegations and counter-allegations have been made. We are fully capable of dealing with the JNU case," Bassi told reporters on the sidelines of 69th Delhi Police Raising Day ceremony. Here are the latest developments in the story Students and faculty members are continuing their strike today against the arrest of JNU Students Union President Kanhaiya Kumar. All classes at the university have been banned for the second day in row. Kanhaiya Kumar, 28, will remain in custody till Wednesday. He was arrested last week for allegedly shouting anti-India slogans. Three FIRs have been registered in connection with the ruckus at the Patiala House court on Monday. The first FIR has been filed by BJP leader OP Sharma against JNU students and protesters. The second FIR has been filed against unknown people by a female student of JNU. A third FIR has been filed in connection with the assault on journalists and students. Delhi Police arrested former Delhi University Professor SAR Geelani late on Monday night. Geelani was booked for sedition in connection with an event at the Press Club of India where anti-India and pro-Afzal slogans were shouted. Intelligence agencies have zeroed in on four suspects who they believe were the masterminds behind the anti-India and pro-Afzal event which was organised at JNU. These are: Omar Khalid, Anirban Bhattacharya, Riazul Haq and Rubina Saifee. All four are members of the Democratic Students Union, which is considered a frontal organisation of the CPI - Maoists. After a massive row over Home Minister Rajnath Singh's claim that the protests at JNU had the backing of Lashkar chief Hafiz Saeed. In an exclusive chat with India Today, MoS home Kiren Rijiju said that the Home Minister would not make such a statement based on a tweet alone. Rijiju added that the allegation was based on concrete evidence provided by intelligence agencies. Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday said that the Afzal Guru event at JNU was "supported by terror mastermind Hafiz Saeed". JNU Vice Chancellor M Jagadesh Kumar on Monday said that the university administration "stands with the JNU students and teachers and their right to freedom of expression." However, a note undersigned by the registrar has exposed the V-C's doublespeak on the February 9 incident. The university note released by registrar Bupinder Zutshi states that Kumar had actually backed the police action on students participating in the event held in support of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru. Journalists in Delhi staged a protest march today against the violence that took place in Patiala House court on Monday. The march, that started from Press Club of India near the Parliament House, concluded at the Supreme Court. JNU students union president Kanhaiya Kumar was arrested last week in connection with a case of sedition and criminal conspiracy registered over holding of the event at the varsity during which anti-India slogans were alleged to have been raised. His arrest has triggered widespread outrage among students and teachers and drawn severe criticism from non-BJP political parties. advertisement Also Read advertisement JNU Crackdown: Lawyers beat up journalists as student leader Kanhaiya is produced in court advertisement JNU VC backed police action on campus? This letter by the registrar claims so --- ENDS --- The Delhi police chief said that Kanhaiya Kumar and SAR Geelani were anti-nationals who raised seditious slogans at the JNU campus. By India Today Web Desk: Delhi Police Commissioner Bhim Sain Bassi today justified the actions taken against Jawaharlal Nehru University Students' Union (JNUSU) president Kanhaiya Kumar and former Delhi University teacher SAR Geelani and said that more arrests are expected in the coming days. Talking exclusively to India Today over the raging JNU row, the police chief said that Kanhaiya Kumar and SAR Geelani are anti-nationals who raised seditious slogans at the JNU campus. advertisement "I have evidence to justify Kanhaiya Kumar's arrest. During the interrogation, he admitted to having made the speech. We will soon find and arrest the others involved," Bassi said. Kanhaiya Kumar and SAR Geelani were slapped with sedition charges and arrested for holding an event in the JNU campus in support of Afzal Guru on February 9. "The Delhi Police is acting as per the law and is getting full support and cooperation from the JNU administration," Bassi said. On the tweets allegedly made by 26/11 Mumbai terror attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed, inviting JNU students to Pakistan, "to continue their pro-Kashmiri, anti-India propaganda in our universities", the police commissioner said that it was necessary to caution Indian citizens to stay away from such instigating anti-India posts. "At the time the tweet was made, Delhi police wasn't concerned whether the tweets were fake or true. There is no proof that Hafiz Saeed's tweets were fake. It was important to caution Indian citizens against those trying to disrupt law and order in the country," he said. "The contents of the tweets were highly objectionable. People should not be swayed by such malicious propaganda," he added. On the violence in Patiala High Court on Monday, Bassi clarified - "JNU and Patiala High Court incidents were two separate cases. In JNU, slogans raised were seditious in nature. The scuffle outside the Patialia House Court was of a different nature. You cannot compare the two of them," he said. The Patiala House court premises witnessed high drama on Monday with BJP MLA Om Prakash Sharma thrashing a man inside Patiala House court complex just before Kanhaiya Kumar was to be produced in connection with the sedition case filed against him. However, OP Sharma alleged that he was hit by the crowd instead. When asked whether the Delhi police operated at the behest of the MHA, Bassi replied, "It would be absolutely wrong to say that Delhi police took action only because MHA wanted it to take." Watch full video here: Also read: JNU row: Kejriwal writes to PM Modi, demands action against OP Sharma Shut down JNU for 4 months, filter the hostel of anti-nationals: Subramanian Swamy --- ENDS --- At an all-party meeting called ahead of the Budget Session of Parliament, Opposition parties sought clarification from Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the escalating row over the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) issue. By India Today Web Desk: At an all-party meeting called ahead of the Budget Session of Parliament, Opposition parties sought clarification from Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the escalating row over the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) issue. The government said it is open to a debate on the JNU incident in the Parliament during the upcoming Budget Session starting from February 23. Modi said during the meeting as opposition parties raised a host of issues that he was Prime minister not only of BJP but the entire country, Parliamentary Affairs Minister M Venkaiah Naidu told the media after the over two-hour meeting. advertisement Today's parleys were the first-ever meeting of political parties convened by PM Modi ahead of a Parliament session. "We will respond to the issues raised by the opposition and address them... I hope the congenial mood here will be translated into action in Parliament," Modi told the meeting. Naidu said there was a general consensus that Parliament should run smoothly. With BJP targeting Congress over its support to "anti-nationals" in the JNU row, Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad said his party "disassociates" with all such students who shouted slogans attacking India's unity and Constitution but insisted that there was no proof of sedition against Kanhaiya Kumar, the arrested JNU Student Union president. "There is no proof of sedition against him," he said. He also hit out at BJP leaders for "defaming" the party leadership with their "anti-national" jibe and said the government should restrain them. Azad told the media that the atmosphere in the country has been vitiated since the BJP came to power and its government has taken no action against people responsible for it. --- ENDS --- Former Delhi University lecturer SAR Geelani was arrested on charges of sedition in connection with an event in JNU in which anti-India slogans were raised. By India Today Web Desk: Former Delhi University lecturer SAR Geelani was arrested on charges of sedition in connection with an event in JNU in which anti-India slogans were raised. "Geelani was arrested around 3 AM at the Parliament Street police station under IPC sections 124A (sedition), 120B (criminal conspiracy) and 149 (unlawful assembly)," DCP (New Delhi) Jatin Narwal said. Geelani was called to the police station last night where he was detained and questioned for several hours, and later arrested. After his arrest, he was taken to RML Hospital for a medical examination, he said. advertisement His arrest comes amid the raging row over the arrest of JNU students' union president Kanhaiya Kumar over sedition charges in connection with an event on February 9 against the hanging of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru. At a Press Club event on February 10, in which Geelani was present on the dais along with three other speakers, a group allegedly had shouted slogans hailing Afzal Guru. Taking suo motu cognisance of the matter, the police registered a case against Geelani and other unnamed persons on February 12. Police had claimed that Geelani was booked as he is presumed to be the "main organiser" of the event. "Request for booking a hall at the Press Club was done through Geelani's e-mail and the nature of the event was proposed to be a public meeting, which did not turn out to be so," a senior official had said. Following the registration of the FIR, the police questioned for two consecutive days DU professor Ali Javed, a Press Club member, under whose membership number the hall for the event was booked. In 2001, Geelani was arrested by Delhi Police in connection with the Parliament attack case but acquitted for "need of evidence" by the Delhi High Court in October 2003, a decision upheld by the Supreme Court in August 2005, which at the same time had observed that the needle of suspicion pointed towards him. --- ENDS --- By India Today Web Desk: In a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the JNU row, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal today demanded action against BJP MLA Om Prakash Sharma for thrashing a man inside Patiala House court complex just before JNU student leader Kanhaiya Kumar was to be produced in connection with a sedition case filed against him. "OP Sharma of your party was seen assaulting a man, he even said he would have shot him if he had a gun. If action is not taken against him, then it is going to set a wrong precedence. Strong action needs to be taken against OP Sharma," Kejriwal wrote. advertisement The development came after Sharma was caught on camera thrashing a Left activist, who the BJP leader claimed was shouting anti-India slogans. The Vishwas Nagar MLA defended his action and said he would have shot the man if he had a gun. Further condemning the violence that took place inside the court on Monday, in which students and journalists were heckled and threatened by rampaging lawyers, Kejriwal said that the incident clearly highlighted the failure of the system and its inability to deal with such a situation. "Yesterday whatever happened at Patiala House Court is a failure of the system. The way students, professors and media personnel were assaulted inside the court room is just unbelievable. If people are not safe inside court rooms, then where can we expect safety?" it added. Kejriwal also took to Twitter to condemn the police action at the JNU campus. "Anti-India slogans and activities cannot be tolerated but in garb of nationalism innocents should not be detained," he tweeted. "The slogan shouting incident is being utilised to potray JNU as a hub of anti national and terrorist activities." Chaotic scenes were witnessed at the Patiala House court complex on Monday as an unruly mob thrashed journalists and some JNU students and teachers who were present there for a hearing on arrested JNUSU president Kanhaiya Kumar. At least six people were injured in the chaos that reportedly erupted over a petty issue of seats in the courtroom. Sources said some lawyers objected to JNU teachers and students sitting in the front row and asked them to vacate the seats. The students and teachers refused. Infuriated, the lawyers began thrashing them. There was heavy police deployment in the court complex but students said that they did not take any action against the unruly mob. Watch video here: Also read: Shut down JNU for 4 months, filter the hostel of anti-nationals: Subramanian Swamy JNU gets global support: 400 academicians condemn illegal detention --- ENDS --- advertisement Protesting against the anti-India sloganeering by a student body in the Jawaharlal Nehru University, a group of hackers today hacked the website of university's central library. When a user tried to log in to lib.jnu.ac.in, what they saw was the Indian flag with the song "Aye mere watan ke logon" playing in the background. By India Today Web Desk: Protesting against the anti-India sloganeering by a student body in the Jawaharlal Nehru University, a group of hackers today hacked the website of university's central library. When a user tried to log in to lib.jnu.ac.in, what they saw was the Indian flag with the song "Aye mere watan ke logon" playing in the background. The website claimed to be hacked by a group called "Bl@Ck Dr@GoN" who left a message on the page, "As You Said Kashmir ki Aazadi Tak Jang Rahegi-Jang Rahegi." (You are thinking that you will get Kashmir just by barking in the campus of JNU.) advertisement "The hacking of the website was noticed after office hours. The matter has been reported to the university's IT department and measures are being taken to rectify it," said the library authorities. "However, no official complaint has been made in this regard yet," they added. The slogans displayed in the message were allegedly shouted at the February 9 event at the varsity, in connection with which its student union president Kanhaiya Kumar was arrested in a sedition case, triggering widespread outrage among students and drawing criticism from non-BJP political parties. The varsity's central Library website provides access to 72 online databases, library catalog, 20,000 electronic theses and dissertations, 8 lakh digital press clippings, 2,300 e-newspapers in 57 languages from 100 countries and over 2 lakh e-books, and all e-journals. Also Read JNU row: Who said what on the issue --- ENDS --- Journalists in Delhi staged a protest march today against the violence that took place in Patiala House court on Monday. The march, that started from Press Club of India near the Parliament House, concluded at the Supreme Court. By India Today Web Desk: Journalists in Delhi staged a protest march today against the violence that took place in Patiala House court on Monday. Some students were thrashed and reporters heckled by a group of lawyers yesterday when JNU student leader Kanhaiya Kumar was being produced in the court. The march, that started from Press Club of India near the Parliament House, concluded at the Supreme Court. advertisement The journalists demanded immediate arrest of the lawyers who were involved in the incident and sought action against cops who were present inside the court premises but did little to prevent the lawyers from thrashing the JNU students. It was a natural act: BJP's OP Sharma Delhi Bharatiya Janata Party MLA OP Sharma was also seen thrashing a man just inside the Patiala House court complex. The legislator, however,defended himself saying, he was attacked first. "When I was coming out of the court, I saw a person raising 'Pakistan Zindabad' slogans. I asked him to stop shouting such slogans, and in between scuffle started," Sharma said presenting his side of the story. The BJP leader claimed that the person hit him on his head first. "Natural act that takes place when someone hits you on head, happened there also," Sharma said. --- ENDS --- Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif today accepted that the occupation of Kargil by Pakistani troops in the year 1999 was a misadventure and a stab in the back for then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, especially when the two countries were involved in a peace process at Lahore. By India Today Web Desk: Pakistan's Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif today accepted that the occupation of Kargil by Pakistani troops in the year 1999 was a misadventure and a stab in the back for then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, especially when the two countries were involved in a peace process at Lahore. Vajpayee had visited Lahore in February 1999 after getting an invitation from Sharif, and the two had signed the Lahore Declaration, a bilateral agreement and governance treaty between India and Pakistan. advertisement "Vajpayee told me that he was stabbed in the back because of Pakistan's misadventure in Kargil, especially during the process of Lahore Declaration. Vajpayee was right. I would have said the same thing - he was certainly backstabbed (in Kargil)," he said while addressing a rally in Muzzafarabad. "But, who do I complain to about that now. We [India and Pakistan] pray to the same God," he stated. Sharif also spoke about how alike the people of the two countries are, and even cherished the same delicacies. "People of India and Pakistan are alike, except for the border in between. We both cherish Aloo Gosht delicacy," he added. Also Read: Nawaz Sharif: High time to end India-Pakistan hostilities Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif to his ministers: Don't speak against India --- ENDS --- An event to hail Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru at Delhi's prestigious Jawaharlal Nehru University last week has now given the Opposition a weapon to target the BJP-led NDA government. By India Today Web Desk: An event to hail Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru at Delhi's prestigious Jawaharlal Nehru University last week has now given the Opposition a weapon to target the BJP-led NDA government. The arrest of JNU student leader Kanhaiya Kumar on sedition charges has added fuel to the fire. The BJP has come under attack from all quarters but the ruling party has made it clear that it will not buckle under pressure and decided to brazen it out. advertisement The controversy surrounding Delhi's prestigious JNU and the bitter political fight has also caught the attention of Pakistani media. An opinion piece in The News International described the development in Delhi as "the new, ugly face of Modi's India." "The new, ugly face of Modi's India can be seen in the reaction to the row over protests at the Jawaharwal Nehru University," the article said. "Even though intellectuals as secular as Arundhati Roy and the late Praful Bidwai had raised doubts about the process under which Afzal was convicted, the protestors were immediately tarred as being pro-Pakistani, supporters of terrorists and anti-India. In a stunning suppression of dissent, police have even arrested the head of the JNU student's union for participating in the protest," it further added. It also ridiculed Home Minister Rajnath Singh for claiming that Lashkar boss Hafiz Saeed was behind the protests at JNU. "Leaders of Congress, including Rahul Gandhi, are being similarly smeared. Perhaps the worst reaction came from Home Minister Rajnath Singh who accused Pakistan's Hafiz Saeed of being behind the protest. It now appears he came to this ludicrous conclusion based on a tweet by a fake Hafiz Saeed account," the article stated. "By falling over a fake tweet, the Indian government has only damaged its own credibility," it said, adding, "students at JNU, and India's civil society and opposition parties will have to fight back." --- ENDS --- In an exclusive interview with India Today's managing editor Rahul Kanwal, BJP MLA Om Prakash Sharma defended his action of thrashing a Left activist inside the Patiala House court complex. The Vishwas Nagar MLA said what he did was only a natural reaction. BJP MLA OP Sharma outside the Patiala House Courts in New Delhi on Monday. Photo: PTI By India Today Web Desk: BJP MLA Om Prakash Sharma was seen thrashing a man inside Patiala House court complex just before JNU student leader Kanhaiya Kumar was to be produced in the court in connection with a sedition case filed against him. The Patiala House court premises witness high drama on Monday with a mob of lawyers thrashing some students who had gathered in support of Kanhaiya. Even the journalists were not spared. They were heckled and threatened by the rampaging lawyers. advertisement OP Sharma was also caught on camera thrashing a Left activist, who the BJP leader claimed was shouting anti-India slogans. The Vishwas Nagar MLA defended his action and said he would have shot the man if he had a gun. "Main goli bhi maar deta agar bandook hoti. Koi hamari maa ko gaali dega to kya usey maaroge nahin (I would have opened fire if I had a gun. If someone abuses our mother, won't I thrash him)," Sharma said. In an exclusive interview with India Today's managing editor Rahul Kanwal, Sharma claimed he was attacked first and what he did was only a natural reaction to it. "Am I a senseless man that I will go and thrash a person without any reason? The reacted after he hit me on the head and started abusing the country," Sharma said. When countered that he was caught on camera beating up the man, the MLA reacted saying," A camera does not always capture the truth." "They were raising anti-slogans, I was abused, manhandled. What should I have done? I am ready to go to jail," Sharma said while ruling apologising over the incident. Earlier, the Supreme Court agreed to hear a plea seeking action against those involved in the Patiala House court violence. Journalists staged a protest march against Monday's incident in the national capital today. The march, that started from Press Club of India near the Parliament House, concluded at the Supreme Court. The journalists demanded immediate arrest of the lawyers who were involved in the incident and sought action against cops who were present inside the court premises but did little to prevent the lawyers from thrashing the JNU students. Watch the full interview here: Also Read: JNU row echoes at all-party meet convened by PM Modi JNU Crackdown: Lawyers beat up journalists as student leader Kanhaiya is produced in court --- ENDS --- Are journalists becoming soft targets for the mob? Is this the ugly face of patriotism? By India Today Web Desk: More than 200 journalists in Delhi today held a protest march against the attack on mediapersons outside Patiala House court on Monday. The journalists took out a march from the Press Club to the Supreme Court raising slogans in support of freedom of expression and against alleged police inaction, while covering the hearing of a sedition case against JNU students' union president Kanhaiya Kumar. advertisement Instead of being allowed to do their job, these scribes were dragged by their hair, abused and attack. Are journalists becoming soft targets for the mob? Is this the ugly face of patriotism? Talking to India Today Television's Consulting Editor Rajdeep Sardesai, India Today TV legal correspondent Anusha Soni said that she completely disagreed with the argument that journalists were not targeted outside the Patiala House court on Monday. "There were mobs of lawyers who were hounding journalists. They asked us for our identities, demanded that we leave the court premises else our mobile phones would be taken away. I was cautioned by my fellow journalists not to enter the Magistrate Court where the scuffle took place," Anusha said. Describing her ordeal outside the court, Anusha said that she was threatened by a mob of lawyers and was forced to leave the court premises. "I was threatened that I would face similar consequences like other journalists. In front of the judge and in the presence of Arun Jaitley, women journalists were heckled and dragged by their hair. No one was spared inside. I, along with two other journalists, was escorted outside the court premises," she said. On whether anti-national slogans were raised at the spot, Anusha said, "I did hear slogans supporting Kanhaiya, I also heard anti-government slogans, demanding that action be taken against the culprits, but I do not recall hearing any anti-national slogans." Have the country's lawmakers and politicians turned into law breakers? Why is there less outrage over what happened outside the court? On the issue, BJP leader Nalin Kohli assured that the guilty would be punished. "The fact that women journalists were assaulted is condemnable. There is nothing to be proud of when a fellow advocate is going to be involved in breaking the law. However, going by the video, it does not appear that OP Sharma pulled women journalists' by their hair," Nalin Kohli said. Denying any connections with a lawyer of the BJP legal cell, Vikram Chauhan, Nalin Kohli said that if Chauhan was found guilty, criminal proceedings would be initiated against him. advertisement On journalists getting tangled in the crossfire, Congress leader AM Singhvi said, "It is a much larger issue than it appears to be. If Kanhaiya's speech is considered to be seditious, then it means there is no freedom of speech in the country. The speech is critical of the RSS and the BJP." Meanwhile, Supreme Court advocate Soli Sorabjee said that there was a need for the Bar Council of India to step in and take strong action against the lawyers involved in the scuffle outside the court. Watch full debate here: Also read: JNU row: Kejriwal writes to PM Modi, demands action against OP Sharma Shut down JNU for 4 months, filter the hostel of anti-nationals: Subramanian Swamy --- ENDS --- Chaotic scenes were witnessed at the Patiala House court complex on Monday as an unruly mob thrashed journalists and some JNU students and teachers who were present there for a hearing on arrested JNUSU president Kanhaiya Kumar. By Sneha Agrawal: Chaotic scenes were witnessed at the Patiala House court complex on Monday as an unruly mob thrashed journalists and some JNU students and teachers who were present there for a hearing on arrested JNUSU president Kanhaiya Kumar. At least six people were injured in the chaos that reportedly erupted over a petty issue of seats in the courtroom. Sources said some lawyers objected to JNU teachers and students sitting in the front row and asked them to vacate the seats. The students and teachers refused. Infuriated, the lawyers began thrashing them. advertisement Eyewitnesses said some unknown people wearing black jackets also joined the lawyers in thrashing the students and teachers. The mob also wanted mediapersons to leave the place. "When the mob realised that journalists were present, they started asking them to leave. Journalists - both men and women - who were found to be using cell phones were beaten up as policemen stood as mute spectators," the eyewitness said. Mail Today reporter along with other reporters, including Amit Pandey from IBN 7, Ritika Jain from DNA, Kaunian Sheriff from Indian Express, Amiya Kushwaha from IANS, Prachi Yadav from Navbharat Times, Sana Shakil from Times of India and Suhshil from Total TV were threatened and beaten up. The mob also snatched away their phones and deleted data from it. "Never have I seen such hooliganism by lawyers in a Delhi court," said Amit. Ritika said, "We tried our best to save Amit from the furious mob. We held to him tight and pleaded to the mob and the police personnel present to let him go. But nobody listened to us." "I don't know who hit me or why they hit me. I started to run from the courtroom. Fortunately, some lawyers who knew me protected me from further assault," said Amiya. There was heavy police deployment in the court complex but students alleged that they did not take any action against the unruly mob. The policemen later drove all students, teachers and mediapersons out of the complex. The incident left mediapersons, who later filed a complaint against the unidentified persons at Tilak Marg police station, in shock. Journalists hold a protest march from the Press Club of India to the Supreme Court on Tuesday at 12 noon. Meanwhile, BJP MLA OP Sharma, who was in the complex, also joined a group of lawyers in beating up a person, identified as CPI activist Ameeque Jamai, who was taken to Tuglaq Road police station. Sharma claimed he was roughed up. When told there was footage about his beating up somebody, Sharma said, "I do not know which video you are talking about." And in the same breath, he added it is not wrong if somebody shouting such slogans is beaten up or even done to death. advertisement Meanwhile, a Delhi court extended the police custody of JNUSU president Kanhaiya Kumar by two days. Also read Attack inside Patiala Court: First-person account Chaos at Patiala House court, a minor incident: BS Bassi --- ENDS --- By India Today Web Desk: Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Virendra Yadav was shot dead by unidentified bike-borne assailants in Samastipur today. Another person who was injured in the firing succumbed to his injuries later at a local hospital. Samastipur Police said that three attackers opened fire using AK47 at Yadav in Bithan area of the district. He died while being taken to the hospital. advertisement No one has been arrested so far. The police have registered a case and a probe is on. Yadav's murder is the second political killing in the state in less than a week. On February 13, BJP state vice-president Visheshwar Ojha was killed at Sonbarsa village in Ara. Police said more than a dozen bullets from sophisticated weapons were fired at Ojha. He had contested the 2015 Assembly poll from Shahpur constituency against former MP Shivanand Tiwari's son Rahul Tiwari but lost. --- ENDS --- The Supreme Court today asked the Reserve Bank of India to submit a list of the defaulter companies which owe more than Rs 500 crore to public sector banks. The top court asked the RBI to furnish the list in the next six weeks. By India Today Web Desk: The Supreme Court today asked the Reserve Bank of India to submit a list of the defaulter companies which owe more than Rs 500 crore to public sector banks. The top court asked the RBI to furnish the list in the next six weeks. The Supreme Court bench headed by Chief Justice GS Thakur was hearing a petition on illegal sanction of loans by Housing and Urban Development Corporation (HUDCO) in 2003. The petitioner had sought a CBI probe into the reported scam. advertisement Bad loans have affected the financial performance of big public sector banks like the State Bank of India. SBI reported a massive 67 per cent fall in consolidated net profit, which stood at Rs 1,259.49 crore in the quarter ending December. The bank said that loans worth as much as Rs 20,692 crore had turned bad. Other large public sector banks like Punjab National Bank and Union Bank of India have also posted considerable drop in their net profit due to bad loans. Also read: Happy Birthday Raghuram Rajan: 12 things to know about the RBI Governo --- ENDS --- The Star Wars Episode VIII makers have released a teaser of the film. The franchise has announced the names of the new cast members who will join this instalment - Benicio Del Toro, Laura Dern, and newcomer Kelly Marie Tran. However, Harrison Ford won't be reprising his role as Han Solo in the upcoming film. By India Today Web Desk: The Star Wars franchise announced on Monday (February 15) the list of new cast and crew members who will join the latest instalment of the saga - Star Wars Episode VIII. ALSO READ: Star Wars - The Episode VIII release date postponed to December 2017 ALSO READ: Star Wars - Disney is eyeing Bel Powley for the lead role in Star Wars Episode VIII advertisement The actors who will join the series are Benicio Del Toro, Laura Dern, and newcomer Kelly Marie Tran. The official announcement read, "Rey (Daisy Ridley) took her first steps into a larger world in Star Wars The Force Awakens and will continue her epic journey with Finn (John Boyega), Poe (Oscar Issac) and Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) in the next chapter of the continuing Star Wars saga, Star Wars Episode VIII, which began principal photography at Pinewood Studios in London on February 15, 2016." It also released a teaser which shows the film begins from where The Force Awakens left off. The most disappointing news for the Star Wars fans will be that Harrison Ford is not returning to the franchise. His name is not there in the newly-released list. Finally, it seems like Han Solo bid his official goodbye to the franchise in The Force Awakens (2015). Star Wars VIII is directed by Rian Johnson. In the upcoming film, Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Adam Driver, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Lupita Nyong'o, Domhnall Gleeson, Anthony Daniels, Gwendoline Christie, and Andy Serkis will reprise their roles. Star Wars Episode VIII is slated to hit the theatres on December 15, 2017. Earlier, rumours were rife that Disney was eyeing The Diary Of A Teenage girl actor Bel Powley for Episode VIII. But it seems like Disney has roped in newcomer Kelly Marie Tran for the role. Watch the teaser here: --- ENDS --- Addressing a large gathering, a faculty member also announced that JNU faculty members will take an hour and a half long lecture on nationalism everyday. By Sanjana Agnihotri: A mob thrashed some JNU teachers and journalists present at the Patiala House court for a hearing on the arrest of JNUSU president Kanhaiya Kumar yesterday. Dr. Rohit, Assistant Professor of Economics at the Centre for Economic Studies and Planning, JNU claims 10 faculty members were waiting before the hearing and just before the scheduled time when 30-40 people rushed to them 'claiming' to be lawyers. A chaos erupted when those 'lawyers' asked the JNU faculty to vacate the chairs they have been sitting on. "They told us we have no right to sit here, you all are anti-national elements," tells Dr. Rohit to JNU students in this video. advertisement Dr. Rohit, Assistant Professor of Economics at the Centre for Economic Studies and Planning, JNU and former President,...Posted by SFI JNU Unit on Monday, February 15, 2016 The faculty members refused and asked where is it written that these seats are for only lawyers. This is when the infuriated lawyers began thrashing them. "They started pulling us, we built a human chain, they started beating us but we stood there," says the Economics professor. In an impassioned speech, the JNU faculty member said- "our nationalism is not of Nathuram Godse, our nationalism is the nationalism of non-violence, our nationalism of Rabindranath Tagore, our nationalism is of Amedkar". He tells his engrossed young audience, "unhone galat logon ke saath panga le lia hai (they are messing up with wrong people)" and recites one line from the poem written by another professor- "you may stone us, but we will use the same stones to build a new, because we are JNU". Addressing a large gathering, he finally announced JNU faculty members will take an hour and a half long lecture on nationalism everyday. --- ENDS --- Turkey accused Russia of carrying out an "obvious war crime" on Monday after two schools, a hospital and a Medecins Sans Frontieres medical centre near the Turkish-Syrian border were hit by missiles, killing tens of people. By Reuters: Turkey accused Russia of carrying out an "obvious war crime" on Monday after two schools, a hospital and a Medecins Sans Frontieres medical centre near the Turkish-Syrian border were hit by missiles, killing tens of people. The carnage occurred as Russian-backed Syrian troops intensified their push toward the rebel stronghold of Aleppo and residents blamed the strikes on Russia. advertisement Turkey warned that bigger and more serious consequences would be inevitable if Russia does not immediately end such attacks, the Turkish Foreign Ministry said late on Monday. ALSO READ: Russia denies bombing civilians in Syria Syrian conflict could lead to world war: Russian PM --- ENDS --- By India Today Web Desk: Bharatiya Janata Party's Kapil Deo Agrawal secured the riot-torn Muzaffarnagar assembly seat today in the crucial bypolls ahead of 2017 Uttar Pradesh assembly elections. The Muzaffarnagar seat, which was held by the Samajwadi Party since 2012, was put in the sensitive category during polls. Six companies of paramilitary forces along with contingents of PAC and local police were deployed. However, the polling in the constituency went off peacefully. advertisement Controversial BJP leader Sanjeev Balyan had also campaigned in the constituency ahead of the bypolls. The protection of "bahu, beti, gau" had dominated the run-up to the bypolls in an effort to polarize the electorate. Meanwhile, authorities banned victory processions, including celebratory firing, to maintain law and order in the district. Victory processions, including celebratory firing, have been banned to avoid any untoward incident even as prohibitory orders were in place for peaceful counting of votes, District Magistrate Nikhil Chand Chatervedi said. In another setback, the Samajwadi Party has also lost the Deoband seat to the Congress. By-polls were also held in Maharashtra, Karnataka, Punjab, Telangana, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and Tripura. ALSO READ Bypoll results 2016: BJP wins in Muzaffarnagar, Congress takes Deoband seat --- ENDS --- Students who are part of the 'Happy to Bleed' campaign moved the Supreme Court, asking how women can be discriminated against and barred from worshipping on the ground of a "healthy and biological" process of menstruation. By Harish V Nair: The raging temple entry row involving the famous Sabarimala shrine of Kerala took a new twist on Monday. Students who are part of the 'Happy to Bleed' campaign moved the Supreme Court, asking how women can be discriminated against and barred from worshipping on the ground of a "healthy and biological" process of menstruation. The apex court is currently hearing an appeal against the entry ban in which the campaign members have pleaded to be made a party. They have roped in senior lawyer and former Additional Solicitor General Indira Jaising to argue for them. advertisement The temple in Kerala is revered by a large segment of the Hindu population. The administering Travancore Devaswom Board claims that women between 10 and 50 years (those of menstruating age) have been prohibited from entering the temple for the past half century. This customary ban has also been codified in Kerala Hindu Places of Public Worship (Authorisation of Entry) Rules, 1965. The Kerala High Court had upheld the rules and allowed the Devaswom Board to enforce the ban. 'Happy To Bleed' is a campaign launched against menstrual taboos, and sexism that women are subject to through it. It acknowledges menstruation as a natural activity which doesn't need curtains to hide behind. The students asked the SC whether the modern society should continue to bear with "menstrual discrimination" when the Constitution mandates right to equality and health of women to achieve gender justice. "One of the primary objectives of our campaign is fighting against menstrual discriminatory practices, specifically the practice of Sabarimala temple of denying entry to women and girls between 10-50 years which leads to stigma and shame based on gender and violation of women's rights," their plea said. During a hearing on Friday, Justice Dipak Misra had asked whether the Vedas, Upanishads and scriptures discriminate between men and women. "Is spirituality solely within the domain of men? Are you saying women are incapable of attaining spirituality within the domain of religion? Can you deprive a mother?" he had asked. Also Read Why can't women enter Sabarimala temple, asks Supreme Court Delhi-based lawyers face hate heat over Sabarimala row --- ENDS --- Google last participated in a 2008 FCC auction but did not buy any airwaves. By Reuters: Alphabet Inc's Google will not participate in the U.S. Federal Communications Commission's upcoming auction of broadcast airwaves that can help the wireless industry improve coverage, a spokeswoman told Reuters on Friday. Some industry watchers had expected Internet search giant Google to be a dark horse participant in the auction. In April last year, the company launched a new U.S. wireless service that switches between Wi-Fi and cellular networks hosted through Sprint Corp and T-Mobile US Inc's networks. advertisement Google last participated in a 2008 FCC auction but did not buy any airwaves. "Like all those interested in improved connectivity and equitable access, we'll be following the upcoming spectrum auction closely. That said, we have not filed to participate," the Google spokeswoman said. The FCC will be auctioning off valuable 600 megahertz airwaves that can travel long distances and penetrate buildings. The auction is aimed at wireless carriers and other companies that want to improve existing wireless networks or build new ones. Wireless providers such as Verizon Communications Inc, AT&T Inc and T-Mobile and cable operator Comcast Corp have said they will take part in the auction. The FCC's deadline for interested bidders to file applications to participate in the auction ended on Wednesday. The auction will kick off on March 29. --- ENDS --- To view this animated banner you need to have Flash Player 9 or newer installed and JavaScript enabled. &amp;amp;lt;a href="http://www.bannersnack.com/" title="BannerSnack - Free flash banner maker"&amp;amp;gt;GIF banners&amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;gt; can now be created with BannerSnack, the high-quality banner maker. Givaudan, MassChallenge join forces Givaudan is to join up with start-up accelerator MassChallenge as it looks to foster open innovation and drive sustained competitive advantage through differentiated flavour, fragrance and active cosmetic ingredient solutions. Givaudan has announced that it will join forces for innovation with start-up accelerator, MassChallenge, which is expanding into Switzerland and is already active in Boston, London and Jerusalem. MassChallenge is a perfect fit with Givaudans goals to foster open innovation and drive sustained competitive advantage through differentiated flavour, fragrance and active cosmetic ingredient solutions, said Chris Thoen, Head of Global Science and Technology. We are excited about this opportunity to strengthen our own collaborative innovation capabilities in areas of significant impact for our customers and to be part of this initiative to accelerate innovation through partnerships in Switzerland and globally. We are delighted to host the expansion of the MassChallenge start-up accelerator in Switzerland and are pleased to welcome Givaudan as a founding partner. We are excited to be expanding into a country well-known for its support of entrepreneurs and innovation in food tech, manufacturing and life sciences, said Benoit Dubuis. Dubuis is a member of the MassChallenge Switzerland supervisory board, Director of Campus Biotech and President of the Inartis Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation based in Lausanne that focuses on fostering trans-disciplinary R&D projects to deliver Innovations Made in Switzerland. As a founding partner of MassChallenge Switzerland along with Buhler Group, Nestle, Inartis Foundation and the Swiss Economic Forum, Givaudan said it will benefit from access to hundreds of thoroughly evaluated and expertly accelerated start-ups. MassChallenge operates as a non-governmental organisation (NGO), providing access to a global network of mentors and venture capital investors whilst taking no equity in the start-ups it accelerates. MassChallenge attracts more than 2,000 new business ventures per year. In 2015, the accelerator supported 128 start-ups in Boston and 90 in London. The Swiss accelerator will be open to start-ups from all sectors but aims to build focus in food, life sciences, sensors and precision engineering. Selected entrepreneurs receive mentorship and access to a vast network of resources during four months of acceleration, culminating in an award of no-equity, non-dilutive grants to the start-ups demonstrating the highest impact and potential. You are not alone although you feel that way because God will take care of you Investigative reporting from the inner city to Wall Street to the United Nations This is the blogspot version InnerCityPress.com Blog Archive Nov 2016 (10) Oct 2016 (41) Sep 2016 (51) Aug 2016 (49) Jul 2016 (67) Jun 2016 (60) May 2016 (67) Apr 2016 (46) Mar 2016 (35) Feb 2016 (45) Jan 2016 (54) Dec 2015 (69) Nov 2015 (64) Oct 2015 (74) Sep 2015 (69) Aug 2015 (55) Jul 2015 (73) Jun 2015 (65) May 2015 (83) Apr 2015 (74) Mar 2015 (99) Feb 2015 (92) Jan 2015 (62) Dec 2014 (82) Nov 2014 (98) Oct 2014 (97) Sep 2014 (100) Aug 2014 (115) Jul 2014 (105) Jun 2014 (98) May 2014 (113) Apr 2014 (111) Mar 2014 (77) Feb 2014 (92) Jan 2014 (106) Dec 2013 (93) Nov 2013 (111) Oct 2013 (114) Sep 2013 (127) Aug 2013 (124) Jul 2013 (133) Jun 2013 (119) May 2013 (124) Apr 2013 (130) Mar 2013 (139) Feb 2013 (90) Jan 2013 (116) Dec 2012 (115) Nov 2012 (92) Oct 2012 (112) Sep 2012 (120) Aug 2012 (132) Jul 2012 (122) Jun 2012 (94) May 2012 (112) Apr 2012 (126) Mar 2012 (136) Feb 2012 (123) Jan 2012 (159) Dec 2011 (158) Nov 2011 (131) Oct 2011 (138) Sep 2011 (151) Aug 2011 (145) Jul 2011 (138) Jun 2011 (144) May 2011 (157) Apr 2011 (136) Mar 2011 (156) Feb 2011 (140) Jan 2011 (143) Dec 2010 (164) Nov 2010 (157) Oct 2010 (147) Sep 2010 (150) Aug 2010 (156) Jul 2010 (162) Jun 2010 (130) May 2010 (163) Apr 2010 (154) Mar 2010 (155) Feb 2010 (147) Jan 2010 (154) Dec 2009 (155) Nov 2009 (158) Oct 2009 (175) Sep 2009 (167) Aug 2009 (181) Jul 2009 (190) Jun 2009 (184) May 2009 (192) Apr 2009 (174) Mar 2009 (187) Feb 2009 (185) Jan 2009 (204) Dec 2008 (226) Nov 2008 (201) Oct 2008 (243) Sep 2008 (199) Aug 2008 (209) Jul 2008 (208) Jun 2008 (148) May 2008 (191) Apr 2008 (166) Mar 2008 (146) Feb 2008 (177) Jan 2008 (184) Dec 2007 (156) Nov 2007 (180) Oct 2007 (134) Sep 2007 (137) Aug 2007 (161) Jul 2007 (163) Jun 2007 (144) May 2007 (143) Apr 2007 (164) Mar 2007 (190) Feb 2007 (134) Jan 2007 (143) Dec 2006 (124) Nov 2006 (134) Oct 2006 (146) Sep 2006 (131) Aug 2006 (138) Jul 2006 (91) Jun 2006 (115) May 2006 (128) Apr 2006 (125) Mar 2006 (125) Feb 2006 (141) Jan 2006 (154) Dec 2005 (133) Nov 2005 (127) Oct 2005 (142) Sep 2005 (154) Aug 2005 (192) Jul 2005 (156) Jun 2005 (145) May 2005 (171) Apr 2005 (129) Mar 2005 (142) Feb 2005 (110) Jan 2005 (141) Dec 2004 (164) Nov 2004 (174) Oct 2004 (142) Sep 2004 (163) Aug 2004 (171) Jul 2004 (95) Jun 2004 (141) May 2004 (153) Apr 2004 (138) Mar 2004 (143) Feb 2004 (129) Jan 2004 (135) Dec 2003 (136) Nov 2003 (120) Oct 2003 (142) Sep 2003 (110) Aug 2003 (117) Jul 2003 (105) Jun 2003 (66) May 2003 (7) Apr 2003 (2) Accusations brought by Russia's OAO Gazprom claiming that NJSC Naftogaz Ukraine has allegedly siphoned Russian gas while it is being pumped via Ukraine are groundless, Naftogaz Director for Business Development Yuriy Vitrenko has said. "These accusations are absolutely groundless. This is what we prove within the framework of the [Stockholm] arbitration," he wrote on his Facebook page on Monday evening. Vitrenko said that Gazprom's accusations dated back to October 2015 and its claim is less than $6 million, which is a very little sum compared to the total sum of the claims filed by the two companies in Stockholm courts, which is measured in dozens of billions of dollars. "And the fact that you've learnt this now and that nobody in Europe was and is concerned means that nobody in Europe believes what Gazprom says," Vitrenko said. Naftogaz explained in its press release on Monday evening that Gazprom's claim concerns 5 million cubic meters of balance gas accumulated in four months of 2014 during the period when Naftogaz did not import Russian gas for Ukraine. The amount of gas transit shipments pumped by Ukraine to the European Union during the four months was 17.42 billion cubic meters. Thus, unsettled is 0.03% of the transit shipments. Naftogaz also suggests that contracts should meter balance gas in keeping with European practice. This proposal was first put forth by Naftogaz in summer 2014, and is now being considered by the Arbitration Institute of the Stockholm Chamber of Commerce. As was reported, for the first time since the gas transit crises in 2006 and 2009, Gazprom has accused Naftogaz of "unsanctioned losses" of Russian gas being shipped on pipelines through Ukraine. Gazprom filed the counterclaim in Stockholm in the context of the "transit lawsuit" brought by the Ukrainian side. Biofarma pharmaceutical company (Kyiv region) as part of the implementation of the project on reconstruction of the Sumy blood donor center plans to restore the regular donor institution to receive high-quality blood for production of blood products. "Today we're forming the regular donor institution Mainly we need to receive high-quality blood components for hospitals and plasma for the fractionator plant. It's not a secret that there is a high level of virus diseases in Ukraine, as HIV, hepatitis, including hepatitis C, tuberculosis," Board Chairman Kostiantyn Yefymenko said in an interview with Interfax-Ukraine. He also said that Biofarma started construction of a blood plasma fractionator with a projected capacity of 400 tonnes in 2015. In April 2016, the company plans to sign contracts to supply equipment for the plant. "We've invested in the Sumy regional blood center to supply enough high-quality blood to the fractionator plant. It is being reconstructed by Biofarma in partnership with Sumy region. We've fully modernized the regional blood center. We actually removed everything old one and build a new center which today collects 3 tonnes of plasma a month and it is able to boost it to 5 tonnes," he said. Yefymenko said that the company plans to resume donor culture which was lost at many blood centers. "Our task is to attract as many as possible regular donors who we're confident of," he said. Yefymenko said that the Sumy blood donor center is one of few examples of the successful public private partnership. The Biofarma's investment in the project reached around $3 million. Biofarma is among the ten largest Ukrainian drug manufactures. Biofarma produces more than 20 immunobiological preparations of blood, as well as drugs obtained by recombinant DNA technology and probiotics. Niobera Investments Limited (Cyprus) holds 100% in Biofarma. According to the National Commission for Securities and the Stock Market of Ukraine, Biofarma Board Chairman Kostiantyn Yefymenko is the ultimate beneficiary of a large shareholder in Niobera Investments Limited. Shares do not belong to members of the executive body. In 2014, Biofarma built a pharmaceutical plant in Bila Tserkva (Kyiv region). Investment totaled $42 million. In 2014, Biofarma cut its net profit by 9.91% from a year ago, to UAH 25.801 million. The electronic system on the submission and publication of declarations of persons empowered to fulfill functions in the state or in local self-government agencies will start working in 2016. A total of 238 lawmakers on Tuesday supported bill No. 3755 on amending the law on preventing corruption concerning the operation of the electronic declaration system. The document was passed with amendments of the initiator of the bill Vadym Denysenko, not a member of any faction. In particular, according to the amendments he put to the article of the Criminal Code, providing false information in the declaration will be punished with imprisonment up to two years with a ban on holding corresponding posts for up to three years. According to Denysenko, this article of the Criminal Code comes into force on January 1, 2017. According to the author of the bill, the changes also apply to the provision, according to which the declaration should contain information on valuable property if the property value exceeds 150 minimal wages (in the current legislation 50 minimal wages). The changes also stipulate that cash, funds held on bank accounts, contributions to credit unions and other non-banking financial institutions, funds and assets in precious metals lent by third parties, the total value of which does not exceed 150 minimal wages, are not subject to declaring. The bill removes the provision that restricts the period for making the decision on the start of the operation of the electronic system on the submission and publication of declarations of persons empowered to fulfill functions in the state or in local self-government agencies by the National Agency for Corruption Prevention (NACP) as it is foreseen in the law on preventing corruption. The adoption of the bill would allow submitting and publishing declarations in the electronic form in 2016. An Interfax-Ukraine corresponded has reported that according to the law on preventing corruption, the decision on the launch of the electronic declaration system is made by the NACP but no earlier than January 1, 2017. At the same time, the head of the parliamentary committee on corruption prevention and counteraction, MP from the Samopomich faction Yehor Sobolev called the law "a step backwards in the anti-corruption legislation." "Those who lied in the declarations will not be responsible before the law for at least another two years. And they got more opportunities to hide assets," he wrote on his Facebook page. "Nobody saw the text of this fraud. MP from the Bloc of Petro Poroshenko faction Vadym Denysenko read it from the rostrum," Sobolev said, adding that currently a protest is being prepared regarding violation of the regulations when making these changes. The Verkhovna Rada has passed a law that would allow the government to begin the privatization of large state-owned enterprises. Some 252 deputies voted for the adoption of bill No. 2319a-d as a whole. As reported, bill No. 2319a-d was developed by the deputies to replace similar bill No. 2319a developed by the Cabinet. MP Yuriy Levchenko (out of faction) during the discussion of the bill in the session hall proposed not to cancel the pre-sale on the stock exchange of 5-10% of the shares in the enterprises being under privatization and even increase this stake to 25% and sell either on a Ukrainian stock exchange or a foreign one. But the deputies did not support the amendments proposed by Levchenko. The new bill, like the previous one, cancels the compulsory pre-sale on the stock exchange of 5-10% in the company prior to the tender and bans residents of the aggressor state from participating in privatization. The Verkhovna Rada has been trying to pass this bill since November 2015. Minister of Economic Development and Trade Aivaras Abromavicius has repeatedly stated the need for the adoption of this law. The government planned to start privatization of large enterprises with Odesa port-side chemical plant, as well as put energy supply companies and energy generating company Centrenergo up for privatization. The resumption of oil commerce between Iran and the West is made complicated by persistence of strained relations between the two sides. While Tehran is keen to gain access to European wealth, Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and other hardliners have repeatedly made it clear that they will not allow this eagerness to compromise the Islamic States fundamentalist identity. That identity is characterized in large part by defiance of the West, and particularly the United States. And even so called pragmatists like President Hassan Rouhani have joined in reaffirming that defiance. This was made clear on Monday when Hassan Firouzabadi, the Chief of Staff of the Iranian armed forces, declared that Tehran would be carrying out massive missile drills, thus doubling down on previous violations of UN Security Council resolutions barring Iran from the development or use of weapons that are capable of carrying a nuclear warhead. So far, these and other provocations have failed to curtail the European appetite for Iranian oil. But some factions of the Iranian regime seem increasingly anxious about the possible implications for hardline ideology if Iran merely agrees to cooperate with the West in economic spheres. Last week it was reported that there were conflicts within the regime regarding the nature of new contracts with foreign businesses, which some hardliners characterized as violating the Iranian constitution by giving ownership of Iranian resources to those businesses. It is presumably in light of this conflict that the Iranian propaganda network Press TV reported on Monday that National Iranian Oil Company officials had denied reports that foreign entities would be offered a discount on oil transactions. This denial is very much in keeping with Iranian rhetoric regarding the comparative strength of Iran and Western powers, both in terms of economic and military matters. But Press TVs claim that all foreign transactions will be governed by current market rates may be difficult to reconcile with the same sources projections about the recovery of the Iranian oil economy. In line with a number of other recent statements from Iranian officials and media, Press TV says that the current Iranian crude oil export rate of 1.3 million barrels per day will rise to 2 million barrels per day within the first half of the forthcoming Iranian year, which begins on March 21. This seems to require Iran reclaiming substantial amounts of market share from competitors such as Saudi Arabia, who continue to maintain production in spite of low global oil prices, and may deliberately sell oil at a loss in order to box Iran out of major segments of the market. Chances are that Iran will have to compromise on its defiance of Western business interests if it is to secure any portion of its own promised economic recovery. But those Iranian officials who place ideology ahead of a pragmatic strategy of engagement are likely to stand in the way. Some of them, such the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, may actually stand to benefit from constraining Irans recovery, since many reports indicate that the lack of foreign competition helps them to maintain majority control over the nations GDP as well as its lucrative black market in foreign goods. These hardline entities also wield considerable power over the forthcoming elections for the Iranian parliament and the Assembly of Experts, which may help to determine the trajectory of future Iranian foreign and economic policy. The National Council of Resistance of Iran and other representatives of the opposition to the clerical regime have extensively commented on those February 26 elections, emphasizing that none of the competing political factions present prospects for real change, although they do present alternative strategies for preserving the status quo. It is perhaps for this reason that the leaders of so-called moderate and reformist factions, namely President Rouhani and Mohammad Reza Aref, have joined in a coalition and presented a unified candidate list to their supporters. The hardline factions hold sway over the process, in part through the recent elimination of half of the more than 12,000 people who initially registered as candidates for high office. And this faction appears to be a threat to the strategic re-engagement with Europe that has only just begun. Victory for Rouhanis allies is expected to help the Islamic Republic along the path that started with nuclear negotiations and that culminated this month with the acquisition of 100 billion dollars in unfrozen assets, as well as the finalization of a number of potentially lucrative oil sales and infrastructural development contracts with foreign businesses. I WRITE NEWS ABOUT AND PUT NEWS ARTICLES ABOUT ISRAEL AND JERUSALEM PERTAINING TO BIBLE PROPHESY HAPPENINGS.JOEL 3:20 But Judah (ISRAEL) shall dwell for ever, and Jerusalem from generation to generation.(THATS ISRAEL-JERUSALEM WILL NEVER BE DESTROYED AGAIN)-WE CHRISTIANS ARE ALL WAITING PATIENTLY FOR THE PRE-TRIBULATION RAPTURE TO OCCUR.SO WE CAN GO TO JESUS AND GET OUR NEVER DYING BODIES.SO WE CAN RULE OVER CITIES OURSELVES.WHILE JESUS RULES FROM DAVIDS THRONE FOREVER IN JERUSALEM. [February 15, 2016] Technavio Announces Top 11 Vendors in the Global Data Center Cooling Solutions Market from 2016 to 2020 Technavio has announced the top 11 leading vendors in their recent global data center cooling solutions market report. This research report also lists 12 other prominent vendors that are expected to impact the market during the forecast period. Competitive vendor landscape Vendors in the global data center cooling solutions market are making innovations in the data center cooling equipment space to reduce power consumption in data center facilities. The competition in the market is high because of the presence of a number of vendors that are offering innovative cooling solutions for data centers worldwide. "Many vendors have forged long-term partnerships with enterprises for the installation of modern cooling systems in data centers. There is also a high probability that leading vendors will acquire innovative start-ups in the market over the forecast period, in a bid to increase their market share," says Rakesh Kumar Panda, a lead data center analyst from Technavio. Request sample report: http://goo.gl/58RKBp Top 11 vendors for the data center cooling solutions market 3M (News - Alert) 3M was incorporated in 1929 and is headquartered in Minnesota, US. The company is involved in the manufacturing and marketing of products related to businesses such as electronics and energy, safety and graphics, healthcare, and consumer. As of December 2014, the company reported total revenue of USD 31.82 billion, operating through 88 manufacturing facilities across 30 states in the US and 127 manufacturing and converting facilities in 38 countries worldwide. 4energy 4energy was founded in 2005 and is headquartered in Nottingham, UK. The company provides low energy cooling solutions and energy management solutions for companies worldwide. The company offers many data center cooling solutions, one of which is the COOLflow, which is a free air-based cooling system with a no-maintenance air filter designed for telecommunications cabins, shelters, and other equipment rooms. The company's latest offering is the COOLflow 3 series with modular design for easy upgrades. Alfa Laval Alfa Laval was founded in 1883 and is headquartered in Lund, Sweden. The company develops, manufactures, and markets products and solutions for heat transfer, separation, and fluid handling. Its products cater to industries involved in the production of chemicals, starch, paper, metals, sugar, and ethanol. The company holds more than 2,000 patents and operates in 100 countries with 42 production units. As of December 2014, they had 18,000 employees worldwide and reported a et revenue of USD 5.13 billion. Black Box (News - Alert) Black Box was founded in 1976 and is headquartered in Pennsylvania, US. The company is a technology solutions provider that designs, builds, manages, and secures IT infrastructure worldwide. They also provide services for IT infrastructure and specialty networking and offer solutions in partnership with Avaya, Cisco, CommScope, Mitel, NEC, ShoreTel (News - Alert), and Unify. Daikin Applied Daikin Applied was founded in 1924 as Daikin McQuay. The company is headquartered in Minnesota, US. The company manufactures and markets HVAC systems worldwide and operates as a subsidiary of Daikin Industries. The company offers products under categories, including air handlers, rooftop systems, integrated systems, fan coils, modular central plants, coils, self-contained systems, water source heat pumps, unit ventilators, condensing units, and controls. Eaton (News - Alert) Eaton was established in 1911 and is headquartered in Dublin, Ireland. The company provides power management services and serves end-markets, including agriculture and forestry, aviation, construction, data centers, government and military, healthcare, mining, and oil and gas. As of December 2014, the company had around 102,227 employees and a wide network of distributors in more than 175 countries. ebm-papst ebm-papst was founded in 1981 and is headquartered in Connecticut, US. The company manufactures and sells fans, blowers, and air movers for the IT and telecom, HVAC, refrigeration, household appliances, industrial, automotive and rail technology, and medical markets. They operate as a subsidiary of ebm-papst Mulfingen. In FY2014, the company had 11,701 employees and had 18 production sites and 57 sales offices. Emerson Network Power (News - Alert) Emerson Network Power is headquartered in Ohio, US. The company provides critical infrastructure technologies and life cycle services for information and communications technology systems. They operate as a subsidiary of Emerson Electric. The company's data center segment offers equipment-based services, including emergency response and repair, equipment upgrade, predictive and preventive maintenance, remote monitoring, and startup services. In addition, they offer professional services such as arc flash solutions and services, electrical assessment, commissioning, DCIM, IT deployment, and turnkey project management services. Rittal Rittal was founded in 1961 and is headquartered in Herborn, Germany. The company designs, manufactures, and sells systems used for enclosures, power distribution, climate control, and IT infrastructure products. The company also offers system accessories and software and services. The company offers solutions under categories such as cooling, power, security rooms and safes, server racks and network cabinets, monitor and management, and fast turnkey solutions. Schneider Electric Schneider Electric was founded in 1836 and is headquartered in Rueil-Malmaison, France. The company develops and markets electrical products and integral solutions for energy management. As of December 2014, the company had 167,124 employees. The company reported net revenues of USD 31.08 billion and USD 33.15 billion in FY2013 and FY2014, respectively. STULZ Air Technology Systems STULZ Air Technology Systems is headquartered in Maryland, US. The company manufactures and sells air-conditioning systems for data centers worldwide. Their major product offerings are categorized under precision air, retrofit and replacement, ultrasonic humidification, and dehumidification. Browse Related Reports: Global Data Center Power Market 2015-2019 Global Data Center Construction Market 2015-2019 Global Data Center Market 2015-2019 Purchase these three reports for the price of one by becoming a Technavio subscriber. Subscribing to Technavio's reports allows you to download any three reports per month for the price of one. Contact [email protected] with your requirements and a link to our subscription platform. About Technavio Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. The company develops over 2000 pieces of research every year, covering more than 500 technologies across 80 countries. Technavio has about 300 analysts globally who specialize in customized consulting and business research assignments across the latest leading edge technologies. Technavio analysts employ primary as well as secondary research techniques to ascertain the size and vendor landscape in a range of markets. Analysts obtain information using a combination of bottom-up and top-down approaches, besides using in-house market modeling tools and proprietary databases. They corroborate this data with the data obtained from various market participants and stakeholders across the value chain, including vendors, service providers, distributors, re-sellers, and end-users. If you are interested in more information, please contact our media team at [email protected]. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160215005168/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [February 16, 2016] Crowdynews Adds New Board Members And Creates Advisory Board GRONINGEN, Netherlands, Feb. 16, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Crowdynews, the world's largest social media curation platform, today announced that it has expanded the membership of its Board of Directors, appointing both Roeland Boonstoppel and Tim Unger. Neal Dempsey and Dr. Mario Garcia join the company's newly formed Advisory Board. "The addition of Boonstoppel, Unger, Dempsey, and Garcia represents an important milestone in the maturity of Crowdynews' business," said Jeroen Zanen, co-CEO, Crowdynews. "Their experience growing and advising companies will help guide us into the next stage of growth, which includes unlocking the potential in key markets like the US and UK, and bringing the Crowdynews solution to new users and new verticals." Roeland Boonstoppel, owner of Amber Venture Partners and newly appointed Chairman of the Board. Boonstoppel is a venture capital and angel investor with 25+ years of international technology investing and board experience in Europe, the US, and China. He has worked many years between London and Silicon Valley, with a long list of successful exits. Boonstoppel has been an active angel investor since 2004. Roeland was a partner at Crescendo Ventures and Kennet Capital in London and started his venture career at Atlas Venture in Amsterdam and Boston. Most recently, Boonstoppel served as a Non-Exec, AngelInvestor and Advisor to Coresonic AB (acquired by Mediatek), The Fab Shoes (acquired by JustFab), BundleTech Ltd (aka DutyCalculator acquired by Borderfree), iBOOD (acquired by Media Markt), and IDchecker (acquired by Mitek). Tim Unger, founder and owner of Consulting in Human Capital, and newly appointed Board Member, brings more than 20 years of general management operating experience in a wide variety of leading-edge technology markets. As CEO, he has taken a number of Silicon Valley start-ups through the process of funding and scaling while accelerating the launch of new strategies and dynamic businesses leading to compelling liquidity and funding events for company stakeholders. Additionally, Unger has served as advisor to numerous companies including Skybox Security ($96M Investment - Providence Equity), Crowd Factory (acquired by Marketo), Coresonic (acquired by Mediatek), and Tropian (acquired by Panasonic). Neal Dempsey, General Partner at Bay Partners, is the first member of the company's newly formed Advisory Board. Based in Menlo Park, California, Dempsey has been an investor in Silicon Valley for over 25 years. His investments include companies that achieved some of the most successful exits of the past decade, including Eloqua, Guidewire, DropCam, and many others. Currently, Dempsey sits on 9 board seats mostly with Silicon Valley-based companies and actively works with mentoring entrepreneurs at all stages of company growth. Dempsey was named to the Forbes Midas List in 2013. Dr. Mario Garcia brings more than 40 years' experience as a visual journalist, designer, consultant and academic; he is also the author of 13 books, including his first digital book, The iPad Lab: Storytelling in the Age of the Tablet. Garcia has consulted with over 700 news organizations around the globe such as the Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, South China Morning Post, Aftenposten, De Telegraaf and El Tiempo. He is Senior Adviser on News Design/Adjunct Professor at Columbia University's School of Journalism. He founded the Graphics and Design Program at the Poynter Institute for Media Studies. He has the University of Missouri's Medal of Honor for Service in Journalism, was appointed the Hearst Digital Media Professional-in-Residence for 2013-2014 at the Columbia Graduate School of Journalism, and has received over 300 Society for News Design Awards, including the Lifetime Achievement Award and People Magazine en Espanol - 100 Most Influential. "Traditional news and social media are intersecting fast and furiously these days and the lines will continue to blur," said Roeland Boonstoppel from Amber Venture Partners. "Crowdynews' social media curation technology has the potential to play a transformative role in how these two media interact and react to each other online, as well as extend the possibilities into other verticals like brand marketing & online retailing, and I'm excited to be a part of shaping what's next." About Crowdynews Crowdynews is the world's largest social media curation platform, delivering social content to the news media market worldwide. We are the definitive one-stop shop for automating the inclusion of relevant, real-time, and safe social content from Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Vimeo, and more alongside editorial content. Using artificial intelligence & natural language processing, we enable our customers to tell "the whole story" by augmenting their own content with photos, videos, eyewitness reports, and opinions shared through social media. For more information, please visit www.crowdynews.com or follow us on Twitter @Crowdynews. Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160208/330590LOGO To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/crowdynews-adds-new-board-members-and-creates-advisory-board-300220010.html SOURCE Crowdynews [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [February 16, 2016] Replicor to Present Pre-Clinical and Updated Clinical Data on REP 2139-Ca Based Combination Therapy in Chronic HBV and HBV / HDV Co-Infection at APASL 2016 Replicor Inc., a privately held biopharmaceutical company targeting a cure for patients with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) and chronic HBV and hepatitis delta virus (HDV) co-infection, will present preclinical and updated clinical data on REP 2139-Ca based combination therapies in HBV infection and HBV / HDV co-infection at the 25th Annual Meeting of the Asia Pacific Association for the Study of the Liver to be held from February 20 -24, 2016 in Toyko, Japan. Three presentations on Replicor technology will be made during the meeting: HBV RNA is emerging as a potential new marker of viremia in patients with HBV infection. In patients with HBeAg positive HBV infection, treatment with REP 2139-Ca and immunotherapy (in the REP 102 protcol), not only leads to reduction / clearance of HBsAg and HBV DNA and the appearance of anti-HBs but also to reduction of HBV RNA as well. The characterization of the HBV RNA response in the REP 102 protocol was done in collaboration with the lab of Dr. Hendrik Reesink at the Amsterdam Medical Center, and will be presented by Dr. Reesink in the Presidential Plenary Session on February 22nd. An update on the clinical response data from HBV /HDV co-infected patients completing REP 2139-Ca / peg-interferon combination therapy and transitioning to peg-interferon monotherapy in the REP 301 protocol will be presented in an oral presentation on Feb 22nd (O-130). A poster presentation on the effects of combined treatment with REP 2139-Ca and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate and entecavir on serum and liver virema in vivo will be presented on Feb 22nd (P-0329). These pre-clinical and clinical studies continue to advance Replicor's understanding of the antiviral effects of REP 2139-Ca based combination therapies and how these can be used to benefit patients with HBV infection or HBV / HDV co-infection. For the APASL 2016 meeting and preliminary program: http://www.apasl2016.org/prg_overview.html About Replicor Replicor is a privately held biopharmaceutical company with the most advanced animal and human clinical data in the development of the cure for HBV and HDV. The company is dedicated to accelerating the development of an effective treatment for patients with HBV and HBV/HDV infection. For further information about Replicor please visit our website at www.replicor.com. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160216005423/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Ventings from a guy with an unhealthy interest in budgets, policy, the dismal science, life in the Upper Midwest, and brilliant beverages. Truths suppressed by the Establishment and society generally, and analytical overviews of reality to deepen understanding. All contents copyrighted. Brief quotations with attribution and URL [jasonzenith.blogspot.com] permitted. Check out my other blog at taboo-truths.blogspot.com ATALAYA is new work by bassist Dezron Douglas, and it is alive. That is, alive in all the ways that jazz is at its best as a pure and pe... Endless Night: First Floor Index ENDLESS NIGHT A Fantasy Core Adventure Jerry Harris 2014 Published here as Open Game Content. (This link will take you to the Fan... St. Petersburg ALMS race: Something Missing I was planing on writing an Indy 500 blog and decided Im only commenting on other non-NASCAR races if I saw something worth writing about. ... Fantasy Core RPG FANTASY CORE PDF of Fantasy Core Rules Character Creation Rules , Spell Lists Weapons & Armor , Equipment , Travel & Transport ... 5e Confessions [I'm off Monday. I plan on doing sports posts next week, and then posting the new setting mentioned here.] Ive got one last new set... Artifacts: Valle Verde Maps These are maps of the El Paso Community College, Valle Verde campus, where I received a piece of paper for showing up f... Endless Night: Introduction ENDLESS NIGHT A Fantasy Core Adventure Jerry Harris 2014 Published here as Open Game Content. (This link will take you to the Fan... Artifacts: Archie #70 and Uncle Scrooge #14 [Cyber-Pulp update: Made up some sample characters today. A lot work left to do. I've shown some rough draft material to playtester Ev... Dark Continent Redux: Introduction Dark Continent Redux A Fantasy Core Adventure Jerry Harris 2016 Published here as Open Game Content. (This link will take you to... Fantasy Core Ireland--Adventure NPC & Monsters 6 FANTASY CORE RPG (c) Jerry Harris, 2012 Published here as Open Game Content. Adventure Index NPC & Monster Index Moin Coltna Bo... MATTOON -- Kristen Doty smiled broadly and exclaimed, "I just sold my first one," after selling a package of her Winston & Kristen's Puppy Treats on Friday at the Cross County Mall. Doty, a senior at Mattoon High School, has been making her dog treats as part of the ClassE Coles County Entrepreneurship Class and selling them to various acquaintances this semester, but the transaction Friday afternoon was her first sale directly to the general public. "It was really exciting. I was really nervous that nobody was going to buy any," Doty said, adding that she spent eight hours working on her batch of treats for the ClassE booth at the mall. The three flavors are peanut butter and pumpkin, sweet potato, and apple cheddar bacon bits. ClassE students staffed this booth Friday through Sunday to sell the sugar scrubs that they have created as a class project and to sell products from their individual businesses, or promote those that are still in the works. Mattoon juniors Katie Brush and Jenny Hildebrand have partnered to create Liberty Leo T-shirts, with 20 percent of the proceeds going to a big cat rescue sanctuary in Florida. They said their idea was inspired by the Ivory Ella clothing line that raises money for saving endangered elephants. "We thought that by helping save endangered animals and not having all of the proceed go to us we could bring in customers," Brush said. They have taken more than a dozen pre-orders for their T-shirts so far. Mattoon senior Kyle Packer said he is preparing for the arrival of his first shipment of customized, character-design socks with his Kickers Sock Co. individual business. In the meantime, Packer said he and his fellow students are selling items from the ClassE sugar scrub product line that they launched last fall. Packer said said the scrubs are available in vanilla honey, lavender, and coconut lime scents, in both regular and whipped varieties. He said the regular variety has a grainy, sand-like feel, whereas the whipped variety has more soap in it for a softer consistency. He has had a crash course in sugar scrubs during this school year. "I didn't event know these existed before they were brought up in class," Packer said, with a laugh. He added that the owners of the local Vintage Cottage Beauty business introduced his class to sugar scrubs. Hildebrand said she and her classmates spent all day in the kitchen of their ClassE instructor, Jeanne Dau, mixing up the sugar scrubs. She said this was a good team-building experience and helped them learn how to work more efficiently. Charleston High School junior Ryan Chambers, whose individual project is Fun Life Tech smart phone accessory sales, said he has enjoyed learning hands-on lessons in ClassE and getting to make connections with guest speakers and tour hosts from the business community. All of the money raised from sugar scrub sales goes toward funding the students individual businesses. Their projects are scheduled to be on display during a trade show on May 2 at the LifeSpan Center. This is the fourth year for ClassE. The mission is to educate Coles County and Neoga high school juniors and seniors about the opportunities and challenges of starting and running a new business venture. For more information about this class, log on to www.keepitclasse.org or like them on Facebook. Follow the Money, that has been the advice for anyone who looks into the corrupt halls of our government bureaucracy. In the defense of our nation, that seems to be especially good advice. It is hard to believe that the Pentagon would yield to political pressure from the White House, but that is precisely how it looks from my vantage point. We know that about the only segment of the government that has not been politicized by the leftists is the FBI. Or so we have been told. If you will notice, nearly all military men who are critical of our actions in the war on Islamic terrorism are RETIRED Generals, Admirals, Navy Seals, and those of lesser rank, who can safely draw their military pensions unencumbered by government action. On the other hand, those in the military STILL serving in positions of power seem reluctant to be very critical of the Presidents handling of the war. Could it be that they are in fear of being stripped of their rank and in danger of losing their military pensions? So, just Follow the Money to learn why there is such a difference of opinion between those now serving, and those who have retired from the military. Does anyone wonder why we have lost three Department of Defense Secretaries in a row? Each having been critical of the administrations war policy only after resigning or being relieved of their position? If I was considering enlisting in the military, I would also think carefully about the many restrictions place on our fighting men by this President. We appear to fighting this war on Islamic terrorism with one hand tied behind our backs. They call it micro-managing by those with no military experience. The Presidents primary advisers being Vallerie Jarrett, Susan Rice, and a handful of others must have his ear. Dare we call them Muslim apologists? Jack Pierce, Mattoon Job Description For over 70 years, Plan International unites and inspires people around the globe to transform the world and make positive lasting changes in childrens lives through the active involvement of children, and working at the grassroots with no religious, political or governmental affiliation. Plan International is looking for Grant and Compliance Coordinator to play a vital role in our mission to achieve lasting improvements in the quality of life of deprived children in developing countries. Working with the team, the post holder mainly ensures projects are effectively implemented according to the grant agreement and other donor requirements there by developing and maintaining systems across all relevant departments and staff involved in the grant management cycle. Our vision is of a world in which all children realise their full potential in societies that respect peoples rights and dignity. Working with us, you will be entitled to a wide range of employee benefits, such as Monthly Transportation Allowance, Monthly Pension & PF Contribution of 15% of basic salary, Annual Medical Allowance, 24 hours GPA Insurance and others. Plan also provides a number of capacity development opportunities to its employees including Talent Management Programme. Job Requirements To be successful, you need to have BA degree in Accounting, Management, Economics, Social work or related development fields and a minimum of five years of relevant professional experience in a related field, preferably in a grants management setting. Closing date: Mar 01, 2016 Your rating: none Rating: 0 0 votes How to Apply The closing date for the application is March 1, 2016. Qualified candidates should submit the application form found with this linkhttp://docs.ethiojobs.net/Plan_Int_Application_Form.docx through www.Ethiojobs.net We only short list those applicants who send the complete application form. We do not accept CVs and other supporting documents at this stage. Please note: in order to apply for this role you must be able to demonstrate your eligibility to work in Ethiopia. Thank you in advance for your interest in this position. Please note that only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted by Plan for follow-up. More information about Plan can be found on http:// plan-international.org Child Protection Policy: References will be taken and background and anti-terrorism checks will be carried out for the successful candidate in conformity with Plans Child Protection Policy. 6 total views, 6 today The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is a humanitarian, non-governmental, non-profit organization founded in 1956 that works in more than 30 countries throughout the world, including Ethiopia. DRC fulfills its mandate by providing direct assistance to conflict-affected populations, including refugees, internally displaced people and host communities. Under its mandate, the organization focuses on emergency humanitarian response, rehabilitation and post-conflict recovery. DRC commenced work in Ethiopia in 2009 and currently provides expertise in shelter, WASH, livelihoods and protection in the Gambella and Somali regions of the country. Activities implemented by DRC are funded by money raised from the Danish public and by project grants from the Danish government and other bilateral and multi-lateral donors. DRC is in the process of starting a new program in Tigray regional state, where the organization anticipates implementing a variety of youth protection activities in Hitsats, Shimelba, Mai-Aini and Adharush refugee camps, which are currently hosting a combined population of over 30,000 Eritrean refugees. POSITIONS OVERALL OBJECTIVES Working under the direct management of the Shire-based Area Manager, the Logistics and Procurement Coordinator will be responsible for all of the daily logistics and procurement related functions in DRCs Shire field office in strict compliance with the organizations and donors policies and procedures and strong attention to detail. The Logistics and Procurement Coordinator will furthermore manage one Logistics and Procurement Assistant, one storekeeper and up to four drivers. The coordinator will act as the primary point of communication with DRCs logistics and procurement team in Addis Ababa for daily matters. RESPONSIBILITIES AND TASKS To achieve the overall and specific objectives of the position, the Logistics and Procurement Coordinator, in coordination with the Area Manager, Deputy Area Manager and Addis Ababa-based logistics and procurements teams will perform the following tasks and undertake the following responsibilities: 1. Logistics and Procurement: Lead the setup of the Shire logistics and procurement department, including overseeing upfront procurement and inventorying, and ensuring the department it is fully compliant with DRC systems and is well organized and maintained. With support from the Addis Ababa-based logistics and procurement team, ensure high quality day-to-day management of all logistics and procurement functions to ensure strict compliance to DRCs procurement procedures, full transparency and timely delivery of quality goods and services as requested by the programs and other support functions. This responsibility will include leading tender processes, organizing procurement committee meetings, conducting bid analyses and drafting relevant contracts. Together with program staff, manage the quality control of all items received and ensure items are properly recorded, inventoried and stored or warehoused. In cases of distributions to beneficiary populations, the coordinator will collaborate with program and monitoring and evaluation staff to ensure distribution lists are collected. The aforementioned tasks will require both adherence to DRC and donor policies and procedures as well as the initiative to develop and improve upon systems. Collaborate closely with the Shire and Addis Ababa based finance and administration departments to ensure payments are made upon successful receipt of procured items. This will ensure that all relevant documents are forwarded to budget holders in due time with clear specification, financial codes and appropriate authorization. Conduct regular market surveys of goods and services and develop a user-friendly procurement catalogue of local and regionally available items which is updated on a monthly basis. When relevant, research and work with the Area Manager, Addis Ababa based logistics and procurement team and Head of Finance and Administration to develop framework agreements with as well as approved supplier lists of reliable and proven suppliers. Provide strategic support, including projections and recommendations on logistical and procurement matters to the Area Manager and Deputy Area Manager. 2. Technical and Operational Support: Work with both program and support staff to ensure quarterly procurement plans are developed, detailed description of needs are documented and that accurate estimates of procurement timeframes are generated and agreed upon. An essential aspect of this responsibility is the maintaining a local procurement tracker in coordination with the Addis Ababa based logistics and procurement team. Undertake weekly supervisory, monitoring and support visits to sub-offices and project locations. Provide technical advice to the Area Manager and Deputy Area Manager related to equipment and hardware, including subjects such as vehicle, facilities and generator maintenance, as well as generator and officer and accommodation water supply as relevant. Assume responsibility for the full functioning of all communications and safety equipment. Liaise with the Addis Ababa based Information Technology team to ensure all new IT equipment is best fit with the field offices needs and that existing equipment is maintained and well secured. With the support of the Logistics and Procurement Assistant, ensure all of DRCs facilities, including office and accommodation facilities, are well maintained, safe and secure. Become well versed in all applicable local laws and regulations relevant to logistics and procurement matters and interact with relevant local authorities accordingly when tasked by the Area Manager. In collaboration with the Area Manager, ensure that all DRC facilities in Shire are compliant with DRCs safety and security regulations. 3. Reporting: Under the direction of the Area Manager and with guidance from the Addis Ababa based logistics and procurement team, lead local level reporting for both internal and donor purposes. This will include maintaining a comprehensive assets list containing all relevant donor information. 4. General Management and Support: John Snow, Inc. (JSI), established in 1978, is committed to improving the health of individuals and communities worldwide. Integrated Family Health program (IFHP) The Integrated Family Health Program (IFHP) is a USAID-funded health program implemented by Pathfinder International (PI) and John Snow Incorporated (JSI) in partnership with Ministry of Health and other local partners. The program focuses on increasing the use of high impact FP and MNCH practices, products and services. JSI/IFHP has vacancies as data collector and supervisors for an operational research to be done in maternal health. Objectives of the Research: If you are walking - slow down.....if you are running, run faster. A convention of states to amend the U.S Constitution would amount to a "spinal transplant" for Washington, former U.S. Sen. Tom Coburn said Tuesday. Coburn, an Oklahoma Republican and medical doctor, spoke to a few dozen people who gathered in the Capitol Rotunda in Lincoln to support a Nebraska legislative resolution calling for a convention of states to propose constitutional limits on the power of the federal government. "It's very clear to me that we have a problem, and part of the problem is Washington, D.C., and what goes on there," said state Sen. Laura Ebke of Crete, who sponsored the resolution (LR35). Five state legislatures have approved similar measures. It would take support from 34 states to trigger a convention. Opponents say a convention called for under Ebke's resolution would threaten critical federal funds for programs like Social Security, Medicare and farm subsidies. In addition, they warn of the possibility for a "runaway convention" that exceeds its initial scope and even endangers components of the Bill of Rights, like the Second Amendment. But it only takes 13 states to block any amendment that would be proposed from the convention, Coburn said, and state legislatures could control who represents them. "The greater risk is to let what's happening now continue," he said. That includes the $19 trillion national debt, "land grabs" by the federal government and a rules and regulations process that effectively allows the executive branch to pass laws without approval from Congress, he said. A convention of states is about "restoring the power where it was intended to be," he said. Coburn, now on staff with the national Convention of States Project, was a provocative presence in the Senate before he retired in 2014. A Washington Post article that year likened replacing him to "replacing Justice Antonin Scalia on the Supreme Court" in the minds of some conservatives. Scalia died last week. After Tuesday's event, John Hancock of Plattsmouth whose driver's license proves he shares his name with the famous Declaration of Independence signer called a convention of states "a peaceful way" to achieve its goals. But it will happen "with a ballot or a bullet," he said. "The founders, the true patriots, did they not stand at Lexington and Concord and face down tyranny?" Ebke put her measure's odds of passing around 50/50. It advanced from a legislative committee last year and is expected to be debated in the next few weeks. Ebke asked proponents to urge their senators even those who don't support the resolution to at least let it reach a vote. "Is this really something you want to filibuster?" , . , 12 2000 . , - . , . , . , . Compromise legislation to distance state senators from congressional and legislative redistricting decisions cleared the Legislature's Executive Board Tuesday and was advanced to the floor for debate. The bill (LB580) creates an independent citizens commission to craft new districts that provide relative population parity following the 2020 census. The proposal is the product of almost two years of discussion and compromise by Sen. John Murante of Gretna, a Republican, and Sen. Heath Mello of Omaha, a Democrat. Under it, proposed redistricting plans would be submitted to the Legislature in 2021 for approval or disapproval. If a redistricting proposal were rejected by the Legislature, the commission would meet again to submit a revised plan. "That ensures that the Legislature and its staff would never be drawing the maps" that ultimately created the new districts, Mello said. The legislative research office would be called upon early in the process to prepare maps at the direction of the commission. The nine-member citizens commission would be composed of five members of one political party and four members of the other. The majority would be composed of members of the party that won the preceding gubernatorial election. No party officials, officeholders or lobbyists would be eligible to serve on the commission. Members of the commission would be selected by state senators, who would caucus by congressional district. The proposed redistricting plans recommended by the commission would be submitted to the attorney general and the secretary state for formal opinions that assure their constitutionality. Murante and Mello decided to work together in an effort to take most of the partisan politics out of redistricting decisions made by the nonpartisan Nebraska Legislature. The political parties and elected partisan officeholders have been particularly engaged in the shadows during reapportionment of Nebraska's congressional districts. The bill contains a series of guiding principles that the commission would be directed to follow. Topping the list, which was arranged in order of priorities, was population parity among the districts and adherence to county lines. Other guiding principles include ensuring that congressional districts are compact and contiguous. Farther down the list is creation of districts with communities of common interest. Districts with population deviations nearest to zero is 10th on the list. However, the bill states that population must be "as nearly equal as practicable," and the measure would establish strict limits on population deviation. In the case of legislative districts, population disparity could reach 10 percent. A 26-year-old nurse's aide from Scribner is accused of stealing a narcotic used to treat chronic pain from at least three elderly patients. The narcotic, Fentanyl, is also tied to 19 fatal overdoses between January 2013 and November 2015 in Nebraska, according to an alert from the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services. Racheal Newlon took the Fentanyl patches off of patients at Hooper Care Center on six occasions between Dec. 11 and Dec. 29, according to a complaint filed in Dodge County Court Jan. 26. Hooper Police Chief Matt Schott said police believe she chewed on the patches to get the drug out of them. She has been charged with possession of a controlled substance, abuse of an elderly person and theft by unlawful taking. He said Newlon had worked at the nursing home for about two weeks when supervisors noticed patches were missing. "We called in all the employees and each one submitted to a drug, urine test," Schott said. "Then they came in and each one talked to me." The nursing home has put extra precautions in place, he said. Now, two people must be present when a patch is placed on a patient, and a nurse checks periodically to see if the patches are still on. Schott said Newlon cooperated in the investigation and that the incident is the only one he knows about. "We've not had any other problems in my 21 years of law enforcement in Dodge County," he said. "This incident was discovered so quickly and everyone did a really great job in reporting it, and investigating." Abuse of Fentanyl seems to be getting more widespread, in part because users have found a way to synthesize it, state epidemiologist Dr. Thomas Safranek said Friday in issuing the health alert. The narcotic typically is given to people in chronic pain, including end-stage cancer patients. Its also an anesthetic that is 80 times more powerful than morphine and 50 times more powerful than heroin, according to the Centers for Disease Control. And there have been cases in the U.S. of heroin being laced with Fentanyl, which can be deadly because most users wont know the Fentanyl is there, according to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. In one Nebraska case, a 33-year-old man was found in a bathroom snorting a white, powdery substance. Soon after, he went into cardiac arrest and was resuscitated but had multiple seizures two days later and became paralyzed, according to a Department of Health and Human Services report. On the fourth day, he died. Cause of death: Fentanyl toxicity. In an effort to protect the identity of the 19 Nebraskans who died, HHS is not releasing more details on where the overdoses happened. When used correctly and prescribed by a physician, Fentanyl is a great drug with good benefits, Safranek said. "The problem is people have figured out a way to make it on their own," he said. "That (synthetic drug) is circulating. Its such a powerful drug that its driving opioid deaths and overdoses now." The drug is so potent, officers are warned not to get any on their exposed skin. Safranek said Nebraska has a low incidence of opioid overdose deaths compared to other states, but the number is growing. From 2007 to 2009, seven people died from overdoses in Nebraska, and from 2010 to 2012, 15 died. "We don't like that," Safranek said. "Public health needs to respond, the state needs to respond. Many parties need to consider how they can address this and help reduce and control it." There is a life-saving antidote called Naloxone, he said. "It's an opioid reversal drug," Safranek said. Some law enforcement agencies have given Naloxone to their officers, and Safranek said state laws have made it easy for paramedics and other first responders to administer the antidote. Lincoln police officers aren't authorized to dispense drugs, Officer Katie Flood said, but Lincoln Fire & Rescue carry Naloxone and can give it. The public can also get the antidote. "It's available by prescription," Safranek said. "The law makes provisions for family members if they are concerned about household members." Naloxone is used either as a nasal spray or an injection that can be given to the thigh. A request for $25 million to spur construction at Nebraska Innovation Campus remains on hold while state lawmakers consider requiring detailed annual reports from the research park in the name of increased oversight. A bill (LB560) introduced by Sen. Matt Williams of Gothenburg last spring created an evergreen fund of state tax dollars to cover half the cost of the next building at Innovation Campus, under construction at the former State Fair Park. Once that new building is 50 percent leased, the private developer partnering with NU on construction would buy the universitys share and replenish the fund for more construction at the 252-acre site. At a hearing in April, however, the Legislature's Appropriations Committee questioned the lack of information on previous state investments and operations at Innovation Campus. The committee approved a resolution (LR200) to gather evidence and help identify the best path forward in state investment and oversight, according to Chairman Heath Mello of Omaha. The study was done last fall and included hearings and tours of Innovation Campus, but the committee is still sitting on the request. An amendment to Williams' bill, introduced by Mello last week, acknowledges development at Innovation Campus will require a long-term strategy and establishes benchmarks requested by lawmakers. Its clear from the work and discussion of this committee that a framework is needed for increased accountability and metrics oversight to set clear goals, and over time, gauge the effectiveness of the research park for future state investment, Mello said at an Appropriations Committee hearing. The benchmarks would include: * The ratio of investments between the state and university and the private sector. * How many square feet of construction has been completed. * The number of private companies located at the research park. * The number of private-sector jobs based at Innovation Campus. * The amount of private research funding funneled to Innovation Campus. * How many internships or other employment opportunities are available at Innovation Campus for students. * The percentage of leases held by private companies at Innovation Campus. * The number of new businesses started or supported at Innovation Campus. * The number of conferences held at Innovation Campus, as well as attendance figures. * The diversity of appointments to the Nebraska Innovation Campus Development Corporation Board of Directors. The report must be submitted to the Clerk of the Legislature by Dec. 1 each year. At Wednesdays hearing, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Chancellor Harvey Perlman said he understands why the original request for $25 million may not be possible this year, adding he is comfortable with the requirements laid out in Mello's amendment with two caveats. Perlman said the reporting requirement should be imposed on NU and not the Nebraska Innovation Campus Development Corporation -- the private company created by the university to manage the research park. Under the "developer-at-risk" model used by Innovation Campus, Tetrad Property Group builds out space that is then leased to UNL and private companies, including an 80,000-square-foot building under development. A percentage of the revenue is returned back to the Innovation Campus development corporation -- which includes NU President Hank Bounds, Perlman, UNL senior vice chancellor for academic affairs Ronnie Green and vice chancellor for research and economic development Prem Paul -- to sustain its operations. Second, the retiring chancellor said, the reports "must be within the limits of the obligation we have to preserve the confidential, competitive information of our private-sector partners." Innovation Campus, Perlman said, was always envisioned as a "public-private partnership" and a "partnership between the governor, the Legislature and the university" to push economic development in the state. We are encouraged by the progress we have made -- progress that has been faster than our earlier projections, he said. We are hopeful that the committee and, ultimately, the Legislature will be comforted by the interim study and are as excited as we are about potential Innovation Campus represents. Finalists from three Midwestern states, including Nebraska, and one from Oregon will interview beginning next week to become the next University of Nebraska-Lincoln chancellor. The four finalists for the position overseeing the Lincoln campus budget and operations were named by NU President Hank Bounds Tuesday morning in consultation with a search committee he convened last summer. "I feel really good about our four finalists," Bounds said. "They bring different types of experience from different types of institutions, and I feel really good one of these four will be the next chancellor at UNL." The finalists, which do not include any sitting university presidents or chancellors, are: * Ronnie Green, interim senior vice chancellor for academic affairs at UNL, and vice president for agriculture and natural resources for NU. * April Mason, provost and senior vice president at Kansas State University. * Sabah Randhawa, provost and executive vice president at Oregon State University. * Daniel Reed, vice president for research and economic development at the University of Iowa. Interviews will continue through early March, with each candidate taking part in forums, including students, faculty and staff. The public can attend any of the forums, NU spokeswoman Melissa Lee said. After the interviews and forums, Bounds will appoint a chancellor to succeed Harvey Perlman, and that decision must be ratified by the NU Board of Regents. He hopes to have someone selected by the end of March, which would give the new chancellor time to begin working on UNL's next biennial budget. "The next two weeks will really speak to the questions of salary, start date and what the transition looks like," Bounds said. "The sooner we can get someone in here and be part of planning for next year is obviously a huge benefit." Perlman announced on April 1 his plans to step down by June 30 of this year, after 15 years leading the state's largest public university. He is the second-longest serving chancellor in UNL history. A York native, Perlman began teaching at the UNL College of Law in 1967 and joined the University of Virginia Law School in 1974. He was named dean of UNLs Law College in 1983, a post he held until 1998, before being named interim chancellor on July 16, 2000. Perlman was installed as the top campus leader on April 1, 2001, and plans a farewell address for April 1 of this year. "I have always wanted to 'do' chancellor, not just to 'be' chancellor, and that has become more difficult," Perlman said in his letter to faculty and staff last year announcing his retirement. After his announcement, NU began a national search for a successor. Bounds enlisted executive search firm Isaacson, Miller -- which served NU in the search for a new president as well as a medical center chancellor -- and convened a 25-person committee to screen candidates in private. About an hour after the finalists were named Tuesday morning, the Legislature's Government, Military and Veteran's Affairs Committee advanced a bill (LB1109) that would allow NU to name a single finalist in future searches for president and chancellor to the floor for debate. The bill advanced out of committee on a 5-2 vote. At a legislative hearing last week, Bounds said the current public records law requiring NU to disclose application information for four finalists was hamstringing searches. On Tuesday, he said the search for a UNL chancellor resulted in one-fourth to one-third the number of applicants of similar searches in which he has been involved. While he believes each of the four finalists named is a "quality candidate," Bounds said it's impossible to say who might have applied if Nebraska law would have shielded their names as finalists. "We just don't know what we don't know in terms of who else would have been in the mix," he said. Opponents of the bill allowing NU to conduct private searches for administrators have said transparency in the process improves the public vetting of each candidate. The bill is likely to be debated by the full Legislature later this spring. Lincoln and Omaha, both cities with strong-mayor forms of government, handle their city's contract review process differently. In Omaha, the City Council has much more authority over all contracts, including professional service contracts. The Omaha Council must approve all contracts for over $20,000 and sets the policy for handling professional service contracts, such as agreements for architectural and engineering services. The professional service contract issue has become controversial in Lincoln, with City Attorney Jeff Kirkpatrick saying the council cannot assume greater oversight nor set policy relating to these contracts without a change to the charter. Omaha's charter gives the council that oversight authority. The Omaha City Charter requires all contracts of more than $20,000 -- for goods as well as services -- to be approved by the council. In addition, if a city department does not select a low bid, that contract must also be reviewed by the City Council. In Lincoln, the City Council reviews only multiyear contracts. The differences also extend to setting policy regarding contracts. In Omaha, the City Council has the authority to create the policy for handling professional service contracts. In Lincoln, the mayor sets that policy through an executive order. Currently both Lincoln and Omaha have similar policies and thresholds for oversight of professional service contracts, though the rules in Lincoln can be traced to a mayor's order and Omaha's through a council ordinance. Both cities require no competitive bidding for services contracts of $100,000 or less, allowing a department head to negotiate with a single firm in those cases. Both cities require department heads to get written proposals from at least three firms for contracts of between $100,000 and $250,000. And Lincoln and Omaha require a rigorous competitive process, overseen by the city's purchasing office, for the largest contracts. Most city contracts in Omaha are not controversial and are routinely approved by the City Council, according to Jim Dowding, the council's chief of staff. Occasionally a company might come to the council to protest a contract, he said. Though the Omaha policy relating to service contracts is an ordinance, passed by the council, the mayors administration often recommends changes in that policy, said Buster Brown, Omaha's veteran city clerk. Though the Omaha council and mayor dont always see eye to eye, these contract policy changes have not been controversial, Brown said. Stepping onto the dock at English Harbor in Antigua after more than 58 days at sea left George Pagano a little wobbly. Its good to be back on land, he said. Youre excited to go hug your parents, your sister and your family, but you have to take it a little slower than you want because you havent got your land legs back. Pagano and Caitlin Miller, both University of Nebraska-Lincoln alums and former Husker club crew members, finished the nearly 3,000-nautical mile journey from the Canary Islands to Antigua on a sunny Tuesday morning. The Cranial Quest: Rowing for a Change team completed the Transatlantic race in 58 days, five hours and six minutes, making them the youngest team to ever finish the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge. Pagano and Miller, the only male-female team in this years race, finished 17th overall. Were still on an emotional high, Pagano said a few hours later by telephone from Antigua. He and Miller were able to overcome the challenges of rowing across the Atlantic by keeping each other occupied and upbeat. We were fortunate nothing went wrong with our boat and we didnt have any injuries, Pagano said. We had everything going for us. Still, 58 days away from civilization and at the mercy of the elements can take a toll. One three-day period kept Pagano and Miller inside the two small cabins on their boat while winds and the current virtually kept them in place. The Cranial Quest boat usually traveled 6 to 8 miles every three hours, but it went a single mile over those three days, he said. "You just kind of have to hunker down in the cabins and wait it out until the sea and winds are in your favor, he said. Rowing is your means to get to the other side, and while its physical work, when youre stuck in the cabin youre actually really excited to go outside and row. Competing to raise awareness of ALS and and money for research, Pagano said he hopes the Cranial Quest team accomplished more than completing the race. My grandfather died in 2003 and he was my motivation and inspiration to do this, he said. It was also for every other family and individual who has succumbed to the disease or been affected by it. I know how that feels and its not a good feeling. I understand the amount of money and awareness we raised is not going to change things overnight, but it puts us higher than we were originally and thats always a good thing. The need to use great care with taxpayer dollars is inherent at all levels of government. Our collective experience as former Nebraska lawmakers is that the overwhelming majority of legislators are intensely aware of and dedicated to their roles as stewards of taxpayer dollars and they consistently display a level of fiscal restraint that is much higher than many realize. The term fiscal restraint is, however, being used to promote a measure before the Nebraska Legislature that calls for a constitutional convention, and that presents a serious threat to our state and national well-being. The measure, LR 35, is identical to proposals before other state legislatures. Many proponents of such measures want to hold a constitutional convention in order to pass a federal balanced budget amendment. Such proposals are dangerous for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is that requiring a balanced federal budget every year could cause incredible damage at nearly every level of our society. Leading economists -- including Nobel Prize winners Kenneth Arrow and William Sharpe of Stanford University and Peter Diamond and Robert Solow of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology -- have said a balanced budget amendment would weaken our nation, particularly when the economy takes down turns. They note that a balanced budget amendment would limit our ability to bolster unemployment benefits and other safety nets that prevent recessions from spiraling into depressions. Economists say a balanced budget amendment would make it difficult for the federal government to borrow funds needed to fund roads, education and other infrastructure needs that are vitally important to our economy. They also have concerns that such an amendment could spark long, painful lawsuits over what constitutes a balanced budget, leading to fiscal policy being created in our courts. These and many other concerns have prompted numerous economists to call for the rejection of balanced budget amendment proposals. Nebraska and other state governments operate under balanced budget amendments. State governments, however, play drastically different roles than the federal government. States dont fund militaries or have to pick up the lions share of Medicare, Social Security or other federal programs that many in Nebraska rely on in their day-to-day lives. Federal dollars account for nearly 30 percent of the state budget about $3 billion in FY14/15. Furthermore, individual Nebraskans in 2014 received $7.8 billion in Medicare and Social Security funds and that doesnt include the federal dollars our residents received through farm subsidies and other programs. Federal dollars play a key role in supporting higher education and K-12 schools as well as military installations like Offutt Air Force Base. Funding for all of these vital aspects of The Good Life will be vulnerable to cuts as lawmakers look to balance the federal budget every year. If funding for these services is cut, state and local governments would either have to make up the lost funding with higher state and local taxes or make drastic cuts to the services their constituents need. As former lawmakers, we all served during recessions and we participated in making hard decisions such as raising taxes and cutting funding for vital services like K-12 education and health programs. These decisions are painful because you know they have profound effects on the people you serve. The restrictions on spending and borrowing discussed by proponents of a constitutional convention could leave policy makers at all levels of government making similar painful choices on a nearly continuous basis. Calls for fiscal restraint are sensible and valid. But the devil is always in the details and its those details that have economists, judges, former and current lawmakers and many others from all political persuasions speaking out against measures like LR 35. We encourage Nebraska lawmakers to heed these calls as the ramifications of LR 35 are dangerous and devastating. Our state and nation will be best served if the measure is rejected. Nebraska sees fit to sue Colorado over their marijuana laws, the herb coming over the border stressing our law enforcement agencies, yet Nebraska approves 4 liquor licenses in the town of Whiteclay, neighbor to a dry Indian reservation, with no qualms ("Whiteclay activists take concerns to liquor regulators, state leaders," Feb. 10). Am I the only one that sees the hypocrisy of this? Also, a Google search of Colorado marijuana dispensaries shows most of them located in metropolitan areas, not a state border town with a population of 12 people. Nebraska should not be throwing stones from our glass house. Note to Native Americans: perhaps you need to file suit against Nebraska; I believe you would have the stronger case. Nebraskans for Peace, Lincoln Chapter, the Antelope Park Church of the Brethren, and the National Association of Social Workers, Nebraska Chapter are sponsoring a discussion titled Pope Francis Encyclical Laudato Si: On the Care of Our Common Home, at 7 p.m. Monday (Feb. 22) at the Antelope Park Church of the Brethren, 3645 Sumner St. Pope Francis encyclical concerning climate change both teaches about climate change and invites just action. As the encyclical says, We have to realize that a true ecological approach always becomes a social approach; it must integrate questions of justice in debates on the environment, so as to hear both the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor. The sponsoring organizations wish to ask what this encyclicals position means for action in Nebraska and our region. The panelists are: Dr. Lucas Sabalka, who has degrees in mathematics, computer science, history, physics and psychology. After working in research mathematics for a few years, he has returned to Lincoln to work in the industry, also to speak on global warming with focuses on its impacts in Nebraska and on depoliticizing the topic. Marilyn McNabb, whose education was in political science, law, and movements for social change. She has worked for NFP, the Unicameral, the Nebraska Energy Office and the Ombudsman's office and has just finished nine years on Lincoln Electric Systems board where she has participated in policy discussions related to climate change; Lauren Kolojejchick-Kotch, the Energy and Climate Policy Program Associate of the Center for Rural Affairs. Before coming to the Center, she worked in China and Italy. She says: "My work and study has long been on people, the resources we use and need to protect, and the places and communities that we call our own. Readers who wish to read the Popes encyclical before the discussion can obtain it on line or in local bookstores. The discussions focus is on what we need to do: to create justice and peace in a world undergoing climate change; and, also, what we need to do to stop its worst effects. Nebraskans for Peace will listen to audience positions as it works to influence public policy to reduce Nebraskas carbon footprint. RACINE Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare-All Saints hospital will host a recruitment event from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. March 1 with the goal of filling more than 200 open positions. Wheaton Franciscan said the jobs include a variety of pool, part-time and full-time positions including registered nurses, certified nursing assistants, medical assistants and various positions in the laboratory, radiology, clerical, food service and housekeeping departments; and more. All positions will be at All Saints hospital, 3801 Spring St. Appointments are not needed. Recruiters will be on site conducting interviews, so applicants should bring their resume and/or apply online before the event at www.tinyurl.com/allsaintsevent. The recruitment event will be held in the Racine Room and St. Lukes Health Pavilion Auditorium in the lower of level of the All Saints Spring Street campus. Enter at the St. Lukes Health Pavilion at 3821 Spring St. and take the elevators to the lower level. For more information about the event, call 262-687-4287. RACINE SC Johnson announced Tuesday that, considering the rising global outbreak of Zika virus, the company will donate at least $15 million over the next year to provide products to help needy families combat the mosquitoes that may carry the disease. As the worlds leading manufacturer of pest control products including Off, Raid, Autanand Baygon, SCJ said it will partner with international nongovernmental organizations and health foundations to provide personal insect repellents, spatial repellents and household insecticides. SCJ said it will also provide cash contributions to cover logistics, distribution and educational materials. Numerous countries are experiencing outbreaks of Zika and dengue fever, and both diseases continue to spread. Earlier this month, the family company donated 54,000 units of insect repellent to the County of Hawaii Civil Defense Agency. The county has been experiencing a dengue fever outbreak since late 2015 and into early 2016. SCJ said discussions are under way with partners to provide assistance to Latin America and the Caribbean to help protect from the mosquito that may carry disease, such as the Zika outbreaks in some of those countries. The people who work at SCJ and I feel a strong commitment to helping ensure pest control products are provided to help protect needy families from the mosquitoes that may carry these diseases, stated SCJ Chairman and CEO Fisk Johnson. Since the Zika outbreak began in Brazil and has spread to other countries, we have ramped up our global production to help ensure an adequate supply of our products is available in stores, and more importantly, for a donation such as this. We are proud that this donation will help those who are especially vulnerable to the dangers of mosquito-borne diseases. For more than 50 years, SCJ said, its entomologists have studied insects at the Entomology Research Center, 101 4 Mile Road, which the company said is the worlds largest private, urban entomology research center. In addition to research, the company has ramped up the production of pest control products to meet increased demand in response to mosquito-borne Zika virus and dengue fever outbreaks. The World Health Organization and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention both recommend a mix of tactics to prevent mosquito bites. For more information about mosquito-borne disease prevention, visit www.cdc.gov/zika/prevention. SCJ, which generates $10 billion in annual sales, operates in more than 70 countries and sells products in virtually every country around the world. Autism Solution Pieces is a 501(3) nonprofit organization serving Racine and surrounding areas. We are excited to be offering our monthly support group meeting the second Tuesday of every month from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Festival Foods, 5740 Washington Ave. The March 8 meeting will have speaker Amanda Theys discussing Gluten Free 101. We would be unable to give grants to families if it werent for our events and fundraisers held every year. Here are some of our upcoming events: The Zion Firefighters Fundraising Inc. will be having a trivia night from 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 20, at Inn at Market Square, 2723 Sheridan Road, Zion, Ill. To find out more, call Dan Reich at 847-812-2992. The Zion firefighters are playing bagpipes from 5 p.m. to close on Saturday, March 12, to raise funds for ASP at Stone Creek Grill, 206 Sheridan Road, Winthrop Harbor, Ill. Our next Culvers Night is Wednesday, April 6, at the Racine Culvers, 5801 21st St. A portion of dinner sales will go to ASP. The whole month of April, you can get blue hair strands at Salon Gloss, 6800 Washington Ave., to show your support for Autism Awareness Month. Our second Annual The Music Rocks for Autism will be held on Saturday, April 9, at the Brat Stop, 12304 75th St., Kenosha. This all-day event will feature live music, raffles, great food and more. Advance tickets can be purchased for $10 each by calling Cindy Schultz at 262-639-3041. ASP is excited to partner with the Raymond Firefighters to offer a free CPR class. The class will be held from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday, April 30, at 2255 S. 76th St., in the Raymond Town Hall. Our ASP Club Awesome group invites all special needs families to come join various social activities. ASP has teamed up with the Sealed Air YMCA, 8501 Campus Drive, to offer Special Needs Family Day from 1 to 3 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 21. Contact Cindy Schultz at 262-639-3041 if you plan to attend. There will be fun gym time, crafts, snacks and swimming. We have a blast each month going swimming, bowling, skating, geo caching, dances, Brewer games and so much more. All of these events provide a fun, safe environment for special needs individuals and their families at a very low cost or free. Be sure to like Autism Solution Pieces on Facebook to keep up with all the fun things we have going on. ASP is pleased to spread the word about a monthly simplified worship service and Bible study geared toward special needs individuals and their families. At 10 a.m. on the fourth Saturday of every month, Jesus Cares Worship at the Cross is held at New Hope Lutheran Church, 5970 Douglas Ave. The next service will be held on Saturday, Feb. 27. Then from 6:30 to 8 p.m. on the second Thursday of every month, a Bible study for teenagers and adults is held at Friedens Lutheran School, 5038 19th Ave., Kenosha. If your special needs individuals spiritual health is a concern of yours, then this worship and Bible study is something you will want to check out. Autism Solution Pieces grant period is now closed but will be open again in fall of 2016. Grants help anyone on the autism spectrum in need of therapies, treatment or equipment not covered by insurance. The Pay It Forward program has been helpful to families in need of items such therapy supplies, trampolines, therapy balls and bikes, computers, baby items and much more. If you have any items that are gently used that could be passed on to a needy family, give us a call. If you are looking for a local organization to support, consider Autism Solution Pieces and help us help others. If you can volunteer to help us in raising awareness, acceptance and funds for autism families, contact us. To donate or for more information visit the website www.autismsolutionpieces.com. RACINE The state Assembly is set to vote Tuesday on a proposal that would limit how much school districts can raise in taxes to offset the loss of students attending voucher schools. Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, authored the proposal as an amendment to another vouchers-related bill. In his weekly email newsletter, Vos singled out Racine Unified, saying the district cashed in on an error in the funding formula for the voluntary school choice program. Unifieds tax rate increased 10.8 percent last year, which district officials largely blamed on school funding changes the state Legislature passed. Under state law, school districts lose state aid for each student who attends a private school using a taxpayer-funded voucher. School districts are allowed to make up for the loss by raising property taxes and can still count those students for the calculation of levy limits. If Vos amendment passes, in the first year it would reduce by two-thirds the amount districts can raise through property taxes to offset students who attend choice schools. Districts could recover most of the lost revenue after the first year the reduction falls to one-third in the second year, with no reduction in the third year. Racine Unified last year used all of its additional $5.6 million levy authority, according to a Wisconsin State Journal report. Vos amendment would cost the district about $3.7 million. Vos has characterized the funding formula passed in the state budget as misdrafting that resulted in high property tax hikes in districts like Racine, according to the State Journal report. He has also disputed that Unifieds tax hike was due to state policies. Vos said his amendment would smooth out the impact on property taxpayers, which according to a Legislative Fiscal Bureau report would stay the same over a six-year period. The amendment would make the voucher school funding formula similar to how the states open enrollment program works, he said. Unified responds School officials around the state have criticized the proposal. A spokeswoman for Racine Unified said it has concerns about the amendment that it has addressed with lawmakers. Its important for our community to remember that, by law, local property tax dollars are now funding private school vouchers, RUSD spokeswoman Stacy Tapp said. We have shared this concern with our legislators and our community. We have been reaching out to our local legislators over the past several days and appreciate their willingness to discuss our concerns. We hope theyll consider the significant impact to our schools and work with us on a win-win solution, Tapp said. Vos said he doesnt want Unified to face funding cuts but said the district shouldnt be allowed to put as much of a burden on taxpayers. My goal is to make sure they have enough to give every child a good education, he said. But an 11 percent property tax increase that they put onto the property taxpayers in Unified wasnt required; it was optional, and they chose that option. While the Assembly votes Tuesday, it was unclear whether the proposal will pass the state Senate. Senators have reportedly objected to attaching the proposal to an unrelated bill aiming to make it easier for students with disabilities to attend private schools using a voucher. RACINE A Racine man was charged on Monday after allegedly overdosing on heroin in a Village of Waterford hotel before reportedly handing police some heroin. Michael L. Torrey, 32, was charged with possession of heroin and possession of drug paraphernalia after his brother reportedly called emergency crews because Torrey was acting strangely. When Town of Waterford police arrived shortly after 4:45 p.m. Wednesday at the Baymont Inn, 750 Fox Lane, Torrey was on the floor between the beds snoring, according to his criminal complaint. Officers also reported finding a drug use kit, which Torrey claimed as his and said he had used heroin, the complaint states. A woman at the inn told police she moved two relatives, ages 9 and 7, to another room after Torrey began acting strangely, according to the complaint. Torrey allegedly pulled a plastic bag containing 0.7 grams of heroin out of his pants pocket and handed it to police, the complaint states. During his initial appearance in court on Monday, Court Commissioner Alice Rudebusch set a $7,500 cash bond for Torrey and ordered him not to have any drugs. Torreys preliminary hearing is set for Feb. 24. RACINE Prosecutors haven't been able to track down "two real key witnesses" to testify about the shooting death of a Kenosha man in Downtown Racine nearly two years ago. That prompted Racine County District Attorney Rich Chiapete to ask that the homicide trial of Christopher S. Brown, which was slated to begin Monday morning, be pushed back so investigators can locate them with or without material witness warrants that could land them in jail and force them to testify or face consequences such as jail time. Brown, 25, of Racine, is accused in the death of Dulonden E. Ratliff, 21. The Kenosha man was found in the early-morning hours of March 29, 2014, lying in the 300 block of Main Street. "I am missing a couple of very important witnesses in this case," Chiapete said. "Two real key witnesses I'm having a problem with." Defense attorney Richard Hart Jr. objected to delaying the trial. He also demanded a speedy trial, which means Brown must go on trial within 90 days. Circuit Judge Michael Piontek said if subpoenas which would compel the witnesses to come to court and testify or face legal ramifications are not served by March 1, he wanted Chiapete to ask for those material witness warrants. Brown's trial was set for May 9. After the hearing, however, Brown's trial was rescheduled for May 16 one day past the speedy trial deadline. The May 16 trial date is the fourth one set in Ratliff's slaying. Brown remains in the Racine County Jail on a $100,000 cash bond. After the hearing, Hart said he and Brown were ready for trial Monday in the homicide. About the case Ratliff, his sister and a friend had reportedly been hanging out at Envi, 316 Main St., just before the shooting. After they walked out, Ratliffs friend asked a passing group of people for a cigarette, according to Browns criminal complaint. Brown told Racine police that this cigarette request sparked a fight between the two groups and he pulled out a gun and began waving it in the air, the complaint states. Brown said the gun discharged while he was waving it in the air, the complaint shows. Prosecutors allege that Brown received the gun he used that day from Gregory Davis Tirado Jr., 28, of Racine. Tirado is charged with possession of a firearm by a felon. His trial is set for April 13. KENOSHA Racine County students attending Carthage College recently participated in the colleges J-Term study tours. Students Pierson Kaye and Ryan Maeder, both of Racine, traveled to Nicaragua during J-Term. The Biology and Geography of Nicaragua study tour provided a unique opportunity for Carthage College students to experience clinical work or work on water projects. Both aspects provided students first-hand knowledge of the rural volcanic island of Ometepe, Nicaragua. Students also learned about the interplay of culture, medicine, landscape, flora and fauna of Nicaragua and saw how all of this has affected the land and people. The tour also had a significant service component. Students were challenged to integrate, use and reflect on knowledge from disparate sources during their clinic work and travel in the country. Rebecca Weiser of Waterford participated in a World War II J-Term study tour to Western Europe. Students on this tour visited battlefields, monuments, museums and cemeteries of World War II in Western Europe. In addition to visiting the historical sites that endured the 20th centurys most devastating conflict, students also had time to explore some of Europes cities, including London, Paris, Brussels and Munich. The goal of the trip was to get students to evaluate the effects of the war upon civilian populations, the strategies pursued by the participants, and the major events in both the Pacific and European theaters from the 1930s until 1945 and the extent to which theories of race and culture contributed to and exacerbated the war. Anna Ptacek of Racine participated in Paris: A Capital Experience. Ptacek was among Carthage College students who toured Paris for two weeks where they studied Parisian life while touring the city. Students learned about French history as it explains the development of various places and monuments visited. They also learned about the main styles of architecture and principal schools of art, and were taught to observe and imitate appropriate public behavior. This allowed them to make observations on the French daily way of life including greetings, food and table manners, shopping, family behavior, and friendship. Anthony Figueroa and Ashley Sims, both of Racine, participated in Interplay of Economics, Politics, and Culture in Hong Kong focusing on international finance, economics, and business law in Hong Kong, Asias premier international financial center, as well as a major trade hub. Carthage College students learned about what it is like to do business in Hong Kong for both multinational companies and small local businesses. Students also saw special aspects of business law, which deal with international trade including topics such as copyrights, patents, and trademarks. In addition to learning about Hong Kongs economy, they also experienced the juxtaposition of cultures and customs, and learned more about Hong Kongs unique governmental structure within Chinas One Country, Two Systems framework. They visited the judiciary, the legislature, and the stock exchange as well as local landmarks including Ladies Market, the Bird Market, Buddhist and Taoist temples, the Big Buddha on Lantau Island, as well as monasteries and nunneries. On the Representations of Germanys Past study tour, Daisy Rosenstock of Union Grove studied the ways that stories about Germanys past are told by the objects, places and people they encountered during 18 days in the German cities of Berlin, Dresden, and Munich. Before leaving for Germany, students spent several days on campus discussing readings about German history and considering how stories function as history. Once in Germany, students were immediately immersed in explorations of German culture and history when they visited important sites, museums, monuments, and buildings. They also met with German students and teachers to discover how they learn about German history. This tour also allowed them to hike in the Alps and travel across the German countryside on high-speed trains. Erica Adams of Racine and Hannah Cantrell of Wind Lake participated in the Spanish Language Immersion in Guatemala study tour to northern Guatemala where they studied and experienced rural life in and around an agricultural community with a population of 500 people. This class was conducted entirely in Spanish and was designed to provide an authentic immersive linguistic experience for students who are serious about becoming fluent in Spanish. There was also a substantial service-learning component of this tour as students worked on projects and shared daily life with Guatemalan students. During a portion of the class, students lived with Guatemalan families. J-Term is a special month-long period of study in which Carthage College students explore subjects outside their majors or minors, discover new interests, and test their creativity through classes held both on campus and around the world. Carthage College is ranked fourth in the nation among baccalaureate institutions for student participation in short-term study abroad. The state Assemblys Republican majority on Tuesday passed bills including a rollback of lake and wetland protections, new constraints on local power to control pollution and a fundamental change in the way judges handle environmental lawsuits. Authors of Assembly Bills 600 and 582 said they were long-overdue measures that would restore and expand rights of private property owners. Lawmakers approved Assembly Bill 600 57-39 and Assembly Bill 582 56-39. AB 600 was aimed at curtailing government authority to regulate lakefront landowners and developers who want to build on wetlands. The bill loosens limits on dredging shoreline areas, requires the state to classify less lake acreage as sensitive, and mandates shoreline lakebed be deeded to property owners in places where fill material was dumped to push back the waters edge before 1975, even if it was done illegally. An amendment to the bill that was offered Friday makes several changes, including allowing public access to the filled-in lakebed in some cases, but conservationists said such changes were cosmetic. Under the state constitution, state government is supposed to hold lakes in trust for the benefit of the public. Amber Meyer Smith, a lobbyist for Clean Wisconsin, said AB 600 takes a step in the wrong direction by allowing public access to filled lakeshore only under certain circumstances. Conservationists said a provision allowing each lakefront owner to dredge 25 cubic yards enough to fill several dump trucks of sediment each year risked destruction of fish habitat and degraded water quality because it can spread invasive species and toxins buried in sediment. But Republicans said current laws and enforcement actions by the state Department of Natural Resources have been too costly and have unfairly constrained the freedom of property owners to use boats, extend piers and repair boathouses. The bills author, Balsam Lake Republican Rep. Adam Jarchow, met with conservation groups that oppose the legislation and business lobbyists who support it after a Jan. 5 public hearing drew strong condemnation from environmentalists. But changes unveiled last week only softened language without changing much substance, said Carl Sinderbrand, an attorney who has represented clients interested in environmental policy for decades. One Republican, Rep. Joel Kitchens of Sturgeon Bay, has said he wanted to see changes in the provisions allowing each lakefront owner to dredge several dump trucks of sediment each year. The bill includes a provision to make it easier for business developers to fill wetlands. Under current law, a developer may be required to buy other land to avoid eliminating wetland, but in certain circumstances the bill would require a developer to move a project only to land already owned. The Senate version of the bill, SB 459, still faces a public hearing and a vote in committee before the full Senate would consider it. AB 582 would stop local governments from declaring moratoriums on certain types of development. Several counties have declared moratoriums to give themselves time to write ordinances to control environmental effects of frac sand mines. Another provision would stop municipalities from setting certain conditions on the repair of buildings that have been constructed legally in shore land setback areas. Construction in those areas can degrade lake water quality by adding to soil and chemical runoff. The bill also would require judges to stop the long-standing practice of giving deference to the expertise of state regulators when an agency such as the DNR is challenged in court. The bills authors are Jarchow and Sen. Frank Lasee, R-De Pere. The Senate version of the bill is SB 464, which was recommended by a committee but not scheduled for a vote Tuesday. Business associations for real estate interests, builders and the state business lobby, Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce, are pushing for the legislation. Most major environmental groups are opposed. The bills were passed during a 11-hour floor session on Tuesday part of an ambitious schedule Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, has set in order for the Assembly to wrap up its work next week. Two bills the state Senate approved Tuesday would bolster private property rights while loosening protections on thousands of bodies of water in Wisconsin. The far-reaching bills would order judges to give less weight to state agency expertise in lawsuits challenging pollution controls, make it easier for developers to eliminate wetlands, limit local powers over shoreline construction and end local moratoriums on developments posing possible environmental threats. A spokeswoman for Assembly Speaker Robin Vos said the Assembly was expected on Thursday to approve a major revision of one of the bills. The Senate approved on a 19-13 party line vote the revised Senate Bill 459, which stripped out a dozen provisions from an Assembly bill that would have made it easier for lakefront owners to dredge several dump truck loads of lakebed each year, eliminate pre-dredging tests for toxins and take title to certain lakebed areas that are now publicly owned. "A lot of those things weren't vetted properly," said Sen. Robert Cowles, R-Green Bay, who wrote the new version of the bill. "They weren't ready for prime time." But even the softened SB 459 would remove for an indefinite period limitations on dredging, filling and construction in about 7,000 bodies of water that are currently protected because they have special value. Among the waters that would lose protection are 4,907 with threatened and endangered species and 2,047 that are subject to special management plans. The proposal would allow the state Department of Natural Resources to restore another type of protection to those places, but the law will go into effect in a few months whether or not the new designations have been approved. It was unclear how long it would take DNR staff to conduct the studies and gain approvals necessary to redesignate the waters as sensitive, agency spokesman George Althoff said Tuesday. The other bill, AB 582, limits local powers and changes rules for judges in lawsuits involving state agencies such as the DNR. It passed the Senate 19-13 along party lines. The bills' authors say the changes are a long overdue boost to the rights of shoreline property owners and business developers. RACINE The Racine Education Association rallied about 50 supporters to a Racine Unified School Board meeting Monday night to renew appeals that the district slow down on plans to implement block scheduling in high schools next year. Although the School Board had no plans to act on block scheduling, union members and their supporters spoke out against the change in the latest of several demonstrations to keep the issue present in the minds of board members and residents. Im here today as part of a movement. We are educators, parents, students and community members, specifically this evening we oppose the hasty move towards block scheduling, among other recent changes by the district, said Aaron Eick, president of the REA. Initial bursts of applause to Eicks comments and other speakers drew sharp reproaches from School Board President Melvin Hargrove, who repeatedly asked them to refrain from outbursts and noted the public comment section was a courtesy. Supporters then began snapping fingers to express approval for speakers. Among the REA supporters were several dozen students affiliated with Youth Empowered in the Struggle, several of whom spoke out against block scheduling and not being given their own say on the change. Superintendent Lolli Haws and district administrators have argued that the change will benefit students and its important that students reap those benefits as soon as possible. Union leaders have argued that the change is happening too fast and should be delayed until the 2017-18 school year. The stand by the REA and YES stirred controversy into what would have been a relatively quiet, mundane meeting at the districts administrative campus, 3109 Mount Pleasant St. Haws evaluation scheduled The Racine Unified School Board will soon take stock of how well Haws is doing at the helm of the district. A motion proposed by board member Dennis Wiser states Haws hasnt been evaluated for 16 months even though both board policy and Haws contract call for an evaluation once every year. The School Board, in a 5-3 vote, shot down Wisers motion to require the evaluation to take place in the next 45 days. But Hargrove and board member Kim Plache both noted that the boards governance committee plans to take up the evaluation in March, which they said makes the motion unnecessary. Transgender policy approved The School Board on Monday also approved a new policy for transgender and gender-conforming students use of school bathrooms and locker rooms, taking the policy as part of a larger package of miscellaneous items. The policy, which administrators say is already the de facto practice in schools, sets a standard of allowing students uncomfortable with their regular bathroom or locker room, regardless of which sex they identify with, to be able to use a private, single-occupant facility upon request. The new policy also codifies certain protections for transgender and gender-nonconforming students. [JURIST] Bahraini authorities arrested four US journalists covering the five-year anniversary of the nations 2011 uprising and formally charged them on Tuesday. The journalists were charged [BNA report] with unlawful obstruction of vehicles and attending unlawful gatherings for their alleged participation in a riot that attacked police on Sunday. The public prosecutor announced that all four, journalist Anna Therese Day and her three crew members, have been released [BBC report] from custody pending investigation and were permitted to leave the country. After the detention, the police originally stated that the journalists were arrested for providing false information [AP report] that they were tourists. The journalists maintain their innocence on the charges. Journalism is one of the most dangerous jobs in the world, with more than 1,000 journalists killed since 1992 and more than 200 journalists imprisoned [CPJ factsheets]. In November Egyptian officials released human rights activist and journalist Hossam Bahgat after he signed a statement [JURIST report] promising to abide by legal procedures when reporting on matters concerning the Armed Forces. Also in November UN rights experts called on authorities in Iran [JURIST report] to cease arresting, prosecuting and harassing journalists and online activists and to provide a safe space for freedom of expression. In September the Israeli Parliament passed a new law that bans journalists from expressing their opinions [JURIST report] on the countys public broadcasting network. In August Germanys acting top federal prosecutor dropped a much-criticized treason investigation [JURIST report] into two prominent journalists working for Netzpolitik.org. [JURIST] Bosnian police arrested three former policemen, including previously-convicted Darko Mrdja, on new charges of war crimes against non-Serb detainees during the Bosnian War. The three suspects have been accused [AP report] of killing at least 10 non-Serbs as part of a massacre of over 150 detainees scheduled for transfer to nearby detention camps in 1992. Mrdja was already convicted for war crimes by the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) [official website] in 2004, and he was released from his 17-year sentence in 2013. Mrdja still remains a suspect [Reuters report] for the additional murder of three Bosnian Muslims in Sredice. The ICTY and the Balkan States continue to prosecute those accused of committing war crimes and crimes against humanity that left more than 100,000 people dead and millions displaced during the Balkan conflict of the 1990s. Bosnian authorities will investigate [JURIST report] the possible war crimes committed by Zdenko Jekisa, a Bosnian man ordered last Friday by a US federal judge to be deported after he pleaded guilty to lying on immigration forms about his criminal history. Serbian prosecutors charged [JURIST report] former Bosnian Army general Naser Oric in August with war crimes against prisoners of war in 1992 for crimes allegedly committed in the same village. He was accused of killing three Bosnian Serb prisoners of war. Oric has pleaded [JURIST report] not guilty. In April the prosecutors office indicted [JURIST report] 10 former Bosnian Serb soldiers for war crimes committed during the Balkan conflict of the 1990s. Also in April Bosnian prosecutors indicted three men [JURIST report] for crimes committed against more than 300 Serb civilians between April 1992 and July 1993. EU foreign ministers on Monday agreed to lift most of the EUs economic sanctions against Belarus, citing improvements [press release in the countrys human rights record. The Council of the EU cited Belarus participation in various organizations and negotiations including the EU-Belarus Human Rights Dialogue as steps to improving EU-Belarus relations and that it will not extend sanctions after suspending them in October. The Council did, however, extend an arms embargo for the next year. Although criticized [Guardian report] by human rights organizations, the Council urged Belarus to follow recommendations made by UN treaty bodies and work with the Special Rapporteur, and offered the country assistance to meet its obligation towards democratization and full respect for human rights. The lifted sanctions come on the heels of a UN report that said [JURIST report] that the countrys dismal human rights conditions remained unchanged despite EU and US sanctions against the country being partially suspended in anticipation of improving human rights. In August EU officials praised [JURIST report] Belarus president for his release of political prisoners. In June UN Special Rapporteur on Belarus Miklos Haraszti warned [JURIST report] that Belarus continues to sentence and imprison political opponents of the government. In March 2014 he called for the country to end its use of the death penalty, reiterating earlier statements [JURIST reports] and citing politically motivated courts and the lack of fair trials. In 2011 former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay suggested a need for UN intervention [JURIST report] in Belarus and demanded the nation free non-violent political prisoners. Although Belarus is an active member of the UN and has ratified many of its human rights policies, Pillay noted a sharp deterioration in human rights since the 2010 disputed re-election of President Alexander Lukashenko, who has been in power since 1994. Moroccan authorites approach and response to domestic abuse is insufficient and tepid across the board [HRW report], Human Rights Watch (HRW) [advocacy website] said in a letter [text] to the Moroccan government on Monday. The report cites a study done by HRW in September as well as a national survey by the Moroccan High Commission for Planning that studied female victims of violence in 2009, and both show a negative trend in the protection and treatment of these victims. Police response and treatment of victims was poor, prosecutors sometimes neglected to file charges or inefficiently communicated with police and victims, and some judges were reported as having required practically impossible evidentiary requirements. There are currently three bills underway that could help reform the Moroccan governments treatment of domestic abuse and abuse against women, but HRW also stated that some provisions of the bills may negatively impact rights. Morocco has come under fire for human rights abuses in the past. In July a Moroccan court heard a case against two women for wearing skirts that were too tight [JURIST report], a case that received a large amount of criticism for showing discrimination, and 200 lawyers took turns defending the women. In June two Moroccan gay men were sentenced [Guardian report] to four months in prison for violating the nations public modesty law by posing too closely together in a picture. In May Amnesty International (AI) [advocacy website] reported [JURIST report] widespread torture of Moroccan prisoners at the hands of authorities, with a documented 173 cases between 2010 and 2014. The report also stated that medical care, hygiene and food are lacking in the detention cells. Last April a judge in Spain decided [JURIST report] that genocide charges against seven former and current Moroccan officials, who were accused of committing torture and killings in Western Sahara from 1975-91, were justified. In November 2014 HRW reported [JURIST report] that Moroccan authorities are interfering with the work of human rights organizations. A Moroccan court in August 2014 sentenced [JURIST report] human rights activist Ouafa Charaf to one year in prison after being convicted of falsely alleging that she had been tortured by police. [JURIST] UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Raad Al Hussein [official website] on Tuesday expressed concern [press release] over Chinas recent crackdown on lawyers and activists. The commissioner stated that civil society workers should be protected by the state, not harassed. He stated that during their meeting in Geneva, Chinas response to his concerns indicate that they are confusing legitimate work of civil society workers with threats to public order and security. The Chinese authorities have detained more than 250 civil society workers since the crackdown began in July. The commissioner urged China to release all of the workers without reproach immediately. Chinese state media recently criticized [JURIST report] detained human rights lawyers for undermining the rule of law. Last month Chinese authorities arrested [JURIST report] high profile human rights lawyer Wang Yu and her husband on charges of political subversion. In December prominent Chinese human rights lawyer Pu Zhiqiang was released [JURIST report] after receiving a suspended sentence. Pu was detained in 2014 on a charge of causing a disturbance after he attended a weekend meeting that urged an investigation into the 1989 crackdown of pro-democracy protests in Tiananmen Square and was subsequently denied [JURIST reports] bail. The Tiananmen protests began in April 1989 with mainly students and laborers protesting the Communist Party of China. The Chinese government declared martial law in May and initiated the violent dispersal of protesters by the Peoples Liberation Army on June 4. [JURIST] UN human rights expert Michel Forst [official profile] on Tuesday urged [press release] the Hungarian government to stop stigmatising and intimidating human rights defenders. Forst said that defenders of human rights have been working in polarised and politicised environment[s] and that there have been attempts to delegitimize the movement through criminal defamation and financial pressure. He also noted that defenders who were outspoken about the refugee crisis were particularly facing outrage from government, government officials and the media. A final report with Frosts recommendations is due in March 2017. The rights of migrant populations has emerged as one of the most significant humanitarian issues around the world, as millions seek asylum from conflict nations. In November UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon addressed [JURIST report] the UN General Assembly and cautioned the international community to avoid discrimination against Muslims, especially refugees and migrants entering Europe, as a result of the recent terrorist attacks in Paris a week earlier. Also that month Amnesty International analyzed [JURIST report] the EUs approach to the refugee crisis and recommends changes to ensure international law is followed and human rights are appropriately valued. In October HRW called on [JURIST report] the EU and Western Balkans states to focus on remedying what it characterized as deplorable conditions for asylum-seekers in Europe. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights gave the opening statement [JURIST report] at the thirtieth session of the Human Rights Council in September in which he addressed, among other pressing human rights issues, the migrant crisis. Germany announced [JURIST report] that month that it was invoking temporary border controls at the nations southern border with Austria, after thousands of immigrants entered the country. [JURIST] A UN human rights expert on Monday urged [press release] the UK and Sweden to accept the recent decision which determined that Julian Assange [BBC profile], founder of the controversial website WikiLeaks [website], has been arbitrarily detained since 2010. Assange was initially arrested in December 2010 following rape allegations in Sweden. Assange was placed on house arrest in the UK and in 2012 fled to the Ecuadorian embassy, where he has been hiding out since. Considering his time spent in prison, house arrest and in the embassy, the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention group [official website] found [JURIST report] his detention to be a deprivation of liberty and arbitrary. UN human rights expert Alfred de Zayas stated, [t]he findings of the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention should be accepted and their recommendations implemented in good faith. UN expert de Zayas believes adherence to the decision is important to international order stressing the importance of uniformity of the application of international law. WIkiLeaks, and its founder Assange, have created significant controversy since the website began openly publishing government secrets. In May the Swedish Supreme Court rejected an appeal by Assange seeking to overturn a 2010 arrest warrant for alleged sexual assault that was reissued [JURIST reports] by a lower court in late 2014. The warrant requires Assange to leave the Ecuadorian embassy in London where he has found asylum and travel to Sweden in order to be questioned about the allegations. WikiLeaks [JURIST op-ed] has also garnered much debate in the US. Last year US Army Major General Jeffery Buchanan upheld [JURIST report] Private Chelsea Mannings conviction and prison sentence for turning over classified information to WikiLeaks. In September 2013 Manning filed for a presidential pardon of the 35-year sentence [JURIST reports] she received in August. The sentence came a month after she was found guilty [JURIST report] of violating the Espionage Act but was acquitted of the more serious charge of aiding the enemy. A group of UN human rights experts on Monday demanded the immediate release [press release] of five foreign-national detainees that have been held by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) [BBC backgrounder] for the past 18 months. The prisoners were incarcerated for suspected terrorist activity under a new counter-terrorism law [text, PDF] and have reportedly been subjected to torture, leading them to sign forced confessions. According to the rights experts, the prisoners suffer from chronic and potentially permanent hearing and sight-loss as a result of their confirmed torture and lack of access to medical care. The experts stated: We have also received reports according to which the sole basis for their conviction is the confessions they were forced to make under torture. International law, including the Convention against Torture ratified by the UAE, clearly prohibits the use of any evidence obtained under torture during a trial. The Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, part of the UN Human Rights Council [official website], previously denounced these detentions in a decision [opinion, PDF] in December. The detentions come in the wake of a heightened international response to terrorism. In August 2014 the UAE president endorsed a new law [JURIST report] to better combat evolving terrorist threats. The law, a revision of the countrys nearly 10-year-old counter-terrorism law, introduced new security measures to counter crimes such as attacks on the royal family, the joining of a terrorist force and money laundering. In addition, a person could be charged as a terrorist for simply threatening, planning or inciting a terrorist act. The 70-article bill also expanded penalties for these and other crimes to include the death penalty, life imprisonment and fines of up to USD $27 million. Human Rights Watch [advocacy website] released a report in 2014 [official report] in response to the law outlining that that law potentially threatens the lives and liberty of peaceful political critics. [JURIST] The UN rights office on Tuesday condemned [UN News Centre report] Mondays airstrikes in Syria, which hit hospitals and schools in the region, saying they may constitute war crimes. The airstrikes resulted in 45 deaths and dozens of more injuries as missiles hit four hospitals and one school. Spokesperson for the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) [official website] Rupert Colville stated [press briefing] in regards to the airstrikes, [w]e are gravely concerned about these abhorrent and repeated attacks on medical facilities in the Syrian conflict. Allegations have been made that Russian planes were involved in the airstrikes, but Russia has denied any involvement in the bombing of the hospitals and school. The UN has reported that Syria had 58,000 internally displaced people yesterday at the Turkish border and believe more people will flee their homes if airstrikes continue. Colville said the UN is asking for an immediate ceasefire to prevent any further human rights violations. The Syrian Civil War [JURIST backgrounder] has been ongoing since 2011 when opposition groups first began protesting the regime of President Bashar al-Assad, and the increasingly bloody nature of the conflict has put pressure on the international community to intervene. Last week the OHCHR reported [JURIST report] that the Syrian government is systematically exterminating detainees. In November Human Rights Watch [advocacy website] released a report stating that the practice of caging captured soldiers and civilians constitutes hostage-taking [JURIST report] and an outrage against their personal dignity. In October France opened a torture investigation [JURIST report] into the actions of the Syrian government under Assad in detention facilities. Additionally, Amnesty International (AI) [advocacy website] released a report [JURIST report] in October detailing the possibility of war crimes in Syria. The AI report criticized the Syrian government by stating that they have maintained unlawful sieges, restricted humanitarian assistance deliveries, deliberately attacked civilians, and carried out indiscriminate and disproportionate attacks, arbitrary detentions, abductions and enforced disappearances. Just the daily thoughts and gripes of a guy attempting to survive in America's heartland. Im happy to say that my art and technique has been included in this book by UK author/artist Gill Barron , the fairly famous Painter of Everything (shes well on her way to painting everything in the entire world, and doing a beautiful job of it, too).I have two step-by-step projects in the book, as well as several other finished paintings used as illustrations.The book is entitled Acrylic Secrets: 300 Tips and Techniques for Painting the Easy Way , and has been distributed worldwide by Readers Digest Books.Its now available on Amazon and you can order your copy here. NHRC team in Morang to probe Rangeli killing The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has deputed a high level investigation committee to look into the killing of three people in police action during Madhes agitation at Rangeli and Dayaniya of Morang district on January 21. Commercial dairy farming spreads in Arghakhanchi Arghakhanchi has been moving towards achieving self-sufficiency in milk production as commercial dairy farm is gaining popularity due to the quick and high returns it provides. Hindu marriage allowed in Pakistan's Sindh province A province in Pakistan has become the first in the largely Muslim country to give Hindus the right to register their marriage officially. Indian border police harass Nepali migrants Indian police deployed at the Rupaidiha border point have been extorting money from Nepali travellers charging that they brought in large sums of Indian currency from India Missing the wood Piecemeal approach to transportation will only complicate urban commuting Nawalparasi set to become hub of cement production Nawalparasi district is set to become a hub of cement production with a large number of domestic and international investors pouring money into new factories in the area. Nepal to import 80MW electricity from tomorrow Nepal is all set to start importing an additional 80MW electricity from India from Wednesday through the newly-completed 400kV Dhalkebar-Muzaffarpur cross-border transmission line. PMs visit for mending Nepal-India ties Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli is set to arrive in New Delhi on Friday after four months of strained bilateral ties. 1. Yes. Its important to cast my votes early and avoid the lines on Election Day. 2. Yes. With nearly two weeks of early voting, its a more convenient way to take part. 3. No. Its better to wait until Election Day, in case any last-minute information surfaces. 4. No. Im not planning to vote early or on Election Day. It isnt worth my time. 5. Unsure. It depends on how the campaigns are shaping up. Ill play it by ear. Vote View Results Welcome! You have come to the right place. Khmerization is a home to the Cambodian daily news, which is updated twice daily. Please take a tour and enjoy yourself. Thank you. To contact Khmerization please send an email to: Trollfest '09 Trollfest '07 was such a success that Jackson Jambalaya will once again host Trollfest '09. Catch this great event which will leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Othor Cain and his band, The Black Power Structure headline the night while Sonjay Poontang returns for an encore performance. Former Frank Melton bodyguard Marcus Wright makes his premier appearance at Trollfest singing "I'm a Sweet Transvestite" from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." Kamikaze will sing his new hit, How I sold out to da Man. Robbie Bell again performs: Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be Bells and Any friend of Ed Peters is a friend of mine. After the show, Ms. Bell will autograph copies of her mug shot photos. In a salute to Dancing with the Stars, Ms. Bell and Hinds County District Attorney Robert Smith will dance the Wango Tango. Wrestling returns, except this time it will be a Battle Royal with Othor Cain, Ben Allen, Kim Wade, Haley Fisackerly, Alan Lange, and Big Cat Donna Ladd all in the ring at the same time. The Battle Royal will be in a steel cage, no time limit, no referee, and the losers must leave town. Marshand Crisler will be the honorary referee (as it gives him a title without actually having to do anything). Meet KIM Waaaaaade at the Entergy Tent. For five pesos, Kim will sell you a chance to win a deed to a crack house on Ridgeway Street stuffed in the Howard Industries pinata. Don't worry if the pinata is beaten to shreds, as Mr. Wade has Jose, Emmanuel, and Carlos, all illegal immigrants, available as replacements for the it. Upon leaving the Entergy tent, fig leaves will be available in case Entergy literally takes everything you have as part of its Trollfest ticket price adjustment charge. Donna Ladd of The Jackson Free Press will give several classes on learning how to write. Smearing, writing without factchecking, and reporting only one side of a story will be covered. A donation to pay their taxes will be accepted and she will be signing copies of their former federal tax liens. Ms. Ladd will give a dramatic reading of her two award-winning essays (They received The Jackson Free Press "Best Of" awards.) "Why everything is always about me" and "Why I cover murders better than anyone else in Jackson". In the spirit of helping those who are less fortunate, Trollfest '09 adopts a cause for which a portion of the proceeds and donations will be donated: Keeping Frank Melton in his home. The Keep Frank Melton From Being Homeless booth will sell chances for five dollars to pin the tail on the jackass. John Reeves has graciously volunteered to be the jackass for this honorable excursion into saving Frank's ass. What's an ass between two friends after all? If Mr. Reeves is unable to um, perform, Speaker Billy McCoy has also volunteered as when the word jackass was mentioned he immediately ran as fast as he could to sign up. In order to help clean up the legal profession, Adam Kilgore of the Mississippi Bar will be giving away free, round-trip plane tickets to the North Pole where they keep their bar complaint forms (which are NOT available online). If you don't want to go to the North Pole, you can enjoy Brant Brantley's (of the Mississippi Commission on Judicial Performance) free guided tours of the quicksand field over by High Street where all complaints against judges disappear. If for some reason you are unable to control yourself, never fear; Judge Houston Patton will operate his jail where no lawyers are needed or allowed as you just sit there for minutes... hours.... months...years until he decides he is tired of you sitting in his jail. Do not think Judge Patton is a bad judge however as he plans to serve free Mad Dog 20/20 to all inmates. Trollfest '09 is a pet-friendly event as well. Feel free to bring your dog with you and do not worry if your pet gets hungry, as employees of the Jackson Zoo will be on hand to provide some of their animals as food when it gets to be feeding time for your little loved one. Relax at the Fox News Tent. Since there are only three blonde reporters in Jackson (being blonde is a requirement for working at Fox News), Megan and Kathryn from WAPT and Wendy from WLBT will be on loan to Fox. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both and a torn-up Obama yard sign will entitle you to free drinks served by Megan, Wendy, and Kathryn. Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required. Just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '09 is for EVERYONE!!! This is definitely a Beaver production. Note: Security provided by INS. If you are wondering what our review criteria are, you can see that and all of our reviews for the last several years using the links above! We've been doing this since 2003 If you are wondering what our review criteria are, you can see that and all of our reviews for the last several years using the links above! Kiss the Book is a book review site to help school librarians at any K-12 level find books for their classes and libraries. Our reviews are written by school library professionals and vetted student reviewers. We live in a world in which an authoritarian state, $-freeloader narcissistic U.S., controls the digital infrastructure, enjoys the dominant position in the world's technology platforms, controls the means of production for critical technologies, and harnesses a new wave of general purpose technologies, like biotech and new energy technologies, to transform the world society, economy and military, to continue feeding U.S.' parasitic needs. However, the really funny thing is that US smears China for exactly what US itself is. Why didn't NATO (US) stop the real genocide and grave Human Rights violations (since 2014) in Ukraine?! And when Russia did, the NATO (US) attacked Russia. And what about the islamofascist Saudi dictator family's atrocities in Yemen - just to mention one from the Saudi pile?! China is now not only outperforming the West technologically but also the capitalist country that has come the furthest in balancing greed for the good of the people. In contrast to communist dictatorships such as the Soviets, Mao's China, North Korea and others, modern China is more democratic than most Western countries. This is because, via a meritocratic system, political career is built from the bottom up, i.e. local politicians must show results in order to move forward, while together they later form a political communication link between Beijing and the people, which means that unlike dictatorships, it is the top that is most sensitive to grassroots dissatisfaction. And this is proven in several Western research projects which unilaterally show a popular support that is sky-high above, for example, the US. Peter Klevius art analysis: When kings possessed antidemocratic total power (as the Saudi islamofascist murderer and terrorist war criminal "king" still today), they could deliberately show off their personhood. However, when kingdom became art - not to say sign post - then a "good" king or queen became someone who like Elizabeth had to shut up and instead be filled with the content of "the eye of the beholder" - just like art, which is always excluded from its artist. My guess is that she could only really trust her husband - 'husband' is Swedish meaning 'hus' (house) and 'band' means ties like in 'bond'. However, her son Charles has an extremely poor record at that - which may be entertaining, especially for republicans. US should be the "enemy" rather than modern China And when will Liz Truss declare the islamofascist "custodians of islam", the Saudi dictator family - who has murdered, tortured, terrorized and committed war crimes - an enemy? With the U.S. dollar as the world's main reserve currency - since 1971 criminally disconnected from its promised gold connection - and with the U.S. controlling global financial and monetary flow U.S. has raised massive debt while printing money - not "out of thin air" but out of the world. The U.S. economy hence rests on financial colonialism and imperialism, i.e. forcibly robbing its value from other countries. And when excess liquidity drives up global inflation, and the Fed raises interest rates and tightens monetary policy, it also widens its interest rate gap with other countries, while attracting international capital to the otherwise empty (and doomed) U.S. dollar. The Brits should blame US, the militant financial $-freeloader (since 1971) - not modern China, the peaceful tech and wealth building rescuer at home and around the world! Bank of England is a helpless pawn against the feds. At the very moment when especially UK but also the rest of the world needs China the most, then dangerous and militant (CIA steered?) Liz Truss declares China an "enemy". Hello! It's US that 2014 ignited the low scale Ukrainian civil war to a fullblown deadly genocide against Russians, and 2022 to a real proxy war via NATO threatening Russia for the ultimate purpose of attacking China. And it is the US' antidemokratic (decoupled from democratic institutions) Federal Reserve that is behind inflation and the fall of the pound and other financial problems outside US. US is the only country in the world that can survive heavy deficit by counterfeiting money. It's US that is the root of high inflation, energy costs, supply shortages etc. (because of modern China). The feds has since 1913 been the factual dictator of US, and when US became bankrupt after a costly Vietnam war and space (incl. military) program it 1971 unscrupulously cheated with the promised dollar connection to gold. US hence started a fullblown robbing of the world with the dollar as the world currency and now culminating in an untenable money printing that together with China's economic and tech rise threatens US criminal $-freeloading. US is a theocracy if measured by how much "in god we trust" is involved in policy and politics, and that the Supreme Court is 100% religious, in stark contrast to the huge number of Atheist people in US. This has also led to US using islamists against China. How come that this US patriot shares Peter Klevius view on US? Why trust Peter Klevius instead of BBC and other trolls? Because 1. Peter Klevius has a much higher IQ (beware of IQ-phobia) than most professors or world leaders 2. Peter Klevius has a long and clean life record when it comes to women, children, crimes, drugs etc. 3. Peter Klevius has no finacial or career ties to anything he writes about 3) Peter Klevius doesn't (sadly) know (20220326) a single Russian or Chinese, and has never visited the countries nor having any other connections 4) Peter Klevius groundbreaking scientific achievements (e.g. about evolution, consciousness, sex segregation, sociology, psychoanalysis etc.) can all be dated to publications, theses (and after 1998 also on the web) or correspondence with professors considered top of their game. Possibly all of them may also qualify as first of its kind - or at the very least certainly not copied from others - as others seem to do with Peter Klevius' works, without even giving him credit. 5. Peter Klevius had the most unprivileged start of life and adulthood - but also the most privileged when it comes to brain power, dopamin-serotonin balance and psychological stability - to an extent that he can't possibly believe in the psychological non sense excuse that "we're all a little mad". US rape of the Maid of Finland Peter Klevius to Boris Johnson: It was only half of the Brits who voted Brexit, and it was only half of the Ukrainians who voted for Ukrexit. However, in Ukraine it ended with civil war instigated by UK's ally $-freeloader rogue state US. You should really have kept your peaceful Huawei instead of being pushed to the militant F35! US has already sunk below the surface but abuses the "West" as its snorkel. What most people don't realize is that by following US you step downwards in future development compared to China. Little Japan already showed the world how to beat the West in technology. China is more than ten times bigger. And when people - sooner or later - realize the difference, the backlash will be harsh. Peter Klevius asks: Which war (post WW2) has NOT been instigated by rogue state $-freeloader US? Korea, Vietnam, Serbia, Iraq, Georgia, Ukraine, Libya, Yemen, Syria etc.. US, which has also used nukes, biological wepons, and torture, tops by far the list of war criminals - and US allies are gravely complicit! We're constantly told "not to incite hatred against muslims" when we're just criticizing sharia islam for its lack of Human Rights. However, when US/CIA not only incites hatred but also weaponizes it, no one in the West seems to care. Why?! How many more should suffer and die because of US senseless behavior when facing a future where its $-freeloading is coming home to roost because of China's success? 20220221: BBC main news hour at 13:00 today for the first time didn't mention Ukraine and Putin at all - while the worst shelling against Russian populated parts of Ukraine significantly escalated, leading to a peak of over 50,000 refugees fleeing to Russia to escape the genocide the $-freeloader (and now desperate because of China's growth and success) US iniitiated, agitated and assisted with weapons (together with its coerced, or just stupid/evil Western puppets) - while continuing spitting on Putin/Russia. World economies (CIA World Factbook 2022): 1 China 2/3 US, EU 4 India 5 Japan 6 Germmany 7 Russia 8 Brazil 9 France 10 UK Dear reader, stop supporting/aiding dangerous rogue state US! Otherwise US $-desperation (i.e. that it will lose its financial stealing hegemony because of China's growth) will lead to it deliberately starting a WW3. Except for human suffering and lower standard, it would be the great reset for $-freeloader US to stand in the ruins and continue being a stealing and ruling world dictator. No other country poses a similar threat. Religion is segregation. Judaism: We are the chosen people! Christianity: Christ will forgive, you sinner! Islam: Everyone is born muslim, you infidel! Human Right is de-segregation, you human! Peter Klevius wonders if you can spot the difference between the People's republic of China, the Congress' republic of US, and the Parliament's/government's "democracy" of UK. Hint, the clue is in the word 'people' and the fact that Chinese are more satisfied with their democracy than US and UK people. Moreover, can you spot the difference between modern China and Stalin's, Mao's, Castro's, Pol Pot's etc. Communist countries? And when it comes to unjust sentencing, spying, surveilling, detaining/torturing/killing people, US is definitely worse than China. Not to mention US global meddling, militarism and dictatorial fiat $-freeloading. A US that can't manufacture its own chips but tries to hinder China from it. And if you aren't on US sponsored IS-Uyghurs side - why spit on China?! And if you aren't on US sponsored IS-Uyghurs side - why spit on China?! Why is US calling anti-islamism "human rights violation"?! And when will US stop dealing with Saudi, NATO (e.g. Turkey) etc. Human Rights violators?!Btw, Peter Klevius suggests buying Chinese property stocks now. After all, there are more rural Chinese than the entire US population, waiting for getting urban after this temporary slow down. Why doesn't Peter Klevius publish his groundbreaking science in Nature? Because he has no peers! Peer review, according to Google, is the evaluation of work by people with similar competence. Peter Klevius healthy mind and total lack of institutional/financial/political/career bias combined with extra high intelligence is unique in science - and it's precisely therefore his best scientific achievments can't be evaluated by peer-biased people but need a blog to be presented because 1) they would never be peer approved in Nature 2) they would never be produced in a "proper" form with painstaking efforts to squeeze in citations/references etc. that contribute nothing. Whom should Peter Klevius quote about EMAH/consciousness out-of SE Asia , or about hetersosexual attraction and sex segregation ? When I made my phd on sex segregated resistance against female football I was asked to quote feminists. I did, and after every quote I had to negate it. Alternatively it would have silenced the women's voices in my in-depth interviews re. thair experience about resistance. After all, it was feminists behind the 1921 ban against women's football in England, and it was the most powerful feminists in Sweden who for a decade opposed girls and women playing football after the Swedish FA had included it. So instead of me testing Nature, you test me - before "anti-feminism", "anti-out-of-Africa" and "anti-religion" are criminalized as "hate speech"! - In anthropology fossils usually get all kinds of nicknames before scientifically "baptized". However, precisely because Homo floresiensis (the definite proof that humans evolved in SE Asia) was the "missing link" that afropologists wanted to find in Africa (how could an allround mover and allround eater ever evolve on a continent?!) they needed to dismiss it at every level incl. continue calling it a "hobbit". And when it comes to EMAH/consciousness it's extremely simple - yet not "simplistic" at all. However, the culprit is what humans are most proud about, i.e. language. By giving something one doesn't comprehend but wants to put in a package, a name, will continue to contain its blurred definition. This is why EMAH only deals with 'now' and the body of past this now lands on. Of course this leads to everything having "consciousness". A brick "remembers" a stain of paint as long as it's there - and with some "therapeutical" investgation in a laboratory perhaps even longer. And a stain of paint on your skin is exactly the same. However, unlike the the brick you've also got a brain that may also be affected by the stain. This could be compared with a hollow brick where the paint has vanished from the outside but submerged so that when cutting the brick it "remembers" it and tells the cutting blade about it. And for more "sophistication" just add millions of differect colors unevenly spread. Our brain is no different from the rest of the body. If Frankenstein with tomorrow's tech had created an adult human body, then that body wouldn't be able to walk or talk etc. because it lacked the body program we've been programmed with by living. The US-led climate hoax against China : $-freeloader US uses its hegemony to cover up the worst global threat, i.e. itself. And targets China which challenges its hegemony. A sustained and coordinated campaign aimed at undermining the credibility of China. China is already way more democratic than US - especially when considering that its infrastructure today is already where it inevitably will be tomorrow in a technologically lagging US. In other words, technology itself puts ever more distinction on our behavior - compare e.g. the shift from unmarked cash to marked card/online payments. And as an extra bonus China has extremely low criminality, better privacy law, and incredible record of improving poverty and welfare both home and abroad compared to US. Just consider how US has painted itself into a corner by the 1971 cheating that disconnected the dollar from US' own means, hence creating a situation with no other return than lowering its standard (i.e. stopping printing dollar that the rest of the world have had to pay for due to US' global financial empire tentacles) or a new war (which US is already brewing). Where US uses CIA meddling, sanctions and militarism, China has risen with honest manufacturing and trade. Peter Klevius: Do note that my klevius.info is an experimental webmuseum made 2003 and deliberately hasn't been touched upon since 2007. 20211103: Why is BBC 4 news so silent about CIA's murder plot and ongoing extradition request against Julian Assange, but instead has plenty of news time to repeatedly tell listeners about some cricket player (muslim?) who 'was allegedly hurt' because of 'verbal abuse'? $-freeloader US is the main driver of dangerous global militarism and state terror. It's also a many times bigger per capita polluter than China. Why is BBC repeating the lie that "China is the biggest polluter" when in fact it's one of the smallest?! And the only reason to not use per capita would be that China, unlike e.g. similar size Africa, has a single government. But even then China shines as the by far best led country. China is the technological future that we all have to walk - not led by the Chinese, but by technology. And because of US's desperation as its dollar-thieving (since 1971) is now threatened by China irresistibly passing them technologically and economically, China actually serves as a protected "soft landing model" for the future AI world (China's new privacy law, tech crackdown etc.) is exactly what most people want), while aggressive U.S. is a threat to peace and prosperity. Google is precisely the state link Chinese companies are accused of being, and US's "alliance" with "colored" and muslims is basically Sinophobia, i.e. the fear of losing control of those whom it has abused - it simply divides the world into good colored/religious and evil Chinese/Atheists (and evil whites who disagree). US-led "anti-communism" is not about communism or any belief that China would attack the rest of the world (as the US has done, after all). Almost everyone understands that today's China has nothing in common with Cuba, the Soviet Union, Pol Pot, and Mao's China. Peter Klevius has collected US Google News China headlines for years and never seen them (algorithms) so extremely anti-China as now. US' (+its puppets) Taiwan lies in perspective: UN Resolution 2758 which was approved on October 25, 1971 states that "The representatives of the Government of the People's Republic of China are the only lawful representatives of China to the United Nations" and "decides to expel forthwith the representatives of Chiang Kai-shek (i.e. Taiwan) from the place which they unlawfully occupy at the United Nations and in all the organizations related to it." Again, U.S.-linked disinformation campaign against China is made up as it goes along. So how much of US' "anti-Communism" rant is actually Sinophobia spized with greed and fear of losing its parasitic world sucking position? Btw, the worst polluters on measure of culpability as weighted annual per capita greenhouse gas pollution taking relative per capita income into account include the Anglosphere countries US, UK, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and Ireland. Isn't it shameful that these hypocrites point finger at China?! And why is BBC so silent about the volcanic catastrophe on La Palma that not only keeps continuing but also is getting more vicious by the day?! Volcanos can at any moment start an abrupt iceage - and we are anyway already overdue to the next statistical iceage. 20210926 UK became even more a totalitarian right wing militaristic one party state when Labour cut off its left wing. And unlike China, UK has no meritocracy demand on MPs, nor has it any people's democracy even close to that of China (just consider how the Western, US steered, media told you Xi ordered less gaming for kids when in fact it was a broad demand from parent). And China forces its companies to use less energy - and the Sinophobic West of course spits on this environmental effort when some energy companies break the limits and can't deliver. The West, not China, is the biggest emitter of pollution. What's not to like about China?! Best privacy law: least crimes: best high tech: best tech control: best poverty extermination: best manufacturer: best meritocratic democracy happiness: best trust in leadership, applauded by OIC for treatment of muslims, etc. And badly behaving $-freeloader and financial (and militaristic) global dictator U.S. jailed Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou in a foreign country for her normal business in an other foreign country (whose prsidential candidate was murdered by US in a third foreign country) that US didn't happen to like as it didn't like the success of Chinese Huawei. How $-freeloader US has robbed the world since 1971 China hating bigoted and hypocritical West (i.e. US+puppets) - which strangly calls itself "the international community" - worries about Taliban sharia while West's close ally, the islamofascist Saudi dictator family (behind 9/11 and most other islamic terror) has the most medieval form of sharia of any muslim country! Btw, most feminists are sharia muslims - and feminism ticks most fascism boxes . Peter Klevius to his readers: Never forget that fascism emerged in the very midst of what is now in anti-China rhetoric called "the international community" or the West. And the roots of Western fascism has never been treated but live on. Ask yourself, what if China had behaved like the murderous terror rogue state $-freeloader U.S.?! Islamism wants islamic "human rights". Feminism wants women's "human rights". Peter Klevius wants Human Rights. Together with their close ally Saudi Arabia, US and its puppet UK have among the worst Human Rights records - yet they blame China and Russia instead. Fact correcting BBC's lies: Rogue state $-freeloader U.S. is also the by far much worse per capita greenhouse gas polluter than China. Peter Klevius serious questions to you "out of Africa" believer! Ask yourself: How come that the oldest primates came from outside Africa; that the oldest great ape divergence happened outside Africa; that the oldest bi-pedals are from outside Africa; that the only australopithecines with a Homo skull lived as far from Africa you can get; that the oldest truly modern looking skull is from eastern China (and to Chris Stringer - its slightly archaic bun fits a very old age); that the oldest Africans are mongoloid; that the latest genetic mix that shaped the modern human happened in northern Asia and is traced to SE Asia; that the earliest sophisticated art (e.g. a drilled and polished perfect shiny stone bracelet from Siberia, perfect paintings and figurines) and tools (e.g. a perfect sewing needle, flutes etc) are found from Iberia to Sulawesi - but not in Africa so far; that the oldest round skulled Homo sapiens in sub-Saharan Africa is much younger than similar skulls in Eurasia; that we lack ancient enough DNA from Africa to use as evidence (although afropologists happily do), etc. etc.? Peter Klevius theory answers all these questions - and more. Peter Klevius (the only serious anthropologist?!) to afropologists: If you honestly and with simple words would explain the essence of the out-of-Africa myth/hoax to a child s/he wouldn't believe a word of your story: A cold adapted (mongoloid phenotype) population P1 (Homo sapiens), which eats everything and has almost infinite time and skills to move anywhere on land - lives all over a southern "island" (Africa) that has an easily accessible bridge (Sinai) to an other "island" (Eurasia), but somehow cannot get out for hundreds of thousands of years. And when they tried they couldn't survive on places where their primitive relatives (Homo erectus) for 2 million years had thrived all over the places from the tropics to the northern cold. Then the kid would probably ask why you keep telling things that make no sense. And when you answer by saying that this now living population P2 on the warm island - but with features seen in all cold adapted populations P3 far north of the bridge - has the oldest DNA, then the kid would probably ask you if you have ever considered the possibility that those genes were aquired in the cold north far on the other side of the bridge. And your last resort to convince the child concists of some bone fragments that fit in a shoe box together with a decent pair of shoes - and there is no agreement about what they really are - and are the only thing we have between the chimp-like Lucy and the human-like erectus. And what would you answer when the kid then asks how a tiny Lucy-like (poor bipedalism) population A4 could possibly make it out of Africa all the way over the Wallace line to Flores as well as to the Philippines, long before Homo sapiens managed to do so? Peter Klevius suggests you and your kids learn from the best: Peter Klevius theory Speciation needs isolation over time and the best evolutionary lab has been SE Asian archipelago. Like all primates, carnivores, ungulates etc. we also came out of SE Asia with a new brain setup (due to island shrinking and mainland enlargement of this new brain setup), got coldadapted in the north and then spread all over the world while mixing with other Homo sapiens in a pattern easily recognizable. Peter Klevius evolution formula. U.S. main brain asset is East Asians - same with China... East-Asians (mostly Chinese) also took most gold medals in Tokyo Olympics. China won shared gold in the gold-medal race (39 golds - why are some excluding Hong Kong's gold). Peter Klevius suggests taking the knee for Human Rights instead of for certain "races" based on skin color, religion - or sex. The main threat against Taiwan is U.S. starting a war. But China just has to wait until the Taiwanese anyway want to rejoin because of Cnina's fast growing superior R&D, high tech, infrastructure, privacy law, economy etc.. For U.S. it's just the opposite. And West's hollow rant about "liberty" and "party-democracy" echoes back against China's democracy where the Chinese vote for truly merited individuals and against corruption. And Chinese hightech will, after some political delay come near you anyway - while in the meantime being called "assertive threat from CCP". And there's no more "Communism" in China's progress than there is Christianity in U.S' militaristic war mongering, criminal sanctions, $-freeloading, extrajudicial murders, unfair justice, torture, spying on everyone, use of islamists etc.. U.S. "Americans"! Payback time! When Peter Klevius bought his Japan made Citizen Eco Drive chronograph watch it cost ~ $240 in US and ~ $340 in EU. Those ~ $100 is what "American" (i.e. U.S. people - not all Americans) $-freeloaders owe to the rest of the world because of benefitting locally by money printing and pricing the main global reserve currency - but the end is near. $100 trillions - or more?! Apoorva Mandavilli (New York Times): "Someday we will stop talking about the lab leak theory and maybe even admit its racist roots. But alas, that day is not yet here." Peter Klevius wonders what made her later delete it?! Fiat-money-world-$-freeloader-US' intention is not at all to clarify anything but instead to keep up hate against China. Would Fiat-money-world-$-freeloader-US and its UK puppet let Chinese inspect Fort Detrick and over 200 US bio-labs all over the world and UK's notorious military research at Porton Down, Salisbury. So while Chinese and "Chinese" looking people now are the most harrassed, BBC gives it no real attention while filling its news with BLM and "worries about islamophobia". Btw, if you poke any s.c. "free speech debate" you'll always find islamic efforts for "blasphemy" laws - and never laws against real blasphemy against basic negative Human Rights of 1948. When should islam pay for 1400 years of genocides? The West has abandoned Human Rights for the sake of sharia islam and is again becoming what it fought against - itself. Communistphobia (an "autoimmune" reaction now boosted by US' collapse and due aggression) led to Fascism, Nazism and WW2. Why do the worst (per capita and consumption) militant polluters and hypocrites (Fiat $-freeloader US, UK, Australia etc.) lie about China. the world's best source for cleaner tech?! Fiat $-freeloader US' influence behind Sinophobic attacks against China, the world's by far largest economy and future of tech, privacy law and Human Rights, and with less assaults, rapes and murders etc. than e.g. US and EU, while the "democratic West" turns sharia theocratic and militant. And why is islamism called "religion" and Confuzianism "propaganda"?! Peter Klevius: Why would religious precepts and Human Rights denial be more worthy of protection than political ones? After all, Human Rights are there to guide legislators and the Chinese trust their politicians much more than Westerners trust theirs. So there's a case to be made against anti-China hate propaganda which harmfully affects Chinese and "Chinese" looking people. The senseless flaw of monotheism: The pompous self-delusion of oneself as "god's" chosen individual while projecting one's "beliefs" on "god's" chosen "community" - which in turn projects a collectivist "belief" on its individuals. Freedom of thought doesn't mean freedom from law - and freedom of religion doesn't mean freedom from Human Rights. The only "ideology" that flawlessly fits negative Human Rights is Atheism (not believeing in any supremacist "god"). Lod/Lydda in Israel should be a warning that convinces anyone about the necessity to abandon racist and sexist monotheist religions and instead support the basic negative Human Rights of 1948 to guide legislation and behavior for a positive human future for all. https://negativehumanrights.blogspot.com/2021/05/negative-human-rights-for-positive.html US declares Turkish murder and islamization of more than a million Armenians a genocide while UK declares China's de-islamization and education of backward Chinese Uyghurs a "genocide". Joe Biden: "China will not become the leading country in the world, the wealthiest country in the world, and the most powerful country in the world on my watch! And history proves US is the dangerous one that wants to dictate and bully the world to keep its $-freeloader hegemony. Xi Jinping: "China will never seek hegemony, no matter how strong it becomes." And he has the longest civilization to back it up with. Peter Klevius warns the Brits about the danger posed by spy master Jeremy Fleming's delusional, dangerous and Sinophobic China "analysis" which, if followed, may lead to stagnation and even US initiated war. It's all about UK either chosing a dangerous puppet status under US decline and stagnation by supported US' populist riding on pre-existing anti-Chinese (and anti-mongoloid racism, compare e.g. footballer Son Heung-Min and BBC lacking to report hate crimes against Chinese etc) sentiments - or simply benefitting from China's success through cooperation. The "danger" of new Chibese surveillance tech becomes ok later on in the West. However, China has now better privacy protection than the West, and China's meritocratic political representation combined with the world's toughest anti-corruption, makes West look bleak in comparison. And unlike UK, China has a real written constituion that gives women the same rights as men without exeption - someting US is still lacking, as are UK's sharia courts. 20210416: US' puppet sidekick UK cowardly runs away when it cannot hide in the master's shadow anymore - leaving Afghanistan's women without protection against islamic evil. Don't respect islam as long as islam doesn't respect Human Rights! And if you don't trust Peter Klevius (2001-) on this, then trust Council of Europe's (2019) basically similar criticism of islam's main worldly (except Gabriel) representative, Saudi based and steered OIC's Human Rights violating sharia declaration CDHRI! Moreover, the most pious muslims seem to be the ones furthest distancing themselves from Human Rights. Peter Klevius to the women of Greenham Common: Aren't the Saudi allied and posturing "in cheat and global nUKes we trust" right wing Sinophobic Brexiters a bigger threat than Iran? BBC is the world's main spreader of anti-Sinoist hate speech and populist Sinophobic propaganda on an industrial scale and therefore guilty of inciting crimes against humanity! First spitting on China and then using China's reaction as an excuse for more spitting. The original (negative) Human Rights (1948) means the individual is not to be imposed an action of another individual, group, government, religion etc. Negative Human Rights hence function as the guidance and guardian against unneccessarily restricting legislation. Sharia islam, i.e. in praxis Saudi based and steered OIC's notorious* sharia declaration, is the very opposite. However, UK and BBC seem to approve of islam's Human Rights violations while calling China's efforts to stifle them "human rights abuse". The original (negative) Human Rights (1948) means the individual is not to be imposed an action of another individual, group, government, religion etc. Negative Human Rights hence function as the guidance and guardian against unneccessarily restricting legislation. Sharia islam, i.e. in praxis Saudi based and steered OIC's notorious* sharia declaration, is the very opposite. However, UK and BBC seem to approve of islam's Human Rights violations while calling China's efforts to stifle them "human rights abuse". * Similarly criticized by Peter Klevius and the Council of Europe. Are both "islamophobes"?! Global China for peace and wealth vs. "global UK" for more hate incitement, lies, threats, nukes, warmonger and miltarism under the shield of the militaristic world dictator and $-freeloader US. Compare this to UN's Resident Coordinator in China, Siddharth Chatterjee, who says "we stand in a unique position to cooperate with the Government of China and apply its successes of lifting hundreds of million people out of poverty globally. China has shown its firm belief in the principles of multilateralism. As I witnessed in Kenya, China's donations of personal protective equipment and other supplies played a critical role during the disruption in global supply chains in March 2020. And every day I am in China, I am inspired by what I see around me, what China has achieved and can achieve as a country." But US/UK do their utmost to stop "assertive Chinese influence". And a Sinophobic parliament shouts "genocide" when China protects women's Human Rights. Without a fair reason UK declares Chinese a "threat" while Brits and other "infidels" are constantly threatened by Human Rights violating islamism. 20210320: The world's master fake news troll farm BBC today still uses conspiracy theorist, warmonger and China hater Pompeo to smear China and spread anti-Sinoism - but nothing about islamist Human Rights violating atrocities (e.g. 50 children beheaded by islamists in Mocambique etc.), !? Btw, UK abducts proportionally many more children than China - and expose them to islamist child abuse. Peter Klevius feels truly ashamed of looking like a Westerner. Btw, how can you excuse US criminal behavior: First benefitting from monopolizing global web tech and then using this monopoly as a weapon against competitors?! $-freeloader US and its UK puppet don't care about the wellbeing of Chinese but want only to damage China's success. Sinophobic UK parliament should just shut up talking about China and democracy. People living legally in their own state EU were robbed of their democracy by UK! And even UK nationals are just subjects, not citizens. BBC, the world's worst war mongering and hate spreading propaganda troll farm, uses Chinese "Guantanamo"* prisoner fotage out of context as "evidence" of how "truthful" BBC is! * US detained muslim terrorist suspects outside US! BBC stereotypes whatever to fit "genocide" in China but doesn't mind US-UK-Australian torture and murder of civilians. Where China stands for tech and wealth development $-freeloader US + UK-Australia stand for spreadinng lies and militarist tensions. And why so silent about UK torture of Assange while declaring an Iranian spy suspect as "innocent" simply because she says so (Iran, like US, doesn't approve of double citizenship). Uncritical democracy with islam inevitably means the death of Human Rights. Peter Klevius probably has some half of muslims on his side in saying so. BBC welcomes Jo Johnson when he now says "China is authoritarian, almost neo-totalitarian regime". Peter Klevius wonders how that fits with a country which leadership is much more approved of than Western ones?! Even an idiot (but not BBC) can see that China's modern Communism has nothing to do with Maoism or Soviet Communism. The only criticism left the West can come up with is name calling. The welfare, progress and out of poverty success for Chinese people has nothing in common with "conventional Communism". On the contrary, it delivers exactly where s.c. "democracies" (one might even argue that China is closer to democracy than the West) often fail. "Democracies" are anyway one party states supported by at the most some half of the population compared to China's qualified majority. So China's "authoritarian" Communist "dictatorship" is as far you can get from the West's beloved Sunni islamist theocracy, steered by the murderous and war crimes committing Saudi dictator family. So why is China declared an enemy while Saudi is an ally! Moreover, China's new privacy law will protect the individual much better than any similar laws in in the West. Why? Because China's leadership thinks the individual's privacy is too important to fiddle with (read the draft). Something the West has given up (to US). And who was it that started smearing, lying, spreading rumours and conspiracy theories, military threats etc. against China in the forst place? Sinophobic racism from the West for the purpose of aiding the US $-freeloader. Peter Klevius: Every muslim is responsible for muslims racism and sexism. So stop shouting "you're not a muslim" to a muslim who believes and knows the Koran by heart! Immigration is ok - if you criminalize anti-Human Rights sharia muslims (and their accompllices)! In cheat we trust: UK decreases aid to Yemen while increasing weapons sale to the muslim Saudi dictator family and spending more on militarism. And BBC is more concerned about Uyghurs than Yemenites. And worries more about Buddhists who don't like to be attacked, raped, murdered etc. than about their radicalized muslim attackers. Lord Palmerston, UK PM who supported the Confederacy in the US civil war, hoping a dissolution of the Union would weaken the US: "The Chinese are uncivilized and the British must attack China to show up their superiority as well as to demonstrate what a civilized nation could do." US is now the worst global threat that only cooperating with China could mitigate - instead of being US' puppets. Peter Klevius: Why is US ordering 600 new nukes - i.e. the double of China's total? Why is China the only NPT state to give an unqualified negative security assurance with its "no first use"? Why isn't UK's parliament more interested in the real genocide in Yemen than the made up "genocide" in Xinjiang?! Why is UK applauding the conviction of Syrian soldiers while UK soldiers go free from similar crimes against humanity. Why isn't the real genocide that muslim Uyghurs have committed against non-muslim Uyghurs talked about?! When Dominic Raab visited Saudi Arabia he failed to raise the question of Saudi Human Rights abuses.However, in UN he lied about "China's industrial scale Human Rights abuses". He deliberately conflated unchecked BBC "reports" by East Turkestan jihadis with China's out of poverty and de-radicalization programs. And of course forgot to say sterilization was offered after three (3) children and with economical and educational incentives for muslim women tied at home by sharia. The militant $-freeloader US' spread of misinfo about China has made Chinese the most hated ethnicity while sharia muslims are the most protected - and US' puppet UK's Dominic Raab keeps spitting Sinophobia while supporting anti-Human Rights islamism. UK, which illegally still colonizes Chagos (but complains about China), in a secret ballot 'arranged' (helped by OIC) a sharia islamist to become leader of the International Criminal Court - i.e. someone who doesn't respect basic Human Rights! Should ICC now change to ICT (In Cheat we Trust)? Peter Klevius (like e.g. most really intelligent Jews is an Atheist, not confined with "faith", politics, career, finance etc.): While the West accepts OIC's Human Rights violating sharia islamism, China defends Human Rights against islamism. And unlike US' constitution, China's constitution is fully aligned with women's rights in the 1948 Human Rights declaration. So to avoid the West turning into a full muslim theocracy (OIC sharia) fractioned in infighting, we better become Sinophils instead of Sinophobes! "Anti-democratic ommunism" is now the only (empty - the only difference is that MPs in China are under harder scrutiny) argument the West still swings. Peter Klevius: SE Asia was the evolutionary laboratory that made human evolution possible. Africa doesn't tick a single box 20210127, BBC (fake) News: "We are memorizing 6 million Jews in Holocaust." Peter Klevius: So why not include the more than 6 million non-Jews?! See BBC's diabolically wild lies about Uighurs! Many Afgan women's dream is to be treated like Uighur women in China. However, the criminal militaristic war mongering rogue state U.S. abandons them and instead declares islamist Uighur terrorists not terrorists anymore and accuses China's emancipation efforts for "genocide" and "human rights violation". However, the criminal militaristic war mongering rogue state U.S. abandons them and instead declares islamist Uighur terrorists not terrorists anymore and accuses China's emancipation efforts for "genocide" and "human rights violation". The biggest scandal in anthropology: Afropologist John Hawks and faith creationists dismiss the hereto most important "missing link" in human evolution. How many have they brainwashed and kept misinformed?! 1990 islam officially and globally (via UN) rejected Human Rights (the Saudi based and steered OIC's sharia declaration witch gravely violates the most basic of Human Rights)! If Atheist Chinese had reproduced like muslims, there'd be more s.c. "Mongoloids" than the whole world population today. BBC is the world's biggest lying and faking propaganda troll - BBC's agenda has absolutely nothing to do with journalistic principles but is a mix of US pressure spiced with the worst of "Britishness" (UK cuts foreign aid from 0.7-0.5% and adds the same money to militarism) meeting in Saudi/OIC islamofascist sharia against basic Human Rights. BBC: UK has to aid Saudi war crimes and genocides cause else Russia and China would do it. UK's future is as a militaristic puppet for US (compare BBC's campaign against Johnson and Corbyn). Peter Klevius to BBC's Sinophobic muslim presenters in their ivory minaret: How many muslim women are detained in UK's sharia camps? US secretary of state, Pompeo declares Islamic State Uighur jihadi not terrorists - so they can attack China and get support from US (as in Syria). It's an irony that China now seems to offer the only defense of those very Human Rights it's accused of not following - while the West supports islamism that violates those Human Rights (compare Saudi based and steered OIC's global sharia declaration against Human Rights). Moreover, apostasy (i.e. leaving islam, which is the worst crime in islam) and the fact that the muslim man determines the faith for the children no matter who is the mother, together have to be added to any estimation of muslim population growth. US' and its puppets' Sinophobia campaign rooted in UK's appalling opium wars against Chinese people Why do Sinophobic BBC and UK parliament call it "deradicalization" in UK, US and Saudi Arabia, but "genocide" in China?! And why wasn't one-child policy against Atheist Han Chinese called "genocide" while Uighur muslims were allowed to have many children?! Btw, e.g. Sweden abducts many more children than China does in Xinjiang - and for extremely questionable reasons (read Peter Klevius' thesis Pathological Symbiosis and ask yourself why Sweden gets away with its Human Rights violations). Answer: It's all about U.S. being a lousy loser and therefore behaving appalingly badly with smear, threats, illegal sanctions, militaristic aggression etc! Btw, China is already number one in economy and most technology - and accelerating compared to US. So you stupid US puppets - take note! Shame on everyone who blinks Saudi based and steered OIC's anti-human rights sharia for all the world's muslims while spitting on China! Should BBC and some politicians be put on a Nurenberg trial after this relentless and demonizing Sinophobia campaign and deliberate lies? US is rottening fast and should therefore go for peace and cooperation! Despite using $-freeloading, sanctions, breaking treaties, murdering officials and politicians in other countries during state visits etc., hindering the use of tech previously used to monopolize US companies globally etc., US now wants to destroy Huawei and other Chinese companies, not for security but because US is inevitably losing the tech race. And no, it isn't the Chinese state support any more than US uses state support for force-feeding Apple, Google etc. and backed up by US state militaristic interventions, spying, interference, threats etc. globally. And China was the first to recognize the danger of Covid-19 - not "delaying" anything" but quite the contrary (see below)! BBC News' deliberately misleading and dangerous anti-China rant 20200706: "China ought to be our enemy! We can't do any business with China because of Hong Kong, and the sterilization of Uyghur muslims which some people (BBC and its cherry picked guests?!) think amounts to genocide". Peter Kleius: That Chinese muslims should follow the same laws as other Chinese, and that China uses similar deradicalization programmes proposed in the West, BBC thinks is "suppression". And volontary sterilization in the West BBC calls "genocide" in China. And Hong Kong's security law is similar to those in the West - and not as bad as US - and are definitely neccessary to keep "one nation" together under the immense pressure from US and its puppet regimes. 2020 4th of July: Peter Klevius wonders when US women will get the same rights as Chinese women - ERA is still lacking from US constitution? Article 2, Chinese constitution: Women shall enjoy equal rights with men in all aspects of political, economic, cultural, social and family life. Peter Klevius also wonders why aggressive and assertive US attacks peaceful China (every schism has US fingerprints) while siding with the war crimes committing murdeous islamofascist Saudi dictator family whose OIC sharia clearly denies eqaulity for women?! China is doing more good to more people than any other country today. Is this the reason?! 20200618: Why is the most cemtral witness, Inge Morelius (later aka Marelius) in the Swedish PM Palme's murder case, deleted by Google's search engine from deleted by Google's search engine from Peter Klevius revealing murder analysis ?! 20200616: When China discovers Covid-19 with a European DNA profile on a cutting board for Norwegian salmon, the BBC thinks it's the communist party. Why is BBC so quiet about Churchill's secret (until 2018) pact with Stalin in 1939 which would have divided Scandinavia between Russia and UK?! And US' NATO puppet Jens Stoltenberg repeats like a parrot his master's voice against China - while a civil war is going on inside NATO between Greece and Turkey. African Pygmy lives matter! Colonized and enslaved for more than 3,500 years by the Eurasian Bantu etc. intruders we now call Africans. It's a senseless irony that "Africans" (Bantus etc. newcomers) who enslaved and mixed with original Africans (Khoisan and especially Pygmies from whom they got their phenotype) and later were enslaved by muslim Arabs and their "African" collaborators now get a brain drop at the West African ports where islam exported slaves. Any old African genes come from Khoisan and Pygmies - and ultimately out of Asia - not Africa. "Out-of-Africa" and BLM are created by white idiots and only feed supremacism. Read "out-of-Africa" more dangerous than the Piltdown hoax Peter Klevius 20200604: What if Floyd had been white or Chinese?! And the officers members of Nation of Islam? And how do we even know that any racism was involved? And what about a fair trial? 20200603: UK's Sinophobic right wing anti-EU migration Brexiters now want to import 3 million Chinese from Hong Kong!? 20200529: In its everyday Sinophobia rant BBC today managed in one sentence to accuse Chinese, China and Xi separately - and even missing the stock smear, i.e. the "communist party". However in a very near future China will develop and export a world leading ecosystem of non-US software, hardware, fintech, social media, telecom infrastructure etc. that everyone will long for. Stubborn and dumb stiff lipped Sinophobes will become Neanderthals in no time. Sadly few politicians understand how powerful Chinese tech development is. Japan did the same but wasn't hampered by Maoist communism and was ten times smaller. High IQ and an Atheist culture they both have in common. The pro-Saudi and anti-China "party-within" UK's governing party is committing long term criminal harm to UK. China is the future and US is rottening with accelerating speed (the desperate sanctions against China tell it all). Only tech cooperation with China will benefit Brits and Americans. So why are UK politicians and BBC so eager to shoot their own PM and the Brits in the foot by being dictated by Pompeo, Trump and the Saudi dictator family, and boosted by a general Sinophobia racism? The "communist" scare mongering has no relevance because in practice China behaves in no way different than US - but is under constant smear and subversion attacks. And China's surveillance has actually developed less fast than that of US. US is a rogue state that murders and surveils in other countries (e.g. murdered top politician in Iran and surveilled Merkel - and you). And who likes ISIS and al-Qaeda etc. Uyghur jihadi terrorists anyway? Pompeo, Erdogan and Saudi steered islamofascists. 20200522: BBC and some right wing MPs call it a "draconian move" when China wants to stop foreign interference and people using Molotov cocktails. Really! So what about in UK?! 20200518: BBC again repeated the anti-China lie about "a silenced doctor" by inviting the former right wing and pro-Saudi (anti-)EU Research Group - now (anti-)China Research Group. How bad a journalist isn't Sarah Montague then when she didn't even try to question it - or is she muffled?! Eye dr. Li Wenliang wrongly spread out it could be SARS. It wasn't and just one hour later - and long before any police etc. had contacted him - he corrected his mistake (see fact check below). $-freeloader US provoking China with war ships while simultaneously "leaking" "classified" rumours. Why?! Its Sinophobia is all about trying to stop China's success as the foremost spreader of wealth and high tech both in China and the world. It's not the leadership but China's success that US can't stand. BBC sides with whoever Sinophobes - and would probably even have used Goebbels against China if he was still around. UK universities etc. are littered with dangerous Saudi (OIC) anti-Human Rights sharia jihad propaganda (incl. supprt of IS Utghur jihadi) - yet China has always been aggressively smeared all the way since UK's opium war attacks on China when it was declared "inferior" and "uncivilized". Today the problem seems to be that China is too superior and too civilized - but thankfully they have a "communist" party to blame, although the leadership has behaved better than most in the West. And when BBC talks about the "West" against China it actually means US spy organization Five Eyes (with the puppet states Australia, UK, Canada and NZ) and whoever other Sinophobes it can find elsewhere - like the Israel supporting and anti-muslim right wing Axel Springer, Europe's largest media (practically a monpoly) which is accused of e.g. censorship and interference in other countries (just like state media BBC). Should China sue BBC and UK (not to mention US) and the far-right, anti-China and anti-muslim UK "think tank" the Jackson Society (with associated Sinophobic MPs and lords) - whose Sinophobia (disguised as "against communism" etc.) complements leftist and pro-sharia jihad muslims BBC which now so eagerly gives it a platform, as well as the closely connected US spy organization Five Eyes which has demonized China for years long before Huawei or Covid-19? The lies about China they have spread are indistinguishable from those of Pompeo and Trump. Is this baseless (compared to US/UK) hate mongering really conducive to the welfare of UK? And when China reacts to this massive Sinophobia campaign then BBC calls it "aggressive Chinese propaganda". US "warns" about China "stealing" vaccine info because US knows that China now produces much better research than US. BBC anti-China fake 20200506: "Hundreds if not thousands of people were likely to have been infected in Wuhan, at a time when Chinese officials said there were only a few dozen cases." Peter Klevius fact check: BBC deliberately conflates real time confirmed knowledge with calculations in retrospect. US has made all the mistakes it accuses China for. Here's one from the top of the iceberg: Whistleblower Dr. Rick Bright, the director of the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, pressed for urgent access to funding, personnel and clinical specimens, including viruses, which he emphasized were all critically necessary to begin development of lifesaving medicines needed in the likely event that the virus spread outside of SE Asia. He was then cut out of critical meetings for raising early alarm about the virus and ousted from his position. Chinese 5G much more reliable than US' Five Eyes, the world's most dangerous misinfo and conspiracy spreading US spy and smear organization (together with its puppet states UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand) which "leaked" a 15-page dossier alleging "probing the possibility" the virus came from the Wuhan Institute of Virology. As Peter Klevius has said before, it didn't come from bats to humans but from some other host animal. Fake news and anti-China propaganda videos are making false and unfounded claims about "delays" and "late" human to human transmission report. Again, it was only in retrospect anyone could have known the nature of early cases. Many weren't even connectded to the wet market and many weren't affected at all despite intimate contact. Moreover, the wrong early SARS diagnosis was corrected the very same day but spread by a "whistleblower" eye doctor (see fact check below). And despite being first affected China acted better than US etc. countries. 5eyes equals Nazi Goebbels in propaganda misinfo. Every single accusation so far has built on deliberate distortion of facts. And possble improvements in retrospect would have been exactly the same in even the best of Western countroes. Peter Klevius to Chinese people: I'm not a racist - although I certainly look like one. Origin of Sinophobia: The 19th century Opium Wars were triggered by UK's imposition of the opium trade upon China. Lord Palmerston regarded the Chinese as uncivilized and suggested that the British must attack China to show up their superiority as well as to demonstrate what a "civilized" nation could do. The resulting concession of Hong Kong compromised China's territorial sovereignty. There's also the background to South China Sea. "God", "Allah", or whichever "monotheistic" idol is a pathetic fallacy and "monotheism" is a ridiculous and dangerous self-delusion because your "god" is used to defend the undefendable. There are equally many "gods" as there are individuals - and the collective "god" only functions as cherry picked confirmation of the individual's "god". However, the collective "god" may combine individual evil - never individual good, because that can only be achieved by (negative) Human Rights. After all, as Peter Klevius always has said, the only way of being fully human is to allow others full humanhood (what else could possibly unite all humans) - without religious impositions/exclusions. Pentagon, islam - and China?! Also check out Peter Klevius theory (1992) on "consciousness"/Thalamus - the only one that fits empirical evidence. And don't miss And don't miss Anthropologist Peter Klevius vs. Afropologist John Hawks - and how the British Piltdown hoax moved to Africa . Peter Klevius asks for an independent international inquiry on BBC's racist Sinophobia and its support of sharia islamism - incl. how many victims and suffering it has caused because of its worldwide propaganda influence. In the early 1990's US accused Japan of selling superior cars in US without buying crappy cars from US. And a congress woman warned for tech theft if selling US planes to Japan - but was told that those planes wouldn't even fly without Japanese high tech. At the same time EU was created to build a trade wall against Japanese products. However, Japan is more than ten times smaller than China - and isn't at the hotbed of different coronaviruses in SE Asia. Dear reader, if you think Peter Klevius has a problem with self-assertion you're very wrong. Apart from it being connected to Peter Klevius criticism of citation cartels (see Demand for Resources, 1992:40-44) Peter Klevius main problem is your self-assertion. Is this MP a clown? Sinophobic BBC working hard for a Coup d'etat together with Saudi loving and China hating MPs against PM Boris Johnson. Peter Klevius wonders why Sinophobic state media BBC (with Tom Tugendhat etc.) goes against the state (PM, MI6 etc.) in being so extremely worried about unfounded claims about China while having no problem with the threats posed by the worst of the worst, the islamofascist Saudi dictator family's influence over UK - and BBC?! goes against the state (PM, MI6 etc.) in being so extremely worried about unfounded claims about China while having no problem with the threats posed by the worst of the worst, the islamofascist Saudi dictator family's influence over UK - and BBC?! 20200417: BBC's Sinophobic muslim Razia Iqbal together with Tom Tugendhat arrange a pathetic propaganda theatre of BBC's 22:00 news hour for the most senseless and even childish smearing of China. And how can this clown (just listen to his laughter etc.!) be a leader of UK's foreign affairs committee?! Moreover, Razia Iqbal even uses Trump as an expert! Desperate...! arrange a pathetic propaganda theatre of BBC's 22:00 news hour for the most senseless and even childish smearing of China. And how can this clown (just listen to his laughter etc.!) be a leader of UK's foreign affairs committee?! Moreover, Razia Iqbal even uses Trump as an expert! Desperate... 20200416: State media BBC's Sinophobic Uganda rooted muslim Razia Iqbal lies about Chinese "racism" against Ugandans without telling that it was a local matter that was caused by some Africans linked to a cluster of cases in the Nigerian community in Guangzhou at a time when China had already curbed Covid-19. At least eight people diagnosed with the illness had spent time in the city's Yuexiu district, known as "Little Africa". Five were Nigerian nationals who faced widespread anger - not for being Africans but because of reports that they had broken a mandatory quarantine and been to eight restaurants and other public places instead of staying home. As a result, nearly 2,000 people they came into contact with had to be tested for Covid-19 or undergo quarantine. Guangzhou had confirmed 114 imported coronavirus cases 16 of which were Africans. The rest were returning Chinese nationals. 20200407a.m.: UK's best PM, Boris Johnson, is much shorter (same as Einstein and Klevius dad) than Trump - but also much more intelligent. It's OK to say so when Trump is white - and loves to play on height, right? 20200412: The reason the Chinese government wanted extra control of DNA results was the previous failed report (see below) which wrongly indicated SARS. However, British media (BBC etc.) blatantly lie about it and first accused Shi Zhengli's lab for spreading infected bats, while some weeks later making her a hero and accusing the government. And no, it didn't spread from bats - but possibly from civet cats. Suspected animals are now forbidden from the market. Anthropologist Peter Klevius vs. Afropologist John Hawks - and how the British Piltdown hoax moved to Africa. And why would antelopes evolve in the very opposite direction to humans - at the same time? UK/Matt Hancock (20200402): "We will work (against Covid19) with our friends and allies." Peter Klevius: That excludes the best, i.e. China, which you, on order from US, have declared an "unfriendly enemy"! SINOPHOBIA RACISM. US tries to pull you away from Chinese high tech superiority so US can keep feeding you with its outdated tech and influence - just as it used to do with cars and wars. Your pick: US militarism with Saudi led islamofascism - or highspeed Chinatech towards Chinese democracy and global wealth. China is the very opposite to Cuba - and already, in practise, almost identical to Western governments. Excluding China only prolongs the democratic process - and even speeds up China's high tech inside its 1.4 billion market. Peter Klevius fact check: "COVID-19 has a natural origin and there is no evidence that the virus was made in a laboratory or otherwise engineered" (Nature). China swiftly sequenced and shared the genome worldwide. China's remarkable response on all stages was praised by WHO (but not BBC) and is in line with its superior tech advances (Mao's China would never have made it). There isn't a trace of an alleged (by BBC etc. fakes) Chinese Covid19 reporting "delay" that wouldn't have been bigger in the West. And the reason is that for China good reputation is all that matters - now when it has already won the tech competition. China's defense against West's smear campaign is called "propaganda" - in the West. Dear US, it's time to behave! You lost the tech war to little Japan long ago. Now you've lost it against big China. Get over it. So Peter Klevius advises: Do as Wall Street, shake hands instead of producing unfounded Sinophobic smear propaganda! Covid19 timeline " (Nature). China swiftly sequenced and shared the genome worldwide. China's remarkable response on all stages was praised by WHO (but not BBC) and is in line with its superior tech advances (Mao's China would never have made it). There isn't a trace of an alleged (by BBC etc. fakes) Chinese Covid19 reporting "delay" that wouldn't have been bigger in the West. And the reason is thatfor China good reputation is all that matters - now when it has already won the tech competition. China's defense against West's smear campaign is called "propaganda" - in the West. Dear US, it's time to behave! You lost the tech war to little Japan long ago. Now you've lost it against big China. Get over it. So Peter Klevius advises: Do as Wall Street, shake hands instead of producing unfounded Sinophobic smear propaganda! 17 November 2019: A retrospectively confirmed case. 1 December 2019: The first known patient started experiencing symptoms but had not been to the Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market. No epidemiological link could be found between this case and later cases. 818 December 2019: Seven cases later diagnosed as COVID19 were documented; only two of them were linked with the Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market. 18-29 December 2019: Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BAL) that will eventually be used for viral genome sequencing is collected from patients. 25 December 2019: Wuhan Fifth Hospital gastroenterology director Lu Xiaohong reported suspected infection by hospital staff. 26 December 2019: Zhang Jixian identified a CT scan that showed a different pattern from other viral pneumonia. 27 December 2019: She reported to Jianghan district CCDC with four cases. During the following two days, the hospital received three similar cases, who all came from Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market. The hospital reported to the provincial and city CDC directly which initiated a field investigation with a retrospective search for pneumonia patients potentially linked to the market. They found additional such patients and on 30 December, health authorities from Hubei Province reported this cluster to CCDC who immediately sent experts to Wuhan to support the investigation. Samples from these patients were obtained for laboratory analyses. 30 December 2019: Wuhan Municipal Health Committee informed WHO, Weibo etc. about an "urgent notice on the treatment of pneumonia of unknown cause". There had been "a successive series of patients with unexplained pneumonia recently." However, a DNA report inaccurately indicated SARS on one patient. Late same day (17:43) ophthalmologist Li Wenliang WeChatted "There were 7 confirmed cases of SARS at Huanan Seafood Market." He included a patient's CT scan. At 18:42, he admitted that it wasn't proven SARS. 31 December 2019: US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention were alerted by China of an unexplained "cluster of 27 cases of pneumonia in Wuhan. US worst nightmare is a democratic China - which wouldn't change China but make it even more like one-party "democracies" in the West - because that would mean losing US only argument. US deliberately seeks Sinophobic confrontational aggression against China - which hampers the development and peace of the world. US island puppets against China and EU. US, who used to treat Japan as it now treats China, is now parasitizing on former enemy Japan in an (in vane) effort to keep China high tech down, and on the much tinier UK ally to trouble EU. Something sinister is behind when Sinophobic far right extremist politicians so desperately risk future development in UK with false accusations of "possible risks in the future", skewed presentations, and unfounded demonization of Chinese high tech. And while Klevius is posting this, all in his machine is spied on and sent to US. And why is BBC constantly only hosting Sinophobic guests who also happen to be supporters of the islamofascist Saudi dictator family and happy to allow US spying on you via US companies? The only risk Huawei poses is that the Chinese state gets fed up and makes it illegal to sell Chinese top tech to UK. China is the future of high tech, so stepping off the bus means retardation. Btw, the two main accusations against China could easily be made against US/UK as well. China wants to trade and therefore doesn't want to risk reputation. US doesn't bother about its reputation. And when it comes to clean up muslim "communities" from islamofascist extremists there's really no other difference than in numbers. Moreover, NATO/Turkey uses extremist Uyghurs against civilians in e.g. Idlib - and hypocritically accuse China when these jihadi return. Klevius to women: NATO makes a deal with the Taliban to continue sharia oppression of women, and NATO+IS=true because NATO is the main culprit behind the suffering in Idlib. Without the support from NATO the worst muslim terrorist group would never have survived. Like IS, NATO ally Hayat Tahrir al-Sham wants to create an islamic state. Turkey/NATO backs SNA well knowing that it's together with HTS. I.e. a NATO member state invades its neighbor, sides with terrorists and gets full support from NATO when its soldiers get killed while helping the terrorists. And what about Yemen?! It's truly pathetic that muslims seem more worried about islamofascism than the West! Peter Klevius to climatists: Sinophobia is a threat to the environment, because China has the slowest population growth and is the the least per capita polluter of main economies (see table below) and the main producer of alternative and conventional super high tech! Moreover, China lacks the same proportion of natural resources as e.g. Sweden, Norway etc. (e.g. hydropower) but instead has to deal with the dust smog blowing from the Gobi desert and the extreme cold from the north. And China bears the manufacturing pollution for products other countries then consume and profit on. NATO (Turkey supported by US/UK) is siding with the worst muslim terrorist organization Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (some 10,000 IS jihadi) against the people of Idlib while BBC News spreads misinfo propaganda against Syria, Russia and Iran - and nothing about the Saudi dictator family. BBC (20200217) wants to stop Chinese tech because China opposes islamofascist Uyghurs. Klevius suggests the world should stop dealing with US/UK because of involvement in war crimes and genoscides against Shia muslims. Why is Wikipedia allowed to spread polemical, tendentious and deliberately misleading info about islam? And not a word about islam's original supremacist enslavement, booty and humiliation ideology?! This misinfo is the most harmful of all! From a true (negative) Human Rights, as well as from a historical perspective, original islam may rather be seen as original fascism. The oldest Koranic texts and the historically verified beginning of islam both emphasize supremacism as the main tenet (blamed/excused on "Allah"). Islam conserves racism, sexism and supremacism as pointed out by true muslims (aka "fundamentalists") reinforced through sharia (e.g. by Saudi based and steered OIC's world sharia which is heavily criticized both by Klevius and the Council of Europe etc.). Islamic (and therefore muslim) supremacism is easily distinguished as it doesn't approve of Human Rights equality. And why does Wikipedia deliberately conflate the history of islam with the fairy tales of believers in islam?! Sinophobia is racism but "islamophobia" is criticism of an ideology. "Islamophobia" shouters are directly responsible for islamic hate crimes based on Koranic texts and hitting children of "infidels". The Saudi-US-UK axis of evil Chinese eyes less intrusive than Five Eyes (US and its puppets) - because China prioritizes trade and reputation while US prioritizes global spying, meddling and military control. The Saudi loving US puppets Duncan Smith, Davis, Paterson, Green, Ellwood and Seely etc. produce baseless "security" arguments for Sinophobic MPs. U.S. flu this season Feb. 2020: 19 million illnesses, 180,000 hospitalizations, and over 10,000 deaths (China has a third less common flu than US). 2019-nCoV, 6 Feb. 2020 (estim. total death rate 0.1-0.2%, i.e. same as common flu): 28,018 cases (not illnesses) and 563 deaths. Did the eye doctors SARS rant on social media delay response in China? It wasn't SARS but much closer to common flu - but without vaccine. Instead of assisting, US/UK/BBC did the utmost to smear China with it! Klevius warning to Finland (and the rest of the world): Don't be useful idiots in US' export of militarism! It will create tension and pull fire on you in a conflict. Four balancing power blocs is safer than one or two. Moreover, China will become the world's first true democracy thanks to AI. Don't let Sinophobia blind you. US is going down unless it starts cooperating instead of trying to rule the world. Non 5G iPhone sells well - in US - where there's no true 5G. BBC's bigoted and hypocritical Pakistan rooted, Saudi raised and Cambridge schooled "muslim" (no veil, no Ramadan fasting, but yes to alcohol etc.) presenter Mishal Husain, like many Saudi/OIC supporters, represents the "security risk" between islam's "core" (OIC sharia) and "periphery" (e.g. "Euro-islam", "cultural islam" etc.). Peter Klevius suggests cooperation instead of unfounded incl. religious) hate! Klevius is ashamed over hateful, racist Western Sinophobia - and support of hateful sharia jihad. BBC's sharia supporting (?) muslim Mishal Husain now eagerly sides with Sinophobic extreme right wing politicians who support Saudi islamofascism but demonize China and Chinese (except if critcical of China). Sinophobes would treat China exactly the same if it copied US "democracy". BBC today (20200129) forgot to tell about China already having isolated the virus for vaccine (and helped Australians to do so). However, BBC repeatedly lied that the death rate is 20%. Common flu and the new corona virus deaths (~2%) are extremely rare outside very vulnerable groups - who don't travel much. BBC, who otherwise don't hesitate to spit on Trump, has no problem using his advisor when it comes to racist Sinophobia against Huawei. US is blackmailing UK so to hinder China's tech success and the "security issue" is actually US itself. Niklas Arnberg, Swedish professor in virology: "Considerably higher mortality than ordinary flu." BBC: "Death toll rises as disease spreads from China." Peter Klevius: Both are faking! Arnberg used overall death numbers although most (all?!) of these deaths have been people who could have died from ordinary flu as well. And do you really think BBC would ever have written similarly about the deadly camel flu from Saudi Arabia?! Why is BBC spending so much more time on a 2019 flu from China than on the much deadlier 2019 camel flu from Saudi Arabia?! Why is BBC only talking about Jewish victims - and why is BBC silent about the fact that most "anti-semites" (i.e. anti-Jews) are muslims? Holocaust: 6 million Jews and 11 million "others" were murdered by the German government for various discriminatory practices due to their ethnicity, Atheism, or LGBT+. Hitler: "All character training must be derived from faith." Himmler: ""We believe in a God Almighty who stands above us; he has created the earth, the Fatherland, and he has sent us the Fuhrer. Any human being who does not believe in God should be considered arrogant, megalomaniacal, and stupid." Klevius (the Atheist "other"): That's a description of me by most Americans and muslims. Btw, why are muslim sex predators (compare Koran and sex slaves) from Pakistan called "Asians"?! And why have they been protected while Klevius has been muffled?! Islam trumps LGBT rights in English schools - and hateful sexist and racist muslim supremacism defending BBC is silent as usual (e.g. about Parkfield Community School 2020). Klevius: Do you really support US/UK/BBC's disgusting racist Sinophobia madness - and their support and use of anti-Human Rights muslim islamism?! Wikipedia: In the Xinjiang riots Turkic speaking Uyghur muslims shouted/posted "kill the Han (Chinese) and Hui (Chinese speaking muslims)"! Why is BBC so silent about Iran Air Flight 655 that was recklessly shot down by US over Iran territory killing 290 incl. 66 children?! Is it the new US puppet empire agenda? Did US aggression also cause the latest plane crash? When BBC announces "the threats of 2020" the murders, terrorism and war crimes committing Saudi dictator family isn't included. As isn't US/UK militaristic meddling and proxy wars in Syria, Yemen, Iraq etc. However, China's peaceful trade and high tech manufacturing is!? Saudi based and steered Human Rights violator OIC is the main legal guidance for the world's sharia muslims. BBC eagerly supports it by neglecting to criticize it while spitting on those who do. OIC's Cairo Declaration on "Human Rights" in Islam (CDHRI) is against freedom of religion - but abuses real Human Rights for the promotion of anti-Human Rights sharia islam. The CDHRI concludes in Articles 24 and 25 that all rights and freedoms mentioned are subject to the Islamic sharia, which is the declaration's sole source. OIC hence keeps the gate open for continued islamofascism in the "muslim world" - and as a convenient tool for meddling in "hostile states". You believer in "islamophobia"! Doesn't it scare you that if Peter Klevius is right about islam but wouldn't say anything, then who would when you're doomed on the market if you do? If Marx had been called a "messenger" then Marxism would have been protected by freedom of religion, and critics called "Marxophobes". All "monotheist" religions make excuses not to fully accept Human Rights equality, but islam is by far the worst - not the least due to its origin and the fact that it's protected, unlike other threats to Human Rights. Whereas totalitarian Marxism used to be the enemy of the West, today US is on the totalitarian islamofascist side using it for Saudi gains against declared "enemies". It's truly a grim irony when BBC protects islamofascist terrorist groups by telling you that the suffering in Syria is due to the Syrian government and Russia. US could stop the muslim terrorist groups at any time - but doesn't because it wants the war and suffering to continue. Peter Klevius fact/fake check: Why does Google (and BBC) lie and fake straight up your face about China ?! When searching for 'world's biggest per capita polluters' China comes up with extra big letters despite being When searching for 'world's biggest per capita polluters' China comes up with extra big letters despite being one of the least polluting of major economies (47th on a reliable polluters list). Moreover, China is not only the world leader for alternative technologies, but its pollution number also includes the biggest production of products exported and consumed all over the world outside China. Source: EDGAR and incl. all human activities leading to climate relevant emissions, except biomass/biofuel combustion (short-cycle carbon). US/UK (NATO) don't accept muslims like Uighur islamists (other than as proxy soldiers) - but demand China to accept them. NATO's Sinophobia is a threat to world peace, environment and prosperity. NATO is all about US monopolizing space for its own militarism and to block China's success? In 1990s Russia was proposed as a member of NATO but is now demonized by US/UK (and BBC) as the "main enemy" together with "the challenge from China" (sic). But NATO members are guilty of offensive wars, occupations, annexations, use of chemical weapons, use of islamist terrorists, foreign interventions, extrajudicial murderings in other countries - and use of similar muslim "re-education" camps as China (why not just criminalize original evil islam?!). NATO (US) threatens the free flow of tech and wealth, and provokes hate and defensive attitudes among Chinese - hence forcing China (world leader in tech) using its financial muscles more for defense (China can't be starved like USSR in 1980s) than environment. Btw, Chinese per capita GDP is 1/3 of US, and total GDP much bigger than US - and faster growing. A fraction of the effort given to demonize "islamophobic" islam criticim, would do wonders to reduce Sinophobic racism against Chinese. And stop using the "Communist threat". China is now a capitalist country similar to Western powers - except technologically much better (and the West copies everything China does in surveillance). Do you really think much would change if China would be fully democratic - except chaos caused by NATO? NATO (US/UK) would be equally Sinophobic. In fact, what is called "democracy" in the West functions quite similarly as the leadership in China. Media propaganda, lying politicians and empty promises combined with silencing the real issues (compare BBC's fake "news") - and therefore a truly democratic vote. Moreover, the only reason capitalist China has a non-democratic leadership for the moment is precisely its justified fear for leaving it vulnerable for what happened in the past when UK and US meddled and attacked with great suffering for the Chinese people. NATO should turn against the real evil, the islamofascist Saudi dictator family. Peter Klevius Christmas greeting to BBC and Tesco: Ever thought about the possibility that muslim islamists don't like making Christmas cards but are encouraged by US/UK/BBC etc. to smear China. "We are foreign prisoners (muslims?) in Shanghai Qingpu prison China. Forced to work against our will (islamic Christophobia?). Please help us and notify human rights (ultimate bigotry if sharia muslims ask for HR) organisation (Saudi based and steered OIC?!)." "British" nationalist hypocrisy: Get back control - and meddle, influence, intervene, spy and control all over the world. More than half of muslims in UK are "islamophobes" (against sharia) - just like Peter Klevius, Council of Europe etc. - but opposite to BBC and many UK politicians (source: A survey of UKs muslim communities by Martyn Frampton, David Goodhart and Khalid Mahmood MP). (source: A survey of UKs muslim communities by Martyn Frampton, David Goodhart and Khalid Mahmood MP). BBC awards a white man who plays an odd sport few are interested in the title of "sports personality of the year 2019". Why?! Because cricket is a "british" colonial sports and also fits BBC's special interest in "asians" - but couldn't find a "british asian" good enough. England voted (for the second time) against Merkels islam import from Turkey. Can islam be rehabilitated from its evil origin and deeds - and can unrehabilitated islam be allowed in public and private spheres? Why is Saudi based and steered OIC's Islamic State of Gambia accusing Aung San Suu Kyi for the consequences of islamofascism OIC's sharia protects - and why isn't the murderous islamofascist war criminal and genocide committing Saudi dictator "prince" accused of anything? And why is BBC's leading muslim extremist propaganda presenter Mishal Husain allowed to "present" an absolutely one-sided pro islamist picture for BBC's compulsory fee paying listeners? Peter Klevius fact/fake check: Why does Google lie and fake straight up your face?! When searching for 'world's biggest per capita polluters' China comes up with extra big letters despite being one of the least polluting of major economies (47th on a reliable polluters list). Moreover, China is not only the world leader for alternative technologies, but its pollution number also includes the biggest production of products exported and consumed all over the world outside China. Source: EDGAR and incl. all human activities leading to climate relevant emissions, except biomass/biofuel combustion (short-cycle carbon). US/UK (NATO) don't accept muslims like Uighur islamists (other than as proxy soldiers) - but demand China to accept them. NATO's Sinophobia is a threat to world peace, environment and prosperity. NATO is all about US monopolizing space for its own militarism and to block China's success? In 1990s Russia was proposed as a member of NATO but is now demonized by US/UK (and BBC) as the "main enemy" together with "the challenge from China" (sic). But NATO members are guilty of offensive wars, occupations, annexations, use of chemical weapons, use of islamist terrorists, foreign interventions, extrajudicial murderings in other countries - and use of similar muslim "re-education" camps as China (why not just criminalize original evil islam?!). NATO (US) threatens the free flow of tech and wealth, and provokes hate and defensive attitudes among Chinese - hence forcing China (world leader in tech) using its financial muscles more for defense (China can't be starved like USSR in 1980s) than environment. Btw, Chinese per capita GDP is 1/3 of US, and total GDP much bigger than US - and faster growing. A fraction of the effort given to demonize "islamophobic" islam criticim, would do wonders to reduce Sinophobic racism against Chinese. And stop using the "Communist threat". China is now a capitalist country similar to Western powers - except technologically much better (and the West copies everything China does in surveillance). Do you really think much would change if China would be fully democratic - except chaos caused by NATO? NATO (US/UK) would be equally Sinophobic. In fact, what is called "democracy" in the West functions quite similarly as the leadership in China. Media propaganda, lying politicians and empty promises combined with silencing the real issues (compare BBC's fake "news") - and therefore a truly democratic vote. Moreover, the only reason capitalist China has a non-democratic leadership for the moment is precisely its justified fear for leaving it vulnerable for what happened in the past when UK and US meddled and attacked with great suffering for the Chinese people. NATO should turn against the real evil, the islamofascist Saudi dictator family. DEMOCRACY DENIED: WARNING TO UK VOTERS ABOUT BBC's HUMANRIGHTSPHOBIA! WHO's RIGHT ON ISLAM - BBC OR THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE? BBC undermines your most basic Human Rights. BBC's "islamophobia" propaganda machine (incl. Sayeeda Warsi) boosts OIC islam while neglecting Council of Europe's sharp ("islamophobic") criticism of OIC's world sharia (Cairo declaration). SO HOW COME THAT BBC IS ALLOWED TO MEDDLE IN THE VOTING PROCESS BY ATTACKING AND SMEARING THOSE CANDIDATES WHO SHARE THE VIEW OF THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE - not to mention the anti-fascist Universal Human Rights declaration of 1948?! And how come that racism against e.g. Polish people in UK is of no interest for BBC while the "problem" of "islamophobia" fills all BBC "news"? Is BBC killing UK democracy and paving the way for islamofascism?BBC undermines your most basic Human Rights. BBC's "islamophobia" propaganda machine (incl. Sayeeda Warsi) boosts OIC islam while neglecting Council of Europe's sharp ("islamophobic") criticism of OIC's world sharia (Cairo declaration). SO HOW COME THAT BBC IS ALLOWED TO MEDDLE IN THE VOTING PROCESS BY ATTACKING AND SMEARING THOSE CANDIDATES WHO SHARE THE VIEW OF THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE - not to mention the anti-fascist Universal Human Rights declaration of 1948?! And how come that racism against e.g. Polish people in UK is of no interest for BBC while the "problem" of "islamophobia" fills all BBC "news"? How Merkel paved the way for Brexit (Erdogan deal) and aided jihad in EU. NATO (US) with former fascist state Germany now sides with islamofascism - especially Erdogan's Ottoman aspirations - and supports Uyghur jihadism in hope of placing NATO (i.e. US) nukes between Russia and China. Peter Klevius wonders whether this ill-directed jihad propaganda will promote peace and safety? The world bully U.S. thinks it owns and rules the world after having colonized it via dollar manipulation, infiltration, spying, meddling, sanctions and the unscrupulous use of militants and militarism. Thanks to the global dollar scam, Americans have been freeloaders on the rest of the world, the biggest per capita polluters and the U.S. by far the biggest threat to world peace via weapons built with money it stole from the world. Said by Peter Klevius who has been an anti-socialist all his life. Btw. the world's industrial revolution didn's start in England but in Sweden already in the late 17th century by inventor Christopher Polhem and capitalist Gabriel Stierncrona. Without Polhem's automation to get the rich Swedish iron ore from the mains, England had no chance to start real industrial production. A nun's gear doesn't sign other women as "whores". However, what about a woman in an islamic "chastity" gear? K.S. Lal (a giant among historians): Mahmud of Ghazni had marched into Hindustan again and again to wage jihad and spread the Muhammadan religion, to lay hold of its wealth, to destroy its temples, to enslave its people, sell them abroad and thereby earn profit, and to add to muslim numbers by converting the captives. Is BBC 100% steered by muslims? Not only can you ever hear anything critical about islam and muslims - but all main channels are also occupied by sharia (OIC) supporting (i.e. against basic Human Rights equality) muslims. Nazir Afzal ('Moral maze', news, culture etc.), Mishal Husain (news, culture etc.), Samira Ahmed (news, culture etc.), Razia Iqbal (news, culture etc.). And they all keep cheating the public about it and instead pointing finger to "dumb and hateful xenophobes". Not a word about e.g. Council of Europe's harsh critcism (see below) of muslims biggest sharia organization, the Saudi based and steered OIC. Foreigners isn't the peoblem - sharia islam is! BBC's muslims and their PC supporters also meddle in UK election by demonizing "islamophobia", i.e. trying to stop critcs of islamofascism. Muslim child/youth fascism induced by an islam interpretation from family and strengthened by PC media, politicians etc. Peter Klevius: Everyone - incl. every muslim who respects Human Rights - ought to make sure to vote for an "islamophobe"! BBC and Sayeeda Warsi will make their utmost to stop critics of islamofascism in the election. Don't be robbed of your democratic right. And of course you know that the only real problem with migration is islamofascism. BBC's "man in Hong Kong" asked street terror leader Joshua Wong if they could possibly escalate violence. And they could. One day later they put a Chinese on fire in a murder attempt. While US/UK aim for militarism and war, China aims for health and wealth. One Atheism and three "monotheisms" The Saudi Aramco and OIC scams Peter Klevius: The Saudi Aramco sale is the biggest ripoff in the world. If there's any future in oil and you don't care about environment, then why buy what's at its peak when Venezuela's PDVSA is bigger and as low it can get?! Are you an "islamophobe" if you don't like islamist Human Rights violations? Islam has (via OIC's sharia declaration) abandoned the most basic anti-fascist Human Rights from 1948. Islam is hence the only religion in doing so - not even the Catholics have needed to replace Human Rights with "Catholic human rights". The seed for world fascism is dormant in Saudi based and steered OIC's world sharia - opposed by ECHR and Peter Klevius, but supported by Sayeeda Warsi. Breakit instead of Brexit because what's the point of leaving one EU while still staying in an other called UK? England voted leave. However, unfortunately BBC demonizes China on behalf of UK's relying on militarist meddling, weapons sales and islamofascist sharia finance. So you see the solution: Cut off sharia etc. islamofascist ties and open up for prospering with China - not the over-selfish game of spying and dying of US. BBC boosts stupid nationalist "Britishness" with peculiar "sports" like cricket and rugby because the world has already "colonized" football and the English language is a global property. Nigel Farage is like BBC against "islamophobia" and pro-Saudi - but Boris Johnson doesn't like letter boxes and was criticized by Theresa May for being critical against the Saudis while serving as her foreign minister. However, unfortunately BBC demonizes China on behalf of UK's relying on militarist meddling, weapons sales and islamofascist sharia finance. So you see the solution: Cut off sharia etc. islamofascist ties and open up for prospering with China - not the over-selfish game of spying and dying of US.BBC boosts stupid nationalist "Britishness" with peculiar "sports" like cricket and rugby because the world has already "colonized" football and the English language is a global property.Nigel Farage is like BBC against "islamophobia" and pro-Saudi - but Boris Johnson doesn't like letter boxes and was criticized by Theresa May for being critical against the Saudis while serving as her foreign minister. China (laws against sharia islamofascism) and EU (Human Rights against sharia islamofascism) are now the only ones protecting basic (negative*) Human Rights. * Religious people and socialists don't like negative Human Rights simply because they prefer collectives ("communities") rather than individuals. That's why the web is full of misinfo about these rights. Read Peter Klevius definition instead if you want a deep view - or listen to Lauren Chen starting from 7:11 if you want it light The Saudi "custodian of islam" has some 1.5 billion "citizens" in the muslim world Ummah nation - and demands the world to bow them no matter what (as long they aren't Shia or so, of course). China, on the other hand, keeps its citizens and laws within its own borders. IS islam IS fascism and islam (even the archbishop agrees). So why is sharia fascism not separated from an "islam" that submits to basic Human Rights? As it stands now Saudi based and steered OIC's sharia (the 1990 Cairo declaration) still stands as the basic Human Rights violation via sharia muslims all over the world. And whereas China actively tries to erase sharia islamofascism, EU keeps promoting import of it while judicially telling us it's not right, yet doing nothing to stop it. Unlike the West, China hasn't aggressively meddled militaristically in other countries around the world, but rather being the world's foremost spreader of new technology and wealth. And whereas the West has eagerly supported Mohammed's totalitarian aims, China has, in practise, implemented in law most of the Human Rights advices that The Council of Europe has directed against OIC. Against this background West's Saudi backing and China smearing is deeply bigoted and hypocritical. John le Carre: I'm depressed and ashamed of British nationalism. Nationalism needs enemies but today we really have no identifiable enemies except among ourselves. North Atlantic (sic) Treaty Organization invades a country in Mideast and attacks (with chemical weapons) a people without a country. UK's Brexit business model: Sharia finance, weapons sale and militaristic meddling?UK Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (sic) and Global Neo-Imperialist and Militarist Meddling, Jeremy Hunt, 15 Oct. 2019: It's wrong to accuse Donald Trump - it's Americans isolationism because American taxpayers don't want to pay between 1/2 and 2/3 of the defense of Europe. And Turkey is very skilled at finding wedges and gaps between allies. UK should be EU's bridge to US. Peter Klevius: No, EU should take care of its own defense - against whom? The Saudi dictator family who is the world's no 1 spender on weapons and islamic terror incitement and who hates EU's anti-sharia legislation? And UK taxpayers should not have to pay more for dangerous militarism. Militaristic meddling is a bad and dangerous business idea. Read K.S. Lal (free online) on islam's evil spread! A Google (i.e. U.S. web monopoly) search (20191006) reports 'islamists Hong Kong' "missing". Really! No islamists in Hong Kong? Peter Klevius also wonders if EU citizens in UK are UKongers and can peacefully demand the same rights as Joshua Wong violently demands (and eagerly broadcasted by BBC) for Hong Kongers? Really! No islamists in Hong Kong? Peter Klevius also wonders if EU citizens in UK are UKongers and can peacefully demand the same rights as Joshua Wong violently demands (and eagerly broadcasted by BBC) for Hong Kongers? Peter Klevius cong r atulates Savid Javid for abandoning the islamofascist "islamophobia" smear. BBC s bigoted hypocrite Mishal Husain and others ought to follow! BBC's Mark Mardell couldn't get a visa to China because of his extreme and hateful Sinophobia - but that didn't stop him/BBC from producing a fake anti-China program series while pretending to be there. Is Sinophobia really better than cooperation? Are EU citizens in UK included in Tom Tugenhadt's "British people"? Sinophobe Tom Tugendhat, chair of UK's Foreign Affairs Committee (who has studied islam and Arabic in Mideast) suggests that English speaking universities should consider banning Chinese students because "they might be used as leverage like Huawei". Peter Klevius wonders if one could be any more racist than this, and if he doesn't see any islamofascist sharia supremacist "leverage" at all? Btw, there are more than 50,000 Chinese muslims in Hong Kong. Peter Klevius wonders how many of them are "radical" ones and participate in BBC's lengthy anti-China propaganda "news" - while the world doesn't suffer from Chinese but from muslim violence and Human Rights violations? US/UK destroyed the lives of millions of Chinese during some hundred years of evil militaristic meddling. BBC is now busy smearing China all the time while supporting Saudi islamofascism and violent Hong Kong demonstrators - but neglecting the mass of peaceful pro-China demonstrators. BBC also "worries" about Chinese "surveillance state" while the truth is China's technological superiority. US is much more insidious in its surveillance policies but lacks the techno - can't even produce a working 5G so far. US/UK follow exactly China but utilize the meantime to smear it. And who is really behind the Hong Kong riots? Someone who can't take China's success? But the Syria tactics won't work. US (and its UK puppet) wants to be able to meddle militarily near China - therefore its interest in Taiwan, Hong Kong, Korea, Tibet, Myanmar, Uyghur extremist muslims etc. As Greta Thunberg is allegedly reported to the Swedish social authorities, Peter Klevius suggests that her parents read his thesis Pathological Symbiosis in LVU, Relevance, and Sex Segregated Emergence. Keeping in mind that Peter Klevius daughter was only 15 when she entered university and at 16 made her graduate paper about women in ancient times, it shouldn't be considered too sensitive for Greta either. Also read the attached email correspondence which clearly shows how democracy is manipulated. And why not consider Keeping in mind that Peter Klevius daughter was only 15 when she entered university and at 16 made her graduate paper about women in ancient times, it shouldn't be considered too sensitive for Greta either. Also read the attached email correspondence which clearly shows how democracy is manipulated. And why not consider Angels of Antichrist, the Social State vs the People (P. Klevius 1996) . And last but not least, Peter Klevius 1981/1992 Demand for Resources (original titel Resursbegar) Peter Klevius and the Council of Europe share exactly the same "islamophobia". Council of Europe. Resolution 2253 (2019), Sharia, Saudi based and steered OIC's Cairo Declaration and the European Convention on Human Rights: Human Rights protect the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion as enshrined in Article 9 of the European Convention on Human Rights. The right to manifest ones religion, however, is a qualified right whose exercise, under Article 17 of the Convention, may not aim at the destruction of other Convention rights or freedoms. Human Rights protect the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion as enshrined in Article 9 of the European Convention on Human Rights. People in UK-land (especially women) will loose their Human Rights after Brexit - while sharia prevails in UK, and UK citizens in EU are protected by the European Court of Human Rights. Brexit was meant to protect UK from muslim invasion via Turkey's proposed visa free deal with Merkel. Even the possibility of temporary membership in ECHR (in case of a deal) isn't enough - especially considering UK will be out of reach of the European Court of Justice. US loosing the tech war - and starting a real one? A muslim wants to criminalize Peter Klevius islamophobia. Really! West's indulgence of islamofascism (sharia) has made its boasting against China about "democratic values" empty. The risk of you being stabbed, raped etc. by a hateful jihadi is created by your political leaders, BBC etc. - who also have arranged so it's not even called a hate crime. Peter Klevius stands for these "stops" and due huge implications - all shame on him if you can prove him wrong (click links if you need to educate yourself before saying something stupid): Stop using Stop using the misleading 'gender' instead of sex (sociology)! Stop islam's abuse of Human Rights (jurisprudence)! Stop saying humans came "out of Africa" (anthropology)! Stop talking about "consciousness" when you don't know what you're talking about (philosophy/ai). Peter Klevius: BBC supports the islamofascist Saudi dictator family's strategic use of supremacist islam which has spred muslim hate all over the world's streets, institutions etc. (and usually not correctly, if at all, reported by BBC which instead doesn't hesitate to give long coverage of "alternative news" that better suits its propaganda) - while muslim terrorist organizations keep it within muslim territories. So if true Salafists became the "gurdians of islam's holy places" then that would mean less muslim terror elsewhere. And less to cover up for BBC. How big a contributor to the suffering of islamic supremacist hate crimes has BBC's fake (and lack of) info been? Will we in the future see BBC in an international court accused of crimes against humanity? As it stands now the spill over effect of BBC's cynical support of proxy evil is stained in blood and rape etc. over innocent p North Korea has strictly screened people and goods coming into the isolated country from the outside world in a "brisk campaign" over fears of the spread of the Zika virus, according to the North's state media on Tuesday. A recent edition of the Pyongyang Times newspaper said, "The rapid spread of the Zika virus over the world arouses growing concern." North Korea held a "national emergency meeting to take immediate measures to counter the virus," the article said, without specifying exactly when the meeting was held. "A campaign is brisk to raise public awareness. Visitors from foreign countries and foreign products are strictly screened at airports, ports, railway stations and border areas," it said. North Korea's health authorities also "advise the public to refrain from touring countries or regions where the virus is highly prevailing." Previously, North Korea showed frantic measures against the outbreaks of deadly viruses in foreign countries. Pyongyang lifted a months-long ban on foreign travelers earlier last year due to the spread of the Ebola virus. Last week, China confirmed its first case of the imported Zika virus amid growing fears over the fast-spreading illness that is blamed for birth defects such as incomplete brain development. China is North Korea's key trading partner and tens of thousands of Chinese tourists are estimated to visit North Korea a year. The World Health Organization has declared the Zika virus outbreak a global emergency. Zika was first discovered in Africa, and has spread to parts of Asia and Latin America, including many Caribbean countries. It is related to yellow fever, Japanese encephalitis and dengue fever, with 1 in 5 infected showing signs of fever, rash and joint pain. (Yonhap) It's starting to look like the enormous natural gas leak, which dragged on for more than three months and led to the relocation of thousands of Porter Ranch residents, might be sealed forever very soon. The leak had been spewing gas into the air since October 23, causing physical side effects like headaches and nausea in (it's been temporarily stopped for now). Many of them want a number of new precautions for when they return, reports the LA Timesthey're asking for the air inside their homes to be tested by an independent body, to make sure that no hazardous chemicals are lurking in there (like, say, benzene). They're also asking for the older wells at the Southern California Gas Company's leaky field to be replaced, and for a live feed of infrared cameras to be set up to watch the wells all the time. Whether or not any of these wishes will be granted is another story. It's completely unclear whether the residents are going to get these things. Two state agencies, the California Air Resources Board and the South Coast Air Quality Management District, are testing the air in the area, but Senator Barbara Boxer and residents are both pushing for an independent study, or one by the Environmental Protection Agency. A SoCal Gas Company spokesman wouldn't even comment on the possibility of a network of infrared cameras to monitor the gas field, and would only say, "We know we've angered people, but SoCal Gas is committed to doing everything we can to regain trust and make sure this never happens again." Even after the troublesome well is permanently sealed up, the saga isn't over for SoCal Gas, or for any of the many people and parties taking them to court. The gas company is facing a whopping 67 lawsuits, both criminal and civil, as a result of the nearly-four-month-long leak. The state's Division of Oil, Gas & Geothermal Resources is also in the process of learning from this whole disaster, "updating all of the regulations that cover natural gas storage." So there might be a whole new batch of rules for them to comply with eventually too. Porter Ranch-area residents call for cameras, tests and other safety measures [LAT] What Happens in Porter Ranch Now That the Enormous Gas Leak is Finally Plugged? [Curbed LA] SoCal Gas Company Knew It Had Failing Pipes at Site of Massive Porter Ranch Gas Leak [Curbed LA] PORTAGE, Wis. (AP) Investigators are holding the estranged husband of a woman who was fatally shot at a hotel in Portage. The 41-year-old mother from Friesland was killed Monday in the parking lot at Ridge Motor Inn. Police say a witness at the hotel said the suspect drove off in a white Jeep Grand Cherokee and also provided a license number. A Columbia County sheriff's deputy stopped the husband's vehicle a short time later and held him at gunpoint until other officers arrived to assist with his arrest. Authorities say a gun was found in the man's SUV and is believed to be the firearm that killed the victim. Court documents show the victim had filed for divorce in October and a hearing in the case was set for Thursday. The Wisconsin Supreme Court primary on next Tuesdays ballot will be the only decision to make for voters in most area jurisdictions. But residents of the Bangor School District have more at stake. Seven candidates are in the running for three at-large seats on the Bangor School Board, and the voting on Feb. 16 will eliminate one of them. Two incumbents are on the ballot: Joanie Wilcox and Paul Wuensch, who serves as president of the board. A third incumbent, Dave Vetrano, opted not to run for re-election. The five other candidates on the primary ballot are Paul Amborn, Michelle Glandt, Charles Horman, John McCue and Douglas Servais. The top six vote-getters will move on to the April 5 election. Profiles of the candidates ran in the Coulee News over the past couple weeks and can be found on our online edition at www.couleenews.com. Bangor School District voters also will be asked on Tuesdays ballot to decide whether to approve a renewed three-year revenue-cap override. The districts existing $600,000 override expires at the end of the 2015-16 school year. The district is asking voters to override the state-mandated revenue cap by $800,000 the first two years and $900,000 the third year. If the referendum is approved, the tax rate for the school district is expected to rise from $11.47 to $11.71 per $1,000 equalized property value for the first years override. That translates to a $24 tax increase in the taxes on a property valued at $100,000. If the override referendum doesnt pass, the district could face a shortfall of more than $600,000 the first year, and by the third year the shortfall could be more than $1 million. To avoid making deep cuts to programs and services, the district would likely launch a second operating revenue referendum in time for the start of the 2016-17 school year if next weeks referendum fails. Voters across Wisconsin will have three Wisconsin Supreme Court justice candidates from which to choose next Tuesday. Incumbent Justice Rebecca Bradley, who was appointed to the court in October by Gov. Scott Walker after the death of Justice N. Patrick Crooks, will face an election challenge from Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Joe Donald and Appeals Court Judge JoAnne Kloppenburg, a former assistant attorney general who lost a close race for the high court to Justice David Prosser in 2011. The top two vote-getters will move on to the election on April 5, which also is the date of the states presidential primary. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is considering a request to fill more than 105 acres of wetlands and to clear about 117 acres of vegetation for the construction of a high-voltage power line between Holmen and the Madison area. Most of the proposed wetland impacts would be temporary as contractors install matting to accommodate heavy machinery during the construction of the Badger-Coulee transmission line, according to a permit application published Friday. At least 273 poles erected to carry the 181-mile line will permanently fill about one acre of wetlands, according to the application. The project will require clearing vegetation from about 117 acres of forested wetland, although more than 91 percent of the route approved by Wisconsin utility regulators follows existing interstate highway and transmission line right-of-way. The proposed route includes two crossings of the Black River and one of the Wisconsin River, in addition to 105 other waterways. It could affect a handful of threatened or endangered species, including the Northern long-eared bat, the Eastern Massasauga rattlesnake and the Karner blue butterfly, as well as the Higgins eye and sheepnose mussels. The Corps of Engineers is accepting comments on the application through March 13 from the public as well as federal, state, local and tribal agencies. There is no public hearing scheduled, though people can request one by writing to the Corps. A joint venture of American Transmission Co., Xcel Energy, La Crosse-based Dairyland Power Cooperative and two other utilities, the 345-kilovolt line will originate at a new substation on Briggs Road in Holmen that was completed this fall as part of CapX2020, another high-voltage transmission project running across Minnesota and western Wisconsin. According to ATC, the 180-mile line will improve system reliability and provide a pipeline to bring wind energy from western states to eastern population centers. The $580 million estimated price tag will be passed on to ratepayers throughout the Midwest. It will connect to CapX2020, a project connecting western Minnesota and the Dakotas to Rochester and La Crosse. The Wisconsin portion of CapX was completed in September with an approved price tag of $211 million. Construction on Badger-Coulee began Jan. 20 in Dane County and is expected to continue through the end of 2019. The Republican-controlled Senate appears headed for a showdown with the Republican-controlled Assembly over a private property rights bill that would roll back laws protecting lakes and wetlands. The Assembly passed the bill last week, but on Tuesday the Senate will be asked to vote for a new version that removes or softens about a dozen provisions that environmentalists have said would be destructive to wildlife habitat and water quality. It lessens some of the things that we hoped to accomplish, but compromise is part of the process, said Lars Fiorio, spokesman for the lead sponsor for the original Senate version of the bill, which was identical to the one passed by the Assembly. Sen. Frank Lasee, R-De Pere, on Monday voted with the two other Republican members of the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Energy to recommend the bill without an Assembly provision that would entitle lakefront property owners to possession of near-shore lake bed that is now public property. The two Democratic members voted against. The amended bill offered by the committee chairman, Sen. Robert Cowles, R-Green Bay, also eliminated provisions that would create a general permit allowing lakeshore owners to dredge several dump trucks full of lake bed annually if it was fill material even illegally dumped fill that was added before 1975. Not all of the amendments would leave environmental safeguards intact. One would loosen restrictions on filling, dredging and installation of certain shoreline structures, but not to as great an extent as the Assembly bill. Still, the amendment does away with area of special natural interest protections for lakes and wetlands with endangered species and those subject to management plans. The DNR could restore some protections by redesignating waters as sensitive, but it wasnt clear how long it would take for the department, which has experienced ongoing staff cuts, to do that. The amended version of the bill retains a provision to make it easier for developers to fill certain wetlands. Environmental advocates said the provision would encourage acquisition and destruction of wetlands that are important for wildlife habitat, flood control and water purification. But the Senate amendment removed sections of the Assembly bill that would: Prohibit the DNR from requiring sediment to be tested for toxic chemicals before they are stirred up by dredging. Allow property owners on Lake Michigan and certain other waters to cut vegetation and level beach areas near the water. Relax rules for boat docks shared by owners of adjacent properties, and make it easier to expand existing boathouses. Allow elimination, without a permit, of roadside ditches that are currently classified as having value as wetlands. Make it easier to install artificial rock riprap barriers on shorelines. Allow dumping of fill material in lakes to repair damage caused by illegal dredging. Change rules for operating vehicles in certain shallows and near-shore areas. The amendment also removes a provision allowing replacement of seawalls in sensitive waters without a permit. Instead, a general permit with less intensive environmental review would be available. The La Crosse Police Emergency Response Team searched 113 S. Fourth St., No. 1, about 7:30 p.m. during a drug investigation. The team recovered 2.5 grams of heroin, four handguns, including one that was stolen, $2,332 and stolen items, according to police. Arrested and facing charges are: Albert Williams III, 34, of Onalaska for heroin delivery, possession with the intent to deliver heroin, being a felon in possession of a firearm, maintaining a drug trafficking dwelling and possession of THC; Michael Jones, 20, of La Crosse for a Texas warrant for armed robbery, being felon in possession of a firearm, possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia, criminal damage to property, burglary and disorderly conduct; and Whitney Dunagan, 21, of La Crosse, for possession of heroin with the intent to deliver and possession of drug paraphernalia. SPARTA Prosecutors filed felony charges Monday against two men hospitalized early Saturday after a stabbing at a mobile home park in Sparta. Joseph Ethier suffered a deep cut to his forearm and hand inflicted by James Mallette, who intervened when Ethier pushed Mallettes sister at a residence at the Oak Meadows Mobile Home Park at 100 Avon Road, according to a complaint filed in Monroe County Circuit Court. The men continued fighting outside until Ethier punched Mallette, who was treated for a facial fracture, police said. Ethier needed eight stitches to close a cut on his forearm and four to close one on his hand, according to the complaint. Mallette, 32, of Black River Falls, is charged with second-degree recklessly endangering safety, endangering safety by use of a dangerous weapon, substantial battery and disorderly conduct. Ethier, 25, of Sparta is charged with substantial battery and two counts disorderly conduct, all as a repeat offender. The men are due in court Feb. 22 and March 7. Its fitting that Gov. Scott Walker signed a bill into law to dismantle crucial aspects of Wisconsins civil service system at the home of a temp agency, because this law has the potential to turn our state agencies into revolving doors for their employees. Before Walkers attack on civil service, state law worked to ensure, as former Gov. Bob La Follette intended, that the best shall serve the state. Hiring practices were designed to promote hiring based on merit rather than political connections or ideologies. New employees were selected from within the agencies in which they would be working, rather than by a top-level governors appointee. And state employees had protections against unfair termination to defend against retribution for political opinions out of sync with the current state administration. As a result, our state agencies were largely protected against cronyism, corruption and political interference, allowing them to fulfill their essential missions to serve the citizens of Wisconsin. This law will not make the management of the state workforce more efficient, as Republicans have claimed. In fact, the law will make it harder for our state workers to serve the public. State agencies are tasked with sensitive functions such as implementing laws, regulating businesses and distributing public funds fairly. Yet this law dismantles protections against the political pressures that can punish state employees just for doing their jobs. Under Walker, we already have seen heavy-handed attempts by Wisconsin Republicans to target agency departments and employees that dont toe the official line on issues such as climate change, with dozens of science education jobs eliminated from the Department of Natural Resources in the last state budget. This law will allow partisanship to further permeate our state agencies, corrupting their missions and denying crucial services to Wisconsinites. Moreover, this law opens the door to subjective hiring and promotion that will reward incompetence, favoritism and bias in our state agencies. Rather than cultivating an atmosphere of excellence in serving the public, this law goes in the opposite direction. The law also strips time-tested, common-sense standards of investigation and discipline, instead allowing political appointees to implement whatever standards they like. Transparency of government will be reduced, exactly when we need more sunshine on our states operations, not less. The outcome of this law is likely to be disastrous to Wisconsins public services. For example, state agencies are responsible for ensuring safe food, water, highways, buildings and so on. State programs provide crucial basic services that make life bearable and help businesses prosper. We cannot allow these basic services to be weakened and subverted in order to satisfy a campaign donor or promote an ideology. Our lives are too important. Im proud of the efforts of union members and community supporters to draw attention to this crucial issue through the Coalition to Save Civil Service. Despite the fact that this bill is now law, I know that this coalition will continue to serve as watchdogs, doing their best to defend the missions of our state agencies and to ensure that Wisconsins citizens receive the support and services they need. The Fine Arts Foundation of the Westby Area has great news. After raising nearly $800,000 in donations and pledges, FAFWA is excited about the April 5 referendum seeking community approval for the construction of a community performing arts center. Currently, 74 percent of the Westby middle and high school students participate in the music programs. The band, choral and drama students perform in a gymnasium with poor acoustics and inadequate lighting, with audience members sitting on bleachers and metal folding chairs. Imagine being able to see and hear and sit in comfortable seats. The visual arts display is held in the gymnasium with bad lighting, crowded access and limited visibility. The achievements of students and local artists in secure, lighted display cases and areas will be appreciated by all visitors. A community performing arts center will be good for the local economy. Groups, piano and dance recitals, other schools, communities and professional groups may use it for meetings and shows. People will attend these events, fuel their cars at the gas stations, and come early to eat dinner at local restaurants before attending a performance or meeting. FAFWA representatives will be providing more information in the upcoming weeks at school concerts and other community groups. Watch for their red Build it Now T-shirts. Our group is excited about the community performing arts center becoming a reality at long last. Republican lawmakers are receptive to overhauling the states embattled job creation agency after years of problems, including being caught flat-footed by last weeks announced closure of Madisons Oscar Mayer plant. Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, said Tuesday he plans to discuss with Democrats their concerns about the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. and is interested in addressing sincere, legitimate problems, but he isnt proposing his own plan yet. He said WEDC not proactively contacting Kraft Heinz as other states did in the months after a merger was first reported could be one of the issues discussed with Democrats. Its unlikely such contact could have saved Oscar Mayer, but similar situations could arise in the future. Legitimate issues have been brought up, Vos said in an interview. We have taken steps to fix many of those, but Im not saying its perfect and Im not saying that there are not things that we could additionally do. Sen. Rick Gudex, R-Fond du Lac, is also working on legislation to address economic development issues that were discussed during a series of hearings around the state. Gudex spokesman Tim Lakin said he expects bills will be introduced by the end of the year, with hearings in January and floor action in February or March. At this point we are not ready to discuss specifics, Lakin said. These are still very fluid discussions. Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald, R-Juneau, noted in a statement that a WEDC review by the Center for Regional Economic Competitiveness is due out in December. The Legislature should first review the suggestions laid out in the audit before we discuss moving forward with changes to the agency, Fitzgerald said. In September, Democrats proposed splitting the agency into separate public and private entities, saying the change is necessary because the model is ineffective and the WEDC brand is tarnished. Under the proposal from Assembly Minority Leader Peter Barca, D-Kenosha, and Sen. Julie Lassa, D-Stevens Point, a cabinet-level department similar to the former Commerce Department would oversee all of the states economic development efforts. The other would be a public-private board that would lead trade missions, recruit businesses, market the state and help develop industry clusters. Barca said some of the main problems he wants to address include the state continuing to rank poorly compared with neighboring states in job creation, the agency using private lawyers to recoup unpaid loans rather than the Attorney General and the states federal economic development programs being run through the Department of Administration, contrary to the original goal of having all programs run through one state agency focused on job creation. Barca also cited high turnover among top executives as a problem that needs to be addressed. Last week three vice presidents announced plans to depart, including the agencys fifth chief financial officer in four years. The WEDC board discussed the Oscar Mayer closing at its meeting Tuesday afternoon. New CEO Mark Hogan said the agency has been meeting with state and local officials about Oscar Mayer and plans to meet with Kraft Heinz officials next week. Were at all hands on deck to move forward and make sure we make the best of the situation, Hogan said. In response to questions about why the agency didnt reach out to Kraft Heinz, Hogan acknowledged its what we say we do, and we should make sure were refocused on it and learn from everything that happens. Chief Operating Officer Tricia Braun explained that local economic development agencies and municipalities are typically the boots on the ground that alert WEDC about distressed businesses. But she also said the agency this week reached out to an Italian company with operations in Missouri that bought a Green Bay company. Gov. Scott Walker and the Republican-controlled Legislature set up WEDC hastily in 2011 as the flagship agency for helping achieve Walkers goal of creating 250,000 jobs in his first term, a target the state missed by half. The agency was embroiled in a series of management flaps and critical audits early on. In May, another scathing audit showed that problems persisted under the agencys second CEO. And the State Journal reported on a still unpaid $500,000 loan to a struggling Milwaukee construction company made at the urging of Walkers top cabinet secretary. The companys owner, a top Walker donor, submitted false information on the loan application, but the agency hadnt conducted a formal staff review. In the wake of the report, the agency determined it had made 28 awards to companies totaling $126 million between 2011 and 2013 without a written staff review. The agency has implemented more than 100 policies since 2013 to prevent a repeat. Earlier this year, the Legislature removed Walker as WEDC board chairman at his request, cut agency funding and sunset its loan program in 2017. Republicans proposed removing legislators from the board, though the proposal hasnt advanced. Both Republicans and Democrats have called separately for creating specific criminal penalties for defrauding WEDC, though Republicans have yet to introduce a proposal. The Democratic proposal authored by Sen. Dave Hansen, D-Green Bay, and Rep. Chris Taylor, R-Madison, which is being introduced this week would also create a hotline for reporting WEDC waste, fraud and abuse. The state Senate scheduled a vote for Tuesday on a bill to ease the sale of public water systems into private hands, just days after the League of Wisconsin Municipalities reversed course and pulled its support for the legislation. Late Monday, Senate leaders added Assembly Bill 554 to the agenda for Tuesdays floor session. The Legislature is considering the proposal at the request of Aqua America Inc., a Pennsylvania-based corporation that owns drinking water utilities in eight states. Lars Fiorio, a spokesman for the bills lone Senate sponsor, Sen. Frank Lasee, R-De Pere, said he wasnt aware of any Wisconsin water utilities that wanted to sell, but the legislation still had value by providing an alternative. AB 554 would make it legal for out-of-state corporations to buy a water utility. Under current law only in-state companies can do so. No Wisconsin corporations are in that business now, the Assembly lead sponsor, Rep. Tyler August, R-Geneva, has said. Wisconsin law currently mandates a vote by the public on any proposed sale. The election must be held after the state Public Service Commission sets the price and terms. Under AB 554, that vote becomes optional, being held only if residents collect enough signatures before the terms of sale are set. After Aqua America contacted the League of Wisconsin Municipalities, the organization registered in favor of the bill, because the league usually supports laws that put policymaking in the control of elected officials as opposed to public referendums. But on Friday, in a rare move, the leagues board met and voted 13-0 to withdraw support. One board member cited a Wisconsin State Journal report on high costs at the states only large privately owned water utility, said league assistant director Curt Witynski, but most objections focused on the large investments of public money that have built water delivery systems. Only one of Wisconsins roughly 80 large water utilities is privately owned. Allete Inc. of Duluth, Minnesota, has owned the water system serving Superior since 1923, and its customers pay among the highest rates of the large systems, according to PSC data.The PSC allows Allete to collect from water users total annual revenue that includes a 9 percent rate of return over operating expenses, more than any of the large water systems. When the PSC sets rates for water customers in Superior, it includes the profit expectations of Alletes shareholders, PSC documents show. The state Assembly is expected to vote Tuesday on a package of bills that aims to reduce the financial burden of higher education, as the Senates top Republican warns the scope of the legislation will likely be reduced to keep its price tag down. State Rep. Dave Murphy, R-Greenville, co-author of many of the proposals, said Monday he is still optimistic the full slate of bills which would give a tax break to some student loan borrowers and increase funding for need-based grants to technical college students, among other provisions will be signed into law. But Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald, R-Juneau, said Sunday on WISN-TV that the bills will be scaled back as a result of lower-than-expected state tax revenues. A lot of initiatives, I think, are going to be much tougher to get through in the final months here in the Legislature, just because of the price tag thats associated with them, Fitzgerald told WISN. Myranda Tanck, a spokeswoman for Fitzgerald, said Monday that specific plans for reducing the proposals cost have not been made, but would likely involve only passing some of the bills or paring back certain provisions so they are less expensive. Fitzgerald said he wants to see the bills price reduced from its current $10 million to around $2 million. It will probably be just doing as much as we can with what the remaining spending allows us to do, Tanck said. Democratic critics have said the bills even in their full form would only help a small percentage of current students and graduates with debt, and wont do nearly enough to make college affordable. The state Assembly will take up the bills, which Gov. Scott Walker touted in his State of the State address, during a floor session Tuesday. Murphy has been in talks with Walker, Republican leadership and senators about the legislation, he said, but has not yet discussed removing or cutting back on provisions. Murphy said some compromises on the package could be made, but declined to say what those were. Along with the tax break and aid funding, the bills would provide state money to give students emergency grants to cover unexpected expenses and hire coordinators to match Wisconsin college students with internships. They would also mandate that institutions provide students with financial literacy information about the loans they are taking out. Even in light of the tighter financial picture, Murphy said he believes all of the measures are worth passing and will have support in the Assembly. Were going to keep pushing to try to get the package through as intact as we possibly can, and well see how that all falls into place as we go forward, Murphy said. Its all good legislation. A Senate committee is scheduled to hold a hearing on the bills Wednesday. Terri Griffiths, chief of staff for committee chairwoman Sen. Sheila Harsdorf, R-River Falls, said a committee vote on the bills has not been scheduled. Ten years ago, the Introduction to American Politics and Government course was one of the most-attended at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Now, it's barely hanging onto a spot on the list of the 100 highest-enrolled courses. Enrollments in that introductory-level political science course and a race and ethnicity class have dropped more than any others in the last decade. In the same period, basic computer programming and engineering design classes have taken off in popularity, but none has been able to knock off General Chemistry I as the school's most-popular course. UW's Office of Academic Planning and Institutional Research each semester compiles a list of the 100 courses with the highest enrollment. For purposes of this story, we looked at the figures for the fall 2005 and fall 2015 semesters and the 54 courses that were ranked in both. Chemistry 103, the look into the behavior of gases, liquids and solids that's a prerequisite for many upper-level science classes, added 425 students in the last 10 years to stay at No. 1 in the rankings. Overall, UW-Madison officials have noted a trend toward higher interest in STEM courses science, technology, engineering and math as well as health disciplines. "We still provide students a liberal arts education and have general education that requires breadth," Associate Provost Jocelyn Milner said. "But we do see more students wanting to take those gateway courses into the sciences and then stay around in majors that are sciences." Introductory-level courses in STEM staples chemistry, biochemistry, computer sciences and engineering had some of the biggest climbs in the rankings between 2005 and 2015. Biochemistry 501, a junior- and senior-level course, climbed 40 spots to 14th, more than doubling its enrollment to 820 students. "Biochemistry is a gateway subject to a lot of areas of scientific research," said Brian Fox, chairman of the biochemistry department. "You understand biochemistry and you can be working in the agriculture sector, medicine, energy science, nutrition quite a few things that would spring from that introductory-level course. I think that partly plays in there." Other courses haven't been so stable. Changes in what students have on their transcript as they enter college and departures of teaching personnel are among what department chairs cited as reasons for some of the biggest drops in ranking. Political Science 104, Introduction to American Politics and Government, has fallen from the eighth-most popular course to 98th in 10 years. It had 917 students enrolled in the fall of 2005; in the fall of 2015, only 271 students took the course. David Canon, chair of the UW political science department, theorized that the biggest reason for the drop has been a rising number of students who enter UW having completed an Advanced Placement U.S. government exam for college credit. He pointed to statistics that showed the U.S. government AP test was taken by 282,571 students nationally in 2015, compared to just 129,323 in 2005 and 45,328 in 1997. If they already got credit for the AP exam, students don't take the intro course at UW, Canon said. Another factor, he said, was the department's shrinking of discussion sections about seven years ago from 22 students to 17. "Given that there has not been an increase in funding for teaching assistants to compensate for the decline in the size of the sections, the number of available seats in the overall course was reduced," Canon wrote in an email. "While this change was made to improve the quality of teaching, it also was done to remain competitive with our peer institutions. Our graduate students were working more for less pay than our competitors, so this was one way we could try to remain more competitive." Canon added that a shrinking of intro to American politics courses is a trend wider than just at the UW. Even though its numbers are falling, UW's political science department still awards one of the highest numbers of degrees at the university. The 90-spot fall from eighth to 98th in the list of 100 highest-enrolled courses for Poli Sci 104 was the largest between 2005 and 2015 among courses listed on both years' top-100 lists. But it was far from the only one to take a steep drop. Changes in instructors helped move Sociology 134, Problems of American Racial and Ethnic Minorities, from 15th to 79th in enrollment. In 2005, the course had six lectures, according to the Fall 2005 timetable, and 680 students. Ten years later, there were just 290 students in two lectures. Sociology department chair Pamela Oliver said that departures of popular instructors Gary Sandefur (to become dean of the College of Letters and Sciences and, later, to Oklahoma State) and Ruth Lopez Turley (to Rice University) changed the direction of the course. It is now taught by adjunct instructors, and Oliver said the department is uncomfortable giving them more than 100 or 200 students at a time. "Since the departure of Turley, we have not had a faculty member whose specialty is race and ethnicity," Oliver wrote in an email. "In addition, being able to do well in the very large lecture format is a talent that only some people have. It requires a very different teaching style from even a 100-person class. Four hundred students had been enrolled for the term Sandefur was scheduled to teach before he left, and we got extra lecturer funds so we could divide these students into several smaller sections that term, but this was a one-time special allocation." Oliver said there has been some corresponding increase in enrollment in Sociology 170, a faculty-taught class on population problems that she said "has incorporated an emphasis on racial disparities in health and been certified as an ethnic studies course." Second- and fourth-semester Spanish language courses also were among the 10 biggest drops in ranking. Spanish 102 fell 57 spots to 95th after a loss of 166 students, and Spanish 204 moved from 26th to 49th, losing 119 students in the enrollment tabulations. It often can be difficult to give an exact reason for a rise or fall in course enrollment, said Milner, who heads the Office of Academic Planning and Institutional Research and studies the trends in roughly 3,000 classes offered at UW each semester. "It is hard to make the distinction between when the trend is a consequence of how many seats are actually available, how the course is offered, in contrast to student interest," she said. A researcher might not notice every big change in demand for a course, Milner said. The movement in STEM courses was noticeable, however. In 2000, 32 percent of UW-Madison juniors and seniors were enrolled in STEM majors. By 2014, that had risen to 41 percent, according to a 2014 report. "Given the number of students we have and the tendency for these things to be inelastic ... that's a pretty big change," Milner said. UW research indicated that most of the growth in STEM majors has taken place since 2008, when the Great Recession changed the country's economic picture and, perhaps, the outlook for careers after school changed for students. "There is a student interest clearly in that direction," Milner said. "The nationwide speculation is driven by economic considerations, student and family perceptions that that's where the jobs are." Fox, the biochemistry chair, said it's no coincidence that courses in computer sciences, business law and engineering design had some of the biggest gains in the top-100 ranking between 2005 and 2015. "Those kinds of gateway classes that get you into something that will go to your next step I think are of interest," he said. No course climbed more spots between 2005 and 2015 than Computer Sciences 302, Introduction to Programming. It rose from 97th to 17th, adding 477 students for 176 percent growth. In the fall 2005 semester, the intro to programming course was the only comp sci class in the 100 most-popular courses. Ten years later, six other comp sci classes joined it. "There has been a big shift in people correctly realizing that computer science is broadly important," Mark Hill, computer sciences department chair, told the Cap Times last fall. General Business 301 (Business Law) moved up 51 spots in the rankings to 31st with a gain of 222 students. Engineering 160 (Intro to Engineering Design) advanced 47 spots to 32nd. Non-STEM courses aren't going anywhere, however. No course added more students between 2005 and 2015 than Music 113, Music in Performance, which went from 505 students (ranked 28th) to 1,320 (fifth). Between the fall 2005 and fall 2015 semesters, total undergraduate enrollment increased by 1,122, or 3.9 percent. Newborn boy found in restaurant toilet doing well WEST COVINA, Calif. Police say a newborn boy found in a toilet at a Subway restaurant in California is doing well. West Covina police spokesman Rudy Lopez says a detective sent to the hospital learned the infant will begin taking formula sometime Tuesday. The baby was initially described as being in critical condition because the cold water lowered his core body temperature. Employees found the baby after a bleeding woman left the sandwich shop Monday, and they followed a trail back to the toilet. The suspected mother, a homeless woman, was arrested nearby for investigation of attempted murder and child abandonment, but she remains hospitalized. Former Miss America contestant critically hurt in car crash PITTSGROVE TOWNSHIP, N.J. A former Miss New Jersey who competed in the 2014 Miss America pageant was critically injured when her convertible spun off a highway and hit a tree, state police said Tuesday. Cara McCollum was northbound on Route 55 in Pittsgrove Township on Monday night when her car veered off the road and struck a tree, then spun again and hit two more trees before ending up in an embankment, police said. The 24-year-old from Margate was alone in her vehicle and was not wearing a seat belt. She remained hospitalized Tuesday in critical condition. A hospital spokeswoman said her family has requested that no further information about her injuries be released. The cause of the crash remains under investigation. Cosby loses appeal; case appears headed to evidence hearing PHILADELPHIA Bill Cosbys criminal sexual-assault case appears to be headed toward an evidence hearing after a judge denied his latest effort to throw the charges out. In a ruling Tuesday, the judge who refused to dismiss the case earlier this month denied Cosbys appeal of that decision. The 78-year-old TV star is accused of drugging and violating an ex-Temple University employee at his suburban Philadelphia home in 2004 and could get 10 years in prison if convicted. The defense insists Cosby had a promise from a previous district attorney that he would never be charged over the 2004 encounter. Providence College students stage sit-in, cite campus racism PROVIDENCE, R.I. Students at a Catholic college in Rhode Island are occupying the presidents office over allegations of campus racism. About 50 Providence College students sat in the Rev. Brian Shanleys office Tuesday and plan to stay until he signs an agreement of commitment. The Providence Journal reports Shanley refused to sign the agreement and offered to meet with students Wednesday. The primarily black students say Shanley hasnt responded to a list of demands they presented in December. Associate Vice President Steven Maurano says Shanley cant sign the agreement because some of the demands, such as curriculum changes, require a discussion with faculty. About 100 Providence College students in November called on Shanley to address racism on campus. The colleges Class of 2019 has about 1,030 students; 16 percent are black, Hispanic, Asian or Native American. Judge: Louisiana cant enforce abortion law during appeal NEW ORLEANS A federal judge ruled Tuesday that Louisiana cannot enforce an abortion law while appealing his pretrial order against it. U.S. District Judge John deGravelles (duh-GRAV-uhl) made the decision in a lawsuit brought by three abortion clinics and their doctors. Lawyers for the state immediately asked the federal appeals court in New Orleans for an emergency order to overrule him and overturn his January preliminary ruling that the law is unconstitutional. Under the law, doctors who perform abortions must be able to admit patients to a hospital within 30 miles. Supporters say its intended to protect women. Opponents say it would close four of Louisianas five clinics. 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28 (1) Aug 27 (2) Aug 24 (1) Aug 21 (1) Aug 20 (1) Aug 18 (3) Aug 16 (1) Aug 15 (1) Aug 14 (1) Aug 11 (1) Aug 08 (1) Aug 07 (1) Aug 03 (1) Jul 27 (1) Jul 26 (1) Jul 24 (1) Jul 22 (1) Jul 21 (1) Jul 19 (1) Jul 15 (1) Jul 14 (1) Jul 13 (3) Jul 10 (1) Jul 08 (2) Jul 07 (1) Jul 06 (1) Jul 03 (1) Jul 01 (1) Jun 28 (1) Jun 24 (2) Jun 20 (1) Jun 19 (1) Jun 18 (1) Jun 15 (1) Jun 14 (2) Jun 11 (1) Jun 09 (3) Jun 08 (1) Jun 07 (1) Jun 06 (1) Jun 04 (2) Jun 03 (1) Jun 02 (2) Jun 01 (1) May 31 (3) May 30 (1) May 29 (1) May 28 (2) May 26 (1) May 25 (1) May 18 (1) May 17 (1) May 15 (1) May 09 (1) May 07 (2) May 02 (1) May 01 (1) Apr 30 (1) Apr 27 (1) Apr 26 (2) Apr 23 (1) Apr 22 (1) Apr 19 (1) Apr 18 (1) Apr 12 (1) Apr 11 (1) Apr 09 (1) Apr 07 (1) Apr 05 (1) Apr 01 (1) Mar 30 (1) Mar 27 (1) Mar 25 (1) Mar 22 (2) Mar 19 (1) Mar 18 (1) Mar 16 (1) Mar 15 (2) Mar 13 (1) Mar 12 (1) Mar 11 (1) Mar 10 (1) Tuesday, February 16, 2016 Today, I'm teaching ineffective assistance of counsel in my Criminal Adjudication class. One of the cases I will be discussing is Walker v. State, 723 S.E.2d 610 (S.C. App. 2012), which was decided by Judge John Few, the Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals of South Carolina. Judge Few teaches Advanced Evidence at the law school, and I've had lunch with him a few times. During one of those lunches, we (and another judge) discussed Serial and Undisclosed. Walker is another in a long line of cases stating the duty of a lawyer to contact a prospective alibi witness. It has particular relevance to Adnan's case In Walker, Joseph Walker was charged with kidnapping and first-degree criminal sexual conduct. The victim testified that on March 2, 2002, she sought a man's help in fixing her broken-down car at a BP gas station in Denmark, South Carolina. The man fixed her car with a wire he purchased nearby for $30. The victim did not have enough money with her, so she told the man to follow her home so she could pay him. She said the man came into her house uninvited, blindfolded her, drove her to his house, and raped her throughout the night. Early the next morning the man blindfolded her again, drove her home, and threatened to kill her if she told anyone. The victim testified that a few hours after she got home, she drank a rum and coke to calm her nerves. The victim identified a man in the surveillance videotape from the BP station as her assailant. The BP store manager then identified the man as Joseph Walker. During a recorded police interview, Walker claimed he could not have committed the crimes because he spent the night with his girlfriend, Robina Reed, on March 2, 2002. Walker admitted he was at the BP station on March 2, but denied helping the victim fix her car. He said he left the BP station and went to see Reed at Hardee's, where she worked as a manager. Walker said he then stayed at a friend's house until about 10:00 p.m., when he drove to Reed's house to spend the night. Although Walker's trial counsel watched the recorded interview, she did not investigate Reed as a potential witness. At the PCR hearing, she claimed she thought her investigator was following up on Reed. Walker testified he told the investigator about Reed, and the investigator wrote Reed's name in the case file. Trial counsel said she did not know what, if anything, her investigator did to investigate Reed. After Walker was convicted, he claimed that he received ineffective assistance based upon his trial counsel's failure to contact Reed. The PCR court granted relief, prompting the State to appeal. On appeal, Judge Few began by noting that "[C]riminal defense attorneys have a duty to undertake a reasonable investigation, which at a minimum includes interviewing potential witnesses and making an independent investigation of the facts and circumstances of the case."...The duty to investigate a potential witness is even more critical when the witness might provide an alibi. Applying this law to the case at hand, Judge Few noted that Trial counsel did nothing personally to investigate Reed as a witness. Her claim that her investigator was exploring Reed's role in the case also does not satisfy her obligations under the Sixth Amendment. The duty to represent the client belongs to the lawyer. While it may be reasonable to allow investigators and paralegals to do some or all of the investigatory work, trial counsel has a duty to supervise the investigation, make sure it is completed, and familiarize herself with the results. Trial counsel's failure to adequately investigate Reed as an alibi witness under the circumstances presented in this case was unreasonable under prevailing professional norms, and therefore deficient performance under the Sixth Amendment. Notably, as in Adnan's case, the State claimed that Walker's trial counsel acted reasonably by employing a different trial strategy that did not involve alibi testimony by Reed. Judge Few easily turned this argument aside: The State points out, however, that the defense presented a theory that Walker and the victim had consensual intercourse and there was no rape. The State argues this was "a far better theory" than an alibi defense because an alibi would not have explained the victim's detailed and accurate description of Walker's house and truck. The State thus argues that trial counsel's failure to investigate Reed as an alibi witness is justified as a valid strategic decision. This argument mischaracterizes the role of strategy in the analysis of trial counsel's performance. If counsel had properly investigated the alibi defense, and then made an informed strategic decision not to pursue it, the State's argument would be persuasive. However, because trial counsel did not conduct an adequate investigation of the alibi defense, she could not have made an informed strategic choice. And there you have it: (1) some investigation of an alibi defense by a private investigator is not effective assistance if defense counsel fails to contact the alibi witness; and (2) defense counsel cannot make the strategic decision to forego an alibi defense and pursue an alternate defense without first contacting the alibi witness. This is the same reasoning that Judge Welch (or the Court of Special Appeals of Maryland or the Court of Appeals of Maryland) is likely to apply in Adnan's case.* _________________________ *Interestingly, Judge Few found that Walker did not satisfy the "prejudice" prong because Reed eventually testified at the PCR hearing that "she could not specifically remember whether Walker spent the night with her on March 2." The Supreme Court of South Carolina eventually reversed on appeal in Walker v. State, 756 S.E.2d 144 (S.C. 2014), concluding as follows: "While we acknowledge, as did the PCR court, that Reed's testimony was not as clear as it could have been, due in part to the passage of five years, one viable interpretation of it was that Walker spent the night of March 2 with her." I agree with this "one viable interpretation" language, especially when alibi witnesses are testifying years after the event in question. -CM https://lawprofessors.typepad.com/evidenceprof/2016/02/today-im-teaching-ineffective-assistance-of-counsel-in-my-criminal-adjudication-class-one-of-the-cases-i-will-be-discussing.html California: Berryessa Dam from Blue Ridge. 'LAZAROW WORLD HIKE-ABOUT: WHAT IN THE WORLD IS HIKE-ABOUT?' Hike-about is an adventure that commenced June 2010. After storing our household movables, ridding ourselves of a house but retaining our 'home' together, we set off with the purpose of hiking in different parts of the world, not forgetting the home country, the USA. Our primary focus is hiking to mountain peaks but any challenging hike will do just fine. Extended stays enable us to enjoy and experience living in various places amongst differing cultures. Hike-about has evolved into a way of life. It's also a process of discovery, both the world and ourselves. We work and live 'on the road' but return to the city in which our grandchildren reside, every couple of months. This provides us the wonderful opportunity to be with them as well as a child or two, even three and of course, friends. By March 2022, the blog contained over 1,400 hikes, each a set of pictures with stories and anecdotes from the trails. An index to the right allows the viewer to identify earlier experiences. Finally, we are often asked about the journey's end. Our reply, as accurate as we can state, is: "When we are either forced to cease through health issues or the enjoyment level no longer reaches our aspirations, we will hang up the boots." "A Life Experience As No Other: Dare to Seize the Day Together", published by Fulton Books, depicts our life on the road and mountains until the beginning of 2017. It has developed 'exponentially' since then. Jenni and Jeffrey Lazarow Whereas we continue to update the blog regularly, we no longer circulate email notifications often. Buddhist monks fought with troops in Thailand on Monday during a protest against government interference. Television reports showed troops and monks clashing after the soldiers tried to stop them from entering a park in Nakhon Pathom province, west of Bangkok. Some protestors held signs calling on the government to name Buddhism as the countrys national religion. Most Thais are Buddhists. There is fighting over which monk will lead them. The top candidate is 90 years old and being investigated for financial crimes. Last year, Thai Buddhisms ruling Sangha Supreme Council said the monk was not guilty of charges he had stolen millions of dollars. Critics say Thai Buddhism has been hurt by leaders who have many luxuries, use illegal drugs and have improper sexual relations. Buddha Issara is an activist monk. He says we need to reform Thai Buddhism because it has become rotten Im Dorothy Gundy. The Reuters news agency reported on this story. Christopher Jones-Cruise adapted the report for VOA Learning English. Kathleen Struck was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section, or visit our Facebook page. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story luxury n. something that is expensive and not necessary rotten adj. not morally good A former reporter for Chinas official news agency says the government forbids him to accept an award in the United States for a book he wrote about the Great Chinese Famine. Yang Jishengs book -- called Tombstone -- was published in 2008. In December, Harvard Universitys Nieman Fellows program gave him an award for writing the book. It is 1,200 pages. The book tells about the famine that lasted from 1958 to 1961. Yang estimates that at least 36 million Chinese died during the famine. He wrote that the government hid information about the disaster, which was caused by agricultural mismanagement. As he researched the book, Yang was permitted to see many government documents that others had not read. Recently, China has allowed authors to write about problems during the time of former leader Mao Zedong. But the government does not permit discussion of national disasters. Yangs book has been banned in China. In a telephone interview with the Associated Press on Tuesday, Yang said the official Xinhua news agency would not permit him to travel. He did not say how it would stop him from leaving the country. And he did not say if his passport had been taken from him. Because Yang worked for the Chinese government, his pension could be at risk. Yang says he traveled to Sweden in November to receive the Stieg Larsson Prize in Stockholm. The 76-year-old writer said he accepted the prize with grief. This time he told officials of his travel plans, and they stopped him. He said he could not give more information because he is not permitted to speak to foreign reporters. I grieve for the 36 million starved dead, he said in a speech. I grieve that this human tragedy that occurred five decades ago is still being covered up, while those who uncover this human tragedy are pressured, attacked and slandered. After he retired from Xinhua, Yang wrote for a history journal that publishes articles that the government sometimes does not like. In a message published online, he said he stopped working for the journal last year after he was pressured to do so by people at Xinhua. The Xinhua news agency did not immediately answer a message asking for an interview about Yang. Im Mario Ritter. The Associated Press reported on this story. Christopher Jones-Cruise adapted the report for Learning English. Kathleen Struck was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section, or visit our Facebook page. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story forbid v. to order (someone) not to do something; to bar pension n. an amount of money that an employer pays to a retired worker grief n. deep sadness, caused especially by someones death This is Whats Trending Today. Boutros Boutros-Ghali was the United Nations Secretary General in the first part of the 1990s. He died in Egypt on February 16. He was 93. His name became one of the top trending topics worldwide on Twitter on Tuesday. An Egyptian newspaper, al-Ahram, reported Boutros-Ghali died due to complications from a broken pelvis. An Egyptian diplomat, Boutros-Ghali was elected to a five-year term as U.N. Secretary General in 1991. The Washington Post wrote Boutros-Ghali presided over the U.N. during two of the worlds worst genocides. Hundreds of thousands of people from the Tutsi and Hutu ethnic groups in Rwanda were killed during his term. Boutros-Ghali called it, my worst failure. About 100,000 also died during the civil war in Bosnia. The New York Times called his term a chaotic period. It was marked by diplomatic conflicts with the United States over Bosnia and a failed raid in Somalia that resulted in the death of 15 Americans. The event was documented in a film called Black Hawk Down. The Washington Post also noted there were regular disagreements between the U.S. and the U.N. over unpaid dues, totaling close to $1.5 billion. After leaving the U.N., Boutros-Ghali wrote in his memoir of the difficulty in dealing with American President Bill Clinton. He wrote, His mocking pronunciation of my name Boo-trus, Boo-trus sounded like a jeering mob. While there were many tweets and messages of support for Boutros-Ghalis family upon the news of his death, there were also some references to his unique name. One person wrote God, I loved that mans name. Others were quick to reference a viral video that Boutros-Ghali appeared in after his term ended. Boutros-Ghali did an interview with comedian Sacha Baron Cohen. Baron Cohen was known in the late 1990s and early 2000s for playing a character called Ali G. Cohen, as the loud, ill-informed street personality Ali G, interviewed celebrities and politicians on his television show. Many of them were flustered by his act, but Boutros-Ghali was praised for handling the interview with poise. And thats Whats Trending Today. Im Dan Friedell. Dan Friedell wrote this story for Learning English. Hai Do was the editor. Who do you remember from Boutros-Ghalis term? We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. ___________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story chaotic adj. in a state of complete confusion or disorder pelvis n. the wide curved bones between the spine and the leg bones poise adj. showing a calm, confident manner flustered adj. upset or nervous A United Nations expert on human rights in North Korea has warned that the countrys dictator, Kim Jong Un, could be responsible for crimes against humanity. Marzuki Darusman is the agencys top investigator for human rights in North Korea. On Monday, he released a report on a UN investigation into human rights abuses in the closed country. The report said the UN Human Rights Council should tell Kim and other senior North Korean leaders that they could be held responsible for human rights crimes. The council will review the report next month. North Koreas human rights abuses are among the worst in the world. UN investigators say the abuses are the worst since World War II. UN investigators have said North Korean leaders should be tried at the International Criminal Court. The UN Security Council would have to approve the prosecution. China and Russia are members of the council. They do not support the prosecution of the Norths leaders. They can veto any Security Council decision. UN investigators have accused the North Korean government of operating a large system of prisons holding political prisoners. They say North Korean officials have ordered murder, enslavement, torture, imprisonment, rape, forced abortions and other sexual violence. Im Jonathan Evans. This story was based on information from VOANews.com. Christopher Jones-Cruise adapted this report for Learning English. Kathleen Struck was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section, or visit our Facebook page. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story review - v. to look at or examine prosecution - n. the act of holding a trial against a criminal suspect abortion - n. an operation to end a pregnancy and cause the death of the fetus Today, Grassley is the ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, giving him influence on the confirmation process and making him the chief spokesman for Republican concerns about President Barack Obama's judicial nominees. Back then, however, Grassley was an Iowa House of Representatives member trying to make it to Washington. Part of the unusual answer starts at an Iowa hospital way back in the mid-1970s, when Senator Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) was ill during his first campaign for U.S. Congress. The Senate confirmed Jane Kelly to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit on Wednesday, faster than any other circuit court nominee during the Obama administration. How in less than three months did she navigate a process that has come to represent partisan bickering and Senate gridlock? With Grassley in a University of Iowa Hospital bed, a Republican county chairman and small-town lawyer named David Hansen went out and campaigned for him, the senator explained at Kellys confirmation hearing in February. "And you know, you don't find county chairman doing that that often in our state," Grassley said. "I won that primary and won that election obviously, and he gets all the credit for it." Once in office, Grassley remembered the effort. Grassley says he twice suggested Hansen for federal bench positions: first to the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Iowa during the Reagan administration and then to the Eighth Circuit during the George H.W. Bush administration. "He's been a friend of mine as well," Grassley said of Hansen, now an Eighth Circuit senior judge, on the Senate floor Wednesday. The connection to Kelly's nomination: She clerked in the Eighth Circuit for Hansen during 1992 and 1993. Hansen sent Grassley a hand-written note supporting Kelly, noting that she has an "exceptionally keen intellect" and "will be a welcome addition to the court if confirmed." Another key: Grassley and Senator Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) have had a congenial working relationship for years when it comes to judicial nominees from their state. Senators also give great deference to the opinions of senators from a judicial nominees home state. "Ms. Kelly's nomination moved so quickly as a result of the support of my senior colleague from Iowa, Senator Grassley," Harkin said in a written statement about the vote. All of that is not to ignore Kellys qualifications. Kelly, an Iowan who would be only the second woman judge in the circuit's history, has also been a federal public defender in the Northern District of Iowa, a contrast to many prosecutors on that circuit's bench. Harkin said on the Senate floor Wednesday that she is a lawyer who stood out as a person of intellect who has wide bipartisan support from the Iowa legal community. And the American Bar Association gave Kelly a unanimous qualified rating (although other nominees who have waited longer got unanimous well-qualified ratings). Kelly was confirmed by the full Senate in a 96-0 vote just 83 days after her nomination. The average for uncontroversial Obama circuit nominees to go through that same process is 272 days, according to a Congressional Research Service report from September. The closest in speed was Evan Wallach, who was confirmed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit in November 2011, just 103 days after his nomination. On the other end of the spectrum is Caitlin Halligan, a nominee for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit who withdrew after a nomination process that lasted more than two years because of constant opposition from Republican senators. Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), chairman of the judiciary committee, noted the speed in a written statement issued after Kelly's vote, saying Kelly has "proven the exception to the practice of Republicans of holding up confirmations of circuit nominees for no good reason for months." Alliance For Justice, a progressive group that has pushed for swifter judicial confirmations, applauded the vote in a written statement. "This is how the process should work and we hope it is a sign of things to come," Michelle Schwartz, director of AFJ's justice programs, said. LEXINGTON, Neb. - Lexington Regional Health Center said Monday that 19 patients had information compromised by the theft of an auditors laptop. LRHC CEO Leslie Marsh said the information on the laptop may include up to a name, a hospital number, a service code, and a charge for the service. There was no other financial, banking, or identity information such as an addresses, account numbers, or social security numbers, Marsh said. Seim Johnson is an Omaha accounting firm that audits LRHCs finances annually, along with other hospitals throughout Nebraska. The laptop was stolen in Nashville, Tenn., according to an Associated Press report. Marsh said the firm determined that the password protection on the laptop was not adequately encrypted to protect against a potential breech by testing a similar model to the one that was stolen. Seim Johnson is providing resources to patients whose information may have been compromised, Marsh said. She learned of the potential leak late last week, she added, though the AP report indicates the laptop was stolen in December. The number of LRHC patients involved paled in comparison to another Nebraska facility, according to the Associated Press. CommunityHospital in McCook has told nearly 4,200 former patients that their identity information was contained on the laptop. The hospital says Seim Johnsons subsequent investigation couldn't confirm that the laptop's encryption software was functioning, according to AP. The hospital's health information manager, Rachel Berry, says the hospital is "not aware of any activity that would make us believe the information has actually been accessed or viewed." Disclaimer: Some of the links and banners on Life in Israel are ads, and some are affiliate links. Affiliate links are links that will earn me a commission off any purchases you might make after clicking on the link/banner, though you will not pay more because of that. ARTHUR POSSING QUARTET Arthur Possing is a young luxembourgish pianist. Born in 1996, he started with classical piano at the age of 10, nowadays in the class of well-known pianist Jean Muller. In 2009, he began jazz piano with Marc Mangen and in 2011, vibraphone with Guy Cabay. The Arthur Possing Quartet was formed in 2013. The members of the group met in school (music section) and soon started to play together regularly. They now are all students of the Royal Conservatory of Brussels and the Conservatoire de la Ville de Luxembourg. Their repertoire consists of own compositions, as well as tunes of jazzmen they really appreciate. The quartet plays modern jazz, with influences from all different kinds of genres, without forgetting the tradition. The musicians are: Arthur Possing-Piano Maxime Bender-Saxophones Sebastian "Schlapbe" Flach-Double Bass By Debobrat Ghose and Sameer Yasir New Delhi: Main akela hi chala tha janib-e-mazil magar; Log saath aate gaye aur karvan banta gaya (I started alone for my destination, but people joined along the way and it formed a caravan)- these famous lines of noted poet and lyricist Majhrooh Sultanpuri aptly describes the protest rally of the journalists on Tuesday noon in New Delhi. It all began with less than a hundred journalists from print, electronic and web mediamainstream English to vernacular dailiestaking out a rally from outside Press Club of India in the National Capital. It culminated in a large gathering almost double the number by the time it reached the Supreme Court premises. Holding placards and raising slogans against Delhi Police for failing to take action against the culprits behind the attack on journalists and students at the court premises, the scribes demanded an immediate arrest of those lawyers, who were involved in the violence on Monday. Journalist, Azaan Javaid, a tall-built bearded young man, wearing baggy jeans, stood at the entrance of the club holding a placard that read, Stand up in defence of the Right to report. Javaid, who works for DNA newspaper, was attacked by lawyers inside the court premises where he along with other reporters had gone to cover JNU Students Union president Kanhaiya Kumars court hearing at the Patiala House Court in New Delhi. I thought it was the end of us, and we would soon be killed. There were lawyers looking for JNU students, and when we told them we are from media, they checked our identity cards, then kicked us and abused female reporters. I somehow managed to save myself and a female reporter, Javaid told Firstpost. The worst part was people whom we know in the court (lawyers) just acted as mute spectators and laughed at us. The police was of no help either, he said. Ranjit Kumar Jha, Delhi correspondent for a Mumbai-based Hindi daily said, This JNU drama should end now. Politicisation of the issue should immediately be stopped. This type of activities hasnt occurred for the first time. Earlier too, many incidents had taken place on campus. Ganga Dhabha used to be the spot where students used to gather to express their views, but of course, without the presence of media. This time it happened near Sabarmati Dhabha in the presence of a news channel. The impact is visible before us. Besides, the Left, the Right affiliated ABVP also has its presence in the campus. In the past, Sandeep Mahapatra became JNUSU president as an ABVP candidate. Now Congress is politicising the issue as their footprint is negligible in the campus. Enough is enough. Now, it should end. The journalists demanded immediate arrest of the culprits involved in the attack on students and reporters within the court complex, besides taking action against the police personnel who were mute spectators. Media is the fourth pillar of democracy. If journalists, who are a part of that pillar are beaten, their legs are broken, that fourth pillar breaks down. We are the only ones who stand for democracy in this country. If we dont protest, today when would we? Journalists are beaten inside the premises of a court and they are beaten by the lawyers without any reason. If this is not hooliganism, what is it? Can you call it patriotism? Sumit Awasthi of IBN7 said. As the police stopped the crowd from marching towards Supreme Court by erecting barricades, Amit Baruah, an independent Delhi-based journalist said he remembered walking on the same streets in 1986 when defamation bill was brought by Rajiv Gandhi among many other marches protesting the denial of the basic rights of journalists. These attackers should be punished. The journalists were doing their job in the court. Delhi Polices job is to arrest these perpetrators and punish them. That is not happening, which is why we are here, said Baruah. Finally after the police allowed entry to the Supreme Court, a group of senior journalists, including three victims of the Monday scuffle, met the registrar of the apex court and submitted a memorandum. There was a visible anger among journalists against Delhi police Commissioner BS Bassi who sought to hush up the matter by terming the incident as 'minor'. Later, the journalists also gave a memorandum to Home Minister Rajnath Singh. Bassi Sahib needs to look into himself. I dont know why he has said it was minor scuffle. My reporter Amit Panday told me that he received more than 100 slaps. God forbid if Bassi Sahib or a cop would have been slapped. Would they have called it a minor scuffle? asked Awasthi. Analysing the JNU fiasco, Arun Kumar, retired professor, Centre for Economic Studies and Planning, said, This episode should come to an end, but it is not possible because it has got converted into a political issue. JNU has both ideologies-extreme Left and extreme Right. We teach students to critically analyse every issue and think about advancement of knowledge. JNU is known for its free and analytical thinking. A handful of students, mostly from outside, raised anti-national slogans, and for this the entire university cant be branded as an anti-national institution. An orchestrated campaigning is going on to malign it. The students and teachers of the university have to resist this unholy move. Those who raised slogans should be punished under the law, but simultaneously we are not so weak that mere slogans could divide India. New Delhi: The government is considering to increase the foreign investment limit in public sector banks to 49 per cent from 20 per cent with a view to attract overseas inflows. The Finance Ministry is looking into the proposal, sources said adding it may be announced in the forthcoming Budget 2016-17. If the government accepts this proposal, it would lead to amendments in various Acts dealing with public sector banks to enable raising foreign investment limit. Currently, 20 per cent foreign investment is permitted in the PSBs under government approval route. Last year, the government had relaxed the foreign investment norms in private sector banks. It had introduced full fungibility of foreign investment and accordingly FIIs, FPIs, QFIs were permitted to invest up to sectoral limit of 74 per cent, provided there is no change of control and management of the investee company. Earlier, portfolio investment was permitted up to 49 per cent in private sector banks. The increase in foreign investment would result in flow of capital which public sector banks require urgently. Government can provide limited support to state-owned banks as resources are limited. Last year, the government had announced a revamp plan 'Indradhanush' to infuse Rs 70,000 crore in state-owned banks over four years, while they will have to raise a further Rs 1.1 lakh crore from the markets to meet their capital requirements in line with global risk norms Basel III. As per the blueprint, PSU banks will get Rs 25,000 crore this fiscal and also in the next fiscal. Besides, Rs 10,000 crore each would be infused in 2017-18 and 2018-19. Of the Rs 25,000 crore earmarked for 2015-16, the government has pumped in about Rs 20,088 crore in 13 public sector banks so far. PTI New Delhi: Solar power industry wants the government to give tax incentives and financial support to make 'solar' an attractive and viable option, ahead of the Union Budget. The government has ambitious plans for deployment of 175 GW renewable power capacities by 2022, including 100 GW of solar. "The solar rooftop industry will certainly need better non-recourse financing options by increasing power sector exposure limits of domestic banks," one of the players in the solar industry said. Amplus Solar MD & CEO Sanjeev Aggarwal said extension of tax holidays, waiver of electricity duty and banking charge for solar rooftops, activating REC benefits for rooftop projects and captive projects will certainly motivate more rooftop installations to come up in cities and towns. "The industry corridors are echoing with the chatter around various sops proposed by the government to improve the power situation in the country," he said. "The need of the hour is to create an effective ecosystem to enhance solar power generation capacity across India. Enforcement of net metering guidelines across states and renewable purchase obligations, strengthening of grid infrastructure to accommodate intermittent solar power, and promoting storage solutions by way of incentives, subsidies etc. form the foremost asks of the solar power industry," he said. While bankability of the discoms still remains a concern, going ahead it will be necessary for the state and Centre to conduct targeted studies to assess strengthening of grid infrastructure to accommodate intermittent solar power and banking of power, Aggarwal said. The solar rooftop industry will certainly need better non-recourse financing options by increasing power sector exposure limits of domestic banks, another player in the solar industry said. KPMG's Santosh Kamath said in the forthcoming budget there should be an outlay for incentivising storage technologies which would be useful for both solar as well as the electric vehicle industry. Asserting that there should be allocations to make coal plants flexible, he said this may be provided to states with high levels of solar and wind resources as a support mechanism to encourage adoption. He said the government should continue with allocations for the solar water pump programme to make it sustainable. PTI Mumbai: Promising an aviation manufacturing ecosystem, US aircraft maker Boeing, which has for long been losing defence-related orders from India to the likes of French Rafale, on Tuesday said it is up to the government to decide if it wants to continue imports or build capacity locally. "India has to make a decision whether it wants to keep buying from France or want to create industrial capacity. At the end of the day, India has to decide, from creating an industrial capacity point of view, who is the right partner," Boeing India president Pratyush Kumar told PTI in Mumbai on the sidelines of the 'Make in India Week'. He was responding to a query on New Delhi placing an order of 36 fighter jets with French defence major Rafale earlier in a multi-billion dollar deal. The terms of the deal also involve domestic assembly over a period of time. For long, India has been sourcing from Europe and Russia. "What we're offering is a different proposition to create an entire ecosystem for aerospace, not just the final assembly of aircraft," Kumar said. His comments follow recent announcement from another European major Saab that it's ready to go the whole hog on local manufacturing in the country. Noting that India has overdependence on foreign technologies, he said, "If you want to break that cycle and grow industrial capacity, you've to think differently." On the difference that Boeing can bring to the table, he said, "How do you make different components, the avionics, the systems... and then integrate them, which is our differentiated offering." He cited the American experience of manufacturing the Super Hornets, saying over 2,000 companies from 44 states contribute to the process. Kumar also claimed that over the past 14 months, the company has more than doubled its sourcing from the country, but refused to put a figure to it. It is estimated that both Boeing and Airbus source parts like fuselage, doors and other spare parts worth $1 billion each from India. He further said local manufacturing is not just about creating jobs alone, it is about creating industrial capacity. "Jobs will automatically follow. How do you create the industrial capacity to build complex technologies?" Kumar also sounded bullish about the domestic aviation market and said he expects to corner at least 50 per cent of the projected 1,700 new aircraft orders from the country over the next two decades. "We are estimating that over 1,700 aircraft will be ordered in India over the next 20 years. There are tremendous growth opportunities... we are targeting more than half of that (1,700)," he said. Late last year, Boeing had projected that Indian civil aviation sector will grow by 1,700 units over the next two decades. The domestic commercial aviation market is already the fastest growing in the world with more than 20 percent growth. He said unlike IndiGo, which has placed a whopping 430 orders with Airbus for a very long term, the orders that Boeing gets are of short-term horizon. "Our customers like Air India, Jet Airways and SpiceJet have ordered for shorter time-frame horizon. So, they'll come back and order," he said. Asked about the success of the home-grown light aircraft Tejas, he said there is room for everyone as the middle class market is growing faster, increasing the propensity to travel. "We see the market to continue to grow," he said. PTI The October-December earnings of state-run banks mark the biggest ever bad loan clean-up drive ever witnessed by Indias banking industry. Its certain that more skeletons will fall out of the closet in the coming quarters since banks will have to finish disclosing all bad assets by March 2017. Banks like Bank of Baroda and IDBI Bank have reported their biggest ever quarterly losses in the December quarter as they recognised more bad assets. The plight of these state-run banks, which top the non-performing assets (NPA) list, would surely give sleepless nights to finance Minister Arun Jaitley, to work out his budget math, since the capital requirements of PSBs will increase manifold as they need more money to set aside against bad loans. State-run banks account for 70 percent of the market and carry 90 percent of the bad loans in the industry. The already announced Rs 70,000 crore capital infusion is too little. The government needs to infuse substantially higher amount. Pulling up banks to declare their bad loans is certainly a good move since this exposes the hidden rot in the banking system. But, when it comes to recovery of the money that has already gone bad, this alone wouldnt do. How the government can recover the NPAs? To answer this question, one needs to understand the bad loan picture first. Of the total bad loan stock of Rs 4, 43,691 crore crore in the banking industry, about 65-70 per cent is from the corporate sector. Going by the RBIs December Financial Stability Report (FSB), credit to top 100 large borrowers (corporate borrowers) constituted 27.6 percent of the credit to all large borrowers and 17.8 percent of the credit of all banks. The share of Gross NPAs of these borrowers in total GNPAs of all SCBs increased sharply from 0.7 percent in March 2015 to 3.1 percent in September. The sharp increase in the share of NPAs of large borrowers to the total GNPAs from 78.2 percent in March to 87.4 percent in September is a major concern to the lending institutions and other stakeholders, the RBI said. This means the government has to crack the whip on corporate promoters to recover the existing chunk of bad assets. A good bankruptcy law can help address future cases of default. But, what about the existing stock of bad loans? Take the example of liquor baron Vijay Mallya, whose grounded airline kingfisher owes over Rs 7,000 crore (the actual amount will be more including the interest component) to a clutch of 17 banks, including State Bank of India (SBI). Even after four years (Kingfisher loan turned NPA in 2012), no bank has managed to make any meaningful recovery from Mallya despite having all the powers vested with them by the RBI, including the wilful defaulter tag -- once described by governor Raghuram Rajan as a powerful weapon for banks. The question is what is the invisible force that has helped Mallya to take on 17 large banks in the country for so long? The answer should be obvious. Clearly, Mallya has cleverly used the legal system to his advantage to delay the loan recovery by banks. Before SBI finally tagged Mallya as a wilful defaulter in November 2015, the liquor baron had managed to force Kolkata-based United Bank of India to reverse its decision (to tag Mallya as wilful defaulter) getting a favourable court verdict on technical ground. The court ruled in favour of Mallya citing that instead of having three members, the grievance redressal committee of the bank had four members. Theoretically, the wilful defaulter tag can be a nightmare to any promoter, since that makes him an outcast from the whole financial system with no leeway to avail funds from any other institution. Nor the promoter can be a part of any other company until the tag is lifted. But, none of this has worked in the Kingfisher case for banks to get their money back. Kingfisher is just one case. There are several others where th e rich and powerful have cleverly manipulated the banking system and judicial loopholes in the system to their advantage, whereas the small and weak (retail borrowers) typically dont have the wherewithal to take on banks with long legal battles and hence get caught. Rajan, has openly criticised Mallya when he said loan defaulters shouldnt flaunt their wealth in public as this can send a wrong signal. If you flaunt your birthday bashes even while owing the system a lot of money, it does seem to suggest to the public that you don't care. I think that is the wrong message to send, Rajan said on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum. But, talks alone wouldnt help. Looting taxpayers money The hard fact is that with the RBI stipulating banks to aggressively disclose bad loans and provide for these assets would mean these banks will take a severe hit on their profitability and market valuations, thus eroding shareholders wealth. Higher capitalisation necessitated for PSU banks would mean taxpayers money is used to bail out these banks. If the government is simply bailing out banks without making efforts to recover money from corporate defaulters, that equals to letting crony promoters loot taxpayers money. It needs to clamp down on the corporate wilful defaulters and recover money. If Subrata Roy (of the Sahara group) can be put behind bars, there is no reason why the same cant be done with a wilful defaulter of Rs 7,000 crore loans to some 17 banks, who have committed financial irregularities by diverting bank funds to other group activities, dragged lenders to courtrooms instead of repaying money and continues to flaunt his wealth challenging the banks. The point is this: If this government shows the guts to act on Mallya that would send a strong message to other wily promoters that there is no more free-lunch in this country with taxpayers money. Else, it will have to answer the same taxpayer why his money is used to bail out Sarkari banks looted by crony promoters. (Data support from Kishor Kadam) The Reserve Bank appealed to income tax assessees to pay dues in advance of the due date as well use alternate channels of authorized banks to avoid the rush during end of March. "Pay I-T dues in advance at RBI or at authorized bank branches. Appeal to income tax assessees to remit their income tax dues sufficiently in advance of the due date," RBI said in a release. "It is observed that the rush for remitting Income-Tax dues through the RBI has been far too heavy towards the end of March every year and it becomes difficult for the RBI to cope with the pressure of issuing receipts although additional counters to the maximum extent possible are provided for the purpose", it said. RBI said assessees can use alternate channels like select branches of agency banks or the facility of online payment of taxes offered by these banks. A total of 29 agency banks have been authorized to accept payments of Income-Tax dues. The authorised banks include SBI and its five associates, HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, Axis, Bank, Punjab National Bank, Bank of Baroda, Bank of India, Indian Overseas Bank. Among others are Corporation Bank, Dena Bank, Canara Bank, Central Bank of India, Syndicate Bank and others. RBI said by remitting dues at the designated banks will obviate the I-T assessess' inconvenience in standing in long queues at the RBI offices. PTI MUMBAI India's largest steel-makers' association has urged the government to extend a relief package to the iron and steel sector, as most companies are likely to default on their loans. The Indian Steel Association (ISA), which represents India's biggest private steel producer JSW Steel Ltd and largest public-sector steelmaker Steel Authority of India Ltd, said a large number of loans to companies were under stress and could turn into non-performing assets. The association urged the Indian government to dole out a special steel package offering flexibility on payment of their debt. The average operating profit margin of all steel companies in India dropped by over 40 percent in the October-December quarter, the association said in a statement on Tuesday. The Indian steel industry, with a total installed capacity of 110 million tonnes per annum built at huge borrowings from banks, has been hit hard due to cheap imports from China and falling steel prices globally. Total steel imports in India rose 24.1 percent between April 2015 and January 2016, compared with the same period a year earlier, mainly due to a rise in imports from China, according to data released by India's steel ministry earlier this month. That also led to a drop in prices of steel products, according to data from NCDEX Ltd, India's second-biggest commodity exchange. With excess capacity flooding the Indian market, domestic steel producers have cut production and prices, a move that has hurt their ability to generate enough operating profit to service their debt and working capital, ISA said. Addressing repeated demands of the steel industry, the government on Feb. 6 imposed a minimum import price on 173 steel products flowing into India. But that would not be enough to address financial stress in the system, after the "severe erosion" in the operating profit margin of Indian steel-makers, the ISA said. A steel ministry official told Reuters on the condition of anonymity that the government would not want financial stress in the sector to hurt production of local makers, but declined to comment on whether the government would offer a relief package. (Reporting by Promit Mukherjee; editing by Susan Thomas) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. Kolkata: Amid the row over anti-India slogans at Jawaharlal Nehru University in Delhi, slogans eulogising parliament attack mastermind Afzal Guru and demands for "azadi" echoed in Jadavpur University here on Tuesday. Slogans like "Afzal bole azadi, jab tum na doge azadi, to cheen lenge azadi, arey cheen ke lenge azadi" were heard during a torchlight procession brought out at Jadavpur University in protest against the "atrocities" perpetrated on JNU students by the Narendra Modi government. They also raised slogans chanting the names of S.A.R. Geelani, a former professor of Delhi University who was arrested on Tuesday for raising anti-India slogans at the Press Club in Delhi. The rally, convened by students unions of the three faculties -- science, arts and engineering -- of Jadavpur University in the campus, was well attended. The students also spoke out against the arrest of JNU students' union president Kanhaiya Kumar, and the "ill-treatment" meted out to Hyderabad University Dalit research scholar Rohith Vemula that "forced him to take his own life". All India Students Association (AISA) leader Anumita Mitra justified the slogans saying these only questioned the lack of transparency in Afzal's trial and his subsequent death penalty. "The slogans demand azadi from making Indian laws like khap panchayat. "If slogans protesting against the branding of scholars like Rohith Vemula as anti-national and terrorist by the Modi government for challenging cast exploitation are anti-national, then we are all anti-nationals," said Mitra, a third year student. IANS By Subhajit Sengupta A confidential report accessed by Firstpost shows that JNU has always been under the government glare. "It is important to mention here that Y&S section of Special Branch always keeps an eye on the activities of students, student organisations, youths and people who have a stake at JNU," a report submitted by the special branch to the top officers in the police headquarters states. It was submitted after the arrest of Kanhaiya Kumar, president of JNUSU, and an AISF cadre. Ironically, this report makes just one mention of Kumar when it speaks of the 9 February protest. It mentions: "From reliable sources it is learnt that students who were present in this protest were Kanhaiya Kumar (president, JNUSU) of AISF, Anirban Bhatacharya, Anjali, Anvesha, Aswathi, Bhavna, Komal, Reyaz, Rubina, Umar and Samar from DSU, Ashutosh, Anant Kumar, Rama Naga, Chintu Kumari from AISA and Anmol PP of SFI." The question that needs to be asked now is if so many names were mentioned then why was Kanhaiya chosen for special treatment, especially when the report clearly mentions who the original organisers were. The special branch officer responsible for JNU noticed that a poster had come up on JNU campus about an event called 'The Country Without A Post Office'... It claimed to be against 'the judicial killings of Afzal Guru and Maqbool Bhatt!' It was supposed to be held at Sabarmati Dhaba on 9 February at 5pm. The names mentioned in the poster are Anirban, Anjali, Anvesha, Aswathi, Bhavna, Komal, Reyaz, Rubina, Umar and Samar. This is when the special branch alerted JNU VC's office and campus security. The report claims that VC's office "had no idea that the programme was nothing to do with cultural activity; rather it was a protest by some Left supported student's group who may create problems... JNU security was also informed that the DSU students will be screening feature film on Afzal Guru and Maqbool Bhatt." It was then that the permission to organise the event was denied to the students and this was communicated to them by the JNU security. Around 5pm, DSU students led by their president Umar Khalid, convenor, DSU began "to gather near Sabarmati Dhaba". Around 80/100 DSU and Left students were present at the venue. The report claims: "The Left-supported student groups were shouting 'Bharat ki Barbadi tak jang rahegi jang rahegi', 'Kashmir Ki Ajadi tak Jang Rahegi, Jung rahegi', 'India Go Back' 'Pakistan Zindabad', 'Kitne Afzal maroge, ghar ghar se Afzal niklega.' 'In the mean time 30/40 activists from ABVP reached there under the leadership of Sh. Sourav Kumar Sharma, Joint Secretary, JNUSU' they were shouting slogans against DSU and shouting 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai.' One interesting sidelight of the report is how while all the other union leaders were without any salutation, ABVP leader had a respectable 'Sh' before his name. The report says "At 7:30pm the activists of DSU & ABVP started their march from Sabarmati Dhaba to Ganga Dhaba. They raised slogans against each other . At 8:30 PM the activists of DSU & ABVP dispersed from there peacefully." It is only after that the ABVP alleged that "the activists of DSU and other Left supporting student organisations are indulging in anti-national activities. They want action against such students who are into anti-national activities". This is not the first time that a report on JNU has been prepared. Two reports were also sent out in October and November last year. The first report on 6/10/2015 speaks about increasing surveillance on campus. "Special Branch officer had a meeting with then VC of JNU Sudhir Kumar Sopory, in the campus. During this meeting discussions were held on various subjects including CCTV surveillance in JNU campus to avoid any untoward incident. It was discussed that often some student groups raise slogans and participate in protests inside JNU campus. Many a times such slogans/protests have anti-national colour. It is reflected through objectionable posters which are prepared mostly through computers and affixed at hostel/JNU campus. Sometimes such posters are found to be hurting patriotic/religious feelings of the society. It was also discussed that the objectionable/anti-national activities of members of Democratic Students Union (DSU) have to be curbed by JNU authorities with the help of police." There was yet another report on 12th of November which specifically focused on DSU. It went on to say "there are so many Left-supported student unions active in JNU. Most of them are non-reactive and mild in nature. They often raise slogans/protest on different national as well as local issues but their gathering remains very low. But two hidden students groups ie 1) DSU and 2) DSF have been found volatile and reactive. However , they are less than 10 in number. Sometimes they prepare nude and objectionable posters of deities on their computer and affix it on wall to hurt the religious feelings of the society. Their activities in the past are: 1) They mourned the death of Afzal Guru 2) They celebrated killing of CRPF Jawans in Dantewara, Chattisgardh in 2010 3) They worshipped 'Mahisasur' in place of Goddess Durga during September 14 'Navrata' festival last year. 4) They invited Kashmiri separatist leader Gilani for meeting. But JNU authority imposed ban on their such moves 5) They asked for beef in hostel mess "One police officer from Spl Branch is already performing his duty at JNU Campus in plainclothes. He has been directed to keep watch over the situation.' What we are left with after going through the entire report is a question: Does the country's topmost university deserve to be under the scanner all the time? Mumbai: An ardent fan of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj has launched an online petition seeking support to have a 'Google Doodle' of the Maratha warrior king, to commemorate his 368th birth anniversary on 19 February. Amit Wankhede, a Maharashtra government employee from Yavatmal district, launched the petition on 6 February and has claimed to have received over 22,000 signatures in support from across the country, mostly from interior Maharashtra. A Google doodle is one of the best ways to pay homage to Chhatrapati Shivaji in today's digital age, he said. "Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, (is) one of the most respected and revered kings of India. We would love to see a 'Google Doodle' honouring (Chhatrapati) Shivaji on this (his birth anniversary) day. Shivaji is famously known as 'the people's king' and is still remembered and celebrated, not just in Mumbai or Maharashtra, but all across India," Wankhede told PTI. His petition highlights Shivaji's heroic efforts of defeating the might of the Mughals and creating a Maratha empire that endured for centuries after his time. "Known for pioneering innovate battle strategies like guerrilla warfare and building a navy, Shivaji was a king way ahead of his time. His forts still line the Western Ghats and stand testament to the sheer brilliance and spirit of this ingenious ruler," reads the petition. In addition to his petition, Wankhede claimed that Shivaji's supporters have sent over 30,000 emails to proposals@google.com, the proper channel to request for a doodle. Apart from launching the online petition at change.org, an international online platform provider, he said he has also appealed to Google CEO Sundar Pichai to extend a favourable response to his request, he said. Wankhede has also suggested tentative designs of the Chhatrapti Shivaji Maharaj 'Doodle', saying that the doodle could be "designed based on his forts" or it could be a collage of his conquests over various kings and generals. He expressed hope that Google will gauge the popular sentiment of Indians everywhere and agree to the request to "celebrate Shivaji Maharaj Google style". PTI The day after a group of lawyers physically assaulted onlookers and journalists in a court in Delhi, the city's police commissioner BS Bassi continued to claim that provocations were made from both sides, leading to the scuffle. Speaking to mediapersons on Tuesday, Bassi said that it was a 'surcharged environment,' and that allegations and counter-allegations have been made, ANI reported. The police chief has claimed that BJP MLA OP Sharma also sustained injuries in the scuffle and has been sent for a medical examination. He said that the police would go through the video footage and take appropriate action. On Monday, Bassi was quoted as saying, "Excesses were committed from both sides, but they have been extremely minor in nature." The Delhi Police chief's statements have come even as questions are being raised over why the police did not intervene to stop the violence. "Investigations are on, and after identifying the people, action will be taken as per the law," Bassi said on Tuesday. The Times of India has quoted sources as saying that the home ministry and the Prime Minister's Office has taken serious note of the incident and 'heads may roll.' According to the report, the police, instead of taking action against the mob, asked reporters to hide the identity cards and rush out. Meanwhile, the Delhi High Court has dismissed a plea seeking a probe by the National Investigation Agency into the sedition case against the JNU students' union president Kanhaiya Kumar. The Delhi HC has termed the demand for an NIA probe as 'premature' and said that the incident took place on 9 February and that the court could not assume that the police was not investigating the case, ANI reported. JNU students' union president Kanhaiya Kumar was arrested over sedition charges in connection with an event on 9 February where JNU students were protesting against the hanging of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru. The Congress has reacted sharply to the attacks in the courtroom in Delhi on Tuesday. Party spokesperson Manish Tiwari tweeted: CBFC,FTII,Hyderabad Central University, JNU &now even Patiala House Court Fascists will stop at nothing to try and subvert the idea of INDIA Manish Tewari (@ManishTewari) February 16, 2016 AICC general secretary Digvijaya Singh also took to Twitter to say: Were they Lawyers ? Would Bar Council and Judiciary pl look into it. digvijaya singh (@digvijaya_28) February 16, 2016 With inputs from PTI New Delhi: The sedition charge slapped against Jawaharlal Nehru University Students Union (JNUSU) president Kanhaiya Kumar is not worth the paper it is written on. According to legal experts, it is not tenable and will not stand scrutiny of the law. They say even if what is supposed to have happened at the public meeting on 9 February evening on the varsitys campus is completely true, it does not even come close to establishing an offence. Experts say said in the Kedar Nath Singhs versus State of Bihar case, a constitution bench of the Supreme Court on 20 January, 1962 made it clear that the alleged seditious speech and expression may be punished only if it is an incitement to violence or public disorder. Subsequent cases, they add, have further clarified the meaning of this term. In Indra Das versus State of Assam and Arup Bhuyan versus State of Assam, the apex court unambiguously stated on 10 February, 2011 and 3 February, 2011 respectively that only speech that amounts to incitement to imminent lawless action can be criminalised. In Shreya Singhal versus Union of India, the Supreme Court in its famous 66A judgment on 24 March, 2015, drew a clear distinction between advocacy and incitement, stating that only the latter could be punished. Therefore, advocating revolution, or advocating even violent overthrow of the State, does not amount to sedition, unless there is incitement to violence, and more importantly, the incitement is to imminent violence, Bengaluru-based legal researcher and lawyer Lawrence Liang told Firstpost, citing the instance of Balwant Singh versus State of Punjab, where the superior court of the country overturned the convictions for sedition (124A, IPC) and promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race etc. (153A, IPC). The court had acquitted the persons who had raised slogans "Khalistan Zindabaad, Raj Karega Khalsa and Hinduan Nun Punjab Chon Kadh Ke Chhadange, Hun Mauka Aya Hai Raj Kayam Karan Da" on the evening of 31 October, 1984, a few hours after former prime minister Indira Gandhis assassination, outside a cinema hall in a market frequented by Hindus and Sikhs in Chandigarh. Thus, words and speech can be criminalised and punished only in situations where it is being used to incite mobs or crowds to violent action. Mere words and phrases by themselves, no matter how distasteful, do not amount to a criminal offence unless this condition is met, said Liang, who is known for his legal campaigns on issues of public concern. VN Khare, former Chief Justice of India, argues that sedition charge should not be slapped unless there is strong evidence against an accused to prove the guilt beyond a shadow of doubt. The state has to prove that the person is guilty. If the evidence brought on record is weak or insufficient, the case will fall flat. Since the nature of the offence and its punishment both are extremely serious, hence the court remains extra careful. That is why the evidence has to be clinching against the accused, he added. Asked about his opinion on invoking the charge on students, he opined it should not been done on the instructions of political masters, but on merit. Justice BS Khan, former Chief Justice of Jammu and Kashmir High Court, also shares the same views. The sedition charge does not fit in this case and it falls flat in the court because merely raising slogans, even against the country or the state, cannot amount to sedition unless followed by any act or incitement of violence or public disorder, he said, adding that there have been several judgements of the apex court on the issue. Speaking to Firstpost, PDT Achary, former secretary general of 14th and 15th Lok Sabha and Lok Sabha Secretariat, described the sedition law as unconstitutional. Sedition has no place in a democracy. Section 124A was in the original IPC (Indian Penal Code) draft of 1861. It was an afterthought by the colonial rulers to crush Indian subjects, he said. Although veteran lawyer KC Mittal feels it very difficult and not proper to predict whether the sedition charge is made out or not because it will ultimately depend on the evidence that comes on record, but the JNU episode smacks of some conspiracy to put the prestigious institution into a conflict and malign its reputation. It has been done deliberately. The permission was granted to Democratic Students Front (DSF) for a cultural event. Why was that permission first granted and then withdrawn in the last minute? The JNUSU was nowhere in the picture, neither the permission was sought. Then how would it come into the picture? Why the sloganeering was allowed to continue? When the permission was cancelled why did not the vice chancellor or the proctor take adequate care? The video footage of the incident is available. Why have the persons who raised the slogans not identified and arrested so far? Who are they? They should have been taken into custody then and there. Had they been taken action time, the situation could have been avoided, he said. Such a programme, according to Mittal, was also organised in 2015 without this kind of sloganeering. Then why this kind of situation suddenly arose in 2016? he asks, adding that anyone who raised incendiary slogans should be booked, prosecuted and punished. There should be no concession and compromise on this at any cost. Nobody can tolerate slogans like Pakistan Zindabad. Senior Supreme Court Advocate Aishwarya Bhati believes that it is a question of perspective whether such a serious charge is actually made out because sedition also means punishable by death. But the fact also is that these kinds of protests question the very democratic processes and constitutional practices of our country. Questioning the hanging of Afzal Guru and organising a protest against it when the case was already considered by the apex court of the country in terms of the constitutional scheme and passed through the entire scrutiny of the process right up to the President is like questioning the processes of the country, she said. But at the same time she says criminal law can never be applied vicariously. The basic language of the sedition law is waging, attempting or abetting war against the government. It will be applied to the person who is doing these. If the JNUSU president has not done it himself, he cannot be booked unless there is a case of abetment against him. There are three things punishable in the act: (a) the act itself, (b) attempt to the act and (c) abetment to the act. If the person falls into any of these three categories, he can be booked, she added. Asked why this colonial era law, which is being used by different political parties to curb the voice of dissent, she says Yes, it is a British-era law but so is our entire IPC, which is from 1860. The sedition charge prescribes a jail sentence from three years to life imprisonment. New Delhi: Amid the escalating row over the arrest of JNU students union leader in a sedition case, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying it was completely wrong to brand the varisty as a "centre of terrorists" and demanded immediate release of "innocents" arrested in the case. Kejriwal, who on Tuesday also met Union Home Rajanth Singh over the issue, asked the PM to direct the police to take action against BJP MLA OP Sharma and those involved in attacking students and journalists within and outside the Patiala House Court premises on Monday. In his letter, Kejriwal said,"It is not correct to convert nationalism into a device for creating a fear psychosis by using constitutional institutions to run them according to whims and fancies. "It is extremely dangerous that the JNU incident is being portrayed to show this institution as a terrorist centre." Kejriwal asked the PM to break his silence on the incident. "I request you with folded hands to urgently stop this fire from spreading any further. People are waiting with desperation for you to break your silence and intervene to bring the situation under control," he said. He said "innocents" arrested in the JNU incident should be immediately released and real culprits identified and dealt with severely in accordance with law. In his letter, he said political interference in JNU and other academic institutions should be stopped immediately and left be to managed by the academicians. Terming as "highly disturbing" the on Monday's attack on students teachers and journalists, Kejriwal demanded strict action against Sharma who was seen attacking a CPI activist outside the court premises. Journalists, students and teachers of JNU were beaten up allegedly by groups of lawyers in Patiala House court complex where JNUSU president Kanhaiya Kumar was to be produced before a metropolitan magistrate for remand proceedings. "If such shameful incidents take place inside the court premises, where will the citizens be safe? Front pages of almost all newspapers today have published the photograph of BJP MLA OP Sharma beating up a youth in full public view outside the court premises. "Immediate action should be taken against lumpen and anarchist elements such as Sharma to give a clear signal that such kind of activities will not be tolerated," he said. Kejriwal said he feels if PM calls Sharma once and scolds him, he will not dare to repeat his actions again in life, and added that if that is not done, such elements will feel they have the complete support of the central government. "In case you (PM) take these steps, I am fully confident that the entire country will appreciate it and all political parties will cooperate with you on this issue," he said. Earlier in the day, Sharma had claimed a group of people had hit him and that his action as "natural". PTI Mumbai: A 13-year-old school student was on Tuesday run over by a train in Mumbai triggering protests from locals, who disrupted suburban and main line services for almost an hour on the Central Railway route. According to a railway official, the victim, Suraj Vohra, was run over by a train while crossing the tracks under Hancock Bridge between the Sandhurst Road and Byculla stations at around 11 a.m. After the mishap, Vohra was rushed to a nearby hospital where doctors pronounced him dead, the official said. The boy was a student of St.Peters' High School Mazgaon and he was identified by the school principal. Angry over the incident, irked locals living near both the stations, came on to the tracks and blocked the movement of suburban as well as long distance trains between Byculla and Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST), hindering services for an hour thereby causing discomfort to passengers. They were demanding the presence of senior railway officers on the spot and construction of either a Road Over Bridge (ROB) or Foot Over Bridge (FOB) after the century-old, British-era Hancock Bridge (located between Byculla and Sandhurst Road stations) was demolished recently. However, the agitators were soon dispersed after assuring them of early action and train services were restored around 1.45 pm. Commenting on the development, a senior CR official said, a case of trespassing has been registered and administration has taken a serious note of the incident. Stating that precautionary measures would be taken soon, the officer also appealed public not to cross railway tracks. A noted railway activist and member of National Railway Users Consultative Committee (NRUCC) Subhash Gupta said, "It was the collective duty of railway, BMC and state government to provide alternate arrangements to cross the track after the bridge was dismantled last month." PTI Dear seditionist, The recent attacks on journalists and professors at Patiala Court, and the arrest of Kanhaiya Kumar, the Jawaharlal Nehru University Student Union president on charges of criminal conspiracy and sedition are justified. We live in a democracy, which is the dictatorship of the majority and the Hindutva politics defines our India of India which cannot be debated. Arguments, dialectics, and discussions or Right to Dissent do not figure out in our vocabulary or verbatim because Freedom of Speech and Expression, if endowed in a country like India, can have jeopardising results, especially because our India of India is so fragile and petty student politics can be an insult to our Mother. Yes, when Arnab Goswami rebukes student leaders from JNU and refers to them as more dangerous than Maoists and terrorists, we stand with him. After all, we do not want to get into the discourse of what Maoism is or what fuels terrorism, because we are so nationalistic about the JNU protests that nothing else matters. Most certainly not holding a dialogue with secessionists in Nagaland, for instance. Or Pakistan, despite Pathankot. But a fake tweet from Hafeez Sayeed supporting JNU students can get our blood boiling. Our private educational institutions to which you obtain admissions by paying lakhs are better than these central universities with tuition fees of less than Rs 250 because, at least, those institutions have no ideology to speak of. They dont oppose or mark an event. Kashmir and Afzal Guru do not matter. That is what we call discipline and education. And reasoning. And being reasonable. Not this hullabaloo created by this so-called left student political parties. Anyway, what are they? Their parent parties CPI or CPM hardly matter in the national scheme of things. Wasnt the collapse of USSR a lesson for them? Lets now turn to JNU. Its an institute which enjoys renown for siding with those battling for Mother Russia rather than the sons of Bharat Mata. It has allied itself with the Chinese, Naxals, LeT, LeT, JeM, and going by intelligence gleaned from twitter, Daesh, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, Jamaatul Mujahideen Bangladesh, and Arundhati Roy. Its true that they arent all entirely seditious. But it is an established fact that certified anti-nationalists and potential morons form a significant percentage of their population. We must, at this point, recall what Moscovici said about the minority influencing the majority. That percentage of the population at JNU which speaks of freedom and spouts Bismil Azimabadi must be suppressed. All of which leads me to believe that the government must shut down JNU, stop subsidies to this nest of treason. No more subsidies to the anti nationals: JNU room rent at Rs 11 a month, annual fee of Rs 219 (in two instalments), mess bills subsidised. Enough is enough. Stop feeding on my money. These parasites would do well to remember that our government is our God. That the right to dissent isnt absolute. No right is. Only the right is. Bharat Mata ki Jai! Unsigned The values of unity, respect and equality are seen among people who take care of a mosque at Nanhera in Muzaffarnagar in Uttar Pradesh, which has recently been singed by riots over religion. Dara Singh, a village head has taken the responsibility to protect the 100-year-old mosque and plans to renovate it. The people of the village take care of the mosque. Religious differences have not prevented them from ensuring the upkeep of the structure. There are no Muslim in the area to offer any prayers or to perform rituals. So, the whole community of Nanhera joins hands to look after the mosque and considers it as their heritage. With the objective to spread the message of peace and harmony, the villagers have decided to protect this place of worship. With inputs from ANI New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said the victory of the BJP and its allies in the bypolls in various states showed that people had reposed faith in the "politics of development". The NDA constituents' won seven out of the 12 bypolls whose results were declared on Tuesday. In tweets after the bypoll results came, PM Modi said it was an "appreciable effort" by the NDA. "Happy to see the victory of BJP and allies in by-polls in northern, southern, eastern, western and central parts of the country. I express gratitude to the people," he tweeted. "Appreciable effort by NDA. People across India reposed faith in politics of development, development & development. 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas'," Modi added. Reacting to the bypoll results, the BJP said people have shown their preference for its developmental politics over "vote-bank politics" of the Congress and the Samajwadi Party governments. BJP national secretary Shrikant Sharma used the UP bypoll results to target the Akhilesh Yadav government, alleging it had "failed" on all fronts and people had voted against it. All the three seats that went to polls were earlier held by SP but it could retain only one with Congress and BJP winning a seat each. BJP also won the Ghaziabad mayoral elections. "By misusing the official machinery and deploying its goons, SP had managed to win in local polls so far. People have given it a stern message now. "A countdown to its government has begun. It has failed on all fronts. Corruption and crime are at a high while public facilities like education and health are in a disarray," Sharma charged. UP goes to assembly polls early next year. BJP won two out of three seats in Congress-ruled Karnataka and presented the result as people's "disapproval" of the state government which, Sharma alleged, was "neck-deep" in corruption. In a direct fight, BJP retained Hebbal in Bengaluru and wrested Devadurga in Raichur district from Congress which snatched Bidar in north Karnataka from its arch rival. Of the three seats that went to bypolls due to the death of sitting members, BJP had held two and Congress one. The outcome has come as a blow to Siddaramaiah considering the prestige invested in the contest to wrest the seats from BJP. Bogged down by infighting, former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda-led JD(S) lost deposit in all the constituencies. In Madhya Pradesh, the ruling BJP won the Maihar assembly seat with party nominee Narayan Tripathi defeating Congress's Manish Patel by a margin of 27,544 votes. The outcome came as a double jolt for Congress as Tripathi, after winning the seat in 2013 assembly polls, had quit the party to join BJP during the 2014 Lok Sabha polls. Later, he resigned from the seat which necessitated the by-poll. The victory came as a morale-booster for the BJP after it conceded to the Congress the Jhabua Lok Sabha seat in a by-poll shortly after the drubbing in the Bihar Assembly elections BJP allies Shiv Sena, Akali Dal and RLSP also won a seat each in Maharashtra, Punjab and Bihar respectively. Congress, a part of the ruling grand secular alliance in Bihar lost the Harlakhi assembly bypoll to BJP's ally Rashtriya Lok Samata Party (RLSP). Union minister Upendra Kushwaha-led RLSP candidate Sudhansu Sekhar riding on a sympathy wave defeated his Congress rival Mohammad Shabir by a margin of 18,650 votes. Sudhansu Sekhar's father Basant Kushwaha had died a day before oath taking in November last year. PTI The BJP has made a foolish mistake by justifying its Delhi MLAs attack on students and lawyers at the Patiala House Court on Monday, and sticking to its confrontational stand against the agitation. With inspired vigilantes such as OP Sharma on the streets and intolerant leaders in TV studios, the party is dragging itself into avoidable trouble by unnecessarily taking on the students. What could have been ignored as a campus event has now snowballed into a national show of the BJPs intolerance to dissent and skewed application of law against its adversaries. The Gandhi family has been gifted yet another opportunity to whitewash its emergency-era anti-student excesses and the UPAs record of intolerance. Instances of authorities unleashing power on agitating students are not new in India, or elsewhere in the world, because that seems to be the instinct for any government anywhere in the world. But, letting loose vigilantes with sworn allegiance to ultra-nationalism against people with a constitutional right to protest, and allowing the police not to act, hark back to bad times in history. Some may compare it with nationalist Black Shirts and Brown Shirts in Fascist Italy and Nazi Germany respectively. Watching the Delhi Police, which mostly remained inactive against the BJP, attacking and seeking to side with the nationalist voices by suggesting presence of evidence, (laughably things like SFI literature), some may even draw a parallel with the Gestapos crushing German students in the early 1940s. Student agitations have long been part of transformational movements and have also been resisted, by both political thugs and state authorities. Not that all student movements have been right or well-guided in terms of their ideology and purpose, but not allowing them to express themselves is a historical blunder, particularly in the age of 24/7 electronic and social media. At a certain stage, such movements breach the critical mass and tip the rivals out of the power equation or communications game. Some times, they naturally lose steam just as the way epidemics stabilise on their own after the initial ravages. The BJP and its proxies are falling to their instinct of intolerance, as many others had done in the past; but what they fail to realise is that its very likely to backfire. Student agitations are mostly natural, idealistic expressions of outrage and not necessarily planned political movements; but they may grow big organically before either succeeding or dying down. And taking them on by force, because of suspicion and intolerance, is pure blunder because its swelling by the day. Over the last few days, it has been debated threadbare if the JNU agitation warranted any police action at all. Had the government, the BJP and its students wing been tolerant and tempered in their nationalism, it would have ended up as yet another occasion of remembrance. People have the right to remember, whether the state likes it or not. Memories are important, as Salman Rushdie wrote in his Joseph Anton, in standing up to ruthlessness. As regards Afzal Gurus trial and execution, there has always been a different point of view and some do believe that he was wronged. More over, universities are a different universe. Way back in 1970, psychologists Sudhir Kakkar and Kamala Chowdhary had argued that the authority crisis was rising in our society in regard to students. They said that the youth were impatient to end their dependancy and strive for autonomy. Remember, Kakkar and Chowdhary wrote this just before Indira Gandhi went berserk with her authoritarian and anti-democratic ways - students were among her worst victims. The BJP, although led by many people who endured the emergency excesses, is making the same mistake. The JNU students should have been simply watched over, at worst. Indian history is replete with student agitations - both before and after independence. A large number of students and teachers were arrested by the British in Bengal in early 1900s for revolutionary crimes. In the 1950s, there were widespread student agitations across various cities, particularly in Lucknow and BHU. In Assam, they even led a successful agitation for political change. In 1990, it was the anti-Mandal agitation that cost VP Singh his promising career. The point is that students ferment is only natural and they need to be handled with enormous care because, as many researchers have pointed out, they are still in their adolescence and are going through a stressful transformational process in adulthood. The most bizarre is the use of the word sedition. The BJP is using a term that the British used to round up students and teachers in the early 1900s. Therefore, unleashing violence on them and planting moles and trouble-makers among them to create anti-national demons out of them is vicious. What the BJP MLA has done betrays the attitude of his party. Its unlikely to work and will most probably invite trouble because young people across the country and their parents are watching. Bangkok: Two foreigners accused of carrying out a deadly bombing of a Bangkok landmark last year have been brought to a military court for the start of a highly anticipated trial. The two men Bilal Mohammad and Mieraili Yusufu are facing 10 charges, including conspiracy to explode bombs and commit premeditated murder. It is expected that they will enter their pleas on Tuesday, which will be followed by questioning and the formal trial. Police are hunting for another 15 suspects, but no progress has been announced. Twenty people, including 14 foreign tourists, were killed and more than 120 injured in the 17 August bombing at the popular Erawan Shrine, one of the deadliest acts of violence in Bangkok in decades. AP Rancho Mirage, California: President Barack Obama and leaders of Southeast Asian nations are wrapping up a two-day summit conceived to show US seriousness about staying engaged and keeping a high profile in a region where a rising China has rattled American allies. Obama and the leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations will spend Tuesday discussing regional security issues. They include counter-terrorism and China's bold territorial claims to disputed waters of the South China Sea, moves that have sounded international alarms and heightened tensions with some association members. The U.S. maintains these disputes should be resolved peacefully according to international law, a stance Obama emphasized Monday in welcoming leaders of ASEAN's 10-nation bloc: Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar and Cambodia. "Here at this summit, we can advance our shared vision of a regional order where international rules and norms, including freedom of navigation, are upheld and where disputes are resolved through peaceful, legal means," Obama said, opening the first ASEAN-only summit held in the US. Obama was closing the summit with a news conference before returning to Washington. China says it has a historical right to virtually all of the South China Sea and has built seven artificial islands, including with airstrips, to assert its sovereignty. Taiwan and ASEAN members Brunei, Malaysia, Vietnam and the Philippines also claim land features in these potentially resource-rich international shipping lanes. Though not a claimant, the U.S. has spoken out against China's conduct and has angered Beijing by sailing Navy ships near some of the artificial islands in a show of support for its allies. The U.S. has argued for the maritime rights issue to be resolved peacefully and is looking for ASEAN to take a unified stance and call for the disputes to be resolved based on international law. But unity could be hard to come by; ASEAN has avoided criticizing China by name in joint statements issued at past summits. The diverse group of countries includes governments aligned either with Washington or Beijing. Only four of its members are embroiled in disputes with China and Taiwan, leading to sometimes conflicting views on how to handle long-simmering rifts. Summit statements in recent years have expressed concern over the escalating conflicts and called for freedom of navigation and overflight in the disputed territories, but they have rarely gone to specifics. The Philippines brought its territorial conflicts with China to international arbitration in early 2013 after Beijing refused to withdraw its ships from a disputed shoal under a US-brokered deal. China has refused to participate, but an arbitration tribunal based in The Hague heard the case and is expected to rule this year. Susan Rice, Obama's national security adviser, said Monday that negotiations were continuing on a potential joint statement that would cover various topics and not focus primarily on the South China Sea. Past US-ASEAN statements have underscored a commitment to resolving disputes peacefully, freedom of commerce and navigation, and rule of law, she said. The leaders were expected Tuesday to also discuss counter-terrorism. Obama mentioned the recent deadly attack in Indonesia that authorities blamed on militants linked to the Islamic State group. He said the "scourge of terrorism" demands that they stay vigilant, share information and work together to protect their citizens. AP Somewhere, Zaky Mallah's ears were burning. "Should people in a forum like this be able to say whatever they think?" inquired Q&A host Tony Jones during Monday night's program. The question seemed innocuous enough but in this instance came with an added frisson of anticipation. He was throwing it to the man on his right, a man who was sitting in the exact same spot when he last appeared on this program. On that occasion, Steve Ciobo - a government minister then toiling in the troubled ranks of Tony Abbott - found himself front and centre as the proverbial hit the fan, splattering everyone in sight, setting off a freedom-of-speech debate that ran for months and landing Q&A in the biggest crisis of its eight years on the air. We are all older and wiser now, and Zaky Mallah - the one-time terrorism suspect whose fiery clash with Ciobo prompted that conflagration - will likely never darken the door of the Q&A studio again. As for Ciobo, he was back - now a happy warrior for Malcolm Turnbull and happy to hold forth, though perhaps hoping no one would mention his government's efforts to cow Q&A into silent submission just seven months ago. President Barack Obama says the United States and the ten members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) can together advance a regional order where all nations play by the same rules. Speaking Monday at the opening of the first U.S.-hosted ASEAN summit in Rancho Mirage, California, Obama said ASEAN is central to peace and prosperity in the southeast Asian region. At a glance: The ASEAN summit Goal: a set of international rules During the two-day summit at the historic and scenic Sunnylands retreat, leaders are expected to work on crafting a set of principles where international rules and norms, including freedom of navigation, are upheld and where disputes are resolved through peaceful, legal means, said Obama. The White House views Americas leadership role and engagement in the region as critical to the United States' future prosperity and a vital counterbalance to Chinas influence there. The ASEAN nations include Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar and Cambodia. The dynamic and diverse region is experiencing robust growth and rising tensions, potentially affecting the global economy and security. Wide-ranging agenda The leaders will discuss trade and commerce, innovation and entrepreneurship, the implementation of the Trans-Pacific Partnership, violent extremism and the creation of a common set of principles to guide nations on a range of issues, including maritime disputes in the South China Sea. Speaking to reporters in Rancho Mirage, U.S. National Security Advisory Susan Rice said Southeast Asia is increasingly the worlds political and economic center of gravity and a natural partner of the United States. Territorial disputes in the South China Sea and Chinas increasing activities in its contested waters will be a key topic during the summit. Obama will speak frankly about U.S. opposition to Chinas militarization of disputed areas and any escalation of tensions across the region, White House officials said. It is a sensitive issue for ASEAN countries who want to see a productive relationship between Washington and Beijing and are uneasy about tensions between the two superpowers. Though the U.S. is not a claimant in the South China Sea disputes, Obama is expected to make clear the U.S. will continue recent freedom of navigation operations in a region that includes the worlds busiest waterways. We fully support freedom of navigation and we will stand by our partners, Rice said. Beijing says it has long had a rightful claim to the disputed territories. Watch: The South China Sea Dispute North Korea The U.S. and ASEAN leaders will also discuss North Koreas recent rocket testing and what role China can play in pressuring Pyongyang to end its provocative actions. While the China and the U.S. have disagreed on North Korea, the U.S. sees a common interest with China in ensuring the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. But ultimately the ASEAN summit is about building a cohesive region committed to rules and fairness, administration officials said. Over the last seven years, ASEAN has become the regions leading forum for addressing political and security challenges said Obama, adding our sustained engagement is delivering concrete results that benefit all of us. A young and rich region The 10 ASEAN members combined comprise the third-largest economy in Asia, and the seventh-largest in the world, with a combined GDP of $2.4 trillion, according to the U.S. More than 65 percent of its 632 million people are younger than the age of 35. Trade between the U.S. and ASEAN countries has increased by 55 percent in seven years, according to the White House. Southeast Asia is now Americas fourth largest goods trading partner, said the president, including U.S. exports that sustain more than 500,000 U.S. jobs. And he credited investment by U.S. companies in ASEAN for the regions growing middle class. WATCH: U.S. President Obama speaks at ASEAN summit Human rights still a concern On the question of human rights, Rice acknowledged some ASEAN nations have a long way to go but she strenuously disputed claims that the U.S. is legitimizing the behavior of governments with poor records. "We take every opportunity to talk on human rights, she said. At the summit opening, Obama told ASEAN leaders together, we can continue to support the aspirations and dignity of our citizens, and said the recent election in Myanmar gives hope for a nation that is inclusive, united, peaceful and democratic. 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Four Hong Kong passport holders were arrested in Sydney last month over the import from China of 720 liters (190 gallons) of the drug hidden in boxes of silicon bra inserts and art supplies, police said in a statement. The liquid could have made about 500 kilograms of high-grade crystal meth, commonly known in Australia as ice, Australian Federal Police Commander Chris Sheehan said. Officials also seized two kilograms of the crystalized form of the drug. Justice Minister Michael Keenan said the operation used information gathered through new cooperation between Australian Federal Police and Chinas National Narcotics Control Commission. The Australian and Chinese agencies established a joint task force in November to investigate criminal syndicates trafficking methamphetamine. This largest seizure of liquid methylamphetamine to date is the result of organized criminals targeting the lucrative Australian ice market from offshore, Keenan told reporters. The four will appear in a Sydney court next month charged with importing and manufacturing commercial quantities of illegal drugs. Each suspect faces a potential life sentence if convicted. Keenan said the seizure was one the largest hauls of illicit drugs in Australian history. AP The capacity of the railways in Mozambique will increase significantly once the line between Moatize and Nacala, known as the Nacala Corridor, with the strengthening of the Sena line, to be completed in the coming months. The Nacala Logistics Corridor has the capacity to transport 18 million tons of cargo per year and will serve mainly the coal industry at a time when some exporters are facing logistical problems that make it even more difficult to continue operating at a profit, given the low prices of the commodity. The opening of the line led the Economist Intelligence Unit to revise coal production forecasts upwards in the short term, allowing for a faster increase in exports in 2016 and 2017 and, consequently, a smaller current account deficit for Mozambique. Nacala will finally ease transport bottlenecks in the Mozambique coal industry, the EIU said in its latest report on the country. About 18 months behind schedule and costing more than the initial budget, the 902-kilometre line and associated deep water port were developed by Brazilian group Vale, which has a concession on Mozambiques largest coal mine in Moatize, which can now increase production and reduce costs. Construction of the proposed USD3.5 billion dollar project started in 2012 when the price of coal was over $100 per ton, double the amount recorded at the end of 2015, leading the major producers such as Vale, Jindal Power, International Coal Ventures Limited (ICVL) and Beacon Hills Resources to delay expansion plans. For the rest of the industry, Nacala will free up space on the Sena line, the only one available, but the Mozambican coal industry will remain below its potential, said the EIU. The new railway is also used by other mining companies to transport their production, and state port and rail company CFM will transport of passengers and cargo. The provincial governor of Nampula, Victor Borges, recently said that the second phase of the works to modernise and expand the port of Nacala, a $270 million investment, could begin this year and tenders are currently being prepared. In the first half of this year work to increase the capacity of the Sena line is due to be completed, increasing from 6.5 million to 20 million tons per year, said the provincial director for Transport and Communications of Sofala, Helcio Canda. The Sena line links the port of Beira to Moatize, between the provinces of Sofala and Tete, over a total length of 575 kilometres, including the Inhamitanga/Marromeu branchline. MDT/Macauhub President Barack Obama and leaders of Southeast Asian nations are wrapping up a two-day summit conceived to show U.S. seriousness about staying engaged and keeping a high profile in a region where a rising China has rattled American allies. Obama and the leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations will spend today [Macau time] discussing regional security issues. They include counterterrorism and Chinas bold territorial claims to disputed waters of the South China Sea, moves that have sounded international alarms and heightened tensions with some association members. The U.S. maintains these disputes should be resolved peacefully according to international law, a stance Obama emphasized yesterday in welcoming leaders of ASEANs 10-nation bloc: Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar and Cambodia. Here at this summit, we can advance our shared vision of a regional order where international rules and norms, including freedom of navigation, are upheld and where disputes are resolved through peaceful, legal means, Obama said, opening the first ASEAN-only summit held in the U.S. Obama was closing the summit with a news conference before returning to Washington. China says it has a historical right to virtually all of the South China Sea and has built seven artificial islands, including with airstrips, to assert its sovereignty. Taiwan and ASEAN members Brunei, Malaysia, Vietnam and the Philippines also claim land features in these potentially resource-rich international shipping lanes. Though not a claimant, the U.S. has spoken out against Chinas conduct and has angered Beijing by sailing Navy ships near some of the artificial islands in a show of support for its allies. The U.S. has argued for the maritime rights issue to be resolved peacefully and is looking for ASEAN to take a unified stance and call for the disputes to be resolved based on international law. But unity could be hard to come by; ASEAN has avoided criticizing China by name in joint statements issued at past summits. The diverse group of countries includes governments aligned either with Washington or Beijing. Only four of its members are embroiled in disputes with China and Taiwan, leading to sometimes conflicting views on how to handle long-simmering rifts. Summit statements in recent years have expressed concern over the escalating conflicts and called for freedom of navigation and overflight in the disputed territories, but they have rarely gone to specifics. The Philippines brought its territorial conflicts with China to international arbitration in early 2013 after Beijing refused to withdraw its ships from a disputed shoal under a U.S.-brokered deal. China has refused to participate, but an arbitration tribunal based in The Hague heard the case and is expected to rule this year. Susan Rice, Obamas national security adviser, said that negotiations were continuing on a potential joint statement that would cover various topics and not focus primarily on the South China Sea. AP A former journalist with Chinas official news agency says he has been blocked from traveling to the United States to accept a Harvard University prize for a 2008 book uncovering the devastating toll of the Great Chinese Famine of 1958-1961. Harvards Nieman Fellows in December awarded Yang Jisheng for Tombstone, a 1,200-page account of the famine which he estimated claimed at least 36 million Chinese lives and a decades-long government effort to whitewash one of the worst man-made disasters. Although more recent leaders have permitted, sometimes encouraged, re-evaluation of Mao-era policies, any substantial discussion of national traumas like the Great Famine can be highly sensitive. Tombstone, for which Yang gained unprecedented access to restricted government archives, has been banned in Mainland China. Yang said by phone yesterday that Xinhua had forbidden him to travel. He did not specify how Xinhua would prevent him from traveling or whether his passport had been confiscated, but Chinese retirees often depend substantially on their former employers for benefits and pensions. Yang successfully left the country in November because he did not inform the authorities beforehand, but this time I gave them a heads up, thats why I cant leave, he said. He declined to comment further, saying he was forbidden to speak to foreign media. On that trip, the 76-year-old writer received the Stieg Larsson Prize in Stockholm, which he said he accepted with grief. I grieve for the 36 million starved dead, he said in a speech. I grieve that this human tragedy that occurred five decades ago is still being covered up, while those who uncover this human tragedy are pressured, attacked and slandered. Aside from authoring books, Yang worked in retirement at a reform-minded history journal. He quit last year after being pressured by Xinhua party cadres, he wrote in a memo published online. The news agency did not immediately respond to a fax requesting comment yesterday. AP UN rights chief raises concerns with China over crackdown The U.N. human rights chief says he has raised concerns with Chinese authorities over a crackdown against lawyers, advocacy groups and government critics in recent months. Zeid Raad al-Hussein says there is a worrying pattern in China for civil society and notes that states have a duty to protect lawyers, journalists and members of non-governmental organizations. The office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights said in a statement yesterday that police have detained about 250 human rights lawyers, legal assistants and activists since a nationwide crackdown began in July, though many have since been released. Zeid also expressed concern about recent disappearances of booksellers from Hong Kong, and noted that leading human rights lawyers Li Heping and Wang Yu are among those facing a subversion of state power charge. Isolda Morillo, Beijing BANGLADESH A court in Dhaka has placed a publishing house owner and two other people on remand for publishing books alleged to hurt the religious sentiments of Muslims. The court made the order yesterday after police produced publisher Shamsuzzoha Manik and two others. The arrests were made after some readers complained that the books discussed sex and perversion of Muslims. PHILIPPINES Military officials say suspected communist guerrillas have killed six policemen and wounded eight others in an ambush in the northern Philippines in the latest flare-up of the decades-old Marxist insurgency. SYRIA President Putins spokesman denies claims Russian warplanes struck hospitals in northern Syria. France and Turkey have said that air strikes on hospitals in northern Syria constitute war crimes. Up to 50 people were killed in missile attacks on schools and hospitals in the region, the UN said. RUSSIA An explosion of natural gas in a five-story apartment building in a central Russian city has killed at least six people, including two children, and injured nine others, the emergency services said. The explosion in Yaroslavl, a city 250 kilometers northeast of Moscow, destroyed five apartments and damaged 20 others in the building. USA As Democrats Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders compete for every vote before Saturdays Nevada caucuses, they are looking for support among members of the nations fastest-growing ethnic group. Asian-Americans comprise six percent of the U.S. population. USA An Arizona man set for trial this week is believed to be the first person the U.S. government has tried on terror charges linked to the Islamic State group. Abdul Malik Abdul Kareem, 44, is accused of providing the guns used in an attack at a Prophet Muhammad cartoon contest in Texas last year. ZIKA People in the Americas are already alarmed by the suspected link between the Zika epidemic and birth defects, and now frontline physicians believe a surge in Guillain-Barre paralysis cases may also be related. CHILE An estimated 150,000 Adelie penguins have been wiped out on Antarcticas Cape Denison in the five years since a giant iceberg blocked their main access to food a study recently published in the journal Antarctic Science reveals. As Democrats Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders compete for every vote before Saturdays Nevada caucuses, they are looking for support among members of the nations fastest-growing ethnic group. Asian-Americans comprise six percent of the U.S. population, and their numbers have increased 56 percent since 2000. In Nevada, Asian-Americans are nine percent of the population. Asian-Americans encompass a diverse range of people, among them recent Chinese immigrants, Muslims from Pakistan, Filipino-American Catholics and U.S. citizens from Hawaii. Campaigns are paying attention. Its a fast-growing population, its young, people are getting engaged, said Shu-Yen Wei, who helps with Asian-American outreach for the Democratic National Committee. Since the 1990s, exit polls have found Asian-Americans voting increasingly Democratic during presidential elections, with 73 percent backing President Barack Obama in 2012. Analysts attributed that to Republican criticism of illegal immigration. But in the 2014 midterm elections, Asian voters appeared to split evenly between Democrats and Republicans. Their numbers are small enough so that its difficult to rely on polling to determine their leanings. Analysts agree that most do not register with a political party, and they have among the lowest turnout rates of any group. Theres a huge, unaffiliated voting bloc of Asian-Americans, said Jason Chung, the Republican National Committees director of Asian Pacific American Initiatives. Were working hard to grow our party and include Asian-Americans in our political process. Nevadas Asian-American population shows why its so hard to sum up the communitys politics. It ranges from dedicated union activists to anti-abortion rights Filipino-American churchgoers, sprinkled with so many who have relocated from Hawaii that Las Vegas is often called the ninth island. Las Vegas financial planner Derek Uehara underscores that diversity. A registered Republican, hes sympathetic to front-runner Donald Trump and thinks others may warm to the billionaires businesslike approach. That can appeal to the Asian-American community, if the focus is on hard work and getting things done, Uehara said. Theres a huge opportunity here, but no one knows how to tap into it. Cynthia Ameli, a 57-year-old Chinese-American pharmacist, is a volunteer with the Clinton campaign. She sees the former Secretary of State as a natural fit with the Asian-American community. Asians are very family-oriented and want everything for their families, and I believe everything Hillary is for, is for our families, she said. As Nevadas caucuses draw closer, theres been a surge in activity aimed at attracting Asian voters. The Sanders campaign held a multiethnic meeting Sunday that included Asian-American community leaders. But all agree the Clinton campaign, with a robust staff in the state for months, has had the most sustained outreach with a series of Asian-American themed events: dinners celebrating a Filipino holiday, Asian-American-themed phone banks and canvasses, and more. Clinton last month kicked off her national outreach to Asian-Americans with an event in Los Angeles heavily Asian eastern suburbs with Olympic figure skater Michelle Kwan. At a recent caucus training for Asian-American Democrats in Las Vegas, the Clinton campaigns national director of Asian-American and Pacific Islander outreach, Lisa Changaveja, mentioned that Clintons longtime aide Huma Abedin and campaign finance chairman Dennis Cheng are both Asian-American. Changaveja argued that the former secretary of state was uniquely positioned to appeal to Asian-Americans. Shes been in Thailand more than I have, and my mother lives in Thailand, Changaveja quipped. At the caucus training in Las Vegas, the Sanders campaign countered with an organizer who played a song about the Vermont senator on his ukulele, and a casino worker who is saddled with student debt and enthusiastic about the senators free college plan. They contend Asian-Americans will embrace Sanders. Asian-Americans, as theyre getting to know Sanders, theyre gravitating toward the campaign, said Zaffar Iqbal, a physician who lives in Las Vegas and was drawn to Sanders by his call for a government-financed health care system. This community has pretty much the same issues as any other community. The attention is thrilling for a group often overshadowed by Latino and African-American voters. Normally in Nevada, Asian-Americans are the last to get any benefit, said longtime activist Rozita Lee, 81. We matter now, because we have the numbers. Nicholas Riccardi, Las Vegas, AP Mercedes-Benz is adding a Coupe to its C-Class family, which the Daimler AGs subsidiary, Mercedes-Benz Hong Kong will introduce to the Macau market. The company says that the Coupe offers a new take on modern luxury: sportiness without compromising on comfort and exquisite style. It comes with a choice of three petrol engines from two-litre C 200 and C 250 models and the C 300. With an acceleration of 0 to 100 kilometers per hour in 3.9 seconds. Mercedes-Benz says that it is one of the quickest sport Coupes in Mercedes-AMG history. etihad airways takes home airline of the year award Abu Dhabi-based national airline, Etihad Airways, was presented with the Airline of the Year 2016 award on Monday night by aviation industry publication Air Transport World (ATW). The accolade acknowledged Etihad Airways strong executive leadership team in developing a profitable strategy or organic growth and their history of introducing innovative new products and services. The editorial board opted for Etihad Airways as the top honor in a highly contested competition with entries from more than 100 airlines around the world. To earn the award, ATW said an airline must demonstrate exceptional achievements and capabilities across its operations, strong financial performance, customer service, and safety and employee relations. louis xiii announces cny bonus up to 2 months salary Louis XIII Holdings Ltd announced a Chinese New Year bonus for all team members equivalent to up to two months salary. The bonus was paid to general staff who have been with the company for the entire 2015 calendar year, while a pro rata bonus was paid to those employees who had joined the company during the year. According to a press release, the bonus was issued in recognition of the teams effort and contribution to the development of the companys ultra-luxury hotel, slated to open in Macau later this year. This bonus reflects our recognition and appreciation of the diligent, productive work of Louis XIIIs team members, said Walt Power, CEO of Louis XIII. China has sent hundreds of troops into Vietnam after weeks of tension and a military build-up along the border. Vietnamese Vice-Foreign Minister Nguyen Ko Tach has told ambassadors in Hanoi the Chinese troops have occupied nearly all Vietnamese border positions and are advancing southwards. He did not give any idea of casualties or whether he would be calling on the assistance of the Soviet Union. Vietnam and the USSR signed an alliance last year, but military analysts think it unlikely the nine Russian ships in Indochinese waters would be of much value in a land campaign. An official statement from China has expressed a willingness to negotiate peace after counter-attacking the Vietnamese aggressors as they deserve. The assault follows months of exchanges between Chinese and Vietnamese authorities about illegal occupation of the ill-defined frontier territory. Foreign observers have reported a quadrupling of the Chinese force there, numbering up to 150,000 troops and 300 aircraft, in the past three weeks. Vietnam appears to have fewer soldiers as up to 100,000 of their troops are currently serving in Cambodia and another 25,000 are in Laos. The Chinese Government in Peking (later Beijing) claimed the Vietnamese had made over 700 armed incursions into China and killed or wounded over 300 Chinese soldiers and civilians over the last six months. The official Chinese Hsinhua News Agency said: We do not want a single inch of Vietnamese territory. All we want is a peaceful and stable border. Chinese vice-premier Deng Xiaoping has also threatened the Vietnamese Government in Hanoi with punishment for its engagement in Cambodia. Hostilities between Hanoi and the Chinese-backed Cambodian Government broke out last year and culminated in the Vietnamese invasion on Christmas Day and collapse of Pol Pots regime. Vietnam has appealed to the United Nations and has not cut off diplomatic relations with China. Courtesy BBC News In context The next day Radio Hanoi reported the strategic border towns of Lao Cai and Mon Cai had fallen to the Chinese, along with smaller townships. The broadcast suggested Vietnam had left much of the fighting to local militias rather than professional soldiers. The only support offered by the USSR was strong verbal condemnation. Chinas invasion prompted British MPs to lobby the Labour Government to reconsider its decision to supply China with Harrier jump jets. The Chinese continued their invasion until early March, taking several major towns. The invasion led to many more Vietnamese refugee boat people. The Chinese Armys withdrawal was completed by 16 March. Vietnamese troops stayed in Cambodia until 1989. Irans state TV says the first Chinese commercial train has arrived in Tehran to revive the Silk Road an ancient network of trade routes running through Asia. Yesterdays report quotes Mohsen Pourseyed Aghaie, Irans deputy transport minister, as saying a 12-container train arrived in Tehran after a 14-day journey from eastern China. Aghaie says the railway saves transit time comparing to the sea route from Shanghai to Iranian ports. He says Iran plans to extend the route to Europe. Irans President Hassan Rouhani has said his country will continue its close ties with the East despite deals his country has with western nations like France and Italy. China is Irans biggest trade partner and continued purchasing oil from Iran after nuclear-related sanctions were tightened in 2012, despite U.S. pressure. AP "'We saw calves torn from mothers' - shocking video exposes dairy industry cruelty" Fonterra , DairyNZ and Federated Farmers were swift to deplore the appalling footage as were farmers and the public. "Your portrayal of NZ farmers as 'animal terrorists' on the international (scene) are not only false, they are irresponsible in the extreme. The actions of a few is not a reflection of an entire industry, Hans, and one must question what your real motive is. Is it really about animal welfare? Or is it about destroying farmers and the NZ farming industry?" "I completely agree that farmers are mentally ill. You have to to be to treat animals in such a brutal fashion. Unfortunately a lot of farm workers have the brain size of a pea, and no compassion at all. These helpless vunerable little calves should not be subjected to such viciousness. Their lives already suck. Being surround by these demented uneducated monsters must be terrifying. I don't see farmer suicides as a problem, I see it as justice for these more helpless creatures" Back last year Fonterra had announced one of the lowest payouts ever to New Zealand dairy farmers from record highs for the previous seasons down to a mere $3.85 due to a massive fall in global diary prices. To add to the pressure already placed on farmers in the industry animal activist group Save Animals from Exploitation produced a video showing disturbing footage of bobby calves being callously thrown into the back of a stock truck along with the brutal inhumane bashing on the head of calves at an unidentified slaughter plant in the Waikato. The footage had been taken from hidden cameras placed by another activist group affiliated with SAFE (NZ) Farmwatch. Farmwatch investigator John Darroch was the person behind the investigation undertaken by the organisation across 14 farms and the slaughter plant in the Waikato. With the release of the footage theThis video produced by SAFE (NZ) has been posted on YouTube footage from it also aired on current affairs programme Sunday on November 29, 2015. If you watch this footage, along with the sinister sounding music it seems so compelling. The title "NZ Dairy Cruelty exposed" gives the impression this is normal in dairy farming. The disturbing footage especially at the slaughter plant is heartbreaking to watch but is it really where all bobby calves go to be turned into veal. Is it normal for truck drivers to throw calves into trucks or for a slaughterman to bludgeon calves to death. The manner in which this has been portrayed it appeared to be that way. However when getting to the bottom of it all things don't stack up especially the worst footage involving the inhumane slaughter of the calves.For starters looking carefully it didn't appear to be at any plant associated with the main processors AFFCO or Silver Fern Farms. In fact it turned out to be a small Waikato based Petfood processor who confirmed they had dismissed the worker concerned. The men caught on the video throwing the calves into the stock truck were later dismissed by the company owner. SAFE (NZ) are by no means new to causing controversy. In 2009 former comedian Mike King and now spokesperson for Mental Health issues had featured in a video produced by SAFE (NZ) to highlight the issues regarding the use of sow crates in the pork farming industry. The former spokesman for NZ Pork was taken to an unnamed commercial piggery under cover of darkness by SAFE (NZ) affiliated activists. He said himself he had been appalled at the conditions the sows were kept in. However in an article in the New Zealand Farmer King had said he had been never been affiliated to SAFE (NZ) and was appalled by its actions over the bobby calf issue. He had written an email to Hans Kriek director of SAFE (NZ)A few days ago another headliner appearedTwo women dairy farmers ,Waikato based herd manager Gina Greenwood and Jennifer Halligan told the media that animal activists on social media in some posts were telling farmers to commit suicide . A further example of one of the posts which had been given to the media stated:SAFE (NZ) stated they did not support such actions taken by the persons concerned. However, SAFE (NZ) are responsible for this happening in the first place. Their silence by not posting an advisement to their supporters on their social media to refrain from such appalling actions. They should do and can do. So why haven't they? I'll leave SAFE (NZ) to perhaps answer that question. U.S. Sen. Mike Crapo focused largely on gun rights in his speech to Idaho lawmakers Tuesday, while Jim Risch talked about how 2016 could be a watershed election year for the direction of the nation. Idaho's two Republican senators, both of whom used to be state lawmakers current Senate President Pro Tem Brent Hill observed that with their visit a majority of living pro tems were in the room were at the Capitol on Tuesday and addressed first the state Senate, then the House. Crapo spoke briefly on the federal debt, one of his signature issues and his focus at many of his town hall meetings, then spent most of his address talking about his efforts to expand gun rights and fight attempts to restrict them. "There is still a constant effort to restrict and, if possible, eliminate our right to bear arms," he said. Crapo talked up his efforts to extend the right to carry guns in national parks a few years ago, and legislation he is backing now to extend the right to carry firearms on Army Corps of Engineers-administered lands. Crapo also talked about pushing back against efforts by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the Social Security Administration to take away the gun ownership rights of some people who could be mentally incompetent. The agencies have been doing this by reporting people who have a designated payee to handle their benefits to the National Instant Criminal Background Check system. This led to a protest in northern Idaho over the summer when the VA sent a letter to a veteran in Priest River saying he couldn't own guns. Crapo has been pushing the Social Security Administration to stop, and filed a bill earlier this month to halt them. Crapo also briefly referenced gun legislation in Idaho this year two bills have been introduced to remove the requirement for a concealed carry permit within city limits, although neither has gotten a hearing. "We appreciate having a Legislature and a state where the constitutional right to bear arms is recognized and honored," he said. Risch talked about the upcoming election, saying it will be the most important in our lifetime. "In the time I've been doing this, I've never seen a situation where the control of all three branches of government are going to be on the ballot this time," he said. Risch was referencing the vacancy on the U.S. Supreme Court recently created by the death of Antonin Scalia Senate Republicans have said the next president should appoint his successor and they won't hear whomever President Barack Obama nominates. "This really could be one of those watershed election years where the country does move one way or the other," Risch said. Risch also decried the size of the federal government and its intrusion into areas that he thinks should be left to the states. "There's all kinds of good ideas, but that doesn't mean A) that the federal government should do it, or more importantly, that they can do it." MANAMA, Bahrain (AP) Four U.S. journalists arrested in Bahrain while covering the anniversary of the island nation's 2011 uprising were charged, released and flew out of the country Tuesday, a lawyer said. Only one of the four journalists has been identified so far, freelancer Anna Therese Day of Boise. A friend of Day's, Jesse Ayala, has said the journalists were simply doing their job and denied they took part in any "illegal behavior." Day had previously contributed to The Huffington Post and The Daily Beast. Police said one of the journalists was a woman and three were men. Despite charging them, Bahraini officials allowed them to head for the airport, apparently after the intervention of the U.S. Embassy in Manama. Bahrain is the home of the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet, which patrols the Persian Gulf and surrounding waterways crucial to the global oil trade. But their arrest and charges highlight the sensitivity the kingdom still feels five years after the uprising, as low-level unrest and protests continue. The journalists left a police station after meeting with prosecutors and headed straight for Bahrain International Airport, which they flew out of Tuesday night, lawyer Mohammed al-Jishi told The Associated Press. Authorities kept their cameras and computers, al-Jishi said. The reporters had been held since their arrests Sunday while covering protests in Sitra, a Shiite community outside of the capital, Manama. Bahrain police initially said they detained the four Americans on Sunday for providing "false information that they were tourists" and also alleged that one took part in an attack on Bahraini officers. In a statement Tuesday, Manama's chief prosecutor Nawaf al-Awadi said the journalists' possession of cameras and computers sparked their investigation. It said the journalists were freed "pending the completion of the investigation." An Arabic version of the statement from al-Awadi said the journalists had been charged with illegally assembling with the intent to commit a crime. A later English version carried by the state-run Bahrain News Agency said they were charged with "unlawful obstruction of vehicles and attending unlawful gatherings." The differences between the two could not be immediately reconciled. The nature of the journalists' release suggests they'll likely be banned from returning to Bahrain. The U.S. Embassy in Manama declined to immediately comment on news of the journalists' release. On Monday, U.S. Ambassador William V. Roebuck met with Bahraini Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, according to a late-night statement on the Bahrain News Agency. On Sunday, police arrested a photographer working with the group, two witnesses said. Later that night, police surrounded the area with checkpoints and arrested the other three, they said. The witnesses spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity for fear of being arrested. An Interior Ministry statement alleged one of the four journalists "was wearing a mask and participating in attacks on police alongside other rioters in Sitra." The statement also said the journalists entered the country between Thursday and Friday on tourist visas. "At least some of the arrestees were in the country as members of the international media but had not registered with the concerned authority and were involved in illegal activities," the statement said, without elaborating on what those activities were. Bahrain requires international journalists to obtain special media visas before entering to work. The island kingdom allows citizens of many countries, including the United States, to get a tourist visa on arrival. Obtaining a media visa takes several days, and activists say Bahrain has denied media visas for some journalists since the 2011 protests. The 2011 protests in Bahrain were the largest of the Arab Spring wave of demonstrations to rock the Gulf Arab states. They were driven by the country's Shiite majority, which demanded greater political rights from the Sunni-led monarchy. The protests were quashed after Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates sent in reinforcements. Bahrain blamed regional Shiite power Iran for stirring up the demonstrations, though a government-sponsored investigation into the unrest said there wasn't a "discernable link" between the protests and the Islamic Republic based on the information the government gave them. Bahrain's government committed to a number of reforms in the wake of the 2011 demonstrations, but low-level unrest continues, particularly in Shiite communities. Small groups of activists frequently clash with riot police and bombs occasionally target security forces. Hundreds of Bahraini youths protested Sunday on the fifth anniversary of the uprising. The New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists said at least six reporters are imprisoned by the kingdom over their work. "It is sad that the fifth anniversary of the protests is marked by the arrest of yet more journalists in Bahrain, which has since become one of the worst jailers of journalists in the Arab world," said Sherif Mansour, the committee's Middle East and North Africa program coordinator. HANSEN Students in Marisa Eastmans class often spend more time in the front of the room than their teacher. A blue cushioned bench was the centerpiece of Thursdays lesson: an exercise called park bench improv. Colton Berry sat on the bench, a confused look on his face, as he started. Do not ever say who you are or how old you are, Eastman said from a desk. Show, dont tell. Berry was soon joined by another student, who didnt say anything, but turned toward Berry and growled. One by one, other students joined the group. Remember, start out slowly and build up, Eastman reminded them. Stay in character. Establish who you are. You start out nonchalant with your character traits and build it so your character cant be ignored. Until you are almost at an obnoxious level. Soon all four students were talking at once, pushing each other off the bench. Last year marked the first time in five years drama was offered at Hansen Jr/Sr. High School. The drama program ended in 2010 when cuts in other staff put more demand on the drama teacher. The program was brought back to Hansen when the districts business teacher retired in 2014 and Eastman was hired. We did not have a replacement teacher for that program, and we began to look at other possible programming that would be of interest to students at Hansen, said Kristin M. Beck-Trappen, Hansen School District superintendent. Although it was a huge loss to forgo our business classes, offering drama created another niche for students to get involved and many students have taken advantage of the opportunity. In turn, it has been a way to get more adults into the school. The drama productions have had a great turnout from the community over the past two years, it is also another way that parents and families can volunteer in our schools. The addition of drama helped round out the small selection of electives the school offers. Students can take five electives taught by Hansen staff for dual credit through the College of Southern Idaho. The school also offers physical education, weights, sociology, comparative cultures, music appreciation, study skills, yearbook, technical writing, humanities, welding, zoology/animal science, agriculture structures and agriculture mechanics. We strive to make the electives that we do offer varied and of high quality, Beck-Trappen said. There are 26 students in Eastmans drama classes. She teaches ninth- and seventh-grade English and music appreciation. She is a certified drama teacher and has also taught at Glenns Ferry, Gooding and Castleford. The kids in drama are very bright and have responded well to drama, Eastman said. They are just so responsive. I could not be more pleased. This is one of the best experiences Ive had. The community, like most people, like watching drama. And they have it right here so they dont have to drive to Twin Falls. Eastman hoped the park bench improvisation exercise would help her students in April when some of them will compete in a one-act play competition in Pocatello April 22 and 23. The Hansen School District recently received a $1,114 QuickFunds Grant from the Idaho Commission on the Arts, which will help pay for the competition. The students are also preparing for their spring play in early May. Beck-Trappen said the district has been successful at obtaining several grants over the last couple of years to support teaching and learning. Some of the recent grants included a $2,500 Idaho STEM Action Center grant to purchase rockets and engines for the schools physical science class, a $20,000 Idaho Future Fund Grant to support dual credit efforts on campus and a $3,200 donation from the Coeur dAlene Tribe to help the school purchase books for dual credit classes. I see this in a lot of small schools, Eastman said. They are losing their funding and a way to express themselves. None of these kids had ever been to a live play. Every kid should have that opportunity, regardless of where they go to school. Eastman said the remainder of the QuickFunds Grant will be used to buy wigs, more costumes and prosthetics for future drama productions. She would also like to buy a few more textbooks for the classroom. Besides acting, students have also learned about the history of masks and theater. She (Eastman) has been a great addition to the staff and she has inspired students to be excited to be involved in the performing arts, Beck-Trappen said. Sophomore Hailee Bearce, 15, said Eastmans drama class has helped her in other classes. Hailee used to get stage fright whenever she had to give a presentation or speak in class. Drama class has helped her express herself in a way she never did before. You have to think of something off the top of your head, Hailee said. You dont think about what others will think, you just do it. Once I took drama, I can go in front of any group. Freshman Eva Inglehart, 14, took the drama last year when she was a shy eighth-grader. She thought the class would help her break out of her shell and prepare for high school. I had super stage fright and was nervous around everyone, Eva said. Now, Eva approaches every presentation or speech like a performance. Two years ago, Evas hands might have started shaking, but now she said she leaves classrooms amazed at how calm she is in front of an audience. I see this in a lot of small schools. They are losing their funding and a way to express themselves. None of these kids had ever been to a live play. Every kid should have that opportunity, regardless of where they go to school. Marisa Eastman, Drama teacher BOISE A Star resident reported returning home Monday afternoon to find Jaimi Dean Charboneau hiding in her closet. The woman, who resides in the 12600 block of West Gambrell Street, said Charboneau, whom she knows, threatened her with a gun. The woman said she ran out of her home, went to a neighbors house and called 911 at about 1:20 p.m. A few minutes later, Charboneau, 56, of Boise, called Ada County police dispatch and said he had been held hostage by the woman at the Bambrell Street home. He told deputies he escaped from the house and drove to a parking lot at the intersection of West Chinden Boulevard and Linder Road, where he said he called police. Deputies spoke to Charboneau at that location. He was later arrested and taken to the Ada County Jail in Boise, where he was charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and burglary. He is scheduled to appear for a video arraignment Tuesday afternoon in Ada County Magistrate Court. Last May, Charboneau was released from prison after a judge vacated his 1985 conviction for killing of Marilyn Arbaugh, his ex-wife, in Jerome County. She was shot 16 times with a rifle. Charboneau, who was 25 at the time, said he killed Arbaugh, 36, in self-defense. Fifth District Judge Robert Elgee ruled that Charboneau was entitled to a new trial based on new evidence that surfaced in 2011. A letter written in 1989 by a daughter of Arbaugh, who later died, wasnt revealed to Charboneau for more than 20 years. In the letter, Tira Arbaugh said prosecutors told her to lie about what happened the day her mother was killed and to conceal evidence in the case. While members of Arbaughs family claimed the letter was forged, Elgee and the Idaho Attorney Generals Office found the letter was authentic. Charboneau sought a new trial in 2011, after becoming aware of the letter. Charboneau was originally sentenced to death but following an appeal was given life without the possibility of parole. Arbaugh was shot by Charboneau in two separate incidents, once in August 1983, two months after the couple was married. Charboneau was charged with aggrevated battery in that case, but it was later dismissed. Arbaugh obtained a divorce in June 1984, but she and Charboneau continued to see one another. Later that month, she reported being kidnapped and raped by Charboneau and he was arrested. On June 28, 1984, Charboneau bought a .22-caliber rifle from a store in Gooding and allegedly shot Arbaugh in a corral near her home. The couples daughter, Tiffnie, heard shots and found her mom in a barn covered with blood, according to an earlier Idaho Supreme Court review of Charboneaus conviction. Charboneau was standing near his ex-wife, with the rifle pointed at her. She later died. BOISE A bill to stop cities and counties from raising the minimum wage on their own cleared the House Business Committee on a party-line vote Monday. The bill, brought by the Idaho Retailers Association in response to last years push for a local $10.25 an hour minimum wage in McCall, will now go on to the full House. Idahos minimum wage is $7.25 an hour, the same as the federal rate. The bills supporters said it would avoid a checkerboard of local regulations that would make it harder for companies, especially those with multiple locations, to do business, and could also pit neighboring communities against each other. We prefer a statewide approach to setting minimum wage standards, said John Watt, lobbyist for the Northwest Grocery Association. Rep. Brent Crane, R-Nampa, said all of the employees at his familys alarm company are paid more than the minimum wage, but that it should be his decision as an employer. Minimum wage was never intended to be a living wage, he said. Its just a starting point. Idahos Democrats have been pushing for a minimum wage increase for the past few years but none of their bills have gotten very far. The Democrats made two motions in committee, one to hold the bill and one to send it to be amended, that failed on party-line votes. Minority Leader John Rusche, D-Lewiston, who made the second motion, argued if localities are going to be barred from increasing the wage, the Legislature should have a discussion on what the minimum wage should be. A Democratic bill to increase the minimum wage is in the House Ways and Means Committee now, but no hearing has been set. Marty Durand, legislative counsel for Idaho Building Trades, said the measure would just keep Idahos wages toward the bottom of the national average and lead more young people to leave the state in search of higher pay. This bill only solidifies our position at the bottom, she said, as it would deprive cities and counties of the way to address local needs. Rep. Paulette Jordan, D-Plummer, said local voters should have a say, pointing to the vote in McCall, where the proposed increase failed narrowly. The people spoke locally, she said. And thats democracy at its best. But others argued that preempting local minimum wage increases is a proper role for the state government. The founders made no mention of local government in the U.S. Constitution, said Pam Eaton, head of the Idaho Retailers Association. They did talk about state sovereignty. Twenty-nine other states have preemption legislation, she said, and other legislatures are considering the issue this year. BOISE A Castleford school trustee and former president of the Idaho School Board Association asked lawmakers Monday not to ease the states constitutional prohibition on funding for religious schools. The proposal clearly violates the separation of church and state, Todd Wells told the Senate Education Committee. Wells and other school trustees from throughout the state attended Mondays meeting, which featured the introduction of a series of bills including ones to reestablish a statewide school broadband system and also presentations from ISBA on different education-related issues. Wells said it would open the door for vouchers and tax credits to attend private and religious schools and could threaten to undo the increase in public education funding the Legislature is working toward. This dilution of education budget dollars could take us there, he said. Rep. Ron Nate, R-Rexburg, has proposed amending the states Blaine Amendment to clarify that students at religious schools can legally get some state scholarships they are already receiving. He said it is necessary to make sure these scholarships are legal in case it is ever challenged in court. The proposal has been referred to the House State Affairs Committee, where a hearing date has not been announced. Sen. Janie Ward-Engelking, D-Boise, agreed with Wells, saying the change would do nothing to address the states constitutional mandate to provide a general, uniform and thorough system of free public education. If you choose to send your child to private school, its your choice but its also your cost, she said. But Sen. Mary Souza, R-Coeur dAlene, said the proposal does not violate the separation of church and state, noting that there isnt a Blaine Amendment equivalent in the U.S. Constitution. Maine Rep. James Blaine proposed one in 1875 hence the name of the state-level amendments but it failed to secure the needed two-third support in the Senate. Many people from religious backgrounds believe this is discriminatory, she said. BOISE The Idaho Senate shot down a proposal to shift more than $16 million a year in fuel tax money from Idaho State Police to roads and bridges. The final vote was 8-27, with Senate Transportation Chairman Bert Brackett, R-Rogerson, the only member of the Magic Valley delegation to support the proposed shift. Sen. Marv Hagedor, R-Meridian, said the state police should justify its budget to lawmakers every year the same way other agencies do, rather than having about 20 percent of it earmarked from fuel tax money automatically. Lets have that discussion, Hagedorn said. Lets have 100 percent of ISPs budget justified and discussed in JFAC, the budget-setting Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee. But others worried the Legislature wouldnt fill the state police budget hole the shift would create. Sen. Kelly Anthon, R-Rupert, said that while he recognized the need for more road funding, it is uncertainty, even if slight, on funding for the state police that causes me to vote no. Sen. Michelle Stennett, D-Ketchum, said the issue came up at all of the town hall meetings she and the districts other two lawmakers attended back home Friday and Saturday. This puts public safety in jeopardy, she said. Theres no assurance that we can cover these losses with general fund dollars. Sen. Jeff Siddoway, R-Terreton, said it costs more than $100,000 to train and equip a state trooper, and without adequate funding, ISP will have trouble drawing and keeping qualified people and could become a training ground for other agencies. Siddoway also brought up the number of controversial police shootings around the country specifically referencing the Tamir Rice case in Cleveland, the Laquan McDonald case in Chicago and in Idaho, the Jack Yantis shooting in Council. Those kind of debates underscore why the state police should have their own dedicated funding source, he said. Can you imagine dragging that kind of emotion in front of JFAC, to look for a funding source after that kind of incident? he said. The bill, introduced by Sen. Lori den Hartog, R-Meridian, would have taken the fuel tax money the state police get now and split it between local and state roads. Transportation funding was the big issue of the 2015 session, along with education, and ended up delaying the end of the session by a couple of weeks before lawmakers settled on a $95 million plan. It raised the gas tax and registration fees and put some unanticipated revenues toward transportation, addressing part of what the Idaho Transportation Department had estimated was a $262 million road funding shortfall. It hasnt been nearly as much a subject of debate this year. About Me Mohd. Kamal bin Abdullah I am Mohd. Kamal bin Abdullah, who resides in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. I hold a post-graduate law degree from the United Kingdom. I blog to tell MALAYSIANS THE TRUTH. View my complete profile Blog Archive Nicht Ihr Computer? Dann konnen Sie fur die Anmeldung ein Fenster zum privaten Surfen offnen. Weitere Informationen As an author who likes to add a bit of the psychic in my writing, I have been a fan of the TV show Medium since it first aired in January 2... I am using a format similar to the email messages I send to about 1000 colleagues on my private email list serve that I have been managing since 1997. Each entry will include the title of the news article, the first few paragraphs and a link to the entire article. My comments will be in blue arial font and key excerpts/quotes from the article will be in the article's original format. As a good Soldier always strives to improve his fighting position, I will endeavor to improve this site. Also follow on twitter at @davidmaxwell161 The purpose of this site is to share information on national security issues with anyone who has an interest in these topics. My focus is on National Security Issues of Policy and Strategy; Asia, with particular emphasis on Korea and China, as well as Special Warfare (Unconventional Warfare and Foreign Internal Defense) and Surgical Strike (Counterterrorism) and how they relate to US National Security. Not making a profit since 1975! ...And since 2007, one of the Best Left-Wing Book & Culture Review Sites on the Net. The first cargo train coming from China arrived on Monday in Tehran marking the revival of the Silk Road Economic Belt project spearheaded by Beijing with Iran expected to play a major role due to its geographic location. The train covered the 10,399 kilometer journey passing through Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan in 14 days, prompting Mohsen Pour Seyed Aghaei, Irans deputy minister for transport, roads and urban development and president of the Iranian railways, to hail its speed which is expected to increase as countries develop their railways. Chinese and Turkmenistan ambassadors were at the station to welcome the train. The train arrived with 32 cargoes each with a capacity of a 40 square foot container. Its more than 50% faster than the sea route as the travel time of the train was 30 days shorter than ships take between the ports of Chinas Shanghai city to Irans Bandar Abbas port city, Aghaei stated. Tehran will allocate an investment of $6billion over the next six years to the Silk Road Initiative and Aghaei said after the inauguration of the freight railroad from China to Europe, more goods will be conveyed through Iran to European countries which will bolster transit revenue. Iran shares territorial borders with 15 countries and has sea openings on its northern and southwestern coasts. It is expected to be used as a hub under the initiative. Chinese ambassador to Iran, Pang Sen, said the Silk Belt and Road economic initiative unveiled in 2013 will boost construction projects and provide efficient cargo trade transportation. According to Iranian media, more than a third of Irans foreign trade is with China, which is Tehrans top customer for oil exports. I have a suggestion: Give us the oil and we will give every Kurdish employee a salary like we do for every Iraqi employee, Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said in an interview on state television. His comments are aimed at solving the financial crisis of the autonomous Kurdistan region. Negotiations between the Kurds and Baghdad failed in January but the Prime Ministers latest statement could raise hopes for a new round of talks. Last year, Kurdistan began to export oil directly from the region to Turkey through its controlled territories against the will of the Iraqi federal government after they failed to agree on the budget quota to be allocated to the autonomous government. The exportations to Turkey are estimated around 600,000 barrels per day. Kurdish officials have warned in recent weeks that their region faces an economic collapse but Abadi said the regions oil exports represent around 16% from all Iraq and its independent oil sales account for its share of the federal budget as Baghdad refuses to subsidize the autonomous region. Majority of the oil comes from within Kurdistan but the Kirkuk oilfield also contributes to it since it overran the Islamic State in June 2014. IS group had earlier forced state-owned North Oil Company off the field. The autonomous government began to implement austerity measures as low oil prices take their toll and authorities have been paying partial salaries for several months. Some only received 25% of their salary in January. The government said the unpaid monies should be considered as loans. It is unclear if the regional autonomous government led by Massud Barzani, serving as de facto president, will heed Prime Minister Abadis call since Barzani has been urging for a referendum on independence. Tunisia will be receiving a delegation from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to discuss a loan agreement and Prime Minister Habbib Essid met with Central Bank Governor Chely Avari over the weekend ahead of their arrival. A government official hinted that Tunis is expected to request for a minimum of $1,7billion credit program as efforts continue to be centered on the revival of the economy and the tourism sector hampered by armed attacks of militants affiliated to the Islamic State group. The meeting between Essid and Avari is reported to have been centered on determining the cooperation program with IMF to provide funds for the governments 2016-2020 programs. The delegation is expected to arrive on Thursday. According to the press release from the Prime Ministers office, they also discussed the short and mid-term economic situations of the country relevant to highlight their commitment to economic and financial institutions as well as donors willing to support Tunisia. France has pledged 1 billion in aid over five years while the European Union could also approve a 500 million as a loan. The new IMF program will succeed a two-year deal totaling about $1.74 billion that was agreed in 2013 and extended last year by seven months to enable Tunisia implement its banking and fiscal reforms. Loan from the IMF are always accompanied by economic and financial conditions. If Tunisia has been able to surmount its political transition with little chaos, the revival of its once vibrant economy continues to be a major challenge and the country is increasingly relying on loans to resuscitate it. The protests which took place last year showcased that unemployment is still a key issue. Morocco is taking part in the North Thunder joint military drills started on Monday in Hafer al-Batin in northeastern Saudi Arabia, along some 20 Arab and Islamic countries, notably Egypt, Jordan, Gulf Cooperation Council Members, Malaysia, Pakistan, Sudan, and Yemen. According to a Moroccan website Far Morocco, specializing in defense issues, Morocco will participate in this multi-dimensional drill with F16 Block 52 fighter bombers. Saudi media had reported that about 350,000 forces from 20 countries, some 2,540 warplanes, 20,000 tanks and 460 helicopters will participate in the 18-day exercise conducted under Saudi Arabias command. During the duration of the drills, deemed as the largest ever in the area, the airspace over northern Saudi Arabia will be closed. Saudi Arabia, which is leading an anti-terrorism coalition formed in December 2015 did not indicate whether the manoeuver is related to the establishment of this coalition. The purpose of the coalition is to support military operations in the fight against terrorism through the exchange of information and, if necessary, the deployment of troops. Many analysts believe that the exercise is held in preparation for a contingency ground intervention in Syria, as Saudi Arabia, which is part of the US-led coalition that has been raiding the IS group in Syria, said recently it would participate in any ground deployment in the war-torn country if the US-led coalition decides to launch such an operation. In response to the Saudi remarks, the Syrian Foreign Minister had warned against any such intervention without Syrias consent. Somalias President, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, on Sunday, said members of the extremist Islamist Boko Haram group were trained in Somalia before returning to West Africa to carry out their terror activities. Hassan Mohamud made the comments at the 52nd Munich Security Conference that was attended by around 600 leaders, including 30 heads of state. He said his country has evidence that Boko Haram militants had been trained in Somalia. There is, therefore, a need to support Somalia in its fight against al-Shabab terrorists, he said. Without a stable Somalia, the whole region of the Horn of Africa will remain unstable and by and large, the African continent, he said. It was not clear from his comments whether he believed al Shabab was still training Boko Haram fighters, who have pledged allegiance to the Islamic State group last year. He explained that the terrorists were linked together and were so organized that the international community needed to coordinate an effective response. Al-Shabab militants, who are linked to al-Qaeda, staged numerous attacks on government officials and civilians. They also conduct raids on the Kenyan territories. Boko Haram fighters killed over 20,000 people since the start of their insurgency in Nigeria in 2009. The African Union and a number of neighboring countries have joined Nigeria in the fight against the group. While the extremist group has lost some territory, it has not lost its capability to launch suicide and car bomb attacks or kidnap women and children for ransoms. The 52nd Munich Security Conference held February 12 to 14 gathered some of the most important decision-makers in the realm of international security policy. Debates focused on current crises and future challenges to international security. The number of people fleeing Mozambique and seeking asylum in Malawi has increased significantly over the last few weeks, following clashes between government forces and the opposition Mozambican National Resistance known as RENAMO. An estimated 4,000 Mozambicans have already crossed the border, local media said. The Mozambican High Commissioner in Malawi, Jorge Gune, has been quoted by state radio as saying he had encouraged the refugees to return home, promising to accommodate them in safe areas and hand them the logistical support they need. According to Gune, the initiative includes setting up an accommodation center for returning refugees at Zobue, on the Mozambican side of the border. Malawi already hosts some 25,000 refugees mostly from the Great Lakes region in Dzaleka camp. This camp is overcrowded and the resources to assist refugees are limited. Food rations have been reduced by 50 per cent since October last year. Malawi authorities say they are trying to work with their Mozambican counterparts on how best to address the issue. Relations between Mozambique and Malawi were strained during the civil war, with the Maputo administration accusing Lilongwe of harboring the Renamo fighters, during the regime of the late dictator, Kamuzu Banda. Relations between the two countries started to improve after the death of Banda and the fall of the South African Apartheid regime. The police on Sunday arrested a prominent opposition leader ahead of a general strike against President Joseph Kabila of the Democratic Republic of Congo planned for Tuesday. Citizen Front 2016, a loose coalition of opposition parties and civil society groups, has called for nationwide demos for February 16. The group is urging citizens to paralyze towns and villages. President Kabila who has been in office for 15 years is required, under the countrys Constitution, to stand aside in December. According to Jose Maria Aranaz, director of the UN Joint Human Rights Office (UNJHRO) in Congo, Martin Fayulu, president of the Engagement for Citizenship and Development (ECIDE) and one of the organizers of Tuesdays strike, was detained at his party headquarters in the early afternoon. The government spokesman Lambert Mende said Fayulu was released after a few hours because of his immunity as a national deputy. Investigators will transfer his dossier to parliament, which could authorize judicial proceedings against him, he added. New York based advocacy group, Human Rights Watch (HRW), described the arrest as a very worrying sign. Although President Kabila is bound by the constitution to step down in December 2016, after serving two consecutive terms since 2001, opposition groups have accused him of trying to postpone the November 2016 election to amend the Constitution. Previous protests were met with brutal force in the rich nation. Dozens died in protests over the issue in January last year. The working and friendship visit King Mohammed VI of Morocco is to pay to France as of Wednesday will give a new impetus to the longstanding partnership binding the two countries. The visit will highlight by a summit meeting between the Moroccan King and Frances Francois Hollande at the Elysee on Wednesday. According to official sources, talks will address several issues of mutual concern, including bilateral political, economic, and security relations, the situation in the Maghreb and several other topical issues. As Morocco will be hosting next November the climate change international conference COP22 and as France is currently holding the presidency of the COP21 until it hands it over to Morocco in Marrakesh, the two leaders will also discuss issues related to climate change and preparations for COP22. Talks between the two leaders might also cover their respective countries relations with Africa, an issue that they had largely debated during the visit President Hollande had paid to Tangiers, northern Morocco, in September last year. They had both voiced their shared resolve to work together to fulfil their respective but matching ambitions in the African continent, especially in West Africa, where Morocco, which positions itself as the link between Africa and Europe, has already a strong foothold. News that had then surfaced indicated that Paris and Rabat were planning to co-build ports and to invest in the railways business, real estate and Agriculture sectors in Africa. The Wednesday meeting between the two leaders is therefore part of their regular contacts and it will be the third since November 20, when the King had visited the French President just a week after the November 13 terrorist attacks in Paris. President Hollande had then voiced gratitude to Morocco for its cooperation and effective assistance that helped track down the terrorists behind the Paris attacks. Actually Morocco had provide valuable intelligence that enabled the French investigators spot and kill Belgian-Moroccan jihadist Abdelhamid Abaaoud, the alleged mastermind of the Paris attacks and to track down other terrorists in Belgium. Moroccos King had also met President Hollande on November 30 on the sidelines of the climate change international conference COP21 held in Paris. Your digital subscription includes access to content from all our websites in your region. Access unlimited news content and The Canberra Times app. Premium subscribers also enjoy interactive puzzles and access to the digital version of our print edition - Today's Paper. Entercom Acquires Podcorn Platform matches brands with the most relevant podcast creators to scale native branded content and drive higher ROI for advertisers. 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Learn more Five French cities enjoy Georgian wine tasting Wine lovers in France, one of the worlds most renowned wine countries, got a taste of Georgian wine at several exhibitions this week.Five French cities Paris, Orleans, Blois, Angers and Saumur sampled wine from Georgian wine companies Iagos Wine, Pheasants Tears, Ramaz Nikoladze Cellar, Golden Wine, Winery Niki Antadze, Natenadze Wine Cellar and Mariam Iosebidze Wine.The Georgian National Wine Agency said Georgian wine was presented at the natural wine exhibition La Dive Boutteille in Saumur, while the Les Penitentes exhibition was held in Angers. The other three cities enjoyed smaller tasting events.Georgias Ambassador to France, Ekaterine Siradze-Delone, said such events helped raise awareness of Georgian wine and gain a following among French consumers.The head of the Georgian National Wine Agency, Giorgi Samanishvili, said qvevri wine was a 'visit card' of Georgia at international wine exhibitions.'By showcasing qvevri wine at French exhibitions, it is becoming more popular on the international market. The Georgian National Wine Agency will support Georgian winemaking companies to take part in similar exhibitions and popularise Georgian wines to the international community and professionals,' said Samanishvili.France, a country world famous for its own wine making traditions, has increased its imports of Georgian wine.Last year, Georgia exported 38,000 bottles of wine to France. This was 190 percent more than in 2014.Georgias main export product to France was wine, said the Georgian National Wine Agency. Caucasus Online says selling the Black Sea cable is not on agenda By Messenger Staff The sale of the Black Sea cable and its land infrastructure arenot the subject of any negotiations,Georgias online provider Caucasus Online said in response to the statement of an opposition leader concerning the sale of thefibre optic cable to a Russian company."Due to high public interest, we would like to clarify that at this stage Caucasus Online has negotiations with several major telecommunications companies, including VimpelCom and MagtiCom, on the purchase of a retail segment.The process is transparent and the list of the company's assets - which may be sold - has been sent to the Georgian National Communications Commission, as required by the provisions of the Commission. The list does not include the Black Sea cable and therefore it is not a part of the commercial deal, says the statement.The leader of the Free Democrats opposition party, Irakli Alasaniam has stated that the strategic optic fibre cable may be sold to Russia. As Alasania said, the government is working on the alienation of the cable, which grants Georgia access to the Internet.Alasania called the information alarming and demanded an explanation."Negotiations are underway on the alienation of the strategic fibre optic cable, which is linked to Europe and which gives the Internet to Georgia. It should be noted that until recently, it was owned by a Georgian company, and we have information that it will likely be purchased by a Russian company, VimpelCom.This information is so important for our country's security that it needs the National Regulatory Commission to give an explanation. In today's world, the risk of cyber-attacks is so big that it is very alarming information," said Alasania.It is worth noting that the VimpelCom company also operates in the occupied territory of Abkhazia.It is a profound relief that the fibre optic cable is not at risk, as selling it to another country - especially the Russian Federation - would be extremely risky for Georgian security. The News in Brief Passportisation in Abkhazia, questions about Gali Georgians remain New legislation doesnt solve the problems of Abkhazias Georgians, who still find themselves in limbo of no right to vote and own property. The issue of new passports for inhabitants of Abkhazia will begin in March, and the price of the new document will be 420 roubles, the Prime Minister of Abkhazia Shamil Adzynba announced. The authorities in Sukhumi are planning to replace existing passports with new ones in order to increase the level of protection offered by the documents. The internal passports of the citizens of Abkhazia which currently exist were the first documents we issued. We consider them our pride, but they werent printed in Russia and their quality turned out to be poor, Mr Adzynba told Apsnypress back in February 2015, when the process was first announced. The printing cost approximately 40 million roubles, the equipment costing another 24 million roubles, and the electronic system cost about 16 million roubles. The amount is certainly impressive, but it is necessary to ensure the security of our state and our citizens, the Prime Minister told Sputnik Apsny. Passports will be issued in thirteen specially created service points throughout the republic. The authorities are planning to conclude the process of issuing new passports towards the end of the year. The process coincides with the plan to issue residence permits to ethnic Georgians inhabiting the east of Abkhazia. Georgians saw their Abkhazian citizenship cancelled on the eve of Abkhazias presidential elections in August 2014, which denied them the right to vote, own property, set up business, attend university, and to access healthcare. Abkhazian authorities announced plans to issue residence permits instead, which sent further shockwaves in the community, as resident permits are considered documents which are granted to foreigners. The authorities argue, however, that many ethnic Georgians hold Georgian passports, which makes them foreign citizens. They justify their application of collective responsibility by security reasons, as they view Georgia being formally at war with Abkhazia. Ekho Kavkaza (Caucasus Echo) reported that an idea for postponing elections in Gal (Gali) due to lack of regulations regarding issuance of residence permits was discussed in the Parliament. Three members of parliament harshly criticised the idea. Aslan Kobakhia called the idea a hideous attitude and rudeness on behalf of the government. Almas Jopua accused the government of failing the passportisation process and failing to keep the deadline for elections to local self-governments and asked for a vote of no confidence to the prime minister. Akhra Bzhania said he was tempted to vote against the notion in order to punish the people who failed to do their work. According to the newly-adopted law On the Legal Status of Foreign Citizens in the Republic of Abkhazia, persons holding the residence permit have no right to vote or to own property, which doesnt bring much change in the situation of Abkhazias Georgian community. Ekho Kavkaza quotes Mr Adzynba saying: All residents should have not only a formal document with name, last name, and a photograph. Such a document should also give certain rights to a person. We think that a residence permit doesnt allow a person to use their political rights, but it lets them enjoy all other rights. When asked whether these rights are specified in the legislation, Mr Adzynba said: No, but there are other regulations, mechanisms, we understand the issue perfectly. This issue lies not only in the competence of the government; it should also be discussed with the Parliament. It will all be done soon, I assure you! (DF watch) Amnesty: Bill Against Insult of Religious Feelings Undermines Freedom of Expression Amnesty International said a bill currently under discussion in the Georgian Parliament proposing to make insulting religious feelings an administrative offense, will undermine freedom of expression if adopted. The bill, sponsored by Soso Jachvliani, an MP from the ruling GD coalition, was endorsed by Parliaments human rights committee at a session on February 2. The bill, however, drew criticism from some ruling coalition members, specifically lawmakers from the Republican Party, as well as from opposition UNM party. Georgian human rights and watchdog groups have also called on the Parliament not to adopt proposed draft law. The proponents of the draft law have come up with this initiative with the expressly stated aim of protecting the Georgian Orthodox Church and its clergy from insults by which, in the examples the proponents cited, they meant public criticism of the Church, Amnesty International said in a statement. The proposed legislation would be incompatible with Georgias international obligations. It may effectively outlaw criticism of religious leaders and institutions, and suppress free speech on topical political and social issues, including the rights of women, of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) people, and of religious minorities. Shielding the religious institutions from public criticism not only stifles freedom of expression, but in the context of Georgia may also reinforce discrimination and harassment of vulnerable communities, including condoning acts of violence perpetrated in the name of religion. Amnesty International has documented several such violent incidents, in which the perpetrators purported to be acting in the name of protecting or shielding from insults their faith, the Georgian Orthodox Christianity professed by a majority of Georgians. In particular, individuals belonging to the LGBT community and womens rights campaigners have been, on regular occasions, subjected to intimidation ranging from death threats to violent attacks by the followers of the Georgian Orthodox Church after they made critical statements about the Church or its leadership, the rights group said. It called on the Georgian authorities to reject the proposed legislation and to take effective steps to protect the right to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly for all, including individuals holding and expressing minority or dissenting views or beliefs, and [to] end discrimination against persons belonging to the LGBTI community in particular. In a written statement on February 4, the Georgian Orthodox Church denied that the Patriarchate is behind the bill or that the bill aims at limiting criticism of the Church. Although there are frequent cases of insults and use of hate speech against the [Orthodox] Church and its leader, the adoption of such a bill has not been our initiative neither now nor previously, it said. The Georgian Orthodox Church called on the authorities in January, 2015 to provide for limits to freedom of expression in order to protect rights of believers against insult of religious feelings. In late 2013, the Interior Ministry-proposed draft law was offering adding insult of religious feelings clause to the code of administrative offenses, but at the time the proposal was dropped. (Civil.ge) People die during construction work By Messenger Staff An accident happened in Batumi during construction work of the Port Batumi Tower.As reported, a middle-aged man fell from a considerable height. He was hospitalized but died due to severe injuries within an hour.The incident occurred yesterday evening. The causes are unknown, and an investigation has already been launched into the issue.Regrettably, such incidents are hardly infrequent in Georgia.There are various companies and private investors working in construction, but in many cases do not uphold health and safety standards.The skills and professionalism of employees are often not tested.If a businessman comes from a certain region, he generally hires his neighbors or relatives for construction projects; as unemployment remains a serious problem in Georgia, people generally accept such offers.As they lack experience and qualifications, fatal incidents are relatively common, but a need for money pushes people into working without concern over health and safety issues.There is a serious need for the Government to discuss the problem in depth, as it concerns the lives of Georgian citizens.Herewith, the quality of the constructions should also be examined, as a building constructed by unprofessional workers always raises question marks over its safety and longevity. @ByKristenMClark In keeping with a campaign to brand himself as an anti-establishment candidate in the Democratic primary for Florida's U.S. Senate race, U.S. Rep. Alan Grayson has his own ideas on how President Barack Obama should fill Antonin Scalia's seat on the U.S. Supreme Court in the wake of the justice's death on Saturday. Most Republicans -- including candidates for Florida's seat -- say either that Obama should not bother nominating someone during his final year in office or, that if Obama does, the Senate should block any attempt to confirm that nominee. Meanwhile, most Democrats argue it's the president's duty to nominate and the Senate's obligation to consider a nominee regardless of how much time is left in Obama's term. But Grayson, D-Orlando, said in a campaign statement Monday evening he supports what would be an unconventional and highly controversial approach: Bypass the Senate's Republican majority altogether by appointing someone this week while the chamber isn't in session. And he has a name in mind: U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., who -- like Grayson -- is a staunch progressive. Shes earned it, and she deserves it, Grayson said. And shell be so, so good at it. Obama was already quick to say over the weekend that he had no intention of making a recess appointment to the country's top bench. But Grayson wrote in a column for The Huffington Post that if Obama took action now, "Justice Warren could take office immediately. The obstructionists in the GOP couldn't do anything about it." He argued that if Obama delayed and later offered her up as a nominee, Warren might be more easily confirmed by the Senate because she's "one of their own." "Would obstructionists in the Senate filibuster an Elizabeth Warren appointment, or vote against her? Maybe. But that seems like poor form against one of their own, for a place as clubby as the U.S. Senate," Grayson wrote. While Grayson says Warren is "eminently qualified" to be a jurist -- because of nearly two decades' experience as a Harvard law professor and her "tireless and effective" work as a U.S. senator -- she's not among any of the short-lists of nominees Obama is said to be considering. Grayson is in a contentious Democratic primary against U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy, D-Jupiter, in the race to replace Marco Rubio in the U.S. Senate. Murphy has the backing of the party establishment (including many sitting Democratic U.S. senators), while many progressives support Grayson. Warren hasn't endorsed either candidate in the race. @ByKristenMClark Six Miami-Dade County School Board members and district Superintendent Alberto Carvalho are in Tallahassee today, meeting with local lawmakers and testifying on some bills that had hearings before legislative committees. Carvalho also met with Republican Gov. Rick Scott this afternoon, which Carvalho said earlier today would be a routine affair that's "just one more opportunity to re-state our priorities." He said those include equity in funding (including capital dollars), the state's education accountability system and an emphasis on students learning the English language, among other topics. Funding for school districts' capital dollars has been a controversial and prominent topic recently. Lawmakers in both chambers are set to begin negotiations this week on the next state budget, where they'll compromise on how much in capital dollars school districts and privately managed charter schools should get. This comes as lawmakers are considering a proposal spearheaded by Miami Republican Rep. Erik Fresen that would require school districts to give to charter schools some of their state funding for maintenance and repairs. Carvalho told the Herald/Times that changing the funding formula for school districts and how they use local and state tax dollars "could be rather devastating to the financial stability of our district long-term," and in the short term, he said, it could be "rather impactful or catastrophic in terms of our maintenance needs and everyday construction renovation needs." Every Republican presidential candidate opposes Obamacare, but Ohio Gov. John Kasich stands out for being the only one who took advantage of the programs Medicaid expansion option. Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush wasnt going to let that choice go unnoticed. Bush touted his opposition to expansion in Florida during a debate in South Carolina. "The (Florida) governor was supportive of doing what John did," Bush said Feb. 13. "So was the Florida Senate. A committed speaker of the House asked me to go as a private citizen to make the case against the expansion. I did, and it wasn't expanded there." To which Kasich shot back, "When Jeb was governor -- his first four years as governor -- his Medicaid program grew twice as fast as mine. Okay? It's just a fact." We cant resolve which man is more fiscally responsible, but we can compare Medicaid spending trends. A decade and a half separates the periods -- 1999-2003 for Florida and 2011-15 for Ohio -- but with due regard for the vast change in circumstances, the numbers can speak for themselves. See what Jon Greenberg of PolitiFact found. @ByKristenMClark A plan to let some gun-owners carry concealed weapons in Florida airport terminals was approved by its first Senate committee on Tuesday, but its chances at becoming law this year are nearly impossible because its House companion has yet to be considered. SB 1500 by Sen. Wilton Simpson, R-Trilby, is among several gun bills under consideration by lawmakers this year that aim to expand gun-owners' rights and specifically those of the 1.5 million people with concealed weapons permits in Florida. Simpson said the legislation is needed because airport terminals "could become more of a target" for terrorists and criminals, since they are among 15 areas codified in state law where even concealed-weapons permit-holders can't carry weapons. "Sterile" areas of airports -- those past security checkpoints and controlled by the federal Transportation Security Administration -- would remain a prohibited area for weapons. The bill received initial approval from the Senate Criminal Justice Committee on Tuesday along party-lines, with Democrats in opposition. But the House companion to Simpson's proposal -- HB 4051 by Rep. Jake Raburn, R-Lithia -- is all-but-dead because it has not been heard by any of the three committees it's been assigned to. It awaits a hearing before the House Criminal Justice Subcommittee, but that panel held its final meeting of the 2016 session two weeks ago. "Were continuing to work to try to get the bill heard and to try to pass what we believe is a good policy," Raburn told the Herald/Times. Simpson said the legislation is intended to let "law-abiding citizens" carry concealed when they visit airports, such as when dropping off or picking up family and friends or when dining or shopping in commercial areas that are outside security checkpoints. As well, "the bill is needed to make sure our citizens have the right to protect themselves in the event that we have someone try to murder a lot of folks in an airport," Simpson told reporters after the hearing. Sen. Jeff Clemens, D-Lake Worth, and Sen. Audrey Gibson, D-Jacksonville, questioned why lawmakers would want to "introduce more weaponry into airport terminals." "They need to be carrying their concealed weapons to walk their person to the gate because of terrorists?" Gibson asked. The Florida Airports Council -- which represents 19 commercial airports and more than 75 general aviation airports, including those in Tampa, Miami and Fort Lauderdale -- has similar concerns and opposes the proposal. Also, council representative Michael Stewart said, "if theres incidents, law enforcement officers would have concerns about whos carrying weapons and whos not." Simpson's bill has two more committee stops in the Senate. It next goes to the Judiciary Committee, where chairman and Sen. Miguel Diaz de la Portilla, R-Miami, has declined to hear two of the most high-profile gun bills this session: ones that would allow some gun-owners to carry openly in most places and to carry concealed on public college and university campuses. "We just keep moving in the process and we'll see how this works out," Simpson said. Michael Deibert is the author of Haiti Will Not Perish: A Recent History (Zed Books), In the Shadow of Saint Death: The Gulf Cartel and the Price of America's Drug War in Mexico (Lyons Press, 2014), The Democratic Republic of Congo: Between Hope and Despair (Zed Books, 2013) and Notes from the Last Testament: The Struggle for Haiti (Seven Stories Press, 2005). He can be followed at twitter.com/michaelcdeibert. Got some ideas about economics, policy, science, art or whatever, and you can write? Let us know here , we're looking for contributors! Montanans often pride themselves in being self-reliant, especially folks in rural areas. Thats usually a good thing, but in one case it can be a big problem when youre having a heart attack. Eighty-six percent of people in Montana with heart attack symptoms dont call 911, says Joani Hope, director of Mission: Lifeline Montana. Instead, they arrive at the hospital emergency department in a private vehicle. Mission: Lifeline is a nationwide program that aims to improve outcomes for people with heart attacks, and a big part of that is to convince them to call 911. Its all about time heart attacks block circulation to part of your heart, and the quicker blood flow is restored the better your chances for recovery. While driving to the emergency department can seem faster than calling 911, its usually not. And thanks to Mission: Lifeline, emergency medical services personnel can administer some treatments before you get to the hospital. It works like this. When you feel chest pain, or other heart attack warning symptoms, you call 911 immediately. As soon as the ambulance arrives, the EMS responders use a 12-lead EKG machine provided through the efforts of Mission: Lifeline to check your heart and transmit the results to the appropriate hospital. Doctors at the hospital read the EKG and talk to the EMS team to evaluate your condition and get ready to treat the precise type of heart attack youre having. In some cases, doctors advise the EMS team to administer clot-busting medicines called thrombolytics right away. Once your ambulance arrives at the hospital, your treatment is streamlined. Most heart attack patients need a heart catheterization, or cath, to identify blocked arteries, which are then opened immediately with a procedure called angioplasty. This is the gold standard for treating heart attacks, and calling 911 gets you there much faster. The portable EKG units that transmit your information to the hospital, cutting your time to treatment, are courtesy of Mission: Lifeline. This program uses private grant money and contributions to buy the EKG units for emergency services agencies, and to train personnel to use them. They also educate health care providers about the latest treatment guidelines, and promote cooperation between hospitals and EMS agencies. For example, Mission: Lifeline helps hospitals analyze heart attack cases that arrive by ambulance. Hospitals can then work with the ambulance crews to explore how the process can be improved. While doctors, EMS crews and Mission: Lifeline are all working to improve treatment for heart attack, you still need to do your part. If you have heart attack symptoms, dont take time to feed the horses or pick up the kids from school. Call 911 right away if you have: Chest pain or discomfort. It can feel like pressure or squeezing, and it may come and go. Upper body pain or discomfort. You can have this in your shoulders, stomach, back, neck or jaw, with or without chest pain. Shortness of breath. You may have trouble getting your breath along with the chest discomfort. Other symptoms that may accompany chest pain or discomfort that also signal a heart attack. They include light-headedness, nausea and vomiting, sweating, or cold, clammy skin and anxiety. A large grant from the Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust has placed portable EKG machines with most EMS agencies in Montana, but theres still work to be done. Twenty agencies are still waiting for one of these lifesaving machines. You can help by contributing to Mission: Lifeline Montana to help fund this effort. Contact Peggy Owen at t-peggy.owens@heart.org. or 406-220-2464 to donate. *** The Family Health column is written by Shawn Lake for Community Medical Center. BILLINGS - In what is one of the new state medical officer's first public health awareness projects, state health officials are rolling out a monthly series of messages aimed at boosting awareness of health issues as they relate to Montanans. Called Health in the 406, the program will each month focus on a different health topic broken down into bite-sized bits of information that are easy to read and remember. "What we're trying to do is bring up items to highlight areas where we are being successful in public health, and some areas that need improvement as well," said Dr. Gregory Holzman, State Medical Officer with the Montana Department of Health and Human Services. Through a new website, voluntary email signups and a media push, DPHHS hopes the effort will open up more Montanans to information on public health topics they might have known about or been interested in before. That includes things people normally think of as public health topics such as vaccinations or disease control but officials also want to focus on other aspects, including chronic pain, mental health and birth defects, while highlighting programs or efforts in communities around the state. "We want people to see public health differently," said Linda Krantz, DPHHS chronic disease prevention program manager. "Public health has expanded and grown so much. It touches everybody and people don't think of things like falls as public health issues." The first topic covers falls and fall safety in Montana. Included are statistics about falls in Montana they result in 3,400 annual hospital stays and 19,800 emergency room visits while costing about $135 million along with demographics saying that Montanans over 45 with arthritis have twice the risk of falling as those who don't, as well as resources and programs, like the statewide Stepping On classes, designed to help prevent falls. "It's a great way to educate the public and other health care providers around the state with some data," said Jeremy Brokay, coordinator of the DPHHS injury prevention program. " ... We just want people to know that they're common, they're predictable and they're preventable." By design, the post is broken down into three quick bolts of information covering numbers, demographics and resources so that the entire thing can be read in just a few seconds. "We want to be very, very simplistic like the three bullet points that people can read in an email before they even have a chance to delete it," Holzman said. "They might learn something new or reconfirm something they already knew." Officials also want the public to be involved and have set up an email account at healthinthe406@mt.gov for people to contact with suggestions or comments. Many of the program's components are borrowed from a U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention effort called Did You Know, only localized for the Montana public. Holzman said that the number of people who signed up for that program was "pretty impressive" and hopes to replicate those results in Montana. Holzman served as head of Michigan State University's Healthy Campus Initiative and was an associate chair of preventive medicine there before coming to Montana in the summer of 2015. He replaced Dr. Steven Helgerson, who retired. Among his other previous positions are stints as Michigan's chief medical executive and the CDC's deputy director for the Office of State, Tribal, Local and Territorial Support. He also spent time in Montana in 1998 as a staff physician at the Blackfeet Community Hospital in Browning. He said that community health-building programs like Health in the 406 and collaborative efforts with communities, health care providers and organizations around the state are among his top priorities. "I believe public health is one of the biggest areas where we can make a difference in people's lives," he said. Among the medical officer's duties are leading statewide public health programs, keeping an eye on public health issues, working with the CDC and working with programs and other organizations around Montana on disease outbreaks and public health emergencies. As usual, this year will bring a number of annual air shows and fly-ins to various Montana cities and towns. Probably few people attending will be aware of the story of an old miner in the Castle Mountains, southeast of White Sulphur Springs. Some 11 years before the Wright Brothers achievement, Sure Shot Bill possibly came close to achieving aviation fame. Several years ago, an exhibit in the Montana Historical Society in Helena told about it, as did a feature story that appeared in Montana weekly newspapers in 1922. Seems that in 1892, Sure Shot Bill (last name unknown) divided his time between prospecting for silver and apparently dreaming about flying. He built what appeared to be a wood and canvas flying machine. Sure Shot must have done some reading on the theory of flight because the glider he built was the same basic principle used by aircraft designers years later. He used a 40-foot lodgepole pine as a main stay for the canvas-covered wing. A deep groove was carved into the length of the pole and the stays of bent pine were fitted into this. And he fashioned a crude seat. The whole contraption was light enough that a man could lift it by himself. Apparently he planned to take a running start from the long grassy slopes of the mountain. When hed been drinking, Sure Shot shouted that hed be willing to bet his silver claim that he could fly from Castle to the town of Lombard and beat the Jawbone Flyer, a train than ran on the branch line that the Montana Railroad Co. had built from the Northern Pacifics main line at Lombard, 60 miles away. As might be expected, Sure Shot was the object of scoffing and ridicule. As far as is known, he never test flew his glider. A silver panic in the mills caused the mines to close and area residents debarked in haste to more glittering pastures. Sure Shot Bills glider remained where he left it just outside his cabin. In fact, the gliders skeleton outlasted his cabin, though both now are long gone. Perhaps in the decades that followed, as the airplane was successfully developed, some of those miners might have gained respect for their former Castle Mountains neighbor and his unfulfilled dream of flight. *** Paul Fugleberg is a former editor and co-publisher of the Flathead Courier of Polson and the Ronan Pioneer. His freelance articles and photos have appeared in numerous national and regional magazines and newspapers, and he has written several books. He can be reached at pfugleberg@bresnan.net. As a trip through town or a glance at a recent Missoulian issue demonstrates, our city is undergoing a transformation that holds considerable implications for our communitys character and future. With a growing population; an inward-focused growth plan; school bonds that dedicate over $150 million to numerous facilities; and multiple big-ticket projects near or in progress, a lot is happening here. Missoula is now at a crossroads; the decisions we make today will determine the performance and durability of existing and new buildings, and the appearance of our city for decades. We should ask ourselves whether business-as-usual building and development strategies are adequate. Most commercial and residential buildings meet minimum construction and energy codes, but many struggle to meet our expectations for overall performance; never mind their appearance. Not only can new and renovated buildings be efficient, healthy and safe places, they can also be affordable and provide opportunities for the local economy from designers and builders to bankers and real estate professionals. Buildings can help us thrive and benefit the entire community. Some additional context and facts to consider as the Missoula of our future forms: Economy: According to a 2015 Booz Allen Hamilton report, green, or high-performance, buildings contributed $1.68 billion to Montanas economy from 2011 to 2014, employing 20,000 people. The report projects the economic contribution to rise to $2.59 billion from 2015 to 2018, with 30,000 jobs statewide. Energy: Residential and commercial buildings account for 41 percent of total U.S. energy use, according to 2014 Energy Information Administration data. Irrespective of energy sources, energy that buildings use is energy we pay for. As far as utility-based fossil fuels are concerned, which in Montana is close to 60 percent of our supply, there is no clear indication that rates will decline. Buildings that use electricity and natural gas more efficiently save money for the people who use themall of us. Energy efficiency improvements are also a surefire means of attaining climate change goals. Water: A 2014 Government Accountability study noted that Montana faces the greatest threat of statewide freshwater shortages over the next decade beyond every other state, even California. Furthermore, as the intrigue behind who will ultimately own our water utility illustrates, water rates likely will not decrease. The price we pay for our water reflects scarcity and uncertainty; through efficient water use, buildings can assuage such concerns. Materials: because of the potential risks of chemicals and other by-products in many building materials, the American Institute of Architects formulated position statements that recognize impacts building materials may have on the environment and occupants health. From materials extraction, manufacturing, use and ultimate disposal, the AIA and other professional organizations have doubled down on building safety and quality. There is no doubt that the quality of the building materials has a direct bearing on indoor air quality and occupants health and productivity. We can easily impact this market transformation. First, everyone who pays property tax in Missoula would benefit from new and upgraded schools accountable to a high-performance building certification. Such accountability would help ensure durable learning environments that students and faculty want to be in, that are conducive to learning and teaching, and operate efficiently and economically. Examples abound in other states, where public schools reflect the best in sustainable design. Why not in Missoula? Second, new and renovated commercial buildings developers and owners could strive for energy and water efficiency goals that exceed existing codes. Getting there would create jobs, and plenty of studies reflect quick returns on investments thanks to rent premiums and increased occupant productivity. Third, the city of Missoula could incentivize high-performance building projects in various ways, such as fast-track permitting or building code variances especially in existing urban renewal districts. Although buildings often receive more attention for their appearance and location, much of their value lies in how they conserve the natural resources that we treasure in Montana, provide healthy indoor environments for occupants, and create opportunities across economic sectors throughout their life cycles. Buildings that perform effectively and efficiently, are durable, and provide safe and healthy settings for their users and occupants can and should be the gold standard for our community. We should demand nothing less. The Sunday, Feb. 12 piece on financing higher education in Montana was well done. State Sen. Dick Barrett and his Missoula legislative colleagues explored aspects of the complicated problem. It is the same problem U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders has highlighted in his bid for the White House. It is the same problem which I have personally witnessed while talking with so many wonderful young people here at the Missoula Springs, our retirement community, where college-age kitchen and nursing staff care for the older generation. Many are here long hours trying to plan for college or return to college in the face of financial hardship. Their families often cannot pay the costs of college, particularly if they have other children. The young people are rightly afraid of the typical student loans, which will affect any marriage plans and purchasing power for years to come. The Missoulian article tells us that Americans now owe $1.3 trillion in student loans. Higher education has indeed become a rich mans game. David Brooks, in the refreshingly polite and erudite debate on Fridays PBS news, debunks the Sanders arguments for free tuition in higher education as unrealistic and Sanders as a pie-in-the-sky kind of guy. Where will the money come from? And besides, he says, the Sanders plan will favor, ironically, the rich families who will only be that much richer if higher education is free. I believe Brooks is wrong. The number of the rich dwarfs the numbers of those who have money worries at the end of each month. Besides, Sanders plans to revise the tax codes which would remove that supposed advantage. The very rich would be required to support the common good of the country that has made them rich; a better educated nation will prosper in return. Some would argue that education is like any other commodity and people must pay for what they want. But these are our children, the nations future. These are our countrys fundamental resource, not the proposed new $100 billion nuclear submarines. An interesting sidebar in all this lies in our local University of Montana situation, namely the flight of the college-bound to strictly employment-related studies, and away from the liberal arts. Nursing, not Victorian poets; marketing, not Euripides; hotel management, not world geography. These are tendencies our curriculum planners may not have predicted on time, leading to present retrenchment and unpleasantness among the liberal arts faculty. But proposed state and federal support for higher education should lead to renewed emphasis on liberal studies. Maybe its all good. Lets plan to offer both kinds of learning in creative packages. With the Montana College presence we may be halfway there. James W. Cox Sr., professor emeritus, University of Montana, Missoula Rich Lowrys (Feb. 10) column telling us to Hide our daughters here comes draft registration made me think I was back in Afghanistan reading Taliban propaganda. Doesnt Lowry realize that military leaders know full well how to place the mission first while caring for those under their charge? Army leaders initiated opening more military jobs to women, not some feminist organization as he argues. In spring 2004, now retired Gen. Martin Dempsey, my boss in Iraq, convened a conference in Baghdad to discuss the very real combat roles our females had honorably and capably filled since before Desert Storm. He recognized that, due to the way our army is now organized and particularly on an insurgent battlefield, everyone is in combat, mixed together with combat units and subject to IEDs, ambushes, rockets, mortars, etc. But should a conventional war break out, Lowry argues that women should not be compelled to fight in it through the coercive power of the state. Is this the coercive power that drafted millions of men to fight in World War II and protect the world from fascist evil? We may need all our citizens should another major threat emerge. The average woman may have less physical ability than the average male but, in our technologically driven military, jobs require many different physical capacities. All require the mental toughness that our women in uniform have proven. I trust that our military leaders will employ any future drafted females as they have volunteer females and males commensurate with their abilities. It is only right and fair that all our young people share in the burden of national service - and the many forms that might take - as they equally share in the privileges of our great nation. I trust that our military leaders know their business. We know how to care for our own. Lt. Col. Elizabeth Rogers (retired), U.S. Army, Missoula PABLO A $1.1 million grant from the Department of Housing and Urban Development will help the Salish Kootenai Housing Authority find a long-term fix for high levels of arsenic and iron in the water supplied to 39 of its housing units on the Flathead Indian Reservation. Housing authority director Jason Adams said $345,000 of the grant will be used to drill a new well and connect it to homes in Dixon Agency. An upgrade to the filtration system on the current well about 2 1/2 years ago bought about five years to find a longer-term solution. The balance of HUDs Indian Community Block Grant Program money headed to the Flathead Reservation, $755,000, will be used to rehabilitate 20 private homes owned by tribal members. Adams said the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes had located a new well site in a different aquifer for the housing units in Dixon Agency, which is located just north of Dixon and west of the National Bison Range. Its great water that wont have to be treated, Adams said. Well get started drilling right away, although there will be a lot of logistical work to connect the well to all the housing units. Excessive levels of iron has been a problem there forever, Adams said, but he said officials dont know what has caused the excessive levels of arsenic in the water. *** The 20 private homes on the reservation that will be upgraded are occupied by low-income families. There are preferences for elders and disabled people, Adams said, and the rehabilitation work has to be structural, not cosmetic. HUD also announced a $1.1 million grant to the Blackfeet Housing Authority to rehabilitate 29 housing units scattered across the Blackfeet Reservation, and $900,000 to the Northern Cheyenne Tribal Housing Authority to do the same with 27 homes on the Northern Cheyenne Reservation. These are competitive grants, and its nice to see ours be successfully funded so we can continue to offer and improve our services, Adams said. The Indian Community Development Block Grant program was established in 1977 to help Indian tribes and Alaska Native villages meet their community development needs. Only three of the 75 grants just announced by HUD are for more than the $1.1 million awarded to CSKT and the Blackfeet Tribe. The largest single grant was for more than $4.1 million to the Navajo Nation in Arizona. That will be used to connect power and water lines to half a dozen Native American communities there that lack those services. Every family deserves the chance to have a decent home, economic opportunity and vibrant neighborhoods to call their own, HUD Secretary Julian Castro said in announcing the grants. Today we make another critical investment in helping tribal nations address affordable housing and community development needs in their communities. LEWISTOWN (AP) A Montana State Prison inmate who was serving a life sentence for a 1974 aggravated kidnapping, rape and deliberate homicide has died. Department of Corrections officials say Dewey Coleman died of natural causes Sunday at the Lewistown Infirmary. He was 67. Coleman was convicted in the death of 21-year-old Peggy Lee Harstad of Rosebud. Harstad was on her way home from a rodeo in Harlowton in July 1974 when she picked up two hitchhikers. Her body was found two months later in the Yellowstone River near Forsyth. Coleman, who is black, was initially sentenced to death. His white co-defendant received a 100-year sentence. His plea agreement dismissed the aggravated kidnapping charge, which then carried a mandatory death sentence. The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals overturned Coleman's death sentence in 1988. BILLINGS - Montana State Prison inmate Dewey Eugene Coleman died on Sunday at the Lewistown Infirmary of natural causes, according to a news release from the Montana Department of Corrections. He was 67. Coleman was on death row for almost 15 years before his sentence was commuted to life in prison. Im not sending flowers, said Eleanor Harstad Neurohr on Monday. Neurohr is the mother of Peggy Lee Harstad, the woman Coleman was convicted of killing in 1974. On July 4, 1974, Harstad, 21, was returning home to Rosebud from a Fourth of July rodeo in Harlowton. She was spending the summer at her familys farm before beginning her teaching career in Plains. On the drive, her path crossed Dewey Eugene Coleman and Robert Dennis Nank. The two had been riding a motorcycle through Montana after leaving a veterans' hospital in Wyoming, where they had been treated for medical issues related to mental health. Their motorcycle had broken down and were stopping vehicles asking for assistance. When Harstad came upon the two men, they took control of her vehicle, a light-green car with a white-and-green checkerboard top. A friend had brought the car back from California for Harstad, Neurohr said. The men drove Harstad to a secluded area where they bound and sexually assaulted her; Nank later stated he was impotent at the time and did not succeed in assaulting Harstad. They drove with Harstad a little longer before they allowed her to get dressed again and then killed her by holding her down in the Yellowstone River until she drowned. The next day, Neurohr drove to the Harstad family ranch outside Forsyth into town to grab coffee with friends and run errands. As she headed into town, she saw the unmistakable checkered top of her daughters car. She thought it was unusual to see a car so similar to her daughters, but believed it was a road workers. She was at a cafe when a call came in to the business; John Harstad, Peggy Harstads father, was on the line. He asked me if I knew where Peggy was, and I said, 'Yes, I think shes at a girlfriends house or maybe with Lynda, her sister,'" Neurohr said in an interview with the Gazette on Monday. And John said, Well, a car with her license plate was found parked along Frontage Road.'" Neurohr and her husband saw their daughter everywhere after that. The whole town rallied to help them find her. They even called in a Native American clairvoyant from Hardin who stayed at the Harstad ranch. Neurohr still credits the woman with pointing the family to the area on the Yellowstone River where Harstads body was found. Peggy was right across from where she said she would be, Neurohr said. Two fisherman found her, and I remember, it had rained a lot that year, so the river was very high, and Coleman and Nank hadnt put Peggy in the main stream, so, when the water receded, the two fisherman saw her body. Her body was discovered in late August 1974 on the north bank of the Yellowstone River near Forsyth. They wouldnt let me see her, Neurohr said. I wanted so badly to see her. The night before Peggy Harstad's death, she kissed both her parents and thanked them for all theyd done for her. She was kind, a loving, good-natured person, Neurohr said. When Harstad would come home from college, her sister Lynda Ottun would walk over from where she and her husband lived, and the three women would visit in the kitchen together. The girls would sit together on the counters laughing and chatting while Neurohr prepared dinner or lunch, Neurohr said. I miss that, Neurohr said. After Peggy Harstads death, Neurohr said she could never again get close to her older daughter. Sometimes I wish Id asked her, talked to her about it, Neurohr said. But we were all hurting, hurting so deeply. Nank and Coleman were arrested in October 1974 in Boise. Nank entered a plea agreement to avoid the death penalty, in exchange for testifying against Coleman. Nank confessed that he and Coleman had raped, beaten and drowned Harstad, while Coleman denied that he was involved. Both were charged with deliberate homicide, aggravated kidnapping and rape, according to Gazette archives. Nank died in 1999 according to Montana State Death Records. Coleman was convicted and sentenced to 100 years for the homicide and 40 years for the rape charge. He received the death sentence for his conviction of aggravated kidnapping, a mandatory sentence at the time. That law was repealed in 1977. Coleman appealed his sentence, and the Montana Supreme Court determined the mandatory death sentence to be unconstitutional. Coleman was again sentenced to death in 1978 under a new statute. Just days before the hanging was to take place, Coleman was granted a stay of execution. Coleman later argued that his death sentence was handed down because he was black, and that Nank was given preferential treatment because he was white. The two men are interchangeable to Neurohr, who said the death penalty wasnt good enough for either. My daughter suffered at their hands, Neurohr said. They should suffer. That was my hate talking at the time, but I still feel what they got was far too plush. Both men pointed the finger at the other after the death of her daughter, but both could have stopped it, she said. Killing my daughter, through that, I lost my husband, Neurohr said. John Harstad died from a heart attack in 1989, a month after an interview with the Gazette about his daughter's death, in which he remarked on the overwhelming support from the community. "It was just all too late," he had said of their efforts. The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in favor of Coleman in 1988, commuting his death sentence to life imprisonment. Neurohr is the last surviving member of Peggy Harstads direct family. Her sister, Lynda Ottun, died from cancer in 2005. Her adoptive brother, Rowland Limberhand Harstad, died in 2009 from a heart attack. The youngest brother, Monte Harstad, died in 2013, also following a battle with cancer. Monte always thought he should have been with her, Neurohr said. Even though he was just a little tyke, he thought, maybe if hed been with her, she would have come home. In May 1974, a few months before Harstad was killed, she told her mother where she wanted to be buried when she died. She pointed to a big hill where she used to ride her horse, Neurohr said. From the top, she could see the familys entire ranch. I remember I told her, Peggy, were not going to talk about it, were not going to think about it, Neurohr said. "'Parents dont bury their children.'" Coleman would have been eligible for parole this year. A previous hearing with the Montana Board of Pardons and Parole in 2011 did not go in his favor. Im happy about it, Neurohr said of Coleman's death. But theres closure, it gives you a feeling, I cant really explain the feeling, it has all come to the end. Births Kristi and Derek Buerkle, Missoula, girl, Feb. 14 Heidi and Spencer Martin, Missoula, boy, Feb. 13 Lisa and Theo Gibbs, Missoula, girl, Feb. 15 Government TRANSPORTATION POLICY Coordination Committee, 1:30 p.m., City Council Chambers, 140 W. Pine St. MISSOULA CIVIC TELEVISION Advisory Commission, 2 p.m., Mayor's Conference Room, 435 Ryman St. BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT District Board, 3 p.m., Missoula Downtown Office, 218 E. Main St. Suite C. PUBLIC ART COMMITTEE, 4 p.m., Jack Reidy Conference Room, 140 W. Pine St. TARGET RANGE SCHOOL general board meeting, 6 p.m., school library, 4095 South Ave. W. MISSOULA CONSOLIDATED Planning Board, 7 p.m., City Council Chambers, 140 W. Pine St. TARGET RANGE SCHOOL Facility Committee, 5 p.m., school conference room, 4095 South Ave. W. Public events MISSOULA PUBLIC LIBRARY, 301 E. Main St., 721-2665: Open time in MakerSpace, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Tiny Tales, 10:30 a.m.; Young Adult Volunteer orientation, 3:30 p.m.; Frenchtown branch Lego Club, 4-6 p.m.; Community Creative Writing Workshop in the MakerSpace, 6-7:30 p.m.; System Check, 6:30 p.m.; Community Game Night, 6:30-8:30 p.m. BITTERROOT PUBLIC LIBRARY, 306 State St., Hamilton, 363-1670: open technology lab, 10 a.m.-noon; adult coloring, 10 a.m.-noon; Writer's, 6:30-8 p.m. Organizations MISSOULA SENIOR CENTER, 705 S. Higgins Ave., 543-7154, missoulaseniorcenter.org: yoga, 9 a.m.; board meeting, 10 a.m.; lunch, 11:30 a.m.; bingo, 12:45 p.m. BITTERROOT TOASTMASTERS, 12:30 p.m., Hamilton Senior Center, 820 N. Fourth St. Call Douglas at 381-3214 or visit bitterroot.toastmastersclub.org. DUPLICATE BRIDGE open game, 6:30 p.m., 2825 Stockyard Road, Building I-3. Visit missoulabridge.org. MISSOULA SHOOTIN THE BULL Toastmasters, noon, Florence Building, 111 N. Higgins Ave., ALPS Board Room. Visit shootinthebull.info. KIWANIS CLUB of Missoula, noon, Florence Building, 111 N. Higgins Ave. On campus UNIVERSITY OF MONTANA School of Law Information Days, 8:45 a.m.-1 p.m., Law Building. The School of Law welcomes anyone interested in law school to attend an Information Days session. The schedule includes a law school tour, a chance to experience a law class, lunch and meeting with the director of admissions. There is no cost to attend, but organizers ask that participants register in advance. The Information Days are designed for current applicants who have not already visited the law school as well as people thinking about applying to law school in the next couple of years. 243-2698, umt.edu/law/admissions/information-days/default.php. LunchPad Workshop: Guerilla Marketing, noon-1 p.m., Blackstone LaunchPad in the University Center. Geoff Peddicord, Community Medical Center director of marketing and public relations, will present Guerilla Marketing: Making the Biggest Impact When Every Dollar Counts. Peddicord will discuss some of the successful, nontraditional marketing techniques hes been involved with in various industries. Register for free in advance at podio.com/webforms/14873023/997174. Mansfield Center Lecture: Environmental Conservation Projects in Vietnam, 12:10-1 p.m., University Center Room 332. Presented by Marilyn Marler, natural areas specialist in the UM Division of Biological Sciences, and Sarah Bates, deputy director of the Northern Rockies, Prairies and Pacific Region of the National Wildlife Federation. Free and open to the public. 243-2988, umt.edu/mansfield/events/brownbaglectures. UM Allies Training, 4-7 p.m., University Center Rooms 326-327. Working for LGBTIQ equality through education, support and awareness. 243-6029, umt.edu/umallies/student-allies/training/default.php. Community Lecture Series, 7-8:30 p.m., University Center Theater. UM history Professor Anya Jabour presents Making Meaning of Memories: The Life of Activist Sophonisba Breckinridge. An activists fragmentary memoir illustrates her dedication to Progressive Era politics. Series presented by UM Alumni Association. Tickets cost $20 for the series ($10 for UM Alumni Association members) or $10 for students. Individual lectures cost $5 at the door. 243-6439, grizalum.org/events/cls/default.php. Art Lecture: Nature and Culture in the Rocky Mountains, 7-8:30 p.m., Performing Arts and Radio/Television Center Montana Theatre. A lecture by Michael Duchemin, executive director of the C.M. Russell Museum in Great Falls. Free and open to the public. 243-2019, umt.edu/montanamuseum/. Wilderness Lecture Series: Wilderness Isnt Priceless Its Just Not Priced, 7:10 p.m., Gallagher Business Building Room 122. Terry Anderson, William A. Dunn Distinguished Senior Fellow; former president and executive director of The Property and Environment Research Center; and John and Jean De Nault Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution at Stanford University present as part of the 2016 Wilderness Lecture Series. Free and open to the public. 243-5521, fc.umt.edu/wi/education/lecture-series/default.php. Faculty and Guest Artist Series, 7:30 p.m., Music Recital Hall. The UM School of Music presents Amiche Duo, featuring faculty artists Jennifer Gookin Cavanaugh, oboe, and Kimberly Gratland James, mezzo-soprano. Admission costs $12 for general or $8 for students and seniors. 243-6880, umt.edu/music. Sonia Farmer wears several hats and shell be packing them all up soon for a professional pilgrimage. A writer and book artist with her own printing press, Farmer is making her way to a series of creative spaces and cultural events in the Caribbean and U.S. The first stop en route will be Barbados in March, where she will take up a month-long residency program at Fresh Milk. Fresh Milk A non-profit, artist-led organization based on a working dairy farm in St. George, Barbados, Fresh Milk supports those working in the creative industry by functioning as a cultural lab through its promotion of residencies, lectures, screenings, workshops and its facilitation of art projects. It was established as such in 2011 by Annalee Davis, its founding director. Davis traveled to Nassau in 2012 to participate in the Transforming Spaces art tour; it was then she met Farmer and was introduced to Poinciana Paper Press. She came to my press and loved the work that I did, and she said if I could ever come to Fresh Milk that would be great, recalled Farmer. Farmer was a member of The Current, the former art team at Baha Mar. Her most recent work has been examining the effect of the tourism industry on individual identity in The Bahamas. To do this, she has been exploring found poetry that is poems composed of words and phrases that have been extracted from existing text. Some of her poems have already been exhibited locally. They were featured in digital format at the Seventh National Exhibition, Antillean: an Ecology, at the National Art Gallery of The Bahamas in December 2014. She will also unveil a selection at Hillside House for this years Transforming Spaces tour. The working name for my collection is The Best Estimation in the World. And it just looks at the way that we construct our identities and realities around the tourism industry and what that does to us, explained Farmer. Im thinking specifically of The Bahamas and Im referencing my particular experience at Baha Mar as something that has been a catalyst for exploring this research. She hopes that being removed from The Bahamas will allow her to have a solid mental space and fresh perspective to tackle her work. Based in the Caribbean, Fresh Milk will give her a distance that is neither too near nor too far from home to do revisit past works and compose new ones. She is also hoping that the residency will provide links to Barbados-based artists who may be incorporating the book form in their visual art practices. To facilitate building connections, Farmer will lead a four-part series of workshops on bookbinding and design. She has already received applications from potential participants, most of whom are artists who are interested in exploring the books or literary elements in their work. It gives a comprehensive look at how book art can engage with your practice and its also the way that I was introduced to book arts in school when I took my first book arts class. It was called The Art of The Book at Pratt (Pratt Institute) and it was taught in a similar way... It just opened up the horizons of my writing practice and my visual arts practice. So Im kind of hoping that my workshop will do that for them, explained Farmer. Lifelong learning After Barbados, Farmer will be traveling to the Bocas Lit Fest, an annual literary festival held in Trinidad from April 27 to May 1 this year. She will also be making the rounds to book art centers in the States to expand her network of book and paper artists as well as those whose practices involve letterpress printing. Journeying to California and back east via the midwestern and southern states, her travels will end in August. At that point, she hopes to know whether she has been admitted to the University of Iowas masters of fine arts program for book arts. Though her passion for the art form is strong and has taken her across the world to expand her knowledge, Farmer has not had formal education in book arts. A true lifelong learner, she hopes that completing the MFA program will equip her with substantial knowledge and confidence as an instructor. Regardless of her student status in the fall, Farmer is sure of her creative mission moving forward. She recently rebranded Poinciana Paper Press and enhanced its online presence and has committed to returning to work she is passionate about. A large part of her work, which focuses on feminism, mythology and social structures, involves intense research. Determined to write from an informed view, Farmer uses personal experiences, workshops, interviews, observations and traditional reading methods to develop her writing. It is this, her research, which she identifies as the most important part of what she does. People always go, Write what you know, and I think thats important. But I also think its important to not be so self-centered and explore everything as much as you can, because youre never going to be great at your current state. My name is Jonathan Glinton and I am an international student currently attending Lyford Cay International School (LCIS). LCIS is an International Baccalaureate (IB) school located on New Providence, The Bahamas. I am currently in 10th grade finishing my Middle Years Programme (MYP) certificate in the IB programme. To obtain an MYP certificate, students are required to complete a personal project. The personal project is a task which challenges students to create a product based on their interests. For my personal project, I am creating a website for The National Art Gallery of the Bahamas (NAGB). This project will involve creating barcodes for art works from the National Collection, which can then be used by employees and visitors of the NAGB for reference. The idea is that users can scan the barcode and access the relevant information on the art piece and the artist as well as interviews and articles about the artist as supplementary materials. This can also be used as an inventory management and control tool by the employees of NAGB so that they may track the art pieces in the gallery. I chose this as my topic because it brings together my passion for art and my skills in design technology. See Jonathan's project here: https://sites.google.com/a/lcis.bs/nagb-web/ SAN CRISTOBAL DE LAS CASAS, Mexico Pope Francis came to the highlands of Mexicos southern frontier on Monday to offer a pastoral embrace to the regions impoverished indigenous people, expressing shame over discrimination and exploitation and honoring the legacy of a beloved local bishop who once clashed with the Mexican government and the Vatican. In visiting the state of Chiapas, a region on the Guatemalan border long synonymous with the struggles and armed rebellions of Mexicos Mayan communities, Francis presided over an outdoor morning Mass before tens of thousands of people ringed by rugged green mountains. Looking over the crowd, Francis invoked the harsh treatment endured by indigenous people and called for social justice. On many occasions, in a systematic and organized way, your people have been misunderstood and excluded from society, Francis said. Some have considered your values, culture and traditions to be inferior. Others, intoxicated by power, money and market trends, have stolen your lands or contaminated them. He added, How worthwhile it would be for each of us to examine our conscience and learn to say, Forgive me! WARSAW The future Pope John Paul II, Karol Wojtyla, began a friendship with a Polish-American philosopher in 1973 that lasted the rest of his life. She hosted him when he visited New England and translated a book of his, and they stayed in touch, off and on, until his death in 2005. Now, for the first time, letters that he wrote to the philosopher, Anna-Teresa Tymieniecka, have been made public and they portray a startling degree of affection. God gave you to me and made you my vocation, read a letter dated March 31, 1976, one of several excerpts published on Monday by BBC News. He called her a gift from God. The letters offer no evidence that the future pope who was known for his strict adherence to church doctrine on sexuality and marriage, and who was canonized in 2014 ever violated his vow of celibacy. But they do suggest a tension in the relationship between the married philosopher and the prelate. Reimer Priester knows the joys and occasional frustrations of owning a building in a historically-designated district. A managing member of Detroit-based DeCamp-Priester Real Estate Group, he loves historic architecture. But when he wanted to do work on the crown molding of a building in Midtown Detroit, he found that this minor, albeit attractive, detail would cost over $10,000 to faithfully restore. "We couldn't touch it because it was prohibitively expensive to do so," says Priester. This case exemplifies issues that can arise when renovating in a local historic district, as building owners who want to modify their facade have to adhere to the Secretary of the Interior's This process has been in place in Michigan for over 40 years, but could soon change fundamentally. Bills in Michigan's House ( The new House bill, sponsored by Rep. Chris Afendoulis (R, East Grand Rapids), would add challenges for historic district approval, increase leeway for homeowners to renovate a building within historic districts, and ultimately make it easier to dissolve such districts. For example, one clause requires two-thirds of a neighborhood residents' signatures just to direct a study committee. Another, known as the "sunset" clause, stipulates that historic districts must renew their designation every 10 years. Preservationists, it seems, are universally united against HB 5232. "There's nothing good about this bill," says Mac Farr, executive director of Detroit's West Village Historic District There are hundreds of historic districts in Michigan, and preservationists worry about the future of many of them, especially in neighborhoods with less active community groups. "If this bill passes, I doubt there will be any new historic districts formed," says Nancy Finegood, executive director of the Detroit's City Council The sponsors of the bill in Lansing argue that the current law creates unnecessary restrictions on homeowners. To them, it's a property rights issue. "This [bill] will help many communities maintain their historic identity while ensuring private property owners have a greater voice," said Afendoulis in a press release. They believe owners should have greater freedom to modify buildings, which is why the bill allows the historic district commissions to merely consult current standards. For example, one of the Secretary of Interior's guidelines states that "distinctive materials, features, finishes, and construction techniques or examples of craftsmanship that characterize a property will be preserved." This means that a homeowner could not use a less expensive composite material as a replacement under the current law. But preservationists argue these considerations are already taken into account. Building owners can appeal decisions by a historic district commission and, according to Finegood, over 90 percent of those appeals are approved. She also says there's flexibility in the standards themselves. In the same set guidelines, it states that, "The existing condition of historic features will be evaluated to determine the appropriate level of intervention needed." Simply put, if a feature or building can be preserved and salvaged, then preserve it. If it can't, then don't. The same principles apply to restoration, demolition, and new construction. Pontiac's Seminole Hills Historic District Implicit in the bill is a classic debate: whether free market forces or a degree of regulation will result in stronger local economies. But in this case, there's almost no argument. The data show an undeniable correlation between real-estate values and preserving the historic character of a neighborhood. "Almost 75 percent of neighborhoods that have now seen their property values exceed pre-recession values were located near or within historic districts," wrote James Turner, owner of Turner Restoration in Detroit, in an In many of Michigan's struggling cities, historic ordinances have been used to protect housing values. In Pontiac, historic neighborhoods are a bright spot in an otherwise flat housing market. Joseph Bishop, a 15-year resident of Pontiac's Seminole Hills historic district, Tim West, a 35-year resident of the Heritage Hill Historic District, Grand Rapids Detroit City Council's report noted that the 10-year renewal requirement could even negatively impact real-estate values in neighborhoods that aren't likely to lose their designation. "The attraction of historic district designation results, in large part, from the degree of stability it affords. Amending existing legislation to include a 'sunset' clause would add an element of uncertainty to the process that would negate many of its benefits," the Council writes. There's also a fear that outside speculators and developers would have a greater incentive to buy buildings and reshape them without considering the community's overall makeup. This might increase a building's value in the short-term, but destabilize a neighborhood long-term. "Many of these buildings are exquisite and their features give life and animation to a community," Priester says. "But if you have someone who doesn't care about the historic integrity, and there always will be, then you might lose that which gives an area its personality." But Priester's dilemma with repairing his building's crown demonstrates the current process could use, if not wholesale amending, some tweaking. Farr notes he's heard a few complaints from residents about overly stringent rulings from the historic district commission over shrub placement or color choices. "The historic commission could do itself a favor by focusing solely on aspects of preservation that are relevant," he says. Priester's real-estate group owns three buildings in historic districts and has dealt with Detroit's historic district commission numerous times. "They haven't placed undue or unexpected roadblocks in our way. But that may be because we've been proactive and never undertaken any action without their approval." By and large, these historic neighborhoods attract people who, because of their interest in preservation, don't mind the extra effort of applying to local commissions when renovating. Farr himself renovated a home in the Indian Village historic district. The process was more complicated, but he knew that going in. "I was aware well in advance of purchasing the house that I had to comply with certain regulations, that it wouldn't be easier or faster," he says. Aaron Mondry is a Detroit-based freelance writer. Follow him on Twitter Historic preservation is more challenging. For those who care about it, that's just the way it should be.Aaron Mondry is a Detroit-based freelance writer. Follow him on Twitter @aaronmondry Copyright 2022 HT Digital Streams Ltd All Right Reserved HELENA It would be good if the toilets didn't periodically overflow at Hawthorne Elementary School. And if the speech therapist could move her office out of the former shower room. And then, there are the cracks and peeling facade that can be so demoralizing. These are just a few of the problems cited by staff working at the 95-year-old Hawthorne Elementary School on Helena's West Side. Across town, it's rotten pipes that have John Carter worried. A civil engineer, Carter oversees Helena School District's facilities. Sealed in a ziplock bag on the shelf in his office is a rusted-out piece of sewer line that burst at Bryant School last year. One of the most recent breaks was a pipe outside Project Alternative Learning on Christmas Eve, causing water shut-offs to part of Helena's downtown and Westside. It also caused sinking of the school parking lot and part of the street. Carter and Helena are not alone. Nearly 70 percent of Montana's schools were built before 1970, according to the state's 2008 "Public Schools Facility Condition Assessment," which was based on a review of known building ages. A 2013 Helena Public Schools assessment reported the average age of Montana school buildings is around 53 years old. Helena's Carter keeps a series of ever-changing databases and spreadsheets tracking the lifespan of roofs and boilers across the elementary school and high school districts and prioritizing major projects at 18 school buildings (and 11 modulars) before disaster strikes. The projects are many, since the average age of Helena's school buildings is 64, he said. Carter's trying to deal with an estimated $60 million in "deferred maintenance" costs over the next 15 to 20 years. Just in the next five years, the district is due to replace $5.5 million in elementary school roofs. There are some 1.1 million square feet of floors in the district to keep track of and replace as needed. Carter relies on a 10-year deferred maintenance bond that passed in 2013 that provides annual amounts of $1.25 million for elementary school buildings and $750,000 for two high schools and the PAL building. He supplements this with grants he writes, having received $2.8 million in the past eight years from a variety of sources. In June 2015, a $70 million elementary school bond was soundly defeated by voters by a 60-40 margin. It would have built two new elementary schools and a large addition on another elementary school and paid for renovations at six others. Until the voters find a bond that's palatable, Carter has a lot of work ahead stretching funds. It's something he's made into an art form. Take a Helena Middle School boiler with a life expectancy of 30 years. It's now 81 years old and is finally getting replaced this year. The 2013 Helena Public Schools assessment cites guidelines by the National Center for Educational Statistics that school buildings are "typically considered functionally obsolete" at age 60, which raises eyebrows in a city like Helena that prides itself on its historic heritage and buildings. Older school buildings can lack things like flexible floor plans and ways to easily wire in new technology. They also lack energy-efficient windows, classroom sinks needed for teaching science and art, and ADA accessibility, and they can need seismic upgrades or have asbestos and lead paint issues. But "newer" buildings aren't always the answer. Helena's Jim Darcy School, which was built in 1965 and is the district's fifth-newest building, was being considered for demolition "because of its rapidly failing physical condition." Deferred maintenance can be deferred only so long before it takes its toll. "Pay now or pay later," said Anthony Perpignano, president of CWG Architects in Helena, which is designing a new school addition in White Sulphur Springs. 'FOUNDATION WAS CRUMBLING' White Sulphur Springs elementary students had been attending class in a building with walls that wept when it rained, according to a previous Independent Record story. The high school roof has leaked since the early 1960s. A safety inspection "revealed that the elementary school's foundation was crumbling and mold was causing bricks to fall away in some places." Lights in the elementary school had to be turned off during rain as to avoid a short caused by the leaky roof. Last fall, the community passed a $9.4 million bond to construct a 70,000-square-foot building adjoining their high school. White Sulphur Springs is just one example of a much larger problem, said Perpignano. There's not enough money to keep up with maintenance, he said. "It's an epidemic" and it "goes across the state." Inadequate funding at all levels, from the school district to the state to the federal government contributes to the problem, Perpignano said. But since no money is on its way any time soon, he advises it's a good idea for school districts to have a long-range facility plan. East Helena Public Schools has had such a planning committee for decades, he said. Trigger points are identified ahead of time. As these are approached, the district has time to make plans and take them to the voters. MARRYING OLD WITH NEW Some school districts such as Billings have been able to marry the old with the new, earning praise from the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The National Trust works, where possible, to renovate old school buildings with historic value rather than raze them. Downtown schools that are razed can have a destructive ripple effect on neighborhoods and downtowns. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, Billings decided to renovate three historic neighborhood schools and added new additions to two of them this past year, according to former Broadwater Elementary School PTA president Ann L. Clancy. She worked with a fellow parent, architect Scott Atwood, in spearheading the effort to save downtown schools. Four were slated for closing; three of them were saved. "The success is just this year," she said. The district added architecturally matching new structures to the historic schools, she said. "Now we can see these schools last another 100 years." She questions "the bias" against older buildings. "What do you think people are doing in Europe, where people are using buildings hundreds and hundreds of years old?" Americans have a "throw-away mentality," she said. "We put up these crappy buildings and then just tear them down." AGING GRACEFULLY Not every aging school building is limping toward retirement or a wrecking ball. Sunset Elementary School in Greenough, 32 miles east of Missoula, was built around 1910. It's actually two one-room school houses that were moved and merged into one, according to supervising and sole teacher Toni Hatten. Despite its age and small enrollment five at the moment the school has up-to-date technology, said Hatten, including a whiteboard, a Smart Board, and "really good Internet service." Her students use iPads a lot and online curriculum. "Technology is a huge part of our day. We use it daily multiple times," she said, between typing, practice work, research and presentations. The students each have their own Chromebook. "My young kids are pretty advanced," she said of their tech skills. Hatten, who arrived at the school in fall 2011, said her board is very supportive of technology and professional development and just sent her to a major technology conference in Orlando, Florida. "One of the challenges of an older building is little critters," she said. "You always have to be vigilant to make sure it is under control." Not only is there an occasional mouse, but also a squirrel or two have ventured indoors. Despite the limited and fluctuating enrollment, the ranching community has been strongly supportive of the school and continues to invest in it. The bathrooms were just remodeled, and the lighting has been upgraded. "We are supported by tax dollars from the local community," she said. "It's the best!" she said of teaching at Sunset. "By far, it's the best position I've had. It's a fabulous environment. I think every teacher should experience it." Basin School, 37 miles south of Helena, celebrates its 120th anniversary this year and has an enrollment of 17. While the building is sound, technology can be a challenge at times, said supervising teacher Harmony Letang. "We're pretty much the Internet hub of the town," she said. "To retrofit the technology into the school setting is always a challenge," particularly the wiring. They also need to make sure they have adequate bandwidth for students to do standardized testing. "Our facilities are dated," she said, particularly the bathrooms, which are small and have just two stalls per gender. The building also lacks a gymnasium. Letang's been teaching there since 2003 and since that time, they've upgraded the siding and replaced an oil-fueled boiler with propane heat. The school also put in all new energy-saving windows and a Smart Board. But some of the advantages of an older building, she said, can outweigh the inconveniences. "It's a unique setting. It doesn't look like every other school. It has unique character," said Letang. "We still pull the bell rope in the bell tower to call kids in from recess. "There's an immediate sense of history," she added. Former students stop in and tell stories about what it was like when they attended. "That's a real benefit that connection to history. "I think the building is very well suited to teaching," she said. "We are able to get online. I never felt like the building was any kind of hindrance. "I just think it's a fantastic place to work. I think it has a lot of charm. I love the place." NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOLS This is a sentiment partially echoed in Helena at Hawthorne School by its teachers. Some things maybe not the plumbing work beautifully. The staff realize their building could be closed because of declining enrollment and the building's structural problems. "We value the community, the small school size," said teacher Eric Lehman. He believes that's one of the reasons Helena's bond failed in 2015 people didn't want to lose neighborhood schools. The Hawthorne kids feel they belong they all know each other and all the staff, and the staff know them. There's a lot of parent support and involvement. Some parents walk their kids to school in the morning, stay for the morning pledge of allegiance, and then visit on the playground. The staff talk about long-term friendships that formed and flourished over the years between families, providing an extended family network for kids. "I worked in a bigger school, and you don't have this sense of community," said Anne Bartsch. Neighborhood schools are not a common thing, added Lehman, who taught in a large school in Washington D.C. "If people want to support neighborhood schools, they have to understand that's not free," he said. "It's going to cost more." Butte Police Reports COUSINS JAILED Two Butte cousins who were reportedly fighting in a parking lot at Clark Park late Monday afternoon were arrested after turning their anger on police. Police said Roman Joel Riojas, 27, and his cousin, 25-year-old Anthony Ryan Riojas, were fighting around 4:30 p.m. when police showed up. They began swearing at police and when an officer tried to separate them, Roman Riojas allegedly fought her. Police say he tried to kick out a window after being placed in the patrol car. He was booked on complaints of resisting arrest, criminal mischief and disorderly conduct. His younger cousin was booked for disorderly conduct. BLOOD ON WALLS A Butte man was arrested after arguing with his wife and smearing blood on her and the walls of their residence, police said. Tyrone Lee Risher, 32, got angry during an argument, ripped a bedroom door of its hinges and cut his finger, police said. He then wiped blood on his wife and the walls before leaving the residence in the 3500 block of Warren Avenue. The wife called police and they spotted Risher in a 1992 Ford truck near the intersection of Granite and Montana streets and pulled him over early Monday afternoon. He was booked on a complaint of partner or family member assault. He was still in jail as of midday Wednesday. CARRYING DRUGS A Butte woman was arrested Monday night for driving a stolen car and her friend was booked on an outstanding warrant when she showed up at the scene. Both had methamphetamine on them, police said. Police said they were called to the Town Pump in the 500 block of South Montana Street around 6:50 p.m. after someone reported a suspicious vehicle. Officers arrived to find Marti Yochim, 19, behind the wheel of a car reported stolen from Deer Lodge County. She said she borrowed it from a friend. At jail, police said they found a small amount of meth and a meth pipe in her purse. She was booked on felony complaints of possessing a stolen vehicle and having dangerous drugs. She was arrested on misdemeanor complaints of driving while suspended and having drug paraphernalia. Her friend, 45-year-old Laci Henderson, arrived at the Town Pump and was arrested for having an arrest warrant out of Missoula County. Police said she also had a small amount of meth and a meth pipe and was booked accordingly. GAMBLING WITH DRUGS A man told police he left prescription bottles of methadone and the pain killer Lortab next to a gambling machine at a Lucky Lils casino on Harrison Avenue early Monday afternoon and they were stolen. The man said he left the machine briefly, only to return and find the drugs and his cell phone gone. MISSOULA A Missoula woman is looking for clarification after finding an apparently illegal leg-hold trap near her apartment. Marilyn Morrison said two of her daughters, Naomi and Claira, were playing on the hillside behind their Pullman Street apartment on Missoula's Northside on Friday when they found the rusty trap on the ground. I thought it was just junk, but when I ripped it out all of this was here, Morrison said, gesturing to cables and a plastic stake that had anchored the trap to the ground. Aside from the trap itself which had already been sprung the parts appeared to be brand-new, Morrison said, and were either obscured or buried. Morrison went to the Missoula Police Department on Monday to ask what she should do with the trap and was referred to Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks. Because of the Presidents Day holiday, FWPs offices were closed Monday, and officials with the agency could not be reached for comment. Lora OConner, executive director of the Humane Society of Western Montana, said Morrison contacted the organization during the weekend asking to share information about the trap on its Facebook page. She said she removed the trap because she felt it was a danger to animals and children in the area, OConner said. OConner said she recalls previous incidents of pets being caught and hurt in traps placed within city limits, and she wants residents to be aware that its possible others are out there. The jaws of the trap were more than big enough for a childs hand or foot to get caught in, Morrison said. For now, she has told her children who regularly play on the hillside to stay out of the area. Im just hoping theres not more up here that arent sprung, she said. Theres a lot of kids up there during the summer, especially, and a lot of people walk their dogs and bike up there. The trap did not have a metal identification tag with the name of the owner, a violation of Montana law for anyone other than a landowner trapping on their own property. Morrison said she is unsure of who owns the land, which sits between her apartment building and Interstate 90, and shes hoping to hear more from FWP officials Tuesday. I just dont know what kind of animal would you even be trying to trap over here? It just seemed dangerous, Morrison said. Butte Community Celebrations has announced a new location for the St. Patricks Day parade, which begins at noon Thursday, March 17. A collaboration between Butte-Silver Bow Parks & Recreation and BCC involved several meetings and many discussions. The new parade route begins at the corner of Arizona and Granite, proceeding west on Granite to Montana, south on Montana to Park Street, east on Park Street, returning to Arizona where disassembly can begin. According to BCC spokeswoman Linda Redfern, the steep walk up Wyoming has been difficult in the past for some of the parade entrants, the main section of Uptown Butte (Park Street) was left out of the parade course and staging of the parade at Emma Park created difficulties for Butte High School, residents and businesses. In addition the new route has fewer turns for large vehicles and floats. Parking along the parade route of Granite, Montana and Park Street will not be permitted from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 17. 16 | Tuesday TECH FILM SERIES The CINEMAtech Film Series presents Late Spring, Yasujiro Ozu (1949) at 7 p.m. in the Montana Tech auditorium. Details: CINEMAtechFilms.wordpress.com SLEEPING BEAUTY AUDITIONS An audition will be held for the Missoula Children's Theatre production of Sleeping Beauty from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Beaverhead County High School auditorium, Dillon. Auditioners should arrive at 3:50 p.m. Sleeping Beauty will be presented at 3 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 20, at the BCHS Auditorium. Details: 406-683-6208. ANACONDA STORYTIME Hearst Free Library will host a storytime at 10:30 a.m. at 401 Main St., Anaconda. BOOK SALE The Butte Public Library will have a bargain sale in its basement beginning today through Feb. 27, at 226 W. Broadway St. Books are 25 cents each or $1 per bag. Sale will be during library hours: Monday, Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Details: Angela Jordan at 406-723-3361. CLUBS AND MEETINGS BUTTE Silver Bow Kiwanis meets at noon at Perkins, 2900 Harrison Ave. Paul Vang will talk about fishing in Canada. Uptown Toasters meet at noon at the Butte Archives, 17 W. Quartz. Details: 406-782-6605. Butte Citizens for Preservation and Revitalization meet at 7 p.m. in the Butte Archives, 17 W. Quartz St. Open AA meeting starts at 7 p.m. at the United Congregational Church, 2945 Bayard St. Details: 406-560-7330. DILLON The Beaverhead Chapter of Joining Community Forces, a national initiative for active duty service personnel, veterans and their families, meets at noon in the upstairs conference room at the Bank of Commerce. The public is invited to attend. Meetings are the third Tuesday each month, same time, same place. Lunch is provided. Details: Jodie Jolly, 406-925-3563. There has been a recent fuss regarding what exactly the prefix added to the motion of "place on file" means. At Commissioner meetings the back and forth movement of motions will give you motion sickness. There is "Concur and Place on File," "Note and Place on File," and "Place on File." Whether it is "Concur," "Note," or "place," the end result is that the issue has no follow-through. The Montana Standard on February 12th was pushed to address a correction regarding dogs on the front page. What needs to be understood is that the Council of Commissioners has no staff to follow through with a citizen concern stated in their communication letter. Citizens do not receive a written response regarding the issue nor has anyone been assigned to implement the citizen request. In rare instances the issue does turn into an action. But with the majority of citizen communications, even if your citizen concern is "concurred with and place on file," no one exists to follow through with your complaint or action. The Council only has staff to address tracking the communications in and producing the minutes. Ideally it should be the Administrative Branch, the Chief Executive and his/her staff implementing actions of the Council. That is how it is suppose to be, but that is not the practice. The advantage goes to B-SB Departments where they get the go-ahead to proceed with their requested communication letters, which are the majority of communications before the Council of Commissioners. B-SB departments have staff and time to implement their particular issue where most citizens do not. If you think this puts a citizen's opinion and involvement in government at a disadvantage, you are correct. If you "Concur" you may wish to "Note" and "place on file" this matter. -- Mark Reavis, Butte, is a candidate for Butte-Silver Bow chief executive. Thank you for publishing the wonderful picture of approximately 115 adult elk, possibly enough to feed two wolves for a year. Fact, a Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks 25.8-week winter study in the Gallatin showed 17 elk killed for each wolf. An area in the Madison showed 25 elk per wolf for the same 25.8-week period. This shows two 110 to 170 wolves will consume 104 elk each year when no other food is available. They kill everything that moves, 10 rabbits and two deer might equal one elk. They drive elk from public land to private land and "shoulder hunts" are absolutely required. Everyone -- parents, children, all animal lovers, teachers, public officials and the media -- should strive to educate the public of the true facts about these deadly killers. Fish, Wildlife and Parks operators, Montana employees, should be required to publish in all newspapers the number of wolves required by law and the number of wolves they actually have. They could also project game loss due to these predators and the value of this loss. They have over 20 years of studies and do not share these figures in the media. Request that they explain the difference in elk and moose numbers in Yellowstone and other major hunting areas like the Ruby Valley. Since the wolves were introduced in 1995, request they list in the newspapers where wolves are currently close to cities and towns. Example 1.5 miles from Helena, and in the Highlands just 10 or 15 miles from Butte. How close to Bozeman? -- Arnold Buchanan, Whitehall BILLINGS When Billings Public Schools decided to upgrade Internet connections, the district was able to fold costs into a larger $122 million bond levy passed in 2013 for a pair of new middle schools and renovations to existing schools. Levies are often the only public funding for districts to upgrade technology, and costs fall back on local tax bases as schools try to keep pace with their peers around the state. Its those taxpayers, said Pam Meier, the principal of Arrowhead Elementary in Billings. We give a lot of credit to them. Arrowhead was the first school in Billings to test out fiber Internet, a faster, more reliable system for delivering information. It seems like we are able to get lots of kids on technology at one time without having issues, Meier said. The school has mobile iPad labs, and students had had problems with overloading connections in the past. The iPads are paid for through a district technology levy, one of a few categories of levies that schools can put up for a vote for extra local funding. Billings passed a K-8 technology levy in May 2013 separate from the $122 million bond. The technology levy brings in about $1.2 million each year. Trout Creek is about as far away from Billings as you can get in Montana, both geographically and by school characteristics. The K-8 district has about 75 students and is surrounded by national forest land near the Idaho border. But the district has an ambitious technology plan. Trout Creek plans to provide each student and teacher with their own wireless device and aims to have 90 percent of eighth-graders and teachers proficient in technology based skills by 2017. Could the district implement the plan without a levy? Not at all, said Principal Daisy Carlsmith. Technology is becoming a bigger and bigger part of district budgets, said Dianne Burke, the Executive Director of the Montana Quality Education Coalition. We dont have a good mechanic for that. Thats not part of the funding formula. With large-scale infrastructure projects facing similar funding problems, its hard to justify spending money that could go to other projects on technology. If you have a boiler thats going to blow up or you want to do broadband upgrades, youre going to replace the boiler, said Dave Lewis, a former Republican state senator from Helena who sits on an interim school funding commission. 'TIME TO UPGRADE' Most Montana Internet connections use copper wiring. The state was blasted for having glacial Internet speeds a few years ago, but has made strides in improving high speed access. However, copper limits possible improvements. Fiber connections offer higher speeds and more reliable access, plus upgrade options. Its less expensive, along with being a higher performing project it seems like a no-brainer to do it, said Billings schools director of technology Kyle Brucker. "It's time to upgrade our schools." But many areas in Montana lack the infrastructure in place to accommodate fiber. It costs a lot of money for Internet providers to come in and run high speed Internet to a rural community, Brucker said. If you dont have the infrastructure in a school, it doesnt matter how much speed you throw at it. Gov. Steve Bullock signed on to an initiative by Education Superhighway, an Internet access advocacy group, to improve Montanas access to high speed Internet and cut costs. By that groups measure, 65 percent of Montana schools have fiber connections, and about a quarter of schools have wireless Internet. Montanas neighbors have slightly better figures. Montana ranks better for Internet affordability on a regional and national scale. Reliable networks have become even more important with the advent of computer-based standardized testing, like Montanas Smarter Balanced tests taken by students in grades 3-8. Technical glitches were chalked up to a problem with the test, not schools, which officials said performed well during a pilot run in 2014. If you dont have to think about (Internet), it means its doing its job, Brucker said. School officials cant say the same for funding mechanisms. When the Butte school district officials applied for a $1.2 million grant from the state Quality Schools Program to upgrade the HVAC system at Butte High School and Annex last year, they figured the district had a pretty good shot to get the money. After all, a 2011 QSP grant allowed the Butte school district to make earlier air and heating upgrades to the buildings. But the districts 2015 energy-related request, like many others from around the state, tanked because the 2015 Montana Legislature failed on the last day of the session to pass a $150 million infrastructure bill. We were truly disappointed, said Superintendent Judy Jonart. We would never have predicted that infrastructures have to be funded. Butte is one of 29 school districts statewide that were recommended for upgrades to HVAC systems or other energy efficiency projects, which would have resulted in savings on heating and cooling bills. Since the grant program was first funded in 2011, the state has received more than 100 applications for such projects. We were awarded the grant and it was submitted to be funded, said Jonart. But it was the first time the Legislature did not fund it. ... Once you put that kind of work into it (grant-writing) and are recommended to be funded not getting it was such a huge disappointment. Since the Quality Schools Grant was not forthcoming, the district drew on its high school building reserve cash fund of $3 million to make long-needed upgrades to heating and air conditioning systems in the Annex. Dennis Clague, Butte district business director, said the reserve will not take away from other priority projects in the district. Jed Hoopes is putting together a project list and it will be prioritized to see what needs/can be done with the remaining funds, added Clague. In 1990, when they connected the whole school to the Annex, they put some new controls on it, but that was it, said Hoopes. The original equipment they didnt touch. So its basically never been upgraded; its all original (equipment). Phase 1, completed during the 2015 holidays, included upgrading air conditioning in adjacent high school administrative offices located near the Annex. None of those offices had proper heat or AC, said Hoopes. We did the pieces that werent disruptive to the school during Christmas and Thanksgiving, said Jonart. Now its on to the Annex itself, where myriad Phase 2 projects are planned. The $1.2 million will cover: - Refurbishing the existing HVAC or central heating ventilation and air conditioning with new energy-efficient systems. - Upgrading an existing multi-zone air handling unit - Servicing variable air volume systems - Installing at least 3 rooftop AC units - Servicing hot water and baseboard heating and ventilation units. The air systems will accommodate eight zones, including a conference room, to replace pipes, ducts and other infrastructures that need upgrades. Hoopes recently led a tour of the Annex boilers and AC units. The rooftop units have reached the end of their lives, said Hoopes. Theres some duct work were going to straighten out and there are some control sequences for the heat itself so the area isnt overheated. Spikes in heat brought calls for more temperature stability from some teachers whose classrooms are housed in the Annex family consumer science, welding and art, for example. Jonart and Hoopes expect phase 2 to be completed by next fall. The district has put Quality Schools Grants to very good use in the past, said Jonart. A 2011 Quality Schools Grant of $506,000 improved the Butte High Digital controls in the main academic building and replaced an Annex boiler. And similar grants within the past 10 years were used to replace boilers at Hillcrest Elementary and Kennedy Elementary. Because of the boiler replacements, plus the work weve done at Butte High, Jonart said, we have saved funds so we could go in and do window replacement and retrofitted lighting. Those have all reduced energy (consumption). We are really getting to be energy-efficient because of these things. The previous grant resulted in "phenomenal" energy-efficiency savings of as much as $75,502 annually and "the work currently underway in the Annex will add an additional $15,395 in savings annually, Jonart said. Meanwhile, questions abound for the next grant cycle for fiscal year 2019. The application process has started, but again, it will ultimately be up to the Legislature to give school districts like Butte the ability to fund future projects for their aging buildings. WAPELLO, Iowa A Wapello man is accused of selling approximately $73,000 worth of stolen property including a mini excavator and a skid loader. Jason Dean Beeding, 43, faces one count of first-degree theft in Louisa County District Court. He has pleaded not guilty to the charge. A jury trial has been scheduled for 9 a.m. March 15, according to online court records. Beeding allegedly took a 2006 John Deere mini excavator from Acri Company of Milan, Illinois; a 995 Case ski loader from Costello Builders of Davenport, Iowa; and a Cub Cadet riding lawn mower from Davis Farm Equipment of Tipton, Iowa. According to a report filed by Deputy Thomas W. Shehan of the Louisa County Sheriff's Office, Beeding was allegedly found in possession of approximately $49,000 worth of stolen property at his residence in the 10000 block of J Avenue. He was allegedly involved in the sale of $73,000 worth of stolen property in Louisa County. Theft in the first degree is a Class C felony. Three co-conspirators were prosecuted in U.S. District Court. Steven Nitz was sentenced to 69 months in federal prison. Chad Mink was sentenced to 24 months and John Reyes was sentenced to 36 months. The trio was sentenced in November 2015. Nitz was the primary target of a federal investigation. Initially the federal prosecution was going to include Beeding but it was decided by federal prosecutors Beeding should be prosecuted in district court. The incidents occurred in January 2013. Beeding was charged in December 2015. Calendar items are printed as space is available. For a complete list of upcoming events and links for more information, visit www.muscatinejournal.com/calendar. To submit an event, email news@muscatinejournal.com or call 563-262-0529. Friday, Nov. 10 4:30-7 p.m. The Salvation Army, 110 S. Houser St., will hold Toyz 4 Kidz Soup Supper. There will be door prizes, mini bike raffle, and silent auction items. All Proceeds go to the Salvation Army for their toy drive. Cost is $7. Saturday, Nov. 25 1-4 p.m. The Salvation Army will host a Toyz 4 Kidz Toy Party at Boonies on the Avenue, 214 Iowa Ave. They are asking for all donations to be brought in to Boonies on that day. LETTS, Iowa The Louisa-Muscatine School is covered. The school board approved a couple measures for roof repairs during its meeting Monday evening. The board chose the low bid of $544,951 from West Branch & Tipton Roofing Co. for its 2016 roof replacement project. The project came in under projection and under budget. The district had budgeted $640,000 for the project despite estimated cost at $590,000. This is to replace roofs on areas of the roof that are not disputed in litigation. Work is scheduled to start June 1 and end Aug. 19 ahead of the school start date, which can't be before Aug. 23 but hasn't been specifically set for the L-M District yet. The board also OK'd the release of a $27,280 retainage fee to Black Hawk Roof Co. for completion of the 2015 roof project. The architect, Shive-Hattery Inc., signed off that the work is completed sufficiently. Superintendent Mike Van Sickle said there appear to be no leaks. That was a relief, school board members expressed, after problems with the last roof replacement. In another portion of the meeting, Van Sickle reported there will be a mediation meeting March 11 regarding the litigation against the company that installed the last roof that the district alleges was inadequate and not up to specification, citing leaks as the concern. Board member Pam Lee was chosen as the board's representative to that meeting to accompany Van Sickle. Also at the meeting, the board reviewed its audit report. Kay L. Chapman, CPA PC of Muscatine, released the report this week for Louisa-Muscatine Community School District. The district's Business Manager Charles Domer said there were only two issues in the audit that he didn't consider major problems. One was that more people need to oversee expenditures to create better checks and balances, but Domer said that is difficult to do in a small district with limited staff. The other issue was overspending in the "Other Expenses Fund" line item. He said that was poor time several construction payments came due at the end of the year and there was not an opportunity for the board to meet to transfer funds from another account. The district didn't overspend its budget, just in a line item before it had a chance to transfer funds. The district's revenue totaled $10.18 million for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2015, a 9 percent increase from the prior year. Expenses totaled $9.62 million, a 3 percent decrease from the prior year. The board went into closed session at 8:12 p.m. to discus the superintendent's mid-year review. MUSCATINE, Iowa A business instructor at Muscatine Community College has been charged with assault after allegedly kissing a woman against her will last summer. James Elias, of Muscatine, was arrested by Muscatine Police on Feb. 9 and charged with assault, a simple misdemeanor. According to the criminal complaint, Elias grabbed the victim about the head with his hand and proceeded to kiss her about the mouth area. The woman was not injured. The alleged incident occurred at 1:15 p.m. on July 27, 2015, in an office in Larsen Hall on the MCC campus. No court date has been set, according to online court records. According to the MCC personnel directory, Elias earned a BS degree from the University of South Dakota and an MBA from St. Ambrose University. A call to MCC seeking information about Elias' employment status was referred to the Human Resources Department at the Eastern Iowa Community College District in Davenport. The call was not returned prior to press time Tuesday. MUSCATINE, Iowa The Muscatine County Board of Supervisors heard from two realtors pitching marketing strategies to sell county-owned buildings deemed surplus property. The county has two buildings on about 20 acres east of Discovery Park that it owns but no longer uses for county business so has declared them surplus property. The building at 3210 Harmony Lane is 29,012 square feet, the county rents 12,124 square feet of that to the Department of Human Services. Th building at 3500 Harmony Court is 7,642 square feet and all of it is used by Opitmae Life Services. Ruhl & Ruhl Realtors and Pearl City Iowa Realty presented marketing strategies. The Board of Supervisors did not make decision on hiring a realtor yet. Eric Schlutz of Ruhl & Ruhl noted the 12 offices in eastern Iowa and western Illinois offer a far reach of clients. He recommended doing a commercial appraisal. "We think they are unique enough they're going to need some appraisals," Schlutz said. Anna Mack of Pearl City Iowa Realty, however, suggested saving the cost of the appraisal until there is an offer on the table. "It's the buyer's appraisal that counts," Mack said. Both Ruhl & Ruhl and Pearl City would take 6 percent of the sale as commission, with appraisal fees separate. "We don't get paid unless we sell something," Schlutz said. Mack also listed her credentials with eight realtors in her Muscatine office and two in her Tipton office plus online listings. She said she has been able to position her website on the first page of the Google search term "Iowa Realty." Mack said she would provide a market analysis at no-charge to the county. Schlutz said his team, which included Melissa Streeter and George Granberg would come up with marketing strategies after looking inside the building and give the board options to choose from. Schlutz also touted Ruhl & Ruhl's online presence. The board will select a realtor at a later date. In other business, the board told County Engineer Keith White to come back with another bid for a new truck. White was asking for approval to buy a new Mack truck from Twin Bridges Truck City in Davenport. White did not solicit other bids. Supervisor Robert Howard asked that he at least find another pricing option to make sure the county is getting the best deal. "If it was my money, I would want another quote," Howard said, noting that since it's tax money it is sort of his money. Other supervisors agreed. "I think it's worth a phone call," Supervisor Scott Sauer said. White said he would bring another quote to the next meeting. MUSCATINE, Iowa Muscatine Power & Water crews will reassess a water leak Tuesday morning, but cones are set up for Monday evening where water is traveling. Residents in the area are expected to have water throughout Monday night, Feb. 15. There is broken hydrant valve in the 1800 block of Houser that is leaking and will need replaced, Muscatine Power & Water announced at 3:53 p.m. Monday, Feb. 15. The repair will require an outage of a fairly large area that includes Houser Street and Harmony Lane, West Fulliam, and Duncan Drive cul de sac. After utility locates have been completed, the crews will begin to remove part of Houser Street so the repair can be made. The repair may take up to eight hours, the email from MP&W stated. At this time, MP&W is not expecting the funeral home or Cedar Plaza to be affected. Traffic will be affected on Houser Street, down to one lane while crews are working Tuesday. Customers may experience discolored water after the outage. It's striking that in a presidential season with two viable Latino contenders, discussion of Hispanic voters has been negligible. This will change as the primaries move to states with larger Latino populations, Nevada being first up. In those states, Sens. Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio will come under questioning for ethnic loyalty. This scrutiny will do them no favors. While some may imagine that Cruz or Rubio would get a boost in the general election from being the first Hispanic presidential nominee, either one would only help to hand the White House to the Democrats. The reason is simple: They continue to spurn other Hispanics. Here we have two children of immigrants trying to get elected by demonizing immigrants. Indeed, Rubio and Cruz embody a reality that they and their party deny: Latinos become Americanized very quickly. Both men are very close to their immigrant roots, one generation away. Yet both men are highly assimilated. Rubio's love of rap music and respect for Pitbull, N.W.A., Tupac and Nicki Minaj, is often cited. Cruz, raised in Texas and the son of an evangelical preacher, has a penchant for Western attire and after 9/11 switched his preference from classic rock to country music. This is not exceptional for Latino families, whether they are legally in the United States or not. Assimilation happens; it's an unstoppable force of our society. Neither man speaks with an accent; only Rubio is bilingual. Latino immigrant families shift from Spanish, becoming monolingual in English by the third generation. They follow the same pattern, the same fluid rate of language acquisition, as previous immigrant groups, be they European or Asian. In fact, some studies suggest that language shifts are now occurring faster for Latinos, due to technology. But to appeal to a GOP base that is positioned as anti-immigrant, these two have taken to casting other Latino immigrants as the outsiders, as resistant to becoming Americanized, as unworthy of opportunities to right their immigration status, whether that be by legislation or executive order. On the campaign trail this year, only one message is permissible to Republican candidates: Latinos are to be feared and deported. Build the wall! Secure the borders! End birthright citizenship! Never mind that migration from Mexico has dramatically slowed and that illegal migration peaked nearly a decade ago. Some ascribe Rubio's and Cruz' lack of sympathy to being of Cuban descent. Cubans enjoy a huge advantage over other immigrants. If they can reach U.S. soil, they have an easy path to permanent legal status within a year. It's a leftover policy from the Cold War, when many were fleeing the persecution of communist repression, although that wasn't the case with either of the senators' families. Increasingly, that connection to yesteryear is fraying. Cuban-Americans are moving away from their once steadfast ties to the GOP. Interestingly, Rubio probably got a taste of the non-Cuban immigrant experiences. He spent a portion of his teen-age years in Las Vegas, where his father found work as a bartender. The young Rubio was often assumed to be Mexican-American and counted many Mexican-American schoolmates as his closest friends. It reasonable to assume that he knew kids who had parents or other family members who were in this country without legal status. Perhaps that experience is what led Rubio to join the Gang of Eight, a group of senators who authored the last sane proposal for immigration reform, in 2013. Now he tries to scrub that fact from his record. A record 27.3 million Latinos will be eligible to vote this election cycle. Nearly half, 44 percent, will be millennials, according to Pew Research Center. Data crunchers believe that the eventual winner of the 2016 presidential election will need to draw at least 40 percent of Hispanic votes. Immigration obviously isn't the only issue of interest to Latinos; it isn't even the most important. Jobs, the economy, education rank very high too. However, it is a kind of gut-level test about attitudes. Rubio, especially, with his shifting to attract right-wing votes, has jilted Latino voters who would like to like him. Given their current posturing on immigration, neither Rubio nor Cruz has a chance. The backlash is coming. A group of high-profile Latino celebrities, including Benjamin Bratt, America Ferrera, George Lopez and Zoe Saldana, organized to call on the GOP presidential candidates to end their anti-immigrant fear-mongering. Guitarist Carlos Santana, in a statement, underlined the plea this way: "It's never too late to graduate from the university of fear!" Sadly, it may be if you are seeking the Republican nomination. Mary Sanchez is an opinion-page columnist for The Kansas City Star. Readers may write to her at msanchez@kcstar.com. Well, at least let's hear it for occasionally "hearing it," and other offensive terms and ideas. Let's accept that there are times, such as presidential elections, where we have an abiding need to really "hear" the speaker, unfiltered and raw, and not just through a prettified, sanitized, preplanned utterance. We need to be surprised, shocked, awed or offended at times to get the full-on impact of what people are saying in this widely derided but no less-observed era of rehearsed talking points and "sound bites." Language "with bite" or just plain speaking may be shocking but also can be insightful the very point of the First Amendment's protection for free expression. The U.S. Supreme Court affirmed the legal protection of offensive speech in 1971, in Cohen v. California an opinion by Justice John Marshall Harlan II that included the worthy observation that while "the particular four-letter word being litigated here is perhaps more distasteful than others of its genre, it is often true that one man's vulgarity is another man's lyric." Both supporters and critics can take new measure of Republican front-runner Donald Trump for recently pretending to "reprimand" a woman at one of his New Hampshire rallies for shouting out a vulgar assessment of fellow GOP presidential hopeful Sen. Ted Cruz. As Trump was criticizing Cruz's reluctance to endorse "waterboarding" suspected terrorists, a woman shouted, "He's a pussy!" Trump in a mocking tone replied, "You're not allowed to say, and I never expect to hear that from you again." He then repeated the shout, to cheers and applause. Lest we forget, this 2016 campaign also has had references to "blood coming out of her wherever" (Trump, about Fox News' Megyn Kelly, after an August 2015 debate); outright insults, as in "Trump is a jerk" (former Gov. Jeb Bush, in a January TV ad); and Bush slamming Trump for allegedly making fun of New York Times reporter Serge Kovaleski, who has an illness affecting his arms, by telling a crowd, "You gotta see this guy," and shaking his own his arms. Of course, it doesn't take rampant crudity to widely offend Democrats found out at almost the same time as Trump's echo act. In a report the night before the New Hampshire primary, a question was posed on "PBS NewsHour," asking if noted feminist icon Gloria Steinem and former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright did "step in it" itself an interesting term by chiding young women for their nonsupport of Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton. The pair had churlishly declared that youthful female voters seemed more focused on meeting young men surrounding Clinton opponent Sen. Bernie Sanders than in fomenting political revolution a "fever" over "fervor" assessment that may well have provoked as much outrage as did Trump. So, we've never seen this stuff before in a presidential race? Actually, while "we" haven't, the nation has and it started with the very men who delineated the First Amendment's commitment to freedom of expression. In the campaign of 1800, Thomas Jefferson opposed John Adams. According to a 2008 report by CNN, "Jefferson's camp accused President Adams of being a hypocrite and a coward, and as having a 'hideous hermaphroditical character ... (with) neither the force and firmness of a man, nor the gentleness and sensibility of a woman.'" Adams' supporters responded by saying Jefferson was "a mean-spirited, low-lived fellow," a weakling, atheist, libertine and coward and using racially tinged insults for good measure. In 1848, presidential hopeful Lewis Cass was called a "pot-bellied, mutton-headed cucumber." Newspapers more than a century ago included merciless cartoons showing candidates as bulging money bags, swarming crocodiles, monstrous figures and slobbering beasts. Cartoonist Thomas Nast had made a career during the 1872 presidential race of caricatures showing Democratic candidate Horace Greeley holding hands with corpses, cavorting with criminals, and worse. Some accounts link the unceasing illustrated attacks to Greeley's death, even before his loss to Ulysses S. Grant was certified by the Electoral College. Fast forward past Harry S. Truman's often-earthy language on-and-off the campaign trail criticized at the time, but later praised as "plain speaking," and on to then-Texas Gov. George W. Bush in the 2000 presidential race being overheard calling New York Times reporter Adam Clymer a "major-league asshole." Presidents Nixon, Johnson, Carter and Obama have all had explicative-laden moments. And it would be difficult to quantify the times on social media that Obama the nation's first black president was described in the most racist terms possible. All of these incidents now and then are offensive to many but can be illustrative to us all. We protect political speech above all other categories of free expression under the First Amendment specifically to protect a "vigorous and robust" unfettered exchange of views. The 2016 election, at least at the outset of primary voting, seems likely to be remembered with self-proclaimed outsiders "speaking truth to power" to Washington insiders. That 1971 "Cohen" opinion also notes an earlier comment by Justice Felix Frankfurter that "one of the prerogatives of American citizenship is the right to criticize public men and measures and that means not only informed and responsible criticism, but the freedom to speak foolishly and without moderation." We don't have to like it when candidates and surrogates veer into profanity and vulgarity and speak "without moderation." But such free expression can be useful in taking measure of not just the spoken words but of the speakers behind them. Gene Policinski is chief operating officer of the Newseum Institute and senior vice president of the Institutes First Amendment Center. He can be reached at gpolicinski@newseum.org. (Weapons and Warfare) The Iran-Iraq War was one of the longest and deadliest in recent histories. Iran full of zeal after its revolution... Les emplois a Rennes sont abondants et varies. Il y a quelque chose pour tout le monde. Que vous soyez a la recherche dun emploi [] Les blattes ou cafards (Blatta orientalis) sont des insectes qui appartiennent a la famille des Blattoptera. Ils se caracterisent par leur forme allongee, leurs ailes [] New Post Office CEO Mark Barnes recently said that e-commerce should be a big revenue driver for the company in future. This follows comments from Telecommunications and Postal Services Minister Siyabonga Cwele that getting e-commerce players to use the Post Office will be a key objective for Barnes. The Post Offices mail revenue, which makes up 60% of its income stream, is decreasing. When you talk about e-commerce, his vision is to do partnerships with major online shops like Amazon and Alibaba, said Cwele. The problem is that the Post Office has a reputation problem, and that its processes are not customer-centric. Other problems include the Post Offices cumbersome systems, theft, and a lack of door-to-door services. MyBroadband asked some of South Africas largest e-commerce players what they think the Post Office should do to win the trust of online shoppers and companies in South Africa. Parcelninja: To use the Post Office, it needs to have customer-centric and automated systems, and combat the theft of parcels Parcelninja CEO Justin Drennan said they do not use the Post Office, partly because there is no easy way to make use of its services. In our experience the Post Office is not geared towards businesses, which leads to service delivery and quality-of-service problems, he said. Drennan said there is no clarity on whether the Post Office has the technology to support bulk sending and the accurate tracking of items. When we tried to work with the Post Office, there was limited automation and many manual processes. This will not work for any large e-commerce player, he said. Drennan said theft remains a big concern to shops and online shoppers in South Africa an issue which the Post Office needs to address. Takealot: We do not use the Post Office because they have not been able to meet the standards we require Takealot founder and co-CEO Kim Reid said they place their customers at the centre of all their decision making. If we were approached by the Post Office to evaluate an opportunity, we would use the same methodology to evaluate if they were able to provide a service to our customers that meets our standards at an acceptable cost, said Reid. At present, we do not make use of the Post Office as they have not been able to meet the standards we require. Raru: We do not use the Post Office because of delivery problems, poor reliability, and high prices Raru founder Neil Smith said they do not use the Post Office, which was decided when they started the company. Smith said they had a few reasons for this decision: The high rates the Post Office charges for Speed Services delivery with a tracking number, and the hefty annual increase in these rates. The service reliability factor you never know when Post Office staff will be striking again for months at a time. Smith said their current to-counter partner, Pargo, is more reasonably priced and offers far better services levels. Loot: The Post Office needs to improve its parcel tracking capability, and have better rates Loot CEO Gary Hadfield said they use the Post Offices Speed Services for some parcels, which shoppers see as a convenient option. For the Post Office to make inroads into the e-commerce space, Hadfield suggested the following changes: Dramatically improve parcel tracking capability. Rates are not competitive when compared to leading courier service operators. Be more flexible on the back end, like the ability to re-route a parcel based on a post-transaction customer request. Increase the convenience factor for both parties and make it cost effective for the online shop to consider pushing the Post Office as an option. The UK is an excellent example of where the Post Office still plays a significant and reliable role in the e-commerce ecosystem, said Hadfield. More on the Post Office SA Post Offices new CEO promises to turn a profit SA Post Office gets new CEO Mobile service provider Altech Autopage has pushed back its planned shutdown date, which was originally anticipated for the end of this month. On Friday, the Competition Tribunal approved the sale of Altech Autopages subscriber base to MTN, Vodacom and Cell C, subject to conditions pertaining to affected staff. The approval, though, came after delays hit the regulation process amid a challenge from Altech Autopages largest customer Saicom Holdings in December last year. Saicom Holdings challenge at the Competition Tribunal hearings in December resulted in the matter being sent back to the Competition Commission. But after investigating the matter further, the Competition Commission subsequently decided to stick to recommending the deal, opening the way for the Tribunal to approve the deal last week. Prior to Saicom Holdings challenge of the deal, Altech Autopages former managing director, Boyd Chislett, last year told Fin24 that the mobile service provider planned to migrate all three customer bases by the 29th of February, depending on the regulatory process. But that plan has changed, according to Altech Autopages new managing director Peter Wattrus. The anticipated closure date of 29 February will not be met due to the delay in approval from the regulator, Wattrus told Fin24. Altech Autopage will communicate new timelines in due course. Until such time as the migration takes place, Altech Autopage will continue to service its clients, said Wattrus. Altech Autopages owner, Johannesburg listed Altron, announced in September last year that the Autopage subscriber base would be sold to MTN, Cell C and Vodacom for R1.46bn. Altron said that its decision to dispose of these subscriber bases has been based on, among others, the impact of the ongoing mobile termination rate (MTR) reductions, in addition to continued industry and consumer deflationary pressures. Fin24 More on Autopage Autopages Cell C subscribers bought by GloCell Autopages subscriber base sale approved by Competition Tribunal Energy Minister Tina Joemat-Pettersson raised the ire of MPs in the portfolio committee of energy when she declined to discuss her departments future plans following President Jacob Zumas State of the Nation address last Thursday night. Joemat-Pettersson was supposed to tell parliament what the impact on her department would be after Zuma said South Africas nuclear build programme would roll out at a pace the country can afford. Zuma made these comments after cabinet had approved a controversial nuclear programme late last year, despite signals from both former finance minister Nhlanhla Nene and the incumbent Pravin Gordhan that it might not be affordable. Analysts and economists estimate that such a programme could cost South Africa between R800bn and R1.6trn. Joemat-Pettersson, who arrived an hour late for Tuesday mornings meeting, said she was participating in the State of the Nation debate on Tuesday afternoon and MPs should wait for her speech before she would answer any questions. Im speaking in the National Assembly during the SONA debate. MPs will be in a better position to discuss the debate when we meet next Tuesday. Democratic Alliance MP Gordon Mackay called her behaviour a disappointment. This was basically a meeting about a meeting. Were wasting time and money, because the minister basically came here to tell us shes not saying anything. Mzingisi Dlamini from the Economic Freedom Fighters agreed. There was in fact no meeting, he said. Fikile Zachariah Majola, chairperson of the portfolio committee on energy, adjourned the meeting, promising fellow MPs that a more fruitful discussion would take place next week. Fin24 More energy news What South Africa needs before fracking the Karoo Tesla Powerwall prices for South Africa revealed Nuclear plan will roll out at pace South Africa can afford: Zuma Eskoms Kusile Unit 1 nearing completion The two-day Asterisk Community Conference 2016 has kicked off at the Maslow Hotel in Johannesburg today, providing an Asterisk learning experience like never before. The event is the first-ever Digium endorsed Asterisk community gathering in Africa, with technical discussions, presentations and products on display. The first day of the event has focused on training and knowledge-sharing through breakaway sessions, with a panel of experts that engage with the delegates. The goal has been to get a conversation going within the local Asterisk community, said Colin Fair, Clarotech Consulting MD. At the event delegates have also been able to attend a FreePBX training course by Sangoma for free that would normally be paid for. Digium provided Certified Asterisk Training which focused on the Asterisk from Scratch training course (a condensed version of the Asterisk Fast Start course). Delegates also had the opportunity to take the Digium-certified Asterisk Professional (dCAP) exam, a certification that covers a specific released, stable version of Asterisk. Bringing the African Asterisk community together The goal of the event is to provide a local platform where South Africans could learn more about Asterisk without having to travel to expensive conferences elsewhere in the world. Both local and international industry experts are representing Asterisk at the conference, including: David Duffett, Asterisk Community Director at Digium. Justin Hester, Asterisk Technical Trainer at Digium. Lorenzo Emilitri, CEO and Founder of Loway. Diego Gosmar, CEO of Xenialab and creators of xCally. Ben Klang of Mojo Lingo. The turnout has exceeded our target, and for an event like this in such a niche market, it shows just how big Asterisk is in this country, said Fair. What is important to see is how many corporates are here, including some big household names in South Africa who use the products, besides all the resellers as well. Exhibition The exhibition has also officially opened, with leading VoIP companies displaying leading technology solutions. The Platinum sponsors of the 2016 Asterisk Community Conference & Expo are Connection Telecom and Clarotech Consulting. Miro Distribution is a Gold sponsor. The Silver sponsors are BitCo, Evenflow, Loway (QueueMetrics), Nology, Teleforge, Xenialab (xCally), Sangoma and Far South Networks. What to look forward to Its not over yet, though, and delegates can still look forward to a day featuring more conference-style lectures, including a few case studies, products and technical streams as well. This will highlight the development of Asterisk and its future in telephony, with keynote addresses and product development sessions presented by well-known technology leaders. The exhibition hall will also run the whole day tomorrow, and event sponsors will have the opportunity to present their products during one-hour sessions. We hope that this conference will help build a real community of Asterisk users that can compete with the more propriety based services, added Fair. Three men have appeared in court in Harare, charged with stealing President Robert Mugabes youngest childs iPhone while he was in the school toilet, press reports said on Tuesday. News of the theft came after Grace Mugabe said officials angling for power within the ruling Zanu-PF party had plotted to kill her son, Bellarmine Chatunga. While this did not appear to be an attempt on the 19-year-olds life, the authorities were taking it seriously. Newsday reported that prosecutor Venencia Mutake wanted to have the trio remanded in custody until March. The incident happened last November at a function at the prestigious private St Johns College in Harares Borrowdale suburb, according to website NewZimbabwe.com. Chatunga had handed his iPhone 6 to a friend to look after while he went to the toilet. But while he was away, the three reportedly approached the friend and said Chatunga had told them he needed his phone back. When Chatunga emerged, he realised his phone had been stolen, said Newsday. The official Herald named the men as Victor Josam, 26, Tendai Makambaire, 30, and Kelvin Mwandayi, 27. They have each been granted US$100 bail (R1 580), said the Herald. Mugabe, 91, complained last year about his three childrens fondness for smartphones and parties. He reportedly told a rally in Chirumanzu that children in Zimbabwe wanted to go to parties and use electronic gadgets to communicate with friends and said his own three were no different. They have lots of friends on these gadgets. I see this even with my own children at home, the Standard newspaper quoted him as saying. News24 More smartphone and gadget news My kids love gadgets: Robert Mugabe How much it costs to own a cellphone: South Africa vs the world The best photos taken on an iPhone 6s As owner of this blog, I bear no responsibility to what other contributors/bloggers may post. I encourage all to speak freely without indulging in libel or defamatory content. Anyone who feels offended by any posting can email me and I will remove the offending article if appropriate. Contact me at redbeansg@yahoo.com redbean Miguna Miguna recently said that the DPP and EACC are clearing houses, and boy could he be right. Just days after former Devolution Cabinet Secretary Anne Waiguru was cleared of any wrong-doing in the National Youth Service corruption saga, new evidence has come to light suggesting that she is in fact behind it all. In an affidavit filed in court yesterday, Ms Josephine Kabura Irungu, one of the people charged in connection with the corruption scandal, reveals that Ms Waiguru was at the centre of it all. Ms Kabura says that Waiguru, under the guidance of political analyst and NYS consultant Mutahi Ngunyi, devised devious schemes to divert public attention and mislead investigative agencies, including writing a backdated letter. The elaborate cover-up involved cooling public anger by slapping some suspects with funny charges and directing blame elsewhere. Ms Kabura reveals that they have been good friends with Waiguru for several years, and the former CS once loaned her Sh1 million to start a computer accessories shop. She says that it was in fact Waigurus suggestion that she should get a side hustle since the fat government wallets take time to open up. CS Waiguru also stated that, in big deals, there are normal Government bureaucratic delays in remittance of payments and she therefore advised that it would be wise to have some other business as a front to rely on. In this regard, I floated the idea of a computer accessories shop and she loaned me a sum of Sh1 million. reads the affidavit. Waiguru, as revealed on the affidavit, facilitated the opening of numerous companies to do business with NYS. Ms Kabura recounts the former CS giving her instructions to open bank accounts for them at Family Bank KTDA plaza branch. Ms Waiguru called an employee of Family Bank whose role was to ensure that the accounts were opened and operated without any hiccups, says Ms Kabura. Also deeply involved in these deals was CS Waigurus sister Ms Loise Mbarire. Most of the time the CS Waiguru would request that I give part profits to a lady named Loise Mbarire, CS Waigurus sister, who was supposed to give back the money to me or the CS Waiguru after servicing her deliveries. Loise informed me that she worked in a law firm at Finance House on Loita Street. She would come (to the bank) in different vehicles, park in the basement and wait for me to withdraw and take it down to her, one bag at a time, Ms Kabura says in her affidavit. Word soon started to get out of some suspect deals happening at the NYS. Central Bank questioned the payments and that was the beginning of an elaborate cover-up plan. According to Ms Kabura, CS Waiguru called a meeting at her Runda residence. Taking the fall was Mr Adan Harakhe, then a senior NYS official. He was accused of processing deals behind their backs. Among those present in the meeting was Mutahi Ngunyi, a consultant for NYS, Mr Hassan Noor, who was the Chief of Staff at the Devolution Ministry, Mr Harakhe and Mr Joseph Mugwanja, the director of the Banking Fraud Department. Mr Mutahi Ngunyi advised Madam Waiguru to do an official statement to cool down public anger, she says in her court papers. He also advised her to do a backdated letter on the purportedly stolen password This backdated letter was dated June 5, 2015.Mr Mugwanja was instructed to divert the attention of the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission investigators, and in return Waiguru was to put in a good word for him to become the next CID director.Ms Kabura recounts mentioning that she had Sh80 million in hard cash in two office safes. Ms Waiguru sent Mr Mugwanja and other officers from his department to collect the money for safe keeping.CS Waiguru said they would keep it safely away from even NIS who had been looped into the case, she says.Ms Kabura was one of the contractors supplying road building materials for work being done at the Kibera slums. She says that the reason she kept huge amounts of money in her office is because Waiguru had told her that jua kali suppliers always wanted to be paid in cash.Ms Kabura further reveals that she would get requests to make huge deposits to some bank accounts, and at one point handed Sh20 million to a stranger. Upon making a call to Waiguru, the CS would always sign off the transfer.Ms Kabura then gives another shocker an attempt to buy off the media.She says that Ms Waiguru introduced her to two journalists, Mr Mwaniki Munuhe and Mr Maina Kamore. The CS referred to them as media gurus she had been working with since joining government.She informed me that she had been working with these media personalities since she joined the government. She also instructed me to give Mr Mwaniki Munuhe the sum of Sh10 million for purposes of propaganda and to assist clean my name, she says.Mwaniki Munuhe is a reporter at Standard while Maina Kamore works for The Star.If there is any truth in this part of the affidavit, then Maina Kamore must have done a really nice job for the CS, when he gave us a new villain in the NYS scandal in the name of Ben Gethi.His exclusive front page story oncast a big doubt on the narrative that Waiguru had stolen.Ms Kabura further reveals that the CS told her that her name would be included in the charge sheet, but only funny charges would be preferred against her.That charge as promised, would be abuse of office and breach of public trust, she said.This would effectively reduce the pressure on her to step aside.CS Waiguru also informed me that she had pushed for charges of many people, including the permanent secretary and director-general so that she would not be implicated anywhere.According to the CS, the idea was to paint the image of a vicious and uncontrollable cartel of crooked people working with senior officers, which then was beyond the control of the CS, she says.In the affidavit, Ms Kabura reveals that Waiguru was aware she would end up in the cabinet even before the elections were held, and promised her big government deals in advance.There is also some spy details in there, specifically when Waiguru gave Kabura a secure phone to be switched on between 7am and 9 am, and 7pm and 9pm. Only Waiguru would call her on this phone.One of the beneficiaries of all this was Mutahi Ngunyi. This was his immediate reaction on Twitter.The former Devolution CS Anne Waiguru also had a few issues with the report aired last night.Coming just hours after Anne Waiguru confirmed that shell be going for the Nairobi governors seat, it will be interesting to see how this develops. A totally disappointed woman fainted in a Mombasa courtroom after a case, in which two police officers were charged with killing her 14 year old daughter back in 2014, ended in a way that she hadnt expected. According to activists who had advised her, the two rogue officers should have at least been thrown in prison for a minimum of 15 years each. Contrary to her prior expectations, the judge sentenced the police officers to 7 years behind bars, a ruling that shocked the woman to the point that she collapsed and fell in the courtroom. Though the case was a weighty one, Mombasa High Court Judge Muya Martin said that the prosecution had failed to prove beyond reasonable doubt that the accused had the intention of shooting and killing the girl. Defending themselves, the police officers maintained and stressed that the death of Kwekwe Mwandaza (the 14 year old girl) on August 21, 2014 was as a result of self defense. The lack of proof in this case, forced the judge to reduce the charge to manslaughter hence the 7 year prison sentence for the guilty pair. Below are photos of the woman after hearing the unexpected ruling the judge made. Love was truly in the air on Valentines Day. As Kenyans from all walks of life celebrated and appreciated their loved ones, others were on a charm offensive with romantic marriage proposals. Celebrated Kenyan comedian Eric Omondi used the day to finally pop the big question to his Italian girlfriend, Chantal Grazioli. Getting down on one knee by the beach, there could be only one outcome: a definite Yes from Chantal. Taking to social media, an elated Eric broke the big news posting, SheSaidYes, Here are the photos News of the lead-tainted water supply in Flint, Michigan, poured over the nation. With lead levels five times higher than the level of concern for safe drinking, residents are looking at who to blame. Lives vs. budget The tainted water in Flint will have lifelong effects for thousands of residents. With the citys financial woes, in 2011 it was placed in receivership by the states governor. The team put into place to cut costs and get the city stable decided to switch the water supply from Lake Hurons abundant high-quality water, to a subpar river supply. However, the river supply was corrosive to iron pipes. To further save about $9,000 the team decided not to introduce a corrosion inhibitor into the water to prevent the main iron pipes from leaching. When the iron rich water reached the lead pipes used to bring water to half the homes, lead leached into the water. The business of delivering water We rely on our local municipality to deliver water to us. There is no other product produced in such a manner as that of water. We often take for granted turning on our faucet and filling a glass of potable water for our consumption. What exactly are we paying for? Water is a free resource; what we are paying for is the delivery of the water. Our infrastructure is failing Throughout the nation we see many cities using 100-year-old or more pipes to deliver water to homes and businesses. Not only are these systems susceptible to failure, but over the many years of usage the interior of the iron pipes gets built up with corrosion, creating a smaller-diameter pipe for water to flow. This results in more pressure needed to deliver water more pressure means higher operating costs and higher probability of failure. Replacement of the delivery system should be built in to the fees the consumer pays, but not always. Expect as these systems fail for water rates to go up to pay for replacement. Real estate values = availability of water Having water available on your land creates value, as in many cases without it the value of your land is greatly diminished or even totally unusable. You must have availability of a sustainable water source either from the ground or provided by a municipality or water district in order to develop the site. We trust our municipality to provide us with clean, pure, potable water. We rely a great deal on our providers to deliver us potable drinking water to maintain life and property values. With the lack of available water in California and the aging infrastructure, we have a lot to consider in our future. While double-digit unemployment is devastating lives and rumbling politics in Spain and Greece, business owners in the European Union's developing east are having a different problem. Czech entrepreneur Zbynek Frolik is one of them. Demand for his state-of-the-art hospital beds is so high that he needs a new factory. Yet with the rest of his country's economy also booming, he can't find the workers he needs. "There's simply a huge shortage of labor," said Frolik, who has built his company, Linet, into a global leader with annual turnover of $240 million. "At this point, I just want any able- bodied person who wants to work.'' The scenario is playing out across the region stretching from the Baltics to the Balkans, where cheap labor and untapped markets lured tens of billions of euros in investment after the fall of the Iron Curtain. That fueled booming growth and lifted living standards, especially since the European Union's big-bang expansion into the region in 2004. Now falling unemployment and the exodus of millions of workers looking for higher wages are exposing the limits of the low-cost growth model. Policymakers have warned of looming labor shortages, but the reasons vary by country. In the Czech Republic, the EU's third-fastest growth and lowest unemployment have made workers scarce across the economy. In Slovakia, the world's biggest auto producer per capita, companies are struggling to find specialists in the industry even as Jaguar Land Rover Automotive prepares to build the country's fourth car plant. For Hungary and Poland, young people are moving to Britain, Germany and other places where wages are higher. The global rout in emerging-market stocks and bonds has driven the Polish zloty 5.2 percent and the Hungarian forint 0.8 percent weaker against the euro in the past 12 months. Although the declines are helping exporters remain competitive and kindling growth, economists say dependence on currency weakness isn't a long-term growth strategy. There are two ways to tackle the problem in the short term, according to Radomir Jac, chief economist at the Prague-based asset-management unit of Assicurazioni Generali SpA: import workers or boost salaries in a shift away from a growth model dominated by manufacturing. "Central Europe needs a new economic model that wouldn't depend so much on exports and the car industry," Jac said by phone. "Its economies need to diversify and start making products with added value." Poland, the region's largest economy and one that ballooned to $545 billion at end-2014 from $65 billion in 1990, is doing both. Unemployment fell to 7.1 percent in December, the lowest since 2008 and far below the 20 percent before EU entry, according to Eurostat. Unfilled job vacancies jumped to 73,200 in the third quarter, an increase of 22 percent from a year earlier. Companies are raising salaries -- wages have more than doubled to an average of 32,446 zlotys ($8,222) a year since EU entry -- which is prompting some investors to consider moving to cheaper countries further east. Others are importing workers from Ukraine, a country that shares similarities in languages and culture and has seen its own exodus of workers during it violent conflict with pro-Russian separatists in its easternmost regions. "In many regions, importing workers from Ukraine is the only remedy," Marek Sliwinski, a job-market expert at employment agency Work Force, said by email. "Without those Ukrainians, quite a few companies wouldn't be able to complete their orders, and this would have a negative impact on economic growth." The Czechs are facing a similar situation, with an economy that grew 4.7 percent in the third quarter. Unemployment fell to 4.5 percent in December, the EU's lowest along with Germany, according to Eurostat. Growth is expected to have slowed to 4.5 percent last quarter, according to a Bloomberg survey before the data's release next week. That compares with with 3.8 percent for Poland, 3.5 percent for Slovakia and 2.5 percent for Hungary, other surveys show. After the Czech Industry Association urged the government to help its members fill about 150,000 jobs they expect to stand empty this year, the governing coalition's leaders agreed to simplify visa procedures for foreign workers at a session on Tuesday. "Dozens of companies are struggling because of our policy toward their employees from Ukraine," Deputy Prime Minister Pavel Belobradek told Hospodarske Noviny newspaper. "If it's advantageous for the Czech Republic, we want to make legal economic migration easier." Jon Hill, managing director at employment provider Grafton Recruitment, said the continuing fall in Czech unemployment will lead to "an even higher shortage of university graduates with technology and engineering degrees, as well as the non-qualified workforce," in 2016, according to a December report. That echoed a survey of executives in Estonia by PricewaterhouseCoopers, which found labor scarcity had replaced geopolitical risks as the main economic concern. The lack of workers outside capitals including Warsaw, Prague, and Budapest has transformed cities that suffered during the transformation from centrally-planned to market-based economies. One is Hungary's Tatabanya, a city of about 70,000 people about 60 kilometers (37 miles) west of Budapest, which faced a spike in unemployment in the early 1990s after uncompetitive mines and factories went bust. Now flooring company Graboplast Zrt. is setting up production there. "Tatabanya used to be a synonym for industrial depression," Prime Minister Viktor Orban said on Feb. 4 as he inaugurated the new plant. "Now it's a city challenged not by unemployment but a shortage of available and quality labor." Orban has eschewed recommendations to shift to service industries, calling that approach "misguided." He's seeking to cap high school and university admissions and channel students into trade schools to solidify Hungary's position as one of Europe's "most industrialized" countries. Yet, with hundreds of thousands of people having traveled west, that will be difficult. There are about 50,000 unfilled vacancies in the car sector, followed by about 30,000 in shared services, Laszlo Dalanyi, country manager of employment-service provider ManpowerGroup in Budapest, said Tuesday. Even the country's largest private industrial conglomerate, Videoton, is having to raise salaries, push employees to work overtime and become more efficient. "The system is stretched," Videoton co-Chief Executive Officer Otto Sinko said in an interview. "Practically everyone who wants to work already has a job." ProPublica and The Washington Post wanted to see what impact, if any, the 162(m) limit on deducting executive compensation has had on America's biggest companies, which set the example for Corporate America. We began with the approach that professor Steven Balsam of Temple University took in a 2012 study for the Economic Policy Institute. He calculated deductible and nondeductible executive compensation for more than 7,000 companies for the year 2010. We looked at a narrower field: the 40 members of the "Nifty Fifty" - the 50 companies in the Standard & Poor's 500-stock index with the highest stock market value - that reported executive compensation in 1992, the year before the deduction limit took effect. We asked S&P Capital IQ to add up three categories subject to the limit - salary, bonus and restricted stock that vests over time. S&P separately added all other compensation categories, such as stock options and incentive-based pay, that are fully deductible. Making the 1992-to-2014 comparison work required some modifications: -- For 1992, S&P recalculated the value of stock options by using an options-valuation formula rather than the numbers companies reported. That is consistent with the 2014 method and makes the values comparable. -- One category of 2014 compensation - the buildup of value in retirement accounts - is not included, because the amounts were not disclosed in 1992. -- The 2014 numbers omit chief financial officers because they were exempted from the deductibility limit in 2007. Finally, our numbers do not include executives' profits on stock options; we count the value of options when granted. Our results show that 2014 compensation subject to deductibility limits grew by 650 percent per executive from the 1992 level. In this period, the consumer price index rose about 70 percent. Teenagers, a historically wily demographic, are increasingly moving their digital social lives from public sites where their parents hang out to smartphone messaging apps, giving them nearly complete privacy in their online social lives. Apps such as Kik, Line, WhatsApp, Ask.fm and Whisper can often be used anonymously, without parental controls, and in Snapchat's case even automatically erase inappropriate pictures. The popularity of these apps is showing up in surveys and focus groups. Kik's use has soared to 40 percent of teens. To parents, many of whom are so clueless about technology that they rely on their children for tech support, the danger is obvious. To advertisers, the opportunity is enormous. They are butting in on the discussions, figuratively and literally. Line, a messaging app started in Japan in response to a devastating earthquake, is trying to make inroads in the United States selling animated digital stickers of pop culture characters ranging from Snoopy to Darth Vader. "At a loss for words?" says Line's website. "Spice up your chats with animated and talking stickers!" On Kik, advertisers are texting with teens - the next part of this sentence is not fiction - using bots. MTV, Under Armour, Funny or Die, Amazon, fashion blogs, movies, the Indianapolis Colts and The Washington Post are using artificial intelligence to push their brands with quirky conversations. This reporter to the MTV bot: "Hi!" MTV bot: "Why hello there! I know we just met, but you should check this out . . . " This is a link to MTV.com. Blynk Style, a fashion-adviser bot: "Lets get started. Tell me what you want to see." This reporter clicks "Men's fashion." A picture pops up of a man in an outfit this reporter would never wear. "It's fascinating," said Catherine Boyle, an analyst with eMarketer. "These messaging apps present very different ways for brands to engage with younger consumers. Banner ads are never going to work. Branded bots are a really clever way to let brands offer a more natural presence of themselves." For Kik executives, the endgame is not just advertisements. It's what they call conversational commerce. The company is modeling itself after WeChat, a Chinese messaging app with nearly 700 million users who buy things and pay bills through the service. Kik executives imagine a day when users can chat with bots that help them buy clothes or other products without leaving the app. Like this: "I really need a pair of black shoes." "If I could speak like that to a chat bot and it came back with ideas, that's a lot easier than browsing around," said Paul Gray, Kik's director of platform services "I think this generation is keen for that." New shoes, teen drama, and selfie after selfie - sounds like pure fun. But teens have followed dark paths on messaging apps, bullying kids, sending nude photos, meeting up with strangers who turn out to be pedophiles. Experts say that handled correctly, these new social malls can be treated by parents the same way as the offline malls. That is, by putting limits on what is allowed to happen there, building enough trust and understanding that teens aren't afraid to seek help. Parents should make clear, experts say, that they can and will monitor what happens on their children's phones, either by looking or using an app that reports activity back to them. "They have to know that safety is important," said Leticia Barr, a parent of a middle-schooler and former Maryland elementary school teacher who blogs about technology at TechSavvyMama.com. "It's just like when we used to hold their hands crossing the street." In many ways, the teenage desire to stay ahead of parents digitally is no different than wanting free rein at the mall - to hang out with friends, drum up drama, trade zingers, and even meet strangers. "What happens on these apps isn't public, which is why the kids like them," said Catherine Steiner-Adair, a Boston-area psychologist and author of "The Big Disconnect: Protecting Childhood and Family Relationships in the Digital Age." "There are no parents around. There are no teachers around." That's positive, in some ways. Like hanging out in the basement while their parents watch television upstairs, teens experiment with their identity, goof off, learn what they value in friends. Kik pushes that idea by not requiring phone numbers or other real identifiers - just user names, however many someone wants. "Your relationship with your mom is different to your relationship with your BFF," the company says in a list of reasons why user names are better than phone numbers. "Your relationship with your friend from Clash of Clans is different to your relationship with that person you met on Tumblr. So why have one identifier for them all? You can have multiple usernames, so you can be who you want with whoever you want." That kind of autonomy is exhilarating to teens and their not-fully formed frontal lobes. "It represents 'their' space, visible to the peer group more than to adult surveillance," Sonia Livingstone, a London School of Economics professor and digital media expert, wrote in a paper on teens and online risks. The problem: "What, for an adult observer, may seem risky is, for a teenager, often precisely the opportunity they seek." It's a tricky spot for parents. "You have to balance between being a helicopter parent and free-range kids," said Hilary Barker, a Montgomery County, Maryland, mother of a 12-year-old girl. "From a parenting perspective, once you open the door it's like Pandora's box." Kik wasn't familiar to many parents until the killing of 13-year-old Nicole Lovell, allegedly by a Virginia Tech student who chatted with her on the app. "Our kids are always one step ahead of us," said Barr, the Tech Savvy Mama blogger. "The next hot app is out there and we have no idea about it." It is not known exactly what transpired on Kik between Nicole and David Eisenhauer, the student accused of killing her. She described him to a friend as "funny and really nice." Deonte Carraway, a volunteer at a Prince George's County, Maryland, school who allegedly made pornographic videos of students, also used the app. For parents, it's difficult to know when they need to step in. About half of teens don't tell anyone about online sexual solicitations or pornography, according to studies by the Crimes Against Children Research Center at the University of New Hampshire. Why? Some teens don't think the situations were serious enough. Others fear being cut off from the services, which is seen as roughly equivalent to being sent to an isolation island. The angst is not all that surprising given what smartphones have become in society, for adults and teens. They aren't just transmitting gossip about friends and pictures of fancy meals. "These exchanges are banal and mundane," Richard Ling, a mobile communication scholar at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore, wrote in a recent paper. "This does not mean, however, that they are not important. It is through these seemingly prosaic exchanges, which are most likely only entertaining to the immediate participants, that we weave the threads of social cohesion." Kik has a bot that teens can chat with if they're bored. This reporter: "Why do teenagers love Kik?" Kik bot: "Because." This reporter: "Can you please answer my question?" Kik bot: "Unfortunately I'm a bot and not smart enough to help you." This year, Grgich Hills Estate will celebrate the 40th anniversary of the historic Judgment of Paris tasting and its legacy with vintner dinners across the country, an appearance at the Smithsonian Institution and the release of Miljenko Mike Grgichs autobiography A Glass Full of Miracles, which tells the story of his fascinating life. In 1976, Steven Spurrier, an Englishman who ran a fine wine shop in Paris, decided to promote his wine shop by organizing a blind tasting to coincide with Americas bicentennial celebrations. For the tasting, he gathered together the best French judges, the finest French wines and he added in a few wines, from some upstart winemakers in California. California Chardonnays represented in the tasting included: Chateau Montelena, 1973; Chalone Vineyard, 1974; Spring Mountain Vineyard, 1973; Freemark Abbey Winery, 1972; Veedercrest Vineyards, 1972; and David Bruce Winery, 1973. The California cabernet sauvignons represented in the tasting included: Stags Leap Wine Cellars, 1973; Clos Du Val Winery, 1972; Ridge Vineyards, Monte Bello, 1972; Heitz Wine Cellars, Marthas Vineyard, 1970; Mayacamas Vineyards, 1971; and Freemark Abbey Winery, 1969. The unimaginable happened: the Chateau Montelena chardonnay, crafted by Mike Grgich, who lives in Calistoga, won with the highest total score of 132 points. In the afternoon tasting of the red wines, the French judges gave their top ranking to Warren Winiarski for his 1973 Stags Leap cabernet sauvignon, beating the best Cabernets of Bordeaux with 127.5 points. The only reporter to attend, George Taber, wrote in Time magazine about this American triumph, which sent shock waves throughout the world of wine. Taber later wrote an account of this tasting and its impact in his book, Judgment of Paris: California vs. France and the Historic 1976 Paris Tasting That Revolutionized Wine, which will be made into a major motion picture in 2017. The movie will include Mike Grgich and is being co-produced by entrepreneur Jonathan Rotella and famed Hollywood screenwriter and vintner Robert Kamen, best known for writing the Taken trilogy and The Karate Kid series. Grgich said he believes the Judgment of Paris is a significant event not just for him and the Napa Valley but for everyone who is dedicated to winemaking, since it proves that you dont need French soil to make great wine. On April 2, Grgich, who turns 93 on April 1, will host a Judgment of Paris dinner and book launch of his autobiography A Glass Full of Miracles at Morgans in the Desert in La Quinta. Bottles and books will be available. On May 16, Violet Grgich will participate in a panel discussion of the Paris Tasting Legacy as part of the American History (After Hours) at the Smithsonians National Museum of American History, Washington, D.C. For more information, visit bit.ly/historyPM. On May 17, Violet Grgich will participate in the National Museum of American Historys fourth annual Winemakers Dinner commemoration of the 40th anniversary of the Paris Tasting in Washington, D.C. For more information, visit americanhistory.si.edu/topics/food/pages/fortieth-anniversary-judgment-paris. Violet Grgich will also host a gala celebration of the Judgment of Paris at Vizcaya Museum in Miami on May 19. Ticket information is at bit.ly/VizcayaMuseumGrgich. The Grgich and Hills families will host a special Judgment of Paris Croatian Extravaganza for wine club members, friends and family in Yountville on July 2. Also, the winery will host Judgment of Paris dinners around the country with restaurant partners. Check the calendar of events at www.grgich.com for more information or contact the winery if your restaurant would like to participate. More Paris celebrations Additional highlights of the celebration of the 40th anniversary of the 1976 Judgment of Paris wine tasting in Napa Valley include: The Westin Verasa Napa is offering a special flight of current vintages of the most honored wines at the blind tasting. For $125, Michelin-starred La Toque will offer three-ounce pours of the current vintages from the winners: Stags Leap Wine Cellars S.L.V. 2012, Ridge Vineyards Monte Bello 2012 and Heitz Cellar Marthas Vineyard 2010. Flavor! Napa Valley kicks off the 40th anniversary at Silverado Resort & Spa in Napa with the Celebration of the Judgment of Paris Dinner, Thursday, March 17, 6-10 p.m. Participating chefs include Matthew Accarrino, SPQR (San Francisco); Bradley Ogden, Lark Creek Restaurant Group; Justin Yu, Oxheart (Houston); and Larry Forgione (Culinary Institute of America). Tickets are $295 per person. For a complete description of all Flavor! Napa Valley events, including dates, times, pricing and ticket information, visit FlavorNapaValley.com. Chateau Montelena Winery celebrates with an open house at the winery on the anniversary date, May 24. In addition, Auberge du Soleil in Rutherford will host a dinner with Chateau Montelena Winery proprietor Judy Barrett, president Bo Barrett and winemaker Matt Crafton on Friday, March 11. The five-course tasting menu by chef Robert Curry, will be paired with Chateau Montelena wines. The dinner is limited to 50 guests and is $195 per person. For details, visit, www.aubergedusoleil.com The Meritage Resort and Spa in Napa hosts a food and wine-tasting event May 22-29, which includes a three-course menu for $52 per person and a selection of wine-pairing suggestions from Napa Valley and France. Wine pairings will be priced per glass. For details, visit www.Meritage Resort.com. Angele Restaurant in Napa will pair dishes with wine from Mayacamas Vineyards during the entire month of May 2016.For details, contact Kelly Mitchell-Jacks at Kelly@angelerestaurant.com, 707-252-8115; www.angelerestaurant.com The Wine Spectator Greystone Restaurant at the Culinary Institute of America at Greystone in St. Helena, will serve a family-style French-inspired menu with a blind wine pairing on Sunday, April 23, from 4:30-7:30 p.m. Each course will be paired with two wines; one French and one from California. When a guest correctly identifies the wine origin to the server, their name will be entered for the opportunity to win a Weekend Wine Course for two at the CIA at Greystone. For details, visit www.ciachef.edu Harvest Table at the Harvest Inn in St. Helena will pair one French wine and one California wine with the starter and entree of their Napa Neighbor three-course menu, which is $36 per person, for and additional $20 per person. Wine pairings will include Clos du Val; Heitz (Marthas Vineyard); Freemark Abbey; and more. The Harvest Inn will also feature a Judgment of Paris overnight package to include a private blind wine tasting tutorial with the restaurants sommelier. The hotel package is available May 2229; midweek rates start at $479 per night and $639 for weekend. Even before the Saturday opening of Atelier by JCB (see info box), Napa Valley arguably had more fine cheese per capita than any place on the planet. Paris boasts more cheese shops, of course, but it has more than 2 million residents. For our size, we are blessed. Between Napa and Calistoga lurk hundreds of admirable cheeses, from subtle to stinky. So how do you choose when there are so many options? How do you find the cheeses that fit your palate, occasion and budget? James Ayers has been steering Napa Valley residents to the right cheeses for more than two decadesinitially at the Tripoli Market in St. Helena (a site now occupied by Dean & DeLuca), then at Sunshine Foods, where he managed the cheese counter for more than 18 years. This week, he assumes a new challenge as manager for Atelier, the new Yountville fine-foods shop from vintner Jean-Charles Boisset. Over coffee one recent morning, Ayers shared some tips on how to be a smarter cheese shopper. Implement his suggestions and youll raise the odds of getting home with only cheeses you love. Ask more questions. Have a conversation with your cheesemonger. Try not to shop when youre rushed so you have time for a dialogue. Ask the merchant to show you the difference between a ripe Camembert and one thats not ready yet. You need to know what Brie looks like when its young, says Ayers. And you need to learn what bad cheese looks like. If you show interest, Ayers may pick up a wedge of Coulommiers, a French bloomy-rind cheese in the Brie family, and point out how it ripens from the outside in. The cheese peaks when it still has some firmness at the center, he believesinformation youll never glean if youre too hurried to chat. Dont bring a shopping list. Instead, ask the merchant, Whats good today? or What are you taking home tonight? Cheeses have lifespans; they are constantly evolving. An alert monger knows whats optimum that day. Some cheeses are seasonal or highly limited, like Rush Creek Reserve from Wisconsin. Pass it up and you may not see it again for a year. Be open-minded. Approach cheeses with a spirit of adventure. Consider your purchase as an opportunity to experience a cheese or a style you havent had before. I love people like that, says Ayers. They drive me to better myself. I know if I bring in something weird, theyll love it. Its tempting to fall back on your favorites, but youll never develop your palate if you buy the same cheese (or wine or beer) every time. Ask for a taste. Some people are afraid to ask, says Ayers, but youve got to taste. The opportunity to sample before you commit is one advantage of shopping at a full-service cheese counter. A cheese the monger loves may be too salty for your palate, or too strong. Be considerate of the monger and other shoppers and limit your sampling to cheeses youre seriously considering. You are tasting, not grazing. Dont overbuy. It may surprise you to learn that good merchants dont want you to purchase more than you can consume in a few days. Please dont buy so much, pleads Ayers. I hate waste. Better to buy small amounts, but buy more often. No cheese improves after it is cut. If youre unsure about quantities for your dinner party, ask the cheesemongers advice. Dont be misled by pull dates. Some, not all, producers put best-by or pull-by dates on their packaging. These dates are calculated from the day of manufacture. Theyre a guide to ripeness, but not a deadline. Cheeses do not become unsafe the day after their pull date. Some get better. Ayers said he recently served a Vacherin Mont dOr, a Swiss cows milk cheese, a month past its consume-by date. It was divine, says the merchant. Before you reject or toss a cheese with an expired date, give it a chance. Pairing wine and cheese? Question authority. After many years of paying attention to the harmony between cheese and wine, Ayers is unconvinced that what grows together goes together. Hes convinced that very few cheeses really complement wine. His short list of wine-friendly cheeses includes Nicasio Valley Foggy Morning, a young cows milk cheese from Marin County; Three- to four-month-old Ossau-Iraty, a nutty sheeps milk cheese from the French Pyrenees; - Montegrappa and Sapore del Piave, hard aged cows milk cheeses from Northern Italy; Prima Donna, an aged Dutch Gouda with butterscotch scent. Taste critically and trust your own opinions about what pairings work. Dont let cheese sweat. Your purchases should be fine from the store to your home, but dont detour for a couple of hours in hot weather. If you cant get your cheese into the refrigerator within a half-hour or so, bring a cooler or ask the store for some ice. Cheese isnt going to become unsafe if it warms up in your car, but you havent done it any favors. Store cheese properly at home. Extend the life of your purchases by protecting them from the drying air of the refrigerator. Most cheese wants more humidity than a refrigerators cheese compartment provides. Ayers recommends wrapping hard cheese in wax paper and then tucking it in a Ziplock bag. Unwrap soft cheeses like blues, Brie and triple-creams and store in a lidded plastic containerTupperware typewith a paper towel on the bottom to absorb excess moisture. For a washed-rind cheese like Taleggio, wrap it loosely in a dry paper towel, then tuck that inside a lidded container or Ziplock bag. If a wedge of cheese develops a little blue or white mold, cut the mold out but dont toss the whole piece. If the cheese still smells and tastes good, with no bitter flavor or ammonia aroma, its worth keeping. For years she tended to the health of the elderly, but after leaving medicine behind, Joanne Fox has given her time to help those closer to the beginning of life. Each Thursday, the retired doctor makes the one-block trip from her Napa home to Irene M. Snow Elementary School, where she has volunteered as a classroom aide for more than a decade. From 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Fox pitches in to help a first-grade teacher through numerous daily tasks. Some of her duties, like filing pupils daily worksheets and arranging in-class art projects, scarcely call attention to the second grown-up in the room. But at other times while helping youngsters follow their math and reading lessons or making sure they stay on the right page of assignments Fox can feel the importance of guiding their earliest steps in life. As a physician I mostly dealt with geriatric patients, said the 75-year-old Fox, a grandmother of two who spent half of her 30 years as a doctor working at the Veterans Home of California in Yountville. And now here I am at the other end of the spectrum, and its very rewarding and satisfying. With the kids, you want to guide them on the right path. The younger they are, the more they have to learn in order to get up to speed. Learning the basics is very important; its a critical time. Though Fox had no background as an educator, she was won over to volunteering with schoolchildren by the experiences of an East Coast relative who served as a clerical worker at a high school. In August 2005, five years after retiring, she paid a visit to Snow and walked away with a new task assisting teachers twice a week in first-grade or kindergarten classrooms. The years of volunteering have impressed on her how valuable even the subtlest of her assistance can be, especially for pupils with a single parent or from non-English-speaking households or those distracted by family strife at home. What I learned about myself was to not be too quick to judge someone on their initial behavior, Fox said. A lot of kids at Snow have pretty stressful home lives and they tend to act out. Before you say to yourself that this kids a pain in the neck, you have to find out where hes coming from. Some of these kids are amazing; they are dealing with a lot at home, trying their best to do the best they can in the classroom. But they often have trouble concentrating, and some have anger issues, but theyre kids and youve got to love them and understand them and listen to them and encourage them, a lot. The payoff for lending a hand to the youngest students may not be evident for years, but for Fox, the wait can make her classroom work seem all the more valuable. Sometimes it takes you a while to realize that youve affected people, she said. Someone will come back to you two years later and say, I remember when you helped me with that! You dont always know how far your influence reaches. Napa County voters who registered with no party preference are receiving mailed notices allowing them to select a party ballot for the June 7 primary but their only choices are Democrat, Libertarian or American Independent. That has some local voters confused. What happened to the Republican Party? Or the Peace and Freedom Party? Or the Green Party? I read it, there was nothing that said Republican, local resident John Caldwell said. I thought this might be from some type of Democratic organization or something. Then I said, Thats 900 Coombs St. Thats the county office. Turns out the mailers indeed come from the Napa County Elections Division and went to about 16,000 registered voters who did not state a party preference when they registered to vote. And listing only three parties as options is no mistake. The reason is only three qualified parties allow people to cross over, Napa County Registrar of Voters John Tuteur said. For example, no-party-preference voters can choose to vote in the June 7 presidential primary race between Democratic candidates Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders. The Democratic Party gives them that option. The choosing-a-party ballot will not change a voters no-party preference status, Tuteur said; it merely allows the voter the one-time option to vote in that partys primary. They can exercise their option by mailing back the county-supplied card or making their request at the county elections office. They can even request a presidential primary ballot for one of the three eligible parties at their polling place on Election Day. But the Republican Party isnt offering this choice. A no-party-preference voter who wants to help sort out the primary clash among Donald Trump, Ted Cruz, Marco Rubio and the rest will have to re-register as a Republican by May 23. Tuteur said his office has been receiving phone calls from no-party-preference voters with questions about the mailing. He intends in coming days to post at countyofnapa.org/Elections an answer sheet on the topic. In addition, Tuteur said, voters with questions can contact him at john.tuteur@countyofnapa.org or 253-4459. No-party-preference voters who decide to do nothing can still vote in state office primaries. Thats because California for state offices since 2012 has used a top-two, nonpartisan primary system thats open to all voters. Running for the local state Senate seat are Assemblyman Bill Dodd, former Assemblywoman Mariko Yamada and Gabe Griess all Democrats and Greg Coppes, a Republican. In the local Assembly race, there is a crowded field, including Davis Mayor Dan Wolk, Yolo County Supervisor Don Saylor, and Winters Mayor Cecilia Aguiar-Curry, all Democrats, and Esparto farmer Charlie Schaupp, a Republican. The top two vote-winners in the June primary will face off in November, even if they are both Democrats. By now, there is little doubt about past corruption at the states Public Utilities Commission, repeatedly caught in bed with executives of Californias largest utility companies. Only a few years ago, the PUCs conduct was largely ignored, but calls for reform are now common. Where state lawmakers just last summer staged a friendly, rubber-stamp confirmation hearing for the new commission president, some legislators now are hot to break up the PUC. And why not? Its lax regulation has been at least partly responsible for a steady stream of utility-related disasters ranging from the 2010 San Bruno gas pipeline explosion to San Diego Countys massively destructive 2007 Witch Fire, the bilking of electric customers after 2012s closure of the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station and this winters huge natural gas leak at a storage facility bordering the Porter Ranch area in Los Angeles. Its also clear the commissions questionable behavior continues. As recently as early February, in a workshop to develop new rules for public access to PUC records, some telephone participants found themselves effectively shut out of the proceeding and unheard by those at the event. This is a violation of the right to participate in a public proceeding, said San Diego consumer lawyer Maria Severson, one of those cut off. Its especially egregious because it came in a discussion of the publics right to get documents under the Public Records Act. That right has now been affirmed in a decision by a San Francisco judge on a lawsuit filed by Severson and her partner, former San Diego City Attorney Mike Aguirre. The judge called withholding most internal emails a violation of the Public Records Act. Was it an accident that Severson and Aguirre, the PUCs most active current critics, were shut down in the workshop, headed by PUC President Michael Picker? The sad reality is that the commissions behavior and other suspicious activities and statements by agencies from the state Energy Commission to the state prison system could not go on without at least tacit approval by Gov. Jerry Brown. The same sort of behavior also was common under recent ex-Govs. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Gray Davis. Thats why doubts arise when PUC reform plans suggest breaking up the commission and distributing its functions to new boards appointed by the governor or to existing state departments that answer to him. Democratic Assemblyman Mike Gatto of Los Angeles, author of the most prominent current reform suggestions, says, Im not proposing direct control over these things by the governor. The Legislature will have to insist on more input. But reality is that until the last few months, few legislators paid attention to the PUC. When the current string of crises recedes from front pages, might they return to their former lethargy, helped along by the blandishments of utility company lobbyists? Said Gatto, In my experience, the way things get moving in California is when you get the people and the press and the Legislature all interested at once. You have that now. Hes right about the higher-than-ever interest in the PUC, its misdeeds and its long record of negligence in safety issues. But whats needed isnt to restructure the PUC; rather, a healthy house cleaning would do, along with many new rules, including those that passed the Legislature unanimously last year only for Brown to veto them. There should, for example, be no way current Commissioner Mike Florio can keep his job. Hes had to recuse himself from some decisions involving the states largest utility, Pacific Gas & Electric Co., because of his admitted involvement in judge-shopping efforts by Pacific Gas & Electric Co. Florio even admitted to serious mistakes, but there he sits. How can a commissioner not vote on the agencys vital cases? All commissioners who had any part in the disasters and misdeeds surrounding San Bruno, San Onofre and Porter Ranch should be swept out. But theres no sign of that. The upshot: Change is needed at the benighted PUC, for sure, but not change that throws the baby out with the bathwater. Get rid of the current commissioners, all of them, and then vet their replacements much more carefully than in the past. Mandate far more transparency. But the PUCs current independence is fine; the problems are the people running it and the governor who named them. Thomas D. Elias writes the syndicated California Focus column. The recent community meeting, Taking Action on Climate Change, hosted by the Napa Sierra Club, was a great example of what we can accomplish when we work together. The latest climate science shows that we only have the next decade to take effective action; the time to act is now! During our brainstorming session, Sandy Elles of the Farm Bureau talked about "carbon farming," which allows additional carbon to be sequestered in the soil. The group talked about steps our wine industry is taking and actions that can be taken to reduce energy and water use. We heard about the Healing Walk that will take place this summer down the length of the Napa Valley to cultivate appreciation and respect for our valley, its watersheds and wildlife. Many of us are working on different aspects of climate change so it was very worthwhile to exchange ideas and sign up for action projects that interest us. Supervisor Wagenknecht gave an update on the county's Climate Action Plan. The next public hearing for this is on Feb. 24, 3-5 p.m., in the Board of Supervisors hearing room, and I urge residents to attend and get involved. If you are interested in learning more about our meeting and the plans moving forward, please contact christinabbenz@gmail.com. As NVCanDo's Margret Smetana said, "Global Warming: Put a cork in it NOW!" Chris Benz Napa A woman reported having been raped, according to Officer Stephen Coultrup of the St. Helena Police Department. Coultrup said he couldnt disclose the location or the circumstances of the incident that led to the charges because the case is still under investigation. France region to provide 300,000 to Armenias Syunik Province affected by Azerbaijan military aggression Eurasian Intergovernmental Council extended meeting underway in Yerevan MOD: Armenia did not fire at Azerbaijan positions, vehicle MPs in Strasbourg, present threatening dangers: Armenia has powerful support in European Parliament Years first snow falls in Armenias Shirak Province World oil prices on the rise Newspaper: Russia dismisses Armenia PM's news on Karabakh Russia PM in Yerevan, to discuss with EEU colleagues single oil, natural gas markets formation Newspaper: Why is Iran in hurry to open consulate in Armenias Syunik Province? France, Spain, Portugal agree to build Barcelona-Marseille natural gas pipeline Admiral: U.S. should now prepare for Chinese 'invasion' of Taiwan Harutyunyan: I cannot imagine Artsakh's future without presence of Russia Harutyunyan: Without questioning path of our independence, we must meet with Baku Prime Minister of Finland does not think that Hungary and Turkey will block country's application for NATO membership Iranian FM: U.S. made hasty statements in connection with protests Former Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim involved in car accident in Karabakh Arayik Harutyunyan: Artsakh people's right to self-determination is non-negotiable Iranian MFA calls it important to form platform with Armenia and India on North-South corridor Details of EU monitoring mission in Armenia are known Foreign Ministry: It seems Ankara is more interested in opening corridor through Armenia than Azerbaijan Mirzoyan: Unexpected third countries support Azerbaijani interpretation of road to Nakhchivan Foreign Ministry: Armenia, Iran and Bulgaria initial agreement on creation of Persian Gulf-Black Sea corridor Israeli Defense Minister to visit Ankara Armenian Foreign Minister names main obstacle to solving problems with Azerbaijan Erdogan once again raises issue of so-called 'Zangezur corridor' Armenian and Iranian FMs to open Iranian Consulate General in Syunik province tomorrow Abdollahian: Aliyev assured that he does not want border changes, Iran will prevent implementation of such idea Iranian Foreign Minister in Yerevan supports '3+3' platform Iranian Foreign Minister recalls Tehran's 'red lines' in regional issues Mirzoyan: We highly appreciate Iran's principled position regarding territorial integrity of Armenia UK imposes sanctions against Iran for alleged delivery of drones to Russia Yerevan hosts meeting of Eurasian Intergovernmental Council in narrow composition Armenian and Iranian Foreign Ministers meet in Yerevan in extended format Charles Michel: EU energy deal possible, but difficult Erdogan says Baku should demand 'compensation' from Yerevan Pashinyan: EEU mechanisms are of great help, trade turnover between Armenia and Belarus has doubled Yair Lapid: Russia-Iran relations are serious problem for Ukraine, Europe, and whole world Amir-Abdollahian: Iran is against presence of foreigners in this region, both in Azerbaijan and Armenia Pashinyan at EAEU meeting: Fundamental principles of world economic system in question Iranian Foreign Minister's official visit to Yerevan begins Macron says Germany should not isolate itself in Europe EU begins deployment of mission on Armenia-Azerbaijan border Trump's son made fun of Zelenskyy's ability to ask West for money EU to provide emergency aid for Armenia residents affected by recent Azerbaijan military aggression Azerbaijan army units fire at Armenia positions Mikhail Mishustin arrives in Yerevan EU approves new sanctions against Iran over alleged drone deliveries to Russia Eurasian Intergovernmental Council meeting begins in Yerevan Baku calls OSCE mission to assess situation on Armenian-Azerbaijani border 'private visit' On fourth day of IRGC military exercises on border with Azerbaijan, artillery destroys planned targets Liz Truss quits as UK Prime Minister Turkey parliament to consider extending Turkish militarys mandate in Azerbaijan Dollar falls, euro rises in Armenia Russias Putin ratifies agreement on simplification of payments for goods transit within EEU territory Stoltenberg: Almost all NATO countries have agreed to Sweden and Finland joining the alliance Ombudswoman of Armenia: Azerbaijan prevents removal of remains of fallen soldiers Zakharova: Matter of holding CSTO Collective Security Council meeting being worked out Ombudswoman of Armenia: I received video materials from EU special representative about Azerbaijanis Armenia Security Council chief, UK army general discuss cooperation in security Armenia and Kazakhstan discuss bilateral military cooperation Iran says U.S. and Israel won't be able to split the republic 201 bodies are identified of Armenia soldiers who died as result of September military aggression by Azerbaijan Iran FM to arrive in Armenia today Turkey, Azerbaijan presidents officially open international airport in occupied Artsakh territory Armenia President visits several leading Bulgaria IT companies Ruben Vardanyan: I will assume Artsakh State Minister position at beginning of November Armenia PM on making EU observation mission permanent: I'm not sure about that US State Dept.: Our ultimate goal is peaceful resolution between Armenia and Azerbaijan Armenia, Qatar to collaborate in tourism sector Turkey president travels to Azerbaijan Bandits in Russia cut off Armenian man's hands, shoot him in legs President of Armenia, mayor of Bulgarias Plovdiv discuss avenues for deepening of cooperation Armenia has new customs attache at Upper Lars checkpoint on Russia-Georgia border Karabakh official: Baku goes for gradual escalation, provocation of situation Armenia to get 33mn grant from EU for police, migration service, business development in Syunik Province Lacote: OSCE observation mission deployment will contribute to respect of Armenia territorial integrity World oil prices going up Russia extends flight restrictions at 11 airports Newspaper: Karabakh delegation to head for Moscow, meeting with Putin considered probable Newspaper: Azerbaijan aggression on September 13 paralyzes Armenia public administration for some time Azerbaijan army opens fire towards Armenia positions at midnight Retired US Air Force general is offered consulting job in Azerbaijan at rate of $5,000 a day White House is puzzling over how to avoid meeting between Putin and Biden at G-20 summit Eduard Aghajanyan: Once again I remind that Armenia was deprived of opportunity to protect rights of people of Artsakh U.S. says that limiting Russian oil prices is not aimed at OPEC OSCE sends mission to Armenia to assess situation on Armenian-Azerbaijani border Jeff Bezos warns that U.S. economy may face recession Kiev says nearly 40% of Ukraine's energy infrastructure has been damaged Raisi: Iran will use all its capabilities and potential to end war in Ukraine Qatar gets first pandas in Middle East Armenian president delivers lecture at St. Kliment Ohridski University in Sofia More than half of Britons think Liz Truss should resign Bloomberg: Putin and Erdogan's cordial relationship arouses Western anger Dutch government invests up to 3.5 billion in military procurement Erdogan discusses latest developments in Ukraine with Zelenskyy School in Paris expels student from class for denying Armenian Genocide Germany would like to participate in EU observer mission to Armenia U.S. is considering plan to co-produce weapons with Taiwan Poland to buy K239 Chunmoo from South Korea Air defense system repels several missile attacks by Ukrainian troops at Kakhovskaya HPP YEREVAN. The Urban Development Ministry of Armenia has made a proposal to repair the cellars and roofs of apartment buildings. Armenias Urban Development Minister Narek Sargsyan stated the aforementioned in the Government today, introducing to PM Hovik Abrahamyan the results of the Ministrys work in 2015. According to him, preparation of territories to the construction of Old Yerevan elite district in the citys small center is underway. The project of development of Firdusi district (33rd district) was also introduced. The first project already has an investor (Swiss-Armenian millionaire Vartan Sirmakes), whereas talks on the second one are still underway. In 2015, certificates for apartment purchase were issued from the Governments reserve fund to 14 families in Armenias Vanadzor city, and 15 families from Lori and Shirak provinces received direct financial support. In 2016, the housing issue of 104 families in Akhuryan village will be resolved: the construction of three apartment buildings will be resumed for this purpose, the Minister noted. Another 33 families will be issued certificates for apartment purchase, he added. In 2015, the Ministry inventoried the data on about 230 incomplete constructions in the countrys provinces. Engineering survey has to be carried out for their further construction or demolition. The Ministry has submitted to the Government the package of proposals on repairing the cellars and roofs of apartment buildings. Tigran Gevorgyan, 17, who was stabbed in a schoolyard quarrel in Armenia's Vanadzor city in 2014, has begun feeling relatively better and can almost walk alone. Tigran's mother, Armine Ghabuzyan, told the aforementioned to Armenian News NEWS.am correspondent today, noting that Tigran continues the treatment and undergoes rehabilitation courses. ''There is no apparent progress with regard to his vision, but he feels relatively better. And with our help he can already walk to some extent: We don't yet leave him alone, but he gradually begins to manage. He attends rehabilitation courses and does breathing exercises to fully recover,'' Ms Armine said. On 2 December 2014, a quarrel took place in the yard of Gevorg Chaush School in Vanadzor, during which Narek Adamyan, 18, stabbed Tigran Gevorgyan, 17, and Robert P., 17. Due to the stab wounds in the area of his chest, Tigran developed serious health problems: his vision impaired and he lost the ability to walk. The young man also underwent treatment for vision recovery in Israel, following which his vision began to somewhat return. After the incident Narek Adamyan turned himself in to the police station and confessed that he was the one who had stabbed Tigran and Robert. The legal proceedings into the given case have been underway in the Court of General Jurisdiction of Armenias Lori province since May. Narek Adamyan has been arrested. The Syrian Armenian refugees, whom Canada's Toronto city has welcomed, are the descendants of Armenians who escaped from Turkey in 1915, Joe Firito writes in an article published in The Star. According to the author, the first wave of Syrian refugees were Syrian Armenians. ''It took far too long to get them here. It matters because a century ago the Armenians were on the run from genocide; some fled to Syria. It means that the first refugees we have welcomed are the grandchildren and great-grandchildren of those who escaped the genocide in 1915. It means that 100 years is a heartbeat of history,'' Joe Fiorito writes. The Syrian Armenians, the author continues, remember well the horrors of the past, since the history repeats. Joe Fiorito met some of the new refugees who had those horrible memories: this is the Panossians family of eight, which is sponsored by Maria Panossian Abajian and her husband, Harout. One hundred years ago their ancestors were kicked out of Kilis, in southern Turkey. They headed on foot to the ancient, magnificent and the multicultural city of Aleppo hoping to find safety. ''There are some Armenians who still have the keys to those houses that were abandoned 100 years ago, and the keys are talismans and reminders. But not everyone who fled a century ago kept a key and handed it down. Maria said, I can tell you that some people left their keys under rocks; they hoped to come back. There was no going back then,'' the author writes. Joe Firoito asked Marias brother Mgrdich Panossian, who is a dentist, what he did with his housekeys. ''He said, I left them with the neighbour. I said to him, ''I hope we return soon. Have you seen the photos of Aleppo? There is no going back now. I asked Betty Panossian Minassian Marias sister if the old stories came back to her as she prepared to leave. She said, flatly, We felt the same feelings our grandmother and grandfather felt. The technology is different they moved by walking but the feelings are the same; we are living out ancestors life. The author also asked what the refugees brought with them, if they did not bring their housekeys. Betty said, I brought 20 kilos of photos. Her husband Jakob Minassian, smiled. He carried those suitcases. He said, gently, It was twenty-seven kilos. Jakob also said, I brought my tools. Im living with my tools, he said. ''Their kids, I should tell you, are handsome and quick and they are already at home in Toronto, although Marias house, where they all live, is in the leafy and spacious suburbs. I think the kids would prefer the electric density of downtown; never mind. They need not run again,'' Joe Firorito concludes. Oxford Science Building Grand Opening Sunday, Feb. 21, 3-5 p.m. Oxford College's new science building celebrates its official opening with tours, food, laboratory demonstrations designed for all ages, and more. Attendance is free, but reservations are requested. For questions, email Allison Kaczenski or call 770-784-8406. A drizzly Monday morning might seem like a sure formula for sleepy students at Emory's Oxford College campus. But there's no way Frosso Seitaridou is letting her Physics 152 class get off that easy. Petite and energetic, with a lilting Greek accent, Seitaridou beams at the students like the sun itself, shooting pointed rays in all directions. This morning's lecture is on electrostatics, and Seitaridou is covering the multi-paneled white board with complex formulas. "Isn't that beautiful?" she asks, insistently, drawing appreciative nods. "I find electrostatics really beautiful. I hope that this semester we can all hold hands and cry together at how beautiful and elegant this is." Seitaridou's enthusiasm for the beauty and elegance of electrostatics is reflected and amplified by her surroundings. Room 217 of the brand-new Oxford Science Building is spacious and state of the art, with gleaming fixtures, butcher-block lab tabletops and bright, contemporary lighting. It's impossible not to sense the undercurrent of excitement that permeates this eagerly anticipated learning space. Emory's original campus, home to some 900 freshmen and sophomores, has long been known for its attentive, hands-on approach to undergraduate education. Driven by the high standards of a dedicated, demanding and ever-inquisitive faculty, science instruction has been a point of particular pride, with a focus on experiential learning both in the lab and in the field. For many who know Oxford, the new building represents not a transformation of science education so much as a physical manifestation of the academic rigor that already fueled the core of the program. "The Oxford Science Building is the latest and most dramatic accomplishment in the decade-long effort to create a campus learning environment equal to the quality of Oxford's educational program," says Oxford Dean Stephen Bowen. "Never was there a building more thoughtfully planned to support hands-on, inquiry-driven undergraduate science education. The building is in itself an expression of the Oxford culture." Building reflects 'kinship' theme At 57,000 square feet, the science building is the largest on the Oxford campus, with nine labs total, six lab prep areas, three cross-disciplinary research laboratories, a greenhouse, an outdoor classroom, and multiple spaces created for group collaboration whether planned or spontaneous. It was designed by EYP Architecture and Engineering, a national firm known for building projects that both achieve objectives and fit authentically into their surroundings. Architects planned the Oxford Science Building around a theme of "kinship" between students and faculty, the campus and the natural world, and the Oxford community past, present and future. Although modern, stylish and technically equipped to the latest standards, the structure has many thoughtful architectural details that pay homage to the design influences visible in Oxford's other buildings. "Oxford has always been hardwired for science as part of the liberal artsa professional campus where doctors, nurses and scientists got their start, even though our science facility has operated at a disadvantage for decades," says Joe Moon, dean of campus life. "The new building is going to be a quantum leap for us." Oxford alumni and friends, many of whom supported the fund-raising efforts for the Oxford Science Building, share in the celebration. According to Bowen, more than 720 gifts allowed the building to be completed debt-free and ahead of schedule in late 2015, and several are noted in the building's named spaces. Retired surgeon R. Trulock Dickson 72OX 74C gave to the building in honor of retired faculty member Homer F. Sharp Jr. 56OX 59C. "I wanted to name the whole building after him if I could, because he has influenced thousands of Oxford students," Dickson says. "This is going to make science even stronger at Oxford." Chris Arrendale 99OX 01C volunteers his time as president of the Oxford Alumni Board; he and his wife, Amanda, also made a gift. "We want to make the future even better for Oxford students than what we had," Arrendale says. "This is a huge step forward that shows we are serious about having state-of-the-art facilities for science education." Helping students think and work as scientists It is notable that Oxford's science faculty also were actively engaged in the planning for the science building, helping to ensure that the finished product would genuinely serve the way they teach. Eloise Carter 78G 83G has taught biology at Oxford since 1988 and has helped to shape the experiential learning approach that has become a hallmark of science education at the school. "The faculty members share two things in common," Carter says. "One is our passion for science. We love engaging in science in our own areas of inquiry. Second, we have a great, shared interest in challenging and supporting our students. We want them to develop the ability to think and work as scientists." That desire is palpable in Seitaridou's physics class, where she continues to engage the students with relentless energy. "No student of mine will not be able to explain positive potential," she warns. "When you sleep, I should be able to come and wake you up and say, 'What does positive potential mean?' and you should be able to answer." For Seitaridou, the Oxford Science Building is simply academic promise more fully realized, a richer and better appointed setting for her to inspire new generations of who knows? future physicists. "Students are the first priority here, not the faculty," she says. "It's up to me to share with them my love of physics. Physics is complicated and difficult, but the rigor is not intimidating it makes me hopeful because we are all capable of amazing things. We are all capable of understanding what is rigorous and developing the tools to understand the beauty of that rigor." That's at least one definition of positive potential. Justice Antonin Scalia will be remembered for his brilliant intellect, his acerbic wit and his insistence on interpreting law by reference to text and history. He was long the intellectual leader of the conservative wing of the United States Supreme Court. However, he often seemed more interested in being a leader than in having followers. He was no coalition builder, and as evidenced by his losses in the courts major decisions last term, his jurisprudence is, in my view, likely to have limited impact. As someone who had the privilege of clerking on the Supreme Court (for Justice John Paul Stevens) during Justice Scalias tenure, I will continue to enjoy my memories of Justice Scalias dynamic interaction with clerks. As a professor of constitutional law, I will continue to study and to teach Justice Scalias incisive opinions. When it comes to learning how courts actually interpret the law, though, the majority opinions on which my class focuses are unlikely to be those written by Justice Scalia. Champion of new conservatism Justice Scalia was appointed to the court by President Ronald Reagan in 1986 at a pivotal time for the conservative movement. Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, judicial conservativism generally meant adherence to precedent and reluctance to invalidate legislative acts. However, the conservative movement of the 1980s sought instead to undo prior liberal decisions and to limit the power of the national government by rigorously scrutinizing federal statutes. Justice Scalia served as a perfect champion of these new conservative ideals. He embraced originalism, the idea that insists that the Constitution must be interpreted by reference to its meaning at the time of its adoption. This approach rejects the idea that new rights may emerge over time. He also endorsed textualism, which interprets statutes by focusing solely on their language, rather than the legislatures overall purpose in enacting them. By refusing to attend to the purpose of legislation, textualism imposes a substantial burden on the legislature to draft complex statutes with exacting precision. These interpretive swords of originalism and textualism allowed Justice Scalia both to attack liberal precedents that had strayed from what he understood as the Constitutions historic meaning and to limit the scope of governmental power. Justice Scalia swung his interpretive swords with notable gusto, and his style and substance achieved some notable victories. His colleagues, as well as advocates before the court, knew that references to legislative history, committee reports or other indications of legislative purpose would draw his ire. Singlehandedly, he changed the way in which statutes were discussed in the United States Supreme Court. Beginning in the 1990s, a new conservative majority on the Supreme Court limited the power of the national government, striking down or narrowing important federal legislation such as the Violence Against Women Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act and the Voting Rights Act. Writing for the court in District of Columbia v. Heller in 2008, Justice Scalia relied on the original meaning of the Constitution in finding a Second Amendment right for an individual to possess a handgun. In the Citizens United case in 2010, the court upended decades of precedent to restrict Congress ability to regulate the financing of political campaigns. Limited victories But Scalias victories were limited. His style did not always ingratiate him with potential allies on the court. He did not mince words, and he attacked the opinions of other justices, liberal and conservative alike, with unusual ferocity. In Webster v. Reproductive Health Services in 1989, three years after joining the court, Justice Scalia famously attacked Justice Sandra Day O'Connor. In this important abortion case, Justice Scalia criticized Justice OConnors opinion as irrational and argued that a particular assertion of hers cannot be taken seriously. Three years later, Justice Scalia ended up on the losing side of Planned Parenthood v. Casey, as Justice OConnor coauthored an opinion for a five-justice majority reaffirming the right to an abortion. In 2015, finding himself in dissent in the years most significant cases, Justice Scalias vitriol reached new heights. He derided the majority opinion of Chief Justice John Roberts, which upheld certain subsidies under the Affordable Care Act or Obamacare. Referring to this and a previous opinion by the chief justice upholding the ACA, Justice Scalia sniped, "We should start calling this law SCOTUS care." Attacking the sometimes lofty rhetoric of the majority opinion by Justice Anthony Kennedy in the same-sex marriage case, Justice Scalia wrote that if he ever joined an opinion with that kind of language, I would hide my head in a bag. And these were his comments directed at justices who generally voted with him. While Justice Scalias caustic style may have been off-putting to some justices, what was more significant was that his interpretive approach failed to win over his colleagues. The last term of the court made that failure clear. In King v. Burwell, a strict reading of the text of the Affordable Care Act would seem to have authorized federal subsidies only for health care exchanges established by states, not for those established by the federal government in states that refused to create exchanges. If textualism had prevailed, the scope of federal power would have been limited, in this case by potentially gutting the ACA. But Chief Justice Roberts instead applied traditional principles of statutory interpretation and looked to the overall purpose of the legislative scheme. By a 6-3 vote, Scalias textualism lost, and the ACA won. From the perspective of the six-justice majority, it made no sense to focus solely on the words of one section, instead of the larger goals of the legislation. In this approach, the court acts as Congress partner, not its censor. A mixed legacy Justice Scalias focus on beginning any interpretation with the text of a statute may endure, but his rejection of other interpretive guides never found a lasting home on the court. Even in his lifetime, his brand of textualism could not earn majority support. He changed how advocates and judges talk about statutes, but not how they ultimately interpret them. His attempt to reorient interpretation of the Constitution similarly failed to achieve lasting success. Obergefell v. Hodges, for example, the case affirming a right to same-sex marriage, constituted a dramatic repudiation of Justice Scalias originalism. For Justice Scalia, the disposition was easy: "When the Fourteenth Amendment was ratified in 1868, every state limited marriage to one man and one woman, and no one doubted the constitutionality of doing so. That resolves these cases." But for the five-justice majority, the rights of loving couples to marry today could not be resolved simply by reference to the views of people who lived 150 years ago. Contrary to Justice Scalias originalism, Justice Kennedys majority opinion understood the Constitution as entrusting to "future generations a charter protecting the right of all persons to enjoy liberty as we learn its meaning." The idea of a living Constitution, always anathema to Justice Scalia, prevailed. Justice Scalias opinions, full of erudition, wit, and occasional vitriol, will long be quoted and will fill the pages of legal textbooks. But the memorable opinions will largely be dissents. His lasting influence will be found in admirers off the court, not in adherents on the bench. He was the champion of a movement that achieved many of its goals but did not succeed in fundamentally reshaping the law in the United States. He will go down in history, in my view, as one of the most quotable justices, but not one with the deepest impact. Robert A. Schapiro is dean of Emory University School of Law and Asa Griggs Candler Professor of Law. This article was originally published on The Conversation. Three presidents met on the stage in The Carter Center's Cecil B. Day Chapel last Wednesday: former US President Jimmy Carter, former Emory President James T. Laney, and current Emory President James W. Wagner. Hosted by the Emory Alumni Association, the event, "Presidents in Conversation: Legacies of Leadership," would have been a historic and noteworthy occasion even without the coincidence of three such prominent figures sharing the same first name. True to its own title, the program was not a formal presentation, but a conversation one guided by shared history, dedication to Emory, genuine affinity for one another, and plenty of humor. Prompted by moderator Crystal Edmonson 95C of the Atlanta Business Chronicle, Carter and Laney effortlessly cast back more than three decades to Carter's early relationship with Emory, which began when he first visited the campus in 1979 for the groundbreaking of Cannon Chapel. Laney remembered how thrilling it was to have the U.S. president visit the University; Carter remembered that the day was sweltering hot and he had been obliged to wear heavy robes. But the academic regalia must have fit. In 1982, Carter was appointed Presidential Distinguished Professor and took up residence in an office on the 10th floor of the Woodruff Library, The Carter Center's first home. "When President Carter was appointed to the Emory faculty, he said, 'Does this carry tenure?'" Laney said. "I said, well, to get tenure you have to write a couple of books. Since then he's written about two dozen books" "And I still don't have tenure," Carter returned, with characteristic quick wit. During Carter's early years at Emory, Laney also recalled standing on the Quadrangle with Karl Deutsch, an internationally known political scientist who became associated with Emory and The Carter Center after retiring from Harvard. Flanked by his Secret Service officers, Carter walked by on his way to his office in the library "Just a normal scene at Emory," Laney quipped. According to Laney, Deutsch stopped Carter and told him that he will be remembered a thousand years from now for being "the first world leader to link human rights with foreign policy." It was a moment, Laney added, that he never forgot. Carter credited Laney with inspiring the Atlanta Project, started by The Carter Center in 1991 to address resource gaps in the city's urban communities. "I had come back from overseas," Carter recalled, "and I had been gone a long time. President Laney said, 'You are doing a lot overseas; why can't you do something at home?'" "I don't think I put it exactly like that," Laney interjected. Regardless, Carter turned his attention to the Atlanta Project, which worked for positive change in the areas of education, housing, economic development, health and criminal justice. Wagner described the profound impression made on him when he met both Carter and Laney before his official arrival at Emory. A few years later, he noted, he and his wife, Debbie, traveled to Africa with the Carters to better understand The Carter Center's work. "I think part of The Carter Center's success has been its focus," Wagner said. "It is interested in making a difference, not just making a statement." All three presidents touched on the many ties between the two institutions from the numerous faculty and alumni who have had dual involvement, to the monthly breakfasts shared by the Carters and Emory's president, to Carter's regular appearances in University classrooms and at the annual freshman Town Hall, where he fields questions from students. He approaches that event "with some trepidation," Carter said drily, "but I survive pretty much." The connection between the University and The Carter Center is both far-reaching and firmly established, all agreed. "The relationship is permanent and it's virtually indestructible," Carter said. "I have personally gotten more out of this partnership than Emory has. It has made the time since my presidency the best time of my life." "I don't know what Emory University would be without you two," added Wagner. "It would not have the ethos that it has, it would not have the same drive as a global citizen. Please allow me to thank you both." 23:28 Popular Odiya television actress Pralipta Priyadarshini Samal alias Jessy was today arrested by Odisha Police on the charge of instigating her male colleague Ranjit Patnaik alias Raja to commit suicide. She was produced before the Balasore Judicial Magistrate (First Class) Babita Das who sent her to judicial custody for 14 days. "Death of Raja was a case of suicide. The actor committed suicide due to instigation or abetment. We found that deceased actor's friend had taunted him in connection with his professional failure," Balasore SP Niti Sekhar told reporters. The SP said Jessy allegedly scolded and offended Raja which forced him to commit suicide. The two had gone to a musical programme on February 6 at Khaira area in Balasore district where Jessy was invited. Raja, though not invited had accompanied Jessy to the event. When another actor Chandan, who was slated to perform at the event with Jessy but did not turn up, the organisers requested Raja to perform at the event. After the show, Raja was paid only Rs 2,000 while Jessy got Rs 27,000. "The woman actor verbally abused the victim over his capability and self respect. The altercation between the duo reached a flashpoint and Raja told the driver to stop the car," the SP said, adding "he had got out of the car and climbed over the parapet of the bridge and jumped over leading to his death". Zika doesnt deter Americans from traveling abroad, study shows But half say they need more information about the virus Global concerns about Zika virus arent stopping Americans from making international travel plans, a new study finds, but many who do plan to go abroad say they want more information about the virus. The findings may point to the need for travel destinations to provide more detailed information about where the risks actually are as well as where travelers can seek medical help if they fall ill, said Lori Pennington-Gray, director of the University of Floridas Tourism Crisis Management Initiative, which conducted the study. That information could help prevent the spread of the disease in the U.S., she said. The study, launched Feb. 11, involved an online survey of 300 U.S. citizens who have traveled internationally in the past five years. About a quarter of those travelers had plans to travel internationally in the upcoming three months. Of those with international travel plans, more than 90 percent said they will keep them, and 44.3 percent will take extra precautions to protect themselves from Zika virus. In addition, more than 70 percent believe they should use EPA-registered insect repellants to protect themselves, while less than 55 percent believe wearing permethrin-treated clothing is an effective way to stay safe. Most interestingly, more than half of U.S. travelers said they did not have the knowledge needed to deal with Zika virus outbreaks while traveling internationally. When asked where they would turn for trusted information, the CDC scored the highest with more than 50 percent believing the CDC would help provide information to protect them when traveling internationally. The destination was the second most likely place for tourists seek information on how to protect themselves from the virus. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued travel guidance in January on affected countries, including precautions and guidelines for travelers and residents. The newness of this disease could have a tremendous impact on destinations, particularly if tourists engage in a lot of outdoor activities when mosquitos are at their peak. This rise in cases is also having an effect on planning and managing for the upcoming Summer Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, said Pennington-Gray. Ashley Schroeder, managing director of the Tourism Crisis Management Initiative, said travel destinations should share information and updates from the CDC as well as putting the risk into context. It is imperative that each destination provides travelers with geographically specific information so travelers can make educated decisions, she said. Forward-thinking destinations such as Hawaii Tourism Authority already engage in this practice. The "new, ugly face of Modi's India" can be seen in the Jawaharlal Nehru University protest row, said a Pakistani daily which urged JNU students, India's civil society and opposition parties to "fight back". An editorial "JNU protests" in The News International on Tuesday said: "The new, ugly face of Modis India can be seen in the reaction to the row over protests at the Jawaharwal Nehru University." The fracas started when students at the university held a protest to mark the third anniversary of the execution of Afzal Guru, convicted of an attack on the Indian Parliament House. "...the protestors were immediately tarred as being pro-Pakistani, supporters of terrorists and anti-India." The daily said that in a "stunning suppression of dissent, police have even arrested the head of the JNU students union for participating in the protest". "Leaders of Congress, including Rahul Gandhi, are being similarly smeared. Perhaps the worst reaction came from (Indian) Home Minister Rajnath Singh who accused Pakistans Hafiz Saeed of being behind the protest. It now appears he came to this ludicrous conclusion based on a tweet by a fake Hafiz Saeed account." "Instead of taking back his remarks, Singh is now doubling down and asking his critics to prove a negative by claiming they cant show Hafiz Saeed wasnt behind the protest. This is the reality when an ultra-nationalist like Modi comes to power. It is up to dissenters to prove their loyalty and show they are not agents of foreign forces," it added. The editorial went on to say that by falling over a fake tweet, the Indian government has only damaged its own credibility. "...this is about more than just Pakistan. The BJP government has shown it has no respect for Indias secularist traditions. The official narrative is that anyone who doubts the course of justice was properly followed in the Afzal case can now be jailed for voicing that opinion. This narrative...makes a mockery of the concept of academic freedom. "We have already been through beef bans and pots of ink being thrown by Modis opinions. Now they are coming for the academia. The students at JNU, and Indias civil society and opposition parties will have to fight back." --Indo-Asian News Service rd/hs/vt ( 387 Words) 2016-02-16-12:31:32 (IANS) He said this in a meeting with External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj during the course of which the two leaders discussed bilateral relations. Tobgay was on a transit visit to India on his way to Canada when he took the opportunity to hold the meeting with Sushma Swaraj. The Bhutan prime minister hailed the India-Bhutan relationship as a model relationship between neighbours, external affairs ministry spokesman Vikas Swarup told IANS. Tobgay also informed Sushma Swaraj that the fifth five-year plan in the Himalayan kingdom was progressing well with India's support. He expressed Bhutan's gratitude for India's continued support for the plan, Swarup said. Currently, over 3,000 projects are running in Bhutan with the Indian government's support. The prime minister said that the small development projects are especially doing very well, the spokesman said. Till now, 498 SDPs in Bhutan have been approved by the Indian government. Tobgay also updated Sushma Swaraj on the progress in the work on three major hydroelectric projects being set up with India's support - Mangdechhu (720 MW), Punatsangchhu I (1,200 MW) and Punatsangchhu II (1,020 MW). According to Swarup, during the course of the meeting, the Bhutanese prime minister recalled his long association with India, including his student days in Kalimpong. The prime minister also invited our external affairs minister to come on a standalone visit to Bhutan, he said. (Aroonim Bhuyan can be contacted at aroonim.b@ians.in) --Indo-Asian News Service ab/bg ( 270 Words) 2016-02-16-21:19:32 (IANS) The Supreme court on Wednesday asked the Reserve Bank of India to furnish a list of the companies which are in default of loans by the banks and financial institutions in access of Rs.500 crore or whose loans have been restructured under corporate debts restructuring scheme. While asking the RBI to file an affidavit, the apex court bench headed by Chief Justivce G.S. Thakur directed that the list be furnished to it in a sealed cover. The court said this as one of the counsel told the court about commercial confidentiality of the companies. The court order came in the course of the hearing of a public interest litigation pointing to loans given by HUDCO in 2003 to some of the companies with questionable track records. --Indo-Asian News Service pk/py/vt ( 146 Words) 2016-02-16-13:29:35 (IANS) The revenue officials who had gone for site inspection for Defence Expo at Naqueri Qitol in Quepem taluka of South Goa, today faced protest by the locals who had support from Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) President Luzinho Faleiro and Quepem MLA Babu Kavlekar. Speaking to UNI, GPCC general secretary and party spokespersons Sunil Kawathankar said Mr Faleiro and Mr Kavlekar stood by the villagers who were protesting against the expo. The officials had come over there for conducting site inspection. There was no confrontation. The government however us usual used its entiremachinery to create fear in the mind of people by deploying heavy police force.'' Defexpo, which was held last in 2014 at the Pragati Maidan Trade Fair ground in Delhi, is to be organised at Naqueri Quitol in Quepem Taluka of South Goa, around 50 km from here. The Land, Naval and Internal Homeland Security Systems Exhibition, which is also known as Defexpo India 2016, will be held from March 28 to 31. Land has been alloted by the Goa government for setting up infrastructure for the expo. However, Congress has been objecting to the allotment of land for the expo, with senior Congress leader and Rajya Sabha Member from Goa having said the land was 'sold' to the Centre. Meanwhile, Defense Expo director M D Singh clarified that no defence personnel were on the site as work on the expo was yet to be started.UNI AKM SS RSA VN2321 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0169-592253.Xml U.S. oil prices jumped back above $30 a barrel late on Monday as news of a rare private meeting of top officials from the world's biggest oil producers spurred speculation of an eventual deal to tackle a deep supply glut.U.S. crude rose $1.17, or 4.0 percent, to $30.61 per barrel by 6:04PM EST (23:04 GMT) as the market reopened following a shortened holiday session, building on Friday's more than 12 percent surge. Brent futures for April delivery were up 65 cents, a 2.0 percent gain, to $34.01 a barrel.Due to the Presidents Day holiday, U.S. futures markets shut early on Monday, before news of the Doha meeting emerged. U.S. crude had been trading at around $29.76 prior to the news.The world's top two oil exporters, Saudi Arabia and Russia, will hold talks together with their counterparts from Venezuela and Qatar in Doha on Tuesday, sources told Reuters. REUTERS DS 0510 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0177-592333.Xml : People from all walks of life have made a beeline in their hundreds to pay homage to the mortal remains of two soldiers, who were killed in an avalanche on the Siachen glacier, in their native villages in Southern districts of Madurai and Theni, today. Lance Havildar S.Kumar (38) and Sepoy G.Ganesan (25) of 19th Battalion of Madras Regiment among ten army men were killed on February three after their post was hit by an avalanche at an altitude of 19,600 ft on Siachen glacier close to the Line of Control with Pakistan. The bodies of Kumar and Ganesan arrived at Madurai airport in an army aircraft from Chennai last mid night. Tamil Nadu Minister for Cooperation Sellur K.Raju, Madurai District Collector K.Veera Raghava Rao, senior army officials and family members of the martyrs, were among those, who received the bodies at the airport. Later, the body of Ganesan was brought to his native Chokkathevanpatti village near Usilampatti in Madurai. Mr Raju placed a wreath on the mortal remains on behalf of Tamil Nadu government and handed over Rs ten lakh solatium granted by the state government to the family members. Similarly, the body of Kumar was taken to the Government Medical College Hospital at Theni by road. The body was handed over to the family members this morning in his native Kumanan Thozu village, where hundreds of people gathered to pay their homage. Posters and banners were put up in various places in memory of the martyrs in their respective villages. The final rites of two brave hearts would be held with full state honours later in the day. UNI GSM KVV RSS 1025 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0415-592444.Xml Curfew-like restrictions imposed in downtown, Shehar-e-Khas (SeK) and Maisuma in the civil lines following a general strike called by separatist organizations in protest against the death of two students in security force firing in south Kashmir Pulwama on February 14, were lifted this morning.Official source said that restrictions under Section 144 CrPC had been imposed to maintain law and order though situation on the ground was entirely different as people were asked to remain indoor. This was the third time when restrictions were imposed during the past about one week. Additional security forces and state police personnel to strictly implement the restrictions early yesterday in the downtown, SeK and Maisuma had been withdrawn.All road blocks have also been removed and traffic was now plying normally on all routes. Shops and business establishments also reopened today.Restrictions imposed in the Maisuma, where the headquarters of Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) and house of its chairman Mohammad Yaseen Malik are located, have also been lifted. Security forces deployed in the area have been withdrawn and road blocks also lifted. This is for the third time that restrictions have been imposed in the downtown and SeK and Maisuma to prevent any demonstration during strike.Similar restrictions were imposed on February 9 and February 11 on the death anniversaries of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru and JKLF founder Mohammad Maqbool Bhat respectively. Guru was hanged in Delhis Tihar jail on February 9, 2013 while Bhat on February 11,1984 and later buried there.Two students identified as Shaista and Danish died when security forces opened fire to disperse demonstrators at Kakpora, where a militant of Lashker-e-Toiba (LeT) militant Adil Ahmad Shergojri, alias Abu Bakar, was killed on February 14.However, police claimed that Shaista was killed in exchange of fire near the encounter site. Both the factions of the Hurriyat Conference (HC) and JKLF and other separatists organization had called for a strike yesterday. Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and National Conference (NC) have condemned the killing of civilians.UNI BAS SB 1009 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0153-592410.Xml Curfew-like restrictions continued in Kakpora and other areas in the south Kashmir district of Pulwama to prevent any protest today.Yesterday, the people defied restrictions at Kakpora besides several other places and clashed with security forces and state police personnel. Over 20 people were injured in the day-long stone pelting and bursting of teargas shells. Official sources said that in view of the violent demonstrations, restrictions continued in Kakpora and some adjoining areas. A large number of security force and state police personnel remained deployed to strictly implement the restrictions.Additional security forces remained deployed at Pampore, Awantipora, Bijbehara and other places to prevent any stone pelting incident on Srinagar-Jammu national highway.Two students--Shaista and Danish-- died when security forces opened fire to disperse demonstrators at Kakpora, where a militant of Lashker-e-Toiba (LeT) militant Adil Ahmad shergojri alias Abu Bakar was killed on February 14. However, police claimed that Shaista was killed in exchange of fire near the encounter site. Both the factions of the Hurriyat Conference (HC) and JKLF and other separatists organization had called for a strike in the Kashmir valley yesterday. Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and National Conference (NC) have condemned the killing of civilians.A magisterial inquiry into the civilians killings has been ordered.UNI BAS SB 1015 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0153-592427.Xml Soon after the House met for the day and Speaker P Dhanapal invited Mr Panneerselvam to present the interim budget for the year 2016-17, floor leaders of the Opposition parties, including the DMK, DMDK, Congress, CPI, CPI(M), and the Puthiya Tamizhagam sought to raise some issues. But the Speaker denied them permission and said they could raise them during the debate on the budget. However, the Opposition members did not pay heed to the Speaker's appeal and disrupted the proceedings, before staging a noisy walk out from the House. Later talking to reporters outside the Assembly, DMK Floor leader M K Stalin levelled a series of allegations against the ruling AIADMK and said it had lost the moral responsibility to table the budget. Mr Stalin was followed by members of other political parties, who also staged a walk out and boycotted the budget. However, two Congress MLAs, owing allegiance to former Shipping Minister and TMC chief G K Vasan, did not stage a walk out.UNI GV KVV RSS 1125 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0415-592497.Xml : Thousands of people, including Ministers andleaders bid an emotional tearful homage to the two martyrs atSiachen, brave heart Sepoy Mahesha of H D Kote in Mysuru and SubedarT T Nagesha of Tejpur village in Hassan district today. The body of Mahesha, which arrived in the city last night at government guest house. Chief Minister Siddaramiah, District in-charge Minister V Srinivasa Prasad and others received the mortals and paid their last respects. The Chief Minister had announced an ex-gratia of Rs 25 lakhfor the bereaved family. Mr Siddaramiah had also announced a site, land and job for Maheshs wife. The body was kept for public view today at guest house, in which, huge people from all walks of life paid their respect to the soldier. The body was later shifted to H D Kote, where people of his home townpaid their respects. Later the body of Mahesh will be taken to his native village, Pasupathi in K R Nagara Taluk, native village for the lastrites. The entire H D Kote looked deserted and mourning for the brave heart soldier, when the body arrived in the town and went in a procession in the streets. Mr Siddramiah handed over the cheque Rs 25 lakh to Maheshs wife. Mysuru district administration made necessary arrangements for both the public and last rites. Meanwhile, Mahesha's brother Manjunatha said his family will receive the body at H D Kote. The last rites will be performed at their native village Pashupathi in K R Nagar later in the day with full military honours. Nagesha's body was kept for public view at deputy commissioner office in Hassan, where thousands of people and leaders of political parties paid their last respects. The Deputy Commissioner of Hassan Umesh H Kusugal received the body of Nagesha last night. Karnataka Home Minister, G Parameshwar, who was on the way to Bengaluru from Chikamagaluru, initially moved out of the Hassan citywithout knowing that the body of T T Nagesh was kept at deputycommissioner office, however, rushed back and paid his last respects to thesoldier. Later, Dr Parameshwar handed over Rs 25 lakh cheque to Nageshas wife Asha. Former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda and district in-charge minister Manju, among those, who paid their last respects. Later the body of Nagesha will be taken to his native village at Tejuru for last rites. UNI BSP KVV RSS 1235 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0284-592513.Xml The apex court has given six-week time to the petitioner to give its suggestions. The court also observed that 'Sikhs are pride of the nation and that the community is second to none'. The apex court bench was hearing a plea for a ban on websites hosting Sardar jokes, thereby promoting enmity among various sections of society. An online petition started by Delhi Sikh community on change.org website to demand a ban on Sikh jokes that ridiculed the community had gained worldwide momentum last year. Harvinder Chowdhury, a lawyer, had filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the Supreme Court addressing concerns about the Sikh community's overall well-being. She asserted that racial hatred and bullying were by-products of these jokes. (ANI) Several lapses in investigations into a case of murder of a women from Thane led to the acquittal of her husband who was tried in the district court here. In his judgment on Friday, Additional Sessions Judge A S Bhaisare observed that the prosecution had miserably failed to bring home the case of murder and disappearing of evidence by the accuseda labourer from Kopri village in Navi Mumbai. The prosecution had alleged that the accused Ashok Chandu Sable (32) lived with his wife Kavita (28) in the village Kopri. On the night of August 09, 2013 the accused allegedly strangulated his wife to death and posed as if she had committed suicide the prosecution told the court. Appearing for the defence counsel Adv. Sukhdeo Pandhre pointed to the court various lapses in the investigations which include absence of seizure panchnama of the so called saree used for strangulation, discripancies in the medical report and also the identification parade which was not carried out in proper fashionand in keeping with the regulations. The judge accepting the submissions of the defence counsel in his judgement gave the benefit of doubt to the accused and acquitted him of the charges under section 302 and 201 of the IPC.UNI XR RB SB GC1304 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0169-592545.Xml Left front government in Tripura today expressed displeasure over the rejection of the proposed of an early morning flight between Kolkata and Agartala during summer. Transport officials here today said that Indigo airlines had proposed to run a morning flight between two destinations in summer following repeated demand from the state government but Airport Authority of India (AAI) did not agree with. Indigo in their new summer schedule proposed to include one flight which will leave Kolkata at 0555 hrs to reach Agartala at 0655 hrs. The same flight will leave Agartala at 0725 hrs and reach Kolkata at 0825 hrs.The proposed schedule is planned to begin their new schedule from middle of March. However, AAI authority has turned down the proposal stating administrative difficulties and shortage of staff in Air Traffic Control in Agartala, which enraged the state government. Early morning and late evening flights between Agartala and Kolkata were being demanded by the state government for past many years to facilitate convenient movement of the people. Initially, airlines were not agreing but now when the airlines wants to run a flight AAI disagreed said Transport minister Manik Dey.'' The local director of airport S D Barman said that at present there are only four controllers who run the ATC in two shifts. They will require more controllers for accommodating the proposed schedule which they dont have in their disposal at the moment.UNI BB KK SB GC1329 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0212-592549.Xml News Story not available This story has been published on: 2022-10-21. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. This story is no longer available on our site. An NGO has estimated that the number of Indian applicants seeking asylum in the United States had shot up nearly four times in 2015 as compared to the previous year. The US-based NGO North American Punjabi Association said the "sudden spurt in the number of applicants had been caused due to growing intolerance in India." NAPA executive director Satnam Singh Chahal said yesterday that the number of Indian origin asylum seekers in United States rapidly began increasing soon after the BJP-led NDA government took up the reins at the Centre. The NGO said the reason for the spurt in the applicants is the growing intolerance against people having different opinion other than the ideology of the RSS or BJP. The data of Indian asylum seekers obtained by Chahal under Freedom of speech act from the US Citizenship and immigration services, revealed that in the year of 2013 Indian origin 513 total persons applied for asylum from which 60 persons were granted refuge. The number of asylum seekers increased to more than double in the year 2014 to total 1,309 when the ruling BJP government came to power at the Centre. Out of these total asylum seekers 23 were female and 77 persons were granted the asylum during this year. In 2015, total 2,271 persons of Indian origin applied for asylum.Out of them 32 were females and 141 persons were granted asylum during this year, added Mr Chahal. NAPA urged the Indian government to think seriously about the causes forcing people to seek asylum in the US.UNI XC RP SB1412 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0134-592758.Xml Oil ministers from Saudi Arabia, Russia, Qatar and Venezuela started a closed-door meeting in Doha on Tuesday, sources said, their highest-level discussion in months and a potentially pivotal sign that producers are preparing to tackle a devastating supply glut.An agenda and schedule for the talks were not released, but the ministers are expected to hold a news conference once discussions are completed, sources aware of the matter said.The talks in the Qatari capital Doha, which had been kept under wraps until recent days, involve powerful Saudi Oil Minister Ali al-Naimi and his Russian counterpart Alexander Novak, sources said, two figures who must reach an accord for any coordinated global action to hold any hope of success.They will be joined by Venezuela's Oil Minister Eulogio Del Pino, who has in recent weeks been visiting major oil producers to rally support for the idea of "freezing" production at current levels in an effort to halt a downward spiral in prices, sources have said.Also expected to attend is the oil minister of Qatar, which holds the rotating presidency of OPEC this year, an important role in coordinating consultations among members and suggestions for extraordinary meetings of the group.The meeting comes after more than 18 months of declining oil prices, knocking crude below $30 a barrel for the first time in over a decade. The slump has been longer and deeper than anyone predicted, and the mood may be shifting among producers that have been determined to defend market share rather than prices.Within the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries is a growing consensus that a decision must be reached on how to prop up prices, Nigerian Oil Minister Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu told Reuters late last week, adding that he too would be travelling to Doha to meet his Saudi and Qatari counterparts.Much has changed since OPEC's fractious meeting in early December, the last big gathering of key oil ministers, when members "were hardly talking to one another. Everyone was protecting their own positional logic," Kachikwu said.Oil traders are on heightened alert for any sign of action. U.S. crude rose more than 3 percent early on Tuesday to trade back above $30 a barrel, building on last Friday's more-than-12-percent surge amid growing speculation over a deal.While Venezuela has been the hardest-hit major producer, oil below $30 is a fraction of what Russia needs to balance its budget as it heads towards parliamentary elections this year. Saudi finances are also suffering badly, running a $98 billion budget deficit last year, which it seeks to trim this year.Analysts cautioned that it was too soon to expect a sudden breakthrough, even after a year and a half of tumbling oil prices. Saudi Arabia has given no sign of wavering in its view that it would cut only in concert with other producers; Russia has been resolute that it cannot and will not cut back. And Iran is only now restoring exports after years of sanctions.Yet the small, hush-hush nature of the meeting is sure to evoke memories of the secret talks of the late 1990s that eventually revived $10 oil. A series of sessions from Amsterdam to Madrid, brokered by Mexico, helped heal a rift between Saudi Arabia and Venezuela, restoring OPEC's ability to work together.Jan Stuart, global energy economist at Credit Suisse, said it was too early to suggest Tuesday's meeting in Doha would lead to action, but noted Naimi's attendance was significant.At a minimum it will make bearish traders "more nervous", and may staunch the oil price slide, he said.ABSENTEES AND CAVEATSShould the talks in Doha go well, many hurdles remain.Though absent from the attendee list, Iran would likely show some restraint under any accord, tempering its goal of quickly pumping an additional 1 million barrels per day now that it has been relieved of sanctions.Naimi and Novak, the top officials from the two biggest oil exporters, must overcome a trust issue dating back to 2001, when Saudi Arabia pushed through a global deal to curb output from OPEC and non-OPEC nations. Russia agreed to participate, but never properly followed through on its pledge.OPEC's leader Saudi Arabia has said it would cut output only if non-OPEC members agreed to join it.Russia, the world's top crude producer and not a member of OPEC, has long refused, saying its industry was competitive at any price and it was technically challenging for Moscow to reduce production.Yet more recently several Russian officials, including Novak, have signalled that cooperation with OPEC was possible.Russian President Vladimir Putin's key ally, the head of state oil major Rosneft Igor Sechin - who had long spoken against cuts - said last week it would make sense for all producers to remove around 1 million barrels per day from the market.He did not say whether Moscow was ready to contribute, while Putin has yet to speak on the subject. REUTERS JW PM1502 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0364-592866.Xml : A-68 year old French lady was found murdered at her residence here today.Police said the victim Huorine deserted her husband Bazil for the past 17 years and was living in a rented house at Akkasamy Madam Street, Chinnayyapuram here. Since, the couple do not have children, Huorine adopted a boy and girl, both of whom are settled in France.The girl was sent in marriage and her daughter was living with Huorine here and studying in a French school. When the girl woke up this morning, she found Huorine missing, searched the house and found her dead at the main hall. She immediately called their servant maid Roslin, staying at Ouppalam here, and she came to the house and informed the police. Muthialpet police visited the house and sent the body for post-mortem.It is suspected that she was beaten to death. Nothing was found missing from the house. Police registered a case and investigation was, under way. UNI PAB KVV RSS 1435 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0415-592716.Xml Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today described the results of the Khadoor Sahib by-election as a massive victory of positive agenda of peace, communal harmony, brotherhood and development in the state and said this outcome had laid the foundation for an unprecedented SAD-BJP win in the 2017 Vidhan Sabha elections. This is also a forceful mandate against politics of negative and destructive ideas and forces who had sought to destabilise Punjab and hamper its progress through their anti-peace and anti-Punjab activities in recent times. This should serve as a loud message to the negative and divisive forces who tried to inject violence and instability in Punjab, said Mr Badal in a statement here this morning. The Chief Minister said that he was surprised by the stand of the Congress and other opposition parties who nominally boycotted this by-election on the ground that would not result in a change in government in the state. Mr Badal further said that the people have punished them for abandoning the holy town of Khadoor Sahib merely for cheap political and selfish interests. Do you contest elections only to gain power and run away from the people if there is no chance of your forming a government? asked Mr. Badal from the leaders of the Congress and other opposition outfits. Meanwhile, Mr Badal profusely thanked the people for endorsing programs, policies and performance of the SAD-BJP alliance government in Punjab through this most powerful mandate. Mr Badal also thanked the leaders and workers of SAD for working selflessly and tirelessly for the victory of partys candidate Ravinder Singh Brahmpura, who won this seat by defeating his nearest rival-an Independent Bhupinder Singh with a huge margin of 65,664 votes.UNI NC SB GC1433 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0293-592736.Xml Police said here that extremists of banned CPI (Maoist) set aflame the BSNL mobile tower and damaged solar panels installed at the tower. Sources said outlaws managed to escape after committing the crime. Maoists also pasted posters at Digghi village under Lakshmipur police station in Jamui district warning police administration, doctors, teachers and PDS dealers to face dire consequences if they failed to work for the welfare of the oppressed and poor sections of the society. Maoist rebels had given a call for bandh in eastern districts of Bihar and north eastern districts of Jharkhand on February 15 and 16 in protest against the killing of self proclaimed zonal commander of CPI(Maoist) Chirag Da in police encounter recently.UNI XC-DH AKM AE VP1620 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0213-592898.Xml Mr Gandhi took part in the padyatra from Rang-ghar to Maidan field, walking a distance of about six km, on the last day of his two-day tour of Assam. He was accompanied by Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi and state party chief Anjan Dutta, among others. Mr Gandhi joined Bihu dancers in a performance of a small platform in front of the Ahom era amphitheatre, at the start of the padyatra. He also interacted with students of a madrassa, that was enroute during the foot march. Addressing a rally at Maidan field during the end of the padyatra, Mr Gandhi hit out at the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre, accusing it of turning a blind eye to the poor and the needy. He also accused the NDA government and PM Narendra Modi of failing to keep its promises made to the people, prior to Lok Sabha elections. He further accused the BJP of indulging in divisive politics and trying to polarise voters on religious lines. Mr Gandhi urged the people of Assam to continue reposing faith on the Congress and vote it to power, a fourth straight time. Earlier in the day, Mr Gandhi had interacted with leading intellectuals and apolitical leaders in Sivsagar circuit house, where he had spent the night. He had addressed three rallies and held meetings with tea tribe and tribal leaders yesterday. UNI SG AKM RJ BL1640 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0213-592922.Xml BJP National Secretary Tarun Chugh today said the saffron party would be organising 'Jan Swabhiman' campaign across the country from February 18 to 20. In a statement here, the BJP leader said the three-day campaign to be launched on the directive of BJP president Amit Shah would strengthen the party and nation's resolve to keep intact the unity and integrity of the country, besides exposing the anti-national forces and to make people aware of their evil designs. The 'Jan Swabhiman' campaign has been planned to thwart the attempt of seditious activities being carried out at the prestigious JNU in Delhi at the behest of and with the support of Congress and Left parties. Mr Chugh said that anti-national atmosphere was being created in the name of freedom of speech which could not be allowed at any cost. Mr Chugh further alleged that this was being done to encourage separatists. He wondered as to how and why the Congress, the Left parties and AAP were supporting those, who raised anti-national slogans in the capital of the country and were trying to glorify convicted terrorists, who were known for attacking the democracy, unity and integrity of the country. He said this shows the political approach of these parties, even as they express faith in constitution and claim to be the flag bearers of patriotism. By supporting students, who were openly supporting Afzal Guru, the mastermind of the attack on Indian Parliament, these parties were actually questioning the verdict of the Supreme Court, Mr Chugh remarked. He said that the BJP, during these three days, would expose the mindset of leaders like Rahul Gandhi, Arvind Kejriwal, Nitish Kumar, Sita Ram Yechury and others and the campaign would be spread across the country to make the people aware at Tehsil level. All the wings of the party, including Yuva Morcha, Mahila Morcha, Kisan Morcha and SC Morcha, would be organising programmes to apprise people of the activities of anti-nationals and the support of these parties and leaders to their seditious act, he added. UNI DB RJ AE SB1644 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0293-592993.Xml Recently, 'Destination North East - 2016 Festival' was organized at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi in a bid to showcase the inherent economic, social and cultural strength of the North East Region (NER) at the national level. The three-day long mega event was held by the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) Ministry in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture. DoNER Minister Jitendra Singh and Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju inaugurated the festival. "It is first of its kind happening in Delhi. We never had a three-day spread over with such versatility from business to tourism, trade and handicraft and cultural event. I personally do not subscribe to the idea of bringing northeast closer to mainstream India, but rather the rest of India needs to be brought closer to northeast," Singh said. Artists from the northeast region enthralled audience with their mesmerizing performances. Cultural troupe of AO tribe from Nagaland attired in colorful costumes and headgears performed a traditional 'War dance'. Reang community from Tripura also mesmerized the people with their fold dance 'Hojagiri'. Artists from Mizoram performed traditional 'bamboo dance'. A group of male artists from Manipur also presented a 'Pung Chalom' dance where the performer plays the "Pung" or drum with graceful vigor and acrobatics. Bihu dance from Assam, Wangla dance of Garo community from Meghalaya, Tamang Selo dance from Sikkim, ?Bro Zai dance from Arunachal Miji tribe were also performed in the event. "There are majorly three components of this event to show the strength, potentials and initiatives taken by government for north east, what states have done for north east and what people are doing for their livelihood. We had a session on tourism, IT and IT'S. We also have a session on livelihood, handloom, skill development, micro finance, startups. The aim of event is that people should know northeast as tourism, business," DoNER secretary Navin Verma said. "It is a very good platform for us to showcase our dance and culture of Boros. I feel very happy to be a part of this event. It is very good platform for all the communities belonging to northeast to showcase the things that are not explored," Tehumbrohma, an artist from Assam said. Artisans and textile entrepreneurs from northeastern states exhibited their handloom and handicraft products. Various items like bamboo and cane products, shawl, silk sari, bags, jewelleries, decorative items and many others were displayed. "A lot of stalls of the northeast are displayed. They have brought several innovative ideas and products. We have never seen such bamboo and cane products. From sofas, flowers to household products are displayed here. It is a very good event," a local said. Fashion designers from northeast put up a vibrant show. Models walked down the ramp attired in creations of designers from the Northeast. They showcased the traditional weaving patterns and rich colorful fabrics by the numerous tribes of the northeast. During the event, Guru Rewben Mashangva - also known as the King of Naga Folk blues from Manipur - enthralled the crowd with his energetic performance. Music dominated the evening and attracted people from different tribes and communities. Later, popular rock music band and folk fusion bands like Reverse Tragedy Band from Mizoram, Purple Fusion from Nagaland, Rita and musical folks from Meghalaya and Mayukh Hazarika and the Brahmaputra balladeers from Assam mesmerized the audience. "It's wonderful because we are always confined in the cocoon doing nothing but here in the mainstream going around and sharing our music. Now people are eager to know about northeast music and here at 'Destination North East', they are doing a great job." Lamtsala, a vocalist from Purple Fusion from Nagaland said. Such festivals play a significant role to facilitate better understanding and bridge the gap between the northeast and the rest of the country. The next venues for 'Destination North East' will be Mumbai and Bengaluru, followed by other parts of the country. (ANI) Ambassador Jurgen Christian Mertens, Chief of Protocol at the Federal Foreign Office welcomed the Sri Lankan President and Mrs. Sirisena at the Berlin Tegel Airport, reports Lanka Page. Sirisena, will use his visit to Germany, one of the economically powerful state of Europe, to strengthen relations between the two countries and explore new avenues for cooperation. During the visit the President will meet German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Wednesday for discussions. He will also meet with President of the Bundestag Professor. Dr. Norbert Lamment, and Federal President of Germany Joachim Gauck. The foundation for further strengthening economic and cultural relations will be the main focus of Sri Lankan President's visit which also aims to greatly improve the island nation's commerce with Germany. The President will address the German Business Council for Industries on the 18th February. Sirisena will open the Sri Lankan-German Business Forum and shed light over recent economic developments and new business opportunities in Sri Lanka. Over 250 German businessmen and head of German trade chambers have already registered to attend the forum. Sirisena will also be meeting with two very important Ministers of the Federal Government i.e. Minister for Economic Corporation and Minister of Foreign Affairs.(ANI) Kerala Excise Minister K Babu, who is also in charge of Civil Aviation today announced that trial landings at Kannur International Airport would be carried out on February 29 using a Code-B aircraft of Defence Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) officials visited the KIAL site and conducted technical examination on January 30 and gave their consent for the trial landing . The defence ministry has agreed to provide an aircraft for trial landing. Mf Babu said the estimated cost of the KIAL project was 1892 crore and the works would be completed in two phases. He said commercial operation of the airport whas been targetted by September this year and facilities for landing passenger flights from Asian countries like UAE,Kuwait, Saudia Arabia, Hong Kong and Singapore would be provided as part of the phased development. KIAL has decided to extend the runway length to 3400 metres and in the next phase, it would be extended to 4000 metres along with the capacity of passenger terminal, aApron and other infrastructural facilities.UNI AK VV AK1730 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0324-593168.Xml Delta India Electronics, a leading providerof power and thermal management solutions, is all set to expand itsR&D and manufacturing operations in Bengaluru and Hosur in TamilNadu in line with its long-term plans to harness the countryssignificant long-term growth potential. Delta India plans to develop smart energy management solutionswith industry-leading energy efficiency at its new R&D centre whichis expected to create up to 500 engineering jobs within the next 3years. Within the next 10 years, Deltas new factory in Hosur willcreate up to 20,000 jobs for the manufacturing of power electronics,renewable energy and automation solutions, according to a releasehere today. Mr James Ng, Chairman of Delta Electronics (Thailand), parentcompany of Delta India, said, "Delta recognizes the potential ofIndia to become a powerhouse in manufacturing and its need for highenergy efficiency which is one of Deltas core competences. Webelieve our new R&D centre in Bangalore will be instrumental in thecreation of innovative and energy-efficient technologies that willsupport the realization of national initiatives such as 'Make inIndia' and 'Digital India'. We expect the Hosur factory toeventually become Deltas biggest manufacturing base in India." UNI MSP VV AK1705 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0287-593247.Xml Union Food Processing Industries Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal today said that her ministry had forwarded a request to the government for opening up of FDI in multi brand retail only for fruit and vegetable sector with the condition that all of these would be locally sourced. Inaugurating a seminar on Opportunities in the Food Processing Sector at Make In India week at Mumbai, she said she has already written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for allowing 100 per cent FDI in multi-brand retail only for such food that is produced in India by the local farmers and food products that are processed by the manufacturers in India. The FPI Minister signalled that government wants all stakeholders on board before announcement of this change in policy and the response of stakeholders is quite overwhelming. She said it would be a major step towards modernising of old kirana into modern food retail and providing fair remuneration to farmers. Speaking on the occasion, the Minister assured the investors that the government was viewing the entire food sector as a wholesome sector unlike it was being dealt by the previous government as stand-alone diverse sectors working against each other. But today our government, she said, "is working in tandem with ministeries concerned to deal with volatility of agriculture, food pricing, availability of food and consumer choice all as one. The minister strongly advocated India to have a comprehensive food policy and said the Prime Minister has committed himself to mechanising the farm lands and providing irrigation water to all the farms in the country. She said India wants to link farmers with modern technology-driven agriculture practices. MORE UNI NC RSA AE VN1830 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0293-593292.Xml Expressing their resentment over the alleged anti-national activities of some elements at the JNU Delhi, hundreds of ABVP activists today burnt an effigy of anti-nationals outside RKSD college here and raised slogans demanding strict action against all those involved in anti-national activities. Addressing the students, ABVP leaders Manoj Sharma and Saurabh said that it was matter of grave concern that some students, having anti-national feelings during agitation in the JNU, had raised such slogans and instigated other students. The government should also investigate the role of leaders of some political parties who were politicising the issue and interfering to save a section of the students against whom the police has taken action, they added. On the other hand, some protestors, under the banner of Student Federation of India (SFI), held a protest at mini secretariat and demanded immediate release of JNU student union president Kanhaiya Kumar who had been arrested by Delhi police for participating in protest. Student leader Gaurav Sharma said those who were behind the trouble at JNU campus were spared while others who were innocent were booked by the police in various cases. The protestors alleged that all this had been done at the behest of BJP leaders who wanted to strengthen the base of ABVP in the JNU. UNI XC DB RSA AE VN1844 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0293-593472.Xml Europe's postal companies, already under pressure from Amazon, could soon face a challenge from Uber, which is moving into deliveries, and other start-ups.UberRUSH -- run by Uber but connecting you to a courier rather than a taxi -- and new entrants like PiggyBaggy and Nimber, could dent the market share of operators such as Royal Mail, Deutsche Post and PostNL, equity analysts and investors told Reuters.They are beginning to factor in a longer-term impact on the stock values of these incumbents, which have been hit by Seattle-based Amazon shifting from customer to competitor by starting its own delivery services in parts of Europe.They see this as a harbinger of what lies in store for Europe's parcel delivery firms if Uber follows suit.The UK's Royal Mail has said Amazon's move will more than halve the growth potential for its parcels business - accounting for half of its roughly 9.5 billion pounds ($13.7 billion) revenues - for at least a few years.Meanwhile, Credit Suisse analysts estimate that if Amazon delivered half of its own parcels in three to five years, it could mean an annual 3 to 5 percent revenue loss for Deutsche Post arm DHL's parcel business.The possibility of Uber moving into postal delivery in Europe, as it has done in some U.S. cities, and the emergence of other firms relying on ordinary people rather than companies to deliver parcels in a cheaper and faster way, is seen as another drag on Deutsche Post, PostNL and Royal Mail shares, which are down 3 to 20 percent this year."UberRUSH would be another potential competitor trying to take a slice of the pie, which would no doubt put further pressure on companies like Royal Mail when same day delivery grows in importance," said David Kerstens, European transport and logistics analyst at Jefferies.Uber says it "currently" has no plans to start UberRUSH in the UK, but analysts said it was just a matter of time before it launched elsewhere, given the rapid growth of its taxi service.If Uber were to capture 10 percent of the UK's courier market, it would translate into a 700 million pounds income for just one country, according to a report by delivery company ParcelHero, which says the global courier and parcel sector generates about $250 billion in revenues each year.The other threat comes from firms such as Finland's PiggyBaggy, which is now eying Denmark and Germany, and Norway's Nimber. Both connect customers willing to pay people who are travelling to the same destination to deliver their parcels.Nimber has 27,000 registered users since starting in Britain seven months ago and is targeting about 100,000 by the year-end. TACKLING THE CHALLENGE DHL, PostNL and Royal Mail all expressed confidence when asked how they would tackle these new challenges, with some pointing out that they were already developing similar operations. DHL said that for traditional providers, crowd-sourced delivery companies meant more competition, but also offered an opportunity. It has tried delivering parcels in Stockholm by involving local residents and is considering a second programme. A Royal Mail spokesman said new entrants were adding to the options to consumers mainly in the same-day segment, in which it was also a sizeable player, while PostNL said it welcomed competition, but believed in the strengths of its own business. But for some, this optimism is overdone. Gary Paulin, co-founder of brokerage Aviate Global, said Royal Mail was one of his favoured "short" plays, while Redmayne-Bentley investment manager David Battersby also saw the European postal firms losing their market dominance. "The traditional postal companies will not disappear but with the competition coming in, I don't see how they can maintain their iron-like grasp on the market," Battersby said.($1 = 0.6917 pounds) REUTERS JW VN1906 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0364-593664.Xml Jammu and Kashmir police has recovered an abducted girl from Delhi and also arrested the kidnapper within five days, a police spokesman said this evening. He said on February 10, it was reported to the Handwara Police that a girl (name withheld) was kidnapped by Shoib Ahmad Sheikh son of Ghulam Nabi Sheikh with the assistance of Azad Ahmad. On receipt of the complaint a case under section 366,109 RPC was registered in Kralgund Police Station. An investigation team headed by SHO Kralgund Azim Iqbal under the supervision of SP Handwara Shri Ghulam Jeelani Wani was formed and investigation was taken up. During the investigation it surfaced that the kidnapper has taken the girl outside the state, he said, adding the investigation team succeeded in tracing the kidnapper in Delhi. The kidnapper was held and the girl was also recovered. During further investigation it has been revealed that mastermind behind the commission of offence was uncle of the kidnapper Hilal Ahmad Sheikh. Further investigation in this regard is going on.UNI BAS QAB AE BL1949 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0153-593757.Xml Pauline Ross, 63, reported the theft of Rs 95 lakh on Monday after being discharged from Lady Willingdon Hospital, investigating officer Om Prakash told UNI. She found the money missing from her house after she was discharged from the hospital where she was undergoing medical treatment, Om Prakash said. Her companion Cristian Rodrigo Mirnda of Chile was arrested by the local police last month for staying without valid travelling documents.UNI ML DB CJ AE VN1858 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0293-593484.Xml In a statement issued here , the former Chief Minister expressed grave concern over such incidents saying it was third such incident in recent past. He pointed out, two similar incidents had taken place in Ludhiana earlier and the police was yet to identify the culprits. Capt Singh warned against allowing such incidents go unchecked. He condemned the failure of the Akali-BJP government to identify the guilty. If the Akali-BJP government cannot provide safety and security to the people what is it there for? he asked.UNI NC VJ DJK BL1928 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0293-593660.Xml Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) today lambasted the saffron party supporters, led by Delhi BJP MLA O P Sharma, for mercilessly thrashing up students, faculty of the Jawahar Lal Nehru University (JNU) along with several journalists inside the premises of Patiala house court complex. Party's Punjab youth wing chief Harjot Singh Bains, in a staement here, said it was shocking to see lawmaker O P Sharma behaving like a street goon leading a pack of hooligans to thrash the JNU students and teachers. Some of the goons were wearing black gowns disguised as advocates did not even spare the scribes who had gone to cover the protest of the JNU students. The JNU students yesterday were protesting the arrest of JNUSU president Kanhaiya Kumar on the charges of sedition slapped by Delhi police for shouting anti-India slogans. Mr Bains said it was equally disturbing to hear Mr Sharma threatening on the television screens that if he had the gun he would have shot the JNU president. He said that the BJP did not dare to act against its alliance partner PDP in J&K who hail Afzal Guru as a martyr. These are sheer double standards of the BJP, he added. The AAP youth leader said neither Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh nor the Delhi police have so far been able to produce any evidence of Kanhaiya Kumar raising any anti-India slogans. In fact there is a video which shows some of the ABVP activists shouting anti-India slogans", he said and added that the entire episode looked like a deep-rooted conspiracy. Mr Bains said the BJP and its sister outfits, time and again are trying to break the secular and social fabric of the universities and also attempting to communalise the highest institutes of learning. The saffron party wants to muzzle the voices of the students if they say anything against the BJP ideology", he said while adding that the AAP would not let such elements spoil the temples of learning. He said universities encourage dialogue, debates and discussions on varied issues and such a hard stance of the BJP only show the saffron party in poor light. The BJP has once again proved that it is a party of intolerant leaders who can go to any extent to divide people on communal lines". He said the AAP would fully support the cause of the students and the faculty of the JNU who were only holding peaceful protests against the state repression which is their democratic right. Similarly the AAP would extend complete support to journalistic fraternity who have been beaten up for simply discharging their duty, he added. UNI DB DJK AE VN1927 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0293-593695.Xml The JNU row today reached the country's top court, besides echoing in the all-party meeting convened by Prime Minister Narendra Modi ahead of the Budget session, while the spate of protest and counter protest continued in the campus and the capital, as did the war of words between the ruling BJP and the main Opposition Congress over the issue.A large number of Journalists representing almost all media organisations today hit the streets against yesterday's attack on mediapersons at a local court here during the coverage of appearance of JNUSU president Kanhaiya Kumar in the court, in connection with the sedition charge slapped against him in the Afzal Guru event case. They submitted a memorandum to Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Chief Justice TS Thakur, urging their intervention to ensure justice.The Supreme Court today decided to hear tomorrow a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by a JNU alumni and activist Jayaprakash, who sought safety and security to Kanhaiya Kumar, the University's Student's Union President and journalists and necessary action against those, who indulged in assaults on them. It will hear the petition tomorrow.The JNU row was also today prominently raised by the Opposition parties at the all-party meeting. The main Opposition Congress, the Left and other parties voiced their concern over the attempts to curtail the autonomy of the varsity and urged the government to protect the autonomy of all educational institutions in the country.Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister M Venkaiah Naidu expressed the government's willingness to go the extra mile to accommodate the Opposition's concerns."We are ready for an open discussion on the issue in the House. At the same time, we hope that truth will come out of the ongoing probe," Mr Naidu told mediapersons after the meeting. But, the government told the Opposition that the raising of anti-India slogans on the campus could not be justified.On the other hand, BJP and Congress continued to trade charges against each other. Congress charged the Narendra Modi government with showering reign of terror on the youths of the country, saying that the students were being targeted from Hyderabad to IIT, Madras to FTII, Pune to now at JNU in the national capital. "BJP is muzzling the voice of India's youth, students, teachers, journalists, opposition and every individual organisation, that questions the subjugation of disagreement or paralysis of governance," former Union Law Minister Kapil Sibal said, addressing the party's regular media briefing. He said youths, students and the question raising individuals were conveniently targeted, by calling them 'anti-national' or naxalites. Earlier, BJP hit out at Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi, saying he was frustrated and confused and was supporting 'anti-nationals' out of desperation.Addressing a press conference here, BJP Spokesperson Shrikant Sharma said, ''Congress is intolerant to the Narendra Modi government. In the process of criticising the Centre, it has forgotten that it is supporting those evoking anti-national sentiments.''Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who has also joined the Opposition camp against the Modi Government over the JNU issue, today wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, expressing his concern over the recent incidents. He urged him to take urgent steps on resolving the crisis.Mr Kejriwal also suggested to Mr Modi four measures to diffuse the crisis, including immediate action against Delhi BJP MLA OP Sharma, who had been caught on camera thrashing people at the court premises, release of the arrested Jawaharlal Nehru University Students' Union (JNUSU) president Kanhaiya Kumar., ''If such incidents are not brought to an immediate end, I am afraid it might be too late,"the Delhi Chief Minister added.Meanwhile, the JNU campus continued to be on boil over commemoration of the death anniversary of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru and raising of anti-India slogans during the event and subsequent arrest of Kanhaiya kumar and other students. While activists of the Bajrang Dal protested outside the JNU gate over the alleged anti-national activities in the varsity, JNU teachers staged a dharna over the arrest of Kumar, demanding his immediate release. The ABVP and the Bajrang Dal demanded that ''strict action be taken against the people who are indulging in anti-national activities in the varsity''. Yesterday, the JNU controversy further escalated, when journalists, along with students and faculty from the prestigious University were thrashed, manhandled and kicked by people dressed in lawyers' robes. Delhi Police Commissioner BS Bassi dismissed the violence as a ''minor incident''. Meanwhile, Delhi University Lecturer SAR Gilani, who was yesterday detained in connection with the holding of the Afzal Guru event at the Press Club of India, was put under formal arrest today.UNI TEAM NAZ RJ RSA 2012 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0091-593904.Xml Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP President Amit Shah today congratulated NDA and party workers on winning seven out of 12 Assembly by-elections, held in seven states. ''Appreciable effort by NDA. People across India reposed faith in politics of development, development & development. Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas,'' Mr Modi tweeted. ''I thank people for reposing faith in Politics of Development over Vote bank politics,'' Mr Shah said. ''Congratulations to our Karyakartas, BJP State units and all NDA allies over impressive performance in bypoll elections in Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Bihar, Punjab and Tripura,'' the BJP President said. The ruling Samajwadi Party in Uttar Pradesh lost in two out of the three Assembly seats in the bypolls, held on February 13 with just less than a year left for the state Assembly elections.All the three seats were held by the SP earlier but they lost two -- Deoband in Saharanpur district and Muzaffarnagar -- and could manage to retain the Bikapur seat in Faizabad district.BJP candidate Ashu Verma defeated Samajwadi Party candidate Sudan Rawal by 45,228 votes in the by-elections to Ghaziabad Mayor bypolls.BJP wrested the Muzaffarnagar Sadar seat from the SP.The bypolls were necessitated, following the death of ruling Samajwadi Party members and UP Ministers Chittaranjan Swarup (Muzaffarnagar) and Rajendra Singh Rana (Deoband), along with senior SP leader and three-time MP Mitrasen Yadav (Bikapur). In a major morale boost to NDA in Bihar, Rashtriya Lok Samata Party (RLSP) candidate Sudhanshu Shekhar won the Harlakhi by-election by defeating Congress candidate Mohammad Shabbir by a margin of 18,650 votes.Shiv Sena retained the Palghar Assembly seat as its candidate Amit Ghoda defeated his nearest Congress rival Rajendra Gavit by a margin of 18,948 votes in the keenly fought by-election. BJP did not contest the bypoll.Main opposition BJP in Karnataka claimed gains by winning two seats out of three, while the ruling Congress wrested Bidar seat in the bypoll for three segments held on February 13, when counting of votes was taken up. Shiromani Akali Dal candidate Ravinder Singh Brahmpura emerged victorious in Khadoor Sahib Assembly seat in Punjab, defeating his nearest rival Independent candidate Bhupinder Singh Bittu by a margin of 65,664 votes. 'Lotus' bloomed in Maihar Assembly constituency of Madhya Pradesh as the BJP wrested seat from the Congress in a toughly-contested by-election. BJP candidate Narayan Tripathi defeated his nearest Congress rival Manish Patel by a margin of 27,544 votes. The Left front candidate was re-elected from 42 Birganj of Amarpur in South Tripura in the by-election held on February 13, with the main opposition Congress reducing to minority. CPI-M nominee Parimal Debnath defeated his nearest rival Ranjit Das of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) by a margin of 10,604 votes. While Debnath bagged 20,355 votes, Das got 9,751 votes. Tribal opposition Indigenous Peoples Front of Tripura (IPFT) occupied third position by obtaining 1623 votes. However, Congress candidate Chanchal De managed to get only 1231 votes in the final count. The ruling CPI-M congratulated the voters for electing them in the bypoll. However, BJP has also expressed satisfaction over the result and stated if election could hold fairly, their result would have been better.UNI NY RJ RSA 2012 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0099-593875.Xml The mortel remains of P N Mahesha ofPasupathi village in K R Nagara taluk in Mysuru District and T TNagesh of Tejuru, in Hassan District was laid to rest at theirrespective native places with full state and military honours. The mortal remains of soldier Mahesh, one of the ten soldiers whodied in an avalanche in Siachen Glacier, was brought to the Mysurucity last night and it was received by Chief Minister Siddramaiahand layed wreath on the body. The body was taken to his native village Pashupathi in K R Nagaraafter keeping it for public views at Mysuru and H D Kote wherethousands of the people paid their last respects. Mr Siddaramaiah handed over a cheque for Rs 25 lakhs to the familyof the martyred solider Mahesh and also assured to give four acresof land to the surviving members of the soldier in H D Kote. Thousands of people watched the last rites conducted on his ownland at Pasupathi village where his father was also buried. Before handing over the body to the family members militaryhonours were accorded to the departed brave soldier. Meanwhile, hundreds of people paid their last respect to SubedarT T Nagesh at Tejuru village in Hassan district where body wasburried as per Veershivas customs. District Incharge MinisterManju, among others present. Earlier the body was kept at the Deputy Commissioner's office forpublic viewing in Hassan. Hundreds of citizens, schoolchildren andyouth stood in long queues to pay homage to the departed soldier. Home Minister G Parameshwara and Minister for Animal Husbandryand Sericulture A Manju were among those who paid respects to the soldier. Mr Parameshwara was on his way to Bengaluru from Chikkamagalurueven as hundreds of people were in queue to pay their respects onthe DC office premises on B.M. Road. The Minister reportedly did notstop to pay homage. However, he returned to Hassan from Hirisave. Speaking to the media, after returning to Hassan, he said he wasnot informed about arrangements being made for public viewing at theDeputy Commissioners office. Otherwise he would have stopped to payhis respects, he added. Later, the body was taken in a procession to Tejuru, thesoldier's native place. Hundreds of people gathered along the roadto Tejuru.UNI BSP MSP VV AK2025 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0287-593967.Xml Hailing the victory of BJP in two assembly and one mayor by-elections, Uttar Pradesh party president Laxmi Kant Bajpai today dedicated this victory to the people, saying the results are ominous signs for the ruling Samajwadi Party. BJP won the Mayoral election in Ghaziabad and assembly bye-lection in Muzaffarnagar. The party snatched the assembly seat from Samajwadi Party. The election was held there following death of Chittaranjan Swaroop, a minister in the Akhilesh Government. Four by-elections were held three for assembly and one for Mayors post recently. BJP has won two seats. This is a good sign for the party, Dr Bajpai told reporters here. He said people were fed up with the misrule of the Akhilesh Yadav government and therefore want to get rid of this corrupt government. The by-election results are clear indications of things to come in future, he said. There are reports that ruling party will try to rig the Council election slated for March 3. There are attempts from some quarters to persuade opposition candidate to withdraw their nomination papers. I appeal to officials not to heed the directives of SP leaders and perform their duties as per law, he said.UNI MB RSA BD2143 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0196-593952.Xml DFO of Rajnagar Mangrove (Forest) and wildlife Division Bimal Prasanna Acharya said every year with the arrival of winter, Bhitarkanika water bodies, the abode of avian species wears a colourful look. Migratory birds fly thousands of miles to Bhitarakanika to escape the harsh winter in Siberia, Afghanistan, Iraq, Northern Asia and some central European countries. They generally stay in Bhitarakanika for about three to four months before starting their homeward sojourn from the park after nesting and breeding in the park, Mr Acharya said. As per the recent mid winter waterfall migratory bird status survey report of Bhitarkanika National Park, an estimated 1,06,356 numbers of birds were sighted by the Park in the annual bird status survey carried out on January 10 last. As many as 87 types of species visited the park. While 81,874 numbers of birds have been sighted at Bhitarkanika National Park area, 24,482 numbers of birds were sighted at Mahanadi Delta, the DFO said. This year, Northern Pintail ducks have come in large numbers than other species whereas Black-tailed Godwit have also come in thousands to save themselves from the harsh winter. Apart from these two species,Brahmin Rudy shell Duck, Curlew, Sand piper, Bar headed Geese also arrived in the National Park in thousands, official sources said. The Bhitarkanika National Park is considered as the transit point for the migratory birds and they throng in large numbers when chill increases. The migratory bird return when the water bodies in the Bhitarkanika National Park dry up, Mr Acharya said. UNI XC DP PL CJ RSA BD2120 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0211-593866.Xml Patna High Court today directed the Director General of state vigilance to inquire into financial irregularities to the tune of crores of rupees committed in the Jai Prakash University.Justice Ajay Kumar Tripathi ordered Director General of state vigilance to inquire into the financial irregularities committed in the JP University, after hearing a petition filed in this connection by Sridhar Das, secretary of an affiliated college of the University."J P University has been in the news for all the wrong reasons which ultimately culminated into the sacking of the Vice-Chancellor and some other functionaries of the University.The allegations primarily related to financial irregularities, if not, misuse of power relating to functioning of the University, allowing certain people to makemoney out of the system," Justice Tripathi observed."The present writ application was filed bringing to the notice of this Court a decision of the Registrar, J P University, who is respondent No.8, by virtue of which the private respondent Arjun Prasad Yadav was made In-charge Principal of what is known as Deoraha Baba Sridhar Das Degree College," the court noted.More UNI XC KKS PL RSA BD2216 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0211-593985.Xml The opposition NDA today staged protest march across the state to vent its ire over the killing of political leaders and crime rise under the regime of Nitish Kumar led Grand Alliance government. Leaders of NDA staged protest march in all district headquarters of Bihar venting their ire over the killing of BJP leaders Kedar Singh, Visheshwar Ojha and LJP leader Brijnathi Singh besides spurt in crime rise in the state which made the life of common man unsafe and insecure. Policemen resorted to mild lathicharge to disperse the protesters and also used water canon at several places. In Patna, a large number of protesters came out on the streets, raising anti government slogans and demanding immediate arrest of criminals involved in killing of political leaders.They were also protesting the murder of two engineers in Darbhanga in December last year and demanded immediate arrest of the killers. Senior BJP leaders Nand Kishore Yadav, Dr C P Thakur and Leader of the opposition in Bihar assembly Prem Kumar led the protest march in Patna. UNI KKS PL RSA VN2203 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0211-594028.Xml Sepoy P.N. Mahesha of H.D. Kote in Mysuru district and Subedar T.T. Nagesha of Tejuru in Hassan district were given a 21-gun salute to the sound of bugles before their bodies were buried at their native places. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who hails from Mysuru district, laid a wreath on the flower-decked casket of Mahesha and consoled his bereaved family. "The chief minister has assured Mahesha's family of compensation, free farm land and a government job to one of its members soon," an official told IANS. Home Minister G. Parameshwara was present at Nagesha's last rites amid heart-rending scenes as his family was inconsolable. H.D. Kote and Tejuru are both about 200 km from Bengaluru. Lance Naik Hanamanthappa Koppad of Dharwad district was the third soldier from the state who died in the avalanche that struck February 3 trapping the 10 men of the 19th Madras Regiment. Found miraculously alive after six days under heavy snow, he was flown out to New Delhi and admitted in an army hospital but died of multi-organ failure on February 12. --Indo-Asian News Service fb/vd ( 222 Words) 2016-02-16-23:25:33 (IANS) Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today inaugurated the Utkarsh Bangla Scheme for school dropouts at the Netaji Indoor Stadium here.Speaking on the occasion Ms Banerjee said Utkarsh Bangla, a flagship scheme for placement linked skill development, which will create lakhs and lakhs of employment opportunities for my brothers and sisters.She said henceforth, every year, about 6 lakh young aspirants will get opportunity for technical and vocational skill development from ITIs and Polytechnics under this new scheme. After successful completion of training, they will be linked to jobs and self-employment opportunities. Already, we have created nearly 68 lakh employment and another 2 lakh is in process. More than 98 Crore mandays have also been created, Ms Banerjee said.Utkarsh Bangla will give huge boost to job creation for our young generation, she added.The Chief Minister said Utkarsh Bangla will also ensure that the students get the opportunity of campus placements after their training.The companies that will take part in the campus placement drives have signed MOUs."Today Bengal does not need to go to anyone else. Everyone is coming to Bengal today since we are leading in every field. Bengal is the destination today for education, culture, healthcare, industry and humanity," Ms Banerjee said.The idea is to give vocational training to school dropouts training ranging from 400 to 1200 hrs. They would be trained in tailoring, driving, repairing television and other electronic equipments, beautician courses et al. Certificates would be given to those completing the courses. The training courses would all be free of charge.The Vocational Education Department would be in charge of implementing the scheme.This scheme would result in the gainful employment of many people. According to officials of the Vocational Education Department, the syllabus has been made in line with the National Vocational Education Qualification Framework.Along with Utkarsh Bangla, the chief minister operationalised many skill development initiatives by inaugurating several industrial training institutes (ITIs) and laying the foundation stones of several more. She also inaugurated the campus of Amity University in Kolkata.The Chief Minister also operationalised the Online Single-Window Clearance System portal for industrial projects and inaugurate industrial estates in Durgapur and Beliaghata. She gave away awards to national and state-level winners for excellence in skill development as well.On this occasion, the Chief Minister also released a book on Utkarsh Bangla.UNI BM RSA BD2324 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0214-594068.Xml North Korea's rocket launch earlier this month shows the isolated country does not want peace, South Korean President Park Geun-hye said today.Pyongyang launched a long-range rocket on February 7 carrying what it called a satellite, drawing renewed international condemnation just weeks after it carried out a nuclear test.The impoverished North could potentially deploy a nuclear missile if left alone, Park told the South Korean parliament.REUTERS DS RK 0740 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0177-592348.Xml Recent economic and political volatility in Asia and the rest of the world are spurring closer strategic cooperation between Tokyo and Canberra, Australia's Foreign Minister said today."Australia will weather global and regional volatility, but that means our relationship with trusted partners like Japan is even more important," Julie Bishop said during a speech in Tokyo where she met with her Japanese counterpart Fumio Kishida.Bishop, on her fifth visit to Japan, will travel to Beijing today for talks with Chinese officials after meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Minister of Defence Gen Nakatani. As well as security cooperation with Japan, Australia is seeking deeper economic ties with China, its largest trading partner.Japan is hoping that Australia's appetite for deeper security ties will bolster its bid to sell Canberra a fleet of stealthy submarines. Kishida in his meeting with Bishop yesterday noted the strategic significance of a Japanese built submarine.Australia this year will pick the design for a new fleet of submarines in a deal worth as much as A$40 billion (29 billion dollars). Japan, which is offering a variant of its 4,000 ton Soryu submarine, is competing against rival bids from Germany and France for the contract.Washington is encouraging closer security cooperation between Japan and Australia as it looks to its Asian allies to shoulder a bigger security role as China's rise alters the balance of power in the region.Bishop pointed to tensions in the South China Sea and "random acts of destabilization" such as North Korea's recent rocket launch and nuclear test as "challenges" in Asia.China has accused Washington of seeking maritime hegemony in the name of freedom of navigation after a US Navy destroyer sailed within 12 nautical miles of a disputed island in the Paracel chain of the South China Sea in late January.More than 5 trillion dollars of trade moves through the South China Sea each year. Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, the Philippines and Taiwan also claim parts of the waterway.REUTERS DS RK0821 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0177-592356.Xml Advisor to the Pakistan Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz and United States Secretary of State John Kerry will lead their sides at these talks. The dialogue process began in 2010 and the two countries held three ministerial meetings but the process was interrupted in 2011 when a US midnight raid in Abbottabad killed Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden. The dialogue will focus on Pakistan's economic growth, trade and energy cooperation, regional stability, and countering extremism and terrorism, reports Dawn. The two sides will also review the progress made by the working groups on economy and finance, defence, law-enforcement and counter-terrorism, security, strategic stability, non-proliferation and energy. It resumed in 2014 after a gap of more than three years when Aziz and Secretary Kerry met in Washington in January.(ANI) Two men suspected of involvement in a terror attack last August in Bangkok that killed 20 people, appeared before Thailand's military court on Tuesday. The suspects, Mohamad Bilal and Yusufu Mieraili, face 10 charges, including conspiracy, premeditated murder and possession of explosives, EFE news reported. According to police, both suspects confessed to their role in the attack carried out on August 17, 2015. However, their lawyer said that the confessions were obtained under torture. The two accused -- identified by the authorities as Uighurs, the Muslim minority group from China's Xinjiang province -- are the only ones arrested for the attack, which police attributed to a reprisal by organised crime groups in response to a reported police crackdown on human trafficking. Police believe Bilal to be the man who appears on security cameras, wearing a yellow T-shirt and planting the backpack containing the bomb on the temple grounds just before the blast, whereas Mieraili would have been the one to detonate the bomb. The investigations, rife with irregularities and contradictory statements by the police and the military junta, sparked speculations into the motives behind the attack, for which no group has yet claimed responsibility. One of the theories linked the attack to the deportation of about 100 Uighurs, who were looking to travel to Turkey to seek asylum, especially as the temple is popular among Chinese tourists. --Indo-Asian News Service ksk/vt ( 240 Words) 2016-02-16-13:55:34 (IANS) Khmer Rouge Head of State Khieu Samphan and "Brother Number Two" Nuon Chea, the former deputy secretary of the Communist Party of Kampuchea, were sentenced to life imprisonment by the UN-backed tribunal in the first of at least two trials against them, EFE news reported. The appeal hearing was adjourned in November 2015 because of a lack of legal representation for Chea after one of his lawyers failed to attend the hearing and another defied orders by leaving the courtroom. This round of appeal hearings is scheduled to continue till Thursday. The two are also being tried in a separate case on charges of genocide. The appeal hearings follow an announcement by the tribunal on Monday that the case of Im Chaem, a district chief under Pol Pot who is charged with a range of crimes during the regime, had been split from her two co-defendants. In a statement, the court said the action was aimed at speeding up proceedings against Chaem while investigations into the two other defendants continued. The ultra-Maoist Khmer Rouge regime, which ruled Cambodia from 1975 to 1979, led to the deaths of an estimated 1.7 million people. --Indo-Asian News Service ksk/dg ( 236 Words) 2016-02-16-14:25:33 (IANS) Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu spoke with his French counterpart and expressed Ankara's dissatisfaction with French foreign ministry comments regarding Turkish operations against Kurdish militia targets in Syria, diplomatic sources said. The French Foreign Ministry called in a statement on Sunday for Turkey to halt bombardments of Kurdish zones in Syria after the Turkish army shelled Kurdish YPG militia targets. Cavusoglu subsequently requested a call with French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault and spoke with him yesterday, the sources said.REUTERS JW PM1446 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0364-592838.Xml Belgian police raided homes in Brussels today and detained 10 people on suspicion of operating a recruitment ring for militant group Islamic State."Our investigation points to several persons having left for Syria to join Islamic State," Belgium's federal prosecutors said in a statement.Prosecutors said they had seized computer equipment and mobile phones.Belgium has one of the highest per capita rates of participation in militant groups such as Islamic State in Syria and Iraq. REUTERS JW PM1501 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0364-592862.Xml An Indian national, who had gone missing from Kohat in November 2012, has been sent to jail for three years for spying by a Pakistani court.Hamid Nehal Ansari was found guilty of espionage two days ago by a court martial and was taken to Peshawar Central jail. He can now appeal against the verdict under the Pakistan Army Act. The 31-year-old Ansari was arrested by police and the Intelligence Bureau officials in Kohat in November, 2012. Ever since, his whereabouts were unknown.Official sources said that Ansari has confessed to illegally entering Pakistan via Afghanistan with an aim of spying. He had seven Facebook accounts and 30 email addresses. He was even possessing some sensitive documents, the sources added. Ansari, an MBA degree holder, was a teacher at the Mumbai Management College. His mother Fauzia Ansari in a petition against his illegal detention claimed that he was in touch with some Pakistani friends, who encouraged him to cross the border via Afghanistan without visa. She also claimed that he had become friends with a Pakistani woman through social media and had gone to Islamabad to meet her. UNI SW RP1740 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0101-593255.Xml Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif told European Union lawmakers today militant Islam was also a European problem as he defended Iran's involvement in Syria's civil war on the side of President Bashar al-Assad. European parliamentarians quizzed Zarif about alleged human rights violations in Iran, Iranian defence spending and nuclear activity and Tehran's stance on Middle East conflicts that have killed hundreds of thousands of people and driven millions from their homes, spurring a large influx of refugees into Europe. Radicalised European citizens, often with Muslim immigrant backgrounds, have gone to Syria and Iraq to fight for Islamic State militants, who claimed responsibility for the shooting and bombing rampage in Paris that killed 130 people in November. "We all need to understand why some who behead innocent individuals in our part of the world speak European languages with perfect accents. Why is it that this is happening?" Zarif told the European Parliament session. "You feel the consequences of the growth of extremism in our region in terms of refugees that come to Europe, in terms of the spread of unfortunate terrorist incidents in various European cities. Extremism cannot be contained in one country or one region, it's a global menace, requiring a global response." In Syria, an offensive by government forces backed by Russian air strikes and Iranian-backed militias has regained significant ground from rebels in the north near Turkey's frontier, dimming prospects that a truce deal hatched by world powers in Munich last week will take hold soon. Zarif said Tehran had no "boots on the ground" in Syria but only "military advisers" on the invitation of Assad. "We will move out military advisers when the local government deems it necessary for us to remove them," Zarif said. "Why is Iran there? Because Iran believes that the alternative right now - either in Iraq or in Syria - is not a democratic government but Daesh." Daesh is a pejorative Arabic acronym for Islamic State. Syria's war created a breeding ground for the ultra-radical Islamic State, whose insurgents now control large swathes of territory in Syria and neighbouring Iraq. Russia has come under criticism for not ceasing air strikes in Syria since the Munich agreement and has faced accusations that it was using lengthy and complex Syria diplomacy only to buy time to turn the tide of the war on the ground. Zarif challenged that, saying: "Who is going to impose the military solution in Syria? Nobody. Russia can't impose a military solution either ... We need a political solution." He criticised Saudi Arabia, Shi'ite Iran's arch-foe in the region and a conservative Sunni Muslim monarchy that has now thrown its weight behind some rebel groups fighting Assad. "Are we talking about democracies in our region criticising Bashar al-Assad?" Zarif said. "This is not about democracy, this is not about the rights of the Syrian people. This is all about a convoluted, perverted concept of regional equilibrium, which they believe has been disturbed and they want a redress." REUTERS JW BL1831 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0364-593583.Xml Vietnam's prime minister has urged a greater US role in preventing militarisation and island-building in the South China Sea, the government said today, in a rare call for Washington's support to curb Beijing's maritime expansionism. During a summit of Southeast Asian countries in California yesterday, premier Nguyen Tan Dung suggested to US President Barack Obama that Washington uses a stronger voice and "more practical and more efficient actions", in comments likely to rile China. Tension has spiked since Beijing's construction of seven islands in the Spratly archipelago. "Prime Minister Dung suggested the United States has a stronger voice and more practical and more efficient actions requesting termination of all activities changing the status quo," the government said on its news website. The statement did not specifically name China, but it said Dung was referring especially to "large-scale construction of artificial islands" and "militarisation". With a large U-shaped line on its official maps, China claims most of the South China Sea. Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan, Brunei and Vietnam have rival claims. Obama and allies from Southeast Asia will turn their attention to China today on the second day of a summit intended to improve trade and provide a united front on maritime disputes with Beijing. Whereas China accuses the United States of seeking maritime hegemony in Asia, Washington says its interest in the South China Sea is preserving freedom of navigation. In recent months, the United States raised the stakes by sending guided-missile destroyers USS Lassen and USS Curtis Wilbur close to disputed areas occupied by Beijing. Though communist Vietnam routinely opposes China's activities in disputed waters, its leaders are usually wary of provoking a giant neighbour with which it shares over 60 billion dollars of annual trade and maintains close ideological ties. Dung has earned popularity in Vietnam for pursuing stronger US trade and defence links and for taking a tougher line against China, compared to measured responses by other Vietnamese leaders to Beijing's assertiveness. Dung was controversially overlooked by the politburo last month in its nomination for party chief, meaning the end of his political career when his term ends this year, posing a possible blow for Washington. Dung also asked Obama to fully lift a lethal arms embargo on Vietnam, which would be an "important way to strengthen political trust", the government website quoted him saying. Obama will visit Vietnam in May, the White House said. REUTERS JW BL1843 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0364-593617.Xml Republican presidential candidate Ted Cruz pledged today to boost the size of the US armed forces and invest in new airplanes and ships, as he seeks to push back in military-focused South Carolina against rivals' criticism of his defense record.Cruz, speaking at a decommissioned aircraft carrier in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, said that if he won the White House he would establish a total active-duty force of 1.4 million people, prioritize constructing new ballistic missile submarines and invest in anti-missile systems."If you think it's too expensive to defend this nation, try not defending it," the U.S. senator from Texas said in a speech unveiling his proposal.Republicans seeking the party nomination for the Nov. 8 presidential election are emphasizing defense issues in South Carolina. The state, home to a number of military bases and retired veterans, holds its Republican primary on Saturday.Cruz has taken heat from rivals for voting for bills limiting defense spending and for pushing to revamp domestic surveillance programs. He has also argued for scaled-back military involvement overseas, saying the United States should protect its interests but not engage in "nation-building."Cruz's Republican opponents have touted their own plans to boost the size of the U.S. military. U.S. Senator Marco Rubio of Florida has called for the Army to be staffed at 490,000 people, compared to Cruz's proposal Tuesday of 525,000 soldiers.REUTERS CJ BD2345 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0400-594137.Xml The U.S. News Short List, separate from our overall rankings, is a regular series that magnifies individual data points in hopes of providing students and parents a way to find which undergraduate or graduate programs excel or have room to grow in specific areas. Be sure to explore The Short List: College, The Short List: Grad School and The Short List: Online Programs to find data that matter to you in your college or graduate school search. Not everyone finds their ideal college the first time around. For some students, transferring to another institution might be the best bet. More than a third of the 3.6 million students who entered college for the first time in fall 2008 ended up transferring to another institution at least once in the next six years, according to a 2015 report by the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center. Almost half of those students transferred more than once. [Learn 10 things prospective college transfer students need to know.] Data submitted to U.S. News by more than 1,170 schools show that colleges and universities had an average of 479 transfer students enroll in fall 2014. In that semester, a total of more than 563,000 students transferred to new schools. All 10 of the institutions that had the most transfer students in fall 2014 were located in Texas, California or Florida. The University of Central Florida topped the list of schools with the most transfer students, welcoming 6,299 in fall 2014. The University of Texas--Arlington -- which came in third in terms of total students who transferred in fall 2014 -- had the highest acceptance rate for transfer students among the 10 schools at 85.3 percent. [Consider how transferring schools can affect student loans.] In contrast, California State University--Long Beach accepted just 33.3 percent of the transfers who applied. That institution had the highest number of transfer applicants for fall 2014 at 26,464, with 3,833 ultimately enrolling. Story continues Below is a list of the 10 schools with the greatest numbers of enrolled transfer students in fall 2014. Unranked schools, which did not meet certain criteria required by U.S. News to be numerically ranked, were not considered for this report. * RNP denotes an institution that is ranked in the bottom one-fourth of its ranking category. U.S. News calculates a rank for the school but has decided not to publish it. Don't see your school in the top 10? Access the U.S. News College Compass to find transfer student data, complete rankings and much more. School officials can access historical data and rankings, including of peer institutions, via U.S. News Academic Insights. U.S. News surveyed nearly 1,800 colleges and universities for our 2015 survey of undergraduate programs. Schools self-reported myriad data regarding their academic programs and the makeup of their student body, among other areas, making U.S. News' data the most accurate and detailed collection of college facts and figures of its kind. While U.S. News uses much of this survey data to rank schools for our annual Best Colleges rankings, the data can also be useful when examined on a smaller scale. U.S. News will now produce lists of data, separate from the overall rankings, meant to provide students and parents a means to find which schools excel, or have room to grow, in specific areas that are important to them. While the data come from the schools themselves, these lists are not related to, and have no influence over, U.S. News' rankings of Best Colleges, Best Graduate Schools or Best Online Programs. The data on transfer students above are correct as of Feb. 16, 2016. Jordan Friedman is an online education editor at U.S. News. You can follow him on Twitter or email him at jfriedman@usnews.com. Earning a perfect score on the Advanced Placement calculus exam is extremely rare -- only 12 students did it last year. One of those test-takers was teen Cedrick Argueta, a student at Lincoln High School in Los Angeles. All of Argueta's classmates passed the test too -- an impressive feat -- and something his teacher Anthony Yom has achieved for three years, the Los Angeles Times reported this month. But Yom is not alone. Steve Kuninsky, an AP Biology teacher at the Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science and Technology in Lawrenceville, Georgia, also had all of his students taking the test pass last year. It's the first year it's happened in his 12 years of teaching the course, he says. "I know part of it is their responsibility, but I really look at those scores as an assessment of how I taught the class," he says. "I think that adds just a little bit of intensity and pressure to the teaching because you really want the kids to get it." AP teachers really need to know their subject, because of the depth of information covered in the course, he says, which requires a lot of preparation. High school AP teachers can use the following tips from other educators this spring to prepare their students for exams. -- Keep students motivated: Getting students through the course is a challenge for Kuninsky because there is so much to learn. [Get tips for high school teachers to keep second-term seniors motivated.] "It's a fine line between preparing the kids and overwhelming the kids," he says. His goal isn't to cover 100 percent of the content -- that would be impossible -- but to get through as much as he can, and teach what he does teach well. His goal is to challenge his students without overwhelming them. The nature of how he teaches the course helps with this, he says, as the content he teaches in the second semester is a little less intense. He also gives lots of pep talks that keep students' eyes on the prize, including the potential for college credit, and gives them feedback so they know they are doing well. Story continues "A lot of time in the spring I spend time making connections to what we've learned in the fall," Kuninsky says. He may incorporate content on genetics, for example, that was taught in the fall, in a spring lesson about evolution to show students how it all ties together. -- Practice test prep: Throughout the course Kuninsky also incorporates test-prep strategies, like writing, note-taking and summarizing. And he works to familiarize his students with the exam and how it is scored, he says. He may use questions from previous AP exams on tests he gives during the year. Teachers can find course descriptions, standards, released free-response questions and more on the College Board website. -- Leave several weeks for in-class review: Kuninsky tries to leave the last two to three weeks of the course before the test for review, including administering at least one in-class full-length practice test. To have the time to review, he needs to make a plan for what he is going to teach for the entire year in August. Sticking to her yearlong plan to teach the course can be challenging, especially when unexpected closures occur, says Kathy Palma, who teaches AP World History at Staten Island Technical High School in New York. Find out [how teachers make up for lost time after snow days.] She adds extra days into her teaching plans as a buffer when mapping out the year. Usually she'll use these days for a quiz, movie or something else supplemental, but if needed she can teach new material. Kuninsky likes to tell his students they don't need to worry about getting all the points possible. They just need at least 70 percent to be in good shape to earn a passing score. Have something of interest to share? Send your news to us at highschoolnotes@usnews.com. Alexandra Pannoni is an education Web producer at U.S. News. You can follow her on Twitter or email her at apannoni@usnews.com. Healthcare workers have confirmed Zika virus infections in 30 people in Puerto Rico since November, according to a new report. The first locally transmitted case of Zika was reported there in late December. The report gives a detailed account of how the mosquito-borne virus' has been moving around the Caribbean island, a U.S. territory with about 3.6 million people. The virus poses a significant concern to pregnant women, as it may lead to microcephaly (small head size) and other birth defects in their children. No cases of microcephaly have been reported in Puerto Rico that are possibly associated with Zika, the new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said. Doctors reported the first locally acquired Zika case in southeastern Puerto Rico on Dec. 31, 2015, according to the report, published by the CDC today (Feb. 12). [Zika Virus FAQs: Top Questions Answered] Increased surveillance helped health care workers diagnose 27 people as having laboratory-confirmed Zika infections from Nov. 25, 2015, to Jan. 28, 2016, the report said. A survey of these patients revealed that the vast majority (93 percent) live in eastern Puerto Rico, or the San Juan metropolitan area. Most of the people who became sick with the virus had a rash, muscle pain, joint pain and eye pain. Four of those patients needed to be hospitalized, the CDC said. In most people who become infected, the virus causes no symptoms, the CDC has said. One of the patients was a woman in her first trimester of pregnancy, according to the report. The first trimester is a crucial time for fetal brain development, Dr. Amesh Adalja, an infectious disease specialist and a senior associate at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center's Center for Health Security, told Live Science earlier this year. Another patient, who was among those hospitalized, developed Guillain-Barre Syndrome, the report said. The condition is an autoimmune disorder, and might be associated with the virus. Puerto Rico is home to Aedes aegypti,one of the species of mosquitos that carries Zika virus, so health officials expect the virus to spread throughout the island, the report said. To better monitor the virus, the Puerto Rico Department of Health and the CDC are asking doctors there to report all cases of suspected Zika virus, microcephaly and Guillain-Barre syndrome. Story continues There is no medication or vaccine to treat or prevent ZIka virus. But people can protect themselves from the virus by avoiding mosquito bites, which can be done by wearing long pants and long-sleeved shirts, using insect repellent containing DEET or picaridin, and covering their windows and doors with screens. The virus can also been found in the semen, urine and saliva of infected people, according to a 2015 study in the journal Emerging Infectious Diseases. The CDC has advised pregnant women to avoid travel to areas where the virus is spreading, and for men who travel to these areas and have a pregnant partner to either use condoms or abstain from sex until their partner gives birth. Follow Laura Geggel on Twitter @LauraGeggel. Follow Live Science @livescience, Facebook & Google+. Original article on Live Science. Copyright 2016 LiveScience, a Purch company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. When it comes to applying to business school, connecting with a school's admissions team can be a key part of the process. For prospective students, this connection often happens at admissions events. School representatives travel to Chicago, Denver and dozens of other cities to attend business school fairs where they can meet applicants. Aspiring MBAs can learn about curriculum offerings, class sizes and experiential learning, often without having to visit the school. For those who are able to travel, admissions staffers also host on-campus open houses throughout the year. While applicants can learn about a school online or through a brochure, there's an advantage to attending one of these meetups. "The dialogue that occurs is often much richer if you are present with somebody in person," says Kelly R. Wilson, executive director of masters admissions at Carnegie Mellon University's Tepper School of Business. "I can get a better sense for who a candidate is in person, I believe, than I can over the phone or via email." [Ask these questions as a female MBA applicant.] Prospective students can also use these occasions to learn key tips about how to boost their applications. Applicants often have five-minute, one-on-one chats with a member of a program's admissions team during school fairs and can use the time to learn how to improve their personal statements or other application components. Below, admissions experts outline four questions applicants should ask to make sure they're selling themselves to schools in the best way. 1. What's an appropriate length for a resume? Many MBA programs prefer applicants work for a few years before applying and like to see resumes with a certain look. "I would say no more than two pages for their resume," says Stephan Kolodiy, a senior admissions officer for the business school at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey--Newark and New Brunswick. "Sometimes we get a resume that's five to six pages long, and that's way too much information," says Kolodiy, who works for the Office of Graduate Admissions. Story continues Applicants can also inquire about which work experiences to list. "They can ask how far back should they go in regards to listing their professional experiences, and that all depends on how long they've been working," Kolodiy says. "Every applicant is a little different, so that could be something that we discuss during the course of the conversation." 2. What is the strength of your program? Every school has something that it considers brag worthy, says Jim Deranek, director of admissions for MBA programs at the University of Arizona's Eller College of Management. Applicants can use what a school representative says is the program's strength in a letter of recommendation. If an applicant learns that a school is especially proud of its offerings in marketing, for example, he or she should share this information with the letter writer. "A lot of times, subconsciously, they'll include that in the recommendation," he says. Applicants can also mention these strengths in an application essay, Deranek says. 3. How can I meet others connected with the program, such as current students or faculty? Even as an applicant, it's important to build relationships with people from the school, says Wilson from Tepper. "When they write their essays, they want to be able to demonstrate their fit," she says. Applicants should ask about opportunities to interact with current students, alumni or staff, she says. "You can't determine whether or not you believe you'll thrive in an environment if you haven't experienced that at some level," says Wilson. "Our second essay question is related to how do you see yourself as a contributing member as a student and also as an alum. And that really sets up the opportunity for them to kind of speak to the aspects of the program that resonate with them. And then a good follow-up or an example could be relating something they talked to the student about, relevant to that particular issue that resonates with them." The admissions committee wants to understand how applicants see themselves being a driving member of the community, Wilson says. [Determine when the time is right for an MBA.] 4. How can I address a possible weakness in my application? Sometimes applicants have a low GMAT score or other perceived academic shortcomings that could affect their chance of admissions, says Wilson. An admissions event is a good time to get specific direction on how to work around this issue, she says. Prospective students who graduated from college many years back and had low grades might be advised to take classes to demonstrate how they currently perform in an academic setting, she says. If a school allows applicants to submit an optional essay, that's another opportunity to address a red mark on their record, says Kolodiy. At Rutgers, prospective students can submit an optional essay on any topic they like, in addition to completing one of the required essays. "That optional essay can be a personal statement," he says. "They can address anything they want us to know." If applicants want to explain a bad semester in college or a gap in employment, this essay is their opportunity, he says. "I love reading the optional essays. I often learn more about the candidate in that than I do in the regular essay question," Kolodiy says. Asking more is better than asking less at admissions events, but experts say certain questions should never be said out loud. "Things that can be easily found online, on our website," says Amy Lum, a second-year, full-time MBA student at Rutgers who's pitched in with a number of the school's admissions-related events. "What's the average GMAT?" or "When is the application due?" are not the questions applicants should ask, she says. Searching for a business school? Get our complete rankings of Best Business Schools. Delece Smith-Barrow is an education reporter at U.S. News, covering graduate schools. You can follow her on Twitter or email her at dsmithbarrow@usnews.com. BEIRUT (Reuters) - U.S.-led air strikes killed at least 15 people on Tuesday when they hit a bakery in the city of Shadadi in northeastern Syria near the border with Iraq, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. Rami Abdulrahman, who runs the British-based monitoring group, said all of those killed were civilians who gathered outside the bakery at dawn to buy bread. "They carried out several air strikes inside Shadadi and around it. But the 15 were killed because of a strike on the bakery inside the city," he said. Al-Shadadi is a logistics hub for the Islamic State group, located on a network of highways and whose capture would isolate Raqqa, the defacto capital of the hardline group. Reuters could not independently confirm the report. (Reporting by Mariam Karouny; Editing by Angus MacSwan) A person with a metal detector has discovered a 1,800-year-old copper brooch, engraved with the letters "RMA," on the Isle of Wight in the United Kingdom. It contains wordplay that is, quite literally, "lovely," scientists have found. The letters on the brooch, which dates to a time when the Roman Empire controlled Britain, contain different meanings depending on how they are read. When read left to right, the letters form a monogram for "Roma," the name of Rome and its deity. "Roma may be identified as Dea Roma, the deity personifying the city of Rome," researchers wrote in a paper set to be published in the journal Lucerna. However, when read from right to left, the same letters form the monogram for "Amor," the Latin name for Cupid, the god of love. "The palindrome Roma-Amor was widely recognised and played on in antiquity," the researchers noted, referring to the fact that the word can be read backward or forward to spell the same phrase. [6 Most Tragic Love Stories in History] There's yet another possible meaning. If the person who wore this brooch also wore a second brooch containing the monogram for Mars, the god of war, the full meaning of the two brooches combined could be "Rome, (city) of Mars" or "Rome, beloved of Mars," the researchers wrote. The different meanings could serve to "perplex the viewer and thus deflect the risk of ill-fortune directed by a malign gaze," the researchers wrote. The brooch was found by a person using a metal detector in December 2015. The discovery was reported to the Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS), which keeps records of such finds. Worn by a Roman soldier? In ancient times, "the brooch was probably attached to a tunic or cloak," using a pin, said Sally Worrell, one of the paper's authors and a national finds adviser with PAS. The wearer of the brooch may have been a Roman soldier or veteran, the researchers said in the paper, noting that similar brooches have been found in Roman military garrisons in southern Germany and eastern Europe. Story continues Although no Roman garrison has been identified so far on the Isle of Wight, researchers say it's possible that Roman soldiers traveled to the island, while Roman veterans could have settled on it. Metal find In England and Wales, it's legal for amateurs to use metal detectors to find artifacts, as long as they have permission from the landowner and they avoid archaeological sites that have been granted protection by the government. Certain finds (such as those made of precious metal) must be reported to antiquities authorities. While the use of metal detectors by amateurs is legal, it is a controversial practice; some professional archaeologists say it can damage archaeological sites. It's not known if the finder of the brooch will donate it to a museum. Follow Live Science @livescience, Facebook & Google+. Original article on Live Science. Copyright 2016 LiveScience, a Purch company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. By Nick Carey (Reuters) - Union leaders at an air conditioner factory in Indianapolis threatened with losing 1,400 jobs to Mexico said on Tuesday the plant's owner expects to pay Mexican workers $3 an hour compared to an average of more than $20 an hour for the U.S. workers. "We haven't given up the fight yet," said Chuck Jones, president of the United Steelworkers union local that represents workers at the Carrier Corp plant. "But Carrier has pretty well indicated that the wage differential is too great and there's not much we can do." A spokeswoman for Carrier, a unit of United Technologies Corp , said the company pays a "competitive wage" based on local conditions and could not discuss pay levels. Union and Carrier officials were locked in talks on Tuesday as a political storm raged around them. The announcement last week from Carrier that it would shift 1,400 jobs from Indianapolis and 700 from another plant in Huntington, Indiana to Monterrey, Mexico starting in 2017 prompted Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump to say he would tax Carrier air conditioning units for moving to Mexico. Local leader Jones said it was "helpful to have anyone talking about job losses" but added that Trump has said auto workers get paid too much. Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders has been more consistent on the dangers of trade deals and corporate greed, he said. Carrier is one of many U.S. manufacturers moving jobs to Mexico. However, videos of a company official delivering the news to the Indianapolis plant's stunned work force, posted on YouTube, provided a vivid look at the pain and anger such decisions cause. Indiana's Republican Governor Mike Pence said in a statement on Monday he was "profoundly disappointed" in Carrier's move and offered retraining support for the workers who will be laid off. Democratic Indianapolis council member Zach Adamson said he has told the heating company that services his house he does not want Mexican-made Carrier products, and said the city should try to "claw back the incentives and benefits they have received to be here," he added. Story continues Abby Gras, Indiana Economic Development Corporation spokeswoman, said incentives contracts for Carrier and UTC are still active, "meaning they must remain compliant and maintain a certain number of jobs for Hoosiers throughout that contract." "Closing a facility would also result in non-compliance," she said. (Reporting By Nick Carey) By Zandi Shabalala JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - Anglo American said on Tuesday it plans to sell its iron ore, coal and nickel units as part of a sweeping strategic overhaul to cope with a commodities rout that has triggered a fight for survival even among heavyweight miners. The global mining group plans to concentrate on its De Beers diamond business as well as platinum and copper assets. Anglo wants to raise as much as $4 billion from the sale of assets in 2016 to cut net debt to under $10 billion by the end of the year. "We are taking decisive action to sustainably improve our cash flows and materially reduce net debt, while focusing on our most competitive assets, said Anglo Chief Executive Mark Cutifani. The global commodity rout, which has seen crude oil and copper prices hit multi-year lows, has forced Anglo and rivals to sell assets and cut dividends and capital spending to preserve cash and reduce debt. However, analysts said it might be hard to find buyers for assets in the current circumstances. "We suggested in May last year that Anglo should exit its iron ore portfolio, sadly it is now doing so in a considerably weaker commodity price environment," Investec said in a note. Ratings agency Moody's on Monday downgraded Anglo further into "junk" territory, citing expected lower commodity prices and doubts over how long it would take the company to pay down debt. Anglo said underlying earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) fell 55 percent to $2.2 billion, but that was better than a $1.5 billion estimate in Thomson Reuters poll of analysts. Anglo has already suspended its dividend. The company booked a $5.7 billion impairment on assets due to worsening market conditions. Rival Rio Tinto last week broke with its policy of raising dividends after slumping to a net loss for 2015. ASSET SALES Anglo's Johannesburg-listed shares fell 5 percent to 84.89 rand, reversing earlier gains in volatile trade. The stock fell 8 percent in London. Anglo, the world's number five mining company by value, also plans to scale down its capital expenditure this year to less than $3.0 billion, 25 percent lower than 2015. Anglo owns about 70 percent of Kumba Iron Ore (KIO), Africa's biggest miner of the steel-making ingredient, which is valued at $4.6 billion, according to Thomson Reuters data. Anglo said it had begun a review to consider options to exit from KIO. Battered by softer commodity prices due to a supply glut and a slowdown in demand from top consumer China, KIO is cutting jobs and closing mines to stay afloat. Its share price has dropped by 90 percent from 2013 peaks. The company also said it would review its options on ill-fated Rio-Minas iron ore project in Brazil after three years. Anglo is considering the sale of its nickel and coal assets in addition to previously announced sale of the niobium and phosphates businesses. (Writing by Tiisetso Motsoeneng; Editing James Macharia and Keith Weir) Among scientists and in the media, anti-vaxers have earned a certain reputation. They just dont know something, or theyre anti-science, or theres just something pathological about them, as Mark Largent, a professor at Michigan State University and the author of Vaccine: The Debate in Modern America, characterized it. There is near-consensus among researchers that widespread immunization is crucial for children and American public health. Yet, according to Largent, 40 percent of American parents have either refused or delayed a recommended vaccine for one of their kids. The question is: Why? In Largents view, the answer has to do with imbalances of power. Many parents feel helpless and overwhelmed within a dysfunctional health-care system, he argued; on an average vaccine schedule, kids may get up to 25 inoculations in their first 18 months, and up to six in a single doctors visit. In interviews with people who seek out waivers in Michigan, he and his colleagues found that vaccine-skeptical parents show tremendously high trust in medical communities, he said. Who dont they trust? The feds, and pharma. This research, along with rhetoric from recent political fights, suggests some parents may feel uncertain about vaccines partly because theyre skeptical of pharmaceutical companies, whose profit motives mix with their vaccine-promotion campaigns. And while state governments can mandate immunization, this may end up pushing parents away from the public-school system if they feel that regulations are forcing them to make certain decisions about their childrens health. Vaccine anxiety also has to do with the monolithic power of science as a source of cultural authority. When anti-vaxers mount massive protests against immunization laws, as they did recently in California, its an easy out to characterize their motives as a lack of intelligence or a generalized hostility toward science. But as Largent said to a room full of scientists during the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science this weekend, You need to understand your own position. You think you do, but unless youve done a tremendous amount of psychotherapy, you really dont. You are an intensely privileged group of people. You receive tremendous amounts of funding from the economic system, from the political system. You are revered. You have more cultural, social, and economic authority than probably any other group as a group, besides some very, very, very wealthy people. You guys are it. You possess the wheel of the largest and most powerful institution thats ever existedthats modern science. Youre the hegemon. When you forget that and think, Oh, Im just this embattled scientist, constantly under fire, its like, yeah, I understand that youre being harassed, but its because you have so much power and authority. To put it another way, doctors and medical researchers have a lot of control over what happens to peoples kids. These scientists have training and expertise thats inaccessible to the general public, and the way they use their knowledge can define a childs health and life. Faced with this imbalance of power and information, who can blame parents for being nervous and striking out on the Internet for a second opinion? Recommended: The Secret to Love Is Just Kindness This dynamic plays out differently across disciplines. Modern science, as Largent put it, isnt a monolith of authority; its institutions and practitioners have a wide rage of motivations and roles in modern culture. Likewise, not all science skepticism is alike. Parents who are nervous about vaccines dont necessarily share the reasoning of climate-change opponents or GMO protesters. They also dont necessarily share the same demographic profile. On average, immunization opponents are relatively well-educated, upper middle class, Protestant, and married. Protests and public opposition tend to be led by mothers, rather than fathers. And theyre often relatively older parentsthose over 40 tend to be particularly concerned about the possible effects of vaccines, according to Largent. All of this matters for shaping public policy. State governments, health departments, and researchers have tried various approaches, including all-out bans on non-medical waivers, as in California, or alternative modes of counselingshowing parents gnarly pictures of kids with the measles, making conversations on vaccines more consultative, that sort of thing. All of these approaches have their downsides, but Largent pointed to one glimmer of success. In Michigan, the number of non-medical vaccination waivers reportedly fell by 39 percent in 2015, following a new mandate requiring parents to go through one-on-one counseling sessions with a county official before they can get an exemption. Most parents who go through the counseling dont change their minds, he said; the difference comes from those parents who dont bother attending the sessions. Largent believes this success is a result of compromise: Passionately anti-vaccine parents feel like they have a way out of immunizing their kids, but the state has an effective way of discouraging less dogged parents from opting out. And knowing who parents trust matters. Thats why, he said, public-health organizations have to decouple vaccine efforts from pharmaceutical companies. I dont want Merck talking about the value of vaccines. Just be quiet. Stop putting Pfizer on your board when youre doing a local vaccine effort. Recommended: A Hospital Paralyzed by Hackers Empathizing with vaccine-skeptical parents is not the same as equivocation. From a public-health standpoint, parents should get their kids immunized against diseases. But Largents argument is that public-health efforts are more humane, and likely more effective, when theyre undertaken with an eye toward the feelings of powerlessness that can come along with these kinds of medical decisions. Vaccinology has nothing to learn from anti-vaxers, Largent said to me after the session. But medicine is an art, not a science. Engaging with anti-vaxers may help you understand how to do medicine better. Read more from The Atlantic: This article was originally published on The Atlantic. Aereo might be finished, but FilmOn is still fighting for the right to stream television programming. On Tuesday, however, FilmOn suffered a new setback when the 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed rulings that found the company and its founder, Alki David, in civil contempt, sanctioned the company $90,000 and awarded about $115,000 in plaintiffs' legal fees for violating an injunction. The dispute dates back six years. In 2010, FilmOn actually beat Aereo to the market of delivering broadcast television to consumers' digital devices. Initially, FilmOn argued that it qualified for a compulsory license under section 111 of copyright law, but after another company called ivi was unsuccessful in making this same argument, FilmOn decided to deploy an Aereo-like technology called the "teleporter system" that was akin to a remote-storage DVR technology blessed by the 2nd Circuit. Then, the Supreme Court ruled against Aereo by likening the much-publicized upstart to an unlicensed cable operator. Aereo and FilmOn took different paths after the high court's decision in June 2014. Aereo would stop its service and eventually sell off its assets while FilmOn trucked on, returning to the argument that a compulsory license was in order in light of what the Supreme Court said and what the FCC was considering. Last year, FilmOn found some success in a California court while losing in the District of Columbia. Those cases are now on appeal. Meanwhile, the 2nd Circuit had to figure out what to do about an injunction that was previously imposed on FilmOn at the beginning stages of the dispute. David's company argued that the injunction was unclear and ambiguous and that the Supreme Court's ruling created confusion over the issue of compulsory licenses (which is one advantage given to cable operators). "FilmOns arguments are unpersuasive," writes 2nd Circuit judge Peter Hall. "Regarding Section 111, we note that at no point in time has FilmOn obtained a Section 111 license. Although at some point in the future FilmOns technology may eventually qualify for a Section 111 license, under the current law of the Second Circuit 'Internet retransmission services do not constitute cable systems under 111.' And whatever future door Aereo III may have opened regarding Section 111 licensing, there is no doubt that the Supreme Courts holding explicitly slammed shut the possibility that FilmOn could continue deploying the Teleporter System throughout the Second Circuit, absent a license, without violating the Copyright Act." Story continues The 2nd Court also rules the district judge wasn't in error by finding that there is clear and convincing proof of noncompliance and that FilmOn could have attempted to petition the court for modification of the injunction, but didn't. Further, the sanctions award is deemed an appropriate attempt to get FilmOn to comply. The opinion states, "Irrespective of whether FilmOn will eventually qualify for a Section 111 license, the fact that it applied for a license is not evidence that it acted in a reasonable manner under the circumstances." Here's the full opinion. When Syrian national Eliea Abboud enrolled in the University of Balamand, it was a family affair. His whole family, sisters included, traveled to neighboring Lebanon to drop him off at the school to begin his studies. "My father suggested to me to study outside Syria. Since I'm the only guy in the family, my parents did not want me to go far," says Abboud, who is pursuing a bachelor's degree in business administration with a concentration in finance. Most Arab region universities expect and encourage parent and family involvement in a student's academic life. The families of Arab international students naturally have many concerns and questions for school administrators. From admissions to enrollment and the entire academic experience, parents who want to get involved can find many programs and services to address their needs. [Find out the factors to consider when choosing a university in the Arab region.] At Zayed University in the United Arab Emirates, for example, parents of Arab international students are welcomed with open arms. Roslyn Trezevant Haley, an associate professor and director of undergraduate student academic success, says the university's parent orientation programs include parent night, new student orientation, and student success and academic advising sessions for both parents and students to attend. Ongoing family support programs and sessions are offered every semester in both English and Arabic, and individual appointments are available upon request. Haley says last semester the university started the Student Success Off-Campus Learning Community for female students, which provides parent-student activities on weekends and evenings. She says these activities outside of campus give parents additional opportunities to see their children's academic progress. "It also gives mothers who are traveling to Dubai an opportunity to relax with their daughters in a lovely environment where academic support programs are facilitated and where they can also participate in student support workshops for parents and their students," Haley said via email. Examples include student art exhibitions and faculty lectures. Story continues Before Abboud's big send-off, his first visit to the campus of the University of Balamand started with his father Saadeh. They were invited to visit the campus to participate in orientation along with other parents and students. "First off, I went to the dean of admissions and registration, Dr. Walid Moubayed. He welcomed us in a very good way. Then he started telling us more about the university's past and future," says Saadeh, who received help from the staff to register his son. "Then we met the dean of student affairs, Dr. Tony Gergess. He welcomed us and told me many interesting things about the university." Since returning to Syria, Saadeh says he has not received any correspondence or invitations from the school, adding, "maybe because I am far away from the university." But he says his son keeps him up to date. [Don't make these mistakes when choosing a university in the Arab region.] While some parental involvement ends at orientation, some continues throughout the school year. Yemeni national Hala Hezam says her aunt plays a major role in her academic life at the University of Wollongong in Dubai, where Hezam is studying human resources. For both her and older sister Huda, her aunt visited the campus; handled the entire admissions process, including scheduling the International English Language Testing System, or IELTS test, and following up on transcripts; took part in orientation; helped with choice of major; and more. "When I went they answered my questions," says her aunt, Mai Hezam. "I dropped off the transcripts and they were welcoming and polite and answered all my questions every time." Recently Mai made an appointment with Hala's major adviser to coordinate subjects for her to graduate in the summer, as some subjects are only offered later, in the fall. She discussed Hala's options with the adviser, including the possibility of taking classes at another university. "They were very helpful and until this moment if I have an inquiry or question they answer me or if I ask to meet anyone they accept," says Mai. In general, universities in the Arab region seek to accommodate parents and address their concerns. Some universities, like Georgetown University School of Foreign Service in Qatar, have sections on their websites entirely devoted to parents, containing everything from admissions events to vocational counseling. Each year, the school invites newly admitted students and their families to an on-campus event where parents can "meet everyone from deans to peer tutors and tour our campus, residence halls and tour Qatar itself," says Moamar Qazafi, a spokesman for the university. Canadian University Dubai encourages parents to be involved in their child's education beginning with an open house that introduces prospective students to the university's programs and student life, says Christophe Savard, chief advancement officer. He says prior regional student recruitment events like the Gulf Education and Training Exhibition and Najah exhibitions, geared toward prospective students, also give parents a chance to interact with university staff. Savard says the university has "a very strong culture of community engagement," which encourages family members to participate in campus events like exhibitions, special performances, guest lectures, cultural activities and special award ceremonies celebrating student accomplishments in internal and external competitions. [Learn about the growth of extracurriculars at Arab region universities.] He says that parents have access to guidance and support from the admissions, registration, student services and academic teams, addressing concerns ranging from transferring to one of the school's partner institutions in Canada to accessing scholarships for those facing financial hardship. University of Balamand student Abboud jokes that after his family "delivered" him to campus, they promptly returned to Syria without him -- but he feels the school was the best choice for him. His father says he's happy that his son is studying at the university and while he -- and the entire family -- may not always have the opportunity for on-campus visits, he feels his son is in good hands. See the complete rankings of the Best Arab Region Universities. Anayat Durrani is a Los Angeles-based freelance education reporter for U.S. News, covering Arab region universities. Warsaw (AFP) - The Auschwitz museum on Tuesday launched a multi-lingual computer application that writers can use to avoid the mistake of referring to Nazi German death camps as being "Polish". Warsaw routinely requests corrections when global media or politicians describe as "Polish" former death camps like Auschwitz set up by Nazi Germany in occupied Poland during World War II. The move comes after Poland's new right-wing government proposed jail terms of up to five years for anyone who refers to Nazi death camps as Polish. Even if used as a geographical indicator, Poles insist the term can give the impression that they bore some responsibility for the Holocaust. US President Barack Obama used the term in 2012 and later expressed "regret". Dubbed "Remember", the application is intended "to help avoid the use of the term 'Polish concentration camps' or 'Polish death camps' in 16 languages," according to a statement issued by the Auschwitz state museum in Oswiecim, southern Poland on Tuesday. Poland was attacked and occupied by Nazi Germany in World War II and was among the hardest hit by the conflict, losing six million of its citizens between 1939 and 1945, including three million Jews in the Holocaust. The application works as an add-on to Microsoft Word and Apple text editors and is available at: https://correctmistakes.auschwitz.org/ Two Chinese Uighurs Tuesday denied involvement in a deadly shrine bombing in the Thai capital, and a lawyer said one had been beaten up and threatened with deportation to force an earlier confession. Investigators had also compelled Bilal Mohammed to dress up and wear a wig so he resembled a CCTV image of the prime suspect in the blast, according to a statement issued on his behalf. Mohammed, also known as Adem Karadag, and Yusufu Mieraili arrived barefoot, handcuffed and shackled at their plea hearing in a military court. A judge read charges including premeditated murder and possession of illegal weapons to the pair through a Uighur translator. Both said they were not guilty of the bombing charges, although Mohammed -- the suspected bomber -- admitted one charge of entering the country illegally. "I'm not guilty... but I've been in prison for six months," a disconsolate-looking Mieraili added. The August 17 bomb killed 20 people and wounded scores more at a Bangkok shrine popular with ethnic Chinese tourists. A convincing motive has yet to be established for an attack that dented Thailand's key tourist industry and spread fear through a politically febrile country that is under military rule. But speculation of a link to Thailand's deportation of Uighur migrants to China a month before the bombing has refused to die down. Police say the pair initially admitted their roles in the bombing. But Mohammed's lawyer told reporters his client had only confessed after torture and threats of deportation to China, where he feared his life would be in danger. Mohammed, 31 a Chinese citizen from the Uighur ethnic minority, is accused of being the man seen in CCTV footage wearing a yellow T-shirt and placing a backpack at the Erawan shrine moments before the explosion. Mieraili, 26 and also a Chinese Uighur, is accused of delivering the backpack bomb. - Motive a mystery - National police chief Chakthip Chaijinda said it was the "defendants' right" to retract their earlier confessions but rejected any suggestions these were obtained under duress. Story continues "We have witnesses and clear evidence to prosecute them," he told reporters. Mohammed was arrested in late August in a block of flats in a Bangkok suburb. Photographs released at the time showed him surrounded by bomb-making paraphernalia and dozens of fake Turkish passports. Shortly after the arrest, his lawyer Schoochart Kanpai told reporters that Mohammed admitted carrying out the bombing on the orders of an apparent mastermind -- one of more than a dozen suspects, both foreign and Thai, still at large. But on Tuesday he said his client had in fact only arrived in Thailand four days after the bombing, having bribed border guards with $600 to enter from Laos. A statement issued by his lawyer on Mohammed's behalf said the Uighur was taken by a people-smuggler to the Bangkok flat where he was arrested a week later. During questioning he was allegedly punched, blindfolded by investigators and told he "would be handed over to the Chinese government" unless he confessed to being the bomber in the yellow shirt. In the statement Mohammed said he was photographed after being forced to wear a wig, glasses and a yellow shirt to make him look like the prime suspect, whose image was circulated across the country. Mystery still surrounds the motive for the attack, in which the majority of the dead were ethnic Chinese tourists. Speculation has centred on a link to militants or supporters of the Uighurs, an ethnic group who say they face severe persecution in China, after Thailand forcibly repatriated 109 of the minority last July. Thai authorities have rejected the theory that the bomb was a revenge attack for the deportations. Instead investigators have stuck to the line that it was carried out by a people-smuggling gang angered by a crackdown on its business. Until Tuesday's hearing the case had largely dropped off the news cycle, easing the pressure on authorities to arrest further suspects despite fears of a bungled investigation. Police awarded themselves a $84,000 reward after the arrest of Mohammed, even though he had not even been charged at the time. BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Belgian prosecutors have charged three of 10 people detained earlier on Tuesday on suspicion of operating a recruitment ring for militant group Islamic State. Belgium has been at the heart of investigations into the Nov. 13 attacks in Paris in which 130 people were killed as four of the suicide bombers had either been living in Belgium or were Belgian-Moroccans. The country has one of the highest per capita rates of participation in militant groups such as Islamic State in Syria and Iraq. Prosecutors said one woman in her thirties, named as Marianna A., and two men in their twenties, Azzeddine K. and Mohamed O., - have been placed under arrest. Seven others detained in raids on homes where prosecutors seized computers and mobile phones as part of an investigation into people having left to join the Islamic State in Syria, have been released. (Reporting by Robert-Jan Bartunek and Alissa de Carbonnel) Although its theatrical release was cancelled following the Nov. 13 Paris attacks, Nicolas Boukhriefs terrorist-themed thriller Inside the Cell has attracted a wide range of distributors. WTFilms, which reps international rights, has now sold the movie to Canada (Axia), Germany (Universum), U.K. (Soda), Korea (Blue Brick), China (Quick E), Israel (Ibex), Greece (Odeon), Middle East (Italia), Scandi (Njuta) and Eastern Europe (HBO). The movie was previously sold to Belgium (Cineart), Latin America (California), Turkey (Mars) and Greece (Odeon). Inside the Cell, which deals with the religious indoctrination of French youths from diverse backgrounds and their path into terrorism, was penned and directed by Boukhrief before the January 2015 Charlie Hebdo attacks. Pic follows a journalist who infiltrates a terrorist cell in Paris and befriends four men who are plotting a deadly assault in the French city. Seeming eerily prophetic, the movies poster, which showed a large Kalashnikov rifle against a picture of the Eiffel Tower, were on the display across Paris the day of the 2015 attacks at the Bataclan and other venues in the French capital. After its initial theatrical release on Nov. 18 was pulled, the movie was pushed back twice, before eventually coming out on VOD on Jan. 29. WTFilms slate also includes The Eavesdropper with Francois Cluzet and Alba Rohrwacher. Related stories Berlin: Nobel-Prize-Winning Egyptian Novelist Naguib Mahfouz's 'Wedding Song' Set For TV Skein Adaptation Berlin: U.K.'s Picturehouse Acquires Anne Fontaine's 'The Innocents' Magnolia Takes U.S. Rights to Alex Gibney's 'Zero Days' It was a tale of two markets during the first five days of the Berlin International Film Festival, with three big domestic deals creating lots of heat while the international sales side remained relatively cool and quiet. The frenzy began as sales agents and buyers were touching down in Berlin for the market on Feb. 9 when EuropaCorp scooped up U.S. rights to James Ponsoldts tech-world drama-thriller The Circle starring Tom Hanks and Emma Watson. CAA and UTA were planning on showing seven minutes of footage during EFM, but EuropaCorp chose to aggressively buy it for about $10 million without seeing the promo. Read More: EFM's Rising Value of the "Gray Dollar": Aging Stars Driving Hot Projects CAA had one of its busiest festivals in recent memory, also closing the two other splashy domestic deals: Jeff Nichols Loving and George Clooneys Suburbicon. Both directors were in town for the fest (Clooney with the Coen Brothers Hail, Caesar! and Nichols with his sci-fi competition film Midnight Special), so they were able to woo buyers during CAAs presentations. Paramount scooped up U.S. rights for Suburbicon in a huge $10 million pact on Friday. Sources say the studio had considered buying the crime comedy for the world, but instead just took domestic rights, which allowed Bloom to sell off international in what was one of the richest deals at EFM. "Theres an appetite for these big movies with strong commercial appeal," says CAAs Roeg Sutherland. "Plus, its the time of year when distributors are looking to fill their slates for fall." After CAA showed eight minutes of footage from Loving, which stars Joel Edgerton and Ruth Negga as a Virginia couple who are imprisoned because of their interracial marriage, a bidding war among U.S. distributors resulted in Focus acquiring North American rights for $9 million. The buy was Focus' first since Peter Schlessel left the company, which is turning its attention to specialty films, as it did under previous chief James Schamus. However, it turns out Focus didnt made the biggest bid. Sources say Amazon had actually offered more, but the filmmakers went with Focus, known for its success with prestige films. Story continues Read More: Berlin: Buyers Looking for Laughs With A-List Comedies Entering the festival, insiders wondered if Amazon and Netflix would be as aggressive as they had been at Sundance, but so far that hasnt been the case. Sources say Amazon has been bidding on projects, but some filmmakers are unsure about its model, which involves partnering with a theatrical distributor. When Amazon scooped up Kenneth Lonergans Manchester by the Sea at Sundance for $10 million, a theatrical partner was not in place, and one has yet to be announced. In contrast, the international playing field has been significantly slower, with hardly any deals announced by the end of the first weekend, normally the busiest time at the market. People are hungry and ready to buy, but theyre hungry and ready to buy the right stuff," says Bloom's Alex Walton. Theres enough caution around the world that if its not the right stuff, theyre not going to buy out of desperation." While there are likely to be other international sales before the end of the week including bigger deals on the David Oyelowo-Rosamund Pike starrer A United Kingdom and Steven Soderberghs hillbilly heist film Logan Lucky most international players agree its been slower than they had hoped. Still, sales agents say that the need for product will result in some good business before the festival wraps. "It feels like buyers are being conservative," says Highland Film Group COO and co-founder Delphine Perrier, "but I think at this market, there's been an advantage for projects that may not at first seem very commercial, because weve seen that unique films like Ex Machina and Room are able to come out into the world and make money." See More: The Scene at Berlin Film Festival BERLIN Felix Herngrens Swedish blockbuster The 100-Year Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared is set to make a comeback on the bigscreen with a sequel. Repped in international markets by Studiocanal, the $9.1 million 100-Year Old Man is the highest-grossing Swedish film of all time, grossing $50 million worldwide. The second opus, The 100-Year Old Man 2 will be directed by Herngren and his brother, who is also a director, Mans Herngren (Adam & Eva). Swedish shingles Nice Drama and FLX Pictures are back on board to produce the movie. Malte Forssell is producing with Pontus Edgren and Mikael Wallen exec producing. Based on Jonas Jonassons bestselling novel which has sold 5 million copies in 35 territories, the Swedish-language quirky adventure comedy has often been described as reminiscent of Forrest Gump. It centers on a centenarian who escapes his nursing home to embark on a journey around the world. Penned by Hans Ingemansson, the sequel picks up one year after the first film ends, with Allan Karlsson the 100-year-old man and his friends still in Bali. Allan embarks on another journey across the world and back to Sweden, where he chased by the CIA, a Balinese debt collector and an executive of a soft drink company in Southern Sweden. Pic will be shot this summer in Indonesia, Moscow, Berlin and Sweden for an expected release on Christmas Day. The producers, who are attending the EFM, are in talks with Disney Nordic for Scandinavian distribution, TeleMunchen for Germany and Austria, and Wild Bunch in Benelux. The company is also in negotiations with Studiocanal for international sales rights and distribution rights for France, U.K. and Australia. The 100-Year Old Man is nominated for a makeup and hairstyling Oscar, up against Mad Max: Fury Road and The Revenant. Related stories Berlin: Buyers Lock Up Terrorist-Themed 'Cell' (EXCLUSIVE) Berlin: Loco Films' 'Battle of Sevastopol' Conquers EFM Buyers (EXCLUSIVE) Dogwoof Acquires International Rights to Sundance Winner 'Life, Animated' (EXCLUSIVE) Berlin (AFP) - One of France's most high-profile directors, Rachid Bouchareb, has turned his camera on the appeal of jihad to a generation of young Europeans, in a picture screening at this week's Berlin film festival. "The Road to Istanbul" tells the story of Elisabeth, a mother in Belgium whose 20-year-old daughter Elodie runs away from home to join fighters from the Islamic State group in Syria. Elisabeth suspects nothing until a police inspector shows her a Facebook page on which her daughter recalls her conversion to Islam. "I found my way," Elodie, played by Pauline Burlet, says into the camera. Elisabeth thinks that Elodie is at a friend's house to study, only to learn that she has gone to Cyprus bound for Turkey, from where she will cross the border into Syria, joined by Kader, a young man she says she loves. "It's like she's hit by a strong uppercut," the actress who plays Elisabeth, Astrid Whettnall, told reporters, explaining the impact of Elodie's sudden transformation. Thousands of young European Muslims and converts have travelled to Syria and Iraq to wage jihad. Belgium is the European country that has produced the most jihadist fighters relative to its population size, with some 500 believed to have gone to fight in the Middle East. Bouchareb, a Franco-Algerian filmmaker best known for the groundbreaking 2006 drama "Days of Glory" (Indigenes) about north Africans serving in the French army during World War II, said he had sought to closely examine a woman "completely shattered" by what happens to her family. He worked closely with prominent Algerian author Yasmina Khadra on the screenplay and met with parents who had lost children to Islamic radicalism. Bouchareb's 2009 "London River" offered a dramatic account of radical conversion in the context of the 7/7 jihadist public transport bombings in London four years before. - 'God is with me' - Story continues Living in an idyllic spot in the Belgian countryside, Elisabeth tries to work out how she as a parent could have allowed Elodie to stray so far from the path she had imagined for her. She attends a conference for parents who have faced similar situations. "The important thing is to stay in contact (with Elodie) -- Facebook, Skype, mobile phone, friends, anything is good," she hears. Elisabeth manages to reestablish a connection to Elodie but is shocked to hear the steely determination in the girl's voice when she tells her mother via Skype about her new "brothers and sisters". "God is with me -- do not worry," she tells her, her head covered in a black veil. Devastated, Elisabeth ignores the risks and decides she will travel herself to the chaotic and violent region to try to bring her daughter back. Bouchareb said he was fascinated by the internal conflict of the mother, who has to swallow her anger and confusion to try to reestablish a bond with her wayward daughter. Asked about how Europe could effectively tackle the problem, he told reporters that he saw "a huge need to understand so that we may act". French Prime Minister Manuel Valls, when speaking about the November jihadist attacks in Paris, had claimed there was no "social, sociological or cultural explanation" behind them. But Bouchareb called on scholars to examine "why our youth are leaving" and look for compelling reasons to keep them at home. The Berlin film festival runs until Sunday. HARARE (Reuters) - Zimbabwean civil aviation authorities found the body of a suspected stowaway on a U.S.-registered cargo plane carrying cash for the South African Reserve Bank, the airline and South Africa's ambassador in Harare said on Monday. The MD11 cargo plane, owned by Florida-based Western Global Airlines, had stopped to refuel at Harare's domestic airport on Sunday when the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe (CAAZ) discovered the body and impounded the plane. South Africa's ambassador to Zimbabwe Vusi Mavimbela told Reuters six crew and a few officials from the South African central bank were onboard. "Unfortunately there was a stowaway that was found on the plane and (Zimbabwe) authorities are trying to get to the bottom of the issue," he said. "Where did the person get in there? When and how? Because the crew and the Reserve Bank authorities who were there accompanying the cargo were not aware," he said. Police said investigations were under way but declined to provide details. It was not immediately clear what had happened to the plane's crew. State-owned television ZBC TV said they included two Americans, one South African and a Pakistani. The plane was leased to Network Airlines of Britain and the cargo belonged to South Africa's central bank, plane owner Western Global Airlines said in an email to Reuters. "The body is presumed to be a stowaway who may have entered the airplane during a previous stop," the company said in a statement. Pradeep Maharaj, group executive at the bank, said the organization was working with Zimbabwean officials to have the plane and cargo released. (Reporting by MacDonald Dzirutwe; editing by Katharine Houreld) Cairo (AFP) - Egyptian Boutros Boutros-Ghali, who died aged 93, was the only UN secretary general to be refused a second term when he fell foul of Washington despite the backing of the 14 other states in the Security Council. The veteran diplomat, who died in a Cairo hospital, headed the world body between 1992 and 1996, when crises in Somalia, Rwanda, the Middle East and the former Yugoslavia posed massive challenges for United Nations peacekeeping operations. His opponents focused on failings in the UN's approach to peacekeeping while his supporters highlighted the difficult conditions laid down by the major powers including the United States. Boutros-Ghali himself felt Washington's veto was to punish him for pushing UN members to pay their membership arrears -- an issue on which the US, which pays 25 percent of the UN budget, had long been a culprit. He also thought he was being singled out for condemning the actions in Lebanon of Washington's main Middle East ally, Israel. Indirectly, Boutros-Ghali said the United States was arrogant and compared its attitude to that of ancient Rome. "Like in Roman times, they have no diplomacy. You don't need diplomacy if you are so powerful," he said in an interview two days before Washington cast its veto. "How can I fight Goliath?" he asked. Boutros-Ghali was born into a Coptic Christian family in Cairo on November 14, 1922 and educated at Cairo University and in Paris, where he established a lifelong connection with France. - To Jerusalem with Sadat - After a university career centred on international relations, including a spell at Columbia University in New York, he became Egypt's minister of state for foreign affairs in 1977, under president Anwar al-Sadat. In that year, he accompanied Sadat on his historic trip to Jerusalem, which both forged peace between Egypt and Israel and led to Sadat's assassination four years later. Boutros-Ghali became the UN's sixth secretary general, and its first from the African continent, on January 1, 1992. Story continues Things began to go seriously wrong in late 1993, when a US-led operation in Somalia led to casualties among American troops. The operation, part of a UN drive to provide humanitarian aid despite civil conflict, led to acrimony between the US authorities and the world body. Further problems emerged during operations in the former Yugoslavia, and after the genocidal massacres of 1994 in Rwanda, which the UN failed to halt. There was also friction over the implementation of UN sanctions against the regime of Saddam Hussein in Iraq, which had invaded and then been ejected from Kuwait by a US-led coalition a year before Boutros-Ghali took up his post. After the US cast its veto in November 1996, France and Egypt separately issued statements expressing support for the Egyptian diplomat and noting that Washington had acted without the support of any other country. However, in the face of the US opposition, Africa had to come up with someone acceptable to Washington, picking the Ghanaian UN under-secretary general for peacekeeping, Kofi Annan, who held the post until 2006. After leaving the UN, Boutros-Ghali served as secretary general of the community of French-speaking nations. He later became president of the Curatorium Administrative Council of the Hague Academy of International Law. In "Who's Who" he listed his hobbies as "the works of Matisse and collecting old pens from the Ottoman Empire." He is survived by his Jewish wife Leia Maria. They had no children. Boutros-Ghali will forever be a "symbol to national politicians ... and an honourable example at the international level," Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said in a statement. SAO PAULO, Feb 16 (Reuters) - Brazilian oil and gas company Petro Rio SA (CDNX: PRJ.V - news) said on Tuesday that Royal Dutch Shell had cancelled an agreement to sell offshore assets in the Campos Basin for an undisclosed sum. Europe's largest oil company, which gained approval last month to take over BG Group (LSE: BG.L - news) , had agreed in January 2015 to sell its 80 percent stake in the Bijupira and Salema fields, along with a drill ship, to Petro Rio, known then as HRT. (Reporting by Gustavo Bonato and Brad Haynes; Editing by David Goodman) LONDON/PARIS (Reuters) - Britain and France criticized Russia's role in Syria's war on Tuesday and said Moscow must stop the conflict rather than fuelling it, after missile strikes killed dozens of civilians on Monday. Almost 50 civilians were killed when missiles hit at least five medical facilities and two schools in rebel-held areas of Syria on Monday, according to the United Nations, which called the attacks a blatant violation of international law. Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu blamed Russia for at least one of the missile strikes, when civilians and children were killed in a school and hospital in the town of Azaz, calling it an "obvious war crime". "The reported air strikes conducted on hospitals in northern Syria in recent days could amount to war crimes and must be investigated," British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond said in a statement. "I am appalled that the Assad regime and its Russian supporters are still bombing innocent civilians despite the agreement last Thursday to a cessation of hostilities ... Russia needs to explain itself, and show through its actions that it is committed to ending the conflict, rather than fuelling it." Russia, which has said it is targeting terrorist organizations and their allies, does not have a vessel in its Caspian Sea flotilla that is capable of hitting a hospital in Syria's Idlib governorate, a Defence Ministry spokesman was quoted as saying by Russian news agencies. France's new Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault, who on Monday accused Syria's government and its backers of carrying out war crimes, told lawmakers that the immediate urgency was to protect civilians. "All bombings must stop. It's unacceptable that hospitals and schools are targeted. These acts are flagrant violations of international law," he said. Last week in Munich, international powers agreed to try to bring about a "cessation of hostilities" within a week, and U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry accused Russia of hitting legitimate opposition groups with its bombing campaign. Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said the accusations were "just not true". Ayrault said the Munich deal must be respected. "Of course, we talk to Russia, but we have demands and our demands today are for the respect of the commitments made in Munich. Russia, like other partners, agreed to end hostilities, end bombings and allow humanitarian aid. "It's not sentimentalism to say that there are millions of people that are under bombs who have no solution but to flee and become refugees." (Reporting by Kylie MacLellan and John Irish, editing by Tom Miles) Brussels (AFP) - Prime Minister David Cameron will on Tuesday hold talks with the head of the European Parliament on a deal to avoid Britain crashing out of the EU, ahead of a crunch summit this week. The British premier will meet Martin Schulz and leaders of the two main political groups in the assembly, hoping to find a sympathetic ear over reforms he is demanding to avoid a so-called "Brexit" from the 28-member bloc. European Union chief Donald Tusk on Monday said the EU was at a "critical moment" in its history, warning during a visit to Romania that "the risk of break-up is real because this process is indeed very fragile". Britain has been pushing for a change to EU rules, including limiting welfare benefits for migrants and to protect countries that do not use the euro, ahead of an "in-out" referendum expected in June. Downing Street indicated a deal on the reforms is expected at a summit on Thursday and Friday, after Cameron held last-minute talks with French President Francois Hollande. They "agreed that we are making good progress on the UK renegotiation and that the draft text from the European Council provides a firm basis to reach agreement at this week's summit", the prime minister's spokesman said after the talks in Paris on Monday. The upbeat assessment came after a French official warned earlier in the day that while there was "political willingness" to clinch an agreement, "more work is needed, particularly on economic governance". The EU is already grappling with the biggest migration crisis in 70 years and signs the sluggish eurozone economy could once again be stalling. Debate over Britain's future in the bloc has also struck a political nerve, with heavyweight France reportedly concerned about protections London is demanding for members that do not use the single currency. - 'Chicken' - Cameron had been expected to attend a gathering of presidents from each of the European Parliament's groupings in Brussels on Tuesday, but instead will only hold bilateral meetings. Story continues The anti-EU UK Independence Party accused Cameron of being a "chicken" after he pulled out of a meeting that would have included its leader Nigel Farage. Tusk will also meet with Czech Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka and Greek counterpart Alexis Tsipras in Prague and Athens as part of his own whirlwind diplomatic push ahead of the summit. Whatever deal the premier strikes is unlikely to satisfy all factions in Britain, including some within his own Conservative Party. Facing pressure from ministers who want to reject the deal and declare their support for leaving the EU, Cameron could announce the date of the referendum on Friday if a deal is agreed, British newspaper the Daily Telegraph reported. A eurosceptic rally is due to be held in London on Friday evening. Even if the bloc's leaders agree the changes Cameron wants, the European Parliament must still approve them. British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond warned Sunday the EU will "lurch very much in the wrong direction" if Britain leaves, predicting negotiations at this week's summit "would go to the wire". Underlining the potential ramifications of a British exit from the EU, London-headquartered HSBC hinted that the global lender could shift its operations to Paris if voters choose to leave. "We are lucky in the sense that we have a major bank in France," bank chairman Douglas Flint told BBC radio. "So, if we were to leave and if there were to be restrictions, ultimately on the renegotiation of Britain's position, we have the ability to move activity and people between London and Paris," he said. Yaounde (Cameroon) (AFP) - Cameroon mounted a major assault against a key Boko Haram base in Nigeria last week, inflicting heavy losses on the Islamist group and seizing arms and prisoners, the government said in a statement obtained by AFP on Tuesday. The Cameroonian army offensive took place from February 11 to 14 in Ngoshe in Nigeria, some 15 kilometres (nine miles) from the northern town of Ashigashia on the border between the two countries, government spokesman and Communications Minister Issa Tchiroma Bakary said in the statement. "162 Boko Haram terrorists were neutralised," or killed, and two Cameroonian soldiers also died, he said. The report could not be independently confirmed. The minister said around 100 hostages had been released, including 15 Cameroonians, in the attack against the Boko Haram command post housing facilities for making bombs and mines. "The command post was also used to brainwash and train teenagers used as human bombs for kamikaze attacks," he said. Four facilities for making improvised mines were found there as well as hundreds of containers full of explosive devices, batteries, detonator wires and suicide vests, the statement said. Among weapons seized were heavy machine-guns, rocket-launchers, AK-47s, grenades, 100 training rifles, uniforms and thousands of munitions. The assault had been approved by Nigeria and was part of the "Arrow Five" operation involving a multinational force set up to fight Boko Haram that includes Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad, Niger and Benin. In recent years, Boko Haram fighters slipped back and forth across the frontier, often using Cameroon's remote north as a rear base, acquiring arms, vehicles and supplies there. But since late November, the Cameroon army has carried out operations in several border areas aimed at weakening the Nigerian jihadists. As a result, the insurgents turned away from direct confrontation with the military in favour of suicide attacks, increasingly staged by women and girls. Nearly 1,200 people have been killed since the Nigerian fighters took their offensive into neighbouring Cameroon in 2013, according to government figures. In Nigeria, the group has killed at least 17,000 people and made more than 2.6 million others homeless since their six-year campaign began. TORONTO (Reuters) - Sales of existing homes in Canada rebounded in January from December as strong demand in Toronto and Vancouver offset declines in Calgary and Edmonton, a report from the Canadian Real Estate Association showed on Tuesday. The industry group for Canadian real estate agents said sales activity was up 0.5 percent last month from December. Actual sales for January, not seasonally adjusted, rose 8 percent from January 2015. Canada's two largest markets, Toronto and Vancouver, have experienced a long housing boom, leading to concerns about a bubble. A slump in oil prices has cooled markets in Alberta and Saskatchewan, while others have plateaued. "January 2016 picked up where 2015 left off, with single-family homes in the (Greater Toronto Area) and Greater Vancouver in short supply amid strong demand standing in contrast to sidelined home buyers and ample supply in a number of Alberta housing markets," said CREA Chief Economist Gregory Klump. He said a rule change that doubled the minimum down payment for insured mortgages on more expensive homes, to 10 percent from 5 percent on the portion of a property's value between C$500,000 and C$1 million, could cool the market in the months ahead. The change took effect on Monday. (The change) may shrink the pool of prospective home buyers who qualify for mortgage financing," Klump said. The federal government tightened the mortgage rules in an effort to cool activity in hot markets without slamming on the brakes on those that are already slowing. The CREA report showed the national sales-to-new-listing ratio rose to 59.2 percent in January as the number of new listings fell 4.9 percent. A ratio between 40 percent and 60 percent is consistent with balanced market conditions, with readings above 60 indicating a sellers' market. There were 5.3 months of inventory at the end of January, down from 5.4 months in December and the lowest level of supply in nearly six years, CREA said. The national average price for homes sold in January was C$470,297 ($339,075), up 17 percent from a year earlier. CREA's home price index, which helps adjust for the outsized increases in Toronto and Vancouver, rose 7.7 percent from January 2015. ($1 = 1.3870 Canadian dollars) (Reporting by Andrea Hopkins; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama and Lisa Von Ahn) Ottawa (AFP) - A week after announcing the withdrawal of fighter jets from Iraq, Canada's defense minister on Tuesday said it is swapping in four armored tactical Griffon helicopters to ferry special forces. "The Griffon helicopters are being deployed for the safety of our troops in northern Iraq," Defense Minister Harjit Sajjan told parliament. "They will be used for the transportation of our personnel because they provide increased force protection for our brave men and women in uniform," he said. In place of the six F-18 fighter jets, Ottawa last week said it would triple the number of special forces training Kurdish militia in northern Iraq to about 210. Canadian CC-150T Polaris refueling and CP-140 Aurora surveillance aircraft would also continue to play roles in the US-led coalition fighting the Islamic State group. Ottawa (AFP) - Canada will tighten its rules on entering the country next month, adding a layer of security that will impact Europeans and others previously allowed to visit without a travel visa. Formerly visa-exempt foreign nationals, including those passing through on a stopover, will have to fill out an online Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) in advance and pay a small administrative fee (Can$7), starting March 15. The measure is similar to one set up by the United States in 2008, and will affect people from more than 50 countries. Americans will be exempt. Anyone caught unaware of the new regulations can expect some leniency in the beginning, said Robert Orr, deputy minister for immigration. He said the new rules will affect more than three million travellers per year. After completing the online form, permission to travel to Canada will be sent by email and will remain in effect for five years. The eTA is meant to help authorities better screen travellers for admissibility, Orr told AFP. He noted that Canadian security and intelligence agencies already do so but "not in a systematic way." The United States, followed by Britain, France and China (whose citizens require a visa) are the top sources of tourists to Canada, according to government figures. Canada will tighten its rules on entering the country next month, adding a layer of security that will impact Europeans and others previously allowed to visit without a travel visa. Formerly visa-exempt foreign nationals, including those passing through on a stopover, will have to fill out an online Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) in advance and pay a small administrative fee (Can$7), starting March 15. The measure is similar to one set up by the United States in 2008, and will affect people from more than 50 countries. Americans will be exempt. Anyone caught unaware of the new regulations can expect some leniency in the beginning, said Robert Orr, deputy minister for immigration. He said the new rules will affect more than three million travellers per year. After completing the online form, permission to travel to Canada will be sent by email and will remain in effect for five years. The eTA is meant to help authorities better screen travellers for admissibility, Orr told AFP. He noted that Canadian security and intelligence agencies already do so but "not in a systematic way." The United States, followed by Britain, France and China (whose citizens require a visa) are the top sources of tourists to Canada, according to government figures. By David Ljunggren OTTAWA (Reuters) - Canadian Finance Minister Bill Morneau on Tuesday effectively conceded the government could not balance the budget as quickly as promised, saying the return to surplus would be achieved over the long term. The Liberals won power last October on a pledge to run three consecutive budget deficits of no more than C$10 billion ($7.2 billion) a year to help fund spending on infrastructure before balancing the books in 2019/20. Morneau - who says weak commodity prices mean the economic outlook is worse than projected - told reporters the government aimed "to maintain a goal of getting to a balanced budget over the long term. We recognize that's challenging." Prime Minister Justin Trudeau last week said it would be hard to balance the books on time and confirmed that the first deficit would be more than C$10 billion. Morneau said the tough economic times meant it was doubly important to stick to the plan to invest in infrastructure. The opposition Conservatives said Morneau's spending would cause a damaging structural deficit. "He's giving himself permission to fail ... who knows what's going to happen at the end of four years?" Conservative finance critic Lisa Raitt told reporters. (Reporting by David Ljunggren; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama and Sandra Maler) Israeli satellite TV service yes and CBS Corp.'s CBS Studios International unit on Tuesday unveiled a multi-year content licensing deal for a wide range of CBS and Showtime programs. Financial details weren't disclosed, but yes said the agreement will help with "further cementing 'yes' as the must-see platform in Israel for the best content from the U.S. and around the world." Showtime has recently struck a series of exclusive content deals in such international markets as the U.K. and Australia. The deal covers new and future series, including Billions, starring Paul Giamatti and Damian Lewis, which had the biggest premiere ever for Showtime in the U.S., the upcoming return of cult series Twin Peaks, and BrainDead, from the creators and executive producers of CBS hit The Good Wife. Also among the shows included in the pact are The Good Wife, Ray Donovan, Limitless and the CWs Crazy Ex-Girlfriend. All shows will also be available for on-demand viewing on the yesVOD and yesGo services. Said Barry Chamberlain, president of sales, CBS Studios International: This latest agreement from CBS Studios International further demonstrates how desirable our content is within the global marketplace. We look forward to working with yes to bring Israeli audiences an incredible new slate of programming." Said Danna Stern, head of acquisitions, programming and VOD at yes: "This agreement means our viewers can enjoy an incredible slate of upcoming new dramas and also explore hundreds of hours of amazing series on demand in addition to our existing lineup of award-winning programming available on our channels and unparalleled yesVOD service." Read More: Pan-European Pay TV Giant Sky Strikes Exclusive Deal for Showtime Programming Fashion designer Michael Kors is offering customers a series of fresh-off-the-runway pieces immediately following his Fall 2016 runway show on February 17. Titled "Ready-to-Wear, Ready to Go," the edit includes clothes, shoes and handbags that clients will be available to purchase online and at the brand's Madison Avenue store straight after their runway debut. "Our customer doesn't think in terms of seasons, she just thinks about what works for her life and what she's in love with," said Kors, announcing the new strategy. "I thought it would be a great idea to give her the opportunity to sprinkle some key items from the runway into her current wardrobe." The New York brand is the latest in a long list of fashion houses tapping into the allure of instant gratification. This weekend also saw US label Tommy Hilfiger announce a corporate overhaul that will see the group realign its business calendar so that its runway shows and retail cycles match up. Starting with the Spring 2017 New York Fashion Week season, the label's entire collections will launch in the aftermath of the coinciding runway debut, in a process the designer called "democratizing the runway." "We've been building towards this for a long time, and the natural progression of this approach to democratizing the runway is to make the full excitement and energy of NYFW directly accessible to our consumers in a globally impactful way," he elaborated. This seismic shift in the running of the fashion industry was set in motion earlier this month by British giant Burberry. When the iconic label revealed that, from September 2016, it will put on only two "seasonless" runway shows per year (instead of the traditional four), mixing menswear and womenswear and putting the clothes on the rack at the same time as the catwalk, it seemed like a tearaway move. But several major brands have since followed suit, with Tom Ford adopting a "see now, buy now" philosophy, and French label Vetements revealing plans to eschew the traditional fashion week calendar and show its men's and women's collections together in January. The common argument put forward by the designers for this shakeup is building a bond with the customer. "The changes we are making will allow us to build a closer connection between the experience that we create with our runway shows and the moment when people can physically explore the collections for themselves," said Burberry CEO and Chief Creative Christopher Bailey. Tom Ford echoed the sentiment, saying: "Our customers today want a collection that is immediately available." The headline fashion houses have yet to indicate that they will make the leap, but for now it is safe to say that there is a whiff of revolution in the air. Could fast fashion be about to live up to its name? China must release detained rights lawyers and activists "immediately and without conditions", UN rights chief Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein said in a statement Tuesday. In a nationwide crackdown that began in July, China has detained about 250 "human rights lawyers, legal assistants, and activists", the statement said, adding that some have since been released. According to Zeid's spokesman Rupert Colville, the UN rights chief has held talks with Chinese officials over the arrests, most recently at the weekend. Zaid has raised concern over the "harassment and intimidation of government critics" and civil society workers, the statement said. It specifically highlighted the January arrests of 15 human rights lawyers, 10 of whom faced charges of "subversion of state power". Among those arrested last month were Li Heping and Wang Yu, two prominent lawyers. "Lawyers should never have to suffer prosecution or any other kind of sanctions or intimidation for discharging their professional duties," Zeid said. "I urge the Government of China to release all of them immediately and without conditions." Officials from Beijing "too often reflexively confuse the legitimate role of lawyers and activists with threats to public order and security," Zeid said. The statement also voiced concern over the recent disappearance of five employees of the Hong Kong publishing house Mighty Current, which continues to release works critical of the Chinese government. After months of silence, Beijing acknowledged that these individuals were under criminal investigation. Zeid called for "fair and transparent" procedures in the cases. He also sounded an alarm over the early January arrest in Beijing of Swedish national Peter Dahlin, who co-founded a civil society organisation offering legal assistance called Chinese Urgent Action Working Group. Dahlin was the first foreign national held on charges of "endangering state security" in China. He was expelled from the country on January 26. Zeid meanwhile expressed regret over a growing trend of governments using national security to justify crackdowns on fundamental rights, which he said was happening increasingly "around the world." Feeling guilty for procrastinating at work again? Well, you really shouldnt! At least youre at work, which is more than 69-year-old Spanish civil servant Joaquin Garcia can say for up to 14 years of his career. Authorities in Spanish city Cadiz realized recently Garcia was not present at his job for at least six years, if not more, but they only did so when they wanted to honor him for his 20-year loyal and dedicated service. DONT MISS: The first Game of Thrones season 6 trailer is here, and its scary for so many reasons Garcia was supposed to collect his medal in 2010, but deputy mayor Jorge Blas Fernandez could not find him, The Guardian reports. He was still on the payroll, the man who hired Garcia in 1990 told el Mundo. I thought, where is this man? Is he still there? Has he retired? Has he died? Fernandez then learned that Garcias supervisor had not seen him for several years. The deputy manager called Garcia to inquire about his working habits. The engineer began working for the local authority in 1990 before moving to the municipal water board in 1996. I asked him: what are you doing? Fernandez said. What did you do yesterday? And the previous month? He could not answer. Garcia retired in 2011, but a court this week fined him 27,000 ($30,000), the equivalent of one year of his annual salary after tax. The court ruled that Garcia didnt occupy his office for at least six years while he was on city payroll and that he didnt do any work between 2007 and 2010. Garcia did come to work on occasion, but he did so to read philosophy and he became an expert on Dutch philosopher Spinoza, whos credited with laying the foundations of the Enlightenment. Hilarious? Were not even done yet with this story. Apparently, Garcia felt that he was the victim of office bullying because of his familys socialist convictions, and thats why he got sidelined at the water board. Garcia admitted to not having kept business hours. His friends corroborate some of his allegations, saying that he was afraid to report coworkers for harassment because he had a family to support, and he believed he wouldnt find another job at his age. Furthermore, Garcia sought the services of a psychiatrist on the matter in the past. Story continues Oh, and in case you were wondering, the guy in the picture at the top of this post is Parks and Recreation character Jerry Gergich, a loyal servant of Pawnee, Indiana who showed up every day, in spite of constant bullying from his colleagues. See, thats how a real civil servant goes about his business. Related stories Four-day work weeks are growing in popularity and you'll absolutely love them T-Mobile's Android Wi-Fi Calling explained BGR is looking for NYC interns for the summer! More from BGR: How to watch the Grammy Awards online tonight for free This article was originally published on BGR.com This is hardly the first time it has looked as if Hillary Rodham Clintons presidential ambitions were on the ropes, and each time she has found a way to bounce back. But as she heads into critical Democratic primary contests in Nevada and South Carolina, the former Secretary of States campaign seems to be reeling. After the 22-point shellacking administered by Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders in New Hampshire last week and her squeaker of a win in the Iowa Democratic caucuses the week before, Clinton has been counting on a couple of solid performances in the Nevada caucuses on Saturday and the South Carolina primary a week later to demonstrate her appeal in more racially and ethnically diverse terrain. Related: Clintons Lead in Nevada Evaporates as Sanders Continues to Surge But as hard as she tries to portray Sanders as a Johnny One Note on income inequality and the evils of Wall Street, with little appeal beyond college campuses and progressive strongholds, he continues to confound her with shrewd tactics, mass rallies, aggressive and well-staffed ground operations and a gold-plated media campaign all thanks to unprecedented grassroots fundraising. Clintons one-time air of invincibility has given way to pangs of desperation and lowered expectations of how well she will do in Nevada and South Carolina. Jon Ralston, a veteran political reporter in Nevada, wrote on Tuesday that the Clinton panic is palpable and that no one on either side has asserted the race is not in reach for Sanders. Saturdays Nevada Democratic caucuses were once touted as a field day for the former First Lady and New York Senator because of her close ties to Hispanic voters and powerful labor union leaders. Yet Sanders has made inroads with the young, working-class Latinos and rank-and-file union members. Similarly, Clinton was thought to hold a huge edge over Sanders in South Carolina because of its large African-American population, but that was before Sanders showered voters with promises of free college tuition and health care and spoke out angrily about police violence against young blacks and the inequities of the criminal justice system. Story continues Related: Clinton Scrambles as Sanders Puts the Black Vote in Play Clinton has every advantage and should win handily in South Carolina, University of Virginia political scientist Larry J. Sabato said on Tuesday in an email. If she loses or it is close, the calls to [Vice President] Joe Biden will start. If Clinton does well [on Super Tuesday] on March 1, shell regain her traction, he added. If not, Biden will have to install more lines. Any thought that Biden might ride to the rescue of the Democratic Party after taking himself out of the race late last year is remote at best. But it helps to underscore that Clintons problems are legion and may in the end be too great to surmount against the surging Sanders. She suffered incalculable damage from Republican attacks against her for her ill-advised use of personal email for top-secret government business during four years at the State Department and her role in the lead up to the terrorist attacks against a U.S. diplomatic compound in Benghazi, Libya. Clinton and her husband, former President Bill Clinton, turned off many voters by cashing in after their government service by accepting hundreds of millions of dollars in speaking fees and honoraria from special interest groups and universities. Dozens of polls in recent months confirm that while Democratic voters view her as more experienced and better prepared than most to lead the country, shockingly high majorities say that they question her honesty and integrity and dont believe she has their best interest in mind. Related: How Bernie Sanders Just Shook Up the Democratic Primary. Again In a new era of politics in which voters fawn over anti-establishment candidates like Donald Trump and Sanders as they shatter political traditions, Clinton finds herself at a huge disadvantage. She is offering herself as a pragmatic progressive who would take a commonsense approach to winning support in Congress for a realistic agenda hardly an exciting selling point to many young voters. During a nationally televised Democratic debate last weekend, Clinton said that if Sanders agenda of national health care for all, free college tuition, and other expanded social programs were enacted, it would increase the federal government by 40 percent and drive the deficit into the outer-stratosphere. While Sanders and his campaign advisers argue that his proposals would all be offset by higher taxes mostly on the rich and Wall Street traders Clinton and some independent analysts insist that the Vermont senators numbers dont add up. According to The New York Times, some left-of-center economists have concluded that Sanders proposals would add $2 trillion to $3 trillion a year on average to federal spending. President Obamas fiscal 2017 budget calls for total government spending of a little more than $4 trillion. While Clinton and other critics may dismiss Sanders proposals as budget fantasy and wishful thinking, many of the Democrats rallying to his side view those plans as exciting and inspiring. Clinton could still win in both states especially if her voter turnout operations prove to be far better than they were during the first two contests. But in both cases, Sanders will demonstrate that he commands support from a much wider slice of the electorate than Clintons camp has been willing to acknowledge. And even if Clinton ultimately prevails with the help of super delegates and more conservative voters throughout the South, Midwest and West the Democratic campaign will likely prove to be a tough slog all the way to the Democratic National Convention this summer. In 2008, Clinton fought another long, hard primary battle against Barack Obama, only to lose. Related: Sanders' Landslide Win in New Hampshire Puts Huge Pressure on Clinton One saving grace for Clinton is that she has held substantial, double-digit leads over Sanders in national polling, suggesting that there is still a large reservoir of support for her once the campaign moves into high gear. However, a NBC News/Survey Monkey Tracking Poll released today shows Clinton leading Sanders by just 10 percentage points 50 percent to 40 percent, her smallest margin in seven weeks. Whats more, a third of Democratic or Democratic-leaning voters say they now believe Sanders will be the eventual nominee. Thats more than before, but it still leaves two thirds of Democrats convinced that somehow Clinton will prevail in the end. A Washington Post report out of Nevada nicely encapsulates Clintons problems in repelling a tough challenge from Sanders. A multi-ethnic coalition of Sanders supporters, energized by his promises of big social spending programs, immigration reform and social justice, are eager to dump the presumed Democratic frontrunner in favor of the self-styled democratic socialist. A dozen Sanders campaign offices have sprung up across the state, from Las Vegas to Reno, with more than 100 paid staffers. And Sanders who raised over $6 million following his big victory in New Hampshire is outspending Clinton on TV ads by roughly 2 to 1, according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal. Many of the ads target Spanish-speaking voters. Jeff Weaver, Sanders campaign manager, told The Washington Post that a victory in Nevada is a chance to disprove this firewall fantasy that the Clinton campaign has put out there. If we do well, it destroys that myth, he said. Top Reads from The Fiscal Times: BOGOTA (Reuters) - Colombia's Investigator General Alejandro Ordonez on Tuesday said he will probe whether the head of the national police force was involved in the creation of a male prostitution ring that allegedly served lawmakers and was aided by police officials. General Rodolfo Palomino is also being investigated for alleged illicit enrichment and illegally wire tapping journalists' telephones, a statement from the investigator's office said. Palomino has previously been accused by police officers of propositioning them for sex, which he denies. Testimony by police Captain Anyelo Palacios and a video were key pieces of evidence for the inquiry, the statement said. They would not only be "evidence of the alleged network of male prostitution journalistically referred to as the 'Fellowship of the Ring,' but will also show involvement of certain members of congress in complicity with some officers of the National Police force," the statement said. The ring operated between 2004 and 2008, the investigator general said. Local media released a video showing a 2008 discussion between former Senator Carlos Ferro and Palacios talking about gay sex. Neither the prostitution ring nor Palomino were mentioned in the explicit conversation. The video seemed to have been filmed by Palacios without Ferro's knowledge. Ferro on Tuesday resigned from his post as vice interior minister, though he did not provide a reason for the move. Local media also reported that the alleged prostitution ring included serving officers, though the statement did not specify. Palomino denied any involvement on Tuesday. "I appreciate that the relevant investigations are going ahead, as I requested, and I'm sure they will lead to the truth of false accusations that have been made against me in a reckless and sustained manner," Palomino said. As investigator general Ordonez, who is known for his social conservatism, is tasked with looking into misconduct by public officials. (Reporting by Helen Murphy and Julia Symmes Cobb; Editing by Alan Crosby and Sandra Maler) (Reuters) - A Colorado Planned Parenthood clinic reopened on Monday, seeing patients nearly three months after a deadly shooting rampage at the facility left three people dead and nine wounded. "Today, we opened our doors in Colorado Springs. We didn't back down. We didn't disappear. We returned, stronger and with more conviction than ever," the clinic said in a statement. The clinic was closed on Nov. 27 following a bloody five-hour siege that police said began when a gunman opened fire with a rifle outside the building and then stormed inside. He was taken into custody by law enforcement at the scene. Portions of the building damaged during the standoff will remain closed as repairs continue, said Vicki Cowart, president of Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains. The facility was resuming its work providing a range of healthcare services, including abortion, to the community of Colorado Springs, Cowart said. Several abortion opponents gathered near the building on Monday as it resumed operations, the Colorado Springs Gazette reported. The gunman accused of carrying out the attack, Robert Lewis Dear, 57, faces 179 felony counts, including charges of first-degree murder, attempted murder and assault. In a court appearance in December, he declared himself guilty and a "warrior for the babies." He has also told a judge he distrusts his lawyers and wants to represent himself. The November rampage was the first deadly attack on a U.S. abortion provider since 2009, when physician George Tiller was gunned down at the Kansas church he attended. (Reporting by Victoria Cavaliere in Los Angeles; Editing by Dan Grebler) However, it will take two to three years before operators can monetise on the project Google will start testing its Project Loon in Indonesia this year after announcing a partnership with Indonesian telco operator Indosat Ooredoo in Mountain View, California, on October 2015. The project will disseminate Internet balloons over remote areas in Sumatra, Borneo, and Papua that will operate as a flying base transceiver station (BTS). The balloons will receive signals transmitted via satellite to provide Internet service through a 4G LTE network. A statement from Google claimed that the download speed from using these balloons will reach up to 10 Mbps. As reported by Kompas Tekno, Google is partnering with several Indonesian telco operators such Indosat Ooredoo, Telkomsel, and XL Axiata to conduct this project. After initial testing for a year, telco companies are expected to monetise from the project in the following two or three years. Also Read: Facebook is trying to con Indians with Free Basics The project was one of the deals announced during President Joko Widodos visit to Silicon Valley in October 2015, in which he later had to bail due to the countrys Autumn haze crisis. When Project Loon first announced it planned to enter the Indonesian market, state-owned telco operator Telkom initially objected to it. However, now the companys mobile service subsidiary Telkomsel is involved with the project. In October, Telkoms Director of Innovation and Strategic Portfolio Indra Utoyo stated the plan will harm the local telecommunications industry since Google will bypass the local connections. Apart from Indonesia, Google also announced Project Loon plans in Sri Lanka. Image Credit: Alexandre Perotto on Unsplash.com The post Come fly with me: Project Loon to start test flight in Indonesia this year appeared first on e27. Madrid (AFP) - Current Tinkoff lead rider Alberto Contador said Monday he was mulling over an idea to launch his own professional team in 2017, not ruling out himself out as a potential team member. Barring injury or accident, this season was widely expected to be the 33-year-old Contador's last, the Madrid-born racer targeting the Tour de France and Rio Olympics as a perfect send off having often stressed he wanted to go out at the top. "I have two options in my head: one is to carry on if I suffer a mishap on the Tour, as I did in 2014, and the other is to launch a professional team," said Contador, a three-time Vuelta winner (2008, 2012, 2014), double Giro champion (2008, 2015) and twice winner of the Tour de France (2007, 2009). The second option, he said, was "complicated" and involved a "very high budget" of around 15 million euros for a team to compete at World Tour level. Contador, who was stripped of the 2010 Tour de France and 2011 Giro titles over a positive doping test, said he would only consider racing for the team should it be competitive on the Tour. "If it couldn't support me at the highest level, it's maybe not so interesting for me," the Spaniard said, praising the 2016 Team Sky line-up around British arch-rival Chris Froome. "No other team is at their level," he said. "They can just about send out two full teams for the Tour de France." Jerusalem (AFP) - Israel's Supreme Court said Tuesday a Palestinian hunger striker who has fasted over 80 days must stay in the northern Israeli hospital where he is being held, after a compromise bid failed. "The court refused the request of Mohammed al-Qiq and will leave him in the hospital in Afula," his lawyer Jawad Boulos said in a statement. The 33-year-old journalist is reported to be close to death 84 days after starting a hunger strike in protest against his internment without trial under Israel's "administrative detention" laws. He has occasionally taken minerals and vitamins but mainly ingests only tap water, doctors who have visited him say. On Tuesday night, firebrand Arab Israeli Islamic cleric Raed Salah announced that he and others whom he did not name were starting an open-ended hunger strike in solidarity with Qiq. "We call on all who are able to join us immediately," he said in a statement. "The prisoner Mohammed al-Qiq is living in the decisive moments between life and death, and we cannot abandon him at such a time." The Supreme Court officially suspended the internment order against Qiq on February 4, but refused his demand for transfer to a hospital in the West Bank city of Ramallah, under Palestinian Authority jurisdiction. On Monday, it offered a compromise whereby he would be moved to the Palestinian-run Makassed hospital in Israeli-annexed east Jerusalem. Afou Agbaria, an Arab Israeli former parliamentarian and physician who visited Qiq in Afula, said he turned down the proposal. "He refuses to be cared for in Makassed because it is located under Israeli sovereignty and he says he will not be retained in custody," he told AFP. - "Death or freedom" - "He said, 'It's death or freedom, and if Israeli security has something against me, it must bring me to justice, rather than hold me under administrative detention without trial or charge'." Story continues Qiq, a father of two and a correspondent for Saudi Arabia's Almajd television network, was arrested at his West Bank home in Ramallah on November 21. He has been refusing food since November 25 in protest against the "torture and ill treatment that he was subjected to during interrogation", according to Addameer, a Palestinian rights organisation. The United Nations has expressed concern about his fate, with the International Committee of the Red Cross describing his condition as critical. Israel's Shin Bet domestic security service says Qiq was detained for "terror activity" on behalf of the Islamist group Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip. Israel's controversial administrative detention law allows the state to hold suspects without trial for periods of six months renewable indefinitely. Since moving to Singapore, I have noticed how part of the national persona involves having quite spirited opinions about where to find the best of any particular dish as well as regular food snapping (that is taking pics of your meal!) is a standard pastime. That said, at the risk of sounding cynical, with so much choice available, it is easy to see it all as same-same until a Sassy Mama work dinner found us all crowded around a whitewashed table at Crab in da Bag. Crab in da Bag is one of the East Coasts newest restaurant additions, and is bursting with delicious seafood, a super relaxed atmosphere, and all at wallet friendly prices too! And the best bit? You eat everything with your hands! The brainchild of former film producer A P Tan, Crab In Da Bag is nothing I have ever experienced before! The concept is a relatively simple one put your bib on and dig in! The crowd pleasing Louisiana-inspired Caboodle Boil is exactly as the name suggests it includes just about EVERY type of seafood item from their menu. Cooked in a titanic aluminum pot, the Southern Louisiana specialty is literally spilled onto your table, ready for you to dig in! The rest of the menu is up to you to season as you like, theres garlic butter (yes please!), ultimate curry (a must-try signature curry mix) or Crab in da Bags Caboodle Mix a secret combination of local and Louisiana spices (how could we refuse?). The Caboodle Boil3 So what did we Sassy Mamas dine on? We started with Crinkled Cauliflower (interesting!), Crispy Chewy Baby Squids (we loved the balance between the crispy and chewy), Louisiana Garlic Shrimps (to die for!), and Frizzled Silver Fish (my personal favourite). This was followed by the main event Crab in da Bags famous Caboodle Boil. Three words OH MY GOODNESS! It was so good and lip-smacking delicious I struggled to contain myself! King Crab Legs, Sri Lankan Crabs, yabbies, prawns, sausages, corn and potatoes were all competing for our culinary attention, and lets just say its going to take quite a few 10km runs to work off this meal! Story continues Somersby Garlic Prawns But what inspired the extremely congenial Ms. Tan to bring this unique concept dining experience to our little red dot? She explained she just wanted to see people reconnect over good makan and engage in real conversation with each other Forget your phones and devices and just concentrate on the people you are with if only for a meal! (they even provide little boxes to store your beloved phone in so you wont be inclined to use it whilst you are there!). Will this Mama be back? Absolutely! In fact, Im just putting together my guest list now Crab in da Bag Block D, #01-25 Big Splash, 902 East Coast Parkway, Singapore 449875 Tel: (+65) 6440 0083 Facebook page Opening hours Monday closed Tuesday to Friday 4pm-12am Saturday to Sunday 12pm-12am The post Crab in da Bag: eat-with-your-hands seafood on the East Coast appeared first on Sassy Mama Singapore. Cuba and the U.S. are quickly becoming bestor at least betterfriends. This week alone has seen the re-establishment of commercial flights, the approval of the first American factory to be built on the island since Fidel Castro took power in 1959, as well the return of a misplaced American missile. On Tuesday, U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx flew to Havana and signed an agreement with Cuban officials that allows American airlines to compete for up to 110 flight routes per day. It was the latest step toward normalizing relations since Barack Obama and Raul Castro made their historic announcements in 2014 to restore ties. The flight agreement would give commercial carriers 15 days to submit an application to the Transportation Department outlining the routes and destinations theyd like to fly to. It would allow carriers like American Airlines, JetBlue, Southwest Airlines, and Delta Air Linesall of which have expressed interestto bid for 20 daily flights to Havana, and 10 to each of Cubas other nine international airports. Recommended: The Power of Buying Less by Buying Better Soon after Obama announced the thaw in relations between the U.S. and Cuba in 2014, American tourism to the island jumped. Last year, some 160,000 American tourists flew to the island, the Associated Press reporteda 77 percent increase over the previous year. That number doesnt include the hundreds of thousands Cuban Americans allowed to visit family. Previously, flights to the country were restricted to around a dozen charter companies. Travel is supposed to have been, and still is, only for family visits, reporting trips, educational tours, and professional meetingsthough, this seems to be softly enforced. The agreement, so far, wouldnt allow the state-run Cuban carrier to fly to the U.S., but might include leases of aircraft between themselves or with airlines of a third countrys cooperation, reported Granma, the official newspaper of Cubas Communist Party. Story continues The thaw in travel should help Cubas economy. The island has been cut off from American dollars for half a centurythough it does have trade relations with Europe and Canada. Still, U.S.-Cuban business relations had their own historic moment. On Monday, Obama approved the first American factory to be built in Cuba since 1959. The company, run by two men in Alabama, sells small tractors. Like the rest of the exceptions Obama has created in the embargo, this was done through executive action. The Associated Press reported the Obama administration got around the law because of an exception that allows U.S. companies to export goods that help Cuban farmers. For the first three years, the factory will ship manufactured parts from the U.S. and assemble them in Cuba, with the eventual plan of manufacturing everything on the island. In a show of goodwill, the owners named their new tractor plant, The Oggun, a name taken from the Santeria saint of weapons and iron tools. Recommended: The Meaning in Kendrick Lamar's Grammys Performance Relations between the two longtime rivals have improved so significantly that over the weekend Cuba returned an American missile itd held onto since 2014. Although the laser-guided Hellfire bomb was not active, its loss was seen as a laughable mistake on the part of the U.S., one that ranks among the worst-known incidents of its kind, The Wall Street Journal wrote. In what is believed to have been a shipping error, the missile was accidentally sent to Cuba. Officials feared its secrets may have been shared with China or Russia. But for now, they say, they are just thankful to have it back. Read more from The Atlantic: This article was originally published on The Atlantic. Copenhagen (AFP) - Denmark's controversial law allowing police to search asylum seekers and confiscate their valuables to help pay for their accommodation has raised no money in its first 11 days, police said on Tuesday. The new rules, which allow for cash or items without "sentimental value" -- hence no wedding rings -- to be seized if they are worth more than 10,000 kroner (1,340 euros, $1,498), have brought in "nothing" since coming into force on February 5, a police spokesman told AFP. Last week 230 people applied for asylum in Denmark, according to the Danish Immigration Service. "I don't think it has ever been about raising money," said Pernille Skipper, a spokeswoman for the left-wing Red Green Alliance party. Rather, the "symbolic" move was aimed at "scaring refugees into travelling to other European countries than Denmark," she added. A spokesman for the anti-immigration Danish People's Party, Martin Henriksen, said it was "too early to evaluate the law". Danish lawmakers adopted the new rules as part of a package of reforms aimed at dissuading migrants from seeking asylum in the country, including delaying family reunifications for some refugees by three years. Critics likened the plansl to the confiscation of gold and other valuables from Jews by the Nazis during World War II. Separately, Danish police were on Tuesday criticised for taking the mobile phones of at least 55 unaccompanied child migrants in a bid to verify their identities, only to return them months later. "If you come to the country and say you are from Syria but you have nothing but your blank face to prove it, the mobile phone is the best way to determine whether you are telling the truth or whether all the calls turn out to be to Ghana," police spokesman Richard Osterlund la Cour told the daily Politiken. The long wait for returning the phones was due to the large number of arrivals, he said. Denmark typically receives around 200 unaccompanied child migrants per year, but in 2015 the number was over 2,000. Home to 5.6 million people, Denmark registered 21,000 asylum applications last year, making it one of the top EU destinations per capita for migrants. Montreal (AFP) - With sales of its new CSeries jetliner failing to take off and a sinking share price, despite a multi-billion dollar government cash injection, the horizon is darkening for Bombardier. Suddenly, the Canadian manufacturer's dream -- going head to head with the workhorses of the aviation market, the Airbus A320 and Boeing 737, in its first foray outside business and regional passenger aircraft into the category of medium-range, single-aisle jets -- is turning into a nightmare. The first completely new aircraft design in the 100- to 150-seat category in more than 25 years was supposed to offer significant fuel savings over its rivals. But a two-year delay in its development allowed both Airbus and Boeing to freshen up their respective lineups with the launch of the A320neo and 737 Max, which are similar to their old planes but with new fuel-saving engines. The first neo rolled off the assembly line in January, while Boeing expects to deliver its first Max in late 2017. Bombardier is expected to make the first delivery of its CSeries to Lufthansa subsidiary Swiss in the coming months. But it can no longer boast of 20 percent fuel savings over competitors. At best, the CSeries is 10 percent more fuel efficient than the neo or Max, Bombardier has acknowledged. Considering that airlines would also have to shell out money to train pilots on the new aircraft, that makes the CSeries less attractive to potential buyers. Meanwhile, development costs have soared to US$5.4 billion, nearly double the amount Bombardier had budgeted. The CSeries "was an attractive purchase when oil cost $120 a barrel, but at $29, the argument for fuel savings falls apart," Mehran Ebrahimi, an aeronautics professor at the University of Quebec in Montreal (UQAM) told AFP. But the fact remains that the CSeries is "incredibly quiet," which is a welcome design improvement for people who live near an airport, commented Isabelle Dostaler, another aviation expert at Concordia University in Montreal. Story continues Ebrahimi noted that Airbus and Boeing are trying to undercut Bombardier and hold onto their duopoly in this segment by offering deep discounts on their new jetliners. And it appears to be working. Airbus has received 4,500 orders for its neo, while Bombardier has received no new orders for its CSeries since September 2014, after landing 243 orders during its development stage. - Keeping Bombardier in Canada - Faced with these difficulties, Bombardier asked for and received US$2.5 billion from the government of Quebec province, where it is based, to get its CSeries program off the ground, giving up a 49.5 percent stake in the CSeries program and 30 percent of its rail unit in exchange. Since receiving the cash injection, Bombardier's stock has fallen 40 percent to a record low of Can$0.72 before bouncing back slightly to close Friday in Toronto at Can$0.81. (North American markets were closed Monday). The company has also asked Ottawa to contribute, but Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's Liberals have reportedly been hesitant to give public funds to a family-controlled firm. Heirs of founder Joseph-Armand Bombardier hold a small stake in the company but control its board through a majority of voting shares. "Has the Bombardier family taken such good decisions over the past decade? Not really," Dostaler said. "Just because you have a blood tie doesn't necessarily mean you share your grandfather's business acumen," she said of Pierre Beaudoin, grandson of Joseph-Armand Bombardier. Beaudoin stepped aside as chief executive of the world's third or fourth largest aircraft manufacturer last year, and was replaced by outsider Alain Bellemare, who once worked for Pratt & Whitney, the supplier of engines for the new CSeries. Beaudoin meanwhile took on a new role as executive chairman of the board. "The problem wasn't Mr. Beaudoin," said Mehran Ebrahimi. "The problem is a lack of strategy for Canada's aeronautics sector," which remains underfinanced compared to rivals that receive generous outlays of public funds. "Take out the (Canadian nationalist) Beaudoin family, and with the Canadian dollar at a recent low, you risk having this Canadian corporate icon being picked up by a foreign buyer at a bargain," he said. Bombardier started off building snowmobiles in 1942 and grew into a multinational with rail and aircraft divisions. It has 70,000 employees worldwide, including 24,000 in Canada. It will release its 2015 financial results Wednesday. Sometimes in order to get things done in Hollywood a person has to take drastic measures. In the case of Deadpool, the hard-R-rated superhero movie that just made history with a $132.7 million opening weekend, it was the leak of early test footage (and the ensuing enthusiastic response) that spurred a reluctant studio into making the film after years of indecision. And while the person responsible for the leak has never been officially outed, I am now prepared to say with near (but not total) certainty that it was either the film's director, Tim Miller, or someone close to him. Neither 20th Century Fox nor Miller's reps would comment, but I've spoken with many key inside sources involved with the project, and most fingers point to Hollywood's newest man of the hour, who, amazingly, is making his feature directorial debut on a massive tentpole at 50 years of age. To explain, one has to go back to the beginning. Deadpool was created fairly recently at least as far as comic book characters go in 1990, by artist Rob Liefeld and writer Fabian Nicieza. The character quickly developed a small but loyal following for his irreverent, status quo-shattering sensibilities. Its fitting, then, that to get the movie actually made, the creative team shattered the usual rules of studio moviemaking. Wade Wilson, Deadpools alter ego, made his cinematic debut in 2009s X-Men Origins: Wolverine, played by Ryan Reynolds. The Fox movie mangled the character completely: Here was a profane, wise-cracking antihero, nicknamed the Merc with a Mouth, and he was turned into not only a cheap villain but one whose mouth literally was sewn shut for the scenes in which he became Deadpool. Read More: 'Deadpool': A Breakdown of Its Box-Office Records Still, Fox saw the characters potential and signed Reynolds for a spinoff. At the time, Reynolds' star power was popping. The actor had just starred in The Proposal, Disneys hit comedy with Sandra Bullock, and he had beat out Bradley Cooper to get the coveted gig of The Green Lantern in Warner Bros.' big DC Comics adaptation. Story continues Fox hired Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick to write the Deadpool script, and in April 2011 hired Miller to direct. Miller was an unusual choice, a visual effects specialist who founded and still runs Blur Studios, which is known for its cutting-edge video game trailers and title sequences. He would be making his feature directorial debut on the project. Studios sometime like first-time directors because they can be easy to control and tend to do what theyre told. And this one even had a best animated short Oscar. One of the things that got Miller the gig was a six-minute trailer he made for the DC Universe Online video game. It showed Lex Luthor and a band of super-villains killing Earths mightiest heroes, and it melted fanboys eyeballs. It was epic and cinematic, everything they want their comic book movies to be. Because of Miller's success making short films and trailers, insiders say he wasnt concerned with being politic to get the Deadpool gig. Instead of a yes man, Fox decided to hire a director that wasnt afraid to go his own way. But a pest of a filmmaker was the least of Fox's problems, as far as Deadpool was concerned. Two months after locking down the creative team of Miller, Wernick and Reese, in June of 2011, Reynolds' Green Lantern opened. And it was a disaster. All of a sudden, Reynolds went from red hot to ice cold, and the Deadpool project (yet another superhero movie starting the guy who just flopped in one?) was tainted. Plus, the script Fox had for Deadpool was filled with the kind of profanity that talent agents and sailors use all day but would never get a PG-13 rating traditional for superhero movies from Marvel or DC. It also had nudity and decapitations and gore galore. Many meetings were held at Fox, internally and with the creative team, which never changed Reynolds, Miller, Reese and Wernick all remained with the project, a rarity in a business where turnover is high and execs chase the newest flavor. But no matter how many discussions were held, there was no denying that Deadpool was an R-rated movie that was only going to appeal to young men. It was decidedly a one quadrant project. Studios use "comps" to compare how similar movies did in the past to predict how future movies will perform, what kind of audiences they grabbed, how the marketing campaigns were run, etc. Deadpool didnt have any comps, which made execs extremely trigger-shy on a green light. Would a new playbook be written? Despite nerves, the studio gave Miller a low-six-figure budget to go and make a test reel, something that would show execs what a Deadpool movie would look like. It wasn't unprecedented. Zack Snyder made a test reel for 300; it began with the Warner Bros. logo turning into a Spartan shield, which was an excellent way to prep the execs for what was to come, and it got the film approved. Maybe once they saw the reel, Fox execs would approve the go-ahead. But even with the Deadpool test footage, Fox executives are said to have been scared. Tom Rothman, then the studio's co-chairman, was on the fence (the test footage ended with Deadpool saying, "Hi, Tom") and, after he left in late 2012, sole chairman Jim Gianopulos took his spot on the same fence. The economics made little sense. A PG-13 version of the script was on the table. Replacing Reynolds was considered, as was replacing Miller and/or the writers. And then it happened. In early August 2014, the test footage leaked online. The leak could have gone horribly wrong. The footage might have prompted a collective "meh," killing the project entirely. But fanboys online went ape for what they saw. The support was enthusiastic and overwhelming. Heres what We Got This Covered wrote at the time, pretty much summing up the situation: "This test footage rules, representing everything I want in a Deadpool movie, and Id hate to see this golden opportunity pass by, so Twentieth Century Fox, if youre listening, PLEASE DO THE RIGHT THING. I know youre more interested in Marvel properties that can tie into the bigger universe, but Deadpool could command a huge audience in his own right." Some might argue that Fox at least was complicit in the leak, if not the ultimate source. It might make sense: Fox production chief Emma Watts was having trouble getting sign-off for a project she believed in; a nervous studio might have wanted to test the waters before making a final call on what to do with a property it couldn't figure out how to handle. Plus, the footage belonged to Fox, not Miller, so he could have been sued for distributing it without at least tacit permission. But risk-averse movie studios typically don't leak their own internal test footage, even in desperate situations (potential embarrassment and encouraging other leaks are just two of the reasons). And studios don't like fans to see raw, unfinished footage, preferring to put their best product forward in marketing materials. And Reynolds, while promoting Deadpool, has played coy on the subject. Regardless of who was behind the leak, the ball was now moving fast. In early September, only a month later, the studio greenlit the movie. In March 2015, it was shooting. Fox started a long-lead marketing plan to convey to fans that this superhero movie would be different. And while Miller hasnt publicly said he was behind the leak, numerous sources point to him or one of his colleagues at Blur. I have no smoking-gun proof other than my typically very reliable sources on such matters. But if so, it was a bold move from a filmmaker who had nothing to lose and everything to gain. This was a guy pushing 50, trying to get his first movie made. What was going to happen to him? Be banned from directing movies? However, one insider insists Miller did not do it, painting him as the kind of person who would come out and say so if he did. This person posits the leak could have originated from emails that were sent to garner the director more work, with links to the footage as a showcase of his talent. Still, another insider believes the leak was an inside job since, as opposed to years earlier when a Deadpool script leaked online and was regarded as happenstance, this leak had a specific goal of moving the project forward. "A sentiment for years among the Deadpool team was 'If only people could see this,' " says the source. "There was a wish of 'what if we stepped away from our computers and it somehow leaked?' " If Miller is behind the leak, it would make sense to another person close to the project: "Ive never come across anyone so determined to make something happen," says this insider of Miller. "He should get a lot, if not the most, credit, for getting this done." It's a refrain I've heard from many. Now Deadpool, which cost in the $55-million to $60-million range to make, is opening to $132.7 million. It launches a new franchise for Fox and is set to revive Reynolds career (not to mention Miller's). The writers already are at work on a sequel. Thanks to the leak, the risk-averse studio now can take credit for re-energizing the superhero genre. Already, execs at rival studios are wondering what theyve got on their shelves that can be similar to Deadpool. Now, everyone has a comp. "Its not often that someone can say 'I told you so' in this town," says another Deadpool insider, "but these guys definitely get to say that." Read More: 'Deadpool' Sequel Already in the Works I drove the four and a half hours to Rome, New York, the night before I was scheduled to visit the prison hospice program at Mohawk. The desk clerk at the Quality Inn gave me directions the next morning. You cant miss it, she said in a raspy voice. Mohawk had once been a residential home for the developmentally disabled. It occupied the southernmost corner of the 150-acre Mohawk-Oneida campus and was converted to a medium-security prison in 1988. Today, it houses about 1,400 inmates, 112 of whom are inside the skilled nursing facility, Walsh Regional Medical Unit, which takes in prisoners from the central and western parts of New York State. What the hospice program at Mohawk did was prevent patients from dying alone. Terminal patients, particularly those dying inside prison, need human contact, companionship, and a chance to talk about their lives, the nurses told me. The program also provided healthy prisoners who had good behavior records the chance to train as volunteers, to give back to their fellow inmates. The program provided a real sense of satisfaction to our guys, according to the daytime hospice nurse. Theyre proud of what theyre doing. Theyre putting someone ahead of themselves. Theyve put themselves first until now. Volunteer training took place once a year (and lasted one week), but applications came in throughout the year. Recommended: Anti-Vaxxers Aren't Stupid The nurse called the patients in Walsh my patients with a kind of endearment that expressed her commitment to them and the program. Among them, 11 were dying of AIDS and seven had major illnesses, like cancer. Special accommodations were made for dying patientslike private rooms with TVs and radios and special mealsbut the staff was prepared for the traps that such accommodations could bring: trading morphine for cigarettes, being alone with female staff. The program, I was told, accepted patients with six months or less to live, although some live longer. They have the chance to get involved with their own feelings, one of the nurses said. Because of my time spent as a hospice volunteer, the tone these staff members used caught my attention. They were proud of the jobs they were doing; they felt they were contributing to the betterment of society. They found their work rewarding and fulfilling. I was in awe of them even as I balked at the paternalistic role they played in helping these prisonerscaged, monitored, employed, removed from the worldto give back. The concept of rehabilitation may haunt any conversation about incarceration, but the extent to which anyone believes in it gets lost in the practices of policing, sentencing, and incarcerating. Its easy to suspect that this is in part because of the power dynamic involved. Prisoners are subjected to a particular role inside, one that punishes them for any kind of deviation. They are constantly subject to an unbending authority. When prisoners go into hospice, either as patients or as volunteers, the rhetoric that surrounds their roles is constantly infused with ideas of reform. The old hospice directivethat patients should be helped to think reflectively and reckon with how theyve lived their livesfits surprisingly well in prison. Walsh, it seemed, was replicating the hospice model, now decades old, inside its walls. And the old hospice directivethat patients should be helped to think reflectively and reckon with how theyve lived their livesfits surprisingly well in prison. It dovetails with the belief that men were incarcerated because they had not taken responsibility for themselves, because they did not understand compassion, did not follow the rules, and did not make themselves productive and useful members of society. Hospice is a way for them to find forgiveness for their sins and to make peace with their world and themselves. Since prisons were established in the United States, there have always been prisoners dying inside, but the recent rise in the age of the prison population and the need for prison administrators to find ways to care for the elderly, sick, and dying provided them with a new opportunity for rehabilitation: care for the dying. What better way to help a prisoner face his sins than turn his face toward death? Recommended: The Secret to Love Is Just Kindness There are 2.3 million adults in jail or prison in the United States. Thats the largest number of incarcerated people in the world. Between 1995 and 2010, the number of prisoners over 55 quadrupled. By 2030, they will account for an estimated one-third of all incarcerated people, according to a 2014 report, The High Cost of Low Risk: The Crisis of Americas Aging Prison Population, by the Osborne Association, a prison advocacy group based in New York. Behind prison walls, where every social malady is compounded, is the perfect place from which to consider the future of health-care access and end-of-life care in the United States. According to the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organizations 2012 report, End of Life Care in Corrections, there were more than 75 hospice programs in U.S. prisons in 2012. Fifty percent of them rely on inmates as volunteers. A 2011 paper by Katie Stone, Irena Papadopoulos, and Daniel Kelly in Palliative Medicine suggests that the benefit for inmate volunteers is that they are able to offer patients a level of empathy that cannot be achieved by free people regardless of intention or training. Inmate volunteers know what its like to be a prisoner and can better share experiences and understanding with incarcerated hospice patients. The paper suggests that volunteers gain valuable psychological rehabilitation through a renewed sense of responsibility and care. Pain management in a facility where drug use is rampantand, indeed, a major cause of incarcerationis problematic. But such programs, according to the study, have two primary challenges: pain and trust. Pain management in a facility where drug use is rampantand, indeed, a major cause of incarcerationis problematic. Doctors and nurses can find it hard to believe a patient who tells them hes in pain. A culture of suspicion emerged concerning the illicit drug trafficking of narcotics intended for pain relief, the Palliative Medicine report states. The macho prison culture also prevented many in pain from admitting what they felt. But a larger issue, one difficult to measure, exists: Prison healthcare staff may believe that prisoners deserve their suffering. In other words, pain is punishment. Staff members tend to default on the side of pain over more medication when prescribing narcotics to hospice patients. In church parlance and even in broader society, the belief that pain makes us better people is commonplace. In prison, suffering is part of the centuries-old plan. Its also hard for prisoners to believe that staff members have their best interests in mind. Can you trust doctors who work for a system that controls every aspect of your life? A system that was established to punish, subjugate, discipline, restrain, subdue? Decisions to limit care (or not pursue every option) can make prisoners even more distrustful of their caregivers. Couple that with the requirement that, in 55 percent of prisons, patients must sign DNR orders before they can enter hospice, and a climate of deprivation, ill will, and doubt about the facilitys objectives can grow. Patient safety is tempered with a paternal we know whats good for you attitude; prisoners who feel their lives are less valued think the system doesnt care about them or is invested in getting rid of them. Yet sending prisoners to external hospices, as is done in the United Kingdom, or releasing those who are too ill to violate laws, is also a problem. The saddest sentence of the Palliative Medicine report is: For some, the prison and its inhabitants are all that is familiar due to institutionalization. Recommended: The Power of Buying Less by Buying Better The challenge is that we cant lose compassion or cross a line, a nurse told me, her tone warm and professional. Its just one of the many health challenges unique to prison populations. Prisoners age faster than those of us outside. Incarceration not only compounds existing health issues and heightens the risk of further health problems, states the Osborne Associations 2014 paper, butmost alarminglyhas a deteriorating effect on the bodies of incarcerated people. Incarceration may slow down a prisoners perception of time, but it accelerates his bodys. Incarceration takes more years out of a life than just those required by a sentence. Lack of proper mental and physical health care and abnormally high levels of stress and anxiety can make fifty-year-old prisoners bodies seem 10 to 15 years older. Of prisoners over 50, 40, to 60 percent have mental-health challenges. $34,000 a year to keep an able-bodied prisoner locked up, elders can cost as much as twice that amount. Prisons werent designed for elders, either. They require that prisoners climb into bunks and haul themselves up stairs or across long distances. Meals must be eaten in 12 minutes. Daily routines are strictly timed and regimented; one errordue to dementia, disorientation, physical inability, or painand punishment is delivered. The physical discipline of prison, meant to rehabilitate the weak, evil, or selfish mind of a criminal, is a questionable approach to reform, at best. For an elderly population, it looks like abuse. But renovating Americas prisons to meet the needs of an aging population isnt in the budget. Dealing with the needs of prison elders will take a variety of approaches, none of which look easy. The costs of prison health care are, like the costs of public health care, rapidly increasing. The United States currently spends about $16 billionmore than the entire Department of Energy budgeton incarceration of prisoners over the age of fifty. While it costs about $34,000 a year to keep an able-bodied prisoner locked up, elders can cost as much as twice that amount. * * * Compassion is a complicated thing. Its an emotion, both abstract and concrete, shown both in our broad support for groups or issues and in the care that we give those around us. Its easier to care for people when you trust them, but also when you know you have power over them. When you know they need you. Trust or safety, then, can alter our levels of compassion. I felt guilty for not having more compassion for Moore, a prisoner I met at Mohawk, who later wrote to me, and I didnt know if it was because of him or because of where I met him. I didnt want him to be in pain. I didnt want him to be treated unfairly. But I didnt want anything to do with him, either. That, I realized, was the line that prison medical staff people had to draw. They may use prison rules or state laws or medical ethics to draw the line. And those laws and rules may make their work easier for them. But it was an institutionalized way of grappling with very complicated emotions like trust and safety and even personal chemistry. Their work is made possible by an ethics, not to be confused with a universal set of moral principles. The ethics of the prison medical staff members was unique to their place of work, a prison. We can and will, as a society, argue about what the laws should be, about what our conscience should let us do. This article has been adapted from Ann Neumanns book, The Good Death: An Exploration of Dying in America. Read more from The Atlantic: This article was originally published on The Atlantic. By Ahmed Mohamed Hassan CAIRO (Reuters) - A senior Egyptian police officer investigating the death of Italian student Giulio Regeni has a prior conviction in connection with the torture and death of a detainee, according to security and judicial sources and court documents seen by Reuters. Regeni, 28, disappeared on Jan. 25, the fifth anniversary of the 2011 uprising that ended President Hosni Mubarak's 30-year rule. His body was found on the side of the main Cairo-Alexandria highway on Feb. 3. Egyptian forensics and prosecution officials have said he was tortured and killed by a blow with a sharp object to the back of the head. Khaled Shalaby, now head of Criminal Investigations in Giza and one of the investigators in the Regeni case, and three others were charged in 2000 with torturing and killing a detainee inside a police station in Alexandria, according to the security and judicial sources and documents. One document from the Alexandria Criminal Court shows that Shalaby and three other policemen were initially cleared of the charges related to the killing of Farid Shawqi Ahmed Abdel Aal. A retrial led to the conviction of Shalaby and the three others in 2003 on reduced charges of failing to protect the detainee and not transferring him to hospital, according to a ruling from the Alexandria Criminal Court seen by Reuters. The court handed Shalaby a one-year jail sentence with labour that was suspended. The court documents show that the accused officers claimed that during his arrest, Abdel Aal hit his own head against a pole and later died of wounds. Contacted by telephone, Shalaby denied any wrongdoing: "There are no cases against me and I don't understand what does this have to do with the Italians case?," he said. Shalaby became head of Criminal Investigations in Alexandria in 2009 and was transferred in 2013 to Giza where he was promoted to head the Criminal Investigations unit, according to a security source. The Criminal Investigation unit Shalaby heads is one of several involved in the investigation, which is led by Homeland Security and also includes Italian security officers. On Feb. 4 the website of the pro-government newspaper Youm7 quoted him as saying Regeni's body bore no signs of a criminal act. "Preliminary investigations show he was the victim of a car accident," he was quoted as saying. Egyptian Interior Ministry spokesman Abu Baker Abdel Karim did not respond to calls by Reuters but a ministry statement issued on Monday denied media reports that Regeni had been arrested by security forces. But Ahmed Nagy, a senior prosecutor in Giza, said Regeni's body bore cigarette burns and slits to the ears. The Egyptian coroner's report has not been made public but other forensic and prosecution sources have said it found signs of torture including broken ribs and electrocution. A copy of Regeni's professional biography provided by a friend showed he spoke Arabic and that his doctoral research at Britain's Cambridge University focused on trade union activity in Egypt after Mubarak's overthrow. Friends of Regeni said his research may have led him to meet labour activists and critics of the current government of President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, who is waging the fiercest crackdown on dissent in Egypt's modern history. Rights groups allege that Egyptians are often detained by police on scant evidence and beaten, sometimes to death. The Interior Ministry and other Egyptian authorities denies police brutality is endemic and say any allegations of abuses are investigated. Critics say investigations are not always thorough. Regeni's death could complicate efforts by Sisi's government to project an image of stability to win back tourists and foreign investors scared off by years of post-uprising turmoil. Regeni's body was returned to Rome on Feb. 6, where the Italian authorities conducted a second autopsy. Italian Interior Minister Angelina Alfano told Sky News 24 television station that autopsy had revealed "something inhuman, something animal". (Additional reporting by Lin Noueihed, Amina Ismail and Haithem Ahmed in Cairo and Steve Scherer in Rome, Writing by Lin Noueihed; Editing by Michael Georgy) By Barbara Lewis BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Better driving, improved roads and measures such as more rational loading of freight can lower the environmental impact of trucks, European industry leaders said on Tuesday, as they pushed back against EU regulation to curb emissions. Erik Jonnaert, secretary general of the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA), said he accepted the need for emissions targets. But he said the industry supported market forces and "an integrated approach". As only around 10 percent of the European vehicle fleet is new, it is crucial to focus on the older 90 percent, he told reporters in Brussels. He also said there was a danger of a "proliferation of targets" and Europe had gone from being one of the most profitable vehicle-manufacturing regions in 2007 to the least profitable by 2012, partly because of tougher environmental standards. The EU has agreed to a limit on how much carbon dioxide cars can emit of 95 grams per kilometer by 2021. It was only agreed after lengthy argument and extra concessions to satisfy Germany, home to luxury car manufacturers such as BMW and Daimler. Environmentalists are now pushing for tougher standards by 2025 and at least four EU governments - Finland, Ireland, the Netherlands and Sweden - also called last year for the European Commission to publish challenging new targets for 2025. The industry is suggesting alternative approaches and ACEA commissioning research by Dutch consultancy Transport & Mobility Leuven on reducing CO2 emissions from heavy goods vehicles in Europe. Compared with a "new vehicle only" approach, the integrated approach, including measures such as driver training, has the potential to double the annual CO2 reduction rate from trucks, to up to 3.5 percent, ACEA said. It commissioned a separate study by FTI Consulting that found EU environmental standards would add 16 percent to average car manufacturing costs in Europe by 2020 and that they could not be passed on to consumers. ACEA's proposals on Tuesday drew criticism from environmental campaigners, who favor specific emissions targets for all kinds of vehicles and said ACEA was shifting the emphasis from the need to invest in fuel-efficient engines. The campaign group Transport and Environment quoted research published this week by another consultancy, Ricardo, which showed an integrated approach was inadequate and a new 2025 target for cars and fuel efficiency technology for trucks would have far more impact on cutting greenhouse gas emissions. The Volkswagen emissions scandal is primarily about nitrogen oxide, but the company has also admitted it understated carbon dioxide levels, prompting the European Commission to demand details from VW and from all 28 member states. (Editing by Adrian Croft) By Ayla Jean Yackley ISTANBUL (Reuters) - Anxiety about refugees streaming to its shores has led the European Union to turn an apparent blind eye to rights abuses in Turkey, whose help the EU needs to reduce the migrant influx, the European Parliament's rapporteur on Turkey said on Tuesday. The number of Syrian war refugees in neighboring Turkey has swelled to 2.6 million and the EU has promised Ankara 3 billion euros to help it cope with them in the hope this will dissuade many from making onward journeys to Europe. EU officials have also voiced renewed support for Turkey's long-held aspiration of joining the 28-nation bloc if it does more to stem the outflow of migrants to Europe. The European Parliament's rapporteur on Turkey said the delay of a European Commission progress report on Ankara's EU qualifications until after the November 2015 election, won by the party that backs President Tayyip Erdogan, suggested the bloc was staying "silent" in the face of a deteriorating rights record in Turkey. Turkish security-force operations against Kurdish militants in southeast Turkey since July have killed at least 160 civilians, according to rights groups. Journalists and academics critical of the government's policies have been detained. "The (EU) accession process ... should be connected to democratic reforms or rule of law or what's happening with the Kurdish question," rapporteur Kati Piri told Reuters. "The European Union gave a pretty bad signal by connecting it so directly to migration." Ankara's peace talks with the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) collapsed in July, ending a ceasefire. Some 400,000 people have been displaced since the conflict reignited, Piri said in the telephone interview. "If the EU does not engage actively in calling for an immediate ceasefire and the peace process to be resumed, we could face another refugee inflow, and this time it will be coming from Turkey," she told reporters in Brussels, presenting the draft report that will be voted on by European lawmakers. STEPS TO CURB FLOW More than 1 million migrants reached Europe via illegal routes in 2015, and another million will seek to do so in 2016, according to the International Organization for Migration and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. Turkey has yet to receive any of the 3 billion euros of EU aid, but Piri said the government had boosted efforts to stop refugees, including blocking Syrians coming from Jordan and Lebanon and breaking up people-smuggling rings. But it will have to lift its geographical limitation on accepting refugees in order to meet EU criteria, she said. Turkey only considers those fleeing Europe to be refugees, although there has been no such migration for decades, and gives those from other regions only limited rights to live and work. "This will be a very important point in the coming months. It is one of the conditions Turkey needs to fulfill for visa liberalization with the EU. This could be a huge step forward for improving the lives of asylum seekers in Turkey," said Piri. Turkey opened membership talks with the EU in 2005 but the slow pace of reforms there, a dispute over the divided island of Cyprus and worries in Europe about taking in a country with a large Muslim population has stalled its accession bid. (Additional reporting by Francesco Guarascio in Brussels; Editing by Nick Tattersall and Mark Heinrich) LONDON (Reuters) - European lawmakers told Prime Minister David Cameron on Tuesday they were ready to take any legislation needed to implement a deal to keep Britain in the bloc through the European Parliament swiftly, a spokeswoman for the British leader said. Cameron met the leaders of the three largest groups in the European Parliament on Tuesday as he sought to secure backing for a draft deal on Britain's EU ties before a meeting of the bloc's leaders later this week. "All three made clear their support for the proposals on the table and said they were ready to take any necessary EU legislation through the European Parliament swiftly," she said. Earlier on Tuesday, following a meeting with Cameron, EU Parliament President Martin Schulz said whatever national leaders concluded, he could not guarantee European deputies would deliver the necessary legislation, notably on welfare benefits. (Reporting by Kylie MacLellan, editing by Elizabeth Piper) By Alastair Macdonald BRUSSELS (Reuters) - David Cameron fended off changes on Tuesday to a draft deal he has cut to help keep Britain in the EU, as other states demanded adjustments and the European Parliament said it could not guarantee to pass the reforms. After talks on Monday with President Francois Hollande, who argued the draft text may give British banks unfair advantages, the British prime minister visited Brussels to meet EU executive chief Jean-Claude Juncker and leaders of the EU legislature. Two days before a summit where all sides hope for agreement, wrangling continued behind the scenes over the wording of the deal. Cameron made no public comment during his stay in Brussels and one person who met him said he appeared "very stressed". But Manfred Weber, the parliamentary center-right leader and an ally of German Chancellor Angela Merkel, said he seemed "strongly convinced that he can convince the people" to maintain EU membership in a referendum EU officials expect Cameron to call soon after the summit, probably scheduled for June. Summit chairman Donald Tusk, who presented a plan two weeks ago to help Cameron campaign on the basis the EU was adapting to British tastes, said after he met the Czech prime minister in Prague that leaders would have to go "an extra mile". Bohuslav Sobotka said poorer states feared that not just Britain might use new rights to cut benefits for migrant workers from the east of the bloc. Unhelpfully for Cameron as he faces scorn from eurosceptic opponents who say his deal is unlikely to survive a necessary passage through the European Parliament, the assembly's president said he could not guarantee to deliver new laws on benefits and migration after Britons have voted. "This is not possible in a democracy," Martin Schulz said -- though he also said parliament had "no veto" over the accord and he, Weber and other leaders of major parties said they would legislate within the "framework" of the deal. Cameron insists any agreement will be legally binding, even if it does not change EU treaties but takes the form of a treaty among the 28 EU states on how to interpret existing rules. His office issued a statement saying party leaders he met supported the proposals and assured the prime minister they were ready to pass the necessary legislation after the referendum. "MONKEYS WITH GUNS" But parliamentary leaders are concerned that cutting deals for London will encourage others to seek favors, raising the prospect of cross-party, transnational haggling in the assembly. "It's Pandora's box," one parliamentary official said. "The parliament is unpredictable. It can be monkeys with guns." Before reaching that stage, however, diplomats and officials still have to hammer out a final draft for leaders to discuss on Thursday and Friday. France still wants guarantees that wording intended to ensure the City of London does not suffer from deals cut within the euro zone does not then allow British banks a chance to benefit from lighter local regulatory constraints. Diplomats said British officials have been defending Tusk's draft against efforts to chip away at Britain's gains but that, given the lukewarm reception in Britain for his reforms, Cameron may also try to secure new concessions in the final days. Easterners are focusing on limiting how many years Britain can apply the new "emergency brake" on benefits. More generally, many governments which favor a more federal Europe want clarity that language to reassure Britons they need not integrate deeper with the EU does not also apply to others. All the 27 other leaders say they want to help keep the EU's second biggest economy inside, however, and are keen to move quickly on to the summit's other main issue, Europe's migration crisis. (Additional reporting by Robert-Jan Bartunek and Philip Blenkinsop in Brussels, Paul Taylor in Paris, Jan Lopatka in Prague and Kylie MacLellan in London; editing by John Stonestreet) Brussels (AFP) - British Prime Minister David Cameron entered the final stretch of negotiations to keep his country in the EU Wednesday ahead of a crunch summit, after the European Commission's chief insisted a so-called Brexit is not an option. Downing Street said there "are still details to be nailed down" after Cameron held talks with EU figures to win them over to a package of changes he says Britain must get to avoid leaving the bloc. Britain's Wednesday newspapers reported that part of the plans, to curtail benefits for migrant workers, had been rebuffed by Eastern European countries the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia. "Eastern threat to EU deal" was the headline of i newspaper, while City AM said Cameron had been "Eastern blocked". Cameron met with European Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker, European Parliament head Martin Schulz and top MEPs ahead of a summit of all 28 EU leaders in Brussels on Thursday and Friday, at which he hopes to agree the reforms. If Cameron gets what he wants there, he will take the deal into a proposed referendum, most likely in June. If Britons vote to remain in the EU, then the deal would return to Brussels to be put in legal form. The European Parliament would be closely involved in that process alongside the Commission, the EU's executive arm, and the bloc's 28 leaders. Schulz, a veteran and fervent supporter of the whole European Union project, pledged that the European Parliament would "move very quickly on the proposals" put forward, but added: "I cannot make any guarantees on the outcome." A source in the European People's Party, the biggest group in parliament, dismissed accusations by British eurosceptics that MEPs would unravel the deal after the referendum. "If we have a 'yes' from the British voters, then we will deliver," he said. - Strong opposition - The discussions in Brussels are part of a frenetic merry-go-round of diplomacy ahead of this week's summit. Story continues Juncker, speaking before meeting Cameron, said he refused to even entertain the idea of Britain leaving the bloc. "If I would say now that we have a plan B, this would indicate a kind of willingness of the Commission to envisage seriously that Britain could leave the European Union," Juncker said. "We don't have a plan B, we have a plan A. Britain will stay in the European Union as a constructive and active member of the Union." Cameron made no public comment during his four-hour visit to Brussels. His most controversial proposal is to restrict welfare payments for four years for EU citizens working in Britain. Eastern EU member states such as Poland, which has hundreds of thousands of workers in Britain, say such a measure would discriminate against them and undercut the core bloc principle of freedom of movement. Cameron's demand that EU countries that do not use the euro, like Britain, have safeguards against closer integration of the single currency area has run into serious opposition, especially from France. An opt-out from the EU's mission of "ever closer union" and strengthened national sovereignty are also proving unexpected controversial. The prime minister agreed to hold the referendum largely to head off gains by the anti-EU UK Independence Party, which was exploiting sharp differences over Europe within his own Conservative Party. Separately, Britain's Prince William on Tuesday made a speech that the British media interpreted as backing continuing membership of the EU. "For centuries Britain has been an outward-looking nation," said the prince, the grandson of Queen Elizabeth II. "We have a long, proud tradition of seeking out allies and partners... Our ability to unite in common action with other nations is essential, it is the bedrock of our security and prosperity." A spokesman for his Kensington Palace office insisted the speech "was not about Europe." The royal family does not usually intervene in political issues due to its constitutional position but has been known to issue carefully worded pronouncements on sensitive issues. Lagos (AFP) - Elite, stylish and extravagant, the social scene at the annual Lagos polo tournament is as much of a show as the game on the pitch. Big name politicians and businessmen hobnob with tribal kings and queens, while imported professional players from Argentina, Syria and South Africa up the stakes on the field. The Lagos Polo Club, a green gem in the heart of Ikoyi, one of the upscale neighbourhoods of Nigeria's commercial hub Lagos, has long been a watering hole for the country's elite. When the Lagos Bonhams face the Kano Akasma under the blazing sun, a small crowd of young women wearing ornate fascinators watch from the edge of the lawn, sipping from flutes of luxury champagne, one of the sponsors of the event. The tournament, which started last week Wednesday and ends Sunday, February 21, is "going to be the best tournament ever", Ayo Olashoju, captain of the Lagos Polo Club, said to AFP. The field has been fully renovated, explained Olashoju, while the foreign professionals, dubbed "hired assassins", have been contracted by local teams for extra strength. "This is my ninth year in Nigeria," Santiago "Chino" Estrada, a famous Argentinian professional player, said. "It's improving every year." Lagos is "becoming a really nice club to come and play" even if the hot and humid climate is not ideal for horses, he said, pulling his leather riding boots over his white pants before heading out to play. - Watering hole - British colonisers brought the sport to Nigeria at the turn of the 20th century, later converting a military airstrip into the polo club, Lagos Polo Club president Ade Laoye said. Far from becoming a colonial relic, over the years the polo club has grown to become the favoured meeting place of the most influential politicians and businessman. Dodan barracks, headquarters of the military dictator who assumed power in 1966, are conveniently located next door. Story continues Many heads of state played there, including avid polo player General Yakubu Gowon, who ruled for a decade until 1975. Today the club has 240 members -- a who's who of Nigerian society. On Friday, those spotted in the crowd included the son of Bola Tinubu, former governor of Lagos and one of the most powerful politicians in the country, members of the Dantata family dynasty from the north, and relatives of the richest man in Africa, Aliko Dangote. They will take in the polo over two weeks of competition, interspersed with fashion shows, art exhibitions and, of course, hat contests. - Accomplished equestrians - Businessman Murtala Dankaka, captain of Kano Akasma, Nigeria's largest city in the north, only started playing polo three years ago, though he has been riding horses since childhood. "There are about 15 teams from Kano. We have a club and there are private polo farms as well, " said Dankaka. Horses feature prominently in the country's predominantly Muslim north, where emirs and eminent personalities are more often than not accomplished equestrians. "The emirs, up north, were always great horsemen. And they enjoyed riding horses and encouraged their sons to ride horses. And that's why there's a big following in the North", Laoye said. The "durbar", a festival where horse riders dressed in billowing robes and colourful turbans pay homage to the emir, is also one of the great cultural attractions of Kano. Today, the cities of Kano, Katsina and Kaduna have major polo clubs, along with many private polo grounds, including luxurious hideaways like the Fifth Chukker in Kaduna. In total, Nigeria has between 35 and 40 clubs, estimates Laoye, who says he wants to make the sport "more accessible". Still, cost is an issue, Edozie Onwuli, an immigration agent who plays in Ibadan, 130 kilometres (80 miles) north of Lagos, said. "If you buy a pony -- the local word for horse -- which comes from Chad, Niger and Sudan, it costs between 300,000 and 1.5 million naira (between 1,300 and 6,500 euros, $1,400 to $7,200)," but for a pure Sudanese the price can go to three million naira (13,000 euros), he said. Meanwhile, an Argentinian horse, considered the must-have in Lagos, "can go up to $50,000", he exclaimed. "That's a whole lot of money." One of the greatest fears about the Islamic States march across Iraq and parts of Syria in 2014 was that undisclosed or unsecured chemical weapons would fall into the terror groups hands, adding a horrifying weapon to their arsenal and posing new dangers to allies in Middle East and the U.S. homeland. On Monday, a diplomat with the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, the worlds leading chemical arms watchdog, told Reuters that lab tests confirmed mustard gas was used last August in the Iraqi city of Erbil, after approximately 35 Kurdish troops fell ill on the battlefield. The OPCW concluded in October that mustard gas was used last year in neighboring Syria, making this the second such instance. Related: A New World War? Russia and the US Look for a Way to Cool Down Syria The latest discovery is sure to spark a round of questions, including how ISIS came into possession of such a terrible weapon. Syria agreed to give up its chemical weapons stockpile after hundreds died in a Sarin nerve gas attack near Damascus in 2013. Western countries blamed that attack on the government of President Bashar al-Assad, which has vehemently denied it. The latest incident will no doubt come up when the OPCW's 41-member Executive Council meets next month. The news comes days after Director of National Intelligence James Clapper spoke at a security conference in Munich late last week and warned ISIS wants to use chemical weapons on the United States. "It is pretty clear that they [ISIS] have used this [chemical weapons] numerous times," said Clapper. "It is very clear aspirationally they would like to do more and it is a concern to us in the United States because the indications are that they would like to use chemical weapons against us." Related: Russias Latest Weapons Sale to Iran Shifts the Balance of Mideast Power Central Intelligence Agency chief John Brennan echoed those remarks during an interview with CBS 60 Minutes over the weekend. Story continues There are reports that ISIS has access to chemical precursors and munitions that they can use. The CIA believes that ISIS has the ability to manufacture small quantities of chlorine and mustard gas, he said. Pressed if such materials could be exported to the West, Brennan replied, I think there's always the potential for that. This is why it's so important to cut off the various transportation routes and smuggling routes that they have used. Related: Heres Who ISIS Would Vote for in the US Presidential Election U.S. intelligence is actively involved in being a part of the effort to destroy ISIL and to get as much insight into what they have on the ground inside of Syria and Iraq, he added. If ISIS has used mustard gas --- which was used with deadly effect in World War I and which burns to the eyes, skin and respiratory system severely theres little reason to believe they wont use it again, most likely in Iraq. The U.S.-led military campaign is planning a major offensive to take back Mosul, Iraqs second largest city, which fell to extremists in the summer of 2014. Defense Department officials and allies might have to factor in the possibility of chemical warfare in retaking the city, possibly by providing additional equipment to protect liberating forces against such an attack or possible booby-traps left by ISIS. Any delay gives the terror group more time to dig in its heels and prepare for the coming siege, making the task of recapturing Mosul that much harder. Top Reads from The Fiscal Times: TAMPA, Fla. (Reuters) - Florida lottery officials will reveal on Wednesday who holds one of the three winning tickets eligible for a share in last month's record $1.6 billion U.S. Powerball jackpot. Retailers in Florida, California and Tennessee sold the winning tickets, worth about $529 million each. More than a month after the Jan. 13 drawing, details on the Florida claim will be shared at a news conference on Wednesday afternoon at the state's lottery headquarters in Tallahassee. "The winners will be present," the Florida Lottery said in a news release on Tuesday. The lucky ticket was purchased at a Publix supermarket in Melbourne Beach on Florida's central east coast. A Tennessee couple with another of the winning tickets quickly came forward last month, announcing they would take their share in a cash payment. They planned to keep their jobs because "you just can't sit down and do nothing." A third winning ticket was sold at a 7-Eleven convenience store in the city of Chino Hills, California, according to the state's lottery. The Powerball winner from California has not yet come forward to claim the prize, said Melissa Villarin, a spokeswoman for the California Lottery. (Reporting by Letitia Stein in Tampa, Fla. and Eric M. Johnson in Seattle; Editing by Colleen Jenkins and Alistair Bell) In 2001, toxicologist Dennis Paustenbach got a phone call from a lawyer for Ford Motor Company. The lawyer, Darrell Grams, explained that Ford had been losing lawsuits filed by former auto mechanics alleging asbestos in brakes had given them mesothelioma, an aggressive cancer virtually always tied to asbestos exposure. Grams asked Paustenbach, then a vice president with the consulting firm Exponent, if he had any interest in studying the diseases possible association with brake work. A meeting cemented the deal. Paustenbach, a prolific author of scientific papers whod worked with Grams on Dow Cornings defense against silicone breast-implant illness claims, had barely looked at asbestos to that point. I really started to get serious about studying asbestos after I met Mr. Grams, thats for sure, Paustenbach testified in a sworn deposition in June 2015. Before that, he said, the topic wasnt that interesting to me. Thus began a relationship that, according to recent depositions, has enriched Exponent by $18.2 million and brought another $21 million to Cardno ChemRisk, a similar firm Paustenbach founded in 1985, left and restarted in 2003. All told, testimony shows, Ford has spent nearly $40 million funding journal articles and expert testimony concluding there is no evidence brake mechanics are at increased risk of developing mesothelioma. This finding, repeated countless times in courtrooms and law offices over the past 15 years, is an attempt at scientific misdirection aimed at extricating Ford from lawsuits, critics say. Theyve published a lot, but theyve really produced no new science, said John Dement, a professor in Duke Universitys Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine and an asbestos researcher for more than four decades. Fifteen years ago, I thought the issue of asbestos risk assessment was pretty much defined. All theyve accomplished is to try to generate doubt where, really, little doubt existed. Story continues The glut of corporate-financed science has yielded mixed results. Exponent had a role in jury trials won by Ford in St. Louis and Pittsburgh last year, for example, and in a trial Ford lost in Tennessee. Judges have noted the infusion of controversy into a subject that for many years was not controversial in the least. A veteran asbestos judge in Wayne County, Michigan, wrote in an opinion that hed never encountered the argument that the science was not there on mesothelioma and brakes until he heard a case involving an Exponent witness. The discord over brakes bankrolled by Ford has, in certain cases, tipped the scales for the defendants with juries, said plaintiffs lawyer Jon Ruckdeschel. More frequently, it has been used by industry lawyers to increase the costs and burdens on the courts and sick mechanics by creating a tidal wave of pre-trial litigation regarding the science. Related: About 'Science for Sale' This story is part of Science for Sale. Corporations are steering millions of dollars to scientific consulting firms to cast doubt on health concerns surrounding toxic chemicals. Click here to read more stories in this investigation. Don't miss another Environment investigation: Sign up for the Center for Public Integrity's Watchdog email. A troubling history Over the past decade 109 physicians, scientists and academics from 17 countries have signed legal briefs affirming that asbestos in brakes can cause mesothelioma. The World Health Organization and other research and regulatory bodies maintain that there is no safe exposure level for asbestos and that all forms of the mineral including the most common one, chrysotile, found in brakes can produce mesothelioma. Worries about brakes as a source of disease go back decades. A 1971 Ford memo shows that while the company didnt believe brake dust unleashed by mechanics contained significant amounts of asbestos, it already was exploring alternatives to asbestos brake linings. One of them, made of metal and carbon, performed well, the memo says, but the cost penalty is severe ($1.25/car just for front-end brakes). A Ford spokeswoman declined to comment for this article. In its 2014 annual report, the company said, Most of the asbestos litigation we face involves individuals who claim to have worked on the brakes of our vehicles over the years. We are prepared to defend these cases, and believe that the scientific evidence confirms our long-standing position that there is no increased risk of asbestos-related disease as a result of exposure to the type of asbestos formerly used in the brakes on our vehicles. Ford announced recently that it earned a record pretax profit of $10.5 billion in 2015. A written statement to the Center for Public Integrity delivered on behalf of Paustenbach by a public-relations firm says, Dennis was viewed as one of the leading risk assessment experts in the country, and was contacted by Ford because of his experience and expertise in this field. As Dennis and others learned more about brake dust, it was clear that while there was considerable data on the subject, the scientific information had never been synthesized and analyzed. His conclusion after reviewing the scientific literature, according to the statement: There is no credible study that has shown an increased risk of disease in auto mechanics. An Exponent vice president declined to comment. On its website, the 49-year-old firm, originally known as Failure Analysis Associates, says, We evaluate complex human health and environmental issues to find cost-effective solutions. By introducing a new way of thinking about an existing situation, we assist clients to overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles. A Center review of abstracts on the National Institutes of Healths PubMed website turned up 10 articles on asbestos brakes co-authored by scientists affiliated with Exponent or Cardno ChemRisk since 2003. (The latter was known simply as ChemRisk until it was acquired by Brisbane, Australia-based Cardno in 2012). None of the articles reported an elevated risk of mesothelioma among vehicle mechanics. Many physicians and scientists say, however, that these papers muddy the waters by drawing overly broad conclusions from earlier studies of workers who might have had no contact with asbestos brakes. In the asbestos area the whole literature has been so warped by publications just supporting litigation, said Dement, of Duke. It has a real negative impact on pushing the science forward. Dement said he has, on rare occasions, consulted for plaintiffs in the past 10 or 15 years, earmarking nearly all fees for the university. In a 2007 article, two researchers at George Washington University one of whom, David Michaels, now heads the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration reported finding six litigation-generated papers on asbestos and auto mechanics published from 1997 through 2001. In the ensuing five years, 20 such papers were published. All told, 18 of the 26 papers published from 1997 through 2006 were written by experts primarily associated with defendants, while eight were written by experts who work primarily for plaintiffs ... Sponsorship by parties involved in litigation leads to an imbalance in the literature whoever is willing to fund more studies will have more studies published. Craig Biegel, a retired corporate defense lawyer in Oregon who represented plaintiffs later in his career, did an update of the Michaels paper as part of his doctoral dissertation. Biegel searched the National Library of Medicines PubMed website using the words asbestos and brake. He found 27 articles written from 1998 to 2015 by experts known to work for industry; all, he said, showed either no elevated risk of mesothelioma among mechanics or minimal asbestos exposures. He found 10 articles written by plaintiffs experts; all showed an association between the disease and brake work. And he found 11 articles written by foreign scientists, who, as far as he knew, were not involved in litigation. All but one showed an association or documented high asbestos exposures. As far as Im concerned, both sides in a lawsuit do the same thing: They both fund research to obtain evidence for trial, not to advance science, said Biegel, who once defended asbestos property-damage claims for a Fortune 500 company he declined to identify. The only difference is that defense counsel have almost unlimited industry money and plaintiffs counsel do not want to spend their own money. Fords knowledge of asbestos There are several ways microscopic asbestos fibers can be sent airborne and enter the human body during brake work. Over time, friction wears down brake linings and pads many of which contained asbestos prior to the mid-1990s and some of which still do and they need to be replaced. A mechanic who opened a brake drum would find it filled with fine dust from the decayed lining. The easiest and most common way to clean it out was to use compressed air, a technique that generates grayish, fiber-bearing clouds that can trigger disease years later if the worker is not properly protected. Many werent. Other opportunities for exposure: filing, grinding or sanding brakes, or cleaning up work areas. Ford wasnt the only U.S. automaker to use asbestos brakes. General Motors and Chrysler did as well and found themselves in court as a result. Of the so-called Big Three, however, only Ford continues to get hit with mesothelioma lawsuits; GM and Chrysler are immune by virtue of their 2009 bankruptcies. The extent of our financial exposure to asbestos litigation remains very difficult to estimate, Ford said in its 2014 annual report. Annual payout and defense costs may become significant in the future. Documents show Ford was mindful of concerns about asbestos brakes by the late 1960s. An unpublished report by an industrial hygienist with Ford of Britain in 1968 said that while brake linings at the time contained between 40 and 60 percent asbestos, field tests indicated dust that collected in brake drums had a low asbestos content because much of the material decomposed after repeated braking. Consequently, he wrote, there was no evidence that blowing out the drums presented a significant hazard to health. The hygienist added, It would be helpful, however, for clinical examinations to be made of some repair mechanics with long experience of brake cleaning to confirm this view. It would also be desirable to include in Service manuals a general instruction that inhalation of dust during brake cleaning should be minimised. A 1970 Ford memo titled Asbestos Emissions from Brake Lining Wear included a bibliography of 40 articles on the cancer-causing effects of asbestos, dating to 1954. And the same 1971 memo bemoaning the $1.25 cost of asbestos-free brakes noted that the state of Illinois was considering banning the use of asbestos in brake linings, beginning with the 1975 model year. Don't miss another Environment investigation: Sign up for the Center for Public Integrity's Watchdog email. In 1973, Ford began telling its own employees to use an industrial type vacuum cleaner to remove dust from brake drums. Under no circumstances shall compressed air blowoff be used to clean brakes and brake drums, the company said. It first told its dealers about what it called a potential health hazard in 1975. In a court filing, Ford said it began putting caution labels on packages of asbestos-containing brakes and clutches in 1980; many mesothelioma victims who have sued the company say they never saw such labels. In the same document Ford said it began a complete phase-out of asbestos-containing brake products in the 1983 model year, starting with its Ranger pickup truck. A decade later, only Ford Mustangs and certain limousines were equipped with asbestos brakes; some asbestos-containing parts for older model-year vehicles were available until 2001through dealerships and authorized distributors. That was the year lawyer Grams reached out to toxicologist Paustenbach to gauge his interest in studying mesothelioma in ex-mechanics. I contacted Dr. Paustenbach because he is one of the leading professional experts in the world, Grams, who no longer represents Ford, said in a brief phone interview. Grams said he had read none of the recent deposition testimony about the relationship between Ford and its two brake consultants, Cardno ChemRisk and Exponent. In his curriculum vitae, Paustenbach, president of Cardno ChemRisk, says he is a board-certified toxicologist and industrial hygienist with nearly 30 years of experience in risk assessment, environmental engineering, ecotoxicology and occupational health. The 181-page CV shows he has worked on topics ranging from arsenic in wine to heavy metals in hip implants; authored or co-authored 271 peer-reviewed articles; and given 440 presentations at conferences. He is regularly retained as a defense expert in asbestos litigation and other toxic-tort cases. Paustenbach offered a window into his thinking in a 2009 article written by a University of Virginia business professor. Without a doubt, a large percentage of environmental and occupational claims are simply bogus, intended only to extract money from those who society believes can afford to share the wealth, Paustenbach told his interviewer. He said, The vast majority of cases that Ive seen were fraudulent with respect to the scientific merit and billions upon billions of dollars are redistributed annually inappropriately at least from a scientific standpoint. Nonetheless, Paustenbach said, I am a firm believer in the wisdom of juries and support giving generous awards to those that have been truly harmed by bad corporate behavior. In a 2010 letter to Dolores Nunez Studier, a lawyer in the Ford general counsels office, Paustenbach claimed his firms papers had changed the scientific playing field in the courtroom. You know this better than anyone as you have seen the number of plaintiff verdicts [in asbestos cases] decrease and the cost of settlement go down over time. In the letter, which surfaced in the discovery phase of a lawsuit, Paustenbach complained that the fee structure in place between Ford and Chemrisk was out of date and too low. Dolores, currently, you are among our largest clients, he wrote. And, Ford has certainly been a loyal supporter. The Big 3 [automakers] were the foundation of the firm during our formative years, and for this reason, I have tried to go the extra mile to satisfy your needs. Asked to explain the letter during a 2014 deposition, Paustenbach said he was merely emphasizing to Studier that we invested in scientific research to answer questions that remained unanswered in the courtroom for many, many years . And I was pretty proud of that. He said he didnt feel it was fair for his firm to lose money when, in fact, I was so committed to getting the science straight. Creating doubt The World Health Organization estimates that 107,000 people die each year from asbestos-related diseases. Exposure to asbestos, including chrysotile, causes cancer of the lung, larynx and ovaries, and also mesothelioma (a cancer of the pleural and peritoneal linings) [and] asbestosis (fibrosis of the lungs), the WHO says. No threshold has been identified for the carcinogenic risk of asbestos, including chrysotile. OSHA says, There is no safe level of asbestos exposure for any type of asbestos fiber. Asbestos exposures as short in duration as a few days have caused mesothelioma in humans. Taking the WHO and OSHA statements at face value, the case against asbestos would seem to be closed: Even someone with very low exposure to the mineral should worry. In papers published over the past 15 years, however, scientists with Exponent, Cardno ChemRisk and other consulting firms have questioned whether brake mechanics truly are at heightened risk of developing mesothelioma, the disease that has fueled litigation against Ford and others. A 2004 Exponent paper funded by Ford, GM and Chrysler, for example, concluded that employment as a motor vehicle mechanic does not increase the risk of developing mesothelioma. An update of that paper in 2015 found the same result. Each paper was a meta-analysis an agglomeration of the results of multiple studies that, taken individually, may be too weak to indicate an effect. In a deposition last October, Exponents Mary Jane Teta, a co-author of both meta-analyses, defended her firms findings. I disagree when they say there is no safe level [of asbestos], she testified. I know the level of chrysotile experienced by vehicle mechanics is safe. In his statement to the Center, Paustenbach wrote, It is implausible that nearly 20 epidemiology studies on which he bases his legal opinions would conclude that there is no increased risk of mesothelioma for the time period during which brakes contained chrysotile asbestos if that were not the appropriate conclusion. The studies Paustenbach cites, however, are fraught with limitations, such as small sample sizes, vague job classifications and lack of exposure data. And not all of them found, as he put it, no increased risk of mesothelioma among mechanics. In a 1989 paper, for example, a Danish researcher who studied causes of death among auto mechanics reported finding a single case of mesothelioma among her subjects, where none would have been expected in the general population. As with other cancers, she wrote, this number was "too small to state or rule out a potentially increased risk." A co-author of another paper, Kay Teschke of the University of British Columbia, testified in a 2012 deposition that her research was being mischaracterized. Vehicle mechanics do many different things in their day; some might work on engines, some might only work on wheel alignment, Teschke testified. And when you dilute the [asbestos] exposure in that way, you cant find the relationship with the job It doesnt mean that people in that job are somehow immune to the effects of the exposure " Christian Hartley, a lawyer in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, who has represented about 100 mesothelioma victims in brake cases, said the papers used in the defense of such lawsuits push all this data together thats totally incomparable. Thats what gets reported in the literature and is used to persuade judges and some experts. Its very misleading to think we have any kind of real handle on what a typical mechanic has for exposure. Dr. David Egilman, a clinical professor of family medicine at Brown University and editor of the International Journal of Occupational and Environmental Health, argues that the papers are deceptive by design. Many reanalyze previously published studies of workers described as mechanics who may have had no contact with asbestos brakes, he said. The effect, Egilman said, is to dilute the cancer data so the overall risk appears low. Egilman, who consults for asbestos plaintiffs, spends much of his time rebutting Paustenbach and other industry-funded researchers. They can throw a lot of things at the wall and hope something sticks with the jury, he said. It forces people like me or other scientists to try to clean up each thing that was thrown at the wall, one at a time. And by the end of the day, that could be confusing to a jury or judge. Egilman said the body of work underwritten by Ford and other asbestos defendants is being used to try to deprive sick workers, or their families, of compensation. Some courts have adopted it as a standard, he said. More broadly, the industry-funded papers can confuse the public and even government experts. In 2009, the National Cancer Institute published a fact sheet on its website stating there was no evidence brake work was associated with an increased risk of mesothelioma or lung cancer. The 2004 meta-analysis funded by the automakers was cited as a reference. Dr. Arthur Frank, chair of the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health at Drexel University, was incredulous. What is truly ironic about such a statement is that it is incontrovertible that asbestos, including chrysotile, the type of asbestos found in brakes, does, in fact, cause lung cancer and mesothelioma, Frank wrote in a letter to the institutes director obtained by the Center for Public Integrity through a Freedom of Information Act request. Since we have not banned asbestos in this country, those who might read this statement could well think asbestos brakes are safe, putting at risk both professional and shade tree mechanics, and their family members. Frank said the meta-analysis cited by the institute was unreliable and should not serve as the basis for any statement by the NCI. Then-NCI Director Dr. John Neiderhuber replied that he had discussed Franks critique with an in-house expert who agreed that the language on the website should be amended. The new statement, posted less than two weeks after Frank sent his letter, read that while studies of cancer risks among auto mechanics were limited, the overall evidence suggests that there is no safe level for asbestos exposure. The citation of the 2004 paper was deleted. The brake studies have had global reach. The chrysotile-is-safe argument has been used to stave off asbestos bans and preserve markets in developing nations such as India and China, where building materials and other products containing asbestos are widely used. The real nefarious part of this research is that a lot of people who live in those countries are continuing to be exposed under uncontrolled conditions to asbestos, Egilman said. Thats the real horror story here. A Ford loss in Tennessee While the brake papers and the experts who write them have contributed to defense verdicts in mesothelioma cases, things occasionally go the other way. Ronnie Stockton operated an auto repair shop 100 feet from his home in Jackson, Tennessee, for 30 years and specialized in brake jobs, often on Ford vehicles. Hed attended training classes in which instructors recommended that paper masks be worn around brake dust but never heard a full description of what asbestos did, he said in a recent interview. We wasnt warned it could kill you when you swept it up and didnt wear the mask. As it turned out, Stocktons wife, Joyce, was the one who got sick. She used to help her husband sweep out the shop. She kept the books and washed Ronnies dusty clothes. One night in December 2010 she lay down in bed and felt her chest tighten. I thought I was having a heart attack, she said. A biopsy confirmed that she had mesothelioma, to that point merely a strange word shed heard in lawyers TV commercials. I would sit in front of the television trying to learn how to pronounce it, not ever knowing I had the disease, she said. The Stocktons sued Ford and went to trial in August. Two Exponent scientists were among the defense experts. In his closing argument after nearly two weeks of testimony, Ruckdeschel, the Stocktons lawyer, said Fords experts had spun the literature on asbestos. Theyre not taking what the studies say; theyre putting a spin on it. If independent research had shown no connection between brake work and mesothelioma, Ruckdeschel said, they wouldnt have had to go and pay Exponent to write all the papers to say, Well, weve reanalyzed the data, and there really isnt any evidence. Don't miss another Environment investigation: Sign up for the Center for Public Integrity's Watchdog email. Defense lawyer Samuel Tarry urged jurors not to be swayed by the millions of dollars Ford had invested in the papers. It shouldnt come as any surprise that over time it costs a lot of money to defend these cases and to publish research where it can be critiqued and criticized and start discussions, he said. Tarry recounted the testimony of Exponents Mark Roberts, who told you that the majority of mesotheliomas in women are unrelated to asbestos. He explained that all of us have a background risk, not just for mesothelioma but for any type of cancer . They can happen naturally. They can happen with an environmental insult. After deliberating about two days, the jury returned a $4.65 million verdict in the Stocktons favor. It assigned 71 percent of the liability to Ford and 29 percent to brake manufacturer Honeywell, which had been brought into the case on Fords motion. Ford has asked for a new trial. Latisha Strickland was the jury foreman. Shed wanted to assign 100 percent of the blame to Ford but agreed to the 71-29 split to avoid a hung jury. I felt ashamed I had compromised what I thought it should be, Strickland, a home-school teacher, said in a telephone interview. You couldnt give me the Powerball lottery to go through the amount of surgeries this woman [Joyce Stockton] has gone through. Strickland said she was especially put off by the 1971 memo showing Ford decided not to spend $1.25 per vehicle to replace front-end asbestos brakes. It proved Ford knew, she said. Jie Jenny Zou contributed to this story This story is part of Science for Sale. Corporations are steering millions of dollars to scientific consulting firms to cast doubt on health concerns surrounding toxic chemicals. Click here to read more stories in this investigation. Related stories Copyright 2016 The Center for Public Integrity. This story was published by The Center for Public Integrity, a nonprofit, nonpartisan investigative news organization in Washington, D.C. Paris (AFP) - Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy arrived at a Paris court on Tuesday in connection with a long-running scandal over his 2012 campaign finances, an AFP journalist reported. It was not clear if Sarkozy would be charged during the hearing, which is investigating false accounting during his failed election campaign that allowed him to greatly exceed spending limits. The case hinges on the activity of a PR firm, Bygmalion, which organised some of Sarkozy's campaign appearances and is accused of a vast system of false accounting. Campaign spending limits were fixed at 22.5 million euros ($25 million), and Bygmalion is accused of charging some 18.5 million euros to Sarkozy's party -- then called the UMP, but since renamed The Republicans -- instead of charging the money to the campaign. Several employees at Bygmalion, including the company's accountant, as well as a leading member of Sarkozy's campaign team have admitted to the existence of the fraud, though none have accused the former president of knowing about it. Sarkozy, who led the country from 2007 before losing to Francois Hollande in 2012, has always denied any knowledge of the false accounting. He said he was retiring from politics after the election but made a comeback just two years later, returning to lead The Republicans and attempting to position himself for another run at the presidency in 2017. Despite his adamant denials, the investigation has found that Sarkozy had asked for more campaign events in mid-March 2012, around two months before the vote. His campaign director, Guillaume Lambert, has told police he warned Sarkozy at the time of the risk of breaching financing limits. Questioned by police in September 2015, Sarkozy said he did not remember the warning, and described the controversy as a "farce", putting the responsibility squarely on Bygmalion and the UMP. Since then, however, the investigation has widened beyond Bygmalion and is looking into a further 13.5 million euros in campaign spending by the UMP, of which only 3.0 million was declared at the time. A total of 13 people have been charged from Bygmalion and the UMP with fraud, abuse of confidence or illegal campaign financing. By Michelle Nichols UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - Former U.N. Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali, a blunt-spoken Egyptian who led the world body through global turmoil as it defined its peacekeeping role and lost his job over disputes with Washington, died on Tuesday. He was 93. Boutros-Ghali headed the United Nations from 1992-1996, chaotic years marked by war in the former Yugoslavia and famine and genocide in Africa. He died at Al Salam Hospital in Cairo on Tuesday, a hospital official said. Egypts state news agency MENA said he had a broken leg and heart and kidney problems. The 15-member U.N. Security Council observed a minute's silence after his death was announced. U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon issued a statement praising Boutros-Ghali for leading the organization through "one of the most tumultuous and challenging periods in its history." "He showed courage in posing difficult questions to the member states and rightly insisted on the independence of his office and of the secretariat as a whole," Ban said. Boutros-Ghali came from a wealthy family with an impressive political lineage and he bridged several realms. As an Egyptian, he was able to claim to be both Arab and African. He was a Coptic Christian from a mainly Muslim country and married an Egyptian Jew, who converted to his religion. As the first post-Cold War secretary-general, Boutros-Ghali could be blunt and almost undiplomatic in dealing with critics and assessing the state of the world. From the perspective of destitute Africans, he said, the situation in Yugoslavia looked like "the war of the rich." He said British media criticism of him might have been "because I'm a wog" - a pejorative term dating to colonial times. FAMINE RELIEF Boutros-Ghali was the United Nations' first secretary-general from Africa. He focused on the famine in Somalia and organized the first massive U.N. relief operation in the Horn of Africa nation. But success eluded him there and elsewhere as the United Nations tottered in an increasingly disorderly post-communist world, with the world body and the big Security Council powers underestimating the deep animosity behind many conflicts. Boutros-Ghali, who had a reputation for being proud and prickly, also took on the daunting task of reorganizing the U.N. bureaucracy by slashing posts and demoting officials at a pace that earned him the nickname "the pharaoh." Even so, Washington had wanted him to do more to reform the body and Congress would not pay the more than $1 billion in back dues the country owed while he remained at the helm. Many diplomats suggested he was jettisoned by U.S. President Bill Clinton's Democratic administration during an election year to pre-empt criticism from Republicans deeply hostile to Boutros-Ghali and the United Nations. In 1996, 10 Security Council members led by African states sponsored a resolution backing him for a second five-year term but the United States vetoed Boutros-Ghali when his reappointment came up for a vote. In his 1999 memoir "Unvanquished: a U.S.-U.N. Saga," Boutros-Ghali cataloged his frictions with a Clinton administration that he characterized as meddlesome, ill-informed and lacking in follow-through on U.N. resolutions. CAMP DAVID Before the United Nations, Boutros-Ghali, whose grandfather was Egypt's prime minister until his assassination in 1910, had worked in the administrations of Egyptian presidents Anwar Sadat and Hosni Mubarak. He accompanied Sadat on the historic 1977 visit to Jerusalem and played a prominent role in the subsequent Camp David accords on the Middle East. Under Mubarak, Boutros-Ghali was the architect of Egypt's return to the center of affairs in the Organization of African Unity, the Non-Aligned Movement and the Organization of the Islamic Conference. In the U.N. job, Boutros-Ghali was criticized for its failure to act during the 1994 Rwandan genocide and for not pushing hard enough for U.N. intervention to end Angola's civil war, which at the time was one of the longest-running conflicts in the world. Boutros-Ghali was jeered in Sarajevo, Mogadishu and Addis Ababa. His style was to wade into crowds and confront protesters when security guards permitted. "I am used to fundamentalists in Egypt arguing with me," he told Reuters. He shocked many in Sarajevo when he said he was not trying to belittle the horrors in Bosnia but that there were other countries where the "total dead was greater than here." He told Somali warlords and clan leaders to stop accusing the United Nations and him of colonialism, adding that Somalis should be worried that former colonial powers would ignore their plight if they continued to fight. "The Cold War is finished," he said. "Nobody is interested in the poor countries in Africa or anywhere in the world. They can easily forget Somalia in 24 hours." Boutros-Ghali headed the United Nations as the body was redefining itself and taking on more international peacekeeping work - operations that often were criticized for doing too much or too little. Boutros-Ghali later served as secretary-general of the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie, an organization of French-speaking nations, and as director of the Egyptian National Council for Human Rights. He was passionate about the works of French painter Henri Matisse, whom he knew when he studied in Paris, smoked an occasional cigar and drank Scotch with water - a taste he said he acquired "after 70 years of British occupation" of Egypt. (Reporting by Michelle Nichols, Lin Noueihed in Cairo and David Cutler in London; Editing by Bill Trott and Howard Goller) United Nations (United States) (AFP) - UN peacekeepers from the Democratic Republic of Congo have been accused of sexually abusing four children who were living in a camp for displaced civilians in the Central African Republic, a UN spokesman said Tuesday. The four victims were sexually abused between 2014 and 2015, spokesman Farhan Haq told reporters. The UN mission in the Central African Republic has been hit by a wave of allegations of sex abuse by its peacekeepers, whose mandate is to protect civilians in the strife-torn country. "These four allegations involve peacekeepers from the Democratic Republic of Congo," he said. UN officials received information about the allegations from aid groups on February 11 who reported that the four minors were living at Ngakobo camp, in the Ouaka prefecture of the Central African Republic. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon fired the head of the 10,000-strong MINUSCA force in August over the mounting number of cases, but the allegations have continued to surface. The Kinshasa government was notified on Monday about the allegations and now has ten days to decide whether it will carry out its own investigation of the soldiers or ask the United Nations to take the lead. After rape allegations targeted troops from the DR Congo last year, the United Nations had decided to send the full contingent of some 120 soldiers back home. Ban last week appointed a special coordinator, American Jane Holl Lute, who will be tasked with improving the UN response to sexual abuse cases involving peacekeepers. This followed a report by an independent panel that found the United Nations had grossly mishandled the cases despite the official zero-tolerance policy on sexual violence. French and European Union soldiers serving in the Central African Republic also face allegations of sexual abuse, although their missions are not under the UN flag. In most of those cases, the young girls and boys were offered food in exchange for sex. Athens (AFP) - Greece on Tuesday hit back at EU criticism of its handling of the massive migrant influx, saying the time for blaming Athens was "over" as it prepared to open new centres to register refugees. Athens has come under heavy pressure from fellow EU members to control its borders better, with the bloc imposing a three-month ultimatum last week to remedy "deficiencies" or face effective suspension from the Schengen passport-free zone. But just two days ahead of an EU leaders' summit where the bloc's worst migration crisis since World War II will be tackled, Defence Minister Panos Kammenos said: "The game of pushing responsibility onto Greece is now over." Kammenos said four of Greece's long-delayed new migrant "hotspot" registration centres were "ready to function and welcome refugees". The centres will open on the islands of Lesbos, Chios, Leros and Samos, which have been struggling to cope with a relentless flow of migrants and refugees landing from Turkey. A fifth centre on the island of Kos will be ready "in five days" despite strong opposition from the local mayor and residents over the impact on the vital tourism industry, Kammenos told reporters in Athens. "Greece has honoured its commitments -- we expect that others do the same," junior defence minister Dimitris Vitsas told reporters. "We must see if Europe wants to keep its sense of solidarity, or become a space where everyone wants to shut themselves in their own little castles." Visiting EU President Donald Tusk admitted that shutting Greece out of Schengen would solve "none of our problems." - Sharp drop in arrivals - Each of the facilities will have enough prefab housing to accommodate 1,000 migrants, who will spend three days being registered, having their fingerprints taken and being sorted between those eligible for asylum in the EU and economic migrants facing eventual deportation. Story continues One aim will be to help spot jihadists using the migrant crisis to enter Europe -- a pressing concern after two of the men who carried out November's attacks in Paris sneaked in via Greece, posing as refugees. More than 850,000 migrants, fleeing war and poverty in the Middle East and elsewhere, transited through Greece last year on their way to northern Europe. However, the flow appears to be slowing, said junior interior minister for police Nikos Toskas. "We've gone from 2,500 arrivals per day on the islands to around 200. Yesterday evening nearly zero arrived... It's too early to draw conclusions, but it confirms that Turkey holds the key to the influx," he said. Turkey is already hosting 2.5 million refugees from Syria's civil war and hundreds of thousands from Iraq and is increasingly bitter it has been left to shoulder the burden. NATO is gearing up to launch an operation in the Aegean Sea against smugglers bringing migrants from Turkey, with Kammenos saying the force was "in the Aegean awaiting details of the operational plan being prepared in Brussels". Greece's hotspot centres were supposed to open late last year but have faced repeated delays. Athens stresses it has already been registering migrants with the help of 400 staff from EU border agency Frontex. Two more centres are to open on the Greek mainland, near Athens and Thessaloniki, where registered migrants will be transferred while their asylum requests are examined. As in Kos -- where riot police fired tear gas at residents protesting against the planned centre over the weekend -- the hotspots on the mainland have faced strong opposition from some. Pee-wee is back and he's ready for a new, big adventure. In Pee-Wee's Big Holiday, Paul Reubens returns as innocently misguided Pee-Wee, who, after meeting a biker (played by Joe Manganiello) with an affinity for chocolate milkshakes, is prompted to leave his hometown of Fairville and travel to New York City. Hilarity ensues. Judd Apatow produced the film, which will be available on Netflix. Pee-Wee's Big Holiday will come to the streaming service March 18. Read More: 'Pee-wee's Big Adventure' Star Reveals 10 Secrets You Didn't Know (Reuters) - General Electric Co is exploring potential business opportunities in Iran and the chief executive of its oil and gas division visited the country recently, a company spokeswoman said. The visit by Lorenzo Simonelli, CEO of GE Oil & Gas, comes at a time when Iran is aiming to boost its crude oil exports and recover the oil market share it lost as a result of international sanctions imposed over its nuclear program. "In line with the easing of sanctions, we have begun looking at potential business opportunities in Iran, while fully complying with the rules laid out by the U.S. government. Simonelli's visit is part of this effort," the spokeswoman said. Iran could help GE lessen the effects of the fall in energy prices as a result of which the company doubled its 2016 budget for restructuring. Further, GE has said that it expects oil and gas revenue to fall a further 10-15 percent in 2016 because of weak oil prices. The Wall Street Journal earlier reported the news of the visit. Tehran is sweetening the terms it offers on oil development contracts to draw the interest of foreign investors deterred by sanctions and low crude prices, as its pragmatic president seeks to deliver on his promise of economic recovery. (Reporting by Shivam Srivastava in Bengaluru and David Randall in New York; Editing by Gopakumar Warrier) BERLIN (Reuters) - Two of Germany's most prominent business groups urged EU leaders to secure a reform deal this week aimed at keeping Britain in the 28-member bloc, saying a British exit would damage their shared market and lead to a dead end. Prime Minister David Cameron hopes to reach a deal at a summit later this week to reform the European Union so that he can put the plan to voters in a referendum, widely expected this summer. The German BDI industry association and BDA employers' body, whose views carry some weight in Europe's biggest economy, said some of Britain's demands, such as boosting competitiveness, were "very sensible". Germany backs some of Britain's demands, for example on greater transparency and cutting back on bureaucracy. But other difficult issues, notably migration, still need to be settled at the summit. Recent opinion polls in Britain have shown a narrow but growing lead for campaigners who want to leave the EU. "A Brexit will lead us into a dead end," said BDI President Ulrich Grillo in a statement. "An exit would be not only a shock for the common internal market, but above all a strong signal against Europe. From the view of the German economy, there is only one message to Britain: stay in - it is in your own interests." German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Friday she was becoming more confident a deal will be reached. The two groups also said this week's summit must make substantial progress on migration policy. "European solidarity is needed to get the influx (of migrants) under control and reduce it," said BDA President Ingo Kramer. He said the EU must offer more help to countries neighbouring crisis regions and better control Europe's external borders. Merkel is looking increasingly isolated with her liberal refugee policy, including her demands that migrants are distributed across Europe and that Turkey cooperates in stemming the flow of migrants to Europe. (Reporting by Madeline Chambers; Editing by Ruth Pitchford) BREMEN, Germany (Reuters) - The northern German city-state of Bremen shut down an Islamic cultural center on Tuesday after police raided it and the apartments of 12 of its members on suspicion of associations with Islamist militants. Bremen Interior Minister Ulrich Maeurer said The Islamic Association Bremen was closely linked to a similar cultural organization that was banned after some of its members joined the Islamic State (IS) insurgent group in Syria. More than 220 officers participated in the raids, confiscating mobile phones, computers, hard drives and other memory cards, Maeurer told a news conference. No arrests were made. Police also searched a car repair shop in Delmenhorst, just outside Bremen. "This organization has promoted the radicalization of people, and support and following for IS. It really does mean that people who live in our immediate neighborhood are willing to become terrorists overnight," Maeurer said. "So I must sound cynical when I ask: What security do we have when they only plan attacks in Syria? We must assume that this could also happen in Germany." Bremen authorities banned the Culture and Family Society in the city in December 2014, saying that it had promoted jihad (holy war) and martyrdom among members, six of whom died while fighting with IS in Syria. The German federal police chief said last month that the number of Islamist militants returning to Germany from Syria and Iraq was on the rise and more than 400 people were under surveillance. (Reporting by Reuters TV; Writing by Joseph Nasr; Editing by Mark Heinrich) Joey Alexander didn't win a trophy, but he did receive a standing ovation during Monday night's Grammy Awards. In a room filled with music industry heavyweights, the 12-year-old wowed the crowd to their feet when he played an original composition on the piano. He also performed earlier during the Grammy Premiere Ceremony. The self-taught Indonesian jazz pianist is one of the youngest performers to ever be nominated for a Grammy. If he had won either of the categories in which he was nominated (best instrumental jazz album and best improvised jazz solo), he would have become the youngest ever to win in the jazz category. "My dad played a little bit of piano and guitar, but not that professionally," Alexander told NPR about falling in love with the piano. "I saw him play and [felt] like, 'I want to play. I want to try this instrument.'" Taylor Swift, Adele, Kendrick Lamar and The Weeknd also performed when LL Cool J hosted the Grammy Awards from the Los Angeles Staples Center on Monday night (at 5 p.m. PT on CBS). Watch Alexander perform "Giant Steps" from his debut album My Favorite Things below. See More: Grammys: Red Carpet Photos var el = document.getElementById('targetParams');if (el !== null && typeof(el) != 'undefined') {var srcParams = $('.advert iframe').attr('src');var addParams = srcParams.split(";");for (i=1;i<=addParams.length - 1;i++) {if (addParams[i] != '=null' && addParams[i] != 'dcopt=ist' && addParams[i] != '!c=iframe' && addParams[i] != 'pos=t' && addParams[i] != 'sz=728x90') {el.value += addParams[i]+";";}}}brightcove.createExperiences();>>>>>>> ATHENS (Reuters) - Greece said on Tuesday it had set up four out of five proposed registration centers for refugees, drafting in the army to help, after criticism from its European Union peers it was not doing enough to stem Europe's chaotic influx of migrants. Last week, EU ministers gave Greece three months to fulfill 50 recommendations to fix its borders. If it does not, the EU members of the free-travel Schengen zone can impose checks on internal frontiers for up to two years. The Greek government drafted in the army last month to ensure the five registration centers and two relocation camps on the mainland were completed on time. The registration centers are set up on the "hotspot" islands of Samos, Lesbos, Chios, Kos and Leros near the Turkish coast, where migrants leaving Turkey tend to arrive. All but the center on Kos is now ready, and that one will be ready in five days, after opposition from island residents. Two disused military camps on the mainland will operate as relocation centers, each with a capacity to house up to 4,000 people. "It was a rather difficult operation," Greek Defense Minister Panos Kammenos, leader of the co-ruling Independent Greeks party, told journalists. Greece, the main entry point into Europe for more than a million refugees and migrants since last year, has come under fire for failing to control the influx through the sea border it shares with Turkey. Athens says numbers are too big to handle, that it cannot turn back boatloads of refugees and migrants into the sea, and that Turkey do more to stop the migrants at its shores. Some residents of Kos protested putting a registration center on the island, saying it would hurt tourism. Scuffles have broken out between protesters and police on the island in recent weeks. (Reporting By Karolina Tagaris, editing by Larry King) Gallipoli (Italy) (AFP) - Italian olive grower Federico Manni is at the end of his tether. "You see this one," he says, waving in the direction of a majestic but diseased olive tree on his property near Gallipoli on the Salento peninsula on Italy's heel. "It is over one thousand years old. Fires and wars failed to kill it, but that's what xylella is doing." Manni's wedding pictures were taken underneath this particular tree. And he is filled with dread at the prospect of its imminent demise at the hands of a bacterial infection thought to be behind an outbreak of dessication ravaging the olive groves of this fertile corner of southern Italy. "I am very pessimistic," the young spokesman for producers organisation "La Voce dell'Ulivo" (The Olive's Voice), tells AFP. "I feel like we have no weapons with which to fight back." The reason for Manni's despair is xylella fastidiosa, a deadly bacterial pathogen that has no known cure and, for reasons experts have so far been unable to explain, began infesting olive trees in Salento at the end of 2013. More than a million trees, 10 percent of Salento's total, are estimated to have been infected in a region where abundant olive groves are synonomous with the timeless landscape. Most of those that have been infected have or will soon become stunted, leafless and ultimately lifeless. How many trees will ultimately suffer that fate is unclear, as is the extent to which the bacteria has spread to other parts of Italy. What is clear is that the potential damage is huge: xylella does not harm humans but can kill over 200 types of plant, including fruit trees and grape vines. "It is an environmental disaster," says Manni. Under pressure from the European Union, the Italian government last year approved the felling of some 3,000 trees under a plan to create a sanitary buffer zone between affected and non-affected areas, thereby hopefully containing the problem in Salento. Story continues - 'Very worrying situation' - But a legal challenge from producers succeeded in halting the implementation of the scheme. "Our expert told us that there it was not absolutely sure that xylella was the only reason for the dessication of the trees," explained Cattaldo Mota, a magistrate in the city of Lecce who ordered the halt. "The identity of the landscape of the Salento is linked to the olive tree, we wanted to prevent it from being destroyed without an opportunity to look into the problem more deeply," Mota added. To complicate matters further, 10 officials involved in tackling the disease have been placed under investigation on suspicion of misrepresenting the scientific evidence and acting in a way that threatened the environment in an area of outstanding natural beauty. The local ruling was revised last week by Italy's Council of State. The culling of trees is once again authorised but it has to be done in agreement with growers who must be allowed time to carry out their own tests and evaluations. The Italian authorities have also lifted a "xylella state of emergency" which gave them powers to enforce felling. The situation however remains "very worrying", according to Gianni Cantele, regional president of the national farmers' organisation Coldiretti. "The (insect-born) disease is continuing to spread," he said. Pantaleo Piccinno's 270-hectare estate at Caprarica di Lecce is among those to have been infected. But he said he was still able to produce his oil. "The progressive nature of the disease means an affected tree can continue to produce olives from the parts of it where the leaves are still green and there is no impact on the quality of the oil," he says. Production also continues in parts of Puglia that are little or not at all affected by the epidemic. But lost output has already had an impact on wholesale oil prices. A recent study in seven EU countries attributed a 20 percent hike over 2015 to the impact of the xylella crisis. Coldiretti's Gianni Cantele warns that the disease could spread across olive growing areas across the northern Mediterranean with cases of xylella having already been detected on the island of Corsica and in southeastern France. "The problem is that once xylella gets a foothold in an environment, it is very difficult to eradicate," he said. That's why, he explains, replanting in contaminated areas is currently banned. Cantele said he was hopeful a compromise could be agreed with the European Commission under which older trees would be reprieved, younger diseased ones culled and producers authorised to replant. But above all the Salento's olive growers are hoping that science will come up with a treatment for xylella sooner rather than later. After a long week at work, come Friday you may be aching to unwind with a nice dinner and maybe a martini or two. But nights on the town can be an expensive indulgence. Dinner, drinks and Uber rides can add up quickly, taking a big chunk of money out of your hard-earned paycheck. That doesn't mean you have to spend your nights at home alone, watching Hugh Grant movies with a box of wine and a sleeve of Thin Mints. With a solid plan of action, it's possible to paint the town red without going broke. Learn more by checking out our guide to going out on a budget: Withdraw cash for the night. Decide how much you can afford to spend on your night out beforehand. Withdraw the amount of cash you've allocated for the night so you won't lose track of how much you spent later on. When your wallet is empty, you'll know it's time to stop spending. Find a designated driver. Cab rides and ride sharing can be one of the most expensive parts of going out. Look out for both your safety and wallet by finding a designated driver who can drive you and your friends to and from the bar. Of course, it's not always easy to convince a friend to be a designated driver -- try arranging an alternating system with your friends, where one person agrees to be the designated driver each week. Start at home. You can save money by starting your night at home. Invite your friends over to share a few beers, and you'll end up spending less money on drinks when you're out. Drinks at a restaurant or bar can cost upwards of $8, but a six-pack from your local grocery store can cost as little as $6. Hunt down restaurant deals. On restaurant deal sites like Restaurant.com, you can purchase gift certificates to local restaurants at more than 50 percent off. Simply plug in your ZIP code and you'll be presented with a variety of deals for restaurants in your area. You can also check out discounted gift card sites like Raise and Cardpool to score gift cards to popular chains at a discount. Story continues Split meals. Many restaurant dishes fall well beyond the range of the USDA's recommendations for sodium, fat and calories. Splitting a meal is not only a healthy choice, it's a cost-conscious one. Consider ordering a salad and a main course to share with a friend. Pack up leftovers, and you'll have lunch taken care of tomorrow. Look for specials. Once you're finished with dinner and ready to hit the bars, do a bit of homework beforehand to find out which bars have the best drink specials. Search local event guides to find listings of promotions and specials, and plan your night accordingly. At a bar, don't be shy about asking the bartender if they're running any drink specials you might have missed. Stick to beer. Cocktails, wine and shots are typically marked up anywhere from 350 to 500 percent at bars. With beer, you often get the best value for your money -- especially if you can buy beers on tap or by the pitcher. Avoid brand-name liquors. If you prefer liquor to beer, make sure to specify that you would like the house alcohol rather than the brand-name in your mixed drinks. Many bars will charge more for premium spirits, so it's a good idea to be specific about your house alcohol preferences to avoid being charged top-shelf prices. Finish at home. Instead of staying out late and shelling out more money at the bar, consider bringing the party back to your house. You can continue to enjoy each other's company (and continue to drink) in the safety of your own home -- where the drinks aren't marked up, you don't have to tip and there's never a cover charge. Stay in. Your friends won't be devastated if you turn down an invitation to go out every once in a while, and they're likely to be understanding if you explain your reasons. Next time your friend asks you to come out, try saying something like, "I've really had fun going out with you before, but I can't make it tonight. I'm really trying to stick to my budget." Everyone can identify with wanting to be more responsible with their spending habits. By deciding to stay in one night, you allow yourself a little more wiggle room next time you go out. You're bound to enjoy your next night out much more when you're not pinching pennies. Remember just because you stay home doesn't mean you can't enjoy yourself. Take the time to relax with a bubble bath, cook a delicious dinner or read that book you've been meaning to finish. Maria Lalonde honed her deal-hunting skills while traveling through South America and Southeast Asia, combing colorful local markets for unique finds. Her love of blogging and thirst for deals brought her to Offers.com, where she blogs about savings tips. Heartbreaking photos of a starving boy in Nigeria have garnered over a 100,000 in donations and highlighted the issue of superstition across the country. The boy, dubbed Hope, was found emaciated and abandoned after being accused of being a witch. Anja Ringgren Loven, an aid worker from Denmark, shared the photos to Facebook, saying, Thousands of children are being accused of being witches and weve both seen torture of children, dead children and frightened children. This footage shows why I fight. Why I sold everything I own. After adding that Hope was in hospital and that donations were being accepted to help his recovery, over 1 million Danish kroner (around 103,000) was donated in two days. The full story of what happened to Hope is not clear, but it seems that he is one of many young children in the country who are accused of being witches, then tortured, cast out or killed as a result. Hope is now stable in hospital. Anja added: He is a strong little boy. To see him sit and play with my own son is without a doubt the greatest experience of my life. "I simply do not know how to describe it in words. This is what makes life so beautiful and valuable and I will let the pictures here speak for themselves. All images: Anja Ringgren Loven on Facebook Beirut (AFP) - Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah on Tuesday accused Ankara and Riyadh of dragging the entire region into war and said "victory" was imminent for his Shiite Lebanese group and its Syrian regime allies. "They (Turkey and Saudi Arabia) are ready to drag the region into a war," Nasrallah said in a video address to supporters in the southern suburbs of Beirut, a Hezbollah bastion. He said the two countries have been pushing to send in international ground forces because they "are not ready to accept a political solution to the conflict in Syria, which is why they want to continue the war and destroy it". Nasrallah said Riyadh and Ankara planned to intervene directly because their allies "the Islamist rebels on the ground have suffered successive defeats" at the hands of Kurdish and Syrian regime forces. He also said victory for President Bashar al-Assad's forces, backed by Hezbollah, Iran and Russia was coming. "In the days ahead and for the decade to come... we will proclaim victory alongside the Syrian army," he said. He also vowed "to prevent Daesh (Arabic acronym for the Islamic State group), Al-Nusra Front (the Syrian Al-Qaeda affiliate), America, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and their pawns from occupying Syria and Israel to realise their ambitions." On Saturday, Turkey said that it could, alongside fellow international coalition member Saudi Arabia, mount a land operation against IS in Syria. Syria's ally Iran, which has sent thousands of "military advisers" into Syria, warned Tuesday that the deployment of Saudi troops would violate "international law". By Robert Iafolla WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The ethnic category Hispanic is a race under U.S. federal antidiscrimination laws, a U.S. appeals court ruled on Tuesday. Christopher Barrella, a white candidate who was passed over for the position of police chief for the town of Freeport on New York's Long Island, filed a racial discrimination lawsuit in 2012 after the job went to Miguel Burmudez, a white Hispanic man. Freeport argued in its defense that there could be no racial discrimination because Hispanic is not a distinct race. But a three-judge panel of the U.S. 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals rejected the town's argument, finding that Hispanic has long been considered a separate race in civil rights cases. The judges pointed out that the U.S. Supreme Court has previously held that racial discrimination includes bias based on ancestry or ethnic characteristics. The 2nd Circuit, which encompasses the states of New York, Connecticut and Vermont, also noted that it has repeatedly assumed ethnicity-based discrimination claims were understood as racially motivated without making an explicit ruling on that point. But though the panel ruled in favor of Barrella on how antidiscrimination laws treat ethnic categories, it also wiped out the $1.35 million verdict a jury had awarded him. The judges cited a separate evidentiary issue in vacating the verdict and ordering a new trial, ruling that the trial court should not have allowed non-expert witnesses to speculate on Freeport Mayor Andrew Hardwicks motivations for choosing Burmudez over Barrella. Lawyers for Barrella, Freeport and Hardwick each expressed confidence that their clients will prevail when the dispute goes back before a federal jury. Freeport named Burmudez as its chief of police in 2010 over Barrella, who had a higher promotional test score, more education and more time in rank. Barrella sued Freeport and Hardwick in federal court in Brooklyn in 2012. A jury handed down verdicts against both defendants in 2014, awarding $1 million for lost future pay, $200,000 in punitive damages and $150,000 in back wages, plus attorney fees. Story continues The appeal was set up when the trial judge denied Freeports post-verdict motion for a judgment as a matter of law on the grounds that Hispanic does not constitute a distinct race under antidiscrimination laws. The case is Freeport v. Barrella, 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, Nos. 14-2270, 14-2349, 14-4287, 14-4324 and 14-3615. (Reporting by Robert Iafolla, Editing by Anthony Lin) Hong Kong property tycoon Thomas Kwok and ex-deputy leader Rafael Hui saw their appeal bids against graft convictions rejected on Tuesday as they faced serving out their jail time. The pair were found guilty of corruption in 2014 after a blockbuster trial over a cash for favours scandal. Francis Kwan and Thomas Chan, sentenced to five and six years respectively for acting as middlemen for the payments, also saw their appeals fail. A written judgement to the court of appeal Monday said: "The appeals against conviction of Rafael Hui, Thomas Kwok, Thomas Chan and Francis Kwan are dismissed." A frail-looking Hui and grey-haired Kwok were grim-faced during the hearing, which lasted less than a minute. Former chief secretary Hui, 68, was the highest-ranking official in Hong Kong's history to be found guilty of taking bribes. The seven-month trial centred around a total of HK$34 million ($4.3 million) in handouts, which the prosecution said were made to Hui by Kwok and his billionaire brother Raymond, to be their "eyes and ears" in government. Hui was jailed for seven-and-a-half years in December 2014, while 64-year-old Kwok -- who was joint chairman of Hong Kong's biggest property company, Sun Hung Kai -- was sentenced to five years. The case shocked the city and deepened anger over cosy ties between officialdom and big business. Thomas Kwok's son Adam said the rejection of the appeal was "disappointing", adding he hoped the case would be brought to the Court of Final Appeal. "I personally believe in my heart... that my father is innocent and that this is an unjust case," he said outside court. Hui, Kwok, Kwan and Chan are serving out their sentences in the maximum security Stanley Prison. Raymond Kwok was cleared of all charges at last year's trial. - Public suspicions - During the appeal case, lawyer Edwin Choy challenged the legitimacy of an interview between the city's graftbusters and Hui three years before he was arrested. Story continues Choy argued Hui had not been put under caution by investigators before giving statements that could later become formal evidence. Clare Montgomery, representing Kwok, said the court failed to identify any specific advantage that Kwok had received after paying Hui. Monday's full judgement rejected those arguments. Appeal court judge Michael Lunn said in the document that it was "not necessary" for the prosecution to prove the accused had agreed on a specific act of misconduct by Hui. Lunn added that the evidence pointed to the fact that Hui's statement was "voluntarily made" and did not need to have been excluded by the original trial judge. Hong Kong has been seen as relatively graft-free. But new cases in the semi-autonomous Chinese city have fuelled public suspicions over links between authorities and business leaders. In a separate high-profile corruption case, former leader Donald Tsang, who ended his term in disgrace after accepting favours from tycoons, has been charged with misconduct and will face trial next year. Hui was Tsang's chief secretary from 2005 to 2007. Tsang, 71, is the highest-ranking Hong Kong official to face a corruption trial. He pleaded not guilty to two misconduct charges in December. As a big believer in diversity and collaboration, Shakira fell in love with the idea of a story about animals having issues getting along, says Zootopias two directors. Shakira lends her voice to Gazelle, a famous animal in Disneys anthropomorphic animal film Zootopia. It is the first time shes a voice talent in an animated film. The Colombian pop star contributed significantly to her characters development, asking for a character design that resembled her, and singing the movies main theme Try Everything. Heres how the two directors pitched the movie to one of the worlds biggest pop stars: Zootopia opens on 17 February in the Philippines and on 25 February in Singapore and Malaysia. Bad Aibling (Germany) (AFP) - German prosecutors Tuesday said human error was to blame for a train crash last week that killed 11 people and charged a 39-year-old signalling worker with negligence leading to the accident. "If he had complied with the rules ... then there would have been no collision between the trains," said Wolfgang Giese, the prosecutor who led the investigation into last Tuesday's accident in southern Germany. "There is no evidence of technical problems... Our investigation shows that this was human error with catastrophic consequences," he added. Two commuter trains travelling at high speed crashed head-on near the spa town of Bad Aibling last Tuesday, in one of Germany's deadliest accidents in years, with one slicing the other apart, ripping a large gash in its side. Dozens were also injured in the collision. The signalling worker, who had allowed two trains from opposite directions to travel on a single track, made an emergency call after realising his mistake, said another prosecutor, Juergen Branz. "But that went unanswered," he said, adding that police ran a blood test on the worker on the day of the crash and had found that he was neither under the influence of alcohol nor drugs. The worker, who has several years of experience in the job, had admitted the error on Monday, Giese said, adding that he had not been taken into preventive detention as the action was not deliberate. In consultations with his defence lawyers, he had however been taken to an undisclosed secure location, Branz said as "he is not well". German authorities had said in the immediate aftermath of the disaster that the rail system was fitted with an automatic braking system aimed at preventing such crashes. But German media had reported that a signalling worker had manually deactivated an automatic signalling system to let the first train -- which was running late -- go past. That action would have also shut off the braking system. Story continues Investigators said about 150 passengers were on the trains, which would have usually carried more people had it not been winter school holidays in the region. The accident is Germany's first fatal train crash since April 2012, when three people were killed and 13 injured in a collision between two regional trains in the western city of Offenbach. The country's deadliest post-war accident happened in 1998, when a high-speed ICE train linking Munich and Hamburg derailed in the northern town of Eschede, killing 101 people and injuring 88. Hundreds of teachers at one of India's top universities went on strike Tuesday to protest at the arrest of a student on a controversial sedition charge that has sparked mass protests. Student union leader Kanhaiya Kumar was arrested on Friday for allegedly shouting anti-India slogans at a rally called to protest against a Kashmiri separatist's execution three years ago -- a charge he denies. His arrest has reignited a row over freedom of expression in India, where some rights campaigners say the Hindu nationalist government is using the British-era sedition law to clamp down on dissent. Violence broke out on Monday at the court where Kumar, head of the student union at New Delhi's prestigious Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), was remanded in custody. The opposition Congress Party accused supporters of the ruling nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of being behind attacks on students, academics and journalists who had gone to the court for the hearing. It condemned police for failing to protect them. "Indian National Congress strongly condemns the barbaric and inhuman attack in Patiala House Court yesterday on journalists, young students and teachers by BJP goons," said Kapil Sibal, a senior party leader. "Delhi police remained a mute spectator as young students, teachers and journalists were assaulted and thrashed with impunity, inside the court rooms, in the court complex and outside it." Gulshan Sachdeva, a professor at the JNU's Centre for European Studies who joined Tuesday's strike, said the controversy had "brought a bad name to the university". "People are talking without understanding what the real issue is," he told AFP by phone. "At the JNU, there is a kind of open space where all kinds of people are free to come and speak what they feel like." Om Prasad of the All India Students Association said the teachers had been angered by attempts to "defame" the university, which has a long history of left-wing activism. Story continues On Tuesday a small group of right-wing Hindu nationalists burnt an effigy outside the university premises and called JNU students "traitors". Many students at JNU have said they will boycott classes until Kumar is released, after staging major protests against his arrest at the weekend. Kumar denies he was among those chanting anti-India slogans at last Tuesday's rally to mark the 2013 hanging of Kashmiri separatist Mohammed Afzal Guru over a deadly 2001 attack on the Indian parliament. Protests against Guru's execution have regularly been held in Kashmir, where many believe he was not given a fair trial. Guru always denied plotting the attack, which was carried out by Kashmiri militants. Police have also registered sedition cases against another five students whom they say attended the rally, but have been unable to track them down. Meanwhile S.A.R Geelani, a former Delhi University lecturer, was arrested early on Tuesday on the same charge in connection with another event marking Guru's death. Sedition, which carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment, has been used in the past against supporters of independence for the disputed territory of Kashmir, which is divided between India and Pakistan and claimed in full by both. Indian forces have since 1989 been fighting militant groups seeking either independence for Kashmir or a merger with Pakistan. Brasilia (AFP) - International experts, including World Health Organization chief Margaret Chan, are visiting Brazil this week and next to check out a major increase in Zika virus infections, which have been blamed for birth defects. Chan, whose organization has declared an international emergency over the mosquito-transmitted virus, is expected in Brazil on February 23-24. Experts from the US Centers for Disease Control are already in the country and officials from two other US bodies, the Food and Drug Administration and the National Institutes of Health, are due to arrive, the Brazilian health ministry said. Zika often has few symptoms, but Brazilian scientists say they have found a direct link between the virus and a serious birth defect called microcephaly in babies born to women who were infected while pregnant. There is no vaccine for Zika and cases have shot up across Brazil and much else of the region, raising fears for local people and visitors, including during the August Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. Brazilian authorities have launched a national campaign against the Aedes aegypti mosquito which carries the virus. Military personnel have reinforced health authorities in a door to door campaign against mosquito breeding spots. "We have a very effective fumigation campaign across Brazil," Health Minister Marcelo Castro said Tuesday after meeting 24 EU ambassadors in the capital Brasilia. "As happened in previous years, we hope that the mosquito population will be even lower," he said, noting that by the Olympics the southern hemisphere winter will see a sharp drop in mosquito numbers. The European Union delegation head to Brazil, Joao Gomes Cravinho, said: "The international community has many worries over Zika." New-to-career professionals often find themselves unprepared for their first job. How can you set yourself up for success and differentiate yourself professionally as an intern or new-to-career hire? Here are some career-accelerating strategies for a new role. After the offer is accepted, but before starting, ask about the orientation process, so you can be prepared. It is also helpful to ask ahead of time if there are any aspects of orientation you can take on before your actual start date. For example, you may be able to start paperwork, training videos, tutorials on customer relationship management systems or setting up voicemail. If you can tackle these items before your first day, you can be productive sooner. For the first couple of days, it is all about the simple stuff that can make for a smooth transition. Drink your coffee at home and pack a refillable water bottle, pen, notebook, phone charger and a couple of easy to eat (but filling) snacks. Also, make sure your mom, friends and thousands of Instagram followers know you will be unavailable during the day now. You want to be as accessible and focused as possible to make sure that you can take advantage of every opportunity to learn. Some companies have a very organized (and thoughtful) on-boarding process that includes being escorted to your clean and organized desk, having coffee with the team and going out for lunch with your assigned mentor. However, most companies are not those companies. Often, employees are hired because there is a staff shortage and work surplus. If you are entering this type of environment, be prepared to be flexible regarding supplies, coffee breaks, lunch procedures and just plain time to catch your breath. I am sure that you are very smart and everyone you know can attest to your brilliance. However, I can guarantee you that you will not remember everything that is told to you while acclimating to a professional career. Please don't take that as a personal challenge -- but as a statement of fact. For the first week, write things down. In fact, you should probably continue to do this longer than just the first week -- but do it for a week, at the very least. Story continues A new job has lots of new things to think about and do. Each time your manager, mentor or colleague explains a new process, procedure or request, write down the key components. Also, make sure you clarify what is being asked and the timeline for completion. It is also helpful to ask what you should do if something does not go as planned. Most managers agree that one of the worst things a new employee can do is to sit idle while making no progress on a work responsibility. It is unproductive for the business and very frustrating for the stuck employee. Make sure you know the troubleshooting or escalation process for each aspect of your role. Pay attention to office nuances in culture and behavior. Most work environments have an unspoken but well-established protocol regarding who speaks first in meetings, what "open-door policy" really means and who should be included on emails regarding your ideas for firm-wide improvements. As a new employee, you will acclimate more quickly and be more effective if you work within the existing culture instead of doing whatever feels right for you. Mind your communication. Speaking too soon, guessing on an answer that you haven't researched and sending messages with typos are career-limiting moves at work. Depending on the severity, frequency and audience, they could be career ending. Slow down and approach communication as you would a test. Think through your approach. Assess what the audience will think about what you are about to say and write. Even venture a guess as to what could possibly go wrong if the message is misinterpreted. Now, revise your approach, check your word choice and spelling if it is written, then deliver the message. On some items, you may want to check with a trusted colleague to get their insight. In short, take written and verbal communication very seriously. On that same page, it is pretty hard to make up for the email you accidentally sent to your boss complaining about work that you meant to send to your colleague. So, don't write that email. Never use company resources for personal gain or write negative things about the company that is employing you. And don't just avoid these traps on work email -- avoid doing it on social media as well. The world is small and filled with people who are willing to throw you under the bus if it means saving themselves. While you are taking a paycheck from a business, be positive and use the time for which you are paid and the resources you are provided to do the job for which you were hired. Succeeding at work doesn't have to be difficult. It does, however, require some planning, effort and ethics. If you actively strive to do a good job with a high level of integrity, you will be amazed at how valued you can be at work. The world's successful leaders and visionaries will often point to key relationships that enabled them to rise to new heights. Long-term professional success requires a network of connections that believe in you and are advocates. Your first roles are the ideal time to begin to build this network. Good luck in making a great first impression that will last throughout your career. Robin Reshwan is the founder of Collegial Services, a consulting/staffing firm that connects college students, recent graduates and the organizations that hire them and a certified Women's Business Enterprise (WBE). She has interviewed, placed and hired thousands of people across a broad spectrum of companies and industries. Her career tips and advice are used by universities, national clubs/associations and businesses. A Certified Professional Resume Writer, Robin has been honored as a Professional Business Woman of the Year by the American Business Women's Association. She graduated Phi Beta Kappa and as a Regents Scholar from University of California, Davis. Brussels (AFP) - Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Zarif warned Saudi Arabia on Tuesday not to deploy troops in Syria, saying it would violate international law, while also demanding that Riyadh stop bombardments in Yemen. Zarif, whose country supports the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, was questioned about Saudi Arabia's announcement that it could deploy ground forces as part of the US-led coalition fighting the Islamic State group. "Those who are operating in Syria without the authority of the sovereign government in Syria are violating international law," he told a news conference at the European Parliament in Brussels. Speaking later after a meeting with his Belgian counterpart Didier Reynders, Zarif added: "We believe that's dangerous... I believe everybody should put forces together to find a peaceful solution, not to create more danger and more hostility in the region." Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir said after talks in Washington earlier this month that any operation would be US-led but that Saudi Arabia would play a leading role. Iran, which has sent thousands of "military advisers" into Syria, also supports the Damascus regime via the Shiite movement Hezbollah and above all Iraqi Shiite militias. Zarif told the European Parliament that Tehran does not have troops in Syria, "Iran does not have boots on the ground in Syria .. we have military advisors in Syria, as we have them in other places on the invitation" of the government, he said. UN-brokered Syrian peace talks were suspended at the start of February after Syria launched an offensive, backed by intense Russian air bombing, against the northern city of Aleppo. Zarif criticised the role played in those talks by Saudi Arabia, Tehran's number one regional rival. "People from outside cannot say what should be the outcome of the negotiations," he said. "The outcome of the negotiations will be determined by the Syrians inside the negotiating room, not in the capitals of the region particularly, in Riyadh. They will not and cannot make the decision for the people in Syria." Story continues He added: "If we are talking about military forces, we have to stop the bombardment of Yemen, which is taking place on a daily basis against innocent civilians, killing a lot of people. "There are no military targets to hit any more in Yemen. We need to end the atrocities and we need to end it now," he said, referring to a conflict which has killed over 6,100 people, nearly half of them civilians, according to the United Nations. On an official visit to Brussels Zarif met EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini on Monday evening. Baghdad (AFP) - An Iraqi military helicopter crashed south of Baghdad on Tuesday killing nine people due to a "technical problem", a security spokesman said. "A military helicopter of the Mi-17 type crashed because of a technical problem," killing its crew of nine, two of them officers, Brigadier General Yahya Rasool told AFP. The Soviet-designed helicopter, which is intended for transport but can also be equipped with weapons, was en route from Iraq's main southern city of Basra to the city of Kut, southeast of Baghdad, Rasool said. A Kut police captain said the crash occurred in an area east of the city. Iraq has lost multiple helicopters to accidents and ground fire in recent years, while others have been damaged. In October 2014, militants shot down a Bell 407 north of Baghdad, killing two crew, five days after an Mi-35 was shot down in the same area, while jihadists destroyed another helicopter on the ground earlier in the year. An overloaded helicopter crashed after delivering aid to people besieged by the Islamic State jihadist group on Mount Sinjar in August 2014, killing its pilot and injuring passengers, including a member of parliament. Lieutenant General Hassan Karim Khudayr was killed when a military helicopter crashed north of Baghdad before IS launched a sweeping offensive in June 2014, while Iraq also lost an Mi-17 to a sandstorm in July 2010, a crash that killed five. ERBIL, Iraq (Reuters) - The deputy prime minister of Iraqi Kurdistan said a dispute with Baghdad over oil sales could easily be resolved if the federal government agreed to cover the region's bloated public payroll, including the salaries of its armed forces. Hit hard by the global slump in oil prices, the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) can no longer afford its own payroll, costing 875 billion Iraqi dinars ($800 million) per month. Officials have warned the region faces an economic collapse. "If Baghdad pays the full salaries of people who receive salaries from the government in the Kurdistan region, including the peshmerga, we can easily and naturally agree with it," said Qubad Talabani on his official Facebook page. The comments came after Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said Baghdad was prepared to pay the salaries of government employees in Kurdistan if the autonomous region stopped selling oil independently. The Kurds ramped up independent oil sales through their own pipeline to Turkey after Baghdad slashed funding to the region in early 2014. The region's Ministry of Natural Resources said earlier on Tuesday it had generated more revenues in the second half of 2015 by selling oil independently than it had received in export revenue from Baghdad in the first half of the year. From Jan. 1 to June 23, the Kurds received $1.99 billion in export revenue from the federal government after an agreement with Baghdad stipulated the region's budget share would be reinstated in return for 550,000 barrels of oil per day (bpd). That arrangement broke down in June. From then until Dec. 31, the KRG achieved revenues of $3.95 billion through independent exports via pipeline to Turkey, even though prices had dropped to $47 per barrel from $60 between the two periods. (Writing by Isabel Coles; editing by Katharine Houreld) Logging more miles on your motorcycle in a single ride takes stamina, practice, and serious perseverance. No one knows this better than Carl Reese. He broke the solo record for a coast-to-coast crossing on a motorcycle, riding 2,829 miles from Los Angeles to Manhattan in just 38 hours and 49 minutes last August. And that included a stop at a Harley-Davidson shop in Belmont, Ohio, for a rear tire replacement. Even if you don't aspire to knock out almost two days straight on your bike, his tips for the physical component of the trek and beyond will help you extend your two-wheeled trips. Many of the suggestions are the same he shares with fellow riders at the Motorcycle Relief Project, a group that organizes multiday rides for veterans, and where Reese volunteers. Get fit. Reese has never been a gym rat. And even though he's active at work, running his business, Carl Reese Construction Company, he joined a health club to prepare for his coast-to-coast journey. His focus? Both fitness and strengthening his abs and back. "I knew that sitting that long in the saddle, I was going to have to build up my core." To increase his stamina, he also took spin classes for 24 months leading up to his ride. A little extra padding helps on longer rides. Reese bought a few pairs of paddle bicycle shorts for his foray into spinning. He wore his favorite pair on his record-breaking ride to combat the constant vibration from the vehicle. The chamois-enhanced shorts helped, but not enough. "When I got to New York, I was still raw on my backside. I couldn't sit down comfortably for the next two days." RELATED: The Great American Motorcycle Roads Eat healthy. Your energy will be dictated by what you put into your body. Reese committed to eating organic foods and drinking vegetable juices. He took advice from his girlfriend, a physical therapist and nutritionist. On the ride, he survived on a few salmon sandwiches and a trail mix of nuts and dried cherries. Use caffeine wisely. Reese gave up coffee and tea six weeks before he shoved off from Los Angeles. "That was tough for me because I enjoy coffee every morning, and the first week was a killer ... during the run I took a quarter cup of coffee during day two when I was feeling drowsy before the sun came up. That bit of caffeine was enough to get me to dawn, and I fell into the natural circadian rhythms of being awake at daylight." Stay hydrated. Reese rode with a full hydration pack. He also had four bottles of waters he froze solid. "Eventually, I went through the CamelBak and, by that time, the water bottles were thawed out." RELATED: Ride Long: The Best New Touring Motorcycles Fight the sun with appropriate optics and a visor. Reese's helmet features a retractable visor that knocked down the bright sun. During the day, Reese rode with prescription Ray Ban sunglasses. At night he used his regular glasses. For quick changes, he kept his eyewear in his tank bag. Stay mentally strong. "The training leading up to [my attempt] was borderline obsessive because you have to be committed to it. Once you say you're going to do it, the real work starts ... mentally you're alone inside your head." If you have any demons, there's a good chance they'll arrive unannounced during the wee hours. An extended fuel tank provides expanded capacity. Reese outfitted his BMW 2015 K 1600 GT with an additional 8-gallon fuel cell, doubling the distance he could cover before stopping for petrol. RELATED: The Best High-Performance Motorcycles for Beginners Technology can make long rides easier. Reese outfitted the front of his bike with a radar detector and laser jammers to reduce the possibility of getting a speeding ticket. He also added aftermarket 15,000-lumen lights to the front of his sport tourer. "They illuminate three-quarters to a mile of road at night ... you have to have them because you'll outrun your stock headlights." Because aftermarket lights are so powerful turning darkness into virtual daylight only use them when there's no oncoming traffic or vehicles ahead of you. A more powerful light also makes you more visible and, therefore, keeps you safer. Likewise, when covering longer distances, tracking weather is paramount. Inroute is like Waze-meets-Weather.com for motorcyclists. "You tell [the app] where you want to go and it shows you on a timeline what time of day or mileage you're going to hit weather. And it's pretty much spot-on." Planning makes perfect. "There's a big difference between cowboys who are reckless and guys like me who are problem solvers," Reese says. Having a support team checking traffic and providing alternate routes was critical to his success. Folks monitored road conditions for him and reported potential problems like a piece of plywood in the roadway or an obliterated deer spread across a few lanes. "Just going like a bat out of hell clear across the country is going to get you arrested," he says. "But if you can maintain your speed and not stop; if you can force yourself to stay in that seat with minimal refuels; and you can keep yourself alert by eating high-energy, low-sugar foods and you're not doing Red Bulls or energy drinks you can maintain alertness and cover distance without going absolutely crazy." Related ROME (Reuters) - Italy launched a United Nations-backed task force on Tuesday with a mission to protect monuments and cultural sites threatened by conflict and natural disaster around the world. Home to 51 sites deemed important to global heritage by U.N. cultural body UNESCO, Italy has volunteered a team of military police and civilian experts to share their experience with countries whose own artistic sites might be at risk. Archaeological sites in Italy have been plundered so extensively that its police force has a corps dedicated to tracking down treasures that are often smuggled abroad. Italian Culture Minister Dario Franceschini said cultural sites, once under greatest threat from accidental damage during war, were now a source of publicity and funds for militants. "Terrorists film the destruction for their mad propaganda, and then they turn off the cameras and try to sell everything they steal on the black market to finance their terrorism," Franceschini said. Architects, archaeologists, restorers, engineers and police will assess damaged sites, train local staff, help take objects to safe places and combat looting and illegal trafficking. The 60 Italians will work in areas where the U.N. already has humanitarian operations underway, a U.N. spokesman said. There was no indication they would go to war zones like those in Syria and Iraq, where UNESCO says Islamic State militants are destroying and looting sites like the 2,000 year-old city of Palmyra. The head of UNESCO, Irina Bokova, said the task force would help "stand up against" extremists. "Heritage is not just the beauty of the ancient monuments," Bokova told a news conference in the ancient Baths of Diocletian in Rome. "Heritage is about dialogue among different cultures and this is why extremists are afraid of history, they destroy it because they don't want this to be true." Italy will bear the costs of deploying the task force and their eventual activities. There was no word on whether any immediate missions were planned. (Reporting by Isla Binnie and Antonella Cinelli; Editing by Tom Heneghan) Rome (AFP) - Italy unveiled a 60-strong task force of art detectives and restorers on Tuesday, ready to protect the world's crisis-hit heritage sites for UNESCO in a cultural version of the UN's famous Blue Helmets. The task force, dubbed "cultural peacekeepers", will be dispatched -- when logistically possible -- to assess the damage to globally-prized monuments or works in the wake of conflicts, earthquakes, floods or other disasters. The main aim is to stop the looting and selling of heritage by militants to fund "terrorist activities", UNESCO said. The task force will "assess risk and quantify damage done to cultural heritage sites, develop action plans and urgent measures, provide technical supervision and training for local national staff," the Italian ministry said in a statement. It will also help transfer movable objects to safety "and strengthen the fight against looting and illegal trafficking of cultural property," the ministry said. Thirty police art detectives and 30 archaeologists, restorers and art historians "are already operational and ready to go where UNESCO sends them," said Culture Minister Dario Franceschini. Italy's art police have an international reputation for tracking down and recovering stolen works. The hope, UNESCO director Irina Bokova said Tuesday, was that other countries would follow Rome's example and join the heritage fight. The idea for an Italian, cultural version of the United Nations peacekeepers -- known by their distinctive blue helmets -- was voted in by the UN after the destruction of sites including in Syria's Palmyra by the Islamic State group. IS seized control of Palmyra in May and has realised international fears by destroying some of the most prized sites in the UNESCO World Heritage listed ancient city. The militants have carried out a sustained campaign of destruction against heritage sites in areas under their control in Syria and Iraq, including the important Iraqi sites of Hatra, Nimrud and Khorsabad, the ancient Assyrian capital. Islamist militants are also accused of being behind attacks on 10 religious and historic monuments in the UNESCO World Heritage city of Timbuktu in Mali. A Japanese actor has died after being stabbed in the stomach with a samurai sword during rehearsals. It was not immediately clear whether the sword was real or a mock weapon. Police said Tuesday they were investigating whether the death of 33-year-old Daigo Kashino was criminal or an accident. Kashino, a theatre group actor, had been rehearsing with several others at a studio in Tokyo at the time of the accident on Monday, broadcaster NHK reported. He was rushed to hospital but died soon afterwards. Nobody saw exactly how Kashino was stabbed, according to local media. Several actors said they had turned around and seen Kashino hunched up after hearing him groan, according to NHK. By Steve Holland CHARLESTON, S.C. (Reuters) - Former President George W. Bush came to the aid of his brother Jeb Bush's Republican presidential campaign in South Carolina on Monday with a rousing endorsement of his character and a call for voters to reject the angry bluster of Donald Trump. The appearance of the elder Bush on the campaign trail may help Jeb Bush with South Carolina Republicans who hold the former president in high regard. But it also carries some risks, given his launching of the Iraq war in 2003, which ended up being unpopular with many Americans and which Republican front-runner Trump has seized on to criticize him. George W. Bush, who has stayed out of politics for the most part since leaving office in early 2009, showed he remains an engaging speaker, generating cheers repeatedly over 20 minutes from the biggest crowd Jeb Bush has enjoyed in his campaign. Without mentioning Trump by name, the 69-year-old George W. Bush left no doubt he was talking about the New York billionaire who uses incendiary rhetoric at his campaign events. "These are tough times and I know that Americans are angry, but we do not need someone in the Oval Office who mirrors and inflames our anger and our frustrations," the former president said. Real strength, he said, means facing challenges and prevailing. "Strength is not empty rhetoric. It is not bluster. It is not theatrics. Real strength comes from integrity and character. And in my experience, the strongest person isn't usually the loudest person in the room," George W. Bush said. Whether the elder Bush's presence will help his 63-year-old brother in the South Carolina Republican primary on Saturday remains to be seen. Jeb is running fourth in polls in South Carolina, behind Trump, Texas Senator Ted Cruz and Florida Senator Marco Rubio. Trump, at a news conference in Charleston earlier in the day, continued a stream of insults directed at the Bush family, insisting that the former president bore responsibility for the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks that took place on his watch. "Excuse me, the World Trade Center came down during the reign of George Bush, right? It came down. That was the greatest attack in the history of the United States worse than Pearl Harbor.... We weren't safe," Trump said. George W. Bush offered some vivid imagery of what took place on Sept. 11 without addressing Trump's criticism and saluted U.S. military personnel, a key constituency in South Carolina. In his first public campaign appearance of the year for his brother, George W. Bush also met privately with South Carolina's Republican governor, Nikki Haley, who has yet to endorse a candidate for the primary vote. George W. Bush's standing has risen among all Americans since he left power in 2009 and he has stayed on the sidelines of his brother's presidential bid, headlining private fundraisers but otherwise staying off the campaign trail. That he is getting out in public now shows the urgency Jeb Bush sees in a good performance in South Carolina. Bush finished in sixth place in the Iowa caucuses and in fourth place in the New Hampshire primary - the first contests in the state-by-state battles to pick a party nominee for the Nov. 8 presidential election. Jeb Bush predicted a good showing on Saturday, telling the crowd that "Saturday is going to be a surprise." Trump is also keeping an eye on Cruz and trying to prevent him from gaining ground on him. He issued a statement accusing Cruz of dirty politics for running a negative ad against him. Trump also threatened to sue Cruz to determine whether he can legally serve as president since he was born in Canada and therefore might not meet the requirements set out in the U.S. Constitution. "One of the ways I can fight back is to bring a lawsuit against him," Trump said. (Additional reporting Andrea Shalal in Washington; Editing by Frances Kerry and Dan Grebler) By Hilary Russ TRENTON, N.J. (Reuters) - New Jersey Governor Chris Christie proposed a $34.8 billion fiscal 2017 state budget on Tuesday that relies on a modest 3.1 percent revenue growth and no tax hikes. It was Christie's first major address to New Jerseyans since he returned home after ending his run for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination last week. He thanked residents for that "great privilege." "While the result was not what I had hoped for, and maybe some of you too, the experience has made me a better governor, a better American and it's made me a better person," he said. Christie spent more than half of 2015 out of state, much of it campaigning, and in a Rutgers-Eagleton Poll on Tuesday just 29 percent of registered New Jersey voters had a favorable opinion of him, his lowest level yet. Gone from Christie's address was the broad national tone that dominated so many of his recent speeches. Instead he spoke, albeit briefly, about the need to fund transportation projects, a key state issue. Christie's spending plan, which he said was built on "fiscal restraint," included $250 million in savings from yet-to-come cost reductions in health benefits for public employees. The cost cuts could come through required use of generic drugs and increased co-pays, examples from a Treasury briefing for reporters before Christie's address to lawmakers in the statehouse. Christie's budget could find favor with Wall Street credit rating agencies. Since he took office in January 2010, New Jersey has been hit with nine downgrades in part because of overly optimistic revenue projections and the use of non-recurring revenue sources. The governor's latest spending plan addressed both issues, with estimated revenue growth of just 3.1 percent. The proposed plan overall is just 2.2 percent larger than the $34 billion of appropriations for fiscal 2016, which ends on June 30. It also slashes reliance on one-shot revenues, to 0.7 percent of the total budget from 2.9 percent this fiscal year. The state's underfunded public pension system is another sore spot for rating agencies. The governor proposed a $1.86 billion contribution in 2017, the biggest amount ever for New Jersey, but still less than half of what the state should be contributing to keep the system healthy, according to actuaries. Democrats, who control the legislature, said Christie skirted real proposals for healthcare savings or transportation funding, which they have said could be paid for with a state gasoline tax hike. (Reporting by Hilary Russ; Editing by Alistair Bell and Tom Brown) Be careful what you wish for. John Oliver's Last Week Tonight, returning for its third season on HBO, offered just such a warning for politicians who might want the host to take a quick swipe at a scandalous incident that happened to them. Oliver was compelled once again to turn his attention to the latest political shenanigans in New Zealand. And this time, he enlisted the help of Oscar-winning Lord of the Rings director and New Zealand native Peter Jackson, who stood on a hilltop, waving an enormous flag emblazoned with the image of New Zealand's economic development minister getting smacked in the face with a dildo. Though Oliver claimed the show had tried to call "a moratorium on discussing New Zealand on the show," it was hard to look away when last week, following protests against a transpacific partnership, economic development minister Stephen Joyce was hit in the face with the sex toy during a news conference. "We were still reluctant to carry this story," Oliver said, "until incredibly our hand was forced." Oliver then revealed that the minister who has now been nicknamed "Dildo Baggins" had tweeted, "Someone send the gif to John Oliver so we can get it over with." "So let's, in your words, 'get this over with,' " Oliver teased. Read More: 'Last Week Tonight' Promo: John Oliver Responds to Critics Like Donald Trump, Cher "Lets all agree, New Zealand's flag debate should now be over," Oliver said, alluding to New Zealand's recent flag redesign competition, which produced a bonanza of amateur-looking submissions. "Because if you want an image that sums up everything great about New Zealand " Oliver announced alongside an image of the New Zealand flag with the addition of an image of Joyce's face at the moment it was struck by the artificial penis. "We didn't just mock that up, New Zealand. We got one made and sent it to your country, and gave it to one of your greatest sons, Peter Jackson," said Oliver. "And if you dont believe me watch this." Story continues Cut to Jackson, waving an enormous version of the flag against a blue sky. "What do you think of the new dildo flag?" Jackson asked. "What do you think, John? The people have spoken." Oliver returned to Joyce's tweet, saying that since he'd been "baited into a response," he needed to be ready for the "nuclear option." Finally, Oliver presented the final escalation: a choir singing about the dildo incident to the tune of the hallelujah chorus accompanied by giant flying dildos. Read More: John Oliver Explains How to Revise New Year's Resolutions After Inevitably Not Keeping Them Watch the full clip below. A little more than an hour before the Grammys were to start Monday night, Kanye West wrote another series of controversial tweets, this time asking "white publications" to not write about "black music." West singled out The New York Times, Rolling Stone and Pitchfork as "white publications" that should not be writing about black music. To Pitchfork, Rolling Stone, New York Times, and any other white publication. Please do not comment on black music anymore. KANYE WEST (@kanyewest) February 15, 2016 I love love love white people but you don't understand what it means to be the great grandson of ex slaves and make it this far. KANYE WEST (@kanyewest) February 15, 2016 The system is designed for colored people to fail and one of our only voices is music. One of our only ways out is music. KANYE WEST (@kanyewest) February 15, 2016 West also said his highly anticipated album, The Life of Pablo, will not be available on iTunes or in stores. It can only be found on Tidal, he tweeted. West has been a supporter of the subscription-based music-streaming service owned by Jay Z since it was introduced in 2014. My album will never never never be on Apple. And it will never be for sale... You can only get it on Tidal. KANYE WEST (@kanyewest) February 15, 2016 Please to all my friends fans and music lovers. Sign up to Tidal now. KANYE WEST (@kanyewest) February 15, 2016 Krispy Kreme will open seven stores in New England. (Photo: Krispy Kreme) Hot off last weeks primary, New Hampshire-ites will soon have an even tougher decision weighing on their shoulders: where to go for breakfast. Krispy Kreme announced Monday that it plans to open seven new stores in New England, with the first four shops coming to the Granite State. But as anyone whos ever visited the region knows, its a Dunkin Donuts stronghold. Does the retailer really expect its signature Original Glazed treats to lure loyalists away from their Munchkins? This Easy Mason Jar Donut Parfait Will Impress All Your Friends Why These Polish Donuts Called Paczki Are Eaten on Fat Tuesday These Are The Best Donut Shops in Each State Our fan base is very strong in this area, despite having a limited presence in New England, Sarah Roof, corporate communications coordinator for Krispy Kreme told Yahoo Food. We hope to capitalize on this fan base and deliver that Krispy Kreme experience that generations of fans around the world have come to expect. This is not the first time the North Carolina-based doughnut chain has tried to expand in the region. Seven stores that operated for a short time in Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut ultimately shuttered in 2007. Dunkin Donuts loves a little friendly competition. (Photo: Dunkin Donuts) But representatives for Krispy Kreme, which currently operates 300 shops in 41 states nationwide, would not discuss past closures, choosing instead to focus on the future openings in New Hampshire and Maine. The stores will be operated by Cort Mendez, owner of NH Glazed, LLC, who has 10 Five Guys burgers and fries franchises under his belt. Our team is excited to bring this iconic brand to the north and share that signature taste of Krispy Kremes sweet treats and premium coffee, said Mendez in a press release. We already have a nice following in both states, so were confident Krispy Kreme Doughnuts will become a fast favorite! Story continues When asked for comment on the news, Dunkin Donuts representatives were happy to pat themselves on the cruller. Our guests are loyal to Dunkin Donuts because of the many ways we work to give them an unsurpassed guest experience, Chris Fuqua, vice president of Dunkin Donuts brand marketing told Yahoo Food. We make our entire menu available all day, and offer our guests more than 25,000 different ways to customize their favorite coffee any way they like it. Customers can even wear their Dunkin love on their sleeves. Were currently featuring our popular Brownie Batter and Cookie Dough Heart Donuts in New England and across the country, said Fuqua. Our Brownie Batter Heart Donut is a heart-shaped donut with brownie batter flavored buttercreme filling, topped with chocolate icing and heart sprinkles. The Cookie Dough Heart Donut is a heart-shaped donut with cookie dough flavored buttercreme filling, topped with chocolate icing and chocolate chips. Sweet. By Lisa Maria Garza EL PASO, Texas (Reuters) - As many as 200,000 Catholics are expected to cross four bridges from El Paso, Texas into Ciudad Juarez, Mexico on Wednesday to see Pope Francis in a massive pilgrimage likely to choke roads and immigration offices, U.S. officials said. The visit to the northern Mexican city has been a huge draw in neighboring El Paso, where school districts, city government offices and businesses plan to shut ahead of what many in the city with a large Hispanic and Catholic population view as a once in a lifetime chance to see the leader of the Catholic Church. Local estimates put the number due to cross the border at 150,000 to 200,000. On an average weekday, 30,000 vehicles and 20,000 pedestrians cross through the El Paso ports of entry, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection. The federal law enforcement agency said those numbers should at least triple as crowds gather to greet the Pope during his motorcade along the streets or attend the Mass at "El Punto," a large field near Benito Juarez Stadium. We really dont know whats coming our way until everybody gets here, said agency spokesman Ruben Jauregui. Extra border patrol agents and security measures are in place to ensure no individuals or groups use the papal visit as a distraction to bypass the inspection process at border ports and interior checkpoints, he added. The pope is traveling to crime-plagued Ciudad Juarez on the last stop of his six-day tour of Mexico, where he will pray for migrants and victims of violence at a Mass a few hundred feet from the border. A platform built next to the border fence will allow Pope Francis to address El Pasoans watching from the United States. The Catholic Diocese in El Paso said it gave an estimated 10,000 tickets for free to parishioners for the Papal Mass. On some Internet sites, those tickets were selling at more than $150. For those who could not score a ticket or take time off work for the Mass, the El Paso Diocese created a Two Nations, One Faith viewing party at the Sun Bowl Stadium, with a capacity of 50,000 people. Through a two-way live stream broadcast, the Argentine pontiff will be able to view the thousands of attendees inside the stadium and issue a formal blessing. Francis is traveling to some of the poorest and most violent corners of Mexico on his trip and visited the country's gang-infested heartland on Tuesday. (Reporting by Lisa Maria Garza; Editing Jon Herskovitz and Alistair Bell) A Brazilian baby with microcephaly. (Photo: AP Images) A group of physicians in Argentina are challenging the notion that a dramatic increase in newborn brain damage in Brazil is linked to the Zika virus. Instead, they claim its due to a larvicide added to Brazils water supply. The group, Physicians in the Crop-Sprayed Towns (PCST), says a chemical larvicide called pyriproxyfen was added to Brazils water supplies in 2014 in order to stop the development of mosquito larvae in drinking water tanks. The organization alleges that pyriproxyfen, not Zika virus, is to blame for the rise in cases of infants born in Brazil with unusually small heads, a condition known as microcephaly. Nearly 4,000 babies in Brazil have been born with microcephaly since October. By contrast, Brazil reported fewer than 150 cases of microcephaly in 2014. Scientists freely admit that theyre still learning about Zika virus and its side effects. Could this be true? Board-certified infectious disease specialist Amesh A. Adalja, MD, an assistant professor at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, tells Yahoo Health that hes doubtful. I dont think this is the cause for microcephaly because the levels consumed in the drinking water are much lower (300 times) than the World Health Organization (WHO) limits, he says. Not only that, Adalja says, we would have seen these cases before, since pyriproxyfen has been used in water supplies in the past. We would have seen cases years ago as the use of pyriproxyfen increased, he says. Related: Zika Virus Linked to Eye Damage Too Zika is spreading throughout South America, Central America, and the Caribbean, and WHO recently predicted that the virus will spread to all but two countries (Canada and continental Chile) in South America, Central America, and North America, including the United States by late spring or early summer. Because of the viruss link with microcephaly (and, more recently, eye damage in newborns), officials in Brazil, Colombia, El Salvador, Ecuador, and Jamaica are urging women to delay having children. Story continues In response to the new allegations, government officials in Rio Grande do Sul, a state in the south of Brazil, stopped the use of pyriproxyfen in its water on Saturday. We decided to suspend the use of the product in drinking water until we have a position from the Ministry of Health, and so we reinforce further still the appeal to the population to eliminate any possible mosquito breeding site, Joao Gabbardo dos Reis, state health secretary in Rio Grande do Sul, told the U.K.s the Telegraph. But the Brazilian government says the new claims are unfounded. Unlike the relationship between the Zika virus and microcephaly, which has had its confirmation shown in tests that indicated the presence of the virus in samples of blood, tissue, and amniotic fluid, the association between the use of pyriproxyfen and microcephaly has no scientific basis, government officials said in a statement. Its important to state that some localities that do not use pyriproxyfen also had reported cases of microcephaly. Monsanto also denies the link. In a statement on its website, the company refers to the allegations as misinformation and rumors. Neither Monsanto nor our products have any connection to the Zika virus or microcephaly. More on the Zika virus on Yahoo Health: Is the Zika Virus Contagious? Zika Virus Symptoms: What Are They? Do Pregnant Women in the U.S. Need to Worry About Zika Virus? Zika Virus: What to Know If Youre Trying to Get Pregnant U.S. Issues Treatment Guidelines for Infants Exposed to Zika 10 Essential Facts About the Zika Virus What Happens When Countries Without Abortion Advise Against Pregnancy? Can Brazil Zika-Proof in Time for the Olympics? Lets keep in touch! Follow Yahoo Health on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest. Questions abound about the Zika virus Hibachi chefs are typically known as a fun-loving bunch they crack jokes, make choo-choo trains out of sizzling onions, squirt sake out of a plastic wee-wee mans penis, etc. But one Indiana chef may have crossed the line last Valentines Day when he reportedly made homophobic comments to a same-sex couple dining at the restaurant. In a Facebook note that she posted on Feb. 14, Ellie Parker wrote that she and her girlfriend decided to go out for dinner to celebrate Valentines Day. But shit got weird when the chef showed up and went around the table asking people about their relationship statuses. We told him we were each others valentines, Parker wrote in her note. The chef then reportedly told the women that its such a waste to not have a man and that if they wanted, he could follow the pair home to heat things up. So Parker and her girlfriend decided to leave the chef a very special tip on their dinner receipt: Dont tell lesbians they need a man on Valentines Day. I am appalled that I would receive this kind of treatment, Parker concluded. I cannot believe I paid over $50 to have my relationship insulted and sexualized." Unfortunately, this is hardly the first time a lesbian couple has been subject to such discriminatory treatment while dating in a public space. Whether its at a restaurant and bait and tackle shop in Texas or a cozy Vermont inn, homophobic episodes in restaurants pop up every so often in a society that, despite its many progressive leaps, still has many a bigot lurking in the shadows. Meanwhile, the chefs "you need a man comment is indicative of the subtle misogyny that lesbians may endure on a day-to-day basis. Telling a man that you have a boyfriend is safer than telling a man that youre a lesbian, popular vlogger Arielle Scarcella said in a 2014 video on the subject. Because men respect other men more than they respect our individual sexual orientation." Parker and her girlfriend can at least rest assured that they have the support of many Facebook users. More than 5,000 people have shared her post as of this writing, with many people commenting that the chef is "an ass and should be fired. Story continues Thank you all for the support! Parker eventually responded to her friends. The restaurant did refund our money, but nothing can make up for the way we were treated. I hope sharing this helps others avoid this situation in the future. Mic has reached out to Parker for further comment. A representative for Asahi Japanese Steakhouse in Lafayette, Indiana, where Parker's Facebook says she is from, told Mic that they had no idea what Parkers post was referring to before hanging up. h/t Metro Let's give the penguins a little credit. The news reported around the world was startling that some 150,000 Adelie penguins have died in Antarctica because a colossal iceberg cut off their sea access. But there's no proof yet that the birds are dead. No one has actually found 150,000 frozen penguins. In fact, experts think there's a less horrific explanation for the missing birds: When the fishing gets tough, penguins simply pick up and move. It wouldn't be the first time Adelie penguins marched to new digs. When an iceberg grounded in the southern Ross Sea in 2001, penguins on Ross Island relocated to nearby colonies until the ice broke up. [See Photos of Cape Denison and its Adelie Penguins] "Just because there are a lot fewer birds observed doesn't automatically mean the ones that were there before have perished," said Michelle LaRue, a penguin population researcher at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, who was not involved in the study. "They easily could have moved elsewhere, which would make sense if nearby colonies are thriving," LaRue told Live Science in an email interview. Where did they go? The misplaced penguins lived at a colony on Cape Denison in Commonwealth Bay, in East Antarctica. In mid-February 2010, the Rhode Island-sized iceberg B09B crashed into the bay's Mertz Glacier. The stranded iceberg forced the penguins to walk more than 37 miles (60 kilometers) for food, researchers report in a new study. The greater the distance to dinner, the harder it is for baby chicks to get enough calories from their penguin parents. [Infographic: Your Guide to Antarctica] Since 2011, the original colony of 150,000 penguins has shrunk to around 10,000 birds, according to the new study, published Feb. 2 in the journal Antarctic Science. The authors, from Australia's University of New South Wales, predict the Cape Denison colony will disappear in 20 years unless the ice clears. Story continues "I don't think any of us anticipated what we saw: the ground was littered with dead chicks and discarded eggs. What had been until recently a noisy, raucous colony was now eerily quiet. It was heartbreaking to visit," study co-author Chris Turney, of the University of New South Wales Australia, told Live Science in an email interview. But LaRue counters that Adelie penguin colonies always have dead birds scattered around because the carcasses don't decompose in Antarctica's dry, cold climate. Researchers have discovered mummified penguins and seals that are centuries old. "I do not know what happened to these birds, but no one does for certain," LaRue said. "The fact that so many birds [are] gone from this location is really interesting." The Australian research team also suggests the Cape Denison penguins could have emigrated to other nesting sites. They note that abandoned and recolonized penguin colonies are found throughout Antarctica, evidence of the bird's adaptive response to changing ice conditions in centuries past. Waddle watch The Cape Denison Adelie penguin colony was first visited in 1913 during Australian explorer Douglas Mawson's Antarctica expedition. The Australian researchers revisited the colony in 2013, during an expedition to recreate Mawson's voyage. (The year 2013 saw heavy sea ice, and the expedition had to be rescued offshore East Antarctica.) The researchers thoroughly documented the penguin population during their visit. On the same trip, the research team also discovered thriving Adelie penguin colonies elsewhere in Commonwealth Bay. The finding makes it more plausible that some of the birds affected by the iceberg could have gone elsewhere. However, scientists still know little about how the penguins emigrate between colonies. The Adelie penguin population in Antarctica has only recently become tracked by satellites. "What's happening in Commonwealth Bay provides a natural experiment of what we might anticipate for the future. I must stress B09B is not thought to be directly the result of climate change, but it does provide an important insight into processes that could operate in a warmer world," Turney said. "We do hope to get back to Cape Denison to continue monitoring the penguins and track what we hope will be a recovery if (or when) the giant iceberg B09B finally moves." About Adelies Adelie penguins breed between October and February. Adelie penguins must travel repeatedly from the colonies into the adjacent ocean to find the fish and krill that they eat. Unlike emperor penguins, which breed on pack ice during the Antarctic winter, Adelie penguins breed during the Antarctic summer (Octover through February) and live on the continent. Adelie penguins travel back and forth from their nesting colonies to the ocean to hunt for fish and krill. The arrival of B09B has prevented sea ice from leaving the bay, forcing the penguins to walk farther for food. As a result, the penguin population has experienced an order of magnitude collapse in numbers, Turney said. While the Adelie population has dropped along the Antarctic Peninsula, the colonies in East Antarctica are growing, LaRue said. As of 2011, there were approximately 7 million Adelie penguins in Antarctica. "Losing 150,000 birds even if that were true is hardly apocalyptic," LaRue said. Editor's Note: This article was updated with quotes from one of the study researchers, Chris Turney. Follow us @livescience, Facebook & Google+. Original article on Live Science. Copyright 2016 LiveScience, a Purch company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. A new international film festival is coming to Macau, the former Portuguese colony-turned-casino enclave in southern greater China. Marco Mueller and Elvis Mitchell are among the international figures attached to the event, The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed. The first International Film Festival Macao (IFFM) will be held Dec. 8-14. The event will run on a budget of some $10 million, most of which will be supplied by the Macau government, which is run semi-autonomously from mainland China. In its augural edition, the IFFM will screen 45 films across a program including galas, a competition and a themed sidebar. Commercial and genre titles are expected to be the event's focus. Mueller was formerly head of the Venice, Locarno and Rome fests, and he previously served as an artistic advisor to the Beijing Film Festival. Mitchell is host of the public radio show The Treatment, and a visiting lecturer at Harvard University. Read More: 'Hunger Games,' 'Divergent' Theme Parks in the Works in Macau, Atlanta Puebla (Mexico) (AFP) - Mexican authorities imposed an $8.9 million fine on German automaker Volkswagen on Monday for selling more than 45,000 cars without certificates for emissions and noise compliance. The cars were all 2016 models and included the brands VW, Audi, SEAT, Porsche and Bentley, according to the prosecutor's office for environmental protection. The fine followed a December inspection at Volkswagen's Mexico office in the central state of Puebla. The plant produces cars for Mexico and export markets. In addition to the fine, the prosecutor's office said the environment ministry is still investigating whether VW cars sold in Mexico were fitted with devices to cheat emissions tests. The company has admitted to fitting 11 million diesel engines worldwide with such devices. It is every teenager's worst nightmare -- or so you would have thought. Mum and dad up on stage belting out rock anthems in front of your friends. The horror! A few days before they face the toughest audience imaginable -- their children -- the graduates of what is touted as the world's first rock class for parents are joking about what's the more nerve-wracking, this or childbirth. "Can't you see me shaking?" said Philippe Chabert-Marcon, whose 11 and 12-year-olds are already veterans of Paris' Park Slope Rock School. But it is too late. The tickets have been sold for their first gig at a hip venue in the French capital. To pile on the pressure, British pop star Jarvis Cocker is in the audience, one of several musicians to have enrolled their children in the school. Yet when the moment comes, their kids are on their feet with everyone else as the parents tear into "Born to be Wild". "Wow! They were really great," shouts nine-year-old Matthew Langlois who had performed earlier on the bill, awe-struck by his mother Michelle, who said she hasn't sung with such abandon since she stood in front of the mirror as a teenager. Struggling to be heard above the cheers, Langlois, 48, said, "It's a real high. I still can't believe how far we've come." When the group was put together less than four months before, only two band members could really play their instruments. And as Chabert-Marcon, also 48, admits, his "electric guitar has been gathering dust in the basement for nearly 30 years". - Can't believe their ears - But all had seen how their children started playing from the very first day at Park Slope Rock School, founded in Brooklyn by American musician Jason Domnarski in 2008 before he opened a branch in the French capital three years later. At first Langlois could not believe her eyes, nor her ears. "The kids came home playing straight away ," she said. "It is not at all how music teaching used to be. So I thought, 'Why should they have all the fun?'" Story continues Laura Malone, on flute and lead guitar, had the same reaction. "After I saw my daughter play in her band and saw the way Jason worked with the kids, the first thing I thought was 'Why didn't this exist when I was young?'" And so five parents on the wrong side of 40 came knocking on Domnarski's door asking if he could do for them what he had done for their kids. "I thought why not," Domnarski said, though he admits that he doubted if they would adapt to his mould-breaking approach as well as their children. "I thought they might be more worried about making mistakes, but they have been amazing from the get-go and so supportive of each other." Malone -- a computer programmer who had never played guitar before -- said the "dynamics of being in the band helps get you over hurdles" that you might baulk at alone. "The band has built this amazing bond just from practising together for an hour and a half a week. I would never had believed it had I not seen it myself." - 'It's cool, Dad' - It also helps that many rock standards have only three chords, though as Domnarski said, "it is all about how you play them". The experience has also turned the usual parent-child relationships on their head. "I admit I'm scared," said Chabert-Marcon, an Internet company boss. "But my kids who have done it all before keep telling me, 'Dad, it's fine, you'll see.'" Bass player Luc Heinrich, a complete musical novice, knew he was hitting the groove when his son winked at him as he passed the bedroom door as he practised. "That was priceless," he said. The same basic rules apply for children and adults, Domnarski insists. "It is about working as a team and sharing ideas and learning how to power through the nerves to get on stage and perform in front of hundreds of people. It's an amazing experience." For Langlois and the others, playing in a band has been a revelation. "I have tried to be a runner three or four times, but I never got the runner's high. "But doing this gets the adrenaline pumping and that emotional connection back to your teenage years, to goofing with the cassette recorder with your friends," he said. "You put that all away when you become an adult. When you get to be 40, you say 'OK, I am never going to be Madonna, I'm never going to the Olympics, and it's all kids and school and downhill from here.' But it doesn't need to be like that..." Ottawa (AFP) - Canada's minister of indigenous affairs Tuesday accused police of failing to investigate possibly thousands of murders of native women that their families say were wrongly classified as suicide, accidental death or by natural cause. Federal police said 1,049 aboriginal women had been murdered and 172 went missing over the past three decades, in a 2014 report that was updated last year. But Minister Carolyn Bennett said, "the tragedy is much wider." One woman's group suggested the number was as high as 4,000. Based on conversations with victims' families ahead of a public inquiry into the deaths and missing persons cases, Bennett said a number of cases were labeled suicides, or the result of accidental overdose or natural causes. "There's no question that the families want certain cases reopened," she said. Many families, the minister added, alleged an "uneven application of justice, from the quality of the search to whether it's called a murder or not, to the charges that are laid, to the plea bargaining, to the court dates being delayed, to the sentence, to the time served. "It seems to the families that this is very different if the victim is indigenous." Bennett cited examples of a woman being shot in the back of the head and another who died while her hands were tied behind her back. Both deaths were classified as suicides, she said. "It's very important that we're describing a tragedy, not just counting missing and murdered because that doesn't describe the reality of these families and the voices of the survivors," she said. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's Liberal government has sought a rapprochement with Canada's 1.4 million aboriginals since taking office in November. The previous Tory administration had long resisted calls for an inquiry, seeing the disproportionate number of deaths and disappearances as resulting from domestic violence. For Jordan Grafman, it was just a split-second vision. "About 15 years ago, my mom died," Grafman told Live Science. "I was walking down the street to catch the bus at about 5 a.m., and I looked down the street and saw who I thought was my mom, although my mom had been dead for a week. I looked back, and whatever was there was gone." That momentary flicker in perception intrigued Grafman, who is a cognitive neuroscientist and the director of brain injury research at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago. "That, to me, was a mystical experience," Grafman said. "As a scientist who has seen something that, to me, seemed mystical, I'm interested in figuring out what happened to my brain." Now, Grafman and his colleagues have pinpointed some of the brain processes that lead to such transcendent moments. It turns out, mystical experiences may stem from the brain letting go of inhibitions, opening a "door of perception," the researchers found. [Spooky! The Top 10 Unexplained Phenomena] Brush with the infinite During mystical experiences, people feel connected to a higher power and often describe gaining hidden knowledge or having revelatory insights. Although people around the world have reported mystical experiences, ranging from near-death experiences to ecstatic visions to meditative trances, these visions remain shrouded in mystery, with little neuroscience research to explain their underpinnings in the brain. Previous research suggested two broad camps of theories to explain the brain origins of mystical experiences, called "push" and "pull" theories, respectively. "Push theories argue that activation of a single 'God spot' causes mystical beliefs, suggesting that injuries to these spots would reduce mysticism," study co-author Joseph Bulbulia, a religious studies researcher at Victoria University of Wellington in New Zealand, said in a statement. "In contrast, pull theories argue that the suppression of our inhibitory functions opens up the brain to mystical experiences. It is a hotly disputed topic, and we set out to clarify the debate." Story continues Now, Grafman and his colleagues have evidence to suggest that pull theories may help to explain mystical experiences. In their new study, the scientists analyzed 116 Vietnam War veterans who experienced brain damage and had mystical experiences, and compared them with 32 combat veterans without brain injuries or neurological disorders. All of the veterans took psychological tests before and after their conflicts. [Top 10 Controversial Psychiatric Disorders] "Often, the veterans said they heard the word of God, or had visions of their family," Grafman said. "Those are common mystical experiences." The researchers also conducted interviews of the patients using the Mysticism Scale, a well-established test for analyzing reports of mystical experiences. The scale asks respondents about feelings of unity and joy, as well as a sense of transcending time and space. The scientists also carried out high-resolution computed tomography (CT) brain scans of all of the Vietnam veterans participating in the study. The researchers found that damage to the frontal and temporal lobes was linked with greater mystical experiences. Previous research found that the frontal lobes, located near the forehead, are linked to movement, problem solving, memory, language and judgment, among other functions. The temporal lobes, located near the bottom of the brain, are linked to the senses, language and memory. Further investigation revealed that damage to a specific area of the brain known as the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex was linked to markedly increased mysticism. Previous research found that this brain region, located in the frontal lobes, is key to imposing inhibitions. "The frontal lobes are the most evolved areas of the human brain, and help control and make sense of the perceptual input we get from the world," Grafman said. "When the frontal lobes' inhibitory functions are suppressed, a door of perception can open, increasing the chances of mystical experiences." The brain's door of perception Previous research into mysticism in the brain examined only a few volunteers, or did not analyze participants both before and after brain injuries. The new findings are the first to both analyze subjects' intellectual function before and after combat and to investigate a significant number of such volunteers, the researchers said. The findings also suggest that activity in the temporal lobes can generate mystical experiences, the researchers said. However, the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex appears to have a critical role in interpreting and modifying these phenomena, the scientists said. The researchers suggested that when the brain's inhibitory functions are suppressed and then people undergo an experience without a direct explanation, the brain might then settle for supernatural explanations. "The more we understand the brain, the more we can make fundamental advances and translate findings into clinical settings," Grafman said in a statement. The scientists detailed their findings in the Jan. 8 issue of the journal Neuropsychologia. Follow Charles Q. Choi on Twitter @cqchoi. Follow us @livescience, Facebook & Google+. Original article on Live Science. Copyright 2016 LiveScience, a Purch company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. The presidential race has four more primary and caucus events in February before the big March 1 event known as Super Tuesday. Heres a quick look at what to expect. Nevada and South Carolina are next up on the campaign schedule, and there are four different events there between February 20 and February 27. The races will be closely watched for clues as both parties get ready for a big March 1 event. Also known as the SEC primary, the March 1 event involves 14 states in some capacity, so any February momentum will be crucial for candidates. Event 1: Democratic Caucus in Nevada, Saturday, Feb. 20, 2016 (35 Delegates/8 Super Delegates) Officially known as the Non-binding Precinct Viability Caucuses, these party member meetings arent a primary. But the outcome helps determine the number of delegates sent from Nevada to the Democratic National Convention. Registered Democrats vote on caucus day, and registered voters can change their party affiliation on caucus day, but voting is restricted to Democrats. There are 35 delegates at stake, and they arent distributed and bound to candidates until May. In addition, eight Super Delegates will go to the national convention as unpledged delegates. Event 2: Republican Primary in South Carolina, Saturday, Feb. 20, 2016 (50 Delegates/3 Super Delegates) Campaigning is already underway in what will be an important test for leading GOP candidates Donald Trump, Ted Cruz, John Kasich, Jeb Bush and Marco Rubio. The Republicans send 50 elected delegates to their national convention. Of that total, 21 delegates are awarded to winners in 7 congressional districts. The person who wins each district gets all 3 delegates in that district. An additional 26 delegates go the overall winner of the primary in South Carolina. And South Carolina sends 3 Super Delegates to the GOP convention pledged to the overall winner in the state. Event 3: Republican Nevada Caucuses, Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2016 (30 Delegates) This event is restricted to registered Republicans in Nevada for caucuses that take place for two hours. There are 30 delegates at stake here, and the delegates are awarded proportionally to any candidate that gets at least 3.3 percent of the vote. Story continues The delegate allocation here can be changed in May to reflect candidates who dropped from the presidential race after the caucuses were conducted. Event 4: Democratic Primary in South Carolina, Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016 (53 Delegates/6 Super Delegates) The Democrats send 53 elected delegates to their national convention. Of that total, 35 delegates are assigned proportionally based on voter counts, and a candidate must get at least 15 percent of votes to get delegates in a congressional district. An additional 18 delegates go the overall winner of the primary in South Carolina. And South Carolina sends 6 unpledged Super Delegates to the Democratic convention. Then there is Super Tuesday on March 1, just three days after the Democratic primary in South Carolina. It is one of two big Tuesdays in March, with the second big primary event on March 15. On March 1, 23 percent of delegates are chosen for the Democrats in 12 states, while 31 percent of delegates are up for grabs for the Republicans. Then, 17 percent of Democratic delegates are picked on March 15, and 16 percent of GOP delegates are selected in states such as Florida and Ohio that same day. At that point, 50 percent of all Democratic delegates and 60 percent of all Republican delegates will be selected. Recent Stories on Constitution Daily Constitution Check: Will a Sanders political revolution overthrow Citizens United? Why the current Supreme Court nomination situation isnt that unique A look at the Justice Antonin Scalias most unusual word choices BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The European Parliament will deal rapidly with legislation required after Britain strikes a deal with its EU partners, but cannot guarantee that such legislation will be passed, the head of the Parliament said on Tuesday. British Prime Minister David Cameron must first hammer out differences with fellow EU leaders on Thursday over a deal to help keep Britain in the European Union. The European Parliament would then need to approve the central elements of any deal. "I can give you a guarantee that the European Parliament will deal immediately after the referendum to stay in to legislate on the proposal of the Commission," Parliament President Martin Schulz told reporters after his meeting with Cameron. "But to be quite clear, no government can go to the Parliament and say: this is our proposal, can you give a guarantee about the result. This is not possible in a democracy." (Reporting by Alastair Macdonald, writing by Robert-Jan Bartunek; editing by Philip Blenkinsop) NEW YORK (Reuters) - New York City will issue bonds via the creation of a non-profit agency to fund a $2.5 billion light rail system between the boroughs of Brooklyn and Queens, officials from the mayor's office said in a statement on Tuesday. Officials said that when the 16-mile system is "fully built-out, it could serve almost 50,000 passengers per day, making it one of the biggest urban streetcar systems in the nation." Construction is planned to start in 2019-2020. The city did not give a time frame for the fundraising but said it expects to pay off the debt by capturing a percentage of the property tax revenue from the increase in real estate values along the rail corridor. Fares from riders are expected to cover approximately two-thirds of yearly operating costs, the mayor's office said. To make up the remaining cost the city said it will look at other revenue streams, such as advertising. (Reporting by Edward Krudy; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama and W Simon) Rancho Mirage (United States) (AFP) - US President Barack Obama on Tuesday called for a return to civilian rule in Thailand, where the military seized power in 2014. Thailand's military has promised to hold new elections after drafting a new constitution, but that process has repeatedly been delayed. Elections are now foreseen in 2017 at the earliest. "We continue to encourage a return to civilian rule in Thailand," Obama told a press conference after meeting with representatives of Southeast Asian nations in California including Thailand. Rancho Mirage (United States) (AFP) - President Barack Obama on Tuesday called for "tangible steps" to reduce tensions in the South China Sea, after a two day summit with Southeast Asian leaders concerned at Beijing's military build-up. "We discussed the need for tangible steps in the South China Sea to lower tensions," Obama said after the meeting, calling for "a halt to further reclamation, new construction and militarization of disputed areas." China's actions in the vital waterway featured heavily in talks at Sunnylands, a sprawling California desert retreat. In a joint statement, Obama and the 10 ASEAN leaders demanded the "peaceful resolution" of a myriad of competing territorial claims over islands, atolls and reefs. Obama has tried to muster an informal coalition of Pacific allies to demand that Beijing respect the rule of law, hoping that China will want to avoid being painted as a regional bully. The next showdown could come when the UN's Permanent Court of Arbitration decides in April or May whether China's claim to a vast expanse of sea inside a "nine-dash line" has legal merit. Leaders discussed a collective US-ASEAN endorsement of the court's verdict -- whatever the outcome -- which would heap pressure on China, which refuses to recognize the court. "Freedom of navigation must be upheld, and lawful commerce should not be impeded," Obama said. "The United States will continue to fly, sail and operate wherever international law allows, and we will support the right of all countries to do the same." The White House had lauded the summit, and the prestigious venue, as an opportunity to champion Obama's "pivot to Asia" and ASEAN's growing importance, before the president leaves the White House in January 2017. "As president, I've insisted that even as the United States confronts urgent threats around the world, our foreign policy also has to seize on new opportunities. And few regions present more opportunity in the 21st century than the Asia-Pacific," Obama said. Story continues "That's why, early in my presidency, I decided that the United States, as a Pacific nation, would rebalance our foreign policy and play a larger and long-term role in the Asia-Pacific." Obama announced a package of measures designed to boost Southeast Asian economies, betting that the fast-growing region can be an ever more important trade partner. The plan will establish three economic offices -- in Jakarta, Bangkok and Singapore -- to boost the US government's "economic engagement with ASEAN institutions," officials said. - Strong pushback - The summit came as ASEAN and US officials report increasingly strong pushback from Beijing, which is using diplomatic and economic muscle to weaken criticism. Officials say Cambodia and Laos -- two ASEAN countries that have no claims in the South China Sea -- are under particular pressure to break ranks. Those countries are also the destination for large flows of Chinese investment. "The message is 'fall in line, or else,'" said one Southeast Asian diplomat. "China has leverage." But some see signs that pressure is beginning to backfire -- forcing ASEAN countries to turn further toward the United States. That is something Obama hoped to capitalize on at Sunnylands. In Myanmar, Beijing's long-held influence waned as military leaders feared becoming overly dependent on China, opening the way for better relations with Washington. Myanmar's outgoing leader Thein Sein was not at the summit. He decided to remain at home as talks inside the regime intensify over whether to change the constitution to allow Aung San Suu Kyi to become president. Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung did attend, after initially canceling amid a power shakeup within Vietnam's ruling Communist Party. In another reminder of the difficulties in bolstering the rule of law in Southeast Asia, Obama called for a return to civilian rule in Thailand, where the military seized power in 2014. At home, Obama's latest effort to champion his pivot was overshadowed by the death of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia. But the White House will hoped to send a message to the region that Washington will remain engaged. "I'm confident that whoever the next president may be will build on the foundation that we've laid, because there's strong, sustained bipartisan support for American engagement in the Asia-Pacific region," Obama said. Presidential trips to Vietnam and Laos are expected later this year to reinforce the point. Its no secret that President Obama paid a stiff political price for his aggressive efforts to curb emissions from coal-fired power plants to combat global warming and serious public health problems. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and scores of other GOP lawmakers and state officials from coal producing states declared war on Obamas Clean Power initiatives. The presidents efforts to circumvent Congress to impose Environmental Protection Agency regulations that were certain to hasten the demise of the ailing coal industry soured Obamas relations with Capitol Hill and fueled GOP complaints about executive overreach. Related: The California Gas Leak Ends, but Its a Rough Week for Environmentalists Just last week, the Supreme Court delivered another big blow to Obama by staying EPAs implementation of the Clean Power rules pending the lower courts resolution of suits brought against it by 29 states and dozens of coal corporations and industry groups. Those suits wont be settled until Obama is long gone from office. But what has been less clear until now is the political damage that the battle between Obama and King Coal has done to the Democrats standing in Congress and state houses across the country, as coal production has steadily declined, and led to widespread unemployment among miners. A new report on Tuesday by the Morning Consult provides some astonishing insight into the electoral backlash to Obamas anti-coal policies. The report said, Republicans now control 45 of the 51 congressional districts where there were active coal mines as of 2008, according to data from the Energy Information Administration. Thats a sharp decline from Obamas first election in 2008, in which Republican won 29 districts in those locations and Democrats won 28. Top Reads from The Fiscal Times: Rancho Mirage (United States) (AFP) - US President Barack Obama has hammered home his belief that Republican White House hopeful Donald Trump would not be elected, knocking his reality show past and penchant for drawing media attention. Obama did not limit his criticism to the billionaire real estate tycoon, hitting out at "troubling" statements from the entire GOP field of candidates seeking to replace him. But he reserved his toughest remarks for Trump, offering a scathing assessment of why he thinks the American people will not elect him. "I continue to believe that Mr Trump will not be president. And the reason is because I have a lot of faith in the American people. And I think they recognize that being president is a serious job," he told reporters in California. "It's not hosting a talk show or a reality show. It's not promotion. It's not marketing. It's hard," he said on the sidelines of a summit with leaders and representatives of 10 Southeast Asian nations. "It's not a matter of pandering and doing whatever will get you in the news on a given day. And sometimes it requires you making hard decisions, even when people don't like it," Obama continued. He also noted the need to be "able to work with leaders around the world in a way that reflects the importance of the office." "During primaries, people vent and they express themselves," Obama said, alluding to Trump's brash, take-no-prisoners style. "Oftentimes it's reported just like entertainment, but as you get closer, the reality has a way of intruding." "The American people are pretty sensible. And I think they'll make a sensible choice in the end," he concluded. The 69-year-old Trump, who for months has led opinion polls in the Republican race for the White House nomination, was scornful of Obama's remarks. "This man has done such a bad job, he has set us back so far," the real estate magnate said in a television interview, adding however that in a way, being singled out -- even for reproach -- by the sitting US president was "a great compliment." Story continues Trump said Obama was "lucky" that he did not run for the US presidency in 2012 as he had contemplated doing, otherwise the Democrat "would have been a one-term president." Trump lost the Iowa caucuses to Senator Ted Cruz early this month, but roared to victory in the New Hampshire primary last week. He holds a commanding 16-point lead over Cruz in South Carolina, according to a CNN poll. Obama, whose successor will be chosen on November 8, insisted that Trump was not alone in expressing unsettling proposals on the Republican campaign trail. "He may up the ante in anti-Muslim sentiment, but if you look at what the other Republican candidates have said, that's pretty troubling, too," he said. "They're all denying climate change. I think that's troubling to the international community." - No backing down on Supreme Court - In another challenge to his political rivals, Obama again insisted he would nominate a successor to late Supreme Court justice Antonin Scalia, and said Republicans were duty-bound not to hold up the process. "The Constitution is pretty clear about what is supposed to happen now. When there is a vacancy on the Supreme Court, the president of the United States is to nominate someone," Obama said. He lamented the "venom and rancor in Washington," which he said had "prevented us from getting basic work done," adding: "This would be a good moment for us to rise above that." Almost as soon as Scalia's death was announced Saturday, Republican Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell warned that the next president, not Obama, should name the ultra-conservative justice's replacement. The choice of a successor to Scalia could tip the balance on the high court -- which effectively is left with four liberal-leaning justices and four conservative justices -- and affect several major cases on its docket. Rancho Mirage (United States) (AFP) - US President Barack Obama on Tuesday called on Republicans to put partisan politics aside and consider his eventual nominee to succeed late Supreme Court justice Antonin Scalia, who died over the weekend. The Constitution is pretty clear about what is supposed to happen now. When there is a vacancy on the Supreme Court, the president of the United States is to nominate someone," Obama told reporters in California. He lamented the "venom and rancor in Washington," which he said had "prevented us from getting basic work done," adding: "Now, this would be a good moment for us to rise above that." RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. (Reuters) - U.S. President Barack Obama will visit Vietnam in May during a trip to Asia, a White House official said on Monday. Obama accepted the invitation by Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung during a meeting at a summit of Southeast Asian nations in California. "The president and Prime Minister Dung discussed the continued strengthening of U.S.-Vietnam relations in 2015, which marked the 20th anniversary of the restoration of diplomatic relations," the official said. "The leaders noted the importance of the Trans-Pacific Partnership, maritime security, and human rights to advancing bilateral relations," he said. (Reporting by Jeff Mason; Editing by Ed Davies) New York (AFP) - Oil prices fell Tuesday after a conditional agreement between Saudi Arabia and Russia and two other producers to limit output offered scant hope for an easing of the global oversupply. US benchmark West Texas Intermediate for March delivery fell 40 cents (1.6 percent) to $29.04 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Brent North Sea crude for April delivery slumped $1.21 (3.6 percent) to $32.18 a barrel in London. In a bid to stabilize an oversupplied market, Russia and OPEC members Saudi Arabia, Venezuela and Qatar said they had reached a preliminary deal to freeze output at January's level, but only if other major producers followed suit. Saudi oil minister Ali al-Naimi said Tuesday's decision was "the beginning of a process which we will assess in the next few months and decide whether we need other steps to stabilize... the market." Michael Lynch of consultancy Strategic Energy and Economic Research said the announcement was a mixed bag. "People want to see some kind of production cut from OPEC and other producing countries and they didn't get it," Lynch told AFP. "But you've gone from refusal to discuss or consider it to the Saudis and the Russians actually talking." City Index analyst Fawad Razaqzada said the announcement underdelivered compared with expectations. "The news has actually disappointed the market slightly because some people had hoped to see a cut rather than a production freeze," Razaqzada said. Citi Futures analyst Tim Evans said the deal appeared to be designed as "far more of a political statement than a support for oil prices." He said it allows Saudi Arabia to blame the likely demise of the agreement on Iran, which has planned to boost oil output with the lifting of international sanctions following its nuclear agreement with major powers. Iran will almost certainly reject the deal because "to agree to cap exports now as part of a wider OPEC deal would basically mean Iran had accepted restraints on its nuclear program in exchange for nothing," Evans said. Iran said in response to the announcement that "there is room for discussion" but Oil Minister Bijan Zanganeh added that Iran "won't relinquish" its market share. By Mathieu Rosemain and Gwenaelle Barzic PARIS (Reuters) - France's biggest telecoms operator, Orange, said labor cost cuts and stable revenue helped it return to core profit growth a year earlier than planned in 2015, and forecast a further rise in 2016. The telecoms operator added that talks to buy Bouygues Telecom would "require at least several weeks before any decision is taken", although Chief Executive Stephane Richard said Orange was doing everything to see them through. Orange said 2015 restated earnings before interest, taxes, debt and amortization (EBITDA) rose 0.1 percent to 12.43 billion euros ($13.86 billion), beating its own target of "at least" 12.3 billion and the average estimate in a Reuters poll of 12.36 billion. Europe's fifth-largest telecom operator by market value predicted that its restated EBITDA would be higher again this year on a comparable basis. Annual revenue dipped 0.1 percent to 40.24 billion euros, compared with the poll average of 40.27 billion. Net income more than doubled to 2.96 billion euros from 1.26 billion. The company said it would pay a dividend of 60 cents per share for 2015 and 2016. Shares in Orange were up 1.4 percent in early trading. Orange's CEO told BFM Business on Tuesday that the possible acquisition of Bouygues Telecom was "a large transaction which requires that we take as much time as necessary", adding that he was cautious on the outcome. Paris-based Orange and Bouygues are likely to reach an initial agreement in March at the earliest, amid wrangling over terms that would make Bouygues the second-biggest shareholder in Orange after the French state, sources close to the matter told Reuters on Monday. ($1 = 0,896157 euro) (Editing by James Regan) This story first appeared in the Feb. 19 issue of The Hollywood Reporter magazine. To receive the magazine, click here to subscribe. Filmmakers used to brag about how many CGI shots they pack into their movies. Nowadays, they brag about how many noncomputer-generated, in-camera elements they also included in their shots. "We wanted to go back to real locations and build sets and have creatures and effects happening in camera when we could," says Roger Guyett, VFX supervisor at Industrial Light & Magic, the lead visual effects company behind Star Wars: The Force Awakens, which was shot largely in those far, faraway galaxies known as Abu Dhabi and the U.K. Andrew Jackson, VFX supervisor for Mad Max: Fury Road, also went the natural route while shooting his film's postapocalyptic landscapes in Namibia. "The majority of the stunt work was done on moving vehicles," he notes. "Other driving shots were filmed stationary, so we had to [add the movement]." Read More: How 'The Revenant's' VFX Team Brought That Bear to Life Even The Martian, which is set 249 million miles from Hollywood, went for an earthy approach, shooting much of the red planet's landscape at Wadi Rum in Jordan. Says that film's VFX supervisor, Richard Stammers: "We strive to make as much as we can real. The more you capture in-camera, they more it's grounded in reality." While they shot what they could in-camera, digital effects were required to complete the look of Mars, by adding mountains and volcanoes and painting the Martian skies a "warm butterscotch yellow." In sharp contrast to the other category films, VFX supervisor Andrew Whitehurst's main challenge on a tight budget was to combine CGI and clever wardrobe choices to bring Alicia Vikander's android to life in Ex Machina (which had a budget of only $15 million). "She wore a costume that incorporated elements of the onscreen look that also contained elements that we could use for tracking markers [to guide the placement of CG]," he says. "The shots were long one was about 1,800 frames which increased the challenge of tracking." Story continues And then there's the most chillingly realistic visual effect of the year the bear in The Revenant. She, it turns out, was entirely CGI, with artists replicating the "nuance of the movement of the fur, flesh [and] muscle," according to VFX supervisor Rich McBride. To shoot the live-action portion of the six-minute bear-attack sequence, Leonardo DiCaprio spent three days rolling around in the forest in British Columbia; later on, the computer-generated animal was added. Says McBride, "It was very much a VFX movie that we don't want people to think of as a VFX movie." Morelia (Mexico) (AFP) - Pope Francis arrived Tuesday in Mexico's troublesome western state of Michoacan, where the cult-like Knights Templar drug cartel and its pseudo-messianic leader terrorized the population until farmers revolted against them. The 79-year-old pope will lead a mass with priests, nuns and seminarians in the state capital, Morelia, followed by a tour of the city's cathedral and a second mass with Mexican youths in a stadium. Hundreds greeted him at the airport while some 2,000 swarmed the colonial plaza as they waited for a glimpse of the pope amid a heavy police contingent across the city. "I have faith that things will change after the pope's visit, that we will realize that violence is not the way to go," said Jose Rodriguez, a migrant who traveled from Los Angeles for the pope's visit. Michoacan endured some of the most gruesome episodes of Mexico's drug war, which has left 100,000 people dead or missing in the past decade. Dozens of priests were killed in that span, including a handful in Michoacan, where one clergymen celebrated mass with a bulletproof vest. Francis has used his five-day cross-country trip, which ends Wednesday, to press Mexican leaders to provide "effective security" to their citizens. It was just steps away from Morelia's 17th century cathedral that two grenades blew up in a packed plaza during independence day festivities on September 15, 2008, killing eight people and injuring some 100. Drug cartels were the main suspects. - 'The Craziest One' - While the massacre shocked the country, the gangs mainly afflicted rural areas of Michoacan, especially the fertile lime and avocado region known as "Tierra Caliente" ("Hot Land"). It was there in 2006 that the country came to know La Familia Michoacana after the cartel rolled five severed heads down a dance floor with a message promising "divine justice." The gang was founded by Nazario Moreno, alias "The Craziest One," a self-styled messiah who wrote the "Gospel of La Familia" -- a religion-inspired rulebook banning gang members from consuming drugs or alcohol. Story continues The government wrongly declared him dead after a 2010 gunfight with police. Troops killed him for good in 2014. After his first death, the Knights Templar cartel emerged and Moreno became a folk saint known as "San Nazario," with shrines in his honor dressed like a crusader with a red cross. While the Knights claimed to defend Michoacan against other cartels, the gang killed, kidnapped and extorted regular people. Fed up with the police's inability or unwillingness to act, farmers formed vigilante groups in 2013. "We had to do a job that wasn't ours to do," Hipolito Mora, a lime grower and founder of the vigilante movement, told AFP. Even clergymen were not safe. In 2013, authorities provided security to a bishop who backed the vigilantes over fears of an imminent attack. Another pro-vigilante priest in Apatzingan, a former cartel bastion, wore a bulletproof vest during mass. - The New Family - The federal government deployed security forces to help the self-defense forces, leading to the capture or killing of the cartel's top leaders. "Francis will see a Michoacan that is very different than when we were hurt by drug trafficking," said Jaime Rivera, a security expert at Michoacana University. "But he will also find a financially broke government that hasn't been able to eliminate criminal cells that continue to commit crimes." While the cartel was severely weakened, smaller gangs have emerged, including La Nueva Familia (The New Family). Meanwhile, the vigilantes were sullied by infighting and accusations that some were infiltrated by cartels. Authorities decided to fold the militias into a government-sanctioned rural defense force in 2014. Authorities are now integrating them into regular police units. "Hopefully the government will do its job well so that we don't have to take up arms again," Mora said. Morelia (Mexico) (AFP) - Pope Francis encouraged young Mexicans to "dare to dream" of a crime-free life and priests to stay strong despite relentless violence as he visited a region lacerated by drug gangs. The pontiff made the pleas at two huge masses in Morelia, the capital of Michoacan, a western state where farmers took up arms in 2013 to fight off the cult-like Knights Templar drug cartel. Michoacan endured some of the most gruesome episodes of Mexico's drug war, which has left 100,000 people dead or missing in the past decade. Francis celebrated mass with young people at a packed football stadium, where the Catholic faithful sang the classic Mexican refrain, "ay, ay, ay, ay, sing and don't cry!" The 79-year-old pontiff took notes as young people told him about violence and lack of job opportunities. He then urged the crowd to reject a life of crime, telling them they are not just the hope but "the wealth of this land." "Dare to dream," Francis said, earning cheers while some wiped away tears. "I understand that often it is difficult to feel your value when you are continually exposed to the loss of friends or relatives at the hands of the drug trade, of drugs themselves, of criminal organizations that sow terror," Francis said. "It is a lie to believe that the only way to live, or to be young, is to entrust oneself to drug dealers or others who do nothing but sow destruction and death," he said. "Jesus would never ask us to be assassins; rather, he calls us to be disciples." Many hoped that the pope's words would heal the country. "Maybe the pope's message won't reach the cartels but the authorities will get it to get to work and arrest the criminals," said Guadalupe Olivares, a 43-year-old accountant. At the end of the event, some over-enthusiastic people nearly pulled down the pope as he greeted well-wishers, prompting a reprimand from the pontiff. Story continues - 'Paralyzing injustice' - Earlier, Francis led another outdoor mass with 20,000 priests, nuns and seminarians, who danced, sang and listened to him as he told them to not despair, despite the challenges. Around 40 clergymen, seminarians and Catholic lay people have been killed in the past decade, including five in Michoacan, according to the Catholic Multimedia Center. "What temptation can come to us from places often dominated by violence, corruption, drug trafficking, disregard for human dignity, and indifference in the face of suffering and vulnerability?" the pope asked. "Faced with this reality, the devil can overcome us with one of his favorite weapons: resignation," the pope said. The pope cited the example of Michoacan's first bishop, Vasco Vazquez de Quiroga, who defended the indigenous Purepechas from mistreatment "in the midst of so much paralyzing injustice" in the 16th century. "The pope spoke clearly to us. He made us see that we can't remain silent witnesses in our life of isolation and meditation," said Sister Fatima Esemita, a nun from the central state of Puebla. "We must give witness to help correct this wicked path." Francis has already used his five-day trip, which ends with a mass at the border city of Ciudad Juarez on Wednesday, to press political leaders to provide "effective security" to Mexicans and for bishops to show "prophetic courage" against gangs. - 'The Craziest One' - Between masses, the pope visited the city's 17th century cathedral, where he met with children and was serenaded by a choir. It was near the cathedral that two grenades blew up in a packed plaza during independence day festivities on September 15, 2008, killing eight people and injuring some 100. Drug cartels were the main suspects. The gangs mainly afflicted rural areas of Michoacan, especially the fertile lime and avocado region known as "Tierra Caliente" ("Hot Land"). The country came to know La Familia Michoacana in 2006, when the cartel rolled five severed heads down a dance floor with a message promising "divine justice." After the gang's founder, self-styled messiah Nazario "The Craziest One" Moreno, was wrongly declared dead in a 2010 gunfight, a new cartel, the Knights Templar, appeared. He was killed for good in 2014. Fed up with the police's failure to quell killings, kidnappings and extortion, farmers formed vigilante groups and authorities finally intervened to capture and kill the cartel's leaders. SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Pratt & Whitney said it was installing fixes on engines for Airbus A320neo jetliners ordered by Qatar Airways after airline Chief Executive Akbar Al Baker threatened to cancel the engine order citing "a lot of problems". "We have met with Mr Al Baker previously and explained that we have fixes for the issues he identified," a Pratt & Whitney spokesman said by email on Tuesday. "They are being installed in engines being built today and they will be in place prior to him receiving his engines." The Gulf airline has ordered 50 A320neo-family aircraft and was originally due to take the first delivery in December, but rejected the jet due to what it called an engine problem. The first jet went last month to Lufthansa instead. At the Singapore Airshow earlier on Tuesday, Al Baker said Qatar Airways would "not accept an aircraft with those engines unless they are very much corrected". (Reporting by Tim Hepher; Editing by James Regan) London (AFP) - Prince William on Tuesday said that Britain's tradition of international cooperation was "essential" to its security, in a speech interpreted by British media as supporting its continued membership of the European Union (EU). The prince, grandson of Queen Elizabeth II, spoke at the Foreign Office as Prime Minister David Cameron met with European chiefs in Brussels before a summit this week where he hopes to secure reforms before an in/out referendum on Britain's membership expected this year. "For centuries Britain has been an outward-looking nation," said the prince. "We have a long, proud tradition of seeking out allies and partners. "We've always sought to explore what is beyond the horizon, that sense of mission and curiosity is something I know continues to drive our economy... armed forces and diplomatic services. "Our ability to unite in common action with other nations is essential, it is the bedrock of our security and prosperity." A spokesman for his Kensington Palace office insisted of the speech: "This was not about Europe." The royal family does not usually intervene in political issues due to its constitutional position but has been known to issue carefully worded pronouncements on sensitive issues. Before the 2014 referendum on whether Scotland would remain part of the United Kingdom, the queen said people should "think very carefully" about their decision while chatting to members of the public. It later emerged that her words were agreed by her private secretary and the head of Britain's civil service. Cameron held talks with European Parliament chief Martin Schulz on Tuesday to drum up support for his controversial reform agenda ahead of a crunch summit Thursday and Friday. Singapore (AFP) - Qatar Airways may cancel an order for Pratt & Whitney engines for a fleet of Airbus A320neo aircraft, the carrier's chief executive said Tuesday, citing problems in the aircraft power plants. Akbar al-Baker said Airbus was not at fault and Qatar Airways will not shelve the aircraft order but the company may seek a new engine supplier. "We will not cancel the (Airbus) neo order, our relationship with Airbus is very strong... but yes we could cancel the entire Pratt & Whitney order," he told reporters at the Singapore Airshow. Qatar Airways was originally due to take the first delivery in December of the 50 A320neo planes it had ordered, but rejected the the aircraft, citing problems with the engine. Lufthansa took the delivery instead. "Let me be very clear: it is not the fault of Airbus. Airbus has delivered what is their part and as you know, no aeroplane can fly without an engine," al-Baker said. "Qatar Airways will not accept an aircraft with those engines unless they are very quickly corrected. Otherwise we have no alternative but to look at an alternate engine supplier." He said the airline had given a deadline of within months for the problem to be fixed. "According to them they are on the way to correct all these issues but I have no confidence unless I see it really happen," he added. Nearly 20 feet (6 meters) below the streets of London, archaeologists discovered a fragile Roman painting featuring deer and birds that may have once decorated the wall of a wealthy citizen's home. Excavators from the Museum of London Archaeology (MOLA) were carefully digging for Roman artifacts at 21 Lime Street, near Leadenhall Market in central London, ahead of the construction of an office building at the site. They say the newly uncovered fresco was discovered facedown in the soil. The painted wall was likely toppled and sealed underground aroundA.D. 100, when Roman builders flattened the area to make way for construction of the civic center for the city, the forum basilica. [See Images of the Roman Fresco] Paintings are far more fragile than stone and metal artifacts, so not many ancient wall murals survive intact in the archaeological record. There are famous examples from Pompeii, the city that was preserved in volcanic ash by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in A.D. 79. But in London, complete paintings are much more scarce, though fragments of Roman wall plaster have been found before, MOLA archaeologists said. The newfound fresco, its painted surface just a millimeter thick, may be one of the oldest artworks of its kindto survive from the time of Roman Britain, they added. At the construction site on Lime Street, the painted plaster was lifted from the ground in 16 sections, still encased in dirt. Only after a "microexcavation"in a lab were the archaeologists able to see what the surviving section of the painting looked like: It had red panels on the sides and at the center, there were green and black vertical panels with deer reaching their necks up to nibble attrees above a set of blue-green birds and a vine woven around a candle holder.Whats left of the fresco measures about 8 feet (2.5m) across and 5 feet (1.5 m) high. "This was a really challenging but rewarding conservation project," Liz Goodman, an archaeological conservator for MOLA, said in a statement. "We were up against the clock working on this huge and fragile fresco but it was a joy to uncover the decorative plaster that hadnt been seen for nearly 2,000 years." Story continues The researchers are still studying the painting and the archaeological records from the site to get a better idea of what life was like in this section of the city during the Roman period, but they said the painting most likely adorned the wall of a reception room of a private home where guests were entertained. Follow Live Science @livescience, Facebook & Google+. Original article on Live Science. Copyright 2016 LiveScience, a Purch company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. The late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia will lie in repose on Friday in the Courts Great Hall in Washington, with services to follow on Saturday, according to media reports. The Court confirmed on Tuesday morning that Scalias former bench seat, as well as the Supreme Court bench and doors have been draped with traditional memorial black crepe. C-SPAN and ABC News then published images of the draping. The Court says the tradition dates back to the passing of Chief Justice Salmon Chase in 1873. Draped in black: Doors to courtroom, bench in front & bench chair of Associate Justice Antonin #Scalia. #SCOTUS pic.twitter.com/3aQAR5YVOi CSPAN (@cspan) February 16, 2016 The eight-remaining Justices will meet in private conference on Friday morning, and a ceremony bringing Scalias casket to the Great Hall will happen sometime on Friday. His services will be at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C., family sources told NPR. The last Justice to lie in repose at the Court was Chief Justice William Rehnquist in 2005. At the time, the Justices in attendance were on the Courts steps as Rehnquists flag-draped casket was carried into the Hall. His former clerk, John G. Roberts, was a pallbearer. A public viewing then took place. Rehnquists casket rested on the same catafalque used in Washington for President Abraham Lincolns viewing in 1865. Recent Stories on Constitution Daily How will the Supreme Court deal with a vacancy this term and beyond? Why the current Supreme Court nomination situation isnt that unique A look at the Justice Antonin Scalias most unusual word choices (Reuters) - Republican presidential candidate Ted Cruz pledged on Tuesday to boost the size of the U.S. armed forces and invest in new airplanes and ships, as he seeks to push back in military-focused South Carolina against rivals' criticism of his defense record. Cruz, speaking at a decommissioned aircraft carrier in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, said that if he won the White House he would establish a total active-duty force of 1.4 million people, prioritize constructing new ballistic missile submarines and invest in anti-missile systems. "If you think it's too expensive to defend this nation, try not defending it," the U.S. senator from Texas said in a speech unveiling his proposal. Republicans seeking the party nomination for the Nov. 8 presidential election are emphasizing defense issues in South Carolina. The state, home to a number of military bases and retired veterans, holds its Republican primary on Saturday. Cruz has taken heat from rivals for voting for bills limiting defense spending and for pushing to revamp domestic surveillance programs. He has also argued for scaled-back military involvement overseas, saying the United States should protect its interests but not engage in "nation-building." Cruz's Republican opponents have touted their own plans to boost the size of the U.S. military. U.S. Senator Marco Rubio of Florida has called for the Army to be staffed at 490,000 people, compared to Cruz's proposal Tuesday of 525,000 soldiers. (Reporting by Emily Stephenson; Editing by Frances Kerry) Artifact-hunting action title "Rise of the Tomb Raider" came away from the 2016 Writers Guild of America awards ceremony with the award for Outstanding Achievement in Video Game Writing. Released in November 2015, initially on Xbox One console and its older, retiring Xbox 360 sibling, "Rise of the Tomb Raider" followed on from 2013 series reboot "Tomb Raider," delving into the career origins of adventurous, iconic archaeologist, Lara Croft. Lead writer Rhianna Pratchett had remained on board the franchise since then, with contributions to another reboot, "Thief," as well as "Beat Buddy," a fifth "Overlord" game, an issue of "Red Sonja," and a run of "Tomb Raider" comics arriving in the interim. She was joined at San Francisco development house Crystal Dynamics by narrative designers John Stafford and Cameron Suey, both previously of "Star Wars: The Force Unleashed" and its sequel, as well as Philip Gelatt, writer of Ray Bradbury Award-nominated film "Europa Report" and author of graphic novels "Pariah," "Petrograd," and two-parter "Labor Days." "Rise of the Tomb Raider," which arrived on Windows PCs in January and is expected on PlayStation 4 late 2016, had been praised at review for its improvements upon a well received predecessor. Characterization was stronger, design was more cohesive, the action was tighter, and its studio appeared to have understood what was working for the rebooted franchise -- as Croft made a swift transformation from archaeological novitiate into one-woman army. At the Writers Guild of America awards, held at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza in Los Angeles on February 13, "Rise of the Tomb Raider" had been nominated along with three other noteworthy 2015 releases. "The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt" had been received as the standard-setter for an open-world, fantasy adventure genre whose limits had been largely defined by 2011 title "The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim." Story continues Kickstarter success "Pillars of Eternity" had united some of the leading lights of the late 1990s to mid-2000s role playing genre, most notably "Baldur's Gate," "Planescape: Torment," "Icewind Dale" and "Neverwinter Nights 2." And "Assassin's Creed Syndicate" had taken Ubisoft's globetrotting historical franchise for a jaunt in Victorian-era London, with a team led by a previous WGA winner in "Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood," "Far Cry 3" and "Child of Light" writer Jeffrey Yohalem. A full list of winners across categories in film, TV, radio, news and commercials can be found at awards.wga.org/wga-awards/nominees-winners. HBO and Cinemax are heading to SXSW. HBO will unveil Danny McBride's new comedy Vice Principals, while its sister network, Cinemax, will premiere the new Robert Kirkman drama Outcast at the annual festival, it was announced Tuesday. Vice Principals, a dark comedy set at a high school, will screen Friday, March 11, at the Alamo Ritz Theater 1 in Austin, Texas, at 8:45 p.m., followed by a Q&A with castmembers McBride, Walton Goggins and Kimberly Hebert Gregory and executive producers Jody Hill and David Gordon Green. The series, which has already been picked up for a second season, does not yet have a premiere date. Read More: SXSW Festival Lineup Unveiled The following day, Silicon Valley castmembers Thomas Middleditch, Kumail Nanjiani, Martin Starr and Zach Woods will be joined by executive producers MIke Judge and Alec Berg for a discussion about the comedy's upcoming third season, which debuts in April. The session will take place in Room 18ABCD at the Austin Convention Center at 5 p.m. Monday, March 14, will bring the first look at Outcast, the new drama from The Walking Dead mastermind Kirkman, which centers on a young man who has been plagued by demonic possession all of his life. A screening and Q&A, set for 1:15 p.m. at Austin's Vimeo Theater and to be moderated by Silicon Valley star Nanjian, will bring together Kirkman, showrunner and executive producer Chris Black, castmember Patrick Fugit and pilot director Adam Wingard. The show is slated to debut this summer on Cinemax. TV premieres have begun to play a bigger role at the annual festival, which premiered newly minted Golden Globe drama series winner Mr. Robot last year. The USA Network hacker drama went onto win the episodic audience award at the fest. The 23rd edition of SXSW is set to run March 11-19. You can see the full lineup of SXSW panels, screenings and events here. Moscow (AFP) - Turkey and Russia are already waging a proxy war in Syria as Istanbul backs rebels against Syrian government troops supported by Moscow. But the recent escalation in rhetoric has sharpened fears of a direct confrontation, analysts warn. The two major players in the Syrian conflict have historic enmities dating back to the 16th century with the first Russo-Turkish wars, and more recently the Crimean War between Russia and the Ottoman Empire backed by Britain and France, in the mid-19th century. Russia's bombing campaign in Syria that began in September and the Turkish shelling of Kurdish positions in Syria have effectively created a separate sub-crisis within the geopolitical cluster bomb of the five-year-long war. This conflict is also being played out on the ground as rebel groups backed in particular by Turkey are attempting to contain the advance of Syrian troops supported by Moscow, which is also backing Turkey's sworn enemies the Syrian Kurds. - 'Eve of confrontation' - Currently the conflict between Moscow and Ankara is primarily a war of words. But analysts warn it could spiral into a real clash. "We are on the eve of such a confrontation. Not because anyone plans to attack anyone else. But when there are so many weapons and armies and intersecting interests, chance can play a major role," said Alexander Konovalov of the Strategic Analysis Institute in Moscow. Ankara this week railed against Russia's bombing, threatening an "extremely decisive response" and calling strikes "vile, cruel and barbaric." Moscow for its part has condemned Ankara's "provocative" shelling of Kurdish positions in the strategic northern Aleppo province, and on Tuesday said that Turkish security services are training militants from ex-Soviet countries that are then dispatched to Syria. Turkey has openly suggested it could launch a ground operation against the Islamic State group alongside its allies, particularly Saudi Arabia, which could lead to a direct confrontation with Russian forces. Story continues - Kurdish zone in Syria - Along with the fate of Assad, the question of the Kurds is one of the main obstacles to agreement between Turkey and Russia. Turkey wants to prevent the Kurds, who already control a large part of northern Syria, from establishing a permanent presence west of the Euphrates river and creating an autonomous zone on the Turkish border. The Syrian Kurds have benefited from the alliance with Russia and this month opened a representative office in Moscow. Asked about the risk of an escalation with Turkey Tuesday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said "he would rather not answer," adding that "our relations are in a deep crisis." - Turkish 'stab in back' The climate of confrontation has intensified since late November when Turkish F-16 fighters downed a Russian bomber plane which Ankara said strayed into its air space. Russia was swift to react to this "stab in the back" with economic sanctions followed by a beefing-up of its firepower in Syria, notably deploying its latest S-400 air defence systems. Meanwhile Putin accused his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan of involvement in illegal oil trading with Islamic State jihadists in Syria. Before the conflict, Erdogan was often likened to Putin with both keeping a grip on power and using glories of past empires to boost patriotism while cracking down on rights. An escalation is possible if Turkey launches the ground operation, said independent military analyst Alexander Golts: "Russia will face the alternative to evacuate immediately and lose face or launch a ground operation." This showdown has sparked concern in Washington and Brussels as Turkey is a NATO member and can rely on support of other members if there is an attack on its soil, making the current situation potentially explosive. "Even while expressing official support for Turkey, NATO will do all it can to restrain the Turks from any abrupt moves in Syria," Golts said. There is "a risk of the Syrian crisis transforming into a whole new one, a very dangerous level: direct military confrontation between the region's states," Nikolai Bordyuzha, the head of the Collective Security Treaty Organisation made up of Russia and former Soviet states told the Interfax news agency. "The consequences of such a turn of events are hard to predict." Doha (AFP) - The Russian and Saudi oil ministers met Tuesday in Doha to discuss the global supply glut that has sent prices plunging, a Qatari official said. The oil ministers of Venezuela and Qatar also attended the talks, the official said. News of the meeting between Saudi Arabia's Ali al-Naimi and his Russian counterpart Alexander Novak pushed up oil prices on world markets, with European benchmark Brent crude rising above $34 a barrel. Oil prices have tumbled about 70 percent since June 2014, hit by oversupply, sluggish demand and worries about the global economic outlook. They have also been pressured by the return of Iran to world markets after the lifting of international sanctions linked to its nuclear programme. The 13-nation OPEC oil cartel, of which Saudi Arabia, Venezuela, Qatar and Iran are members, has refrained from cutting output as it looks to maintain market share in the face of competition from US shale oil producers. At around 0600 GMT on Tuesday, Brent crude for April delivery was trading $1.30, or 3.89 percent, higher at $34.69 a barrel. US benchmark West Texas Intermediate for March delivery was up $1.30, or 4.42 percent, at $30.74. UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - A Saudi Arabia-led coalition and Houthi rebels fighting in Yemen are both restricting humanitarian aid access in the impoverished country where more than 80 percent of people need help, United Nations aid chief Stephen O'Brien said on Tuesday. The Saudi coalition began a military campaign in March of last year to prevent Iran-allied Houthi rebels from taking complete control of Yemen. The Houthis and forces loyal to former Yemen President Ali Abdullah Saleh, accuse the coalition of a war of aggression. O'Brien said the Houthis were inconsistent in allowing access and movement of humanitarian goods and personnel, while a recent warning by Saudi Arabia about the safety of aid workers in "Houthi-controlled areas" caused delays to key missions. "The parties to the conflict have a duty of care in the conduct of military operations to protect all civilian persons and objects - including humanitarian and health care workers and facilities - against attack," he told the U.N. Security Council. "I remind all parties of their obligations under international humanitarian law to facilitate humanitarian access to all areas of Yemen," O'Brien said. Saudi Arabia, which is leading air strikes against the Houthis and their allies in Yemen, warned the United Nations and international aid groups to protect staff by removing them from areas near rebel military bases. "U.N. agencies and NGO partners are delivering assistance under extraordinarily difficult and dangerous circumstances," O'Brien said. "Just this last Sunday, a Saudi-led coalition air strike hit a building 200 metres away from the Diplomatic Transit Facility, accommodating U.N. and diplomatic personnel." He said more than 6,000 people had been killed in the past year, of which about half were civilians. He said more than 700 children had been killed and some 1,000 injured. U.N. sanctions monitors said in a report last month that the Saudi-led coalition and the Houthi rebels have targeted civilians and that some of the attacks could be a crimes against humanity. Yemen relies almost solely on imports, but the conflict has slowed shipments to a trickle. O'Brien said a World Food Programme ship carrying humanitarian supplies and headed to the Yemeni port of Hodeidah was diverted by coalition forces on Feb. 11 to the Saudi port of Jizan. He said a U.N. verification and inspection mechanism for shipments had now been launched in a bid to boost commercial imports and that the United Nations has asked the Saudi coalition and Yemeni government to appoint representatives to a steering committee by Feb. 22. (Reporting by Michelle Nichols; Editing by Bernard Orr) UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - A Saudi Arabia-led coalition and Houthi rebels fighting in Yemen are both restricting humanitarian aid access in the impoverished country where more than 80 percent of people need help, United Nations aid chief Stephen O'Brien said on Tuesday. The Saudi coalition began a military campaign in March of last year to prevent Iran-allied Houthi rebels from taking complete control of Yemen. The Houthis and forces loyal to former Yemen President Ali Abdullah Saleh, accuse the coalition of a war of aggression. O'Brien said the Houthis were inconsistent in allowing access and movement of humanitarian goods and personnel, while a recent warning by Saudi Arabia about the safety of aid workers in "Houthi-controlled areas" caused delays to key missions. "The parties to the conflict have a duty of care in the conduct of military operations to protect all civilian persons and objects - including humanitarian and health care workers and facilities - against attack," he told the U.N. Security Council. "I remind all parties of their obligations under international humanitarian law to facilitate humanitarian access to all areas of Yemen," O'Brien said. Saudi Arabia, which is leading air strikes against the Houthis and their allies in Yemen, warned the United Nations and international aid groups to protect staff by removing them from areas near rebel military bases. "U.N. agencies and NGO partners are delivering assistance under extraordinarily difficult and dangerous circumstances," O'Brien said. "Just this last Sunday, a Saudi-led coalition airstrike hit a building 200 meters away from the Diplomatic Transit Facility, accommodating U.N. and diplomatic personnel." He said more than 6,000 people had been killed in the past year, of which about half were civilians. He said more than 700 children had been killed and some 1,000 injured. U.N. sanctions monitors said in a report last month that the Saudi-led coalition and the Houthi rebels have targeted civilians and that some of the attacks could be a crimes against humanity. Yemen relies almost solely on imports, but the conflict has slowed shipments to a trickle. O'Brien said a World Food Programme ship carrying humanitarian supplies and headed to the Yemeni port of Hodeidah was diverted by coalition forces on Feb. 11 to the Saudi port of Jizan. He said a U.N. verification and inspection mechanism for shipments had now been launched in a bid to boost commercial imports and that the United Nations has asked the Saudi coalition and Yemeni government to appoint representatives to a steering committee by Feb. 22. (Reporting by Michelle Nichols; Editing by Bernard Orr) Doha (AFP) - Top global producers Saudi Arabia and Russia agreed Tuesday to freeze oil output in a bid to shore up prices after a 70 percent drop due to chronic oversupply. Saudi Oil Minister Ali al-Naimi said the move -- conditional on other major producers joining in -- was designed to stabilise the market following the dramatic price fall since mid-2014. Further talks involving Iran and Iraq are to be held in Tehran on Wednesday. "We don't want significant gyrations in prices. We don't want a reduction in supply. We want to meet demand and we want a stable oil price," Naimi said. The announcement followed a closed-door meeting in Doha between Saudi Arabia -- the de facto leader of OPEC -- Venezuela, Qatar and Russia, which does not belong to the oil cartel. "Following the meeting, all four countries are ready to freeze oil production at January levels, if other major producers do the same," said Russia's energy minister, Alexander Novak. Kuwait, OPEC's fourth largest producer, would freeze production at January levels, "conditional to the commitment of major producers from OPEC and non-OPEC members", its acting oil minister Anas al-Saleh said. However, energy-rich Azerbaijan refused to join the freeze. The announcement of the freeze marked the first move between OPEC and non-cartel producers to stem the price fall since the slide began nearly 19 months ago. Saudi Arabia and other OPEC producers have been refusing to reduce output in an attempt to drive less competitive players, in particular US shale oil producers, out of the market. Riyadh has said it would consider output cuts only if other producers agree to follow suit, and pressure has been building as drops in oil revenues hit government coffers. Russia in particular has seen its recession-hit economy damaged by the slump, though even Saudi Arabia has announced a record budget deficit. Naimi said Tuesday's decision was "the beginning of a process which we will assess in the next few months and decide whether we need other steps to stabilise... the market". Story continues - 'Room for discussion' - Qatar's Energy Minister Mohammed bin Saleh al-Sada said "intensive communications" would start immediately with other OPEC members, including Iraq and Iran, and non-OPEC producers to win their support. Iran said it would host talks with Iraq and Venezuela in Tehran on Wednesday, and left the door open to joining efforts to stabilise the market. "There's room for discussion and examination of this issue," Oil Minister Bijan Zanganeh said. But he insisted Iran intends to maintain its share of the market. "What is important first of all is that right now the oil market faces an output surplus and, secondly, Iran won't relinquish its share," Zanganeh said. Prices have come under renewed pressure by the return of Iran to world markets after the lifting of international sanctions linked to its nuclear programme. The effort to bring other producers on board may prove complicated and the market response was muted. Oil prices fell Tuesday after the conditional output freeze agreement offered scant hope for an easing of the global oversupply. At the close, US benchmark West Texas Intermediate for March delivery fell 40 cents (1.6 percent) to $29.04 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Brent North Sea crude for April delivery slumped $1.21 (3.6 percent) to $32.18 a barrel in London. "The news has actually disappointed the market slightly because some people had hoped to see a cut rather than a production freeze," said City Index analyst Fawad Razaqzada. In a research note, Danske Bank said the move would have little impact on reducing oversupply as "recent estimates suggest that both Russia and Saudi Arabia produced at levels close to a record high in January". "The two leading oil producers have basically committed not to take any imminent action to reduce the current global overproduction," it said. And Natixis analyst Abhishek Deshpande told AFP there was a "low probability" that Iran and Iraq would quickly agree to a freeze. "That essentially is a production cut for them" as both were planning to boost output this year, he said. By Rania El Gamal and Tom Finn DOHA (Reuters) - Top oil exporters Russia and Saudi Arabia agreed on Tuesday to freeze output levels but said the deal was contingent on other producers joining in - a major sticking point with Iran absent from the talks and determined to raise production. The Saudi, Russian, Qatari and Venezuelan oil ministers announced the proposal after a previously undisclosed meeting in Doha. It could become the first joint OPEC and non-OPEC deal in 15 years, aimed at tackling a growing oversupply of crude and helping prices recover from their lowest in over a decade. Saudi Oil Minister Ali al-Naimi said freezing production at January levels - near record highs - was an adequate measure and he hoped other producers would adopt the plan. Venezuelan Oil Minister Eulogio Del Pino said more talks would take place with Iran and Iraq on Wednesday in Tehran. "The reason we agreed to a potential freeze of production is simple: it is the beginning of a process which we will assess in the next few months and decide if we need other steps to stabilize and improve the market," Naimi told reporters. "We don't want significant gyrations in prices, we don't want reduction in supply, we want to meet demand, we want a stable oil price. We have to take a step at a time," he said. Oil prices jumped to $35.55 per barrel after the news about the secret meeting but later pared gains to trade near $33 on concerns that Iran may reject the deal and that even if Tehran agreed it would not help ease the growing global glut. [O/R] OPEC member Iran, Saudi Arabia's regional arch rival, has pledged to steeply increase output in the coming months as it looks to regain market share lost after years of international sanctions, which were lifted in January following a deal with world powers over its nuclear program. "Our situation is totally different to those countries that have been producing at high levels for the past few years," a senior source familiar with Iran's thinking told Reuters. Iranian Oil Minister Bijan Zanganeh also indicated Tehran would not agree to freezing its output at January levels, saying the country would not give up its appropriate share of the global oil market. SPECIAL TERMS The fact that output from OPEC kingpin Saudi Arabia and non-OPEC Russia - the world's two top producers and exporters - is near record highs complicates any agreement since Iran is producing at least 1 million barrels per day below its capacity and pre-sanctions levels. However, two non-Iranian sources close to OPEC discussions told Reuters that Iran may be offered special terms as part of the output freeze deal. "Iran is returning to the market and needs to be given a special chance but it also needs to make some calculations," said one source. Russian Deputy Prime Minister Arkady Dvorkovich said freezing output was not a problem for his country as he anyway expected its production to be flat this year versus 2015. An Iraqi oil ministry source said Baghdad was also happy to freeze production if all parties agreed. "The agreement (if successful) should support oil prices but there are reasons to be cautious. Not all OPEC members have signed up to the deal - notably Iran and Iraq. History would also suggest that compliance may be an issue," said Capital Economics' analyst Jason Tuvey. OPEC has been quarrelling for decades over output levels and Russia, which last agreed to cooperate with OPEC back in 2001, never followed through on its pledge and raised exports instead. Also complicating any potential agreement is the geo-political rivalry in the Middle East between Sunni Muslim power Saudi Arabia and Shi'ite Iran. Saudi Arabia and its Gulf allies are fighting proxy conflicts with Russia and Iran in the region, including in Syria and Yemen. In Syria's five-year-old civil war, Riyadh politically and financially backs some rebel groups battling President Bashar al-Assad's government, which has gained the upper hand with the help of Russian warplanes and Iranian-backed Shi'ite militias. RUSSIAN BUDGET The Doha meeting came after more than 18 months of declining oil prices, knocking crude below $30 a barrel for the first time in over a decade from as high as $115 a barrel in mid-2014. The slump was triggered by booming U.S. shale oil output and a decision by Saudi Arabia and its OPEC Gulf allies to raise production to fight for market share and drive higher-cost production out of the market. But although U.S. output has begun to decline and global demand has been robust it has still not been enough to offset booming global production which has led to oil stockpiles rising to record levels. Saudi Arabia has long insisted it would reduce supply only if other OPEC and non-OPEC members agreed, but Russia - the world's biggest oil producer and No.2 exporter - has said it would not join in as its Siberian fields were different from those of OPEC. The mood began to change in January as oil prices fell below $30 per barrel. While Venezuela has been the hardest-hit producer, current oil prices are a fraction of what Russia needs to balance its budget as it heads towards parliamentary elections this year. Saudi finances are also suffering badly, running a $98 billion budget deficit last year, which it seeks to trim this year. But while talking about potential cooperation with OPEC, Russia raised its output to a new record high in January. For a table on OPEC and Russian output, click here "Even if they do freeze production at January levels, you have still got global inventory builds which are going to weigh on prices. So whilst it's a positive step, I don't think it will have a huge impact on supply/demand balances, simply because we were oversupplied in January anyway," said Energy Aspects' analyst Dominic Haywood. (Additional reporting by Alex Lawler, Reem Shamseddine, Ahmad Ghaddar and Amanda Cooper; Writing by Dmitry Zhdannikov; Editing by Dale Hudson and Pravin Char) LONDON (Reuters) - Monochrome dresses competed with intricately embroidered gowns on the red carpet of Britain's biggest film awards on Sunday, with Hollywood stars braving the London winter in an array of luxurious dresses. This year's British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) awards brought out lots of black, white and bold red from top designers. Kate Winslet, who won the supporting actress category for "Steve Jobs" wore a black one-shouldered, asymmetric Antonio Berardi gown while "Fifty Shades of Grey" star Dakota Johnson and "Game of Thrones" actress Emilia Clarke both opted for red. Last year's winner Julianne Moore dressed in a white and black Giorgio Armani gown and "The Great Gatsby" actress Isla Fisher sought simple elegance in a white fitted Stella McCartney frock. However sparkles also featured heavily, with double BAFTA nominee Alicia Vikander wearing a black leather Louis Vuitton dress with shiny crystal detailing and "Brooklyn" actress Saoirse Ronan choosing a shiny floral gown. "Carol" star Cate Blanchett, who like Vikander lost in the leading actress category to Brie Larson, also wore a richly- embellished Alexander McQueen dress. The dress was "made with the feathers and that incredible level of embroidery on the top half," fashion commentator Gemma Ebelis told Reuters. "There was (also) a lot of diamonds on this carpet this evening." The men had their share of designer suits, with some choosing dark colors such as emerald green, navy or brown. "There was quite a lot of the velvet sort of smoking-jacket style tuxedos," Ebelis said. It "is always nice to see the men have a play around and not just doing the 'go to black'." (Reporting by Joel Flynn and Marie-Louise Gumuchian; Editing by Ruth Pitchford) Smartphones, smart televisions, even smart light bulbs are adding voice control features, but the new features are also stirring controversy with those concerned about privacy. Is your smart TV recording all your conversations and sending them to the cloud? Are companies recording and selling details of your most intimate conversations to marketers? That was what it sounded like last year, when Samsung Electronics (005930.KS) included the following warning with some of its smart TV sets: "Please be aware that if your spoken words include personal or other sensitive information, that information will be among the data captured and transmitted to a third party through your use of Voice Recognition." The sentence prompted a flurry of protests and warnings, but the words had been taken somewhat out of context. Samsung later explained that its TVs were not recording and transmitting all conversations all of the time. Recording only took place for words spoken during the short time when a consumer triggered a TV's voice command app (and a small microphone icon was displayed on the screen). And the "third party" was not an advertising or marketing firm, but the company that supplied the voice translation software to make the control app function. "Samsung does not retain voice data or sell it to third parties," the company later explained. "If a consumer consents and uses the voice recognition feature, voice data is provided to a third party during a requested voice command search. At that time, the voice data is sent to a server, which searches for the requested content then returns the desired content to the TV." Consumers who are still uneasy about the voice tracking can shut off the voice command feature in Samsung TVs and most other smart devices. Apple (AAPL) decided to use a less convenient but also less fear-inspiring set-up on the remote control of its new Apple TV set-top box. Consumers have to press a button on the remote to trigger voice control, eliminating the need for the device to be in default listening mode for a command or trigger word. Amazon's (AMZN) Echo, a popular speaker and digital assistant, can't be tweaked so easily and Amazon's web site privacy policy doesn't mention the Echo. Voice is required for control, although consumers can delete any recordings the device has saved to Amazon's servers. With devices like the Echo, that are constantly "listening" for commands, some consumers may be confused about what the device actually records and transmits, however. The listening function occurs only within the device itself -- conversations are not recorded or sent over the Internet while the device is in this mode. Once the device is awakened, however, a consumer's words are recorded and sent back to Amazon servers for translation. During such recordings, the device shows a blue light to indicate it is listening and recording. That's not to say there aren't new risks to privacy from the voice-controlled devices. As with smartphones, governments or malicious hackers could find a way to get around the privacy restrictions and listen in when they aren't supposed to. And companies have been known to weaken their privacy policies over time, although the Federal Trade Commission has gone after those that violate their initial privacy promises. Stephen Colbert made a small gesture of peace across the deep ideological divide of the country when he paid a surprisingly warm tribute to arch-conservative Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia on Monday's Late Show. "Before we get started, I just want to say a few words about the passing of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia," Colbert began. "He was universally acknowledged to be an intellectual giant who left his mark not only on the court but on how to interpret the Constitution. And whether or not you agreed with him or made a lot of jokes about him like I did one thing you have to admit is that he had a great sense of humor." Colbert pointed out that Scalia's notable sense of humor was a matter of record, noting, "People have broken down the transcripts of oral arguments and he told more jokes and got more laughs than any of the other justices." He then recalled the one time he met Scalia in person when he was hosting the 2006 White House Correspondents' Dinner and delivered joke after joke to a largely unamused crowd of journalists and politicians. Read More: Grammys: Trevor Noah Insults Kanye After Kendrick Lamar's Performance "Not a lot of people laughed in the front row," Colbert recalled of his performance to knowing laughs from the Late Show audience. "Some people laughed in the back of the room, but the important people in the front row and on the dais it was mostly silent while I was giving the speech. And while I had a good time giving the speech, when it was over, no one was even making eye contact with me. "The one exception was Antonin Scalia," Colbert said as an image flashed of Scalia laughing heartily at the 2006 dinner. He explained that at the time, Scalia had just been caught making the gesture of aggressively flicking his chin at photographers. So Colbert directed some of his own unfriendly, made-up gestures at Scalia during his act. Read More: Antonin Scalia Viewed Hollywood as "Foul-Mouthed Glitteratae," But Wasn't Entirely Unfriendly Washington (AFP) - The Pentagon said Tuesday it would respond "as necessary" if there were violations of a cessation of hostilities agreement in Syria, warning it was a "test" for Russia. Pentagon press secretary Peter Cook would not specify the nature of the response, but said a failure to abide by the agreement reached in Munich would be factored into US military decision-making. "We will be keeping a close eye on who abides by it and who does not, and we will be in a position to say clearly, and to respond if necessary, if there are violations of that cessation of hostilities," Cook said at a Pentagon briefing. The warning follows air strikes in and around Aleppo on Monday that hit hospitals and schools, killing an estimated 50 people, according to the United Nations, which called the attacks a "blatant violation of international law." Neither the United Nations nor the United States have directly accused Moscow of carrying out those air strikes, but the State Department said Monday the attacks cast doubt on Russia's willingness or ability to stop the fighting. Russian bombers have been supporting a Syrian government offensive on Aleppo, and Moscow is Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's closest ally. "This is a test for the Russians," said Cook, calling the cessation of hostilities agreement reached in Munich Friday "a new marker, a new line if you will for Russia and others to abide by. We are signatories to it as well." The agreement to halt the fighting and allow humanitarian relief to reach besieged Syrian cities was supposed to go into effect within a week. The State Department, however, played down expectations it would take hold by then. "I can't say categorically that a week from last Thursday there must be a cessation of hostilities, but certainly we're going to expect that there is progress," deputy State Department spokesman Mark Toner told reporters. "I'm not trying to excuse the delay in any way, shape or form. I think we're going to continue to pursue aggressively, the cessation of hostilities. But we also recognize we need, the parties involved need a little space in order to at least make the effort," he said. Cook had mentioned a March 1 date for the cessation of hostilities to go into effect, but then backpedaled, saying he may have misspoken and referring reporters to the State Department. GENEVA (Reuters) - The United Nations Special Envoy for Syria said on Tuesday that the Assad government had an obligation to allow the world body to deliver humanitarian aid to all Syrians and that this would be tested on Wednesday. Staffan de Mistura, in a statement issued in Geneva after his second meeting of the day with Syrian foreign minister Walid al-Moualem in Damascus, said they had discussed the priority issue of humanitarian access to areas besieged by all parties to the conflict. "The access to these areas is done by convoys, coordinated by the UN country team ... It is clear it is the duty of the government of Syria to want to reach every Syrian person wherever they are and allow the UN to bring humanitarian aid... Tomorrow we test this," de Mistura said. (Reporting by Stephanie Nebehay; editing by John Stonestreet) Beirut (AFP) - Hopes for a ceasefire in Syria were fading on Tuesday, after dozens were killed in air strikes on hospitals that France branded war crimes and Syria's president said implementing a truce would prove "difficult". The United Nations said nearly 50 civilians, including children, died in bombings of at least five medical facilities and two schools in northern Syria's Aleppo and Idlib provinces. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said the raids violated international law and "cast a shadow" over efforts to end Syria's five-year civil war, while France said the attacks "constitute war crimes". "Attacks against health facilities in Syria by the regime or its supporters are unacceptable and must stop immediately," said French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault. The United States, which like the UN did not identify who carried out the air strikes, said two civilian hospitals were hit in northern Syria: one run run by medical charity Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) and another in rebel-held Azaz city. The region around Syria's second city of Aleppo has been the target of a major offensive by Syrian government troops, backed by Russian warplanes, which has sent tens of thousands fleeing to the Turkish border. "That the Assad regime and its supporters would continue these attacks... casts doubt on Russia's willingness and/or ability to help bring to a stop the continued brutality of the Assad regime against its own people," the State Department said. MSF confirmed a hospital supported by the charity was hit in Idlib, northwest Syria, and said seven people were killed and at least eight were missing, presumed dead. But Syria's ambassador to Moscow, Riad Haddad, said the hospital had been targeted by a US raid. "American warplanes destroyed it. Russian warplanes had nothing to do with any of it -- the information that has been gathered will completely back that up," he told Russian state television channel Rossiya 24. Story continues - Kurds make fresh gains - The heated words cast fresh doubt on a days-old deal to enforce a nationwide ceasefire later this week, with Syria's President Bashar al-Assad saying it would be "difficult" to implement. "They are saying they want a ceasefire in a week. Who is capable of gathering all the conditions and requirements in a week? No one," Assad said in televised remarks. Seeking to keep alive the deal for a "cessation of hostilities" in Syria clinched in Munich, Germany, last week, the UN's envoy for Syria, Staffan de Mistura, arrived in Damascus on Monday. Kurdish fighters in northern Syria meanwhile captured a key town, despite Turkey resuming shelling in several parts of Aleppo, alarmed by their recent advances against mostly Islamist rebels. Ankara accuses the Kurdish forces of ties to the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) that has waged a decades-long insurgency against Turkey. Britain-based monitor the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said at least two children died in Monday's shelling and an AFP journalist on the border said Turkish howitzers fired for around 20 minutes from the Akcabaglar region. Nonetheless, the coalition of Kurdish and Arab fighters known as the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) captured the town of Tal Rifaat from mostly Islamist rebels, the Observatory said. The SDF had already seized the nearby Minnigh airbase and severed the road between Tal Rifaat, which lies 20 kilometres (12 miles) from the border, and rebel-held Azaz. Turkey fears the Kurds will be able to create a contiguous Kurdish territory just across the border in northern Syria. Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu warned earlier Monday that Ankara would not let Azaz fall to the SDF, adding that "the necessary intervention will be made". - EU joins condemnation - Moscow says its military intervention has targeted the Islamic State jihadist group and other "terrorists", but activists say Russia's raids have caused disproportionately high civilian casualties. Russia has been accused of hitting several health facilities since its Syrian aerial campaign began September 30. EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini branded the Idlib attack "unacceptable" and urged "all parties (to respect) basic principles of humanitarian law". The Observatory also reported 10 civilians, including three children, were killed in suspected Russian strikes in and nearby Azaz that hit near a hospital, it said. Russia's air strikes have allowed government forces to press a major operation that has virtually encircled rebels in eastern Aleppo city, as well as pushing them from much of the region to the north. They have angered Turkey, with Davutoglu on Monday warning: "If Russia continues behaving like a terrorist organisation and forcing civilians to flee, we will deliver an extremely decisive response." Moscow called Turkey's shelling in Syria "provocative" and said it supported raising the issue at the UN Security Council. A US State Department spokesperson urged Turkey and Russia to avoid any further escalation. "It is important that the Russians and Turks speak directly, and take measures to prevent escalation," the spokesperson told AFP. More than 260,000 people have been killed since Syria's conflict began with anti-government protests in March 2011. United Nations (United States) (AFP) - Syria's UN envoy on Tuesday accused the medical aid charity MSF of being a front for French intelligence in Syria and dismissed allegations that Russian air strikes had destroyed one of its hospitals. "The so-called hospital was installed without any prior consultation with the Syrian government by the so-called French network called MSF which is a branch of the French intelligence operating in Syria," said Ambassador Bashar Jaafari. Doctors Without Borders (MSF) said at least 11 people were killed after the hospital in Idlib province was destroyed on Monday morning, but it did not assign blame for the attack. "They assume the full consequences of the act because they did not consult with the Syrian government," Jaafari told reporters. "They did not operate with the Syrian government permission." He repeated Syrian claims that the US-led coalition had carried out the air strikes that hit the MSF-backed hospital. French Ambassador Francois Delattre slammed the Syrian ambassador for his "revolting remarks" which he said "showed once again his true face." The Syrian ambassador spoke following a UN Security Council meeting called by Russia to discuss Turkey's military action against Kurdish fighters in northern Syria. By Jon Herskovitz AUSTIN, Texas (Reuters) - Texas on Tuesday plans to execute a man who was convicted of fatally shooting a liquor store clerk in a robbery outside of Dallas in 1990. Gustavo Garcia, 43, who has spent more than half of his life on death row, is set to be executed by lethal injection at the state's execution chamber in Huntsville at 6 p.m. CST. If the execution goes ahead, it would be the 534th in Texas since the U.S. Supreme Court reinstated the death penalty in 1976, the most of any state. Last week, the U.S. Supreme Court denied a petition on behalf of Garcia seeking to halt the execution. Garcia's lawyers argued there were problems with his prosecution such as minority members being excluded from the jury at his trial. When Garcia was 18, he and accomplice Christopher Vargas, then 15, entered a liquor store in the Dallas suburb of Plano in December 1990. Armed with a sawed-off shotgun, Garcia ordered the clerk, Craig Turski, to give him money from the cash register while his accomplice stole beer, according to the Texas Attorney General's office. Garcia then shot Turski in the abdomen. Turski was able to leave the store, where he was pursued by Garcia, who shot him in the head, killing him, officials said. Garcia was arrested a few weeks later when he killed another clerk, Gregory Martin, in a gas station robbery in Plano with the same shotgun used in the previous murder, the office said. Martin had been on the phone with his girlfriend when Garcia and the same accomplice entered the store. He told his girlfriend to call the police for help, according to officials. Police arrived on the scene and found Garcia hiding in a beer cooler. He was arrested and confessed to the two murders, officials said. He was never tried in Martin's death. (Editing by Jeffrey Benkoe) WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Three U.S. citizens kidnapped in Iraq last month have been released in Baghdad, a U.S. government source said on Tuesday. The three men, who Iraqi officials said were kidnapped by unknown gunmen in January, were being held by an Iranian-backed Shi'ite militia, two Iraqi intelligence and two U.S. government sources said at the time. The men could already be at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, the U.S. source told Reuters on condition of anonymity. The men are employed by a small company that is doing work for General Dynamics Corp, under a larger contract with the U.S. Army, according to a source familiar with the matter. (Reporting by Mark Hosenball; Writing by Megan Cassella; Editing by Eric Walsh) North Augusta (United States) (AFP) - Donald Trump pushed back against his rivals for the Republican nomination and criticism from President Barack Obama, as the real estate mogul sought to cement victory in South Carolina. With just four days until the state's crucial primary, Trump became yet again the focus of attacks by challengers to his frontrunner status, including his nearest adversary Ted Cruz who blasted the businessman turned reality TV star as a liberal. He also traded political punches with Marco Rubio and Jeb Bush and laid out attack lines ahead of the crucial primary, the third in the long party nominations races and the first in the US South. While Trump was busy scrapping with rivals, Democrat Obama joined the fray, offering a scathing assessment of why he thinks the American people will not elect Trump. "I continue to believe that Mr. Trump will not be president. And the reason is because I have a lot of faith in the American people. And I think they recognize that being president is a serious job," he told reporters in California. "It's not hosting a talk show or a reality show. It's not promotion. It's not marketing. It's hard," he said on the sidelines of a summit with leaders and representatives. Trump, 69, reacted with scorn. "This man has done such a bad job, he has set us back so far," Trump said in a television interview, adding however that in a way, being singled out -- even for reproach -- by the sitting US president was "a great compliment." Cruz, a first-term senator from Texas, piled on Trump during a rally in Anderson. Clearly speaking of Trump, Cruz called on Americans not to nominate and elect a Republican who has "defended abortion or partial birth abortion for the first 60 years of his life." The controversial billionaire for his part played up his international business acumen at a rally in North Augusta ahead of Saturday's primary. Story continues - 'Why aren't they beating me?' - Trump leads handily in South Carolina, with a new CNN poll showing him with 38 percent support over arch-conservative Cruz, who has 22 percent. The 16-point spread is down from the 20-point RealClearPolitics average, suggesting a softening in some support after Saturday's bruising debate slugfest. "Why aren't they beating me?" Trump taunted, to loud cheers. Even with his commanding lead, he was calling on supporters to crowd the polls. "Assume that we're behind, because you've gotta go vote," Trump said. Cruz highlighted his experience with Constitutional law in dwelling on a Saturday event that hit the political landscape like an earthquake: the death of conservative Supreme Court justice Antonin Scalia. Cruz has joined other Republican candidates in insisting that no nominee to replace Scalia be confirmed by the Senate until there is a new president next January. "We are one justice away from losing our fundamental liberties," he said, underscoring the stakes of the election as conservatives see the appointment of a liberal judge as potentially ending conservative efforts to overturn landmark cases on abortion, health care and immigration. Bush, riding high a day after his brother and former president George W. Bush hit the campaign trail with Jeb for the first time, caused an earthquake of his own Tuesday. Seeking to present himself as the candidate most capable of rebuilding the military, Bush visited a gun manufacturer in state capital Columbia, where he spoke to company employees and walked away with his own personally engraved hand gun. He tweeted a photograph of the firearm afterwards, with a single word of commentary: "America." Bush is the consummate establishment candidate, the son and brother of two presidents. But Trump's ascension has upended the race, and forced Bush into underdog status. Trump supporter Jennifer Twilley, reflecting on the anger and frustration coursing through the US electorate, said Trump's status as a magnate and political outsider made him ideal for the job. "I don't really want an established politician anymore," Twilley, an engineer with General Dynamics who was wearing a pink button that read "Hot Chicks for Donald Trump," told AFP. She dismissed the concerns about his braggadocio and confrontational rhetoric. "I don't care about the drama, I just want him to fix the financial problems," she said. More than halfway through his hourlong speech, a protester interrupted Trump but was shouted down by supporters. She was escorted out of the venue with her middle fingers raised in the air. ISTANBUL (Reuters) - Turkey is asking its coalition partners, including the United States, to take part in a joint ground operation in Syria to try to end the five-year-old civil war, a Turkish official said on Tuesday. The official said it was now impossible to stop the war without such an operation, but that Ankara would not launch such an offensive on its own. "Turkey is not going to have a unilateral ground operation. We are asking coalition partners that there should be a ground operation. We are discussing this with allies," the official told reporters at a briefing in Istanbul. "We want a ground operation. If there is a consensus, Turkey will take part. Without a ground operation, it is impossible to stop this war." (Reporting by Humeyra Pamuk; Writing by David Dolan; Editing by Kevin Liffey) Ankara (AFP) - Turkey on Tuesday denounced Russia's bombing campaign in Syria as "barbaric", saying the assault had killed civilians including children and the elderly. "Those vile, cruel and barbaric planes have made close to 8,000 sorties since September 30 without any discrimination between civilians and soldiers, or children and the elderly," Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said in parliament. Tensions between Turkey and Russia have soared over Moscow's backing of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and Russia's air campaign against what it claims are "terrorist" targets in the country. Turkey has long backed Assad's ouster and like other Western nations accuses Russia of predominantly bombing Syrian rebel groups backed by Washington and its allies instead of the Islamic State group. Assad's forces have most recently used Russian air support to move ever closer to the rebel stronghold of Aleppo in northern Syria, which alarmed Ankara that Syrian Kurdish militia could take control of the region near the Turkish border. Ankara considers the PYD and its YPG militia to be branches of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) which has waged a decades-long insurgency against the Turkish state. Turkish artillery has struck Syrian Kurdish targets since the weekend. Russia has described Turkey's shelling of Kurdish and Syrian regime positions in the north of the country as a "provocative" action. Davutoglu on Tuesday accused Kurdish fighters of being "Russia's legion working as mercenaries" with a priority aim of harming Turkey's interests. "The YPG and PYD are not representatives of the Kurds, not of Syria, they are Russian legionaries and mercenaries," he said. Istanbul (AFP) - Turkey called Tuesday for a ground operation with its international allies to end the war in Syria, as the United Nations announced aid convoys are being sent to besieged towns. "So far I understand that the government of Syria has approved access to seven besieged areas," said Vanessa Huguenin, spokeswoman for the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). In Damascus, UN envoy Staffan de Mistura said aid convoys will be sent on Wednesday to test the resolve of warring parties to allow in humanitarian supplies. "It is clear it is the duty of the government of Syria to want to reach every Syrian person wherever they are and allow the UN to bring humanitarian aid, particularly now after so long time," he said after meeting Foreign Minister Walid Muallem. "Tomorrow (Wednesday) we test this," he said, referring to the warring parties. A Red Crescent source said the first convoys will head for the rebel-besieged Shiite villages of Fuaa and Kafraya in the north, and to Madaya and Zabadani which are encircled by the army. Around 486,700 people in Syria are in areas besieged by either government or rebel forces, UN figures show. Scores are reported to have died of malnutrition or because of a lack of medical treatment. On the international front, tensions escalated over Russia's air war backing Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, with Ankara branding the bombing "barbaric". Turkey sees Assad's ouster as essential to ending a five-year conflict that has killed more than 260,000 people, and is highly critical of Iran and Russia for supporting the Damascus regime. "We want a ground operation with our international allies," a senior Turkish official told reporters in Istanbul, adding such an operation would require the involvement of the United States and Gulf states. - Fears of escalation - "There is not going to be a unilateral military operation from Turkey to Syria," the official emphasised, but added: "Without a ground operation it is impossible to stop the fighting in Syria." Story continues Saudi Arabia, another fierce critic of Assad, has said it is ready to send special forces to Syria to take part in ground operations against the Islamic State (IS) jihadist group. On Tuesday, the Pentagon said Saudi Arabia, which has been focused on the war in its neighbour Yemen, has resumed participation in air strikes by the US-led coalition against IS in Syria. Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Zarif warned Riyadh not to deploy troops in Syria, saying that without the authorisation of Damascus it would violate international law. The Islamic republic is a key Syrian ally and has sent thousands of "military advisers" to help Assad's regime. The UN said Monday nearly 50 civilians, including children, had died in the bombings of at least five medical facilities and two schools in northern Syria. The region around Syria's second city of Aleppo has been the target of a major anti-rebel offensive by government forces backed by Russian warplanes, sending tens of thousands fleeing to the Turkish border. Russia denied it had bombed any hospital, calling such reports "unsubstantiated accusations". De Mistura and Muallem met in the Syrian capital to try to keep alive a proposal announced in Munich last Friday for a "cessation of hostilities" in Syria within a week. Assad has said it would be "difficult" to implement a truce by Friday. "Who is capable of gathering all the conditions and requirements in a week? No one," he said. Turkey shelled Kurdish positions in northern Syria for a fourth straight day Tuesday, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. It said shells hit the town of Tal Rifaat which was captured on Monday from mostly Islamist rebels by a Kurdish-Arab coalition known as the Syrian Democratic Forces. The UN Security Council on Tuesday criticised Turkey for its bombardment of northern Syria, in a decision applauded by Syria's UN ambassador. "Turkey is trying to pull everybody into this nightmare, into this escalation," Bashar Jaafari said. - Victory imminent: Hezbollah - Ankara accuses the Kurdish forces of ties to the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) that has waged a decades-long insurgency against Turkey. It fears the Kurds will be able to create a contiguous Kurdish territory just across the border in northern Syria. Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu on Tuesday accused Kurdish fighters in Syria of being "Russia's legion working as mercenaries", with the of harming Turkey's interests. Russia's air strikes have allowed government forces to press a major operation that has virtually encircled rebels in eastern Aleppo city, as well as expelled them from much of the region to the north. The head of Lebanon's Shiite movement Hezbollah which has been fighting alongside Assad's forces, declared Tuesday that "victory" was imminent. "In the days ahead and for the decade to come... we will proclaim victory alongside the Syrian army," Hassan Nasrallah said in a video message to supporters in Beirut. He also accused Saudi Arabia and Turkey of dragging the whole region into a war. Turkey has been infuriated by the Kurdish advances, focusing its anger on Russia's air support. "Those vile, cruel and barbaric planes have made close to 8,000 sorties since September 30 without any discrimination between civilians and soldiers, or children and the elderly," Davutoglu said. On the ground, the Observatory said at least 15 civilians were killed in US-led coalition air strikes on the IS-controlled town of Al-Shadadi in Hasakeh province of northeast Syria. By Tulay Karadeniz and Ece Toksabay ANKARA (Reuters) - Turkey, Saudi Arabia and some European allies want ground troops deployed in Syria but there is no consensus in the coalition and a strategy for such an operation has not been seriously debated, Turkey's foreign minister told Reuters. Russian air strikes have helped to bring the Syrian army to within 25 km (15 miles) of Turkey's borders, while Kurdish militia fighters, regarded by Ankara as hostile insurgents, have also gained ground, heightening the sense of urgency. Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said any operation could not be left to regional powers alone. "Some countries like us, Saudi Arabia and some other Western European countries have said that a ground operation is necessary ... But to expect this only from Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Qatar is neither right nor realistic," he said in an interview. "If such an operation is to take place, it has to be carried out jointly, like the (coalition) air strikes," he said. Washington has so far ruled out sending its own ground troops into Syria, apart from small numbers of special forces. But Sunni Arab Gulf states including Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have said they are ready to send ground forces as part of an international coalition against Islamic State, providing Washington takes the lead. Cavusoglu said Turkey had repeatedly made the case for a more comprehensive strategy in Syria beyond air strikes but it had not been discussed seriously by the U.S.-led coalition. "Of course, there would be air strikes but a cleansing on the ground is also needed. I stated in every meeting ... that Daesh could not be destroyed or stopped by air strikes," he said, using an Arabic acronym for Islamic State. "The coalition has not given this ground operation issue serious debate. There were opponents, and there were those who weren't going to take part but expressed a desire for Turkey or another country doing it." Cavusoglu said Turkey supported the resumption of negotiations for a political solution in Syria but that they would go nowhere if Syrian government forces did not first halt their bombardments. U.N.-backed peace talks, which were suspended earlier this month, are scheduled to resume in Geneva on Feb. 25. "One needs to be realistic. While bombs are falling from the sky and people are being massacred under the pressure of the regime or are being starved, the talks cannot be very fruitful," Cavusoglu said. He also said Ankara and Washington needed to work harder to overcome differences over the role of the Syrian Kurdish YPG militia. Turkey sees the group as hostile insurgents backed by the Syrian government and Moscow and has shelled YPG positions over the past four days. Washington sees the PYD, the YPG's political wing, as an effective ally on the ground in the fight against Islamic State in Syria. "We may be thinking differently but both sides need to put in more effort to iron out these differences," Cavusoglu said. "Our American friends have openly told us that they understand our sensitivities." (Writing by Nick Tattersall; Editing by Humeyra Pamuk and David Stamp) By Tulay Karadeniz, Ece Toksabay and Humeyra Pamuk ANKARA/ISTANBUL (Reuters) - Turkey, Saudi Arabia and some European allies want ground troops deployed in Syria as a Russian-backed government advance nears NATO's southeastern border, Turkey's foreign minister said, but Washington has so far ruled out a major offensive. Syrian government forces made fresh advances on Tuesday, as did Kurdish militia, both at the expense of rebels whose positions have been collapsing in recent weeks under the Russian-backed onslaught. The offensive, supported by Iranian-backed Shi'ite militias as well as Russian air strikes, has brought the Syrian army to within 25 km (15 miles) of Turkey's frontier, while Kurdish fighters, regarded by Ankara as hostile insurgents, have extended their presence along the border. The advances have increased the risk of a military confrontation between Russia and Turkey. Turkish artillery returned fire into Syria for a fourth straight day on Tuesday, targeting the Kurdish YPG militia which Ankara says is being backed by Moscow. "Some countries like us, Saudi Arabia and some other Western European countries have said that a ground operation is necessary," Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu told Reuters in an interview. However, this kind of action could not be left to regional powers alone. "To expect this only from Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Qatar is neither right nor realistic. If such an operation is to take place, it has to be carried out jointly, like the (coalition) air strikes," he said. Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said the "brutal operation" by Russian and Syrian forces was aimed at forging a YPG corridor along Turkey's border, something Ankara has long feared would fuel Kurdish separatist ambition on its own soil. Turkey accused Russia on Monday of an "obvious war crime" after missile attacks in northern Syria killed scores of people, and warned the YPG it would face the "harshest reaction" if it tried to capture a town near the Turkish border. Russian air support for the Syrian government offensive has transformed the balance of power in the five-year-old war in the past three weeks. World powers meeting in Munich last week agreed to a pause in the fighting, but that is not set to begin until the end of this week and was not signed by the warring Syrian parties. The U.N. Syria envoy, Staffan de Mistura, held talks with Syria's foreign minister on Tuesday aimed at securing a cessation of hostilities and said Damascus had a duty to let the world body bring in humanitarian aid. Damascus says its objectives are to recapture Aleppo, Syria's biggest city before the war, and seal off the border with Turkey that has served as the main supply route into rebel-held territory for years. Those would be the government's biggest victories of the war so far and probably end rebel hopes of overthrowing President Bashar al-Assad by force, their objective since 2011 with the encouragement of the West, Arab states and Turkey. SYRIAN MILITARY GAINS Kurdish forces continued their push eastwards toward Islamic State-held territory northeast of Aleppo. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a British-based group which monitors the war, said the Kurdish-backed Syria Democratic Forces (SDF) - of which the YPG is a part - took a village near the town of Marea. That is the last major settlement before territory held by the radical militants stretching into Iraq. The Syrian army also made advances, with state media saying it had taken two villages north of Aleppo near the town of Tal Rifaat, which fell to the SDF on Monday. With the help of Russian air strikes it also advanced from the coastal city of Latakia, fighting to take the town of Kansaba. With hundreds of thousands trapped in areas the government aims to seize, Turkey and others accuse Moscow of deliberately firing on civilian targets such as hospitals to force residents to flee and depopulate territory. Almost 50 civilians were killed when missiles hit at least five medical facilities and two schools in rebel-held areas on Monday, according to the United Nations, which called the attacks a blatant violation of international law. At least 14 were killed in the northern town of Azaz, the last rebel stronghold before the border with Turkey north of Aleppo. Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said a Russian missile was responsible and vowed that Turkey would not let Azaz fall into YPG hands. Russia's foreign ministry said Turkey was using Azaz as a supply route for Islamic State and "other terrorist groups", while the Kremlin strongly rejected Turkish accusations it had committed a war crime after the missile strikes. "We categorically do not accept such statements, the more so as every time those making these statements are unable to prove their unfounded accusations in any way," President Vladimir Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters. "Our relations (with Turkey) are in a deep crisis. Russia regrets this. We are not the initiators of this." DOUBTS OVER GROUND TROOPS The advances by the YPG risk creating friction between Turkey and its allies, including the United States. Ankara sees the Syrian Kurdish militia as an extension of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) which has fought a three-decade insurgency for Kurdish autonomy in Turkey's southeast. But the United States sees the YPG as one of the few effective ground forces fighting Islamic State militants in Syria, and has lent the group military support. Washington has so far ruled out sending its own ground troops into Syria, apart from small numbers of special forces. Sunni Arab Gulf states including Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) said this month they were ready to send ground forces as part of an international coalition against Islamic State, providing Washington takes the lead. But Turkey's focus on the YPG means it cannot necessarily count on support from NATO, which, while reluctant to pressure Ankara in public, is working behind closed doors to discourage it from targeting the Kurds and escalating with Russia. (Additional reporting by Lisa Barrington in Beirut, Darya Korsunskaya and Dmitry Solovyov in Moscow, Robin Emmott in Brussels, Noah Barkin in Berlin, Daren Butler in Istanbul, Stephanie Nebehay in Geneva; writing by David Dolan and Nick Tattersall; editing by Peter Graff and David Stamp) (Adds details and background, byline; changes dateline to HAVANA, previous WASHINGTON) By Daniel Trotta HAVANA, Feb 16 (Reuters) - American and Cuban officials signed an arrangement on Tuesday to restore scheduled air service between the two countries after half a century, setting off competition among U.S. airlines for the best routes to the Caribbean island. The signing ceremony in Havana formalized what officials had announced in December: that the two former Cold War rivals would add scheduled commercial airline service to the current charter flights. "Today is a historic day ... signaling that for the first time in more than five decades the United States and Cuba will allow scheduled service between our two nations," U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx said at the ceremony. American travel to Cuba, both authorized and surreptitious, has boomed since U.S. President Barack Obama and Cuban President Raul Castro agreed to start normalizing relations in December 2014. Shortly after the signing, JetBlue Airways, American Airlines and United Airlines each issued statements expressing interest, with the most competition expected for the 20 round-trip flights between U.S. cities and Havana, the Cuban capital. The deal, which officials called a memorandum of understanding, also permits up to 10 daily round-trips to each of nine other international airports in Cuba. U.S. airlines have until March 2 to submit route applications to the U.S. Transportation Department, which will spend about a month collecting information and likely decide in the summer who can fly from which U.S. cities to Havana. The department has said it will attempt to "maximize public benefit" in assigning the flights. Washington and Havana restored diplomatic ties in July after a 54-year break, but commerce remains limited by the U.S. trade embargo, which includes a ban on American tourism to the Communist-led island. The Republican majority in Congress has defied Obama's call to rescind the embargo, so he has used his executive authority to relax some trade and travel restrictions. Story continues U.S. officials said authorized travel has risen 54 percent since rapprochement, but Cuban data show U.S. arrivals increased by 77 percent to 161,000 in 2015, a disparity explained by Americans breaking the tourism ban and flying to Cuba through third countries. Legally, American travelers still have to fit one of the 12 categories of authorized travel, such as for educational or religious activities, but violators appear to face little risk of being prosecuted. The Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control has not fined any Americans for visiting Cuba since Obama took office in January 2009, its database shows. (Reporting by Daniel Trotta, Jeffrey Dastin and Megan Cassella; Editing by Jonathan Oatis) UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - The United Nations said on Tuesday it has asked Democratic Republic of Congo to investigate four new allegations that its troops had sexually abused children in Central African Republic while deployed as U.N. peacekeepers. U.N. spokesman Farhan Haq said the latest four victims were "residents of the Ngakobo camp for internally displaced persons in Ouaka prefecture and were allegedly sexually exploited and abused by peacekeepers between 2014 and 2015." He said the U.N. mission in Central African Republic was working to ensure the victims have "access to appropriate medical and psycho-social assistance." Haq said Democratic Republic of Congo has 10 days to notify the United Nations if it intends to investigate the accusations. If it does not the world body will conduct its own inquiry. The U.N. mission in Central African Republic announced in January that the Congolese contingent would be sent home after failing an internal assessment. The U.N. review of Congolese troops assessed the equipment, the vetting procedures and overall preparedness of the contingent. Haq said the repatriation of some 800 Congolese troops was due to start on Feb. 25. There have now been dozens of abuse accusations against U.N. peacekeepers, French and European troops. The world body has pledged to crack down on allegations of misconduct and abuse to avoid a repeat of past mistakes. An independent review panel accused the United Nations and its agencies of grossly mishandling allegations of child sexual abuse by foreign troops in Central African Republic in 2013 and 2014. The previous head of the U.N. mission in Central African Republic, Babacar Gaye, resigned last August. Foreign troops were deployed in Central African Republic after mainly Muslim rebels seized power in the majority Christian country in 2013, provoking reprisals and fuelling religious and inter-communal violence that has killed thousands. French troops have been in the country since December 2013. European Union troops were there from April 2014 to March 2015. A United Nations peacekeeping mission assumed authority from African Union troops in September 2014. (Reporting by Michelle Nichols) UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - The United Nations Security Council expressed concern during a closed-door meeting on Tuesday over Turkish shelling of Kurdish YPG militia targets in Syria and called on Turkey to abide by international law, the council president Venezuela said. Syria wrote to the council and Russia requested the briefing by U.N. political affairs chief Jeffrey Feltman, according to Venezuela's U.N. Ambassador Rafael Dario Ramirez Carreno, president of the Security Council for February. Turkish artillery returned fire into Syria for a fourth straight day on Tuesday, targeting the Kurdish YPG militia which Ankara says is being backed by Moscow. Ankara fears the YPG are trying to secure the last stretch of around 100 km (60 miles) along the Syrian border not already under its control. "All members of the Security Council are agreed to ask for Turkey to comply with international law," Ramirez Carreno told reporters after the briefing. When asked if all 15 members expressed concern about Turkey's action, he said: "Yes."Turkey on Monday accused Russia of an "obvious war crime" after missile attacks in northern Syria killed scores of people, and warned the YPG it would face the "harshest reaction" if it tried to capture a town near the Turkish border. Russian air support for the Syrian government offensive has transformed the balance of power in the 5-year-old war in the past three weeks. "I called on our partners to work with Turkey to stop this unacceptable activity," Russia's Deputy U.N. Ambassador Vladimir Safronkov told reporters. A meeting of international powers in Munich last week agreed to try to bring about a "cessation of hostilities" within a week in Syria. When asked about this plan, Safronkov said: "It takes two to dance. A cessation of hostilities and the ceasefire itself, it's something which should be done all together through cooperation. We are working on that." However, Syrian U.N. Ambassador Bashar Ja'afari said "declaring a ceasefire would take much longer than a week" and asked: "Who would guarantee that the terrorists would respect the so called ceasefire?" He also said French charity Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) was to blame after a missile strike on one of its hospitals in the province of Idlib, west of Aleppo, on Monday that MSF said killed at least 11 people. "They assume the full consequences of the act because they did not consult with the Syrian government and they did not operate with the Syrian government permission," Ja'afari said. (Reporting by Michelle Nichols; Editing by Alan Crosby) By Stephanie Nebehay GENEVA (Reuters) - The top United Nations human rights official urged China on Tuesday to release all lawyers detained since July, including 15 arrested last month, saying it was wrong to prosecute or sanction them for their work. Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein, U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights, also voiced concern for five missing booksellers from Hong Kong and urged Beijing authorities to ensure a "fair and transparent procedure" for their cases and allow family and lawyer visits. "We are seeing a very worrying pattern in China that has serious implications for civil society and the important work they do across the country," Zeid said in a statement, voicing fears that a Chinese draft law on non-governmental organizations would curb freedoms of expression and assembly. "Lawyers should never have to suffer prosecution or any other kind of sanctions or intimidation for discharging their professional duties," Zeid said, adding that lawyers had an essential role to play in protecting human rights and the rule of law. I urge the Government of China to release all of them immediately and without conditions. Chinese police have detained about 250 human rights lawyers, legal assistants, and activists across the country since a nationwide crackdown began last July, although the U.N. statement said many had subsequently been released. It said that, in addition to these, 15 human rights lawyers had been formally arrested last month, 10 of them for the crime of subversion of state power, which carries a sentence of 15 years to life in prison. Zeid's spokesman Rupert Colville told reporters that Chinese authorities had sent a letter last weekend in response to Zeid's queries: "It suggests basically that all people we raised concerns about were guilty of criminal activities. A kind of reflexive response that doesn't really address the core issue." In a letter sent to Hong Kong's police on Thursday, Chinese police confirmed that three of the five missing Hong Kong booksellers were being investigated for "illegal activities" in China. The booksellers' disappearance has prompted fears that mainland Chinese authorities may be using shadowy tactics that erode the "one country, two systems" formula under which Hong Kong has been governed since its return to China from British rule in 1997. The China Human Rights Lawyers Concern Group, a Hong Kong-based rights group, says Chinese authorities have formally arrested 19 lawyers and activists, and that 266 have been temporarily detained and questioned in the crackdown. (Reporting by Stephanie Nebehay in Geneva; additional reporting by Sui-Lee Wee; Editing by Kevin Liffey) WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States had a plan for an extensive cyber attack on Iran in case diplomatic attempts to curtail its nuclear programme failed, The New York Times reported on Tuesday, citing a forthcoming documentary and military and intelligence officials. Code-named Nitro Zeus, the plan was aimed at crippling Iran's air defences, communications systems and key parts of its electrical power grid, but was put on hold after a nuclear deal was reached last year, the Times said. The plan developed by the Pentagon was intended to assure President Barack Obama that he had alternatives to war if Iran moved against the United States or its regional allies, and at one point involved thousands of U.S. military and intelligence personnel, the report said. It also called for spending tens of millions of dollars and putting electronic devices in Iran's computer networks, the Times said. U.S. intelligence agencies at the same time developed a separate plan for a covert cyber attack to disable Iran's Fordo nuclear enrichment site inside a mountain near the city of Qom, the report said. The existence of Nitro Zeus was revealed during reporting on a documentary film called "Zero Days" to be shown on Wednesday at the Berlin Film Festival, the Times said. The film describes rising tensions between Iran and the West in the years before the nuclear agreement, the discovery of the Stuxnet cyber attack on the Natanz uranium enrichment plant, and debates in the Pentagon over the use of such tactics, the paper reported. The Times said it conducted separate interviews to confirm the outlines of the programme, but that the White House, the Department of Defense and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence all declined to comment, saying that they do not discuss planning for military contingencies. There was no immediate response to a request by Reuters for comment from the Pentagon. (Reporting by Eric Walsh; Editing by Chris Reese) Kiev (AFP) - Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk survived a no confidence vote Tuesday that came hours after the president asked him to resign because he had lost the public's trust. The motion to oust the pro-Western government leader collected only 194 of the required 226 votes in the 450-seat parliament. The war-scarred country is now left standing in the peculiar position of the two top leaders at seeming odds over how Ukraine should pursue its stalled fight against corruption and overcome a deep economic malaise. Opinion polls show 70 percent of Ukrainians supporting Yatsenyuk's dismissal and only one percent backing his parliamentary bloc. But Yatsenyuk put up a passionate defence of his record before sceptical lawmakers. "We saved this country and I want you to respect that," Yatsenyuk said. The 41-year-old former banker has been in office since Ukraine's dramatic February 2014 revolution ousted the ex-Soviet country's Russian-backed leader and set it on a westward course. He was credited with helping negotiate a massive Western financial rescue package that helped bolster the government while it was fighting a brutal pro-Russian revolt in the separatist east. "Dear deputies: we now have a country with full state coffers, an armed Ukrainian army, written-off debts, and paid salaries and pensions," Yatsenyuk said. "We will hand over the country to a new government with honour and dignity," he concluded before parliament decided to keep him in office. - President spurned - Poroshenko had earlier taken the unusual step of asking his prime minister to voluntarily make way for a fresh team that enjoyed broad public support. "It is not clear that successful reforms can only be conducted by a government that enjoys sufficiently high public support?" Poroshenko said in a statement. "In order to restore trust, therapy is no longer enough -- you need surgery." But only 97 of the 143 deputies in the president's parliamentary faction ended up listening to Poroshenko's advice. Story continues The government's collapse had threatened to jeopardise the delivery of a massive IMF-led rescue package aimed at reviving Ukraine's shattered economy and putting it on a course toward sustainable growth. Yatsenyuk has been a passionate foe of Russia who endeared himself to the West by promoting belt-tightening measures that were promised but ignored by a succession of preceding leaders. But his vows to clean up the government by cutting its ties to tycoons soon fell flat with voters who accused him of backing the interests of the very billionaires he had vowed to sideline. "People expected real and quick changes from Yatsenyuk, and they did not come," political analyst Mykola Davydyuk told AFP. And presidential party member Yuriy Lutsenko accused the government "of stopping its work in September or October and ever since only been trying to save itself" from a major overhaul. The president's statement also sought the resignation of Prosecutor General Viktor Shokin -- a public hate figure who was widely accused of covering up corruption within his own agency. Shokin was dealt a blow when a raid on the homes of two high-ranking prosecutors in July found large quantities of diamonds and cash. - Reformists' resignations - Yatsenyuk assumed office in February 2014 -- just weeks before Russia's annexation of Crimea and the bloody pro-Moscow insurgency in eastern Ukraine that followed. His resolute commitment to the European Union helped persuade the IMF to force other lenders to join a $40-billion (35.8-billion-euro) economic rescue package aimed at helping the Ukrainian government avoid a looming debt default. But the political uncertainty that has rocked Ukraine since this month's resignation of its reformist economy minister and a top prosecutor over their alleged inability to fight state graft threatens to put that assistance on hold. IMF chief Christine Lagarde warned last week that it was "hard to see" how the bailout could continue without Ukraine pushing through the economic restructuring and anti-corruption measures it had signed on to when the package was agreed. Ukraine's economy shrank by about 10 percent last year while annual inflation soared to more than 43 percent even with the Western assistance in place. A withdrawal of the funding could crush Ukraine's hopes of a 2016 economic revival and a modest budget deficit. But Yatsenyuk's survival means that parliament cannot try to oust him again until after its current session ends on July 22. By Pavel Polityuk and Natalia Zinets KIEV (Reuters) - Ukraine's Western-backed government survived a no-confidence vote on Tuesday, staving off the immediate prospect of a snap election in a country fighting a deep recession and a pro-Russian separatist insurgency. The vote took place just hours after President Petro Poroshenko publicly urged the prime minister to resign, a move that underscored the level of political infighting that has derailed efforts to implement lasting reforms. Ukraine's international backers have invested much money and political capital backing the government in its stand-off with Moscow after Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014 following the overthrow of Kiev's pro-Russian president by protesters. But the former Soviet republic's failure to tackle corruption and implement reforms has already derailed a Western aid program that keeps its economy afloat, and a ceasefire with pro-Russian separatists in the east has been fraying. The fact that the no-confidence vote happened at all underlined the public's growing disillusion with the leaders it elected after the 2013-14 Maidan uprising that raised hopes of transforming the country. It means the government will probably be safe at least until the next parliament session starts in September. But Prime Minister Arseny Yatseniuk still faces an uphill battle to push through reforms required to secure more money from a $40 billion international aid package. His economy minister resigned at the start of February, complaining that corrupt vested interests were meddling in his ministry's work. "I am sure that what we did was the only right path. We inherited a ransacked country with the Russian army and Russian boots on Ukrainian territory," Yatseniuk said in a speech before the vote. "We rescued this country, I ask you to respect this. We leave the country with a full treasury, an armed military and restructured debt." A year-old ceasefire agreement has failed to stop the separatist conflict in Ukraine's eastern industrial belt. Three Ukrainian servicemen were killed in the past 24 hours, the Ukrainian military said, the highest death toll since November. The vote to topple Yatseniuk mustered 194 votes, dozens of votes short the 226 required, with many opposition lawmakers walking out before the vote took place. In a sign of possible further trouble down the line, the majority of the ruling coalition voted against the government, Poroshenko had said Yatseniuk's government had lost public support and committed "more mistakes than achievements". Poroshenko heads Ukraine's largest party, and Yatseniuk the next largest. Both are in the governing coalition. Yatseniuk took office in 2014. His approval ratings have plunged to below 1 percent but he had no obvious successor, although the parliamentary speaker and the technocrat finance minister were considered contenders. Hundreds of protesters rallied outside parliament, demanding he step down. He foretold this fall in popularity when he assumed office in the wake of the Maidan protests, calling himself the leader of a "kamikaze" government that was determined to take unpopular austerity measures no matter the political cost. With his fluent English and economics background he was seen as a favorite of Ukraine's Western backers. In a leaked recording of a telephone call between senior U.S. diplomat Victoria Nuland and the U.S. ambassador to Kiev, she described him by the affectionate nickname "Yats." "EARLY ELECTIONS AND CHAOS" Also under fire for his performance in office, Poroshenko made a concession to his critics by asking General Prosecutor Viktor Shokin to resign. Shokin, who had been nominated by Poroshenko for the post, has been widely criticised by lawmakers and activists for not implementing judicial reforms. Maksym Burbak, the parliamentary leader of Yatseniuk's party, had said the consequences of voting against the government would be felt "literally the next day - since this could trigger early elections and chaos". Last year, the International Monetary Fund gave Ukraine a $17.5 billion package to be spread over four years, but so far only $6.7 billion has been disbursed. Kiev has been waiting since October for the next tranche of aid, worth $1.7 billion, which has been held up by concerns over the slow pace of reform. Ukraine's hryvnia currency weakened to a new 11-month low of more than 27 to the dollar on Tuesday, central bank data showed, and has fallen by more than a tenth since the start of 2016. (Writing by Matthias Williams; Editing by Alessandra Prentice) Kiev (AFP) - Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko on Tuesday asked Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk to resign in the face of lost public trust in his ability to fight corruption and overcome a deep economic malaise. Poroshenko's dramatic intervention came as opinion polls showed growing public disenchantment with the pro-Western team that took over the leadership of the former Soviet nation after the 2014 revolt. Parliament was already considering Tuesday holding a vote of no confidence in the government after first listening to Yatsenyuk account for his 2015 performance and plans for this year. A stony-faced Yatsenyuk arrived in the chamber just moments after the president's statement was released. "We will accept any decision of this parliament," Yatsenyuk said in his opening remarks. "But regardless what is decided, I ask parliament, the president and the responsible political classes to move further along the path of reforms." Poroshenko himself said the current cabinet had made some early progress but had since lost voters' confidence. "It is not clear that successful reforms can only be conducted by a government that enjoys sufficiently high public support?" Poroshenko said in a statement. "In order to restore trust, therapy is no longer enough -- you need surgery." Any Yatsenyuk resignation must still be approved by parliament -- a step that is likely considering the level of lawmakers' dissatisfaction with the current cabinet. But the government's collapse could jeopardise the delivery of a massive IMF-led rescue package aimed at reviving Ukraine's shattered economy and putting it on a course toward sustainable growth. Poroshenko has the option of calling early elections should lawmakers fail to come up with Yatsenyuk's replacement within two months. But the presidency said that Poroshenko would consider holding early polls "only as a last resort". Story continues - 'No real changes' - Yatsenyuk was a passionate foe of Russia who endeared himself to the West by promoting belt-tightening measures that were promised but ignored by a succession of preceding leaders. But the 41-year-old former banker's vows to clean up the government by cutting its ties to tycoons soon fell flat with voters who accused him of backing the interests of the very billionaires he had vowed to sideline. Recent opinion polls show 70 percent of Ukrainians supporting Yatsenyuk's ouster and only one percent backing his People's Front parliamentary bloc. "People expected real and quick changes from Yatsenyuk, and they did not come," political analyst Mykola Davydyuk told AFP. And presidential party member Yuriy Lutsenko accused the government "of stopping its work in September or October and ever since only been trying to save itself" from a major overhaul. Poroshenko's statement also sought the resignation of Prosecutor General Viktor Shokin -- a public hate figure who was widely accused of covering up corruption within his own agency. Shokin was dealt a blow when a raid on the homes of two high-ranking prosecutors in July found large quantities of diamonds and cash. - Western aid under threat - Yatsenyuk assumed office in February 2014 -- just weeks before Russia's annexation of Crimea and the bloody pro-Moscow insurgency in eastern Ukraine that followed. His resolute commitment to the European Union helped persuade the IMF to force other lenders to join a $40-billion (35.8-billion-euro) economic rescue package aimed at helping the Ukrainian government avoid a looming debt default. But the political uncertainty that has rocked Ukraine since this month's resignation of its reformist economy minister and a top prosecutor over their alleged inability to fight state graft threatens to put that assistance on hold. IMF chief Christine Lagarde warned last week that it was "hard to see" how the bailout could continue without Ukraine pushing through the economic restructuring and anti-corruption measures it had signed on to when the package was agreed. Ukraine's economy shrank by about 10 percent last year while annual inflation soared to more than 43 percent even with the Western assistance in place. A withdrawal of the funding could crush Ukraine's hopes of a 2016 economic revival and a modest budget deficit. "If the government is quickly changed and filled with technocrats, there is a chance we can quickly emerge from this crisis," Dragon Capital investment company economist Olena Bilan told AFP. "But if politicians are appointed, then we might see reforms rolled back. The crisis will end, but the country will not move forward." Dubai (AFP) - Bahrain on Tuesday charged four US journalists with taking part in an illegal gathering but they were planning to leave the country after being released, their lawyer said. The four, freelance journalist Anna Therese Day and three members of her camera crew, were detained on Sunday during protests marking the fifth anniversary of a Shiite-led uprising in the Gulf kingdom. "They are at the airport waiting for a flight to leave the country," their lawyer Mohammed al-Jishi told AFP. Manama's chief prosecutor Nawaf al-Awadhi said the four had been questioned in the presence of lawyers. They were charged with "taking part in an illegal gathering with criminal intent and undermining public security," he said in a statement. They were released pending further investigations, he added, and Jishi said the group were free to travel. The four Americans were arrested in the Shiite-majority town of Sitra "as they took part with a group of saboteurs in acts of rioting and vandalism," Awadhi alleged. One of them was masked at the time of the arrest, he said, adding that cameras and computers in their possession were seized. The four entered Bahrain between February 11 and 12 and "provided false information" to authorities, claiming to be tourists, police said. Day has reported extensively from the Middle East, North Africa and elsewhere, and her work has been featured in news outlets including the New York Times and CNN. Her family said the four were committed journalists and denied they had done anything wrong. The journalists' families confirmed their release. "While we believe the four should not have been held at all, we are grateful to the Bahraini authorities for facilitating their timely release," the families said in a statement. "We are awaiting news of their current location and hope they will be free to return to the United States as soon as possible." Human rights groups criticised their detention, with the New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists branding Bahrain "one of the worst jailers of journalists in the Arab world". Home to the US Fifth Fleet, Bahrain was rocked by an Arab Spring-inspired uprising demanding reforms and a constitutional monarchy on February 14, 2011. Authorities crushed the protest movement one month later, but demonstrators have still taken to the streets and clash with police in Shiite towns surrounding Manama. Washington (AFP) - The US Treasury named two top figures in El Salvador's notorious MS-13 gang to its sanctions blacklist Tuesday, accusing them of orchestrating assassinations against officials. The Treasury said Salvadoran nationals Jose Roberto Orellana and Dany Balmore Romero Garcia lead local Salvadoran "cliques" in MS-13. The gang, also known as Mara Salvatrucha, is a 30,000-strong organization involved in drug and human trafficking, extortion, and other crimes in several Central American countries as well as the United States, and was officially labeled a transnational criminal organization by Washington in 2012. As local leaders, Roberto Orellana and Romero Garcia "are responsible for orchestrating assassination campaigns against Salvadoran law enforcement, military, and government officials," the Treasury said. The sanctions aim to freeze any assets of theirs under US jurisdiction and freeze them out of the financial system by banning any US persons or entities from doing business with them. "From leading local operations to orchestrating assassination campaigns for MS-13, Roberto Orellana and Romero Garcia have sought to disrupt Salvadoran government efforts to combat MS-13 activity," said John Smith, acting director of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control, in a statement. Caracas (AFP) - Venezuelan opposition deputies vowed Tuesday to hand hundreds of expropriated food companies back to private owners, with the country's state-led economy in tatters. Lawmaker Julio Borges said they aimed to legislate so that some 1,200 businesses confiscated by the state can be "returned to the country, to small and medium-sized producers." He told a news conference the opposition majority in the National Assembly would approve a "national production law" in a first reading on Thursday. Even if the bill passes the assembly it is likely to be vetoed by President Nicolas Maduro, who is locked in a political standoff with the opposition. He has introduced emergency economic measures that give him heightened powers to intervene in the stricken economy. The opposition brands Maduro's socialist policies a failure. It vowed to reverse them when it took control of the legislature last month, but Maduro has taken legal steps to weaken its majority. Borges said the planned production law aimed to give a "radical turn" to the policies of Maduro, whom it has vowed to remove from office. He said the assembly aimed to audit the companies, which include 300 food producers, to see how they productive they are, and make unused land available to food producers. Venezuela has the world's biggest known oil reserves but has suffered as crude prices have fallen sharply. Citizens are suffering shortages of basics such as toilet paper and cooking oil. HANOI (Reuters) - Vietnam's prime minister has urged a greater U.S. role in preventing militarization and island-building in the South China Sea, the government said on Tuesday, in a rare call for Washington's support to curb Beijing's maritime expansionism. During a summit of Southeast Asian countries in California on Monday, premier Nguyen Tan Dung suggested to U.S. President Barack Obama that Washington uses a stronger voice and "more practical and more efficient actions", in comments likely to rile China. Tension has spiked since Beijing's construction of seven islands in the Spratly archipelago. "Prime Minister Dung suggested the United States has a stronger voice and more practical and more efficient actions requesting termination of all activities changing the status quo," the government said on its news website. The statement did not specifically name China, but it said Dung was referring especially to "large-scale construction of artificial islands" and "militarization". With a large U-shaped line on its official maps, China claims most of the South China Sea. Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan, Brunei and Vietnam have rival claims. Obama and allies from Southeast Asia will turn their attention to China on Tuesday on the second day of a summit intended to improve trade and provide a united front on maritime disputes with Beijing. Whereas China accuses the United States of seeking maritime hegemony in Asia, Washington says its interest in the South China Sea is preserving freedom of navigation. In recent months, the United States raised the stakes by sending guided-missile destroyers USS Lassen and USS Curtis Wilbur close to disputed areas occupied by Beijing. Though communist Vietnam routinely opposes China's activities in disputed waters, its leaders are usually wary of provoking a giant neighbor with which it shares over $60 billion of annual trade and maintains close ideological ties. Dung has earned popularity in Vietnam for pursuing stronger U.S. trade and defense links and for taking a tougher line against China, compared to measured responses by other Vietnamese leaders to Beijing's assertiveness. Dung was controversially overlooked by the politburo last month in its nomination for party chief, meaning the end of his political career when his term ends this year, posing a possible blow for Washington. Dung also asked Obama to fully lift a lethal arms embargo on Vietnam, which would be an "important way to strengthen political trust", the government website quoted him saying. Obama will visit Vietnam in May, the White House said. (Reporting by Martin Petty; Editing by Simon Cameron-Moore) TOKYO (Reuters) - Recent economic and political volatility in Asia and the rest of the world are spurring closer strategic cooperation between Tokyo and Canberra, Australia's Foreign Minister said on Tuesday. "Australia will weather global and regional volatility, but that means our relationship with trusted partners like Japan is even more important," Julie Bishop said during a speech in Tokyo where she met with her Japanese counterpart Fumio Kishida. Bishop, on her fifth visit to Japan, will travel to Beijing Tuesday for talks with Chinese officials after meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Minister of Defense Gen Nakatani. As well as security cooperation with Japan, Australia is seeking deeper economic ties with China, its largest trading partner. Japan is hoping that Australia's appetite for deeper security ties will bolster its bid to sell Canberra a fleet of stealthy submarines. Kishida in his meeting with Bishop yesterday noted the strategic significance of a Japanese built submarine. Australia this year will pick the design for a new fleet of submarines in a deal worth as much as A$40 billion ($29 billion). Japan, which is offering a variant of its 4,000 ton Soryu submarine, is competing against rival bids from Germany and France for the contract. Washington is encouraging closer security cooperation between Japan and Australia as it looks to its Asian allies to shoulder a bigger security role as China's rise alters the balance of power in the region. Bishop pointed to tensions in the South China Sea and "random acts of destabilization" such as North Korea's recent rocket launch and nuclear test as "challenges" in Asia. China has accused Washington of seeking maritime hegemony in the name of freedom of navigation after a U.S. Navy destroyer sailed within 12 nautical miles of a disputed island in the Paracel chain of the South China Sea in late January. More than $5 trillion of trade moves through the South China Sea each year. Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, the Philippines and Taiwan also claim parts of the waterway. (Reporting by Tim Kelly; Editing by Richard Pullin) For decades, Wal-Mart Stores (ticker: WMT) lived and breathed the motto "always low prices." But consider it a given that founder Sam Walton didn't coin that phrase with his company's stock in mind. While Wal-Mart stock has nearly quadrupled in price since Walton's death in 1992, any gains since 1999 have been erased due to a deep plummet that began in January last year. With the stock off more than 22 percent since then, it remains to be seen whether Wall Street is ready to go on a bargain shopping spree. The retail giant, which also operates Sam's Club, has much riding on its fourth-quarter report for 2015, which it expects to release before the market opens Thursday. A strong uptick in revenue could not only reverse the stock's slide, but also bolster flagging investor confidence. But to gauge which way the stock will tilt, it pays to think like an everyday consumer making the shopping list. "The upcoming quarter is going to be very interesting as investors will get a glimpse into how the company's sales results were impacted by the holiday season, some huge winter storms and lower gas prices over the last two months," says Brian Hellmer, director of the Hawk Center for Applied Security Analysis at the Wisconsin School of Business. "There are few sectors of the market with lower expectations than retail, and Wal-Mart in particular has had a rough ride," says Charles Sizemore, a portfolio manager on Covestor and chief investment officer of Sizemore Capital Management in Dallas. "But that said, Wal-Mart shares have been quietly rallying since November and have avoided a lot of the volatility this year." Indeed, if you entered into WMT stock at the start of that month, you've seen it jump almost 15 percent. But if you invested just a month earlier, you've garnered gains worthy of the clearance rack, just 3 percent. And so an overwhelming number of analysts (15 out of 18) rate WMT a "hold," even as shareholders collectively hold their breath in anticipation of Thursday's report. Story continues "The market is currently in a swoon and retail stocks are caught up in that," says Mark Cohen, director of retail studies at Columbia Business School. "I think the recent rise in Wal-Mart stock was in response to less-than-rational views that newly installed senior management would be able to quickly change the performance of the business -- which was not the case. This is not a company likely to demonstrate marked positive changes in its performance in any short-term sense, any time soon." While Wal-Mart may fend off few threats so far as copycats to its model, the company faces stiff headwinds from other corners of the retail sphere. Amazon.com (AMZN) continues to dominate all things e-commerce, and passed Wal-Mart in July as the world's largest retailer. But that's not to say Wal-Mart has given up on the digital front -- in fact, far from it. Wal-Mart expects to grow online sales around 20 to 30 percent for the foreseeable future, Hellmer says. "Importantly, the company has also seen solid profits from their current online business so far, which has led management to make major incremental investments to support this business. It makes sense Wal-Mart would try to leverage its tremendous distribution platform to support online sales growth." Still that sets up a curious scenario where Wal-Mart could face an unlikely competitor: itself. "It's an open question as to how much more the company can grow its online business before it starts to cannibalize the brick-and-mortar store base," Hellmer says. Meanwhile, the rise of dollar stores proves that some outlets can out-bargain a Wal-Mart bargain. Wall Street types are definitely noticing: Dollar General Corp. (DG) is rated a "strong buy" by nearly two-thirds of surveyed analysts, 12 out of 19. For Wal-Mart, the drumbeat of negative investor news stems also in part from negative press. After getting drubbed for its draconian labor practices -- highlighted by widely covered worker protests -- Wal-Mart stores enacted reforms that began last year and will increase wages by a total of $2.7 billion. While that has made the worker bees happier, Wall Street observers consider it quite the buzzkill. The latest pay hike for associates goes into effect Saturday, just two days after the fourth-quarter report, and will lift average pay to $13.38 per hour: "one of the largest single-day, private-sector pay increases ever," according to a company statement. Depending on how you look at it, it's either a play for positive press or a number to drown out any uplifting digits investors get Thursday. Still, Wal-Mart isn't exactly broke. It boasts a market capitalization in excess of $210 billion, and easily remains the world's largest brick-and-mortar retailer. So while some quarterly reports among retailers are writing the latest chapter of a long, ugly tumble, or giving investors more reasons to throw the confetti, Wal-Mart sits somewhere in the middle as Thursday looms: far from down and out but not exactly up and away, either. And if for some reason Wal-Mart needs to pivot, a smarter bet is for a slow turnaround. "Wal-Mart's biggest strength is its enormous size, scale and the frequency and recency with which it does business with its customers," Cohen says. "Unfortunately that size makes it difficult -- if not downright impossible -- to enact change in response to changes in the economy, competition and changes in consumer preferences." Jerusalem (AFP) - Israeli forces briefly detained two Washington Post journalists in Jerusalem on Tuesday on suspicion of inciting violence, but released them without charge, officials said. William Booth, the US paper's Jerusalem bureau chief, was detained along with his colleague Sufian Taha, its West Bank correspondent. The incident at the Damascus Gate entrance to the Old City of Jerusalem came after a member of the public accused them of inciting Palestinians against Israeli forces, police spokeswoman Luba Samri said. The Association of Civil Rights in Israel confirmed one of their employees was questioned at the same time, though she was not with the two journalists. Damascus Gate has been the site of several attacks in a wave of violence that erupted in October. "A passer-by complained that he saw a number of people intending to stage a provocation and disruption of order of young Arabs aimed at police officers in the area, allegedly for propaganda purposes," Samri said. "In light of the complaint, officers detained a number of suspects to clarify the facts in a discreet and sensitive manner at a nearby police facility," she said, stressing Booth was released shortly after. The country's Foreign Press Association condemned the detention "in the strongest possible terms", and said the two journalists were held by police for about 40 minutes. It called allegations of incitement an "absurd accusation against a respected international news outlet". The government's press office issued a statement later saying it "regrets today's incident at Damascus Gate in which a correspondent for the Washington Post was unnecessarily detained by the Border Police". It said the incident was "probably the result of an unfortunate misunderstanding". "Israel is doing its utmost to enable the foreign press to work freely, without any pressure," it said. "We call upon the security forces and journalists to act with restraint and to avoid confrontations during these tense times." A foreign ministry spokesman confirmed that police would be asked for clarifications on the incident. A subcommittee in Israel's parliament last week held a debate on foreign coverage of recent violence in the country, which some Israeli politicians have accused of being biased against them. Lima (AFP) - Cesar Acuna, a millionaire who is among the favorites in Peru's presidential race, could be disqualified for giving money to voters, officials said Monday. The National Voting Affairs Office (ONPE) on Monday said it launched an investigation of videos shown on TV Panorama, in which Acuna is seen apparently offering 10,000 soles (2,800 dollars) to people at a market in Lima to build a retaining wall and protect their homes from mudslides. Giving money to voters is illegal in Peru. "I want to share what God has given me for your retaining wall," Acuna is heard to say in part. In another clip, the businessman who owns three universities and reports an income of 16 million dollars a year offers 5,000 soles (1,400 dollars) to a young man with a disability. "ONPE has begun investigating whether there has been a violation of the law that expressly bars candidates and political organizations from giving, offering or promising money," the office said in a statement. The conduct, if confirmed, could see Acuna fined and removed from the presidential race. First round voting is scheduled for April 10. Acuna, who at one point was second in the polls after lawmaker Keiko Fujimori, recently slipped to fourth place amid allegations he plagiarized his doctoral thesis at Madrid's Universidad Complutense. Acuna denies those charges. Fujimori, daughter of ex president Alberto Fujimori, is leading the race with 35 percent, followed by economist Julio Guzman (17 percent), and economist Pedro Pablo Kuczynski (11 percent). If no one candidate wins 50 percent plus one vote, a second-round vote will be held in June. Incumbent President Ollanta Humala cannot seek a consecutive term. Alberto Fujimori, 77, is currently serving a 25-year prison term for corruption and human rights violations. We will have so much winning if I get elected, Donald Trump exclaimed this past September, that you may get bored with winning. The line worked so well, that he now repeats it at virtually every campaign stop. Its a bold claim, and an alluring onewho wouldnt want a winner as president? For that matter, who wouldnt want to elect the greatest jobs president that God ever created, as Trump has also predicted hed be? It sounds alluring, but is it actually the case that people who proclaim themselves so loudly and so often to be winners actually succeed the most? My research into business leaders suggests they dont. On the contrary, it suggests that such bombast is one of a slew of behaviors embraced by spectacularly unsuccessful business executives. Unfortunately, many of these habits are part and parcel of the Trump leadership playbook. For my book "Why Smart Executives Fail," I interviewed some 200 people at 50 companies to learn why some people in business don't merely lose, but lose big. I discovered an interesting pattern: Spectacularly unsuccessful people tend to display a number of behavior patterns in common. One of the most common is a tendency to see themselves and their companies as dominating their industry, regardless of what is happening around them. For example the co-CEOs of Research in Motion, the maker of the BlackBerry smartphone, failed to appreciate the rise of the iPhone, going so far as to laugh off Apples (AAPL) new product as a nonstarter because it didnt have a real touch keyboard. As weve seen with Donald Trump, denigrating your competition is one of the best ways to see this syndrome in action. Like Trump, the RIM CEOs felt certain they would win, and it cost them big time. Beware the dangers of overconfidence Awful executives also tend to think that they have all the answers -- to all the questions. CEO Wolfgang Schmitt drove Rubbermaid into a ditch during the 1990s. A former colleague remembered that under Schmitt, "the joke went, 'Wolf knows everything about everything.' Not surprisingly, know-it-all executives suffer because they fail to consider other points of view that might have merit. In fact, no one is always right, yet lousy executives act as if they are. In this regard, Trumps impression of his own judgment and intelligence is telling. As he tweeted in May 2013: Sorry losers and haters, but my I.Q. is one of the highest and you all know it! Please don't feel so stupid or insecure, it's not your fault. In September 2015, he made a similar statement on "The Tonight Show," telling host Jimmy Fallon, I think apologizings a great thing, but you have to be wrong. I will absolutely apologize, sometime in the hopefully distant future, if Im ever wrong. And then theres a related behavior, the tendency to underestimate obstacles. Unsuccessful CEOs are so confident that they blithely wave away the challenges that might impede them from realizing their visions. When these challenges materialize, do they backtrack? No! They double down and get in even deeper. In announcing his run for president, Trump proclaimed that he would solve the immigration issue by building a wall along the Mexican border: I would build a great wall, and nobody builds walls better than me, believe me, and I'll build them very inexpensively. I will build a great, great wall on our southern border. And I will have Mexico pay for that wall. Mark my words. Yet by most estimates, the cost of fencing in all 2,000 miles of border would be expensive, perhaps as high as $25 billion. Trump has talked about building a wall, not a fence, which would push the cost even higher. As for Mexico footing the bill, a spokesman for Mexicos president has scoffed at the idea, noting that it "reflects an enormous ignorance for what Mexico represents, and also the irresponsibility of the candidate who's saying it." But hasnt Trump actually been very successful isn't he a billionaire? Leaving aside the four bankruptcies, mostly due to problems at his Atlantic City casinos, theres no question that his net worth today is in the billions. While no one can predict with certainty whether his business empire will remain intact in the years to come, CEOs who embrace unsuccessful habits, as Trump does, are particularly vulnerable to a downturn. Its almost like theres a geological fault line beneath the surface, ready to erupt when the pressure becomes too unbearable. In my research, triggers like a major business slump, a huge acquisition, and a strong new competitor were all responsible for turning seemingly thriving companies into disasters in record time. Stress points typically bring out the worst in spectacularly unsuccessful leaders; habits that didnt foul them up in better times can become fatal. Not the smartest guy in the room What might trigger those fault lines under a President Trump? Where to begin? Anything from a global crisis for which he lacks both personal experience and the makeup to be schooled by experts who may well have a different take than that of the intuitive deal maker who insists that hes the smartest guy in the room; to even new economic crises that cant be resolved with bluster. Other research I have conducted raises still more concerns. In writing my current book "Superbosses," I turned the tables and explored why some executives succeeded more fabulously than others. In particular, I spent 10 years investigating the secrets of leaders who not only amassed great wealth, but who developed a generation of leaders in their industries. Here again I managed to identify a number of behaviors these leaders had in common, including the willingness to share the spotlight with subordinates, to work closely with proteges and learn from them, and to hang back and give employees room to make their own decisions. Trumps answer to a moderators question in the most recent Republican candidate debate in South Carolina was telling: Question: Can you tell us of an instance where somebody has said, Donald Trump, youre wrong, and you listened to them? Answer: Well, I would say my wife tells me Im wrong all the time. And I listen. Question: About what? Answer: Oh, let me just say look, I am very open I hired top people. Ive had great success. I built a great, great company. I dont need to do this. Superbosses have big egos, but the one thing they still do is make room for other people their opinions, their ideas, and their influence. Thats how great organizations stay great. Trump not only appears to have a different leadership mindset, he also seems oblivious to the risks that often come with unadulterated egos. These are all questions that cry out for more considered analysis by the press and the electorate alike. There is little weve seen about candidate Trump to ease these concerns. Predicting leadership behavior on the basis of past leadership behavior is smart, but not foolproof. But at a minimum, Trumps adherence to key habits of spectacularly unsuccessful executives should be a warning sign. Does this mean that a President Trump will necessarily fall prey to the same weaknesses that have brought down previously successful leaders like Ken Lay of Enron, Dennis Kozlowski of Tyco, and Martin Winterkorn of Volkswagen? No. But is this a big-time risk that warrants close attention? As Bernie Sanders might say, you better believe it. Sydney Finkelstein is a professor of management and Director of the Leadership Center at the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College. His new book is "Superbosses: How Exceptional Leaders Manage the Flow of Talent" (Portfolio/Penguin, 2016). A video titled I Will Not Die For Singapore has gained traction on Facebook since it was posted on YouTube on Monday. Published by social initiative called We Are Majulah, the 8-minute video features a monologue by former radio deejay Divian Nair, who spoke about what he believes should symbolise the Singaporean identity. He said that the right word to represent the Singaporeans identity should be Majulah, which means moving forward. As of Tuesday afternoon, the video had garnered more than 10,000 views on YouTube and more than 300,000 views on Facebook. In the eight-minute clip, Nair began by saying that he once told a friend overseas that he would not die for his home country. However, when he tried to justify his answer, he had difficulties doing so. When I was in America, a man asked, would you die for your country? No, I will not die for Singapore. But no matter how many reasons I gave to try and justify that answer, I couldnt shake off the feeling that something was very wrong, said Nair, while sitting at what looked like the common space in a HDB residential neighborhood. After narrating an analogy about saving loved ones in a terrorist attack, he went on to highlight cynicism and indifference as the underlying problem among many Singaporeans. We Are Majulah is an apolitical civic initiative, not commissioned or funded by any body or organization, according to its website, which describe the initiative as a campaign that embodies the core Singaporean spirit. The campaign is rooted in the principles of courage, compassion and ownership, it added. Stay updated. Follow us on Facebook. By Ian Simpson and Barbara Goldberg WASHINGTON/NEW YORK (Reuters) - An expansive winter storm bore down on the U.S. East Coast on Monday, scuttling almost 1,600 flights, while tornadoes downed trees and flattened homes in the South, trapping some residents in their dwellings. From 2 to 4 inches (5 to 10 cm) of snow blanketed Washington by nightfall, with less accumulation forecast for New York City. National Weather Service meteorologist Patrick Burke said the snow would turn into freezing rain and then rain amid rising temperatures. "It could be pretty tricky for the morning commute on Tuesday," he said. The New York City Office of Emergency Management issued a travel advisory for Monday and Tuesday, warning residents about potentially slick roads and possible coastal flooding. Record-breaking cold intensified by gusting winds gripped the U.S. Northeast over the Presidents Day holiday weekend. But temperatures on Tuesday were predicted to rise as high as 56 degrees Fahrenheit (13 Celsius) in New York and 53F (12C) in Washington. On the southern edge of the cold front, Mississippi, Alabama and the Florida Panhandle were hit by heavy rain, hail and tornadoes. A high school was damaged in Wesson, Mississippi, and a fire department headquarters was destroyed in Conecuh County, Alabama, the National Weather Service said. In Escambia County, Florida, about 30 homes were damaged and that number could increase as crews assess damage in coming hours, according to Joy Tsubooka, a spokeswoman for the county emergency agency. Two people were taken to hospital with minor injuries. "We've been going door to door and doing search and rescue," Tsubooka said. Almost 1,600 U.S. flights were canceled, mostly at Washington, North Carolina and New York-area airports, according to flight tracking website FlightAware.com. The vast storm stretched to western parts of Pennsylvania and New York, where Buffalo was expected to get more than 12 inches of snow. New England ski resorts, struggling through a relatively warm and snowless winter, may receive up to 5 inches of snow, meteorologist Burke said. (Reporting by Barbara Goldberg in New York and Ian Simpson in Washington; Editing by Jeffrey Benkoe, Dan Grebler and G Crosse) By Alastair Macdonald BRUSSELS (Reuters) - When British Prime Minister David Cameron meets fellow EU leaders in Brussels on Thursday, they will argue over differences on a broadly agreed text on EU reform to help keep Britain in the bloc. It is unclear how far any accord may do more than provide domestic political comfort for Cameron to campaign to retain British EU membership in a referendum. But whether a summit deal is struck will come down partly to semantics, partly to filling in blanks in a draft that limits a new mechanism for curbing immigration to a period of "[X] years ... plus [Y] plus [Z]". The following will be key areas for debate: EURO ZONE One of only two EU states to neither use the euro nor be bound to adopt it in time, Britain stands alone in insisting there will never be just one currency in the bloc, and Cameron demanded safeguards, particularly for London's financial sector, from being harmed by decisions taken by the euro zone. An initial draft secured assurances to that effect but raised concern in France that different banking regulations in London and the euro zone could unfairly benefit the former. A second draft introduces wording to strengthen the need for rules to be uniform among states inside and outside the EU banking union. Paris is still pushing for more clarity, officials said. EUROPEAN INTEGRATION Cameron has secured a repeat of an EU assurance that treaty commitments to an "ever closer union" of the peoples of Europe are not "equivalent to the objective of political integration". But in a nod to federalists, including Belgium and France, the amended draft says that, nonetheless, political integration "enjoys wide support in the Union". In assuring Britain that EU states retain sole responsibility for their national security, it adds: "The benefits of collective action on issues that affect the security of all member states is recognised." Conscious of federalist feelings in the European Parliament, which must pass some legislation to implement the deal, drafters are also looking at further clarifying the language to limit how far other states try to emulate Britain's semi-detached status. The text already stresses that all those not in the euro zone, apart from Britain and Denmark, are obliged to join eventually. TREATY CHANGE Ensuring that reforms are legally binding and amount to a lasting change in the EU treaties has become a touchstone of domestic credibility for Cameron. Passages of the draft text saying that EU leaders agree to incorporate "the substance" of their agreements on the euro zone and sovereignty into EU treaties when next they come up for amendment remain in doubt. EU officials say that an agreement among leaders at the summit will constitute a binding intergovernment treaty and so a pledge to treaty change may be unnecessary. Many governments fear that a mounting euroscepticism across Europe will make it very difficult to win popular ratification for new EU treaties. Some officials say even a mention of future "treaty change" in the proposed text may create problems of ratification and would rather it did not appear at all. However, negotiators say they recognise that it is politically important for Cameron. MIGRATION Long seen as the trickiest of the British demands, the EU offered an "emergency brake" mechanism to help Cameron fulfil promises to reduce immigration from the EU by curbing welfare benefits to EU workers for up to four years after they arrive. Most governments have accepted that extraordinary circumstances give Britain the right to apply this "brake". But Poland and its eastern allies want to limit to four years the period Britain can penalise their citizens. The text sets a maximum of four years during which an individual can be denied benefits. But it refers to the total period that a state can exercise the emergency brake only as "[X] years, extendable for two successive periods of [Y] years and [Z] years". Britain would like that to add up to at least seven - equal to the period it did not exercise its EU right to bar Eastern European workers after they joined the EU in 2004. That early British welcome to workers from the ex-Communist east appears in the new draft, which says a right to use the emergency brake is mainly intended for countries that did not bar new members' citizens for a transition period. That wording aims to reassure those worried that states other than Britain may try to use it. Some East European officials indicate they could accept the emergency brake being used for up to seven years -- perhaps three years extendable for two years then two years. However, they want tight limits on a proposal to let states cut child benefit for workers whose children live in poorer states by indexing them to living costs there. They want that to apply only to new migrant workers and ideally only to Britain, not the whole EU. By Victoria Cavaliere (Reuters) - New York City police on Monday said an investigation was ongoing regarding a woman's claim that former Governor Eliot Spitzer assaulted her at a Manhattan hotel, while his lawyer said the alleged victim has recanted and apologized in an email. Detectives were trying to determine whether Spitzer, whose political ascent ended in 2008 when he resigned from the governorship amid a prostitution scandal, was involved in an incident on Saturday at the luxury Plaza Hotel, a police spokesman said. No further details were given. Spitzer's lawyer, Adam S. Kaufmann, said the 26-year-old woman had told hospital staff that the former governor had choked her in an attempt to avoid hospitalization for emotional issues. In a statement, Kaufmann said the woman had retracted the assault allegations in an email to Spitzer and apologized for the incident. According to Kaufmann, Spitzer had known the woman, identified in the statement as Svetlana Travis, "for a period of time". She had asked the ex-politician and former prosecutor to book her a hotel room on Saturday before she returned to her family in Russia on Sunday. New York City police have not confirmed the woman's name. The pair talked in the hotel room on Saturday for a brief time and then Spitzer left, his attorney said. She later called Spitzer, who returned to the hotel "at which time he saw her becoming highly emotional and was threatening self-harm", the statement said. Spitzer acted appropriately at all times, his attorney said. Kaufmann said the woman had called the emergency services disclosing a "breakdown" then attempted to cancel the call, Kaufmann said. The New York Times reported that she had claimed to emergency workers she had attempted suicide. The woman was admitted to a local hospital where she told staff that Spitzer had assaulted her in order to avoid further evaluation, according to Kaufmann. She was released and returned to Russia as scheduled on Sunday, where she learned about the investigation and sent an email to the former politician seeking to clear his name, Spitzer's team said. Story continues Kaufmann has sent the email to the Manhattan District Attorney's office, the New York Times reported. No charges have been filed. Known as the "Sheriff of Wall Street" during his tenure as New York's attorney general, Spitzer was elected governor in a landslide victory in 2006. But his political career derailed after just a year in office when he was exposed as a client in a prostitution ring. (Reporting by Victoria Cavaliere; Editing by Dan Grebler and Miral Fahmy) (This story filed on Feb. 12 corrects to drop reference to toxoplasmosis in 14th paragraph listing viral causes of microcephaly; toxoplasmosis is a parasite.) By Julie Steenhuysen CHICAGO (Reuters) - The Zika virus may be particularly adept at entrenching itself in parts of the body that are shielded from the immune system, making it harder to fight off and possibly lengthening the timeframe in which it can be transmitted, top U.S. experts said on Friday. Researchers reported that Zika virus can be detected in semen for 62 days after a person is infected, adding to evidence of the viruss presence in fetal brain tissue, placenta and amniotic fluid. Their work is part of an international race to understand the risks associated with Zika, a rapidly spreading mosquito-borne virus thought to be linked to thousands of cases of birth defects in Brazil. "Right now, we know it's in the blood for a very limited period of time, measured in a week to at most 10 days. We know now, as we accumulate experience, it can be seen in the seminal fluid. We're not exactly sure after the infection clears, where else it would be," Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases said. "These are all things that need to be carefully examined in natural history and case-control studies," he said. Fauci said that Zikas persistence in the body recalled findings during the 2014 Ebola outbreak, the worst on record. In individual patients, the highly deadly virus remained in semen and eye fluid for months. Zika causes only mild symptoms, and in most cases may not result in illness at all. Its suspected link to the birth defect microcephaly and to neurological disorder Guillain-Barre syndrome has generated alarm among public health officials, though an association has not been proven. The World Health Organization on Feb. 1 declared Zika a global health emergency. Several organs in the body, including the testes, the eyes, the placenta and the fetal brain, are "immune privileged" - protected from attacks launched by the immune system to neutralize foreign invaders. These sites are safeguarded from antibodies to prevent the immune system from attacking vital tissues. But if a virus enters these protected sites, it is much harder to fight them off. "The virus can continue to persist and or multiply," said Dr. William Schaffner, an infectious disease expert at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville. "The virus is in a bubble of sorts." Fauci said it is not entirely surprising that Zika persists in semen. There have already been at least two reports in which the virus was likely transmitted sexually. What has not been clear is for how long. British researchers offered some clues on Friday. In a letter to the journal Emerging Infectious Diseases, scientists reported the case of a 68-year-old man who was infected with Zika in 2014. They detected Zika virus 62 days after the initial infection, but they were not able to confirm whether it could still infect another person. Earlier this week, researchers in Slovenia published a paper in the New England Journal of Medicine describing a severely brain damaged fetus from a mother who was infected with Zika in Brazil and later terminated the pregnancy. In an autopsy, the authors found high levels of Zika in the brain and some evidence that the virus had been replicating. They suggested that Zika may persist in the fetal brain because it is an immunologically privileged site. That is true of many other viruses, such as rubella, cytomegalovirus or herpes, which can also cross the placenta and cause microcephaly, a birth defect marked by small head size and underdeveloped brains. Doctors commonly screen pregnant women for these infections, said Dr. Ian Lipkin of the Center for Infection and Immunity at Columbia University in New York. Lipkin said the key concern about Zika harboring in immune protected sites is that it could be transmitted sexually through semen. So far, there is little to suggest sexual transmission is common, said Dr. Eric Rubin, an infectious disease expert at the Harvard School of Public Health, "but it will bear looking at so that we can counsel individuals about the risk that they pose to others." U.S. health officials advise that men who come to the country from Zika outbreak areas should consider using condoms even with non-pregnant sex partners because the virus may persist in semen even after it clears the bloodstream. "They don't say for how long," Schaffner said. "That's because they don't know. As it was with Ebola, we're learning as we go." (Reporting by Julie Steenhuysen; Editing by Michele Gershberg and Lisa Shumaker) The case of a man in the United Kingdom who had Zika virus a few years ago provides even more evidence that the virus can be transmitted through sex, according to a new report. Researchers found the virus in the man's semen nearly nine weeks after he became ill, the report said. "Our data may indicate prolonged presence of [Zika] virus in semen, which, in turn, could indicate a prolonged potential for sexual transmission," the researchers, from Public Health England, part of the U.K.'s Department of Health, write in an article to be published in the May issue of the journal Emerging Infectious Diseases. The Zika virus, which is currently spreading in more than 20 countries in Central and South America, is usually transmitted by mosquitoes. But several recent reports suggest that in rare cases, the virus can be transmitted through sex. Earlier this month, health officials said a person in Dallas appeared to have contracted the virus after having sex with a man who had recently traveled to Venezuela, where Zika is spreading. Health officials are concerned about a strong link between Zika virus infection during pregnancy and a birth defect called microcephaly, in which babies are born with abnormally small heads and face lifelong cognitive impairments. [Zika Virus FAQs: Top Questions Answered] The new report describes the case of a 68-year-old British man who traveled to the Pacific islands in 2014, when an outbreak of Zika virus was occuring there. When he returned home, he developed a fever, fatigue and a rash. The man tested negative for dengue fever and chikungunya virus, but positive for Zika virus. After the man recovered, the researchers conducted follow-up tests for the virus, to see if it had lingered in his blood, urine or semen. The virus had disappeared from his blood and urine, but it could still be found in the semen 62 days after the man's illness started. "These findings could inform decisions regarding what control methods are implemented and which specimen types are best suited for diagnostic detection," the researchers said. Story continues Last week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a warning about the potential for Zika virus to spread during sex. The agency said that men who have pregnant partners, and have recently traveled to an area where Zika is spreading, should should abstain from sex or use condoms until the end of their partner's pregnancy. Follow Rachael Rettner @RachaelRettner. FollowLive Science @livescience, Facebook& Google+. Original article on Live Science. Copyright 2016 LiveScience, a Purch company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Female traffic warden charged with murder Maharaj, a father of one, was shot dead on June 15, last year, at his home located at Cunjal Road, Barrackpore, during a robbery On Ash Wednesday, police detained the 37-year-old woman for questioning and Newsday learnt that on Sunday she was positively identified at an identification parade. Just five days before her detention, Homicide detectives had released a man from custody without any charges with respect to the said killing Reports are at about 2.30 am on June 15, last year, two masked assailants forced their way into the home of Maharaj at Barrackpore At the time Maharaj and his wife were preparing to go their respective workplaces. The assailants tied up Maharajs arms and legs with tie straps at the front room of the house then proceeded to do the same with his wife and 17 year-old son in two separate rooms. The men ransacked the house then shot Maharaj once in his head, killing him instantly Cops: Asami knew her killer Officers believe Asami was overpowered by her attacker under the cover of darkness late Carnival Tuesday night and her body dumped under a tree at the Queens Park Savannah opposite Queens Royal College. A police source revealed that Asami had very long and well manicured nails which had no remnant of skin, blood or human tissue to indicate she put up a struggle with her attacker. The source also added that Asami was often seen in the company of four men whom she shared a close relationship with. She became acquainted with the four when she started visiting this country to play pan. A man captured on camera footage with Asami late Carnival Tuesday afternoon at Picton Court where she was staying continues to be on the run even as police have carried out searches for him. The man was identified as a person in his early 30s from the Port-of- Spain area. Officers of the Criminal Gang Intelligence Unit are involved in the search for the man. Also yesterday, a Certificate of Clearance was made available yesterday to the Consular General at the Japanese Embassy paving the way for her body to be flown to Japan for final rites. The Certificate was signed by Forensic Pathologist Dr Valery Alexandrov and the body was from the Forensic Science Centre in St James to a funeral home for preparation for the body to be flown to Japan. Sources revealed that Asamis relatives have indicated they fear for their safety if they come to Trinidad thus they want her body flown home to Hokkaido, Japan. Newsday understands that close Trini friends of Asami are expected to have a private viewing of her body before it leaves for Japan. Asami, still dressed in her Carnival costume was discovered early Ash Wednesday morning by a CEPEP worker. She had lacerations to her lips, hand and leg. Udecott lawyer questions Udecott boss Udecott has been a party to the inquiry, as has been the HDC. Garcias long history of work in the construction industry saw him work as the HDCs managing director from 2003 to 2008. He was, last October, appointed as chairman of Udecott. Udecott attorney Katherine Denbow yesterday cross-examined Garcia, her boss, over his role and function as HDC managing director. Directors make their decisions based on what is in the best interest of the entity that they are directing, correct? she said. Correct, Garcia said. The attorney then asked, As a director, were you responsible for the day-to-day running of those entities? No, Garcia said. In order to make decisions, then, you had to act on information that was provided by executive management, correct? Denbow said. That is correct, Garcia whose role in overseeing decision-making in relation to the project has fallen under heavy scrutiny in the inquiry said. Where technical matters are concerned, the information would have to be provided by the subject-matter expert, the lawyer said. Central businessman on the run After receiving an official statement on the attacks, officers of the Central Division Criminal Investigation Department went to arrest the man, but he was nowhere to be found. Police officers continued their search. The businessman, who owns a popular car dealership located in Chaguanas was placed under scrutiny, when his wife began posting photos on social media, showing bruises and lacerations, which she said he inflicted. The photos were met with condemnation by persons on social media. Police officers were awaiting an official statement from the mans wife, which, sources revealed, was given to police today. But when police went to his business place and his home, he was nowhere to be found. Sources close to the investigation say that searches continue for the man, and an arrest is imminent. In the meantime, Newsday was told, the woman is expected to receive counselling from the Victim and Witness Support Unit, while her children are to be referred to the Child protection Unit and the Childrens Authority. Investigations are continuing Marijuana field up in smoke The officers trekked a mile into a forested area, where they discovered a field of marijuana trees. Two men, one of African descent, and another of Indian descent, were seen tending to the field. When they saw the police, they dropped the weed and ran. Police gave chase, but were cautious because marijuana farmers usually booby- trap their fields with trap guns. The two men managed to escape in nearby bushes. Police officers collected samples for evidence, and destroyed the rest of trees. Newsday understands that police destroyed over 700 trees. A search is being conducted in the Couva area for the two men. Police say that one of the men is a known drug dealer in the Indian Trail area. While up to press time the two men remained at large, police say an arrest is imminent. Investigations are continuing. Judge hears YTC unsuitable for juveniles In the lawsuit before him, the suitability of the YTC as a remand facility for male juveniles is under question as the Childrens Act of 2012 provides that minors awaiting trial should be housed at a community residence. According to the legislation, the YTC is not characterised as such, and is considered, under the Youth Offenders Act, an institution at which convicted juveniles are imprisoned. Submissions as it relates to the 14 year-old juvenile at YTC came to an end yesterday and the siblings lead counsel Anand Ramlogan, SC, will today advance submissions as it relates to his other clients incarceration at the Womens Prison. In a parallel case, the state had conceded that the boys detention at the YTC for a period of 18 months had been unlawful. Presenting submissions on behalf of the teenager from Diego Martin in the Port-of- Spain High Court, Ramlogan stated that his stay at the facility breached his clients fundamental constitutional rights as YTC was only allowed to house inmates and remand prisoners, who are between 16 and 18 years. The YTC is not a community residence, he said, as he also referring to the evidence of Chief Magistrate Marcia Ayers-Caesar who acknowledged same. He also pointed out that according to the chief magistrates remand warrant, the boy was to be sent to the St Michaels School for Boys wing at the YTC a special holding facility for offenders on criminal charges, who cannot be housed at St Michaels in Diego Martin, and who require stricter supervision. Ramlogan also charged that according to the evidence, the remand warrant had been altered by someone with the words St Michaels crossed out and the boy was placed for a year in a particular dormitory for a year, at which eight fellow inmates were adults. He was placed in a detention facility coming into contact with adults, Ramlogan said. Clearly the chief magistrate did not have the YTC in mind (when she remanded the juvenile) but a lower threshold facility, he said. Ramlogan also contended that the State cannot now say that by virtue of the St Michaels at YTC wing in Arouca, that the facility was a community residence. To now say so, is contorted reasoning and inference, he submitted. Ramlogan also noted that the St Michaels School for Boys in Diego Martin had not been given approval, based on issues with security, the facilities and lack of training of staff to properly care for juvenile offenders. The trial continues today. Leading a team of attorneys for the Attorney General is Senior Counsel Deborah Peake, while Senior Counsel Douglas Mendes appears for the Chief Magistrate Youths on armed robbery charge denied bail The accused youths, ages 15, 16 and 17, appeared in the First Court and were not called upon to plead to any of the charges. Cpl Crawford of the Mon Repos CID charged the 15 and 17 year-old (Josiah Teesdale), of Ste Margarets and Vistabella respectively, with the illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition. Cpl Crawford further charged all the trio with the armed robbery of Hamid Beharry 84, and his wife, Juanita 63, of Findhorn Street, Cocoyea. PC Khallie of the Southern Division Task Force (SDTF) charged the youngest accused with the possession of one round of ammunition. The charges alleged that on Wednesday morning, three men stormed the home of the Beharrys and stole $600 cash, a quantity of gold jewelry and a several bottles of alcohol. The men, one of whom had a firearm, fled the scene in a car. But quick action by police, among them Insp Don Gajadhar, Sgt Ramroop, PCs Moses and Goddard, led to the arrest of the three youths at Circular Courts, Circular Road, San Fernando, where the 16-year-old lives. Magistrate Wellington denied bail and informed the three of their right to apply to a Judge in Chamber for bail. He adjourned the case to March 11. PM: Top cop search in a matter of days Rowley also said Parliament will meet on Friday to vote on President Anthony Carmonas nomination of new member for the Police Service Commission (PSC), the body which oversees the Police Service, and the recruitment of a top cop. Attorney Dinanath Ramkissoon has been nominated by the President, and was due to be appointed last year, but was not, due to the dissolution of Parliament. We expect that that vacancy would be filled on Friday when Parliament treats with the Presidents recommendation, Rowley told reporters at a media briefing at the Piarco International Airport. In relation to the recruitment of a Police Commissioner, he said Dillon will exercise his authority under the new procedure to ask the PSC to start the process. I expect that within the next few days the Minister of National Security would make a request to the PSC, as the regulations permit, asking the Commission, in keeping with those regulations, to take steps to trigger the process by which advertisements could be placed seeking a qualified person, the Prime Minister said. The Government is moving apace to ensure that some person is appointed as a substantive holder of the office of the Commissioner of Police. We do not believe that the current arrangement, going on indefinitely, assists in any way in what we are trying to do in maintaining a proper response to the criminal element. Rowley denied there would be Government involvement in the final selection by the PSC. There is no question of the Government selecting its friends, he said. He continued, I am hoping that many qualified persons will put their names forward to be evaluated. But he warned the time-line for the process depended on several factors. We are hoping this process does not drag on for too long and it all depends on how other responsibilities are discharged, the Prime Minister said. Once a recommendation comes to the Parliament I give you the assurance that the Parliament will move with despatch to select one of those persons. We hope that such a person would be one that would find favour with the Parliament. Next on the legislative agenda, Rowley said, will be legislation relating to the Childrens Act. It is a completion of the process, he said. Camille moves PSC motion This information, contained in the Order Paper for Fridays sitting of the House at 1.30 pm, comes 24 hours after Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley indicated this would happen, in order to start the search for a new Commissioner of Police (CoP). Rowley gave this indication to reporters at a news conference at Piarco International Airport on Sunday, prior to his departure for the 27th Inter-Sessional Conference of Caricom Heads of Government in Belize. The motion which is listed in Robinson-Regis name, states that President Anthony Carmona has nominated Ramkissoon to be a member of the PSC on January 28. Section 122(3) of the Constitution allows the President, after consultation with the Prime Minister and the Opposition Leader, to nominate persons, who are qualified and experienced in the disciplines of law, finance, sociology or management, to be appointed as members of the PSC. Section 122 (4) of the Constitution provides that the President shall issue a notification in respect of each person nominated for appointment under Section 122(3) and the notification shall be subject to affirmative resolution of the House. Fridays sitting, which will be the first for the House after Carnival, will also see Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi introducing the Family and Children Division Bill 2016. On Sunday, the Prime Minister indicated this legislation will pertain to the Childrens Act. A total of 14 papers will be laid in the House on Friday. Among them the Value Added Tax (VAT) (Amendment to Schedule 2) Order, 2016, which identifies which items now attract the revised VAT rate of 12.5 percent. The Finance Ministry issued a notice in the daily newspapers on February 7, outlining the items that are zero-rated and indicating that items which do not fall on the zero-rated list are subject to VAT at the rate of 12.5 percent. Of the seven questions on notice being posed by the Opposition to the Government, three of those questions belong to Barataria/San Juan MP Dr Fuad Khan. In one of his questions, Khan (former health minister in the former Peoples Partnership government) is asking Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh to indicate whether the Port-of- Spain, San Fernando and Point Fortin General Hospitals are accredited by an international agency. The Opposition is also expected to have some urgent questions to pose to the Government on Friday as well. Garcia: Strengthen denominational boards In making this point in a statement issued by the ministry, Garcia also disclosed the NCE will be held in three parts. The first segment of the Consultation will be held at the Teaching and Learning Complex (TLC), The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus on February 15. The second segment will take place at the Southern Academy for the Performing Arts (SAPA) in San Fernando on February 17. The third segment is scheduled for the Shaw Park Cultural Complex in Tobago on February 22. Garcia explained that the reason for holding the Consultation in three parts is to ensure that as many persons and organisations as possible are given the opportunity to voice their opinions on how to further strengthen the education system. On the matter of the Concordat, the Minister gave the assurance that it is not Governments intention to diminish the role that denominational boards play in education. He explained that the focus will be to strengthen the functions of these boards in keeping with the Concordat, Garcia indicated there was need for the discussion to happen as the Concordat has been in existence for more than 55 years. The major topics listed for discussion at the NCE are the revision of the examination regime, which includes the Continuous Assessment Component (CAC) of the Secondary Entrance Assessment (SE A), the Education Act, the Concordat, Teacher Training and the Strengthening of the Role of Parents in the Education System, and the Reduction of Violence and Indiscipline in schools. TTUTA president Devanand Sinanan said his organisation fully supports the Consultation, and was looking forward to engaging the national community to determine what kind of education system they would like to see for the children. The Kremlins sharks are circling, likely because at the moment there are large pools of blood spilling into the water. Vladimir Putins strategy to break the West and expand Russias power has perfectly exploited current events and the lack of resolve of his chief opponents. As Ukraine faces a major political crisis, Russian troops are once again surging across eastern Ukraines borders. As Syrian refugees are fueling anti-Europeanism closer to home, Russian airstrikes are devastating Western-backed rebels and civilians alike driving more refugees to Europe and empowering the pro-Putin far-right. Meanwhile, the West has never been weaker. Allies of the United States believe that they have been betrayed by American policy. Europe is on the verge of fracturing, and not only could Russia be the main benefactor, it is also playing a major role as one of the catalysts of that destruction. Ukraines crisis has once again spread to the political sphere and there are two major points of contention which, some are warning, could rip apart the current government. The first and perhaps most immediate was catalyzed two weeks ago by the resignation of economic minister Aivaras Abromavicius who angrily announced that he was fed up with rampant corruption and the lack of governmental reform. The crisis has divided Ukraines politicians further and has shaken the confidence of foreign investors and governments . Abromavicius was well respected in the international community, both by Western officials and by foreign investors, and was brought into the Poroshenko administration in December 2014 to cut government spending, increase privatization, and fulfill Ukraines requirements for receiving its loans from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). When Abromavicius quit, he did so loudly, calling out specific officials and practices that he said were corrupt. The next day, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko called an unprecedented emergency meeting of the ambassadors of the G7 nations, who had sent a clear message themselves they were deeply disappointed in Abromaviciuss resignation as he had made important strides in implementing tough but necessary economic reforms to help stabilize Ukraines economy, root out endemic corruption, bring Ukraine into compliance with its IMF program obligations, and promote more openness and transparency in government. Their statement continued Ukraines stable, secure and prosperous future will require the sustained efforts of a broad and inclusive team of dedicated professionals who put the Ukrainian peoples interests above their own. It is important that Ukraines leaders set aside their parochial differences, put the vested interests that have hindered the countrys progress for decades squarely in the past, and press forward on vital reforms. On February 11, US Vice President Joe Bidden spoke with Poroshenko over the phone. About two-thirds of The White Houses readout of that conversation focused on the political crisis and Ukraines need to reform. The message could not be more clear according to Kievs allies, this is Ukraines last chance at reform Perhaps the most central complaint of the Euromaidan protests was the rampant corruption within the government. After the Yanukovych administration fled to Russia two years ago this month, there was a window of opportunity due to the post-revolution euphoria, similar to the first 100 days that many political scientists say new presidents enjoy. This chance for massive reform, however, was derailed as the central focus of the new government became keeping the country intact and defending against foreign invaders. Just days after Yanukovych reached Rostov-on-Don, Russian troops spread out across the Crimean peninsula. Weeks after this, Russian-backed separatists began to capture government buildings in the Donbass. Soon, not only were government officials focused more on Russia than on reform, but even leading Euromaidan activist groups were almost entirely focused on the war in the east. By focusing on military mobilization, and policies that ensured that Ukraines powerful oligarchs did not betray the fledgling government, Kiev was able to avoid losing even more territory, but for a price which has now become due. This brings us to the second major fault-line in Ukrainian politics what to do with eastern Ukraine. According to the Minsk agreements which are supposed to provide the roadmap for a more permanent resolution to the crisis, the Ukrainian government is supposed to grant the territories of Donestk and Lugansk, both currently occupied by Russian troops and proxies, more autonomy. This has not yet happened, as many in Ukraine feel that President Poroshenko has already given too many concessions to the Russian-backed separatists despite the lack of reciprocity. Poroshenko would like to see constitutional amendments pass that would grant this special status to the east so that his government can say that they have held up their end of the bargain, but so far this has been a tough sell to Ukraines parliament, the Verkhovna Rada. At the moment, Poroshenkos offer is conditional if Russian-backed fighters stop violating the ceasefire then greater autonomy can be granted but even this has yet to pass. Since the most basic step called for by the Minsk protocol a ceasefire has never really come to pass, its easy to forget that Russian-backed separatists have broken every other provision of the deal. The separatists have made no attempt to hold local elections, according to Ukrainian law, despite the fact that multiple election cycles have come and gone. The border is still controlled by Russian proxies. Russian military hardware has not been withdrawn across the border. Russias proxies still hold 133 Ukrainian soldiers as prisoners, but Ukraines top negotiator now fears that many of the soldiers have been executed because the self-declared governments of eastern Ukraine have failed to even provide Ukraine or the international community with proof that they are alive. Russian military intervention has expanded greatly recently and Russia is taking full advantage of this situation. In the last two months, ceasefire violations have steadily increased. Friday, February 5, just two days after the resignation of Abramovicius, the Ukrainian military reported the highest level of fighting since August, right before the newest iteration of the ceasefire went into effect. That same day, alarming amounts of Russian armor were spotted moving through Shakhtyorsk on their way to the western capital of the Russian-backed fighters in Donetsk. Large military convoys have also been spotted on the move in Russian-occupied Crimea last weekend, and last week the Russian military began unannounced snap drills in the Southern Military District which abuts Ukraines eastern border. This past weekend, fighting exploded, and the Ukrainian military claimed that six Russian military officers were killednear the front lines. Lamberto Zannier, the Secretary-General of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), now says that there is circumstantial evidence that Russia is once again directly supplying the Donbass militants with military equipment, but the OSCE monitors have been systematically blocked from confirming these reports. Why are they blocking us so systematically? But of course we cannot report on anything specific because we are not there, he told the press The strategy employed here seems to be to either force Ukraines government to respond militarily, which will make Kiev look like the aggressor to the international community, or to make the Poroshenko administration, and the West, look impotent if they do not act. Vladimir Putin knows that if Ukraine ratchets up the violence enough, then Moscow could raise the alarm and directly intervene like it did in the fall of 2014 under the false clarion call of protecting ethnic Russians. Short of that, however, every civilian who is killed on either side of the line of demarcation makes reuniting the east with the west the stated goal of the Minsk agreements which all parties have signed harder to realize. Either way, Russia wins. It is now clear that Vladimir Putin has decided that his country cannot compete against 21st century democratic and open societies by playing by their rules. He has rejected freedom of speech, government transparency, and international law while embracing a legacy of militarism, dictatorship and corruption. As a result he is waging an imperialist zero-sum game. It is also clear that Russias moves in Ukraine and Syria have more to do with crushing popular pro-democratic uprisings than geopolitics or regional security. To this end, Russia is seeing its second great victory, this time over the West itself. Beyond Ukraines borders, Europe is falling apart. The economic downturn is just the latest bad news for the EU. As a reaction to German-directed austerity measures, the people of Europe are electing anti-EU populist politicians, isolationist reactionaries who reject any involvement in the international arena. Thanks to the tidal wave of refugees fleeing war-torn countries in the Middle East and Africa, this upswell in populism is also nationalist , often disturbingly xenophobic, in nature. Vladimir Putins propaganda wing has spent years warning that Western intervention in the Middle East would cause a surge in terrorism and the flood of refugees. The anti-EU movement in the Netherlands has petitioned and successfully forced the Dutch government to hold a referendum that would reject Ukraines association agreement with the European Union. Though the vote is non-binding, it puts the Dutch government in an awkward position. If it passes it could jeopardize Ukraines goal of joining the EU, a move which would renege on promises made to Kiev and would leave the eastern European country on its own, sandwiched between the EU which it cannot join and Russia which is openly hostile. Furthermore, the Russian state-controlled media outlets are pushing the UK towards a Brexit, a development which could drive one after another major player out of the economic union which Russia so forcefully opposes. Just as corruption was the central complaint of the Euromaidan Revolution, EU membership was the central goal. If the Ukrainian government does not collapse under the weight of its internal political struggles, it could be frozen out of the central aims of its revolutions. Either way Putin wins, as Moscow continues to point to Kiev, and to Syria, as examples of popular unrest that destroy nations. While the Putin regime destroys its political opponents at home, it is running up the scoreboard in Ukraine and within the European Union. No matter what happens in Kiev, or the Donbass, or Crimea, or Syria, Putin should be confident that there will be no backlash from the West. Europe shows no appetite for new sanctions, and many EU observers have been surprised that current sanctions against Russia have not already been rolled back. Russian troops and airstrikes have been able to wage a successful military campaign in Syria, and the world is sitting back and watching a complete disaster unfold as a result. In fact, already today Russia has destroyed five hospitals and two schools across Syria in an apparently-systematic effort to drive the populace from northern Syria. The more who flee Syria, the fewer people left who oppose Assad, the worse the humanitarian crisis becomes, and larger the flood of refugees which are fueling the ultranationalist parties in Europe which could split the EU apart. Yet somehow the international community speaks about Russias role in the Middle East as if it were the peacemaker, not the primary arms dealer, and now murderer. There is also no sign that this is changing as most yet-to-be-elected political candidates in both Europe and the United States appear to favor rapprochement with the Kremlin. In the United States, even if the new president were to take a harder line on Russian aggression, they will not take power for another year. As long as the current Western leadership is willing to accept this, what will be left of Syria, Ukraine, or the European Union by then? About a month ago, Shaun and I got a chance to be the hosts for some VIP guests, our friends Dustin and Lexia. It was great to be able to be the host and s... 10 years ago What you need to know about the Octagon Art Festival on Sunday in Ames news Most Rev. Dr. Benedict Mar Gregorios was a promoter of inter-religious dialogue and harmony: Vice President New Delhi, Tue, 16 Feb 2016 NI Wire Inaugurates Birth Centenary Celebrations of Most Rev. Dr. Benedict Mar Gregorios The Vice President, Shri M. Hamid Ansari has said that His Grace Most Rev. Dr. Benedict Mar Gregorios was a promoter of inter-religious dialogue and harmony. He was addressing a function to inaugurate the Birth Centenary Celebrations of His Grace Most Rev. Dr. Benedict Mar Gregorios, here today. The Vice President said that Archbishop Mar Gregorios gave a new dimension to spirituality by special emphasis on improving the living conditions of the poor. He made a significant contribution in the fields of Education, Agriculture, Rural Development and Housing for the poor, he added. The Vice President further said that Archbishop Mar Gregorios helped thousands of people who have benefitted from the Schools and Colleges started by him. The Vice President said that Archbishop Mar Gregorios was a scholarly spiritual leader, a great spokesperson for secularism and Indian culture, and an educationist. The life of Archbishop Mar Gregorios serves an example of selfless dedication for the betterment of society and the improvement in the living conditions of underprivileged and the poor. His focus on ecological balance and his advocacy of education as an empowering platform could well be the template for building a sustainable and empowered India, he added. Following is the text of Vice Presidents address: Dr. Najma Heptullah, Honble Minister of Minority Affairs, Prof. P.J. Kurien, Dyputy Speaker of Rajya Sabha, Baselious Cardinal Cleemis, Archbishop Salvatore Pennachio, Your Graces, distinguished guests, Dear Friends. His Grace Most Rev. Benedict Mar Gregarious was the Archbishop of Trivandrum for more than four decades, heading the Malankara Syrian Catholic Church, till the day of his demise on 10th October 1994. He was a scholarly spiritual leader and a great spokesperson for secularism and Indian culture. He was a person loved and honored by all, irrespective of caste or creed. With his charisma and dynamism he involved himself in almost all the developmental activities of the State. He gave a new dimension to spirituality by special emphasis on improving the living conditions and betterment of human life. His contribution to the fields of Education, Agriculture, Rural Development and Housing for the poor has been significant. Born in 1916 at Kallooppara in Thiruvalla as T.E. Vargheese, he joined the Bethary Ashram, receiving the name Benedict, symbolic of the renunciation of his household life to embrace spiritual life in priesthood. He was ordained as a priest on 24 August 1944 and was introduced as the Bishop of Trivandrum on 29 January 1955. He was the president of Kerala Bishops Conference and the Catholic Bishop Conference of India. He was an eloquent speaker, a linguist and a social worker. His contributions in Running Nutrition Programmes to improve the health of the poor, Special Care for Children, Juvenile Guidance, Maternity care, Family Planning through Responsible Parenthood, Sanitation and Rehabilitation of the Disabled contributed to the improvement of lives of millions. He was also an ardent supporter of Nature Cure and Yoga Treatment. The thousands of people who have reaped the benefit of the Schools and Colleges started by Benedict Mar Gregarious are living witness to the vision of this great educationalist. He was the first Principal of Mar Ivanios College and remained its Patron for four decades. Archbishop Mar Gregorios was an ardent lover of nature. He advocated maintaining ecological balance and preservation of the natural environment. He was a staunch practitioner of cleanliness and general hygine. Archbishop Gregorios was a promoter of inter- religious dialogue and harmony. He was ever willing to intervene on behalf of the administration in resolving communal tensions. Such were the qualities that led Shri K. R. Narayan, the former President of India to remark that Archbishop Mar Gregorios was the ideal representative and symbol of Indian secularism which is suffused with spiritual heritage. It is most appropriate that The Malankara Syrian Catholic Church is celebrating the 100th anniversary of the birth of Archbishop Mar Gregorios. The life of Archbishop Mar Gregorios serves as an example for all of us. His selfless dedication for the betterment of society and the improvement in the living condition of the underprivileged and the poor, his focus on ecological balance and his advocacy of education as an empowering platform could well be the template for building a sustainable and empowered India. I pray that his spirit may continue to guide us. Thank You. Source: PIB The Paracels, which are also claimed by Vietnam and Taiwan, sit north-west of the Spratlys chain, where China's island-building programme has prompted protests from the U.S. and countries with overlapping claims. "I think that would relieve some of the angst that we are now seeing, that we are unsure where they are taking this", Aucoin said. Chinese and regional security analysts expect Beijing to start using its new runways in the disputed Spratlys archipelago for military operations in the next few months. "We have always adhered to the principle of "Five Persistence", which stands for persistence in maintaining the peace and stability of SCS; persistence in settling disputes with the party concerned according to the global laws via bilateral negotiation based on respect for historical facts; persistence in relying on rule-based system to control disputes; persistence in sustaining the freedom of flight and navigation in SCS", it added. "During the Lassen one it was apparent that they were being controlled, that they weren't operating independently, and that is something that is in our calculus now", Aucoin said of the Chinese boats. "It's a destabilizing uncertainty", he said when asked about the impact of possible Chinese jet fighter patrols. Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, the Philippines and Taiwan also claim parts of the waterway. Meanwhile, the Indian Defence Ministry described the report about the Indo-US discussion on joint naval patrolling as "highly speculative", saying that the South Asian country had never conducted joint patrols with any country and there would be no change in its policy. Saudi Arabia says Switzerland to handle its consular affairs in Iran He will either leave by a political process or he will be removed by force", Adel al-Jubeir told CNN. US President Barack Obama has ruled out sending US ground troops to Syria. It is regrettable that some USA politicians should take as priority the South China Sea issue at Monday's special summit with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The Chinese characters read, "Peaceful South China Sea". "China's construction of the islands aims to provide more public good to the worldwide community, facilitating search and rescue and medical operations", spokesman Hong Lei said at a regular news briefing. USA officials have repeatedly requested China and others to stop reclaiming land and halt the militarisation of the area. Replace Scalia this year, or after the election? And Democrats in the November elections will only have to defend 10 seats, while Republicans are on the line for 24 seats. If the vote to end debate fails to garner at least 60 votes, debate continues, which is known as a filibuster . Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida and his Australian counterpart, Julie Bishop, have agreed that the two countries will cooperate to ensure the U.N. Security Council adopts a resolution swiftly to impose stronger sanctions against North Korea in response to Pyongyang's latest nuclear test and apparent missile launch. Thomson ReutersAustralian Foreign Minister, Julie Bishop looks on during a ministerial meeting regarding the Islamic State group in RomeTOKYO (Reuters) - Recent economic and political volatility in Asia and the rest of the world are spurring closer strategic cooperation between Tokyo and Canberra, Australia's Foreign Minister said on Tuesday. The degree of defensive facilities depends on how much China is under threat, he said. However, Mr Hong said the rights of other countries to sail through and fly over the area had not been affected by any of China's recent construction activity. John Key is off to Australia this week for regular talks with Malcolm Turnbull. And while its been unreported in New Zealand, according to the Sydney Morning Herald, he's offering to take Australia's latest refugee PR disaster off its hands: New Zealand Prime Minister John Key has opened the door to accepting 37 asylum seeker children destined for Nauru, offering a solution to the current immigration standoff through a deal he struck with former prime minister Julia Gillard. Speaking ahead of a meeting with Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull this week, Mr Key said it was "potentially possible" for New Zealand to accept any genuine refugees from Australia under the agreement. Mr Key said it had originally been made because it was "sensible and compassionate". The context: two weeks ago, Australia's High Court found that offshore detention was lawful , clearing the way for 267 refugees - including 72 children, 37 of whom were born in Australia - to be deported to Nauru. The decision has led to protests across Australia , to State Premiers announcing that the refugees are welcome in their state , to hospitals refusing to discharge refugees to prevent their deportation , and to churches and other groups openly declaring that they will provide sanctuary to refugees . This is a tipping point in Australia's attitude to refugees (Australians apparently being willing to tolerate offshore gulags only if they are illegal), and it threatens to destroy the Australian governments vicious policies. So naturally, John Key is stepping up to help out. Its the humanitarian thing to do, but there's a nasty feeling he's doing it to help keep Australia's racist and inhumane policy in place.Of course, Key is merely repeating the same offer he made to Julia Gillard and Tony Abbott. And there's a reason why both refused it: because they view New Zealand not as a place where people might want to live, but merely as a stepping stone to Australia. Those 37 Australian-born kids could live here, become New Zealand citizens, then move to Australia! And when your whole policy is founded on a promise that no refugees will ever pollute Australia's fair white shores, and a view that having a well-founded fear of persecution and thus being entitled to protection is somehow cheating, the trans-Tasman travel arrangement seems like a backdoor (of course, this would require people to choose a country which had rejected them over one which had welcomed them - but like Americans, Australians believe their filthy, racist shithole is the greatest, and can't believe that anyone might not want to live there). So, while I hope Turnbull will accept Key's offer, and let us save those 37 kids from Nauru, I don't think its likely. Tunisia has reiterated its strong opposition to a military intervention in neighboring Libya, warning that such an intervention will be disastrous in many ways, including security and flow of refugees, to the country and to its neighbors. Speaker of the Tunisian Parliament, Mohamed Ennaceur, said Monday that his country will try to convince European allies and the US to opt for a political solution to end the nearly five-year political, security and humanitarian crisis that has embroiled Libya. The Parliament Speaker made the remarks at a meeting in Tunis with the Vice-President of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, Qatari Mohammed bin Ghanem Al-Ali Al-Maadheed. He said he would visit the European Parliament this week to underscore Tunisias rejection of a military intervention in Libya and its attachment to a political solution. Rached Ghannouchi, leader of the Ennahdha Party, who also took part in the meeting told reporters that his party rejects any foreign intervention and will spare no effort to prevent a military intervention in Libya. Also on Monday, Minister of Defense Farhat Horchani told the parliament that recent measures, including the construction of a border wall, to curb infiltration of jihadists are insufficient to deter IS fighters from taking refuge in Tunisia in the event a military intervention in Libya takes place. Horchani also pointed out that Tunisia will be the worst affected country by such an intervention and that consequences will be disastrous. As the military intervention to weed out IS which has turned Libya into its new base looms, countries in the region are also sending warnings of dangerous consequences to unfold. Sunday, Algerian and Tunisian Foreign Ministers voiced rejection of a military intervention in Libya and urged all Libyan protagonists to promote a political solution and work together to end the reign of the Islamic State group. Some 180 French troops have reportedly arrived in Libya to support the Libyan National Army linked to the Libyan internationally recognized government based in the East of the country. According to Libyan press reports, French troops were spotted at Banina airbase and Bu Utni fight axis. However, Libyaobserver pointed out that troops are unwelcome as Lieutenant Faraj Aqeim, the Head of Special Forces for Fighting Terrorism and Corruption, linked to the Libyan National Army demanded that the troops immediately leave the Libyan territory. Aqeim denounced on his facebook account the enlistment of foreign troops that he called occupational powers. Those who are responsible for bringing these French soldiers to Libya should reconsider their actions and try to fix the situation, Aqeim said. This latest development contradicts recent comments by French former Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius suggesting that France had no plan for military intervention in Libya and was working to bring rival sides in the Libyan crisis to appoint a unity government. The presence of the French troops followed recent reports that UK and US troops arrived in war-torn Libya. End of last year, the Pentagon admitted that a US military squad arrived in Libya but was kicked out as soon as it arrived. The Pentagon said the troops travelled to Libya to assist the Libyan National Army. The Obama Administration is mulling plans to intervene in Libya in a move to flash out the Islamic State which has established its new base in Gaddafis country after taking advantage of political struggle between rival administrations. The UN-backed Presidency Council tasked to appoint a new central government has been embroiled in internal divisions. It however announced on Sunday a new revamped 18-member unity government, after Tobruk-based House of Representatives (HoR) rejected last month a first cabinet line-up deemed too large. The new cabinet will be subject to vote in the HoR which is expected to endorse it. Last week, UNSMIL Chief Martin Kobler blamed the Presidency Council and the HoR for delaying the cabinet endorsement and held them responsible for the Islamic States expansion and the deterioration of the humanitarian crisis. Around 1.3 million are in need of aid. European Union members topped by EU Foreign Policy Chief Federica Mogherini Monday hailed Moroccos leadership to chair the COP22 Summit to take place in in Marrakech November this year. The EU members also expressed their satisfaction for the choice of Morocco as the next host of the global event and indicated that the choice of Morocco was the sheer translation of Moroccos commitment to fight climate change. The 28-member bloc pointed out that selecting Morocco to host the world event represents recognition by the international community of Moroccos choice for renewable energy and environmental-friendly economy. Federica Mogherini congratulated Morocco for choosing to host the summit and called on the EU members to ensure that the COP22 yields similar fruits as COP21 hosted by Paris and ensuring that the recommendations to be formulated are implemented. Morocco has pledged to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 32% by 2030. In its Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC) to address climate change to UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC,) the country has unveiled an ambitious plan to increase the share of renewable electricity capacity to 42 pc in 2020 and to 52 pc by 2030. A 10-member steering committee chaired by Foreign Minister Salaheddine Mezouar has been already established to chair the 11-day global event which will take place November 7 through 18 this year. Morocco, is the first Maghreb country to have submitted its contribution to lowering emissions, with the goal of moving to 42 per cent use of renewable energy by 2020. The familiar emergency alert system, the one where we in the U.S. occasionally hear a radio or television broadcast interruption that... A man trapped between the doors of an F train was dragged to his bloody death Monday, and now another New York City nightmare has played out in real life. Two women were reportedly injured after a glass-topped table fell about 20 stories from a building near Times Square late Tuesday morning. The table apparently had been on the roof of a 22-story structure on Seventh Avenue, between 38th and 39th streets, and hit the propertys second-floor facade on its way down, whereupon it shattered, showering glass shards on the pedestrians below. The two women were hit by the splintered glass and rushed to Bellevue Hospital. Both are expected to be okay. Glass pieces everywhere on 39th/7th patio table slid & broke in wind -- cut 2 women on sidewalk @ABC7NY #abc7ny pic.twitter.com/fRUk9hxGz7 MichelleCharlesworth (@mcharlesworth7) February 16, 2016 Right now officials think the table may have been swept off the roof by strong wind gusts; city officials Tuesday morning warned of gusts of up to 40 miles per hour. Crews have blocked off the sidewalk near the building and are cleaning up the smashed glass. This is a developing story, and well update as we get more information. Bahrain versus freedom of the press. Photo: Corbis The four American journalists detained in Bahrain on Sunday were formally charged and released on Tuesday, according to the kingdoms state-run news agency. The journalists arrested while filming a demonstration marking the fifth anniversary of the uprising in the Persian Gulf island nation were released with the caveat that there may be further investigation but are free to go wherever they please. On Tuesday night, according to their defense lawyer, they were headed to the airport and planned to leave the country. Freelance journalist Anna Therese Day and her three-member camera crew were initially accused of entering the country illegally. Police said they had provided false information that they were tourists, and prosecutors claimed they were disturbing public order and exposing modes of transport to danger. They were officially charged with unlawful obstruction of vehicles and attending unlawful gatherings. We demand the release of journalist Anna Day & her crew, currently detained in Bahrain: https://t.co/4c8mvkbhPJ pic.twitter.com/GlBeVkaeLg Kevin Dubouis (@KevinDubouis) February 15, 2016 It is sad that the fifth anniversary of the 2011 protests has been marked by the arrest of yet more journalists in Bahrain, a group called the Committee to Protect Journalists said in its call for the crews release. Bahrain, the group says, is currently detaining at least five other journalists and often equates reporting on anti-government demonstrators with joining them. Jeb Bush and George W. Bush fight back against slander. Photo: Daniel Acker/Bloomberg/Getty Images Last fall, Donald Trump claimed that, on September 11, 2001, thousands of Muslims cheered the fall of the World Trade Center. This vicious fiction drew the scorn of fact-checkers and social liberals but caused nary a ripple in the Republican field. But, on Saturday night, Trump said something else about 9/11, something so far beyond the pale that conservatives finally rose up in righteous indignation. He claimed that on 9/11 the president of the United States was George W. Bush. Republicans disagree internally on aspects of Bushs domestic legacy, but his record on counterterrorism remains a point of unified party doctrine. Bush, they agree, Kept Us Safe. To praise the president who oversaw the worst domestic terrorist attack in American history for preventing domestic terrorism is deeply weird, and the only way this makes any sense is to treat 9/11 as a kind of starting point, for which his predecessor is to blame. (Marco Rubio, rushing to Dubyas defense at Saturday nights Republican debate, explained, The World Trade Center came down because Bill Clinton didnt kill Osama bin Laden when he had the chance to kill him.) Trump not only pointed out that Bush was president on 9/11 and that the attacks that day count toward his final grade, but he also noted that Bush failed to heed intelligence warnings about the pending attack and that his administration lied to the public about weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. Conservatives have always dismissed such notions as far-left conspiracy theorizing, often equating it with the crackpot notion that 9/11 was an inside job. The ensuing freak-out at Trumps heresy has been comprehensive. It turns out the front-runner for the GOP nomination is a 9/11 truther who believes Bush knew 9/11 was going to happen but did nothing to stop it, says Marc Thiessen, the columnist and former Bush administration speechwriter. Moreover, Trump says, Bush knew there were no weapons of mass destruction in Iraq but lied to the American people to get us into a Middle East war. Trump is borrowing language from MoveOn.org and Daily Kos to advance the absurd Bush lied, people died Iraq War narrative, cried National Reviews David French. Weekly Standard editor Bill Kristol demanded that, even should Trump win the nomination, fellow Republicans refuse to conscientiously support a man who is willing to say something so irresponsible about something so serious, for the presidency of the United States. In fact, Trump has not claimed that Bush had specific knowledge of the 9/11 attacks. He said, George Bush had the chance, also, and he didnt listen to the advice of his CIA. That is correct. Bush was given numerous, detailed warnings that Al Qaeda planned an attack. But the Bush administration had, from the beginning, dismissed fears about terrorism as a Clinton preoccupation. Its neoconservative ideology drove the administration to fixate on state-supported dangers which is why it turned its attention so quickly to Iraq. The Bush administration ignored pleas by the outgoing Clinton administration to focus on Al Qaeda in 2000, and ignored warnings by the CIA to prepare for an upcoming domestic attack. The Bush administration did not want the 9/11 attacks to occur; it was simply too ideological and incompetent to take responsible steps to prevent them. It is certainly true that Trump took his attack a step too far when he insisted the Bush administration knew there were no weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. All of the evidence suggests that the Bush administration, along with intelligence agencies in other countries, believed Saddam Hussein was concealing prohibited weapons. But the evidence is also very clear that the Bush administration manipulated the evidence it had to bolster its case publicly, like police officers framing a suspect they believed to be guilty. The cover-up was grotesquely crude. Republicans in Congress insisted that the original commission investigating the issue confine itself to faulty intelligence given to the Bush administration and steer clear of manipulation by the Bush administration itself. The report stated this clearly: Our executive order did not direct us to deal with the use of intelligence by policymakers, and all of us were agreed that that was not part of our inquiry. It was not until a subsequent commission that the administrations culpability was investigated. And that commission, which became known as the Phase II report, found that the Bush administration did indeed mislead the public: [T]he Administration repeatedly presented intelligence as fact when in reality it was unsubstantiated, contradicted, or even non-existent. You might think Republicans would have developed a sophisticated response, but they havent. Their defense for the last decade has consisted of claiming the Phase I report, which was forbidden from investigating the Bush administration, actually vindicated Bush, and ignoring the existence of the Phase II report. Todays Wall Street Journal editorial does it again, calling the claim that Bush lied a conspiracy theory, which was refuted by you guessed it the Phase I report. (Their report of more than 600 pages concludes that it was the CIAs own independent judgments flawed though they were that led them to conclude Iraq had active WMD programs.) Republicans have walled inconvenient facts about the Bush administrations security record out of their minds by associating them with crazed conspiracy theorists. It is epistemic closure at work: Criticism of Bush on 9/11 and Iraq intelligence is dismissed because the only people who say it are sources outside the conservative movement, who by definition cannot be trusted. The possibility that the Republican Party itself would nominate a man who endorses these criticisms is horrifying to them. To lose control of the party in such a fashion would be a fate far worse than losing the presidency. Please clap. Photo: Alex Wong/Getty Images For Establishment Republicans, elections arent about winning or losing its how you play the expectations game that really counts. And Jeb Bush is taking that game to a whole new level. I think well do better than fifth here, the former Florida governor who has spent more on advertising in South Carolina than any other candidate told CBS This Morning. Im in it for the long haul. Despite going into Saturdays primary with lower expectations for himself than you have for Zoolander 2, Bush is still on pace to fall short of his goal. In the latest PPP poll of the Palmetto State, Bush is tied with Ben Carson a perpetually sedated amateur Egyptologist who barely has a campaign anymore for fifth place. And it isnt like South Carolina is an especially challenging state for Bush. His family has longtime ties to the local party, which delivered a major victory for Jebs brother back in 2000. In fact, Bush is actually doing twice as well in South Carolina as he is nationally: The latest NBC News/SurveyMonkey poll has Bush in dead last, with 4 percent of the vote. Meanwhile, Florida senator Marco Rubio is also defining victory downward. On Monday, his allies told The State that hes expecting a breakout performance in South Carolina which they define as a third-place finish. Donald Trump, on the other hand, has roughly double the support of his closest competitor Texas senator Ted Cruz both in South Carolina and nationally. His decision to go full Michael Moore at last Saturdays debate apparently did nothing to disrupt his steady march to the nomination. So long as all the Establishment candidates keep finding ways to lower the bar for themselves If we dont lose all our campaign funds in a drunken game of blackjack, Nevadas a win for us its hard to see how the anti-Trump vote will ever coalesce. Members of the Cambridge Anthropological Expedition to the Torres Straits, 1898 (Charles Seligman is second from the left). / Cambridge University Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology If you were told youd have to take an intelligence test, what would you expect? Maybe some tests of reading and math, some pattern recognition? Probably not this: On the other hand: It doesnt seem too hard, right? Not totally unfair? But heres the catch: Wobbling your pencil and touching the borders will dock points, and moving toward a dead end will dock even more. Also, the test-taker is already convinced that you are less intelligent than he is, and is looking to prove this belief in a scientific way. Oh and his tribe swept in a while ago and conquered your own. Thats more or less what happened in real life. The Porteus Maze test, as its known, was administered throughout the world from the 1910s to the 1930s. It was created by an Australian psychology professor and used as a means of establishing the superiority of white Australians over their aboriginal counterparts. That maze, and that dark story behind it, proves the point at the heart of Erik Linstrums Ruling Minds: Psychology in the British Empire: All too often we draw a clean, hard line between science and dogma, between reforming unjust structures and validating them. In reality, science is frequently used simply to justify preexisting belief systems and power relationships. And one of the clearest examples comes from how psychology was used by the British Empire in the early 20th century. With hindsight, its easy to think of psychology in the first half of the 20th century as an art rather than a science, and its place of practice as the psychoanalysts recliner, with the patient exploring the nature of castration anxiety, rather than as a tool embraced by government and academia. But Ruling Minds takes the reader through the largely forgotten history of how Great Britain tried to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of its empire through the new mind sciences, a broad category that included personality and intelligence testing as well as the theories of Jung and Freud. From Uganda to India to Burma, government bureaucrats, academics, missionaries, and anthropologists used tests like Porteuss to try to research, rationalize, and control the empire. One such effort was undertaken by the anthropologist Charles Seligman, who tried to create a global dream dictionary. Seligman, a professor at the London School of Economics, worked with nearly two dozen missionaries and colonial officials to interview colonial subjects. This was no half-baked operation: He collected dreams from natives of Nigeria, Malaya, China, the Solomon Islands, Sudan, Uganda, India, and the Gold Coast. Many subjects had to be bribed with tobacco and rice understandable since they were being asked to reveal intimate dreams to strange white bureaucrats from a foreign land. The task wasnt made easier by the Freudian flavor of Seligmans investigation. One of his employees, told to collect information on anal, oral, and genital behavior in children (like thumb-sucking) to supplement the dreams, wrote back, It is dreary beyond words and unappetizing to apply anything like statistical methods to the execretory habits of the young, but I will do my best This all sounds absurd, but it had real effects. At the time, natives in colonial holdings werent seen as having the deep inner life that psychoanalysis was supposed to plumb. As Linstrum puts it, the myth of the happy-go-lucky native, too simple-minded to experience depression or neurosis, was pervasive. Sure, psychoanalysis made sense in the British salon, but not on the African plains. Seligmans dream collection, as unscientific as it seems today, proved this wrong. Native people, it turned out, dreamed of sex, of dying, of falling the same dreams as everyone else. Some were disturbing: One Ugandan chief dreamed over and over of being beaten by his British superior. These inner experiences led Seligman to say on the BBC, The unconscious of all these races is qualitatively much the same a big deal at the time, puncturing as it did one of the myths of white supremacy. The British government also applied the burgeoning science of psychology to the recruitment of Indian soldiers by introducing so-called officer selection boards. The British selection of soldiers in India had long been crudely racist, prizing Punjabi Muslims and Sikhs as supposedly martial races and shunning other ethnic groups. But the demands of World War II meant soldiers were desperately needed, so the Crown decided to implement boards of bureaucrats, psychologists, and psychiatrists to recruit and interview officer candidates. These applicants, if chosen, would then need to pass officer training. This might sound pretty straightforward, but introducing psychological and personality testing into soldier recruitment was a real innovation at the time. Hubert Vinden, the British official who created these boards, introduced modern ideas like using standardized exams instead of the gut feelings of superiors. (One old test would check if a soldier managed not to flinch when an inflated paper bag was burst behind his back.) The idea was to weed out those likely to fail officer training, and ensure that unstable men didnt make their way into the army. The local Indian press was enthusiastic about these changes, hoping that some fairness would finally be extended to Indian citizens. Unfortunately, this modern vision hit some bumps. Only 27 percent of Indians selected via the boards ended up passing officer training, compared to over half of British candidates. Some of this was undoubtedly racism, but details of the process also bear the hallmarks of psychologys failures in that era. The tests were standardized, but that didnt mean the results werent completely and utterly subjective. For instance, in a Thematic Apperception Test, a recruit would see a picture say, a woman turned away from a young man and be told to write a story about it. If candidates wrote stories about a mother objecting to her sons decision to marry that showed a worrisome sign of parental dependence. If they depicted protagonists as passive victims of fate, they were likely an ineffectual person with little drive. These kinds of interpretation were in vogue, but they probably werent much better at determining worthy candidates from lacking ones than the paper-bag test. Vinden, the army official, comes across as as enlightened as anyone in the book. He believed strongly that the psychological makeups of British and Indian people were identical, and even hid religion and caste status from the interviewers to try to prevent bias. But this desire for fairness and cross-country comparability led him to import the same tests used in Britain. This meant the questions and directions were in English, applicants had to answer in English, and even the time requirements on word-association tests remained the same, despite the applicants speaking a non-native language. This gets at the fundamental tension in Ruling Minds: As ridiculous as collecting dreams or submitting soldiers to Jungian word-association tests might sound, the men and women doing this work were trying to be reformers. They were often the only ones arguing, No, theres no such thing as martial races and Yes, mental states really are identical in Africans and Europeans. But they were also working, formally or informally, for an empire that treated their subjects as subhuman. Out of that crooked timber, it was impossible for them to really be fair or just. There are very few heroes in these stories. Some were definite villains: Stanley Porteus, the maze creator, was a virulent racist and eugenicist who concocted reasons for why those Australian aborigines were outscoring British children at his test. Linstrum points out that even the most modern reformers thought that imperial rule was inevitable, and merely hoped to improve and humanize it. And the less-modern practitioners could drift into using psychology to buttress the regime, a kind of Victorian paternalism updated with technocratic authority. And its not like these problems have passed. Academics and psychologists have always had, and always will have, a fraught relationship with governments that give them funding and influence. At worst, this can lead to the work psychologists have done supporting the torture of U.S. terror detainees. But it can also support research like the randomized controlled trials going on in developing countries to test programs like deworming or vaccination incentives, which have done much good. The history of this tension between embracing sciences ability to improve peoples lives and being aware of its tendency to reinforce existing hierarchies is a reminder that the line isnt always so clear. Beating the Beast of Branding Eckhaus Lattas excellent collection shakes off the industrys impulse for rigorous definition and lets consumers draw their own conclusions. Last night around 9:30, a couple hundred people, mostly under age 30, met in the dome at PS1 to watch the Eckhaus Latta show. It was Mike Eckhaus and Zoe Lattas ninth collection, and the first fashion show ever in MoMAs space in Long Island City. Outside, the snow had changed to a driving sleet. As PS1 director Klaus Biesenbach said, you couldnt help but be aware of the effort people made to get there. It was standing room only. Chairs had been set up in a spiral pattern, leaving the models just enough room to pass between guests, and the periphery of the dome was filled with those who couldnt get a seat. Eckhaus and Latta, who live and work in New York and Los Angeles, are part of the current Greater New York exhibit at PS1, and the idea of a fashion show there sort of naturally evolved, they said. But, as Latta added, they werent thinking of a collection with art links. Rather, she said, What is the space between fine art and fashion? We really enjoyed that gray area. Each style that came out at Eckhaus Latta was unique, and, in a way, a more refined offshoot of things theyve done before. Photo: Imaxtree As it happens, the gray area in general is one of the hardest mental spaces for designers to access, much less occupy with Eckhaus Lattas sense of confidence more evident with this collection than ever. The majority of designers know only how to feed the beast of branding, and that means making clear, definitive statements each season that are rewarded with the encomium that he or she was very focused. For many reasons, the industry wants designers to stay within well-defined but very narrow guardrails. Other designers clearly understand the virtue of the gray area, but sometimes overload their collections with images or ideas, leaving us little room to make our own leaps of thought about the designs. (Thats what I loved about the Pyer Moss show. I could see where the designer, Kerby Jean-Raymond, was going, but, at the same time, he left me plenty of room to make my own connections. With Hood by Air, on the other hand, I felt the exits were closed off.) Eckhaus Latta is already exceptional because its premise is quite modest. Although the designers are plainly interested in regular shapes a classic, ribbed-knit tube skirt, for example, or a rangy shag fur coat they firmly refrain from the temptation to dig out a frumpy style from the past (a dirndl skirt, say, or a Victorian blouse) and try to elevate it in a sly way. The designers are too smart for that. Each style that came out last night was unique, and, in a way, a more refined offshoot of things theyve done before: a pair of simple black shifts made dynamic with irregular planes of fabric, a shruggy jacket in dirty-blond shearling worn with acid-gold leather pants, a somewhat-shrunken pullover made of confused (according to the press notes) squares of knitting, and a truly divine flokati coat done in thick, splotchy pink-and-white shag fur and worn with a cream T-shirt, a rose-pink ribbed mini, and white hair-on-hide ankle boots (a collaboration with Camper). As in all of Eckhaus and Lattas shows, the models were a mixture of friends, artists, and professional runway guys and girls. But the casting, too, felt right, and not necessarily reactionary against the fashion system. Gratefully, for their audience, that cranky complaint seems far from their thoughts. At The Row, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen are at their best when they do chic tailoring and minimalist dresses. Photo: Imaxtree Timing has a lot to do with why a particular fashion looks good, and thats true for The Row this season. Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen held an informal presentation yesterday in their downtown office, with the sisters sitting on the floor as their models came out. Over the years they have sampled a lot of far-flung ideas, but the Olsens are at their best when they do chic tailoring and minimalist dresses and not when the style treads too closely to early Calvin or Zoran. By now, they have enough cred with the floor-length day dress and spare coat-and-trouser combination to make a fresh statement with them. Everything was in neutral tones, with embellishment confined to a gorgeously plain black sack dress with tiny frills near the neck and an embroidered black coat. A few coats had a nice rounded effect through the shoulders and a nipped waist. As I say, though, timing matters, especially when theres a lot of clutter and noise. Do women crave graphic-looking patterns, including 3-D flowers, as much as designers like to show them? In a generally strong collection yesterday, Carolina Herrera affixed petal cutouts to dresses and tops by means of tiny metal pieces, so that the flowers stood apart from the surface of the garments, and even seemed to wiggle. It was a flourish that wore thin. Phillip Lim used Japanese motifs for graphic punch, notably for boxy jackets that were a mix of kimono and military. Maria Cornejo drew on nature, blending images of crackled ice, grids, and Berber stripes in a single print. She was also high on a square-cut popover top. Great for layering, it looked rough and Revenant. A Catholic cardinal waving incense. Photo: Adreas Solaro/AFP/Getty Images While the Zika virus continues to spread through Latin America and doctors investigate the link between the infection and a birth defect known as microcephaly, some countries have advised that women put off getting pregnant for the time being. It can be hard enough to get some of the most effective types of birth control in places like El Salvador, and now some women might end up feeling shamed by the Catholic Church for wanting to prevent pregnancy. Church representatives in Brazil, the country thats been hit hardest with the virus, recently reiterated that the groups long-standing position on abortion and the use of contraception has not changed. The secretary general of the National Council of Bishops of Brazil said in an interview, Contraceptives are not a solution. There is not a single change in the churchs position. He suggested practicing abstinence or natural family planning, a.k.a. the rhythm method. The Vatican has not spoken on the matter. These views dont seem to mirror those of modern Catholics in the region, whose numbers have been on the decline. More than 90 percent of Latin American Catholics supported the use of birth control in a 2014 Univision poll, and no doubt many of them are face-palming after this news. Living the Orthodox Catholic Faith in the Anglican Tradition Already reeling from low prices, officials with Mexicos state-run Pemex are also fighting an ever intensifying battle against pipeline theft as organized crime tries to gain a foothold in the countrys newly reformed energy sector. From loosely organized groups of locals to feared drug cartels, those who believe there is a significant amount of illicit profit to be made here are coming out of the woodworkand for starters they are eyeing pipelines. The statistics tell an alarming story of a rapidly increasing number of pipeline thefts year over year. According to a report from Pemex released in November of 2015, incidents of illegal pipeline tapping rose a staggering 43.7 percent in 2014 over the previous year. This amounts to over 4,100 recorded pipeline taps and over 7 million liters of stolen gasoline. Pemex estimates the cost of the thefts to be $1.29 billion. But lost revenue is just part of the story. Fuel theft is incredibly dangerous, and there are increasing reports of injuries and death. Earlier this month, criminals illegally tapped a pipeline, causing an explosion. They were lucky to escape without injury but the pipeline had to be shut down while officials investigated the theft and repaired the damage. Related: The Hidden Agenda Behind Saudi Arabias Market Share Strategy In addition to pipeline tapping, thieves have reportedly broken through security perimeters at fuel facilities and raided disabled transport trucks. Environmental damage is also a major concern for Mexican officials. In September, an illegal pipeline tap caused 4,000 barrels of crude to pour into the San Juan River, threatening the immediate water supply for surrounding residents and farmers. Just downstream from the spill sits Monterrey, Mexicos third largest city and home to over 4.1 million people. Pemex assigned more than 500 people to assist with the clean-up, which is expected to take months. The full scope of the environmental damage to the surrounding plant and wildlife may not be understood for quite some time. Related: UAE Offers India Free Oil To Ease Storage Woes Criminal organizations have clearly seen an opportunity in fuel theft. The Zetas gang reportedly has an entire cell dedicated to fuel theft. Their operatives are equipped with specialized vehicles that can smuggle thousands of liters of stolen fuel. This new form of profit is an obvious departure from their usual means of revenue, which include drug smuggling and kidnapping. It is almost impossible to track stolen fuel after the fact, which is often sold by the bucket to locals. Much of the fuel makes it back into system, often sold to franchise gas stations that believe theyre buying from a legitimate middle man. Countless drivers in Mexico could be unknowingly filling up at the pumps with this stolen fuel. Related: Is Venezuela Trying To Hide Oil Assets With This Bizarre Move? So what are Mexican authorities and Pemex officials doing to fight back against this rapidly growing trend? Tougher penalties have been imposed for those caught stealing fuel, although many argue that this is nothing more than a symbolic gesture with inadequate policing. Pemex has stopped transporting fully refined gasoline and diesel through its pipelines in order to deter further theft. Without the ability to further refine the fuel, thieves are unable to use the stolen product or sell it to unsuspecting customers. Pemex should know by the end of 2016 if this has helped curb theft. The year ahead looks to be difficult for Mexicos state-owned oil company. They are fighting an uphill battle against low oil prices, budget cuts, and criminals. But in a country ridden with corruption and organized crime, solving the problem of fuel theft is much easier said than done. By Dex Dunford for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: The mining industry got some much-welcomed good news late last week from one of the worlds most important copper-producing centers. And then, abruptly, had it taken away. The place is the Democratic Republic of Congo, Africas most critical producer of copper and cobalt. Where the government appears to be having trouble making up its mind over mining rules. Related: A Market Collapse Is On The Horizon The apparent good news from the DR Congo came last Wednesday. When the countrys mines minister, Martin Kabwelulu, announced that officials had decided to scrap a proposed revision of the national mining laws. Kabwelulu told attendees at the Mining Indaba in Cape Town, South Africa that the government had decided to stick with its current mining code. Apparently ending a three-year review process where officials had threatened to increase taxes and royalties. But the relief in the African copper sector didnt last long. With Reuters reporting the next day that other members of the DR Congo mines ministry are continuing to say the mining law review is still ongoing. Related: If A Cut Is Going To Come It Wont Be From OPEC The news service cited an email sent to NGO Global Witness. Where the chief of staff for the mines minister said that the comments at the Indaba simply mean the old contact regime will stay in place until a new one is introduced. The email stated that The government of the Democratic Republic of Congo has not renounced revising the mining code. Quite the contrary. That strong wording makes it sound like the mining law review is still very much in motion. Although its possible this is simply posturing for observers at Global Witness who had objected to the government dropping its pursuit of higher takes from mining. Related: In Spite Of Its Vast Oil Reserves, Cuba Fails To Woo Investors The next moves here will be telling with the revised mining law having been submitted to the DR Congos parliament last March, but not yet approved. Watch for further announcements on a yea or nay here. Heres to making up your mind, By Dave Forest More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Oil has risen 2 percent since this morning on speculation ahead of a meeting tomorrow in Doha among ministers from Saudi Arabia, Russia, Qatar and Venezuela. After-hours Brent crude trading today gained more than 60 cents, rising to more than $34 per barrel by 2:30 p.m. EST. U.S. futures gained about 30 cents by the close of trade at 1 p.m. EST. Much of the price speculation comes because the meeting was unannounced and some believe this means there could be a production slash deal in the works. The meeting will be attended by Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak and Saudi Arabias oil minister, Ali al-Naimi. Related: Why Todays Oil Bust Pales In Comparison To The 80s The back channel talks, which Qatar is brokering, had been in place for a while, Amrita Sen, chief oil analyst at Energy Aspects Ltd. in London, told Bloomberg. These are still very early days and nothing concrete has been agreed, but there is a growing sense that countries could be more flexible, although Riyadh would insist that everyone else contribute to the cut. Earlier on Monday, crude oil prices had gained somewhat on a statement by UAE Energy Minister Suhail bin Mohammed al-Mazrouei suggesting that OPEC was potentially willing to discuss a production cut. On Monday morning, light, sweet crude future for March delivery wase up 39 cents, or 1.4 percent, on the New York Mercantile Exchange, reaching $29.83 per barrel. Related: ISIS Forced To Cut Wages As Oil Revenues Tank Brent crude for April delivery was up 31 cents, or 0.9Q percent, on Londons ICE Futures exchange, reaching $33.67 per barrel after falling below $30 on Thursday. The comes after crude futures made their largest one-day percentage gain since 2009 last Friday, up 12 percent. The surprise Doha meeting has now pushed prices up to their impressive Friday gains, but one negative sentiment tomorrow will send them back down. By Charles Kennedy of Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Iranian officials are touting soaring volumes of exports of oil products, announcing today that the first exports of gas oil productsfuel oil distilled from petroleum--are heading to African countries. Iran is keen to boost its status as a major exporter of gasoline, kerosene, liquid petroleum gas (LPG), jet fuel and mazut in the Middle East. Managing Director of the National Iranian Oil Products Distribution Company (NIOPDC) Seyyed Naser Sajjadi was quoted by Iranian media today as saying: With the implementation of new phases at South Pars field leading to increased natural gas production, the exports volume of oil products particularly gas oil has soared. Related: Would A Chesapeake Bankruptcy Boost Natural Gas Prices According to Sajjadi, Iran has now added the Central Asia nation of Tajikistan to its customer listwhich has largely included Iraqi, Afghanistan and Pakistanexporting 2.9 million liters of gas oil in the first shipment. Iran has reportedly exported more than 1.7 billion liters of gas oil to various countries since the beginning of the current Iranian year. African countries are eyeing potential new relationships with Iran in the post-sanctions environment. This week, Ghanas President John Mahama became the first African leader to visit Iran since sanctions have been lifted, saying the country was committed to new trade and business opportunities. Related: Oil Thefts Surge In Mexico As Cartels Become Specialized In Kenya, Iran is hoping to seal a crude oil export deal, while elsewhere in East Africa, Tehran is looking for more markets for its refined products. "We intend to renew memoranda signed by Kenya for importation of crude oil, and enter into new agreements in oil and gas exploration and extraction with EAC members," media quoted Iranian ambassador to Kenya, Hadi Farajvand, as saying. In May 2012, Kenya and Iran had signed a memorandum of understanding for Kenya to import 80,000 tons of crude oil from Iran. However, the deal was canceled two months later due to sanctions. Kenya is now said to be preparing to review that deal. By Charles Kennedy of Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: The military behind Libyas internationally recognized governmentone of two parallel governments currently at war with each otherhas reported that another MiG-23 fighter jet has been shot down during air strikes against militants near Benghazi Friday. According to Libyan military sources cited by media, the MiG was shot down Qaryunes, northwest Benghazi, during an air strike campaign targeting al-Qaeda-linked militants attached to the Shura Council. The US-based SITE Intelligence Group, however, reports that the Islamic State (ISIS) has specifically claimed responsibility for the attack that brought down the MiG but saw the pilot eject to safety. Related: Oil Markets Unimpressed By Crude Output Freeze Earlier last week, another Libyan military MiG crashed near Derna in a separate air strike campaign, though technical difficulties were cited by a news agency close to the recognized government. However, the Shura Council claimed responsibility for the downing of this MiG as well. Media are now speculating that the Libyan Air Force has no further MiG-23s to dispatch and is facing a critical juncture in its fight against Islamic militants. In early January, the Libyan Air Force lost another MiG over Benghazi. Related: Will Billion-Dollar Coal Remediation Tech Take a Hit After Supreme Court Ruling? ISIS has been making clear moves to take advantage of the civil war chaos in Libya and has its sights set on Libyan oil. So far, over the past weeks, ISIS has launched a series of attacks on Libyan oil facilities and taken over the city of Sirte along with hundreds of miles of coastline. Once it cements its hold here and succeeds in recruiting its own oil and gas engineers, it might be able to afford to raise the salary for its foreign fighters. According to unconfirmed sources, there are some 6,500 ISIS fighters presently operating in Libya and led by a Chechen commander. By James Burgess of Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: In the wake of a series of attacks on Niger Delta oil installations and an increase in oil theft in recent weeks, Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari has announced that military and special task forces will be deployed to protect key assets in the area. Buhari said the country was facing an increasing frequency in sabotage of Niger Delta oil facilities and a renewal of kidnappings for ransom in the coastal areas since January. Nigerian authorities say that some 250,000 barrels per day of crude is being stolen in Nigeria, and that multiple attacks on strategic oil and gas installations are costing Nigeria $2.4 million daily. Related: Oil Markets Unimpressed By Crude Output Freeze Nigeria produces more than 2 million barrels per day, but the new presidents all-out war on corruption tied to the previous government may relaunch and oil conflict in the Niger Delta. The attacks began in the southern Niger Delta after a court issued an arrest warrant for former warlord Government "Tompolo" Ekpemupolo in connection with money laundering and illegal diversion of government funds. Oil refineries in Kaduna, northwest Nigeria, and Warri, an oil hub in Delta State, operated by the state-controlled Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) were all shut down following bombings in mid-January. On 30 January, explosions hit the Agip pipeline in the Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, causing Italian oil giant ENI to lose 16,000 barrels of oil equivalent daily. Related: Will Billion-Dollar Coal Remediation Tech Take a Hit After Supreme Court Ruling? Tompolowho has denied any involvement in the new spate of attackswas among those who in 2009 signed an amnesty deal in exchange for government stipends and lucrative contracts to protect installations they once sabotaged. With a new leadership at the helm in Nigeria, deals such as this 2009 amnesty are now in limbo. Some 80 percent of Nigerias oil wealth comes from the Niger Delta, and Niger Delta militants are seeking a greater share of this wealth. The deployment of the Nigeria Army and special task forces to the Niger Delta could lead to an intensification of this re-emerging conflict. By Charles Kennedy of Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Oil prices responded half-heartedly this morning on the news coming out of the surprise Doha meeting that four producers, including Saudi Arabia and Russia, have agreed to freeze output at January levels. Oil prices lost some of their gains made after highly volatile trading yesterday and this morning. Brent crude had jumped over 5 percent in early trading to hit above $35 per barrel on news of the unexpected Doha meeting among major oil producers, but those gains were shaved down a bit later in the day, with prices settling below $34 per barrel. At Doha this morning, two of the worlds largest producersSaudi Arabia and Russiaalong with Venezuela and Qatar agreed to freeze oil output at January levels in order to stabilize the market. But even this lackluster deal requires that other major producers follow suit, which brings us back to where we started. Related: Struggling Venezuela Buys U.S. Crude, But Who Will Pay for It? That oil didnt lose all of its Monday gains is largely due to the comments from acting OPEC president Qatari Energy Minister Mohammed bin Saleh al-Sada, who called the meeting successful and noted that This step is meant to stabilize the market. The lack of a real deal here left the market entirely unimpressed. Output is not being cut, simply frozenand this is not enough to stabilize the market. Freezing production at January levels will have little to no effect as those levels were already too high. In January, both Saudi Arabia and Russia were pumping at record levels. Related: UAE Offers India Free Oil To Ease Storage Woes And even the freeze is not a done deal, as it requires getting other major producers to come on board. A major obstacle will be getting Iran to freeze output at January levels. Coming off of sanctions just last month, Iran is back in the oil game and working on raising output by 500,000 barrels per day. By Charles Kennedy of Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: A dangerous showdown is unfolding in the Syrian town of Azaz, near the border with Turkey, as Russian-based Syrian forces advance and Syrian Kurds step in to take over territory abandoned by rebels, with Turkey threatening open fire on the Kurds. The northern Syrian town of Azaz is fast becoming the flashpoint for a wider war as Turkey launches military action against the Syrian Kurd YGP militia and to destroy the Syrian Menagh air base if the Kurds refused to withdraw. The situation in the area has intensified over the weekend as Syrian rebel forces have lost ground to the Syrian military and the Syrian Kurds have taken advantage of the chaos to seize territory ostensibly in order to keep the Islamic State (ISIS) from moving in. Related: Is Venezuela Trying To Hide Oil Assets With This Bizarre Move? Syria accuses Turkey of deploying soldiers and mercenaries into northern Syria and of attempting to aid ISIS insurgents there. Turkey has denied the accusations. Syria told the U.S. that Turkish artillery shelling of Syrian territory constitutes direct support to the armed terrorist organizations. Turkeys move to take on the Syrian Kurds goes directly against the U.S., which supports the YPG in the battle against ISIS. Related: Shell Announces Successful Completion Of BG Merger Ankaras response comes as Russian air strikes, Syrian regime forces and Shiite militias come within 15 miles of the Turkish border. Earlier today, Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davuto?lu said that YPDs militia would have taken control of the towns of Azaz and Tal Rifaat in the south if the Turks had not shelled the area over the weekend. The YPG elements were forced away from near Azaz. If they get closer again, they will see the harshest reaction. We will not allow Azaz to fall, the prime minister said. By Charles Kennedy of Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: How to YOU make your mark on the world? Part of your job while you're here, you know, is to contribute. You arrived here with a mission. Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to make the world a better place. My mission is to inspire, to motivate, to cheerlead, to stir... humanity. I write to change the world. My work has been called "art in the service of humanity." Welcome and Enjoy One Wordsmith! Hope is like breath; we need to inhale it deeply to keep going. It nourishes a thirsty soul. It makes the world a friendly place, not a dangerous one. It gives us reason to live our lives with the knowledge that things can get better, that wonder is still alive, that people do care, that we are valued and valuable. It keeps us out of the emotional cave of cynicism, darkness and despair. There are messengers around who spread this very message in the world. They alone are reason for hope. One only has to listen to world news to understand that all is not well on the planet. Violence and war are still considered when solutions are being examined. Punishment and revenge are still very much alive. Evil still visits occasionally. Some cultural traditions and pastimes are still negative and abusive. And there are still those who lean toward death and destruction instead of hope and enlightenment. Those who lean into hope are messengers. There are reasons to keep hoping and to keep hope alive. There are those factions and people who are dedicated to making the world a better place. We may not hear about them on the nightly news (yet) but they are out there making a difference day after day. Sometimes these "messengers" make a difference in the lives of others with a message that reaches thousands or more, some with groups or communities and some with one person at a time. Barbara has launched a new project becoming the "Hope Detective" and in her blog of the same name, she will chronicle her project of investigating, looking for clues to solve problems, arresting the darkness and releasing the light to let it shine. Searches will be conducted for those whose intention is to elevate humanity to a loftier expression, a higher incarnation of itself. Victory, not defeat will be highlighted. Evidence will be collected and cataloged as evidence is collected of human compassion, dedication, mercy, admirable action, inspiration, hope and contribution. Anyone observing any "suspicious" activity--of making the world a better place is asked to report such activities. Anyone may submit evidence to the Hope Detective of information about... projects, education, actions, music, art, conversations, contributions, ingenuities, inventions, publications, organizations, or other offerings that are designed to build up instead of destroy, lift up instead of break down, love instead of hate, hope instead of despair; things that highlight compassion instead of indifference, involvement instead of apathy, inclusion instead of divisiveness, triumph instead of defeat, and most of all things and people who keep hope alive and well on this planet. The Hopi (Hope-e) have said that this is the time and... "We are the ones we have been waiting for." Visit the Hope Detective http://www.hopedetective.blogspot.com/ One of the physicians who was a founding member of our sister cities project wrote a forward for my book in progress. Here is what he had to say...The dictionary says hope is a feeling, hope is a feeling that what is wanted can be had; that what is desired will happen. Morgan Freeman playing the character Red into the movie The Shawshank Redemption said, Hope is a dangerous thing The Bible puts hope right up there with faith and love. And Jim Carrey in the movie Dumb and Dumber, when confronted by the one in a million odds of getting his girl, turns the tables around and says, So youre saying theres a chance! All of these examples of the concept of hope touch a chord deep within us. We need hope for our spiritual well being. The place we find ourselves when we say there is no hope is a very dark place indeed. And this line of thinking brings me to a most amazing individual who is the author of this book, Barbara Kaufmann. Barbara and I have known each other through the past two decades as members of the peace movement here in the Fox River Valley. We attend the same church and have been members of the Fox Cities-Kurgan Sister Cities program building bridges between the U.S. and former Soviet Union. I have a medical background strong in the sciences. Given the fact that there are too many humans on this planet and that our collective behavior is at the level of adolescence at best, I sometimes find little hope looking to the future of our web of life Then I run into Barbara somewhere and in the course of several minutes, she calmly and with astonishing conviction gives me hope for our future again! I am amazed by this transformation each and every time. I look forward to reading her book in detail. I call her Mother Gaia. For all of us, I wish for hope of all kinds. Bill Carlson, M.D., Urgent Care Member: Physicians for Social Responsibility Appleton, WI 1/16/09 Just about a year ago, thinking about all of the many hotels that used to populate Downtown Milwaukee, I wrote a bit about the history of the Auditorium Hotel, which stood for nearly a century at 1123-25 N. 4th St. before it was demolished in 1965. Yesterday, I received an email from Lisa Sheridan, a Milwaukee native who has lived in L.A. for four decades, working as a screenwriter and author, talking about her father Sam Feldmann: "My father owned this hotel (but leased the land) from sometime in the early 1950s until he sold it around 1962." Sheridan said her dad (the two are seen together in the photo below) spent many hours tending to the hotel. "He worked very hard to keep it clean, painted and running well. I remember he had an old Polish workman named Mr. Popilier who helped him with carpentry. He worked six days a week, 12 hour days, and when he came home on Saturday nights, I was in my PJs staying up only to say good night after he brought home chocolate from Walgreen's (Hershey's Semi-Sweet) and we watched Perry Como sing Catch a Falling Star together, a favorite song of mine undoubtedly due to this memory. "Sometimes on Sundays we'd go out to dinner, and Dad would stop by the Auditorium Hotel to check up on things. My mother never let me accompany him, unlike my older brother." Sheridan also recounted the story of a man she called her dads most famous visitor, who arrived in 1961. "He came home and told my mother at supper time that the FBI had visited him there," Sheridan said. "It seemed, he explained, they were tailing a certain guest who had been staying there in the company of several associates. Turns out, he was Malcolm X. My father asked the agent what danger the man posed; what was his prior crime? Nothing yet, the agent said. Then why are you following him? (my dad asked). Because we need to make sure he doesn't do anything. "My dad had served in the Special Forces in WWII and did not like that answer. He believed every man had the right to live in peace and to earn a living right beside him, regardless of race or religion. He was very agitated at this FBI agent and his directive and saw it as racially motivated harassment by the government. The man was very polite, friendly, very respectable, and posed no threat whatsoever. He was going about his business, my dad protested." Though another famous American didnt apparently stay at the Auditorium, Sheridan remembered her dad talking about him... "One day in spring of 1960, he exited Walgreen's to see a small crowd of businessmen gathering to listen to an impromptu campaign speech by a young senator named John Kennedy who wanted their votes in the upcoming Wisconsin primary. My parents both loved Adlai Stevenson, but after finding himself standing right next to Sen. Kennedy, he became mesmerized by his presentation of ideas, his political knowledge, but mostly his charismatic and engaging personality. He came home and told my mother they were switching to JFK and that he was going to win hands down." Most of the inhabitants of the hotel, however, were not destined for fame, or in most cases, wealth, Sheridan said. "Because it was a residential hotel folks stayed for a week or so, and shared a common bathroom and dining room it drew lower income individuals. My dad never had any problems until the final year, when it began to mirror the changing demographics of the area, and prostitutes, drug addicts and alcoholics became frequent inhabitants." By 1962, the value of the hotel and its business had tumbled and, Sheridan said, her dad who led a workingmans life, content to eat a hot dog and drink a glass of milk at the Walgreens counter for lunch lost pretty much everything hed invested in it. "The land was later sold to the Journal Company, who razed it for a parking lot," she wrote. "My father spent his last years working as a machinist for Helwig Corp., proud of his AFL-CIO membership, saying the union saved our family. They put food on the table, he'd say, and he was indebted to them for hiring him in his 50s, when most men were thinking about retirement. "He died suddenly of a massive coronary in 1984," Sheridan said. "He was always proud of how hard he had worked on that hotel, and it always held fond memories for him." Its been nearly three weeks since Carnevor reopened in its new location at 718 N. Milwaukee St., and the buzz surrounding their new space has been palpable. We knew that the remodel, implemented by Flux Design, would be impressive. But, it wasnt until visiting the restaurant for ourselves that we understood exactly how ingenious it really was. The atmosphere The Carnevor experience begins the moment you walk through the front door and navigate through a tunnel-esque hallway made from hand-carved wooden spires. Larger, more pronounced "ribs," a trademark Carnevor element, are suspended above the front dining room, creating a uniquely intimate and artistic atmosphere. Meanwhile, from any seat in the dining room, youre flooded with textures from wavy wooden paneling to cagelike metal structures, from jagged stone to smooth reflective panels that resemble honeycomb or some sort of reptilian scales. But, it wasnt just the atmosphere that impressed. Armed with the knowledge that there were some new items on the menu at Milwaukees most renowned steakhouse, we approached our dinner with open minds, looking forward to the potential of experiencing a meal that went beyond steak and potatoes. The menu We began our meal with an appetizer of Carnevor's Hidden Creek Farm Mangalitsa ravioli ($13) fresh pasta stuffed with pork confit and pork belly and served with a smoked onion pork jus which was hearty enough to share with the table. When we moved on to soup and salad, the classic wedge salad was fresh, crisp and perfectly dressed. Even the tomato was flavorful not a small feat in the midst of Wisconsin winter. I should add that, throughout the meal, our service was spot on. When our table mentioned that wed like to share a number of items off the menu, our waiter was immediately responsive, offering first to divide our wedge salad into three portions, and then throughout the meal providing plenty of tasting plates and utensils to make our experience as convenient as possible. The soup of the day was potato leek. Despite the fact that not a drop of cream was added, the soup was ultra creamy and flavorful thanks to the addition of bacon, white wine and garlic. A topping of crisp bacon, fried leeks, chives and diced baby potatoes added an additional layer of flavor and welcome texture. For our entrees, we opted for two specials, something Carnevor is doing more of in its new location one fish and one Hidden Creek Farm specialty along with a steak, since its simply not prudent to leave a steakhouse without trying at least one. The fish special ($32) featured six ounces of pan seared Opah (moonfish) served atop a bed of braised Napa cabbage, shaved fennel and parsnips with tender beech mushrooms and a drizzle of blood orange vinaigrette. A 10 ounce portion of meltingly tender Hidden Creek Farm bone-in shortrib ($31) came with roasted baby carrots, smoked cioppolinni onions and a beef jus atop a bed of polenta finished with Sarvecchio parmesan. We didnt go too fancy on our steak choice, opting for the wet-aged bone-in ribeye ($52) au poivre. It came perfectly medium rare with a delightfully crunch exterior packed with pepper flavor. But, since the steak comes a la carte, we did order three sides to share the macaroni & cheese (to which we added lobster, $19), sauteed exotic mushrooms ($10) and caramelized brussels sprouts. Each was a solid choice though the one miss of the evening may have been with the addition of lobster to our macaroni and cheese. The dish came out to the table piping hot, which was great; but, the lobster didnt hold up well. Rather than being tender and sweet, it ended up overcooked and, as a result, a bit tough. We skipped over the creme brulee, ricotta cheesecake and turtle desserts and headed for the shareable section of the menu where we found two we couldnt pass up. The dessert doughnuts ($8) just barely resembled doughnuts; rather, they were light and crisp like deep fried pate choux with rich eggy centers. They were accompanied by three dipping sauces: a rich vanilla anglais, blueberry preserves and a deep chocolate ganache which was really gilding the lily. Our splurge (and a rightful one) was the chocolate flight ($25) with its Valhrona Opalys white chocolate cremeux; Tanariva milk chocolate cremeux with a gold-gilded roasted hazelnut; and the Majari dark chocolate cremeux served with cocoa nibs and a fresh raspberry on top. Carnevor is open Monday through Wednesday from 5 to 10 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 5 to 11 p.m. Earlier this evening, the new Metro Market, 4075 N. Oakland Ave. in Shorewood, hosted a sneak peek and ribbon cutting celebration with copious samples for the few hundred people in attendance many of whom were visibly "wow-ed." The 90,000-square foot, environmentally friendly structure is sleek, spacious and thoughtfully laid out on two connected floors. The new structure also features a multi-level parking garage which simplifies navigating shopping carts to vehicles. The ground floor offers fresh food and upscale grab-and-go items, including a Starbucks coffee shop, bakery, gelato counter, meat department, 12-tap beer bar, rolled-to-order sushi station, oyster bar, BBQ walk-up, blend-your-own trail mix and more. The second floor features a large liquor department, pharmacy, traditional grocery aisles and frozen food section. Throughout the store, there is an emphasis on organic, vegan and gluten-free foods. Three months ago, Wisconsin Roundys became a subsidiary of the Kroger Co. The new Metro Market development is based on Mariano's Fresh Market in Chicago, offering the possibility of a leisurely shopping experience rather than a perfunctory task. For those of us who remember the former Pick n Save or the crescent-roofed Kohls before that, its an unbelievably spacious, modern and abundant offering. The Shorewood Metro Market opens to the public Tuesday, Feb. 16. Here are 11 more photos of the new space: 1. Beer and wine 2. Sushi 3. Caramel apples 4. Flowers 5. Oysters 6. Produce 7. Starbucks 8. Meat 9. Gelato 10. Liquor 11. Trees?! As Bernie Sanders' chances of winning the Democratic presidential nomination have increased, so have the attacks. Hillary Clinton advocates argue he has no chance of delivering the fundamental change he touts. Nonetheless, Bernie can do it. Sanders has been remarkably consistent about what his objectives are and how he plans to accomplish them. At the January 17th debate, he said, "What my first days [in office will be] about is" to tell the wealthiest people in this country that yes they are gonna start paying their fair share of taxes, and that we are going to have a government that works for all of us and not just big campaign contributors." At the February 11th debate, Sanders explained, "This campaign is not just about electing a president. What this campaign is about is creating a process for a political revolution" What this campaign is not only about electing someone who has the most progressive agenda, it is about bringing tens of millions of people together to demand that we have a government that represents all of us and not just the 1 percent, who today have so much economic and political power." While Sanders has policy differences with President Obama, his fundamental criticism is on process: Sanders feels that, in 2008, Obama built a movement ("Change we can believe in") and then failed to harness its energy to make fundamental changes to the US economy. The Sanders process model is not the Obama campaign but rather the civil-rights movement led by Doctor Martin Luther King, Jr. MLK also talked about revolution, calling for a "revolution of values": "We must rapidly begin " the shift from a thing-oriented society to a person-oriented society. When machines and computers, profit motives and property rights, are considered more important than people, the giant triplets of racism, extreme materialism and militarism are incapable of being conquered." Sanders advocates a shift in values, where capitalism is subordinated to democracy. University of California Economics Professor Robert Reich described Sanders' perspective as a kind of "agitator-in-chief, " where the president mobilizes "the public to demand [big things] and penalize(s) politicians who don't heed those demands." If Sanders is going to assume the role of "agitator-in-chief" it has to start before the November 8th election day. Bernie has to mobilize voters to support his presidential campaign as well as that of like-minded candidates for the house and senate (and state legislatures and other elective offices). He has to generate an election tsunami that will sweep "business-as-usual" politicians out of office. Many thoughtful Democrats don't believe this will happen. Writing in The Daily Kos "jhannon" observed" "Bernie is talking about a political revolution in ways that make no sense to me".I can't imagine him leading as much as a change in the majority party in the House and there is no way any of his more dramatic proposals have any chance of passing give the composition of Congress." Writing in Slate, Michelle Goldberg said, "Bernie is a mensch whose politics are more or less my own, but I'm convinced he'd be eviscerated in the general election". As long as I have been following politics, it has been a left-wing fantasy that legions of disconnected non-voters will suddenly flood the polls if they're offered a sufficiently progressive candidate." I believe these writers have been discouraged by the history of the Obama administration which promised a revolution, and then became business as usual -- particularly with regards to Wall Street. Moreover, these writers are ignoring the civil-rights progress made over the last sixty years where the progressive movement has accomplished objectives -- such as the legalization of same-sex marriage -- that were once thought impossible. Most progressives agree that reducing the power of the one percent must happen. While I'm sure "jhannon" and Michelle Goldberg support getting big money out of politics, they don't believe that Bernie can accomplish it and they fear that in the process he will be "eviscerated" in the general election . Consider this: Bernie Sanders has a higher favorability rating than any other candidate. In head-to-head matchups, Bernie Sanders defeats any Republican candidate. (Many observers believe that Sanders matches up particularly well with Donald Trump.) 53 years ago, Martin Luther King Junior wrote forcefully about the necessity for direct action to achieve meaningful change: "We know through painful experience that freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed. Frankly, I have yet to engage in a direct action campaign that was ' ell timed' in the view of those who have not suffered unduly from the disease of segregation. For years now I have heard the word 'Wait!' It rings in the ear of every Negro with piercing familiarity. This 'Wait' has almost always meant 'Never.'" 2016 is not the time to wait. It is a time for direct action to change our corrupt system. That's what the Sanders campaign is all about. Mansion in Hamptons owned by Lloyd Blankfein, President and CEO of Goldman-Sachs, valued at $17 million (Image by Commons) Details DMCA Lost in the brouhaha over whether the US is ready for a president who is nominally a "socialist," is the fact we are already far down the road of socialism. Just not the kind most people think. The conservative CATO Institute estimates that the total for federal free lunches to corporate welfare queens in America amounts to over $100 billion per year. In addition to the federal handouts, the New York Times puts the total of state and local free stuff to corporations at $80 billion per year. With just these two figures, we are already up to $180 billion per year, and these reports do not take into account the one trillion dollar Pentagon budget, a legendary vehicle for waste, fraud, and weapons systems that even the Pentagon doesn't want which benefit huge corporations. If defense contractor shareholders want it, and they pay enough congressmen through our system of legal bribery through campaign donations, it doesn't matter if the Pentagon doesn't want the weapons system. These represent handouts of billions. Just three controversial programs, the F-35 joint strike fighter, the M--1 Abrams tank, and the Littoral Combat Ship, add billions a year to the corporate welfare budget. The shareholders at companies like Lockheed-Martin and Boeing are getting a lot more than free Obama phones. In 2012, Army Chief of Staff Ray Odierno told Congress in as blunt a terms as he could come up with about the M-1 Abrams: "We don't need the tanks." The Pentagon's potential as a slush fund and front for Grand Theft Taxpayers became clear when former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld announced, on the day before 9/11, that $2.3 trillion was unaccounted for. This is more than twice the size of the Pentagon's yearly budget. The possibility reared its head that the Pentagon budget was one big feeding frenzy for contractors and Washington insiders. To this day, the Pentagon, where 20 cents of every taxpayer dollar winds up, still cannot pass an audit, CommonDreams.org estimates the value of subsidies and tax breaks to large corporations and wealthy individuals at well over $600 billion, for an appalling average of more than $6,000 for an American family in the $74,000 tax bracket. By this reckoning, if a family paid $20,000 in taxes, about a quarter of that went to bolster the bottom lines of people who make more than they do. Like CEOs who live in $10 million mansions. Warren Buffet's Berkshire Hathaway has received over $1 billion in public largess, according to Forbes Magazine. The popular investment site Motley Fool determined that Buffet takes advantage of a loophole in the tax code which taxes dividends from a company at zero percent. Buffet is worth an estimated $58 billion. In 2009, he paid $7 million in federal taxes on a gross income of $63 million, or a rate of a little over 10%. That same year, reported Huffington Post, 1,400 American millionaires paid no US income taxes. True, this is only anecdotal evidence. But it's a pretty good bet that what Buffet knows how to do, other billionaires and millionaires know how to do also. For perspective, the present total of what most people think of as welfare payments (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families - TANF) and food stamps (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance program - SNAP) is about $100 billion annually: about $80 billion for food stamps and $20 billion for welfare. The third major line item for the poor is Medicaid, at around $475 billion in 2014. But half those beneficiaries are children, and half again of those who remain are disabled. Using these figures, total basic assistance to able-bodied poor comes out to just under $350 billion per year. Approaching it a different way, the conservative Heritage Foundation published a report which lumps into "welfare" all means-tested federal and state programs, including Pell Grants, Head Start, and worker training. The Heritage Foundation arrives at a figure of $714 billion in 2008, which would be about $100 billion more now, given increases in Medicaid spending. This gives a total of all "means-tested" assistance of roughly $800 billion. The Heritage Foundation then acknowledges that "roughly half of means-tested spending goes to disabled or elderly persons." Thus we again arrive at an upper limit figure of around $400 billion, give or take, of what can properly be considered outright welfare, unless social insurance programs meant to keep the blind and elderly from sleeping in alleys are now unwarranted hand-outs. $600 billion in corporate welfare versus $400 billion in "welfare" welfare. Welcome to socialism in America. The dirty little secret is that there is lots of it. The dirtier little secret is that there may be even more for the rich than for the poor. And we not yet begun to talk about bank bailouts. Former Special Inspector General Neil Barofsky, heralded from left to right as one of the most honest men in Washington, until he was forced to leave, put the worst case exposure of the American public to bad risks taken on by banks at an incredible $23.7 trillion, were the financial system to crash beyond recognition and all obligations to come due at once. The $700 billion TARP bailout, said Barofsky, is only the tip of an iceberg which could send a hundred Titanics to the bottom of the ocean. David Brunori of the conservative Forbes Magazine writes: "The largest, wealthiest, most powerful organizations in the world are on the public dole. Where is the outrage? Back when I was young, people went into a frenzy at the thought of some unemployed person using food stamps to buy liquor or cigarettes. Ronald Reagan famously campaigned against welfare queens. The right has always been obsessed with moochers. But Boeing receives $13 billion in government handouts and everyone yawns, when conservatives should be grabbing their pitchforks." Most corporate subsidies go to companies which hardly need them. Most oil industry subsidies go to the five biggest oil companies, the "Big Five," which together reported $93 billion in profits in 2013. The CEOs of these companies average about $20 million a year in compensation. And the CATO Institute tells us that farmer subsidies go "mainly to large corporate agribusinesses and the richest farmers." The CATO Institute found that: Thanks to Tsara Shelton for help with transcript editing. Rob: Welcome to Rob Kall Bottom Up Radio Show WNJC 1360 AM out of Washington Township reaching Metro Philly and South Jersey. Sponsored by opednews.com. My guest tonight is Daniel Shaw. Daniel Shaw LCSW is a psychoanalytically trained psychotherapist practicing in NY City and Nyack, NY. He is a training analyst, teacher and supervisor of analytic candidates at the National Institute for the Psychotherapies in NY City. I've brought him on to the Bottom-up Radio show because he's written a book, Traumatic Narcissism: Relational Systems of Subjugation, which I believe helps us to better understand two of the major topics I cover-- top-down domination and the effects of psychopaths and related pathological people on our culture and on individuals. His website is danielshawlcsw.com. Welcome to the show Dan. DS: Thank you Rob, nice to be here. Rob: So let's get started with the basics. What is narcissism? And why call it traumatic narcissism instead of malignant narcissism as others have described it? DS: Okay, good question. Well let's start with narcissism. In the psycho analytic world which is where narcissism first was introduced by Freud you know, over a hundred years ago by now. The narcissism has come to stand for a lot of things. If you talk about a person's healthy narcissism you're talking about their self-esteem and whether it's strong enough for them to be somewhat perseverant and able to be productive and creative. When we commonly speak of narcissism, I think what we really mean by it is vanity, self-centeredness, ego mania. Now that is one way of thinking about narcissism and it's valid, but the psychoanalytic way of thinking about it makes it more complicated. What it suggests is that grandiosity and exhibitionism is a natural developmental stage that you can see in your kids. You know my kids, I've got the little girl that wanted to be this ballerina or gymnasts. And I had the little boy that wanted to be Tarzan, like in the Disney version. So of course they go around showing off and acting out and, it's cute. It's their grandiose and exhibitionistic tendencies. It's when these tendencies get responded to inefficiently and with hostility or with suppression that the tendency to want to dominate and control gets stronger and stronger. And that happens developmentally. And then when we see that in adults we're seeing narcissism as it's come to be known more popularly. We're seeing that show off, vain, self-centered, all about me kind of attitude. And for the most part I would say that this is prevalent in a fairly broad way. You know most people will say they've worked with somebody, had a boss that was like that or dated somebody who was like that. Right? Why I've called it traumatic is because I've wanted to isolate and really talk about a deeper and more malignant kind of narcissist. Now you mention that previously there's been a term, malignant narcissism, right. I believe Eric Fromm probably introduced that somewhere in the 60's. And Eric Fromm was a psychoanalyst and a psychologist. Very interested in authoritarianism. You know, he came from the Frankfort school of critical theory. He developed his own ideas and his very popular books back in the 60's and 70's. And malignant narcissism for him stood for how to, well basically it was a way for him to explain dictators, tyrants, political insanely tyrannical people like Stalin, Hitler, and so on. And of course he saw all of that unfold in his lifetime during World War Two and after. So malignant narcissists would be leaders, in many cases leaders of nations, who sought to conquer and dominate and control and, of course, pillage and plunder other nations. And on a more micro level, the malignant narcissist could be a boss, could be a family member, could be a friend or a lover, or a partner. So I come in and I talk about traumatic narcissism. The reason for that, I'm sorry to be long winded but I hope that answers the question thoroughly enough. The reason I'm calling it traumatic narcissism is that I want to emphasis that there are victims of these narcissists on many levels. From the microcosm to the macrocosm. Whether it's a child being brought up by a parent who's traumatizing and narcissistic, or whether it's people living in the country ruled by a traumatizing narcissist. And those people, for example, live in North Korea. So you know, it goes the whole spectrum of human experience. It's possible to experience this kind of trauma at the hands of certain kinds of narcissists. And what I'm talking about as traumatic is subjugation, to put it most simply. And by subjugation I'm specifically referring, in this case, to a psycho- psychological kind of subjugation. Subjugation that means that a person's unique subjectivity is attacked. It's attacked and diminished and weakened so that the attacker can replace it with their own subjectivity. This, the attacker doesn't want anybody else to have their own point of view because they only want their point of view to be the valid one. And if they need to attack and destroy others to get them to submit, to be subjugated, they will do so. So you see this kind of traumatizing narcissist. Well my personal experience of this was most vivid for me during the time that I followed a guru whom I no longer follow and haven't for about twenty years. And, well that's a whole other story we can get into. So I hope that sets the stage for the, kind of spells out the basics. Rob: Okay. So you use the term subjectivity and in your book you talk about intersubjectivity. It's an important concept in your model, can you describe it in a little more detail? DS: Oh, yeah sure. I think of subjectivity as a way of describing the experience of being a subject. You know we can experience ourselves as our own self or we can experience ourselves as the object of another. So most of us are familiar with the idea of objectification. Certainly feminism has brought a great deal of attention to the way that women are objectified. Made into shiny attractive objects almost like commodities. Well, not just women but men can do very much the same. We can objectify ourselves. We can, or we can be objectified. And I don't just mean sexualized. It's much broader than that. For example, many people are familiar with Alice Miller's book, The Drama of the Gifted Child. She spells it out pretty well, that a narcissistic parent uses their child as their object. They want that child to gratify them. And they want to punish the child for developing their own sense of self, because it doesn't cater to them, the parent, the narcissist parent. So that child is made to experience herself as the object of the parent. She is meant to be the object of the parent's desires and needs and expectations. And if she fails to live up to the parent's need for gratification, she is punished. So her subjectivity is what gets punished. Her selfness, her being her own self. So that's what I mean by subjectivity. Subjectivity is the experience of having your own point of view. Of being a sense, of having a sense of yourself as a person in your own right and not as somebody owned by or objectified by somebody else. Now, intersubjectivity describes in the model I use a particular way of being in relationship. This is a model developed most fully by the psychoanalyst Jessica Benjamin. In the, in intersubjective relatedness, two people are relating to each other as separate individual people. They are not trying to dominate and control each other. Or one is not submitting to the other's domination. They are meeting each other as equals, as separate individual subjects who then can negotiate difference and sameness in a respectful way. Another way to think about that is the I-thou relationship that Martin Buber spoke of. There are many other thinkers who look at this kind of relationship, subject to subject. I am a separate subject in my own right and so are you and we're going to interact and relate, keeping that in mind. Now the lack of intersubjectivity in relationships is, as I see it, a failure of intersubjectivity, a breakdown of relatedness in the sense of subject to object. And here somebody has to hold the hot potato and be the object of the other. In relationships you might see this as a battle, a power struggle where one person is trying to get the other person to submit to them and it goes up and down like a see-saw. First you're up, then you're down. But there's only two positions there, there's only up or down. There can't be a third way in which there's equal equality and democracy in the relationship. So naturally in a country like North Korea let's say, that's a good example, it's the most horrifying example we have on the planet I guess, although there are of course many others. You know, there is a whole society meant to be subjugated to the leadership and in the particular leader who, of course, comprises a body of elites. And they are meant to feel themselves to be the object of that person. That leader in that country is the only self that's legitimate. Everybody else's self needs to comply and submit to that one. And that makes them the object of the leader. Okay, so I hope that makes sense. It's important to me because I had to struggle with understanding the relationship I had gotten into when I followed a guru in which I completely subjugated myself. And of course I was invited to do so by the guru in this group. And so were all the followers. So I had to figure out what had happened to me. Well I, one way that's helped me to understand it, is to see that I had tried to make myself the perfect object for this guru so that I would be approved of, I would feel legitimate. I had given them all legitimacy and them the power to. Rob: We're going to get into that, but I wanted to take it a little slower there. DS: Okay, Rob, no problem. Reprinted from Hightower Lowdown Reinventing business "ethics": How corporate honchos gave themselves cover to be as rapacious as they wanna be Attention class! Here's our word of the day: "Hegemony." Can you say heh-jeh-meh-nee, boys and girls? The word describes a situation in which some force (a group, a creed, a strongman, an ideology, etc.) becomes the domineering power over a society. Think of a gang of schoolyard bullies. Like them, various kinds of hegemonies have arisen throughout history to rule local, national, and even global "schoolyards," shoving other interests aside and subordinating the whole community to their will. Today, we Americans (and indeed, most people around the world) are facing an especially virulent, plutocratic version of this overbearing power. It's called Shareholder Hegemony. Never heard of it? No surprise. It is rarely mentioned by the mass media, not taught in our schools, and politicians almost never it bring to public attention. Also, it can't be seen, for it's not an incarnate hegemony, like an emperor, church, cartel, or occupying army. Rather, it's an ideological concept, really nothing more than a figment of the corporate imagination. And yet, during the past three decades, it has become the preeminent force shaping everything from economic and political inequality to global climate change and your civil rights. Shareholder hegemony is a doctrine asserting that the first, foremost, and only moral obligation of corporate executives is to maximize the profits of their shareholders. Absurd? Yes. What about customers, workers, communities, suppliers, the environment, the nation, the common good, and all the other legitimate interests directly impacted by corporate decisions? "Not our problem," the proponents say, "for our strict duty is to do whatever it takes to make as much money as we can for those who own our stock -- everyone else be damned." This grotesquely shriveled ethical standard has been fabricated and foisted on us by a tiny group of insiders who comprise what amounts to a cult of Machiavellian corporatists. They number only a few thousand people, including CEOs, board members, in-house lawyers, Wall Street money managers, lobbyists, right-wing think tank ideologues, and business school deans. Yet, collectively, these elites have become the formulators and promulgators of the corporate order that now dominates our nation of 323 million supposedly sovereign people. The recent ascendancy of corporate supremacy in America is not happenstance. It has come over us incrementally during the past 30 years or so by the deliberate design of moneyed interests. Key to their steady rise has been the corporate cult's use of rhetorical flimflammery to make our society accept their fantastical "shareholder uber alles" tale as something real, something we should believe and adopt as a core governing principle. Their big breakthrough came in 1970, when their ideological mumbo jumbo received a veneer of academic legitimacy from the University of Chicago's reigning guru of laissez-faire economics, Milton Friedman. He embraced shareholders-above-all as an absolute truth: "Do corporate executives, provided they stay within the law, have responsibilities in their business activities other than to make as much money for their stockholders as possible?" he asked, before he answered unequivocally, "No, they do not." Surely Friedman snickered when he added that sly qualifier "provided they stay within the law." As we've all learned, corporations write the law, routinely dumping millions of dollars a year into lobbyists, lawyers, legislators, and judges to ensure that the definition of what's legal will stretch like a giant prophylactic over practically any corporate sin. Indeed, in an amazing demonstration of the cult's manipulative magic, by the mid-1990s it had elevated its shareholders-first postulation into such widespread public use that it was perceived as law: Enough professors, CEOs, lobbyists, reporters, et al, had repeated the phony notion of shareholder primacy so often and so emphatically that they managed to weasel it into America's vast and vacuous trove of conventional wisdom. Not only had they created a lie that wouldn't die, but they beefed up its hegemonic punch by proclaiming that corporate managers are legally bound to act to harm workers or any others if those actions financially benefit shareholders. Even many progressives were caught up in the powerful riptide of this "legal obligation" excuse. Watchdog Ken Jacobson notes in a 2012 Alternet article that our solidly progressive friend, Sen. Al Franken, hornswoggled by the corporate claim, once declared: "It is literally -- literally -- malfeasance for a corporation not to do everything it can to maximize its profits. That's a corporation's duty to its shareholders." In fact, there is no legal basis for ranking stock prices and corporate owners above any other interest. No national law requires it, nor does any state law. More tellingly, not even one corporate charter has been found that so much as mentions a duty of executives to increase stock prices to maximize stockholder profits. To the contrary, until the 1970s, when the cultists started pushing their radical (and ridiculous) model of "shareholder capitalism," a more humble corporate culture preached and practiced "managerial capitalism," to balance the drive for profits with the needs of various other constituencies. Jacobson cites a 1943 "credo" penned by Robert Wood Johnson, founder of Johnson & Johnson, designating five groups to be served: Customers were first, workers second, managers third, and communities fourth. Shareholders, he declared, were the "fifth and last responsibility" of the company. Johnson also wrote that, while "business must make a sound profit," much more is required from corporate executives: "We must be a good citizen -- support good works and charity, and bear our fair share of taxes. We must maintain in good order the property we are privileged to use. We must participate in the promotion of civic improvement, health, education, and good government..." In another excellent report on the fallacy of shareholder supremacy, written two years ago for The American Prospect, business journalist Steven Pearlstein noted the abrupt shift that the Business Roundtable had made in its definition of corporate responsibility. In the 1980s, the Roundtable (a lobbying collective for large US corporations and banks) formally recognized the important "symbiotic relationship" that the corporate community enjoys with the larger community from which it benefits. The group publicly acknowledged the "responsibility" of corporations to provide "first of all" quality goods and services at fair prices, as well as providing jobs and building the economy. By 1997, however, the Roundtable's statement of corporate purpose withered from serving the public good to serving shareholders alone. Singing from Friedman's one-note hymnal, the group decreed: "The principal objective of a business enterprise is to generate economic returns to its owners." As for everyone else: Adios, chumps. Listening to various Western political leaders at the recent Munich Security Conference is both laughable and cringe-making. We heard from the likes of US top diplomat John Kerry and British foreign secretary Philip Hammond holding forth on issues of international law and peace, while NATO's Jens Stoltenberg and General Philip Breedlove assured that there was no Cold War. The EU's foreign affairs chief Federica Morgherini also made the stupendous denial that the world was not witnessing a new Cold War towards Russia, as did German foreign minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier. Who do these people think we are? If they are stupid enough to live in denial that's up to them. But surely the rest of the thinking human race can see the world for what it is: a place where the United States and its various allies are running amok, making a mockery of international law, waging wars, covertly and overtly, against anyone who stands in their way. This is exactly the sordid scenario that Russian president Vladimir Putin warned about back in 2007 when he addressed the Munich conference. Putin said it would end in tears, from lawlessness and state-sponsored terrorism, instigated and justified by Western leaders who hypocritically speak as if they are paragons of virtue. It truly is sickening to be lectured by Western warmongers and their apologists. Russia's prime minister Dmitry Medvedev and foreign minister Sergei Lavrov were probably the only sane voices at the Munich conference this year. Both reiterated the danger to world peace from NATO's warmongering -- and yet both were scoffed at by their Western counterparts for speaking the truth. In Syria, let's cut to the chase. The alleged pro-democracy uprising that the Western media have been spinning for the last five years is this: it's a covert war of aggression on a sovereign country for regime change. NATO powers and their regional client regimes have weaponized the proxy assault forces who are comprised of myriad terrorist mercenaries. That is standard operating procedure for the United States and its NATO allies, when outright conventional military attack on countries is politically unpalatable. NATO member Turkey is now openly firing into Syrian territory. How's that for the organization that claims to maintain global security? We should not even dignify Ankara's claims for its violation of international law. The fact is that it is attacking a neighboring country with artillery barrages. This is simply aggression, as the Syrian government has protested this week to the United Nations Security Council. The irony of Turkey violating Syria's sovereignty at the very same time that NATO leaders were pontificating in Munich about "security" is too much for words. The irony of the US and Britain lecturing Russia over its legal military intervention in Syria to defend a state from NATO-backed subversion using terrorists is sickening. Doubly sickening considering that Washington and London have been actively assisting in the Saudi bombing of Yemen for the past year during which every possible civilian center, including hospitals, schools, family homes and markets have been struck with horrendous death toll. NATO member Turkey and the US-British client regime Saudi Arabia are threatening to send military ground forces into Syria. That threatened invasion -- itself an act of aggression -- is to salvage the Western-backed war for regime change in Syria, which Russia's five-month-old intervention is brilliantly thwarting. Western media -- the brainwashing system that it is -- will of course tell lies and distort, reducing the bigger picture to the nonsensical fragment of daily events, which are, in turn, riven with fabrications and omissions. Like the US military spokesman Colonel Steve Warren's claim last week that Russian warplanes bombed two hospitals in Syria's northern city of Aleppo. Russia clarified that claim by saying it had no warplanes in the city, and that it was in fact two US aircraft that carried out bombing raids. Let's not even go there: the claim, counterclaim and endless minutiae. That is only letting other people dictate the narrative to suit their ends. The fact is Syria has been brought to near-destruction by a US-led covert war that was long in the making before the official eruption of violence in mid-March 2011. The war was prosecuted with terrorist proxies who are now being destroyed by Russian air power in combination with Syrian army and Iranian and Hezbollah ground forces. None of this should be surprising. The US and Britain destroyed Iraq and Afghanistan with over a million dead. The US and its NATO allies destroyed Libya. The US and its European partners tried to destroy Ukraine with a regime change operation that installed a Neo-Nazi coup in February 2014, which then proceeded to wage a war on the people of eastern Ukraine, simply because the latter refused to recognize the impostor-junta that the West orchestrated. The historical consistency is that NATO was formed in 1949 to wage war on the Soviet Union -- the real victor of the Second World War against fascism in Europe. The powers behind the rise of Nazi Germany and European fascism were the Americans and the British in an attempt to keep the world safe for capitalism. NATO just took up where Nazi Germany failed. Congress Switchboard: 202-224-3121 "In his new book, Bottom-Up, Rob Kall's exploration of top-down and bottom-up forces in our culture, our brains, and our planet provides a deep insight into the challenges we face. He offers pathways we can use to create the changes we need to break free of the war economy and build local peace economies." Jodie Evans, cofounder of Code Pink and Chair of the Women's Media Center Jesus once remarked to a wealthy man that "it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than it is for a rich man to go to heaven." Today, we could amend the words of that Biblical reference with the US presidential race underway: "It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a voter in the US to know and understand the rules regulating the administration of all elections, including elections for President of the United States." Let's start with the phenomenon of what is called a "minority president."No, that is not a president who identifies as an ethnic or racial minority in the US. A minority president is one who has failed to win a plurality of the votes cast in the race for president, and yet is still able to become President of the United States. This is the exact opposite of what a true democracy would require; perhaps not even a pure democracy would entertain such a position such as the "Office of the Presidency." But that is an entirely different matter. The United States has actually had several minority presidents in its history, while the 21st century began ominously enough with yet another minority President: George W. Bush, the Republican who failed to secure the most votes cast by the people [in the 2000 election, the Supreme Court, in a 5-4 ruling, decided the victor of the race after moving to halt the recount process in the state of Florida]. Both the US House and the US Senate are charged with counting the Electoral College votes, and this is a process in which I have participated. The constitutionally mandated process was circumvented by the precedent-setting Bush v. Gore Supreme Court ruling that instructed future Courts not to use the decision as a precedent! As this case aptly proved, it's not the people who have the last word in US elections. It's a non-democratic construct called the Electoral College that does, except in those rare instances when it doesn't. The Electoral College was created by the framers of the US Constitution to ensure that the votes of the plebes did not supersede the interests of the landed gentry. That's not just my opinion. For example, according to FairVote, an organization with which I worked in the 2000 Presidential election, a whopping 78 percent of the votes cast were rendered unimportant due to the arcane rules of the Electoral College. They estimate that in 2008, the figure still topped 70 percent. In order to be declared the winner of the presidency, 270 Electoral College votes are required. But the process is not what could be called transparent. For example, veteran Pro Se litigator Asa Gordon has demonstrated how the Black vote in the US is rendered less relevant by the arcane apportionment rules of the Electoral College. And when the Electoral College is deadlocked, which has happened before, then the matter falls to the United States House of Representatives to decide who will be allowed to serve in the White House. Add to the above debacles, the US Congress and the election authorities in the 50 states have authorized and encouraged the use of hackable electronic voting machines that are used for vote casting and vote tabulation. Bev Harris and her company, Black Box Voting, has accumulated horror stories surrounding the non-transparency of US elections. I have worked closely with Harris because the danger of these machines is self-evident to everyone except the officials who continue to purchase them for millions of dollars, putting millions of voters' most precious political asset at risk. Such a scenario is what led former President Jimmy Carter to comment he "absolutely" could not be elected today under such conditions, going so far as to characterize the United States as an oligarchy, not a democracy. "Hacking Democracy" is only one of the many documentaries to expose the fallibility of the actual voting process in the US. Other documentaries focus on how private money has corrupted its election process. In addition to the insecure hardware, I am sorry to write that the voter list is kept on an electronic device and if the voter's name fails to appear on the list, the voter has little recourse. In the US, votes and vote tabulation processes are done without any traceable back-up procedures. In other words, there is no paper trail -- no receipt of a vote, as it were -- whatsoever. In one of my Congressional elections in which the electronic voting machines "failed," not only was I unable to obtain the election data despite a lawsuit having been filed, an expert witness for the state of Georgia testified that voters have to simply "trust" that the announced winner is the actual winner. Meanwhile, candidates have no access to the raw election data because that information is "owned" by Diebold -- the company that produced the electronic voting machines and the software used by them (The documentary "American Blackout" tells my own personal story with US elections). The Commander in Chief of Turkey's half million-man military, President Recep Tayipp Erdogan, is a supporter of ISIS and a financial beneficiary of the ISIS oil trade. It is entirely reasonable to say that Turkey is aligned with ISIS and is actively supporting that group and other extremist jihadist groups in the attack on Syria. Image: Creative Commons Since the start of the attack on Syria in 2011, Turkey has been a key transit point for foreign jihadists, supplies, and weapons headed for rebels fighting to bring down the Syrian government. Jihadists enter Turkey and get bussed to the Syrian border. Along the way, many are trained at facilities like that in Adana, Turkey. The Turkish military has done nothing to stop this. The Turkish military did nothing in 2012 when local authorities in southern Turkey stopped a shipment of weapons to jihadists in Syria. When intelligence officials in Ankara instructed the local authorities to stand down and allow the weapons to pass to Syrian rebels, the army passively observed and silently endorsed the delivery of deadly munitions to jihadist extremists. When the Syrian city of Kobani was under attack by ISIS in October 2014, the Turkish military lounged on their tanks in the hills above the besieged city and did absolutely nothing. The illegal ISIS oil trade was an open secret for months. On December 2, 2015, the Russian Ministry of Defense presented detailed evidence showing convoys of ISIS oil leaving Syria and entering Turkey. Independent analysts supported the validity of the claims. There is also evidence that the president's son Bilal Erdogan's shipping fleet has been used to transport the ISIS oil to up to forty nations around the world. The total ISIS oil income is around a billion dollars a year. This income provides the financial foundation for the organization's military efforts. The Turkish military has done nothing to stop this. Most recently, the Erdogan government showed its true colors by having the army shell Syrian Kurds and the Syrian Arab Army in northern Syria. These are the only two fighting forces on the ground opposing ISIS and other Al Qaeda aligned jihadists in the civil war, Syrian Kurds and the regular army. These forces were about to secure control of the area around the town of Azaz, Syria. A clear victory would cut off the supply line to jihadists in Syria. Turkey's army began shelling Kurdish and Syrian troops on Sunday, February 12, and the attack continues. President Erdogan threw down a challenge to the United States on February 11: "Oh America! I told you many times; you are [either] beside us, or all of these terrorist organizations [Syrian Kurds]. You haven't had a good grasp of them, and that is why the region has turned into the sea of blood." Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said Monday: "YPG [Syrian Kurds] elements were forced away from around Azaz. If they approach again they will see the harshest reaction. We will not allow Azaz to fall," Providing a pathway for ISIS recruits; safe passage for oil to sell to willing buyers and ships to get it there; giving training and weapons for ISIS; and military support all show Turkey is aligned with ISIS objectives and the massive Turkish army is participating in the cause of its commander in chief, President Erdogan. Turkey is threatening to invade northern Syria with its army supplemented by fighter jets and troops from Saudi Arabia. The Turks strongly implied that an invasion would occur if the Kurds and Syrian army secure Azaz from Syrian rebels including Al Qaeda aligned Al Nusra. Why? Because Azaz is a key to the supply of personnel and weapons to jihadist terrorists, Al Qaeda aligned, ISIS, and others. Thus, the facilitating role of the Turkey's military may become even more active than the current shelling. The commander in chief of the Turkish military, Erdogan, is threatening to invade Syria and secure Azaz for the benefit of ISIS and other terrorists. How much more proof do NATO and others need to realize that the 587,688 person Turkish military is now part of the ISIS alliance? The Kurds and Syrian army forces continue their advance on Azaz. We will soon see if Erdogan is bluffing, in which case there will be no Turkish invasion, or if he's lost his mind and orders his army to cross the Syrian border. This piece was reprinted by OpEd News with permission or license. It may not be reproduced in any form without permission or license from the source. Peacekeepers Memorial, Sussex Dr, Ottawa (491804) (Image by Bob Linsdell) Details DMCA ISIS is a core element of a vile "double-game" engineered by the West. On the one hand, ISIS is presented as the "enemy" --- which takes very little convincing --- while on the other hand, the West uses ISIS as "strategic assets"/proxies to destroy "non-compliant" sovereign countries abroad. All of this serves to create an enemy based on racism and disinformation -- necessary components of all imperial war crimes. The engineered "enemy", in this case, our ISIS "assets", also serves to vilify all Muslims. Islamophobia is a useful instrument that enables the process of illegal invasions abroad. Meanwhile, the Koran's teachings are diametrically opposed to anything that the West's ISIS mercenaries might profess to be part of their belief system. Chopping off the heads of innocent civilians, many of whom are Muslims, certainly does not align itself with teachings from the Koran. Former NATO Commander, General Wesley Clark was very transparent, during a Democracy Now episode, that the US had planned in advance, to "take down" (illegal regime change) seven countries in five years: Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Iran. War plans always precede propaganda campaigns. So, the diabolical purpose is to create widespread Islamophobia, and to continue to create false (and ever-changing) pretexts for permanent war, looting, and the mass slaughter of innocents. Targeting civilians, creating murderous chaos, using terrorist mercenary proxies, and installing puppet regimes are all part of Western military doctrine. Criminal Western propagandists have confused the Syrian crisis to such a degree -- by design -- that the self-evident truth of their military strategies have now been obscured. Professor Tim Anderson's recently published e-book, The Dirty War On Syria, however, provides clear, well-substantiated evidence of the truth. In Chapter Eleven, "Washington, Terrorism, And The Islamic State," some of the supporting evidence includes these references: As early as 2006, the West was trying to "destabilize" (ie destroy) Syria. A 2012 Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) document clearly states that the Salafist, the Muslim Brotherhood, and AQI are the major forces driving the insurgency in Syria" and that, "the West, Gulf Countries, and Turkey support the opposition, while Russia, China, and Iran support the regime." (The term "Salafist" refers to ISIS and "AQI" means al-Qaeda in Iraq.) General Martin Dempsey disclosed in 2014 that "I know major Arab allies that fund them" (referring to ISIS). The allies in this case includes Wahhabi Saudi Arabia and the Gulf countries). Next Page 1 | 2 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). First, note how far down the path of politician personality cult the media has led us. Since when did candidates only have first names, like " Jeb", "Ted", "Hillary", "Bernie", and of course, "The Donald" ? Since when did reporters want to know what the candidate had for breakfast rather than how he's going to break up giant banks? In his New Hampshire victory speech Bernie said, "In a thousand years, I didn't expect to be here." But, after he pinched himself, there he was--David who had just toppled Goliath. Suddenly it dawned on him, "I COULD be president", quite unlike Hillary who has probably already hired an interior decorator to redo the Oval Office. "Wow! What could a Progressive do behind the desk of the Oval Office? I better watch what I say," he thought, "I might blow it, just when I'm so close." But the weight of this realization has been heavy, far too heavy. If his last debate performance is any indication, it has been almost suffocating. Looking at the shinning possibility of how this could all could turn out has caused Bernie to take his eyes off the ball. When he began his campaign in Iowa his constant theme was "This is not about me. I'm just the most visible part of this tsunami of outrage at the betrayal of the American people by the Wall Street - Washington cartel. Yes, I've been inside the Halls of Power but I feel your pain and I've gone rouge. I've come outside to help you organize and lead you back to take over. Grab your pitchforks and light your torches because the revolution starts NOW! In a democracy we, the People, rule! It's one citizen, one vote, not one billionaire, one Congressman." Now Bernie has something to lose. If he truly represents the rage of the Lost Class, if he really expresses the moral indignation of the world against imperial wars destabilizing the Mideast, drones, water boarding and Guantanamo, he might lose some votes. Political Correctness has crept into his head. Not surprisingly, winning the early battle in New Hampshire has had the same effect on both "outsiders". An interviewer of Trump told him she was uncomfortable allowing her young daughter to watch his rally. She wanted a president she could point to as a role model. He responded that he'd gone to the best schools and he knew how to behave better. I'm sure he's already re-reading The Prince where Machiavelli will explain to him if you want to wear the mantle of power you must assume at least a public veneer of decorum. In a more subtle and far more disastrous way, Bernie has been throttled with the prospect of real power. He no longer can recklessly confront the actual monsters, hiding in plain view. Not once did he mention the trillions of dollars wasted in the War on Terror. Only once did he politely hint that the U.S. spends perhaps a tad too much on "defense". What about WAR? Not once did he quote Dr. Martin Luther King who declared that war is taking what a moral nation would be spending on the poor. Not once did he quote General, President and Republican Dwight D. Eisenhower, "Every gun that is made, every warship launched, every rocket fired signifies, in the final sense, a theft from those who hunger and are not fed, those who are cold and are not clothed." Today, more than ever, income inequality unites the underclasses, regardless of color. When Senator Sanders announced his run for president, the pundits knew he was no threat to the coronation of the queen, the passing to her the ruling scepter in the unbroken lineage of the Clinton Bushbama dynasty. In the beginning, he didn't take his campaign too seriously. He was doing it to highlight his favorite issues and perhaps pull Hillary a bit more toward the left. He said it wasn't about him, it was about all the people who had lost their future, whose jobs had been shipped out. During the last debate, Bernie no longer felt the burn. While he can still yell, it's beginning to sound hollow. Now he's shy about poking the real elephant in the room, the real reason why we can't afford ANY of the welfare and environmental programs he's proposing without raising taxes. He could have said, "Look at how much we spent on war just since year 2000! $$$Xmxm, more than enough to pay for it all without raising taxes on anyone. Our disastrous military adventures are draining our budget. Worse than that, they're making new terrorists. When a drone strike destroyed your family at a wedding, what kind of feelings do these people have about the U. S?" Bernie said, "Kissinger's no friend of mind" but he could have asked Hillary, "Did Kissinger whisper in your ear, vote for war?" Kissinger may seem like ancient history to many millennials but Bernie must connect the dots for them to show how we got to "perpetual war" through an Interventionist Foreign Policy which has drained our federal budget. Hilary's saying, "There's more smoke than light here, folks!" Already she's stolen Bernie's talking point for a program to break up big banks--his doesn't go far enough! Bernie could have reminded us that trust and integrity are essential qualities voters are looking for and mentioned that the FBI's not investigating his files. He could have mentioned that no Wall Street bankers have endorsed him, that he is not beholden to any Israeli PAC for giving him millions of dollars. By the way, what did you say when they gave you all that money? Without making any accusations he could have observed, "In a system where money talks, the Clintons listen real good". And speaking of character, Bernie could have reminded us of his early days in the civil rights movement and the anti-war. "I've been for civil rights, against the war ever since the Civil Rights movement. I've got the courage to stand up for what's right even when it's not popular". Bernie's afraid Hilary's going to "throw the kitchen sink" at him. What's far more dangerous to him is being suffocated by his own reflection. Bernie has no Wall Street power brokers, no Democratic Machine, not even any well defined programs. He has nothing but the moral high ground, and the challenge that, if we stand together, we can overthrow the status quo! If he is now too frightened by the prospect of real power to shine the light of public attention on the obscene amounts of money spent on the disastrous U.S. ambition of world dominion so clearly stated by PNAC (Project for a New American Century) and carried out by every president since 9-11, then we are lost. None of the other presidential candidates will even hint at it. by Dan Lucas These are very disquieting times. North Korea is believed to be conducting hydrogen bomb testing and has successfully launched a missile capable of reaching the United States breaking many U.N. Security Council resolutions in doing so. Islamic terrorists murdered a U.S. ambassador with impunity, and rather than comprehending what that means, those in charge sought to spin the optics of the murder for political purposes. An Islamic nation-state has very publicly humiliated U.S. forces with no negative consequences. That same nation-state is now free to develop nuclear weapons and has access to much more money to pursue nuclear weapons or to fund terrorist organizations thanks to the U.S. The current agreements to stop the development of nuclear weapons for that country are meaningless just as the 1994 nuclear deal with North Korea was meaningless and failed. Our ambivalent and hands-off approach to the Middle East has resulted in that region further spinning out of control. It has led to the rise of ISIS and a mass migration out of countries like Syria. The rise of ISIS and mass migrations have in turn have resulted in carnage in places like Paris and San Bernardino, as well as some major and disturbing clashes of culture in Europe. The weakness and lack of resolve we are exhibiting as a nation are very dangerous signals to a very dangerous world. China is acting increasingly aggressive. After a U.S. Navy ship recently sailed through disputed waters, a spokesman for the Chinese defense ministry said the move may cause extremely dangerous consequences. Alarmed by the Chinese, even a fickle Philippines is now welcoming back the U.S. military. After successfully invading Ukraine and seizing the Crimea with nary a whimper from an impotent West, Russia is growing its sphere of influence in the Middle East vacuum and continuing to intimidate its European neighbors. In the U.S. political sphere, rational thought seems to have fallen from favor. It has been replaced by anger or entitlement. Staggering proportions of our U.S. population appear to be living life heavily medicated. Our federal spending is irresponsible and not sustainable. The national debt recently topped $19 trillion. According to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), the federal debt is now equivalent to about 74 percent of the economys annual output, or gross domestic product (GDP)a higher percentage than at any point in U.S. history except a seven-year period around World War II. Around six percent of federal spending now goes to just paying the interest on the debt. Federal net interest on the debt was $229 billion in 2015. Federal corporate income taxes collected for FY2014 were about $330 billion. That means that the equivalent of more than 2/3 of corporate income taxes collected went to just paying interest on the debt! And federal interest costs on the debt are projected by the CBO to triple in the next decade to $808 billion. We are blithely spending trillions of dollars we dont have in effect taxing Americans who are still too young to vote and even those yet to be born. That is irresponsible and unethical, and its not sustainable. America is at a crossroads. We have serious decisions to make about our future. It is my prayerful hope that we overcome our current predicament, that we embrace rational and mature approaches to problems, that we find constructive outlets for our anger and frustration, and that we elect leaders who call forth the best in us. Leaders who inspire us and who truly call us together as a nation. To read more from Dan, visit www.dan-lucas.com Please click here in order to read our guidelines on commenting to the blog. 12 reasons why Cameron will lose on Brexit The pundits have got it wrong: The Brits will vote themselves out of Europe. By DENIS... Visit PaleoJudaica daily for the latest news on ancient Judaism and the biblical world. E-mail: paleojudaica-at-talktalk-dot-net ("-at-" = "@", "-dot-" = ".") The mathematical (and other) thoughts of a (now retired) math teacher, http://bit.ly/1PBshWZ Human Rights Watch and other groups have previously accused Saudi Arabia of using cluster munitions in Yemen, including in a Jan. 6 strike in Sana, the capital, and have criticized the United States as an accomplice. In a Jan. 12 letter to President Obama, Megan Burke, the director of the Cluster Munition Coalition, a disarmament group, urged him to demand that Saudi-led coalition members stop using cluster munitions, and said the United States should investigate its own role in the recent strikes. John Kirby, the State Department spokesman, said in a statement: We have seen the Human Rights Watch report, and are reviewing it. Obviously we remain deeply concerned by reports of harm to civilians and have encouraged the Saudi-led coalition to investigate reports of civilian harm. Saudi officials did not comment, but have denied ordering the use of cluster munitions in Yemen. Cluster munitions contain submunitions, or bomblets, that disperse widely and kill indiscriminately. Many bomblets can fail to explode, posing a threat to civilians. A 2008 treaty bans the weapons, but major arms suppliers, including the United States and Russia, have not signed it. Sensitive to the criticism, the United States has severely restricted exports of cluster munitions and has sought to improve technology to minimize collateral damage. Under a 2009 law, only cluster munitions with a failure rate of 1 percent or less can be exported, and they can be used only against clearly defined military targets, not where civilians are known to be present. The latest Human Rights Watch report dwelled on what it described as potential violations of that law, based partly on evidence that one type of American cluster bomb sold to the Saudis, the CBU-105 Sensor Fuzed Weapon, had been used in at least two attacks and had a failure rate exceeding 1 percent. The evidence raises serious questions about compliance with U.S. cluster munition policy and export rules, Goose said. sAFP adds: A drone attack on two public buildings controlled by Al-Qaeda militants in south Yemen killed three people on Monday, a local official said. The dawn attack also badly damaged the offices of public water and telecommunications utilities in Huta, capital of Lahij province, the official added. No details about the three victims were immediately available. Witnesses said two drones overflew Huta both before and after the attack. The drone strike came a day after a soldier and a civilian were killed in a suicide car bombing in Huta that a Yemeni military source said targeted an armoured vehicle of the Emirati armed forces. The United Arab Emirates has lost more than 70 soldiers in Yemen since the Saudi-led Arab coalition last March launched a military campaign in support of President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi's internationally recognised government. Lahij is one of five provinces retaken from Iran-backed Shiite Huthi rebels last summer by pro-government forces, but security problems persist. Since the coalition intervened in Yemen, Sunni jihadists of Al-Qaeda and also the Islamic State group have exploited the chaos created by the conflict to strengthen their positions in the south. Al-Qaeda has been well-established for years in south Yemen, but now faces competition from IS which has mounted a series of deadly attacks, particularly in Aden, temporary capital of the internationally recognised government. The United Nations says more than 6,100 people have been killed and 29,000 wounded in Yemen's conflict since the coalition began its raids, about half of them civilians. Ever so slowly, these dark winter days are growing longer by approximately two minutes per day! When the sun does happen to emerge from behi... My evil scheme to take over Australia... and the world! Irkutsk was a reputation I've solely seen before on RISK. Yes, the board game. and that i had to trawl the net to search out out how ... ATLANTA, GA (Marketwired February 16, 2016) HubLogix, a leading provider of ecommerce logistics automation solutions for retailers, announces the acquisition of OrderPigeon, a former competitor. The strategic acquisition increases HubLogix reach into mid-market and sub-enterprise retailers and several key vertical markets and positions the company for growth in the $300 billion ecommerce marketplace. The deal was backed by Atlanta-based Mosley Ventures and Boston-based Sigma Prime Ventures. Christian Hassold, a tech entrepreneur and OrderPigeons founder and CEO, worked with HubLogix investors and founder Kurt Heinrich, to orchestrate the acquisition, and will now lead the expanded firm in the capacity of CEO. In Christian we saw a savvy, experienced leader with a vision to build on the solid foundation of the HubLogix product, forge new partnerships and take the business to the next level, says Wei-Chun Tai, Partner, Mosley Ventures. Joining Christian in the executive suite is Kurt Heinrich, founder of HubLogix, who now leads the companys product team. The enterprise will operate under the HubLogix name and will integrate OrderPigeons proprietary SAAS order management platform into its architecture. Hassold was attracted to HubLogix because it had solid relationships with dominant ecommerce platforms including Shopify and BigCommerce. OrderPigeon, on the other hand, had established partnerships with Channeladvisor and a large base of mid-market customers. Hassold saw the potential a combined operation would bring. We are the only ecommerce order automation solution with a global network of distribution and fulfillment partners that are able to support the increasingly complex needs of online retailers. We are excited to grow the business with the combined team, says Hassold. HubLogix has a solid base of retail and brand customers in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom and Australia. This business combination provides a great opportunity for our customers, investors and the marketplace, Heinrich adds. HubLogix will now offer best-in-class omni-channel order management and serve a broader range of customers and fulfillment partners. About HubLogix HubLogix is an omni-channel order management platform for ecommerce retailers in the U.S, Canada, the UK and Australia. We provide a seamless backend betw Justices should be removed from the Court after a period of 14 years President Donald Trump has nominated 10th Circuit Court Judge Ne... PTSD is a serious condition, and the president has worked tirelessly to help vets Sarah Palin, fresh off of her recent endorsement of Dona... A provision that's never been enforced since it was passed as part of a larger law in the way-back-times of former President Bill Clinto... Douglas V. Gibbs is a proud member of the American Authors Association Douglas V. Gibbs is a proud member of the Military Writers Society of America. GLENS FALLS | Cloyd C. Kerchner, M.D., 77, passed away Saturday, Feb. 6, 2016, in the comfort of his son, Todd, and his daughter, Julie. He was born in Amsterdam, New York in 1938, to Maria Cimmino and Kenneth Kerchner. He grew up in Schenectady, New York where he graduated from Nott Terrace High School. He participated in Boys Scouts of America. He earned the Eagle Scout award and spent many happy summers at Boy Haven BSC. His understanding of life was embodied in the Boy Scout credo including loyal, trustworthy, kind, brave and reverence. Cloyd attended Johns Hopkins University for pre-med. He continued his medical education at Albany Medical College of Union University, where he began his passion for plastic surgery at Albany Medical. He earned the distinction of diplomat of the American Board of Surgery and the American Board of Plastic Surgery. After a year in San Diego, California, he returned to his beloved Adirondack Mountains. Cloyd began his practice at Glens Falls Hospital. He was instrumental in the development of the Day Surgery Unit and was president of the Department of Surgery and head of the Burn Unit. Cloyd shared his favorite hike in San Juan Mountains in Colorado with many family members and friends. Fly-fishing was his sport and he was good at it. He believed fishing to be one of lifes joys and he used it as peaceful meditation to contrast his life in the emergency room. The most important gift of his youth was a copy of John J. Audubons Birds of North America that was given by his Grandma Cimmino. He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Julie and Jean-Francois Morin; and his sons, Todd and Matthew; he also leaves his sister, Sylvia, and her husband, Lloyd Jones; his brother, Anthony, and his sister-in-law, Felicia Pirrone; he will be missed by his grandchildren, Andre and Eric Morin; and his nieces and nephews, Suzanne and Forrest Lottie, Jennifer Molloy, Guinevere Jones, Cesaera and Thomas Salisbury, Jubal and Journey Kerchner Pirrone and many great-nieces and nephews. Beside his parents, his brothers, Kenneth, Jr. and Richard and his nephew, Benton Kerchner Jones, predecease him. Ben Franklin said find work that you enjoy and you will never work a day in your life. This was very true for Dr. Cloyd Kerchner where many of his best memories are of his patients and the surgery he performed for them. He loved to sing Sinatra to his patients during surgery. Every day he was able to get up and go to the hospital was a good day to him. He was an impeccable dresser, a smooth talker and a graceful dancer. Special thanks to his caregivers, especially by his son, Todd; his niece, Suzanne Lottie, and the friendship of Forrest Lottie, II and the care they gave to Cloyd to enhance the quality of his life. Family and friends are invited to call from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 13, at Singleton Sullivan Potter Funeral Home, 407 Bay Road, Queensbury. A memorial service will follow at 4 p.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, please send a donation to Camp Boyhaven at www.trcscouting.org or to the Alzheimers Association at www.alz.org. For those who wish, online condolences may be made to the family by visiting www.sbfuneralhome.com. FORT EDWARD The Kingsbury man who was to stand trial next week for the death of his girlfriends 13-month-old daughter pleaded guilty Tuesday to reduced charges after a witness came forward who cast more of the blame toward the childs mother. Joshua J. Bennett pleaded guilty to criminally negligent homicide and fourth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, with the understanding that second-degree murder and manslaughter charges would be dismissed. He would serve 6 to 8 years in prison on the charges, with those prison terms to run consecutively to the 6-year term he is serving for an earlier drug conviction. Bennett, 32, admitted having heroin and cocaine, accessible to children, in the Route 4 home where Kayleigh Cassell died last Feb. 22. Her death was attributed to complications from heroin and cocaine use and overdose. He did not admit giving the child any drugs, and he has maintained throughout the case that he was not responsible for the childs death. Washington County District Attorney Tony Jordan said his office agreed to dismiss the weightiest charges after a witness came forward indicating that Kayleighs mother, Rachel Rae Ball, of Gansevoort, had admitted to her that she had given heroin to the child. The witness told police that Ball would put heroin in the childs bottle because the girl was colicky. The drug is a depressant that would likely have calmed her. Reasonable doubt Jordan said true or not, the female witness a friend of Balls who was not identified would have cast doubt on evidence linking Bennett to the death. She (Ball) was going to have a lot of credibility issues to begin with, Jordan said. What this piece was going to add was going to make proof beyond a reasonable doubt extremely difficult. The witness was interviewed by State Police for more than 6 hours late last week and found to be credible, Jordan said. He said she came forward because she believed Ball was not being punished enough for her role in the death. Ball, 27, pleaded guilty Nov. 6 to criminally negligent homicide, two felony drug counts and misdemeanor endangering the welfare of a child. She is to receive a minimum of 8 1/3 to 11 years in prison when sentenced March 4, which was dependent on her cooperation against Bennett. Ball did not admit to giving the child drugs but provided extensive circumstantial evidence that pointed the finger toward Bennett, and she alleged he physically abused the child. Baby bottles were tested for drug residue, and the 100 or so heroin packet wrappers found in the home were tested for the girls fingerprints and DNA, and none was found. Balls DNA was found on the heroin packets, however. Jordan said his office was looking into whether the new evidence would be considered a violation of the terms of Balls plea agreement, but he said it was not likely that her plea deal would be undone. Bennetts lawyer, Garfield Raymond, said the plea agreement for his client was fair and appropriate under the circumstances because Bennett denied giving drugs to Kayleigh. She (Ball) misled everyone from day one, he said. The bulk of the sentence he is going to serve is for the drugs, and thats what he is, a drug dealer. Bennett is to be sentenced Feb. 26 by Washington County Judge Kelly McKeighan. In all, he will face 12 to 14 years in state prison, followed by 4 years on parole. Investigation Kalyeigh was found dead in a crib on the second floor of Bennetts mothers home on Route 4. She had bruises, but no injuries were found to have caused her death. Instead, toxicology tests indicated her death was linked to respiratory problems that a forensic pathologist attributed to months of drug use. Tests of her hair follicles showed drug exposure that dated back to spring 2014. Bennett had been selling cocaine and heroin from the home, and both he and Ball told police they had been using drugs. But neither admitted giving the child drugs when questioned by police. Despite the circumstantial evidence, a Washington County grand jury filed 15-count indictments against Ball and Bennett accusing them of second-degree murder, manslaughter and drug counts. The murder charge accused them of having depraved indifference toward human life, leading to the death. Bennett was also charged with selling heroin the day before the childs death, a sale that was revealed as police questioned witnesses about the girls death. He pleaded guilty to a felony count of criminal sale of a controlled substance in November as that case was severed from the homicide case. That plea came four days after Ball pleaded guilty and agreed to testify against him. Jordan and Washington County Sheriff Jeff Murphy praised the effort of sheriffs Senior Investigator Tony LeClaire, who spearheaded the investigation that involved sheriffs officers and State Police. Tragic case Bennetts plea on Tuesday capped a tragic, unprecedented case that exposed yet another death in the heroin crisis that has besieged much of the nation. Jordan said it should serve as a warning that the epidemic is real, and those who have loved ones involved with opioids need to take a hard look at everyone in their environment, such as impacts on children. The hulking, brown-haired man wept during his plea allocution Tuesday, not for the death of the child but because he believes he is being mistreated in prison, where he has been serving the 6-year drug sentence. He was being held in Great Meadow Correctional Facility in Fort Ann in recent weeks. Im being scrutinized over in that prison, he said. Every day I have to deal with these guards putting me through hell, and I want something done about it. McKeighan said he had no control over the state Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, but the district attorneys office could notify the state agency about his concerns. Jury selection in Bennetts case was to begin Feb. 22. U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-Willsboro, has not taken a position on the time frame for a replacement for U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, who died over the weekend, said Tom Flanagin, the congresswomans spokesman. The time frame for Justice Scalias replacement will be determined between the President and the U.S. Senate, and Congresswoman Stefanik respects this constitutional process. Her thoughts and prayers are with Justice Scalias family during this difficult time, Flanagin said, responding to a Post-Star request to speak with Stefanik about the topic. Flanagin said Stefanik was traveling on Monday and not available to comment directly. Replacing Scalia on the court has quickly become a political controversy. President Barack Obama, who leaves office in January, has said he expects to nominate a replacement soon. The Senate must ratify the nomination. Senate Republicans have said they would block a vote on the nomination because the next president should make the nomination. U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., on the ABC news show This Week on Sunday, criticized Republicans for threatening to block a vote on the nomination. On Monday, Schumer posted a link on his Facebook page to a New York Times editorial urging Senate Republicans to allow a vote on the nomination. Stefanik, in a prepared statement, said she met Scalia when she worked as a White House staff policy adviser in President George W. Bushs administration, and was touched by his (Scalias) thoughtfulness in taking time to speak with her. Justice Antonin Scalia was a true giant on the bench of the highest court, Stefanik said in the statement. One need look no further than the eloquent words of his colleagues on the bench praising his rigor and intellect. Inventory needs to be managed and managed well, or you are going to get in recurring trouble, and lose your credibility and hard-earned conversions, whether Read more The ProRanger Philadelphia program is an academic, technical skills training, and internship program that is cooperatively administered by the National Park Service and Temple University. The program was established to recruit and train law enforcement park rangers for the National Park Service. Students take coursework during the academic year at Temple University and participate in internships at National Park Service sites during the summer. Follow their experiences here. A delegation of American publishers traveled to Cuba for the 2016 Havana Book Fair and to participate in the first ever U.S. Publishing Mission to Cuba, organized by Publishers Weekly and Combined Book Exhibit. PW was there, covering the book fair as well as the two-day program of panels and professional education for publishers looking to get into the Cuban market. Havana Book Fair Opens with First Contingent of American Publishers The 25th annual Havana Book Fair, held February 11-21 at the San Carlos de La Cabana Fortress, opened with a new feature this year: The American Books Exposition. A display of books published by nearly 40 American houses, the collection marked the first time U.S. publishers have exhibited at the show. Realities of Cuban Publishing Market Laid Bare One of the goals of the U.S./Cuba Publishing Mission was to facilitate discussion about the cultural ties between U.S. and Cuban publishers. Although the U.S. trade embargo with Cuba has cast a long shadow--commercial trade between U.S. firms and Cuban ones remains illegal--publishers remain optimistic about generating new opportunities. Historic Pact Marks New Era in Cuban Publishing During a ceremony marking the first official visit of American publishers to the 25-year-old Havana Book Fair, representatives of Publishers Weekly and Combined Book Exhibit signed a memorandum of understanding with the Cuban Book Institute. The pact sees to it that the parties continue to promote "cooperation and understanding" between the U.S. and Cuban publishing industries. U.S., Cuban Publishing Executives Vow Closer Cooperation The first U.S. publishing mission to Cuba in decades is seen as a first step in normalizing publishing relations between the two countries. Havana Book Fair 2016 in Photos The fair in photos, from huge crowds of book-buyers to American publishers out on the town in Havana. M WAQAR..... "A man's ethical behavior should be based effectually on sympathy, education, and social ties; no religious basis is necessary.Man would indeed be in a poor way if he had to be restrained by fear of punishment and hope of reward after death." --Albert Einstein !!! NEWS,ARTICLES,EDITORIALS,MUSIC... Ze chi pe mayeen yum da agha pukhtunistan de.....(Liberal,Progressive,Secular World.)''Secularism is not against religion; it is the message of humanity.'' The Police had reportedly issued a directive, warning retailers against the promotion of 'decadent Western culture through Valentine's Day rituals.' The police had taken it a step further, warning Tehran's coffee and ice cream shops' trade union to prevent any gatherings allowing men and women to exchange Valentine's Day gifts or they could be found guilty of committing a crime. Valentine's day celebrations have quickly become popular in Iran as well as other western countries although there have been series of attempts to stifle the spread of what is referred to as the western culture in the Islamic Republic. Saudi Arabia has also gone to several lengths in a bid to stamp out Valentine's Day even though it is widely celebrated in nearby Dubai. The Indonesian Council of Clerics has on several occasions, declared the February 14 celebration to stem from another faith, arguing that marking the celebrations is tantamount to promoting other faiths apart Islam. Indonesian officials and clerics are also reported to have banned young Indonesian Muslims from celebrating Valentine's Day, their argument being that the celebrations run against Islamic teachings. The aim of the meeting, the FDA said was to seek clarification on the scientific basis for which the students were making those claims. A market survey conducted by the students in four major markets in the country revealed that some traders of the product soak millipedes overnight in the palm oil. Their reason for doing so, according to the survey, is to give the product a sweet taste and enhance its colour. The survey, was carried out at the Kumasi central market, Ayigya market in the Ashanti Region, Tamale market in the Northern Region and Techiman market in the Brong Ahafo region. In an interview with Pulse.com.gh, Head of Communications at the FDA, James Lartey said his outfit is condemning the act, and would deal with traders found culpable. "We don't have any prove of it being true or not true. But we are condemning the act and have initiated an investigation...Even the students that the Mirror indicated did the research, we have called them and we have spoken to them; how they went and came out with that information," Mr. Lartey said. Meanwhile, products such as powdered pepper, groundnut paste, fish powder, powdered tomato were also found to be adulterated with items such as milled kola nuts, cassava flour, avocado seeds, corn chaff and millipedes. This revelation follows an earlier report in October 2015, which indicated that palm oil was being adulterated with Sudan IV, a cancer-causing agent, to give the product the reddish colour. In the wake of the #OscarsSoWhite controversy about lack of diversity in the film industry, Streeps comment added fuel to the fire and prompted a storm of criticism about what was seen as a patronising attempt to silence the debate. Few of the critiques of Streeps comment focus on its original context. It was actually made in response to an Egyptian journalist asking her whether she knew anything about the Middle East or Africa and about films made in these regions. She admitted she didnt. At best, Streeps comment was a clumsy attempt to show solidarity. But what it underlined was the continued absence of Africans and African film-making from international film festivals and mainstream cinema. If we are all Africans, why are we not watching African films? History of racism in movie making Racism is a charge that could be leveled at cinema from its very inception. Film professor Robert Stam says that of all the conditions that attended cinemas birth, it is cinemas coincidence with imperialism that has been least studied. Many films made in the early 20th century whitewash black narratives and characters, and justify white violence against people of colour as righteous. D.W. Griffiths Birth of a Nation (1915), set during the North American Civil War, glorifies the Ku Klux Klan. Instead of being condemned, the film is hailed as a masterpiece for its pioneering film techniques While Griffith has been canonised, black and African filmmakers have struggled to get their work featured at international festivals, or picked up by distributors and exhibitors, even after the strides achieved by the Civil Rights and independence movements. An instructive example is the representation of African films at Cannes, the most prestigious international film festival. Since Cannes began in 1946, a mere 3% of the films in competition have been African. And from 1946 to 2013, only 14 African films won prizes. Only one African film - Chronicle of the Year of Embers (1975) - has ever won the Palme d'Or. The decision was so contentious that the jury members and filmmakers received death threats, and required police protection as they were leaving the Palais des Festivals. This is because the film dared to tell a story about the Algerian War of Independence from the Algerian, rather than French, perspective. Although the Father of African Cinema, Ousmane Sembene, was invited to be a Cannes jury member as early as 1967, few people of colour have since been welcomed into this inner circle. In contrast, films that use Africa as a backdrop for white adventure narratives are still widely screened globally - such as Out of Africa (1985), starring Streep herself, which won seven Oscars and grossed more than $100 million worldwide. Why? The answer of course encompasses racism but also goes beyond it. It has to do with the perception that African and black films will not attract audiences. When he set out to make a film about the revolutionary slave Nat Turner, filmmaker Nate Parker was told that such a film would not succeed because Movies with black leads dont play internationally. A few weeks ago, Turners film purposefully titled Birth of a Nation secured the most lucrative distribution deal ever recorded at the Sundance Film Festival: $17.5 million from Fox Searchlight Pictures. The film was also included in a rich programme of black and African films screened at the 2016 Pan-African film festival of Los Angeles. There are other signs that the industry is transforming. It will take more than just black lead actors. But it is the internet - as the new frontier of film distribution - that will be the real yardstick of change. There are some promising signs here, too, with the recent arrival of African video-on-demand platforms such as AfricaFilms.tv, buni.tv, and iroko.tv. It is not simply an issue of black lead actors, though. It is a sobering fact that the film about Africa that has performed best on Netflix is Beasts of No Nation, a child soldier movie that rehashes stereotypes of an endemically violent continent. We need more diverse narratives about Africa - the ones in films like Sex, Okra and Salted Butter (2008), Pumzi (2009), Love the One You Love (2015) and so many others. And it is not just up to the film industry. As individuals we can make a difference through the films we choose to see. I will also be boycotting the Oscars on 28 February. I have something much more exciting to do: watching Souleymane Cisses film Yeelen (1987) and discussing it with him at the CinemAfrica film festival in Stockholm. The police arrested 17 suspects in connection with the seven bags of leaves found in Apesika in the Kwahu East District of the Eastern Region. According to the Nkawkaw Divisional Police Command , Chief Superintendent Joseph Osafo Peprah, his unit found two hundred and seven bags of dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp after a two- hour comb through community. The substances were so much that the KIA truck that was used to transport the bags of the substance to the Police Station had to travel two trips, in order to completely transport the substances. Reports on the grounds suggest that the cultivation and trade of Indian hemp has become rife in the Kwahu East District. Sup. Peprah adds that the Police are yet to locate the farms and the traders to whom the substances are sold for onward sale to consumers in other parts of the Eastern Region. "I will not take any casualty on behalf of the security personnel who are going there. If there should be a casualty, it must be them. I dont want you to come with one of you missing, you are not by this directed to fire indiscriminately but my instruction is that you have every right to defend yourself when you come under attack. And my instruction is that; gun down the cows who will be directed to you," he said. Seven days after the news broke of the MP's death a 19 year old has been charged with murder. Between those first reports of the death, and the news of the murder charge, there has been many developments and plenty of speculation. Early reports said Danquah been shot in his home, but as dawn turned into day, news that the Abuakwa North MP had been stabbed came to light. Feelings of shock, horror and outrage swept the nation. A Pulse.com.gh reporter went to the scene of the crime the MP's Shiashie residence, as soon as the news broke. Our reporter was one of many converging on the house. There were police investigating and politicians commiserating. A security man from the house said he had not seen anyone enter the house, he pointed out a ladder that went up to the MP's window, speculating it was used to climb into Danquah's bedroom. The security guard said he called the police when he realised someone had unlawfully entered, and called out to another security man at the house opposite. Politicians at the house told Pulse.com.gh they were in shock at what they had heard about their colleague. Acting chairman for NPP Freddie Blay was visibly shaken stating the news was a very big shock. It's a very unfortunate situation. NPP's Papa Owusu Ankomah said those responsible for the death will be caught. While fellow politician Yaw Osafo Marfo, also at the scene, said "what has happened is horrific. It is a total disaster; but let's leave it to the police". The police CID took over the house and a forensic team was brought in to gather evidence. Five people were initially arrested, including a security person and two female house helps. The Accra Regional Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Afia Tenge, said they arrested two women and three men, including a private security guard who was at the residence when the MP was killed. According to ASP Afia Tenge, the police had a distress call at 1.25 am on Tuesday, adding that "on arrival, the police found the victim in a pool of blood and rushed him to the Police hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival." She said preliminary investigations indicated that the victim suffered multiple stab wounds which caused his death. The others arrested were reported to all be residents of the house but the police did not give further details about their identity. Since then, three of the suspects were reported to be bailed but police then arrested their prime suspect, Daniel Asiedu, 19. He was caught by police last Thursday. Media have reported that suspect was sent to the crime scene on the weekend to crime scene to simulate how he committed the act. Asiedu has now been charged with murder, and appeared before the court in Accra on Tuesday, 16 February, exactly a week after the death. The police charge sheet was supplied to Pulse.com.gh. In it, police said Asiedu is a school dropout and confessed to the crime. The police listed him as living with his girlfriend at Agbogloshie, and said he went to the room of Danquah's armed with a cataput, sharp knife and a cutter. The charge sheet said Asiedu entered the house through an iron fence, out of sight of the security man who was asleep. Asiedu is said to have used a ladder to climb into Danquah's room, and started searching the MP's room, who then woke up and struggled with the suspect. The charge sheet said Asiedu stabbed Danquah twice, and left with two iPhones and a tablet. The charge sheet also noted security guards in the area called the police, but when they arrived Danquah was dead. On the weekend, the private security guard who was at the house was granted police enquiry bail. Family have also spoken out on the death over the past week. According to Kwaku Solomon, a nephew of the late JB Danquah, the police should move beyond the arrest to establish the motive and also identify any other accomplices to face the law. We have a mixed reaction now, we are sad and at the same time happy but it will be our joy that the real suspects will be brought to book and we will be happy to see them rot in jail, he told Adom FM. The week has also seen wild speculations about people involved in the death. Presidential staffer, Stan Dogbe has been accused of ordering the killing of the MP; an allegation he has vehemently denied and condemned. The police on Saturday asked the public to disregard such information because Mr. Dogbe was not involved in the case. Speculations also includes whether there was a contract for the MP's death. In an in depth Pulse.com.gh feature, this very notion was examined. Mr. Asiedu told investigators Monday upon interrogation by the police. The suspect added that he stabbed the Late MP in self- defence after he attacked him, according to the charge sheet which was presented at the Accra Magisterate Court on Tueday. He narrated that the MP woke up when he was in the process of robbing him, and began to attack him, adding that it was in the the ensuing struggle with the MP that he pulled out his knife and stabbed him( the MP) several times until he fell down. The Police say, the suspect entered the late MP's residence at 1am armed with a knife, a cutter and a catapult. Upon entering the house, the suspect is believed to have used a ladder available to climb onto the porch of the deceased from where he entered the room through the window. He is said to have began to search the room but the deceased woke up and held him. He stabbed deceased on the right chest above the breast. The deceased then held the knife and shouted for help but no one came. The accused pulled the knife through the deceased hands creating a deep cut in his palm. The Daily Graphic reports that, the deceased who was bleeding profusely fell by his bed helpless and the accused stabbed him again on the right chest below the breast. Appearing in the Accra magistrate court on Tuesday 16 February, Asiedu, broke down in tears apologising for the act. Narrating the events which led to the killing of JB Danquah, police prosecutor Supt Francis Baah told the court that Daniel Asiedu confessed that on the 9th of February he went to the residence of the deceased member of parliament carrying a cutlass and catapult at the blind side of the security man who was fast asleep. He then proceeded to enter the room of the deceased through the aid of a ladder where he stabbed Danquah after several minutes of struggle on the right side of his body and neck with a knife. The police said Asiedu then left the house, collecting the mobile phones of the MP and used the back exit of the house to escape leaving JB Danquah dead. The suspect is also said to have sustained some injuries on his right fingers as a result of the struggle. The police further asked the court to remand the suspect while investigations continue. Asiedu broke down in tears apologising for the act. He was accompanied to the court by a heavy security presence. His presence brought all court proceedings at the magistrate court complex to a standstill as everyone rushed to get a glimpse of him. A copy of the police charge sheet, supplied to Pulse.com.gh listed Asiedu as a school dropout and confessed to the crime. The police list him as living with his girlfriend at Agbogloshie. A statement signed by Sheikh Dr Amin Bonsu, the National Chairman of GMM, said we can ensure peace when we have patience, which is also one of Allahs attributes. We should learn to forgive each other in order to earn Allahs blessings than begrudge each other and earn his curse, There was a deadly clash between some residents from the Muslim Community and loyalist of the Tafo traditional council on February 10, 2016, over disagreements over a piece of land at the Tafo cemetery. About 45 people who were arrested after the incident have been released on police enquiry bail. The town is currently under a 4am to 8pm curfew. Amin Bonsu says the clash should not be seen as a religious war. It is a community that is facing some challenges which all must help to solve. He says the Holy Quran advocates anyone who slays another, is seen to have slain the whole of mankind. And anyone who saves a soul, is seen to have saved the whole of mankind. Ashantis and Zongos had always lived in peace and it was noteworthy that the Zongos had contributed immensely towards the development of the region over the years. Anim Bonsu says in this statement. According to the Police, the three incidents happened at dawn last Saturday at different locations in the national capital. Narrating the incident, Mr Loh said he was attacked at his residence at Adjiringanor, near Madina, while he was asleep. He said the robbers who managed to escape made away with his laptop and GH4,000 meant for the payment of wages of workers on his construction site. He said he escaped unhurt. For Mr Laryea, the Accra Regional Police Command Public Relations Officer (PRO), Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Mrs Afia Tenge, told Graphic.com.gh that a burglar proof in one of the windows in the house had been cut and it was suspected that the thieves might have entered the room through the window. The thieves took away a 32-inch Samsung TV and two wristwatches. The High court judge, Mr Frimpong, was also allegedly attacked by robbers at his residence at Abokobi, near Accra, where they made away with an unspecified amount and some other valuables. This follows the sudden death of the Member of Parliament for the Abuakwa North constituency Joseph Boakye Danquah Adu, on February 9, 2016. The by-election will be held in accordance with Article 112 (5) of the Constitution as amended. It also stipulates that whenever a vacancy occurs in Parliament, the Clerk to Parliament shall notify the Electoral commission in writing within seven days after the vacancy occurred, and a by-election shall be held within thirty days after the vacancy occurred. (6) Notwithstanding clause (5) of this article, a by-election shall not be held within three months before the holding of a general election. The Accra Regional Police command on Thursday, February 11, 2016, confirmed the arrest of the suspect in connection with the death of the Abuakwa North MP. A source at the Police Command told Pulse.com.gh that the suspect, Daniel Asiedu was picked up at his hideouts on Thursday. He has been handed over to the national headquarters for further interrogation. The seat which has been the strong hold of the NPP since 1996 was occupied by the flagbearer of the party, Nana Akufo-Addo who was the member of Parliament. In a telephone interview with Pulse.com.gh, Eastern regional chairman of the NPP, Alhaji Umar Bodinga is confident the NPP will retain the seat. He said the party will wait for the Electoral Commission (EC) to open nominations before it decides a date to hold primaries for the election. Asked whether the NPP will contest in the by-election considering that the general elections is nine months away, Alhaji Bodinga said "Yes..the NPP will contest if the EC gives the go ahead." "The NPP will field a strong candidate who will win and win convincingly in memory of the late JB Danquah," he said. NPP June primaries During the NPP primaries in June 2015, the late JB Danquah contested Mr Kay Amoah Jnr, a lawyer by profession. JB Danquah polled 235 votes to beat his main contender who polled 117. The National Democratic Congress were not available at the time of filing this report. Welcome to the Pulse Community! We will now be sending you a daily newsletter on news, entertainment and more. Also join us across all of our other channels - we love to be connected! According to CNN, US carriers will have 15 days to submit applications to the Department of Transportation for routes they'd like to fly between the US and Cuba. Reports also have it that Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx and staff from the State Department will fly from Andrews Air Force Base outside Washington DC to Cuba to formally sign an agreement to resume flights between the two countries. Speaking on the development, Foxx reiterated how a commencement of commercial flights meant a great deal to the people of both countries, pointing out that "there's so many cultural connections between the two countries, in some cases family connections, the ability to have educational exchanges and things that happen as a result of resumption of this service, is really, really significant." Based on the agreement between both countries which was arrived at in December, there is potential for 110 daily round-trip flights in and out of Cuba. This includes 20 daily flights to Havana and 10 daily flights to other airports on the island, while the airline bidding process will likely last until the middle of March. Officials however point out that commencement of flights between both countries will likely resume in October, although there are no plans in the near future for Cuban-owned planes to land in the US under this agreement. Thus, the new arrangement will facilitate visits for travelers that fall under one of 12 categories: The Rice Out-growers Scheme is in partnership between the Federal Government, Jigawa state government and Dangote Group to provide jobs and also decrease the levels pf Nigerias food imports. The above mentioned scheme which is being executed by Dangote Rice Limited will be initiated in 6 other Nigerian states and will provide 10,000 new direct and indirect jobs in Nigeria. While addressing the farmers, Dangote emphasized that in the past 2 years the government has spent an average of over N1 trillion on agricultural commodities and food imports with items such as sugar, wheat, rice and fish accounting for 93 per cent of the amount. The scheme will train farmers and issue them with other necessary inputs with guaranteed buy-back at agreed prices. Amara, the number 1 luxury apartment platform, in Lagos which currently operates 78 luxury apartments in prime locations throughout Lagos, Nigeria, offers modern, comfortable, well-appointed and cost-effective serviced apartments with five-star amenities (trained cooks, uninterrupted power, housekeeping and laundry, security, grocery provisions, drivers, and premium concierge services) that are ideal for medium to longer-stays. Amara is raising 1 million in order to scale up the platform and expand its brand presence in Lagos and in other cities throughout Nigeria. Their premium service is competitive with five-star business hotels, and their client base includes business travellers from several Global Fortune 100 companies and other major multinational firms. Amara has also built partnerships with some of the key players in the global serviced apartment industry. Industry giants such as Oakwood, BridgeStreet, SilverDoor, and Synergy, trust Amara with their own clients and referrals. Co-Founder of Emerging Crowd, Will Tindall, comments, Amara has a first-mover advantage, an established presence and a very credible management team. It has an extremely impressive list of returning corporate clients and this gives the company a leg up on new entrants to this fast-growing market, who lack the brand recognition and landlord trust that facilitates their highly scalable management-contract model. Having already proven its ability to execute, it is now able to sign apartment management contracts with landlords, allowing it to split the occupancy risk through a revenue-sharing model. This allows the company to leverage its fixed assets and marketing platform more efficiently and provide a lower-risk model that can be implemented quickly throughout other Nigerian markets and across Africa. The lions share of this raise will be spent on portfolio expansion and the furnishing and fitting out of these properties. The remainder of the raise will be used to boost online market penetration and to reduce high-interest debt. Amara Suites projections show that 2016 will represent a break-out phase for the company, as it swings into profitability. This pivot is simply accounted for by the growth in the number of units and all of these new units belonging to the more profitable, asset-light model. Amaras robust brand and key relationships has also enabled it to experience better terms and higher purchasing power in contracts that are under negotiation. CEO of Amara, Abi Adisa, explains, Having completed my MBA at Wharton, I returned to Nigeria to take advantage of the growth potential in the hospitality sector created by Nigerias quick rise in economic importance. Hotel prices in the commercial capital Lagos are among the top five in the world according to travel experts Hogg Robinson, and we believe the serviced apartment sector is significantly under-penetrated and represents a very large and attractive opportunity. Based on benchmark proportions from other major cities, 10% of hotel rooms should be serviced apartment units catering to longer-stay travellers. This means that Lagos should have approximately 1,000 serviced apartment units, when in reality, there are currently only around 100 institutional quality serviced apartment units in Lagos, of which we manage and operate 78. "The combination of a growing appetite for Africa in the private equity space, the possibility of a trade sale to one of the many international hospitality brands expanding their Africa footprint, and the option of an eventual listing on a stock exchange means that Amara investors will have several compelling exit opportunities." Investors in this round will receive the same shares as Abi Adisa and the other majority shareholders, with full voting and participation rights, including on exit. Interested investors can view detailed disclosure documents and financial information on the Emerging Crowd platform and can ask questions directly to Amaras management team. The minimum investment in Amara is 500, and investors pay no fees to the platform. Emerging Crowd offers a streamlined investor relations service so that investors in any deal can monitor their portfolio on the platform and see how their money is being put to work over the lifetime of their investment. We combine best practices from private equity, capital markets and crowdfunding, including extensive background checks, thorough due diligence and unparalleled disclosure on every deal. We also require companies to provide quarterly and annual updates, allowing our members to monitor their investments and see the impact they are having in these rapidly growing markets. Emerging Crowd is secure and transparent, and the investment documents are governed by English law. Emerging Crowd is an appointed representative of Resolution Compliance Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (No. 574048). Your capital is at risk. Investing in early stage businesses in frontier and emerging markets involves risks, including illiquidity (the inability to sell assets quickly or without substantial loss in value), lack of dividends, loss of your investment and in some cases dilution, and it should be done only as part of a diversified portfolio. This release has been approved as a financial promotion by Resolution Compliance Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. The Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, told Reuters that the government is embarking on plans to increase crude oil output to 2.5 million barrels per day by the end of 2016. Under President Muhammadu Buhari, the reformation of the oil sector has been top priority amidst a dwindling price of crude oil on the global stage. In his effort to do this, he fired the NNPC board and appointed Kachikwu entrusting him with the responsibilities of making the needed changes that can lead to the proper management of the corporation. Nigerias oil and gas output has been relatively stagnant as big offshore projects have been held up by much-delayed government funding and uncertainty over fiscal terms. According to the minister, the debt as of November stood at $3.5bn-$4bn, which the NNPC wanted to cut through deals such as a $1.2bn multi-year drilling financing signed with Chevron in September. He said, The target is that over 2017, well begin to look at zero, he said in an interview, referring to debt and the goal of ending the need for the JVs to depend on the NNPC cash. My ideal will be to bring in third party capital, do a joint investment and management of the refineries and work out a pay-out process over five to six years basically on lifting of some portion of the finished products, Kachikwu said. Welcome to the Pulse Community! We will now be sending you a daily newsletter on news, entertainment and more. Also join us across all of our other channels - we love to be connected! Welcome to the Pulse Community! We will now be sending you a daily newsletter on news, entertainment and more. Also join us across all of our other channels - we love to be connected! Read More: "Horror: 85-yr-old woman escaped lynching on suspicion of being a witch in Delta" Loven who lives in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, runs a charity foundation called, African Children's Aid Education and Development Foundation, has been actively involved in rescuing vulnerable children dubbed child-witches, a phenomenon that has ravaged the South-South state for years. In the recent rescue operation, the modern day Mother Theresa captures how she rescued the little boy whom she named Hope, from the throes of certain death and nurtured him back to life. Eight months after, the boy who was emaciated and riddled with warms at th time Loven found him walking aimlessly around the streets of Uyo waiting for death to take it, is now a healthy boy, all thanks to the Danish woman who is married to a Nigerian, David Emmanuel Umem. According to Loven, Hope was been treated to remove worms from his belly and daily blood transfusions to replenish his red blood cells and today, according to her, is ' little strong boy. This is what makes life so beautiful' She spoke of the pain she felt when she found the little kid wandering the streets: "Thousands of children are being accused of being witches and we've both seen torture of children, dead children and frightened children. When Hope reached the hospital, he was given medication to remove the worms from his belly and daily blood transfusions to incorporate more red blood cells into his body. Hope's condition is stable now. He's taking food for himself and he responds to the medicine he gets. Today, he has had powers to sit up and smiling at us. He's a strong little boy. I just don't know how to describe it in words. This is what makes life so beautiful and valuable and therefore, I will let the pictures speak for themselves," Loven said. Two days after Loven found the boy, she asked for help with Hope's costly medical bills and received $1million in donations from around the world. "With all the money, we can, besides giving Hope the very best treatment, now also build a doctor clinic on the new land and save many more children out of torture!" she said. She and her husband, Umem, are now building their own orphanage which will include a children's center where the children she saves live and received medical care, food and schooling. Read his letter here: "My name is Jerry and as I am writing this, I am very angry and disappointed at a woman I loved with the whole of my heart and hoped to make my wife sometime this year. I met Princess about two years ago and it was a kind of love at first sight as we fell in love almost immediately. I thought the passion would die off but instead, it get growing till I knew she was the kind of woman I wanted to spend my life with. The only thing that seem untoward with Princess has been her closeness to Brenda, whom she said has been her childhood friend. They lived together and did a lot of things together, including taking their bath. I did not see anything wrong at first but later, I became apprehensive but Princess would tell me I should not worry as they are like sisters. I also noticed that Brenda was not very happy when Princess introduced me to her. In fact, she behaved like a jealous lover whose girlfriend has been taken over by another man. We had our introduction last year and we had fixed May this year for our wedding but I am not sure I will be able to go through with because of what I witnessed on February 14, the day recognised all over the world as Valentine's Day. Early that morning, I had planned to give Princess a huge surprise and had spent a fortune buying up some expensive gifts. I wanted to wake her up with the gifts, so I drove to her house as early as 6am and without calling her that I was coming I had never done. When I got close to house, I parked my car outside and climbed the stairs to the self-contained apartment she occupied with Brenda, being very careful not to make any noise. When I got to the door of the flat, I heard some noises which without being told, came from lovers having sex. But curiously, I did not hear a male's voice but that of two females. I distinctly heard the voice of my fiancee because she is a very vocal lover when it came to sex. I was confused. I tried the door handle but it was locked from the inside. I managed to prise the window open and was met with the most bizarre sight I have ever seen. There was my fiancee lay spread-eagle on the bed, with Brenda using a kind of dildo tied to her waist, ramming into her. The shock at what I saw made me scream aloud and the two lesbian lovers quickly sprang apart, their eyes locking into mine. I had to practically run away from the scene. Princess has been trying to get to me to explain but I doubt if I will ever want to see her again. But something in me tells me to forgive her and pretend as if I did not see anything but the man in me says no. Jerry." The teaser for the day was: How Nigeria voted: 25% - I will forgive him/her 13% - I will never forgive him/her 6% - I will forgive but never forget it 56% - That will be the end of the relationship Zarma, a teacher at the Ngomari Primary School in the state capital, in an intrview with Daily Trust, said the man who is the principal of a secondary school in the city, had promised to marry her but that when she got pregnant, he refused to fulfill his promise. She also alleged that the man had given her the sum of N5,000 to procure an abortion but she refused, prompting the abandonment. When I refused to abort the pregnancy, he invited a man who claimed to be a medical doctor to treat me. The man, who we later confirmed to be an impersonator, gave me an injection few days before I delivered. Soon after I delivered, the principal refused to marry me and even denied being responsible for the pregnancy. But few months before I delivered, he came to my family house and told my father that he was responsible for my pregnancy and that he would marry me after delivery, Zarma said. Her father, Alhaji Adam Zarma, also corroborated her allegation that the principal visited him in his house in the company of some of his associates and told him that he was responsible for her pregnancy. But the man in the eye of the storm, when contacted, neither accepted responsibility nor denied it, but said the woman reported him to the police, seeking Director of Public Prosecutions advice, stating that the case was thrown away. Much remains unknown about Zika, but the virus has been linked to thousands of cases of birth defects in Latin America, and the World Health Organisation has declared an international public health emergency. "To those who are not in a hurry to get pregnant, maybe they can postpone and wait next year when we know more about the virus," Health Minister Janet Garin said in a radio interview on Sunday, suggesting they practice family planning methods. The scare over Zika has been heightened by warnings from the Pan American Health Organisation that in a few cases the virus could have been sexually transmitted. The Philippines, sole reported case of Zika was in 2012 and involved a teenage boy in Cebu island in central Philippines. "While we do not have any reported cases as of now here in the Philippines, we know that the threat is there," Lyndon Lee-Suy, spokesman for the health ministry, told Reuters on Monday. "Even the husbands should be aware of the risks of pregnancy." There is no vaccine or treatment for Zika, which causes mild fever, rash and red eyes. An estimated 80 percent of people infected have no symptoms. On Monday, an outspoken Roman Catholic bishop accused the health minister of using the scare over Zika to suggest people practice family planning. "It is beyond her competence to say that," Archbishop Oscar Cruz said. "Is it in her job description to say when women may get pregnant or not? Is it?" Adding that For instance, apart from recording tremendous success, troops of 26 Task Force Brigade, have married up with Cameroonian forces for joint operations in Kirawa junction. Although they have not met any of the terrorists in the axis of advance, they rescued eight men, 36 women and 68 children in the area. Usman also said To further consolidate the cordial relationship, the Commander of Cameroonian 1st Battalion, paid courtesy call on his counterpart, the Commanding Officer of 121 Task Force Battalion in Pulka. The visiting unit assisted with the demining of a section of the road between Kirawa Junction and Pulka and handed over two suspected Boko Haram terrorists to the Nigerian unit. Activities during these period are often carried out within population and against soft targets or vulnerable groups. There is often apprehension in the community that terrorism is getting worse, even though, in reality, insurgency has been weakened as a cohesive terror force. This is the current phase of insurgency in the country. Many commentators have latched on to these attacks to infer a resurgence of Boko Haram, while some have even made outrageous statements regarding the territories controlled by Boko Haram. Fortunately, no less a personality than the President, strongly backed by the Governors of Borno and Yobe, has debunked such unsubstantiated claims. Gentlemen, there is no resurgence of Boko Haram. The terrorists remain massively degraded and largely defeated. The recent string of attacks is not an indication that Boko Haram is bouncing back. We want to appeal to all not to say or do anything that will demoralize our gallant men and women in uniform, who are daily fighting and sometimes paying the supreme price so that we can all be safe. Having travelled to the theatre of operations myself, I have seen the huge sacrifices of our military. They deserve nothing but our undiluted support. This is the best form of appreciation we can show them at this time. Anything else is counter-productive. Commendation, not condemnation. Support, not second guessing. Thats what we owe the gallant troops. Boko Haram has been dislodged from their occupied territories; thousands of their captives have been set free; their capacity to operate as a troop moving in convoy of vehicles and motor cycles to launch attacks on communities and military formations has been neutralized. In essence, the insurgents have been effectively denied territory or sanctuary and are now in disarray. Scattered, demoralized and hungry, they have resorted to terror tactics available to a degraded and defeated insurgent group. The fact that they operate in a few local governments does not equate to holding and controlling territories. We must make that distinction, he added. This was contained in a statement by the President's Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu. Speaking at a meeting he had at the Presidential Villa, Abuja with a delegation from the United States Institute of Peace, Buhari said his administration is giving priority to the resettlement of displaced persons and reconstruction of in the North East ravaged by Boko Haram attacks. The President said that the ongoing war against corruption would be fought within the ambit of the law. We attach great importance to human rights. If there are breaches, they will be investigated and dealt with, he said. Tarfa was arraigned before Justice Aishat Opesanwo on a 2-count charge of obstruction of justice and attempting to pervert the course of justice. Mr. Tarfa pleaded not guilty to both counts. Based on his plea, the prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo prayed the court for a trial date and to remand the defendant in custody. However, Adeniyi Akintola, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, who led a team of over 90 Senior Advocates and other lawyers to represent Mr. Tarfa, said they had filed an application for bail which he said was served on the prosecution on the 10th of February, 2016. In his application for bail, the defence counsel told the court that the defendant went to court voluntarily and that he was granted administrative bail by EFCC on self-recognition. He said the defendant was a very senior member of the bar with no criminal record. He said there was nothing to show that the defendant would jump bail. However, prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, urged the court to dismiss the application as the offence was grave. He urged the court to dismiss the application and order for an accelerated hearing. Justice Opesanwo, in her ruling, granted bail to Mr. Tarfa on self-recognition but ordered that he must not travel out of the country without the permission of the court. The trial judge bemoaned the number of counsel who were in court for the defendant. She noted that there was no need for such magnitude of support as it amounts to harassment and intimidation of the court. Soon after the ruling, Mr. Akintola told the court that he had filed an application to quash the charge. Mr. Rotimi responded that he had not been served. He was subsequently served by the defence counsel in open court. Justice Opesanwo adjourned the matter to March 14, for hearing of the application to quash the charge while the substantive case was fixed for April 20, 2016 for trial. Tarfa is accused of willfully obstructing two officers of the EFCC, Moses Awolusi and Sanusi Mohammed from arresting Gnanhooue Sourou and Nazaire Odeste, who were suspected to have committed economic and financial crimes in contravention of Section 38(2) (a) of the EFCC Establishment Act of 2004. Also, he is alleged to have engaged in improper communication with Justice M. Yunusa of the Federal High Court Lagos between May 11 and June 25, 2015 while the case between the EFCC and two others was pending before the judge. Count 1: That You Rickey Tarfa (SAN) on or about the 5th day of February, 2016 in Lagos within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, wilfully obstructed Moses Awolusi and Sanusi Mohammed, authorized officer of Economic and Financial Crime Commission from arresting GNANHOUE SOUROU and NAZAIRE ODESTE who were reasonably suspected to have committed economic and financial crimes by keeping the said suspects in your car between 11.00 hours to 16: 30 hours Count 2: In a statement issued by his special assistant on public communications and new media, Lere Olayinka, he said Buhari should adopt a holistic approach than just making someone a scapegoat. He statement reads: Padding of the budget with strange figures, now being denied by ministers was a clear intention to steal in advance. Though it is good that the president listened to my call for the punishment of those responsible for the national embarrassment, mere sacking of officers at the budget office will not remove the stain splashed on Nigeria by the shameful budget. Sacking one or two persons on this budget scam is just like using some people as cover-up for the national embarrassment caused by the president himself. Even the president himself signed a letter wrongly dated as October 22, 2016 and one is tempted to ask who the president will sack for these avoidable errors. Or was it the sacked DG of Budget Office the one who unilaterally put all those bogus figures like N3.8 billion for Aso Villa Clinic, N780 million for website in one single ministry, and others in the budget? In my own opinion, it is necessary that those handling the president should bring it to his consciousness that he is not God that cannot make mistakes and this budget scam must be seen as part of the mistakes that President Buhari is capable of making. By doing this, the president will be provided with another opportunity to re-present the budget because I wonder how Nigeria can operate on a budget already disowned by notable ministers, including the governments spokesperson. Or what remedy can anyone do to a budget in which 2015 budgetary allocations of an agency was reproduced verbatim? Even N180 million was discovered to have been allocated to NIMET twice." The spokesman of the command, Chris Osunkwo, made the disclosure in a statement on Tuesday in Lagos. According to the statement, the area controller of the command, Bashar Yusuf, said the seizure, including camouflage military face cap, camouflage belt, a pair of hand gloves and a pair of shoes, were concealed along with other personal effects in two vehicles. Mr. Yusuf said the arms and ammunition and a suspect who was arrested in connection with the seizure, had been handed over to the State Security Service, SSS, for further investigation. A 40 ft container with number CLHU452754/2 with these items has been seized and it is with us and we are transferring them as appropriate to the relevant agency. The items were concealed because nobody can just import these things without full authorisation to do that. No unauthorised passenger or trader should trade in arms and ammunition all over the world. It is not allowed. You have to go through due process; authorization with permit, before you move even one piece across the border of another country. The suspect is with the Directorate of State Security Service for further investigation so that we will get the full details of how he came about these items as well as if there are collaborators within Nigeria or outside Nigeria. It is within their purview to do that, the controller said. The officer-in-charge of SSS at Tin Can Island Port, James Udo, explained the danger such importation could have on members of the public, if it had escaped customs attention. Mr. Udo said security must be a collective responsibility. He said the SSS would conduct further investigation on the importation to unravel those behind it. Meanwhile, the command said it generated N24.8 billion as revenue in January 2016 compared to N20.9 billion collected in the corresponding period of last year. The demand was made via a statement issued by the groups Media and Publicity officer, Emma Powerful. It reads: The agitation for the sovereign state of Biafra will enter into a dangerous dimension if anything untoward happens to Mr Kanu in prison. I do not think that young man has done anything deserving of the suffering he is going through in prison. I do not think that somebody without a gun or any dangerous weapon who is protesting in his own way the marginalization of his people and demanding that they be allowed to be on their own deserves to be incarcerated this long. Boko Haram insurgents are being tried and released even in the face of killing people, but Kanu was not caught with arms, neither was he training any violent group. So on what basis should they continue to hold him? He is only saying that his people are marginalized and therefore should be allowed to have their own country. That has not called for the kind of trial he is going through. Which treason are they talking about? I advise the Federal Government to release him unconditionally. I am using this forum to appeal again to the Federal Government to release Mr. Kanu. He must be counselled by the Igbo elders when he is released, and let us get things right, the young man is doing what he is doing because he discovered that his people are marginalized. As long as he did not train anybody to carry arms, he is a real Igbo man. Afterall, he did not stay in London where he has everything to enjoy. He has a genuine reason for his agitation and it must be looked into while the Igbo elders talk with him when he comes out. Punch reports that according to the groups, on that day, customers have been asked to boycott all forms of banking activities and banks. This action is basically a form of protest against the charges introduced by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). Speaking to newsmen, the founder of CAFON, Sola Salako said For many years now, customers of banking services have endured excessive charges, unexplainable fees and unfair contracts that only protect the banks but do not protect the consumers. Banks debit customers accounts at will for charges we never agreed to or were not aware of; they charge us for everything; some banks are charging N210 for the use of deposit and transfer forms in their branches! Adding that Thousands of customers have been victims of ATM fraud because the banking industry failed in its duty of educating and informing consumers of the inherent dangers in online banking at commencement. These incessant multiple charges are even more prevalent on loan accounts, while many banks have also taken advantage of the CBNs fluctuating forex policy to charge customers exchange rates that far exceed the CBN rates without even notifying the customers of the rates before the transactions. The group also frowned at the practise where the CBN changes policies, without notifying Nigerians. The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in January 2016, instructed all deposit banks and financial institutions operating in the country to place a N50 charge on every bank deposit of N1,000 and above. Enelamah said this when the Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), Amb. Roberto Azevedo, met with organised private sector on trade and investment. He said that Nigeria would remain fully committed to free international trade, in spite of its current economic circumstances. Enelamah said the government would also ensure that policies initiated by past administration were implemented. Azevedo, who was on a one-day visit to Nigeria, said he would depart from the country with a better understanding of its challenges on trade and investment. He said the private sector would be carried along by the World Trade Organisation to enable it to address the issues. Azevedo advised the Nigerias private sector to make its voice heard in the current debate about the WTOs future work. The WTO boss expressed delight that Nigeria would continue to work with multilateral organisations. He said the trade group would soon start conversations on important issues for the country, including development of small and medium scale enterprises ``as biggest employers of labour in developing countries''. We want to bring the private sector close so that we can understand the main challenges." Azevedo said he was in Nigeria to make trade a catalyst to achieving the continent's development goals. "It seemed appropriate that my first visit to Africa since the success of our Ministerial Conference should be to Nigeria, the continents biggest economy, and a leader in all senses of the word. "I want to discuss how the WTO can do more to serve Nigeria, Azevedo said. According to him, the world governments are struggling with a gloomy economic outlook and a range of challenges to delivering a return to strong growth which Nigeria is no exception. "The share of international business is very negligible but we see big potential," Kee Chong Li Kwong Wing, SBM Holdings' chairman told Reuters on the phone. "The aim is to grow our international business by at least 30 percent over the next 5 years." Wing said the bank expects the Seychelles central bank to decide next month on its application for a commercial bank license, and declined to identify the Kenyan lender SBM is in discussions with. "We are in talks to acquire a viable Kenyan commercial bank. This will help us extend our footprint in East Africa," he said. With assets of 130.37 billion rupees ($3.68 billion) as of last September, SBM has outlets in Mauritius, Madagascar and India. It also opened a representative office in Myanmar. "In the long run, SBM has placed an option on Myanmar following the removal of international sanctions," Wing said, adding SBM will open more outlets in India and appoint a chief executive for the business in India. This follows approval from the Reserve Bank Of India to turn the business into a wholly-owned subsidiary. The lender, which offers services from retail banking to wealth management, wants to take advantage of the island nation's evolution into a full-fledged offshore financial center, Wing said. When Papa Obafemi Awolowo was alive, he described probe as an exercise in futility, he added. There have been calls from several quarters for Jonathan to be investigated due to the various corrupt practices which took place during his administration. Corruption under Jonathans government has been a major subject of discussion in recent times after it was alleged that officials misappropriated funds meant for Nigerias waragainst Boko Haram. The discovery was made by a special panel constituted by Buhari to investigate arms purchases in the country from 2007-2015. Former National Security Adviser (NSA) Sambo Dasuki is at the fore of the investigations and is alleged to have supervised the alleged laundering of $2 billion funds meant for the procurement of arms. He was arrested by the Department of State Services (DSS) on December 1, 2015 and handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) the day after. The former NSA is reported to have implicated several prominent persons in the deal including former governors, ex-ministers and members of Jonathans party, Peoples Democratic Party(PDP). Osiyi, who disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Lokoja, said it took the intervention of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to resolve the impasse. He said that the Acting National Chairman, Mr Uche Secondus, summoned members of the party in both factions to Abuja and advised them against allowing the executive arm to influence their choice of who led the house. According to him, the chairman "pleaded passionately with the two factions to sheath their sword and allow the incumbent speaker, Momoh-Jimoh Lawal, to continue in office pending the determination of legal issues surrounding the governorship election. For me, no sacrifice is too big for my party. We have decided to downplay our crisis, come together and resolve to support the leadership, hoping that the leadership has learnt from its mistakes. So, we have asked Momoh-Jimoh to continue with the hope that he will be responsive to the plight of the people and welfare of honourable members. "I decided to let it go, no sacrifice is too big for my party, Kogi State and Nigeria,"he said Osiyi said PDP members in the House, though now in the opposition, had resolved to support the governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, to succeed in the onerous task of steering the statecraft. There is enormous job on the executive governor of the state, we will support him in whatever way we can to succeed,"he said. Buttressing the position of Osiyi, Momoh-Jimoh Lawal commended members of the House for the maturity exhibited with the amicable resolution of the leadership tussles which polarised the House in the last three months. The plant was inaugurated last week (February 4) by His Majesty Mohammed VI of Morocco. The 3-plant, $9 billion Noor-Ouarzazate CSP (Concentrated Solar Power) complex called NOOR will reduce carbon emissions by 760,000 tons a year, highlighting the countrys determination to reduce dependence on fossil fuels. The plant is expected to achieve over 500 megawatts (MW) installed capacity, ultimately supplying power to 1.1 million Moroccans by 2018. The World Bank-funded plant is located in the Souss-Massa-Draa area in Morocco, about 6 miles from Ouarzazate town. The World Bank says the new Noor CSP plant will create 1,600 jobs during construction and 200 jobs during the plants operation. With this bold step toward a clean energy future, Morocco is pioneering a greener development and developing a cutting edge solar technology, said World Bank Country Director for the Maghreb, Marie Francoise Marie-Nelly. The returns on this investment will be significant for the country and its people, by enhancing energy security, creating a cleaner environment, and encouraging new industries and job creation. Concessional and public financing were key to getting this project off the ground. The Moroccan Agency for Solar Energy, the government agency focused on the countrys solar ambitions, secured over $3 billion needed for the project from the African Development Bank (AfDB), the Climate Investment Funds (CIF), European financing institutions and the World Bank. "A team from the arrived in the country to investigate recent allegations of sexual exploitation and abuse against their troops," Farhan Haq told reporters. He offered no details on the allegations. Another U.N. official told Reuters that some of the new allegations involved minors. Earlier this month the U.N. peacekeeping mission for Central African Republic (CAR) said it had identified seven new cases of sexual abuse by its troops, including women and girls Human Rights Watch (HRW) says were raped or gang raped. The mission's previous head, Babacar Gaye, resigned amid sexual abuse allegations by peacekeepers last August. In December, an independent review panel accused the United Nations and its agencies of grossly mishandling allegations of child sexual abuse in 2013 and 2014 by international peacekeepers in CAR, calling its approach to the charges "seriously flawed" and a "gross institutional failure." The world body has pledged to crack down on allegations of misconduct and abuse to avoid a repeat of past mistakes. France intervened in CAR, a former colony, over two years ago to stem violence between Christian militias and largely Muslim Seleka rebels who had seized power. It started withdrawing some of its 2,000 troops last year, handing over to U.N. peacekeepers. Turning the ship before it hits the iceberg Finding Peace of Mind: Discover These Five Places in Europe to Unwind Rick Wali sees many Quad-Citians at his Popeyes chicken restaurant in Peoria, and, he says, they often bug him about opening one in their neck of the woods. He is finally doing just that, taking an outlot at the former K's Merchandise on West Kimberly Road, Davenport and building a new Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen. "We have a lot of fans out there," said Wali, who with his wife, Susan Wali, own Springfest Company, a Popeyes franchisee based in Springfield. The couple's Quad-City push is not stopping in Davenport. Rick Wali says he is eyeing a location along the John Deere Road corridor in Moline, though he declined to get any more specific than that. Whereas the Moline restaurant is a goal, Wali expects to open his Davenport restaurant in August. He is waiting for the city of Davenport to review his plans. "We just submitted drawings to the city last week," he said. "We're in the process of getting permits secure. And once everything is done, we plan to start construction in April." Davenport's Plan and Zoning Commission is expected to hear details of a development plan for the Popeyes restaurant at its March 1 meeting. The plan submitted by Townsend Engineering of Davenport calls for construction of a 3,360-square-foot restaurant on the northwest corner of West Kimberly Road and Marquette Street and a one-story, 4,000-square-foot retail building next door. Wali, who owns both outlots, said he has not yet decided what he will do with the future retail building. He purchased the outlots in December for $512,500. The Davenport location will be Wali's eighth Popeyes restaurant and his first in Iowa. His other locations are all in central Illinois. "Popeyes knows its demographic and they do the market research," he said about choosing Davenport. "They give us guidelines. We always like to be right on the corner somewhere. That gives us good visibility, good access." That corner has seen a resurgence lately. K's went out of business in 2006. It sat vacant until PSS, a Rock Island company that specializes in business-to-business services, bought the building in 2014. "The new buyer is really generating the interest there," said Bob Inghram, Plan and Zoning Commission chairman. "They've dressed up the entire building and they're still marketing it. Now there is interest in the two outlots. I'm thrilled to see it. Any nice looking retail is a whole lot better than what we had. I'm excited about the resurgence there." There is a Kentucky Fried Chicken almost within sight of where the Popeyes will go. But Popeyes is known for its Cajun-flavored cuisine including both spicy and mild chicken, Wali said. Because there used to be a Popeyes restaurant on East Kimberly Road, Wali said he sees the potential. Wali expects the restaurant will employ 25 to 40 people, including both part-time and full-time positions. Springfest Company has been a Popeyes franchisee for 25 years, since opening its first restaurant in Springfield. The body of Justice Antonin Scalia wasn't yet cold. "We owe it to him ... to ensure the next president names his replacement," tweeted Sen. Ted Cruz within minutes of the news that the long-time conservative Supreme Court jurist was dead. The senator from Texas -- a self-styled "constitutionalist" -- doubled-down soon after in Saturday's GOP debate. So did everyone else on stage, for that matter. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell meanwhile demanded that President Barack Obama shirk the obligations of his office and leave the filling of Scalia's seat to his successor. Senate Republicans, McConnell said, won't consider anyone Obama puts up, an assertion backed by Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee. Apparently, that whole worship the Constitution thing is only in effect when it works for the modern GOP. But we already knew that. Gay marriage, anyone? This is the party of pocket-sized Constitutions and flag-backed eagles. It's the party that yells "activist judges" every time a decision doesn't fit its ethos. It's the party that turns on clearly "conservative" jurists -- just ask Chief Justice John Roberts -- when they do their job and make a decision on the merits. It's the party that panders to Western militias -- lawless, militarized thugs protesting supposed governmental wrongdoing with assault rifles. For Republicans, the court system isn't about the interpretation of the law. It's not about using history, precedent and reason as a lens from which to view specific legal questions. No, it's about the reaffirmation of dogma. Nothing more. Nothing less. Say what you want about Scalia. The man wrote some of the most entertaining dissents in recent memory. Scalia's love for stringing together 19th century, aristocratic insults made for fantastic reading. And, love him or hate him, he believed in a consistent application of a legal perspective. Compare that with McConnell's bizarre interpretation of what the sitting president should do following Scalia's death. "Americans should have a voice," McConnell reasoned. And, somehow, they wouldn't if Obama tried to ram a nominee through the Senate. Again, facts and history don't seem to matter to an awful lot of Republicans. Obama, of course, was twice elected by overwhelming majorities of American voters. The GOP prefers to talk as if Obama is some self-installed war lord. Such language, like everything else, works to the Republican narrative. Obama "acts like a king," they say, pointing to his executive orders. So, apparently, those millions of Americans who've put him in office aren't of any consequence. The right's intellectuals are doing their damnedest to rationalize the obvious hypocrisy. The "Democrats would do it too if the tables were turned" excuse has risen to prominence as of Monday. Weak. In this case, though, the stonewalling probably works against GOP interests. Gone is Scalia's voice in a session packed with hyper-partisan cases, such as abortion and union power. A gridlocked Supreme Court empowers the lower courts, which are now packed with primarily left-leaning judges. The cold hard truth is this: Republicans haven't won the national popular vote since 2004. They cling to control of Congress thanks only to rampant gerrymandering. And Democrats are positioned to seize the Senate in November. None of this bodes well for the GOP in 2016. Do Senate Republicans expect to prefer a Hillary Clinton nominee over Barack Obama's? The tantrum-prone GOP's knee-jerk response to obstruct at all costs is telling. The party didn't pretend to care about reason or consistency, as it has in the past. Party leaders just came out and said what everyone already knew: They exist solely to obstruct the White House. Scalia said it best: "Pure applesauce." Indeed. DES MOINES Anthony DeSalvo, a junior at Davenport North High School, said he is hopeful that discussions between dozens of Davenport high school students, the governor and state lawmakers Monday at the Iowa Capitol will help produce a solution to a perceived inequity in the states school funding formula. But key state lawmakers remain divided on how to resolve the Davenport districts concerns, and Gov. Terry Branstad cautioned a rapid solution is unlikely. Davenport students, many wearing T-shirts emblazoned with the worth-less slogan they have adopted to promote their cause, quizzed the governor and state lawmakers about how they plan to address the portion of the school funding formula that allows some districts to spend as much as $175 per student more than others. The students also delivered to Branstad a petition with more than 2,300 signatures demanding the governor and lawmakers take action this winter to correct Iowas outdated school funding formula and allow all Iowa districts to spend at an equal district cost per pupil rate. The Davenport Community School District is on the low end of per-pupil spending authority in the state. If allowed to spend to the maximum allowed by state law in other districts, Davenport would have access to another $2.8 million per year. Davenport Superintendent Art Tate has pledged to run afoul of state law by using the districts cash reserve account to supplement its general fund budget in the 2017-2018 school year with an additional $2.7 million. Tate says such action which could result in revocation of his license is needed to preserve resources and programs that are in danger of being cut. The Davenport School Board recently expressed support in Tates proposal. The dozens of students who visited the Capitol on Monday pressed for any change in the law that would equalize the amount districts are allowed to spend per pupil. It seems like progress is going to be made, DeSalvo said. It seems like everyones willing to step up and do something. So thats very reassuring to here. Im very hopeful. I know we have a lot of legislators on our side. While some legislators agree with the need to address the school funding formula, there is strong disagreement about how to accomplish that. Rep. Phyllis Thede, a Democrat who represents much of Davenport and part of Bettendorf, advocated for a bill that allows school districts to use their cash reserves to make up any difference between their per-pupil funding limit and the maximum allowed by state law. Rep. Ron Jorgensen, a Sioux City Republican who chairs the House Education Committee through which the aforementioned bill must pass, said he does not plan to allow it to advance because he believes it eventually will lead to increased property taxes. Jorgensen said he supports a bill that allows districts to use revenue from the local option sales tax for infrastructure to cover any per-pupil spending differences. Rep. Cindy Winckler, a Democrat from Davenport, said she does not support that bill because it attempts to solve one funding inequity by creating another. Sen. Herman Quirmbach, a Democrat from Ames who chairs the Senate Education Committee, said he has seen no legislation on the issue that he is inclined to advance. He said he believes a better solution although, he stopped short of endorsing such a solution would be to permit local school boards to increase property taxes to make up for any per pupil funding differences. Perhaps the myriad perspectives from state lawmakers are why Branstad repeatedly implored the Davenport students to exercise persistence but also patience. I would just encourage you to respect the fact that the legislative process is sometimes slower than wed like it to be, and youve got to sometimes look at incremental improvements over time instead of expecting everything to happen right away, Branstad told the students. Tate said he appreciated the students efforts at the Capitol. I think it comes from, at their age, fair is fair, by God, Tate said. Just listening to them buoys my spirit and keeps me going. Because, again, its the right thing to do. DES MOINES Katie Evans said she personally knew one of the two fellow University of Northern Iowa students who during this past fall semester died of what family members said were suicides. Josh Schoenfeld said during his four years at the University of Iowa he personally knew three fellow students who committed suicide. Evans, Schoenfeld and other student leaders at Iowas public universities spoke Tuesday at a media conference at the Iowa Capitol to encourage the governor and state lawmakers to fully fund the universities budget request for the 2016-2017 school year. The student leaders said they are concerned mental health services on their campuses will remain inadequate under the current trend of state funding to the University of Iowa, Iowa State University and the University of Northern Iowa. A 2013 survey found 95 percent of college counseling center directors said the number of students with significant psychological problems is a growing concern. The survey was conducted by the Association for University and College Counseling Center Directors. Daniel Breitbarth, student body president at Iowa State University, said students there must wait 30 days to meet with a mental health care staff member. Liz Mills, the student body president at the University of Iowa, said students there are forced to wait three to four weeks. It truly saddens me to know that some students are not receiving the necessary care, said Evans, the student body president at Northern Iowa. The current mode of funding is not equipped to deal with the increasing needs for mental health (services). Evans and Mills said they are working with their schools administrators to increase mental health care services on campus, and their effort would be greatly assisted by more robust state funding. Unfortunately, our counseling services are gravely underfunded, Mills said. This is unacceptable for students who are trying to make their lives better. The three universities have requested a total increase of more than $20 million for the coming school year: $8.2 million for Iowa State, $7.7 million for Northern Iowa and $4.5 million for Iowa. The students said Tuesday that Iowa State is asking for extra funding to assist with burgeoning enrollment, Northern Iowa needs additional funds to help offset declining enrollment and increase student financial aid, and Iowa aims to retain and attract top-flight faculty. I cannot stress enough the importance of the entire regents funding request, said Rachael Johnson, a Sioux City native, Northern Iowa student and the student representative on the state Board of Regents. Gov. Terry Branstads budget proposal increased regents university funding by about $8 million, and Iowa House budget chairman Rep. Pat Grassley said he does not believe the full $20 million increase fits within his committees spending targets. As a brand-new Brownie, 8-year-old Haley Holzer is getting in on the ground floor of the Girl Scouts second century. Haley has been a member of Girl Scout Troop 74501 in Rapid City for only a couple of weeks, but the tradition-rich national organization she joined will mark its 100th birthday Monday, March 12. Its a tradition that Haleys mom, Sara Vawter, is happy to have her daughter join. I had a lot of great experiences as a Girl Scout. Honestly, I probably did some of the most adventurous stuff I have ever done while a Girl Scout, Vawter said, recalling the camping trips, spelunking expeditions and mountain-climbing adventures she had in scouting. They were experiences that I will most likely never forget, and I hope my daughter will have the same memorable experiences. Vawter recalls a road trip to Savannah, Ga., to visit the home of Girl Scouts founder Juliette Gordon Low. Low organized the first troop on March 12, 1912, in Savannah. Many of the girls who belong to the Dakota Horizons Council, which includes North Dakota and South Dakota, will celebrate the 100th anniversary with a trip of their own to the Great Girl Gathering held March 10-11 in Minneapolis. Seven busloads of Girl Scouts from Dakota Horizons Council, including 52 from the Rapid City area, are attending that event, said Marsha Frericks, district director of the Southwest District and its 1,500 Girl Scouts throughout western South Dakota. The Southwest district will celebrate all year, said Frericks. An Earth Hour event March 30 will promote environmental initiatives. The annual Women of Distinction awards banquet in April will highlight the anniversary year. An overnight Mom and Me event is slated for May in Rapid City. And this summer, some of the 2.3 million girl members and 880,000 adult volunteer members who make up the Girl Scouts of the U.S.A. will head to Washington, D.C., for an anniversary bash on the national Mall. In South Dakota, the scouts have lots of things going on throughout the year, including decorating a Girl Scout tree at the center of the state Capitol Christmas trees display. Were excited about that, Frericks said. In North Dakota, Girl Scouts will hold a sleepover on the lawn of the state Capitol in Bismarck with as many as 500 campers. Growing up in an isolated rural area, Frericks didnt have the opportunity as a youth to join Girl Scouts. Thats not true today, as Girl Scouts troops exist in out-of-the-way places like Rockyford on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation and small towns such as Newell, Faith and Bison, Frericks said. Anywhere that girls are, we try to be, she said. Girl Scout troop leader Stacy Kvale and her daughters Kim, 12, and Katie, 9, know all about the advantages that scouting brings to life in a rural area. The Kvales, of Bison, have been involved with Girl Scouts for six years, and Kvale currently leads a troop of seven Girl Scouts in four levels of scouting. Girl Scouts consist of Daisy, Brownie, Junior, Cadet, Senior and Ambassador levels. It makes it more difficult, working with four different levels at once, she said. But the rewards are many for girls, she said. It gives them an opportunity to experience new things, she said. They have been on snowshoeing expeditions and campouts in the Black Hills. They love it, she said of learning to build fires and pitch tents. The group also contributes to the community food bank by sponsoring a raffle each year for a frozen turkey. Tickets are a donation of canned goods to the local food bank. They also have helped plant trees along the Black Tail Trail, an outdoor recreation trail in the area. Other than classes and sports, there is not really an opportunity for girls to do different things that they might not do on a day-to-day basis in a small town, she said. The nearest closest Girl Scouts troops are in Lemmon and Faith, both about 50 miles away. In honor of the 100th anniversary, the Bison troop is working on a special badge for Girl Scout Week that includes a discussion on the history of the organization with Jan Gossman, a Bison resident who was involved with Girl Scouts more than 50 years ago. Rep. Dean Wink again proved his skills with a handgun with a second "win" at the South Dakota Attorney General's Legislative Shootout Fifth Annual competition. Wink, R-Howes, not only represents District 29, but also serves as the state legislature's speaker of the house. He also won the shootout at the third annual event. According to Attorney General Marty Jackley, South Dakota enjoys, respects, and protects the fundamental right of the state and our law abiding citizens to bear arms. The Attorney Generals Legislative Shootout is intended to support our constitutional rights, test legislators marksmanship and raise money for important causes. Legislators donate to a charity of their own choosing and there is no cost to taxpayers. Three legislators ultimately participated in a tie breaking round with the following results: In first place with five bull's eye shots is Speaker Dean Wink. Second place went to Rep. Mathew Wollman, R-Madison, District 8, and third place to Rep. Isaac Latterell, R-Tea, District 6. Wink said after the competition that he used a personal sidearm that is based on a 1911-type semiautomatic pistol action. The other two top shooters from the legislature also used semiautomatic pistols. All three were using arms chambered for the 9 mm. cartridge, he said. According to a news release from the Attorney General's office, Speaker Winks name will proudly be displayed on a plaque at the Attorney Generals Office. Monies raised during this event were $528 for the Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) program and $585 for Representative Dan Kaisers family. Chadron State College students interested in Cuba Libre, a variable credit semester course that will travel to the island of Cuba in the Fall 2016, can attend an information session Thursday at 4 p.m. in Old Admin, Room 227, hosted by Dr. Tom Smith. The information session, which will cover the travel itinerary, course schedule, financial obligations and the application process, is open to all interested students. Since its a variable credit course, credit can be applied to a variety of majors and the Essential Studies Program (ESP), including satisfaction of the ESP Capstone requirement. Thursdays informational session is a place where students can ask me any questions about Cuba Libre and gain a comfort level, said Smith, who serves as co-instructor of the course with Dr. Deane Tucker. Smith, Tucker, and a group of 10 students traveled to Cuba in 2014, marking the first time a group of Nebraska State College System students pursued academic endeavors on the island of Cuba. Cuba Libre is a high-impact learning practice for our students when things are definitely changing in Cuba. Our students in 2014 had their eyes opened and had a great experience, Smith said. We feel this new host of students has the opportunity to see many changes in Cuba and have a deep effect on their intellectual growth. For more information, contact Smith at tsmith@csc.edu. One of the most conservative and controversial voices in the South Dakota Legislature will not be heard from in her decade-long official capacity next year. State Sen. Betty Olson, R-Prairie City, said Monday she will not seek re-election. She spoke from home on the Presidents Day holiday, which was an off day for the Legislature. Ive been down there for 10 years, and I havent gotten hardly anything done at home on the ranch, she said. Its just time to call it quits and come home and get something done. Her announcement of the end of her legislative career comes at about the midpoint of the who-is-running-and-who-is-not? season for partisan candidates. Olson, who will turn 70 this year, said she has also tired of the multiple 448-mile round-trip commutes during the annual wintertime lawmaking sessions at the Capitol in Pierre. She is finishing her first 2-year term in the Senate following four terms in the House. During that time, she has tried to push the state in a more socially conservative direction, with limited success. Some of her more controversial legislative efforts, including a failed one this session to require drug tests for welfare recipients, have attracted statewide and national attention. Former legislator and Democrat-turned-Republican Ryan Maher, 38, of Isabel, is the only candidate who has so far filed the necessary petitions to run for her seat in the vast District 28, which includes land in Butte, Corson, Dewey, Harding, Perkins and Ziebach counties in the northwest part of the state. Olson said she asked Maher to run and supports his candidacy. I wouldnt have quit if I couldnt have found somebody whos a good conservative to step in and take over, and he is, Olson said. Prospective legislative candidates could begin circulating nominating petitions Jan. 1. Members of political parties must have their petitions filed with the South Dakota Secretary of State by March 29, and independents must file by April 26. Term limits apply to members of the state House and Senate. No senator or representative may serve more than four consecutive 2-year terms. However, a term-limited representative may run for the Senate seat in his or her district, just as a term-limited senator may run for a House seat. Each legislative district includes one Senate seat and two House seats, all of which are up for election Nov. 8. Party primary elections, where necessary, will be June 7. Following is a summary of Black Hills-area districts that had at least one certified legislative candidate. Some additional people have announced they will run, but as of Monday morning, they had not filed with the Secretary of State petitions with the needed number of signatures to qualify for the ballot. District 27 (Bennett, Haakon, Jackson, Oglala Lakota, Pennington): Incumbent Jim Bradford, D-Pine Ridge, is term-limited in the Senate and has filed to run for a House seat. Steve Livermont, a Republican from Martin, has also filed to run for the House. District 28 (Butte, Corson, Dewey, Harding, Perkins, Ziebach): Besides Mahers candidacy for the Senate seat that Olson will vacate, Rep. Sam Marty, R-Prairie City, has filed to run for re-election to the House in District 28B and Oren Lesmeister, D-Parade, has filed to run for the District 28A House seat of term-limited Dean Schrempp, D-Lantry. District 30 (Custer, Fall River, Pennington): Travis Lasseter, R-New Underwood, has filed to run for one of the districts two House seats, which will both be open because of term limits. District 31 (Lawrence): Sen. Bob Ewing, R-Spearfish, has filed to run for re-election, as has Rep. Timothy Johns, R-Lead. The other House seat will be vacated by term-limited Rep. Fred Romkema, R-Spearfish. Former legislator and current Deadwood Mayor Charles Turbiville, a Republican, has filed to run for the House. District 32 (Pennington): Rep. Kristin Conzet, R-Rapid City, has filed for re-election. Sean McPherson, R-Rapid City, has also filed a House candidacy. Current Rep. Brian Gosch, R-Rapid City, is term-limited in the House. District 34 (Pennington): The districts three incumbents, all Republicans from Rapid City, have all filed candidacies. Sen. Craig Tieszen is term-limited in the Senate and is running for the House, while Rep. Jeff Partridge is running for Senate and Rep. Dan Dryden is running for re-election to the House. It could be a big week for education in South Dakota as the Legislature resumes its work today with an expectation that proposals to raise teacher pay will be a hot topic of discussion. To set the stage for that debate, here is a glance at several education reform and funding plans that have been introduced through bills or informally floated so far. The list includes each plan, a basic introduction, its status and pluses and minuses regarding each. Governor's plan What: Republican Gov. Dennis Daugaard wants to raise state sales and use tax rate from 4 percent to 4.5 percent. The estimated added revenue is $107 million in the first year. Status: Up for debate in House of Representatives. Pluses: Would provide enough revenue to raise most salaries for most teachers so that the average South Dakota teacher makes $48,500 a year, while providing $5 million for other school-related programs and $40 million for property-tax relief. Creates a stable funding source, and one that is bolstered by tourists who spend money in the state. Minuses: All consumers would pay more in South Dakota, including for basic necessities such as food. Also, needs two-thirds majority of 47 ayes in House of Representatives and 24 ayes in Senate to pass. Partridge plan Rep. Jeff Partridge, R-Rapid City, wants to gradually repeal the additional one-half of 1 percentage point of sales tax, for every $20 million of tax revenue collected from sales of products shipped into South Dakota. Status: Awaits vote today in House. Pending as an amendment to governors legislation. Pluses: The sales tax increase from 4 to 4.5 percent wouldnt be permanent, and the potential remote-sales tax revenue would have a dedicated purpose. Minuses: South Dakota might never succeed in its quest to collect sales tax on goods purchased from out-of-state, Internet-based and catalog businesses by South Dakota consumers. Sutton plan What: Senate Minority Leader Billie Sutton, D-Burke, and most or all of the other 19 Democrats in the House and the Senate want to raise the state sales and use tax to 5 percent on most items and repeal the sales tax on food. This would generate an estimated additional $128 million per year. Status: Suttons bill hasnt been heard by a Senate committee yet. Pluses: The food-tax repeal removes some burden of a sales-tax increase from the lowest 20 percent of household incomes in South Dakota. It would also generate double the new revenue for teachers and schools. Minuses: There wouldnt be any money designated for property-tax relief. It also faces the hurdle of needing two-thirds majorities in the Senate and the House. Gosch plans Rep. Brian Gosch, R-Rapid City, the House majority leader, opposes raising the sales tax. He said enough money could be found to reach the governors teacher-salary goal from existing sources during a three-year period. He has offered two basic options regarding his idea. Option A: The plan would require that $30 million savings this year would need to be found within state governments existing spending plan for fiscal 2017. It would shift $5.2 million from state maintenance and repair plan, shift $4.3 million from state employee salary plan, shift $700,000 from over-estimated K-12 enrollment, shift $15.5 million from Department of Social Services budget, shift $3.2 million from Department of Human Services budget and find $1 million of other budget changes. Pluses: Includes no tax increase. Also, it could be accomplished through state general-funding legislation, needing a simple majority of 36 ayes in the House and 18 ayes in the Senate. Minuses: Includes no property-tax relief. Also, would change other spending already planned by the governor. State employees wouldnt receive market-based raises intended to keep their salaries competitive. No clear sources of funding for future years, including $20 million more in savings needed in year two, and final $20 million in savings needed in year three. Option B: Would require school districts to shift $35 million of capital outlay tax revenue to their general funds for teacher salaries in year one. Also, it would target $19 million now collected through pension levy to be used for teacher salaries instead. Pluses: Includes no tax increase. Also, could be possible to accomplish with a simple majority of 36 ayes in House and 18 ayes in Senate. Minuses: Includes no property-tax relief. Doesnt identify sources of funding for years two and three to reach targets of $60 million to $70 million in required savings. Creates $19 million liability within school budgets for retirement funds for teachers. When sugarbeet and corn growers near Billings, Mont., find the Pulse USA hard red spring wheat variety, Prestige, yielding 115 bushels per acre under irrigation, it creates a little excitement.In all of the locations, Prestige has produced competitive yields and good protein content, said Luke Dukart at Pulse USA.Pulse USA is excited about entering the HRSW market, Dukart said.We are expanding into the wheat market and have introduced spring wheat varieties that are high-yielding with good quality and good disease packages, he said.Of course, it depends on the location as to how well a spring wheat variety will perform, he added.Different varieties of spring wheat may perform differently in one geographic location than another, and some do better under dryland, while others perform better under irrigation.Pulse USA is a major pulse seed, cover crop, forage seed and now HRSW company that provides seeds for growers in several states.Dukart said Prestige is excellent as a rotational crop with sugarbeet/corn, which are some of the main crops in the Billings-Hysham irrigated areas.Putting Prestige in the rotation will help break up the disease cycle, he said.The variety has had very consistent results in trials in Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota and Minnesota sites.Prestige seems to be a very versatile spring wheat variety because it does well through droughty conditions but also has huge yield potential under irrigation, Dukart said.In the 2015 Montana State University Central Agricultural Research Center variety trials at Geraldine, Mont., Prestige yielded 39.4 bushels to the acre on dryland with a protein content of 14 percent and test weight of 61.4 pounds.At Denton, Mont., Prestige yielded 31 bushels to the acre on dryland with a protein content of 15.5 percent and test weight of 58.3 pounds.In 2015 at North Dakota State Universitys Dickinson Research Center variety trials on dryland, Prestige yielded a whopping 77 bushels per acre with a test weight of 15 percent.The variety has a sound disease resistance package, good standability, and shorter stature, Dukart said.While there has been limited foundation Prestige seed, it should be widely available as certified seed for growers in 2016.It has introduced two of its own HRSW varieties, Redstone and Prestige, and teamed up with Limagrain Cereal Seed to introduce four varieties LCS Albany; LCS Iguacu; LCS Breakaway, LCS Powerplay; and one experimental, LCS Pro, into the HRSW market.Redstone and Prestige are Pulse USA exclusive varieties, Dukart said, adding they have the varieties growing in several locations in Montana and North Dakota, as well as other states.We utilize many growers in different states, and introduce varieties into public university trials, because we want to find the right variety that will perform well in that environment, he said.Redstone was one of Pulse USAs standout HRSW varieties in 2014, Dukart said. It yielded 100 bushels per acre at Hazelton, N.D., under irrigation.In 2015 at NDSUs Dickinson Research Center variety trials on dryland, Redstone yielded a whopping 71 bushels per acre with protein at 15.4 percent.Redstones unique genetic package provides exceptional yield potential across the Northern Plains.Redstone proved to have excellent standability across multiple locations, good yields, and is a little later maturing than some varieties, Dukart said, adding Redstone tends to do better in the more eastern locations in North Dakota, or in the Montana Yellowstone River bottom areas.In 2015 at MSU CARC on dryland, Redstone yielded 32 bushels per acre with protein of 14 percent.This HRSW variety has a shorter height with excellent straw strength, and it performs well in drought and high moisture environments, he said, adding Redstone has excellent resistance to fusarium head blight and leaf rust, and has good agronomic features.There was good response to a split nitrogen application on Redstone, he noted. Growers near Hysham under pivot irrigation had excellent results when N was applied at seeding and later in the growing season for that extra N boost.Other variety performances In 2015, the experimental LCS Pro was placed into trials, and had a very high protein on dryland, Dukart said.LCS Pro was adapted for dryland areas of Montana and western North Dakota, he said. The variety has an excellent disease package, especially for fusarium head blight, leaf stem diseases and leaf rust diseases.In 2015, at NDSU North Central Research Extension Center, LCS Pro yielded 69 bushels per acre and a high protein of 15.6 percent. LCS Albany yielded 125 bushels per acre near Fairview, Mont., in 2014 and in 2015, at NDSU Hettinger Research Extension Center, LCS Albany yielded 82 bushels per acre, but grain protein was 13 percent. LCS Iguacu was introduced in 2014, and is similar to LCS Albany, with high yields and high protein.The variety has one of the best disease packages of the LCS lineup, because it was originally developed in intense disease conditions in South America, Dukart said.But although it was developed in South America, it has adapted very well to the Northern Plains.However, LCS Iguacu needs high management, but when managed properly, it will provide an exceptional yield and test weight, he said.It has shown to be beneficial when it is planted in slightly higher planting populations, about 1.2-1.5 million plants per acre.This is a variety that you need to feed with more nitrogen than your average HRSW because of its very high yield potential, he said.If a producer takes a pre-plant soil test, he should apply at least 30 pounds/acre beyond normal recommendations. LCS Powerplay has been a top four variety for the past four years, according to Dukart.It is a proven balanced performer in both yield and protein content, with broad adaptation across the Midwest growing region, he said.Some notable qualities of LCS Powerplay include: good straw strength, medium season maturity, shorter plant height, good test weight and displays a very sound physical grain property, he said.In 2015, LCS Powerplay was grown at NDSU sites as well as MSU sites, Dukart said. At NDSU HREC, LCS Powerplay yielded 68.6 bushels per acre LCS Breakaway, at NDSU HREC in 2015, yielded 64 bushels to the acre with a good protein of 14.7.For more information, contact Dukart at Pulse USA at 701-530-0734. BUTTE Six-year-old Annalyn Halvorsen loves mermaids because they have super powers. The "wise-beyond-her-years" Butte girl is super in her own right as she faces a medical diagnosis that may one day cause her heart to fail but will not crush her precocious spirit. "She is sick and dying and full of life," Annalyn's father, Wayne Halvorsen, said in an emotional interview with the Montana Standard. Annalyn was born six weeks early at St. James Healthcare and within a day was diagnosed with hypoplastic left heart syndrome, a rare heart defect that causes the heart to be severely under-developed. The then-tiny newborn and her mother, Lisa Rooney, were immediately flown to Seattle Children's Hospital where the family was told multiple surgeries would be needed to increase the blood flow to Annalyn's body and bypass the left side of her heart to restore heart function. Annalyn had her first procedure at less than a month old at the Seattle facility and a second one when she was 6 months. By age 4, her parents learned her left lung was not working. A double lung-heart transplant, they were told, had a "maybe five-year survival rate." Butte's elevation of more than 5,500 feet caused Annalyn to be "very hypoxic," said Rooney. "She couldn't run (or) play like other kids" and had little appetite, she said. A third procedure at a San Francisco hospital by the surgeon who performed the first two surgeries in Seattle failed during Annalyn and Rooney's several-month stay in the Golden Gate City. In November 2014, Rooney took her daughter to the Oregon coast to live with family and benefit from the lower elevation. But Annalyn suffered from severe medical post-traumatic stress and was miserable, said Rooney, her voice breaking. She added that Annalyn could not eat, vomited blood several times a day, and ended up with aspiration pneumonia, an inflammation of the lungs and bronchial tubes. In early 2015, Halvorsen said he and Rooney made the decision to seek a heart-lung transplant at a Palo Alto, California, children's hospital, where they were told their daughter was in advanced heart failure. Rooney said Annalyn's kidneys were also failing, her liver was enlarged, and her one good lung had started to fail. "We thought she was going to die," Rooney said. A transplant would require Annalyn to take "massive diuretics" and lose 15 pounds of fluid that she had retained due to her failing heart. Five weeks went by, and she had only shed 4 1/2 pounds of fluids. "By the fifth week, she was devastated" said Rooney, adding that Annalyn kept saying, "'I just want to go home and sleep in my bed.'" Annalyn longed to return to Butte; she even missed the taste of her hometown water. If she only had five days in Butte, it would be better than multiple procedures and hospital stays, the family decided before bringing her home in June 2015. "When we stepped foot in Butte, she was like 'I'm home.' It's what's kept her living," Rooney said. Halvorsen and Rooney had divorced the previous year. Halvorsen kept the home fires burning with son Chance, now 20, while Rooney sought treatment for their daughter on the West Coast. Rooney and Annalyn's homecoming signaled a new chapter for the family and a conscious effort to make every moment count, because "it's about her." A supportive community of family and friends sustains them, Rooney said. A gift of a king-size bed has become a sanctuary, creating a safe and cozy place for Annalyn to bask in her parents' love each night as she slumbers next to her oxygen machine, her beloved Chihuahua Bentley, and pet cat. *** The 37-pound girl, who adores Harry Potter, caramel vanilla ice cream and knock-knock jokes, has touched the lives of many, including the men and women of the Butte-Silver Bow Law Enforcement Department. When Undersheriff George Skuletich invited her to participate in the city's Fourth of July parade, she asked to join with the police. She was sworn in at an official ceremony July 3 and received a badge, certificate and uniform. "She calls me her partner," said Skuletich with a smile. The undersheriff revealed that a 9-year-old niece died from a heart condition. That experience helped to fuel his close bond with Annalyn, whose parents Skuletich said are lifelong family friends. At the Butte Police Protective Association annual holiday celebration Jan. 16, Annalyn was awarded Officer of the Year for "arresting" a criminal named Kevin, a Butte detective who had agreed to dress up like a "bad guy" so that Annalyn could get her wish of feeling like a real cop. "It was great; she got a standing ovation," Skuletich said, adding that Annalyn met her arrestee, who told her he turned his life around and was now working with the police department. "It's been a special thing for the department. Every officer has adopted her as one" of their own, Skuletich said. "I just look at Annalyn the toughness is an inspiration." Rooney said the recognition by law enforcement is heartwarming and has had a profound impact on her little girl. Each day is a gift to Annalyn and her family. Her buoyant spirit and humor make surprise visits. On Friday, her parents asked her how bats navigate. "Echolocation," she said excitedly. "They sleep in the day just like my brother." "He's famous too. He told me to say that. He asks my dad for money. I don't do that 'cause I already have money," said Annalyn proudly. Rooney said her daughter is physically unable to have a much-needed transplant. Annalyn runs hot, and her rosy cheeks indicate fluid retention. She takes three different "powerful" diuretics every six hours in addition to other medications. Being angry at God has been a fierce reality bite, but Rooney is thankful for the time they have with Annalyn. Rooney has learned patience and humility. For Halvorsen, his daughter's battle has taught him to live each moment. Along the journey, Rooney has seen Halvorsen's compassion and a father who has been present. "I think of how much he's truly given of himself for the goodness of our family," she said. The three children killed last week by carbon monoxide poisoning were lovingly laid to rest Tuesday morning by relatives and more than 100 members of the Bitterroot community. John Clark, 7, Joshua Clark, 6, and Desire Clark, 5, died last Wednesday after a propane heater vented carbon monoxide into the one-room trailer the Clarks were living in at the Bitterroot Family Campground on U.S. 93 south of Hamilton. Their mother, Joyce Clark, and a family friend Dick Killingsworth were also poisoned by the gas. Both remain hospitalized and in intensive care. Because the children's father, Mark Clark, is also hospitalized for an unrelated illness, Tuesday's services were missing the parents of the young victims. Joyce's mother and stepfather were able to attend, as was a brother of Mark. In the absence of the parents, community members stepped up to see that the children were given the funeral and burial they deserved. Employees of the Ravalli County Sheriff's Office donated enough money to pay for the children's oversized, baby blue casket. Daly-Leach Memorial Chapel provided Monday's services free and the city of Hamilton donated the burial plot and foundation at the Riverview Cemetery where the children were buried. Western Montana Monument Services will donate and later place a concrete headstone on the grave. Flowers contributed by floral shops lined the chapel. A colorful and elaborate bouquet of purple, yellow, pink and white flowers overflowed from the top of the casket. The Clarks came to Montana about two years ago from Traverse City, Mich., where all three children were born. They had fallen on hard times after Mark's plans for a masonry business fell through and he became ill with lung cancer, friends say. The family lived in several campgrounds up and down the Bitterroot Valley before moving to the Bitterroot Family Campground last summer. They were in the process of purchasing the 28-foot Komfort trailer they lived in from campground owner John Slotte. Mark was hospitalized shortly after Christmas and remains in a Missoula hospital. On Tuesday morning the chapel filled with a cross-section of mourners who came to pay their respects to the family and the children. Sheriff's Office employees, many in uniform, filled the front four rows and six officers served as pallbearers. Several teachers from Hamilton and Darby schools came to share their memories of John, a first-grader, and Joshua, a kindergartner. Bitterroot Valley EMS employees came to the services as did many neighbors and friends from the campground. The Rev. Stephen VanGilder of Hamilton's Faith Lutheran Church led the services. He said the children were "suddenly snatched away from us." "We are in shock, disbelief. A horrible accident has cut life short," he said. Quiet sobs and sniffles filled the room as VanGilder read a children's prayer known by many. "Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep, If I should die before I wake, I pray the Lord my soul to take." It was an appropriate prayer for the Clark children who died in their sleep after their mother tucked them into bed last Tuesday night. Joyce's mother, Hildagard Maupin, was the first to speak after VanGilder opened the service to remembrances. "I'd like to thank everybody for the support and for taking care of the things that needed to be taken care of," she said. Because authorities had some trouble locating the extended family, plans for the funeral and burial were nearly complete when funeral director Tom Grymes learned family members would be able to attend the services. Neighbor and friend of the family Danny Shepard thanked everyone for showing up. "I'll miss them for the rest of my life," he said. Detention officer Andy Koellmer said he got to know the family while he worked as a Darby town marshal. "They brought a little sunshine into my life," Koellmer said. A woman came to the front of the chapel to speak directly to the family members who lined the front pew. "I will miss them terribly," she said. "But I know that they were loved and I want you to know that they were loved." A man representing the Darby schools said the children were well-behaved and adored. "We grew with them," he said. "We loved them." The children will live on through a scholarship the school district is developing that will go to a graduating Darby senior each year, he said. Another friend and neighbor said he took Joyce and the children to visit their father at a Missoula hospital just two days before they died. "Not knowing what was going to happen, I'll cherish that day for the rest of my life," he said. Cynthia Demmons, kindergarten teacher at Washington School, said she had Josh in her class for a short time earlier this year. She said he was scared to come to school and she would hold him and comfort him each time Joyce left. Demmons said she had a special connection with Josh because he had the same birthday, Oct. 11, as her son who died two years ago. A few days before his sixth birthday Josh withdrew from the Hamilton school to attend Darby Elementary. Demmons said she thought he might just be sick and she made cookies for the whole class on his birthday. Josh wasn't there but the class had a party anyway and sang "Happy Birthday" to their former classmate. "We kept their (student) files open, hoping they would come back," Demmons told a now tearful room. A procession lead by a dozen sheriff's vehicles lead the way to the Riverview Cemetery. While there, Maupin spoke with several officers and people who knew the family. She continuously thanked those who helped the family before and after the tragedy. She said she was amazed at how the community came together to do so much for the children they hardly knew. Osas, it is alleged, attacked her with a knife at an African eatery when she refused to pay for his drink. Hennur police have taken up the case under Section 323 (punishment for voluntarily causing hurt) and Section 324 (punishment for voluntarily causing hurt using a dangerous weapon) against Osas, a resident of Kukkenahalli. In her complaint, Shakira has stated that she was at the mess with a friend, Gifletin, when Osas asked her to buy him drinks. When she refused, he abused and slapped her, she has complained. To escape his continued assault, she locked herself in a room and called a friend, Tony. That did not deter Osas, who waited and slashed her with a knife when she ventured out of the room. Hennur police have launched a manhunt for a Nigerian man, identified only as Osas, for allegedly attacking 30-year-old Ugandan national Shakira Nsonko on February 10, in Bengalulu, India.Osas, it is alleged, attacked her with a knife at an African eatery when she refused to pay for his drink. Hennur police have taken up the case under Section 323 (punishment for voluntarily causing hurt) and Section 324 (punishment for voluntarily causing hurt using a dangerous weapon) against Osas, a resident of Kukkenahalli.In her complaint, Shakira has stated that she was at the mess with a friend, Gifletin, when Osas asked her to buy him drinks. When she refused, he abused and slapped her, she has complained. To escape his continued assault, she locked herself in a room and called a friend, Tony. That did not deter Osas, who waited and slashed her with a knife when she ventured out of the room. Passports and other documents of the two are being verified by the police. Consul of Rwanda, Mohan Suresh, who visited Shakira Nsonko, told Bangalore Mirror that he wanted to ascertain if she was from Rwanda. He said the two knew each other, and that she was an illegal immigrant from Uganda. Meanwhile, DCP Satish Kumar informed media that Shakira initially claimed she was involved in an accident in which she got hurt. It was only after doctors at MS Ramaiah Hospital informed the police that the wound could be the result of stabbing that she revealed the stabbing. About me Karel Steenbrink This is the website of Karel Steenbrink born in Breda 16 Jan. 1942. Professor Emeritus Intercultural theology, Utrecht University. Relindonesia wants to give reports, messages and opinions about the development of religion in Indonesia. Steenbrink wrote his doctoral dissertation 1974 about Islamic Education in Modern Indonesia. He taught in Jakarta and Yogyakarta between 1981-1988. From 1989 Steenbrink worked at Utrecht University, where he taught Islam, but also Christianity in Asia. He wrote three volumes on Catholics in Indonesia (Leiden: KITLV, 2003 and 2007, 2015) and edited together with Jan Aritonang the 1004 pages classical History of Christianity in Indonesia (Leiden: Brill). He wrote in Dutch a commentary on the short suras 79-114 (De Korte Hoofdstukken van de Koran), on the Jesus Verses of the Qur'an, and a commentary of Surat al-Baqarah. A Dutch language weblog is placed as http://karelsteenbrink.blogspot.com Mijn volledige profiel tonen Uprooted Palestinians are at the heart of the conflict in the M.E Palestinians uprooted by force of arms. Yet faced immense difficulties have survived, kept alive their history and culture, passed keys of family homes in occupied Palestine from one generation to the next. Sagarmatha Network Pvt. Ltd. is the organization dedicated in the field of printing, publishing service since 2001. As part of media, we've been publishing Review Nepal, an English medium weekly registered at District Administration Office (DAO) Kathmandu with registration number 130-162-163 and reviewnepal.com as an online digital newspaper, with registration number 849-075-076 at Department of Informational and Broadcasting (DIB) from Kathmandu, Nepal since 2003. WARNING for European visitors European Union laws require you to give European Union visitors information about cookies used on your blog. In many cases, these laws also require you to obtain consent. As a courtesy, we have added a notice on your blog to explain Google's use of certain Blogger and Google cookies, including use of Google Analytics and AdSense cookies. I have been doing the Royal Musings and Royal Book News blogs since 2008. I do not have a paywall or charge for reading articles. I enjoy writing and researching and reading. I devote a fair amount of time to the blog. No expectations or obligations when reading Royal Musings or Royal Book News - but if you enjoy either or both blogs, feel free to make a donation. Or not, course. Thank you very much. I still have the Amazon adverts. I make pennies off any Amazon sale (not just books) if you enter through one of my book links or the search boxes on the right side of the blogs Hello beauties, welcome to Asoebi fashion Friday!! We refuse to let you go into this weekend without looking glamorous and fabulous in your... David Skinner Director, Education Global Initiative, SCI Lebanon February 16, 2016 The statistics are difficult to fathom. There are 1.4 million children who are affected by the war in Syria who are of school age and who are living as refugees in the neighbouring countries: Lebanon, Jordan, Turkey, Iraq and Egypt. More than half of these children are out of school. Over the last three years, Lebanon alone has taken into its public education system 150,000 children who are refugees from the conflict in Syria. Accommodating an additional 150,000 children in schools in the United Kingdom would be a challenge. But in Lebanon the proportions are different. In Lebanon there are only 150,000 Lebanese children in the public education system. So the influx of refugee children has meant that every state school in Lebanon has had to double in size in the last three years. Every school double the size. Syrian children attend classes at a Save the Children supported school for refugees in Tripoli, Lebanon. In addition, the children who are joining the schools have been subject to severe stress. They have been moved from what was once the security of their homes in Syria. They have seen things that no one let alone a child should ever see. And their families are under severe economic stress because of the great difficulty that refugees have finding work in Lebanon. All of these factors are significant barriers to accessing the educational system in Lebanon. The Lebanese people deserve enormous credit for what they have already done to help Syrian children go to school: schools have introduced a two-shift system; teachers are working longer and longer hours to support the refugee children. But it is not enough. There are a further 150,000 children who should be in school, but are not. Although teachers have received some support to help them assist severely stressed children with learning, more needs to be done. Although there is an enormous need to provide support for the youngest children, the provision for pre-school support for refugees is pretty much non-existent. I am writing this in Lebanon, where I came to look at the kind of support that Save the Children is providing already, as well as the support that we should be providing in the future. Education is a human right, and it is the means by which society equips children with the skills and knowledge they need to thrive in the world. It also saves lives, protects and builds peace. The Bekaa Valley is on a good day a 60-minute drive from Beirut (the Syrian border is only 60 minutes away). It is beautiful: snow-covered mountains on both sides of fertile pasture. In the gaps between the houses and on random fields in the agricultural areas, landlords have let out spaces to communities of refugees for informal settlements. These consist of flimsy shanty huts. It is the children in these settlements who we are supporting. One of our projects involves providing early childhood support. We have helped communities find the space and the materials to run early childhood development activities for three to six year olds. The spaces are temporary. We use tents or unfinished buildings; buildings that the owner had started to build but are now unfinished shells. We rent the shell, put in polythene windows, carpets and partitions, and create a serviceable space. We have also helped find Syrian refugees to act as facilitators (very often refugees who were fully qualified teachers in Syria) alongside facilitators from Lebanon. The centres are packed with young children. They are playing, they are singing. They are drawing and coloring. But, above all, these children are developing their skills. They are learning how to socialize with children of their own age. They are understanding what a book is; how to hold a pencil. They are sorting objects and starting to understand basic numeracy. This is all done through fun activities and play. Activities that would be recognizable in pre-schools across the United Kingdom. The centers are very popular with the children and with their parents. It is the sight of children engaged and happy and learning, despite the horrendous experiences they have suffered, that confirms that the work you do is having a genuine and positive impact on the lives of some of the most deprived children. Syrian children attend classes at a Save the Children supported school for refugees in Tripoli, Lebanon. The other activity I visited was a homework support session. I was quietly skeptical about this when I saw it on my itinerary. It sounded a little trivial. But witnessing the reality made it clear quite how wrong I was. Children from Syria are taught in Arabic. In Lebanon they are taught after the first few years in either French or English. Children who have left Syria have very often had to miss significant parts of their education because of instability at home or because of the journeys that they have had to take. They find learning in the Lebanese system hard. So we are helping them. Most Syrian children attend the afternoon shift of the schools. In the morning we run sessions for a couple of hours, where they can get additional support for their learning. Save the Children's support goes well beyond simply making sure they do the exercises they have been assigned for homework. It's effectively remedial help across all the subjects that they are learning. The sessions are wildly popular. The group I visited had forty children in a small very small - room with four teachers who were providing fantastic assistance. Despite the cramped conditions, the children were taking extraordinary steps in their learning. Children like the ones I met in the Bekaa Valley have suffered enormously. They are facing an insecure and uncertain future. They don't have - no one has - any idea when they will be able to go back to their homes in Syria. But they are determined that they are not going to be left behind. They are determined to do what they can to learn. Their parents are determined to help them. And we are determined to make sure that they have their right to learn fulfilled. To learn more about our response to the Syria crisis, click here. Click On Our Advertisers Ads Most of our ads have links to take you directly to their Websites. Just click on an ad and away you go. This is a blog detailing the creation/evolution/ID controversy and assorted palaeontological news. I will post news here with running commentary. If you are currently a print subscriber but don't have an online account, select this option. You will need to use your 7 digit subscriber account number (with leading zeros) and your last name (in UPPERCASE). "Texas prisons are filling up with the old and the ill at enormous expense" | Main | Rounding up diverse perspectives on Justice Scalia's diverse criminal justice work and the impact of his loss February 16, 2016 Vetting Judge Jane Kelly: should sentencing fans be rooting for her to be Prez Obama's SCOTUS nominee? Because I always look at big legal issues through the lens of sentencing, and especially because the last four US Supreme Court appointments have been filled by persons who previously worked as a prosecutor and/or the US Department of Justice, I keep being drawn to one name on all the SCOTUS short-list stories because of her extended service as a federal public defender: Jane Louise Kelly. I am pretty sure I have never met Judge Kelly, and I am very sure that I have no firm basis to predict what kind of Justice she would likely develop into over the course of he service on the Court. But because professional choices and experiences always shape jurisprudential perspectives, and especially because Judge Kelly's two decades as a public defender would surely gave her an especially keen understanding of the doctrines and practicalities of federal criminal law, I keep thinking she should be a top choice for sentencing fans. There also would seem to be possible political advantages to Prez Obama nominating Judge Kelly. Most notably, she was unanimously (and quickly) confirmed by the Senate three years ago wth the backing of Senate Judicary Chair Charles Grassley. (This Blog of Legal Times article provides the back-story on how that became a reality.) Her Indiana birthplace and Iowa-based career would help diversify the Supreme Court geographically (and would enable Prez Obama to make much of an interest in ensuring "mainstream midwestern values" are represented on the Court). In addition, the only apparently newsworthy aspect of her personal background that I could find, apart from her educational and professional history, was that she was violently attacked while jogging in Cedar Rapids back in 2004. Her status as a crime victim could perhaps blunt any GOP criticisms that as a Justice she might be problematically biased toward criminals rather than victims. This all said, because I have no direct experience with Judge Kelly and have not yet even taken time to try to review all of her recent work on the Eighth Circuit, perhaps I am much too quick to assume that her profesional background should make her a top choice for sentencing fans. Thus the title of this post: I would be eager and grateful to hear from readers (either via the comments or some other means) with any informed assessments of Judge Kelly. I assume there are dozens, if not hundreds, of Iowa lawyers who have regularly encountered Judge Kelly professionally, and I am hopeful some of this number will chime in to provide a fuller picture of this notable short-lister. Prior related posts on new SCOTUS nominee possibilities: February 16, 2016 at 10:14 AM | Permalink Comments Doug, likely she would be a 5th vote to overturn Citizens United, which, as you know, entails criminal prosecutions for speech. Shouldn't that be a deal-breaker for someone who thinks that releasing murderers early shows our (self-flagellating, in my view) commitment to freedom? Posted by: federalist | Feb 16, 2016 10:41:35 AM I am not familiar with her decisions on the 8th Circuit. However, there are several things wrong with the present eight persons sitting on the Supreme Court now. All hail from Harvard or Yale. Five of eight are from the New Yorkie Connecticutt cut of the U.S. Two from CA and Clarence from PinHead GA. None ever represented a defendant in a criminal trial. One tried cases in trial court. All were clerks and government peons. We need a Hugo Black, or an Earl Warren. Posted by: JackMehoff | Feb 16, 2016 10:50:32 AM How do you know, federalist, that Kelly would be a 5th vote to overturn CU? I would hope those who care about freedom have a robust view of the 1st A, and I am not even sure Kagan is a sure vote to reverse CU. Posted by: Doug B. | Feb 16, 2016 11:28:30 AM Doug, Kelly's political bonus points (Grassley's affection, past as a federal defender) do not outweigh her lack of distinguished legal scholarship (although this was also true of David Souter and Clarence Thomas). Her meager record on the Eighth Circuit has been quite superficial, and at times openly flawed to the detriment of federal criminal defendants. Maybe she would mature on the bench as others have... but only maybe. Posted by: d | Feb 16, 2016 11:29:19 AM I'm intrigued at the prospect of Judge Kelly's nomination, too. She has recused herself from a lot of cases. A Lexis search for "Judge Kelly did not participate" in the Eighth Circuit turns up 94 cases from March, 28, 2014 (her confirmation date) to the present. In the cases she has decided, though, she is not surprisingly on the side of the accused, the convicted, and the incarcerated. In Newmy v. Johnson, 758 F.3d 1008 (8th Cir. 2014), she writes a concurrence to express concern about the Eighth Circuit's overly broad interpretation of Heck v. Humphrey. In the more recent Saylor v. Nebraska, 2016 U.S. App. LEXIS 1459 (8th Cir. Jan. 29, 2016), she dissents on the side of a prisoner plaintiff who was refused treatment for PTSD by the Nebraska Dept. of Corrections. In several death penalty cases, she has voted (often in the minority) for a stay of execution or a rehearing en banc. With respect to sentencing issues in particular, her concurrence in Thompson v. Roy, 793 F.3d 843 (8th Cir. 2015) is most telling. While she was bound by circuit precedent that Miller v. Alabama did not apply retroactively, she writes separately to announce, "Had the issue been presented to this panel as a matter of first impression, however, I would follow the holdings of those courts that have considered the issue and concluded the rule announced in Miller applies retroactively to 2254 petitioners on collateral review." A footnote cites 14 cases on her side. I hope President Obama will nominate her. Posted by: Rob P | Feb 16, 2016 11:40:57 AM Rob -- That doesn't really make sense to me. Are you sure the Lexis search wasn't just turning up en banc denials that were called before she arrived on the court? I think the typical practice is for a new judge not to participate in those. A court of appeals judge normally would not sit on a panel on the first place if she was recused, so I don't know why 94 ordinary cases would contain that language. Posted by: anon | Feb 16, 2016 11:45:49 AM You're correct, anon. They are petitions for rehearing, not recusals. I wasn't aware of that quirk and assumed wrongly. My apologies. Posted by: Rob P | Feb 16, 2016 12:06:24 PM "How do you know, federalist, that Kelly would be a 5th vote to overturn CU? I would hope those who care about freedom have a robust view of the 1st A, and I am not even sure Kagan is a sure vote to reverse CU." Neat trick--but I think we all know that Obama would intend to appoint someone who would be that 5th vote. So, I think that a freedom-loving person like you would think an Obama nominee a deal-breaker on that basis alone. Posted by: federalist | Feb 16, 2016 12:34:20 PM Her votes for stays are disqualifying. Posted by: federalist | Feb 16, 2016 12:35:24 PM Rick Hasen in his latest book argued Prof. Kagan was wary of certain types of campaign finance laws. "Citizens United" [which involved requiring corporations to give to campaigns via PACs] as he noted in his book as well covers a lot of ground & could have been decided to uphold the rights of the group in question without the broad application in later cases, including in the Arizona case that seemed to FURTHER free speech by public financing. Before it, under the old rules, broad campaign finance funds were allowed, much more in fact than other countries. So, we are talking about a matter of degree. I appreciate this blog highlighting Jane Kelly. Others are suggesting she would be a good choice too. I like she is from the Mid-West as well. She went to law school with Obama. So, has a connection to two key players. The defense angle is good too, but she is also a crime victim. I'm intrigued and would also like to learn more about her other positions. Posted by: Joe | Feb 16, 2016 12:39:32 PM The views of those like federalist ("her votes for stays are disqualifying") would scuttle her in the Senate. Posted by: sagebrush | Feb 16, 2016 1:09:59 PM Joe, as usual, you obfuscate instead of clarify. CU involved a criminal statute which would punish people for speaking about a presidential candidate. Talking about "matter[s] of degree" is deceit. You guys have to deceive in order to get around this issue--group of people organize in corporate form and decide to make a video about Hillary, then go to jail. I would think that the risk of this happening--i.e., people punished for political speech, would be enough to make anyone pause over this guy getting any more SCOTUS appointments, but no. You add to your shame by your weak posts. Posted by: federalist | Feb 16, 2016 1:34:49 PM The problem is that she is yet another Harvard grad. Everyone currently on the court is a Harvard or Yale grad and every President in the last 30 years has been a Harvard or Yale grad. When is this going to stop? We are a country of almost 400 million being dominated by a minuscule educational elite. There is a lot of hoopla about the 1% but the top positions are regulated to the .00001%. Stop this madness. Posted by: Daniel | Feb 16, 2016 1:35:44 PM Speaking of freedom: http://www.fox26houston.com/news/local-news/92232732-story Posted by: federalist | Feb 16, 2016 1:56:30 PM I said "could have been decided to uphold the rights of the group in question without the broad application in later cases." So, the result of the opinion can be right (fwiw, I'm inclined to think it was) w/o using the breadth of its reasoning. To quote the first sentence of the opinion: "Federal law prohibits corporations and unions from using their general treasury funds to make independent expenditures for speech defined as an electioneering communication or for speech expressly advocating the election or defeat of a candidate." Query if the opinion "obfuscates" by not merely saying "group of people organize in corporate form and decide to make a video," but specifying just what is at stake. The dissent also starts by explaining various ways, without anyone "going to jail," the group could have put out the video. And, Rick Hasen in his book in more detail describes the point. He also notes how the Supreme Court upheld a rule (supported by multiple CU advocates) blocking a Canadian from even spending fifty cents at Kinkos for an Obama flyer. Finally, the majority upheld disclaimer and disclosure provisions. A group of people who organize in corporate form to decide to make a video without them would break the law. As Prof. Marci Hamilton, a conservative in various respects once noted: "What could be wrong with such rights, you ask? I am now going to repeat what I tell my Constitutional Law II students every year: You think you know what the freedom of speech means? Let me be blunt to save us a lot of wasted time: you dont, so get to work. Its complicated." As with federalist this time finding a crime victim he thinks should be opposed. https://verdict.justia.com/2016/01/21/indiana-leads-the-way-with-an-outrageous-rfra-proposal-again Posted by: Joe | Feb 16, 2016 2:07:23 PM ETA: Actually, Stevens et. al. "concurring in part and dissenting in part." Posted by: Joe | Feb 16, 2016 2:09:32 PM People are complaining that Supreme Court appointees are always from Harvard and Yale. I agree with these folks to the extent that graduates from Yale are overrated. Clearly, however, the very smartest folks in the country are Harvard graduates. Thus, it is entirely appropriate, if not mandatory, that any future Supreme Court nominee be a Harvard Law graduate! Posted by: Harvard Grad and proud | Feb 16, 2016 3:15:29 PM good grief Joe, you wrote that it involved requiring corps to give to PAC . . . . Basically, a group of people wanted to make a video about Hillary, and there was a criminal law preventing them from doing that. Why don't we start by getting that right? You want to obfuscate etc.--be my guest--you shame yourself and show your ignorance. Doug, it appears, will tolerate the limitations on speech or tolerate a serious threat to it, but wants us to release murderers to show how committed we are to freedom. First Amendment issues can be complicated--but they are not always complicated. Criminalizing political speech cannot be a part of any society that considers itself free. Posted by: federalist | Feb 16, 2016 4:51:45 PM A group of people could "make a video about Hillary." The case was more complicated than that. I expanded my quick reference to show this. If the video doesn't have the proper disclaimers and disclosures? The Supreme Court STILL prevented them from putting it out. If the "group of people" aren't citizens? They STILL can be prevented in certain ways from putting it out. federalist should fight bigger game than little ole me if "limitations on speech" is the issue here. Of course, speech is not absolute & corporate speech is regulated in certain respects as is other people and speech. What a "serious threat" means is vague, but the non-citizen rule is a pretty serious limitation. It is allowed though. SCOTUS upheld a lower court opinion in fact without a substantive opinion on the point. The majority opinion says: "They may establish, however, a separate segregated fund (known as a political action committee, or PAC) for these purposes." IOW, "it involved [a law] requiring corps to give to PACs." I'll repeat myself. I think the result of Citizens United v. FEC was correct but the breadth of Roberts Court jurisprudence on this point, including involving public funding cases like one out of Arizona that FURTHERED speech is open to debate. Rick Hasen discusses this in his book. As to releasing murderers, Scalia wanted that too (or forcing children to face rapists in open court or not using evidence to prove whatever crime if obtained without proper procedures etc. etc.) if due process of law was not followed. Posted by: Joe | Feb 16, 2016 6:03:08 PM Federalist, I would respectfully encourage you to refrain from the type of ad hominem comments that deterred folks from posting on Doug's blog in the past. This is a very useful resource and we can all benefit from the comments. We don't have to agree but we can be civil. Bruce Posted by: bruce cunningham | Feb 17, 2016 6:30:05 AM Thanks, Bruce, for highlighting that federalist sometimes channels our now departed Supremecy Clause. I have come to think federalist might be a Trump advisor since both seem to prefer personal attacks over thoughtful discourse. Posted by: Doug B. | Feb 17, 2016 7:22:31 AM This blog is such a good forum for ideas and there is room for all to participate. I would always read Kent's posts and benefitted from them. Nobody has a monopoly on the "right perspective" but a few people can make posting thoughts unpleasant. keep up the good work! bruce Posted by: bruce cunningham | Feb 17, 2016 7:34:38 AM Bruce--I will call sophistry out. I will call lame arguments out. I have been the subject of naked ad hominem attacks, and you don't see me whining. As for Joe, you can wriggle all you want, but the anodyne description of what was at stake in your original post was sophistry. The bottom line is that there was a criminal law sanction for people who got together (using the corporate form--I noticed you omitted that from your description of what I said) to make a video about Hillary. In other words, a statute criminalized political speech--saying that there may have been another way for them to do it obfuscates the fact that, apparently, four Justices of the Supreme Court were a-ok with people going to jail for criticizing a public figure. Why don't we start by getting that right? The little crack about Scalia releasing murderers is a nice try--it is one thing when the Constitution (or some other law) requires the release of a murderer. Quite another when the make it up as they go along Justices create rights where none existed and then upset settled expectations. An incantation that the Constitution requires it just doesn't get it done. And it is amazing to me that you're cool with judges who can't see that restrictions on political speech violate first principles but are so clever as to divine the fact that the identity of the decisionmaker when it comes to release from prison (i.e., parole board vs. governor in a state where there is an unfettered power to grant clemency) matters from a constitutional standpoint. They are also clever enough to divine how the government could NEVER interfere with corporate speech like newspapers or radios or entertainment, but can criminalize political speech. As for Doug, you're right, I am not really all that into civility. But I back everything I say with analysis. I don't talk issues to death like you do--I don't pivot. What I do is channel my inner Phillip II of Macedon and call a spade a spade. The bottom line is that it is incongruous for someone to yammer on about society's commitment to freedom but be outwardly agnostic about criminalizing political speech. But whatever--you want to whine about meanie federalist, go ahead and whine, Posted by: federalist | Feb 17, 2016 8:59:22 AM Alas, nothing deters federalist from his tedious, ad hominen posts. Like Trump, he seems to pride himself on being abrasive. I've often wondered about what type of law he, federalist, practices and whether he conducts himself in his practice the way he does on this blog. Thanks for trying to encourage civility,Bruce and Doug, even if a la Trump such attempts seem only to produce even more tedious and incendiary comments from federalist. Posted by: jiffypop | Feb 17, 2016 9:16:51 AM Federalist, I am not whining. I am also happy to consider what comments you have to say, as long as you make the comment as seriously as I would take them. I assume you would like to persuade folks to accept your opinion, but your methods are getting in the way of your message. Bruce Posted by: bruce cunningham | Feb 17, 2016 9:20:46 AM I agree with Daniel. Harvard and Yale, Harvard and Yale, both are beyond the Pale. Palentate. Posted by: JackMehoff | Feb 17, 2016 9:41:12 AM "for criticizing a public figure" I will again quote what federalist said (the corporate form thing, e.g., was quoted) ... Citizens United isn't merely about that. I explained this a few times and like people on the left simplifying talking about corporations apparently suddenly having rights or something, it's the usual confused trope, mixed with vitriol and the like. I shouldn't have responded but recently read the Rick Hasen book and it was on my mind. Posted by: Joe | Feb 17, 2016 10:04:10 AM "A group of people could 'make a video about Hillary.' The case was more complicated than that." Joe, that's what you said, so my comment about excising the corporate form was correct. As for confused trope, that's ad hominem if I ever saw it--problem is that it doesn't disprove anything I've written here. You try to blunt the threat of a 5th vote to overturn (or severely limit) CU by saying "Well, gee it's complicated." Well, the principle isn't. Like I said, and you haven't refuted this, a group of people chose to organize themselves in the corporate form and there was a criminal statute on the books that prevented them from making a video about a public figure. That CU may have been about more is (a) besides the point generally and (b) besides the point specifically---if Obama gets to replace Scalia, there is a significant threat that such a replacement would, in fact, be a fifth vote to overturn CU and allow such statutes to be enforced (i.e., statutes that criminalize political speech). My point to Doug was that someone who talks in terms of showing our love of freedom to lessen sentences on violent criminals should be outraged that the core freedom to make political speech is under threat. But of course he's not. Bruce, everything I wrote in this post is entirely consistent with everything I've said above. Joe serves up obfuscation, and I called him out on it. And, by the by, I feel zero obligation to be civil to those who justify the theft Posted by: federalist | Feb 17, 2016 11:55:52 AM @Doug The great Clause has departed? Does that mean dead or merely got sick of this blog? Posted by: Daniel | Feb 17, 2016 12:08:30 PM Professor Berman (Doug), For what it may be worth, I strongly agree with you. See Richard G. Kopf JUDGE JANE KELLY AND TRUE DIVERSITY ON THE SUPREME COURT, Fault Lines (February17, 2016). All the best. RGK [ADDITION by DAB: Thanks for the tip, Judge, and here is a link to those interested in hearing more from you on this topic: http://mimesislaw.com/fault-lines/judge-jane-kelly-and-true-diversity-on-the-supreme-court/6888] Posted by: Richard G. Kopf | Feb 17, 2016 1:10:41 PM federalist, I am curious where you get the idea that I am "outwardly agnostic about criminalizing political speech" or that I am not "outraged that the core freedom to make political speech is under threat." I am generally supportive of CU along with all other expansions of 1st A rights, especially in the political arena. To that end, I have long been against any legal spending limits on political speech (mostly because I think they are ineffectual and usually benefit lawyers more than the public), and I would always be against using criminal law to try to chill any such speech. (Notably, to this end, I do not take down political comments by others on my blog that some might think go too far in part because I do not want to contribute to the chilling of any political speech. And I certainly would be deeply troubled (and be eager to defend pro bono) anyone who was subject to criminal prosecution for political speech.) In other words, I am not aware of any evidence that the "core freedom to make political speech is under threat." Do you know of people exercising this freedom who feel threatened by the criminal law? (I assume you do not think the guy in Texas who failed to pay his student loans for decades is engaging in political speech by failing to pay his debts.) To the extent I see political speech/freedom is under threat, it appears to me a much greater in the form of felon disenfranchisement and other limits on the political activities (ranging from jury service to gun ownership) of those accused or found guilty of certain crimes. I trust you see, federalist, that I consistently express concern --- though I rarely get outraged about much of anything political --- about criminal restrictions on these kinds of political activities for certain persons. Daniel: I think the "great [Supremecy] Clause" realized finally that I had come to agree with many commentors that his rants were too often diminishing the value of the comment space on this blog. Though I urged him just to tone it down to maybe one or two comments per thread, he instead decided he would just withdraw entirely. Posted by: Doug B. | Feb 17, 2016 1:42:30 PM Doug--lessee here, you have stated unequivocally in here that this nation should demonstrate its commitment to freedom by reducing the sentences of any number of violent criminals and serious criminals. Ok, fine. So what do I do--ask, hey Doug, if you're so jazzed about freedom that you think that a commitment to freedom means we should be reducing sentences on those who have intentionally done serious harm to their fellow society-members, then one would think that the overruling of Citizens United, which invalidated a law the criminalized political speech about candidates for federal office (i.e., public figures). Given President Obama's vociferous criticism of CU, it is plainly a threat that his next appointment will be a fifth vote to overturn CU, which means that Congress will be free to pass laws that criminalize (and hence chill) political speech, and those laws will be upheld by the reconstituted SCOTUS. Therefore, it is simply astounding that you can say, for everyone to see, that you are "not aware of any evidence that the 'core freedom to make political speech is under threat'" given that CU is directly in the sights of President Obama and he will nominate a SCOTUS Justice. It bears repeating, CU involved Congress' criminalization of political speech. And that criminalization was overturned by a bare 5-4 majority. By the by, "felon disenfranchisement" is specifically approved in the constitution, and it cannot be forgotten that felons had a choice about their actions, whether or not they were freedom fighters--those whose rights are chilled didn't do anything to suffer the cold. Amazing that you'll get worked up about felons not serving on juries, but will also engage in willful blindness with respect to criminalizing political speech. But hey, you'll tolerate that sort of judicial abdication, when there are Wendell Callahans to free. Posted by: federalist | Feb 17, 2016 2:09:01 PM federalist, this is tedious. Posted by: jiffypop | Feb 17, 2016 4:22:12 PM federalist --- lessee here: are you saying that a nation "conceived in liberty" (Lincoln's words) and in which children pledge a commitment to "liberty and justice for all" should not be concerned about having the highest incarceration rate in the world> Do you really disagree with my "unequivocal" view that a nation's incarceration rate says something about its real "commitment to freedom"? On the CU front, you are right that I am/would be troubled by laws that criminalize political speech. That is one reason (of many) I am generally a fan of CU. It is also a reason I am not sure Justice Kagan would vote to reverse it, let alone some not-yet-nominated Scalia replacement. (Moreover, when it comes to freedoms and especially freedom from criminal prosecution that can chill political activity in the wake of Justice Scalia's departure, I am much more worried about Heller's future than CU --- in part because I find somewhat compelling the claims by some Second Amendment supporters that gun ownership/advocacy/use can be a form of political activity). I am not engaging in "willful blindness with respect to criminalizing political speech," but rather just prioritizing the freedoms that seem to me most at risk in modern American society in light of our tendency to overuse criminal laws. Because I know of few persons who were ever really concerned about going to prison for political speech even before CU --- but, at the same time, know of many persons in prison for a long time for selling marijuana and/or for possessing a firearm under the wrong circumstances --- the possible fate of CU is, for now, relatively low in my freedom concerns. That might change in the years to come, though this discussion ultimately reinforces my hope that whomever is the next person to join the Supreme Court will have a deep commitment to all sorts of American freedoms. Posted by: Doug B. | Feb 17, 2016 5:45:10 PM federalist --- lessee here: are you saying that a nation "conceived in liberty" (Lincoln's words) and in which children pledge a commitment to "liberty and justice for all" should not be concerned about having the highest incarceration rate in the world> Do you really disagree with my "unequivocal" view that a nation's incarceration rate says something about its real "commitment to freedom"? Actually, my reaction to your position is more of "It's not even wrong." Why, because you don't deal with the critical question of why. Generally speaking, you have to know that people don't wind up in the state pen or federal pen without having committed some heavy duty crimes--there are exceptions, of course, and as you know, I find the idea of imposing serious time for non-serious crimes repulsive. Of course, you have the issue of over criminalization (the law at issue in CU obviously is overcriminalization), and I wholeheartedly agree with you that society that has over criminalization should have its fidelity to the idea of freedom questioned--whether or not the incarceration is high. By the by, another liberal justice would almost certainly uphold the sort of regulatory crimes, the existence of which does undermine the old saw "It's a free country." You're a slippery one. You always talk about marijuana dealers and others---but what you hide is your desire to spring murderers and assorted other violent criminals. Given the obvious fact that too much lenience to violent criminals is antithetical to freedom (see, e.g., South Africa, Republic of), basically, your incantation of "freedom" to argue that we should be nice to violent criminals is, honestly, about as dumb as one can get. LWOP for a 16 year old triple murderer doesn't really say anything about society's commitment to freedom. Five years for one does though--and not in a positive way. (Two can play at that game.) So the upshot is that you pooh-pooh the risk to the ability of all of us to conduct political speech, an unquestioned freedom, and you elevate the interests of assorted killers, drug dealers and others over our right to speak freely about Hillary Clinton. Color me skeptical of your commitment to freedom--rather, I think, that you'd be quite comfortable in a left-lib statist society where criminals were generally free to predate on people. By the by, Doug, what about the freedom of over 50% of our society--how free were women in big-city America ca. 1984? Could women walk the streets alone, at night back then? To be a woman and have to do so was to live in utter terror. Our incarceration policies opened the streets up to women. Did it go too far in some cases---I am sure it did. But it also went not far enough in many others. Posted by: federalist | Feb 17, 2016 8:08:36 PM What is the basis, federalist, for your assertion that I want to "spring murderers and assorted other violent criminals"? You sure know (but always seem to ignore) that I want to get much tougher on drunk drivers (who kill/harm many more innocents than murderers assorted others), I am generally supportive of jurisdictions that choose to embrace the death penalty for murderers, and I advocate against overuse of criminal law for nonviolent offenders because it too often distract police and prosecutors from doing what is critical to identify and incapacitate true violent criminals. Especially comical as you developed your distorted misunderstand of my views is the contention that I "elevate the interests of assorted killers, drug dealers and others over our right to speak freely about Hillary Clinton." Really? How? Because I see limiting all sorts of government power as essential to freedom? Again, point me to any single person who is seriously subject to (or even seriously concerned about) a taxpayer-supported prosecution for speaking freely about Hillary Clinton and I will work very hard to seek to undercut/limit/attack such a prosecution (and, notably, this is among the many reasons I support federal mens rea reform championed by some GOP folks these days). But until you identify a single such case of someone fearing taxpayer-supported prosecution for speaking freely about Hillary Clinton, I will instead continue to work to help the many thousands of people who seriously fear taxpayer-supported prosecution for seeking to buy or sell marijuana to help ill people or who face being subject potentially to decades of imprisonment for downloading the wrong dirty pictures on their laptops. Finally, I find it useful to conclude by asking the "the critical question of why" you try so hard to deny the obvious links between the nature and application of country's criminal laws and its commitment to freedom. I surmise that you have a core retributivist instinct that makes you think it critical that persons you decide are evil ought to be punished for punishment's sake no matter what the impact on freedom or its contribution to "statist" tendencies. That is just fine for you, but I fear that such instincts, if not constantly tempered by an overriding commitment to freedom and to aggrassively checking the most extreme forms of government powers, creates far more long-term risks of statism than the "'rats" you love to attack. Posted by: Doug B. | Feb 18, 2016 10:10:51 AM What is the basis, federalist, for your assertion that I want to "spring murderers and assorted other violent criminals"? Um, the fact that you supported laws providing for parole for LWOP juvies. The fact that you supported the early release of "non-violent" (funny how there's that word again) drug dealers like Wendell Callahan. Speaking of comedy--this is priceless: "Because I see limiting all sorts of government power as essential to freedom?" Well, you believe in capital punishment (allegedly the most awesome power of the state) and dropping the hammer on drunk drivers. Somewhat self-contradictory. In any event, Doug, I will avoid the rabbit hole. You have this belief in freedom--ok, so do I. You think that this belief leads means that if we as a society impose harsh punishments on people for even the worst of crimes then somehow we don't really have that commitment to freedom. That is, of course, balderdash, for any number of reasons: (1) overly lenient penalties impose costs on society that remarkably look like less freedom (I am talking in the broader sense, not strictly-rights based), see, e.g., NYC ca. 1984--the upshot of this, of course, is that even assuming your views, there's a goldilocks zone, which in turn means that it's almost certainly silly to tag someone on the right side of the goldilocks zone as anti-freedom and (2) your linking of freedom and our criminal justice is, to be blunt, simplistic--putting aside the over-lenience issue--whether society gives juvies (above a certain age) who have committed some awful crimes LWOP or some change at parole is really besides the point when it comes to society's freedom. Other aspects of the justice system are (or can be) linked to freedom and have a large impact on freedom---harsh interpretation of vague laws (e.g., the Lacey Act), bad science, overcriminalization etc. I'll deal with the other stuff later. In short, I don't deny the connection between criminal justice and freedom--I am just better a secerning than you are. Posted by: federalist | Feb 18, 2016 1:04:41 PM What you are better at, federalist, is misunderstanding the critical difference between "harsh punishments" and "deprivations of liberty/freedom." I generally favor all sorts of "harsh punishments" that do not involve locking people in cages for excessively long periods of time, because doing so seems to me to be very costly and often ineffectual in addition to undermining a serious commitment to human freedom. Capital punishment involves the deprivation of life and my eagerness for "dropping the hammer on drunk drivers" involves an eagerness to use technology and economic sanctions and all sorts of other means to seek to deter and prevent the most common and consistent and predictable threat to public safety. I never doubted that you see a connection between criminal justice and freedom --- your obsession early in this thread with CU dealing with a statute that included criminal sanctions makes obvious that you see a connection. What is so notable, though, is how quick you are to say that a society's commitment to freedom is not obviously at issue when a society uses the deprivation of liberty as its chief punishment and does so in extreme ways that have no comparable anywhere else in the world or really ever in human history. I hope you will enlighten me as to your grand thory about how a nation's freedom is to be understood without too much concern for how the nation denies freedom to its people through its criminal punishments. Of course freedom can/does/should means so much more, but can you explain to me any way in which a nation's criminal punishments in the form of deprivations of freedome is not at least one part of an important metric in judging how free that society is? Or, put differently, if a nation wishes to be widely regarded as the "land of the free," isn't it a bit curious if they end up have the largest percentage of its citizen being forcefully deprived of freedom? I will end here because it remains so clear that you are much more drive by commitments to punishment than to freedom. And that is fine, but it would be nice if you were willing to own it rather than try to play games with your own opaque accounts of what you think freedom "really" means. Posted by: Doug B. | Feb 18, 2016 7:16:24 PM eware of the pool, blue bottomless pool. All I can say is wow. It's pretty clear that a society's criminal justice system does reflect on a society's commitment to freedom. And in other news, water is wet and beer tastes good. The problem with your position is that it proves far too much, and you sloganeer to make up for analysis. When you say things like "If a nation wishes to be widely regarded as the 'land of the free,' isn't it a bit curious if they end up have the largest percentage of its citizen being forcefully deprived of freedom?", I wonder if you haven't taken leave of your senses---are we talking North Korea? China? Saudi Arabia? And your little snark "isn't it curious" points up the basic flaw in your position-incarceration is by no means the only way freedom is deprived--see, e.g, women in Egypt and FGM. But let's put your double-fault to one side. After all, it's not cricket to point out a laughable gaffe and walk away. So I'll take on your criticism of my "obsession" with CU. You expend a lot of energy talking about the fact that no one is prosecuting--well, guess what--there's a good reason--the law has been declared unconstitutional. But the danger to freedom--a bunch of incumbents passed this law to criminalize political speech, and when that went to the 9 judges, only 5 of them took a look at that and said NFW. And one thing is for sure--societies that criminalize political speech ain't free. Bottom line Doug--you are willing to countenance an appointment that would put the right to make political speech at risk. And while people may not be prosecuted, the in terrorem effect is manifest. And when I look at your incantation of "commitment to freedom" to talk about why we should release people like Wendell Callahan or why we should give people who murder four at 16 a shot at parole. Posted by: federalist | Feb 18, 2016 9:11:28 PM I am glad we agree beer tastes good, federalist, and that actually is more of a revelation that your ground-breaking assertion that "incarceration is by no means the only way freedom is deprived." Not only is that obvious, I am rooting for a new justice who is committed to "political speech freedoms" AND crime/punishment "less incarceration freedoms". I surmise you, in contrast, desire a justice concerned about the first of these freedoms, but not the second. That is fine, but please own up to the reality that this is one form of freedom you do not think is important in modern American society (and, I surmise, is a form of freedom you hope a new Justice does not consider important). Posted by: Doug B. | Feb 19, 2016 10:05:36 AM Doug, you apparently don't get how much of a gaffe the quoted material was---you said that the land of the free (read, the United States) has "the largest percentage of its citizens forcefully [I think you meant forcibly] deprived of freedom." Hmmm. We're not anywhere close to the number of forcefully unfree of Egypt, Saudi Arabia (all women and Shi'ites), North Korea (99.99%). Face it, you said something dumb, so that's why I felt the need to point out that incarceration isn't the only way to take away freedom--in other words, I had to point out why what you said was gaffe-tastic. But anyhoo, you want a Justice that is concerned about political speech freedoms (very unlikely given the nominator) AND one that is likely to take into consideration incarceration issues--well, on the front of overcriminalization, which is far more of an injustice than keeping Wendell Callahans of the world incarcerated for their original sentences, you're unlikely to get anything on that from this guy either. With respect to my views--I simply want Justices who follow the law, not recreate societal consensus based on their own policy preferences. And if that means less incarceration (e.g., because ACA is void for vagueness, so be it). (It may interest you that as an intern for an appellate court, I spotted an unraised issue that lessened some criminal's incarceration by 10 years.) Apparently, you've learned nothing from what I've said in here about the linkage of freedom with the CJ system. For example, overcriminalization issues (e.g., CU or putting someone in jail without a mens rea basis) ARE very important in how free a society we have; or DA shenanigans or junk science . . . . or even prosecutorial discretion (i.e., why did Corzine not get prosecuted) . . . . or even post hoc impositions on RSOs who have long served their sentences, but whether or not we sentence armed career criminals to 10 years or 15 years isn't. And there is also something wrong with your incarceration rate is an issue analysis--if there are a lot of criminals, you should have a high incarceration rate. You also completely missed the CU chill free speech issue. Weak. And finally Doug, you completely fail to address the underincarceration issue and its effect on women in urban areas. The sad thing is--you caricaturize my views, and I suspect you know it. Problem for you---you cannot make the same charge--I didn't call crack dealers freedom fighters. Isn't it funny--as biting as I can be in here, you're the one with the bombast. Posted by: federalist | Feb 19, 2016 5:33:27 PM Citizens United. A product of Harvard and Yale puds on the U.S. Supreme Court. Nuff said. Posted by: JackMehoff | Feb 20, 2016 3:35:10 PM federalist, your latest comments strike me as more dense than biting: you say "if there are a lot of criminals, you should have a high incarceration rate" right after you concede overcriminalization and DA shenanigans are threats to freedom. Do you not understand the simple reality that how crimes get defined and how DAs behave determines/defines whether a nation has "a lot of criminals"? During alcohol Prohibition, the US had a whole lot more criminals because we decided wanting/making (good tasting) beer made someone a serious criminal. Today because of federal marijuana prohibition, we have at least 30 million folks engaged in federal crimes each month. Based on your facile "if there are a lot of criminals" claim, I guess I now see why you harp on underincarceration. (Jokes aside, I seriously wonder if your stated concern about prosecutorial discretion not to prosecute is meant as a criticism of the Obama Admin for not going hard after the thousands of major marijuana dealers now operating in public states like Colorado and Washington --- all of who are dealing much more MJ with guns around than did Weldon Angelos, who is still serving a 55-year federal prison sentence. Especially mind-numbing here is your effort to lampoon the idea that how drug use/dealing is treated is connected to freedom a few sentences after stating overcriminalization is "very important in how free a society we have." Please know, federalist, I do not seek to "caricaturize" your views. I genuinely just want to better understand their foundation and to unearth whether there is real logic or deep contradictions beneath them. The only "logic" I keep finding is that you trust anti-drug warriors to define who is a criminal and should be put in cages but you do not trust anti-speech warriors (or anti-gun warriors?) defining who is a criminal and should be put in cages. By trusting some and not trusting others, you have plenty of fellow-travellers who persistently fail to understand that creating a big-government apparatus to go after the "bad" guys tends to grow government and a goverment that is always going to get to re-define who are the "bad" guys to serve their parochial interests --- e.g., Bernie Sanders claims he wants to reduce incarceration rates, but only after he says he thinks many Wall Street folks should be in prison for their "bad" behavior. In contrast, I do not trust any government activities by either/any party whenever it involves the most forceful use of government freedom-deprivation power against its own citizenry: prosecution and imprisonment. In the realm of criminal justice (as opposed to civil regulation), my commitment to human freedom as a preeminent concern leads me to be eager to have crimes/criminals defined based on the most narrow version of JS Mill's harm principle and to cage people for extended periods only as a last resort form of punishment. P.S. I think I meant to use the term "forcefully" because the decision by a government to prosecute an individual in criminal court and subject them to being locked in a cage is the most potent use of actual tangible force by a sovereign to prevent an individual from being free to enjoy the rest of their lives. True that women are not free to drive in SA; couples were not allowed to have multiple children in China; North Korea seems like a really ugly place on all sorts of mertics. But absent a criminal prosecution/incarcertation, even people deprived of some important freedoms in other nations still can freely make basic decisions about how to structure their lives on given day --- e.g., when/what to eat, whom to talk and make plans with, etc. Incarcerated persons are forefully and forcibly deprived of even these basic freedoms.) Moreover, the very reality that here you bring up North Korea, China, and Saudi Arabia to make the point that the US is not the WORST country when it comes to all freedoms (a point which I agree with) reinforces my concern that the US, in part because of its broad use of criminal law and incarceration, is not the BEST country when it comes to all freedoms. I want the US to be the BEST country when it comes to all freedoms, which is why I want a SCOTUS justice who is deeply concerned about checking the work of other government braches involved in all deprivations of freedom in the US. Posted by: Doug B. | Feb 21, 2016 10:59:03 AM Hmmm, lessee. You wrote that the US had the most people who didn't have freedom. I point out that your words more accurately describe Egypt, North Korea, Saudi Arabia and other places, and then you say well, they don't incarcerate as much as we do. And now for the dense part--ever stop to consider that many of these places don't need to incarcerate as many due to fear---remember Doug, I've been mentioning "chill" in like 8 posts now? And I am not going to dignify this quote: "even people deprived of some important freedoms in other nations still can freely make basic decisions about how to structure their lives on given day --- e.g., when/what to eat, whom to talk and make plans with, etc. Incarcerated persons are forcefully and forcibly deprived of even these basic freedoms." Hmmm, Doug, tell that to an FGM victim. "I want the US to be the BEST country when it comes to all freedoms, which is why I want a SCOTUS justice who is deeply concerned about checking the work of other government braches involved in all deprivations of freedom in the US." No, Doug, you just want the make it up as we go along judging that 'rat judges are famous for. And, pray tell, how can the US be the BEST country when it comes to freedom if CU gets overruled? There will be criminalization of political speech if that happens. You call me dense because I agree that overcriminalization is a problem? Overcriminalization must not mean the same thing to us. And no, I am not getting into silly reduction ad absurdum definitional games. Suffice it to say that prosecuting parents for leaving a kid in a car when the parent is 20 feet away from the car is that. I am not talking about what you deem to be overly harsh punishments for gun-carrying drug dealers. Of course you ignore the threat of underincarceration. Whatever. Do you really think that DA shenanigans are any more than a miniscule amount of those in our prisons? If not, then that point is weak, and it doesn't even come close to proving me wrong, let alone dense. At the end of the day, you do not like harsh sentencing regimes for malum in se crimes and you are willing to countenance power judging to see them undercut. You posit that these harsh sentences show that we aren't committed to freedom as a society. I think that sloganeering. For example, gee, if we have LWOP for juvenile murderers, we are losing our commitment to freedom. On its face, that is just dumb. Your commitment to freedom argument has tiny more force when it comes to drug dealing, but not much more. How free am I though, if I have to constantly worry that my kids will be exposed to drugs, and may, in a moment of weakness try something that could put them in a grave? You call people that would sell heroin etc. "freedom fighters". Amazing what an ivory tower academic will do to defend silly things that come out of their mouths. Posted by: federalist | Feb 22, 2016 9:12:19 AM you must have a suitable Windows device for successful iTunes Download and install App some system demands that you have to take into consideration prior. Posted by: itunesappdownload | Sep 25, 2017 2:52:45 AM Post a comment Julia Cho's new play Aubergine, a world premiere that also marks the first production in the newly rechristened Peet's Theatre, is a thoughtful and fairly traditional play centered on two essential aspects of life: death, and the pleasures of food. Ray is a chef who lost his mother at a young age, and whose Korean father never cared much about eating, or believed in his son's choice of career. Now that his father is in his final days, brought home for hospice care, Ray must navigate the strange, extended days and nights of presiding over a deathbed, and, in the process, reconcile himself with an unforgiving man with whom he had little in common. Ray is played by Tim Kang, whom Mentalist fans will recognize from his role as Kimball Cho, and he gives a stellar performance in this role, which is at turns sarcastic, raw, and devastated. Into the mix and helping Ray in the grieving process is ex-girlfriend Cornelia (played by Jennifer Lim) and hospice nurse Lucien (the excellent Tyrone Mitchell Henderson), and after a phone call to Korea in which Ray needs Cornelia's help translating his father's native language, they're greeted with the surprise arrival of Ray's Uncle (Joseph Steven Yang), who speaks no English, and who arrives with recipes he wants to feed his brother as his last meal. The theme of food and cooking is an appropriate one, and food is often a central focus as we face a person's death, and mourn it. And many of the moments around food feel personal and highly specific in their writing especially a memory of a meal served to Cornelia by Ray when they were first dating, and how he somehow psychically knew her childhood love for mulberries. But some of the discussion of death and dying feels a bit prosaic, and didactic, like the discoveries of the experience of a death in the family by a young writer for whom the subject matter is brand new. Aubergine assumes a bit too often that this material is new for much of the audience, and the play makes some earnest but naive attempts to explain particulars that don't need explaining for many of us. The set, designed by Wilson Chin, is aggressive in its plainness, with hospital-beige walls and pale green carpeting across the stage, and ultimately felt like a confusing and depressing choice given how simple much of the staging is. I was confused, too, by a conceit that seems to imply that Ray has some magical, psychic abilities, which doesn't totally serve the play's message and simply adds an element of surprise. But the play, and especially Kang's nuanced and confident performance, are worth a look. Aubergine plays through March 20. Find tickets here, and be sure to ask for half-price tickets if you're under the age of 30. You may be inclined to think that you will never live to see a high-speed rail link between San Francisco and Los Angeles and depending on your age and overall health you may be correct. But the project is moving forward, however slowly, and broke ground over a year ago in Fresno despite an enormous funding gap and ongoing disagreements over the necessary land acquisitions. Now, as the SF Chronicle reports, there's been a change of plans by the California High Speed Rail Authority, with a move set for approval to build the Bay Area segment of the line ahead of a planned, more logistically difficult and costly segment connecting Burbank and Los Angeles. The reason for this is an injection of funding for Caltrain and the electrification of Caltrain's tracks between San Francisco and Gilroy. The electrification project still has a $440 million funding gap, but that's after $125 million in federal money just allocated by the President in next year's budget. Electrifying the Caltrain system is the first step in modernizing the rail corridor in preparation for high-speed trains though at present, the plan is not to have those trains travel at high speed up the Peninsula, because of the shared rail line with Caltrain, and NIMBY issues there. Also, regulators believe they will be able to drum up more public interest and private investment if they can get the Bay Area segment built sooner, and series of tunnels necessary to build the final LA segment has the potential to be delayed much further. The rail authority has not, however, officially announced this change of plan. Right now, the aim is to have the entire $68 billion rail line operational by 2028 or 2029, with the initial Central Valley segment possibly open by 2022, connecting Bakersfield to the tiny town of Borden, just south of Madera. Ultimately, the trip from SF to LA is supposed to take less than three hours, with a projected ticket price of $97. All previous high-speed rail coverage on SFist. Car vs. Building. #notavegan #justadrunk A photo posted by Thistle Meats (@thistlemeats) on Feb 15, 2016 at 7:07am PST An upscale butcher shop in Petaluma is closed today after an alleged drunk driver drove his car through the front of the store. Fortunately for everyone, the shop was closed at the time of the crash, and no one was injured. The business, however, may not be so lucky. Thistle Meats describes itself as a whole-animal butcher shop, and until Monday morning at roughly 1:30 a.m. when 22-year-old Petaluma resident Jason Lopez plowed a car through its street-facing wall, sold hand-made charcuterie, pates, and salumi. The Chronicle reports that police recorded Lopez's blood alcohol content at 0.2 percent, which is more than double the legal limit of 0.08 percent. When I saw it, I burst into tears, owner Molly Best told the paper. It represents so much hard work. Its pretty upsetting. The Chronicle further notes that a building inspector red-tagged and shut the butcher down after determining the structure was unsafe. Best and her employees yesterday sold some meat out of the back of the shop, and according to a post to Instagram work has already begun on repairing the damaged building. In addition to the Petaluma location, the meat purveyor has a booth at the Ferry Plaza farmers market. In March of last year, Best spoke with CUESA about being a woman in a male-dominated industry. You put meat and men together, and its sausage jokes all day long," noted Best. "That gets old!" Related: The Best Butchers In The Bay Area A Richmond man has been arrested in the high-profile shooting of three men at the Twin Peaks lookout on Valentine's Day, after a "heavily armed" SWAT team raided a San Pablo Avenue residence Monday night. As you likely recall, 19-year-old Rene Mora and 21-year-old Julio Peraza, both of Santa Rosa, died in a shooting at the Twin Peaks lookout at 2:06 a.m. Sunday. A third man was seriously injured in the attack, and remains hospitalized according to the most recent announcement from the San Francisco Police department. Police subsequently asked area residents to be on the lookout for a dark gray GMC Yukon Denali that was carjacked by the suspect then used as a getaway vehicle. The same suspect, SFPD spokesperson Officer Grace Gatpandan tweeted, who was arrested Monday evening. #BREAKING #SFPD confirming arrest of suspect wanted in Twin Peaks Double Homicide. No further details until suspect has been booked. Ofc. Grace Gatpandan (@OfficerGrace) February 16, 2016 When contacted Tuesday, SFPD spokesperson Officer Albie Esparza said no announcements regarding the suspect would be made until after homicide investigators release the details later this morning. However, ABC7 reports that "heavily armed SWAT officers rushed into a Richmond home on San Pablo Avenue Monday night," taking into custody a man they identify as 26-year-old Richmond resident Richard Contreras. DEVELOPING: According to SF Jail records, suspect in Twin Peaks double homicide is Richard Contreras of Richmond. #abc7now Tiffany Wilson (@TWilsonTV) February 16, 2016 The carjacked Denali was discovered parked around the corner from the raided home. According to the carjacking victims, they were "just sightseeing, enjoying the city lights...You know, walking together, enjoying our vacation." That's when they heard "these popping sounds. As I look to my left we see the gunman coming toward us, kinda with his back turned." That's when the suspect turned and pointed his gun at the tourists. "We locked eyes right when he turned around and when he pointed the gun at me," said one of the SUV's owners. "All I see is the gun with this big clip in it and I instantly just looked down and pushed the unlock on my car. I said, 'Babe, get out of the car.' And I just opened the door and ran out." When told of the arrest of his son's alleged killer, Rene Mora, Sr. told ABC7 that "That's not going to bring my son back." According to the Press-Democrat, Moras family believes that the three men were "'doing the tourist thing,' looking at the lighted city and taking photos" when they were killed. Mora, described as a "positive, fun-loving person with a strong work ethic" had "been fond of wearing superhero costumes and business suits to school, often carrying a kids briefcase," is his youth, a family member says. Despite an SFPD statement saying that the men were targeted by their shooter, the Mora family says they believe the trio were "random targets." According ABC7, Contreras, the man arrested in the crime, "faces two murder charges, one attempted murder charge, carjacking, possession of a firearm by a felon and assault with a semi-automatic weapon." Previously: Two Shot And Killed At Twin Peaks Lookout; Scott Wiener Blames SFPD Under-Staffing Police Seeking Carjacked Yukon Denali Involved In Twin Peaks Shooting Welcome to my corner of the world! Glad you dropped by. Browse around and discover a collection of QSL cards from international broadcasters, old and new. Read an article or two about radios and the hobby of radio listening. Happy DXing!!! About the Scoopers We are freshmen students from University of Sto. Tomas, BS in Medical Technology, section 1CMT. Aside from being students, we are also considered citizens of the Philippines with concerns, opinions and thoughts about different issues. Here you can see and read our posts, in some ways it can be appealing to you or the opposite. So read, react and reblog. DES MOINES | Gov. Terry Branstads plan to fund water quality improvements by extending a school infrastructure tax cleared one hurdle in the Iowa House Monday, but lawmakers heard concerns from several groups representing school interests. After hearing from more than a dozen lobbyists, two members of a House Agriculture subcommittee signed off on House Study Bill 601. This the first step in maybe a long process, Rep. Lee Hein, R-Monticello, chairman of the subcommittee and Ag Committee, told more than 60 people who attended the subcommittee hearing. Well at least try to keep the conversation going. In his Condition of the State address in January, Branstad proposed addressing statewide water-quality by extending the state sales tax dedicated for school infrastructure for 20 years. The first $10 million collected each year would go to support school infrastructure. Revenue over and above that would go toward the water quality initiative. Branstad projected schools will still be getting $20.7 billion for infrastructure otherwise funded by property taxes while $4.7 billion will be channeled to improving Iowa waterways. Subcommittee member Rep. Peter Cownie, R-West Des Moines, welcomed the proposal because of the growing tension between agricultural interests and those concerned with water quality. He said two proposals for addressing water quality have been put forward during the past year the Des Moines Water Works suing northwest Iowa counties and the governors plan. I like this way a lot better, he said, adding that the lawsuit has brought attention to a serious issues that affects Iowans. Rep. Helen Miller, D-Fort Dodge, didnt sign off on the bill, Although shes pleased lawmakers are continuing to move the ball forwards, shes not convinced this is the only way to do this. At his morning news conference, Branstad said his approach is gaining growing support from environmental, business and agricultural groups, along with leaders in education and he is willing to incorporate ideas from legislators to get the initiative approved this session. However, speakers representing school boards and administrators as well as the states largest schools and rural schools voiced concerns that if some sales tax revenue is diverted there wont be enough funding for infrastructure needs. The way HSB 601 is written, it could reduce funds earmarked for property tax relief from $6 million to $210,000 a year. Municipal and private water utilities and rural water associations were concerned that as the bill is written excludes them from being eligible for funds. They are eligible now for funds from many state water infrastructure programs. Representatives of farms groups and commodity organizations were supportive, saying their members want to be part of water quality efforts and HSB 601 would provide a source of cost-share funding. Ted Stopulos of the Governors Office offered an amendment to give schools flexibility to use the funds for transportation needs, for example. However, the funds could not be used to build stadiums and projects with a price tag of $1 million nor more would be subject to voter approval. The bill is not subject to the Friday deadline for legislation to make it out of a full committee to remain eligible for consideration because it is in the Senate Ways and Means Committee, which makes it exempt from funnel provisions. DES MOINES | More than $1.3 million of private money was raised to support a pilot project for a summer school program for struggling young readers, Gov. Terry Branstad announced Monday. The private donations will help cover the $1.9 million pilot program, which will launch this summer and help inform a complete launch of the program in the summer of 2017. Sioux City is one of six Northwest Iowa school districts, as of today, that have agreed to take part in the program, according to state officials. The others districts include Emmetsburg, Hinton, Pocahontas, Storm Lake and Woodbury Central. In Sioux City, about 150 students from throughout the district will receive additional instruction, district spokeswoman Alison Benson said. At full implementation, the program will offer an opportunity for young students who are not meeting certain reading benchmarks to take a summer course to avoid being retained in third grade. This is an important step in learning how we can do more to identify struggling readers, Branstad said Monday during his weekly news conference. Nearly one in four Iowa third graders did not read proficiently on state tests in 2014 and 2015, according to the governors office. This summers pilot project will test programs to be recommended to schools for 2017, when Iowa school districts will be required to provide summer reading programs for struggling third-grade readers. Deborah Reed, director of the University of Iowas Reading Research Center, said the pilot project will test how summer reading programs work, which are most effective and how feasible and cost-effective they can be for school districts. Reed said the typical summer reading program will last six weeks at roughly three hours per day and four to five days per week. Starting in 2017, Iowa students in danger of being held back in third grade for reading deficiencies may advance to fourth grade by completing the summer reading program. The students will not be required to meet any achievement benchmarks in the program in order to advance. Among the private donations for this summers pilot project were $750,000 from the Richard Jacobson Foundation, $300,000 from an anonymous donor and $75,000 from MidAmerican Energy. Investing in the next generation of leaders has always been a priority for the foundation, Richard Jacobson said in a statement. Our focus on children and education dates back to the organizations founding in 1976. Its an honor for the Jacobson Foundation to provide support to organizations that are making a difference in the future of our students, our communities and the state of Iowa. The Richard O. Jacobson Foundation was established in 1976 to provide support for medical, humanitarian and educational programs. Jacobson founded the Jacobson Companies, a Des Moines corporation that operates public warehouses and trucking and packaging businesses, according to The Chronicle of Philanthropy. The Iowa Department of Education contributed $250,000 and the Board of Regents $100,000. SOUTH SIOUX CITY | Iowa Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds told more than 400 women gathered at the Marina Inn Tuesday that she envisions "Generation SHE," the theme of the second annual Siouxland conference of Iowa Women Lead Change (IWLC), as an entire generation of girls and young women confidently pursing their dreams in the absence of outdated barriers. Those dreams might include serving in executive roles, being elected to top offices and leading major organizations and startup companies. "'Generation SHE' isn't looking backwards," she said. "Rather, SHE is poised to see the momentum and the synergy building across our state." Currently, Iowa women earn just 77 percent of what men earn; and the poverty rate for Iowa women over the age of 65 is 9.5 percent. Tiffany O'Donnell, chief operating officer of IWLC, said there is a lot of work to be done in the state to advance women's leadership. "Together with IWLC we can meet those challenges head on," she told the crowd. Diane Ramsey, chief executive officer of IWLC, said the nonprofit organization's mission is only about one thing: advancing women's leadership. She said IWLC's conferences are set up to inspire, educate and challenge. The event began with speed networking for professionals and students. Sheila Heen, a professional negotiator, delivered the keynote address. Breakout speakers included Winona LaDuke, a leader of Native American environmental and cultural issues, and Hannah Ubl, a consultant on generations. "I'm on a mission for every single one of us -- our friends, our sisters, our daughters, our granddaughters, our cousins -- to leverage all of their potential, because when we do, we all win," Ramsey said. "Our families win, our companies win, our organizations win and our communities win." Reynolds said women are shaping the future of Iowa every single day. She said one of the biggest barriers women startup entrepreneurs face in the state is access to capital. Mentoring, she said, is key in transforming economic opportunities for women, who need to be comfortable taking risks. "Our journey, your journey often begins with a passion about something and a belief that you can make a difference," she said. "Be sure and find your passion, pursue your passion and own your own dreams." SIOUX CITY | Ted Waitt, billionaire philanthropist and former CEO of Gateway Inc., kicked off the sixth annual Entrepalooza event Monday evening, telling the success story that led him from a farm office to leader of a publicly traded company that once called Siouxland home. The event, held at Briar Cliff University, is a weeklong celebration of entrepreneurship in the area, bringing together businesses, entrepreneurs and those with ideas to meet and learn. Waitt was joined onstage by Jim Wharton, director of marketing and fund development at Siouxland Community Health Center. Wharton worked with Waitt at Gateway in the 1990s as director of investor relations. About 200 people turned up to hear the former CEO tell the story of what was once a multibillion-dollar company. Gateway Inc. was founded on Sept. 5, 1995, at Waitts fathers farm outside Sioux City. It grew into a large firm with more than 6,000 employees by direct-delivering computers. Waitt was 22 when he met co-founder Mike Hammond at a computer store in Des Moines. Hammond schooled Waitt in how computers worked, and the two began to bounce ideas off each other for a business model. I worked there for nine months, and then Mike and I went out on our own, Waitt said. Hammond passed away Oct. 29. Ironically, the pair didnt have enough money to buy a computer to work with -- they had to rent one to draw up their business model. Banks rejected their loan applications several times, saying they didnt have enough assets. The banks asked if we had any money. We said if we had money, we wouldnt need a loan, Waitt said with a laugh. With help from his grandmother, Waitt and Hammond were able to secure a $10,000 loan to start Gateway 2000. Waitt told students and others present at the Saint Francis Center that taking such a risky shot at business was best done while young. No risk involved. No kids, no mortgage to pay, Waitt said. Worst thing that could happen was Id have to get a job. The first few years were very tough; each day was a possibility to go out of business. At times, Waitt handed out paychecks warning his employees that they may not be able to cash them yet. But the company's popularity grew, in part because of the recognizability of Gateways infamous logo: the Holstein cow pattern of black and white spots on the computer boxes. The cow was a symbol of our Midwestern values. It worked great cost-wise, too. I approved the design because it cost next to nothing to print, Waitt said. The company grew out of the farm office with gravel parking and moved to a stockyard location. It then moved to North Sioux City. The company went public in 1993. A cow was brought onto the floor of the New York Stock Exchange, Wharton said. Those were great days. We made a huge impact in this area, helping people out and donating to various causes, Wharton said. In hindsight, Waitt said he regretted moving the company to San Diego in 1998. He called it the biggest business mistake of his career. Gateway would shrink from its former success, closing stores across the country and exiting various device markets, including televisions and digital cameras. In 2007, it was bought by Acer for $710 million. Waitt said entrepreneurism runs in the blood of Sioux City. Sometimes failure is good. If you make a mistake, you admit it, but you refuse to fail, he said. He reiterated that starting your own business is a young persons game. Thats the best time. You can change the world, he said. You can make a difference." SHELDON, Iowa | Thirty-some years ago Patsy Vander Schaaf listened to a cooking show on the radio as she drove down a Sioux County road. A recipe for Sunny Orange Rolls caught her attention. "I think I came into the house and wrote the recipe down as fast as I could, making sure I wouldn't forget it," she says. Her memory served this baker well. Vander Schaaf made a batch, then more and more and more. She eventually tweaked it through trial and error. She submitted her recipe to the Sioux City Journal for a cookbook contest in 1985. She was chosen as the winner in the Breads & Rolls category. "I remember going to the Journal for that contest," she says, recalling an April day 31 years ago. "I baked my rolls and we each got to sample the winning dish from the other categories. I think the judges were there, too. It was a lot of fun." Baking, too, has provided Vander Schaaf much enjoyment on the farm she maintains with husband, Dennis Vander Schaaf. For years, Patsy treated Dennis and their three children (Eric, Emily and Evan) to all sorts of Sunny Orange Rolls, breads, cookies and bars. There was always something fresh on which to chew. With the children now grown and working in South Dakota (Eric and Emily) and California (Evan), there's not near as much on the kitchen counter or in the freezer. That doesn't mean Vander Schaaf has turned off the oven permanently. "I use a bread machine once or twice per week," she says. "And I still make the Sunny Orange Rolls for our family. I serve them for breakfast on Christmas morning, it's one of our traditions." Tradition plays a role in the skill Vander Schaaf has honed in her kitchen. She comes by it honestly, as her mother, the late Sonya Ruth Vander Schaaf, was a real pro in the tradition of the German "house frau," or "housewife." "My mom was born in Germany and met my father, Leonard Van Bemmel, when he served with the Army in Germany in the 1950s," Patsy says. "They married and came back to Doon (Iowa), where my dad ran Red's Service. My mom centered more on cooking in her kitchen, and she let me bake." Patsy grew up eating her mother's fried potatoes and German delicacies like spaetzel, a dumpling noodle, and rolauden, a rolled meat dish. "I didn't know those dishes were specifically German until I went to Germany and made those connections," Patsy says. Sonya Ruth Van Bemmel became a U.S. citizen in 1972. She died several years ago. Patsy says she's proud to see her father, who still resides in Doon, learn his way around the kitchen. "I remember as a child wanting an Easy Bake Oven for Christmas," Patsy says. "That, and a sewing machine and a piano. To this day, those are still things that interest me." Patsy does some quilting and she learned to knit, taught by her mother. She also sings alto in the Sioux County Oratorical Choir, which will perform this year with the Sioux City Symphony Orchestra. And, she still bakes and cooks, admitting that baking is her forte. "I enjoy baking, maybe because what I do tends to turn out," she says. "I enjoy the process." While intense demand for her baked goods has diminished at home with the departure of their adult children, Patsy still bakes for close friends and those in need. She'll often respond to a church email list by baking for someone who is recovering at home following a hospital stay, or a bout with illness. "One of our members at church came home this week after suffering a broken hip," she says. "I made bread for him and some chocolate pie. He was delighted." The recipe, she notes, might have come from memory, or from notes she scribbled hastily a couple of decades ago. Or, it might have come from a friend, or the Sioux City Journal. Patsy keeps all sorts of recipes, typed and written, on scraps of paper in a shoe box in the front closet, well within easy reach and recall. Like her Sunny Orange Rolls, the shoe box system has served this baker well. Blood, but then I had to remind myself: this isnt a blog about my personal favorites. Modern music is a galaxy without limits, and studying it is like attending an endless history class (and a scientific and sociological and anthropological class, too.) One of the great things about researching for these entries are the discoveries I make looking for appropriate tunes to fit our theme. Some tunes I know, but I get the chance to discover a little more. Like, did you know Bon Scott was a bagpipe player ( This month, I was going to write about Pearl Jamsbut then I had to remind myself: this isnt a blog about my personal favorites. Modern music is a galaxy without limits, and studying it is like attending an endless history class (and a scientific and sociological and anthropological class, too.) One of the great things about researching for these entries are the discoveries I make looking for appropriate tunes to fit our theme. Some tunes I know, but I get the chance to discover a little more. Like, did you know Bon Scott was a bagpipe player ( AC/DCs If You Want Blood (Youve Got It) ? Or that Ryan Adams' Bad Blood is way better than Taylor Swifts? Well, thats probably not something I needed to research to know Bloodbuzz, Ohio, from 2010s High Violet, is a literal and exact copy of INXS brilliant and timeless Bloodbuzz right nowyou wont be able to unhear itBut, you cant really blame The National, or take points off their paper for plagiarism. Sheffield ...You couldn't make a bad record copying Don't Change. One of the most interesting thing that Ive come across is a write up about a song I knew well, yet obviously hadnt listened to as closely as I should. Rolling Stones Rob Sheffield makes the case that The Nationals , from 2010s, is a literal and exact copy of INXS brilliant and timeless Dont Change. Listen toright nowyou wont be able to unhear itBut, you cant really blame The National, or take points off their paper for plagiarism. Sheffield quotes the dearly departed Michael Hutchence as saying: inspired by, or in tribute to. When it comes to rock songs sounding too similar to a predecessor, its hard to assign blame. I think loving imitations make some of the best work we encounter. The National do little wrong in their musicmoody and smoldering yet driven with an intensity of sulk and smoky atmospherics that is hard to define, even harder to imitate. Accusing them of plagiarism comes across as jealousy more than anything else. But, wait: their lead single of 2013s The parentage of a rock song is a nebulous thing. Pete Townshend, one of our founding fathers, once said hed never really written anything original. Rather, he just took songs he liked, reworked them until he had something new, and that was that. I think theres a lot of wisdom there. The paternal song in this equationINXSis as pop-perfect as it gets, with the driving guitar line and the warp-speed keys. When you listen to The Nationals Bloodbuzz, those same ethereal elements are therejust as they are in song after song we end up loving. The pedigree of a rock song is always going to spring from opaque origins. The similarities shouldnt surprise us: the originality of turning an old phrase into a new one should, and usually does. Which is why, if you are a proper student of rock and roll, youve got more favorite songs and albums than makes sense. So, we can forgive The National for working within that nebulous world of, or. When it comes to rock songs sounding too similar to a predecessor, its hard to assign blame. I think loving imitations make some of the best work we encounter.The National do little wrong in their musicmoody and smoldering yet driven with an intensity of sulk and smoky atmospherics that is hard to define, even harder to imitate. Accusing them of plagiarism comes across as jealousy more than anything else. But, wait: their lead single of 2013s Trouble Will Find Me was titled Sea Of Love . To the Principals office!The parentage of a rock song is a nebulous thing. Pete Townshend, one of our founding fathers, once said hed never really written anything original. Rather, he just took songs he liked, reworked them until he had something new, and that was that. I think theres a lot of wisdom there. The paternal song in this equationINXSis as pop-perfect as it gets, with the driving guitar line and the warp-speed keys. When you listen to The Nationals, those same ethereal elements are therejust as they are in song after song we end up loving.The pedigree of a rock song is always going to spring from opaque origins. The similarities shouldnt surprise us: the originality of turning an old phrase into a new one should, and usually does. Which is why, if you are a proper student of rock and roll, youve got more favorite songs and albums than makes sense. I seriously doubt that there is any negative intent there. And a lot of rock n roll songs sound alike. Ask Chuck Berry. The Strokes took American Girl [for their song Last Nite], and I saw an interview with them where they actually admitted it. That made me laugh out loud. I was like, OK, good for you If someone took my song note for note and stole it maliciously, then maybe [Id sue]. But I dont believe in lawsuits much. I think there are enough frivolous law suits in this country without people fighting over pop songs. Professor of rockology Tom Petty has the final say on plagiarism in rock, in response to the accusation that The Red Hot Chili Peppers ripped off Mary Janes Last Dance when they recorded Dani California Cookie banner We use cookies and other tracking technologies to improve your browsing experience on our site, show personalized content and targeted ads, analyze site traffic, and understand where our audiences come from. To learn more or opt-out, read our Cookie Policy. Please also read our Privacy Notice and Terms of Use, which became effective December 20, 2019. By choosing I Accept, you consent to our use of cookies and other tracking technologies. Polands government is planning to cooperate with the Czech Republic to jointly acquire armored personnel carriers (APC) for the Polish Armed Forces. The program will be one of the priority military procurements that will be launched by Warsaw in the forthcoming months, according to Deputy Defense Minister Bartosz Kownacki. Kownacki said his government is currently holding talks on the designed APC program with the Czech Cabinet. Under the plan, Poland is to take a leading role on the project with support from the Czech Republic. The amount of the vehicles, which will be procured under the program, was not disclosed by the deputy minister. And then this...This is very interesting. The first thing that crossed my mind is that the Czech's have the Pandur II and the Poles the Wolverine. Both are wheeled vehicles so maybe they've done an assessment and believe that they aren't "right" for potential warfare against Russian forces. So what could they be looking at that they could possibly get into service quickly and meet the requirements of full scale conventional warfare against a peer opponent? With Poland taking the lead only one vehicle fits...the Anders! Could this vehicle be moving from concept to production? There are many fitness goals out there that we desire. Some of us want to be leaner and others wish to put on muscle mass. The thing is, for you to achieve your fitness goals, you need to The gravity of the existential threat we face from Islamic Jihad is truly of epic proportions. It is essentially a battle pitting free-civilized man against a totalitarian barbarian. What is at stake is the struggle for our very soul - namely who we are and what we represent. The lives that were sacrificed for individual rights and freedoms that we've come to cherish are being chiseled away from right under our noses by the stealth jihadists. And many of us are in denial and totally clueless. The left's appeasement and pandering to evil is nothing new. What makes their utopian delusions so infuriating and unpardonable is that it is not only they who will have to pay the consequences, and deservedly, so, they are thwarting and undermining our best efforts at resistance and are thus dragging us down in the process as well. By Peter Lancz,, the head of the Raoul Wallenberg World Campaign Against Racism. PRINCE FREDERICK, Md. Disclaimer: In the U.S.A., all persons accused of a crime by the State are presumed to be innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. See: http://so.md/presumed-innocence. Additionally, all of the information provided above is solely from the perspective of the respective law enforcement agency and does not provide any direct input from the accused or persons otherwise mentioned. You can find additional information about the case by searching the Maryland Judiciary Case Search Database using the accused's name and date of birth. The database is online at http://so.md/mdcasesearch . Persons named who have been found innocent or not guilty of all charges in the respective case, and/or have had the case ordered expunged by the court can have their name, age, and city redacted by following the process defined at http://so.md/expungeme. (Feb. 16, 2016)The Prince Frederick Barrack of the Maryland State Police (MSP) today released the following incident and arrest reports.THEFT FROM MOTOR VEHICLE: On 2/11/2016 at 7:11 am, Trooper Kaitz responded to Llewelyn Lane in Huntingtown for a reported theft from motor vehicle. The victim reported cell phone chargers and sun glasses were removed from two unlocked vehicles in the driveway. A neighborhood check revealed several other residents have reported this type of theft occurring in the last couple of weeks. Investigation continues.POSSESSION WITH INTENT TO DISTRIBUTE METHAMPHETAMINES: On 2/13/2016 at 11:09 pm, Trooper First Class Costello stopped a vehicle on Rt. 4 at Georgianna Lane in Owings, MD for traffic violations. A probable cause search of the vehicle was conducted. Methamphetamines were located inside the vehicle in quantity reflecting possession with intent to distribute. Omar S. Mohamed, 35, and Thomas W. Noland, 44, both of Woodbridge, VA, were arrested and incarcerated at the Calvert County Detention Center.DUI, POSSESSION OF COCAINE: On 2/14/2016 at 2:13 am, Corporal Newman responded to an accident at Parkers Creek Rd. and Wash Hance Rd. in Port Republic. The driver was located walking down the road. Steven K. Smith, 27 of Port Republic was arrested for DUI and driving while suspended. A secondary search revealed cocaine and marijuana. He was incarcerated at the Calvert County Detention Center.Fred A. Ruleman, Jr., 67, of Benedict, arrested on 02/14/2016 @ 12:44 am by TFC K. RoweSteven K. Smith, 27, of Port Republic, arrested on 02/14/2016 @ 02:05 am by CPL. M. Newman ANNAPOLIS (Feb. 16, 2016)A proposal to reform the process by which police seize property like cash and cars from suspected criminals in drug cases is pitting law enforcement against civil liberties groups. Sen. Michael Hough, a Frederick Republican, told the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee during a hearing Thursday that current procedures contradict constitutional protections such as due process. "Modern American civil asset forfeiture is based on seventeenth century admiralty law, where basically the king would use it to charge an inanimate object with a crime to seize it and take ownership. "No one should be acquitted of a crime in a criminal court and then lose their property in a civil court," Hough said. Hough is proposing the bill with support from Sen. Jamie Raskin and Judicial Proceedings Chairman Bobby Zirkin, both Democrats. Veto overriden of original bill It was crafted to build upon reforms from a bill which was passed last year, vetoed by Gov. Larry Hogan, and then made law after the General Assembly voted in January to override that veto. SB 161 would tighten criteria before the government permanently takes ownership of seized property like houses, cash or vehicles, require new police reporting procedures, and make it easier for exonerated individuals to reclaim their assets. It would also result in more seizures being processed under state law by requiring that property includes seized cash of $50,000 or more in order to be transferred to the federal government. Hough said in the past many cases were transferred to federal authorities because the federal government shares up to 80% of seizure proceeds with local law enforcement agencies. But under state law, such money would go to the state's general fund instead of benefiting the police agencies who make seizure decisions, he said. Cut in police revenues The new bill could potentially cut general fund and local police revenues significantly as asset confiscations in drug cases will decrease, according to the fiscal analysis by the Department of Legislative Services. It also stated that compliance with reporting requirements will increase expenditures about $93,000 in FY 2017. However, recouping fees may offset increased costs. Cassilly skeptical Sen. Robert Cassilly. R-Harford, was skeptical of Hough's argument. He said it undermines the basis of American civil law and could potentially benefit large drug dealers living lavish lives. "You could go to court and get acquitted on the criminal sideO.J. Simpson, and then somebody could file a civil claim against you and get $1 million in punitive damages, so aren't we, in what we're doing here, aren't we sort of giving special treatment to drug dealersthat says everybody else is subjected to these civil penalties, but not drug dealers?" Supporters represent diverse coalition The bill has support from a national organization for criminal justice reform. Holly Harris, an attorney who serves as executive director of the U.S. Justice Action Network and its subsidiary, Fix Forfeiture, rejected Cassilly's assertion that major drug dealers would be beneficiaries. "You talked about getting to the assets of kingpins with horse farms and jets and millions of dollars, but that's just not the reality of the vast majority of seizures out there, which are typically $300 or less." Harris's organization partnered with ideologically diverse groups such as the ACLU, NAACP, Americans for Tax Reform, FreedomWorks, Faith and Freedom Coalition, Center for American Progress, Right on Crime, and the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, all of whom supported the proposed legislation. Naim Harrison, a victim of civil forfeiture, testified that after being stopped by Baltimore police several years ago under the suspicion he was distributing large amounts of marijuana, police confiscated several thousand dollars. As a result, he said he had to drop out of college. Police wanted information and allegedly attempted to coerce Harrison as quid pro quo before finally returning his assets. Harrison was never proven to have possessed or distributed narcotics. Law enforcement officials oppose bill State Police Maj. David Ruel Jr. testified against the bill alongside Harford County State's Attorney Joseph I. Cassilly, who led the opposition. (The state's attorney and the senator are brothers.) Among Cassilly's many objections, was that the bill did not sufficiently address situations involving foreign nationals suspected of drug trafficking who had fled or been deported prior to being charged or subsequently convicted. "Suppose the person isn't convicted because like the case I hadthe defendant was from the Philippinesand as soon as he made bond-he went back to the Philippines." Cassilly also mentioned a case involving a deported Honduran suspect. "What I am supposed to do with all the money that we've seized from these people once they've gone out of the country?" Cassilly asked. First, the good news: Gov. Larry Hogan last week created a 19-member commission to come up with ways to fix Maryland's maddeningly inefficient system for purchasing $7 billion worth of goods and services each year. Here comes the bad news: This group may wind up trying to re-invent the wheel because state legislators appear ready to pass legislation, based on three years of study, that could dramatically change state purchasing practices. There's no doubt Maryland's now-antiquated and creaky procurement system needs an overhaul. What once was a national model in the 1980s for sensible and effective state purchasing practices is now a costly embarrassment. Practically every month, the Board of Public Works hears another horror story of botched bids, favoritism by state agencies in awarding contracts and an arcane set of practices and procedures that ties the bureaucracy in knots and delays major contracts for months and sometimes years. It's a procurement lawyer's dream and a nightmare that costs the state dearly. Broken system Hogan was right to call Maryland's system "a patchwork of archaic laws and processes that are inefficient, ineffective and results in wasted taxpayer dollars." Comptroller Peter Franchot has been on the warpath for years complaining about this "increasingly unworkable" and "broken" purchasing system "in dire need of reform." Lawmakers, especially Del. Dan Morhaim of Baltimore County, have been pushing for procurement reforms, too. So why are the executive and legislative branches unable to synchronize their reform efforts? Hogan, on his part, appears to want full credit for any changes. He's hesitant to work with legislators and seems to have ignored the extensive work already completed on procurement reform. O'Malley's role There's a lingering sense Republican Hogan wants nothing to do with anything initiated by Democratic Gov. Martin O'Malley, whom the current governor has indirectly criticized time and again while announcing his own reforms. Yet it was O'Malley who first took steps to revamp Maryland's procurement system. Back in 2012 O'Malley asked the Board of Public Works "to bring someone in to kick the tires" of the purchasing system. "We need to pull this apart and put it back together." The board contracted with Treya Partners for a thorough study of Maryland's procurement activities. The consultant found fragmented oversight of procurement bidding and the ultimate awards, with multiple state agencies setting their own standards and procedures; conflicting and inconsistent interpretations of procurement practice; lax contract management; and poor relationships with state vendors. In other words, the system is pretty much out of control. Suggested changes Treya made 11 recommendations. After studying these proposals in 2014 and examining procurement laws in other states, the Department of Legislative Services backed many of Treya's suggestions and added some of its own. Among the main recommendations to lawmakers: Create a Chief Procurement Officer (CPO) under the Board of Public Works and consolidate most procurement officials spread throughout state government under the CPO. State purchasing would be centralized, uniform processes would be followed consistently and one official would be accountable for ensuring that Maryland gets the best deal and the best quality for dollars spent on services and supplies. It turns out Maryland is one of only a handful of states lacking a Chief Procurement Officer. The Free State is way behind the curve. None of this is reflected in Hogan's announcement. Nor is there any recognition that Democratic lawmakers are ready to turn into law many of these procurement recommendations. [A hearing is scheduled on HB353 Wednesday.] It's as though the governor doesn't want to give credit to the hard work already rendered on procurement reform one floor below him. Two ships in the night Even before Hogan's procurement commission gets off the ground the panel's work may be rendered meaningless. It's another indication that in the Maryland State House, Hogan and Democratic lawmakers continue to steer in different directions. Still, the governor can salvage the situationbut only if he teams up with Del. Peter Hammen of Baltimore City, who chairs the House committee that is likely to pass the DLS procurement reform package. That would mean sharing credit with Democratic legislators, which Hogan has not wanted to do previously. It would mean altering the mandate of the governor's procurement commission so its main purpose becomes assessing the effectiveness of any new procurement law enacted this session and then recommending how to make the new process more efficient, more transparent and more effective in giving Maryland the best value on every contract. On its own, Hogan's procurement commission cannot change Maryland's purchasing laws. Legislators can do that and they seem ready to act. Hogan can avoid an embarrassment and come out looking like a true reformer by joining forces with like-minded legislatorsregardless of their political partywho want a better procurement system for Maryland, Barry Rascovar's blog is www.politicalmaryland.com. His can be reached at brascovar@hotmail.com The country has such beautiful terraces! Vietnam's very famous, "Halong Bay". I'd argue this is very similar to Thailand's Krabi island. Ho Chi Minh is also such a vibrant city! And How could I forget the food??? Where would you go if you had one summer? I totally am having a bit of cabin fever combined with some wanderlust. I was looking through my old photo albums from Thailand and was caught with a bit of fondness of how brave and carefree I was to travel solo in such a foreign country. Along the way, I surely learned that the world is not as scary as it seems, and that people all have a common bond of belonging.Over that past summer, I traveled to Burma, Cambodia, and throughout Thailand. I didn't get a chance to visit Vietnam but if I did, here's what I would look forward to: PALATINE, Ill. (AP) -- A suburban Chicago high school district is considering a district-wide policy that would give transgender students access to school facilities. The Daily Herald reports board members of Palatine-Schaumburg High School District 211 proposed the policy Thursday. Last year, the district reached an agreement with the Department of Education's Office of Civil Rights to give a transgender student at Fremd High School in Palatine access to the girls' locker room. The agreement saved the district from losing up to $6 million per year in federal funding for violating discrimination laws. A districtwide plan is not required by that agreement. Board members say they want see what other districts are doing and get input from principals. Designing Women creator Linda Bloodworth-Thomason has had just about enough of Donald Trumps misogyny, especially after the Republican presidential candidates latest incident. So she reached out to gay Atlanta actor and playwright Topher Payne to bring his impression of the shows Julia Sugarbaker (played by the late Dixie Carter) back to settle some scores, just as the businessman heads south for the South Carolina GOP primary on Feb. 20 and the SEC Primary on March 1. The result is a hilarious five-minute takedown of Trump in Julia Sugarbakers first original monologue in 23 years. Eldredge ATL has the scoop: The unexpected collaboration between Bloodworth Thomason and Payne began this week when Payne says he received an email from Bloodworth Thomasons office. When he clicked open the attached document, he was staring at the first new Julia Sugarbaker monologue in more than two decades. As the Process Theatre Designing Women Live performances at OnStage Atlanta have grown into an annual sold-out event in Atlanta over the years, the sitcoms creator and Payne have occasionally communicated, with the writer- producer giving her blessing to annual homage, sending along original mimeographed scripts for the Atlanta actors to use (she even bestowed upon Payne the oversized 1980s era black frames Dixie Carter once wore as Julia). And it might not be the last time you see Julia in action. Now that Designing Women is flexing its pretty muscle again, The Donald should probably watch his back. When asked if the world can expect any further dispatches from Atlantas tony 1521 Sycamore Street address, Bloodworth Thomason laughed, Who knows? Well be keeping an eye on him. Its kind of a sweet thing to have something like this in your back pocket. Beyonce has her Sasha Fierce. And I have my Julia Sugarbaker. Payne, a former Georgia Voice columnist, will be back with the latest run of Designing Women Live! at OnStage Atlanta April 1-10. Heres Payne as Sugarbaker explaining to the Donald the power of the, wellwell let Julia explain, but you might want to turn the volume down if youre at work. JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) -- Human Rights Watch on Friday urged Indonesian President Joko ``Jokowi'' Widodo to protect gay and lesbian rights, a day after his government told instant messaging apps to remove stickers featuring same-sex couples in the latest high-profile attempt to discourage visible homosexuality in the socially conservative country. In a letter to the president, the New York-based group said the government should publicly condemn officials who make ``grossly discriminatory remarks'' against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. People of such sexualities are commonly known by the abbreviation LGBT. ``President Jokowi should urgently condemn anti-LGBT remarks by officials before such rhetoric opens the door to more abuses,'' said Graeme Reid, LGBT rights director at Human Rights Watch. ``The president has long championed pluralism and diversity. This is an opportunity to demonstrate his commitment.'' The government move against instant messaging apps comes after a social media backlash against the popular smartphone messaging app Line for having stickers, which are an elaborate type of emoticon, with gay themes in its online store. But the coordinating minister for politics, law and security Luhut Pandjaitan told reporters Friday that society should not respond to differences among people with discrimination, social exclusion or violence. LGBT people ``are citizens who have the right to be protected in this dignified nation,'' Pandjaitan said. ``Don't be quick to judge people, we must reflect on ourselves first because we cannot guarantee it will not happen to your children and grandchildren in the future.'' Homosexuality is not illegal in Indonesia, but is a sensitive issue in the Muslim-majority nation of more than 250 million people. Official responses range from calls for tolerance to outright condemnation. At the same time, most of Indonesian society, which follows a moderate form of Islam, is tolerant, with gay and transsexual entertainers often appearing on television shows. Information and Communication Ministry spokesman Ismail Cawidu said Thursday that social media and messaging platforms should drop stickers expressing support for the LGBT community. ``Social media must respect the culture and local wisdom of the country where they have large numbers of users,'' he said. Line on Wednesday said it had removed all LGBT-related stickers from its local store after receiving complaints from Indonesian users. Twitter and Facebook had exploded with criticism of Line and its competitor WhatsApp for containing gay content. Ismail said the government would tell WhatsApp, which is owned by Facebook, to do the same as Line. Last month, Research, Technology and Higher Education Minister Muhammad Nasir said openly gay students should be banned from the University of Indonesia's campuses. His statements followed controversy over news a sexuality research center planned to offer counselling services for students. Nasir's statement sparked debate in Indonesia for weeks, with objections from human rights groups but support from the Indonesian Ulema Council, an influential board of Muslims clerics. Gay rights advocate King Oey urged the government to respect international treaties signed by Indonesia protecting the rights of minorities and women. ``Gays and lesbians are not illegal in Indonesia,'' Oey said. ``We urge people who are concerned with human rights to not sit by silently.'' In 2014, lawmakers in Aceh, a conservative Indonesian province, passed a law that punishes gay sex by public caning and subjects non-Muslims to the region's strict interpretation of Islamic sharia law. And in October 2015, Sharia, or Islamic law, police in Aceh arrested a pair of young women for ``hugging in public.'' THE REAL estate development fee passed by the parliament in November 2015 should help municipalities build new infrastructure and facilities, but the extra costs will disproportionately affect people living in apartments many of whom have lower incomes. Font size: A - | A + Family houses up to 150 square metres will be exempt from the fee, but blocks of flats will have to contribute to the citys budget, and the additional costs will be transferred to residents. Simply said, the people who cannot afford a family house will be disadvantaged, said Juraj Suchanek from the Institute of Urban Development (IUR) that campaigned against the current form of the law. Skryt Remove ad Article continues after video advertisement Skryt Remove ad Article continues after video advertisement The Union of Towns of Slovakia (UMS), one of the supporters of the law, thinks that it is an effective anti-corruption tool that eliminates the potential negative effects of urban development. If a municipality decides to allocate the fee, it must be via statutory order that will specify the requirements according to the particular conditions, said Marian Minarovic, general secretary at UMS. Another tax The law was proposed to the parliament by Zilina Mayor Igor Choma and Kosice Mayor Richard Rasi with an aim to boost municipal budgets. Money can be used for the development of infrastructure and amenities, for example building kindergartens, playgrounds or improving road and street infrastructure. However, urbanists point out that the law in its current form will be a pretext for corruption and push the prices of housing up, as it increases the overall costs. The bill does not determine the application of the fee in the area of greatest burden caused by the new construction, which will be more expensive and the costs related to induced investments may double, said Tatiana Prokopova, partner at Squire Patton Boggs, an international legal practice. The Institute of Urban Development agrees. Despite the ambitions described in the original report, the law can have exactly the opposite effect as expected, said Suchanek. We expect that the fee will be fully reflected in the prices of the new flats in the form of a new tax. IUR recommends the realtors give their clients fair information on how much of a propertys price comes out of the fee. Clients then track where their money is being used. Moreover, the law gives an exception to family houses up to 150 sq meters so it is unlikely to help mayors in smaller municipalities who will remain dependent on other fees. Residents of small houses will nonetheless send their children to the same kindergartens built from the money collected in the fee, Suchanek mentioned. The law will have little or even a negative effect on small municipalities where small houses up to 150 square metres predominate, said Suchanek, adding that it will support suburbanisation growth of areas on the fringe of cities. People from Cierna Voda near Bratislava already expressed their disagreement with the fee in an open letter. They pointed out that family houses represent greater intervention into the environment than blocks of flats, therefore the exemption does not make sense. Increase in housing prices Similar fees are used in cities around the world that boast strong development. Vancouver provided inspiration for this version of the law. The city is funded from the municipal taxes and also from the fees paid by the developers. The money is used for additional development in the area where the project is planned. The city obtained a new tool that can improve the construction projects, said Ivana Skokanova, the speaker of the Bratislava mayors office. The money can be used for the development of the area near the construction site and help the citys budget. It is a common practice that the investors finish a project but do not cover the additional expenses and that these remain on the municipality, she explained. During the process of negotiation, the Union of the Towns of Slovakia and IUR insisted that in order to bring the desired effect, the fee should be paid by all builders. They also wanted to limit it to no more than 10 EUR per square metre. Eventually, MPs from the ruling Smer party added many exceptions to the law, which blunted its effect. The fee, to be between 10 and 35 per square metre, can increase the price of a real estate by 5 10 percent, which is a significant sum for the people seeking low-cost housing options. Marian Hudak, senior consultant at Cushman & Wakefield, said an apartment in a residential building would likely increase by up to 5 percent. Originally, the law had to finance infrastructure that was necessary around new construction but it now affects wide-scale reconstructions that require permission to build, Suchanek explained. Now it will also cover additional work on already standing buildings. Non-transparent redistribution There are limits on how the collected money can be spent. The fee can be allocated and used only for the investment related to the construction, in the form of social, technological and commuter infrastructure, or on the natural environment, said Minarovic of UMS. The law does not guarantee that the money will be used for the infrastructure related to the construction project, said Suchanek. It carries the danger of corruption because the municipalities can introduce the fee even for small zones. For example, the statute of the city of Bratislava does not contain a note on the local fee for development, explained Prokopova. Unless it allows for the fee to be administered by the city neighbourhoods, it will be administered by the magistrate. Without such regulation it is possible that the local fees for development in the city district Nove Mesto will end up, for instance, in Karlova Ves. The law on the real estate development fee will come into effect only in November 2016, therefore it is too early to speak about particular projects. Nevertheless, according to Skokanova, it will increase the budget of the city that can be used for infrastructure projects. The fee also strengthens the administration of the towns and villages, added Jozef Turcany from ZMOS. Negative aspects will show up only after the application of the law. Minarovic noted that further amendments to the law can help rectify short falls once it is implemented. THE CONSTRUCTION Chamber of the Slovak Republic (SKSR) proposes the re-introduction of a separate ministry of construction and regional development. Font size: A - | A + It sees the solution to an unfavourable situation in the construction sector in the adoption of a new, functional platform. The sector, as an important part of the national economy, needs clear legislation and must be governed by a separate ministry, according to the chamber. Skryt Remove ad Article continues after video advertisement Skryt Remove ad Article continues after video advertisement Our construction industry cannot be as a low-grade appendage part of other state central authorities, even if we cite operational austerity, the stance of the presidium of the SKSR, sent to the SITA newswire by its president Ivan Pauer in early January, states. Thus, as one of the important positive solutions for our construction sector, we propose political parties and the future government to emerge from the upcoming election, to include creation of a separate construction and regional development ministry as one of its first and crucial government programmes. Establishing, merging or abolishing any bodies of state administration must be a result of expert debate and, of course, it requires also political support and consensus, spokesman of Transport, Construction and Regional Development Ministry Martin Kona, told SITA. We are shortly before parliamentary elections and this is an issue, if it is one at all, for the next government. A construction ministry existed already during the first government of Robert Fico and secured the coordination of use of EU funds. Then, it was led by nominees of the Slovak National Party (SNS, then-ruling Smer partys coalition partner) Marian Janusek and Igor Stefanov. Later, the ministry was cancelled, also due to the so-called bulletin-board tender scandal, and the issue of construction and regional development became part of the Transport Ministry. The chamber also calls for a new construction law and for passing a truly new, progressive law urbanism as well as the law on construction order. It opines that the construction industry is not just about business and politics, but mostly about construction order and basic systemic legislative technology and administrative rules for the whole sector, and for the whole economy. The absence of city planning caused, according to SKSR, that this kind of planning has become arbitrary ad hoc action to solve acute needs and interests of investors, without a wider view on planning development of the countryside and the development of society in at least 15 to 20 years. THE REAL-ESTATE market in Slovakia draws more and more investors from abroad. Font size: A - | A + Big developing groups find their interests mostly in the sphere of hotels, trade and logistics. These include also investments exceeding 100 million. Already the beginning of the year 2016 saw interesting news in changes of ownership structures on the real estate market. In the beginning of January, the group controlled by J&T Best Hotel Properties sold its hotels Crowne Plaza Bratislava and Grand Hotel Kempinski in the High Tatras to hotel fund Nova Hotels for 56 million. Skryt Remove ad Article continues after video advertisement Skryt Remove ad Article continues after video advertisement Also the Bratislava-based shopping centre Central changed hands: the Allianz Real Estate group became its new owner, acquiring 100 percent of shares for 175 million from the developer Immocap. From the point of view of financial volume, this is allegedly the biggest investment on the real estate market over the past year. Sale is part of strategy with such projects, Peter Lukes, chair of the board of Immocap, told the Pravda daily. We planned to build Central, fill it, launch its operation and when it is in good condition, also to sell it. Investment groups rarely plan to operate such centres over the long-term, but rather to invest in further developing projects. Important deals at the end of last year included e.g. sale of administrative building Westend Tower, bought by CTP developer; or acquisition of Trigranit company (comprising Lakeside Park and adjacent plots in Jarovce borough of Bratislava) by TPG Real Estate. Investments in well-established commercial real estate offer attractive stable revenues which makes them sought-after by investors, Marian Mlynarik of CBRE real estate consultancy company said, adding that in this light, investments in real-estate projects worth over 100 million are no exception. Historically the most successful year so far was 2014 when 610 million was invested in Slovakia in this sphere. How strong is Ficos record on security matters? Font size: A - | A + It has taken the better part of a year but public discussion as it relates to the election looks finally to be focusing on issues like education and health care. Instead, Prime Minister Robert Fico has attempted to make the campaign exclusively about security. We Protect Slovakia Smer billboards proclaim across the country. But how strong is Ficos record on security matters? Skryt Remove ad Article continues after video advertisement Skryt Remove ad Article continues after video advertisement To start, the government has made no serious effort to comply with the pledge to spend 2 percent of GDP on defence that NATO members make when they join the military alliance. This years budget calls for 1.1 percent of GDP to go for defence. One can certainly make an argument that other, domestically focused, spending should be a higher priority unemployment remains above 10 percent after all. However, that argument makes no sense when Fico also insists that Slovakia faces an existential threat from migrants abroad. If the countrys biggest problem is an external danger, one would think spending money on external defence would be important. What the government does make a priority is spending on security within the country in other words protecting Slovaks from other Slovaks. The government has slated 614 million from the 2016 budget to pay for security and public order, that is the highest as a percentage of GDP in the European Union. Overall, crime has declined in Slovakia over the past decade, but it has also been in general decline across the entire developed world for more than three decades. Despite disproportional spending on domestic security measures, Slovakias results are not that good when compared to other countries in Europe and the region. According to a study by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime there are 15 EU countries with lower intentional homicide rates than Slovakia. Since there are only 28 EU countries this means that while Slovakia spends the most on policing, it remains in the bottom half of the EU in terms of results. Among Central and Eastern European EU members the Czech Republic, Poland, Slovenia and Croatia all have lower rates, as do non-EU members Serbia and Bosnia-Herzegovina. Homicide rates are considered a particularly accurate measure of general crime as unlike other crimes, most murders are reported to police. Other statistics paint a similar picture. According to OECD data on personal safety, among its 36 members Slovakia ranks 13th in preventing assaults and 24th in homicide rate. According to numbers compiled by the statistical service Numbeo, Slovakias 2016 crime index which estimates the overall level of all crimes ranks 18th in Europe. There are seven CEE countries with a lower crime index Estonia, Slovenia, Belarus, Croatia, Romania, Poland and the Czech Republic. The rankings are similar for Slovakias safety index, which measures the opposite. To review, when it comes to security Smers primary argument for why they should be reelected the current government spends more for worse results, while directing those resources to the wrong things. You might recgonise a pattern here. Investigation of the regionPress company of Igor Matovic continues. Font size: A - | A + Ordinary People (OLaNO) leader Igor Matovic on February 15 handed over more than 60 boxes of documents related to the regionPress company to the National Crime Agency (NAKA). The documentation relates to 1997-2008 excluding the years 2002 and 2004. The handover of the documents took place in the presence of Daniel Lipsic, who is his lawyer but also the leader of NOVA, which has members on the OLaNO slate for the upcoming general election. Skryt Remove ad Article continues after video advertisement Skryt Remove ad Article continues after video advertisement Matovic claims that the boxes with documents are evidence that no tax fraud took place during the sale of RegionPress. Last week, Prime Minister Robert Fico accused Matovic of tax fraud, saying that Matovic transferred his firm to a strawman, destroyed its accounting books and thereby laundered 122 million Slovak crowns (around 4.05 million). Read also: Read also: Matovic asks Fico to have polygraph test Read more A NAKA investigator collected the documents in front of Matovics grandmothers house in Borova (Trnava Region) where they were being stored in the loft. As the house owners, Matovics family members wouldnt allow him to enter the house, he agreed that the documents could be carried down and put in front of the building. Matovic and Lipsic were surprised that an investigator was collecting, packing and sealing whole boxes rather than individual documents. They claimed that the security of the delivered documentation isnt guaranteed and that it could be manipulated. Matovic said that NAKA cars have been parked in front of the house in Borova for at least five days. I see here Robert Ficos finger raised to anyone who dares to lift his head and tell Fico to his face that hes a thief and is covering for thieves, said Matovic. Lipsic added that Fico is unable to understand that someone might run a business and pay taxes. Based on the developments so far, nobody in this country thinks that the investigation into the case will be carried out in an independent manner, said Lipsic, adding that the investigation is being directly supervised by the Slovak Government Office. Matovic will testify at the police later this week. Policemen want to examine also Prime Minister Robert Fico to find out how he obtained documents related to the transfer of RegionPress in a short period of time, according to the SITA newswire. Fico revealed in a discussion programme at the TA3 news channel that he received the information about the transfer of the company from a private person. He will reveal his or her name only after the matter is investigated. DURING a week of nurses protesting for higher salaries, Slovaks witnessed another from a long line of health care scandals the current government is facing. The successful business story of Pavol Kostka, who increased his incomes for rehab services ten times within two years raises questions about his ties with government and Prime Minister Robert Fico. Font size: A - | A + Kostka started his career as a masseur and founded his first company CPKSB in 2008, which was not very successful. This, however, changed in 2012 when Smer won the elections and Marcel Forai was appointed head of Vseobecna Zdravotna Poistovna (VsZP). The revenues of the company increased from roughly 50,000 in 2010 to nearly 141,000 in 2012. They continued rising and in 2014 amounted to 1.5 million. Skryt Remove ad Article continues after video advertisement Skryt Remove ad Article continues after video advertisement Kostkas profits were also increasing, from nearly 8,700 in 2012 to 617,000 in 2014 and in Forais era Kostka expanded his network of health-care facilities going under the name Kostka Clinic to six, Sme reported. Moreover, rehab doctors reproach their colleague Kostka for the low quality of treatments offered at his facility, by people who are not fully qualified to provide the services. Doctors filed a motion against Kostka in the beginning of February with the Health Care Surveillance Authority (UDZS). Slovaks dont have illusions of their country but until this cause emerged I would never have thought that it is possible in Slovakia that someone is practicing charlatanism and is above-standard rewarded for that, independent MP and deputy chair of Siet party Miroslav Beblavy, who published the information in the beginning of February, told the Dennik N daily. Thanks to his connections Kostka received multiple times more money than he would if he did that in the right way. Precitajte si tiez: Precitajte si tiez: Doctor allegedly earned on contract with health insurer Read more Kostka has meanwhile refuted the claims saying that his clinics receive more money due to the increase of patients. Also VsZP spokesperson Petra Balazova told Sme that the money they give to the clinic is a result of the clinic spreading to more locations. If Mr Beblavy continues to launch these senseless and untrue attacks, the clinic will move to protect its reputation in court, reads Kostkas statement, as quoted by the TASR newswire. Klinika Kostka is requesting that the said MP stop libelling the clinic as part of its campaign. The National Criminal Agency (NAKA) has, of its own initiative, responded to suspicions by analysing all contracts concluded by VsZP, including those with Klinika Kostka. Becoming rich CPKSB signed agreements with VsZP for more than 3 million per year. This is 21 times higher than in was before 2012, according to Beblavy. While VsZP has twice the number of clients as the other two private health insurers, Dovera and Union, the insurer pays in the millions for CPKSB's services, up to ten times the amount as the other two insurers, according to Dennik N. One of the reasons why Kostkas firm has such high income from the public insurer is that it receives money for a special treatment known as targeted long-term therapy. CPKSB gets 45 for one such treatment which takes around three hours, the daily wrote. Precitajte si tiez: Precitajte si tiez: Police review contracts between VsZP and Klinika Kostka Read more Beblavy, however, pointed out that the therapy consists of normal standard medical services such as massages and rehabilitation which would be up to five times cheaper if they were done individually. He added that he sent a person from his team to try the treatment and discovered that the promised 3-hour-long service took only 90 minutes and no doctor was present, despite it being a preliminary check of the patient. Pilot project When journalists asked Prime Minister Fico about the price for the treatment he stated that it was introduced by Marian Faktor of Christian Democratic Party (KDH) in 2011 who was managing the VsZP during Radicovas previous government and the current government cancelled it. However, when Faktor managed the VsZP the treatment was just a temporary pilot project to see whether it would decrease patients' medication use thanks to rehabilitation. That is the reason why only Kostka was able to receive money for such service from VsZP. If treatment proved itself successful, other providers would also be able to ask for money covering such services, according to Faktor. When Forai took the helm of the insurer the price for the treatment increased from 30 to 45. VsZP stated that the price hike was appropriate and has not answered Dennik Ns question as to why CPKSBs is still the exclusive provider of the service. Complaining doctors After Kostka started to make headlines in Slovak media other doctors began complaining that his firm has significantly higher limits for patients than they do. Health insurer limit is a budget which the insurer has for the services of one doctor per month. If a doctor exceeds the budget, the insurance company will not pay for those additional services or it will give him only part of the full sum. The Sme daily compared Kostkas limits which he had in 2013 income from VsZP and Dovera with the limits of a doctor from western Slovakia without specifying his name. The limit set by VsZP for treating and healing activities of Kostkas clinic in the town of Spisska Bela was 20,460 in September 2013, while at his other clinic in Nitra it was 30,000 in the same month. Yet Dovera set a limit of 3,500 for each clinic. To compare, the doctor interviewed by Sme had a limit of 4,400 for rehabilitations which are part of treating and healing activities and another 700 for checking people in discipline of physical medicine and rehabilitation. Magdalena Perichtova who runs a medical facility in the town of Dubnica nad Vahom also complains about prices. We are doing that for 5 and he is doing that for 45, Perichtova told the Sme, adding that the 45 sum is not exaggerated but the problem is that only Kostka gets it. VsZP responded that it covers rehabilitation services of Kostka clinic in the same way and with the same sum as it does in case of other physical medicine and rehabilitation facilities. Moreover doctors filed a complaint for allegations that one of the Kostka Clinics lacked a rehabilitation doctor, treatments were carried out by uneducated employees, not professionals and Kostka calls its facilities clinics despite that they are not clinics and thus he was misleading his patients, according to Perichtova who told Sme about the complaint. Unnecessary demands The UDZS asks rehab doctors who criticize their colleague Kostka to add voices of dissatisfied patients. Former member of UDZS board Peter Ottinger, however, opines that a doctor filing a motion concerning wrongful proceeding of a colleague need not add the patients declaration. By this statement the UDZS confirmed its dependence on business-politician connections, Ottinger said, as quoted by Sme. Thus it looses its independence and belongs among useless institutions. UDZS claims it is only collecting necessary data and information to open the case. Nevertheless, the independence of the office could be questioned because its head Monika Pazinkova has close ties to the now ruling Smer, Sme wrote. She was appointed to the office by Smer's government and her husband Peter received donations for his polyclinics in Presov from Richard Rasi who was health care minister during the first Fico government. After donations were given, bankrupting polyclinics turned into successfull business, according to Sme. Prime Minister supports massages Additionally, Fico allocated 20,000 from his reserve to a Thomas Alva Edison Research Foundation which belongs to Slavka Kostkova who is in several firms with Kostka. The foundation was created in February 2014, according to Transparency International Slovakia (TIS) watchdog. However, Kostkas became bored with non-profit activities soon, TISs head Gabriel Sipos wrote in TIS blog. Only a month and half after they signed the contract with the prime minister the non-profit organisation wrapped up [its activities] and is in liquidation since July 2015. During a February 3 press conference Fico responded that he has supported many health-care facilities from his reserves and if it is proven that his donation is misused it must be returned. Who wrote the letter? The support of a short-lived foundation possibly is not the only thing connecting Fico with Kostka. Private broadcaster TV Markiza found out that author of Kostkas first e-mail statement commenting on the allegation presented by Beblavy is Maria Troskova. The person with the same name is Ficos controversial assistant who posed for an erotic magazine in the past. It means that she is the author of the primary document that could be consequently edited by anybody, Pavol Luptak from the IT firm Nethemba told Sme. A month ago pictures of Fico and Troskova appeared on social networks showing them getting into a dark van, in which bodyguards drove them to the Bratislava Hotel DoubleTree by Hilton. It belongs to a firm close to one of the Vahostav owners Juraj Siroky, who is believed to be a sponsor of Ficos Smer, according to Sme. I am not an IT expert, Fico argued at a press conference, as quoted by Sme. My office receives hundreds of e-mails per day. The office also received an e-mail from Kostka Clinic which is the same as Kostka Clinic sent to all media. And no one wrote any statement for Kostka Clinic. LEADERS of the Visegrad Group (V4) countries agreed on supporting the common European Union solutions to the migration crisis on February 15. Font size: A - | A + It is a European problem and it cannot be solved otherwise than together, Czech Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka said, as quoted by the Sme daily, after meeting his Slovak, Polish and Hungarian counterparts. We support a realistic approach to solve the crisis. Skryt Remove ad Article continues after video advertisement Skryt Remove ad Article continues after video advertisement It is important to observe the action plan on keeping migrants and refugees agreed upon by the EU and Turkey, according to the politicians. They also stress the need for Greece to continue observing the Schengen rules, as reported by the SITA newswire. Before the summit, the V4 politicians were criticised for undermining the policy of German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Luxembourg's Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn warned the V4 countries of not becoming the club of renegades. There is not a Visegrad or German solution to the migration crisis, but a European one, he stressed. Sobotka later supported his claims, Sme wrote. Since the V4 leaders discussed also a backup plan, concerning the protection of Macedonian borders, in case Germany and Austria close their borders, the meeting was attended by representatives of Macedonia and Bulgaria. The leaders agreed on accelerating the deployment of European coastal and border guard, on supporting NATO activities and preventing the activities of smugglers, SITA wrote. They also say that the situation may be improved if security forces and intelligence units cooperated more. As for the backup plan, the Slovak PM rejected any accusations of lack of solidarity and stressed that the country has offered financial, technical and also personnel assistance. It is also necessary to have a plan B in case the protection of Greek-Turkish borders fails, as reported by SITA. I would be very glad if our Greek friends positively surprised us, but they will not, Fico said, as quoted by SITA. Conversely, they might surprise us with further economic problems which are currently discussed. He also stressed they want to have plan B prepared for the upcoming session of the EU Council to be held on February 18 and 19. THE RULING Smer party would probably need another party to form a ruling coalition. Font size: A - | A + This stems from the poll carried out by the Polis agency between February 6 and 14 on 1,670 respondents for the SITA newswire. Smer would win the support of 38.4 percent of the vote, resulting in 67 of 150 parliamentary seats. Skryt Remove ad Article continues after video advertisement Skryt Remove ad Article continues after video advertisement Second would become Siet backed by 10.4 percent of the vote (18 seats), followed by Most-Hid with 9.2 percent (16 seats). The Slovak National Party (SNS) would place fourth with 9.1 percent (16 seats), followed by Christian Democratic Movement with 6.6 percent (12 seats) and Freedom and Solidarity (SaS) with 5.2 percent (nine seats). Outside the parliament would remain the Party of Hungarian Community (SMK) supported by 4 percent of the vote, Sme Rodina (We Are Family) Boris Kollar with 3.6 percent, Kotleba Ludova Strana Nase Slovensko (Peoples Party Our Slovakia) with 2.5 percent, the Communist Party of Slovakia (KSS) with 1.4 percent, and the Slovak Democratic and Christian Union (SDKU) with 1.3 percent, SITA wrote. ONLY three parliamentary parties Smer, Freedom and Solidarity (SaS) and Nova have answered questions by Slovaks living abroad concerning an increase in grant funding to at least 1.3 million. Font size: A - | A + They also broached the question of voting via the internet or at Slovak embassies abroad and re-forming the Commission for Slovaks Living Abroad under the foreign affairs committee of the Slovak parliament, said Vladimir Skalsky, president of the World Association of Slovaks Living Abroad. Skryt Remove ad Article continues after video advertisement Skryt Remove ad Article continues after video advertisement Nova, which is now part of the Ordinary People and Independent Personalities (OLaNO) movement, supports an increase in funding. It sees this form of support as essential, especially in a situation wherein hundreds of thousands of young people living abroad do not feel that Slovakia is interested in them, the TASR newswire reported. SaS sees a need for an increase in funding as well. It promised to tackle the issue as soon as the overall state budget allows. The government supports the national awareness and cultural identity of Slovaks living abroad and their links to their home country in line with the constitutional and legislative framework of the Slovak Republic in the field of education, science and research, spiritual and cultural life and the media, reads the statement of the ruling Smer party, as quoted by TASR. Smer pointed to the fact that the Office for Slovaks Living Abroad distributed subsidies totalling almost 1.145 million in 2014. In addition, money for the environment of expatriate communities is also provided by other institutions and state authorities, chiefly the Education Ministry and the Culture Ministry in cooperation with the Foreign Affairs Ministry, the party continued. Read also: Read also: Slovak expats want more attention from politicians Read more Nova and SaS claim to support more convenient voting from abroad. They find the current system of voting via mail complicated, cumbersome and inflexible. The issue of voting via the internet or at embassies is a matter of judgement by political parties in parliament, where all aspects including financial ones need to be regarded, stated Smer, as quoted by TASR. Concerning the re-forming of the Commission for Slovaks Living Abroad in parliament, Nova and SaS would support this. Smer stresses that the Foreign Affairs Ministry, the government and parliament, during meetings with expatriates, are still searching for an optimum model of communication with representatives of Slovaks living abroad, TASR wrote. The answers were sent by Foreign Affairs Minister Miroslav Lajcak, SaSs Martin Klus and Vladimir Dolinay of Nova. This work is licenced under a Creative Commons Licence On Tuesday, February 2nd the city of Kansas City, Missouri played host to The Coffeewoman, an event aimed at empowering and inspiring women in the American professional coffee community. Directly inspired by events like Barista Connect in Europe, The Coffeewoman founder Laila Willbur gathered together an extraordinary list of guests for the event, organized in two distinct panels focused on professionalism and competition. Opening remarks were presented by Hailee Bland Walsh, the owner of City Gym in Kansas City and an advocate for gender equality. The event took place at The Drugstore, a collaborative art environment operated by Oddly Correct owner Gregory Kolsto, who helped facilitate the talks provided crucial technical support for our video coverage of the event. Below we invite you to watch both panels from the nights roster, and welcome you to contribute to the discussion in each videos comments section. The Coffee Professional The Coffee Competitor The Roman Catholic Church will also send the pontiff's global congregation messages via Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. The organizers said that the users, who have connected via WhatsApp, have been very active and have promised to continue to spread the message. However, people who connected via WhatsApp showed active participation in spreading not only the message of Pope Francis, but also other ministers of the Roman Catholic Church. A post featuring the reflections of Bishop Claudio Maniago scored more than 10,000 views in just 12 hours. This is a new sermon format that will suit an adult who belongs to the always busy generation and besides, he is always mobile, explained the project coordinator, priest Marco Sanavio. It would be nice if people who receive these sermons shared them with friends in social networks via mechanisms that are typical for communication in social networks, the same way as with any other posts. A hope for lasting peace in Ukraine turns on implementation of the Minsk accords, signed one year ago. As Kiev stalls and its Western sponsors succumb to Ukraine fatigue, 2016 may become a crucial year. The Minsk II accords (called so because they replaced the earlier Minsk agreements) were signed on 12 February 2015 between the Kiev authorities and the unrecognized Donetsk and Lugansk republics after heavy fighting. Ukraine undertook to complete the Minsk process in 2015, but failed to meet the deadline. Is there a chance that will happen in 2016? The Minsk accords grew out of the chaotic and tragic events of the Ukrainian civil war that followed the February 2014 overthrow of president Viktor Yanukovych by the Maidan protesters (also called Euromaidan to distinguish from the previous Maidans). MOSCOW (Sputnik) On Tuesday, the energy ministers of several OPEC states, namely Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Venezuela held talks with Russia in the Qatari capital on the current oil market situation. The countries agreed to freeze their oil output at the January 2016 level if other oil producing states also sign up to the deal, the Russian Energy Ministrys press service said. Early on Tuesday, world prices for Brent oil rose to $35 per barrel on reports of the Doha meeting. However, later in the day, crude prices slowed from 6-percent growth to 2-percent growth, as reports emerged about the agreement to freeze extraction levels. "The fact is, this decision is not aimed directly at reducing supply, but only at preventing its further growth. In the current macro-economic realities, the current level of supply is more than sufficient, in addition, substantial reserves of oil and petroleum products have been accumulated," Nordea Bank analyst Denis Davydov told RIA Novosti. The arrival of the train shows that the 10,400-km route from the city of Yiwu in Chinas Zhejiang province to Tehran, known as the Economic Belt of the Silk Road, is complete and soon will be ready for use. It took the train exactly two weeks to reach its destination. On its way from China, the train passed through Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan before finally reaching the Iranian capital. The train signifies an important day for the developers of the New Silk Road project: the new route is the first logistical solution offering the delivery of cargo from the Asia Pacific region to the coast of the Persian Gulf. Earlier today, it was reported that Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak had a meeting with Saudi Petroleum Minister Ali Naimi, Venezuelan Energy Minister Eulogio del Pino and Energy and Industry Minister of Qatar Mohammed bin Saleh Sada to discuss oil production and the situation on the energy market in the Qatari capital Doha. After the meeting, Novak said that four countries Russia, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Venezuela were ready to freeze oil production at January levels if other oil producers were to join the initiative. However the plan might fail due to Iran's unwillingness to cut its oil production. Tehran has just recently returned to the international market after years of international sanctions. That's why the country would want to increase its oil production to at least the pre-sanctions level before it would even consider freezing its production. It truly is sickening to be lectured by Western warmongers and their apologists. Russias prime minister Dmitry Medvedev and foreign minister Sergei Lavrov were probably the only sane voices at the Munich conference this year. Both reiterated the danger to world peace from NATOs warmongering and yet both were scoffed at by their Western counterparts for speaking the truth. In Syria, lets cut to the chase. The alleged pro-democracy uprising that the Western media have been spinning for the last five years is this: its a covert war of aggression on a sovereign country for regime change. NATO powers and their regional client regimes have weaponized the proxy assault forces who are comprised of myriad terrorist mercenaries. That is standard operating procedure for the United States and its NATO allies, when outright conventional military attack on countries is politically unpalatable. NATO member Turkey is now openly firing into Syrian territory. Hows that for the organization that claims to maintain global security? We should not even dignify Ankaras claims for its violation of international law. The fact is that it is attacking a neighboring country with artillery barrages. This is simply aggression, as the Syrian government has protested this week to the United Nations Security Council. The irony of Turkey violating Syrias sovereignty at the very same time that NATO leaders were pontificating in Munich about security is too much for words. On November 29, the European Union and Turkey approved a joint plan to counter the influx of migrants into the bloc, under which EU member states will give some 3 billion euros to Ankara and fast track the negotiations for its accession to the 28-nation bloc. The European Commission approved the creation of a special 3-billion-euro fund for refugees in Turkey, 500 million of which will be allocated by the EC itself, while the remaining 2.5 billion euros will be paid by the EU countries. Turkey is a key transit route for refugees. According to the UN refugee agency more than 2.5 million Syrian refugees are temporarily living in Turkey, many of whom seek to travel further to Europe. Ankara has recently been taking flak from some EU agencies and countries for its failure to stem the tide of refugees from Syria and North Africa as thousands of illegal migrants continue to arrive on Greeces shores every day. According to the latest Frontex data, about 1.8 million refugees entered the European Union workers in 2015. The European Commission stated that the current immigration crisis is the biggest since the Second World War. Meanwhile, the German government expects the arrival of an additional 500,000 migrants this year, the newspaper Rheinische Post reported citing sources at the Federal Ministry for Labor and Social Affairs in Berlin. "The role of the Hellenic Republic [Greece] remains pivotal for migration flows management in the Balkans region. The Prime Ministers of the Visegrad Group countries acknowledge all the efforts by the Greek authorities in that respect and stand ready to provide them with continuous support. If implementation of further measures aimed at strengthening external border protection in the Balkans region prove necessary, it may bring additional impacts on the Hellenic Republic," a statement by the Visegrad group said. In less diplomatic terms, they say they will secure the north Greek borders with Macedonia and Bulgaria if not enough action is taken to stem the flow of migrants through Turkey and if more positive action is not taken to alleviate the crisis within the Balkan region. Greece must soon apply for membership in the Visegrad Group after all we do have a "leftist" government.They wouldn't fence out one of them! Open Sourcerer (@artifrex) February 16, 2016 Moreover, the statement said action needed to be agreed at an EU summit in March giving the Greek and Turkish authorities little time to implement their plans. "The weeks before the March European Council will indicate whether the specific measures taken produce satisfactory results so as to avoid repeating the events of 2015," the statement said. The UN refugee agency, UNHCR warned: "Clearly States have a sovereign right to manage their borders; however, this must be done in accordance with national, EU and international law. The possible damaging impact of individual measures and practices on the rights and lives of refugees has to be considered." According to him, the Syrian Kurds could help the European nations resolve the ongoing migrant crisis. "The war were waging on the Islamic State [Daesh] and the al-Nusra Front is not only our war, this is a war for the entire civilized world," he said. One of those supporting the Kurds in the Czech capital is Lumir Nemec, a former member of the special operations unit of the Czech Military Police. "Were trying to get in touch with political parties and influential people so they can help the Kurdish people," Nemec said. An office of the female Kurdish forces will also be established in Czech Republic. Their interests will be represented and protected by field commander Iman Al Darvis. The Czech Republic has supported the Kurds in their fight against Daesh militants, including supplying weapons and ammunition. According to the journalist, it is much more difficult but more honest to understand what is politically possible in the given situation and find a balance of interests. Her point of view was backed up by Harald Kujat. The former Bundeswehr general warned against attempts to present Russia as the "world's enemy". According to him, the situation in Syria started to improve only after Moscow began its military operation in the country. "Russian bombings made the peace process possible," he said, adding that he tries to avoid dividing things into black and white "bad Russians" and "good Europeans" in this case. European Parliament President Martin Schulz made it clear that he does not approve of Russia's actions in many respects. However, he stressed that the Russian President should be taken seriously. "I admit that Russia is an important and powerful country", the German politician said, adding that Western countries should negotiate with Russian President Vladimir Putin. He also accused the West of not resolving the current situation in Syria, saying that the United States and Europe had taken too long to address the crisis. At the same time, war correspondent Kurt Pelda and Syrian medical worker Marwan Khoury were more critical of Russian activity in Syria. Khoury accused Russia of bombing civilian targets, while Pelda said that Russia is interested in the destabilization of the Middle East. At a more general level, Scandinavia's political world has been witnessing a populist surge since about 250,000 refugees arrived last year. Far right parties in Sweden and Denmark are currently competing for the top position in polls and in parliaments. But even mainstream parties and ordinary citizens are taking a less open stance on immigration issues. This trend is clearly shown by recent welfare cuts for newly-arrived refugees, as well as additional ID checks. Denmark imposed restrictive measures on family reunification in January 2016 https://t.co/bHlHf0KkyZ pic.twitter.com/m2F4j5x18G UN Refugee Agency (@Refugees) February 14, 2016 A February poll revealed that 40 percent of Swedish people were deeply worried about immigration. For Ylva Johansson, Swedish minister for employment and integration issues, this is not due to intolerance but to the fact that many refugees fail to find a job, and end up loitering in and around asylum centers. "Most Swedes are not racist," Johansson said. "But when there is this special asylum housing, when they cannot work, and cannot be part of society, this is really a tension. "This is a dangerous situation We have a lot of people in no man's land.. living outside society." Johansson's claims where in some way echoed by Pia Almvang, the leader of the Parents' Association at the Oslo school where security had been scaled up. The school itself is close to a recently-inaugurated 600-people refugee center. "It's a big change happening close to us. In all neighborhoods there are concerns," Almvang said. "The parents just want to look after their kids," she added. Nordic Tolerance All this seems dramatically at odds with the Nordic countries' history of tolerance from welcoming Vietnam draft dodgers in the 1960s and 1970s to the aid and support given to refugees from the 1990s Balkans war. A possible explanation is that Nordic states fear that the humongous influx could have dire economic repercussions, especially from a fiscal point of view. Cost of Refugees in 2016 Sweden: 1% (of GDP) Denmark: 0.6% Finland: 0.4% Spain: 0.03% Czech Rep: 0.02% ian bremmer (@ianbremmer) February 5, 2016 According to an IMF study, Sweden is going to spend the 1 percent of its GDP on asylum seekers in 2016, the highest figure among the countries surveyed. Scandinavian countries' public services from schools to hospitals are also expected to be under extreme pressure as a result of the migrant influx. As a result, while Scandinavians' tolerance might not be in question, they could be adopting an increasing "not-in-my-backyard" attitude. MOSCOW (Sputnik) On Tuesday, Cameron commenced a trip to Brussels where he seeks to persuade the European Union to alter the terms of Britain's EU membership. He initially planned to meet the leaders of European Parliament groupings, but then decided to limit the meeting to just two main groups. "Cameron chickened out. He knew that if he met with Nigel Farage his renegotiation would be exposed and the whole deal would unravel. It is an insult to the millions of people who voted for UKIP in the European Parliament elections that their voice doesnt deserve to be heard. I fear we will see more of this in the run up to the referendum but rest assured UKIP will continue to fight our corner," Mike Hookem, who is also a UKIP defense spokesperson, said. Moreover, Hookem thinks that Cameron is trying to deceive the British public as he seeks to renegotiate the terms of his country's membership of the European Union. But the biggest US failure, according to Mousavian, was the decision to delegate authority for the creation of the Geneva-1 agreement to Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Qatar. Instead of diplomacy, those countries launched a major military attack, coupled with financial support, by using Syrian opposition factions. Assad had to answer with the all military capacity at his disposal, and that threw the chance for a peaceful resolution into the gutter. Syrian opposition, by any definition, has no credible leader, the analyst said. The legitimate Syrian army had to seek external assistance, and the conflict escalated, leading to an enormous, era-defining refugee crisis. All the groups that consider themselves "opposition" depend on sponsors, including tribal and regional affiliations, and they often shift allegiances and are led by religious fanatics seeking intractable goals, Mousavian states. "Every foreign member of IS [Daesh], al-Qaeda and Jabhat al-Nusra has entered Syria via NATO-member Turkey, where in many instances they were supplied with money, weapons, drugs, women and training camps and then sent off to Syria", he suggests. Saudi Arabia's operation, backed by Washington, will only help Daesh bolster its ideological position, and the consequences, already dire, will be disastrous, the diplomat said. The threat of escalation is clear. To avoid it the US should stop "indulging the Saudis and the Turks as they fight on the wrong side in Syria in the name of Sunni nationalism." Turkey risks undermining peace efforts in the region, former chairman of the NATO Military Committee Harald Kujat said. "The Turkish intervention has the potential to transform the Syrian conflict into a global catastrophe," he pointed out. "The whole idea of the Saudi invasion is absurd on the face of it," McAdams remarked, "because they claim they are going to invade Syria to get rid of ISIS [Daesh] and the terrorists. But everyone who has been paying attention knows [that] for years they [Saudi Arabia] have been backing and funding al-Qaeda and ISIS," Daniel McAdams of the Ron Paul Institute for Peace & Prosperity wrote. Western countries should have a more balanced attitude toward Russias policy in Syria because Moscow has come up with a plan to bring peace in the war-torn country he added. Moscow and Washington should overcome current tensions, at least for a while, for the sake of global security and stability. According to Smith, the Syrian peace process cannot be separated from the settlement in Ukraine and the United States recently announced decision to fortify Europes eastern borders with Russia. Over the last few weeks, the Western media has emphasized that Aleppo is facing a humanitarian catastrophe. But there are many Syrian cities affected by the war which can be described in the same way. A humanitarian disaster has already happened in Homs, Deir ez-Zor, Aleppo and other cities. While the Western media repeatedly airs footage of buildings lying in ruins, few acknowledge that the Battle of Aleppo has already lasted four grueling years. During combat, the electrical grid, water supply and sewage system were damaged. Power supplies were partly restored in the city in 2013, and the local power plant is now operated by a managing council formed by locals. However, the situation with the water supply still remains disastrous. At the same time, food supplies to Aleppo have been more or less regular, but expensive due to a great number of risks. All of the above proves that the humanitarian situation in Aleppo can be described as permanently catastrophic. Recently, the Western media has reported that Russian airstrikes and Iranian forces have forced people to flee Aleppo. However, areas which remain under Syrian government control have already seen a massive number of internal asylum seekers arrive, fleeing the militants numerous atrocities. According to the UN, as of December 2015, 6.5 million refugees were internally displaced. "We will retaliate against every step [by the YPG]," Turkish prime minister Ahmet Davutoglu said on Monday. "The YPG will immediately withdraw from Azaz and the surrounding area and will not go close to it again," he added, in reference to the latest Kurdish advance near the town of Azaz, a border town that plays an important role in the transport of people and supplies between Turkey and Syria. The issue of Kurdish nationalism has for a long time been problematic for Turkey, with the country's security forces locked in a 40-year conflict with Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) militants a battle which has intensified once again in the past eight months. There are fears in Ankara that the Kurds' military success close to Turkey's southern border could embolden Kurdish nationalism in Turkey amid a push for more autonomy. This fear has resulted in Kurdish forces becoming the prime target for Turkish attacks in recent months, easing the pressure on Daesh and other radical Islamist groups engaged in the conflict. Tied Up in Knots While Turkey has criticized Russian and US military support for the Kurds, Ankara has been equally lambasted for its heavy-handed approach to the YPG, creating divisions in the US-led international coalition against Daesh. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan last week scalded the US over its cooperation with Kurdish forces, saying that Washington's support for Syrian Kurds was causing a "sea of blood" in the country. "I told you many times: Are you with us or with this terrorist organization?" Erdogan told Turkish state media in a message to the US. The fiery backlash came after US State Department spokesperson John Kirby said the US did not "recognize the PYD as a terrorist organization," and as such wouldn't halt its support for Kurdish forces, in a blatant rejection of Turkey's position. "We recognize that the Turks do (label the PYD as terrorists), and I understand that. Even the best of friends aren't going to agree on everything," Kirby said. "Kurdish fighters have been some of the most successful in going after Daesh inside Syria. We have provided a measure of support, mostly through the air, and that support will continue." While the US and Russian forces continue to separately support Kurdish forces as part of their efforts to defeat Daesh and other terrorist groups in Syria, Turkey's opposed stance is continuing to create difficulties in the US-led campaign, with hopes for a permanent ceasefire in the four-year long conflict still some way off. On Monday, the Doctors Without Borders (MSF) said that a hospital in the northwestern Syrian city of Maarat Numan, in the Idlib province, was hit by four rockets. It did not say which of the warring parties was suspected to be behind the deadly attack claiming the lives of at least seven people. Russia's Defense Ministry spokesman, Maj.-Gen. Igor Konashenkov reminded that Russia's Aerospace forces had launched airstrikes on terrorist targets after repeatedly verifying its reconnaissance data in order to avoid casualties among civilians. Despite this, Turkey and some Western countries continue to accuse Russia of targeting populated areas. "All strikes against terrorists' targets launched only after repeatedly verifying its reconnaissance data in order to avoid casualties among civilians," Konashenkov noted. "Once again I remind you that the Russian Armed Forces together with partners launched a multi-level intelligence system that provides reliable Data about the activities of terrorists in Syria and some of its neighbors day and night," he added. It seems Turkey has launched an information campaign against Russia, the spokesman added. Turkey launched aggressive info campaign against Russia using leading world media to prevent loss of control over north & northwest #Syria (@mod_russia) 16 2016 "Ankara launched an aggressive international media campaign against Russia in order to avoid losing control over northern and north-western Syria, where the Turkish authorities had been the de facto absolute masters in recent years," Russian Ministry of Defense spokesman Major-General Igor Konashenkov told reporters on Tuesday. Article 1 of the Egyptian Constitution states that the Egyptian people are a part of the Arab nation that maintains its integrity and unity; Egypt is a part of the Islamic World; it belongs to the continent of Africa; it treasures its expansion in Asia; and it contributes to the development of human civilization Mahmoud Bader said. He noted that the government and the new parliament of Egypt shared the same attitude towards Egyptian and Arab national security, as well as concerns affecting the Arab Nation in general. It is natural that Egypt, which plays a leading role in the Arab Nations issues, protects the Arab states, including against attempts to entangle them in wars that rage in Syria and other Arab nations. Mahmoud Bader said that Egypt was aware of the great international powers attempts to control the entire region, and that it was why it refused to participate in the ongoing war in Syria. [They are trying to achieve this] by pushing some Arab countries to fight the Syrian Arab Army, which is one of the pillars of Arab National Security. The return of Syria as a united state depends on the existence of the Syrian Arab Army, Mahmoud Bader emphasized. The philosophy of pan-Arabism is a core theme in Egyptian political thought. From 1958 until 1961, Egypt and Syria were the only members of the United Arab Republic, part of an ultimately unsuccessful attempt to create a pan-Arab state. Today Syria's flag is the same one that was adopted by the short-lived union. Opponents to Arab nationalism include Daesh, which removed textbooks on the subject from schools after it had risen to power. How likely is the scenario of Turkish and Saudi troops invading Syria and what would the consequences of such a move be? Murat Bilhan, the former head of the Strategic Planning Department at Turkey's Ministry of Foreign Affairs who is now vice-president of the Turkish-Asian Center for Strategic Studies (TASAM), spoke to Sputnik in an exclusive interview. I do not believe in the seriousness of the intentions of Saudi Arabia. A ground invasion of Syria under the current circumstances would be utter madness. This would further exacerbate the already extremely difficult situation in Syria. The supporters of a ground invasion do not take into account the real balance of opposing forces in Syria. MOSCOW (Sputnik) The drills began on Sunday in Saudi Arabias northern region near the Iraqi border and include ground troops and the air forces from Egypt, Sudan, Jordan, and a number of other Arab and Islamic countries participating in the Saudi-led coalition against Daesh, which is prohibited in numerous countries including the United States and Russia. These exercises are not directed at any specific operation. The Arab and Islamic countries decided to hold joint military exercises on the invitation of Saudi Arabia, and all of the participants in the drills will get use out of them, Ahmed Asiri said in a telephone interview. The drills are designed to enhance military readiness of the participating countries and promote the exchange of experience, he added. MOSCOW (Sputnik) Earlier in the day, Russia's Kommersant newspaper reported citing unnamed sources thar Iran plans to buy the Sukhoi Su-30SM fighters, the Mil Mi-8 and the Mil Mi-17 helicopters, as well as other weapons from Russia in an arms deal worth more than $8 billion "Russia is our partner, we are cooperating and will continue to cooperate with Russia," Dehghan, who is on a visit to Moscow, said in an interview with Rossiya 24 television. "Our priority in this cooperation is, certainly, the things that give us the superiority capability, as well as ensure deterrence against the threats in the region and beyond," the Iranian minister stressed. "The topic of Syria will certainly be voiced," he added. An idea of setting up an analogue of Interpol to fight terrorists will also be raised by the assemblys special envoy for the anti-terror fight, Kovalev outlined. "Lets create in the OSCE region a coordinating body that will determine whether it is a terror or not, to define goals, objectives In other words, to create a strong, consistent international coalition against terrorism," he explained. On February 11, Kovalev said Austria had agreed to allow the entry of Russian lawmakers, including those under sanctions, to attend an OSCE PA session. Finland denied entry visas in July 2015 to a group of Russian lawmakers, blacklisted by the European Union over the Ukrainian crisis, intending to take part in the OSCE PA summer session. The entire Russian delegation withdrew from the parliamentary session in protest of Helsinkis denial. Turkey is becoming increasingly fixated on the Kurdish threat, and now even the US is starting to question the adequacy of its ally, the newspaper wrote. During the recent airstrikes, Ankara destroyed several strongholds held by Kurdish fighters near the Syrian town of Azaz, just eight kilometers from the Turkish border. The US has repeatedly called on Turkey to stop attacking its allies, but the success of the Syrian army as well as the active role of the Russian President in the country have caused Erdogan's fears to grow and urged him to continue the bombings. After Syrian government troops reached a breakthrough in Aleppo, Kurdish troops received the chance to move towards the city of Azaz and recapture Minnigh Airbase, which was under the control of al-Nusra insurgents, the newspaper reported. The Russian government should cooperate with members of the international community, including the United States, to work out a political transition in Syria, US President Barack Obama also said. If we can get a political transition in Syria that allows us to coordinate more effectively with not just Russia, but other countries in the region, to focus on the folks who pose the greatest direct threat to the United States, Obama said in Rancho Mirage, California on Tuesday. A successful political settlement in Syria will allow the United States and Russia to work together against terrorists in the region who pose the greatest threat, such as the Daesh, US President Barack Obama said in a press conference. "What would be smarter would be for Russia to work with the United States and other parties in the international community to try to broker some sort of political transition," Obama stated on Tuesday. Since the beginning of the Syrian civil war in 2011, the United States and its allies have supported opposition factions they consider to be "moderate," and have called on Syrian President Bashar Assad to resign. Russia recognizes President Assad as the legitimate authority in the country, stressing that the Syrian people should be free to choose their leadership without outside intervention. In late 2015, the International Syria Support Group (ISSG), which includes both Russia and the United States, agreed to a timetable for a political transition in Syria. On Thursday, the ISSG reached an agreement to pause hostilities within a week and ensure delivery of humanitarian aid is a step toward a more stable Syria. US, ASEAN Discuss Steps to Halt Land Reclamation in South China Sea The United States and countries-members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have agreed on the need for concrete steps to stabilize situation in the South China Sea, Obama added. "We discussed the need for tangible steps in the South China Sea to lower tensions, including a halt to further reclamation, new construction and militarization of disputed areas." The Philippines, China, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan have overlapping claims in the South China Sea over a group of some 750 islands and reefs that are believed to hold significant oil and gas reserves. Countries laying claim to the islands also say they serve as an important commercial shipping route. China has claimed sovereignty over all of the Spratly Islands and a 12-nautical-mile zone surrounding them. The United States has recently challenged Chinas claims by conducting patrols near the islands, citing freedom of navigation. Heather Digby Parton of Salon and Digby's Hullabaloo and Joshua Holland of The Nation and the "Politics and Reality Radio" podcast join me for coverage of both the political (and perhaps Constitutional) earthquake following Saturday's sudden death of US Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia and for the insane Republican Presidential Debate that took place in the wake of that huge news just hours later. We discuss the bombshell Scalia news and the unprecedented response from Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell who immediately vowed to keep President Obama from his Constitutional duty of nominating and appointing a new Justice with the advice and consent of the US Senate now that the appointment would serve to tip the balance of the Court 5 to 4 toward Democratic Presidential appointees. Meanwhile, at the GOP debate in South Carolina shortly thereafter on Saturday night, every remaining Republican Presidential candidate called for Senate Republicans to block any nomination made by this President. And, as if that's not insane enough, the entire debate then quickly devolved into a remarkable Pro Wrestling-style shouting and name-calling spectacle which, frankly, left me as well as my guests today more than a bit gobsmacked and amused. . If you do not agree with the blocking, please use the Access to the chat has been blocked for violating the rules . You will be able to participate again through:. If you do not agree with the blocking, please use the feedback form The discussion is closed. You can participate in the discussion within 24 hours after the publication of the article. The head of the scientific program for the collection and analysis of the objects of techno genic origin, Vladimir Agapov, spoke to Sputnik. The loss of a satellite is a loss of a lot of money, which forces added costs for the manufacture and the launch of a new satellite. This requires a lot of time. During this time, if it is a commercial satellite there are profit losses. There are a number of engineering solutions such as the physical seizure of objects, their removal from orbit using special tugs, or a system of electromagnetic wires. The expert further noted that so far all of these are just projects. How soon these projects will be realized depends on several factors. The first one is an engineering one: complex systems need to be created. The second factor is security: tidying up the waste one way or another so as to not hurt the working satellites. Finally there is a legal factor as each of the elements of the man-made objects in the cosmos belongs to some country. So, you will need permission to remove it. Almost every country has made a contribution to the space debris. Realizing the magnitude of the problem, they have established the International Coordination Committee on Space Debris. Currently, there is a rule under which the spacefaring nations have a limited time to divert spent spacecraft from Earth orbit. But even this is not an ideal option as the disposed satellite requires large inventories of expensive fuel. In addition, the device just loses control at the end of its life. Scientists believe that the solution to the problem of cleaning debris from near-Earth space may lie in the development of new energy to explore new properties of materials and laser technology. According to Korotchenko, the removal of sanctions has paved the way for a new level of military technology cooperation between Tehran and Moscow. "Tehran understands that buying weapons [from sources other than] Russia poses serious political and technical risks. The West can always suspend contracts Iran has already faced [this]," he said. In this context, Tehran has no alternative but to partner with Moscow, the analyst said. "When all anti-Iranian sanctions are lifted Russia will be able to meet the needs of all branches of the Iranian armed forces," he added. Another possible issue on the agenda is the crisis in Syria and the joint fight against Daesh (ISIL/ISIS). "Russia and Iran are key players in the Syrian peace process as well as the fight against Daesh militants. I think that that Russian and Iranian defense ministers will agree on certain steps to defeat Daesh and restore peace in Syria," Korotchenko said. Dehghan is also expected to discuss issues with the Russian Defense Ministry related to military cooperation, including personnel training and join drills. "Russia could train senior Iranian officers, for example, at the Military Academy of the Russian General Staff. Iran needs military experience and knowledge which Russia has," the analyst said. According to him, Russia and Iran will also discuss the format of joint military exercises in the Caspian Region and in other regions. WASHINGTON (Sputnik) The United States and Spain have signed a memorandum agreeing to monitor space by sharing situational data, the US Strategic Command (STRATCOM) said in a press release on Tuesday. Our space systems underpin a wide range of services, providing vital national, military, civil, scientific and economic benefits to the global community, STRATCOM Commander and US Navy Admiral Cecil Haney stated in the release. According to the release, the agreement seeks to enhance each nations awareness within the space domain and increase the safety of their spaceflight operations. A gaming facility could be coming to the general location of the failed Pinnacle Race Course in Michigan after all. News broke in January that the abandoned raceway had been recently razed after the projects founder, Jerry Campbell, declared bankruptcy. An article by the Detroit Free Press explains, the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians has declared that it has amassed enough land in the area to build a casino complex. The area is in the vicinity of the Detroit Metro Airport. In its application to the U.S. Government, the tribe has said that it owns 71 acres seven acres of which were purchased from Pinnacles development group six years ago. The Pinnacle development group had purchased its 320 acres from the Wayne County for $1, and the group turned around in 2010 and sold the tribe seven acres for $179,000. According to the article, the tribe has not specifically stated what it plans to do with the seven acres. (With files from the Detroit Free Press) With the $75,000 Isle Casino Racing Pompano Park Late Closing event for mares highlighting the March 5 card at the South Florida oval, an added attraction for that Saturday night program will be the Pro-Am event headed by team captains David Miller and Tim Tetrick. Florida Amateur Driving Club President Dein Spriggs spearheaded the event and received an enthusiastic response from Miller and Tetrick, two of the leading drivers in the sport. Miller has driven the winners of more than $10 million in 13 of the past 15 seasons and is within a nose of going over the $200 million mark. He has driven more than 11,600 winners with the crowning touch being in last seasons Breeders Crown at Woodbine, where he drove five winners enriching owners by $950,000. Tetrick, who drove his first winner, Travel N Legacy, at the Paris, Ill., Fair in 1998, covering the mile in 2:06.4 and earning the major share of the $1,186 purse, just recently won his 9,000th race and has driven the winners of more than $165 million. He, too, has a multitude of Breeders Crown wins, including last seasons victory back of 2015 two-year-old colt champion Boston Red Rocks. Spriggs said, We are so honoured to have these great drivers and humanitarians here at Pompano Park on March 5. In appreciation of their appearance here, our Florida Amateur Driving Club is donating $2,000 to each drivers selected charity -- Millers being the Make A Wish Foundation and Tetrick selecting New Vocation. Miller and Tetrick will select their respective teams after the March 1 draw with two Pro-Am events tentatively scheduled as a co-feature with the aforementioned $75,000 Isle Casino Late Closing final. Also on March 5, authors Victoria Howard and Bob Marks will be on hand doing a book signing for their recent publication detailing the life and times of the great Meadow Skipper. Plans are also being finalized for the Isle International Amateur Series extravaganza on March 12-13. The leading amateur drivers from Austria, Russia, Norway, Hungary, Italy, Spain, Denmark, Germany and New Zealand will be joined by Floridas own Dein Spriggs, who won the right to represent the amateur drivers during a series of events over the past months. (Pompano Park) Walter Vincent Adamkosky passed away on February 11 in Reynoldsburg, Ohio at the age of 95. Adamkosky was born on October 27, 1920, in Goshen, N.Y. The little town of Goshen is the home of the Harness Racing Museum and Hall of Fame, so it was no surprise that he gained employment at the age of 19 with the United States Trotting Association. He retired from the USTA in 1985, his 46-year tenure there interrupted briefly when he served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II. As a First Lieutenant, he heroically completed 35 perilous missions co-piloting a B-17 bomber, all before his 25th birthday. But with characteristic humility he always resisted any suggestion that he was a hero. Upon retirement from the USTA, it occurred to him that he was free to attend daily Mass, which he did for years, doing the readings and distributing Holy Communion as an Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist. He always arrived early to make sure everything was in order before Mass began. The late Msgr. Edward Trenor, pastor of Christ the King Church at the time, was heard to say, I dont know what wed do without him. Adamkosky will be remembered by everyone who ever met him for his kindness, integrity, humility and great sense of humour. He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Mary Veronica (Doherty); daughters, Veronica (Jerry) McMenemy and Mary Ellen (Denny) Parker; sons, Walter (Christine) and Michael; eight grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren. Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of your choice. Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the family and friends of Walter Adamkosky. (USTA) Er is iets heel griezeligs aan de gang in Nederland. Dat wij geleidelijk aan in een totalitaire 'democratie' wegzinken wordt steeds ... The Center for Global Peace Journalism at Park University promotes the concepts of peace and peace journalism, including advocating non-violent conflict resolution, through seminars and courses both in the U.S. and abroad, through its website and magazine, and through partnerships with like-minded organizations and individuals. No, Im not entirely sure what it means either. I did ask, and someone suggested that it must have something to do with Brussels ... because of the sprout, I suppose. Its a line from an article about Catalunya, and I thought it provided a good enough excuse for another update on what is happening there. The article in question is by Alfons Lopez Tena, a pro-independence deputy in the previous Catalan parliament, and I found it here in Business Insider. It's worth a read. In essence what he is saying is that the Spanish state will never give their permission for Catalunya to become independent, and that Catalans are not determined enough to seize it for themselves. I agree with the first assertion, but I dont think even he quite believes the second. It seems designed to spur Catalans into adopting a more assertive mindset. He included a nice quote from 1820 which is worth repeating: Liberty will not descend to a people; a people must raise themselves to liberty; it is a blessing that must be earned before it can be enjoyed. Lacon, Chapter CLXXVIII Charles Caleb Colton So far as the Catalan Government is concerned, everything is on course. Although Artur Mas left it until the last minute before resigning, he did the right thing in the end. It was a change of personnel rather than a change of direction. The new president, Carles Puigdemont, is going to carry through exactly the same programme to set up the institutions necessary for Catalunya to function as an independent state as before, because that was the whole point of the September election. The Spanish Government will object and the Spanish Constitutional Court will instruct the Catalan Government not to do this, but theyll just go ahead and do it anyway. The only way Spain could stop them would be to arrest and imprison members of the government, or send in troops and tanks. So far as the Spanish Government is concerned, everything is still up in the air after the elections of 20 December. Mariano Rajoy remains in charge of a caretaker government while negotiations are progressing to form a new one. Normally, they would have to do this within three months ... but as the clock doesn't technically start ticking until the first vote, and no-one has yet tabled a motion to vote on, the situation could remain in limbo indefinitely. No-one seems to be in much of a hurry to sort things out, and they still have some way to go before they break Belgium's record. As Ive mentioned before, the only one of the four main parties that might offer hope for an agreed settlement between Catalunya and Spain is Podemos. They are committed to the Catalans being able to hold a binding referendum on their future, even though they would prefer them to stay part of a constitutionally reformed Spain. As it happens, they re-affirmed that position only yesterday, saying that a referendum was an "indispensable" condition in any agreement with the PSOE to form a left-of-centre government. Hardly surprisingly, the PSOE responded by announcing that they will say no to this referendum and admitted to having received Podemos proposal with perplexity, concern and disappointment. - The reason for not allowing a referendum is perhaps not immediately obvious. On one level people might think it would be a good idea for Spain, because if they offered the Catalans a suitable vow such as full fiscal autonomy of the type enjoyed by the four Basque provinces, they might just vote No to independence. But there are two reasons why Spain cant realistically do this: first, they cant afford to lose Catalunya as a cash cow; and, more importantly, if they allowed Catalunya a referendum it would set a precedent for all the other autonomous communities to be able to do the same. Asymmetric devolution is not in Spains DNA, it has to be coffee for all. The result would be that the three Basque provinces in the autonomous community would get out straight away; the only thing that might possibly delay them is trying to get a majority in the fourth province, Nafarroa, to break away with them. If Catalunya voted for independence it is very likely that the Balearic Islands would follow, because they suffer the same sort of fiscal outflow as Catalunya does and have recently seen the Spanish state take draconian steps against the language. Perhaps they would join the new Catalan Republic, or perhaps they might set up a Catalan Confederation which Valencia and North Catalunya (in France) could join in due course. Galicia might also vote for independence, or perhaps for some confederal relationship with Portugal, with whom they share a very similar language. In short, if the Spanish state opens the door for one nation to vote on independence, there would be nothing to stop at least five more autonomous communities voting to leave too. - Which gets us back to what Ive said since the election last September. There will not now be an agreed, binding referendum on Catalan independence. The time for that has passed. Instead, in 18 months or so, the Catalan Government will organize a vote to approve the constitution for a Catalan Republic (one draft was published last year, but there are other versions and the final document needs to be worked up by consensus with input from wider civic society) and the Catalan Parliament will then unilaterally declare independence on that basis. As a young man, just the sight of a plane inspired Dwight Irby. Watching the planes in the air, I always wanted to fly, he said. Growing up poor in St. Helens, Ore., Irby, 72, pieced together his pilot training. He washed small planes and cars in exchange for plane rides. He bought an hour or two of flying lessons here and there, until 1965 when he took his first solo flight in a Cessna 150. Recently, Irby became the first Cowlitz County pilot in at least a decade to win the Federal Aviation Administrations Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award. Last year, the FAA administered 420 awards, 10 in Washington. To earn the honor, a pilot must have a current license and have flown continuously for 50 years. In addition, none of a pilots airman certificates can be revoked. Zero accidents is no small feat. In 2015, Irby twice landed his twin-engine after one engine failed. Both times he was headed to his vacation home in Palm Springs, Calif. One time, the engine failed at 17,500 feet and a second time at 15,000 feet. About 30 years ago, coming out of a canyon near his former cattle ranch in Eastern Oregon, a component of his then helicopters fuel system failed 200 feet above ground. Irby calls his safe flying record a mixture of luck and caution. He said his near-accidents havent changed his love of flying. I love it just as much as I used to, he said. Irbys life has been a mish-mash of careers intertwined with flying. Before Irby became a pilot, he joined the Oregon National Guard when he was 17 years old and served two and a half years. In the following years, he started and sold a construction company, built and moved the marina from St. Helens to Willow Grove, and built and sold apartments and condominiums in St. Helens. Though he no longer owns it, Irby started Pets, Pawn & Imports (now Pets, Pawns & Instruments) on Commerce Avenue. He lives in Willow Grove with his wife. She, his son and grandson are working on getting their pilot licenses. Irby owns a single-seat Pitts S1T, which is used for aerobatics, along with a single engine Cessna 182 and a single engine Beechcraft B60 Duke. He is a member and past president of the Kelso Experimental Aircraft Association. Irby said one of his favorite aspects of flying is sharing it with others, especially with children. Its like flying on a magic carpet, he said of flying his helicopter. Its special to be able to do that and to do that safely. Its real special. And to give people rides is a real joy. After 20-year-old Raymond Craig died on Oct. 18, 2015, just hours after a horrible car accident in Pierce County, he became one of the most successful organ donors his transplant team had seen. Raymond donated his heart, both lungs and kidneys, his liver and his pancreas. In total, he saved the lives of six people, including a child. Among them was Keilah Hansford, a 28-year-old Longview mother of three. On a rainy Saturday afternoon, Raymonds parents, Steve and Patty Craig, met Hansford for the first time at her parents West Longview home. They put a stethoscope to Hansfords chest and from behind a blush pink, 10-inch scar, they once again heard the gentle thump-thump of their sons heart. For a silent few seconds, Patty kept the stethoscope to Hansfords chest, quietly choking back her tears. Then she handed the instrument to Steve, who listened, silent only until he also began to cry. He always had a strong heart beat, Patty told Hansford, who now wears a dog tag engraved with Raymonds signature, a gift from his parents. A heart of gold, as Steve says, that would have hoped for a successful transplant. Strong as an ox Raymond was lucky to have lived at all. A shaken baby, he was placed in foster care and later adopted at age 3 by the Craigs when they lived in Central Valley, Calif. He grew into a fit, healthy teenager strong as an ox for as small as he was, his dad said. He ran track at White Pass High School, was never short of friends or text messages from them and was a drummer who started White Pass first drum line. He loved his matte black, two-door 1992 Mitsubishi GT, which he would race along the country roads near Randle, Wash., documenting his adventures with a chronology of pictures and videos on Facebook. He had a big heart, his parents said. Though he made a good wage at a local lumber mill right after graduation, his parents said Raymond was always short of money, and they didnt find out until after he died that it was because he was always buying lunches, coats and other necessities for friends in need. As much as he loved his life in Randle, his parents said Raymond became frustrated at the lack of stability it provided. Hed been fired from his job at the lumber mill too many missed days. After the mill, he was laid off from a local cafe the busy vacation season was over. He felt adrift, his parents said, so he decided hed leave for Puyallup, live with some friends and get a job at Amazon. I need to get my life back in order, read a text Raymond sent to his dad. It would be the last contact he would have with his parents. An hour outside of Glenoma, near Graham, Raymond lost control of his car on a long, sweeping curve in the road. His Mitsubishi went into a tailspin, crossed into the southbound lane and was hit on the right, rear side by an oncoming car. The crash popped his cars hatch open, broke his seat belt and shot him through the back of the car (the driver and passenger in the other car were both hospitalized). He landed on his head, breaking his neck and back. He was transported to Tacoma General Hospital. At 2:30 a.m., the pounding of a sheriffs deputys flashlight against their front door woke Patty and Steve from their sleep. The deputy told them of the accident, and Pattys heart dropped. He was declared brain dead later that day. At 5 a.m., Patty and Craig walked into Raymonds hospital room in Tacoma where he lay hooked up to a ventilator. Patty and Craig each grasped one of Raymonds hands, stood over him one on each side of the hospital bed and told their son how much they loved him. Tears began to flow from Raymonds fixed, dilated eyes. He knew we were there, Steve said. Dying at 26 At just 26 years old, Hansford the mother of three went to the emergency room at Central Washington Hospital on Feb. 6, 2014, after she had been short of breath for three days. The next day, doctors told her she needed a new heart. One day I was fine, the next day I was dying, she said. Hansford likely had heart problems all her life. Adopted at age 12 by Vickie and Bob Giles, she didnt know that her familys medical history was littered with heart problems. Doctors discovered her heart was swollen and couldnt pump enough blood to her body. She was pumping blood at about 1/10 the normal rate. She was Life Flighted from Longview to UW Medical Center and put on an IV for the next three months. When her IV failed, doctors put in a left ventricular assist device (LVAD), a battery-powered mechanical pump that was running her heart. With no pulse of her own, the LVAD quietly cycled blood from the left to the right side of her heart for 13 months. Then Raymond died. On the afternoon of Oct. 20, Hansford was waiting for her daughter Piper to get off the bus from school when her phone rang. Is this Keilah? Do you have someone sitting next to you? Were looking at this heart, the voice on the phone said. I just started bawling, Hansford said. Im shaking and crying. Im picking up the other phone and calling my mom. Hansford drove with her mom to UW Hospital, where the transplant was scheduled for the next morning. Raymonds heart was shipped in a heart in a box, a device made by Massachusetts-based TransMedics Inc. that keeps a donated heart beating and warm. It can preserve a heart for close to three times as long as conventional cold storage. Six hours later, she awoke with Raymonds heart beating inside her chest. His heartbeat was so loud that for several days afterward, Hansford had to take sleeping medications to escape the sound. Soon after, Hansford received a letter from the Craigs that told her about their son, wished her the best and hoped for a meeting between their families. The Craigs had two daughters who received liver transplants (one died), so they knew what it was like to get a donated organ. Hansford wanted to meet them, too. I just want them to know Im going to take care of their heart, she said. (Raymond) was full of laughter and full of life, and thats kind of my personality. Hes going to live on through me. Treasuring every moment Hansfords transplant journey isnt over. Finding out that you need a heart transplant, my life stopped at that moment, she said. I started building a whole new life at the moment, and every moment from that day forward was building something different. I treasured every moment differently with my kids and my family. She takes more than 18 medications, suffers from migraines because of them, and she is still struggling to up her white blood cell count. While shes fighting to keep herself healthy and to prevent her body from rejecting Raymonds heart, she wants to encourage more people to become donors and close a critical gap in organ donations. According to the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network, 84 people are on the waiting list for hearts in Washington, and in 2015, there were 68 hearts transplanted in the state. According to LifeCenter Northwest, which helped coordinate Raymonds donation, 22 people die every day waiting for an organ transplant. Thanks to Raymond, Hansford wasnt one of them. To me, its very comforting to know that from tragedy theres good, Patty said when she first met Hansford. We know where he is. Its still hard, because I want (Raymond) to be here. But we know where he is. Well see him again. And now theyve heard him one more time. Indecent exposure Kelso police Sunday responded to a report of indecent exposure in the 700 block of Pacific Avenue. A woman in her 50s was reportedly spotted wearing a black coat and nothing else, sometime during the afternoon. Drug charge Longview police Sunday arrested Daniel Lee Brewer, 45, of Longview on suspicion of disorderly conduct and a drug violation. No-contact violation Longview police Sunday arrested Alexander Shane Hall, 25, of Longview on suspicion of violation of a no-contact order and a Department of Corrections hold. Assault Kelso police Sunday arrested Monica Rachelle Travers, 25, of Kelso on suspicion on second-degree assault/domestic violence. Assault, drugs Kalama police Sunday arrested Michael James Gorman, 30, of Kalama on suspicion of fourth-degree assault/domestic violence and a drug charge. Burglaries 200 block Second Avenue, Kelso. Sunday. 1400 block of Beech Street, Longview. Sunday. A homeless woman was arrested on suspicion of a drug bond revocation. Vehicle prowls 900 block of Seventh Avenue, Longview. Sunday. Three vehicles broken into. Wallet taken. Vandalism 100 block of Cowlitz Gardens, Kelso. Early Sunday. Teenagers smashing mailboxes. 1000 blocks of South Fourth Avenue, Kelso. Sunday. Vandalism to vehicle. 200 block of 16th Avenue, Longview. Sunday. Car window smashed. Suspect identified. Letters to the Editor On the list U.S. Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler: Recently, articles in the news indicate that the Koch Brothers and American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) supporting the Bundies and the occupiers at the Malheur Wildlife Refuge. I looked up the ALEC and they list you as a member. If this is true, why did you join a group that advocates such tactics? Jerry Elliott Castle Rock Not in service A few times lately when Ive been grocery shopping at my local grocer, I have seen people with non-service dogs, which they let walk on the floor. A couple of times I have seen the dogs pee on the floor. The people just walk away like nothing happened. My neighbor and a friend have also seen dogs peeing on the floor in the grocery store. I think its gross that people bring non-service dogs into the store and either sit them in the child seat of the basket (how unsanitary!) or let them walk and pee on the floor. Grocers, this practice of allowing any and all dogs into the store is way out of hand, and disgusting enough for me to stop shopping in the store I have been loyal to for 25 years. Not only have I seen dogs, but also birds and, once, a monkey. Where does it end? I dont want them in my shopping cart either. Who knows if they have ringworm, tapeworms, a virus or something else? People sit their small children in the cart seats. How likely would they be to do this if the knew that a dogs behind had just been there previously? Sharon Hoskinson Longview Teaching with style I just finished reading the column about teaching with learning styles in mind. The column was written by Esther J. Cepeda, in the Sunday, Feb. 13 issue. She wrote of her experience in teaching. Well, my experience in teaching came from teaching very young students for 23 years. Three-year-old children have specific learning styles. I learned from spending time with them that they do learn in many different ways. I do not have experience in teaching older children, but did raise a family and spent time with my grandchildren. In my opinion, each person should be treated respectfully as an individual. I agree we cannot separate teaching into too many varieties but at least keep in mind how these learning styles get a boost from early on learning. At a very young age the mind seems to be able to learn more easily then when it becomes older. I truly hope she wasnt talking about the very young. Marquita Ward Longview Paying attention When I read the letter to the editor titled Road to failure, I laughed. After seven years of President Obama, we are in much better shape. To think that the Democrats have gotten everything they want is simply ludicrous. The Republicans are called the party of No for a reason. They have done nothing but obstruct anything our president has tried to do. Youre just not paying any attention, or watch only Fox News, if you dont know this. Voting to repeal Obamacare at least 62 times is just one of their brilliant moves, costing the taxpayers millions. If anybody watched the Republican debate on Saturday, they would know what a joke the Republican party has become. I would compare them to a classroom of first-graders. But then again, that might be too nice. First-graders probably behave better. Wake up people, instead of absorbing non-facts, pay attention to the real facts! Barbara Rider Castle Rock Road to ruin Bernie Sanders promises free college tuition, and so he has a lot of young supporters. Do those young people realize that after they get that free education and a good-paying job that they will be taxed at 90 percent? There is no such thing as free. Our debt will be raised by trillions of dollars if a Democrat is selected. Socialism is the road to ruin as Venezuelans are learning with their stores empty of food. Capitalism has lifted one billion people out of poverty around the world. Darlene Johnson Kelso "We have followed the history of Marie Antoinette with the greatest diligence and scrupulosity. We have lived in those times. We have talked with some of her friends and some of her enemies; we have read, certainly not all, but hundreds of the libels written against her; and we have, in short, examined her life with if we may be allowed to say so of ourselves something of the accuracy of contemporaries, the diligence of inquirers, and the impartiality of historians, all combined; and we feel it our duty to declare, in as a solemn a manner as literature admits of, our well-matured opinion that every reproach against the morals of the queen was a gross calumny that she was, as we have said, one of the purest of human beings."~from History of the Guillotine by John Wilson Croker, 1844 tech2 News Staff Following on footsteps of tech biggies Google and Microsoft, another giant -- Apple is set to open its technology development centre in India, in Hyderabad, says this report. The new centre, reports ZDNet, will be built on 2,50,000 square feet of land in real estate firm Tishman Speyer's WaveRock facility at Hyderabad's IT corridor. The amount of money to be pumped in is pegged at $25 million or Rs 150 crore. The report also reveals that this centre will create 4,500 jobs. The tech giant is expected to open its innovation centre in June launch full fledged operations by end of the year. "It's a very positive development as Apple has not looked at cities only in India, but across many places in Europe and other parts of the world. Their decision to have the facility in Hyderabad is a strong endorsement of the city as a major IT hub in the country," Jayesh Ranjan, Secretary to IT department in the state of Telangana, told ZDNet. Confirming the development, a statement from Apple says," Weve been investing to expand our operations in India and are thrilled to have passionate customers and a vibrant developer community across the country. We are looking forward to opening a new development office in Hyderabad that will be home to over 150 Apple employees supporting maps development. The office will also have space for many contractors who will support our ambitious efforts locally. " Earlier this month, there were reports of Apple getting clearance to open retail stores in India too. Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) secretary Amitabh Kant had confirmed about receiving Apples application. A report said that the Indian government is planning to push through Apples application to set up outlets. Apple should qualify as a provider of cutting-edge technology. That would exempt the maker of iPhones and iPads from a rule forcing foreign businesses that retail a single brand in India to procure 30 percent of a products inputs locally, the report adds. Needless to say, Apple makes most of its products in China. This doesnt come as a surprise as Apple is looking to expand markets in a bid to prove the most recent predictions wrong. Unlike others, Apple hasnt tapped the potential of emerging markets like India and is heavily reliant on third-party resellers in India. Soon after Katy Hubertys predicted six percent drop in profits, a first of sorts, Apples forecast revealed its first ever projected revenue drop in 13 years. This was driven, in part, by the slowest-ever increase in iPhone shipments as the Chinese market, critical to Apples growth, showed signs of weakening. hidden An ardent fan of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj has launched an online petition seeking support to have a 'Google Doodle' of the Maratha warrior king, to commemorate his 368th birth anniversary on February 19. Amit Wankhede, a Maharashtra government employee from Yavatmal district, launched the petition on February 6 and has claimed to have received over 22,000 signatures in support from across the country, mostly from interior Maharashtra. A 'Google Doodle' is one of the best ways to pay homage to Chhatrapati Shivaji in today's digital age, he said. "Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, (is) one of the most respected and revered kings of India. We would love to see a 'Google Doodle' honouring (Chhatrapati) Shivaji on this (his birth anniversary) day. Shivaji is famously known as 'the people's king' and is still remembered and celebrated, not just in Mumbai or Maharashtra, but all across India," Wankhede told PTI. His petition highlights Shivaji's heroic efforts of defeating the might of the Mughals and creating a Maratha empire that endured for centuries after his time. "Known for pioneering innovate battle strategies like guerrilla warfare and building a navy, Shivaji was a king way ahead of his time. His forts still line the Western Ghats and stand testament to the sheer brilliance and spirit of this ingenious ruler," reads the petition. In addition to his petition, Wankhede claimed that Shivaji's supporters have sent over 30,000 emails to proposals@google.com, the proper channel to request for a doodle. Apart from launching the online petition at change.org, an international online platform provider, he said he has also appealed to Google CEO Sundar Pichai to extend a favourable response to his request, he said. Wankhede has also suggested tentative designs of the Chhatrapti Shivaji Maharaj 'Doodle', saying that the doodle could be "designed based on his forts" or it could be a collage of his conquests over various kings and generals. He expressed hope that Google will gauge the popular sentiment of Indians everywhere and agree to the request to "celebrate Shivaji Maharaj Google style". PTI hidden A Toshiba Corp spokesperson said on Tuesday it was not considering withdrawing from personal-computer production and selling its Hangzhou factory in China. The comment was followed a report by the Sankei newspaper that said the Japanese conglomerate is planning to pull out of PCs as it restructures its business following a massive accounting scandal. The Sankei said Toshiba, Fujitsu Ltd and VAIO are in talks to merge their PC businesses. Toshiba would consign production of its Dynabook brand to Fujitsu and VAIO factories while it focuses on design and development, helping it cut costs, the paper said. Earlier this month the Japanese industrial conglomerate said that it expected a bigger full-year loss than previously anticipated, amid mounting restructuring costs after a $1.3 billion accounting scandal. Toshiba said it now expected a net loss of 710 billion yen ($6 billion) compared with a previously expected loss of 550 billion yen. Chief Executive Masashi Muromachi had told a press conference that Toshiba had lowered its expectations to fully reflect possible downside risks to its business. Muromachi also pledged to accelerate restructuring efforts, announcing an additional 240 job cuts or replacements on top of some 10,000 already announced. At that time, he also reiterated plans to sell Toshiba's loss-making laptops and home appliances businesses. Muromachi said he could not rule out a possible deal with Sharp Corp for the home appliances unit even after it chose Taiwan's Foxconn, known formally as Hon Hai Precision Industry Co, as its preferred bidder in takeover talks. He also said a foreign manufacturer could be the buyer. Reuters Nimish Sawant Yu Televentures had went all out with the launch of its flagship device - the Yu Yutopia. The company didnt just have its founder and CEO Rahul Sharma on stage to announce the product, but also the heads of companies Yu had partnered with for the Yutopia. Among the prominent names were Sunil Lalvani of Qualcomm, Kirt McMaster of Cyanogen and Mitsuyoshi Hayakawa of Sharp. Post the event we sat down with Cyanogen CEO and co-founder Kirt McMaster to talk about the evolution of Cyanogen and the future plans of the company. Official Cyanogen OS sporting phones have been in the Indian market since the launch of OnePlus One. With Yu Televentures having an exclusive tie up with Cyanogen, we have seen three of its four devices launch with Cyanogen OS with the Yu Yunique giving users the choice to add on Cyanogen over the default Android 5.1 OS. More than apps While McMaster didnt give an exact date of the Cyanogen 13 OS launch, he said that it was currently under testing and would be released to the public soon. McMaster touched upon the prospect of going beyond mere apps. We released the Cyanogen 12.1 OS in mid-December with new features. We are concentrating on very deeply integrated services from third parties. And whats most exciting about that is that it is not just about the integration of these services into Cyanogen, its about how we create APIs and SDKs for these services and extend them to other application developers. He talked about Microsoft Cortanas integration with Cyanogen OS and how it was different from Android and iOS. On Android and iOS, Cortana is just an application. You go to the app and make a query and so on. But in Cyanogen it is integrated directly into the framework of the operating system. So that at some point you will be seeing Cortana and Cyanogen powering other services. So say if you are using a streaming service such as Hungama or Saavn, you can just talk to your phone. Just like Siri powers up music on your iPhone, you can do a similar thing with the Cortana integration on Cyanogen handsets. This is one of the improvements that users will be seeing in Cyanogen 13 said McMaster. Different strategy Yu Televentures announced the AroundYU service, which basically aggregates app data in a single window. When asked if that would conflict with what Cyanogen was planning to do around experiences, McMaster said that there would be no clashes. Our strategy is completely different from AroundYU. It does mostly service aggregation. We view ourselves as a machine intelligence company. So there is a platform that we are building and the APIs and SDKs that will be extensible to even AroundYU. So what we are building will make AroundYU even more powerful and intelligent. It is actually complementing what we are planning to do, he said. On the Bangalore R&D centre As has been the case with a lot of Chinese handset makers and global companies, Cyanogen too sees India as a very important market. In fact, one of its research and development centres is located in Bangalore. McMaster says that the engineers working at the Bangalore office work on global projects in addition to India specific ones. These are systems and service developers working on evolving the services and intelligence framework, that we are building for these new kinds of services. They are are working on global projects not just India specific ones, said McMaster. Cyanogen has hired the former head of Qualcomms Android engineering team who looks after around 600 people across the globe. Similarly, the company has pulled in staff from Google, Flipkart and Amazon to work in its Bangalore team, to work on products that will be used globally. New class of experience Earlier in 2015, McMaster had created quite a stir when he spoke about breaking away from Google, and about Cyanogen building its own app store. But McMaster said that the company had plans beyond just making replacement apps. See, people like Google services. We ship with Google Mobile services and the Google Play Store and I dont think there is any reason for us not to give people that option. Why should we replicate Google Play services and app store? That is not something we are interested in, he said. We are interested in something that comes after apps. We think these things, some of which will be announced at the Mobile World Congress, will become more obvious. There is definitely something new coming beyond apps, a new class of experience, that can actually live side by side with an application. In fact it can super power apps, he added. McMaster said that Cyanogen was more interested in embracing and extending Android rather than going against it. He said he did not want to piss off Android users who already like Google services, but instead wanted to work on creating new kind of experiences that will not only help consumers but also give developers new choices. A lot of this stuff will be coming in 2016, after the Mobile World Congress, said McMaster. Its tough to propose new illegal immigration bills in Arizona, one state senator told the New York Times this week, because weve pretty much done them all. Unexhausted by the effort, the Arizona legislature is putting forward a new bill aimed at immigrants in the country illegally, with provisions to crack down on so-called sanctuary cities and change the way some immigrants are sentenced for crimes. Specifically, the fill calls for unauthorized immigrants to receive the maximum sentence for any crime they are convicted of, stripping judges of discretion in those cases." PHOENIX When Doug Ducey ran for governor of this border state, he accused President Obama of dithering far too long on immigration and vowed to fight back against illegal border crossers, pledging to use every resource at his command: fencing, satellites, guardsmen, more police and prosecutors. Now in his second year as the governor of Arizona a state at the forefront of immigration and border issues, with a growing Latino population Mr. Ducey, a Republican, has done none of that. He has avoided pressures from his partys presidential candidates even after one of them, Donald J. Trump, twice visited the state to promote the big and beautiful wall he said he would build to keep illegal immigrants away if he was elected. I want this state to be known for what it is, the land of opportunity, Mr. Ducey said in an interview. So our main focus is our economy and our education system. But he may soon have to wade into the divisive immigration debate, which is again coloring Arizonas legislative session and bringing angry crowds of protesters to the Capitols lawn and hearing rooms. One bill would punish communities that offer sanctuary to unauthorized immigrants facing deportation; those communities share of state revenues would be withheld. Another measure would require judges to sentence undocumented immigrants to the fullest possible term in prison for whatever crime they committed. A Senate committee approved both on Feb. 3 in party-line votes. A third bill, which would impose citizenship and legal residency requirements for municipal identification cards, cleared three Senate committees in three weeks with blanket support from Republican lawmakers, underscoring their priorities here in an election year. Its tough to propose new illegal immigration bills in Arizona, because weve pretty much done them all, said State Senator John Kavanagh, a retired Port Authority of New York and New Jersey police officer who found a second calling as a leading conservative in Arizona. Already, the state has one of the nations toughest stances on illegal immigration. It has battled in state and federal courts to deny drivers licenses and in-state tuition to undocumented immigrants who were granted deferred deportation by Mr. Obama. It is home to Sheriff Joe Arpaio of Maricopa County , who made a name for himself as an unapologetic pursuer of unauthorized migrants. And it ushered in a harsh new wave of immigration enforcement when it gave the police broad powers to question anyone suspected of being in the country illegally passing the show me your papers law in 2010. Mr. Kavanagh was among the crucial supporters of the measure, which Mr. Duceys predecessor, Jan Brewer, approved. The legislation divided a state already scarred by years of targeted enforcement against Latinos, who make up one-third of the population. The municipal identification bill, which Mr. Kavanagh also sponsored, is primarily to protect the integrity of government ID cards, he said, but it does have an impact on illegal immigration, because it prevents illegal immigrants from getting one of those cards. Mr. Ducey has not said a word about this or the other immigration bills. But people on both sides of the immigration debate are eagerly awaiting any action he might take on the measures. They could serve as a litmus test for his positions on the subject, which, as governor, he has deftly avoided articulating. If the bills hit Mr. Duceys desk, will he sign them? asked State Senator Martin J. Quezada , a Democratic leader in the Republican-controlled Legislature, whose district includes the Maryvale section of Phoenix, where three in four residents are Latino. Remember, just because he can, it doesnt mean that he should. Mr. Ducey is focused on the priorities he laid out in his State of the State address on Jan. 11, said his spokesman, Daniel Scarpinato. They include overhauling Arizonas beleaguered foster care system and opening a corrections center to offer intensive drug treatment and other services to certain inmates in Maricopa County, the states most populous. He also proposed spending $31.5 million to send 200 state troopers after drug smugglers along the border, the only border-related program he has championed so far. The scope of the effort is a far cry from the $800 million that Gov. Greg Abbott of Texas, also a Republican, secured from his states Legislature last year to extend indefinitely the deployment of National Guard troops and air and ground surveillance along the Rio Grande Valley, which has faced questions over its cost and results. Photo Our goal, because of limited resources, was going after what was most hurtful, and that was why we went after the drug cartels, Mr. Ducey said in the interview, drawing a distinction between his and Mr. Abbotts approaches. And while Mr. Abbott explained his plan as necessary to counter the federal governments apathetic response to border security , Mr. Ducey characterized his plan for state troopers to target drug smugglers as adding state muscle to the 4,000 federal Border Patrol agents in Arizona. Where theres an opportunity to work together to get results for the citizens of the state of Arizona, to increase public safety, he said, I think thats my responsibility as governor to take advantage. Mr. Ducey had the Customs and Border Protection commissioner, R. Gil Kerlikowske, an Obama appointee, by his side when he announced the border program from the State Capitol in November. That was a clear departure from Ms. Brewer, who is still well remembered for wagging a finger at Mr. Obama on an airport tarmac. In an interview, Ms. Brewer said her successor should use his bully pulpit to tell the federal government to secure our border, then we can deal with all the other problems that are upon us as a country. He has been handing out olive branches instead. When Mr. Ducey met Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson early last year, he said by way of introduction, This is a new administration, and Id like a fresh start. In June, Mr. Ducey led a trade mission to Mexico City, the first Arizona governor to do so in a decade, then traveled to Sonora, Mexico, three months later to attend the inauguration of his counterpart across the border. Immigration advocates have been cautiously watching from the sidelines, unsure what to make of him just yet. At least he isnt using the hate speech we heard so often from Governor Brewer, said Viridiana Gonzalez, who leads a coalition of community groups opposing Mr. Kavanaghs bill, after a protest of the legislation last month. State Representative Bruce Wheeler, a Democrat from Tucson who is assistant minority whip, said in an interview, I dont know if what were witnessing is a change in substance or a change of style, but Im willing to give him the benefit of the doubt. Mr. Ducey made no mention of illegal immigrants as he outlined his border proposal, which he carefully framed around the heavy toll heroin addiction has exacted in Arizona. This is not Arizonas problem, Mr. Ducey said. This is Americas problem. Dedicated to the Restoration of Progressive Democracy The reporter earned a Doctor of Philosophy in engineering from Stanford University. (The former title of this blog is "Op-Ed by the Reporter".) Russia rejects Syria war crimes claim over hospital attacks The clear-up operation at one of the bombed hospitals BBC Online: Russia says it "categorically rejects" accusations of war crimes over the bombing of hospitals in Syria. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said "those who make such statements are not capable of backing them up with proof". Up to 50 people were killed in missile attacks on at least four hospitals and a school in rebel-held areas of northern Syria on Monday. The UN said "intentionally directing attacks" at hospitals and medical units would constitute a war crime. Russia has been accused, by Turkey among others, of being responsible for the attacks. Monday's strikes hit two hospitals - including one for mothers and babies - and a school sheltering internally displaced people in Azaz, near the border with Turkey, the UN said. Thirty-four people were killed and dozens wounded. Two hospitals were also struck in Maarat al-Numan, further south in Idlib province, killing at least 12 people and wounding about 36. One of the hospitals in Maarat al-Numan was supported by Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF). It was reportedly struck by four missiles in what MSF said was "direct targeting" over the course of 90 minutes. Mego Terzian, president of MSF France, told Reuters "either the [Syrian] government or Russia" was responsible. But Mr Peskov told the BBC that the only proof Russia would accept from the ground "comes from the Syrian authorities". He said their evidence "shows the opposite". The Syrian ambassador to Moscow, Riad Haddad, previously said the US was to blame, a claim the Pentagon dismissed as "patently false". The strikes came days after world powers - including Russia - agreed to work towards a selective truce in Syria, due to begin later this week. The UN envoy to Syria, Staffan de Mistura, met Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Muallem on Tuesday, and was planning to meet him again later in the day. They were due to discuss among other things one of the key priorities of the truce - "unhindered humanitarian access to all besieged areas". There is no word yet on when aid convoys might reach those areas. Earlier, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, in his first comments on Friday's "cessation of hostilities" plan, said it was doubtful all parties would be putting down their weapons within a week. A Turkish official on Tuesday said Turkey would back a ground operation in Syria but only "with our international allies". "There is not going to be a unilateral military operation from Turkey to Syria," the unnamed official told reporters in Istanbul. Turkey has been watching with growing alarm the fighting on the Syrian side of its borders - accusing Russian warplanes of violating its airspace and warning against recent Kurdish successes. Turkey views the Kurdish YPG militia as allied to the outlawed PKK, which has carried out a decades-long campaign for autonomy in Turkey. The YPG is part of the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) which captured Tal Rifaat, a key town in Aleppo province, and is headed towards Azaz. Meanwhile, Syrian government forces - backed by Russian air power - reportedly continue to make advances around the northern city of Aleppo, capturing the villages of Ahras and Misqan on Tuesday. Almost five years of civil war in Syria have led to the deaths of more than 250,000 people. More than 11 million people have been displaced. Villagers' clash leaves 15 injured in Narail UNB, Narail : At least 15 people were injured in a clash between two groups of villagers over establishing supremacy at Saraspur village in Sadar upazila on Tuesday morning. Officer-in-charge of Sadar Police Station Subhas Biswas said there had been a dispute prevailing for long between Riaz Molla of Saraspur village and Shariful of Charbila village over establishing dominion in the area. The incident ensued following an altercation between the supporters of the two groups in the morning. At one stage, the two rival groups, equipped with country-made weapons, attacked each other, leaving 15 people injured. The injured were admitted to Natore Sadar Hospital from where Rezaul was shifted to Khulna Medical College Hospital as his condition deteriorated. Arrest warrant against Mahfuz Anam, 12 more lawsuits filed newsbangladesh.com :A Narayanganj court on Tuesday issued arrest warrant against the Daily Star Editor Mahfuz Anam in a defamation suit filed against him.With this case, a total of 11 fefamation suits and a sedition case were filed against him in 11 districts on Tuesday alone. Two of the defamation suits were filed in Barisal, while the other suits were filed in Pabna, Narayanganj, Satkhira, Kishoreganj, Manikganj, Narsingdi, lalmonirhat, Sherpur, Jhalakathi and Bagerhat.Mahfuz Anam admitted this month the stories, published in 2007, had been based on leaks from the military-backed caretaker government that ruled Bangladesh until Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina took office in 2009. He said he had been wrong to publish them.The admission sparked an outcry from government supporters. Sheikh Hasina's son Sajeeb Wazed called for Mahfuz Anam to be tried for treason over the reports, which were also carried by other newspapers in the country.On Monday the Star said Anam was facing a series of lawsuits from pro-government groups for defamation, a criminal offence that carries a penalty of up to two years in jail. Killed in 'gunfight' with RAB Staff Reporter : An alleged criminal was killed in a 'gunfight' with the members of Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) at Tongi of Gazipur district early Tuesday.The deceased have been identified as Jewel, 25, an accused in several cases, including murder. He was also an accused in a case filed for gouging out his wife's eyes. RAB's Legal and Media Wing Direct Commander Mufti Mahmud Khan said, "Acting on a tip-off, the elite force members conducted a drive in Nadi Bondar area of Tongi around 3:30am. Sensing the presence of the RAB members, the criminals opened fire targeting the RAB officials. In retaliation, RAB officials fired back that left Jewel dead, while the others fled the scene. Later, RAB officials handed over Jewel's body to the police in the morning. Govt faces 800 crore taka loss Food Ministry plans to sell rice, wheat bought for social safety net prog Anisul Islam Noor : The Food Ministry is planning to sell off four lakh tonnes of food grains worth Tk 1200.57 crore for only Tk 400.5 crore, incurring a loss of about Tk 800 crore. The Food Department had purchased the grains -- rice and wheat -- for the social safety net programmes, Test relief and the Food For Work programme. Although the members of Parliament (MPs) had wanted these food grains, they are now saying that they need money in lieu of the grains. The Food Ministry has finalized its plan to sell the food grains through Village Market Sale and Open Market Sale (OMS) programmes. The Ministry will start selling the grains off soon as it gets a nod from the government high ups in this connection. This information was collected from different documents of the Ministries of Food, Finance, and Disaster Management and Relief. Speaking in Parliament recently, ruling party whip Atiur Rahman demanded that the government not give rice or wheat under TR and Food For Work programmes for the development work in the localities of the MPs. In response, the Disaster Management and Relief Minister Mofazzal Hossain Chowdhury told the Parliament that the process of allocating money instead of rice and wheat has already begun. When contacted, Atiur Rahman said, "The market value of the rice and wheat that the Food Department is giving to the MPs has gone down. Currently, the price of rice and wheat meant for TR and Food for Work programmes is much less. That's why the MPs have sought cash." Asked about the fate of the food grains, the ruling party MP said they had proposed to sell the grain off to the poor at a lower price." Director General of the Food Department Fayez Ahmed told media, "We have planned to distribute around 0.4 million tonnes of rice and wheat across the country through test relief and food for work programmes." "If we sell rice at Tk 15 per kilogram and wheat Tk 13, the store will finish in two months. We need the approval of the government," he added. Earlier, the MPs did not raise any question over the allotment of the 0.4 million tonnes of rice and wheat during the budget session of fiscal year 2015-16. The MPs started sending demi-official letters (DO) from May, 2015 demanding wheat and rice. The Food Department, then, used to buy wheat at Tk 28 while wheat was being sold at Tk 20 each kilogram in the local market. A total of 80 Ministers and MPs sent the DO letters to increase the storage of the government warehouse. Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS) Director General KAS Murshid said that the consumers might have had doubts over the quality of the rice and wheat as their prices have already been slashed. The customers are not ready to buy the rice and wheat possibly because of their low quality. Murshed also observed that the government should not sell the huge amount of rice and wheat in the open market because this can harm Boro farmers. Gold bars lure them behind the bar Joynal Abedin Khan : A Sub-Inspector of Banani Police Station was caught red handed by the mob during the snatching of gold bars from a businessman in the capital's Alubazar intersection area on Monday night. They also detained a cohort of the police officer along with five gold bars and handed over them to the Bangshal Police Station after a severe beating. The arrested men were identified as Ashraful Islam, SI of Banani Police Station, and his cohort Abdur Razzak, sacked member of Bangladesh Air Force, Mafiz Uddin Ahmad, Deputy Commissioner (Lalbagh Division) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police, told The New Nation on Tuesday. Police also detained the businessman Rezaul Karim for interrogation in this connection as he lacks necessary documents to keep the gold, the DC said. Two separate cases were filed on the allegations of snatching and gold smuggling, the police officer said, terming the incident 'to rob the robber'. All the accused were sent to jail on Tuesday afternoon. Locals held them from Fulbaria area in the capital and handed them over to Bangshal Police. Bangshal Police Station's SI Helal Uddin said, "Ashraful and Razzak went to a jewellery shop in Alubazar intersection area and tried to arrest Rezaul Karim in a case with Banani Police Station. At one stage, they snatched 900 kilograms of gold from him. Hearing his hue and cry, locals rushed there and held them. Later, the locals handed over them to the police." The SI and his cohort were sent to jail after showing a snatching case while the businessman was accused in a smuggling case due to lack of necessary documents to carry the gold bars, the police official said. Police are investigating the cases, he said. Most people do a day trip to Kaikoura, a small town 2.5 hours north of Christchurch, to see the abundant marine life. Not us. We're HUGE fans of dolphins, and will take any opportunity to swim with these amazing creatures in the wild. Tbh, if I wasn't asked to do law by another mg-gal, I would have opted to do marine biology. *Flipper ftw!!!!*So we spent 4 whole days in Kaikoura, and ate at many of their amazing restaurants. Ironically, most of the food we ate was seafood. hehNew Zealand places a strong emphasis on fresh produce, and eat off the land (or sea, as the case may be). Kaikoura, being a seaside town, is famous for, amongst other seafood, crayfish and mussels. If you thought Kaikoura's crayfish was the sad-little-bastard-cousin-twice-removed-of-lobster-variety that we get in Singapore, you'd be woefully mistaken. These were giant fleshy beautiful little brothers of lobsters. Only slightly smaller, sans those distinguishing pincers, but sweeter, more tender, and less prone to rubbery textures.Consistently ranked as one of the top restaurants in Kaikoura, theis a Kaikoura institution. Best make reservations in advance as they are booked solid through the week, with walk-ins frequently (but regretfully) turned away. Get a table by the window facing the beach, it's hella romantic to savour the setting sun while nursing a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc.A must-try appetizer, the(NZ$18) was pan-fried with chilli, lemon zest, sea salt, for a spicy-salty-sour countenance, and finished with a coating of citrus mayonnaise. A simple dish that highlighted the great execution and sparkling fresh ingredients.Another must-try was the(NZ$86) burnished with lime horseradish butter and sided by grilled root vegetables and a bowl of the biggest mesclun salad leaves ever. The searing fragrance of the grill was a great complement to the sweet delicate flesh of the crayfish.The(NZ$35) with smoked mushrooms, belly bacon, roasted vegetables, was slathered in a full-bodied cabernet jus. Commendable but paled in light of the fantastic seafood.The restaurant facade. There's ample parking to the left, or on the street.KaikouraSouth IslandNew Zealand If you are looking for the new Immoral Minority posts, you should know that they can be found here at our new home Please stop by to get caught up on politics, join the conversations, or simply check out the new digs. A Louisiana appeals court has sided with a petrochemical giant that it over-paid state income taxes in 2000. As a result of the opinion released Feb. 10 by the 3rd Circuit Court of Appeal, Sasol North America Inc., a subsidiary of the South African company planning but currently scaling back due to plummeting oil prices a $14 billion gasto-liquid plant in the Lake Charles area, stands to get a little more than $740,000 back from the Louisiana Department of Revenue. The 3rd Circuit opinion reveals that Sasol bought an interest, along with Pittsburgh Paint & Glass, in PHH Monomers LLC in 1996 for $59 million. PHH produced vinyl chloride monomers, which Sasol, then operating under the name Condea Vista, and Pittsburgh Paint & Glass used to make other products. Condea Vista sold its interest in PHH in 1999 for $37 million and claimed losses on its interest in PHH of just under $45 million for the years 1996 to 2000 in the form of depreciation. The company also claimed that its tax department overstated its capital gain on the sale by nearly $7.8 million. The Louisiana Department of Revenue conducted an audit, which also revealed the overpayment of income taxes in 2000. The state and Condea Vista/Sasol were almost immediately at loggerheads over the overpayment, with the state arguing that Sasol could not recover the overpaid taxes, essentially because it waited too long to act. The matter landed before the state Board of Tax Appeals, which also denied Sasol its refund in siding with LDR that Sasols prescriptive period to seek the refund had expired. Sasol appealed to the 3rd Circuit, with LDR answering the appeal. The 3rd Circuit reversed the Board of Tax Appeals decision and awarded Sasol $741,350 for its overpayment, adding in what reads like a tongue-in-cheek remark at the conclusion of its opinion: All costs of this appeal, in the amount of $1,197, are taxed to the Louisiana Department of Revenue. We have lots of problems with how LDR interprets the Louisiana prescription statutes with regard to refund claims, notes Angela Bryson, a tax resolution attorney with the Bryson Law Firm in Lafayette. They will often try to find a way to deny the claim and will use the refund statute expiration date as a crutch for doing so even if it knows that its position is questionable. It can be super frustrating. With the Louisiana Supreme Court siding with former state legislator Derrick Shepherd and ruling unconstitutional the provision barring convicted felons from running for office for 15 years after their sentences end, the question now becomes whats next. With the Louisiana Supreme Court siding with former state legislator Derrick Shepherd and ruling unconstitutional the provision barring convicted felons from running for office for 15 years after their sentences end, the question now becomes whats next. According to Secretary of State Tom Schedler, its probably a reaction from the Legislature. I believe there will be great interest within the Legislature to revisit the issue of convicted felons running for public office, says Schedler. The Supreme Court overturned the law on a technicality, not on the substance, so its now up to lawmakers to fix the technical issues. Shepherd, a former state representative and senator, qualified to run in House District 87 last fall despite a previous conviction for money laundering. He was initially blocked from running before the Supreme Court could hear his case. Shepherd argues in his lawsuit that the constitutional amendment approved by voters banning convicted felons from running excluded language that had been approved by the Legislature, thus making the law invalid. Schedler says fixing the law would be more than just a reaction to the recent Supreme Court decision; it would be about doing the right thing. In my opinion this is the heart of good government, he adds. Voters want to be assured that the public officials making their laws are also committed to following the law. Its common sense legislation and needs to be shored up as soon as possible. GOP sinks $2 million into registration drive Backed by consultant Bill Skelly of Causeway Solutions and fundraiser Allee Bautsch Grunewald of The Bautsch Group, the Louisiana Republican Party launched the Red to the Roots initiative in early February. Its a $2 million effort to identify, register and engage new Republican voters across the state. Given last years gubernatorial election, conservatives in the party feel like a permanent field program is more important than ever. Although Republicans are increasing their share of registration, the party is not comfortable with the trend of falling behind Democrats in partisan registration by 509,000 voters. Also, if the current registration trends continue, independents could soon surpass GOP registrations. From an introductory memo obtained by LaPolitics: We must commit to funding and implementing this program immediately and sustain this commitment for years if we are to be successful in this endeavor. Democrats have nearly perfected these programs and we see their successes in their electoral victories around the country. In perennial presidential target states like Nevada, the memo goes on to add, Democrats took a state that in 2004 had 4,431 more Republican voters than Democrats and swung that to a 90,187 voter advantage in their favor in just eight years, moving a state that President George W. Bush won in 2004 to a state solidly in President Barack Obamas camp in 2008 and 2012. Further, Democrats are now taking this proven approach into traditionally red states, according to the memorandum. GUMBO still on political burner Although the historic race for governor ended several months ago, GUMBO PAC still has some roux left in it. The Super PAC, which was opposed to the election of U.S. Sen. David Vitter, is posting to social media on a regular basis and engaging followers. Does that mean GUMBO will be a regular menu option in Louisiana politics? Im still not sure what the long-term plan for the PAC is, says Director Trey Ourso. There have been preliminary conversations with the people who helped seed it and fund it. Were keeping all of our filings current to keep running it. But there are no concrete plans. Ourso says the Super PAC has not been raising money this month, but will continue to be active with its social media, which has 10,500 followers on Facebook. Ieyoub now regulating energy industry Gov. John Bel Edwards recently appointed former Attorney General Richard Ieyoub as the new commissioner of conservation. Its a big year for Ieyoub, who is also being inducted into the Louisiana Political Hall of Fame. His appointment had been rumored for most of the new year, but is now a reality. The commissioner of conservation, a position inside the Department of Natural Resources, is charged with conserving and regulating oil and gas resources in Louisiana. When it comes to DNR, it is the most critical position for the business and energy lobbies. Ieyoub remains very popular in Democratic circles and has strong ties to Louisianas legal community, from the trial bar and district attorneys to public defenders. His appointment is being cheered by environmental advocates, but its also being met with concern by industry. Hes labeled by some as the forefather to the modern contingency fee contract. Ieyoubs use of contingency fee contracts even resulted in a state Supreme Court decision, from a case brought by the Louisiana Oil and Gas Association, that found such department-related contracts should have required legislative approval. How the relationship between Ieyoub and the industry progresses will be one of the more interesting stories on the energy front in 2016. For more Louisiana political news, visit www.LaPolitics.com or follow Jeremy Alford on Twitter @LaPoliticsNow. Utz will lecture on the late Walker Percy, the novelist and philosopher who lived his life out in Covington. Walker Percy Courtesy of The Historic New Orleans Collection The George Rodrigue Lecture of 2016 will be held Wednesday, March 2, on the UL Lafayette campus and will host Stephen Utz, who will speak on the late novelist and philosopher Walker Percy, who lived his life out in Covington. Utz's lecture is titled "The Itch for Omniscience: Walker Percy and The Examined Life." A devout Roman Catholic, Percy won national and international acclaim for his novels and won the National Book Award for his first novel, The Moviegoer. Stephen Utz Courtesy of University of Connecticut Utz has a doctorate in philosophy from Cambridge University and is on the law faculty of the University of Connecticut. His writings and practice of law have won him national and international recognition. The lecture will be held in Oliver Auditorium, in Oliver Hall, Room 112, at 7 p.m. The lecture is open to the public without charge. For more information, visit www.Louisiana.edu. Monet rahapelien ystavat ovat viime vuosina loytaneet netticasinot ja olleet ihmeissaan. Verrattuna kotimaisen Veikkauksen kivijalkarahapeleihin puhutaan aivan eri tason palautusprosenteista ja lisaksi pelaaminen on aarimmaisen helppoa ja turvallista. Netticasinoiden maara on tana paivana todella suuri ja niita loytyy jokaiseen lahtoon, suurin ongelma aloittelevalla pelaajalla onkin tehda valinta siita, minka netticasinon valitsee. Kaikkien netticasinoiden mainospuheet naet lupaavat kauniita asioita ja niiden lapinakeminen on tietysti tarkeaa. Nyrkkisaantona voidaan kuitenkin jo kattelyssa todeta, etta jos valitsemasi netticasino on lisensoitu ETA-alueella, sen kanssa ei tule olemaan ongelmia, ellei niita itse jarjesta. Kay tutustumassa parhaisiin netticasinoihin osoitteessa www.ilmaiskierroksia.info! Ensimmainen nyrkkisaanto on siis varmistaa, etta valitsemallasi netticasinolla on ETA-alueen lisenssi. Suurimmassa osassa tapauksista se on Maltan eli MGA:n lisenssi. Myos Viron, Englannin ja Gibraltarin lisensseja nakyy ja naissa valvonta on jopa Maltaa tiukempaa. Lopputulema on kuitenkin se, etta ETA-alueen lisenssi takaa suomalaisille verovapaat voitot seka sen, etta niita valvotaan kontrolloidusti. Maailmalla on iso nippu Curacaon lisenssilla toimivia netticasinoita ja niistakin suurin osa on laadukkaita. Ne eivat kuitenkaan ole suomalaisille asiakkaille verovapaita, joten emme suosittele niita. Tana paivana markkinoille on ilmaantunut paljon ETA-alueella toimiva netticasinoita ilman rekisteroitymista. Jos tarkoitus on vain pelata yksittaisia pelikertoja, on varsin helppo suositella naita. Netticasinot ilman rekisteroitymista tarjoavat palvelun tunnistautumisen verkkopankin avainlukulistan avulla ja saman palvelun kautta tapahtuvat talletukset ja mahdolliset voittojen nostot silmanrapayksessa. Normaaleihin netticasinoihin pitaa asiakkaan rekisteroitya, tehda talletukset ja tunnistautua dokumenttien avulla. Tama on lisenssiehtojen mukainen kaytanto, eika kovinkaan monimutkainen, mutta silti monet asiakkaat haluavat yksinkertaista ja nopeaa palvelua. Toki normaalit netticasinot tarjoavat usein asiakkailleen laadukkaita talletusbonuksia ja erilaisia kampanjoita, joten kannattaa tarkkaan punnita, kumman ratkaisun valitsee. Kannattaa myos muistaa, etta tunnistautuminen tehdaan vain kerran, joten mikaan jatkuva riippakivi se ei ole. Suomalaiset asiakkaat ovat netticasinoille tarkeita, joten kaikilla vahankin laadukkailla netticasinoilla on suomenkieliset sivut seka suomenkielinen asiakaspalvelu suomenkielisyys kannattaakin ottaa netticasinoa valittaessa nyrkkisaannoksi. Vaikka tana paivana englanninkielisyys on harvoille ongelma, on suomenkielisten netticasinoiden maara niin valtava, etta suosittelemme niiden kayttoa. Rahansiirrot ovat tana paivana niin hyvassa mallissa, etta niiden kanssa tuskin tulee mitaan ongelmia. Kolme tarkeinta segmenttia: Suomalaiset verkkopankit, luottokortit (Visa, Mastercard) seka nettilompakot (Skrill, Neteller) loytyvat jokaisesta laadukkaasta netticasinosta. Viime vuosien trendiksi noussut verkkokauppa on kehittanyt rahansiirrot niin laadukkaiksi ja nopeiksi, etta niiden suhteen ei ole enaa vuosiin ollut ongelmia. Luonnollisesti netticasinot kayttavat naita samoja palveluita ja hyotyvat kehityksesta. Naiden isojen linjojen jalkeen netticasinon valintaan vaikuttavat luonnollisesti tarjottavat tervetuliaisbonukset uudet asiakkaat saavat tana paivana kovan kilpailun myota merkittavia etuja netticasinoilta ja niita kannattaa luonnollisesti vertailla. Erilaiset talletusbonukset, ilmaiskierrokset seka ilmaiset pelirahat tuovat suuriakin rahanarvoisia etuja ja niiden vertailu on ehdottomasti kannattavaa. Myoskaan useampien tilien avaaminen ja tervetuliaistarjousten kayttaminen ei missaan nimessa ole huono idea. Kun edella mainitut asiat ovat mieleisia ja vaihtoehtoja on vielakin jaljella, mennaan jo nyansseihin. Toki pelivalikoima on yksi kriteeri, mutta taman paivan netticasinoissa tamakin asia on paasaantoisesti varsin samanlainen. Toki useamman samantasoisen netticasinon vertailussa kannattaa yleensa valita se, jossa on eniten peleja tarjolla. Vaikka omat suosikit loytyisivatkin useammasta, voi tulevaisuudessa mielenkiinto nousta joihinkin muihin peleihin ja silloin on tietysti mukavampaa, etta ne loytyvat valikoimista. Viimeisena voidaan nostaa esiin kaytettavyys joidenkin netticasinoiden sivut ovat vilkkuvia, valkkyvia ja epakaytannollisia. Omaan silmaan ja kaytettavyyteen sopiva sivusto on luonnollisesti aina se paras valinta. Tarjonta netticasinoissa on tana paivana valtava ja jokaiselle loytyy varmasti se oma netticasino onnea matkaan! Pre-purchase property inspection is a relatively new thing in the United Kingdom. Its not something that most people have heard about, but it has become increasingly popular over the last few years with the rise in property prices and increased demand for high quality homes. What are the benefits of pre-purchase building inspection? What can you expect to find out when you pay someone else to inspect your home before you buy it? And what should you look for during an inspection? Many people want to know if theyre buying a house thats been well maintained or if its had any serious problems. If youve found a place on the market that seems attractive, but then discover some issues after moving in, you may not be as excited about buying it as you thought you were. Its important to do your due diligence when looking at properties. A lot goes into making a property appealing to potential buyers, from the landscaping to the flooring to the kitchen appliances. The same applies when inspecting a property there are many things that need checking over to make sure everything is running smoothly. Here are some of the benefits of performing a pre-purchase inspection: You get to see exactly what will happen to your money When you go shopping for a new car, youll probably be shown several different models. You might even be shown one that looks like a great value, but doesnt fit around all of the extra features that you want. When it comes time to actually buy the vehicle, however, you wont have seen how your money will be spent on it once you drive it off the showroom floor. Likewise, when you shop for a new home, you dont really know what youre getting yourself into until you move in. In order to get a feel for whether the home youre considering is what you want, you normally have to spend quite a bit of time inside it. This allows you to learn more about everything that youre going to be spending your hard-earned cash on. A pre-purchase building inspection gives you much the same kind of experience without having to spend thousands of dollars. Since youre paying for the service, you can expect to see exactly what youre paying for, instead of just seeing a vague idea of what you might end up with. You find out about potential major repairs Some buildings are very expensive to maintain, which means that owners often neglect them for the sake of saving money. While youre paying for a building inspection, youre also paying for a professional who knows how to spot signs of trouble and repair work that needs doing. If you notice that a particular area of your new home needs fixing right away, you can call in an expert to take care of it quickly. If you find that theres something wrong with your boiler, you wont have to wait weeks for a plumber to come over and fix it. Instead, youll have access to a solution immediately. You can save hundreds of pounds by finding out about potential problems early on One of the biggest expenses when you first buy a home is the cost of moving in. Many people dont realize this until its too late. Buying a home involves not only paying for the actual house, but also for moving costs, furniture, and other items that have to be moved along with the home. Having a good idea ahead of time of what youre likely to encounter can help you avoid these kinds of costs. If you know youll need to replace the plumbing system, for example, youll be able to put together a budget for the expense and plan accordingly. You can protect your investment by finding out if the homes been well cared for While there are plenty of people who think that houses always look better when theyre newly built, youd be surprised at how well maintained older residences can still look nice. Sometimes, though, those homes need some additional maintenance to keep them looking their best. This could involve repairs that arent so noticeable or small improvements that you wouldnt consider otherwise. Even worse, some houses have fallen into disrepair without anyone noticing. This is why having a professional perform a building inspection prior to purchasing a home is such a big benefit. Not only will it give you insight into the state of the property, but it will also give you peace of mind knowing youre not getting taken advantage of. As long as youre aware of the potential pitfalls, youll have less reason to worry about the state of your new home. You can use information gathered during a building inspection to negotiate a lower price If youre worried about buying a home because you suspect that it may need extensive renovation work, you may already have a rough idea of how much work youll need to do to bring it up to scratch. That knowledge can come in handy if you decide to buy the home. You can use all of the details that you gather during a building inspection to present a realistic picture of what the home is worth to prospective buyers. If a potential buyer thinks that the home is worth more than what you paid for it, you can try negotiating a lower price. You can sell your home faster and for more money If you decide to list your home on the market soon after buying it, youll need to price it accurately in order to attract buyers. But if youve already done a thorough building inspection, youll know exactly what work is needed and what the current market conditions are. In other words, youll be able to make a more accurate estimate of the amount of money youve invested in the home and how much its worth. If you find that youre selling your house for close to its full market value, you can use this information to convince the potential buyer that your home is worth the asking price. Even if youre planning to stay in the home for a while before you decide to sell, the fact that you did a thorough building inspection will give you more confidence when listing it. Prospective buyers will know exactly what theyre paying for. Your home will hold its value longer As mentioned earlier, the value of a home depends heavily upon the condition of the building itself. If your home is in bad shape, potential buyers wont be interested in buying it. On the other hand, if youve performed a thorough building inspection and know what sort of repairs are necessary, you can offer your prospective buyer a compelling reason to invest in your property. When you buy a home, youre essentially agreeing to have it inspected periodically to ensure that it stays in top shape. Not only does this allow you to avoid expensive repairs down the road, but it can also increase the value of your home. You can make smart decisions about property investments Buying real estate isnt as simple as just driving a couple of minutes to pick up a house. There are lots of considerations involved, ranging from location to cost. The same is true when youre investing in property. If you find a house that meets all of your requirements, youll want to make sure that you have a solid understanding of where it stands with regards to the rest of the market. If you havent spent enough time researching the area, you could inadvertently end up with a bad deal. There are lots of resources available online that can help you determine the overall level of competition in your area. They can also help you figure out if there are any properties that meet your requirements that you didnt know about. If you own rental property, you can use the information to identify tenants who might cause damage If you own rental property and youve noticed that certain tenants consistently cause damage, you can use the results of a building inspection to identify them. You can then contact them directly to let them know that youre watching them closely and that you dont appreciate the problem theyre causing. They might start taking better care of their homes, which would be good news for everyone. It could also be the case that youll find out that theyre responsible for previous damages that werent caught during a previous visit. You can make smarter decisions about hiring contractors If youve hired contractors to build or repair your home, you might want to ask them for references. However, unless you perform a thorough building inspection, you might not know exactly what to look for. For instance, maybe you only checked the roof for leaks or the walls for cracks. You might not have looked underneath the foundation for anything that could cause a future issue. By performing a building inspection, you can ensure that you hire reputable contractors who will be trustworthy with your money. You can avoid purchasing a home thats in poor condition Of course, the main benefit of structural inspections perth is that it helps you avoid purchasing a home thats in poor condition. Before you make the decision to buy a home, you should do whatever you can to find out about the state of the building. You can also ask your realtor about what sorts of inspections are typically recommended. Some agents say that its standard practice to check the heating system, the roof, the electrical wiring, and the floors. Others will tell you that they recommend that you check the entire structure. Either way, if you choose to hire an inspector, youll find out exactly what needs to be fixed and how much it will cost to do so. As a result, it can be concluded that a pre-purchase building inspection is highly important for the buyers because it provides transparency regarding the current conditions of the structure. Additionally, the building owner is made aware of any upgrades or repairs that are required, which could lead to a fair deal throughout the purchasing and selling process. Excepts from the life of the long lost Anglo-American Please consider a donation. We are a 501c3 Nonprofit and 100% volunteers working with law enforcement and families of missing. We thank you, in advance. KSN&C is intended to be a place for well-reasoned civil discourse...not to suggest that we dont appreciate the witty retort or pithy observation. Have at it. But we do not invite the anonymous flaming too often found in social media these days. This is a destination for folks to state your name and speak your piece. It is important to note that, while the Moderator serves as Faculty Regent for Eastern Kentucky University, all comments offered by the Moderator on KSN&C are his own opinions and do not necessarily represent the views of the Board of Regents, the university administration, faculty, or any members of the university community. On KSN&C, all authors are responsible for their own comments. See full disclaimer at the bottom of the page. Our second speech mission to Kabankalan, Negro Occidental, Philippines starts Monday morning January 30th! We anticipate 25 children for speech therapy and likely 40 patients for cleft lip or cleft palate surgery over the 2 week mission! I always have great intentions with the blog- but once we are in the mix of the work...there are delays in blogging! Please check back periodically and keep us in your prayers for a safe and successful mission! Theresa If one were to look in the U.S. Constitution for the meaning of Originalism, they wouldnt find it. Its not there. It wasnt anywhere until the U.S. S... 10 hours ago The sextoy market is growing quite rapidly in India right now. Although it is not a big trend, it is a hot topic on the internet as it is secretly expanding its market. In this article, we will focus on sextoy and introduce recommended sextoy for Indian beginners of sextoy by gender. India, the birthplace of the Kama Sutra, is very strict about sex. Also, premarital sex is basically not allowed. Therefore, there are many people who are sexually restricted. But what happens when you continue to be sexually restricted? Frustration may build up and you may end up taking your sexual stress out on your partner. If you are able to adopt sextoy in a timely manner, you can get rid of those problems. I want to have more exciting sex than Im having now. I want more variation in masturbation I want to get even stronger pleasure than I do on my own. If you have any of these problems, please stay with me until the end. What is sex toys for Indian? Sextoy, as the name implies, is a toy used during sex and masturbation. It is a generic term for vibrators, Egg-vibrators, Electric massagers, dildo, handcuffs and condoms. They are used to make regular sex more exciting or to make masturbation more pleasurable. Because sextoy is very stimulating, it can help you to get rid of the problems and frustrations of being in a rut of sex with your partner for a long time, or if you are unhappy with the lack of pleasure in sex with your partner. The ability to satisfy your desires with movement, texture, and size, which cannot be done by a normal human being, can help you to be satisfied with sex and, as a result, improve your relationship with your partner. It is also said to help improve sexual dysfunction (inability to get an erection or ejaculate) and difficulty in feeling during sex (insensitivity), which is attracting more attention than in the past. In recent years, the demand for sextoy has increased due to the spread of smartphones and the Internet and the increasing number of people using online shopping. Even those who are concerned about the appearance of sextoy (and find it difficult to purchase) can now easily obtain it by using mail order. In the case of online shopping, most of the stores have taken steps to ensure that the contents of the products delivered to you are not revealed, so you can purchase them without your family members knowing. Until a while ago, you had to go to the store where the adult goods were sold to buy them, so it was quite a hurdle to overcome. Also, many people may have an image that sextoy is somehow embarrassing to own. But nowadays, some of them are so stylish and cute that you cant believe they are sextoy at a glance. More and more people are using them for travel and outdoor use because they are not too bulky and are suitable for carrying around. Sextoy situation in India Before introducing the recommended sextoy for Indians, lets talk about one of the sextoy situations in India in recent years. In India, due to the high concentration of population, the following six cities have particularly high sales of sextoy in India. Mumbai Kolkata Bangalore Delhi Chennai Hyderabad These cities account for roughly 70 percent of sextoy sales in India. In the future, the percentage of sextoy use will gradually increase in other cities in India as well. If you never talk about sextoy publicly, that girl in your neighborhood might be a sextoy user too. If you are interested in sextoy, you dont have to suppress your desire for it. What are Sextoys for beginner? Among all sextoys, sextoy for beginners are vibrators, dildo, masturbators, Sex Lubricants, and condoms. Sex Lubricants and condoms, which are familiar to people who have had sex, are also a great beginners sextoy. I will explain the details of each toy later, but there are many sextoy products that are painful to use and can only be used after some anal expansion. I assume that the Indian readers of this article are people who have not had much experience with sextoy. If such people use professional sextoy suddenly, they are at risk of injury or trauma. Therefore, to introduce sextoy, you need to start with a beginners version and gradually become familiar with it. Advantages of using sextoy for Indians There are three advantages of using sextoy for Indians You can masturbate in a wide variety of ways. Can have stimulating sex Can develop new sexual zones If you try to masturbate with your own fingers or hands, it tends to be a pattern. However, with sextoy, you can easily masturbate in a variety of ways. You will definitely be fascinated by the attraction of new stimulation. Also, your daily sex life will be more exciting than ever. There are many things in sextoy that are visually stimulating and give you a strong and intense feeling of pleasure. This allows you to see your partners promiscuity in a way that you wouldnt normally see it. When you are in a relationship, sex with your partner may become a pattern, but it can also eliminate these problems. It can also lead to the development of new sexual zones (which is the training of sexual stimulation to allow you to feel orgasms). For more information on the development of new sexual zones, see the following articles [Women's Erogenous Zone]How to find and develop, 7 hidden sexual zones !![In India] In this issue, we will dissect the female erogenous zone! ..." Many of you may be like that. Men, in particular, shou... Thus, the use of sextoy can only be a good thing for the men and women of India. Sextoy for beginner men in India So, lets continue with the recommended goods for Indian sextoy beginners. For ease of understanding, we will introduce them by gender. Lets start with the men! The following five goods are recommended for novice Indian sextoy men Masturbator Cock rings Love Doll Sex Lubricants Toys for the prostate Lets check each one in detail. Masturbator The masturbator is a sextoy for men that elaborately reproduces a womans vagina, mouth, and anus, and is one of the most popular sextoy products. It is used by men to masturbate, and it is popular because it provides stronger stimulation and pleasure more easily than using hands. Most are made of good quality silicone, and their softness is something that cannot be achieved with ones own hands. They can provide stronger pleasure than a real womans vagina, so be careful not to overuse them. (You wont be able to have an orgasm in a womans vagina anymore.) Again Male masturbators are a wonderful toy. I do not need any favourite timing, bothersome bargaining. You do not have to worry too much. Revolutionize your masturbation time! ! ! Made in Japan is a wonderful kinky toy.#sextoysindia #SexToyIndia #Japanhttps://t.co/4k70QGzoTP pic.twitter.com/tRVdxTKPpa SEXToys India PR (@SextoysIndia) November 12, 2018 Some of them are disposable, while others can be washed and used over and over again, so its fun to buy a few to use depending on your mood. If you want to know more about masturbator, please click here Really pleasant male masturbation and how to do it Are you in a rut with your daily masturbation routine? I'm going to show you five ways men masturbate that you might ... [For Beginners] How to choose and use a male masturbator without fail Gentlemen.Have you ever used a masturbator? The person who sees this article is probably the one who has not experien... Cock Ring A cock ring is literally a ring-shaped sextoy that is worn on a mans penis. It maintains an erection by binding the penis with a ring of rubber and blocking blood flow. It is sometimes used as an accessory to be worn on the penis, and may be made of metal or plastic as well as rubber. In some cases, cock rings have parts or vibrators attached to them that stimulate the vagina, so they kill two birds with one stone, giving a woman pleasure while maintaining an erection. Cock rings are also sometimes used to treat erectile dysfunction. It can help with erectile dysfunction, where the penis doesnt get hard when you get an erection or doesnt last long when you try to insert it. Men who are prone to breakage or who are unsure of the hardness and size of their erections can use a cock ring to increase the size of their penis and maintain an erection for a longer period of time. Cock rings vary in price from around RS700 to over RS2000 with a vibrator function. Some of them do not fit your penis, so you should check the size of the cock ring before you buy. You should know the size of your partners or your own penis when it is erect. [Penis enlargement] What is a cock ring? Types and usage Cock rings can make your penis bigger and harder. It also makes sex with women more fulfilling and increases your sat... Love Doll Love dolls, also known as Dutchwives, are dolls with the appearance of a woman who can experience simulated sex. There are dolls that look like a woman, but they have no face and only have their breasts and lower torso cut off, and some dolls are so realistic that they can actually be mistaken for real women. Some expensive dolls can cost more than 1 million yen, and the quality of the doll is easily influenced by the price. The higher the price, the higher the quality of the doll will be, the closer it will be to the real woman, and the cheaper the doll will be, the less elaborate it will be, making it look like a real doll! Something is wrong! That is also true. You cant go wrong if you choose a balance between price and taste. There are stores that allow you to make custom-made love dolls, so you can create a girl of your choice. You can make a girl of your choice. You can start with inexpensive love dolls at first, and once you get used to it, you can try custom-made love dolls. If you want to know more about Love doll, please click here Thorough explanation of the charm of sex dolls! Have you ever heard of sex dolls that are used primarily for pseudo-sex purposes? It is a doll that is quite close to... Sex lubricants Sex lubricants are used as a substitute for lubricating fluid during sex or as a lubricant for men to use masturbator rules. It is not uncommon for women to have difficulty getting wet, depending on their physical condition, or to have difficulty getting wet due to their constitution. Forcing the penis into the vagina at such times can cause painful intercourse. There are various types of Sex Lubricants, some with a warming effect, some with a cooling effect, and some with a scent. Changing the Sex Lubricant used during play is recommended as a good sex accent. If you want to learn more about Sex Lubricants, click here. What is sex lubricant?Explain the difference and usage of each ingredient The word "sex toy" may seem like a hurdle to overcome, but lotion is actually one of the most familiar sex toys. Many... Toys for the Prostate Another sextoy for men is prostate toys. The most famous prostate toys include Enemagra, which was originally a prostate massager developed by an American urologist to treat an enlarged prostate line. Modern prostate toys are imitations of Enemagra that have spread as sextoy for men. Many people think of prostate toys as being used by gay men, but in fact they are often used by straight men. What is the prostate? The prostate is an organ found only in men. It is a walnut-sized organ located deep in the pelvis, just below the bladder, and its primary role is to protect and nourish sperm. You cannot touch the prostate gland from outside the body, but you can touch it by inserting a finger or sextoy through the anus. By inserting a finger or sextoy through the anus and touching the prostate and developing it, you can feel intense orgasms. Orgasms felt in the prostate are mainly dry orgasms, which are orgasms that do not involve ejaculation. (You can also feel orgasms with ejaculation through prostate stimulation.) The prostate is called the male G-spot, and dry orgasms can be much more intense than ejaculation. Therefore, men who are able to develop a prostate can become addicted to the pleasure. sextoy for beinner women in India The following are the recommended goods for Indian women who are new to sextoy. The following three are recommended for use by women who are new to sextoy. Vibrator. Dildo Electric Masserger Lets check out what each one is in detail. If you want to check out womens toys, click here. [BEST25]Sex Toys for Women in IndiaThat Can Help You Have an Orgasm There are many women who pretend to feel orgasm during sex. But don't worry, you don't have to pretend to feel orgasm... Vibrators A vibrator is a sextoy that vibrates with an Egg-Vibrator to provide stimulation and is often referred to simply as a vibrator. Some vibrate as well as rotate, and there are many variations of sextoy. It is quite a popular sextoy, and is well recognized by people who do not know much about sextoy. Its usage is similar to that of a massager, but it is more compact and easier to carry than a massager, and many of them look as cute as a lipstick or a macaroon, so they are popular among women. For a while, a famous influencer on twitter said, This is good! You may have heard of the topic of this article by introducing the recommended vibrators. Vibrators are great for women to use on their own, but they are also recommended for men who have difficulty satisfying women with sex. Since it is powered by electricity, it is far less tiring than moving your hands by yourself. This makes it easier to satisfy a woman with sex because you can caress her for longer than usual. Vibrators are mainly used on the female side, but they can also be used on men. When used on men, they are used to attack the nipples and glans, and in both cases it is recommended to wear a condom for hygiene reasons. Introducing how to use the vibrator, its purpose, and how to choose it! Vibrator uses the vibrations caused by the rotation of the motor to provide stimulation. It is one or two of the most... Dildo A dildo is a model sextoy made to mimic a male penis. It can be made of silicone, elastomer (think of it as a material similar to PVC), metal or glass. A dildo can be used by a man for his female partner during sex, or by a woman for masturbation to get pleasure from it. They are mainly inserted into women, but some can be used in the male anus as well. It is sometimes used synonymously with vibrators, but the vibrator is not the same thing as a vibrating device. A model of a penis that does not vibrate is a dildo. Some of them have suction cups that can be attached to the floor or wall so that you can enjoy realistic masturbation without using your hands. For fun, there is a dildo made in the shape of your partners penis. This one is also popular as a gift, and if youve been together for a long time and are having trouble finding a gift for your partner, you might want to pick one. To learn more about dildo, please click here. What is Dildo: Orgasms with Dildos for Men and Women A dildo is a model of a male organ that is used by women for masturbation and by men to stimulate the prostate gland. Th... Electric Masserger A Electric Masserger is a hand-held electric massager, also known as a handheld massager, and can usually be purchased at electronics stores. It was originally designed to relieve stiff shoulders and back pain, so the hurdle of buying one in a physical store is quite low. Many people may have seen or used it in some form or another, as it is often installed in leisure hotels. Such a massager is highly recommended for beginners because it is easy for women to get pleasure from it when they use it during masturbation. It is larger than Egg-Vibrator and vibrations are stronger than those of Egg-Vibrators and vibrators, so even just hitting the clitoris can give you a great deal of pleasure. For those women who have never had an orgasm during sex with their man, the massager may be a good way to get a feel for what it feels like to have an orgasm. It looks and feels like an electric massager, so you wont have to feel awkward if your roommate finds out. If you are in a rut of having sex with your partner, if you want to feel an orgasm through masturbation, or if you are thinking of using a sextoy, why dont you try it from a simple massager? To learn more about Electric Masserger, click here. What is a massager? Introducing types, selection methods, and usage Originally, the Magic-wand vibrator and the massage machine were sold as a home massage machine used for the back and th... How to choose a sextoy for Indian Now that weve covered the different types of sextoy, heres how to choose one. Especially if you are trying sextoy for the first time, pay attention to the following three points: Does the size fit you (the partner)? Does the size fit you (your partner)? Is the environment able to produce sound without problems? Price range First of all, the choice of size is quite important. Most sextoy are used against or inserted into the genitals, but the genitals are very delicate organs for both men and women. For this reason, using an inappropriate size may cause damage. Secondly, the environment should be able to produce sound without problems. Some sextoys not only wear, but also rotate and vibrate. Its easier to get pleasure from something that moves than something that doesnt, but the fact that it moves means that the internal rotors make some noise. If you live in a house with thin walls or if you have roommates, you may not be able to concentrate because of the noise, so it is best to choose one that is silent or has a low noise level. Especially in India, where many people live with their families, it is very important that you dont have to worry about sound when you use it. Finally, there is the price range. The price range of sextoy ranges widely, from around RS500 at the cheapest to RS10,000 or more at the highest. Its good to consider how much money you can afford and how much you want to buy. Do you want your family to not find out about sextoy? I live with my family and want to use sextoy without them finding out! If you are a man, you should buy a camouflage sextoy that does not look like a sextoy at first glance. For men, there are many masturbators that do not look like a sextoy, and for women, there are vibrators that only look like cosmetics. If you choose such a type, youll be safe in case your family members find out. How to buy sextoys in India The best way to purchase sextoy is through online shopping. For more information on how to purchase sextoy, please see the article below. Sextoy is one of them. Therefore, you can easily get sextoy in India by using online shopping. SexToysINDIA is a long established and stable sextoy store and you can have sextoy delivered to any place in India. They also offer cash on delivery, so those who are worried about shopping with a credit card do not have to worry. Of course, the latest security is in place, so your information will not be taken out when you use your credit card. To begin with, many people may be concerned about whether they are legally allowed to purchase sextoy. ikmAs it turns out, its not illegal. Right now, it is not open to the public because the Indian adult market is still in the development stage, but it will gradually spread from now on. Take advantage of sextoy and open the door to new pleasures and culture. Cautions for Indians using sextoy When using sextoy, keep the following three things in mind Keep sex toys clean Watch out for electrical leakage Beware of the heat generated by the body while using a sex toy As I mentioned earlier, many sextoy products are used for the delicate zone. Therefore, it is most important to keep the sextoy itself clean. It is very important to keep the sextoy itself clean, because if a slight scratch is created by friction, bacteria can enter and breed there. It is safe to wear a condom when using the masturbator, just in case. In addition, many sextoy devices are powered by a power source, so if they are not waterproof, there is a possibility of electric shock or malfunction due to wetness. Some may even develop heat during continuous use. If the fever becomes too much, you may get burned, so be careful. If you get a fever during use, stop driving the sextoy immediately and refrain from using it. You will enjoy sex more if you keep it safe and use it correctly. Summary What did you think? In this article, we have introduced the recommended sextoy for the beginners of sextoy in India. The sextoy market is growing rapidly in India and it will continue to grow steadily in the future. As India is a rather closed-minded country, it can be difficult to be open about ones sexual habits and values. However, being faithful to ones desires by properly dissolving ones sexual desire is very effective for ones physical and mental health. If this is your first time to learn about sextoy, or if you are interested in using sextoy, why not give it a try? Indian Sextoys for ur best! will introduce you to sextoy and other trivia about sextoy, sexuality, and sexuality for men and women. I want to read more! If you think its a great idea, please bookmark it. CARBONDALE A few years ago, a group of mainly 20-somethings started serving coffee and meals to people who were homeless, even taking some to McDonald's for meals when the weather was bad. They still serve the coffee and tea, now from a space they rent, in part to provide services to the homeless and others needing fellowship. The way member Nick Vang sees it, the group is "being the hands of Jesus." They are part of The Underground, a network of microchurches whose members use nontraditional means a kind of 21st century 'extreme ministry' to act as missionaries of God's gospel, wherever they are. The overarching name, The Underground, comes from a movement spawning the country and world, in which people work to meet the needs of others. The Underground network has operations in Alabama, Florida and Nebraska in the United States, and Germany, Haiti, Ireland and the Philippines. "They are just like this fellowship of the community that are proclaiming and demonstrating the kingdom of God to our city," said Lucas Pulley, who acts as the director of the local Underground movement. But not in the traditional sense of church, where people belong to a body, where they attend regular worship services in an organized setting. This movement encourages people to use what they believe are their God-given gifts to directly serve others in the community, be that through the arts or a passion for working with children in foster care or those who are homeless. The birth of the movement Carbondale's Underground network was birthed in 2012 by some college-aged students and recent graduates who were looking for ways to "be the church" differently than what they'd been experiencing. One main goal of Underground is to empower leaders and help them build and define their vision for outreach. Should these leaders then desire to, they can use space at The Hub, "a ministry support center," opened in February 2015 at 821 S. Illinois Ave. This network recently started hosting a "Crucible," a Sunday morning get-together for members of the various microchurches, who felt the need to fellowship together, one organizer said. Their meetings might involve brunch, Bible study or just fellowship, he said. "We exist only to serve and support and commission microchurches and leaders, and so the only reason we do a Sunday morning (ministry) is because we have so many microchurches saying this would be helpful, because this would serve us, he said. Members contribute to a "common purse," from which rent for The Hub is taken. Pulley, who works for the national Underground network, said private donations fund the group, in which members are careful to set aside 50 percent of the funds for ministry outreach and the remaining 50 percent for network expenses. The network has a finance intern, John Dixon, a Southern Illinois University student from Springfield. The group has also started a microloan program, which allows those needing financial assistance to make a zero-interest loan. Microchurches make up The Underground The Underground's collective of microchurches includes the Intervarsity Christian Fellowship; the Black Campus Ministry, led by Vang and Breona Hawkins; International Student Ministry, led by Todd Epps; the Vision Collective photography ministry led by Kristen Bathon; and Fostering Love, an outreach supporting foster care, led by Justin and Emily Zurlinden. Community outreach is also done from two homes on Carbondale's northeast side, one the Tatum House, on Cedarview Street, and the other, The North House on North Marion Street. Participants are mainly young professionals who are transitioning out of college and trying to figure out how to follow Jesus in the business world, Pulley said. The group is forging relationships with others in the community, supporting and making sure to not duplicate work done by such entities as the Victory Dream Center, a local church; Good Samaritan House, which provides emergency shelter and housing for those who are homeless; and the Sparrow Coalition, a group of concerned citizens who come together to address poverty and homelessness. Rather than building a church, then working to recruit people to it, Underground members see themselves living life 'as the church,' living the work of the ministry they feel compelled to do, among the people they feel compelled to serve. "Were just trying to live small, very simple, very humble lives, alongside the people that we love," Pulley said. The nerve center is The Hub, a building marked by a business sign outside that reads "Underground." That business is sometimes confused with an unrelated pub, bearing the same name, a few blocks north on South Illinois Avenue. Inside The Underground, The Hub, mid-morning on Monday, Pulley, Vang and member Jake Cotriss arranged chairs in advance of Monday's night meeting of the Black Campus Ministry, a microchurch that uses The Hub space. The Hub has a front room, with a table and chairs and a coffee bar for guests, this morning manned by Southern Illinois University student and finance intern John Dixon, of Springfield. Next to the front room is the auditorium, a larger space where a few tables with chairs await Monday night's guests. Near the back of the building is a smaller meeting room, where nine green chairs were arranged in a circle on Monday morning. Across from that meeting room is what Pulley calls the pantry three red bookshelves, one with a modest collection of food: two boxes of fettuccine, six pounds of canned corn and smaller cans of spinach and other items, a box of fruit snacks. The other shelf is empty. On a small shelf between the two larger ones are about a dozen personal care kits, assembled by Sunday School students of his mother, Ginny Pulley, from the family's church in Gibson City. The quart-sized bags hold a personal note or card from one of Ginny's students and some personal toiletry items. "One goal is who comes in never leaves empty-handed," Pulley explained. One of those who recently started a microchurch through The Underground is Kristen Bathon, who started the Vision Collective, a photography ministry open to skilled and unskilled photographers. Bathon, who for several years has run her own photo business, Fully Focused Photography, felt the need for a Christian creative community in the area. She said she prayed about it and was guided in establishing her microchurch by Pulley, who is also her brother-in-law. "I just think that a creative community in Carbondale is important, and its been kind of an untouched area," she said, "and so we saw that area and we wanted to fill it." Members take pictures and share their works with each other; Bathon is planning for a project in which people who might not normally have pictures of themselves can have them taken at no cost to them. "Its just the opportunity for us to share Jesus in a way that is not as intimidating as other ways, that all of us can be passionate about photography and still reach people (in ways that are) really insightful and will impact their lives," Bathon said of Vision Collective. "I think its cool to be able to serve one another when we are given gifts to be able to serve each other." Three Southern Illinois residents pleaded guilty to crack cocaine offenses Feb. 9 in federal court, according to James L. Porter, acting U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois. Keenon J. Farr, aka Keeno, 32, and Roderick L. McClain, aka Big Bama, 30, both of Carbondale, and Tommy T. Langston, aka G, 38, of Herrin pleaded guilty to a one-count superseding indictment charging conspiracy to distribute 28 grams or more of crack cocaine. The indictment alleges that the offenses occurred between October 2014 and July 2015 in Williamson and Jackson counties. Evidence at the plea hearings established that Farr, McClain and Langston were involved with one another and others in the distribution of crack cocaine. During the investigation, the three co-defendants sold crack cocaine to confidential sources working for law enforcement. Farr, McClain and Langston are being held without bond pending June 2016 sentencing hearings. Farr and Langston face penalties of 10 years to life imprisonment, followed by eight years supervised release, and a fine of up to $8,000,000. McClain faces a penalty of 5 to 40 years imprisonment, followed by 3 years supervised release, and a fine of up to $5,000,000. An ongoing investigation is being conducted by Southern Illinois Enforcement Group, Drug Enforcement Administration, Jackson County Sheriffs Department and Carbondale Police Department. Williamson and Jackson county states attorneys offices assisted in the investigation. The Southern CHICAGO The Democrats aiming to replace U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk have pressed the Illinois Republican to take a definitive position on who should choose a replacement for the late U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia. Kirk, one of the most vulnerable Republican senators in the 2016 election, has shied away from saying whether the decision is up to President Barack Obama or his successor. "The political debate erupting about prospective nominees to fill the vacancy is unseemly," Kirk said in a statement released by his campaign Tuesday, "let us take the time to honor his life before the inevitable debate erupts." He didn't elaborate on when he would take a position. Kirk's comments came ahead of a Tuesday Democratic candidates' session before the Chicago Sun-Times editorial board. Plans for Scalia's funeral haven't been released. He died Saturday at age 79. Pfeifer: The Supremes As I am not in any sense of the word an expert on the judiciary or constitutional interpreta The issue is particularly tricky for Kirk, who is seeking a second term in Obama's home state. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, of Kentucky, has said Obama's successor should fill the vacancy. Vulnerable GOP incumbents in other states, including Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, New Hampshire and Ohio, followed suit. But Obama has said it's his constitutional duty and Democrats have said that denying Obama the chance to pick a replacement would be an unprecedented step. The three Democratic candidates in Illinois are U.S. Rep. Tammy Duckworth, former Chicago Urban League CEO Andrea Zopp and state Sen. Napoleon Harris. All three urged Kirk to take a position. "Senator Mark Kirk must immediately level with the people of Illinois, and let us know whether he supports the Constitution, or if he'll be a rubber stamp for Mitch McConnell's obstructionist and unconstitutional gambit," Duckworth said in a statement. The winner of the March 15 primary is likely to face Kirk, who's considered a heavy favorite to win a GOP primary against lesser known candidate James Marter, a businessman. COLUMBIA Proposals to raise the minimum wage in South Carolina and repeal an anti-union law have virtually no chance of passing in the Republican-dominated Legislature, but Democrats hope to spark a debate as the nations attention turns to the first-in-the-South primary state. Rep. Gilda Cobb-Hunter, who sponsored both bills, said its time to discuss living wages in a state that ranks 46th in child poverty, 48th in per capita income and last in union membership. We keep hearing all these glowing numbers about how great things are, she said of jobs touted by GOP Gov. Nikki Haley. Yet we get reports that show were ranking in the bottom. ... I dont see why we cant at least start talking about the reality of what it means to work in South Carolina on one hand and still be eligible for assistance on the other. Cobb-Hunter, D-Orangeburg, held a news conference on the bills last week after a House panel officially adjourned debate on both. A second hearing is not expected. One bill would set the states minimum wage at $10.10 an hour. South Carolina is among 21 states where employers can pay as low as $7.25 an hour, the federal minimum since 2009. Proponents call $10.10 a start. Thats the minimal pay for federal contractors, as per President Barack Obamas 2014 executive order. Well continue to fight for $15 an hour, said Rachel Nelson of Charleston, who makes $9 an hour at Hardees after 10 years as a fast food worker. The mother of three children, ages 8 to 12, told the House panel shed like to get off of public assistance, but her paychecks make it impossible. With my last check, I was only able to pay my light bill, Nelson said. Trying to keep a roof over our heads is a constant stresser in my life. More than 2,600 state employees make less than $10.10 an hour, or about 4 percent of the state-paid workforce. Just over half of those employees are considered temporary, according to the Department of Administration. It noted the numbers could be higher since public colleges arent required to send the agency data on temporary workers. Rep. Todd Atwater, who sits on the subcommittee, contends raising the minimum wage is bad for the economy because it increases products cost and eliminates entry-level jobs often filled by high school and college students. It hurts the workers theyre trying to help, said Atwater, R-Lexington. The answer, he said, is better training, so students graduate from school with skills that enable them to get a higher-paying job. Cobb-Hunters other bill would repeal the states right-to-work law. About half of states have such laws, which means unions cant force employees across an entire worksite to pay membership dues as a condition of employment. Haley, who frequently lambasts unions, considers the states low union membership an economic development tool. About 41,000 people or just 2.1 percent of South Carolinas workers belong to unions, leapfrogging North Carolina in 2015 to rank last nationwide, according to a January report by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Seth Holzopfel, with the International Association of Firefighters in Myrtle Beach, said the law should be renamed the right to work for less contending its made South Carolina a virtual sweatshop or right to freeload, as it allows people in a union-covered job to receive benefits without paying dues. As expected, the states Chamber of Commerce adamantly opposes the proposal. Mikee Johnson, president of Cox Industries, said it would halt the states economic momentum. Weve got to have the jobs before we get the wages. This is one of those things that would stop companies from coming to South Carolina, he said, adding that none of his 500 workers make less than $10 an hour. South Carolina workers do not need fewer choices when it comes to how they work every day or added costs forced upon them. The South Carolina Legislative Black Caucus, in partnership with Voorhees College and SouthernCarolina Alliance, will host an economic summit at 9 a.m. Friday, Feb. 19, at Voorhees College. SouthernCarolina Alliance will present an overview to the caucus of its six-county area (Allendale, Bamberg, Barnwell, Colleton, Hampton and Jasper counties) and its economic challenges and successes. They will also share information on long-term and short-term opportunities, as well as the Promise Zone designation for that region. Representatives from the South Carolina Legislative Black Caucus Corporate Roundtable membership will be present, giving local businesses, educators and local elected officials an opportunity to share how issues such as infrastructure, health care, education and community development affect their regions ability to recruit economic development. Students from Voorhees and surrounding colleges, universities and technical schools will have a roundtable discussion with legislators and businesses on some of the challenges they are facing in their efforts to further their educational and career goals. Richard Smith, CEO of North America for Roding Technology, a German technology company, will discuss manufacturing opportunities in the automotive and aerospace sectors in South Carolina, as well as his companys investment in research and development at Clemson Universitys International Center for Automotive Research. For further information contact Sen. John Scott, economic summit chairman, at 803-212-6124 or the South Carolina Legislative Black Caucus office at 803-734-3041. I had the great privilege to hear Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia speak on three separate occasions and once to meet him in person after hearing him announce a decision. You can learn a lot about someone by reading his or her work, but some things have to be seen to be fully understood. Scalia was known for his public role as an associate justice and a staunch originalist. But he should be appreciated for much more than that as a man with a genuinely wonderful sense of humor, as a man who loved his family, and who loved God. However, most of us only really know Scalia through his public work on the Supreme Court, and his insightful, sometimes biting opinions. Scalia was an originalist but he was very careful to define what he meant by that. To understand the Constitution as an originalist did not mean reading it strictly, or narrowly, or as a Republican it meant recognizing that the Constitution was written by 18th century men in a particular time, context and with a particular meaning. As an example, Scalia noted that if it were not cruel and unusual in the 1790s to sentence a convicted murder to the death penalty, then the Constitutions ban on cruel and unusual punishment in the 8th Amendment should not be read as banning the death penalty. That, for Scalia, was an easy question for an originalist to answer. There are much harder questions and Scalia would have been among the first to recognize that originalism has its weaknesses. He once wrote an essay titled Originalism: The Lesser Evil. But he long maintained that it was, quite literally, the only possible way of reading the Constitution for two important reasons. First, originalism requires careful historical and legal reasoning to determine what the terms and language of the Constitution meant when it was written. As Scalia loved to say, that sort of research is literally the only thing lawyers are particularly good at. The second reason Scalia said originalism was essential is because to read it any other way, as a living document or an aspirational text, is to expect lawyers to be something quite different than what they are to expect them to be moral philosophers or policy makers. And really, Scalia asked with a twinkle in his eye, who would pick nine lawyers to be moral philosophers? For Scalia, the only justification for the Supreme Courts power of judicial review to strike down laws that violate the Constitution is that the Constitution has a specific meaning that we can know. If not, there is a real problem. By what authority can the Supreme Court strike down a democratically passed law, if not by an appeal to a specific, clear meaning of the Constitution? That is why Scalia said that moving to any method of interpretation other than originalism would, in the end, destroy the Constitution. If justices are not bound to a specific understanding of the Constitution, we should not pick them on their legal qualifications. We should pick them based on their politics. Scalia was confirmed to the court unanimously in 1986, despite being known as a conservative. He liked to say that would never happen now, because the Senate has realized if they are not picking originalist judges, they are picking people to be judges who will behave rather like senators. Given the politicized nature of the Supreme Court, it is no surprise that Washington is already squabbling over Scalias replacement, less than 48 hours after his death. Democrats are already declaring that Republicans are duty bound to confirm Obamas replacement. Sen. Chuck Schumer has been particularly insistent on this. But this is nonsense. Democrats have made it quite clear in the 30 years since Scalia was confirmed that a confirmation hearing is no longer a sure thing, and candidates should be evaluated on their record and method of interpretation. Moreover, no justice has been appointed and confirmed in an election year since 1940. Schumer, in his rush to insist Republicans rubber stamp Obamas appointee, has apparently forgotten his own promise in 2007 when George W. Bush was president: We should reverse the presumption of confirmation. Scalia was right about the danger that the appointment of justices to the Supreme Court would be politicized if the court itself came to be seen as a political instrument. That, I think, is why it is so important that Scalias successor think about the Constitution as Antonin Scalia did: that is, as a document with a knowable, if imperfect, historical meaning as an originalist. A contest that placed the work of young artists in the windows of downtown businesses has returned this year, this time sponsored by The Links. We are particularly excited to have the opportunity to sponsor the 2016 Poster Contest with the support of the Orangeburg Consolidated School District 5, said Lisa Jenkins, president of the Orangeburg Chapter of The Links. The poster art contest for children in grades K-12 is similar to the one sponsored by the Orangeburg County Fine Arts Center last year. Students were challenged to use their creativity to visually communicate the goal of erasing childhood obesity through education. The contest theme, Healthy, Energetic, Active Lifestyles Matter Make Health a Habit stems from a national initiative to ensure youth realize that the whole persons life matters. The artistic talents of students from Marshall Elementary, William J. Clark Middle and North Middle/High School are on display in the 23 entries. Their artwork will be displayed in North and Orangeburg-area businesses until March 11, 2016. Ballots are available inside the participating businesses. The public is asked to vote for their favorite in each grade category. A person may submit one entry, per person, per child at each participating merchant. To be counted, all ballots must include the voters name and contact information (name, address, email). The Links Inc. is a not-for profit national and international volunteer service organization of women of color committed to the enrichment and sustainability of culturally and economically diverse societies. The Orangeburg Chapter has worked in the community for more than 50 years, with projects and programs that have received national recognition and awards. The Orangeburg Chapter has partnered with the Bootstraps Mentoring Program and continues to coordinate the efforts of preserving the Rosenwald Schools and their rich history in Orangeburg County. ***** **** *** ** * Struggled with this and in no hurry to repeat the experience. Outstanding. Get me the full back catalogue ASAP! (I loved it)Quality stuff. Will be tracking down books by the same author and recommending to friends (I liked it a lot)A generally solid, enjoyable read and I'll probably try other books by the same author (I liked it)On okay read but in no rush to read the author's other works (passable)More on this click here We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. ( ) This blog is sponsored by the Eastern Prelacy of the Armenian Church of America (New York) A conference highlighting Azerbaijan`s business environment, and its economic potential has been held in Palermo, centre of Sicilia, Italy. The event brought together Italian businessmen, as well as representatives of economic and trade institutions of Sicilian region, Domenico Coco Azerbaijans honorary consul in Catania. The conference aimed to inform the Italian businessmen on the economic development of Azerbaijan, as well as its business environment. The speakers stressed the importance role of Azerbaijan in ensuring the energy security of Europe. Employee of the Municipality of Palermo Giovanna Marano said the Sicilian companies attached great importance to boosting their international bonds. Azerbaijan is a country, which we would like to create the partnership, he added. /By Azertac/ /By Azernews/ By Aynur Karimova The United Kingdom, the largest foreign direct investor in Azerbaijan followed by the U.S. and Japan, seeks to expand long-term and fruitful operation of its companies in Azerbaijan. This was stated by Sue Whitbread, an official representative of the UK Trade and Investment, at the first meeting of the intergovernmental commission on economic cooperation between Azerbaijan and the UK in London last week. "Representatives of British companies operating in the field of oil and gas engineering will visit Azerbaijan in April to further enhance cooperation between the two countries in the oil and gas sector," she noted. Currently, there are 473 companies with British capital in Azerbaijan, and they mostly act as contractors in the projects being implemented in Azerbaijan. The interest of the British companies in Azerbaijan is understandable as the UK considers Azerbaijan as a very favorable country for foreign companies. Economic cooperation between the two countries, in particular in the energy sector, is at the core of the relations between Azerbaijan and the UK. The energy-rich country cooperates with the UK in the exploration and transportation of oil and natural gas from the Azerbaijani part of the Caspian Sea. British Petroleum was one of the main partners of this South Caucasus nation for over 20 years and this cooperation played a major part in the economic formation of young Azerbaijan. The signing of the Contract of the Century in 1994 and the large influx of investment in oil and gas projects has created favorable conditions for the development of all sectors of the countrys economy. Then, BP presented in Azerbaijan being a reliable partner of the country in the energy sector. "Successful and long-term activity of BP in Azerbaijan once again proves that the country is open to foreign investment and has created favorable conditions for the activity of foreign companies in different fields," Francis Maude, UK Minister of State for Trade and Investment, said at the meeting. Azerbaijan and the UK have benefited from close bilateral partnership and cooperation since 1992, in the framework of international organizations such as the UN, OSCE, Council of Europe, and NATO. The relations have covered a wide range of issues, from high-level political dialogue to growing trade and investment, as well as strengthening cultural and humanitarian ties. The UK and Azerbaijan are cooperating in education, trade, tourism, ICT, as well as other infrastructure and transit projects. Trade turnover between Azerbaijan and the UK stood at $564 million in 2015, according to the Azerbaijani State Customs Committee. Some $553.33 million of this figure accounted for import of UK products. Campbell Keir, Director of the UK Trade Investment's Energy and Infrastructure teams has stressed that Azerbaijan, which is a reliable partner of London, takes important measures to develop business environment. Thanks to the reliability as a partner, Azerbaijan has attracted British investment amounting to more than $23 billion in its national economy. /By Azernews/ By Aynur Karimova Azerbaijan, an important participant of any process that takes place in the continent, has again approved its significant role in such vital issues as Europe's energy security and international security by being invited to the Munich Security Conference. The 52nd Munich Security Conference which was held on February 12-14 showed that Azerbaijan is firmly embedded in the international security system and its role in strengthening this system is undeniable and nothing can change this reality. The conference attended by more than 400 participants, including heads of states and governments, foreign and defense ministers, politicians, scientists and heads of international organizations, discussed the most topical issues of the current international agenda - the crises, as well as current and future challenges of international security. The key topics of this conference were the migratory crisis in Europe, the war in Syria and the future of the European security. In addition, the fight against terrorism, energy security and climate change also were high on the agenda. Bilateral and multilateral discussions on various topics were organized on the sidelines of the conference. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev attended the Energy Security Roundtable on the Geopolitics of Low Oil Prices as part of the Munich Conference on February 12. During the meeting the participants discussed the issues of impact of oil prices on oil-producing countries. The main idea which was voiced during the roundtable was that despite significant decrease of oil prices, the main thing for each country is to be able to balance the situation in a timely manner. Azerbaijan, according to President Aliyev, faced with a real challenge, but "due to the policy of diversification and investments in infrastructure, we, I think, managed to find a way out from this situation with minimum losses." "The task in the coming years will be to diversify our export potential, and here, of course, we come to the point of necessity to continue economic reforms, create even better conditions for private sector, attract more investments and start a large-scale privatization program. All of these elements have already been declared as our state policy, and I am sure that we will succeed," he said. The development of each country should continue not depending on whether oil prices are low or high. In this regard, in the coming years the task of Azerbaijan, more than 90 percent of export of which is oil and gas, will be to develop the non-oil sector and to diversify its export potential. The country has achieved reduction of dependence on oil factor dramatically during last 5-10 years. Oil is only 30 percent of Azerbaijan's GDP. Now the government is set to achieve the same picture in the country's exports. President Aliyev also attended the Panel Discussion "Climate and Energy Security: Is the Heat Still on?" of the Munich Conference on February 13. Addressing the discussions, President Aliyev said post-oil period has already begun for Azerbaijan. "I am absolutely sure that if we manage to successfully implement our plans in the coming years, Azerbaijan will completely eliminate dependence on oil. As I have noted, due to the recent fall in oil prices, post-oil period has already begun for Azerbaijan, and we should find our place on the global market as a country exporting not only oil and gas but also other products," he noted. The potential accumulated from previous years, allowed Azerbaijan to safely adjust to new realities and to carry out reforms promptly that have already brought the first successes. Drop of oil prices have not hindered Azerbaijan to fulfill its obligations before the partners. Currently, the Southern Gas Corridor project is being implemented. As President Aliyev said, "it is an energy security, a project of diversification of not only routes, but also the resources of the project, which will bring benefits to us - the producers, transit countries and consumers." During the discussions, President Aliyev said problems for the development of the country and the region occur not from crude oil prices but from ongoing Armenian aggression, including in terms of environmental and energy security. Referring to the water blackmail of Armenia, President Aliyev said that the water resources flowing to the territory of Azerbaijan are located in neighboring countries, and this itself creates a certain threat for the country. For example, as a result of Armenian aggression, illegal activities - the destruction of forests - are carried out and water sources are polluted. President Aliyev also drew attention to the recently adopted PACE resolution on Sarsang water reservoir. According to the document, Armenia holds the reservoir in the blockade, and as a result, the population of Azerbaijan cannot use this water resource. "In January, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe adopted a resolution condemning Armenia for creating perpetrated problems in providing the neighboring regions with water. This resolution, adopted by a majority in the Parliamentary Assembly, makes a call to stop bringing pain to people. Unfortunately, they are using the reservoir, constructed in the years when Nagorno-Karabakh was a de facto part of Azerbaijan, for creating problems for the civilian population," he stated. Commenting on a question of a representative of the Armenian Foreign Ministry regarding the allegations of Baku to Yerevan, President Aliyev said not only Azerbaijan, but also international organizations blame Armenia in the occupation of the Azerbaijani lands, for example, the UN Security Council that adopted the relevant resolutions. "We blame Armenia in occupation, and not only we. The highest international organization - the UN Security Council does it," President Aliyev said. "The UN Security Council adopted four resolutions demanding the immediate and unconditional withdrawal of Armenian forces from the occupied territories. We do not blame the Armenian people, but the Armenian government for the Khojaly genocide, when Armenian vandals killed innocent people only because they were Azerbaijanis and this genocide is already recognized by more than 10 countries. We accuse Armenia on suffering of millions of refugees and internally displaced persons who became refugees in their native land. Some 40,000 of them are from Nagorno-Karabakh, while 750,000 - from other occupied regions of Azerbaijan, and 200,000 were driven out from Armenia and subjected to ethnic cleansing. All these are the result of your occupation. This is the result of the policy pursued by you against a neighboring country, and the occupation must end. The main condition for achieving peace in the region is the release of Azerbaijani lands from the occupation." De-occupation is the only condition for confidence building between the conflicting parties, he added. "Armenia wants the status quo to remain unchanged. We want to change the status quo Thus, the first step is withdrawal from the occupied lands, and after it, we will begin to cooperate," he said, responding to the questions addressed to him. Azerbaijan, not in theory but in practice, faced with problems of terrorism, refugees, occupation and threats to its security. When Europe has not thought about the possibility of such a migration crisis today, Azerbaijan faced the problem of refugees and internally displaced persons, and resolved it alone, without any help, without calling any conference. It is a bitter experience, but the country has it, and it can be useful in today's conflict-ridden world. In early February, President Aliyev participated at the Supporting Syria and the Region Conference in London. It once again showed Azerbaijan's importance for the world as a country enjoying smooth and friendly relations with all the countries involved in the Syrian crisis, and with all the countries of the Muslim world. Being the leader of the region, and a secular Muslim country, where representatives of different faiths coexist in peace and harmony, Azerbaijan expressed its readiness to share its experience in managing the refugee problem. Regional leadership, economic and political stability, participation in the fight against international terrorism, the role of one of the main sources of energy security of Europe, and an important point of intersection of trade and transport routes - all these make the participation of Azerbaijan on a global-scale meetings much more important and actual. /By Azernews/ By Nazrin Gadimova Azerbaijani student was injured as a result of a ceasefire violation by the Armenian armed units on February 15, 2016. 17-years-old Joshgun Mammadov received two gunshot wounds in his arm and leg, the Agdam District Central Hospital reported. He is currently being treated in the hospital. The health state of the injured student is normal. It is not the first time when the Armenian side targets the civilians. Last time, three residents of Azerbaijans Terter region have been injured as a result of ceasefire violation by the Armenian armed forces. The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts. The two countries signed a ceasefire agreement in 1994. The co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group, Russia, France and the US are currently holding peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented the UN Security Council's four resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding districts Germany is for intensifying the talks on resolving the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict within the OSCE Minsk Group format, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Germanys federal minister for foreign affairs said in an interview with Interfax. He made the remarks on the occasion of Germanys presidency of OSCE. The minister said he wouldnt like to accept the fact that the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is called a frozen one, adding that armed clashes along the contact line of Armenian and Azerbaijani armies cause concern. Creating a mechanism for clarifying the circumstances of ceasefire violations would be an important step here, according to Steinmeier. The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts. The two countries signed a ceasefire agreement in 1994. The co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group, Russia, France and the US are currently holding peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented the UN Security Council's four resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding districts. /By Trend/ NATO supports the OSCE Minsk Groups efforts in resolving the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, the NATO Secretary Generals Special Representative for the South Caucasus and Central Asia James Appathurai told reporters in Baku Feb.16 We are not directly involved in the process of resolving [the conflict]. But our position is that we support Minsk Group efforts and the peaceful resolution to this conflict, he added. He said the alliance is concerned about the deterioration of the situation on the contact line of Armenian and Azerbaijani armies. The special representative said NATO encourages the conflicting parties to work towards a peaceful resolution of the conflict. We have two members of Minsk Group that are NATO allies, he said, adding that the official position of the allies is to support the Minsk Group and a peaceful resolution to this conflict. The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts. The two countries signed a ceasefire agreement in 1994. The co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group, Russia, France and the US are currently holding peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented the UN Security Council's four resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding districts. /By Trend/ Azerbaijan`s Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov has met a delegation led by NATO Secretary Generals Special Representative for the Caucasus and Central Asia James Appathurai. The sides exchanged views on the current state and prospects of relations between Azerbaijan and NATO. NATO Secretary Generals Special Representative for the Caucasus and Central Asia James Appathurai hailed relations and successful cooperation between Azerbaijan and NATO, and especially mentioned the continuous support of Azerbaijan to the operations in Afghanistan for the sake of international peace and security. Pointing out the reliable and steady relations between Azerbaijan and NATO, Minister Elmar Mammadyarov stressed the development of cooperation within the frames of Individual Partnership Action Plan, Planning and Review Process and Operational Capabilities Concept. He mentioned that Azerbaijan will continue to contribute to the Resolute Support Mission of NATO in Afghanistan. Mentioning that the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict constitutes major threat to the stability and security in the region, FM Mammadyarov emphasized that for the resolution of the conflict Armenia has to withdraw its armed forces from all occupied territories of Azerbaijan. At the meeting the sides also discussed regional and international issues of mutual interest. /By Azertac/ Azerbaijan`s Prime Minister Artur Rasizade has met Deputy Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Bakitjan Sagintaev. The Premier said there were strategic partner relations and traditional friendship between Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan. Mr. Rasizade highlighted the successful implementation of joint economic, energy, transport projects and stressed the importance of further improving the bilateral beneficial cooperation. Bakitjan Sagintaev, in turn, said he acquainted with Bakus experience in port operations toured the New Port of Baku which is being constructed at Alat. The Deputy Premier said his country attached great importance to relations with Azerbaijan and emphasized significance of further intensifying the cooperation between the two countries. /By Azertac/ Turkey officially informed Moscow about the introduction of a visa regime for journalists from February 15, 2016, the Russian foreign ministry said, TASS reported. "The Turkish side has officially informed the Russian foreign ministry about the introduction of the so-called "journalist visa" for Russian journalists, intending to visit Turkey for their professional activity, as well as for a short period of less than six months from February 15, 2016, the statement said. Earlier, the Turkish foreign ministry said that the introduction of visas for Russian journalists is a response to similar conditions for Turkish journalists, put forward by the Russian side. Diplomatic relations between Russia and Turkey soured after a Russian SU-24 violating Turkish airspace was intercepted and shot down on Nov. 24, 2015 by Turkish F-16 fighters. /By Trend/ A protocol on changes to the Uzbekistan-Pakistan agreement on double taxation avoidance and prevention of income tax evasion has been approved upon the Uzbek President Islam Karimovs decree. The presidential decree was disseminated by the Uzbek media Feb. 15. Under the decree, the countrys foreign ministry was tasked to send a notification about the fulfillment of inter-state procedures by Uzbekistan necessary for the agreement to come into force. The Cabinet of Ministers, as well as the relevant ministries and agencies were instructed to ensure control over Uzbekistans meeting its commitments as it was prescribed. The protocol on changes to the Uzbekistan-Pakistan intergovernmental agreement on the double taxation avoidance and prevention of income tax evasion, dated 1995, was signed during Pakistani Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharifs official visit to Uzbekistan in November 2015. /By Trend/ Chancellor Angela Merkel said that a no-fly zone in Syria would be beneficial, German media reported on Monday, Anadolu Agency reported. In an interview with German daily Stuttgarter Zeitung, Merkel hinted at a kind of no-fly zone for refugees in war-torn Syria where warring factions would not conduct airstrikes. Turkey has repeatedly called for the creation of a safe zone in northern Syria. The Syrian civil war, which enters its sixth year next month, has claimed more than 250,000 lives and turned Turkey into the world's largest source of refugees and displaced persons. Around 2.7 million Syrian refugees have crossed into Turkey since the civil war began. The EUs largest economy Germany has taken in a record 1.1 million refugees in 2015, but the refugee influx has strained municipalities and local authorities. /By Trend/ Claims that Russia is allegedly behind a recent bombing of a hospital in Syria are baseless and unacceptable, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Feb. 16, RIA Novosti news agency reported. On Feb. 15, the Doctors Without Borders (MSF) said that a hospital in the northwestern Syrian city of Maarat al-Numan, in the Idlib province, was hit by four rockets. It did not say which of the warring parties was suspected to be behind the deadly attack. "Once again, we categorically dismiss these statements and consider them to be unacceptable. Especially because those making these statements are unable to prove their allegations in any way," Peskov told reporters. Meanwhile, Syrian Ambassador to Moscow Riad Haddad accused the US of striking a hospital in Syrias Idlib province, while Turkey's Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu accused Russia of striking the hospital. The Russian Defense Ministry has repeatedly said that allegations of civilian casualties in Russia's strikes are aimed to distract the international community form the four-year-long Syrian civil war. Moscow reiterated that all information regarding targets is always checked and double-checked before delivering strikes. Moscow urged not to trust distorted media reports and "not become a victim of perverse information". /By Trend/ Millions of Chinese broke from tradition and spent their vacations traveling abroad this Spring Festival holiday, according to China daily. Of the 300 million Chinese who traveled during the weeklong holiday, a record 6 million visited overseas destinations, according to Ctrip.com International Ltd, the nation's largest online travel agency. It is customary for Chinese to visit their hometowns and celebrate Chinese New Year with family. "Outbound tourism surged this Spring Festival and the number of outbound travelers that we handled tripled last year's total," said Liu Qing, vice-president of Tongcheng Network Technology Co Ltd, China's third-largest online travel agency based in Suzhou, Jiangsu province. Bookings through Tongcheng for many popular overseas destinations doubled from last year, with several destinations seeing five times the number of bookings this Spring Festival compared with the 2015 holiday break, Liu said. Chinese travelers also got a leg up on their holiday travel plans, with more than 80 percent booking their trips at least a month in advance, he said. Thailand provides multiple-entry visas for up to six months for all foreign travelers, Vietnam reduced its single-entry visa fee from $45 to $25 late last year, while Malaysia has a visa-free policy this year for Chinese travelers from March 1 to Dec 31. /By Azertac/ Days after celebrating the long-delayed completion of the Tennessee Valley Authority's Watts Bar Unit 2 nuclear plant near Knoxville, the Nuclear Energy Institute was lamenting the closure of the Omaha Public Power's Fort Calhoun nuclear power plant near Omaha, Neb. "The premature closing of Fort Calhoun illustrates the situation in which well-operating nuclear facilities are forced to shut down as a result of weak market conditions. This is especially the case with smaller, single-unit facilities in unregulated markets such as Nebraska where economies of scale make it challenging to generate electricity at a competitive price," Marvin Fertel, the NEI's president and chief executive officer, said. Fort Calhoun operated 43 years, generating 34 percent of the power distributed by Omaha Public Power and 9 percent of Nebraska's electricity. But like other nuclear plants - especially in states with deregulated electricity markets - it is now hard for them to compete against historically low natural gas prices from the new era of fracking, as well as the growth of renewable energy. Fort Calhoun, which shut down on Monday, was licensed to operate until Aug. 9, 2033. Licensed to operate until Aug. 9, 2033, the Fort Calhoun nuclear plant near Omaha, Neb. this week became the nation's latest nuclear plant to shut down because of changing economics brought on by fracking and the growth of renewable energy. Photo credit: Associated Press. The NEI has argued its plants should get market credits for reliability and for not releasing climate-altering carbon dioxide during operations. The nuclear industry touts itself as carbon-free, which isn't exactly true. A lot of carbon dioxide is generated by the uranium mining needed to make nuclear fuel. But even by factoring in that and other cradle-to-grave emissions from construction, transportation, and decommissioning plants, it's hard to argue its carbon footprint is relatively low in comparison to coal-fired power plants or even those fueled by cleaner natural gas. "The negative impacts of its untimely closing make it clear there is an urgent need to prevent this from happening to other nuclear plants at risk of premature retirement," Fertel said. "Without change, there will be more plant closings resulting in similar negative economic and environmental consequences." Fort Calhoun's shutdown came only five days after the NEI put out a statement commemorating the long-awaited opening of Watts Bar Unit 2, a plant which took decades to build. Watts Bar Unit 2 is America's first new plant to come online since 1996, when its companion plant, Watts Bar Unit 1, began operation. The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission issued construction permits for both way back in 1973. Construction for both was put on hold in the mid 1980s. Watts Bar Unit 1 was finished and went online in the late 1990s. Work resumed on Watts Bar Unit 2 a few years ago. The site is not without controversy: The NRC said in a news release Wednesday it has scheduled a Nov. 3 meeting with TVA officials to discuss the agency's concerns over what it has described as a "chilled work environment," one in which the utility may have "unduly influenced" some employees from raising safety concerns. It all adds up to more trouble for the nuclear industry, despite strides it has made in some areas. In recent months, many of the strongest statements about nuclear's future aren't just found in the hyperbole of anti-nuclear groups but in dire predictions from industry figures such as Fertel, who said at a U.S. Department of Energy conference in Washington last May theres a sense of urgency to improve economics of the nations 99 remaining nuclear plants. If the playing field isnt leveled to account more for nuclear powers attributes as a low-carbon, high-output source of electricity, the industry could have as many as 20 more plants shut down prematurely over the next decade, he said. Advocates say that would mean tens of thousands of jobs lost while jeopardizing national security with greater dependence on more intermittent energy sources such as wind and solar power. We need a much, much greater sense of urgency to address the issues that were seeing right now, Fertel said back then. He said the industry was "obviously mistaken" to think the trend would stop with the shutdowns on the Kewaunee nuclear plant in Wisconsin in 2013 and Vermont Yankee in 2014. Since then, Energy Corp. has announced it will retire its FitzPatrick and Pilgrim nuclear plants in upstate New York and Massachusetts, respectively, by the end of the decade. Exelon recently said it cannot continue to incur losses from its twin-unit Quad Cities and single-unit Clinton plants in Illinois much longer. These are not isolated events. We have a systemic problem, Fertel said. This is a serious, systemic problem, and it requires action now. The NEI's Marvin Fertel said in May there is a "sense of urgency" now to save nuclear plants. Matt Bennett, senior vice president for public affairs of Third Way, a Washington think tank that claims to take moderate views on national issues, said at the same event that Americans need to acknowledge the house is on fire. Photo credit: Nuclear Energy Institute. Matt Bennett, senior vice president for public affairs of Third Way, a Washington think tank that claims to take moderate views on national issues, said at that same DOE conference last May that Americans need to acknowledge the house is on fire. In this part of the country, FirstEnergy Corp. has vowed to stick by its aging Davis-Besse nuclear plant east of Toledo and its Perry plant east of Cleveland. DTE Energy likewise has no immediate plans to shut its Fermi 2 nuclear plant north of Monroe. But Ohio and Michigan are among 13 states with deregulated electricity markets where nuclear plants have an especially hard time competing. Those with single units have even more difficulty, officials said. A 2013 Vermont Law School report listed Davis-Besse as one of a dozen plants most likely to close early because of economics. Wind and solar are criticized by nuclear advocates because of their start-up subsidies. But several years ago, a conservative group, Taxpayers for Common Sense, identified $85 billion in subsidies to nuclear power since 1948, of which more than $66 billion was spent on nuclear energy research and subsidies through 1998. While Fertel blamed dysfunctional market conditions for threats to thousands of jobs and steady production of electricity, U.S. Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz said theres a lot more at stake. Nuclear still provides almost 20 percent of the nations electricity. But a lot of people dont realize it also accounts for 60 percent of the electricity today from low-carbon sources, he said. Without as many nuclear plants operating, America will have a hard time achieving the commitment it made to other countries under last Decembers United Nations climate change treaty in Paris to reduce greenhouse gases 27 percent by 2025, Mr. Moniz said at the DOE event in May. Many of the plants will turn 60 years old around 2030 and they cant be expected to run indefinitely, he said. We are supposed to be adding zero-carbon sources, not subtracting or simply replacing them to tread water, Mr. Moniz said. We need to prevent more closures and get on the trajectory of adding capacity. Ironically, a rule many utilities are fighting the Obama Administrations controversial Clean Power Plan to reduce greenhouse gases from coal-fired power plants is becoming one of the potential tools for saving nuclear plants, Mr. Moniz said. Keeping more nuclear around would help states comply with that rule, he said. One suggestion for getting the market to better value nuclears attributes is changing state renewable energy mandates to clean energy standards that would give utilities more incentives to invest in nuclear power. Thirty states have renewable-energy mandates. Ohio lawmakers are deciding whether to keep their two-year freeze in effect indefinitely. The law passed in Ohio several years ago required 12.5 percent of the states electricity come from renewables by 2025 and 12.5 percent from a combination of undefined clean coal and advanced nuclear. Craig Glazer, vice president of PJM, the 13-state regional grid operator that includes Ohio, said market incentives are being created to reward high-performing, low-emitting energy sources but not nuclear per se. If the goal is to just save nuclear, thats another goal, he said at the DOE event in May. Mike Langford, Utilities Workers Union of America national president, said states with deregulated energy markets might have to be re-regulated to save nuclear plants and the thousands of workers they employ. This industry is too vulnerable to be left up to chance, Mr. Langford said at the same event. Energy is the engine of our economy, and were leaving it up to chance. It blows me away. Britain and France criticised Russia's role in Syria's war on Tuesday and said Moscow must stop the conflict rather than fuelling it, after missile strikes killed dozens of civilians on Monday. Almost 50 civilians were killed when missiles hit at least five medical facilities and two schools in rebel-held areas of Syria on Monday, according to the UN, which called the attacks a blatant violation of international law. Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu blamed Russia for at least one of the missile strikes, when civilians and children were killed in a school and hospital in the town of Azaz, calling it an "obvious war crime". "The reported air strikes conducted on hospitals in northern Syria in recent days could amount to war crimes and must be investigated," British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond said in a statement. "I am appalled that the Assad regime and its Russian supporters are still bombing innocent civilians despite the agreement last Thursday to a cessation of hostilities ... Russia needs to explain itself, and show through its actions that it is committed to ending the conflict, rather than fuelling it." Russia, which has said it is targeting terrorist organisations and their allies, does not have a vessel in its Caspian Sea flotilla that is capable of hitting a hospital in Syria's Idlib governorate, a Defence Ministry spokesman was quoted as saying by Russian news agencies. France's new Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault, who on Monday accused Syria's government and its backers of carrying out war crimes, told lawmakers that the immediate urgency was to protect civilians. "All bombings must stop. It's unacceptable that hospitals and schools are targeted. These acts are flagrant violations of international law," he said. Last week in Munich, international powers agreed to try to bring about a "cessation of hostilities" within a week, and US Secretary of State John Kerry accused Russia of hitting legitimate opposition groups with its bombing campaign. Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said the accusations were "just not true". Ayrault said the Munich deal must be respected. "Of course, we talk to Russia, but we have demands and our demands today are for the respect of the commitments made in Munich. Russia, like other partners, agreed to end hostilities, end bombings and allow humanitarian aid. "It's not sentamentalism to say that there are millions of people that are under bombs who have no solution but to flee and become refugees."-Reuters A total of 218 companies from Spain will participate and showcase a vast array of hospitality and catering equipment at Gulfood 2016, the worlds largest annual food and hospitality trade show, to be held next week, in Dubai, UAE. The event will run from February 21 to 25, at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC). Under the umbrella of ICEX, the Spanish Trade and Investment body, and the Spanish Exporting Manufacturers Association for the Hospitality Industry (AFEHC), the Spanish Pavilion will have its participating companies spread out across 2,196 sq m of exhibition space at the event, said a statement. This is the 12th consecutive Gulfood outing for both AFEHC in hospitality and catering equipment and ICEX in food and beverages, it added. The Spanish pavilion will showcase products in more than 19 key sectors, including halal, dairy, gourmet, organic, meat, and coffee among others. The Spaniards will present various equipment ranging from ice makers, fire-proof doors, food storage equipment and containers, to combi ovens, blast chillers, kitchenware, commercial washers and juicers, as they look to capitalise on the UAEs reputation as a major re-export hub and Dubais expanding transhipment outreach, it said. The UAE food market is undergoing constant expansion with annual growth prospects of around 4-5 per cent on average. With 30 per cent of all food and food service imports to the UAE being re-exported, the country - and Dubai in particular - is the gateway to other markets across the Gulf and the Middle East. This makes trading here a highly attractive proposition, as it opens up access to 40 million inhabitants in the Gulf area, said a statement. Rafael Olmos, president of AFEHC, said: We have products and solutions for the entire hotel and restaurant operations chain including cooking, service and display, food handling, transportation and cleaning. Under the umbrella brand Horeca Equipment from Spain, we will exhibit our latest innovations in equipment for the hotel, restaurant and catering industry that provide cutting-edge technical solutions, top quality, reliability, optimum performance and energy efficiency, he added. TradeArabia News Service Dubai-based Concorde-Corodex Group, a leader in firefighting and rescue equipment, has kicked off a month-long roadshow across the GCC showcasing the Williams Fire & Hazard Controls most popular firefighting products. US-based Williams Fire & Hazard Control is an industrial firefighting company and world record holder of the largest full surface fuel tank fire ever extinguished. The Williams Middle East Road Show rolled into Dubais Mamzar Beach near Deira yesterday (February 15), presenting an exclusive live demonstration of the companys equipment sold in the region by Corodex Agencies and Concorde Trading, subsidiaries of the Concorde-Corodex Group, said a statement from the company. The event, held in cooperation with the Dubai Civil Defence, gave an audience of sponsors and VIPs an insight into the capabilities of new fire-safety and firefighting products including water gun trailers and shore pumps, it said. Mahmoud Awad, managing director of Concorde-Corodex Group, said: The live demos are a highly-effective and essential means of displaying the power and versatility of these incredible tools. They are an ideal opportunity to raise awareness of our expertise in firefighting equipment and techniques across the GCC. The roadshow will tour the UAE and Oman, giving seminars on the latest methods on dealing with hazardous situations, as well as demonstrations of equipment used to fight hazards including flammable liquid fires, said the statement. A successful live demonstration was also held in Ruwais, Abu Dhabi on February 10th, sponsored by Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc) and Abu Dhabi Oil Refining Company (Takreer). The demonstrations focused on the capabilities of The Ambassador 2X6 Gun Trailer, the Dependapower Booster Pump, and The Daspit Tool. All were showcased to exhibit their enhanced power and dependability when used to combat fire emergencies and hazard scenarios. Mohanned Awad, regional director of business development of Concorde-Corodex Group, said: "The Williams Ambassador 6,000 gallons per minute (GPM) monitor is capable of throwing water/foam mixture to a distance of 160 m, and is the only system in the market that can induce foam at the nozzle, by which reducing the operational complexity and giving a further advantage to the fire fighter. Eric Lavergne, technical director at Williams Fire, said: Our aim is to give a unique insight into our products and how they enhance the already cutting-edge methods that the Civil Defence implements to combat emergency responses. Awad added: Our company is dedicated to investing in continuous research and development and fire safety training, and are proud to leverage the knowledge and training to all our partners, including the UAE Civil Defence. TradeArabia News Service Unilever has partnered with OgilvyOne and Geometry Global to manage its digital and activation plans in the Gulf for three of its prominent brands: Dove, Rexona, and Signal. The combined team of OgilvyOne Dubai and Geometry Global Dubai will lead the brands 2016 digital plans, developing their strategies and content, as well as executing their campaigns across all digital and on ground channels. Nabil Moutran, regional director of OgilvyOne Mena said: Ogilvy enjoys a longstanding relationship with Unilever around the world. For us to have the opportunity to further build on that partnership on brands such as Dove, Rexona, and Signal is a tremendous achievement and honour. Nick Walsh, general manager of Geometry Global in the UAE said: We are excited to continue working on Unilever, and thanks to the collaborative approach adopted by Geometry Global and OgilvyOne which was a massive contributing factor to the win. We will work closely with our colleagues at OgilvyOne to offer Unilever brands effective experiential and digital marketing services across all touch-points. The OgilvyOne Mena team showed a great understanding of our brand and culture. We were impressed by their clear strategy and creative ideas developed for the three brands 2016 digital activities, said Sabeen Fazli, marketing director at Unilever Gulf. We are very excited to align the UnileverOgilvy global partnership in the Gulf region. Together, Unilever and Ogilvy have produced some iconic campaigns and we aim to replicate the same success in the Gulf. Embracing a cohesive account management approach to ensure a consistent view of Unilevers three brands within the two agencies, OgilvyOne and Geometry Global built a consolidated team running by one account structure with a single point of contact. Bringing together planning and creative talents will enable the team to deliver greater value to the business as well as efficient response to the clients needs. It was a long yet very rewarding experience working with Sabeen and her team in bringing back Unilever under our umbrella. We are looking forward to revolutionizing the brands digital presence through cutting-edge campaigns and help to support their business growth, concluded Moutran. TradeArabia News Service More than 500 exhibitors from over 45 countries will participate in the upcoming International Exhibition for National Security and Resilience (ISNR) in Abu Dhabi, UAE, marking a 70 per cent growth over the 2014 edition of the event. The seventh edition of the event will be held from March 15 to 17 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre. The event will feature a total net space 20,000 sq m at ADNEC, to cater five exhibitions, two specialised conferences, more than 10 live featured events and simulation demonstrations on emergency preparedness and disaster prevention, 10 workshop sessions , 60 seminars, as well as 911 World Firefighter Challenge and the MoI Excellence Award. Three international pavilions from Germany, France, and the US will participate in the event. Thirty local SME companies will join under the UAE SME Pavilion to help promote UAEs innovation and talents in Security and Safety. Over 20,000 visitors from more than 90 countries are expected to join 2016 edition, which will feature new exhibitions: Infosecurity Middle East and Emdi. The event will host three-day programmes covering cloud security, risk and governance from certified organization ISC2 and 30 seminars from industry leaders. TradeArabia News Service General Electric is exploring potential business opportunities in Iran and the chief executive of its oil and gas division visited the country recently, a company spokeswoman said. The visit by Lorenzo Simonelli, CEO of GE Oil & Gas, comes at a time when Iran is aiming to boost its crude oil exports and recover the oil market share it lost as a result of international sanctions imposed over its nuclear program. "In line with the easing of sanctions, we have begun looking at potential business opportunities in Iran, while fully complying with the rules laid out by the US government. Simonelli's visit is part of this effort," the spokeswoman said. Iran could help GE lessen the effects of the fall in energy prices as a result of which the company doubled its 2016 budget for restructuring. Further, GE has said that it expects oil and gas revenue to fall a further 10-15 per cent in 2016 because of weak oil prices. The Wall Street Journal earlier reported the news of the visit. Tehran is sweetening the terms it offers on oil development contracts to draw the interest of foreign investors deterred by sanctions and low crude prices, as its pragmatic president seeks to deliver on his promise of economic recovery. Reuters Top global oil exporters including Russia and Saudi Arabia agreed on Tuesday to freeze output to tackle a global glut but said the deal was contingent on other producers, with Iran absent from the meeting and planning to ramp up shipments. The Saudi, Russian, Qatari and Venezuelan oil ministers visited Doha for a previously undisclosed meeting - their highest-level discussion in months on joint action to help prices recover from their lowest in more than a decade. Saudi Oil Minister Ali Al-Naimi, said freezing production at January levels was an adequate measure and new steps to stabilise the market could be considered in the next few months. He said he hoped other producers would adopt the proposal, while Venezuela's Oil Minister Eulogio Del Pino said more talks would take place with Iran and Iraq on Wednesday. Oil prices rose to $35.55 per barrel but later pared gains to trade below $34 as expectations for an immediate deal faded. Iran has pledged to raise supply steeply in the month to come as it looks to regain market share lost after years of international sanctions, which were lifted in January. The Doha meeting came after more than 18 months of declining oil prices, knocking crude below $30 a barrel for the first time in over a decade. The slump has been longer and deeper than anyone predicted, and the mood may be shifting among producers that have been determined to defend market share rather than prices. Within the Opec is a growing consensus that a decision must be reached on how to prop up prices, Nigerian Oil Minister Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu told Reuters late last week. Much has changed since Opec's fractious meeting in early December, the last big gathering of key oil ministers, when members "were hardly talking to one another. Everyone was protecting their own positional logic," Kachikwu said. While Venezuela has been the hardest-hit major producer, oil below $30 is a fraction of what Russia needs to balance its budget as it heads towards parliamentary elections this year. Saudi finances are also suffering badly, running a $98 billion budget deficit last year, which it seeks to trim this year. - Reuters Opec member Iran is willing to discuss a freeze in oil production levels once its own output has reached the pre-sanctions rate, a source familiar with Iranian thinking said on Tuesday, underlining Tehran's reluctance to curb supplies. Top global oil exporters including Russia and Saudi Arabia agreed earlier on Tuesday to freeze output levels to tackle a global glut but said the deal was contingent on other producers joining the pact. "We have not yet reached our level of pre-sanctions production. So when we get there we will be on an equal level, then we can talk," the source said. "Our situation is totally different to those countries that have been producing at high levels for the past few years." Reuters The TransGriot is available for speaking engagements, college lectures, panel discussions, media interviews, conferences or Trans 101 education efforts for your school, business or professional organizations. For local Houston area, Texas or national events, you can e-mail me at transgriot@yahoo.com For events outside the Houston metro area, I ask that my travel and lodging expenses be covered. This is separate from my speaking fee. If you are interested in having me appear as a speaker or panelist, you can e-mail me with the date and details of your proposed event. Please book as early as possible because my speaking and event calendar slots during the year rapidly fill up. Trinity Lutheran hosts midweek services Trinity Lutheran Church, 1240 Missouri St., will be having Midweek Lenten Services every Wednesday at 7 p.m. through March 16. Please call 234-0568 for more information. After School at the Library Elementary-age students are invited to attend our weekly After School at the Library program at 4 p.m. Wednesday in the Natrona County Librarys Crawford Room. This week youll learn to eat like an astronaut. Youll also make a spacecraft while having lots of out of this world fun! Call 577-READ ext. 122 or email reference@natronacountylibrary.org for more information. February at Holy Family February in Holy Family parish, 4100 SE Wyoming Blvd., provides a busy schedule. Dogmatic Theology Class, preceded by a soup supper, takes place every Wednesday at 6 p.m. This is the basic teaching of the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church. Bishop Ken Kinner, 262-7505; Fr. Jim Dean, 262-6875; Warden John Becker, 262-8813. Preschool Picassos Nicolaysen Art Museum, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Wednesdays, to Feb. 17, for 2- to 5-year-olds and their parent or other adult. Fees are $30 for members and $40 for nonmembers per child/adult duo for each six-class session, or drop-in $8 per class. Explore art concepts with your child in these age-appropriate, curriculum-related and themed-structured six-week art classes. The Nic offers families a 40 percent discount for the second and third child for Preschool Picassos classes. Lent at St. Marks The service schedule for St. Marks Episcopal Church during Lent starting Wednesday includes 5:30 p.m. soup supper and fellowship followed by Lenten study for children, youth and adults at 6:15 p.m., and concluding with compline at 7:15 p.m. On Fridays during Lent, Holy Eucharist will be celebrated at 7 a.m. at St. Marks. For further information, call St. Marks at 234-0831. Coffee, Tea and Dee in spring The public is invited to attend the monthly Coffee, Tea and Dee event for the spring 2016 semester on the following Wednesdays: Feb. 17, March 23, April 20 and May 4 at the Tate Geological Museum from 7:30 to 11:30 a.m. According to Patti Finkle, director of museums at Casper College, P. Hawk has developed a special blend of coffee Pleistocene Epoch Coffee Mammuthus columbi, which will be available each month along with special varieties of Rooibos tea. The Tate Geological Museum is on the Casper College campus and the event is free and open to the public. Community impact at Pizza Ranch Pizza Ranch, 5011 E. Second St., hosts Community Impact nights from 5 to 9 p.m. normally on Mondays and Wednesdays. Members of nonprofit groups bus tables for tips, and 20 percent of meal tickets from diners who mention the group are donated as well. Dine-in, delivery or pickup orders qualify. Wednesdays nonprofit group is the Natrona County High School cheerleaders. Family continues suicide support Good Grief, Support will continue 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., Wednesdays at the 12-24 Club, 500 S. Wolcott, by request of attendees. The family of J.R. Hunter, who died from suicide in June 2015, began the support before the especially tough holiday season. Anyone who is grieving a suicide or death or is considering suicide is encouraged to attend. All attending this meeting, as well as the content, will be strictly confidential. The Fresh Start Cafe will be open, and you can eat during the meetings. This meeting place was graciously offered by Dan Cantine of the 12-24 Club. You need not be a member to attend our meetings. Mailbox management The Natrona County Library will offer a Mailbox Management computer class at 2 p.m. Wednesday in the Tech Center. In this class, well cover the four Ds of mailbox management: Do, Defer (or Delay), Delegate, and Delete. Well go over everything you need to keep your inbox clean, including spam reporting, unsubscribing, aliases, and secondary email addresses. Well also discuss the basics of setting up rules and filters in Gmail, Yahoo and Outlook. Call 577-READ ext. 2 or email reference@natronacountylibrary.org for more information. Coroner speaks to Reveille Rotary Connie Jacobson, Natrona County Coroner, will be speaking about her professional role with the county at the Reveille Rotary meeting Wednesday at 7 a.m. at the Central Wyoming Senior Services Center, 1831 E. Fourth St. Jacobson has been the elected coroner in Natrona County since 2009. Jacobsons medical career path included becoming a registered nurse nearly 30 years ago. Her professional background involves critical care, trauma & forensic nursing. Her nursing degrees are from Casper College and the University of Wyoming. Additionally, Jacobson holds a masters degree in health administration from the University of Phoenix. Reveille Rotary meetings are held at 7 a.m. each Wednesday at the Central Wyoming Senior Services Center. The public is invited. Veteran Cigar Night Every Wednesday from 5:30 to 7 p.m., all veterans are invited to Veteran Cigar Night at the Casper Cigar Company, 4717 W. Yellowstone Highway, sponsored by Casper Cigar Company. There is no cost to attend. This is a time and place for our communitys combat veterans to relax and share their stories with other combat veterans while enjoying a good cigar. Veterans receive 20 percent off cigars. For more information, call Josh Cruse at (307) 337-4400 or josh@caspercigar.com Annual trails meeting The Platte River Trails Trust Board of Directors invites the public to the associations annual meeting scheduled for 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Tate Pumphouse Trail Center, 1775 W. First St. At this meeting the public will have an opportunity to visit with Platte River Trails Board Members and discuss projects slated for 2016 and beyond. Hillary Clintons presidential campaign established support in Wyoming months before anyone from the state voted for her. That felt wrong to a group of University of Wyoming students. About three days before the Iowa caucus, Clintons campaign announced the support of every Democratic National Committee member in Wyoming. Though Wyoming Democrats have only four superdelegates Ana Cuprill, Mike Gierau, Mary Hales and Bruce Palmer the support was an early sign of strength for the Clinton campaign in the Cowboy State. Cuprill and Palmer are respectively the state chair and vice-chair of the Wyoming Democratic Party. In a letter to the Wyoming Chapter of the Democratic National Committee posted on the groups Facebook page, The Students for Bernie Sanders at the University of Wyoming described the four DNC members support as highly inappropriate and showed a lack of impartiality. The letter goes on to say that the students dont believe the Wyoming DNC members meant to manipulate voters but that the superdelegates should wait to pledge their support for any particular candidate. Many Wyoming Democrats voting for the first time will be students and young people, said London Homer-Wambeam, president of UWs Bernie Sanders group. And the vast majority of those are Sanders supporters, he said. To him, announcements like the one the Clinton campaign made about the Wyoming DNC members support could sway young voters and make them think the former secretary of states victory is inevitable, even though the partys caucuses wont be held until April 9. Its a clear political move to discourage voters who want to support Sanders, Homer-Wambeam said. Early Monday morning, Cuprill said she was working to draft a response to the students letter. She then posted the response on the groups Facebook page that afternoon. It corrects errors in the groups letter and encourages the UW Sanders supporters to vote blue, no matter who. In the letter, Cuprill also cautions the students to remain respectful to Clinton supporters during the election process. I doubt Senator Sanders would be as disrespectful as some of his followers have been on social media to these elected officials or even to the 4 of us who by our own elected positions are entitled to be superdelegates, Cuprill writes. When the Clinton campaign announced the four DNC members support, Wyoming Democratic Party, executive director Aimee Van Cleave noted that the superdelegates views do not represent the official stance of the party. In response to the college students letter on Monday, she said it was a mischaracterization to think that Democrats dont want people to support Sanders. Despite concern that the superdelegates support could discourage voter turnout, Van Cleave said the college students letter shows the exact opposite could happen. If they have enough passion to draft a letter to the party, then I hope they have enough passion to show up and caucus with us on April 9, Van Cleave said. POWELL Two Colorado pilots who are accused of operating an unregistered airplane that authorities claim was involved in a criminal enterprise have pleaded not guilty. At separate appearances in U.S. District Court in Cheyenne last week, Scott Lewis and Gilbert Wiles pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to operate an unregistered aircraft and aiding and abetting the operation of an unregistered aircraft. The charges follow the government's seizure in 2014 of the men's Cessna airplane after it landed at the municipal airport in Cody. Police also confiscated over $250,000 in cash from a Cody hotel room rented by the pilot and a passenger. The U.S. Attorney's Office is pressing a civil forfeiture case against the plane and the cash, alleging both are tied to illegal drugs. Tucson-based Raytheon Missile Systems and the Navy have successfully conducted the first operational test of a guided glide bomb being adapted to hitting ships and other moving targets up to 80 miles away. The test comes as the Navy winds down planned procurements of Raytheons Joint Standoff Weapon, or JSOW, a precision-guided bomb first deployed in 1999 and used in combat in Irag, Kosovo and Afghanistan. During the operational test, a JSOW C-1 version launched by an F/A-18F Super Hornet flew a preplanned route before destroying a well-defended land target using countermeasures, Raytheon said in a news release. The JSOW C-1, which had been successful in all seven prior test flights, combines the land-attack capabilities of the prior JSOW C version with a new, two-way data link to hit moving maritime targets as well as stationary land targets. The most recent test paves the way for the next phase of operational testing against large and small maritime moving targets, Raytheon said. The Navy has decided to end its JSOW buys starting in fiscal 2017, citing budget constraints, inventory levels and the other bomb options. The Navy has said it may partner with foreign allies to buy more of the weapons through fiscal 2023. Last year, Raytheon was awarded a $180 million contract to produce 200 JSOW C-1s for the Navy and 355 for Saudi Arabia. Raytheon is expected to complete that contract by April 2018. The late composer Stephen Paulus was behind two Grammy wins on Monday, including one tied to Tucson's True Concord Voices and Orchestra. Paulus's 2011 True Concord commission "Prayers and Remembrances" won best contemporary classical composition and his music was the core of the Nashville Symphony's "Three Places Of Enlightenment; Veil Of Tears & Grand Concerto," which won the Grammy for best classical compendium. True Concord had been nominated for best choral performance for "Far In the Heavens: Choral Music of Stephen Paulus," which included "Prayers." They lost out to Phoenix Chorale's Rachmaninoff's "All-Night Vigil," a collaboration with Kansas City Chorale. Several True Concord choristers were part of that recording. In his acceptance speech, Phoenix Chorale's Conductor Charles Bruffy gave a shoutout to True Concord and "Far In the Heavens." Paulus's widow, Patty, thanked Dorothy Dyer Vanek, a major True Concord contributor, for sponsoring the "Prayers" commission and subsidizing the recording. "Without her help with the commission and the recording, this piece would never have happened," Paulus said, her sons Andrew and Greg at her side. The classical music Grammys were among the bulk of awards presented in early ceremonies held Monday at Microsoft Theater, across the street from the Staples Center where the Grammys were broadcast Monday night. The earlier awards were streamed on the Grammy website, but were not broadcast. Beloved wife, mother, and friend. Born August 14, 1921 in Los Angles, CA. Died February 11, 2016 in Tucson, AZ. Frann grew up n Portland, Oregon, with her brother and sister. Frann met Walt Miescher while they were students at University of Arizona. After they both graduated, they were married in 1942. They had four children, Karen (Don), Denni (Charlie), Terry (Lee) and Robin. Walt was career Army. They went to Germany just after WWII for several years. After several location changes, Frann went to the Central Institute for the Deaf, "CID," in St. Louis and received a Masters in Speech/Hearing. She taught there for several years. They had one further tour in Germany. They then returned to Tucson, where she taught at the Arizona School for the Deaf and Blind. After retirement, she tutored deaf children. She had a life-long love of animals and became a Docent for the Reid Park Zoo in Tucson, where she served many years. She was a member of the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum and active with Audubon interest programs. She is survived by her brother, Jimmy, four children, 11 grandchildren, numerous great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild. The family has requested, in lieu of flowers, that memorials be sent to the Reid Park Zoo. Funeral Wednesday, February 17, 2016 at 1:30 p.m. at ADAIR FUNERAL HOME, Dodge Chapel. Burial to follow at East Lawn Cemetery. 93 of Cedar Vale, Kansas, passed away November 19, 2015 at her daughters home In Flagstaff, AZ. She was born February 16, 1922 in Wauneta, KS to Lewis and Naomi Cooper Howard. Lavina was married to the love of her life, Leslie "Les" Blenden. Lavina and Les moved, in 1952 from Cedar Vale to Tucson AZ for the sake of their youngest daughter who suffered from asthma. Moving to a new city with four young daughters was a challenge, but Lavina with her usual grace set up a loving home for her family. Lavina entered the workforce in Tucson; she worked as a switchboard operator for Intermountain Aviation in Marana, AZ and later the law firm Miller and Pitt In Tucson. After retiring Lavina and Les returned to Cedar Vale, KS. Lavina did not sit idle, she and Les raised cattle; Lavina, the avid animal lover that she was, named each and every cow and calf in their herd. Most were named after family and friends, you felt honored if Lavina bestowed your name to one of her calves. Aside from raising cattle Lavina went to school and became an EMT; she became Mayor of Cedarvale serving from 1989-1993, and finally she rounded out her career as a representative for the Silver Haired Legislature. Lavine's friends and family looked forward to receiving her handwritten letters; she was a fantastic storyteller, with her wry wit she would send you into bellyaching laughter. Aside from writing letters she was an avid fan of John Wayne (every movie seen no less than a dozen times), horses, collies and Bob Wills. She had a passion for Country Swing as well as Western and Native American cultures. Everything Lavina did was with great enthusiasm and dignity. Lavina was predeceased by her loving husband, Leslie Howard Blenden and her eldest daughter Nancy Ann Kodlick. She leaves her loving memories to be cherished by her daughters, Jane Schmidt of Tucson, AZ, Naomi Blenden of Long Beach, CA, and Evelyn Shepherd of Flagstaff, AZ. Also her eight grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandson, nephews and nieces as well as a host of cherished friends. Lavina's philosophy was to approach life with a sense of humor, she was a role model of integrity, kindness, and grace for all who survive her. A celebration of Life honoring Lavina is pended for the spring in Cedarvale KS. date to follow. Memories and condolences can be shared with her family at www.norvelowensmortuary.com Arrangements by NORVEL OWENS MORTUARY. A domestic violence incident led to a man being shot Monday afternoon southwest of the city, authorities said. At about 1:30 p.m., deputies responded to the 4500 block of West Teton Road to a report of shots fired, said Deputy Ryan Inglett, a Pima County Sheriff's Department spokesman. The neighborhood is south of West Valencia Road and east of South Camino de Oeste. When deputies arrived, they learned that an earlier domestic violence incident between a man and a woman led to the shooting, said Inglett. The woman suffered injuries in the domestic violence incident with her boyfriend, but she did not need to be taken to a hospital, Inglett said. He said a relative of the woman's shot her boyfriend, but no details were immediately available. The boyfriend was taken to a hospital with non-life threatening injuries, Inglett said. The Pima County Sheriffs Department is investigating the death of a dog that was shot while volunteers were trying to rescue him from roaming in a northwest-side neighborhood. On Jan. 27, Pima Animal Care Center received a call to come pick up a dead dog from the area of West Massingale Road and Interstate 10, northwest of West Ina Road, said Christy Holliger, a volunteer with PACC. Volunteers had been trying to catch the wolf-dog hybrid for several weeks, including enlisting the help of a company that assists in humane animal capture, Holliger wrote in an email. The stray dog, named Wolfie, had escaped from his owner about six months ago and was roaming the neighborhood since then. The owner was unsuccessful in her attempts to catch him and eventually had to move out of town, leaving the dog behind. We tried everything we could to capture Wolfie and transport him to safety, Holliger said. We communicated this plan to the neighbors, but unfortunately one of them decided to take action. Holliger and others believe the dog was shot by a resident of the neighborhood who had previously complained about the dog. Because the dogs shooting is an active investigation, the sheriffs department is unable to comment, said Deputy Courtney Rodriguez, a sheriffs spokeswoman. During the weeks that Wolfie was living in the area, some neighbors said he had killed chickens on their property, while others said theyd seen him playing with neighborhood dogs, Holliger said in an email. The dogs former owner, Sarena Peeler, said he was not a threat to anyone and that she hopes whoever shot him will be brought to justice. In Arizona, its legal to shoot an animal thats killing livestock on private property, Holliger said, but its unclear if the neighbors produced evidence of the dead livestock or proof that the dog was responsible. Its also unclear if the dog was shot on private property, she said. Wolfies story illustrates the dangers that wolf-dogs face and the gray areas of the cruelty laws in Arizona, Holliger said. Officially, the Humane Society of the United States is not in favor of wolf hybrids, said Cory Smith, director of pet protection and policy. We consider them to be in the same category as wildlife or exotic pets, she said. But if this was a domesticated pet, that changes the conversation here. Tucson behavioral health agencies are feeling the squeeze of new data-reporting requirements, slashed reimbursement rates and quotas imposed by their new payment coordinator, Cenpatico Integrated Care. But some are hopeful the changes will result in a more streamlined, high-performance behavioral health system. I personally believe in the long run, its going to make those (agencies) who can survive stronger, said Dan Haley, executive director of HOPE Inc., an outpatient treatment center serving clients with behavioral and substance-abuse issues. Last fall, Cenpatico replaced the Tucson-based nonprofit Community Partnership of Southern Arizona, or CPSA, as the regional behavioral health authority (RBHA) for the eight-county Southern Arizona region. The new RBHA coordinates and pays for both behavioral and medical health care for adults with a diagnosis of serious mental illness, and it covers behavioral health care needs for children and adults who qualify for Arizonas Medicaid program, known as the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System. The contract runs for three years, plus two options to renew for two more years. As part of the $612 million contract, Cenpatico administers payments, mostly comprising Medicaid funds, to 117 behavioral health agencies and medical providers in Pima County, ranging from big referral agencies like CODAC Behavioral Health Services to smaller agencies like the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Southern Arizona. The Tempe-based Cenpatico is a subsidiary of the publicly traded, St. Louis-based Centene Corp., which had a net income of $355 million last year. Terry Stevens, Cenpatico CEO, said fiscal accountability and programmatic efficiency are the new standard for behavioral health agencies in Southern Arizona. Cenpatico has an army of technical support teams ready to help agencies adjust to the new requirements, Stevens said. I see our job being to make them the best providers they can be, she said. LOWER RATES When Cenpaticos contract began in October 2015, behavioral health agencies saw drastically reduced reimbursement rates compared with what theyd received from CPSA. Reimbursements for NAMI Southern Arizona were cut by two-thirds, said executive director Clarke Romans. I know theres been a steady stream of meetings between agencies of all sizes (and Cenpatico) to try to renegotiate these rates, he said. Everybody is still kind of holding their breath. New state rules mean Cenpatico has to base their rates on a percentage of AHCCCS out-of-date fee schedule, Stevens said. Cenpatico needs state approval to increase rates above recommended levels and is working with AHCCCS to renegotiate rates, she said. If NAMI doesnt secure higher rates, the agency will no longer be able to participate in the RBHA contract and will have to scale back services, instead relying on private donations, Romans said. Were not going to go away, but we just couldnt provide as many classes and support groups and help as many families as we can now, he said. We hope to stay in this game at this level. DEVEREUX Stevens said her 30 years of experience as a child and family therapist is guiding some reforms. For one, she doesnt believe in institutionalizing children, which she says is a traumatic event that doesnt help children learn to live within a family structure. That philosophy has resulted in big changes at Devereux Arizona, a behavioral health and social welfare agency for children and families. In December, Devereux shut down its 10-bed, Level 1 residential treatment center for children in Tucson. Children in crises too severe for community or at-home services could stay at the center for months or even years, Stevens said. Instead, she wants Devereux to focus on short-term, intensive support services for kids and their families aimed at preventing a crisis that warrants residential treatment. That includes 24-hour, wrap-around services in the home, which cost twice as much as residential treatment, Stevens said. It isnt about the money. I dont want to build these (residential treatment centers) because I dont believe in them, she said. Since Tucsons residential treatment center closed and shorter-term alternatives have been bolstered, it seems all children have been cared for at the level they need, said Lane Barker, executive director for Devereux Arizona. The agency is tracking outcomes for all kids to ensure there arent any gaps in services, she said. We believe theres a place for residential treatment, and some kids will need that level of care for a period of time, she said, adding, however, We would agree at end of the day that probably should be the last alternative for a youth having difficulties or a family thats struggling. INTEGRATED MODEL The states new model for its RBHAs includes medical care for adults with serious mental illness. Arizona is at the forefront among states in embracing an integrated care model, which ensures people with mental illness receive treatment for their physical ailments as well, Stevens said. Thats brought primary care providers like El Rio Community Health Center into Cenpaticos new contract. The shift to an integrated model means medical providers here are making more connections with mental health experts and improving communication about their shared patients health, said Tracy Murphy, population health administrator for El Rio, which treats about 3,000 patients a year covered by Cenpatico. The focus now is on everybody developing relationships with one another for the benefit of our patients, she said. ACCOUNTABILITY Agencies are also facing a new quota system under Cenpatico. Each month, agencies are allotted a block of funding based on how much they are expected to bill for their services. Agencies that dont bill for at least 75 percent of that funding allocation wont get paid at all for the month. Cenpatico wants detailed reports on health outcomes for patients as part of its data-driven accountability system. It has been tracking the 20 percent of patients who have the most severe behavioral health needs to ensure theyre getting treatment. The RBHA is pushing for improvement in specific performance measures, such as reducing patients emergency room visits. Those measures are beginning to get tied to reimbursements. And its focusing on reducing repeat hospitalizations and recidivism among people with mental illness who serve jail time, which Stevens views as failures in treatment. But Romans said the heightened scrutiny of agencies is breeding some resentment. Its a very different ballgame. People have this internal feeling that Cenpatico is more interested in the numbers and the statistics than they are in the people we are serving, Romans said. Despite his concerns, Romans said he is inspired by Cenpaticos ambitious goals, including improving the life expectancy for people with serious mental illness, who in Arizona die an average of 32 years earlier than those without mental illness. The early deaths are usually due to untreated physical conditions such as diabetes and heart disease, he said. Cenpatico wants to cut that disparity by 11 years. OPINION: "Its time to look beyond the party affiliation and the big-name endorsements. We want Southern Arizona voters to be engaged and educated as they tick names on their ballot so they can select candidates who will advocate for the health needs of our community," writes Judy Rich, CEO and president of TMC Health. PHOENIX Three decades after lawmakers pushed teaching creationism in public schools, state senators are debating whether the father of the theory of evolution deserves to be honored. On a 5-1 vote Monday, the Senate Committee on Natural Resources voted to designate Feb. 12 as International Darwin Day. Sen. Andrew Sherwood, D-Tempe, acknowledged the resolution has no legal effect. But he said it is still important to recognize the importance of science and the role Charles Darwin played in advancing it. His arguments were supported by Manfred Laubichler, a professor of theoretical biology and the history of biology at Arizona State University. Symbolic gestures matter a lot, he told lawmakers. As to why Darwin should be singled out, as opposed to any other scientist, Laubichler said Darwins discoveries continue to affect new discoveries and insights. And he said that any efforts to successfully battle the Zika virus are likely to be rooted in Darwins work. Sen. David Farnsworth, R-Mesa, said he would have supported creating an Arizona Science Day. But this, he said, is quite different. When I was growing up in Mesa, I was taught in school the evolution theory that my ancestors came from monkeys, Farnsworth said. Personally, I was offended by that theory, especially when you consider that I hold a deep-seated belief in creationism. He said it would be fairer to teach both evolution and creationism, both as theories. Sen. Don Shooter, R-Yuma, had a different take on the issue. My personal belief is theres no conflict between truth in religion and truth in science, he said. The conflicts come from false religion and false science. And Shooter said the measure makes sense. I think that Darwin did some pretty amazing observations and has contributed to science, he said. Help India! By RINA, New Delhi: Earlier it happened in Kalati village, now Muslims in Atali village are facing siege-like situation as the majority community is dictating its terms for cohabiting in this Haryana village. Police are refusing to register FIR by Muslims in this regard. Support TwoCircles Atali, the village falling in Vallabhgarg tehsil in Faridabad district of Haryana, has set a new precedent by thrashing its Muslims on the very day of Deepawali. Instead of coming to rescue of Muslims, local police are forcing them to compromise with miscreants. Like more than a dozen other places in Haryana, the tussle started in Atali over construction of a mosque. A team of Tablighee Jamaat was beaten inside the decadent Mosque adjacent to Muslims graveyard in the village. The Mosque has a tin shed but whenever proper construction is mooted, local majority community starts putting obstruction to it. October 17 scuffle left about 16 persons injured. Muslims have purchased the land on which this Mosque is constructed but majority community claims it belongs to Gaon Samaj. The dispute is under hearing in a lower court in Faridabad. In fact, the miscreants here do not allow Muslims to celebrate their festivities as per their own customs as Muslim population in this 10,000 strong village is not more than 10 percent. On Monday, a delegation of the village approached RJD MLA from Okhla Asif Mohammad Khan who rushed to Vallabhgarh Jame Masjid where thousands of people had thronged to narrate their horrors. Mr. Asif took injured Tablighee members to DCP office where SDM and other officers were already present. The delegation led by the RJD MLA has demanded the authorities to conduct MLC for injured persons, register FIR against the culprits. The delegation also said that no compromise is agreeable with miscreants. The majority community in Atali has forced the condition that no Tablighee team should ever visit the village. If FIR is not registered, a demonstration will be held in Vallabhgarh in leadership of Shahi Imam Syed Ahmad Bukhari., Asif Khan announced. Help India! By TCN News, Aligarh: Professor S. Mahdi Abbas Rizvi on Sunday handed over the charge as the Vice Chancellor of Aligarh Muslim University to Prof. Sibghatullah Farooqui, Dean, Faculty of Commerce, the senior most Dean amongst the members of the Executive Council under statute 2(7) of the Statutes of the University. Support TwoCircles University Registrar, Dr. Nazim Husain Jafri, Controller of Examinations, Prof. Pervez Mustajab, Finance Officer, Mrs. Yasmeen Jalal Beg, OSD (Development), Prof. Akhtar Haseeb, Proctor, Prof. Mujahid Beg, DSW, Prof. Ainul Haq Khan and PRO, Dr. Rahat Abrar were present on the occasion of handing over and taking over of the charge of the Vice Chancellor. Prof. Sibghatullah Farooqui (centre) After assuming the charge of the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Sibghatullah Farooqui said that his top priority would be to convene the meeting of the Executive Council and the University Court for setting up a panel of names for selecting the next Vice Chancellor of the University. Prof. Farooqui has been associated with the University as a student and later as a teacher for the last 40 years and he has a long experience of administrative affairs of the University. He has served as provost of V. M. Hall and M. M. Hall of residence and administrator of Ahmadi School for Visually Challenged. Prof. S. Mahdi Abbas Rizvi today handed over the charge of the Dean, Faculty of Engineering and Technology to Prof. Hamid Ali, Department of Petroleum Studies, the next senior most professor in the Faculty of Engineering and Technology for a period of two years with effect from January 30, 2012 in terms of Statute 7(1) of the Statutes of the University. Prof. Masood Ahmad, Dean, Faculty of Life Sciences being the next senior Dean in order of seniority has been declared as a member of the Executive Council with effect from January 30, 2012 in place of Prof. S. Mahdi Abbas Rizvi, Dean, Faculty of Engineering and Technology. Help India! By Mohd. Ismail Khan, TwoCircles.net, Bengaluru: Although Congress swept the whole of Karnataka, including Hyderabad-Karnataka region where party was able to win 25 out of 40 seats, but out of three of its Muslim faces in the region two sitting MLAs Raheem Khan from Bidar and Syed Yaseen from Raichur hadto taste a defeat. Only Qamar-ul-Islam was able to retain his seat from Gulbarga, making him the only Congress Muslim face from a strategic region which has huge minority population. Support TwoCircles Raheem Khans case was appalling as he was a sitting MLA from Bidar and was defeated by Gurupadappa Nagamarpalli, candidate from newly formed Karnataka Janta Paksha, with a margin of just 2,571 votes. Raheem khan scored 48,147 votes, while Nagamarpalli polled 50,718 votes. Former MLA Raheem Khan with local Muslims G. Nagamarpalli is a veteran politician with an image of shifting political lines; he has been state minister in former Congress and BJP Government and four times MLA from both the parties. But he was considered outsider for Bidar constituency, contesting for the first time after his old neighboring constituency Aurad was dissolved in delimitation process. Congress MLC from Bidar and senior journalist Qazi Arshed Ali, speaking to TwoCircles.net said that religion and caste played spoil sport for Raheem khan who was not able to get all the communities under single umbrella, even when his main contender was from strong and dominant Lingayat caste. He said Bidar constituency has always been communally sensitive one, but this time additional to caste, money also played major role in this election. Arshed Ali also blamed personal and factional politics within Congress party in Bidar district, adding that in Bidar district out of five constituencies Congress was able to win only one seat. He said that there is no powerful district leadership of Congress even when there is a sitting MLA and MP. Ali stressed on the need of a comprehensive leadership. Bidar constituency has Muslim population of nearly 40%, now Muslims in Bidar according to Arshed Ali is feeling dejected especially those who didnt go to polling booths to cast their vote. Ali said that Congress is now in damage control mode and are making plans for organizational changes in district leadership before parliamentary elections. Congress MLC Arshed Ali also said that Muslims in Bidar are hopeful that as the Bidar parliamentary constituency has become a general constituency, Congress will provide ticket to a Muslim candidate. Earlier Bidar parliamentary seat was a reserved constituency for Schedule Caste. Qazi Arshed Ali Congress MLC from Bidar Ali said that whole of Bidar district and parts of Gulbarga district combine together to form Bidar parliamentary constituency which has huge Muslims electoral population and there is a fair chance of a Muslim candidate from a mainstream national party to win the general election. He reminded that Dr. Shafaqtullah from Uttar Pradesh won from Bidar Parliamentary seat in 1950s during former Prime Minister Nehrus period. Ali now hopes that Muslims will get a fair chance to assert their representation in Bidar. Presently Bidar parliamentary seat is represented by former Karnataka chief minister and senior congress leaders N. Dharam Singh. Help India! By Tanzil Asif and Sneha Dipika for TwoCircles.net, As Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) completes one year in government after a thumping win in Delhi elections and people have started to scrutinize its work, Dilip Pandey, the official spokesperson of the party critically talks on various issues in an interview with Tanzil Asif and Sneha Dipika. Support TwoCircles It has been one year since AAP came to power. What do you think has been the biggest achievement so far? Peoples belief on us has grown stronger in a year. Achievements are both tangible and intangible. In politics, if you lose an intangible asset like the confidence of people, all your tangible assets go worthless. So, yes we have enjoyed a strong confidence of people and this has been the biggest achievement so far. Now, if you ask me about the tangible achievements, it would be very difficult to name just one. The manifesto of our party, which was there even before we came to power, is the Holy Book of the Delhi Government. We are working along those prescribed guidelines. Meanwhile, the cabinet of our government, the CM, everyone stood like an insulated wall, braving the hurdles and machinations by the Central Government. We stood between the machinations and peoples welfare. This is going to continue. We ensured that our promises actually get delivered. Electricity, water, we have ensured everything. Apart from this, there were historical achievements, works which were done on a large scale. For the first time a project was completed under-budget. Not one, not two, but three. This became a norm under AAP Government. We have a long list of achievements. You have several achievements to your credit but is there anywhere you went wrong? Is there something you regret? That we learned last time not to resign come what may. (Laughs) Why are you now silent on DDCA Scam? Now, the case has gone to the Court. Let me simplify things for you. Dozens of FIRs were not being lodged under DDCA Scam. Then, we received a notification by MHA directing us to investigate the boxes in Kotla as something is wrong there. We formed a commission to conduct an investigation. This commission was declared null and void. Then the Court intervened. The S N Aggarwal Commission stated that the Court would not take a coercive measure but it would continue working. The Gopal Subramaniyam Commission is very much valid now, legally. The public identifies us as the strongest voice against corruption so we aimed to live to their expectation. DDCA comes under Delhi Circle. So if there is corruption involved we have to expose it. They were doing vendetta politics with raid. You did reverse vendetta? No. You might not know. The timeline goes really back. The entire issue started in May 2015. We received some documents. People from DDCA came with those documents. ACB which used to be under the Delhi Government then has now gone under the Central Government. As soon as this came in the knowledge of the Central Government (the documents), they immediately appointed a corrupt officer on a post over and above the topmost post of ACB and took it under its wings. So, the entire issue roots to that time. The timing of the raid is interesting as well. They came to know that there is someone from DDCA who meets Delhi Government regularly and some documents, some stories are being cooked up under the Government. So, this was an excuse to get those documents. This was pretty evident from seize memo by CBI. Moreover the Court also said that the documents are irrelevant in historical judgement. MCD Workers are on a strike. Is there a solution to cut this short? Firstly, you are not introducing the Fourth Pay Commission. Secondly, you keep talking about elections. What are the chances that it would be AAP and not BJP who would come to power if elections happen? What next if that happens? The people of Delhi gave a permanent solution by clearing the garbage from Delhis Politics. Now, MCD is lead by BJP. BJP is indulging in politics of garbage. This garbage will be cleared off as well by the public when they give a permanent solution in the forthcoming election. There is no other solution. In electoral democracies, solutions come through electoral process and not anarchy. Petitions were filed and Court had countered MCD that it is not performing its duties. Government agencies always have some obligatory functions. MCDs obligatory function is sanitation and cleaning. This is defined in Municipal Act. Delhi Government cant do anything. This has to be done by MCD and MCD alone. Isnt this overconfidence when you say that its only AAP who would return to power? It is evident that BJP is unable to govern MCD. So, this should be dissolved and there should be re-election. Currently, Delhi Government is under the influence of recommendations of Third Pay Commission. The recommendations for the Fourth Pay Commission came in 2012-13. At that time it was scrapped by the Sheila Dixit led government. BJP came to the power and governed Delhi, indirectly, through LG but did nothing about it. BJP and Congress should tell that why didnt they do anything. Now, coming back to what we did. We forwarded the relevant parts to the concerned people and tabled the part which was relevant to us, in Delhi Legislative Assembly. It is impossible to implement that without tabling it. On record, we stated that we are ready to implement the recommendations of Fourth Pay Commission in totality but this is impossible until and unless we get a consent by the MCD and Central Government. We are ready to implement it as it is but there are certain complications. However, the BJP government have their own conditions. Problem is page no. 247, section 7.1, 7.2, 7.3 say the Urban Development Ministry will transfer control of DDA to the Delhi government. When DDA will come under Delhi government, the government will take responsibility to bail out the local bodies from financial constrains. So, you want DDA first? Give it to us today; we will clear all the dues by tomorrow. DDA has Rs. 1,600 crores outstanding. BJP says the issue is subjudice. When the case was filed, it was Congress at the centre. When MCD needed money, it made a claim. BJP was there in MCD. When there was Congress at the centre and BJP in MCD, the case never moved forward. Now, it is BJP on both the spots. They could come to a common solution but now they dont say that they want DDAs money. This is hypocrisy. When is the Odd-Even formula making a comeback? A lot of suggestions are pouring in. So, what kind of suggestions will you welcome? The suggestions which would trigger a bigger impact would be welcomed. Well always keep a larger public interest in mind. A lot of ideas and suggestions have come to us and we are analysing it. (Later announced, Odd-Even rule is coming back on April 15) When will Delhi get a Wi-Fi? This is very interesting. Global implementations on a large scale have been studied and reports have been prepared. We have also done pilots in buses and other mediums. The learning of these pilots has been included under the terms and conditions of tender documents. Those documents are about to float. So very soon well see that. MCD doesnt come under your government. However, you had participated with great enthusiasm in Swachh Bharat Abhiyan. The areas around Lotus Temple, Akhsardhaam Temple and Bangla Sahib are squeaky clean but the area around Jama Masjid is dirty and unhygienic. Why is it so? We are always ready to participate in good welfare policies and campaigns by the Central Government. We expect them to reciprocate those feelings but that doesnt happen. Still, we go on. In Delhi, the roads measuring above 60 ft come under PWD and are maintained by the Delhi Government. Roads leading to Jama Masjid are all less than 60 ft and are maintained by MCD. Where there is MCD, there is garbage. Why are you spending a lot on advertisements? Its a huge escalation from Rs. 20-22 crore to Rs. 500 crore. This is a misinformation. File an RTI to find out the budget of their ads. Delhi Government had allocated a budget of Rs. 526 Crores. In a year only Rs. 30-40 crores were spent in total. If you find a rise in ads its because they are strategically positioned. Your government and Central government are always at logger heads. So whom do you have a problem with The PM or Modi? We dont have any animosity with him. We try to abstain from his ill-intentions. We have ideological differences. Government is a welfare society. That should not get hindered. So there should be no political revenge. Arunachal Pradesh has come under Presidents Rule. CM Kejriwal has said that this can happen in Delhi as well. Why do you think so? You have 67 MLAs? Can they be bought? Constitutional Crisis is always created. The problems in MCD arent by chance; they are there by design. What happened in Arunachal is not by chance, its by design. BJP is taking a vendetta from all those places where it has lost. They are seeking political vendetta. Who is your CM face in Punjab Election? We are not looking at that. We are aiming at reaching out to everyone and uniting people. Two of your MPs are against you. Isnt that a problem? The entire Punjab is with us. Does it hurt that Prashant Bhushan and Yogendra Yadav, Anand Kumar left AAP? They say, Hum wafa karte rhe, wo jafa karte rhe Apna apna farz tha, dono adaa karte rhe You have written two books, Dahleez Par Dil and Khultein Girhen. Three more are to come. How do you make out time? Writing keeps my originality alive. My political activities provide me inputs for my pen. That is necessary as well. Help India! By Ram Puniyani for Twocircles.net One is witnessing strange incidents where women from Muslim and Hindu community are facing similar obstacles. This relates to the issue of entry into places of worship. While the women from Bhumata Brigade are struggling to get entry into Shani Shingnapur temple (Ahmadnagar, Mahrashtra), the Muslim women are fighting a legal battle to restore their access to the Mazar of Haji Ali dargah in Mumbai. In yet another incident the women are trying to get the right of worship in Sabrimala temple. The Hindu women in an act of brave initiative landed up in many buses to the Shani Shingnapur temple, where they were denied the entry while police had to resort to some force to prevent their entry. Support TwoCircles In case of Shani Shingnapur while men are allowed to the Chabutara (raised platform) it is believed that going to the Chabutara will be of bad omen for women as Lord Shani (Saturn) will cast an evil eye. So it is claimed that prohibiting women to enter is a matter of spiritual science. Sanatan Prabhat, the rightwing daily says that the movement of women must be prevented to save the Hindu traditions. In response to the agitation led by Trupti Deasai of Bhumata Brigade the spiritual Guru Sri Sri Ravishankar of Art of Living tried to mediate between the womens group and the temple trustees. Interestingly he advised that neither women nor men should be allowed to the Chabutara. The matter is being negotiated; solution does not to be near the sight. Also the RSS mouth piece Organiser opines that while initiating any move to amend the existing regulations care should be taken to preserve tradition and prestige of these places. In case of Sabrimala shrine, the argument is that Lord is a celibate and the women in menstrual age group will be distracting him. One recalls that one IAS officer, who happened to be a woman had visited the shrine for overseeing the arrangements in readiness for the pilgrimage in her official capacity. She was also denied entrance on the ground of her being a woman. In case of Haji Ali in Mumbai the local womens group Bhartiya Muslim Mahila Andolan has filed a writ in the court demanding the entry of women to the mazar be restored. The womens groups have cited different clauses of the Constitution where one have equality before the law and that one cannot be discriminated against on the grounds of gender. The argument of Dargah trustees is on the ground of security of women, which to say the least is ridiculous. In case of Sabrimala the earlier argument that the path to the shrine is difficult for women on the grounds of security was later was clarified by the Devswom Board Travancore by stating the real reason for denying entry to women is celibacy of Lord Ayappa. Muslim women have a varying degree of access to the mosques, much lesser in South Asian Countries than in countries like Turkey for example. In Hindu temples the entry is again not uniform; there are different pretexts to prevent their full access to the places of worship. While in many countries the law for equality is very much there, the traditions and the controllers of these places have been preventing the women from having full access to the holy deity. The patriarchal control over access top places of worship is there in various degrees. This does not apply to Churches in general, where access is not the issue, what is talked there is as to why women do not have the right to be on the higher levels of priest hood. In Hindu temples, Muslim mosques and shrines the women priests are practically not there, some claims of such positions will be more as an exception than as a rule or norm. In case of India where the equality is guaranteed by law, these laws of equality dont have entry into the places controlled by the conservative trusts. The controllers of institutions of religion are generally exclusively male bastion, the degree of control and its expression is varying though. In Hindu fold there is an additional factor is that is that of caste. One understands there is caste in the practice of Muslims and Christians also, but so far as the places of worship are concerned they are accessible to all, irrespective of caste. One recalls the struggles of Babasaheb Ambedkar for temple entry, the Kalaram Temple agitation, before he decided to renounce Hinduism calling it as being Brahminic theology. As such most religions do have the hierarchical structure in-built into the institution of religion. Talking of South Asia as a whole the Mosques, Dargahs and temples have lot of rigid rules as far as women are concerned. These are the norms which are imposed by traditions. Thus we see a bit of variation in different religions, different religions as far as treating women is concerned. As such it the differential treatment and this depends on the degree of secularisation of the particular institution and particular country and region. By secularisation we mean the extent of erosion of hold of landlord-clergy combine on the society. No uniform pattern is discernible but at the core there is the understanding which regards women as inferior beings, secondary to the men, being regarded as property of men so to say. Earlier it was regarded that their secondary position is purely due to biological functions, with time and with the impact of womens movement, it is clear that the gender roles are psychological and social, determined by time and location. In early matriarchal societies women had a predominant role in the family and social affairs. With the rise of slave society and later the feudal society, womens subservient role came to be the norm. Again with Industrial revolution and the values of Liberty, Equality and Fraternity gaining political ground, women started entering into social space and the social equations started changing towards those of equality. As degree of secularisation is different the degree of success of women towards equality is different. The nations which saw Industrial revolutions, the path to womens equality were paved by the underlining slogan of revolutions or social transformations. Still the equality of women has not been automatic, there is a path of struggle through which women expressed their aspiration; longings and struggled for new equations towards equality. The movement for gender equality again has highs and lows; ups and downs. Currently one understands that the politics in the name of any religion, fundamentalism-communalism, is a politics of status quo to begin with and then it aims to throw back the society to the earlier feudal values of caste and gender hierarchy. Talking of recent times world witnessed this first in the form of rise of Christian fundamentalism in America in the decade of 1920, in the face of the rise of industrial society with modern education and industrialisation coming to the fore. In the societies which had to undergo the painful experience of Fascism, Nazism, there also the role of women were defined to be in the confines of Kitchen Church and Children by the political ideology, which can be regarded as the close cousin of religious nationalism. With coming of Islamic fundamentalism again the attempt was made to further subjugate the women to lower positions in society. The cover of Islam was used for this social-political agenda. Afghanistan, Iran, Pakistan are few examples of that. Here in India we saw the rise of majoritarian and minoritarian communalism. Both these again try to push back the women, to restrict their social space, all in the name of religion. With the rise of religious nationalism in India, various issues came up which gave a glimpse of the attitude towards women. Many of these are not the fully blown up pictures, but they have in root the goal of subjugation of women, in the language of Sharia or a sophisticated version of Manu Smriti. In India while the secularisation process; the overthrow of the hold of landlord-clergy combine; remained half way through. With the assertion of religious nationalism primarily Hindutva, the striving of women for equality is being countered strongly. In the ideology of dominating Hindutva the subordination and secondary position of women is asserted by invoking the noble traditions. In literature from Gita Press Gorakhpur, the major publication promoting traditional conservative values amongst Hindus which is generally the base of Hindutva politics, one can see millions of books being distributed which advise the home making role, the ideal of Sati (women being burnt on the funeral pyre of their husband), the stree dharma(duties of women as ordained by their religion) are propounded. Instructions to women about dress code and choice of life partner are handed down. One of the major agenda of the divisive love jihad campaign is to restrain the Hindu girls, to do away with their choice in matters of life and choice of life partner. Overall the role of religious institutions has been to maintain the social status quo, And the issues related to priesthood in holy places, the entry to these shrines do reflect the same in varying degrees. It seems that despite the obstacles, the women from different religious communities are making their statement loud and clear that their march towards equality cannot be halted by these institutions, and thats is the portent of these moves for entry to the abodes of the Lord! Ram Puniyani is a former IIT Professor, Mumbai-based author and peace activist. Help India! By TCN News, New Delhi: Civil Liberties Monitoring Committee (CLMC) has termed the ongoing Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) controversy as onslaught of Modi Government on the university campuses and demanded withdrawal of cases slapped against students and activists. Support TwoCircles CLMC condemned central government for the recent prosecution and arrest of JNU students and other civil rights activists on sedition charges, and said it goes on to show the frustration of Modi government against anyone who doesnt toe its narrow jingoist ideological lines. It also observed that Freedom of speech and expression includes right to dissent and protest; and the government by branding every dissent of status quo as anti-national cannot curb the basic rights provided in the constitution. This despicable norm of branding dissenting Muslims as terrorists and dissenting Dalits as anti-national has crossed every limit since Narendra Modi took power in Delhi, CLMC said adding, From Rohit Vemula to Kanhaiya Kumar, Modi government has repeatedly shown India how fragile and vulnerable fundamental rights have become on the face of an authoritarian state. It further denounced central government for not taking any action against fascist forces who are openly celebrating the assassination of Gandhi by declaring Godse as hero and disrespecting the constitution are roaming freely. This shows the double standard of the communal minded government who wants to turn this nation into hindutva state. The Modi government has given free hands to the Hindutva organizations to carry out all the atrocities against the Muslims, Dalits and the people who are struggling against state repression, CLMC said in a statement to media. Sighting a case law Kedernath Singh vs State of Bihar , it said that the Constitutional bench of Supreme Court clearly observed that mere words cannot be seditious unless it is accompanied by incitement to violence. Modi governments absurdity of imposing section 124A against students and civil rights activists for asking uncomfortable questions violates Supreme Court orders, CLMC alleged. Claiming that ABVP activists infiltrated into the protests by JNUSU students and raised anti-national slogans, CLMC called for immediate strong action against such purported ABVP activists. CLMC further demanded central government to stop its unconstitutional activities and immediately withdraw the cases slapped against students and activists. Meanwhile, CLMC today also condemned arrest of Professor SAR Geelani and said that the charges of sedition against him are concocted. It further said that the attack on journalists, activists and academics inside the court room by goons affiliated to the ruling party speaks volumes of the governments sincerity in upholding rule of law. Help India! Mumbai : Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel said on Tuesday that her state will set up foreign desks in global financial centres like New York, Dubai, Frankfurt, Guangzhou and Tokyo to attract investments from the Indian diaspora. The Gujarati diaspora is present in huge numbers abroad and is prepared to invest towards the growth of their home state. In order to institutionalize this, we will set up foreign desks at New York, Dubai, Frankfurt, Guangzhou and Tokyo, Patel said while addressing the Gujarat Investor Summit at the ongoing Make In India Week. Support TwoCircles Giving an overview of the investment proposals in the state, she said Gujarat has received investment intentions proposals worth Rs.62,403 crore in 2015, which is nearly 21 percent of the entire country. She said the state has proved its excellence in 97 multiple parameters for Ease of Doing Business and also encourages small, medium-micro and medium and MSME industries. More than 600,000 such MSMEs are present in the state providing opportunities to nearly four million people. Our policies have always been industry-friendly and have managed to attract both domestic and foreign investors through its biennial the Vibrant Gujarat Summit, Patel said. She noted Gujarat is the biggest auto hub in India with companies like Tata, Ford, Maruti, Honda Scooters and others operating from there. Besides, she said there is a huge growth potential in petrochemicals and electronics manufacturing sectors which have attracted investments of Rs.100,000 crore in past two years. At the MIIW, Gujarat signed three MoUs with a French, Indian and Danish company for various projects. These are development of a marine application for off-shore platform at a cost of Rs.341 crore by Frances Tar Kovas Systems, with Danish wind energy major Vestas India for a Rs.426 crore blade factory and another MoU with Ameya Information Ltd, Gujarat. Only two members of the group still remain alive and their glory days of the 60s and 70s were many decades ago, yet the phenomenon that was The Beatles and spawned Beatlemania still benefits the city of Liverpool to this day. A recent report commissioned by Liverpool City Council suggests that their value may be as high as 81.9 million per year to their spiritual home. Ongoing popularity The Beatles popularity around the world with fans and music aficionados alike seems almost perpetual. Recognising that this was the case, the council decided that they needed to quantify their value as an ongoing tourist attraction for visitors into their fair city. Growth from Beatles interest Utilising the services of the local Liverpool John Moores University and the University of Liverpool, the study that was carried out suggested that a form of local multiplier was in effect within the region. Indeed, their findings indicated that currently there may be growth by as much as a staggering 15 per cent each year in The Beatles-related economy. Translated into the prospects for local employment, the legacy of the home-town band is believed to be helping to support in excess of 2,300 jobs within Liverpool. Detailed study The project represented the first investigation into the contemporary value of The Beatles that had ever been carried out. Through linking existing academic work with available economic data, supplemented by interviews with key Liverpool people, the highly enlightening report took shape. Warning for the future The report also prompted the flagging of a warning for the future if the economic benefits are intended to be maintained. It went as far as intimating that the citys very reputation could be at risk should fans not be adequately catered for. To avoid such pitfalls, the report suggested that there was a need for related services and attractions to be provided, matching the needs of the interested Beatles fans when they arrive in the area. The reports main author, Professor Simeon Yates highlighted the importance of The Beatles as a cultural and economic resource to the city of Liverpool. Bronze statue unveiled last year The people of Liverpool are clearly still very proud of their heroes, judging by the addition of a bronze statue on the citys Pier Head late in 2015. Donated by the Cavern Club which has become synonymous with the early days of the Fab Four, the 1.2-tonne sculpture is clearly the kind of image that would interest fans as they seek out the heritage of the band. Best-selling band Paul McCartney, John Lennon, George Harrison and Ringo Starr remain as iconic figures for millions of music fans globally, despite the sad losses of Lennon and Harrison. From their rise to superstardom in the early 1960s, The Beatles have been cited as a major influence on many of the acts that followed them. Their rightful place as the best-selling band in history with over 600 million records estimated to have been sold across the world speaks for itself. ZYCOO to Manufacture IP-PBXs and Gateways for Distributor Customers Share Tweet By Laura Stotler TMCnet Contributing Editor By Laura StotlerTMCnet Contributing Editor Chinese IP-PBX (News - Alert) and IP telephony device manufacturer ZYCOO aims to be a full-service shop for its distributor customers. The companys bread and butter is a line of VoIP solutions designed to meet the needs of anywhere from 10 to 500 users, with scalability from three to 80 simultaneous calls. With a global distribution reach of more than 90 countries, ZYCOO is now focused on expanding its product line and enhancing its current offerings. Paula Bernier, executive editor at TMC (News - Alert), spoke to ZYCOO Sales Manager Amanda Liu at the recent ITEXPO (News - Alert) Florida 2016 event about the companys plans moving forward. Liu stressed that ZYCOO has been focused on improving the performance of its products, incorporating the more powerful ARM A7 CPU along with bigger storage and increased RAM (News - Alert) to soup up performance. Last month, ZYCOO launched its CooVox-U20 and U50 V2 IP-PBXs with the new components as an expansion of its existing CooVox series. The new versions also feature Asterisk 13, enabling a variety of real-time communications features like WebRTC as well as enhanced security. The company has already sold more than 1,000 units of the enhanced versions. In December, ZYCOO rolled out an updated version of its UC Series IP Office for SOHO. The enhanced offering is designed for improved functionality with increased stability and a more user-friendly interface. The solution is also the most compact device produced by ZYCOO and geared toward SOHO environments, offering both IP-PBX and WiFi (News - Alert) router functionality. In the middle of this year were going to release gateways, said Liu of ZYCOOs upcoming plans. Currently, many of our customers ask for gateways. She said the new products will be released some time in the middle of the year as a response to demand from distributors, which prefer to source from a single manufacturer for their IP-PBXs and gateways. Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus. Article comments powered by Disqus Article comments powered by Edited by Kyle Piscioniere Customer Experience & Revenues Jeopardized By Calls Not Connecting Share Tweet By Special Guest Stephen Levenson, Vice President , GTT By Special Guest In the current economic climate, global companies are increasingly turning to Unified Communications (News - Alert) (UC) solutions to drive collaboration among customers, colleagues, and partners. This technology is an important tool for driving time to market and revenue streams. According to a Frost & Sullivan (News - Alert) report, Meetings Around the World: Charting the Course of Advanced Collaboration, 71 percent of Fortune 500 companies said they use UC solutions to cut the need for business travel. The same report also found that more than half of those responding think UC solutions present a powerful alternative to in-person office visits. Companies requiring UC entrust their mission critical worldwide telecommunications to one of a few global companies. There are a plethora of complex issues looming for any company that relies on worldwide telephone numbers and IVR platform installations. These issues negatively impact customer retention, customer service, sales, reservations, corporate image, and revenue. Avoiding them at all costs is essential. Setting up global sales and customer service telephone numbers and IVR platforms is complicated and costly. They are the businesss life lines for customers and employees. Being 100 percent sure that they are operational is imperative. A 1st Financial Training Services survey reported that 96 percent of unhappy customers dont complain, however 91 percent of those will simply leave and never come back. A Garter Survey showed 85 percent of customers are dissatisfied with their telecommunications experience with 92 percent of all customer interactions occurring via telephone. When new worldwide telephone numbers and IVR platforms are delivered to global businesses, they are tested randomly, at best, by the provider, or their local in-country telco partner. However, they are not verifying all numbers being delivered, and the testing is rudimentary. These companies solely and sporadically test electronically, which permits problematic and/or non-functioning numbers and IVR platforms to be delivered to customers. This testing cannot detect ANY in-country call quality or Quality Of Service (QoS) issues, and most importantly, does not simulate the in-country user experience. It is because of the flawed limited relationships between worldwide UC companies and their in-country local telco partners that global companies are losing clients and compromising sales because their newly delivered worldwide telephone numbers and IVR platforms are faulty. Customers calling to inquire about and/or purchase services, products, and make reservations cannot due to problematic telephone numbers and IVR platforms. The time and money spent to fix faulty worldwide telecommunications is costly and frustrating, but more importantly, negatively affects how a company is perceived in the marketplace, customer experience, and retention. It is imperative for customer experience, retention, and revenues to simulate the in-country user experience (by in-country quality assurance testing) before delivery to global businesses. This ensures that all worldwide telephone numbers and IVR platforms are functioning properly. According to Global Telecom Testings 2015 Pass/Fail Report of Worldwide Telephone Numbers, more than 33 percent of worldwide telephone numbers and IVR platforms tested are non-operational upon delivery to global businesses, even though the UC company and/or their local in-country telco partner have stated otherwise. The risk of relying on these companies to ensure that worldwide telecommunications are operational is much like playing Russian Roulette with your business lifelines. For global companies whose day-to-day business operations depends on successful customer experiences and worldwide collaboration (conferencing, calls, faxes, etc.), it is imperative that their worldwide telephone numbers and IVR platforms are fully operational, and can deliver consistent robust, and positive results. Completed calls and the in-country caller experience needs to be the priority; not the cost of testing - you get what you pay for. However, completed calls and the customer experience clearly isnt their priority. The first step to fixing problems is discovering them. In order to 100 percent verify that worldwide telephone numbers and IVR platforms are operational in any worldwide city, in-country, live landline and mobile test calls must be performed in those cities/locations. This type of testing identifies problems before customers and employees begin using the numbers and IVR platforms, which ensures businesses are successful. In-country live testing not only locates any non-operational worldwide telephone numbers, but also ensures that they are problem-free, the message is correct, language and dialect is correct, voice and DTMF prompts are working, and that IVR platforms are functioning properly. The reliability of worldwide telephone numbers and IVR platforms are enhanced which in turn drives customer satisfaction, and retention. In-country live test calls are the most important testing benchmarks because only this type of testing accurately simulates the in-country user experience by detecting call failures, call quality, IVR platform installation errors, and QoS issues. Worldwide in-Country testing performed by human testers guarantees accuracy at a level that cannot be achieved through computerized and/or electronic testing. Stephen Levenson is the Vice President of Global Telecom Testing, LLC (GTT), which was founded in 2007 specifically to address the lack of worldwide in-country live telephone number and IVR platform quality assurance testing for global companies. Stephens bold global vision coupled with a diverse set of skills drives GTTs next generation IT and engineering in order to constantly expand their worldwide footprint and testing services supported. More on Global Telecom Testing In this heart-rending and poignant novel, award-winning author Amanda Eyre Ward tells the story of Alice Conroe, a forty year old Texas barbecue owner who has the perfect life, except she and her husband long for a child. Unable to conceive, shes trying desperately to adopt but her destiny is quickly altered by a young woman shes never met. Fearless thirteen-year-old Carla Trujilio is being raised by her grandmother in Honduras along with her four year old twin brothers. Her mother is sending money home from Texas where shes trying to make a better life for her family, but she only has enough to bring one son to her. When Carlas grandmother dies, Carla decides to take her fate into her own hands and embarks on a dangerous journey across the border with Junior, the twin left behind. Two powerful journeys intersecting at a pivotal moment in time: Alice and Carlas lives will be forever and profoundly changed. Heartbreaking, emotional, and arresting, this novel is about finding the courage to trail blaze your own path in life with faith, hope and love, no matter the struggle or the tragedy Taiwan quake death toll at 116 as search ends Updated: 2016-02-13 21:21 (Xinhua) TAIPEI - The death toll from an earthquake that struck southern Taiwan a week ago stood at 116 by Saturday, and the searching has come to an end as the missing were all accounted for. The 6.7-magnitude quake hit Kaohsiung city at a depth of 15 km at 3:57 am last Saturday, according to the China Earthquake Networks Center. Local monitoring authority put the scale at 6.4-magnitude. The city of Tainan bore the brunt of the quake, especially a 16-storey apartment building built in 1992 in the Yongkang district. The U-shaped Weiguan Jinlong building fell down toward a road on its east seconds after the quake, accounting for 114 deaths, among 289 taken out of the building by rescuers, according to an official update on the casualties. At the time, the Weiguan Jinlong was crammed with more than 380 people, including many relatives of residents. Rescuers started searching efforts soon after the quake. At around 3 pm Saturday, the last missing body was found in the ruins by rescuers. Later, the Tainan mayor said the search for the missing had come to an end. Top central gov't official in HK condemns radical separatists for riot Updated: 2016-02-14 17:14 (Xinhua) An injured TV journalist, center, is helped by his colleague and a riot policeman after being hit by a stone thrown by a protester onto his face during a clash at Mong Kok district in Hong Kong, China, Feb 9, 2016. [Photo/Agencies] HONG KONG - Top Chinese central government official in Hong Kong on Sunday strongly condemned radical separatist forces behind a mob violence in Mong Kok during the Lunar New Year holiday and those sophistries attempting to whitewash the bloody violence. Zhang Xiaoming, Director of the Liaison Office of the China's Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR), made the remarks after attending an event to convey Lunar New Year greetings to Hong Kong residents. Zhang said he was shocked and deeply saddened by the riot erupted in Mong Kok on Feb 9, expressing his sympathy to the police officers and journalists injured in the riot. "We strongly condemn those rioters who maliciously committed beating, smashing, arson and other violent crimes," Zhang said. "We strongly condemn those radical separatists whose behaviors got more and more violent and even showed terror tendencies," the director said. "We strongly condemn those remarks and sophistries that agitate for violence and confuse right and wrong, and even attempt to shift the blame onto other people," Zhang added. The director said he believed the SAR government and its law enforcement organs will handle the riot according to law and prosecute the rioters for their criminal offenses. Zhang said he believed Hong Kong residents hope for peace, stability and prosperity in Hong Kong, and that all share a consensus that Hong Kong should not be overrun by violence, and therefore the Hong Kong residents would not tolerate a tiny minority radicals to destroy Hong Kong's most valuable environment of rule of law. "We also strongly believe that justice will prevail against all sorts of evils," Zhang said. About 300 rioters participated in the riot in early hours on Feb 9 at Mong Kok, one of Hong Kong's busiest shopping areas following official attempts to remove illegal hawkers from the busy commercial neighbourhood during Lunar New Year celebrations. The rioters attacked the police officers and journalists, smashed police vehicles and committed arson. Nearly 90 police officers as well as four journalists were injured during the riot. As of Saturday, Hong Kong police have arrested more than 60 suspects and 40 of them have been charged with riot. Kai-Fu Lee: Cities power China's Internet startups Updated: 2016-02-15 12:33 By Niu Yue in New York(China Daily USA) China's urban density makes it the best breeding ground for Internet startup companies, according to one of the country's top Internet executives. China's megacities are the world's best on-demand economy incubator because "China possesses 54 big cities with a population over 2 million, but the US only had four such big cities", said Kai-Fu Lee, chairman of China's Innovation Works. Lee spoke at a panel discussion at the China Institute in New York on Feb 10. Due to the population density in Chinese cities, the Chinese Internet entrepreneurial market has "an apparent edge" over its American counterpart, said Lee, whose company is one of the largest early-stage investment firms that invest in Chinese Internet startups. Lee, the founding president of Google China, who also has worked at Apple and Microsoft, said people in urban areas in China live in high-rise apartments, and their demand for various services made the online service sector a more lucrative market compared with that of the US. In the US, Lee said the typical consumers are families living in less-densely populated area who drive miles to shopping centers. Lee's company has invested in a series of startups that specialize in online services and cultural products, including Edaixi, an on-demand instant laundry online service, and Duocai Shijia, an online interior remodeling service that can be user-driven. Lee's company has invested in several online cartoon studios, and each received millions of dollars in funding, among which the most well known is U17.com, China's largest online original cartoon website, which launched One Hundred Thousand Bad Jokes, a blockbuster Kuso cartoon series. China already has the world's largest mobile Internet market. According to China's Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunications, the country now has about 900 million mobile users, 600 million smartphone users and 300 million online-payment customers. Lee said China has a much higher market saturation of online payment systems compared with the US, which is dominated by the traditional credit card system. China is "a better environment for online consumption", he said. Deng Yongqiang, secretary of the Tsinghua University Alumni Association, who is in charge of online entrepreneurship investment, said his association invested only in "entrepreneur projects that feature Internet service and products". Deng invested in about 50 different kinds of startup companies out of hundreds of initiatives and applications annually. "No exceptions," Deng said, when asked about off-line startups. "It is inevitably true that Internet entrepreneurial startups should be the next wave of the Chinese economy's engine," said Deng. Beijing is the unrivaled hot spot for Chinese startups because of a preferential governmental policy and the well-established Zhongguancun Venture Park, Deng said. "We had some business in other Chinese big cities like Shanghai," said Deng, "but the climate in Beijing favors young entrepreneurial startups most." Li Chen, a Boston-based entrepreneur, said his website, Liaoyuan.io, specializes in integrating hundreds of young Chinese entrepreneurs in North America and is helping to create an industry-based social platform for entrepreneurship. Li said his company has had two successful rounds of financing, and now has 20,000 registered members with four branch offices in Boston, New York, Los Angeles and Shanghai. Long Yifan in New York contributed to this story. Monkey works and ore to highlight Capital Museum shows Updated: 2016-02-16 08:45 By Wang Kaihao(China Daily USA) This year, when the Capital Museum in Beijing celebrates its 35th birthday, it promises not to hold "any major ceremonies". Instead, a series of heavyweight exhibitions in 2016 will be presented as gifts to visitors. An ongoing exhibition displaying 56 cultural relics related to the monkey has started things off for the Year of the Monkey. According to Bai Jie, head of the museum, this is the ninth year in a row that the museum is organizing exhibitions on the Chinese zodiac around Spring Festival. "Due to Journey to the West and (its leading role) the Monkey King, the monkey has become an animal combining deity and humanity, and has left abundant related art pieces in China," Bai says. Exhibits include jade decorations, figurines and New Year paintings housed in the museum. The display will run through March. From March to June, the museum will stage an exhibition celebrating the 40th anniversary of the unearthing of the Fu Hao tomb and artifacts at Yinxu in Henan province. More than 400 sets of 3,000-year-old cultural relics will usher people back to a splendid ancient civilization. The remains of the late queen and military leader are part of the only intact tomb complex unearthed so far that belongs to the Shang Dynasty (16th century-11th century BC) rulers, and its discovery is generally considered to be epochal in China's archaeological history. "Today's cultural relics of Fu Hao are scattered among different institutions nationwide, mainly in the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences and the Henan Museum," Bai says. "It is both rare and fortunate to juxtapose them in one museum. Some of them have never been publicly shown before." July will witness the opening of a three-month exhibition of the finest traditional craftsmanship in Beijing, including jade sculptures, cloisonne enamel and lacquerware carvings. The techniques all belong to artisans who served royal families in the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). The Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368) founded by Mongols is when Beijing began its role as a national capital of China, and this year honors the 740th anniversary of establishment of Khanbaliq (today's Beijing). Consequently, the Capital Museum plans to open an exhibition reviewing that dynasty. Cultural relics unearthed from Beijing, Xanadu (Yuan's northern capital in today's Xilin Gol, the Inner Mongolia autonomous region), and its middle capital in today's Hebei province, are to be combined together to provide a panorama. The museum will cooperate with the Palace Museum, also known as the Forbidden City, to offer what may be one of the best exhibitions of imperial items ever shown outside the palace's red walls . When the Hall of Mental Cultivation in the Forbidden City, the residence of the last eight Qing Dynasty emperors, undergoes a major renovation, its highlighted exhibits are to be shown at the Capital Museum beginning in September. Multimedia channels will be introduced to "re-create" a Hall of Mental Cultivation at the museum. "You cannot overvalue the copperware, jade, paintings or ancient books housed in the hall," Bai says with excitement. "And, you have to know none of its 1,890 pieces of cultural relics has ever been moved away from the palace," he adds. wangkaihao@chinadaily.com.cn Treasured relics are among pieces that are or will be on show at Beijing's Capital Museum to mark its 35th year.Photos Provided To China Daily (China Daily USA 02/16/2016 page8) Spring Festival diplomacy counters critics' claims Updated: 2016-02-16 08:32 By Fu Jing(China Daily) European and Chinese speakers told how tourism boosts the bilateral relationship. [Photo By Gao Shuang] Is the world facing a "lost" decade as it continues to struggle to emerge from the global financial crisis that originated in the United States in 2008? Amid continuous turmoil in the global stock markets last week, the plummeting price of oil to a new low and increasing geo-political concerns, fears, worries and dismay over the state of the Chinese economy have dominated the Western media in spite of the good feelings triggered by China's Spring Festival celebrations. Once again, the country is being made a scapegoat for the falling stock markets, despite the obvious fact that the difference in monetary policy between the European Union and the United States has dented investors' confidence and the drop in commodity prices has mainly resulted from the decline in global demand, as the global economy is growing at a snail's pace. Against such a backdrop, China's ambassadors in Europe started a "charm offensive" over the Lunar New Year by giving speeches, organizing get-togethers and talking with opinion leaders while offering Spring Festival greetings. Among them was Liu Xiaoming, Beijing's envoy to the United Kingdom, who delivered more than 10 speeches in which he sought to inject confidence into his audiences, and Yang Yanyi, Beijing's ambassador to Brussels, who also spared no efforts with her "Spring Festival diplomacy", as she tried to persuade the European Union to join with China in an effort to "make the global cake" even bigger, instead of being short-sighted and taking advantage of protectionism. Two impressive messages can be found in these Spring Festival messages. First, China's economic growth rate of 6.9 percent is not a small deal, as it still contributes more than a quarter of global economic growth. And such growth has been registered at a time when its economic structure is being transformed. Last year, the service sector, for the first time in history, accounted for more than half of China's economic output, which should be seen as landmark progress in transforming the global factory where environmental woes still give headaches. And of course, China is confident that it can maintain such resilience and continuously contribute to global growth. Second, China's ambassadors in EU countries have high expectations for the respective bilateral relations. China's ambassador to Germany, Shi Mingde, for instance, has signaled that top-level exchange visits will increase, which has sent the message that both sides have achieved a consensus on boosting their relationship to an even higher level. In addition, Brussels, while trying to handle the EU's migrant crisis and whether the UK will opt out of the EU or not, as well as terrorism and economic headaches, began a 10-week public consultation on Wednesday on whether to grant China market economy status, joining the 80 economies that have already done so. It is worth noting that none of the 80 economies have complained that jobs have been lost by granting China such status. And also it is worth noting that at the height of the last financial and sovereign debt crises, the media, markets, politicians and investors in the West formed a vicious chain spreading fear and distrust in their search for a scapegoat, which delayed finding solutions to the crises. Now, there is a sign that such a cycle is happening again. Beijing envoys' efforts in injecting confidence and expectations for a global recovery have been in sharp contrast with the fear and blame thrown at China by the Western media. It's evident that confidence and trust are still in short supply. Not only China but other economies, media and opinion-makers need to act to rectify this state of affairs. If they do, we could see a fulfilling decade ahead. The author is deputy editor of China Daily European Edition. fujing@chinadaily.com.cn The joint effort between the US and China to tackle climate-change challenges has spread from the government to other fields. Three top environmental professionals from China will join the keynote speakers at the Public Interest Environmental Law Conference (PIELC) next month in Eugene, Oregon, to discuss climate issues from the legal, business and academic perspectives. The PIELC, the oldest and largest conference of its kind, was initiated in 1983 by 15 speakers and 75 participants at University of Oregon law school. This year, the 34th annual conference from March 3-6 will include more than 125 panels, workshops and multimedia presentations addressing a range environmental law and advocacy topics. The three Chinese representatives are Lai Huineng, vice-president of Xiaokang magazine, with its research providing insight into China's environmental and urbanization policy; Jiwen Chang, a professor in the social law research department at the Institute of Law for the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, the think-tank of the Chinese central government; and Cao Yin, considered the Chinese version of Jeremy Rifkin, the renowned American economic and social theorist and writer. Some of the key topics will be forest protection and ecological restoration, labor and human rights, air and water pollution, environmental justice, corporate responsibility, international environmental, urban growth and other issues of public interest. Eugene resident Ocean Yuan, founder of solar power business Grape Solar, will play host to the three Chinese guests. "The United States is facing environmental disaster, so is China," Yuan said. "The world's two largest economies have a shared responsibility to confront environmental degradation, the most pressing issue of our time." Since China launched a modernization program in the 1980s to achieve what became known as a xiaokang society, or moderately prosperous society, the country aims to advance a strong economy and promote democracy, scientific and technological achievement, education and a harmonious living environment for all of its citizens by 2020. While China's economy has mostly been on the fast track the past three decades, its environment continues to deteriorate. Beijing's average PM 2.5 density from Nov 15 to Dec 31 rose 75.9 percent year-on-year in 2015, despite the general improvement of air quality, according to a Xinhua report last month. Major cities across China suffered from continuous smoggy days due to high pollution. Red alert, the highest on the scale for heavy air pollution, has become a familiar term for Chinese citizens. Facing a public outcry to clean up the environment, the Ministry of Environmental Protection vowed to strengthen its efforts to curb pollution. At last September's US-China Climate Leaders Summit in Los Angeles, Xie Zhenhua, special representative on climate change affairs at the National Development and Reform Commission of China, said at the conference that both China and the US vowed to launch closer collaboration among cities, state and provinces across the Pacific and to retain strong momentum on climate-change issues. "Climate change is not only a common challenge for China and the US, but also a shared opportunity to strengthen cooperation in developing a green and low-carbon economy," Xie said. Jiwen Chang is ready to share at the PIELC his insights into China's environmental policy, its successes and shortcomings. One of the authors of China's environmental protection law, Chang currently is writing laws to expand wildlife protection in China. The vision of Cao Yin, a representative of China's young minds and one of the driving forces behind the Internet Plus Smart Energy movement, is to drive companies toward sustainable, smart energy technology, with the goal of globalizing the energy grid. Many believe Cao's strategy provides solutions to the global energy pollution crisis and would begin to eliminate reliance on coal, without resorting to dangerous tactics such as nuclear energy, the organizers said. These collaborations hopefully will provide leaders across China and the US the opportunity to share with their counterparts their lessons and failures, their successes and expertise. Contact the writer at junechang@chinadailyusa.com ASEAN summit backdrop: moves by US in area Updated: 2016-02-16 12:10 By Chen Weihua in Washington and Zhang Yunbi in Beijing(China Daily USA) While US President Barack Obama hosted ASEAN leaders on Monday for their first summit in California, much of the news media's attention has been on US efforts to counter China's growing influence in the region. In his opening remarks, Obama described the first US-ASEAN Leaders Summit as a reflection of his personal commitment and the US national commitment to a strong and enduring partnership with the 10 ASEAN nations. He said Southeast Asia and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations is central to the region's peace and prosperity and to the shared goal of building a regional order in which all nations play by the same rules. "In recent years, the United States has increased our maritime security assistance to our allies and partners in the region, improving our mutual capabilities to protect lawful commerce and to respond to humanitarian crises," Obama said. A regional expert said increased maritime problems involving the United States could hijack the interests of ASEAN. The comment was made ahead of the two-day summit at the Sunnylands estate in California. Obama hosted Chinese President Xi Jinping there in June 2013 for a "shirt-sleeves summit". Washington stirred tensions in the South China Sea when the US Navy guided-missile destroyer USS Curtis Wilbur entered Chinese waters off the Xisha Islands in the South China Sea on Jan 30. It was quickly forced away by the Chinese military. Joseph Matthews, director of the ASEAN Education Center in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, advised ASEAN leaders traveling to the meeting to avoid allowing the US to hijack it and use or exploit its presence against China. "The region's security is linked with economic prosperity - this is a fact you cannot escape. Unnecessary involvement by a third party that happens to be an outsider could further complicate the issue," Xinhua News Agency quoted him as saying. In 2014, China was ASEAN's largest trading partner, while the regional bloc, the world's seventh largest economy as a whole, ranked as China's third-largest trading partner, the fourth-largest export market and the second-largest import source. The ASEAN China Free Trade Area (ACFTA) took effect on Jan 1, 2010. The 18th ASEAN-China Summit was held in Malaysia last September. The first US-ASEAN Leaders Summit has drawn little interest from the US media. No major US TV networks broadcast Obama's speech live or even covered the summit. The first US-ASEAN Leaders Summit has drawn little interest from the US media. No major US TV networks broadcast Obama's speech live or even covered the summit. Instead, all of the networks were reporting live the speech of former US president George W. Bush's speech in a South Carolina rally for his brother Jeb, a 2016 Republican presidential candidate. Much of the focus of the US-ASEAN summit on Monday was on the economy, but it will shift on Tuesday to regional security issues, including the South China Sea and counterterrorism. The White House press secretary's office said in a news release on Feb 12, "The US-ASEAN partnership has been important in addressing shared challenges on a diverse range of issues." Those included "upholding international law and standards in the South China Sea". Western media have interpreted the meeting as an occasion for the US to counter China's influence in the region. Reuters said the Sunnylands gathering is aimed at demonstrating Washington's commitment both as a counterweight to Beijing and as an eager trading partner with ASEAN nations. The Associated Press reported in a commentary that forging a common front and encouraging bolder rhetoric against China over the South China Sea issue "will be a challenge" for those attending the meeting. Only four of ASEAN's 10 member states are involved in South China Sea disputes, "leading sometimes to conflicting views on handling the long-simmering rifts", the commentary said. Zhang Junshe, a senior researcher at the PLA Naval Military Studies Research Institute, said Obama and the ASEAN leaders are expected to promote regional peace and stability and to refrain from more provocations. "ASEAN countries have a clear understanding of the big picture and they know the consequences," Zhang said, referring to past provocations by the Philippines. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said on Monday that China hopes the US-ASEAN Leaders Summit will be conducive to maintaining regional peace, stability and development. The situation has become more complicated when news reports suggest that the US and India are planning joint patrols in the South China Sea. But when asked the question on Monday, Hong said "we noted that the US side said that no decisions had been made". Stapleton Roy, former US ambassador to China and Singapore, said one of the first and most positive steps that could be taken is to bring the consultation on the code of conduct in the South China Sea to a successful conclusion. But he warned that it could become a strategic competition issue between China and the US if both sides take measures to make things more complicated. Xinhua contributed to this story. Contact the writers at chenweihua@chinadailyusa.com and zhangyunbi@chinadaily.com.cn Students' abilities scrutinized Updated: 2016-02-16 12:10 By Amy He in New York(China Daily USA) Terry Crawford, co-founder of InitialView, speaks to a student after an interview. American colleges are starting to use video verification services like InitialView's to get a better sense of an applicant's English-speaking skills. Provided to China Daily With a growing number of applicants from China and increasing concerns about cheating and fraudulent applications, US colleges are turning to companies that verify students' skills through video interviews and written tests. The interviews give colleges a better sense of the students' language skills in ways that standardized testing and school transcripts may not, college admissions officers said. It's also a better reflection of how the students will do once they're on campus and taking classes in a Western setting, they said. "I'm always more in favor of something that you can't study for. You can't study for this interview - you can't game it," said Kregg Strehorn, assistant provost at the University of Massachusetts. "I know that there's a way to study for the TOEFL. I know there's a way to study for the SAT. But there's something about this interview that I can then add on top of that information," he said. The interviews, conducted by services like InitialView, test a student's spoken English, which Strehorn said also reveals listening skills. The TOEFL test, which measures the English ability of non-native students, does not necessarily reflect how well a student will do once on an American campus, he said. Strehorn said that on applications from international students, college admissions officers also sometimes have difficulty evaluating on grades or curriculums alone. "Some schools add points for rigor, some people add points for AP tests. There are lots of different shades of gray here, and for me, some of the things on the Chinese transcripts, I couldn't really tell what was happening, particularly with English," he said. "Assessing an applicant's ability in English is one of the most difficult things that I do. I can see an 'A' in English, and I have no idea what that means. I don't know if that means good in spoken English - it probably doesn't - and does it mean they write papers well?" said Strehorn. While the interviews are not required, they are strongly recommended by colleges that use video services, and as the number of applications from China increases, the interviews are a way for an applicant to bolster his or her chances. InitialView, which was founded by an American couple, works with about 50 American colleges. In the seven years since it started, the company's interview count has gone from 5,000 to 22,000. "The primary reason that parents and students are opting to use InitialView's services is for the simple reason that colleges are asking them to do so," said Terry Crawford, who co-founded InitialView along with his wife, Gloria Chyou. Interviews are typically 15 minutes, and Crawford asks questions that relate to the student's academic interests, experiences and goals. Students also have a chance to add things that they did not cover during the interview, Crawford said. Students pay either $150 or $220 to have an interview and/or writing sample sent to schools of their choice, according to InitialView's website. The company works with colleges such as Wellesley, the University of Notre Dame, University of Virginia, University of Massachusetts and Georgia Tech. Rick Clark, director of undergraduate admissions at Georgia Tech, said that interviews also help quell concerns about fraud and cheating that are rampant among Chinese high school students because of fierce academic competition. "It's a reasonable anxiety, because there's been so many callbacks or holdups on test distributions, because there is real concern surrounding fraud, and there have been demonstrated situations where that's occurred. It's a warranted fear," he said. College Board, which administers the SAT, canceled one in January at 45 locations on the mainland as well as in Macao over concerns that test materials were accessed before the testing date. Last year, it was reported that Philadelphia prosecutors charged Chinese nationals with providing fake passports to students to take the test on behalf of others. "Just on the testing side - where a lot of schools have based decisions on in the past - you already have a question mark on that piece of the file," Clark said. "The more we have traveled to China, talked to counselors, and students and other alumni, they also cast a lot of reason for close examination of particular types of curriculums, documentation, manipulation, so again, you're starting to question again the transcripts, the grades themselves, the curriculum that they cite, all that's in question." amyhe@chinadailyusa.com Rallies set for convicted NYC officer Updated: 2016-02-16 12:10 By Lia Zhu in San Francisco(China Daily USA) New York City Police officer (NYPD) Peter Liang is led from the court room at the Brooklyn Supreme court in the Brooklyn borough of New York February 11, 2016.[Photo/Agencies] Rallies in support of a recently convicted New York police officer have been organized for Feb 20 across the United States. The conviction of Peter Liang, a rookie NYPD officer, has created a stir in the Chinese community. Liang was found guilty by a Brooklyn jury on Feb 11 of second-degree manslaughter and official misconduct in the 2014 shooting of Akai Gurley, an unarmed black man, in a Brooklyn housing project. Sentencing has been scheduled for April 14. The manslaughter charge carries up to 15 years in prison. Since the trial began, a "guideline of helping Officer Liang" has been circulating via WeChat, a popular social networking app among Chinese. The guideline, posted on helpliang.com, calls on the Chinese community to donate funds, participate in rallies and write to the judge before the sentencing. "Rally in street for 10 minutes is better than being angry in a room for 10 days," said the post, which also lists the locations of the proposed rallies as well as contact information of organizers in some 20 cities, including Houston, Los Angeles, Boston, Orlando, Florida, and Raleigh, North Carolina. "I expect as many as 30,000 people would be involved nationwide," Tian Wang, the Los Angeles rally organizer, told China Daily. "We have received responses from 35 cities so far since we sent out the rally proposal on WeChat on Friday." Wang said he was the initiator and coordinator of the nationwide rallies. According to him, more than 3,000 people are expected to rally at Los Angeles City Hall on Feb 20. "Around 200 kids will come along with their parents," he said. In San Francisco, more than 1,500 people have signed up for the rally on Feb 20, but the location has yet to be determined. "We want to stage the rally at the place where we can achieve the best effect of publicity among people of non-Chinese background," said Andy Wang, an organizer of the San Francisco rally. "It's unfair to scapegoat Liang for past injustices," he said, referring to police incidents in 2014, in which Eric Garner, a Staten Island man, died after police placed him in a chokehold, and Michael Brown, a teenager in Ferguson, Missouri, was shot and killed by a policeman. Both of the victims were unarmed black men, and both police officers accused of killing them were not indicted. "We Chinese need to make our voice heard, and the aim of the rally is a way to strive for our rights through peaceful and lawful ways," he said. Liang's supporters also include US Congresswoman Grace Meng of Queens, New York, who said it was a tragedy to both sides and that the Chinese community should be united to support Liang, according to China Press. New York City Councilwoman Margaret Chin, also Chinese American, supported Liang's indictment and told the media that Liang had to be held accountable for Gurley's death. Following Liang's conviction, she said in a statement: "My thoughts and prayers are with the family of Akai Gurley, and Officer Liang's family, friends and supporters. Now that the jury has reached its verdict, it is my hope that the long process of healing can begin." Tian Wang said he understands those who said "that Liang should be held responsible for Gurley's death. But they should also be reminded that it was not intentional murder but an accident." Nearly 84,000 people signed the online petition as of Wednesday evening demanding Liang's conviction be vacated. But Daniel Deng, a Rosemead, California-based lawyer, said writing to Judge Danny Chun and Kenneth Thompson, the Brooklyn district attorney, is the more effective way to help Liang. On his law firm's website, Deng posted the samples of letters to the district attorney and the judge. "It's almost impossible to overthrow the jury's verdict, but it's possible to ask for the judge's leniency," he told the World Journal. liazhu@chinadailyusa.com Australia must not harm regional stability, says Beijing Updated: 2016-02-16 21:03 By Wang Xu(chinadaily.com.cn) Canberra must not undertake any action that endangers regional peace and stability, Beijing said, as the Australian foreign minister began a visit to China. An objective and fair attitude must be adopted by the Australians (towards the South China Sea issue) and they must not do anything that harms peace and stability in the region, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hong Lei said on Tuesday. Hong made the remarks in response to Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop's comments "questioning China's island reclamation in the South China Sea". Before visiting China, Bishop said in Tokyo that Australia supported the Philippines' tribunal efforts and she will ask for clarification from Beijing about its intentions on the islands. "Given that President Xi has said that China does not intend to militarize the islands then of course we ask what the construction work on the islands will be used for," Bishop told reporters in Tokyo, where she met Japanese counterpart Fumio Kishida. "In the past Foreign Minister Wang Yi has said they will be public goods, so I am seeking more detail as to how other nations could access these public goods," Bishop said of the islands. "Depending upon the answer he gives, we will look at the situation," she said. The Australians should not avoid the fact that the Philippines initiated arbitration unilaterally and this is not in accordance with international law, and it also violates the consensus reached by the Philippines and China as well as the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, Hong said. Emphasizing China's construction on the islands is mainly for providing public goods to the international community to facilitate maritime search and rescue, protect fishing activities as well as deliver emergency medical treatment, Hong made it clear that he believes that the international community will have the chance to use these facilities when they are ready. Hong also said that China's necessary homeland defense facilities on its own territory are covered by international law, and the construction will not affect the freedom of navigation and aviation in the South China Sea. Reuters contributed to this story US likely to stay tough on maritime issue Updated: 2016-02-16 21:15 By ZHANG YUNBI(chinadaily.com.cn) US President Barack Obama makes opening remarks at a gathering with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member states leaders at Sunnylands in Rancho Mirage, California February 15, 2016.[Photo/Agencies] Chinese observers have estimated that US President Barack Obama's administration is likely to stay tough on the South China Sea issue and pose more challenges to China's lawful maritime interests. They made the comments as Obama voiced his ambition in making Asia-Pacific nations "play by the same rules" when starting a two-day gathering with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member states leaders at the Sunnylands Center in California on Monday. Zhong Feiteng, an expert on Asia-Pacific affairs at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, noted that tension in the South China Sea is "still rising". The US arranged the gathering as it believes its engagement in the maritime problems will receive a boost to its legitimacy if ASEAN offers support or silent approval, Zhong said. "Since there are differing positions regarding the South China Sea issue within ASEAN, Washington hopes to coordinate such positions in order to counterbalance China and offset China's influence," Zhong said. Xu Liping, a senior research fellow on Southeast Asia studies at CASS, said the South China Sea issue is increasingly vulnerable to geopolitical factors, because countries such as the US and the Philippines "have taken it for bargaining chips or trading of economic interests". "China should be alert toward such calculations," Xu suggested. On the economic part of the ongoing gathering, Teng Jianqun, a senior expert on US studies at the China Institute of International Studies, noted that Washington in recent years has been working on tackling the weak link of its ties with the ASEAN countries - economic cooperation. Zhong Feiteng noted that as the ASEAN Community was established last year and the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement was signed, the US expects an expanded economic influence in Southeast Asia, further tap into the market, and "shape new economic and trade rules for the next phase of the ASEAN development". Washington also aims to promote its relationship with Indonesia, the largest economy within the ASEAN, Zhong added. Its not just Vancouver House prices are up 17% in one year across Canada. Of course the big increases are happening in Toronto and Vancouver where sales and prices seem to just keep going up and up, while inventory stays low: Thats even the case in hot markets, where homes are snapped up in record time. Vancouvers market is drum tight, with an almost unheard of 91 per cent sales-to-new listings ratio, BMO economist Robert KAvcic said. In other words, almost every new listing is getting absorbed within the month as record sales meet average growth in new listings. We have found the secret to unlimited wealth and it is housing debt! The opinions expressed by "Don Quixote" are strictly his own and do not represent the opinions of Vernon Council! Because I value your thoughtful opinions, I encourage you to add a comment to this discussion. Don't be offended if I edit your comments for clarity or to keep out questionable matters, however, and I may even delete off-topic comments. Bob Spiers Vernon City Councillor Please turn JavaScript on and reload the page. Loading... Checking your browser before accessing the website. This process is automatic. Your browser will redirect to your requested content shortly. Please wait a few seconds. I wish to carry on blogging, my iPad and Blogger do not seem so keen on contributing to that, I was unable to upload my photos, you did want to see the ... 2 years ago "Words had to change their ordinary meaning and to take that which was now given them. Reckless audacity came to be considered the courage of a loyal ally; prudent hesitation, specious cowardice; moderation was held to be a cloak for unmanliness; ability to see all sides of a question, inaptness to act on any. Frantic violence became the attribute of manliness" -Thucydides Poland, world's second largest coking coal exporter, is planning to set up a 2.7 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) plant in India and has offered help with its expertise in production of the commodity. Poland's Deputy Prime Minister Piotr Glinski, who is leading a 50-member high-level delegation to the 'Make in India' week, met Steel and Mines Minister Narendra Singh Tomar and expressed interest in mutual collaboration in the area of mining and mineral exploration. Glinski also offered knowledge exchange in the area of coking coal manufacturing and skill development, steel ministry said today. "It was informed that Poland is a world leader in coking coal production and is second largest exporter of coking coal in the world. He shared plans of setting up a state-of-the-art coking coal plant of 2.7 million tonne annual capacity in India," it said. Tomar welcomed Poland's proposal and assured India's full co-operation in setting up the plant. Coking coal or metallurgical coal is mainly used in steel manufacturing. Its import by domestic steel industry crossed 45 million tonnes (MT) in 2014-15 against about 39 MT in 2013-14. It is likely to touch 180 MT in the wake of the country's ambitious target of producing 300 MT of crude steel per annum by 2025, as per industry body Assocham. Besides, coking coal import has increased from 13 MT in 2003-04 to over 39 MT in 2013-14 and during the same period the dry fuel production dropped from about 18 MT to 14 MT and supply of washed coking coal to steel plants was only 6.6 MT in 2013-14. The deputy prime minister also expressed "keen interest" in mutual collaboration in mining and mineral exploration. Polish companies, like KGHM, have expertise in exploration of copper and silver, which can be shared with Indian companies. Tomar and Glinski held a meeting yesterday in Mumbai on the sidelines of the Make in India week. The steel minister asked the Polish delegation to explore avenues for investment and collaboration in mining, exploration, Make in India, Clean India and other special drives being undertaken by the government of India. He assured of all possible support from the government in realising the true potential of bilateral relations between the two countries. Tomar appreciated Poland's proposal for an MoU for cooperation in the field of geology and mineral resources between the two countries and assured that once the draft MoU is received from Poland side, the Indian side will give it due consideration. He also appreciated the fact that Poland has started a 'Go India' initiative to support the Make in India campaign. BJP MLA O P Sharma, who was yesterday seen thrashing Communist Party of India (CPI) minority wing leader Ameeq Jamei outside a Delhi court, stirred a fresh controversy on Tuesday and said that all those who have no respect for the nation and are 'anti-national' can go and live in Pakistan. "Since the past few days, there have been objections to the actions that are being taken in the case. We need to draw a line right now about how to deal with the people, who are expressing support towards terrorists and anti- elements. On one side our soldiers are dying and then we have traitors supporting the terrorists. They should go and live in Pakistan. They can't stay here and abuse India at the same time," Sharma told ANI here. Defending his actions, he added that he was attacked first and it was only after that he replied in kind. Sharma asserted that the man was chanting 'Pakistan zindabad and Hindustan murdabad' following which a scuffle broke and he was injured on the head. "I told them repeatedly to refrain from chanting such slogans but despite that they refused to do so and a scuffle broke out where I was hit on the head first. When the man ran after hitting me, the public also joined me and certain things unfolded which you must have seen by now," Sharma said. Remaining unapologetic about what he did, Sharma further said that he hit the man only after he raised his hand first. "I can't thrash 70 people at once. I had no idea about the intent of these people. But when they started making anti- statements in front of me, I could not tolerate that. When someone hits me, I will do what comes naturally to me. You can't expect a person to stand down when he is being attacked," he added. The BJP MLA had yesterday told ANI that anyone heard shouting Pro-Pakistan slogans 'will be attacked'. Meanwhile, Jamei told ANI that his party does not need a certificate of nationalism from the BJP or RSS. Jamei said the incident took place when Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley was present in the court for the hearing in a defamation case. "The entire incident took place when Arun Jaitley was present. We were briefing the media about the attack on journalists and students in the court. We were questioning Jaitley's silence when O P Sharma, who is known for attacking people, chased me and pushed me to the ground," said Jamei. Around 12 persons, including JNU students, teachers and journalists were attacked by a group of men in lawyer's robes inside and outside the Patiala House court yesterday, where the sedition case against JNU students' union president Kanhaiya Kumar was to be heard. Egypt has shown interest in signing a double taxation avoidance agreement with India for which it would hold talks with the Indian government shortly. "We are looking to sign a few agreements with India, one is the double taxation avoidance agreement. Next month, we are going to meet in Egypt as a part of the joint trade committee. The last meet was held in New Delhi," Ambassador of Egypt to India Hatem Tageldin said here today. The Egyptian envoy said the country was also looking at Indian hospitals to set up units in Egypt. A number of Egyptian patients come to India for treatment. "We are talking to some Indian hospitals here for setting up units there. We want Indian medical expertise, Indian doctors and Indian nurses to go there", he said. Talking about two-way trade, he said that current volume was $5 billion. There has also been a surge of Indian outbound tourists to Egypt after the Arab Spring which created political unrest in that country. "Politically, we are now stable," he said. A member of UN Security Council and also of the international alliance against ISIS, Egypt had received investments from Indian companies, he said, adding more companies should go and set up units there along the Suez Canal Corridor. Renowned Indologist Professor David Shulman has been awarded the prestigious Israel Prize for his breakthrough studies in fields like religion and philosophy. Education Minister Naftali Bennett made the announcement at the recommendation of the prize committee, headed by Professor Shaul Shaked, leading to a bitter debate in right-wing leaning media here which disapproved of the award for Shulman's known left-wing inclinations. The committee said that Professor Shulman of Hebrew University of Jerusalem is "a brilliant researcher who had done breakthrough studies on the religion, literature, and culture of southern India". "He is an internationally renowned expert in this field, and his work is enhanced by his command of a wide range of languages, including Sanskrit, Tamil, Telegu and Malayalam", it added. 67-year-old Shulman is known to be active in a left-wing organisation, Ta'ayush, a joint Israeli-Palestinian initiative active in the south Hebron Hills. This made several media outlets to push the education ministry for a comment as it is headed by a right-wing minister who has been in for his views against left-wing activists. "The Israel Prize for Religious Studies is given to Professor Shulman for his breakthrough research into the literature and culture of southern India. Minister Bennett believes that one should not disqualify someone for his opinions, left or right, whatever they may be," the ministry said. Israel Prize is considered the country's highest honour presented annually on Independence Day. It is given to those who have displayed excellence in their fields, or have contributed strongly to Israeli culture or the State. The prize committee in its recommendation wrote that Shulman's studies "excel in their diversity, dealing with literary genres and various research topics including religion, mythology, art, folklore and imagination. In Israel he founded the field of India studies and most India researchers in Israel are his students. Professor Shulman has made an important contribution to research management and teaching in Israeli universities. Through his books and translations, Shulman introduced the field of India studies to Israeli academia and the general public, acting as a sort of ambassador for Indian civilisation in Israel. US born Shulman won the prestigious MacArthur Fellowship in 1987, making him the first Israeli to be conferred with the honour. He is a member of the Israel Academy of Sciences, the American Academy of Sciences and a winner of the Emet Prize, awarded annually by the Prime Minister's Office for excellence in academic and professional achievements. The Syrian ambassador to Moscow today accused the United States of destroying a hospital backed by the humanitarian group MSF, amid US accusations that Russian air strikes had targeted medical facilities in the war-torn country. Riad Haddad, Syria's envoy to its ally Russia, told the state TV channel Rossiya 24 that the hospital in Idlib had been hit earlier in a US raid. "American warplanes destroyed it. Russian warplanes had nothing to do with any of it -- the information that has been gathered will completely back that up," Haddad said. The United Nations said earlier that air strikes on at least five medical facilities and two schools in northern Syria's Aleppo and Idlib provinces, northwest Syria, killed nearly 50 civilians including children. The statement did not mention Idlib specifically. It said such action "casts doubt on Russia's willingness and/or ability to help bring to a stop the continued brutality of the Assad regime against its own people". Haddad said US accusations "are a sign of the war of propaganda, which began in the very first days of the conflict in Syria. Jim Chalmers warns disaster floods will weigh on GDP growth Treasurer Jim Chalmers has revealed the "initial estimate" the recent flooding would have on the economy but warns costs associated could be "even more significant" ahead of his first federal budget on Tuesday. Limited value: Liberal Senator against royal commission into COVID Liberal Senator Jane Hume acknowledged the long-term effects of lockdowns and school shutdowns but said Australia fared well compared to other countries. Heavy rain, hail and more flood warnings for four states this weekend Millions of residents along the east coast have been told to brace for more wet weather this weekend, with warnings of large hailstones for Friday and severe thunderstorms bringing heavy rain to already flooded river systems. Australian leaders react to Liz Truss resignation Australian leaders have reacted to the latest news in British politics with the resignation of Liz Truss and the potential return of Boris Johnson, in what could be the Rudd-Gillard-Rudd years "on fast forward". The Washington Merry-Go-Round pays tribute to the controversial themes of Drew Pearson and Jack Anderson, adding the significance of commentary to the relationship of raw political power and financial influence. Glitch lets drivers fill up for pennies TOLEDO, Ohio (AP) A computer glitch led to a brief price war between two gas stations in northwest Ohio, allowing some drivers to fill their tanks for pennies per gallon. The malfunction dropped prices at one north Toledo gas station, and another across the street lowered its prices to stay competitive early Sunday. Customer Taylor Kline told the station he filled his empty tank for just 26 cents. The extra-low pricing lasted at least three hours before returning to normal. Ohios average price for a gallon of regular gas was $1.55 in Mondays survey from auto club AAA, the Oil Price Information Service and WEX Inc. Hover board causes Chicago house fire CHICAGO (TNS) Officials say a newly bought hover board exploded while being charged up for the first time in a suburban Chicago home over the weekend, causing minor damage. The hover board was plugged into an outlet of the home in Orland Park, Ill., around 5 p.m. Sunday, the town said in a release. Shortly after, there were several explosions that shot burning pieces of the hover board across the room, it said. A window shade and part of a couch started burning, and the fire was put out by the homeowners, the town said. Newborn found in Subway toilet LOS ANGELES (AP) Police in a Los Angeles suburb say they arrested a mother who abandoned her newborn baby in a toilet at a fast food restaurant. A West Covina police spokesman said the crying infant was found Monday morning after a bleeding woman left a Subway bathroom. The baby was taken to a hospital neonatal intensive care unit. The 38-year-old mother also was hospitalized and was expected to be booked on charges of attempted murder and child abandonment. Police said the woman was found behind an auto parts store and is a transient in the area. Antarctic iceberg wiping out penguins SANTIAGO, Chile (AP) Scientists say an estimated 150,000 Adelie penguins have been wiped out on Antarcticas Cape Denison in the five years since a giant iceberg blocked their main access to food. A study recently published in the journal Antarctic Science says the B09B iceberg crashed with the Mertz Glacier Tongue and got stuck in Commonwealth Bay, an area that was rarely covered by sea-ice, making it ideal for Adelie penguin colonies. The iceberg, with an area of about 1,120 square miles, blocked access to the penguins natural feeding areas beginning in December 2010. The huge piece of ice forced the birds to walk more than 37 miles in search of food, gradually reducing the population to just a few thousand. Teen allegedly shot Mississippi officer JACKSON, Miss. (AP) Police charged a 19-year-old man on Monday in the weekend shooting of a Clarksdale police officer. Police said Johnny Robinson Jr. was charged with attempted murder and one count of armed robbery in the shooting of Cpl. Derrick Couch. The officer remained in critical condition in a Memphis hospital. Couch reportedly remains sedated and unconscious in an intensive care unit, after being shot in the face Saturday. The shooting happened about four blocks from a convenience store two men in masks had just robbed Saturday night. The store and City Hall, which houses the police department, are on the same block. CEDAR FALLS A new Hobby Lobby store would be the anchor tenant of a 120,000-square-foot, $13-$14 million retail power center proposed for the growing East Viking Road area of southern Cedar Falls, pending city site plan approvals. Documents submitted to the city identified Hobby Lobby as the prospective tenant, and site plans have been under review and public discussion by the citys Planning and Zoning Commission. Hobby Lobby would take up 55,000 square feet of the development, at the northwest corner of Prairie Parkway and Brandilynn Boulevard, between Menards and Wal-Mart. Zoning commissioners are anticipated to discuss the project in more detail later this month, after which it would be submitted to the City Council for final site plan action. Dustin Whitehead of Lockard Cos., which is representing Merrill Oster, the seller of the 11-acre site, and serving as leasing agent for the prospective buyers, The Bluff Pack LLC, said he could discuss he project in general but not any specific prospective tenants until leases are signed, pending final city approvals. Hopefully, in the next 60 days thats complete and the developers moving ground, he said. The projects shaping up nicely. Its a big project for the community and were happy to be a part of it. There is a possibility of five other tenants in addition to the anchor space, Whitehead said. Itll be a first-class facility, similar to East Viking Plaza, he said, referring to the shopping center where Michaels and Old Navy are located. Hobby Lobby, based in Oklahoma City, currently has two stores in Waterloo, at 3731 University Ave. and at 2711 Crossroads Blvd. No information was immediately available as to whether either of those stores would be affected by a Cedar Falls project. A Hobby Lobby spokesperson in Oklahoma City said the company had no information to share at this time. DES MOINES Delayed results and reporting errors have sparked calls for wholesale changes in Iowas Democratic caucuses. But some county-level party leaders think the fuss over the Feb. 1 caucuses is overblown and it would be a mistake to change. Others suggest the party must keep an open mind when examining its presidential nominating process. The Feb. 1 Iowa Democratic caucuses featured the second-highest turnout more than 171,000 and a historically narrow margin: Hillary Clinton emerged on top by earning 49.8 percent of state delegate equivalents; Bernie Sanders was close behind with 49.6 percent. The Iowa Democratic Party drew scrutiny when those results arrived late. The party did not publish official results until 2:30 a.m., and even then they were incomplete. And some of the precinct results were contested. The state party spent the ensuing days answering media questions and double-checking results from roughly a dozen of the states 1,681 precincts. Ultimately, results were changed in five precincts, but it was not enough to alter the outcome. Iowa Democrats found themselves in the crosshairs of media opinion pieces. The Chicago Tribune wrote about Iowas caucus mess; the Boston Globe called them a debacle. A Feb. 5 editorial headline in The Des Moines Register said, Something smells in the Democratic Party. Some Democrats in and outside Iowa suggested the party should consider moving away from its caucus format of organizing and reshuffling people in a room and employ something more akin to a traditional ballot, as Iowa Republicans do. Democratic county party leaders said many people are overreacting. They acknowledge some precincts were overwhelmed by high turnout and inadequately prepared leaders, but county officials said the vast majority of Democratic caucuses were well-run. I think its much ado about nothing, Pat Sass, chairwoman of the Black Hawk County Democrats, said of the criticism. Sass said she sees no need to change the Democratic caucus process. Nor does Penny Rosfjord, chairwoman of the Woodbury County Democrats. Rosfjord said the party will examine ways to improve the caucuses, as it does every four years. But she does not think dramatic changes are necessary. Going forward, I think we will definitely be looking at ways to improve the process, but I am not a person that really wants to throw the baby out with the bath water, Rosfjord said. Thom Hart, chairman of the Scott County Democrats, said, I think they need to be careful making changes in reaction to anything. I think the system worked well here and generally works well across the state. Changing the Democratic caucus format may do more harm than good, said Mike Gronstal, the Democratic majority leader of the Iowa Senate. If we do that, heres the challenge: The reality is it is unlikely the Democratic National Committee will continue to have Iowa go first; its unlikely that New Hampshire who have been partners with us for several decades on this that theyll go along with us essentially being a primary, Gronstal said. So if thats the reality, we can certainly move to that and have our vote in June at the primary and never have a presidential candidate visit our state. We have an outsized influence right now with this system, he said. And those that suggest we move in a direction that would probably mean we lost our first-in-the-nation status. And I think theyre wrong. Kurt Meyer, chairman of the Tri-Counties Democrats, a group that covers Howard, Mitchell and Worth counties, said the party must consider its options when assessing the caucuses. Anyone that wants to do a massive overhaul, thats probably not going to happen. Yet, if thats where the facts lead, then so be it, Meyer said. A massive overhaul probably isnt the remedy. But if (the caucuses) leaves people disenfranchised or frustrated or less likely to participate in this wonderful every-four-year process we have, then we are doing something wrong, and you have to be at least open to changes. Meyer said turnout is a significant challenge to the Democrats caucus system, which was created as a party-building exercise conducted by small groups of friends and neighbors. Now, some precincts have hundreds of caucus-goers. Bret Nilles, chairman of the Linn County Democrats, thinks turnout was a big part of the issues that plagued this years caucuses. He said some venues were not big enough to support the turnout. Some precincts conducted their caucus outside because space inside was insufficient. I think what we need with the caucuses is maybe a little bit more, better planning in terms of the facilities and how do we accommodate a caucus of 350 to 400 people as we experienced here in Cedar Rapids at some locations, Nilles said. Andy McGuire, chairwoman of the Iowa Democratic Party, said the party will conduct its usual self-analysis and determine what changes need to be made. After every caucus, the party goes through a self-examination process, McGuire said in a statement issued Feb. 7 with the final results. This process will continue this year...I will convene a committee to ensure we can improve on our caucus process while preserving what makes it special. McGuire and Democrats know whatever moves the party makes, Iowas first-in-the-nation status is at stake. Meyer said he thinks Iowa Democrats are game to the task of making necessary changes to maintain that distinguished position. I also think if youre going to base your future improvements on facts rather than vague impressions or defensive reactions, you have to be open to the fact that we may need something a little more significant than just rearranging the deck chairs. WATERLOO One of the hardest things about playing a boy, Emmy Hewitt says, is remembering not to cross her legs when she sits down. And when I shout out something, I have to be careful not go high in the pitch of my voice, says Hewitt, a Hoover Middle School eighth-grader. She plays Henry Alden, the oldest boy in the Black Hawk Childrens Theatre production of The Boxcar Children. The show opens Friday in the Hope Martin Theatre at the Waterloo Center for the Arts. Theater-goers are asked to bring a 16-ounce jar of peanut butter to support the Northeast Iowa Food Banks Backpack Program. The peanut butter will be distributed in backpacks sent home with children on weekends to ensure better nutrition when there is no access to school food programs. The Boxcar Children, originally created by first-grade teacher Gertrude Chandler Warren, is a cherished childrens literary series that now includes more than 100 titles. The original novel was published in 1924 and revised in 1942. In 2007, the National Education Association named it one of the 100 top books for children, and it was ranked among the top 100 chapter books for children in 2012. The script is based on the novel and the Depression-era adventures of four orphaned children: Henry, Jessie, Violet and Benny. When their parents are killed in an accident, the children run away rather than be separated and placed in foster care. They create a home for themselves in an abandoned boxcar in the forest. At the same time, they are pursued by authorities and a mysterious stranger, creating a sense of peril. Its a lovely story of family togetherness and the drive to thrive in the face of tragedy, says Director Anita Ross. We see the kids and their growth, how they develop as a family unit and how they persevere through their hardships. Ross encouraged the 12-member cast to read the original book. Hewitt, who is appearing in her sixth BHCT/Waterloo Community Playhouse production, describes it as a tough story to read. You think about these kids losing their parents, and how theyre about to be separated. Thats scary. But its also a heartwarming story. As actors, were gelling on stage as a family, she says. Ross is excited for audiences to see the stage set. The boxcar is very real, while other aspects of the settings are more presentational. Theres a reality of what the kids are going through and how they cope, and in some ways, the boxcar is as much a character in the story as the kids, she says. She is thrilled to be directing another drama on the BHCT stage. I have had the wonderful fortune to do some heavier literature, so its not all fairytales and fantasy. Its fulfilling to be able to offer audiences so many different types of stories. We all struggle. We all have stress. Schedules are full. Yet, thankfully, despite hectic lives, we also all care. The problem is when we get wrapped up in our own problems we forget to take care of others. Our brains go into self-preservation mode. Dont get it wrong, taking care of yourself is important: you cant take care of others without also taking care of yourself. We just need to remember to look beyond ourselves, and see the need in others as well as ourselves. Studies show that demonstrating random acts of kindness for others are good for you, too. They increase your sense of belonging and self-worth, and decrease your anxiety, depression and blood pressure. Random Acts of Kindness Day is Wednesday. Here are some ways you can participate: Buy coffee for the person behind you in line. Send a positive text message to five people. Post inspirational sticky notes around your neighborhood, office, school, etc. Donate old towels or blankets to an animal shelter. Surprise a neighbor with freshly baked cookies or treats. Encounter someone in customer service who is especially kind? Take an extra five minutes to tell their manager. Leave unused coupons next to corresponding products in the grocery store. Write a kind message on your mirror with a dry erase marker your significant other or a family member. Set an alarm on your phone to go off at three different times during the day. In those moments, do something kind for someone else. Send a gratitude email to a co-worker who deserves more recognition. Know parents who could use a night out? Offer to babysit for free. Return shopping carts for people at the grocery store. Write a positive comment on your favorite blog or a friends social media account. Have a clean-up party at a park. While youre out, compliment a parent on how well-behaved their child is. Leave a kind server the biggest tip you can afford. Purchase extra dog or cat food and bring it to an animal shelter.Keep an extra umbrella at work, so you can lend it out when it rains. Run an errand for a family member who is busy. Leave a box of goodies in your mailbox for your mail carrier. Put your phone away while in the company of others. Email or write to a former teacher who made a difference in your life. Contact the Volunteer Center of Cedar Valley the community at 272-2087, information@vccv.org, or visit www.vccv.org. WATERLOO Three of Anna Mae Weems granddaughters are sponsoring a community-organizing fellowship at a Chicago institute in honor of the Waterloo civil rights leaders 90th birthday and inviting Waterloo residents to apply. Weems turned 90 Feb. 6 and three of her granddaughters, sisters Yeshimibet, Tsehaynesh and Saba Abebe, wanted to come up with a way to appropriately honor their grandmother, who brought the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. to Waterloo in 1959, just as he was rising to national prominence. Grandma turned 90 and she was always giving back, Saba Abebe said. And we wanted to do something she would like and we could also do to help the community at the same time. She was pleased. All three granddaughters found jobs in President Barack Obamas administration. Saba worked for the U.S. Department of Energy but is now studying at Columbia University in New York. Yeshimebet, or Yeshi, who earned her law degree from the University of Miami and works for U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack. Tsehaynesh, or Tsehay, works at the U.S. Agency for International Development and holds a masters degree from the University of Sussex in England. Saba Abebe emphasized she and her sisters are offering the fellowship as individuals and it has nothing to do with her sisters jobs with the federal government. Theyre sponsoring a 10-week community organizing fellowship at the Midwest Academy in Chicago. The Collab Fellowship would run from May through August of this year and is for emerging community leaders between the ages of 19 and 30. They want the person selected to be from and return to Waterloo. Saba said the fellowship has a strong organized labor emphasis to it, which is appropriate since her grandmother rose to local prominence through the unions representing workers at Rath Packing Co. here. The Midwest Academy, founded in the early 1970s, describes itself on its website as a national training institute committed to advancing the struggle for social, economic and racial justice. Applications are due by March 31 and may be made on the fellowship website www.collabfellow.com. A local committee is being formed to review applications. Weems granddaughters credited longtime local labor leader Miriam Tyson for her assistance. DECORAH Prosecutors pursuing a first-degree murder charge against Alexander Fazzino cannot call a self-described aquatic expert as a witness when the case moves to trial Feb. 22 in Winneshiek County. Judge Michael Moon ruled Andrea Zaferes possesses no scientific, technical or specialized knowledge that would aid the jury. Moon also concluded the states witness is not qualified to opine on the manner of Emily Fazzinos death. Law enforcement officials allege Fazzino, 41, killed his 32-year-old wife, Emily, by strangling or drowning her. Authorities found Emily Fazzinos nude body Jan. 29, 2012, near a bathtub in the couples home after her husband called 911. Judge Moon moved the trial out of Boone County on a change of venue. According to Moons ruling, Zaferes visited the Fazzinos home and later had a carpenter replicate the couples master bathroom using the actual bathtub. The scene also featured running water. The recreation or mock-up of the bathroom was detailed in every respect, down to the wall and floor coverings, cabinetry and woodwork, Moon wrote. Officials created the scene in a Boone County deputys garage, where Zaferes conducted more than 60 test runs. Stand-ins about Emily and Alexander Fazzinos height and weight then acted out events based on Alexander Fazzinos description of what happened in the bathroom. Investigators also relied on a video captured by a body camera on a paramedic who responded. Zaferes and investigators video recorded and took photos as the male actors took turns pulling a female actors limp body out of the water. Zaferes and the re-enactors also varied body positions, the amount of water in the tub and water level, paying particular attention to a wire basket, or bath caddy, used to hold bottles and soap. Based on her tests, Zaferes concluded the tub was not overflowing as Fazzino claimed unless he put his wife in the water when it was full and the faucet was wide open. Even the overflow only lasted as long as the body was moving and only until the overflow drain caught up, Zaferes added. Zaferes also said with Emily Fazzinos head near the drain, the bath caddy would not reasonably have been found in the position reported by first responders ... Her body also would have been positioned differently on the bathroom floor, according to Zaferes. Fazzinos defense attorneys, William Kutmus and Trever Hook, argue Emily Fazzinos death is an accident. Zaferes offered a different opinion: If Emily Fazzino fell or suffered a seizure in the tub, winding up with her head near the drain and under the bath caddy is not a reasonable expectation. It is my professional opinion that the circumstance of the death of Emily Fazzino are consistent with a homicide staged as a bathtub accident or suicide, Zaferes added. During a two-day hearing on the matter, Kutmus discounted Zaferes training, methodology and conclusions, conceding only Zaferes, an advanced scuba diver, is a very good swimmer. Judge Moon agreed Zaferes self-aggrandizement is manifest throughout her report. Zaferes conducted no scientific experimentation, did not apply scientific principles and her only comments with regard to the scene following her trials were deductions that can be fairly drawn from the facts by non-experts, Moon wrote. He added the recreation process was flawed, meaning the results are unreliable, irrelevant and immaterial. Scott Brown, an assistant Iowa attorney general, and Daniel Kolacia, the Boone County attorney, are prosecuting Fazzino. Based on Moons recent ruling, they may still even without Zaferes videos and comments be able to make the points they hoped. Her conclusions are those jurors can make without expert testimony, Judge Moon wrote. REINBECK Gladbrook-Reinbeck Community Schools is again seeking new leadership, with its superintendent sharing agreement set to end after one year. The Board of Education tonight will take formal action to terminate the agreement with the Eldora-New Providence Community Schools. It meets at 6:30 p.m. today in the multipurpose room at Gladbrook-Reinbeck Elementary School, 300 Cedar St., Reinbeck. Superintendent Jay Mathis recently informed both districts he didnt want to continue the arrangement for a second year. Gladbrook-Reinbecks board discussed the issue at a Feb. 3 work session and the Eldora-New Providence board approved the termination last Monday. The sharing arrangement began July 1 after Shawn Holloway, former Gladbrook-Reinbeck superintendent, left to lead Panorama Community Schools. Someone new would be stepping into the role as a proposal for dissolution of the district is being prepared. The board appointed a commission last summer to create the proposal after receiving citizen petitions calling for the dissolution, with Gladbrook-Reinbecks attendance area and property divided between neighboring districts. Ultimately, residents will vote on whether to maintain or dissolve the district. But, if Gladbrook-Reinbeck can survive the dissolution vote, Mathis believes the district will weather the challenges related to closing its Gladbrook campus and moving students to the remaining two Reinbeck schools last fall. I really think the district has turned a corner, said Mathis, in bringing together the two elementary schools and the middle and high schools. I think its gone very well. The district is in great shape, I see them as a viable district for the long haul. The superintendent didnt hold out the same hope for continuing to split his time between two school districts. I found it was more than what I could keep up with, said Mathis. With trying to operate both districts, were doing a 60-40 split. So, I was only over at Gladbrook-Reinbeck two days a week. He said there is always a period of getting accustomed to such an arrangement. However, the district has taken more attention than anticipated, including extra meetings and other work related to the dissolution commissions task. Residents petitioned for the dissolution process after the sharing agreement was put in place and the board appointed the commission soon after Mathis started. Ive been swamped. Its kind of like treading water for this year, said Mathis. I havent been able to keep tabs here at Eldora-New Providence as I like to. He said sharing arrangements do work for other Iowa superintendents and districts, but the approach hasnt suited him well. The job of doing superintendent at both schools was more than he expected, said Josh Hemann, president of the Gladbrook-Reinbeck board. We went into it knowing that would be a possibility. Aside from terminating the sharing agreement tonight, the board will look to next steps in getting a superintendent in place for next year. Some of the board members would like to go back to a full-time superintendent based on some of their conversations with Jay, said Hemann. There also are options of a part-time or interim position, as well as another sharing arrangement. It was a consensus to bring in some search firms ... and see what services they have to offer, said Mathis. And then, ultimately, the board will decide whether to hire one of those or not. Meanwhile, a lawsuit filed last March in Tama County District Court related to the closing of the Gladbrook school was dismissed prior to the Jan. 11 trial date when the district filed a motion for summary judgement. Gladbrook Commercial Club, Gladbrook Investment and Gladbrook Development filed the suit, which was later amended to also include eight district residents. They argued the school district had violated specific sections of the Iowa Code by failing to consider the number of students in the Gladbrook area and not maintaining a needed attendance center. They also alleged a breach of fiduciary duty essentially saying the school closure would have a significant negative financial impact and cause irreparable harm to the community. Judge Kevin McKeever ruled the plaintiffs didnt have proper standing to bring the suit and challenging the boards actions through the laws that were cited is contrary to the purpose of the statues. He said there was no breach of fiduciary duty because the board gave substantial consideration to the situation involving the school closing. McKeever concluded it was reasonable for the board to approve the school closing. The court finds that the boards decision to close Gladbrook Elementary/Middle Schools falls within the scope of authority delegated to Iowa school boards by the Legislature, he wrote. Dismissal of the lawsuit doesnt affect the work of the dissolution commission, which met Monday night with the last of six adjacent school districts. They discussed the willingness of each district to be part of the dissolution proposal. Board member Anne Boyer, who is chairwoman of the commission, said there has been different levels of interest among the surrounding districts. I would say for the most part, some districts could take the kids and might use the property, some districts could take the kids and wouldnt use the property, she said. Any proposal will be reviewed by surrounding districts, be subject to hearings for Gladbrook-Reinbeck residents and possibly modified by the board. A referendum date would then be set by the board. Once a proposal is finalized, getting that information out and understanding what other districts intentions are will be important, said Boyer. That will allow district residents to vote with facts rather than perception. But she said the commission is a long way from presenting its proposal to the board. The work must be done by mid-summer a year after being formed and Boyer believes members will be busy until nearly that time. Were trying to create something thats feasible, said Boyer, for district voters. You have to look at every possible angle. CEDAR FALLS A longtime local business relocation into a vacant building on a to-be-reconstructed portion of University Avenue was approved by the City Council without discussion Monday night. Council members unanimously approved a site plan to allow for Slumberland Furnitures relocation from its current store at 4020 University Avenue in Waterloo into the former College Square Hy-Vee building west of College Square mall. The old grocery building has been vacant for about 10 years since Hy-Vee added onto the mall building. The site plan was among 14 items on the councils resolution calendar, passed on a single vote without discussion. Slumberland Furniture, which originally opened in nearby Black Hawk Village in 1969, had been in the former Muellers furniture store space at 4020 University in Waterloo since 2000. The franchise owner, Jon Davis, proposed putting a 40,000-square-foot furniture store, 3,000-square-foot restaurant and 15,000 square feet of retail space in the building. Davis has said he will concentrate on developing the furniture store first, tripling the display area of his current location. He hopes to start work next month. The Cedar Falls Planning and Zoning commission recommended council approval last week. The new store will be on a section of University scheduled for reconstruction this year. It will be adjacent to a roundabout planned at Boulder Drive, one of the two main access points off University into the College Square area. Another roundabout will be at Holiday Road, and Valley Park Drive will no longer be a through street. Davis has said the store access off Boulder Drive will be an asset to his business. Davis has said his project will be coordinated with the University Avenue reconstruction. The first phase, in front of College Square and Black Hawk Village, is anticipated to be completed before the holiday shopping season in November. Davis hinted at a store grand opening celebration early next year. The city plans to finish reconstructing all of University within Cedar Falls in two additional phases over the next two years. The road would be narrowed from six lanes to four and several signalized intersections replaced with roundabouts. Davis is purchasing the old Hy-Vee building from GK Development, the Illinois firm that previously owned College Square. Davis plans to sell the 4020 University location eventually. WATERLOO A longtime local veterinary clinic will get tax incentives to expand in the San Marnan Business Park. Waterloo City Council members unanimously approved a development agreement with Taylor Ventures LLC to build a new $1.34 million Den Herder Veterinary Hospital on the northeast corner of Hurst and Tower Park drives. The deal provides four years of 95 percent property tax rebates and three years of 94 percent tax rebates on the value of the new building, essentially reimbursing the clinic for its land purchase. Were following the policy for acquisitions out there for development agreements in the (tax-increment financing district), said Councilman Tom Lind. Community Planning and Development Director Noel Anderson said it is the standard practice to tailor tax rebates to land purchases in the San Marnan TIF district. These projects are helping us by getting new construction, getting new employees, helping existing businesses expand and grow in the city of Waterloo, Anderson said. Were also gaining money into the TIF districts even with them getting rebates back to help them for their investment. Anderson said even with the rebates, the city will still get about $21,000 in property taxes to help improve the TIF district and another $55,000 in taxes to help repay the citys debt over the next seven years. Council members also approved a site plan amendment for the project. Den Herder Veterinary Hospital is currently located at 974 Home Plaza. Conservatives lost one of their most influential voices with the passing of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia from a heart attack Saturday while hunting in West Texas. Scalia, 79, was the longest-serving justice on the court, nominated by President Ronald Reagan in 1986 and confirmed unanimously, 98-0, by the U.S. Senate. Unlike Earl Warren, John Paul Stevens, David Souter and Sandra Day OConnor, who were perceived to be conservatives when appointed by Republican presidents but took liberal or moderate positions, Scalia never wavered. Judge Richard A. Posner of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, another Reagan appointee, has called Scalia the most influential justice of the last quarter century. President Obama has announced he will nominate a successor, but Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., has declared that an exercise in futility. Indeed, for a Republican to vote for an Obama nominee would be political suicide. Scalia was the first Italian-American on the high court, the son of an Italian immigrant who became a university professor. He was Catholic, a self-proclaimed fool for Christ who sought out churches that celebrated Mass in Latin, and the father of nine children. Reagan had previously appointed Scalia to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia after he had served in the Nixon administration as an assistant attorney general and on the University of Chicago faculty. On the Roberts Court, which grew more conservative after Stevens retired in 2010, Scalia often wrote the majority opinions. He was known for skewering attorneys and having a sarcastic wit that enlivened hearings. When OConnor and Anthony Kennedy wandered off the conservative reservation in important cases, they encountered his wrath. OConnors reasoning in one case, he said, could not be taken seriously. A Kennedy opinion, he wrote, was couched in a style that is as pretentious as its content is egotistic. Yet he was close friends with the two Jewish liberal justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Elena Kagan. Scalia was the foremost advocate of constitutional originalism, which views the Constitutions meaning as fixed from the time of enactment. That set him apart from liberal jurists who view it as a living document that needs to change with the times, particularly given that slavery existed when it was ratified and women couldnt vote. Scalia expressed his beliefs in a 2004 speech, We have now determined that liberties exist under the federal Constitution the right to an abortion, the right to homosexual sodomy which were so little rooted in the traditions of the American people that they were criminal for 200 years. When the high court ruled states couldnt forbid gay marriages, he wrote, A system of government that makes the People subordinate to a committee of nine unelected lawyers does not deserve to be called a democracy. He consistently opposed laws advancing civil rights for minorities, gays and women. He was the lone dissenter in a case against the Virginia Military Institute for excluding women. An avid hunter, he supported Second Amendment rights of gun owners beyond state militias or the National Guard as frequently interpreted by lower courts. He occasionally provided some First Amendment surprises. If it was up to me, if I were king, he said in Texas v. Johnson, a 1989 flag-burning case involving a Communists protest against the Reagan administration. I would take scruffy, bearded, sandal-wearing idiots who burn the flag, and I would put them in jail. But, he decided, the prohibition against expressing anti-American sentiments was anti-American. He was often the swing vote in privacy cases: Crawford v. Washington, which determined testimonial statements by unavailable witnesses couldnt be used as evidence if the defendant wasnt able to cross-examine them; Kyllo v. United States, barring police from using thermal-imaging to peep into a home; and Florida v. Jardines, prohibiting police from entering private property with a drug-sniffing dog without a warrant. He disregarded legislative history that helped form laws. He disdained many high court precedents. Scalia thought the 1954 U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Brown v. Board of Education, which ended segregation in schools, might have been right but was not achievable through originalism; the courts landmark 1964 libel decision in New York Times v. Sullivan raised standards too high for plaintiffs; and Gideon v. Wainwright, which required lawyers for the poor in criminal cases in 1963, was wrong. Scalia was a force to be reckoned with, attaining a stature rare in the annals of the U.S. Supreme Court. His passing leaves a real void for conservative side one that may become more evident with a 4-4 split on the court. And it adds yet another dynamic to presidential and U.S. Senate elections this year. Snow emergency declared in C.F. CEDAR FALLS Beginning at 9 p.m. today until 6 a.m. Wednesday, the city of Cedar Falls Snow Emergency will be invoked for the purpose of hauling snow from the downtown and College Hill areas. The parking prohibition will go into effect two hours from the time the declaration is made. Any vehicle blocking traffic or parking in the designated area after that time will be subject to a citation and tow at the owners expense. This Snow Emergency Ordinance will be in effect for the Parkade and College Hill areas only. According to city ordinance, parking is prohibited on each street marked with a sign displaying the words Emergency Snow Route. Motorists are asked to utilize city parking lots for the duration of this declaration Allen nursing grads exceed pass rates WATERLOO Allen College chancellor Dr. Jerry Durham has announced the colleges nursing graduates achieved a 96.7 percent pass rate (118 of 122 test takers) on first attempt on the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) for 2015. The average pass rate for all registered nurse programs in Iowa was 80.77 percent compared to a national average for 2015 of 84.51 percent. Students who pass this examination are eligible for licensure as registered nurses. The college also reported 96.6 percent of family nurse practitioner and adult/gerontological nurse practitioner graduates (29 of 30 test takers) who took the certification examination in 2015 offered by the American Association of Nurse Practitioners passed their examinations. East High swing show planned WATERLOO East High School is having Rockin with the All-Stars swing show performances at 7 p.m. March 4 and 5 in the Elizabeth A. Green Auditorium. Tickets are $6 at the door and also are available in the East High business office beginning Feb. 22. The free swing show performance for senior citizens is at 2 p.m. March 2 in the auditorium. Enter and exit through the Vine Street entrance. Handicap-accessible doors are available at this entrance. Arrange for pick up at 3 p.m. Refreshments are available after the show. For more information, call 433-2400. Mayor to speak at East High WATERLOO Mayor Quentin Hart will speak from 8 to 9:30 a.m. Feb. 29 at East High School. Hart is an East High graduate and the first African-American mayor in Waterloo. He will speak to the student body in honor of Black History Month. ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Weston Ochse is a former intelligence officer and special operations soldier who has engaged enemy combatants, terrorists, narco smugglers, and human traffickers. His personal war stories include performing humanitarian operations over Bangladesh, being deployed to Afghanistan, and a near miss being cannibalized in Papua New Guinea. His fiction and non-fiction has been praised by USA Today, The Atlantic, The New York Post, The Financial Times of London, and Publishers Weekly. The American Library Association labeled him one of the Major Horror Authors of the 21st Century. His work has also won the Bram Stoker Award, been nominated for the Pushcart Prize, and won multiple New Mexico-Arizona Book Awards. A writer of more than 26 books in multiple genres, his military supernatural series SEAL Team 666 has been optioned to be a movie starring Dwayne Johnson. His military sci fi series, which starts with Grunt Life, has been praised for its PTSD-positive depiction of soldiers at peace and at war. Weston likes to be called a chaotic good paladin and challenges anyone to disagree. After all, no one can really stand a goody two-shoes lawful good character. They can be so annoying. It's so much more fun to be chaotic, even when you're striving to save the world. You can argue with him about this and other things online at Living Dangerously or on Facebook at Badasswriter. All content of this blog is copywrited by Weston Ochse. 10. Henrik Ibsen (1828-1906) Just as people might ask what we would like to see on our tombstone, so the more fatalistic among us might already be planning our last words. But last words dont have to be all doom and gloom they can be witty, profound, or just plain absurd. Of course, its all a matter of opinions as to whether you want to go out with a laugh or with a tear. And theres much debate about the authenticity of many last words, with Admiral Nelsons Kiss me, Hardy being perhaps the most famously erroneous example (well print the true one later). Let's get to it;Norwegian playwright, held to be the widest performed playwright after Shakespeare.Peer Gynt (1867), A Dolls House (1879), Ghosts (1881) and Hedda Gabler (1890). He had a profound influence on moving theatre into more realistic territory, inspiring the works of Anton Chekhov, James Joyce and others within the Modernist movement.Ibsen suffered a series of strokes in 1900 which left him unable to write. He spent the last six years of his life being cared for at his home in Christiania (now Oslo).On the contrary!, when his nurse remarked one morning that he was looking better. Today we are in mourning for the little space probe that could. The Philae lander, part of the pioneering Rosetta mission, is no more. What Happened? Should You Be Sad? The Philae lander, which landed on comet 67P in 2014, has lost all contact with The European Space Agency's researchers. With the frigid weather conditions of outer space, Philae began to lose its connection to the researchers. After 60 hours of operation on top of the comet the lander went almost completely radio silent. It effectively went into hibernation and never came back out. Attempts have since been made to get in contact with the lander, but most have been unsuccessful. Now it seems that all hopes of making contact with it have been lost.Philae had a tough start in life. It took a number of attempts for the craft to land on the comet. When it finally settled it was in a very awkward place, in the shade. This meant that its solar-powered battery pack couldn't receive any power. The lander was left with a single battery charge to carry out all of its operations. When the power ran out, scientists were not sure whether they would ever hear from the craft again. In January 2016 a last-ditch attempt to contact Philae was made, but it was not successful. The last contact made with the craft was on 9 July 2015. Since then it has moved into an increasingly cold part of its orbit, with temperatures going as low as -180C. 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(1) If youre looking to try out an online casino, there are several things that will help you make a decision. Heres what you should look for when choosing an online casino Are they regulated? A lot of the larger ones have licenses issued by the authorities in their respective regions, so its worth checking this first. Do they offer games from different software providers? Some casinos just use one software provider and limit your selection. This is fine if you like playing those types of games but you may want to check other casinos as well. What does their payout percentage look like? The payout rate refers to how much money you can expect to win after every bet. A high payout rate means youll be able to play more often without having to worry about losing all your money. Its also important to know the minimum and maximum bets allowed on each game. If youre going to play roulette, for example, then you probably dont want a casino with a minimum bet of less than $2.50 or even lower than that. The players used to play the game slot online in the land based casinos in the past time. 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If youd prefer to avoid paying a fee, some casinos offer no-deposit bonuses where you can get a certain amount of funds before you need to put any actual money into the account. These are usually offered alongside welcome bonuses, so make sure you read both parts of the terms and conditions carefully before signing up. Does it offer live dealer games? Live dealers are much preferred by many over regular virtual versions, so it pays to check this option out too. Most online casinos now offer live dealer games in addition to their regular offerings, allowing you to experience the thrill of the real thing without needing to leave home. Now that youve got an idea of what to look for when choosing an online casino, heres some tips for making the right choice It really comes down to personal preference. No two people are exactly alike, so everyone has an opinion on what they like and dislike about each casino. That said, here are some things to consider in order to narrow down your choices Popularity. Check out reviews, forums and Facebook pages to see what other people think of the casino. Also, ask around at work or friends houses who they would recommend to you. You could always take a look at the casinos website too, to see what kind of information they provide about themselves. Reputation. Find out what the general public thinks about the casino. Check out any customer reviews on sites like Trustpilot, Amazon and Google Play to find out more. As far as gaming goes, you can also check out the Better Business Bureau to see whether there have been any complaints against the casino. Security. Make sure the casino uses SSL encryption to secure its transactions, meaning that your private data stays safe during transactions. Other than that, look for security seals on the site itself and verify that theyre legitimate. 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You can test drive various casinos completely risk-free, so you can feel confident about your choice before you make a single penny deposit. Feb 16, 2016 | By Alec Tech events are always a fantastic place to learn more about the upcoming trends and developments in certain industries, and Asias biggest aviation event the Singapore Airshow 2016 is proving no different. Though much is happening at the stands where the cream of the international aviation industry has gathered, more interesting is how the show reflects the new focus of several key companies and the Singaporean government on developing 3D printing solutions for complex aircraft engine parts. The Singaporean government, of course, is especially focused on creating and maintaining a welcoming climate for innovative technologies and corporations. It is also home to a significant aerospace and aviation industry. About 10 percent of the global industry is located there, consisting of about 130 companies and a $8.3 billion output. This includes numerous international players According to the director of transport engineering for the Economic Development Board, Tan Kong Hwee, that sector has been growing with an annual growth rate of 8 percent over the last decade. That trend, experts say, is only continuing over the coming years and will require new innovations to keep growing. This is also clearly visible in the program of the Singapore Airshow 2016, which heavily focusing on emerging technologies such as 3D printing. This year, more than 1,000 companies (including 65 global aerospace players) are present at the show, spread out over twenty national pavilions. Over at the special Emerging Technologies zone, you can find various technological developments that are growing in importance for the aerospace and aviation industries. According to Singapore Airshow managing director Leck Chet Lam, 3D printing and other additive manufacturing techniques feature heavily and especially interest aviation developers for their ability to produce cost-effective small production runs. 3D printing also featured heavily during the fourth Aerospace Technology Leadership Forum, held yesterday. Organized by the governments Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*Star), it was attended by more than 350 delegates from leading aerospace companies worldwide, who discussed the technological future of the sector. There, GE Aviation also talked about ongoing work on a several 3D printed aircraft parts. We are building on current capabilities to develop Singapore into a globally recognized aerospace economy, capable of providing design, engineering, production and aftermarket services for the world's major aircraft programmes, Mr S. Iswaran, Minister for Trade and Industry, said at the event. Local industry heavyweights ST Aerospace and SIA Engineering also attended the announcement. GE Aviation is, of course, one of the biggest aviation pioneers involved in the metal 3D printing industry and have already made significant breakthroughs. Showing their commitment to the technology, they even ordered 10 new Arcam metal 3D printers back in December 2015. They also has a very strong presence in Singapores aviation industry, and are currently working together with Rolls-Royce and the Singaporean government on advancing 3D printing technology. Though Rolls-Royce and GE Aviation are competitors in daily life, this doesnt touch technology. Technology is where you want a common set of standards across the industry, and competition doesn't make a lot of sense, said Professor Richard Parker, director of research & technology at Rolls-Royce Group. Whats more, GEs Singaporean department is also reaching the point where they can practically implement 3D printing - even as a technology for refurbishing worn parts such as turbine blades. This is expected to take place at GEs Singapore-based engine component repair facility, which has just received an additional $110 million in funding from General Electric. This has been done to ramp up their production capacity, in anticipation of an unprecedented boom in demand for commercial engine overhauls, expected over the next five years. First opened in 1981, this is now one of GEs largest component repair shops in the world. Among others, they repair and overhaul components such as high pressure compressor, turbine blades, vanes, nozzles and combustors for over 150 different clients, with sales being worth more than a billion dollars over 2015. Over the next ten years, the funding will be used to develop new repair allays, also involving new robotic technologies and advanced materials, such as super alloys, single crystals and composites. We saw a 20% increase in one year in parts shipped (1.6 million) last year, says Dev Rudra, the sites managing director. But as fleets start to mature and we start to get into the CFM Leap so the ramp is coming. We dont know exactly what sort of growth it will be but we could expect it to be significant. Cold spray, 3D printing and automated laser welding are also on their agenda. Rolls-Royce, meanwhile, is also not sitting still in Singapore. A member of AStars Advanced Remanufacturing and Technology Center at Nanyang Technological University (NTU), they are involved in the development of a number of aviation technologies in Singapore, including surface enhancement, repair and restoration; robotics and 3D printing. Rolls-Royce is also ramping up production for their engine assembly plant in Seletar, Singapore. Eighty engines were assembled there over 2015, with the goal being to expand that to 250 per year by the end of 2017, revealed Bicky Bhangu, Rolls-Royce director for Singapore. New technologies and state-of-the-art engines are also expected to be constructed there, such as the Trent 7000 for the Airbus A330ne0, even though most of those were previously only manufactured in Europe. And with Rolls-Royces European division heavily involved with 3D printed engine parts, Singapore is quickly turning into a hotbed of aircraft innovation. One thing is clear: metal 3D printing for the aviation industry is soaring in Singapore. Posted in 3D Printing Application Maybe you also like: Michael wrote at 2/19/2016 3:36:18 PM:The upcoming "Singapore Aviation Safety Seminar" event jointly organised by Singapore Aviation Academy and Flight Safety Foundation will be held at the Singapore Aviation Academy from 14 to 18 March 2016. This event consists of 3 different seminars - "Maintenance and Engineering" seminar will be from 14 to 15 March 2016, Info-share on 16 March 2016 and "Flight Operations" seminar will be from 17 to 18 March 2016. 3D printing of aircraft parts will be one of the many other interesting topics to be presented in the Maintenance and Engineering Seminar. Feb 16, 2016 | By Tess New York based fashion collective threeASFOUR has been at the forefront of 3D printing in fashion since they first integrated the technology into their designs in 2013, making stunning and unique dresses only possible with additive manufacturing. Now, with the unveiling of their Fall/Winter 2016 Runway Show, the design trio is again demonstrating what amazing things can be created when 3D printing technologies and fashion are used in tandem. The runway show took place February 15th at Milk Studios as part of New York Fashion Week and featured two 3D printed dresses, the Pangolin and the Harmonograph, which themselves are part of threeASFOURs buzzed about collection Biomimicry. The 3D printed dresses were made in collaboration with 3D printing company Stratasys, which supplied the necessary technology to design and create the defining pieces, and fashion designer Travis Fitch. Though the collection was entirely black, both the Pangolin and Harmonograph dresses were made using Stratasys Objet500 Connex3 3D printer, the worlds first multi-color, multi-material 3D printing technology. The Objet500 Connex3 allowed for the dresses to be made from subtle color variations as well as materials of different flexibility and rigidity. The dresses were also made in part using Stratasys Nano Enhanced Elastomeric Technology material, which will reportedly be released on the market later in 2016. Pangolin 3D printed dress Having the capability to vary color and rigidity in a single piece using Stratasys Connex3 3D printing technology inspired us to explore flexibility, depth and transformation as inherent design objectives, explains Adi Gil, one of threeASFOURs founders. As artists and designers, it is our prerogative and our nature to explore the bounds of new technological opportunities, and to push the limits of the way in which forms are created. As the most advanced 3D printed dresses that we have created to date, we are extremely excited to showcase these pieces and demonstrate the unique possibilities unfolding at the intersection of fashion, design and technology. threeASFOUR, which was founded in 2005 by Gabi Asfour, Angela Donhauser, and Adi Gil, has continually pushed the limits of conventional fashion and design manufacturing processes. Just this past fall, the design trio unveiled two other 3D printed pieces, which headlined their Spring/Summer 2016 collection. Having explored various themes of human co-existence and collaboration in their previous collections, their latest reflects on and is inspired by natural geometries and biological forms. Appropriately called Biomimicry, the collection appropriates natural textures and morphologies into constructed, and additively manufactured fashion pieces. Harmonograph 3D printed dress Though inspired by natural forms, the designers note that their designs were inherently dependent on 3D printing. Not only were the 3D printing capabilities of the Objet500 Connex3 essential in the production of the dress, but the entire design from its initial conception was intended to maximize the potentials inherent to this technology, says Gil. The interwoven nature of the geometry could not be produced in a traditional manner, and it was critical to us that the design should evoke a language unique to 3D printing. The Pangolin dress was itself inspired by various animal textures, and was based on one of threeASFOURs signature dress patterns, made up of 14 pieces. The dress, as can be seen in detail in the video below, is made up of interlocking and flexible pieces, which allow for a 4 dimensional stretch. The multi-material 3D printing also allowed for the designers to structure certain parts of the dress more rigidly to properly accommodate the wearers movements. The Harmonograph dress, for its part, was based on the geometry of the Fibonacci sequence and itself wraps the body in three intricately detailed spirals, appearing to possess a harmonograph effect. Both 3D printed dresses in threeASFOURs Biomimicry collection are undeniably striking and looked fierce as they came down the runway. For 3D printing company Stratasys, this is not the first venture into 3D printed fashion design, as the Minneapolis, Rehovot, Israel based company has also collaborated with such notable designers as Iris van Herpen and Julia Koerner, as well as many other designers and architects. As Naomi Kaempfer, Creative Director Art Fashion Design at Stratasys says, We are always looking to revolutionize manufacturing methods, pioneer new design options, and inspire designers and students to create avant-garde expressions of fashion. Collaborative projects with talented and visionary designers, such as threeASFOUR, are the ideal way to showcase to aspiring designers, students and creatives the types of organic and complex mathematical structures that can become a physical reality with 3D printing. Our mission is to change the way people think about design and to redefine its possibilities. As fashion designers such as threeASFOUR continue to define their work through 3D printing technologies and continue to show us the growing potentials of the technology within fashion design, there is no question that this is just the beginning of a lasting relationship3D printing could truly be the future of fashion. Posted in 3D Printing Application Maybe you also like: Sameer Rahim at Prospect Magazine: Of all the places to set a social comedy in the style of Jane Austen, perhaps the last would be a disco in early 1980s New York. But 18 years ago, the American writer-director Whit Stillman did exactly that with his wonderfully funny and acute The Last Days of Disco. Stillmans first film Metropolitan (1990) followed the tangled love lives of a group of intelligent and idealistic New Yorkers. Filmed on a shoe-string, it was nominated for an Oscar. His next film Barcelona (1994) transplanted similar members of the self-described UHBs (Urban Haute Bourgeoisie) to Europe. The Last Days of Disco is the third in his trilogy of these comedies of mannerlessness, as Stillman has called them. On Saturday there was a showing at the Barbican, followed by a Q&A with Stillman and actor/director Richard Ayoyade. Stillman has been characterised as a Wasp Woody Allen. There are some similarities between the directors. Stillmans films are talkative and witty, like Allens, and are usually set in a closed milieux the director knows wellin Stillmans case the Harvard-educated upper classes. But the moral texture of his films are quite different. Allen embraces a liberal, humanistic worldview in which the sexual revolution is a joyfulthough complexachievement. By contrast, Stillman is sceptical of the sexual revolution, is impatient with liberal pieties, and retains a faith in the power of grace. One critic has even called him a Great Conservative Filmmaker. Thats going too far: he is too subtle a filmmaker to advocate a political ideology. Yet it is undeniable that for his characters concepts such as moral virtue, character, gentlemanliness and self-restraint are far from outdated ideals. more here. Halloween events vary from trunk or treat events to haunted house A host of events are planned this month for Halloween from the annual haunted forest and trunk or treats to a new haunted house event downtown. Rapid Growth Continues Sydney, Feb 16, 2016 AEST (ABN Newswire) - The Board of global voice specialist MNF Group Limited ( ASX:MNF ) are very pleased to report another strong performance for the six months ended 31 December 2015. Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) increased by 64% to $8.2 million, with net profit after tax (NPAT) increasing by 29% to $4.0 million, compared with the same period a year earlier. Revenue for the half increased 177% to $84.0 million. The result produces a robust first half balance sheet with $10.9 million in cash and a reduction in the TNZI acquisition debt to $15.0 million, resulting in a net debt of $4.1 million. It should be noted that we have maintained our original $27.0 million facility, providing ready funds of approximately $12.0 million, for acquisitions or for compelling organic growth opportunities. The large increases in revenue and net profit for the period versus the prior corresponding period are attributable to a combination of strong organic growth in the business, and a full half-year period from the TNZI global wholesale business. TNZI Post-Acquisition Update Much focus has been dedicated to the TNZI acquisition in the first six months of FY16. With the expansion of the UK Point of Presence (PoP) finalised, the TNZI network capacity and reach has been extended considerably in that region. New customer acquisition and provisioning is proceeding strongly as a direct result of our added capacity. Preparation is now well underway for deployment of a new PoP in Hong Kong with commissioning expected in May 2016. The opportunities in that region are numerous. The MNF Group's USA based operating subsidiary (TNZI USA LLC) was granted its carrier license by the US FCC in December 2015, and as such the US portion of the TNZI acquisition is expected to be completed shortly. The company expects to commence upgrades of the USA PoP very soon. Business Outlook and Guidance: Historically MNF Group enjoys stronger performance in the 2nd half of the financial year when compared with the 1st half, and we expect this trend to continue, albeit slightly more balanced due to the addition of the TNZI business which enjoys more even monthly revenues. The directors are of the opinion that the business is currently on track to meet our previously stated forecast EBITDA of $17.3 million and NPAT of $8.4 million for the full year ending 30 June 2016. With a discerning and conservative approach, the Board of MNF Group will continue to actively search for further acquisition opportunities; whilst we remain totally committed to driving growth and performance within the business. The MNF Group remains very confident that the company will achieve strong organic growth in the coming year and well into the future. There will be a teleconference and results presentation held on Wednesday 17th February at 8:30am AEDT. For details please check: http://mnfgroup.limited/investors A recorded version of this presentation will be made available for later viewing at the same web address. To view figures, please visit: http://media.abnnewswire.net/media/en/docs/ASX-MNF-906356.pdf To view the Investor Presentation, please visit: http://media.abnnewswire.net/media/en/docs/ASX-MNF-906358.pdf About Symbio Holdings Limited Symbio Holdings Limited (ASX:SYM) is a software company changing the way the world communicates. Symbio's technology replaces old-fashioned telecom networks with software, making it faster and easier to deliver modern cloud-based communication services, unlocking endless new applications for calling, messaging and phone numbers. Symbio is the backbone for the global cloud communication industry. Over 500 service providers - from telecom start-ups to the world's biggest software companies - rely on Symbio for the connectivity, quality and expertise they need to solve complex communication challenges. Headquartered in Sydney, Symbio powers billions of calls and messages each year, owns networks in three countries and employs over 450 staff worldwide. For more information about Symbio visit www.symbio.global IMGCAP(1)][IMGCAP(2)]Congress enacted the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act in response to the 2008 financial collapse and the recession that followed. Passed in 2010, the goals of the Dodd-Frank Act include promoting the financial stability of markets within the United States, ending the systemic risk generated by financial institutions that are too big to fail, protecting taxpayers by ending bailouts, and protecting the public from abusive financial services practices. Congress viewed whistleblowers as an integral tool for accomplishing these goals. The Dodd-Frank Act established a securities whistleblower incentives and protection program that is administered by the Securities and Exchange Commission through its Office of the Whistleblower. The Whistleblower Program is designed to encourage individuals to submit relevant information to aid the SEC in preventing, detecting and prosecuting violations of the federal securities laws. The program rests on three essential components: monetary awards, retaliation protection, and confidentiality protection for the informant. This article concentrates principally on the monetary awards. The Importance of Monetary Awards Under the Whistleblower Program, the SEC must make monetary awards to eligible individuals who voluntarily provide the Commission with original information about a violation of the federal securities laws that has occurred, is ongoing, or is about to happen. The information supplied must lead to a successful SEC enforcement action (and/or related action) resulting in a final judgment exceeding $1 million. The amount of the award is determined at the SECs discretion but it must be at least 10 percent and no more than 30 percent of the monetary sanctions that the Commission and the other authorities in related actions, if applicable, are able to collect. If the SEC awards a bounty to two or more individuals in connection with the same action, the Commission will decide the respective percentage award for each whistleblower based on their relative contribution to the success of the enforcement action, but in no event will the total award to all whistleblowers be less than 10 percent or greater than 30 percent of the monetary sanctions the SEC or other authorities collect. In determining the appropriate total award percentage, the SEC may consider factors that tend to increase the amount of the award. In this regard, if the nature of the information provided by the whistleblower significantly contributed to the success of the Commission action, and its reliability and completeness resulted in the conservation of SEC resources, the informant can expect a greater award. Also, a person who provides extensive and timely cooperation by, for example, explaining complex transactions, encouraging others to assist the SEC, or helping the authorities recover money derived from the illegal acts, may receive a larger award. The SEC does not view all violations of federal securities laws in the same way. If the nature of the violation is a Commission priority, the whistleblower exposed an industry-wide practice, the amount of harm or potential harm to investors presented by the underlying violations is significant, and/or there are a large number of individuals or entities harmed, the SEC may increase the award. A whistleblower who reported the possible securities violation through the companys internal compliance procedures before, or simultaneously with reporting it to the Commission may receive a bigger award. Just as there are factors that the SEC considers in increasing the award, there are also factors that may reduce the amount of an award. The Commission will assess the culpability of the whistleblower regarding the reported securities law violation. The award may be decreased if the whistleblowers role in the securities violation was prominent, if he acted with scienter, financially benefited from the violation, and/or the violation he committed was egregious. A whistleblower who unreasonably delays reporting the securities violation to the SEC may also receive a smaller award. Likewise, the Commission may reduce an award, if the informant interfered with his companys internal compliance system to prevent or delay detection of the reported securities violation. The award determined by the SEC is paid from a separate fund established by Congress, called the Investor Protection Fund, to ensure that payments to whistleblowers do not reduce the recoveries for victims of securities laws violations. The funds balance as of Sept. 30, 2015, the fiscal year end, was approximately $400.7 million. Since the inception of the fund in August 2010 and through the end of fiscal year 2015, the SEC has paid $54.8 million in awards. Who is Eligible to Receive an Award? A whistleblower eligible to receive an award is an individual who, alone or jointly with others, voluntarily provides the SEC with original information, pursuant to the procedures established by the Commission, about a possible violation of federal securities laws that has occurred, is ongoing, or is about to occur. A company may not be a whistleblower, and the whistleblower is not required to be an employee of a company to submit information about that company. The information supplied must lead to a successful SEC enforcement action (and/or related action) resulting in a final judgment or order of monetary sanctions exceeding $1 million. It is important for a potential whistleblower to understand what violations of law are covered under the program. The violations that can trigger an award are not limited to what might be viewed as classic breaches of federal securities laws, such as fraudulent financial reporting, offering fraud and insider trading. The SEC is also responsible for enforcement of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. This statute generally makes it unlawful for U.S. companies to offer anything of value to a foreign government official in order to obtain or retain business. This law also applies to foreign companies that have securities registered in the United States or that are required to file reports with the SEC. The FCPA also includes accounting provisions that require companies with securities listed on the U.S. stock exchanges and their subsidiaries to create and maintain accurate books and records, and to devise an adequate system of internal accounting controls. The Dodd-Frank Whistleblower Program covers the reporting of violations under the FCPA. In order to qualify for an award, the whistleblower must provide the information voluntarily. The submission of information is voluntary as long as the individual provides the information before it has been requested by: (a) the Commission, (b) the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, (c) Congress, (d) any other authority of the federal government, or (e) a state Attorney General. Original information is information derived from the whistleblowers independent knowledge or analysis that is not already known by the SEC from another source, unless the informant is the original source of the information. The information to be considered original must also not be exclusively derived from an allegation made in a judicial hearing, in a governmental report, or from the news media, unless the whistleblower is the source of the information. The SEC will not consider that the whistleblower provided original information if the whistleblower obtained the information through a communication that was subject to the attorney-client privilege, or in connection with the legal representation of a client on whose behalf the whistleblower is providing legal services, unless the disclosure of that information would otherwise be permitted by an attorney. Further, the whistleblower will not be eligible for an award if he obtained the information in a manner that is determined by a United States court to violate federal or state criminal law. There are restrictions upon giving awards to certain classes of people. However, several exceptions greatly reduce the applicability of these restrictions. Generally, whistleblowers will not be eligible for an award if they learned of the information because they were: Officers, directors, trustees or partners of an entity and another person informed them of allegations of misconduct, or they learned the information from the entitys internal compliance system; Employees whose main responsibilities involve compliance or internal audit functions, or employees of a firm retained to perform compliance or internal audit functions for an entity; Employed by a firm retained to investigate possible violations of law; or Employees of a public accounting firm and obtained the information through the performance of an engagement required of an independent public accountant under federal securities laws (other than the type of audit discussed below), and that information related to an engagement clients violation. However, whistleblowers that fit any of the above categories may be eligible for an award if: 1. They have a reasonable basis to believe that disclosure of the information to the SEC is necessary to prevent the respective entity from engaging in behavior that is probable to cause substantial injury to the financial interest or property of the entity or investors; 2. They have a reasonable basis to believe that the respective entity is engaging in conduct that will prevent an investigation of the misconduct; or 3. At least 120 days have passed since the whistleblower reported the violation through the entitys internal compliance system, before reporting it to the SEC. In this connection, in 2014 the SEC awarded over $300,000 to an individual with internal audit responsibilities that provided critical information to the Commission at least 120 days after the whistleblower reported the violations internally. Also, on April 22, 2015 the SEC awarded $1.6 million to a compliance officer who reported the securities violation to the Commission, because the officer had a reasonable basis to believe that disclosure to the SEC was necessary to prevent imminent misconduct from causing substantial financial harm to the company or investors. In addition, the following categories of whistleblowers are not eligible to receive an award: a) Officers and employees of the Commission, other government agencies, or any law enforcement organization; b) Foreign government officials; c) Persons who are convicted of a criminal violation that is related to the SEC action or related action; d) Persons who obtained the original information through an audit of an entitys financial statements, and making a whistleblower submission would be contrary to the audit requirements of Section 10A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Auditors already have the legal obligation to report consequential illegal acts by directors, management and other employees to the appropriate level of management and audit committee of the issuer. They also must report material illegal acts to the SEC that have not been remediated, after the auditor informed the board of directors about them and the board of directors failed to report them to the Commission. However, auditors who submit tips about possible violations concerning their own firms performance of audit services are eligible; e) Persons who acquired the original information with the intent to evade any provision of the SECs rules; f) Persons who knowingly make false representations to the Commission. Except for those whistleblowers who under the SECs Final Rules are not allowed to receive an award, a whistleblower employee may be eligible for an award, if he reported the securities violation to the companys internal compliance department, and within 120 days of reporting it internally he also reports the information directly to the Commission. However, internal reporting is not necessary. Common Characteristics of Whistleblower Award Recipients The SEC has stated that whistleblower award recipients had certain commonalities. First, they provided specific, credible and timely tips. These tips included the identity of the individuals involved in the fraud, specific documents that substantiated the allegations or described the fraudulent transactions, and the tips related to misconduct that was current or ongoing. Second, almost 50 percent of the award recipients were current or former employees of the company committing the securities violation, while the remaining award recipients were either investors who had been victims of the fraud, contractors to the company, or had a personal relationship with one of the defendants. Procedures for Reporting a Tip To be eligible for an award, the whistleblower must provide the SEC with original information about a possible federal security laws violation either through the Commissions online Tips, Complaints and Referrals questionnaire or by completing Form TCR and faxing or mailing it to the Office of the Whistleblower. Furthermore, the informant must declare under penalty of perjury that the information submitted is true to the best of the whistleblowers knowledge and belief. The whistleblower may submit the information to the SEC anonymously. To do so, the whistleblower must be represented by an attorney. Before the Commission will pay any award, however, the whistleblower must disclose his identity to the Commission on Form WB-APP discussed below. The disclosure of the whistleblowers identity to the SEC is required because the Office of the Whistleblower needs to determine whether the whistleblower pertains to a category of individuals who are not eligible to receive an award. The SEC will not publicly disclose the identity of a whistleblower, except that in a court proceeding the Commission may be required to produce documents which would reveal the whistleblowers identity. Since the inception of the SEC whistleblower program in August 2011 through Sept. 30, 2015, the Commission has received 14,116 tips, of which 3,923 were received during fiscal year 2015, an 8.4 percent more than in 2014. For fiscal year 2015, except for the Other category, the most common types of complaints reported were: a) Corporate Disclosure and Financials (17.5 percent). This category includes corporate governance violations, executive compensation violations, failure to notify shareholders of corporate events, false financial statements, false offering documents, failure to file reports, etc.; b) Offering fraud (15.6 percent), including Ponzi schemes; c) Manipulation of securities/prices (12.3 percent); and d) Insider trading (7 percent). Additional subjects of complaints included Foreign Corrupt Practices Act violations and trading and pricing violations (e.g., inaccurate quotes). In fiscal year 2015, the SEC received complaints from 4,135 individuals, of which 69.9 percent were from the United States, 10.2 percent were from a foreign country, and 19.9 percent did not specify a country. The states within the U.S. with the highest number of individual reporting tips were California (22.3 percent) and New York (9.0 percent). The program is not restricted to United States citizens or residents. Foreign individuals living abroad may submit tips and be eligible to receive an award. In this regard, on Sept. 22, 2014 the SEC awarded more than $30 million to a non-U.S. resident who provided original information related to an ongoing fraud. The award is the largest ever made by the Commission to date. In fiscal year 2015, the SEC received Form TCRs from individuals in 61 foreign countries. Of the 421 foreign individuals reporting complaints, the highest number came from the United Kingdom (17.1 percent), Canada (11.6 percent), China (10.2 percent), India (7.8 percent), and Australia (6.9 percent). Considering Latin America only, Brazil and Mexico accounted for the largest percentage of individuals reporting tips since the Program started (each with 21.8 percent) followed by Argentina (18.6 percent). The SECs Office of Market Intelligence assesses every TCR submitted, identifying those with high-quality information and assigning them to the appropriate enforcement office within the Commission. Procedures for Applying for an Award For each SEC action where a final judgment alone, or collectively with other judgments previously entered in the Commission action, results in monetary sanctions exceeding $1,000,000, OWB posts on its website a Notice of Covered Action, or NoCA. An individual has 90 calendar days from the date of the NoCA to file a claim for an award on Form WB-APP, Application for Award for Original Information Provided Pursuant to Section 21F of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or the claim will be barred. The whistleblower must sign Form WB-APP as the claimant and mail or fax it to the Office of the Whistleblower, or OWB. For example, on Feb. 27, 2015, OWB posted Notice 2015-17, notifying that the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York entered default judgments against eight Argentine citizens. Because they violated the securities registration laws, the court disgorged $33.3 million from defendants, and ordered the payment of penalties of $160,000 per defendant, totaling $34.6 million in monetary sanctions. Individuals who had previously submitted the tip to the SEC had until May 28, 2015 to file Form WB-APP to claim an award. OWB evaluates each award application and prepares a written recommendation. The Claims Review Staff considers OWBs recommendation, and then issues a preliminary determination allowing or denying the whistleblower claim and, if allowed, determining the proposed award percentage. Preliminary determinations are communicated to whistleblowers to give them a chance to submit a written response to OWB. All Final Orders denying a whistleblower claim or approving an award are posted to OWBs website but are redacted to protect the identities of the whistleblowers. If the SEC denies an application for an award, the whistleblower may appeal the Commissions decision in the appropriate United States Court within 30 days of the Final Order. Payment of a whistleblower award will be made on the later of the date on which the monetary sanction is collected or upon the completion of the appeals process for all whistleblower award claims. Relevance of the Dodd-Frank Whistleblower Program Violators of federal securities laws seldom act in isolation and go unobserved. Actions taken in connection with false accounting entries, deceitful offering materials and false statements to facilitate a Ponzi scheme are likely to be observed by people who are not involved in the actual scheme. The Dodd-Frank whistleblower program was designed to encourage individuals to submit relevant information to help the SEC prevent, detect and prosecute violations of federal securities laws and the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. The program motivates individuals to come forward by providing them with the possibility of claiming significant monetary awards, shielding them against employer retaliation, and protecting their identities. The recent experience of the program in terms of the increased number of whistleblower tips submitted and successful enforcement actions suggests that it is an important tool for combating securities fraud in the United States. Eduardo Singerman, CFE, CPA, is a litigation director in the Global Forensics practice at BDO USA in the firms New York office. Paul S. Hugel, Esq., is an attorney who specializes in federal securities laws and partner at Clayman & Rosenberg, a New York law firm. The Indiana CPA Societys CPA Center of Excellence is seeing greater demand for online learning in nontraditional areas for accountants, according to a new survey. The CPA Center of Excellence recently surveyed nearly 700 Indiana CPAs to gauge their learning preferences and the skills they need to enhance. Seventy-five percent of respondents said they need technical accounting, auditing and tax education, as expected. But more than 40 percent (respondents could choose multiple types of education) said they also needed non-technical education such as leadership, critical thinking and communications training. And 13 percent indicated that they needed ethics training as well. Classroom training was the top choice among CPAs for a learning environment. However, nearly 30 percent said they are most successful in online webinars, while over 20 percent said they are successful in online self-study. These online education percentages are believed to be higher than in prior years. As far as devices used for online education, the laptop was used most, followed by a desktop, tablet and smartphone. "The survey results confirm what weve known to be true for some time now," said Indiana CPA Society president and CEO Gary Bolinger in a statement. "First, that mastery of non-technical skills is critical for current and future CPAs. Second, the current hours-based system of education is outdated and not meeting CPAs' needs. And third, CPAs want options for professional development and need help mapping out those plans." Two questions on the survey addressed learning group size. Larger groups were the preference for both classroom and online learning. In a classroom environment, 93 percent preferred class sizes of 10 or more. In an online environment, 81 percent preferred groups of at least that size as well. When CPAs were asked about their preferences between formal and informal settings for learning, nearly 64 percent of respondents preferred informal settings. In terms of learning formats, an interactive format was the top vote-getter, followed by lecture and experiential. "Formal is too restricted. There are often good ideas by the participants in classroom CPE, and they can offer valuable insight at times. A combination of lecture and interactive is best," said one survey respondent. Another commented, "Informal settings usually allow for more participation and knowledge sharing of participants." A third respondent provided a perspective that contrasts competency-based learning with the current hours-based model: "I like to learn at my own pace. When doing online learning (such as CPA Center of Excellence training), I am required to focus and learn. In a class setting, it is easier to just be physically present and not get much out of the class." More than 35 percent of respondents indicated a shift to competency-based education for CPAs is needed, while only 16 percent disagreed. Nearly 50 percent of the respondents said more information was needed to form an opinion. The competency-based approach used by the CPA Center of Excellence means that competency must be demonstrated in order for a participant to advance through or complete a course. A related question asked how the CPA's employer addressed the need to develop non-technical (or soft) skills. Nearly 45 percent indicated their employer believes this education should be included within their continuing professional education requirements, while another 20 percent offer to pay for this training in addition to other continuing professional education. At the present time, CPAs in Indiana are required to obtain 120 hours of training every three years. Three other questions dealt with professional development plans. More than 62 percent said they do not currently have a plan, and nearly 65 percent would like resources to help develop one. Of those that do have a plan, only 44 percent said that their skills development is assessed. In terms of the specific skills necessary to them personally, communications was first at 23 percent, with critical thinking second at 19 percent, problem solving third at 18 percent, leadership fourth at 17 percent and analytical fifth at 16 percent. Among new hires, the skills most lacking were critical thinking, communications, problem solving, analytical and leadership. A former Internal Revenue Service agent has been convicted in a federal court in Seattle for receiving a bribe from a marijuana dispensary owner. Paul G. Hurley, 43, of Seattle, was convicted on two felony counts last Friday following a two-day trial (see Former IRS Agent to Be Tried for Soliciting Bribe from Marijuana Business Owner). The jury deliberated for three days before reaching its verdict. U.S. District Judge John C. Coughenour has scheduled sentencing for Hurley for May 13, 2016. The charge of receiving a bribe by a public official is punishable by up to 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. According to the evidence and testimony presented at the trial, Hurley was randomly assigned last summer to audit the corporate taxes of Have a Heart Compassion Care, Inc., a medical marijuana dispensary. Hurley worked as a revenue agent with the IRS since 2009. During a meeting at one of the dispensarys locations, he presented the business owner, Ryan Kunkel, with the findings of an IRS audit. Hurley indicated that he had saved the owner millions during the audit and that he lived paycheck to paycheck. In return, Hurley asked Kunkel for $20,000. Kunkel and his attorney reported the bribe request to the FBI. Working with law enforcement, Kunkel met twice with Hurley, recording their conversations and delivering the cash to him in marked bills. Some of this cash was seized from Hurley at the time of his arrest following his second meeting with Kunkel. During the trial, prosecutors pointed out that Hurley had written on the audit paperwork that Kunkel had no money to pay on his tax bill following the audit, even as Hurley sought $20,000 to personally benefit from his work as a public employee. This is a case about what he didnt do, prosecutors told the jury, noting that Hurley failed to fulfill his duties as a revenue agent during the audit. Section 1 Body Html ACER publishes today a Memorandum of Understanding signed with the Competent Authorities in 25 Member States responsible for facilitating and coordinating the permit granting process for the development of key energy infrastructure projects in Europe. These projects of common interest (PCIs) are essential for completing the European internal energy market and for reaching the EU's energy policy objectives of affordable, secure and sustainable energy. The agreement will allow promoters of Projects of Common Interest (PCIs) to do a single reporting on the progress of their projects of common interest (PCI) to both ACER and the relevant national Competent Authorities responsible for permitting. ACER will provide a single reporting window to reduce their administrative burden. Furthermore this Memorandum of Understanding enables the participating Competent Authorities to have access to the most up-to-date PCI information, and carry out their PCI monitoring tasks in an efficient, coordinated and consistent way. At the same time project promoters are safeguarded with regard to the confidentiality, integrity and protection of the information they provide. The agreement was signed by the competent authorities in Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and the UK. The Competent Authorities in Germany, France, Netherlands decided not to join the Memorandum at this time. Therefore for these three countries, promoters will still have to report both to ACER and to the national Competent Authority. Access the MoU here. Update: The Belgian Competent Authority signed the MoU and informed the Agency thereof on 8 March 2016. The single reporting service is available also for those PCI promoters who have to submit a report to the Belgian Competent Authority. On Valentines Day, one cant overlook (well, one can, but shouldnt) love for the earth from which we came. From Praise Be from Pope Francis, a prayer for the earth [passage 178]: A prayer for our earth All-powerful God, you are present in the whole universe and in the smallest of your creatures. You embrace with your tenderness all that exists. Pour out upon us the power of your love, that we may protect life and beauty. Fill us with peace, that we may live as brothers and sisters, harming no one. O God of the poor, help us to rescue the abandoned and forgotten of this earth, so precious in your eyes. Bring healing to our lives, that we may protect the world and not prey on it, that we may sow beauty, not pollution and destruction. Touch the hearts of those who look only for gain at the expense of the poor and the earth. Teach us to discover the worth of each thing, to be filled with awe and contemplation, to recognize that we are profoundly united with every creature as we journey towards your infinite light. We thank you for being with us each day. Encourage us, we pray, in our struggle for justice, love and peace. h/p: Eric Holthaus This month, with love and romance in the air, brands bring out innovative campaigns to make emotional connect with their consumers. Breaking away from the cliche of roses and chocolates, this Valentines Day, Animal Planet celebrated the most pristine form of love and together in the wilderness. Building its new digital campaign, Animal Planet connected its fans with the animal kingdom on Facebook. The channel, through its most wonderful collection of wildlife photographs invited fans to express their love. Animal Planet admirers could pick their favourite valentine card and dedicate it to their loved ones by tagging them in the comments or by sharing it on their wall - heart emoticon <3 #AnimalValentineCard. Commenting on the digital initiative, Rahul Johri, EVP & GM South Asia, Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific said, Animal Planet celebrates the bond between animals and humans through it gripping content. Valentines Day is a great occasion to communicate this relationship and rejoice with its viewers. #AnimalValentineCard is a unique digital initiative and viewers have responded to it with supreme response. Some of the comments on the page included: How Beautiful They Are With Each Other, Thanks Animal Planet For These Lovely Moments Real Love in Earth Without Any Expectations Lets Explore The World Together Airways Aviation is celebrating the launch of the Kuwaiti Cadet EASA fATPL Programme with Kuwait Airways and welcomes the inaugural class of trainee pilots at its Spanish flying school. Above: Airways Aviation CEO Ian Cooper (sixth from right) and inaugural Kuwaiti cadets. Audited and endorsed by Kuwait Airways, the cadet programme allows inexperienced Kuwaiti nationals to train within a syllabus fully-aligned with the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Training and Qualification Initiative. On graduating they will be licensed, industry-ready pilots. Training with Airways Aviation, as a recognised partner of Kuwait Airways, gives cadet graduates a competitive edge when it comes to career opportunities with the airline. Ian Cooper, CEO, Airways Aviation, said: The Kuwaiti Cadet EASA fATPL Programme is an exciting addition to the Airways Aviation training portfolio. Our students receive an outstanding learning experience on the ground and in the air, under the guidance of our team of highly qualified and dedicated instructors. We are proud to be able to offer our graduates a leading edge when it comes to career prospects with Kuwait Airways. Airways Aviation has a strong portfolio of pilot training academies across the globe, including EASA certified schools in the UK, Spain and Montenegro and CASA certified schools in Australia. Airways Aviation also has established foundation schools worldwide including China, Japan, Malaysia, Indonesia, Dubai and Lebanon with plans to bring another 30 online within the next 18 months. Kuwait Airways, established in 1954, was the first national carrier in the Middle East. The Kuwaiti flag carrier flies worldwide, from destinations in the Middle East to Europe, and Asia. Edinburgh is to become WOW air's third UK departure point - and the first in Scotland - for flights to Iceland and North America. Flight services are to commence on 13 July 2016 to Reykjavik, the USA and Canada. Flights will depart Edinburgh International Airport for the airlines hub in Reykjavik twice a week between July and October. Onward travelling passengers will have a short stopover before continuing on to one of the airlines North American destinations - Boston, Washington D.C., Montreal, Toronto, Los Angeles or San Francisco. Skuli Mogensen (above), founder and CEO of WOW air, said: Were very pleased to announce Edinburgh as our third UK departure point given the success weve seen with advance bookings on the recently announced Bristol route and of course our original route from London. We know that Scottish travellers are an intrepid sort, keen to explore unique and mountainous landscapes so we hope to open up Iceland to many more Scots with our service. With our ultra-low-cost 125 fares to North America this summer, the choice for Scottish holidaymakers just widened. Gordon Dewar, Chief Executive of Edinburgh Airport, said: Iceland is an increasingly popular destination for Scottish holidaymakers and this new route also increases choice of flying between Scotland and the United States. WOW air are a very welcome new airline to Edinburgh Airport; they have rightly recognised the increasing demand for connectivity to and from Scotland. This news further bolsters Edinburgh Airports position as the leader for business and tourism connectivity between Scotland and international destinations. Edinburgh becomes the airlines 29th destination following the announcement of Canadian and Californian routes in October and November 2015 respectively. Launched in November 2011, WOW airs annual passenger capacity will more than double in 2016 to over 1.9 million, up from approximately 840,000 in 2015. A320 aircraft will operate the Edinburgh to Reykjavik flight with single-class A321 and A330-300 aircraft operating the routes between Iceland and North America. Preparing to support remotely piloted aircraft operations is no easy task. Still, Airmen assigned to the 432nd Wing/432nd Air Expeditionary Wing recently spent time showing leadership exactly what it takes to provide RPA intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance support at any time.Chief Master Sgt. Michael Ditore, command chief of the wings, shadowed two Airmen from the 432nd Aircraft Communications Maintenance Squadron Feb. 10 and learned about how the unit provides the link between RPAs and ground support at Creech Air Force Base.Senior Airman Robert, a communications mechanic, and Staff Sgt. Rachel, a communications supervisor, are responsible for ground control squadron maintenance. Assigned to the 432nd ACMS, they maintain the electronic link between pilots in the ground control station and their RPAs.Both Airmen are also part of the only communications squadron that services ground control stations at Creech AFB. A station acts as a cockpit to pilots and sensor operators who control MQ-1 and MQ-9 aircraft from the ground, and being the only specialists with the tools to maintain them makes their job especially important to the RPA mission.As they conducted a preventative maintenance inspection (PMI) with Ditore, the Airmen covered important aspects of the job, and provided him with valuable insight. The Airmen showed Ditore how to properly care for the station, as well as how to fix it if something goes wrong.Robert said that keeping the stations maintained enables pilots and sensor operators to fly, and demonstrated that without them, RPA flights wouldn't be possible."When you're enabling combatant commanders to successfully complete the mission, it's a great feeling," Robert said. "I love being in the Air Force and being in communications because there is a requirement everywhere for us. We can go anywhere in the world, we can set up anywhere in the world."For Robert, station maintenance often involves more than wrench turning. It also focuses on servicing the computers and the technical aspects of communications that enable RPA crews to talk with ground crews and the aircraft itself.As part of his efforts to develop Airmen at Creech AFB, Ditore developed the shadow an Airman for a day program to put faces to the Airmen of the community."It's really important that we get to know our Airmen and what they are doing," Ditore said. "We all bring something to the fight. It's important for us not to lose that perspective of one another."As a former maintainer, Ditore felt at home performing the PMI alongside the ACMS Airmen. Ditore finished various tasks alongside the Airmen, from cleaning computer screens to taking apart station items.Like most other jobs in the Air Force, paperwork is a crucial part of maintenance inspections. When Ditore was finished with the shadow, Robert showed him how to fill out forms and mark discrepancies found during the inspection, explaining what each one meant and how to write them.Ditore said shadowing the Airmen allowed him to gather a new perspective on the 432nd ACMS and their importance to the mission."(Working with) communications gives me variety," Ditore said. "It lets me see how these Airmen are making a difference, helps me find out how to help and show we care."Editors note: Some last names were removed due to security concerns. 33rd FW hosts first F-35A load competition The 33rd Fighter Wing held its first weapons load competition with the F-35A Lightning II here Feb. 5 to find the best weapons load crew in the 33rd Maintenance Group. The event marked a milestone in the wings F-35 program as the first competition in seven years since the 2009 drawdown of the F-15C Eagle. The 33rd FW flew F-15s until the Defense Departments Base Realignment and Closure Commission directed the divestment of the aircraft and established the wing as the host unit for the F-35 Integrated Training Center. On Sept. 8, 2009, the wing's final F-15 departed to make way for the F-35s arrival in the summer of 2011. "(This competition) is very important to the F-35 program because it shows our progress as weapons load trainers and how the F-35 has grown," said Tech. Sgt. Daryl Crane, a 33rd MXG weapons load standardization crew member. "It also shows how we've brought this aircraft (toward) initial operational capability. We set the milestones for other bases to have these aircraft ready to drop (munitions) as soon they get them." During the competition, load crews underwent a uniform inspection, a written 25-question test covering loading procedures and weapons safety, a weapons tool box inspection, and an Air Intercept Missile-120 and Guided Bomb Unit-12 integrated load. All evaluated processes are graded on a point system distinguishing the team with the highest points as the winner. "The purpose of weapons load competition is to allow the 58th Aircraft Maintenance Unit load crews to showcase their abilities as excellent loaders and encourage a competitive spirit to our career field," said Tech. Sgt. Raymond Mott, a 33rd MXG F-35A loading standardization crew member. The 33rd FW has 14 load crews made up of one lead standardization crew, two lead crews and 11 load crews. Only these 11 load crews in the 58th AMU are eligible to compete in the load competition. The wing hosted four quarterly load competitions for the 11 load crew teams to compete against each other to qualify for the event. "The competition pushes our loaders to stay competitive," Mott said. "This (event) ultimately makes all of our 11 load crews better and smarter loaders." The winners of this competition will be announced at the military professional of the year ceremony March 11. This team will then compete in a base-wide load competition March 18 against load crews from the 96th Test Wing on Eglin Air Force Base to determine the base's best load crew. "Our career field has a lot of pride. Earning the title of the best load crew is the same as winning the gold medal in the Olympics because it follows you throughout your entire career," Mott said. Air Force continues to improve care in the air The Air Force is committed to research and development for advancements in en route patient care. The Air Mobility Command Surgeon Generals office and researchers across the Air Force, to include the 711th Human Resource Wing at Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, have been working together to improve how the Air Force provides care in the air. The AMC/SG is responsible for clinical oversight of the Air Force aeromedical evacuation (AE) system. Over the last 15 years, the joint community has made tremendous strides in providing care to our wounded warriors, said Col. Susan Dukes, the En Route Care Research Division chief for the Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine at Wright Patterson AFB. We now have programs of research specific to en route care. Its very important to clinicians and researchers to capture lessons learned in order to improve our policies and procedures for patient care, Dukes added. About every 12 to18 months, AMC conducts a capability based assessment which informs the surgeon generals office where gaps are across the en route care spectrum. Gaps are categorized in areas such as doctrine, personnel, and facilities, and assist AMC/SG with focusing its research efforts, said Col. Andrea Gooden, the En route Medical Care Division chief for AMC/SG. Many of the questions asked by researchers require a series of studies to reach an evidence-based approach that informs policy or changes clinical practice, Dukes said. Researchers are studying the stresses of flight and the various impacts of transport, such as hypoxia and vibration, she said. Findings from these studies will help identify what needs to be done differently while caring for patients in the en route care system compared to care provided to patients in the hospital environment. Dukes said over the years, another aspect of researched care has been pain control. Research has shown that if severe pain is not controlled early on, it can lead to problems with chronic pain. Controlling severe pain following devastating injuries has also been suggested to protect against the development of post-traumatic stress syndrome. The Air Force is trying to look at better ways to manage pain within the en route care system, Dukes said. Identifying pain management challenges was the first step. We are now looking at interventions, to include the use of regional anesthesia for our critical care and AE patients. We are also researching diversion and music therapy as non-pharmacological measures for pain control in our non-critical patients. She said studies have been completed by other researchers to assess the effectiveness of alternative pain management methods, such as acupuncture. Another documented research gap is the need to understand the relationship between the time of the injury and the time to transport. A study recently released by researchers at the University Of Maryland School Of Medicine revealed evidence suggesting air evacuations of traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients may pose a significant added risk, potentially causing additional damage to already injured brains. Identifying the impact of transport and the best time to transport patients with different disease processes or injuries are questions military researchers have been studying for several years, Dukes said. This study was looking at the timing of simulated transport with different amounts of oxygen administered using an animal model, Dukes noted. Additional studies are needed before these findings can be applied to policy. We are taking it into consideration as we look at how we care for our TBI patients, Gooden said. Our flight surgeons evaluate each patient individually as they are validated for movement. We are taking the research seriously, but we really need to replicate in a human model before we change policy. The Defense Department is also developing a new electronic health record to be pushed across all services soon. The AMC Surgeon Generals office aims to provide a solution to the disconnect between ground medical capabilities to the AE capability, Gooden said. Currently, there is an electronic record of care received on the ground, but not in the air. If you consider where you are taking off from and what agencies are delivering the patient and then subsequently receiving the patients, if they are not all using the same program, it quickly becomes complex, said Lt. Col. William Thoms, the aeromedical evacuation clinical operations chief for AMC/SG. When we land to pick up our patients, AE and critical care teams need to be able to receive the data seamlessly to provide further positive outcomes. The goal is for the AE crews to be able to telecommute or reach out to communicate to ground sources, he said. This will enable the providers on the ground to give AE personnel definitive and clear guidance on how to take care of any crisis taking place in the air. How AE Airmen train also plays in an integral role in operational readiness and improved care. AMC/SG recently led a high performance team focused on clinical sustainment training for AE, patient staging and critical care. The results identified research is needed on the use and effectiveness of simulation in clinical training. Our number one priority is incorporating simulation into our clinical training requirements, Gooden said. We are trying to incorporate and standardize training across the total force: AE, patient staging and critical care elements. Eventually having the ability to cross train the services would benefit every en route care node. For instance, the command is hoping to create clinical training centers for excellence which would include en route care research along with the AE, patient staging and critical care disciplines, said Lt. Col. James Speight, the chief of AE clinical training for AMC/SG. The research lab is looking at using virtual environments, gaming and personalized training to keep AE members proficient. We are hoping to understand how much simulation is effective to properly train the critical care, AE and patient staging personnel, Speight said. It is a huge undertaking to standardize simulation training across the spectrum, he said. Theres an initiative moving forward to incorporate training and networking across the services because, when we look at the en route care system, its not just the Air Force, Speight said. We have initiatives underway to help provide standardized integrated training and preparation so the entire en route care process can be as safe as possible for our patients. The DOD, through many initiatives, has improved the survival rate of wounded warriors since the advent of operations in U.S. Central Command. Continually improving care through the use of evidence-based practice is a key area supporting these improvements. As a result of research and innovative training, care in the air will continue to improve in the future. Air Force Reserve Command crowns public affairs champ The commander of the Air Reserve Personnel Center, Brig. Gen. Samuel Bo Mahaney, was presented the Air Force Reserve Command Public Affairs Champion Award by Maj. Gen. Michael Kim, mobilization assistant to the AFRC commander at the AFRC PA Leadership Symposium in Marietta, Ga., Feb. 9. The AFRC PA Champion award recognizes commanders who provide exceptional leadership and support to their public affairs office and the career field as a whole. The competition was open to all AFRC. Nominations were submitted by their respective PA Office and judged by leadership at the command level. During his acceptance speech Mahaney thanked the audience of more than 140 Reserve PA professionals from around the command. When one gets an award from outside one's career field, it's a big deal. I have always said that my two most trusted advisors, as a commander, are my PA and my judge advocate. As commander of ARPC, Mahaney is responsible for personnel support to nearly 1 million Air National Guard, Air Force Reserve and retired members, ensuring they are ready to deliver strategic Total Force war fighting capability for the Air Force. From initial entry to retirement, the center provides world-class support for "Generations of Airmen" throughout their military careers. In addition, Headquarters Individual Reservist Readiness and Integration Organization reports directly to Mahaney. Headquarters RIO is responsible for the readiness, accountability, personnel and administrative servicing of more than 8,500 Individual Reservists worldwide. The center is a major command direct reporting unit of Air Force. I believe that units with a great relationship between PA and CC are the strongest in the Air Force...why? Communication! Communication is the key. And without a strong PA, chances are that effective communication will not take place, Mahaney said. While the general was eager to point out that PA professionals provide critical guidance during strategic and change management planning, the general shared that he finds working with PA on internal messaging the most enjoyable. Ive worked with ARPC PA to present a vision, complete with strategic goals and objectives, and my tenets of leadership. We have had loads of fun creating both serious and humorous videos, emails, voice messages, strategic documents, snapshots, Commanders Calls, Porch calls, road shows, etc., said Mahaney. My favorite part of each week is the time I get to meet with PA. When I see that meeting on my schedule I get excited. My expectations sky rocket! I know that when that meeting is over something will have been created: an idea, a concept, a storyboard, an outreach plan. I love to innovate, create, and envision a future that works. That's my common ground with PA. Mahaney went on to praise individual public affairs people and units reflecting what effect they have had on his work as a commander. Public Affairs professionals think in a way that awakens that part of me. You facilitate mission accomplishment at a different level and in a way that brings human experience and perception into the mix. I have a great deal of respect for the PA career field. Because of PA I have built wonderful relationships with members of the community. I get to introduce amazing celebrities like former Colorado Rockies pitcher Jason Hirsh and the Big Bang Theory actress Kaley Cuoco to the Air Force Reserve, he said, smiling. Because of PA, I have jumped from a perfectly good aircraft with the Canadian Parachute team. Because of PA, I have been on stage with Brad Paisley in concert. Because of PA I have built relationships with organizations like the USO and Sweethearts for Soldiers. And all the while we tell the stories of our amazing Citizen Airmen. The general wrapped up his speech commenting on what the award meant to him personally. I do this as a labor of love, because you all have done so much for me especially those whom I have served as their commander. As I look out on this crowd, I see many that I have served with. I just want to say thanks to those people and to you all. When I was notified I had been selected for this award, I jumped at the opportunity to come before you all. Not to accept the award for myself, but as an opportunity to tell you all what you mean to me and what you mean to the Air Force. May God bless you all as you continue to move our Air Force into the future! Thank you very much. The Chief of the Air Force Reserve has announced the new Command Chief Master Sergeant for Air Force Reserve Command. Chief Master Sgt. Ericka E. Kelly, command chief for the 349th Air Mobility Wing, Travis Air Force Base, California, will fill AFRC's top enlisted position, according to a release from Lt. Gen. James F. Jackson, commander of Air Force Reserve Command and chief of the Air Force Reserve. Kelly will replace Command Chief Master Sgt. Cameron Kirksey, who is scheduled to retire in March. Kelly spent most of her nearly 32 years of military service in the aeromedical evacuation career field. She transferred to the Air Force Reserve in 1993. During her career she has deployed numerous times in support of contingency operations including Operation Restore Hope and Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. Kelly is an aeromedical evacuation evaluator and has more than 1.400 flight hours aboard C-9A, C-17A, C-130H, WC-130J, C-141B/C and KC-135R aircraft. More robust US airpower needed, AF leaders tell lawmakers Air Force Vice Chief of Staff Gen. David Goldfein and other senior leaders testified before the House Armed Services Committee about readiness and the fiscal year 2017 Air Force budget request Feb. 12. The panel, which also included Lt. Gen. John Raymond, the deputy chief of staff for operations, and Lt. Gen. John Cooper, the deputy chief of staff for logistics, engineering and force protection, testified that with todays national security challenges, the world needs a strong American joint force. The joint force depends upon Air Force capabilities and requires airpower at the beginning, the middle and the end of every joint operation. Since our establishment in 1947, the Air Force remains the worlds first and most agile responder in times of crisis, contingency and conflict, Goldfein said. He added that the last 25 years of continuous combat operations and reductions in the total force, combined with budget instability and lower funding, have resulted in one of the smallest, oldest and least ready forces across the full spectrum of operations in Air Force history. Goldfein also stated the Budget Control Act further degraded readiness while limiting recovery. While the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015 provided some readiness recovery and modernization efforts, the Air Force needs permanent relief from BCA with consistent and flexible funding, more manpower and time to recover readiness. For the past two years, instead of rebuilding readiness for future, high-end conflicts, Airmen have responded to events across the globe leading and in support of the joint force while remaining the worlds greatest Air Force. A return to sequestration would worsen the problem and delay the Air Force goal to return to full-spectrum readiness, Goldfein said We are too small and you have seen us trying to build back up capacity so we can do what our nation needs, Goldfein said. To improve mission quality, the vice chief of staff said the budget includes a modest upsizing of the total force to address a number of key areas, including critical career fields such as intelligence, cyber, maintenance, and battlefield Airmen. Aircraft maintenance career fields are approximately 4,000 maintainers short. The manpower requested will keep existing aircraft flying at home and abroad. We have offered numerous retention incentives to our older maintainers so they will stay and retain that training, that expertise, but we are digging a continuous hole as we go forward, Cooper said. According to Goldfein, this budget request prioritizes readiness and modernization over installation support. Todays Air Force maintains infrastructure that is in an operational excess. There are 500 fewer aircraft now compared to 10 years ago, therefore, a reduction and realignment infrastructure would best support Air Force operational needs by base realignment and closure, he said. Airmen are educated, innovative, motivated, and willing to ensure the Air Force continues to outwit and outlast opponents and defend the United States from harm, Goldfein said. They assure air superiority so American ground forces can keep their eyes on enemies on the ground rather than concern themselves with enemy airpower overhead. This budget request is an investment in the Air Force our nation needs, Goldfein said. "America expects it; combatant commanders require it; and with your support for this budget request, our Airmen will deliver it. Get AfricaFocus Bulletin by e-mail! Format for print or mobile Africa: Ghosts at the African Union Summit AfricaFocus Bulletin February 16, 2016 (160216) (Reposted from sources cited below) Editor's Note "Our organisation acts as it has for the past 20 or 30 years: we meet often, we talk too much, we always write a lot, but we don't do enough, and sometimes nothing at all." - new African Union chair President Idriss Deby of Chad In his commentary on the most recent African Union summit, Adekeye Adebajo, executive director of the Centre for Conflict Resolution in Cape Town, reflects on "ghosts" haunting the organization's efforts to cope with current crises. Like its predecessor the Organisation of African Unity, the United Nations, and indeed all multilateral organizations, such efforts are profoundly ambiguous, both essential as attempts to mitigate violence but also flawed due to dependence on the political will and vested interests of member governments. The primary case at issue in Addis Ababa was the ongoing crisis in Burundi, where incumbent President Pierre Nkurinziza's insistence on a third term and violent repression both political opposition and civil society has been widely condemned, as well as evoked armed opposition and a cycle of internal and potentially international escalation of violence. This AfricaFocus Bulletin, in addition to Adebajo's commentary, includes two recent background articles on Burundi, as well as links to other relevant sources. One article, by Edna Buchanan in the International Business Times, profiles the African leaders more recently called on to assist in "mediation," while another article, by Central Africa historian Rene Lemarchand, contextualizes recent development in the context of Burundi's post-colonial history. Other recent articles with useful background on the current situation in Burundi include: Andre Guichaoua, "What's gone wrong in Burundi's quest for stability," The Conversation, Feb. 2, 2016 http://tinyurl.com/gr4ohhc "Rwanda seeks to expel Burundian refugees," BBC, Feb. 12, 2016 http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-35558082 Stephanie Wolters, Institute for Security Studies, South Africa "Are African heads of state dropping the ball in Burundi?," 2 Feb 2016 http://tinyurl.com/j7fcvgh Lee Mwiti, "African Union's 'hot air' as it backpedals on Burundi; Nkurunziza pulls off a deadly diplomatic victory," Mail & Guardian, 1 Feb 2016 http://tinyurl.com/zh5lfw9 Jordan Anderson, "Burundis cross-ethnic opposition under threat," African Arguments, Feb 16, 2016 http://tinyurl.com/zqtyxdu For regular updates and links, follow the Facebook timeline of peace activist Jean-Claude Nkundwa (https://www.facebook.com/Humble.steadfirm) And, on twitter, Cara Jones (https://twitter.com/profcarajones) For previous AfricaFocus Bulletins on Burundi, visit http://www.africafocus.org/country/burundi.php ++++++++++++++++++++++end editor's note+++++++++++++++++ Ghosts at the AU Summit Adekeye Adebajo Dr. Adekeye Adebajo is Executive Director of the Centre for Conflict Resolution in Cape Town, South Africa, and Visiting Professor at the University of Johannesburg. Guardian (Nigeria) and BusinessDay (South Africa), 8 February 2016. http://tinyurl.com/h29mneu The recently concluded African Union (AU) summit in Addis Ababa was a tale of political ghosts. Outgoing AU chair, Zimbabwean president, Robert Mugabe, started off this theme when he told United Nations (UN) Secretary-General, Ban ki-Moon, that Africans "are also human, not ghosts." After bemoaning the dehumanisation of Africans, the 91-year old Zimbabwean leader - in power for 36 years - controversially confirmed his president-for-life intentions: "I will still be there until God says, come join the other angels." Mugabe then called for greater African representation on the 15-member UN Security Council, before suggesting that the UN Secretariat be moved from New York to China, India, or Africa. He then told Ban "You're a good man ... but we can't make you a fighter". Ban ki-Moon was attending his last AU summit to bid farewell to the continent. His ghostly presence praised the efforts of African peacekeepers in Somalia, and health-workers in tackling Ebola in West Africa. Ban's decade in office has, however, not been memorable, and he has confirmed the desire of the powerful members of the Security Council to have a "secretary, rather than a general" in the position. As was said about his Peruvian predecessor, Javier Perez de Cuellar, the uncharismatic Ban would not make waves even if he fell out of a boat! Under the South Korean's leadership, collaboration between the UN and the AU has been strained in Mali, Darfur, and the Great Lakes, though there has recently been better cooperation in Burundi. Although cagey about her future, South Africa's AU Commission chair, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, may also soon be a political ghost in AU terms. She is widely expected to leave in July at the end of her four-year term, eventually to run for the African National Congress (ANC) presidency in 2017.She again pushed her pet projects at this summit: the "Agenda 2063" vision of a borderless Africa in which human rights are respected, and gender parity is achieved. She also championed conflict resolution efforts and self-determination in Western Sahara. The summit was, in fact, dominated by the AU's efforts to "silence the guns" in Africa. Burundi was the central issue, with the 15- member AU Peace and Security Council having mandated a 5,000-strong military intervention force last December to halt instability in which about 400 people have died and 230,000 refugees have fled into neighbouring countries. AU leaders, however, refused to approve the force which has been vociferously opposed by third-term Burundian president, Pierre Nkurinziza. They called instead for mediation and more human rights monitors. In South Sudan, three past presidential political ghosts are involved in mediation efforts: South Africa's Thabo Mbeki, Botswana's Festus Mogae, and Mali's Alpha Konare, reinforcing the saying that too many cooks spoil the broth. Another presidential political ghost - Tanzania's recently retired Jakaya Kikwete - was appointed as the new AU special envoy to Libya in a bid to support UN efforts to unite the country's fractious parties. Vanquishing the scourge of terrorism was also widely debated at the meeting. At the same time as the summit, another past political ghost, former Ivorian president Laurent Gbagbo, was being tried by the Hague-based International Criminal Court (ICC) for war crimes: the first ever head of state to be brought before the court (Liberia's Charles Taylor had been tried and convicted before a special international court). With all eight of the ICC's cases being in Africa, Kenya - strongly supported by Ethiopia and Chad - led efforts to adopt a roadmap for the withdrawal of African governments from the court. South Africa reportedly repeated its intention to withdraw from the court, following widespread criticisms of Tshwane for its hosting of Sudanese president Omar al-Bashir - wanted by the ICC on war crimes charges - at an AU summit last year. There was an attempt to revive yet another political ghost: the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM), whose panel of eminent persons had been chaired by Nigeria's widely respected Adebayo Adedeji between 2007 and 2010. South Africa's Eddy Maloka was appointed as the APRM's chief executive officer at this summit, but only 17 out of 35 countries have been reviewed in 13 years, even as the body struggles financially. The rivalry between Nigeria and South Africa also continued, with both winning seats on the AU Peace and Security Council. Mugabe handed the chair of the AU to Chadian warlord-president, Idriss Deby, who has been in power for 25 years. Deby lambasted the organisation for relying too heavily on external support for over 90% of its security needs. As he memorably put it: "Our organisation acts as it has for the past 20 or 30 years: we meet often, we talk too much, we always write a lot, but we don't do enough, and sometimes nothing at all." Burundi: Who are the five heads of state pressed to convince Nkurunziza to accept peacekeepers? Elsa Buchanan International Business Time, February 9, 2016 http://tinyurl.com/zsfh4jg The African Union (AU) has revealed the name of the five heads of state it has appointed to try to convince the government of Burundi to accept a peacekeeping force that its President Pierre Nkurunziza has rejected. At the January AU Summit held in Ethiopia's Addis Ababa, Ban KiMoon, secretary-general of the United Nations (UN) outlined his goal: for Nkurunziza to return to the negotiating table with the opposition, and for the embattled president to accept the deployment of the 5,000 peacekeeping force, Maprobu, to maintain order. 1.South Africa's Jacob Zuma Aged 17, Jacob Zuma joined the African National Congress (ANC), once on the United States terrorism watch list, and became an active member of its military wing, Umkhonto We Sizwe, in 1962. He was jailed for 10 years on the notorious Robben Island alongside exfreedom fighter and president Nelson Mandela, for "conspiring to overthrow the apartheid government". After prison, he fled South Africa in 1975, but was one of the first leaders to return in 1990 when the ANC ban was lifted. He then participated in negotiations with the white-minority government. After judges dropped a corruption cases against him in 2009, he was elected president after the ANC won the general elections. The nation's most colourful and controversial president - the proud polygamist's credibility was damaged in March 2014 when an independent inquiry found the government had improperly spent money on upgrading his private residence - Zuma is described as a "man who listens" by his supporters. While Burundi's Hutus and Tutsis joined the power-sharing government under the 2001 peace deal brokered by Nelson Mandela to end the central African state's 'slow genocide', Zuma is also expected to have an influence on the Burundian negotiations process. Indeed, unlike the more diplomatic terms used by his predecessor Thabo Mbeki, Zuma is reported to have slammed Nkurunziza's third term and proposed the embattled president left his post "even if he had the right to that mandate" for the good of Burundi. His discourse has recently sounded less resolute - some commentators have attributed the change of tone to the promise of inclusion of a number of South African firms in the processing of Burundi's minerals - but Nkurunziza will still have to face a strong delegate, who has always been keen on negotiations having himself helped Mandela draft Burundi's Arusha Accords. 2. Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz of Mauritania The only military on the panel, Abdel Aziz is a general of the Mauritanian army who seized power in a military coup in 2008 before winning presidential elections with a majority of votes a year later. He was treated in France in autumn 2012 after he was shot in the arm following a bizarre incident in which he was shot in the stomach, apparently by mistake, by his own troops. Military guards at a checkpoint mistook the president, who was travelling back to the capital Nouakchott after a trip to the desert, for a "security threat". The general won another five-year term in June 2014 with almost 82% of the poll in an election boycotted by large parts of the opposition - a poll described by a delegation of French parliamentarians who observed voting as "honest and regular". In January, campaigners said authorities in Mauritania were leading an increasingly violent clampdown on the anti-slavery movement in a nation where 4% of the population are still enslaved, despite Abdel Aziz's 2014 declaration that no slavery existed in Mauritania. Seen as an ally of Western powers in the battle against al-Qaida in West Africa, Abdel Aziz is to be representing the North African region and the Sahel during the talks. 3. Ali Ben Bongo of Gabon The son of the late Omar Bongo who ruled Gabon for 42 years, Ali Bongo was declared the winner of the presidential election on 3 September 2009, three months after his father died. Though the election result was approved by nation's Constitutional Court, opposition described Ali Bongo's victory as "a constitutional coup d'etat". Opposition has long alleged that the Bongo family amassed a vast fortune, with Omar Bongo accused of embezzling oil revenues and bribery. Ali Bongo, meanwhile, is to represent the central region of Africa in Bujumbura in the absence of 'dictator' Obiang Nguema of Equatorial Guinea, who Chadian President Idriss Deby judged as too sensitive to Nkurunziza's claim to "sovereignty". Ever since Burundi's civil war, Gabon has always stood alongside Bujumbura to embark on an all-inclusive and genuine process of dialogue and reconciliation. Burundi's former head of state, Pierre Buyoya, is known to have made numerous trips to the Gabonese capital of Libreville. However, commentators suggest a more recent event could jeopardise the relationship between both countries. It is believed that Ali Bongo, during his inauguration as president of the Economic Community of Central African States, may have shown his irritation towards his counterpart Nkurunziza with regards to his management of the crisis following the anti-third term protests in Burundi. Ali Bongo is also known to be a great friend of Burundi's neighbour Rwanda and admirer of its president Paul Kagame's economic management of the country. This could prove tricky amid already sour relations between Rwanda and Burundi, especially after UN experts told the Security Council that Rwanda was destabilising its neighbour. 4. Macky Sall of Senegal A dedicated member of Senegal's Socialist Party, which had ruled since independence, Sall joined the opposition in 1983 after becoming dissatisfied with the party's misrule. Alternatively minister of territorial administration, government spokesman and prime minister, Macky Sall was elected in a landslide victory in the country's 2012 presidential elections. Known for his frankness, calm and diplomacy, Sall is seen as a fine democrat in Senegal, and having been in power for four years, his integrity was applauded when he announced he would seek to shorten his mandate from seven to five years. This would be a first, as current presidents are seen as dreaming to prolong theirs. El Hadji Wack Ly, a lawmaker with the Senegalese Democratic Party (PDS) said of Sall: "He is a firm man who keeps his word." Meanwhile, it is worth noting that in West Africa - particularly the Ivory Coast in the 2000s - peacekeeping became the preserve of francophone nations, primarily Senegal. 5. Ethiopia's Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn Desalegn, who served as chairperson of the African Union from 2013 to 2014, is seen as a leader who speaks little but analyses a lot, but his government has come under fire. Ethiopia is deemed as one of the most heavily censored countries in the world and has also been accused of ruthlessly crushing political opposition and civil liberties. Last year, however, Desalegn is believed to have annoyed Nkurunziza by allowing for the Burundi's main opposition coalition - the Council for the Observance of the Constitution, Human Rights and the Arusha Peace Accord (CNARED), an alliance-in-exile of several opposition movements - to see the light in Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa. Desalegn's country is host to the majority of AU summits on the Burundi question, but its military are also secretly expected to replace Burundi National Defence forces serving with AMISOM, the AU mission in Somalia, if the latter were to be banned from the mission. Meanwhile, if the AU peacekeeping force Maprobu were to be established, it is believed that Ethiopian soldiers could be part of the contingent. In the shadow of genocides past: can Burundi be pulled back from the brink? African Arguments, January 22, 2016 Rene Lemarchand http://www.africanarguments.org - direct URL: http://tinyurl.com/jo62w9p [Rene Lemarchand is emeritus professor at the University of Florida. He has written extensively on Rwanda, Burundi and the Great Lakes region of Central Africa, and is the author of The Dynamics of Violence in Central Africa, Burundi: Ethnic Conflict and Genocide and Burundi: Ethnocide as Discourse and Practice.] Rather than the Rwandan genocide, it is the 1972 genocide of Hutu in Burundi that suggests itself as the most meaningful frame of reference for an understanding of the present crisis. "Can national dialogue break the power of terror in Burundi?" This key question addressed by participants to an international conference held in Bujumbura in May 1994, days after the Rwandan bloodbath, has lost none of its pertinence. Today, as in 1994, Burundi is tottering on the brink of the abyss, and once again the Rwanda genocide casts an ominous shadow on the future of this small, poverty-stricken Central African nation. Many wonder whether the on-and-off announcement of a dialogue with the opposition can break the cycle of violence triggered by President Pierre Nkurunziza's decision to run for a third term, in defiance of the constitution. A replay of 1994, though unlikely, cannot be ruled out. Burundi shares many characteristic features with its neighbour to the north. Besides its minute size, lack of natural resources, high population density, and a conflicted fault line between Hutu and Tutsi - the former accounting for approximately 80% of a total population of over 10 million - much of the country's history since independence in 1962 has been written in blood. Where the destinies of the "false twins" differ is in the outcome of the genocidal violence each has experienced. Unlike Rwanda, where the extermination of some 600,000 Tutsi led to the enthronement of the victorious Rwanda Patriotic Front (RPF), Burundi's seemingly endless enmities were eventually resolved in 2005 through a constitutional compromise based on a power-sharing formula whereby Hutu held 60% of governmental and parliamentary positions and the Tutsi 40%. The army, crucially, was reorganised on the basis of an equal number of Hutu and Tutsi. It is this much touted, pivotal achievement in constitutional engineering that is now on the verge of collapse, and with it the promise of a peaceful transition to plural democracy. Hundreds of civilians have been killed over the past year, many gangland-style, some by police and security forces, others by the predominantly Hutu youth militia (the so-called imbonerakure, meaning "those who see from afar"), and yet others by still unidentified assassins. A number of opposition politicians, journalists and human rights activists - Hutu and Tutsi - have been targeted or forced to seek asylum abroad. As many as 200,000 are said to have fled their homeland, of whom some 70,000 mainly of Tutsi origins are now living in Rwanda. The anti-Nkurunziza opposition, fragmented and poorly organised, also bears its share of responsibility in the mayhem. On 11 December, three military bases were attacked by armed men, causing scores of victims. Revenge killings quickly followed. According to a statement issued by the UN refugee agency on 15 January, three mass graves have been identified, containing some one hundred corpses; a dozen women, mainly Tutsi, are reported to have been sexually abused. Meanwhile, a newly organised armed opposition movement, the Forces Republicaines du Burundi, which is said to comprise a fair number of army defectors, is rumoured to be gaining strength in parts of the countryside. Which if any of the several anti-regime forces may take part in the talks tentatively scheduled to start in Arusha, Tanzania, at the end of the month is anybody's guess. What is beyond doubt is the likelihood of further violence in the weeks ahead. Echoes of the past Much has been made of the fact that Burundi has been spared the kind of relentless, ethnic polarisation that paved the way to the carnage in Rwanda. So far the Burundian army - the Forces de Defense Nationale (FDN) - has indeed shown commendable cohesion in the face of mounting challenges to its authority. Yet signs of ethnic tension are unmistakable, especially in those communes of the capital where Tutsi elements predominate. The composition of the urban landscape is not the only element to consider. Regional parameters need to be taken into account too. Whether there is any truth to government allegations that Rwanda is manipulating refugees in order to destabilise the regime, the possibility of an infiltration of Rwanda-based opponents into Burundi cannot be dismissed, any more than, in last resort, a fullscale Rwandan military intervention should the Tutsi community of Burundi become the target of genocidal killings. Rwanda is both a potential security guarantee for the Tutsi minority as well as the source of its political vulnerability. Burundi's tormented history is another critical factor. For some Hutu politicians, the killing of Tutsi is payback for what happened in 1972, when an estimated 200,000 Hutu civilians were systematically wiped out by an all-Tutsi army assisted by Tutsi youth militias (the so-called Jeunesses Revolutionnaires Rwagasore). That the carnage was provoked by a locally-rooted Hutu-led peasant insurrection, resulting in the loss of hundreds and possibly thousands of Tutsi lives, makes it no less genocidal in its scale and motivation. Rather than the Rwandan genocide, it is the 1972 genocide of Hutu in Burundi that suggests itself as the most meaningful frame of reference for an understanding of the present crisis. A surprising number of Hutu politicians - including Nkurunziza and his former head of security, the late Adolphe Nshimirimana, killed in 2015 - lost their fathers, friends and relatives during the 1972 bloodbath. Often referred to as "the orphans of genocide", they are deeply aware of the horrors endured by their families. Now, as in 1972, the youth militia are a major instrument of violence in the countryside. And again, just as a great many Hutu in 1972 were devotees of the Pentecostal Church, Nkurunziza takes pride in proclaiming himself a "newborn Christian", going so far as to boast, according to one informant, that he was elected to execute God's mission and that he knew about his victory from prophecies way before his election in 2005. Such God-inspired pretensions bode ill for the chances of a negotiated solution. To expect Nkurunziza to resign as a precondition of the Arusha talks - a key demand of the opposition - is unrealistic. Yet there are other ways to bring creative pressure to bear on the regime so as to induce greater flexibility. Although the African Union's threat to deploy a 5,000-strong protection mission proved a non-starter, it does signal a significant change of mood on the continent. And added to the European Union's decision to suspend financial aid (accounting for 50% of the government's budget), this should serve as an inducement for the UN Security Council to issue a strongly-worded resolution calling for a multinational peace-making force, possibly under the terms of chapter 7 of the Charter. The Burundi economy is in a shambles. The country's rapidly shrinking resource base is bound to further undermine the regime's legitimacy, stimulate wider grievances within the security forces, and alienate regional allies. All of which may help mitigate Nkurunziza's trust in Imana - Burundi's traditional designation of the Deity - for the sake of a more rational and potentially more fruitful investment in a negotiated compromise with opposition forces within and outside the country. AfricaFocus Bulletin is an independent electronic publication providing reposted commentary and analysis on African issues, with a particular focus on U.S. and international policies. AfricaFocus Bulletin is edited by William Minter. AfricaFocus Bulletin can be reached at africafocus@igc.org. Please write to this address to subscribe or unsubscribe to the bulletin, or to suggest material for inclusion. For more information about reposted material, please contact directly the original source mentioned. For a full archive and other resources, see http://www.africafocus.org Altogether 124 farmers committed suicide in various parts of Maharashtra since January this year, the state government informed the Bombay High Court. Of these, 20 suicides were reported from Osmanabad alone, a government pleader submitted before a division bench. The high court is hearing a suo motu public interest litigation urging to take steps on a war-footing to prevent farmers from committing suicide. A week ago, the government had informed that 80 farmers had committed suicide in January 2016. However, today, the state government said that 124 farmers had taken their lives in the past 45 days. The figure is very alarmingIn the last one-and-half months, 124 farmers have killed themselves. We would like to know from the government what steps are being taken to stop this, said Justice Naresh Patil heading a division bench. Referring to media reports, the court enquired from the government whether it had decided to close down fodder depots in the state. To this, the government pleader said he would have to seek instructions from the state. On January 21, 2016, the state government had told the high court that 1,000 farmers had committed suicide in Maharashtra in 2015. Hearing this, the high court suggested the government to rope-in corporates to deal with the crisis. The court had earlier suggested that big business houses should be urged either to adopt villages or provide equipment, including tractors, to the farmers for free. The court had also suggested that the government may promote collective farming as a solution. It would especially help the farmers with small land-holding who are unable to recover the cost of cultivation, it said and asked the state to come out with welfare schemes for farmers. The government also informed that the Centre had sanctioned Rs 3,500 crore for helping the distressed farmers in Maharashtra, while the state allocated Rs 2,500 crore. Of this, Rs 14.34 crore has been disbursed so far. Ashutosh Kumbhkoni, appointed as amicus curiae to assist the court, had earlier said that according to the National Bureau of Crime Records, 15,978 farmers committed suicide in Maharashtra in the last five years. Two Indian students were killed in a fire at a medical university in Russia on Sunday, Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj said in tweets. The Minister also said: Some students are injured. They are out of danger. The place is 400 kms from Moscow. Our team has already reached there. The fire broke out on the fourth floor of the dormitory of the Smolensk Medical Academy, said the Russian investigative committee. Two students were killed in their sleep; they were Pooja Kallur, 22, and Karishma Bhosale, 20, both from Maharashtra. They were fourth-year medicine students. Reports said Pooja and Karishma shared a room on the fourth floor of the six-storey hostel for Indian students. Their families received calls from the families of other students on the fire and were told that the two were missing. A driver of a Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) bus suffered heart attack while driving in Kolhapur district, following which the bus veered, causing injuries to 22 passengers, police said. The incident occurred near Navli village in Panhala tehsil. The driver Baburao Sawant lost control of the vehicle after the heart attack and the bus collided against a tree. He was killed, while 22 passengers were injured, police said. The injured persons were admitted to a hospital in Kolhapur while the driver was declared brought dead, a hospital official said. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Monday announced allocation of Rs. 1000 crore towards the welfare of Muslims from the next Financial Year. The government would provide Rs. 1000 crore for the Muslim community in the state from next financial year, an official release quoted Naidu as saying. Earlier in the day, a delegation of several Muslim groups from across the state called upon the CM at his Camp Officer here. Naidu also said that a socio-economic survey would be conducted to assess the living conditions of various backward and minority communities in the state. The government would also allocate funds to backward communities based on the survey and its recommendations, he said. Belgian police on Tuesday arrested ten people in the Brussels area allegedly part of a network recruiting people to fight with the Islamic State group in Syria, prosecutors said. The ten were arrested during raids in Molenbeek and others areas of the Belgian capital but the case is not linked to the deadly November Paris attacks, the federal prosecutor`s office said in a statement. Several of those involved in the Paris killings came from Molenbeek. The raids were carried out as part of an investigation into a recruitment network linked to Islamic State. The investigation helped determine that several people had travelled to Syria to join Islamic State, it said. The raids were ordered by a counter-terrorism judge in the eastern city of Liege who will decide later in the day whether to continue holding them, the statement said. Investigators were studying mobile phones and computer equipment seized in a total of nine raids across Brussels. Belgium has produced more jihadist fighters relative to its population than any other country in Europe, with some 500 believed to have gone to fight in the Middle East. Many have joined the Islamic State group which claimed the November attacks on the French capital. Belgian police are holding several people in connection with the November 13 attacks in Paris which left 130 people dead and hundreds wounded as it emerges that the onslaught was largely organised and coordinated from Belgium. Earlier this month, the authorities identified three safe houses used by key Paris suspects in Brussels, in Charleroi, an hour`s drive south of the capital, and in Auvelais, a village near the French border. Faiza Outalha, the divorced wife of American-born Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist David Headley, has replied to all questions of National Investigation Agency (NIA) relating to her knowledge of the conspiracy behind 26/11 Mumbai attacks. Besides Outalha, the probe agency also recorded the statement of a New York-based cousin of Headley through a questionnaire sent through the US Department of Justice, official sources said. Headley, who is at present undergoing a prison term of 35 years in a Chicago jail for conspiring in terror attacks in Mumbai and Denmark, had started a video parlour in New York in 1997. The legal process of quizzing Outalha concluded only after the NIA sent a fresh request in French to Moroccan authorities for recording her statement pertaining to her knowledge of her estranged husbands association with LeT terror group. French is generally used by the Moroccan government for international diplomatic communications. The Moroccan government had earlier sent Outalhas reply in response to a Letters Rogatory (LR) sent by the NIA in 2012 but it did not cover many of the questions asked by terror probe agency. The NIA had registered a case in 2009 to probe the activities of Headley in India. In the absence of any Mutual Assistance Legal Treaty between India and Morocco, the LR had been issued on the basis of Assurance of Reciprocity, thereby promising the African country of all assistance in any legal cases in future. Outalha had visited India twice and was used by Headley, a US national whose father was a Pakistani and mother a white American, while carrying out a reconnaissance mission at Hotel Taj Mahal in Mumbai. NIA, which was handed over the task to probe the activities of Headley, has already filed charge sheet against Headley, his Canadian-Pakistani accomplice Tahawuur Rana, LeT founder Hafiz Saeed, the outfits operations chief Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi and five others including two army majors believed to be working for Pakistans ISI. The NIA, however, refused to share information tendered by Outalha. Earlier, Headleys another wife Shazia and business associate Raymond Sanders had turned down a similar request of NIA to answer questions related to his association with the terror group, citing a US privacy law. An ardent fan of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj has launched an online petition seeking support to have a Google Doodle of the Maratha warrior king, to commemorate his 368th birth anniversary on February 19. Amit Wankhede, a Maharashtra government employee from Yavatmal district, launched the petition on February 6 and has claimed to have received over 22,000 signatures in support from across the country, mostly from interior Maharashtra. A Google Doodle is one of the best ways to pay homage to Chhatrapati Shivaji in todays digital age, he said. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, (is) one of the most respected and revered kings of India. We would love to see a Google Doodle honouring (Chhatrapati) Shivaji on this (his birth anniversary) day. Shivaji is famously known as the peoples king and is still remembered and celebrated, not just in Mumbai or Maharashtra, but all across India, Wankhede said. His petition highlights Shivajis heroic efforts of defeating the might of the Mughals and creating a Maratha empire that endured for centuries after his time. Known for pioneering innovate battle strategies like guerrilla warfare and building a navy, Shivaji was a king way ahead of his time. His forts still line the Western Ghats and stand testament to the sheer brilliance and spirit of this ingenious ruler, reads the petition. In addition to his petition, Wankhede claimed that Shivajis supporters have sent over 30,000 emails to proposals@google.com, the proper channel to request for a doodle. Apart from launching the online petition at change.org, an international online platform provider, he said he has also appealed to Google CEO Sundar Pichai to extend a favourable response to his request, he said. Wankhede has also suggested tentative designs of the Chhatrapti Shivaji Maharaj Doodle, saying that the doodle could be designed based on his forts or it could be a collage of his conquests over various kings and generals. He expressed hope that Google will gauge the popular sentiment of Indians everywhere and agree to the request to celebrate Shivaji Maharaj Google style. Is it justified to spend crores of rupees on the Make in India event when Maharashtra is witnessing drought asks opposition. The fire which erupted at Make in India cultural event at Girgaum Chowpathy beach has been doused but politics have already begun on this incident. Congress and NCP have held the BJP responsible for organising the event without following safety guidelines which led to the fire and put lives of many in danger. The Bombay High Court had denied permission to the Maharashtra government for holding the event at Chowpatty. Despite this the state government had sought permission from the Supreme Court for the event which it got barely two weeks ago. NCP spokesperson Nawab Malik said, What was the governments motive to hold such event at a time when several areas of the state is witnessing drought? Is it justified to spend crores of rupees on the Make in India event? They could have spent some money for providing relief to drought hit areas of the state. Already farmers are committing suicide due to crop failure but nobody is bothered to offer financial assistance to them. Congress spokesperson Sachin Sawant said, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis are trying to bring achhe din by organising the Make in India event however they are not focussing on basics. Maharashtra is known as the industrialised state of the country. The state government must call for a probe into this incident and take action against the erring officials responsible for the mishap. BJP MLA Ram Kadam said, I agree that Maharashtra is witnessing drought and farmers are facing severe hardships. However investments are vital for the development of the state hence it is necessary to hold such events. Opposition should refrain from politicising this event. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has ordered for a probe into the incident. He said the fire incident wont have any impact on the rest of the programmes, which are part of the Make in India week. There is no point in speculating the cause now. A comprehensive investigation has been ordered. The roles and responsibility of those involved would be fixed, he said. Meanwhile authorities will also be investigating the sabotage angle pertaining to the fire incident. Fire brigade authority has begun an inquiry into the blaze. According to fire officials fire might have erupted due to the blasting of fire crackers at the venue. We will probe all aspects, including finding out if there was a sabotage angle involved, a fire brigade official said. No casualties were reported as the venue at the Girgaum Chowpatty area was emptied within minutes The blaze broke out of sparklers during a Lavani performance on the state at around 8.15 pm. Around 10,000 people were present at that time. Calling the incident unfortunate, Fadnavis had said the fire was soon brought under control and the people were evacuated immediately while traffic management allowed early dispersal without any trouble. Indonesian police have arrested dozens of people from radical Islamic groups who were plotting attacks against the airport and other targets in the near future, the national police chief said today. The 33 people were arrested by the police anti-terror unit following last months attacks in Jakarta which killed four civilians and four assailants, Badrodin Haiti said. The gun and suicide bomb attacks claimed by the Islamic State group and centred around a Starbucks outlet were the countrys worst terror incident in seven years, ending a long lull in major terror. Police have launched a crackdown across the country, saying they suspect a broader extremist network helped carry out the assault. Seventeen of those arrested were directly linked to the Jakarta attacks, while 16 others were members of three other radical groups, Haiti said. A group led by an extremist called Hendro Fernando had received 1.3 billion rupiah (USD 97,000) from Jordan, Iraq and Turkey, he said, adding that it planned to launch attacks against Jakartas main airport and the national police headquarters. Haiti said another group led by a person identified only as Helmi planned to use a car bomb to attack the Jakarta police complex in the citys main business district. A third group, according to the police chief, planned stabbing attacks on traffic police. Terrorism attacks will still happen in the future because there are other groups who are linked to Bahrun Naim in Syria, he said. Bahrun Naim is one of three high-profile Indonesians fighting for the Islamic State group in Syria. Police say he played a central role in motivating groups in Indonesia to launch attacks in the country. (Naim) explained and gave motivation about launching a holy war and explained how to make bombs and said that he would send money to anyone who is ready to engage in terrorist acts, Haiti said. Indonesia, the worlds most populous Muslim-majority country, suffered several major bomb attacks by Islamic radicals between 2000 and 2009, including the 2002 Bali bombings that killed 202 people. A subsequent crackdown weakened the most dangerous extremist networks. Police now say the biggest threat comes from two main sources Indonesians in Syria encouraging local groups to launch attacks, and Indonesians who return home from fighting in the Middle East. There are currently 392 Indonesians fighting for IS in Syria and over 50 more are thought to be preparing to leave for the country, police said. A retired security officer in southern Saudi Arabia has been shot dead in an attack claimed Monday by the Islamic State group. Police spokesman Colonel Mohammed al-Harbi said that a man in the Abu Arish area of Jazan region, bordering Yemen, reported at about 2:30 am (1130 GMT Sunday) that his father was being shot at from an unknown source at his farm. Police did not identify the victim or give further details of his former security duties. They said a criminal investigation was under way into the killing. Usually the Saudi authorities describe IS-related attacks as terrorism. IS said in a statement that it had shot dead retired Brigadier Ahmed Fayie Assiri at his farm in Abu Arish area of Jazan. IS has claimed previous attacks on Saudi security forces as well as deadly bombings and shootings that targeted the Sunni kingdom`s Shiite minority, which the Sunni jihadist IS group considers to be heretics. Jazan and other southern border districts have also been subjected to shelling from Yemen since last March when Saudi Arabia began leading an Arab military coalition against Huthi rebels in the neighbouring country. History books say that the title of Mahatma was bestowed on Gandhi by Rabindranath Tagore, but the Gujarat government thinks otherwise, insisting that an unknown journalist from Saurashtra actually gave the title. The matter has now landed before the Gujarat High Court. Rajkot District Panchayat Sikshan Samiti, which conducted an exam for the post of Talathi in the Revenue department, has cited the work of Narayan Desai, son of Gandhis secretary Mahadev Desai, to claim that the title was given to Gandhi by the anonymous scribe from Jetpur town. Sandhya Maru, one of the candidates who appeared for the exam, has challenged this right answer key besides two other answer keys which were part of the question paper before the high court as the exam had negative marking system for wrong answers. The exam was conducted in six other districts as well. In the provisional answer key, the answer to the question on who first named Gandhi as Mahatma was Tagore, but in the final answer key the answer got changed to unknown journalist, the petition stated. Hemant Munshaw, the lawyer representing the Rajkot District Panchayat Sikshan Samiti, told the court that papers for the exam were set by an outside agency based on the autobiography of Narayan Desai and not by officials of the district panchayat. Narayan Desai, who had spent around 20 years of his early life with Mahatma Gandhi, had said in his autobiography that he (Gandhi) was first called Mahatma by a journalist from Jetpur town in Saurashtra when he was in South Africa in 1916 and after that Tagore called him Mahatma (sic), Munshaw told the court. During the hearing of the petition last Thursday, Justice J B Pardiwala asked the government to conduct such exams with care and dedication, and posted the next hearing for February 26. In her petition, Maru also challenged the answer key to the question: Which is the longest river in India? The answer got changed from the Ganges to Brahmaputra. Though Brahmaputra is the longest river, it is spread in three countries, while Ganga is the longest (river) in India. She also contested the correct usage of article in the answer key to the question which article comes before Mt Everest. The correct answer the was changed to a (in the answer key), the petition contended. There is lack of political will to fast track Pansare murder case and justice has been delayed says activists. Even though a year has passed ever since Senior CPI leader Govind Pansare was shot but police are yet to make any headway into the murder case. Social activists expressed their displeasure over the slow paced investigation process of Pansare murder case. According to them there is lack of political will to fast track Pansares case and justice has been delayed. They urged the government to speed up the investigation process to nab the accused responsible for Pansares murder. Pansare was shot at Kolhapur on February 16 last year while going for a morning walk accompanied by his wife. He passed away on February 20 in a Mumbai hospital. The Shramik Mukti Dal, an organisation fighting for the rights of displaced people held a silent march in Kolhapur on the occasion of the first death anniversary of Govind Pansare. Opposition parties too has criticised Fadnavis government for its failure to track down the killers of Pansare. Shahid Govind Pansare Samata Sangharsh Samiti president N D Patil, who addressed the gathering, said the government wasnt serious about completing investigation in the Pansare murder case. Even the courts have come to the conclusion that the investigation isnt on a proper track. The probe agency isnt serious about finding the issue, Patil said. The rulers dont feel the same sentiments as the common man does. The cowardice of ruling politicians is also in part responsible for the slow pace of investigation, Patil said. The silent march began from Pansares home and ended at Dasara Chowk. Participants protested at the chowk demanding that the true faces responsible for Pansares murder be exposed. Smitha Pansare, daughter of CPI leader Govind Pansare said the ideologies of her late father will never be defeated. The death of Govind Pansare has created 5,000 Pansares in Maharashtra. In Maharashtra, every town and every taluka has seen it. It is not only in that state but it is everywhere. The slogan right now is We are Pansare, Smitha said. Activist J R Dabhole said, Pansare, Narendra Dabholkar and M M Kalburgi were the victims of anti-rational people. We have demanded the state government to take action against the Sanatan Sanstha for provoking the sentiments of the people. However nothing has happened. The pattern of attack on Pansare recalled the murder of Dabholkar, who was shot on August 20, 2013. These outstanding social activists were rationalists and worked on the ground against superstitions. In both cases, the attackers were gunmen who arrived on motorbikes when the targets were on their morning walks. The Supreme Court on Mondayy dismissed a plea seeking a CBI probe into the 2002 hit-and-run case on the ground that corrupt means have been adopted in securing the acquittal of Bollywood superstar Salman Khan. These are all wild allegations, a bench comprising Justices J S Khehar and R Banumathi observed when the lawyer said there were news reports quoting Salim Khan that they had to spend Rs 25 crore in securing acquittal for his actor son. What are the materials to substantiate this? They must have hired lawyers. How can you say that they did something wrong, it said and dismissed the PIL filed by advocate M L Sharma. The PIL had alleged that Salman and others had succeeded in manipulating police and judicial system in the case. The same bench is hearing appeals filed by Maharashtra government and the family of the victim, who were killed in the incident, against the acquittal of Salman in the case. Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi, who represents the state government in the case, had argued that Salman was driving his SUV in a drunken state when it ran over the victims sleeping on a pavement in Mumbai in 2002. He had also debunked the theory that instead of Salman, his driver Ashok Brahmadev Singh was driving the Toyota Land Cruiser on the night of September 28, 2002 when it crashed into a Bandra pavement, killing one and injuring four others. The high court, in its verdict passed on December 10 last year, had held that prosecution had failed to prove beyond reasonable doubt that the actor was driving the vehicle at the time of the accident and was drunk. The judgement by the high court had come on an appeal by Khan, seven months after he was pronounced guilty by the trial court. The magistrates court had conducted the trial for a much lesser offence of causing death by rash and negligent driving. Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump has threatened to sue his rival Ted Cruz over his eligibility to serve in the White House unless he receives an apology from the Texas Senator for spreading lies about the real estate tycoons record. Ted Cruz is a totally unstable individual. He is the single biggest liar Ive ever come across, in politics or otherwise, and I have seen some of the best of them. His statements are totally untrue and completely outrageous, Trump said, days ahead of South Carolinas pivotal Republican primary. In a statement, Trump, 69, threatened to take legal action against Cruz for him being born in Canada and not in the US. The businessman ordered Cruz to retract statements about his past inconsistencies on abortion rights and other social issues. Trump also demanded that the senator from Texas take down advertisements attacking him. It is hard to believe a person who proclaims to be a Christian could be so dishonest and lie so much, he said. Cruz has become unhinged and is lying with the hopes that his statements will go unchecked until after the election and he will save his failing campaign, Trump alleged. If Ted is going to continue to lie with such desperation, I have no choice but to fight back, he adding that one of the ways he can fight back is to bring a lawsuit against him relative to the fact that he was born in Canada and therefore cannot be President. If he doesnt take down his false ads and retract his lies, I will do so immediately, Trump said. Cruz, 45, fired back, claiming that he is simply pointing out Trumps actual positions. You cannot simply scream liar when someone points out your actual positions, he tweeted. The Texas Senator said he wont engage in personal attacks, but will continue to focus on his competitors records, policies and vision. The Florida Senator Marco Rubio also attacked Cruz and accused him of lying. Senator Cruz will say or do anything to win an election including employing underhanded tactics and making charges against all his opponents that he knows are outright lies. America cant afford more politicians like Ted Cruz who will easily sacrifice principle for political gain, said Joe Pounder, Rubio spokesman. Cruz insisted that the election is about vetting the candidates. It is not being honest or candid for either Marco Rubio or Donald Trump to pretend that their records are different than what they are and simply to yell and scream at anyone who points to the words that have come out of their own mouths, he said. INDIAN WELLS, Calif., Feb. 15, 2016 The federal crop insurance program can celebrate several successes, but one of the biggest comes from reducing the improper payment rate by more than 50 percent, said Brandon Willis, administrator of USDAs Risk Management Agency(RMA). For 2015, Willis said the improper payment rate was 2.20 percent, down from 5.58 percent in 2014. USDAs improper payment rate was 5.02 percent in 2014 and the federal governments was 4.02 percent. The spotlight on crop insurance will continue to grow, but this demonstrates crop insurance can withstand it, Willis told attendees at the Crop Insurance Industry Annual Convention here. This is a well-run program. An improper payment occurs when funds go to the wrong recipient, the right recipient receives the incorrect amount of funds (including being paid too much or too little), documentation is not available to support a payment, or the recipient uses funds in an improper manner. Not all improper payments are the result of fraud, but on Capitol Hill, a high improper payment rate for any program usually generates additional scrutiny and criticism from lawmakers and budget analysts. For crop insurance, Willis said over 50 percent of the errors are related to acreage reporting and production records. Government-wide, improper payment estimates totaled $124.7 billion in fiscal year 2014, a significant increase of approximately $19 billion from the prior year's estimate of $105.8 billion, according to the Government Accountability Office. Watching for stories about crop insurance? Sign up for an Agri-Pulse four-week free trial subscription to stay on top of this and other ag and rural policy issues. Willis told participants that farmers always says how important crop insurance is because they know firsthand that, without crop insurance, they might not be able to stay in farming anymore. And he encouraged the industry to work together so that we can have a program that were proud of, farmers are proud of. In addition to talking about improper payments, Willis, along with Associate Administrator Tim Gannon and Tim Witt, deputy administrator for product management, shared several other success stories, including: --Market penetration: In 1990, RMA covered about 94 million acres of principal crops like corn, soybeans and wheat and cotton. But since then, more and more farmers have purchased crop insurance in 2014 this private/public partnership for risk management covered almost 220 million acres. The program has also expanded to new regions and new crops. Crop insurance coverage of fruits and nuts has increased from about 600,000 acres in 1990 to 3.1 million in 2014, covering 74 percent of the planted area. And vegetable coverage has more than doubled during that same time, from 441,000 acres to over 992,000. --Organic expansion: The number of organic price elections has grown from 4 crops in 2011 to 56 crops in 2016 and 2017. Willis said the Contract Price Option allows producers who receive a contract price for their crop to get a guarantee that is more reflective of the actual value of their crop and is available for 73 crop types. The number of organic policies sold jumped from under 2,000 in 2005 to about 6,000 in 2014. --Whole farm Revenue Policies: Formerly known as Adjusted Gross Revenue (AGR) or AGR-Lite, the program was modified as a result of the 2014 farm bill and several listening sessions that RMA held with growers. The number of policies sold increased from 791 in 2014 to 1,089 in 2015 and Willis said he expects another big bump in participation in 2016. --Conservation compliance. The 2014 farm bill required producers wishing to participate in the federal crop insurance program to be in compliance with conservation requirements. Willis said 98.2 percent of farmers have filed the necessary compliance paperwork. --Supplemental Coverage Option: SCO is an optional program, first available last year, which covers a portion of the insureds deductible using a county-level measure of yield or revenue for producers enrolling in the Price Loss Coverage (PLC) program. Producers must buy it as an endorsement to either the Yield Protection, Revenue Protection, or Revenue Protection with the Harvest Price Exclusion policies. In 2015, rice and wheat growers showed the highest interest in SCO, Willis said. Slightly over 22 percent of the insured rice acres and 6 percent of the insured wheat acres were covered by SCO last year. Fifty-eight crops now have SCO available. --Acreage crop reporting streamlining initiative (ACRSI): Aimed at making crop reporting easier and more consistent among USDA agencies, RMA rolled out a pilot program last year for nine crops in 15 states. Willis said that, for 2016, the initiative will expand to cover 13 crops in all 50 states. #30 For more news, go to: www.Agri-Pulse.com Syriac Catholic Archbishop of Mosul Issues New Appeal to Pope and the World Bishop Yohanno Petros Mouche. In July 2014, when Mosul was captured by the terror group Daesh (ISIS), Christians living in the area were called either to convert to Islam, pay a protection tax or to leave the city. Otherwise they were risking their lives. Consequently thousands of Christians fled their homes and villages, relinquishing their communities and leaving behind their centuries old communities and Christian heritage. Still to this day, Christianity is under attack in Iraq. On January 20, 2016, Daesh destroyed St Elijah's monastery, the oldest Christian monastery in the country. St Elijah's is believed to have been built by Assyrian monks in the 6th century. Moreover, other Christian sites as well as pre-Islamic ruins have been demolished by the terror group like Hatra, Nimrud and Nineveh. Saher Kawas from the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem spoke to Bishop Yohanno Petros Mouche, Syriac Catholic Archbishop of Mosul, Kirkuk and Kurdistan about his experience during the disastrous summer of 2014 and the state of Christians in Iraq now. During the summer of 2014 Mosul was seized by militants of the Islamic State, could you tell us what you have witnessed then? After our Iraqi army ran away, ISIS conquered the town of Mosul in early June 2014. Terrified by the presence of ISIS most of our Christians, as well as a large number of Muslims, left the town of Mosul and headed towards Kurdistan and the villages of Nineveh plains. In the beginning forces of IS showed sympathy towards the Christians. However, few days later they set conditions which would allow Christians to live under their control: becoming Muslims, which would enable us to get all the rights, pay taxes - that means becoming 2nd class citizens - or else leave our homes and properties. Other than that we are putting our lives at stake. The situation was not easy to judge.... As the central government was absent, I got in touch with the leading Kurdish figures that were among us. When the first attack of IS took place against Kirkuk, the largest Christian village, in order to drive out the Peshmerga, the Kurdish army was around to defend our area. I played the role of a mediator between the leaders of IS and those of Peshmerga, but in vain. The fighting lasted three days, the majority of our citizens left the village except for some hundred inhabitants, my own clergy and myself. ISIS militants could not enter in our neighbourhood. Only when the second attack was launched on August 6, ISIS managed to get in and take control over all our towns and villages after our departure and the escape of our army. Consequently we left everything behind and went to Kurdistan to save our lives and secure our faith and integrity. At that time you sent a message to Pope Francis and to the world. What was the response? And if you want to send an appeal now, what will you say differently? When I met with the Holy Father on Wednesday September 30, I handed over to His Holiness a letter thanking him for his prayers and for all the donations he had done for us, requesting him to exert his influence on the leaders of the world to free our towns and villages, and if possible to find for us temporary places in countries like France, Spain, in order to live and practice our liturgy and customs. Our situation and our emigration seem to have got stuck because of the long duration, but if we are hosted in groups our return will be easier in case our territories are set free and our rights secured. In my testimony on the respect of life and of the human being in Jerusalem, on the occasion of the World Day of the Sick, I sent another appeal to Pope Francis and to each good-willed person. What can you tell us about the daily life of Christians who still live in Iraq? What gives them hope? As a matter of fact, our situation is hard, our future is gloomy, and people are tired. They are waiting for a solution whereby they can restore their dignity, where their life, their future and that of their children will be protected. That's the reason why several families have already left the country and many others are thinking to do so. We love our country for as long as living there is possible. We are proud of our religion. We hope that our towns, our villages and our churches will be set free and that we will enjoy a protected zone where we can live all our rights. Otherwise, we hope that the authorities will find for us shelters elsewhere, in other countries, but that would be a loss for our community and for our land inherited from our ancestors. Fearing the 'G' Word, the State Department Turns Its Back on Middle Eastern Christians Islamist extremists are waging a religious persecution so severe that, as Pope Francis and Patriarch Kirill stated in their historic joint statement last week, "whole families, villages and cities of our brothers and sisters in Christ are being completely exterminated." Nowhere does this obtain more than in Iraq and Syria, where Christian communities, a groundswell of prominent voices is now acknowledging, face genocide. On February 4, the European Parliament, with near-unanimity and solid socialist support, passed a resolution declaring that ISIS "is committing genocide against Christians and Yazidis" and "other religious and ethnic minorities." Despite a foreign-policy mandate to speak out against religious persecution, the United States government has so far been silent on whether this epic religious cleansing of Christians,Yazidis, and other minorities from the heart of the Middle East ranks among the gravest of crimes. With pressure mounting, the State Department in October leaked word that an official genocide designation would be forthcoming but made clear that State would recognize only a Yazidi genocide and not one against Christians. This prompted Congress to mandate that Secretary John Kerry make a determination by March 16 on the precise question of whether "persecution . . . of Christians and people of other religions in the Middle East by violent Islamic extremists . . . constitutes genocide." While other administrations have committed the sin of silence where genocide was concerned, none has officially signaled that it believes a brutally persecuted and displaced minority is not suffering ongoing genocide. Yet that would be the effect of excluding the Christians from an official listing of genocide victims. Despite foreseeable harm this would cause these Christians, the administration appears on track to do just that. Unnamed administration officials are proffering various arguments to justify omitting the Christians. All are flimsy, as seen below, and point to political motives. The Holocaust Museum Report After entering a Nineveh town in August 2014, ISIS militants confronted a Christian woman and demanded that she convert to Islam. When she refused, as the woman, now a refugee in Kurdistan, reported to the Hammurabi Human-Rights Organization in Iraq, they grabbed her infant and dashed him to the ground, killing him, and took away her husband. This case is not included in the Holocaust Museum report that purports to cover all minorities and that State Department officials say the administration is relying on to make its determination that only the Yazidis face genocide. Nor are any others from the volumes of Christian cases documented by Hammurabi, Aid to the Church in Need, the Assyrian International News Agency, the Vatican's Agenzia Fides, and other Christian sources. Entitled "Our Generation Is Gone: The Islamic State's Targeting of Iraqi Minorities in Ninewa," and made available in October by the Museum's Simon-Skjodt Center for the Prevention of Genocide, this report is not a thorough study of ISIS attacks on any minority but rather a narrowly constructed and superficial, 28-page "trip report." It is based "largely on interviews" in Iraqi Kurdistan the prior month. The Museum's fact finders, the report relates, "spoke with Yezidis, Shia Turkmen, and Shia Shabak whose loved ones had been killed or kidnapped" but apparently not with any similarly aggrieved Christians. Neither Christian leaders nor Christian documentation sources are cited in the report. Its focus on events in Nineveh in summer 2014 seems designed especially for making a determination on Yazidi genocide, since this is where and when Yazidis were hit the hardest. I wholeheartedly agree that the Yazidis were and are victims of genocide. But Christians have also been under genocidal assault, and for a longer period, and in both Iraq and Syria. While the body count is not known, regional Christian leaders believe that many thousands of Christians have been killed in this. The Museum report contains no mention of any attacks against Christians in the Syrian part of the "caliphate." On Iraq in the decade before 2014, it makes only passing reference to a handful of the innumerable mass murders of Christians by ISIS predecessors. That several staff members of the Museum's Simon-Skjodt Center Center were previously with the Obama administration raises questions of whether this thin a report with such obvious limitations, released the same month as the department leak, was prepared in collaboration with the administration for a desired political outcome -- namely, to include Yazidis while excluding Christians. The Christians' Choice State officials say that the persecution of these Christians does not meet the "high bar" of the 1948 Genocide Convention because ISIS gave Christians a choice to avoid murder or deportation: They could convert to Islam or pay jizya, the Islamic tax. Forced conversion to Islam, of course, is itself evidence of religious genocide and is cited as such in the European Parliament resolution. The jizya, in Islamic tradition, was to be paid for protection to live as Christians. The Museum report takes at face value ISIS's insistence that it gives Christians the choice to pay jizya. In fact, there is no evidence of Christian life anywhere under the Islamic State -- no reports of functioning churches, clergy, or congregations. This observation prompted Ambassador Alberto Fernandez, who had until last year served as the State Department counterterrorism expert, to describe ISIS's jizya claims as only a "caliphate publicity stunt." Nineveh bishops who had direct contact with ISIS about this issue say that there was no serious opportunity for Christians to pay jizya to avoid worse consequences. Their report is supported by that of a Ninevah Christian, one of only three or so quoted in the entire Museum report, who says that his offer to pay jizya was rejected by ISIS in Mosul, forcing him to flee for his life. Reports of jizya to ISIS in Syria indicate that it was used to humiliate, discriminate against, and coerce individuals to apostatize and thereby contributed to genocide. Genocidal Intent The State Department also insists that it lacks statements of intent from ISIS to violently eradicate the Christian minority "in whole or in part." Under the Genocide Convention, such statements are required for the designation "genocide." But ISIS's propaganda videos and magazine Dabiq offer many such statements. One such source trumpets the vow to "break your crosses and enslave your women," underscored with a photo of the black flag instead of a cross atop St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican. Most Iraqi Christians are from the Chaldean and Syriac Catholic Churches, which are in unity with Rome, and so that statement can be interpreted literally as intent to destroy their communities as well as Christians generally. The U.N. special adviser on the prevention of genocide lists patterns of action whose "cumulative effect" can evidence genocidal intent: "displacement," "practices to complete the exclusion of targeted group from social/political life," "atrocities," "the destruction of or attacks on cultural and religious property and symbols . . . to annihilate the historic presence of the group," etc. These Christians can check off the entire list. Intent in the 1995 genocide case against Bosnian Muslims in Srebrenica was found in the political goals of the attacking Serbs. Without Srebrenica, the Serbs would see their sought-for state divided in two. Similarly, without Nineveh, which sits between the ISIS cities of Raqqa and Mosul and which was home to most Iraqi Christians and Yazidis, ISIS's caliphate would be divided. As the Bosnia genocide court found, the elimination of the Muslims in Srebrenica "would have accomplished the goal of purifying the entire region of the Muslim population." ISIS "purified" Nineveh of Christians and Yazidis. In a December 4 letter to Secretary Kerry, 30 distinguished Christian leaders, religious-freedom advocates, and Near East scholars, from an array of churches and political backgrounds, aware of Department claims that it lacked evidence that the persecution of Christians in the region constitutes genocide, requested an opportunity to brief him "on the continuing religious genocide confronting both vulnerable Christian and Yazidi minorities of Iraq and Syria." Their request for a meeting has not been granted. Political Consequences It is difficult not to conclude that the reason for the administration's reluctance to designate a Christian genocide is not for lack of evidence but for political reasons. One possible obstacle is the Genocide Convention's requirement that states act to "prevent and protect" the victims of genocide. During the Clinton administration, that proved a deterrent to declaring genocide in Rwanda and south Sudan. Ironically, the Obama administration's national-security adviser and U.N. ambassador had been prominent critics of that silence. According to The Economist, some fear that such a designation would compel the U.S. to commit to greater military involvement, and "by no means all Middle Eastern Christians are convinced that a storming intervention by Western powers is the right thing to save their communities." In any event, the U.S. military is already active against ISIS. On the record, David Saperstein, the State Department's ambassador for international religious freedom, argues that a genocide designation would not make a difference in the U.S. response and, he thus implies, it is just not that important a concern: "We are doing what we would have done regardless of whether the designation had been made or not." But might there be another political reason at the root of the administration's reluctance to recognize this Islamist genocide of Christians? Consider how it would parallel the reason that Holocaust scholars have found for President Roosevelt's silence about the genocide of Jews in the Holocaust: "Nazi propaganda, which portrayed the Allied involvement in the war as being on behalf of 'the Jews,'" led him instead to "refer in general to the aim of ending the mistreatment and murder of civilians under Axis rule." That silence proved devastating for European Jews and came to be seen as a historic moral failing. From that experience emerged the solemn vow "Never again." In the face of ISIS's anti-"Crusader" propaganda, might the Obama administration be on the verge of making that same mistake, of silence, over the genocide of Christians? Whether the official U.S. list of genocide victims includes or excludes Christians will affect the persecuted Christians enormously: in raising humanitarian aid, receiving asylum, overcoming de facto discrimination in U.N. resettlement programs, receiving restitution and reparation for seized land, and securing a place at the peace-negotiations table. It would also give these two-millennia-old Christian communities a sense of justice -- something that still matters greatly to the families of Holocaust victims and that eludes the Armenian community. Nina Shea is the director of the Hudson Institute's Center for Religious Freedom. February 16, 2016 AMMAN Jamal Zahalka has been a member of the Israeli Knesset in good standing for 13 years. He was first elected to the 16th Israeli legislature in 2003 and has been regularly re-elected since. But the Palestinian member of the Israeli Knesset is now barred from speaking for two months in the Knesset plenary or in any of the committees on which he serves. Two other members of his Balad Party, Haneen Zoabi and Basel Ghattas, will be prevented from participating in the Knesset debates for four months. In a phone interview with Al-Monitor, Zahalka explained that the Feb. 4 decision of the Ethics Committee against him and his colleagues was purely political and had nothing to do with ethics. The Ethics Committee deals with issues related to behavior and actions of Knesset members. Zahalka, Zoabi and Ghattas are accused of showing sympathy with terrorists. Zahalka, however, said that the efforts of the parliamentarians to help families in East Jerusalem are totally the kind of act a parliamentarian is supposed to do. The problems began when Palestinian families from East Jerusalem were unable to retrieve the bodies of their children more than four months after having been killed by Israeli security often involving a violent interaction with Israelis. The families tried, through their lawyers, to speak to the police, but were told that this is a political problem, Zahalka said. Zahalka, 61, and two other Knesset members went to an East Jerusalem cultural center Feb. 4 to meet with the families, and subsequently discussed these complaints with the Israeli police. Rather than engaging with them to negotiate the solution for this humanitarian problem, the meeting itself quickly became the focus of a vicious campaign led by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu against the Arab Knesset members. Netanyahu used our clearly parliamentary action to incite against us, saying we were paying condolences to terrorists even though our meeting was at a cultural center four months after the incident happened. Who pays condolences after four months? Zahalka asked sarcastically. According to Zahalka, the Israeli prime minister used the incident to whip up anti-Arab incitement, which led to the decision of the Ethics Committee. Once the case reached the Ethics Committee, the decision against us was a done deal, he said. While the three punished Knesset members could have appealed the decision in the Knesset and the Israeli Supreme Court, they chose not to. He said, We realized that the decision will not be reversed and will only increase the incitement against us and our people." Zahalka did not appear to be having second thoughts about having run for the Knesset. We realize that we are paying a price for participating in the Knesset, but until this moment we feel the positive is bigger than the negative. The full text of the interview follows: Al-Monitor: What is your response to the decision barring you and your colleagues from your legislative duties? Zahalka: The issue was that we visited families in East Jerusalem in response to the passing of months without the Israeli police agreeing to return the bodies of 11 Palestinians. The reality is that the people of East Jerusalem are entirely without representation. The Israeli government totally prevents the Palestinian government from representing them, and they are left without anyone able to speak on their behalf. The grieving Jerusalem families have been trying to give their deceased children a proper burial, but the Israeli police have been holding their bodies for months. The families tried to speak through their lawyer to the police, but they were told that this is a political problem. They approached us for help. We met with them, listened to what they had to say about the conditions being placed by the Israeli police, including when they can bury them, how many people can attend, the need to bury them outside Jerusalem and the condition that they dont carry out an autopsy on the bodies. Some families accepted all the Israeli conditions and others did not. For example, some said, We cant control who comes to a funeral, this is the job of the police. Others said that they had no place outside of Jerusalem to bury their dead. We transmitted all this to the head of police the next day and he promised to get back to us. Next thing, we were the target of this unprecedented racist attack and incitement. This is unacceptable to do to the people of Jerusalem and requires international intervention. Netanyahu used our clearly parliamentary action to incite against us, saying we were paying condolences to terrorists, even though our meeting was at a cultural center four months after the incident happened. Who pays condolences after four months? We were also accused of having stood in silence for terrorists, although the reality is that we stand in silence all the time for all Palestinian martyrs and not for any specific ones. The decision to keep us away from speaking in the Knesset and our committees does not include our right to vote. I have received a two-month punishment, while my colleagues Zoabi and Ghattas are barred for four months because they are repeat offenders in their eyes. Al-Monitor: Is a Knesset committee authorized to bar a duly elected member from representing his/her constituency? Zahalka: This is a new development. This punishment to keep members of the Knesset from speaking has not been used for 50 years. It was used against my colleague Zoabi for six months during the previous Knesset. This time it is used again under extreme political pressure by Prime Minister Netanyahu who basically railroaded the decision of the Ethics Committee. Although the committee is called the Ethics Committee, its decision was purely a political one. Al-Monitor: What was the reaction of your fellow parliamentarians? Zahalka: When the Israeli prime minister went on the Knesset roster and viciously attacked us, many bought in to his rhetoric even though our actions were totally the kind of act a parliamentarian is supposed to do. We were also accused of having stood in silence for the [Palestinian] martyrs, although the reality is that we stand in silence all the time for all Palestinians and not for any specific ones. Netanyahus speech was followed by Knesset speaker Yuli-Yoel Edelstein calling on the public to submit complaints against us. I thought that the job of the Knesset speaker was to safeguard the right of the members to speak freely, not to incite the public against our rights. Seven hundred people, including the prime minister himself and other politicians, submitted complaints, and once the case reached the Ethics Committee the decision against us was a done deal. I made a strong defense [case] to the committee, and some members told me that they understood our position. But the political pressure was clearly in play in the Ethics Committee, and their mind was made up irrespective of what we said. Their decision was taken as a result of the demagogy of the prime minister who whipped up the entire Knesset against us using inflammatory words that included completely incorrect facts. Al-Monitor: What was the reaction of the people who elected you? Zahalka: The majority of the people support us for what we did in meeting the Jerusalem families and interceding on their behalf, both as a human act as well as a religious act. But some people were worried about the incitement that is being hurled against us, and they urged us to slow down. Al-Monitor: Can you do anything legally to stop the legal decision pertaining to the ban? Zahalka: We can appeal this decision to the entire Knesset and even to the Israeli Supreme Court. But we decided not to raise the issue in parliament or court, because we realized that the decision will not be reversed and will only increase the incitement against us and our people. Al-Monitor: Do you think the decision against you will become a precedent to a new trend? How do you think this affects the current parliamentary system of government in Israel? Zahalka: There is no doubt that Israel is becoming more racist and [leaning toward the] right wing. This is the reality. The prime minister was under pressure from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development to make a substantial share of the budget for the Arab community. Netanyahu is under pressure [by right-wing supporters] to balance this act by inciting against Arabs. He is also competing with [former Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor] Liberman and [Education Minister Naftali] Bennett on who can be nastier to Arabs. Al-Monitor: The current government depends on a razor-thin 61-59 majority. How do you explain its resilience? Zahalka: The smaller the margin between government and opposition, the more resilient the government is because no one wants it to fall. Anyone withdrawing or voting against the government will fall, and they will all fall with it. Al-Monitor: How long do you expect the current government to last? Zahalka: I think it will take a long time [for the current coalition to unravel], as there is no serious discussion within government, and it is difficult for the opposition to be able to make any substantial effort to topple it. We realize that we are paying a price for participating in the Knesset, but until now we feel the positive is bigger than the negative. Al-Monitor: Does the latest decision make you second-guess your decision to run for office, or has it redoubled your will to keep pushing? Zahalka: The issue of whether to enter the Knesset is a gray area. There are reasons for participation and there are reasons not to participate. For us until now, the positive by far outweighs the negative. Some argue that by participating in the Knesset, we give the State of Israel a chance to claim that it is a democratic country. We are accused of providing a fig leaf to cover up for the lack of democracy in Israel. On the other hand, we feel that our role is important to our own people, and the fact that they are trying to silence us is perhaps the best proof that being in the Knesset has some real advantages. We are speaking out, and today this is the third interview I am giving to an English-language media outlet; this means that being in the Knesset does not silence us despite the latest efforts. No one had paid any attention to the problem of the bodies of the Jerusalemites until we intervened. We are close to our people and we are working with them, but the moment we feel that being in the Knesset is more of a liability than an asset to our central goal of representing our people and speaking on their behalf, we will not continue. We realize that we are paying a price for participating in the Knesset, but until now we feel the positive is bigger than the negative. February 16, 2016 TEHRAN, Iran Over the past year, Iranian conservatives have strenuously sought to reach consensus on how to win the parliamentary elections scheduled for Feb. 26. Prior to that, moderate and hard-line factions had fought each other for a decade for dominance within the conservative camp. At present, the moderates appear to have been defeated. It may seem odd to some, but the moderates are likely to be happy about that. The hard-liners have strict views on the enforcement of Islamic law and oppose closer relations with the outside world, including the nuclear deal Iran signed with the six world powers. The moderates, who share some views with the Reformists, do not like to be compared with the hard-liners, who are unpopular among the general public. The conservative camp is increasingly defined by orthodoxy, and this is harming the moderates image among voters. After years of attempts to force moderates from the conservative leadership, the hard-liners seem to have succeeded. The defeat, however, is voluntarily and guided by moderate leaders, including Ayatollah Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, chairman of the Expediency Council; Ali Akbar Nategh-Nuri, head of the supreme leaders Inspection Office; and Ali Larijani, speaker of parliament. Rafsanjani and Nategh-Nuri were marginalized by the hard-liners led by Ayatollah Mohammad-Taghi Mesbah Yazdi during the 2005 presidential elections, which resulted in victory for Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Subsequently, Rafsanjani and Nategh-Nuri gradually left the stage. Indeed, up until a few years ago, Larijani was the only prominent moderate remaining in the conservative camp. During Ahmadinejad's second term (2009-13), Larijani became the target of harsh attacks by hard-liners. For instance, Ahmadinejad released a short video in February 2013 implying that a brother of Larijani was involved in corruption. Moreover, in another incident that same month, hard-liners threw shoes and prayer rugs at Larijani during a speech in the holy city of Qom. These developments might have had a hand in the incumbent speakers departure from the conservative camp. Of note, Larijani came to the aid of the moderate Hassan Rouhani after his election as president in June 2013. Larijanis role in whipping enough votes in parliament in favor of the nuclear deal should not be ignored. Indeed, both Rouhani and Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif have repeatedly thanked Larijani for the positive role he played. Over the past year in the run-up to the parliamentary elections, three key ultra-conservative leaders have tirelessly met in an attempt to arrive at a consensus about an election strategy: Ayatollah Mohammad Reza Mahdavi Kermani, head of the Combatant Clergy Association; Ayatollah Mohammad Yazdi, head of the Society of Seminary Teachers of Qom; and Mesbah Yazdi, spiritual leader of the Endurance Front. They asked Larijani and his influential Followers of the Leadership faction to join them, but Larijani declined. Instead, before registering as a candidate for the elections, Larijani announced, I run on an independent ticket. After months of negotiations and countless meetings with other hard-liners and what remained of the moderate factions in the conservative camp, on Feb. 7 the conservative leadership published a list of 30 candidates they intend to support for parliamentary seats representing the Tehran district. The list astonished political observers. Only three of the 30 were relative moderates, while a significant number of candidates were hard-liners close to Mesbah Yazdi, who has always coveted the conservative leadership. From the looks of it, Mesbah Yazdis dreams appear to be close to coming true, but all is far from well in the conservative camp. The conservatives' list raised eyebrows and disagreements even among conservatives and may ultimately lead to an unprecedented defeat for the hard-liners. For instance, the parliamentarian Hassan Ghafouri Fard told a local news agency, Most top conservative candidates arent pleased with the published list, and many of them arent willing to withdraw in favor of the selected candidates, as they had previously promised. Moreover, Hossain Kanaani Moghadam, secretary of the Green Party, said, The current published list is not defensible. It would be better if some figures that had the ability to offer [their] reputation and [add] value to the list were on the ticket. He emphasized, They dont have much of a chance, and only five of them at most will manage to gain enough votes to enter the next parliament. Meanwhile, according to Serat, a new hard-line outlet, Gholam-Ali Haddad Adel, spokesman for the current conservative coalition, has asked the selected conservative candidates to sign commitments to vote for his campaign to defeat Larijani to become the next speaker. In response to Serat's report, Haddad Adel tweeted his denial of the claim, and when asked at a news conference whether he hoped to be the next speaker, he replied, I will do as I think will be necessary. Even so, Amir Mohebian, a moderate conservative and prominent political analyst, said, The conservative ticket conveys a bad message for Ali Larijani and his position as the parliament speaker. He noted, Haddad Adel views his status and situation in the next term of the parliament as appropriate and is getting ready for the speaker position, because he has managed to include many hard-liners in the [conservative] list and has attracted their attention. In contrast, Elyas Naderan, a prominent hard-liner and a candidate on the conservative ticket, doesnt think Haddad Adel has a chance of becoming the next speaker. I dont think there will be a serious rival to Mr. Larijani for chairing the [next] parliament, and we wont face any unexpected changes concerning this matter, Naderan told ISNA, the Iranian Students' News Agency. In sum, despite dominating the conservative ticket, it appears the hard-liners chances of actually winning the elections are slim. This is particularly so because many moderate candidates, such as the prominent parliamentarian Ali Motahari and Larijani, are maneuvering to assemble their own rival lists or perhaps even join the Reformists list. Ahmad Shirzad, a former Reformist member of parliament, told Al-Monitor, Hard-liners will be seriously defeated in the elections, as they supported the eight-year presidency of Ahmadinejad, who had the worst economic performance. He added, Personally, I think moderate figures within the conservative camp, such as Ali Motahhari, could be on the Reformists list. February 12, 2016 A frequently asked question in Lebanon has been how the Iranian nuclear agreement might affect Iran's ties with Hezbollah. But party officials and independent Lebanese observers paint a picture of an unbreakable bond between the two. They believe the geopolitical dynamics taking shape in the region and beyond, now that the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action is being implemented, further strengthen Hezbollah. Anyone who thinks Iran's return to the national stage will decrease its support for Hezbollah "doesnt know how Iran thinks, a Hezbollah official told Al-Monitor, noting that the group is widely considered to be Tehrans staunchest ally. Speaking from his office in Dahiyeh in southern Beirut, an area commonly referred to as Hezbollahs stronghold, the official, who asked not to be named, underscored that Hezbollah is more than just an ally for Iran. The relationship is similar to that between father and son, he said, going on to emphasize the ideological factor by saying that any success for Iran means success for Hezbollah and for the velayat e-faqih. The official added that Hezbollah had credible information that Iran did not agree to discuss any issues other than the nuclear dossier during its talks with six world powers, citing this as evidence that Tehran will not budge regarding its support for the Lebanese movement. A similar view is echoed by experts in the field. "In Iran, it is the state that serves the revolution, and Hezbollah lies at the heart of this revolution, Hussam Matar, an independent Lebanese scholar on international affairs who is close to Hezbollah, told Al-Monitor. What also makes the ideological relationship between the two sides unique, according to Matar, is that it brings together the anti-Israeli resistance ideology with the religious Shiite ideology, as opposed to Iranian-Syrian ties, in which anti-Israeli resistance ideology plays the dominant role. The Hezbollah official said Tehran has looked to enhance ties with Europe and China rather than Washington, which maintains a hostile stance toward the movement. This orientation, he believes, constitutes further evidence that Hezbollah has nothing to fear from Irans return to the global arena. Iran wanted to reach the nuclear agreement to open up and enhance ties with international players other than Washington, he said confidently, citing the Chinese president's visit to Iran on Jan. 23 and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani's European tour, which included Italy and France, that directly followed. Unlike Washington, Beijing has not designated Hezbollah a terrorist organization and hence is not restricted in communicating with the movement. The European Union designates Hezbollahs military wing a terrorist organization while maintaining communication with what it calls the groups political wing. As the JCPOA is being implemented, China is entering the region through the energy and infrastructure markets as part of its One Belt, One Road initiative which is a very positive development for the likes of Hezbollah, according to Matar. Any role for any power other than the United States in the region, especially those that dont have colonialist projects, achieves a kind of balance in the region at the expense of the Americans, he said, adding that this balance benefits Hezbollah. Perhaps the biggest factor lending credibility to that argument is that Beijing is viewed as a much more even-handed player in the region whose policy differs from Washingtons outright support for Israel, Hezbollahs archrival. At the same time, Beijing sees in Hezbollah an ally against the terrorism threat, according to a well-informed Iranian source. The source, who asked not to be named, quoted a member of the visiting Chinese presidential delegation to Iran as saying that Hezbollah is fighting Chinese terrorists in Syria, in reference to indigenous ethnic Uighurs Muslims who China says have joined the ranks of terrorist groups operating in Syria. On a separate note, Hezbollahs importance as an ally for Iran in the region has also become quite clear in the turmoil that has engulfed the Middle East. The group has played a pivotal role in preserving the leadership of President Bashar al-Assad in Syria, Irans No. 1 regional ally. Hezbollah has sent military personnel to Iraq to join the fight against Islamic State terrorists, helping to prevent an extremist takeover that would pose a dangerous national security threat for neighboring Iran. Given that those countries in the axis of resistance [Iraq and Syria] are suffering and are hence incapable of taking initiatives in the region, Hezbollah is filling part of that vacuum, Matar said. Meanwhile, the regional bloc that might be forming between Saudi Arabia and Israel against Iran could further boost Hezbollahs status. With Irans Arab state allies, such as Iraq and Syria, worn out by ongoing conflict, the movement could be poised to take up an even greater role to counter a Saudi/Israeli-led anti-Iranian bloc. According to Matar, Hezbollahs role in preventing the emergence of such a bloc or in stopping it from becoming an Arab-Israeli one could prove vital. Hezbollah has an Arab component and a history of resisting Israel, he said, which enables it to penetrate places where Iranians cannot penetrate." February 16, 2016 GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip Here's some advice for Hamas' military wing from several quarters: Stop showing off. Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades has been holding repeated parades and talking about increasing its capabilities. Among politicians, observers and citizens, some believe the resistance is merely responding to Israels threats against the Gaza Strip. Others see the behavior as an attempt to inflate the resistances ability to face Israels military power. Most seem to agree al-Qassam Brigades should knock it off before Israel uses the bragging as propaganda to paint itself as a victim. On Jan. 31, al-Qassam Brigades spokesman Abu Obeida spoke in public masked, as is his habit to mourn the deaths of seven Hamas fighters who died Jan. 28 in a tunnel collapse. However, this time Abu Obeida arrived at the ceremony riding on the back of a tank. The tanks body was made of parts from Israeli-made Merkava 4 tanks, which the Palestinian resistance had destroyed during the Israeli war on the Gaza Strip in 2014. The tank supposedly is only used for training purposes, but Hamas supporters and leaders presented it as one of al-Qassam Brigades new weapons. Ahmed Abu Artima, a Palestinian writer and researcher who specializes in political affairs, told Al-Monitor, Palestinians should not exaggerate in showing off Gazas potential in militarizing the confrontation scene between Palestinians and Israel. No matter how developed the performance of the resistance in Gaza becomes, it will never be equal to Israels military. He added, The resistance in Gaza is in a defensive mode. This is why our media discourse should remain focused on revealing the occupations crimes and its aggression against Palestinians. We do not have an army to confront a competent army; we are a people under occupation. Abu Artima believes Israel, too, is exaggerating the resistances capabilities to delegitimize the Palestinian cause and show that its confrontation with Palestinians is actually a confrontation with armed groups. We should not give Israel the elements to help it formulate a media discourse that diverts the attention from the justice of our cause and from the fact that we are a weak people aspiring for freedom, dignity and independence, he added. On Feb. 4, Hamas leader Ahmed Youssef posted a strongly worded message on his Facebook page addressing military and political Palestinian leaders titled, Speak wisely. There is no need for exaggerations. The post read, We, as Palestinians, have been using expressions that the enemy [Israel] could use as a pretext for its aggression and as a justification for its crimes. Military leaders and politicians use expressions such as, We will burn the ground beneath their feet and We will open the gates of hell. The enemy could exploit these threats to convince the world that it is in danger, and this is why it launched a war as a pre-emptive blow to destroy all the military potential of the parties that represent a threat for [Israels] security and existence. He added, I hope the Palestinian political and military factions would show restraint and discipline in all their statements. They should remember how the Zionist propaganda machine succeeded in employing the argument that we Arabs will push Israel into the sea for its aggression against the Arab countries in 1967 and to commit war crimes and violations against humanity as the world did not lift a finger. The tank's public appearance was not the only issue that amplified the resistances capabilities, as Hamas leaders in Gaza repeatedly threatened Israel with the so-called tunnels weapon. Ismail Haniyeh, former head of the Hamas government, said in his Jan. 29 sermon which was published in Felesteen newspaper in Gaza that al-Qassam Brigades are digging tunnels to defend Gaza. Haniyeh added, There are heroes in the east of Gaza digging underground [tunnels], and heroes in the west of Gaza testing rockets above the ground. The resistance in Gaza has double the number of tunnels of the Vietnam tunnels that military schools teach about. The resistance has the tunnels [needed] to protect its people and liberate Al-Aqsa Mosque and all holy sites. Meanwhile, Israel has used these statements to stress its claims that Gaza represents a persistent threat. The Israeli Arabic-language website, Al Masdar, published a press report Feb. 2 about Israels use of the information about the development of tunnels. Israel received US financial and military support amounting to $120 million to proceed with obstructing tunnels, following the visit to Israel of US Deputy Defense Secretary Robert O. Work. Hamas leader Ismail Radwan told Al-Monitor that Israels talks about the resistances capabilities are exaggerated to justify any crime Israel would commit against the Gaza Strip or the resistance. Thus, it is the resistances right to have the power to defend itself and its holy sites. No matter how big its potential is, it cannot be compared to the capabilities of the Israeli occupation. The resistances potential remains modest, but it is magnified by the occupation through the media, he added. Radwan stressed that despite the exchange of threats between Hamas and Israel, he does not expect a war to break out anytime soon in the Gaza Strip because all previous wars launched by Israel on Gaza failed before the steadfastness of the Palestinians. He said, "We do not want a war, but if a battle is to be imposed on us, we will fight, despite our modest potential compared to [Israel's] capabilities. Some see Hamas tank, the movements threats and the development of tunnels as a psychological war waged by Hamas against Israel. Abu Obeidas use of the tank does not necessarily mean that Hamas owns a real tank," political analyst Riham Odeh told Al-Monitor. "It was rather a symbolic message to Israel that in the future, Hamas will not only use rockets, but it will also seek military vehicles such as tanks." Like others, Odeh believes Palestinians must be more cautious in their statements. Palestinians could simply replace inflammatory statements with humanitarian messages, she suggested. February 16, 2016 DAMASCUS, Syria The Syrian regime and its allies have taken control over the entire area between the cities of Moadamiyet al-Sham and Daraya in Rif Dimashq governorate, following an extensive military campaign and heavy aerial bombardment that began in December 2015. The campaign aims to isolate the city of Daraya, which has already been besieged for three years, cutting off the only humanitarian supply line and weakening the opposition and civilians in preparation to storm the city. However, on Feb. 9, the regimes first attempt to breach the city failed. The effort was renewed on Feb. 12 from the northwest, near Moadamiyet al-Sham, accompanied by clashes between the regime forces and opposition fighters involving ground-to-ground missiles and 56 barrel bombs. The city of Daraya is located just southwest of Damascus and borders the Mezze neighborhood, where the presidential palace is located, to the north. It overlooks the Mezze military airport to the northwest and the Damascus-Daraa highway to the east. Daraya is one of the largest cities in eastern Ghouta and was among the first cities to witness peaceful demonstrations demanding the toppling of the Syrian regime in 2011. The city has suffered from power, water, heating and communications outages since it has been besieged by the regime forces in 2012. The citizens have been burning furniture to keep warm and plastic to extract fuel to run power generators and water pumps so they can grow and cultivate crops for food. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, on Dec. 27, the regime forces advanced in the surroundings of Daraya, controlling the border separating Daraya from Moadamiyet al-Sham. The move caused massive displacement to Moadamiyet al-Sham following heavy aerial and artillery shelling, extensive bombardment with mortars and what are believed to be surface-to-surface missiles. The regime forces gained full control of the area on Feb. 6. The official Syrian news Agency SANA quoted a military source Feb. 10 as saying, The army and armed forces units have carried out intensive operations on the headquarters and fortifications of terrorist organizations in Daraya, killing 37 members and destroying many of their weapons and military equipment. A media source accompanying the Syrian army in its military operations told Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity, The goal behind the Syrian army's military operation is to fully secure and control the Mezze military airport near Daraya to serve as a Russian base to launch military offensives to the south, adding, The siege of the city is the first step toward storming it in order to fully secure the area around Damascus to the southwest. On Feb. 8, Darayas local council published a report documenting what it called the regimes violations in the city during January. It read that the regime had targeted the city with 765 barrel bombs, 1,400 mortar and tank shells, nine airstrikes and 124 surface-to-surface missiles. The siege had lasted 1,166 days. For its part, the National Coalition for Syrian Revolution and Opposition Forces warned in a Feb. 8 statement against an imminent massacre by the regime forces backed by Russian forces and Irans Revolutionary Guard Corps against Daraya in Rif Dimashq. The coalition blamed the UN Security Council in particular and held it responsible for crimes against 12,000 besieged citizens, including children and women, according to the coalitions statistics. Al-Monitor spoke to Shadi Matar, the media official of Darayas local council, who said, By besieging Daraya, the regime seeks to starve out civilians by cutting off their only supply line from the city of Moadamiyet al-Sham, which agreed to a truce with the regime in January 2013. Moadamiyet al-Sham was also considered shelter for the people of Daraya when the shelling on the latter intensified. He added, The regime forces were able to control the area connecting the two cities, mainly because of the military build-up and the intensified heavy shelling that had been going on for three months, not to mention the regimes scorched-earth policy. One ought to mention as well that the region is an open area and empty of any forms of construction, except a few buildings, which makes it difficult for the opposition forces to seek shelter. Matar added that the Syrian regime controlled the only crossing between the two cities, creating more difficulties for citizens and fighters alike in both areas. He said that the regime has several options now. It might seek to drive rebels and civilians out of the city in an attempt to change its demographic composition, as happened in Homs in May 2014 and Zabadani in August 2015. Al-Monitor also met with Capt. Saeed Jamal from Daraya, of the Martyrs of Islam Brigade, the largest brigade fighting in the city. It was established in 2013 to counter the regimes advance in eastern Ghouta. Asked about whether the regime would strike a deal with the militants in these regions to drive them out, Jamal told Al-Monitor, We have no idea what the regime forces will do, especially after the Russian intervention and the great support Russia is offering to [President] Bashar al-Assads regime. We have already witnessed the great scale of destruction of Syrian towns in the north by Russian weaponry under the pretext of fighting terrorism. He added, We will not accept any deal under these circumstances. We remain steadfast and strong on our fronts. During the last battle and despite the regimes heavy shelling aided by Iranian militias, it could not separate Daraya and Moadamiyet al-Sham for three months although the area is very small. Jamal does not believe that five years after the outbreak of the revolution, the regime is making the kind of progress in different Syrian towns that could affect its fate. He believes that what is happening is temporary progress owing to Russian support, but things will soon return to how they were, and probably better. Jamal said that Russia ought to learn from the lessons and the previous experiences of Iran, which had provided support for the Syrian regime but did not put an end to the Syrian revolution. It has only prolonged the regimes life and led to the destruction of more towns, more displacement and a higher death toll among the Syrian people. It is noteworthy that in 2010, Daraya was home to 250,000 citizens, and today that number has dropped to 12,000, including both civilians and military forces. As the road to Moadamiyet al-Sham has been cut off, these people will face worsening conditions as the regime continues the heavy bombardment that prompted people to seek refuge underground. February 16, 2016 The main talk of the town in Ankara these days is the unrest brewing within Turkeys unrivaled political powerhouse, the Justice and Development Party (AKP), and its potential impact on the countrys future. Lets spell it out immediately that the emerging dissent is unlikely to split the party or lead to the creation of a new party by in-house critics unhappy with President Recep Tayyip Erdogans overbearing style. This may sound confusing, given the recent stir triggered by former Deputy Prime Minister and parliamentary Speaker Bulent Arinc, one of the AKPs top three heavyweights ever since the partys creation in 2001 until the June elections last year. Why did Arinc rebel? To answer this question, a few reminders are in order. During his term as deputy prime minister, Arinc clashed publicly with Erdogan on several occasions, including the anti-government protests in the summer of 2013, which broke over a redevelopment project at Istanbuls Gezi Park. Erdogan, then prime minister, was abroad at the time, with Arinc acting as his official substitute. In a major step to cool the revolt, Arinc announced the plan to demolish the park had been canceled. Soon, however, Erdogan was back home and, embarrassing Arinc, he declared the project would go ahead. Arinc came to the point of resignation but was stopped by President Abdullah Gul, another key AKP co-founder. On other occasions, Arinc irked Erdogan and his loyalists by speaking out against undemocratic practices and corruption in government ranks. Similarly, he sought to soothe tensions when police raided homes shared by male and female university students, when Erdogan declared a war on the Fethullah Gulen movement or implied that the head of Turkeys top business group was a traitor. Each time, he was rebuffed or contradicted by Erdogan but chose to swallow the snubs instead of publicly standing his ground. In a memorable outburst in November 2013, he grumbled he had his own specific weight in the party, using a physics term to assert he did not owe his political clout to Erdogan. Yet once again he left it there. The collapse of the Kurdish settlement process was another issue that brought Arinc and Erdogan to loggerheads. In February 2015, government representatives and Kurdish lawmakers, meeting at the Dolmabahce Palace in Istanbul, agreed on a road map for the next stage of the settlement talks. Erdogan, now president, rejected the accord in a pre-election maneuver designed to court the nationalist vote. Arinc, however, lent support to the deal, speaking in his capacity as the governments spokesman. The controversy grew, and Arinc came under vitriolic fire by Erdogan loyalists. In an unprecedented public exchange, Ankaras sharp-tongued mayor, Melih Gokcek, an AKP member, urged Arinc to resign, while Arinc slammed the mayors impertinence and charged he had sold out Ankara, plot by plot to the Gulen community, the AKPs former ally. Furthermore, Arinc vowed to reveal at least 100 shady dealings by the mayor after the June 7 polls. Yet he kept silent after the elections, which marked the end of his parliamentary membership. On Jan. 29, however, Arinc was back in the spotlight with a television interview in which he insisted the Dolmabahce accord had been concluded with Erdogans knowledge, contrary to what the president claims. Arinc spoke of other domestic problems within the AKP, saying that many truths remain in the shadows. Erdogan retorted without uttering Arincs name, calling him that man and accusing him of dishonesty. It was a critical moment. Was Arinc to step back and keep mum again? Not this time. In a message tweeted exactly at 17:25 timing that was widely interpreted as an innuendo to the corruption scandals that rocked the government on Dec. 17-25, 2013 Arinc stood his ground in what came as a sign that some AKP members had crossed the fear threshold despite ongoing attacks by Erdogan loyalists. Other prominent AKP figures former Ministers Huseyin Celik, Sadullah Ergin, Nihat Ergun and Suat Kilic spoke out in Arincs defense. Celik went further in a Feb. 10 interview with Hurriyet, in which he voiced more criticism of the course the AKP has taken. The emerging wave of dissent now seemed to be systematic, and all eyes turned to Gul, the former president who is also said to be increasingly irked with Erdogans rule. In what seemed to be more than a coincidence, Gul was scheduled to meet with Arinc the day of Celiks interview, reinforcing the impression that some coordinated action was underway. Erdogan made a maneuver, inviting Gul to his presidential residence for a three-hour dinner designed to send a message of a warm family reunion. Gul went along, true to his conciliatory political persona, which detests wrangling and mutiny and opts for calm in dealing with matters concerning the party and its cause. There is no doubt, however, that Gul shares the dissidents concerns over Turkeys deepening domestic and foreign policy problems. Many AKP members have long pinned their hopes on Gul as the man who can stop the downturn. Fresh out from the presidential palace, Gul came together with Arinc and the four former ministers. What they discussed is as important as the Gul-Erdogan meeting, but little has come to light so far. According to two former AKP lawmakers close to Gul who, by the way, sounded disappointed the former president agreed with the dissidents concerns but stressed the need to protect the partys interests and discuss problems internally. So, whats the bottom line after all the fuss? In short, Gul softened the climate a little bit. He did this at the expense of annoying some of his associates who complain that in-house critics, too, bear the brunt of the AKPs current mistakes. It is important to note that those critics are not willing to quit the AKP or to start a new party. What they want is to raise their voices, together with Gul, and stop what they see as Turkeys drift into troubled waters. Though Gul seems to have soothed the tensions to some extent, no one has stepped back from their positions. This is evident from the pages of the pro-government press, which offered only meager coverage of the Erdogan-Gul meeting and claimed that Arinc and Celik could be summoned for questioning for alleged links with the Gulen community. In sum, the unrest within the AKP is not over, and fresh outbursts of dissent should not come as a surprise. AKP members seem to no longer dread the traitor label, which has been used so often and so readily that it has now lost its meaning. True, no dissenting move could open a serious crack within the party as long as Erdogan preserves his current power. But the critics are now more emboldened. One critical trend to watch is the upcoming parliamentary process on drafting a new constitution, which Erdogan hopes will deliver the executive presidency he craves. Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglus stance during this process is likely to be an important factor amid reports that not all AKP members are keen to hand Erdogan more power. That Davutoglu has withheld any criticism of Arinc and his associates in the latest controversy is also noteworthy. February 16, 2016 Turkey has raised the stakes in Syria by unleashing a campaign of heavy cross-border shelling against Russian-supported fighters from the People's Protection Units (YPG) that Ankara insists will continue despite international calls to desist. Ankara wants to prevent the Kurdish group, which it considers a terrorist organization allied with the Kurdistan Workers Party, from gaining more territory along Turkeys border with Syria. In a separate development bound to further increase tensions, Turkey also shelled Syrian military positions across the border from Hatay province around the same time it unleashed its campaign against the YPG. Turkish military sources told the daily Hurriyet that the shelling of Syrian army and YPG positions was in response to mortar attacks against Turkish territory. While this might be true with regard to the Syrian army, remarks by Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu indicate that Turkey has broader goals when it comes to the YPG. A complication for Ankara, however, is that both the United States and Russia are supporting the YPG, albeit for different reasons. YPG fighters have advanced against the Islamic State (IS) east of the Euphrates River with US air support, while Russia has been using them against anti-Assad forces west of the Euphrates. Meanwhile, animosity between Ankara and Moscow has been deepening since Turkey downed a Russian jet fighter Nov. 24. In addition, Washington is unhappy with the YPGs Russian-supported advances, but nonetheless greeted Turkeys military response against the group with disapproval. Davutoglu told reporters Feb. 14 that he had laid Turkeys demands on the line during a phone conversation with US Vice President Joe Biden earlier that day. To wit, the YPG is to stay clear of the town of Azaz, a stones throw from Turkey, and evacuate adjoining areas. It must also abandon attempts to sever the corridor between Aleppo and Turkey, which Ankara says it needs to provide support to refugees. Ankara also insists that the YPG evacuate the Menagh air base near Azaz, recently captured with Russian support, and has threatened to make the base inoperable by shelling it if the YPG does not abandon it. Davutoglu said he also told Biden that the YPG does not represent Syrian Kurds. Those who define this as a Turkish-Kurdish conflict only aim to lay the groundwork for a conflict among brothers in the Middle East, he claimed. The White House readout of Bidens conversation with Davutoglu stated, The Vice President noted US efforts to discourage Syrian Kurdish forces from exploiting current circumstances to seize additional territory near the Turkish border, and urged Turkey to show reciprocal restraint by ceasing artillery strikes in the area. The reference to the Syrian Kurds and the attempt to address Turkey and the YPG equally have angered Ankara. Foreign Ministry spokesman Tanju Bilgic said Feb. 15 that Ankara was astonished by US State Department spokesman John Kirbys written response to Turkeys shelling of YPG positions in which Turkey and a terrorist group were placed on the same footing. Bilgic said Ankara strongly condemned this. Adding to Ankaras annoyance is that Europe's response to the shelling is echoing the US position. Russia, on the other hand, is taking what appears to be a relatively low-key position for now, given the circumstances. Moscow expresses its most serious concern about aggressive actions by Turkish authorities against a neighboring state, read a Feb. 15 statement from the Russian Foreign Ministry. Russia will support discussion of this issue in the UN Security Council for a clear assessment of the provocative line pursued by Ankara, which is creating a threat to peace and security in the Middle East and beyond. Moscow claims that Ankara is trying to help jihadis, who have been using the Aleppo corridor to enter Syria from Turkey. Davutoglus response was quick in coming. During a Feb. 15 visit to Ukraine, he shot back by remarking that Russian jets had struck a hospital in the Azaz region and accused Moscow of committing crimes against humanity. If Russia continues to act as a terrorist organization and forces civilians to leave their homes, then our response will be very resolute, Davutoglu said. That he spoke while Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk visibly approved of his remarks is bound to have made blood boil in Moscow. Retired Ambassador Ali Tuygan, who served as Turkish Foreign Ministry undersecretary during 2006-09, believes that Ankara's latest move is a continuation of mistakes made in Syria from the start. It will be difficult to secure results in this way, Tuygan told Al-Monitor. It was also wrong to let relations with Russia deteriorate in this way, noting that a major risk for Turkey is a confrontation with Russia over Syria. Ankara should work to de-escalate the tension with Russia, but we see Davutoglu doing the opposite in Kiev, of all places, said Tuygan. He also commented that Turkey had worked hard for 25 years to bring ties with Russia to a positive and mutually beneficial level. While in Kiev, Davutoglu also denied claims that Turkish troops had entered Syria. Most analysts agree that such a direct intervention is highly improbable given that Turkey would have to fight not just the YPG, but also Russian-backed regime forces, without support from NATO. This has not, however, stopped the pro-government Turkish media from trying to drum up support for direct intervention in Syria with scant consideration of the potential consequences. The opposition, however, is warning that the government is steering Turkey toward disaster. Ozturk Yilmaz, deputy head of the main opposition Republican People's Party, underlined this position in a written statement after the shelling of YPG positions began. Yilmaz, an expert on the region, was Turkeys consul general in Mosul when the city fell to IS in 2014. He was held hostage by the group for more than 100 days. Yilmaz said that the ruling Justice and Development Party was still chasing its dream of leadership in the Middle East. He charged that the governments lack of foresight is doing irreparable harm to Turkeys security interests and dragging Turkey step by step into the Syrian quagmire. Honda line Songer.JPG Workers at the Honda auto assembly plant in Talladega County build the Acura MDX SUV and Honda's Odyssey minivan and Pilot SUV. Transportation equipment, which includes cars, was the top category for exports with $9.3 billion, an increase of 7.5 percent from 2014. (Joe Songer/jsonger@al.com) A significant decrease in coal exports dragged down Alabama's exports for the year. Alabama's total 2015 exports were worth $19.37 billion, according to Department of Commerce data, down less than 1 percent from 2014's total. But Alabama's minerals and ores - especially coal - declined 38 percent to $705.8 million last year. American coal has reeled nationwide, with several major companies declaring bankruptcy, including Birmingham's Walter Energy. Met coal prices have hovered around less than a third of what they were just a few years ago. Other Alabama coal producers have reduced output and workforce. But several other Alabama industries saw large gains in exports. Transportation equipment, which includes cars, was the top category for Alabama exports with $9.3 billion, an increase of 7.5 percent from 2014. "Alabama's exports remained vital last year in spite of turbulence in the global economy, which included a collapse in oil prices and a slowdown in China," Greg Canfield, secretary of the Alabama Department of Commerce, said in a statement. "Exports of Alabama-made vehicle and parts continue to expand, underscoring the state's status as a major player in this international industry." Other big gains in 2015 included a 25 percent increase in machinery, a 19 percent increase in paper, and a 12 percent increase in plastics and rubber products. Exports to Mexico saw an increase of 24 percent to $2.9 billion. Canada and China were Alabama's top export markets. Alabama's exports stayed close to level, while U.S. exports were down 7.5 percent from last year. undefined undefined Don't Edit (Source: Wikimedia Commons) "Race" Race, a film being released in theaters Friday, Feb. 19, 2016, is a biopic about Alabama native Jesse Owens, who won a record-breaking four gold medals in the 1936 Berlin Olympic Games. The film's title has a double meaning and describes how Owens, born in Oakville, Ala., overcomes the adversity of poverty and racial tensions to win in Berlin and make a statement about African American accomplishments on a world stage, and in particular, in front of Adolf Hitler. "Race" is directed by Stephen Hopkins and written by Joe Shrapnel and Anna Waterhouse. It stars Stephan James, Jason Sudeikis, William Hurt, Jeremy Irons and Carice van Houten. Before the film opens Friday, here is a look at 12 other films based on Alabama people or events. (The remaining films are in alphabetical order by title. Suggest other films for the list by emailing kkazek@al.com) Don't Edit (Source: Wikimedia Commons) "George Wallace" Based on the life of Alabama governor George Wallace. Released: 1997, TV movie. "George Wallace" stars Gary Sinise as former Alabama Gov. George Wallace. It was based on the 1996 book by Marshall Frady: "Wallace: The Classic Portrait of Alabama Governor George Wallace." Mare Winningham played Wallace's first wife, Lurleen, who also served as governor, the only female to hold the post in Alabama. Director John Frankenheimer, Sinise and Winningham won Emmy Awards; the film won a Golden globe for best TV movie and Angelina Jolie won a Golden Globe for her portrayal of Wallace's second wife, Cornelia. Don't Edit (Source: HeavensFallMovie.com) "Heavens Fall" Based on a Scottsboro Boys trial presided by Athens Judge James Edwin Horton. Released in theaters, 2006. The movie "Heavens Fall" is based on one of several trials held in the 1930s for the Scottsboro Boys, nine young black men accused of raping two white women on a train. Although a first round of trials were held in Scottsboro, Ala., defendant Haywood Patterson was granted a new trial in 1933. That trial was held in Decatur and presided by Athens Judge James Edwin Horton. The film stars Timothy Hutton, David Strathairn, Leelee Sobieski and Azura Skye. Don't Edit (Source: HellandMrFudge.org) "Hell and Mr. Fudge" Based on the life of preacher Edward Fudge. Released in theaters, 2012. "Hell and Mr. Fudge" is based on a true story of Alabama preacher Edward Fudge, who argued against the traditional Christian version of hell. Fudge was portrayed by Mackenzie Astin and the movie was filmed in Athens, the Alabama city where Fudge once lived. Visit Fudge's website by clicking here. Don't Edit Don't Edit (Source: Wikimedia Commons) "The Miracle Worker" Based on the life of Helen Keller. Released in theaters, 1962. Remade as TV movies in 1979 and 2000. "The Miracle Worker" is a film based on the autobiography of Tuscumbia native Helen Keller called "The Story of My Life." Keller became deafblind following a fever at the age of 18 months and had no means of communication until she was 7 years old and a teacher named Anne Sullivan arrived from the Perkins Institute for the Blind. The original film, subsequent films and stage production of "The Miracle Worker" focus on Sullivan's arrival and Keller's breakthrough in communication. Don't Edit (Source: Wikimedia Commons) "Miss Evers' Boys" Based on the infamous Tuskegee Syphilis Experiment. Released: 1997 on HBO. "Miss Evers' Boys" is an HBO movie about a decades-long experiment, beginning in 1932, on black men with syphilis at Tuskegee Institute. It was adapted from a 1992 stage play and starred Alfre Woodard and Laurence Fishburne. It was nominated for four Emmy awards and won four. Don't Edit (Source: Wikimedia Commons) "Phenix City Story" Based on the story of a crime syndicate in Phenix City and the murder of Alabama Attorney General Albert Patterson. Released in theaters, 1955. "The Phenix City Story" tells the story of corruption in the small Alabama town of Phenix City and the subsequent murder of Alabama Attorney General Albert Patterson, who tried to end the lawlessness. It starred John McIntire, Richard Kiley and Kathryn Grant. Don't Edit (Source: AllMovie.com) "The Rosa Parks Story" Based on the life of Rosa Parks and the Montgomery Bus Boycott. Released: 2002, TV movie. "The Rosa Parks Story" starred Angela Bassett as Rosa Parks, the woman credited with starting the 1955 Montgomery Bus Boycott by refusing to give up her bus seat to a white man. The film also starred Cicely Tyson and won awards from NAACP and Black Reel Awards. Don't Edit (Source: Wikimedia Commons) "Selma" Based on the 1965 Selma-to-Montgomery voting rights march. Released in theaters in 2014. "Selma," the true story of the Selma-to-Montgomery voting rights march. It starred David Oyelowo, Tom Wilkinson, Tim Roth, Carmen Ejogo and Oprah Winfrey. It was released in conjunction with the 50th anniversary of the march. It won a Golden Globe for Best Original Song and was nominated for three other Golden Globes. It was nominated for Academy Awards for Best Picture and Best Original Song but did not win. Don't Edit Don't Edit (Source: Wikimedia Commons) "Selma, Lord, Selma" Based on the day known as Bloody Sunday during the 1965 Selma-to-Montgomery march. Released: 1999, TV movie. "Selma, Lord, Selma" is a 1999 TV movie also based on the 1965 Selma-to-Montgomery march. Don't Edit (Source: Wikimedia Commons) "The Tuskegee Airmen" Based on the famed World War II fighter pilots. Released: 1995 on HBO. "The Tuskegee Airmen" was based on the true story of a unit of Army Air Corps pilots trained in Tuskegee, Ala., during World War II. The movie starred Laurence Fishburne, Cuba Gooding Jr., John Lithgow and Malcolm-Jamal Warner. Don't Edit (Source: Movie cover/Article fromTimes-Daily, Feb. 25, 1987) "Wife, Mother, Murderer" Based on the life of Marie Hilley, an Alabama-born woman who poisoned family members. Released on TV, 1991. "Wife, Mother, Murderer" was based on the life of Marie Hilley. Born in Blue Mountain, Ala., Hilley was convicted only of the murder of her husband, Frank, and attempted murder of her daughter using arsenic. Authorities said they also discovered evidence that Hilley had used arsenic to poison her mother and mother-in-law, who survived. Hilley escaped from prison and remarried while living under an assumed named but was recaptured. She later escaped again, this time suffering from hypothermia while on the run, resulting in her death. Don't Edit (Source: Wikimedia Commons) "Woodlawn" Based on the high school career of NFL player Tony Nathan and the integration of football. Released in theaters in 2015. "Woodlawn" is based on the story of NFL player Tony Nathan during his years playing football at Woodlawn High School. The Christian-themed film stared Sean Astin, Jon Voight and C. Thomas Howell. Don't Edit (Source: Wikimedia Commons) Documentary films In addition to feature films, many documentaries have been produced about Alabama events, including these three recognized by the Academy Awards. "4 Little Girls" is a 1997 American documentary film about the 1963 bombing of Birmingham's Sixteenth Street Baptist Church that killed four children. It was directed by Spike Lee and nominated by the Academy for Best Documentary. "The Barber of Birmingham" is a 2011 documentary about the life of civil rights activist James Armstrong, a barber. Armstrong is a World War I veteran who carried a flag in the 1965 Selma-to-Montgomery march and who has run a voter education program from his barber shop for 50 years. The film was awarded best short documentary at the Ashland Independent Film Festival and was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Short Documentary. "Scottsboro: An American Tragedy" is a 2001 film based on the Scottsboro Boys, a group of nine young men unjustly accused of raping two white women in 1931. It was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature. Don't Edit People have long been fascinated with picture postcards, those little printed images of people, places or events. Postcards were an early version of social media - sent to keep in touch with family and friends, recall places visited and remind us of special events, often suggesting: "Wish You Were Here." The Alabama Postcard Project is an effort to locate and scan postcards representing every Alabama county. Postcards from private and family collections, local archives and libraries will become part of the upcoming Alabama Bicentennial celebration in 2019. The public is invited to attend the pilot program - The Great Madison County Postcard Project on Saturday Feb. 20th starting at 2:00PM at the Huntsville-Madison County Public Library at 915 Monroe St. in Huntsville and bring Alabama postcards from your personal collection. Local photo historian Francis Robb will first explain the project at 2:00pm and there will be time for the postcards selected from those brought in to be professionally scanned and returned so you will not have to leave them. Members of the Tennessee Valley Postcard Club will also be at the event to share some of their Alabama postcards and answer questions. While you may have the standard local views in your collection, the project is primarily looking for the unusual, unique cards, interesting personal messages and even cards sent to Alabama residents from around the world. Real photo postcards, candids and portrait pictures printed on postcard paper with personalized messages are especially desired. The project has three goals related to the Alabama Bicentennial: An Alabama postcard book - printed before the bicentennial with approximately 150 pages of Alabama postcards with each county being represented by at least one image. Creating Alabama county postcard displays - one for each public library in the state. These displays will be organized by local librarians with the help of local genealogical and historical organizations and schools. A possible statewide traveling exhibition or web based exhibit of the most interesting postcards selected from those submitted. Even if you do not have any postcards, this will be an interesting program so please plan to attend. It could be as long as two months before state officials determine why an Etowah County woman died last week while serving a life prison sentence in the 2012 death of her 9-year-old granddaughter. The Associated Press reported that autopsy results for Joyce Hardin Garrard will probably take about six to eight weeks, quoting Bob Horton, a spokesman for the Alabama Department of Corrections. Garrard died Friday, five days after she collapsed following a family visit and was taken to a Montgomery hospital. She is believed to have suffered a heart attack. She was 50 years old. Garrard was convicted last year of forcing her 9-year-old granddaughter Savannah Hardin to run for several hours on Feb. 17, 2012 at the family's Etowah County home while carrying firewood as punishment for lying about eating candy bars. The child collapsed and died days later in a Birmingham hospital. Garrard, who pleaded not guilty, testified she never intended to hurt the child. A jury convicted Garrard of capital murder last March and she was sentenced to life without parole. Garrard had a history of heart disease, according to court filings in the case. Her attorneys had argued prior to trial that she be released on bond for health reasons related to heart disease, sleep apnea and anxiety. Former Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice Sue Bell Cobb last year successfully championed the parole of ReNaul Johnson, a man who had already served more than a decade of a 50-year sentence on charges related to an attack on a school principal, who was not hospitalized for her injuries. It was a case that had first come to Cobb's attention while she was still on the state's criminal court of appeals. She says at the time she saw no reversible error but did have a concern about what she saw as Johnson's excessive, but legal, sentences. After winning Johnson's parole in June, Cobb has now set her sights on the prosecutor who tried to keep him behind bars. Cobb in early January filed a complaint with the Alabama State Bar's disciplinary committee stating that Houston County District Attorney Doug Valeska had given false statements, or was not properly prepared and relied on a faulty memory, to the Alabama Board of Pardons and Paroles. AL.com obtained a copy of the letter purporting to be Cobb's letter to the Bar last week. Cobb confirmed she had sent the letter. A spokeswoman for the bar said they can't confirm or deny whether a complaint has been received. Valeska had not responded to phone calls and emails from AL.com prior to publication of this story. Houston County DA Doug Valeska (file) According to court records Valeksa in January asked for and got an order from Houston County Circuit Judge Michael Conaway on Jan. 26 to have the VHS tapes held in evidence in the case by the county court clerk's office to be copied onto discs. The motion does not say why Valeska wanted the video released. In her letter to the bar Cobb stated this was the first time in her 30-year legal career that she had filed a complaint against a lawyer, much less a district attorney. At the June parole hearing, Cobb stated that after presenting evidence of Johnson's remorse, his model record as an inmate, and his plan to live with his nephew and wife, Valeska argued against his release. "I marveled at his (Valeska's) comments which at best, were exaggerated and possibly a result of a faulty memory, and, at worst and more likely, were simply false and he knew they were false false, which constituted a violation of the Code of Professional Responsibility," she states in her letter to the bar. Valeska had stated to the parole board that the injuries to the principal were serious and that Johnson had slammed her head off the wall and into metal lockers, Cobb wrote. But the incident occurred outside a kindergarten classroom where there were no lockers, she stated. Cobb explained in an email to AL.com that two years ago she agreed to represent Johnson pro bono, at his family's request. By that time Johnson had already served more than 10 years of his 50-year sentence. Johnson had a criminal history involving several property offenses, Cobb wrote. A jury in August 2004 found him guilty of second-degree assault and intimidating a witness related to the school incident, according to court records. According to Cobb and court records, the incident began when his 5-year-old nephew had punched another child and was paddled by the principal at a Dothan elementary school. During a discussion with the child's mother - Johnson's sister - the sister struck the principal, who later filed a complaint with police, according to a synopsis of the charges laid out in the Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals ruling. The next day, Sept. 19, 2003, Johnson went to the school dressed as a woman to talk to the principal and introduced himself as Arial Adula. The principal refused to talk to him about his nephew because he wasn't the legal guardian, according to the appeals ruling. The principal reported Johnson then began threatening her that he and his family would come after her at her house and that he would "kick my ass" if she filed a warrant against him or his sister. The principal filed a harrassment complaint against Johnson on Sept. 26, 2003. The principal would later testify that four days later, on Sept. 30, 2003,as she was entering the school Johnson grabbed her and got hold of her hair and jerked her head down and slapped her across the face, and said, "this will teach you to get out a warrant,". Johnson denied at his trial that he had grabbed the principal's hair during the confrontation. The principal testified that she suffered whiplash-like symptoms in her neck and shoulder as a result of Johnson's jerking her head and that her neck and shoulder "hurt a lot." Although she did not go to the hospital that day, the principal went to see her doctor the next day. A physical therapist testified that when he saw her, the principal had pain in her neck and shoulder and decreased movement in her neck. The principal underwent physical therapy sessions and eventually her injuries healed. Cobb also writes in the complaint that Johnson's sister says Johnson's lawyer for the trial had told her at the time that he had been threatened "although he did not say by whom." That attorney has had his law license suspended, Cobb wrote. Efforts to reach the lawyer were unsuccessful. Cobb said that what Johnson did wasn't right. "This was wrong on every level. Our school personnel should never have to worry about their safety while teaching our children," she stated. "Mr. Johnson knows that he should have been punished." However, a 50-year sentence - 25 years for the second-degree assault and 25 years for intimidating a witness "was grossly excessive by anyone's standards," Cobb stated in the email to Al.com. The year before the offense, the Alabama Legislature had increased the penalty for striking a school official to a felony even if there was not serious physical injury, Cobb noted in her bar complaint. In her complaint Cobb states that the trial judge was a former assistant prosecutor under Valeska. Valeska was first elected Houston County District Attorney in 1987 but is not seeking a sixth six-year term in this year's election. Valeska opposed Johnson's parole twice, Cobb stated. When asked why she filed the complaint against Valeska, Cobb responded " I believe the complaint speaks for itself." A Jefferson County judge this morning granted a $1 million bond for the second teen charged with murder in last month's shooting death of a Hoover husband, father and Iraq war veteran. But in granting the high bond for 17-year-old Ahmad Jaquan Johnson, the judge had a message. "These cases do strongly concern this court ... This foolishness is going to stop. The people of the cutoff deserve better," Jefferson County Bessemer Cutoff Circuit Judge David Hobdy said. A prosecutor this morning also told the judge that one of the guns taken off Johnson at his arrest matched a shell casing found at the scene of the Jan. 5 shooting death of Mike Gilotti outside his home in the Lake Cyrus community. A series of car break-ins had been reported in the area. Johnson was indicted on one count of murder and nine counts of breaking and entering a vehicle. The nine breaking and entering charges also each carry a $15,000 bond, so Johnson would have to post a total of $1.35 million in bonds in order to be released from the Jefferson County Jail. Johnson's co-defendant in the case, 16-year-old Charleston Wells, also was indicted on the same charges and Hobdy also has set $1.35 million in bond for Wells. Assistant Jefferson County Bessemer Cutoff District Attorney Lane Tolbert told the judge that an arrest warrant from Alabaster also is pending against Johnson for a robbery in Shelby County. The bond on that charge will be $250,000, he said. Assistant Jefferson County Bessemer Cutoff District Attorney Leslie Schiffman Moore also is prosecuting the case. Johnson had been held in jail without a bond before today's hearing. Johnson's attorney, Bret Gray, told Hobdy that Johnson was being illegally held without a bond. A bond is required for a murder charge, he said. Gray told the judge that he was at a "significant disadvantage" at today's hearing because he had not yet seen any of the evidence prosecutors have collected. He said the case was quickly presented to grand jury, skipping the district court phase usually held in cases. So he did not have the opportunity to see evidence usually presented at a preliminary hearing in district court, Gray said. Hobdy said he feels that Johnson and Wells do deserve some type of evidentiary hearing. Hobdy also set April 27 to hear a request by Johnson for his request to be treated as a youthful offender. Hobdy last week had set a hearing for April 26 on a motion by Wells' attorney, Charles Salvagio seeking youthful offender status for Wells. If the motions were granted, Johnson and Wells would be tried as youthful offenders and the most they could be incarcerated for is three years. Their cases also would be sealed the same as juvenile records. Salvagio also filed a motion last week seeking an evidentiary hearing so they could learn about the evidence prosecutors have against him since he too was indicted before a preliminary hearing could be held in district court. Tolbert told the judge that he understood about the requirement for a bond. However, he said two guns were recovered from Johnson when he was arrested - 9mm and a .40 caliber pistols. The 9mm matches the 9mm shell casing recovered from the scene and testing on the .40 caliber was inconclusive as to whether it matched a .40 caliber shell casing also found at the scene. Devarus Newby Suspects.jpg Jeremiah Price and Aisha Adams are charged with capital murder. (Birmingham Police) Birmingham police today announced capital murder charges against a man and woman in the January slaying of a 33-year-old man. Members of the Birmingham Police Department's Crime Reduction Team took Jeremiah Price, 23, and Aisha Adams, 39, into custody on Sunday and Monday, according to police and jail records. They are charged in the Jan. 10 killing of Devarus Newby. Officers from the North Precinct responded to the report of a person shot in the 1100 block of 15th Street North at around 12:30 a.m. that Sunday. They found Newby dead at the scene. Police at the time said the shooting stemmed from some kind of altercation. Arrest records for Price say used a pistol or a rifle to fire into the home from the outside, which warrants the capital charge. Police haven't released a motive. Price was booked into the Jefferson County Jail on Sunday; Adams on Monday. Both are being held without bond. "The two suspects have caused great hurt to this family, and our detectives succeeded in holding them accountable for their actions,'' said Sgt. Bryan Shelton. Two teens already charged in the murder of a Hoover man and a string of car break-ins in that city are now charged with a holdup in Pelham. Charleston Wells, 16, and Ahmad Johnson, 17, are charged with first-degree robbery and first-degree theft of property. The robbery happened Dec. 31, 2015 when a man was sitting in his car outside his home in the Holland Lakes subdivision. Police say the teens were going through the neighborhood, shaking car door handles to steal items from unlocked vehicles. Pelham police Capt. David Rushton said today the teens stole the man's money and cell phone, but the victim wasn't injured. Authorities said police responded to the scene and later spotted the suspects. The officer stopped behind them and pulled back when all four windows on the stolen 2007 Chevrolet Silverado they were driving dropped down. Officers pursued the suspects on I-65 and lost them in Bessemer. The Pelham charges are the latest in a string of accusations against Wells and Johnson, both charged in the Jan. 5 shooting death of Mike Gilotti. Investigators today said Johnson, Wells and the other suspects are members of a Bessemer-area gang called M-tre, which stands for Money Making Mafia. Though they claim to be aspiring rappers, Rector said M-tre members are street criminals who break into cars and commit other crimes to get money. They often post pictures of themselves on Facebook and other social media sites holding guns and money. Hoover police and the Jefferson County District Attorney Bill Veitch announced the murder warrant against Wells on Jan. 15, and against Johnson on Feb. 4. Bond for Wells in the murder case is set at $1.35 million. A judge today set a $1 million bond Johnson. Rushton said bond for both teens was set at $255,000 each on the Pelham charges. Authorities say the teens are also suspects in a similar incident in a Fultondale subdivision on Jan. 4. Just 25 hours before a Hoover husband, father and Iraq war veteran was fatally gunned down on the steps of his Lake Cyrus home, another man narrowly escaped the same fate. A 39-year-old man leaving a home in Fultondale's Chapel Hills subdivision in the predawn hours encountered two young men in his driveway. Moments later, he was dodging a hail of gunfire aimed at him. The shooters missed, and the victim was spared. Investigators in two cities say there's little doubt those gunmen are the same that killed 33-year-old Mike Gilotti one day later and about 16 miles away. "We're fairly certain it's going to be the same bunch,'' Fultondale police Chief D.P. Smith told AL.com. "It was the same M.O. Our gentleman was just lucky." Smith said they have not obtained warrants in their case because the victim isn't cooperating. Gilotti was shot to death about 4:55 a.m. just outside his home in the 5500 block of Park Side Circle in Hoover's Lake Cyrus subdivision. He was heading to the gym for a morning workout when police say he encountered one or more suspects breaking into his car. According to the affidavit used to secure the murder warrant against Wells, his wife, Heather Gilotti, heard two gunshots and then heard a vehicle "with a large engine" pulling away from the scene. Gilotti collapsed on his doorstep. He was later pronounced dead on the scene. Police have said Wells and Johnson are among several suspects, and they are not yet saying who pulled the trigger. All four suspects range in age from 16-20. At a recent court hearing, Veitch described this timeline of crimes in the days leading up to Gilotti's death that the gang is believed to have that Veitch described in court: - Dec. 28, 2015, four unlocked cars are broken into in Trussville and a Tacoma pickup truck is also taken. The gang is rolling through neighborhoods checking cars that are unlocked, Veitch said. - Dec. 29, the Tacoma is found wrecked with a cellphone recovered that is believed to belong to Wells. - Dec. 31, the suspects, in a stolen 2007 Chevrolet Silverado, find a man inside they pull guns and steal the man's money and cellphone. A Pelham police officer stops behind them and when all four windows drop down the officer pulls back and the truck speeds off and a chase ensues on Interstate 65 and police lose them in Bessemer. - Wells' girlfriend admits to police that Wells contacted her early Jan. 1 from the cellphone belonging to the victim in the Silverado theft. Wells tells his girlfriend that he had lost his phone. - Jan. 4 about 4:20 a.m. shots are fired at a Fultondale resident as he walked to his vehicle from his house. His 2003 Chevrolet Malibu is stolen. - Jan. 5 a Chevrolet Tahoe is stolen from McCalla and several vehicles are broken into in Tuscaloosa County. One of those vehicles is that of a Tuscaloosa County Sheriff's Deputy and .40 caliber ammunition and a Taser are taken in that theft. A 2004 Ford F250 pickup is also stolen in Tuscaloosa county and when it is recovered later that day property from the Hoover car break-ins is inside. - At 4:30 a.m. to 5 a.m. Gilotti is shot and a .40 caliber and 9 mm shell casings are recovered. Video surveillance from the neighborhood shows the Ford F250 pickup stolen that night out of Tuscaloosa County. - Jan. 7 Bessemer police recover the Chevrolet Malibu in possession of Johnson and a .40 caliber and 9mm pistol was also recovered. Wells fingerprints were in the car. The Ford F250 also had Wells' fingerprints inside. Hoover police Capt. Gregg Rector today said Pelham investigators have done an outstanding job on the case, linking their suspects to the Hoover crime and others. "This is yet another connection to the violent crime spree that these suspects were on. We're very much aware of this string of crimes committed by this group of thugs,'' he said. "We know where they went, when they went there, and we know the crimes they committed along the way." Rector said it's also extremely important for investigators and the local district attorney's offices to link every piece of this puzzle and demonstrate the series of crimes, how they are connected and to show the pattern of property crimes and violent crimes that were carried out. "Pelham P.D. has spent a tremendous amount of time on this case and we're extremely appreciative of their efforts,'' Rector said. The Fultondale link, he said, is frustrating to investigators. "It's already publicly known that this same group of individuals were involved in the exact same crimes in Fultondale just 25 hours prior to Mike Gilotti being shot and killed,'' Rector said. "A homeowner surprised these suspects and they shot at that person multiple times. There is evidence linking these individuals to the Fultondale incident but they still have not yet been charged in those crimes. It's important that they are held accountable for all their crimes in all the various jurisdictions." "The information that we've received is that the victim in Fultondale is not interested in prosecuting the suspect who shot at him. Honestly, that just baffles us,'' he said. "That victim is very, very lucky that he did not suffer the same fate as Mike. Now we need his help and his cooperation. The well-being and safety of our communities depends upon the cooperation and participation of crime victims and witnesses. This case is too tragic and too enormous for us to miss a critical piece of the puzzle." Residents of New Mexico reflect on the toxic legacy of life at the centre of the US nuclear complex. Seventy years ago last August, a B-29 bomber named the Enola Gay released its 4,000kg load over the Japanese city of Hiroshima, the sudden loss of weight jolting the US aircraft violently upwards as the pilot banked hard to escape the imminent blast. My God, what have we done, wrote Enola Gay co-pilot Robert Lewis, recalling in his journal the morning of August 6, 1945, when he witnessed the atomic bomb, code-named Little Boy, successfully detonate 1,800 feet above Hiroshima. The blast killed tens of thousands of people instantly and levelled more than half of the city. Two weeks earlier, the first atomic device, called the Gadget, had been successfully tested at the Trinity Site in the white sands desert of New Mexico. The hills were bathed in a brilliant light, as if somebody had turned the sun on with a switch, said Otto Frisch, a physicist for the Manhattan Project, who designed the first theoretical mechanism for the detonation of an atomic bomb, in his account of the early morning blast described by Eric Schlosser in his book Command And Control. The light from the explosion was seen up to 320 kilometres away in the town of Gallup, and the shockwave covered up by the US government as an ammunition dump explosion was felt as far as Albuquerque. Unknowing, unwilling and uncompensated It was sort of like an earthquake, says Robert (Bob) Keller, 80, describing to Al Jazeera how he was woken up at 5:30am on July 16, 1945, in the town of Ruidoso, New Mexico, 50 miles from the blast. Keller was 10 years old. My mother and I were at the Noisy Water Lodge hotel when the whole cabin started shaking, says Keller. My mother screamed. She thought someone was under the bed. The day before, Bob, his mother and his older sister Barbara had driven up from El-Paso, Texas, to drop 13-year-old Barbara off at a camp in the mountains of Ruidoso. Keller remembers his sister telling him how she was outside with the other girls when it started snowing in the middle of summer. They were playing in the ash, catching what they thought were snowflakes in their mouths, he says, and rubbing it on their faces. It doesnt snow in July, says Keller. For years, his family remained unaware of what had caused the unusual sight. Of the 12 girls at the camp, Keller explains, only two made it out of their thirties. The rest died of cancer, he says. We were unknowing, unwilling, and uncompensated guinea pigs in the worlds largest science experiment, says Tina Cordova, from nearby Tularosa, about the event that would mark the beginning of a long legacy of contamination felt by the residents of New Mexico, as the impoverished state became the centre of the nations plutonium economy. The Manhattan Project a lesson for all time The secretive detonation in 1945 was the culmination of three years of research that took place 200 miles north of the blast site on the remote Pajarito Plateau in the Jemez mountains in New Mexico. The clandestine operation, code-named the Manhattan Project, brought together the worlds top scientists and in a short time turned the stuff of science fiction into reality, weaponising the atom and producing the bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. I pray no man will have to witness that sight again, said Theodore Van Kirk, Enola Gay navigator and captain. I pray that we have learned a lesson for all time. But Im not sure that we have, added Kirk, as the unparalleled power of this new weapon propelled an arms race that reached its height in 1986 when the atomic states had compiled 64,000 nuclear warheads, the majority belonging to the US and Russia. I recognised early on that these were weapons that represented our ability to gain the power to destroy ourselves through our own knowledge, says James Lawson, a pastor and civil rights leader, speaking to Al Jazeera in Los Alamos last summer as activists and residents gathered for the 70th anniversary of the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki to commemorate the dead and protest against the nationwide nuclear modernisation campaign that is taking place in the country today. It is here where one of the major changes in human history occurred, says Lawson, speaking at very spot where the first bombs were conceived and constructed. This continues here today, he adds, referring to the centrality of New Mexico in the nuclear complex. The countrys two pre-eminent nuclear design facilities Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque and Los Alamos National Laboratories are located in the state. And here in Los Alamos business is still booming, Lawson says from the Vigil for Peace and Nuclear Disarmament, which he helped organise. Were standing on the ground, literally on the ground, where the bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki were actually built, says John Dear, a pastor, author and non-violent activist recently nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize by Desmond Tutu. Then and now Following the success of the Manhattan Project, Los Alamos Labs continued its work as the countrys pre-eminent nuclear weapons design lab. Sandia Labs located 100 miles south in Albuquerque became the engineering wing of the nuclear weapons complex, building most of the non-nuclear components of the bombs. Sandia has had a hand in [all] the weapons in the nuclear arsenal from the beginning, say Sue Holmes, a media relations spokeswoman for the company. After the fall of the Soviet Union, the US and Russia began drastically reducing their stockpiles. In the 1990s alone, the US dismantled 11,000 to 12,000 nuclear warheads, according to Hans Kristensen, a leading expert in estimating the worlds nuclear stockpile and director of the Federation of American Scientists, an organisation that monitors weapons programmes around the world. The priority has shifted from dismantlement to refurbishment and life-extension of nuclear warheads, says Kristensen, speaking to Al Jazeera about the slowdown in nuclear weapons dismantlement that has occurred in recent years. There is no visible plan to bring it to zero. Nuclear weapons states are looking long-term to have a credible nuclear deterrent throughout this century. In the US, New Mexico is central to this because of the location of these facilities. Today, Los Alamos Labs has design responsibility for four warheads in the enduring nuclear stockpile (B61-12, W88-1, W76-1, W78) that are currently undergoing or are planned to undergo life-extension or alteration, according to the National Nuclear Security Administration. Sandia, which is responsible for most of the non-nuclear components in American nuclear weapons, is involved in the current B61-12 life-extension programme and the W88 alteration, according to Holmes. These life-extension programmes tend to be hugely expensive, says Kristensen, noting the increased spending under the Obama administration. One example, the B61-12 life-extension programme, headed by Los Alamos, will cost the US $10bn, modifying the gravity bomb with a guided tail-kit that will increase its accuracy and potentially its deadliness. Some argue that projects such as these contradict the rhetoric of the Obama administration, which has made disarmament a primary tenet of American defence policy. This is a violation of the Non-Proliferation Treaty, says Madea Benjamin, the cofounder of the anti-war group Code Pink. Obama and the US government are increasing the power of its arsenal. Billions upon billions of dollars and no one is paying attention. These programmes, according to Hans Kristensen, will cost the US roughly $2 trillion over the next 30 years. Its a paradox, he says. Ironically, were spending more on nuclear weapons today than we were at the end of the Cold War. This increased spending has been welcomed by some in New Mexico who see the labs as an indispensable form of capital and jobs for one of the poorest states in the nation. The nuclear age has been a boon for the state of New Mexico, says David Hoover, a historian for the National Atomic History and Science Museum, in Albuquerque, speaking about the impact of both weapons research and the nuclear energy industry. These have provided huge amounts of money for this poor state. Others, like Beata Tsosie-Pena, an indigenous activist from the Santa Clara Pueblo, an indigenous community in northern New Mexico, lying just below Los Alamos Labs, argue that these benefits have not been felt by most New Mexicans. There have been no benefits for our people. All we are left with is a legacy of contamination that continues today, says Tsosie-Pena, referring to the damage to health from the nuclear fuel cycle, from uranium mining to weapons making and testing, and nuclear waste storage at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) site in southern New Mexico the nations only long-term nuclear waste storage facility. More than 70 years ago the US government chose New Mexico, and since then we have paid a huge price, Tsosie-Pena adds. A toxic legacy This somewhat unlikely choice of locales made by Oppenheimer 73 years ago cemented the relationship between this impoverished state and the nuclear economy for the better part of a century. New Mexico is the place where uranium mining happens, where nuclear weapons testing and design has happened historically, where the largest cache of nuclear warheads exists [2,000 to 3,000 beneath Kirtland air force base in Albuquerque, according to Hans Kristensen] and where nuclear waste storage exists via the WIPP site, says Professor Joseph Masco, of the University of Chicago. New Mexico has the whole circuit, which is unusual not just in the States but anywhere, says Masco, the author of The Nuclear Borderlands: The Manhattan Project in Post-Cold War New Mexico. This history has left a toxic mark on many areas of the state, particularly the Navajo reservation that provided much of the raw material for the burgeoning US nuclear weapon and energy complex. During the Cold War, four million tonnes of uranium were pulled from Navajo lands in New Mexico, Arizona and Utah, severely affecting the health of thousands of Navajo miners and their families. Today, on the eastern portion of the Navajo reservation in New Mexico, hundreds of abandoned uranium mines, mills and tailing piles continue to contaminate water, soil, livestock and housing, exposing residents to harmful radiation. There are thousands of Uranium mines in the west and on Navajo lands that have not been cleaned up by the government, says Leona Morgan, a Navajo activist from the Dine No Nukes organisation, whose family grew up on the reservation during the uranium boom. To date, the federal government has done little to remedy this situation, and an absence of health studies or environmental monitoring have led to a poor understanding of the effects of the uranium legacy on the Navajo Nation. We sacrificed our lands and health for this country, and were given nothing in return, says Morgan, who believes that New Mexicos marginal position in the US means that it has been exploited by corporate and federal interests. New Mexico is constantly at the tail end of the economic and education spectrum here in the United States. This leads to folks getting taken advantage of and outright getting used. For those southern New Mexicans unintentionally present at the dawn of the nuclear age, this sentiment is strongly felt. We were the first Americans affected by the Bomb, says Daryl Gilmore, a resident of Tularosa, a rural and predominantly Hispanic town near the test site who has seen much of his community and family afflicted by cancer. We have been dying and still no apology, no nothing. Ground zero On July 16, 1945, Gilmore was driving down State Road 380 on his way from the University of New Mexico to his family home in southern New Mexico. It was 9:00-9:30am at the latest. I stopped the car on the side of the road to take a leak and check the tyres, Gilmore says. He was completely unaware that the first atomic bomb had been tested just four hours earlier and less than eight miles away from where he had stopped. After he got back in the car, Gilmore met an army convoy that was evacuating ranchers. I didnt think much of it at the time, he says. When he reached his family home, he had what looked like severe sunburn all over his arms, face and chest. My mother asked me how I got it and I said I had no idea, he remembers. It lasted for 10 days. A few days later we heard on the news that a large ammunition dump had exploded, Gilmore says, referring to the government ruse published by the Associated Press days after the blast. Not long after, the US dropped the bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. It took years to [realise] that I had gotten a radiation burn. Two years later, his father died of cancer, followed soon after by his mother and sister. I was diagnosed with cancer, which I beat, Gilmore says, adding that he now suffers from pre-cancerous skin problems. Its on my arms, my face, my chest and back. I know where it came from, he concludes. These are the problems weve been left to live with, says Tina Cordova, speaking about the thousands of downwinders people exposed to the nuclear fallout like herself, who have never received compensation or an apology from the federal government. People dont live to be old and theres nothing golden about the golden years with us. In the years when people should be enjoying retirement and stability theyre plunged into having health problems and battling health issues, to say nothing of the financial burden it places on families, adds Cordova, who heads the Tularosa Basin Downwinders, a consortium that conducts health surveys and compiles data on those affected. As Hans Kristensen explains: In the early years when testing began, some of the immediate consequences were felt by those downwind of the massive blasts. These people are still affected to this day. It has been, without exception, very hard to get the government to accept responsibility. The government has never acknowledged what happened to us let alone apologised, says Cordova, who was diagnosed with thyroid cancer 17 years ago. We have never been compensated. Only the people living downwind of the Nevada test site have received compensation, although we were the first downwinders. In 2014, the National Cancer Institute began the first study on the possible health effects of the Trinity detonation on downwinders. The results have yet to be published but many in the region are sceptical that it will have an impact. Its a little late, dont you think? asks Daryl Gilmore, who doubts the study will lead to compensation or even an apology from the government. This is strictly about politics, and we dont have a big enough voice. We dont have the power to get even an apology. The labs provide 80 percent of all the federal money that comes into this state, says Bob Keller. They are not going to rock the boat by issuing an apology. Nothing is going to change. And today, as the US moves to modernise its arsenal, New Mexico remains at the centre. We forget how this technology has changed all of our lives, has changed all of us, says James Lawson, the man who was once described by Martin Luther King Jr as the greatest single teacher of non-violence. This here is ground zero. This is where it began, and where it needs to end. Economic hardship and conflict fuel early and forced marriages for girls, a trend some hope to change through education. Nyal, Unity State, South Sudan Elizabeth Nyanyot Diu was forced into marriage and motherhood when she was still a child. At 12, she was told she had to marry a 30-year-old man who beat her regularly. At any time, whenever he wanted, he would cane me, she remembers. Two years into their union, she became pregnant but there were complications. Her body wasnt ready to carry and give birth. It nearly killed me, she said. My first-born died because I was too young. I was just 14 years old . Women are having children too young, Diu added. Early and forced marriages are widespread in South Sudan. Even before the start of the civil war in December 2013, UNICEF reported that 52 percent of all girls were married under the age of 18. Now, after two years of persistent fighting and violent attacks, the situation is getting worse, according to the organisation. One of the trends that we have seen in the past two years is an increasing number of girls forced into early marriage, said Ettie Higgins, UNICEFs deputy representative for South Sudan. The civil war that started in December 2013 has been disastrous for South Sudan. It has killed tens of thousands of people, displaced 1.69 million and left more than two million people facing severe hunger. But the toll on women has been particularly horrific. During her visit in July 2014, the UN special envoy for sexual violence in conflict areas, Zainab Hawa Bangura, said women in South Sudan were the victims of the worst sexual violence she had ever seen. Bangura described the levels of assault as rampant. According to a Human Rights Watch report from September, there has been a surge in sexual attacks and violence since the start of the civil war. Dina Hunaiti manages the Womens Protection and Empowerment programme run by the International Rescue Committee in the town of Nyal in Unity state. She said violence against women had reached epidemic proportions. It is entrenched, she explained. It is expected as a normal part of a relationship and a normal part of life. Hunaiti said she saw a lot of forced marriage cases. There are a lot of instances where girls are forced to get married. Not just early marriage but forced marriage . An age-old problem Only 35 percent of girls in South Sudan get an education. Ive worked in places before where the early marriage isnt such an issue for girls because of how they have been raised, said Hunaiti. But here the girls actually want to stay in school. Higgins said a lack of money was one of the factors that drives families to pull their daughters out of school and marry them off. While girls are often the most vulnerable in conflict zones, the increase in early and forced marriages is also happening in areas where there is no fighting. READ MORE: Sudans midwives take on female genital mutilation Weve seen it used as a negative coping mechanism by families to marry off a daughter means they have one less mouth to feed in the family, Higgins said. Its part of the tough economic climate and families think they can benefit economically by forcing their girls into this kind of marriage. In exchange for giving away their daughters to marriage, families receive a dowry. In most cases this takes the form of cattle. I was forced into the marriage young because of the dowry, Elizabeth said. Her family wanted to marry her off young because she would be worth more cows, she explained. Dying to have a child For many of these girls, these unions have deadly or debilitating consequences. South Sudan has the highest rate of maternal mortality in the world, according to World Vision. Girls in South Sudan are three times more likely to die in childbirth than they are to finish high school. Mi Hao Sito is a midwife for Doctors Without Borders, based in the northwest city of Aweil. She sees girls in their early teens suffering through an obstructed labour because their bodies arent physically mature enough to cope with delivering a baby. Sometimes by the time they get to us they have been in labour for two days and the baby is already dead, she said. This is happening to girls who are 14, 15, 16 years old. They are too young to get married, it is too early for their bodies to be having a baby. Sito said early and forced marriages were a big part of why so many girls die while giving birth in South Sudan. Young girls bodies are not mature enough and mentally theyre not mature enough as well. They are still kids. Its too much physically and mentally. I think they want to go to school but they cannot go, Sito explained. READ MORE: The midwife who fled Boko Haram Many of those who do survive are left with a debilitating condition called fistula. It can occur when the baby is stuck for so long during childbirth that there is rip between the vagina and the bladder or the rectum. It leaves women unable to control their bladder or bowel or both. So when they stand up, the urine drains out of them. The stigma and the shame associated with fistula means many women stay shut away and marooned in their villages. Corrective surgery is available, but in many cases it is a recurring problem. After surgery there is a strict recovery period that requires them to not get pregnant straight away, said Sito. But many women have little control over their pregnancies and often find themselves pregnant soon after. And then when they go into labour, they try and have the baby at home again instead of coming to hospital and then they get fistula again. Many of the young women understand that they need to come to hospital, Sito said, but they face pressure from their families and husbands to get pregnant again quickly and to stay at home to have the baby. Men are the solution Now 45, Elizabeth is taking part in the Womens Empowerment and Protection programme run by the International Rescue Committee in Nyal in Unity state. It enables a group of women to meet once a week to talk and make crafts that they can take home and sell. Another aspect of the programme is to educate boys at the local school about womens rights. Peter Kam is a teacher at Nyal mixed Primary school. He said that since the IRCs Womens Protection and Empowerment programme started last year, there have been big changes in the playground. Ive seen the attitudes of some families change, Kam said. Now families are understanding that if their girls can go to school then they can get jobs and bring money into the family that way, instead of getting married for dowry. He said that before 2014 a lot of girls were being taken out of his classes and out of school to get married but now that is changing. And there is a big push to educate boys about equality. Elizabeth believes this is the best way to break the practice of early and forced marriages. Men are the solution, she said. If they are taught then it can go into their heart and into their head. Follow Caitlin McGee on Twitter: @MsCaitlinMcGee Melilla, Spain At 6:30am, the sun has not made its appearance yet and the border of Melillas Chinatown quarter is illuminated by the orange glow of street lamps. The border crossing is a maze of wires and winches that convey a sense of unease and fear. The six metre-high border fence across the road, contributes to the feeling of a hostile environment that surrounds Melilla, the tiny Spanish enclave in the northeast of Morocco. Ahead, on the Moroccan side, the murmur of distant shouts and blows can be heard. At 6:45am the sound increases and moving silhouettes of nervous police officers can be seen on the metal structures. A large crowd gathers at the gates waiting to pass to the Spanish side. Moroccan guards shout and beat the people back from the entrance with wooden sticks. With every passing minute the blows and screams combine in a crescendo, like a symphony of noises and yowls. On the Spanish side, a 100 metres from the border, dozens of lorries jostle for a good parking spot. They spit out mountains of bundles, some weighing up to 80 kilos. At 7am, the border gates open. Once past the border, dozens of Moroccan women and men run to the piles of packages. Their goal is to take one and pass it to Morocco as soon as possible to return and catch another and, if possible, yet another. Organisations on either side of the fence run what has become to be known as atypical trade an illicit smuggling business that at an average of $5.6 per bundle, brings very little income to the load-carriers themselves. RELATED GALLERY: Refugees at the Melilla border The issue of what language best expresses the identity of modern Algeria is decades old. Since the Algerian government announced, on January 5, that the new constitution would recognise Berber (Tamazight) as an official language, the North African press has been abuzz with speculation and opinion. In mid-January, as Amazigh communities across the Maghreb celebrated Yennayer, the Amazigh new year, activists hoped that 2966 (2016 on the Western calendar), would be the year when their language was finally honoured by the Algerian government. Arabic-language media in the Middle East took notice of the anticipation, and began running primers and roundtables on Amazigh history, pondering if the National Liberation Front (FLN) government would indeed recognise the language after decades of stalling. In 2002, the government had granted Tamazight status as a national language, after large-scale rioting in Kabylia left dozens dead, but there had been little progress since. On Monday, February 7, the Algerian parliament declared that a package of reforms had been passed, including a measure making Tamazight an official language. The constitution will also reinstate a two-term limit on presidential terms and establish an electoral commission. Official status The Amazigh movement has been pushing for official and not just national status, so that their language can be accepted on administrative documents. Tamazight will now be accepted on official documents, while Arabic will remain the language of government. As the new constitution states, Arabic is the national and official language. Arabic remains the official language of the state. READ MORE: Algeria turns a new leaf or is it just for show? A subsequent article adds: Tamazight is also a national and official language. The state shall work to promote and develop it in all of its linguistic variety used within the national territory. An Algerian Academy of the Amazigh Language shall be created, placed under the president of the republic. The most common explanation for the timing of this decision is that the political reforms are intended to facilitate a presidential transition. by Last weeks declaration has unleashed a firestorm of debate: What script will the Tamazight language be written in Arabic, French, or Tifinagh (as in Morocco)? Which dialect of Tamazight spoken by 10 million Algerians Chaoui, Kabyle, Mozabite, Touareg will become the standard one? And why is the regime doing a sudden turnaround on language policy? The issue of what language best expresses the identity of modern Algeria is decades old, and inextricably linked to the French colonial period. French colonialism viewed Arabs negatively as despotically inclined outsiders, while the Berbers were seen as fiercely independent and, with their village councils, more democratically oriented almost European in their love of freedom. In La Berberie, lIslam, et la Francaise (1950) the French colonial historian Eugene Guernier wrote: The Berbers are part of the rational Occident in formal opposition to the Arabs, who are above all of the imaginative Orient. He predicted: [The Berber] will easily assimilate to our ideas, to our labour methods. Arabisation policies Upon gaining independence, the FLN government inverted this colonial ordering, and established a state said to be historically Arab and Islamic. Arabisation policies were put in place, and Berber dialects were suppressed. In the 1970s, the Boumediene regime would describe Amazigh identity as both backward (part of the pre-Islamic jahiliyya) and colonialist (favoured by the French). Amazigh political agitation, through the 1980s and 1990s, would lead Algerian state officials to, in 1996, adopt a constitution that acknowledged Amazighite as one of the three fundamental components of Algerian identity, alongside Islam and Arabite. Twenty years later the Algerian government has finally granted Tamazight official status, with the FLNs secretary-general, Amar Saidani, straight-facedly declaring that The FLN was the first political party in government to demand the officialisation of Tamazight. READ MORE: An unlikely celebration of North Africas ethnic diversity The most common explanation for the timing of this decision is that the political reforms are intended to facilitate a presidential transition. Algerias 78-year old president is ailing, and the country is facing tumbling oil prices which means cuts in subsidies could unleash public anger. The new constitution is thus a way to pre-empt civil unrest. Others think that Algerian officials are mobilising Amazigh nationalism and language along with Sufism as a way to counter the Islamist and Salafi-jihadist currents emanating from the Middle East. Others yet especially critics opposed to the officialisation of Tamazight suspect that external pressure is behind the decision. Speaking on a roundtable, the Algerian pundit Idriss Rabouh warned that the new language policy would open the gates of hell in Algeria, as different Amazigh groups would fight to have their particular dialect chosen as the official one. Critics opposed to the officialisation of Tamazight suspect that external pressure is behind the decision. by He also noted that the article in the Algerian constitution that dealt with Tamazight was suspiciously similar to that section of the Moroccan constitution that officialised Tamazight in the kingdom in 2011, adding that this resemblance was probably due to French pressure on its former colonies. His interlocuter, Ahmed Assid, a Moroccan linguist, responded that there was no need to resort to conspiracies: the lawyers who crafted the Algerian constitution looked to the Moroccan document simply because their next-door neighbours were the first North African nation to officialise Tamazight. The role of the French language also looms large in this debate. Abdallah Djaballah of the Islamist justice Party wrote that if the Algerian Academy decided that Tamazight would be written in Latin alphabet that would be very dangerous for the Arabic language: It would empower the French language and set Algeria on a disastrous course towards Turkish-style secularism. (The founder of modern Turkey, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, abandoned the Arabic script for a modified Latin alphabet in 1928.) Amazigh activists have been cautiously optimistic, welcoming the new constitution yet decrying the way the ruling party has tried to claim credit for this hard-won achievement. They also point out that despite the recent decision, Arabic still has a higher political status and will continue to do so until the Algerian Academy creates a standardised Tamazight language and perhaps even thereafter. Hisham Aidi is a Harlem-based writer. He teaches at Columbia Universitys School of International and Public Affairs. The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial policy. Criminalising political dissent is only going to reinforce perceptions of Jewish conspiracy theories so why do it? On Sunday evening, the UK Conservative party finally announced plans for the criminalisation of anti-Israel boycotts by public bodies, town councils, libraries, universities and some student unions. We need to remind people, a prominent Conservative supporter of the policy said in September 2014, that what began with a campaign against Jewish goods in the past ended with a campaign against Jewish lives. While the move reflects deeply held political views of the Conservative politicians involved, the legislation is also partly a response to lobbying from Daniel Taub, the former Israeli ambassador, who has portrayed the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement as motivated by a desire to destroy the Jewish people, and an existential threat to the state of Israel. This distorted understanding of BDS is grossly unfair. The BDS movement does favour a one-state solution called Palestine, but not one achieved through violence and not one where Jews are second-class citizens or are denied access to their religious sites. Its manifesto is a radical political position, but it is not anti-Semitic. Offensive and insensitive BDS supporters do not boycott Jewish shops what they do is boycott shops that buy goods from Israel, and a proportion of these shops are, unfortunately, Jewish. The BDS movement should be more caring over who it boycotts independent Jewish shops in Britain selling Israeli goods are hardly accountable for the actions of an Israeli government they didnt elect, nor are they influential enough to change Benjamin Netanyahus mind, but most importantly it is not respectful to those British Jews who remember the Holocaust or lost relatives in it. READ MORE: Game changer 10 years of BDS The BDS movement should stick to lobbying publicly accountable bodies, but it is this entirely legitimate activity which Prime Minister David Cameron is now planning to criminalise. BDS should stick to lobbying publicly accountable bodies, but it is this entirely legitimate activity which Prime Minister David Cameron is now planning to criminalise. by Even if the BDS tactics are offensive and insensitive, they are still not anti-Semitic. Rarely mentioned is that Marks & Spencer, the British department store chain founded by Polish-Jewish entrepreneurs and strongly associated with Judaism and Zionism, is not being boycotted in fact, Marks & Spencer is taking part in the boycott, and refuses to buy goods from Israeli settlements. There is also a strong democratic mandate for non-violent political activism not against Jews which could never be justified but against Israeli government behaviour. Fifteen percent of Conservative voters, and more than 30 percent of both Labour and Liberal Democrat voters, sympathised with the Palestinians over Israelis when polled in 2014. If they want to express their sympathy for the Palestinians by joining BDS and lobbying public bodies to divest, who is Cameron to stop them? Radical group BDS is a radical group with a radical ideology using radical means to achieve radical aims, but you dont have to believe in all or any of its aims to feel uncomfortable about this new legislation. Preventing public bodies from taking part in the BDS movement is denying voters the right to respond to pressure from their constituents to disinvest from a country that the British government has repeatedly stated is breaking international law, and which David Cameron has accused of maintaining an open-air prison (in Gaza). Given this agreement on the underlying issue, the only way the Tories could reasonably justify banning BDS participation is by proving the BDS movement is purely anti-Semitic and hateful. BDS support of a one-state solution is frequently positioned by opponents as anti-Semitic and hateful. Netanyahu has his own radical one-state solution on the table, but his version is a Jewish state. Is Netanyahus Jewish one-state solution to be preferred over the BDS movements mixed one-state solution? Is one anti-Semitic, and the other Islamophobic, perhaps? BDS critics say that you cannot compare the two proposals because Israel is a Jewish state founded for the Jewish people. READ MORE: I support the Israeli boycott but which one? To call for the replacement of the Jewish state with a Palestinian one is therefore to preach anti-Semitism, according to the hardline Zionist view. In reality and when soberly considered, just because Israels founders called themselves the Jewish state, that did not grant them eternal and unconditional licence to label all their future detractors anti-Semitic. Cameron was right when he identified that Jewish conspiracy theories act as a pull factor for potential extremists. It was Christian Europeans believing Jewish conspiracy theories that originally led to anti-Semitism becoming so prevalent stretching from the foundation of the Roman Catholic Church to the propaganda of Adolf Hitler. Now it is new Jewish conspiracy theories being legitimised by Cameron a confirmation of a view held by some British Muslims with an interest in the Middle East in other words those most ripe for radicalisation into the most perverse versions of Islamism, that Jewish interests control the British government. They dont and Cameron is acting largely under his own steam in an effort to protect both British Jews and Israel. His motives are admirable, the information he is acting upon dubious, and his arguments specious. Criminalising political dissent is only going to reinforce perceptions of Jewish conspiracy theories which by Camerons own admission helps terrorists. So why do it? Alastair Sloan is a London-based journalist. He focuses on injustice and human rights in the UK and international affairs, including human rights, the arms trade, censorship, political unrest and dictatorships. The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial policy. Some implicate him in creating the faultlines that have led to the current trouble in the Middle East. Anthony Sattin is an expert on North Africa and the Middle East, and the author of recently published Young Lawrence. Since when is an early 20th-century, silver-gilt dagger from the Hejaz part of British culture? Apparently since early February when Ed Vaizey, the British culture minister, issued a temporary ban stopping the dagger and a set of white robes that belonged to T E Lawrence from leaving the UK. The man popularly known as Lawrence of Arabia holds a special place in the hearts of romantics for his activities 100 years ago during the Arab Revolt. His reputation was further enhanced when he fought for Arab independence in the post-World War I conferences and, having failed, then changed his name twice and, despite being a colonel, re-enlisted in the British armed forces as a private. READ MORE: The white saviours of the Arabs Lawrences initial fame was manufactured by an American journalist, Lowell Thomas, who was in Palestine with a film camera in 1917 looking for positive news stories to bolster United States public opinion for involvement in World War I when he met the young officer. After the war, Thomass film, With Lawrence in Arabia, was seen by as many as four million people and made Lawrence one of the first stars of the motion-picture era. Lawrences death in a 1935 motorcycle accident, at the age of 46, and the posthumous appearance of his account of his wartime experience, Seven Pillars of Wisdom, which was a publishing phenomenon,sealed his fame, as did Peter OTooles portrayal of him in David Leans 1962 biopic Lawrence of Arabia. Not a hero But what significance can Lawrence have today to British culture or, for that matter, to people in the Middle East? Especially since his reputation has suffered from rumours about his personal life, shifting attitudes to colonialism and challenges to his own account of his involvement in the Arab Revolt. Lawrence, like Faisal, would be horrified by the current state of the Middle East and would, no doubt, be reminding British officials that he had told them that the divisions they were creating after WWI would end badly. by Lawrence was a very junior liaison officer in 1916 and was first sent to the Hejaz to get him out of Cairo, where he had made enemies. One senior officer said he needed a good kicking. Some of those attitudes changed after the fall of Aqaba from the Ottoman Empire to Arab forces in 1917, but a recent biography of the Emir Faisal by Ali Allawi suggests that Lawrence was often absent at significant moments of the revolt, and that many of the key decisions among them the idea to attack Aqaba from the desert came from Faisal, not Lawrence. In a similar vein, many people in the Arab world have told me that Lawrence was nothing more than an agent of imperialism and implicate him in creating the faultlines that have led to the current trouble in the region. Critics tend to point to Lawrences motives for his involvement in the revolt. Was he fighting for Arab independence, as he seemed to suggest? Or was he a double-crossing British agent? Detractors focus on the Sykes-Picot agreement, the secret deal between Britain and France, and agreed by Russia, to divide up the Middle East after the defeat of the Ottomans. That agreement was signed in May 1916, and the Arab Revolt encouraged by British promises of autonomy to the Sharif of Mecca and made possible by British gold and weapons began the next month. Lawrence of Britannia Four months later, Lawrence made his first journey to the Hejaz. It isnt clear when Lawrence knew of Sykes-Picot: Obviously not when he first went to Arabia and perhaps not before it was published in the Manchester Guardian newspaper in November 1917, but he certainly must have found out by December of that year. Whenever he did find out, he objected loudly to the agreement for several reasons. He thought that the French should be allowed nothing, having behaved so badly in Algeria and elsewhere in northwest Africa. He thought a post-war commonwealth of Arab states under British tutelage might work. And he protested at having to ask Arab forces to fight on what he called a lie. I cant stand it, he insisted. And yet he continued. Why? OPINION: The Middle Eastern century that wasnt Perhaps for the reason he stated on the last page of Seven Pillars of Wisdom, where he wrote that whatever he did during the revolt, his greatest motive was personal. It is a reference to a close friendship he had with a young Syrian from Jerablus on what is now the Syrian-Turkish border, whom Lawrence had adopted as his protege, and whom he had trained as an archaeologist for several years before the war. Later he wrote that: I thought that freedom for the race would be an acceptable present. Emir Faisal, future king of Iraq, said in 1920: He was also truthful in his promises, a matter that made the Arabs trust him. Lawrence, like Faisal, would be horrified by the current state of the Middle East and would, no doubt, be reminding British officials that he had told them that the divisions they were creating after World War I would end badly. As for his recently sold silver-gilt dagger, Lawrence would have been puzzled by the British governments export ban. True, it was a gift from one of the sharifs, but Lawrence was much more attached to a smaller, more beautiful gold dagger that he had had made in Mecca, which he wore until Damascus was captured, and which now sits in All Souls College, Oxford. Anthony Sattin is an expert on North Africa and the Middle East, and the author of the recently published book Young Lawrence. The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial policy. Activists have accused the United Kingdom of a crackdown on human rights campaigners over plans to ban city councils, public bodies and some student unions from boycotting unethical businesses, including those operating in illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank. As part of the measure, all publicly funded institutions will be barred from boycotting goods or services by companies complicit in weapons trade, tobacco products or Jewish-only settlements in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, according to UK newspaper The Independent. Senior government officials told The Independent that the plan would be unveiled this week when Cabinet Office minister Matt Hancock visits Israel. In a statement sent to Al Jazeera, a spokesperson for UK Prime Minister David Camerons office said that boycotts undermine good community relations, poisoning and polarising debate, weakening integration and fuelling anti-Semitism. The statement added that locally imposed boycotts can roll back integration as well as hinder Britains export trade and harm international relationship[s]. UpFront Debating the Israel boycott (web extra) Ben, a member of the Brighton and Hove Palestine Solidarity Campaign who did not provide his full name, said the effect of the conservative governments new regulations will be very far-reaching. They will restrict the ability of local councils, for example, to make their own decisions about investments and procurement on ethical grounds, Ben told Al Jazeera, calling the ban an attack on local democracy. The boycott or refusal to buy goods from the settlements is pretty much non-controversial, he added, alluding to the European Unions recent introduction of labelling guidelines for goods made in Israeli settlements. READ MORE: UK academics sever ties with Israeli universities We see ourselves as human rights campaigners, and we are determined to continue on behalf of the Palestinian people, Ben said. The UK chapter of the boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) movement decried the coming ban, likening it to former UK Prime Minister Margaret Thatchers unwavering support of apartheid South Africa in the 1980s. BDS is a campaign that demands Israel give equal rights to its Palestinian citizens, allows the return of Palestinian refugees to their homes and ends the occupation of Palestinian and other Arab territories, including the Syrian Golan Heights. Rather than working to hold Israel to account for its ongoing human rights violations, UK ministers continue the arms trade with Israel and attack local democracy in order to shield it from any criticism, Rafeef Ziadeh, a BDS spokeswoman, said in a statement. OPINION: BDS tactics are not anti-Semitic The BDS movement in the UK has achieved wide support precisely because of the failure of successive UK governments to take action in response to Israels war crimes, she added. Speaking to Al Jazeera, Sai Englert, a member of the National Union of Students executive council, said that the governments move to ban boycotts is a sign of the times when Palestine activism is being targeted. Palestine solidarity campaigners, including those involved in the BDS movement, have achieved a number of recent victories. The National Union of Students voted in favour of boycotting Israel back in June last year, following several similar moves by local student unions at universities across the country. In February 2015, Londons School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) passed a resolution calling for a boycott of Israeli academic institutions and academics by a landslide 73 percent vote in a referendum. The following month, the University of Sussex voted to support their student union endorsing the BDS campaign. The national Trade Union Congress, as well as more than a dozen individual trade unions, are also among those who support a boycott of Israel. Citing Israels human rights record, Leicester City Council in late 2014 became one of the first elected bodies in the UK to pass a resolution implementing a full boycott of products made in Israeli settlements. Englert, who is a PhD student at SOAS, said the sweeping measure is part of a broader government campaign of silencing people who stand for social justice issues and human rights across the world. READ MORE: Italian scholars boycott Israeli academic institutions I think its a very worrying sign for all Palestine solidarity activists, he said. And of course its not just limited to Palestine, either. In recent years, the West Bank-based Palestinian Authority has employed a number of diplomatic and legal strategies aimed at attaining Palestinian statehood in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and the besieged Gaza Strip. According to the Al-Shabaka Palestinian Policy Network, the boycott movement offers Palestinians a political programme that enjoys wide support because of the absence of diplomatic progress. Due to the continuous failures of the Palestinian Authoritys leadership over the last few decades, Palestinian people are longing for tangible outcomes that impact their lives positively, Alaa Tartir, Al-Shabakas programme director, told Al Jazeera. Follow Patrick Strickland on Twitter: @P_Strickland_ Brisbane hospital refuses to discharge baby who faces deportation to Nauru under countrys refugee policy. Australias immigration policy has been criticised after a hospital in Brisbane refused to discharge an asylum-seeker baby facing deportation. The one-year-old girl, known by a pseudonym, Asha, was being treated for serious burns after she was scalded with hot water on the island of Nauru in January. She may now be sent back to the island prison that Australia uses for asylum seekers, as part of its off-shore detention policy. Al Jazeeras Andrew Thomas said a handful of protesters continued to gather outside the Lady Cilento Childrens Hospital for a third day on Monday in support of allowing Asha and her parents to stay. The fate of the asylum seekers currently in Australia is set to be decided within a fortnight after a recent High Court ruling in favour of the governments offshore detention policies. Hospital staff say Asha, who was born in Australia to Nepalese parents who arrived by boat, will not be released until a suitable home environment is identified, according to a statement. The hospitals move came as state governments, churches and activists stepped up their efforts to stop the return of some 267 people, including 37 babies, to Nauru following the High Court ruling. On Monday, New Zealand Prime Minister John Key offered to take in the 267 people, if they were found to be refugees. Under Australias immigration policy, asylum seekers who try to reach Australia by boat are sent to detention prisons in the Pacific island nations of Papua New Guinea and Nauru. They are blocked from being resettled in Australia even if found to be refugees. On Sunday, campaigners from ActionAid, Amnesty International, GetUp! and Greenpeace unfurled a banner on Sydneys harbour calling for the asylum-seekers, who are set to be deported after being brought to Australia for medical treatment, to be allowed to stay. Defence lawyer says journalists are heading to airport after brief detention and have not been punished with travel ban. A defence lawyer for four US journalists who were arrested in Bahrain says they are heading to the airport to fly out of the country. Mohammed al-Jishi told The Associated Press that the journalists had left a police station and were on their way to the airport to fly out on Tuesday night. Al-Jishi said authorities put no travel ban on the four, even though they had faced a charge after being arrested on Sunday while covering the anniversary of Bahrains 2011 uprising. Bahrain police said it detained the four for providing false information that they were tourists and also alleged that one took part in an attack on Bahraini officers. Earlier in the day, prosecutors said they had charged the journalists with illegally assembling with the intent to commit a crime. The freelance journalist Anna Therese Day was among those arrested, according to a statement from Days family, released on Monday. Day has previously contributed to Al Jazeeras AJ+. The four are experienced journalists, having most recently worked on virtual reality documentary filmmaking in Egypt and Gaza, and we hope the Bahraini authorities will release them rapidly and without harm, the Day familys statement said. Anna and her crew are committed journalists who only want to ensure they could undertake their profession ethically and thoroughly. The allegation that they were in any way involved in illegal behaviour or anything other than journalistic activities is impossible. WATCH: Bahrain, five years after the protests The Arabic-language Miraat al-Bahrain, or Bahrain Mirror, newspaper said that four American journalists had been detained in Sitra, a Shia village east of Manama, on Sunday while covering clashes between local demonstrators and security forces. Earlier in the week, hundreds of people took to the streets of the Bahraini capital, Manama, to mark the anniversary of 2011 protests Police on Saturday fired tear gas and used rubber bullets at the Shia Muslim demonstrators who were calling for political reform. UN announces death of 93-year-old Egyptian who was the bodys first African secretary general. The UN Security Council has announced the death of former UN Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali, who lived until the age of 93. Venezuelas UN Ambassador Rafael Ramirez, the current council president, made the announcement at the start of a meeting on Yemens humanitarian crisis on Tuesday, before asking members to rise for a moment of silence. Born in November 14, 1922, in Cairo, Boutros-Ghali studied in the Egyptian capital and Paris and became an academic specialising in international law. The Egyptian politician and diplomat was the sixth secretary general of the United Nations, serving from January 1992 to December 1996. He led the UN during the period that saw genocide in Rwanda, civil war in Angola, the disintegration of the former Yugoslavia all of this amid increasingly stormy relations between the US and the UN. Al Jazeera interviewed Boutros-Ghali, a Coptic Christian, in 2009, when he spoke in part on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. In his farewell speech to the UN, Boutros-Ghali said he had thought when he took the post that the time was right for the UN to play an effective role in a world no longer divided into warring Cold War camps. But the middle years of this half decade were deeply troubled, he said. Disillusion set in. Telescope that officials say could help search for alien life is due to start operations later this year. China plans to relocate 10,000 people to make way for the worlds largest radio telescope, which authorities say will help them search for alien life. The 500-metre Aperture Spherical Radio Telescope (FAST), nestled between hills in the southwestern Guizhou province, is due to start operations this year, the official Xinhua news agency reported on Tuesday. Provincial officials have said that they will move 9,110 residents living within five kilometres of the listening device by September. The relocations aim to create a sound electromagnetic wave environment, Xinhua cited a top regional official named Li Yuecheng as saying. Xinhua earlier quoted Wu Xiangping, director-general of the Chinese Astronomical Society, as saying that the telescopes high level of sensitivity will help us to search for intelligent life outside of the galaxy. READ MORE: Chinas deep-space ambitions FAST, built at a cost of $180m, surpasses the 300-metre Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico as the worlds largest radio telescope. Residents will reportedly receive $1,800 in compensation for moving, with some getting extra support for housing. In the past China has relocated hundreds of thousands of people to make way for large infrastructure projects such as dams and canals. Many complain of poor compensation. The area surrounding the telescope is remote and relatively poor. Xinhua earlier said it was chosen because there are no major towns nearby. As well as boosting investment in astronomy, Beijing is accelerating its multibillion-dollar space exploration programme, with plans for a permanent orbiting station by 2020 and eventually a manned mission to the Moon. Back in the summer of 2015, at the height of the ongoing refugee crisis, Karolin Schwarz started noticing a disturbing pattern. Just as refugee arrivals in her town of Leipzig, eastern Germany, began to rise, so did the frequency of rumours over supposed crimes committed by those men, women and children who had fled war and hardship to reach Europe. As months passed by, the allegations became even more common, increasingly popping up in social media feeds and often reproduced by mainstream news outlets. Since January, these rumours seemed to spread even more, Schwarz, 30, told Al Jazeera. The stories seemed to be [orchestrated] by far-right parties and organisations and I wanted to try to find some way to help organise this maybe find patterns and give people a tool to look up these stories [when] they were being confronted with new ones. And so she did. Along with 35-year-old developer Lutz Helm, Schwarz launched last week Hoaxmap, an online platform that allows people to separate fact from fiction by debunking false rumours about supposed crimes committed by refugees. Using an interactive system of popping dots, the map documents and categorises where those crimes allegedly took place. It then counters that false information with official statements from the police and local authorities, as well as news reports in which the allegations have been disproved. Life as a female refugee: You dont know who to trust The debunked cases marked on the map range from thefts and assaults to manslaughter but one of the most common topics is rape, Schwarz said. There is a prominent case from Berlin about a 13-year-old girl being held hostage and raped by refugees. This one even led to Russia intervening, because the girl is from a late re-settler family coming from Russia, said Schwarz, a business consultant. Other absurd rumours, Schwarz said, include refugees stealing and slaughtering swans from a lake near their shelter, or a story about a female refugee from an African country who got hair extensions and braids because of religious reasons, and then supposedly charged her local government some 720 euros ($800). One week in, Hoaxmap has featured some 240 incidents, mainly from Germany but also Austria and Switzerland. As the number of hoaxes increases, we want to work with the data as well, to check if there are relations between stories which are often shared locally, Schwarz said. Hijacked coverage More than 1.1 million people escaping poverty, war and repression in the Middle East, Asia and Africa reached Europes shores last year most of them heading for Germany while thousands of others died undertaking the perilous journey. While large numbers of people across Europe have been welcoming and volunteered to help those arriving, there has also been a sharp increase in anti-refugee sentiment and hate crimes including arson attacks, physical violence, psychological abuse and growing fear-mongering. In December 2015, the Ethical Journalism Network, a UK-based media watchdog, criticised global media organisations for allowing coverage of the refugee crises and immigration debates to be hijacked by right-wing populists, who exploit public fears of immigration to serve their own political interests. The report also said that media that framed questions around immigrants who break the law have exacerbated anti-immigrant sentiments. Create a discussion Last month, conservative German magazine Focus was criticised after running a cover story on the New Years Eve assaults on women in Cologne, in which at least 18 asylum seekers were identified as suspects, showing a white naked woman whose skin had been stamped with handprints of black paint. Liberal publication Suddeutsche Zeitung also apologised at the time for printing a picture of a black arm reaching up between a pair of white female legs to portray the Cologne sex attacks. In the UK, many of the countrys leading newspapers last summer used terms such as undeserving leeches, a security menace and an existential threat to national values to describe refugees trying to get into Britain through the Channel Tunnel. INTERACTIVE: The Syrian refugee giving back to Germany In Hungary, the government instructed media in the country not to show pictures of women and children for fear of encouraging too much sympathy for Syrian families escaping the countrys war. When describing those who try to cross to Europe, many use images of burly men forcing their way into trucks, not those left in limbo with no means of support often with young children or indeed children on their own their money having been taken by traffickers, Sue Clayton, a professor of film and television at Goldsmiths, University of London, told Al Jazeera. Images of clashes with the police, overcrowded borders [and] flare-ups with police make better news than the reality for most refugees the world over they are stuck in limbo in camps or ghettos, with no future and no hope of being productive and useful citizens. It is this kind of coverage articles that reinforce negative stereotypes and anti-refugee sentiment that the team behind Hoaxmap said they want to expose. Weve received a lot of mails from people thanking us because they heard some of these stories and could easily look them up on the map, Schwarz said. We want to create a discussion on this phenomenon, Schwarz said. Rumours are being spread for political reasons and people try to create an atmosphere of fear and distrust. Follow Teo Kermeliotis on Twitter: @Teo_Kermeliotis Parliament votes for extension as interior minister warns terrorist threat is high after attacks last year in Paris. The French parliament has voted to extend the countrys state of emergency by a further three months, allowing authorities to carry out police raids and put people under house arrest without prior authorisation of a judge. French President Francois Hollande had pushed for the extension of the state of emergency, which has been in place since November 13, 2015, when armed attackers killed at least 130 people across various locations in Paris. Emergency rule will now be extended until at least May 26, following the vote by the National Assembly on Tuesday. Deputies gave the green light by 212 votes to 31 with three abstentions, a day after the upper house, the Senate, approved the extension by overwhelming majority. Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve argued in Tuesdays debate that the threat of new terrorist violence remains very high. The decision comes despite rights groups saying the state of emergency undermined fundamental freedoms. Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International published separate research at the beginning of February, pointing to cases in which excessive force had been used in raids, leading to human rights violations including violence. The November 13 attacks were claimed by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) group. ISILs claim triggered a backlash against Muslim communities not just in France, but across Europe and elsewhere. There are between 5.5 million and 6.2 million Muslims in France, or roughly 7.6 percent of the total population making the group the largest Muslim minority in Europe. Washington Post reporters were accused of incitement when conducting interviews near occupied East Jerusalems Old City. Israeli border police have released the Washington Posts bureau chief and his Palestinian colleague after briefly detaining them while they were conducting interviews near occupied East Jerusalems Old City. William Booth and the newspapers West Bank correspondent, Sufian Taha, were taken to a police station and held for about 40 minutes before being released, the Foreign Press Association in Israel (FPA) said in a statement about their detention. An Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman, Emmanuel Nahshon, called it a regrettable incident and praised Booth as an excellent journalist. The ministry would ask the police to clarify the incident, he said. The FPA said their detention came in the context of heavy-handed tactics including what it described as violent attacks by border police against foreign journalists and their Palestinian colleagues covering unrest in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem. Booth and Taha, the FPA said, were interviewing Palestinian and Israeli residents at Damascus Gate in occupied East Jerusalem. Police spokeswoman Luba Samri said the two journalists were detained after a passer-by had complained to police that he saw several people apparently inciting Palestinian youths to violence. When the facts were clarified and no suspicion of criminal activity arose, the investigating officer released the detainees immediately, she said. Ofir Gendleman, a spokesperson for right-wing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, published a post on Twitter, saying that Israel doesnt detain journalists. The press here is free. PM on the brief detention of @washingtonpost's @BoothWilliam:He was released immediately.We don't detain journalists.The press here is free. Ofir Gendelman (@ofirgendelman) February 16, 2016 Yousef Munayyer, executive director of the US Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation, pointed out that Palestinian journalist Mohammed al-Qeeq is presently hospitalised in severe condition as he is on hunger strike against being detained without charge as an administrative detainee for months. Meanwhile, Palestinian journalist Mohamad al-Qiq has been imprisoned without charge for months & on verge of death https://t.co/WcF8ZICmlr (((YousefMunayyer))) (@YousefMunayyer) February 16, 2016 After the journalists were released on Tuesday, the Israeli Government Press Office (GPO) also distanced itself from the incident. Freedom of the press is a supreme value in the Israeli democracy, GPO director Nitzan Chen said, according to The Times of Israel. Israel is doing its utmost to enable the foreign press to work freely, without any pressure. Ruth Eglash, a Jerusalem-based correspondent for the Washington Post, published a series of Twitter posts criticising the police for detaining her colleagues. Al Jazeera speaks with Jamal Zahalka, one of the suspended Arab members of Israeli Knesset and head of Balad party. Last week, three members of the Israeli Knesset, Jamal Zahalka, Hanin Zoabi and Basel Ghattas, were suspended for attending a meeting with the families of Palestinians killed by Israeli forces while allegedly carrying out attacks and whose bodies were held by Israel. The meeting was organised by a Palestinian committee aiming at retrieving the bodies and returning them to the families for burial. All three are members of Balad, one of four political parties that form the Joint-List coalition, made up mainly but not exclusively of Palestinian citizens of Israel. While Zoabi and Ghattas were suspended for four months, Balads leader Zahalka was suspended for two. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu later announced that he would push forward a draft bill that allows for the suspension of Knesset members if voted for by 90 out of the parliaments 120 members, who would also decide how long the ban should be for. It would be the first bill allowing the Knesset to unseat representatives elected by the public. Al Jazeera speaks to Jamal Zahalka, leader of the Balad party. READ MORE: Arab MPs in Israels Knesset suffer incitemenet and hate Al Jazeera: Could you explain what led to your suspension from the Knesset? Jamal Zahalka: We were invited by families whose sons were killed in confrontations with the occupation forces. Ten families from Jerusalem have been waiting for their sons bodies to be returned for more than four months. Its a paradox, being in the Knesset and challenging its logic. We do challenge the nature of the state. We have an alternative for that, which is a state for all its citizens. When Israel made a previous agreement [with the Palestinian Authority] to return the bodies, East Jerusalem was not included on the basis that it is part of Israel. At the same time, as Arab members of the Knesset, we cannot speak on behalf of East Jerusalem [residents] because we dont recognise Israels annexation. So, 300,000 Palestinians in the West Bank dont have any sort of representation. Those families made contact with the police through a lawyer. But they were told that this is not a security problem, its a political problem. Thats why they asked us to intervene. Israel puts conditions over the return of the bodies, such as asking the families to bury them outside Jerusalem, or limiting the number of people allowed to attend the funeral and burying the body immediately, which doesnt allow enough time for a post mortem. Some of the families insist on an autopsy because they say their son was killed in cold blood, not in self-defence. A post mortem would also allow for establishing how long the person had been bleeding before he died, which means he didnt get medical aid. Some families agreed to some of the conditions, and we took their response to the Ministry of Internal Security [which oversees the police]. For us, its a humanitarian issue. Its important to say that, as opposed to what was initially reported by the Israeli press. We only met with the families who didnt get the bodies back. But the day after, Netanyahu gave a special speech to the nation saying that three MKs had met the families of Palestinian terrorists to express their solidarity with them. READ MORE: Israel minimising Palestinian presence in Jerusalem Al Jazeera: Do you see what happened as a symptom of a fundamental change in the Israeli political climate? Zahalka: Yes, particularly since the elections that took place last March. This is the fourth term for Netanyahu. During his decade-long time in office, Netanyahu hardly mentioned Palestinian citizens of Israel. But from day one in the last elections, he has been warning that Arabs were coming out in droves to the polls. Netanyahu realised that he can mobilise and dramatically affect public opinion in Israel with this not-so-new enemy. Netanyahu is a good reader of the Israeli public. He understood that he needs to compete with other leaders in the Israeli right camp, like [Avigdor] Lieberman and [Naftali] Bennett. Its a mixture of racism and opportunism. Before it [the enemy] was Iran, Hezbollah and Hamas. Now Palestinian citizens of Israel are the ultimate enemy. Mobilising the people around an enemy has been the strategy of the right all over the world and throughout history. That enemy is usually an outsider. Here, its the enemy from within. In the past, the job of attacking [the Balad party] was done by marginal members of the Likud party and the far-right in Israel. Now, its led by the prime minister himself, and thats why its so dangerous. It has become a strategy not just against Zoabi, or Balad. He [Netanyahu] is inciting against all our community. He banned the Islamic movement [last November]. He has been passing new laws that narrow our political rights. Al Jazeera: Do you fear the bill that would allow the Knesset to vote on the suspension of its members might put you in an even more vulnerable position? Zahalka: Of course its called the Balad law, or chilling law, and its being prepared very rapidly. [It aims] to freeze, or lower the ceiling of your political activity [as a parliament member]. READ MORE: Letter from Nazareth: The forgotten Palestinians Al Jazeera: The Zionist left opposes this particular bill, but youve argued in the past that [Israels zionist left] is worse than the right. Do you think its possible or desirable to see them as partners to contain the rise of the right camp? Zahalka: The Zionist left came and occupied our villages singing, We brought you peace. Not shouting, Death to Arabs, like the right. But the Zionist left was the main disaster for [Palestinians]. Not because the right is better, simply because they were in power till 1977. Our strategy has always been to make coalitions, practical coalitions, on issues that we do agree on with other parties. We do this in the Knesset, on social, economic and some human rights issues. Al Jazeera: It has been argued that your very presence in the Knesset proves Israels democratic character, and therefore serves to legitimise it as a Jewish and democratic state. If you dont believe Israel can change from within, when is it time to take the struggle elsewhere? Zahalka: On the one hand, its true that Israel uses the fact that there are Arab members in the Knesset to show its a democracy. But on the other hand, what we are doing in the Knesset weighs Its a paradox, being in the Knesset and challenging its logic. We do challenge the nature of the state. We have an alternative for that, which is a state for all its citizens. As Palestinian citizens of Israel, we are part of the Palestinian people. But after 1948, we remained in this country. The daily life of our community depends on their relationship with the state, and we cannot ignore that. When it comes to a point that we cannot do, then we will leave. Al Jazeera: Are we heading in that direction? Zahalka: The situation is worsening. But with the Joint List, a coalition of the Arab parties, we made unity in the era of disunity. What we are trying to do now is to address parliaments in Europe, the U.S., the IPU [International Parliaments Union]. We want to point out that there is a minority at risk because of Israeli policies. And because its not the work of the extreme-right politicians alone. These are the words of Mr Netanyahu turning into actions. UN envoy says government wants to reach every Syrian wherever they are and allow UN to bring humanitarian aid. The Syrian government has approved access to seven besieged areas and UN convoys are expected to travel to them within days, the United Nations said after crisis talks in Damascus. UN Special Envoy Staffan de Mistura, who was given the green light at talks with Syrias Foreign Minister Walid al-Muallem, said on Tuesday that the UN would test the government commitment to allow access on Wednesday but gave no further details. OPINION: Starving Syria as a weapon Their meeting in Damascus came at a time when government forces had been advancing rapidly with the aid of Russian air strikes, and just days before an internationally agreed pause in fighting was due to take effect. De Mistura said they had discussed the issue of humanitarian access to areas besieged by all sides in the five-year war. It is clear it is the duty of the government of Syria to want to reach every Syrian person wherever they are, and allow the UN to bring humanitarian aid, de Mistura said in a statement. Tomorrow we test this. Degradation on ground The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said that Syria had approved access to Deir al-Zor; Fouaa and Kafraya in Idlib; and Madaya, Zabadani, Kafr Batna and Mouadamiya al-Sham in rural Damascus. Humanitarian agencies and partners are preparing convoys for these areas, to depart as soon as possible in the coming days, OCHA said. It was not immediately clear whether the convoys would begin on Wednesday, as de Mistura had indicated. Nor was there any indication of a breakthrough on access to areas besieged by armed opposition groups. READ MORE: Nearly 400,000 Syrians starving in besieged areas UN-backed peace talks are scheduled to resume in Geneva on February 25, after de Mistura suspended a first round earlier this month. Last Friday, global powers meeting in Munich agreed to a pause in the fighting in the hope that this could allow the talks to resume, but the deal does not take effect until the end of this week and was not signed by all of Syrias warring parties. We are witnessing a degradation on the ground that cannot wait, UN spokesman Ahmad Fawzi told a news conference. The reason (de Mistura) suspended (the talks) was, as you know, that cities were still being bombed, people were still being starved on the ground. War crimes Elsewhere, Russia denied bombing hospitals in northern Syria, with Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov calling such accusations unsubstantiated. The rejection on Tuesday followed claims by France and Turkey that the bombing of two schools and five hospitals in Syria were war crimes. Once again, we categorically reject and do not accept such statements, Peskov said when asked whether Russian planes bombed hospitals in Syria, including one supported by Doctors Without Borders (MSF). Especially since every time, those who make such statements are unable to prove in any way their unsubstantiated accusations. READ MORE: Strikes on schools and hospitals in Syria war crimes The Kremlin spokesman added that Moscow preferred to rely on first-hand sources of information, which he said in this case would be the Syrian government. Syrias ambassador to Russia, Riad Haddad, on Monday accused the US of bombing the MSF hospital and said that Russian warplanes had nothing to do with any of it. Strikes on hospitals in Idlib and Azaz killed almost 50 civilians including children, according to the United Nations, with UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon saying the raids violated international law and undermined efforts to end the five-year conflict. The MSF confirmed its hospital was hit, without assigning blame. On Tuesday, MSF said the number of people killed in the air strike had risen to at least 11. OPINION: Predicting Turkeys next move in Syria The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a monitoring group based in the UK, said it suspected the Russian military was behind the attack, based on the location of the raids and the flight patterns and types of planes involved. Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu on Tuesday denounced vile, cruel and barbaric planes of the Russian air force, saying they bomb without discrimination between civilians and soldiers. Russias defence ministry, however, hit back with accusations that Turkey was shelling Syrian government forces from across the border. Since the end of last week Turkey is hitting Syrian government forces and patriotic opposition in border areas with large calibre artillery, spokesman Igor Konashenkov said in an emailed statement. France and Turkey denounce raids in which up to 50 people were killed as Assad casts doubt on prospects for a truce. France and Turkey have called the bombing of two schools and five hospitals in Syria war crimes, while hopes for a ceasefire faded as President Bashar al-Assad played down prospects of a truce. Up to 50 civilians, including children, died when missiles hit at least five medical buildings and two schools in the Aleppo and Idlib provinces on Monday. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said the raids violated international law and cast a shadow over efforts to end Syrias five-year civil war. He did not say who was responsible for the attacks but groups monitoring the conflict suspected the strikes were carried out by Russia, an ally of the Syrian regime. Russias Health Minister, Veronika Skvortsova, denied Moscow was responsible, saying its military had targeted Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) infrastructure and that she had no reason to believe it had bombed civilians. READ MORE: A Syria without Syrians We are confident that [there is] no way it could be done by our defence forces. This contradicts our ideology, she said. French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault said attacks on health facilities in Syria by the regime or its supporters were unacceptable and must stop immediately. Turkey on Monday separately accused Russia of an obvious war crime and warned that there would be consequences if Russia did not immediately end such attacks. Syrias ambassador to Moscow, Riad Haddad, said the hospital had been targeted by a US raid. American warplanes destroyed it. Russian warplanes had nothing to do with any of it the information that has been gathered will completely back that up, he told Russian state television channel Rossiya 24. READ MORE: Here is what school is like in Syrias Aleppo The US, which like the UN did not specify who carried out the strikes, said two civilian hospitals were hit in northern Syria: one run by medical charity Doctors Without Borders and another in the rebel-held Azaz city. That the Assad regime and its supporters would continue these attacks casts doubt on Russias willingness and/or ability to help bring to a stop the continued brutality of the Assad regime against its own people, the US State Department said. Global repercussions Also on Monday, Syrian President Bashar Assad warned Turkey and Saudi Arabia that any ground invasion of Syria would have global repercussions and said sending in troops would not be a picnic. Commenting on an agreement brokered last week by the US, Russia and other world powers for a temporary cessation of hostilities, Assad said: Ceasefires occur between armies and states, but never between a state and terrorists. WATCH: Journalists in exile getting the news back into Syria They say that they want a ceasefire within a week. All right, who will talk to a terrorist organisation if it refuses to cease fire? Who will punish it? Assads comments were his first since the agreement on Friday to bring about a pause in fighting within a week. Earlier this month, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates said that they were prepared to send ground troops to Syria to fight ISIL if a US-led coalition targeting the group with air strikes agreed to the offer. Russia warned that if foreign troops entered the country it could lead to a world war. Saudi Arabia, Russia, Qatar and Venezuela say they are willing to freeze production at January level if others agree. Russia, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Venezuela are ready to freeze oil production at Januarys level if other producers do the same. The agreement came after a meeting in Doha on Tuesday. Oil prices have dropped below $30 a barrel in recent months, a fall of 70 percent since 2014. Al Jazeeras Bernard Smith, reporting from Doha, said that the challenge would be to get other producing countries, including Iran, to freeze production as well. Irans IRNA news agency said on Sunday the country had exported its first crude shipment to Europe since it reached a landmark deal last year with world powers. IRNA quoted Rokneddin Javadi, Irans deputy oil minister, as saying the shipment, the first in five years, marked a new chapter in Irans oil industry. Javadi said Iran had already reached an agreement to export oil to France, Russia and Spain. Iran said in January that it planned to add to its production, which stands at 3.1 million barrels per day (bpd) despite the drop in price, and should not be blamed for further price falls. Saadallah al Fathi, a former adviser to Iraqs Ministry of Oil and former head of the Energy Studies Department, OPEC Secretariat, told Al Jazeera that freezing output at Januarys levels was not going to immediately cut supplies. There is already too much oil on the market, Fathi said. I dont think freezing production is going to mean anything, unless other producers come into the picture. Within the next few weeks or few months I think there will be a flurry of activity to get other producers on board. Final push for candidates seeking to unseat long-time president comes a day after one killed in street violence. Ugandas presidential contenders have held their final rallies, a day after opposition supporters clashed with police in violence that left at least one dead. The main opposition candidate, Kizza Besigye, who was briefly detained twice by police on Monday, said he was confident of ending President Yoweri Musevenis three-decade rule of the East African nation. The election cannot be free or fair, but it doesnt mean it cant be won, Besigye told the AFP news agency, saying he was still aiming for an outright win, not a second round run-off in which the opposition might unify. PHOTOS: Pre-election violence rocks Uganda At least one person was killed on Monday as police fought running battles with Besigye supporters from the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party. We believe we can win the unfree and an unfair election, thats what we are trying to do, Besigye said, before zooming off towards the city centre accompanied by some 300 supporters to hold rallies. Final push Many were riding motorbikes, waving tree branches, blowing whistles and horns, and wearing shirts with Besigyes face emblazoned on the front. If [the election is] rigged, as we expect, we will continue the struggle for democracy, Besigye said. The struggle will simply continue. Museveni is widely predicted to win a fifth term in power in Thursdays polls. Both Museveni and the other main candidate, Amama Mbabazi, a former prime minister and ruling party stalwart now running as an independent, are also holding rallies on Tuesday. Al Jazeeras Malcolm Webb, reporting from the capital Kampala, said candidates had held several rallies in the hope of persuading undecided unvoters. ELECTIONS 2016: Young voices from Uganda Campaigning has to end today. The opposition leaders are appealing to the many unemployed and the under-employed in urban areas in their final messages, Webb said. This is the final push. Todays rallies passed without the kind of violence we saw yesterday. Seven opposition candidates are vying to deny veteran leader Museveni a fourth decade in power and there are fears that violence could mar Thursdays vote, with all sides accusing each other of arming people to press their claims. Police spokesman Fred Enanga said Besigye had been in total disregard of his authorised programme on Monday and that protesters were throwing bricks and projectiles at officers. The police have a duty to protect the safety of the public, together with the right to protect themselves, and had to act accordingly, given the intensity of the attacks they faced from an emerging crowd of rowdy protesters, Enanga said. Police said 19 people were wounded, including a policewoman, and 22 people arrested. Surprises abound on Poland's For-Tune Records label, reminding us of this country's well-known and important legacy within modern jazz circles. On the heels of their widely acclaimed debut Hopasa (Emarcy, 2013), the High Definition Quartet strikes again with this superfine effort that substantiates its moniker with the crystal clear audio characteristics and the musicians' strict attention to detail.Featuring spacey sound-sculpting processes, Classical music inferences and intertwining dialogues, the quartet's meticulous inner-workings consist of variable currents and loosely articulated advancements amid hard-hitting choruses, executed with striking agility. Tenor saxophonist Mateusz Sliwa's deeply powerful lines and climactic opuses creatively align with pianist Piotr Orzechowski's topsy-turvy and fluid phrasings where the band merges frothy free-form overtures with introspective interludes. But the group also cuts the cerebral aspects with memorably melodic hooks on various tracks.The band abides by an egalitarian mindset and every composition stands on its own. Yet "V" closes out the album in mind-bending fashion. Bassist Alan Wykpisz kicks it off with booming notes, followed by Orzechowski's nimble tinkering, paving the way for a flurry of complex medium tempo unison phrasings with several bars of free-bop motifs and the frontline's hearty soloing escapades. Along with succinct harmonic treatments, the artists delve into a whirling series of events via contrapuntal mechanisms, terse exchanges and shifting paradigms. Towards the end, Sliwa and drummer Dawid Fortuna rough it up and tear the primary theme down to pieces. Thus, High Definition Quartet is one of the most resourceful and enterprising progressive jazz outfits I've heard in quite a while. Two UF alumni are competing on this season of The Amazing Race. Brodie Smith, 28, and Kurt Gibson, 30, met in 2006 through UFs Ultimate Frisbee team. Now, the two are competing on the reality show, where contestants race around the world trying to get to destinations first to win $1 million. Contestants this season had to be prominent on social media. Smith gained about 6 million followers across his social media accounts by posting videos of himself throwing trick, or complicated, Frisbee shots, he said. He grew up watching the show with his family. I obviously was a fan of the show from the beginning, he said. He said one of his first videos was him throwing trick shots by Century Tower and the Swamp. Now, he makes content for social media. Gibson, who now plays in an ultimate Frisbee league with Smith in Dallas, Texas, said the two of them still wear UF clothes to team practices. I wear only Gator stuff, he said. We kind of bleed orange and blue. He said hes only missed one season of ultimate Frisbee in his life when he was diagnosed with stage-three colon cancer in 2008. Im pretty blessed to have gotten through it with flying colors, he said. I was able to get my strength back and play. After finishing six months of chemotherapy, he said he was back on the field. His experience made him want to inspire others fighting cancer. As negative as it was, I think so much positive came from it, Gibson said. Now, Gibson is traveling across the world on the show. Enjoy what you're reading? Get content from The Alligator delivered to your inbox Subscribe Now Why wouldnt you want to go on The Amazing Race? he said. That was really our attitude towards it." While filming, he and Smith worked well as a team because theyre both competitive, Gibson said. Everyone on the race had their moments, he said. If adversity comes, we know how to quickly overcome it. Smith said there wasnt much information about rules for the race online. Experiencing the race was more gruelling than he expected, both physically and mentally. Really, all you could do was just get familiar with the rules, he said. You cant really simulate what the race is. Gibson said his training for ultimate Frisbee helped prepare him physically for the race. Besides working out, Gibson said he watched previous episodes of the show to understand the race. When I want to succeed at something, I put my heart and soul into it, he said. Contact Katelyn Newberg at knewberg@alligator.org and follow her on Twitter @k_newberg As the Department of Healths website posts daily updates on the Zika virus, traveling UF staff and students are taking precautions. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have recorded 26 countries in Central and South America with active mosquito-borne transmission. The virus presence in North America, including the case that arose in Alachua County on Friday, is likely the result of travelers returning to the U.S. from these areas, according to a DOH update Monday. UF Study Abroad services offer trips to more than a dozen South and Central American countries. Angela Miller, the director of UF Study Abroad services, said the university sent an alert on the outbreak to students who signed up for a trip. No students have canceled their study abroad trips thus far. We are monitoring the situation, Miller said. Students are advised to visit the CDC website, which has some recommendations on how to prevent the virus. While not likely, she said trips could be canceled if the situation becomes more severe. Im not predicting that this is going to be a huge issue, but it does have national attention, Miller said. I want students to take the proper precautionary measures. Valerie Ferretti is traveling to Nicaragua for a mission trip with Filter of Hope during Spring Break. About 40 students are traveling to the country in Central America and providing water filters to those in need. Ferretti said someone recently posted on the groups Facebook page about the Zika virus, asking if they should be concerned. Another group member then linked to a CDC prevention article in the comments, she said. Enjoy what you're reading? Get content from The Alligator delivered to your inbox Subscribe Now Ferretti, a 19-year-old UF special education sophomore, said she would go on the trip no matter what. Im going to wear long sleeves and long pants and basically bathe in mosquito repellent, she said. My mom even ordered me a mosquito net to take and didnt tell me; it just showed up at my door. I guess shes more worried than me. Contact Molly Donovan at mdonovan@alligator.org and follow her on Twitter @Mollyidonovan. To my fellow students: For those who are unaware, the exterior of the Flint auditorium was vandalized pretty extensively with spray paint this past weekend. The messages were directed at nobody in particular, but they were aimed at disparaging chemistry, in particular, organic chemistry. As a chemistry major with immense respect for my department and all of its faculty, I am obviously directly offended by this. In general, an act like this shows complete disregard for people who help make this university what it is and also for the facilities that we use. I have been reflecting on this, and I realized that this brings up an opportunity to convey an important message. As students, we are all busy trying to get our homework done, meet all of our deadlines, prepare for our exams and do all of this well enough to make the cut for the graduate programs or the job markets that are the next step. Really though, despite all of this immediate stress, we must realize that we are among the luckiest individuals on the planet. Education is one of the biggest privileges on the face of the Earth. We get to grow up, decide what we want to study here and choose a career path that will provide us with stability and even intellectual fulfillment. This is our reality. On this same planet, there are humans who are born into poverty, political instability and war who dont have access to adequate amounts of food and clean water. There are people who go to sleep at night hoping that bombs wont detonate and destroy their homes. There are parents who would give their lives for their children to be able to study here and decide what they want to be when they grow up. So to the people who committed this act of vandalism: I would love for you to have to sit in a room, look one of these people in the eyes, and convey to them exactly what you did how this organic chemistry course that you have the privilege of taking as a part of your UF education just inconvenienced you so much with its workload that you went and defaced a university building. To me, this act shows that you not only have no respect for our university but also that you have put no thought whatsoever into the condition of the world. I am quite fond of the Student Body here. In fact, it includes some of my closest friends in life. I am confident that we wont let this small group of individuals serve as any sort of reflection of who we are and what we stand for. Let us use this event as a reminder to take a step back and appreciate what we have. We owe it to the world. Jamie Luskin UF Organic Chemistry 2 TA Enjoy what you're reading? Get content from The Alligator delivered to your inbox Subscribe Now It's freezing cold in New York City right now. Yesterday's low was 1 degree Fahrenheit, and it would be an understatement to say that my face is dry. Lucky for me, I don't have to change my makeup six times a day the way many of the models at fashion week do. Well early this morning (like, 7:30 a.m. early), when the temperature was in the high teens, I found myself backstage at The Row (Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen's line) where the models' skin glowed as if it were 85 degrees and sunny out. I stood in awe for a moment and then cornered makeup artist Tom Pecheux for his secret. "Over the last three days, the last two especially, it's like the models' skin is burned from the wind and cold, and we're fighting with the dryness of the [indoor] heat," said Pecheux. That's when I spotted two rather under-the-radar products at his station next to heaps of perfectly organized M.A.C. makeup: Avene Cicalfate Repair Cream (a French pharmacy brand staple) and Butter Elixir Face Oil (a small batch blend of rose-hip, apricot, and argan oils). When a model comes inside from the blustery cold, the first thing Pecheux does is massage the oil into her face and then layer on the cream. "The two work really well together," he said. Then the beauty editor in me forced me to point out that dermatologists usually recommend moisturizer and then oil because the properties of the latter prevent moisture from reaching the skin, to which he replied, "The scientists are scientists. What I'm looking for is results." The results are gorgeous and in turn, the rest of the makeup glows. For the majority of the shows so far, makeup artists have skipped foundation and only used concealer as necessary, but Pecheux used a bit of M.A.C. Waterweight Foundation on these girls. It seemed to sink right in, which is probably because the product is so lightweight, but Pecheux swears that a large part of it due to his heavy-duty prep job. "You can have the most beautiful skin, but if it's dry, even most expensive foundation will not work. Unfortunately, there's nothing magical in foundation." At Cape Towns annual Mining Indaba, the launch of an Africa Mining Vision (AMV) Compact (www.AfricaMiningVision.org) between African governments and mining companies has been announced. Frank Dixon Mugyenyi, Senior Trade Advisor of the Department of Trade and Industry in the Africa Union Commission (AUC) delivered the keynote speech on behalf of H.E. Mrs Fatima Acyl []http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Appa-sourceTheAfric... Foreign Minister Steinmeier issued the following statement after the Foreign Ministers meeting on the situation in Libya on 13 February: Libya is rarely the focus of media attention here unjustly, in my view. What is happening on the other side of the Mediterranean just a few hundred kilometres south of Italy cannot be a []Source : http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Appa-sourceTheAfric... AR's Editor Joe Shea Talks About Elections On Iranian TV Bear Stearns Saved By Fed As Lehman Bros. Falters; Major Bank Failure Looms Over Wall Street, Sends Markets Into 200-Pt. Dive Lie Upon Lie Five Years Into the Iraq War The Administration Still Churns Out Lies by Randolph Holhut A Small Tragedy Even at 90, As Friends Turn Cool She Knows the Show Must Go On by Joyce Marcel I'll Take Me Imagine John Wayne or Arnold In Heels, Silk and a Girdle by Elizabeth Andrews Sen. Nelson Calls For New Fla. Primary; Gov Crist Backs 'Do-Over' Who'll Win? Ask Spock Spock.com Engine Predicts Winners By Site Searches; It Can be Wrong by Jay Bhatti Chatting Up The Cat God Gave Me Dominion Over Him But I Think He's a Non-Believer by Constance Daley Death of a Thug The Life and Horrors of Suharto by Andreas Harsono ___________________________ This Just In Sierra Club: McCain Ducked All 15 Key Votes On Green Laws (AR) A Work By AR's T.S. Kerrigan Is Chosen As 'Best Poem' By Wordpress Site Murder At Mile 63 The Deadly Assault and Bush Administration Cover-Up by S. Eben Kirkesby and Andreas Harsono 5427 14th St. West, Bradenton, FL 34207 $6.99 Fish Fridays! Manatee Co.'s Only 24-Hr. FREE Wi-Fi Paid Advertisement On Native Ground AFTER 5 YEARS, WE'RE STILL LIED TO ABOUT IRAQ by Randolph T. Holhut DUMMERSTON, Vt. -- Next week is the fifth anniversary of the U.S. invasion of Iraq. And it is likely that sometime in the next couple of weeks, the 4,000th American soldier will die in Iraq. [MORE] Momentum OFF TO SEE THE WIZARD by Joyce Marcel DUMMERSTON, Vt. - It's 1931, and a 14-year-old girl is standing alone on a stage. She's small and lively with dark curly hair, widespread hazel eyes, slender wrists and an open, eager face filled with the wonder of performing. Her name is Rose, and one day she will be my mother. But now she is performing an Eugene O'Neill monologue called "Before Breakfast" for a ladies' club in a wealthy suburb of Long Island. [MORE] One Woman's World COMFORTABLE WITH MYSELF by Elizabeth T. Andrews CARTERSVILLE, Ga. -- I'm not sure but I think I may be socially incorrect. [MORE] On Native Ground ENOUGH FOR A WAR, NOT FOR A PEOPLE by Randolph T. Holhut DUMMERSTON, Vt. -- Last week, the National Governors Assn. met in Washington, D.C. One of the tasks the NGA had on its agenda was to ask President Bush to increase federal spending on roads, bridges and other public works projects as a way to stimulate the economy. He rejected their pleas out of hand, claiming that infrastructure projects wouldn't offer any short-term economic boost. [MORE] Brasch Words BEWARE THE SELF-REVERENTIAL PRESS by Walter Brasch BLOOMSBURG, Pa. -- Shortly before the primary votes this past week, Newsweek's Jonathan Alter called Sen. Barack Obama's surge to the Democratic nomination "inevitable." It also called for Hillary Clinton to "start her campaign for Senate majority leader." [MORE] Constance A CONVERSATION WITH MY CAT Constance Daley ST. SIMONS ISLAND, Ga. -- Normally, when the cat starts his evening rant of meowing continuously until he makes his point, I just take it as long as I can, pick him up, and put him in the garage for the night. He doesn't want to go, but the meowing stops and I don't care if he likes it or not. [MORE] Momentum OUT OF STRUGGLE, ART by Joyce Marcel DUMMERSTON, Vt. -- Here we are again at the crossroads of art and social change, having the opportunity to watch good and great films about the lives of women in support of the Women's Crisis Center. [MORE] Campaign 2008 HOW TO PREDICT SUPER TUESDAY II WINNERS? ONLINE SEARCH by Jay Bhatti NEW YORK, March 4, 2008, 7:00PM ET -- With the outcomes of the Texas, Vermont, Ohio and Rhode Island primaries to be decided tonight, how possible is it that online searching can predict who will win tonight's primaries? [MORE] One Woman's World DON'T VOTE; IT ENCOURAGES THEM by Elizabeth T. Andrews CARTERSVILLE, Ga. -- Call me angry and disgusted but don't call me un-American because I won't be voting come November. [MORE] On Native Ground BUSH AND THE KEYBOARD COMMANDOS by Randolph T. Holhut DUMMERSTON, Vt. -- As the days tick down toward the eventual departure of President George W. Bush from the White House, it's a hopeful sign that most Americans are no longer moved by his Administration's constant exploitation of terrorism for political gain. [MORE] Momentum WHICH AMERICA DO YOU LIVE IN? by Joyce Marcel DUMMERSTON, Vt. -- It's a little confusing. [MORE] Make My Dat THE LAWYER THAT ATE NEW YORK by Erik Deckers INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. -- I used to know a guy who, quite literally, didn't get hyperbole. He didn't understand exaggeration. As a result, he missed most jokes that came his way. [MORE] On Native Ground FIDEL RETIRES: NOW THE COLD WAR IS REALLY OVER by Randolph T. Holhut DUMMERSTON, Vt. -- Maybe now, we can finally say the Cold War is over. [MORE] Make My Dat THE LAWYER THAT ATE NEW YORK by Erik Deckers INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. -- I used to know a guy who, quite literally, didn't get hyperbole. He didn't understand exaggeration. As a result, he missed most jokes that came his way. [MORE] One Woman's World POLITICS IS NO PARTY by Elizabeth T. Andrews CARTERSVILLE, Ga. -- Are you having a hard time focusing your eyes? Do you have faint red spots all over your body? Is there a ringing in your ears and do you see wavy lines when you look at your television set? Do your hands shake when you try to hold a cup of coffee? And have you recently been forgetting what day of the week it is - or what year? [MORE] Make My Day FOR BETTER OR WORSE ... A LOT WORSE by Erik Deckers INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. -- "Marriage: It's Only Going to Get Worse." [MORE] Constance YOU CALL THESE RIGHTS? by Constance Daley ST. SIMONS ISLAND, Ga. -- When you express an opinion you hope to persuade others to your point of view. It doesn't always happen but still, opinion writers try. [MORE] Momentum THE BRIDGE WOMAN by Joyce Marcel DUMMERSTON, Vt. - Out there in America - yes, still - is a generation of women who were born in the 1940s, raised in the 1950s, and who came to radical consciousness in the late 1960s and early 1970s. I am one of them. Hillary Clinton is one of them. [MORE] On Native Ground OBAMA AND MY GENERATION by Randolph T. Holhut DUMMERSTON, Vt. -- I originally planned on voting for Dennis Kucinich in the Vermont Primary on March 4. [MORE] The Willies: WARNING: THIS MEDICATION MAY MURDER YOUR FRIENDS by Joe Shea BRADENTON, Fla. -- You've heard the warnings, haven't you? Stop Prozac and you may take a shotgun, an Uzi or an AK-47 and mow down your family and friends, or even a whole classroom full of your fellow students. You didn't? Well, that warning is not on the bottle, but like countless mass-murder incidents before it, Friday's shootings at Northern Illinois University, as well as the Virginia Tech shootings that killed 32 last year, was probably precipitated by the effect of stopping medications that suppress anger and other powerful emotions but do not relieve the underlying cause. Isn't it time we started warning people - or stopped prescribing these medicines? [MORE] One Woman's World DON'T KNOCK ON MY DOOR by Elizabeth T. Andrews CARTERSVILLE, Ga. -- I wish I could feel delight in my poet's mansion being like Grand Central Station all the time, but I can't. And I wish my place was such a place that someone would one day write: "Her door was always open and she always made you feel all fuzzy and warm in her presence. She could make a cup of coffee seem like a banquet." [MORE] Reporting: Panama PANAMA'S VIOLENT LABOR UNREST INTENSIFIES Mark Scheinbaum PANAMA CITY, Panama, Feb, 15, 2008 -- After just one day of relative calm, wildcat construction strikes by some members of Panama's largest union flared up again Friday morning, four days after a police sniper shot one worker. More than 140 demonstrators have been injured and at least 500 arrested, authorities say. [MORE] Brasch Words TO STIMULATE ECONOMY, BUY A CHINESE-MADE U.S. FLAG by Walter Brasch BLOOMSBURG, Pa. -- Walking down Main Street, pushing a grocery cart loaded with clothes, toys, and appliances was Marshbaum. Fastened to the right front corner of the cart was an American flag tied onto a three-foot ruler. [MORE] Make My Day THE TOOTH, AND NOTHING BUT THE TOOTH by Erik Deckers INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. -- To commemorate the death of noted shark exploder Roy Scheider, and the "Jaws" movies that resulted in Erik never setting foot in the ocean again, we are reprinting this column from 2003. Shark Experts 0, Sharks 1 [MORE] Momentum THE WINTER OF MY DISCONTENT by Joyce Marcel DUMMERSTON, Vt. - As I write this, it's raining ice. Maybe a half a foot of snow and ice has already landed up here in the woods of Dummerston. Our cars are encased in it, and the door to the house is blocked. The satellite dish that brings in our Internet service quit about 20 minutes ago - frozen solid. [MORE] The Willies AMERICA TO HILLARY: GET OUT! by Joe Shea BRADENTON, Fla., Feb. 13, 2008 -- Sen. Hillary Clinton has adopted the Rudy Giuliani strategy, and it's working - for Sen. Barack Obama. It turns out to be the strategy all Democrats are seeking - an exit strategy. But it's not for Iraq. It's for her exit from the race for the 2008 Democratic Presidential nomination. [MORE] Constance CONFESSIONS OF A DISAPPOINTED VOTER by Constance Daley ST. SIMONS ISLAND, Ga. -- A week ago at just about this time, I completed an article and was about to submit it as scheduled to The American Reporter. I was feeling rather elated, ready to show up on Super Tuesday morning, firmly touch the X next to Rudy Giuliani's name and get on with my day. He was my choice; he would get my vote. [MORE] Reporting: Florida SIERRA CLUB SET TO SUSPEND FLA. CHAPTER by Joe Shea BRADENTON, Fla., Feb. 10, 2008 -- The national Sierra Club is set to suspend its Florida chapter after years of divisive infighting, the president of the national club told Florida members in a letter delivered to some this weekend. It is the first time in its 116-year history that such a step has been considered by the club, according to news reports. [MORE] One Woman's World PLANT A NEW WORLD THIS SPRING by Elizabeth T. Andrews CARTERSVILLE, Ga. -- For a little while, the men will just have to toss and turn in their fear-free-women beds. For a small space of time Hillary Clinton will just have to trudge on toward the White House without my faint applause in the background. [MORE] On Native Ground VERMONT AND THE 5 STAGES OF CONSERVATIVE GRIEF by Randolph T. Holhut DUMMERSTON, Vt. -- First, Vermont tried to convince the nation to impeach President Bush and Vice President Cheney. [MORE] Make My Day REBEL WITHOUT A TONGUE by Erik Deckers INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. -- Kids' brains work in amazing ways. At times, they can grasp complex concepts and make impressive discoveries. Other times, you have to wonder how we ever survived as a species. [MORE] The Willies FOR DEMOCRATS, NOW IT'S ABOUT RACE, INCOME AND GENDER by Joe Shea BRADENTON, Feb. 6, 2008 -- It's not a good time to be a Democrat. As the Super Tuesday results demonstrated, the presidential race between Sens. Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton has divided the partly along clear racial, income and gender lines - the very distinctions the party has sought to erase in principle but has emphasized in its pursuit of diversity. [MORE] Momentum SUPER TUESDAY BLUES by Joyce Marcel DUMMERSTON, Vt. -- Super Tuesday has come and gone and I still can't get excited about the upcoming presidential elections. [MORE] The Willies ON THE BRINK OF HISTORY, YOUR PUSH IS NEEDED by Joe Shea BRADENTON, Fla., Feb. 5. 2008 -- I'm expecting a sea change tonight. I believe that for the first time in this nation's history we will once and forever banish racism as the deciding factor in the destiny of African-Americans, and indeed adopt diversity as our path to the future. [MORE] Campaign 2008 AT 88, EVERY VOTE REALLY COUNTS by Ted Manna DENVER, Feb. 5, 2008 -- Pearl Turner will caucus for Mitt Romney tonight in Denver. [MORE] One Woman's World STAND BY YOUR WOMAN by Elizabeth T. Andrews CARTERSVILLE, Ga. -- The black vote. The gay vote. The fundamentalist vote. The Hispanic vote. [MORE] An AR Special SUSPECTS IN BENAZIR ASSASSINATION HAVE TIES TO MUSHARRAF by Ahmar Mustikhan WASHINGTON, D.C. -- When Gordon Brown this past Monday feted coup-leader-turned-President Pervez Musharraf at 10 Downing Street, Britain's new prime minister probably didn't ask the Pakistani dictator a question that is now on many minds: Did you order the murder of Benazir Bhutto? [MORE] Momentum TO THE VERMONT DELEGATION: WHAT HAVE YOU DONE FOR US LATELY? by Joyce Marcel DUMMERSTON, Vt. Back when President George W. Bush and Dick Vice President Dick Cheney were building up to their loathsome war in Iraq, very few people were brave enough to call the bullies' bluff. [MORE] On Native Ground IF BUSH HAS HIS WAY, WE'LL NEVER LEAVE IRAQ by Randolph T. Holhut DUMMERSTON, Vt. - In his final State of the Union address on Jan. 28, President Bush cautioned against accelerating U.S. troop withdrawals from Iraq, saying that it would endanger the process that has been made over the past year. [MORE] Campaign 2008 CLASH OF COMMENTS AND PROTESTORS AT CLINTON, OBAMA RALLIES IN DENVER by Ted Manna DENVER, Feb. 1, 2008 -- At least four presidential campaigns of both partiers rolled into in Denver this week ahead of the Feb. 5 "Super Tuesday" primaries in 22 states, but it was the Democratic presidential contenders who drew the big crowds and duked it out Wednesday. If sheer numbers are any indication, Sen. Barack Obama - preceded by a buoyant and beautiful Caroline Kennedy - won the round handily. He is the overwhelming favorite to win the Colorado primary next Tuesday. [MORE] The Willies WHY THE FLORIDA PRIMARY STINKS by Joe Shea BRADENTON, Fla., Jan. 30, 2008 -- I was with my wife and daughter driving the back way from Miami home to Bradenton when we stopped at a McDonald's in Clewiston, the only big town along the vast shore of Lake Okeechobee, the state's precious freshwater reservoir. The McDonald's had three televisions at a central seating area, each tuned to a different network, and our table was in front of CNN as the very first election results started to pour in around 7:30PM. With them, almost as counterpoint, suddenly came such an overwhelming odor of cow plop that my wife started to throw up as we all ran to the parking lot. [MORE] Passings: Suharto DEATH OF A KEMUSU THUG by Andreas Harsono JAKARTA - A few minutes after hearing that former president Suharto had died in his hospital bed, Marco, a militia leader in downtown Jakarta, raced to Suhartos house, wearing his jungle camouflage and began guarding the Suhartos residence on Cendana Street. [MORE] Constance I REMEMBER YOU by Constance Daley ST. SIMONS ISLAND, Ga.. -- It seems to be more often lately that the sentiment is spoken but it's always been out there: "You never get over the death of your child." This is true. But the heartfelt expressions come from some who cannot fathom the notion of losing a child; their own child is who is in their mind, not another mother's child. [MORE] South Korean President Park Geun-hye pledged on Tuesday further "strong" measures against North Korea, after suspending operations at a jointly run industrial park as punishment for the North's recent long-range rocket launch and nuclear test. North Korea's recent actions, and threats to conduct more "extreme acts of provocation," demonstrate that it has no interest in peace, Park said in a speech to parliament. She warned that rival North Korea faces collapse if it doesn't abandon its nuclear bomb program, an unusually strong broadside that will likely infuriate Pyongyang. "The suspension of the Kaesong industrial zone is only the start of a series of actions we will be taking together with the international community," she said. "The government will take strong and effective measures for the North to come to the bone-numbing realization that nuclear development will not help its survival but rather it will only speed up the collapse of the regime," she said. Without elaborating, Park said the North has diverted much of the Seoul payments to North Korean workers at the factory park to the Pyongyang leadership, which is in charge of nuclear and missile development. She also said the South has sent more than $3 billion in government and civilian aid to the North since mid-1990s. Much of the aid was made when South Korea was governed by back-to-back liberal governments seeking rapprochement with North Korea from 1998 to 2003, according to her office. Park said South Korea must not provide few-strings-attached large-scale aid to North Korea "like in the past." She called for support for her government amid a divide in South Korea about its tough response to North Korea. "Aiming the point of a sword back to us and splitting us up are something that must not take place," she said. South Korea's main liberal opposition party has criticized the government's decision to suspend operations at Kaesong, saying the measure will hurt only South Korean businessmen and deepen tensions with North Korea. Liberal lawmakers also said the Kaesong shutdown is not effective because North Korea maintains economic ties with China and Russia. South Korea suspended the operation of the Kaesong industrial zone last week, which had been run jointly with the North for more than a decade and was a key source of hard currency for the impoverished North, as punishment for Pyongyang's rocket launch on Feb. 7. North Korea responded by expelling all South Koreans from the industrial zone, and called the Souths move to suspend operations an act of war. Seoul and the United States said the launch was in fact a test of a long-range missile that violated U.N. Security Council resolutions. The North said the launch was part of its scientific program designed to launch satellites into space. Washington and Seoul are seeking support from Beijing, Pyongyang's main ally, for tougher sanctions against North Korea for the rocket launch and January's nuclear test. South Korea is on heightened alert for any kind of "extreme actions" Pyongyang might take, Park said, asking for bipartisan support. She also warned against using the increased tension for political purposes, "which would be exactly what the North would want to see." It is unusual for a top South Korean official to publicly touch upon such a government collapse in North Korea because of worries about how sensitive North Korea is to talk of its authoritarian government losing power. Pyongyang has long accused Washington and Seoul of agitating for its collapse. Park's speech contained harsh language, describing North Korea as "merciless" and under an "extreme reign of terror" following recent purges of top officials that outside analysts say were aimed at bolstering leader Kim Jong Un's grip on power. Park also referred to Kim by his name several times when she criticized his government, something many Seoul leaders have avoided in the hopes of improved ties with Pyongyang. Park's comments are likely to anger North Korea as they were made as the country marks the birthday of late dictator Kim Jong Il, the father of Kim Jong Un. Wire services Melissa R. said she worked as a lookout for drug dealers in exchange for heroin. Brad Larrison for Al Jazeera America Though she didnt sell drugs, Melissa R., 43, said she worked as a lookout for dealers sitting in a window keeping an eye out for police. In exchange, you get drugs, she said about 10 bags per shift, which she could shoot while she worked. She estimated that three-quarters of drug dealers she interacted with were addicts as well. John, 30, from Deptford, a South Jersey suburb of Philadelphia, says he sold everything under the sun mostly pills. I used to flip buy them wholesale for cheap and sell them for a lot more, and I would be able to make enough to do heroin. It was a lot of work. Using and selling drugs also went hand in hand for Louis Marsico, 38, from South Philly. I was addicted to the lifestyle first, trying to make fast money, he said. When I started bad on opiate pills, I was basically just [selling] to support my habit. Both his parents were heroin addicts, he said, and he began selling marijuana in South Philly when he was 18 or 19. But it wasnt until he was shot during an attempted robbery after a dice game and prescribed Percocet as a painkiller that his drug problems snowballed. I might have took some Xannies [Xanax] here or there, but once I got shot and introduced to Percocets, I basically loved them, he said. I liked them so much, I was taking them more than prescribed. The Percocet led to methadone pills, which Marsico took so he didnt have to spend as much to get high. Outside the methadone clinics where he received treatment, he also sold prescription pills like Xanax and Klonopin that he bought wholesale by the thousand. But that just barely paid my rent, he said. I never really saved nothing between all my habits. Quinones emphasized that every addict is a potential dealer and not necessarily just a small-time street peddler. I know lots of addicts dealing fairly large amounts and regularly, he said. Right off the bat, I can think of five right now for whom their habit led them to dealing and from dealing to major dealing. And they would never had done any of that had they not been addicts, but theyre definitely traffickers by then. He said that he understands the tendency for politicians to want to go after the street dealers and drug traffickers but that the complexities of the drug epidemic do not lend themselves to easy political prescriptions. Remember, almost every heroin or opiate addict in America today started with pills, he said. Its easy to point to the guy lurking in the back alley, the guy working out of some bar selling dope But this is a whole another story and involving people we all trust and substances too that we trust or trusted substances with pharmaceutical marks on them, not some scuzzy thing that looks like rat feces. In North Philadelphia, Capt. Michael Cram of the heroin-plagued 25th District said his department made over 2,000 narcotic arrests in 2015, the majority of them users. But he disputes that there is significant overlap between addicts and dealers. Im not saying it doesnt happen. They might let users sell because they dont have the money, and then theyll take part of the stash. Say theres 15 bags in a bundle and you sell a bundle maybe you can keep two, he said. But for the most part, thats not the way most of these drug lords operate. These are big-time drug corners, he continued. Theyre not going to let addicts run their business You dont put junkies out on the corner. But Ricardo says that as long as you know the right people and can turn the money good whether or not you have a habit you can sell drugs. Put it this way, he said. The people that got money, they dont want to get locked up, so they use people that get high to sell the drugs. Former United Nations Secretary General Boutros Boutros-Ghali, whose term was marked by war in the former Yugoslavia and famine and genocide in Africa, has died, the president of the Security Council said on Tuesday. He was 93. The 15-member Security Council observed a minute's silence after the death was announced by Venezuelan U.N. Ambassador Rafael Dario Ramirez Carreno, the head of the Security Council for February. No details were given. An Egyptian, Boutros-Ghali served as U.N. chief from 1992 to 1996. The organization's first secretary-general from Africa, he associated himself with the famine in Somalia and organized the first massive U.N. relief operation there. But success eluded him there and elsewhere as the U.N. tottered in an increasingly disorderly postcommunist world, with the world body and the big Security Council powers underestimating the deep animosity behind many conflicts. He had a reputation for being prickly, and U.S. displeasure with him was the driving force in his departure. Earlier, Boutros-Ghali had worked for Egyptian presidents Anwar Sadat and Hosni Mubarak. He accompanied Sadat on the historic 1977 visit to Jerusalem and played a prominent role in the subsequent Camp David accords on the Middle East. He was criticized for the U.N.'s failure to act during the 1994 Rwandan genocide and for not pushing hard enough for U.N. intervention to end Angola's civil war in the 1990s, which was at the time one of the longest-running conflicts in the world. Boutros-Ghali found himself jeered in Sarajevo, Mogadishu and Addis Ababa. His style was to wade into crowds and confront protesters when security guards permitted. I am used to fundamentalists in Egypt arguing with me, he told Reuters. He shocked many in Sarajevo when he said that he was not trying to belittle the horrors in Bosnia but that there were other countries where the total dead was greater than here. He told Somali warlords and clan leaders to stop accusing the United Nations and him of colonialism, adding that Somalis should be worried that former colonial powers would ignore their plight if they continued to fight. The Cold War is finished, he said. Nobody is interested in the poor countries in Africa or anywhere in the world. They can easily forget Somalia in 24 hours. Reuters France's Parliament on Tuesday overwhelmingly approved a three-month extension of its state of emergency imposed after deadly attacks around Paris in November, even as rights groups said it undermines fundamental freedoms. Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve argued in the National Assembly that the threat of new violence remains very high after the attacks by the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), which killed 130 people. The state of emergency expands police powers to carry out arrests and searches and allows authorities to restrict movement of persons and vehicles at specific times and places. The lower house of Parliament approved the extension by a vote of 212-31. It had already been approved by the Senate, and now will remain in effect until May 26. The decision comes despite rights groups saying the state of emergency undermines fundamental freedoms. Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International published separate research at the beginning of February, pointing to cases where excessive force had been used in raids, leading to human rights violations including violence. Wire services The bombing of two schools and five hospitals in Syria allegedly by Russian warplanes has been slammed as a war crime, as the ongoing bloodshed diminished hopes for a cease-fire in the conflict. Up to 50 civilians, including children, died when missiles hit at least five medical buildings and two schools in the Aleppo and Idlib provinces on Monday. U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said the raids violated international law and cast a shadow over efforts to end Syria's five-year civil war. He did not say who was responsible for the attacks but groups monitoring the conflict suspected the strikes were carried out by Russia, an ally of the Syrian regime. Russias Health Minister Veronika Skvortsova denied Moscow was responsible, saying its military had targeted Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) infrastructure and that she had no reason to believe it had bombed civilians. We are confident that [there is] no way it could be done by our defense forces. This contradicts our ideology, she said. French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault said attacks on health facilities in Syria by the regime or its supporters were unacceptable and must stop immediately. Turkey on Monday separately accused Russia of an obvious war crime and warned that there would be consequences if Russia did not immediately end such attacks. Syria's ambassador to Moscow, Riad Haddad, said the hospital was targeted by a U.S. raid. American warplanes destroyed it. Russian warplanes had nothing to do with any of it. The information that has been gathered will completely back that up, he told Russian state television channel Rossiya 24. The U.S., which, like the U.N., did not specify who carried out the strikes, said two civilian hospitals were hit in northern Syria: one run by medical charity Doctors Without Borders and another in rebel-held Azaz. That the Assad regime and its supporters would continue these attacks casts doubt on Russia's willingness and/or ability to help bring to a stop the continued brutality of the Assad regime against its own people, the U.S. State Department said. Syrian President Bashar Assad warned Turkey and Saudi Arabia that any ground invasion of Syria would have global repercussions and said sending in troops would not be a picnic. Commenting on an agreement brokered last week by the U.S., Russia and other world powers for a temporary cessation of hostilities, he said, Cease-fires occur between armies and states but never between a state and terrorists. They say that they want a cease-fire within a week. All right, who will talk to a terrorist organization if it refuses to cease-fire? Who will punish it? Assad's comments were his first since the agreement on Friday to bring about a pause in fighting within a week. Earlier this month, Saudi Arabia and the UAE said they were prepared to send ground troops to Syria to fight ISIL if a U.S.-led coalition targeting the group with airstrikes agreed to the offer. Russia warned that if foreign troops entered the country, it could lead to a world war. Al Jazeera and wire services Barring other major announcements, the restart of commercial flights will be the most significant development in U.S.-Cuba trade since Presidents Barack Obama and Raul Castro announced in late 2014 that they would begin normalizing ties after a half-century of Cold War opposition. The Obama administration is eager to make rapid progress on building trade and diplomatic ties with Cuba before the president leaves office. The coming weeks are seen as particularly crucial to building momentum ahead of a trip he hopes to make to Havana by the end of March. Today is a historic day in the relationship between Cuba and the U.S., U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx said after he and Transportation Minister Adel Yzquierdo Rodriguez signed the deal in a ceremony at Havana's Hotel Nacional. It represents a critically important milestone in the U.S. effort to engage with Cuba. The U.S. Department of Transportation expects to award the new routes by the summer. The winning airlines then must negotiate their own deals with Cuba. Yzquierdo declined an interview request but Foxx said after meeting with the Cuban minister that he believed Cuba was eager to restore commercial air service as quickly as possible. Every indication I have in the conversations we've had today is that the Cubans want to move as fast as we're able to move, Foxx said. People will actually be able to go buy a ticket and fly to Cuba on a commercial airline. That's a pretty big step. We haven't been able to do that in 50 years. The agreement allows 20 regular daily U.S. flights to Havana, in addition to the current 10-15 charter flights a day. The rest would be to other Cuban cities. Nearly 160,000 U.S. leisure travelers flew to Cuba last year, along with hundreds of thousands of Cuban-Americans visiting family, mostly on expensive, frequently chaotic charter flights out of Florida. The adoption of this memorandum is an important step that will soon permit the establishment of regular flights between the United States and Cuba, Yzquierdo said at the signing ceremony. Commercial flights make travel to Cuba far easier for U.S. travelers, with features such as online booking and 24-hour customer service that are largely absent in the charter industry. U.S. visitors to Cuba will still have to qualify under one of the travel categories legally authorized by the U.S. government. Tourism is still barred by law, but the number of legal reasons to go to Cubafrom organizing professional meetings to distributing information to Cubanshas grown so large and loosely enforced that the distinction from tourism has blurred significantly. Commercial travel will give travelers the ability to simply check an online box on a long list of authorized categories. The deal does not contemplate flights by Cuba's national airline to the United States, where lawyers for families and businesses that have sued Havana over decades-old property confiscations are eager to freeze any of its assets that they can get their hands on. American Airlines spokesman Matt Miller said the company plans to bid on routes from its Miami hub, among others. We applaud the administration for making commercial air service a priority, American chairman Doug Parker said in a written statement. American looks forward to submitting a Cuba service proposal to the Department of Transportation in the coming weeks. United Airlines is also looking to serve Havana from some of its hubs, spokesman Luke Punzenberger said. The carrier's major hubs include Chicago, Houston, Washington and Newark, New Jersey. It currently does not fly charters to Cuba. Assuming service is approved, United customers will benefit from United's expanded global route network and new opportunities for leisure and business travel to Cuba, the airline said. JetBlue Airways said it was eager to offer service between multiple cities in the United States and the island, with spokesman Doug McGraw saying that interest in Cuba has reached levels not seen for a generation. The Associated Press FLUSHING, Mich. When a water crisis hit Flint in 2014, Terri Nelson and her husband, Dwayne Nelson, thought that they were safe. They had been living in Flushing, a community 10 miles outside Flint, for the past 22 years far enough, they thought, that they would never be affected by the citys switch in water source, from the Great Lakes to the Flint River, in 2014. Soon, as a result of the switch, Flint residents had to endure boil-water alerts and suffered skin rashes and lead problems, but the Nelsons never worried about it because their drinking water came from a separate source. Then, in the summer of 2015, Dwayne Nelson, 63, died suddenly. Though he had been receiving treatment for terminal lung cancer, his death certificate lists Legionella pneumonia as a factor in his death. The respiratory illness, commonly known as Legionnaires disease, is caused when waterborne bacteria are inhaled into the lungs. Dwayne Nelson's death has Terri Nelson questioning whether his contact with Flints contaminated water system cut his life short. He never went anywhere in Flint, Terri Nelson said. It wasnt until later that it dawned on her: He had been receiving treatment at a medical facility there. Flint and Flushing, where the Nelsons live, are both in Genesee County. America Tonight His death is now linked to an unprecedented outbreak of Legionnaires' disease in Genesee County. Reports from the state Health Department reveal at least 87 people were sickened in that same county during much of the same time that Flints water source was beginning to cause other health problems. According to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, 45 people in Genesee County became ill from June of 2014 to March of 2015, and five people died. From May 2015 to November 2015, 42 people became sick, and four people died. The countys health department cant confirm those illnesses were all tied to the water. But they cant rule out the possibility either. We didnt have the Flint water [running in our home], Terri Nelson said. And I just didnt expect it to ever be that bad." She said she didnt know about any other deaths caused by Legionnaires or outside Flint until this year. There needs to be someone accountable, she said. 'At what point does the public need to know?' Mark Valacak, the director of the Genesee County Health Department, said the county knew about the Legionnaires outbreak in late summer 2014, but since health officials could not link the outbreak to a specific source, they did not want to send out alerts to the public. What is the point of presenting information to the public ... where you dont have a connection of something that they can do? he asked. Weve got hundreds of communicable diseases that are reported. At what point does the public need to know? Though this type of Legionnaires outbreak is extremely rare in Genesee County its the first he has seen in his 30 years at the Health Department he said the county wanted to avoid speculation. Valacak said his department asked local hospitals to increase testing for Legionnaires and requested assistance from the Centers for Disease Control. We wanted, in the first year when we saw an increase in numbers, to bring in the CDC, but the state did not feel that it was necessary at that time, he said. The CDC spent three days in early February in Genesee County helping research the outbreak. A CDC representative said the agency will continue its public health support to the state and county. Heather Beach, a Flint mother of five boys, said one of her sons became ill last year; she believes it was caused by Legionnaire's disease. America Tonight Heather Beach, a mother of five boys in Flint, said she would have liked an immediate warning from the health officials even if the cause of the outbreak is still uncertain. Her son Konnor Reynolds, 11, became very ill last summer. Doctors diagnosed him with pneumonia. But she wondered whether he had Legionnaires disease. When the pediatrician tells you that your son is too sick to walk and that he has to be rushed by ambulance to the hospital, its scary, you know, watching him lay there, almost die, Beach said, wiping tears from her eyes. She said she blames the illness on the regions water problems. Theres just too much in the same time frame to call it a coincidence, she said. Coincidence? Marc Edwards, the Virginia Tech water researcher whose extensive research in Flint revealed lead problems in the drinking water, said it seems likely that the Legionnaires outbreak in Genesee County is linked to the water problems in Flint. Its what we would expect based on experiments we did in 2014 and a paper we wrote. You would have predicted that this would have happened, he said. Edwards said Legionella bacteria thrive in dirty, warm pipes that lack chlorine. When the chlorine is gone and you have iron coming into the pipes, it is essentially Legionella food, he said. Its a nutrient. It will grow like crazy, and then, when youre in a shower and little droplets are in the air or you drink water and somehow a little bit of that water goes into your lungs this bacteria can go into your lungs and cause this infection. Edwards said the consequences for someone with a compromised immune system are much worse than for someone who is generally healthy. The Virginia Tech researchers found a lot of Legionella in big buildings in Flint when they took samples in 2014. It makes a very compelling case that this was related to the water, he said. Terri Nelson recently learned that McLaren Flint, the hospital where her husband received treatments, discovered low-level Legionella bacteria in the hospitals water supply in August 2014. As soon as this was identified, McLaren Flint immediately put measures into place that were successful in controlling the situation, a hospital representative wrote in a statement this year. It is important to note that no tests have ever determined that McLaren Flint is the source of exposure for any patients testing positive for the Legionella antigen, the statement continued. The statement wasnt enough for some patients. Michigan attorney Geoffrey Fieger has filed a $100 million lawsuit against the hospital and the state of Michigan on behalf of some families who were sickened or experienced a death as a result of the Legionnaires outbreak. I still think about it. About Me Andrew Mulenga Andrew Mulenga is a self-taught, freelance arts journalist whose main focus is documenting the contemporary art scene of his home country Zambia. He studied Art & Design at the Africa Literature Centre, Kitwe and began his career as a graphic designer and illustrator at Mission Press in Ndola. He later joined The Post Newspapers Ltd. in the same capacity working his way to an appointment as Deputy Editor of the Education Post while establishing himself as the publications resident art critic. He is the 2012 CNN Multi-choice African Journalist of the year for Art & Culture. In 2014 he received a Media Institute of Southern Africa award for arts journalism. He completed an MA Art History at Rhodes University on an Andrew Mellon scholarship in 2014. He is currently on an Art History and Visual Culture Scholarship for a PhD at the same university. Since 2012 his articles have been regularly adapted in the modules of the Zambian Open Universitys art curriculum. Through his writing as an emerging art historian his current ambition is to encourage Zambian artists to question the sociopolitical, cultural, historical, moral and aesthetic implications of the work they produce. View my complete profile A group of diverse but like-minded individuals, the members of ARC have come together in their common desire to fight hatred, bigotry, intolerance and violence because of the harm these antisocial behaviors cause to our society. In that effort, we will not use or sanction the use of illegal actions (such as violence or intimidation) in pursuit of our desired aims and if we learn of anyone who does use these unethical methods we will report those individuals to the authorities. Instead, we will use the guarantees found in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms that ensure freedom of legal speech and expression. Welcome Message The Appraiser Workshops blog was developed in 2008 to publish news connected with the personal property profession and to promote the Appraiser Workshops. Content includes appraisal ideas and tips, industry news and events, market trends and updates, surveys, educational opportunities and general commentary about personal property appraising. Visit often. Comments, news, suggestions and content contributions are always welcome. We have a two-year old flat TV. It's served our needs all these time since we are not voracious TV watchers except for the news channels and some TV shows and movies that are of interest. But with the advent of smart TVs and the convenience of going on the internet and watching TV on the same screen, the hubby was already wondering whether it was high time to get one. It seemed like a good way to Skype with relatives since we were doing this via laptop only and had to crowd around the tiny screen. Before we could decide to spend on a smart TV, I was able to test a Fukuda Smart Box which is a small device that is supposed to transform your non-smart TV into a smart TV. The smart box comes with the following specs: * OS: Android 4.4 KitKat * Processor: 1.8GHz Quad Core * Front camera: 2MP * Memory card slot: Up to 32GB * Bluetooth: Built-in 2.0 * Internal storage: 16GB * RAM: 2GB DDR3 * Has Miracast (lets 2 devices that have Wifi in them to talk to each other without goi Islam and Jefferson While that is true, there is another part of the Thomas Jefferson story that most Americans do not know. Our third president actually declared war on the Muslim pirates who were from the Barbary Coast of Tripoli, Tunis, Morocco, and Algiers. Before the Revolutionary War, American ships had been under the protection of England. Then the United States had to provide protection, but the Barbary pirates began to capture many of the ships. The United States (along with many European governments) began paying bribes to the Barbary States. When Thomas Jefferson became president, the Pasha of Tripoli sent a note demanding the immediate payment of $225,000 a year plus additional amounts in future years. That was enough. Jefferson told the Pasha what he could do with the demand. The Pasha cut down the flagpole in Algiers and declared war on America. The other Barbarian States also declared war. Congress and the president then responded by empowering American ships to seize all vessels and goods of the Pasha of Tripoli. Once the U.S. took action some of the other Barbary States backed down. But the war with Tripoli last four more years. This included a battle in 1805 when the Marines raised the American flag not far from the shores of Tripoli. That, of course, is the famous line in the anthem of the Marine Corps. The president told one story about Thomas Jefferson and Islam. You have now heard the other story often ignored. ---------------------- Kerby Anderson is a radio talk show host heard on numerous stations via the Point of View Network endorsed by Dr. Bill Smith, Editor, ARRA News Service Tags: Kerby Anderson, Viewpoints, Point of View, Islam, Thomas Jefferson, Barbary States To share or post to your site, click on "Post Link". Please mention / link to the ARRA News Service. and "Like" Facebook Page - Thanks! by Kerby Anderson, Contributing Author : Earlier this month when President Obama visited a mosque, he gave a message of religious tolerance and unity. He talked about how Islam has always been part of America. He even pointed out that: Thomas Jefferson wrote in the Virginia statute for religious freedom that the Mohammedan should have his faith protected in the United States.While that is true, there is another part of the Thomas Jefferson story that most Americans do not know. Our third president actually declared war on the Muslim pirates who were from the Barbary Coast of Tripoli, Tunis, Morocco, and Algiers.Before the Revolutionary War, American ships had been under the protection of England. Then the United States had to provide protection, but the Barbary pirates began to capture many of the ships. The United States (along with many European governments) began paying bribes to the Barbary States.When Thomas Jefferson became president, the Pasha of Tripoli sent a note demanding the immediate payment of $225,000 a year plus additional amounts in future years. That was enough. Jefferson told the Pasha what he could do with the demand. The Pasha cut down the flagpole in Algiers and declared war on America. The other Barbarian States also declared war.Congress and the president then responded by empowering American ships to seize all vessels and goods of the Pasha of Tripoli. Once the U.S. took action some of the other Barbary States backed down. But the war with Tripoli last four more years. This included a battle in 1805 when the Marines raised the American flag not far from the shores of Tripoli. That, of course, is the famous line in the anthem of the Marine Corps.The president told one story about Thomas Jefferson and Islam. You have now heard the other story often ignored.---------------------- Posted by Bill Smith at 9:30 AM - Post Link YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 16, ARMENPRESS. Turkeys actions in the region do not fit within any logic. Expert in Turkish studies Ruben Melkonyan expressed such an opinion in an interview with Armenpress. -Mr. Melkonyan, which are Turkeys current interests in Aleppo? Can they be regarded as a response to the announcement of US Department of State over Syrian Kurds? - Turkeys actions in the region do not fit within any logic. Turkish president takes steps that escalate already escalated situation in the Middle East. Besides, Turkeys actions are in contradiction with the military alliance, NATO, of which Turkey is a member. It creates rather serious problems for its strategic allies, particularly for the USA. By these steps Turkey leads to rapid and irreversible extreme escalation of the situation, pregnant with serious consequences for the region, including itself. Turkeys actions must be observed in the context of Erdogans personal ambitions. The opinion that Erdogans regional interests based on calculations are significantly in contradiction goes deeper today. Erdogan brought forward numerous small and major problems for his country. Some of those problems go beyond regional perceptions and are viewed as the start of extremely complicated global developments. -Do you find it possible that Turkey will launch ground operations? Or this is an attempt to win some more political dividends prior to the ceasefire declaration? -The option of ground operations is, lets say, 50% possible. It the Turkish authorities are guided by tactical calculations of the Turkish army and Command Staff, I think ground forces will not invade into Syria. It is clear that this will cause serious consequences. But if Erdogans adventurous approaches prevail, it is possible that an invasion will occur. This will further escalate the situation and will cause developments of other form. The developments in Syria, as well as Saudi Arabias and Turkeys announcements over the possibility of invading that country have been slammed by Russia and Iran. These announcements will turn into practical steps in case of military actions. -What are the possible threats that local Armenians will face in case Turkish troops invade Syria? -Turkish actions always kept Armenians under target in the context of major games. We witnessed how the Armenian community in Kessab became a target for Turkish militants and its allies. If Turkey wages large-scale operations in Syria, they will confidently target Armenians, Armenian heritage, and the Armenian presence in general. Even today, when Turkey bombs Aleppo from its territory, it can sometimes target some Armenian populated regions. This is one of Turkeys classical political methods. Anna Gziryan YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 16, ARMENPRESS: Turkish foreign ministry made a statement condemning the actions of the Russian air force in Syria. Armenpress reports that Ankara condemned Moscow for not abiding by the ceasefire agreement reached in Munich earlier and noted that Russia has continued military actions. We strongly condemn Russian attacks in Syria that can be considered war crimes according to the norms of international law. The Russian Federation aggravates Syrian civil war and regional instability by its actions. If Russia doesnt cease its actions and attacks immediately, it will inevitably face huge and serious problems, Turkish MFA statement reads. YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 16, ARMENPRESS. Syria has no alternative than win the war. Armenpress reports, President Bashar al-Assad of Syria announced about this, speaking in front of the members of the central Bar Association in Damascus. SANA informs that President al-Assad said We reached to the current situation when the Russian intervention started through the counter-terrorism front and reached what was supposed to be named Geneva 3, anticipated by Vienna statement and the two resolutions 2253 and 2254. On the proposal of cease-fire, the President said that when the west talks about cease-fire, The term cease-fire happens between armies and states, but it doesnt go between a state and terrorists, so this term is wrong, it might be a halt for operations, a halt for combatant acts cease-fire means actually the stop of terrorists boosting of their positions, it is not allowed to transport their weapons or munitions, it is not allowed to boost their positions, all of these things are unacceptable. The President affirmed that there are many questions now about who are terrorists, they talk about ISIS, al-Nusra, Ahrar al-Cham or Jaish al-Islam, saying As a state, anyone who bears weapon against the State and against the Syrian people is terrorist, and this is indisputable. President al-Assad went on to say when we discuss whether Turkey or Saudi Arabia will attack or not, this means that we give them a bigger volume, as they are two states that possess a decision or a will that can change the map; they are mere subordinates. Entering Syria and waging a war in Syria is seen within the international frame it is not a simple issue that Al Saud like to make a picnic in Syria and change everything in it so we should not be worried, but we have to not rule out stupidities, they are present. President al-Assad added that We must win anyway and we have got no other choices because we are right owners. If there is anyone who is waiting for this right to come back it wont, and if we have to restore it we should realize that the cost is so expensive and those who think that they will restore the right without paying the cost they should put in mind that this right is lostthe first defender of this right is the Syrian Arab Army and they pay the cost with their blood, he added. YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 16, ARMENPRESS. The initiative of Communist faction of the Russian State Duma to annul the 1921 Treaty of Friendship and Brotherhood signed between Turkey and Russia has caused a major resonance in Armenias social and political circles. Different opinions and comments are heard over the initiative. A part of analysts believe that this is just a means to pressure Turkey and nothing more should be expected, some other believe that the treaty can really be annulled, if Russia-Turkey relations intensify further, which cannot be ruled out. There is also an opinion that the annulment of the Treaty of Friendship and Brotherhood between Turkey and Russia can have dangerous consequences for Armenia, as in that case Turkey can speculate on Treaty of Alexandropol. In an interview with Armenpress First Secretary of the Communist Party of Armenia Central Committee Tachat Sargsyan, referring to the initiative of his Russian comrades, mentioned that their steps are not welcomed, as this will give Turkey an opportunity to reveal the shameful Treaty of Alexandropol, signed between the First Republic of Armenia and Kemalist Turkey in December, 1920. According to that treaty, Armenias territory would cover only 10 thousand square kilometers. Russian-Turkish Treaty of Friendship and Brotherhood was signed on March 16, 1921, between Kemalist Turkey and Soviet Russia. That treaty defined Armenias territory at 30 thousand square kilometers. The same borders were determined for Armenia according to the Treaty of Kars, which was signed also by the representatives of the government of Soviet Armenia. But during the negotiations on both Moscow and Kars treaties, Turkey insisted on implementation of the conditions set by the Treaty of Alexandropol. Great efforts were invested to deny Turkish demands. And now, if our Russian comrades have come with such a proposal, this means that now Turkey can bring forward the Treaty of Alexandropol. Hence, I do not hail this initiative for clear reasons, Tachat Sargsyan mentioned. National Assembly RPA faction member Khosrov Harutyunyan holds the opinion that the initiative of the Russian Communist Party was announced in a period when Russia-Turkey relations are strain. Hence, it pursues a specific goal. In the words of the MP, the main objective of the initiative is not to annul the treaty, but rather apply this possible threat of "the Sword of Damocles" in Russian-Turkish relations. To be honest, Russian political circles would never remember about that treaty, as it is quite vulnerable in terms of international right. If it still operates for some people, the only reason is that it was beneficial for them. I do not hold the opinion that, apart from the announcement, Russia will go deeper in that issue. I assume that this is merely another means to pressure Turkey, Khosrov Harutyunyan mentioned. He does not share the opinion of the First Secretary of the Communist Party of Armenia Central Committee that the annulment of the treaty will give Turkey an opportunity to bring forward the Treaty of Alexandropol. He noted that the Treaty of Alexandropol is not so valuable in legal-political terms as the treaties of Kars and Moscow. But, according to Harutyunyan, the most important point here is that the mentioned initiative cannot go so deep in any case. He added that it can have no significance in the context of Armenia-Turkey relations and we cannot shape our policies based on it. Expert of Turkish studies Ruben Safrsatyan also shares the opinion that the step of Russian Communists pursues a goal of pressuring Turkey, as well as aims to demonstrate the Russian public that Russian-Turkish relations can easily change. Safrastyan, on the other hand, does not rule out that the treaty may really be annulled. He considered the initiative as a positive one for Armenia. Members of Russias State Duma (lower house of parliament) Valery Rashkin and Sergei Obukhov (Communist Party faction) have sent a letter to the countrys leadership and the Foreign Ministry proposing to denounce the Moscow Treaty of Friendship and Brotherhood signed on March 16, 1921, by the government of Soviet Russia (RSFSR) and the Grand National Assembly of Turkey. We should consider a possibility of legal review of all Russian-Turkish agreements that are unfavorable for our country and its allies. Ankara must understand what the escalation of the conflict could be fraught with for it. Only this can bring it to earth and prevent it from carrying out new provocations," Obukhov told Izvestia. The initiative has been supported by the Just Russia faction. According to State Duma member Oleg Pakholkov, the Moscow treaty was signed to the detriment of Russias interests. Obukhov noted that "two of the three Transcaucasian republics - Georgia and Armenia - did not recognize the terms of the treaty considering it unfair. YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 16, ARMENPRESS. Ignoring the calls of the international community, on February 16 Turkish Armed Forces again fired at Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD) in Syria, Armenpress reports, Turkish Hurriyet informs. Syria had been attacked in the same way on February 13 and 14. Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu demanded PYD to withdraw its troops from the border. US Department of State has condemned the attacks carried out by Turkey. Spokesperson of U.S. Department of State John Kirby issued an announcement mentioning that the bombing of Kurds and government forces of Syria invoked concerns of the USA. We are concerned over the situation in the region North of Aleppo and make our efforts to de-escalate the situation, Kirby said, urging Turks and Kurds to direct their struggle against mutual enemy, terrorist organization called Islamic State. EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini also expressed concern in relation with the operations of the Turkish armed forces. She demanded to cease bombing Syrian territory effective immediately. YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 16, ARMENPRESS: Armenian PM Hovik Abrahamyan received the head of the Council of Europe (CoE) office in Armenia Natalia Vutova on February 16. As Armenpress was informed from the Press Office of the Armenian government, PM Abrahamyan assessed the cooperation between Armenia and the CoE as efficient and emphasized the support provided by the CoE to the democratic reforms in the country. Abrahamyan noted that Armenia is one of the active members of the CoE and takes part in the work of the organization on all levels. Prime-minister referred to the involvement of the Venice Commission in the Constitutional reform process in Armenia, particularly in terms of the expertise of the constitutional vision and of the proper text of the constitution. Ms. Vutova also noted the good cooperation between Armenian authorities and the CoE institutions and outlined the possibilities for further engagement. She spoke highly of the Armenian presidency in the Committee of ministers in 2013. Ms. Vutova said that the CoE office in Armenia has developed efficient cooperation with different Armenian state institutions and that the organization is ready to further assist Armenia in reforms. The interlocutors assessed Armenia/Council of Europe Action plans (2009-2010; 2012-2014; 2015-2018) as efficient tools of cooperation. PM Abrahamyan said that stakeholder Armenian institutions are contented with the results of 2012-2014 Action Plan and with the cooperation of the CoE office. He emphasized the importance of further cooperation in the prioritized areas. The sides have also discussed the Constitutional changes in Armenia that were approved by the referendum of December 6, 2015. Hovik Abrahamyan said that the parliamentary system of governance will contribute to the development of democracy. PM thinks that Armenian political system will become more open and flexible. Natalya Vutove, in turn, underscored that the CoE will continue to provide expert support to Armenia, particularly in the process of finalization of the legal framework prescribed by the constitutional changes. The issue of the new Electoral Code was also touched upon during the meeting. The interlocutors also exchanged views regarding cooperation in the framework of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 16, ARMENPRESS. The main goal of the Personal Data Protection Department of the staff of the Ministry of Justice is to guarantee the legal elaboration and protection of personal data of people. Shushan Doydoyan, Head of Personal Data Protection Department told about this in a press conference at Armenpress media hall. The agency does not take itself as a punitive body, though the law provides with serious tools such as authorization to initiate administrative proceedings. We see our function as more preventive. Our goal is, instead of waiting for a violation and then fine, work to prevent violations, Shushan Doydoyan said. Summing the works of the previous three months, she mentioned that the department provided over 300 private and public organizations with consultation for the protection of personal data. Shushan Doydoyan noted that 98% of the organizations they dealt with belong to the private sector. In the mentioned period significant activities have been implemented to study international experience. Today we see that cameras are installed near many restaurants, cafes, shops and other constructions, recording the surrounding. Those video surveillances are not regulated in any way with the exception of video surveillance by the traffic police, she said, bringing an example of an administrative proceeding initiated by them. According to the application, the citizen had been fined for improper parking, but the video record belonged not to Parking City Service, but was made by a camera installed in the vicinity for other purposes. The law clearly mentions that collection of personal data must be used for the reason it is collected for, Doydoyan said, illustrating that personal data collected for security reasons cannot be used, for example, for fining a citizen. Shushan Doydoyan added that people must be properly informed if cameras are installed at workplaces. Given that Congress has been unable to pass even modest changes to the Dodd-Frank Act, one may think lawmakers would be hesitant to consider revamping such a major creation of the 2010 law as the Financial Stability Oversight Council. But on the contrary, House Financial Services Chairman Jeb Hensarling has announced he will propose broad changes to Dodd-Frank this year, and since he, and many members of his committee, have expressed deep concerns with the FSOC, its reform will certainly be up for debate. Let's look at just how we arrived at the current FSOC. Even before a systemic regulator was proposed by President Obama as part of this big reform package unveiled in June 2009, an FSOC-like concept was under discussion. Both Federal Reserve Board Chairman Ben Bernanke and Sheila Bair, then chair of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp., had proposed systemic oversight powers ahead of Obama's plan, and the American Bankers Association supported the concept of a systemic regulator in March of that year. However, the ABA did not have in mind the type of entity that the FSOC ultimately became. Testifying before the House committee for ABA in July 2009, I supported a systemic oversight counsel, but I said it "should be focused and nimble." I said the council "should not be a large bureaucracy, but rather it should have a small staff" dedicated to the function of "searching for and identifying potential systemic problems." While ABA and others were advocating a small council with a narrow focus, the original Obama plan went further. It proposed a "Financial Services Oversight Council" consisting of eight agency heads, with a mandate to "facilitate information sharing and coordination, identify emerging issues, [and] advise the Federal Reserve on the identification of firms whose failure could pose a threat to financial stability." Note that the administration plan had the Fed, not the FSOC, designating "Tier 1" institutions that would be subject to stronger regulation. Once the administration opened up the membership of the council to an unwieldy list of agencies and broadened its scope, it should come as no surprise that Congress, doing what it does best, increased the council's size to a ridiculous 14 members (including 10 voting members), gave it even more powers (including designating "systemically important financial institutions"), and created a large staff to crunch data in the new Office of Financial Research. But since then, the council has demonstrated why that expansion was misguided. The FSOC should be downsized and focused on potential systemic problems, and not on other issues such as SIFI designations in other words, restored to the original concept ABA and others supported. The question which led to the FSOC's creation was basic: How could the government have failed to focus on and respond to the incredible growth of unsafe mortgages? The answer was there was no one focused on looking out across all sectors of the economy to see problems developing. Each agency, focused on its particular narrow part of the overall mortgage picture, missed the signs. The solution was, or should have been, to create a "focused and nimble agency" to identify such problems and advocate solutions. The FSOC, as currently designed, will not accomplish this critical mission. Given its structure and authorities, over time it will lose the needed focus. Its reports will become routine and largely ignored. In fact, its reports already receive little public attention. And it will become bogged down in the bureaucratic infighting that has already started. This loss of focus is what happens in poorly designed bureaucracies (including in the private sector). This is why we have the Flint water crisis and the debacle in the Department of Veterans Affairs. A small, focused FSOC would be much more effective on the critical function of identifying and heading off potential systemic disasters. What should a new FSOC look like? There are a number of options. For example, it could consist of the Treasury secretary, the heads of the Fed and Securities and Exchange Commission, and two public members. It should have a staff like the Office of Financial Research, but smaller and with a more focused mandate. What about the FSOC's current function of coordinating deliberations among regulators on systemic risk issues? That can revert to the Treasury's coordination council that existed before Dodd-Frank, which could bring in participants depending on the particular issue at hand. No one who has attended an FSOC meeting can argue that it is an effective coordinating body. And then the big question what about designating SIFIs? During the debate on Dodd-Frank, I argued on behalf of ABA against the concept of designating firms as systemically important. As we had predicted, designation is read by some as meaning the firms are really too big to fail, by others as a bullseye for onerous one-size-fits-all regulation and government mandates. The reform law broadened that bullseye by saying all bank holding companies with at least $50 billion in assets are automatically subject to SIFI-like regulation, reinforcing Dodd-Frank's faulty message that all banks above a certain size are suspect. Dodd-Frank's asset-size thresholds, which are part and parcel of the designation concept, are not surprisingly taking on a life beyond regulation, for example when Congress to pay for highways recently slashed the Federal Reserve dividend payments to banks above a minimum asset threshold. The designation and threshold concepts also have led to a lowest-common-denominator regulatory approach that fails to take into account great differences between institutions in their business models and riskiness. Incredibly, this approach actually penalizes less-risky institutions. Eliminating an arbitrary designation process would not mean that systemically risky firms would be less regulated. It would just mean that the various components of regulation extra capital and liquidity requirements, stress tests, etc. would be applied to companies based on their individual risk profiles, rather than what prefabricated basket they are thrown into. The FSOC, as currently structured, is highly likely to fail to identify and address the next crisis. In the meantime, Dodd-Frank's approach to systemic regulation is calcifying much of our banking industry. Edward Yingling is senior counsel at Covington & Burling. Previously, he was president and CEO of the American Bankers Association. WASHINGTON Neel Kashkari shocked much of the financial world Tuesday by saying the Dodd-Frank Act was insufficient and that breaking up the big banks and turning them into public utilities may be the only way to end "too big to fail." In his first public speech as president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis, he said Congress and regulators need to consider a more radical approach to preventing future bailouts. His message was unusual enough because it came from a sitting head of a Fed regional bank, but it was all the more powerful because Kashkari is a former Goldman Sachs executive and chief architect of the Treasury Department's 2008 bailout program. "While significant progress has been made to strengthen our financial system, I believe the [Dodd-Frank] Act did not go far enough," Kashkari said. "I believe the biggest banks are still too big to fail and continue to pose a significant, ongoing risk to our economy." Kashkari credited Dodd-Frank with increasing capital requirements on banks and said that has reduced systemic risk. But he said some other key reforms, including resolution plans known as "living wills," are proceeding at a glacial pace and it is unclear if regulators would even use their new tools if they faced a future crisis. "Given the massive externalities on Main Street of large bank failures in terms of lost jobs, lost income and lost wealth, no rational policymaker would risk restructuring large firms and forcing losses on creditors and counterparties using the new tools in a risky environment, let alone in a crisis environment like we experienced in 2008," Kashkari said. "They will be forced to bail out failing institutionsas we were." Kashkari went on to suggest that regulators and Congress should consider breaking up the banks into "smaller, less connected, less important entities"; requiring banks to become public utilities by holding "so much capital that they virtually can't fail"; and "taxing leverage throughout the financial system." In a panel presentation right after his remarks, he clarified that he was not necessarily advocating for banks' breakups, but said that "it's one of the solutions" that should be considered. He also said that the Minneapolis Fed will be launching a far-ranging initiative "to consider transformational options and develop an actionable plan to end TBTF," including symposia, research efforts and cost-benefit examinations of different policy options. Kashkari, who ran an unsuccessful campaign for governor of California as a Republican in 2014, has staked out a political position with his comments that are more in line with the views of Wall Street hawks like Democratic Presidential candidate Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., who have repeatedly criticized regulators for not being fast or stringent enough in their oversight of the largest banks. But Kashkari's comments met skepticism from fellow panelists and former Fed members on the Brookings program. Don Kohn, former vice chairman of the Fed during the financial crisis, he was not convinced that post-crisis reforms had failed to adequately address "too big to fail." Kohn said such a judgment was likely impossible to make with certainty, especially given the incomplete status of the living wills process. "I certainly share Neel's objective of ending 'too big to fail' that is, allowing any large financial institution to fail with minimal damage on the financial system and the economy," Kohn said. "I don't know why [Dodd-Frank reforms] won't work." Former Minneapolis Fed President Gary Stern, meanwhile, similarly expressed skepticism of Kashkari's dour view of Dodd-Frank reforms, saying that calls for vastly expanded capital rules might be effective in some ways, but that other options available to regulators have hardly been considered. For example, requiring banks to have an independent chairman of the board, independent board members, or other measures to affect the makeup of banks' internal management structures could be more effective than inflexible external regulatory rules, Stern said. "I don't think [Kashkari's plan] takes advantage of other improvements we could make," Stern said. "In my experience, senior bankers are willing to push back or ignore regulatory pressure. They are less likely to do so when they're getting pressure from their boards of directors, and that's an avenue that has been underutilized to date." Kashkari said his decision to stake out such a hawkish position so early in his tenure was one of conscience. Since joining the Minneapolis Fed late last year and becoming president on Jan. 1, he has become increasingly convinced that systemic risk remains in place and that he should use his position as head of the regional Fed bank to advocate for more stringent reform. "If I'm not willing to stand up and share my concerns, then I wouldn't be doing by job," Kashkari said. The death of the intrepid Justice Antonin Scalia has shaken the political world. If his successors appointment cannot be delayed until the next presidency, its assured that an unassailable hard-left majority will control the Supreme Court. This will mean, conservatives warn, the end of significant Second Amendment rights, curtailment of many religious freedoms, and a consistent rubber-stamp for the progressive agenda. Unfortunately, the likelihood of replacing Scalia -- the courts pre-eminent legal mind -- with even a pale imitation is slim. For it to happen the Senate will have to exhibit fortitude and delay the confirmation of a successor. a Republican will have to win the presidency. the GOP will have to retain the Senate, and 24 GOP seats but only 10 Democrat ones are up for grabs. the Republican president in office will have to nominate someone not a wolf in constitutionalists clothing; the chances of this alone happening are likely less than 50 percent. The probability of all four of the above coming to pass isnt great. And, regardless, while we will fill the great Scalias position, well never fill his shoes. Yet perhaps the real solution to this problem lies with something Scalia himself said -- just last year. The real issue here is not whether Scalias successor will abide by the Constitution. Its whether we will. Consider: in a representative republic of 320 million people, were all now talking about how one appointment of one unelected lawyer can radically change the face of American law, rights, and freedoms. Anything wrong with this picture? This isnt to say that a civilizations fate being radically altered by one mans death and anothers ascendancy hasnt been humanitys norm. Autocracy has been humanitys norm. The king would pass on and people might lament, You mean Aylwin, that kid who drools on his cloak, is next in line? How shall we be ruled? But does this sound like a concern in a land of, by and for the people? The fact is that a government cannot be stable if one mans fancies and fortunes can have such a great impact on it and the wider society. Did the Founding Fathers -- who were most concerned about avoiding the aggregation of power by any one entity -- really devise such a flawed system? This brings us to Scalias comment, made in his dissenting opinion in the 2015 Obergefell v. Hodges (marriage) ruling. To wit: with each decision... unabashedly based not on law the Court moves one step closer to being reminded of [its] impotence, he warned his colleagues. To what was he referring? Obviously, the Court has neither army nor police to enforce its judgments; it is governments executive branch -- headed by the president on the federal level and governors in the states -- with the constitutional warrant to enforce law. And whatever executive branches dont enforce doesnt happen, period, no matter how much black-robed lawyers stamp their feet. But is this just a matter of might makes right? Arent we to be a nation of laws? For sure. A nation of laws, not lawyers. Laws -- not judicial decisions. There is a difference. Note that Scalia complained of decisions unabashedly based not on law, clearly drawing a distinction between decisions and laws. Conclusion? An executive branch upholding illegal decisions is, by definition, not safeguarding the rule of law. And an executive branch that defies ignores illegal court decisions is preserving the rule of law. Defies is crossed out above because that term can connote resistance to authority. But the Supreme Court is not the Supreme Being. What authority over all and sundry does it have? Some will now answer, Judicial supremacy! Lets examine that. The legislative branch has the power to make law because the Constitution grants it. The executive branch has the power to enforce law because the Constitution grants it. And the courts exercise judicial supremacy -- where its decisions constrain not just its own branch but the other two as well, making it not a co-equal branch but a super-legislature/uber-executive -- because ____________? The answer has nothing to do with the Constitution. Rather, the Supreme Court unilaterally declared the power in the 1803 Marbury v. Madison ruling. Thats right: Like an upstart seizing the reins in a palace coup, the Supreme Court assigned the Supreme Court its oligarchic power, all without the force of arms. Its a nice con if you can pull it off. This isnt how our system is meant to work. A governmental branch derives its power from the Constitution -- not from itself. And how dangerous is this usurpation? Founding Father Thomas Jefferson warned in 1819 that judicial supremacys acceptance would do nothing less than make our constitution a complete felo de se -- a suicide pact. He explained: For intending to establish three departments, co-ordinate and independent, that they might check and balance one another, it has given, according to this [judicial supremacy] opinion, to one of them alone, the right to prescribe rules for the government of the others, and to that one too, which is unelected by, and independent of the nation.... The constitution, on this hypothesis, is a mere thing of wax in the hands of the judiciary, which they may twist, and shape into any form they please. Abraham Lincoln, who ignored the Dred Scott decision, also agreed. As Princeton University professor Robert George put it while conducting a December interview with Senator Ted Cruz, Lincoln said that to treat unconstitutional court rulings as binding in all cases, no matter what, no matter how usurpative, no matter how anti-constitutional, would be for the American people -- and I quote now the Great Emancipator -- to resign their government into the hands of that eminent tribunal. Jefferson was even more pointed, writing in 1820 that judicial supremacy is a very dangerous doctrine indeed, and one which would place us under the despotism of an oligarchy. And so it has come to pass. Were now reduced to arguing about how the next appointed oligarch will shape us wax people. Satirist Jonathan Swift wrote, mocking the legal profession in Gullivers Travels, that it is a maxim among lawyers that whatever has been done before, may legally be done again no matter how preposterous. Just as bad, however, is when we abide by judicial supremacy again and again, simply because it has been done before. Part of what motivates this deference is ignorance and (bad) habit, and part is cowardice and political expediency. After all, hiding behind unconstitutional court rulings allows politicians to avoid making difficult decisions. When Ohio governor John Kasich said last June after Obergefell that faux marriage is the law of the land and well abide by it, he was essentially stating Hey, dont look at me. The Court did it! Of course, he also said that now its time to move on, which he was more than happy to do. He has got his political career to consider -- Constitution be damned. Any president, governor or legislator worth his salt would do his duty and tell usurpative judges to go pound sand. Some will say that this would set off a "constitutional crisis," but newsflash: were already experiencing a constitutional crisis. This occurs not when the Constitution is protected by bringing to heel those who trample it, but when that trampling is allowed to go unanswered. By the way, you know who else apparently questions judicial supremacy? Barack Obama. He has shown willingness to ignore the courts; in fact, he has been so dismissive that a federal appeals court actually ordered the administration in 2012 to submit a letter stating whether or not it recognized the judiciarys power. Of course, Obama will defy constitutional laws; in contrast, conservatives, being conservative (as in reluctant to take bold action), wont even ignore unconstitutional rulings. Its an old story. Liberal-controlled localities have been nullifying (ignoring) federal immigration and drug laws for decades. But conservatives consider nullification -- even in the defense of legitimate freedoms -- some kind of radical action, despite Jeffersons calling it the rightful remedy for all federal usurpation. And conservative justices tend to feel constrained by precedent, even the unconstitutional variety, yet dont expect any liberal Scalia replacement to bat an eye at overturning constitutional precedent that contradicts the leftist agenda. Is it any wonder conservatives never saw a cultural or political battle they couldnt lose? One might say conservatives fight by Queensbury rules while liberals operate no-holds-barred, but its not even that. Though conservatives are allowed to throw punches, they prefer to stand and block and be a punching bag -- while the liberals throw sand in their eyes and kick off their kneecaps. Calling the Court a threat to American democracy, Justice Scalia wrote in his Obergefell dissent, [I]t is not of special importance to me what the law says about marriage. It is of overwhelming importance, however, who it is that rules me. Todays decree says that my Ruler, and the Ruler of 320 million Americans coast-to-coast, is a majority of the nine lawyers on the Supreme Court. We wont talk the court out of its power-mad, usurpative bent. Only power negates power. Its time to stop acting like impotent fools and start showing the Court how impotent it really is. Contact Selwyn Duke, follow him on Twitter or log on to SelwynDuke.com Children often first become aware of politics through their parents and teachers talking about political events. For many people my own age, 62, the earliest vivid political memories are of the JFK assassination. I had just returned to my fifth grade classroom at St. Columba School after the lunch break, around 12:50 pm, Mrs. O'Hare, our teacher, arrived soon after, looking quite shaken. She told her class the President had been shot, then sat down at her desk and made no effort to start the afternoon's lessons. A few minutes later the intercom came on. Our principal announced that President Kennedy was dead, we should all pray for his soul and when finished with our prayer, school was dismissed for the day. A classmate named Linda Johnson was immediately teased by some classmates that she was the new President. Such kidding aside, most children in that elementary school knew their world had changed over lunch hour because our teachers were not behaving as normal. Over three decades later a friend who was in first grade at the time recounted his own memories of that weekend. He did not remember the events of the assassination itself but he vividly recalled how upset his parents had acted over the next several days. Most of all he remembered how when he was around his parents tried to pretend that nothing was wrong, which he knew was not true. Indeed, their pretending all was normal when it was not deepened his anxiety. He picked up that they were talking over his head and with a child's keen imagination pictured things that disturbed him more than the events themselves on the TV. I have to wonder. How many of the young people now migrating to Bernie Sanders' campaign have as their earliest political memories their own parents' profound discomfort as they tried to make sense of Bill Clinton's numerous infidelities, his perjury, his impeachment and Hillary's apparent toleration of being publicly humiliated by the Monica Lewinsky affair? In many homes this was discussed in language children might not understand, but they knew something was wrong with the President and his family. After all, how does a parent talk about DNA from semen stains on a dress and Bill Clinton's theory that oral sex isn't really adultery in front of one's children? As my friend reminded me with his memories of the weekend of JFK assassination, young children may not have the language skills to fully understand all the bare facts, but they are experts at picking up nuances of mood and emotion in adult discussions. It is also commonly acknowledged that the young can be hypersensitive to hypocrisy. It is only as people age that they become more likely to see hypocrisy as, in the phrase of the Duc de La Rochefocauld, the tribute that vice pays to virtue. In 1992 Hillary famously stated she was not the kind of woman to do a Tammy Wynette and stand by her man. For many younger Americans their memories of the Clintons have her doing exactly that. Since Bill is "after all, just a man," Hillary has made countless excuses for his bad behavior over the years. Indeed, in a career mostly arid of real accomplishment, Hillary has been singularly successful in using her contacts in government, the media and Hollywood to discredit, intimidate and even buy off Bill's many sexual conquests. Then, tone deaf as usual, Hillary acts like hers has been an ideal two-careerists-for-the-price-of-one modern marriage. Ask a few young people how thy feel about just such baby boomer marriages. After all, in many cases their own mothers weren't off curing cancer or solving world hunger when they parked their children in the care of strangers in order to pursue career ambitions. Such young people know first hand how uncomfortable it can be to have a parent treat one as a prop in her quest to maintain the I-have-it-all image. Many also sadly know what is like to be used as a wedge in ongoing sparring match between their parents. Its been oft said that Barack Obama has turned the United States into a banana republic through his autocratic style of governance, rejection of constitutional principles, and corruption. You will not get argument from me on that. But add to that indictment, at least as things presently stand, the most glaring evidence that he has wrecked the modern worlds first and greatest republic. That his likely successors on either the Democrat or Republican side will continue Americas slide into confused autocratic, corrupt, and authoritarian rule. History demonstrates that once caudillos come to power, their most likely successors are other caudillos. Obama is a caudillo. And so would be Clinton, Sanders, or Trump as president. It is easy to mock caudillos, whether they hail from Latin America (where the term originates) or other backwaters of the underdeveloped world. But on balance, this is the model that has dominated international governance since nationalist revolutions between the 18th and 20th Centuries superseded monarchal dynasties. Democracy and freedom, in all their connotations, are the exception to the rule in human history. Most of the time the dynastic model controlled with only rare breaks, e.g. some Greek city states and republican Rome. The political revolutions that began in Britain, its American colonies and France in the 18th Century mostly successfully rejected that model. But the revolutions that wracked Latin America in the early 19th Century diverged into authoritarianism, substituting for monarchal rule that of military strongmen who took the power and trappings of royalty, just not the titles (though in some cases like King Pedro of Brazil they did that too.) These Latin American republics substituted the idea of nationalism for that of divine right, but otherwise maintained the monarchal model, and as a mechanism of elite enrichment and control it worked quite well. That model spread without much difficulty to Asia and Africa in the 20th Century. Most nations today could be said to be under the rule of caudillos, whether their names are Castro, Erdogan, or Mugabe. That doesnt mean that the societies that these strongmen rule are desirable or prosperous, only that as a model of governance they pretend to be democratic, easily enrich elites, and are relatively simple to maintain. And this is true regardless of confessional orientation or even the absence of it. So the caudillo model fits well whether the government is dominated by Catholics, Muslims, or is secular. Obama grew up under such a government in Indonesia. He has basically has sought to displace the American constitutional model with the corrupt philo-Islamic authoritarianism of his stepfathers homeland. To a large extent he has succeeded, ignoring constitutional limitations on his power, attempting to dominate national politics and secure elections through a cult of personality, and favoring ethnicities, races and cohorts that that support his power base. He does this without regard to Enlightenment ideas like equality before the law, while muttering homilies about their importance and of promoting republican governance. All this might be marked down as an anomaly attributable to Obamas status as the first African-American president, fraught as that position is with the weight of history, and Obamas own unusual background. But the political climate dominating the U.S. today as represented by the leading candidates competing to succeed Obama, suggests that his attempt to be a transformative president is succeeding, as the country appears to be sliding into permanent caudillo status. The caudillo model is hard to displace once installed. Thats because superficially caudillos reject the general ideological framework of monarchal rule and outright dictatorship, and use the trappings and rhetoric of republicanism to maintain legitimacy and repress revolutionary fervor. Thus the international popularity of one-party rule and phony elections. Rome essentially slid into this model after Caesar overthrew the republic. From Augustus on Rome became a monarchy masquerading as republic. The Caesars maintained the trappings of republicanism, the Senate, consuls and magistrates while they actually ruled as absolute monarchs. It worked for half a millennium -- a millennium-and-a-half if you count Byzantium. Post-enlightenment caudillo rule has been about as successful in most of the globe. And America under Obama nicely fits this model. He rules as a virtual monarch, manipulating a vast bureaucratic regulatory state, while playing lip service to the other branches of government and republican principles, aided and abetted by what largely amounts to a government-controlled media. Among the best evidence that Obama has established caudillo rule is that leading candidates to succeed him (Hillary Clinton, Bernie Sanders, or Donald Trump) will likely follow this model, thus institutionalizing the caudillo in the U.S. Clinton would most closely adhere to the Obama method, a corrupt philo-Islamic regime that maintains power by manipulating the bureaucratic machine and favoring certain constituencies. Sanders would invoke a socialist model along the lines of the Castros or countless other social-democratic autocracies. And Trump would follow whatever his own narcissistic and idiosyncratic conception of governance turns out to be. But it will assuredly be autocratic and based on a cult of personality -- Peronism as implemented by plutocratic Manhattanite. The past two elections have proven Democrats are comfortable with this model, so electing a second caudillo is not a problem for that party. Trump, though, presents a conundrum for Republicans. His supporters assert that he is a revolutionary, the man who will overthrow the ingrained elitism and privilege of modern bureaucratic republican governance. But in fact he will only be a successor caudillo to one who has already largely overthrown republican rule. Trumps people are akin to supporters of Caesar -- enraptured by a man, and so intent on attacking a rich and corrupt Senate that they are willing to accept an autocrat in its place. Those Romans had a point, as do Trumps supporters. But making that point is not worth permanently sacrificing a real, albeit flawed republic, for one of the banana variety. Trumps supporters trump card is that they are so put out by Republicans and republicanism that if they dont have their way they wont vote for anyone else from that party in the national election, throwing it to a Democrat. But more and more there is the feeling that, in the words of one of those Democrats, what difference does it make? Under the three strikes law, your third felony puts you in prison for the rest of your life. Hillary Clinton has yet to be officially charged with a felony. However, with investigations by that charter member of the vast member of the vast right wing conspiracy, the FBI, already underway, the announcement by the State Department of an investigation into the activities of the Bill, Hillary and Chelsea Clinton Foundation during her tenure as secretary may be her third strike politically. As Chris Cillizza writes in the Washington Post: By my count, this latest State Department inquiry makes for three active investigations by the federal government that touch directly or indirectly on the 2016 Democratic presidential front-runner. 1. The newly revealed State inquiry into the Clinton Foundation and top Clinton aide Huma Abedin 2. The ongoing State inquiry into Clinton's private email server 3. The FBI investigation into Clinton's email server The FBI investigation has actually gone beyond the issue of classified material being stored on her private email server that was vulnerable to foreign hackers. It now extends, as outlets like the Blaze have reported issue of public corruption regarding the Clinton Foundation: The FBI is expanding its investigation into Hillary Clintons use of a private email server during her tenure as secretary of state, Fox News reported Monday morning. According to the report, the FBI is looking into the possibility that Clinton violated public corruption laws by allowing her work at the State Department to overlap with her work at the non-profit Clinton Foundation. The new probe is in addition to the ongoing investigation into whether or not Clinton knowingly communicated classified information through her non-secure email server. The agents are investigating the possible intersection of Clinton Foundation donations, the dispensation of State Department contracts and whether regular processes were followed, an anonymous FBI source told Fox News. This is an awful lot of smoke where there is supposed to be no fire as investigations into the opaque finances of the Clinton Foundation, which include huge foreign donations, examine possible public corruption involving quid pro quos involving foreign policy decisions and even Clinton staff and advisers feeding at public and private troughs simultaneously. As the Washington Post reports, the State Departments inspector general, a GOP plant according to Team Clinton, is looking at both public corruption involving the Clinton Foundation and the somewhat mysterious role of Clinton advisor and confidante, Huma Abedin: Investigators with the State Department issued a subpoena to the Bill, Hillary and Chelsea Clinton Foundation last fall seeking documents about the charitys projects that may have required approval from the federal government during Hillary Clintons term as secretary of state, according to people familiar with the subpoena and written correspondence about it. The subpoena also asked for records related to Huma Abedin, a longtime Clinton aide who for six months in 2012 was employed simultaneously by the State Department, the foundation, Clintons personal office, and a private consulting firm with ties to the Clintons. As for the mails, Clinton has maintained that she did not receive or send any material marked classified. She forgets that material is not classified because it is marked, but is rather marked because it is classified. She should have known from the content certain items were classified, and maybe she did. One Hillary email instructs an aide to remove any such headings and markings and send via unsecured means, such as by fax: Has the State Department released a smoking gun in the Hillary Clinton e-mail scandal? In a thread from June 2011, Hillary exchanges e-mails with Jake Sullivan, then her deputy chief of staff and now her campaign foreign-policy adviser, in which she impatiently waits for a set of talking points. When Sullivan tells her that the source is having trouble with the secure fax, Hillary then orders Sullivan to have the data stripped of its markings and sent through a non-secure channel. As for the Clinton Foundation, Investors Business Daily (IBD), for example, once pondered Hillary Clintons reluctance to designate the Nigerian terrorist organization, Boko Haram, which has since pledged allegiance to the Islamic state, as a terrorist group: Last May, we wondered why for two years on Hillary Clintons watch the State Department refused to designate a Nigerian Islamist group as a terrorist organization. This group has murdered thousands as it wages a real war on women. As Josh Rogin at the Daily Beast reports, the Clinton State Department refused to place Boko Haram on the list of foreign terrorist organizations in 2011 after the group bombed the United Nations headquarters in Abuja, Nigeria. Sen. David Vitter, R-La., sent a letter to Secretary of State John Kerry last week asking for all of Hillarys records relating to Boko Haram and her reluctance to designate it a foreign terrorist organization. Vitter also requested all of Hillarys communications with Gilbert Chagoury, a Nigerian construction tycoon who has donated millions to the Clinton Foundation. Vitter noted that Chagoury had a financial interest in the potential impact of designating Boko Haram a terrorist group As for Huma Abedin, her association with Hillary Clinton has proven personally profitable and but damaging to Americas national security interests. As IBD notes: Abedin made $135,000 a year as Clintons deputy, a period in which she is reported to have raked in as much as $355,000 from consulting contracts. Having a pipeline into the Clinton inner circle is invaluable to some. This reminds us of Johnny Chungs famous comparison of the Clinton White House to a subway turn style -- you had to put money in to gain entry Abedin also has some interesting family connections. Her father is said to be close with the Saudi governments Muslim World League, and her mother is said to be a member of the Muslim Sisterhood. World Trade Center bombing prosecutor Andrew McCarthy wrote in National Review: The ties of Ms. Abedins father, mother and brother to the Muslim Brotherhood are both specific and substantiated. The Muslim Brotherhood took power in Egypt with the Obama administrations approval after it had all but abandoned the government of Hosni Mubarak, a long-time ally and friend. It was while Abedin was advising Hillary that State dropped its long-standing policy of having no dealings with the Muslim Brotherhood. Hillary Clinton may indeed make political history, but not because of her gender. Multiple investigations are likely to result in a criminal referral, at least from the FBI, and even should she run the gauntlet through the nomination and election process, she may wind up being the first president to pardon herself. Daniel John Sobieski is a freelance writer whose pieces have appeared in Investors Business Daily, Human Events, Reason Magazine and the Chicago Sun-Times among other publications. President Obama has a pen, and he hasnt been afraid to use it. (His transformational writing instrument of choice is really a stubby, unsharpened pencil with a well-worn eraser, but thats another story.) Presidential candidate Trump, on the other hand, has a highlighter. Its grayish-blondish-orange. Its yuuuge. And its been drawing attention to things the establishment, Democrat-media complex, and even some conservatives would have preferred to remain out of the spotlight. Some of the topics Trumps highlighter has marked up: The impact of immigration and the birthright citizenship practice on our economy and society. Crime and heroin crossing our unprotected southern border. The link between Islam and terrorism. The effects of Muslim migration. Unfavorable international trade policies and treaties. Important questions relating to those topics, along with Trumps politically incorrect answers, have been forcibly interjected by his brazen highlighter into the national conversation and campaign coverage. But those questions are not real challenges, according to former George W. Bush speechwriter Michael Gerson, who writes that they are fake or wildly exaggerated challenges, and Trumps answers obnoxious solutions. While Obama was lauded for his audacity of hope, Trump is lampooned for his audacity to highlight. Trumps slogan, Make America Great Again, is ridiculed as lacking intellectual content instead of capturing an intelligent sentiment, like Hope. Hes been labeled a carnival barker, a clown, and an ape. But like the honey badger, Trump with his self-funded highlighter doesnt care. His highlighter has itself ignited into a sort of torch, blazing the way for the millions of Americans across the demographic spectrum to rise up, to be heard, and to vote. One would think that the GOP leadership and prominent conservative journalists would be waiting on the sidelines, ready to welcome these energized voters into its Big Tent. Instead, they seem to have intensified their efforts to shrink the tent by purging it of both Trump and his thousands of supporters. The writers at the conservative bulwark of National Review have been especially vicious, both in columns and tweets -- not just toward Trump, but against Trump voters, making it seem that the publication is no longer standing athwart history, yelling stop, but standing athwart the throng of Trump fans, yelling go away -- yet with words much less polite. Many of those truly nasty words published at conservative sites and Twitter have been compiled in alphabetical order by columnist and author Diana West in what she calls her work-in-process, titled The Big Conservative Dictionary of Donald Trump. Its ironic to see that many of these commentators on the right who routinely skewer political correctness are essentially wielding a similar sword of ridicule and banishment -- not only against Trump -- but anyone who dares say anything in support of his ideas. Their swipes also hit even popular conservative sites like Breitbart for publishing pieces either neutral or favorable toward Trump. Its also disconcerting to see the alignment of conservative journalists and Republican operatives with their supposed enemy, the Democrat-media complex, against this very large swath of voters. (Another revealing phenomenon we have Trumps highlighter to thank.) There are likely millions more Americans secretly cheering Trump on, peeking out from the crack in the door of the Trump Closet, afraid to come out for fear of, for example, being branded an intellectually and morally stunted Trumpkin. Or told that they are beyond shame and an embarrassment. Or are aligned with mouth breathing anti-Semites and white nationalists whove made Trump their dashboard saint. (Those are some of the non-X-rated labels.) At this point in the primaries, these serious writers would rather talk about conservatism and whether Trump is conservative -- seeming to take for granted that a very conservative candidate running on their brand of conservatism would win in the general election. Most of the issues, though, that animate the supporters of the party frontrunner relate not to conservatism, but to sovereignty. It is Trumps highlighted list of grievances with which his voting base has found resonance. Whether a President Trump can truly address them is another issue. Hes been criticized for his lack of political savvy and detailed explanations of the policies hed pursue as head of the Executive branch. Trump, though, has had years of experience as a successful executive in the private sector. His management style seems to be to work on it, not in it, and to give his hand-picked, talented team a wide berth in authority and responsibility to make his vision happen. Trumps style may rankle commentators trying to analyze his platform, but it resonates with many Americans: those whose hands have been tied with miles of red tape, whose spirit of innovation suffers under the weight of thousands of pages of regulations and rules, and whose common sense is continually insulted by nonsensical political correctness. For Trump to be called a carnival barker is not just a mockery of Trump -- its an affront to the concerned citizens who are inside the attraction that hes yelling for. They are not freaks. Theyre ordinary Americans across every demographic spectrum. They may not read the serious sorts of books of which NRO writer Kevin Williamson approves. Yet these Americans are the gears that make a prosperous and free nation turn, and even though most couldnt recite Russell Kirks list of conservative principles, they certainly live by many of those tenets every day in their homes and businesses. And finally, someone has come along, with a yuuuge highlighter thats bringing attention to: Them. Whether called the Silent Majority, the Forgotten Man, or the Country Class -- Trump is highlighting the very issues they believe are the most important in this election. Audaciously. YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 16, ARMENPRESS: The Special representative of the Secretary General of NATO in the South Caucasus and Central Asia James Appathurai had meetings with the president and foreign minister of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and Elmar Mammadyarov in Baku. Armenpress reports citing APA, that Appathurai told the journalists that during the meetings they have discussed the situation around Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. NATO has a position in this issue. The situation on the Line of Contact is troubling. The situation is complex. The North Atlantic Alliance thinks that the sides should work towards the peaceful settlement. This is our official position: we support the Minsk Group and the settlement of the conflict based on the principle of consensus, Appathurai said. He also reminded that NATO doesnt play an immediate role in the settlement of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. While political pundits ponder the reasons for presidential candidate Bernie Sanderss success with his socialist message among younger voters, they might also consider the power of myth as evidenced by human behavior. Historian Joseph Campbells reflections on the topic aired on PBS in the mid-1980s and were later published in 1988 under the title The Power of Myth. Campbell documented and analyzed recurring basic themes embedded in the folklore and mythology of most every culture...good vs. evil, underdog hero, in-group vs. the outsider, trickster vs. honesty. In the current contest for the Democratic nomination, two geriatric contenders seek the youth demographic the millennials. Mr. Sanders is seen as winning those votes. Why? A historical event from the Middle Ages in a small German village provides an analogy and modern-day parable. The original legend as retold by the brothers Grimm: the strange sound of piping wafted through the streets only the children heard it children of all sizes flocked at his heels to the sound of his strange piping he played his pipe even louder still and a great door creaked open In trooped the children behind the pied piper, and when the last child had gone into the darkness, the door creaked shut. After following the piper into the mountain, they were never seen again, according to the legend. A blind, a lame, and a deaf child, unable to partake in the pipers parade, are said to have been the only remaining children in that village of Hamelin. Mr. Sanders is piping the socialists seductive tune of free everything for almost everyone. This swan song also has a German origin in Karl Marx: From each according to his ability, to each according to his need. It is an especially beguiling siren song for youth now seeking rescue from economic circumstances seen as caused by their village elders unwillingness to pay the piper for past economic blunders. If it takes a village to raise a child, the kids must now feel betrayed by their village. Lets hope, as in the fable, some youths will remain deaf to this dead-end tune. History, not fable, documents the destructive nature of socialism and its unsustainability, as seen in the history of the USSR and of the National Socialism movement of Germany. The prototype for the other Democratic presidential contender, Ms. Clinton, might have been the queen of Egypt, Cleopatra, a powerful and shrewd female politician who ruled over a mighty empire. However, as the tally of political and legal misadventures accumulates daily for Ms. Clinton, her epithet is better rendered as the Queen of Denials. Charles G. Battig, M.S., M.D., Piedmont Chapter president, VA-Scientists and Engineers for Energy and Environment (VA-SEEE). His website is www.climateis.com. Socialist Bernie Sanders wants to take American backwards to the pre-Colonial times of the Pilgrims circa 1620, where Socialism failed miserably. Likewise, Democrats want to take America to its 21st-century progressive equivalent, the big-government nanny state. In fact, the Democrats' former reverential, almost cult-like treatment of Barack Obama a dubious figure obviously anti-American, ultra-constitutional, and pro-Islamic is reflective of the same blind devotion the purveyors of sharia law, the imams, expect of their followers. Although the method is different, the result is identical: the iron-fisted suppression of the individual's rights and freedoms in favor of the all-powerful State. That's why Democrats who bray about gender and racial inequity in America are silent as mice regarding the actual abuses of women in the Middle East, specifically Saudi Arabia. Today, a woman can't walk into Starbucks; rather, she must send a man in her stead. For example, a sign posted in English and Arabic, "Please no entry for ladies only send your driver to order thank you." This isn't Arthurian chivalry; it's sexual discrimination and overt repression. While out-of-touch Hillary would be untroubled by the Islamic restriction on driving (she hasn't driven since 1996), most Westerners would not agree to mandated male chaperons whenever in public, wearing the identity- and body-obscuring burka, being forbidden to interact with men not family relations, et cetera. Certainly, the strictures of "modern" Islam would give the upper-crust women of Downton Abbey pause. It gets worse. Islam goes so far as to dictate the procedure by which one cleans up after human excretion. The ancient practice of flowing water (via a hose) was updated just last year when Turkey issued a fatwa allowing Muslims to use toilet paper. Per the Daily Mail, "[t]he code also states that followers should not speak or read while on the toilet and should enter with their left foot and leave with their right, speaking a prayer." What does walking, reading, or prayer have to do with doing one's "business"? This isn't about honoring "tradition," spiritual mindfulness, or hygiene. It is about complete, crushing state control over human decision-making and behavior. For Islam, "religion" is simply the sham justification for totalitarianism. Paralleling Islamists with religion, Democrats/Socialists use government in the same way and for the same reason. Indeed, as like attracts like, is it any wonder the failed Obama administration desires cozy relationships with leftist dictators? Democrats' political mindset mirrors that of backward Islam in both intention and endgame. There are many reasons why Hillary Clinton should never be president of the United States, one Russian word may be the most important of all: kompromat. It means compromising information, and it has been a time-tested tool of Russian intelligence. Writing in Forbes, Paul Roderick Gregory explains how Hillarys open-access home-brew server has handed Vladimir Putin a treasure trove of kompromat even if it doesnt exist! Putins KGB training was in running agents, most recruited by kompromat (compromising information) that he had gathered, meaning that he would immediately have understood the possibilities. Putins FSB and military security experts would be told to scour the load of e-mails for operational information, names, addresses and dates. As kompromat specialists, they would look for personal Clinton material ranging from embarrassing to compromising. As a KGB agent who cut his teeth on kompromat, Putin would consider several options on how and when to use the Hillary file with maximum effect. If he preferred Hillarys Republican opponent in the general election, he could release enough incriminating information (that could not be traced back to the Kremlin, of course) to scuttle her candidacy. For those who believe Putin would not dare interfere with a U.S. election, consider his strange flirtation with Donald Trump. Putin, however, may prefer Hillary to give him a sitting U.S. president on whom he has a big stack of kompromat. If Putin rules out blackmail, the Kremlin could selectively leak damaging information to U.S. allies and enemies that would weaken the United States hand in world affairs throughout a Clinton presidency. Those who follow Kremlin propaganda understand that it is not necessary for Putin to have Clintons e-mails to cause serious damage to a Clinton presidency. All he needs is that many believe he has Hillarys e-mails. The Kremlin specializes in fabricating narratives (such as the U.S. intent to steal Siberia) that are false but may contain a small kernel of truth. Putins army of information technologists (propagandists) can release fabrications to its numerous clandestine sources throughout the world. Clinton might ignore or deny those narratives (which cannot be traced to the Kremlin), but the mere idea that Putin has her e-mails will lend the necessary credibility to the story. The Kremlin knows that repeated lies are eventually taken as truth, so that an unsourced narrative, repeated, will eventually become the truth. Who knows what Putins information technologists can cook up to blacken the presidency of Hillary Clinton? Hillary Clinton has laughed off the e-mail scandal as partisan or petty legalism. I hope that she and the American public understand the threat to national security her e-mails have caused. The national security threat increases if she is elected president. Donald Trump's supporters are relentless in their efforts to convince me (chairman) to rethink my Conservative Campaign Committee's endorsement of Ted Cruz. Trump supporters are angry at me and attempt to portray Cruz as the spawn of Satan. I have not responded in kind. I am not angry at my brother and sister patriots who support Trump, nor do I spend time trashing Trump. My focus is on explaining why Ted Cruz is the best hope for America. However, as we said in my youth, I understand where Trump supporters are coming from. Trump supporters are petrified of losing this presidential election. These patriots believe that Trump is the only Republican palatable enough to the masses to defeat the Democrat nominee. They are wrong. When touted boldly and confidently, articulated in commonsense, easy to understand terms, conservatism connects with the human spirit. We instinctively know that it is best for all. It is frustrating that many Americans (including my black family) live their lives on a foundation of conservative principles and values but vote for liberal Democrats. This is because spineless Republicans have allowed mainstream media Democrat operatives to portray conservatism as mean. Americans need a proud, fearless conservative to lead them to the light. In the '80s, Ronald Reagan made me, a black kid from the hood, proud to be an American. All I knew was that his words made me feel good about my country and my potential as an American. Ted Cruz is gifted with that same ability to spread the good news of conservatism, inspiring all Americans to be the best they can be. I understand the desperation, anger, and fear of my fellow patriots who support Trump their deep desire to stop Obama's madness and turn our country around. However, Trump is giving us signs that his presidency could be a mere half-measure. Wisdom tells us that "half-measures avail us nothing." For example: Along with other liberal comments, Trump defends Planned Parenthood. No matter how you slice it, folks, Planned Parenthood's attitude regarding innocent human life is evil straight from the pits of hell. Trump supporting PP scares me. Some think Trump is parroting liberal narratives to attract Democrat and independent voters in South Carolina. The last thing we need is GOP presidential contenders assisting Democrats and the MSM in furthering their lie-filled rhetoric. Trump's liberal tone could be the real Trump surfacing. I do not know. By the way, Cruz has promised that on his first day in the Oval Office, he will instruct the DOJ to investigate PP and prosecute any criminal activity. Trust me when I say this, folks: our government's cavalier attitude towards PP murdering and profiting from the sale of baby body parts carries a huge consequence, redefining who we are as a nation. May God have mercy on our souls. God bless Ted Cruz for understanding this crucial truth and courageously fighting PP's evil. Regarding Donald Trump, I encourage you to simply read and ponder his signs. Why risk trying to figure out Trump's motivates or real intentions or how he will behave in the White House? My gut tells me to go for the gold: a proven, trustworthy real conservative, Ted Cruz. The left is notorious for taking away rights guaranteed by the Constitution and creating rights that do not exist under it. Now leftists are giving President Obama a new right. As reported by Huffington Post, [f]ormer Secretary of State Hillary Clinton fiercely defended President Barack Obama's constitutional right to appoint a replacement for Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia. PoliticusUSA says, Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders slammed Republicans for their absurd denial of President Obama's basic constitutional right to replace the deceased Justice Scalia on the Supreme Court. The intended impact of the language is clear: denying Obama on his nomination to replace Justice Scalia is violating his constitutional right. The GOP is therefore against constitutional rights. That certainly markets the issue to the left and low-information voters better than the Senates having the constitutional check on Obamas power. Federalist Paper No. 76 addresses presidential appointments. It mentions no such right, but instead the power of appointment. It even calls appointments a duty, but combined with the approbation of the Senate, which the Constitution refers to as consent. Writes Federalist 76 author Alexander Hamilton, The possibility of rejection [of the nominee] would be a strong motive to care in proposing. The governing rights of kings were deemed divine. That notion was rejected in the creation of the American constitutional republic. Through the Constitution, the people granted power to government. Government has power. The people have rights. The Constitution created checks on government power to protect the rights of people. Thats the American formula. That concept is lost on Obama, Hillary, Bernie, and their cohorts in the liberal press. The fight over the replacement for the late Justice Scalia is indeed about protecting rights, but those of the people, not those concocted by the left for more unhinged government power. It is also a fight about protecting the rule of law over government. Obama has consistently demonstrated his contempt for that, and it is likely that an Obama nominee would fail in the judicial duty to properly adjudicate the law governing government, the Constitution. The death of Antonin Scalia has, as usual brought the absolute worst out in some liberals, whose professed love of humanity takes a curious turn when they reveal feelings of triumph and celebration at the death of a prominent conservative. In this case, far-left journalists gave a new definition to the word "rancid": Died in a ranch in Texas, God bless America Silvia Killingsworth (@silviakillings) February 13, 2016 when you go to harass women outside of planned parenthood tomorrow, be sure to hold your fetus poster at half-mast. out of respect. #Scalia david ehrlich (@davidehrlich) February 13, 2016 so if the news about Scalia is true, how long do we have to wait until we can openly not be sad about it? david ehrlich (@davidehrlich) February 13, 2016 Gloating over the death of anyone in 140 characters is fairly easy. But how about an entire column devoted to celebrating Scalia's death? Gawker, the Nick Denton creation, was recently unionized. Writer Hamilton Nolan points out that Scalia's passing probably saved public unions. Daily Caller: Unionized news outlet Gawker Media cheered Justice Antonin Scalias death in a ostentatious victory chant Monday. Because of Scalias vote (now lack thereof) in a case aimed at ending mandatory public union dues, Gawkers Hamilton Nolan felt it necessary to literally praise Scalia for dying,since his death now makes public unions significantly more likely to win. The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments Jan. 11 in the case to end mandatory union dues for public-sector workers. Scalia was believed to be the deciding vote against required dues. News outlets were quick to note how his death impacts the ongoing case, but Nolan in his piece, By Dying, Antonin Scalia Saves Public Sector Unions, decided to take it a step further. Antonin Scalia may have singlehandedly saved Americas public sector unions by dying when he did, Nolan wrote. By dying tragically as he did, it appears that Antonin Scalia has now left the court with what may be a 4-4 ruling. A tie would result in the case going back down to the previous courts decision, which would put it firmly in favor of public sector unions. Nolan is a long time union advocate and even helped his own outlet transition to organized labor. He has written about the benefits of newsrooms moving towards representation on numerous occasions. This, which does not depend on any Congressional maneuvering or political grandstanding, could be the most important direct legacy of Antonin Scalias death, Nolan added. Public unions will live to fight another day. A lot of left-wing sites like to think themselves "edgy." But this column edges off the cliff and crashes and burns. To turn a political argument into an attack on a dead man is so far beyond the skein of human decency that Nolan and his editor, who allowed this crap to be published, should be ashamed. I know that the same thing happens on Twitter when a liberal dies. Some trolls using the comforting blanket of anonymity will say just about any vile, disgusting thing to denigrate political personalities from either side. But Hamilton Nolan is not a Twitter troll, and his disgusting screed should never have seen the light of day. YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 16, ARMENPRESS: OSCE is concerned with the tensions on the Line of Contact in Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia-Azerbaijan border. Armenpress reports that OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, German Foreign Minister Frank Walter Steinmeier made a statement on NK issue in an interview with Interfax. Germany is for intensification of the negotiations in the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group. The creation of mechanism for investigation of the cease-fire violations would be an important step in this regard, Steinmeier said. German FM is against the idea that Nagorno-Karabakh or Transnistria conflicts are frozen. They hurt the people every year, the development of these regions is stumbled. With small, but clear steps we plan to stabilize the cease-fire regime, build trust and ease the lives of the inhabitants of those regions, OSCE Chairperson-in-Office said. 2016 is a year that is more than likely going to be dominated by the Snapdragon 820 where processors are concerned. While Samsung and NVIDIA certainly have a number of processors available, they often tend to be used in only their own products, if 2015 is anything to go by at least. Weve been hearing all sorts of things about the Snapdragon 820, and Qualcomm themselves have been more than happy to keep providing small details here and there. Pegged as a return to form for Qualcomm after last years disappointing Snapdragon 810, it looks like the San Diego firm has something of a winner on their hands. Where Samsung is concerned, it appears as though the South Korean firm is to release two variants of the Galaxy S7, one with their own Exynos 8890 and another with the Snapdragon 820, which has allegedly been benchmarked over at AnTuTu with much better GPU performance. According to a post that surfaced on Chinas Weibo network, a Galaxy S7 with the model number of SM-G930F was tested in France running an Exynos 8890. This scored a sizeable 105,000 points, which is impressive, but not as impressive as the 125,288 points that a SM-G935A Galaxy S7 Edge scored with a Snapdragon 820 onboard. As the AnTuTu team is detailing, its likely that this gap between the two scores is down to the improved performance of the GPU inside of the Snapdragon 820, which features an Adreno 530 which is clocked higher than the previous Adreno 430 and is said to feature a much better design overall. The Exynos 8890 will be packing a standard ARM Mali-T880 GPU, whereas Qualcomm have been developing the Adreno line of GPUs for a few years now, which is presumably why the 820 seems to be performing better in terms of graphical performance. Advertisement Regardless, it does seem as though Samsung is to launch devices with both Snapdragon 820 and Exynos 8890 configurations. This might seem strange compared to last years exclusively-Exynos Galaxy S6 line, but before then this was standard practice for Samsung. Traditionally, carriers and networks throughout the West have preferred devices running Qualcomm hardware, and offering two variants keeps consumers and partners of Samsungs happy. Hopefully, the performance gap shrinks a little before the final retail version hits shelves the world over, as we doubt International customers will be happy in getting a lesser variant of the device. Samsung loves to announce a new device, be it smartphone or smartwatch, wait a while and then bring out some additional colors. Customers that already made an earlier purchase sometimes get upset and those willing to wait are in for a treat. Samsung followed their usual pattern when they released their new Gear 2 Classic a smartwatch designed for those that wanted a more traditional looking watch it was only available in our favorite color, Black. At CES, Samsung announced two additional colors 18k Rose Gold and Platinum and now it seems the additional colors will be arriving in Canada in the Spring. In a statement to MobileSyrup, Samsung said, The new Gear S2 classic will be available in Rose Gold case with a Brown Genuine Leather band and in Platinum case with a Black Genuine Leather band by Spring 2016. Samsung really changed up their smartwatch style by going from rectangle to round. The Gear S2 also has a unique rotating bezel that makes navigation on the smartwatch fast and easy. By incorporating a home and back button, the face of the watch is readily available not covered up by your finger every time you want to perform a task. Samsung refers to the Gear S2 Classic, which looks more like a normal watch, as timeless. The new colored variants of the Gear S2 Classic have the same specs as the original. They come with a 1.2-inch circular AMOLED display with a resolution of 360 x 360 pixels. The brains of these smartwatches come via a dual-core 1.0 GHz processor and 512MB of RAM and 4GB of internal storage. The case is water and dust resistant thanks to its IP68 certification and the 250 mAh battery, which can be charged wirelessly and will typically last for 2-3 days, according to Samsung. The Gear 2 runs Samsungs Tizen OS and is compatible with devices running the Android operating system 4.4 or higher, featuring at least 1.5GB of RAM. Later this year, Samsung plans to release an update for both the Gear S2 and Gear S2 Classic that will add support for iOS a wise move on Samsungs part. There is already NFC connectivity available to take advantage of Samsung Pay, but that feature cannot be be used at the moment. LG has been announcing phones left and right this year. The company has introduced a number of smartphones from the companys K and X series. The LG K4, K7, K8 and K10 were announced thus far, and so were the X cam and X screen handsets, not to mention LG has also introduced the Stylus 2. Now, the company did introduce the majority of this phones quite recently, with the exception of K4, K7 and K10 which were announced during CES last month. Either way, all of these phones will be showcased during the Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona which kicks off soon, but the main LG-branded smartphone to pay attention to during the show is the LG G5, the companys upcoming flagship. This handset has been leaking out for quite some time now, weve seen various rumors and leaks when it comes to this phone, and a new piece of info just popped up. We did get to see a leaked back of the LG G5 a few times now, but now we get to see the whole package basically. These images come from an e-commerce website in Dubai (allegedly imported from the U.S.), which is quite interesting. The phone is allegedly listed for sale in Dubai, and costs 2,500 dirhams ($680). If you take a look at the gallery down below, youll notice a couple of LG G5 real life images, which not only show us the back of the device, but its front side as well. The phone does resemble the G3 and G4 from the front, as far as general shape goes, though its corners are way more rounded than they were before. LGs logo is still played below the display, and the phone looks quite sleek from the front. Now, looking at it from the back, we get to see the duo camera setup, the LED flash, Laser Autofocus, and the fingerprint scanner / physical home button. You may notice there are no volume rocker keys on the back, thats because theyre placed on the left-hand side of the phone, which is also visible in these images. The LG G5 is made out of metal, as you can see, and judging by what weve seen thus far, the back will be removable in some way. Either way, well find out soon, LG plans to announce this handset on February 21st, on the same day Samsung will introduce its Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge flagship smartphones. Advertisement What about the phones specs? Well, rumors say that the device will ship with a 5.3-inch QHD (2560 x 1440) display, 4GB of RAM, and that it will be fueled by the Snapdragon 820 SoC. The 2,800mAh battery has also been mentioned, and so was the 16-megapixel camera, but considering we expect two cameras on the back, well see what LG opted for. The 2,800mAh battery will, allegedly, going to be included on the inside, and you can expect Android 6.0 Marshmallow to come pre-installed here with LGs custom UI on top of it. The LG G5 will also sport the always on display, which LG confirmed with their latest teaser. Project Loon is a Google project designed to bring the Internet to some of the more remote parts of the world, where building traditional infrastructure is currently uneconomic. Project Loon consists of floating large, nearly-transparent balloons into the stratosphere carrying the necessary equipment designed to broadcast Internet signals down to the surface. These balloons can operate for up to six months at a time but once returned to earth, may be recycled. The technology has the potential to provide a wide area with Internet coverage at a significantly reduced cost compared with building cellular data towers plus their necessary connection to the host carrier service. The Sri Lankan Government has engaged with Google in order to trial the Project Loon balloons and weve news today that one of three balloons to be used in the trials was launched in South America yesterday, Monday 15 February 2016. The Sri Lanka trial follows experiments in both the Australian outback and Indonesia. Muhunthan Canagey, Sri Lankas Information and Communications Technology Chief, reported that a Google team are expected in Sri Lanka later this week in order to test flight controls, efficiency and other technical matters. The Government has announced it is to take a 25% stake in the Google joint venture in the form of allocating spectrum to the project rather than investing any capital into the project. 10% of the joint venture is to be offered to Sri Lankas existing telephone service operators. These domestic service providers will be able to access higher performance data speeds and service quality improvements once the project is up and running, but also may be used to extend their reach and hopefully increase the number of mobile Internet users. Of Sri Lankas 20 million population, just 3.3 million have a mobile Internet connection although this still dwarfs the number of fixed line Internet subscribers, at 630,000. Sri Lanka is the most advanced South Asian country when it comes to cellular phones and connections: it was the first to introduce cell phones back in 1989, the first to introduced a 3G network in 2004 and again the first to unveil a 4G LTE data network in 2014. Xiaomi Mi 5 is one of the most anticipated smartphones of the upcoming Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona. Xiaomis new flagship was expected to be announced last year, but that didnt happen, and Xiaomi has already confirmed that the device will be announced on February 24th, both in China and in Barcelona. That being said, the company has started sending out invitations for the event it seems, read on. Now, keep in mind that these invitations are being said to Chinese media who will participate the event in Beijing, not Barcelona. The event will be held on February 24th at 11:30 IST, and the invitation letter itself is quite minimalistic. The imaging on the letter actually resembles the teaser Xiaomi shared a while back, announcing that the phone will be introduced on the said date. Now. we already know that this phone will be fueled by the Snapdragon 820 SoC considering the companys officials confirmed as much, but thats not the only official confirmation we have thus far. The companys co-founder has recently confirmed that the phone will sport dual-SIM capability, and also NFC thanks to the screenshot he shared on his official Weibo (Chinese social network) page. Now, on top of all this, the companys exec has also confirmed that the phone will ship with a 1080p (1920 x 1080) display, not a QHD panel most of us were expecting. This is an interesting move by Xiaomi though, thats for sure, and some users will certainly appreciate it considering it will preserve precious battery life. Advertisement The Xiaomi Mi 5 will ship with 3 / 4GB of RAM as well, and a 16-megapixel rear-facing camera has also been mentioned recently. Speaking of the camera, both Lin Bin and Hugo Barra shared Mi 5 sample images quite recently, in case youd like to check those out. Android 6.0 Marshmallow will come pre-installed on the Mi 5, according to rumors, and you can expect Xiaomis MIUI 7 Android-based OS to come installed on top of Googles operating system. That is more or less it as far as the Mi 5 goes. The device will be announced soon, and if something pops up before the announcement, well make sure to let you know, stay tuned. YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 16, ARMENPRESS. Candidate for the post of Human Rights Defender Arman Tatoyan held a meeting with the representatives of RPA and ARF parliamentary factions at the National Assembly. After the meeting with the ARF representatives, Arman Tatoyan stated in an interview with journalists that he discussed with the ARF members the functions of the Ombudsman after the Constitutional regulations. You know that we discussed the issue of precise functions at the Committee, and of course, conceptual issues regarding the principles of the HRDs functions, Armenpress reports, Tatoyan mentioned. He highlighted the discussion with the factions, as the main emphasis was put on harmonization of individual and preventive measures based on the principle of constructive work. I find it a correct approach, I am myself the supporter of those principles and I am thankful that the issue was again raised and stressed, Tatoyan said. He added that he will hold meetings with other factions as well, mentioning that there are already arrangements, but it is not clear yet when and with which parties he will meet. In an interview with journalists, ARF faction member Artsvik Minasyan disagreed with the opinions that Arman Tatoyan cannot be impartial as the Human Rights Defender. On the conceptual level Arman Tatoyans approaches go in line with our perceptions, and we are convinced that if the parliament supports him, Arman Tatoyan will be able to fulfil it, as well as the new functions and responsibilities enshrined in the new Constitution, Minasyan mentioned. He assured that the ARF will vote on favor of Arman Tatoyans candidacy for HRD at National Assembly plenary session. The National Assembly Standing Committee on State and Legal Affairs has submitted the candidacy of Arman Tatoyan for the post of Human Rights Defender to the parliament. 5 MPs voted in favor of and 6 against Zaruhi Postanjyans candidacy. No one abstained. 2 MPs voted in favor of Narek Aloyan, no one abstained or voted against. 7 MPs voted in favor of Arman Tatoyans candidacy, and 4 against. No one abstained. The National Assembly will discuss the issue of electing Arman Tatoyan as the Ombudsman in the coming plenary session. The election will be held by the principle of secrecy. The Human Right Defender will be elected by qualified majority of 3/5. YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 16, ARMENPRESS. Turkey and Israel are ready to conclude an agreement "on all contentious issues". This was reported by one of the representatives of the Turkish administration, Armenpress reports citing Reuters. The former allies have stepped up efforts in recent months to restore a relationship that was severely damaged following the Israeli raid on a Turkish boat, the Mavi Marmara, which had been trying to breach a blockade on the Gaza Strip. Turkey has insisted there can be no normalization in ties with Israel unless its conditions for ending the Gaza blockade and compensation for the deaths of the activists are met. Omer Celik, spokesman for Turkey's ruling AK Party, said in a live interview on Haber Turk television station: "The point has been reached in the talks at which (an agreement) can be signed." He did not say whether progress has been reached on lifting the blockade. Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman, when asked, said he had no comment on the matter. Israel allows commercial goods into Gaza daily but limits the transfer of certain items such as cement and building materials as it fears militants will use them to build fortifications. Officials describe the blockade on Gaza, which is supported by neighboring Egypt, as a necessary means of preventing arms smuggling by Palestinian militants. Madeleine McCann: speculation, claims and the Algarve crime scene Maddie Watch: a look at reporting on Madeleine McCann, the child who vanished in 2007. Daily Express (front page): MADDY Why I think our daughter is still alive and in Portugal Maddy why is this front-page news? On Page 7 we hear from MUM KATE. The headline assures us: Maddys mum: Well never give up. I want and end, answer. We all do. The story has become all. The single fact child vanishes remains unaltered since 2007. The voracious media feeding frenzy has created victims of libel but shed no light on that fact. Nonetheless, David Pilditch manages to fill an entire page with no news. His story begins: The mother of Madeleine McCann told yesterday how she believes her missing daughter is still alive and may be close to the scene of her disappearance. Believes. May. Are there any facts? Some: Former GP Kate, 47, is convinced her daughter is not a million smiles from the Algarve holiday resort she vanished from. Kate McCanns age and former job are the only facts. One paragraph 8, we hear from the missing childs mother. Told of her belief that abducted children are not usually taken far from the scene of the crime, Mrs McCann says: Its all only speculation, but weve learned thats usually the case. Ive always said Praia da Luz is the place where I feel closest to her. Thats where she last was and I dont think shes been taken a million miles from there. Kate McCann says the idea that her daughter is on the Algarve is speculation. Daily Star: no word on the child in the newspaper. But online, reader are told: Maddie is still in the Algarve, claims mum Kate. Is that what she said. Not quite, no. It isnt. Jack Fenwick & Margi Murphy then combine to report: Madeleine was just three when she disappeared from a holiday apartment in Praia da Luz, Portugal, in 2007. And in those nine years there have been countless so-called sightings of the tot around the world. But Kate, 47, firmly believes Maddy could still be in Portugal. Two journalists were needed to write that. How can Kate McCann firmly believe that something could be true? Anything less than total belief is hope. Madeleine McCann is missing. There are no suspects. Hold the front page. Anorak Posted: 16th, February 2016 | In: Madeleine McCann, Reviews Comments (6) | TrackBack | Permalink (ANSA) - Rome, February 16 - The family of Giulio Regeni, an Italian student tortured to death in mysterious circumstances in Cairo, on Tuesday denied media reports he was a spy. Meanwhile, as Italian academics echoed their British counterparts with an open letter to the Italian government urging a search for the truth, Egyptian investigators questioned two neighbours of the murdered researcher. Egypt stressed that Italian investigators were actively taking part in "all phases" of the investigation into the death of Regeni, who was found in a ditch February 3 after disappearing January 25, the fifth anniversary of the uprising that toppled former longtime strongman Hosni Mubarak. Cambridge University, where Regeni was a PhD student, meanwhile said he had taken all possible measures to protect his safety and had been using standard research methods. Regeni's family, speaking through a lawyer, said it "denies categorically and unequivocally that Giulio was an agent or collaborator of any secret service, Italian or foreign. "To try to push the theory that Giulio Regeni was a man at the service of intelligence means offending the memory of a young university student who had made field research a legitimate ambition of study and life." Italian media have speculated that Regeni may have been working for the Italian foreign intelligence service AISE. Egyptian police investigating Regeni's torture and death on Tuesday questioned two former neighbors of the victim. Italian investigators were also present. The two were questioned about reports that unidentified subjects showed up at the building Regeni lived in asking questions about him before his death. Egypt has repeatedly denied western media reports that Regeni was picked up on January 25 by two members of the Egyptian security services. Regeni was researching Egyptian labour movements for his doctoral thesis at Cambridge and also writing for the Rome leftwing daily il manifesto on them, under a pseudonym. It has been suggested that his contact with activists may have brought him to the attention of the Egyptian security apparatus. Italian academics on Tuesday wrote an open letter to the Italian government to try to make sure the truth emerges about Regeni's death. "We ask for the truth on Giulio Regeni's death to be established and we ask our government to intervene strongly in defence of academic freedom and the safety of researchers," said the letter, which echoed appeals from "all over the world". The appeal, which follows a similar one from the UK, started at the university of Brescia and quickly garnered almost 1,000 signatures from universities and research centres all over Italy. Regeni was found in a ditch on a desert road north of Cairo with signs of torture all over his body. Regeni, who was a visiting scholar at the American University in Cairo, was found with signs of torture including two clipped ears, a torn-out fingernail and toenail and cuts all over his body including on the soles of the feet. He had multiple fractures including reportedly a broken nose and also reportedly signs that he had been tortured with electrodes to his testicles. Regeni is thought to have been killed in an apartment in the centre of Cairo - the coup de grace being a violent blow to the back of his neck - before his body was dumped on the desert road from Cairo to Alexandria. Regeni took all possible "safety measures" while researching the Egyptian labour movement, said a spokesman at Cambridge University where the 28-year-old was a doctoral student. "Giulio Regeni was a respected academic and every safety measure was followed," the spokesman said. "The methods used in his work were standard research methods". The university reiterated its condolences for Regeni's death and "urged authorities to investigate this tragedy fully. Our thoughts are with Giulio's family, his friends and colleagues," the spokesman said. There was silence, on the other hand, at the Department of Politics and International Studies (POLIS), the institute that Regeni worked at, where members were said to be feeling grief and irritation. Glen Rangwala, a lecturer in Middle Eastern issues, said he did not want to comment after the "inaccuracies" that have appeared in the Italian media. YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 16, ARMENPRESS. The key issue of Armenian tourism industry is to increase competitiveness of Armenian tourism and there are some problems here. Head of Department of Tourism Development Policy of Armenia Ministry of Economy Mekhak Apresyan mentioned about this in a press conference on February 16, referring to the problems and prospects of the sphere. We must ensure quality service by both developing infrastructures and preparing qualified specialists, as well as by being attractive in the international market. Government of the Republic of Armenia confirmed the draft decision on ensuring the effective use of caves for tourism purposes, and this year we must proceed to the implementation of the program. We can say that the program is launched and works are underway to make Magil Cave a touristic place and attractive for tourists, Armenpress reports, Mekhak Apresyan said. He also mentioned that there are traditional and successful festive events in Armenia and it is necessary to expand its geography to regions of Armenia, as well as consider the opportunities to conduct such events in bordering areas of Armenia, which will foster economic development in the regions. There are also plans for developing adventure and walking tours. 40 walking tour routes were elaborated in different regions of the republic, which are installed in internationally specializedwww.wikiloc.com website, Head of Department of Tourism Development Policy of Armenia Ministry of Economy Mekhak Apresyan mentioned. (ANSA) - Buenos Aires, February 16 - Premier Matteo Renzi complained that Europe is static and said austerity policies threatened the future of the continent's young people after arriving in Argentina on Monday. "Growth is static and unemployment is being felt," Renzi said. "Austerity has put the future of young people at risk. "Courageous responses are needed. We need the ability to be masters of our future without impositions from outside," he said in a lecture at Buenos Aires University. "Europe needs to wipe off the dust of the past and return to the path of ideals for growth and to tackle the migrant crisis". Renzi also talked of his government's ambitious reform agenda, from the overhaul of Italy's political machinery to the Jobs Act reform of the labour market. (ANSA) - Rome, February 16 - Premier Matteo Renzi said after talks with Argentinian President Mauricio Macri Tuesday that Italian businesses should invest in Argentina. "Argentina is one of the most solid and stable places for investment possibilities," he said, telling Italian entrepreneurs to "show the same intelligence and passion as the family of Macri", a former businessman. Renzi then addressed Argentine businesspeople, stressing that "Italy's doors are open". He said "we are sister nations and we can do a lot of things together". Italy will set up a mission including small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to Argentina by the end of June, Renzi told Macri. "In March the culture minister will come and by the end of June we will organise a great systemic mission with 300 businesspeople interested in investing in (Argentina) with joint ventures, above all the SMEs, which are the strong system for Argentina and Italy." Renzi invited Macri to Italy and said "it's crazy that no (Italian premier) came here in 18 years". Renzi said after the talks "thanks for the invitation, we await you in Italy". Argentina has no closer ties than the ones that bind it to Italy, Macri told Renzi. "It's hard to find an Argentinian who doesn't have an Italian great-grandparent or father, in my case the whole family," he said. "This can be seen in our culture, architecture, gastronomy, the passion with which we do things every day". (ANSA) - Rome, February 16 - Culture Minister Dario Franceschini said on Tuesday that Italy was confirming its role as a leader in heritage conservation as he attended a ceremony to mark the creation of a task force for the protection of sites in crisis-hit areas. Franceschini highlighted that Italy was the first country to offer such a task force of experts and police officers after UNESCO launched the Unite for Heritage campaign to strengthen the fight against deliberate damage to cultural heritage, particularly in the Middle East. "Italy is carrying out its natural leadership role in the protection of global cultural heritage, with more than 150 archaeological missions in all the world" Franceschini said. Foreign Minister Paolo Gentiloni described the task force as a "very Italian part of the fight against terrorism". He said the Italian model could be replicated by other countries to prevent what he described as "cultural cleansing" by militant groups. Filippo Sugar, president of the Italian Society of Authors and Publishers(SIAE), said the creation of an all-Italian task force for this mission is a source of great pride. "Culture is the basis of development for a civil country, but it is also an instrument of reconciliation among peoples," Sugar said. (ANSA) - Milan, February 16 - The Northern League's Fabio Rizzi, a Lombardy regional councillor, was arrested on Tuesday in relation to a probe into alleged corruption in contracts at Lombardy hospitals. A businessman considered close to Rizzi, Mario Valentino Longo, was arrested and taken to jail too. Rizzi's wife has been put under house arrest, as has Longo's, and police searched for evidence at the councillor's home and at regional offices. The probe concerns a series of public contacts for the outsourcing of hospital dentistry services. Rizzi, 49, is an anesthetist by professional who has been a councillor since 2013 and was a Senator from 2008 to 2013. He is the chair of the Lombardia regional assembly's health committee and the architect of a reform of the region's health system commissioned by Governor Roberto Maroni, a fellow League member. (ANSA) - Rome, February 16 - Premier Matteo Renzi said after talks with Argentinian President Mauricio Macri Tuesday that Italian businesses should invest in Argentina. "Argentina is one of the most solid and stable places for investment possibilities," he said, telling Italian entrepreneurs to "show the same intelligence and passion as the family of Macri", a former businessman. Renzi then addressed Argentine businesspeople, stressing that "Italy's doors are open". He said "we are sister nations and we can do a lot of things together". Earlier he hailed new jobs figures saying they were a vindication of his controversial Jobs Act labour reform. "For months they told us that the Jobs Act was bullying, violence, an imposition. Today we discover that thanks to the Jobs Act there were 764,000 steady jobs more in 2015, according to INPS. Full steam ahead, with courage and determination," he said on his Facebook page. The Jobs Act made hiring and firing easier by abolishing a job-protection clause in the Workers' Statute. Renzi said Tuesday in Buenos Aires that "we are getting (Italy) going again, we won't stop with reforms". He was speaking on a visit to the Boca district of the Argentinian capital. Renzi earlier said new jobs figures for 2015 vindicated his flagship Jobs Act labour reform. (ANSA) - Rome, February 15 - Italy's civil unions bill faces voting in Senate this week, and is divided into 19 articles with two parts, one dealing with civil unions and the other with cohabitation. Following are the main points: - ADOPTIONS. Gay couples can't adopt children, but, the bill provides for the so-called "stepchild adoption". If one of the partners already has a child or children, the other partner can adopt that partner's child or children and the children thus can grow up in the new family, but only if the other biological parent is absent or no longer living. Stepchild adoption is already permitted for heterosexual couples through Article 44 in the law on adoptions. Stepchild adoption is one of the key components creating controversy and partisan division for this bill. In Italy, the Rome Juvenile Court in 2014 rendered a de facto stepchild adoption decision when it said that no law expressly prohibits a same-sex partner from adopting his or her partner's child or children, given that the primary objective is "the higher good of the minor", thus allowing adoption by a woman whose female partner gave birth through assisted reproductive technology. - CIVIL UNIONS. A same-sex couple can register a civil union at city hall with two witnesses present. The union is certified by a document that contains information about the identities of the individuals, their marital property regime, and residency. The couple can choose one of their two surnames or decide to use both. - IMPEDING CAUSES. A civil union cannot take place if any of the following circumstances apply: if one of the individuals in the couple is still married, if one of the individuals is younger than 18 years old (unless otherwise authorised), if one of the individuals has been declared mentally infirm, if the individuals are related by blood, or if one of the individuals has been convicted of murder or attempted murder of the other partner's spouse. - LEGAL REGIME. Italy's civil code is the basis for governing the rights and reciprocal responsibilities of the couple, including children, residency, financial obligations, familial abuse, interdictions, dissolution of the union, and pension reversibility (the proportion of the pension transferred to the beneficiary's survivor). However, several amendments exclude this reference, and it is one of the parts of the bill that could be significantly modified. - RECIPROCAL ASSISTANCE. The same-sex couple is given the same rights as heterosexual married couples in terms of health assistance, imprisonment, joining or separation of assets, cosigning a rent contract, and pension reversibility. Proposed amendments might modify this part of the bill. - DE FACTO COHABITATION. The law recognises some of the basic rights already provided for by law, including cosigning a rent contract, assistance in hospital, temporary support of an ex-partner in financial difficulty, as well as the opportunity to decide on an asset regime through a notarised cohabitation contract. (ANSA) - Bologna, February 16 - Prosecutors in the northern Italian city of Bologna are investigating the son of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan as part of a money laundering probe, ANSA sources close to the matter said Tuesday. The inclusion of Erdogan's son Bilal in the list of people under investigation follows a petition to authorities from Turkish businessman Murat Hakan Uzan, a political opponent of Erdogan who is wanted by Turkish authorities and is in exile. The petition asks Italian police to investigate potential sums of money brought to Italy by Bilal, who has been studying at John Hopkins University in Bologna since last autumn. Bilal, 35, officially came to Italy to resume PhD studies he began in 2007. However, Turkish anti-government sources say he flew to Italy in the fall with a "large sum of money" as part of a "getaway operation", according to Uzan's petition. The petition also states that Bilal arrived in Bologna with a team of armed body guards who were not granted access to Italy until they were conferred Turkish diplomatic passports. Uzan says he and his family are victims of a political and judicial campaign launched by Erdogan. (ANSA) - Buenos Aires, February 16 - Italian Premier Matteo Renzi on Tuesday said his government was "getting Italy going again" and would not stop reform efforts aimed at boosting a recovery from a three-year recession. His comments during a tour of the Boca district of Buenos Aires on his official visit to Argentina followed the release of new data from Italian social security agency INPS which showed a net increase in steady jobs in 2015. Renzi said in a Facebook post that the rise in stable contracts was a vindication of his controversial Jobs Act labour reform. "For months they told us that the Jobs Act was bullying, violence, an imposition," he said. "Today we discover that thanks to the Jobs Act there were 764,000 steady jobs more in 2015, according to INPS. Full steam ahead, with courage and determination." The Jobs Act made hiring and firing easier by abolishing a job protection clause in the Workers' Statute. INPS' jobs figure was more upbeat than economic data last week that showed Italy's gross domestic product (GDP) rose just 0.1% in the final quarter of 2015 compared to the previous three months, missing analysts' expectations and suggesting the recovery may be fizzling out. Renzi blasted Europe for being "static" during a lecture at Buenos Aires University earlier on Tuesday, saying that austerity policies were putting the future of its youth at risk. "Courageous responses are needed. We need the ability to be masters of our future without impositions from outside," he said. Following talks with newly elected center-right Argentinian President Mauricio Macri, Renzi said Italian businesses should invest in Argentina, and that there were many opportunities for cooperation. "Argentina is one of the most solid and stable places for investment possibilities," he said, telling Italian entrepreneurs to "show the same intelligence and passion as the family of Macri", a former businessman. During an address to Argentina's business community, Renzi stressed that "Italy's doors are open" and described the two countries as "sister nations" who could do a lot together. Italy will set up a mission including small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to Argentina by the end of June, Renzi told Macri. "In March, the culture minister will come and by the end of June we will organise a great systemic mission with 300 business people interested in investing in (Argentina) with joint ventures," he said. Renzi's trip to Buenos Aires came after Macri's executive reached a preliminary accord with Italian small investors earlier this month for the compensation of over 50,000 Italians holders of defaulted Argentine bonds. Argentina has agreed to pay back 150% of the principal - or $1.35 billion in cash - subject to approval by parliament. The South American nation defaulted in 2001, leaving 450,000 Italian small investors in the lurch. Many accepted substitute bonds in two restructurings, in 2005 and 2010. (ANSA) - Mexico City, February 16 - Pope Francis will travel to Morelia in the violent central state of Michoacan on Tuesday for the penultimate day of his apostolic visit to Mexico. He will depart for the city of 600,000 inhabitants at 7.50am local time and is due to celebrate Mass with clergy in the "Venustiano Carranza" stadium at 10 am. The pope will then visit the cathedral in the early afternoon, before meeting with young people in the "Jose Maria Morelos y Pavon" stadium at 4.30 pm. He is due to return to Mexico City around 7.30 pm. Francis will end his apostolic visit on Wednesday with a visit to Ciudad Juarez on the northern border with the United States, until recently considered one of the most dangerous places on Earth. In that city he will visit the notorious Cereso 3 prison, which holds many of Mexico's most feared narcos hitmen. On Monday he celebrated Mass with indigenous communities in the poor southern State of Chiapas, asking for their forgiveness for the "systematic" misunderstandings and exclusion they have been subjected to and for the exploitation of their lands. Syria: Gentiloni receives Lebanese foreign minister Italian Foreign minister, 'Lebanon priority in the region' (ANSAmed) - ROME, FEBRUARY 16 - Italian Foreign Minister Paolo Gentiloni received Tuesday morning in Rome Lebanese counterpart Gebran Bassil. The impact of the Syrian crisis on Lebanon's development was at the center of talks, together with Italy's contribution in the framework of the Syria Donors Conference in London. Lebanon has over 1.5 million Syrian refugees - some 25% of the Lebanese population. Gentiloni called for a quick implementation of the pledges made by participants at the Conference and key action by the Lebanese government to confront challenges posed by security and the socio-economic stabilization of the country. During talks, the Italian foreign minister asked for an update on perspectives to overcome the presidential impasse and confirmed Italy's availability to favor efforts by the Lebanese political sides to reach an agreement. "Lebanon is a priority country in the region, the current context makes overcoming the country's institutional impasse an increasing priority", explained Gentiloni. Minister Bassil expressed for his part Lebanon's strong appreciation for the role exercised by Italy within UNIFIL, led by General Luciano Portolano. (ANSAmed). YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 16, ARMENPRESS. Chaired by Prime Minister Hovik Abrahamyan, the Government discussed performance report of Armenian Ministry of Territorial Administration and Emergency Situations (MTAES) for 2015, including their compliance with the governments action plan for 2015, priorities and assessed performance. Armenpress was informed from the Information and Public Relations Department of the Armenian Government that the Cabinet reviewed today the report delivered by Minister of Armenian MTAES Armen Yeritsyan. Making positive assessment to the 2015 activity of the Armenian MTAES, Armenian Prime Minister mentioned that last year serious work was carried out in the sectors of Emergency Situations and Territorial Administration. Head of the government considers the enlargement of the communities as an important and successful reform. TUNIS - Venice, Trieste and Tunis are joining forces thanks to an initiative launched by the association ''Venezia: Pesce di Pace'' - or Venice, fish for peace - of Nadia De Lazzari. The objective is to tear down the cultural and religious walls between the two shores of the Mediterranean by confronting tales and experiences of children through the translation services provided by detainees from the Maghreb area at the Santa Maria Maggiore prison in Venice. In practice, Tunisian children send letters and messages in Arabic to their peers in Venice, detainees translate them into Italian and the messages are then sent to Italian students who can reply back thanks to the translation of the inmates. Indeed detainees are currently translating the messages of kids from Trieste, Venice and Tunisia into Arabic, French and Italian brought to them by volunteer Nadia De Lazzari. De Lazzari told ANSAmed: ''The precious help of detainees allows to overcome linguistic barriers and permits dialogue between young students''. The students from the Morpurgo Jewish school in Trieste also take part in the initiative. Among messages sent to Venetian students, Nour, 8, wrote: ''From Tunis to Venice: welcome! We are waiting for you''. Ahmed, 10, wrote: ''I am glad to get to know friends from other countries and different religions''. Nadia, 9: ''We are Muslim and welcome the whole World. We love you, we are brothers and friends''. Commenting the initiative in Tunisia, lawmaker Osama Al Saghir, elected with the Ennhadha party abroad for the Italian electoral district: ''The project is great. Human beings during the course of their lives can make mistakes that take them to places where they don't want to be but don't represent their lives. Children make them discover the right road to return to the right path. It's incredible: the project has friendship and brotherhood as an objective, we must support it''. In Tunis, Salesian priest, Father Domenico Paterno, revealed: ''Nadia involved us in a circuit of fraternity and solidarity between children from schools in different countries, from different religions as well as very different social and human environments. The messages are worthy of being taken into very serious consideration because they are the expression of a regard on life which is not influenced yet by external factors and prejudice. We are happy that North African detainees have a bit of a 'home' also for them''. The director of the Santa Maria Maggiore prison, Immacolata Mannarella, stressed: ''The initiative is inside the idea of jail as an exercise for life and acceptance between populations''. The association ''Venezia: Pesce di Pace'' was created in 1992. Initiatives promoted and carried out, welcomed by three Italian presidents and blessed by three pontiffs include: a meeting of ''three brothers in Abraham: an imam, a Catholic priest and a rabbi'' and drawings on the same paper, distributed by De Lazzari, by children from Venice, Sarajevo, Kinshasa, Jerusalem, Ulan Bator, Beirut, Istanbul, New York, Rhodes, Yerevan, Berlin, Moscow. Syrian regime retakes 800 square km and Aleppo power station Had been in ISIS hands; rebels surrender north of city to Kurds (ANSAmed) - ROME, FEBRUARY 16 - Syrian troops have regained 800 square kilometers of territory and 73 towns and villages this month, Russian defense minister spokesman Igor Konashenkov said Tuesday. Government troops backed by Russian warplanes and Lebanese Shia Hezbollah fighters on Tuesday took control of a power station east of Aleppo that had long been under Islamic State (ISIS) control, ANSA was told by sources on the ground, confirming reports by the pro-Iran Hezbollah television station Al-Manar. Syrian insurgents in northern Syria on the same day surrendered to their Kurdish rivals in a strategic location not far from the Turkish border, reported local sources on the ground. The sources added that the Syrian Kurdish YPG fighters, who enjoy Russian air support and US logistical support, forced opposition fighters to surrender in Marea, north of Aleppo. The town is now squeezed between the Kurdish advance and ISIS east and south of it. The agreement, local sources say, calls for rebel fighters to lave the town in exchange for a cessation of Kurdish and Russian attacks on civilians. The Turkish pro-government newspaper Yeni Safak reported that about 500 Syrian anti-Assad fighters from the Faylaq Al-Sham rebel group entered Syria on Saturday from Turkey in agreement with the Turkish government to fight against the Kurdish offensive in the Azaz area. The newspaper stated that the fighters had crossed into Turkey from Idlib, entering from the Cilvegozu border crossing and going back in through the Oncupinar one, a few kilometers from Azaz. Presumably they were granted 'safe passage' in order to halt YPG advances and stop them from taking over the corridor between the Aleppo province and the Turkish-Syrian border. Yeni Safak reported that the entire operation, including the transportation of weapons and munitions, took place after Turkish government authorization. Turkey has always denied sending or facilitating weapons and fighters to Syria. Ankara foreign ministry sources told ANSA on Tuesday that Turkey ''does not want the YPG to gain territory in Azaz and in the region'' of Aleppo. (ANSAmed). Tunisia: Ben Ali's assets sale worth estimated 100 mln euros International auction for 47 cars owned by former leader (ANSAmed) - TUNIS, FEBRUARY 16 - The sale of the confiscated assets of ousted president Ben Ali will give the Tunisian state an estimated revenue of 100 million euros in 2016, said finance minister, Slim Chaker, during a parliamentary hearing. He added that proceeds of the sale of 18 real estate properties owned by the Ben Ali clan , which started in the second semester of 2015, have already reached 55 million euros that could become 100 at the end of the operation. The sum was included in the 2016 budget law, which provides for exceeding revenue to be allocated to reimburse the country's external public debt. The minister also announced that public tenders will be called to sell eight of 16 confiscated companies to the ex-Tunisian president and for 47 of his cars, including 17 luxury vehicles that will be sold at international auctions. (ANSAmed) (ANSAmed) - TUNIS, FEBRUARY 16 - A special volunteer enlistment campaign launched by the Tunisian army in recent days has met with huge success. Endless lines can be seen in front of district military centers of young men waiting to submit their requests. All those who have not yet carried out their obligatory military service and are between 20 and 35 are eligible to apply for positions that will be paid according to educational qualifications and the ability to remain in the armed forces after the end of their service. In recent days, Defense Minister Farhat Horchani said before parliament that military service could be used as a way to reduce unemployment in the country. According to the director general of the military service at the defense ministry, Lotfi Ben Whida, the country's armed forces expect to integrate 12,000 youths in four phases in 2016. The initiative has been so successful that the ministry has set up a hotline to request further information. (ANSAmed). (by Rodolfo Calo) CAIRO - Libya's premier designate, Fayez Al Sarraj, has approved a new list of ministers to give the country a national unity government and, after last month's rejection, can return to the Parliament of Tobruk for a vote of confidence opposed by backers of general Khalifa Haftar. The approval of the list with 13 ministers and five ministers of state late on Sunday in Skhirat, Morocco, was applauded by UN mediator, Martin Kobler, who said it represented an ''heroic opportunity for peace that should not be wasted''. The German diplomat, however, defined as ''crucial'' for the House of Representatives (HoR) in Tobruk to ''back the government''. Expressing ''satisfaction'', Italian Foreign Minister Paolo Gentiloni said he hoped for a green light already ''in the coming days''. The posts of defense and interior ministers were confirmed for the two members who had already been designated for these crucial posts in the list approved on January 18, which was rejected a week later by HoR for being too long (32 names). The real issue was and remains the role to be attributed to general Haftar, commander of a more or less regular Libyan army in Tobruk. Sarraj suggested again the mediation represented by Al-Mahdi Ibrahim Al-Burghuthi, a military commander from the east who - though he is under Haftar - is well-liked by pro-Islamist militias in Tripoli. The position is also expressed by Al-Aref Saleh Al-Khouja, a former interior minister in Tripoli who was reconfirmed in the executive of ''national accord'' of Sarraj. Marwan Abusrewil was replaced at the foreign ministry by Mohamed al Taher Sayala, a former minister of cooperation during the last years of Muammar Gaddafi's regime. Three women have also been included in the government list, which was signed only by seven of the nine members of the presidential council led by Sarraj, the core of the incoming executive. The defections come from two well-known opponents who are pro-Haftar: Ali Qatrani, one of the two deputy premiers expressed by the east (Tobruk) and the pro-Zintan Omar Al-Aswad. Parliament speaker, Aqila Saleh, has invited Sarraj to take part in a session called this Tuesday to examine the ministers ''one by one'' but has warned that 40 MPs oppose ''a minister'' and are asking for a replacement before the meeting. Qatrani, who is also president of Parliament's defense commission, has hinted that the minister in question is Burghuthi (''a country who has an army chief needs a defense minister''). The opponent has declared that ''we will not allow'' Sarraj's presidential council, ''controlled by the Muslim Brothers'', to ''govern Libya''. A reason for embarrassment, as already occurred for the first list, were statements given by two incoming ministers (finance and the woman appointed to the ministry for ''Martyrs'' of the revolution) who said they were appointed unbeknownst to them or against their will. TEL AVIV - Israel supports direct talks with the Palestinians and ''opposes any attempt to predetermine the outcome of the negotiations'', according to the position expressed Tuesday by the foreign minister in Jerusalem in talks with French Ambassador Patrick Maisonnave. During the meeting, the French diplomat illustrated the French proposal - in three points - of an international conference to relaunch peace talks. The principle of direct talks - continued the ministry's spokesman, Emmanuel Nahshon - ''accompanies the process from the start, has gained the support of the international community over the years and has also been at the basis of peace negotiations with Jordan and Egypt''. At the meeting between Maissonave and the representative of the ministry Alon Ushpiz, the ambassador illustrated the initiative (presented last January 29 by then-minister Laurent Fabius) to call an international peace conference for the re-start of talks, preannouncing that without it France will recognize the state of Palestine. In the three passages of the proposal (already presented to the Palestinians and foreign ministers from Washington, London, Berlin, Moscow, Europeans and Arabs) there is a scheduled meeting between March and April in Paris of an international group in support of the resumption of contacts between Palestinians and Israelis and then for June or July the real Conference to restart talks. Already yesterday president Mahmud Abbas, speaking from Tokyo, said he was in favor of the French initiative. Syria: Assad warns Turks, Saudis against intervention Ceasefire cannot be enforced with 'terrorists' (ANSAmed) - BEIRUT, FEBRUARY 16 - Syrian President Bashar al Assad has warned Turkey and Saudi Arabia against any land operation in Syria, noting that such action would have ''global repercussions'' and once again refused a ceasefire with armed rebel groups which he defined as ''terrorists''. In a speech held last night at the lawyers' association and reported by State media, Assad said that ''ceasefires are made between armies and states but never between a state and terrorists''. Russia and the US reached an agreement last week on a ceasefire that should come into force on Friday. ''But who will talk to a terror organization if it refuses the ceasefire? Who will punish it?''. (ANSAmed) YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 16, ARMENPRESS. Chaired by Prime Minister Hovik Abrahamyan, the Government discussed 2015 performance report of Armenian Ministry of Nature Protection, including their compliance with the governments action plan for 2015, priorities and assessed performance. Armenpress was informed from the Information and Public Relations Department of the Armenian Government that the Cabinet reviewed today the report delivered by Minister of Nature Protection of the Armenia Aramayis Grigoryan. Summarizing and commenting on the report of Ministrys 2016 activity, the Prime Minister stressed the importance of continuous and effective implementation of environmental projects. The Prime Minister noted that the Ministry of Nature Protection has conducted extensive work during the previous year and added that there is a lot to do in the future as well. remaining of Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading. The meeting held at the Agencys headquarters in Abu Dhabi, aimed to strengthen partnership and work between the two organisations. The delegation led by Badri Younes, NASA Deputy Associate Administrator for the Office of Space Communications and Navigation (SCAN), was welcomed by His Excellency Dr. Eng. Mohammed Nasser Al Ahbabi, Director General of the UAE Space Agency and a number of senior officials from the nations space sector. The meeting was also attended by Sami Asmar, IND/DSN Strategic and International Planning Office Manager at JPL. The two sides discussed knowledge transfer opportunities, technical and training information, cooperating on the Deep Space Network and the development of a ground station, as well as collaborating on the Hope Probe programme. The delegates also discussed the possibility of cooperating on the analysis of the data provided by the probe and allowing other governmental and scientific entities in the country to benefit from the results by enhancing operations and business. Dr. Mohammed Al Ahbabi said: The UAE space agency is keen to develop strong relations with different space agencies around the world, with the aim to support the Agencys current and future programmes and reach its strategic plans and goals in developing the space sector in the UAE. He added: We discussed ways to push forward the development of the Hope Probe project, as NASA has a proven record in developing similar programmes throughout the years and to other planets in the solar system. Al Ahbabi also said that the Hope Probe will place the country amongst advanced countries in space exploration, a contribution to mankinds efforts to explore the Red Planet. It will be a culmination of the UAEs efforts in space - which started three decades ago and was led by the guidance and commitment of its leadership through projects such as data transmission services, broadcasting TV across space and mobile communications. YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 16, ARMENPRESS. Armenian Government will allocate 928,871.2 thousand drams to the border communities as a state support granting compensation to the residents for natural gas and electricity, property tax and land tax and also partial compensation for irrigation. The draft decision on the mentioned above is included in the government's agenda for February 18, Armenpress reports. In particular, the mentioned amount will be allocated to 33 residents of border communities of Ararat (2), Gegharkunik (2), Vayots Dzor (5) and Tavush(24) provinces. Le CBD, cette molecule active du cannabis a aujourdhui le vent en poupe. Et cela est en grande partie du au fait quil permet... I knew things were getting bad in Wewak, commented veteran Sepik resident, Rob Parer who now lives in Brisbane, but got a shock to see how terrible they really are. Long-standing traders like the Tjoeng familys Garamut Enterprise have experienced so many hold-ups they have closed some of their cash operations. While others, like their onetime competitors Tank Mow Ltd, sold up and gone for good. I was in Wewak last week, wrote another Sepik resident. The main street is scary. If you have any cargo aboard even a five-door Cruiser like mine, you must leave security with the car even though all the doors are locked. These are no problem for the street boys. And Police patrol in vehicles at 4pm and tell you to go to your house. Prominent Papua New Guinean writer and academic, Dr Steven Winduo, wrote in 2014 about his own return to Wewak: I returned home after many years at the age of 50 to be with my family. This is a dilemma, that most of our educated members have, that I am part of. We left our homes in search of education and employment, but failed to return home until we are very old. I dont blame anybody for the dilemma, but to accept it as a process of life that some of us have to go through. The regret I have is that things are no longer the same. Life is no longer the same as I expect it to be. Communities are no longer what they were. People are no longer the same people when you left to go to those faraway places that your relatives only can wonder about. It is an experience that separates them from you. I came home to find that the freedom I used to have is now tested against the new social disorder that has every man, woman, and children live in fear of being harassed by a band of druggies, steam induced youths, and knife-wielding gangs along the road that I used to enjoy walking to school every day of my childhood years. I am a local from Ularina village in Wewak. I remember the days when I used to walk without fear of rascals and intimidating youths to Mongniol Primary School and to the Wirui church. We used to walk in the night up and down the Nuigo Saure road without fear of any one. Now that freedom is something of the past. Women and children, mothers and daughters and innocent people are threatened with a knife if they dont give money or whatever they want to the youths stationed along the road from Nuigo settlement down all the way to Tangugo. From the locals perspective the settlers have encroached into the traditional land areas without our permission. Gangs from the settlements are harassing and threatening our women, children, and innocent men. Police did what they could during the Christmas and New Year period to keep the festive season free and safe for most of us. After the police left the youths continued their same activities.. The social fabric of the local community in Wewak has fragmented to a point where one cannot trust ones own community youths. Many of the people in my communities of Ularina, Niumuigen, Saure live in fear. Some of the youths are involved in drinking steam that it is impossible to trust them as right-minded people. I contribute to development at the national level and to come home to witness the total neglect of Wewak local villagers is a heart wrenching experience. Not one single national leader from Wewak has done anything to help the Wewak Local villagers that I am affiliated to. 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Ashbourne is an historic market town in Derbyshire. Situated on the southern edge of the Peak District, it is known as the 'Gateway to Dovedale' and the 'Gateway to the Peak District'. Ashbourne is famous for the annual Royal Shrovetide Football Match, which has been played since at least 1667, although its origins may date back centuries earlier. Ashbourne became a Fairtrade town in March 2005. The popular Tissington Trail, which follows the route of the former Ashbourne to Buxton railway, starts on the edge of town. Keep up to date with the latest news from the town by signing up for our newsletter. Confirmed by experts of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPAC). Traces of pyrite emerge from blood tests carried out on 35 Kurdish peshmerga. Material may be from Syrian army stocks taken by jihadists. Baghdad (AsiaNews / Agencies) - The Islamic State militias "have used mustard gas" in at least one attack last year in Iraq. The confirmation comes from internal sources of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPAC), which speaks of "samples" which prove the use of pyrite, one of the most common gases used in chemical warfare. According to experts of the international organization based in The Hague, in the Netherlands, the jihadists used mustard gas in an attack on the Kurdish militias; from samples taken in August from 35 sick Peshmerga soldiers in Erbil. If confirmed, it would be the first recorded case of use of chemical weapons in Iraq since the fall of Saddam Hussein, in 2003; victims, in this case, the Kurdish militia also persecuted in the days of Saddam. Mustard gas, which takes on a liquid state at room temperature, is a strong irritant, which causes severe damage to the skin, eyes, respiratory tract and internal organs. The OPAC experts have attributed the responsibility to the militias of the Islamic State. However, at the time the leaders of the Kurdish regional government had immediately denounced the jihadist attack by Daesh militiamen. The peshmerga soldiers were stationed on the front line near the city of Makhmour and Gwer; at least 37 rockets exploded in the surrounding area, releasing "white powder and a black liquid ". Blood tests revealed "traces of mustard gas". By the end of next month, the Executive Committee of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons will analyze data from surveys and will try to explain how the Islamist militants have managed to obtain chemical weapons. According to intelligence sources, the mustard gas could come from the Syrian army stocks that were dismantled following the agreement between the US and Russia in September 2013. The militiamen of the Islamic State came into possession of a small quantity of material, enough to produce "chlorine and mustard gas". He tells priests, religious and seminarians gathered in Moreila that Our first call is to experience this merciful love of the Father in our lives, in our experiences. In places often dominated by violence, corruption, drug trafficking, disregard for human dignity, he urges them not to give in to the temptation of resignation, one of evil ones favourite weapons. Morelia (AsiaNews) Pope Francis on Tuesday celebrated Mass with priests, seminarians and religious men and women, in Morelias Venustiano Carranza Stadium, in the heart of Mexico. He told them that those who consecrated their life to God do not want, nor cannot be administrators of the divine or Gods employees because they are called to share in his life. To reach that goal they must pray in order to resist the temptation of resignation, one of the evil ones favourite weapons, not only because it prevents us from transforming things and bearing witness to what we believe in, but also because, in places often dominated by violence, corruption, drug trafficking, disregard for human dignity, it pushes us to hide in our sacristies and false securities. The pope flew into Morelia from Mexico City. He travelled the last 9 of the 20-kilometre drive to the local stadium in the popemobile, cheered on by large crowds along the citys streets, a sign of his visits widespread appeal. Some 41 million TV viewers have in fact followed the papal visit so far. During his homily, which began at 10 am (local time), Francis told the 20,000 people present, Our first call is to experience this merciful love of the Father in our lives, in our experiences. His first call is to introduce us into the new dynamic of love, of sonship. Our first calling is to learn to say, Our Father, that is, Abba. Woe to me if I do not preach the Gospel! says Saint Paul, Woe to me! For to evangelize, he continues, is not a cause for glory but rather a need (1 Cor 9:16). He has invited us to share in his life, his divine life, and woe to us if we do not share it, woe to us - consecrated men and women, priests, seminarians, bishops, woe to us - if we are not witnesses to what we have seen and heard, woe to us. We are not and do not want to be administrators of the divine, we are not and do not want to be Gods employees, for we are invited to share in his life, we are invited to enter into his heart, a heart that prays and lives, saying, Our Father. What is our purpose if not to say with our lives. From the beginning to the end, like our brother bishop who died last night, what is mission if not to say it with our lives, "Our Father? He who is Our Father, it is he to whom we pray every day with insistence: Lead us not into temptation. Jesus himself did the same thing. He prayed that his disciples yesterdays and todays would not fall into temptation. What could be one of the sins which besets us? What could be one of the temptations which springs up not only in contemplating reality but also in living it? What temptation can come to us from places often dominated by violence, corruption, drug trafficking, disregard for human dignity, and indifference in the face of suffering and vulnerability? What temptation might we suffer over and over again when faced with this reality which seems to have become a permanent system? I think we can sum it up in a word, resignation. Faced with this reality, the devil can overcome us with one of his favourite weapons: resignation. A resignation which paralyzes us and prevents us not only from walking, but also from making the journey; a resignation which not only terrifies us, but which also entrenches us in our sacristies and false securities; a resignation which not only prevents us from proclaiming, but also inhibits our giving praise. A resignation which not only hinders our looking to the future, but also thwarts our desire to take risks and to change. And so, Our Father, lead us not into temptation. How good it is for us to tap into our memories when we are tempted. How much it helps us to look at the stuff of which we are made. It did not all begin with us, nor will it all end with us, and so it does us good to look back at our past experiences which have brought us to where we are today. And in this remembering, we cannot overlook someone who loved this place so much, who made himself a son of this land. We cannot overlook that person who could say of himself: They took me from the tribunal and put me in charge of the priesthood for my sins. Me, useless and quite unable to carry out such a great undertaking; me, who didnt know how to use an oar, they chose me to be the first Bishop of Michoacan (Vasco Vazquez de Quiroga, Pastoral Letter, 1554).And I would like to thank the Cardinal Archbishop because it is was his wish that this Eucharist be celebrated with this man's chalice). With you, I would like to recall this evangelizer, first known as the Spaniard who became an Indian. The situation of the Purhepechas Indians, whom he described as being sold, humiliated, and homeless in marketplaces, picking up scraps of bread from the ground, far from tempting him to listless resignation, succeeded in kindling his faith, strengthening his compassion and inspiring him to carry out plans that were a breath of fresh air in the midst of so much paralyzing injustice. The pain and suffering of his brothers and sisters became his prayer, and his prayer led to his response. Among the Indians, he was known as 'Tata Vasco, which in the Purhepechan language means, Father, dad, daddy It is to this prayer, to this expression, that Jesus calls us. Father, dad, daddy . . . lead us not into the temptation of resignation, lead us not into the temptation of losing our memory, lead us not into the temptation of forgetting our elders who taught us by their lives to say, Our Father. Choosing to purchase a home is a huge step, and you should congratulate yourself for making the decision! While house-hunting and may seem intimidating, just keep in mind that this is a common process. While it pays to take things slow and proceed with caution, youll find that with the right preparation and assistance, finding your new home might be easier than you think. And with The Sun Daily stating that the property market is expected to grow in 2016, now is the time to look into buying. Browsing listings online through sites like Property Guru is one of the faster ways to go about finding a house for sale, but youll also need the help of an experienced real estate agent. Once youve made contact, here are six more tips that can help you in your search to find the home you want. 1. Write Down Exactly What it is Youre Dreaming of Pinpointing the exact qualities that you want in a house can help you on the path to achieving realistic results. While its unlikely that youll be able to find a home with absolutely everything you want, writing up a list your must-haves is a good way to get a big picture that your agent can use to find the best properties for your preferences. On the other hand, you should also draw up a list of dealbreakers--qualities that you absolutely do not want in a house. This will also be helpful for your agent when it comes to narrowing down homes to view. 2. Pay a Visit to The Neighbors Once you choose a neighborhood and start viewing homes that might be a possibility, youll want to return to speak to the neighbors. This is a great way to get a feel for the atmosphere of the neighborhood, and to learn a bit more from current residents. A neighbor might also be able to clue you in on events which may have affected the value of your home, such as a fire or other environmental damage. They can also tell you how safe the neighborhood is. And, of course, if your neighbors are rude and unfriendly, you might want to cross that house off your list! 3. Get in Touch With Your Service Providers This is something thats often overlooked in the hustle and bustle of moving, but being prepared can save you a lot of grief. When it comes to your internet, television, phone, or even utilities, is it possible to easily transfer your account to a new address? Or is your new address not in the service range of your providers? Making sure that you wont have to enroll in a whole new set of services can save you time, stress, and potentially money. It pays to make sure that youll be covered, regardless of where you move. 4. Take a Thorough Tour of The Neighborhood In addition to speaking to your neighbors, youll want to get a feel for the neighborhood yourself. If youve got your eyes on a home that you really love, come back at different times of day and do some exploring. Youll be able to tell if the area is family-friendly and get an idea of how safe and comfortable the area is. It also helps to know the whereabouts of places like grocery stores and public transportation. Also, take a look to see if theres a Chinese school in the area-- Malay Mail Online says that the presence of a Chinese school in your neighborhood will raise the property values, which can help you out in the future if you decide to re-sell. 5. Draw up a Floor Plan, and Take Note of Measurements When visiting homes that you like, take photos so that you can remember exactly what the interior looks like. Additionally, you should draw up a simple floor plan as you explore the house. Take measurements to make sure that your existing furniture will fit in the space, especially if youre already beginning to imagine where youll put all of it. You dont want to move in and discover that your furniture doesnt actually fit where you planned! 6. Schedule a Professional Inspection Scheduling an inspection is a great way to find out whether or not there are unseen damages or repairs that need to be made to the house. You dont want to move into a new house, only to be surprised down the line by problems caused by structural damages, water damage, or uneven construction. These repairs could turn out to be rather costly, and really put a damper on the joy of owning your own house. No matter what it is youre looking for out of your future home, these tips can help to make the house hunting process a little smoother, less stressful, and perhaps more enlightening. With some work on your end, the help of your agent, and a little bit of luck, youll be on the right track to finding your dream home. The Australian government is being urged to pass legislation which would allow security-cleared lawyers to act as advocates for terrorism suspects in closed court hearings. A statement from the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security says that the bipartisan group recommends passing the Counter-Terrorism Legislation Amendment Bill (No. 1) 2015The bill would bring in a number of measures including introducing legislation to create a system of special advocates as soon as practicable and no later than the end of 2016 to represent the interests of control order subjects who have had information withheld from them. The committee says the proposed changes are in response to the evolving nature of the terrorist threat in Australia.Andrew Stott is to become managing partner of international TMT law firm Olswang Asia with effect May 1st. Stott has been in Singapore since 2012 when he joined the firm to launch its corporate practice. He will succeed Rob Bratby who is returning to London to take up a global telecoms and emerging markets role for the firm. Olswangs Singapore office also has a new partner following the promotion of commercial lawyer Matt Pollins. He becomes the firms first Singapore associate to join the partnership.Bird & Bird has hired two new partners for its Asia-Pacific offices. Jonathan Choo joins from Olswang in Singapore where he was head of the Asian arbitration and DR practice and co-head of the international arbitration group. Meanwhile Robert Rhoda joins the Hong Kong office from RPCs commercial disputes group.Witara Cakra Advocates in Indonesia has hired two partners to bolster its capital markets and banking capabilities. Kristo Molina and Fajar Ramadhan join WCA, the associate firm of White & Case, from Hiswara Bunjamin & Tandjung, associate of Herbert Smith Freehills . Molina has joined this week and Ramadhan starts next Monday. (Bloomberg) -- President Barack Obamas choices for replacing Antonin Scalia on the Supreme Court come down to firing up the Democratic base with a decidedly liberal jurist who cant be confirmed, or offering Senate Republicans a more moderate candidate they could support. The decision will overshadow Obamas remaining 11 months in office and shape his legacy. Either choice risks creating unparalleled gridlock with congressional Republicans that would mean Obamas final days in office are devoured by the bitter partisan warfare he came to Washington to erase. Based on Obamas precedent with judicial vacancies, he would be expected to choose a moderate with a shot at ascending to the high court, however unlikely that path might be. Pressure is sure to come from some in his party to take advantage of the inevitable showdown with Republicans -- who have vowed to stop any Obama nominee -- and showcase a nominee who would inspire Democratic activists in the election. Tourism chiefs and farmers in Australia have called for a planned new backpacker tax to be scrapped as it will put off a lot of young people from travelling to the country.Rather than hitting working holiday makers with additional taxes, Australia should recognise their economic potential and the benefits they bring to existing workers, said Steve Whan, manager of the National Tourism Council.It is proposed that a new 'backpacker tax' from July will scrap the tax free threshold for people working in Australia on working holiday visas and the Government has justified the move by saying that it will bring in an extra $540 million in revenue.But Whan pointed out that it is likely to result in a reduction in the number of young people travelling to Australia who are put off by having to pay tax and therefore it will not raise nearly as much as projected."The government says this will raise $540 million however, if the number of working holiday makers drop off as a consequence or the amount they work goes down, this figure is already questionable. The tax will undoubtedly cost the nation much more in economic damage," said Whan."The tax will mean fewer workers in rural and regional areas, particularly in agriculture and hospitality. Visitors on working holiday visas meet a growing demand for labour. Without them we face serious staff shortages," he pointed out."The evidence is clear: working holidaymakers do not displace Australian workers, but instead create more economic activity and more jobs," he added.The National Farmers Federation also wants the tax to be reconsidered as backpackers are very important to the economy. "They fill critical labour needs at peak times, and bring new life into rural communities. If they have to pay 32.5 cents tax in every dollar, they won't come anymore. They won't experience life in rural Australia, and farmers won't be able to grow and harvest their crops or fill vital on-farm roles," said a NFF spokesman."It's not a fair tax, and it's not a sound economic decision. Backpackers contribute more than $3.5 billion to the economy each year. We need more of them, not less," he added.Whan pointed out that backpackers have usually saved for some time for a trip of a lifetime to Australia and rather than taking advantage of them and making them pay tax they should be welcomed as an economic asset."A backpacker travelling and working in Australia creates economic activity, they spend most of what they earn in the local economy, usually topped up with funds they have saved in their home country. We should not disadvantage them. Rather we should welcome these people to our shores, our farms and our restaurants, cafes and bars," he said."The tax change comes despite a working holiday visa costing more in Australia than in some competitor markets, reducing the number of applicants. We need to boost these numbers. Slapping an unnecessary tax on their earnings is not the way to do it," he added. The most noticeable change on the Ducati XDiavel was the new 1262cc engine equipped with Desmodromic Variable Timing (DVT) system, which at first had its debut on the 2015 Multistrada. The S suffixed version of the Ducati XDiavel has improved performance and comes with a more aggressive overall design. In the visual department, the Italian designers fitted the bike with new finishes for the belt covers of the engine, frame plates, footpeg plates, bi-material coating for the seat, Marchesini wheels, and machined rear-view mirrors. The 2016 Ducati XDiavel S takes its power from the new 1262cc Testastretta L-Twin liquid-cooled engine and sends the power to the rear wheel through a six-speed manual transmission, boasting 156 hp at 9.500 rpm and 129 Nm (95 lb-ft) of torque that is available at a low 5,000 rpm. Minor mechanical changes were made to the engine, including relocated coolant pipes that are no longer visible on the exterior part of the engine. The XDiavel and XDiavel S use a 50 mm adjustable upside-down fork on the front, but the only difference is that the S has a DLC coating, but on the back, both have an adjustable monoshock. The bike was for sale in 2022, starting from $12,000. Remember how Dodge's PR team released a series of Hellcat press photos back in May last year, one of which was an infotainment display screenshot reading "707"? We didn't get that message until July 2015, when the carmaker was still teasing us by talking about an output of "over 600 hp."Returning to the Lone Star State tuner, the company released the first driving video of its Hellcat line-up about fourteen hours ago. The clip showed the 850 hp model, which follows the entry-level 800 hp package, doing what it does best (read: roasting its rear tires).Upon checking out their website for more info on the HPE850 Hellcat pack, we came across the third, range-topping kit, the HPE1000, giving you the first details on the thousand-horsepower Hellcat. And yes, the info had been sitting there for some time. Well, Hennessey just used its social media channels to introduce the HPE1000 Dodge Challenger Hellcat, releasing the image above in the process.Now, we've seen the muscle specialist offering us 1,000 hp slabs of America before, but the Mopar project sees the Challenger gaining a twin-turbo setup that works together with the factory blower.With the standard supercharged 6.2-liter setup delivering up to 11.9 psi of boost, the new hardware ups the ante to 15 psi. Yes, we know what you're thinking, but the "this is still not maxed out" line is another story for another time.As a result of the triple charging, output jumps from 707 hp at 6,000 rpm and 650 lb-ft (850 Nm) of torque at 4,000 rpm to 1,032 hp at 6,500 rpm and a monstrous 987 lb-ft (1,338 Nm) of twist. And since the specialist has brought the two forced induction methods under the same hood, you'll be able to enjoy that muscle regardless of the revs you're playing at.Hennessey estimates the HPE1000 Challenger Hellcat will complete the 0 to 60 mph sprint in 2.7 seconds, being able to pull a 9.9s quarter mile run at 142 mph, all while melting drag radials.To put that into perspective, we'll mention the "standard" Challenger Hellcat can play the 1,320-foot game in 10.8 seconds. And, as always with such levels of power, the really interesting sprinting gains take place during runs that don't involve standing starts - we feel sorry for the standard 275-section rear tires, we really do.Given the new numbers and the fact that the exterior remains stock, sans the new badges, we could say we're dealing with a Hellcat sleeper here. So, without further ado, here are the full contents of the HPE1000 Hellcat package: Twin turbo system working in conjunction with the factory supercharger producing 15 psi boost Twin ball bearing turbochargers with billet aluminum compressor wheels High-flow air to water intercooler system Stainless steel turbo headers and downpipes Dual turbo wastegates Turbo inlet tubing with dual blow-off valves Upgraded high-flow fuel injectors Upgraded fuel pump & fuel system HPE engine management upgrade & chassis dyno calibration High-flow air filter element (replaces the factory air filter in the airbox) Professional installation All necessary gaskets & fluids Chassis dyno testing. Youll receive a before & after dyno graph report showing power and torque measured at the rear wheels Road testing (up to 100 miles) Hennessey exterior badge (rear) HPE1000 Powered by Hennessey badges (side & rear) Twin Turbo badges Hennessey HPE1000 serial numbered plaque signed by John Hennessey (interior) Hennessey HPE1000 serial numbered plaque signed by the HPE technician who builds you car (engine bay) Powered by Hennessey premium floor mats Serial numbered Certificate of Authenticity personally signed by John Hennessey Free lifetime membership in the official Hennessey Vehicle Registry (HVR) 1 Year / 12,000 mile limited warranty. Contact a Hennessey Performance sales associate for more details Shell V-Power Nitro+ 93 octane gasoline Pennzoil Ultra Platinum synthetic oil & filter changeThere's just one piece of bad news we need to give you on this topic: Hennessey will only build twelve units of the HPE1000 Mopar machine. But the impact of that info depends on whether you'll find yourself inside or outside the car.Is such an upgrade justified? Well, all we can tell you is that the aftermarket company is already taking orders. Besides, is having 707 horses justified in the first place? IIHS And while Sweden's brick wagon made several appearances in movies about depressed suburban kids, the Brat was forgotten for a while. That changed when teens discovered chicken tax trucks with seats in the back and decided they were to be coveted, like a girl that has a level 100 World of Warcraft account.The fact that bowel movement hurries it makes this a non-review. Does the Brat ride well? Will the police let you sit in the back? What do girls think about it? All these questions remain unanswered while we're told that the gearbox is horrible. But you can't find a Subaru Brat to buy, and you shouldn't do that anyway. Want to be a hipster? Get a Scion or ride a monowheel instead.The Brat entered development in 1977 at the request of the President of Subaru of America. It was supposed to be a response to similar small "pickups" offered by Toyota, Nissan, and Mazda. But being based on the Leone wagon meant that Subaru was the only Japanese company that offered standard all-wheel-drive. While production ended in 1994, Subaru didn't stop things there. The company developed the Baja based on the Legacy wagon and moved production to Indiana. The Subaru truck finally died in 2006, by which time it was available with a 210 horsepower turbo engine.But we digress; the Brat is more hipsterish than the Baja because it's slower, rarer, not as well made and doesn't have four doors. In today's era of health and safety, Subaru is a well-respected company with a solidTop Safety Pick rating across the line. But in the 1980s, the company was desperate for sales and installing those jump seats in the back made the Brat a "car" and lowered the tax from 25% to just 2.5%. Who cares that they were deathtraps, right?Editor's note: The review wasn't a long poop joke. Mister Regular is trying to say that he's in a compromising position, because if he likes the car, the non-hipsters and Corvette people are going to hit the unlike button. The general public still regards electric cars as the sort of vehicles you use around town or on very short distances. Tesla is trying to change that perception with its considerably longer range, but it still cant compare to a car with an internal combustion engine. And to add insult to injury, once the batteries are depleted, they also take a lot longer to recharge.But we already know all this, and yet we still love EVs. Theres something about their almost complete silence and the power delivery that prevents you from remaining indifferent to their existence. But for some, its more than just not being indifferent. Its a way of life.This years WAVE (World Advanced Vehicle Expedition) Trophy is already the sixth edition of this event that aims to draw peoples attention to the more sustainable forms of personal transportation. As you might recall, last year there were 577 electric vehicles gathered in one place that took part in a parade ahead of the Berlin Formula-E stage, setting a new world record at the time. Obviously, the organizers expect even more people to join them this year on the 1,800-kilometer long journey that will take them through three countries during eight days.Any electric car is welcome to take part, and if you dont own one but would still like to participate, theres always the option of renting one. Various vehicles are expected to attend ranging from Tesla to Citroen, BMW, Nissan or Volkswagen. The WAVE Trophy 2016 will start on June 10 and end eight days later, on June 18, taking the participants from Germany through France and ending in Switzerland.We cant really imagine the logistics behind such an event, as finding charging stations for so many EVs must be a nightmare. Anyway, Id like to see them do this in other parts of the world, and Im not talking Africa or the North Pole. No, just a thousand or so miles to the East and theyd enter the former communist countries where finding a public charging station is more difficult than spotting Nessie.The founder of WAVE Trophy is Louis Palmer, holder of the UN Environmental Programme Champion of the Earth Award for driving two times around the world in solar-powered vehicles. Asked about the WAVE 2016, this is what he had to say: After the signing Paris Climate Change agreement we feel it is not enough to inspire. So through the WAVE international electric vehicle trophy and schools initiative we are acting. We urge society and leaders to be part of the needed change - now it's time for action, before it's too late.If you want to find out more about WAVE 2016, you can do so on the official website here . Alternatively, there is also a blog , a YouTube channel and a Twitter account. Sometime around March 1, the very first Boeing 727 ever built will take off for one last time, to fly to its permanent home at the Museum of Flight in Seattle, the museum has announced. The airplane, which entered service in 1963, hasnt flown since 1991, when it was donated to the museum by United Airlines. It has been undergoing restoration ever since by crews of volunteers at Paine Field, in Everett, Washington. The final 727 flight will help celebrate the Boeing Companys centennial year. After the flight, the jet will become part of the museums permanent collection, and there are no plans for it to ever fly again. The criteria for the final flight is safety, safety, safety, according to Bob Bogash, a volunteer who maintains a website about the project. The flight will be made when the restoration is complete, the airplane is deemed safe for the proposed flight, approvals are received from the FAA, the pilot is happy, and especially when the weather is good, Bogash wrote. The flight will carry essential crew only a pilot, first officer, and flight engineer and no passengers. The 727 then will join the museums prototype 737 and 747 in a new Aviation Pavilion set to open this summer. Viking, a Canadian company that has been building brand-new Twin Otters for a few years now, this week introduced a new variation, the 400S Seaplane, at the Singapore Airshow. While the twin was previously available with optional floats, the 400S is optimized for water-based operations, with corrosion-resistant packages for the airframe, powerplant and fuel system. Other features include additional draining and sealing, and corrosion-resistant materials throughout the aircraft. The Twin Otter is already the worlds most successful commercial seaplane, and with the modifications we are making to streamline the flight deck and optimize the aircraft for seaplane operations, we see our market share expanding even further, said Evan McCorry, a Viking spokesman. The airplane carries up to 19 passengers and sells for $6 million. Cirrus and Piper also announced news at the show. Cirrus spokesman Todd Simmons said all new SR models delivered in 2016 will feature a suite of upgrades, including remote keyless entry, a Bluetooth audio panel and Garmins Flight Stream Wi-Fi system, which connects the flight deck to a pilots mobile device. Newly designed seats provide more pockets for gear and added comfort for long flights. We continue to refine the aircraft to enhance both pilot and passenger comfort, Simmons said. Piper announced at the show that it has recently delivered 12 single-engine and 3 multi-engine training aircraft to an airline-oriented flight school at Budiarto Airport in Indonesia. The deal includes 10 more airplanes that will be delivered starting this summer. The Singapore Airshow, which opened today, runs until Sunday. The show is the largest of its kind in Asia. 16 February 2016 10:55 (UTC+04:00) "The Business Year" interview with Elmar Mammadyarov, minister of foreign affairs of Azerbaijan. As Azerbaijan experiences some domestic economic difficulties, what are the pillars of Azerbaijan's foreign policy that support the country on an international level? Over the years, the foreign economic policy of the Republic of Azerbaijan has been guided by five pillars, namely strengthening trans-regional energy, ICT, and transport connectivity, attracting FDI, and the preservation of economic security, effectively integrating local SMEs into global value chains and increasing the exports of national competitive products to foreign strategic markets. By acknowledging the role of international trade in achieving sustainable, balanced, and robust growth, our national development strategy is based on the improvement of trade legislation, trade facilitation, simplification of customs procedures, expansion of bilateral, regional, and multilateral cooperation, the diversification of our export structure, and the promotion of non-oil exports. We are working on developing a policy that facilitates trade, simplifies non-tariff barriers, and increases the competitiveness of local SMEs. Recognizing the importance of trade facilitation, we have recently established the Transit Cargo Coordination Council to elaborate a uniform, efficient, and transparent tariff policy in rail and maritime cargo transportation and to facilitate the process of cargo shipping. We believe that these measures will significantly contribute to boosting trans-regional trade. During the past 10 years, the number of our trading partners reached 150, we signed more than 60 bilateral trade and economic partnership agreements, the country's external trade increased by 4.3 times, including six fold in exports, and by 2.6 times in imports. Over the past decade, the poverty rate has declined in Azerbaijan from 50% in 2001 to 5% in 2015. Our unemployment rate today stands at 4.9%. Azerbaijan is implementing a number of industry and trade-related measures aimed at promoting a more favorable environment for local and foreign businessmen. In 2015, we registered a positive economic performance and economic growth in the non-oil sector stood at 8.4%. In your address to the UN General Assembly in September 2015, you spoke about Azerbaijan in the context of the global economy. How has Azerbaijan's role in the international arena expanded as a result of transnational pipelines and other infrastructure projects like TASIM and the BTK railway? Integration in the global economy has been at the core of Azerbaijan's foreign economic policy. Azerbaijan is committed and is currently the only country producing for the establishment of the Southern Gas Corridor (SGC), which will play substantial role in the diversification of natural gas suppliers to Europe. Two important projects, the Trans-Anatolian Natural Gas Pipeline (TANAP) and the Trans-Adriatic Pipeline (TAP), are now being implemented within the framework of the SGC, which has the potential to meet up to 20% of Europe's gas needs in the future. Energy infrastructure projects have significantly strengthened Azerbaijan's relationship with our close partners and intensified the regional cooperation with Turkey and Georgia, which has yielded remarkable results in other fields as well. Azerbaijan also actively participates in the advancement of important transcontinental transport corridors by investing in the transport infrastructure projects, such as the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars (BTK) railway and the New Baku International Sea Port. The BTK railroad, which is expected to be commissioned by the end of 2016 or early 2017, is designed to enhance the transit capacity of Azerbaijan and increase trade flows across the region. The BTK railway will be another step in positioning the South Caucasus as a major transit route between Europe and Asia. In addition, Azerbaijan has initiated the Trans-Eurasian Information Super Highway (TASIM) as a major regional initiative aimed at the creation of a transnational fiber-optic backbone, targeting primarily the countries of Eurasia from Western Europe to Eastern Asia. This project envisages building a major new transit route from Frankfurt to Hong Kong, contributing to the creation of an open information society, increasing internet speed, and developing new internet services. Azerbaijan has been continuously proactive in its promotion of equal and mutually beneficial cooperation among partner countries by initiating and supporting all potential projects aimed at the development of not only Azerbaijan, but the wider region as well. With the current tension between Russia and Turkey, how important is it to Azerbaijan to maintain strong relations with both countries? Relations are being dynamically developed in almost all fields of cooperation with both Turkey and Russia, and Azerbaijan places a particular emphasis on deepening its ties with both countries. Azerbaijan's relationship with Turkey, as a strategic ally, and with Russia, as a strategic partner, has historic roots and the volume of signed documents, as well as regular mutual visits, is further proof of strong relations. Regrettably, the fighter jet incident has negatively affected the relations between the two countries. The current state of the relationship between Russia and Turkey is in no way desirable for Azerbaijan. Needless to say, both Turkey and Russia play an important role in maintaining the security and stability in the South Caucasus region and beyond. Azerbaijan remains interested in enhancing its relationship with both countries by all possible means. We hope that, as a result of joint efforts, the relations between Turkey and Russia will be normalized through dialogue and mutual understanding. Following your visit to Panama and Costa Rica's announcement to open an embassy in Azerbaijan, how would you characterize Azerbaijan's relations with Central America? The development of relations with Central America, and in a broader context Latin America, is of significant importance to Azerbaijan's foreign policy. The political relations with Central and Latin American countries have been rapidly developing over the last few years. Cuba, Brazil, Argentina, Columbia, and Mexico have recently opened their embassies in Azerbaijan. Along with our embassies in Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, and Cuba, we have recently established diplomatic missions in Columbia, Peru, Uruguay, and Chile. Further proof of good political relations, Azerbaijan obtained large support from Latin American countries when it became a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council. My visit to Panama, the visit of Costa Rica's Foreign Minister, the visits from Deputy Foreign Ministers of Argentina and Uruguay last year, and the announcement of Costa Rica to establish an embassy in Azerbaijan are all vivid examples of the intensification of relations between Azerbaijan and the countries of the region. Trade and economic cooperation are paramount in our relations. The trade turnover between Azerbaijan and Latin American countries was approximately $300 million in 2014. Azerbaijan will continue to work closely with its Latin and Central American partners toward the further promotion of friendship and mutually beneficial cooperation. How does hosting large-scale international events like the Formula One Grand Prix help advance Azerbaijan in the international arena? We consider our country's cultural diversity as a strength and advantage, which gives us ample opportunity to contribute to the promotion of intercultural dialogue and understanding. Sport plays a vital role in this respect, uniting people and countries. More than 300 international sport events have been held in Azerbaijan in last 12 years. In 2015, Azerbaijan successfully hosted the First European Games and we earned 56 medals in total, finishing in second place after Russia. These games, as well as the IV Islamic Solidarity Games, which will be held in Baku in May 2017, demonstrate Azerbaijan's promotion of the ideas of cultural diversity, tolerance, and peace as the universal principles of sport. It is not a coincidence that our country was selected as a host for the next Formula One Grand Prix. We are proud of hosting such a prestigious tournament and will do our best to ensure it is organized and conducted at the highest level. We hope that the race participants, guests, and tourists will be able to familiarize themselves with our beautiful country, its ancient culture, history, and tradition, and enjoy our hospitality. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 16 February 2016 10:42 (UTC+04:00) A delegation of Azerbaijani MPs led by deputy chair of the Milli Majlis committee for international relations and interparliamentary ties, head of the New Azerbaijan Party (YAP) international relations department Sevinj Fataliyeva is visiting Japan. The delegation includes members of the YAP Political Council, MPs Hadi Rajabli, Sevinj Huseynova and secretary general of the PA BSEC Asaf Hajiyev. Azerbaijan`s Ambassador to Japan Gursel Ismayilzade also attended the meetings. The aim of the visit is to discuss mutual cooperation between the ruling parties of the two countries, as well as exchange views over prospects for friendly and cooperative relations. On February 15, the Azerbaijani delegation met with secretary general of Japanese Liberal Democratic Party Sadakazu Tanigaki. Mr. Tanigaki hailed Azerbaijan`s achievements, saying the country skillfully used its energy resources. He stressed that the success was achieved thanks to national leader Heydar Aliyev`s and President Ilham Aliyev`s leadership. Azerbaijani MP Sevinj Fataliyeva stressed the importance of reciprocal visits in terms of the development of relations between the two countries. She noted Azerbaijan paid special attention to relations with Japan, adding there were wide opportunities for the development of cooperation between the two friendly countries. Mrs. Fataliyeva spoke of the dynamic development of Azerbaijan, adding despite the country is located in a volatile region, Azerbaijan pursues an independent and active foreign policy. The Azerbaijani delegation also met with the country`s State Minister for Foreign Affairs Yoji Muto. Mr. Muto hailed the development of cooperation between the two countries. The meeting discussed the current state and prospects of relations between the two countries. Diplomatic relations between Azerbaijan and Japan were established in 1992. Relations between the two countries have continued to develop steadily. Japan was one of the first countries to support Azerbaijan's forward-looking oil strategy. Today two major Japanese companies Itochu and Impex are involved in the Contract of the Century. Leaders of Japanese business, Mitsubishi, Mitsui, Marubeni, and Sojits are involved in energy and infrastructure projects in the country. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 16 February 2016 13:15 (UTC+04:00) Azerbaijan is a reliable, consistent contributor to joint activities, NATO Secretary Generals Special Representative for the South Caucasus and Central Asia James Appathurai told reporters in Baku Feb.16. NATO supports the OSCE Minsk Groups efforts in resolving the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Appathurai further said. We are not directly involved in the process of resolving. But our position is that we support Minsk Group efforts and the peaceful resolution to this conflict, he added. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz Welcome to the Gold Dome! Two transit solutions enter, one transit solution leaves! Atlanta's local representatives have been duking it out over transportation funding, and now it seems they're trying to drop rhetorical bombs on the legislative floor. But many of the verbal explosives that oppose a MARTA expansion appear to be duds. Recently a couple of pieces ran in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that questioned the logic of expanding Atlanta's rail system. One was a regular column, Gridlock Guy, and the other an op-ed by State Sen. John Albers of Roswell. The former column covered ground about MARTA that has been treaded over and over again in three questions. Will people use it? Will taxpayers fund it? Is it really needed? Albers, on the other hand, wrote a cute middle school essay. Here's one highlight: "I represent all six cities in North Fulton County and speak to residents every day. The people overwhelmingly tell me they do not want a heavy rail solution forced upon them, so why are they being sold a bill of goods? This is the case for the proposed and nearly $3 billion expansion of MARTA rail into North Fulton County. A project of this magnitude will likely increase traffic and taxes for North Fulton residents. Cobb County learned through a study commissioned by the Board of Commissioners that their proposed transit system could make traffic worse at key intersections. North Fulton does need innovative solutions to circumvent traffic congestion, but a heavy rail expansion is not the solution. Citizens are smart and understand the reality of the situation." Anyhow ... Will people use it? Gridlock Guy says maybe since, in 2013, just 3 percent of Atlantans used the service. But, since that time, the Beltline has grown and city density has increased dramatically. And both will continue to do so along with other bike and streetcar solutions lending to the importance of rail structure. Will taxpayers fund it? Gridlock Guy says doubtful. Though that's despite a recent poll by the Metro Atlanta Chamber showing 73 percent, an overwhelming majority of likely voters, would support a tax to fund MARTA expansion. In fact, most people wouldn't support a transportation solution that excludes MARTA. Is it really needed? Gridlock Guy say probably not. Why? Well, because driverless cars and cellphones, duh! Apparently, if you look into the future 10 to 15 years you'll see a world where cars don't create congestion and everyone will be able to work from home anyway. That's all despite the fact that we currently have cars, and the roads are congested, and we currently have phones yet people still work in offices. Ten to 15 years ago people had phones and cars, but there was still traffic, and people still worked in offices. It seems unlikely that a jump in Internet speed and moving drivers to the back seat will create some unprecedented transformation in work and transportation culture that hasn't already happened. Until cars can fly or we we start traveling by vacuum-tube, we're still going to need a non-car solution. N. Fulton doesn't want expanded MARTA rail [AJC] Gridlock Guy: The debate for MARTA expansion continues [AJC] Here Now, New Visuals for 4 MARTA Transit Developments [Curbed] MARTA Expansion's Unprecedented Support in 11 Charts [Curbed] 16 February 2016 13:35 (UTC+04:00) Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev received James Appathurai, NATO Secretary General's Special Representative for the Caucasus and Central Asia on February 16, Azertac state news agency reported. Appathurai conveyed greetings of NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, and recalled President Aliyev`s last visit to NATO`s headquarters and his meetings. The head of state highlighted with pleasure his meeting with Jens Stoltenberg during the Davos forum. They hailed the successful cooperation between Azerbaijan and NATO. Azerbaijan`s contribution to international security within the peacekeeping operations in Afghanistan was praised during the meeting. The sides exchanged views over the current state of negotiations on the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. NATO`s supporting Azerbaijan`s territorial integrity in its documents was emphasized. President Aliyev thanked for the greetings of Stoltenberg, and asked Appathurai to communicate his greetings to the Secretary General of NATO. NATO and Azerbaijan are actively cooperating on democratic, institutional, and military reforms, and enjoy practical cooperation in various areas. The Azerbaijan-NATO cooperation is carried out within the "Partnership for Peace" program. Earlier, NATO adopted a document of the fourth stage of the Individual Partnership Action Plan for 2015-2016. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 16 February 2016 18:34 (UTC+04:00) By Nazrin Gadimova Successful cooperation between Azerbaijan and NATO, as well as Azerbaijans contribution to the international security within the peacekeeping operations in Afghanistan was high on the agenda of talks held between Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and visiting James Appathurai, NATO Secretary Generals Special Representative for the Caucasus and Central Asia on February 16, 2016. President Aliyev highlighted with pleasure his meeting with Stoltenberg during the Davos forum, held in late January this year. During the talks, the parties hailed successful cooperation between Azerbaijan and NATO, as well as praised Azerbaijans contribution to the international security within the peacekeeping operations in Afghanistan. The sides further exchanged views over the current state of negotiations on the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and expressed satisfaction with the fact that the documents adopted by NATO constantly support Azerbaijan's territorial integrity. Furthermore, Azerbaijans Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov met a delegation led by James Appathurai. The sides exchanged views on the current state and prospects of relations between Azerbaijan and NATO. Appathurai hailed relations and successful cooperation between Azerbaijan and NATO, and especially mentioned the continuous support of Azerbaijan to the operations in Afghanistan for the sake of international peace and security. Pointing out the reliable and steady relations between Azerbaijan and NATO, Mammadyarov stressed the development of cooperation within the frames of Individual Partnership Action Plan, Planning and Review Process and Operational Capabilities Concept. He stressed that Azerbaijan would continue to contribute to the Resolute Support Mission of NATO in Afghanistan. Touching upon the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict Mammadyarov emphasized that Armenia must withdraw its armed forces from all occupied territories of Azerbaijan for the peaceful resolution of the conflict. The sides also discussed regional and international issues of mutual interest. Azerbaijan is a reliable, consistent contributor to joint activities, Appathurai told reporters as a part of his visit to Baku. Appathurai noted that NATO supports the OSCE Minsk Groups efforts in resolving the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. We are not directly involved in the process of resolving. But our position is that we support Minsk Group efforts and the peaceful resolution to this conflict, he added. Appathurai said NATO representatives would arrive in Azerbaijan to discuss further cooperation in the framework of Individual Partnership Action Plan (IPAP) in the near future. "We are coming to the end of the second year of the program. In the near future my colleagues will arrive in Azerbaijan to discuss the next biennium cooperation within the framework of the program, he added. Appathurai also said NATO would continue to work with Azerbaijan in Afghanistan. NATO and Azerbaijan are actively cooperating on democratic, institutional, and military reforms, as well as conducting practical cooperation in various areas. Azerbaijan aspires to achieve Euro-Atlantic standards and get closer to Euro-Atlantic institutions. In this regard, supporting the security sector reform and establishing democratic institutions are the key elements of the NATO-Azerbaijan cooperation. The Azerbaijan-NATO cooperation is carried out within the "Partnership for Peace" program. Earlier, NATO adopted a document of the fourth stage of the Individual Partnership Action Plan for 2015-2016. 16 February 2016 10:21 (UTC+04:00) By Nazrin Gadimova Azerbaijan and Turkey are considering the possibility of mutual scientific and technical support in the production of micro- and nano-satellites, Azercosmos told Trend. Azerbaijan's unique satellite operator Azercosmos is in talks with the Turkish Space Technologies Research Institute (TUBITAK UZAY) on this issue, the source reported. Azercosmos, Science Development Fund under the President of Azerbaijan and TUBITAK UZAY signed a memorandum of mutual understanding on cooperation in the space industry in 2015. Under this document, the sides will exchange experience in the sphere of space technologies, conduct joint research, and use benefits of satellite telecommunication systems. Moreover, the cooperation provides for space and astronomical research, as well as study of the Earth's surface and the construction of new generation telecommunication systems. The parties will exchange experience in the field of space-based technologies, conduct joint research and use the benefits of telecommunication satellite systems. Being the only satellite operator in Caucasus, Azercosmos launched the Azerspace-1, the first-ever satellite of Azerbaijan in 2013. The company provides highly reliable, satellite-based communication services to enterprise and government customers for DTH, voice, video, data and mobility applications. Azerspace-1 covers the countries of Europe, the Caucasus, Central Asia, Middle East and Africa. Azerspace-2 is scheduled for launch in late 2017-early 2018. Work on the installation of ground station equipment must be completed no later than 2017, and the ready satellite shipped to the launch site before the end of 2017. The satellite will be placed in an orbital position of 45 degrees east longitude and will be leased by Azerbaijan side from the International Telecommunications Satellite Organization, which will have rights to 45.9 percent of satellite resources. The service area of Azerspace-2 will cover Europe, South-East Asia, Middle East and Africa. Moreover, Azercosmos operates the low-earth-orbit satellite AzerSky. Enjoying a high-skilled personnel and advanced technical capacity, Azercosmos has succeeded in becoming one of the driving forces of the ICT sector both in the country and in region during the short period since its inception. -- Nazrin Gadimova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @NazrinGadimova Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 16 February 2016 12:10 (UTC+04:00) By Aynur Karimova Azerbaijan Deposit Insurance Fund has announced that it continues payment of funds to depositors of the banks, licenses of which were revoked by the Central Bank of Azerbaijan. The Fund has paid compensation worth about 20.3 million manats ($12.79 million) to the customers of Bank of Azerbaijan, in which the insurance event happened, and the license was terminated on January 18. The payment of funds is carried out in the branches of the Muganbank and Rabitabank -- the designated agent banks. Accepting of appeals of Bank of Azerbaijans insured depositors began on January 29, 2016, and payment of compensation has been implemented since that day. The volume of insured deposits of Bank of Azerbaijan amounts to 24.2 million manats ($15.24 million). The insured depositors of Gandja Bank have received some 492,000 manats ($310,000) since February 4, when the payment of compensation was started. In general, the volume of insured deposits of the Bank is 1.5 million manats ($944,793) Payment of funds to the depositors of Gandja Bank is being made in the branches of Rabitabank, Unibank and Kapital Bank. The ADIF further added that it started payment of compensation to the depositors of the Texnikabank since February 12. As of today, the ADIF has paid some 1.1 million manats ($692,848) to the depositors of Texnikabank. Payment of funds to the depositors of the Texnikabank is being made in the branches of the Muganbabk, Rabitabank, Unibank and Kapital Bank. Insured payments can be obtained seven days after the bank is declared bankrupt in accordance with the legislation. The ADIF returns up to 30,000 manats ($18,896) for each insured deposits. The official exchange rate on February 16 was established at 1.5679 AZN/USD. Since early 2016, the CBA has terminated the licenses of Texnikabank, Caucasus Development Bank, Atrabank, Gandja Bank, Bank of Azerbaijan, United Credit Bank and NBCBank. Later, the license of NBCBank was restored. -- Aynur Karimova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Aynur_Karimova Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 16 February 2016 16:22 (UTC+04:00) By Aynur Karimova The United Kingdom, the largest foreign direct investor in Azerbaijan followed by the U.S. and Japan, seeks to expand long-term and fruitful operation of its companies in Azerbaijan. This was stated by Sue Whitbread, an official representative of the UK Trade and Investment, at the first meeting of the intergovernmental commission on economic cooperation between Azerbaijan and the UK in London last week. "Representatives of British companies operating in the field of oil and gas engineering will visit Azerbaijan in April to further enhance cooperation between the two countries in the oil and gas sector," she noted. Currently, there are 473 companies with British capital in Azerbaijan, and they mostly act as contractors in the projects being implemented in Azerbaijan. The interest of the British companies in Azerbaijan is understandable as the UK considers Azerbaijan as a very favorable country for foreign companies. Economic cooperation between the two countries, in particular in the energy sector, is at the core of the relations between Azerbaijan and the UK. The energy-rich country cooperates with the UK in the exploration and transportation of oil and natural gas from the Azerbaijani part of the Caspian Sea. British Petroleum was one of the main partners of this South Caucasus nation for over 20 years and this cooperation played a major part in the economic formation of young Azerbaijan. The signing of the Contract of the Century in 1994 and the large influx of investment in oil and gas projects has created favorable conditions for the development of all sectors of the countrys economy. Then, BP presented in Azerbaijan being a reliable partner of the country in the energy sector. "Successful and long-term activity of BP in Azerbaijan once again proves that the country is open to foreign investment and has created favorable conditions for the activity of foreign companies in different fields," Francis Maude, UK Minister of State for Trade and Investment, said at the meeting. Azerbaijan and the UK have benefited from close bilateral partnership and cooperation since 1992, in the framework of international organizations such as the UN, OSCE, Council of Europe, and NATO. The relations have covered a wide range of issues, from high-level political dialogue to growing trade and investment, as well as strengthening cultural and humanitarian ties. The UK and Azerbaijan are cooperating in education, trade, tourism, ICT, as well as other infrastructure and transit projects. Trade turnover between Azerbaijan and the UK stood at $564 million in 2015, according to the Azerbaijani State Customs Committee. Some $553.33 million of this figure accounted for import of UK products. Campbell Keir, Director of the UK Trade Investment's Energy and Infrastructure teams has stressed that Azerbaijan, which is a reliable partner of London, takes important measures to develop business environment. Thanks to the reliability as a partner, Azerbaijan has attracted British investment amounting to more than $23 billion in its national economy. 16 February 2016 17:38 (UTC+04:00) By Amina Nazarli Residential construction, one of the fastest growing industries in Azerbaijan over the past decade, is in the focus of the government to ensure quality and efficiency of the realized projects. The countrys construction industry was tasked to expand production and raise the quality of domestic building materials to ensure the growth of the sector. Emergency Situations Minister Kamaladdin Heydarov, who met with entrepreneurs on February 16, said local products should be as qualitative as the imported ones, adding that businessmen need to produce qualitative products favored by the market. Companies engaged in the production of building materials in Azerbaijan produced goods worth 433.7 million manats (about $272 million) in 2015, which is more by 6.3 percent than the figure in 2014, the State Statistics Committee reported. Azerbaijan, with the population of more than 9.6 million people, produced 2.94 million tons of cement, 687 tons of fiberglass, 195,500 tons of stucco, 474,700 tons of asphalt and 10,770 tons of processed marble, travertine and alabaster last year. The minister added that several buildings were commissioned without undergoing the appropriate expertise. Some entrepreneurs have handed over the buildings without examination by the relevant state structures. These buildings were put into operation without any checks, and their tenants complain about problems in the supply of electricity and gas, he said. The minister said that after the application of the e-registration system in the construction sector in the near future, all problems will be eliminated, adding that the system will operate on the principle of "a single window". Problems that arose in the construction sector while obtaining technical specifications for supply of water, gas, and electricity will be resolved gradually, the minister explained. Last year, there were commissioned more than 1.93 million square meters of housing and this is 12.3 percent less than in 2014. The minister further stressed the necessity to revive the construction sector in Azerbaijan, adding that investing in this sector is beneficial both for entrepreneurs and for the opening of new jobs. Heydarov is sure that the construction sector will not encounter any obstacles anymore. He noted that local executive bodies will not be allowed to make decision on construction work, saying that the constriction work in the country can be suspended only by a court decision. -- Amina Nazarli is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @amina_nazarli Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 16 February 2016 18:16 (UTC+04:00) The official exchange rate of manat, the Azerbaijani national currency, against the US dollar was set at 1.5675 manats/$1 for Feb. 17, said the Central Bank of Azerbaijan (CBA) Feb. 16. The average rate of manat was set following the interbank transactions on the Azerbaijani currency market, said the CBA. The CBA sold over $32 million to 10 domestic banks through the auction on February 15. The Bank put up for sale $200 million, but the total demand of banks for foreign currency amounted to only $32.1 million and it was fully met. the CBA holds auctions three times a week - on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. 16 February 2016 13:00 (UTC+04:00) The only Azerbaijani national living in Nigeria, Billura Bayramova, has attended Small World charity event organized by the International Women's Organization for Charity in Lagos. The Small World charity event saw international and national womens groups living in Nigeria get together to showcase a feast of cuisine, costume, culture and color, bringing together people from all walks of life to celebrate their diversity. All funds raised through the event, sponsorship and advertising go directly to the nominated charities. Bayramova said visitors were offered samples of Azerbaijani cuisine, including dolma, qutab, pilaf, baklava. The local media and visitors were informed about the history and culture of Azerbaijan, she said. Small World was founded 19 years ago by a group of expatriate women who wanted to give back to their host country, Nigeria. They felt that by working together they would be able to raise more money for local Nigerian charities. And so, in 1996, the annual Small World event was born. Starting as a small, indoor food fair with 300 guests, the event has grown to become an outdoor festival with over 3000 people attending. In 2008, Small World was officially incorporated as the International Womens Organisation for Charity with the Corporate Affairs Commission of Nigeria, Azertac state news agency reported. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 16 February 2016 14:53 (UTC+04:00) By Aynur Karimova Energy-rich Iran's intention to export its gas to Europe and Georgia's desire to be a transit country for delivering blue fuel to European consumers has become the hot topic of recent days. Iranian Ambassador to Georgia Abbas Talebi-far has told Georgian media that Iran is ready to supply gas to Georgia both for domestic use and for transit to Europe. In early January, Alireza Kameli, Managing Director of the National Iranian Gas Export Company, announced that the Islamic Republic plans to export its natural gas to Georgia through a pipeline. The Islamic Republic is expected to deliver its natural gas in the amount of 8.5-14 million cubic meters per day to Georgia through Armenia. However, according to Kameli, a contract will not be signed unless the project becomes economically justified. Several experts claim that Georgia should catch this chance, while others say to carry such a responsibility - to pass Iranian gas via its territory is a difficult issue for Georgia given the fact that it needs an appropriate pipeline infrastructure and wise policy not to deteriorate energy ties with traditional energy supplier - Azerbaijan. Robert M. Cutler, a senior research fellow at the Institute of European, Russian and Eurasian Studies of the Carleton University, believes that it is difficult to see how transit of Iranian gas to Europe via Georgia might happen. "It is unlikely to happen via the South Caucasus Pipeline," he wrote in e-mail to Azernews. "Its Azerbaijan-Georgia leg takes gas from Azerbaijan to Georgia for Georgian consumption, to Turkey (via Georgia) for Turkish consumption, and in the future also export (via TANAP) for European consumption. Volumes of the SCP and TANAP are fully subscribed, including with sales contracts, for the foreseeable future." The expert believes that the only other possibility would be a modification of the Azerbaijan-Georgia-Romania Interconnector (AGRI) project, which sought ways to take Azerbaijani gas across the Black Sea to Europe. "However, the European Union has now eliminated this from the list of "Projects of Common Interest," so it is unlikely to be constructed," he noted. Commenting on the Iranian sides statements, Cutler said these comments are revealed as empty words, designed only to create a certain diplomatic atmosphere. "If Iranian gas ever reaches Europe, it will be as Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), and if this ever happens, then it will not happen anytime soon, because Irans first export priority (i.e. after its own internal market) is the Asian market," he stated. -- Aynur Karimova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Aynur_Karimova Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 16 February 2016 10:45 (UTC+04:00) Energy ministers of several OPEC member countries and Russia will hold talks on the current the situation in the oil market in Doha on February 16, the The Wall Street Journal reported, citing OPEC sources. In particular, the meeting will be attended by ministers of Saudi Arabia, Nigeria, Venezuela and Russia. Venezuela is an initiator of holding an urgent meeting with involvement of non-OPEC producers to discuss the possible production cuts. Analysts are too skeptical about the chances of cooperation between OPEC and non-OPEC on production cuts. The main reason for that, analysts believe, is the willingness of OPEC major oil producers to defend its market shares by keeping oil production high. Total OPEC production in 2015 amounted to 31.846 million barrels per day compared to 30.771 million barrels per day in 2014. The official production quota for OPEC production is set at 30 million barrels per day. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz Eight Native American tribes in New York will share more than $6 million in aid for affordable housing projects, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced Tuesday. The Seneca Nation of New York, which is based in Irving, will receive the largest grant $2,514,162 to invest in affordable housing units for low-income families. The St. Regis Band of Mohawk Indians of New York will get $2,039,575. In central New York, the Oneida Nation in Verona will receive $824,219 and the Cayuga Nation of New York in Seneca Falls has been awarded a $386,052 grant. The Onondaga Nation of New York will get a $50,282 grant from the agency. Other tribes receiving grants include the Shinnecock Indians, which will receive $229,245. The Tonawanda Band of Seneca Indians of New York and the Tuscarora Nation, both based in western New York, will each get $50,282. "Every family, every community in America, deserves the chance to flourish," HUD Secretary Julian Castro said in a statement. "Tribes use this funding to build new homes, or to solve their most pressing housing issues. "Our partnerships with tribal communities and leaders are critical today to help ensure better housing, neighborhoods and economic opportunities for tomorrow." The funding is provided through HUD's Indian Housing Block Grant program. The aid is distributed annually to eligible tribes. The agency is requesting $700 million for Native American housing block grants in its 2017 budget, an increase of $50 million over the 2016 budget funding level. "The Indian Housing Block Grant program is the single, largest source of affordable housing assistance in Native American communities," HUD Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Lourdes Castro Ramirez said. "Over the life of the program, recipients have been able to build or acquire almost 37,000 affordable homes and have rehabilitated more than 77,000 housing units." 16 February 2016 14:32 (UTC+04:00) Energy ministers of Russia and a number of OPEC countries have agreed to freeze the production of oil after the negotiations in Qatars capital Doha, Qatar's Energy Minister Mohammad bin Saleh al-Sada said, RIA Novosti reported on February 16. Oil output will be stabilized at the level of January11, Saudi Arabias oil minister Ali Al Naimi said. He noted that Saudi Arabia also agreed with this decision. In January, OPEC made a statement about the likely creation of an alliance with Russia and a number of other oil-producing countries in order to reduce production and stop the fall in oil prices. In late January, Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak said that the meeting of OPEC and other oil-producing countries tentatively was scheduled for February, but there is no final agreement. Meanwhile, he confirmed his readiness to personally participate in the meeting. In early February the media reported that the Venezuelan oil minister negotiates with OPEC countries, as well as Russia to hold a meeting to discuss an agreement on maintaining the same level of oil supply volumes in the market. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 16 February 2016 16:36 (UTC+04:00) By Gulgiz Dadashova Azerbaijan doesnt plan to freeze the oil production level, Trend reports. Natig Abbasov, the countrys deputy energy minister announced about this while commenting on the agreement between Russia and several OPEC members to freeze oil output level. He said Azerbaijan's share in global oil production is negligible and does not affect the formation of prices, so freezing production in Azerbaijan will not give the desired effect. In 2015, Azerbaijan produced about 0.8 million barrels of oil a day , while the global output level hit 95.71 million barrels per day. Last year, Azerbaijan produced 41.6 million tons of oil against forecasted 40.7 million tons, and exported 38.1 million tons of oil to world markets. Energy ministers of Russia and a number of OPEC countries have agreed to freeze the production of oil after the negotiations in Qatars capital Doha, Qatar's Energy Minister Mohammad bin Saleh al-Sada said, RIA Novosti reported on February 16. Oil output will be stabilized at the level of January 11, Saudi Arabias oil minister Ali Al Naimi said. He noted that Saudi Arabia also agreed with this decision. Saudi Arabia and Russia produced about 21.2 million barrels per day in January. A new round of talks between key oil producing countries, which will be attended by the representatives of Iran and Iraq, will be held on February 17, Lenta.ru reports with reference toVenezuelan Oil Minister Eulogio Del Pino. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 16 February 2016 10:59 (UTC+04:00) Georgia will provideforeign citizens, who are on its territory due to the conflicts in their countries, with temporary asylum, Georgia-Online reported. "This status will be granted for this category of foreign citizens in Georgia for one year, Georgian Minister for Internally Displaced Persons from the Occupied Territories, Accommodation and Refugees Sozar Subari told reporters on February 15. He added that as soon as the situation is stabilized in their countries, they will be required to return home. "All personal files of foreign citizens will be considered, the minister said. The reason is that there may be some individuals who have arrived in Georgia for some other purpose. These individuals will have to return home within one month. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 16 February 2016 15:03 (UTC+04:00) Moscow regrets the crisis in Russian-Turkish relations but is not the initiator of the poor atmosphere between the two countries, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on February 16, Sputnik International news agency reported. Relations are in a deep crisis and Russia regrets this and [knows] it isnt the initiator of this crisis, Peskov said. Diplomatic relations between Russia and Turkey soured after a Russian Su-24 was shot down by the Turkish Air Forces Nov. 24, 2015. Turkey said the warplane violated its airspace, while Russia dismissed the claims. Following the incident, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree on measures to ensure national security and economic measures against Turkey. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 16 February 2016 16:21 (UTC+04:00) NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has urged Russia and Turkey to deescalate tensions in bilateral relations, the NATO Secretary Generals Special Representative for the South Caucasus and Central Asia, James Appathurai, told reporters in Baku on February 16. The secretary general has more than once said that he would like to see a discussion, which would set in place improved modernized agreements to improve transparency and reduce risk of unintended military incidents and unintended escalation, according to Appathurai. Until now, we have not seen progress in this regard, but we will keep pushing for it, he added. Relations between Russia and Turkey have deteriorated after Turkish Air Force jets shot down the Russian SU-24 bomber when it entered Turkish airspace Nov. 24. After the incident the Russian president signed a decree on measures to ensure national security and on special economic measures in regard to Turkey. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 16 February 2016 17:41 (UTC+04:00) By Laman Ismayilova The NATO military alliance has sent four naval war ships to Georgias Black Sea port of Batumi as part of a scheduled month-long training mission. The ships of the Alliance participate in joint exercises and training missions with Georgian naval and marine forces, Georgia Today reported. The ships will stay at the port until February 15. We are here today to demonstrate NATOs support as well as stress our strong and mutually beneficial cooperation with Georgia, NATOs United Naval Forces commander Giorgio Lazio said at a press conference held in Batumi with Georgias Interior Minister Giorgi Mgebrishvili. Lazio emphasized that NATO-Georgian naval cooperation strengthens peace and stability in the Black Sea. Turkish Naval Forces Staff Colonel Ramazan Kesgin stressed the importance of the visit, saying that deepening cooperation with Georgias fledgling navy is a vital part of NATOs security plans for 2016. NATO launched a joint training center in Georgia in August 2015, part of the so-called substantial package of cooperation with Georgias armed forces. The center will start the tactical training of Georgian soldiers in May. Georgia actively cooperates with NATO since the late 1990s. In November 2002, President Eduard Shevardnadze has officially declared at the NATO summit in Prague that Georgia wants to become a member of the Alliance. Today, Tbilisi continues the course of integration into NATO. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 16 February 2016 17:32 (UTC+04:00) Electricity output amounted to 22.5 billion kilowatt-hours in 2015 in Turkmenistan, while its export to neighboring countries amounted to 3.2 billion kilowatt-hours, the countrys energy ministry reported on February 16. Currently, work on increasing electricity export to Afghanistan, Iran and Turkey is carried out in Turkmenistan. The country also studies the possibility of electricity export to Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Pakistan and the Caucasian countries. It plans to build 14 gas-turbine power stations in the countrys different regions, according to the Concept of Electric Power Industry Development of Turkmenistan for 2013-2020. Turkmenistan plans to increase electricity output up to 27.4 billion kilowatt-hours by 2020, and 35.5 billion kilowatt-hours by 2030. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 16 February 2016 17:56 (UTC+04:00) As Russia and OPECs major producer Saudi Arabia agreed to freeze oil production at the January levels, Tehran has announced that it wouldnt abandon its oil output growth plan. Iran will never ignore its share in global oil markets, Shana news agency quoted Oil Minister Bijan Namdar Zanganeh as saying on February 16. Beside Riyadh and Moscow, Doha and Caracas also announced during a meeting in Qatar that they agreed to freeze output at the January levels if other major exporters follow the suit. Zanganeh also said, We heard the meeting of four oil producers in Qatar and their agreement to keep the production level at the January levels, but their decision should be discussed and their goals should be clarified. The first important thing is that the glut in markets should be removed and the second is that Iran will never refuse to resume its share in markets, he said. Zanganeh added that Venezuela and Iraqs oil ministers would visit Tehran to discuss the issue on February 17. Iran was exporting 2.2 million barrels per day of crude oil in 2011, but the volume plunged to around 1 million barrels per day after sanctions. The country increased the figure to about 1.4 million barrels per day in January this year and has planed to boost the volume to 2 million barrels per day after March. Iran says it will increase the oil output by 0.5 million barrels per day in H1 2016, and add the same volume to production level by the end of the current year. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 16 February 2016 19:26 (UTC+04:00) By Aynur Karimova Energy-rich Iran, which is now free of international sanctions, desires to see oil purchase by the state-run Japanese companies at the pre-sanctions level. Tehran and Tokyo can continue their cooperation in the oil sector, Irans Oil Minister Bijan Namdar Zanganeh said, adding that the two countries can enjoy strategic relations in various areas, including in the energy sector. Addressing a meeting with Katsuyuki Kawai, a special advisor to Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, in Tehran on February 15, Zanganeh also noted that Iran and Japan can cooperate in different energy sectors, including refining, LNG and petrochemical industry, as well as investment and financing of projects. Mohsen Ghamsari, executive director for international affairs at the National Iranian Oil Company, earlier said that Iran, the fourth country in the world for its proven oil reserves of 158 billion barrels, plans to triple its crude oil export to Japan once the sanctions are lifted. Currently, Tehran exports 110,000 barrels of crude oil per day to Japan, which is planned to reach 350,000 barrels per day. Japan is showing a serious will to strengthen economic ties with Tehran, in particular in the energy sector. Currently, Iran supplies only 3 percent of Japans 3.5-million barrels per day of crude demand, after the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Russia, Qatar and Kuwait. Meanwhile, Iranian media reported that Japan plans to extend a contract to purchase crude oil from Iran. Shana news agency affiliated to Irans Ministry of Petroleum has reported that Japans contract will be extended until April 2017. Japan was one of the key clients of Irans oil before the U.S.-led sanctions were imposed on the Islamic Republic in 2012. Iran also hosted several leading Japanese companies in its oil and gas projects before the sanctions were put into place to encourage purchases of oil from Iran not only by Japan but also by many other international clients. The prospects for the removal of the sanctions against Iran encouraged the Japanese officials to look for the avenues to return to the previous status of oil relations with Iran. Accordingly, Shana says Tehran hosted several major oil delegations from Japan over the past months during which the Japanese officials emphasized that the country is ready to return to pre-sanctions status of oil imports from Iran as soon as the bans against sales of Iranian oil are lifted. -- Aynur Karimova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Aynur_Karimova Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz A third county Republican committee has backed U.S. Rep. John Katko's re-election campaign. The Cayuga County Republican Committee unanimously endorsed Katko, R-Camillus, at the group's meeting Monday. Katko previously received endorsements from the Onondaga and Oswego Republicans. "Our committee is proud to once again support John Katko for Congress," Cayuga County Republican Chairwoman Sue Tanner said. "Congressman Katko has fought through gridlock to deliver results for Cayuga County and his entire district. He is a visible, responsive and thoughtful leader for our community." This is Katko's first re-election bid. He was elected to Congress in 2014, when he defeated then-U.S. Rep. Dan Maffei by nearly 20 points. While Katko isn't facing any opposition for the Republican nomination, GOP committee members are reiterating their support for the incumbent congressman. "I am extremely grateful for the continued support of Chairwoman Tanner and the entire Cayuga County Republican Committee," Katko said in a statement. "From Auburn, to Cato, to King Ferry, I've met with countless individuals and worked to understand and represent the needs of the Cayuga County in Washington. "I've worked to prioritize agriculture, combat the devastating heroin and synthetic drug epidemic and grow tourism and jobs in our region. I am committed to delivering results for all of central New York, and I could not do that without the support of the Cayuga committee." Three Democrats are running for the party's nomination to challenge Katko in the general election. Colleen Deacon, a former aide to U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, has been endorsed by the Onondaga County Democratic Committee and is supported by the Cayuga, Oswego and Wayne Democratic committees. Steve Williams, a Syracuse-area attorney, also has the support of the Cayuga, Oswego and Wayne Democrats. Eric Kingson, a Syracuse University professor and Social Security expert, is also vying for the nomination. The Democratic primary will be held June 28. The 24th Congressional District includes all of Cayuga, Onondaga and Wayne counties, plus the western portion of Oswego County. 3.0 ( - - ): editor [at] bahrainmirror.com Feb. 16, 1936 SENECA FALLS "Tommy," pet cat of Dr. William L. Clark, veterinary surgeon, will have a party and 200 guests to celebrate his 21st birthday Wednesday. On the night of Feb. 19, 1915, Doctor Clark was treating a sick horse at a farm when he found a tiny kitten in the stable. He took him home. "Tommy's" birthday cake will have 21 candles and a chair will be reserved for him. Feb. 16, 1961 Miss Carole Reed, daughter of Superintendent and Mrs. Malcolm H. Reed of 122 S. Herman Ave., has been chosen to be a member of Mademoiselle's 1961 National College Board. A senior at Cornell University, she will complete an assignment in competition with 842 students for one of 20 guest editorships. Guest editors will go to New York in June for four weeks with a salary paid. Feb. 16, 2006 The author of the latest biography on Abraham Lincoln happens to be a huge fan of Auburn's Seward House. "Doris (Kearns Goodwin) told the director of the Susan B. Anthony house that the Seward House is perhaps one of the best museums in the country. I wish she would state that publicly," he joked. Goodwin's fourth political biography, "Team of Rivals," was the topic during a discussion Wednesday night at Westminster Church. Her book shares the story of Lincoln and his relationship with his cabinet members, including William Seward. Feb. 16, 2011 The concept of closing a building in the Auburn Enlarged City School District is closer to becoming a reality in 2011, Superintendent J.D. Pabis told the board of education Tuesday. The options the district provided are as follows: Close one elementary school; have four kindergarten through fifth grade buildings; two grades sixth through eighth buildings and the high school; annual savings estimated at $1.07 million; 23 positions eliminated Close one middle school; have five kindergarten through sixth grade buildings; one grades seventh and eighth building and the high school; annual savings estimated at $1.6 million; 38.5 positions eliminated Close the Harriet Tubman Administration Building; annual savings of $61,970; no positions eliminated Blackthorn Fudge, the Belfast-based fudge and toffee manufacturer, has launched a line of chocolate-covered toffees under its Melting Pot brand. The Creamy Toffees are twice coated in Belgian chocolate and sold in 50g packs of six chocolates with an RRP of 1.49 each. Blackthorn Fudge makes handmade fudge and toffee and sells mostly outside Northern Ireland. It distributes to a variety of outlets in Great Britain, including delis and petrol station forecourts, through Hyder Foods and Cotswold Fayre, and has developed premium fudge for Partridges food store, London. Last year, the family-run company released a range of gluten-, dairy- and soya-free fudges. (In September, The Citizen published a special report on the current status of the Cayuga County Arts Council's efforts to restore the Auburn Schine Theater. This is both a follow-up on a few loose ends from that story's reporting, as well as a look at some new developments related to the Schine's restoration.) Perhaps the biggest news about the Auburn Schine Theater in the last several months concerns not the building itself, but the one next door down South Street. Lincoln South which Schine owners the Cayuga County Arts Council had sought as part of its efforts to restore the 1938 John Eberson theater was sold to Piccolo Properties in January. The council had hoped to buy the 21 Lincoln St. building and repurpose it as office and classroom space for the multi-purpose performing arts facility it aims to make the Schine. "I am happy that a new neighbor is rehabbing (Lincoln South), but a bit sad that we couldn't find a way to incorporate it into the Schine project," council board of directors Chairman Jim Loperfido said in an email Tuesday. "It would have given everything needed for the (Finger Lakes Musical Theatre Festival)." Lincoln South's new owner, Tony Piccolo, said he plans to lease office space there. He was unaware of the council's designs on it, he said. In order to re-energize the Schine project, Loperfido said, the council is reviewing both its sustainability and renovation plans. The latter got a boost recently when the EPA agreed to allow the council to apply for asbestos cleanup funding again. Previous applications, including one for a $200,000 Brownfields Cleanup Grant in 2014, were denied because the council didn't conduct a proper site study at the time of the Schine's purchase in 1998. "This is big news for us, as our renovation plan is stalled until (the) asbestos is remediated," Loperfido said. Two other recent developments in the council's efforts to restore the Schine can be noticed with a deeper look. First, the council added two board members in December: Ed Onori, who's worked on the Schine's restoration as a project manager with Beardsley Design Associates, and Chuck Taylor. Taylor, an Auburn native who recently moved back to the area from Delaware, said he was appointed to the board after posting on its website that he wanted to join. Being part of the board has given Taylor a new perspective on the criticism it faces, he said. Specifically, he now understands why it stays so quiet. "It seems like any time they try to do something, they get completely bombarded by the other side saying 'nothing's going to work,' 'everything's wrong,'" Taylor said. "I'm slowly starting to understand both sides." Loperfido said the council could add two or three more board members in March, and that the board's officer elections are tentatively set for the spring. Stressing the council's need for new blood, he said it is also redeveloping its outreach program. The second recent development related to the council is the public release of its 2012, 2013 and 2014 filings with the New York State Office of the Attorney General's Charities Bureau. Both the 2012 and 2013 filings had been past due. Speaking to The Citizen in September, Loperfido said they were sent that month, and contended that they'd been filed on time in the first place. The attorney general's office told The Citizen that the three filings were not received until Dec. 24. The three filings also continue a practice the attorney general's office could not explain: From 2007 to 2013, the council regularly changed the registration type under which it made those filings. There are three types: 7-A, EPTL and both. Casey Aguglia, deputy press secretary for the attorney general, said 7-A applies to organizations that solicit the public, while EPTL applies to organizations that have charitable assets in the state. "An organization that has assets in New York and solicits the public has to register under both statutes," she said. The council filed as both types in 2007, then EPTL in 2008, then both again in 2009, then 7-A in 2010 through 2013. Then, in 2014, the council once again filed as both. But for each type, it checked a box exempting it from paying the type's filing fee. The 7-A exemption can be claimed if an organization has collected less than $25,000 in contributions that year, and the EPTL exemption can be claimed if its gross receipts and market value of assets each didn't exceed $25,000. In the Schine, however, the council owns a building worth well more than $25,000. In 2009, the last year for which its extended tax return is available, the council said the Schine and its 16 South St. land parcel were worth $991,768. That year, the council paid an EPTL filing fee of $100. But, by either not declaring itself an EPTL or claiming the exemption, the council has foregone that fee every year since even though it continues to own the Schine. Loperfido said he could not explain the changing of the council's registration type, nor why it claimed the EPTL exemption in its 2014 return despite owning the Schine. The council also reported a net loss of $715.16 in its 2014 return, noting $3,744.33 in fundraising expenses and $5,385.98 in program expenses. One of those expenses was the council's annual fundraiser, Artini, where it sold tickets to a raffle for artist Gary Jacobs' rendition of the Schine auditorium as the council hopes to restore it. However, it appears the painting was not awarded to anyone. And per state law, the council would have had to draw a winner no more than 180 days past Artini: March 24, 2015. Asked about the matter in September, Loperfido said that any raffle tickets sold at Artini would be included in a drawing at the last of four film presentations he was planning for that fall. Those presentations have not taken place, though. Loperfido outlined the series in September: It'd cover Ithaca silent film artists Theodore and Leopold Wharton, Alfred Hitchcock, TV with central New York ties and a comparison between "Star Trek" and "Babylon 5." An appearance by Lt. Saavik actress Robin Curtis from "The Search for Spock" was even planned for the "Star Trek" talk, Loperfido said. However, "conflict after conflict" delayed the presentations into 2016, he said. For that reason, the council was forced to return a 2015 Finger Lakes Community Arts Grant for $1,590 that would have supported the presentations had they happened that year. FLCAG coordinator Meg Clary said that she received the check on Tuesday. Without the support of the grant, Loperfido said, he is talking to a few partners who could lend the series a hand. And whether it's at the film presentations or a series of outreach meetings the council is planning for spring and summer, the raffle will reopen then, he said. PHOENIX -- Three decades after lawmakers pushed teaching creationism in public schools, state senators are debating whether the father of the theory of evolution deserves to be honored. On a 5-1 vote Monday, the Senate Committee on Natural Resources voted to designate Feb. 12 as International Darwin Day. Sen. Andrew Sherwood, D-Tempe, acknowledged that the resolution has no legal effect. But he said it is still important to recognize the importance of science and the role Charles Darwin has played in advancing it. His arguments were supported by Manfred Laubichler, a professor of theoretical biology and the history of biology at Arizona State University. "Symbolic gestures matter a lot,'' he told lawmakers. As to why singling out Darwin, versus any other scientist, Laubichler said Darwin's discoveries continue to affect new discoveries and insights. And he said that any efforts to successfully battle the Zika virus are likely to be rooted in Darwin's work. Sen. David Farnsworth, R-Mesa, said he would have supported creating an Arizona Science Day. But this, he said, is quite different. "When I was growing up in Mesa, I was taught in school the evolution theory that my ancestors came from monkeys,'' Farnsworth said. "Personally, I was offended by that theory, especially when you consider that I hold a deep-seated belief in creationism.'' He said it would be fairer to teach both evolution and creationism, both as theories. "I believe that truth is absolute and that science and religion should agree,'' Farnsworth said. Sen. Don Shooter, R-Yuma, had a different take on the issue. "My personal belief is there's no conflict between truth in religion and truth in science,'' he said. "The conflicts come from false religion and false science.'' And Shooter said the measure makes sense. "I think that Darwin did some pretty amazing observations and has contributed to science,'' he said. The measure needs approval of the Health and Human Services Committee if it is to get to the full Senate. But Sen. Nancy Barto, R-Phoenix, who chairs that panel, said Monday she has not decided whether she will give the bill a hearing. In the 1980s, Rep. Jim Cooper, R-Mesa, led a fight to require that schools teach creation. When that failed, he came back with a new approach, seeking to mandate that any school that mentions evolution must say it is "only one of several explanations of the origin of the universe and life.'' And in 1983 he managed to get the full Legislature to approve a bill which made no mention of evolution but saying only that if the creation of humanity is taught in public schools it must be presented as a theory. Bruce Babbitt, who was governor at the time, vetoed the measure as still being a restriction on teaching evolution. "Such a restriction would be inconsistent with the spirit of the First Amendment which mandates separation of Church and State,'' the governor wrote in his veto message. And Babbitt added that he studied evolution in a college paleontology class taught by a Catholic priest. "I learned then and believe now that there is no conflict between belief in the Bible and understanding the scientific doctrine of evolution,'' Babbitt said. -30- On Twitter: @azcapmedia Laser pointed at aircraft Police are investigating a report of a man shining a laser pointer at a Guardian Medical Transport helicopter near the Flagstaff Pulliam Airport. According to the Flagstaff Police Department report, the helicopter was flying over the 2000 block of East Frontier Avenue at about 12:45 a.m. Thursday when the pilot noticed what looked like a green laser pointed at the aircraft. An individual in one of the nearby trailers had been contacted about a similar incident in the past. While police were questioning the residents, a man exited the trailer and admitted to shining a flashlight at the helicopter because he wanted to identify it, although he denied using a laser pointer. Officers soon learned the man was experiencing delusions. The suspect claimed the helicopter flies over his home multiple times a day and often follows him. The suspect had previously been contacted by police for shooting flares at a helicopter. FPD officers notified the Federal Aviation Administration about the incident. The investigation is ongoing. Break-in Somebody broke into a Flagstaff business in the 5400 block of North Dodge Avenue. According to the police report, the last employees left the business at about 4:30 p.m. Wednesday. When they arrived at 7:30 a.m. Thursday, the front glass doors were shattered and the door was cracked open. The cash registers had been thrown onto the ground. The burglars did not actually steal anything because employees had removed the money from the registers the previous night. The investigation is ongoing. City and county residents who want to report a crime but wish to remain anonymous may call Silent Witness at 774-6111 or (877) 29-CRIME, submit a tip online at www.coconinosilentwitness.org, or text the word Flagtip along with your information to 274637 (CRIMES). Rewards of up to $2,000 are given for information that leads to an arrest. 2016 Performance of Circo de los Ninos de San Pancho San Francisco, Nayarit, Mexico - March 2016 marks the 5th Anniversary of Circo de los Ninos de San Pancho. We have gone a long way since our first two-week workshop where a group of 50 children played and performed with our visiting teachers from Montreal. What began then as an introduction of the Circus Arts has now grown to be the school of Circo de los Ninos de San Pancho with a professional team of instructors from Mexico and over 140 young people experiencing the magic of Circus and other performance arts. On March 16th-19th, the school will once again transform into an elaborate and fantastic stage presenting the talents of our young students. Directed by Gilles St. Croix and co-designed by Monique Voyer (founding directors of the project), this unique production is a benefit event to support the programs at Circo de los Ninos de San Pancho. Our Mission: Encourage the wholistic development of young people by improving their artistic, creative, motor and communication skills as well as strengthening their confidences in taking risks in a secure and safe environment. Circo de los Ninos de San Pancho offers a quality program in Circus Arts instructions with a focus on empowerment at the human level. Click HERE to get your pre-sale tickets now, so you won't miss the 2016 performance of Circo de los Ninos de San Pancho, "Camino de Hazana," on March 16, 17, 18 & 19th. All shows are at 8:00 pm. For more information, contact us at:Cel: 322-779-1519Email: circodelosninossp(at)gmail.com 5 Facts About Mexico and Immigration to the U.S. Mexico City - Pope Francis is making immigration a major theme of his visit to Mexico. By traveling northward across Mexico, his intent was to symbolically retrace the journey of Mexican and Central American migrants traveling to the United States. After leaving Mexico City, the pope's route began in the southern state of Chiapas, which shares a long border with Guatemala, and end in Ciudad Juarez, located across the U.S.-Mexico border from El Paso, Texas, a longtime entry point to the U.S. U.S. immigration from Latin America has shifted over the past two decades. From 1965 to 2015, more than 16 million Mexicans migrated to the U.S. in one of the largest mass migrations in modern history. But over the past decade, Mexican migration to the U.S. has slowed dramatically. Today, Mexico increasingly serves as a land bridge for Central American immigrants traveling to the United States. Here are five facts about Mexico and trends in immigration to the U.S. 1. Mexico is stopping more unauthorized Central American immigrants at its southern border. The Mexican government said in 2014 that it would increase enforcement at its southern border in response to an increased flow of Central Americans traveling through Mexico to reach the U.S. In 2015, the government there carried out about 150,000 deportations of unauthorized immigrants from El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras, a 44% jump over the previous year. These three Central American countries alone accounted for nearly all (97%) of Mexicos deportations in 2015. 2. Despite increased enforcement by Mexico, many unauthorized Central Americans are still reaching the U.S. via Mexico. At the U.S.-Mexico border, the number of families and unaccompanied children apprehended by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials is again rising, though its too early to tell how 2016 will compare with prior years. From Oct. 1, 2015, to Jan. 31, 2016, 24,616 families and 20,455 unaccompanied children the vast majority of them from Central America were apprehended at the southwestern U.S. border, double the total from the same time period the year before. Apprehensions of unaccompanied children rose to record levels in fiscal 2014, then decreased by 42% in fiscal 2015. 3. More Cubans are also traveling through Mexico to reach the U.S. The number of Cubans migrating through Mexico to reach the U.S. spiked dramatically last year after President Barack Obama said the U.S. would renew ties with the island nation. In fiscal 2015, 43,159 Cubans entered the U.S. via ports of entry, a 78 percent increase over the previous year. Two-thirds of these Cubans arrived through the U.S. Border Patrol's Laredo Sector in Texas. (Cubans who pass an inspection can enter the U.S. legally under the Cuban Adjustment Act of 1966.) 4. Fewer Mexicans are migrating to the U.S. today than in the past. In fact, more Mexicans left than came to the U.S since the end of the Great Recession. Between 2009 and 2014, 870,000 Mexican nationals left Mexico to come to the U.S., down from the 2.9 million who left Mexico for the U.S. between 1995 and 2000. Of those moving back to Mexico, many cite family as the reason for their return. About 1 million Mexican immigrants and their U.S.-born children moved from the U.S. to Mexico between 2009 and 2014, and 61% said they had done so to reunite with family or to start a family, according to the 2014 Mexican National Survey of Demographic Dynamics. 5. More Mexicans now say life is about the same in the U.S. and Mexico. In 2015, 33% of Mexican adults said life in the U.S. is neither better nor worse than life in Mexico, up from 23% who said this in 2007. Still, about half of Mexican adults believe life is better in the U.S. and 35% of Mexicans said they would move to the U.S. if they had the opportunity and means to do so, similar shares as in 2009. PHOENIX A House panel voted Monday to ask voters to give lawmakers back some of the powers they took from them to overturn ballot measures nearly two decades ago. HCR 2043 would effectively repeal a 1998 voter-approved constitutional provision which says once an initiative has been adopted it can be altered by lawmakers only if it furthers the purpose of the original measure. Even then, it takes a three-fourths vote of both the House and Senate. And rescinding outright what voters have approved is illegal. The proposal by Rep. J.D. Mesnard, R-Chandler, would instead say that lawmakers could do whatever they want to what voters approve in the future as long as they do it by the same margin as it was approved by the voters. So if a future proposal passed with 53 percent, as what happened with a tobacco tax hike a decade ago, it would take just 16 of 30 senators and 32 of 60 representatives to rescind it. Mesnard told members of the House Elections Committee this change would take place if voters agree in November. And he stressed it is prospective only and would not allow lawmakers to alter anything approved before this year. But it would permit them to step in and overturn any move this year by voters to legalize the use of marijuana for recreational purposes. Its trying to strike the right balance to what level of support something has to have at the ballot before we, for all practical purposes, lock it in stone, Mesnard said. Something can squeak by with 50.1 percent and we pretty much have it. Sandy Bahr, lobbyist for the Sierra Club, said thats not true. She said if lawmakers have a problem with an initiative thats approved they can refer it to the ballot, take it to the voters, and see if they support you. And Bahr said if there are logistical problems in implementing something voters want, the existing constitutional measure does permit alterations, albeit with a three-fourths vote of the Legislature. She acknowledged that likely means the Republicans who control both the House and the Senate would need to get the cooperation of at least a few Democrats but said thats not a bad thing. Doris Provine, president of the Arizona Advocacy Network, dubbed the measure the voter-underminer bill. She talked about the difficulty of even getting a measure to the ballot. A statutory change currently requires 150,642 valid signatures, a figure based on 10 percent of those who voted in the last gubernatorial election. Constitutional proposals need 225,963 signatures. Provine said its virtually impossible to meet that goal without paid circulators, an expensive process. Then theres the cost of the campaign itself. Mesnard sniffed at those concerns, saying if a measure is so popular there would be people signing up left and right. The restriction Mesnard seeks to alter traces its roots to 1996 when voters approved the first medical marijuana act. The following year, however, lawmakers decided to effectively repeal it, saying voters might not have had enough information. Proponents returned in 1998 with a new measure to re-enact the 1996 law as well as what became known as the Voter Protection Act precluding future legislatures from undermining what voters have enacted. Both were approved. AMPI Still Pushing for Real Estate License Requirements Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - Real estate buyer confidence makes a big leap forward in Mexico and professionalism takes center stage for many realtors during 2016. This means buyers will be able to become new property owners without hassles or hesitation. AMPI, the Mexican Association of Real Estate Professionals, continues to push for real estate license requirements. The board wants to be sure that everyone selling real estate meets their business standards. Mexico has had almost no regulations on who can act as a real estate agent. Now AMPI is taking their profession to the next level because foreign buyers expect it. "You have to remain vigilant when dealing with various property agents," says Edward Padalinski, Broker and Estate Agent with Ron Morgan Properties in Puerto Vallarta and Bucerias, Mexico, and AMPI officer, "I review all local listings for MLS (Multiple Listing Service) to make sure agents are complying with AMPI rules and regulations." Edward serves as part of the MLS Service Committee. He is always evaluating properties and checking to make sure things like tax identification numbers are current and that nothing gets put into MLS without the proper paperwork. "This type of oversight is a great thing for the industry," says Edward. "It gives buyers assurance in a very competitive market. AMPI also provides training for its members, so there's a great system of checks and balances." Edward also teach the computer software, FLEX, classes. Although the government has been slow to respond with real estate licensing requirements, AMPI has taken a leading role by offering courses and certificates, and even collaborating with government agencies to offer a professional university degree in Mexico real estate. The AMPI board has been pushing for real estate license requirements in all states and may be well on the way to getting at least half the Mexican states to comply during 2016. Mexico has long been overlooked as a retirement haven, but with proper promotion and integrity many will find that they can retire in luxury without spending a fortune. Over the past decade the number of buyers new to Mexican real estate and Mexico as a retirement destination, has been increasing drastically. There are about one million retirees from the US living in Mexico full or part time. For real estate buyers, this points to a greater degree of confidence in the Mexico real estate system. By providing international standards of professionalism and service, it means that it will be easier for buyers to find the leading professionals to represent them. Buyers from the USA, Canada and Europe should look forward to making plans to retire, buy a vacation or a rental property in Mexico safely. The following editorial appeared in The Orange County Register on Sunday, Feb. 14: A familiar dictum advises that politics end at the waters edge. We believe a similar protocol should apply when death claims a member of the Supreme Court while he or she yet wears the robes of justice. Politics should be suspended at deaths door. At least until the late justice is properly laid to rest. Alas, such respectfulness such decency has not been accorded Justice Antonin Scalia, who was found dead Saturday of apparent natural causes during a visit to Texas. No sooner was news of the 79-year-old jurists passing first reported before the first salvos were fired in what almost certainly will be mother of all election-year battles for his now-vacant seat on high court. Senate Minority Leader Harry Reed, the Nevada Democrat, demanded that the late Scalias seat be filled right away. Conversely, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, the Kentucky Republican, declared that Scalias seat on the nations highest court should remain unfilled until the next president submits a nominee to the upper chamber for its advice and consent. Out of deference to Scalia, we will restrain ourselves this day from joining the speculation among the chattering class about how the post-Scalia Game of Robes will play out. There will be plenty of opportunity in the days and months ahead. For now, our preference is to remember the legacy Justice Scalia leaves. As President Barack Obama graciously eulogized Saturday afternoon, the late justice dedicated his life to the cornerstone of our democracy: the rule of law. He truly was, in the presidents words, one of the towering legal figures of our time. Indeed, during his three decades on the Supreme Court, the conservative jurists powerful legal arguments transformed America jurisprudence, shaping debate not only on the high court, but also among lower courts and law schools throughout the land. Considered somewhat acerbic when he first took his seat on the court, Justice Scalia reportedly became more collegial with fellow justices in the years that followed what was arguably his most significant majority opinion, which affirmed the Second Amendment right of individuals to keep and bear arms. In the ensuring years, the conservative icon began to write a majority of the high courts biggest cases, using his formidable powers of legal persuasion to bring less-conservative justices around to his view. America owes a debt to Antonin Scalia for his extraordinary service to this country. He will be missed. Clean Power Plan meets some supreme skeptics The following editorial appeared in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch on Sunday, Feb. 14: The U.S. Supreme Courts five conservative justices last week went out of their way to throw a roadblock in front of the Obama administrations Clean Power Plan. In an unprecedented move, the majority bloc voted to halt new Environmental Protection Agency regulations on power plant emissions from going into effect until a lower court decides on a challenge to the rules. The court historically had deferred to the executive branchs authority until rules went in effect. This time, the justices ruling suggests that they cant wait until the case arrives on their docket. They granted a stay requested by 29 state attorneys general and dozens of utilities and energy companies who see the Clean Power Plan as a threat. Whatever side loses in the lower court and appeals to the Supreme Court, its pretty clear which way the majority is leaning. The 29 attorneys general and the other plaintiffs are right: The Clean Power Plan does threaten the status quo. For coal companies, it could be an existential threat. This isnt because theres a war on coal, and it isnt because the Obama administration hates private enterprise. Its simply because coal-fired plants are responsible for nearly 25 percent of the carbon pumped into the atmosphere by the United States. And atmospheric carbon is warming the planet at a rate that could threaten life on earth by the end of the century. If this were a giant asteroid headed for earth, as in a disaster movie, the threat would be immediate. Thered be no debate about sending Bruce Willis into action. The threat from climate change is real, but because its happening in slow motion, the sense of urgency dissipates. States that depend heavily on coal for energy generation, and states like Kentucky and West Virginia where coal mining is a vital industry, understandably are loath to change. But change must come. The Clean Power Plan doesnt take full effect until 2030. It requires states to adapt but at a pace that minimizes disruption. For example, Ameren Missouri, whose coal plants accounted for 77 percent of the electricity it generated in 2013, already has begun switching to renewable sources. It could offset the coal it continues to burn with credits for energy conservation programs. According to a Natural Resources Defense Council analysis, enough conservation could enable the utility to phase out its older and dirtier coal-burning plants while meeting its requirement to reduce carbon emissions. That would allow Ameren to avoid the expense of new natural-gas-fired generating plants, thus benefiting shareholders, ratepayers and the planet alike. The opponents of the Clean Power Plan complain that the EPA went too far into powers constitutionally reserved to the states. The court must decide whether states rights trump the future of the planet. In our book, the planet wins the argument. Washington can help bring an end to voter anger The following editorial was written by Bloomberg View editors: Democratic and Republican party elites have found common ground: panic over what happened Tuesday in New Hampshire. For an antidote to their anxiety, they might consider changing the way they do business in Washington. Voters in both major parties are demanding something, anything different from the dreary gridlock and acrimony that theyve known for much of the past decade. Yet Washington appears impervious to the tremors rattling the presidential campaign. President Barack Obama presented his $4.1 trillion budget to Congress on Tuesday, where it was met with the usual verdict: dead on arrival. The budget, which fleshes out Democratic priorities, is largely a symbolic exercise, since the White House and Congress struck a two-year spending deal last fall. Republicans are struggling to produce their own budget, and they seem unlikely to realize the dream of returning to an orderly appropriations process. True, there will be no government shutdown, which is something to be grateful for. But its hard to find much solace in Washingtons stasis. As usual, Washingtons perpetual antagonists appear to have agreed not to cooperate. Curiously enough, comity was a main theme of the speech Obama delivered to the Illinois Legislature on Wednesday. There are a lot of good proposals out there, and we have to work to find ones that can gain some bipartisan support, he said. In fact, Obama and congressional leaders have shown the capacity to find common ground when it suits them as they did last fall when the spending deal came together. And Obama and House Speaker Paul Ryan, taken at their word, actually have more than a few issues on which they appear to have areas of agreement: criminal justice reform, drug addiction treatment, poverty, trade, vocational training, visas for highly skilled workers, even tax reform. If mainstream politicians of both parties are truly alarmed by the rise of Bernie Sanders and Donald Trump, and the vague and troubling -isms that each represents, they can address the root cause and actually do something to blunt the insurgents advance: Make Washington work better. Drug king: A consumer foe gives Congress the silent treatment The following editorial appeared in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette on Wednesday, Feb. 10: Martin Shkreli, the 32-year-old poster child of greedy drug companies, smirked and smiled his way through a congressional hearing last week, ultimately pleading the Fifth. The reason for his appearance Thursday before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform was to explain why some pharmaceutical firms dramatically raise prices for certain prescription drugs. Case in point: the decision in September by Turing Pharmaceuticals, where Shkreli was CEO at the time, to jack up the price of Daraprim, used to treat a parasitic disease, from $13.50 a tablet to $750. The former hedge fund manager, who became the target of national derision for his brash defense of the price hike, could have given lawmakers some guidance. Instead, he declined to answer questions, invoking his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination. In December Shkreli was charged with securities fraud, unrelated to Daraprims price. After the hearing, he tweeted: Hard to accept that these imbeciles represent the people in our government. Fortunately, other industry representatives were more respectful of Congress interest in finding ways to control drug costs and offered House members their input. Shkreli had 50 minutes at the witness table, but he shouldnt have bothered. At least his arrest didnt change his endearing qualities. My friend Todd Barnell likes the word noodling. For him it means to improvise, experiment or think creatively. I like it also, but its seldom a part of any sentence Im willing to write or speak in public. I never seem able to make it sound suitable to my out-loud editing ear. If a word doesnt hear well during one of my noisy proofreading debates its relegated to a standby stack where its often reconsidered, but infrequently used. Ive heard Todd, however, have the confidence to use noodling in the most wide-ranging of conversations. Even as the chair of the Flagstaff Sustainability Commission or before the City Council. Not only does his use of the word always sound appropriate, it evokes a smile of support among his listening audience. A truly magical word for him, but seemingly a verbal nemesis to me. The plural of octopus is interesting. Its octopuses, which I find awkward to say and for some reason a word that amuses me into a barely contained glee. Im giggling to myself right now. Octopi as a plural has style and I think a certain amount of class. But when used in conversation frequently provokes the firm reaction of being incorrect. Although its actually suitable, octopuses is more acceptable. So quit with all those irritating chuckles, Jack. Youre upsetting the octopuses. The Flagstaff Urban Trail System is an easy four-word phrase to verbalize. Its initials (FUTS) are not. Many say fuoots, some fuuuts, but I pronounce it fooots. My overriding Midwestern twang is usually blamed for my sometime curious elocution. OK, OKAY! Ill admit my accent is more often peculiar bordering on the bizarre than classic Arizona speak. But when you get to know me Im really a fairly decent guy. Just one of those folks sometimes diction-impaired and more often than not betrayed by my own verbal zigging rather than spot-on zagging. That aside, therell be a series of walks using the FUTS (see, I do use that acronym correctly) starting in the spring. Our primary goal will be to fully survey the new sign system installed along our urban trail last summer. Do you know where the Sego Lilly section of the FUTS is located? The Wildwest segment or the Woodpecker Alley piece? How did the Cliffs Trail portion of the FUTS get its name? These and other parts of our noteworthy trail system will be explored as to location and connections to the Arizona Trail, Flagstaff Loop, the many Forest Service trails and Coconino County routes. Be sure not to miss this one! Were now moving toward having 70 miles of urban trail in our city and the Flagstaff Community Steward Program has a new coordinator. Her name is Sharon Tewksbury-Bloom and she told me last week there are still sections of the FUTS in need of a steward. If youre interested in becoming one of these important people call Sharon at (928) 213-2144 or e-mail Stewards@flagstaffaz.gov for an application. If we dont as residents help in the keeping of our urban trail system clean and well-maintained, who do we expect will? Last Updated: Monday, Feb. 15, 2016, 8:25 p.m. The black barbershop is often affectionately known as the Black Mans Country Club. Here, many topics are discussed, many debates are started and many attempts at solving community problems are made. Sharod the Barber, who runs the Against the Grain barbershop along 16th Street South, says he tries to make his business a positive force in the community. I got a $5 Wednesday for kids, said Sharod. I do that every Wednesday because of the mothers don't have the opportunity to pay for kids haircuts and stuff of the nature. So I try to do my best to contribute my part. Some among his colleagues, like fellow barber Derrick Thomas, feel they need to do more. Martin Luther King tried to save us, we still in the same predicament, said Thomas, Malcolm X and the list goes on and on, we still in the same predicament. We gotta come back to the laws, statutes and commandments of the most high, and that's the Bible. And we'll see change. The recent violence in south St. Pete that claimed the lives of seven young black males has both barbers and clients at Against the Grain very concerned about the future of this communitys youngest residents. It ain't easy, said Aquez Ramsey, 16, while sitting in of the barbers chairs at Against the Grain. Major influences, drugs, crime, just trying to fit in. You just gotta know what you want out of life. What do you want out of life? I wanna be successful. Successful doing what? Doing whatever I need to do -- putting money on the table, feeding my family, being respectful. Just growing up in this day and age, you don't know what's gonna happen. Aquezs barber, Jason Robinson, is hoping Aquez will learn from his mistakes when he was that age. I went to jail when I was 18, said Robinson. Did some time, but luckily, glad I ain't been back. I'm trying to teach everybody else, don't even make that first mistake like me. Young people like Aquez give lifetime south St. Pete resident Wibur Hunter hope. As a senior citizen now, he says hope is something hell never let go of. There is hope, because there's life, said Hunter. So if they've got life within themselves and some energy, yeah, there's hope. There's always hope. Citrus County's Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park now boasts a resident with a very lofty title. Lu the Hippo, already the park's most famous resident, turned 56 on Jan 26. Officially, he's the oldest male hippo in North America. Born in 1960 in San Diego, Lu spent his first years of life as an animal actor, appearing in movies and TV commercials. Lu's experience as an actor is clear here as he shows off his comfort in front of a camera. He came to Homosassa two years later. The park has been his home ever since. "He is definitely family to us here at the park," said park ranger Tricia Fowler. Lu's title fell to him last year, when an older male hippo at the Denver Zoo died at 58. So far, Lu appears to be handling the fame that comes with his new distinction well. "Wow," said 8-year-old Evan Huebner, when told Lu's age. "That is just like an elderly person." Florida Polytechnic University in Polk County has a new international partner. Leaders from Florida Poly and Centro Universitario de Brusque in Brazil, also known as UNIFEBE, signed an agreement Monday. The deal calls for the two science and technology-oriented universities to have student and professor exchange programs and to share research. Florida Poly said UNIFEBE has a strong working relationship with a large BMW manufacturing plant near the university. Its actually the largest BMW plant in South America. They are also looking at a project with autonomous cars and so are we, so that could be one of the projects, said Florida Polys Scott Rhodes. Florida Poly has signed similar agreements with organizations in the Kingdom of Morocco. It believes the agreements will help it attract more international students. Angered by the Republican-controlled Florida Legislature's refusal to consider expanding Medicaid during its 2016 session, uninsured millennial activists are threatening to exact revenge at the ballot box. The activists, who belong to the recently-formed Young Invincibles group, visited Tallahassee at the midpoint of the two-month legislative session to advocate for stalled legislation that would compel the state to accept $51 billion in federal funding. The money would cover most of the cost of adding 800,000 low-income uninsured Floridians to the state's Medicaid roll. "This issue is not unique to a few but to many," said Isabel Betancourt, who is one of an estimated 250,000 Floridians between the ages of 18-34 who fall into the so-called 'coverage gap', making too much income to qualify for Medicaid as it currently exists, yet too little to afford private coverage. "Leave us neglected for too long and together our voices will find those who look out for our best interests at the polls," Betancourt warned, pointing to robust youth turnout in the Iowa and New Hampshire presidential nominating contests as a sign of millennials' growing political clout. Legislative leaders, however, have little appetite to broach the topic. For three years running, the conservative Florida House has opposed Medicaid expansion, most recently allowing the 2015 legislative session to melt down over the issue. Despite what had been an aggressive effort by Senate Republicans to pass expansion, they, too, are uninterested in revisiting the issue this year. "We're having a good time and we will finish strong," Senate President Andy Gardiner (R-Orlando) said of a session that so far has been marked by a cross-rotunda camaraderie which was virtually non-existent last year. The woman accused of hitting and killing a tow truck driver with her car and then driving away on the Howard Frankland bridge Monday admitted to being the driver, according to her arrest affidavit. Allison Faye Huffman, 36, of Riverview, was found Monday night in St. Petersburg at the home of a friend, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. Shortly after 9 p.m., St. Petersburg Police received a tip that Huffman was at the Promenade apartments in the Carillon area. Officers made contact and held her until troopers arrived to arrest her. She is being held without bond at the Pinellas County Jail and faces a charge of leaving the scene of a crash involving a death. Huffman said she knew she had been in a crash but was scared and did not stop, according to the arrest report. According to troopers, Huffman was driving on the bridge before 5 a.m. when she struck and killed 43-year-old Rogelio Perez-Borroto, who was assisting a couple whose vehicle had broken down on the bridge. After she hit Perez-Borroto, she kept driving, according to troopers. Allison Huffman is being held without bond at the Pinellas County Jail and faces a charge of leaving the scene of a crash involving a death. Her 2012 Volkswagen Passat was found later Monday morning in the parking lot of the Crown Plaza Hotel near Westshore Mall. FHP spokesperson Steve Gaskins said after the hit-and-run, Huffman took a taxi from the hotel to the Hard Rock Casino using the alias "Beth." According to records, Huffman has three previous DUI arrests in Hillsborough County. Her bond is set at $750,000. Perez-Borroto leaves behind a wife and a young daughter, who live in Venezuela. He came to the United States a year ago to make a better life for his family. His family said they're in disbelief. "I really hope it sinks in what she did," said the victim's sister, Zarais Perez-Borroto. "I know we all make mistakes but I really hope she realizes the pain that she has caused." A GoFundMe account has been started for the family of Perez-Borroto. The Gofundme.com site is not managed by Bay News 9. For more information on how the site works and the rules, visit http://www.gofundme.com/safety Mystery Solved on Oregon Coast Filament, Fiber-like Finds Published 02/15/2016 at 5:01 PM PDT By Oregon Coast Beach Connection staff (Oregon Coast) Volunteers for CoastWatch and other experts along the Oregon coast have been puzzled as of late by an abundance of filament-like objects strewn along the beaches, often in sizable piles. They are tiny about one to two centimeters long which makes those blobs of them a little more remarkable. (Photo above by Tiffany Boothe of Seaside Aquarium: a close-up of the cellophane worm casings that looke like filaments). CoastWatch members who comb the beaches with expert eyes to make observations - had been finding them for the last month or so, and were getting increasingly stumped. Until CoastWatch Volunteer Coordinator and scientist Fawn Custer popped up with an answer, that is. They are the casings of the cellophane worm, a tiny critter with many rings around it, that lives just below the surface of the sand and is covered in a tube. Known as Spiochaetopterus costarum, the cellophane worms' casings get knocked off of them during high surf events and pile up on the shore. The creatures themselves disappear back beneath the surface, however. (Photo at right by Custer). It comes down to the creatures being taken by surprise by the way sand levels have built up over recent years, then suddenly getting bounced around when their new real estate suddenly turns out to be too close to a raucous surface. The last few years the beaches have been building up sand, but this year because of more storm surges, it's been scouring out more sand, Custer said. They're always there anyway, just below the surface of the sand. But with the sand levels built higher up, and then more scouring out, they get exposed more. The animals are a little less than an inch long and about the width of hair. The casings themselves are about one inch long as well. Once onshore they dry out into those filaments or fibers now being found. They feel like hair, she said. They're very pliable. You can squeeze them. Cellophane worms live just beyond the low tide line, where the tubes sit near or just above the surface of the sand and suck in their food, which is tiny bits of formerly living matter in the ocean. When the tubes come off, they grow another by secreting a kind of goo that eventually hardens back into another tube. Why so many? Custer said the populations of them are just quite large. Those higher sand levels played a bad trick on them and left them vulnerable to this year's sudden shift in more scouring. Winter sand levels were much lower in the last decade, until about four years ago. During that time, you didn't see so many as they managed to keep ahead of the consistently lowering sand levels. This year, they were so high up in the massive sand levels they just weren't prepared for all that storm action and more of them lost their casings. Oregon Coast Lodgings for this - Where to eat - Maps and Virtual Tours. More Oregon coast science. Photos below by Tiffany Boothe, Seaside Aquarium Also being found in great numbers right now: the sea cucumber (photos by Boothe) More About Oregon Coast hotels, lodging..... More About Oregon Coast Restaurants, Dining..... Coastal Spotlight LATEST Related Oregon Coast Articles Back to Oregon Coast Contact Advertise on BeachConnection.net All Content, unless otherwise attributed, copyright BeachConnection.net Unauthorized use or publication is not permitted
From Here to Eternity
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate A leading Republican consultant who worked for both former presidents named Bush and supports Jeb Bush's bid for the party's nomination said she thinks Texas Sen. Ted Cruz will be the party's standard bearer in the fall. Mary Matalin, appearing alongside her husband, the well-known Democratic Party strategist James Carville, was responding to a question of whether Cruz could win the nomination and unite the nation during an hour-long event Monday evening at Lutcher Theater in Orange. "I think he'll be the nominee," Matalin said, noting the "coalescing of various disparate factions in the Republican Party" around Cruz. "I think he has so far shown the best political skills." Carville added that Cruz "scares the hell out of me," and laughed at the idea the state's junior senator could unify a nation fractured along partisan lines. "Do I think he has the chance to unify the country? No more than I think I will grow some hair," the long-bald "Ragin' Cajun" said. They were responding to a question asked by Lamar State College - Orange President J. Michael Shahan during the college's Distinguished Lecture Series. The free-admission series, dating back to 2002, has hosted Peter Bergen, Ben Stein, Cokie Roberts, Ken Burns, Jessica Buchanan and more. Carville and Matalin are known not only for being a married couple resting on opposite poles of the political world, but for their political feats. Carville helped President Bill Clinton win in 1992 and Matalin was campaign director for President George H.W. Bush and was an assistant under President George W. Bush. Matalin, who has made the maximum allowable contribution to Jeb Bush's campaign, said she believes George W.'s brother will perform better than expected in the Saturday primary in South Carolina and elsewhere in the coming Southern states. "I do think he has a realistic chance," Matalin said. "I do not think his showing is representative of his skill. I think it's representative of this cycle." Carville, after mocking how the media places the utmost importance on presidential elections every four years, predicted that the losing party in next November's general election will suffer "dramatic" political consequences. A Republican victory would give them the presidency as well as majorities in both chambers of Congress and on the Supreme Court. Republicans also control a majority of state legislatures and a majority of states' governors. The Democrats, Carville said, would have the "least amount of political power any political party has had since World War II." He added, given the fault lines in the Republican Party, a loss would "fracture" the GOP. "One party is going to look down, depressed and different and the other party probably won't exist with the coalition it has," Carville said. Matalin, who repeatedly called Democratic frontrunner Hillary Clinton the "H-Bomb," said the media has focused on dysfunction in the Republican Party but that she thinks it is "spirited" and "healthy." "I do believe in this country," Matalin said. Read the complete story in the Feb. 16 edition of the Beaumont Enterprise. EBesson@BeaumontEnterprise.com Twitter.com/EricBesson_news This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate With plants and refineries fearful of safety and espionage threats posed by drones, a Southeast Texas congressman wants strict new guidelines for operating unmonitored aircraft near those facilities. U.S. Rep. Brian Babin has offered two amendments to the Aviation Innovation, Reform and Reauthorization Act to address a mounting security concern and help safeguard chemical facilities, representatives with American Chemistry Council said Friday. The U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee unanimously approved the amendments this week. More than 50 large chemical plants in Jefferson, Orange and Hardin counties risk exposure of trade secrets, though no cases have been reported by law enforcement officials. More for you Drones: Spies in the sky? The unease is based on a concern that freelancers will take aerial photos at plant sites and try to sell them to competitors, John Durkay, legal counsel for Southeast Texas Plant Managers Forum said previously. Durkay called the drone business "a tremendous opportunity for industrial espionage," which he said facilities worry about. A smaller concern is that a drone operator could lose control and the aircraft could crash into a valve or hit an electrical wire. "That can't possibly be good," Durkay said of those scenarios. "I think all of the industrial facilities are going to welcome (the law)." The provisions, which still need approval from the full House of Representatives, carefully target the potential misuse of drones for illicit purposes without interfering with their growing use by the public both recreationally and commercially, the ACC wrote in a statement. ACC spokesperson Scott Jensen said the organization has not tracked complaints, but drones at chemical plants have become a growing concern among its members. Security teams at these facilities are tasked with identifying potential risks. "A year ago I don't think this was necessarily on anyone's radar," Jensen said. "I think they have recognized it, even though it may not have occurred on their facility yet. Of course, you'd rather identify it before it happens, but I think there have been some facilities that might have had those issues." BScott@BeaumontEnterprise.comTwitter.com/BrandonKScott This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Jody Reho said he would have "ripped the world apart" to save Hannah Willis from her burning car last May. Willis, a 24-year-old Lamar University student who was active in the Beaumont arts community, was killed in a fiery head-on collision caused by 36-year-old Nathan Stephens. Reho, who was following Willis in his car on Interstate 10, watched the crash and frantically searched for his girlfriend in the flames. He couldn't find her. Instead, he found Stephens. Reho pulled the Dayton man from his pickup, saving his life. Stephens, who pleaded guilty last month to intoxication manslaughter, was sentenced to 18 years in prison on Tuesday for Willis' death. Reho said he was driving ahead of Willis on May 28 when they stopped for gas. When they left the convenience store, he was behind her. Reho, in his victim impact statement to the court on Tuesday, recalled the anger and frustration he felt at not being able to find Willis in the wreckage. He said he could hear her voice in his head and it quieted his rage. "She was going to do amazing things with her life," Reho told the court and Stephens. "We had plans." Criminal District Judge John Stevens said it was "a mysterious injustice" that Stephens survived the crash and Willis did not. The judge told Stephens he committed a "disgusting, selfish, irresponsible act," with no regard to human life. "This is just so hard to do every time because now we're quantifying into years something that is supposed to stand for the victim and there is not enough time," the judge said. "Eternity is what I really wish I could assess." Stephens, who admitted last month to driving his pickup eastbound in the inside westbound lane of I-10 on the night of the crash, faced between two and 20 years in prison. Willis had moved to Beaumont's Old Town a few months before her death. She was studying advertising at Lamar University and had just recently co-founded the area's AcroYoga group. Friends on Tuesday remembered Willis for her joy and kindness. Jennifer Robin, one of Willis' roommates, said she was one of those people who always knew the right thing to say and how to say it. "She had the biggest heart, so wise beyond her years," Robin said. Read the complete story in the Feb. 17 print edition of the Beaumont Enterprise. BScott@BeaumontEnterprise.com Twitter.com/BrandonKScott Published by an old curmudgeon who came to America in 1936 as a refugee from Nazi Germany and proudly served in the U.S. Army during World War II. He is a former law enforcement officer and a retired professor of criminal justice who, in 1970, founded the Texas Narcotic Officers Association. BarkGrowlBite refuses to be politically correct. (Copyrighted articles are reproduced in accordance with the copyright laws of the U.S. Code, Title 17, Section 107.) This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate By Jason Whitely, WFAA, The Texas Tribune MARFA, Texas The Texas death certificate for U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia will list myocardial infarction a heart attack as the official cause of death, Presidio County Judge Cinderela Guevara told WFAA on Sunday. She was shopping yesterday afternoon in the neighboring town of Alpine when Presidio County Sheriff Danny Dominguez called her on her mobile phone after lunch. He says, 'Judge, Im at Cibolo Creek Ranch, and a Supreme Court justice has just passed away, and I need someone here immediately. Both justices of the peace are out of town at this time,' Guevara recounted to WFAA. I said, 'Sheriff, what did you say? Which Supreme Court Justice died at Cibolo Creek Ranch? And the phone went dead, because our connection was very bad, she explained. Cell phone service is spotty in far West Texas. Theres no service at the ranch where Scalia passed away. He called me back and he gave me a few more sentences until it broke up again. And thats how the conversation went for 20 minutes, the county judge recalled. Guevara said she immediately recognized Scalias name as a U.S. Supreme Court Justice, and pronounced him dead over the phone at 1:52 p.m. on Saturday. She planned to drive to the ranch about 30 minutes south of Marfa but returned when a U.S. Marshal told her by phone: Its not necessary for you to come, judge. If youre asking for an autopsy, thats what we need to clarify. Judge Guevara said she wanted to clarify details of Scalias death before deciding whether to order an autopsy. As part of my investigation, one of the things I did ask the sheriff and the U.S. Marshal: 'Were there any signs of foul play?' And they said, Absolutely not. At that time I still wanted to be careful, and asked them if [Scalias] physician would call me. The justices personal doctor called her at 8 p.m. Saturday night When [the physician] explained [Scalia] had just visited on Wednesday and Thursday and [the doctor] had done an MRI, then I felt comfortable what I knew was going on with him physically, Guevara said. The judge said Scalia went to his doctor for a shoulder injury last week, but also suffered from several chronic ailments. On Saturday night, at his familys request, Justice Scalias remains were moved from the ranch to El Paso. Chris Lujan, a manager for Sunset Funeral Homes, said a procession that included about 20 law enforcement officers arrived early Sunday. The mortuary will embalm Scalia's body and prepare it to be flown to back to the East Coast. Lujan said tentative plans were for the transfer to Virginia to take place on Tuesday. When the funeral home contacts Judge Guevara, she said she will then fill out the official death certificate to be permanently filed in Presidio County. After I did my job, yes, I kept playing it over and over in my mind and thought, Oh my God. History is being made in Presidio County, Guevara told WFAA. Its something Ill never forget. Scalia was visiting the ranch with friends on a hunting trip. Guevara said she did not know he was here. I just feel that we have lost a great defender of the Constitution, and its a big loss for the United States of America, she said. Scalia was 79. The Associated Press contributed to this report. This article originally appeared in The Texas Tribune at http://www.texastribune.org/2016/02/14/scalias-death-be-ruled-heart-attack/. The Wyoming Department of Health may study the option to permit all Wyomingites to join the state's health insurance plan, according to Casper Star Tribune. Here are five observations: 1. On Feb. 10, the Joint Appropriation Committee, the first group of legislators to draft the state budget, voted in favor of adding the study to the budget bill. 2. Legislators implore the Health Department to include a breakdown of the coverage in Wyoming in its report. 3. It is unclear whether residents would have to pay the entire monthly cost of insurance or if the state would subsidize residents. 4. Gov. Matt Mead and a coalition of business and healthcare groups are calling for an expansion of Medicaid to cover 20,000 low-income state residents. However, the Appropriations Committee has resisted Medicaid expansion. 5. Appropriations Chairman Sen. Steve Harshman, R-Casper, said the study "has nothing to do with Medicaid expansion." More articles on coding & billing: Texas Medical Association sends Zika alert to physicians: 3 observations Iowa Senate votes to repeal governor's Medicaid plan 6 highlights 70% of payers lost money on individual health plans in 2015 4 key points (cross posted from NewCo) Thanks to NewCo, Ive gotten out of the Bay Area bubble and visited more than a dozen major cities across several continents in the past year. Ive met with founders inside hundreds of mission-driven companies, in cities as diverse as Istanbul, Boulder, Cincinnati, and Mexico City. Ive learned about the change these companies are making in the world, and Ive compared notes with the leaders of large, established companies, many of which are the targets of that change. As I reflect on my travels, a few consistent themes emerge: 1. Technology has moved from a vertical industry to a horizontal layer across our society. Technology used to be a specialized field. Technology companies sold their wares to large companies in large, complicated IT packages and to consumers as discrete products (computers and software applications). In the past decade, technology has dissolved into the fabric of our society. We all can access powerful technology stacks. We dont need to know how to program. We dont need a big IT department either. Now, technology is infrastructure, like our physical systems of highways and roads. This levels the playing field so new kinds of companies can emerge, and its forcing big companies to respond to a new breed of competitor, as well as a newly empowered (and informed) consumer base. 2. Big companies are on the precipice of the most wrenching transformation in history and tech is only part of the reason why. BigCos change very slowly. They are cautious by nature and extremely suspicious of the new. BigCos study new developments and wait for proof before they change. As digital technology spread through society over the past three decades, big companies were slow to get a web page, slow to conduct business over the web, slow to lean into mobile and social, and slow to respond to new types of startup competition. Of course, now that the web is mature and consumer platforms like Facebook and Google are massive, BigCos have shifted resources to digital. But that last point responding to startup and business model competition is far more problematic, because responding to new kinds of competition isnt something you can outsource. It requires a fundamental shift in corporate social structure and culture is hard to change. 3. The next generations leaders dont want to work at BigCos (if they dont have to). In the past year Ive met with senior executives at massive companies like Nestle, Publicis, P&G, Walmart, Visa, and McDonalds. When I ask what keeps them up at night, all of them answer hiring the next generation of leaders. The best and brightest now see launching a company, working at a startup, or working at a digital leader like Google or Facebook, as a preferable career choice, starving BigCos of their most valuable asset: talent. While one might dismiss young professionals penchant for startups as a fad or a phase, theres something far deeper at work, namely 4. A job is table stakes. To win talent, companies must compete on purpose, authenticity, and organizational structure. Millennials are now the largest force in the global economy, and they have a markedly different view of work: Purpose and making a difference in the world are central in their work-related decisions. Theyd rather work at The Honest Company than Unilever, if given a choice and the best and brightest always have a choice. Members of the next generation want to be at a company where work means more than a paycheck. They believe work can be a calling (Reich) or an expression of our creativity (Florida). BigCos arent currently organized to enable their workforces in this way (human resources, anyone?), but NewCos even the very largest ones like Google most definitely are. 5. Todays consumers are newly empowered and are making decisions on more than price. If millennials are choosing employers based on purpose and authenticity, it follows that they decide how they spend their money in similar fashion. Convenience, selection, and price are important, but new kinds of competitors are exposing weaknesses in big companies essential truths, and thats an existential threat. Dollar Shave Club questions Gillettes core premise, MetroMile questions Geicos core premise, Earnest does the same to large financial institutions, HolaLuz to energy companies, and the list goes on. Companies profiting from practices or products that demonstrably create more harm than good in the world are threatened in an age of transparency and accountability. Regardless of good intent or excellent marketing, if your business makes people unhealthy, or depends on exploitation of vulnerable workers, or can be laddered to climate change, its at risk of mass consumer migration to businesses with better narratives. 6. The platform economy means traditional competitive moats are falling away. Todays largest consumer companies earned their power by consolidating and optimizing their access to commodities (what their products were made of), manufacturing (how their products were made), and distribution (where their products were sold and how people became aware of them). They were built on humanitys first global platforms: television and mass transportation networks. We all know that the Internet undermined this hegemony; physical distribution is no longer a surefire competitive advantage (just ask Walmart). But whats not well understood is how quickly other parts of the product stack have become platform-ized. Just as startups can now access technology as a service, they can also access sourcing and manufacturing as a service (Dollar Shave doesnt make its blades, for example). This of course bolsters point #5 above: If any company can access the same economies of scale, brands must compete on more than price or distribution, they must compete on voice, innovative (and information-first) approaches to markets, and purpose. 7. Cities are resurgent. I just returned from Mexico City, which earlier this month hosted its first NewCo festival. While there, I heard a refrain consistent with my visits around the world: The city is changing for the better and new kinds of companies are at the heart of that change. When people gather at NewCo meetups or inside NewCo sessions, I keep hearing Theres just no way these kinds of companies could have made it in this city ten years ago. Coupled with the horizontal force of technology and the rise of a purpose-driven zeitgeist, cities have become both the epicenter of humanitys greatest challenges, as well as the birthplace of our greatest innovation. One generation ago, one-third of humanity lived in urban centers. Today, its more than 50 percent. One generation from now, more than two-thirds of us will reside in the tangled banks of a city center, and that number will surpass 80 percent by the end of this century. Cities offer access to capital, education, regulatory frameworks, and a collaborative density of human curiosity and connections. Its where great companies are born and grow. 8. BigCos are deeply aware of all this and a massive shift is about to reveal itself. For as long as Ive been in the media and technology business, Ive heard big company executives proclaim they were committed to change. But it always rang hollow: Large companies expended far more resources preventing change than they ever did committing to it. Over the past year, however, Ive sensed a deep shift in the tone of my conversations with BigCos. These are some of the smartest people in the world, and they understand the technological, generational, and social tectonics at play. In their board rooms and C-suites, conversations are already underway about changes so significant, theyll be viewed as calendar reset moment: Before Shift and After Shift. Were already seeing leading indicators Walmarts commitment to sustainability, GEs move to Boston, Publiciss rewritten purpose statement and organizational structure but in the next year or two, the pace will quicken. New CEOs at category-leading companies like McDonalds, Ford, and P&G will most likely announce stunning new initiatives that would have been inconceivable a decade ago. 9. The best NewCos realize theres a lot to learn from the BigCos. After years of feasting on BigCo markets, established upstarts like Google, Facebook, Uber, Zenefits, and Square are transitioning from cultures based on move fast and break things and ask for forgiveness, not permission. Their leaders are now turning to questions like How do I build a company that will last for generations? How can I maintain a strong corporate culture when I have thousands of employees? How do I work productively with regulatory and policy frameworks, now that Im an established player? Turns out, BigCos have decades, if not centuries, of experience in answering these kinds of questions. In my conversations with leaders of both NewCos and BigCos, I sense a new kind of detente as each side realizes how much it has to learn from the other. In the coming months and years, I expect well see a lot more cooperation between the two. In the coming months, NewCo will be focused on exploring these business trends, with new media and event products. If youd like to join the conversation, please follow us on Facebook or Twitter, share this post, and/or sign up for our daily newsletter. We believe this the most important story in business, and were committed to covering it for you. Want to follow the biggest story in business? Get our NewCo Daily newsletter. * A note on climate change: Our societys response to climate change is one of the most remarkable issues ever to face humankind. More than 70% of Americans now believe that climate change is real, and more than half of the world views the issue as the most serious global threat to humanity. And climate change is to Millennials what mutually-assured destruction was for Boomers: An existential threat. Whether or not you believe in this threat, climate change is now a social and business fact, a force affecting billions of decisions large and small around the world. Consumers are voting with their conscience, forcing unsustainable businesses to adopt provable, net positive products and processes. When Unilever, Walmart, Pepsi and scores of others align with the Pope on sustainability, a movement is most certainly afoot. Banner Thunderbird Medical Center in Glendale, Ariz., is offering HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C testing to surgical patients who came in contact with a surgical technician currently under investigation, according to 9 News. Here are five things to know: 1. The former surgical technician, Rocky Allen, 28, made headlines earlier this month for allegedly switching needles at Swedish Medical Center, prompting a police investigation. 2. A Banner Health spokesperson confirmed Mr. Allen was employed at Banner Thunderbird Medical Center from May 2014 to July 2014. The hospital did not comment why Mr. Allen worked there for a mere six weeks. 3. The DEA and FDA are investigating Mr. Allen for allegedly switching syringes of Fentanyl, a pain medication, on Jan. 22, 2016. 4. Banner Health is in the process of calculating how many inpatient surgical cases Mr. Allen was involved in to determine which patients will get free testing for HIV as well as hepatitis B and C. 5. Swedish Medical Center has so far identified 2,900 patients who need to be tested for the blood borne illnesses. More articles on quality & infection control: 4 things to know about the risk factors of aspirin 18 ASC patient safety tools 30 confirmed Zika virus cases in Puerto Rico, more expected in near future 5 things to know Winchester Endoscopy Center in Libertyville, Ill., has partnered with Surgical Care Affiliates. Here are four things to know: 1. Under the partnership, a new ASC was opened in January 2016. 2. The center will provide a full spectrum of gastroenterology services. 3. The new facility expands SCA's presence in the Chicago area to six locations. 4. As of September 30, 2015, SCA operated 194 surgical facilities, including ASCs and surgical hospitals, around the country. Baltimore is home to world-renowned medical institutions. Driven by the shift from fee-for-service to value-based care, the city's healthcare providers say they are trying harder than ever before to improve the health of lower-income residents of West Baltimore, according to NPR. However, interviews with dozens of patients, physicians and local leaders reveal how numerous barriers between some of Baltimore's financially struggling residents and its hospitals still prevent patients from getting the kinds of medical care and support they need, according to the report. In fact, residents told reporters from Kaiser Health News and the University of Maryland's Merrill College of Journalism that they have little more confidence in the medical system designed to heal them than they do in the criminal justice system intended to protect them. Here are 10 standout quotes from NPR's report, which details the barriers preventing many Baltimore residents from accessing vital healthcare services. 1. "They come in with a great service, but they don't have relationships with people in the community," Louis Wilson, senior pastor of New Song Community Church in Sandtown, Md., told NPR. "They want the people in the community to come in and respect them, but they don't respect the people in the community. It does not work. It just doesn't." 2. "When you walk into a hospital, it's like walking into a courtroom," said William Honablew Jr., who volunteers at LIGHT Health and Wellness, a nonprofit whose community services include helping those with HIV and other chronic illness navigate the system, according to the report. "You know who's in charge, and you know who's not." 3. "Why, in the midst of this extraordinary healthcare enterprise that is present in Baltimore, with all this expertise, are we sitting here on this side of Martin Luther King [Boulevard] and on the west side ... you have some of the most disappointing life expectancies that one could imagine?" said Jay Perman, MD, a pediatric gastroenterologist and president of University of Maryland. Dr. Perman was referring to the town of Sandtown, which has a life expectancy of just 69.7 years the same life expectancy as in North Korea. 4. "The system is fragmented," said Debbie Rock, who has run LIGHT Health and Wellness on Sandtown's western edge since the 1990s, according to NPR. "I think that people need to go back and talk to each other. I think the doctors and the health insurance companies need to sit down and listen to each other." 5. "I change doctors like I change underwear," Eddie Reaves, 64, told NPR. He said he tries to find practices that charge copays under $12 or $15. His income is $1,170 a month. He added, "I must have seen a good total of about 10 doctors" in 2014. 6. "Didn't have no bills," Mr. Reaves said of Health Care for the Homeless, a nonprofit that delivers comprehensive medical care to the homeless regardless of their ability to pay. "Your medicine they helped pay for. They did a lot for you. You could get your teeth done and everything. It was just great, man." Mr. Reaves said that program provided him the best healthcare he ever received. Now he is on Medicare because of a disability. While he's applied to Medicaid twice for better benefits, he has never received the paperwork, according to the report. 7. "We've got a joke here, but it's a serious joke," said Robert Peace, who broke his pelvis in a 2004 car crash. After being treated at University of Maryland Medical Center, Mr. Peace developed a persistent bone infection, but received little follow-up care. The infection eventually required numerous surgeries and hospital readmissions. "If they ain't medicating, they're amputating or operating. But what's missing is the care. Primary care." 8. "As a profession, as an industry, we have not sufficiently appreciated, let alone done something about, the impact of social determinants" such as poverty, poor housing, lack of food choices and low education, Dr. Perman said, according to the report. "Guys like me and gals like me can easily say, 'I made the correct diagnosis. I wrote a proper prescription. I'm done.' What I say to my students is, if you think you're done if 'done' means the patient is going to get better you're fooling yourself." 9. "We want to bring the standard health in this neighborhood up to national standards," said Marcia Cort, MD, CMO of Baltimore-based Total Health Care, according to the report. "We don't want it to be the neighborhood and area [where] life expectancy is low and people are dying from preventable things." Still, she added, "Baltimore City is in a health crisis." 10. Distrust of the healthcare system is a growing problem that is handed down from generation to generation, according to Derrick DeWitt, pastor of First Mount Calvary Baptist Church in Baltimore. "It's a culture that has come about over time, because younger people have seen or feel like their parents and their grandparents didn't get the best medical treatment when they went to the hospital," said Mr. DeWitt, according to the report. "So they have this why-go attitude." Academic medical centers serve as emblems of the highest quality healthcare and icons of the most prestigious medical research and education in the U.S. However, to ensure continued success and financial viability in the future, AMCs must develop or refine their strategies to manage several primary challenges. AMCs three-pronged mission patient care, research and education is both what sets them apart as premier healthcare institutions and situates them to incur unique pressures, compared with hospitals and health systems that are not affiliated with teaching institutions. They face some of the highest costs of all healthcare delivery systems; AMCs are designed to deliver complex, specialized care while also responsible for the increased costs of supporting medical education and research. Many AMCs are based in urban areas, and subsequently often end up treating a disproportionate share of Medicaid and under- or uninsured patients for emergency, Level 1 trauma and psychiatric emergencies. As AMCs map out their visions of the future, many have realized their traditional financial and governance structures are no longer compatible with the ever-evolving healthcare landscape. Scott Becker, JD, partner at McGuireWoods and publisher of Becker's Hospital Review, said many AMCs' strategic plans for the next five to 10 years include meeting higher quality and financial goals by affiliating or being acquired by another system. "In terms of defining goals, there are four broad goals for AMCs," Mr. Becker said during a webinar hosted by Becker's Hospital Review. "In terms of a Maslow's hierarchy of needs perspective, there is a certain level of need versus a top level of actualization." The first and most essential question AMC leaders must ask themselves is if they can survive in their current form, or if they need to do something differently, according to Mr. Becker. Making this initial assessment represents the highest level of need for AMCs, with all subsequent evaluations intended to guide the development of a new strategic plan. Strategy No. 1: Attain regional dominance.The high-quality healthcare AMCs provide make them an attractive choice for many prospective patients in their respective regions. To further strengthen their dominant positions in the market, many AMCs are entering into strategic affiliations or mergers with community hospitals, according to Mr. Becker. For instance, the brand of Yale-New Haven (Conn.) Hospital, the flagship hospital of the Yale-New Haven Health System, is a fixture in the region's healthcare landscape. To solidify and expand its brand and establish greater regional dominance, the health system has merged and affiliated with other systems. In July, Yale-New Haven Health, which includes Bridgeport (Conn.) Hospital and Greenwich (Conn.) Hospital, entered into a definitive agreement to affiliate with L+M Healthcare, the parent organization of Lawrence + Memorial Hospital in New London, Conn., and Westerly (R.I.) Hospital. Expanding regional dominance lends AMCs "benefits in terms of payer relationships, as well as the ability to pour more resources into quality, better leadership, hire more physicians and enhance clinical and financial strength," said Mr. Becker. Strategy No. 2: Achieve greatness in specific areas.Some AMCs may not be considered dominant in their regions, but they are able to maintain their elevated standing because they are the premier providers of a specific service line. In Boston, TuftsMedicalCenter must compete with several other top healthcare providers, such as Massachusetts GeneralHospital and Partners HealthCare. "If you look at TuftsMedicalCenter in Boston, it's not the dominant system, but it does do more heart transplants than any other system in Massachusetts," said Mr. Becker. The heart transplant program there "gives [Tufts] a reason to be top in something." Strategy No. 3: Become a leading international brand.Many AMCs have strong brands that they license to other healthcare providers in the U.S. and use overseas to expand their networks of care. Many of the top-name AMCs, including Rochester, Minn.-based Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic and Baltimore-based Johns Hopkins, have long-established international brands, which include hospitals abroad as well as services to direct international patients to the hospitals' U.S. facilities. Mayo Clinic operates representative offices in Canada, Colombia, Ecuador, Guatemala and Mexico to help international patients communicate with Mayo Clinic professionals and arrange travel to Mayo Clinic facilities in the U.S. Cleveland Clinic operates hospitals in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates and Canada, with representative offices in the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Panama. Johns Hopkins Medicine's international affiliations include those in Brazil, Chile, India, Japan, Lebanon, Panama, Peru and Turkey. However, a strong international brand is predicated on proven clinical quality and prestige at home, according to Mr. Becker. "You can only leverage a great name by being very strong at home," he said. "It's impossible to build an international brand without greatness and regional dominance at home." Identifying the right strategy There are many questions to consider when outlining the future for an AMC, according to Mr. Becker. For example, does the AMC have the wherewithal in its current setting to create an international brand? Are there avenues available to achieve greater regional dominance? Does the AMC have the resources to actually improve its new partners' clinical quality and outcomes if it merges or affiliates with surrounding community hospitals? AMCs must consider these questions before determining whether mergers, affiliations or alliances are the best option. At the same time, some AMCs may choose to remain as standalone entities. While many institutions are finding this increasingly difficult to sustain, some such as University of Chicago Medical Center remain viable without turning to consolidation. Other options for AMCs include being absorbed by a third party such as when Loyola University Chicago sold its medical center to Livonia, Mich.-based Trinity Health in 2011 joining a statewide alliance, pursuing a merger or licensing a brand. These strategic moves are not mutually exclusive, Mr. Becker points out, noting that affiliations or alliances are often the prelude to an actual merger. Additionally, many of the most prominent AMC names utilize some combination if not all of these four options. The strategic direction AMCs choose to embark on in the next few years will set them on the tracks toward their future. For many, the path to sustainability will be expansion. "Some of the best AMCs in the country are not in great reimbursement areas, but they've thrived by becoming great institutions," said Mr. Becker. "Sustainability in the long run must be big and dominant enough to afford to take chances. They must be a certain size and scale, and be great at certain things.[They] must be big enough to understand they'll fail sometimes." Kaiser Permanente said operating revenue for its nonprofit hospital and health plan units increased 7.6 percent in 2015 to $60.7 billion, but the Oakland, Calif.-based health system reported lower operating income and net income than the year prior. Here are five things to know about Kaiser's most-recent financial results. 1. Kaiser saw strong membership gains last year, adding 650,000 new members in 2015, which gave the system a financial boost. Kaiser reported revenue of $60.7 billion in 2015, up from $56.4 billion the year prior. 2. Kaiser officials said operating income fell 18 percent year over year to $1.8 billion in 2015. Kaiser reported an operating margin of 2.9 percent for 2015, down from a margin of 3.9 percent a year earlier. 3. In an earnings call, Tom Meier, Kaiser corporate treasurer and senior vice president, did not seemed surprised by the results. He said 2014 "was an exceptional year," and not one Kaiser expected to repeat, according to the San Francisco Business Times. 4. Mr. Meier said Kaiser's investments in 2015 brought in $102 million, down from $896 million the year prior. 5. Kaiser reported net income of $1.9 billion in 2015, down from $3.1 billion a year earlier. More articles on healthcare finance: Cleveland Clinic's Lakewood Hospital ceases inpatient services California hospital relies on bankrupt district to make payroll Mayo Clinic to close Wisconsin clinic Louisville, Ky.-based Kosair Children's Hospital has named its intensive care unit in honor of actress Jennifer Lawrence after she donated $2 million to help cover part of the costs of renovating the hospital's critical care centre, according to a WJAC report. Ms. Lawrence, a Louisville native, recently helped Kosair Children's Hospital announce the rebuild and its plans to establish the Jennifer Lawrence Foundation Cardiac Intensive Care Unit at Kosair Children's Hospital, via a pre-taped video. In the video, Ms. Lawrence talks about her visits to the hospital, calling the children there "brave and inspiring." She also encourages others to give to the hospital. "As part of my effort to help these children and caregivers, I challenge the entire community to get behind this cause and help match my gift by raising an additional $2 million to support all of these brave and inspiring children," Ms. Lawrence said. According to the report, the hospital seeks to raise a total of $25 million to help cover the costs of renovating its critical care centre. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health is asking Boston Children's Hospital to show that its planned $1 billion expansion plan won't contribute to rising healthcare costs, according to The Boston Globe. In a Feb. 11 letter, the DPH said the children's hospital must provide an independent analysis that proves the campus expansion project is "consistent with the Commonwealth's efforts to meet healthcare cost-containment goals," according to the report. Boston Children's Hospital plans to build an 11-story inpatient tower at its Longwood campus and an eight-story outpatient building in Brookline, making it the largest project seeking state approval, according to the report. The hospital says the need to expand is driven by an increasing patient population as more patients travel to Boston Children's from other states and counties. Although large hospital construction projects require state approval, this is only the second time regulators have required a cost analysis before making a decision, with the first being imposed earlier this year on Salem, Mass.-based North Shore Medical Center. The hospital, which is owned by Boston-based Partners HealthCare, is planning a $180 million renovation and expansion of its own. A Massachusetts law passed in 2012 gives public health officials the authority to request a cost analysis for large capital projects. The law also created a target of limiting statewide healthcare expenditure growth to less than 3.6 percent per year. Two new agencies the Center for Health Information and Analysis and the Health Policy Commission were also erected under the law to monitor health spending and scrutinize mergers and acquisitions that could lead to increased costs, according to the report. The DPH's letter said Boston Children's Hospital will be responsible to find and pay for a qualified firm or individual to perform the cost analysis. The hospital is the dominant pediatric healthcare facility in Massachusetts, and is one of the most expensive healthcare providers in the state. Hollywood (Calif.) Presbyterian Medical Center staff declared an internal emergency on Friday after hackers forced the hospital's IT systems offline, according to a statement from CEO Allen Stefanek. An anonymous physician from the hospital told NBC Los Angeles that the systems had been having trouble for a week, leaving departments to communicate via fax machine. The network shutdown has locked physicians out of EHRs and prevented staff from communicating via email. While the hospital has maintained that care has not been impacted, NBC reports some outpatients have missed treatments and others have resorted to driving around town to pick up test results and other medical documentation that would normally be delivered electronically. The hackers are demanding the hospital pay 9,000 in Bitcoin, a digital payment system, equivalent to $3.6 million, before the systems are put back online fully operational, according to NBC. Mr. Stefanek told NBC that some emergency patients are being diverted to other nearby hospitals for care and that the FBI is investigating the attack. Tulare (Calif.) Regional Medical Center held a board meeting Monday, Feb. 15 to vote for the second time to terminate the group that governs its physicians, according to Tulare Advance-Register/ Visalia Times-Delta. Attendees told the paper board members voted to terminate the Medical Staff of Tulare Regional Medical Center, which oversees its physicians, though the paper was unable to confirm reports the vote was public. Most California hospitals do not employ physicians, so groups affiliated with the hospital govern them instead, according to the report. The board was voting a second time because it held a closed door vote in January to change leadership to the Professional Medical Staff of TRMC, according to the report. However, the California Medical Association said this violated multiple laws. First, it violated a requirement that physicians not the board vote to change leadership, and second, it violated a state open meeting law, according to the report. To remedy its violation of open meeting laws, the board held Monday's vote in public, According to attendees, the public portion of the meeting lasted 20 minutes, and the board finished the meeting in private. More articles on leadership: 5 things to know about Twin Cities Community Hospitals new medical executive committee Theranos submits plan to fix lab problems Why the cancer 'moonshot' is not a fitting metaphor Palo Alto, Calif.-based blood testing startup Theranos submitted a plan late Friday to CMS to fix deficient practices, some of which could have put patients in "serious jeopardy," according to an update from BloombergBusiness. CMS spokesman Aaron Albright and Theranos both confirmed the proposal was submitted, according to the report. Mr. Albright told Bloomberg CMS staff is currently reviewing the proposal. CMS released a letter in January that summarized the deficient practices found in a November inspection at Theranos' Newark, Calif., lab, which included five major infractions for a range of issues including hematology practices, analytic systems and personnel issues. Theranos had 10 days to submit a plan of correction, and it filed for an extension earlier this month. More articles on leadership and management: Massachusetts General vs. Johns Hopkins: 6 key comparisons Why the cancer 'moonshot' is not a fitting metaphor What Justice Scalia's death could mean for healthcare: 7 things to know In his latest State of the Union Address, President Barack Obama called for a renewed effort to cure cancer under the "National Cancer Moonshot" initiative, which has a budget of nearly $1 billion. Although the nature and scope of the initiative seems to mirror the romanticized space exploration imagery its name evokes, some critics say "moonshot" is not an accurate comparison for cancer research, according to The New York Times. "I'm putting Joe [Biden] in charge of Mission Control," President Obama said in the speech. "For the loved ones we've all lost, for the families that we can still save, let's make America the country that cures cancer once and for all." The term "moonshot" is reminiscent of President John F. Kennedy's 1961 speech in which he called for the launch of a space program that would successfully land a man on the moon a lofty goal that was achieved just eight years later. The metaphor stuck. In 1971, President Richard Nixon alluded to space travel and atomic energy when talking about the need to combat cancer, according to NYT. In 2000, President George W. Bush called for a "medical moonshot" to cure the disease. The moonshot metaphor is alluring because it evokes past examples of seemingly impossible goals achieved through strong American will and loads of federal funding. However, research shows the NASA space program is not a good comparison for researching a cure for cancer. When Nixon first employed the metaphor, scientists believed cancer was a single disease that could be treated with a single cure. However, now we know cancer is not one disease, but many with complex variations and triggers. The variety of initiatives included under the moonshot effort demonstrates this, as it includes vaccines for some cancers, combination drug therapies for others and immunotherapy treatments for others, according to the report. Additionally, although researchers have welcomed the prospect of additional cancer funding, the $1 billion budget will likely not transform their work. The Tufts Center for the Study of Drug Development estimates the cost of bringing a single new cancer drug to the market is $1.4 billion. The annual budget for the National Cancer Institute is already $5.2 billion. The name "moonshot" suggests a groundbreaking set of new efforts in the fight against cancer, but the program's funding represents just a small portion of the current national spending on cancer research, according to the report. Another state has approved Aetna's acquisition of Humana, according to the Miami Herald. The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation approved Aetna's plan to purchase Humana but there are a few conditions. Here are five things to know about the conditional approval. 1. Officials in Florida believe the acquisition will likely have little impact on insurer competition in the state. "Florida's evaluation was based on a thorough review of the competitive environment in the state," said Aetna in a statement, according to Forbes. "We are pleased that in its review, the OIR recognized how traditional Medicare competes with Medicare Advantage plans, and that consumers have robust choice in a competitive landscape." 2. In Florida, Humana covers a large number of enrollees in government-sponsored plans. Over one million Floridians are enrolled in plans from Humana or CarePlus, a Medicare HMO owned by Humana. Overall, Humana covers 340,000 Medicare Advantage members, 98,000 CarePlus members and 326,000 Medicaid members in the state, according to state records. 3. Regulators imposed a number of conditions, including: Aetna must enter five new counties by 2018 and offer a detailed plan for statewide expansion by 2020. Aetna must continue its "fair treatment" of its consumers with HIV, according to the report. In late 2014, Humana reached a similar agreement with the state due to a federal complaint regarding discrimination. 4. The Aetna-Humana deal isn't complete yet. The Florida Attorney General still must review the deal, as must the U.S. Department of Justice. 5. Aetna claimed it has "secured 10 of the 20 state approvals required" for the sale. Nevertheless, the DOJ may still "require divestitures in some geographies," according to Aetna's statement cited in Forbes. Still, Aetna claimed these divestures are a "standard tool," and that "[i]f divestitures are required, there are competitors in good standing that are able to provide consumers with options," according to Aetna's statement. There is the Baltimore with access to high-quality care and academic medical centers, and then there is the Baltimore of Freddie Gray. On August 12, 2015, 25-year-old Freddie Gray was arrested for possessing what police identified as an illegal switchblade. While being transported in a police van, Mr. Gray sustained a high-energy injury to his neck and spine similar to one sustained after diving into shallow water and fell into a coma. He died at Maryland Shock Trauma Center a week later, and his death incited protests on the streets of Baltimore. As part of a reporting partnership between Kaiser Health News and University of Maryland College Park's Philip Merrill College of Journalism, NPR has published a 4,000 word story about healthcare disparities in Baltimore, specifically those between the academic medical institutions the city is known for and the community perceptions of healthcare in Sandtown, where Freddie Gray lived. Here are five major takeaways from the piece. 1. The story is centered on residents of Baltimore's Sandtown neighborhood, where Freddie Gray lived and was arrested. The life expectancy of Sandtown citizens is 69.7 years, the same life expectancy of grossly impoverished North Korea. Residents of the ZIP code that includes Sandtown accounted for the city's second-highest per-capita rate of diabetes-related hospital cases in 2011, the second-highest rate of psychiatric cases, the sixth-highest rate of heart and circulatory cases, and the second-highest rate of injury and poisoning cases. Asthma, HIV infection and drug use are common. 2. Baltimore resident Robert Peace is placed at the article's forefront. Mr. Peace suffered a shattered pelvis in a car accident. A bone infection developed after surgery. A lack of follow-up care brought Mr. Peace back to the operating room five subsequent times, leaving him homebound for a year with joint damage and a severe limp. 3. The story highlights many factors that keep impoverished citizens of Baltimore away from the health system. Many avoid medical institutions because they see them in the same light as the justice system that failed Freddie Gray, noting that medical privacy laws allow hospitals to assist law enforcement by tracing suspected fugitives. Care is often disturbed by physician turnover and simple follow-up care is often denied to impoverished citizens for fiscal reasons. For instance, the story mentions a home-oxygen company denied service to a discharged lung patient due to his $27 balance. Even small copayments deter low-income residents from seeking care, and the Medicaid qualification process is tediously slow due to heaps of paperwork and limited administrative resources. Further, simply navigating networks of insurance is burdensome. For example, 2,000 low-income Medicaid members, many in Sandtown, had to change coverage in August or search for new physicians because UnitedHealthcare dropped University of Maryland physicians from its Medicaid network due to a contract dispute. 4. In Sandtown, distrust toward healthcare institutions is similar to distrust toward the police. "When you walk into a hospital, it's like walking into a courtroom. You know who's in charge, and you know who's not," one source told reporters. Catholic, nonprofit Bon Secours Baltimore Health System is the closest inpatient provider to Sandown. While its death rates for Medicare patients with major conditions varies little from national scores when adjusted for illness severity, the distrust of this institution and of medical institutions overall is strong. Bon Secours is known throughout West Baltimore as "Bon Se-Killer." Many residents, unprompted, relayed grim stories to interviewers of loved ones dying in Bon Secours. Further, the story of Henrietta Lacks, an African-American woman whose tissue was used without consent by Johns Hopkins Hospital in the 1950s, is known to many in Sandtown. It recalls the tales of "night doctors," boogeymen of African-American folklore. These "doctors," under the cover of night, abducted black children for medical experimentation. John Hopkins, for the citizens of Sandtown, has long been associated with such lore. 5. Impoverished citizens of Baltimore have seen little improvement in their healthcare services, although Maryland is undertaking an ambitious overhaul of hospital reimbursement and the Baltimore Health Department is pressing hospitals to collaborate on high-risk patients. In fact, the report cites recent instances of reduced access to and funding for care. In 2014, People's Community Health Center closed three nonprofit clinics for low-income patients. On Dec. 9, Maryland regulators cut funding by two-thirds for a proposal to create hospital jobs in poorer neighborhoods. Other initiatives do little to address the low incomes and unemployment linked to Sandtown's poor health, or simplify the maze of insurance and provider networks patients must navigate to receive care. More articles on patient safety: Mich. governor asks for Medicaid expansion in midst of Flint's water crisis The number of armed security guards in hospitals is growing so is the debate over their necessity Iowa physician charged with professional incompetency in care of 9 patients In 2014, the Brazilian government added pyriproxyfen, a toxic larvicide used to control mosquito populations, to water tanks throughout the country. A new report from a group of Argentinian physicians claims the toxic substance, rather than the Zika virus, is to blame for the huge spike in babies born with microcephaly in Brazil, although the Brazilian government has dismissed the claims, according to The Telegraph. The Argentinian report claims past outbreaks of Zika virus have not been accompanied by spikes in birth defects, and the areas with the highest use of pyriproxyfen are the ones experiencing the greatest concentrations of microcephaly, which has been associated with Zika virus, although no absolute scientific evidence has proven the link. The larvicide manufacturer, Sumitomo Chemical, which is associated with Monsanto, claims the substance poses minimal risk to mammals. A January report from The Washington Post pointed out that a significant number of microcephaly cases related to the Brazilian uptick are not Zika-related, suggesting an underlying factor may be at play. Of the approximately 4,000 cases of microcephaly reported in Brazil, experts reviewed 732 and found more than half were either not Zika-related, or not microcephaly, according to The Washington Post. The Colombian national health institute announced Sunday that more than 5,000 pregnant women in the country are believed to have Zika, with 31,555 cases of the virus reported overall. In early February, Colombia's President Juan Manuel Santos said there's no evidence Zika had been linked to any instances of microcephaly in the country, according to ABC News. Amidst questions about what is causing the spike in microcephaly, the Brazilian government launched a national "Zika Zero" campaign, which entailed nearly 250,000 military personnel flyering the streets about how to combat the virus by reducing mosquito breeding grounds, according to The New York Times. The following healthcare organizations shared plans to hire workers since Jan. 25, starting with the most recent. 1. Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare-All Saints hospital in Racine, Wis., is seeking to fill more than 200 open positions at a recruitment event next month. Here are three things to know about the job openings. 2. Optum the technology and pharmacy unit of Minnetonka, Minn.-based UnitedHealth Group plans to hire 400 new workers for its new office in Boston, according to the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal. Optum will also move 400 employees from the Boston suburbs to its new office, a 125,000-square-foot building in the city's Fenway neighborhood. 3. Four hospital systems in Central Florida collectively have more than 2,000 clinical and non-clinical job openings. Here are four things to know about where the jobs are. 4. Pittsburgh-based UPMC plans to build a new hospital in Pleasant Hills, Pa., that would generate 500 permanent jobs and hundreds of temporary construction jobs. Here are five things to know about the proposed hospital. 5. Republican Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal's office announced that health insurer Anthem will add 450 employees to its Columbus-based BlueCross BlueShield of Georgia complex, according to the Ledger-Enquirer. 6. Marshfield (Wis.) Clinic's proposal for a $175 million new hospital could generate more than 1,000 new jobs, according to the Marshfield News Herald. The new jobs would include both full-time and part-time positions. More articles on workforce and labor management: Tri-City Medical Center wants union petition for executive compensation cap invalidated: 4 things to know Union suit against Kaiser takeover of Maui hospitals dismissed: 4 things to know Central Florida hospitals have more than 2k job openings: 4 things to know To continue following the latest news and information for Bedfordshire and surrounding areas, simply enter your full postcode below James Gumble of XPand, Stephen Cairns of Innov8 Interiors and John Bell of Digital DNA launch the Digital DNA Trade Mission to San Francisco James Gumble of XPand, Stephen Cairns of Innov8 Interiors and John Bell of Digital DNA launch the Digital DNA Trade Mission to San Francisco Two Northern Ireland organisations have announced the launch of the first ever private sector-led trade mission to San Francisco. Digital DNA and Xpand International will run the trade mission during St Patricks week, kicking off on March 13. They say they are passionate about driving international sales and investment into Northern Ireland, and this event will provide connections and a unique insight into the workings of the technology capital of the world. The itinerary includes opportunities to meet representatives from some of the worlds leading digital innovators while exploring San Francisco and Silicon Valley. Businesses will get to meet with visionary and leading organisations including Facebook, Uber, Google, Microsoft, Evernote and Stanford University. Digital DNA founder Gareth Quinn said: Digital DNAs core objective is to drive more wealth into Northern Ireland by helping local businesses grow online and by teaming up with the great team at Xpand International, were offering local companies the chance to connect with and learn from the worlds biggest technology companies in Silicon Valley." James Gumble, founder of Xpand International added: Having spent an extensive time in Silicon Valley, what has surprised me the most is the range of opportunities to work with worldwide organisations which have been only been available through networking in San Francisco. "San Francisco and New York are uniquely positioned, having representatives from over 50 European organisations within a small area. Companies making the effort to explore the Valley are exploring business models and ideas in the Bay area; bringing these innovations back to Europe. One of the firms already signed up for the trade mission is Belfast and Dublin-based office interiors specialist, Innov8. Stephen Cairns from the company said: This international trade mission offers local businesses genuine opportunities to grow customer bases and engage with new clients and suppliers across the US and we jumped at the chance to get involved. The global marketplace is becoming a cornerstone of the Innov8 growth strategy and were excited by the potential of this trade mission. Local businesses attending the trade mission will receive a pre-prepared schedule of meetings, networking events and conferences with relevant contacts to their industry, whether that be to identify potential clients, build strategic partnerships or to discuss business and the latest digital developments and innovations. Opportunities will be scheduled to meet with world trade organisations and there will also be opportunities to test new business ideas with representatives from multiple countries worldwide, and to find out how market-leading companies in California are implementing innovation a great chance to be ahead of competition. Throughout the week there will be multiple opportunities to develop relationships with key connections in European and American business development organisations, including tailored networking events in exclusive locations. These will provide an opportunity for face-to-face meetings with well-connected representatives from over 50 organisations around the world. Connections made at these events could forge strong future alliances and trade links for attendees, not only with the US but also across Europe. To sign up for the trade mission, get in touch with the team at engage@digitaldna.org.uk or call 028 9751 2120. Enterprise Minister Jonathan Bell was told he should "consider his position" as the Assembly last night voted to end the renewable heat incentive scheme (RHI). TUV leader Jim Allister also said the Minister had been in China - where he took part in a trade mission in November - when he should have been "looking after the shop". The Minister disclosed the end of the scheme, which was to encourage the use of renewable forms of heat, in a shock announcement 11 days ago. It emerged last week that the scheme had overspent by around 30m, leading to its immediate suspension. With 3,500 renewable heating installations to date, the Minister said uptake of the scheme was higher in Northern Ireland than other parts of the UK. He said that an announcement made last year that the whole scheme would no longer be funded by the Treasury meant his department was no longer able to continue the scheme. Last night around two-thirds of 94 MLAs voted for an amendment to shut down the scheme by February 29. It's been claimed up to 2,000 jobs are at risk as a consequence. SDLP MLA Patsy McGlone, chairman of the enterprise trade and investment committee, accused the Minister of being "asleep behind the wheel". Mr McGlone said: "I have listened as business owners have told me how scores of staff and millions of pounds are at risk because of the utter ineptitude of the Enterprise Minister in dealing with these issues." During the meeting, it was claimed that the cost of continuing the scheme would be 95m over five years to the Northern Ireland Block Grant. Ulster Unionist MLA Adrian Cochrane-Watson described it as "a story of failure and incompetence... for which there must be consequences". Mr Cochrane-Watson highlighted that the tariff for the scheme in Great Britain was over three times as high as in Northern Ireland, and yet was still able to cope with the demand. He said that as a result, firms in Northern Ireland found themselves unable to compete and called for the Minister to "consider his position". And Alliance MLA Trevor Lunn highlighted one Lisburn firm with orders on its books worth 185,000 which he said would "completely disappear". Sinn Fein MLA Mairtin O'Muilleoir said: "Without a doubt this is a dog's dinner, this should never have been allowed to get to this position." And TUV MLA Jim Allister said the scheme had been "mismanaged" and allowed to "run out of control". "This wasn't some third party in some distant place that failed to control - this was a supposedly hands on local minister. "Wherever he was China, wherever, he wasn't looking after the shop where this scheme is concerned, now he comes on as if this isn't anything to do with him. "It has everything to do with him. And as far as the consequences are concerned it is everything to do with our constituents are going to pay the price for this incompetence." Minister Bell read from the Hansard Record in which he raised the issue in November 2015 that he would take a decision on the scheme should Treasury funding be suspended. "We simply have no other option. My officials and officials in DFP have exhausted all other options." Responding to accusations that there was no evidence of abuse of the RHI Scheme, he said: "Let me put on the record that we have received anonymous correspondence alleging abuse of the non-domestic scheme." Over 900 applications were made in the six weeks leading up to a change in tariff, a spike which he said was unforeseeable. He concluded: "I must take the course of action which addresses the risk to the public's finances." AJC Electrical said that plans to double its workforce have been hampered by a lack of skilled electricians A Co Down electrical firm has said plans to double its workforce have been scuppered because it can't find enough skilled electricians. AJC Electrical in Newcastle says it has "never been busier" and wants to double its workforce from 25 to 50, but cannot find workers. The family firm says the financial crash led to a collapse in the training of tradespeople, leaving a shortfall in young electricians. Director Michael Clarke said there needs to be "fresh blood" in order to keep the industry going. "The biggest thing is, there aren't very many training to be sparks (electricians), so there is no supply. "Many have been heading to work in Great Britain and Australia, now the whole thing is finding its feet again. Wages are going to go through the roof. People are poaching staff and throwing money to get them. In construction, there's not a big loyalty, and it's the nature of the beast." Mr Clarke says he employs electricians who are aged between 18 and 40. "There are always going to be guys around, but it's finding well-trained staff. Supply is the biggest thing at the moment. "There are some cases where we don't bother pricing (for a contract) because we don't have the staff." He said fewer young men and women were getting into the trade as family members may have suffered a severe lack of work during tougher times. "I think that had happened historically following the credit crunch. Colleges aren't doing the same, and the incentives are not in place for us to take on apprentices. "I have to pay them more than minimum wage, and pay for them to go to tech. We need new blood, there's no supply. And there needs to be supply." He said he now only gets applications from two or three people for each advertisement, whereas once have would have been 60 to 70. AJC Electrical, which was founded by Mr Clarke's father Tony in 1985, counts a number of top hotels, including the Culloden, among its clients. Tina McKenzie, managing director of employment firm PeoplePlusNI, said that with construction "having shrunk significantly during the economic downturn, we have seen training providers move away from these areas, which of course causes a problem now that the local construction sector is finally seeing some much-needed growth". "Employers and recruiters also know that careers guidance given to our most skilled and promising young people focuses on white collar, professional roles," she said. But the Department for Employment and Learning (DEL) said its new apprenticeships strategy, 'Securing our Success,' was aimed at ensuring the economy had the skills to grow. DEL said that the most recent figures - for July 2015 - showed there were currently 75 students on an electrical distribution and transmission engineering apprenticeship, 21 on an electrical power engineering course, and 524 on an electro-technical programme. A Northern Ireland man who's been heading up Swedish operations for the German-owned grocer Lidl is to return home. Queen's University graduate Conor Boyle has worked for the company since 2002 and was appointed chief executive of Lidl Sweden in August 2013. The firm says Mr Boyle will be moving to a new post with Lidl Northern Ireland within the next two months. Lidl says it's making changes to its senior teams across a few of its markets. Meanwhile, the latest figures show the discounter continues to increase its market share in Northern Ireland, where it has 38 stores. It plans to open another 12 over the next few years. According to Kantar Worldpanel, Lidl's share of grocery spend in Northern Ireland was 5.2% of the market in the year to the start of February - up from 4.4% the year before. Tesco's share of the market had fallen slightly, from 35.2% to 34.6%, with Sainsbury's seeing its share fall 0.3% to 17.7%. Asda was the only major player to see an increase, from 17.2% to 17.5%. Meanwhile, Lidl rival Aldi has announced major expansion plans in the UK, but confirmed yesterday it still had no plans to open in Northern Ireland. Aldi is to create 5,000 jobs and open 80 new stores this year under expansion plans, the supermarket chain has announced. Artist impressions of Belfast's 63-bed Waring hotel to be located in the former War Memorial Building Belfast City Council has given the go-ahead for the citys newest hotel, The Waring, an 8m development in the Cathedral Quarter. The council approved plans for the 63-bed hotel in the former War Memorial Building in Waring Street. Business partners Andre Graham and Seamus Sweeney bought the building for 1.2m last year, having sold their previous businesses Belfast gay venues The Kremlin, Union Street and Shoe Factory for 3m in 2014. Mr Sweeney said the hotel will offer 63-beds over five floors and create upwards of 60 full-time jobs when it opens towards the end of 2017. We are delighted that Planning has recognised the merit and potential of our scheme at a time when Belfast is on the very cusp of such significant growth, said Mr Sweeney. With the development of the new Ulster University Campus well under way and the anticipated growth from changes to corporation tax in early 2018, plus other major developments such as the expanded Waterfront Hall, The Waring is perfectly placed to take advantage of the growing demand for hotel rooms, evidenced by and the strong price and occupancy growth rates recently published for Belfast and Northern Ireland. Our aim is to create a designer hotel which will be as unique as the building itself - one of only two listed buildings from the Fifties. However, although that decade will permeate all facets of our marketing and while the temptation is to design a facsimile of a mid-century hotel, we also want to develop a unique timeless design concept which will be something completely new for Belfast. And already we have some of the most exciting international designers investigating the possibilities for us. Indeed, the fact that the notoriously laborious planning process took just three months is testimony to the excitement felt by everyone involved in this project from our award-winning architects McGonigle McGrath and consultant Barry Owens, through to the planners themselves and the Council. Mr Graham said four-star The Waring would be aimed at the younger end of the professional demographic. Well be targeting the regular business and weekend travellers coming to enjoy what's been recently highlighted as one of Europe's 'must visit' destinations, he said. Belfast's reputation as a young, cool, well-educated and vibrant city will be reflected in the laid back and keen to please culture that will be central to the hotels operation. Historic location However, The Waring will also make much of its historic location in one of Belfasts oldest quarters, with the infamous Sugar House Lane one of the citys oldest entries marking one of its boundaries. Dating from the 1600s, bombed by the Luftwaffe in 1941 and finally blocked off in the Seventies, the entry - between Waring and High Street - could once again be a bustling thoroughfare if it is opened by the developers as part of their hotel scheme, subject to planning. The entry was made famous by its Dr Franklins Public House, where Henry Joy McCracken first formed the United Irishmen as a secret society called The Muddlers and from where he was betrayed by one of its barmaids, the beautiful Bell Martin as local lore has it, who was a government spy. In a nod to its notorious history, The Warings restaurant, bar and cafe will be called Franklins. 'Current stock market volatility means that you have to be brave to invest in stocks and shares' Over the last few years most of us have exercised a degree of caution honed during the recession within the confines of a tight monthly budget, and against seemingly ever rising costs. But with low interest rates and cheap oil it's almost a surprise to find a few extra pounds in our pocket each month. Savers have been losing out since interest rates fell to an historic low of 0.5%. It isn't likely to get better any time soon, with current predictions suggesting rates will stay on hold for the rest of the year as the economy slows. High interest deposit accounts, a contradiction in name, continue to provide a miserly return. The difference between instant access accounts and five year fixed rate bonds or ISAs is marginal, ranging only between 1.5% and 3%. This is good for millions with variable rate mortgages - but even a slight rise in rates could have a considerable impact on the average monthly income. So, are there any other decent, easy to understand investments out there? The answer is simple. No. There really is very little return unless you look at higher risk investments. Current stock market volatility means that you have to be brave to invest in stocks and shares. The key is knowing when to buy and when to sell. This is difficult for most economists, let alone the average investor, and with the current debate over the UK's continuing membership of the EU, there is even more uncertainty and volatility ahead. Corporate bonds and equity income funds offer a potentially higher return but they too come with a health warning and require a degree of financial sophistication and understanding of the market. And then of course there are the fees. Property continues to be a popular investment. Recent figures for Northern Ireland suggest that the market is on a steady increase. Stamp duty rates are to rise to 3% from the new tax year on buy-to-lets. This will put pressure to invest before April. In these times of low returns and economic uncertainty it is easy to play it safe with a fully-protected deposit account. In my opinion, the alternative investments don't offer enough return for the risks involved once fees and expenses are deducted. One potential new investment which has only been mainly available in London is peer to peer lending, or crowd funding. This could be the new avenue mid-range investors have been looking for. Danny Millar has warned that the days of cheap food and drink are over The days of cheap food and drink are over in Northern Ireland, one of the province's top chefs has said. Danny Millar (43), who runs three restaurants including Balloo House at Killinchy in Co Down, said producers here need "better returns for their commitment and to enable them to invest in new products". And he said he hoped the Year of Food and Drink 2016 would be a success. "I hope that one of the legacies of this important campaign will be greater business for local producers from shoppers as well as restaurants and hotels," he said. "There also needs to be a greater recognition that the days of cheap food and drink in both retail and hospitality sectors are over." Mr Millar also reiterated concerns from the industry over cutting the level of Vat in order to compete with the lower rate in the Republic. "Efforts to boost food and drink and tourism would also benefit substantially from action on Vat and current licensing laws," he said. "Bringing Vat here into line with the 9% in the Republic, I believe, would help improve margins and encourage greater investment in the facilities that tourists in particular expect. "It could also mean better returns for food and drink producers. "Overall, I believe, a reduction in Vat and more liberal licensing laws would benefit the economy and employment here. The current licensing laws are also in need of review." Mr Millar owns and operates a number of restaurants in Northern Ireland with business partner Ronan Sweeney, as well as Balloo House at Killinchy, they have The Poacher's Pocket at Lisbane, and The Parson's Nose in Hillsborough. And he attributes much of the success of his businesses down to the top quality produce he uses. "Why wouldn't we use local ingredients? It's why I love what I do. We have super ingredients on our doorstep, world class produce from fantastic farmers and fisherman going out in all sorts of weather and for not much money. "Quality producers are mostly within easy reach of all three of our restaurants. Our fertile soils provide great grass-fed beef, dairy and lamb as well as superb vegetables and fruit. "Strangford and Ballycastle are a source of wonderfully fresh and tasty seafood, scallops, prawns, oysters, lobsters and mussels, from pristine waters. "We've a great relationship with many local suppliers who regularly talk to us about their products and new ideas. A good example of this is the Farmageddon brewery, just down the road from the Poacher's Pocket, in Comber." Mr Millar's comments about revamping Northern Ireland's licensing laws come just a week after industry body Hospitality Ulster launched its own 'petition of concern' against outdated licensing laws. The industry body - which represents pubs, hotels and restaurants - is demanding Stormont revamps "outdated" laws here. A fan-led campaign is now attempting to get the four-piece to number one (@jholsson/PA) Viola Beach have entered the Official Top 40 as fans pay tribute to the band who were tragically killed along with their manager at the weekend. The Warrington-based indie band have already placed at number 39 with their single Swings & Waterslides and are expected to rise before Friday's full chart is announced. The four-piece of Kris Leonard, River Reeves, Tomas Lowe and Jack Dakin were killed alongside their manager Craig Tarry when their car plunged off a bridge into a canal in the early hours of Saturday morning while the band were touring in Sweden. A fan-led campaign is now attempting to get the four-piece to number one and has already succeeded in getting the song into the iTunes top three. The band's record label Communion have confirmed that the proceeds from the sale of singles will go to the families of the band and manager. Elsewhere in the charts, Lukas Graham remain at number one for a second week with 7 Years, while Zayn Malik's Pillowtalk looks set to hold firm at two. Jonas Blue & Dakota's Fast Car stays at three, Rihanna's Work at four and Shawn Mendes's Stitches at five. In the album charts, Adele's 25 is on course to reclaim the number one spot five weeks after it last topped the charts. With love in the air around Valentine's Day, 25 could add another week to its seven at the top, although Ronan Keating's new album Time Of My Life debuts just 4,000 combined sales behind in the midweek update. David Bowie's Best of Bowie stays at three, Justin Bieber's Purpose at four, and Bowie rounds off the top five again with Blackstar. Eagles Of Death Metal frontman Jesse Hughes has said that the Bataclan massacre could have been stopped if everybody had firearms. The American rock band was performing at the Bataclan theatre in Paris when terrorists attacked. In total 130 people were killed in a series of coordinated shootings and bombings across the city on November 13. In an interview with French broacaster iTele, he said: "I'll ask you: did your French gun control stop a single f****** person from dying at the Bataclan? And if anyone can answer 'yes', I'd like to hear it. Because I don't think so. " I think the only thing that stopped it was some of the bravest men that I've ever seen in my life charging head-first into the face of death with firearms." His comments came as Eagles Of Death Metal return to Paris to play a tribute concert to the 89 fans who were shot dead at their November concert. Hughes added: "I think the only way my mind has been changed is maybe that until nobody has guns, everybody has to have them. "Because I don't want to see anything like this ever happen again. And I want everyone to have the best chance to live and I saw people die that maybe could have lived, I don't know, but I wish I knew for sure if they could have had a better chance." Hughes is reportedly a member of America's National Rifle Association and a supporter of Republication presidential candidate Donald Trump. Tuesday's gig will be held at the Olympia venue in Paris, a few miles from the Bataclan, which remains closed. Hughes and his band mates Dave Catching, Julian Dorio, Eden Galindo and Matt McJunkins survived the shootings but the band's merchandise seller, Briton Nick Alexander, was killed in the terror attack. Jesse Hughes on gun control "God created men and women and on that night, guns made them equal."Eagles Of Death Metal Metal frontman Jesse Hughes on gun control in the wake of the Bataclan terrorist attack. Posted by Channel 4 News on Tuesday, 16 February 2016 Hughes fought back tears as he said: "I haven't had any nightmares, and I've slept fine, but when I'm awake is when I see things that are nightmares, you know? "And I thought that talking about it would make it easier...but it's not. "There's really no frame of reference for this at all. I just wish it would go away." Game of Thrones: Jon Snow was last seen looking decidedly dead after being stabbed by his own Night's Watch comrades Natalie Dormer has confirmed that Game of Thrones character Jon Snow is dead - but teased that his cadaverous state might not last forever. Fans were left with a Schrodinger's cat situation at the end of series five, unsure whether Jon Snow (Kit Harington) was left dead or alive after being stabbed by members of the Night's Watch. But the 34-year-old actress, who plays Margaery Tyrell in the show, said even Snow cannot defy human physiology. She told Channel 5 News: "If you get stabbed that many times, you're dead, you know. There are some basic medical rules that even apply in Westeros. So Jon Snow is dead right now." Pushed on her choice of the phrase "right now", she repeated emphatically, "right now". With Harington's character's death confirmed, the question on fans' lips is whether he stays that way, and sightings of him on set in Ireland point to a return. Dormer added that this series will be the most unpredictable yet as it is the first that will overtake the source text, George RR Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire novels. "You can never predict Game of Thrones. And of course we have the new situation this year which is completely unprecedented that George hasn't published the next book so it is new for everyone." Instead of being fatigued by the constant rumours of whether Snow is back, Dormer said she "loves all the theories people have". Game of Thrones series six returns on April 24 on HBO in the US and will be simulcast on Sky Atlantic at 2am UK time. It will also air on April 25 on Sky Atlantic. Olivia Colman has revealed her dread at having to inform the director of new BBC drama The Night Manager that she would have to rewrite the script to accommodate a five-month pregnant woman. Colman, 42, had been given the part of Angela Burr, an MI6 intelligence officer who has already been adapted from a male character in John le Carre's novel, when she discovered she was pregnant. She said: "I went to see Susanne (Bier, the director) thinking, 'Oh God, should I mention it in the first meeting?'. And I thought, 'I can't lie'. Which is why I'd be a rubbish spy. "She said, 'Oh... right...'. And didn't look that pleased." Luckily for Colman, Bier decided that, as with Frances Dormand's pregnant policewoman Marge Gunderson in Fargo, it would add a "weird power" to the role - and added scenes around chairs so Colman could rest during filming. It is unlikely to come across in the final edit, but Colman revealed the pregnancy gave her "nappy brain". "I just can't retain my lines like I normally would. There are an awful lot of script changes that happen. It can change the day before, on the day. It fills me with fear: 'Oh Christ, I've barely got the script in my head and now I've got to change it'. So it is a little bit hanging by my fingernails." Colman filmed the six-part spy thriller, which begins on BBC One on Sunday, when she was over half-way through her pregnancy. She gave birth to her third child, a daughter, in August. :: Read the full interview in this week's Radio Times, on sale now. WYMORE The city of Wymore wouldnt be the same without its medical clinics, which serve neighbors near and far. Wymore Medical Clinic has been here so long, Wymore would be a much different town if the clinic wasnt here, said Don Harmon, certified physician assistant at the clinic. Harmon said the clinic is a benefit to the community, particularly because it is convenient. Transportation is still an issue for our patients, Harmon said. Older people dont feel comfortable driving on certain roads. One woman who is 90 years old rides her bike here, weather permitting. Its common for people to walk here. Wymore Medical Clinic is located at North Sixth and West H streets and is owned by Beatrice Community Hospital and Health Care. Its staff includes two physician assistants and a medical director. Just a block away is the Community Physicians Clinic. Its staff consists of two medical doctors and nurses. Its a wonderful thing, said Wymore Mayor Milton Pike about having the clinics in town. Any time that you have a doctor in your town, its a blessing. Both clinics serve residents of the Wymore Good Samaritan Center. Theyre past the driving age, Administrator Dan Gunther said of the 30 individuals who live at the center. If we lost either (clinic), wed have to take our residents to Marysville (Kansas) or Beatrice. Its vitally important. Wymore Good Samaritan Center owns three buses, two of which run daily in town and to Beatrice. If there were no clinics in town, the buses would be running a whole lot more, Gunther said. The clinics also serve residents from surrounding towns in southeast Nebraska and northeast Kansas. Tami Jones, the licensed practical nurse at Community Physicians Clinic, said its patients are of all ages and area towns. Without the clinics, people would have to travel, Jones said. Its handy, especially for older people. Its much more convenient for them to come here versus driving a half hour or 45 minutes. And we love that we have a pharmacy in town. We support him a lot. Jones said staff visits patients at Wymore Good Samaritan Center to save them a trip. Sometimes, they do house calls as well, she said. I think we offer that small-town care, Jones said. People dont just feel like a number. I think thats something a lot of our patients would say. Both Jones and Harmon have worked at their respective clinics for 15 years. Harmon said implementing electronic health records has been the biggest change at Wymore Medical Clinic in the last couple of years and that the clinic consistently receives positive feedback from patient satisfaction surveys. Most of the patients at Wymore Medical Clinic are adults, Harmon said. Wymore Medical Clinic and its patients benefit from its ties and proximity to BCH, he said. People travel to Beatrice all the time, Harmon said. Its nice to have the clinic here and specialties in Beatrice at the hospital. The hospital, 18 miles north, offers services the clinic does not, such as surgeries and orthopedic, pediatric and OB/GYN care. In addition to ER, Harmon said. When people are real sick, we send them there. We benefit from that. Both Wymore Fire and Rescue and Beatrice Fire and Rescue can transfer local residents to Beatrice Community Hospital or the Marysville hospital, which Community Physicians Clinic is affiliated with. If they need to get an X-ray or see a surgeon, we send patients where theyre comfortable, Jones said. Wymore has a population of about 1,430 and is a neighbor to Blue Springs, a town of about 330. From left to right, Craig Burnett, Holliday Grainger, Jade Cohen and Rudi Barman attending a screening of The Finest Hours at the Ham Yard Hotel Stars descended on London's west end on Tuesday for a gala screening of the Disney epic The Finest Hours. Based on a true story, the film is set in Massachusetts in 1952 and tells the tale of the SS Pendleton that split in two during a storm, trapping 30 sailors inside, and the subsequent daring rescue by the coast guard. Directed by Craig Gillespie, the all-star cast includes Chris Pine, Casey Affleck, Eric Bana and Holliday Grainger. Grainger attended the gala at the Ham Yard Hotel to discuss her role as Pine's love interest in the film. Pine plays US Coast Guard officer Bernie Webber, who took a three-man boat out to the sinking tanker - losing his compass on the way. Talking to the Press Association, Grainger said: "When I first read the script I was fascinated by the story but I didn't know a lot about the character. "I didn't feel the pressure of the role until I went to Chatham and met Miriam and Bernie's daughter - she took me on a tour, we went to the lighthouse, and we stood on the 36-500, the actual boat that was in the rescue. "Hearing her talk about her mum was so helpful for me to find and flesh out the character but also scary because Miriam was hugely loved." Grainger said playing the strong character of Miriam was something she very much enjoyed. "She defies the social conventions of the time, she proposes to her boyfriend, she waltzed into his place of work to speak to his boss - which is completely unheard of. "It was her self assurance and instinct that she has that I really found fascinating and with that comes a vulnerability - that kind of mixture is something you always like to show in a character." The film opens with the first time Bernie and Miriam set eyes on each other, after falling in love over the phone. Grainger said it was "amazing" to work with Pine who she said was "very funny". She added that she has never really liked the idea of going to sea in a storm and that the film has made her think it is "something very dangerous". "The coast guard will obviously be there to save you, but I would be up for going to sea on a nice calm blue sky day," she said. Other celebs on the night included Made In Chelsea's Lucy Watson, Daniel Portman from Game Of Thrones, as well as Ant Middleton and Matthew Ollerton from the TV series SAS Who Dares Wins. Former SBS operative Middleton said he could definitely relate to parts of the film. He said: "There have been many times I have been cold, on a boat and clinging on for dear life." Three of the four world record breaking female rowers who have just completed their journey across the Pacific Ocean also attended the gala screening. Amy Molloy and Stephen Rea are to appear in David Irelands Cyprus Avenue Cyprus Avenue, the street synonymous with east Belfast-born singer Van Morrison, is the name of the latest David Ireland play to premiere in Dublin and also features acclaimed Belfast actor Stephen Rea. The dark comedy circles around a Protestant called Eric Miller who believes his newborn granddaughter is Gerry Adams incarnate. Rea plays the lead as the deranged Eric who refuses to let go of his outdated beliefs with the motto: "Without prejudice we're nothing! If we don't discriminate, we don't survive!" Despite attempts from his family to move him on mentally, he remains stuck in a cultural time-warp that's all in his head. No stranger to real-life controversy, the irony isn't lost on well-known republican Rea playing a loyalist. The 69-year-old has two sons with IRA bomber Dolours Price, who died in 2013. She was jailed for her role in a bomb attack on London's famous Old Bailey Court in 1973 along with Sinn Fein's Gerry Kelly, in which more than 200 people were injured. He has also featured in Holywood movies V For Vendetta and Michael Collins as well as The Crying Game. Presented at the Abbey Theatre, Cyprus Avenue portrays one's man's identity crisis as it grows out of control and is billed as exploring the "modern day complexities of Ulster loyalism". Character Julie is played by Amy Molloy, who's better known for her roles in BBC series Call the Midwife and the third series of The Fall. The comedy is directed by Vicky Featherstone, and despite an extensive back catalogue of creative productions to her name, Cyprus Avenue is her first production at the Abbey Theatre and is a co-production with the Royal Court Theatre in London. The production will run until March 19 with tickets available only to over-14s. Britain's most successful gymnast Beth Tweddle has been discharged from hospital following a fall during training for Channel 4 show The Jump. The 30-year-old, who won bronze at the London Olympic Games in 2012, tweeted a photograph of herself wearing a neck brace and standing upright. She tweeted: "Hi Everyone I just wanted to let you know the good news that I am being discharged from hospital today." Tweddle had a neck operation which involved having a piece of bone taken from her hip to help fuse together two fractured vertebrae in her neck. On Saturday, she said she had started to feel better and was walking by herself - but said she was "taking one day at a time". In a statement on Saturday, Tweddle said: "The medical staff here in Austria have been fantastic and I couldn't have wished for better people to be around me at this time. "I've started to feel a lot better in the past 24 hours and I've begun walking by myself. It's still a case of taking one day at a time, but I'm setting myself goals and I'm determined to be up and about as soon as I can. "The doctors are happy with my progress and next week we will have a better idea of when I can be discharged from hospital. "Thank you to everyone that has sent me get well messages. My mum and dad have been reading them to me and, one day, I'll be able to reply to you all. It really has meant a lot to me, so thank you." The number of injuries on the third series of The Jump - five celebrities have been forced to pull out - has prompted Channel 4 to review safety procedures. Former EastEnders actor Joe Swash and ex-England rugby star Ben Cohen have been drafted in to join the dwindling numbers. They competed over the weekend, although Swash has already injured his shoulder while attempting a tricky ski jump. The show on Sunday also saw the return of James "Arg" Argent, who had previously been eliminated. It was not second time lucky for The Only Way Is Essex star, as he was eliminated again. Arg was back to replace Olympic gold medallist Linford Christie, who was the fifth celebrity to pull out due to injury. Olympian Rebecca Adlington, 26, withdrew from the show on medical advice after a shoulder injury. She told host Davina McCall the pain of the fall was ''literally the worst thing that has ever happened to me, it was worse than childbirth''. Holby City actress Tina Hobley, 44, also headed for the exit after she dislocated her elbow and suffered two fractures to her arm. On Tuesday it was confirmed that Made In Chelsea star Mark-Francis Vandelli, 26, had also pulled out after fracturing his ankle. Former EastEnders star Sid Owen, 44, was injured and forced to temporarily pull out of performing the show's air jump, but returned to the competition on Sunday. Fine style: Keris Weir from MG Hair in Lurgan with Karen Herbert who previously had breast cancer One of Northern Ireland's top hairdressers who has dressed the tresses of international A-listers is thrilled to have been appointed the new stylist for patients who are coping with the trauma of hair loss. Keris Weir - a multi award-winning stylist from Lurgan who is best known for winning the TV series Great British Hairdresser - is now helping women and children with alopecia or who have come through cancer treatment. It's a completely new challenge for the Lurgan woman who visits the Macmillan Centre in Craigavon Hospital every Tuesday to work with patients who are facing the anguish of hair loss. Keris, whose speciality is hair extensions at her MG Hair salon in Lurgan, will style hair pieces for the patients and help them through the tough process of coping as their hair starts to grow back. She says it is an honour to have been chosen for this new role, helping patients going through a tough time. "I've been cutting wigs and working with hair pieces my whole career for competitions and photo shoots, so I think that is how I was chosen," she says. "I just got a call out of the blue from the company in England which provides the service in Craigavon Hospital asking if I would be interested and, of course, I was delighted. "I've been doing it since December and, as well as going to the clinic every week in Craigavon, I've had a lot of patients coming to me in my salon." Another Lurgan woman, Carol Herbert, who lost her hair after receiving chemotherapy for breast cancer, says Keris gave her back her confidence by creating flattering cuts and styles as her hair grew back. Carol Herbert says she was traumatised by the loss of her hair during treatment for cancer three years ago. The advantages of a good hairdresser, who allowed her to not only feel at ease but gave her confidence as her hair started to grow, back meant everything to her during her recovery. Carol (45), from Lurgan works as an office administrator and is married to Stewart (48), a self-employed painter and decorator, and they have one daughter, Nicole (20). It was while out jogging in October 2013 that she discovered a small lump in her breast. She had no other symptoms and when she went to her GP it was believed that the lump was due to hormonal changes in her body, although to be on the safe side, her GP sent her for a mammogram. She recalls: "I felt well and I went for the mammogram thinking there was nothing wrong. When they told me I had breast cancer it was such a shock, it was like I had been hit with a bus. I wasnt prepared for it at all. Carol had a lumpectomy within two weeks and then underwent chemotherapy for six months, which she tolerated well. This was followed by radiotherapy. The most difficult part of her cancer journey was losing her hair. She explains: It really was traumatic for me and I got really depressed about it. You dont feel like a woman when you lose your hair. I got very down and didnt want to meet anyone or talk to anybody. I just shut myself away in the house and had a very quiet life for the six months that I had no hair. When it started to fall out, I couldnt face going to my usual hairdresser because I didnt want people asking me questions, so I decided to go to someone I didnt know and I went to Keris. Carol got her hair cut into a short bob to try and cope with the inevitable loss. She didnt tell Keris on her first visit that she was ill. When she lost her hair, though, she didnt like the wigs offered to her at the Belfast Cancer Centre and instead coped with her baldness by covering up with a halo and a cap. She says: When my hair fell out I couldnt bear to wear a wig as I found it very itchy and uncomfortable and the Belfast Cancer Centre gave me something called a halo which I really liked. It was like a hair band with hair attached to it and you could wear it with a cap and you couldnt tell you were bald. As her hair started to grow back, Carol returned to Keris with another friend she had met at the cancer centre and together they confided in Keris about their illness and hair loss. Carol adds: Keris was just fantastic. She had a family member who had been through cancer and knew exactly how we felt. She is really young and funky and was able to style our hair as it started to grow back into nice fashionable short styles. I was very self conscious and I had never had short hair in my life but Keris really boosted my confidence and styled my hair in a way that I loved. I think she will be amazing working with cancer patients, especially young girls and it shocked me just how many young people there are in the cancer centre. When you are young you just never think it is going to happen to you. It is really awful and its only with the help of others you get through it. Thankfully I am very well now and just getting on with my life and still go to Keris to get my hair done. Meanwhile, the top stylist is relishing the experience of helping women to face the world again after gruelling cancer treatments. Im really enjoying it, she says. It is a very different challenge from what I am used to. To be giving people their hair back is a very humbling experience. The pressure is in trying to get it right the first time. The quality of the wigs I am working with is so life-like and initially people are quite nervous and dont know what to expect. I just find myself working that bit harder to achieve the wow factor for them. Keris (35), who is a new mum to Sienna (10 months) and lives with her partner David Stewart (29), a Tayto Crisps sales representative in Lurgan, has enjoyed a dream career with opportunities few people in her profession ever get the chance to enjoy. Since she first qualified as a hairdresser in her early 20s she has been an ardent competitor, taking part in hairdressing contests all over the world and winning numerous titles including Northern Ireland Hairdresser of the Year and All Ireland Hairdresser of the Year three times. She is also a British Hairdressing Champion, British Bridal Champion, British Ladies Cut & Blow-dry Champion and Goldwell Master Colourist. What really propelled her into the limelight and put her among the elite in the industry was her success in winning E4s hugely popular reality show Great British Hairdresser in 2011. She battled alongside nine other high street hairdressers for the chance of a dream job with celebrity crimper James Brown, having her every move filmed for what proved to be a hugely popular TV series. Based in London for the next three years before returning home to run the family salon in Lurgan she worked as a session stylist. It was a heady time when she got to style for top television shows such as the X Factor and Strictly Come Dancing while also touring the world to work with supermodels like Kate Moss and celebrities like Nicole Scherzinger. A day at the office often meant styling models or celebrities for glossy magazine photo shoots for the likes of Vogue, Glamour, Harper Bazaar, Tatler, OK and Heat. Among the big names she worked with were A-listers Jennifer Lawrence, Teri Seymour, Anne Hathaway, The Saturdays, Alexandra Burke, Meg Matthews and Kimberly Stewart. Since returning home three years ago, she launched her own workshop road show, touring Ireland to visit salons, training young stylists in modern methods of hair styling and cutting. She also runs courses for students and salons on how to apply hair extensions and all this while working with a faithful clientele at her Lurgan salon. While her latest role working with cancer patients and those with alopecia is very different from anything she has done before, she says the rewards and sense of achievement are also like nothing else she has experienced. I have relaxed into it and enjoy it now, says Keris. It is very different from working with someone who has come into the salon for their usual wash, cut and blow-dry. I dont think we realise how lucky we are to have our hair, even though most of us complain about having to get up and do our hair in the morning before we go to work. It is extremely sensitive because most patients are going through a very tough time and are anxious. When they see the quality of the wigs and get a feel for the hair piece they usually start to relax. I feel very privileged to be doing this and when you see young children who have lost their hair it is very humbling. Children, though, seem to be more resilient than adults and they have amazed me by how upbeat and positive they are. They are usually excited about getting their new hair, while its the poor parents who are holding the anxiety for them. It has opened my eyes about a whole new part of the industry going on under our noses and I am just happy to be part of it and to be able to help people through it. It is so rewarding to see the anxiety lifting off people when you have styled their hair piece and they are happy with it. When you get it right you can just see the weight lifting off people. Could Keris help you after the trauma of losing your hair? You can call Keris at MG Hair Boutique, tel 028 3832 5543 to get an appointment at the salon which is located at 153e Union Street, Lurgan. You can see examples of Keriss stunning work at her Facebook pages; Keris Weir or MG Hair Spa, Beauty and Personal Care In early April 2013, David Carson awoke with a sore throat. "Nothing to write home about," he decided, and went off to work. By the weekend, he says, "I began to feel as if I was getting the flu. My wife, a nurse, said we should perhaps call the doctor, but I told her I'd be fine". He wasn't fine. A few days later, he agreed to call a doctor, to whom he attempted to explain his symptoms as best as a man that doesn't like to cause a fuss can. The doctor told him to take paracetamol and go to bed, and that they would meet again in the morning. There wasn't any paracetamol in the house, so his wife went out to get some. "And by the time she got back, I was in a bad way," he says. Within six hours of that initial phone call to his doctor, David, then 61 and working as a trainer and mentoring consultant, was on a life-support machine. "While I was in the coma, the consultant said to my wife that I was the sickest person in the hospital, with the least chance of survival." His wife and their two grown-up sons were distraught as the hospital staff attempted to prepare them for the worst. Although he didn't know it yet, David was suffering from sepsis, a life-threatening condition that arises when the body responds abnormally to infection. If not treated quickly, the end result is multiple organ failure. Some 50% of cases, in both adults and children, develop after a bout of pneumonia, but it can also follow a urinary tract infection, a burst bowel - or even an insect bite. The TV presenter Gloria Hunniford contracted sepsis after cutting herself with a kitchen knife. The Portadown-born Rip Off Britain presenter, who was 73 at the time, was cutting up lamb as she prepared dinner when she cut herself and ended up with sepsis. The nasty cut was through to the bone but Gloria saw her GP the next day and was prescribed non-pencillin-based medication to prevent any infection. Although her doctor warned her to keep a close eye on the cut, she later developed a fever and was hospitalised for 10 days where she was put on an IV drip. Thankfully she made a full recovery afterwards. If spotted early enough, the disease is easily treatable with antibiotics - but spotting it early enough is the problem. It isn't always easy to spot, in part because so many of us are still ignorant of the condition. It nevertheless affects a great many: more than 150,000 people a year in the UK alone, killing some 44,000. This figure is higher than those for prostate, bowel and breast cancer combined. "If someone believes they might be suffering from sepsis, then the clock is ticking," says Dr Ron Daniels, a full-time NHS consultant in critical care and also the chief executive of the UK Sepsis Trust. "They have to act fast. If we took 100 people who all had the condition, about 85 to 90% of them would, with early intervention, probably avoid having to go into intensive care altogether, and could be treated on a general ward quickly and effectively." But 10 to 15% of that number, especially those that have a genetic susceptibility to it, would continue to develop multiple organ failure. "And, sadly, a proportion of those would die even with the very best care in the world," says Dr Daniels. "We cannot pretend that we can save everyone from sepsis, but we do conservatively estimate that we can aim to save between 12,000 and 14,000 people in the UK every year simply by getting the basics right." To better combat it, sepsis needs a broader profile. This is now happening. Last month, the illness made headlines when an NHS England report concluded that both GPs and the NHS out-of-hours helpline 111 failed to identify sepsis in a 12-month-old baby boy from Wales, who had died in 2014. The UK Sepsis Trust is now actively lobbying both the Government and the nation's hospitals to raise awareness further still. It is a condition that can affect anyone anywhere, but children under the age of five and the over-65s are at more risk. Signs to watch out for include flu-like symptoms, lethargy, persistent rashes and, in babies, a dry nappy for more than 12 hours. Last autumn, the illness received some unexpected exposure during the Baftas, when Jason Watkins collected his award for Leading Actor. During his speech, he paid moving tribute to his two-year-old daughter, Maud, who had lost her life in 2011. Watkins didn't make it explicitly clear how she died, but Google did, and in subsequent weeks Watkins was discussing his family's tragedy on national television shows. He now campaigns for greater awareness through the UK Sepsis Trust. "We set up this trust after I watched a 37-year-old man succumb to it, leaving me to tell his wife and children that he wouldn't be coming home," says Dr Daniels. "It hit me that something had to be done about this, because there had been opportunities to rescue him that were missed. We need an internal education programme, and also to talk to people externally. We need to make everyone aware because the earlier we catch it, the faster the recovery." David, originally from Scotland but now living in Northamptonshire, eventually came out of his sepsis-induced coma after three long weeks. "When I woke up, I could barely move," he says. "I felt like I was stuck to the bed. I could see that my legs were black. "I couldn't lift my hands up, but I noticed that my left hand was swollen enormously. The fingers were also black." The consultant explained that multiple organ failure had restricted blood flow, with dreadful results - he would have to have both legs amputated from below the knee. He was told that it was likely his fingers would self-amputate, but they didn't, and he suffered with them for another year before the tops of three fingers from each hand were surgically removed. In the space of just a few weeks, his life had changed irrevocably. He now had poor feeling in his fingers, and everyday routines such as tying shoelaces became problematic. Worse was to come. After being discharged from hospital, he failed a medical, which meant he was unable to return to work, and because their house was not sufficiently wheelchair-friendly, they had to sell their family house and move. The psychological effects were considerable. "I had to have about a year's worth of counselling," he says, his voice breaking, "but it helped me a lot to talk about things. What happened has rocked me, and knocked my confidence. "It's simple things such as looking in the mirror when you get dressed in the morning and being reminded again that your body image has changed so much. It's quite a shock, still." Over the past year, David has been working with the trust in a voluntary capacity, speaking about his experiences. He has talked to police officers about overcoming adversity, and also visited schools. "I didn't think 13-year-old kids would be very interested, but they really engaged," he says. "I never really pushed myself to go and talk to people, but they asked me to do it. They said I was an inspiration because I was up and about, doing things. But I didn't really have a choice, did I?" Previously, he had also been a drummer in his local church group. He had to stop after his illness, but a friend has recently helped to modify his kit, and he is back playing again. "It's good for me," he says. "I always liked playing the drums. I'm glad I still can." 'It's being predicted there will be an influx of Ulster University students over the course of the next two years as the university moves the bulk of its Jordanstown courses to the city centre campus' A further 1,000 student rooms are due to be given the green light later this evening. Belfast City Council has earmarked three developments to get the go ahead at the planning committee. And a new Cathedral Quarter hotel from the former owners of one of Northern Ireland's best-known gay venues has been recommended for planning approval. The proposed 63-bedroom, four star venue is to be located at the War Memorial Building in Waring Street in Belfast. Read more Read More It was snapped up by Kremlin Associates, led by Andre Graham and Seamus Sweeney, for around 1m last year. Co Tyrone developer McAleer and Rushe is also to hear the verdict on its plans for 476 student bedrooms at McClintock Street, which are also recommended for approval. And a controversial student building, which received around 100 complaints from local residents, is also pencilled in for approval. The accommodation of 156 studio rooms on the Dublin Road is a joint venture between Lacuna Developments in Holywood and Welsh firm Watkin Jones. And a 13-storey student accommodation development on York Street, which includes 407, is also set to get the green light. Just last month almost 1,200 student rooms have got the green light after two major developments were given planning permission. Belfast City Council approved two managed student developments in the city centre. Expand Close Artist impressions of Belfast's 63-bed Waring hotel to be located in the former War Memorial Building / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Artist impressions of Belfast's 63-bed Waring hotel to be located in the former War Memorial Building They are a 682-bedroom project at York Street by UK firm UniCiti, and an 11-storey student building with 475 rooms by Patton Developments located at Great Patrick Street. Both are located close to the new Ulster University campus in the city centre. Three other proposals - including one large student development - were refused. The knocked-back student plan was for a 408-bedroom development close to Library Street. Planners said it was of a "scale which is unacceptable" - it was to have been 34 metres high. The winner of the contract would help to promote Northern Ireland. An advertising agency has ended its legal action over being ruled out of contention for a 14million contract with Tourism Northern Ireland. The settlement of AV Browne's challenge was confirmed at the High Court, with no further reasons disclosed. The Belfast firm had sued the Northern Ireland Tourist Board in an attempt to be reinstated in the bidding process. Opening the case on Monday, counsel for AV Browne had claimed it was unfairly ruled out of contention for the contract after a government website froze. He argued that the agency missed a tendering deadline due to the blockage in the system used for submitting bids. A judge had been told that amounted to a breach of the principles of equal treatment, non-discrimination and proportionality. The contract, for advertising and design work over a period of up to four years, has yet to be awarded because of the court challenge. Proceedings centred on the operation of a procurement website run by the Department of Finance. AV Browne, which has overseen a number of Tourism NI advertising campaigns in the past, completed the first phase of the tendering process. But the court heard how problems arose when it tried to submit further information in time for the second stage. A barrister for the agency said that the web portal froze as one of its employees attempted to send the details on an Apple computer just before the 3pm deadline on October 14 last year. It meant she was unable to enter a figure into a box on the screen. Because of that the tender submission was not completed in time. When the blockage freed up shortly after 3pm the tender was not accepted because it was late, the court was told. It was claimed that instructions on the tender website only dealt with Windows users on PCs, leaving Apple computers at a disadvantage. However, as the case was due to continue today it was confirmed that AV Browne's challenge was being discontinued. No order for costs was made between the parties. A DFP spokeswoman said: The case taken by A V Browne against Tourism NI (TNI) has been withdrawn today. "The Department of Finance and Personnels Central Procurement Directorate, which provides procurement services to TNI, can confirm that the eTendersNI portal has been fully functional since it was implemented on 1 April 2015 and is accessible to users of both Apple Macs and PCs. Democratic Unionist leader Arlene Foster said the outcome of May's vote would "decide the direction" the region takes for the next 10 years. First Minister Arlene Foster with Bishop John McDowell and John Bowman and (right) with British Ambassador Dominic Chilcott First Minister Arlene Foster has insisted she was not attending a 1916 Easter Rising commemoration during an event marking the rebellion against British rule. The Democratic Unionist leader, who had vowed to snub centenary commemorations of the uprising, travelled to Dublin to take part in a Church of Ireland-organised talk at Christ Church Cathedral about the offensive. The church had billed it as a commemoration but later issued a statement clarifying that the discussion was "not a commemorative one but one which is designed to mark the centenary of the Easter Rising by exploring it historically". Arriving at the event, Ms Foster said she was open to listening to the different perspectives, but added that people in the Republic had to take onboard difficulties northern unionists have with the rebellion. "I was very clear when I was asked about the commemoration of the Easter Rising, the Easter rebellion, call it what you will, that I wouldn't be coming to commemorations, but I was very happy to come to a historical lecture or reflective evening," she said. "That's exactly what I'm doing tonight and I'm delighted to be in Dublin, in Christ Church tonight. "I hope that I set a tone of respect, a tone of tolerance, a tone of respecting difference as well, and I'm very much looking forward to hearing the different perspectives." The rising was a seminal moment in Irish history which ultimately led to partition and the creation of both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. Ms Foster had previously denounced the event as an attack on the state and democracy which more recently gave "succour" to violent republicans in Northern Ireland. Taoiseach Enda Kenny, also invited to the event, last month declared his disappointment in the First Minister's vow to snub commemorations of the 100-year-old rising. Expand Close Northern First Minister and DUP leader Arlene Foster chats with British Ambassador Dominick Chilcott as they attend an event to mark the 1916 Rising at Christ Church Cathedral in Dublin. PA PA / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Northern First Minister and DUP leader Arlene Foster chats with British Ambassador Dominick Chilcott as they attend an event to mark the 1916 Rising at Christ Church Cathedral in Dublin. PA "One of the things I think that concerns people in Northern Ireland about what happened here 100 years ago at Easter is the fact that it was used then in the 70s and the 80s to justify what happened in Northern Ireland at that particular time," Ms Foster said, in reference to the recent IRA campaign. "I think that is a very difficult thing for a lot of unionists to come to terms with and it is something I think people here in the Republic of Ireland have to reflect on as well." Asked about the Queen placing a wreath and bowing before a monument to those who died fighting for Irish independence in Dublin five years ago, Ms Foster refused to comment on whether the monarch was right to do so. Expand Close The GPO in Dublin which was seized by the rebels during the Easter Rising of 1916 / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp The GPO in Dublin which was seized by the rebels during the Easter Rising of 1916 "Of course, Her Majesty The Queen makes up her own decisions and I think she's a tremendous role model, particularly in Northern Ireland in terms of reconciliation," she said. "For me, I have made my position very clear, I'm here to listen, I'm looking forward to listening." She added: "I'm certainly open to listening to different narratives, I've never said that I wouldn't listen to different narratives. Expand Close Northern First Minister and DUP leader Arlene Foster speaks to the media whilst attending an event to mark the 1916 Rising at Christ Church Cathedral in Dublin. PA PA / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Northern First Minister and DUP leader Arlene Foster speaks to the media whilst attending an event to mark the 1916 Rising at Christ Church Cathedral in Dublin. PA "But I, of course, have a very particular view on what happened 100 years ago, and that of course is where I come from in terms of my politics." The Christ Church evening, entitled State of Chassis - Ordinary People in Extraordinary Circumstances in Dublin in 1916, included talks by a number of Irish historians. In a statement on Monday, Mrs Foster said: I made it clear previously that whilst I will not celebrate the events of the Easter rebellion I would be open to attending a more considered discussion about events in 1916. The Church of Ireland Historical Centenaries Working Group has organised an evening of presentations from leading historians and an opportunity for discussion. This event is not a commemoration of the events of Dublin in 1916 but is in line with the type of event I indicated that I would be happy to attend. I will be attending this event and look forward to an opportunity of gaining a deeper historical knowledge of events and to hear the stories of ordinary people coming from a range of differing viewpoints. World War II veterans who took part in the D-Day landings have said they are humbled and honoured to receive France's highest decoration. Some 23 former servicemen, now all pensioners, were awarded the Legion d'Honneur during a special ceremony at Thiepval barracks in Lisburn, Co Antrim. Among the soldiers recognised was Neville Henshaw, 91, from Comber, Co Down who, as a sergeant with the Royal Signals, landed at Juno Beach and helped set up vital communications networks. He said: "It's a surprise but at the same time, I think it's great recognition for what we did 71 years ago. "I got a letter from the French president and I think I am more proud of the letter than I am of the medal because it thanks us for the part that we played when we brought freedom to France." D-Day marked a major turning point in the Second World War. Tens of thousands of Allied forces, carried on the largest armada ever seen, landed on five beaches across Normandy on June 6, 1944 for a major offensive against the Nazis. Thousands of paratroopers were also dropped behind enemy lines. Although 4,000 men were killed during the operation, codenamed Overloard, Adolf Hitler was defeated 11 months later. Recalling the horror that unfolded, Mr Henshaw added: "We were very frightened and nervous but we had a job to do. "I landed about midday on Tuesday, June 6 and a landing ship took us across. I landed in about two or three foot of water - I nearly drowned before I got there but, somebody pulled me out. I was soaking wet. "Then the shooting started a nd it was all around us. They were firing at us. I was very lucky. "You had to keep on going - trying to get across that beach as fast as possible. It was slow going because the sand was so soft. I was part of a small group and the group - they were all shot except me. Two were wounded - the chap alongside me was immediately shot dead. But I managed to cross that beach and meet up with other men. "We had to get into the ruins of some building to set up communications between different regiments because I was a wireless operator. That's what we had to do." Former flight lieutenant Frank Ferguson from Ballycarry in Co Antrim, who was mentioned in despatches for his role in Normandy, said he was "deeply honoured" to receive the medal. The National Order of the Legion of Honour was established by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802 and is the highest decoration in France. "It is a great honour. I have waited 70 years to get it," added Retired Royal Navy able seaman Samuel McGookin, from Belfast, who was part of the first wave supporting the landings at Juno Beach. Medals were presented to 17 former servicemen by Regine McCullough, France's honorary consul in the region. She said: "This is the highest distinction in France so, it's very important. "It is a big thankyou. We will never forget what they did for freedom and for France. Without them who knows what would have happened." For more than 70 years, Beatrice Concrete Company has been an integral part of paving the way to the future. Its roots can be traced back to 1944 when it was developed by Everett R. Jones and J.W. Lawler, who remained partners until 1983. According to Beatrice Concrete Companys website, Beatrice Concrete Company was incorporated that same year. Beatrice Concrete controller Rick Dorn said Beatrice Concretes main business is ready-mix concrete primarily for contractors, though the business also caters to do-it-yourselfers. Beatrice Concrete also works with aggregates, which are a key ingredient of concrete. We have three sand and gravel pits and we have one crushed limestone quarry, Dorn said. The sand and gravel pits provide sand to us internally for our ready-mix concrete and they also provide sand and gravel for a variety of things, road gravel, other uses. The same with the quarry. Its some internal use, although not in our concrete. Its primary function is for roads. He added most of Beatrice Concretes business is done in the southeast Nebraska area. The counties are an awfully big part of our aggregate division, mostly in the Gage County area, Dorn said. All of our products are transportation-sensitive, and so its southeast Nebraska. He added most products are used within 50 miles of their plant of origin. Beatrice Concrete Company Inc. currently operates throughout southeast Nebraska with ready mix plant facilities in Beatrice, Crete, Fairbury, Tecumseh and a Highway 2 plant near Palmyra. Beatrice Concrete Company is a producer of sand and gravel, and crushed rock at various mining locations. The business employs around 95 workers. One of them is Joe Armstrong, who has worked at Beatrice Concrete since 1997. He said what he enjoys about the job is the varied work schedule, which is set to accommodate customers. Its fast-paced type of environment, is the main thing, Armstrong said. Theres an ever-changing schedule. Its definitely not an 8-to-5 job. Whatever the customer demands is the time were where. They might see trucks driving by at midnight. Customer service is the backbone of the company, which Dorn said has contributed to many large projects. Throughout different ownerships its been a lot of involvement with the communities that were in, helping not only provide materials to those, but playing a part in community development, he said. Obviously whats good for Beatrice, whats good for each of those communities is good for Beatrice Concrete and vice versa. Dorn said the business underwent a significant plant expansion in 2004 and added the Highway 2 plant the following year to better serve that area and not overlap with the service area of other plants. In August, it was announced that Beatrice Concrete was purchased by Lincoln-based NEBCO Inc. Dorn said the transition was smooth, and resulted in few changes for the Beatrice location. According to NEBCOs website, the company supplies the construction industry with materials to construct buildings, streets and highways across the state. NEBCOs business interests also include mining, highway and road construction, finance, real estate development, agriculture, transportation, recreation, railroading and warehousing. The company dates back to 1908, when George P. Abel Sr. founded the Abel Construction Company. Abel Investment Company was established in 1949, separate from the construction company. In 1974, Abel Investment Company changed its name to NEBCO Inc. Abel Construction Company continued in municipal and highway concrete and asphalt paving and the same year changed its name to Constructors Inc. NEBCO is a third generation, family-owned and operated business with about 1,000 employees and 21 companies working under its name. A growing row over Stormont expenses threatens to undermine the integrity of the Government in Northern Ireland, it has been claimed. Payments of 150,000 were made to Sinn Fein for research services - even after a watchdog ruled they should stop. Two members of the Independent Financial Review Panel (IFRP) - set up in 2011 to regulate MLAs' salaries and allowances - have said the money should not have been paid. In 2014 it emerged 36 Sinn Fein MLAs had claimed a total of 700,000 in expenses to pay Research Services Ireland (RSI) over a 10-year period. An investigation by the Assembly Commission has concluded Sinn Fein did nothing wrong. The controversy surrounds 150,000 awarded after a 2012 determination by the IFRP banning such payments. Board member Alan McQuillan said the payments should have ceased as soon as the ruling was made. "The determination was in place and in our view the payments should not have been made," he told the Belfast Telegraph. However, the Assembly Commission said it was "simply not the case" that it unlawfully made payments of approximately 150,000. Earlier, speaking on the BBC's Nolan Show, Mr McQuillan said the controversy shed a bad light on Government in Northern Ireland. "I think it has the potential to compromise the integrity of the Assembly," he said. TUV leader Jim Allister said the controversy was "disgraceful". Read more Read More He has tabled a series of Assembly questions on the matter. "This is a disgraceful episode in the Assembly's handling of public money, but the situation is compounded if Stormont carried on with these unwarranted payments after (the IFRP) drew it to their attention," he said. In 2014 a BBC Spotlight investigation found Sinn Fein had billed the taxpayer for 700,000 for work carried out by RSI. Martin McGuinness alone claimed 42,000 over 10 years for the expertise of the company. RSI is run by Seamus Drumm and Sinead Walsh, who are in charge of Sinn Fein's finance department in Northern Ireland. Spotlight said it was unable to find evidence of research carried out by RSI. At the time Sinn Fein said RSI provided a centralised service and that other research facilities could not be used because the work was "too sensitive". On Sunday IFRP chairman Pat McCartan said a determination from April 2012 outlawed payments by MLAs for outside research. However, payments continued to be made to RSI to the end of December of that year. The Assembly Commission, which runs Stormont, is chaired by the Speaker and includes MLAs representing the five main parties. It said the disputed 150,000 payment related to contracts made before the determination took effect. A spokesperson said: "Media reports over the weekend have stated that the Assembly Commission unlawfully made payments of approximately 150,000. This is simply not the case. "The Independent Financial Review Panel made a determination in 2012 that stated an MLA could not recover expenditure in relation to a contract for goods or services with a connected person entered into on or after April 1, 2012. "The 150,000 in this case was for goods or services relating to contracts made before this time. "The real issue in this case is when the contract was signed and not when the payments were made." It said the Assembly Commission's finances were audited internally by internal auditors and externally by the Northern Ireland Audit Office. However, Mr McQuillan said he stood by what he said. "The determination was issued and came into force in April 2012," he added. "At no stage was this issue about a contract raised with us. "The situation is the determination was in place and, in our view, the payments should not have been made." The commission also moved to clarify the existence of an appeals committee. "There is an appeal mechanism for MLAs unhappy with a claim for expenses being rejected. It is open and transparent and clearly detailed in the Financial Support for Members handbook," it added. The commission said it has not considered any appeals under this mechanism since the introduction of the current handbook in 2011. Mr McQuillan said he only learnt of such a process when he received a report completed by the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority last September. The controversy was briefly discussed in the Assembly yesterday. Speaker Mitchel McLaughlin said the Assembly Commission had done nothing wrong. "I am extremely disappointed at the publicity that has been generated, apparently at the behest of the two senior members of the independent panel," he said. DUP chief whip Peter Weir said the allegations were "erroneous and mischievous" and had "struck at the integrity of the Assembly". But Mr Allister said he would be pursuing the matter further. "Bad enough that in total 700,000 of public money was siphoned off into the Sinn Fein front organisation, Research Services Ireland, but even worse that the payments continued after the Independent Financial Review Panel blew the whistle. Why did the Assembly carry on regardless?" he added. Sinn Fein did not respond to requests for comment yesterday. Northern Ireland fans get practising as your first Euro 2016 fan song clip has arrived - and chances are you already know how it goes. It looks as though the Green and White Army are going to have more than one song to sing in France in a couple of months time as this is the second charity fan song set for release. But for this one brought to you by the London Northern Ireland Supporter's Club, all you'll have to learn is the words, as Making Our Way to Paris is a lighthearted cover of the classic Living Next Door to Alice. The full song is set for official launch on Sunday in London and excitement is building among those involved. Members of the London NISC are behind the song which was the brainchild of Fermanagh man Richard Cathcart. It all began in Bucharest in 2014 when a group of fans were in a bar and the Smokie song came on, when Richard spontaneously changed the chorus singing, "in 2016 we'll be making our way to Paris". Richard, who has lived in London for 30 years, thought nothing more of it. The 56-year-old has been a life-long Northern Ireland fan and attended his first game in 1971. But when Northern Ireland qualified and celebrations got underway - the idea was brought up about making a song - and the sing-along in Bucharest came to mind. Richard said: "It sort of grew almost without my knowing how it was going to happen." He then penned a rough draft of lyrics and after approaching a musician friend realised the process wasn't as complex as he thought - they rented a studio in London and recorded the song. He said: "It started out as a bit of fun and then got a bit more serious and then we thought if you are going to take money off people you have to produce a professional job which I hope we've done." Northern Ireland based charity Cancer Fund for Children will benefit from proceeds of the song. And Northern Ireland fans will be able to learn it along with the other unofficial anthem which has enlisted the help of Cool Fm DJ Pete Snodden among others to record "On Our Way To France" which is set for release in the coming weeks. Richard said he feels that it's a case of "the more the merrier" when it comes to the number of songs for Northern Ireland's Euro 2016 campaign. At Forestside, the driver began to turn back towards the city because his shift had finished 10 minutes prior to reaching the final destination. An architect has told of his fury after his pregnant wife was forced off a bus and had to complete a 25-minute walk uphill in freezing weather after the route was cut short. John Donnelly's wife Nicola (36), who is expecting their second child, got on the 7A at the Great Northern Mall stop in Belfast at 17.54 for a service to Fourwinds on January 27. At Forestside, the driver began to turn back towards the city because his shift had finished 10 minutes prior to reaching the final destination. The revelation comes just one day after Translink apologised following a separate incident involving another pregnant woman who was told to get off a bus in the snow because she didn't have change of a tenner. Mr Donnelly (36) said that when his wife, who is also an architect, asked why they were stopping short of the final destination that Wednesday, she was told that the bus only went as far as Forestside. "It was a miserable, dark, cold winter's evening," he said. "My wife was the only person on the bus when the driver began to turn back towards the city rather than proceeding along the scheduled route. "Although she had a ticket to prove the bus was supposed to go to Fourwinds, Nicola was told it was only going as far as Forestside and that she'd have to get off and walk the rest of the way. "She was extremely annoyed by what happened. It's a steep area and parts of it are sheer hill so it was quite a climb for her, lasting 25 minutes. She is four months pregnant. Her energy levels are low and it would have been nice to get dropped off at the destination she paid for." Translink apologised to the Donnellys but said it must adhere to strict EU guidelines and had the driver continued on the intended route he would have worked 10 extra minutes. In an email to Mr Donnelly the company said it had "completed its investigations into this matter". "The 7A bus which your wife travelled on was to have been the 17.45 departure from the city centre," it read. However the driver was running almost 10 minutes late, from his previous operations. This was the last run on the driver's duty board and had he completed it, he would have exceeded his duty finishing time. "Rather than the entire journey having been lost, the driver was instructed to operate to Forestside only. "As you can appreciate, we as a company must adhere to strict guidelines as outlined within EU regulations for the maximum permitted hours our drivers are allowed to drive for, before they are required to take a mandatory break. Furthermore, a driver cannot go over the finishing time of their individual duty." The Belfast couple, who have a two-year-old daughter, said they were unhappy with Translink's response. "It's totally unacceptable," John said. "Blaming it on EU regulations is a cop out as far as we're concerned. " Translink recently apologised to Amie Patterson (18), who is seven months pregnant, after she was told to get off a bus for not having change. It may be called Momentum - but the UK's newest political movement has been stopped in its tracks in Northern Ireland. Labour activists here have been snubbed by the group set up to build on-the-ground support for controversial party leader Jeremy Corbyn. The Belfast Telegraph can reveal Momentum has refused to set up a local branch. The rebuff is a setback for members here, who have asked Momentum to explain its decision in detail - and are hoping it will be reversed. Labour claims there has been a dramatic increase in support in the region since Mr Corbyn replaced Ed Miliband following the party's disastrous performance in the General Election last May. They say membership has increased from around 300 to about 1,700 - with the local party now seeking to run official Labour candidates in the Assembly election in May. The Belfast Telegraph has seen correspondence showing how the brakes were put on plans for a NI branch of Momentum. An email from the group said: "Momentum is delighted to accept individuals, who are members or supporters of the Labour Party and not members of other political parties, wherever they live but, like the Labour Party, we do not organise at a local level in Northern Ireland for the same reasons as the Labour Party." Mr Miliband and senior Labour figure Andy Burnham, who Mr Corbyn defeated in the leadership race, had pledged to review the party's position, although Mr Corbyn has said there is "no great wish" in the rest of the party to field candidates here. In a letter to Momentum, local activists argued: "We believe there is as much demand for new politics in NI as the rest of the UK, and in NI it also means offering a non-sectarian alternative to the other main parties. "Since the leadership election our membership has grown from about 300 to 1700, making us one of the largest party memberships in NI. Most of the new members joined in order to vote for Jeremy Corbyn, or decided to join the party after the leadership election because of him." The email went on: "On your website, you say that Momentum is 'independent of the Labour Party's leadership' and will 'work with everyone who supports Jeremy's aim of creating a more fair, equal and democratic society'. "We would like you to help us set up a Momentum NI group (and) also appreciate your support in persuading the Labour leadership to reconsider its position on NI. If for any reason you feel unable to support us in setting up a Momentum group, I would be grateful if you would be up front about it and give your reasons." The reply from a senior Momentum official said: "We do not organise at a local level in Northern Ireland for the same reasons as the Labour Party. "I understand that this is an ongoing discussion within the party, so this could change. I'm sorry this isn't the level of support you were hoping for but I hope you understand." One party official who did not want to be named commented: "It's ironic that Momentum which insists it has no direct links with the Labour Party, yet follows the NEC line." Picture posed by models: Politicians were told to implement measures to help victims of domestic violence Women at risk of domestic violence were denied refuge requests 14 times every day in 2014, campaigners have revealed. The Safe Ireland network said that year had the highest demand for accommodation on record with more than 4,800 unmet pleas for secure shelter. Sharon O'Halloran, chief executive of Safe Ireland, said the level of unmet pleas for help highlights an abject failure to face up to the reality and consequences of domestic violence and its direct link to homelessness. "We hear stories about children growing up in hotel rooms. But now we are seeing children growing up in refuges - spending their formative years living in emergency accommodation," she said. "We have to face up to domestic violence as a mark of our humanity and as a measure of a society. Otherwise, we will continue to fail women, fail children, and fail generations." The group, which supports the work of 39 domestic violence agencies including 21 refuges across the country, is trying to make domestic violence an election issue by highlighting the report with candidates. Among those attending were Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald, Sinn Fein's Mary Lou McDonald, Labour's Anne Ferris, Fianna Fail's Mary Fitzpatrick, Roderic O'Gorman of the Green Party and Eilis Ryan of the Workers Party. Safe Ireland warned the politicians that the public is way ahead of them when it comes to understanding domestic violence. The organisation asked for three initiatives to be adopted in the first 100 days of the next government - an extra 30 million euro across all resources dealing with domestic violence from Garda units to housing provision; a new minister focusing specifically on the issue; and new laws on victims' rights. Its figures showed 9,448 women and 3,068 children received direct support from a domestic violence service in 2014 with 1,658 women and 2,309 children living in refuge. Some 899 children in refuge were aged under four, including 217 babies yet to reach their first birthday, while 1,158 children received other support such as counselling, play therapy, school placement and after school care. There were also nearly 50,000 helpline support and information calls. Ms O'Halloran said many women are left with little choice but to return to their abusive homes. "Let's be clear, no woman was left without help and support by our member services," she said. "They work tirelessly to do everything they can to ensure that women are supported to find safety. But they are doing so against ever-tougher conditions and against mounting systemic barriers. Instead of being able to provide options for safety with women, our member organisations are dictated to by restrictions - by what's not possible rather than what's possible." The coffin of David Byrne is carried to the church of St Nicholas of Myra on Francis Street in Dublin The funeral cortege of murdered gangland figure David Byrne in Dublin yesterday was led by three members of the infamous Chosen Few biker gang. Byrne was gunned down at the Regency Hotel 11 days ago when five heavily-armed hitmen stormed the building and shot the drug dealer dead. He was the latest victim of a bloody feud between two major criminal gangs in Dublin's underworld. Byrne had expensive tastes and lived lavishly, splashing millions of his ill-gotten gains on expensive cars and motorbikes. The city was on lockdown as the procession snaked its way from Byrne's home in Crumlin to the Francis Street Chapel in Dublin's Liberties district. Hundreds of mourners stood sombre as they waited for the platinum 18,000 (14,000) coffin to be hoisted from one of the two black Mercedes hearses accompanied by the strains of a lone piper. The funeral is estimated to have cost 65,000 (50,000). Scores of gardai, some heavily armed, looked on. The drone of a Garda helicopter settled above as some of Ireland's most notorious criminals emerged from 11 dazzling black limos past balaclava-clad armed gardai from the elite ERU unit. The funeral will go down in history as being a 'who's who' of the Irish criminal underworld. The sons of Ireland's most feared mob boss Christy Kinahan were among the chief mourners. They were joined by members of the Byrne crime family dynasty including David's father James 'Jaws' Byrne, his brother Liam Byrne, and cousins 'Fat' Freddie Thompson and Liam Roe who all had a turn at carrying the coffin. Inside the small chapel in the Liberties, chief celebrant Fr Niall Coghlan called on the gangsters gathered to end the bitter feud between the Kinahan cartel and Hutch mob that has so far claimed the lives of David Byrne and Eddie Hutch Snr. He called for a "hero" to stick his head above the parapet in order to quell the deadly violence. "It strikes me that it doesn't take much courage to attack a defenceless person with weapons of destruction," he said. "What courage is there to walk into a hotel and blast a man to death when he cannot defend himself or to walk into a man's home and do the same thing. It is not courageous. "What is courageous is someone willing to put their head above the parapet and call for an end to this despicable destruction of human life. "You might be a lonely voice in your own world but for the people of Dublin's north and south inner city who had suffered greatly at your hands and not just by the recent violence, the wonderful people of our city, you will be a hero because you will bring peace again to our beautiful capital city and an end to the policy of violent death, revenge, and tit-for-tat." Research showed half of the incidents of intimidation involved beatings and violence Two-thirds of people intimidated by drug dealers or threatened over drug debts do not report it to gardai, a study has revealed. Experts working with addicts and their families in Dublin have warned that most of those who are harassed and abused try to deal with it themselves for fear of reprisal attacks if they go to authorities. The CityWide Drugs Crisis Campaign said its research showed half of the incidents of intimidation involved beatings and violence and almost a third involved damage to homes or property. Mothers of drug users make up a third of those targeted by dealers and gangsters, the report found. Criminologist Johnny Connolly, who helped compile the report, described the intimidation as a hidden harm which causes immense distress in many communities. "It is, in a sense, not on the general public radar but very much part of life for many," he said. "Even where offenders might be prosecuted or even imprisoned, this does not alleviate the fear for most people. "There does not appear to be any safety net that can reassure people in such circumstances. This poses a major challenge for the criminal justice system and society in general." Dr Connolly, a research fellow at Trinity College, said there is an onus on the criminal justice system to address the crisis of confidence quickly as it undermines the credibility of policing and the courts. "There is a need to shift the balance of power for such communities and to prevent such crimes from becoming normalised," he said. Dr Connolly called on authorities to acknowledge some policing and justice strategies against drugs gangs are failing. The CityWide Drugs Crisis Campaign looked at 140 reports of intimidation from 13 local and regional drugs task forces, focus groups attended by 150 people and another six focus groups with ex-prisoners, family support workers, travellers and youth workers. More than two-thirds of the victims of intimidation suffered mental health problems, a third were physically injured and 70% felt afraid in their own homes. Drug debts at the centre of the crisis are on average 500 to 5,000 euro. Anna Quigley, CityWide's co-ordinator, said other research shows debts are often not cleared when the money is paid. "There are a small but significant number of people being forced to sell drugs or hold drugs or weapons," she said. "As a result, people who may have marginal involvement with illicit drugs - as well as their families - can become entrapped in the drugs trade with all of the negative consequences that flow from that including involvement in the criminal justice system." Junead Khan is on trial at Kingston Crown Court charged with making preparations for attacking military personnel in the UK An alleged Islamic extremist planned a terror attack on British or American military personnel in the UK, a court has heard. Junead Khan, 25, drove close by air bases in East Anglia, including the US Air Force's RAF Lakenheath and RAF Mildenhall complexes in Suffolk, while working as a delivery driver, prosecutors claim. When he was arrested, al Qaida instructions on how to make a "viable" pipe bomb and pictures of a large military-style knife were found on his laptop and a balaclava was found at his Luton home, the jury was told. Prosecutor Max Hill QC told Kingston Crown Court that Khan was "preparing for an attack on British forces or American soldiers or airmen" when he was arrested last July. Mr Hill told the jury: "You may conclude that by arresting Junead Khan on July 7, what happened at that moment was that his plans were therefore, we suggest, thwarted. He was not able to carry out what he wanted to do. But that makes him no less guilty of the charge." Khan is charged with making preparations for attacking military personnel in the UK between May 10 and July 14, which he denies. He is on trial alongside his uncle, Shazib Khan, 23, also from Luton, with whom he is jointly charged with making preparations for travelling to Syria to fight for Islamic State (IS). The pair deny engaging in conduct in preparation of terrorist acts on August 1 2014 and July 15 2015. The trial heard that Junead Khan was working as a driver for pharmaceutical firm Alliance Healthcare when he was arrested at its depot in Letchworth, Hertfordshire. Mr Hill added that Junead Khan's work "meant that he was required to make deliveries of pharmaceuticals to locations in Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Norfolk", which took him near places "in which there were American air force personnel". When police raided his home they found a laptop containing an article called "Make a bomb in the kitchen of your mom", from the online magazine of al Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP). It gave instructions for the construction of a "viable" pipe bomb, the jury was told. Officers also found black flags in the attic with Islamic slogans of the type used by IS jihadists, the court heard, and pictures on his phone and laptop that showed him posing in front of them in his bedroom. US and British flags believed to have been stolen from the New York Diner in nearby Dunstable were also found in the bedroom, the jury was told. Police officers from Bedfordshire Police's Prevent programme visited Junead Khan in May 2014, more than a year before his arrest, the jury heard. However, the officers left a card after finding he was at work. The court heard the men joked about the visit, and subsequent visits, in social media chats. In another chat, the jury was told, Junead Khan said to his uncle: "Jihad training bro LOL, we have to keep fit." He also possessed a "nasheed" or Islamic prayer in praise of Islamic State and the men celebrated at the end of June 2014 when the Islamic State caliphate was declared, the jury heard, with Junead Khan writing: "Inshallah give them victory." Mr Hill said: "The idea of leaving the UK in order to go to IS is clearly in the defendants' minds ... at the declaration of the Islamic State in June 2014. It becomes clear that was not to be a pilgrimage. It was not to be a trip to live in peace under Islam. It was a trip to fight." Mr Hill said that the following July the defendants watched a graphic IS "recruitment" video, The Clanging Of The Swords, which has "little if anything to do with living a peaceful existence in the caliphate but has everything to do with fighting and killing". Detectives also discovered items of clothing at Junead Khan's home - into which Shazib Khan had moved - which prosecutors claim show the men had planned to go to Syria. Evidence was also discovered of a social media chat between Shazib Khan and a Jewish woman, in which he said the Jews were "baby killers" and "infidels in our Holy Land" in reference to the Israel-Palestine conflict, the court heard. Later, after watching another IS propaganda video, Shazib Khan wrote to Junead Khan: "I want to wear the black outfit. Looks sick." Edited versions of both videos were shown to the jury. Shazib Khan later exchanged messages on the Kik social network with a man the prosecution claim is an IS fighter, who told him how to get to its territory via Turkey, the court heard. Martin Schulz says the European Parliament might not even rubber-stamp David Cameron's deal after the election (Photo by Oli Scarff/Getty Images) David Camerons package of EU reforms cannot be made legally binding before the British public vote on it, the president of the European Parliament has said. Martin Schulz said the European Parliament could amend any deal done at todays summit and would not necessarily even rubber-stamp it at all. No government can go to a parliament and ask for a guarantee about the result, the German politician said. This is a democracy. Once the frame is agreed, we will start the legislative process. This is not a veto. The presidents statement means that Britain may not get the deal agreed by Mr Cameron if it ultimately votes to stay in the EU. Mr Schulz, from the parliaments centre-left Socialist grouping, however pledged that MEPs would be constructive, fair, and bring clarity to the deal. The warning is a blow for Mr Cameron, who had explicitly earlier this month that the EU deal would be legally binding. If it is agreed, it will be agreed as a legally binding treaty deposited at the United Nations, he said on 6 February. It would only be reversible if all 28 countries, including Britain, agreed to reverse it. The agreement Mr Cameron refers to however appears to include the welfare deal being passed by the European Parliament which would come after the EU referendum. The president also warned that the European Parliament would demand that there was no treaty change as a result of the deal. The plebiscite is currently expected in June, though officially it will be held any time before the end of 2017. British eurosceptic campaigners seized on Mr Schulzs comments. The President of the European Parliament is simply confirming what Leave.EU has said all along: David Cameron's deal is not binding without a new treaty that the European Court in Strasbourg has to adhere to, Liz Bilney, chief executive of Leave.EU said. The PM today faces crunch talks in Brussels where he will have to get the 28 EU heads of government to agree to the draft package, which was drawn up by European Council president Donald Tusk. Mr Cameron faces several hurdles including significant opposition from eastern European countries like Poland whose citizens could lose out under the plan. Other, smaller, countries like Malta and Luxembourg have said they will not tolerate a deal applied unevenly across other countries, adding a further constraint to negotiations. Supportive countries like Ireland, France, and Germany are expected to try and broker a deal between Britain and those critical of the plan. Despite the hoops Mr Cameron has to jump through to secure the changes, they have so far impressed few in the UK. Eurosceptic MPs in Mr Camerons own party described the plans as thin gruel and watered down, while polls show the public believe the deal is overwhelmingly bad for Britain. The latest ComRes poll for ITV News showed a narrowing of the referendum race with the lead for the remain camp down from 18 points in January to just eight this week. Independent Game on. Bernie Sanders presidential campaign has signaled Democratic State Chairman Vince Powers that it intends to compete for delegates in Nebraskas March 5 caucus and has named a veteran campaign operative who is familiar with the landscape here to direct the campaign. Bill Romjue, who managed Chuck Hassebrooks 2014 gubernatorial campaign, will direct the Sanders effort. That experience in Nebraska brings an advantage to the Sanders campaign, Powers said. Sanders, the Vermont senator who is riding a wave of enthusiastic young voter support, will go head-to-head with Hillary Clinton, who already is conducting a statewide campaign centered in Omaha and Lincoln. If the caucus was this Saturday, Powers said Monday, I could not predict the winner. Romjue has settled in Omaha at a campaign headquarters that opened a week ago. The campaign also will open an office in Lincoln. Its early and I think its wide-open, Romjue said. Its a good feeling to have two really good candidates. I think well keep the acrimony down. Romjue said he hopes to bring Sanders to Nebraska before the caucus date. Well do everything to get him in, he said. It is early, but I think well have a grassroots advantage, Romjue said. Clinton was in Omaha in December and presumably could return before the caucus. As Sanders geared up, the Clinton campaign prepared to drop two campaign pieces in the mail. One points to endorsements from progressive leaders, noting that she would fight to close the gender pay gap, defend Planned Parenthood, lead the drive to build a clean-energy economy and crack down on rising prescription drug prices. In the other mailing, Clinton promises to protect Social Security and Medicare, ensure that corporations and multimillionaires pay their fare share while giving a tax break to the middle class, and act to stop the Republicans from undoing the progress weve made. The message is simple, Nebraska campaign communications director Kate Waters said. Hillary Clinton is the only candidate with the experience to take on all of the issues that matter and make real progress for families in the Cornhusker state. Powers said growing interest in the Clinton-Sanders showdown and the addition of absentee balloting in this years caucus could boost Democratic participation beyond the 38,000 who turned out in 2008 when Clinton lost to then-Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois. The new absentee process allows Democrats to participate if they are unable to be at a caucus site on March 5. The rules ask absentee participants to say whether they are homebound, disabled or infirm, out of the caucus area due to military service or out of the area as a student. Request forms must be filed with the Nebraska Democratic Party office no later than Feb. 24 and the presidential preference card that will be sent to participants must be returned by March 1. The campaign for Sanders has been active on social media for months. An unofficial Nebraskans for Bernie Sanders site was launched last summer and has been gathering support on Facebook and Twitter. Linda Anderson of Lincoln said the number of likes on Facebook point to a potential pool of nearly 5,500 volunteers. Weve had a decent ground game, she said. And now a young cadre of people who worked for Sanders in the Iowa caucuses has spilled across the border to help him in Nebraska, Anderson said. I think well have a really good ground game now, she said. Well make sure doors are knocked on. Anderson said her family of four has struggled financially and Sanders is determined to help families who are challenged to afford health care insurance coverage and send their children to college. She and her husband have a 13-year-old and an 11-year-old. But it all starts with campaign finance reform, she said. We cant get these things done without that. Torness Nuclear Power Station will see generation extended for seven years to 2020 EDF is to extend the life of four of its UK nuclear power stations and has made assurances that it is close to announcing a final decision on building a new plant at Hinkley Point. The French energy giant said Heysham 1 in Lancashire and a plant in Hartlepool, both due to be decommissioned in 2019, will continue for an extra five years. Heysham 2 and Torness in Scotland will have extensions of seven years to 2030. The move will safeguard more than 2,000 direct jobs and some 1,000 contractors at the sites, which provide electricity for a quarter of British homes. EDF, which is 85% owned by the French government, announced the extensions as it reported a 68% fall in profits last year and cut its annual dividend. The company said it was committed to being the UK's leading investor in low-carbon electricity, adding in a statement: "That means safely extending the lives of existing nuclear power stations and investing in renewable wind energy. "It also means making the big investments necessary to launch a renaissance in nuclear new build at Hinkley Point in Somerset. "Further major progress was made in 2015 on plans to build a new nuclear power station at Hinkley Point in Somerset, notably with the signing of the Strategic Investment Agreement between EDF and China General Nuclear Power Corporation (CGN) in October. "Hinkley Point C is a strong project which is fully ready for a final investment decision and successful construction. Final steps are well in hand to enable the full construction phase to be launched very soon." Campaigners against Hinkley said the further delay in announcing a final decision cast doubt on the project. Greenpeace policy director Doug Parr said: "EDF's accounts show growing debts and falling earnings. EDF management and employees warn taking on further risk could easily spell disaster for the company. Hinkley is a bad investment and most people with an ounce of financial acumen have now come to realise this. "Chancellor George Osborne stands alone in defending Hinkley's honour. He needs to let Hinkley go - everyone else has. The nuclear industry has usually promised far more than it has delivered and the debacle over the Hinkley reactor shows little has changed." There was industry speculation that a final decision was being held back over assurances being sought by the Chinese over the technology to be used at a planned new nuclear power station at Bradwell in Essex. EDF said the decision to extend generation at four of its eight UK plants followed "extensive technical and safety reviews". "Our continuing investment, our expertise and the professional relationship we have with the safety regulator means we can safely prolong the operating life of our nuclear power stations," said chief executive Vincent de Rivaz. "Their excellent output shows that reliability is improving whilst their safety and environmental performance is higher than ever." EDF has agreed a deal in principle for the 18 billion Hinkley project under which China General Nuclear Power Corporation (CGN) will pay a third of the cost. Reports have suggested the company is struggling to find the cash for its stake. Paul Kenny, general secretary of the GMB union, said: "It is inconceivable that the Hinkley Point C site should become the most expensive landscaped grounds in the UK if work is stopped and the project does not go ahead. "If the plan to finance the building of this station by the French and Chinese governments is no longer viable then the UK Government has total responsibility to the people of this country to build the power stations needed to supply our electricity needs. "The supply chain is in place and the labour force is coming on stream to construct this station essential to keep the lights on in the UK. "The UK Government can no longer outsource the building of our power stations to foreign governments." Dr Richard Dixon, director of Friends of the Earth Scotland, said: "EDF have announced the life extension for Torness because they are trying to distract attention from their terrible financial performance and their repeated failure to make a final decision on whether to build the Hinkley Point reactors in Somerset. "Nuclear power is on its last legs in Europe and Hinkley will probably never get built." Tom Greatrex, chief executive of the Nuclear Industry Association, said: " The plans to extend the life of four of the UK's nuclear power stations is welcome news for the local, regional and national economy. "As well as providing secure, low-carbon electricity to millions of UK homes and businesses, lifetime extensions will help safeguard hundreds of skilled jobs in Scotland and the North of England." Energy and Climate Change Secretary Amber Rudd said: "The extension of these four nuclear plants is part of our plan to deliver long-term energy security for our families and businesses - taking decisions today for the good of tomorrow and tackling the legacy of under-investment so that they have secure, affordable and clean energy supplies they can rely on in the years ahead. "The UK is open for business and EDF's decision is a vote of confidence in our support for the nuclear industry. It will safeguard thousands of jobs, meaning more financial security for working people, and nuclear, as a low-carbon source of electricity, will also help us to reduce our emissions." EDF chairman Jean Bernard Levy told a press conference in Paris: "We intend to proceed quickly with the final investment decision on Hinkley Point but there is a little work to complete, particularly because we could not finalise the discussions with our Chinese partners before their own break, before the Chinese New Year. "There is still a little work to complete but, today, we believe that the final investment decision is very close." Rachel Slater and Tim Newton are believed to be missing on Ben Nevis (Police Scotland/PA Wire) A major search for two experienced climbers missing on Britain's highest mountain has been suspended due to "treacherous" weather conditions. Rachel Slater, 24, and Tim Newton, 27, from the Bradford area of West Yorkshire, were climbing on Ben Nevis, in the Lochaber area of the Scottish Highlands, over the weekend. The alarm was raised on Monday afternoon when the couple were reported to be overdue in returning from the expedition. It is believed they had been camping in a green tent behind the Charles Inglis Clark (CIC) memorial hut on the north side of the mountain. The hunt for the pair - involving police, mountain rescue teams and search dogs - entered its second day on Tuesday as fears for their safety grew. But after five hours of searching, it was decided that conditions were too dangerous to continue for now. Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team (MRT) said 80mph to 90mph winds had been making the temperature feel like minus 20C. A Police Scotland spokesman said: "Whilst police inquiries remain ongoing, search efforts have been suspended on Ben Nevis due to treacherous weather conditions." It is not yet clear when the search effort will be able to resume. In an updated post on Facebook, the mountain rescue team said conditions were "very challenging" during the search, which had been carried out on foot. Rescuers said there had been 36 people out searching from Lochaber MRT and the RAF MRT, as well as three members of the Scottish Search and Rescue Dog Association. The posting went on: "After five hours of searching, it was decided that conditions were too dangerous to continue search which was focused on Coire na Ciste and South Trident Buttress area following a possible sighting of two people fitting their description climbing in this area early Sunday afternoon." Ms Slater is an experienced climber who is well-travelled. In a blog, she wrote: "I've been around rocks my whole life as my parents are very keen climbers - most of my childhood was spent scrambling around at the bottom of the cliff with the occasional easy top rope. "In 2005 my family moved to Calgary, Canada, and in 2007 I joined a youth climbing team at my local wall and in 2008 progressed to the competitive youth team. "We trained three times a week at 6am and competed locally and nationally throughout the winter. In the summer and school holidays I sport climbed with my family in the Rockies and Western States of America." She left Canada in 2009 to study at the University of Manchester, from where she graduated with a BSc (Hons) in environmental science. In September 2013, she completed a six-month contract with an environmental consultancy in Glasgow before embarking on a three-month sport climbing trip to France and Spain. After returning again to Spain on her own to climb in Catalonia, she "joined the grown up world of 9-5" at the start of last year, according to her online posts. She is employed as an environmental consultant near Bradford. Mr Newton, originally from Leicester, also lives in Bradford and has studied physics at the universities of Manchester and Leeds, according to his Facebook profile. Logbook entries for Ms Slater on UKClimbing.com suggest she has conducted a number of climbs with Mr Newton. Meanwhile, numerous messages have been posted on social media from people praising the search teams and voicing hope that the couple will be found safe. On Facebook, Jay Smith wrote: "Hoping for a good outcome on this. Stay safe all that are searching." Linda Howell said: "Hopefully they are safe and well and off the hill totally oblivious to all this worry and searching." Lochaber MRT warned about the conditions on the mountain just days ago. In a social media message on Friday, the team wrote: "Stunningly beautiful today on the Ben, however extremely challenging snow conditions." Anyone who was climbing or walking in the Ben Nevis area over the weekend and saw the couple is being urged to contact police on 101. The treatment's results are said to be "extraordinary" A potentially revolutionary therapy that trains the immune system to attack cancer has shown "extraordinary" results in early trials involving terminally ill patients. In one study 94% of participants with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) saw their symptoms vanish completely. Patients with other blood cancers saw response rates greater than 80% with more than half experiencing complete remission. The technique involves removing immune cells called T-cells from patients, tagging them "receptor" molecules that target cancer, and infusing them back in the body. Scientists screened specially bred genetically engineered mice for the targeting molecules, known as chimeric antigen receptors or Cars. Once attached to the T-cells, they reduce the chances of the cancer being able to shield itself from the immune system. Lead scientist Professor Stanley Riddell, from the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, US, said: "These are in patients that have failed everything. Most of the patients in our trial would be projected to have two to five months to live. "This is extraordinary. This is unprecedented in medicine to be honest, to get response rates in this range in these very advanced patients." Prof Riddell, who was speaking at the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) annual meeting in Washington DC, described the results as a "potential paradigm shift" in cancer treatment. At the same time he acknowledged that much more work had to be done, and it was not clear how long the symptom-free patients would remain in remission. So far, the technique has only been tried on patients with "liquid" blood cancers. Prof Riddell hopes to progress to patients with solid tumours, but points out that this will be challenging. Although the immune system is geared to combat cancer, very often it fails in the task. Cancer cells are not recognised by the body's defences, or find ingenious ways to mask their identity. In the most promising study, around 35 patients with ALL were treated with Cars-modified T-cells. Almost all - 94% - experienced complete remission, meaning their symptoms disappeared. That is not the same as saying they were cured, because the symptoms could return. More than 40 patients with lymphoma have also been treated. Remission rates of more than 50% and response rates of more than 80% were seen in one group with non-Hodgkinson's lymphoma. Patients with chronic lymphocyte leukaemia showed similar results. "We have a long ways to go," said Prof Riddell. "The response is not always durable, some of these patients do relapse, we are cognisant of that. But the early data is unprecedented." He added: "I think immunotherapy has finally made it to a pillar of cancer therapy. Much like chemotherapy and radiotherapy, it's not going to be a save-all, it's going to find its applications in certain sub-types of tumours in certain patients." A paper on the ALL research is currently under review, pending publication. There is one very serious downside to the treatment that affected a number of unlucky patients, a side effect caused by an over-powerful immune response. Seven ALL patients suffered the condition, called cytokine release syndrom (sCRS), so badly they needed intensive care. Two died. The scientists are now trying to find ways to reduce the risk of sCRS. In other research reported at the meeting, scientists made progress tracking T-cells with long memories as part of a new approach to combating cancer. Immune cells with long memories allow some vaccines to provide life-long protection against viruses or bacteria. An Italian team led by Professor Chiara Bonini, from the University of Milan, found a way to track T-cells with a memory of cancer for up to 14 years. The findings imply that the right immunotherapy might act as a vaccine, providing long-term protection against cancer. NHS finance directors are being put under pressure to "cook the books" a whistleblower told MPs Hospital bosses under financial pressure are left feeling they have to "cook the books" in order to satisfy regulators' cost cutting demands, a whistleblower has told MPs Officials from Monitor and the NHS Trust Development Authority (TDA) are alleged to have told finance directors (FDs) there was "nothing in the bank" and individual positions would be at risk if hospitals breach their deficit plans this year. The whistleblower said they had a "genuine fear" that patient safety and quality of care could be compromised as a result of trusts' "short term actions to reduce headcount". Giving evidence to a Public Accounts Committee inquiry, the FD of a NHS Foundation Trust district hospital regulated by Monitor said they were "very concerned" over the pressures being placed on colleagues across the health service. "My fear is that some FDs may be pressurised into taking the wrong judgements and making inaccurate claims to keep the regulator at bay," they said. The whistleblower referred to a case where a valuation was fraudulently amended by an NHS accountant in order to attain a 1 million surplus. When discovered the FD was prosecuted in 2008, convicted and jailed for the alteration that masked a deficit of 10 million. They commented: "I fear for FDs, being put under similar pressure to 'cook the books'." The whistleblower listed a number comments allegedly made by Monitor and NHS TDA officials during a meeting last month that left him "shocked and very disappointed". The unnamed officials are alleged to have told FDs gathered at the meeting: " There is nothing in the bank - [we] have to create our own credibility" and there was "massive HMT [ Treasury ] and No 10 influence". In reference to the budget target one official was quoted as saying: "If we're bust this year - it's all off. They will come after individuals ... Don't stuff the balance sheet - will be fatal." The whistleblower gave evidence to MPs on condition that their identity was kept secret. Monitor and the NHS TDA said it had asked hospitals to review accounting estimates to ensure they were a "true reflection of the issues the NHS is facing". However the regulator said patient safety remained a priority and managers still had the power to increase spending to meet demands. A spokesman said: "The scale of the financial challenge is clear, so we have asked providers to submit challenging, but realistic plans for next year. These plans will be rigorously assessed and agreed by trust boards before final submission. "Where we have asked providers to make operational changes to reduce costs we have always been clear that this must not come at the expense of patient safety. For example, providers can override the agency controls where safety is an issue. "We have also asked finance directors to review accounting estimates to ensure that they are accurate and provide a true reflection of the financial issues the NHS is facing." According to reports the hospital sector is expecting to breach its 1.8 billion target for its controlled deficit this year, with some estimating a 400 million overspend. The latest figures for the third quarter of last year are expected to be published later this month. HSBC will keep its headquarters in the UK Banking giant HSBC could move around 1,000 jobs from London to Paris if Britain votes to leave the EU, according to its chief executive. Stuart Gulliver said a Brexit could force the bank to transfer a large tranche of jobs from its UK investment banking arm to its business in France - although the move would depend on the terms of a British exit. The comments came on the same day HSBC pledged to keep its headquarters in London following a high-profile lengthy review. Mr Gulliver said the forthcoming referendum had not impacted the bank's decision to keep its headquarters in the British capital. But he stated that "if the UK leaves the EU it could have a significant impact on our non-ring-fenced bank - our trading room, corporate banking and investment banking - although it would not have an impact on our holding company domicile". He told Sky News: "We have 5,000 people in global banking and markets in London and I could imagine that around 20% of those would move to Paris." The decision to move jobs would hinge on the terms of a British exit from the EU, Mr Gulliver said, including whether the UK could still access the financial services "passporting" regime allowing member states to trade across national borders. Responding to the comments, the Prime Minister's official spokeswoman said: "The PM has talked many times about the issues and choices the British people will have to weigh up when they make a decision on whether the UK should remain or leave, that there are economic risks. "But he has also talked about the confidence we should have in our country and our ability to succeed." HSBC revealed last year it was considering whether to move its headquarters elsewhere over concerns about stricter regulations. HSBC Group chairman Douglas Flint said the decision to keep the London HQ "offered the best outcome for our customers and shareholders". The announcement comes after Chancellor George Osborne made a series of concessions to the City in recent months. Mr Gulliver said: "Having our headquarters in the UK and our significant business in Asia Pacific delivers the best of both worlds to our stakeholders." A Treasury spokeswoman said: "We welcome HSBC's decision. They've looked carefully and dispassionately at the facts and confirmed that the UK is the best place to base a global business. "It's a vote of confidence in the Government's economic plan, and a boost to our goal of making the UK a great place to do more business with China and the rest of Asia." The bank's decision was seized upon by campaigners for UK withdrawal from the EU, who said it undermined pro-European claims that Brexit might trigger an exodus of major firms for the continent. Matthew Elliott, chief executive of the Vote Leave campaign, said: "HSBC claimed that it might move its headquarters due to uncertainty about whether the UK would stay in the EU. This was an attempt to scare people into backing EU membership. Today's announcement shows that even the proponents of Project Fear don't actually believe it." But Mr Flint reiterated the bank's intentions to move staff to Paris in the event of a British withdrawal. He told the BBC Radio 4 Today programme: "We are lucky in the sense that we have a major bank in France. So, if we were to leave and if there were to be restrictions, ultimately, on the renegotiation of Britain's position, we have the ability to move activity and people between London and Paris. "But our strong economic view is that Britain is better within a reformed Europe." HBSC said the board's decision to keep its headquarters in London was "unanimous". In its later stages, the review was "narrowed" to the UK and Hong Kong, "both of which are considered by the board to be world-class financial centres", it added. HSBC's review was announced in April last year at the bank's annual meeting. It cited increasingly onerous British regulatory conditions and the UK bank levy introduced in 2010 - a tax based on the size of any British-based banks' global balance sheet. Of the estimated five million IVF offspring alive today, the oldest of them, Louise Brown, is only 39 Assisted reproduction is an "evolutionary experiment" that could prove as big a health disaster as junk food, a scientist has warned. Dr Pascal Gagneux, an evolutionary biologist from the University of California at San Diego in the US, believes the technology may be storing up serious trouble for ageing populations of IVF children. Of the estimated five million IVF offspring alive today, the oldest of them, British "test tube baby" Louise Brown, is only 39. Unintended and unwanted consequences of IVF that cannot be detected now may emerge towards the end of life, Dr Gagneux fears. And he points out that scientists have already uncovered ominous signs. IVF mice that are allowed to age become ill - females develop a pre-diabetic condition called metabolic syndrome, while male animals suffer hormonal problems. More worrying was one study which involved taking 100 IVF and naturally conceived children aged as young as six 3,500 metres up a Swiss mountain, where low oxygen levels mimic effects of ageing. Heart and artery malfunction was reported "very convincingly" in the assisted reproduction children, including those with brothers and sisters who were conceived naturally, said Dr Gagneux. Speaking at the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) annual meeting in Washington DC, he said: "I'm an evolutionary biologist and interested in human origins. To me this is the epitome of a species taking its own fate into its own hands. "We're engaging in an evolutionary experiment ... I would compare it to high fructose corn syrup and fast food in the US. It took 50 years; it was fantastic, you got bigger and healthier, and now the US are the first generation that are shorter and heavier and die younger. But it took 50 years. "I think we can't rule out that it could be shortening life span. It could also be introducing some very interesting costs in terms of metabolic syndrome." When nature is allowed to take its course, only a handful of sperm out of 100 million ever make it to the egg. Just one will fuse successfully with the egg and achieve the goal of fertilisation. "What is interesting is that the force of natural selection is extremely strong early in life and becomes very weak late in life," said Dr Gagneux. "The very reason why we age has to do with the fact that you can select for things that help you when you're young and those very same things will kill you when you're old. "With increased life expectancy and maximum longevity, we are setting the stage so that even a slight deviation from something highly adaptive might bite you in the butt quite badly when you're 70, 80 or 90." One of his biggest concerns was the way IVF embryos were bathed in a cocktail of chemicals for up to five days during the phase when genetic "imprinting" is taking place. This is a process that switches on some genes, and switches off others, and it has effects that can be passed down generations. "It could also be introducing some very interesting costs if metabolic syndrome would be one of the potential consequences of starting an embryo out in 'rocket fuel', some minestrone mixture that lab people have developed," said Dr Gagneux. British experts in the field of reproductive medicine strongly disagreed with the views expressed by Dr Gagneux. Allan Pacey, Professor of Andrology at the University of Sheffield, said: "There is a wealth of epidemiological evidence to suggest that the babies born through IVF technologies are on the whole as healthy as their naturally conceived counterparts. "Where some differences have been observed, these are largely explained by genetic defects in the sperm of the father rather than the fact that fertilisation and embryo development occurred outside of the body. "I don't share the concerns raised by Dr Gagneux. If we were always led by the precautionary principle, medicine would never make any advances." Dr Geoffrey Trew, a gynaecologist from Imperial College London, said: "He's pulling together several hypothetical ideas that don't bear extrapolation to what he's saying - and unnecessarily worrying the millions of parents of children born through IVF. Not good, nor responsible, science." Health officials are encouraging people to "look before they flush" in a bid to reduce the number of kidney and bladder cancers. Having blood present in urine is a symptom in over half of bladder cancers and almost a fifth of kidney cancers, Public Health England (PHE) said. The health body's Be Clear on Cancer campaign launches on Tuesday and is encouraging people to visit their GP if they notice "blood in pee" - even if it is just once. Doctor Jenny Harries, Public Health England's regional director for s outh of England, said: "It's vital that we all do our bit to raise awareness that blood in pee could be an early sign of bladder or kidney cancer, and encourage anyone with this symptom to go to their GP. "We know that people don't always immediately visit their doctor if they spot blood in pee, which can be for a number of reasons - some might ignore the symptoms, especially if it only happens once, or may pass the symptom off as cystitis. If you do notice blood in your pee, don't wait for it to happen again before getting it checked out, visit your GP straight away." Dad's Army star Ian Lavender, who suffered from bladder cancer, is supporting this year's campaign. "It's a simple message 'look before you flush' and make sure you go and see your GP if you notice blood in your pee," he said. "Spread the word, someone you know might have this symptom and reminding them to get it checked could save their life - it saved mine, and I'm 70 and still happy to be working." Around 17,450 people in England are diagnosed with bladder or kidney cancer every year and around 7,600 people die annually, PHE said. PHE's new campaign is aimed at men and women over the age of 50 as more than nine in 10 of these cancers are in people in this age group. :: For more information visit nhs.uk/bloodinpee One of the oldest family gatherings in the world is getting underway in the Platte River valley. Half a million sandhill cranes will stop in the valley through mid-April to feast on leftover field corn and turn over cow pies with their long needlelike beaks, looking for tasty bugs, frogs, grubs and snakes. The cranes roost at night in the shallow waters of the Platte during the annual migration and put on about 20 percent of their body weight before flying on to northern Alaska, Canada and Siberia. Theyll spend the summer hatching chicks before flying south again next winter. The elegant birds stand three to four feet high, have crimson caps on their heads, white cheeks and a 7-foot wingspan. In flight, their long dark legs trail behind streamlined, gray bodies. They are among the oldest species of birds on the planet; fossil records indicate theyve been around for more than 9 million years. The mass migration through Nebraska generally starts about Valentines Day, peaks in March and tapers off by mid-April. I think the birds will be on schedule, said Kent Skaggs, operations manager for the Iain Nicolson Audubon Center at Rowe Sanctuary near Gibbon. Our snow is already disappearing pretty quickly. The snow is going to be gone by the time most of the birds arrive here, unless we get additional storms. In fact, he said, he saw a small flock flying over the Rowe Sanctuary on Jan. 31. Those early birds might have flown back south after a blizzard earlier this month blanketed fields in snow, hiding their spring banquet. When we get a snowstorm like that, if its a thick enough blanket of snow where it prevents the birds from feeding, they might retreat a little further south where they can access food, Skaggs said. Or they may have weathered it out and waited for things to thaw. The number of sandhill cranes in the state usually builds to a significant number by the first week of March. The spectacle brings about 70,000 bird-watchers and millions of tourism dollars to the region each year. A University of Nebraska-Lincoln Bureau of Business Research report in 2010 found the annual economic impact to be more than $10 million. If you live in Nebraska or places nearby and havent seen this yet, its essentially right here in your backyard, Skaggs said. Come out and take a look at it. The cranes are only one of hundreds of species of birds that stop during the spring migration. The Platte River valley is also a great place to see the northern pintail, mallards and snow geese. The snow geese migration peaks during late February or early March. There are many places in Nebraska from which to see the cranes, but bird-watchers should take care not to trespass on private property. Visitors are welcome at the Iain Nicolson Audubon Center, and those who want a close-up view can reserve a spot in a viewing blind for a fee. Morning and evening viewings are scheduled daily during March and early April, last about two hours and are led by trained guides. For more information, visit rowe.audubon.org or call 308-468-5282. The Crane Trust near Grand Island also offers viewing blinds and tours for visitors in the morning and evening. See cranetrust.org or call 308-384-4633. People can drop by the Crane Trust Nature and Visitor Center at the Alda exit on Interstate 80 for more information about public crane-viewing spots and guided tours on weekends. Make reservations early. Many of the blinds fill up quickly for mid-March, which is the prime viewing time. Lord Brittan's widow has accepted a "full apology" from Scotland Yard chief Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe over his force's handling of a rape allegation against her husband. Lady Brittan had a private meeting with the Metropolitan Police Commissioner in London on Tuesday. Britain's largest police force came under fire over its investigation into a claim that Lord Brittan raped a 19-year-old woman known as "Jane" in 1967 - which he denied. In a statement, the family of the late politician said: "At the start of the meeting Sir Bernard offered Lady Brittan a full apology on behalf of the force, which she accepted. "Lady Brittan went on to ask and table some 30 questions regarding the two police enquiries as they related to Lord Brittan. "Sir Bernard promised to answer them in writing and Lady Brittan and the family await his response." Lord Brittan died aged 75 in January last year without being told he would not face any action over the rape allegation. Police originally determined that the complaint should not be pursued more than a year before his death. But the investigation was reopened and he was interviewed under caution in May 2014 while suffering from terminal cancer Sir Bernard told BBC Radio London his conversation with Lady Brittan was "constructive". He said: " I hope she found it helpful. I confirmed the apology that we made some months ago now. "It is an apology for not telling her at an early stage about the fact that Lord Brittan, who by that stage unfortunately had died, was not to be prosecuted in the future. "There was no chance of successful prosecution. She's had quite a few questions. "I thought it was important to meet her. We had actually arranged it for a while ago but for various reasons it couldn't happen, but it did today." Asked if Lady Brittan was accepting of the apology, Sir Bernard replied: "To be fair, I think you'll have to ask her. I don't think it's fair for me to try and answer for her, but certainly she didn't reject it." Police first apologised to Lady Brittan in October, saying she should have been informed earlier that there would not have been a prosecution had her husband been alive. Lord Brittan has also been named in connection with the hugely controversial Operation Midland, a separate inquiry into allegations of a VIP paedophile gang. Sir Bernard said the investigation " has not yet been concluded". He said: "As soon as it is, obviously we will announce whatever the outcome is. "These things are never straightforward. They are historical investigations, which are quite hard to investigate. "We've had suspects named - we don't do that - it's caused difficulty for investigators. And then during the investigation people say: 'Why don't you complete these things quicker?' "Well one of the difficulties being that new witnesses come forward during the investigation. We've had to explore what they've said. "There's been quite a lot going off in the background, but we don't share what happens in the investigation in the public domain." A furore erupted over the investigation after D-Day veteran Lord Bramall was cleared. His home had been raided and he was interviewed under caution before he was told in January he would face no further action. There have been suggestions that the inquiry, which had cost 1.8 million as of November, is on the brink of collapse amid questions about the reliability of the central witness in the investigation, a man known as "Nick". Former Tory MP Harvey Proctor, who furiously denied any involvement, has been interviewed under caution twice but there are unconfirmed reports that he will also be formally told he will face no further action. The late former prime minister Edward Heath has also been named in connection with the inquiry. Brussels was unprepared for the refugee crisis, according to a House of Lords report (AP) European Union (EU) security strategies for dealing with "unstable and dangerous" neighbours have "glaring weaknesses", peers have warned. Brussels was "unprepared" for the increased terror threat and the refugee crisis, according to a House of Lords report. It claimed the 28-member bloc's approach to Turkey is in "disarray" and called for an urgent policy review. Peers criticised the EU's response to Russian aggression and called on it to come up with a "credible" response. The EU sub-committee on external affairs also warned Britain's international influence would be "significantly limited" if it leaves the EU. Committee chairman Lord Tugendhat said: "We believe the EU faces a further test should the UK decide to leave the EU. "If this were to happen, the UK's international reach would be significantly limited because it would not have access to Commission instruments. In turn, the EU's foreign policy would carry less weight. "Although there have been some EU foreign policy successes, notably the nuclear deal with Iran and maintaining effective sanctions on Russia, we believe that there is much room for improvement on how the EU's foreign and security policy operates." Confusion over Turkey's future as an EU state must be resolved because of the state's role as a "critical buffer state" in the refugee crisis and the fight against Islamic State, peers said. They criticised the EU, as well as Nato, for its "inadequate" deterrence in the Baltic States and Black Sea, and said it was "unclear" if Russian military action would be met with a "forceful" response by European states. Peers claimed the "wariness" of EU countries to use legitimate and proportionate military force has undermined the the bloc's status as a "foreign policy actor". They heard evidence in favour of increased military co-operation across the EU, with suggestions put forward to the committee for more "joint military procurement". The committee pointed to differences in defence policies and spending levels as a barrier to increased reliance between countries. Lord Tugendhat added: "The threats to stability in the EU neighbourhood have changed dramatically since the EU last agreed a security strategy, over 12 years ago. "We see the most direct challenges to the EU's security and stability as originating in the immediate European neighbourhood, where the new strategy urgently needs to focus its attention. "It is clear to the committee that there are glaring weaknesses in the EU's current approach to a number of countries. "A reassessment of the EU-Turkey relationship is imperative, particularly given the increasing strategic importance of Turkey in light of the war in Syria and the refugee and migration crisis. "We welcome dialogue with Russia on areas of shared interest, such as the Middle East, while maintaining sanctions in relation to its breaches of international law. The Russian bombing operations in Syria over the weekend came after the completion of the report and must be condemned." Alan Johnson, chairman of Labour In for Britain, said there was "overwhelming" evidence that leaving the EU would lead to a loss in international influence for the country and the union. The MP said: "Britain's voice around the world is massively enhanced by our membership of the European Union which brings us jobs, investment and protections for working people, and as this report shows, it makes Britain stronger and safer. "Whether responding to Putin's Russia, negotiating the deal that has halted Iran's nuclear programme, combating instability in the Middle East or negotiating trade deals, it is clear that Britain is better off in Europe. "The evidence is overwhelming - leaving the EU would lead to a loss of international influence for Britain and for Europe. There is nothing patriotic about diminishing Britain on the world stage." Across the UK, the typical cost of raising a child is more than 230,000 pounds Raising a child to the age of 21 costs more than the average semi-detached house, a report has found. Across the UK, the typical cost of raising a child is 231,843, according to calculations for LV=. Its report pointed to figures from Halifax, which show the average price of a semi-detached house in the UK is 12,588 less, at 219,255. The cost of raising a child varies throughout the UK, from 253,638 in London to 214,559 in Yorkshire and the Humber. Parents with children in private education can expect to pay much more. The report, compiled by the Centre for Economics and Business Research (Cebr) for LV=, found that sending a child to private school would add, on average, 141,863 for a child attending day school, or 260,927 for a child boarding at school. Generally, the most expensive years for raising a child are when he or she is between the ages of one and four, with childcare costs placing a particular strain on budgets. Parents typically spend 63,224 during these years. The first year of a child's life is also a financial pinch point, with parents typically spending 11,498 when many will have seen a cut in their income due to taking leave from work to care for their baby. Parents spend more than 70,000 on childcare and babysitting when raising their child, amounting to nearly a third (30%) of the total cost of raising them to the age of 21. They spend around 74,000 on education, excluding private school fees. The 74,000 figure includes school uniforms, lunches, trips and equipment as well as university costs. A further 19,000 is spent by parents on feeding their child, 10,000 is spent on clothing and 4,600 is shelled out as pocket money. The bill for entertaining a child is also high, with 16,000 spent on holidays, 9,000 on hobbies and toys and 7,000 on leisure and recreation. The overall cost has increased from 229,251 last year, the report found. Here is how the 231,843 cost of raising a child adds up, according to calculations for LV= (figures have been rounded): :: Childcare and babysitting, 70,466 :: Education (excluding private school fees), 74,430 :: Food, 19,004 :: Clothing, 10,942 :: Holidays, 16,882 :: Hobbies and toys, 9,307 :: Leisure and recreation, 7,464 :: Pocket money, 4,614 :: Furniture, 3,408 :: Personal items, 1,130 :: Other (includes driving lessons, first car, birthday and Christmas presents), 14,195 The cost of a child by age: :: First year, 11,498 :: Years one to four, 63,224 :: Years five to 10, 48,479 :: Years 11 to 17, 55,197 :: Years 18 to 21, 53,445 The average cost of raising a child by region: :: London, 253,638 :: South East, 245,756 :: East of England, 239,125 :: South West, 236,534 :: West Midlands, 234,269 :: North West, 223,832 :: East Midlands, 229,416 :: North East, 217,820 :: Yorkshire and the Humber, 214,559 :: England, 233,136 :: Scotland, 230,988 :: Wales, 215,144 :: Northern Ireland, 242,413 Andrew Mitchell pointed out that only one of the hospitals was in an Isil-controlled area Russia's bombing of Syrian hospitals is undoubtedly a war crime, the former international development secretary Andrew Mitchell has claimed. Moscow has denied being responsible for an attack on a facility in Idlib province run by Medecins Sans Frontieres. But former cabinet minister Mr Mitchell said the Russians were guilty of breaking international laws. "It's certainly a war crime," the ex-cabinet minister Mr Mitchell told BBC Radio 4's Today programme. "The Russian Air Force has now hit 30 hospitals in Syria of which only one is in an Isil (Islamic State) area. "Everyone knew this was a Medecins Sans Frontieres (Doctors Without Borders) hospital and undoubtedly this is a breach of the international law and the Russians are guilty of that." Turkey and France have also agreed that the attacks constitute war crimes. Mr Mitchell said nothing could be done to immediately challenge Russia. "There is effectively nothing we can do at the moment but they can be held to account in the future," the Tory MP said. "For Russia's reputation in the future and its role in the UN this has a very significant effect." The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said Russian warplanes targeted the hospital in Idlib province, destroying it and killing nine people. But a spokesman for Russian president Vladimir Putin dismissed the report and told journalists to rely on official announcements from the Syrian government. The air strikes came days after Russia and other world powers agreed to bring about a pause in fighting next week to allow for the delivery of humanitarian aid. However, Syrian president Bashar al-Assad has cast doubt on the ceasefire, warning in a televised address that such a truce did not mean all parties would put down their weapons. The Department of Health said there was clear, independent clinical evidence of variation in the quality of care across the week There is "clear" evidence that the standard of NHS care varies through the week, the Department of Health has said. It was responding to reports that an internal memo had questioned whether putting more consultants on wards at weekends would improve patient survival rates. Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt has previously referred to research that suggests up to 11,000 more deaths happen each year among patients who are admitted on weekends. The Government hopes to improve the standard of weekend services by ensuring more staff are working. However The Guardian claimed that a departmental update on the proposals circulated in mid-January said the DoH "cannot evidence the mechanism by which increased consultant presence and diagnostic tests at weekends will translate into lower mortality and reduced length of stay". The document reportedly said more than 11,000 new staff will be needed to function identically to weekdays, including 3,000 nurses and 4,000 doctors, requiring an extra 900 million each year. It also raised concerns that community and social services would not be able to cope with increased discharges at weekends. A Government spokesman insisted that its plan was supported by the research. The spokesman said: "There is clear, independent clinical evidence of variation in the quality of care across the week and working together with the NHS we are determined to tackle this problem. Making sure the right staff and support is available for all patients seven days a week is a key part of our approach." However proposals that could include new contracts being forced on consultants and junior doctors have been met with resistance. The British Medical Association said doctors and nurses already worked "around the clock, seven days a week, and do so under the existing contract". Mark Porter, BMA chairman of council, said: "This leaked document makes clear that more seven-day services will require not only thousands of extra doctors, nurses and support staff but an additional investment in both the NHS and community care. "Its findings also show no proven link between weekend mortality rates and consultant presence, and suggests that other investment is more necessary. "It also echoes the BMA's concerns around the Government's recruitment target for GPs, at a time when one in three GPs are considering retiring in the next five years, and hundreds of GP trainee posts were left vacant this year. "If the Government is to continue with its plans for extra seven-day services, it owes it to patients to convincingly explain how it will finance and staff it." The Duke of Cambridge will present awards to Government staff who have helped colleagues in their studies at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's (FCO) Diplomatic Academy. At the FCO headquarters in central London on Tuesday William will present awards to embassy staff from across the globe who have shown leadership, creativity and innovation, and other attributes when supporting the learning of others. The Diplomatic Academy was opened last year and provides career development training for FCO staff who may want to gain greater knowledge about topics ranging from economics to defence and security. During the visit the Duke will meet staff working across a diverse range of posts, and learn more about how they operate as a global network to represent UK interests abroad. He will also visit the FCO crisis centre to see how staff respond at short notice to the aftermath of terrorist atrocities or natural disasters. Before leaving William will give a speech to senior staff and other guests. The arrests were made during a series of raids in Brussels Ten people have been arrested during a series of raids in Brussels linked to a recruiting network for the Islamic State group. Belgium's federal prosecutor's office said in a statement on Tuesday that nine raids were carried out in four suburbs, including the Molenbeek area where many extremists have stayed. Computer material and mobile telephones were seized during the raids and are currently being examined. The statement said the police action has helped "to establish that several people have probably gone to Syria to join Islamic State". A judge is due to decide later on Tuesday whether those detained should be charged. The raids are not linked to the deadly attacks in Paris last year. The bombing of the Bangkok shrine was one of the worst atrocities to hit Thailand in decades Two members of China's Muslim Uighur minority have denied carrying out the deadly bombing of a Bangkok landmark last year, with the lawyer of one telling a court in Thailand that his client claims to have been tortured to elicit a confession. Bilal Mohammad, 31, and Mieraili Yusufu, 27, face eight charges related to the bombing of the Erawan Shrine, including conspiracy to explode bombs and commit premeditated murder. Twenty people, including 14 foreign tourists, were killed and more than 120 injured in the August attack, one of the deadliest acts of violence in Bangkok in decades. The suspects made their first appearance at a military court in the case since November, when they were read the charges against them. Bilal, also known as Adem Karadag - the name on a fake Turkish passport he was carrying when he was arrested - faces two additional charges of violating immigration law by entering Thailand illegally. At their November court appearance, the defendants had refused to take a plea because there was no Uighur translator available. Both men told the court on Tuesday that they were Chinese citizens but members of the Uighur minority, from the city of Urumqi in western China's Xinjiang region. Thai authorities have said the bombing of the popular Erawan Shrine in central Bangkok was revenge by a people-smuggling gang whose activities were disrupted by a crackdown. However, some analysts suspected it might have been the work of Uighur separatists who were angry that Thailand in July had forcibly repatriated more than 100 Uighurs to China, where they may be persecuted. The Erawan Shrine is especially popular among Chinese tourists, and many were among the victims of the bombing. "I couldn't say what my exact address in China is because I'm afraid of the Chinese government," Bilal told the court through a Uighur-speaking translator from Uzbekistan. Police are hunting for another 15 suspects in the case, but no progress has been announced. Bilal's lawyer, Chuchart Kanpai, told reporters after the court session that his client said he had been tortured in late September, about three weeks after his arrest, to pressure him to admit that he was the person seen in surveillance video planting the bomb. Bilal claimed his captors poured cold water into his nose, threatened to send him back to China and had a barking dog frighten him. Chuchart said he filed a complaint with the court last month over the torture allegations. "He was tortured by officials. He didn't know if they were soldiers or police because they were non-uniformed," Mr Chuchart told the Associated Press on Monday. "Back then, he confessed so that he wouldn't be tortured again. He was just saying it." Yusufu did not have his own lawyer, so the court appointed a military attorney to represent him on Tuesday. He said he wanted to find his own civilian lawyer, whose fees he would pay himself. Bilal was arrested at a Bangkok apartment on August 29, while Yusufu was arrested near the Thai-Cambodia border on September 1. Police say the case against the two men is supported by closed-circuit television footage, witnesses, DNA matching and physical evidence, in addition to their confessions. They believe Yusufu detonated the bomb minutes after a backpack containing the device was left at the shrine by a yellow-shirted man they suspect was Bilal. The court announced on Tuesday that it had set hearings from April 20-22 to examine the evidence in the case. Military courts in Thailand have handled criminal cases deemed to involve national security since a May 2014 coup. The crowd of men outside the cathedral and main train station in Cologne, with firecrackers being let off YouTube, Report24 People walk across the square in front of the main station in Cologne, Germany (AP) Three of the 58 suspects arrested in connection with the mass sex attack on women in Cologne on New Years Eve were refugees from Iraq or Syria. Refugees have been widely targetted following more than 1,000 reports of theft, sex assault and rape of women at Colognes central train station - leading to a hardening of attitudes towards Chancellor Angela Merkels open door policy. On Sunday, it emerged that of those arrested only two had recently arrived from Syria and one from Iraq. The majority of the suspects were of Algerian (25 people), Tunisian (3) or Moroccan (21) origin and three were German citizens, according to Cologne public prosecutor Ulrich Bremer. Speaking to German newspaper Die Welt, he said that of 1,054 complaints received, 600 were connected to theft rather than a sexual offence. On Monday, Mr Bremer dismissed how his remarks had been reported, saying that the overwhelming majority of those arrested "fall into the general category of refugees". He said some had entered Germany saying they wanted to apply for asylum while others have formally filed an application. A refugee is commonly understood to mean either an individual who has been granted asylum or someone who has fled a conflict zone. In January, the German government backed plans to include three north African states - Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia - on a list of "safe countries of origin", meaning people form those nations would be highly unlikely to be granted asylum. Read more Expand Close A right-wing demonstrator with a tattoo reading "Proud and Free" marches in Cologne, Germany. (AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp A right-wing demonstrator with a tattoo reading "Proud and Free" marches in Cologne, Germany. (AP) Read More Colognes newly installed police chief Jurgen Mathies said the technique of hemming women in and cutting them off from their friends did appear to have come from countries where they might be familiar with this behaviour. He said he had never seen it in Germany before. He said there was no evidence the attacks were premeditated and believes it was transmitted through social networks". A few people did in fact say, hey, were going to Cologne, theres going to be a big party, he explained. A total of 1,075 criminal complaints have been filed, including 467 alleging crimes of a sexual nature ranging from insults to rape. Since the attacks, German far-right groups have capitalised on increased feelings of mistrust towards refugees with Pegida using the attacks to stage mass anti-immigration marches through Europe. Germany has seen a spike in racially motivated arson attacks on refugees homes since the incident with vigilante gangs threatening to clean up Cologne. The increased animosity has forced Ms Merkel to scale back her welcome towards refugees - in late January she agreed a deal with her coalition partners to speed up deportations of failed asylum seekers and restrict family reunions for people granted partial protection. It comes as the police reported 22 cases of sexual assault at the Cologne carnival - including a Belgian TV reporter who was groped live on air by man who appeared to be of European descent. Independent Beatrice police arrested two Oklahoma City residents while investigating a possibly stolen vehicle. Charles A. Rothman, 25, was arrested for theft and Brittany M. Barnhill, 25, was arrested for possession of stolen property and unauthorized use of a financial transaction device. On Sunday Beatrice police were notified of a potentially stolen vehicle from Oklahoma in town. In the 700 block of Bell Street, officer located a silver Honda with Oklahoma license plates. Officers saw a female get into the vehicle and drive eastbound. The vehicle eventually pulled into a driveway in the 200 block of South Eighth Street, according to Gage County Court documents. The officer followed the vehicle and contacted the driver, identified as Barnhill. It was determined the plates on the vehicle did not belong to it, and Barnhill allegedly gave two different people she said she bought the vehicle from, though neither name was found to be associated with the vehicles identification number. Court documents state Barnhill didnt have proof of ownership for the vehicle. An owner of the vehicle couldnt be found, and officers are currently investigating the alleged stolen vehicle, court documents state. Officers reported Barnhill gave them permission to search the vehicle. Inside the vehicle, officers found a wallet with a Nebraska ID for a woman who reported her wallet stolen. Officers were also investigating a stolen credit card from the victim that had been used in Beatrice and Lincoln. Officers reviewed surveillance footage from the Walmart parking lot, and observed a male reach inside the victims vehicle. The male then got into the possibly stolen Honda, which Barnhill was driving. Rothman allegedly admitted the sweatshirt worn by the suspect in the video was his, and court documents also state a matching sleeve tattoo was seen on his arm and he was wearing a similar watch as the man on the video. According to court documents, Rothman was convicted in May 2013 for theft, April 2013 for burglary, November 2012 for possession of a stolen vehicle and November 2012 for intent to steal copper. Officers viewed surveillance footage from House of Bottles in Beatrice, which showed Barnhill attempting to use the credit card. It was declined; she took the card and left the store. Surveillance footage from Sunmart showed Barnhill attempting to purchase a carton of cigarettes and get $20 cash back. Bond for both suspects was set at $7,500 with a 10 percent deposit Tuesday. Their next court hearings are scheduled for March 1. Pope Francis has urged Mexican priests not to resign themselves to a society dominated by drug-fuelled violence and corruption, but to get out of their comfortable lives and fight the injustices tormenting their flock. Francis issued the appeal during a Mass for Mexico's clergy in the capital of the state of Michoacan, a hotbed of the country's drug trade. It was the first event of a day-long visit to Morelia that includes a meeting with young people, a fixture of papal trips that often produces some of the most memorable and spontaneous moments. Francis' visit to Morelia, though, is also a symbolic vote of confidence for the city's archbishop, Alberto Suarez Inda. Like Francis, Mr Suarez Inda has called for Mexican bishops to be closer to their people and not act like bureaucrats or princes. Last year Francis made him a cardinal - an unambiguous sign that Francis wants "peripheral" pastors like him at the helm of the church hierarchy. In his homily, Francis told the priests and nuns to not become resigned to the problems around them or give in to paralysis, which he called the devil's "favourite weapon". "What temptation can come to us from places often dominated by violence, corruption, drug trafficking, disregard for human dignity and indifference in the face of suffering and vulnerability? What temptation might we suffer over and over again when faced with this reality which seems to have become a permanent system?" Francis asked. "I think we can sum it up on one word: resignation." Rather than give up, Francis urged the clerics to look to the model of Vasco de Quiroga, a 16th-century Spanish bishop who came to New Spain and founded utopian-style indigenous communities where agriculture and handicrafts were taught. A Franciscan, he was affectionately known by many indigenous as Tata Vasco, or Father Vasco in the Purepecha language. Francis said that when Vasco de Quiroga saw Indians being "sold, humiliated and homeless in marketplaces" due to colonial exploitation, he did not resign himself to inaction but rather was inspired to fight injustice. Since beginning his Mexico trip on Friday night, Francis has repeatedly taken to task the Mexican church leadership, many of whom have cosy ties with the country's political and financial elite, and are loathe to speak out on behalf of the poor and victims of today's social injustices. On Saturday in Mexico City, he scolded what he called gossiping, career-minded and aloof clerics, and admonished them to stand by their flock and offer "prophetic courage" in facing down the drug trade. Mr Suarez Inda clearly backs Francis' programme, echoing the pope's admonition that "pastors should not be bureaucrats and we bishops should not have the mentality or attitude of princes". Much of Michoacan is part of a region called Tierra Caliente, or the Hot Lands, known for both its blistering temperatures and brutal tactics by gangsters eager to control lucrative drug-production territory and smuggling routes. The aim of Opec's keep-pumping strategy has been to attempt to ride out the 12-year lows in prices (AP) Russia has agreed with Opec members Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Venezuela to freeze oil production levels if other producers do the same. Energy minister Alexander Novak announced the decision following a closed-door meeting involving the four countries in the Qatari capital Doha. The meeting reflects growing concern among major oil producers about the effects a prolonged slump in crude prices will have on their domestic economies. Mr Novak said the countries are willing to freeze output levels at January levels "if other oil producers join the initiative". Getting other major oil suppliers to go along with that plan could be tricky as prices have fallen sharply since summer 2014, leaving producers scrambling to win market share from competitors. Oil prices rose following the meeting, with a barrel of benchmark New York crude trading up 77 US cents (53p) at 30.21 dollars (20.93). A barrel of Brent, the international standard, gained 89 US cents (61p) to 34.28 dollars (23.75). Speaking after the meeting, Saudi oil minister Ali Naimi said producers would continue to assess the state of the market in the months ahead. He described freezing output at January levels as an adequate step for now. All of the countries at the meeting except Russia are part of Opec, which has refused to cut its official production targets in an effort to bolster faltering prices. The aim of Opec's keep-pumping strategy has been to attempt to ride out the 12-year lows in prices and force higher-cost producers, such as shale drillers in the US, out of the market. Notably absent from the meeting was Iran, which shares control of a major underwater natural gas field with Qatar. It is eager to ramp up its exports now that sanctions related to its nuclear programme have been lifted, saying recently it aims to put another 500,000 barrels a day on the market. Police raided several homes in the German city of Bremen German police have raided several homes linked to an Islamic extremist group in the northern city of Bremen. The dpa news agency reported that the raids early on Tuesday follow a decision by the city-state's top security official banning the group Islamischer Foerderverein Bremen. It is considered the successor to a previously banned extremist organisation whose members had fought for the Islamic State group in Syria. Authorities planned to hold a news conference about the raids later on Tuesday. A Turkish man helps a Syrian woman carrying a wounded girl to a hospital in Kilis after a hospital in Syria was bombed (AP) People gather around the rubble of a hospital supported by Doctors Without Borders (MSF) near Maaret al-Numan, in Syria's northern province of Idlib, on Febrary 15, 2016, after the building was hit by air strikes Russia has rebuffed claims that its warplanes struck a hospital in northern Syria in airstrikes on Monday that killed at least nine people. President Vladimir Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the hospital report was another case in which those who make such accusations against Russia are unable to back up their claims. The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights had said Russian warplanes targeted the hospital in Idlib province, destroying it and killing nine people. France said that such attacks "could constitute war crimes". Mr Peskov referred the parties making the accusations to the "primary source" and said they should rely on official announcements from the Syrian government. He said: "For us, in this situation, the primary source is the official announcement from the Syrian government." When pressed, he told journalists the Syrian government had made a string of announcements on who could have been behind the bombing. He also noted that Syria's ambassador to Russia said the hospital was destroyed by the Americans. The airstrikes came just days after Russia and other world powers agreed to bring about a pause in fighting that would allow for the delivery of humanitarian aid and the revival of Syrian peace talks. The projected truce agreed on Friday in Munich was to begin in a week but there has been no sign it would happen. Meanwhile, Syrian government troops and a predominantly Kurdish coalition of fighters advanced and captured more areas in the north from rival groups on Tuesday while pro-government forces routed extremists from a main power station in the area. Syria's state news agency SANA and the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said government forces took the villages of Ahras and Misqan in the northern province of Aleppo. Separately, members of the Syria Democratic Forces (SDF), a coalition of Arab and Kurdish groups, captured the major town of Tel Rifaat, one of the largest militant strongholds in Aleppo. After Tel Rifaat, SDF fighters also took the nearby village of Kfar Naseh, south of the town. Intense clashes broke out on Tuesday near the village of Kaljibrin as SDF fighters tried to reach it, according to the Observatory and Aleppo-based activist Bahaa al-Halaby. If SDF captures Kaljibrin, it would squeeze rebels in their stronghold of Mareh and the adjacent village of Sheikh Issa, which is also under attack by the IS. Also on Tuesday, government forces and allied gunmen captured a power station in eastern Aleppo from IS that the extremists had used as a jailhouse. The Observatory said the station and nearby villages were captured under the cover of aerial attacks by Syrian and Russian warplanes and helicopter gunships. Meanwhile, in the city of Aleppo, insurgents repelled an attack by SDF fighters on the neighbourhoods of Hullok and Bustan al-Basha, according to Mr al-Halaby and the Aleppo Media Centre. Officials in Iraq have said three Americans abducted in Baghdad have been freed The three Americans who were abducted in Baghdad last month have been freed, the US State Department said on Tuesday. Iraqi officials said they have been handed over to the US Embassy in good health. "We sincerely appreciate the assistance provided by the government of Iraq and its whole-of-government effort to bring about the safe release of these individuals," Mark Toner, a deputy spokesman, said in a statement. Iraqi officials said the trio were freed by Iraqi security forces. In January, the US embassy in Baghdad confirmed several Americans had gone missing. Iraqi authorities said the three were kidnapped from a "suspicious apartment". Iraqi and western officials said they suspected one of two powerful Shiite militias was behind the kidnapping. The Americans were abducted in Dora, a mixed neighbourhood that is home to both Shiites and Sunnis. It was the latest in a series of high-profile kidnappings undermining confidence in the Iraqi government's ability to control state-sanctioned Shiite militias, which have grown in strength as Iraqi security forces battle the Islamic State group. As voters in the Republic of Ireland go to the polls on February 26, the election campaign is overshadowed by the gangland murder of David Byrne and the murder of Eddie Hutch Snr a few days later in what police chiefs fear was suspected retaliation. While gangland murders and the criminality with various drug gangs in the Dublin area have increased, these latest murders should worry the Dublin police and, indeed, the new administration - when it is elected. Security sources said that the attack on the Regency Hotel was a six-man operation, while video footage showed gunmen dressed in police-style uniforms with AK-47 assault rifles enter the hotel. It is evident that these criminal gangs are using the same weaponry and tactics used by the IRA and dissident republicans and the AK-47 assault rifles may be those that were supposedly decommissioned by the IRA. The Irish electorate should consider carefully whom they vote for, as Gerry Adams is coming across as a grandfather-like statesman and Sinn Fein are portraying themselves as the protectors of the young and vulnerable. Irish voters shouldn't be taken in by Sinn Fein and their language, as their military wing - the IRA - still exists and has carried out worse acts than those Dublin criminals. The Irish people should vote tactically to ensure Sinn Fein does not form any part of a government coalition. WALTER MILLAR Traditional Unionist Voice, Cookstown There we were thinking that the Catholic Church had learnt a lesson. It had been humiliated by the disclosure of the awesome scale of its cover-up of child abuse by priests and had learnt the fundamental priority of child protection. And since it specialised in the spiritual welfare of its flock and its pastors, the people best-placed to protect children from marauding paedophiles in clerical garb were the police. Didn't you think, too, that that was one of the outcomes of the explosion of the scandal? The old way for the Church to deal with priests who raped children was exemplified by the experience of Cardinal Sean Brady, former primate of Ireland. As a young priest he had been delegated to question two boys who had complained that they had been molested by Fr Brendan Smyth. Fr Brady, as he then was, interviewed the boys, pledged them to secrecy, reported the matter to his bishop and, from then on, put the whole sordid business out of his mind. And the bishop reported the matter to Brendan Smyth's superiors in the Nortbertine Order, and satisfied himself that he had discharged his responsibility as an officer of the Church. His objective at the time, we now know, was the avoidance of scandal. Scandal would have been people talking about a priest, calling him a dirty old man, shunning him, telling their children to have nothing to do with him. That was the outcome the Church feared, so priests who raped children were shunted away to other parishes, often to other countries, where they were in no danger of being gossiped about, or pointed at on the street, or made the butt of jokes - and where they would have untrammelled access to more children. There is nothing new in this. It is the subject matter of current film Spotlight about how journalists in Boston had unearthed these Church procedures for the protection of paedophile priests. In fact, Boston was late to the story. Here, Chris Moore, a local investigative journalist, made a similar journey to that of the Boston Globe journalists in the film. It started with finding one case of a priest who abused children, the same Brendan Smyth, discovering that he was being protected by his order, and then, staying with the story, unveiling the shocking truth that this was happening on a massive scale. Somewhere between 5% and 10% of priests were abusing children and the Church, far from being ignorant of this, had established procedures for preventing scandal - ie priests being gossiped about. We've been through all that. You'll be wondering why this is a story now. Everybody knows that the admission of shame and regret went to the very top. We had Pope Benedict apologising and sending a pastoral letter to the Irish Church, commending that we all return to a loyal adherence to canon law and say our prayers more diligently. And we all thought that was a pretty daft response, but if it also included, as it did, an insistence that priests were not outside the law and that bishops would report paedophile priests to the police, then what harm if the pontiff thought prayer was part of the solution, too? It would have been a little surprising if he hadn't. And the Church's journey towards a more humane presentation of its theology and its institutions went further. Because the German Pope Benedict, who, as leader of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, had written to bishops advising them on how to apply the old rules, specifically telling them to refer abuse cases to the Vatican, and to preserve secrecy, stepped down from his post. In doing so he triggered a lot of speculation that he had at least copped on that he had realised his dictatorial and supercilious manner were not the best face to present to the world of a kinder Church that had found in itself a deeper concern for the welfare of vulnerable children. Others speculated, more cynically, that Benedict had jumped before he was pushed; that investigations were lapping rather close to him. An earlier film, Mea Maxima Culpa (My Most Grievous Fault), had unpacked the story of the abuse and cover-up much more comprehensively than Spotlight does. It had included a journalist actually confronting Pope Benedict, and what we saw in the moment in which he snapped angrily back was that this was a man who presumed that he moved gracefully through a world in which he was merely revered. He seemed as appalled to be asked a question as he would have been to be kicked. Then along came Pope Francis, that most kindly and genial Pope, that humble and considerate prelate. He was the one who could win souls back to the Church, who could undo the massive disillusionment among Catholics who would never have believed that their Church was covering up rape on such a scale all across the world, but now had the evidence in front of them. Francis represented change. He made the right noises about gays, seemed not to be as judgmental. And he wanted to delegate more responsibility to dioceses in the spirit of the Second Vatican Council. But what's this? The Church is now telling bishops that it is not always necessary for them to report child abuse by priests and that sometimes the decision rests with the family of the victim. That message is contained in new guidelines, written by the French monsignor and psychotherapist Tony Anatrella, who serves as a consultant to the Pontifical Council for the Family. Furthermore, a special commission established by Pope Francis, the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors, has no role in the training of the very same bishops who are supposed to be implementing its policies, framed as a response to the abuse scandals. This looks like a return to a fixation on canon law to the exclusion of all else. That's the view of John L Allen, who edits the magazine Crux, whose strapline is 'Covering All Things Catholic'. Don't bishops need to know how to deal with abuse victims? Don't they need to know what the indicators of abuse are? Don't they need to be trained to recognise them? Don't Bishops need training on how to deal with abusive priests? Don't they need to know the resources that are available already? These are Allen's questions and the answer he finds in the new guidelines is that it is enough for bishops to know their canon law. What follows from this is that we need to be able to recognise some signs ourselves, particularly the signs of an evasive Church sliding back into its old ways, content that it has all the answers. A new study of 15 to 24 year olds, released today by Electric Ireland reveals 4 in 5 young people feel the Irish public have a negative view of them with the vast majority (71%) citing the media as the reason for this misrepresentation. Almost 1 in 3 young people reported a lack of confidence and an enormous 57% feel that the media has contributed to that. The research was commissioned by Electric Ireland to mark its sponsorship of the Young St. Vincent de Paul (Young SVP) Youth Development programme, which encourages young people to get involved in social action and promotes their social and personal development. Results demonstrate a disconnect between how young people in Ireland today feel they are perceived, versus how they really are. When asked in more detail about how the media portrays them, 74% of young people say media exaggerate stories about youths today. In stark contrast, when asked, only 24% believe Irish people have actually had a bad experience of young people, suggesting that the media has a strong influence on Irish peoples attitudes. However, 65% of young people feel that Irish adults dont take the time to get to know or understand them. Of the respondents who have been part of the Young SVP programme, 57% say it made them more confident, 62% say it made them more aware of social justice, 48% more ready to help other people, and, amazingly, 39% felt the programme made them more job ready. To coincide with the release of the survey, Electric Ireland has created a short film titled #WhatDoYouSee. Available to view on www.WhatDoYouSee.ie, the film uses technology enabling a mobile in-browser, dual-messaging experience showcasing two perspectives of teens in Ireland, challenging the viewer to have a smarter perception of youth participation in the community. Jim Dollard, Executive Director, Electric Ireland, commented: The survey results showing that young people feel the media have a negative view of them really came as a surprise. We are concerned that teens think people view them negatively, which is anything but the truth. At Electric Ireland we know the potential of young people in Ireland and continuously champion them through our sport, music and charity partnerships. The hope is that the Young SVP programme makes them more confident and helps them to grow and develop on a personal level. Through the support of Young SVP, Electric Ireland ensures its commitment to Smarter Living reaches even the most vulnerable in society and empowers young people in Ireland to make a positive impact today. Commenting on the survey results, Kieran Stafford, National Vice President at SVP said: The results of the research speak for themselves; young people in Ireland are doing amazing things, and everyone should be doing more to celebrate this. We are thrilled to be supported by Electric Ireland on this and other programmes so we can reach thousands of young people across the country and help those young people express their true value to society. Electric Ireland has had a long standing partnership with St. Vincent de Paul, working together to provide assistance to any customers experiencing financial difficulty. In addition to financial support, Electric Ireland works closely with SVP to encourage use of PAYG (pay as you go) meters in assisting customers to manage their ongoing usage whilst repaying accumulated arrears as well as encouraging its customers to be energy efficient and budget savvy. SVP Conferences often work directly with Electric Ireland to help customers manage their energy bills. They are called problem-solving courts and they could be part of the answer to Nebraskas prison overcrowding problem. Nebraska has 14 adult drug courts, two juvenile drug courts, six family courts and a young adult court in addition to the traditional county and district courts. Omaha Senator John McCollister has proposed a three-year pilot to create a Veterans Treatment Court. The Legislatures Judiciary Committee has heard testimony on the bill (LB915), which would create the initial court in the states most populous county, Douglas. Introducing the measure, McCollister said that less than 1 percent of the U.S. population has served in the military, but veterans comprise 20 percent to 30 percent of the prison population nationwide. He said the Veterans Administration estimates 700,000 military veterans are in this countrys jails and prisons. Many of those served by the VA have averaged seven prior arrests, and 20 percent have spent a year or more behind bars. The good news is nationally 11,000 veterans are being diverted from prisons by more than 220 treatment courts, according to the Council of State Governments. While most veterans return home strengthened by their military service, McCollister said, one in five have symptoms of mental disorders or cognitive impairment from combat experiences. Post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injuries, major depression, anxiety and insomnia often go unrecognized and unacknowledged. And those issues can lead to addiction, mental illness and other behaviors that often run afoul of the law. Nationally, the Virginia-based nonprofit group Justice for Vets says 264 veterans treatment courts are operating in 37 states including Nebraskas neighbors South Dakota and Wyoming. They say as many as 13,200 veterans who would otherwise be in prison are involved in the problem solving courts. District Court Judge James Doyle of Lexington believes in problem-solving courts. As a judge of the Midwest Nebraska Drug Court and chair of the state Supreme Courts committee that oversees such problem-solving courts, he said he sees repeat offenders less often. With traditional sentences of probation and prison time, he said some offenders would return again and again. McCollister says the veterans court would use intensely supervised treatment programs, work requirements and frequent drug tests as an alternative to prison. But it would also focus on the unique mental health needs of veterans that might contribute to crime, such as post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injuries and depression. Scott Carlson, the statewide coordinator of such programs for the Nebraska Supreme Court, says there is momentum now in the Nebraska Legislature to consider creating more problem-solving courts, including those that focus on mental health and re-entry into society from prison. The ball started rolling last session with adoption of the judicial reinvestment law that seeks to cut costs and reduce overcrowding by using alternatives to incarceration. That plan includes probation and problem-solving courts. A study by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln says the savings can be substantial. The 2012 study noted that the problem-solving court costs $12 to $46 per day, compared with up to $92 per day for a cell in a state prison. While the veterans treatment court could be a hard sell to the strict law-and-order segment who see incarceration as the only alternative, they can take solace in knowing that prosecutors and defense attorneys decide who are suitable candidates based on several factors: the severity of the crime, criminal history, and contributing factors such as substance abuse. Such things as post-traumatic stress disorder and head injuries suffered in combat would also be considered. Speaking in support of the measure for the Nebraska State Bar Association, retired U.S. Air Force colonel and military court judge Eric Dillow said veteran treatment courts can be effective because they tap into a veterans sense of duty, honor, discipline and the unyielding sense of accountability they share. McCollister says that we need to consider what our veterans have done for us and not ignore the challenges they may experience from their military service. Lets hope that McCollisters bill and the pilot project are both successful and will lead to expansion of not only more veterans treatment courts, but also other problem-solving courts. A woman who allowed her proud Japanese Akita type dog to starve to death has been spared jail but barred from keeping a pet for 15 years. Tracey Calenders tragically neglected dog was found emaciated and covered in its own excrement at the back of her north Belfast home. The citys Departmental Magistrates Court was told the dog was discovered by animal welfare officers who called to Calenders home in May last year. A solicitor for Belfast City Council explained that a post mortem on the dog determined that it had died from starvation due to neglect. SUFFERING The lawyer said that during interview Calender admitted not feeding the dog but claimed she did not notice the animal losing weight as she didnt venture out to the back of her house. She was charged with one count of causing unnecessary suffering to an animal and a further count of failure to meet the needs of an animal. District Judge Ramsey said the case clearly crossed the custody threshold adding that Calender had shown a callous disregard for the suffering of her pet. He said she didnt go near the dog and failed to take it into her notice. A defence solicitor said his client was going through a period of significant personal trauma during the time of the dogs neglect. Judge Ramsey interjected saying that if Calender found she was incapable of looking after the dog all she had to do was call the USPCA to come and take it away. The judge added that it was hard to look past the picture taken by the animal welfare officers showing the emaciated dog covered in its own faeces. Starving to death is not a pleasant way to die. Her circumstances made her unable to look after the animal and she was probably unfit to look after herself, he said. SENTENCED Calender, of Etna Drive, was sentenced to four months in prison suspended for three years. She was also banned from keeping a pet or any animal for 15 years. She was fined 69 court costs. Addressing Calender directly, Judge Ramsey asked her: Do you realise how lucky you are not to be going to jail? Standing in the public gallery, Calender replied that she was aware she was fortunate not to be sent to prison. This is the baby-faced musician who tortured and sexually abused a friend in a drug-fuelled ordeal. The terrified 17-year-old victim suffered hours of hell at the hands of drugged-up Darren Fu and another teen at a flat in the Stranmillis area of south Belfast. Fu, now 20, used a drumstick and music stand in horrific sex attacks on the victim, who suffered exceptional degradation during the ordeal on May 14, 2014. On Friday a judge warned Fu and his co-attacker a teenager who cannot be named for legal reasons that they could be facing 15-year jail sentences. Fu confessed to four charges including rape and false imprisonment. ENDURED Belfast Crown Court heard on Thursday and Friday that upon entering Fus flat, the victim endured hours of hell at the hands of the drugged-up, knife-wielding young males he considered friends. The then 17-year-old was thrown onto a settee before Fu and the co-accused produced two knives. He was made to kneel down at knifepoint before being tied up and locked in a cupboard for around 10 minutes while the pair discussed what they were going to do to the injured party. The victim then had a pillowcase placed over his head with towels also wrapped around his head and held in place with a belt before being subjected to several serious sexual assaults. The twisted duo even used a drumstick and a microphone stand to inflict extreme discomfort to their victim during the sexual assaults. However, Fu, from Belfast, was described by David McDowell, who was acting on his behalf, as a quiet, talented musician, a passion that was shared among himself, the co-accused and the victim. Sunday Life today reveals photos showing Fu, a former music student at South Eastern Regional College, performing on stage. Throughout the horrific ordeal, Fu repeatedly threatened the injured party, saying he was going to cut off his toes and murder him and knew people who could dispose of his body, the court heard. Fu also urged the victim to give him the names of Co Antrim drug dealers so he could take over that area. Fu left shortly after the ordeal, giving the injured party six bags of drugs to be sold. The guitarist also gave the co-accused permission to torture the injured party all night in his absence. While the co-accused did not do this, he did lock the victim in the cupboard for some time. Upon releasing him, the pair sniffed more drugs before walking into the city centre at around 12pm the following day. The injured party still had the drugs in his possession when he went to the police that day. When cops arrived at Fus flat, no effort had been made to cover up the evidence and blood was splattered up the walls and in the cupboard. WARNED Judge Kerr warned the pair, who were both remanded in custody, that they could face a sentence of 15 years. David McDowell QC told the court that Fu had a traumatic upbringing and at one stage looked after an ill relative. He added that drug use was the fall of Darren Fu and that he had been on a two-month binge in the run-up to the incident. He added: If you took drugs out of the picture, this is very unlikely to reoccur. It was also claimed that the victim was with Fu when he was beaten up over drugs some time before and that was the real reason for his actions. After twice absconding while on bail to Edinburgh and Kent, Fu later admitted four offences namely false imprisonment, two counts of sexual assault, and rape and has been in prison for 18 months. His co-accused pleaded guilty to six counts including false imprisonment, two counts of sexual assault and attempted rape. Judge Kerr wished to reserve judgment and will sentence the pair on February 22. A convicted robber has received 22,500 of taxpayers cash after he was mistakenly held in jail for a year beyond his release date. Sunday Life can reveal that the violent thug was one of nearly two dozen jailbirds who received pay outs from the Prison Service for being kept behind bars beyond their sentence. The prison bungles have emerged in answer to a Freedom of Information request to the Department of Justice by this newspaper. The biggest payout involved a criminal who was due to be released from Maghaberry in 2012 after serving a seven year sentence for robbery and wounding with intent. ERROR But an administrative error led to him remaining banged up for a full 365 days beyond the end of his sentence. No staff were disciplined as a result of the error which cost the taxpayer 22,500. The DoJ, which is oversees the Prison Service, admitted that since 2005 just over 47,000 in compensation was awarded to 23 lags after they were mistakenly kept inside. In one case an inmate was awarded 5,000 when he was held for five days beyond the end of his eight month sentence for criminal damage and taking and driving away. The Prison Service said this was due to an error in calculation but once again no staff were disciplined for the mistake, which occurred in 2008. In 2006 a man who had served a 15 month sentence for assault, disorderly behaviour and assault on police got 4,000 after he was held for an extra four days at Maghaberry. MISCALCULATION The Prison Service said it had miscalculated time he had spent in custody on remand but no staff were reprimanded. A man held in Magilligan Prison in Co Londonderry got 3,500 in compensation after he was detained for one day longer than his sentence due to a miscalculation of remission. In 2009 a sex offender given a four month sentence was awarded 2,000 in compensation after they were held for three days beyond their proper release date. The Prison Service said the error occurred as there was no form showing how much time the sex offender had spent in police custody. They offender was held at Hydebank Wood jail near Belfast which holds women and young offenders. Its not just Prison Service errors which have led to offenders doing extra porridge. A prisoner was mistakenly detained for 11 days at Hydebank due to a mistake by court staff. The offender was put away for eight months in 2010 after being convicted of making threats to kill, common assault and assaulting police. But a member of the Court Service made a mistake when recording the sentence and the Prison Service did not have to pay any compensation. The Prison Service has a more reliable record when it comes to releasing inmates before the end of their sentence. Since 2010 just four prisoners were freed early, all from Maghaberry. Restriction will apply to any sites that 'contain pornographic material' and that would receive an 18 if they were formally rated The Government is to force users of pornographic sites to identify themselves, in an attempt to keep children from using them. Companies that run the websites will have to put checks in place to ensure that only adults are viewing them, or face having their sites shut down. Those that dont comply could have advertising banned or be forced to have their pages unavailable in the country. It isnt clear exactly how the companies will verify the age of those visiting them. It could be that the sites force people to sign up with a valid credit card to ensure that they are 18 something that already happens on gambling sites. The Government says that the limit would not just apply to pornographic sites, but to any that "contain pornographic material" and would receive an 18 rating if they were formally classified. But some have suggested that will lead to a crackdown on freedoms across the internet. Referencing the idea that pornography can be the first freedom to die", law lecturer Paul Bernal said that the idea would normalise online ID checks for all. Bernal also noted that the deal might eventually lead to foreign porn sites being blocked entirely, providing help to ones based in the UK that will be able to integrate the checks more easily. Read more Read More The Government said that the new effort was part of its plans to keep children safe online. Just as we do offline, we want to make sure children are prevented from accessing pornographic content online which should only be viewed by adults, said internet safety and security minister Baroness Shields. So we are delivering on our manifesto promise by launching this consultation today, which proposes we require companies providing this pornographic content to ensure they have safeguards in place to ensure those accessing their websites are over 18. The Government will consult on the new rules until 12 April. Google Cardboard, an existing virtual reality product from the tech giant. Dublin-based Movidius will help build a new model Google is to build a standalone virtual reality headset based on a chip from a Dublin-based tech firm. The tech giant will use chips from Movidius, the silicon design company founded by David Moloney and Sean Mitchell, to power its next big wearable product. The virtual reality gadget will be the first on the market not to require a smartphone, game console or computer to work. Virtual reality is currently the hottest investment technology in Silicon Valley, with billions being pumped into its development by Google, Facebook, Samsung, Sony, Microsoft and others. The move comes a month after Movidius signed a "substantial" sales deal with Google that will allow the software giant to develop new devices using chips made by the firm. "It's a substantial deal for us in revenue terms," said co-founder Mitchell at the time. "This is the first one and there's more to come soon." Last year, Movidius announced one of Europe's biggest tech funding rounds, with 38m in cash from investors that included Summit Bridge Capital, the China-Ireland Growth Technology Fund co-managed by Atlantic Bridge Capital and WestSummit Capital, ARCH Venture Partners and DFJ Esprit. The new investment round brought its funding haul to over 83m. Its main activity is making chips that drive software and hardware product innovation in visual sensing for applications such as virtual reality headsets, drones, home automation, robots, medical devices and wearables. Its most recent chip can process six HD cameras at once, handling 600 megapixels per second. Irish Independent From almost the beginning, man has been out-of-sync with his Creator. Among other things, we have different views of timing. Humans want things now. Instant gratification. We also want what we want when things get tough. As in, God, please get me out of this right now. Or at least by this afternoon! Often, though, suffering extends for years. Difficult circumstances just seem to stick like lint on a dark sweater. Wishing it away doesnt work. Praying becomes exhausting. Anger compounds the problem. And sometimes, Gods sense of justice takes a lifetime. This week, retired Israeli General Avigdor Ben-Gal died, at 79. The commander of 7th Armored Corps during the Yom Kippur War and later head of Northern Command, Ben-Gals story is like a lot of them in the Jewish state: remarkable. In 1973, just ahead of a joint (and surprise) Syrian-Egyptian invasion of Israel, Ben-Gal sensed something was up. He prepared his command for attack and counter-attack, and was thus a key reason Israel avoided a disastrous defeat. The story goes that at one point, as Syrian tanks were pouring over the Golan Heights, the Israelis managed to repel 700 enemy tanks with 175 of their own, losing only a few dozen while destroyed hundreds. Only three years later, Ben-Gal had a hand in planning the famed Entebbe hostage rescue, in which IDF counter-terrorism commandos freed over 100 Jewish hostages being held by the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), and their Ugandan benefactors. In the documentary, Follow Me, Ben-Gal recounts seeing Col. Jonathan Netanyahu off as the rescue planes started out on the 2,500-mile journey to Africa. Netanyahu, the oldest brother of current Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, told Ben-Gal, Itll be okay. I once spoke to a member of the unit that rescued the hostages at Entebbe. He said, A hundred things had to go right that night. If one had gone wrong, it would have been a disaster. The Israelis most needed the element of complete surprise and they had it. I believe a Divine Hand aided them on the 4th of July, 1976, and the human detail and planning of the raid, by people like Ben-Gal, also played a pivotal role. The raid itself was an astonishing and daring success; going in, the Israeli Cabinet estimated theyd take 40 percent casualties from the 200-man team sent to Uganda. Netanyahu was the only Israeli soldier killed. The rescue force brought 103 of the 105 hostages home to freedom. So what is my point about Divine Justice, and timing? Avigdor Ben-Gal was born in Lodz, Poland, in 1936, three years before the Nazi invasion of that country and the start of World War II. His family managed to escape to the Soviet Union, but he and his sister were separated from their parents; the siblings managed to get to Palestine; the parents perished in the death camps of Europe. So, think about that. I am convinced that God orchestrates everything. Life goes the way its supposed to go. Ben Gal survived Hitlers demonic attempt to wipe out the Jews, and later had a significant role to play in defeating other fiends and enemies of the Jews. A once-frightened little Polish boy grew to be the man who defended his people on the mountains of Israel, as in the days of old under Joshua and others. This week, Netanyahu called Avigdor Ben-Gal, One of the greatest commanders Israel has known. The Lord of History moves through history, and raises people up, and puts them down. Through the ages, He has raised-up saviors of the Jewish people. Avigdor Ben Gal was one. God is in control. There are no accidents. Remember that the next time you think you wont make it. Two more people have filed to run for seats in the Beatrice Public Schools Board of Education. Steve Winter was a BPS board member from 1992 to 2012 and said he is ready to serve again. Board President Lisa Pieper would start her ninth year next year if reelected. After 20 years on the board, I retired from my job and wanted to see what it was like not to be on the board, Winter said. I just miss it. I really, really care a lot about the school district and the city of Beatrice and I want to get back into it and see if I can help out again. Winter said something he learned over the years is that action on the board takes time. Its a process, which is frustrating at times, Winter said. But just day-to-day activities take a lot of consensus building. Ive worked with a lot of these school board members in the past. I know how important it is to be able to work with everybody. As early as 1992, Winter said the board was talking about what to do with the four elementary schools and a possible consolidated elementary facility. A plan for a single-site elementary school was proposed by the board last year and turned down by voters. Winter said that if elected, he would work to educate the public about the issues relating to the elementary schools and see if we can get people on the bandwagon to look at a second proposal for a consolidated elementary school. The board has done an outstanding job in the last two years dealing with situations and some of the things going on, Winter said. I just wanted to help keep the board positive as we move forward. Both Winter and Pieper are Beatrice natives. What motivates me is I want to make sure our kids have access to quality education and that were giving them everything they need to reach their full potential and be successful, Pieper said of her time on the board. I love it when kids come back and say, Im so glad I did this in high school. Pieper was referring to opportunities BPS offers students, such as high school courses for college credit and career academy courses through Southeast Community College that start to teach teenagers technical skills, such as welding. Not everybody has those opportunities, Pieper said. If they set their schedule up right, kids are leaving (Beatrice High School) with a semester or more of college credit. At a board retreat this month, the members decided on three core goals to focus on this calendar year: Improving test scores in writing, expanding preschool options for 3- and 4-year-olds in the district and to develop a plan for an elementary school facility that is supported by the staff and community. Outside of the three goals we decided to focus on, there are a couple pet projects of mine, Pieper said. One, I want to make sure were offering relevant courses for our kids that will help them further down road, whether theyre going to work or college right after high school. Second, Pieper is interested in offering before and after school programming for students. We know we have kids that can use before and after school time to, one, get extra help if need be, or get quality programming, Pieper said. Were thinking about hands-on activities something so fun, they dont even realize theyre learning. Pieper also serves on the Beatrice Educational Foundation, which is in its infant stages of researching potential programming, she said. The programming would be instructional, optional and, to Piepers preference, available for students through middle school. We dont have a lot in place for middle school students, Pieper said. They cant drive. Theyre not mobile. I think its a missed opportunity not providing something for those kids. They would benefit from a qualified staff member who could help them become more successful. Board members Janet Byars, Jon Zimmerman and Nancy Sedlacek also filed for reelection. Board member Doris Martins term is not yet up. Remaining board member Andy Maschmann has not filed for reelection. Former board member Monte Lofing filed in January. Ice packs, bandages and pain reliever are a fraction of the care and support school nurses give Beatrice students. Anywhere from 65 to 85 students walk into the high school nursing office each day, 25 of which are scheduled visits, said Jennifer Buol, the full-time nurse at Beatrice High School. Buol said visits by students to the school nurse have increased and broadened in nature over the years. Buol is in her sixth year in her position and worked several years in the medical field prior. Thing like ADD, autism, emotional issues we didnt understand those things, so we werent treating them, Buol said. Were seeing ever-increasing medical needs and medical oversight. Students with higher needs are coming in. Scheduled daily visits include students receiving behavioral medications, insulin and tube feeding. Buol said several high school students have chronic conditions such as asthma, severe food allergies, Graves disease and Crohns disease. Were very, very busy, Buol said. I dont think the general public knows the demand of our jobs. A part-time nurse works at BHS in the mornings. The nurses have record of 7,000 visits last school year, a number they already reached in February of this school year. Its exhausting, Buol said. I like being challenged every day. ... I like that I get to see a difference made. Working in a hospital, I might not see the person in Room 4 again. Here, we develop relationships and rapport. We hear from students how they are responding to their treatments. Previous graduates still stop in and see me. School nurses sometimes use their training in counseling. Theyre also required by the state to report when they notice signs of abuse in a student, such as bruises. Buol called the care given to students interdisciplinary. We work with the school resource officer, guidance counselors, administrators, she said. We really get involved. Its a team effort. We all work toward the same goal of having happy, healthy, successful students. The nurses provide education from their office and, when requested, the classroom, on nutrition, body mass index, EpiPen training and other aspects of health. School nurses document everything and keep track of students mandatory health screenings, exams and vaccinations. Jen Zimmerman, the full-time nurse at Beatrice Middle School, said she sees about 35 to 45 kids each day, 15 of which are scheduled visits. The rest come in for various things a cut, or theyre feeling sick, Zimmerman said. A lot comes up through the day. Zimmerman said even in the last five years, many more kids have known food allergies and use an EpiPen. Its kind of an alarming thing, Zimmerman said. A lot of peanut allergies. Some tree nuts. All of them generally revolve around nuts. A couple are allergic to dairy products. Zimmerman, the only nurse at BMS, also has to keep up with paperwork. She gives education, including a CPR unit to sixth graders. All seventh graders get eye exams and hearing tests. Zimmerman said Theres always something to do. It can be really hectic or really slow, Zimmerman said. School nurses also aid staff. You never know whats going to walk through the door. We have to be prepared for anything, Zimmerman said, mentioning breathing emergencies and seizures. Just about anything can happen here, Ive learned. The care reaches outside of medical needs. I fix glasses when lenses come out, Zimmerman said. I get stains out of clothes. Ive mended ripped pants. I keep safety pins here. ... Some things I cant fix, but most of the time I can. Zimmerman said she loves her job and enjoys working independently and with kids as patients. The most challenging part of her job, she said, is seeing kids who are often sad and have no one at home to talk to. Paddock Lane is the only elementary school with a full-time nurse, Maxine Gowen. Shannon Kleveland is the district nurse and splits her time at all four elementary schools. Beatrice Public Schools really invests in the health of its students, Kleveland said. We like to promote health education for our kids. All BPS school nurses utilize school newsletters to educate readers on various health issues. Kindergartners through fourth graders receive vision, hearing, dental, height and weight checks. We send a surprising number of students out for glasses, Kleveland said. A mom told us that one student left the doctors office and said, Oh my gosh, theres leaves on that tree. Another rode the bus and read all of the signs. Its a great feeling knowing you made a difference in the childs perspective and life. All of the nurses said the goal is for students to be in class and learning while healthy and successful. For Immediate Release, February 16, 2016 Contacts: Vaughn Lovejoy, Elders Rising, (801) 598-2344 Lauren Wood, Canyon Country Rising Tide, (801) 647-1540 Valerie Love, Center for Biological Diversity, (510) 274-9713 Ruth Breech, Rainforest Action Network, (415) 238-1766 Tim Ream, WildEarth Guardians, (541) 531-8541 100+ Climate Activists Protest BLM Oil, Gas Auction in Utah Local Residents, Demonstrators Draw 60-foot Red Line on Climate Change SALT LAKE CITY More than 100 climate activists carrying signs, banners and theatrical bidders paddles rallied today at the Bureau of Land Managements fossil fuel auction at the Salt Palace in Salt Lake City, urging President Obama to Keep It in the Ground. The BLMs climate auction, as protesters dubbed it, allowed industry to bid on more than 45,000 acres of publicly owned oil and gas in Utah which harbor an estimated 1.87 million tons of potential greenhouse gas pollution. Demonstrators waved mock auction bidder paddles adorned with photos of children to indicate the need to act now to prevent the most extreme effects of climate change on future generations. Activists also unfurled a 60-foot banner reading Keep It in the Ground, a tribute to the 100-meter-long Red-Line Action banner used at the Paris climate talks to signify the line of temperature and carbon emissions that cannot be crossed to avoid catastrophic climate disruption. The rally is part of a rapidly growing national movement calling on President Obama to define his climate legacy by halting new federal fossil fuel auctions on public lands and oceans a step that would keep up to 450 billion tons of carbon pollution from escaping into the atmosphere. Similar Keep It in the Ground protests are planned for upcoming lease sales in Nevada, Wisconsin and New Orleans, and have already taken place in Alaska, Wyoming, Colorado, Utah and Nevada. In the past four months, protested lease sales have been postponed in Utah, Colorado, Wyoming and Washington, D.C. Groups participating in todays rally included Elders Rising, Canyon Country Rising Tide, Center for Biological Diversity, First UU Environmental Ministry, Great Old Broads For Wilderness, Green Riverkeeper Affiliate & Living Rivers, Mormon Environmental Stewardship Alliance, Rainforest Action Network, Science & Environmental Health Network, Women's Congress for Future Generations, Sierra Club, Utah Moms for Clean Air, Utah Physicians for a Healthy Environment, Utahns for Bernie Sanders, WildEarth Guardians and others. Statements From Individuals and Groups Vaugh Lovejoy, Elders Rising: As one of the founding members of Elders Rising it is my deepest prayer that those of us who came to age in the 60s will now reawaken to our youthful hopes and visions to create a just world fueled by the living flames of compassion and love and an empowered vision of beauty. Now our children and grandchildren desperately need for us to fulfill this our generations calling and destiny. Kaitlin Butler, Science & Environmental Health Network, Women's Congress for Future Generations: When we become fully present to what is happening in the world, we see that the decisions we make today will impact those living far in the future. Climate change is the predominant issue of our time but the Federal Oil and Gas Public Lands Leasing program doesn't consider climate impacts. In Utah, the Bureau of Land Management and other state agencies have effectively denied climate change is even happening. This is a misuse of science that fails to ensure clean air, unpolluted waters, biodiversity, human health a habitable Earth. But people can do something huge and now to demand a different legacy. And they are! More and more communities are coming together to defend the universal right to a clean and healthy environment now and for future generations. Ty Markham, Chair of the Mormon Environmental Stewardship Alliance (MESA): Latter Day Saints in Utah have many concerns about the continual degrading of our air, water and soil brought about by the mining, processing and burning of fossil fuels. At a time when our national leaders recognize these dangers to our environment and our planet, it is unconscionable and immoral to continue the practice of leasing out our public lands for the benefit of private corporate profits. We believe these natural resources should be left in the ground, and a clean energy future be pursued by our elected leaders. For this reason we join with other Elders Rising to stand up for the preservation and protection of our public lands, as an important means to ensuring that our children and grandchildren can thrive in a healthy and beautiful world. Valerie Love, Clean Energy Campaigner at the Center for Biological Diversity: Postponing these public lands fossil fuel auctions is not enough. If the U.S. is to deliver on its commitment to slowing the pace of catastrophic climate change, it simply cannot extract and burn even more public fossil fuels. President Obama needs to halt this practice once and for all. My friends and I will continue to protest these unnecessary lease sales whenever and wherever they occur. Tim Ream, Climate and Energy Campaign Director for WildEarth Guardians: Its simple. The climate impacts of the federal oil and gas program have never been studied. We are going to keep on protesting every single oil and gas lease sale until Obama agrees to that study and puts a timeout on oil and gas just like he did for coal. Images from todays protest are available for media use. Background Some 67 million acres of U.S. public lands are already leased to dirty fossil fuel industries, an area 55 times larger than Grand Canyon National Park containing up to 43 billion tons of potential greenhouse gas pollution. Nearly one quarter of all U.S. climate pollution already comes from burning fossil fuels from public lands. Remaining federal oil, gas, coal, oil shale and tar sands that have not been leased to industry contain up to 450 billion additional tons of potential greenhouse gas pollution. In September more than 400 organizations called on President Obama to end federal fossil fuel leasing. In November Senators Merkley (D-Ore.), Sanders (D-Vt.) and others introduced legislation to end new federal fossil fuel leases and cancel non-producing federal fossil fuel leases. Last month the Obama administration placed a moratorium on federal coal leasing while the Department of the Interior studies its impacts on taxpayers and the planet. Since November, in response to protests, the BLM has postponed oil and gas leasing auctions in Utah, Montana, Wyoming and Washington, D.C. See this map for planned February 2016 lease sales in Utah and nearby states. Download the September Keep It in the Ground letter to President Obama. Download Grounded: The Presidents Power to Fight Climate Change, Protect Public Lands by Keeping Publicly Owned Fossil Fuels in the Ground (this report details the legal authorities with which a president can halt new federal fossil fuel leases). Download The Potential Greenhouse Gas Emissions of U.S. Federal Fossil Fuels (this report quantifies the volume and potential greenhouse gas emissions of remaining federal fossil fuels). Download The Potential Greenhouse Gas Emissions fact sheet. Download Public Lands, Private Profits (this report details the corporations profiting from climate-destroying fossil fuel extraction on public lands). Download WildEarth Guardians administrative protest of the February 2016 Utah Oil and Gas Lease Sale. Download WildEarth Guardians formal petition calling on the Department of the Interior to study for the first time ever the climate impacts of the federal oil and gas leasing program and to place a moratorium on new leasing until completed that study is completed. For Immediate Release, February 16, 2016 Contact: Brett Hartl, (202) 817-8121, Bhartl@biologicaldiversity.org Red Wolf Population Plunges to as Few as 50 as Feds Gut Recovery Program Anti-wildlife Groups Spur Halt to Recovery Efforts, Poaching Investigations WASHINGTON The nations only population of red wolves is in an alarming free-fall, declining by 27 percent from 2014 to 2015 to as few as 50 individuals, according to new population counts released by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The total estimated population has declined by about 50 percent since 2012, from 100 to 120 individuals to just 50 to 75 in 2015. The declines have occurred since the Service bowed to political pressure from the state of North Carolina, eliminating the programs recovery coordinator in 2014 and stopping the introduction of new red wolves into the wild in July 2015. The agency also ended a coyote-sterilization program to prevent hybrid animals from harming the gene pool, drastically reduced law-enforcement investigations of wolf deaths, and stopped publicizing cases where poaching was determined to be the cause of deaths. Director Ashe and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service are deliberately condemning the red wolf to extinction, said Brett Hartl, endangered species policy director at the Center for Biological Diversity. The red wolf recovery program was once a shining example of successful conservation. Under the direction of Dan Ashe, the program has been quietly dismantled to appease a few anti-wildlife zealots. Its disgraceful. Red wolf releases in North Carolinas Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge began in the mid-1980s and pushed the population to more than 100 wolves by the mid-2000s. The population stopped growing in 2011 as gunshot mortalities increased. Red wolf mortality skyrocketed after North Carolina authorized nighttime hunting of coyotes because red wolves and coyotes are nearly indistinguishable in the dark. Following a successful lawsuit to stop nighttime hunting, the Fish and Wildlife Service faced increased political pressure to curtail the red wolf recovery program. Conservation scientists have shown that recovering the red wolf is completely achievable and know what steps need to be taken next, said Hartl. Rather than following the science, the red wolf program is in disarray because the Service wont stand up to this political pressure. A 2014 report from the independent Wildlife Management Institute concluded that if the red wolf is going to recover, two additional populations need to be established in the wild, and additional resources need to be invested to build local support for red wolf recovery. There is strong local and national support for red wolves. Recently 100 citizens who live in the red wolf recovery area in North Carolina sent a petition to the Fish and Wildlife Service expressing their support for keeping endangered red wolves in the wild. In addition, 110,000 people from around the United States, including more than 1,500 North Carolina residents, submitted letters in support of the red wolf program. The Center for Biological Diversity is a national, nonprofit conservation organization with more than 990,000 members and online activists dedicated to the protection of endangered species and wild places. Jem's Birding & Ringing Exploits in the Eastern Province and elsewhere in Saudi Arabia There is some good news on the energy crisis front, albeit only a small scrap. This is the announcement by EDF that they are going to extent the life of Torness nuclear power station to 2030 - it was originally meant to close in 2023. That said, it's going to make precious little difference to the energy crisis that is currently threatening us, and may even overwhelm us next winter, as Euan Mearns sets out in this recent post. I'm going to be on BBC Radio Scotland shortly to discuss what the Torness decision means. North Raleigh physician is state's first embracing hybrid medical model RALEIGH Dr. Octavian Belcea thinks of himself as a medical throwback, the friendly family doctor who practices old-fashioned, comprehensive treatment of his patients and their families.He's doing so using advanced medical technology in the state's first-of-its-kind hybrid "concierge" Wakefield Family Medicine practice in north Raleigh. Just over a month ago Belcea joined Concierge Choice Physicians, the nation's second-largest, full-service, concierge medical service provider.Concierge care is an alternative catching on across the country. Through CCP's trademark Hybrid Choice program, Belcea's patients may maintain their traditional model of insurance-based health care. Or they could opt for concierge medicine, under which patients pay an annual retainer fee and in return receive longer consultations during their office visits, along with Belcea's promise to track patients' medical conditions more closely and follow up as he or they see a need to do so.said Wayne Lipton, CCP managing partner.Elaine Ellis, spokeswoman for the North Carolina Medical Society, said the organization doesn't haveBelcea said.His patients have noticed the changes in health care, "and how everybody's rushed to get in and out," he said. The national average of eight minutes of face time with a doctor during an office visit is insufficient to perform a thorough interview and examination, he said. That's part of the reason so many tests are ordered - to fill in the blanks, which drives up health care costs.That harried, assembly-line style of medicine drove Belcea into solo practice after graduating in 2003 from the UNC-Chapel Hill Family Medicine Program."I thought that I could do better than that," he said of the eight-minute office visits. So he became the first - and last - resident since 1986 to open a solo practice in the state.Belcea said of his early experience.Today he believes he is one of only two board-certified, solo practice family physicians remaining in the Raleigh area.Belcea said.He began working longer hours and Saturday shifts. Appointment times were growing shorter as he struggled to compete financially. He had a master's degree in computer science, and was reconsidering his career.Belcea said.He describes the concierge program aswith consulting physicians.he said.More than half the time hospitals don't inform him his patients were seen or admitted.Belcea said. It's frustrating, and time-consuming.The annual concierge retainer is $1,650, or $37.50 monthly. That extra revenue helps him financially, and allows him to expand visit and walk-in times for concierge participants.Patients can use their insurance and their flexible spending accounts to pay for office visits, co-payments, deductibles, and other health care costs.Those features distinguishes concierge care from direct primary care, which also operates on a retainer basis but usually does not accept insurance. Federal law bars patients from using flexible spending accounts for direct care.Under the concierge model, one annual office visit is not covered by insurance. During that visit, Belcea orders any bloodwork or other screening tests he deems necessary to evaluate a patient.Belcea said.Belcea said. Under a full concierge practice, all patients are required to pay the annual fee and join the program. Patients choosing not to join a full concierge plan would be severed from that practice, and would need to find another doctor.The hybrid model allows him to treat Medicare patients, Belcea said. As Medicare costs rise and reimbursement to doctors keep being squeezed, he said, patientsAll of the administrative and financial work on the concierge side is performed by CCP, reducing his overhead costs. CCP sent a full-time staff person to work in his office during his start-up, took care of advertising, and handled phone calls and follow-up conversations on a toll-free line.His concierge patients can use CCP's network of concierge doctors if an emergency arises when traveling; the physicians consult with Belcea.All patients are given a USB thumb drive containing their medical information and history that's available to other physicians in the network. The thumb drive also contains their DNA information, which is updated continually to a global genetic database, indicating potential health risks and allowing preventive care to be customized. Any romantic notion one may have when starting a business is soon quelled with the realisation that all responsibility - from ensuring deadlines are met, clients are invoiced, and your sales pipeline and contact lists are updated and managed - ultimately falls on you. Administrative tasks can require a surprising amount of attention and time - energy that could perhaps be better spent on big picture strategy. But the devil is in the details, lest we forget. Sean Miller Sean Miller and James Willard discovered this first-hand when setting up a creative agency. Though utilising various business software and services, they lacked one tool that could take care of everything; and thus Simplifyd was born. The Simplifyd team is based in the UK, where they have enjoyed success, but the software has also just been launched in South Africa. We got in touch with Sean Miller to discuss Simplifyd's design approach in the creation of simple software for small businesses. How was the idea for Simplifyd born? Sean Miller: Setting up a new business is really challenging. Its a bold and brave move for a lot of people and a stressful time, especially with all the additional administration that goes into keeping your clients happy, generating new business and of course getting paid. A few years ago when we were setting up our creative agency we faced all these challenges and more. So I decided to source a suite of niche products that would help us, Freshbooks, Stride App, Insightly to name a few. The problem was that we were only using 20-30% of each of these product's features, juggling between multiple logins the costs were adding up quickly. Especially at $50 per product per month. We decided to build a product in-house that could do everything we needed, really simply, really quickly and team members could pick up instantly. The result was the first version of Simplifyd: beautifully simple software to manage your small business. Why South Africa next? Miller: I was born in Zimbabwe and lived in Cape Town for three years before moving to Spain and then London. Through my travels and visiting new cities around the world Ive always enjoyed coming back to Southern Africa for either business or pleasure. I think entrepreneurism is naturally encouraged in South Africa and also very well received. Every time I come back I come across a new business or startup that has a product or service I enjoy using. The last was a prepaid parking app that saved me hours searching through my pockets for change or trying to get a well-used R10 note into the parking machine. Genius! In your opinion, what are the fundamentals of great software design? Miller: The key fundamentals of great software design and design in general stems from making something truly functional that solves genuine and relevant problems. Make it easy, make it fast, make it look good, in that order. Simplicity is key in the approach with the way users interact with your software. What design features are incorporated to aid user experience? Miller: Getting the basics right from the start is always essential to form the foundation of a clean and well put together application. Early on we focused on ensuring typography is clean and legible, colour was used consistently to complement the information without getting in the way. Intuitive navigation, and a simple sleek functional design to ensure users with varying technical experience can get started straight away without being intimidated by the powerful combination of features available within Simplifyd. We wanted to make sure the application was easy to use and worked across multiple devices. Focusing on making something that was fully responsive from the smaller mobile screens to large desktop monitors, Simplifyd is designed to work whenever wherever. Ensuring the user flows through the app with ease, subtle use of animation is used through the software combined with powerful performance optimisation. Using Angular.js everything is loaded within a single view minimising load times. Key processes have been a big focus for us in the way we approach design. How can we minimise the number of clicks needed for any action without overly cluttering the interface with too many items or buttons. Research and testing have played a key role in allowing us to prioritise our actions and identify any snagging points. The result means we end up with a very clean, clear and easy to use app without sacrificing on features. We've also incorporated the use of simple graphical visual cues to represent progress and key data. Weve incorporated animated progress indicators for Pipeline tracking which allows users to instantly gain an overview of their upcoming project process and update the progress of each with a single click. We are also rolling out dynamic progress indicators with our to-do lists' which update based on the number of completed tasks so far. This will also be extended to individual team members so you can instantly see progress of to-dos and progress of each member within your team. The use of interactive graphs has also played a key part in instantly providing users with a snapshot of their cash flow. We are also in the process of exploring 3D touch within our native apps to further simplify processes and improved quick search and voice command to enable users to get straight to the information they need. What has the response been like thus far? Miller: Honestly its been great. We work very closely with our users to develop and enhance our feature set constantly. We are really lucky to have such a broad user base from small two person cleaning companies to global sales teams for Apple Accessories. To test drive the Simplifyd platform, go to www.simplifyd.io. According to Bertie Hamman, senior manager: Secondary Agriculture at Standard Bank, agriculture demand in South Africa is expected to increase as population and income levels increase. But it's not as simple as that, it is essentially about the sector adapting to the change in demand trends. Production will increasingly move from 'production push' to a 'demand pull principle'. Ryhor Bruyeu via 123RF Both consumers and the agricultural sector are at crucial turning points that will change the way that food is produced and consumed in the country. The one solid fact that is certain is that we will need to continuously produce more food to meet an ever growing demand. But, the type of food and the nature of its production must continuously adapt to meet consumers much more sophisticated needs. Growth in emerging economies Research shows that both population and economic growth are happening fastest in emerging economies. Projected economic growth, worldwide, is expected to lead to a reduction in absolute economic poverty. Globally, per capita income is projected to be multiples of todays. In theory, this means that more people will be able to afford food. In SA, social grants have played an important role in reducing the percentage of the population in absolute poverty, and increasing the demand for food subsequently agricultural production. South Africas population has increased by approximately 15.5% in the past ten years along with a significant migration to the upper LSM levels. In the past five years, there has been a drop of 56% in marginalised consumers, a rise of 57% in emerging consumers, and a rise of 57% in established consumers. This has profound implications for agriculture, which will have to ensure that it can adequately cater for the more varied and a selective taste of a much larger market in the upper LSM levels than it has had to feed before. As experienced in changing spending patterns in SA, this has led to increased demand for processed foods and more protein. We have seen upward trend in purchases of meat, dairy and eggs. Therefore, producers should position themselves to participate in the forecasted high growth industries, and/or integrate along the value chain. The impact of urbanisation Urbanisation is having a big impact on the distribution of agricultural produce. About 62% of the population is staying in the urban areas, and that number is expected to increase. While at the same time, most of agricultural production is in the rural areas. Therefore, most of the produce will have to be moved to the urban areas timeously and efficiently. It, therefore, puts added pressure on the agricultural food chain and its logistics component, in terms of getting fresh food of high quality to urban centres on a daily basis. Focusing on efficiencies in the cold chain is therefore an integral part of the food value chain as the sector deals with perishable products. Logistics have to be managed efficiently such that food remains affordable. Providing food for South Africas future is not going to be a straightforward exercise. The new global trend towards ecological intensification of agriculture, which focuses on using land, water, biodiversity, nutrients, and renewable energy efficiently and in ways that are regenerative, should be taken note of for agriculture to sustainably serve South Africas future agricultural produce demand. Krispy Kreme, the doughnut brand, is set to open its second South African store at the Sandton Gautrain Station on Wednesday, 24 February 2016. We chose this West Street location for its high volumes of foot traffic and for its positioning as a transport hub and gateway to one of Africas biggest economies, said Krispy Kreme's CEO, Gerry Thomas. An international brand as recognisable as Krispy Kreme is what people expect to see when visiting a metropolis such as Sandton. Thomas further assured fans that the opening day will follow the festive trend of the Rosebank launch, with a ribbon cutting and enticing prizes up for grabs. Along with T-shirts for the first 100 customers in the queue, they will also stand a chance to win doughnuts for six or 12 months, depending on how close they are to the number four position. The die-hard fans who elbow their way to positions one to three will receive a dozen Krispy Kremes original glazed doughnuts every week for a year, six months and three months, respectively. Fans are encouraged to keep an eye on Krispy Kreme social media updates to know exactly when and where they need to be in order to stand a chance to win. Rapid expansion The Krispy Kreme brand, which is owned jointly by franchise companies Fournews and John and Gerry Brands, is set for rapid expansion over the next year. Our aim is to open at least six more stores before the end of 2016 in Gauteng, with a long-term plan for 31 outlets across the country over the next five years, continued Thomas. With such a strong positive response to our first store, we look forward to being able share the joy of Krispy Kreme with many more stores in the months to come. To keep abreast of developments and to find out when the brand new Krispy Kreme concept store will be launched, you can connect with Krispy Kreme South Africa through Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. Or, for more information, you can go to ww.krispykremesa.com, email moc.asemerkypsirk@ofni or phone +27 (0) 11 452 8770. "I use my music to heal, I use my music to inform, and I use it to bring out that warm feeling inside, so I think I'm doing quite well with my freedom." - Simphiwe Dana. On 14 February 2016, the acclaimed short-film series 21 Icons featured the 21st icon of its third season: the highly celebrated award-winning Afro-Soul and Xhosa Jazz songstress, Simphiwe Dana. Dana has been selected for 21 Icons South Africa Season 3 for using music as a vehicle to address social issues in South Africa. Through the unifying power of music, she voices her opinion on socio-political challenges, increasingly making her black consciousness and feminist views clearly known. She is also the first African ambassador for the human rights initiative Amnesty International. On her selection as an icon Dana comments, I dont shy away from including social messages in my music. Im an activist at heart. Im very passionate about the continent and about justice, so my work is very much in that space at all times. With her widespread appeal, Dana has performed at key national events and festivals such as Arts Alive, the Cape Town International Jazz Festival, and the Standard Bank Joy of Jazz and across the world in places like China, Germany, Spain, Switzerland and the Netherlands. I dont like to define my sound but if I were forced to, I would say its Afro-Soul, because its the kind of music that touches you, that makes you feel something and Id like to believe also changes you somehow, she adds. Born in 1981 in rural Gcuwa in the Transkei, she grew up in a Mayaluleni, a village in the Eastern Cape; My formative years were spent in a village in the Eastern Cape so I will never be a city girl at heart. I can be polished in many ways, but I am still that barefooted village girl, she comments. The daughter of a preacher, her music draws strongly on her upbringing in the gospel church and she cites the powerful singing of her mother as an inspiration for her and her siblings and a key motivator in her resolve to pursue her musical career. Dana first attracted attention in 2002 while singing in small clubs across Johannesburg. Roshnie Moonsamy of Urban Voices saw her perform and recommended her to the Gallo Record Company and four months later she was signed by the music label. She recalls, Sipho Sithole told me that when he came with the idea of signing me to Gallo Records, the other guys were like Are you crazy? This music sounds like Marabi music from the 50s; its got no place in this time and age. In 2004, Dana released her debut album, Zandisile, making an enormous impact on the South African music scene, achieving platinum status, and claiming the number one spot on the Billboard Chart. The title track Zandisile, The one who fulfils her dreams was an ode to her unborn daughter a guide to how life works and the role she would play in it. Danas second recording, the acclaimed The One Love Movement on the Bantu Biko Street, won her numerous South African Music Awards, including Female Artist of the Year. During a portrait sitting she tells Van Wyk how while working on the album she was channelling Steve Biko and creating a dialogue for identity politics in South Africa; We did not introduce black consciousness which is what Steve Biko preached a lot. When he said that the first thing that we need to do is to infuse back dignity and life into the empty husk of the black person because over hundreds of years we have been so de-humanised that even ourselves, we are ashamed of being black. She continues, So I wanted to introduce Steve Biko to the younger generation and hopefully make him and his philosophies something cool that the kids will want to get into. That was my way of, you know of introducing identity politics into our society. Her third record, Kulture Noir, is an extension of her earlier work and the complex identities and tensions that exist within Africa and exploring ideas of building a cohesive society; I was trying to unite the two big colonies on the continent [the French and English]. Its all African music, and I thought that would be a great way of bringing us back to the fold. Last year Dana launched her fourth release, Firebrand a reflection of herself; It took many years of being in denial about the labels that people were giving me; Youre a writer, you are a politician, an activist you know, all of these posh things, and I feltI didnt want these labels. I fought them for a long time because I just wanted to be an artist and to say that whatever else I do is what informs my art. Its all about my art, but I knew I was lying to myself. So at some point after going through some experiences, I just finally accepted that I am all of these things and theres nothing wrong with being all of them. About the portrait For the portrait Royal Performance Gary van Wyk describes the visual elements, Dressed in Xhosa-inspired garments and draped in traditional beadwork, Dana is imagined as a regal South African queen. A reference to both her culture, and her position and success in the South African music industry, she is photographed while seated upright in a wicker chair her pose strong, her gaze to camera fierce and unwavering. On the future of South Africa she says, The student movement is the most exciting thing that has happened in this country after 1994. They are the youth of 1976 reborn. They will change our society in ways that we could never have imagined. Ive been singing about it and hoping for this for all of my career. She concludes by saying, You can be whoever you want to be. You have to believe in and trust yourself. If you can imagine it, there is no reason why you cant have it. There is room for all of us to chase our dreams. View the video About 21 Icons Season 3 The short film-series documents the conversations between Gary Van Wyk as the photographer and filmmaker and the icons. Each short film provides insight into both the subject and photographer's creative approach to the portrait. Behind each portrait lies a carefully planned concept that captures not only the essence of each icon visually, but also in spirit and in terms of their unique legacy. Season three of 21 ICONS South Africa is proudly sponsored by Mercedes-Benz South Africa. Social media: 21 Icons engages with the public through: Twitter: @21Icons Website: http://www.21icons.com Mobisite: www.21icons.com Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/21Icons Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/21ICONS/ iTunes App Store: http://tinyurl.com/lf3cfzm Google Play: http://tinyurl.com/ovtcy45 The Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) wishes to remind dentists that all dental assistants must be registered with the Council by 31 March 2016 or face criminal prosecution of the dental assistants and the dentists who continue to employ unregistered dental assistants. History In 2003, dental assistants in the country approached the HPCSA to request the Council to professionalise their work. In the same year, the regulation of dental assistants was proposed. In April 2005, the HPCSA opened the registration process to dental assistants. At the time, the regulations prescribed qualifications that would enable dental assistants to register. Those that did not register were thus not allowed to practice. The HPCSA as a statutory body is required to act in accordance with the establishing statute, namely the Health Professions Act, which requires that dental assistants should register with the HPCSA if they are to practice. Through the recommendation of the HPCSA, The Minister of Health amended the regulations. In 2008, dental assistants who were not registered with the HPCSA, but who had five years of experience practicing as dental assistants prior to the amendment were allowed to practice under the grandfather clause. Effectively, this meant that dental assistants that had no qualifications but had practiced for a minimum period of five years, prior to May 2008, were given three months within which to register with the HPCSA. In 2012, the HPCSA recognised that there were still a number of dental assistants practicing without registration, despite the 2005 regulations and the 2008 amendment. Once again, the HPCSA recommended that unregistered practicing dental assistants be given another opportunity to register with the HPCSA. The Minister of Health subsequently approved the recommendation. This time, unregistered practicing dental assistants were given six months within which to apply for registration. Legal cases In March 2014, The North Gauteng High Court recommended that unregistered dental assistants not be subjected to criminal proceedings and the dentists not be subjected to unprofessional conduct proceedings, until 31 March 2016. This was to allow the dental assistants to obtain the necessary qualifications. This means that the Court put a moratorium on the criminal prosecution of unregistered practicing dental assistants and the prosecution of dentists for employing unregistered practicing dental assistants. The South African Dental Association appealed the judgement and, in November 2015, the Supreme Court of Appeal, confirmed the decision of the North Gauteng High Court that dental assistants have to be regulated in order to protect the public and dental assistants themselves. Whilst there are allegations from dental assistants that HPCSA has not assisted them, the HPCSA believes that it has provided a number of opportunities over the years to enable and ensure dental assistants are registered and professionalised. Both the Gauteng North High Court and the Supreme Court rulings are testimony to this. While many employers have social media policies in place, the extent to which these policies can be relied upon to justify disciplinary action taken against an employee will depend largely on, among other things, whether the employee knew or ought reasonably to have known about the policy. This begs the question as to whether such policies are accessible to employees and whether employees have received training on them. The adage that prevention is better than cure is apt in the circumstances. Juan Pablo Gonzalez via 123RF Due to the prevalence of social media use both in and out of the workplace; the scope of what constitutes conduct for which an employee may be disciplined has become alarmingly blurred. Employers need to take heed of the risk posed to their businesses by employees who do not receive adequate training on their social media policies and who do not understand the implications of their online blunders. Likewise, employees need to be cautioned that certain conduct on social media, depending on the circumstances, may warrant dismissal. Dismissal may be deemed to be appropriate when a social media post contains derogatory, derisive or disparaging remarks about the employer and brings or could bring the employers name into disrepute; and if the employee directs derogatory and offensive comments at his or her employer or or co-employees and these comments negatively impact on the working environment and render the work relationship intolerable. Another scenario, which has recently come to the fore, is where the online posts are not aimed at or derisive of the company or employees of the company but are generally offensive remarks that may or may not be racist or amount to hate speech. Such conduct, at best, amounts to off-duty misconduct. What an employee does after work generally falls outside the scope of the employment relationship and accordingly the employer has no right to discipline an employee for this conduct. However, if it can be shown that there is a link between this conduct and the employers business, an employer may be entitled to discipline the employee. Off-duty misconduct at a new level Misconduct on social media takes off-duty misconduct to a new level. Social media posts are both written and, more often than not, published to a wide or potentially wide audience. Therefore, the potential for brand damage or workplace tension is significantly higher. The inevitable question is whether an unsavoury post or tweet constitutes a fair reason to dismiss an employee. To answer this it must be determined if the conduct of the employee on social media caused damage or had the potential to cause damage to the employers good name and reputation and if the conduct of the employee impacted negatively or had the potential to impact negatively on the workplace. Where this is found to be the case, an employer may be entitled to take disciplinary action against the offending employee. Other considerations may also play a role in a decision to discipline employees for their online misconduct, such as: whether there was a public outcry over the post and whether this outcry was reasonable; whether the employee was at fault in making the statement; whether the employee's conduct had irreparably damaged the employment relationship; whether dismissal was a reasonable response to an operational risk; or whether the employees conduct was so morally reprehensible that the employer was entitled to dismiss him or her. The High Court has recently held that the cancellation of a contract by M-Net in the face of public outcry against social media posts by Gareth Cliff, was unlawful. Although the facts of this case fell outside the realm of employment law, it has significant implications for the workplace. Employers ought to be mindful that while dismissing an employee for conduct on social media may be lawful and fair, it is not always the appropriate response. It is equally important for employees to bear in mind that they do not have carte blanche to say what they choose on social media. Thus, in order for a dismissal for conduct on social media to be fair, there must have been misconduct by the employee that renders the continued employment intolerable and the employer must have followed a fair procedure. The Payroll Authors Group of South Africa (PAGSA) has expressed concern about recent reports that indicate that the implementation of the new tax harmonisation and preservation rules for retirement funds may be once again postponed. The organisation says that it believes these portions of the Taxation Laws Amendment Act should be introduced from 1 March 2016, as planned, to create an environment of economic certainty and to encourage a culture of saving. These amendments were introduced following rigorous, democratic consultation with all stakeholders. PAGSA furthermore warns that many of the countrys largest employers face an administrative nightmare if they need to roll back the changes they have already made to their payroll systems to cater for retirement reform. This could also complicate tax administration for SARS. The implementation of the Act is the culmination of years of transparent and in-depth discussion between the National Treasury and its stakeholders including the labour organisations. The legislation was initially enacted in December 2013, but implementation was delayed to allow for further consultation. PAGSA is a non-profit organisation that represents suppliers of computerised payroll systems in South Africa. It was one of the stakeholders involved in the retirement reform discussions, particularly towards the end of the process. Its members payroll systems have been changed, tested and mostly implemented at employers around the country to meet the 1 March 2016 deadline. Depending on special payroll run dates, some payrolls are already implementing the new legislation. At this stage, it will be impossible for all payroll authors and large companies to change payroll systems back to the old law before 1 March 2016. Payroll calculations and employment tax withholdings will be done according to the new law from 1 March 2016, resulting in a tax and administrative nightmare if the old law is reinstated. PAGSA notes that the reforms are beneficial for most employers and employees that contribute to a retirement fund of any kind. The only people who may be disadvantaged are provident fund members who will in limited cases no longer be paid out their benefit on retirement in full as a lump sum. They will receive only one third and the remaining portion will be re-invested for growth and to provide them with monthly annuity income. PAGSA urges government to allay the ungrounded fears and rumours surrounding the reforms. It should communicate clearly to labour and retirement fund members that law protects their rights to their investments in retirement funds. PAGSA remains in full support of the implementation of the Taxation Laws Amendment Act on 1 March 2016. Reversals of law of this nature could impact negatively on our economy at a sensitive time in our country - we need policy stability and economic growth, not the opposite. The property development and investment group, RMB Westport, has announced the first close of its second fund, the RMB Westport Real Estate Development Fund II, raising just under $250m. RMB Westport, a joint venture between the FirstRand group and Westport Property Group, will manage the fund, the proceeds of which will be used to invest in real estate developments in sub-Saharan Africa, with a focus on Nigeria, Ghana, Angola and the Ivory Coast. The developments will be built to meet the growing demand for high-grade retail, industrial and commercial property in these countries. Despite a number of macro-economic headwinds in certain of the territories in which we operate, strong long-term growth prospects, coupled with favourable demographics, and the pleasing trends of increasing urbanisation and consumer spending have all led to high demand for retail, industrial and commercial property space, says RMB Westport CEO, Simon Fifield. Capital raising abilities It is a credit to both the capital raising abilities of our joint venture partner, Ashburton Investments (FirstRands asset management business), as well as the mature, long-term view adopted by our investor base that we have been able to secure such a substantial amount of capital on the first close. The new funds raised will be used to finance the businesss very strong pipeline. To date, Fund II has attracted eight investors comprising mostly international institutions, although increased interest from South African investors is evidenced by the notable rise in commitments from South Africa, relative to Fund I. South African Airways (SAA) has asked Parliament to grant it a second extension to finalise its annual financial statements, which were due to be tabled by 30 September. NJR ZA via Wikimedia Commons The company has been unable to finalise its accounts for 2014-15 as it requires a further government guarantee of about R5bn in order to be classified as a going concern. The Treasury said on Tuesday that it could not comment on whether the guarantee would be forthcoming. It is expected, though, that the matter will arise during the tabling on the budget on February 24. Failure to meet deadlines Last year, chairman of parliament's Portfolio Committee on Finance, Yunus Carrim, reprimanded SAA chairwoman Dudu Myeni for failing to table SAA's annual financial statements and annual report by the deadline demanded by the Public Finance Management Act. He set a new deadline of January 15 for the submission. This was extended by a month at SAA's request, and now a second extension has been granted. SAA's board As a result of the delay, SAA has also not held its annual general meeting (AGM) for 2015. It is expected that when the AGM is finally held, Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan will appoint a new board. SAA has had an interim board of only four nonexecutive members since December 2014. Following the resignation of Tony Dixon last October the board has been left with only three non-executive directors, and an acting CEO and acting chief financial officer on the board. There is constant speculation about whether Myeni, a close friend of President Jacob Zuma, who has violated corporate governance norms, will be reappointed. But this is unlikely as Myeni has already served three terms on the board. The company's memorandum of incorporation limits directors to three terms. Myeni's close associate Yakhe Kwinana has, however, only served two terms. While Gordhan has promised that he is dealing with the matter of the SAA board and will make an announcement soon, this is not expected to happen before next week's budget. Although Gordhan is the member of executive that oversees SAA and, therefore, has the authority to appoint the board with the sanction of the Cabinet, in reality, board appointments to state-owned enterprises have become politically fraught and involve a great deal of horse-trading among various members of the Cabinet, including the president, as well as the African National Congress. Source: BDpro N.C. Supreme Court disallows inflexible termination rules Members shall be truthful and complete in all written and oral communications, reports, and testimony. No member shall willfully report any inaccurate, false, improper, or misleading information. The Supreme Court acts Application of an inflexible standard deprives management of discretion. ... While dismissal may be a reasonable course of action for dishonest conduct, the better practice, in keeping with the mandates of both Chapter 126 and our precedents, would be to allow for a range of disciplinary actions in response to an individual act of untruthfulness, rather than the categorical approach employed by management in this case. As such, by upholding [a] rule of mandatory dismissal for all violations of a particular policy, the [State Personnel Commission] failed to examine the facts and circumstances of petitioner's individual case as required by this state's jurisprudence. For these reasons, we conclude that the superior court correctly reversed the [commission's] decision. "As a result, we do not decide whether petitioner's conduct constitutes just cause for dismissal." RALEIGH A State Highway Patrol trooper's hat worth $50 lost almost seven years ago has evolved into a closely watched case about the conditions under which state employees can be fired. And despite a December ruling by the state's highest court, the matter remains far from settled.On March 29, 2009, State Highway Patrol Trooper Thomas Wetherington pulled over a pickup truck towing a boat trailer. He then drove a short distance to examine a car that had pulled over to the side of the road.At the conclusion of these stops, Wetherington did not have his trooper hat, so he was out of uniform when conducting these professional duties. A subsequent search of the area by Wetherington and other Highway Patrol officers failed to locate the hat. When questioned about the incident by his supervisor, Wetherington said that a gust of wind blew off his hat into the path of a burgundy 18-wheel truck. He said that he then heard a crunching noise and did not see the hat again.That statement wasn't accurate. Three weeks later, the mother of the driver of the pickup Wetherington pulled over called the trooper, saying that she had his hat, which was returned to his supervisor and was in good condition.Wetherington's statement also contradicted what he said to another trooper while searching for the hat - that he didn't know what happened to it.After an internal affairs investigation, Wetherington was fired for violating the Highway Patrol's truthfulness policy, which states:Wetherington challenged his dismissal. Though an administrative law judge and the State Personnel Commission determined the dismissal was supported by just cause, Superior Court Judge Howard Manning did not agree, finding Wetherington's actions were unacceptable personal conduct that did not rise to the level of a firing offense. The N.C. Court of Appeals agreed with Manning's assessment.By the time the time the N.C. Supreme Court heard oral arguments in May 2015, Wetherington's plight was well known in public safety circles, and a total of five friend-of-the-court briefs had been filed in the case by various public safety and state personnel organizations including the Fraternal Order of Police and the Professional Fire Fighters and Paramedics of North Carolina.For its part, the Supreme Court reached a rather different conclusion than either the State Personnel Commission or Manning."Because it appears that the official who dismissed [Wetherington] proceeded under a misapprehension of the law, namely that he had no discretion over the range of discipline he could administer, we now modify and affirm the opinion of the Court of Appeals," wrote Justice Barbara Jackson for the Supreme Court.Jackson noted that Col. Randy Glover, then head of the Highway Patrol, testified before the administrative law judge that he felt he literally had no other option but to fire Wetherington, that termination was the only appropriate penalty for any confirmed act of untruthfulness:Even so, Wetherington may not get back his job.wrote Jackson.The case is, (22PA14). Johannesburg's Linder Auditorium came alive last week when some of the country's business leaders stepped up to the rostrum and conducted the Johannesburg Festival Orchestra during a unique Business and Arts South Africa event. Conduct an Orchestra formed part of the recent Johannesburg International Mozart Festival, but the six business leaders who took up the baton chose from a vast repertoire that more than proved the Johannesburg Festival Orchestras versatility. Under the experienced, nurturing eye of renowned conductor and BASA Board member Maestro Richard Cock, CN & Cos head Carel Nolte resplendent in a red jacket - was up first, taking the orchestra through a resoundingly upbeat version of Queens We Will Rock You. Next up was former RMB Chief Economist and Professor of Economics at the University of Stellenbosch, Rudolf Gouws. His choice of Mozarts Turkish Rondo was in keeping with the festivals theme, the pieces distinctive, dramatic notes providing an instructive counterpoint to the next piece, Astor Piazzollas Oblivion. The choice of Gail Walters, Group Corporate Affairs at Hollard Insurance, and the long-held notes of this haunting tango provided Cock with the chance to explain the challenges of conducting a more fluid piece. Following a tea break, Paul Vonk, head of MayFord Seeds, tackled (with humour and a well-placed Learner sign!), Vivaldis Summer from The Four Seasons before Mastrantonio co-founder Gianni Mariano paid homage to his Italian heritage with an emotional version of Va Pensiero by Giuseppe Verdi. The final performance was an inspired and uplifting classical take on TKZees kwaito classic, Shibobo by Kaya FMs Managing Director, Greg Maloka. Throughout the morning, Cock interspersed the musical action with illuminating stories that proved the link between the constant care and steady hand needed to conduct an orchestra and being a business leader. What became quite clear as a learning opportunity was the importance of team work and ensemble work. Also, as CEO Michelle Constant noted, the importance of passion. In order to get the orchestra to work with a novice like myself, I felt that I needed to prove my passion for what they did. Trust in the team was also noted. Referring to Itzhak Perlman, Cock spoke of the renowned violinist and conductors statement that conducting is about finding satisfaction in other peoples accomplishment. This is one of the parallels with business, said Cock. As a business leader you get satisfaction from other peoples accomplishments. Whereas technical experts are doers, the best managers are enablers and influences. They get things through others. As Perlman also said, When I play the violin I worry about myself. When I conduct, I worry about other people. Although nervous at standing in front of an orchestra for the first time, the participants declared the event a resounding success. Aside from some panic stricken moments of terror, the sheer passion and resultant enjoyment in the room was exhilarating, concluded Vonk. Monies raised from the event will be given to various youth music organisations. Business and Arts South Africa will host another Conduct / Lead! event later this year. Should you, or a member of your company wish to participate, please contact az.oc.asab@nikal 011 447 2295 About BASA (NPC): Business and Arts South Africa (NPC) is an internationally recognised South African development agency with a suite of integrated programmes implemented nationally and internationally. BASA encourages mutually beneficial partnerships between business and the arts, securing the future development of the arts sector in South Africa and contributing to corporate success through Shared Value. Business and Arts South Africa (NPC) was founded in 1997 as a joint initiative of the Department of Arts and Culture and the business sector as a public/private partnership. For more information on Business and Arts South Africa contact us on 011 447 2295 or visit our website: www.basa.co.za In this exclusive interview, Design Indaba 's Ravi Naidoo tells us why he sees himself as a tortoise (not a hare) and looks into his crystal ball to explain how Design Indaba hopes to grow its satellite projects like Emerging Creatives, MBOISA (Most Beautiful Object In SA) and what the Design Indaba future holds... With so much of what he does centred around creativity, passion and betterment, its little wonder that Naidoo most enjoys work that has a sense of purpose and is dedicated towards impact. Its a long-term impact at that because if you want to shift the behaviour and consciousness, its not a just add water form of instant gratification; its something that takes a generation. So, if its a tortoise versus a hare race, in this case Naidoo is the persistent tortoise. Image credit: Hetty Zantman Luckily hes an optimistic tortoise, and has made it the mission of Design Indaba 2016 to explore new models to galvanise 5,000-odd South African indie creative businesses by creating a digital platform that gives them clout and combined power. With design festivals a common fixture around the world, Design Indabas sense of purpose and mission beyond the event is its differentiating factor 1. How does Design Indaba intend growing its satellite projects? Naidoo: Emerging Creatives is one of our projects were most proud of. We want to redouble our efforts in this regard and have just made a pitch to corral a grand gathering of every single emerging creative that have ever debuted in one composite exhibition. We are giving it more attention than ever as our attitude towards emerging creatives is not just about the exhibition its about a through-the-year kind of commitment through seminars, workshops and facilitating scholarships. Its really an institutional commitment from Design Indaba to create a launchpad for young creatives. Taking that further, we want to be the pre-eminent platform in Africa for the African creative, and were working extremely hard with that, even in talks with a massive international publisher to produce the definitive coffee table book on where African design is right now. Then, taking MBOISA further, it is such an interesting thing as some parts of design can be reasonably esoteric, involving coding or interaction design. But its not just a B2B endeavour; we want to talk to the creative class, across all economic classes in order to infect as many people with the virus of creativity as possible. Asking people in the public eye what to them is the most beautiful object in the country is provocative as some people think the beauty is in its impact, others think its in its service, or shape, or making or process. Beauty means so many different things to different people, and that in and of itself is a thought- and conversation-starter. 2. Explain the thinking behind Design Indabas Media Campaign for South African Creatives and the intended outcome. Naidoo: While our motivation is always to probe the creative industry, when we sold out in 2004 we asked ourselves why we were using a loudhailer to announce Design Indaba. Instead, we decided to take that collateral and donate it to the creative community. With the rise of retail selling space available for South African designers, like Cape Towns Woodstock Exchange, The Biscuit Mill, the Watershed, Bree street, or Johannesburgs Newtown Precinct, Maboneng and Kramerville, we're driving people to them. Thats why Emerging Creatives is at the V&A Waterfronts Watershed. Instead of creating a hub, were maintaining more of a hub-and-spoke mechanism, and using the spokes to drive people to where the designers exist in these amazing spaces. Weve also donated R30m of our ad campaign globally, so ads will be appearing in Japan, New York, London and Milan. With the current exchange rate, thats something very few South African creatives would ever be able to afford. 3. Thats for sure. Give us a teaser of what to expect from another highlight, the FilmFest. Naidoo: Its always about premieres. More than that, weve always been conscious of the changing times, and because of technology and the ability of people to tell their stories in a more efficient way, as you can have a camera and a laptop and make a movie. Thats why the festival is all about the creative process, and were interested in all components of creativity from cuisine to fashion design to architecture to music. Its also a wonderful, accessible, non-academic option for people who may not want a high-browed presentation and cannot commit to a full day or three out at the conference, as many of the movies feature Design Indaba alumni and current speakers. With a beer and a bag of popcorn, its a great night out that perfectly complements the option of spending three days with us in an immersive theatrical experience at the conference. 4. Time to gaze into that crystal ball and tell us what the future holds for Design Indaba. Naidoo: Lots. Our programme is constantly evolving were doing a book project on African design because we realise that the story needs to be told properly. Were doing it as a joint venture with Gestalten in Berlin. We are making the most amazing documentary on one of our pre-eminent artists, William Kentridge, for film festivals around the world. We find different media and different platforms in order to expand the Design Indaba story. Those are just two things right now that are top of mind. Therell be lots more on top of your mind after Design Indaba. Click here for more on the Film Fest and get your Design Indaba fix from the special section on Bizcommunity, follow the activity on their Twitter handle and watch for our coverage of this years three-day conference... Design Indaba week is when all the creatives come together to get a view of the global creative landscape. In time for Design Indaba, Cheapflights.co.za pulled together the best hints and tips from some of the best of the best in their respective creative industries, to give us the inside scoop into the coolest things to do in Cape Town over the design week. To take in Cape Town nightlife I'd suggest starting off with a glass or two of wine at Publik, then grab some great food from Clarkes. Move on to Outrage of Modesty and try an artisan cocktail before watching some live music next door at House of Machines. End the night at either Village Idiot or Aces n Spades - Brett Webb, senior art director, Ogilvy & Mather. Village Idiot - Photo by Laura McCullagh As cheesy as it sounds, one of my favourite things to do as a local is watch the sunset with a picnic and a glass of wine on Signal Hill. Its an escape from the city and a perfect end to a long day - Sarah Gregg-Macdonald, graphic designer, The Jupiter Drawing Room. The Tap Room has hands down the best burger in Cape Town. Don't listen to anything anyone says otherwise, they're lying and they know it. Keep it really simple and tasty with the classic cheese, and if you haven't eaten all day: make it a double. Compliment this dish with one of my other favourites: Woodhead Amber Ale. The best of Asia is also one of my favourites - a small sushi joint that never seems overcrowded. If you like good, unpretentious sushi and have spent most of your money on your ticket to the Design Indaba, then the two-for-one special is definitely for you - Rowan Foxcroft, art director, Y&R. The Tap Room Tiny tacos ''Head to P&G at the top of Kloof Nek Road for a post-Indaba pint, followed by many tiny tacos at Taqueria over the road - Mathew Nielsen, founder and designer, Mat Blac. The gin bar behind Honest Chocolate is always a winner with me. Then Arcade has been decent recently. The Palms market is an unpretentious, top-quality little market. Vascos is an absolute winner if youre a dive bar fan - and if you like your dive bars to have proper authenticity. There is another bar on Bree called 204 or something like that. Next to Mothers Rune. Its a cracking little late-night spot. Although, its one of those names I can never remember. Latitude 33 is perfect for an incredible brekkie away from the Jasons crowd. And the food is waaaay better. Oh, dont forget Loading Bay for killer burgers with double-fried truffle chips. Hell, yea - Mike Beukes, creative director, Saatchi & Saatchi. Honest Chocolate My Saturday routine is an excursion to Beta beach (the best hidden gem in Cape Town) followed by French toast with bacon and maple syrup at Baked bistro - truly a spot not to be missed! Then if you manage to make it before the city farm closes, I usually get all my fresh fruit and veg en route to a cheeky breakfast Moro ice cream - if you don't get one at the market they have a tiny shop in Salt River. Complete gem! Another fashion gem is Keith's store on Kloof Street called AKJP search for Drotsky the brand. Beautiful woman's wear. Unique one-off pieces! - Tammy Tinker, style director, Superbalist.com Up-and-coming artists Buy lots of art. Now is the time to get your hands on up-and-coming artists while you still have a chance. Luckily for you, the That Art Fair is on during the Design Indaba. While you are in Woodstock, visit some of the best galleries in South Africa - Whatiftheworld, Stevenson, Blank and Southern Guild. On a budget? Check out 50ty50tys launch at That Art Fair - Wim Legrand is a master printmaker and he is collaborating with some of the best SA artists to create screenprinted works at an incredibly reasonable price. This is where it gets tricky! There are so many excellent places to eat. I've brutally narrowed it down to the following: for lunch and breakfast, Hemelhuijs is superb, so is Culture Club Cheese and the smoked trout sandwich is particularly good at Dapper Coffee Co (if sitting amongst beautiful vintage cars is your thing).After lunch, be sure to visit some of my favourite shops: Loading Bay, Maison Mara, Pezula, Chandler House and Missibaba.For the perfect sunset, head to the Three Anchor Bay branch of The Creamery. This is the best ice cream shop in the country. Some of my favourite flavours are macadamia, Rosetta Coffee and nectarine. Take said ice cream, walk across the road, in the direction of the lighthouse, and take a long beautiful sunset stroll along the promenade towards Sea Point. For dinner, my favourite spot in town is Chefs Warehouse & Canteen. It prepares a board of tapas for two of the most delicious treats that change daily. After dinner, enjoy some local gin at the Honest Gin Bar - and if you feel yourself getting peckish after your long day, head to The Power and the Glory for a beer and pie - Richard James Myburgh, senior designer, Radar Advertising. Pop into Maria's for the most Incredible Greek food. Perfect for lunch or dinner but be sure to book! Go check out the V&A Watershed for some inspiring local design - definitely check out Purely Porcelain for its beautiful hand-made porcelain jewellery. Lastly, head out of the CBD for a break from the hustle and bustle - why not go to Muizenberg Beach for swim followed by an ice-cold beer or a glass of wine at the original Tigers Milk - Megan Grills, art director and co-owner, Purely Porcelain. If youve spent all day in conferences and just want to unwind with a refreshing drink, two of the best places to go are either Mothers Ruin in Bree Street or The Secret Gin Bar behind Honest Chocolate in Wale Street. The perfect way to cool off after enduring the Cape Town summer heat! - Justin Williams, social media strategist, Platinum Seed. www.designindaba.com For more: www.designindaba.com Got a question or tip? Contact us at bizmojoidaho@gmail.com. It has been far too many years since the Woke theology interlaced its canons within the fabric of the Indoctrination Realm, so it is nigh time to ask: Does this Representative Republic continue, as a functioning society of a self-governed people, by contending with the unusual, self absorbed dictates of the Woke, and their vast array of Victimhood scenarios? Yes, the Religion of Woke must continue; there are so many groups of underprivileged, underserved, a direct result of unrelenting Inequity; they deserve everything. No; the Woke fools must be toppled from their pedestal; a functioning society of a good Constitutional people cannot withstand this level of "existential" favoritism as it exists now, unending. Since Elections fever is in the air, I thought I would pass along this explanation of why Bureaucracies never die.The U.S. Standard railroad gauge (distance between the rails) is 4 feet, 8.5 inches. That's an exceedingly odd number.Why was that gauge used? Because that's the way they built them inEngland , and English expatriates designed the U.S. Railroads.Why did the English build them like that? Because the first rail lines were built by the same people who built the pre-railroad tramways, and that's the gauge they used.Why did 'they' use that gauge then? Because the people who built the tramways used the same jigs and tools that they had used for building wagons, which used that wheel spacing.Why did the wagons have that particular Odd wheel spacing?Well, if they tried to use any other spacing, the wagon wheels would break on some of the old, long distance roads in England, because that's the spacing of the wheel ruts.So, who built those old rutted roads?Imperial Rome built the first long distance roads in Europe (including England ) for their legions. Those roads have been used ever since.And the ruts in the roads? Roman war chariots formed the initial ruts,which everyone else had to match for fear of destroying their wagon wheels.Since the chariots were made for Imperial Rome, they were all alike in the matter of wheel spacing. Therefore, the United States standard railroad gauge of 4 feet, 8.5 inches is derived from the original specifications for an Imperial Roman war chariot. In other words, bureaucracies live forever.So the next time you are handed a specification, procedure, or process, and wonder, 'What horse's a$$ came up with this?' , you may be exactly right. Imperial Roman army chariots were made just wide enough to accommodate the rear ends of two war horses .Now, the twist to the story:When you saw a Space Shuttle sitting on its launch pad, you will notice that there are two big booster rockets attached to the sides of the main fuel tank. These are solid rocket boosters, or SRBs. The SRBs are made by Thiokol at their factory in Utah.The engineers who designed the SRBs would have preferred to make them a bit larger, but the SRBs had to be shipped by train from the factory to the launch site. The railroad line from the factory happens to run through a tunnel in the mountains and the SRBs had to fit through that tunnel. The tunnel is slightly wider than the railroad track,and the railroad track, as you now know, is about as wide as two horses' behinds.So, a major Space Shuttle design feature of what is arguably the world's most advanced transportation system was determined over two thousand years ago by the width of a horse's a$$. And you thought being a horse's a$$ wasn't important!Now you know, Horses' A$$es control almost everything.Explains a whole lot of stuff, doesn't it? The Roving Unofficial Fluff Reporter and Horses A$$, Bobby Tony Spoiler Alert here "We do not want refugees here," chant Czech villagers 16. 2. 2016 cas cteni < 1 minuta 30 Christian refugees from Iraq are to be accepted by the Czech catholic centre in the village of Smilovice in North Moravia in the Czech Republic. On Monday, the local Smilovice people passionately demonstrated against their arrival."We do not want the refugees here," chanted a meeting of the villagers. "Let Prague take them. You never know what these people will do. You cannot see into their heads," complained the local people. "Millions of them will be here soon!" "I am telling you, I will do everything in my power to make sure that the refugees do not like it here and that they will return home," said one of the local women to the mayor of the village. Source in Czech HERE 0 Tom Campbell You've no doubt heard the spin put on the outcome of the Iowa caucuses, but when you cut through the noise this week's vote was a good indicator of what to expect going forward. The table is set for a most unusual presidential nomination process and North Carolina could pay a big role in it.By the time our Primary Elections are held, 29 other states will have had votes for one or both parties, notably the big states of Texas, Georgia, Virginia and Massachusetts on March 1st. In addition to North Carolina, four of the 10 most populous states, including Florida, Ohio and Illinois, vote on March 15th.Our legislature set this date, hoping North Carolina might once-again have a real voice in the nomination outcome, but we have serious doubts this will be the case. If Florida is hotly contested we might not experience a flood of candidate appearances or strong advertising, due largely to a decision the state Republican Party made to award convention delegates proportionally instead of employing a winner-take-all system. Major candidates might decide to skip our state in favor of ones where the potential payoff is larger.If you want to know why North Carolina politicos are paying so much attention to primaries just ask former Senator Elizabeth Dole and candidate Pat McCrory, both defeated by the 2008 coattails of Barack Obama. North Carolina candidates recognize that the person at the top of their respective party ballot can have a huge effect of their own chances, especially in the important offices of Governor, Attorney General and State Treasurer.While the official Iowa winners were Ted Cruz and Hillary Clinton, the real winners were Marco Rubio and Bernie Sanders. Front-runners in the polls didn't fare as well as projected. Donald Trump was the big loser. The Republican beauty pageant is essentially reduced to three candidates, with the possible addition of a fourth emerging from New Hampshire or South Carolina who could hang on deep into the selection process.GOP party leaders breathed a sigh of relief that Rubio demonstrated himself a viable contender, thinking he may be the consensus candidate who can actually win in November. Democrats are still uneasy. Clinton squeaked out a victory but obviously has a lot of baggage. Sanders attracted younger voters and exit polls reported he was the most trustworthy Democrat. He no doubt benefitted from an anti-Hillary vote.Iowa confirmed several things. Iowa voters proved polls are not infallible. We saw the anger and disillusionment of the electorate, especially among the white middle-class and younger voters. But the candidates who did well were those with strong grass-roots organizations. They always trump flashy candidates grabbing media attention. Both Rubio and Sanders will now get a huge boost in momentum and a strong flow of dollars needed to wage the fights ahead.Our best advice is to discount the polls, mute the back and forth harangues and recognize that debates and candidate forums are little more than stage shows where candidates repeat highly rehearsed talking points. Pay close attention to what the candidates say and even more to what they aren't saying. Ask yourself which candidates stand the best chance of winning, because in the election game if you don't win, you don't play in political outcomes. It looks like you have reached this page in error ... The content you are looking for has either moved, or if you typed in the address there might have been a mistake. If you believe there has been a technical error please let us know. Most Popular Destinations It's not clear exactly what the residents of Lubbock, Texas feared their wholesome town had been beset by when they spotted a flag with Arabic writing on it hanging from the Citizens Tower, but they apparently feared the worst. The mayor of Lubbock summoned city work crews, the Department of Homeland Security, the FBI, and the local sheriff after the ominous and dubious flag was spotted. From the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: After evaluating the situation and blocking traffic on a portion of nearby Avenue K, city crews cut down the flag shortly after noon, sending the flag and the two cinder blocks used to stabilize it crashing onto the red brick street near the dilapidated building. The flag, noticed on the building early Monday, prompted [Mayor] Robertson to write a letter to City Manager James Loomis, requesting Lubbock police notify the Department of Homeland Security, the FBI and the Lubbock County Sheriffs. And what did the writing on this fearsome, heart-bearing flag say? Syrian native Hasan Almekdash, 35, is an Arabic language instructor at Texas Tech. Almekdash moved to this area in 2012; he said he has never experienced any type of Islamophobia, but he can see how the display did not go over well. Literally translated, it says love is for all, he said. Not in this corner of America. We can only speculate what locals thought the Black Speech of Mordor said before seeking the harmless translation. California Treasurer John Chiang speaks during a Bloomberg Technology television interview in San Francisco, California, U.S., on Monday, Oct. 10, 2016. Chiang discussed the recent suspension of Wells Fargo from underwriting state debt and handling its banking transactions. Photographer: David Paul Morris/Bloomberg David Paul Morris/Bloomberg LOS ANGELES Bond issuers in California would have to provide significantly more disclosure to a state agency under recently introduced legislation. Issuers would be required to submit an annual debt accountability report to the California Debt and Investment Advisory Commission under the bill, introduced by Sen. Bob Hertzberg, D-Los Angeles, at the behest of California Treasurer John Chiang. Senate Bill 1029 came out of a task force Chiang formed after bond funds were embezzled from the ABAG Finance Authority For Nonprofit Corporations, a Northern California conduit issuer. The Senate Committee on Government and Finance, chaired by Hertzberg, also produced an oversight report on the ABAG case. "Public agencies can obligate the public to years of debt service from a bond issue, yet there are few standards on how the bond funds are managed and administered," Chiang said in a prepared statement. "There is a gross lack of public oversight on the management and administration of bond funds." The legislation would also require issuers to certify they have adopted local debt policies and debt issuance is consistent with those policies. The bill would expand the amount and the frequency of data CDIAC will require, because the treasurer wants to do whatever he can to improve transparency around bond issuance, said Deputy Treasurer Tim Schaefer. Schaefer called the information currently provided to CDIAC "static," because issuers provide information when bonds are sold, "but, a year later you don't know how much has been paid off, refunded, or how much has been spent." Issuers disclose adherence to bond repayments in comprehensive annual financial reports posted on the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board's EMMA website, but the treasurer wants that information to be more easily accessible, Schaefer said. EMMA also doesn't require that issuers report what the money was spent on, Schaefer said. "We would like to have clarity around the use of bond proceeds and make sure voters have confidence that those dollars will be spent on the capital projects for which they were intended," Chiang said in an interview. State officials are prepared for pushback from municipalities about the cost of providing more information. "We fully expect to have animated conversations," Schaefer said. "We have gone to great lengths to hear objections and to be mindful in the manner that we ask for data." Some of the information is contained in the financial transaction report that every city, county, special district and pension fund is required to file with the state controller's office each year, Schaefer said. Municipalities could just forward that report to the treasurer's office along with some additional information, he said. Those reports don't contain information about what bond proceeds were spent on, and school districts are not required to send financial transaction reports to the controller's office, he said. In a "blueprint" issued last week that laid out his infrastructure agenda, Chiang said best practices guidelines developed by the bond task force will also be published in a California Debt Issuance Primer, providing issuers with a desktop reference manual. The treasurer's report questioned whether "voluntary" compliance with best practices offers enough protection against willful acts of fraud or mismanagement. He said he will continue to work with the legislature to consider ways to compel public agencies to improve their practices. Chiang formed the task force in February 2015 after it was learned that community development district bond proceeds were siphoned from a conduit issuer operated through ABAG. Clarke Howatt, who had been director of financial services at the ABAG conduit issuer, pleaded guilty in December to wire fraud and agreed to return $3.9 million to local municipalities. Howatt embezzled from a $1.3 million bank account that held bond funds for public improvements in San Francisco's South of Market neighborhood. He also embezzled $2.6 million from accounts intended to fund public improvements at Windemere Ranch in San Ramon, an additional theft revealed when the plea agreement was entered. "We learned with what happened in San Francisco that oversight of government debt is lacking," Hertzberg said in a statement. "Millions and millions of dollars of taxpayers' dollars are in state and local government bonds, and we must ensure they are managed wisely and legally." Borsa Italiana non ha responsabilita per il contenuto del sito a cui sta per accedere e non ha responsabilita per le informazioni contenute. Accedendo a questo link, Borsa Italiana non intende sollecitare acquisti o offerte in alcun paese da parte di nessuno. Sarai automaticamente diretto al link in cinque secondi. With the world going digital, it is only right that learners are not left behind. In line with international trends, Botswana was announced as going digital in 2015, and the local television station (Btv) migrated from analogue to digital. In this same spirit, it is time the educational system caught up with the rest of the world and joined the digital revolution that is taking the world by storm. To support and facilitate the digital education revolution, Orange Botswana through the Orange Foundation has launched a call for proposals for projects in digital education. The Foundation invites submissions from all associations, NGOs and communities that wish to use digital tools to support or advance the teaching and learning system for marginalised groups such as people living with disability, girls and women, in school and out of school youth, the poor and rural communities. Submissions will run until February 22, 2016. Orange PR and Foundation Manager Boga Chilinde-Masebu emphasised that, digital education as a focus area for the Foundation comes after the re-alignment of the Orange Foundation strategy following a series of stakeholder feedback in 2014, where contribution to social development through education and skills development was highly recommended as one of the focal points for the Foundation. It is hoped that digital education as a dynamic system will potentially digitise the traditional education system and reduce the many problems faced by the traditional education system, thereby improving the learning environment for students and reducing the teachers workload. The entire world has gone digital, there is no reason why our education system should be left behind. With the various projects that we will sponsor this year, we are hoping to change the dynamics of the local education system positively which will hopefully result in improved performance of students, she said. Orange Foundation is therefore looking for legally registered and passionate NGOs, associations and communities that have the willingness to take the countrys education level to even greater heights through digital education. These entities must have acceptable internal financial structures. It is through these sponsorships that Orange Botswana hopes to contribute significantly to the digitalisation of our educational system. This system will make teaching very effective. The teaching content will be easily manageable without carrying any paperwork. There will be no need for a teacher to remember all the teaching content, the sequence of content and time to teach the content. The teacher just has to click and drag any multimedia content, real time 3D content and interactive applications related to syllabus which can be shown in the class which will help the students to remember many concepts more than through the traditional way of teaching. There are many problems faced by the traditional education system, for example, all the activities in the organisation are carried out manually, teachers have to maintain all the chapter content to be taught in the class on paper, attendance records are maintained in register books, keeping a track of teaching progress is also a cumbersome task, said Orange PR and Foundation Manager Boga Chilinde-Masebu. Contrary to popular belief, Digital learning is more than just providing students with a laptop. Digital learning requires a combination of technology, digital content and instruction.Yes technology plays a vital role in facilitating digital learning, but the concept of digital learning is more than just provision of laptops and access to internet. In addition to the laptops and internet access, Digital learning is facilitated by technology that gives students some element of control over time, place, path and/or pace, she said. What this means is that, because of technology, learners get to experience learning on a whole new level. They have access to information at their fingertips, they also control when and how they learn. We will all agree that there are people out there who prefer to work late at night, or early in the day but are unable to due to the current limitations of the current traditional educational system. Yes students will go to school as normal, but tools such as educational apps, the Internet and a proliferation of Internet access devices will enhance their learning and they will be able to do more at their own time and in the comfort of their homes if they please, she said. KOZHIKODE (PTI): With an aim to create public awareness on the activities of Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre and ISRO, a permanent space gallery is being established at the Indian Institure of Management (Kozhikode). "India in Space", a joint venture of VSSC and IIM-K, will be inaugurated by VSSC Director Dr K Sivan and Prof Kulbhusan Balooni, Director(In-Charge) of IIM-K on February 16, ISRO, Thiruvananthapuram said in a press release here on Monday. VSSC has established similar galleries in institutions across the state and also one in Chennai. Scaled down models of the launch vehicles and satellites will be on display at the pavilion spread in an area of 1,000 sq ft. The pavilion will be open to students and public throughout the year, the release said. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 15/02/2016 (2440 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. SWAN RIVER, Man. Some Prairie farmers are not giving up their fight for the Canadian Wheat Board. A group of producers from parts of Manitoba and Saskatchewan wants the federal government to bring back the board and its single desk for selling wheat and barley. The Canadian Wheat Board Alliance says the former Conservative government made a mistake when it privatized the board and sold it to the G3 Global Grain Group. Kyle Korneychuk, an alliance spokesman, says the privatization has cost farmers money and thousands of people their jobs. Manitoba Agriculture Minister Ron Kostyshyn says he is very concerned about the financial situation of farmers since the loss of the wheat board. Alliance members also wonder what will happen to the Port of Churchill in northern Manitoba when short-term federal subsidies end next year. Korneychuk said the wheat board did a good job of co-ordinating the movement of grain from farms via rail to port, then overseas markets. It allowed us to return almost the full value of the world price to farmers, he said in a release. Farmers only paid for the CWBs operating expenses but now they pay for the private trades operating expenses and the profits to foreign shareholders and grain company owners. The federal government announced in April 2015 that G3, which is partly owned by Saudi Arabia, would buy 50.1 per cent of the board for $250 million. It said the rest would be kept in trust for grain farmers. The Conservative government at the time said the sale would help modernize Canadas grain sector to stimulate investment and create jobs. G3 has said it is a Canadian company run by Canadians who are interested in building a long-term relationship with farmers. Prairie farmers going as far back as 1935 used to sell their wheat and barley to the board, which in turn exported it to foreign markets. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 16/02/2016 (2439 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. The Town of Melita will be one of the three locations for Assiniboine Community Colleges rural rotating practical nurse courses on Friday, providing the potential addition of medical staff a town councillor says is sorely needed. In addition to providing the two-year practical nursing program at ACC campuses in Winnipeg and Brandon, the college has offered the complete program in more rural areas of Manitoba for the last 17 years. Melita, Portage la Prairie and Dauphin will host the program in the fall of 2016 or in 2017. For rural areas desperate to retain medical services, landing a program that will come with 25 future practical nurses settling into the community looking for practicum experience figures to be a boon. The hope is that by offering classes closer to home, the college has found a way to educate aspiring nurses who want to stay and work in the areas they are from, said Karen Hargreaves, ACCs dean of health and human services. We find a great deal of the student population in the rural areas are people that normally couldnt come to our main campus in Brandon or Winnipeg because they may be parents supporting families, they may be living on a farm their home is there, she said. Hargreaves says the program has been full wherever it is offered. And jobs prospects for graduates? They are everywhere, Hargreaves said. Theres certainly a high demand for practicum nurses in long-term care, personal care homes, home care but theres also acute care. Practical nurses now work in emergency rooms, they work in the operating room and they work in acute medicine and surgical floors. Melita deputy mayor Ray Smithson helped pitch the town as a suitable host to officials from ACC. Smithson said the town hospitals emergency care was open nine days in January. We do have an ambulance sitting here, so you can call an ambulance, but theyre going to take you somewhere. Theyll take you to the closest hospital in this area that is open for emergency care could be Deloraine, could be Virden, Souris, Boissevain it just depends what is open, he said. Smithson said his town also hosts agency nurses, who are brought in from places as far away as New Brunswick to fill shifts. Hargreaves said having the nurses-to-be do their practicums in places looking to hire them also helps. This year, 11 potential hosts submitted applications to ACC. The top three are selected using a rubric that considers factors including labour market demand, student demands, health-care partnerships for practicums, student experience and available facilities. Earlier this month,Prairie Mountain Health and Manitobas Office of Rural and Northern Health bused almost 50 first and second-year University of Manitoba medical students from Winnipeg to Brandon and Souris for the weekend, hoping to sell them on settling in Westman once they become physicians. Hargreaves said having the entire program take place in areas needing nurses helps with retention. Theres a real advantage to their communities, that theyre going to keep the nurses there. Melita and the Canupawakpa Dakota First Nation submitted a successful application, but it was bolstered by Prairie Mountain Health and other community members. Dwight Murray, who owns the old Southwest Pontiac dealership in Melita, agreed to renovate the building into a classroom that will host the classes, Smithson said. Hargreaves said teachers are often provided on secondment by the regional healthy authority in the area. Applications and details for the program are available at assiniboine.net/nursing. tbateman@brandonsun.com Twitter: @tombatemann Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 16/02/2016 (2439 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. TORONTO Element Financial Corp. (TSX:EFN) has outlined a plan for splitting itself into two separate public companies including one with 2,600 employees focused on fleet management services in the United States. Element Fleet Management the larger of the two new public companies would also operate in Canada, Mexico, Australia and New Zealand, but about 80 per cent of its assets would be in the United States. Overall, it would manage about $19.5 billion of assets, including $2 billion of rail assets from the other spinoff business. Element Commercial Asset Management would have about 200 employees, headed by Element CEO Steven Hudson. Element Commercial would include Elements current $3.3-billion portfolio of commercial finance assets and an established commercial aviation fund, which manages $2.2 billion of assets on behalf of 30 institutional investors. Hudson said in a statement Tuesday that a strategic review had concluded that a split into two very different businesses would be of maximum benefit for shareholders, lenders, customers and employees. The company is still analyzing the most efficient way to separate the companies but Element expects its shareholders will receive stock in both companies on a tax-free basis by the end of 2016. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 16/02/2016 (2439 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. (Special) If youre planning on leaving Canada soon, dont give up on contributing to your Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP). If you become a non-resident of Canada, you can still contribute to an RRSP provided you still have accumulated contribution room available. Your contribution room is determined by your Canadian source income, explains Cleo Hamel, a senior tax specialist with American Expat Taxes. Earned income for RRSP purposes may include employment income, rental income, self-employment income, royalties, research grants and alimony. You are allowed to carry forward unused RRSP contribution room every year so a non-resident may have room available even if they do not have Canadian source income during the year. There is no requirement to collapse any RRSPs or RRIFs upon becoming a non-resident. The general rule is that when a Canadian resident ceases to be a Canadian resident, he or she is deemed to have disposed of all their properties with certain exceptions. Two of those exceptions are RRSPs and RRIFs. In most cases, it does not make sense to withdraw RRSP or RRIF monies prior to emigration since any withdrawals will be taxable at full marginal tax rates while the taxpayer is still a resident of Canada. This can have a significant impact since non-residents may not have the same amount of refundable credits to use against tax owing as a resident does. Once youve left Canada, the earnings and growth inside the RRSP or RRIF continue to grow tax-deferred. It is recommended to discuss with a financial adviser the types of investments held in these accounts, as non-residents may have limitations on the type investments they can hold in the registered plans. The Income Tax Act imposes a non-resident withholding tax on all payments out of the plans so this would affect anyone receiving RRIF payments. The rate of withholding varies from zero to 25 per cent, depending on the amount, the country of emigration and any tax treaties that Canada has entered into with foreign jurisdictions. Canada has tax treaties with most countries in the world. There are sections of these treaties that deal with tax withholding. Part XIII or withholding tax is deducted from certain types of Canadian income including dividends, rental and royalty payments, pension payments, old age security pension, Canada Pension Plan and Quebec Pension Plan benefits, retiring allowances, RRIF and RRSP payments, annuity payments and management fees. To make sure the correct amount is deducted its important to tell Canadian payers like financial institutions that youre a non-resident of Canada for tax purposes and your country of residence, says Hamel. If you receive Canadian income that is subject to withholding tax Canadian payers, including financial institutions, must deduct the tax when the income is paid or credited to you. The tax deducted is your final tax obligation to Canada on this income if the correct amount is deducted. The usual withholding tax rate is 25 per cent unless a tax treaty between Canada and your home country reduces the rate. Withholding tax is not refundable therefore, do not file a Canadian tax return to report the income unless you elect to file a return because you receive either Canadian rental income from real or immovable properties or timber royalties or certain Canadian income such As Old Age Security, Canada and Quebec Pension Plans, other pensions and superannuations, RRSP, RRIF and Pooled Registered Pension Plan payments, death benefits, employment insurance benefits, retiring allowances, deferred profit-sharing plan payments, amounts received from or the purchase price of a retirement compensation arrangement, prescribed benefits under a government assistance program, and benefits under the Auto Pact. For people immigrating into the country it is a little-known fact is that Canada is one of the few countries in the world that allows them to roll over their existing pension plans without paying tax and without affecting their RRSP contribution limits. Talbot Boggs is a Toronto-based business communications professional who has worked with national news organizations, magazines and corporations in the finance, retail, manufacturing and other industrial sectors. Copyright 2016 Talbot Boggs Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 16/02/2016 (2439 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. TORONTO Adaptations of a beloved childrens tale and a stage classic are among the newest productions from the National Ballet of Canada as the company celebrates its 65th anniversary. The 2016-17 season will feature the world premiere of Pinocchio by British choreographer Will Tuckett. The company will stage the Canadian premiere of A Streetcar Named Desire choreographed by John Neumeier, which is inspired by Tennessee Williams Pulitzer Prize-winning play. The new season will also see the Canadian debut of Genus, inspired by Charles Darwins The Origin of Species and choreographed by Wayne McGregor. It will be showcased with the Jerome Robbins parody The Concert (Or, The Perils of Everybody). The company will partner with the Art Gallery of Ontario on The Dreamers Ever Leave You, by choreographic associate Robert Binet. The ballet will be performed within a gallery space at the AGO from Aug. 31 to Sept. 10. The production is inspired by the work of late Canadian artist and Group of Seven member Lawren Harris, the focus of upcoming AGO exhibition The Idea of North: The Paintings of Lawren Harris. The company will return to the classics with presentations of Swan Lake, Cinderella, Onegin and The Nutcracker. The National Ballet will bring The Winters Tale to the Lincoln Center Festival in New York July 28-31, and Onegin to the National Arts Centre in Ottawa Jan. 19-21, 2017. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 16/02/2016 (2439 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. OTTAWA Davey, Kent, Lincoln, Bacon. Now Liberal MP and heritage committee chair Hedy Fry is about to add her name to the list of Canadians who have led federal studies into the state of the countrys news media. The dismal record of action on those previous reviews notwithstanding, Fry said shes convinced that this time around, any recommendations will lead to concrete changes. Members of the media stand in the Rotunda as they wait for caucus meetings to break, in Ottawa on October 29, 2014. Davey, Kent, Lincoln, Bacon. Now Liberal MP and heritage committee chair Hedy Fry is about to add her name to the list of Canadians who have led federal studies into the state of the country's news media. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld I know that our government has a strong will to deal with this now, Fry said in an interview Tuesday. The thing about politics is that the time comes one day when stuff is facing you so hard that you have to do something about it. That time has come. The Commons committee will embark on an expansive study of how Canadians, and especially local communities, are informed about local and regional experiences through news, broadcasting, digital and print media, according to a motion passed Tuesday. It will also delve into media concentration, and its impact on local news reporting, and how digital media fits into the whole picture. The MPs have committed to no less than 10 meetings for the study. The latest raft of local newsroom closures and the financial struggles of large national media outlets have again raised interest in how lawmakers can help Canadian journalism survive especially local news. Heres some of the recent grim headlines: the 149-year-old Guelph Mercury shuttered its print edition last month, the Postmedia chain has laid off dozens of reporters across the country, and the broadcast regulator has warned that half of local TV newsrooms are in peril. The fear is that with the decline of a strongly Canadian news industry, any shared sense of national identity is also in peril. Fry says the study will take a close look at the shifting information consumption habits of Canadians, and whether they are getting enough Canadian content online. The role of the public broadcasters will be examined already the CBC has prioritized its digital offerings over its radio and television platforms. The government had said it will increase the CBCs budget, but has not specified when or by how much. With Shomi and Crave and things like Netflix, what were having is a whole lot of non-Canadian content coming into our homes, and we have a whole generation thats not really able to see Canadian content, said Fry. When newspapers and magazines are closing down, that adds to that. The Royal Commission on Newspapers, led by Tom Kent, was also born out of shock and trauma, with venerable old newspapers the Winnipeg Tribune and Ottawa Journal suddenly closing. A decade earlier, Keith Daveys Special Committee on Mass Media declared that this country should no longer tolerate a situation where the public interest in so vital a field as information (is) dependent on the greed or goodwill of an extremely privileged group of businessmen. Media concentration has only intensified since then the idea of limiting a company to owning only five newspapers seems almost quaint. MPs over the years have been reluctant to try to regulate the print media sphere. NDP heritage critic Pierre Nantel sais he welcomes the study, and would especially like to see a recognition of the information needs of Canadas linguistic minority communities. But he said Commons committees have to become more nimble, and in this case report quickly on an industry that changes by the second. We have to go more quickly not to rush headlong into it and make bad decisions, but have a process that is more expeditious, said Nantel. Were there because weve been given the responsibility to make sure the system is viable. We should do it quickly and well. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 15/02/2016 (2440 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. MONTREAL The agency that runs Quebecs film industry said Monday it has formed a committee to determine whether to keep its awards show named after a well-known director who is alleged to have slept with young boys. Claude Jutra, an actor, writer and filmmaker, committed suicide in 1986 after battling Alzheimers disease. He was 56. There is a lot of hearsay, but no facts, said Segolene Roederer, director general of Quebec Cinema. No witnesses or actual accusations. The biography of Quebec filmmaker Claude Jutra by author Yves Lever is seen in a bookstore, Tuesday, Feb.16, 2016 in Montreal. Telefilm Canada says it will allow Quebec's film industry to take the lead on what to do about awards bearing the name of a famous director accused of sleeping with young boys. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson He was considered so important to the history of the provinces film industry that it named its annual awards show and trophies after him nearly 20 years ago. Winning one is considered highly prestigious among directors. Yves Levers biography comes out Tuesday and includes four pages of testimony from close friends of Jutra who allege he slept with boys. There are no interviews with alleged victims. Roederer said her organization faces a tight deadline about whether to keep Jutras name on the award show because this years ceremony is scheduled for March 20. Despite the controversy, Roederer said her organization stands by his body of work. The oeuvre exists and will remain an incomparable and exceptional work, she said. His work will remain. Regardless of what comes of the (allegations), it wont be the first time that an artists work is effectively separated from their personal life. Quebec Cinema says it will follow the case and make recommendations if more information comes to light. Culture Minister Helene David called the allegations troubling but said people should not rush to judgment without all the facts. Jutras best-known films include Mon oncle Antoine and Kamouraska, with the latter starring Genevieve Bujold. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 16/02/2016 (2439 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. MONCTON, N.B. A New Brunswick mother said she was heartbroken again when she was told she wont be able to donate a kidney to her sick baby boy after a review panel maintained a previous decision preventing her from acting as a donor. Ashley Barnaby said from her home in Moncton that an official with the living donor clinic at the Queen Elizabeth II Hospital in Halifax informed her of the final decision Friday. It came weeks after the hospital had rejected her first bid to get approval to donate one of her kidneys to her son, 19-month-old Zaccari Buell who has heart issues and suffers from a kidney condition called congenital nephrotic syndrome. It was devastating all over again and although we knew there was a very slim chance that they would ever overrule it, we held our hopes up, she said. Its just hard because as a mother you just want to be able to do whatever you can to help your children. Barnaby said she is awaiting a full explanation for the decision, adding that she had been told previously that the procedure could put her future health at risk because she is young and had health issues before. Everton McLean, a spokesman for the hospital, was not able to comment on the matter because of privacy concerns. Last year, Barnaby underwent a three-month assessment process that included multiple blood and urine tests, an abdominal ultrasound, electrocardiogram, a lengthy mental health screening and kidney tests. Barnaby said she disclosed her previous health issues and First Nations ethnicity in a questionnaire at the beginning of the process, but was told months later that those traits made her ineligible. The 28-year-old, who also has a seven-year-old son, maintains that the risk to herself is small compared to the kind of complete change the transplant would bring Buell, who has spent much of his young life at hospitals in Nova Scotia and now requires 12 hours of dialysis daily at home due to stage-four renal failure. Dr. Christine Dipchand, the medical director of the living kidney donation program, has previously said that national and international guidelines are used to assess living kidney donors with the purpose of ensuring donor safety. Barnaby said Buell is on the transplant list and she believes it wont take long before a suitable match is found. Every day I wake up thinking, Maybe todays the day that well get a call,' she said. And then every night its a little bit heartbreaking to go to bed knowing that it didnt happen. By Alison Auld in Halifax Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 16/02/2016 (2439 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. TORONTO Ontario is asking for arbitration to try to recover over $33 million in unpaid fines levied against snowplow operators in recent years for failing to adequately clear highways. Transportation Minister Steven Del Duca said companies contracted by the government to keep highways clear of snow and ice have many ways to appeal any fines imposed by the ministry when they dont do the job properly or fast enough. A fine is levied in the field and it can be appealed to the region. It can then be appealed to the (ministry) headquarters, and ultimately it can go to mediation, and like any contract it can be litigated, Del Duca said Tuesday. What Im doing with trying to go to arbitration now is to get this resolved, have an independent third-party determine what amounts are owed, and move on with this program. The companies would have to agree to arbitration on the outstanding fines, but Del Duca admitted they dont have to consent to the process, which would leave only one other option for the government, to sue the contractors. But the Opposition said the contracts themselves were so poorly written by the Liberal government that the cases would likely get tossed out of court. Im certain that if they do head to the courts youll see that the (contracts) are meaningless, said Progressive Conservative transportation critic Michael Harris. In fact, theyre not worth the paper theyre written on. The New Democrats also said the Liberals should have made sure there were clauses that allowed them to void the contracts if the work wasnt being done properly. These might have been poorly written and are certainly weak enough that they cant be enforced, particularly around the fines, said NDP transportation critic Wayne Gates. The province is divided into 21 sections for its road maintenance contracts, and virtually all of the contractors have been fined in each of the past three years due to poor performance standards. The ministry levied a total of $47.24 million in fines against road maintenance contractors between 2010 and 2015, but only $13.83 million was paid. The government says fines can be lowered or waived altogether if the contractors can prove their infractions were caused by factors outside their control, such as police closing the roads due to poor visibility. Fines can also be reduced if a contractor agrees to buy more equipment and hire more staff to fulfil its obligations. Del Duca said the government is looking to limit the number of appeals for new road maintenance contracts, but that wont do anything to resolve the outstanding fines. What were looking to do with the new contracts that will be in place is streamline the process so we can get the right fines levied at the right time and we can actually have a quicker process, he said. The Tories said a new appeals process wont mean Ontario highways will be any better maintained than they have been in the last few years, and blamed the Liberals for making a mess of contracting out road maintenance six years ago. The reason were in the position that we are is because the government tried to save a few bucks and put that ahead of safety, said Harris. Follow @CPnewsboy on Twitter Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 16/02/2016 (2439 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. The Wheat Citys two post-secondary institutions are taking a different tack than their K-12 counterpart in preparing for new provincial accessibility legislation. While the Brandon School Division prepared and released a report outlining as much as $6 million in renovations for projects ranging from new elevators to switching out doorknobs and sink taps for levers, Assiniboine Community College and Brandon University are focusing on only the first of five standards required by the Accessibility for Manitobans Act. The first standard is the only stage that currently has a deadline attached to it. Public-sector organizations, including the BSD, BU and ACC, have to comply with the accessible customer service standard by November 2017. Private and non-profit organizations will have to be compliant a year after that. Following that will be the accessible employment standard, which is being developed but doesnt have a time frame attached. The final three standards accessible information and communications, accessible transportation and accessible built environment have yet to be developed. As they roll out, each institution will be expected to make the appropriate modifications and/or do the appropriate training, depending on what these standard is, said Karen MacDonald, director of human resources and facilities for ACC. MacDonald and the colleges dean of student affairs, Michael Cameron, co-chair their schools accessibility committee. It feels like BSD is getting ahead of themselves, and the only reason I say that is because what the marching orders are for all public institutions is that we have to have an accessibility plan for our respective workplaces by December of this year, MacDonald said. While the Winnipeg School Division prepared a similar report to BSDs in January, concluding it would need an estimated $34 million or more worth of school elevators alone, several rural school divisions around Brandon wont begin their process until next summer. The BSD report, also released in late January, was careful in outlining that the estimates were very preliminary, BSDs secretary-treasurer Denis Labossiere said at the time. Both BU and ACC arent planning additional renovations of any sort yet, but focusing on developing an accessibility plan to submit to the province. Following that, all employees will be required to complete a training program, bringing the schools in line with the first standard by the November 2017 deadline. The work being done follows the process post-secondary schools in Ontario went through in 2011, when it implemented the Accessibility for Ontarians Act, the first accessibility legislation of its kind in Canada. The big issue here is not only having your policies, but its also around having some training and educating and making sure everyone understands the role you play because its your business, said BUs chief human resources officer, Sharon Hooper. Hooper worked at York University in Toronto during that schools transition and is heading up BUs work toward greater accessibility. Ontario post-secondary schools were able to collaborate on a computer-based training program that was developed for about $80,000, McDonald said. BU recently hosted a consultation with the provincial Disabilities Issues Office, the City of Brandon and Prairie Mountain Health. The whole customer service (standard) says everyone is entitled to the same level or service and there should be no barrier to that service, Hooper said. The whole point is around access and its all in the eyes of the beholder how do you make sure that whatever goods and services you provide, they are fully accessible for individuals with disabilities? Hooper is also leading a joint initiative among Manitobas eight post-secondary institutions looking at how to address the act. The costs associated with the rollout for either BU or ACC havent been estimated yet. We are less focused on the cost of this as opposed to doing the right thing, Hooper said. tbateman@brandonsun.com Twitter: @tombatemann Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 16/02/2016 (2439 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. WINNIPEG Its amazing how much support Bernie Sanders is getting from young voters in the Democratic party primaries. In Iowa, he defeated Hillary Clinton by 43 percentage points among voters aged 17 to 29, an enormous margin. In New Hampshire, he won a commanding victory in almost all age groups. As Manitoba prepares to hold its election this year, its politicians can learn some lessons from Sanders success. How can so many young people support a U.S. presidential candidate with whom they have almost nothing in common? Sanders is parodied as being a curmudgeon, a man so frugal he only owns one pair of underwear. Hes a socialist who, until recently, was not even a member of the Democratic party. According to one American pundit, Sanders is successful because young voters experience with capitalism is different from that of their parents. If youre in your mid-20s, your formative memory of capitalism is not the period of unprecedented economic growth that started with the Reagan administration its the financial crisis of 2008. That is why Sanders call to tear down the status quo of laissez-faire capitalism is resonating with young voters. Analogies can be drawn to Manitoba. Young Manitobans do not remember a time when this province was successful. Winnipeggers born in the 1950s grew up in Canadas fourth-largest city. If they went to the University of Manitoba, they attended one of Canadas highest-ranked, post-secondary institutions. Manitoba was seen as the western Canadian headquarters. Professionals used this province as a platform to market themselves across the country. Our experience today is different from that of our parents and grandparents. Winnipeg has now fallen to eighth on the list of Canadas largest cities. Unfair as it may be, the U of M is among the lowest in national rankings, and more and more young professionals find they have to leave the province to find the best career opportunities. Perhaps that is why weve accepted mediocrity from governments that shoot for the middle, with slogans such as steady growth and good jobs. Even worse, when you shoot for the middle, you often fall short, as we have seen in health care and education. For too many of us, Manitoba is not a place of growth and opportunity thats for provinces like British Columbia and Ontario. We accept mediocrity because we dont have a collective experience of success, especially relative to our neighbours. We tell ourselves stories to justify having to settle for the middle, such as our youth are leaving because its cold here. Or were a have-not province because we dont have the natural resources our neighbours do. The reality is the cities our young people move to, such as Toronto and Calgary, will never be mistaken for Miami or San Diego, and most countries would be envious of the resources we have in-ground. Its time to change the way we think about our province. Our success in the past is proof we can be successful again, but our government needs to set stretch goals, and we need to hold it accountable if it fails to meet those goals. Lets work toward becoming a have province. Lets work to make our universities among the best in Canada. Lets put in place the policies that allow us to retain our young people and attract those who are seeking the best career opportunities. Bernie Sanders has started a conversation. In our own election season, how we respond will determine the future course of our province. Joshua Morry is a graduate of the Asper School of Business and is currently a third-year law student at Robson Hall faculty of law at the University of Manitoba. This column recently ran in the Winnipeg Free Press. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 16/02/2016 (2439 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. CALGARY An apparent change in federal policy regarding Canadians facing execution in other countries could benefit an Alberta man who has been on death row in Montana for more than 30 years. Foreign Affairs Minister Stephane Dion issued a statement Monday following a meeting with the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. If the government of Canada does not ask for clemency for every Canadian facing the death penalty, how can we be credible when we ask for clemency in selective cases or countries?, said Dions statement. We must end this incoherent double standard. Canada opposes the death penalty and will ask for clemency in each and every case, no exceptions. That statement is a far cry from the former Conservative government, which offered what was described as tepid support for Ronald Smith in his clemency hearing in Helena, Mont., in 2011. The clemency board recommended against commuting Smiths sentence and the request is now sitting on the desk of current Montana Gov. Steve Bullock, who has yet to make a final decision. One of Smiths lawyers wasnt surprised at the Canadian governments chance of heart. I assumed with Trudeau getting in that there was going to be a change in policy, said one of Smiths long-time lawyers, Don Vernay, who now practises law in Albuquerque, N.M. I mean hes legalizing dope so its obvious hes a bit more Liberal in his point of view. Smith, who is originally from Red Deer, Alta., has been on death row since 1983 for fatally shooting two cousins while he was high on drugs and alcohol near East Glacier, Mont. He refused a plea deal that would have seen him avoid death row and spend the rest of his life in prison. Three weeks later, he pleaded guilty. He asked for and was given a death sentence. Smith had a change of heart and has been on a legal roller-coaster for decades. An execution date has been set five times and each time the order was overturned. Vernay said its a shame that the new philosophy wasnt in effect prior to the clemency hearing, but he said its good news and hopefully will hold sway with Bullock. As usual, hope springs eternal from this end, said Vernay. Well see. Its up to Gov. Bullock now and hopefully he will take Canadas wishes into consideration. All executions in Montana have been stayed since a 2008 challenge by the American Civil Liberties Union. A Montana judge rejected a request from the state last year to change one of the drugs used to execute prisoners on death row. The decision could still be appealed. Follow @BillGraveland on Twitter Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 16/02/2016 (2439 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. OTTAWA One of Canadas most famous former soldiers says the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant cannot be defeated without a strategy to deal with legions of child soldiers being indoctrinated into the violent, extremist cause. Retired lieutenant-general and former Liberal senator Romeo Dallaire recently introduced a program of recruiting veterans to help train local security forces in the worlds hot spots in anti-radicalization techniques and recovery efforts. His goal is to have at least 200 former soldiers trained and ready to give instruction anywhere in the world and to that end last week received $175,000 in seed money from Wounded Warriors Canada to get a cadre of veterans trained in a pilot program. Retired lieutenant-general Romeo Dallaire walksthe red carpet at the gala for the film "Hyena Road," at the 2015 Toronto International Film Festival on Monday, Sept. 14, 2015. Dallaire says the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant cannot be defeated without a strategy to deal with legions of child soldiers being indoctrinated into the violent, extremist cause. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn But separately, he says, some of the training regime may be adopted as doctrine by the Canadian Army and possibly even delivered on the ground to Kurdish fighters by special forces. Unlike Africa, where child soldiers have long been an issue, Dallaire says ISIL represents a more insidious problem because of the ruthless tactics the group employs and the fact the children are more isolated from the rest of the world. A series of reports, including one from the United Nations, say children have been hauling weapons, acting as human shields and even becoming suicide bombers. Videos posted online show them watching beheadings as a part of their training to become jihadis. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said late last year that between January and August 2015, 1,100 children under the age of sixteen were recruited by the Islamic State something Dallaire says cannot be allowed to continue. There is no doubt in my military mind that the sustainment of that conflict is based on the early recruitment and massive use of young people, said Dallaire, who has been meeting senior members of the Trudeau government, and the countrys top military commander to persuade them to get behind the effort. The Liberal governments retooled anti-ISIL strategy last week did not touch on the issue of child soldiers, despite a commitment of hundreds of millions of dollars in humanitarian and development aid. Dallaire met officials at the White House and elsewhere last week in Washington, where the perception of the issue is evolving. The Americans are concerned because they have now finally captured the fact that child soldiers and the use of children in these conflicts is far more than a humanitarian problem, he said. It is far more than a social-economic problem. It is a threat, and that is starting to sink in. Since leaving the Senate, Dallaire, who encountered child soldiers in his ill-fated 1994 Rwanda peacekeeping mission, has focused on the issue through The Romeo Dallaire Child Soldier Initiative. His group estimates that 250,000 children have forced to fight in armed conflicts around the world. He said he hopes Veterans Affairs will see the wisdom of further supporting the training program for ex-soldiers, which he describes as training the trainers. It will give veterans a renewed sense of purpose and put to use some of the skills theyve learned over a lifetime in uniform, he added. Some of the instruction ex-soldiers can give to local security forces involves getting into classrooms in at-risk countries and preventing radicalization in the first place. Women, Dallaire says, have an important role to play in the programs because in Muslim countries they are often the only ones who can talk with the mothers of child soldiers. They even have a role in disarming the young people, because research shows boys respond more positively to a female influence. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 15/02/2016 (2440 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. WASHINGTON One of the earliest influences on Antonin Scalia was a Sicilian-born father who applied a particular philosophy to the scholarly task of translating poems from Italian: Learn the original poets point-of-view, and dont muck it up with new ideas. A biographer of the just-deceased Supreme Court justice cites his father as one of several sources for the philosophy that helped Scalia shape American legal history. The biography, Scalia: A Court of One, quotes the elder Salvatore Eugene Scalia, a scholar of romance languages, warning fellow translators against covering old meaning in shiny linguistic paint. U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia speaks during a news conference in New York in this Saturday, Oct. 8, 2005 file photo. Scalia helped reshape the American judiciary with a philosophy that had multiple influences. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP/Chad Rachman (The translators) most eminent quality is the rare faculty of reproducing the lyric vision of a poet, the elder Scalia is quoted writing. He must always seek to transfer bodily the image from one language into another without sacrifice of glow or warmth, and not attempt to reconstruct it with dictionary in hand. Its like a manifesto for judicial originalism. Scalia brought that legal philosophy from the margins to the forefront of American civic life, based on the belief that modern-day judges should hew as closely to the U.S. Constitution as it would have been understood by the public in the 18th century. Biographer Bruce Murphy cites several influences on the judge, including his dad. Others were Scalias deep religious faith, and frustration over the 1960s modernizing and abandoment of Latin-language mass by the Catholic Church. Finally, as an editor of the Harvard Law Review in the 1950s, Scalia was exposed to emerging conservative writers like William F. Buckley and legal thinkers like Herbert Wechsler who promoted judicial self-restraint. He stewed over the perceived activism of an Earl Warren Supreme Court that approved abortion; de-segregated schools in a decision Scalia said he supported, but found flawed; and affirmed rights for criminal suspects. Scalia helped push back. He was one of the original 1982 founders of the Federalist Society the conservative legal group now flush with donations, and with 45,000 participants, 196 chapters in U.S. law schools, and three members on the Supreme Court. In Canada, it has two chapters. An expert on Canadas judiciary says that approach is mostly shunned north of the border. Emmett Macfarlane says the quasi-consensus in Canadian law schools and courtrooms is that legal texts should be reinterpreted to fit the times. Youd never have a Canadian Supreme Court judge refer to themselves as an originalist, said Macfarlane, a professor at the University of Waterloo and author of Governing from the Bench: The Supreme Court of Canada and the Judicial Role. Law schools in Canada are homogenously moderate-to-left-of-centre Theres less ideological diversity. Canadas dominant theory uses the living-tree metaphor constitutions should grow with time, and be reinterpreted through contemporary eyes. Same-sex marriage is a textbook example. The Charter of Rights guaranteed equality based on religion, race and sex courts later extended that to sexuality and marriage. The living-tree metaphor comes from a landmark 1929 decision that granted Canadian women status as people. The British Privy Council cited the writings of former prime minister Robert Borden and said: The (1867 Constitution) planted in Canada a living tree capable of growth and expansion. To Scalia, that kind of decision-making is undemocratic and tyrannical. But Scalia and his dad could take heart even in Canadian rulings, there are traces of the originalist method. One example is a 1994 case involving drinking-and-driving. A more recent case involved the eligibility of Marc Nadon to sit on the Supreme Court. The verdict examined parliamentary debates from 1875 leading to the Supreme Court Act. The Supreme Court does dabble in originalism and probably more than Canadians might realize, Macfarlane said. Another scholar says one of the best-known liberals on Canadas Supreme Court consistently used originalism. In rights-expanding rulings of the 1980s and 90s, Bertha Wilson leaned on one stated intention of the framers of the 1982 Constitution that judges have latitude to interpret rights, says Adam Dodek of the University of Ottawa. Two reported originalists on the Ontario Court of Appeal, appointed by Stephen Harper, have even argued it was the dominant philosophy of Canadian legal thinking until Pierre Trudeau. In writings before they became judges, Grant Huscroft and Bradley Miller argued that the 1929 living-tree reference had gathered dust until it was later misinterpreted and abused by a future generation of jurists. Americans have their own debates about the origins of originalism. Jack Balkin of Yale says its a recent, uniquely American phenomenon. He says mid-century conservatives rebelled against big government and Roosevelts New Deal, seizing upon the countrys special reverence for that founding generation that overthrew British rule and wrote the Constitution. But in a retort, George Mason Universitys Ilya Somin said many countries jurists seek clues for original intention. He also argued that originalism goes way back, pointing to one of the most disgraceful moments in American history: the 1857 Dred Scott decision, where the Supreme Court quoted the Founding Fathers and agreed African-Americans were non-citizens and undeserving of human rights. Scalia was often confronted with such examples and with his own contradictions. Legal scholars pointed to his approval of search-and-seizure policing that might have mortified the founders. My burden is not to show that originalism is perfect, Scalia once said. But it beats the other alternatives, and that, believe me, is not difficult. Opinion Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 16/02/2016 (2439 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Censorship can be described as the suppression of speech, public communication or other information which may be considered objectionable as determined by the government or authorities. In China, use of media and news coverage is strictly monitored and controlled. Access of the Internet is heavily monitored, and much information deemed culturally insensitive or political incorrect is forbidden. Websites containing information on political topics such as the Tiananmen Square massacre of 1989, police brutality, freedom of speech and democracy are restricted. China is a prime example of this Big Brother-like surveillance. Prior to the introduction of the Internet, China had been a very conservative country after communist rule was implemented by Mao Zedong, founder of the Peoples Republic of China in 1949. His views were uncompromising, and people who disagreed with said beliefs were often sent to labour camps and many died. His use of propaganda and censorship to control information caused people to submit to his orders. Chinas Internet censorship can be shown through the prohibiting of certain media and distribution of information. Social media outlets such as Facebook and Twitter are banned in mainland China. This controlled circulating of information allows the government to prevent the population from accessing and retaining sensitive material about some of the negative aspects of Chinas history and western material that may be politically incorrect or biased. The government surveillance and control of information and people allows officials to regulate and misinform their populous. Chinas youth have rebelled against their government several times. Examples include the Tiananmen Square demonstration of 1989 in Beijing and the Umbrella Revolution protests of 2014 in Hong Kong, where 470 people were injured as a result of riot police and 955 were arrested. Both of these protests, mostly led by students, demanded a democratic government and vote. Both ended with violence; more than 10,000 Chinese troops and 50 tanks were sent to open fire on Tiananmen Square in an attempt at stopping these protests. Demonstrators set military vehicles on fire and fought back against troops. Both protests had devastating results for chances of reform and pro-democracy. An estimated 400 to 800 civilians were killed. The Tiananmen Square demonstrations were sparked after the death of Hu Yaobang, a reformer calling for political change in China. He was the only hope of Chinas reform at the time. Originally, people gathered in the square to mourn Yaobangs death and remember his legacy, not to create violence. China continues to deny the events that happened in Tiananmen Square in 1989. Popular Chinese search engines such as Baidu and 360 search provide little to no information when particular tags such as freedom of speech or democracy is searched. Unlike western search engines like Google, results regarding Tiananmen Square are vague and do not show the atrocities that happened. Yelp reviews and directions are available, but nothing of a historical context. While China is one country that is recognized for its heavy use of censorship, it is prevalent in western countries. We know this from documents released from the National Security Agency and Edward Snowden, who leaked top-secret information about NSA surveillance activities, and from Wikileaks founder Julian Assange. Chinas population is aware that they are being monitored on social media and must be cautious of what they say about political change, while many of us are oblivious to the fact that we are being watched. As technology advances and the spread of information becomes even more readily available, we begin to assume that we have absolute freedom in terms of expressing our opinions. However, we must understand that although what we say may not have immediate consequences, we are still being watched, whether we like it or not. Rory Thexton is a Grade 10 student at Ecole secondaire Neelin High School. Russia has agreed with Opec members Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Venezuela to freeze oil production levels if other producers do the same. Energy minister Alexander Novak announced the decision following a closed-door meeting involving the four countries in the Qatari capital Doha. The meeting reflects growing concern among major oil producers about the effects a prolonged slump in crude prices will have on their domestic economies. Mr Novak said the countries are willing to freeze output levels at January levels "if other oil producers join the initiative". Getting other major oil suppliers to go along with that plan could be tricky as prices have fallen sharply since summer 2014, leaving producers scrambling to win market share from competitors. Oil prices rose following the meeting, with a barrel of benchmark New York crude trading up 77 US cents (68c) at 30.21 dollars (26.97). A barrel of Brent, the international standard, gained 89 US cents (79c) to 34.28 dollars (30.61). Speaking after the meeting, Saudi oil minister Ali Naimi said producers would continue to assess the state of the market in the months ahead. He described freezing output at January levels as an adequate step for now. All of the countries at the meeting except Russia are part of Opec, which has refused to cut its official production targets in an effort to bolster faltering prices. The aim of Opec's keep-pumping strategy has been to attempt to ride out the 12-year lows in prices and force higher-cost producers, such as shale drillers in the US, out of the market. Notably absent from the meeting was Iran, which shares control of a major underwater natural gas field with Qatar. It is eager to ramp up its exports now that sanctions related to its nuclear programme have been lifted, saying recently it aims to put another 500,000 barrels a day on the market. There have been more than 200 jobs announced for Dublin and Co. Tipperary in two separate jobs announcements. An Irish life sciences company has announced 60 jobs for Ballina, Co. Tipperary. Technopath Clinical Diagnostics, who manufacture quality controls and software for clinical laboratories, have announced an expansion of its facility in the town to meet growing international demand for its products. The products are used in over 5,000 laboratories in 110 countries globally and achieved Chinese regulatory approval during 2015. The expanded facility was officially opened today by the Minister for the Environment, Alan Kelly, and will result in the creation of 60 new jobs over the next two years, with hiring already underway. It will bring total employment numbers on site to 180. Minister Kelly said: "This investment will solidify the companys position as a significant employer in Tipperary, strongly supporting the local economy." Malcolm Bell, CEO of Technopath, said: "I am very proud to say that this significant expansion is the result of a combined effort by our team over the last 10 years. "Our range is best-in-class on a global scale and, having already experienced rapid growth over the past 18 months, we are now very confident about the future for our business." In Dublin, more than 140 jobs have been created at a new nursing home. Ardmore Lodge, on Finglas Road in Tolka Valley, will initially accommodate 89 residents, with an additional 40 being cared for into the future. It is located on the site of the former Ardmore Hotel. Former solicitor Michael Lynn is set to be extradited to Ireland. It follows a decision by Brazil's Supreme Court that clears the way for the authorities to send him home. Mr Lynn fled Ireland eight years ago, leaving behind 80m in unpaid debts. He faces dozens of charges in relation to the collapse of his property business. He has been fighting extradition from Brazil since his arrest just over two years ago. By Daniel McConnell, Juno McEnroe and Fiachra O Cionnaith, Irish Examiner Fine Gael is in crisis tonight as the partys popular support has fallen for the third successive time, a new Red C poll has revealed. According to the poll which was conducted for the Irish Sun, Fine Gaels support has slipped to just 26%, which is drop of five points in 10 days. It is also a full 10% below of its 2011 General Election share of the vote. The poll, which was conducted after the first televised debate of the campaign last week, is a major wake-up call for Enda Kenny who is seeking to be the first Fine Gael leader ever to be re-elected Taoiseach. The poll shows support for the Labour Party is up one point to 9%. Despite this increase, support for the Coalition is nowhere near the required level to be re-elected. Speaking in Dundalk at the launch of plans to help long term unemployed people back to work, Taoiseach Enda Kenny said despite growing suggestions no party or coalition will win the election he does not expect that we are heading towards a hung Dail. Bad news for Fine Gael in latest Red C Poll for Irish Sun - down 5 points in 10 days - fg 26; lab 9; ff 19; sf 17; ind/oth 29 #iestaff Daniel McConnell (@McConnellDaniel) February 16, 2016 On Monday, after days of increasing speculation, the Fine Gael leader finally ruled out doing any deal with Fianna Fail. However, with a grand coalition now off the table, it is unclear what if any combination of parties could occur to ensure there is a stable government after the February 26 vote, increasing the possibility of a second 2016 election. Meanwhile, support for Fianna Fail is up one point to 19% and reflects the reasonably good campaign so far for the party. Sinn Feins call for abolishing the Special Criminal Court is one of the factors which has seen the partys support fall three points to 17%. Overall, the independents and others group have seen their support increase to 29%, up three points. Within that group, the Independent Alliance is at 5% an increase of 2 points. The Anti-Austerity Alliance/People Before Profit group are at 2% down one, while the Social Democrats are also down one point and now stand at 3%. Lucinda Creightons Renua Ireland party are at 2% up one, while the Green Party are at 4% up 2 points. Former Fine Gael director of elections Frank Flannery has questioned where the "young leaders" of Fine Gael are in the election campaign, as he criticised the party for being "complacent" in trying to get its message across to voters. Red C poll shows 3rd consecutive drop in support for Fine Gael..can they actually lose themselves this election? #iestaff Daniel McConnell (@McConnellDaniel) February 16, 2016 He questioned why young Fine Gael ministers, like Leo Varadkar and Simon Coveney, were not playing a dominant role in the campaign as opposed to the ghosts of old battles and old wars. The ex-party strategist also told Newstalks Lunchtime Show that Fine Gael and Fianna Fail might have to go into government together for the national interest- despite both party leaders denying they would. "There are lots of dynamic young politicians in Dail Eireann but none of them are represented in the leadership we're being presented in this election." "Where is Leo Varadkar, where is Simon Coveney, where is the young leadership of the party? Why aren't they playing a dominant role in this debate, representing the new Ireland and the new generation that's coming up? On a possible coalition between Fine Gael and Fianna Fail, Mr Flannery said: The national needs have to come first and everybody has to revisit their perceptions when the counting is done. National interests must come first before all party considerations. Tributes are being paid to a Fianna Fail Councillor who died while campaigning for his party in County Limerick. Councillor Joe Crowley, who was in his fifties, collapsed as he was canvassing near Limerick city with local TD Willie O'Dea. Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin said he was saddened by the loss of a good colleague. The Irish Examiner reported that Joe Crowley, who was elected to Limerick city and county council in 2014, was canvassing for Mr ODea yesterday when he collapsed. The married father-of-three, from Westfield Park in the city, was later pronounced dead in hospital. Earlier this month, Mr Crowley, who was in his early 50s, spoke out about a health scare which stopped him working for six months and encouraged men his aged to get checked. Paying tribute to Mr Crowley, whom he knew for over 25 years, Mr ODea said: He was an extremely affable man. Everybody he met liked him. He had a keen interest in the community and did an awful amount of work for his community. His loss is immeasurable. Mr Crowley, who was director of marketing and communications for Mr ODea during the 2011 elections, had been going from door to door on the canvass yesterday afternoon when he collapsed outside a house. Mr ODea said: We had a couple of teams out canvassing and he was with a particular group in Drumbanna which is just outside Limerick city. He is survived by his wife Christine, daughter Vivienne, 23, and his sons Andrew, 21, and Hugh 18. Very sad to hear the news coming from limerick today about the loss of our colleague Joe Crowley John Brassil (@BrassilJohnTD) February 15, 2016 Police in Belgium and Germany have carried out raids on several premises linked to Islamic extremists, including the Islamic State group. Ten people have been arrested during a series of raids in Brussels linked to a recruiting network for Islamic State. Belgium's federal prosecutor's office said in a statement today that nine raids were carried out in four suburbs, including the Molenbeek area where many extremists have stayed. Computer material and mobile telephones were seized during the raids and are currently being examined. File photo. The statement said the police action has helped "to establish that several people have probably gone to Syria to join Islamic State". A judge is due to decide later on Tuesday whether those detained should be charged. The raids are not linked to the deadly attacks in Paris last year. In Germany, police have raided several homes linked to an Islamic extremist group in the northern city of Bremen. File photo. The dpa news agency reported that the raids early this morning follow a decision by the city-state's top security official banning the group Islamischer Foerderverein Bremen. It is considered the successor to a previously banned extremist organisation whose members had fought for the Islamic State group in Syria. Authorities planned to hold a news conference about the raids later today. Russian officials have rebuffed claims that warplanes from the country struck a hospital in northern Syria. Dmitry Peskov, a spokesman for president Vladimir Putin, told reporters this was another case of those who make such accusations against Russia being unable to back up their claims. He added they should rely on official announcements from the Syrian government. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said Russian warplanes targeted the hospital in Idlib province, destroying it and killing nine people. On Monday night, France's new foreign minister said attacks like the one on the hospital "could constitute war crimes". HAMBURG: A government agency in Pakistan has issued a new international tender to purchase and import 500,000 tonnes... Oil prices were little changed on Friday as optimism about a possible rise in demand in China faded and the market... ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly on Thursday, made it compulsory for the Speaker to issue the production order of an... LONDON: Liz Truss came to 10 Downing Street vowing to be a disruptor. She U-turned on almost everything else, but... PARIS: At least 92 people have been killed as Iran has cracked down on women-led protests sparked by the death of... The falling Australian dollar has dealt a blow to Cover-More's bottom line, causing the travel insurer's shares to plunge more than 27 per cent on Tuesday after a warning that earnings in the first half will be down 16.4 per cent. Cover-More, which was floated by private equity firm Crescent Capital in December 2013 at $2 a share, said on Tuesday that earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation in the six months to December would be $24.4 million, down more than 16 per cent on the previous corresponding period. Travel insurer Cover-More has been hit with a rise in costs. This is mainly because of high claims costs as a plunging Australian dollar hits earnings. Adjusting for "one-off costs and business expansion costs linked to the increased global footprint" of the business, EBITDA fell 9.8 per cent to $22 million. Canberra's emergency departments continue to struggle with unprecedented demand although a recent government report shows signs of improvement. According to ACT Health, there were 33,542 presentations within the first quarter of the 2015-16 financial year alone. August proved the busiest month on record with 11,564 Canberrans seeking emergency care. Unprecedented demand is keeping staff at Canberra's emergency department busy. Credit:Rohan Thomson Admissions also increased with 9725 patients treated an 8 per cent increase on the same three month period a year earlier. "This increase in activity has continued in the first quarter of 2015-16 and places additional pressure on ED resources and can lead to extended waiting times for some patients," the government's latest quarterly report said. Picking through the soot and blackened belongings, Pearl Wakefield's heart dropped when she saw the cardboard box that held her wedding photo album. The box was mostly destroyed; but on lifting the lid Mrs Wakefield found its contents had somehow survived the fire with only a slightly melted corner. Firefighters say Pearl and Colin Wakefield were lucky to escape the fire that sparked in their home. Credit:Elesa Kurtz It was a small, welcome relief after the fire in the Wakefield's Gordon home on Monday night, which shredded the ceiling, shattered windows and erupted through the roof all in a matter of minutes. Mrs Wakefield had been on the phone to a friend in Adelaide when she noticed a strange smell start to spread through the house. The ACT government won't consider establishing a pill testing scheme to improve safety for drug takers in Canberra, rejecting a push by the Greens on Tuesday. Justice Minister Shane Rattenbury said recent media coverage and deaths related to drug use in the ACT showed a pill testing scheme could improve safety by allowing drug takers to receive anonymous information about the chemical make-up of particular pills. The ACT Greens have called for a pill testing scheme in the ACT. Credit:Viki Yemettas Mr Rattenbury's office began work on the issue in 2015. He said ABC TV's Four Corners program had this week shown about 400,000 young people currently used recreational drugs in Australia, while the number of deaths and hospitalisations resulting from drug were rapidly increasing. Australia's $40 million spent on drug harm reduction and about $1.2 billion spent on law enforcement had not solved the problem, Mr Rattenbury said. Neighbours have described the anguish of seeing an eight-year-old boy cradled in the arms of a paramedic, after he was allegedly fatally attacked by his own father in Canberra's north on Monday night. Graham Dillon, 37, appeared in court on Tuesday morning charged with murdering his son, Bradyn Dillon. Graham Dillon, 37, of Jacka, who has been charged with the murder of his eight-year-old son. Credit:Facebook Mr Dillon, wearing shorts and a grey T-shirt, appeared stunned as he entered the courtroom. He did not sit with his Legal Aid duty solicitor at the bar table. He entered no plea to any charge, and made no application for bail. He was remanded in custody at the Alexander Maconochie Centre until March 1. A national health group has called on Canberra office workers to make use of stand up desks and to be more active in the workplace. The call was issued after a survey of 1032 Australian adults found up to a third were sitting at desks or on couches for between eight and 11 hours a day. PwC consultant Tom Simmonds is one many office workers now embracing stand up desks for health benefits. Credit:Rohan Thomson The report, conducted by Victoria University's Professor Stuart Biddle , found half of respondents reported improved concentration after breaking up long periods of sitting with exercise. In Canberra, close to 60 per cent of respondents said they were sitting for longer than they realised each day. Those who sat for the majority of the day at work reported losses in productivity, energy and happiness. Commonwealth Bank Treasurer Paulo Tonucci has assured investors the bank's $1.25 billion hybrid security offer has been priced to "perform" as the lender returns to the retail hybrid market for the first time since its ill-fated 2014 issue. The bank began marketing an ASX-listed $1.25 billion Tier I hybrid capital raising to investors on Tuesday offering a historically high margin above the bank rate of up to 5.35 percentage points over the bank rate, to yield between 7.49 per cent and 7.64 per cent. Commonwealth Bank Treasurer Paulo Tonucci has assured investors in the bank's $1.25 billion hybrid security offer has been priced to "perform". Credit:Michel O'Sullivan But the pricing was criticised by some investors and analysts who pointed out that the total return on offer was lower than what was available from bank hybrid securities already listed on the Australian Securities Exchange. Independent research firm Bond Adviser told clients not to subscribe to the new offer, warning investors they may get "hurt in the secondary market upon listing". Coldrooms, temporary storage and management rights will be the next battleground among apartment developers wanting to attract and retain tenants in new buildings, according to the head of Australia's largest privately-owned real estate services business. Michael Duster - managing director of Oliver Hume Real Estate, Australia's largest seller of land, new homes and apartments - said building management was key to attracting tenants. Michael Duster is managing director of Oliver Hume, Australia's largest privately owned real estate agency. Credit:Pat Scala Mr Duster has overseen the 60-year-old Oliver Hume's transformation from a small, Melbourne-based agency to Australia's largest privately owned real estate services business by sales volumes with an estimated $200 million annual turnover. In 2004 the business diversified into land subdivision and apartment syndicates under its property funds management arm, Oliver Hume Property Funds. Booming demand for infant formula in China is expected to continue to bolster the earnings of trans-Tasman dairy company a2 Milk in the next six months, after sales of its Platinum formula brand catapulted it deeper into profitability. Infant formula now accounts for 53 per cent of a2's overall revenue, which surged 86 per cent in the six months to December 31 to $NZ139.1 million ($128.5 million). a2 Milk Company chief executive Geoff Babidge expects infant formula will soon make up more than 60 per cent of the company's overall revenue. Credit:Louise Kennerley Chief executive Geoff Babidge expects formula to continue dominate its product portfolio and soon account for more than 60 per cent of the company's overall revenue. "We are still going to have a portfolio of products but clearly, the forecasts and growth projections that we have ... in the not too distant future of infant will be beyond 60 per cent [of revenue] and heading further north," he said. An upside to chartering is that experts estimate it might easily cost $US1 million annually to keep a $US10 million mega-yacht running. Credit: Image: Sinot. Besides a budding enthusiasm for a more uncluttered lifestyle, patrons say these sharing-based services offer more convenience and choices. "While some of our clients have owned yachts in the past, the allure of charter is that they have the freedom to choose any charter destination, anywhere in the world, selecting from a choice of different yachts," said Jeni Tidmarsh, director of Luxury Charter Group, a global company specialising in luxury yacht charters. "It's a no-strings relationship." A Porsche Boxster at Hertz is available for $US300 daily rented at Palm Beach International Airport. Here are six luxury categories in which the rich are opting to rent. Vacation homes and islands Many of the world's better-off choose to rent their vacation homes instead of buying for a range of reasons, including a desire to avoid burdens like maintenance and homeowner association, or HOA, fees. Rental services like Haute Vault, which was started in 2014, will lend high-end jewellery. Ownership does not have the cachet it once commanded, and renting is shedding its declasse image. That is why Geoff Tracy, a Washington restaurateur, bought into Exclusive Resorts with his wife, Norah O'Donnell, anchor of CBS This Morning. It is "like owning exquisite vacation homes all over the world without having the responsibility or the headaches that come with home ownership," he said. The starter plan costs $US45,000 for 20 days over two years. Then too, there are tax considerations. "Another reason not to own property can have to do with residency and taxes," said Kathleen Peddicord, the founder of the Live and Invest Overseas publishing group. For "someone who has citizenship in a country where the tax system is based on residency" - as it is in most European countries - "it can make sense to rent to avoid becoming a tax resident." For those afraid of commitment, renting adds flexibility. You can enjoy one place, then move on. "Although the St. Barth real estate market is hot right now, we see many of the uber-wealthy, including celebrities, continuing to rent on the island," said Peg Walsh, founder of St. Barth Properties. "Renting vacation homes in St. Barth," she said, "fits with their globe-trotting lifestyle and provides them with the flexibility needed for their super-busy schedules." Villas in St. Barth that would catch these renters' eyes include the four-bedroom Villa Oasis de Salines, which includes two one-bedroom guest villas and rents for around $US100,000 a week during peak season. The seven-bedroom Villa Athena goes for $US49,000 a week for 14 occupants, and the glass-enclosed seven-bedroom Villa Fleur de Sel is $US50,000 a week for nine people. Rates for renting Musha Cay in the Bahamas, the 700-acre private island of the magician David Copperfield, start at $US39,000 a night for a four-night minimum for up to 12 people (it can accommodate 24). Private jets While cheaper than buying, flying a chartered jet will still cost you. Bloom Business Jets offers rates from $US1100 an hour to more than $US7800 an hour, depending on the type of jet, the miles travelled and the number of passengers. Pentastar Aviation charters range from about $US2000 to $US9000 per flight hour, depending on the type of aircraft and operational requirements. Wealthy travellers also are buying fractional shares of jets and use in hourly increments from Bloom Business Jets, and others like NetJets, Flexjet, Sentient Jet and Wheels Up. A 25-hour jet card from Bloom Business Jets, for instance, allows purchase of individual flights on demand and permits selection of the specific jet type for each flight. Jet card rates range from $US128,100 to $US249,750, depending on the size of the jet. "A lot of people don't want to own their own plane because it's a big undertaking," said Steven W. Bloom, chief executive of Bloom Business Jets, whose charter business grew around 10 per cent in the last year. For most people, chartering's benefits are clear, he said. "The convenience and time savings, you don't have a big capital outlay, you don't have to manage the plane and the crew, and you just make one call and someone shows up with an airplane." The disadvantages of chartering are that the plane is usually different every time, and its condition may vary. Yachts Many wealthy people "don't want the hassles of owning a yacht," said Tidmarsh of Luxury Charter Group. "They've done the figures and realise they can charter the latest and greatest super-yacht for a completely unique vacation, personalised for them, with none of the ongoing expenses of ownership," she said. "It's walk-on, walk-off convenience. There are no maintenance logistics or crew to manage, no cleaning, no paperwork and no ongoing invoices and expenses for berthing and upgrades." Luxury Charter Group offers vacation charters on board yachts like the 103-foot Diamond Girl, available for charter out of St. Thomas in the US Virgin Islands in the winter and Florida or the Bahamas this summer. The cost is $US47,000 to $US52,000 a week, and taxes and expenses like food, fuel and gratuities for the crew, which can add 20 to 30 per cent or more to the bill depending on the destination. An upside to chartering is that experts estimate it might easily cost $US1 million annually to keep a $US10 million mega-yacht running. Even for well-to-do yacht owners, fixed costs for fuel and paying a captain and crew, on top of docking fees and maintenance, can be formidable. Luxury cars David Spencer, 38, splits his time between New York and Los Angeles for his business, Talent Resources. Although he owns a 2015 BMW 750, when he is in California he prefers to rent a black Cadillac Escalade for up to three months at a time, at around $US2500 to $US3200 a month. He does that through the Exotic Car Collection of Enterprise, the rental car company. "They know my preferences," Spencer said. "When I get off the five-hour plane in LA, I like it to be streamlined. I don't have to deal with insuring, storing and maintaining the car." Rates for Enterprise's luxury vehicles vary depending on make, model and market. For example, in Los Angeles, a Mercedes S-Class is available for $US350 a day. In San Francisco, a Porsche Panamera is available for $US400 a day and a Maserati Ghibli for $US700 a day. In San Francisco, a Lamborghini Huracan is $US2400 a day. Hertz also offers luxury rentals, via Hertz Dream Cars. A Porsche Boxster at Hertz is available for $US300 daily rented at Palm Beach International Airport. Luxury-car rentals are growing rapidly. Enterprise has expanded its Exotic Car Collection to 31 locations in the United States and Canada, recently adding two locations in Houston and one in Washington. "This rapid growth is evidence of the strong demand we continue to see for luxury rentals," said Brice Adamson, the senior vice president at Enterprise who oversees the Exotic Car Collection. Affluent customers who own similar luxury vehicles that are in the shop for repairs are behind some of the demand, Adamson said. Other renters include those who are shopping for new high-end autos and want to rent for a few days to get a feel for the ride. Jewellery and watches Rental services like Haute Vault, which was started in 2014, will lend high-end jewellery. After qualifying for membership, Haute Vault members can rent pieces worth up to $US150,000 by paying an annual membership fee of $US350 to $US500. (As with many luxury rentals in any category, insurance against loss, damage or theft typically is factored into the deal somewhere.) A Millefleur diamond cuff bracelet that retails for $US137,500 rents for $US2335 a week. A $US79,650 pink diamond cluster pair of earrings are $US1950 a week. And a men's Patek Philippe Annual Calendar watch that retails for around $US51,500 goes for a weekly rate of $US785. Three membership levels allow rental of items retailing for $US10,000 to $US150,000. Other rental services include Rocksbox, Adorn and Borrowed Bling. Designer clothes Rent the Runway, founded in 2009, has more than 5 million users and last year rented more than $US1 billion in retail value of dresses alone. The service lets women rent designer clothing (mainly dresses) and accessories, rather than own. The company has raised $US126 million in venture capital funding from investors that include Bain Capital Ventures, Highland Capital Partners and Advance Publications, the parent company of Conde Nast. After six years of steady expansion online, Rent the Runway has opened retail stores in New York, Chicago, Washington and Las Vegas, which serve as distribution centres for particular regions. Four-day rentals are $US30 to $US800 for apparel in sizes 0 to 22. Accessory rentals run from $US5 to $US400. Many customers are professional women making six figures, who use the "delivered to your door" service. The concept is unpretentious: customers select a dress, rent it for four days and then return it to the company in a prepaid carrying case. Want to wear a Naeem Khan dress that retails for $US5180? It rents for $US800 for four days. A Jason Wu leather handbag that retails for $US1965 rents for $US300. "It's about being a smart shopper," said the chief executive and co-founder, Jennifer Hyman. "Many clothing items have very low utility. Over 50 per cent of a woman's closet women have worn three times or less." "And there is the emotional depreciation of your clothes," she continued. "It's not as exciting to wear something the third time. And with all the social media, everyone sees what you have worn." Also, owning a dress adds work to your life, Hyman said: "You have to care for it. You have to store it and dry-clean it." "There is a feeling of euphoria," she said, "to only surrounding yourself with things that you need." Note to Virginia Haussegger: excellent column. Well done for calling out attackers and detractors of refugee human rights advocates. Joyce Wu, Lyneham Toxic, banal culture Bravo Virginia Haussegger ("How the bimbos of Sunrise disgraced feminism", February 15, Times2, p5). Commercial television provides a mirror image of Hannah Arendt's 20th century iconic revelation, the banality of evil, with the toxic culture of banality. Ian McFarlane, Wallaga Lake, NSW Missing the point I am not sure whether it passed under the radar or over her head but Virginia Hausegger has rather missed the point ("How the bimbos of Sunrise disgraced feminism", Times2, February 15, p5). The theme was open borders, not feminism. The panel of Sunrise might be a collective feminine equivalent of of right-wing shock jock Alan Jones but their guest, former Sex and the City star Kristin Davis, does have a credibilty gap. Samantha Armitage's outrageous blond periwig telegraphed the point. Whether as judge or proverbial dumb blond, she was set to take the mickey out of Davis. The feminist/sexist banner just doesn't work no matter outraged the womansplaining. Gary J. Wilson, Macgregor Astonishing reaction That TV breakfast show Sunrise so ruffled Virginia Haussegger's feathers was intriguing. As someone who idly watched the sketch in question which included actress and refugee activist Kristin Davis, I failed to grasp the sinister implications of the trivia that was on display. It astonishes me that Haussegger decided to burst into print after a long spell to claim that this pap was an affront to feminism. At the risk of being accused of mansplaining, may I suggest that Haussegger turn her gaze to far more serious threats to her cause. H.Ronald, Jerrabomberra Climate dilemma Australians, sceptical of man-induced climate change, are in a floundering dilemma. If they are right in believing that the industrial population of mankind is not responsible for climate change, then we have a hope of human survival. But if they are right in believing that the climate is changing according to a natural set of astronomic cycles, then we have no hope at all. If climate change is man-made, we do have the hope that civilisation leaders could perhaps come together and end the industrialisation of the world's environment. This would mean we give-up our present economic system. However, if climate change is an on-going natural event, human beings are, and will be, powerless to stop it. Australia will suffer from sea inundation, raging fires and ice. Agriculture will fail and the biggest health problem to face all Australia will be complete and terminal starvation. So, let's hope climate change is largely man-made. If not, no socio-economic system, the world has ever known will continue to exist. Brian Hungerford, Curtin The facts they forget Last Saturday, Richard Denniss claimed that if Malcolm Turnbull were serious about his vision for cities, then he would be backing Andrew Barr in this year's ACT election. And in particular, he would be supporting the ACT's light rail, regardless of what policy the ACT Liberals may have. No, he wouldn't, not if he has a vision for cities which aren't bankrupt. What Denniss, the Greens and other tram fanatics just forget to tell everyone is that the Gungahlin tram thing is wrong at the most basic level, and that all their smug statements about the Gold Coast tram are nothing more than meretricious Howard-style propaganda. The Gold Coast tram line serves a city which is twice the size of Canberra, and which runs through that city's commercial heart. It also actually forms the heart of that city's transport system, replacing former bus routes instead of existing beside them, and it has buses from outer areas feeding passengers into it. The proper Canberra equivalent of this would be a tram line on the trunk bus route between the interchanges of Civic and Woden, with future extensions to the interchanges at Belconnen and Tuggeranong. G. T. Agnew, Coopers Plains Ready to scream As a life long supporter of left wing political parties and public transport, I am puzzled by the invective aimed at me because I happen to think that the proposed light rail is a stupid idea. I would much rather see the vast amount of money that is going to be spent on 12 kms of light rail being used to improve the current public transport service, including a bus lane on Northbourne Avenue. The next time I see a self-satisfied letter to the editor from someone who has just ridden in an excellent light rail system in a European city (incidentally with a population density of around 10 times Canberra's) arguing for the same thing in Canberra, I think I will scream. Keith Pantlin Downer Time ACT government got its act together and tidied up Canberra We have lived in Canberra for over 55 years and this is the most unkempt Canberra has looked in that time. We do not know which way members of the Legislative Assembly travel to Civic but if any travel Athllon Drive they must surely notice the state of the grass which has been mown only twice since August. This government, which I think is the most inept since the beginning of self government in the ACT, appears to be not interested in keeping Canberra looking like the nation's capital a city that the residents and visitors should be proud of but trying to justify burdening our children and grandchildren with a light rail system which the majority of taxpayers do not want. Mr Corbell says that his party took the proposal for light rail to the last election. However he also should be aware that his party did not receive a mandate for light rail as we are sure the Liberal Party received more votes overall than Labor and that Mr Corbell was one of the last members elected. Why doesn't this government listen to the people for a change and defer proceeding with light rail until after the election in October and clean up the current untidy state of Canberra? R.Wright, Greenway Listen to aid experts The publication of the Australian aid stakeholder survey paints a worrying picture for the state of Australian aid as a whole ("Helping poor people in developing countries less important for Australia aid: ANU survey," February 11). It worries me greatly how Australia's generosity has slipped in recent years. Apart from significant aid cuts to the level of just 0.25per cent of GDP, the report also surveys NGOs and aid sector worker satisfaction with Australia's foreign aid objectives. These are the individuals and organisations who are on the front line in the fight against global poverty, health epidemics and other substantial challenges. And yet, with all their experience and understanding, only 26 per cent are "satisfied" or "very satisfied" with government aid objectives, and over 50per cent are dissatisfied. This is a clear message that the government's desire to use aid for diplomatic leverage cannot be the priority of our aid budget, especially with the instability of governments and the assistance required to meet basic needs in countries across the Asia-Pacific region. For the sake of those who need our aid most, like those who cannot even access basic health and education resources, the government should listen more closely to the experts when allocating our Australian aid. Robert Cook, Acton Activist monarch C J Johnston (Letters, February 16) correctly challenges the monarchist view that the queen's independent constitutional powers are defunct and unusable. But if monarchists really believe this claim, what is their rationale for retaining the monarchy if it is merely a cipher for the elected government? If our Constitution no longer operates as it is written, let us reform it so that it aligns with contemporary democratic best practice. The truth is that if a future activist monarch were sufficiently unwise to use his Constitutional powers independently it would take a very gymnastic High Court to overrule him. And those powers include the power to disallow legislation enabling the referendum to remove his powers. Mike Hutchinson, Reid Wisdom questioned The Four Corners program, Dying to Dance, Monday, February 15, while on one hand made viewers decidedly more aware of the dangers of the use of drugs, but on the other hand could also contribute to an increase in the use of the same drugs, having had explained in great detail how simple it is to both buy and use the deadly tablets and how to avoid police detection. One has to question, therefore, if the apparent close association of the interviewer with the well hyped-up users during the making of this program was wise, such anonymous but willing participants clearly evident as totally self-centred and irresponsible with their self-harming actions seemingly of little consequence, certainly to them. Rex Williams, Ainslie Please explain Our political decisions are strongly influenced by the four big banks, three mining companies and Woolworths, Coles and Telstra, claims Labor senator Sam Dastyari. Could The Canberra Times please ask the leaders of these companies to explain why they are encouraging the "world's greatest minister", Greg Hunt, to do little about climate change even though that choice is already costing much more than moving to renewable energy and energy conservation. How much research have the companies done prior to pressuring our government behind the scenes? Let's bring those decision-making processes into the open and meet our secret leaders. And are those companies willing to compensate families and businesses for the damage in the huge fires currently ravaging Tasmania, given that climate change is intensifying weather events? Rosemary Walters, Palmerston Sly statistic to stop any changes to GST One in five households with a top 10per cent income (greater than $200,000 a year) live "paycheque to paycheque" ("Wealthy believe they are battlers", February 15 p3). The highest pension for a couple is about $35,000 a year. With a GST on everything, the wealthy with the income of $200,000 would pay $20,000 GST while the pensioner would pay $3500. That is quite progressive. The rich probably enjoy an eye fillet at $60 per kilo or lobster tails at $65 per kilo. The pensioner has to make do with bass fillet or a beef burger at $5.50 per kilo. If GST was applied to fresh food the former would pay about $6 GST for that kilo while the latter 55. Again very progressive. The fact is that the well off do not want an increase in GST nor a broader application of GST. The argument that the poor pay a greater percentage of income for things, therefore regressive, is just a sly statistic to stop changes to the GST. John Simsons, Holt Change won't hurt Scott Morrison's claim that "mums and dads" will be adversely affected by changes to negative gearing has now been taken up by the Property Council of Australia ("Mums and Dads could be the big losers", February 15). The council claims that the prevalence of negatively geared homes is in the outer suburbs of Sydney and regional towns. That may be so, but it doesn't mean the investor landlords live in those suburbs. The council also claims many people who negatively gear have incomes below $80,000, but omits to clarify whether that is gross income or net income. There is nothing to scare the average mums and dads about by changing the current policy to concentrate investment in new housing in future; they can continue with their investments in existing housing and enjoy the tax concessions, or they can invest in the future in new housing and enjoy the concessions. Bill Bowron, Farrer TO THE POINT ADVANCES NO ACCIDENT The message of the editorial of February 15 ("Commercial benefits won't flow without commitment to long-term research") was spot on, but it erred in calling important breakthroughs such as wireless internet technology "accidental" discoveries. Far from being accidental, such advances are inevitable spin-offs of the new knowledge created by fundamental scientific research. Ed Highley Kambah NUCLEAR TIME BOMB Nuclear waste is the ultimate pollutant. Nobody knows how to safely store it you can't "dispose" of it because it lasts thousands of years. The idea of storing nuclear waste in order to make a profit today while exposing future generations to birth defects and mutations caused by leaking radiation is abhorrent. Bruce A. Peterson, Kambah BARR'S PAYMENT PLAN Mr Barr is going to announce cuts to concessions in the June budget (p1, February 16). Now I know how he is going to help pay for the white elephant of light rail. Richard Greene, Curtin RIGHT ROYAL SQUABBLE David Smith (Letters, February 15) draws heavily on the specious in his futile attempt to counter the demolition by C.J.Johnston of Smith's tedious argument that the Governor-General is Australia's head of state. He claims Section 59 of the constitution is otiose because it has never been used spare me. T. J. Marks, Holt BAN A BAD IDEA Zealots demanding a ban on greyhound racing in Canberra should think again. History tells us that banning things we don't approve of rarely eliminates them; think alcohol, prostitution, abortions, drugs. Usually, the outlawed activity carries on underground with no regulation at all. Phil Teece, Sunshine Bay, NSW LOYALTY NOTED It is good to see Amanda Vanstone continues to support Malcolm Turnbull, despite his recent minor wobbles. One hopes the Prime Minister remembers this when further rounds of appointments are to be made. H. Simon, Watson HOUSING HURDLE For the last few years, the housing market has been dominated by foreign buyers. As a result, it has witnessed unprecedented price riseS and additional price burden for first-home buyers. Labor's negative gearing reform, if implemented, will be a welcome relief for thousands of first-home buyers. No hope for tourists "The fifth Test and the last remnants of hope sank beneath the Plimsoll line for the West Indies at the S.C.G. yesterday. The West Indies was 2-233 in its first innings in reply to Australia's huge 619 by the end of the third day. Three days remain and Australian captain Bill Lawry will utilise them to squeeze the blood from the tourists. Australia leads 2-1 in the series and has been the superior side since Brisbane." Doug Walters signs autographs for young fans outside the Sydney Cricket Ground during the 5th test against the West Indies. Credit:John Elliott Lion escapes the dentist "Simba, Taronga Zoo's elderly Indian lion, saved himself a visit to the dentist yesterday morning after a large piece of bone became lodged between two canine teeth," the Herald reported. "He made no secret of his agony, and the zoo attendants lost no time in preparing for an operation." As the attendants were about to move him to the operating table Simba made a special effort and clawed the bone clear. He practised law for six years in Cleveland before accepting a position teaching law at the University of Virginia in 1967. Four years later, he entered government service. In 1974, President Richard Nixon nominated Scalia to be assistant attorney general in charge of the Office of Legal Counsel, an elite unit of the Justice Department that advises the executive branch on the law. He was confirmed by the Senate on August 22, 1974, not long after Nixon resigned. In 1977, Scalia joined the law faculty at the University of Chicago. He also served as editor of Regulation magazine, published by the American Enterprise Institute. After Ronald Reagan was elected president in 1980, Scalia was interviewed for a job he coveted, solicitor general of the United States, the lawyer who represents the federal government in the Supreme Court. He lost out to Rex Lee. He was offered a seat on the federal appeals court in Chicago. But he turned it down in the hope of being nominated instead to the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, whose docket, location and prestige appealed to him. The court was also widely viewed as a stepping stone to the Supreme Court. The first opening on the DC Circuit in the Reagan years went to another prominent conservative law professor, Robert Bork. But the second one, in 1982, went to Scalia. He served for four years, issuing opinions favouring executive power, sceptical of claims of employment discrimination and hostile to the press. The opinions, which were forceful and sometimes funny, attracted the attention of the White House. He appeared to enjoy intellectual give and take from the bench, with his colleagues and in his chambers. On the appeals court and in his early years on the Supreme Court, he would hire one liberal law clerk each year to keep discussions lively. In 1986, after Chief Justice Warren Burger announced his intention to retire, Reagan nominated Scalia to the Supreme Court. Though his conservative views were well known, he was confirmed by the Senate by a vote of 98 to 0. The lopsided vote for Scalia also reflected a different era, one in which presidents were thought to have wide latitude in naming judges. That era seemed to come to an end in 1987, with the defeat of the nomination of Scalia's former colleague on the DC Circuit, Judge Bork. Three days before the court handed the presidency to George W. Bush in December 2000, in Bush v Gore, the court shut down the recount of votes in Florida in an unsigned opinion over the dissents of the four more liberal justices. Scalia felt compelled to respond in a concurrence. "The counting of votes that are of questionable legality does in my view threaten irreparable harm to" Bush "and to the country, by casting a cloud upon what he claims to be the legitimacy of his election," Scalia wrote. He would later say privately that his brief concurrence doomed his chances of being named chief justice. He was often asked about the Bush v Gore decision at public appearances. His stock response: "Get over it." Scalia's fidelity to originalism frequently caused him to take legal positions almost certainly at odds with his policy preferences. He voted in 1989 to strike down a law making it a crime to burn a US flag. Scalia also reinvigorated the clause of the sixth amendment that guarantees a criminal defendant the right "to be confronted with the witnesses against him". Here, too, he first expressed his views in dissent. Later, in a 2004 decision, Crawford v Washington, he wrote for the majority that defendants have the right to live testimony at trial from the witnesses against them, even if the accusations could be presented in other forms. His colleagues did not always welcome Scalia's writing style, which could verge on the insulting. In a 2011 dissent, Scalia called Justice Sonia Sotomayor's account of the facts of a case in her majority opinion, "so transparently false that professing to believe it demeans this institution". Dissenting in June from the court's decision establishing a right to same-sex marriage, Scalia mocked the soaring language of Justice Anthony Kennedy's majority opinion, saying it was "couched in a style that is as pretentious as its content is egotistic". A gregarious man, Scalia accepted many speaking and teaching engagements from both conservative and liberal groups but he did not make it easy for journalists to cover his public appearances and generally did not allow them to be broadcast. For years, he did not allow his remarks to be taped even by print reporters seeking to ensure the accuracy of their notes. He changed that policy in 2004 after a federal marshal ordered two reporters to erase recordings of his remarks at a high school in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. Scalia apologised to the reporters, saying the marshal had not been following his instructions. Images of the ever-intensifying quagmire of the Syrian conflict flicker across our screens occasionally. Bombings, gunfire, rubble, refugees. The scale of the humanitarian disaster and its impact on families, children, businesses and communities also flicker by as we get on with our lives. For the Syrians, a population the size of Australia, things will never be the same again. Illustration: John Spooner They have been conscripted, displaced, terrorised, traumatised, murdered and enslaved. Life expectancy is now 55. Before the conflict, it was 75. About 270,000 people have died. More than 11 million have been forced from their homes. Unemployment is 60 per cent. The lucky ones about 4 million have escaped, mostly with just the clothes on their back, carrying a suitcase if they are fortunate, undertaking journeys defying belief across the border. The even luckier about 10 per cent of those who have got to Turkey, Lebanon or Jordan are eligible for resettlement in developed nations such as Australia. A Telstra customer ripped through a mammoth 425GB of mobile data during the telco's free data offering on Sunday. Telstra made the offer to its mobile customers as an apology for the "embarrassing human error" which caused widespread network outage last Tuesday. 425GB of data is more than enough to download all five seasons of Game of Thrones in high definition four times over. The data-hungry customer, John, from Rhodes in Sydney, said he downloaded all 25 seasons of the Discovery Channel's How It's Made; a "few other random TV show seasons"; and synced his entire Steam computer game library 172 games in total to a portable hard drive. A slew of live events and performances has been announced for the Biennale of Sydney, which opens on March 18. Over the opening weekend Justene Williams known for her Dada-inspired immersive art environments is working with the Sydney Chamber Orchestra to re-imagine Victory Over the Sun, a futurist opera first performed in St Petersburg in 1913. Mella Jaarsma's Dogwalk is part of the biennale line-up. French choreographer Boris Charmatz, author of Manifesto for a Dancing Museum, will give the festival's keynote address, which will include the Australian premiere of one of his dance works. Veteran Australian performance artist Mike Parr will debut a new work, while Richard Bell's homage to the Aboriginal Tent Embassy, pitched at the Museum of Contemporary Art, will host talks from activists including Gary Foley and Emory Douglas. A coalition of museum experts and inner city MPs has demanded the NSW Premier overturn his government's decision to relocate the Powerhouse Museum from inner-city Sydney to Parramatta. An open letter to Mike Baird warns the museum's extensive collection of 500,000 items will be put at risk if the museum is moved to western Sydney. NSW Premier Mike Baird has been warned that the Powerhouse Museum's extensive collection will be placed at risk if the museum is moved to Parramatta. Credit:John Veage The Greens member for Balmain, Jamie Parker, told a meeting at the NSW Parliament on Monday that he and the independent member for Sydney, Alex Greenwich, had spoken to "even members of the Nationals who are horrified at this proposal". Acclaimed Irish artist Gerard Byrne, who is visiting Melbourne ahead of separate exhibitions at the Australian Centre for Contemporary Art and Monash University Museum of Art this year, will give a talk at Monash University's Caulfield campus on Thursday. Byrne has represented Ireland at the Venice Biennale and has been included in many international exhibitions in major museums. Irish artist Gerard Byrne will speak in Melbourne. Byrne, who works across film, video and photography, is calling his talk Museums for Playback! Focusing on his moving image work, the lecture uses the analogy of playback to explore the relationship between memory and the museum. His talk also marks the closure of a one-week exhibition by eight Monash University master of fine arts graduates. Like Bowie, she is a hugely original talent whose look and sound has been subject to frequent ch-ch-ch-changes. Like Bowie, she is determinedly androgynous, with a sexual identity that resists easy categorisation. Oh, and she can sing, too. Gaga's tribute to Bowie, who died in January, aged 69, from liver cancer, was one of the most anticipated and hyped moments of the 2016 Grammy Awards. And it made sense on paper at least. If it was Lady Gaga's intention to remind us how amazing David Bowie was, she succeeded primarily by proving that on this occasion at least she was nothing like his equal. Lady Gaga's David Bowie tribute was one of the most hotly anticipated moments of this year's Grammys. It should have been a match made in heaven, but it wasn't. Rather than bringing her own unique take on Bowie's music, Gaga came across like a second-rate imitator, belting out the songs in a voice that lacked subtlety or variation. Her dance moves were flat, the drama in the songs obscured by the sameness of the arrangements. It started with a tight close-up on her face, with Aladdin Sane make-up projected onto it as she sang Space Oddity. After a line or two of that we were into Changes, and the camera pulled back to reveal Gaga in a Japanese cloak. The cloak soon came off and there she was in a white satin pantsuit with a pink feather boa slung over her shoulder as she sang a line or two from Ziggy Stardust. She moved to the piano, a massive globe-shaped ring on each hand, glowing pink then later green, as she segued from Ziggy to Suffragette City. Then she darted away from the piano to strut the stage singing Rebel Rebel, the video feedback effect behind her a vague echo of the heady days of the 1970s and early '80s when the music clip was in its infancy and Bowie was one of its most devoted parents. After an interminable wait the awards are coming thick and fast. Record of the year - the performance rather than songwriting award for a single song - belongs to Uptown Funk, from Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars. So Australia's best known hopes go home empty-handed, but hey, before today most of us hadn't heard of Queensland flautist Tim Munro and now we all know he's a triple Grammy winner. That's a good note on which to end. Awards as they happen: we take you through the Grammy Awards live, updating winners as they are announced. Album of the year still means something even in a download world so it does matter that Taylor Swift takes back some territory from Kendrick Lamar - who gets a hug on the way - with her 1989. Swift lets us know that she is the first woman to win album of the year twice but reminds women and girls that others will try to claim their successes, because that's how the world works, but they will know the truth. We haven't forgotten, there just haven't been any fresh awards presented since the Clinton administration. Best New Artist skips the quality Australian for the retro pop American as Meghan Trainor picks up the award that has at times been a poisoned chalice (and that doesn't even include Milli Vanilli). Not too deep inside Courtney Barnett is breathing a sigh of relief she hasn't had to come up and speak and then spend the next year explaining "what does this all mean for you?" As he's performing now it's worth being reminded that Justin Bieber, who two years ago was a walking punchline, won his first Grammy earlier today. Along with his partners on stage, Skrillex and Diplo, Bieber won Best Dance Recording for Where Are U Now? Stranger things have happened but this is still up there in the top 10 unlikely events of the decade list. Fans of British indie band Viola Beach have started an online campaign to catapult their first single to Number One on the UK charts after all four members and their manager were killed at the weekend. Kris Leonard, 19, River Reeves, 19, Tomas Lowe, 27, Jack Dakin, 24, and manager Craig Tarry, 32, died after the car they were travelling in crashed off a bridge at 80kmh in Sweden. All four members of British band Viola Beach were killed in the car crash in Sweden. Credit:Facebook/Viola Beach According to police the car plunged more than 25m into a canal in the early hours of Saturday morning. It had driven through a barrier at which a number of other cars had stopped to let the bridge open. Haussegger penned a scathing column on Sunday , skewering Sunrise's "woefully empty interview" with Davis, calling Armytage the "dumb chicks ringleader" and her fellow female breakfast show hosts "daft", "ditzy" and "po-faced". The Sunrise co-host took aim at ABC senior journalist Virginia Haussegger on Monday, defending the breakfast show's widely-criticised segment with actor and UNHCR ambassador Kristin Davis on Thursday. Samantha Armytage has hit back at a journalist who labelled her a "mindless bimbo", calling the attack "base, vile and derogatory", and a betrayal of the feminist sisterhood. "What the hell is wrong with those daft women on commercial breakfast TV! Why are they winding up the ditzy dial? And why are they so dead keen to present themselves as mindless bimbos?" Haussegger wrote. Samantha Armytage said she had to 'Google' Haussegger to find out who she was. Credit:Channel Seven "Their nonsense nattering does a major disservice to feminism," she said. Armytage fired back In her own editorial on Monday, accusing Haussegger of being a bully, and saying she would not tolerate attacks "in the name of feminism". "The journalist who wrote this vitriolic piece took up valuable column space (which could have focused on the important issues of the day such as, maybe refugees?) and used the most base, vile and derogatory terms to describe not only a fellow woman, but a woman in her own profession," Armytage wrote in news.com.au. The Human Rights Commission has rubbished the Australian Christian Lobby's call for anti-discrimination laws to be suspended during the same-sex marriage plebiscite, describing it as "outrageous" and based on a misunderstanding of the law. In a separate move, about 40 religious leaders have written to Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull urging him to ditch the plebiscite plan altogether, arguing it will damage the standing of religious communities and harm the mental health of gay people. Responding to the ACL's push to have anti-discrimination laws "set aside" during the plebiscite campaign to ensure free speech, Australian Human Rights Commission President Gillian Triggs said it was a "disgraceful way of dealing with the issue". "[They] are saying that we have to stand down or suspend the laws so that you can do what would otherwise be a vilification," Professor Triggs told Fairfax Media on Tuesday. Australia's unstoppable march towards a cashless future will save billions of dollars and force governments to abolish outdated red tape, the Assistant Minister to the Treasurer, Alex Hawke, says. "Australia is well on the way to becoming a cashless society," Mr Hawke has written in an opinion piece for Fairfax Media. "Like the change to decimal currency 50 years ago, the move to a cashless society will be a fundamental shift in the way Australia's payment system operates." Teachers at most Queensland Catholic schools are set to hold full-day strikes, as a 10-month-long wage dispute continues. More than 8500 Independent Education Union (IEU) staff at 242 schools across the state have been authorised to stop work on Thursday, February 25. Teachers at most Queensland Catholic schools are set to hold full-day strikes, as a 10-month-long wage dispute continues. It is the eighth stop-work action and the most comprehensive since the middle of last year. The union claims Queensland teachers are paid $7000 less than their NSW counterparts, and have also raised issues with increasing workloads. Queensland's Education Minister has hit out at her Opposition counterpart for spreading "misinformation and fear" after the LNP demanded the government "urgently" review use of the Safe Schools Coalition resource in the state's schools. LNP shadow education minister Tim Mander said activists had "hijacked" the resource, currently used by 450 schools in Australia, which is designed to help staff and students support and accept same-sex attracted, intersex and gender diverse people. Tim Mander says activists have "hijacked" the Safe Schools resource, but Kate Jones says he's failed to "do his homework". Credit:AFR The Australian Christian Lobby Queensland branch protested against the use of the resources shortly after it was made available to Queensland schools, in an opt-in model, decided by school principals, from the start of second semester 2015. The federally-funded program approved by the Commonwealth education department as a resource, which is available to schools throughout the east coast, as well as the ACT and Tasmania, is designed to make the educational environment "more inclusive for same-sex attracted, intersex and gender diverse young people". A 19-year-old man has died after a bus crashed near Airlie Beach on Tuesday. The man was transported to Proserpine Hospital after the crash but was pronounced dead that afternoon. A 17-year-old man remains in critical condition at Proserpine Hospital and is expected to be transported to Townsville Hospital by the Royal Flying Doctors Service. A 25-year-old woman and a 29-year-old man, both with serious arm injuries, are also expected to be transported to Townsville Hospital. About 50,000 years ago, the anatomically modern humans who left Africa encountered Neanderthal settlements somewhere in the Middle East, scientists believe. The question of whether the two groups interbred was debated in scientific circles for decades, until 2010 when researchers found clear evidence of Neanderthal DNA sequences in people alive today. "Some of the associations we found made a lot of sense when we saw them, but the ones that affected neurological and psychiatric traits - those were surprising," said Tony Capra, a computational geneticist at Vanderbilt University in Nashville who oversaw the research. If you are of Asian or European descent, about two per cent of your genome came from your Neanderthal ancestors, scientists say. Now, new evidence suggests this inheritance affects a broad range of health disorders including skin disease, your ability to fight infection and even your risk of addiction and depression. It's been 40,000 years since the Neanderthals disappeared, but their lingering genetic legacy may be influencing your health. Since then, genetic archaeologists have been trying to determine what instructions these Neanderthal genes contain code for and why they have been preserved over so many millenniums. The new study, published in the journal Science, is based on data collected by the eMerge network, which includes the medical records and matching DNA sequences of 28,000 people in the US. The researchers also worked with a previously published map of all the places where genetic variants derived from Neanderthals had been found in the human genome. Armed with these two data sets, the team analysed each of the 28,000 individuals in the consortium and determined whether they had the signatures of Neanderthal DNA in any of the known spots on the genome. Then, they looked for patterns that would indicate whether having these Neanderthal variants meant a person was more or less likely to have been diagnosed with a specific disease. It stands to reason that the Neanderthal versions of genes would function differently from their modern human counterparts. After all, Neanderthals had been living in northern latitudes for thousands of years before anatomically modern humans arrived, giving the Neanderthals plenty of time to adapt to the unique environment and its pathogens. Most geneticists believe that at least some of the Neanderthal DNA variants that remain in the human genome were able to spread because they provided some advantage to our ancestors after they left Africa. His name is Lenny and he's the ghost of the Railway Hotel at the tiny town of Elaine. Locals say he was a miner, murdered in his room at the rear of the pub in the late 1800s. Publican Bevley Townsend says he usually lingers harmlessly in the halls, but when he's in a bad mood, he'll slam doors, fell glasses and chill the air. Retired air traffic controller Scott Whitaker is author of a new book on the history of every pub in Victoria named Railway Hotel. He is photographed out the front of the Railway Hotel in Elaine, south of Ballarat. Credit:Simon O'Dwyer A new book about pubs that are named Railway Hotel tells how Lenny's wasn't this pub's only murder. Publican Henry Gray shot dead customer Michael Fahey in 1922, after Fahey drunkenly attacked Gray with an axe. The pub, on the Midland Highway 30km south of Ballarat, opened in 1874, when there was a railway station across the road and regular passenger trains between Geelong and Ballarat. The consultation process for Labor's $1.6 billion sky rail project was adequate, despite criticism from planning experts and residents, Premier Daniel Andrews says. Speaking at the Chisholm Institute in Dandenong on Tuesday morning to announce that of the 2000 jobs created by the nine level crossing removals, 200 would be apprentices or graduate engineers, Mr Andrews defended his government's handling of the project. "It is totally incorrect to assert that the elevated option was not discussed with the local community," Mr Andrews said. "It was." After generations of fun terrorising gullible tourists and new Australians about the predatory behaviour of the fabled "drop bear", it appears there is more than a grain of truth in their existence. What's more, university researchers claim to have found evidence in a series of scratch marks in a cave in Witchcliffe near Margaret River that sheds new light on the marsupial lion, also known as thylacoleo carnifex. If ever there was a creature that could be called a "drop bear", it was the tree-climbing 100 kilogram marsupial lion. Credit:Australian Museum And that's a remarkably different creature from the popular cultural image of a "drop bear" as type of still cuddly, but fanged koala. Palaeontologists from Flinders University in South Australia have been hunting for more traces and a better understanding of the behaviour of this 100kg predator that died out about 40,000 years ago. Latest News Australia's record property market run comes to an end PEXA NSW sees the largest declines in both property sales volume and aggregate value MFAA offers cybersecurity resources to members Optus data breach a 'wake-up call' for businesses Leading brokerage Shore Financial has announced a major restructure, including the appointment of a chief executive officer, as it transitions from a small Sydney-based brokerage to a large interstate financial services organisation.Theo Chambers, who co-founded Shore Financial with Alex Nochar in 2013, has been promoted to the newly created CEO position. Speaking to Australian Broker, Chambers said the decision to create a CEO role was a strategic one to help the business capitalise on its impressive growth over the last three years.The problem previously was that Alex and I were both trying to manage the business whilst both also still broking. In the first couple of years this was a necessity for the business to stay profitable because Alex and my volume was bringing in revenue for the business to enable us to expand."It was also important that Alex and I, as founders of the business, were representing the business in terms of broking. But it came to the point where we decided to take myself off as being the number one loan writer to then actually teach other people all the ways of integrating our services into real estate which I learnt myself.Long term we are trying to move from a small brokerage culture to a large organisational structure.Nochar will remain as managing director and senior loan writer, focusing on the day-to-day business and technical aspects of mortgage broking such as policy and products, freeing up Chambers in his new role to focus on strategy, culture and growth.According to Chambers, his main focus this year will be to deepen its referral relationships and improve Shores business infrastructure and processes.Our goals this calendar year would be to really increase our penetration of the real estate industry We feel with the right integration and focus, we can not only significantly improve our loan volumes but more importantly generate reciprocal business for our real estate partners in the form of listing opportunities and property management referrals.Secondly, we would like to improve our business infrastructure and the processes we have in place to support our brokers. We are already hiring a marketing manager and in the process of customising new systems to enhance our broker offering by marketing and lead generation strategies . We are also in the process of amalgamating all of our systems to slipstream the process and increase efficiency across our whole business. While Alex will manage compliance, operations and the board.Along with Chambers new appointment, Shore Financial broker Thomas Hawley has been promoted to director and partner.[Tom] is one of our stand out performers and has been with us from almost day one. He has always been a team player, making sure he helps people around him and not just himself. His recent promotion to partner means hell obviously now sit on our board and take a more proactive role in the management of our business. Toms highly qualified background and amazing achievements in broking will help focus our long term direction of the business Chambers told Australian Broker.He has already been a big part in managing our business, especially within financial planning. He was previously in funds management and has completed an undergraduate and masters degree and has the right attitude to top it off. Latest News Australia's record property market run comes to an end PEXA NSW sees the largest declines in both property sales volume and aggregate value MFAA offers cybersecurity resources to members Optus data breach a 'wake-up call' for businesses Failing to budget is the number one hindrance stopping Australians achieving a comfortable financial future, according to a recent survey.The results of a survey of Yellow Brick Roads (YBR) network of wealth managers showed that over a third of the companys advisers believed failing to budget was the biggest issue to blame in stopping their customers meet their financial goals.This was followed by apathy towards financial position and believing nothing can improve it (17%), the fear of seeing the reality of their financial situation (17%), laziness (7%), credit card debts (7%) and buying new cars (3%).YBR spokesperson Lyndsey Douglas said these results reveal budgeting was an area in which Australians lacked discipline.Budgeting doesnt have to be difficult. Its about becoming aware of how youre spending your money each week and setting some goals. Knowledge is power and in this instance, it is a major tool to getting your piggy bank growing, she said.Once you have awareness of your spending habits, you can put an action plan in place to be sure youre saving appropriately, not over spending and reaching your targets.Douglas also said the survey proved it is time for Australians to get serious about their finances.While finances may not be the topic of choice at dinner parties, setting some time aside and getting serious about your financial situation is important.Some people avoid talking about money or think nothing can be done about their financial situation. In fact 17% of our adviser network said Australians are often afraid of the reality of their financial situation and dont ask for the help they need.Burying your head in the sand wont help you achieve your goals. The earlier you ask for help the more that can be done to help you growth wealth.Tim Brown, the chief executive of Vow Financial told Australian Broker earlier this year that debt management should be a major focus for brokers in 2016.I think [debt management] will be important for a number of reasons this year. The property market is starting to slow, the equities market is in a nightmare, and I think for our clients it is about building cash.I think cash will become king as the market starts to slow and I think people who are in better position with a strong capital flow and strong equities positions in other words, paying some debt down will be in a stronger position to select an opportunity moving forward. Latest News Australia's record property market run comes to an end PEXA NSW sees the largest declines in both property sales volume and aggregate value MFAA offers cybersecurity resources to members Optus data breach a 'wake-up call' for businesses Foreign residents disposing of Australian property will have to withhold 10% of capital gains proceeds to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) under new measures before federal parliament, according to leading legal firm Creevey Russell Lawyers.Creevey Russell Lawyers principal lawyer, Stuart ONeill, said the capital gains tax (CGT) withholding obligation will apply to residential and commercial property, mining, quarrying or prospecting rights and interests in Australian entities.The legislation was originally announced by the Gillard Labor government in May 2013 but once the Tax and Superannuation Laws Amendment (2015 Measures No. 6) Bill 2015 is passed into law, it will likely commence for contracts entered into on or after July 1, 2016.According to ONeill, this means brokers with foreign investor clients will need to ensure all contracts are up to date.Lawyers, conveyancers, agents and brokers acting for affected foreign resident vendors will need to include the withholding obligation in their sale contracts, he said.The withholding regime will not affect property transactions under $2 million (thus excluding most residential property sales), transactions completed on an approved stock exchange or disposals by a foreign resident who is bankrupt or under external administration.However, ONeill said lawyers and conveyancers will be able to apply for a clearance certificate from the ATO to determine whether the amount must be withheld in a transaction.It will be the vendors obligation to produce the certificate prior to settlement to absolve a purchaser from the obligation to withhold, he said.We expect affected vendors will bear the cost of obtaining the certificate. If a purchaser fails to withhold, they will be liable for a penalty equal to the amount that was required to be withheld.When purchasers withhold, they will have to pay the amount to the ATO with a remittance form that sets out the details of the vendor, the purchaser and the asset acquired.While the withholding regime is intended to protect the integrity of the CGT regime, it may equally apply where the disposal is likely to generate revenue gains taxable as ordinary income. Brooklyn-based band Big Thief announced today that they're signing with Saddle Creek to release their debut album. Details are still TBA but they have just released a video for their single "Masterpiece," directed by Adam Gundersheimer, featuring the band's tour shenanigans. Watch the video below. Big Thief will soon be on tour, opening for Eleanor Friedberger including her NYC show on February 18 at Bowery Ballroom. Tickets for that show are still available. As mentioned, Big Thief will also be opening some shows for Yuck as well. All tour dates are listed below... ---- by Tatiana Tenreyro Future Islands frontman Samuel T. Herring and bassist/guitarist William Cashion's side project, The Snails, announced a while back that they would release their debut album Songs From The Shoebox in March, but just dropped it early via Bandcamp. You can listen below. The Snails may be a joke band, with Samuel's adopted persona of Sammy Snail and snail-themed songs such as "Dusty Snails" and their Christmas song "Snails Christmas (I Want A New Shell)" which they included in this album, but it's as worthy of listening to as Future Islands albums, with tracks like "Tea Leaves," which stands out with its 80s-inspired saxophone jazz-rock sound. They also have a tour coming up next month, including two NYC shows: March 9 at Baby's All Right and March 10 at Mercury Lounge. Tickets for Baby's and Mercury are still on available. All tour dates are listed, along with their debut album, below... --- latest news October 3, 2022 Dee Gambit Hundreds if not thousands of new and returning TV shows and movies are released every month your options of what to watch are endless. Variety, they say is ... If FOX had wanted to reboot The X-Files with younger agents while still keeping the same Mulder/Scully dynamic, they could have done so with Agents Miller and Einstein from this episode, Babylon, the profiler who believes in the paranormal and the redheaded doctor. And as the two sets of partners first meet, I find myself thinking about season 7s Fight Club. Miller is the one to bring the case to Mulder and Scully. After two men enter an art gallery wearing suicide vests, he believes that theres a way for them to communicate with the bomber, barely alive in the hospital, using some sort of practitioner. Einstein is the skeptic, but she does find herself questioning things by the time the case comes to a close. Its Mulder and Scully 2.0! The X-Files Recap: A Family Emergency Reminds Scully of the Choice She Made >>> Its Like Looking in a Mirror It feels like old times down in the basement office when we first see Mulder and Scully. There have been reports from all over, from ear-witnesses, as Mulder calls them, of trumpets playing from no apparent source as if from the heavens themselves, as if God himself was making music, an apparent herald of end times. When someone knocks on the door and asks if anyones in there, Scully replies, Nobody but the FBIs most unwanted, before admitting to Mulder, Ive been waiting 23 years to say that. (And it feels good.) Its officially one of my favorite moments from the entire revival series (along with the mention of Scullys dissertation on Einsteins twin paradox). Heres why: Enter Miller and Einstein (aka Mulder and Scully 2.0). Hes a profiler obsessed with the paranormal; shes a medical doctor. One of the bombers responsible for the attack in Texas is still medically alive, in a persistent vegetative state, and Mulder already knows why theyre there: hoping to find a way to talk to him to find out what he knows about future attacks. However, Mulder tells Miller he has no one who can help him. After they leave, Scully notes how Einstein calls her partner Miller. You think anyone takes the X-Files seriously? Thats why they got them stuck down in that basement office, Einstein comments to her partner at the airport. (The first thought that pops into my head after that? That theyre going to be the next ones in that office.) Its like my dream assignment, Miller replies, probably already looking up where to get his own I Want to Believe poster if he doesnt already own one. In Einsteins mind, the only reason a scientist like Scully could have dedicated her career to this assignment is that shes in love with Mulder, but Miller suggests Mulder values her open mind. Einstein argues, Maybe she challenges his BS Again, Mulder and Scully 2.0. Then Mulder and Scully reach out to Einstein and Miller separately, each with a way to communicate with the bomber. That leads to Scully on a plane to Texas and Einstein delaying her flight to catch the crazy train. Mulder Has Quite the Experience Scully admits to Miller that this is a personal quest for her; she hadnt been able to communicate with her mother when she was in a coma, meaning her mystery will go unsolved, but they may be able to reach this man through science. Her theory boils down to prompting his brain with a series of questions that will trigger electroactivity, using an electroencephalogram. Their attempts, however, are halted first by men claiming jurisdiction as Homeland Security and then by a bomb threat called into the hospital. Meanwhile, Mulder tests Einsteins belief system. Does she believe that ideas can have weight like a desk does? No, because when I stand on a scale and think of ice cream, my ass doesnt grow, she tells him. But doesnt she believe that words can influence people to kill? Words can incite people to kill, yes, she allows, but theyre not lethal. Neo-Darwinists believe that every word spoken, every thought, every perception, is a step in evolution of mankind, Mulder argues. Whats Mulders plan? Well, it involves magic mushrooms and a study by respected medical practitioners. Test subjects reported experiences that transcended space and time, seeing the dead and touching the face of God. He wants her to give him shrooms so he can communicate with the terrorist because he believes he can be reached on whatever plane of existence hes on. Nope, she refuses, promising to never darken his basement door again. Really, she should have just given in because its so obvious shes going to. Which she does, once she sees Scully with Miller in Texas. Einstein calls Mulder and meets him at the airport with pills. She cant speak to the dosage, but she doesnt recommend that he take both. She does anticipate results, she tells him, and gets them into the hospital room despite the threat on the building. However, when she turns her back on him, he takes the pills and then takes off. What follows is quite the experience for Mulder. In his haze, he wanders through the hospital hallway, out into the road, into a bar (where he dances; sees, among other things, the Lone Gunmen RIP and wears mushroom bling) and ends up shirtless on a table, with Einstein dressed as a dominatrix over him. And then suddenly hes on a boat with people dressed in black, and the Cigarette Smoking Man whips him, telling him he came to the right place for the truth. At the other end of the boat is the terrorist in the arms of a woman, and Mulder leans in to try to hear what hes saying. The 12 Creepiest Stand-Alone Episodes of The X-Files >>> Words Can Be Powerful When Mulder awakens, hes in the hospital, with Skinner over him telling him the rodeos over. No, he wasnt on fire; he was an embarrassment to pretty much everyone. Einstein informs him that she gave him niacin capsules (behold the placebo effect and the power of suggestion). No, he was under the influence of something, Mulder insists, and Skinner was there and the Lone Gunmen and Einstein was 50 shades of bad. He also spoke to the terrorist, he says, but he cant tell them what he said because it was in Arabic. Furthermore, as Einstein wheels Mulder through the hospital, he hears a woman trying to get past the agents outside. Shes the woman he saw with the terrorist: his mother. He brings her to his room, and as she stands at his side, she says that he couldnt kill anyone. Thats not how she raised him, and she sees that he lost his nerve, that he couldnt go through with it. How does she know that? He told her in her dreams and in prayers. Unfortunately, she cant tell them anything about who else is involved. But it seems that crazy experience of Mulders is key to stopping a future attack. When he repeats what the man was trying to tell him, Miller translates it: Babylon the hotel. The FBI finds the terrorist cell at the motel. Einstein finds Miller at the airport, and while she acknowledges the role he played in taking down the terrorist cell, he doesnt, instead saying it was all her and Mulder. But she cant explain how she did nothing and it worked. Maybe some things are unexplainable, Agent Einstein, her partner suggests. She may say shes never going to hop on the crazy train again (yeah, right), but she is convinced that words and ideas do have the weight to move people to do the most psychotic things, she admits. Like giving someone magic mushrooms, he suggests, but she insists shes talking about Mulder. Right. Scully visits Mulder at the house, both wondering how Einsteins placebo worked on him. Wonders never cease with you, Scully comments. They both saw things him, deep and unconditional love, and her, unqualified hate that appears to have no end. Perhaps the question is reconciling those two extremes. The recent events have gotten him thinking about God, Mulder admits, the angry God of the Bible who punished man for hubris. These boys had swallowed the pill, fallen prey to the power of suggestion, to strap on suicide vests, but something seemed to trump all that hatred: the love of a mother. Maybe what they need to do is open their hearts and truly listen. And so Mulder does hearing trumpets? The X-Files airs Mondays at 8pm on FOX. (Images courtesy of FOX) Brick maker Ibstock has opened a new state-of-the-art cutting centre for its Chesterton brick works as part of its ongoing investment programme. The investment has resulted in doubling production at the site, with the installation of the fastest slipsaw in the UK capable of processing 8,000 bricks a day and increased staff numbers. Ibstocks Chesterton site specialises in custom made brick shapes from the Ibstock-Kevington range of special shapes and prefabricated solutions including Faststack, Fastwall, arches and underslung soffits. Iain Durrant, operations director at Ibstock-Kevington, said: Our Chesterton factory is well placed to support the supply of our specials range across the UK. We know many construction professionals are seeking ways to speed-up build timescales and the investment is designed to support our range of products and solutions, which can help to do just that. Our site at Chesterton is one of the most efficient factories of its type in the world and the new cutting centre adds to what it offers to meet demand across construction. The company is also investing 55m in its site in Ibstock, Leicestershire. The new production facility is set to boost manufacture by an additional 100m bricks per year enough to build around 15,000 new houses. From the Pine Barrens and beyond, check out these haunted hikes From the barren Pinelands to the murky bays, check out these haunted hikes and strolls at the Jersey Shore this Halloween season. EDF has said today that final steps are well in hand to enable the full construction of Hinkley Point C near Burnham-On-Sea despite press reports that it is under pressure to abandon the project. EDF has agreed a deal in principle under which China General Nuclear Power Corporation (CGN) will pay a third of the cost of the 18bn project in exchange for a 33.5% stake. The company said this morning (Tuesday): Hinkley Point C is a strong project which is fully ready for a final investment decision and successful construction. Final steps are well in hand to enable the full construction phase to be launched very soon. Reports in the national press indicate the company is struggling to find the cash for its 66.5% stake. A decision had been expected by EDF yesterday (Monday) on whether it would commit to the 18.6bn project with a final investment decision. The companys board has also received a report which warns that the nine-year timetable to complete the two nuclear reactors is impossible to meet and could be financially disastrous for the firm. If built, Hinkley Point C will create thousands of jobs and generate seven per cent of Britains electricity by 2025, despite opposition from campaigners. Stop Hinkley spokesperson Roy Pumfrey said: We are calling on EDF to scrap these plans as soon as possible so that communities in Somerset can get on with planning a sustainable energy future. The Government should stop taking UK energy policy down this nuclear cul-de-sac and get on with implementing a sensible renewable energy strategy. Theo Simon, a Green Party campaigner, added: This project has faced major challenges from the outset. EDF first announced Hinkley C in 2013 and said in 2015 that Chinese utility CGN would take a 33.5 percent stake in the project, but yesterday it was announced that the decision has now been delayed for the 10th time, as it struggles to find financing. According to national press reports, Yannick dEscatha, the former head of French state nuclear agency CEA, has raised serious doubts about whether the Hinkley Point C project could be completed on schedule. Furthermore, the projects budget is bigger than EDFs market value. EDFs unions, which have six seats on the firms 18-member board, are also reportedly opposed to the project and have said they will vote against it. Pictured: The western end of Hinkley Point Nuclear Power Station looking towards Burnham-On-Sea in the far background (photo Richard Baker) Online sales of surged more than 150 per cent in the December quarter to 37.3 per cent of overall sales in India. Some 25.6 million were shipped during the quarter, up 15.4 per cent from 22.2 million units in the same period last year, according to a report by International Data Corporation (IDC). Indias top smartphone brand Samsung holds 26.8 per cent market share, up 4.8 per cent year-on-year. Micromax held the second spot. Its share declined to 14.1 per cent from 18 per cent a year ago. The vendor (Micromax) is facing tremendous competition from both home-grown and China-based vendors at different price points under Rs 13,000 ($200), IDC wrote in its report. Chinese firm Lenovo toppled Indian maker Intex from the third spot during the quarter. Lenovo holds 11.6 per cent share of the market, followed by Intex, 9.4 per cent. Lava held on to the fifth spot, with no change in share. Fourth-generation-(4G)-enabled smartphone shipments stood at 13.9 million units, accounting for more than half of the market in the December quarter. Fourth generation (4G) is a mobile communications standard intended to replace 3G (third generation), allowing wireless internet access at a much higher speed. Third generation (3G) is a mobile communications standard that allows mobile phones, computers, and other portable electronic devices to access the internet wirelessly. Fourth-generation smartphone shipments surpassed 3G volumes for the first time, primarily led by Samsung and Lenovo. They together accounted for more than half of 4G volumes, said Karthik J, senior market analyst, client devices, IDC. Chinese smartphone vendors gained significant market share in India last year. These vendors together hold over 22 per cent of the market compared with 15 per cent in December 2014. As the smartphone market in China begins to slow, most vendors are looking for avenues to leverage Indias potential. The internet negates the need for distribution, Karthik J added. Aimed at quick decision-making, Bharti Airtel on Tuesday announced top-level changes for its Africa operations. Raghunath Mandava has been appointed as chief operating officer of Airtel Africa while Christian Defaria is elevated to the position of executive chairman. Mandava is currently the director customer experience for India and South Asia regions. He will be relocated to Nairobi and fully responsible for the commercial operations in Africa. In his new role, Defaria will continue to support the vision of Airtel Africa and lead all matters relating to legal, regulatory affairs, shareholders as well as mergers and acquisitions, the company said. The firm also announced a new cluster-based organisation design wherein 15 African countries will now be classified into eight clusters with each head reporting to Raghu. Sunil Bharti Mittal, chairman, Bharti Airtel, said, Christian has done an excellent job by streamlining the operations, strengthening the leadership teams across Africa while enhancing the image of Airtel brand across Africa. We believe we have a strong platform to accelerate our journey towards profitability and market leadership." The appointment of Raghu would help leverage the platform and sharpen our market focus and strengthen the innovation pipeline, Mittal said and added: "We remained fully committed to Africa and continue to invest in the growth of our operations." GrabOn.in, an online coupons and deals start-up run by Hyderabad-based e-commerce products firm, Landmark IT Solutions, is looking at doing a gross merchandise value (GMV) of Rs 1,200 crore to its affiliate partners this calendar year, as against Rs 500 crore in 2015. "The GMV is expected to be driven by customer acquisitions and the increasing number of unique visitors," Ashok Reddy, founder and chief executive officer of GrabOn, told mediapersons on Tuesday. Founded in September 2013 and commercially launched in April 2014, GrabOn currently sees 5.5 million unique visitors per month, with 47% of them being returning users. Stating that 85% of GrabOn's traffic was organic, Reddy said the company was targeting to have 12 million unique visitors per month on-board by the end of this calender and eventually touch 25 million in 2017. The bootstrapped company is currently in active discussion with a couple of players to raise between $10 million and $12 million in a Series-A funding round to foray into the offline deals and coupons space starting from the top 10 cities in the country to begin with. "We should be closing both (fundraising and entering offline space) within the second quarter of the current calendar year," Reddy said, while indicating that the company was expected to offload 30% stake for the funds raised. Mahindra & Mahindra has had a challenging year so far, especially due to the temporary ban on large diesel vehicles in the national capital region., M&Ms executive director, tells Ajay Modi that petrol vehicles will be an important focus area and the company is ready to bring in smaller engines if larger engines are perceived to be more polluting. Edited excerptsThe 1.99-litre engine was a happy coincidence. It isnot that we started developing the engine because of the ban. The engine was on the drawing board for a year-and-a-half. The development was not specifically for India, but for global markets. Will that be used nationally or only for the NCR? Right now it is only for the NCR. We will wait to see how customers respond. If they are happy with its efficiency and are indifferent to the engine size, we will make it common. The legal requirement forces us to sell it only in NCR, but if customers want 1.99 litre everywhere, we will do it. Will you rate the current year as one of the most challenging in recent times? Businesses are always challenging. There is always some challenge or the other. We only keep forgetting past challenges when there is a new one. The challenges in front of us are coming from various fronts regulatory, legal, competitive, safety. The tractor business is faced with a slowdown in the rural market. In two-wheelers, we are struggling to ramp up to the volumes we want. The electric vehicle has not reached a level we would want it to. So, there are multiple challenges. Mahindra will tackle each of these. The two things that we have done in last one month launch the KUV100 and the 1.99 diesel engine show that we will be able to take care of challenges that come our way. Are you reviewing your strategies? Definitely. We are looking at the petrol portfolio more seriously. Not that we had not planned on petrol. It was always in the works and that is how the petrol KUV 100 came about. But we will probably do it in more vehicles now. What is yet to be seen is how our customers react to petrol offerings in SUVs. Smaller vehicles like the KUV100 will have a good mix of petrol and diesel. But for the larger ones like the XUV500, whether the customer accepts it is yet to be seen. The second change is electric vehicles. They are becoming more relevant. The FAME scheme has given them some push. We expect electric to become more mainstream. The third change is that the BSVI norms, which would have come in 2024, have been advanced by four years. A lot of resources will have to be put in to meet the norms. For your larger SUVs, will you look at a specific engine capacity? Engine capacity is not a determinant of pollution. There is no correlation between engine size and affluence. Our biggest engine (2.5 litres) goes into our least expensive vehicle, the Bolero. Emission norms are based on per kilometre of driving. I hope the Supreme Court will revisit the view that a bigger engine means more emission. We will be keeping ourselves flexible. We can launch 2 litre engines across the board or we can do a mix of 2 litre and 2.2 litre. For the bigger vehicles we will look to see if we can go below 2 litres if the perception sets in that smaller engines mean less emission. Does diesel technology need an image makeover? Everything has to be looked at holistically. There is nothing that is all good or all bad. If we constantly keep talking about the negative side, that perception gets built up. Diesels biggest virtue is that it has lower CO2. To meet the COP21 commitments that India has made, the biggest enabler we have is more use of diesel. One thing that is bad in diesel is PM emission compared to petrol. Nobody can take it away. I can reduce PM emission when we move to BS-VI, but other pollutants like CO is good in diesel. Beijing has hardly any diesel vehicles but it still has high pollution. It has been proven again and again that the high PM in Delhi is not only due to diesel vehicles. The fact that diesel is not a clean vehicle is all because of focus on one aspect, the PM2.5 without looking at the contribution of passenger vehicles to PM2.5. We need to talk more about the virtues of diesel. But if I do that right now, nobody is going to listen. We have to wait for the situation to change. The Indian denim is looking to gradually increase its share of exports from its current 35%. Experts feel that the will have to increase its capacity by another 300 million metres. The sectors current share of domestic sales is 65%. "Historically, denim has been one of the fastest growing apparel fabric segments, having grown by 500 million metres from 700 million metres in 2010 to 1.2 billion in 2015. Yet, there is a gap of another 300 million metres in India if the denim needs to tap its full export potential," said P R Roy, chairman of Diagonal Consulting (India), which is organising the International Denim Conference in Ahmedabad jointly with the Confederation of Indian Textile Industry (CITI) on February 19 and 20, 2016. The conference will see major denim fabric and apparel players as well as experts from within India and abroad deliberating over the future of denim industry, especially for India. "Exports of textiles have not done well in the last few years and denim as one of the major textile product groups could push textile exports. The conference will look to bring attention to policy makers on how this product can be looked at for boosting overall textile exports from the country," said Roy. While India has been one of the major global suppliers of denim fabrics, the country still falls behind other competing nations in terms of denim apparel such as jeans. Also, while most of the global brands outsource denim apparel work to Indian players, much of it is meant for the domestic market and not for exports. "The conference will look to deliberate on how Indian apparel scene can be improved so that Indian denim industry bags orders not just for domestic market but also that it becomes a global hub for branded denim apparel," Roy added. Meanwhile, the industry is expected to touch 1.5 billion metres capacity by 2020 even as the domestic and exports ratio is set to change from 65:35 to 55:45. OIL produces heavy oil and natural gas at Tanot Dandewala and Baghewala in the state, and is exploring PML for five more locations in the state. HCL Technologies, the software developer led by billionaire Shiv Nadar, is planning to sell shares in the US this year, people with knowledge of the matter said, in what would be the first listing there by a large Indian company in more than eight years. The company, which has a market value of $17 billion, is working with Citigroup Inc and Credit Suisse Group AG to arrange the offering, according to the people. HCL Technologies may seek about $1 billion from the share sale, though the exact amount hasn't been determined, the people said, asking not to be identified as the information is ... Just days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi said retrospective taxation was a closed chapter and promised a transparent, stable and predictable tax regime, the income tax department has done just the opposite. In a notice to Vodafone, the tax department said it might seize the British firms assets in the country if it failed to pay Rs 14,200 crore in disputed tax. The tax arose out of retrospective amendments the previous United Progressive Alliance government resorted to after losing its battle with Vodafone in the Supreme Court. The case relates to the $11 billion (Rs 75,256 crore) acquisition of Hutchison Whampoas Indian telecom business by Vodafone in 2007. The matter is in international arbitration. Vodafone Plc, the UK-based parent, reacted strongly and said, In a week when Prime Minister Modi is promoting a tax-friendly environment for foreign investors, this seems a complete disconnect between the government and the tax department. It further said, We can confirm that we have received a tax reminder from the tax department that also references asset seizures in the event of non-payment even though the Indian government stated in 2014 that existing tax disputes, including ours, would be resolved through existing judicial process. The revenue department tried to play down the development. Revenue secretary Hasmukh Adhia tweeted, The notice in Vodafone case is a routine exercise of sending collection notice to all those whose dues are not stayed by any court." He said the party can always approach assessing office with a request to stay the demand as per law. "In case assessing officer does not agree, party can go to next higher authority and get a stay," his tweets further said. Meanwhile, Surabhi Sinha, member, Central Board of Direct Taxes, told reporters on the sidelines of the Make in India Week,"The Department is strictly adhering to the regulations and the serving of notice (to Vodafone) was just normal (procedure). The assessing officials issue assessment orders and demand notices as part of the normal process." She did not specifically name Vodafone. According to Sinha, the government is keen to have a predictable and stable taxation regime as envisaged by the Prime Minister. However, she declined to comment further on the Vodafone matter. The tax department has also extended the bar on UK's Cairn Energy selling its residual stake in Cairn India till March 31 as the Rs 10,247-crore tax dispute with the company continues. The department had on January 22, 2014, issued a notice to Cairn Energy over alleged capital gains of Rs 10,274 it made in 2006, when it reorganised its India business and raised money through an initial public offering. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley in his maiden Budget speech in 2014 had said retrospective amendments to the I-T Act had led to litigation. He had assured investors that his government would not change tax laws retrospectively, if it leads to fresh liability. UNENDING TAX TALE The case relates to Vodafones acquisition of assets in India from Hong Kong-based Hutchison The UPA government carried out retrospective amendments to the Income-Tax Act to bring all foreign indirect transfers under the tax net The basic tax demand for Vodafone was Rs 7,990 crore Forest rights of tribals over their traditional lands in Ghatbarra village of Surguja district have been taken away by the government to facilitate coal mining of Prasa East and Kete Besan coal block. The block has been allocated to Rajasthan Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Limited (RVUNL) and Adani Minerals Private Limited. The latter is a 100 per cent subsidiary of Adani Enterprises and RVUNL is a Rajasthan government enterprise. In an order passed on January 8, the government had cancelled the community land rights of the tribals in the village, given under the Forest Rights Act (FRA). The government, in the order, stated that the villagers had been using their legal rights over the forest land to stop work of mining in their village, which falls in the Parsa East and Kete Besan coal block. It is the first such order to come to light in India, where community rights of tribals have been cancelled after being granted through the process laid down in the FRA. Business Standard reviewed the January 8 orders cancelling the land rights of the tribals in the village. The government and the district authorities, however, did not respond to the queries. The FRA does not provide for revocation of either community or individual land rights once granted under the law. The law and the attendant regulations provide only for the government diverting the forest land for some other purpose after prior consent of the tribals through their gram sabha. Under the FRA, tribals are empowered to claim individual and community rights over forestlands they have traditionally hold on. The gram sabha of Bhatbarra did so and in September 3, 2013 they were handed over the lands by the state government. After that, the village became aware that the coal block could remain susceptible to mining despite the Supreme Court orders cancelling earlier allocations. In October 2014 the gram sabha (village council) of Ghatbarra, along with 19 other villages, took out a formal resolution opposing the mining in their lands. Under the FRA, the gram sabha is the only authority empowered to decide the future of traditional tribal lands. Also Read: Five coal blocks in Chhattisgarh might see land conflict The FRA also requires that the claims and rights of all tribals and other forest-dwellers are settled before the government looks to remove them under section 4(5) of the law and other rules. But the central government gave the clearance to divert the land for mining in 2012 without settling the rights. Business Standard reviewed the orders of the environment ministry. One set of orders said the land would be diverted only once the rights of the tribals and others had been settled. But then later orders (called stage 2 forest clearance) handed over the land for mining without ascertaining that the rights had actually been settled. The state government in its order dated January 8 notes (translated from Hindi): When the administration tries to get diversion of forests done for the Parsa East and Kete Besen open coal block, the villagers, using the context of the land rights given by the collector to them, create barriers and protest to stop work. The order notes that this was investigated by the forest department. The conservator of forests of Surguja found that the land rights were given to tribals in 2013 while the forest clearance to RVUNL had been given in 2012. He concluded, therefore, the community forest rights given to the tribals could be cancelled. The district administration along with the tribal affairs and the forest department based on latters conclusions passed an order saying, because the land had been given in 2012 to the company for mining, it no longer classified as forestland in 2013 when it was given to tribals under the FRA. Consequently, the three set of authorities collectively decided that the government order handing over rights to tribals in 2013 is cancelled. The block has been caught up in a legal fracas over the forest clearance for other reasons as well. In 2014, the Green Tribunal (NGT) had cancelled the forest clearance noting that the environment ministry had not looked at the impact of coal mining on biodiversity in the region, including presence of protected species such as the elephant. It asked the environment ministry to take a look again at the case. But the stay on operations was removed by the Supreme Court even as the NGT orders to relook at the clearance continued to operate. Since then the ministry has not taken a decision on the matter, records show. Jawaharlal Nehru University Students' Union (JNUSU) president Kanhaiya Kumar, in police custody on charges of sedition, was not responsible for organising the event marking Afzal Guru's death anniversary, according to report given to the Union ministry of home affairs (MHA) by police. The report says activists of lesser known Democratic Students Union (DSU), led by Umar Khalid, a student, raised anti-India slogans after they were denied permission to exhibit a pro-Afzal Guru documentary. Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru, hanged on February 9, 2013, was allegedly eulogised on his death anniversary. Khalid, according to police, is absconding. The police, said sources, are also investigating Umar's links with terrorist outfits. The high court on Tuesday dismissed a plea that sought to transfer the case from Delhi Police to the Investigation Agency (NIA). The issue of Kanhaiya Kumar's arrest was raised at an all-party meeting as well. Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan said leaders from opposition distanced themselves from slogans raised in JNU after Finance Minister Arun Jaitley gave details of the words used and banners displayed on the campus. At JNU, the teachers also came out in support of the strike by students and decided not to hold classes until the release of Kanhaiya Kumar. The student leader will be produced in court after the end of his police custody on Wednesday. According to inputs from security agencies to the MHA, Kanhaiya Kumar might not have raised anti- slogans or made inflammatory speech at the event. Home Ministry officials have suggested that slapping of the serious charge of sedition against Kumar could be an act of "over enthusiasm" of some Delhi Police officers. Officials said the "anti-India" slogans were raised by students belonging to DSU, considered to be a front of CPI (Maoists). Kanhaiya Kumar belongs to All India Students Federation (AISF), the students' wing of Communist Party of India, while DSU is an extreme left group. The Supreme Court on Tuesday agreed to give an urgent hearing on Wednesday to a plea seeking action against those involved in thrashing journalists and JNU students and teachers in a city court complex. Around 300 journalists marched from the Press Club of India in central Delhi to the Supreme Court to protest the attack on journalists. The journalists shouted slogans in support of freedom of expression and gave a memorandum to Chief Justice of India T S Thakur. They also gave a memorandum to Home Minister Rajnath Singh. The News Broadcasters Association, an umbrella body of television channels, condemned the assault on journalists, especially on women. Association president Rajat Sharma said the "cowardly attack" was meant to intimidate journalists carrying out their duty of disseminating news and information, a service essential for democratic society. In the Supreme Court, the petition filed by N D Jaiprakash, an alumnus of JNU, who was hurt in the violence at the courts on Monday, sought action against the people involved in the violence and over police "inaction". The petition was mentioned before a bench headed by the Chief Justice by senior advocate Indira Jaising. Two FIRs were registered on Monday night in connection with the attacks on journalists and JNU students and teachers. The JNU protests received a shot in the arm with teachers' bodies of 40 central universities and Pune-based FTII coming out in support of the agitating students, saying it is an issue of "indiscipline" and not "sedition". Over 400 academicians from international varsities, including Columbia, Yale, Harvard, Cambridge, Oxford, SOAS, University of Toronto, McGill, King's College, University of California, Berkeley and New York University have also expressed solidarity with JNU students condemning the "illegal" detention and "autocratic" suspension of students. Udit Raj, member of Parliament and BJP's Dalit face in Delhi, said JNU students were being asked to vacate their tenements in neighbouring localities. Raj, an alumnus of the institution, said it was a consequence of a "motivated" campaign to label the varsity as a den of "anti- nationals and traitors". While Congress leader Digvijaya Singh termed the attack on journalists an act of fascism, the BJP demanded that Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi should apologise to the nation for supporting "anti-nationals". In a related development, a court in Munger in Bihar ordered police to register a case against Kanhaiya Kumar and others for allegedly raising anti-India slogans. Unlock 30+ premium stories daily hand-picked by our editors, across devices on browser and app. Full access to our intuitive epaper - clip, save, share articles from any device; newspaper archives from 2006. Curated newsletters on markets, personal finance, policy & politics, start-ups, technology, and more. Pick your 5 favourite companies, get a daily email with all news updates on them. 26 years of website archives. As part of the Make in India week, Gujarat government saw memorandums of understanding (MoUs) worth over Rs 700 crore being signed in Mumbai. In an official communique, the state government said that during the event, the state government signed an MoU of Rs 341 crore with French company Tar Kovacs Systems for offshore platform to development of marine applications in the Gujarat. Further, Denmark-based leading wind energy company Vestas agreed to invest Rs 426 crore in Gujarat to produce wind mill blades by setting up a manufacturing unit at Bavla near Ahmedabad. Gujarat government also signed an MoU with Ameya Information Limited, it stated. Commenting on the same, Gujarat chief minister Anandiben Patel said: "Gujarat was in top position in terms of receiving investment proposals and implementation in India with 21 per cent share in total investment being made in India. During the year the state had received investment intention proposals worth Rs 62,403 crore." What's more, to institutionalise investment further in the state, Gujarat government announced initiating foreign desks at five cities internationally. "We are aiming to start foreign desk at Frankfurt, Tokyo, Dubai, New York and Gwangju to institutionalise investment in Gujarat," Patel said. The state chief minster also met the Consulate General of United States of America and invited the US to be a partner in Vibrant Gujarat Summit 2017. In recent times, Gujarat government has announced various policies for electronics, IT, cottage, textile, tourism and plastic industries, even as it looks to announce policies for mega industries incentives, MSMEs, agro food and defence manufacturing. Admitting a public interest litigation (PIL), the Gujarat high court on Tuesday issued a notice to the Gujarat Internat-ional Finance Tec-City Company after hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) that alleged financial and governance irregularities in the mega project. Adjourning the matter till March 15, the Bench of Acting Chief Justice Jayant Patel and Justice Vipul M Pancholi issued the notice to Company, a 50:50 joint venture between Gujarat Urban Development Company (GUDCL), a Gujarat government undertaking, and publicly held Infrastructure Leasing & Financial Services (IL&FS), seeking a response. Filed by D C Anjaria, a former independent director and audit committee chairman at Company, the PIL, among several other contentions, has raised questions regarding sale of development rights, ownership of land, recognition of income, appointment of public information officer and waste of public money, thereby leading to additional burden on citizens. Apart from alleging that the sale of development rights in the project were not being recognised as income, the petition had also prayed to the court to direct to be named a 'public authority' under the Right to Information Act and appoint a public information officer. "We have also pleaded to the court to direct the entity to be amenable to an audit by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India," said Anjaria. The petition has made GIFT City Company, GUDCL, IL&FS, and GIFT City Company chairman Sudhir Mankad and as respondents, Anjaria and his legal counsel, advocates Rasesh Parikh and Hemang Parikh said. The PIL did not make the state government a respondent. The project is known as a pet project of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and is being marketed as the first "global financial hub" in the country. Anjaria said, "This petition has been filed to safeguard the interest of the government and the public money involved in the dealings of development of the city. Hence, we have not made the government a party to this petition. GIFT City Company, its chairman, Sudhir Mankad, Gujarat Urban Development Authority and IL&FS have been named as respondents. It seems that the government-appointed board of directors failed to safeguard the interest of public money. We have appealed to the Hon court that a team should be formed to investigate the financial irregularities." An Indian Institute of Management-Ahmedabad (IIM-A) alumnus, the 69-year-old Anjaria was part of the original team that conceived and presented the Rs 70,000-crore project in 2006-07 to the then Gujarat chief minister, Narendra Modi. Minister of Roads and Highways Nitin Gadkari on Tuesday announced policies for developing logistics hubs using 350 ring roads; development of 2,000 ports along 14,000 km of coast and introduction of e-tolling across 360 toll plazas. Pepsi will set up one more unit in Maharashtra to make mango and pomegranate juices, and also an orange-based citrus juice. The investment is estimated at around Rs 500 crore. With most (PSBs) reporting a sharp increase in net non-performing assets (NPAs), the solvency position of these lenders has deteriorated rapidly over the past three quarters. A Business Standard analysis of 19 state-owned shows that at the aggregate level, the solvency ratio (ratio of a bank's net NPA to its net worth) has edged up to 45.3 per cent at the end of the third quarter, from 35.8 per cent at the end of the first quarter in the current financial year. This means that 45.3 per cent of the net worth of these 19 would be wiped off if they had to provide for these bad loans. "In good times, the solvency ratio was 15-20 per cent. But now, for most PSBs, it is of a much higher magnitude," says Vibha Batra, group head of financial sector ratings at Icra. Among the larger banks, Punjab National Bank appears to be in an extremely precarious financial position. Its solvency ratio worsened from 38.7 per cent in the first quarter to a staggering 54.5 per cent at the end of the third quarter. By comparison, State Bank of India is in a relatively better position with its solvency ratio deteriorating from 21.7 per cent to only 28.2 per cent. With a sharp rise in NPAs, the solvency ratio for Indian Overseas Bank (IOB) deteriorated sharply from 76.3 per cent at the end of the first quarter to 101.4 per cent in the third quarter, implying that the bank cannot even provide for all the bad loans on its books. Other public-sector banks have also witnessed large slippages. Bank of India's solvency ratio swelled from 56.3 per cent to 71.8 per cent over the same period, while Central Bank of India's ratio went up to 65.9 per cent from 47 per cent. "The results indicate a sharp deterioration in the financial health of public-sector banks. The overall stress among public sector-banks is very high. While these banks have seen deterioration in performance in the past few years, the extent of losses being reported now is very high," says Anuj Jain of CARE Ratings. This sharp rise in NPAs is the consequence of Reserve Bank of India (RBI) exerting pressure on banks to recognise bad loans quickly. But, given the level of opacity in the system, it's difficult to gauge how bad things really are. To get a better of sense of what could potentially be the actual extent of bad loans in the system, analysts at CRISIL suggest using an alternate estimate. "The right number to look at is weak assets. Our estimate of weak assets stood at Rs 5.5 lakh crore, against the current gross NPAs of around Rs 3.5 lakh crore (at the end of September 2015)," says Pawan Agrawal, chief analytical officer at CRISIL Ratings. "As you keep recognising more NPAs, the gap between the two numbers (Rs 5.5 lakh crore and Rs 3.5 lakh crore) will get bridged," he adds. As banks would not have made provisions for these assets, the financial position of is likely to worsen in the coming quarters. Batra believes most banks will spread higher NPA recognition over the coming two quarters. With bad loans piling up, it is becoming abundantly clear that banks' Tier-1 capital will need to be strengthened quite significantly. Although the government infused capital in some PSBs last year, the amount was a pittance compared to what is needed to recapitalise banks. Take the case of the IOB. Last year, the government infused roughly Rs 2,000 crore of capital in the bank. But, with the bank reporting losses worth Rs 550 crore and Rs 1,425 crore in the second quarter and third quarter of the current financial year, respectively, the capital infused was barely enough to compensate for the losses. While analysts had earlier estimated that would need around Rs 3.4 lakh crore of capital to meet the Basel-III norms, the sharp deterioration in asset quality suggests the figure would need to be revised upwards. "As the asset quality is deteriorating at a much faster pace than anticipated this number is likely to be revised upwards," says Agrawal. But, this is where the situation gets complicated. The recent stock market rout suggests investors are deeply sceptical about the financial prospects of public sector banks. The market is currently valuing all public sector banks at almost the same level as one private bank - HDFC. In fact, investors so sceptical that the country's largest bank SBI now has a market capitalisation equal to that of the much smaller Kotak Mahindra Bank. This suggests most public-sector banks will find it difficult to raise money directly through markets and will be dependent on government funding. But, given that the Centre's fiscal space will be constrained by outflows on account of the Seventh Pay Commission and the One Rank One Pension scheme, finding money to capitalise banks is going to be challenging. Even as the countdown for 2017 Uttar Pradesh polls in early 2017 still to begin, road projects worth over Rs 1,00,000 crore are projected to zoom in the state during the next financial year. These projects would comprise national highways (NH), state highways (SH), expressways, district roads, rural roads etc to be undertaken both by the central and state governments. While, the Akhilesh Yadav government has made provision for road and highway projects worth over Rs 28,600 crore in the UP Budget 2016-17 tabled in the state assembly recently, two mega expressway projects viz. Agra-Lucknow Expressway and Lucknow-Ballia Expressway are on the ground. The work on Agra-Lucknow Expressway estimated to cost Rs 15,000 crore is on and is expected to be completed before end calendar 2016, while ground work on the proposed Lucknow-Ballia Purvanchal Expressway projected to cost Rs 18,000 crore is expected to begin in near future. The state government has urged the Centre to provide financial aid of Rs 5,000 crore for the Purvanchal Expressway. The budgetary provision of over Rs 28,600 crore along with estimated expenditure of Rs 33,000 crore in the two expressway projects, put the UP purse for the roads sector at more than Rs 61,000 crore. Besides, union road transport, highways and shipping minister Nitin Gadkari had already announced that NH highway projects worth almost Rs 45,000 crore were underway in UP, while additional road projects totalling roughly Rs 55,000 crore would be launched during 2016-17. Meanwhile, the sparks between the central and state governments have started to flow on the issue of roads and highways as elections draw nearer. In his recent visit to Lucknow, Gadkari had alleged the Centre had notified in March 2015 for up-grading four SH as NH in UP, however, the state had yet not issued the no objection certificate (NoC). The four roads span the impoverished eastern and central UP districts viz. Gorakhpur, Deoria, Gonda and Balrampur. According to sources, the state government is not willing to provide the NoC in an election year. These roads are in bad shape and the takeover by the Centre would exclude them from the purview of the UP Public Works Department (PWD), which would be unable to carry out repairs to keep the local electorate in good humour. Gadkari had further announced that the Centre would upgrade the Lucknow-Kanpur NH to eight-lane at an estimated cost of Rs 10,000 crore. The work on the project is likely to start in the fiscal and completed before 2019. Although, Lucknow-Kanpur route is very busy, the road connecting the two towns is broken at several places. Filing and getting approvals for patents is all set to become more easier and quicker, with approvals coming in as early as 18 months. Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) secretary Amitabh Kant, who was speaking at the industry-academia symposium at the Make in India week, said this will be enabled within one year. The Supreme Court on Tuesday directed the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to furnish within six weeks details of all defaulters who have outstanding dues of Rs 500 crore and above. The list should be across public sector (PSU) banks and all financial institutions, the court emphasised. The order passed by the Bench headed by Chief Justice T S Thakur said the central bank should also include details of restructured assets and names of institutions whose debts have been written off in the past five years. The court has asked for the list to be submitted in a sealed envelope. According to RBIs estimates, as of September 2015, the gross plus restructured and written off assets amounted to 14.1 per cent of bank loans. For PSU banks, the share was 17 per cent. If the December quarter numbers are added, this could shoot up further. Most of the stress has come from the medium industries segment, which accounted for 31.5 per cent of bad loans, according to a presentation by RBI Deputy Governor S S Mundra. However, experts say banks might not be able to recover most of the dues, even if there is a question of wilful default. In most cases, the personal guarantees of promoters are not adequate. In fact, the value of projects against which loans have been given have fallen drastically since these were taken. For example, because of the fall in commodity prices and cheaper imports, steel and power projects are worth far less than the loans raised against these. Despite RBI not being a party to the case, the judges asked its lawyer H S Parihar, who was present in court, to take notice. This is the second time in recent months the Supreme Court has instructed RBI to take steps against defaulters. In December last, the court dismissed RBIs appeal against an order of the Central Information Commission to disclose information about defaulters. The court reproached the bank for trying to cover up the underhand actions of banks from public gaze. The judgement ruled that RBI was bound by law to give information regarding private and public banks under RTI. RBI is supposed to uphold public interest and not the interest of individual banks. We have surmised that many financial institutions have resorted to such acts which are neither clean nor transparent. The RBI in association with them has been trying to cover up their acts from public scrutiny, the court had stated then. RBI in recent times has instructed banks to purge their balance sheets of hidden bad debts, disclosing the numbers and providing adequate money against those debts. As a result, third quarter results of all banks have thrown up ugly numbers and big lenders have reported record losses. While State Bank of Indias profit fell more than 60 per cent, Bank of Barodas loss was a record Rs 3,342 crore. Banks are now moving decidedly against defaulters, but are far from open about revealing names of big defaulters. On Tuesday, though, Punjab National Bank named Vijay Mallyas United Breweries (Holdings) Ltd, a wilful defaulter. SBI had also declared Mallya a wilful defaulter in the recent past. Mallya owes banks around Rs 9,000 crore in bad debts. Gross bad debt of all public sector banks rose 50 per cent year-on-year to about Rs 3.96 lakh crore in the quarter ended December 2015 from Rs 2.64 lakh crore in December 2014. RBI governor Raghuram Rajan, though, has acknowledged that most of the NPAs could be genuine stress. But, wherever there is a hint of malpractice by a promoter, it is extremely important that the full force of the law is brought against him, even while banks make every effort to put the project, and workers who depend on it, back on track. In Tuesdays arguments, Prashant Bhushan cited reports by the Central Vigilance Commission and RTI revelations to assail the rampant misuse of loan facilities by HUDCO. Even companies that have been declared wilful defaulters were granted loans, over the heads of some executives, he said. He quoted an instance of a farmer whose five acres were seized for defaulting on a loan of Rs 12,000 and auctioned for Rs 50,000 while the market value was Rs 5 lakh. Bhushan termed the strategic debt restructuring (SDR) and 5/25 loan schemes a fraud, as loans get repriced and refinanced every five years. Directorate of Coordination, Police Wireless to celebrate 70th Raising Day . . The Directorate of Coordination, Police Wireless (DCPW) will celebrate its 70th Raising Day on February 19, 2016. The Directorate came into existence this day in 1946 initially as Inspectorate of Wireless" and was later accorded the status of Directorate of Coordination (Police Wireless), a subordinate Organization, under Ministry of Home Affairs in 1950. It is entrusted with the responsibility of coordinating for developing and establishing the Police Telecommunication network in the country and also to advise MHA on all Police Telecommunication matters. . . The DCPW operates a round-the-clock Inter State Police Wireless (ISPW) Network through its 31 stations in all States capitals/UTs for delivering emergent messages pertaining to law and order. It has an extensive network of Very Small Aperture Terminals (VSATs) spread over the entire country and extending connectivity to all district/state head quarters and National Capital Delhi through its satellite based network namely Police Network (POLNET). This satellite based network has been actively involved in facilitating communication among various State Police/Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs). The Directorate has an established High Frequency (HF) communication network at its HQ and Inter-State Police Wireless (ISPW) stations located in all State capitals and UTs. The DCPW is a nodal advisory body to the Ministry of Home Affairs for the Police Telecommunication in the country and for laying down technical specifications for communication equipment to be inducted in the Police Forces in the Country. It acts as a nodal agency for coordinating various police communication services of States/UTs/ CAPFs. Radio communication security matters for all State/UTs Police and CAPFs are also coordinated by DCPW. It is a member of advisory body for frequency allocation to Wireless Planning and Coordination Wing (WPC) of the Department of Communication and IT. . . Acting as the Central Distributing Authority (CDA) for Cryptographic Documents and Devices being used by the State Police Radio Organizations, the Directorate runs the Central Police Radio Training Institute, a full-fledged National Level Police Wireless Training Institute to cater the needs of States/CAPFs and other security organizations to improve the efficiency of their technical, operational and cipher manpower. To meet the communication needs of State Police Organization /CAPFs, the Directorate maintains a reserve stock of radio communication sets. The DCPW has a technical workshop entrusted with the responsibility of carrying out serviceability testing/repair of Radio Equipments and its accessories. . . Since the first Inter-State Police Radio Control Station was established in New Delhi in the year 1949, the DCPW has many landmarks to its credit. First use of Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) for 'Crowd Control' was done in the year 1974, during the Kumbh Mela at Haridwar. In the same year, the first use of ground-to-air communications for Police work with BSF aircraft and first facsimile (FAX) transmission for Police use in Tamil Nadu was also done by DCPW. In 1983, the Mobile Control Room was first used by Police in Delhi and first 800MHz Security communication System was established by Police for the Non-Aligned Summit Meet. Work on implementation of 'Pilot Project' relating to the National Police Telecommunication Network Plan was initiated by DCPW in 1990. In 2003, a DCPW Team visited Afghanistan for restoring their communication under the directions of the Ministry of External Affairs. During the 2004 Asian tsunami, telecommunication link were restored in the ravaged Andaman & Nicobar Islands by an expert team of DCPW using POLNET VSATs terminals. In the SAARC Conference-2008 held in Islamabad, DCPW presented Concept of Networking SAARC Police Heads for exchange of Information. In September 2014 when Srinagar was flooded, an Emergency Team was rushed from DCPW to restore Wireless Communication with Delhi and the task was accomplished successfully. In April 2015 also, during Nepal Earthquake, a team was rushed to Kathmandu from DCPW to restore Wireless Communication between Indian Embassy, Kathmandu and New Delhi and supported NDRF team in relief and rescue mission. . . Distribution of Aids and Assistive Devices for Persons with Disabilities, conducted by Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment at Baramulla . . Composite Regional Centre, Srinagar (J&K) functioning under aegis of the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Government of India organized a three-day Special Mega Awareness cum assessment and distribution Camp for Aids and Assistive devices, here on Tuesday. Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment, GoI, Shri Thaawarchand Gehlot was the chief guest for the event. Honble Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, Shri Krishan Pal Gurjar also graced the occasion. . . Speaking on the occasion of the 101st Mega Camp conducted by the Ministry in the past one and a half-year period, Shri Thaawarchand Gehlot expressed his happiness over successfully organizing first such Mega Camp in Jammu & Kashmir and appreciated District Collector Smt Yasha Mudgal and the staff of Composite Regional Centre, Srinagar, for braving the odds of nature to successfully organize this Camp despite prevailing adverse weather conditions. This Camp, which is also one of the largest Social Welfare Camps ever to be held in the history of J&K witnessed a houseful presence of PwD beneficiaries, who turned out in large numbers at the Prof.Shawket Ali Stadium in the border district of Baramulla. Announcing the establishment of a Drug de-addiction centre Shri Gehlot said that a Special Cultural Programme for Children with Disabilities in Baramulla will be conceptualized with support from Government of India. He added that children with hearing and speech impairment will be screened for the innovative Cochlear implant surgery and high end Assistive devices manufactured by ALIMCO in collaboration with Ottobock (Germany), will also soon be provided to needy beneficiaries in the border district though CRC Srinagar. . . Shri Krishan Pal Gurjar in his address appreciated the work of various NGOs, Indian Army personnel, volunteers and Departments like Indian System of Medicine (ISM) in J&K for wholeheartedly supporting this noble cause. He informed that nearly 1200 Persons and Children with Disabilities will receive approximately 2000 free-of-cost Aids and Assistive devices over the period of this 3-day Special Mega Camp. . . The Mega Camp conducted by CRC Srinagar - in collaboration with the Government of Jammu and Kashmir and other National Institutes under the DEPwD witnessed the distribution of devices such as BTE Hearing Aid (750 nos.), M R TLM Kits of NIMH (336 nos.) , Daisy Player (24nos.), Crutches (300 nos.), Braille Kit (100 nos), MSIED Kit (100 nos.), Walking stick (50 nos), Wheel Chair (Adult and Child) 120 nos, Low vision Devices (100 nos.), Smart Phone with Keyboard (5 nos.) , Folding Cane (10 nos), Smart Cane (22 nos.), Splint C/Foot (20 nos.). The Department of Health Services J&K conducted free medical check-ups / consultations with the Department of Indian System of Medicine (ISM) J&K providing free medical check-ups and medicine to the needy. . . The 3-day camp will also play an important role in spreading awareness about various services, schemes devised by the Central government for empowering the Persons with Disabilities and for their inclusion in the mainstream. MLA Baramulla, Shri Javed Hassan Baig; MLA Gulmarg Mohd. Abbas Wani; Brigade Commander Brigadier Yogesh Chaudhary; Shri Mir Bashir, Nodal officer, CRC Srinagar and senior officials from District Administration, Baramulla were also present on the occasion. . . MoS (Home) Shri Kiren Rijiju meets Former President of Kyrgyz Republic . . The Minister of State for Home Affairs Shri Kiren Rijiju met Mrs. Roza Otunbayeva, former President of Kyrgyz Republic here today and discussed about issue of women policing. They also discussed education, training and exchange of women police officers for mutual benefits, better understanding and performance of the women in police force. . . Shri Kiren Rijiju said that India is committed to the empowerment of women and their safety and security in the country. He further mentioned that there had been reports of violence against the women in some places but the Government has directed the police to register all complaints against the women. The visiting dignitary mentioned that the Prime Minister of India had mentioned during his visit to Kyrgyz Republic that India aims at increasing the strength of women in police force to 33% and her country is interested in sharing the Indian experiences. . . Shri Kiren Rijiju informed that presently there are about 6% women in police force and our target is to increase it to 33%. In the Union Territories the MHA has already decided to increase the number of women in police to 33%. In the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), it has been decided to reserve 33% posts of Constable for being filled up by women in CRPF and CISF to begin with and 14-15% posts at Constable Level in BGFs i.e., BSF, ITBP and SSB. The former President of Kyrgyz Republic mentioned that the strength of women in police in her country is also about 6-7% and they are also committed to increase their strength. Shri Kiren Rijiju mentioned that the police stations in India are being made women friendly as earlier law enforcement agencies were mainly male dominated. . . Mrs. Samargiul Adamkulova, Ambassador of the Krygyz Republic in India and senior officers of MHA were present in the meeting. . . Ninth meeting of the advisory council of the National Mission for Justice Delivery and Legal Reforms held . . We need to continuously improve our legal and judicial framework so that timely and cost effective justice is made available at the door steps to our people-DV Sadananda Gowda . . The Ninth meeting of the advisory council of the national mission for justice delivery and legal reforms was held here in New Delhi today. Speaking on the occasion Union Law & Justice Minister Shri D.V. Sadananda Gowda, who chaired the meeting said access to justice is an is an integral part of our Constitution. To achieve this objective, we need to continuously improve our legal and judicial framework so that timely and cost effective justice is made available at the door steps to our people. Since the Central Government, the State Governments and the Judiciary all have equal stakes in the improvement of our justice delivery mechanisms; a collaborative approach among the stakeholders is the need of the hour. He said, keeping this in view, a joint meeting of Chief Ministers of States and Chief Justices of High Courts will be convened during the month of April this year to take forward the agenda of judicial reforms. . . The minister said, the protracted nature of litigation in the country has an adverse impact on investor sentiments. Therefore, in order to assuage these concerns and as part of the Governments constant efforts to forge investor-friendly environment in the country, the government has initiated a number of steps, such as the enactment of the Commercial Courts, Commercial Division and Commercial Appellate Division of High Courts Act, 2015 and amendments to Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 and the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881. These initiatives are intrinsically linked to the Governments ambitious Make in India campaign. Advisory Council of the National Mission gave valuable suggestions on these legislations. . . He said though, the constitutional validity of the National Judicial Appointments Commission has not been upheld by the Supreme Court, it asked the Government to review the Memorandum of Procedure for appointment of judges of the Supreme Court and the High Courts by including within it specific provisions relating to eligibility criteria, transparency in the appointment process, setting up of Secretariat and complaint mechanism. The process of consultation with the state governments has been initiated. . . Shri Sadananda Gowda said with the increased devolution of funds to State government by the 14th Finance Commission, the onus is on the state governments to implement the recommendations relating to the justice sector contained in the report. These recommendations pertain to setting up of Fast Track Courts, Additional Courts and Family Courts, increasing the ICT capabilities of the courts and setting up of ADR centres etc. The minister informed that he had written to Chief Ministers to to make concerted efforts to ensure full utilisation of funds allocated to the justice sector as per the recommendations of the Finance Commission. He also referred to the Prime Ministers correspondence with all the Chief Ministers to implement the recommendations/suggestions contained in the report. . . Referring to the last Advisory Council Meeting, in which lack of a proper judicial data base in the High Courts was raised, the minister said he has written to the Chief Justices of all the High Courts asking them to compile the Annual Reports and to make them available online. He expressed happiness in noting that High Courts of Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Jharkhand, Kerala, Madras, Sikkim and Tripura have responded positively. . . The Minister also expressed happiness at Bar Council of Indias initiative to establish Lawyers Academy. He said this issue has been discussed on several occasions in the Advisory Council. The first Academy for Continuing Legal Education has been set up at Kochi. He said this Academy is a collaborative effort of M.K. Nambiyar Memorial Trust and the Kerala Bar Council. A series of 22 training workshops have been planned for 2016 with the aim to increase/improve the efficiency of the judiciary and the bar. The minister thanked Chairman, Bar Council of India and Professor Madhava Menon for this path breaking initiative. . . During the meeting subjects included for discussions are: specialised courts, judicial accountability, ADR methods such as Lok Adalats and Arbitration, the need for a uniform methodology to collect judicial data and streamlining of court processes. Shri Sadananda Gowda said specialised courts / tribunals are not a new phenomenon and since the creation of the first tribunal in 1941, there has been a proliferation of tribunals. The agenda item seeks to ascertain whether the specialised courts and tribunals have been successful in reducing pendency and whether there is a need to establish specialised courts on the lines of family courts, commercial courts etc. . . He said there have been efforts in the past to bring about judicial accountability legislation and to strengthen the existing mechanism of judicial transparency and accountability. The most recent being the Judicial Standards and Accountability Bill, which lapsed with the dissolution of the 15th Lok Sabha. The advice and guidance of the Advisory Council is being sought for the creation of an appropriate mechanism for judicial accountability. . . The Minister said ADR methods such as Lok Adalats and Arbitration have gained considerable traction as an effective means of dispute resolution. However, there is still considerable resistance on the part of litigants to opt for mediation due to the lack of proper statutory framework for the mediation process. It is in this regard the third agenda item explored the pre-litigation dispute resolution scenario in India and the need to give statutory backing to mediation by enacting a standalone law. . . Shri Gowda highlighted that the need for a uniform methodology to collect judicial data has long been an issue of concern. He said the issue has been highlighted by the Law Commission as well as the Supreme Court as lack of a uniform data collection mechanism hampers policy making. In light of this, the fourth agenda item discussed the need for a uniform judicial database for policy formulation and the need for the High Courts to take lead in their respective jurisdiction. . . The Minister said streamlining of court processes is one of the critical measures needed urgently to liquidate arrears and backlog of cases. The judiciary has taken steps in this direction and the National Court Management System is working with the High Courts to introduce necessary reforms in court and case management. . . Petroleum Minister meets Odisha Chief Secretary to discuss various projects . . The Minister of State (I/C) Petroleum & Natural Gas Shri Dharmendra Pradhan met Chief Secretary of Odisha in Mumbai yesterday on the sidelines of Make in India Conference cum Exhibition. The Minister was accompanied by Petroleum Secretary, senior officers of the Ministry and CMDs of HPCL, BPCL and senior officers of IOC. The Chief Secretary was accompanied by Development Commissioner cum Finance Secretary, Industry Secretary, MD, IDCO, and Commissioner, Commercial Tax. . . The two sides discussed a roadmap to develop downstream petrochemical industry in and around Paradip which will be supported by the 15 MMTPA Paradip refinery. It was agreed that Indian Oil Corporation should adhere to the timelines for development of Polypropylene Plant and other projects which are at various stage of implementation. The Chief Secretary assured all support from Government of Odisha for the projects. . . BPCL and HPCL requested the State Government for land in Koraput for a LPG plant on Common User Facility (CUF) basis. Representatives of Government of Odisha agreed to consider this favourably on priority basis. . . Because of Presence of irrigated land at Maneswar, it was advised and jointly agreed in the meeting to develop a new location by BPCL and HPCL in and around Sambalpur in a non- irrigated land, with feasibility of Railway siding as a replacement of CUF Maneswar with assistance from Govt. of Odisha . . The Petroleum Minister requested the State Government for allocation of land for early commencement of Hydrocarbon Skill Development Institute in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. The State Government representatives agreed for prompt action on this. . . The Odisha Government made a request for an Aviation Fuel refuelling facility in Koraput district for the helicopters of the BSF and the State Government. The Minister agreed to this on a priority basis as Koraput is a Left wing Extremism affected district. . . YKB/Rk Request For Opening of FDI in Multi Brand Retail Only for Fruit and Vegetables with 100% Local Sourcing Conditions Harsimrat Kaur Badal . . Union Food Processing Industries Minister Smt. Harsimrat Kaur Badal has said that her request for opening up of FDI in Multi Brand Retail is only for the fruit and vegetable sector with the condition that the entire fruit and vegetables would be locally sourced. Inaugurating a Seminar on Opportunities in the Food Processing Sector at MAKE IN INDIA WEEK, at Mumbai, she said that she has already written to Prime Minister for allowing 100% FDI in Multi Brand Retail only for such food that is produced in India by the Indian farmers and food products that are manufactured by the manufacturers in India. . . The FPI Minister signalled that government wants all stakeholders on board before announcement of this change in policy and the response of stakeholders is quite overwhelming. She said that it would be a major step towards modernizing of old kirana into modern food retail and providing fair remuneration to farmers. . . The Minister assured the investors that the government is viewing the entire food sector as a wholesome sector unlike it was being dealt by the previous government as stand-alone diverse sectors working against each other. But today our government, she said, is working in tandem with concered ministries to deal with volatality of agriculture, food pricing, availability of food and consumer choice all as one. . . Smt. Badal strongly advocated India to have a comprehensive Food Policy and said that the Honble Prime Minister has committed himself to mechanizing the farm lands and providing irrigation water to all the farms in the country. She said that India wants to link farmers with modern technology-driven agriculture practices. . . She declared that regulatory mechanism in India is moving from licence regime to registration regime for seamless hasslefree production of food products and in line with this, thousands of new ingredient standards have been notified by FSSAI. We are committed to new and established investors and cannot let the legacy of inspector raj affect growth of food processing industry. . . Speaking on the occasion Smt. Badal said that the present government is fully committed to providing an environment that is smooth, transparent and easy for investors wanting to start an enterprise in India. Our growth rate has already surpassed China and India is the fastest growing economy of the world for next few years declared by the World Bank and IMF. The Honble Minister called upon the industry to make optimum use of vast opportunities available in this sector for the benefit of masses across the world as well as India,as the time to invest and Make in India is NOW". . . Interacting with the media, the Food Processing Minister said that she has requested for 10-year tax holiday for food processing units located in the Mega Food Parks. She has also requested for continuation of interest subvention scheme and applicability of GST at the lowest applicable rates for the food processing sector. . . Highlighting the achievements in the food processing sector, she informed that while in 2008-2014 period, only two mega food parks were implemented, the present government has already operationalised five more mega food parks and in the next 30 months, all the mega food parks will be operationalised. . . Shri Shripad Naik launches pilot project Integration of Homoeopathy/Yoga with NPCDCS in Krishna District at Gudivada in Andhra Pradesh . . AYUSH System of medicine can greatly improve health care delivery system: AYUSH Minister. . The Union Minster of State for AYUSH (Independent Charge) and Health & Family Welfare Shri Shripad Yesso Naik launched the pilot projectat Gudivada near Amaravathi, Andhra Pradesh. The NPCDCS is a programme of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India and its integration with AYUSH is one of the mandates of NPCDCS programme. . . Speaking on the occasion, Shri Shripad Naik said that about 5.8 million Indians die from diseases like heart & lung diseases, cancer & diabetes etc. i.e. one out of every four Indians runs the risk of dying from one of these diseases before they reach the age of 70. People become vulnerable to these diseases due to smoking, physical inactivity, drinking alcohol, mental stress among others, the Minister explained. . . The AYUSH Minister said that the AYUSH System of medicine has a great potential to contribute towards improvement in the health care delivery system. Homoeopathy is the most accepted health care system after Modern medicine and Ayurveda medicine in our country, he added. . . NPCDCS was launched by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare with the aim of health promotion and control of these diseases. Integration of AYUSH can act as a catalyst to operationalize its aims and objectives, Shri Shripad Naik elaborated. . . The AYUSH Minister also highlighted the importance of awareness generation among children and the youth in schools, colleges and other institutions for a long term prevention of these diseases through education in initial years of life. . . The Minister of Health and Medical Education of Andhra Pradesh Government, Shri Kamineni Srinivas lauded the efforts of the Prime Minister , Shri Narendra Modi who globalised Yoga by his speech at the United Nations. He thanked the Centre for selecting Gudivada to launch the Pilot project. . . Dr. Raj K. Manchanda, Director General, Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy, Senior officials of AYUSH both from Centre and State Governments, Experts and Doctors were present on the occasion. . . 08 CHCs at Machilipantam, Nandigama, Tiruvuru, Vissannapeta, Nuzvidu, Challapalli, Vuyyuru, Avanigadda were made functional by todays launch. Training Manual for Yoga instructors, Yoga volunteers and multi task workers in Telgu was also released. Further, launching of one life style clinic at Regional Research Institute (Homeopathy), Gudivada was done and Shri Shripad Naik interacted with the patients admitted in the IPD of RRI (H), Gudivada. He also visited CHC, Vuyyuru. . . For integration of NPCDCS and AYUSH, it was decided to utilize the services of the Homoeopathic doctors and yoga experts in Krishna (Andhra Pradesh) and Darjeeling (West Bengal) districts. The program aims to aid in reduction of Non Communicable Diseases (NCDs) burden by providing primary prevention of common NCDs through an integrated approach of health education (promotion of healthier life styles including yoga), timely screening of population for early detection/diagnosis of NCDs and early management of NCDs through homoeopathic treatment alone or as add on to standard care. Accordingly, the CCRH has developed the operational guidelines for implementation of the program through its centers i.e., Regional Research Institute (H), Gudivada and Clinical Research Unit (H), Siliguri. Further, the Council has developed training manual for yoga instructors, yoga volunteers and Multi task workers which will help creating awareness for public about life style disorders. . . Success of Make in India conditioned on Makers who are Skilled: Rudy . . Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Shri Rajiv Pratap Rudy today visited Pune to review Health Skill Centre of Symbiosis and other good skill training centres in the city.At the Symbiosis Centre, Mr. Rudy said the success of Make in India depends on availability of makers of India- the skilled workforce, which would propel the manufacturing and growth scenario in the country. He subsequently visited BVG India Hospital & Skill Development Centre and DSK International Skill Training Centre- skill centres in healthcare and industrial design respectively in Pune. He appreciated the Emergency Response Services facility at the former and the state of the art campus for high end skilling at the latter. During the visits, shri Rudy mentioned about the stellar role of the Prime Minister Modi in bringing about a paradigm shift in the national discourse and bringing about a renewed focus on skill development in the country. The fact that the Skill India Mission is headed by none other than the Prime Minister speaks volumes of the importance given to Skill India Mission under the present dispensation, he averred. He also pointed out that the emphasis on formal education has grown over time since almost all the role models in various fields of life come from formally educated background. There are abundant success stories of people who have exemplified themselves through attainment of good formal education, thereby scaling up the social ladder. On the other hand, such stories from the skilling sector are few and far between. This has led to lesser aspirational values being attached by the society on acquisition of these skills. He, therefore, emphasized that India needs an ecosystem where skill development is considered dignified and respected.Rudy also outlined the necessity of establishing institutional linkages between good centres in various trades across the country so that benefits of scale and specialization could be reaped by all. He mentioned that a nation-wide integration of such good centres would benefit the skill ecosystem by providing platforms of excellence and seamless upgradation of skilling knowhow among the students. He also assured full support and partnership of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship to the centres he visited. . . AD Union Minister of Steel & Mines meets Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Poland . . Poland offers sharing of expertise in exploration of copper & silver and coking coal technology, with Indian companies . . A meeting was held between Union Minister of Steel & Mines Shri Narendra Singh Tomar and Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Poland Prof. Piotr Glinski in Mumbai on 15.2.16. The meeting was attended by delegates from both sides. It may be noted that Poland has sent a high-level delegation of 50 members led by the Deputy Prime Minister to participate in Make-in-India Week programme at Mumbai. . . The meeting began with Shri Tomar welcoming the visiting dignitaries to India. . . Deputy Prime Minister, Poland Prof. Glinski expressed keen interest in mutual collaboration in the area of mining and mineral exploration. Polish companies, like KGHM, have expertise in exploration of copper and silver which can be shared with Indian companies, he added. Prof. Glinski also offered knowledge exchange in the area of coking coal manufacturing and skill development. It was informed that Poland is a world leader in Coking coal production and is second largest exporter of coking coal in the world. He shared plans of setting up a state-of-the-art coking coal plant of 2.7 million tonne annual capacity in India. . . Shri Tomar spoke about the initiatives taken by the government of India for attracting investors to the country. He gave an overview of the mining and exploration sector in the India and the recent developments in this area. The Minister informed about policy measures like amendment in MMDR Act, National Mineral Exploration Trust and proposed National Mineral Policy, which encourage participation of international private companies also in the Mining & Exploration Sector. He exhorted the Poland delegation to explore avenues for investment and collaboration in mining, exploration, Make in India, Clean India and other special drives being undertaken by the government of India. He assured of all possible support from the government in realizing the true potential of bilateral relations between the two countries. He appreciated the proposal of Poland side for an MOU for cooperation in the field of geology and mineral resources between the two countries and assured that once the draft MOU is received from Poland side, the Indian side will give it due consideration.. Shri Tomar appreciated the fact that Poland has started a Go India" initiative to support Make in India" and had joined the observance of International Yoga Day enthusiastically. Shri Tomar also welcomed the proposal of Poland side to set up a 2.7 million tonnes per annum capacity coke oven plant in India and assured of full co-operation. . . The two countries also agreed to cooperate in the area of clean coal technology. Both sides agreed to further the discussion in forthcoming Kolkata Mining Exhibition, where Poland is planning to participate. . . From Indian side, the meeting was also attended by Indian Ambassador to Poland, Joint Secretaries from Ministry of Steel and Ministry of Mines, CMD MECL, CMD MECON, DG GSI and Directors from SAIL and NMDC. . . Workshop on Lessons Learnt from the Ongoing Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement Project . . Sushri Uma Bharti, Union Minister for Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation will inaugurate a workshop on lessons Learnt from the ongoing Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement Project (DRIP) on 18 February 2016 at New Delhi. Prof. Sanwar Lal Jat, Union Minister of State for Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation will grace the occasion. Senior Executives overseeing dam operation and maintenance in the States as also other large dam owning organizations are expected to participate in the Workshop. . . There are about 4900 large dams in India and about 80 % of them are over 25 years old. The old dams designed and built to withstand certain levels of flood and earthquake and may not meet the revised estimates based on information gathered over the period. The design practices and safety considerations prevailing at that time also do not match with the current design standards and the safety norms. The engineering properties of the foundation or the material used to build the dams can deteriorate over time. Owing to these factors and issues of differed maintenance, some of the dams may be experiencing distress and require urgent repairs to ensure their safety and restore their operational reliability. . . Any remote event of dam failure seriously affects the lives, property and the environment in addition to disrupting the services provided by the dams. Realizing the importance of dam safety in the country, Government of India embarked on the Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement Project (DRIP) with loan assistance from the World Bank for rehabilitation and improvement of about 250 dams in seven States. The six-year DRIP project, started in April, 2012 is in mid-way through its implementation. . . Concern was expressed in several forums about the urgent need for rehabilitation of several large dams which are experiencing distress conditions, across all States, to ensure their safety and operational efficiency. In view of the complex nature of issues involved in rehabilitation of these ageing large dams, it was felt appropriate to draw on the experience of DRIP implementation in sensitizing the dam safety concerns and to determine strategies for undertaking this enormous task. Accordingly, the above Workshop is being organized on the subject. . . This Workshop will draw on the experience gained by the country in mitigation of the distress conditions of large dams and also on the lessons learnt in three years of DRIP implementation in the rehabilitation of dams. The recommendations emerging out of this Conference will help in determining the strategies for undertaking the large scale rehabilitation work and for managing the technical, managerial and financial resources required to implement the mammoth task. . . Samir/jk a veteran Egyptian diplomat who helped negotiate his country's landmark peace deal with Israel but then clashed with the United States when he served a single term as UN secretary-general, has died. He was 93. Boutros-Ghali, the scion of a prominent Egyptian Christian political family, was the first UN chief from the African continent. He stepped into the post in 1992 at a time of dramatic world changes, with the collapse of the Soviet Union, the end of the Cold War and the beginning of a unipolar era dominated by the United States. But after four years of frictions with the Clinton administration, the United States blocked his renewal in the post in 1996, making him the only UN secretary-general to serve a single term. He was replaced by Ghanaian Kofi Annan. The current president of the UN Security Council, Venezuelan Ambassador Rafael Ramirez, announced Boutros-Ghali's death at the start of a session today on Yemen's humanitarian crisis. The 15 council members stood in a silent tribute. Boutros-Ghhali died today at a Cairo hospital, Egypt's state news agency said. He had been admitted to the hospital after suffering a broken pelvis, the Al-Ahram newspaper reported on Thursday. Boutros-Ghali's five years in the United Nations remain controversial. Some see him as seeking to establish the UN's independence from the world superpower, the United States. Others blame him for misjudgements in the failures to prevent genocides in Africa and the Balkans and mismanagement of reform in the world body. In his farewell speech to the UN, Boutros-Ghali said he had thought when he took the post that the time was right for the United Nations to play an effective role in a world no longer divided into warring Cold War camps. "But the middle years of this half decade were deeply troubled," he said. "Disillusion set in." In a 2005 interview with The Associated Press, Boutros-Ghali called the 1994 massacre in Rwanda in which half a million Tutsis and moderate Hutus were killed in 100 days, "my worst failure at the United Nations." But he blamed the United States, Britain, France and Belgium for paralysing action by setting impossible conditions for intervention. Then-US President Bill Clinton and other world leaders were opposed to taking strong action to beef up UN peacekeepers in the tiny Central African nation or intervening to stop the massacres. "The concept of peacekeeping was turned on its head and worsened by the serious gap between mandates and resources," he told AP. Boutros-Ghali also came under fire for the July 1995 Serb slaughter of 8,000 Muslims in the UN-declared "safe zone" of Srebrenica in eastern Bosnia just before the end of the war. Saudi Arabia and Russia agreed to freeze oil output at near-record levels, the first coordinated move by the worlds two largest producers to counter a slump that has pummelled economies, markets and companies. While the deal is preliminary and doesnt include Iran, its the first significant cooperation between OPEC and non-Opec producers in 15 years and Saudi Arabia said its open to further action. But energy-rich Azerbaijan refused to join in freezing output. The deal to fix production at January levels, which includes Qatar and Venezuela, is the beginning ... After many years of being known as the 'Liv 52 company' and then, as an ayurvedic brand out of step with its times, says that it is finally in the company of the young millennial, the most sought after consumer group across the world. Its products, the company says, are finding increasing acceptance among young shoppers, especially in the personal care category. Its face washes, for instance, account for 22 per cent share of the Rs 1,700 crore category, placing it ahead of rivals HUL and Garnier. The company that has a significant presence in tier 2 and 3 towns says it is benefiting from deeper penetration of its brands and a growing herbal wave among consumers. Targeting Gen Y was a conscious decision that the company took a couple of years ago. "Three years ago, we were known as an old style ayurvedic brand. Now the journey is more contemporary, appealing to the 15-24 young population, who are preferring natural products," says Rajesh Krishnamurthy, business head, consumer products division, The Drug Company. The consumer products division that sells its neem-based face wash and lip balms earns nearly half of the Rs 2,000 crore sales revenue for . It has been growing at around 30 per cent annually over the last three years. Encouraged by the widening reach of its brands among the young, the company is relaunching products in categories such as dental care and shampoos. It has launched four new variants of its dental cream as well as an anti-dandruff shampoo and, in select southern markets, it says it has 5-6 per cent share. In dental care and shampoos, it faces stiff competition from Patanjali Ayurveda, a brand that has emerged as the biggest advertiser in recent weeks. Himalaya, in contrast, does not feature on the list of top ten advertisers at all. The IMRB-Kantar report on brand footprint (2015) found that worldwide, there is a shift in the way people shop. It said, "We are entering the third age of FMCG: a shift of power towards the socially-conscious consumer, who is more informed, more discerning and influential. So the brand and the retailer must be more agile in chasing their shifting daily needs". In India, one of the changes that most FMCG players have had to move in step with is the growing preference for herbal-natural products. Many consumers are even willing to pay a premium. This has seen the rise of Patanjali, among many other factors. Himalaya too is benefiting from the increasing preference among the young for herbal products, especially for beauty and skincare. Bengaluru-based Himalaya says that it had caught the trend early on. And the company decided to communicate clearly and unambiguously that for natural beauty products that don't harm their skin or have side effects, Himalaya is the go-to brand. "There is a marked preference among young urban consumers to prefer natural herbal and ayurvedic products. It could be due to lifestyle changes, concern over side effects of other products," says Krishnamurthy. For Himalaya a large section of its consumers come from small Indian towns though the company does not provide a breakdown of its urban-rural numbers. He believes that the shift to herbal is not just an India-wide phenomenon. It has the world in its grip. Krishnamurthy says, "Clearly, we are seeing a global trend and it is natural we see it here too." Image makeover For Himalaya, the objective of its and distribution thrust over the past three years has not only been emphasising its herbal credentials but also changing its image. The customer had to be told that this is a company that is more than an ayurvedic medicines manufacturer. But the shift to being a consumer product firm has been slow and gradual. Founded in 1930 and known for its medicines for liver care, gastric ailments and supplements that help build immunity, the company has had to work hard to present itself as a contemporary brand aligned with the latest developments. It did that with face washes and as it began to build itself in this category, it saw the global shift towards herbal products and managed to ride the wave successfully. Himalaya is not the only company to jump on to the bandwagon. There is a slow surge of products in the herbal and natural category, of course from Patanjali and other Indian firms such as Emami and Dabur as well. Unilever too has revived its natural and ayurvedic brand Ayush. "It is good for the industry if more companies enter it. Previously, people were not taking the herbal space seriously but they are now", Naresh Bhansali, CEO of finance, strategy and business development at Emami said in a recent interview. Over the coming years the aim will be to consolidate the brand's character as a herbal, environmentally conscious product. The consumer products division is focusing on growth with expanded reach. "We have carved a niche as a brand that has no chemicals and bleach. These are emerging categories where we have created the market and growing it," says Krishnamurthy. Also part of Himalaya's agenda is stepping into new territories, especially in men's personal care products. It launched its face wash for men last year and, says that it will expand into other categories. The aim is to increase brand awareness and beat the industry figures on growth, Krishnamurthy says. A steep discount in the open market has discouraged importers of and in Februarys first half only 15 tonnes are estimated to have been brought in. The market discount till Monday was $32.5 an ounce or around Rs 700 per 10g to the cost of import. Discounts were due to selling by traders from inventory of what was imported in December-January, when prices were lower. Despite January being perceived as a dull month for gold, import jumped significantly in value terms, by 85.2 per cent to $2.9 billion (nearly Rs 20,000 crore), up from $1.6 bn a year before. However, from December imports, it is much lower. This is because traders had inventory and the first half of January was inauspicious for this activity in the Hindu calendar. The market is expecting a two per cent import duty cut in the coming Union Budget and partly as a result, inflow in February has seen a sharp fall so far. Industry experts are estimating import in first half to be around 15 tonnes only. They say prices in the international market rule above $1,200 per ounce. In comparison, the prices at home are lower by around $32.5 per ounce, or Rs 700 per 10 grams, which makes import unviable, as banks will not realise costs due to the prevailing discounts in the domestic market. Add to that, the prospect of a further drop in prices if import duty is cut in the Budget. The bullion industry is more concerned about rising import in the form of dore (partially refined gold), especially by some suppliers to refineries where money laundering and mis-declaration had allegedly taken place in the recent past. While these cases are under investigation, some experts say the time has come to insist for KYC (Know Your Counterparty or Know Your Third Party). This is because wherever dore refineries are importing through suppliers and do not source directly, there are issues of conflict gold or gold dore produced illegally or gold extracted from mines owned by anti-nationals. Sudheesh Nambiath, lead analyst at GFMS Thomson Reuters, said: "The Conflict Minerals issue is resulting in increased emphasis on KYC becoming increasingly widespread and all elements of the gold supply chain are likely to find themselves under intensifying scrutiny. This is an issue that will command considerable attention for the foreseeable future. Earlier gold imported by Indians from Ghana was under the scanner of the Ghana government, which put restrictions of gold exports. The matter of dore import also assumes significance because dore forms 25 per cent of total gold imports and over 30 dore refineries have been set up in the country. Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) had issued due diligence guidelines for dore imports. However hardly two refineries are said to be complying with them. Nambiath said, "Refiners might be handling gold that originated from regions considered as 'conflict gold' or been sourced from mines run by military regimes banned by the United Nations Security Council. Moreover, it is quite likely that trading in such gold is without the knowledge of the Indian refiner. The cost of this ignorance or taking a simplistic approach to this issue is a very high reputation risk for the bank, refiner and the jewellery industry as a whole." Four of the six accused in the Kamduni rape case have decided to move the Calcutta High Court against the judgment of fast track court delivered on January 30. A Kolkata court had on January 30 pronounced death penalty to three convicts of the case, while the remaining three were sentenced to life term imprisonment. The four accused who have decided to move to the Kolkata High court are Bhola Naskar, Imanul Islam, Ansar Ali Mollah and Amin Ali. Six of the accused were held guilty for gangraping and murdering a woman at Kamduni village in West Bengal's North 24 Parganas district in 2013. Array On June 7, 2013, a B.A. second year student was allegedly gang-raped and murdered by few local miscreants inside an isolated compound at Kamduni village, while she was returning home from her college. Her body was found the next day. Array Nine persons were arrested in connection with this case. Gopal Naskar, one of the arrested persons, died of fever and septicaemia in custody on August 1 last year. Online marketplace for recruitment, Aasaanjobs recently raised USD five million in Series A round of funding led by Aspada Advisors with participation from existing investors. This was a follow-up from the seed round where the platform raised a funding of USD 1.5 million led by IDG Ventures and Inventus Capital in January 2015. The fresh inflow of capital will help the company realize its mission of taking its HR services on the cloud. This technological edge will pave the way for Aasaanjobs' expansion into newer geographies. Talking about the latest round of funding, Dinesh Goel, CEO, Aasaanjobs said, "The company would use the funds to automate its online recruitment marketplace and expand to new cities. The company would set up operations in Pune and Delhi in the first quarter and Bengaluru in the second quarter of 2016." Highlighting the reasons behind choosing Aasaanjobs, Kartik Srivatsa, Co- Founder and Managing Partner, Aspada Advisors said, "It will be exciting to see how the team manages to mould a workplace of the future by leveraging technology. The unstructured nature of recruitment as a space means there is an opportunity for disruption." Aasaanjobs' unique tech-backed solutions speed up the process of recruitment by connecting perfectly-matched candidates to recruiters. The company operates a marketplace of recruiters who help in effectively addressing the client's (employer) recruitment needs. The Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJK) Government has observed a black day today against the killing of a ruling party activist in an electioneering rally. Array Addressing a rally in Kotli, Azad Jammu & Kashmir Prime Minister Chaudhry Abdul Majeed blamed the PML-N leaders for the deadly clash. Array Chaudhry said that federal ministers who delivered provocative speeches are behind the killing of the PPP activist, reports the Dawn. Array Tensions have been simmering between the Centre and the AJK Government since a Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) worker was shot dead and four more were wounded in the clash with Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) activists. Array In Muzaffarabad however, the ruling party failed to pull in large crowds on the streets. Array Elections for the AJK Legislative Assembly are scheduled in June. Andhra Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Tuesday handed over a compensation cheque of Rs. 25 lakhs to the family of Sepoy Mustaq Ahmed, who was one of the ten soldiers to have died in an avalanche that hit the Indian Army's Siachen base. The decision in this regard was taken yesterday at a Cabinet meeting, which was chaired by Naidu. The Cabinet also decided that a member of Ahmed's family will be given a government job. Earlier in the day, rich tributes were paid to Sepoy Mustaq Ahmed when his mortal remains arrived at the Begumpet airport in Hyderabad from New Delhi. Three detectives have been withdrawn today for allegedly beating up a senior nurse of a hospital in Gazipur district of Bangladeh after they failed to arrest a suspect in an abduction case from the hospital. The three police personnel are Assistant Sub-inspector Mushfiqur Rahman and constables Anwar and Fazlul Haque, reported The Daily Star. Injured nurse Abul Fazal, 30, was admitted at Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmed Medical College Hospital in critical condition. Abul Fazal is General Secretary of Diploma Nurse Association in the same hospital. A team of DB police went to the hospital's emergency unit around 10:00pm yesterday to visit an accused in a case, who was undergoing treatment at the hospital under their custody. As they reached the hospital, the team came to know that the suspect fled away from the hospital and later, they caught the senior nurse present there and tried to drag her out of the hospital. In face of resistance, they beat up the nurse. Protesting the incident, the doctors and nurses went on a work abstention since last night. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday alleged that the murder of a RSS worker in Kerala has exposed the 'true face' of the Communist Party in India and questioned the Left Parties ideology post the unwarranted incident at the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU). Array "What we are seeing is the true face of the Communist Party in India. If you recall M.M. Mani, a senior leader of CPM has said that we kill our political enemies and that's is what they have been practicing. In Kerala, more than 200 workers have been killed. Recently, in Kannur, a BJP worker was killed just before the elections," BJP leader Siddhart Nath Singh Told ANI here. Array "We are seeing another phase of the CPM which is visible in JNU where the slogans are 'Bharat tere tukde tukde, inshah allah inshah allah' and Prakash Karat and Sitaram Yechury are going in there and supporting those who are chanting anti- slogans. This is the true face of the CPM, the Left ideology of India," he added. Array A 27-year-old RSS worker was hacked to death in front of his aged parents at Papinesseri in Kannur district. Array The incident occurred yesterday when a group of assailants barged into the house of the 26-year-old Sujith and stabbed him multiple times. He was rushed to the nearest hospital, but could not be saved. Array The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) district leadership alleged that the CPM was behind the murder. Array State BJP president Kummanam Rajasekheran in his twitter post said the party has lost another bright youngster to Left terror. The Congress Party on Tuesday condemned the 'barbaric and inhuman attack' on journalists, students and teachers in the Patiala House Court and accused the BJP-led Centre of blindly following obscurantist agenda set by the RSS. Array A statement released by Congress leader Kapil Sibal said, "Indian Congress strongly condemns the barbaric and inhuman attack in Patiala House Court yesterday on journalists, young students and teachers by the BJP goons led by their MLA, O.P. Sharma." "Prime Minister Modi and his government have abdicated the responsibility of governance. They are blindly following the obscurantist agenda set by their masters i.e. the RSS," the statement added. Array The Congress also accused the Delhi police of remaining a mute spectator when students, teachers and journalists were assaulted and thrashed with impunity, inside the court rooms, in the court complex and outside it. Array The grand old party also condemned the 'culture of violence and hooliganism' unleashed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi government. Array "The BJP is muzzling the voice of India's youth, students, teachers, journalists, opposition and every individual organization that questions subjugation of disagreement or paralysis of governance. All such individuals or organizations are conveniently targeted by calling them 'anti-national' or 'naxalites'," the statement said. Array The grand old party, in its statement, also recalled the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) protests and the IIT Madras events, where the protesting students were called 'naxals'. Array "May we remind that the same pattern was adopted during FTII protests, when the protesting students were called 'naxals'. Students of 'Ambedkar Periyar Study Circle' in IIT Madras were banned merely because they dared to criticize Narendra Modi. Students like Rohith Vemula and others were systematically persecuted on the campus of Hyderabad Central University and called 'anti-nationals' and 'naxalites'," it said. Array The statement also said that instead of taking action against those responsible for shouting anti-India slogans on the JNU campus, identical pattern was being repeated by branding the entire university as 'anti-national'. "Truth is that government is hell-bent upon destroying the autonomy of all premier educational institutions as also the spirit of students to ideate, debate, express and disagree. The events being played out at the JNU by the BJP and its related organisations are a mere ploy to divert attention from paralysis of governance and grave economic crisis that the country is facing," read the statement. Array Attacking the BJP and the RSS, the Congress Party said, "It does not need lessons in patriotism from those who are successors of 'Godse', those who sided with the British in the freedom struggle; those who did not even choose to fly the Flag at their Nagpur headquarter for 52 years after Independence; those who released dreaded terrorist Maulana Masood Azhar and others in Kandahar, Afghanistan' those in whose government terrorists reached and attacked the final temple of democracy i.e. Indian Parliament and those whose quest for propagation of personal leadership led to terrorist incidents like Dinanagar, Udhampur and recently Pathankot." "It is about time that the Modi government stop hoodwinking people of India and stop suppressing the freedom of expression, right to debate, to ideate and criticize on part of the young and students of India," the statement added. Annoyed with Delhi Police Commissioner B.S. Bassi's casual approach on the scuffle outside the Patiala House, Communist Party of India (Marxist) on Tuesday opposed his position on grounds of being a 'partisan.' "The Delhi Police connived at the attack by those masquerading as lawyers because they were present, they stood silent and, therefore, they were directly encouraging the attack," CPI (M) leader Brinda Karat told ANI. "Secondly, the Delhi Police Commissioner in an unprecedented defence, trivialising it by calling it a minor incident, has no right to continue as the Police Commissioner. He is clearly a partisan; he is working for the RSS and the BJP and, therefore, has no right to remain at the post," she added. Echoing similar sentiments, Brinda's husband and party leader Prakash Karat alleged that the Delhi Police did not take any action against the people thrashing the journalists, students and teachers on the orders of the Ministry of Home Affairs. "The incident that took place inside the court room clearly shows that the Delhi Police did not take any action on the orders of the Home Ministry," Prakash said. He also said that strict action should be taken against BJP MLA O.P Sharma, who was seen thrashing the journalists outside the court. Students and teachers of the JNU, as well as journalists, were yesterday assaulted, allegedly by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) members outside the Patiala House court. The students and the faculty members of the premier education institution were at the court to extend their support to Jawaharlal Nehru University students' union president Kanhaiya Kumar. Kumar, who was arrested last week on charges of sedition, was sent to police custody on Monday for two more days. Hailing the victory of the BJP and its allies in the Assembly by-polls in several states, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said 'the victory meant "people of the country reposed their faith in the politics of development". "Appreciable effort by NDA. People across India reposed faith in politics of development, development & development. Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas," Prime Minister Modi said in a tweet. The BJP won Muzaffarnagar while the Congress wrested Deoband. The Samajwadi Party lost both Muzaffarnagar and Deoband Assembly seats. The party managed to win in only Bikapur. BJP won two out of three seats in Congress-ruled Karnataka and presented the result as people's "disapproval" of the state government which, Sharma alleged, was "neck-deep" in corruption. In a direct fight, BJP retained Hebbal in Bengaluru and wrested Devadurga in Raichur district from Congress which snatched Bidar in north Karnataka from its arch rival. Of the three seats that went to bypolls due to the death of sitting members, BJP had held two and Congress one. The outcome has come as a blow to Siddaramaiah considering the prestige invested in the contest to wrest the seats from BJP. In Madhya Pradesh, the ruling BJP won the Maihar assembly seat with party nominee Narayan Tripathi defeating Congress's Manish Patel by a margin of 27,544 votes. BJP allies Shiv Sena, Akali Dal and RLSP also won a seat each in Maharashtra, Punjab and Bihar respectively. Union minister Upendra Kushwaha-led RLSP candidate Sudhansu Sekhar riding on a sympathy wave defeated his Congress rival Mohammad Shabir by a margin of 18,650 votes. Pop sensation Carrie Underwood and Sam Hunt enthralled everyone by performing on their hits at the 2016 Grammys. Array The 32-year-old Underwood and the 31 year-old Hunt took the stage together and performed a mashup of her new single 'Heartbeat,' and his hit 'Take Your Time', the People Magazine reports. Array The 'House Party' hit-maker, who looked dapper in a plain white T-shirt and jeans, was joined Underwood, who looked stunning in a tule white dress on stage. Array Expressing his excitement to sing with Carrie, Hunt said this was sort of a chance for them to celebrate all the cool things that happened last year, adding that he is a big fan of the 'Remind Me' hit-maker. Array The award ceremony gave Hunt a big reason to celebrate as he garnered two nominations for best country album and all-genre best new artist while Underwood, was nominated in the best country solo performance category for her song 'Little Toy Guns.' Array The 58th annual Grammy Awards took place at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on February 15. The Congress Party on Tuesday asked the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to create a 'congenial atmosphere' for the upcoming session, adding that the ruling party should also restrain its leadership and spokespersons from making unwarranted remarks. "The leadership of the Congress or any other political party should not be held responsible or dubbed as 'anti-national' as some leaders from the BJP are trying to project. They should also restrain their spokespersons and the leadership and create a congenial atmosphere so that the Parliament functions smoothly," Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha, Ghulam Nabi Azad, told the media here. Read our full coverage on Union Budget 2016 "I don't think the GST was under discussion. The wanted to seek the cooperation of the Opposition parties to run the session which we have said we are committed to run the Parliament and each bill shall be passed on merit," he added. Azad further said that his party has clearly stated that they completely disassociate from 'those who are against our country and against the unity and territorial integrity of the country'. "Student leadership like Kanhaiya Kumar should not be held responsible for sedition, where there is no proof. Such false cases should not be implicated," he added. Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister M Venkaiah Naidu earlier said that the BJP-led NDA was ready to discuss all issues during the upcoming session, saying he was hopeful that the Opposition would cooperate. "The prime minister told the Opposition MPs that he was not just the PM of the BJP but of the entire nation and that he was ready to discuss all concerns that the Opposition MPs have," Naidu said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi earlier today convened a meeting of leaders of major political parties to seek their cooperation for the smooth functioning of Parliament in the Budget session, which will begin next week. The Budget session will begin on February 23. While the first session will continue till March 16, the second session will take place from April 25 to May 13. President Pranab Mukherjee will address the joint session of Parliament on February 23. The Railway Budget will be presented on February 25 while the Union Budget will be presented on February 29. The has been critical of the Opposition for blocking the House proceedings and important legislations. The Congress Party on Tuesday targeted the Delhi Police for taking 'high-handed' action in the JNU row, alleging that the B S Bassi-led team initiated the probe without having 'substantial evidence' in the incident. Congress leader P C Chacko said that the police should act in a proportionate manner and should not conduct any proceedings without any clear cut evidence against JNU Students' Union President Kanhaiya Kumar. "The fact remains that all the actions taken in the JNU incident were taken in a hurry, without going into the details and without having substantial evidence. It seems that it is a high-handed action from the side of the police," Chacko said. "We find that the union president of the university was arrested, but still it is doubtful whether he was involved or not. The police are saying one version and there is another version, which says that he was questioning the outsiders who came to the university. So, without any clear cut evidence, the police should not be conducting any proceedings," he added. The Congress leader also said that law of the land should be the basis. "If the police have any evidence that anyone can be charged under any provisions of law, they can do so," he said. Meanwhile, the Delhi High Court will today hear the plea seeking a probe by the Investigation Agency (NIA) in the sedition case against Kanhaiya Kumar. It has also sought a judicial inquiry in the entire case, soon after a group of men in lawyers' robes were seen thrashing students and journalists in the nearby Patiala House court complex yesterday. The petition alleged that Delhi Police was not investigating the case properly and the matter should be transferred to the NIA. The bench yesterday posted the matter for hearing today. It also observed that the Delhi Police was already conducting a probe and would take the case to its logical conclusion. Baloch leader and the chief of Baloch Republican Party, Nawab Brahumdagh Bugti, has told a Pakistani news channel that the former favors negotiations for the peaceful resolution of the Balochistan issue from day one. "Balochistan government is not able to lead negotiations as they hold no control over issues, army is controlling everything in Balochistan" he added. "The Pakistani government expected us to refuse talks so that they could label us as terrorists, but our willingness has put the government in trouble" Commenting on Pak-China Economic Corridor, Nawab Brahumdagh Bugti said that no Baloch politician was consulted on CPEC. He said that only the people of Balochistan had the right to decide whether something would be good for them or not. He further said that the Baloch people had no say in the CPEC. He added that the economic corridor would only help Punjab and there will be no benefits for the Baloch people Responding to a question, he said that there was no such problem in Balochistan that couldn't be resolved peacefully. He said that the Balochistan problem would be solved through talks, not guns. "We want a political solution of the Balochistan issue", he said. He said his return to Pakistan was not a problem. "The problem is Balochistan. I have no interest in returning to Pakistan", he said. Nawab Brahumdagh said that the government was befooling the people of Pakistan on the issue of the surrenders of militants. "As far as we know, nobody laid down any arms", he said. However, he added, the Balochistan issue must be resolved through talks."We never refused to talk to the government. We are ready for the talks any time. But I was contacted only once. They didn't contact me again," he said. Continuing his tirade against the BJP-led NDA over the JNU campus row, CPI (M) leader Sitaram Yechury on Tuesday trained his guns at Delhi Police Commissioner B.S. Bassi whom he alleged was working at the behest of 'his masters' and said that his party would seek an explanation from Prime Minister Narendra Modi in this regard in the upcoming Budget Session of Parliament. Expressing grave concern over the prevailing atmosphere in the capital, Yechury said it is extremely unfortunate that the fundamentals of the Constitution are being violated under the NDA regime. "The Delhi Police Commissioner, as a representative of the Government, keeps saying what they want. But his basic job is to maintain law and order here. If he fails in that, then voices will be raised. And those who were attacked yesterday, were not only students, they also included well-known teachers, senior journalists and lawyers," he said. "The attack on all of them is being called a minor event by the Delhi Police Commissioner in which both sides were involved. He meant to say that there was violence from both sides. Why will those going to apply for the bail of the JNU student incite violence? There must be at least some understanding. The Commissioner is working on the direction of his masters. We will raise this issue in the Parliament ," he added. Delhi Police Commissioner B.S. Bassi on Tuesday assured apt action into the unfortunate attack on journalists outside a Delhi court yesterday and said that the erring cops would not be spared. "Investigation is on. And after identifying the people, action will be taken as per the law. O.P. Sharma said that he was injured. If I may use the term it was a little surcharged environment. Allegations and counter allegations have been levelled from both the sides. So, we have registered FIR in both episodes. If we find out that any officer has done any unworthiness, appropriate probe will be done," Bassi told the media here. "Anyone found guilty under the FIR registered under Section 124 (A) will be investigated, which will include arrest. If any financial angle or terrorist link is found then investigation will be done under the Prevention Act," he added. Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said action will be taken as per the law against those involved in yesterday's incident outside the Delhi court. "Just had a word with the Delhi Police Commissioner. A case has been registered and investigation is underway," he told reporters on the sidelines of a function in the capital. Around 12 persons, including JNU students, teachers and journalists were attacked by a group of men in lawyer's robes inside and outside the Patiala House court yesterday, where the sedition case against JNU students' union president Kanhaiya Kumar was to be heard. Communist Party of India (CPI) minority wing leader Ameeq Jamei, who was roughed up by Vishwas Nagar MLA O.P. Sharma outside a Delhi court yesterday for allegedly raising anti-India slogans, on Tuesday said his party does not need a certificate of nationalism from the BJP or RSS. Jamei said the incident took place when Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley was present in the court for the hearing in a defamation case. "The entire incident took place when Mr. Arun Jaitley was present. We were briefing the media about the attack on journalists and students in the court. We were questioning Jaitley's silence when O.P. Sharma, who is known for attacking people, chased me and pushed me to the ground," he told ANI. "We believe in law of the land, we believe in democracy. But these people while beating me up said that we had caused a lot of trouble over Rohith Vemula's death. These RSS, BJP people took the side of British during the freedom struggle; we do not need any certificate from them," he added. Jamei further said that he has filed a complaint against the BJP MLA at the Tilak Marg Police Station in the capital. Around 12 persons, including JNU students, teachers and journalists were attacked by a group of men in lawyer's robes inside and outside the Patiala House court yesterday, where the sedition case against JNU students' union president Kanhaiya Kumar was to be heard. 28 years after passing out from the prestigious Hansraj college, Dr. Shah Rukh Khan, who is in Delhi for the launch of the title track of his upcoming film 'Fan,' finally received his Bachelor's Degree today. During the promotional event at the 50-year-old Delhi-born's alma mater, the principal of the college, Rama Sharma, handed over the degree to the superstar, who hadn't collected it since the time he graduated, saying "We are very happy to present him the degree after so many years." The pricncipal added, "We had kept his degree safely in our college. We are proud to bestow him with it today." Shah Rukh, who is a 1985-88 batch alumnus of the Hansraj College and had studied BA in Economics in the college, said that he felt special coming back to the campus. The 'Dilwale' star said, "This is a very special moment for me. I am back in my college, which I left in 1988. I am missing only one thing; my children are not with me today, as I wanted to show them every corner of my college. The actor also signed the register after taking the DU graduate degree. Notably, King Khan received the degree of Doctor Honoris Causa from the University Chancellor HRH The Princess Royal in Edinburgh in 2015. External Affairs Minister (EAM) Sushma Swaraj on Tuesday met Bhutan Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay and held talks on key bilateral and regional issues including India-assisted hydro projects in the Buddhist nation. "Always time for a close friend and neighbour. EAM SushmaSwaraj meets Bhutan PM Tshering Tobgay in Delhi," MEA spokesperson, Vikas Swarup tweeted. According to reports the meeting was focused on promoting and exploring new areas of cooperation of mutual economic interests between both the countries. Actress Emily Blunt will lend her voice to the upcoming animated musical fantasy 'My Little Pony.' The 32-year-old actress will play a brand new character created for the film, which is based on the Hasbro toy line of the same name and the 2010 television series 'My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic' developed by Lauren Faust, channel.24 reports. Also, actress Tara Strong, Cathy Weseluck, Andrea Libman, Tabitha St. Germain, Ashleigh Ball and Kristin Chenoweth will provide the voices to 'Mane 6 ponies' charactersTwilight Sparkle, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy and Rarity. Directed by Jayson Theissen, the forthcoming flick is scheduled for a theatrical release on November 3, 2017 in the United States and Canada. Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister M Venkaiah Naidu on Tuesday described the meeting called by Prime Minister Narendra Modi ahead of the session as 'successful' and said that the would accommodate all the suggestions put forth by the opposition parties in the Parliament. Naidu said the leaders of various political parties, who attended the meeting, spoke from the bottom of their heart. Read our full coverage on Union Budget 2016 He said that all parties reached a consensus on the proper functioning of the Parliament. "With all sincerity, we should all say that the Parliament must function. The Congress has also endorsed it. Some people have raised the issue of JNU, to which the finance minister listed the slogans raised in JNU. Then, some people talked about how sedition charges can be made. With regard to this, the government's stand was that an inquiry is on and let the inquiry be completed. Secondly, these slogans and posters are highly objectionable that has been made clear," he said. "As far as the issues of criticism, calling names is concerned; such things should be avoided by one and all. And I also as a Parliamentary Affairs Minister have said politely that usage of words like 'Hitler', 'fascist', 'communal' for the prime minister should be avoided," he added. Naidu also said that the was ready to accommodate the views of the opposition parties. "The prime minister also said that the is willing to walk an extra mile to accommodate the views of the opposition parties and take up discussion on each and every issue," he said. Naidu is likely to hold one more all-party meeting on February 22 where he hopes to convince the Opposition parties on the need to push reforms such as the landmark GST Bill. Senior Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad on Tuesday told media that the issue of the Goods and Services Tax Bill did not feature in the Prime Minister's meeting with leaders of all major parties in Parliament ahead of the Budget session, which beginsg from February 23. The meeting was called purportedly by the government to seek the cooperation of all parties for the smooth functioning of the Budget session in the backdrop of virtual washout of proceedings in the last two sessions of Parliament. Talking to media after the meeting, Azad said, "The responsibility for the running of the Parliament wrests with the governments. We should be having discussions of key issues of importance. The Centre is well aware of the issues that it needs to tackle on a priority basis, and must act accordingly. The GST did not come up for discussion." On Monday, the NDA government said that it will once again reach out to the Opposition Congress and other parties to evolve a consensus on passing the crucial Goods and Services Tax (GST) Bill during the Budget session of Parliament. Union Minister of State for Coal Piyush Goyal told media on the sidelines of a Make in India seminar in Mumbai, that, "Our government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi is always willing to talk, always willing to accommodate sensible ideas, always wanting to take forward the development of this country in the interest of 125 crore Indians. All our actions are to create consensus on GST. You will appreciate that every party, except one, is on board. Every party of different ideology is supporting it, and then there is some ulterior motive, why is one party trying to stall the whole process?" Tuesday's meeting was the first such convened by the Prime Minister. It reportedly is taking place in the wake of his government being repeatedly criticised for its alleged confrontationist approach and for failing to take other parties into confidence. An Indian national by the name of Hamid Nehal Ansari, who had gone missing over three years ago, has been sentenced to three years imprisonment for espionage in Pakistan. According to Dawn, officials state that Ansari was convicted two days ago in Kohat and was shifted to Peshawar Central Prison. He has a right to appeal under the Pakistan Army Act. Sources at the Dawn said that Ansari had confessed to illegally entering Pakistan from Afghanistan for espionage and that he had seven Facebook accounts as well as around 30 email addresses. He was also reportedly found to be in possession of sensitive documents. Last month, the defence ministry had informed the Peshawar High Court that Ansari was in the custody of Pakistan Army and was being tried by court martial. On January 13th, a two-member bench had disposed of a habeas corpus petition filed by Fauzia Ansari, the convict's mother, against his alleged illegal detention. "Agencies working under the administrative control of this ministry: ISI and MI, GHQ, were asked to provide requisite information. In response, Military Intelligence Directorate, GHQ, intimated that Hamid Nehal Ansari is in military custody and is being tried by court martial," read the written response of a deputy director (legal) of the ministry to the court's query. Ansari, a 31-year-old MBA degree holder, was a teacher at the Mumbai Management College. His mother claimed he was in touch with some Pakistani friends who had suggested him to cross into Pakistan from Afghanistan without a visa. She claimed that he had become friends with a Pakistani woman through social media and had gone to Pakistan to meet her. Journalists from different organisations on Tuesday marched to the Supreme Court in protest against the mob violence outside the Patiala House court where lawyers and politicians were seen beating up scribes and students. Marching from the Press Club here, the journalists chanted slogans against Delhi Police Commissioner B.S. Bassi. "When we were reporting from the site, around 15 people ganged up on us asking us to leave. We called the police for help but they said that they could not do anything. After they saw me recording the footage of them beating up others, they threatened me saying that if I don't leave they will break my bones. Despite all this, if Bassi calls it a minor scuffle then its incredible. I'm just doing my job here, they don't want to hear the truth," NDTV's reporter Sonal Mehrotra told ANI. Hitting out at the Delhi Police, senior television journalist Barkha Dutt told ANI that the cops were given ample opportunities to intervene in the situation but they failed to do so. "Bassi and Rajnath needs to take immediate action. We have the faces of the people responsible on tape. They are lawyers, who are meant to be symbols of the law. So, it is really shocking what has happened," Dutt said. Echoing similar sentiments, India Today consulting editor Rajdeep Sardesai said that the Delhi Police has time and again failed to defend journalists. "We are not traitors, we are just doing our jobs. If you don't like what we do then don't listen to us but you can't attack us like this. What has happened is wrong, no matter how anyone tries to trivialise it," Sardesai told ANI. Journalists and students bore the brunt of the violence yesterday outside the Patiala House court as attacks began when JNU students' union president Kanhaiya Kumar was to be produced before Metropolitan Magistrate Loveleen. Meanwhile, BJP MLA O.P. Sharma, who was yesterday seen thrashing Communist Party of India (CPI) minority wing leader Ameeq Jamei outside a Delhi court, stirred a fresh controversy on Tuesday and said that all those who have no respect for the nation and are 'anti-national' can go and live in Pakistan. Australia's Usman Khawaja has continued to make great strides in the latest ICC rankings for Test batsman, which were released on Tuesday morning following the conclusion of the Wellington Test. Khawaja scored 140, his fourth century in six innings, which has lifted him ten places to a career-high 27th position. The left-hander is still in the qualification period for batsmen and he is expected to move further up the ladder, depending on how he performs in the second Test, which starts in Christchurch on Saturday. A batsman qualifies for full points when he has played 40 Test innings, and the 29 year old has scored 1,879 runs in 23 innings in 14 Tests. Khawaja had started his season in 65th position and has already gained 38 places. Adam Voges, who won the player of the match award in Wellington for his 239, has moved up one place to ninth and now has eighth-ranked Angelo Mathews of Sri Lanka firmly within his sights. The right-hander, too, is in the qualification period as he has played 19 innings in which he has scored 1,267 runs at an average of just under 98. The list is headed by Australia captain Steven Smith, while Joe Root claimed sole possession of second spot after Kane Williamson slipped to third, 18 points behind the Englishman and 11 points ahead of South Africa's Hashim Amla. In the rankings for Test bowlers, Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Lyon and Mark Craig have moved up one place each to seventh, 13th and 38th respectively, while Mitchell Marsh has gained two spots and is now in 47th position. Stuart Broad is the No. 1-ranked bowler, leading India's Ravichandran Ashwin by just one point. Yasir Shah of Pakistan and Dale Steyn of South Africa are third and fourth respectively. Array Meanwhile, Australia needs to draw the Christchurch Test to finish as the No.1-ranked Test side at the 1 Aprilannual cut-off date. If Australia achieves this result, then it will also reclaim the Test mace as well as cash award of 1million dollars. Haryana Finance Minister Captain Abhimanyu on Tuesday asked his Cabinet colleague Krishan Kumar Bedi, who was caught on camera abusing an official, to talk in a responsible manner. "Anyone, who is holding a responsible position in the society as well as in the state, must talk responsibly. I expect everybody, including my colleague in the Cabinet, to be more responsible with what we speak," Abhimanyu told ANI. Bedi, who is Haryana's Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment, stoked a controversy by publically abusing an official during a meeting in Yamunanagar yesterday. Array His act was caught on camera. Array The minister was discussing the issue of encroachment of parks during a grievance committee meeting when he asked an official about his qualification. The official answered that he is a diploma holder. Array In response to this, Bedi uttered a highly offensive abuse and then continued his tirade. Array Bedi had courted controversy even earlier when he had made a derogatory remark about Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the cleanliness drive. New Delhi, Feb.16 (ANI): A Russian helicopter design and manufacturing company is planning to conclude a contract with Indian counterparts for 200 choppers, more than 140 of which will be made in India under an inter-government pact. "We are now discussing terms and conditions for the contract and copter configuration," said Igor Chechikov, Deputy CEO of Russian Helicopters (RH). As one of the biggest investment venture under "Make in India" initiative, 60 of the contracted helicopters will be supplied from RH's existing manufacturing facilities in Russia, while planning will be worked out with Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) and other partners to manufacture more than 140 units. The helicopters will be made in India under a pact signed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to Moscow in December. The choppers will be supplied in collaboration with Rosoboronexport, a state-run export agency. A number of Indian companies, including HAL, will be in partnership for setting up a helicopter plant in India, said Chechikov, adding. "We expect to produce more helicopters from India, given the country's demand for a wide range of defence and security related equipment." He also pointed to the potential of expanding the joint venture business as well as the possibility of looking at ways to broaden technology and knowhow sharing between the two countries. In last three decades, Russia has supplied over 450 helicopters in various phases to India. Between 2012 and 2015, Russia delivered 148 out of the 151 helicopters to India. He also stressed on supporting the Russian hardware by establishing an after sales maintenance hub in India in the coming years. At the Singapore Airshow 2016, Chechikov said "India is a very strategic market with a huge demand for helicopters." The Indian Air Force, Indian Navy and the Border Security Force are among the security institutions where these Russian helicopters are expected to be widely used. Russian helicopters are showcasing a wide range of its technology-savvy helicopters and aircraft at the air show meant for markets in South East Asia. Pakistan on Tuesday said it would approach India to allow its special investigation team to visit Pathankot to gather relevant information on the Pathankot air base attack. According to radio Pakistan Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan said their Foreign Office would formally contact India to seek permission for the visit of the team. "The Foreign Office would formally contact India to seek permission for the visit of the team as answers to many questions and links can be identified there," said Khan, while talking to mediapersons here in the afternoon. The Interior Minister said the investigation team has held many meetings, and its work is proceeding ahead. Answering to a question, he said action would be taken against Maulana Abdul Aziz, a Pakistani cleric and khateeb, if he breaks the law. He said action would also be taken if any evidence is presented against him. In the wake of the Pathankot terror attack, Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Vikas Swarup had last month said, "We look forward to the visit of Pakistan SIT and our investigative agencies will extend all necessary cooperation." "The Pakistan Government of Pak has taken some steps which we have welcomed," he added. Earlier, India had welcomed the steps taken by Pakistan to investigate the antecedents of the terror strike in Pathankot allegedly by the the Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), and promised to extend all help to the former's special investigation team when it arrives in India. Delhi Police Commissioner B.S. Bassi on Tuesday assured apt action into the unfortunate attack on journalists outside a Delhi court yesterday and said that the erring cops would not be spared. "Investigation is on. And after identifying the people, action will be taken as per the law. O.P. Sharma said that he was injured. If I may use the term it was a little surcharged environment. Allegations and counter allegations have been levelled from both the sides. So, we have registered FIR in both episodes. If we find out that any officer has done any unworthiness, appropriate probe will be done," Bassi told the media here. "Anyone found guilty under the FIR registered under Section 124 (A) will be investigated, which will include arrest. If any financial angle or terrorist link is found then investigation will be done under the Prevention Act," he added. Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said action will be taken as per the law against those involved in yesterday's incident outside the Delhi court. "Just had a word with the Delhi Police Commissioner. A case has been registered and investigation is underway," he told reporters on the sidelines of a function in the capital. Students and teachers of the JNU, as well as journalists, were yesterday assaulted, allegedly by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) members outside the Patiala House court. The students and the faculty members of the premier education institution were at the court to extend their support to Jawaharlal Nehru University students' union president Kanhaiya Kumar. Kumar, who was arrested last week on charges of sedition, was yesterday sent to police custody for two more days. Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday lauded the Delhi Police for maintaining law and order in the capital. "Delhi Police works its best to maintain law and order in the capital. The Delhi Police has to play a multi-faceted role as Delhi is the capital of the country," Singh said while speaking at the 69th Delhi Police Raising Day ceremony. He also said that the government has made a provision of reserving 33 percent seats for women in the central police forces. "The Home Ministry has issued advisories to state governments to make such provision in their police forces," he added. Selena Gomez was all praises for her former love flame Justin Bieber as he bagged his first Grammy. Array The 23-year-old songstress dated Bieber off-and-on for several years, reports People Magazine. Array "I'm very happy for him. Honestly, so cool," the 'Same Old Love' hit-maker said of Bieber's best dance recording win for his collaboration with Skrillex and Diplo, "Where Are U Now." Array She added that the trio has such cool energy amongst all of them to be able to create something like that and it's really great. Array The 58th annual Grammy Awards took place at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on February 15. Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) leader Indresh Kumar on Tuesday described as very shameful that the Congress Party is protecting people raising anti- slogans. Array "Congress who fought for freedom is protecting people who are raising slogans of hail Pakistan. It is very shameful. JNU which served for many years has become a ground of anti- environment," Kumar told ANI here. Array Kumar also added that if someone oppose the hanging of these terrorist are opposing law, they are also defaming the followers of Islam. Array "If they cannot respect Islam then should not insult Islam. The nation wants people like Kalpana Chawla, A. P. J. Abdul Kalam who are loyal to the nation and not people who talks against the nation. Ashfaq Ullah, Lala Lajpat Rai, Jhansi Rani and other freedom fighters have been insulted by these incidents. The Congress should have at least thought about those Congressmen who fought for the nation," he said. Array "Those who are passed out of JNU are condemning this incident. JNU should not be declared anti . They should not be labeled as traitor," he added. Array The Congress Party however targeted the Delhi Police for taking 'high-handed' action in the JNU row, alleging that the B.S. Bassi-led team initiated the probe without having 'substantial evidence' in the incident. Array Congress leader P.C. Chacko said that the police should act in a proportionate manner and should not conduct any proceedings without any clear cut evidence against JNU Students' Union President Kanhaiya Kumar. Array The Congress leader also said that law of the land should be the basis. Array "If the police have any evidence that anyone can be charged under any provisions of law, they can do so," he said. Array Meanwhile, the Delhi High Court will today hear the plea seeking a probe by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in the sedition case against JNU student Union president Kanhaiya Kumar. Array It has also sought a judicial inquiry in the entire case, soon after a group of men in lawyers' robes were seen thrashing students and journalists in the nearby Patiala House court complex yesterday. Array The petition alleged that Delhi Police was not investigating the case properly and the matter should be transferred to the NIA. The bench yesterday posted the matter for hearing today. Array It also observed that the Delhi Police was already conducting a probe and would take the case to its logical conclusion. . The students of the Jawarharlal Nehru University (JNU) on Tuesday continued with their protest over a demand for the release of students' union president Kanhaiya Kumar, who has been booked on charges of sedition. Thousands of students joined protests, effectively paralysing the prestigious JNU, after Kanhaiya Kumar was arrested on Friday following a demonstration that authorities have called as 'anti-Indian'. Meanwhile, journalists from different organisations today marched to the Supreme Court in protest against the mob violence outside the Patiala House court where lawyers and politicians were seen beating up scribes and students. Array Marching from the Press Club here, the journalists chanted slogans against Delhi Police Commissioner B.S. Bassi. Array Journalists and students bore the brunt of the violence yesterday outside the Patiala House court as attacks began when JNU students' union president Kanhaiya Kumar was to be produced before Metropolitan Magistrate Loveleen. Array Meanwhile, BJP MLA O.P. Sharma, who was yesterday seen thrashing Communist Party of India (CPI) minority wing leader Ameeq Jamei outside a Delhi court, stirred a fresh controversy on Tuesday and said that all those who have no respect for the nation and are 'anti-national' can go and live in Pakistan. Array A Delhi court yesterday extended Kanhaiya's custody for two more days. Array The JNU student union leader was arrested last week on charges of sedition for allegedly participating in an event on the campus to mark the anniversary of the execution of 2001 Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru, in which anti-India slogans were raised. New Delhi, Feb.16 (ANI): At the political level, sanitation is hot. It's time now to shift focus to villages where the action around defecation should really be. It's here that there are two choices: Open defecation or an environment that is open defecation free. The dream is to achieve the clean India target by 2019, to coincide with Mahatma Gandhi's 150th birth anniversary. Array Every year, health payments push 60 million Indians into poverty. More than 80 per cent of diseases are linked to poor water and sanitation conditions. Can we kick the habit of 'going out?' Swachh Bharat logos can be found all over the countryside. Can this renewed effort work? Can the rhetoric transform to results? According to the government's own documents, between now and October 2019, toilets have to be constructed for a whopping 9.1 crore households. That amounts to an annual target of 228 lakh or a daily target of around 62,000 plus toilets. In 2014-15, according to government estimates a mere 58.55 lakh household toilets were constructed. Is this scale of construction really possible? Will it lead to a construction-driven activity alone? Money spent but poor usage - a sense of deja vu? There is some merit in understanding some of the previous struggles and learning from them. To err once is fine, but to repeatedly err is criminal and plain stupidity. Some of the factors that need to be considered are as follows. a) Not only numbers, but usage: Though crores of toilets need to be constructed, coverage is not the end of the story. Sanitation is about usage. Research reveals that rarely have the two matched. Delving deeper to understand poor usage has revealed the complexity of issues involved. Some of the challenges that emerged include the following: (i) Convincing people to embrace toilets: No single approach will bring about conviction for changeA mother in some remote village may construct a toilet to make natural processes easier for her daughter. Elsewhere, health may be the driving factor. This calls for the use of a 'different strokes for different folks' approach, so that inhibitions are understood, appreciated and addressed. Spotting and nurturing leadership certainly helps. Sarpanch Duryodhan Sahu gave 'No shave November or Movember' an all new meaning. On November 1, 2014 he publicly took an oath that he would not shave until his nine-revenue panchayat became open defecation free. On Jan 31, 2015 Kumurisingha panchayat in Angul district of Odisha turned open defection free. Saraswati Pradhan from nearby Chediapada panchayat is another leader who took on her own brothers-in-law and forced them to fall in line after threatening to shine a fully charged torch on them while they defecated unless they reformed themselves. She is currently the proud Sanitation Ambassador for the state. The rural landscape of India will definitely be dotted with such leaders. Unearthing them and spreading the word about their feats could give rise to scores of such people who could do likewise and promote sanitation. The 'magic' lies in providing all-out timely and appropriate support. Array (ii) Quality of construction: Ad nauseam, surveys reveal the poor construction quality of toilets. Some have beautiful exteriors but are empty inside. In others, the slope of the pan is wrong, or there is no space to squat. Norms need to be followed and a strong community would be best placed to do this. (iii) Availability of water: This is a major reason behind lack of use. If water has to be brought from far off distances, it is an additional burden on the women and girls. In absence of water, one usage can render it unusable. Water must be readily available nearby so that the pan can be cleaned and hands washed. (iv) Lack of total solutions: Safe sanitation is more than defecating in a safe environment. It is about its operation and maintenance and safe disposal of fecal sludge. Users are often perplexed as to how to dispose of the waste - both liquid and solid. In absence of understanding and support for operation and maintenance, toilets become unusable. Either the toilets become defunct or the wastewater spills over with sometimes deadly implications. Solutions for the safe disposal of the fecal sludge when the pits become full need to be available. Private service providers with mechanised systems can provide cleaning services. The waste collected needs to be safely disposed for which the dedicated land needs to be provided. Alternately the waste can be disposed in existing sewage treatment plants in nearby urban areas. But the costs need to be worked out. (v) Availability of skilled masons and hardware: One of the major deterrents to toilet construction is the absence of supply chains to provide necessary hardware and construction support. Information on suitable hardware choices and its availability and masons who can construct the toilets are not easily available at convenient distances. This gap can be rectified so that units are set up to provide hardware at convenient distance and generate livelihoods in the process. Is someone in Skill India listening? (vi) Honesty in reporting: One of the biggest shockers that emerged from the Census 2011 data was the issue of 'missing toilets'. The different between the Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation's data (as reported by states) and the Census data on toilet coverage was around 23 per cent, which translates into 3.5 crore missing toilets. As state governments scrambled to search for answers, the writing was clear on the wall. The reported coverage simply did not exist, in spite of expenditure made. Efforts are ongoing to develop fool proof reporting mechanisms using GPS technology. But till such time commitment and honesty enters into reporting, loopholes and jugaad will be found. The deplorable state of sanitation has turned large swathes of the rural landscape into a dump, a slang used for going to defecate. The question is: Are we ready to make the leap? Or will we continue to remain 'in the dumps?' The views expressed in the above article are that of Dr. Indira Khurana, Policy Lead - Resource Scarcity, Food Security and Climate Change, IPE Global. She has also served as a Director Policy and Partnerships in WaterAid India (WAI). Rich tributes were paid to the nine Siachen bravehearts, who were buried alive in an avalanche, at their native places on Tuesday where their mortal remains have been kept for the people to pay their last respects. Hundreds of people gathered at the Government Guest House in Mysuru to pay their tribute to Sepoy Mahesha PN, who died in Siachen Avalanche. Several prominent persons, including the Mayor of the city, paid homage to mortal remains of the brave soldier. In Tamil Nadu, the state Education Minister K.C. Veeramani, along with hundreds of people, gathered at Adukkamparai village in Vellore to pay last respects to Havildar Elumalai. The mortal remains of the bravehearts were brought to Delhi's Palam Airport from Leh yesterday. Several senior army officers and defence personnel laid wreaths to honour the supreme sacrifice of these men. A Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) and nine other soldiers of the Madras Regiment were buried under the avalanche on February 3. While Lance Naik Hanamanthappa Koppad was miraculously dug out alive, the bodies of nine others were recovered on February 9. The others killed in the avalanche were Lance Havildar S Kumar of Kumanan Thozhu village, Theni district, Tamil Nadu, Lance Naik Sudheesh of Monroethuruth village, Kollam district, Kerala and Sepoy Mahesha PN of HD Kote village, Mysore district, Karnataka. Sepoy Ganesan of Chokkathevan Patti village, Madurai district, Tamil Nadu, Sepoy Rama Moorthy of Gudisatana Palli village, Krishnagiri District, Tamil Nadu, Sepoy Mustaq Ahmed of Parnapalle village, Kurnool district, Andhra Pradesh and Sepoy (Nursing Assistant) Suryawanshi S V of Maskarwadi village, Satara district, Maharashtra are the others. Within two days of the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding among the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the Indian Institute of Technology, Gandhinagar (IIT-GN), and Karmany to launch an internship program, over 100 undergraduate students at IIT-GN have hit "apply." As part of this program, Karmany created a user-friendly online portal where undergraduate students can find and apply for internship opportunities with USAID partner organizations, working in sectors including clean energy, health, women's empowerment, and innovation. Though the program is initially launched for IIT-GN students, USAID and Karmany will open the portal to all IIT students in the coming months. Speaking about the overwhelming response received in its first two days, Ambassador Jonathan Addleton, Mission Director, USAID/India said, "These are India's best and most motivated young minds, and seeing their desire to work with USAID partners to end tuberculosis in India, bring safe drinking water to city slums, or light up India's homes with clean energy is very inspiring. This internship program is just one aspect of our joint efforts and continuing commitment to create a cadre of professionals who will combine their technological prowess, innovative thinking, and development experience to make a difference in India in some of the areas that matter the most." Sudhir Jain, Director, IIT-Gandhinagar, stated, "The students of IIT-Gandhinagar are passionate about social engagement. This partnership with USAID and Karmany will provide them with excellent internship opportunities with various USAID implementing partners. We are excited about the potential of this partnership." Shweta Gandhi, Founder and CEO, Karmany, said, "Traditionally, IIT graduates have considered joining big businesses to build fulfilling careers. Karmany is excited to enable India's top talent to now seamlessly solve the most pressing issues across sectors such as education, health, and agriculture. We are making an in-kind contribution of 100,000 dollars for this innovative partnership so that these bright minds can have the opportunity to contribute in India's march to progress. UK's Immigration Minister James Brokenshire announced a package of new visa service improvements for Indian nationals today. The improved visa offer was made as part of the Minister's five day visit to India, where he visits both Delhi and Bangalore. The visit builds on the success of Prime Minister Modi's visit to the UK in November. As part of his trip the Minister has met important UK visa customers from the education, travel and business sectors to gain insight into how they use the visa service. Improvements to the service include expanding the same day, super-priority visa services to first time visitors and work visas. The 3 to 5 day priority visa service will also be expanded to visit, study and work routes allowing more customers in India the opportunity get a visa decision faster. From the end of this month Indian visit visa applicants will be able to benefit from a new quicker and easier online application form. As well as taking less time the new online form will make it easier for customers going on holiday or for business to the UK and Europe, to apply for both UK and Schengen visas. Once the form has been filled out, customers will be able to download an auto-completed Schengen application form to print and apply with. Initially the form will launch in English but it will be translated into Hindi, Tamil and Gujarati, making it more straightforward for customers across India to apply for their UK visit visas. As part of the announcement, the Minister revealed the launch of a new visa application centre (VAC) in Lucknow, Utter Pradesh - the first in India's most popular state. During a trip to a visa application centre in Delhi, Immigration Minister James Brokenshire, said: "India is one of the UK's largest visa market and we continue to make improvements to the service here to make it as easy and straightforward as possible for our customers to apply for their visas. "We are pleased that more and more Indian visitors are choosing to come to the UK on holiday and for business. Last year we saw a 17% increase in the number of visit visas issued. Indian holidaymakers are very welcome in the UK and thanks to our strong cultural and historic ties I think they feel very home at home there. We hope that this year we continue to see an increase in visitors from India and that these improvements prove useful to those applying for their visas." The Immigration Minister will also hold meetings with Ministerial counterparts in the Indian Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of External Affairs. Issues discussed include wider UK migration issues and how to better share information relating to criminality. It's sad, but it's true, Rihanna cancelled her 2016 Grammy performance. The 27-year-old songstress' rep said in a statement, "Based on Rihanna's examination, after Grammy rehearsal today, Rihanna's doctor put her on vocal rest for 48-hours because she was at risk of hemorrhaging her vocal chords," reports E! Online. "The antibiotics she has been on for 3-days did not kill the infection adequately therefore she cannot perform safely," his statement further read. Sources revealed that the 'Diamond' hit-maker arrived for rehearsals, but decided to cancel at the last minute, adding that she didn't even walk the red carpet. It is being said that Rihanna is dealing with bronchitis. The 58th annual Grammy Awards took place at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on February 15. The United States and Pakistan will hold the sixth ministerial level strategic dialogue in Washigton D.C on Feb 29. Advisor to the Pakistan Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz and United States Secretary of State John Kerry will lead their sides at these talks. The dialogue process began in 2010 and the two countries held three ministerial meetings but the process was interrupted in 2011 when a US midnight raid in Abbottabad killed Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden. The dialogue will focus on Pakistan's economic growth, trade and energy cooperation, regional stability, and countering extremism and terrorism, reports Dawn. The two sides will also review the progress made by the working groups on economy and finance, defence, law-enforcement and counter-terrorism, security, strategic stability, non-proliferation and energy. It resumed in 2014 after a gap of more than three years when Aziz and Secretary Kerry met in Washington in January. Condemning the attack on journalists outside the Patiala House Court premises in the capital on Monday, Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi today alleged that the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) was trying to crush the opinion of the people. He said that the Congress Party would not accept it and would fight this out. "The RSS backed people are being appointed as vice-chancellors in the universities and the voices of the students are being gagged. They are suppressing the voice of the Indian students whether in Delhi, Hyderabad, Lucknow and in all the universities across the country. We will not accept this, we will fight against this," Gandhi told the media on the sidelines of his public rally here. Meanwhile, the journalists carrying out a march from the Press Club of India in New Delhi to the Supreme Court in protest against the attack were stopped mid way. Senior journalists, including Rajdeep Sardesai and Barkha Dutt, led the march. Lawyers had allegedly roughed up journalists and JNU students, who were present on the court premises for a hearing on arrested JNU Students' Union president Kanhaiya Kumar. Earlier, a delegation of journalists met Home Minister Rajnath Singh at his residence to register their protest against the incident. Delhi Police Commissioner B.S. Bassi has said the investigation over the attack on journalists is on. Talking to the media in New Delhi, Bassi said action will be taken as per law after identifying the people responsible. He said it was a surcharged atmosphere and allegations and counter allegations have been made. At least 10 people were arrested in the Belgian capital on Tuesday following an investigation into a recruitment network for the Islamic State (IS), the media reported. The raids were not linked to the Paris terror attacks of November 13, 2015. In total nine properties were raided in the Brussels districts of Molenbeek, Koekelberg, Schaerbeek and Etterbeek, Xinhua nes agency reported. The Belgian federal prosecutor's office said several people suspected of travelling to Syria to join the IS have been identified. The 10 suspects were arrested for questioning by the anti-terrorism branch of the federal police force in the city of Liege. An investigating magistrate would decide later in the day whether their detention should be extended and charges brought. Among the material seized during the raids were mobile phones and computers, L'Avenir added. At least 14 Taliban militants were killed during military operations in two provinces of Afghanistan, government representatives said on Tuesday. "Members of Special Operation Force of Afghan National Police (ANP) carried out a raid in Tagab district of Kapisa province on Monday. Eight Taliban terrorists were killed and three injured in the operation," Xinhua quoted the country's interior ministry as saying in a statement on Tuesday. The targeted militants were involved in several terrorist attacks, including roadside bombings and landmine blasts and ambushes against security forces, the statement said. Three heavy machine guns, a rocket launcher, a PKM automatic gun with 6,000 rounds of bullets and 50 kg of explosive materials were recovered during the raid, the statement added. In a separate incident, six militants were killed and five injured in an attack on an army convoy in Qush Tipa district of Jawzjan province on Monday, an army spokesman said on Tuesday. "No member of the convoy was harmed during the clash lasting for hours," he said. The militant group was yet to make comments. The Afghan security forces on Tuesday cleared militants from a restive district on the outskirts of Pul-e-Khumri, capital of Baghlan province. The move will help government technical teams repair electricity towers that were destroyed by militants earlier, Xinhua news agency quoted authorities as saying. Power outage has reached 18 to 20 hours a day in Afghan capital Kabul and other cities since January 26 when the militants destroyed three metal power pylons in Dand-e-Shahabudin district, causing huge losses to people and businesses. "The cleanup operation will continue till Dand-e-Shahabudin district is clear of militants. Security forces killed six militants and four were injured Monday night," General Abdul Rashid Bashir, deputy provincial police chief, said on Tuesday. "The army engineering teams have been clearing the landmines and roadside bombs around destroyed electricity pylons so that power workers can visit the site and reconnect the electricity to Kabul and other big cities soon," he said. The Taliban has intensified attacks over the past couple of months as the forces assumed the full security responsibility from NATO-led international forces since January 1, 2015. Wahidullah Tawhidi, spokesman for Da Afghanistan Breshna Sherkat (DABS), the country's national power supplier, said the DABS personnel had already supplied all needed materials near the site, adding the electricity will be reconnected to Kabul within days. Last winter, Kabul and other cities also experienced a severe power cut for more than two months after heavy snowfall and avalanches destroyed pylons in the Salang Pass, in Parwan province. A 442-km high voltage transmission line from Uzbekistan to Afghanistan was completed in late 2008. It runs from the country's border with Uzbekistan towards Kabul through five Afghan provinces, transmitting some 300 megawatts of electricity from the water-resource rich country. A Cambodian tribunal on Tuesday resumed appeal hearings for two senior Khmer Rouge figures of the brutal regime who were found guilty in August 2014 of crimes against humanity. Khmer Rouge Head of State Khieu Samphan and "Brother Number Two" Nuon Chea, the former deputy secretary of the Communist Party of Kampuchea, were sentenced to life imprisonment by the UN-backed tribunal in the first of at least two trials against them, EFE news reported. The appeal hearing was adjourned in November 2015 because of a lack of legal representation for Chea after one of his lawyers failed to attend the hearing and another defied orders by leaving the courtroom. This round of appeal hearings is scheduled to continue till Thursday. The two are also being tried in a separate case on charges of genocide. The appeal hearings follow an announcement by the tribunal on Monday that the case of Im Chaem, a district chief under Pol Pot who is charged with a range of crimes during the regime, had been split from her two co-defendants. In a statement, the court said the action was aimed at speeding up proceedings against Chaem while investigations into the two other defendants continued. The ultra-Maoist Khmer Rouge regime, which ruled Cambodia from 1975 to 1979, led to the deaths of an estimated 1.7 million people. A West Australian mining firm has found a record breaking 404-carat diamond believed worth over $14 million. According to reports on Tuesday, the Lucapa Diamond Company, based in Perth but operating in the African nation of Angola, found the 404-carat diamond at its Lulo Diamond Project site, with estimates putting it as the 27th largest diamond ever found, Xinhua news agency reported. The company's chairman, Miles Kennedy, said that the diamond ticked off a "number of firsts" for diamond exploration. "When we first looked at the property, 3,000 sq.km of untouched ground, 700 km inland from the coast, you are talking about a very, very remote area," Kennedy said. "It's the biggest diamond ever recorded from the country of Angola and it's the biggest diamond ever recovered by an Australian diamond miner," he said. The chairman said selling that diamond alone would allow the company to expand its Angola operations. The largest ever 3,167-carat diamond "Sergio" was found in Brazil in 1893. As many as four US journalists who were arrested for unauthorised media coverage during the fifth anniversary of the 2011 protests were released in Bahrain on Tuesday. The Public Prosecution said it received a complaint on Monday regarding acts of vandalism and rioting in Sitra, Xinhua reported. "Security authorities detained four US nationals during the incident as a result of their involvement in the criminal acts, and that one of the individuals was concealing his face at the time of his arrest," said the prosecution. It said the US Embassy had informed about the arrests. "The individuals were questioned in the presence of lawyers and charged with unlawful obstruction of vehicles and attending unlawful gatherings." The public prosecution confirmed that all of the individuals were released pending further investigations. Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday urged Delhi Police to adopt friendly behaviour towards the people to win their trust. "Delhi Police should adopt a good and friendly behaviour towards the public so that people do not fear telling their problems to the police. Police should win their heart," Rajnath Singh said. He was addressing police personnel on the occasion of Delhi Police's 69th Raising Day Parade at the New Police Lines, Kingsway Camp in north Delhi. The home minister inspected the Guard of Honour on the occasion. He announced Rs.5 crore for Delhi Police Welfare Fund. He also presented medals for meritorious service to the policemen. He stressed on the need to adopt innovative methods to control crime in the city as well as in the nation. "Criminals are opting for different types of ways like social media to commit crime these days, so the police will have to be more vigilant and develop innovative techniques to deal with them," he said. He also complimented Delhi Police for coming up with various digital initiatives like its own Twitter handle, Beat book app for beat constables. The minister lauded Delhi Police for making all efforts to maintain law and order in Delhi. He, however, also advised Delhi Police to adopt best practices of other states in controlling crime. Emphasising on the role of women in policing, the minister said that 33 percent of the police force should be women. "In this regard an advisory has been sent to all the states," he added. A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman urged the US Congress to block approval by the senate of a bill to rename a street in Washington DC after Liu Xiaobo, a convicted Chinese criminal. Spokesman Hong Lei on Tuesday said that if the bill becomes a law, it will have "serious consequences". He did not elaborate, Xinhua reported. China is firmly opposed to the bill because it violated basic norms of international relations, according to Hong. "We urge the US Congress to stop considering the bill," Hong said, adding the Chinese side also hopes the US administration will end the "political farce." The bill wants to rename the street after Liu, a Chinese man sentenced to 11 years in prison on December 25, 2009, after a Beijing court convicted him of violating Chinese law and engaging in activities aimed at overthrowing the government. The bill still needs to be approved by the US House of Representatives and must be signed by the president before it can become a law. The Congress on Tuesday alleged that the "barbaric and inhuman attack" on journalists, students and teachers at the Patiala House Court was carried out by "BJP goons" and said Delhi police remained "a mute spectator". In a statement, Congress leader Kapil Sibal said the BJP was "muzzling" the voice of India's youth, students, teachers, journalists, opposition and every individual or organisation that questions "subjugation of disagreement or paralysis of governance". "All such individuals or organisations are conveniently targeted by calling them 'anti-national' or 'naxalites'. May we remind that the same pattern was adopted during FTII protests, when the protesting students were called 'naxals'," Sibal said. "Students of Ambedkar Periyar Study Circle in IIT Madras were banned merely because they dared to criticise Narendra Modi. Students like Rohith Vemula and others were persecuted on the campus of Hyderabad Central University," he alleged. He said that instead of taking action against a handful of those responsible for shouting anti-India slogans on the JNU campus, "identical pattern is being repeated by branding the entire JNU as 'anti-national'". "The Congress condemns the barbaric and inhuman attack in Patiala House Court yesterday (Monday) on journalists, young students and teachers by BJP goons led by their MLA O.P. Sharma. "Delhi police remained a mute spectator as students, teachers and journalists were assaulted and thrashed with impunity, inside the court rooms, in the court complex and outside it," Sibal alleged. The violence took place on Monday when journalists were at the court premises to cover court proceedings concerning JNU student leader Kanhaiya Kumar. The JNU has been on the boil over Kanhaiya Kumar's arrest on sedition charges. The controversy began when some JNU students organised a meet on February 9 to mark the anniversaries of executions of parliament attack convict Afzal Guru and Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front co-founder Maqbool Bhat. Anti-India slogans were reportedly raised at the gathering. Sibal said the Congress condemns the "culture of violence and hooliganism" unleashed by the Modi government. "The truth is that the government is hell-bent upon destroying the autonomy of all premier educational institutions as also the spirit of students to ideate, debate, express and disagree," he said. He alleged that the Modi government was blindly following an "obscurantist agenda" set by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. Sibal alleged that events at JNU by the BJP and its related organisations were ploys to divert attention from "paralysis of governance and grave economic crisis" faced by the country. Asserting that the Congress does not need lessons in patriotism, Sibal said the government did not take action over objectionable statements by BJP's elected representatives including Sakshi Maharaj. "What about filing sedition charges against all those who fly ISIS and Pakistani flags and shout anti-India slogans in Jammu and Kashmir?" he asked. Sibal called upon the Modi government to "stop hoodwinking people of India and stop suppressing the freedom of expression, right to debate, to ideate and criticize on part of the young and students of India". Eight people who are activists of the CPI-M were on Tuesday taken into custody for the gruesome murder of an RSS activist near here on Monday, police said. "The arrested are activists of the CPI-M, but till now we have not been able to attribute any political motive to the murder. However, all aspects are being looked into," said a police officer here. A group of armed people barged into the house of the 26-year-old Sujith, an activist of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). on Monday night. Police said the eight have been held for Sujith's murder. However, an official of the Valapattanam Police station that made the arrests told IANS that police have not been able to identify any political provocation for the attack in which Sujith was killed. The group attacked Sujith with weapons and also attacked his parents and brother. Sujith died while being taken to the hospital. Senior CPI-M leader at Kannur M.V.Jayarajan told reporters that there is nothing political in the incident. "We believe this is a retaliation of an eve-teasing episode in which some people attacked the victim," said Jayarajan, adding that police are also not terming it as political incident at present. But the district leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party in Kannur allege this is the handiwork of the Communist Party of India-Marxist. State BJP president Kummanam Rajasekheran in his twitter post said that the party has lost another bright youngster to the Left terror. "The CPI-M should know that they gain nothing out of killing someone. Hours after top CPM leaders, including Sitram Yechuri, assemble in Thiruvananthapuram, Sujith gets killed in Kannur. What message does this give to the society," asked Rajasekheran. Havana, Feb 17 (IANS/EFE) The Cuban and US governments on Tuesday signed a memorandum of understanding on civil aviation that includes the establishment of direct air routes between the two nations for the first time in 50 years and is set to take effect in the fall. "Today is a historic day in the relationship between Cuba and the US," said US Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx in Havana. "It represents a critically important milestone in the US effort to engage with Cuba." Also signing the agreement were Cuban Transportation Minister Adel Yzquierdo, US Assistant Secretary of State for Economic and Business Affairs, Charles Rivkin, and the president of the Cuban Civil Aeronautics Institute, Alfredo Cordero. Foxx said that the resumption of commercial flights is another step in fulfilling the commitment to "continue strengthening" the ties between the two countries, while Yzquierdo agreed that the accord marks the start of a new phase in US-Cuban relations. Yzquierdo said that thanks to the memorandum the airlines of both nations will also be able to make commercial cooperation agreements, including shared rules and regulations and aircraft leasing contracts. US airlines will now be able to start bidding on routes for up to 110 daily flights, more than five times the current number. The agreement allows for 20 regular daily US flights to the Cuban capital, along with the current 10-15 charter flights a day, while the remaining flights would be to other Cuban cities. The bidding process is scheduled to begin on Wednesday with US airlines presenting their bids to the Department of Transportation for the routes they want to secure. --IANS/EFE vr/ Actor Daniel Craig, who has portrayed the legendary James Bond role for nearly a decade, may leave the character for a character in American television Series "Purity". Craig won't have time to reprise his role as the secret agent as "Purity", which will be the adaptation of Jonathan Franzen's novel, is expected to run for several series, reports dailymail.co.uk. Earlier, the actor had dropped hints of bidding goodbye to James Bond prior to the release of the franchise's 24th instalment "Spectre" last year. "I'd rather break this glass and slash my wrists. No, not at the moment. Not at all. That's fine. I'm over it at the moment. We're done. All I want to do is move on," Craig was quoted by The Sun newspaper as saying. However, Craig had recently claimed that he may not be able to leave just yet as he had signed a contract that requires him to make another film. The Delhi High Court on Tuesday refused an NIA probe into the alleged anti-national activities at the Jawaharlal Nehru University campus. Justice Manmohan dismissed the plea terming it "premature" and said the police has already been investigating the issue. "The incident took place only on February 9. This court is confident that Delhi Police will investigate all the aspects. The petitioner approached the court without making any representation to any government authorities. The petition is premature," said the court. "I am not interfering at this stage. Let the Delhi Police investigate it. Its too early. Incident took place on February 9 only," the court said dismissing the plea. Centre's counsel Anil Soni and Delhi Police's counsel Rahul Mehra told the court that anti-national slogans were shouted in the campus and police is investigating who instigated it and who were behind it. The plea sought National Investigation Agency (NIA) probe and judicial inquiry into the alleged anti-national activities at the JNU here. Advocate Ranjana Agnihotri also sought the appointment of a judicial commission to look into the February 9 incidents on the JNU campus. Jawaharlal Nehru University Students Union president Kanhaiya Kumar was arrested in a sedition case on February 12 after an event held on the university campus against hanging of parliament attack convict Afzal Guru. On February 12, Kumar was remanded to a three-day police custody by a court here. On Monday, his police custody was extended by two days. French Ambassador Francois Richier on Tuesday conferred the Chevalier de la Legion d'Honneur, his country's highest honour, on veteran designer Manish Arora in recognition for his renowned and critically-acclaimed contribution to the fashion world. "I'm thrilled and honoured by the recognition I have received from the country that I love with all my heart. France has been an inspiration always. I now live between Paris and Delhi and for me France is literally my own country. I hope to keep getting inspired by France, the beauty and elegance of the French people," said Arora at the investiture ceremony at the French embassy here. The event witnessed the attendance of socialites including Priya Paul, Ambika Pillai, Kalyani Saha, Rahul Mishra and Subodh Gupta. The Chevalier de laA Legion d'Honneur is France's premier award to recognize eminent accomplishments of service to France. It is bestowed on both citizens of France as well as foreigners. Pinning the insignia on the celebrated designer, Richier said: "Manish has a long-standing connection with France, which is like a second home for him. He is a pioneer in bringing the fashion culture of both countries together with his exuberant imagination. I am delighted to confer this high honour on him." In the past, eminent personalities such as Pandit Ravi Shankar, Amitabh Bachchan and J.R.D Tata have been honoured with the prestigious award. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi not to use 'nationalism' to create a 'fear psychosis', and said it was wrong to dub JNU as "a terrorist centre". In a letter to Modi, Kejriwal urged the prime minister to act against "lumpen and anarchist elements" like Delhi BJP legislator O.P. Sharma who was filmed attacking a CPI activist outside a court here on Monday. Kejriwal said he denounced the reported anti-India slogans raised at the Jawaharlal Nehru University campus, but said "it is not correct to convert nationalism into a device for creating a fear psychosis by using constitutional institutions to run them according to whims and fancies. "It is extremely dangerous that the JNU incident is being portrayed to show this institution as a terrorist centre. "The JNU and its students have achieved fame at the international level due to its high academic standards and the hard work of its students. "It is completely wrong to brand such a prestigious institution as a centre of terrorists," he said. Kejriwal's letter follows the arrest on February 12 of JNU Students' Union president Kanhaiya Kumar on sedition charges for allegedly raising anti-India slogans at a meeting on the campus. On Monday, before he was to be produced at the Patiala House Court, some lawyers attacked journalists and JNU students in the complex. Sharma, one of the three BJP legislators in Delhi, was filmed chasing and attacking a CPI activist on a road near the court. Kejriwal demanded "immediate action" against Sharma "to give a clear signal that such kind of activities will not be tolerated. He is an MLA of BJP, and it (BJP) must also take action against him. "I feel that even if you once call this MLA and scold him, he will not dare to repeat his actions again in life. If that is not done, then such elements feel they have the complete support of the central government." The Aam Aadmi Party leader also demanded the immediate release of innocent people arrested in JNU and an end to political interference in JNU and other academic institutions. The Delhi chief minister, during the day, also met union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and apprised him of the situation. Kejriwal met Rajnath Singh over the JNU and court incidents "and requested him to take appropriate action in both the cases. He also requested Rajnath Singh to make sure that no innocent person is framed in these cases", a Delhi government official said. "The home minister has assured the chief minister that action won't be taken against any innocent person in the JNU case," the official added. A Canadian woman found her long-lost brother after posting a message on social media website, Facebook on New Year's Eve, the media reported on Tuesday. Matthew Handford, who tracked down his sister, Shylow Wilson, after reading the post on Facebook in which 25-year-old Wilson said she was looking for her biological brother named Matthew who was given up for adoption by their mother after he was born at Calgary's Grace Hospital in February 1987, Xinhua news agency reported. "I was a little skeptical, but now that I've met him, I know it's for sure him, and I'm really happy about that," said Wilson. It was a "good Family Day miracle" right there, she said. Her younger brother Handford also turned to Facebook last December to look for his three siblings. All he had was their names on a piece of paper his adoptive mother gave him, based on some research she did back in 1996. Handford contacted a lady named Wanda Levasseur on Facebook, since she had the same last name as his mother, Marilyn Levasseur who died after a battle with alcoholism. He did not hear back until last Thursday, when Wanda showed him Wilson's post. Handford reached out to Wilson on Facebook and then by phone, before flying from Toronto in east Canada to Calgary to meet his sister on Saturday. "I was adopted at four days old, so it's the only family I know. To find out I've got an extended family now, it's a great feeling," Handford said. Handford said he would definitely stay in touch with his sister. "It took this long to get together, so (we've) got a lot of time to make up," he added. Superstar Shah Rukh Khan loved every bit of getting back to his "roots" here on Tuesday. From visiting his college in Delhi University's North Campus to the lovers' spot at PVR Priya, the actor was upbeat about sharing his "Dillipan" that he has got to showcase on the big screen with his upcoming film "Fan". After an overwhelming experience at his alma mater, Hanraj College, where he finally collected his graduation degree 28 years after passing out of the institution, SRK held a media conference at the PVR Priya theatre in south Delhi to promote "Fan". "I love you Shah Rukh," screamed his several fans, who had won a contest of sorts to meet the actor and were seated in the balcony of the theatre, which SRK described as the "unaffordable" hostspot for lovers of his time. Looking suave in a bearded look, the 50-year-old couldn't thank "Fan" director Maneesh Sharma enough for letting him explore his "Dillipan". He said he had been longing to play a Delhi boy, and that he was "more envious than jealous" of other actors who got to play such roles on screen. Because he has been living in Mumbai for the past 25 years, he felt would have forgotten the 'Delhi dialect', but he is glad that with "Fan", he could go back to it. "I would like to thank Maneesh that he brought me to my roots and gave me a Delhi character to play. This film is very special to me. Not just is this story special, but technologically, the visual effects and make-up that have been used in this film, I think that hasn't been used anywhere in the world. "I feel for Hindi films, there will be something to look upto in terms of where we can go with visual effects and make-up," Shah Rukh said. The film features Shah Rukh in two avatars -- one as superstar Aryan Khanna, a reflection of his own persona, and another as Gaurav, a fan of the superstar. He was in the capital to launch a special anthem "Jabra fan", to be used as a promotional song for the movie. A peppy track, it features Shah Rukh in Gauravs's avatar, dancing away on Delhi's streets. To a question posed by IANS on whom was he a fan of while growing up, SRK said: "I was not a fan of the extent shown in the film... So, as far as liking is concerned, there were two or three people I grew up really loving and trying to know about as there was no internet back in those days to be able to read up on some or collect a picture. "One would be Mr. Milkha Singh. I loved stories about him, and how he used to be a champion. I used to be a big fan of his. The second would be Muhammed Ali... I was into sports, so I always liked his being little brashy and bratty, and still being so good at his sport. "Then of course, all of us have grown up being Mr. Amitabh Bachchan's fans. I was one of them too. So, yes these three people... And strangely, because I was into sports, I have mostly sporting people that I was a fan of... Like Sunil Gavaskar." Interestingly, Shah Rukh even mentioned Olympic gold medal-winning Bruce Jenner, who has become Caitlyn Jenner. "I am glad that me and my daughter both know him or her as well because I never thought my children will be introduced to Bruce Jenner in a different avatar -- kind of like 'Fan'.... like I am being introduced in a different avatar after 25 years." Shah Rukh also said he loved reading about and even got the opportunity to meet Mother Teresa, and that he was also a fan of actor Michael J. Fox. A First Information Report (FIR) was registered on Tuesday over some lawyers thrashing journalists at a court here on Monday, Delhi Police said. "We have registered an FIR in connection with the incident that occurred in the court yesterday (Monday). We are looking into the matter," Delhi Police Commissioner B.S. Bassi said here at a function of 69th Raising Day of Delhi Police. Home Minister Rajnath Singh, who also attended the event, said: "An inquiry is going on over the incident." However, Rajnath Singh who had earlier claimed a link between terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba and the protests at the Jawaharlal Nehru University, refused to disclose any details. Four journalists, including one from IANS, and some JNU students were assaulted at the Patiala House courts by a section of lawyers. IANS reporter Amiya Kumar Kushwaha was slapped inside a courtroom while some other journalists were attacked within the court premises by lawyers who were raising "Bharat Mata ki Jai" slogans. The incident took place just before the president of the Jawaharlal Nehru University Students Union (JNUSU), Kanhaiya Kumar, who has been arrested on charges of sedition, was to be presented before a court. At least five Afghan police personnel were killed and three others injured in an attack in Kunduz province on Tuesday, an official said. The attack took place after a police personnel turned his gun against his comrades at a security checkpoint in Khan Abad district, on the outskirts of provincial capital Kunduz city, Xinhua quoted district governor Hayatullah Amiri as saying. The shooter fled the scene and a probe has been launched into the incident, the official said. Taliban militants claimed responsibility for the incident. Such attacks have also happened in the past as five police officers were killed and six others injured in an attack in Kandahar province earlier this month. Four top global oil producers agreed on Tuesday to freeze oil production in order to boost the slumping oil prices. The agreement followed a meeting in Doha between the energy ministers of Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Venezuela and Russia, Xinhua reported. Mohammed bin Saleh Al Sada, also the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) president, said at a press conference that the four ministers "agreed to freeze the production at January level provided that other major producers follow suit". He described the meeting as "successful" which reviewed the current situation of the global oil market amid oversupply, stressing that "this step is meant to stabilise the market". Al Sada said intensive talks will start with the OPEC members and non-cartel producers, including Iraq and Iran, in a bid to stabilise oil market and benefit oil producers as well as the global economy. "If these countries agree to the proposal, it will be implemented," he said, adding that he will lead the talks. The Venezuelan minister Eulogio Del Pino told reporters that he and Al Sada will meet on Wednesday with their Iraqi and Iranian counterparts in Tehran to discuss the production freeze proposal. "Freezing now at the January level is adequate for the market," said Saudi Oil Minister Ali al-Naimi. He elucidated that the freeze is "the beginning of a process" and the situation will be monitored in the next few months to "decide whether we need other steps to stabilise and approve the market". "We don't want significant gyrations in prices. We don't want a reduction in supply. We want to meet demand and we want a stable oil price," he added. Over a year ago, the oil cartel OPEC decided not to cut output, which triggered the slide to the lowest oil prices in the past decade or more. France has recovered the path of growth but it is insufficient to reduce unemployment rate, French Finance Minister Michel Sapin said on Tuesday. Sapin was sticking to a target of 1.5 percent economic growth in 2016, noting that it will not be enough for the country to create jobs, Efe news agency quoted him as saying. On the other hand, the French official reminded Britain that there are lines that cannot be exceeded for that country to remain within the European Union, referring to the threat of leaving the union. He recalled that with 28 countries, there is a single market with no regulation for everyone, including financial, which is very important for London, but they also have a Eurozone which they want to deepen and no one should be able to dictate the countries' behaviour. British Prime Minister David Cameron, who visited Paris on Monday, held talks with French President Francois Hollande regarding the negotiations under way to avoid Britain from leaving the European Union. In this regard, Sapin said that France's intention was to offer good arguments for the British vote 'yes' in a referendum on staying within the union. Global credit rating companies have assessed that recent surge in geopolitical risks on the Korean peninsula, caused by North Korea's nuclear test and rocket launch, will have a limited, temporary impact on South Korea's economy. Despite Pyongyang's fourth nuclear test on January 6 and a long-range rocket launch on February 7, Seoul's sovereign rating will be affected temporarily and limitedly, Xinhua quoted Seoul's finance ministry as saying on Tuesday in a statement citing recent credit reports from Moody's, Standard & Poor's and Fitch. Geopolitical risks will have a limited effect on South Korea's economy and financial markets, the credit companies said, keeping the country's sovereign rating outlook at stable. Moody's on Saturday said the shutdown of an inter-Korean factory park in North Korea's border city of Kaesong raised geopolitical risks more or less, but it noted that those risks were not much different from past tensions and that the South Korean economy can afford it. The rating appraiser said it had no immediate plans to modify its credit rating for South Korea, citing the country's strong economic fundamentals. As part of its own punitive measures toward North Korea's recent provocations, South Korea decided last Wednesday to stop operations at the Kaesong Industrial Zone. Pyongyang responded a day later by shutting down the last symbol of inter-Korean economic cooperation, expelling all of South Korean workers from there and freezing assets in Kaesong, while cutting off major communication hotlines between the two sides. Fitch in a report said recent developments do not affect its fundamental analysis on South Korea's AA minus sovereign rating, predicting a very low possibility for armed conflicts occurring between the two sides. S&P said that it already factored geopolitical risks on the peninsula into its rating of South Korean credit profile, expecting that Pyongyang's recent nuclear test and long-range rocket launch can have a temporary impact on South Korea's financial markets and economic activities. --Indo-Asian news Service py/vt Germany would fully normalise relations with Iran only after Tehran recognises the existence of Israel, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Tuesday after meeting with visiting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. "This has been made very clear in all the talks of our ministers as well as myself," said Merkel at a joint press conference with Netanyahu after a joint meeting of the two countries' cabinets here, Xinhua reported. After Iran clinched a landmark deal with world powers in July last year to end a decade-long dispute over its nuclear programme, Germany intensified its economic and political exchanges with Tehran. Both German Vice Chancellor Sigmar Gabriel and Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier have visited the country. However, Berlin has not invited Iranian President Hassan Rouhani to visit Germany yet. Addressing hopes of a two-state solution to resolve the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians, Merkel admitted it is not yet the time to make comprehensive progress in this respect. "We believe we have to move forward in a process of peaceful coexistence" which "is based on a two-state solution," said Merkel. Both Merkel and Netanyahu emphasised friendly relations between the two countries. "If we are in Germany, then we know we are among good friends," Netanyahu said. It was the sixth intergovernmental consultations between the two countries which should have been held last year but was postponed due to violence in Israel. The Goa Union of Journalists on Tuesday condemned the attack on mediapersons at a court complex in Delhi, and also criticised Delhi Police chief B.S. Bassi for calling the multiple assaults a "minor incident". "The manner in which lawyers and others took the law into their own hands deserves to be condemned in the strongest possible terms," a statement issued by the journalists' body in Goa said on Tuesday. It called the attack "an attempt to silence the media with the use of brute force by rowdy elements". Several journalists, along with students and faculty of Jawaharlal Nehru University were assaulted at the the Patiala House Court premises on Monday, where mediapersons were present to cover the remand hearing of students' union president Kanhaiya Kumar. Journalists in the national capital on Tuesday took out a protest march to condemn the attack and demanded an investigation into the multiple assaults. Criticising Bassi's comments which referred to the attack as a "minor incident", the statement also said: "Never can an attack on journalists (working) on the field be considered 'minor'." The Syrian government is committed to an inter-Syrian dialogue without preconditions, the country's Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem said on Tuesday. Speaking during his meeting with the visiting UN peace envoy to Syria Staffan De Mistura, al-Moallem said the Syrians are the only ones authorised to determine their future without foreign pressures, Xinhua reported. The remarks came just a couple of weeks after the first round of the Syrian talks in Geneva collapsed, with the government blaming the failure, in part, on the opposition's preconditions. Another round of talks was planned on February 25, and al-Moallem's remarks indicate his government's readiness to attend it. Meanwhile, al-Moallem pointed out to De Mistura the efforts excreted by the Syrian government to deliver aid to the people in need, stressing that this move emanates from the government's duties, noting that it's not related to the Geneva talks. Al-Moallem also underscored the need for the Western countries to lift their unilateral sanctions on Syria. Mistura said after the meeting with al-Moallem that they discussed the humanitarian access to all besieged Syrian areas, not only those besieged by the government, but those under the siege of the opposition and the Islamic State (IS) group as well. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday told the opposition that his government was willing to walk the extra mile and discuss various issues of concern during the budget session of parliament. All parties spoke in one voice that parliament should function smoothly, Parliamentary Affairs Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu told reporters after a meeting convened by the prime minister to ensure a smooth budget session that begins on February 23. "The prime minister told the meeting that the government is always willing to walk the extra mile and take up discussion on every issue," Naidu said. Modi expressed the hope that parliament will function smoothly with the cooperation of the opposition parties. Naidu said the representatives of opposition parties present at the meeting also raised the issues concerning Jawaharlal Nehru University and Hyderabad University. Modi also told the meeting that he was not the prime minister of a party but of the entire country and that the government will take appropriate measures on the issues raised by the opposition. Modi said there should be a discussion on these issues and the government will give its reply. Naidu said some parties asked how sedition charges can be levelled against a student leader of the JNU. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, present at the meeting, said that highly objectionable slogans were raised on the campus and an inquiry into the matter should be allowed to be completed. The JNU has been on the boil over Jawaharlal Nehru University Students' Union president Kanhaiya Kumar's arrest on Friday. The controversy erupted when some JNU students organised a meet on February 9 to mark the anniversaries of the executions of parliament attack convict Afzal Guru and Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front co-founder Maqbool Bhat. Anti-India slogans were reportedly raised at the meeting. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday told the opposition that his government was willing to walk the extra mile and discuss various issues of concern during the budget session of parliament. All parties spoke in one voice that parliament should function smoothly, Parliamentary Affairs Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu told reporters after a meeting convened by the prime minister to ensure a smooth budget session that begins on February 23. It was the first such meeting called by the prime minister amid sharp differences between his government and the opposition on a range of issues, including a sedition case against a Jawaharlal Nehru University student leader. The budget session is crucial for the government since it is keen on the passage of pending legislation like the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Bill. The bill is stuck in the Rajya Sabha where the government does not have a majority. The past two parliament sessions have seen repeated adjournments on a range of issues forced by the Congress and some other opposition parties. Modi expressed the hope that parliament will function smoothly with the cooperation of the opposition parties. "The prime minister told the meeting that the government is always willing to walk the extra mile and take up discussion on every issue," Naidu said. Modi hoped that the mood of the meeting will be reflected in parliament. Modi also said that he was not the prime minister of a party but of the entire country and that the government will take appropriate measures on the issues raised by the opposition. Modi said there should be a discussion on these issues and the government will give its reply. Naidu said there was growing disappointment among people over parliament not functioning properly. The minister said that the representatives of opposition parties present at Tuesday's meeting also raised issues concerning Jawaharlal Nehru University and Hyderabad University. The minister said representatives of some parties questioned how sedition charges could be levelled against the student leader. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said at the meeting that highly objectionable slogans were raised on the campus and an inquiry into the matter should be allowed to be completed. Jaitley explained the factual situation, Naidu said. The JNU has been on the boil over JNU Students' Union president Kanhaiya Kumar's arrest on Friday. The controversy erupted when some JNU students organised a meet on February 9 to mark the anniversaries of the executions of parliament attack convict Afzal Guru and Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front co-founder Maqbool Bhat. Anti-India slogans were reportedly raised at the meeting. On GST, Naidu said the Trinamool Congress was among the parties strongly in favour of the bill's passage in the winter session of parliament. Naidu will hold a meeting with leaders of various political parties on February 22 to inform them about the government's legislative agenda and discuss issues to be raised. Speaking to reporters after the meeting here, Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad said his party raised the issue of the government's undue intervention in university politics. "We raised the issue of Rohith Vemula's suicide in Hyderabad University due to undue pressure put on him by the university administration," Azad said. "Here in Delhi, JNU Students Union president Kanhaiya Kumar did not speak anything against the constitution or against the country's unity. But he has been booked for sedition," he added. Azad said that Congress was ready to cooperate for the smooth functioning of parliament in the budget session. Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel said on Tuesday that her state will set up foreign desks in global financial centres like New York, Dubai, Frankfurt, Guangzhou and Tokyo to attract investments from the Indian diaspora. "The Gujarati diaspora is present in huge numbers abroad and is prepared to invest towards the growth of their home state. In order to institutionalize this, we will set up foreign desks at New York, Dubai, Frankfurt, Guangzhou and Tokyo," Patel said while addressing the Gujarat Investor Summit at the ongoing 'Make In India Week'. Giving an overview of the investment proposals in the state, she said Gujarat has received investment intentions proposals worth Rs.62,403 crore in 2015, which is nearly 21 percent of the entire country. She said the state has proved its excellence in 97 multiple parameters for 'Ease of Doing Business' and also encourages small, medium-micro and medium and MSME industries. "More than 600,000 such MSMEs are present in the state providing opportunities to nearly four million people. Our policies have always been industry-friendly and have managed to attract both domestic and foreign investors through its biennial the Vibrant Gujarat Summit," Patel said. She noted Gujarat is the biggest auto hub in India with companies like Tata, Ford, Maruti, Honda Scooters and others operating from there. Besides, she said there is a huge growth potential in petrochemicals and electronics manufacturing sectors which have attracted investments of Rs.100,000 crore in past two years. At the MIIW, Gujarat signed three MoUs with a French, Indian and Danish company for various projects. These are development of a marine application for off-shore platform at a cost of Rs.341 crore by France's Tar Kovas Systems, with Danish wind energy major Vestas India for a Rs.426 crore blade factory and another MoU with Ameya Information Ltd, Gujarat. One of the busiest shrines in Himachal Pradesh, the Mata Chintpurni temple, has decided to perform tonsure ceremony for girl child free of cost to address gender imbalance and discrimination, an official said on Tuesday. "We have decided to perform 'mundan' or tonsure ceremony of all girl children free of cost on the temple premises. This is an attempt to highlight the importance of the girl child," temple commissioner Abhishek Jain told IANS. He said the decision would help to change gender bias among the people. Jain said the parents who wanted to avail of this facility could approach the temple officer. The items used for the ceremony would be provided by the temple. The temple is famous among the Hindus for the traditional 'mundan' ceremony. More than 40 lakh pilgrims last year visited Mata Chintpurni shrine, one of the richest in the state, to pay obeisance. Now you can offer prayers and make offerings at the Mata Chintpurni shrine with just a click of a mouse. Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh last month launched a website of the temple, which will allow devotees to participate in the daily "arti" -- both in the morning and evening -- and could make offerings online. The website is in Hindi, English and Punjabi languages. Homage was paid to the remains of Havildar Elumalai M, who was buried alive in an avalanche on the hostile Siachen glacier with his nine colleagues, here on Tuesday morning. Officials of the Indian Coast Guard (ICG), Eastern Region, fellow members of ICG and State government representatives laid wreaths and paid homage. The body of Elumalai, highly intelligent Non Commissioned Officer (NCO), was flown at the Coast Guard Air Station on Monday evening. Elumali of Adukumparai village of Vellore district in Chennai had joined 19th Battalion in October 1996 and ever since became an inseparable part of the battalion. The soldier was killed when an avalanche struck their post around 20,000 feet above the sea level on February 3, burying them under nearly 30 feet of snow. Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay on Tuesday described the relationship between India and Bhutan as a model relationship between neighbours. He said this in a meeting with External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj during the course of which the two leaders discussed bilateral relations. Tobgay was on a transit visit to India on his way to Canada when he took the opportunity to hold the meeting with Sushma Swaraj. "The Bhutan prime minister hailed the India-Bhutan relationship as a model relationship between neighbours," external affairs ministry spokesman Vikas Swarup told IANS. Tobgay also informed Sushma Swaraj that the fifth five-year plan in the Himalayan kingdom was progressing well with India's support. "He expressed Bhutan's gratitude for India's continued support for the plan," Swarup said. Currently, over 3,000 projects are running in Bhutan with the Indian government's support. "The prime minister said that the small development projects are especially doing very well," the spokesman said. Till now, 498 SDPs in Bhutan have been approved by the Indian government. Tobgay also updated Sushma Swaraj on the progress in the work on three major hydroelectric projects being set up with India's support - Mangdechhu (720 MW), Punatsangchhu I (1,200 MW) and Punatsangchhu II (1,020 MW). According to Swarup, during the course of the meeting, the Bhutanese prime minister recalled his long association with India, including his student days in Kalimpong. "The prime minister also invited our external affairs minister to come on a standalone visit to Bhutan," he said. (Aroonim Bhuyan can be contacted at aroonim.b@ians.in) The world organisation's efforts to fight is "being held hostage to the whims and fancies" of some countries, India has charged in a critique of the UN's adherence to its Charter. Citing the veto exercised by members of the committee set up by a Council resolution to place sanctions on terrorist organisations and their supporters, India's Permanent Representative Syed Akbaruddin told the Security Council Monday that the panel is "many a time being held hostage to the whims and fancies of one member state or the other." "There is no explanation required and a simple statement of 'objection' or a 'hold' or a 'block' kills the listing request assiduously built against those who have undertaken heinous activities," he added. Last June, China blocked India's demand for taking action under the Council's anti- resolutions against Pakistan for setting free Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi, the Lashkar-e-Taiba mastermind of the 2008 Mumbai attack in which 166 people were killed. Akbaruddin in his Monday speech did not directly mention this incident or name China and Pakistan. "Who bears the responsibility of such decisions or rather 'indecisions' when well known terror groups and individuals whose listing has been blocked or put on hold behind the anonymous consensus decision-making process resort to carnage at a subsequent date," he challenged the Council. "Even brazen public violations of the sanctions regime by listed individuals and entities, far from attracting punitive measures, do not even elicit the mildest censure," Akbaruddin said. "Yet, we the general membership of the UN are expected to comply with the decisions of the Council's Sanctions Committees decisions or lack thereof." He said the "'people' in whose name the Charter was adopted" are the targets of terrorist attacks almost every week. "The efforts of the United Nations and the Security Council in taking decisive action to combat leaves much to be desired." The ineffectiveness of the UN in fighting terrorism also figured in other speeches. Egypt's Permanent Representative Amr Abdellatif Aboulatta challenged the UN to show that it could take serious action against terrorism and not just pass resolutions. Turning to Council reforms, Akbaruddin said, "It is ironical that the Security Council is working towards the establishment of democracy and rule of law in various parts of the world when its own house is not in order. The current structure and methods of work of the Security Council are divorced from reality and represent a bygone era." "To regain its legitimacy," he said, "there is no option but for the Security Council to reform. We hope it does not require a cataclysmic crisis to foster this fundamental change." Several nations participating in the debate also pressed for reforming the Council. The Permanent Observer of the African Union, Tete Antonio, said the long-awaited reform of the Council must be carried out to right the historical injustices inflicted on Africa and to make it more representative of the global realities. Brazil's Permanent Observer Antonio Patriota said the current 70th Session of the General Assembly provides an opportunity to reform the Council in order to ensure that all members have a voice through a process that guarantees equitable representation and better decision-making. Akbaruddin raised India's concern over the inadequacy of the Council's consultations with troop contributors to UN operations, which is mandated by the Charter. India is historically the largest provider of troops to UN peacekeeping operations, having sent over 180,000 personnel to 48 of the 69 missions. The nations contributing personnel "have our troops on the ground and have important inputs to provide the Security Council, which is tasked to formulate the mandates of peacekeeping operations," he said. "The lack of consultations is at the cost of the efficiency of peacekeeping operations." (Arul Louis can be reached at arul.l@ians.in) Indian investors can explore a number of high potential sectors in Egypt like textiles, Information and Communication Technology, and wind and solar energy, the Egyptian envoy to India said here on Tuesday. Among other sectors which the Indian companies can tap are finance, logistics, tourism, agriculture, medical tourism, retail, construction and education, according to Egyptian Ambassador to India Hatem Tageldin. Participating in an interaction at the MCC Chamber of Commerce and Industry, he said the two countries are looking at the possibilities of starting a direct flight from Cairo to New Delhi. He said the tourist flow from India to Egypt rose by by 28.3 percent, though there was scope for more growth. Refering to the Special Economic Zone developed by his country at the Suez Canal Corridor, Tageldin said the mega project would make Egypt a logistic hub for the whole region, giving investors access to the Middle East, the European and the African markets. The ambassador invited Indian companies to develop an Indian industrial city beside the Suez Canal corridor. Another Egyptian official said Cairo has proposed six agreements to facilitate trade with India. Once these pacts are concluded, trade between the two countries would reach $7-8 billion over the next three-four years. Titagarh Wagons will invest $500 million in a wagons manufacturing unit in Egypt soon, the official said. An Indian-origin eighth-grade student has been honoured in the US city of Hartford for his efforts to help underprivileged students in the US and around the world with his charity organisation, a media report said. Ishaan Patel, founder of Planting Pencils, was recently honoured by the Milan Cultural Organisation during the Republic Day celebration in the legislative office building in downtown Hartford, the Bristol Press reported on Monday. A son of immigrants from India, Patel attends Kingswood-Oxford School in West Hartford. He created his charity to improve access to education for underserved children around the world. The Milan association is composed of people from India living in US. It is engaged in promoting the traditional art and culture of India in the US. It organises and participates in cultural events, setting up exhibitions of Indian handicrafts in schools, colleges, educational and cultural institutions, and works with other associations promoting social and civic activities. "The goals of our organization are to let the values of our culture and heritage contribute to the strength of America, and for us to all be productive participants in the civic and social issues of the bigger community," said Suresh Sharma, president of Milan Cultural Organisation. Sharma and all the directors of the organisation were impressed by this teenager's efforts to tackle global education problems. A member from Pakistan Muslim League - Nawaz (PML-N) was elected as the first-ever mayor of capital city Islamabad, the media reported on Tuesday. The elections for electing a mayor were held at the Jinnah Convention Centre on Monday between 9.00 a.m. and 5.00 p.m. Polling took place through a secret ballot, an Election Commission of Pakistan official said. According to results, Sheikh Ansar Aziz on Monday managed to secure 49 votes out of a total 77, while the opposing candidate from Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) secured 26 votes. Aziz told The Nation daily that his top priority as mayor of Islamabad will be the development of rural and backward areas. "The urban Islamabad does not need any immediate upgrade. My priority is to provide facilities to its outskirts," said Aziz, who is an architect by profession. "I am determined to revolutionise rural settlements." PML-N's other nominees, Chaudhry Riffat Javed, Syed Zeeshan Naqvi and Azam Khan, were elected as deputy mayors. French and Israeli diplomats on Tuesday discussed the French initiative to hold a peace summit in Paris in efforts to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the Israeli Foreign Ministry said. French ambassador to Israel Patrick Masionnaive met Israeli Foreign Ministry's political director Alon Ushpitz and informed him about the proposed summit in Jerusalem, Xinhua cited a statement by the ministry as saying. No specific details were given as to the proposal's contents. The bid to hold a conference in France to restart negotiations was announced in late January by French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius. Fabius said that if the efforts to restart negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians fail, his country would recognise a Palestinian state. Israel's Foreign Ministry said Israel supports direct negotiations, the Palestinians do not, drawing on a statement a Palestinian official made on Monday. "Israel supports direct negotiations with the Palestinians but opposes any attempt to predetermine the outcome of negotiations," Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesperson Emmanuel Nachshon said, stating it to be the sentiment conveyed by the Israeli diplomat to his French counterpart in the meeting. The ministry added that the concept of direct talks guided Jerusalem in the process of signing peace agreements with Jordan and Egypt, referring to agreements signed in 1994 and 1979, respectively. Nachshon then alluded to a comment made by the Palestinian Authority's Foreign Minister Riyad al-Malki in his Japan visit on Monday, in which he said the Palestinians "will never go back and sit again in direct Israeli-Palestinian negotiations." Israel slammed the French bid to hold the summit once announced three weeks ago, whereas the Palestinian Authority welcomed it. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he supports negotiations without preconditions, he objects to the "ultimatum" of Paris recognising a Palestinian state if talks fail, which he charges would use as an incentive for Palestinians to blow the talks. The Palestinians announced on their part that they "strongly" welcome the bid, with Secretary-General of the Palestinian Liberation Organisation (PLO) Saeb Erekat saying it shows "Paris understands that the current Israeli government is a government of settlers that damages the two-state solution." Last week, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu said the "time is not yet right" for a two-state solution to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. He said he supports it, but the Palestinians do not accept Israel's basic principles of recognising Israel as a Jewish state and the future Palestinian state should be demilitarised, adding that the regional activity of Islamic radicals is also the reason that the two-state solution is not currently feasible. The last time Israel and the Palestinian Authority held talks took place between July 2013 and April 2014, ending without results. Talks of renewing the peace process come amid an ongoing five-month-long wave of violence that has claimed the lives of 26 Israelis and more than 160 Palestinians. Israel occupied the West Bank, East Jerusalem and Gaza Strip territories in the 1967 Mideast War. The Palestinians wish to establish their own state on those territories, in accordance with the two-state solution, deploring the Israeli expansion of Jewish settlements on those lands, deemed illegal by the international community. The "new, ugly face of Modi's India" can be seen in the Jawaharlal Nehru University protest row, said a Pakistani daily which urged JNU students, India's civil society and opposition parties to "fight back". An editorial "JNU protests" in The News International on Tuesday said, "The new, ugly face of Modi's India can be seen in the reaction to the row over protests at the Jawaharwal Nehru University." The fracas started when students at the university held a protest to mark the third anniversary of the execution of Afzal Guru, convicted of an attack on the Indian Parliament House. "...the protestors were immediately tarred as being pro-Pakistani, supporters of terrorists and anti-India." The daily said that in a "stunning suppression of dissent, police have even arrested the head of the JNU student's union for participating in the protest". "Leaders of Congress, including Rahul Gandhi, are being similarly smeared. Perhaps the worst reaction came from (Indian) Home Minister Rajnath Singh who accused Pakistan's Hafiz Saeed of being behind the protest. It now appears he came to this ludicrous conclusion based on a tweet by a fake Hafiz Saeed account." "Instead of taking back his remarks, Singh is now doubling down and asking his critics to prove a negative by claiming they can't show Hafiz Saeed wasn't behind the protest. This is the reality when an ultra-nationalist like Modi comes to power. It is up to dissenters to prove their loyalty and show they are not agents of foreign forces," it added. The editorial went on to say that by falling over a fake tweet, the Indian government has only damaged its own credibility. "...this is about more than just Pakistan. The BJP government has shown it has no respect for India's secularist traditions. The official narrative is that anyone who doubts the course of justice was properly followed in the Afzal case can now be jailed for voicing that opinion. This narrative...makes a mockery of the concept of academic freedom. "We have already been through beef bans and pots of ink being thrown by Modi's opinions. Now they are coming for the academia. The students at JNU, and India's civil society and opposition parties will have to fight back." The police on Tuesday rounded up about 20 members of Campus India, a student organisation, demonstrating here against the arrest of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) Students' Union president Kanhaiya Kumar. The protestors were picked up by Delhi Police from Shastri Bhavan, which houses the Ministry of Human Resources Development and other central government ministries, and were taken to the police station. "We demand an unconditional release of JNUSU president Kanhaiya Kumar and sedition charges put against him must be revoked," Abdul Nazar, the president of Campus India, told IANS. That Kanhaiya was never involved in anti-India sloganeering is very much evident in the video that was put on YouTube, he said. "We also demand strong action be taken against the perpetrators of the anti-India event that took place on February 9. It is the central government who is politicising the entire episode," Nazar said. Campus India claims to be a pan-India student body with representatives from JNU, Jamia Millia Islamia, Delhi University, Hyderabad University and others. Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) students on Tuesday got support from over 400 academics and intellectuals from across the world who in a statement opposed the police action against the students and the arrest of students' union president Kanhaiya Kumar on sedition charges. Titled An alibi for incursion of an authoritarian regime onto the university campus", the scholars from some of the world's renowned institutions including Oxford, Cambridge, Harvard, Yale, Brown, London School of Economics and University of Toronto signed a statement supporting the students, faculty and staff of JNU "against the illegal ongoing police action", The Wire reported. "We condemn police presence on campus and the harassment of students on the basis of their political beliefs. "The charge of sedition, under the guise of which the police have been given a carte blanche to enter the JNU campus, to raid student hostels, arrest and detain students, including Kanhaiya Kumar is an alibi for the incursion of an authoritarian regime onto the university campus," the statement read. "As teachers, students, and scholars across the world, we are watching with extreme concern the situation unfolding at JNU and refuse to remain silent as our colleagues (students, staff, and faculty) resist the illegal detention and autocratic suspension of students," it added. The petitioners urged the vice chancellor to "protect members of the university community and safeguard their rights". Jammu and Kashmir needs a coalition of regional parties to keep out the BJP, the CPI-M's lone legislator in the state says, however adding that he doesn't expect this to happen anytime soon. Mohammed Yousuf Tarigami said his party always knew that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) coalition was "an alliance of opportunists". "Their so-called 'Agenda of Alliance' or 'common minimum programme' was merely a facade to gain power," Tarigami told IANS over the telephone amid continuing political impasse in the state. "Now, after (Chief Minister Mufti Mohammed) Sayeed's demise, they are finding it difficult to re-enforce the alliance as the PDP-BJP combine has no common ground to rule, their agenda is ambiguous," said the long-time legislator from Kulgam in south Kashmir. Ever since her father Mufti Sayeed died in early January, Jammu and Kashmir has been under Governor's Rule because PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti has refused to form a government with the BJP. Speculation has it that the PDP and the BJP marriage has run into rough weather -- although no one says it in so many words. Opposition parties in the state, however, feel the two are indulging in a political drama. The National Conference, the PDP's main foe in the Kashmir Valley, wants fresh elections. Tarigama disagrees. "There is no need for fresh elections and waste taxpayers' money. The state leaders should set aside their minor differences and come together to form a strong government," he said. "They should look at the larger picture of the defeating divisive BJP-RSS policy in Kashmir." The PDP and the BJP are the largest and second largest parties in splintered Jammu and Kashmir assembly. The National Conference and the Congress are in the third and fourth spots. "If you look at it, they claimed to have come together to bridge the gap between the three regions of the state. They clearly failed to do that. Or else there wouldn't be a problem today to re-enforce the alliance." Would the CPI-M, with just one member in the 87-seat assembly, support an alliance minus the BJP? "Yes, but as of now no such thing seems likely to happen," he said. "However, if the PDP decides to sever ties with BJP, regional parties can and definitely should come together for the greater good and form a secular and strong government in the state." He said the Communist Party of India-Marxist would any day support a government that respects people's mandate and does not hurt the sentiments of any community. Tarigami said Governor's Rule was no answer to Jammu and Kashmir's problems. "Governors Rule means Centre's rule, in other words BJP's rule. "The state has witnessed an unprecedented rise in incidents of communally driven violence (with the BJP pulling the strings). Jammu and Kashmir has no future with the BJP (in power). "Babus cannot address the immediate concerns of the people. They (people) feel disconnected from the state machinery now," the veteran politician added. Tarigami argued that he was sure the PDP and the BJP would finally shake hands to again rule the country's only Muslim-majority state. "It won't be surprising for me that the PDP-BJP will form a government. These two parties have always played with people's sentiments. Their only aim is to gain power at any cost. "I'm certain they will work out their so-called differences in the coming days to form a new government." (Shamshad Ali can be contacted at shamshad.a@ians.in) Kurdish-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) on Monday captured over 70 percent of a key town in northern Syria near Turkish borders, a monitor group reported. The SDF backed by the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) captured over 70 percent of the Tal Rifat town, located between the northern city of Aleppo and the strategic city of Azaz on the Turkish borders, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, Xinhua reported. Tal Rifat was a major stronghold for the Turkey-backed militant groups. Turkey started pounding the Kurdish positions in northern Syria over the past 48 hours to prevent them from further extending their presence along the Syrian-Turkish borders. A day earlier, the Observatory, which relies on a network of activists on ground, said Turkey had allowed 350 armed rebels to enter, through its borders, into the northern province of Aleppo to take part in defending Tal Rifat. It said that Turkish authorities allowed 350 Syria rebels with light and heavy arms to move from Syria's northwestern province of Idlib through the Turkish borders, namely the Atamah military crossing, into Syria's northern province of Aleppo to take part in defending Tal Rifat. A number of labourers on Tuesday protested the death of one of their colleagues in a road accident on the Delhi-Gurgaon expressway. Police said Arvind, a 45-year-old native of Bihar, died in a road accident on Tuesday afternoon in Sector 18. Labourers stopped work and cut power and water supply of a project by Raheja Developers in Sector 78 near Shikohpur. They demanded compensation of Rs.10 lakh and a permanent job for the family of the deceased. "The man died in a road accident, what is the fault of the company?" Dimple, general manager, media communication for Raheja Developers told IANS, adding that a few people were "unnecessarily pressurising the company". Police officer Dinesh Kumar of Kherki Daula police station said they were keeping a watch on the developments. Police said the deceased was on leave and returned on Tuesday after two months. He was asked to report to the company head office in Delhi's Saket, but he died on the way while travelling in a shared private transport. A 35-year-old man has been arrested for kidnapping his own seven-year-old daughter in his bid to collect money from the community for ransom, police said on Tuesday. Rampal, who did odd jobs and who lives in an rented accommodation in Sector 55-56, informed police on February 12 that his daughter did not return home from school. After registering a kidnapping complaint, police received a tip and arrested 21-year-old Raju, a resident of Delhi who was earlier a neighbour of Rampal. Rampal hatched a conspiracy and asked Raju to kidnap his daughter. Raju was to make ransom call for the safe release of the child and Rampal would have approached the community to collect money for the ransom, and they planned to share it later, police officer Amit Kumar, chief of the Sector 55-56 police station, told IANS. Raju was arrested from his house in east Delhi's Preet Vihar and the child was rescued, the officer said. Rampal and Raju were on Tuesday produced before a Gurgaon court which sent them to 14 days judicial custody. The sedition case filed against a JNU student leader came up for discussion as Prime Minister Narendra Modi met opposition leaders here on Tuesday even as an FIR was filed over Monday's attack on journalists and students by a group of lawyers. Opposition leaders raised the issue of sedition charge slapped against Jawaharlal Nehru University Students Union president Kanhaiya Kumar when they met at Modi's office. The prime minister called the meeting to seek the cooperation of opposition parties for a smooth functioning of parliament's budget session starting on February 23. Among those who attended the meeting were Anand Sharma and Ghulam Nabi Azad of the Congress, Mohammed Salim of the Communist Party of India-Marxist and Derek O'Brien of the Trinamool Congress. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal meanwhile denounced attempts to dub the JNU as "a terrorist centre" and urged Modi "not to convert nationalism into a device for creating fear psychosis" by using the state machinery. He also sought action against "lumpen and anarchist elements" like Bharatiya Janata Party legislator O.P. Sharma, who was filmed thrashing a CPI activist outside a court here on Monday. Tuesday's developments came a day after a section of lawyers shouting "Bharat Mata ki Jai" slogans attacked journalists and JNU students in the Patiala House Court here a day earlier. The incident took place shortly before Kanhaiya Kumar, arrested on charges of sedition, was to be presented before a magistrate. Kumar has denied allegations that he shouted "anti-India slogans" at a meeting at the JNU campus on February 9 during a meeting to mark the hanging of Afzal Guru, a Kashmiri militant who was hanged for the 2001 terror attack on Indian parliament. Delhi Police Commissioner B.S. Bassi said they had registered a First Information Report over the attack on journalists at the Patiala Court by some lawyers. A large number of journalists earlier staged a protest march demanding action against the guilty lawyers. They walked towards the Supreme Court, and submitted a memorandum to its registrar. The journalists want the lawyers who thrashed reporters and students in the court to be arrested and action against police personnel who watched the violence but didn't act. "We are looking into the matter," Bassi said at a function to mark the 69th Raising Day of Delhi Police. "We are taking all steps to identify the people and action will be taken as per law." Asked why police personnel didn't come to the rescue of journalists, he said: "If it is proved police didn't perform their duty or showed laxity, appropriate action will be taken against them as well." At least four journalists, including Amiya Kumar Kushwaha from IANS, were attacked on Monday without any provocation. With the opposition slamming the government over the arrest of the JNU student leader, the BJP said the government was not fighting students but "anti-national" forces. "The fight is not between the government and students but between the nation and anti-national forces," BJP spokesman M.J. Akbar said. "The students did not raise just one anti-India slogan but many such slogans. The constitution guarantees freedom of speech, but such freedom does not mean people can support secession," Akbar said. Meanwhile, a protest was held outside the JNU here to demand the arrest of those who shouted anti-India slogans at the campus last week. The protesters - said to be from the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal - also demanded the shutdown of what they said was the "anti-national" administration of the university. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday expressed gratitude to voters after the BJP and its allies registered victories in by-elections held in many states last week. "BJP and allies victory in by-polls held in north, south, east, west and central India has brought delight. Grateful to the people," Modi tweeted. "Appreciable effort by NDA. People across India reposed faith in of development, development & development. Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas," he said in another tweet. The BJP has won seats including two in Karnataka and one each in Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh. Its NDA partners Shiv Sena, Shiromani Akali Dal and Rashtriya Lok Samata Party won one seat each in Maharashtra, Punjab and Bihar respectively. Pakistan's Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan on Tuesday said he never said that there was no presence of the Islamic State (IS) terror group, also known as Daesh, in Pakistan. He clarified that he said decision-makers of Daesh have no presence in the country, Geo Tv reported. The interior minister said there are 45 different terrorist organisations operating in Pakistan. He added that it is the same people from these terrorist organisations that break away and take on the name of Daesh. A leader of the ruling Rashtriya Janata Dal was shot dead on Tuesday by unidentified criminals in Samastipur in Bihar, police said. According to police officials, criminals used an AK-47 assault rifle in the crime. A case was registered against four accused. Police later arrested two people in the case. The supporters of RJD leader Virendra Yadav indulged in violent protests and blocked roads and shouted slogans against the district police in Samastipur after the killing. Earlier, Lok Janshakti Party leader Brijnathi Singh was shot dead in Patna and Bharatiya Janata Party's state vice president Viseshwar Ojha was fatally shot in Bhojpur district. The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) on Tuesday said 84,320 refugee and migrant maritime arrivals have been recorded in Europe since the beginning of the year. The vast majority (78,333 arrivals) have been reported in Greece, with the remaining 5,987 registered in Italy, Xinhua reported. This month's sea arrivals in Greece are considerably lower than the influx recorded in January, with IOM indicating last week that bad weather had significantly hampered migrant crossings. Figures show that some 16,140 people reached the southeastern European country in the first half of February compared to 62,193 for the whole of January. The Eastern Mediterranean route separating Turkey and Greece remains by far the deadliest passage, claiming the lives of 320 people since the start of 2016. Ninety individuals have died while crossing the Central Mediterranean passage which links North Africa with Italy. Pakistan would approach India to allow a special investigation team to visit Pathankot to gather relevant information about the terrorist attack at an airbase in the Punjab town, Radio Pakistan reported. Interior Minister Nisar Ali Khan on Tuesday made the remarks after Pakistan earlier offered to send an SIT to probe the Pathankot attack that left seven security personnel killed. Indian security personnel also killed six militants in the January 2 attack on the airbase, which is merely 50 km from Pakistani border. The foreign office would formally contact India to seek permission for the visit of the team as answers to many questions and links can be identified there, he said. Nisar said the investigation team has held many meetings and its work was proceeding. The Supreme Court will hear on Wednesday a petition by a JNU alumnus seeking safe and conducive atmosphere in the Patiala House court complex in the wake of Monday's incident when students and journalists were beaten up by lawyers. Appearing for former student N.D. Jaiprakash, senior counsel Indira Jaisinh mentioned the matter before the bench of Chief Justice T.S. Thakur and said that there was a threat to the life of Kanhaiya Kumar -- the JNU students' union president, who has been charged with sedition. As Jaisinh said it was a serious matter requiring the court's intervention, Chief Justice Thakur said that it will be taken up on Wednesday. The plea by Jaiprakash is likely to come up for hearing on Wednesday morning as it is listed as matter before the bench of Justice J.Chelameswar and Justice Abhay Manohar Sapre. Jaiprakash, who was a councillor in the JNUSU in 1973, told IANS that "what had happened yesterday at Patiala House Court is totally unacceptable and is contempt of court". The four directions sought by the JNU alumnus Jaiprakash who had studied at JNU's School of Languages includes direction to police to provide full protection to Kanhaiya Kumar within and outside the court. He has sought direction to police to ensure that "the proceedings against Kanhaiya Kumar at the court of the Metropolitan Magistrate Loveleen, is carried out in a manner which is not prejudicial to the fundamental rights of the persons, such as the petitioner (Jaiprakash), attending the proceedings". He has sought further direction that the court room was "free of persons causing physical harm, any form of intimidation or any disturbance whatsoever". Jaiprakash has also sought directions for that "proper and appropriate action" was taken against any person who was involved in obstructing the proceedings against Kanhaiya Kumar before the court in any manner. He has also sought direction for the safe custody of the "CCTV footage in and around the said court - which may be used as evidence in any further proceedings in the matter". Scores of people on Tuesday protested outside the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) here to demand the arrest of those who shouted anti-India slogans at an event on the campus last week. The protestors - said to belong to the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal - also demanded the shutdown of what they said was "anti-national" administration of the varsity. Carrying saffron flags and shouting slogans like 'JNU prashasan bandh karo (Shut down JNU administration)', the protestors said those who raised anti-India slogans at an event organised on February 9 to commemorate the hanging of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru should be arrested. "Arrest those ant-national elements," shouted one of the protestors as he tried to break through a barricade at the university entrance. "Our protest is in favour of the nation," he added. The protestors also shouted "Goli maaro in desh drohiyon ko (Shoot these anti-national elements)". The demonstration follows a series of protests held by JNU students against the arrest of their students union president Kanhaiya Kumar, booked on sedition charge for allegedly raising anti-India and pro-Afzal Guru slogans on the campus. A son of a Shiv Sena leader in Punjab's Jalandhar city was on Tuesday shot at and critically injured by unidentified assailants, police said. Deepak, son of Shiv Sena leader Vinay Jalandhari, was shot at by two motorcycle-borne assailants outside a school in Deen Dyal Upadhaya Nagar locality on Tuesday afternoon as Deepak arrived there to pick up his children. Deepak was rushed to a nearby private hospital here, 150 km from Chandigarh. Police said CCTV footage from the school and other areas showed that the assailants had covered their heads and faces. The rear number plate of the motorcycle used in the crime was missing. Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh on Tuesday condemned the murderous attack on Deepak. Expressing grave concern over such incidents, Amarinder Singh said it was the third incident of its kind in the state in the past one month. "Two similar incidents took place in Ludhiana earlier and police were yet to identify the culprits," the Congress leader said in a statement here. Amarinder Singh flayed the Akali-BJP government in Punjab for its failure to identify and arrest the guilty. Unidentified miscrants had fired at a Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh 'shakha' in Ludhiana on January 18. No one was injured. In the second incident in Kidwai Nagar in Ludhiana, a single shot was fired by a person at one of the participants at an RSS 'shakha'. Russia on Tuesday said it "categorically rejects" accusations of war crimes over the bombing of hospitals in Syria. "Those who make such statements are not capable of backing them up with proof," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. Up to 50 people were killed in missile attacks on at least four hospitals and a school in rebel-held areas of northern Syria on Monday. The UN said "intentionally directing attacks" at hospitals and medical units would constitute a war crime. Russia has been accused, by Turkey, among others, of being responsible for the attacks, BBC reported. Monday's strikes hit two hospitals -- including one for mothers and babies -- and a school sheltering internally displaced people in Azaz, near the border with Turkey, the UN said. Thirty-four people were killed and dozens were injured. Two hospitals were also struck in Maarat al-Numa, Idlib province, killing at least 12 people and wounding about 36. One of the hospitals in Maarat al-Numan was supported by Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF). It was reportedly struck by four missiles in what MSF said was "direct targeting" over the course of 90 minutes. Peskov said the only proof Russia would accept from the ground "comes from the Syrian authorities". He said their evidence "shows the opposite". The Syrian ambassador to Moscow, Riad Haddad, previously said the US was to blame, a claim the Pentagon dismissed as "patently false". International humanitarian law bans any attack on patients and medical personnel or indeed any attack on medical facilities, unless they are used for military purposes. However, even if they are identified as a military objective, such a target must not be attacked if the scale of collateral civilian casualties is likely to be disproportionate to the military gain. The strikes came days after world powers -- including Russia -- agreed to work towards a selective truce in Syria, due to begin later this week. The UN envoy to Syria, Staffan de Mistura, met Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Muallem on Tuesday, and planned to meet him again later in the day. They were due to discuss among other things one of the key priorities of the truce -- "unhindered humanitarian access to all besieged areas". There is no word yet on when aid convoys might reach those areas. Earlier, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, in his first comments on Friday's "cessation of hostilities" plan, said it was doubtful all parties would be putting down their weapons within a week. A Turkish official on Tuesday said Turkey would back a ground operation in Syria but only "with our international allies". "There is not going to be a unilateral military operation from Turkey to Syria," an official said in Istanbul. Turkey has been watching with growing alarm the fighting on the Syrian side of its borders -- accusing Russian warplanes of violating its airspace and warning against recent Kurdish successes. Meanwhile, Syrian government forces -- backed by Russian air power -- reportedly continue to make advances around the northern city of Aleppo, capturing the villages of Ahras and Misqan on Tuesday. Almost five years of civil war in Syria have led to the deaths of more than 250,000 people. More than 11 million people have been displaced. The Supreme Court on Tuesday asked the Reserve Bank of India to furnish a list of companies which are in default of loans by banks and financial institutions in excess of Rs.500 crore or whose loans have been restructured under corporate debts restructuring scheme. While asking the RBI to file an affidavit, a bench of Chief Justice T.S. Thakur, Justice R. Banumathi and Justice Uday Umesh Lalit directed that the list be furnished to it in a sealed cover. The court said that the list of the defaulting companies be furnished in a sealed cover after one of the counsel told the court about commercial confidentiality of the companies in making them public. Seeking the list of the defaulters, Chief Justice Thakur asked the counsel for the RBI if it had the list of the "major defaulters today who run empires and yet default." "You lend money, you know it will not come back, and then declare it bad loans," the court told Solicitor General Ranjit Kumar, who seeking to shift the blame on the previous UPA government, said: "That had happened in last ten years. (As a consequence) economy is not growing, we don't have money to pay." Noting that default in payment of bank loans happens in other countries as well and it was part of the economic process, the court said that the banks should be vigilant in recovering the loans. The court order came in the course of the hearing of a public interest litigation pointing to loans given by HUDCO in 2003 to some of the companies with questionable track records. Addressing the court, Prashant Bhushan appearing for NGO Centre for Public Interest Litigation (CPIL), told the court that there is a circle where the mortgaged assets of a defaulting company again go back to it when those assets are auctioned to recover bad loans. He told the court that the Central Information Commission had passed nine orders in nine cases, directing disclosure of defaulters' identity and each time the commercial confidentiality clause is invoked to block the information by the banks. Bhushan told the court that the apex court by its December 16, 2015 order had said that the banks and their apex regulatory body, the RBI, could not withhold information on defaulters, losses and alleged illegalities of the banks by invoking the exception under the Right to Information Act. He said that this verdict had not yet been complied with. The Supreme Court on Tuesday asked the Delhi Sikh Gurudwara Management Committee (DSGMC) to suggest the ways to sensitise people on the adverse impact of jokes poking fun at the Sikh community. A bench of Chief Justice T.S.Thakur, Justice R. Banumathi and Justice Uday Umesh Lalit asked for the suggestion from the DSGMC which had urged the court to have orientation course at school level to curb such jokes demeaning or hurting the community. Before seeking the suggestions, Chief Justice Thakur pointed out that the country had a Sikh president Giani Zail Singh, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, the army and air force were at different points of time were headed by Sikhs and "very soon the country will have a Sikh Chief Justice of India" citing the appointment of Justice Jagdish Singh Khehar to the post when he demits office in January 2017. Seeking suggestion from senior counsel R.S.Suri and A.P.S. Ahluwalia, it said that if it passes an order to curb such jokes, then "how will we enforce it". "We will not say something that can't be enforced" as it damages judiciary, said Chief Justice Thakur. "I don't want any order to be passed that can't be enforced. We should have guidelines that court has issued in many cases," Suri told the court suggesting that there should be orientation of the children at school level to sensitise them against making jokes poking at the Sikhs, making unappreciable comments on Biharis or people from the northeast. He told the court that jokes should not become malicious, dirty, demeaning or hurting the sentiments of the people. Pressing for the orientation courses, Suri said that 68 years after becoming republic, what we are witnessing in India is an anarchy. Referring to the way a judge of the Madras High Court has passed an order staying his transfer order issued by Chief Justice of India, Suri said that there was "judicial anarchy.. lawyers in black robes were beating journalist in Patiala House courts". The "court must address the large picture. It requires consideration", he said. The court asked the DSGMC to give suggestion in the course of the hesaring of a PIL by a lawyer Harvinder Chowdhury seeking a ban on websites carrying jokes on Sikhs projecting the community in dim light. The petitioner has urged the court to direct the government to clamp down on the more than 5,000 websites like www.jokesduniya.com/category/sardar-jokes.htm, as they were "criticising one community and it should stop". South Korean President Park Geun-hye on Tuesday said Seoul will take "stronger and more effective" measures to create an environment that forces change in Pyongyang. Park, in a speech in parliament, said these measures will make Pyongyang realise that it cannot survive with nuclear development, Xinhua reported. Her parliamentary speech was arranged to explain Seoul's decision last week to shut down an inter-Korean factory park in North Korea's border city of Kaesong as part of its punitive actions to Pyongyang's nuclear test and long-range rocket launch. Following its fourth nuclear test -- and its first disputed H-bomb test -- on January 6, North Korea launched a rocket on February 7 to carry an Earth observation satellite into orbit. Seoul and the international community condemned those provocations as a clear violation of UN Security Council resolutions. In response to the rocket launch, South Korea decided last Wednesday to stop operations at the Kaesong Industrial Zone, which Seoul saw as a key source of hard currency for Pyongyang to develop nuclear and missile programmes. North Korea responded last Thursday by shutting down the last symbol of inter-Korean cooperation project, expelling South Korean workers from there and freezing all of South Korean assets in Kaesong, while cutting off the remaining inter-Korean communications hotlines. Park said the complete shutdown of the Kaesong complex represented only the start of a series of sanctions toward North Korea in cooperation with the international society. It will not happen any more like in the past that South Korea yields to North Korea's provocations and provide unconditional aid to it, Park said. Sepoy Mushtaq Ahmed, who was among the 10 soldiers killed in an avalanche on Siachen glacier, was on Tuesday laid to rest with full military honours in his native village in Andhra Pradesh. A pall of gloom descended on Parnapalle village in Bandi Atmakur mandal of Kurnool district as people bid tearful adieu to the soldier. Military, police and civil officials and politicians paid their last respects to Mushtaq, who was buried at a village graveyard. Andhra Pradesh's Deputy Chief Minister K.E. Krishna Murthy and YSR Congress party chief Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy were among those who attended the last rites. The deputy chief minister later presented a cheque of Rs.25 lakh to the family of deceased soldier. The body of Mushtaq reached the village late Monday night from Hyderabad, where it was brought from New Delhi on Monday by a special aircraft of Indian Air Force (IAF). Mushtaq, 30, is survived by his wife and aged parents, according to a defence statement. He had enrolled in the 19th Battalion the Madras Regiment in 2004 and served as part of his battalion in counter insurgency operations in the North East and in Jammu and Kashmir. He had also served in the Rashtriya Rifles (RR) force in Jammu and Kashmir. A keen sportsman, Mushtaq volunteered to be part of one of the most crucial posts in the icy Siachen Glacier at an altitude of 19,600 feet in sub-zero temperature. It was February 3, when an avalanche swept away one Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) and nine Other Ranks (ORs) in the Siachen Glacier while they were on duty. In a setback to the ruling Samajwadi Party, the BJP and the Congress on Tuesday snatched from it a seat each of the Uttar Pradesh assembly for which by-elections were held last week. The Bharatiya Janata Party's Kapil Dev Agarwal won the by-election in the Muzaffarnagar constituency where communal riots had taken place in 2013. Agarwal was elected by a margin of over 6,000 votes. The bypoll was necessitated by the death of Samajwadi Party (SP) legislator Chitranjan Swarop last year. The Congress's Mavia Ali defeated his nearest SP rival Meena Rana by 3,424 votes for the Deoband seat in Saharanpur district. The seat fell vacant with the death of SP lawmaker Rajendra Singh Rana. The SP fielded Meena Devi while the BJP nominated former Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS) pracharak Rampal Singh Pundhir for the by-poll in the constituency. The SP was, however, able to 'retain' the third seat -- Bikapur in Faizabad district -- where Anand Sen Yadav won. The seat was earlier held by the SP's Mitrasen Yadav, who too died last year. The results do not bring any cheer to the Akhilesh Yadav-led Samajwadi Party government which had been projecting itself as a "popular" government. It was only last week that Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav said that he will return to power on popular support. It is argued that the party has lost despite a "sympathy wave" in favour of it since its legislators in the three constituencies were all sitting members of the assembly. BJP president Amit Shah on Tuesday hailed the victory of NDA candidates in seven of the 12 assembly by-elections across eight states as "victory of of development". "Congratulations to our karyakartas (workers), BJP state units and all National Democratic Alliance allies over the impressive performance in the by-polls," Shah said in a statement here. "I thank the people for reposing faith in the of development over vote bank politics," he added. NDA candidates won seven out of the 12 seats elections for which were held in eight states. The BJP won four seats. BJP president Amit Shah on Tuesday hailed the victory of NDA candidates in seven of the 12 assembly by-elections across eight states as a "victory of of development" over vote bank . "Congratulations to our karyakartas (workers), BJP state units, all National Democratic Alliance allies, respective chief ministers and the people of the state over the unprecedented success in the assembly by-polls," Shah said in a statement here. "I thank the people for reposing faith in the of development over vote bank politics and good governance of BJP," he added. NDA candidates won in seven out of 12 seats, elections for which were held in eight states. The BJP won four seats. Shah, on this occasion, took on the Congress and other opposition parties and dubbed them "anti-development groups". "This victory is the mandate given by the people against all the baseless propaganda, criticism and negative politics of the opposition to obstruct the government's development works by blocking parliament and people have shown the real truth to such anti-development groups via this victory," Shah said. Shah said there was anger among the public against the negative tendency of obstructing the country's development and economic progress by the Congress and its allies. "People will continue to respond properly in the same manner in the coming days," he said. Shah said the "people's court" has dismissed the ongoing unrestrained and baseless allegations of the Congress and reposed faith in the BJP by expressing their allegiance to development and good governance. "Those who carry the ideology of anti-poor, anti-developmental negative politics, need to make serious introspection," he said. NDA candidates seized three seats, Devadurga (Karnataka), Khadoor Sahib (Punjab) and Maihar (Madhya Pradesh) from Congress and one seat, Muzaffarnagar (Uttar Pradesh) from Samajwadi Party. Other than this, the BJP won with a huge margin the post of mayor in Ghaziabad Municipal Corporation in Uttar Pradesh. Superstar Shah Rukh Khan on Tuesday returned to his alma mater, Delhi University's Hansraj College, to finally receive his graduation degree after 28 years. The actor was presented the degree by Hansraj College principal Rama Sharma. He even signed the register after taking the degree. The 50-year-old, who was a undergraduate student of economics at the college, was humbled by the love showered by thousands of his fans who were waiting to catch a glimpse of him here as he launched a promotional anthem for his upcoming film "Fan". Following the event, where he regaled his fans with an impromptu jig and some fun, the "Dilwale" actor tweeted: "What a beautiful day! Thank you university mates and faculty. Love to all for such a memorable emotional moment." It was like a walk down the memory lane for Shah Rukh as he recalled his days when he was a student in the city. "'Fan' took me to Delhi, my younger days and today to my college. Thank you YRF and Maneesh. JABRA mazaa aayaa," he added. Shah Rukh was accompanied by his "Fan" director Maneesh Sharma, who too is an alumnus of the same college. The actor has been living in Mumbai for over 25 years, but clearly, he has his heart in Delhi, where he studied at the St. Columba's School. The CBI on Tuesday filed a supplementary chargesheet against former media tycoon Peter Mukerjea in the sensational Sheena Bora murder case, an official said here. The chargesheet was filed before an additional chief metropolitan magistrate, Esplanade Court after investigation unearthed more evidence against Peter Mukerjea. Peter Mukerjea was arrested on November 19, 2015, nearly three months after the arrest of his wife Indrani Mukerjea, her ex-husband Sanjeev Khanna and her former driver Shyamvar Rai, who were arrested in August. Among other things, the Central Bureau of Investigation has charged Peter Mukerjea with conspiracy in the kidnapping and killing of Sheena on April 24, 2012, and later burning and disposing of her body in the forests of adjoining Raigad district, around 90 km south of Mumbai. During the investigation, a Medical Board minutely examined Sheena's skeleton and conducted superimposition of her skull to establish her identity from the remains found in the forests last year. On September 28 last year, the CBI had taken over the case following a request from the Maharashtra government as it could have nationwide and even international ramifications pertaining to mega-financial transactions. Since their arrest on August 25 last year from Mumbai and Kolkata, Indrani, Khanna and Rai have remained in police or judicial custody even as the CBI continues its probe. Public sector company Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam Ltd (SJVNL), that also owns and operates India's largest hydropower project in Himachal Pradesh, announced on Tuesday that it has achieved the generation target from its projects - well in advance of time. The government had fixed at 8,520 million units, the target of cumulative generation of electricity from the 1,500 MW Nathpa Jhakri plant and 412 MW Rampur project, both in the hill state, and 47.6 MW Khirvire wind power project in Maharashtra for this fiscal. "We have achieved the target three months in advance and set up the new benchmarks in the field of electricity generation," chairman and managing director R.N. Misra was quoted as saying in a statement. The construction of Kholongchu hydro electric project in Bhutan, Buxar thermal power project in Bihar and Charanka solar power project in Gujarat have been started, said Misra, who has been honored with the 'CEO with HR Orientation' award on Monday. World HRD Congress presented these awards to recognize and appreciate the talented individuals in the industry. At present, SJVNL is implementing 12 projects in Nepal, Bhutan, Arunachal Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttrakhand, Bihar, Gujarat and Maharashtra, and is presently generating 2,000 MW of electricity. SJVNL is a joint venture between the central and the Himachal Pradesh governments, with the former with 74.5 percent stake, and 25.5 percent held by the state government. However, the central government sold 10 percent equity in May 2010. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj held a meeting with Austria's Federal Minister for Europe, Integration and Foreign Affairs Sebastian Kurz here on Tuesday. "Connecting with the heart of Europe. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj meets Austrian Foreign Minister Sebastian Kurz in Delhi," external affairs ministry spokesman Vikas Swarup informed over Twitter. Kurz is also scheduled to meet union Minister for Women and Child Development Maneka Gandhi, Minister of State for Power, Coal and New and Renewable Energy Piyush Goyal, and Minister of Railways Suresh Prabhu. On Thursday, Kurz will visit the campuses of Infosys and the Plansee India High Performance Materials in Mysuru. Kurz's visit assumes significance as a summit-level meeting between the European Union (EU) and India is scheduled to be held in the first half of this year in Brussels after a gap of about four years. The prime ministers of Finland, Lithuania and Sweden also came to attend the 'Make in India Week' that got underway in Mumbai on Saturday. "The new economic and social agenda of the new (NDA) government is specially attractive for the EU," EU Ambassador to India Tomasz Kozlowski said in a media interaction in December. "India is perceived by us as one of the engines of economic growth." New Delhi is one of just four capital cities in the world where all EU member states have full-fledged missions, the others being Washington, Beijing and Moscow. A tearful final farewell was given on Tuesday to four soldiers from Tamil Nadu who were buried alive in an avalanche on the hostile Siachen glacier on February 3. All of them belonged to the Madras Regiment and their last rites were performed with full military honours. The bodies of Havildar M. Elumalai, Sepoy G. Ganesan, Sepoy N. Ramamurthy and Lance Havildar S. Kumar were brought here on Monday night and later taken to their native places. Elumalai was laid to rest with full military honours in Adukumparai village in Vellore district. In Madurai district, Ganesan was cremated in his native village Chokkathevanpatti, while Kumar was laid to rest in Theni district. The last rites of Ramamurthy were performed in Krishnagiri district. The Tamil Nadu government announced a solatium of Rs.10 lakh each to the families of the brave soldiers. A tearful final farewell was given on Tuesday to four soldiers from Tamil Nadu, two from Karnataka and one from Andhra Pradesh who were buried alive in an avalanche on the hostile Siachen glacier on February 3. All of them belonged to the Madras Regiment and their last rites were performed with full military honours. The bodies of Havildar M. Elumalai, Sepoy G. Ganesan, Sepoy N. Ramamurthy and Lance Havildar S. Kumar were brought to Chennai on Monday night and later taken to their native places. Elumalai was laid to rest with full military honours in Adukumparai village in Vellore district. Ganesan was cremated in his native village Chokkathevanpatti in Madurai district, while Kumar was laid to rest in his home village in Theni district, while the last rites of Ramamurthy were performed in Krishnagiri district. The Tamil Nadu government announced a solatium of Rs.10 lakh each to their families. In Andhra Pradesh, Sepoy Mustaq Ahmed waslaid to rest with full military honours in his native village in Kurnool district. A pall of gloom descended on Parnapalle village in Bandi Atmakur mandal of Kurnool as people bid tearful adieu to the soldier. Military, police and civil officials and politicians paid their last respects to Mushtaq, who was buried at a village graveyard. Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister K.E. Krishna Murthy and YSR Congress party chief Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy were among those who attended the last rites. The deputy chief minister later presented a cheque of Rs.25 lakh to the family of deceased soldier. The body of Mustaq reached the village late Monday night from Hyderabad, where it was brought from New Delhi on Monday by a special aircraft of Indian Air Force (IAF). Mustaq, 30, is survived by his wife and aged parents, according to a defence statement. He had enrolled in the 19th Battalion the Madras Regiment in 2004 and served as part of his battalion in counter insurgency operations in the North East and in Jammu and Kashmir. He had also served in the Rashtriya Rifles (RR) force in Jammu and Kashmir. A keen sportsman, Mustaq volunteered to be part of one of the most crucial posts in the icy Siachen Glacier. In Karnataka, hundreds of people paid homage to two more victims from the state as they were laid to rest with state honours in Mysuru and Hassan districts on Tuesday. Sepoy P.N. Mahesha of H.D. Kote in Mysuru district and Subedar T.T. Nagesha of Tejuru in Hassan district were given a 21-gun salute to the sound of bugles before their bodies were buried at their native places. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who hails from Mysuru district, laid a wreath on the flower-decked casket of Mahesha and consoled his bereaved family. "The chief minister has assured Mahesha's family of compensation, free farm land and a government job to one of its members soon," an official told IANS. Home Minister G. Parameshwara was present at Nagesha's last rites amid heart-rending scenes as his family was inconsolable. A junior commissioned officer (JCO) and nine other ranks (ORs) were buried under nearly 30 feet of ice and snow when the avalanche hit the Sonam Post on the Siachen glacier at an altitude of around 20,000 feet. Lance Naik Hanumanthappa Koppad was the only one found alive even though he was trapped under the snow for about six days. He succumbed to multi-organ failure at the Army Hospital Research and Referral in New Delhi last Thursday. Koppad was cremated in his home town in Karnataka on Friday. The bodies of the remaining nine soldiers were retrieved a week after the tragedy, and flown into New Delhi from the frontier Ladakh region on Monday. The mortal remains were later flown in IAF planes to Pune, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Madurai, Chennai and Thiruvananthapuram, for sending them to the native villages of the deceased soldiers. The other soldiers were Lance Naik Sudheesh B. of village Monroethuruth in Kerala's Kollam district and Sepoy (nursing assistant) Suryawanshi S.V. of village Maskarwadi in Maharashtra's Satara district. A tearful final farewell was given on Tuesday to four soldiers from Tamil Nadu and one from Andhra Pradesh who were buried alive in an avalanche on the hostile Siachen glacier on February 3. All of them belonged to the Madras Regiment and their last rites were performed with full military honours. The bodies of Havildar M. Elumalai, Sepoy G. Ganesan, Sepoy N. Ramamurthy and Lance Havildar S. Kumar were brought to Chennai on Monday night and later taken to their native places. Elumalai was laid to rest with full military honours in Adukumparai village in Vellore district. Ganesan was cremated in his native village Chokkathevanpatti in Madurai district, while Kumar was laid to rest in his home village in Theni district. The last rites of Ramamurthy were performed in Krishnagiri district. The Tamil Nadu government announced a solatium of Rs.10 lakh each to their families. In Andhra Pradesh, Sepoy Mustaq Ahmed waslaid to rest with full military honours in his native village in Kurnool district. A pall of gloom descended on Parnapalle village in Bandi Atmakur mandal of Kurnool as people bid tearful adieu to the soldier. Military, police and civil officials and politicians paid their last respects to Mushtaq, who was buried at a village graveyard. Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister K.E. Krishna Murthy and YSR Congress party chief Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy were among those who attended the last rites. The deputy chief minister later presented a cheque of Rs.25 lakh to the family of deceased soldier. The body of Mustaq reached the village late Monday night from Hyderabad, where it was brought from New Delhi on Monday by a special aircraft of Indian Air Force (IAF). Mustaq, 30, is survived by his wife and aged parents, according to a defence statement. He had enrolled in the 19th Battalion the Madras Regiment in 2004 and served as part of his battalion in counter insurgency operations in the North East and in Jammu and Kashmir. He had also served in the Rashtriya Rifles (RR) force in Jammu and Kashmir. A keen sportsman, Mustaq volunteered to be part of one of the most crucial posts in the icy Siachen Glacier. It was February 3, when an avalanche swept away one Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) and nine Other Ranks (ORs) in the Siachen Glacier while they were on duty. The soldiers were buried under nearly 30 feet of ice and snow when the avalanche hit the Sonam Post on the Siachen glacier at an altitude of around 20,000 feet. Lance Naik Hanumanthappa Koppad was the only one found alive even though he was trapped under the snow for about six days. He succumbed to multi-organ failure at the Army Hospital Research and Referral in New Delhi last Thursday. Koppad was cremated in his home town in Karnataka on Friday. The bodies of the remaining nine soldiers were retrieved a week after the tragedy, and flown into New Delhi from the frontier Ladakh region on Monday. The mortal remains were later flown in IAF planes to Pune, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Madurai, Chennai and Thiruvananthapuram, for sending them to the native villages of the deceased soldiers. The other soldiers were Subedar Nagesha T.T. of village Tejur in Karnatakas' Hassan district, Karnataka, Lance Naik Sudheesh B. of village Monroethuruth in Kerala's Kollam district, Sepoy Mahesha P.N. of village HD Kote in Karnataka's Mysuru district, and Sepoy (nursing assistant) Suryawanshi S.V. of village Maskarwadi in Maharashtra's Satara district. The driver of a Telangana legislator died when a gun went off under suspicious circumstances here on Tuesday, police said. The accident occurred in MLA Quarters in Hyderguda. Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) legislator C. Madan Reddy's driver Akbar died on the spot when the gun belonging to gunman Ravindra went off. Police have not come out with details as how the firing took place. According to one version, the legislator's gunman had kept his gun and the driver picked it up to have a look when it accidentally went off, while another says the driver committed suicide. Deputy Commissioner of Police Kamalasan Reddy visited the scene. Police were questioning the gunman. Turkey has expressed dissatisfaction over France's reaction to the Turkish military's intervention against Syria's Democratic Union Party (PYD), media reports said on Tuesday. Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu made his country's stance clear in a phone call with France's Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault on Monday, Xinhua quoted the diplomatic sources as saying. Earlier, the French Foreign Ministry called upon Turkey to stop its shelling of PYD positions. Cavusoglu said Turkey was fighting a terror organisation in Syria, adding that French authorities were well-aware of the battle, according to the sources. According to Turkish security officials, Turkey began shelling positions of the PYD, regarded by the Turkish government as an offshoot of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). Turkey fears that the PYD's capture of Azaz, a critical town in the Syrian conflict, could spark a new refugee influx towards the Turkish border. The European Union and the US have called on Turkey to stop hitting Syria and refrain from further complicating the efforts of world powers to halt the hostilities within a week. Turkish forces on Tuesday continued to shell the positions of Syria's Democratic Union Party (PYD) in the country for the fourth day, saying they were responding to fire coming from the region. Firing began from PYD positions in northern Syria on Tuesday, after which Turkish artillery units deployed in Kilis province bordering Syria began to shell the region, Xinhua reported. Turkish security forces have also stepped up security measures across the Turkish-Syrian border, said the report. Turkey's army over the weekend shelled People's Protection Units (YPG) targets, the military wing of the PYD, which is the Syrian affiliate of the outlawed Kurdish Workers' Party (PKK). On Monday, Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said Turkey will not allow the fall of Azaz town in Syria's Aleppo province to the Kurdish Democratic Union Party. "We will not allow the fall of Azaz. This must be clear to all in the world," said Davutoglu while en route to pay a visit to the Ukrainian capital of Kiev. Azaz, in northern Syria near the Turkish border, is seen as a critical corridor that connects with Turkey. The latest escalation came as talks over ground intervention by Saudi and Turkish troops in Syria made headlines in recent days. Observers say such an intervention will make the war-torn country descend into further chaos. Syria's Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem said any foreign troops entering Syria without the consent of the government "will be sent home in wooden coffins." Two men suspected of involvement in a terror attack last August in Bangkok that killed 20 people, appeared before Thailand's military court on Tuesday. The suspects, Mohamad Bilal and Yusufu Mieraili, face 10 charges, including conspiracy, premeditated murder and possession of explosives, EFE news reported. According to police, both suspects confessed to their role in the attack carried out on August 17, 2015. However, their lawyer said that the confessions were obtained under torture. The two accused -- identified by the authorities as Uighurs, the Muslim minority group from China's Xinjiang province -- are the only ones arrested for the attack, which police attributed to a reprisal by organised crime groups in response to a reported police crackdown on human trafficking. Police believe Bilal to be the man who appears on security cameras, wearing a yellow T-shirt and planting the backpack containing the bomb on the temple grounds just before the blast, whereas Mieraili would have been the one to detonate the bomb. The investigations, rife with irregularities and contradictory statements by the police and the military junta, sparked speculations into the motives behind the attack, for which no group has yet claimed responsibility. One of the theories linked the attack to the deportation of about 100 Uighurs, who were looking to travel to Turkey to seek asylum, especially as the temple is popular among Chinese tourists. At least two militants were killed and another was injured in a blast in Afghanistan's southern province of Helmand, sources said on Tuesday. "The militants tried to plant an improvised explosive device (IED) along a main road in Naway-i-Barakzayi district on Monday, but the home-made device went off accidentally, causing the casualties among the militants," Xinhua quoted a provincial security source as saying. The injured was detained and shifted to a hospital for treatment, he said. The Taliban militant group has been using IEDs to target security forces, but the lethal weapon also inflicts casualties on civilians, according to military officials. More than 3,540 civilians were killed and over 7,450 others injured in 2015 as the violence spread in different places of the country, according to a report released by United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) in Kabul on Sunday. Out of the casualties, 713 civilians were killed and more than 1,650 were injured in IED attacks across the militancy-hit country in 2015, according to the report. Hundreds of people paid homage to two more Siachen glacier avalanche victims from Karnataka as they were laid to rest with state honours in Mysuru and Hassan districts on Tuesday. Sepoy P.N. Mahesha of H.D. Kote in Mysuru district and Subedar T.T. Nagesha of Tejuru in Hassan district were given a 21-gun salute to the sound of bugles before their bodies were buried at their native places. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who hails from Mysuru district, laid a wreath on the flower-decked casket of Mahesha and consoled his bereaved family. "The chief minister has assured Mahesha's family of compensation, free farm land and a government job to one of its members soon," an official told IANS. Home Minister G. Parameshwara was present at Nagesha's last rites amid heart-rending scenes as his family was inconsolable. H.D. Kote and Tejuru are both about 200 km from Bengaluru. Lance Naik Hanamanthappa Koppad of Dharwad district was the third soldier from the state who died in the avalanche that struck February 3 trapping the 10 men of the 19th Madras Regiment. Found miraculously alive after six days under heavy snow, he was flown out to New Delhi and admitted in an army hospital but died of multi-organ failure on February 12. Ukrainian President Pyotr Poroshenko has called on Prime Minister Arseny Yatsenyuk to resign to restore trust in the authorities. "In order to restore confidence in the authorities, the president urged the prosecutor general and the premier to step down," Tass news agency quoted presidential spokesman Svyatoslav Tsegolko as saying on Tuesday. US State Department on Tuesday confirmed that three Americans who were "reported as missing" in Iraq last month have been released. "We sincerely appreciate the assistance provided by the government of Iraq, and its whole-of-government effort to bring about the safe release of these individuals," State Department spokesman Mark Toner said in a press release, Xinhua reported. Toner thanked Iraq's security forces, defence ministry and intelligence service for their efforts "in achieving this outcome". The identities of the three Americans released were not disclosed in the press release. They were said to be kidnapped from a "suspicious apartment" in Baghdad, the Iraqi capital, last month. A US national who has been staying here as a tourist has lodged a complaint of theft of Rs.95 lakh from her rented accommodation, police said on Tuesday. Pauline Ross, 63, reported the theft of Rs.95 lakh on Monday after being discharged from Lady Willingdon Hospital here, investigating officer Om Prakash told IANS. She found the money missing from her house after she was discharged from the hospital where she was undergoing medical treatment, Om Prakash said. Her companion Cristian Rodrigo Mirnda of Chile was arrested by the local police last month for staying without valid travelling documents. The US will dispatch nuclear-capable F-22 stealth fighters to South Korea in an apparent show of force to militarily pressurise North Korea, the media reported on Tuesday. Four F-22 fighters, one of US' strategic assets, will make a sortie on Wednesday to the Korean peninsula, Xinhua news agency reported. The F-22 fighter has a stealth function of escaping any radar detection, and is capable of carrying nuclear missiles and bombs. Its operational range reaches as far as 2,177 km. The F-22 fighters deployed at a US air base in Okinawa, Japan can fly to the Korean peninsula in about two hours. The F-22 sortie would come in the wake of North Korea's long-range rocket launch on February 7, which outsiders see as a test of banned ballistic missile technology. Global telecom giant Vodafone has taken exception to the Indian tax department threatening to seize its assets if it fails to pay a disputed demand of over Rs.14,000 crore, which is still under international arbitration. "We can confirm that we have received a tax reminder from the Tax Department that also references asset seizures in the event of non-payment," the company said in a statement here on Tuesday, alluding to the capital gains tax slapped on it for the acquisition of Indian assets. "This dispute is currently the subject of international arbitration. The Indian government stated in 2014 that existing tax disputes, including ours, would be resolved through existing judicial process," the company added. The strongly-worded statement also said the policies pursued by the tax department were in variance to what Prime Minister Narendra Modi as also Finance Minister Arun Jaitley have been saying: That India will not pursue retrospective taxation. "In a week when Prime Minister Modi is promoting a tax-friendly environment for foreign investors, this seems a complete disconnect between the government and the Tax Department," Vodafone said. The dispute in this case relates to Vodafone's $11 billion acquisition of a 67 percent share in the mobile phone business of Hutchison Whampoa. Vodafone maintains it is not liable to pay to India's tax department since the transaction was conducted offshore, while authorities here have said the deal involved company assets in this country. Vodafone has been involved for years in three disputes with the Indian tax authorities. JNU, where one can be subversive without being seditious It is one thing to be a right winger, pro-Modi, pro-government, but it is quite another to seek to shut down a campus that is genuinely committed to new ideas and ways of thinking With reference to the editorial, "Tip of the iceberg" (February 16), in the last few days there has been a consistent effort to tarnish the image of (PSB) over their burgeoning non-performing assets (NPA). It is true that the gross NPAs of PSBs rose considerably in the third quarter, mainly because of additions, as pointed out by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). This apart, financial newspapers prominently reported the write-off of Rs 1.14 lakh crore by PSBs during the last three years. As a retired banker, I would like to touch upon the above issues. As stated in your editorial, rising NPAs is not the problem of PSBs alone. Although private banks have lower NPAs than PSBs, I have doubts regarding the figures of the former. While PSBs maintain higher transparency, private banks tend to camouflage their accounts or carry out "evergreening" to prevent NPAs from rising. They grant a fresh loan closing the earlier one that was about to become an NPA, so that the account always remains standard, even though proper repayment may not be forthcoming. PSBs don't resort to this practice, as far as I know. Regarding the write-off, banks have merely taken an approved and recognised route for cleansing their balance sheets, as they already held full provisions against the accounts in question. The write-off does not mean they can wash their hands off these accounts. The recovery measures initiated through cases filed in courts and with the Debt Recovery Tribunal as well as action under the Securitisation and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Securities Interest Act will continue till the last available security is enforced and the entire amount recovered. But most newspapers covered the write-off without mentioning the recovery measures. After the nationalisation of banks in 1969, the banking channel became available to all citizens of the country. Primarily because of the PSBs, there is hardly anyone now without a bank account - be it a deposit, direct benefit transfer, no-frills or loan account. When the banks render such a service, isn't it the duty of every citizen, who avails of it, to ensure that the loan taken by him/her is repaid to avoid incidence of NPAs? This applies to corporate houses as well, because their tendency to default is more and their recovery rate is not appreciable too. B C U Nair Kuthiathode can be mailed, faxed or e-mailed to:The Editor, Business StandardNehru House, 4 Bahadur Shah Zafar MargNew Delhi 110 002Fax: (011) 23720201E-mail: letters@bsmail.in SoftBank's big share buy-back offers only symptomatic relief. Chief Executive Masayoshi Son hates the hefty discount investors apply to the Japanese group's holdings. Offering to repurchase as much as 500 billion yen ($4.4 billion) of stock sends a strong signal of confidence. But it doesn't cure the underlying causes for SoftBank's rough treatment by markets. Son's frustration is understandable: the group is valued at a substantial discount to the combined worth of its various holdings. Ever since its star investment, the Chinese e-commerce group Alibaba, floated in 2014, Morgan Stanley analysts reckon shares have on average traded at a 35 per cent discount to the sum of its parts, which also include US and Japanese telecoms, Yahoo Japan, and various start-up-type investments. As of last week, this chasm had widened to 42 per cent. This is a serious markdown, especially since SoftBank's portfolio is far more focused than the usual conglomerate hodgepodge. Even by Japan's recent shareholder-friendlier standards, the buyback is a big deal. Nomura expects Japanese companies to return a total of 4.8 trillion yen to investors by purchasing stock this financial year. It is also chunky considering SoftBank's current size: the promised sum is equivalent to almost a tenth of the company's market capitalisation before the announcement. In other ways, though, buying and cancelling stock is a sideshow. Spending available cash just increases net debt, which is already a punchy 3.6 times EBITDA. SoftBank's recent underperformance partly reflects the fact that highly leveraged companies tend to suffer more when markets tank. Plus, the conglomerate structure is here to stay: Son aims to build a huge business over decades. That suggests a substantial discount could persist, too. Nor does financial tinkering help address the challenges at two of SoftBank's key holdings. The company's 32 per cent stake in Alibaba, by far its most valuable investment, is down a fifth in three months. Meanwhile, shares in US mobile operator Sprint have dropped 36 per cent. Granted, there are signs of operational improvement at this business, which is 84 per cent owned by . But net debt is a towering $31.5 billion, cash reserves dwindled to just $2.2 billion in the latest quarter, and Bernstein analysts say a full turnaround could take another three years. The near-16 per cent jump in SoftBank's shares on news of the buyback gives Son a short-term boost. But the $4.4 billion might have been better spent shoring up Sprint's balance sheet. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's heartfelt appeal to allow Parliament to function today elicited a positive response even from groups like the Janata Dal United (JDU) that are rivals of the government. However, his outreach failed to melt the Congress, which was isolated, but signalled that disruption would continue to be its preferred tactical parliamentary weapon. Ghulam Nabi Azad and Anand Sharma, leader and deputy leader of the in the Upper House who attended the all party meeting called by the Prime Minister today ahead of the Budget session of Parliament beginning on 23 February, nodded vigorously in agreement when the PM said disrupting Parliament served no useful purpose for either the government or the Opposition. But Sharma said: "Hum shareer par aghaat sahan kar sakte hain, lekin dil par chot nahin (we can withstand an assault on our person, but not on our heart). Ghulam Nabi Azad explained the context: the PM's statement at an election rally in Assam some days ago that Parliament was not being allowed to run because of the whims of one family. "You should remember that sacrifices have been made by five generations of this family to the cause of India, to ensure India is kept together" Azad said. It was left to the normally mild-mannered Naresh Gujral of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) to retort: "If you are saying that five generations of the family have made sacrifices, then that is not enough. More sacrifice is needed". Later, Sharma and Azad stayed back after the other leaders had left, presumably to discuss something with the PM separately. Interestingly, at the meeting Modi pointedly and categorically distanced himself from the events in Arunachal Pradesh where 11 BJP MLAs have supported a breakaway group from the to make a bid to unseat a ruling government and form a government of defectors. The PM said, suo moto, that not only had he made his disapproval of the Arunachal Pradesh events clear to his party colleagues, but had also told Governors privately that this kind of thing was unacceptable and should be avoided. Home Minister Rajnath Singh was not present at the meeting. The Congress and the Left parties were clear that if they were not given a hearing, they would ensure the government did not get a hearing either. The Left parties which were represented by D Raja and Mohammad Salim said: "We will not disrupt the House and will allow bills to be passed. But the issues that agitate and worry us must get a hearing too". The PM said: "You have as much right to make demands on me as the rest of India. I am Prime Minister for India not just for the BJP". He added: "It is my responsibility to listen to you -- and not just to you but to everyone". "The PM seemed eager to discuss every issue. He was ready to hear whatever people and other political parties wanted to ventilate," said a leader of a regional party who was present at the meeting. The Samajwadi Party's Ramgopal Yadav said: "Our party does not enjoy the kind of strength it takes to disrupt Parliament". JDU's Sharad Yadav said: "while we continue to have faith in disruption of Parliament as a parliamentary tactic, you can't do it again and again. In any case, our party does not have the strength to disrupt Parliament repeatedly". JDU is the Congress's alliance partner. Bhratrihari Mahtab of the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) was clear that disruption of Parliament was erosion of democracy and was unacceptable. 'we want parliament to run' he told the PM. Trinamool Congress' Derek O'Brien said: "We might not be present for the entire duration of the budget session because of our preoccupation with the assembly elections but we are eager to see the House function" . A member of an opposition party present there said: "Congress was completely isolated. But for the Left parties, no one seemed to be in support of their methods in the two Houses". The BJP's position was clear: "Because of Rahul Gandhi's bent of mind two sessions have been washed out. The BJP would like Parliament to function. Our government is making all efforts for the smooth functioning of Parliament. The Congress is once again looking at issues to stall Parliament. We hope that in the interest of the country better sense will prevail," BJP secretary Sidharth Nath Singh said. Government sources said if opposition continued to stall Parliament, decision making would increasingly be done through executive order. Government sources said that at the meeting of leaders of all major parties in both the Houses of Parliament, that the PM made his opening remarks and Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and Parliamentary Affairs Minister M Venkaiah Naidu intervened briefly and most of the talking during the 2-hour-15-minute-long meeting was done by leaders of various parties conveying their concern over persistent disruptions witnessed over the last two sessions. Other opposition leaders said disruption of proceedings was lowering the image of Parliament "even children are making fun of Parliamentarians; the poor are the worst affected ; regional and other small parties are being deprived of opportunities to raise issues of concern for their states and people; for parties like BSP whose leaders do not go to TV studios, Parliament is the only forum for raising issues concerning weaker sections and this is being denied and the economic agenda of the country is getting derailed". Several of the over 30 leaders who attended the meeting said that with the Government willing to discuss all issues of larger concern, there was no reason to disrupt proceedings. Responding to the JNU incident raised by the leaders of Congress and CPM, Jaitley said the implications of the incidents need to be understood properly. He asked if any responsible political party can endorse the slogans made at the so called protest meet in JNU; and that all should await the inquiry report in the matter. Naidu said that the Government was willing to walk the extra mile to enable smooth functioning of Parliament and details of legislative agenda would be informed to the parties at the All Party meeting on February 22. According to sources, "the force and spirit of the demands for smooth functioning of Parliament made at today's meeting would make any party think twice before thinking of disrupting the proceedings." A centenarian, who had suffered burns a couple of days ago at home, today succumbed to his injuries at a government hospital here. The victim identified as 105-year-old Semmalayappa Gounder, a resident of Salaipudur in Sulur, suffered burns when the kerosene lamp kept in the toilet accidentally fell on him, resulting in his dhoti catching fire on Saturday last, police said. On hearing his screams, the relatives rushed to his rescue and put out the fire. He was rushed to the government hospital at Palladam, from where he was shifted to the government hospital here. However, he died in the wee hours, police added. Altogether 124 farmers committed suicide in various parts of Maharashtra since January this year, the state government informed the Bombay High Court today. Of these, 20 suicides were reported from Osmanabad alone, a government pleader submitted before a division bench. The high court is hearing a suo motu public interest litigation urging to take steps on a war-footing to prevent farmers from committing suicide. A week ago, the government had informed that 80 farmers had committed suicide in January 2016. However, today, the state government said that 124 farmers had taken their lives in the past 45 days. "The figure is very alarming...In the last one-and-half months, 124 farmers have killed themselves. We would like to know from the government what steps are being taken to stop this," said Justice Naresh Patil heading a division bench. Referring to media reports, the court enquired from the government whether it had decided to close down fodder depots in the state. To this, the government pleader said he would have to seek instructions from the state. On January 21, 2016, the state government had told the high court that 1,000 farmers had committed suicide in Maharashtra in 2015. Hearing this, the high court suggested the government to rope-in corporates to deal with the crisis. The court had earlier suggested that big business houses should be urged either to adopt villages or provide equipment, including tractors, to the farmers for free. The court had also suggested that the government may promote collective farming as a solution. It would especially help the farmers with small land-holding who are unable to recover the cost of cultivation, it said and asked the state to come out with welfare schemes for farmers. The government also informed that the Centre had sanctioned Rs 3,500 crore for helping the distressed farmers in Maharashtra, while the state allocated Rs 2,500 crore. Of this, Rs 14.34 crore has been disbursed so far. Ashutosh Kumbhkoni, appointed as amicus curiae to assist the court, had earlier said that according to the National Bureau of Crime Records, 15,978 farmers committed suicide in Maharashtra in the last five years. 124 farmers have committed suicide in Maharashtra since January this year, the state government today informed the Bombay High Court which asked the Centre what kind of assistance it provides to the state to deal with the grim agrarian crisis. Observing that this was a serious issue, a bench headed by Justice Naresh Patil asked the Additional Solicitor General to inform the High Court on the next occasion whether the Centre can chip in to provide schemes and financial help to the state to tide over the crisis. "The figure is very alarming...In a span of one and half months, 124 farmers have killed themselves. We would like to know from the government what steps are being taken to stop this," said Justice Patil. Advocate General Srihari Aney informed the bench that 124 farmers have taken their lives in the past one-and-half month, of whom 20 cases were reported from Osmanabad alone. The high court was hearing a suo motu public interest litigation urging to take steps on a war-footing to prevent farmers from committing suicide. Last week, the government had informed that 80 farmers had committed suicide in January 2016. However, today, the state government said that 124 farmers had taken the extreme step in the past 45 days. The AG said factors such as crop failure due to scanty rainfall, meagre water supply for drinking and growing crops, insufficient capacity to repay loans and pressure from banks and money lenders were the causes that drove the farmers to commit suicide. The AG was of the view that a high level Disaster Management committee headed by Deputy Collector should be set up to find out the reasons for the farmers being driven to such a drastic step and also provide financial assistance to the bereaved families. Taking cue from the high court bench that corporates should be involved in adopting villages and providing financial help, the AG suggested that representatives of big companies could be drawn in as members of the disaster committee. He said that Maharashtra government would come forward to pay Rs 30,000 to the family of every farmer who has committed suicide so that they can get some financial help. Referring to media reports, the court enquired from the government whether it had decided to close down fodder depots in the state. To this, a government pleader said he would have to seek instructions from the state. The Court, in the morning session, had asked AG to appear in the case today itself and explain the steps the state government had taken to deal with the situation. When the court re-assembled , farm-related issues like cattle death due to paucity of drinking water and short supply of fodder also figured in the proceedings. Due to drought like situation in many parts of the state, water was not released from irrigation dams resulting in acute water scarcity in agricultural fields. Moreover, insufficient rains further aggravated the problem, the AG told the court. On January 21, 2016, the state government had told the court that 1,000 farmers had committed suicide in Maharashtra in 2015. Hearing this, the high court suggested the government to rope-in corporates to deal with the crisis. The court had earlier suggested that big business houses should be urged either to adopt villages or provide equipment, including tractors, to the farmers for free. The court had also suggested that the government may promote collective farming as a solution. It would especially help the farmers with small land-holding which are unable to recover the cost of cultivation, it said and asked the state to come out with welfare schemes for farmers. The government also informed that the Centre had sanctioned Rs 3,500 crore for helping the distressed farmers in Maharashtra, while the state allocated Rs 2,500 crore. Of this, Rs 14.34 crore has been disbursed so far. Ashutosh Kumbhkoni, appointed as amicus curiae to assist the court, had earlier said that according to the National Bureau of Crime Records, 15,978 farmers committed suicide in Maharashtra in the last five years. The bench has now asked the Additional Solicitor General to find out from the Centre what kind of help it can provide to Maharashtra to tackle the issue of farmers's suicide. With the arrest of three women, police today claimed to have solved a case of theft of heritage furniture from Le-Corbusier Center here last September. The stolen heritage property was also recovered from their possession, police said, adding, the value of the said furniture was crores of rupees in the international market. Accused were identified as Rekha (35), Seema (40) and Hasheena (30), all residents of Chandigarh, police said. Heritage tables and cushioned V shape chairs were stolen from the Le-Corbusier Center at Sector-19 here on the intervening night of 23 and 24 September 2015. A case was registered on the complaint of Deepika Gandhi, Director of the Center. The accused had tried to sell the furniture, but after the matter was reported in the media, they could not dispose them of and hid them in the 'Jhuggis' in Sector 25, police said. Earlier, police had arrested four persons in connection with the theft of heritage furniture from Chandigarh College of Arts at Sector 10 last month. UN peacekeepers from the Democratic Republic of Congo have been accused of sexually abusing four children who were living in a camp for displaced civilians in the Central African Republic, a UN spokesman said today. The four victims were sexually abused between 2014 and 2015, spokesman Farhan Haq told reporters. The UN mission in the Central African Republic has been hit by a wave of allegations of sex abuse by its peacekeepers, whose mandate is to protect civilians in the strife-torn country. "These four allegations involve peacekeepers from the Democratic Republic of Congo," he said. UN officials received information about the allegations from aid groups on February 11 who reported that the four minors were living at Ngakobo camp, in the Ouaka prefecture of the Central African Republic. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon fired the head of the 10,000-strong MINUSCA force in August over the mounting number of cases, but the allegations have continued to surface. The Kinshasa government was notified on Monday about the allegations and now has ten days to decide whether it will carry out its own investigation of the soldiers or ask the United Nations to take the lead. After rape allegations targeted troops from the DR Congo last year, the United Nations had decided to send the full contingent of some 120 soldiers back home. Ban last week appointed a special coordinator, American Jane Holl Lute, who will be tasked with improving the UN response to sexual abuse cases involving peacekeepers. This followed a report by an independent panel that found the United Nations had grossly mishandled the cases despite the official zero-tolerance policy on sexual violence. French and European Union soldiers serving in the Central African Republic also face allegations of sexual abuse, although their missions are not under the UN flag. In most of those cases, the young girls and boys were offered food in exchange for sex. Four convicts, of whom two were sentenced to death, in the gangrape and murder of a 21-year old college girl at Kamduni in North 24 Parganas district, today moved the Calcutta High Court today challenging a sessions court judgement. Counsel Firoz Edulji mentioned the matter before Justice Nadira Patheria for enlisting the four appeals as admission of appeal. Of the four, Ansar Ali and Amin Ali were awarded death sentence while Bhola Naskar and Sk Imamul Islam were sentenced to imprisonment for life by Additional District and Sessions judge Sanchita Sarkar on January 30. Two others were also convicted in the case. Of these, Saiful Ali was sentenced to death, while Aminul Islam was sentenced to life imprisonment. These two have not yet filed an appeal before the HC. Two accused -- Rafiqul Islam and Nur Ali were acquitted owing to lack of evidence against them. Another accused Gopal Naskar died during trial in August last year. The gangrape and murder of the girl took place when she was returning home at Kamduni in North 24 Parganas district, about 50 km from Kolkata, after appearing at an examination at her college on June 7, 2013. The second year BA student was pulled into a farm when she was walking back home along a deserted road after alighting from a bus. She was subsequently gangraped and murdered. Her mutilated body was found the next morning in a corner of the farm. Bahrain has arrested four American journalists covering the anniversary of its 2011 uprising amid a long crackdown on dissent in the tiny Gulf nation, witnesses have said. Police said they detained four Americans for providing "false information that they were tourists," while also alleging one took part in an attack on its officers. The US Embassy in Manama said it was "aware of the arrest of four US citizens in Bahrain" on Sunday but could not discuss the case due to privacy concerns. Police said one of the journalists was a woman and three were men. Witnesses identified the woman as Anna Therese Day, an American freelance journalist from Boise, Idaho, who previously had contributed to The Huffington Post and The Daily Beast. In a statement, The Post told The Associated Press that Day, who had blogged on the website and appeared on its HuffPost Live program, was not on assignment for the outlet at the time of her arrest. "The safety of journalists is of utmost importance to The Huffington Post and we have security measures in place for our reporters around the world," the statement read. "Anna Day is not employed or contracted by The Huffington Post." Jesse Ayala, a friend in New York, said Day and her crew "were not on an exclusive assignment" when they were arrested. "The allegation that they were in any way involved in illegal behavior or anything other than journalistic activities is impossible," Ayala said in a statement. Photographs of the reporters working in Sitra, a largely Shiite community south of the capital that has seen repeated protests, circulated on social media, including one image of Day being filmed while speaking to a masked protester. On Sunday, police arrested a photographer working with the group, the two witnesses said. Later that night, police surrounded the area with checkpoints and arrested the other three, they said. The witnesses spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity for fear of being arrested. An Interior Ministry statement alleged one of the four journalists "was wearing a mask and participating in attacks on police alongside other rioters in Sitra." The statement also said the journalists entered the country between Thursday and Friday on tourist visas. At least six people were killed and 25 others injured today when a tour bus collided with a truck head on in northern Thailand. The tour bus was heading to Mae Sot district in western Thailand bordering Myanmar when it collided head on with an 18 wheeler carrying a full load of sugar in Kamphaeng phet province. The bus was carrying 48 passengers. Both drivers died on the spot, police said. It was not immediately known if any foreigner was in the tour bus. Three passengers in the bus died and one in the truck was also killed. Another25 injured passengers were taken to Khong Khlung hospital. Police said initial inquiries indicated the bus was trying to overtake another vehicle when it collided with the sugar truck. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today said 68 lakh youths have got employment in the last four years under her government. Besides 68 lakh who have got jobs, another six lakh youths will be trained every year in ITIs and polytechnic colleges. "In the next five years we will meet our target of training a minimum 30 lakh people," Banerjee said launching the 'Utkarsh Bangla' scheme for providing vocational training to school dropouts. Under the state skill development mission 15 lakh boys and girls have been given vocational training in the last four years out of which 10 lakh have secured jobs, she said. Another target of the government is to start campus placements for at least 75 per cent of the students. She promised an ITI in every block and a polytechnic in every sub-division. "The new ITIs will be run by our industrial friends. They were shortlisted through a tendering process. They will provide the training as well as give jobs in companies," she said adding hostels are being built at a cost of Rs 35 crore. The state has 250 ITI's and 186 polytechnic colleges at present. Seats in them have increased from 25,000 to 75,000. To further industry collaboration, MoUs were signed with Agriculture Skill Council of India and Confederation of Real Estate Developers Associations of India (CREDAI). In agriculture sector the chief minister said 100,000 people will get jobs while 30,000 will get in the construction industry with CREDAI'S help. "Talk to universities if needed (their help for getting campus placements) and big and small scale industries," she said while adding the Employment Bank will now also include vocational jobs. "Even the police needs people for those who don't handle weapons," she said. Banerjee also inaugurated the Kolkata campus of Amity University and launched the 'Online Single-Window Clearance System' portal for industrial projects. Congress leader Ajay Maken today moved Delhi High Court alleging that the AAP government had indulged in "large scale wastage of the taxpayers money" on its politicial activities by launching a massive advertisement campaign to glorify its one year in power. The application, seeking to restrain Arvind Kejriwal-led government from publishing or airing any advertisements and promotional campaign outside Delhi, also sought direction to it for launching campaigns in Delhi only, and that too in a cost-effective manner and in conformity with the guidelines of the Supreme Court. The petition was mentioned before a bench of justices B D Ahmed and Sanjeev Sachdeva which listed the matter for hearing tomorrow. Advocates Aman Panwar and Mudit Gupta, appearing for the Delhi Congress chief, told the court that the GNCTD has failed to allocate adequate resources for salaries of the poor employees and sanitation workers of municipal corporations. "At this juncture, it is imperative to point out to this court that while the sanitation employees of Delhi municipal corporations had to indefinitely struggle and protest for weeks before the GNCTD to get funds for their salaries, at the same time the GNCTD has promptly sanctioned about Rs 100 crore for the purposes of anniversary and promotional campaigns of the party in power," the application stated. It alleged that the advertisments were published and aired in newspapers, TV channel and radio in and outside Delhi in violation of the government advertisement guidelines and sought appropriate action against the concerned officials "for the large scale wastage of the taxpayers money on political activities of the ruling party." Maken filed the fresh application in the ongoing PIL, which has sought the court's immediate direction to restrain the "Delhi government from airing audio visual TV advertisement and also its recent advertisement" in Delhi and other states. Earlier, AAP government had on August 3 last year informed the high court that it had spent Rs 22 crore on advertisements in the three months after the apex court's ruling of May 13. The Delhi government had, however, denied the allegation that huge amount of money was being spent on advertisements glorifying Kejriwal and the party and had said it was spending only Rs eight crore per month and that too on ads related to its policies. A man, wanted in a criminal case, was today arrested after 7 years from Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir. Khadam Hussain was nabbed from Bachaie-Surankote belt of Poonch district, a police officer said. He was allegedly involved in a criminal case in Surankote area of the district and had been evading arrest, he said. A group of students, believed to be affiliated to ABVP, today staged a protest outside Delhi University's Hansraj College where Shah Rukh Khan came for an event and shouted slogans against the actor telling him to go back. The 50-year-old "Dilwale" star was in his alma mater to launch a song from his upcoming film "Fan", which is also set in Delhi. Around 10 students stood outside the college's main gate and shouted slogans like "Go Back Shah Rukh". "Some students were protesting outside the gate for few minutes before Shah Rukh's arrival. We asked them not to do that and after a while they left. They were shouting slogans 'Go back Shah Rukh'," a police official on duty said. The actor is facing a lot of backlash following his comment on intolerance last November. Recently, stones were pelted at his car in Ahmedabad, where he is shooting another film "Raees". Over 400 academicians from international varsities, including Columbia, Yale, Harvard and Cambridge, have come out in support of JNU students agitating against a row over an event on the campus. A joint statement signed by 455 academicians from global universities, said, "JNU stands for a vital imagination of the space of the university - an imagination that embraces critical thinking, democratic dissent, student activism, and the plurality of political beliefs. It is this critical imagination that the current establishment seeks to destroy. And we know that this is not a problem for India alone." "Similar attacks on critical dissent and university spaces are being attempted and resisted across the world. An open, tolerant, and democratic society is inextricably linked to critical thought and expression cultivated by universities in India and abroad." "As teachers, students, and scholars across the world, we are watching with extreme concern the situation unfolding at JNU and refuse to remain silent as our colleagues (students, staff, and faculty) resist the illegal detention and autocratic suspension of students," said the academicians, some of which are JNU alumni. JNU students union president Kanhaiya Kumar was arrested last week in connection with a case of sedition and criminal conspiracy registered over holding of the event against hanging of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru at the varsity during which anti-India slogans were alleged to have been raised. His arrest has triggered widespread outrage among students and teachers and drawn severe criticism from non-BJP political parties. The university teachers have also rallied behind its protesting students and questioned the administration's decision to allow the police crackdown on the campus even as they appealed to the public not to "brand" the institution as "anti-national". Yesterday, violence broke out in the Patiala House court complex when groups of lawyers thrashed journalists and students and teachers of JNU while the political slugfest over the arrest of Kanhaiya snowballed with BJP chief Amit Shah targeting Rahul and Sonia Gandhi on the issue. The police today arrested an activist for allegedly attacking a deputy municipal commissioner at the Thane Municipal Corporation. Subhash Thombre, 49, the accused, claimed to be a Shiv Sena leader and a social activist, Naupada police said here. Police registered a case against him for assault, and also under the SC,ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. The incident took place when additional municipal commissioner Ashok Rankhamb and DMC Sandeep Malvi were hearing Thombre regarding a right to information isssue. Thombre allegedly lost his cool during the hearing and started absuding Malvi before assaulting him, the complaint said. Students of Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) today took out a protest march against alleged police excesses at the Jawaharlal Nehru University campus even as they condemned the anti- slogans raised during the JNU protest. Carrying placards, protesters raised slogans and later sent a memorandum to the President demanding an inquiry into the "role of RSS-linked organisations in fomenting trouble in different Indian universities". President of AMU Teachers' Association Professor Mujahid Beg said they were "behind the JNU community in this hour of trial". General Secretary of AMU Employees' Union Shamim Akhtar, in a statement, said, "We strongly deplore the anti- slogans raised during the JNU protest, but the question is, have the police investigated into the identity of those who raised these slogans? "There is gathering evidence that these slogans were orchestrated merely to defame the leaders of the JNU Students' Union. We demand strong action against anybody who was involved in this matter irrespective of political affiliation." Protesters alleged that by pressing serious charges of sedition against JNU students, Delhi police is "playing into the hands of RSS outfits in total disregard to the irreparable damage they are causing to the country's social fabric". APM Terminals Pipavav has received its first domestic Ro-Ro shipment of 800 Hyundai cars from a Chennai port, a development which is likely to boost coastal trade and decongest rail and road traffic. The cars, which are destined for western India dealerships, originated at Hyundai Motor India Ltd's (HMIL) automotive manufacturing facility near Chennai. The development follows Ministry of Shipping's decision to relax cabotage regulations on special vessels under which foreign flagged Roll-on/Roll-off (Ro/Ro) vessels can ply on domestic coastal routes. "Pipavav, India - APM Terminals Pipavav welcomed the IDM Symex, which arrived with a cargo of 800 Hyundai cars loaded at the Port of Chennai on February 5, in a pioneering use of economical and environmentally-friendly coastal transportation of Indian-manufactured automobiles," the company said in a statement today. APM Terminals Pipavav, part of the APM Terminals Global Terminal Network, commenced export Ro-Ro services in August, after NYK Auto Logistics India invested in a state of the art stock yard and PDI [pre-delivery inspection] facilities. Link Shipping and Management Systems Pvt Ltd is pioneering this venture. "We are very proud to be a part of this historic intra- coastal shipment of Indian automobiles, serving India's growing automotive industry with safe, and environmentally sustainable logistics alternatives," said APM Terminals Pipavav Managing Director Keld Pedersen. The company said modal shift incentives currently under evaluation by the Government will further encourage shifting of domestic cargo from road to sea. APM Terminals Pipavav is India's first Public Private Partnership (PPP) Port with connectivity to the Gujarat region and the northern hinterlands of India. The government has earlier said the availability of Ro-Ro vessels is essential for the success of efforts to develop coastal shipping and decongesting roads and railways. "As an example, large automobile clusters exist at Manesar and around Chennai. Large numbers of cars are transported from north to south and vice-versa. It is possible to shift major part of this transportation to coastal shipping," it has said. So far, the cabotage policy in India allowed first preference to Indian flagships over cargo and foreign ships. Cargo and foreign ships were allowed only when no suitable Indian flag vessel is available for the same. Indian importers and exporters use Colombo, Salalah, Singapore and Dubai hubs for shipments adding to their costs. At present about 60 per cent of India's exports and imports containers are transshipped through ports like Singapore and Colombo. This transshipment through ports outside the country involves not only huge expenditure but also extra 7-10 days of transit time. India at present has 12 major ports which fall under Centre's jurisdiction and about 200 non-major ports under the control of states. Academicians across Assam today strongly opposed the Centre's handling of the JNU issue saying excessive use of state power in campuses is against basic constitutional rights and deeply undermines the very act of collective living. Some also alleged that the BJP-led government wants to push back progressive and democratic voices. "I think this is an excessive use of state power in such a way as to imperil some of our basic constitutional rights. The fact that many members of the faculty have come out in a demonstration of solidarity with the protesting students confirms that it is not a mere case of youthful adventurism," eminent scholar-educationist Hiren Gohain told PTI. The entire issue also brings to focus the issue of freedom of speech and thought, apart from the autonomy of the university, he added. "I think the government should retreat from its position gracefully and the ABVP should also concede the right of dissent," said Gohain, a retired Gauhati University professor. Renowned poet and Tezpur University retired Pro-Vice Chancellor Amarjyoti Choudhury said the idea of nation as a way of collective living should never be compromised and at the same time political opportunism at the campus vitiates the process of knowledge sharing. "Further the bizarre act of assault on students and teachers in broad daylight also deeply undermines the very act of collective living. I believe these are digressions from reason and objective way of living," he said. Choudhury, also a former VC of Gauhati University, hoped that "sanity and congeniality" returns to the campus so the process of nation building in continues. Gauhati University Professor Emeritus Khanindra Chowdhury said the RSS and the BJP-led central government got a "needle hole to infiltrate" into the issue of JNU as they want to push back the progressive and democratic voices. "What is RSS and BJP's contribution to India's freedom struggle? They never took part in it. What is the national work they have done so far? They are just taking mileage of the incident, which would have die down slowly," he added. Leading theatre personality and former Principal of the premier Cotton College Sitanath Lahkar said that the police crackdown in JNU is completely disproportionate to the anti- India sloganeering in the campus and is a blatant testimony of the Modi government's attempt to "send democracy to the gallows". "It is to be noted that democracy becomes stronger when it allows space to dissent and the world will laugh at us if my country lacks tolerance to opposition," Lahkar said in a Facebook post. Lahkar, also a filmmaker, further said that the recent incidents have led to forging hitherto not seen unity among the opposition, which is a bright sign for the country. Assam University Professor Debasish Bhattacharya said the entire development is very deplorable and the police action was a detrimental step in the democratic process of India. "Anyone can have an opinion on Kashmir and what is the problem in having a discussion on that? If there is anything wrong happening, the university has its own mechanism. The government should have faith on this and should not have interfered. It is a fascist approach," he added. Jawaharlal Nehru College Assistant Professor Pallavi Deka termed the entire development as a result of mishandling and use of disproportionate arm forces by the government. "It seems that JNU has been raising some uncomfortable questions against anti-people policies of any government, so BJP is trying to settle some scores with them. If there is any evidence against anyone of doing any anti-national activities inside the campus, then action should be taken, but arrest of the JNU students union president is a misuse of the sedition law," said Deka, an alumnus of JNU. Assam University Controller of Examination Suprabir Dutta Roy condemned the attack on teachers, students and media persons yesterday in the national capital by BJP MLA O P Sharma and lawyers. "Attack on teachers cannot be acceptable. Taking law into own hands is not at all acceptable," he said. In a setback to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, ruling Congress in Karnataka on Tuesday won one seat and its rival Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won two in the fiercely-fought February 12 Assembly bypolls. In the direct fight, BJP retained Hebbal in Bengaluru and wrested Devadurga in Raichur district from Congress which snatched Bidar in north Karnataka from its arch rival. Of the three seats that went to bypolls due to the death of sitting members, BJP had held two and Congress one. The outcome has come as a blow to Siddaramaiah considering the prestige invested in the contest to wrest the seats from BJP. Bogged down by infighting, former prime minister H D Deve Gowda-led Janata Dal (Secular) lost deposit in all the constituencies. BJP candidate Y A Narayana Swamy defeated his nearest Congress opponent C K Abdul Rahman Sharief, grandson of former Railway Minister C K Jaffar Sharief, by a margin of 19,149 votes in Hebbal. Sharief was given the ticket at the last minute against the wishes of Siddaramaiah who had plumped for his favourite Byrathi Suresh, a member of Legislative Council, as the candidate. In Bidar, Congress' Rahim Khan triumphed by a margin of 22,721 votes, defeating his closest opponent Prakash Khandre of BJP. K Shivana Gouda Nayak of BJP defeated A Rajashekhra Nayak of Congress by a margin of 16,871 votes in Devadurga. Speaking to reporters in Mysuru, Siddaramaiah said he will "bow" to the verdict of the people but said that the verdict would have no bearing on his government. Home minister and also state Congress Chief G Parameshwara said the party will introspect about its loss in two seats. "We aimed to win all three and expected at least two but, the outcome is not that way. We will introspect and find reasons about loss in two seats," he said. BJP leader Prahlad Joshi said it was a vote against the "arrogant conduct" of Siddaramaiah while another party leader and former chief minister Jagadish Shettar claimed it was an indicator of the future political direction in the state. Amid by-election results, all the three parties are also pinning hopes on zila and taluka panchayat elections outcome for which the first phase of polls in 15 districts were held on Friday. The second phase of polling for the rest 15 districts will be held on February 20. The results will be out on February 23. Hundreds of journalists today held a protest march against the attack on mediapersons covering the hearing of a sedition case in which the JNU Students' Union president has been arrested. Representing various journalist bodies, journalists walked from the Press Club to the Supreme Court raising slogans in support of freedom of expression and against alleged police inaction during the incident yesterday. They have demanded that the culprits be brought to book. A delegation of journalists also met Home Minister Rajnath Singh and sought a enquiry into the incident and that strict action be taken against those involved in the assault at the Patiala House Court Complex. The journalists questioned the "silence of police" over the attack on students and media, calling it an insult to the judiciary as the incident took place inside a court complex. Journalists, students and teachers of JNU were beaten up allegedly by groups of lawyers, drawing criticism from the press. There have been calls for the Home Ministry to look into the "dereliction of duty" by police, which has been accused of being a "mute spectator" during the incident. The journalist bodies said it was a matter of "great concern" that attacks on mediapersons are "going up". Police have said two FIRs have been registered against unnamed persons in connection with the attack. Two Chinese Uighur Muslim men today pleaded not guilty of involvement in Thailand's worst-ever bomb attack on a popular Brahma temple here as they appeared before a military court with the lawyer of one of the suspects alleging that his client was tortured to force confession. The two accused Bilal Mohammed, alias Adem Karadag, and Yusufu Mieraili, who were arrested soon after the bombing on August 17 last year, were brought before the military court handcuffed and in shackles for a plea hearing in the military court. The suspects made their first appearance at the military court in the case since November, when they were read the charges against them. Police had claimed that the two had confessed to playing a role in the country's worst-ever attack that killed 20 people mostly Chinese tourists and wounded at least 120 others. Thejudge read the charges of attempted and premeditated murder, possession of illegal weapons and illegal entry to the two men through a Uighur translator. Both the men, who are in prison for last six months, said they were not guilty of the bombing charges. However, Mohammed admitted he had entered the country illegally. Mohammed's lawyer Schoochart Kanpai said that his client had been tortured to force confession. Both sides will review evidence in April. No group claimed responsibility for the bombing. Thai authorities had claimed that it was done to avenge the government's crackdown on human trafficking gangs. However, some analysts suspected it might have been the work of Uighur separatists who were angry that Thailand in July had forcibly repatriated more than 100 Uighurs to China, where they may be persecuted. Police awarded themselves USD 84,000 reward after the arrest of Mohammed, who is accused of being the man seen in CCTV footage wearing a yellow T-shirt and placing a backpack at the shrine moments before the explosion. During questioning authorities say Mieraili, 26, confessed to delivering the backpack bomb to another man who planted the device. Police chief Chakthip Chaijinda said it was the defendants' right to retract their earlier confession, but police have witnesses and clear evidence to prosecute them. Weeks after the Pathankot attack created a debate on security, Deputy Chief of Army Staff Lt Gen Subrata Saha today said he is not in favour of floodlighting the borders and would prefer neutralising the infiltrators in the dark using latest technology. "The constant debate is -- should we light up the fence or keep it dark. If you light it up, you discourage the fellow who is infiltrating but if you keep it dark and exploit technology, you are able to eliminate that fellow," Lt Gen Saha told an industry gathering at the Make in India week here. "And if you ask me, it is better to eliminate than discourage," he added. Lt Gen Saha said he was posted as the corps commander in Kashmir before the current assignment and clarified that he is only presenting the army's need so that the industry can develop capabilities. The comments come over a month after the Pathankot attack in which six terrorists attacked the air force station resulting in deaths of seven security personnel. Lt Gen Saha said the Army is looking at capability development and modernisation and broadly divides its requirements into two categories -- hi-tech, involving bigger expenditure, and smaller requirements. In hi-tech, it has requirements for items like infantry combat vehicles, unmanned aerial vehicles and latest helicopters, he said. Highlighting a potential opportunity for smaller businesses, Lt Gen Saha said 42 per cent of the contracts on equipment are under Rs 150 crore. He said issues like Jammu and Kashmir, insurgency in some northeastern states and sporadic attacks like the one at Pathankot require it to be prepared for all eventualities. Lt Gen Saha said the Army would be holding roadshows across the industrial hubs in the country to impress its requirements, so that the entrepreneurs can take advantage of the opportunities. Telecom major Bharti Airtel today announced restructuring of its loss-making African telecom business by grouping operations in 15 countries under eight clusters along with change in management structure. The company has elevated Airtel Africa MD and CEO Christian Defaria to the position of Executive Chairman of Airtel Africa. Also, the operator appointed its director of Customer Experience (India and South Asia), Raghunath Mandava, as Chief Operating Officer of Airtel Africa. "We believe we have a strong platform to accelerate our journey towards profitability and market leadership and the new cluster-based organisation design will provide an enabling environment to the teams," Bharti Airtel Chairman Sunil Bharti Mittal said in a statement. On the appointment of Christian Defaria, Mittal said, "Christian has done an excellent job by streamlining the operations, strengthening the leadership teams across Africa while enhancing the image of Airtel brand across Africa." In his new role, he will continue to support the vision of Airtel Africa and lead all matters relating to legal, regulatory affairs, shareholders as well as mergers and acquisitions. In the third quarter ended December 31, 2015, Africa unit posted net loss of USD 74 million as compared to USD 136 million in the corresponding quarter last year. In constant currency terms, Africa revenues grew by 3.1 per cent to USD 1,026 million as compared to USD 995 million in the corresponding quarter of last year. Airtel moved its director of Customer Experience, India and South Asia Raghunath Mandava as Chief Operating Officer, Airtel Africa. Mandava, who has been with Airtel since 2003, will relocate to Nairobi and will be fully responsible for the commercial operations. "The appointment of Raghu will help leverage the platform and sharpen our market focus and strengthen the innovation pipeline. We remain fully committed to Africa and will continue to invest in the growth of our operations," Mittal said. As per the new cluster-based organisation design, operations in 15 African countries will now be classified into eight clusters with all cluster heads reporting to Raghu, the company said. Airtel has appointed its present Delhi cirlce COO Sarang Kanade as Director - Customer Experience, India & South Asia in place of Mandava. He will report to Bharti Airtel's CEO for India and South Asia Gopal Vittal. Airtel entered the African market in 2010 by acquiring telecom business of Kuwait-based Zain Telecom in 17 countries for USD 10.7 billion. However the Indian telecom major is reducing its footprint in Africa to improve financial performance. In January Airtel announced sale of its operations in Burkina Faso and Sierra Leone to France-based Orange. Airtel in July last year announced entering into an agreement with Orange to sell its four subsidiaries Burkina Faso, Chad, Congo Brazzaville and Sierra Leone, in Africa. The agreements for the remaining two countries have lapsed. BJP and its NDA allies today won seven out of 12 seats in the Assembly by-elections in eight states, making gains in Uttar Pradesh and Karnataka. BJP wrested the communally-sensitive and politically significant Muzaffarnagar in Uttar Pradesh from the ruling Samajwadi Party and Devadurga seat from ruling Congress in Karnataka. It retained a seat each in Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh while its allies Shiv Sena and RLSP also retained their seats in Maharashtra and Bihar. Another BJP ally Akali Dal won the Khadoor Sahib seat in Punjab. It was earlied held by Congress, which chose not to contest this time round. The win in Muzaffarnagar besides the victory in Ghaziabad mayoral poll are of particular significance for BJP which has suffered a series of electoral setbacks in UP after it swept the state in the 2014 Lok Sabha poll on the back of 'Modi wave'. Western UP, of which Muzaffarnagar is a part, has seen the saffron party and its affiliates playing the Hindutva card to the hilt and attacking the Akhilesh Yadav government over its vote bank politics aimed allegedly at appeasing Muslims. The results are a mixed bag for Congress as it could win only one of the three seats in Karnataka. Both the parties snatched the remaining two seats from each other. However, Congress win in Muslim-dominated Deoband in Uttar Pradesh will come as a morale-booster for the party. Jharkhand BJP MLA Dhullu Mahto, reacting to reports of extortion against him, today demanded in the assembly that he must be allowed to reply to an issue reportedly raised by the opposition in his absence during the opening day of the Budget session on Monday. On this Speaker Dinesh Oraon today told the BJP MLA that the House proceedings did not mention any issue pertaining to him in the proceedings. "I have checked yesterday's proceedings and did not find it in them," Oraon said. Mahto then agreed to Oraon's appeal to preserve the dignity of the House. He then termed the extortion allegations against him as "conspiracy" and demanded a probe into the charges. "The government has probe agencies and can set up probe at whatever level to find the truth," Mahto said to a query on media reports that he had allegedly demanded money from a Russian company in Dhanbad district. "I am facing charges under Section 353 (assault or use of criminal force to deter a public servant from discharge of his duty). So are several other political leaders. But I am being hounded while nothing is happening to them," Mahto, who is also the general secretary of United Coal Workers Union affiliated to All India Trade Union Congress, said. (Reopens CES12) The Speaker told Mahto that he would look into the matter if he (Mahto) submitted details in writing. "If you give in writing (on the matter) to the Chair, then it will be looked into," the Speaker said. Himachal Pradesh BJP has rejected the charge of the Chief Minister that it did not cooperate with the government during past three years and said that the party always acted in the interest of the country, rising above party politics, in and outside the Vidhan Sabha. Dubbing the remarks of chief minister Virbhadra Singh as expression of frustration due to failure on all fronts, the state BJP president Satpal Singh Satti said that the "BJP is committed to give cooperation to the government in the larger national interest". Alleging that the funds allocated for several schemes lapsed due to carelessness and casual approach of the government which failed to utilised the funds, Satti said the Centre had committed Rs 640 crore under skill development programme but the government indulged in "favoritism, nepotism and corruption" and out of Rs 100 crore given as first installment only Rs 13-crore could be spent. Terming the statement of chief minister on spread of Jaundice in Shimla as disappointing, Satti said that "while thousands of people are suffering with jaundice and many lives have been lost, chief minister is comparing the outbreak of disease on a large scale with minor ailments like cough and cold". "The government has no achievement to boast and this is the reason that instead of organising some function at the state level, the chief minister chose to address a press conference to list his achievements", Satti said. He asked the chief minister to name any scheme launched by the state government in which central assistance wasnot sought. The chief spokesman of the BJP, Ganesh Dutt also dismissed the claims of spectacular development of the state during last three years and said that "No doubt the state has made rapid progress but in fact the corrupt people and those involved in scams have progressed more". "The Mafia rule has extended to every corner of the state, law and order situation has deteriorated and developmental works have suffered but the chief minister is blaming the BJP for its failures on all fronts," he said. Asserting that the BJP was discharging the responsibility of main opposition in best possible manner, Dutt said that a major achievement of the government was that "jaundice" has reached every home. The Congress had promised to give government job to at least one person in every family in its manifesto in 2012 elections and also promised employment allowance to the youth but fooled the youth by introducing the skill development scheme, Dutt added. The Nagaland Unit of Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) has staged a protest rally against the anti-India slogans raised in the campus of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU). Condemning the anti-slogans raised in JNU campus, BJP state unit president, Visasolie Lhoungu said "We will not tolerate anti-national activities". He also called upon the people to stand united and to protect the country for the common good of the people. BJYM Nagaland general secretary, Arvind Damani hit out at Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi for trying to malign the image of Narendra Modi led NDA government. He appealed to all responsible citizens to stop sympathizing with terrorism and promote nationalism. The rally was held outside the BJP office in Dimapur district yesterday. Government bonds (G-Secs) prices dropped further on persistent selling by corporates and banks. The Interbank call money market ended lower owing to lower demand from borrowing banks amidst ample liquidity conditions in the banking system. The 7.59 per cent government security maturing in 2026 fell to Rs 98.6850 from Rs 98.87 previously, while its yield rose to 7.78 per from 7.75 per cent. The 7.88 per cent government security maturing in 2030 dipped to Rs 98.43 as compared to Rs 98.73, while its yield moved up to 8.07 per cent from 8.03 per cent. The 7.72 per cent government security maturing in 2025 also dipped to Rs 98.64 as against Rs 99.00, while its yield advanced to 7.92 from 7.87 per cent. The 8.27 per cent government security maturing in 2020 the 7.68 per cent government security maturing in 2023 and the 7.59 per cent government security maturing in 2029 were also quoted lower at Rs 102.00, Rs 98.6750 and Rs 96.50, respectively. The overnight call money rates ended lower at 6.45 per cent from Monday's level of 6.80 per cent after touching a intra-day high of 7.05 percent. It opened higher 7.00 percent. Meanwhile, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), under the Liquidity Adjustment Facility (LAF), purchased securities worth Rs 88.92 billion in 21-bids at one-day repo auction at a fixed rate of 6.75 per cent this evening, while it sold securities worth Rs 39.09 billion from 29-bids at the reverse repo auction at a fixed rate of 5.75 per cent as on Feb 15. Boutros Boutros-Ghali, a veteran Egyptian diplomat who helped negotiate his country's landmark peace deal with Israel but then clashed with the United States when he served a single term as UN secretary-general, has died. He was 93. Boutros-Ghali, the scion of a prominent Egyptian Christian political family, was the first UN chief from the African continent. He stepped into the post in 1992 at a time of dramatic world changes, with the collapse of the Soviet Union, the end of the Cold War and the beginning of a unipolar era dominated by the United States. But after four years of frictions with the Clinton administration, the United States blocked his renewal in the post in 1996, making him the only UN secretary-general to serve a single term. He was replaced by Ghanaian Kofi Annan. The current president of the UN Security Council, Venezuelan Ambassador Rafael Ramirez, announced Boutros-Ghali's death at the start of a session today on Yemen's humanitarian crisis. The 15 council members stood in a silent tribute. Boutros-Ghhali died today at a Cairo hospital, Egypt's state agency said. He had been admitted to the hospital after suffering a broken pelvis, the Al-Ahram newspaper reported on Thursday. Boutros-Ghali's five years in the United Nations remain controversial. Some see him as seeking to establish the UN's independence from the world superpower, the United States. Others blame him for misjudgements in the failures to prevent genocides in Africa and the Balkans and mismanagement of reform in the world body. In his farewell speech to the UN, Boutros-Ghali said he had thought when he took the post that the time was right for the United Nations to play an effective role in a world no longer divided into warring Cold War camps. "But the middle years of this half decade were deeply troubled," he said. "Disillusion set in." In a 2005 interview with The Associated Press, Boutros-Ghali called the 1994 massacre in Rwanda in which half a million Tutsis and moderate Hutus were killed in 100 days, "my worst failure at the United Nations." But he blamed the United States, Britain, France and Belgium for paralysing action by setting impossible conditions for intervention. Then-US President Bill Clinton and other world leaders were opposed to taking strong action to beef up UN peacekeepers in the tiny Central African nation or intervening to stop the massacres. "The concept of peacekeeping was turned on its head and worsened by the serious gap between mandates and resources," he told AP. Boutros-Ghali also came under fire for the July 1995 Serb slaughter of 8,000 Muslims in the UN-declared "safe zone" of Srebrenica in eastern Bosnia just before the end of the war. British Parliamentarian Bob Blackman today visited Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Council Secretariat. He was accompanied by Surinder Ambardar, Member Legislative Council (MLC) and Laxmi Koul, Founder of Kashmiri Pandit Cultural Society London, an official spokesman said. Secretary Legislative Council Abdul Majid briefed Blackman about the activities of the Council Secretariat. Legislators, Muzaffar Ahmad Parray, Sham Lal Bhagat and Surinder Choudhary and other senior officers of the Council Secretariat were present on the occasion. Blackman also briefed them about the functioning of the British Parliament, followed by a visit to the House and Central Hall of Legislature Complex. He was impressed by the old and rare photographs of famous dignitaries of the country as well as of Jammu and Kashmir state displayed in the hall. PDP leader and Trustee J&K Dharmarth Trust, Vikramaditya Singh hosted Blackman's maiden visit to Jammu. Singh hosted a tea party in honour of the MP and his wife at Amar Mahal Palace & Museum where they interacted with prominent citizens, senior political leaders, educationalists, members of the business community, ex-servicemen and media persons of Jammu. In his brief and informal address, Blackman extended his support to important issues concerning the state including the developing ties between Jammu and Kashmir and the United Kingdom. Yesterday, the MP had visited the holy shrine of Mata Kheer Bhawani in Srinagar facilitated by J&K Dharmarth Trust. His itinerary also includes a visit to Sri Raghunath Ji Mandir, Jammu and the Sanskrit Library known for its rare collection of ancient manuscripts. Members of Bhartiya Janata Party Yuva Morcha today took out a procession and burnt effigy of Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi here. The BJYM members led by general secretary Abhijat Mishra filed a complaint at Hazratganj police station against Rahul supporting those raising anti-national slogans at JNU. Rahul had accused NDA government of "suppressing" students' voice when he visited the JNU campus to express solidarity with them, a day after the arrest of its students' union president Kanhaiya Kumar in a sedition case. Buoyed by NDA constituents' win in seven of the 12 bypolls whose results were declared today, BJP claimed people have shown their preference for its developmental politics over "vote-bank politics" of Congress and Samajwadi Party governments. The party's national secretary Shrikant Sharma used the UP bypoll results to target the Akhilesh Yadav government, alleging it had "failed" on all fronts and people had voted against it. All the three seats that went to polls were earlier held by SP but it could retain only one with Congress and BJP winning a seat each. BJP also won the Ghaziabad mayoral elections. "By misusing the official machinery and deploying its goons, SP had managed to win in local polls so far. People have given it a stern message now. "A countdown to its government has begun. It has failed on all fronts. Corruption and crime are at a high while public facilities like education and health are in a disarray," Sharma charged. UP goes to Assembly polls early next year. BJP won two out of three seats in Congress-ruled Karnataka and presented the result as people's "disapproval" of the state government which, Sharma alleged, was "neck-deep" in corruption. Its allies Shiv Sena, Akali Dal and RLSP also won a seat each in Maharashtra, Punjab and Bihar respectively. With the Supreme Court putting no hurdle in formation of a new government, the Union Cabinet may recommend revocation of President's rule in Arunachal Pradesh soon, possibly by tomorrow. The Home Ministry is waiting for a report from Governor J P Rajkhowa about the latest political situation in the sensitive border state after 31 MLAs, led by Congress dissident Kalikho Pul, met him yesterday. Official sources said the Governor's report is expected soon and if it suggests formation of a new government, the Home Ministry will present a note before tomorrow's scheduled meeting of the Union Cabinet to be chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Yesterday, Pul, accompanied by 31 MLAs, had called on the Governor to stake claim to form the next government in the state which is under President's Rule. He was accompanied by 19 Congress MLAs along with 11 BJP legislators and two independent members. This led to Congress moving the Supreme Court seeking an order that no new government formation is permitted and status quo be maintained. However, the apex court refused to pass an interim order restraining the Governor from swearing in a new government in Arunachal Pradesh. The revolt by Congress dissidents led by Pul ledto a political crisis in the state that finally led to imposition of President's rule on January 26. Former chief minister Nabam Tuki reportedly has the support of 26 MLAs in the 60-member Assembly. Congress, which had 47 MLAs in the 60-member assembly, suffered a jolt when 21 of its lawmakers revolted against Tuki's leadership. Eleven BJP MLAs and two independents backed the rebels in the bid to upstage the government. Later, 14 rebel Congress MLAs were disqualified by the Speaker. The Supreme Court, which is considering pleas against imposition of President's rule in Arunachal Pradesh, is hearing petitions seeking examination of constitutional schemes on the scope of discretionary powers of the Governor. Swedish police said today that they were still trying to find out why the car of British indie band Viola Beach broke through two barriers and plunged off a canal bridge this weekend, killing he musicians and their manager. "We have not found anything that could explain what happened. We do not know," police spokesman Lars Bystrom told AFP. Early Sunday morning, the car, which one witness said was travelling at around 70 kilometres per hour, drove through several signal lights and two barriers towards a canal bridge near Stockholm -- the centre of which was up to let a vessel pass. The four band members and their manager, aged between 20 and 35, died when the car crashed 26 metres into the water. Lorry driver Jonny Alexandersson told the Aftonbladet newspaper that other vehicles were waiting for the bridge to close fully, but the band's car sped towards the bridge "at a crazy speed". Swedish police and bridge operators said that the barriers and signal lights were working normally at the time of the crash. "For the moment we are examining the car, to see if everything functioned properly, including the brakes, and we are examining the bodies of the people that were inside," Bystrom said. When asked what kind of tests police were conducting, Bystrom said authorities were carrying out "routine tests for this kind of accident". The band, who last year released a debut single, had been in Sweden for a Friday night "Where's the music" festival in the central city of Norrkoping and were headed back to Britain for a gig the following day. Indian scientists have developed a flexible nanogenerator out of cellulose that could power future implanted biomedical devices by harvesting energy from the human body. Implantable electronics can deliver drugs, monitor vital signs and perform other health-related roles. But finding a way to power them remains a challenge. Now, scientists from Department of Physics at Jadavpur University in Kolkata have built a flexible nanogenerator out of cellulose, an abundant natural material, that could potentially harvest energy from the body - its heartbeats, blood flow and other almost imperceptible but constant movements. Efforts to convert the energy of motion - from footsteps, ocean waves, wind and other movement sources - are well underway, researchers wrote in American Chemical Society's journal Applied Materials and Interfaces. "Basically cellulose is natural materials, purified form of wood, where few compounds such as hemicellulose and lignin are removed," Dipankar Mandal, Assistant Professor of Department of Physics Organic Nano-Piezoelectric Device Laboratory told PTI. "Since our biomedical device (Cellulose nanogenerator) is made with cellulose, thus major importance/significance of our research work is it is naturally abundant. As a result the cost of the device will be very less that would be affordable by common people," said Mandal. "It is expected that this type of wood made biomedical device can be very much useful for health-care monitoring that could be operated from home, so the initial health checkup can be very easily and regular manner," he said. Many of these developing technologies are designed with the goal of powering everyday gadgets and even buildings. As such, they do not need to bend and are often made with stiff materials. However, to power biomedical devices inside the body, a flexible generator could provide more versatility. So Mandal and his student Mehebub Alam at Jadavpur University set out to design one. The researchers turned to cellulose, the most abundant biopolymer on Earth, and mixed it in a simple process with a kind of silicone called polydimethylsiloxane - the stuff of breast implants - and carbon nanotubes. Repeated pressing on the resulting nanogenerator lit up about two dozen LEDs instantly. It also charged capacitors that powered a portable Liquid-crystal-display (LCD), a calculator and a wrist watch. Since cellulose is non-toxic, the researchers said the device could potentially be implanted in the body and harvest its internal stretches, vibrations and other movements. The government will soon consider a proposal for setting up 1,980 Mw Ghatampur thermal power project, which has been hanging fire for over three years, entailing investment of Rs 16,029.32 crore in Kanpur district of Uttar Pradesh. "The proposal for the 1,980 Mw Ghatampur project will soon be sent to Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approval. It was discussed in the recent meeting of the Public Investment Board," a source said. "The board had approved the project earlier in 2013 subject to environment clearance. Since the clearance was received after lapse of six months of board's approval, it would be vet by the panel again." The source further said, "The board's approval is valid for six months only. During the six months period, CCEA approval should have been sought after receiving environment clearance. Now after board's fresh approval, it would be sent for the CCEA nod." According to the latest estimates, the project will cost Rs 16,029.32 crore, up from initial projection of Rs 14,375 crore. The project to be implemented by Neyveli Uttar Pradesh Power Ltd (NUPPL) is a joint venture between Neyveli Lignite Corp (NLC) and Uttar Pradesh Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Ltd (UPRVUNL). The equity sharing between NLC and UPRVUNL will 51:49 per cent respectively. The joint venture agreement was signed on October 6, 2012, and the joint venture company NUPPL was registered on November 9, 2012. The Ministry of Environment has accorded green clearance to the project based on use of imported coal for the project till Pachwara south coal block attains the rated coal production. NUPPL has taken into possession of the entire land of 828 hectares required for the project and Government of India sanction for the project is awaited, the company has stated on its portal. Looking at India as an attractive investment destination for its companies, China has evinced strong interest in the ongoing 'Make in India' campaign with various delegations from the neighbouring country taking part in the summit here. Noting that China and India have become the two strongest driving forces for the world's economic growth, China's Consul General in Mumbai said both countries have great potential for common development through bilateral cooperation. "In recent years, China has begun its economic restructuring, which means that it has to transfer some of its manufacturing capacity overseas due to ever-increasing costs," Consul General of the Consulate General of the People's Republic of China (Mumbai), Zheng Xiyuan said in a note. According to Xiyuan, China's 'One Belt One Road' programme to strengthen industrial cooperation with the countries along the Silk Road makes India an important investment destination. "Under the incentives offered under the 'One Belt One Road' programme, more and more Chinese companies have strongly expressed their intention to invest overseas," Xiyuan said. "As a vital country along the Silk Road, India is gradually becoming one of most attractive investment destinations for Chinese companies...," he said. Further, he noted that as India gradually improves its services in favour of Chinese investors, such as fast licence approval, ease of obtaining work permits and business visas, Chinese investors will also contribute a lot to 'Make in India' and 'Make in Maharashtra'. The week-long manufacturing summit in India has witnessed the participation of some important delegations from China's government including the Suzhou government delegation, Hunan government delegation and China Association for Promotion of International trade, despite the fact that Chinese are currently in the midst of celebrating their half-month long New Year holiday. The consul general observed that more and more Chinese investors have come to India to study the country's investment environment, and some of them have already taken concrete steps to invest in the country. These include Beiqi Foton Car Company, Shanghai Baoshan Steel Company and Taiyuan Heavy Industry. China's economy grew 6.9 per cent in 2015 -- the lowest rate since 1990 -- and is expected to slow further this year, with the darkening perspective contributing to plunges in global stock markets in recent weeks. A former journalist with China's official agency says he has been blocked from traveling to the United States to accept a Harvard University prize for a 2008 book uncovering the devastating toll of the Great Chinese Famine of 1958-1961. Harvard's Nieman Fellows in December awarded Yang Jisheng for "Tombstone," a 1,200-page account of the famine which he estimated claimed at least 36 million Chinese lives and a decades-long government effort to whitewash one of the worst man-made disasters. Although more recent leaders have permitted, sometimes encouraged, re-evaluation of Mao-era policies, any substantial discussion of national traumas like the Great Famine can be highly sensitive. "Tombstone," for which Yang gained unprecedented access to restricted government archives, has been banned in Mainland China. Yang said by phone Tuesday that Xinhua had forbidden him to travel. He did not specify how Xinhua would prevent him from traveling or whether his passport had been confiscated, but Chinese retirees often depend substantially on their former employers for benefits and pensions. Yang successfully left the country in November because he did not inform the authorities beforehand, but "this time I gave them a heads up, that's why I can't leave," he said. He declined to comment further, saying he was forbidden to speak to foreign media. On that trip, the 76-year-old writer received the Stieg Larsson Prize in Stockholm, which he said he "accepted with grief." "I grieve for the 36 million starved dead," he said in a speech. "I grieve that this human tragedy that occurred five decades ago is still being covered up, while those who uncover this human tragedy are pressured, attacked and slandered. The US and ASEAN nations can advance a shared vision of a regional order where disputes are resolved through peaceful means, President Barack Obama has said as he welcomed leaders from the region for talks expected to discuss Chinese assertiveness in the South China Sea. Hosting 19 leaders of the ASEAN countries for the summit, Obama said, "Few regions present more opportunity to the 21st century than the Asia Pacific." "Together, we can also continue to increase our security cooperation to meet shared challenges," he said as he welcomed leaders of Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Brunei, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar and Cambodia at Rancho Mirage in California. In recent years, the US has increased its maritime security assistance to its allies and partners in the region, improving mutual capabilities to protect lawful commerce and to respond to humanitarian crisis, he said. "Here at this summit, we can advance our shared vision of a regional order where rules and norms, including freedom of navigation, are upheld and where disputes are resolved through peaceful, legal means," Obama said. This is for the first time that the US President has hosted ASEAN leaders for a summit meeting. Chinese assertiveness in the South China Sea, where China and several Southeast Asian states have conflicting and overlapping claims, is expected to figure in the joint declaration of two-day summit. "I'm very confident that, among other topics that we will discuss during the next day and a half, this (the South China Sea) will be an important one -- by no means the only one," National Security Advisor Susan Rice told reporters "I'm confident that our shared commitment to upholding these norms will be reinforced," she said in response to a question. "We will be continuing to work with our ASEAN partners on a potential statement that we might issue together. This statement will cover a wide range of topics. It won't be focused primarily on the South China Sea," she said in response to a question. "We obviously have issued such statements in the past with ASEAN, and in it we consistently underscore our shared commitment to a peaceful resolution of disputes, freedom of commerce and navigation, the rule of law, and the necessity of disputes being resolved through peaceful, legal means," Rice said. "We also have expressed concerns about efforts to resolve disputes through other means, and we'll continue to do so," she said. Observing that America's ties with Asia has expanded dramatically in the seven year of the Obama Administration, Rice said ASEAN is an increasingly important partner in addressing regional and global challenges -- from maritime disputes to climate change, pandemic disease to violent extremism, sustainable development to trafficking in persons. During the summit, she said, the leaders would discuss their shared interest in promoting innovation and entrepreneurship, encouraging peaceful resolution of disputes, and combatting terrorism, pandemic disease, climate change, and trafficking in persons. All countries were represented by their leader, except Myanmar, who sent Vice President Nyan Tun. Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung also turned up, reversing an earlier decision not to come. Rice said North Korea is a topic of interest to the entire region, certainly to the US and its allies in Japan and the Republic of Korea. "So we will continue our work to contain and reduce the threat posed by North Korea. We'll do it both in the context of our discussions here on the margins -- this is not a topic formally on the agenda -- but more urgently, as we have done bilaterally and trilaterally in our cooperation with the Korean government in Seoul and Japanese government as well," she said. China must release detained rights lawyers and activists "immediately and without conditions", UN rights chief Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein said in a statement today. In a nationwide crackdown that began in July, China has detained about 250 "human rights lawyers, legal assistants, and activists", the statement said, adding that some have since been released. According to Zeid's spokesman Rupert Colville, the UN rights chief has held talks with Chinese officials over the arrests, most recently at the weekend. Zaid has raised concern over the "harassment and intimidation of government critics" and civil society workers, the statement said. It specifically highlighted the January arrests of 15 human rights lawyers, 10 of whom faced charges of "subversion of state power". Among those arrested last month were Li Heping and Wang Yu, two prominent lawyers. "Lawyers should never have to suffer prosecution or any other kind of sanctions or intimidation for discharging their professional duties," Zeid said. "I urge the Government of China to release all of them immediately and without conditions." Officials from Beijing "too often reflexively confuse the legitimate role of lawyers and activists with threats to public order and security," Zeid said. The statement also voiced concern over the recent disappearance of five employees of the Hong Kong publishing house Mighty Current, which continues to release works critical of the Chinese government. After months of silence, Beijing acknowledged that these individuals were under criminal investigation. Zeid called for "fair and transparent" procedures in the cases. He also sounded an alarm over the early January arrest in Beijing of Swedish national Peter Dahlin, who co-founded a civil society organisation offering legal assistance called Chinese Urgent Action Working Group. Dahlin was the first foreign national held on charges of "endangering state security" in China. He was expelled from the country on January 26. Zeid meanwhile expressed regret over a growing trend of governments using national security to justify crackdowns on fundamental rights, which he said was happening increasingly "around the world. China will move nearly 10,000 people to make way for the world's largest radio telescope which promises to help humanity search for alien life, state media reported today. The Five-hundred-metre Aperture Spherical Radio Telescope (FAST), nestled between hills in the southwestern province of Guizhou, is due to start operation this year. Provincial officials have vowed to relocate 9,110 residents living within five kilometres of the listening device by September, the official Xinhua agency said. The relocations will "create a sound electromagnetic wave environment", it cited a top regional official named Li Yuecheng as saying. Residents will receive USD 1,800 in subsidies for their troubles, with some getting extra support for housing, it said. FAST, built at a cost of 1.2 billion yuan, will dwarf the Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico as the world's largest radio telescope, which is some 300 metres in diameter. Xinhua earlier cited Wu Xiangping, director-general of the Chinese Astronomical Society, as saying that the telescope's high level of sensitivity "will help us to search for intelligent life outside of the galaxy". In the past China has relocated hundreds of thousands of people to make way for large infrastructure projects such as dams and canals. Many complain of poor compensation. The area surrounding the telescope is remote and relatively poor. Xinhua earlier said it was chosen because there are no major towns nearby. As well as upping investment in astronomy, Beijing is accelerating its multi-billion-dollar space exploration programme, with plans for a permanent orbiting station by 2020 and eventually a manned mission to the moon. In the wake of death of two civilians two days back, Jammu and Kashmir Governor N N Vohra today directed security forces to exercise maximum restraint to minimise collateral damage while conducting operations against militants. "Maximum restraint should be exercised to minimise collateral damage while conducting operations against militants/terrorists," Vohra said at a high level meeting he chaired to review the maintenance of security in Kashmir Valley. The directions came two days after two civilians were killed allegedly in firing by security forces in Pulwama district during law and order problems in the aftermath of an encounter between security forces and militants. The state government has ordered a magisterial probe into the incident leading to death of the two civilians, both University students. The meeting was attended by two Advisors to the Governor, Chief Secretary, DGP, Principal Secretary to Governor, Home Secretary, Corps Commander of Army, Inspectors General of BSF and CRPF, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, IGP Kashmir and senior officers of the State and central intelligence agencies. The Governor directed the DGP to hold urgent discussions with the security forces to evolve a fully-agreed standard drill to be followed before and post-operations against the militants. He stressed the need for enforcing strict pre-emptive measures, including imposition of reasonable restrictions, as part of the approach to be followed in minimizing inconvenience to the people at large and ensure that the encounters against militants do not result in injury or any unfortunate killing of innocent civilians. The DGP was also directed to review and enforce clear procedures for the firing of live ammunition in dealing with varied emerging situations. The Governor also stressed the urgent importance of pro-active steps being taken for creating awareness amongst the people at large to keep away from the area where operations against militants were ongoing. He pushed for use of increased application of technology to further improve the capability of security agencies and ensure against any colateral damage to the civil population while conducting anti-militancy operations. The meeting discussed various important issues relating to the internal and external security situation in the Kashmir Valley, particularly in the backdrop of the Pulwama incident. The controversial actions of Arunachal Pradesh Governor J P Rajkhowa were today raised by Congress at the all-party meeting convened by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and, in this backdrop, the role of Governors could figure in the President's Address to the joint sitting to Parliament next week. At the two-and-a-half-hour meeting in the Prime Minister's Office, parties like Trinamool Congress, Samajwadi Party, BSP and JDU emphasised that the upcoming Budget session should be allowed to function without any disruptions. With regard to disruptions, Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad expressed strong objection to Modi's recent comment that "one family" is stalling the legislative work in Parliament, an apparent reference to Sonia Gandhi and her son Rahul Gandhi, according to sources present in the meeting. Azad and his party colleague Anand Sharma referred to Rajkhowa's actions, to which the Prime Minister is believed to have said that the role of Governors, past and present, is something that can be debated upon, the sources said. He told the meeting that he had recently held a "frank" discussion with President Pranab Mukherjee on the issue of Governors' role, the sources said. The issue of Governors might figure in the President's customary address to the joint sitting of Parliament on February 23, the first day of the Budget session, they said. During the meeting, leader of NDA-constituent Akali Dal Naresh Gujral is learnt to have remarked that minorities are feeling "uneasy" in the country even though he praised the Prime Minister as well as his government, the sources said. D Raja of CPI is believed to have said that the situation in the country is "scary" and the government should take action, the sources said. Trinamool Congress leader Derek O'Brien, while pressing for passage of the long-pending GST bill during the upcoming Parliament session, said BJP and Congress, whether while being in government or opposition, had wasted enough time. With regard to the JNU issue, Congress and Left parties were together in objecting to the government action which was defended by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, who said there is a difference between "free speech and hate speech". With regard to functioning of Parliament, leaders of Congress and CPI(M) made somewhat similar comments, according to the sources. While Azad said Parliament is the "mirror of the society", Mohd Saleem of CPI(M) remarked that Parliament is a "reflection of the society", the sources said. Significantly, the Prime Minister was in a mood to chat and recalled his days as a BJP worker and then the party spokesperson. He spoke on the issue for about 10 minutes, said one of the leaders present. Modi, an avid user of social media, remarked that it was a useful tool for dissemination of information but now it is being abused. A day after the attack on journalists, students and teachers of JNU in the Patiala House Court here, the police are yet to arrest any of the perpetrators. Despite having conducted a thorough analysis of several video grabs today, the police have failed to identify any of the accused. In the morning, a group of journalists approached senior police officials and identified one of the lawyers, who was seen attacking students in a video, as one Vikram Singh Chauhan, a police official said. Later in the day, the photograph of a poster surfaced on social media, suggesting that Chauhan is linked with BJP. However, the authenticity of the image could not be verified by the police. The police also claimed that they could not trace Chauhan and the allegations can be verified only when he is questioned. When contacted, Chauhan told PTI,"Around 100 to 150 goons who claimed to be from JNU entered the court premises and occupied seats of lawyers. When we asked them to vacate the seats, they started abusing us and it were them who attacked us first. We could not tolerate such hooliganism." Under mounting attack over police inaction when journalists and JNU students were being thrashed in a court complex, Delhi Police Commissioner B S Bassi today said the alleged negligence is being probed and the guilty will face legal action. Asked why policemen present at the Patiala House Court did not intervene when the assault was going on, Bassi said the issue pertains to people from "two different lines of thought" confronting each other in a charged environment. Yesterday, groups of lawyers had beaten up journalists and JNU students and teachers in the Court complex ahead of the hearing of the sedition case registered against JNUSU president Kanhaiya Kumar in connection with an event at the university last week to protest the hanging of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru. Following the incident, two FIRs were registered against unnamed persons under relevant Sections of the IPC, with the police taking suo motu cognisance of the entire episode. CPI(M) today hailed its victory in Birganj assembly by-poll in Tripura and thanked local voters for "reposing" faith in the ruling party. "The party politburo, now in session in New Delhi, hails the victory of party candidate. It has congratulated Tripura state committee for the victory and thanked people for reposing their faith in the party," a CPI(M) statement said. In the election held on February 13, CPI(M) candidate Parimal Debnath trounced his nearest BJP candidate by 10,597 votes in Birganj seat in Gomati district. A truck was set on fire today allegedly by a group of criminals in the midst of a two-day Jharkhand bandh call by CPI(Maoists) since yesterday, on the Ranchi-Jamshedpur National Highway within the Ichagarh police station limits in adjoining Seraikela-Kharswan district. Around ten criminals intercepted the truck by blocking the road with a tree branch and ordered the driver and his helper to get down before they torched the vehicle near Nagasoreng village at around 2 AM, Superintendent of Police, Inderjeet Mahatha said. As the two-day Maoist bandh was in force, Mahatha said it was natural for people to speculate the incident as the handiwork of Maoists. District police along with a fire brigade rushed to the spot and recorded the statements of the driver and helper, Mahatha said denying involvement of Maoists. "There was no Maoists slogan nor any leaflets found at the spot," the SP said. A case has been registered in this connection and hunt was on to apprehend the culprits involved, he said. Meanwhile, road traffic on Ranchi-Jamshedpur highway was normal and adequate force have been deployed to inculcate confidence among the people, Mahatha said. The CPI(Maoists) had called for a two-day Jharkhand and Bihar bandh to protest the killing of its commander Chiragda recently in Bihar. The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) on Tuesday inaugurated its third field hospital in the insurgency-hit Bastar region of Chhattisgarh which will provide treatment to civilians, besides paramilitary and police personnel. CRPF's Director-General (DG) Prakash Mishra launched the hospital in Bhejji -- a Naxal hotbed, lies around 500 km away from the state capital in Sukma district, Sukma Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Santosh Singh told PTI. Special Director-General of CRPF K Durga Prasad, besides senior police officials, was also present on the occasion. DG first visited Bhejji Dai (mother) temple located in the village itself. Subsequently, he addressed the local villagers gathered in the programme before inaugurating the Bhejji Mata Field hospital, the ASP said. Bhejjiis considered as a strategically important place in the Naxal hinterland of Sukma. It is located around 15 km away from Injram, situated onSukma-Kontaroad -- a patch on NH-30 that connects Jagdalpur (district headquarters of Bastar) to Vijaywada in Andhra Pradesh. CRPF camps have been set up between Injram-Bhejjiin Etegatta, Gorkha, Kottacheru and the last one at Bhejji only. Besides, a police station was also constructed in Bhejji long back. In the aftermath of Salwa Judum militia clash in 2005, natives of Bhejji had deserted the village. Last year, they started returning and re-settling there. "The area is deprived of medical and health care facilities as it lies in the interiors of dense forest pocket while some of the medical infrastructures were destroyed by the Naxals. Medical support to local villagers would be a major function of the hospital," a CRPF official said. Besides, ensuring first aid medical assistance to personnel injured during operation would also be key task of this hospital, he added. CRPF had set up a field hospital one each at Chintalnar (Sukma) and Bijapur last year. As many as 32 air rifles and pistols which were imported from the US have been seized by the Customs officials here. These pistols had come in two parcels from the US and during their examination at the Foreign Post Office, seven air rifles and 25 air pistols were recovered, Commissioner of Air Cargo Export S R Baruah said today. "These pistols are made of metal body and strongly suspected that it can be modified to fire bullets. These pistols can also be used by unscrupulous elements in highway robberies and to scare the people," he said. These seized guns are of Pietro Beretta Gardone and Parabellum Pistol, models and capable of firing upto 274 metres, the official said. These parcels were detected earlier this month. In another case reported last month, the officials had seized spare parts of air guns like barrels, firing mechanism, wooden and plastic buts, high pressure gas cylinders from examination of six parcels. In this case, the importer's premises were searched and some incriminating documents had been seized, Baruah said. These spare parts are allowed to be imported by national Rifle Association for supply to eligible shooters, renowned shooters, Arjuna Award winners and other target shooters in accordance with guidelines issued by the Home Ministry. The importer during investigation has admitted that he does not possessed valid documents, he said. Over 20,000 speed post and registered parcels including letter mails are being handled in a day at Foreign Post office here. These includes letter mails, bonafide gifts, goods, drugs, medicines and other items. The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, will meet next week during which key proposals mooted by the armed forces are likely to be taken up. Defence sources said some aspects of the proposed Defence Procurement Procedure will also be discussed during the meeting scheduled on February 23. It will also review the progress of key deals that has been decided upon previously. The DAC, set up in 2001 as part of the post-Kargil reforms in defence sector, approves the long-term integrated perspective plan for the forces, accords acceptance of necessity (AON) to begin acquisition proposals, and has to grant its approval to all major deals through all their important phases. It also has the power to approve any deviations in an acquisition, and recommends all big purchases for approval of the Cabinet committee on security. Dismissing reports that the recent death of a girl in Uttarakhand was due to side effects of a pill administered during a national deworming drive, the Health Ministry today said it was pneumonia which caused the death and asserted that the drug was "safe and effective". The Health Ministry said a report submitted by the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) has "clearly negated" that the death was due to side effects of Albendazole, a deworming tablet. "The report from the district CMO submitted to the Ministry has clearly negated this causal relationship, terming the deworming drug as safe and effective. "According to the report, the child had been admitted to the Sushila Tiwari hospital at Haldwani on February 13, 2016 at 1.21 AM with status epilepticus (epilepsy) with shock with aspiratory pneumonia and was in a critical state. "This has also been stated to be the cause of the death of the child. The symptoms depicted by the child are not produced as a side effect of the drug Albendazole tablet, the report has noted," the Ministry said in a statement. According to reports, more than 50 children fell ill after being administered Albendazole in Udham Singh Nagar district in Uttarakhand on National Deworming Day on February 10. One of the victims, an eight-year-old girl, admitted to Dr Sushila Tiwari Government Medical College and Hospital died in the medical facility during treatment on Monday. Following this, Uttarakhand State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (SCPCR) had taken suo motu cognizance of the death and also issued a notice to the director of Health Department seeking a detailed report on the matter, reports said. Recently more than 200 children were taken to hospitals in Bihar, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Haryana and Chhattisgarh when they complained of uneasiness after being administered Albendazole tablets on the National Deworming Day. The Health Ministry had sought to play down the reports and said there is "no need to worry or panic" as the drug is WHO approved and has "mild side effects" on one to two per cent of the children for a short time. The Ministry claims it to be the largest-ever single-day public health drive in the world, targeting approximately 27 crore children aged between one and 19 years throughout the country who are at a risk of parasitic worm infection. It was carried out through schools and anganwadi centres. "Albendazole 400 mg is a safe and effective drug for the treatment of parasitic worms. It is approved by the World Health Organization for treatment of worms and used globally," Health Minister J P Nadda had said. "I want to assure the parents that there is no need to worry or panic. None of the cases reported were serious. All of them are being closely monitored. It was a huge programme where around 27 crore children were given deworming tablets," he said. Attacking Delhi Police over its inaction when journalists and JNU students were being thrashed in a court complex here yesterday, AAP today dubbed them "deaf and dumb", and asked why no action was taken against BJP MLA O P Sharma for his alleged involvement in the assault. The party also questioned why the police was not checking the video in which JNU Students' Union president Kanhaiya Kumar, who has been arrested on sedition charges, was talking in favour of following the Constitution. "The Delhi Police has become deaf and dumb since yesterday. It has taken no action against BJP MLA O P Sharma who is seen assaulting JNU students and journalists and terrorising them," AAP leader Sanjay Singh said. Yesterday, groups of lawyers had beaten up journalists and JNU students and teachers in the Patiala House court complex ahead of the hearing of sedition case registered against Kumar in connection with an event at the varsity last week to protest the hanging of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru. Delhi BJP MLA OP Sharma was also seen beating up a CPI activist. Earlier, Delhi Police Commissioner B S Bassi said the alleged negligence on the part of police is being probed and the guilty will face legal action. Singh also noted that those who raised anti-India slogans during the event have not been arrested yet and demanded an independent probe into who those people were. "There were anti-India slogans in JNU and those who gave those slogans have not been arrested yet. There should be an independent probe into this, on who these people were whose faces were masked and which party they belong to," he said. The AAP leader also accused BJP and RSS of "tarnishing" the image of JNU. "JNU has given the country several IAS and IPS officers, thinkers and academicians and the BJP and the RSS are tarnishing the image of a reputed organisation. There are many in Delhi Police who are from JNU and I urge them to stand up against the campaign to defame the varsity," he said. Singh also lashed out at BJP for "hobnobbing" with PDP leaders who consider Afzal Guru as "martyr" and not a terrorist involved in the attack on Parliament. "The BJP on one hand talks about nationalism, but it is hobnobbing with the PDP to form government in Jammu and Kashmir...The same PDP, which considers Afzal Guru a martyr and not a terrorist. "This reflects the dual standards of the BJP on nationalism," he said. The Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC) expects to invite the anchor investors to set up businesses in the hi-tech zone by August. "We are in the final stages of completing the pre-PPP (private public partnership) process which includes forming special purpose vehicle and creating the basic infrastructure like transportation, water treatment, sewage treatment, among others. "This work will be completed in the next 4-5 months and by August we feel we will be able to invite anchor investors for setting up their businesses there," DMIC Chief Executive Alkesh K Sharma told PTI on the sidelines of the Make in India Week here. DMIC and six States -- Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Maharashtra -- have formed SPVs for the development of nodes. The first phase of DMIC project, which envisions development of eight of the industrial nodes, is on track. The respective states had taken the responsibility to create the necessary infrastructure, Sharma said. The DMIC is one of the world's biggest infrastructure projects with an estimated investment of USD 90 billion, and is planned as a hi-tech industrial zone spread across seven states along the 1,500 km long Western Dedicated Freight Corridor which serves as its backbone. It includes 24 industrial regions, eight smart cities, two airports, five power projects, two mass rapid transit systems and two logistical hubs. The eight investment regions proposed to be developed in Phase I of DMIC are Dadri-Noida-Ghaziabad (in UP); Manesar- Bawal (in Haryana); Khushkhera-Bhiwadi-Neemrana and Jodhpur- Pali-Marwar (in Rajasthan); Pithampur-Dhar-Mhow (in MP); Ahmedabad-Dholera Special Investment Region (SIR) in Gujarat; the Shendra-Bidkin Industrial Park and Dighi Port Industrial Area in Maharashtra. The Ahmedabad-Dholera SIR is the biggest of these with a total area of 920 sq km, with a target residential population of 2 million and employment for 8,00,000 people by 2040. Sharma said the project aims to develop sustainable global cities with world-class infrastructure to manage rapid urbanisation and create large-scale employment opportunities in these cities. Not only domestic firms but many international players have also shown keen interest in setting up their businesses in the corridor, he said. "We are getting inquiries from many international firms who want to set up either their manufacturing facilities or an R&D facility here." The government has also proposed to develop four more corridors - between Bengaluru-Mumbai, Amritsar-Kolkata, Chennai-Vizag and Chennai-Bengaluru. Ahead of the Assembly polls in West Bengal, the Election Commission has launched a special drive for 'purification' of the electoral rolls by removal of multiple entries, repeat EPIC numbers and entries of the dead voters at Polling Station level. In the two-week-long drive that started yesterday, District Election Officers (DEOs) have been instructed to prepare a list of deceased persons by compiling information from records of registered deaths maintained by local bodies under their jurisdiction, a release from the Chief Electoral Officer stated here today. A thorough check would also be made to identify the dead persons whose name still exist in the Electoral roll of the concerned parts. In this regard DEOs would also hold meetings with representatives of political parties on Friday to apprise them of the programme, the release added. In the meetings, the polling station-wise lists of probable repeated entries and voters with repeated EPIC numbers will be checked. Nearly 2,500 people left Gaza during a three-day humanitarian opening of the border with Egypt, a rare opportunity for Gazans to leave the blockaded enclave, authorities in the Palestinian territory said today. The Hamas-run interior ministry in Gaza said 2,439 people left the territory over the three days, while 1,122 entered and 334 were turned back by Egyptian authorities. The border was closed again today, a ministry statement said, after "Egyptian authorities informed us of the shutting down of the Rafah crossing." Egypt originally opened the border for humanitarian cases for two days from Saturday but that was extended for an extra day yesterday. Before Saturday, the crossing had been closed for 70 days, the ministry said. The United Nations has registered 30,000 Palestinians as "humanitarian cases" seeking to leave Gaza. At the crossing, long lines of Gazans queued, many carrying heavy suitcases. Sarah Abu Karesh, a woman waiting at the crossing on Saturday, told AFP she had been trying to leave the territory for months. "I only came here for a week's holiday and I've been stuck here for 18 months," she said. The crossing is Gaza's only access point not controlled by Israel, which has maintained a blockade on the territory for nearly a decade. The Hamas interior ministry said 2015 was "the worst year for Rafah in recent years" with the border crossing open for just 21 days in total. The border was largely open during the rule of Egyptian president Mohamed Morsi, whose Muslim Brotherhood movement has close ties with the fellow Islamists of Hamas. But since Morsi's overthrow in 2013, President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has closed the crossing, with only occasional humanitarian openings. In 2012, nearly 35,000 travellers used the Rafah crossing each month, according to the UN. In 2015, the monthly average fell to less than 2,400. Historically many young Gazan studied in Egypt, while many Palestinians visited their families on the other side of the border. Egyptian forces have also faced accusations of flooding hundreds of cross-border tunnels that were previously used to smuggle goods and allegedly weapons into the territory. Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh today said Delhi Police should be more alert to combat criminals who misuse social media. "Criminals are adopting new methods. A man in a remote village can get in touch with a criminal or execute any criminal act through internet. "Criminals can create anarchy through social media. We need to enhance alertness in the area," Singh said at the 69th Raising Day Parade of Delhi Police held in northwest Delhi's New Police Lines today. Noting that criminals these days cannot be combated without the help of enhanced digital technology, Delhi Police chief B S Bassi said he is happy that city police has taken quite a few effective digital initiatives. The minister said Delhi Police is a "pioneer in adopting innovative techniques of policing". "Delhi Police has to deal with a range of issues, including VVIP arrangements and international conferences. They also have to fight terrorists, confront dreaded criminals and probe complicated matters," he said. Expressing concern over the rapid increase in vehicular traffic in the national capital, Singh also lauded Delhi Police's role vis-a-vis traffic management. Singh lauded the swift recovery of Rs 22.5 crore that was looted by a cash van driver and said the force rightfully deserves a place in the Limca Book of Records. The minister said that Delhi Police's Himmat application, which he himself had launched on January 1, 2015, was an effective initiative that has contributed to reduction in crimes against women. Talking about crimes against people from north-eastern states living in Delhi, Singh said the issue has been dealt with well by Delhi Police. "I must laud the Delhi Police Commissioner for recruiting as constables youths from the north-eastern states," he said. Further praising Bassi, he said "many effective steps" have been taken under his leadership. "Even a small incident in the capital becomes a national issue and if anything big happens, it reaches international platform. I congratulate Delhi Police chief BS Bassi, under whose leadership many effective steps have been taken," Singh said. Gujarat Congress president Bharatsinh Solanki today wrote to External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, requesting her to ensure the safety of Gujaratis living in the violence-hit Uganda. Citing incidents of violence in Kampala, the capital of the African country, Solanki said Indians there were facing a "serious situation due to political instability". Some 5,000 people from Gujarat including 2,500 from Anand district were in trouble, he said. Solanki, who hails from Anand himself, also claimed that the number of attacks on Gujaratis living abroad was rising at an alarming rate and ten Gujaratis had been killed in various parts of the world including Africa in recent times. A UK lawmaker on Wednesday said the entire state of Jammu and Kashmir, including parts "illegally controlled" by Pakistan, is an integral part of India. Speaking in Jammu, UK MP and leader of the ruling Conservative Party Robert John Blackman said "State of Jammu and Kashmir in totality is part of India an integral part of India and it needs to be reunited and should come under the dominion of India." Blackman said Pakistan must vacate the territory of Jammu and Kashmir "illegally occupied" by that country. "The erstwhile ruler of Jammu and Kashmir had signed instrument of accession with India and given the control of the entire state of Jammu and Kashmir to India, it is Pakistan which illegally occupied its territory which it should hand back to India through negotiation," he said. Blackman said that as both the countries were nuclear power, there was no question of them going to war over Kashmir, but that Pakistan must vacate the territory it has occupied and hand it over to India. The lawmaker from the Harrow East constituency in England said that in the past the Pakistani lobby had a strong presence in the UK parliament but things have changed and people like him who are "friends of India" have started speaking about India. He said that the ties between India and the United Kingdom have grown stronger even since Prime Minister Narendra Modi took over the reins of power in India and his last year's "historic visit" to UK has further strengthened the bond. Blackman pointed out that India has been a victim of terrorism originating from Pakistani soil and it should take measures to rein in the "forces" that spread terrorism in countries like India. Asked why UK does not declare Pakistan as a terrorist state, Blackman said he cannot speak on behalf of the UK government, but that he was aware of the terrorist attacks that India faced from the Pakistani side. He added that the UK government stands shoulder to shoulder with India to combat terrorism. Scientists have developed a five dimensional (5D) digital data disc dubbed as 'Superman memory crystal' that has 360 terabyte storage capacity and is capable of surviving for billions of years. As a very stable and safe form of portable memory, the technology could be highly useful for organisations with big archives, such as national archives, museums and libraries, to preserve their information and records. Using nanostructured glass, scientists from the University of Southampton's Optoelectronics Research Centre (ORC) in UK have developed the recording and retrieval processes of 5D digital data by femtosecond laser writing. The storage allows unprecedented properties including 360 terabyte (Tb) per disc data capacity, thermal stability up to 1,000 degrees Celsius and virtually unlimited lifetime at room temperature (13.8 billion years at 190 degrees Celsius) opening a new era of eternal data archiving. The technology was first experimentally demonstrated in 2013 when a 300 kilobyte digital copy of a text file was successfully recorded in 5D. Major documents from human history such as Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Newton's Opticks, Magna Carta and Kings James Bible, have been saved as digital copies that could survive the human race. The documents were recorded using ultrafast laser, producing extremely short and intense pulses of light. The file is written in three layers of nanostructured dots separated by five micrometres (one millionth of a metre). The self-assembled nanostructures change the way light travels through glass, modifying polarisation of light that can then be read by combination of optical microscope and a polariser, similar to that found in Polaroid sunglasses. Coined as the 'Superman memory crystal', as the glass memory has been compared to the "memory crystals" used in the Superman films, the data is recorded via self-assembled nanostructures created in fused quartz. The information encoding is realised in five dimensions - the size and orientation in addition to the three dimensional position of these nanostructures. "It is thrilling to think that we have created the technology to preserve documents and information and store it in space for future generations," said Peter Kazansky, from the ORC. "This technology can secure the last evidence of our civilisation - all we've learnt will not be forgotten," Kazansky said. Eleven EU leaders will meet in Brussels on Thursday to debate a German proposal to admit more refugees from Turkey in a bid for Ankara's increased cooperation to curb the flow of migrants to Europe, European sources said. Just before a full summit of 28 European leaders, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and her Austrian counterpart Werner Faymann will host talks Thursday with nine EU leaders and Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu at the Austrian mission in Brussels. The talks, which include European Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker, will focus on "resettlement" of refugees based in Turkey who have fled the Syrian civil war, a Juncker spokeswoman Mina Andreeva said. "It is about putting into operation a volontary humanitarian admission scheme so that we provide a legal pathway for refugees to Europe and that we share responsiblity with Turkey as a strategic partner in managing the refugee crisis," Andreeva said. In the face of anti-migrant opposition from eastern European countries, Merkel said Friday there was "a group of countries" that may voluntarily accept more refugees in exchange for redoubled efforts from Turkey to tackle illegal immigration. Merkel said a group of countries that the German media have dubbed the "coalition of the willing" could help Turkey's refugee effort beyond the three billion euros (USD 3.3 billion) already committed by the EU. She did not name the countries. Turkey, which is hosting over 2.7 million mostly Syrian refugees, has voiced deep frustration with the EU as a fresh wave of Syrian refugees mass on its border. In December, Germany held talks with a several possible members of the coalition, including Austria, Belgium, Finland, Greece, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and Sweden. Since then, Austria has announced it would cap at 37,500 people the number of asylum seekers it admits in 2016, nearly three times fewer than last year. The Greek minister for European affairs, Nikos Xydakis, told AFP the 11 leaders will also take stock of the slow pace in efforts to relocate 160,000 asylum seekers from overstretched Italy and Greece to other member states. European Council President Donald Tusk and Juncker will tomorrow evening host a working dinner with the prime ministers of Croatia and Slovenia as well as their counterparts from non-EU Serbia and Macedonia. Mawhati MLA and former chairman of the proscribed militant outfit Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC), Julius K Dorphang, today urged the outfit leaders take the opportunity to come forward to the negotiating table and opt for peace. "I am glad that the government opens up this window of opportunity (peace talks). As always, I want them to take this. Opportunity comes once in a lifetime," Dorphang said. The former chairman of the HNLC who surrendered in 2007 after an ideological difference with the central leadership in Bangladesh, said he was glad to see interests growing in the leadership towards lasting peace. He, however, said there should be sincerity on the part of the HNLC before committing to everlasting peace. State Home Minister Roshan Warjri had recently announced that the state government would soon forward the names of interlocutors to the Centre for its approval before holding peace talks with the outfit. The HNLC used to be active in the Khasi-Jaintia Hills region in the state. Its sister outfit, the ANVC, which was active in the Garo Hills region, have laid down arms long back in 2004 and signed a peace pact last year. "We can't always solve problems in the battlefields but across the negotiating table," Dorphang said urging the central leaders of the outlawed militant outfit to consider the move on the part of the government to bring all militant outfits to the negotiating table. Dorphang contested the Assembly elections in 2013 and won from Mawhati constituency in Ri-Bhoi district as an Independent candidate. Two other former HNLC militants also contested the autonomous district council elections later and currently are members of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council. A former nursing home worker has been arrested for allegedly throwing an 87-year-old resident from a balcony to his death, police said today. Hayato Imai, 23, was arrested yesterday on suspicion of killing Tamio Ushizawa at the nursing house in Kawasaki southwest of Tokyo in November 2014, according to a spokesman for the Kanagawa Prefectural Police Department. Police suspect the victim died of ruptured organs after being hurled by Imai from the fourth-floor balcony, the spokesman said, adding that further details including his motive were not available. The Asahi Shimbun daily and other local media reported that the suspect also admitted killing two more residents in their 80s and 90s by throwing them from balconies in 2014. "I did it to kill him," Imai was quoted as telling police about the death of Ushizawa, Kyodo reported. Imai was fired last year after being arrested on suspicion of stealing cash and jewelry from the room of a female resident at the facility. The elderly are traditionally respected in Japan and there is even a national holiday reserved for honouring senior citizens. Japan's population is rapidly ageing, with a quarter of the population currently aged 65 or over. That proportion is expected to grow to around 40 per cent over the next four decades. A three-member expert team of the central government today visited the proposed sites for the temporary and permanent campus of Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), here. The team visited the government-run Industrial Training Institute (ITI) and Laudigaon, near Gopalpur and discussed with the authorities about the availability of the infrastructure facilities for the temporary campus. While the government has identified around 200 acres at Laudigaon for permanent construction of the institute, ITI Berhampur has been selected for the temporary campus. The IISER is scheduled to start function from this year with an intake capacity of 50 students, sources said. The expert team had on January 8, 2016 and November 17 last year visited the place to inspect the sites selected for the establishment of the prestigious institute after the state government had declared to set up the proposed IISER campus at Berhampur. Meanwhile, a new three-storied building was constructed by the government in the ITI campus to house the IISER, Berhampur here. The construction for two more storeys was in the new building at a cost of Rs 4.70 crore. Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley had announced establishment of IISERs in Odisha and Nagaland. At present there are five IISERs under the Ministry of Human Resource Development. These are located in Bhopal, Mohali, Pune, Kolkata and Thiruvanantapuram. Tirupur Exporters Association today welcomed the proposal for preparing Detailed Project Reports to set up Common Effluent Treatment Plants (CETPs) with Zero Liquid Discharge at four places in Tamil Nadu, in the interim budget. Installation of CETPs in Namakkal, Erode, Salem and Karur, was need of the hour for boosting growth of textile industry, including exports from Tamil Nadu, TEA president A Shaktivel said in a statement. He also welcomed the allocation of Rs.150 crore for Skill Development Mission in the interim budget presented today in the Tamil Nadu Assembly. The association appreciated Chief Minister Jayalalithaa for registering an average annual Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) growth rate of 8. An ardent fan of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj has launched an online petition seeking support to have a 'Google Doodle' of the Maratha warrior king, to commemorate his 368th birth anniversary on February 19. Amit Wankhede, a Maharashtra government employee from Yavatmal district, launched the petition on February 6 and has claimed to have received over 22,000 signatures in support from across the country, mostly from interior Maharashtra. A 'Google Doodle' is one of the best ways to pay homage to Chhatrapati Shivaji in today's digital age, he said. "Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, (is) one of the most respected and revered kings of India. We would love to see a 'Google Doodle' honouring (Chhatrapati) Shivaji on this (his birth anniversary) day. Shivaji is famously known as 'the people's king' and is still remembered and celebrated, not just in Mumbai or Maharashtra, but all across India," Wankhede told PTI. His petition highlights Shivaji's heroic efforts of defeating the might of the Mughals and creating a Maratha empire that endured for centuries after his time. "Known for pioneering innovate battle strategies like guerrilla warfare and building a navy, Shivaji was a king way ahead of his time. His forts still line the Western Ghats and stand testament to the sheer brilliance and spirit of this ingenious ruler," reads the petition. In addition to his petition, Wankhede claimed that Shivaji's supporters have sent over 30,000 emails to proposals@google.Com, the proper channel to request for a doodle. Apart from launching the online petition at change.Org, an international online platform provider, he said he has also appealed to Google CEO Sundar Pichai to extend a favourable response to his request, he said. Wankhede has also suggested tentative designs of the Chhatrapti Shivaji Maharaj 'Doodle', saying that the doodle could be "designed based on his forts" or it could be a collage of his conquests over various kings and generals. He expressed hope that Google will gauge the popular sentiment of Indians everywhere and agree to the request to "celebrate Shivaji Maharaj Google style". Farmers from Punjab and Haryana will take out a protest march here on February 18 in support of their demands including implementation of Swaminathan Commission report and debt waiver for farmers affected by natural calamities. Under the banner of Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU), farmers in large numbers will assemble here at Mohali and then proceed to Punjab Governor's house to submit their memorandum with regard to their demands. Farmers are upset with the Modi government for "not paying attention" to resolving farmers' issues, said BKU (Punjab) President Ajmer Singh Lakhowal said here. "BJP before coming to power in the Centre had promised to implement the recommendations of Swaminathan Commission report which suggest 50 per cent profit over input cost. But the Modi government failed in honouring its promise and there is a great disappointment among farming community," he said. Agitating farmers are also demanding alteration in recently launched crop insurance scheme in which they want plot should be taken as unit for crop insurance and nothing should be charged for crop insurance from farmers whose land is less than 5 acres. They also demand debt waiver for farmers who suffered crop damage on account of natural calamities. "If the government does not accede to our demands by March 17, then we will forced to block all roads leading to Delhi," he warned. The Food and Drug Administration is recommending that US blood banks refuse donations from people who have travelled to countries where the is active in the previous four weeks, part of guidelines meant to protect the blood supply from the mosquito-borne virus. The agency recommends the same four-week deferral for people who have shown symptoms of the virus or had sexual contact with someone who has travelled to a Zika-affected region in the past three months. The recommendations follow similar measures taken earlier this month by the Red Cross and the American Association of Blood Banks, which have asked travellers to Zika outbreak countries to wait at least 28 days before donating blood. While FDA officials stressed that there have been no reports of Zika entering the US blood supply, they said transmission through blood is a real possibility. "Based on the best available evidence, we believe the new recommendations will help reduce the risk of collecting blood and blood components from donors who may be infected with the Zika virus," said FDA biologics director Dr Peter Marks, in a statement. Canadian blood officials have already taken similar steps, deferring donations from people who have travelled outside of Canada, the continental United States and Europe. The virus is spreading rapidly through Latin America. While most people experience either mild or no symptoms, Zika is suspected of causing a devastating birth defect babies born with abnormally small heads and pregnant Americans are urged to avoid travel to affected areas. One case in Texas is believed to have been transmitted through sex, and officials in Brazil, hard-hit by Zika, have recently reported finding the virus in saliva and urine. Federal health experts say more study is needed to determine whether Zika can spread through those body fluids. The main source of transmission remains mosquitoes. Zika usually is transmitted through bites from a mosquito species that can be found in Florida, along the Gulf Coast and in states that border Mexico, among other regions. Currently no local mosquito-borne Zika cases have been reported in US states, but several cases have been reported in US territories, including Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands and American Samoa. Stating that the FDI inflows in the country are improving day by day, Union Commerce and Industry Minister Nirmala Sitharaman today said more and more investments are coming from sectors other than IT and ITeS. "Highest investments are coming from services other than IT and IT-enabled services which may include a lot of things - it could be courier services; it could be getting into services that are partly related to logistics and retailing and so on," she said in her address at the IIM Bangalore. Construction and infrastructure is the second highest sector which are receiving FDIs, the Minister said. "We also have retailing, IT and IT-enabled services. Chemical industry also is receiving - other than fertilisers, they are also receiving a lot," she said. Sitharaman said that India received FDI worth nearly USD 29.6 billion, the highest amount received by any country in last fiscal. "Among the countries, which do monitoring on FDIs flowing into theirs, we seem to have received the highest amount in the last fiscal," she added. "Something in the range of USD 29.6 billion (India has received FDIs) in the last fiscal. In terms of percentage, it is 38 per cent rise in inflows compared to 16 per cent dip all over the world," Sitharaman added. The Minister said India has received the highest FDIs compared to other countries only showed that the Indian economy is instilling confidence in the minds of investors. "It is only improving day by day. Largely individual, trust and other corporate entities are coming in," she said. The US business houses in next five years will be investing anywhere between USD 40 to 45 billion in India in various sectors of activity. "The US-India Business Council has assessed that in the next five years US Business Houses will be interested in investing anywhere between 40 to 45 billion US dollars in India in various sectors of activity," she said. However, Foreign Institutional Investments (FIIs) are progressively coming down, Sitharaman said. "FIIs are dropping. There is no increase in FIIs. They actually are progressively coming down," she said. Sitharaman said many investors from countries like China, the US, France, Germany and Japan are shifting to India due to conducive investment and manufacturing environment. "We are actually saying that trust is being placed on the Indian investment and manufacturing environment... Countries are now clearly shifting manufacturing out of let us say China where cost of production is going up, inventories are really bothering companies, and they don't see a possibility of better production or better ecosystem for continuing," she said. On investments pouring into India after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to different countries, Sitharaman said the US is keen on investing USD 5 billion for different projects. "The US has come up with, not a very big public spending, it is about USD 5 billion, but specifically tailor made for different projects," she said. These projects will help in greater interaction between American and Indian businesses, she added. Japan has committed to invest USD 35 billion, both through public and private investments, which will pour in the the next five years, Sitharaman said. "Japan as we know has taken a lot of interest in participating in corridor projects - Bengaluru-Mumbai corridor project." Japan is also showing a lot of interest in setting up industrial hubs or being part of industrial corridor, the minister said. Other than that, Japan is interested in participating in building smart cities and is committed to build Amravati as the new capital of Andhra Pradesh, Sitharaman said. "They are also taking interest in bullet train," she added. China has plans to invest USD 20 billion and shown interest in creating two industrial hubs in Maharashtra and Gujarat, Sitharaman said. "China offered USD 20 billion investments when Prime Minister visited China. China has shown interest to create two new industrial hubs - one in Maharashtra and another in Gujarat," she said. In Maharashtra, China plans to bring their truck manufacturers who have collaboration with Mercedes Benz and make that brand of trucks, Sitharaman said. As India embraces a digital revolution, its financial system needs to further strengthen its technology to effectively deal with cyber security threats, Reserve Bank Deputy Governor H R Khan said today. "Financial system is one of the easy targets for cyber terrorism. According to a recent study, we are the most vulnerable country in terms of cyber security. "At this point, when we are at the cusp of digital revolution, we have to focus on cyber security," he said at an Indian Banks' Association event here. He said though it is not possible to eliminate the cyber threats fully, one has to be prepared to deal with them. "I am not scaring people but people should be prepared for that." Khan said banks should give due importance to security dimension of technological absorption. He said there is a myth that the regulator is standing in the way of innovation and development. "We continue to work for innovations at the same time we focus on integrity...Both have to be balanced." Talking about urban cooperative and regional rural banks, he said there is a need for them to adopt technology as they are going to face tremendous challenge from small finance and payments banks. He said RBI is trying to ensure that urban cooperative banks are on core banking system (CBS) and is looking to provide some subvention for the process from its side. The Deputy Governor said financial inclusion has given banks and other financial players opportunities in terms of technological innovations. Under Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana, around 20 crore accounts have been opened and 12 to 15 crore cards issued. "One of the areas of leveraging this opportunity is intra-operability of micro ATMs," Khan added. The Foreign Correspondent's Club today condemned the attack on journalists by lawyers in the Patiala House court complex terming it as an attempt to "intimidate" the media from doing its job. Stating that freedom of speech lies at the very "heart of democracy", the journalists' body said. "We strongly condemn the way in which national and international media representatives were mishandled. Like the Editor's Guild, we see it as an attempt to intimidate journalists through physical violence and prevent us journalists from doing our job," it said in a statement. Yesterday, journalists, students and teachers of JNU were beaten up allegedly by groups of lawyers within and outside Patiala House court complex where JNUSU president Kanhaiya Kumar was to be produced before a metropolitan magistrate for remand proceedings. Earlier, the Guild took serious note of the assault and condemned the incident, referring to first person accounts pointing towards "physical assault by lawyers allegedly supporting BJP" as Delhi Police personnel "stood by and watched". Former UN secretary-general Boutros Boutros-Ghali, who led the world body from the hopeful times that emerged at the end of the Cold War to the massacres in Rwanda and Bosnia, has died at the age of 93. The Egyptian diplomat became the first secretary-general from the African continent in 1992, but his tenure ended abruptly after five years when the United States vetoed his second term. Boutros-Ghali, who served as the United Nation's sixth secretary-general, died in Cairo, the United Nations announced Thursday. UN Security Council members observed a moment of silence in memory of Boutros-Ghali during a meeting in New York. A former Egyptian foreign minister, the veteran diplomat headed the world body during one of its most difficult times with crises in Somalia, Rwanda, the Middle East and the former Yugoslavia. After a series of clashes with the US administration, Washington turned against Boutros-Ghali and decided to back Ghanaian Kofi Annan for the top post. Relations with the United States began to sour in late 1993, when a US-led operation in Somalia led to major casualties among American troops. The operation, part of an overall UN effort to provide humanitarian aid that was being blocked by a civil conflict, led to acrimony between the US authorities and the world body. Further problems emerged during peacekeeping operations in the former Yugoslavia, and after the genocidal massacres of 1994 in Rwanda, which the United Nations failed to halt. There was also friction over UN sanctions against the regime of Saddam Hussein in Iraq, which had invaded and then been ejected from Kuwait a year before Boutros-Ghali took up his post. Washington's then ambassador to the United Nations, Madeleine Albright, argued that Boutros-Ghali had failed to enact reforms needed to make the world body more efficient. When his candidacy to serve a second term was vetoed by Washington, Boutros-Ghali felt that he was being punished for pushing UN member states to pay their membership arrears - an issue on which the United States has long been a laggard - and for condemning Israeli actions in southern Lebanon. After leaving the United Nations, Boutros-Ghali served as secretary-general of the Francophonie group of French-speaking nations. Boutros-Ghali was born on November 14, 1922 into a Coptic Christian family in Cairo. He was educated at Cairo University and in Paris, where he established a lifelong connection with France. Four militants were on Tuesday killed by the Army during a combat operation in Assam, officials said. Following an intelligence report in the wee hours of the day, the Army launched operations in Lohit district, which resulted in the four militants being killed. Three of them were from Nationalist Socialist Council of Nagaland (Khaplang) and the fourth one was from United Liberation Front of Asom, the officials said. One AK-56 assault rifle and two pistols have been recovered from the slain militants, they said, adding the operation was still underway. France has condemned the "deliberate" bombardment which killed at least seven people at a hospital in northern Syria supported by the aid charity MSF, saying such acts "constitute war crimes." "I condemn in the strongest terms the latest deliberate bombardment targeting a hospital supported by Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF, Doctors Without Borders) in northern Syria," said French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault in a statement yesterday. "Attacks against health facilities in Syria by the regime or its supporters are unacceptable and must stop immediately. They constitute war crimes," he added. Six patients and one staff member at the hospital died in two separate attacks on the same target, the statement said, adding that eight other staff members were still missing and there were tens of people injured. MSF, which did not attribute blame, confirmed a hospital supported by the charity was hit in Idlib, and said seven people were killed and at least eight were missing, presumed dead. British-based monitor the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the building was destroyed by aircraft that were "presumably Russian". The US State Department, meanwhile, condemned air strikes that hit two civilian hospitals "in and around Aleppo," identifying them as one run by MSF, the Women's and Children's Hospital in the city of Aziz. But the Syrian ambassador to Moscow accused the United States of destroying the hospital. Riad Haddad, Syria's envoy to its ally Russia, told the state TV channel Rossiya 24 that the hospital in Idlib had been hit in a US raid. "American warplanes destroyed it. Russian warplanes had nothing to do with any of it -- the information that has been gathered will completely back that up," Haddad said. Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy was questioned by investigating magistrates today about a long-running scandal over his 2012 campaign finances. It was not clear whether Sarkozy, who is manoeuvring for another run at the presidency in 2017, would be charged after the session with the magistrates in Paris. They are investigating allegations of false accounting during his failed election campaign four years ago that allowed him to greatly exceed spending limits. The case hinges on the activity of PR firm Bygmalion, which organised some of Sarkozy's campaign appearances and is accused of using a vast system of false accounting. Bygmalion allegedly charged USD 21 million to Sarkozy's right-wing party -- then called the UMP, but since renamed The Republicans -- instead of billing the campaign, allowing it to greatly exceed the spending limit of USD 25 million. Several employees at Bygmalion, including the company's accountant as well as a leading member of Sarkozy's campaign team, have admitted to the existence of the fraud, though none has accused the former president of knowing about it. Sarkozy, 61, who led France from 2007 before losing to Socialist Francois Hollande in 2012, has always denied any knowledge of the false accounting. He said he was retiring from politics after the election but made a comeback just two years later, returning to lead The Republicans and lining himself up for party primaries this autumn in a bid to contest the presidential election in May 2017. The path back to power has been far rockier than expected for Sarkozy, who is embroiled in several corruption scandals, and has failed to excite much popular support. He trails centre-right rival Alain Juppe by a considerable margin in opinion polls. Sarkozy's ambitions have not been helped by a series of scandals, including allegations that he used money from late Libyan dictator Moamer Kadhafi to fund his 2007 campaign, that he was involved in kickbacks from a Pakistani arms deal in the 1990s, and that he tried to bribe a magistrate to get inside information on yet another corruption case in which he was implicated. The Bygmalion case could prove the most damaging, especially after the investigation found that Sarkozy asked for more campaign events in mid-March 2012, around two months before the vote. His campaign director, Guillaume Lambert, has told police he warned Sarkozy of the risk of breaching financing limits. Questioned by police in September 2015, the former president said he did not remember the warning, and described the controversy as a "farce", putting the responsibility squarely on Bygmalion and the UMP. Top officials of India and the European Union (EU) will meet again on February 22 in Brussels to review the stalled negotiations for the proposed free trade agreement. On February 18 here, chief negotiators of both the regions took stock of the outstanding issues, including duty cut on automobiles and movement of professionals, that have held up the talks. "In that meeting, it was decided that a secretary-level talks should also happen. Commerce Secretary Rita Teaotia will be going to Brussels and meet her counterpart," an official said. The purpose of the meeting is to assess where both sides stand and how India and the EU should go forward with the proposed pact, officially dubbed as Bilateral Trade and Investment Agreement. The Indian side would apprise the EU that several decisions have already been taken by the government which the 28-nation bloc wants. The decisions include liberalising foreign direct investments norms in sectors like telecom, insurance and various other sectors. "In the last three years, India has moved ahead. Much of the market access they were looking at was done unilaterally now by India. So this is something the commerce ministry will flag," the official said adding "this is the follow up meeting". The Indian side would also raise issues related with services as it wants liberalise visa regime for its professionals. "We expect to see a lot more happening particularly in Mode 4. We want to look at mutual visa liberalisation with the EU countries so that there is a much easier movement of professionals and business people," the official added. Besides non-tariff barriers which Indian trades are facing may be raised in the meeting. The last round of trade talks between the two sides happened in May 2013. In that meeting India and the 28-nation bloc failed to bridge substantial gaps on crucial issues, including data security status for the IT sector. The negotiations for the proposed Broad-based Trade and Investment Agreement have witnessed many hurdles with both sides having major differences on crucial issues. Besides demanding significant duty cuts in automobiles, EU wants tax reduction on wines and spirits and dairy products and a strong intellectual property regime. The free trade pact is aimed at reducing or significantly eliminating tariffs on goods, facilitating trade in services and boosting investments between the two sides. The two-way commerce in goods between India and the EU was USD 98.5 billion in 2014-15. Police rescued a girl kidnapped from north Kashmir's Kupwara district from Delhi and arrested the abductor. Police rescued the kidnapped girl from Delhi and also arrested the abductor within five days, a police spokesman said here today. He said that on February 10, it was reported that a girl was kidnapped by Shoib Ahmad Sheikh with the assistance of Azad Ahmad. On receipt of the complaint, a case was registered and investigation was taken up, the spokesman said. He said during the investigation, it surfaced that the kidnappers had taken the girl outside the state. The investigation team succeeded in tracing the kidnapper in Delhi, the spokesman said, adding the kidnapper was held and the girl rescued. During investigation, the spokesman said, it has been revealed that the mastermind behind the commission of offence was uncle of the kidnapper namely Hilal Ahmad Sheikh. Originally hailing from Delhi, Shah Rukh Khan always harboured a wish to play the city boy on screen and thesuperstar says he is happy that after 25 years of his career he got his desire fulfilled through 'Fan'. The Maneesh Sharma-directed movie will see Shah Rukh in double roles, one as a superstar and other his lookalike fan Gaurav, a Delhi boy. 'Fan' has been majorly shot in the capital. "I have known Maneesh for years now. I always wanted to play a Delhi boy in a film but I didn't get the chance. Over the years I saw a lot of actors playing Dilli ka munda and I used to envious of them. I would like to thank Maneesh for bringing me back to my roots," Shah Rukh told reporters here at the press conference held post launch of a song from 'Fan'. The 50-year-old actor said that having lived for more than two decades in Mumbai, he got out of touch of his "Dillliness", which came back after shooting for 'Fan'. "The irony is I have lived for so long in Mumbai that I forgot some 'Dilliness' (meaning typical Delhi-people mannerisms)," he said. Shah Rukh was also presented with his graduation degree, at the event. "Maneesh is also from Delhi. So we started our promotions also from Hansraj where we both studied. I got my degree too so I am an official graduate. Maneesh hasn't, so maybe they don't know if he passed or failed," the star joked. The actor-director launched the song 'Jabra Fan' at Hansraj college, Delhi University today. Produced by YRF, 'Fan' arrives in theatres on April 15. India Bike Week (IBW), touted as the country's largest biking festival, will be held in Goa on February 19 and 20. Conceptualised and initiated by Seventy Event Media Group and Fox Life, this year's event will be held in association with Shell Advance at Arpora Sporting Ground in Arpora village in North Goa. "IBW 2016 is set to be bigger and better at a new and exciting venue being the Arpora Sporting Ground. The venue will be ready to host over 12,000 hardcore club-members and independent riders," Martin Da Costa, Chief Executive Officer and Founder, Seventy EMG told PTI today. "With India Bike Week 2016 set to be our biggest yet, we are thrilled to be back in Goa who have been great hosts to Asia's biggest biking festival. We feel this year with our efforts in bringing in an ensemble of new attractions coupled with rider support systems to bikers across India, we are taking a step closer to identifying Goa and India Bike Week as a global biking experience," Costa said. Swati Mohan, Business Head of Fox Networks Group, said, "IBW has grown over the years and has become a celebration of not just biking, but also a mecca for experience seekers and travellers." "It's a meeting ground for passionate bikers, collectors, riders, tourists and their friends. The fact that IBW has only grown over the years, assures us that we are striking a pretty special chord with this event and the people, passion and fervour that come with it," she said. Amidst a raging debate over treason and patriotism in the wake of the JNU row, rightwing Hindu outfit the Akhil Bharat Hindu Mahasabha today said Nathuram Godse, who had killed Mahatma Gandhi, was a "great patriot". "Nathuram Godse was a thinker, philosopher, learned writer and a great patriot. He was, he is and he will remain so," the outfit's vice president Ashok Kumar Sharma said in a release here. Sharma said, he had to issue the statement as there is a debate (JNU row) going on in the media these days under a "conspiracy" and the Mahasabha is being termed as an extremist Hindu nationalist organisation. Sharma was referring to the raging after the arrest of the university's Students' Union president Kanhaiya Kumar on the charges of sedition. The government is expected to announce the new bulk drug policy in a month's time, which is expected to bring down imports, Union Minister Hansraj Ahir has said. "We are coming out with new bulk drug policy in month's time. The policy is aimed at bringing down imports of bulk drugs and increasing the domestic output," Ahir said on the sidelines of Make in India week here. Last month, the Department of Pharmaceuticals (DoP) had moved a Cabinet note on bulk drugs, based on recommendations of Katoch committee. Bulk Drugs or APIs are basically the active raw materials used in a drug that gives it the therapeutic effect. Bulk drugs currently constitute only 10-12 per cent share in the country's Rs 80,000 crore-domestic pharmaceutical sector. India is primarily dependent on China for its imports of bulk drugs. According to industry estimates, 70-80 per cent of the requirement of the industry is met by imports from China, varying across categories. Meanwhile, government sees the country's pharmaceutical industry growth potential to touch USD 200 billion by 2030 from the present USD 32 billion. "We have the potential to grow to USD 200 billion by 2030 from the present USD 32 billion. The global pharma industry is estimated at USD 1,000 billion. "We need to upscale our pharmaceutical manufacturing capacity to become the largest producer of the drugs in the world," Secretary, Department of Pharmaceutical, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers, V K Subburaj said. The industry is growing at 8-9 per cent per annum at present, and even if we maintain the same growth rate, we can reach USD 110 billion by 2030, Subburaj said, adding that we need to overcome several challenges to achieve this herculean task. The domestic medical device market is estimated at USD 5 billion which has a potential to touch USD 100 billion, he said. To overcome the quality problems, we need to have our own APIs manufacturing capacities. The new bulk drug policy will help in increasing the domestic bulk drug production and reduce dependence on Chinese imports, he added. Also present at the event, Sun Pharma managing director Dilip Shanghvi said the industry needs to focus on encouraging innovation, at par with the international practice. The government's Make in India initiative will help the growth of the domestic pharma industry in a big way, he said. Members of All India Government Nurses Federation will go on mass casual leave on February 26 as part of their ongoing agitation for a hike in their salaries and other allowances. The Federation has warned the government that work would be halted at every public hospital from March 15 onwards if their demands are not met. AIIMS nurses' union has also extended support to the strike and 50 nurses from the institute participated in the protest held at Jantar Mantar today. "We have extended support to the strike called by All India Government Nurses Federation and on February 26, all of us will be on mass casual leave," Biju Kesri, President of AIIMS nurses' Union, said. Federation members said they wanted to discuss the issue with the government but were not being given an appointment. "We have been trying to get appointment with the Health Minister but are not being given time. Also, they themselves have never tried to contact us over the issue," Federation's Secretary General G K Khurana said. "We are protesting against the retrograde recommendations of the Seventh Pay Commission. We are demanding that the entry pay grade for staff nurses should be enhanced to Rs 5,400 from the existing Rs 4,600. Also the nursing allowance should be enhanced by Rs 7,800. Risk allowance and night duty allowances should be given to all nurses as it is given to all other government employees. "We deal with the deadly infections daily but we are not provided enough risk allowance. If the demands are not met, we will go on an indefinite strike from March 15," Khurana said. Nurses across the country are already on a relay hunger strike since 12 till February 27 over the issue. Guatemalan authorities arrested nine suspected gang members wanted in a grenade attack last year that left six dead and 30 injured outside a hospital. Three of the detainees are minors, police said. In the March 2015 attack, members of a gang called Barrio 18 threw a fragmentation grenade at prison guards escorting an inmate from a rival gang to a hospital outside Guatemala City for a medical appointment. That inmate and the guards escaped injury. But two other people heading to the hospital died on the spot, and four others died days later from injuries sustained in the blast. Police say the people arrested yesterday are wanted in connection with three other killings ordered by jailed gang leaders. Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras are struggling to cope with rampant violence from powerful street gangs. Deadly turf battles between the gangs are common. Gujarat will set up foreign desks in cities such as New York, Frankfurt, Dubai and Tokyo to attract its global diaspora to invest in the state, Chief Minister Anandiben Patel said here. "Gujarati diaspora is present in huge numbers abroad and is always ready to invest in growth of the state. To institutionalise this, we have decided to start foreign desks in international cities of New York, Frankfurt, Dubai, and Tokyo," Patel said while speaking at 'Gujarat Investor Summit' during the ongoing Make in India week in Mumbai. "Our policies have always been industry-friendly and we have managed to attract both foreign and domestic investments through Vibrant Gujarat Summit (a biennial global business summit)," Patel said, adding Gujarat is a preferred investment destination for leading industrialists in the country. Commenting on ease of doing business, Patel said, "Gujarat government has started a single-window system." A high-power committee has been set up to check on the implementation of MoUs and this is monitored at the chief minister's level, she added. The Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion's (DIPP) statistics show that Gujarat is number one in investment proposals and investment implementations, the chief minister said. Gujarat has a tremendous growth potential in petrochemicals, automobile and electronics manufacturing sector. The state is known as the auto hub in the country, Patel said adding, "Automobile sector majors like Tata, Honda and Maruti have committed huge investment in the state. Gujarat is also number one in chemicals and petrochemicals and has also attracted Rs one lakh crore investments in the last two years." She also said that a Start Up mission will be launched in line with the central government's start up policy. (Reopens BCM 19) Meanwhile, Andhra Pradesh, which has been ranked Number 2 on a poll done on ease of doing business, is all set to become number one by next year, Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu said. Speaking on the sidelines of Make in India Week, Naidu also batted for GST regime. "GST will have a tremendous impact on every industry and also in terms of ease of doing business. Even VAT was opposed initially but it has a positive impact on our economy," he added. Andhra Pradesh signed MoUs worth Rs 4.78 lakh crore with participation from 40 countries in the Investment Summit held in January 2016 at Visakhapatnam. "Our biggest advantage is that we have a large coastline of 970 kilometres. We have also linked two of our biggest rivers -- Godavari and Krishna -- and trying to make the state drought-free," Naidu said. "We are also using electrical poles to augment Internet connectivity and by June-July, every home can be connected by broadband," he added. Naidu said the state has huge investment opportunities in every industry including technology, agriculture, food processing, among others. Joining her party's ally, the BJP, in condemning the "anti-India" protest at JNU, Shiromani Akali Dal leader and Union Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal today said strict action should be taken against those who are trying to divide the country. "I think, if any person is trying (to) divide Hindustan then strict action should be taken. This is one place where we should not be tolerant," Union Food Processing Minister Kaur told reporters on the sidelines of 'Make in India Week' here. Recently Home Minister Rajnath Singh had warned of "strongest possible" action against those involved in raising "anti-India" slogans at an event on the JNU campus. "When it comes to breaking the integrity of India, I don't think anybody should be tolerated," she said. Kaur said the entire JNU incident is being politicised. Meanwhile, on disruption of Parliament proceedings, she said the Congress has become vindictive after being voted out. "This is fact that Congress has been kicked out of the power and they are taking revenge on people by not allowing the Parliament to function," she said. Kaur alleged the Congress has decided no new laws would be passed and they don't want the country to progress. "They have not allowed the previous two sessions (of Parliament) to function and this has resulted in a loss of crores of rupees. They will not allow the upcoming session to function as well," she added. The Haryana government aspires to take its growth in GDP terms to 25 per cent from the present 8 per cent, Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar said today. Currently, the GDP of Haryana is 8 per cent and "we are thinking of ways to take it further. Haryana has immense potential. We have the target of taking our GDP to 25 per cent and have started working on it," an official statement quoted Khattar as saying while talking to students of Sri Ram College of Commerce here. The CM also mentioned that though India today is an emerging economy, yet it has a share of about 2.65 per cent in the world's GDP. Referring to Haryana, he said the state, despite 2 per cent population of the country, contributes 10 per cent of the soldiers in Indian army and its hard working farmers are pride of the nation. He added that the share of Haryana in India's GDP is 3.5 per cent which is a big share compared to its area. Khattar also said that a start-up weekend camp for girls and women will be organised in Kurukshetra University from 26th to 28th February. The women and girls excelling in this camp will be honored on 8th March in 'Happening Haryana Global Investor's Summit-2016' at Gurgaon, he added. South Korean state of Chungcheongbuk and Haryana today agreed to enter into a sister-statehood relationship for development. According to an official statement released here, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar accepted the proposal for such a relationship made by a visiting delegation today. Section Chief of Chungcheongbuk Government Lee Iksoo said that his state is looking to have a close relationship with Haryana in the field of technology. Speaking at the event, Khattar said the bilateral relationship between India and South Korea is strengthening. According to the statement, Khattar mentioned that South Korean companies like Samsung, LG and Hyundai are present in India. He added that other companies like Kakodear, Casco, LS cables and SD Bio Sensor are present in Haryana. The chief minister told the delegation about the advantageous position of Haryana and the industry friendly policy of the state. Khattar also invited South Korean businesses and investors to the Happening Haryana Global Investors Summit-2016 scheduled to be organized in Gurgaon on March 7-8. The Haryana government today said the Diploma Entrance Test (DET) for engineering will be discontinued in the state from the 2016-17 session onwards. Admissions to diploma (engineering) course in government and government-aided polytechnic institutions in the state would be made on the basis of merit of qualifying examination, Haryana Technical Education Minister Ram Bilas Sharma said in a release here. Stressing that the decision was to facilitate students and their guardians, he said Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar has issued directions to conduct admissions in the 2016-17 session through online system on the pattern of industrial training institutes. The minister said earlier students had to fill an online form for admission to engineering diploma in polytechnics after passing the class X examination. Admission was given on the basis of a written examination and the entire process was time consuming and costly, he added. : Madras High court today granted bail to all eight employees of the General Provident Fund office here, arrested by CBI in a Rs 14.50 lakh cheating case last month. Zonal officer Durga Prasad and seven others were arrested by CBI for allegedly taking a bribe of Rs 14.50 lakh from the Management of an Educational Institute here in January to save them from the fraud reportedly committed by the management in Generl Provident Fund of its employees. All eight had filed bail petitions in Madras High Court, which came up today before Justice K Kalyanasundaram. The Judge who granted them bail,directed all the eight to furnish a personal bond of Rs 10,000 surety and two sureties for like sum to the satisfaction of the Special Judge for CBI cases. They were also directed to appear before the Investigating officer at 10.30 AM daily until further orders. Delhi High Court today reserved its verdict on appeals filed by the Centre against single judge order which had said that Attorney General of India's (AGI) office is a public authority falling under the ambit of the Right to Information Act. A bench of Chief Justice G Rohini and Justice Jayant Nath reserved the order after the parties concluded their arguments on the appeals filed by the Ministry of Law and Justice. During the arguments, advocate Prashant Bhushan, who appeared for RTI activist Subhash Chandra Agarwal, said the Supreme Court has held in various judgements that citizens have a right to know what their representatives are doing. "Are people of the country not entitled to know whether the government has acted on the aid and advice of the Attorney General," Bhushan told the bench. He argued that AGI's office is created by the Constitution and it is vested with various statutory powers and functions. Additional Solicitor General Sanjay Jain argued on the legal aspects in support of the appeals filed by the ministry. The ministry had filed the appeals against a March 10 last year order of the single judge bench bringing the AGI's office under the ambit of RTI Act as the top law officer performed public functions and his appointment was governed by the Constitution. In its order, the single judge bench had declared AGI's office as a public authority, saying he performs the functions as are required by virtue of Article 76(2) of the Constitution and had set aside a December 2012 CIC order that AGI is not a public authority. The court had also refused to consider the government's argument that there was practical difficulty in providing information under the RTI Act as the office of the AGI does not have the requisite infrastructure. The court had remanded back to the Central Information Commission (CIC), the pleas of RTI activists Agarwal and R K Jain, who had sought that the AGI's office be declared a public authority under the transparency law. The court had directed the AGI to reconsider the RTI application of Jain as his plea for information was denied on the basis of the CIC order that the office of AGI is not a public authority. The CIC, in its 2012 order, had expressed the opinion that the AGI was only a person and could not be considered as an "authority" and, therefore, fell outside sweep of section 2(h) of the RTI Act. Section 2(h) of the Act defines 'public authority'. While setting aside the CIC order, the single judge had noted that the expression 'authority' under the RTI Act would include all persons or bodies that have been conferred power to perform functions entrusted to them and those performing advisory functions cannot be excluded. The Allahabad High Court today sought a reply from the Centre and Uttar Pradesh government on a petition filed by a BJP worker from Noida who has alleged that he was being "falsely implicated" in the case relating to Dadri lynching over rumour of beef consunmption case and demanded that probe in the matter be handed over to CBI. A division bench, comprising Justice Bala Krishna Narayana and Justice Naheed Ara Moonis, asked the Centre and the state to file their counter affidavits within four weeks and granted two weeks time thereafter to the petitioner for filing of rejoinder. It fixed April 6 as the next date of hearing in the matter. The order was passed on the petition of BJP worker Sanjay Singh who has alleged that the state police were not investigating the matter in a fair manner and falsely implicating him in the case at the behest of ruling Samajwadi Party in the state. The Dadri lynching case had taken place in September last year at Biyada village of Gautam Buddh Nagar where a mob had barged into the house of Mohd Akhlaq late in the night and beaten up the middle-aged blacksmith to death and brutally assaulted his young son Danish on suspicions of consuming beef. The death of Akhlaq, whose son is working with Indian Air Force, had triggered a national outrage and a debate over religious intolerance in the country. In a setback to AAP government, Delhi High Court today upheld its single judge order staying its decision to scrap management quota as well as 11 other criteria for nursery admissions in private unaided schools of the capital. A bench of Chief Justice G Rohini and Justice Jayant Nath dismissed the appeal of Delhi government against the single- judge order, saying, "The appeal is devoid of any merit and the same is accordingly dismissed." The bench concurred with the findings of its single judge February 4 interim order, staying the AAP government's January 6, 2016, order on 11 admission criteria scrapped by it. "The single judge is justified in arriving at a prima facie conclusion that the order dated January 6, 2016, issued by the Directorate of Education (DoE) is without authority of law. Consequently, the order dated January 6, 2016, has been rightly stayed by the single judge," the division bench said. The bench also said, "The interim stay has been granted with respect to 11 criteria out of the 62 and the management quota," making it clear that the allegations of malpractice should be investigated and taken to their logical conclusion. The 11 criteria include those relating to the proven track records of parents, their proficiency in music or sports, their empirical achievements, the gender of the child and whether the kid was the first-born or adopted. The single judge was of the prima facie view that Delhi government's January 6 order, scrapping a total of 62 criteria and management quota, was "issued without any authority" and was in "direct conflict" with the Lieutenant Governor's 2007 order on nursery admissions in private unaided schools. The judge had also said the court was of the prima facie view that "there is nothing in the 11 criteria which would show that they are unreasonable or based on whims and fancies and/or they can lead to mal-administration." DoE had contended before the division bench that its January 6 order scrapping many admission criteria and management quota "was validly and lawfully" issued to ensure that admissions to entry-level classes like nursery are made in a "fair and reasonable" manner. It had claimed that the decision was taken "without any view to interfering in the autonomy of private schools". The single judge order had come on the pleas filed by Action Committee Unaided Recognised Private Schools and Forum for Promotion of Quality Education For All, seeking quashing of government's decision to scrap management and all other quotas, except for EWS in Delhi's private unaided schools for nursery admissions. The division bench in its 9-page-order, however, said that "the findings made in this verdict as well as the order under appeal shall not be treated as conclusive and shall not come in the way while deciding the main petition." It observed that the single judge has stayed the order of DoE till disposal of the writ petition. It has confined the challenge only to 11 out of 62 criteria. The bench said, "The main petition is yet to be heard on merits and by the order under appeal, the single judge has only recorded prima facie findings that January 6, 2016, order is without authority of law, the limited issue that requires consideration is the present appeal whether the prima facie satisfaction recorded by the single judge suffered from any infirmity." Referring to the January 6 order, the single judge had said that "the present case does not pertain to any general executive action, but to a specific statute wherein power has been given to Administrator/LG to issue regulation in a particular manner. "It is well settled that if a statute requires a thing to be done in a particular manner, it should be done in that manner or not all." "Consequently, till final disposal of the writ petitions, the impugned order of January 6, 2016 is stayed with respect to the 11 criteria and management quota," it had added. However, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia had defended his government's decision before the single judge to scrap the quota criteria, alleging that private schools in Delhi had become a "hub of corruption" as they were running "admission rackets" under the garb of management quota. The Delhi government, in its appeal, had said the issue of management quota "needs to be approached differently than as recommended by the Ganguly Committee" in view of the "change in time and subsequent experiences". India's northeast has considerable potential in terms of human resource which can be realised when everyone, including women, gets an opportunity to contribute both politically and economically to society, British Deputy High Commissioner Scott Furssedonn-Wood said today. "It is clear that increasing women's political and social participation brings about clear and positive changes in society," Furssedonn-Wood said, speaking at the Roundtable Consultation on 'Tribal Women's Rights in North East India: Access to Representation & Justice'. Government and civil society can work together on initiatives to empower women, build capacity and knowledge, and encourage more women to participate in politics and governance, he said. "The potential of India's northeast is considerable. That potential is built on the strength of its human resources. But it will only ever be achieved if every member of society -- of whatever gender, religion or ethnic background -- has the opportunity to realise their own potential and to make a full contribution to the political and economic life of their society," Furssedonn-Wood said. The Deputy High Commissioner said he understands the economic potential of the region and the challenge of ensuring sustainable peace, gender equality and good governance to make the potential into a reality. He said the British High Commission was engaged in several government-to-government and people-to-people programmes in the North East and has met many committed and dynamic people who are trying to make a difference. "I can honestly say it is the girls and women campaigning for their rights who have inspired me most," Furssedonn-Wood said, speaking at the programme organised by think-tank Centre For Development & Peace Studies. He said gender inequalities pervade cultures worldwide, preventing women from fully realising their rights and fully contributing to global development, but a society can only achieve its full potential when all its members, men and women, have equality of opportunity. Highlighting that women, who comprise more than half the global population, represent only 20 per cent of political leaders in the world, he said it is essential they play a full and active role in the political process to ensure progressive growth. Countries with higher civic engagement and stronger attitudes towards equality and fairness towards women have significantly higher levels of per capita income in the long run, Furssedonn-Wood said. Hardline Hurriyat Conference chief Syed Ali Shah Geelani today came out in support of former Delhi University professor S A R Geelani and JNU Students Union leader Kanhaiya Kumar, saying their arrest over alleged anti-India statements amounts to "muzzling the freedom of expression". The separatist leader said, "this detention has no constitutional and legal justification and it is an act of muzzling the freedom of expression". Demanding immediate release of Geelani and Kanhaiya, the Hurriyat leader said, "The secular and democratic claims of India are badly exposed day by day and this country is on its way to become an extremely intolerant Hindu Rashtra." He also termed as "baseless and ridiculous" the comment by Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh linking the JNU event with Pakistan and Hafiz Sayeed. Controversial Independent MLA Sheikh Abdul Rashid also jumped into the row, saying "I thank and salute the students and scholars of JNU for raising their voice against the hanging of (Parliament attack convict Afzal) Guru. Hats off to them." He added, "Unfortunately, BJP and Congress are trying to use it for political gains and are giving it a political colour. It is an ideological war and battle of ideas, not a battle between BJP and Congress." Rashid said "if the students of JNU are anti-national, then why is BJP trying to ally with the PDP" whose MLAs "had endorsed my stand on Guru on eve of seeking my support for Rajya Sabha and Legislative Council elections last year". Promising an aviation manufacturing ecosystem, US aircraft maker Boeing, which has for long been losing defence-related orders from India to the likes of French Rafale, today said it is up to the government to decide if it wants to continue imports or build capacity locally. "India has to make a decision whether it wants to keep buying from France or want to create industrial capacity. At the end of the day, India has to decide, from creating an industrial capacity point of view, who is the right partner," Boeing India president Pratyush Kumar told PTI here on the sidelines of the 'Make in India Week'. He was responding to a query on New Delhi placing an order of 36 fighter jets with French defence major Rafale earlier in a multi-billion dollar deal. The terms of the deal also involve domestic assembly over a period of time. For long, India has been sourcing from Europe and Russia. "What we're offering is a different proposition to create an entire ecosystem for aerospace, not just the final assembly of aircraft," Kumar said. His comments follow recent announcement from another European major Saab that it's ready to go the whole hog on local manufacturing in the country. Noting that India has overdependence on foreign technologies, he said, "If you want to break that cycle and grow industrial capacity, you've to think differently." On the difference that Boeing can bring to the table, he said, "How do you make different components, the avionics, the systems and then integrate them, which is our differentiated offering." He cited the American experience of manufacturing the Super Hornets, saying over 2,000 from 44 states contribute to the process. Kumar also claimed that over the past 14 months, the company has more than doubled its sourcing from the country, but refused to put a figure to it. It is estimated that both Boeing and Airbus source parts like fuselage, doors and other spare parts worth $1 billion each from India. He further said local manufacturing is not just about creating jobs alone, it is about creating industrial capacity. "Jobs will automatically follow. How do you create the industrial capacity to build complex technologies?" Kumar also sounded bullish about the domestic aviation market and said he expects to corner at least 50% of the projected 1,700 new aircraft orders from the country over the next two decades. "We are estimating that over 1,700 aircraft will be ordered in India over the next 20 years. There are tremendous growth opportunities. We are targeting more than half of that (1,700)," he said. Late last year, Boeing had projected that Indian civil aviation sector will grow by 1,700 units over the next two decades. The domestic commercial aviation market is already the fastest growing in the world with more than 20% growth. He said unlike Indigo, which has placed a whopping 430 orders with Airbus for a very long term, the orders that Boeing gets are of short-term horizon. "Our customers like Air India, Jet Airways and SpiceJet have ordered for shorter time-frame horizon. So, they'll come back and order," he said. Asked about the success of the home-grown light aircraft Tejas, he said there is room for everyone as the middle class market is growing faster, increasing the propensity to travel. "We see the market to continue to grow," he added. India and Turkmenistan today reviewed the bilateral defence ties and looked for ways to enhance cooperation in the sector. Turkmenistan Defence Minister Colonel General Yaylym Berdiev met with his Indian counterpart Manohar Parrikar here over lunch. While there was no official word on what transpired at the meeting, sources said the two focussed on intensifying bilateral defence and security cooperation through exchanges of visits of high and mid-level officials and training among others. Both also discussed issues relating to capacity-building and technical cooperation. An Indian-origin couple in New Zealand, both aged 99, have been recognised as the country's longest-married couple by a group after they completed 80 years of marital bliss. Auckland couple -- Jeram Ravji and Ganga Ravji -- who will turn 100 in May and June respectively, will be celebrating their 81st wedding anniversary in two months. Jeram and Ganga were born in India on May 4, 1916, and June 6, 1916, respectively. The couple, whose family includes six children, 15 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren all living in Auckland, were betrothed at the age of six in India and married at the age of 19. They were felicitated by Family First NZ, a Christian lobby group. Ganga said her husband was imprisoned for 10 months after joining Mahatma Gandhi's freedom struggle and fighting against the rule of the British government, the New Zealand Herald reported. She was often beaten up by police during her husband's time as a freedom fighter to try to get information from her about her husband, she said. Ganga said that the key to a good marriage was to learn to make sacrifices and to take the good with the bad. "(The advice) we would give to our children if they had difficulties with their marriage would be you have to work hard, you have to have tolerance - that's the most important part, tolerance," Ganga said while speaking to the daily through her daughter Bhanu Daji. The Ravjis said they love each other just as much now as they always have. They married at 19 and lived as a family in New Zealand from 1953, first in Whanganui before moving to Auckland in 1981. "Although we can only go on the nominations made, we are pretty sure that the Ravjis are New Zealand's longest-married couple. As part of their award from Family First NZ, they will have a professional photo sitting with their extended family which includes 6 children, 15 grandchildren and 25 great- grandchildren all living in Auckland. "The last family photo was 10 years ago at their 90th birthday celebrations," Family First New Zealand Director Bob McCoskrie said. Despite fighting the British rule in India, Ravjis said they were looking forward to receiving their letter from the Queen when they turn 100 this year. Married for nearly 81 years, an Indian-origin couple, both aged 99 who have taken part in India's freedom struggle, have been awarded New Zealand's longest- married couple by a group, media reports said today. Auckland couple Jeram Ravji and Ganga Ravji, who will turn 100 in May and June respectively, will be celebrating their 81st wedding anniversary in two months. Jeram and Ganga were born in India on May 4, 1916 and June 6, 1916 respectively. The couple, whose family includes six children, 15 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren all living in Auckland, were betrothed at the age of six in India and married at the age of 19. They were felicitated by Family First NZ, a Christian lobby group. Ganga said her husband was imprisoned for 10 months after joining Mahatma Gandhi's freedom struggle and fighting against the rule of the British government, NZ Herald reported. She was often beaten up by police during her husband's time as a freedom fighter to try to get information from her about her husband, she said. Ganga said that the key to a good marriage was to learn to make sacrifices and to take the good with the bad. "(The advice) we would give to our children if they had difficulties with their marriage would be you have to work hard, you have to have tolerance - that's the most important part, tolerance," Ganga said while speaking to the Herald through her daughter Bhanu Daji. The Ravjis said they love each other just as much now as they always have. He moved to New Zealand in 1928 when he was 11, five years after the pair became betrothed at age six in 1922. They married at 19 and lived as a family in New Zealand from 1953, first in Whanganui before moving to Auckland in 1981. "Although we can only go on the nominations made, we are pretty sure that the Ravjis are New Zealand's longest-married couple. As part of their award from Family First NZ, they will have a professional photo sitting with their extended family which includes 6 children, 15 grandchildren and 25 great- grandchildren all living in Auckland. "The last family photo was 10 years ago at their 90th birthday celebrations," Family First New Zealand Director Bob McCoskrie said. Despite fighting the British rule in India, Ravjis said they were looking forward to receiving their letter from the Queen when they turn 100 this year. A 13-year-old Indian-origin boy has been honoured in the US for his efforts to improve access to education for underprivileged students in America and around the world through his charity organisation. Ishaan Patel, founder and CEO of Planting Pencils was recently honoured by the Milan Cultural Organisation during the Republic Day celebration in the Legislative Office building in downtown Hartford, Connecticut, the Bristol Press reported. Patel, son of immigrants from India, who attends Kingswood-Oxford School in West Hartford created his charity to improve access to education for underserved children around the world. Republic Day commemorates the Declaration of Indian Independence by the Indian National Congress to become a democratic government system. The Milan association is composed of people from India living in America. It is engaged in promoting the traditional art and culture of India in the US. It organises and participates in cultural events, setting up exhibitions of Indian handicrafts in schools, colleges, educational and cultural institutions, and works with other associations promoting social and civic activities. "The goals of our organisation are to let the values of our culture and heritage contribute to the strength of America, and for us to all be productive participants in the civic and social issues of the bigger community," said Suresh Sharma, president of Milan Cultural Organisation. Sharma and all the directors of the organisation were impressed by this teenager's efforts to tackle global education problems. "Ishaan is the embodiment of those goals," he added. The aim of Planting Pencils is to raise awareness that every child in the world has a right to basic, free, quality education and to give support to underfunded schools in low-income areas in the US and underdeveloped countries where many children have no access or limited access to basic education. A 31-year-old Indian engineer has been sentenced to three years in prison for espionage by a Pakistani military court over three years after he went missing when he illegally entered the country from Afghanistan reportedly to meet a girl he had befriended online. Hamid Nehal Ansari, a Mumbai resident, was convicted on Sunday in Kohat, a city in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan, and was shifted to Peshawar Central Prison, a jail spokesman said. He has a right to appeal under the Pakistan Army Act. India had sought consular access for Ansari, an engineer, and asked Pakistan to ensure his safety and security. According to Dawn, Ansari has confessed to illegally entering Pakistan from Afghanistan for espionage. He had seven Facebook accounts as well as around 30 email addresses. He was reportedly found to be in possession of sensitive documents, it claimed. Over three years after Ansari went missing in Pakistan where he had allegedly gone to meet a girl he had befriended on the Internet, authorities last month admitted that he has been in army custody and facing a trial in military courts. In light of the information, a two-member bench had on January 13 disposed of a habeas corpus petition filed by the convict's mother, Fauzia Ansari, against his alleged illegal detention. Court had asked the government to respond to the petition by Fauzia on the whereabouts of her son. In response, Military Intelligence Directorate intimated that Ansari was in military custody and is being tried by a military court. Ansari was taken into custody by police and Intelligence Bureau (IB) officials in Kohat, about 70 kms from here, in November 2012. Ever since, his whereabouts were unknown. Ansari's mother claimed he was in touch with some Pakistani friends who had suggested him to cross into Pakistan from Afghanistan without a visa. She claimed that he had befriended a Pakistani woman through social media and had gone to Pakistan to meet her. A 31-year-old Indian national, who had gone missing in Pakistan in 2012, has been sentenced to three years in prison by a military court for espionage. Hamid Nehal Ansari was convicted on Sunday in Kohat, a city in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan, and was shifted to Peshawar Central Prison, a jail spokesman said. He has a right to appeal under the Pakistan Army Act. India had sought consular access for Ansari, an engineer, and asked Pakistan to ensure his safety and security. According to Dawn, Ansari has confessed to illegally entering Pakistan from Afghanistan for espionage. He had seven Facebook accounts as well as around 30 email addresses. He was reportedly found to be in possession of sensitive documents, it claimed. Over three years after Ansari went missing in Pakistan where he had allegedly gone to meet a girl he had befriended on the Internet, authorities last month admitted that he has been in army custody and facing a trial in military courts. In light of the information, a two-member bench had on January 13 disposed off a habeas corpus petition filed by Fauzia Ansari, the convict's mother, against his alleged illegal detention. Court had asked the government to respond to the petition by Fauzia on the whereabouts of her son. In response, Military Intelligence Directorate intimated that Ansari was in military custody and is being tried by a military court. Ansari, a Mumbai resident, was taken into custody by police and Intelligence Bureau (IB) officials in Kohat, about 70 kms from here, in November 2012. Ever since, his whereabouts were unknown. Ansari's mother claimed he was in touch with some Pakistani friends who had suggested him to cross into Pakistan from Afghanistan without a visa. She claimed that he had befriended a Pakistani woman through social media and had gone to Pakistan to meet her. Iran is poised to export its first oil shipments to Europe since international economic sanctions were lifted in mid-January, the oil ministry's SHANA service reported today. It said two million barrels of oil were being pumped aboard a tanker at Kharg Island in the Gulf, bound for French energy giant Total. Another two tankers were preparing to ship a million barrels each to Spain's CEPSA and Lukoil of Russia, SHANA reported. It cited oil terminals official Pirouz Moussavi as saying yesterday that loading of the tankers would be complete within 24 hours. "For the last four years, no oil has been shipped to Europe because of the unjust sanctions against our country," Moussavi added. In early 2012, the European Union and United States strengthened economic sanctions against Iran because of its controversial nuclear programme, forcing the Islamic republic to halt oil exports to Europe. Since then, Asia -- mainly India and China -- have been the main market for Iranian oil. In recent years, Iranian oil exports have fallen from more than 2.2 million barrels per day to about one million bpd. It currently produces 2.8 million bpd. Iran's nuclear agreement last July with world powers means that now that most of the sanctions have been lifted it can resume oil exports to Europe. Last month, the National Oil Company said it had ordered production to increase by 500,000 bpd -- a move Tehran had long planned once the nuclear deal with world powers took effect. When President Hassan Rouhani visited France in January, a deal was signed with Total to buy 160,000 bpd. Oil Minister Bijan Zanganeh said the contract with Total would take effect from February 16, SHANA said. Oil prices rose today with US benchmark West Texas Intermediate for March delivery climbing 57 cents to USD 33.01 per barrel from Friday's close. Brent North Sea crude for delivery in April advanced 36 cents to USD 33.72 a barrel in midday London trade. An Iraqi military helicopter crashed south of Baghdad today killing nine people due to a "technical problem", a security spokesman said. "A military helicopter of the Mi-17 type crashed because of a technical problem," killing its crew of nine, two of them officers, Brigadier General Yahya Rasool told AFP. The Soviet-designed helicopter, which is intended for transport but can also be equipped with weapons, was en route from Iraq's main southern city of Basra to the city of Kut, southeast of Baghdad, Rasool said. A Kut police captain said the crash occurred in an area east of the city. Iraq has lost multiple helicopters to accidents and ground fire in recent years, while others have been damaged. In October 2014, militants shot down a Bell 407 north of Baghdad, killing two crew, five days after an Mi-35 was shot down in the same area, while jihadists destroyed another helicopter on the ground earlier in the year. An overloaded helicopter crashed after delivering aid to people besieged by the Islamic State jihadist group on Mount Sinjar in August 2014, killing its pilot and injuring passengers, including a member of parliament. Lieutenant General Hassan Karim Khudayr was killed when a military helicopter crashed north of Baghdad before IS launched a sweeping offensive in June 2014, while Iraq also lost an Mi-17 to a sandstorm in July 2010, a crash that killed five. The three Americans who were abducted in Baghdad last month have been freed and handed over to the US Embassy, Iraqi officials said today. The officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity as they were not authorized to brief the press, said all three were in good health. The US embassy could not immediately be reached for comment. In January, it confirmed that several Americans had gone missing. Iraqi authorities said the three were kidnapped from a "suspicious apartment." Iraqi and Western officials said they suspected one of two powerful Shiite militias was behind the kidnapping. The Americans were abducted in Dora, a mixed neighborhood that is home to both Shiites and Sunnis. It was the latest in a series of brazen high-profile kidnappings undermining confidence in the Iraqi government's ability to control state-sanctioned Shiite militias, which have grown in strength as Iraqi security forces battle the Islamic State group. Actor Sacha Baron Cohen says his wife Isla Fisher is not a fan of his famous titular character from the 2006 hit British-American mockumentary comedy film "Borat". While the 40-year-old actress is married to the fictional reporter's creator, 44, he admitted that Borat failed to impress her, reported Female First. When asked which of his characters she prefers, Sacha quipped that Isla prefers male model Bruno as he "shaves and waxes". Speaking at the BAFTAs in London on Sunday (14.02.16), Cohen said, "She's had to make love to all of them but I think her least favourite was Borat. Probably the best was Bruno because of the personal hygiene. Bruno showered, shaved, waxed. Italy is teaming with the United Nations' cultural agency to try to keep ancient artworks, monuments, artifacts and archaeological sites in conflict areas out of the hands of extremists. Italian Foreign Minister Paolo Gentiloni and UNESCO director-general Irina Bokova signed an accord in Rome today creating an Italian task force dubbed the Peacekeepers of Culture, as well as establishing a center in Turin, northern Italy, to train cultural-heritage-protection experts. Officials say no country has been chosen yet for the first mission. The task force draws on Italy's Carabinieri paramilitary police force, which has long been in the vanguard in fighting trafficking in looted artworks and artifacts. Gentiloni noted that extremists such as the Islamic State group sell looted art and artifacts to finance terrorism, and they destroy monuments as well for "cultural cleansing.'" The cultural protection strategy "could be in the future one of the essential components in the fight against terrorism," Gentiloni said. Islamic State group is believed to derive some of its funds by selling looted artifacts, statues and other ancient objects in a flourishing black-market antiquities market. Beyond the financing benefits for the extremists, plundering or destroying monuments and archaeological sites has a "more insidious motive," canceling "diversity and pluralism" in culture, Italy's foreign minister said. Last year, activists reported that the Islamic State group killed three captives in Palmyra, Syria, by tying them to ancient Roman columns, them blowing them up. IS destroyed other monuments in Palmyra, a desert oasis standing at the crossroads of ancient civilizations, including a magnificent temple and an Arch of Triumph. "We are witnessing a tragedy of destruction of heritage, systematic and deliberate attacks on culture," Bokova said at the signing ceremony inside the towering Baths of Diocletian, built around 300. The accord envisions intervention upon a request relayed to UNESCO by another country. Besides Carabinieri art theft squad police, task force members include art historians and Italian-trained restoration efforts. Rail and road traffic was again affected in Rohtak-Jhajjar region today as the Jats intensified their ongoing protest demanding reservation in government jobs and educational institutions under OBC category. The members of Jat coommunity blocked the highways and other roads in Rohtak-Jhajjar region and also extended their protest to Sonipat and other parts. The protesters had earlier blocked the NH-10 passing through Sampla town in Rohtak district. Rail traffic on the Rohtak-Delhi section has taken a hit in the wake of agitation with many trains diverted, a railways official said today. Agitating Jats said they want the government to take concrete steps to fulfill their demand. "We do not want hollow promises and false assurances. We want the government to come out with a concret action plan," a Jat protester in Ismaila village in Rohtak district said. Yesterday, Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar had said that the four-member committee constituted by his government on the reservation issue demanded by the Jats in government jobs, would submit its report by March 31. He had also appealed to the protesters to clear the blockade and end protest. On February 9, the state government had formed a committee comprising Chief Secretary D S Dhesi, Principal Secretary, Welfare of Scheduled Castes and Backward Classes T C Gupta, Principal Secretary (Industries) Devender Singh and a representative from the office of the Haryana Advocate General to examine the issue in detail. Opposition party INLD has extended its support to agitating Jats and blamed the BJP government for not being able to address the Jat reservation issue appropriately. (Reopens DES 51) Meanwhile, Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar said leaders of political parties who are visiting the spots of Jat reservation dharnas should not politicise the issue. He said the government has done its job by enacting a law on reservation. "As the matter is pending before the court, everyone must cooperate so as to get the stay vacated. Government is also working in this direction," he told reporters in Chandigarh. He urged the protesters to come forward for negotiation. REOPENS DES 45 Some inflammatory videos on social networking sites on Jat agitation have been identified and blocked by the state's cyber police wing. Khattar had earlier said the government had accepted the demand of Jats of giving jobs to the next of kin of those who had lost their lives during the agitation last year. As many as 30 people were killed and property worth crores was damaged at many places in Haryana during last year's Jat stir which had turned violent. Rohtak and some of its neighbouring districts, including Sonipat and Jhajjar, were the worst hit by the violence. (REOPENS NRG25) Meanwhile, Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar held a meeting in Gurugram with ministers and BJP leaders from 10 sensitive districts to review the prevailing situation in view of the Jat quota agitation. Khattar also apprised them about the measures taken by the state government to grant reservation to the Jat community. The districts are Jhajjar, Rohtak, Bhiwani, Charkhi-Dadri, Hisar, Jind, Sirsa, Kaithal, Sonipat and Panipat. Interacting with mediapersons after the meeting, Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare Minister O P Dhankar said that the state government was open to talks with Jat leaders and they should put up their demands before the government. In response to the demands of the Jat community, he said that the state government has no objection in providing financial help and jobs to the family members of those who lost their lives during the agitation last year. Referring to the demand of withdrawal of cases filed against some Jat community members during last year's agitation, Dhankar said that the state government has withdrawn about 1,500 cases till now and 622 cases are pending. He said that the BJP government had granted reservation to the Jat community. But it was challenged in the court, he said, adding that advocate Jagdeep Dhankar has been engaged for pursuing the case. Jihadis used armoured vehicles in the attack on the United Nations mission in northern Mali that killed at least seven peacekeepers last week, a spokeswoman for the mission said. Experts in the investigation say the Islamic extremists used homemade shields to reinforce the truck that drove into the base in the town Kidal last Friday, Radhia Achouri told The Associated Press yesterday. She said investigations show that shells fired outside the camp diverted the soldiers as the truck, filled with explosives, entered the camp. The explosion did the majority of the damage, killing seven Guinean peacekeepers, and wounding more than 30 others. "When the truck forced through the front door, the peacekeepers opened fire on the car, but the bullets could not penetrate the truck which continued into the interior of the camp," she said. Olivier Salgado, a spokesman for the mission, said a woman was among those killed. The Mali-based Islamic extremist group Ansar Dine, which has ties to al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, claimed responsibility for the attack. According to the newspaper Alakhbar, which is generally used by jihadis for communication, the attack was led by a Mauritanian member of Ansar Dine. Northern Mali was occupied by al-Qaeda-linked extremists in 2012, before French forces pushed them from strongholds in 2013, though attacks by the extremists continue. Controversial BJP MP Sakshi Maharaj today said police should act against Congress Vice president Rahul Gandhi and CPI(M) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury for "supporting anti- protest" at JNU, while terming the prestigious university as a "den of intellectual terrorism". He also asked the Centre to "monitor" activities of Gandhi. "The Centre should monitor activities of Rahul Gandhi. As far as JNU is concerned it has become den of intellectual terrorism and it is need of the hour to keep a tab on it. The university can also be closed for some time," he told PTI. "The anti- activities should be curbed otherwise the situation will go out of control," he said. Defending police action against JNU students' Union chief Kanhaiya Kumar, who has been charged with sedition, he said, "similar action should be taken against those including Rahul Gandhi, D Raja, Sitaram Yechuri who are supporting anti- protest." "Supporting Afzal Guru was an attack on Supreme Court and the country and government should also initiate a CBI probe to find who are behind it", he added. The escalating row over the JNU issue today found an echo at a meeting of political parties called by Prime Minister Narendra Modi with opposition leaders speaking against the sedition case slapped on the arrested student leader and government asserting that slogans raised by students were "highly objectionable". The government said it is open to debating the JNU row in Parliament during the upcoming Budget Session starting February 23 with Modi saying that it will address the concerns raised by the opposition. Modi said during the meeting as opposition parties raised a host of issues that he was Prime minister not only of BJP but the entire country, Parliamentary Affairs Minister M Venkaiah Naidu told the media after the over two-hour meeting. Today's parleys were the first-ever meeting of political parties convened by Modi ahead of a Parliament session. "We will respond to the issues raised by the opposition and address them... I hope the congenial mood here will be translated into action in Parliament," Modi told the meeting. Naidu said there was a general consensus that Parliament should run smoothly. With BJP targeting Congress over its support to "anti-nationals" in the JNU row, Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad said his party "disassociates" with all such students who shouted slogans attacking India's unity and Constitution but insisted that there was no proof of sedition against Kanhaiya Kumar, the arrested JNU Student Union president. "There is no proof of sedition against him," he said. He also hit out at BJP leaders for "defaming" the party leadership with their "anti-national" jibe and said the government should restrain them. Azad told the media that the atmosphere in the country has been vitiated since the BJP came to power and its government has taken no action against people responsible for it. The JNU row is set to cast a shadow on the coming Budget Session as the opposition today raised questions on the issue at a meeting called by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for ensuring smooth running of Parliament but Congress put the ball in government's court. In the first-ever exercise initiated by Modi against the backdrop of repeated stalling of sessions, the Prime Minister reached out to them, seeking their cooperation saying "I am not the Prime Minister of BJP alone but the entire country". He expressed the hope that Parliament will function and assured opposition parties that the government will work to address their concerns. Parliamentary Affairs Minister M Venkaiah Naidu said there was a general consensus that Parliament should run smoothly. The session begins from February 23. Today's meeting was dominated by the JNU issue with the Congress and the Left questioning the filing of sedition case against JNUSU president Kanhaiya Kumar. They also wanted the government to rein in BJP leaders and those holding the constitutional posts who are "vitiating" the atmosphere in the country. Opposition leaders gave notice that they will raise issues like JNU, Arunachal crisis and the suicide of a Dalit scholar in Hyderabad Central University and farmers' problems. Briefing media after the meeting, Naidu said the Prime Minister said the government was open to discussion on all issues. "We will respond to the issues raised by the opposition and address them... I hope the congenial mood here will be translated into action in Parliament," Modi told the meeting. Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad made it clear that his party "disassociates" with students who shouted slogans at the JNU against India's unity and Constitution but insisted that there was no proof of sedition against Kanhaiya Kumar. The Left parties concurred with him. JNU students staying as tenants in south Delhi's Munirka area are being asked to "vacate", BJP MP Udit Raj today claimed describing it as a consequence of a "motivated" campaign to label the varsity as a den of "anti- nationals and traitors". Raj, an alumnus of the institution, said that only a section and not the "whole" of JNU support "anti-nationals" while lamenting that a "wrong message" has gone out to the people which needs to be corrected. Referring to a statement made by another alumnus, Raj said, "JNU students staying in rented accommodations in the Munirka area are being asked to vacate terming them as anti- nationals in the wake of the recent incident." JNU Students Union Vice President Shehla Rashid Shora made a similar claim wondering who would "mend this damage". "Our opponents are saying that we should wait for the enquiry to be over but what about the entire university being branded 'anti-national', some of my friends have been asked to vacate their rented houses in Munirka," Shora said. The BJP MP also termed as "unfortunate" yesterday's attack on journalists, JNU teachers and students inside the Patiala House Court premises by groups of lawyers. Raj, who represents the North West Delhi constituency, said he was "unaware" of sedition charges against arrested JNUSU president Kanhaiya Kumar. "Let there be more clarity. It's too early to comment." Raj said "it is not the fact" when pointed out that a section of the right wing has demanded the "shut down" of JNU and has went on to describe it as a "den" of "traitors and anti-nationals". "I am not aware of any such demand and in case someone has said so I disassociate from those remarks. BJP and ABVP condemn such demands if any. We also oppose any attempts to interfere with the probe into the case," he said. He also took an ambiguous position over police presence in the campus of the sprawling university saying that there was a similar "clampdown" during his days as a student. Flanked by a number of former JNU students, Raj stressed on the need to "isolate" students allegedly indulging in anti -India activities. Police should be assisted in identifying those elements, he said. "It's painful. Being ex-JNU students, we are constantly being asked all sorts of questions. JNU as a whole is not a den of traitors and anti-nationals, it's a place of intellectuals. I am proud of JNU. A wrong message has gone out. It's a great institution which has produced luminaries in every field," Raj told reporters. A group of former students also issued a statement stating that the incident in JNU should not be seen in "isolation" and that it was part of a "larger design" to weaken India and mislead its younger generation. They also announced a three-point programme including an online signature campaign, press conferences and solidarity meets involving former JNU students across the country to strengthen hand of "responsible students" of JNU. JNU teachers today joined the students in boycotting classes in protest against arrest of its student union leader in a sedition case and said they would take classes on "nationalism" in the varsity lawns. The students had yesterday gone on an indefinite strike till JNUSU president Kanhaiya Kumar is released and the sedition case against him dropped. After 10 teachers and a group of students were attacked yesterday in Patiala House court complex where Kanhaiya was produced yesterday, the teachers association decided to join the students in boycotting classes. "The administration is not only acting against students but also teachers and we are being openly attacked while the VC stays mum over it. The entire world is now referring to JNU as a hub of anti-nationals on basis of propaganda of few people in power. It is time we teach our students what nationalism is," said Rohith Azad, a faculty member, who was among those who were attacked yesterday. The one-and-half-hour long lecture on "nationalism " will be held every evening at 5 in front of the administration block. JNU students union president Kanhaiya Kumar was arrested last week in connection with a case of sedition and criminal conspiracy registered over holding of the event at the varsity during which anti-India slogans were alleged to have been raised. His arrest has triggered widespread outrage among students and teachers and drawn severe criticism from non-BJP political parties. The university teachers had earlier rallied behind its protesting students and questioned the administration's decision to allow the police crackdown on the campus even as they appealed to the public not to "brand" the institution as "anti-national" but they had not joined the strike earlier. Teachers' bodies of 40 central universities and Pune-based FTII had also come out in support of the agitating students, saying it is an issue of "indiscipline" and not "sedition". Over 400 academicians from international varsities, including Columbia, Yale, Harvard, Cambridge, Oxford, SOAS, University of Toronto, McGill, King's College, University of California, Berkeley and New York University have also expressed solidarity with JNU students condemning the "illegal" detention and "autocratic" suspension of students. Top editors of national media and hundreds of journalists today hit the streets demanding action against those involved in beating up members of their fraternity in a court complex in police presence and sought Supreme Court's intervention in protecting freedom of speech. The journalists, shouting slogans against the Modi Government and Delhi Police, marched from Press Club of India to the Supreme Court and submitted a memorandum to its, Registrar, seeking cancellation of licences of lawyers involved in the assualt. The protesters also demanded Police Commissioner B S Bassi's sacking due to alleged inaction by the security personnel at the Patiala House Courts yesterday when journalists, students and teachers of JNU where attacked by people wearing lawyers' black robes. A separate delegation of journalists met Home Minister Rajnath Singh demanding his intervention in ensuring "accountability of the Delhi Police who watched silently as the assault happened". The memorandum by the journalists was submitted to Supreme Court even as it agreed to hear a petition tomorrow on a plea seeking action against those involved in the violence at Patiala House court complex. "We demand the intervention of the highest court of the land to take appropriate action against the advocates involved in the assault," the memorandum said, urging the court to direct the bar council to cancel the licences of the errant advocates. No arrest has been made even 24 hours after the assault where Delhi BJP MLA OP Sharma was also seen beating up a CPI activist. The journalists also said the CCTV footage of yesterday's incident should be called for and police directed to ensure protection to journalists and other media persons. Yesterday, groups of lawyers had beaten up journalists and JNU students and teachers ahead of the hearing of the sedition case registered against JNUSU president Kanhaiya Kumar in connection with an event at the university last week to protest the hanging of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru. Anti-India slogans were also allegedly raised at the event. Nadeem Ahmad Kazmi, Secretary General of Press Club of India, said the Supreme Court registrar told them Chief Justice of India T S Thakur will meet a delegation of journalists in a few days. "We hope that the Supreme Court will surely protect freedom of speech because it is constitutionally mandated to do so," he said. Senior journalist Siddharth Varadarajan slammed the Delhi Police for remaining "mute spectators" when the assault was going on. "The manner in which the police allowed the goons to beat up jourmnalists and no action has been taken against them even after 24 hours tells you that the terrain is likely to get more and more hostile for journalism. "There is not even a video of Kanhaiya Kumar saying anything and he has been booked for sedition and here you have a video recording of an MLA kicking and beating somebody and not even a case has been registered," he said. In the memorandum to the Home Minister, the journalists demanded that the perpetrators of the assault be brought to book at the earliest. "As Union Home Minister, we urge your intervention in the matter on two counts. There should be some accountability of the Delhi Police who watched silently as the assault happened. "And secondly, as there were CCTV cameras where the incident of assault must have been recorded, we demand that the perpetrators of the assault be brought to book at the earliest," they said. In the memorandum, the journalists also criticised Bassi for describing the incident as a "minor scuffle". "It is a matter of concern that the Delhi Police Commissioner has dismissed the incident describing it as a scuffle. Such observations will encourage only those elements who already believe that they are above the law of the land," it said. In the memorandum to the Supreme Court, the journalists said Delhi Police did nothing even as "brutal assault" was unleashed by lawyers on mediapersons including, on women scribes, in and outside the court room. More than a dozen journalists were set upon by lawyers who prevented them in the discharge of their duties. The journalists had gone to cover the hearing of the sedition case against arrested JNU students union president Kanhaiya Kumar. The stock of Jindal Steel & Power Ltd (JSPL) today slumped by over 6 per cent amid concerns over the company's debt situation. The scrip, which opened at Rs 64.40, tumbled 6.34 per cent to close at Rs 59.10 on BSE. It touched an intra-day low of Rs 58.30. The company's shares took a beating on the NSE as well. The scrip dropped by nearly 6 per cent to end the day at Rs 59.60. It touched an intra-day low of Rs 58.30 on both the exchanges. Rating agency Crisil has downgraded JSPL and assigned a negative outlook. The company, which is into diverse segments including steel, cement and power, has significant debt. In an investor presentation on its latest third quarter results, the company said the focus would be on reducing working capital -- receivables and inventories -- as well as explore options to reduce interest costs. JNU students' union leader Kanhaiya Kumar, who was arrested on sedition charges, may not have raised anti- slogans or made an inflammatory speech at the JNU event which is at the centre of a raging controversy, according to inputs from security agencies. Home Ministry officials have suggested that slapping of the serious charge of sedition against Kumar could be an act of "over enthusiasm" on the part of some Delhi Police officers. Security agencies have conveyed to the Home Ministry that even though Kumar was present at the event commemorating the death of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru, he possibly did not raise any anti-India slogan nor did he speak anything anti- that invites the charge of sedition. Officials said the anti-India slogans were raised by students belonging to Democratic Students Union (DSU), considered to be a front of CPI (Maoists). Kumar belongs to AISF, the students wing of CPI, while DSU is an extreme left group. A students organisation of a mainstream political party can't get along with an organisation of extreme left ideology, officials said. Besides, names of DSU leaders were only printed in the posters which were pasted in JNU campus, inviting the students to the event commemorating the death of Afzal Guru. Security agencies told the Home Ministry officials that Kumar did deliver a speech but it could not be considered as anti-national, they said. Slapping of sedition charge against Kumar could be an act of "over enthusiastic" police officers, officials said. The event was also backed by the Committee for Release of Political Prisoners (CRPR), headed by former Delhi University lecturer SAR Geelani, who was also arrested today on sedition charges. Geelani was given charge of CRPR, which was originally floated by Maoist sympathisers, possibly to bring people with extremist ideology, including Kashmiri separatists and Naga separatists, into one umbrella group. Home Minister Rajnath Singh had said on Sunday that the JNU event in memory of Afzal Guru had received "support" from terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba founder Hafiz Saeed. Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju yesterday had said Hafiz Saeed was backing the incident in Jawaharlal Nehru University. Kashmiri separatists today came out in support of former Delhi University professor S A R Geelani who has been arrested over alleged anti-India statements, saying the action amounts to "muzzling the freedom of expression". Hardline Hurriyat Conference chief Syed Ali Shah Geelani also opposed the arrest of JNU Students Union leader Kanhaiya Kumar in connection with alleged anti-India sloganeering. "This detention has no constitutional and legal justification and it is an act of muzzling the freedom of expression," he said about the arrest of S A R Geelani. Demanding immediate release of Geelani and Kanhaiya, the Hurriyat leader said, "The secular and democratic claims of India are badly exposed day by day and this country is on its way to become an extremely intolerant Hindu Rashtra." He also termed as "baseless and ridiculous" the comment by Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh linking the JNU event with Pakistan and Hafiz Sayeed. Moderate Hurriyat Conference chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq said, "Geelani's arrest is against democratic principles and reflects dictatorial politics." JKLF leader Yasin Malik said, "This (Geelani's arrest) is a glaring example of dictatorship under the garb of democracy." Controversial Independent MLA Sheikh Abdul Rashid also jumped into the row, saying "I thank and salute the students and scholars of JNU for raising their voice against the hanging of (Parliament attack convict Afzal) Guru. Hats off to them." He added, "Unfortunately, BJP and Congress are trying to use it for political gains and are giving it a political colour. It is an ideological war and battle of ideas, not a battle between BJP and Congress." Rashid said "if the students of JNU are anti-national, then why is BJP trying to ally with the PDP" whose MLAs "had endorsed my stand on Guru on eve of seeking my support for Rajya Sabha and Legislative Council elections last year". A section of the twitterati on Tuesday attacked Delhi Chief Minister for posting a cartoon which shows a Hanuman-esque figure assuring Prime Minister Narendra Modi that public attention has been diverted towards Jawaharlala Nehru University (JNU) from other pressing issues. Kejriwal posted the cartoon, published in a leading daily, on his Twitter account. Within minutes, #KejriwalinsultsHanuman started trending. A person lodged a police complaint against the Delhi CM in Hyderabad seeking "appropriate action" against him for "hurting religious sentiments". The point of contention appeared to be a character sporting a tail which can be seen flying towards Modi while assuring him, "Done Sir, all attention is on JNU". The PM is shown standing amid raging fires over several socio-economic and security issues. #KejriwalInsultsHanuman. Delhi CM @ArvindKejriwal must apologise unconditionally for mocking India & insulting Hanumanji," one Arvind Gupta tweeted. Amit Malviya, in-charge of Bharatiya Janata Party's IT department, tweeted, "If Kejriwal is benchmarked to the logic seculars applied after the Charlie Hebedo act, he should be at least in jail. #KejriwalInsultsHanuman". Delhi BJP president Satish Upadhyay condemned Kejriwal for "hurting the sentiments of crores of Hindus" by portraying their revered Hanumanji in "bad taste". "We feel that this bad portrayal has been intentionally done to please the Leftist section, responsible for anti- propaganda at JNU," he alleged. "Kejriwal must immediately apologise to the nation, especially to Hindus, for hurting the religious sentiments," he said. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal today met Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and took up with him the situation in Jawaharlal Nehru University in the wake of the arrest of its students' union president in a sedition case. During the meeting that lasted 15 minutes, Kejriwal voiced concern over the prevailing atmosphere at the institution arising out of an event to protest against the hanging of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru. The President of JNU Students' Union, Kanhaiya Kumar, was arrested following that event. Sources said the Chief Minister told Singh that the issue got complicated due to police action against the students. The Home Minister told Kejriwal that police were probing the matter and action is being taken as per the law, the sources said. The Chief Minister also discussed with the Home Minister a few administrative issues relating to the Delhi government, they said. Russia is not bombing hospitals in northern Syria, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said today, calling such reports "unsubstantiated accusations." "Once again, we categorically reject and do not accept such statements," he said when asked whether Russian planes bombed hospitals in Syria, including one supported by Doctors Without Borders (MSF). "Especially since every time, those who make such statements are unable to prove in any way their unsubstantiated accusations." The Kremlin spokesman added that Moscow prefers to rely on "first-hand sources" of information, which he said in this case would be the Syrian government. Syria's ambassador to Russia, Riad Haddad, on Monday accused the United States of bombing the MSF hospital and said that "Russian warplanes had nothing to do with any of it." Strikes on hospitals in Idlib and Azaz killed almost 50 civilians including children, according to the United Nations, with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon saying the raids violated international law and undermined efforts to end the five-year conflict. The MSF confirmed its hospital was hit, without assigning blame. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a British-based monitor, said it suspected that Russian warplanes were behind the attack, based on the location of the raids and the flight patterns and types of planes involved. The Russian air force has carried out a campaign of strikes to help the ground offensive by the Syrian army since September. The West accuses it of pursuing the goal of wiping out President Bashar al-Assad's moderate opposition rather than the stated objective to destroy jihadist groups like the Islamic State. The last rites of two soldiers from Karnataka, who were buried alive in an avalanche in the Siachen Glacier, were performed at their native villages todaywith full military and state honours. The mortal remains of Sepoy Mahesh and Subedar Nagesh were laid to rest at their native villages Pashupati in Mysurudistrict and Tejuru in Hassan district respectively. They were buried according to family traditions amidchants of patriotic slogans by hundreds of people who had gathered atboth the places. The bodies were brought to Bengaluru onboard an Indian Air Forceaircraft last evening from where they were taken to their native villagesby road. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah paid his last respects to Sepoy Mahesh in Mysuru and consoled the family, while Home Minister G Parameshwara and District in-charge Minister A Manju paid homage to Subedar Nagesh in Hassan district. Of the ten soldiers who lost their lives in the Siachen tragedy, four-- Lance Naik Hanamanthappa Koppad, Sepoy Mahesh and Subedar Nagesh--were from Karnataka. Hanamanthappa, who was the lone survivor when rescued from Siachen, died on February 11 at the Army hospital in New Delhi after almost a week-long battle. The Karnataka government has announced an ex-gratia of Rs 25 lakh alongwith land and a job for the kin of the deceased. Legal experts from the US and India will discuss key issues including the Bilateral Investment Treaty to encourage American investments in the country during a three-day forum in New Delhi. American Bar Association President Paulette Brown would be the chief guest at the India-US Cross Border Investment Forum in New Delhi beginning tomorrow. The meeting aims at discussing key issues relating to the India-US trade agreement including the Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) to encourage American investments in the Indian market, a statement issued yesterday said. "The Conference and the panels are well-designed and timely. I have no doubt it will be a critical venue for advancing India-US deal-making in general and New Delhi's stature and positioning in that space in particular," Brown said in a statement. Being organised by the Society of Indian Law Firms, the meeting is also expected to be addressed by US Ambassador to India Richard Verma, former union ministers Salman Khurshid and Kapil Sibal, Senior Counsel Fali Nariman, president Emeritus Bar Association of India and P K Malhotra, secretary Ministry of Law and Justice, a statement said. "The growing cooperation between the legal professions of the US and India (nearly 2.5 million lawyers) augurs well for development of trade and commerce. Legal support is most vital for economic coordination and that is what precisely this conference hopes to provide," Co-chair of the conference and President of Society of Indian Law Firms Lalit Bhasin said. An internal communication to Delhi police from the JNU administration has revealed that the force was granted permission to enter the campus as they "may deem fit", contradicting the Vice Chancellor's stand that he did not call police to the premises. The letter dated February 11, a day ahead of the arrest of JNU students union President Kanhaiya Kumar, reads, "The Vice Chancellor has granted permission to the police force to enter JNU campus if need be and as you may deem fit." VC Jagdesh Kumar had yesterday claimed that he did not give a free hand to police to come on campus and pick up students. "I never invited the police to enter the campus and pick our students. We only provided whatever cooperation was needed as per the law of land. We were bound to do so," he had told reporters. The letter, by varsity Registrar Bhupinder Zutshi to DCP South, was sent in response to the two communications sent by police to the university asking them to rectify the faulty CCTV cameras and "produce six students for joining the investigation of the case". Meanwhile, the students continued to boycott classes in protest against the alleged "mishandling" of the issue by university administration questioning the administration's decision to allow the police "crackdown" on campus. They were joined by some teachers today who also demanded an explanation from the VC for the same. When asked about the two contradicting stands, a senior varsity official said, "the letter was an assurance of cooperation as per the law of land. Understanding the concerns of the students about the security deployment on campus, we had raised the issue with police officials and there has been no deployment inside the campus since then". The varsity has also stated in the letter to police, "security has been briefed to make use of present CCTV cameras and cell phone cameras to record any such incident. The repairing of non-functional CCTV cameras and laying of optical fibre cable for better connectivity of surveillance systems in progress. Four Deans of JNU had also written to the VC last week to convey their protest against the manner in which students are being compared to "terrorists" and picked up from campus by policemen in plain clothes. The clamour grew on campus demanding release of Kanhaiya who was arrested last week in connection with a case of sedition and criminal conspiracy registered over holding of the event at the varsity during which anti-India slogans were alleged to have been raised. The Maharashtra government is expected to set up its own convention centre, with a seating capacity of nearly 20,000, by 2018 to host large meetings, conferences and other events. The government, instead of going in for a usual convention centre, is focusing on building one that will tap into meetings, incentives, conferences and events (MICE) tourism, in which large groups are usually planned in advance and brought together for a specific purpose, an official from the state finance department said. The centre will have a capacity to accommodate 18,000-20,000 people and employ around 900-1,800 people. "The convention centre will be located close to the Mumbai airport. Taking lessons from the shortcomings at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi and recent fire that engulfed the Maharashtra Rajani programme at Girgaum Chowpatty here, the proposed convention centre will be fire compliant, have well laid out entrance and exit points. The government has fixed a deadline of 2018 by which it wants the convention centre ready," the official said. The convention centre will have large exhibition halls, meeting rooms, theatres, auditoriums and foyers. "The government had asked KPMG to conduct a study of convention centres the world over," he said, adding that international-level convention centres cover an area between 300,000-400,000 square feet. The government is yet to decide on whether to construct the convention centre through public private participation (PPP) mode or on its own, he said. "Tourism accounts for 23 per cent of the country's gross domestic product (GDP). The average footfall of tourists in Mumbai is around 550,000 of which 50 per cent tourists stay back for business purposes," he said. At present, state Finance Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar and Chief Secretary Swadheen Kshatriya are whetting the proposal for its viability and its location, he said. The convention centre will also boost the hotel industry, leading to an upgradation of several smaller hotels to meet the ever-increasing demands for accommodation of tourists, he said. "Besides this, the government has set up a committee, headed by minister for finance and industries, which will meet every two months to deliberate and give boost to the industrial sector," he added. A court in the Maldives today sentenced the leader of the country's main Islamist party to 12 years in jail after convicting him on a terrorism charge. Sheikh Imran Abdulla of the opposition Adhaalath Party (AP) was charged under a tough 1990 anti-terrorism law for allegedly inciting unrest during an anti-government rally last May on the capital island Male. Tight security was on hand at the Criminal Court as a judge read out the sentence during a night time sitting of the court. His lawyers said they will appeal to a higher court. Imran's AP joined the main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party in May last year to stage a mass rally to protest the jailing of dissidents by the government of President Abdulla Yameen. Following the demonstration, some 175 people, including Sheikh Imran, were arrested by the police. Imran's imprisonment came just 11 months after the highly controversial jailing of the country's main opposition leader Mohamed Nasheed, who last month obtained prison leave to undergo urgent surgery in London. President Yameen is under intense international pressure to free Nasheed, the country's first democratically elected president. The authorities have also arrested Yameen's former deputy Ahmed Adeeb on "treason" charges after he was implicated in a plot to assassinate the president in September by setting off an explosive device aboard his speedboat. Almost all of the president's key rivals are either in jail or living in exile. The tiny nation of 340,000 Sunni Muslims has been gripped by political turmoil damaging its reputation as a luxury holiday destination since Nasheed was toppled four years ago in what he claimed was a coup led by mutinous police and troops. President Yameen, who has refused to accept a UN panel ruling that Nasheed's jailing was illegal, has invited opposition parties for talks to resolve their differences. However, no dates have been set for the talks. Similar negotiations last year ended in failure with the opposition demanding that their leaders should first be released before any discussions commence. A man was today arrested for allegedly trying to smuggle five kilograms of gold worth around Rs 1.45 crore in a train, a Customs official said. The accused, hailing from Tamil Nadu, was detained at Rajamahendravaram in East Godavari district while he was on his way to Chennai from Visakhapatnam by train, according to Customs Commissioner A Rahman. "We had specific information about the smuggling of gold and we accordingly laid a trap. The gold was concealed in a water purifying machine that was imported from Malaysia," Rahman said. The accused started off in Kolkata and was on his onward journey from Visakhapatnam by train with the gold and reached Rajamahendravaram this afternoon when he fell into the Customs' trap. "These days gold smugglers are using trains. We have arrested 12 persons since January last year and seized 12-kg gold. We will give 20 per cent as reward to those who provide credible information leading to seizure of gold," the Customs Commissioner said. Indo-Nepal relations witnessed many important achievements especially in the power sector during the short tenure of former prime minister Sushil Koirala, Indian Ambassador to Nepal Ranjit Rae said today. "Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid visited twice and Minister of External Affairs Sushma Swaraj visited three times during the 20 months-long tenure of Koirala," Ambassador Rae said during a meeting organised by Nepal-India Friendship Society in memory of Koirala, who passed away last week at at the age of 79. Nepal and India had signed Power Trade Agreement to facilitate power exchange between the two countries and Power Development Agreements were inked for the construction of Upper Tamakoshi, being developed by GMR Energy, he said. Koirala was firm to fulfill his commitments and his principle of simple living and high thinking had inspired many people, he said. Late Koirala, who spent many years in India in exile, used to say that he would be inspired by the long democratic experience of India, the Indian envoy said. Nepali Congress general secretary Prakash Man Singh, speaking as chief guest, said Koirala displayed exemplary character while he was in jail or in the chair of prime minister. "Nepal would not have succeeded in promulgation of the new constitution if Koirala was not involved in the process," he added. Koirala was one of the few leaders, who spent very simple life and he had no great desire, Nepali Congress leader Laxman Ghimire said. "Koirala wanted to wait for few more weeks or even few months in drafting the new constitution so as to accommodate the demands raised by the Madhesi communities," he said, adding, but the circumstances did not allow that to happen. "Koirala has assured me that Nepali Congress party could never be anti-Indian and he would not allow any anti-Indian activity in the Nepalese soil," recalled Prem Lashkery, president of Nepal-India Friendship Society. Koirala entered politics in 1954 and was in political exile in India for 16 years following the royal takeover of 1960. He served as Nepal's 37th prime minister from February, 2014 to October, 2015. He was elected as Nepali Congress president in September, 2010. Even though Iran has agreed to a landmark deal curbing its nuclear activities, relations can only fully normalise when it recognises the existence of Israel, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said today. Speaking at the side of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Merkel told reporters after a meeting of the two countries' Cabinets that she's "made very clear" that "there cannot be a normal, friendly relationship with Iran so long as the existence of Israel is not recognised." Ahead of the sixth such meeting, normally held annually but postponed last year after violence in Israel kept Netanyahu at home, Germany's foreign minister said the situation in the Palestinian territories isn't sustainable in the long term. In an op-ed for Bild newspaper, Frank-Walter Steinmeier condemned the near-daily street attacks by Palestinians that have killed 27 Israelis as "despicable terror." He stressed Germany's view that only serious negotiations aimed at a fair, two-state solution can offer hope of peace for Israel and the Palestinians. Germany has been critical of Netanyahu's continued pursuit of new settlements, but Merkel sidestepped a question on that, reiterating only that Berlin sought a two-state solution. Netanyahu was complimentary of Merkel, thanking her for her leadership and emphasising the values that Germany and Israel shared. Some 6 million Jews were killed by Nazi Germany, and the fact that Israel and Germany are close allies some 70 years later "gives hope to all of mankind," Netanyahu said. "It's an example of how, despite the unparalleled horrors of the past, our two peoples have forged a unique and constructive friendship," he said. "And I believe that this offers hope for the entire world. The Central Information Commission has directed the Union Home Ministry to disclose records related to the establishment of the Bureau of Immigration which is part of the Intelligence Bureau, an organisation exempted from RTI Act. One Bengualuru-based AsifAyaz had sought information on seven points from the Ministry of Home Affairs on the establishment of Bureau of Immigration, records related to its origin, executive orders and mandate from Parliament for its creation. Rather than responding to the queries, the Home Ministry transferred the application to the Bureau of Immgration which cited its status as being exempted from the RTI Act under Section 24. Ayaz challenged this before the Commission, saying information related to the Bureau which is not listed as exempted organisation in second schedule, needs to be given. While the Bureau defended its position of being exempted from RTI Act, saying it is part of IB which is listed as exempted from the transparency law, it also said the records sought by Ayaz can be provided by MHA which holds them. "The Commission observes that the information sought pertains to MHA and hence, the RTI application should not have been transferred to BoI. "Accordingly, the CPIO, MHA is directed to ensure that the provisions of the RTI Act are implemented in letter and spirit. The Commission also directs the CPIO, MHA to provide the information sought by the appellant within four weeks," Information Commissioner Sudhir Bhargava said. A 16-old-girl was allegedly kidnapped by two persons, who befriended her on social networking site Facebook, from near her house in Porvorim locality here and hours later she was rescued, police said today. After the rescue operation last night, the Goa police nabbed two persons, one of them a minor boy. While Shabbir Babasaheb Sayed (21) was arrested, the minor boy was sent to a state-run Juvenile Home, they said. "The college-going girl was kidnapped in a white car and we rescued her within three hours. She has been handed over to the family," Porvorim Police Inspector Jivba Dalvi, who headed the rescue operation, told PTI. The duo got in touch with her through Facebook and asked her yesterday to come near her house to meet her, the officer said, adding they kidnapped her from there. As the girl did not return home, her family lodged a missing complaint, he added. Dalvi said police printed photos of most of her Facebook friends and showed to some informants who confirmed the girl was seen near her house with two of them. Acting on a tip-off, police combed the entire locality and traced the location of the duo with the using technology. "The duo was still travelling with the girl when they were nabbed in Porvorim," he added. The police have sent the girl for a medical examination at Goa Medical college and Hospital. A case under relevant section of IPC has been registered against the accused and investigations are underway, police said. The MIOT Hospitals today denied the charge that its 'neglience' had caused the death of 18 patients due to lack of oxygen when its generators were reportedly flooded in the heavy rains last year. The hospital stated this to the notice issued to it by the court on a petition by social activist 'Traffic' Ramaswamy who had levelled various charges against it. Ramaswamy had charged the hospital with having violated medical rules and not providing mobile or back-up generators or power supply, resulting in the death of 18 patients due to lack of oxygen during the floods last year. The patients died in the hospital on December 4 allegedly due to flooding of generator room and resultant snap of ventilator and oxygen support. The hospital had then been running on generator as there was there was no electricity. Managing Director of MIOT hospitals P V Mohandas in his reply to the first bench, headed by Chief Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Justice M M Sundaresh, said there was no neglience on the part of the hospital and the patients had not died of lack of oxygen, as alleged. He also denied another charge of the petitioner that the Madras Institute of Orthopaedics and Trauma (MIOT) was built near the banks of Adayar river, flouting all rules and said it was constructed 193 meters away. The First Bench, headed by the CJ, had issued a notice to Tamil Nadu government and MIOT hospitals on a PIL by Traffic Ramaswamy, alleging that the 10-storeyed building was built very close to Adyar river and in a low-lying area. The petitioner had alleged collusion by top police officials with the hospital management and submitted that an improper case had been registered. He had also sought a direction to police to initiate criminal action against MIOT Hospitals for 'willful negligence' and to authorities to demolish 'illegally' constructed buildings. The MD submitted that an eight-acre property of a private company lies between the hospital and the river and so the charge of the petitioner is not correct. He also denied the charge that MIOT was in low-lying area and said that as per the certificate given by Airports Authority of India, it was built 10 meters above Mean Sea Level (MSL). To another charge that construction was not as per the approved plan, MIOT said it was done by a well-known firm Larson and Toubro (L&T), as per approval. The District Collector, in his counter affidavit, said the hospital was not built on poromboke land and only on patta land and hence the question of encroachment does not arise. He also submitted that there was no encroachment on water canals, as alleged by the petitioner. The First Bench posted the matter for further hearing to March 31. Statehood activists missing since the days of agitation for a separate Uttarakhand will be granted the status of martyrs, Chief Minister Harish Rawat today said. All cases where activists went missing during the peak of the agitation and did not resurface will be examined and the genuine ones will be given the status of martyrs, Rawat said. He made the announcement during a programme to honour family members of martyred activists here. The next of kin of the martyrs will be provided a certificate and an identity card each which will enable them to avail several facilities including bus passes. The state government will also make arrangements for the medical treatment of their ailing parents, a release said quoting the chief minister. In a first such programme by Uttarakhand government, family members of 25 statehood activists were honoured and given a cheque of Rs 51,000 each. Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi today claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi wants to rule the northeast by "remote control from Nagpur" (RSS headquarters) and destroy the age-old tradition of peace, culture and history of these states. "Narendra Modi wants to rule Assam or Manipur or Arunachal Pradesh by remote control from Nagpur. Modi wants to impose only one line of thought by breaking the age-old tradition of peace, culture and history," he told a Congress rally here on the last day of his two-day visit to Assam. Referring to Modi's handling of the northeast, he said he had one day rung up Congress president Sonia Gandhi and informed her that he had signed a "historic Nagaland accord" which the Congress could not in 40 years. Sonia asked him (Rahul) to find out from chief ministers of Assam, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh about the accord but all of them said they had no knowledge of it, he said. Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh too said he had no information when contacted, Rahul claimed. "Don't know what Modi was thinking and what he achieved by way of the Naga accord. There should be some weight and value in the prime minister's statement when he rings up a leader of the Opposition," he said. Modi had announced the signing of an accord between the Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN-IM) and the Centre on August 3 last year. "(Assam Chief Minister) Tarun Gogoi told me that Modi before visiting Assam does not take briefings on the state, does not want to know about it. He just talks about few things in the meetings here and then goes away," Rahul claimed. Continuing his attack, the Congress vice-president said, "Modi's only aim is to help the few selected industrialists who are with him. "Congress and Gogoi will never allow that in Assam as we respect your history and tradition and want to uphold them. We want to help the youth here." Rahul said Congress believes in peace and working for the poor and the downtrodden. "On the other side are RSS and BJP people. During the (Lok Sabha) elections, Modi came to Assam, made speeches and spread hatred here." "Modi made big promises about giving Rs 15 lakh in each Indian's bank account but none got it. Instead he wore a suit costing Rs 15 lakh," he said. Noting that Modi will again come to Assam in the run-up to the assembly polls, the Congress vice-president said this time he will not speak about his promises but come up with new campaigns like his 'Make in India', 'Swachh Bharat', 'Connect India'. A security guard with his body severed into half after being hit by a speeding lorry here today expressed a wish just moments before he died on way to a city hospital that his eyes be donated, police said. The 26-year-old man was on his way to work on a two wheeler when the mishap occurred near Nelamangala here. The impact was such that his body was severed into two, they said. A video clip of the man with severed body lying in a pool of blood calling for help was broadcast by local channels. The man pleaded for help for some time, a person claiming to be an eyewitness, told a TV channel. Moments before he breathed his last while being taken to hospital, he expressed a wish for his eyes to be donated, police said. Police said the lorry driver was arrested and case booked against him under various sections of the IPC, including 279 (Rash driving or riding on a public way). A day after announcing that Maharashtra had received investment proposals worth Rs 6 lakh crore, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis today said Monsanto and PepsiCo had shown interest in setting up facilities in the state. Monsanto is keen to set up a 'seed hub' in the Vidarbha region, while PepsiCo had shown interest in building facilities to mix fruit juice in its aerated drinks. Monsanto will be setting up the seed hub, its biggest in the country, at Deoolgaavraja in Buldhana district, Fadnavis told reporters at the Make in India Week here. The global seeds major is likely to sign a Memorandum of Understanding in the next one or two days, he added. Speaking to reporters after meeting industry leaders from the US, Fadnavis said PepsiCo had showed interest in setting up facilities to mix fruit juice in its cola offerings, but the locations have not been finalised. The cola giant is planning to use five fruit juices, including pomegranate and mango, for mixing, he said, adding that it plans to set up three such units in the state. Following a suggestion from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to mix fruit juice in aerated drinks, PepsiCo's rival Coca Cola launched a new fizzy juice drink and signed an MoU with Maharashtra on the first day of MII Week. Maharashtra yesterday announced it had signed over 2,400 MoUs during the event. Fadnavis said during the meeting today, some US companies complained about the system of selecting the lowest bidder. He assured them all help under the 'Swiss Channel' system where a higher bid can be accepted. IT major IBM is interested in working on the smart cities initiative, he said. Maharashtra today also announced the launch of US-Maharashtra Development Council, an initiative of the state government and 'Friends of Maharashtra' in the US. "US-MDC shall be anchoring and driving activities encouraging international investments in Maharashtra, bringing international best practices to Maharashtra, skill development and entrepreneurship," an official statement said. Dealing a blow to the Congress in Madhya Pradesh, ruling BJP today won the Maihar assembly seat in a by-election with party nominee Narayan Tripathi defeating the main opposition party's Manish Patel by a margin of 27,544 votes. Tripathi secured 82,703 votes while Patel polled 55,159 votes, an election official said. The outcome came as a double jolt for Congress as Tripathi, after winning the seat in 2013 assembly polls, had quit the party to join BJP during the 2014 Lok Sabha polls. Later, he resigned from the seat which necessitated the by-poll. The victory came as a morale-booster for the BJP after it conceded to the Congress the Jhabua Lok Sabha seat in a by-poll shortly after the drubbing in the Bihar Assembly elections, which analysts then took as a sign of declining fortunes of the long-ruling saffron party in the state. The win in Maihar is expected to enhance the confidence of the BJP in Madhya Pradesh where it heavily relies on the appeal of Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan. The victory comes just ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Sherpur in neighbouring Sehore district on February 18, where farmers will felicitate him for launching new crop insurance scheme. Buoyed by the by-poll victory, Chouhan said at Sherpur, "I am thankful to the people of Maihar for this victory and will visit the town on February 22 to personally convey my thanks to them." Chouhan was here to review preperations for Modi's visit on February 18. For Congress also, the by-poll in Maihar was a prestigious battle as it had won it in 2013 despite BJP getting more than two-third majority in the state assembly. Traditionally, Maihar in Satna Lok Sabha constituency, is seen as a Congress stronghold. The BJP, keen on wresting the seat from the Congress, fielded Tripathi himself for the by-election. Congress also made its best efforts to ensure Tripathi's defeat by fielding Manish Patel, who had joined Congress by quitting Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), seeking to consolidate backward class voters in the Brahmin-dominated seat, a strategy which failed to click. While the Congress had won the seat eight times since 1957, Janata Party, an Indpendent, Janata Dal, Samajwadi Party and BJP tasted victory once each. Tripathi bagged the seat for the Congress in 2013 by a margin of 6975 votes by defeating BJP's Ramesh Prasad. The Chief Minister had campaigned vigorously in the last three-four days in Maihar to ensure BJP's victory. BJP's Motilal Tiwari won it 2008. Others in the fray this time included BSP's Ram Lakhan Singh Patel, a fomre MLA and SP's Ram Niwas Urmalia. The second edition of the LIC Gateway LitFest continues to put the spotlight on regional languages at the event slated to begin here on February 20. The two-day literary event is pegged as a meeting point for over 50 writers, including 3 Jnanpith laureates and more than 30 Sahitya Akademi award winners from 15 languages. The National Centre for Performing Arts is hosting the event. According to the organisers the festival aims to "gather the creme de la creme of Indian languages and put them on the same pedestal with their counterparts in Indo-English literature." "The first edition was a watershed mark for the revival of Indian language writings, going by the number of renowned writers and the large crowd who came to celebrate the regional language writings. The second edition is going to be bigger in scale and deeper in commitment to promote Indian languages," festival director Mohan Kakkanadan said. Jnanpith awardees Pratibha Ray, Sitakant Mahapatra and Marathi writer Bhalchandra Nemade will lead the roll of writers. Apart from an increase in the number of languages and speakers, this year's edition has also introduced a new set of topics for discussion. Sessions on marginalised North-East literary trends, languages facing extinction, modern poetry in the days of What's App, women writers in regional languages, losing interest in translation, and hijacking of mythological platform by English writers are included. Other than those writing in Hindi and English, authors from Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Kashmiri, Konkani, Manipuri, Malayalam, Meghalaya, Mythili, Marathi, Odiya, Sindhi and Tamil will sharing the stage to promote national integration in literature. Adoor Gopalakrishnan, Hansda Sowvendra Shekhar, Hema Naik, Hemant Divate, Ibomcha Singh, Jayant Pawar, Jerry Pinto, Sethu, Sitakant Mahapatra, Sitanshu Yashaschandra, Subhash Chandran, Subodh Sarkar, T K Muraleedharan, Uday Tara Nair, and Zaman Azurd are among the authors who have confirmed their participation, according to organisers. "It was indeed high time we took the regional languages to the forefront of the nation for that is where original thinking and writing are flourishing," renowned filmmaker Adoor Gopalakrishnan said. The event, packed with soul-stirring discourses, debates and discussions on regional literary streams, is being organised by Mumbai-based magazine Kaakka and has on its advisory board celebrities like Resul Pookkutty, Bose Krishnamachari and Laxman Gaikwad. "The attempt is to provide a national platform where assimilation of literary trends in different languages could take place and preserve our languages at a time when English is dominating the scene," executive director of the festival M Sabarinath said. Bengali poet Subodh Sarkar said,"India has now been sharply divided between English and languages. The fest has rightly realized the significance of the literatures written in languages." Bollywood actor Nandita Das said, "I am a big champion of regional literature and cinema as they reflect the diversity of the Indian cultural ethos. I am glad that the Gateway LitFest has initiated the movement of bringing it together for the city. "Hope many more writers, poets, filmmakers, and lovers of literature will join it to strengthen the platform this festival provides," said Das who was part of the inaugural edition. National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) has set credit potential for Haryana at Rs 1.06 lakh crore for 2016-17, up by 19 per cent over the state credit plan for year 2015-16. In the state focus paper 2016-17 which was launched here, the bankable credit potential under crop loan has been estimated at Rs 47,857 crore, contributing 45 per cent of the total priority sector credit estimates for Haryana. The agricultural term loan credit (Investment Credit) potential, which supports capital formation, has been projected at Rs 22,885 crore (51 per cent growth over projections for 2015-16). The credit projections for micro and small enterprises sector and other priority sectors were estimated at Rs 19,487 crore and Rs 16,102 crore, respectively. Overall, the credit potential for agriculture and allied activities at Rs 70,742 crore account for 67 per cent of the total credit potentials estimated for Haryana for 2016-17, a NABARD official said here today. On the occasion, state Finance Minister Captain Abhimanyu said that he had no doubt that state level credit projections of Rs 1,06,335 crore for the year 2016-17, for the state will be fully realized with active participation of the banks. He urged banks and government departments to work together to translate the potential plan prepared by NABARD into a reality for the betterment of the farmers and rural masses of the state. Promising to end Nepal's internal problems soon, Prime Minister K P Oli today said the proposed political committee to address the demands of the Madhesis will be formed before his fence-mending India visit this week. Underlining that the Constitution is not an "unchangeable document", Oli, while addressing the Parliament, said, "It is necessary to take forward the Constitution amendment motion based on the actual necessity and suggestions put forth by the political committee." Oli said the proposed political committee to address the demands of the Madhesis would be formed prior to his departure to India on February 19, the Kathmandu Post reported. He said Nepal's internal problems will be resolved soon as the committee would come up with its suggestions on federal state border demarcation within three months. The Prime Minister reiterated that the new Constitution has institutionalised the federal democratic republic and the rights of people. Oli also informed the Parliament about his maiden visit to India and said the trip would be focused on improving ties that had soured recently. Oli, who is leaving on Friday for a six-day visit to India, said he will focus on promoting national interest during his upcoming trip. He said he will not sign any agreement undermining national interest during his visit. The Prime Minister said he will utilise the tour as an opportunity to mend ties. "My visit will focus on further enhancing the friendly ties with India," he said, adding that, "Nepal and India are (ready) for a fresh beginning of their age-old bond." Oli said any "misunderstanding" between the two countries will be cleared during his visit. The Prime Minister will lead a 46-member delegation that will include Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Kamal Thapa, Finance Minister Bishnu Poudyal and Energy Minister Top Bahadur Rayamajhi. Over 20 businessmen will also be part of his delegation. After holding high level talks in New Delhi, the Prime Minister will also visit Gujarat before coming back to Mumbai, where he will address the Indian business community. In Gujarat, Oli will observe post-quake reconstruction works, sources at the Prime Minister's office said. Oli's remarks come after the United Democratic Madhesi Front, the four-party alliance, earlier this month announced withdrawal of their protests including the border blockade. The front had launched indefinite agitation protesting against the new Constitution promulgated on September 20 last year, saying it failed to address their concerns over representation and homeland. National Research Development Corporation (NRDC) has inked a pact with Kolkata-based Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science (IACS) for commercialisation of technologies/ intellectual properties developed at IACS. Under its Memorandum with Agreement, signed today, NRDC will also provide its services in IP evaluation/valuation in terms of their commercial potential, an official release said. NRDC is an enterprise of the department of Scientific and Industrial Research under the ministry of Science & Technology. NRDC Chairman and Managing Director H Purushotham, IACS Director Santanu Bhattacharya exchanged the Memorandum of Agreement on behalf of their respective organisations. NRDC has so far licensed technologies to more than 4,800 domestic entrepreneurs/companies across industry sectors, the release said. The agreement would lead to successful commercialisation of technologies developed at IACS, the release added. President Barack Obama and leaders of Southeast Asian nations are wrapping up a two-day summit intended to show solidarity and US seriousness about staying engaged in a region where a rising China has rattled American allies. Obama and leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations were spending today discussing regional security issues. They include counterterrorism and China's territorial claims to disputed waters of the South China Sea, moves that have sounded international alarms and heightened tensions with some association members. The US maintains these disputes should be resolved peacefully according to international law, a stance Obama emphasised yesterday in welcoming leaders of ASEAN's 10-nation bloc: Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar and Cambodia. "Here at this summit, we can advance our shared vision of a regional order where international rules and norms, including freedom of navigation, are upheld and where disputes are resolved through peaceful, legal means," Obama said, opening the first ASEAN-only summit held in the US. The symbolism of the meeting is likely to be more significant than any outcome. Le Luong Minh, a Vietnamese politician and chairman of the association, said the US is one of ASEAN's "important dialogue partners." He called the summit an "excellent opportunity to exchange our views" on important issues. Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak said ASEAN leaders hope Obama's attention and priority toward the Southeast Asian grouping will be continued and sustained by future US presidents, Malaysia's Bernama agency reported. He said 10 ASEAN leaders acknowledged that the grouping's relationship with the US was as important as its relationship with China. China says it has a historical right to virtually all of the South China Sea and has built seven artificial islands, including with airstrips, to assert its sovereignty. Taiwan and ASEAN members Brunei, Malaysia, Vietnam and the Philippines also claim land features in these potentially resource-rich international shipping lanes. Though not a claimant, the US has spoken out against China's conduct and has angered Beijing by sailing Navy ships near some of the artificial islands in a show of support for its allies. The US has argued for the maritime rights issue to be resolved peacefully and is looking for ASEAN to take a unified stance and call for the disputes to be resolved based on international law. Oil prices rose today with Brent breaking past $34 a barrel on expectations that energy heavyweights Russia and Saudi Arabia will discuss the global oversupply issue in a Doha meeting. At around 0900 IST, European benchmark Brent crude for April delivery was trading $1.15, or 3.44%, higher at $34.54. Its US counterpart West Texas Intermediate for March delivery was up $1.33, or 4.52%, at $30.77 compared to its Friday close. There was no settlement in the New York Mercantile Exchange yesterday due to a US public holiday. "As representatives from major oil producers fly to Doha to meet, the bullish flames get fanned, causing prices to remain strong," said Daniel Ang, investment analyst at Phillip Futures in Singapore. "As much as we continue to believe that this is yet another meeting that would yield nothing, the remain wary of any sudden agreement that major oil producers could come to." Oil prices have been depressed since last peaking in mid- 2014 due to oversupply, sluggish demand and slowing economies. They are currently down about 70% from June 2014 levels. Adding to the pressure on prices is the resumption of Iranian oil exports this year after sanctions linked to its nuclear programme were eased by world powers. Bloomberg News reported that Saudi Arabia's Oil Minister Ali al-Naimi was expected to speak privately with his Russian counterpart Alexander Novak in Doha today. "It does seem like Russia has been invited into the inner circle of OPEC countries which was vastly different from a year ago." said Ang. "However, we still remain sceptical for an agreement to be struck between those who are attending the meeting. A labourer died while six others were injured after they allegedly fell from the scaffolding at an under construction building in suburban Dahisar today, police said. 28-year-old Prakash Vinod Patra died at the hospital while another man, Bipin (35) was critically injured, police said. The incident took place at around 11.45 am today at Ekdanta Apartment in Ishwar Nagar in Dahisar here. Prakash and six others were doing plastering work standing on the scaffolding of the eighth floor when they allegedly fell, police said. Apart from the labourers, 38-year-old Elizabeth Edwin Kale was also injured when a part of the scaffolding fell on her when she was passing by, they said. Police has registered a case of negligence against the builder. Pakistan will "soon" ask India to allow its team of investigators probing the Pathankot terror attack to visit the site of the assault, the country's Interior Minister said today. "We will soon ask India to let our special investigation team experts to visit Pathankot's attack place," Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan told reporters in Taxila near here. Khan said the officials who were part of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) have held several meetings. The SIT was set up by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif last month to work on the leads provided by India on the involvement of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) militants from Pakistan in the attack. Pakistan officials say the planned visit to Pathankot will help in the completion of the probe. Sharif had said last month that "the investigation into the Pathankot incident is underway and we will make its findings public soon." Prime Minister Sharif had formed the six-member investigation team headed by Additional Inspector General of Punjab's Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) Rai Tahir to probe India's assertion that JeM was behind the January 2 Pathankot attack. Pakistani troops have joined armed forces from around 20 countries for "the largest, most important military manoeuvres" ever staged by its close ally Saudi Arabia to ramp up their counter-terrorism skills. The Foreign Office said Pakistani troops are part of the multinational military exercise being staged by Saudi Arabia. In a statement issued late last night, it said Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have close defence ties going on for decades. "It is in this backdrop that Pakistan is participating in a multi-national exercise on counter-terrorism being held in Saudi Arabia," it said. "This includes military exercises and intense training cooperation in various domains. Both countries have training exchanges in which trainers are sent to Saudi Arabia for multiple training areas and Saudi Armed Forces personnel also receive training in Pakistan," it said, without giving details about the schedule of the military exercise. A small Pakistani defence contingent remains stationed in Saudim Arabia under a bilateral arrangement, it said. The remarks by the Foreign Office came after Saudi Arabia announced it was conducting "the largest, most important military maneuvers" ever staged in the region. The "Thunder of the North" exercise involves ground, air, and naval forces. According to official Saudi SPA agency, troops from around 20 countries, including Pakistan, were gathering in northern Saudi Arabia for military exercises, sparking fears that these countries might also deploy ground troops in Syria. The countries participating in the military exercise include Saudi Arabia's five partners in the Gulf Cooperation Council, and Chad, Egypt, Jordan, Malaysia, Morocco, Pakistan, Senegal and Tunisia, the SPA reported. Saudi Arabia is currently leading a military campaign against Houthi rebels in neighbouring Yemen. Pakistan has already announced it will be part of Saudi Arabia's 34-nation alliance to fight "terrorism" in Islamic countries. But it had also said that it will not deploy troops in foreign countries in combat role. Since the Saudi alliance excludes Shiite regional power Iran, it is feared that the initiative may further sharpen the sectarian divide in the region. After two years of painstaking work, experts have completed the initial phase of a delicate restoration project at the Church of the Nativity, giving a much-needed face-lift to one of Christianity's holiest sites. The project, partially funded by the Palestinians and conducted by a team of Palestinian and international experts, is the biggest restoration at the iconic church in some 600 years. The removal of centuries of dust has left Crusader-era mosaics sparkling in sunlight filtering through brand new windows. Structural repairs on the fragile rooftop and windows have been completed and art treasures have been returned to their delicate elegance. Although the Palestinians are overwhelmingly Muslim, they consider the church a national treasure and one of their most visited tourist sites, and President Mahmoud Abbas has been actively involved in the project. Ziad al-Bandak, who leads the Palestinian committee in charge of the restoration, calls what has been accomplished so far nothing short of "revolutionary." "For the first time you can see, when you go up, mosaics really magnificent and beautiful and unique in the whole world," he said. The Church of the Nativity, located in the biblical West Bank town of Bethlehem, was built by Saint Helena in the 4th century over the grotto where the Virgin Mary is said to have given birth to Jesus. Despite its spiritual significance, the church was neglected for centuries and is listed as endangered by UNESCO, the United Nations cultural agency. Until two years ago, rain leaked through the severely damaged rooftop, threatening to harm priceless artworks inside. Then, in 2013, the Palestinian Authority, the internationally backed self-rule government, took the lead in financing the restoration. The rest has come from the Palestinian private sector, the Roman Catholic, Greek Orthodox and Armenian churches and other countries. Al-Bandak said nearly $8 million has already been spent. The renovation is being conducted by a joint team of engineers, restoration experts and workers Palestinians as well as Italians from "Piacenti," a firm which specializes in the renovation of historical sites and has worked on dozens of villas, palaces, churches and monasteries in Italy and Russia. Groups representing victims of the November 13 jihadist attacks in Paris have begun providing chilling testimony to parliamentary investigators, denouncing what they called "an atrocious lack of preparation" for an emergency in which 130 people lost their lives. "We have a thousand questions and we expect answers," said Georges Salines, head of one of several victims' associations represented yesterday at the first of a series of hearings to be held over coming weeks. Salines, a doctor, said he learned of his daughter's death at the Bataclan concert hall the day after the massacre there of 90 people at the hands of jihadist gunmen. Recounting how he had heard of the death only indirectly through Twitter, he denounced an "atrocious lack of preparation" in terms of information-sharing on the bloody night itself and over the following days. The commission of enquiry was set up at the request of the conservative opposition Republican party to look into the Socialist government's efforts to counter the terror threat since the previous set of attacks to rock France -- the assault in January 2015 that began with the killings at the Charlie Hebdo satirical weekly and ended with 17 dead over three days. The total number of victims from the November attacks, including those left with emotional scars, is estimated at 4,000, according to the commission. "We are not prosecutors or judges but rather investigators (seeking) transparency... Truth... And solutions," said commission president Georges Fenech. Many told how they had learned of the death of a loved one only three days later, while others complained of saturated phone lines and employees' "shameful" behaviour at the main Paris morgue, which was overwhelmed. Sophie Dias recalled that she was told when she came to identify her father at the morgue: "Don't worry, if you don't see the head you'll see a foot." Still others questioned French intelligence services. "How could a terrorist who was barred from France and Europe manage to direct an attack of such magnitude?" asked Mohamed Zenak, the treasurer of another victims' association. He was referring to the suspected ringleader of the attacks, Abdelhamid Abaaoud, who was killed in a police raid on November 18. The Belgian of Moroccan descent had been presumed to be in Syria when he was convicted and sentenced in absentia in July 2015 to 20 years in jail for helping to recruit foreign fighters for Syria. Zenak, whose daughter was injured when a suicide bomber blew himself up at a bar in eastern Paris, pointed to security failures. Asserting that there will be 50,000 high-skilled jobs in the aviation manufacturing sector in the next 2-3 years, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar tonight pitched for investments in skill development. Parrikar said that under the new off-set policy, defence firms can invest in skill development to comply with their required commitment. The Minister, while making it clear that he was speaking as a former entrepreneur, said that the start-ups should be given five-year relaxation from taxes and other regulations. Incidentally, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's new initiative Startup India offers a three-year tax rebate. Speaking at an event organised by Wadhwani Foundation, Parrikar said the Government is also considering venture capitalist investment in defence sector. Alleging breakdown of law and order in Bihar, LJP chief and Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan today demanded imposition of President's Rule in the state and sought a CBI probe into the killing of opposition leaders there. He also dubbed the victory of NDA ally RLSP candidate in the Harlakhi bypoll in Bihar today as "defeat of jungle raj". "I met the Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) this morning as LJP leader and handed over a memorandum in which our party demanded imposition of President's Rule in the state due to breakdown of law and order machinery there," Paswan told reporters here. He has also sought a CBI probe into the killings of LJP leader Brajnathi Singh and BJP state vice-president Visheshwar Ojha, claiming that political killings cannot be probed by local police which is under the control of the state government. "Jungle raj has returned to the state. The result of the Harlakhi bypoll is a proof that people are fed up of the Nitish Kumar government which is supporting criminals," he said. In his memorandum, Paswan said after the new government came to power, people of Bihar are living in fear. "Even MLAs of ruling party are accused of kidnapping and rape," he told the Prime Minister. Global food and beverage giant PepsiCo today signed a pact with the Maharashtra government to promote fruit processing and horticulture in the state as part of its committed investment of Rs 33,000 crore in the country by 2020. "Food and beverages localisation is very important. We already have a plant Citrus International in Nanded, Maharashtra and we continue to invest in it so that we use a lot more of the local fruits in our product," PepsiCo India Chairman and CEO Shiv Shivakumar told reporters here. "PepsiCo introduced Tropicana Mosambi two months ago and this is one way to ensure that fruit use by PepsiCo from the farmers improve," he said, adding that fruit-based drinks are growing faster. Under the memorandum of understanding, PepsiCo will "continue to accelerate its on-ground work in Maharashtra to catalyse farming, improve yields and transform the fruit processing industry through several initiatives." After Mosambi, PepsiCo will develop and launch a series of juices with locally-produced fruits including mango, guava, pomegranate, litchi and jamun, the company said in a statement. The US-based beverage giant will also leverage learnings from other markets in which it operates to identify a viable path for adding fruit juice to their existing carbonated drinks to bring significant volume in consumption, it added. Going forward, Maharashtra and PepsiCo are looking to collaboratively build a "best in class" fruit processing industry in the state, the statement added. In further clampdown on Vijay Mallya, state-run Punjab National Bank has declared him as well as his group firms UB Holdings (UBHL) and long-grounded Kingfisher Airlines as "wilful defaulter". While the embattled UB Group said it is consulting with lawyers to challenge the decision, PNB insisted loans must be paid back in the larger interest of the country. PNB is the third public sector bank to declare the air carrier and its two guarantors - United Breweries (Holdings) Ltd and flamboyant Mallya - as wilful defaulters. Earlier, United Bank of India and SBI had done the same. Punjab National Bank vide letter dated February 11, has declared the company a "wilful defaulter", UBHL said in a BSE filing, adding it received the letter on Monday. "The company is in consultation with its legal counsels to challenge the decision by taking appropriate legal action that may be required in this regard," UBHL said on its future course of action. PNB had an exposure of Rs 800 crore to the airline, which had to close shop under huge debt burden and payment defaults. When asked about steps being contemplated by PNB to recover money from Kingfisher and deal with the problem of wilful defaulters, PNB chief Usha Ananthasubramanian told PTI, "When people have the wherewithal to pay, they must pay. There are people who have money yet they don't want to pay." In November last, SBI had declared Mallya, Kingfisher Airlines and UBHL as wilful defaulters. A bank consortium led by SBI has decided to auction Kingfisher House in Mumbai on March 17 this year in a bid to recover a part of Rs 6,963 crore debt due from Kingfisher. "Wilful defaulters also blocks your (banks as well as general public) access to finance," Ananthasubramanian added. The bank has already invoked all the recovery mechanisms like Securitisation and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Security Interest Act with regard to Kingfisher, Mallya and UBHL, she said. "We have also filed recovery suit in the Debt Recovery Tribunal and all the legal steps have to be taken," she added. As per RBI guidelines, once declared as wilful defaulters, no additional facilities will be granted to these borrowers by any bank or financial institution. Besides, such companies and promoters) will be debarred from institutional finance for floating new ventures for a period of 5 years from the date of removal of their name from the list of wilful defaulters. Government has issued directives that all complaints of violence against women have to be registered even as police stations in India are being made women friendly, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju today said. The Minister of State (Home) said this while meeting the former President of Kyrgyz Republic, Roza Otunbayeva, who called on him here. During the meeting, they discussed issues of women policing. An official spokesperson said they also discussed education, training and exchange of women police officers for mutual benefits, better understanding and performance of women in police forces. Rijiju, the spokesperson said, told Otunbayeva that India is committed to empowerment of women and their safety and security, adding there had been reports of violence against women in some places and the government has directed the police to register all complaints in this regard. He added police stations in India are being made women friendly as earlier law enforcement agencies were mainly male dominated. Otunbayeva said her country was interested in sharing Indian experiences vis-a-vis increasing the strength of women in police forces to 33 per cent. The former President said the strength of police women in her country is about 6-7 per cent and they are also committed to increasing their strength. The police today lobbed tear gas shells and used batons to disperse a mob that ransacked at least 10 vehicles following death and injury of two persons at the same spot on successive days of Howrah district. Police said one person was killed under the wheels of of an MUV while another person was injured in a road accident at the same spot on NH-6 at Srirampur locality under Uluberia police station. Angry over the two accidents, a mob put up a road blockade and started ransacking vehicles. They damaged at least 10 vehicles including government buses plying on the highway, police said. When police reached the spot, the mob also ransacked the police vehicle and pelted stones on the men in uniform. The inspector of Uluberia police station, Ranjit Ghosh, was injured in the stone pelting, the police said. Police then used tear gas shells and batons and the mob dispersed. The injured policeman was taken to hospital from where he was released after administering first aid. A policeman has been killed and two others injured after militants attacked a police checkpoint in Egypt's Giza governorate, a security official said. The militants opened fire on the checkpoint late yesterday in Cairo-Assuit agriculture road in Badrashin area killing the policeman and injuring two others, the official said. The injured were transferred to the nearby hospital, while security forces have started a search operation to find the attackers. The attacks targeting police and military increased after the ouster of ex-president Mohamed Morsi in 2013 by military following massive protests against his rule. Over 700 security personnel have been reported killed since then. The military has launched campaigns in the area, arrested suspects and demolished houses that belong to terrorists, including those facilitating tunnels leading to the Gaza Strip. In further escalation of political row after the action over a flashpoint event at JNU, Congress today said there is a state of "undeclared emergency" while BJP accused Rahul Gandhi of being a "principal misleader" of Indian politics after he accused it of muzzling the youth. Gandhi on his part again trained his guns on the NDA government, saying, "They are suppressing the voice of students in Delhi, Hyderabad, Lucknow. We'll not accept this, we will fight this." "They are putting RSS VCs(Vice Chancellors) in every University and College, they are trying to suppress the voice of the students," the Congress Vice President told reporters in Sivasagar in Assam. Seeking to derail any attempt by BJP to turn the protest against hanging of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru on his third death anniversary at JNU campus into a battle between "patriots and anti-nationals", Congress also demanded that the Supreme Court should ensure an independent investigation. "We will request the Supreme Court to ensure investigation by an independent agency into the (JNU) incident," Party leader and former Union minister Kapil Sabal told reporters. Trashing the sedition charges against JNU Students Union president Kanhaiya Kumar after the Afzal Guru event, he wondered as to "how the Delhi Police could move in the matter when no investigation was done by the University authorities." "It is a state of undeclared emergency with everyone including the bureaucracy living in the shadow of fear? The essence of democracy is right to debate. Democracy needs debate, tolerance and brotherhood," he said. Amid the raging JNU row, BJP dismissed as "baseless and wrong" Gandhi's accusations that the party was muzzling the youth by branding them as "anti-nationals" and said the issue is not between the government and any institution but between the country and traitors. "On the JNU incident, Rahul Gandhi had levelled some accusations against our party. They are baseless, wrong and ineffective. Rahul Gandhi instead of trying to be a leader has become a principal misleader of Indian politics. "His remarks in Assam over arrest of (JNU students' union leader) Kanhaiya Kumar is a proof of his willingness to twist the truth. Kanhaiya was arrested because of remarks and slogans which he raised which were anti-national," BJP national spokesperson M J Akbar told reporters. With BJP targeting Congress over its support to "anti-nationals" in the JNU row, Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad said his party "disassociates" with all such students who shouted slogans attacking India's unity and Constitution but insisted that there was no proof of sedition against Kanhaiya Kumar. "There is no proof of sedition against him," he told reporters after an all party meeting convened by Prime Minister Narendra Modi ahead of the Budget session of Parliament starting February 23. He also hit out at BJP leaders for "defaming" the party leadership with their "anti-national" jibe and said the government should restrain them. Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Venkaiah Naidu shared the opposition leaders' concern over use of terms like "anti-national" but also spoke about 'Hitler' jibe made at the Prime Minister as he noted that all parties should show restraint. A powdered substance, suspected to be low intensity explosive was today seized from the lavatory of a train at New Delhi Railway station. Around 12.15 PM, a passenger on-board in the Jan Shatabdi Express which was to arrive from Una in Madya Pradesh, raised an alarm over the substance suspected to be explosive, following which security agencies were informed, a senior official said. The train arrived at the station around ten minutes later and by then a team comprising of officials from several security agencies was waiting for it. A thorough search was conducted and a bag with the powdered substance stuffed inside it was found in the lavatory of the D1 compartment. After preliminary investigation, officials started suspecting that the substance could be low intensity explosive. The bag also contained some iron nails and broken shards of glass, raising suspicion among security agencies and the bomb disposal and detection squad was rushed there in no time, the official said. The train, which was to leave for Dehradun in another two and a half hours, was subjected to further inspection and soon Delhi Police's Special Cell was informed about the matter, the senior official said. When questioned, the passenger who raised the alarm told police that he noticed three persons, including a woman, frequenting the lavatory in which the substance was found. He also told police that three of them deboarded the train from near the Sadar Bazar railway station around two minutes after the substance was spotted. The police are trying to prepare sketch of the three suspects based on details given by the caller, the official said. "The substance has been sent to a forensic laboratory for test and a detailed report is awaited," Joint Commissioner of Police (New Delhi) M K Meena said. India on Tuesday test-fired its indigenously developed Prithvi-II missile, capable of carrying 500-1,000 kg of warheads, as part of a user trial by the Army from a test range at Chandipur. The missile test was carried out from a mobile-launcher from launch complex-3 of the integrated test range (ITR), at about 1,000 hrs, defence officials said. With a strike range of 350 km, the surface-to-surface Prithvi-II is capable of carrying 500-1,000 kg of warheads and is thrusted by liquid propulsion twin engines. It uses advanced inertial guidance system with manoeuvring trajectory to hit its target. The trial data of the missile trial conducted by the specially formed Strategic Force Command (SFC) were being analysed, they said. The missile was randomly chosen from the production stock and the entire launch activities were carried out by the SFC and monitored by the scientists of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) as part of training exercise, a defence scientist said. The missile trajectory was tracked by DRDO radars, electro-optical tracking systems and telemetry stations located along the coast of Odisha. The downrange teams on board the ship deployed near the designated impact point in the Bay of Bengal monitored the terminal events and splashdown, they said. Inducted into India's armed forces in 2003, Prithvi II, the first missile to be developed by DRDO under India's prestigious integrated guided missile development program (IGMDP) is now a proven technology, they said. Such training launches clearly indicate India's operational readiness to meet any eventuality and also establishes the reliability of this deterrent component of India's strategic arsenal, they said. The last user trial of Prithvi-II was successfully conducted on November 26, 2015, from the same test range in Odisha. Police are probing suspected "financial links" between terror outfits and students allegedly involved in the raising of anti-India slogans at Jawaharlal Nehru University, Police Commissioner BS Bassi today said. "Police are looking into all aspects of the case. If any person is found having any financial link with any terrorist outfit, he/she will also be charged under Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act," he said on the sidelines of the 69th Raising Day Parade of Delhi Police. Bassi, however, refused to elaborate when asked whether investigators have so far found links between any terror outfit and the students who have been identified as accused in the case. The Commissioner said that "several persons have been identified" following the event which led to a sedition case against JNU students' union president Kanhaiya Kumar, and they will be arrested soon. He said the evidence in the matter so far supports the registration of a case of sedition and criminal conspiracy against Kumar, who was arrested on February 12. Bassi said police have no problems with JNU authorities as they are cooperating with the probe. Asked about the alert in which Delhi Police had posted a tweet by an account named 'HafeezSaeedJUD', which was later taken down, Bassi maintained that the alert was issued for the content of the tweet which was seditious and could have made people engage in activities which come under the domain of IPC Section 124 A (sedition). Justifying the arrest of the JNUSU President, he had yesterday claimed Kumar had raised anti-national slogans during the event on the JNU campus against the hanging of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru. Madras High court today directed Tamil Nadu government to provide a job to the sister of a Dalit who was hacked to death near Thuraiyur in this district in April last year, as per the SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act. Justice T Hariparanthaman, allowing a plea by Sudha, the sister ofMuthukumar, directed the government to provide job to her within four weeks. Four persons have been arrested in connection with the April 26, 2015 murder and cases registered against them. Earlier, Muthukumar's father Palanisamy had sought a job for his daughter and submitted a petition to Tiruchirapalli District Collector on May 8, 2015. Sudha submitted that the collector had not taken any action and hence she was constrained to move court. The Judge said that as per the Act, a relative of the murder victim should be given a job within three months or land to take up farming and a house and also Rs 1000 pension. As per the Act, government should provide a job for the petitioner, who is the sister of the victim. Besides the Superintendent of Police had also recommended a job for Sudha on Jan 27, 2016. Hence government should take steps and appoint her, the judge said. Punj Lloyd, the diversified engineering, procurement and construction conglomerate, today announced that it has bagged oil and gas EPC orders worth Rs 2,070 crore in Oman. "Punj Lloyd... Today announced winning oil and gas EPC orders worth Rs 2,070 crore from Oman Oil Refineries and Petroleum Industries Company (Orpic) and Oman Gas Company (OGC), which was owned by the government of the Sultanate of Oman, and Oman Oil Company SAOC," the company said in a filing to BSE. The scope of work includes construction of natural gas liquid and gas pipeline and construction of block valve and pigging stations, the filing added. "The pipeline, part of Orpic's USD 6.4 bn Liwa Plastic Industries Complex (LPIC), will travel from the New Fahud NGL plant to the steam cracker unit of Sohar in Oman," it said. Both the pipelines need to be completed in 38 months and 35 months, respectively. Punj Lloyd President and CEO, pipeline and tankage Atul Jain said, "We feel proud as we are selected due to the strength of our technical and financial bids." The group's order backlog stands at Rs 25,400 crore. This refers to the value of unexecuted orders as on December 31, 2015, plus new ones received after that date. Software provider Quickheal Technologies, which raised Rs 451 crore through its initial public offer (IPO), will list shares on the stock exchanges on Thursday. The equity shares will be listed on the NSE as well as on the BSE. The IPO, which closed on February 10 was oversubscribed 11 times at a price band of Rs 311-321 per share. The IPO consisted of fresh issue of Rs 250 crore and an offer for sale of about 62.70 lakh equity shares by promoters Kailash Sahebrao Katkar and Sanjay Sahebrao Katkar, as well as Sequoia Capital India Investment Holdings III. The portion set aside for qualified institutional buyers (QIBs) was subscribed 4.34 times, while retail investors saw 3.8 times subscription. Meanwhile, non-institutional investors category was subscribed a whopping 36.7 times. Quick Heal had raised Rs 133.9 crore through issue of shares to 10 anchor investors. ICICI Securities, Jefferies India and JPMorgan India were the book running lead managers while Link Intime India was the registrar to the public issue. While the proceeds from the offer of sale would not go to Quick Heal Technologies, the Rs 250-crore funds raised from fresh issue of equity shares would be used by the company for advertising and sales promotion and capital expenditure for research and development. The proceeds would also be invested to purchase, develop and renovate its office premises in Kolkata, Pune and New Delhi, as well as for general corporate needs. The company is a provider of software security products and solutions in India. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Quickjet Airlines, which is majorly owned by Dublin-based ASL Aviation is all set to launch its freighter services in the country with its maiden cargo flight to Bengaluru from here tomorrow. Quickjet Airlines first cargo flight is scheduled to take off for Bengaluru at 1.20 am tomorrow from the Indira Gandhi International airport here, an airline spokesperson said. The airline said it has deployed a 21.2 tonne capacity B737-400SF jet freighter for operations in India. Quickjet would initially connect Delhi, Chennai, Bengaluru and Hyderabad, offering four daily flights and operating overnight to link Delhi with Chennai, Bengaluru and Hyderabad in the first phase. In the second phase, it will connect Mumbai and Kolkata as the airline seeks to cover all major metro hubs, a release said. ASL Aviation Group holds 78 per cent stake in the Bengaluru-based QuickJet, which was granted air operator permit by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation early this month. "Quikjet will now offer a neutral cargo service and as it grows and aims to serve multiple customers, airlines, business and industry to help enable growth. In turn, this will benefit the Indian economy and this benefit will be felt more and more as Quikjet expands its operations in the months and years ahead," Hugh Flynn, Chief Executive of ASL Aviation Group said. The airline is launching the freighter services for Mumbai based airport-to-airport logistics services provider Sovika Aviation, the release said adding that the services will also be available for domestic and international cargo charters. "The launch of the B737 freighter service is also the launch of a much-needed new era in the Indian air cargo industry. We are significantly improving air cargo capacity. Our newly introduced connectivity with Sovika will provide a key advantage to the booming e- commerce industry," Quickjet Airlines' Chief Executive Preetham Phillip said. ASL Aviation Group is a global aviation services provider, having operations across six continents with a fleet of more than 100 aircraft, the release said. Quickjet will offer airport-to-airport freighter capacity with a premium overnight network specifically designed to best serve the requirements of the express cargo, e-commerce and motor industries, it said. India has seen huge growth in the number of passenger aircraft but the freighter segment in India has not grown, and there are now just seven freighter aircraft serving the seventh largest economy in the world, it said. "In some cases belly space is unsuitable for large-sized shipments or certain categories of goods that cannot be shipped on passenger airlines for regulatory reasons. Our expertise and focus lies in providing much needed airport to airport air cargo connectivity," Phillip added. ASL Aviation expects Quikjet to grow this partnership with Sovika, which is a Mumbai-headquartered airport-to-airport logistics services provider, and to expand its services to provide a range of aircraft with varying payload options to suit specific customer requirements. "There is a real and significant market need and Quikjet is already building its capability to serve this need. We will be providing assistance and experience from the ASL airlines that currently serve the world's major express integrator brands, "Flynn added. Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi today condemned the attack on journalists in the Patiala House court complex in Delhi yesterday, calling it "very wrong". "The way journalists were beaten up in the court is very wrong and we condemn it," Gandhi said in a media interaction during the course of his visit to poll-bound Assam. Several journalists and students were assaulted by lawyers and a Delhi BJP MLA inside and outside the Patiala House Courts where a sedition case against JNU students' union president Kanhaiya Kumar was to be heard. Gandhi also took on the NDA government over alleged suppression of voices of students in the country and on the issue of appointment of "RSS Vice Chancellors". "They(Government) are suppressing the voice of students in Delhi, Hyderabad, Lucknow. We'll not accept this, we will fight this," he said. "They are putting RSS VCs in every University and College, they are trying to suppress the voice of the students," he added. The CBI has arrested a railway police official for allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 30,000 for not registering a complaint against a person. According to a CBI release, Mani Prasad, the accused, is a police sub-inspector, Railway Protection Force, South Central Railway, Guntur. The complainant's land adjoins the railway tracks in Thummala Cheruvu village. While repairing embankment along the land with a JCB, a cable of Railway department got cut. Mani Prasad allegedly threatened to file a case against him for damaging the railway property, and demanded Rs one lakh for not filing a case. The amount was later reduced to Rs 30,000. CBI, Visakhapatnam, laid a trap and caught Prasad red-handed at Nadikudi railway station while taking the money yesterday. He was arrested and will be produced before the special judge for CBI cases here. Concerned over "mis-selling" of third party products like insurance by banks, the Reserve Bank has warned of regulatory action against them. The Reserve Bank has also asked the Indian Bank's Association (IBA) to come out with an appropriate industry practice in regard of sale of third party products. Addressing a Conference in Thiruvananthapuram, RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan said the findings of some recent incognito visits undertaken by the RBI on sale of third party products by banks and a study undertaken by some academicians/ consumer activists, had "hinted" at mis-selling of products, especially insurance products, by banks. The findings, he said, had been shared with the IBA for examination with a view to bringing about an appropriate industry practice in this this regard. "An ill-informed customer tends to make sub-optimal choices, the Governor stated and added that the Reserve Bank might even consider regulatory action against banks if they continued mis-selling of their products," a RBI statement said. He further said the Reserve Bank was exploring ways to resolve customer complaints across regulators through forums, such as, Financial Stability and Development Council (FSDC). Besides regular banking services, banks offer third party products like insurance policies and mutual funds. Speaking at the occasion, RBI Deputy Governor S S Mundra also indicated that the IBA would shortly circulate standardised forms used for certain common banking services. He emphasised the need for moving customer service from lips to heart and added "customer service is a business need of banks and not social service". Mundra cautioned the bankers that if they did not take customer service seriously, competition will ensure it. The conference held during February 15-16 was attended by managing directors and senior executives of major commercial banks, IBA, Banking Codes and Standards Board of India, Banking Ombudsmen and heads of regulatory and supervisory departments of the Reserve Bank. The revenue department today asked the RBI to file annual information return (AIR) on certain foreign remittances and state electricity boards on power used by certain kind of steel makers. Expert said the directive is aimed at using the route to detect cases of Service Tax and Excise evasion. Over the past few years, the government has been collecting information from third party sources to detect cases of incorrect declarations and tax evasion. The Central Board of Excise and Customs in the Finance Ministry has issued a notification in this regard. "The medium of has been extensively used in case of income tax and in recent times has been extended to indirect taxes as well. In continuation of the same the government today announced two new categories of regulators who would be required to submit an from the next fiscal year," M S Mani, Senior Director, Deloitte in India, said. The notification makes it necessary for the the Reserve Bank and state electricity board (SEB) or an electricity distribution or transmission licensee to file an annual information return containing specific information. The RBI is required to file an AIR containing information on remittances exceeding Rs 50 lakhs made by a service provider in India for receipt of services from overseas entities. SEBs are required to file an AIR containing information on electricity consumed by certain manufacturers, using an induction furnace or rolling mill to manufacture specified goods. "This would be a good benchmark to determine production in steel rolling mills. The information so provided will enable the Government to compare the same with the information provided by assessees and unearth cases of evasion and incorrect declarations," the Deloitte expert said. Designated officers of the RBI and SEBs would be filing the respective AIR. The Service Tax and Central Excise (Furnishing of Annual Information Return) Rules, 2016 will come into force from the April, 2016. The Reserve Bank today said it will soon undertake "incognito visits" to bank branches to check culture towards customer complaints in . It will also undertake a review of how have implemented Charter of Customer Rights, the central bank said in a statement. "Customers must have the right to access banking services and to the grievance redressal machinery - to banks' internal mechanism for grievance redressal as well as the Banking Ombudsman Scheme of the Reserve Bank - so that they are not 'excluded' from the banking fold," the release quoting Governor Raghuram Rajan said. Rajan had inaugurated the Annual Conference of Banking Ombudsmen 2016 held in Thiruvananthapuram on February 15-16, 2016. ALSO READ: SC asks RBI for details of defaulters with more than Rs 500 crore in dues He said websites, mobile phones, missed calls, physical places, and collection points could be some ways to aggregate customer complaints for redressal. High level of automation would not only allow customers to access the grievance redressal machinery at anytime from anywhere but also reduce the cost of grievance redressal. The RBI had put out a Charter of Customer Rights in public domain and asked to adapt and implement it after their Board's approval. Rajan also said that the RBI was exploring ways to resolve customer complaints across regulators through forums, such as, Financial Stability and Development Council (FSDC). The Governor impressed upon banks that the grievance redressal mechanism "must be integrated" in the business operations of banks. Grievances are also an important input into regulatory and supervisory processes, he added. Explaining the importance of customer awareness, customer protection and customer literacy, Rajan stated that a large segment of the population was not comfortable entering a bank even today. Moreover, only a fragment of the customer complaints came from rural areas, he said, adding this clearly showed the urban bias and lack of awareness among the new entrants about customer grievance redressal processes. "We want the new entrant to be comfortable in asking not only for banking services but also about redressal of grievances," he exhorted bankers. The conference was attended by managing directors and senior executives of major commercial banks, Indian Banks' Association (IBA), Banking Codes and Standards Board of India, Banking Ombudsmen and heads of regulatory and supervisory departments of the Reserve Bank. RBI Deputy Governor S S Mundra the apex bank was reviewing its Banking Ombudsman Scheme to enlarge the areas covered by it and to reduce the urban bias of customer redressal processes. Noting that rising global population is the root cause of environmental pollution, a study says Riboflavin Carrier Protein vaccines may be helpful in controlling population explosion. While discussing his research based on RCP at the International Conference on Ecotoxicology and Environmental Sciences here, Prof Mukesh Kumar, who hails from Rajasthan, said the vaccine can be used as a potential birth control method for both women and men. "RCP-based vaccines are in a very advanced stage of development, which may provide additional choice for contraceptive users (as there is no contraceptive vaccine to date) with many advantages over the currently available birth control methods," Prof Mukesh said at the conference which started yesterday. According to the research paper environmental pollution can be tackled by controlling population in the world. "Birth control technology has played and is playing a very important role in limiting the family size and thereby controlling the population of the world," it says. Over 150 scientists from India and abroad, besides research scholars and post graduate students are attending the three-day conference being organised by Institute of Eco Toxicology and Environmental sciences at Central Institute of Fisheries Technology (CIFT) here. The conference, sponsored by the World Academy of Sciences, a sister wing of UNESCO, discussed the impact, detection, measurement and control of large number of toxic substances being generated. They also discussed ecology, human health, prediction on ecotoxicological effects of contaminants in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. Coal India Limited, Life Insurance Corporation, State Bank of India, GAIL India Ltd, Mahanagar Gas Ltd, Rashtriya Chemicals and Fertilizers Ltd, Indian Oil Corporation Ltd, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd, LNG Ltd, Bharat Heavy Engineering Ltd and Indian Farmers Fertilizer Cooperative Ltd are the co-sponsors of the conference. A group of 10-12 unidentified men allegedly robbed steel from the premises of a private company in the district, police said today. On Sunday night, the robbers barged into the premises of Vindyawahini steel company at Belosi village after threatening two security guards on duty and robbed parts of electrical panels, Wada police station inspector Sanjay Hazare said. They threatened the two guards with dire consequences and fled from the place in the wee hours yesterday after robbing the steel parts, he said. The company has been closed since the last two years, he said. An offence has been registered against the robbers under section 395 (dacoity) of the IPC, Hazare said, adding that hunt for the culprits is on. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadanvis today said the state government has prepared a Rs 275-crore development plan for Jain pilgrim centre of Mangi Tungi here. Fadnavis visited Mangi Tungi this morning where the work for installation of 108-feet tall statue of Jain 'teerthankar' Bhagwan Rishab Dev is going on. He paid tribute to all 'teerthankars', including Bhagwan Rishabh Dev, saying their "valuable work" will provide guidance to the country at all levels. "The state government has prepared a plan of Rs 275 crore for the development of Mangi Tungi. Works of Rs 40 crore were undertaken immediately in view of the ongoing ceremony," Fadnavis said. The Chief Minister further said Mangi Tungi has an important place in religion as well as in history as Maratha king Chhatrapati Shivaji fought one of his wars here. During his speech, Fadnavis also paid tribute to Army jawan - Shankar Chandrabhan Shinde of Bhayale village in the district - who was killed in an encounter with terrorists in Kupwara district of Jammu and Kashmir on February 13. Maharashtra Rural Development Minister Pankaja Munde, Minister of State for Co-operation Dada Bhuse, MLAs and senior officials were present on the occasion. "This highway will create a revolution in agro-based industry. As gas and petroleum pipelines will be laid under this highway, gas-based industry too will come to Vidarbha. Farmers will become rich as they will be the partners in the project," the CM said. He said the opponents of this project are against development. "The time is now ripe to show them their place." Fadnavis said education scenario has started looking up under his government. "The state was languishing at 16th place in education. We started 'Shaikshanik Maharashtra Abhiyan' and through it improved the learning output of 17,000 schools to 100 per cent. As a result, the state has now jumped to number 3 place," he said. The CM said his government has already decided to give 20% grant to all unaided schools. "We are serious about the teachers working at non-aided schools," he added. A 27-year-old RSS worker was hacked to death in front of his aged parents at Papinesseri in Kannur district, police said. Sujit, who suffered serious injuries in the attack, succumbed to injuries before reaching hospital last night. His aged parents and a brother tried to stop the assailants, who stormed into the house at around 11.30 PM last night, and suffered injuries in the process. Police said some CPI(M) sympathisers have been taken into custody for questioning. BJP has called for a 'hartal' in Kannur, Pappinessery and Azhikode areas to protest against the killing. A 27-year-old RSS worker was hacked to death in front of his aged parents in Kannur district in poll-bound Kerala, triggering a blame game today between the BJP and CPI-M. While BJP slammed CPI-M for last night's murder of the RSS worker, Sujit, the marxist party has denied it, saying it was the fallout of a local incident relating to insulting a girl. Police said 10 CPI-M sympathisers have been taken into custody and they are being questioned. Sujit succumbed to the injuries before reaching hospital late last night. His aged parents and a brother tried to stop the assailants, who stormed into their house at Papinesseri around 11.30 PM last night, and suffered injuries in the process. They have also been hospitalised. BJP's Kannur District President Satyaprakash told reporters that CPI-M was allegedly behind the attack. He alleged that CPI-M had decided to whip up violence to get over the embarrassment of the arrest of its party district secretary, P Jayarajan, an accused in the murder of a BJP functionary in 2014, after his anticipatory bail plea was rejected in the case. BJP is observing 'hartal' in Kannur, Papinesseri and Azhikode areas to protest against the killing. CPI-M State Secretary Kodieryi Balakrishnan said the attack was not political and was a purely local issue and had nothing to do with the CPI-M. BJP state President Kummanam Rajasekharan, however, said the attack cannot be considered an 'isolated' incident. "In Kannur, the attacks on BJP and RSS are a continuing affair. This is not an isolated incident," he said. CPI-M MP, M B Rajesh, said, "this is not an incident of political violence and CPI-M has nothing to do with it." "BJP and RSS have a long list of political violence. According to our information yesterday's incident is not at all political violence," he added. The incident comes after a political calm in Kannur, which frequently witnesses violent clashes between CPI-M and BJP. On December 1, 1999, K P Jayakrishnan Master, a BJP leader was hacked to death, allegedly by CPI-M workers, in front of his students while he was taking class. (REOPENS MDS7) Meanwhile, Kerala state Youth Congress President Dean Kuriakose demanded a high-level inquiry into Kumar's murder. He alleged that preliminary inquiries by the police showed that "goons" of CPI(M), including a former panchayat member, and DYFI were behind themurder. Even before the memories of RMP leader T P Chandrasekaran's brutal killing could fade away from the minds of the people, another "political murder by CPI(M) and DYFI activists has taken place", he told reporters in Kozhikode. The Delhi Chief Minister's Office has told the Central Information Commission that the north corporation should pay compensation to an RTI applicant whose query on pension for handicapped persons it had transferred to the civic body. Extending a reprieve, the CIC agreed that Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's office should have been heard before initiating penalty proceedings and asked it to explain why the plea of a person seeking to know the status of a handicapped person's pension was transferred to the civic body. Information Commissioner Sridhar Acharyulu, who had passed scathing remarks on the working of RTI in the CMO, said, "It is stated in many judicial pronouncements that the Commission has no power of review. "However, the Commission is convinced that the public authority has a right to notice before imposition of compensation and also before initiating penalty proceedings under section 20 of the RTI Act." The CMO told the Commissioner that it had not received either a copy of the second appeal, hearing notice from CIC or show-cause notice before directions were issued asking it to pay a compensation of Rs 1 lakh. "The Public Information Officer (PIO) submitted that the North Delhi Municipal Corporation is directly concerned with the subject and hence the public authority should be made liable to compensate the loss of appellant and not the CMO," Acharyulu noted. CIC had passed scathing remarks on the working of the CMO last month while deciding the case of one Charanjeet Singh Bhatia, who had sought information about non-payment of his wife's handicap pension for 10 months between July, 2014, and April, 2015. The Commission had said it finds it "pathetic that such an high office like CMO evolves an unhealthy practice of forwarding RTI applications for an unlimited period, thereby causing the denial of information to the appellant regarding the non-payment of pension to his eligible handicapped wife." Acharyulu had also directed the CMO to pay compensation of Rs 1 lakh to Bhatia and initiate action against all PIOs who "unnecessarily" transferred the application to others. Family of an Indian student from adjoining Navi Mumbai who was killed in a fire at a medical university at Smolensk, Russia, today blamed the college administration for not doing enough to save her life. "Her friend informed us of the fire. The institute didn't inform us anything. It should have done so," brother of 22-year-old Pooja Kallur said. "It is the college's responsibility to save the students. There should have been fire extinguishers. The warden should save the students. They didn't do any such thing. They did nothing," he told reporters in Navi Mumbai. The fire broke out on the fourth floor of the dormitory of Smolensk Medical Academy on Sunday, the Russian investigative committee had said. Pooja Kallur, 22, and Karishma Bhosale, 20, both from Maharashtra, were killed in their sleep in the fire. A relative of Karishma Bhosale told reporters in Pune, "We have not received any details from the Indian embassy about how the mishap happened. We have also not been given details of the FIR filed in connection with the incident. We are waiting for the flight that would bring her body back to Pune. A Russian helicopter design and manufacturing company today said it is in discussion with Indian partners to conclude a contract for 200 choppers, more than 140 of which will be made in India under an inter- government pact. "We are now discussing terms and conditions for the contract and copter configuration," Igor Chechikov, deputy CEO of Russian Helicopters (RH) said today. Sixty of the contracted helicopters will be supplied from RH's existing manufacturing facilities in Russia while planning will be worked out with Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) and other partners to manufacture more than 140 units, making it one of the biggest investment venture under 'Make in India' initiative. The helicopters will be made in India under a pact signed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to Moscow in December. The choppers will be supplied in collaboration with Rosoboronexport, a state export agency. The ongoing discussions include the scope of setting up a helicopter plant in India which will be in partnership with a number of Indian entities including HAL. "We expect to produce more helicopters from India, given the country's demand for a wide range of defence and security related equipment," Chechikov said, pointing to the potential of growing the joint venture business as well as technology and know how sharing between the two countries. India has a fleet of over 450 Russian helicopters operating all of which were supplied over the last three decades in various phases. He also stressed on supporting the Russian hardware by establishing an after sales maintenance hub in India in the coming years. "India is a very strategic market with a huge demand for helicopters," he said at the Singapore Airshow 2016. Russian helicopters are widely used by the Indian Air Force, Navy and Border Security Force. RH is showcasing a wide range of its technology-savvy helicopters and aircraft at the air show for the South East Asian markets. Actor Ryan Reynolds has asked his followers to help "biggest 'Deadpool' fan" Connor McGrath, who is battling cancer. The 39-year-old actor posted a photo of himself with Connor and urged his fans to join him in donating money for the young boy's treatment cost, reported E! online. "Ladies, gentlemen, boys and girls. This is my friend, Connor McGrath. He's quite possibly the biggest #Deadpool fan on earth. He was also the first person ever to see the Deadpool film. Like Wade Wilson, Connor's trying to put cancer in his rear view mirror. About 6 weeks ago, I traveled to Edmonton Alberta to show Connor the movie at his hospital....Connor's the funniest, potty-mouthed Canadian mercenary I've ever met," Reynolds tweeted. The "Green Lantern" actor said he loves the boy and hopes his fan will also do so. "He's my friend. I know lots of celebrities jump up and down touting a cause -- and maybe I'm no different. But holy frozen shit-slivers, I love this kid. He's the GREATEST. And he needs your help to get well. I've donated to help Connor and I hope you will too," he added. The Obama Administration's decision to sell eight F-16 fighter jets to Pakistan should not be a cause of concern for India as the regional security situation was taken into account at the time of sale, the Pentagon said on Wednesday. "We don't think it should cause concern for India," said Peter Cook, Pentagon Press secretary. "We think this is a capability that will help Pakistan in its counterterrorism effort and we think that's in the national security interests of the US," Cook said, responding to questions on India's disappointment over sale of eight F-16s to Pakistan. The Obama administration said on February 13 it had decided to sell eight nuclear-capable F-16 fighter jets worth nearly $700 million to Pakistan despite mounting opposition from influential lawmakers from both the Republican and Democratic parties. "This sale always took into account the regional security situation. We look at our relationship with Pakistan and our relationship with India as separate relationships. We think this is important capabilities for the Pakistanis to go after terrorists in that country," Cook said. India summoned US Ambassador Richard Verma to convey its "displeasure and disappointment" over the decision. India disagreed with the US' rationale that such arms transfers help Pakistan in combating terrorism and believes the US military aid to Pakistan goes into anti-India activities. These additional F-16 aircraft will facilitate operations in all-weather, non-daylight environments, provide a self-defence/area suppression capability, and enhance Pakistan's ability to conduct counter-insurgency and counterterrorism operations, the Pentagon had said. Faced with huge NPAs, SBI Chairman Arundhati Bhattacharya today said bad loans are expected to surge in the coming quarter, which may hit its profitability. "We had already said at our press conference during the quarterly (third) results press conference. I will say the same thing, that our profits were impacted due to rise in non-performing assets (NPAs)," Bhattacharya told reporters on the sidelines of the opening of the bank's Japan desk from here. "In the next quarter too, NPAs will rise further that will affect our profits." SBI's gross NPAs, or bad loans, soared to Rs 72,791.73 crore at the end of the December quarter as against Rs 61,991.45 crore a year earlier. The mounting pressure due to bad loans hit profitability of SBI as its consolidated profit plunged 67 per cent to Rs 1,259.49 crore for the quarter on account of higher provisioning for bad loans. Reeling under stressed assets, state-owned banks' third quarter performance can at best be described as dismal, with Bank of Baroda reporting a loss of over Rs 3,342 crore, the highest from any bank so far. A total of 27 public sector banks have written off a staggering Rs 1.14 lakh crore for bad loans in 2012-15, with the last fiscal alone witnessing a steep 53 per cent rise in write-offs as part of the balance-sheet clean-up. The intention of the opening up of the Japan desk, Bhattacharya said, is to facilitate Japanese investors who are keen to put money in India. "We will inform them about their regulatory requirements, their tax requirement etc. Our Japan desk will try and provide the kind of information which Japanese investors and entrepreneurs should know in order to come to this country," she said. The SBI chairman also said there are many Japanese who want to set up joint ventures and often face difficulty in choosing a right partner to suit their requirements. On the other side of the spectrum, there are many Indians who want to bring some capital from Japan as well as source technical expertise from there, she said. "So in that manner, the Indians too are not aware whom to approach. So we will try to bridge that link through our Japan desk," she reasoned. Going forward, SBI will open another Japan desk from Chennai. There has been an increase in the Japanese community in Chennai, she said. "Second, we have also got request from Korea that such a desk should be opened for them. So, we are considering that. If there is a requirement for any other country as well, we will definitely look at it," she added. Bhattacharya further said, "We are still looking at resolution picking up pace. Resolution has started but they have not picked up pace to that extent and specially in respect of the larger accounts, we really need to see much more movement. But that will happen over a period of time." Hours before her, RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan had hoped bankers will not be exuberant in addressing infra financing challenges, stress on promoters getting more equity and have flexibility in the loans. Bhattacharya said the bank expects a continuous improvement in its stressed assets and maintained the guidance of restricting slippages to Rs 40,000 crore and Rs 31,000 crore in watch-list accounts. "We are making efforts at recovering most of the large accounts, it doesn't matter the sector. Once you have classified, we need resolution very quickly. We'll have a space of 12-18 months. We're hopeful that we'll be able to manage it in most of the accounts where the asset is good," she elaborated. With Rajan speaking about a review in the S4A scheme -- Scheme for Sustainable Structuring of Stressed Assets, Bhattacharya said the bank has had a dialogue with the RBI on the potential impediments for a smoother working of the scheme. Specifically, SBI wants the level of sustainable debt to be taken below the 50 per cent, need to go beyond the current cash-flows system and also have a relook on interest rates, which are higher when the accounts become NPA. "The central bank is open to the question of rates, not so open on cash flows though," she said. The SBI chief also said she does not know what the RBI is looking at when it comes to reviewing of the marginal cost of funds based lending rate (MCLR) for fastening transmission of policy rates. Seeking to puncture any attempt by BJP to turn the JNU issue into a battle between 'patriots and anti-nationals', Congress today demanded that the Supreme Court should ensure an independent investigation into the episode that has triggered nationwide protests. "We will request the Supreme Court to ensure investigation by an independent agency into the (JNU) incident," party leader Kapil Sabal told reporters here. Trashing the sedition charges labeled against JNU Students Union president Kanhaiya Kumar, the former Union minister wondered as to "how Delhi Police could move in the matter when no investigation was done by the university authorities". Questioning the role played by Delhi Police in the entire matter, Sibal, who is an eminent lawyer, said that the report of the Vice Chancellor "on who is involved in the matter should be out first and then only any action can be taken as per the law. It is because universities are autonomous institutions." He added that the report should first go to the governing board of the university. Sibal's remarks come at a time when the apex court is going to hear tomorrow a matter concerning the attack on journalists, teachers and students of JNU at Patiala House courts. Journalists, students and teachers of JNU were beaten up yesterday allegedly by groups of lawyers, drawing criticism from the media amid calls for the home ministry to look into the "dereliction of duty" by police, which has been accused of being a "mute spectator" during the incident. Sibal said that the incident at Patiala court was a contempt of court and the apex court should order a thorough probe into the violence, which also involved a Delhi BJP MLA. "Security of the people going to the court needs to be ensured by the Supreme Court," he said. Making light of the sedition charges in the case, he wondered why such charges were not pressed against senior BJP MP Sakshi Maharaj, who had hailed Godse and against BJP MLA from Goa Damodar Naik, who eulogised the man who assassinated Mahatma Gandhi. He also wondered why sedition charges are not pressed against those in the Kashmir Valley, who raised anti-India slogans. "Is it because BJP is in alliance with PDP," he asked. Sibal said that eminent Constitution expert Soli Sorabji, who was the Attorney General in the earlier NDA government, has also questioned applying sedition charges in the JNU case. "It is a state of undeclared emergency with everyone including the bureaucracy living in the shadow of fear. The essence of democracy is right to debate. Democracy needs debate, tolerance and brotherhood," he said. (Reopens DEL 61) At the same time, Sibal made it clear that Congress believes that a terrorist must be dealt with the strongest possible terms. "That any activity which is anti-national should be dealt as per the law and the Congress party has demonstrated in the past the strong action it has taken," he said, adding that Afzal Guru was hanged during the Congress regime so also Nathuram Godse. Referring to the student unrest at FTII, Hyderabad University, Ambedkar Periyar Centre in Chennai, he asked as to why youths are being targeted in the country. "Instead of taking action against a handful of those responsible for shouting anti-India slogans on JNU campus, identical pattern is being repeated by branding the entire JNU as anti-national," Sibal said. Truth is that government is hell-bent upon destroying the autonomy of all premier educational institutions as also the spirit of students to ideate, debate, express and disagree, he alleged. His refrain was that this government does not know how to govern. "In history, there has never been such a fast slide of any government in so short a time. Sensex is down. Rupee is down and Modiji is also down," he remarked. Installing lifts at DDA flats and apartment buildings of group housing societies in South Delhi has been simplified with SDMC introducing a single window clearance system to grant approvals. "The single window clearance system for granting permission/NOC for installation of lifts with connecting bridge in DDA-built flats and cooperative group housing societies (CGHS) flats under SDMC areas will prove a big relief to the residents, especially elders and specially-abled persons," Subhash Arya, South Delhi mayor, said. The permission/NOC will be given by the concerned executive engineers (building) in case of DDA flats and superintending engineers (building) to cooperative group housing societies flats in the five zones of the civic body. The applicants can approach the zonal building department for permission for installing lifts. The municipal corporation will depute staff for functioning of the single window clearance to speed up the process of granting permission, Arya said. Earlier, the process of seeking permission for installing lifts in such buildings was so cumbersome that no lift was ever fitted in thousands of such buildings, he said. "Besides several clearances, including one from Fire Department, approval of all the residents of a building was also necessary. But now we have brought all these things under one roof simplifying the process and removing bottlenecks. Now, even if half of the residents of any 3-4 storeyed building agree to install a lift, it will be granted permission by SDMC," he added. Profit-booking in recent winners snapped a two-session rally today as the market benchmark Sensex plunged by 362.15 points to 23,191.97, dragged down by investors cutting exposure to public sector banks even as global cues remained positive. The broader NSE Nifty too struggled and settled below the crucial 7,100-level. All the sectors ended lower with capital goods and realty closing down 3.06 per cent and 3.03 per cent, respectively. Higher global advices failed to give tonic to the domestic market, a broker said. Banking stocks, which had witnessed heavy buying yesterday came down crashing hard after country's biggest lender State Bank of India said bad loans are expected to surge in the March quarter, which may impact profits. Sentiment also took a hit after exports dipped for a 14th month in a row, down 13.6 per cent in January to USD 21 billion due to fall in petroleum and engineering goods shipments, even as trade deficit showed improvement. "After two days of hope filled rally, prices were grounded again, with renewed concerns over NPAs dragged banks lower again, and deflated bullish sentiments," said Anand James, Co Head Technical Research Desk, Geojit BNP Paribas. The BSE Sensex resumed higher at 23,688.61 and hovered in a range of 23,692.08 to 23,164.54 before ending at 23,191.97, showing a loss of 362.15 points or 1.54 per cent. The index had gained by 602.29 points or 2.62 per cent in the previous two sessions. The NSE 50-share Nifty dropped by 114.70 points or 1.60 per cent to end at 7,048.25. Shares of SBI plunged nearly 7 per cent, wiping-out Rs 8,422 crore from its market valuation, after the company said bad loans are expected to surge in the coming quarter, which may hit its profitability. Overseas, European stocks were trading higher in their afternoon trade, supported by hopes for fresh easing measures by European Central Bank (ECB). In Asia, Chinese stocks led gains in regional indexes after a latest data showed new loans from Chinese financial institutions hit a monthly record in January. In mainland China, Shanghai Composite ended 3.29 per cent higher, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng index rose 1.08 per cent. Other indices like Japan, Singapore, South Korea and Taiwan rose by 0.20 per cent to 1.80 per cent. Key indices in Europe, like France and the UK firmed up by 0.22-0.40 per cent while Germany's DAX was quoted lower by 0.24 per cent. In domestic market, 26 scrips fell from the 30-share Sensex pack. Major losers were SBI (6.49 pc), Tata Motors (4.88 pc), BHEL (4.35 pc), GAIL (3.76 pc), L&T (3.59 pc), ICICI Bank 3.24 pc), Cipla (2.99 pc), Axis Bank (2.86 pct), ITC (2.72 pc), Sun pharma (2.54 pc) and Lupin (2.35 pc). From the gainers pack, Adani Ports rose 4.78 per cent, NTPC perked up 2.12 per cent and Dr Reddy's gained 0.16 per cent. In broader markets, small-cap index fell by 2.25 per cent, while mid-cap ended 2.43 per cent lower. Among BSE sectoral indexes capital goods fell by 3.06 per cent, followed by realty 3.03 per cent, telecom (2.93 pc), industrials (2.63 pc), oil&gas (2.32 pc), healthcare (2.27 pc), bankex (2.11 pc), FMCG (2.00 pc) and energy (1.83 pc). The market breadth turned negative as 2,007 stocks ended lower, 614 closed higher while 104 ruled steady. The total turnover fell to Rs 2,604.51 crore from Rs 3,031.74 crore yesterday. Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan received his graduation degree today, 28 years after passing out from Hansraj College here. On the occasion, he walk down the memory lane as he recalled his days time at his alma mater. The 50-year-old "Dilwale" actor, who was in the capital to launch the anthem of his much-awaited Yash Raj Film, "Fan," said he felt special coming back to the campus. "This is a very special moment for me. I am back in my college, which I left in 1988. I am missing only one thing -- my children are not with me today, as I wanted to show them every corner of my college," Shah Rukh said at the event. While presenting him with the degree, Hansraj College Principal Rama Sharma said the institution is proud of its superstar student. "We are very happy to present him the degree after so many years. We had kept his degree safely in our college. We are proud to bestow him with it today," Sharma said. The actor also signed the register after taking the DU graduate degree. Shah Rukh, who was born in Delhi, lived in famous localities of the city including Rajendra Nagar and Gautam Nagar. The "Chennai Express" star studied at St Columba's School and earned his bachelor's degree in Economics from Hansraj. The mortal remains of Sepoy Mustaq Ahmed, who was killed in the recent Siachen avalanche, were laid to rest at his native village in Andhra Pradesh with full military honours this morning. Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister K E Krishnamurthy and leaders from various political parties paid homage to the jawan before the burial was performed at Parnapalli village. Scores of villagers also turned up at the funeral and paid their last respects to the deceased soldier. Krishnamurthy met the family members of Ahmed and handed them a cheque Rs 25 lakh. The AP government had yesterday decided to pay Rs 25 lakh as ex-gratia to the family of Sepoy Ahmed. The decision was taken at the Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu. A member of Ahmed's family will also be given a government job, a communication from the Chief Minister's Office earlier said. Ahmed, who hails from Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh, was one of the 10 army personnel killed in the Siachen avalanche earlier this month. His body was taken to Nandyal in Kurnool district last evening and later brought to his native Parnapalli village. With steps being taken up to resume India-EU FTA talks, automobile industry body SIAM today asked the government not to give in to the 28-nation bloc's demand to reduce import duties on fully-imported cars, even as German car maker Volkswagen came out in favour of such a cut. In a departure from past process, Commerce Secretary Rita Teaotia had sought opinion from individual companies, including BMW, Mercedes, Volkswagen, Maruti Suzuki, Hyundai, Tata Motors and Mahindra & Mahindra apart from meeting officials of industry bodies SIAM and ACMA. Earlier only a collective view of the industry was sought from SIAM and ACMA. Teaotia will be leaving for Brussels to meet her European counterpart on February 22 to review the stalled negotiations. "We met Commerce Secretary as she wanted to understand the issues of automobile sector. We put forth our demand of non-inclusion of CBU imports in the talks," SIAM Deputy Director General Sugato Sen told PTI. SIAM has been maintaining that the reduction of customs duties on imported cars run against the spirit of 'Make in India' as it will hurt investment in the automobile sector, which is among the biggest contributor to India's manufacturing sector. When contacted, a Tata Motors spokesperson confirmed company representatives participating in the meeting and said: "We are in line with SIAM views." A Volkswagen India representative also confirmed that the company was invited for the meeting but could not attend due to prior commitments with Make in India week celebrations in Mumbai. "We are in favour of India-EU FTA as it will result in inflow of new technologies and will sharpen competitiveness of the Indian automotive industry. The import duty reduction will be only on high-end luxury cars and not on mass segment cars," a Volkswagen Group India spokesperson said. A Maruti Suzuki India spokesperson declined to comment. The purpose of the meeting in Brussels later this month is to assess where both sides stand and how India and the EU should go forward with the proposed pact, officially dubbed as Bilateral Trade and Investment Agreement. The last round of trade talks between the two sides happened in May 2013. In that meeting India and the 28-nation bloc failed to bridge substantial gaps on crucial issues, including data security status for the IT sector. Besides demanding significant duty cuts in automobiles, EU wants tax reduction on wines and spirits and dairy products and a strong intellectual property regime. The free trade pact is aimed at reducing or significantly eliminating tariffs on goods, facilitating trade in services and boosting investments between the two sides. The two-way commerce in goods between India and the EU was USD 98.5 billion in 2014-15. The Shramik Mukti Dal, an organisation fighting for the rights of displaced people, today held a silent march in Kolhapur on the occasion of the first death anniversary of slain rationalist Govind Pansare. Pansare was shot at Kolhapur on February 16 last year and died in a Mumbai hospital on February 20. Shahid Govind Pansare Samata Sangharsh Samiti president N D Patil, who addressed the gathering, said the government wasn't serious about completing investigation in the Pansare murder case. "Even the courts have come to the conclusion that the investigation isn't on a proper track. The probe agency isn't serious about finding the issue," Patil said. "The rulers don't feel the same sentiments as the common man does. The cowardice of ruling politicians is also in part responsible for the slow pace of investigation," Patil said. The silent march began from Pansare's home today and ended at Dasara Chowk. Participants protested at the chowk demanding that the true faces responsible for Pansare's murder be exposed. Activist J R Dabhole said, "Pansare, Narendra Dabholkar and M M Kalburgi were the victims of anti-rational people. We have demanded the state government to take action against the Sanatan Sanstha for provoking the sentiments of the people. However nothing has happened. Six Philippine policemen were killed and eight injured in an ambush by communist rebels on a remote mountain highway today, the military said. Around 40 communist guerillas strafed a police convoy in Baggao, a poor farming town in the northeast of the main island of Luzon, sparking a brief firefight, said a regional military spokesman. The police were responding to a distress call from the builders of a government irrigation project who said the rebels burned their equipment over the weekend, spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Resureccion Mariano told AFP. Mariano said the rebels attacked the construction site after the contractors refused their extortion attempt. "We were hit hard by the first burst of fire," interior and local government minister Mel Sarmiento told reporters. Police officer Rachie Elpedes from the Baggao police station confirmed the casualties to AFP. It was not immediately clear if the rebels suffered casualties, officials said. The 4,000-strong New People's Army has been waging a 46-year-long guerilla campaign in the countryside and the conflict has claimed 30,000 lives according to official estimates. The military says the group sustains itself by extorting money from businesses and from candidates during election campaigns. Repeated efforts by successive governments to arrange peace talks have failed to end one of the world's longest-running communist insurgencies. South Korea's UN ambassador has asked the UN Security Council to adopt "extraordinary" measures in response to North Korea's recent nuclear test and rocket launch to avoid falling prey to its "nuclear blackmail." Ambassador Oh Joon told a council meeting yesterday that members must approve "a robust and comprehensive" sanctions resolution to make clear to the North "that it will no longer tolerate its nuclear weapons development." Pyongyang started off the new year with what it claims was its first hydrogen bomb test and followed that up with the launch of a satellite on a rocket condemned by much of the world as a test of banned missile technology. The ambassador called the test and launch "a clear threat to international peace and security and a blatant challenge to the international community." Over the past 10 years, North Korea has conducted four nuclear tests and launched six long-range missiles all in violation of Security Council resolutions and Pyongyang's international obligations, Oh told a council meeting on respecting the principles of the UN Charter. "If we go on business-as-usual vis-a-vis the DPRK's repeated nuclear tests and advancement of missile capabilities, the entire world could fall prey to the DPRK's nuclear blackmail," he said, using the initials of the country's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. "Extraordinary threat requires an extraordinary response," Oh said. The United States and China are negotiating the text of a new resolution and the council pledged after the February 7 rocket launch to "expeditiously" adopt a new resolution with "significant" new sanctions. The US and its allies want sanctions that go beyond the North's nuclear and missile programs, but China, Pyongyang's neighbor and supporter on the council, is reluctant to impose measures that could cause the country's economy to collapse. South Korea's president warned on Tuesday that rival North Korea faces collapse if it doesn't abandon its nuclear bomb programme, an unusually strong broadside that will likely infuriate Pyongyang. President Park Geun-hye, in a nationally televised parliamentary address defending her decision to shut down a jointly run factory park in North Korea, said South Korea will take unspecified "stronger and more effective" measures to make North Korea realise its nuclear ambitions will result only in speeding up of its "regime collapse." Park shut the park in response to the North's recent long-range rocket test, which Seoul and Washington see as a test of banned ballistic missile technology. North Korea last month also conducted a nuclear test. Both developments put the country further along it its quest for a nuclear armed missile that could reach the US mainland. Without elaborating, Park said the North has diverted Seoul payments to North Korean workers at the factory park to the Pyongyang leadership, which is in charge of nuclear and missile development. She also said the South has sent more than $3 billion in government and civilian aid to the North since mid-1990s. Park called for support for her government amid a divide in South Korea about its tough response to North Korea. "Aiming the point of a sword back to us and splitting us up are something that must not take place," she said. South Korea's main liberal opposition party has criticised the government's decision to suspend operations at Kaesong, saying the measure will only hurt South Korean businessmen and deepen tensions with North Korea. Liberal lawmakers said the Kaesong shutdown is not effective because North Korea maintains economic ties with China and Russia. Some analysts have said without Kaesong as leverage, South Korea's ability to influence change in the North has now evaporated. It is unusual for a top South Korean official to publicly touch upon such a government collapse in North Korea because of worries about how sensitive North Korea is to talk of its authoritarian government losing power. Pyongyang has long accused Washington and Seoul of agitating for its collapse. Park's speech contained harsh language, describing North Korea as "merciless" and under an "extreme reign of terror", following recent purges of top officials that outside analysts say were aimed at bolstering leader Kim Jong Un's grip on power. Spain's top criminal court today agreed to extradite to the United States a man suspected of helping to perpetrate one of the world's biggest art frauds over two decades. Jesus Angel Bergantinos Diaz was allegedly involved in the sale of fake masterpieces purporting to be by artists like Mark Rothko and Jackson Pollock -- works that were actually done by a Chinese painter he met on a Manhattan street corner. US investigators say the Spaniard, his brother Jose Carlos -- deemed a leading figure in the scam -- and others sold the fake works of art to galleries in New York over two decades, grossing some USD 33 million in the process. They then laundered the money and hid it overseas. Spain's National Court said Bergantinos, 67, was wanted by US authorities for money-laundering and fraud. He was arrested in April 2014 in the northwestern Spanish city of Lugo, while his brother Jose Carlos was detained that same month at a luxury hotel in the southern city of Seville. Both refused voluntary extradition and were ordered to surrender their passports and remain in Spain pending extradition hearings. US prosecutors said Jose Carlos would buy up canvases of old paintings at flea markets and stain newer canvases with tea bags, which he gave to Pei-Shen Qian, the Chinese painter, to create what have been dubbed "the Fake Works." Among the bogus paintings were some purportedly by Rothko, Pollock, Willem de Kooning, Richard Diebenkorn and Robert Motherwell. In September 2013, Jose Carlos' girlfriend, Mexican-US art dealer Glafira Rosales, pleaded guilty before a US federal judge to selling counterfeit paintings to two of New York's top galleries. Qian, meanwhile, is suspected of having fled to China. The National Court will now have to decide whether or not to extradite Jose Carlos. Budget airline SpiceJet today launched a direct flight service to Dubai from the Pink City amid domestic carriers adding frequency or rolling out new services to the world's busiest airports in terms of international passengers. The Gurgaon-based carrier also plans to connect Jaipur with Hong Kong and Singapore, Airline's Chief Administrative Officer G P Gupta said after the launch. With the launch of its flight services from Jaipur, which will be operated five times a week, SpiceJet has now become the first domestic carrier providing air connectivity to Dubai from 10 Indian cities. SpiceJet had last month announced its plans to connect Dubai with Jaipur and Hyderabad from this month. Another budget carrier IndiGo has only last week commenced its third daily direct service to Dubai from Delhi. Besides, Air India Express, the international budget arm of national carrier Air India, has also announced its plans to introduce its flights services to Dubai from the national capital from May. Naresh Goyal-promoted full service private carrier Jet Airways intends to add its third flight to Dubai from New Delhi from next month. The international traffic at the Dubai Airport reportedly increased by 10.7 per cent to more than 78 million in 2015 over the year-ago period, making it the busiest airport for the international passengers in the world. The growth was driven by 100 airlines that connect the airport to 240 destinations around the world. SpiceJet's maiden flight from Jaipur, carrying 185 passengers onboard a Boeing 737 aircraft took off for Dubai at around 11.15 am, in the presence of Rajasthan Home Minister Gulabchand Kataria. Later, Kataria urged the airline to increase both its services and flights to key cities in the state, including Udaipur. Budget airline SpiceJet today launched a direct flight service to Dubai from here. The Jaipur-Dubai flight with 185 passengers was flagged off by Rajasthan Home minister Gulabchand Kataria and MP Ramcharan Bohra from the Jaipur International Airport. Kataria asked the airline to increase the number of flights in the state and to start direct flights from other important cities of the state like Udaipur. GP Gupta, CAO of the airline, said that the Jaipur-Dubai flight will be operated from here five days a week except Monday and Saturday. He said SpiceJet plans to start flight service from Jaipur to Singapore and Hong Kong. India and Bhutan today held talks on key bilateral and regional issues including India-assisted hydro projects in the Buddhist nation. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj met Bhutan Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay here and is understood to have discussed promoting and exploring new areas of cooperation of mutual economic interests. "Always time for a close friend and neighbour. EAM @SushmaSwaraj meets Bhutan PM @tsheringtobgay in Delhi," the MEA Spokesperson tweeted. The United Nations said today that Syria has agreed to allow access for humanitarian aid to seven besieged areas of the war-torn country. "So far I understand that the Government of Syria has approved access to seven besieged areas," said Vanessa Huguenin, spokeswoman for the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). The areas involved are Deir ez-Zor, Foah and Kafraya in Idleb, and Madaya, Zabadani, Kafr Batna and Madamiyet Elsham in rural Damascus, she said. "Humanitarian agencies and partners are preparing convoys for these areas, to depart as soon as possible in the coming days," she added. Damascus gave the green light to the aid convoys after the UN special envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura visited the capital today. De Mistura earlier in the day had announced that an aid convoy would be sent Wednesday to several towns under siege by the regime or the rebels. "It is clear it is the duty of the government of Syria to want to reach every Syrian person wherever they are and allow the UN to bring humanitarian aid, particularly now after so long time," he told journalists after a meeting with Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Muallem. India's tea production has marginally declined to 1109.80 million kg in the first nine months of the current financial year, mainly due to adverse weather conditions. The production stood at 1115.88 million kg in the April-December period of the last fiscal, according to Tea Board data. Assam and Bengal together contribute more than 85 per cent of the country's total tea production. Output took a hit this fiscal mainly due to unfavourable weather conditions. Besides, wage-related issues also hit tea producers. The sector has also been facing other issues including migration of labourers to other industries. However, the exports surged 9 per cent to Rs 3,218.07 crore in the first nine months of the current fiscal from Rs 2,955.78 crore in the year-ago period. The total export during the period rose to 166.55 million kg as against 147.96 million kg a year ago. India, the world's second biggest tea producer, exports CTC (crush-tear-curl) grade mainly to Egypt, Pakistan and the UK, and the orthodox variety to Iraq, Iran and Russia. The Chairman of the Upper House of the UP legislature today asked the state government to conduct an inquiry into the alleged delay by police in registering a complaint after a teenage girl, whose body was found yesterday, had gone missing. Legislative Council Chairman Om Prakash Sharma said an inquiry should be conducted against policemen concerned for alleged laxity. The body of the Class XII girl, who went missing on February 10, was found yesterday near the residence of the chief minister here. Leader of the House Ahmad Hasan said the autopsy report suggested the girl was sexually molested. He said, "The Uttar Pradesh government was sensitive and of the view that those committing such crimes should be given capital punishment." Earlier, BSP members raised the issue during the Zero Hour and demanded that a two-hour discussion be held on it. Leader of Opposition Naseemuddin Siddiqui said when the girl's family members approached police to file a complaint, the station house officer concerned said she might have eloped with someone. "The girl was a niece of a senior BSP leader and former minister. When the leader pressured police, then only they registered an FIR, but no action was taken," Siddiqui said. He said the victim's mobile phone was last traced in Haidergarh on February 13, and when help was sought from the Crime Branch, it "refused on the pretext of training". Belgian police today arrested ten people in the Brussels area allegedly part of a network recruiting people to fight with the Islamic State group in Syria, prosecutors said. The ten were arrested during raids in Molenbeek and others areas of the Belgian capital but the case is not linked to the deadly November Paris attacks, the federal prosecutor's office said in a statement. Several of those involved in the Paris killings came from Molenbeek. "The raids were carried out as part of an investigation into a recruitment network linked to Islamic State. The investigation helped determine that several people had travelled to Syria to join Islamic State," it said. The raids were ordered by a counter-terrorism judge in the eastern city of Liege who will decide later in the day whether to continue holding them, the statement said. Investigators were studying mobile phones and computer equipment seized in a total of nine raids across Brussels. Belgium has produced more jihadist fighters relative to its population than any other country in Europe, with some 500 believed to have gone to fight in the Middle East. Many have joined the Islamic State group which claimed the November attacks on the French capital. Belgian police are holding several people in connection with the November 13 attacks in Paris which left 130 people dead and hundreds wounded as it emerges that the onslaught was largely organised and coordinated from Belgium. Earlier this month, the authorities identified three safe houses used by key Paris suspects -- in Brussels, in Charleroi, an hour's drive south of the capital, and in Auvelais, a village near the French border. Travel services provider Thomas Cook (India) (TCIL) has entered into an agreement with accommodation website Airbnb to offer Indian outbound travellers access to a range of unique accommodation experience. The company intends to offer families, ad hoc groups of friends and business-cum-leisure travellers access to Airbnb's unique stay options -- across apartments, private rooms, castles, boats, manors, tree houses and private islands, Thomas Cook India said in a filing to BSE. Thomas Cook India Chairman and Managing Director Madhavan Menon said: "The Indian traveller is evolving rapidly and for many, standard stays no longer find favour. Our partnership with Airbnb for outbound Indian travellers aims to address this viable and yet untapped market need." The company's strategic focus is to target high-potential growth opportunities via innovation in products and partnerships, and tie-up with Airbnb reiterates delivery of this intent, he added. "We are excited to work with a leader in India's travel market to give Indian travellers the opportunity to have unique and truly authentic local experience by staying at one of our more than two million properties around the world," Head of Global Airbnb Operations Varsha Rao said. Prem Watsa's Fairfax Financial Holdings-promoted TCIL's footprint -- exclusive of its subsidiaries -- currently extends to over 232 locations, including 23 airport counters, in 92 cities across India, Mauritius and Sri Lanka. The stock of TCIL was trading at Rs 193 in the afternoon trade on BSE, down 0.34 per cent from its previous close. Thousands of people today bid a tearful adieu to Sepoy Sunil Suryawanshi, who died in the recent Siachen avalanche, at his native Maskarwadi village in Maharashtra's Satara district. The soldier was cremated with full military honours amid chants of 'Shaheed Sunil Suryawanshi amar rahe'. He leaves behind his wife and a daughter, whose first birthday is on Thursday. Suryawanshi (25), a Sepoy Nursing Assistant in Army Medical Corps, was one of the 10 army personnel killed in the Siachen avalanche earlier this month. His mortal remains were yesterday brought to the war memorial in Pune for a wreath laying ceremony and later taken to his village in Mann tehsil. Thousands of people today bid a tearful adieu to 29-year-old Lance Naik Sudheesh B, who died after an avalanche hit his army post in Siachen. The mortal remains were cremated with full state and military honours at the compound of his house here this evening. Sudheesh's nephew lit the funeral pyre. Sudheesh's four-month-old daughter Meenakashy, his wifeShalumol and parents, Brahmaputhran and Pushpavalli, were among those who paid their last respects. MP Kodikunnil Suresh, a host of military officers and a large number of people converged at the venue to pay homage to the soldier. The body, which was brought to Kerala around 1 am today from Delhi, was taken to the Pangode Military hospital in Thiruvananthapuram and brought here by noon for the public to pay homage. The body was first brought to a local school here where hundreds of people offered their last respects. Kerala Chief Minister, Oommen Chandy, Chief Secretary Jiji Thomson and senior Defence officials were among those who received the body which was brought to Thiruvananthapuram airport from Delhi in the wee hours. Sudheesh's brother Lance Naik Suresh, posted in Kargil, was also at the airport. The Kerala government had earlier announced a solatium of Rs 25 lakh and a government job for his wife. Sudheesh and nine other soldiers got buried in snow after an avalanche hit their high-altitude post in Siachen glacier in Ladakh on February 3. One of them, Lance Naik Hanumanthappa Koppad, found alive under the snow, also died on February 11 after battling for life. Three Americans who were kidnapped in the Iraqi capital Baghdad last month have been released, the State Department said today. "We sincerely appreciate the assistance provided by the government of Iraq, and its whole-of-government effort to bring about the safe release of these individuals," deputy spokesman Mark Toner said in a statement. Toner specifically thanked Iraq's security forces, defense ministry and intelligence service for their role in securing the Americans' release. The identities and employment of the victims was not made public. "A force belonging to the intelligence service was able to free the three kidnapped Americans," a senior Iraqi intelligence officer told AFP, without providing details on which group had held them. Kidnappers have recently seized Qataris and Turks, but it has been years since Americans were abducted, and Iraqis have suffered the most from kidnappers seeking ransoms or to settle scores. A spokesman for the security command responsible for the capital said last month the Americans had been kidnapped from a "suspicious apartment" in Baghdad. An Iraqi police colonel told AFP on condition of anonymity that the Americans had been brought to the apartment for "drinking and women." Brothels and alcohol shops have been repeatedly targeted by powerful Shiite militia groups that are playing a major role in combating the Islamic State jihadist group, which has overrun large parts of Iraq. These groups, which fall under an umbrella organization known as the Hashed al-Shaabi, or Popular Mobilization units, have played a key role in the fight against IS fighters. But they and their affiliates have also been accused of abuses including summary executions, kidnappings and destruction of property. The US is leading a coalition of countries that have bombed thousands of IS targets in Iraq and Syria and which are providing training to Baghdad's forces. IS also has ample motive to target Americans, but while it is able to carry out bombings in Baghdad, it does not have a major presence in the city. Dozens of foreign nationals have been kidnapped in two incidents during the past few months. In December, gunmen kidnapped more than two dozen Qataris who had come to southern Iraq to hunt. Their whereabouts are still unknown, as are the identities of their kidnappers. It had been years since an American was kidnapped in Iraq. Issa T Salomi, an American of Iraqi origin, went missing in Baghdad in January 2010. A Trinamool Congress delegation today met the Election Commission in New Delhi and informed it about the "peaceful and democratic atmosphere" in West Bengal. "We met the Election Commission of India in New Delhi. We informed it and also gave documented evidence of the peaceful and democratic atmosphere in Bengal under Mamata Banerjee," TMC national vice-president Mukul Roy told PTI. A TMC statement said a party MPs delegation met the EC. The full bench of Election Commission lead by CEC Nasim Zaidi had visited Kolkata in December last year to review the poll preparedness and the ongoing revision of electoral rolls in the state. A faction of the ruling Trinamool Congress today put up road blockade on a highway in Howrah district, demanding that the party MLA of the area should not be renominated in the coming Assembly election. Led by former pradhan of Banharishpur gram panchayat and local TMC leader Sheikh Asadul, the faction members blockaded the Ranihati Amta state highway. Asadul said Panchla MLA Gulsan Mullick should not get party ticket to contest again in the coming Assembly election as he has failed to bring any development in the constitution. Reacting to this, Mullick said Asadul has been expelled from the party and he blockaded the road bringing some supporters of opposition parities. Asadul, however, said he was not expelled from TMC. When contacted, TMC Howrah district president Arup Roy said he is busy in a meeting and cannot talk. Freedom fighters like Tantya Tope had the ideology one nation 'Bhartavarsha' which include India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan, a noted historian said today. "The vast landmass that today forms Afghanistan, Pakistan, Bangladesh and India was known in the past as 'Bharatavarsha', the land of the Bharatas after the Rigvedic people who were called 'Bharatasantanti'," said historian Makkhan Lal. Lal, a Professor and founder Director of Delhi Institute of Heritage Research and Management, said this while delivering a lecture on 'First War of Independence and the Indian Nation' organised by the Culture Ministry to commemorate the 200th birth anniversary of Tope. "Freedom fighters like Tantya Tope, Nanaji Peshwa and others had only one ideology - that is Indian nationhood and only one nation that was Bharatavarsha," he said. Lal said the British could not believe that India's vast geographical dimensions, it's cultural diversity and religious plurality could co-exist within one nation and "they spread the myth that India was never a nation and that they are the one who united it politically and made it into a nation". Lal quoted various scholars and ancient Indian texts to define the geography and culture of India. Dr Rajesh Tope, one of the fourth generation descendants of Tantya Tope, explored Tantya Tope's Operation Red Lotus in 1857 as a Maratha-Mughal alliance against the British and highlighted that 1857 was a battle that was "lost, but the war was won". Rich tributes were paid today to former deputy Chief Minister and Home Minister of Maharashtra late R R Patil who passed away on February 16 last year after battling cancer. Senior NCP leaders and thousands of admirers of Patil gathered at his native place in Sangli district of western Maharashtra to pay tributes to him. NCP chief Sharad Pawar said, "My heartfelt homage to the departed soul of late R R (Patil was popularly known as RR after his initials). "A humble human, a saviour of dignity of woman, Patil worked ceaselessly to uphold social morality and to keep peace and tranquillity," Pawar said. Describing Patil as a "clean person," the former Union Minister said the late NCP stalwart was a "Champion of cleanliness." "Without him, we feel grief and loneliness," Pawar tweeted. Former Union minister Praful Patel said, "I pay my humble homage to R R Patil on his first death anniversary. "Aaba (another popular nickname for Patil) lives in our memories forever," Patel added. Raosaheb Ramrao Patil died at a city hospital on February 16 last year at 58. Patil was suffering from oral cancer. His political career spanning over 25 years was marked by both milestones and controversies which he always handled confidently. In 2005-06, much against the wishes of his party colleagues, Patil went ahead with the decision to ban the dance bars across Maharashtra and despite a legal battle, he stuck to the decision till the end. Patil, who was deputy chief minister in the Congress-NCP government which was in power until mid 2014 and was in-charge of the Home portfolio, remained the party's face in rural areas. Often projecting himself as a simpleton, his oratorical skills in Marathi packaged with the rural tone and context often marked him apart from others in the political arena. After the Mumbai terror attack in 26/11, Patil landed in trouble for his controversial remark, "Bade bade shaharon mein, chhote chhote ghatna hote raheti hain..." (In big cities, small incidents happen). This remark proved to be costly for him as he had to quit from the position of Home Minister. However, after 2009 assembly elections, Patil regained the home ministry portfolio which he retained till the assembly elections held in 2014. Coming from a humble background, Patil, after completing his law studies plunged into Congress politics. Till the last, he remained grounded to his rural roots to such an extent that he ensured his children Smita and Rohit also studied in a zilla parishad school and Sangli college. Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump has threatened to sue his rival Ted Cruz over his eligibility to serve in the White House unless he receives an apology from the Texas Senator for spreading lies about the real estate tycoon's record. "Ted Cruz is a totally unstable individual. He is the single biggest liar I've ever come across, in politics or otherwise, and I have seen some of the best of them. His statements are totally untrue and completely outrageous," Trump said, days ahead of South Carolina's pivotal Republican primary. In a statement, Trump, 69, threatened to take legal action against Cruz for him being born in Canada and not in the US. The businessman ordered Cruz to retract statements about his past inconsistencies on abortion rights and other social issues. Trump also demanded that the senator from Texas take down advertisements attacking him. "It is hard to believe a person who proclaims to be a Christian could be so dishonest and lie so much," he said. "Cruz has become unhinged and is lying with the hopes that his statements will go unchecked until after the election and he will save his failing campaign," Trump alleged. "If Ted is going to continue to lie with such desperation, I have no choice but to fight back," he adding that one of the ways he can fight back is to bring a lawsuit against him relative to the fact that he was born in Canada and therefore cannot be President. "If he doesn't take down his false ads and retract his lies, I will do so immediately," Trump said. Cruz, 45, fired back, claiming that he is simply pointing out Trump's actual positions. "You cannot simply scream 'liar' when someone points out your actual positions," he tweeted. The Texas Senator said he won't engage in personal attacks, but will continue to focus on his competitor's records, policies and vision. The Florida Senator Marco Rubio also attacked Cruz and accused him of lying. "Senator Cruz will say or do anything to win an election including employing underhanded tactics and making charges against all his opponents that he knows are outright lies. America can't afford more politicians like Ted Cruz who will easily sacrifice principle for political gain," said Joe Pounder, Rubio spokesman. Cruz insisted that the election is about vetting the candidates. "It is not being honest or candid for either Marco Rubio or Donald Trump to pretend that their records are different than what they are and simply to yell and scream at anyone who points to the words that have come out of their own mouths," he said. Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has offered rival Ted Cruz an ultimatum, threatening to sue Cruz over his eligibility to serve in the White House unless the Texas senator stops airing what Trump calls "false ads" and apologises for what the billionaire real-estate mogul called a series of lies about his positions. With less than a week to go before South Carolina's pivotal Republican primary, the frontrunner also reiterated that the 9/11 attacks happened during President George W Bush's time in office, an apparent attempt to overshadow the former president's Monday campaign appearances on behalf of his brother, former Florida Governor Jeb Bush. The new attacks came as the race entered an increasingly nasty phase, with numerous negative ads airing on local television following an unusually caustic debate this past weekend. Some of the harshest ads have been aimed at Trump, often using the political newcomer's past words to illustrate his evolving position on issues, including abortion and gun rights. Trump also took aim on Monday at the Republican establishment, accusing the Republican National Committee of packing its debate audiences with donors, a move he claimed violated the loyalty pledge he signed in September, vowing to run as a Republican and support the party's eventual nominee. "I signed a pledge, but it's a double-edged pledge," Trump said at a luncheon in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina. "The pledge isn't being honored by the RNC." But, Trump saved the bulk of his criticism for Cruz. "If he doesn't take down his false ads and retract his lies," Trump said in a statement bashing Cruz, "he will immediately file a lawsuit challenging Cruz's eligibility to serve as president." Trump has previously said a federal court should decide whether Cruz meets the constitutional requirement of being a "natural-born citizen" to serve as president. Cruz was born in Canada to an American mother, and many legal experts have said he meets that test. "Ted Cruz is a totally unstable individual. He is the single biggest liar I've ever come across, in politics or otherwise, and I have seen some of the best of them. His statements are totally untrue and completely outrageous," Trump said in the statement. Turkey today denounced Russia's bombing campaign in Syria as "barbaric", saying the assault had killed civilians including children and the elderly. "Those vile, cruel and barbaric planes have made close to 8,000 sorties since September 30 without any discrimination between civilians and soldiers, or children and the elderly," Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said in parliament. Tensions between Turkey and Russia have soared over Moscow's backing of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and Russia's air campaign against what it claims are "terrorist" targets in the country. Turkey has long backed Assad's ouster and like other Western nations accuses Russia of predominantly bombing Syrian rebel groups backed by Washington and its allies instead of the Islamic State group. Assad's forces have most recently used Russian air support to move ever closer to the rebel stronghold of Aleppo in northern Syria, which alarmed Ankara that Syrian Kurdish militia could take control of the region near the Turkish border. Ankara considers the PYD and its YPG militia to be branches of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) which has waged a decades-long insurgency against the Turkish state. Turkish artillery has struck Syrian Kurdish targets since the weekend. Russia has described Turkey's shelling of Kurdish and Syrian regime positions in the north of the country as a "provocative" action. Davutoglu on Tuesday accused Kurdish fighters of being "Russia's legion working as mercenaries" with a priority aim of harming Turkey's interests. "The YPG and PYD are not representatives of the Kurds, not of Syria, they are Russian legionaries and mercenaries," he said. Turkey and Israel are close to a deal on normalising ties more than five years after relations were downgraded, a senior Turkish official said today. NATO member Turkey was a key regional ally of Israel until the two countries fell out in 2010 over the deadly storming by Israeli commandos of a Turkish aid ship, the Mavi Marmara, bound for Gaza. But the atmosphere was transformed following the revelation in December that the two sides had met that month in secret talks to seek a rapprochement. Turkish media reports said high-level Turkish and Israeli delegations held a second round of talks in Geneva earlier this month. "The talks are going on. We are close to concluding a deal (on a full normalisation of ties) but it is not over yet so I won't comment further," the Turkish official told reporters in Istanbul. "The sides should show some political will to conclude it," said the official, asking not to be named. Turkey has repeatedly insisted on three conditions for normalisation: the lifting of the Gaza blockade, compensation for the Mavi Marmara victims and an apology for the incident. Israel has already apologised and negotiations appear to have made progress on compensation for the victims of the Mavi Marmara raid, which left 10 Turkish aid activists dead. The leaves Israel's blockade on the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip as the main hurdle. "We put (forward) our views very clearly," said the Turkish official. "We asked for an apology, we got it. On compensation, the negotiations are about to be over. The lifting of the Gaza blockade is our third condition." Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had raised hackles in Israel with his sometimes inflammatory rhetoric towards the Jewish state. But in a highly symbolic encounter, Erdogan last week met representatives of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organisations in Ankara. Participants at the meeting, held at Erdogan's presidential palace, said he expressed hope that relations will get closer. Turkey today called for a joint ground operation in Syria with its international allies, adding that such an intervention was the only way to stop the country's five-year civil war. A senior Turkish official, briefing foreign reporters in Istanbul, said Turkey wanted such an operation to be carried out with Western and Gulf allies but emphasised there were no plans to act unilaterally. "We want a ground operation with our international allies," the official said, asking not to be named. "And that is what we are trying to raise in our meetings." "Without a ground operation, it is impossible to stop the fighting in Syria," added the official. "That is what we think. And we are the closest ones to Syria so we feel the negative effects (from the fighting) more than the others." "This has been voiced many times by us but we could not come to a conclusion" with allied states, he acknowledged. The official was speaking after Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu at the weekend said Turkey and its ally Saudi Arabia could launch a ground operation in Syria against the jihadists. But the official said such a move needed to be made in concert with Turkey's allies in the international coalition against Islamic State (IS) jihadists, including the United States. "There is not going to be a unilateral military operation from Turkey to Syria," the official said. "But of course it is difficult to reckon what could happen in 10 days. If the conditions change there might be some options. But right now, we do not have such a plan. "Our plan is to act in accordance with the international coalition. We are not going to do anything against the will of the coalition," the official said. Turkey had previously called for a safe area for refugees backed by a no-fly zone inside Syria close to the Turkish border but this proposal met with only a lukewarm reception from allies. Asked what the aims of such a ground operation would be, the official said it should be to remove "all terror groups from Syria". The official said these included Islamic State (IS) jihadists, the Syrian regime of President Bashar al-Assad but also the Syrian Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD). The United States has worked closely with the PYD in the fight against IS jihadists but Ankara regards the group as a terror organisation and the Syrian branch of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK). The Turkish official said Ankara had presented US Vice President Joe Biden with "proof" the PYD is a terror group during his visit to Istanbul in January but admitted Washington has not accepted Ankara's argument. "We are trying to convince the Americans," said the official, adding that PYD is "not supporting the territorial integrity of Syria". Turkish artillery has struck at Kurdish militia targets in Syria over the past few days, creating a rare rift between Ankara and its NATO ally the United States. A traders' body leader and his associate were today shot dead by unidentified assailants near a village under Bithan police station area in Bihar's Samastipur district, a police officer said. The incident took place near Sirsia village when three unidentified assailants shot at Virendra Yadav (40) and his associate Birju Yadav (45), while the two were riding on a bike on their way to a nearby market, Superintendent of Police (SP) Suresh Chaudhary said. The two died on the spot, he said adding, the bodies have been sent for post-mortem. The 40 year-old Virendra Yadav, brother of a history sheeter Ashok Yadav, was the president of Bithan Block Vyapar Mandal, the SP said adding, the motive behind the murder was under investigation. A special police team has been set up to probe the incident and raids were on to nab the assailants, the SP said. Taxi-hailing app Uber today signed an agreement with the Maharashtra government to help create 75,000 jobs across the state. Through this memorandum of understanding (MoU), Uber will focus on training women and people from marginalised sectors of society. "This is to promote equal and fair opportunity for all sectors of society to earn sufficient fares as independent entrepreneurs on the platform," Uber said in a statement. The move would train and provide 75,000 new job opportunities across Maharashtra over the next 5 years, the company added. The MoU was formalised by Uber through the Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Department (SDED) of the Maharashtra government here. "We are happy to be part of the Make in India initiative through this MoU with SDED, Maharashtra Government, to encourage and give women and persons from marginalised societies an opportunity to become micro-entrepreneurs through our platform," Uber West GM Shailesh Sawlani said. Principal Secretary (SDED) S S Sandhu said, "We are pleased to partner with Uber to create more economic opportunities in Maharashtra and mobilise women and persons from marginalised sectors of society to become micro entrepreneurs." Uber was launched in 2009 and has presence in over 361 cities in 66 countries today. Shares of United Breweries Holdings Ltd tumbled over 11 per cent today as the company has been declared a "wilful defaulter" by Punjab National Bank. The stock tanked 11.23 per cent to settle at Rs 20.15 on BSE. During the day, it had slumped 13.65 per cent to Rs 19.60. At NSE, shares of the company fell sharply by 11.45 per cent to end at Rs 20.10. Shares of United Breweries also fell by 2 per cent to Rs 787.20. The Vijay Mallya-led United Breweries Holdings Ltd today said it has been declared a "wilful defaulter" by PNB and the company is consulting lawyers to challenge the decision. PNB through letter dated February 11 has declared the company a "wilful defaulter", United United Breweries Holdings Ltd (UBHL) said in a BSE filing, adding it received the letter on Monday. On its future course of action, UBHL said: "The company is in consultation with its legal counsel to challenge the decision by taking appropriate legal action that may be required in this regard. The UK today announced a series of measures for improving its visa services including expanding the same day, super-priority services to first-time visitors from India, one of Britain's largest visa markets. Britain's Immigration Minister James Brokenshire, who is on a five-day visit to the country, announced the new package for improving the visa services for Indian nationals during a visit to a visa application centre here. Improvements to the visa services include expanding the same day, super-priority visa services to first-time visitors and for work visas. The three to five day priority visa service will also be expanded to visit, study and work routes, allowing more applicants in India to seek a faster visa decision. "India is one of the UK's largest visa market and we continue to make improvements to the service here to make it as easy and straightforward as possible for our customers to apply for their visas," Brokenshire said. He said that more and more Indian visitors are choosing to come to the UK on holiday and for business. Last year, the UK saw a 17 per cent increase in the number of visit visas issued, he said. "Indian holidaymakers are very welcome in the UK and thanks to our strong cultural and historic ties, I think they feel at home there," he said. "We hope that this year we continue to see an increase in visitors from India and that these improvements prove useful to those applying for their visas," he said. From the end of this month, Indian visit visa applicants will also be able to benefit from a new online application form, which the British High Commission says isquicker and easier. Besides taking less time, the new online form will make it easier for customers going on holiday or for business to the UK and Europe, to apply for both UK and Schengen visas. Once the form has been filled out, customers will be able to download an auto-completed Schengen application form to print and apply with. Initially the form will be launched in English but it will be translated into Hindi, Tamil and Gujarati. The visiting British minister also announced the launch of a new visa application centre (VAC) in Lucknow, the first in Uttar Pradesh. To boost private sector development and work on areas like climate change, poverty alleviation, the UK government is starting a new programme of providing technical assistance in partnership with the Indian government. "Both the governments jointly decided to end the grant-in-aid program under the DFID. From the beginning of this year it has stopped. But, now we are transitioning it into a new program of technical assistance and support for private sector development," Andrew Soper, Minister Counsellor (Political and Press) of the British High Commission, Delhi, told PTI during a visit to the city. DFID or the Department for International Development of the UK government had been giving financial aid to India for many years. Soper said under the technical assistance programme, the UK would work together with both government and civil society on areas like climate change, clean energy and other sustainability issues, poverty alleviation, healthcare, education, etc. "This will become more of a partnership now. Earlier it was different. Besides this, the government will also provide 'returnable capital' for a range of private sector enterprises," he said. "We will be investing small amounts of money in start-ups, individual projects and small companies to help them," Soper said. Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, is scheduled to visit India during April during which, agreements on these projects may be signed, he said. In the field of education, they were partnering with Indian universities under the national GIAN (Global Initiative of Academic Networks) programme, which aims to bring foreign faculty members to teach in India. Rob Lynes, Country Director, British Council, India, said this year around a hundred faculty from UK were coming to India to teach short or semester-long courses. "Our universities are encouraging teachers to go to India," he said adding, GIAN has the potential to culminate into joint research projects. Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk was fighting for his political life today as parliament considered holding a vote of no confidence in the government over its perceived failure to fight graft. Even President Petro Poroshenko appeared to withdraw support for the 41-year-old former banker after he reportedly told his own party members that he no longer believed his ministers' reform pledges. The risk of the Ukrainian government falling also threatens a massive IMF-led rescue package aimed at reviving the country's shattered economy and slashing its reliance on Russian financial support. Yatsenyuk was a seminal figure during Ukraine's 2014 pro-EU revolution who enraged Moscow but endeared himself to the West by promoting belt-tightening measures that could return growth to the former Soviet state. But his vows to clean up the government by cutting its ties to shadowy tycoons soon fell flat with voters who accused him of defending the interests of the very same billionaires he had vowed to sideline. A former lawmaker accused a close Yatsenyuk associate in December of receiving a massive bribe for giving the Czech company Skoda the right to provide equipment for Ukraine's nuclear power plants. Yatsenyuk dismissed the charges but was unable to shed the shadow of corruption that has trailed him ever since. Recent opinion polls show 70 per cent of Ukrainians supporting Yatsenyuk's dismissal and only one per cent backing his People's Front parliamentary bloc. "People expected real and quick changes from Yatsenyuk, and they did not come," political analyst Mykola Davydyuk told AFP. The prime minister appeared to have been dealt another blow when Poroshenko reportedly told his party members at a meeting Monday that they were free to vote for Yatsenyuk's dismissal if they wished. "I am not going to put pressure on you," Poroshenko ally Sergiy Leshchenko quoted the president as saying. "When ministers tell television channels about the government's successes, even I do not believe him," Leshchenko further quoted him as saying. Parliamentary procedure requires at least 150 deputies in the 450-seat chamber to sign a petition to put a vote of no confidence on the agenda. That number is likely to be exceeded because most members of Ukraine's existing coalition now back Yatsenyuk's ouster. Deputies will then need to collect 226 votes to dismiss the government and propose a new prime minister. Poroshenko will have the right to call snap legislative elections if parliament fails to form a new coalition and agree on a prime ministerial nomination within two months. Ukraine's embattled Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk survived a no confidence vote in his government today that came just hours after the president asked him to stand down. The motion to oust the pro-Western government leader collected only 194 of a required 226 votes in Ukraine's 450-seat parliament. President Petro Poroshenko had earlier asked Yatsenyuk to resign because he had lost the public's trust in his ability to fight corruption and overcome Ukraine's deep economic malaise. Recent opinion polls show 70 per cent of Ukrainians supporting Yatsenyuk's ouster and only one percent backing his People's Front parliamentary bloc. But Yatsenyuk put up a stiff defence of his record, in a passionate address to lawmakers delivered shortly before the vote. "We saved this country and I want you to respect that," Yatsenyuk said. The 41-year-old former banker has been in office since Urkaine's dramatic February 2014 revolution ousted the ex-Soviet country's Russian-backed leader and set it on a westward course. He was credited with helping negotiate Ukraine's massive Western financial rescue package that helped bolster the government while it was fighting a brutal pro-Russian revolt in the country's separatist east. "Dear deputies: we now have a country with full state coffers, an armed Ukrainian army, written-off debts, and paid salaries and pensions," Yatsenyuk said. "We will hand over the country to a new government with honour and dignity," he concluded before parliament decided to keep him in office. Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko today asked Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk to resign in the face of the government's perceived failure to fight endemic corruption and overcome a deep economic crisis. Poroshenko's dramatic intervention came as opinion polls showed growing public disenchantment with the pro-Western team that took over the leadership of the former Soviet nation after its 2014 pro-Western revolt. Parliament was already considering today holding a vote of no confidence in the government after first listening to Yatsenyuk account for his 2015 performance and his plans for this year. A stony-faced Yatsenyuk arrived in parliament just moments after the president's statement was released. "In order to restore trust in the government, the president asked the prosecutor general and the prime minister to quit," presidential spokesman Svyatoslav Tsegolko tweeted. "It is not clear that successful reforms can only be conducted by a government that enjoys sufficiently high public support?" Poroshenko added in a statement on the presidential website. "In order to restore trust, therapy is no longer enough -- you need surgery." Poroshenko said that all four parties that comprise parliament's current pro-Western coalition should take part "in a complete cabinet reshuffle". Yatsenyuk's resignation must be approved by parliament -- a step that is highly likely considering the level of lawmakers' dissatisfaction with the current cabinet. Deputies began debating the government's future during its late afternoon session after first considering other bills. The government's collapse could jeopardise the delivery of a massive IMF-led rescue package aimed at reviving Ukraine's shattered economy and slashing its reliance on Russian financial support. Yatsenyuk was a passionate foe of Russia who endeared himself to the West by promoting belt-tightening measures that could return growth to the former Soviet state. But the 41-year-old former banker's vows to clean up the government by cutting its ties to tycoons soon fell flat with voters who accused him of backing the interests of the very billionaires he had vowed to sideline. Recent opinion polls show 70 per cent of Ukrainians supporting Yatsenyuk's ouster and only one percent backing his People's Front parliamentary bloc. "People expected real and quick changes from Yatsenyuk, and they did not come," political analyst Mykola Davydyuk told AFP. Union Water Resources Minister Uma Bharti will inaugurate a workshop to discuss need for rehabilitating old large dams, which are experiencing distress conditions, to ensure their safety on February 18. Union Minister of State for Water Resources Sanwar Lal Jat will also attend the workshop on lessons learnt from Centre's on-going Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement Project (DRIP), besides senior executives overseeing dam operation and maintenance in states. "In view of the complex nature of issues involved in rehabilitation of these dams, it was felt appropriate to draw on experience of DRIP implementation in sensitising dam safety concerns and determine strategies for undertaking this enormous task. Accordingly, the workshop is being organised," the ministry said in a statement. According to the Ministry, there are about 4900 large dams in the country and about 80 per cent of them are over 25 years old. The old dams designed and built to withstand certain levels of flood and earthquake may not meet the revised estimates based on information gathered over the period, the Ministry said. Realising importance of dam safety in the country, the Government had embarked on DRIP in April, 2012, it added. "Recommendations emerging out of the conference will help in determining strategies for undertaking large scale rehabilitation work and for managing the technical, managerial and financial resources required to implement the mammoth task," the statement reads. It may be necessary to use controversial methods like genetically modified mosquitoes to wipe out the insects that are now spreading across the Americas, the World Health Organization said today. The virus has been linked to a spike in babies born with abnormally small heads, or microcephaly, in Brazil and French Polynesia. WHO has declared a global emergency even though there is no definitive proof it is causing the birth defects. Next week, WHO chief Dr. Margaret Chan will travel to Brazil to discuss and microcephaly with the country's health minister and other officials, spokeswoman Fadela Chaib said today. In a statement, WHO said its advisory group has recommended further field trials of genetically modified mosquitoes, following trials in the Cayman Islands to fight dengue, where sterile male mosquitoes were released to mate with wild females. "Given the magnitude of the Zika crisis, WHO encourages affected countries to boost the use of both old and new approaches to mosquito control as the most immediate line of defense," the agency said in a statement. WHO said previous experiments in releasing sterile insects had been used by other U.N. Agencies to control agricultural pests. The agency described the Aedes aegypti mosquitoes that spread Zika as well as other diseases including dengue and yellow fever as an "aggressive" mosquito that uses "sneak attacks" to bite people, noting that the mosquito has shown "a remarkable ability to adapt." Environmentalists have previously criticized the genetically modified approach, saying it's impossible to know the long-term effects of wiping out an entire insect population. Some experts agreed it might be worth using genetically modified mosquitoes given the speed of Zika's spread but were unsure of the eventual consequences. "The way this is done wouldn't leave lots of mutant mosquitoes in the countryside," said Jimmy Whitworth, an infectious diseases expert at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. He said the Zika mosquitoes are an imported species that were accidentally brought to the Americas hundreds of years ago and was optimistic their eradication wouldn't damage the environment. However, he said such a move would be unprecedented and it would be impossible to know what the impact might be before the insects are released. "You would hope that the ecology would just return to how it was before this mosquito arrived," he said. "But there's no way of knowing that for sure. Superstar Shah Rukh Khan today said no filmmaker makes a movie with an intention to inspire people in a negative way and it is sad that sometimes viewers get influenced to do wrong things by watching films. In the backdrop of NCR kidnapping case where the police claimed the accused was inspired by Shah Rukh's 1993 drama 'Darr', the actor was asked about the effects of celebrities on fans. "Celebrities do have an amazing effect on fans. I feel we affect people more positively and less negatively...Our work influences them in a bigger way than we think. No filmmaker tells a story to inspire anything negative in people. There are times when people get negatively affected. It is unfortunate," Shah Rukh told reporters here. 'Darr' was about a man (Shah Rukh), who is obsessed with a woman (played by Juhi Chawla) and stalks her to a point which results in scary outcomes. "'Darr' was a story of this obsessive lover, who can give life for the woman he loves and he does. It wasn't meant to inspire negative things. But I do feel our film touch poeple's lives," he said at the press conference held post launch of a song from his upcoming film "Fan". The obsessive stalker with a criminal past that includes three murder cases was arrested on Monday for masterminding the kidnapping. The stalker, who is married, was convinced he was in love with Dipti Sarna, the 24-year-old Snapdeal employee whom he abducted in an auto on February 10 and let go, unhurt, two days later, apparently believing he had won her. Police said the prime accused and mastermind of the plan had been following her for months and was inspired by "Darr". The accused had made 150 recces, bought 2 autos and then kidnapped her. Earlier,'Darr' actress Juhi Chawla, filmmakers Mahesh Bhatt and Hansal Mehta said you can't blame Bollywood for this incident. India has hit out at the UN Security Council over its current structure and methods of work, saying the 15-membered powerful world body is "divorced from reality" and represents a bygone era warranting reform. "It is ironical that the Security Council is working towards the establishment of democracy and Rule of Law in various parts of the world when its own house is not in order," India's Ambassador to the UN Syed Akbaruddin said. "The current structure and methods of work of the Security Council are divorced from reality and represent a bygone era," he told the UNSC yesterday. Akbaruddin said that to regain "its legitimacy there is no option but for the Security Council to reform." The terse remarks were made by Akbaruddin during an open debate 'Respect to the Principles and Purposes of the Charter of the United Nations as Key Element for the Maintenance of International Peace and Security' at the UN Security Council. "We hope it does not require a cataclysmic crisis to foster this fundamental change. There has never been a greater need for reform of the Council which is a sine qua non for the optimal efficiency of the Council and would be the real form of tribute to the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations," he said. Akbaruddin said while terrorism remains a cardinal threat to the maintenance of international peace and security, the efforts of the United Nations and the Security Council in taking decisive action to combat terrorism leaves much to be desired. It has been noticed that even brazen public violations of the sanctions regime by listed individuals and entities, far from attracting punitive measures, do not even elicit the mildest censure, Akbaruddin said. "Yet, we the general membership of the UN are expected to comply with the decisions of the Council's Sanctions Committees decisions or lack thereof," he said. Observing that the Council has taken the lead in referring to the purposes and principles of the Charter while attempting to maintain international peace and security, he said, however, its own actions have not always been in the spirit of the Charter. The UNSC is composed of 15 members, five of them permanent and 10 non-permanent elected for two-year terms by the General Assembly. The five permanent members include: China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Addressing the Security Council, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said for the millions living amidst war and extreme poverty, and for the countless others whose rights are violated or neglected in other ways, the ideals and values of the United Nations Charter remain elusive. Bringing the promise of the Charter to the most vulnerable must continue to be the main goal, Ban said. Uttar Pradesh Cabinet today approved a proposal for new excise policy for financial years 2016-17 and 2017-18. In another important decision, the Cabinet approved a proposal to give rebate in entry tax on the cost of sugar, official sources here said. During the meeting presided by chief minister Akhilesh Yadav it was also decided to implement the UP Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Policy 2016. Under the excise policy, licencing and wholesale licencing of country-made liquor, Indian-made foreign liquor (IMFL), beer and model shops would be done on a renewal basis. Decision to finalise the excise policy for 2017-18 has been taken in view of the assembly elections scheduled next year. In the wake of hike in revenue targets application, processing fees and renewal fees have been increased. On MSME, the decision has been taken to promote such industries with an objective of socio-economic development of the state under development agenda for 2015-16. The annual growth rate of MSME would be kept at 12 per cent. As per the new policy, district industries centers would be developed as district industries and entrepreneurship promotion centres. Besides, World Trade Organisation Cell and Intellectual Property Rights Cell would be constituted. The WTO cell would be constituted in UP Export Promotion Bureau. With the cooperation of private sector, source hub and marketing hub would be developed in different parts of the state. The Institute of Design would be strengthened and its new campus developed in Lucknow. It was also decided to develop metro rail projects in Kanpur and Varanasi as public transport system. The United States and Cuba will sign a bilateral agreement today authorising up to 110 scheduled daily commercial flights to Havana and nine other destinations on the communist island. The deal restores regular flights between the two countries for the first time in more than half a century. Once the accord is signed, US authorities will immediately invite American airlines to submit applications to operate the flights, with routes due to be set at some point in the summer, officials said. "The Cuban government (will give) thorough consideration to future requests from the US government to increase this level of service," US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Transportation Affairs Thomas Engle said. "The two governments reaffirm their commitment to strengthen their already close cooperation in aviation safety and security matters." The United States announced plans to resume the flights in December, on the one-year anniversary of the start of reconciliation between Washington and Havana. Under the new arrangement, airlines in the two countries can now strike deals in such areas as code-sharing and aircraft leasing, the Cuban embassy said at the time. However, tourist travel still remains illegal under the trade embargo that the Americans slapped on Cuba in 1960 after Fidel Castro came to power in a communist revolution. The US Treasury Department has, however, set 12 categories of authorised travel. "Initially, the US carriers will be allowed to fly 20 scheduled frequencies per day to Havana, the largest market, and remember that the current level is zero," Engle said. "And also allowed to fly 10 scheduled frequencies per day to any other city in Cuba that has an airport open to service." Besides Havana, flights will be allowed to Camaguey, Cayo Coco, Cayo Largo, Cienfuegos, Holguin, Manzanillo, Matanzas, Santa Clara and Santiago de Cuba. Deputy Assistant Secretary for Aviation and Affairs Brandon Belford said Cuban airlines will still have to obtain their own licenses from US authorities. "So we do not anticipate Cuban owned aircraft serving the US in the near future," he added. Commercial flights between Cuba and the United States were cancelled 53 years ago but since the mid-1970s authorised charter flights have been allowed under certain conditions. The United States and Cuba formally restored diplomatic relations in July and re-opened embassies in each other's capitals. The United States and Cuba signed an agreement today to resume commercial air traffic for the first time in five decades, starting the clock on dozens of new flights operating daily by next fall. US Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx and Cuban Transportation Minister Adel Yzquierdo Rodriguez signed the deal in a ceremony at Havana's Hotel Nacional. US airlines can now start bidding on routes for as many as 110 US-Cuba flights a day -- more than five times the current number. All flights operating between the two countries today are charters. The agreement allows 20 regular daily US flights to Havana, in addition to the current 10-15 charter flights a day. The rest would be to other Cuban cities. "Today is a historic day in the relationship between Cuba and the US," said Foxx. "It represents a critically important milestone in the US effort to engage with Cuba." Yzquierdo Rodriguez said "the adoption of this memorandum is an important step that will soon permit the establishment of regular flights between the United States and Cuba." Barring other major announcements, the restart of commercial flights will be the most significant development in US-Cuba trade since Presidents Barack Obama and Raul Castro announced in late 2014 that they would begin normalising ties after a half-century of Cold War opposition. The Obama administration is eager to make rapid progress on building trade and diplomatic ties with Cuba before the president leaves office. The coming weeks are seen as particularly crucial to building momentum ahead of a trip he hopes to make to Havana by the end of March. Nearly 160,000 US leisure travelers flew to Cuba last year, along with hundreds of thousands of Cuban-Americans visiting family, mostly on expensive, frequently chaotic charter flights out of Florida. Commercial flights could bring hundreds of thousands more US travelers a year and make the travel process far easier, with features such as online booking and 24-hour customer service that are largely absent in the charter industry. US visitors to Cuba will still have to qualify under one of the travel categories legally authorised by the US government. Tourism is still barred by law, but the number of legal reasons to go to Cuba, from organising professional meetings to distributing information to Cubans, has grown so large and loosely enforced that the distinction from tourism has blurred significantly. Commercial travel will give travellers the ability to simply check an online box on a long list of authorised categories. Bahrain today charged four US journalists with taking part in an illegal gathering but they were planning to leave the country after being released, their lawyer said. The four, independent journalist Anna Therese Day and three members of her camera crew, were detained on Sunday during protests marking the fifth anniversary of a Shiite-led uprising in the Gulf kingdom. "They are at the airport waiting for a flight to leave the country," their lawyer Mohammed al-Jishi told AFP. Manama's chief prosecutor Nawaf al-Awadhi said the four had been questioned in the presence of lawyers. They were charged with "taking part in an illegal gathering with criminal intent and undermining public security," he said in a statement. They were released pending further investigations, he added, and Jishi said the group were free to travel. The four Americans were arrested in the Shiite-majority town of Sitra "as they took part with a group of saboteurs in acts of rioting and vandalism," Awadhi alleged. One of them was masked at the time of the arrest, he said, adding that cameras and computers in their possession were seized. The four entered Bahrain between February 11 and 12 and "provided false information" to authorities, claiming to be tourists, police said. Day has reported extensively from the Middle East, North Africa and elsewhere, and her work has been featured in outlets including the New York Times and CNN. Her family said the four were committed journalists and denied they had done anything wrong. Rights groups criticised their detention, with the New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists branding Bahrain "one of the worst jailers of journalists in the Arab world". Home to the US Fifth Fleet, Bahrain was rocked by an Arab Spring-inspired uprising demanding reforms and a constitutional monarchy on February 14, 2011. Authorities crushed the protest movement one month later, but demonstrators have still taken to the streets and clash with police in Shiite towns surrounding Manama. A top US lawmaker today said he was dismayed by the Obama Administration's decision to sell eight F-16 fighter jets to Pakistan despite the country's support for terrorism. "I am dismayed by US F-16 sale even after all the evil the ISI has done and all the (PAK)istan supported terrorism and repression," said Congressman Dana Rohrabacher. The Pakistani government is "corrupt" and "brutally oppressive," he said in a tweet. The "murder of Baloch" and "support for terrorism (is) despicable", Rohrabacher said. The US State Department notified on Feburuary 13 the Congress that it had made a determination approving a possible sale of F-16 Block 52 Aircraft, equipment, training, and logistics support worth nearly USD 700 million to Pakistan despite mounting opposition from influential lawmakers from both the Republican and Democratic parties. India summoned US Ambassador Richard Verma to convey its "displeasure and disappointment" over the decision. India disagreed with the US' rationale that such arms transfers help Pakistan in combating terrorism and believes the US military aid to Pakistan goes into anti-India activities. Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh today accused the media of "exaggerating" the number of jaundice cases here even as the BJP demanded the resignation of Irrigation and Public Health Minister Vidya Stokes, Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Shimla Municipal Corporation for "supplying"contaminated water to the residents. "Occurrence of jaundice cases in Shimla was blown out of proportion and the outbreak of the disease was magnified as an epidemic," the Chief Minister said. Virbhadra, however, said, "indeed there had been some laxity in supply of water and the matter was being investigated by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) and action would be taken against those found guilty of dereliction of duty and negligence." The contractor, executive engineer and some other officials had been arrested and investigations are in progress, Virbhadra said, adding "The whole department cannot be blamed for negligence if some persons sneeze or cough." The Chief Minister claimed that some people had build houses upstream the Ashwani Khud water supply scheme which was not and within Shimla Municipal Corporation (SMC) limits and sewage flew into the khud, causing contamination of water. Meanwhile, BJP in Shimla demanded resignation of Irrigation and Public Health Minister Vidya Stokes, Mayor and Deputy Mayor of SMC Sanjay Chauhan and Tikender Panwar for "supplying"contaminated water to the residents. The BJP activists today sat on fast in front of Deputy Commissioner's office to protest against "failure of the government to contain the spread of jaundice" in the state capital. Addressing the party workers, party spokesman Ganesh Dutt claimed so far 15,000 cases of jaundice have occurred but thedepartments concerned are passing the blame on each other. Holding the Government and SMC "responsible" for the spread of the disease and deaths, Dutt asked the government to give adequate compensation to the victims and warned that in case compensation was not paid, the BJP would be forced to launch an agitation. Today's fast was observed with the hope that wisdom would dawn on SMC and Irrigation and Public Health Department and in case they did not wake up from slumber, the BJP would resort to relay hunger strike, he added. The third round of talks on wage revision between hosiery manufacturers and trade unions remained inconclusive today at Tirupur, as unions wanted more percentage of increase than offered. The talks were held this morning between representatives of six manufacturers' associations and leaders of eight trade unions, under joint action committee, in which the former offered 15 per cent wage increase in the first year and three per cent in the second, third and fourth years, S Duraisamy, president of the committee said. However, rejecting the offer, the unions demanded more increase, resulting the talks in failure, without arriving at any settlement, Duraisamy said. The date for the next round of talks will be announced later, he said. Union Minister Kiren Rijiju today kicked up a storm with his remarks "was there a murder" on being asked why police had not acted against lawyers and others thrashing journalists, students and teachers at the premises of the court hearing the JNU case. "There may be issues of scuffle," he said, asking, "Was there a murder." Violence broke out in the Patiala House court complex yesterday when groups of lawyers attacked journalists and students and teachers of JNU in and outside the court dubbing them as anti-national. The incident took place in the presence of police. Asked about Delhi Police Commissioner B S Bassi describing the incident as a "minor scuffle" which will be "looked into", the Union Minister of State for Home shot back, "Who is saying that. I don't know but I am sure police will take action. I have not gone into details of this particular incident. "What I am saying is there may be physical fights. It will not amount to sedition. There may be issues of scuffles, there may be something, there may be henious crime. There are different layers of law as per the intensity of the particular crime. I am nobody to tell police to book the person under this or that law," he told CNN-IBN. "Don't discuss about the scuffle which the police will take note of," he said, adding, "please come to the more serious issue" (of sloganeering). He was asked about police arresting JNU students' union president Kanhaiya Kumar at the university campus on charges of sedition but looking the other way when journalists, students and teachers were being beaten up in their presence. Rijiju had defended his senior in the Home Ministry, Rajnath Singh, saying there were enough indications that Lashkar-e-Taiba founder Hafiz Saeed was backing the incident in Jawaharlal Nehru University. Israeli forces briefly detained two Washington Post journalists in Jerusalem today on suspicion of inciting violence, but released them without charge, officials said. William Booth, the US paper's Jerusalem bureau chief, was detained along with his colleague Sufian Taha, its West Bank correspondent. The incident at the Damascus Gate entrance to the Old City of Jerusalem came after a member of the public accused them of inciting Palestinians against Israeli forces, police spokeswoman Luba Samri said. The Association of Civil Rights in Israel confirmed one of their employees was questioned at the same time, though she was not with the two journalists. Damascus Gate has been the site of several attacks in a wave of violence that erupted in October. "A passer-by complained that he saw a number of people intending to stage a provocation and disruption of order of young Arabs aimed at police officers in the area, allegedly for propaganda purposes," Samri said. "In light of the complaint, officers detained a number of suspects to clarify the facts in a discreet and sensitive manner at a nearby police facility," she said, stressing Booth was released shortly after. The country's Foreign Press Association condemned the detention "in the strongest possible terms", and said the two journalists were held by police for about 40 minutes. It called allegations of incitement an "absurd accusation against a respected international outlet". The government's press office issued a statement later saying it "regrets today's incident at Damascus Gate in which a correspondent for the Washington Post was unnecessarily detained by the Border Police". It said the incident was "probably the result of an unfortunate misunderstanding". "Israel is doing its utmost to enable the foreign press to work freely, without any pressure," it said. "We call upon the security forces and journalists to act with restraint and to avoid confrontations during these tense times." A foreign ministry spokesman confirmed that police would be asked for clarifications on the incident. A subcommittee in Israel's parliament last week held a debate on foreign coverage of recent violence in the country, which some Israeli politicians have accused of being biased against them. Cesar Acuna, a millionaire who is among the favourites in Peru's presidential race, could be disqualified for giving money to voters, officials said. The National Voting Affairs Office (ONPE) yesterday said it launched an investigation of videos shown on TV Panorama, in which Acuna is seen apparently offering 10,000 soles (USD 2,800) to people at a market in Lima to build a retaining wall and protect their homes from mudslides. Giving money to voters is illegal in Peru. "I want to share what God has given me for your retaining wall," Acuna is heard to say in part. In another clip, the businessman who owns three universities and reports an income of 16 million dollars a year offers 5,000 soles (USD 1,400) to a young man with a disability. "ONPE has begun investigating whether there has been a violation of the law that expressly bars candidates and political organisations from giving, offering or promising money," the office said in a statement. The conduct, if confirmed, could see Acuna fined and removed from the presidential race. First round voting is scheduled for April 10. Acuna, who at one point was second in the polls after lawmaker Keiko Fujimori, recently slipped to fourth place amid allegations he plagiarized his doctoral thesis at Madrid's Universidad Complutense. Acuna denies those charges. Fujimori, daughter of ex president Alberto Fujimori, is leading the race with 35 per cent, followed by economist Julio Guzman (17 per cent), and economist Pedro Pablo Kuczynski (11 per cent). If no one candidate wins 50 per cent plus one vote, a second-round vote will be held in June. Incumbent President Ollanta Humala cannot seek a consecutive term. Alberto Fujimori, 77, is currently serving a 25-year prison term for corruption and human rights violations. A delegation of women journalists today urged Home Minister Rajnath Singh to take strong action against those who thrashed members of their fraternity in a court here yesterday. At a meeting, a delegation of Indian Women's Press Corps told Singh that a brutal assault was unleashed by lawyers on journalists in Patiala House court yesterday preventing them from discharging their duties. They also complained that police remained "silent spectators" during the assault and asked Singh to fix accountability on the men in uniform. Violence broke out in the court complex yesterday as groups of lawyers attacked journalists, students and teachers of JNU and unidentified people dubbing them as anti-nationals in the wake of a row over the arrest of a student leader. "Even women journalists were not spared. It is unfortunate that security personnel of Delhi Police did nothing even as the assault continued," the IWPC delegation led by its president T K Rajalakshmi, general secretary Ravinder Bawa and vice-president Shobhna Jain, said. The journalists, accompanied by some victims of the assault, urged the Home Minister to verify CCTV footage of the incident to book those who were involved in it. "We demand that the perpetrators of the assault be brought to book at the earliest," the delegation said in a memorandum. They said it was a matter of concern that the Delhi Police Commissioner had dismissed the incident as a "scuffle". "Such observations will encourage those elements who already believe that they are above the law of the land," they said. Sources said the Home Minister assured the delegation that he would instruct the Delhi Police Commissioner to take urgent action and ensure the guilty are punished. By Manolo Serapio Jr and Enrico Dela Cruz MANILA (Reuters) - A legal challenge to the Philippines' rules on genetically modified organisms is threatening to spark a food crisis in the country and could cloud the outlook for GM technology around Asia. Government agencies are scrambling to set new regulations on GMOs by February 23 after the Southeast Asian nation's top court late last year demanded an overhaul of existing rules, halting GM planting and issuance of new GM import permits until that was done. The Supreme Court was acting on a petition by environmental activists led by Greenpeace, with the move likely to be closely watched by governments elsewhere as the Philippines is seen as a trailblazer for GMO. The country was the first in the region to allow planting and commercialisation of GM corn, which it did in 2002, and has permitted GM crop imports for more than a decade. "Our framework has served as a model for GMO regulatory policy to other countries like Vietnam, Indonesia and even some Latin American countries," said Merle Palacpac, chief of the plant quarantine service at the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI). "We have the first functioning regulatory framework in Asia. So I am sure whatever happens here, they are closely watching." With some current import permits starting to expire from March and corn farmers set to begin sowing in May, five government agencies are pushing to sign new rules by next Tuesday to avoid disrupting food supply in a year when voters will choose the country's next leader. "We need (new rules) to be in place as soon as possible. Otherwise there will be chaos," Palacpac added. Global agribusiness giants Monsanto Co and Syngenta AG are major suppliers of transgenic seeds to the Philippines. They did not immediately respond to requests for comment. ANTI-NATIONALISTIC? The government said the new rules are expected to tighten environmental scrutiny before biosafety permits are issued, addressing one of the loopholes the Supreme Court cited when it voided the old rules, in place since 2002. They will also require more documentation from suppliers of GM products, according to an importer who participated in past public hearings on the issue. GMO's critics argue the technology poses risks to public health, while advocates say such fears have not been scientifically proven and that high-yielding genetically altered crops would help ensure food security as the world's population grows. Around 70 percent of the Philippines' corn output, which stood at 7.5 million tonnes last year, is GM. The country's top GM import is soybean meal. Both are mainly used as animal feed and any supply disruption could spell disaster for the livestock sector. The Supreme Court's December ruling is "anti-nationalistic when you look at it from the perspective of the country's food security", said Roger Navarro, president of Philippine Maize Federation. Corn farmers are worried they might not be able to plant in May. "The livelihood of almost 1 million farmers nationwide will be threatened," said Romualdo Elvira Jr., a farmer from the northern province of Bicol. Using non-GM seeds, a hectare yields around 3 tonnes of corn, said Oliver Aldovino, part of a farmer cooperative on the southern island of Mindanao. Aldovino, who switched to GM seven years ago, said output doubled with GM corn. But environmental activists say that after years of allowing GMO cultivation and imports, it is time the country took a step back. "Since the Philippines began cultivating and commercialising GM corn, there hasn't been a single review by the government in terms of the effect on the environment and farmers," said Greenpeace campaigner Leonora Lava. "Our call now is for an impact assessment." Lava, who also opposes GMO imports, questioned the speedy way in which the new rules are being drafted. The government launched public consultations on the regulations on Jan. 22, with another public hearing scheduled for Wednesday. "The concern here is a regulation of national significance. Why the haste?" she said. Greenpeace is yet to decide whether it will launch a fresh legal battle when the new GMO rules are introduced, said Lava. (Reporting by Manolo Serapio Jr. and Enrico dela Cruz; Editing by Joseph Radford) TOKYO - The shake-up in Japan's refining industry, where four of the five biggest refiners are pursuing mergers, will result in the biggest contraction of capacity by a single country and reshape international markets, a analysis shows. Japan, the world's third-biggest economy, is likely to be left with about 3.2 million barrels per day (bpd) of refining capacity by 2020, the analysis shows, a contraction of about 1.5 million barrels in a little over a decade. spoke to industry officials, analysts, government officials and suppliers to try to map out the short-term direction of the refining industry, which is in the throes of the biggest merger spree in its history. At 3.92 million bpd, Japan has the world's fifth-biggest oil-refining capacity, including splitters for condensate, an ultra-light crude oil. But, with 23 gasoline stands going out of business every week, there is less and less justification for operating some existing refineries. With domestic oil demand in long-term decline, industry sources told about 100,000 bpd of capacity, the size of a standard crude distillation unit (CDU) that is the centrepiece of a refinery, will need to be cut every two years. The merger between JX Holdings <5020.T> and TonenGeneral Sekiyu <5012.T> and Idemitsu Kosan's <5019.T> takeover of Showa Shell Sekiyu <5002.T> may also result in refinery shutdowns, according to the Reuters analysis. JX, the country's biggest refiner with seven refineries, may shut one plant located in western Japan to comply with government requirements to tighten excess supplies by March 2017, industry sources said. Because of its size JX is also the most likely company to shut units once it completes the merger with TonenGeneral. JX officials have said there are opportunities to streamline operations in Osaka and near Tokyo where it and TonenGeneral have refineries. Looking longer term, one in three CDUs may be shut by 2030, bringing capacity as low as 2.3 million bpd, the Reuters analysis showed. The following table lists Japan's refineries with the year they started operations in brackets in the first column. The "retain" column lays out the likelihood each unit will be closed or kept in operation. Capacity is in 1,000 bpd. Refineries Capacity Retain Notes JX Nippon Oil Sendai(1971) 145.0 Yes Only refinery in northern Tohoku region. Handles Mideast, Asia-Pac crude Negishi No.1 120.0 No Handles mostly Mideast (1964) crude Negishi 150.0 No Handles mostly Mideast No.4(1964) crude Mizushima-A 140.0 No Handles Mideast, No.3(1961) Asia-Pac crude Mizushima-B 95.2 Yes Handles Mideast, No.2(1961) Asia-Pac crude Mizushima-B No.3 110.0 Yes Handles Mideast, (1961) Asia-Pac crude Mizushima-B(1961 35.0 Yes processes condensate ) Marifu 127.0 No Needle coke output from No.4(1943) coker profitable. Handles Mideast, Asia-Pac crude Oita (1964) 136.0 No Only refinery on Kyushu island. Only JX plant that docks VLCCs. Handles Mideast, Asia-Pac crude Kashima No.1 189.0 Yes Operated jointly with (1970) Mitsubishi Chem, Tepco Kashima 63.5 Yes processes condensate. (1970) Osaka (1971) 115.0 No JV with PetroChina. Handles Mideast, Asia-Pac crude TonenGeneral Kawasaki 180.0 Yes Handles Mideast, West No.2(1960) Africa, Asia-Pac crude Kawasaki No.3 78.0 No Handles Mideast, West (1960) Africa, Asia-Pac crude Sakai No.1(1965) 156.0 Yes Handles Mideast, West Africa, Asia-Pac crude Wakayama 132.0 Yes Export capacity raised. No.3(1941) Handles Mideast, West Africa, Asia-Pac crude Chiba No.1(1968) 152.0 Yes Handles mainly Mideast crude. Idemitsu Kosan Hokkaido 160.0 Yes The only plant in No.1(1973) northern Hokkaido island. Handles mostly Mideast crude Chiba No.2(1963) 200.0 Yes Capacity to be cut by up to 35,000 bpd by March 2017. Handles mainly Saudi crude Aichi No.1(1975) 175.0 Yes Highly efficient export plant. Handles mainly Saudi crude Showa Shell Yokkaichi 100.0 Yes Tie-up with Cosmo at No.2(1958) Yokkaichi complex. Handles mainly Mideast crude Yokkaichi 155.0 Yes Handles mainly Mideast No.3(1958) crude Seibu Yamaguchi 120.0 Yes Handles mostly Mideast (1969) crude Toa Oil 70.0 Yes Handles mostly Mideast Keihin(1955) crude Cosmo Oil Chiba (1963) 100.0 No To be scrapped possibly in mid-2018. Handles mainly Saudi crude Chiba No.2(1963) 120.0 Yes Handles mainly Saudi crude Yokkaichi 63.0 Yes Tie-up with Showa Shell No.5(1943) at Yokkaichi to streamline ops. Yokkaichi 69.0 No One of Cosmo's No.6(1943) Yokkaichi CDUs to be shut by March 2017. Sakai (1968) 100.0 Yes Coker exists. Handles mainly Mideast crude Fuji Oil Sodegaura 143.0 Yes Capacity may be lowered No.2(1968) by March 2017. Used to refine large Iran volumes. Taiyo Oil Shikoku 88.0 Yes Capacity may be lowered No.1(1938) by March 2017. Handles Mideast, Asia-Pac crude Shikoku 30.0 Yes Capacity possibly cut No.2(1938) by March 2017. Handles Mideast, Asia-Pac crude Nansei Sekiyu Nishihara 100.0 No Operations suspended. (1972) To be closed and turned into oil terminal Total capacity: 3,916.7 (Compiled by Osamu Tsukimori; Editing by Aaron Sheldrick and Christian Schmollinger) Within days of being given a diphtheria jab during a school vaccination drive, 5-year-old Meraj Shabbir Khan's leg became so swollen that he was hospitalised. In a cramped Mumbai paediatric ward, third-year pharmacology student Nitin Shinde opens the boy's file and notes the vaccine, his age and the doctor's diagnosis of a skin infection. That information is later logged into a computer programme linked to a national database, part of India's fledgling efforts to track, analyse and ultimately warn patients about unknown side effects of drugs on the market. India's six-year-old pharmacovigilance programme, which collects and submits suspected adverse drug reactions to a World Health Organisation (WHO) database, is a key to improving drug safety in a country where medicine consumption is high, experts say. But insufficient staff and equipment, and a lack of awareness among medical professionals mean many potentially dangerous drug reactions go unrecorded, hospital personnel across India told Reuters. Gaps in the system mean the government has less data to determine whether drugs might have harmful side effects. Also, relatively little information flows from one of the world's largest pharmaceutical markets to the WHO database of over 12 million suspected adverse drug reactions. In a country of 1 billion people consuming so much medicine, obviously safety is a concern, said G Parthasarathi, dean of the pharmacy school at JSS University in Mysuru, adding the pharmacovigilance programme is still gaining traction. We've made a good start, he said. Last year, India contributed 2% of the 2.1 million suspected reactions added to VigiBase, the WHO's global database. China, with a comparable population, contributed 8%. Tracking adverse drug reactions is urgent "in public health programs where huge amounts of medicine are being used," said Sten Olsson, a WHO programme expert at the non-profit Uppsala Monitoring Centre (UMC) in Sweden which maintains VigiBase. The centre analyses the WHO database for worrying patterns among suspected reactions and, where there are safety concerns, publishes a signal that goes out to member countries. It is up to those countries to act on that information or not. "We're concerned that with some of our new signals nothing has been done with them," said Olsson. Indian health officials say the monitoring programme is a "high priority" and a $14.5 million annual budget is sufficient. We are going to develop a better pharmacovigilance system in India in due course, said G.N. Singh, India's drug controller. "Patient health will be assured." Drug Companies The programme could improve, experts say, if drugs firms contributed more. To make a new drug in India, companies need permission from the national drug controller after submitting safety and efficacy data including from local clinical trials. For four years after an approved drug is on the market, firms must submit safety reports, including those on adverse drug reactions. After that there is no mandatory requirement for them to report all adverse reactions, and smaller firms, which make up over a third of India's market, often don't have robust monitoring resources. They feel after four years, every drug is safe," said a person working in pharmacovigilance at a multinational drugs company in India. "That's not the case." Last year, only about one tenth of the suspected adverse drug reactions India collected came from drugmakers, compared to 95% in the United States. But making reporting mandatory for all companies and all drugs is not realistic, industry advocates say. "You have up to 80,000 drugs on the market. You think the government is prepared to do pharmacovigilance for all of them?" said T.R. Gopalakrishnan, deputy secretary-general of the Indian Drug Manufacturers Association. "Many manufacturers don't even know where their drugs are being consumed." "What can I do?" Some of India's 179 monitoring centres operate smoothly, but other parts of the system aren't working, programme administrators say. In interviews with staff at more than 20 centres, programme coordinators cited problems ranging from a shortage of personnel, computers and funds to raise awareness among staff to a lack of cooperation from doctors who say they are too busy. "I call doctors to my office, serve them tea... and push them to report. What else can I do?" said C.B. Choudhary, who coordinates a monitoring centre at Katihar Medical College in Bihar state. "I want the programme to start, but it isn't happening," he said. Not all centres require extra personnel or equipment, and those that do are in the process of getting full staff, said V. Kalaiselvan, principal scientific officer at the Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission which hosts the pharmacovigilance programme's headquarters in Ghaziabad outside New Delhi. Regarding doctors' lack of engagement, "the culture of reporting is improving," he said. Reporting numbers have risen, and staff at headquarters used patient data last year to make seven recommendations to the drug regulator to add new warning labels - the first time Indian, not foreign data, was used, said Kalaiselvan. The body recommended, for instance, that the regulator require an antibiotic combination of piperacillin and tazobactam, sold in India by several major drugmakers, be sold with a warning that it could cause breathing difficulty and potassium deficiency. As India prepares to import corn for the first time in 16 years, at least one stipulation in its international tender has become much tougher to meet that shipments of the crop are completely free of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). The Asian country of 1.2 billion people does not allow cultivation of any genetically modified food, and has rules that are supposed to ensure that imports contain no trace of GMOs. But an explosion in the use of GM crops worldwide means that purity grade has become harder to attain and, with a growing risk of the supply chain being contaminated, underlines the vulnerabilities faced by countries trying to stay GM free. Even a shipment containing a handful of genetically altered seeds could cross pollinate with local varieties and mean that in India's case farmers end up illegally growing GM crops. They can buy non-GMO corn, especially out of the Black sea region, but I doubt anybody can offer shipments with zero presence of GMOs," James Dunsterville, an agricultural commodities analyst at Geneva-based commodities information platform AgFlow. South Korea's Daewoo International won the tender to ship 250,000 tonnes of non-GM corn to India from Ukraine, but two international traders in Singapore and an exporter in Kiev said Ukraine could at best guarantee 99.1% non-GM corn. "The biggest risk of accepting anything less than 99, or 100% is that the imported GM corn may eventually get mixed with conventional seeds that farmers sow in India," said an Indian government scientist. If, God forbid, any GM seed gets mixed here, it'll spoil the entire Indian agriculture," added the scientist, who asked not to be named since he was not authorised to talk to media. Daewoo declined to comment but two sources close to the company said it would be able to meet the requirements and that it was aware of the conditions in last month's tender issued by Indian state-run firm PEC. Risks of Contamination Shrinking arable land, volatile weather and a world population tipped to top 9 billion by 2050 are increasing pressures to plant GM crops to boost yields and protect from pests. Much of the corn in major producers such as the United States, Brazil and Argentina is GM, helping production hit record levels in recent years and keeping a lid on food prices. Global corn prices have recovered about 13% after hitting a 5-year low in 2014 but are still more than 50% below a record price of $8.49 a bushel in 2012. Indicating the difficulty of keeping GM free, Greenpeace said that Chinese farmers were illegally growing GM corn, despite an official ban on cultivating GM varieties or other staple food crops. The environmental group said almost all samples taken from cornfields in some parts of the north-east, China's breadbasket, tested positive for GMO. China has not directly commented on the report, though officials have issued warnings to seed dealers and farmers not to use unapproved GM seeds. Some farm economists have said India should speed up efforts to embrace GM foods after China took a step towards this with its bid for Swiss transgenic seed developer Syngenta . But public and political opposition in India remains strong amid fears they could compromise food safety and biodiversity. GM advocates say such fears are not scientifically proven. "India must reject cargoes from suppliers who promise to provide corn that is only 99.1% free of GM organisms," said Devinder Sharma, an independent food and trade policy analyst based in Chandigarh, highlighting a risk of contamination. However, Sharma said that it had become standard global practice for GM-free buyers to settle for crops that were up to 99% GM free. A source at trader PEC said India's condition that the imports were non-GM was sacrosanct. PEC received 15 bids from global traders including Daewoo, Noble, Cargill and Agro Corp to supply corn mainly to be used as animal feed for India's poultry industry. But Singapore-based traders said there could have been more participants in the tender but for the non-GM restriction. Though Ukraine and growers in Europe, such as France, do produce non-GMO corn, suppliers may not be able to guarantee supplies are completely free of gene-altered grains because of common bulk handling systems, said a trading manager with an international trading company. "It could be a dirty truck or a dirty conveyor belt. It only takes one seed to get a GMO positive result." By Osamu Tsukimori and Aaron Sheldrick TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan, which once consumed about 10 percent of global oil output in its refineries, is undertaking the biggest refining contraction of any country, ending a dominant era in oil markets while exposing itself to fuel imports from neighbours. With four of its five largest refinery companies set to merge, Japan could be left with only 3.2 million barrels per day (bpd) of refining capacity by 2020 and as little as 2.3 million bpd by 2030, according to a analysis based on discussions with industry officials, analysts, government officials and suppliers. Japan may have to rely on fuel imports from China and South Korea, countries with which it shares long-standing historical disputes. The country's oil-refining capacity peaked at 5.6 million bpd in 1982, data from the BP Statistical Review of Energy shows, and that year global oil output was 57.3 million bpd. Oil, and Japan's ability to refine crude into transportation and industrial fuels such as gasoline and diesel, built the country's modern economy. From 1965 to 1972, when Japan averaged 9.25 percent gross domestic product growth at the height of its economic miracle, the country more than doubled its oil-refining capacity to 4.6 million bpd. "They were the pioneers of refining in the Asia Pacific (but) that has been slowly overtaken by the giants of China and India," said Suresh Sivanandam, senior manager, refining research Asia Pacific, at Wood Mackenzie in Singapore. "There is no single country that has cut on such a scale before," said Sivanandam. As recently as 2008, Japanese refining capacity was 4.65 million bpd, BP data shows, making it the world's fourth-largest processor at the time, behind the United States, China and Russia. In 2014, India overtook Japan for the first time after its capacity fell to 3.7 million bpd. Japan's refiners are now vying for business from a shrinking, aging population that consumes less fuel because of more efficient vehicles and a turn to gasoline-electric hybrids. ENERGY SECURITY Japan's refining pullback will change international oil markets as a customer that valued long-term contracts, and fostered relationships to sustain them, cedes to more spot minded, nimble traders from China and India. The change will hit Middle East crude suppliers the hardest, said the analysts and officials that spoke to . Additionally, such a savage cutback in refining capacity may expose Japan to a greater dependence on transportation fuel imports, Sivanandam said. "They will have to import 200-300,000 bpd of gasoline, which is not ideal," he said, particularly in the peak summer driving period. This amount of imports could potentially be about 36 percent of the country's gasoline demand by 2020, based on a forecast from Japan's Ministry of Energy, Trade and Industry (METI) that gasoline consumption will equal 830,000 bpd by then. Japan's government is fine with this trade-off of fuel imports for crude imports, said a senior trade official. Japan depends on imports for all of its oil consumption needs. Refineries have plenty of spare capacity now and will have in the future as the industry catches up with the reality of a population using less oil, said the official. "Japan imports all of its crude and if imports of oil products surged, that would not heighten the supply risk substantially," said a senior Japanese trade official who declined to be named. "If imports surged, refiners would deal with it." While Japan could cope with depending on gasoline imports, shutting refineries still poses other security issues, said Fereidun Fesharaki, the founder of FGE energy consultancy. "When you close down the refineries you close down the less efficient ones, which produce more fuel oil," he said, adding that fuel oil filled the early gaps in electricity production after the Fukushima nuclear disaster shut reactors. "So if you have (another) nuclear issue you need more fuel oil. This is a very important issue that most people have ignored," he said. MERGERS Recognising the refining overcapacity, Japan's government has pushed companies to shut less sophisticated plants. Bowing to the inevitable, refiners themselves are leading the consolidation. First, Idemitsu Kosan Co <5019.T> on Nov. 12 agreed to take over Showa Shell Sekiyu <5002.T>, a smaller rival. Then, on Dec. 3, JX Holdings <5020.T>, Japan's largest refiner, agreed to merge with TonenGeneral Sekiyu <5012.T> by 2017, with a plan to streamline refinery operations. These were the first refining mergers since 2010. Because of its size, JX is the most likely company to shut units once it completes the merger with TonenGeneral, the analysis shows. [nL3N15H1UJ] "Japan becomes less important. That's the way it going to be, it is going to become a 2 million barrel a day market," FGE's Fesharaki said. (Reporting by Osamu Tsukimori and Aaron Sheldrick; Editing by Christian Schmollinger) The two companies will finalise a design in the coming months and then present a prototype to the U.S. Army, which if interested, will ask for a formal proposal, said one of the sources, who declined to be identified because he was not authorised to speak to the media. After the U.S. Army, they would offer the airbags to the Japanese military and eventually to commercial customers, the source said. BAE is in talks with other Japanese firms on three or four separate military-related projects, the sources added. They declined to elaborate, but BAE's interest points to growing military industrial and security ties between Japan and the United Kingdom as Tokyo looks to broaden its alliances beyond Washington. The airbag project also marks Daicel's first foray into foreign military markets and may be a sign that Japanese corporations are finally warming to defence-related exports. There have been few such deals since Prime Minister Shinzo Abe ended a decades-old ban on arms exports two years ago. Experts say Japanese firms are wary of pacifist sentiments at home and unsure how to win business after decades of isolation from foreign military markets. "Japan needs success stories" to vindicate Abe's decision, said the first source. "Airbags are an easy product to offer as a military export." Megan Mitchell, a BAE spokeswoman, said the firm was expanding industrial partnerships to develop technologies for the Japanese and export markets, including helicopter airbag systems for military use. She gave no further details. Daicel, which supplies Japan's army with explosives and also makes materials used in products ranging from flat panel displays to cigarette filters, declined to comment. BAE, a longstanding supplier of military equipment to the U.S. Army, has already made cockpit airbag systems (CABS) designed to cushion helicopter pilots from the impact of a crash the same way airbags deploy during car accidents. It says these can reduce casualties by as much as 30 percent. It fitted U.S. Army helicopters including Blackhawk troop carriers with airbags more than a decade ago before the project was wound down. INDUSTRIAL ADVICE Since its defeat in World War Two, Japan's security has been guaranteed by Washington and its military industries revived and nurtured by U.S. defence companies such as Lockheed Martin Corp , Raytheon Co , Boeing Co and Northrop Grumman Corp . As Abe, with U.S.-backing, abandons that post-war status quo in favour of a broader regional security role and overseas alliances, non-U.S. arms manufacturers such as BAE are seeking out industrial ties that will add Japanese technology to their global supply chains, the sources said. BAE is offering industrial advice to Mitsubishi Heavy Industries <7011.T>, Japan's biggest defence contractor, as it tries to win a $35 billion deal to build a fleet of stealth submarines for Australia, the sources added. A BAE spokeswoman told last June the company had also discussed the possibility of being a partner with Mitsubishi Heavy on the body design of a new amphibious assault vehicle that the maker of Japan's main battle tank is developing. MILITARY TIES Complementing growing industrial ties is a deepening strategic partnership between Tokyo and London. In 2012, the two countries agreed to cooperate in developing defence equipment, the first such collaboration for Tokyo beyond the United States since World War Two. Subsequent accords established regular high-level talks and created a framework for sharing defence technology. Last month, Britain's Defence Secretary Michael Fallon and Foreign Secretary Richard Hammond visited Japan for talks with their Japanese counterparts, agreeing to quickly conclude an agreement to share ammunition, fuel and other supplies for joint military operations. Britain also said it would dispatch Typhoon jet fighters, built by a European consortium that is 33 percent owned by BAE, to Japan this year to train with Japan's air force. For Britain, strategic ties with Japan is one half of a two-pronged bid for deeper engagement with Asia. The overtures to Tokyo come amid closer economic cooperation with China. For Japan, Britain is a door to closer ties with Europe and NATO. While in Japan, Fallon and Hammond went to the Yokosuka naval base, headquarters of the U.S. Seventh Fleet. Moored at a nearby seaside park is the battleship Mikasa, which helped spearhead Japan's defeat of Russia in the 1904-05 Russo-Japanese War. It was built at a U.K shipyard now owned by BAE. (Editing by Dean Yates) By Takaya Yamaguchi and Takashi Umekawa TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party has decided not to let the country's trillion-dollar public pension fund directly invest in stocks due to concern on the fund's influence on corporate management, sources in the party and government said on Tuesday. The government has been debating whether to deregulate rules governing the Government Pension Investment Fund (GPIF) and allow direct investment in stocks. As of September 2015, the GPIF had 135 trillion yen ($1.18 trillion) in assets under management. In 2014, the GPIF made a historical shift by abandoning its traditional stance of having domestic government bonds comprise the bulk of its portfolio. Instead, the fund boosted the weighting of stock holdings in response to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's push to promote risk-taking and foster confidence in the country's financial markets. But until now, the fund's stock investments have been made through asset-management firms. The GPIF's next step is to make direct investments in stocks and it has been asking the government to allow it to do so. The LDP will resume debate over GPIF's stock investments in three years' time, according to the sources who insisted on anonymity. GPIF President Takahiro Mitani told in December that the fund would start passive management of stocks if the government let it directly invest in shares. He also said that the issue of how GPIF would exercise its voting rights needed to be discussed by the government if GPIF was to make active investments in stocks, considering the scale of money it manages. ($1 = 114.5100 yen) (Writing by Junko Fujita; Editing by Richard Borsuk) By Amanda Cooper LONDON (Reuters) - Brent crude oil futures pared gains on Tuesday after Qatar said that four of the world's largest producers agreed to freeze output at January levels, provided that other major exporters followed suit. Qatari energy minister Mohammad bin Saleh al-Sada told a conference that the step would help to stabilise the oil market, which has experienced price declines not seen since the early 2000s because of the pace at which supply has outstripped demand. Analysts said that while the decision is a step in the right direction to bring supply and demand back into balance, global inventories remain near record levels and are likely to dampen any price rallies. The oil ministers of Russia and Venezuela attended the meeting in the Qatari capital, together with Saudi oil minister Ali al-Naimi, who said the group's next steps would be assessed over the coming months. Brent crude futures were up 81 cents at $34.20 a barrel by 09252 GMT, having fallen from an earlier peak of $35.55, the highest price since February 4. U.S. crude futures were up 63 cents at $30.07, off the day's high of $31.53. 'BIG CHANGE' "It's really the first supply management decision taken since November 2014, so even though there will be some that will try to discount it and say it's not a cut, it's a change. It is a big change in policy," Petromatrix strategist Olivier Jakob said. "It's quite typical to have some volatility when (headlines) come out, but I think over the medium term, people will start to review their positions." Oil prices have fallen by more than 70 percent in the past 20 months, driven down by near-record production both from OPEC members and other producers, such as Russia. The closed-door meeting indicates the mood may be shifting among producers that have been determined to defend market share rather than prices. Venezuela's Oil Minister, Eulogio Del Pino, has visited major oil producers in recent weeks to rally support for the idea of freezing production at current levels in an effort to halt the downward spiral in prices, sources have said. The drop in the oil price has eroded the finances of even the more affluent oil-producing nations, forcing governments to cut spending, increase deficit forcasts, borrow more and push through politically unpopular reforms. In the meantime, U.S. crude prices could come under pressure as inventories remain close to record levels and U.S. refiners cut back processing runs. U.S. crude could fall to below $20 as a drop in demand outweighs cuts to output as domestic producers shut wells, BMI Research said in a note. (Additional reporting by Osamu Tsukimori and Aaron Sheldrick; Editing by David Goodman) By Amanda Cooper LONDON (Reuters) - Oil prices slipped off session highs on Tuesday after four of the world's largest producers agreed to freeze output at January levels if other major exporters joined the pact, dashing hopes among the price bulls for an outright cut to supply. Qatari energy minister Mohammad bin Saleh al-Sada told a conference that the step would help to stabilise the oil market, which has experienced price declines not seen since the early 2000s because of the pace at which supply has outstripped demand. Analysts said that the decision is a step in the right direction to bring supply and demand back into balance but global inventories remain near record levels and are likely to dampen any price rallies. "I don't think it will have a huge impact on supply/demand balances, simply because we were oversupplied in January anyway. We're just even more oversupplied now," Energy Aspects analyst Dominic Haywood. "So in that regard it's not huge, but it's a step in the right direction. But you've still got a huge amount of inventory that is going to weigh on the price for a long time and we need to clear that, because it's going to kill any rally." The oil ministers of Russia and Venezuela attended the meeting in the Qatari capital, together with Saudi oil minister Ali al-Naimi, who said the group's next steps would be assessed over the coming months. Brent crude futures were up by only 18 cents at $33.57 a barrel by 1305 GMT, having fallen from an earlier peak of $35.55, the highest price since Feb. 4. U.S. crude futures were up by 10 cents at $29.54, off the day's high of $31.53. Oil prices have fallen by more than 70 percent in the past 20 months, driven down by near-record production both from OPEC members and other producers, such as Russia. The drop has eroded the finances of even the more affluent oil-producing nations, forcing governments to cut spending, increase deficit forcasts, borrow more and push through politically unpopular reforms. Sources familiar with Iranian thinking on supply said Tehran would be willing to consider a freeze once its output had reached pre-sanctions levels. "The output freeze is disappointing because it's not an outright cut, and with Iran not a part of the meeting it's still a bit far-fetched to think this is a precursor to a future cut. Iran's absence from the meeting means overall OPEC output should still rise," CMC Markets analyst Jasper Lawler said in a note. (Additional reporting by Osamu Tsukimori and Aaron Sheldrick; Editing by David Goodman and Greg Mahlich) Top oil officials from Saudi Arabia, Russia and several key OPEC (Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries) members will meet on Tuesday for their highest-level discussion in months, a potentially pivotal sign that producers are at last preparing to tackle a devastating supply glut. The talks in the Qatari capital Doha, which had been kept under wraps until recent days, involve powerful Saudi Oil Minister Ali al-Naimi and his Russian counterpart Alexander Novak, sources said, two figures who must reach an accord for any coordinated global action to hold any hope of success. They will be joined by Venezuela's Oil Minister Eulogio Del Pino, who has in recent weeks been visiting major oil producers to rally support for the idea of "freezing" production at current levels in an effort to halt a downward spiral in prices, sources have said. Also expected to attend is the oil minister of Qatar, which holds the rotating presidency of OPEC this year, an important role in coordinating consultations among members and suggestions for extraordinary meetings of the Group. The agenda for Tuesday's meeting was unclear, and the sources declined to provide any further details on it. Del Pino made no comment on Monday when he arrived in Qatar. The meeting comes after more than 18 months of declining oil prices, knocking prices below $30 a barrel for the first time in over a decade. The slump has been longer and deeper than anyone predicted, and the mood may be shifting among producers which until now have been determined to defend market share rather than prices. Within OPEC, there is a growing consensus that a decision must be reached on how to prop up prices, Nigerian oil minister Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu told Reuters in an interview late last week, revealing that he too would be travelling to Doha to meet with his Saudi and Qatari counterparts. Much has changed since the group's fractious meeting in early December, the last big gathering of key oil ministers, when members "were hardly talking to one another. Everyone was protecting their own positional logic," Kachikwu said. Oil traders are on heightened alert for any sign of action. US crude rose more than 3% early on Tuesday to trade back above $30 a barrel, building on last Friday's more-than-12% surge amid growing speculation over a deal. While Venezuela has been by far the hardest-hit of any big producer, oil below $30 a barrel is a fraction of what Russia needs to balance its budget as it is heads towards parliamentary elections later this year. Saudi finances are also suffering badly, running a $98 billion budget deficit last year, which it seeks to trim this year. Analysts cautioned that it was too soon to expect a sudden breakthrough, even after a year and a half of tumbling oil prices. Saudi Arabia has given no sign of wavering in its view that it would only cut in concert with other producers; Russia has been resolute that it cannot and will not cut back. And Iran is only now restoring exports after years of sanctions. Yet the small, hush-hush nature of the meeting is sure to evoke memories of the secret talks of the late 1990s that eventually revived $10 oil. A series of sessions from Amsterdam to Madrid, brokered by Mexico, helped heal a rift between Saudi Arabia and Venezuela, restoring OPEC's ability to work together. Jan Stuart, global energy economist at Credit Suisse, said it was too early to suggest Tuesday's meeting in Doha would lead to action, but noted Naimi's attendance was significant. At a minimum it will make bearish traders "more nervous," and may staunch the oil price slide, he said. Absentees & Caveats Should the talks in Doha go well, many hurdles remain. Though absent from the attendee list, Iran would likely show some restraint under any accord, tempering its goal of quickly pumping an additional 1 million barrels per day now that it has been relieved of sanctions. Naimi and Novak, the top officials from the two biggest oil exporters, must overcome a trust issue dating back to 2001, when Saudi Arabia pushed through a global deal to curb output from OPEC and non-OPEC nations. Russia agreed to participate, but never properly followed through on its pledge. OPEC's leader Saudi Arabia has said it would cut output only if other non-OPEC members agreed to join it. Russia, the world's top crude oil producer and not a member of OPEC, has long refused, saying its industry was competitive at any price and it was technically challenging for Moscow to reduce production. Yet more recently several Russian officials, including Novak, have signalled that cooperation with OPEC was possible. Russian President Vladimir Putin's key ally, the head of state oil major Rosneft Igor Sechin - who had long spoken against the cuts - said last week it would make sense for all producers to remove around 1 million barrels per day from the market. He did not say if Moscow was ready to contribute, while Putin has yet to speak on the subject. - Oil ministers from Saudi Arabia, Russia, Qatar and Venezuela started a closed-door meeting in Doha on Tuesday, sources said, their highest-level discussion in months and a potentially pivotal sign that producers are preparing to tackle a devastating supply glut. An agenda and schedule for the talks were not released, but the ministers are expected to hold a conference once discussions are completed, sources aware of the matter said. The talks in the Qatari capital Doha, which had been kept under wraps until recent days, involve powerful Saudi Oil Minister Ali al-Naimi and his Russian counterpart Alexander Novak, sources said, two figures who must reach an accord for any coordinated global action to hold any hope of success. They will be joined by Venezuela's Oil Minister Eulogio Del Pino, who has in recent weeks been visiting major oil producers to rally support for the idea of "freezing" production at current levels in an effort to halt a downward spiral in prices, sources have said. Also expected to attend is the oil minister of Qatar, which holds the rotating presidency of OPEC this year, an important role in coordinating consultations among members and suggestions for extraordinary meetings of the group. The meeting comes after more than 18 months of declining oil prices, knocking crude below $30 a barrel for the first time in over a decade. The slump has been longer and deeper than anyone predicted, and the mood may be shifting among producers that have been determined to defend market share rather than prices. Within the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries is a growing consensus that a decision must be reached on how to prop up prices, Nigerian Oil Minister Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu told late last week, adding that he too would be travelling to Doha to meet his Saudi and Qatari counterparts. Much has changed since OPEC's fractious meeting in early December, the last big gathering of key oil ministers, when members "were hardly talking to one another. Everyone was protecting their own positional logic," Kachikwu said. Oil traders are on heightened alert for any sign of action. U.S. crude rose more than 3 percent early on Tuesday to trade back above $30 a barrel, building on last Friday's more-than-12-percent surge amid growing speculation over a deal. While Venezuela has been the hardest-hit major producer, oil below $30 is a fraction of what Russia needs to balance its budget as it heads towards parliamentary elections this year. Saudi finances are also suffering badly, running a $98 billion budget deficit last year, which it seeks to trim this year. Analysts cautioned that it was too soon to expect a sudden breakthrough, even after a year and a half of tumbling oil prices. Saudi Arabia has given no sign of wavering in its view that it would cut only in concert with other producers; Russia has been resolute that it cannot and will not cut back. And Iran is only now restoring exports after years of sanctions. Yet the small, hush-hush nature of the meeting is sure to evoke memories of the secret talks of the late 1990s that eventually revived $10 oil. A series of sessions from Amsterdam to Madrid, brokered by Mexico, helped heal a rift between Saudi Arabia and Venezuela, restoring OPEC's ability to work together. Jan Stuart, global energy economist at Credit Suisse, said it was too early to suggest Tuesday's meeting in Doha would lead to action, but noted Naimi's attendance was significant. At a minimum it will make bearish traders "more nervous", and may staunch the oil price slide, he said. ABSENTEES AND CAVEATS Should the talks in Doha go well, many hurdles remain. Though absent from the attendee list, Iran would likely show some restraint under any accord, tempering its goal of quickly pumping an additional 1 million barrels per day now that it has been relieved of sanctions. Naimi and Novak, the top officials from the two biggest oil exporters, must overcome a trust issue dating back to 2001, when Saudi Arabia pushed through a global deal to curb output from OPEC and non-OPEC nations. Russia agreed to participate, but never properly followed through on its pledge. OPEC's leader Saudi Arabia has said it would cut output only if non-OPEC members agreed to join it. Russia, the world's top crude producer and not a member of OPEC, has long refused, saying its industry was competitive at any price and it was technically challenging for Moscow to reduce production. Yet more recently several Russian officials, including Novak, have signalled that cooperation with OPEC was possible. Russian President Vladimir Putin's key ally, the head of state oil major Rosneft Igor Sechin - who had long spoken against cuts - said last week it would make sense for all producers to remove around 1 million barrels per day from the market. He did not say whether Moscow was ready to contribute, while Putin has yet to speak on the subject. (Reporting by OPEC team; Writing by Jonathan Leff; Editing by Bill Rigby and Dale Hudson) By Osamu Tsukimori and Aaron Sheldrick TOKYO (Reuters) - Oil prices surged to their highest levels in more than a week as of a meeting of top officials from the world's biggest oil producers spurred speculation of an eventual deal to tackle a deep supply glut. U.S. crude was up $1.30 at $30.74 by 0600 GMT. The contract rose by as much as $1.50, or 5.1 percent, to $30.94, the highest since February 8, building on Friday's more than 12 percent surge. Brent crude for April delivery was up $1.36 at $34.75 a barrel. It rose as far as $34.80, the highest level since February 5, on top of 11-percent gains over the past two days. Top oil officials from Saudi Arabia, Russia and several key OPEC members will meet on Tuesday for their highest-level discussion in months, a potentially pivotal sign that producers are at last preparing to tackle a devastating supply glut. The talks in the Qatari capital Doha, which had been kept under wraps until recent days, involve powerful Saudi Oil Minister Ali al-Naimi and his Russian counterpart Alexander Novak, sources said, two figures who must reach an accord for any coordinated global action to hold any hope of success. They will be joined by Venezuela's Oil Minister Eulogio Del Pino, who has in recent weeks been visiting major oil producers to rally support for the idea of "freezing" production at current levels in an effort to halt a downward spiral in prices, sources have said. But analysts remain cautious on whether the meeting will result in an agreement. "As much as we continue to believe that this is yet another meeting that would yield nothing, the markets remain wary of any sudden agreement that major oil producers could come to," said Daniel Ang, an analyst at Phillip Futures in Singapore. A market source who declined to be named due to company policy said: "I am not optimistic about any agreement because it will probably be about exchanging views because quotas are decided at OPEC." Still, U.S. crude prices may come under pressure as oil inventories remain close to record levels and U.S. refiners are cutting back their processing runs on falling profit margins. WTI may fall to below $20 a barrel as a drop in U.S. crude demand outweighs cutbacks in production as domestic producers shut wells, BMI Research said in a note. (Reporting by Osamu Tsukimori and Aaron Sheldrick; Editing by Christian Schmollinger and Joseph Radford) By Rujun Shen and Fathin Ungku SINGAPORE (Reuters) - The aviation market is holding up well despite a faltering global economy, with customers finding funds for purchases and taking deliveries of planes, Boeing and Airbus said at the Singapore Airshow. A cloud had settled over the biennial event in the city-state as the ripples from China's economic slowdown and unsettled global financial markets stoked concerns of potential cancellation or deferment of plane orders, especially from fastest-growing Southeast Asia. But planemakers, whose production lines are loaded for rapid growth in deliveries after a recent order boom, defied the industry's growing number of sceptics, saying an unprecedented eight-year expansion in aerospace remains on track, underpinned by a tailwind from low oil prices. "Our market has been growing. It's been very resilient, and our customers are making a lot of money," Randy Tinseth, vice president of marketing for Boeing Commercial Airplanes, told a press conference. The Boeing executive said low oil prices had helped airlines post record profits. The planemaker had not got any requests for deferrals of deliveries from airlines, it said. Airbus sales chief John Leahy also said the planemaker had not been asked for deliveries to be deferred. Their views were echoed by aircraft parts makers. Pratt & Whitney's new chief Robert Leduc, in an interview with Reuters, played down concerns over aircraft demand, saying the engine maker had seen no deferrals or cancellations. The airshow also saw new orders for some planemakers, especially the smaller ones. On Tuesday, Mitsubishi Aircraft Corp, a unit of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd, struck a deal to supply 20 regional jets to U.S. leasing firm Aerolease, its first agreement with a lessor. And ATR, a joint venture between Airbus and Italy's Finmeccanica, signed a $130 million deal to supply five ATR 72-600 aircraft to Singapore-based lessor Avation PLC. "I was concerned that there may be some serious slowdown, and I didn't see it happen," the turboprop planemaker's Chief Executive Patrick de Castelbajac told a media briefing. "It's good to see that the customers are turning up, they are taking deliveries, they are finding the financing," Castelbajac said. NOTE OF CAUTION But no large orders were announced on Tuesday, the first day of the airshow, and some analysts said they were unlikely. Bertrand Grabowski, DVB Bank's global head of aviation, said he sees little appetite for large new orders because low oil prices were a powerful incentive for airlines not to rush to order. Airlines generally tend to order fuel-efficient modern jets to cut costs when oil prices are high. However, the strong balance sheets of airlines, boosted by cheap oil, could also help them to place new orders. Some also sounded a note of caution on the industry. Akbar al-Baker, the CEO of premium middle-eastern airline Qatar Airways, said premium traffic in the industry was dropping. At the airshow, it was not just passenger planes that grabbed the attention. Spy planes - including converted passenger planes and business jets - are on some nations' shopping lists in a region where complex territorial disputes between China and several Southeast Asian nations are fuelling security concerns. Swedish arms firm Saab formally launched a militarised Bombardier business jet, dubbed GlobalEye, after selling the early warning and control system to the United Arab Emirates in November. And Boeing is promoting its P-8 converted 737 passenger jet for maritime surveillance at the air show, Asia's largest. (Additional reporting by Tim Hepher, Anshuman Daga and Siva Govindasamy; Editing by Muralikumar Anantharaman) By Tim Hepher SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Pratt & Whitney's new chief says the performance of suppliers is much better than year ago, easing concerns over its ability to execute a $10 billion gamble on a new engine as it seeks to reclaim a once revered status in the jet industry. But the industry veteran said he knew how to find out whether the company's make-or-break production goals for the latest short-haul airplane engine are under strain. "I will get every engine serial number and will see the parts that are committed and if it supports the engine shipment date," Robert Leduc told at the Singapore Airshow. Speaking after opening a high-tech fan-blade plant in Singapore, Leduc also played down concerns over aircraft demand, saying the company had seen no deferrals or cancellations. Once dominant in commercial aviation, Pratt lost its way in the 1990s after betting on the wrong category of plane and leaving the door open to General Electric and its French partner Safran , who now lead sales by volume. It is seeking to regain its position with a fuel efficient engine for jets including the Airbus A320neo as well as Canada's Bombardier and the latest model of Embraer. Developed at a cost of $10 billion, the Geared Turbofan engines claim to burn 15 percent less fuel and have already influenced the way some future jet engines are designed. Pratt has sold 7,000 of them and triggered other engine and plane developments. But analysts warn the company still has much to prove as it attempts to increase production seven-fold in the next four years. When the previous president stepped down earlier than expected last month after steering through development, the boss of parent United Technologies named retired operations expert Leduc to take on the crucial early production phase. It was the second time the no-nonsense 59-year-old had been pulled out of retirement. Returning to Pratt & Whitney's Connecticut offices on Jan. 14, Leduc paid tribute to the advanced design, but told senior staff: "Now we've got to execute and deliver to our customers. Our reputation depends on it," according to a person present. It plans to make 200 Geared Turbofans this year, roughly doubling in 2017. That number will grow close to 1,400 by 2020. GE-Safran venture CFM International also has aggressive output plans, but benefits from an existing supply chain. FIST FIGHTS OVER Both engine makers are at the forefront of a record output drive that has triggered concerns over the ability of weaker suppliers to keep up. Any slip-ups could affect profit across the sector and Pratt must additionally demonstrate it can execute on an all-new civil project for the first time in years. "I have spent an inordinate amount of time on this in the last four weeks; it was probably my number one priority, digging into the industrial schedule," Leduc said. With $22 billion of long-term supply agreements, or 85 percent of its needs now in place, confidence in suppliers has risen in the past year, Leduc said. That allows Pratt to focus most effort on the engines where needed. "We weren't managing that way last year," Leduc said. "I think every engine was a fist fight; we didn't have the fidelity around the (supplier) commitments. Now the design is stable; once (that happens) you give your operations a fighting chance to deliver." Even so, some glitches need to be resolved. The Airbus A320neo missed an end-2015 target for first delivery after it emerged the engines needed longer than usual to start properly, adding precious minutes to turnaround times. A part was redesigned and will be followed by a software fix in 3-4 weeks. But the problem is an example of the slim margin for error in the cut-throat short-haul airline market. Most modern jet engines need 150-180 seconds to start up. Pratt's new engines currently need closer to 350 seconds. By June the goal is to get this to 200 seconds, and by end-year back to normal, a person familiar with the repair plan said. The engines have also faced a problem with sophisticated control software sending erroneous messages to the cockpit, adding extra workload before the plane can take off. Engineers aim to eliminate 65 percent of the rogue messages by April and the rest by June. They are not related to aircraft systems and don't present any safety risk, Leduc said. He said there had been no schedule delays since he took the job last month. Industry sources have cited previous delays and say Airbus is renegotiating some deliveries. Both firms say output will be skewed towards the second half. "I have got a fair amount of confidence in what is going to happen. I think we have got enough fidelity around our plants now and our investment and our supplier commitments that we are confident that we are going to make this ramp-up," Leduc said. (Reporting by Tim Hepher; Editing by Mike Collett-White) By Rania El Gamal and Tom Finn DOHA (Reuters) - Top oil exporters Russia and Saudi Arabia agreed on Tuesday to freeze output levels but said the deal was contingent on other producers joining in - a major sticking point with Iran absent from the talks and determined to raise production. The Saudi, Russian, Qatari and Venezuelan oil ministers announced the proposal after a previously undisclosed meeting in Doha. It could become the first joint OPEC and non-OPEC deal in 15 years, aimed at tackling a growing oversupply of crude and helping prices recover from their lowest in over a decade. Saudi Oil Minister Ali al-Naimi said freezing production at January levels - near record highs - was an adequate measure and he hoped other producers would adopt the plan. Venezuelan Oil Minister Eulogio Del Pino said more talks would take place with Iran and Iraq on Wednesday in Tehran. "The reason we agreed to a potential freeze of production is simple: it is the beginning of a process which we will assess in the next few months and decide if we need other steps to stabilise and improve the market," Naimi told reporters. "We don't want significant gyrations in prices, we don't want reduction in supply, we want to meet demand, we want a stable oil price. We have to take a step at a time," he said. Oil prices jumped to $35.55 per barrel after the about the secret meeting but later pared gains to trade near $33 on concerns that Iran may reject the deal and that even if Tehran agreed it would not help ease the growing global glut. [O/R] OPEC member Iran, Saudi Arabia's regional arch rival, has pledged to steeply increase output in the coming months as it looks to regain market share lost after years of international sanctions, which were lifted in January following a deal with world powers over its nuclear programme. "Our situation is totally different to those countries that have been producing at high levels for the past few years," a senior source familiar with Iran's thinking told . Iranian Oil Minister Bijan Zanganeh also indicated Tehran would not agree to freezing its output at January levels, saying the country would not give up its appropriate share of the global oil market. SPECIAL TERMS The fact that output from OPEC kingpin Saudi Arabia and non-OPEC Russia - the world's two top producers and exporters - is near record highs complicates any agreement since Iran is producing at least 1 million barrels per day below its capacity and pre-sanctions levels. However, two non-Iranian sources close to OPEC discussions told that Iran may be offered special terms as part of the output freeze deal. "Iran is returning to the market and needs to be given a special chance but it also needs to make some calculations," said one source. Russian Deputy Prime Minister Arkady Dvorkovich said freezing output was not a problem for his country as he anyway expected its production to be flat this year versus 2015. An Iraqi oil ministry source said Baghdad was also happy to freeze production if all parties agreed. "The agreement (if successful) should support oil prices but there are reasons to be cautious. Not all OPEC members have signed up to the deal - notably Iran and Iraq. History would also suggest that compliance may be an issue," said Capital Economics' analyst Jason Tuvey. OPEC has been quarrelling for decades over output levels and Russia, which last agreed to cooperate with OPEC back in 2001, never followed through on its pledge and raised exports instead. Also complicating any potential agreement is the geo-political rivalry in the Middle East between Sunni Muslim power Saudi Arabia and Shi'ite Iran. Saudi Arabia and its Gulf allies are fighting proxy conflicts with Russia and Iran in the region, including in Syria and Yemen. In Syria's five-year-old civil war, Riyadh politically and financially backs some rebel groups battling President Bashar al-Assad's government, which has gained the upper hand with the help of Russian warplanes and Iranian-backed Shi'ite militias. RUSSIAN BUDGET The Doha meeting came after more than 18 months of declining oil prices, knocking crude below $30 a barrel for the first time in over a decade from as high as $115 a barrel in mid-2014. The slump was triggered by booming U.S. shale oil output and a decision by Saudi Arabia and its OPEC Gulf allies to raise production to fight for market share and drive higher-cost production out of the market. But although U.S. output has begun to decline and global demand has been robust it has still not been enough to offset booming global production which has led to oil stockpiles rising to record levels. Saudi Arabia has long insisted it would reduce supply only if other OPEC and non-OPEC members agreed, but Russia - the world's biggest oil producer and No.2 exporter - has said it would not join in as its Siberian fields were different from those of OPEC. The mood began to change in January as oil prices fell below $30 per barrel. While Venezuela has been the hardest-hit producer, current oil prices are a fraction of what Russia needs to balance its budget as it heads towards parliamentary elections this year. Saudi finances are also suffering badly, running a $98 billion budget deficit last year, which it seeks to trim this year. But while talking about potential cooperation with OPEC, Russia raised its output to a new record high in January. For a table on OPEC and Russian output, click here "Even if they do freeze production at January levels, you have still got global inventory builds which are going to weigh on prices. So whilst it's a positive step, I don't think it will have a huge impact on supply/demand balances, simply because we were oversupplied in January anyway," said Energy Aspects' analyst Dominic Haywood. (Additional reporting by Alex Lawler, Reem Shamseddine, Ahmad Ghaddar and Amanda Cooper; Writing by Dmitry Zhdannikov; Editing by Dale Hudson and Pravin Char) Top oil exporters Russia and Saudi Arabia agreed on Tuesday to freeze output levels but said the deal was contingent on other producers joining in - a major sticking point with Iran absent from the talks and determined to raise production. The Saudi, Russian, Qatari and Venezuelan oil ministers announced the proposal after a previously undisclosed meeting in Doha - their highest-level discussion in months on joint action to tackle a growing oversupply of crude and help prices recover from their lowest levels in more than a decade. The Saudi minister, Ali al-Naimi, said freezing production at January levels - near record highs - was an adequate measure and he hoped other producers would adopt the plan. Venezuela's Oil Minister Eulogio Del Pino said more talks would take place with Iran and Iraq on Wednesday in Tehran. "The reason we agreed to a potential freeze of production is simple: it is the beginning of a process which we will assess in the next few months and decide if we need other steps to stabilise and improve the market," Naimi told reporters. "We don't want significant gyrations in prices, we don't want reduction in supply, we want to meet demand, we want a stable oil price. We have to take a step at a time," he said. Oil prices jumped to $35.55 per barrel after the news about the secret meeting but later pared gains to trade below $34 as expectations for an immediate deal faded. Iran, Saudi Arabia's regional arch rival, has pledged to steeply increase output in the coming months as it looks to regain market share lost after years of sanctions, which were lifted in January following a deal with world powers over its nuclear programme. The fact output from Saudi Arabia and Russia - the world's two top producers and exporters - is near record highs also makes an agreement tricky since Iran is producing at least 1 million barrels per day below its capacity and pre-sanctions levels. "We think other producers need to freeze straight away including Iran and Iraq. We believe this step is meant to stabilise the market," said Qatar's oil minister Mohammed al-Sada. Iraq also has long said it expected its production to rise further this year but last month it said it was ready reduce its fast-growing output if all OPEC and non-OPEC members agreed. IRAN KEEN TO BOOST OUTPUT The Doha meeting came after more than 18 months of declining oil prices, knocking crude below $30 a barrel for the first time in over a decade from as high as $115 a barrel in mid-2014. The slump was triggered by booming U. S. shale oil output and a decision by Saudi Arabia and its OPEC Gulf allies to raise production to fight for market share and drive higher-cost production out of the market. Saudi Arabia has long insisted it would reduce supply only if other OPEC and non-OPEC members agreed, but Russia, the No.2 exporter, has said it would not do join in as its Siberian fields were different from those of OPEC. The mood began to change in January as oil prices fell below $30 percent barrel. While Venezuela has been the hardest-hit producer, current oil prices are a fraction of what Russia needs to balance its budget as it heads towards parliamentary elections this year. Saudi finances are also suffering badly, running a $98 billion budget deficit last year, which it seeks to trim this year. But while talking about potential cooperation with OPEC, Russia raised its output to a new record high in January. "Even if they do freeze production at January levels, you have still got global inventory builds which are going to weigh on prices. So whilst it's a positive step, I don't think it will have a huge impact on supply/demand balances, simply because we were oversupplied in January anyway," said Energy Aspects' analyst Dominic Haywood. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Top global oil exporters including Russia and Saudi Arabia agreed on Tuesday to freeze output to tackle a global glut but said the deal was contingent on other producers, with Iran absent from the meeting and planning to ramp up shipments. The Saudi, Russian, Qatari and Venezuelan oil ministers visited Doha for a previously undisclosed meeting - their highest-level discussion in months on joint action to help prices recover from their lowest in more than a decade. Ali al-Naimi, the Saudi Arabian oil minister, said that freezing production at January levels was an adequate measure and new steps to stabilise the market could be considered in the next few months. He said he hoped other producers would adopt the proposal, while Venezuela's Oil Minister Eulogio Del Pino said more talks would take place with Iran and Iraq on Wednesday. Oil prices rose to $35.55 (Rs 2291.75) per barrel but later pared gains to trade below $34 as expectations for an immediate deal faded. Iran has pledged to raise supply steeply in the month to come as it looks to regain market share lost after years of international sanctions, which were lifted in January. The Doha meeting came after more than 18 months of declining oil prices, knocking crude below $30 (Rs 2052) a barrel for the first time in over a decade. The slump has been longer and deeper than anyone predicted, and the mood may be shifting among producers that have been determined to defend market share rather than prices. Within the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries is a growing consensus that a decision must be reached on how to prop up prices, Nigerian Oil Minister Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu told Reuters late last week. Much has changed since OPEC's fractious meeting in early December, the last big gathering of key oil ministers, when members "were hardly talking to one another. Everyone was protecting their own positional logic," Kachikwu said. While Venezuela has been the hardest-hit major producer, oil below $30 is a fraction of what Russia needs to balance its budget as it heads towards parliamentary elections this year. Saudi finances are also suffering badly, running a $98 billion budget deficit last year, which it seeks to trim this year. State Bank of India (SBI) launched an initiative on Tuesday to help strengthen business ties between Asia's third-largest economy and Japan, where investors eyeing Indian markets need support in navigating the country's notoriously complex bureaucracy. SBI dedicated Japan desk offers wholesale and retail banking products like rupee funding for Japanese businesses and banks, as well as guidance on Indian companies and regulations. "Whereas Japan has the skill and the capital, India has the skill and the market," SBI Chairman Arundhati Bhattacharya told reporters in New Delhi after launching the initiative. "Japanese companies need special attention to understand the complexities (of markets like India)." Japan is the fourth largest foreign investor in India, and PM Narendra Modi and his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe, who enjoy a close relationship, have made much of the opportunity for both countries as India tries to grow its manufacturing industries. However, Japanese firms investing in India face complex and at times baffling regulatory hurdles. India ranked 130th in the World Bank's latest ease of "Doing Business" report of 189 countries, behind fellow emerging markets South Africa, China and Brazil. By Promit Mukherjee and Sankalp Phartiyal MUMBAI (Reuters) - India's largest steel-makers' association has urged the government to extend a relief package to the iron and steel sector, as most companies are likely to default on their loans. The Indian Steel Association (ISA), which represents India's biggest private steel producer JSW Steel Ltd and largest public-sector steelmaker Steel Authority of India Ltd, said a large number of loans to companies were under stress and could turn into non-performing assets. The association urged the Indian government to dole out a special steel package offering flexibility on payment of their debt. The average operating profit margin of all steel companies in India dropped by over 40 percent in the October-December quarter, the association said in a statement on Tuesday. The Indian steel industry, with a total installed capacity of 110 million tonnes per annum built at huge borrowings from banks, has been hit hard due to cheap imports from China and falling steel prices globally. Total steel imports in India rose 24.1 percent between April 2015 and January 2016, compared with the same period a year earlier, mainly due to a rise in imports from China, according to data released by India's steel ministry earlier this month. That also led to a drop in prices of steel products, according to data from NCDEX Ltd, India's second-biggest commodity exchange. With excess capacity flooding the Indian market, domestic steel producers have cut production and prices, a move that has hurt their ability to generate enough operating profit to service their debt and working capital, ISA said. Addressing repeated demands of the steel industry, the government on Feb. 6 imposed a minimum import price on 173 steel products flowing into India. But that would not be enough to address financial stress in the system, after the "severe erosion" in the operating profit margin of Indian steel-makers, the ISA said. A steel ministry official told on the condition of anonymity that the government would not want financial stress in the sector to hurt production of local makers, but declined to comment on whether the government would offer a relief package. (Reporting by Promit Mukherjee; editing by Susan Thomas) NEW DELHI (Reuters) - The Supreme Court has asked the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to provide the names of corporate loan defaulters with outstanding debt of at least 5 billion rupees ($73.11 million), as well as details of restructured assets. The RBI would need to provide the information within two months, though it could keep details under "sealed cover", a directive from the Supreme Court said. The directive comes in the wake of a public interest litigation suit seeking to look into loans made by Housing & Urban Development Co Ltd to some companies. "We direct the RBI to file a detailed affidavit mentioning about the list of the companies which are defaulters of loans," Chief Justice T. S. Thakur said as he read out the Supreme Court's interim order. The RBI had previously resisted prior court orders to reveal the names of companies who have defaulted, saying to do so risked breaching confidentiality rules. India's banking sector, dominated by two dozen state-run lenders, is suffering from its highest stressed-assets ratio in 13 years as an economic slowdown hits company earnings, exposing the sector's history of profligate lending. The directive from the court has not yet been uploaded on its website. RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan had said earlier this month the central bank would not stand in the way of revealing the names of defaulters if there was a public case for it. ($1 = 68.3900 Indian rupees) (Reporting by Suchitra Mohanty; Writing by Suvashree Dey Choudhury in MUMBAI; Editing by Jacqueline Wong) TOKYO (Reuters) - U.S. oil prices jumped back above $30 a barrel on Tuesday as of a rare private meeting of top officials from the world's biggest oil producers spurred speculation of an eventual deal to tackle a deep supply glut. U.S. crude rose as much as $1.26, or 4.3 percent, to $30.70 per barrel by 2334 GMT as the market reopened following a shortened holiday session, building on Friday's more than 12 percent surge. U.S. crude had been trading at around $29.76 prior to the . London Brent crude for April delivery settled 3 cents higher at $33.39 on Monday and had risen above $34 a barrel after the before trading hours ended. The world's top two oil exporters, Saudi Arabia and Russia, will hold talks together with their counterparts from Venezuela and Qatar in Doha on Tuesday, sources told . Oil prices have fallen to their lowest in more than a decade over the past year due to booming U.S. supplies and a decision by OPEC to ramp up exports which was aimed at driving higher-cost producers out of the market. Saudi Arabia has said it would cut output only if non-OPEC producers agreed to join it. Russia, the world's top producer, has long refused to cooperate, saying its industry was competitive at any price and it was technically challenging for Moscow to reduce production. The mood started to change in January as oil prices fell below $30 per barrel - a fraction of what Russia needs to balance its budget as it heads towards parliamentary elections later this year. (Reporting by Osamu Tsukimori; Editing by Richard Pullin) (Reuters) - U.S. oil prices jumped back above $30 a barrel late on Monday as of a rare private meeting of top officials from the world's biggest oil producers spurred speculation of an eventual deal to tackle a deep supply glut. U.S. crude rose $1.17, or 4.0 percent, to $30.61 per barrel by 6:04PM EST (23:04 GMT) as the market reopened following a shortened holiday session, building on Friday's more than 12 percent surge. Brent futures for April delivery were up 65 cents, a 2.0 percent gain, to $34.01 a barrel. Due to the Presidents Day holiday, U.S. futures markets shut early on Monday, before of the Doha meeting emerged. U.S. crude had been trading at around $29.76 prior to the . The world's top two oil exporters, Saudi Arabia and Russia, will hold talks together with their counterparts from Venezuela and Qatar in Doha on Tuesday, sources told . (Reporting by Jonathan Leff; Editing by Leslie Adler) Public sector banks' bad loans equal defence, education, roads and health spending If the unpaid loans made by India's public-sector banks were recovered, they would be enough to pay for India's 2015 spending on defence, education, highways, and health Punj Lloyd bags Rs 2,070 cr pipeline contracts in Oman The scope of work for the contracts includes the construction of a 300-km natural gas liquid (NGL) pipeline, which is a part of Orpic's $ 6.4-bn Liwa Plastic Industries Complex project The scope of work for the contracts includes the construction of a 300-km natural gas liquid (NGL) pipeline, which is a part of Orpic's $ 6.4-bn Liwa Plastic Industries Complex project Punj Lloyd has bagged oil & gas EPC orders worth Rs 2,070 crore ($ 304 million) from Oman Oil Refineries and Petroleum Industries Company (Orpic) and Oman Gas Company (OGC) which are owned by the Government of the Sultanate of Oman and Oman Oil Company SAOC. Atul Jain, president and CEO, pipeline & tankage, Punj Lloyd, commented, Punj Lloyd was the only Indian contractor in Oman to be awarded a sizable contract of the LPIC mega complex. Our past experience of delivering strategic projects in Oman and our prowess in pipelines globally, both stood testament to our capabilities. The scope of work for the contracts includes the construction of a 14-inch diameter, 300 km natural gas liquid (NGL) pipeline and a 32-inch diameter, 301 km gas pipeline. The 14-inch diameter pipeline, part of Orpics $ 6.4-billon Liwa Plastic Industries Complex (LPIC), will travel from the New Fahud NGL Plant to the steam cracker unit at Sohar in Oman. In view of the increased gas demand and to ensure availability of supply, Punj Lloyd will be laying another 32-inch diameter gas pipeline parallel to the existing 32-inch diameter Fahud- Sohar pipeline for OGC. The pipeline is being laid to supply gas for North Power station. The scope of work also includes construction of block valve and pigging stations. Both the pipelines need to be completed within 38 and 35 months respectively. Sultan bin Salim Al Habsi, chairman, Orpic, stated, LPIC will enhance the in-country value of products and will provide the necessary material to grow a downstream sector in the Sultanate, with a focus on the plastics industry. LPIC will also enhance the contribution of the industrial sector towards domestic production to 9 percent by 2020 and will create more than 13,000 new employment opportunities for Omanis. BS B2B Bureau It was announced today that Chief Executive of Vodafone Ireland, Anne O'Leary, has been nominated to the position of Deputy Vice President of Dublin Chamber of Commerce. This will pave the way for her to become Chamber President in 2018. OLeary was put forward for the position by the Chambers 40-person Council, with the appointment ratified at the Chambers Annual General Meeting. Dublin Chamber's 40-person Council is directly elected by the membership of the Chamber. Also at the recent Chamber AGM, Derry Gray of BDO was officially elected as President for 2016, while Brendan Foster of Grant Thornton was elected as Vice President. Dublin Chamber CEO, Gina Quin today commented, "I am delighted that Anne has been nominated as Deputy Vice President and look forward to working with her over the coming years. Anne brings experience that will help to grow the Chamber. "Since 2011, Anne has volunteered her time and engaged with members to ensure that Dublin is a world-class region in which to do business." Source: www.businessworld.ie Ireland South MEP, Deirdre Clune, has said that Irish companies and organisations are now securing 2.8 m per week, on average, in EU research and development funding through the Executive Agency for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (EASME). Horizon 20/20 offers the most funding with 80 billion in EU funds over 7 years, across 2014 and 2020. Around 3 billion of the Horizon 20/20 programme specifically targets SMEs that have the potential to develop ground-breaking and innovative ideas for products, services or processes that are ready to face global market competition. Ireland South MEP Deirdre Clune says, "Companies such as Altra Tech in Shannon, Co. Clare, Arralis in Limerick, Brandon Products in Ballybunion, Co.Kerry and Inform Bio in Cork are just some of the companies who have benefited from EU funds. These companies are developing new technologies, products and ideas and are sustaining and creating high end jobs, very often in our rural towns." Source: www.businessworld.ie About us With Luas management and SIPTU still not reaching agreement Luas workers have opted for further strike action on the 8th of March and St Patrick's Day. The strike on Patrick's Day is set to seriously disrupt commuters, party goers and the significant number of tourists that flock to city for celebrations. This further strike is in addition to an earlier 48-hour work stoppage that is scheduled for this week on Thursday and Friday, and on the back of stoppages in previous weeks. Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Paschal Donohoe, slammed further Luas strike action last night, News that Luas workers are to stage a further two days strike action on the 8th March and again on St. Patricks Day will come as exceptionally bad news not only to commuters, who rely on Luas for their daily commute, but also to the 100,000 overseas visitors who will travel to Dublin to help us celebrate our national holiday. Commuters were seriously inconvenienced last week when a 48 hour strike was held. It appears the decision to stage a further two days of strike action, in particular on St. Patricks Day, is being taken with a view to causing maximum disruption, which will be welcomed by no-one. SIPTU Organiser, John Murphy said, Our members are very disappointed at the approach of management in this dispute. The company has failed to show any initiative in the effort to find an agreed resolution in talks in various forums over the last 18 months. Management representatives have instead merely continued to reiterate the position that our members cannot expect to receive pay rises over the next five years and that any rise that might be granted would be limited to an increase in the Consumer Price Index. He added: The workers are conscious of the inconvenience this stoppage will have on their customers but believe they have no option but to conduct this industrial action. Source: www.businessworld.ie About us The winners of the 2015 Ireland France Business Awards were celebrated at a ceremony in lAutomobile Club de France in Paris last Friday. The awards were attended by over 150 representatives from the Franco-Irish business community including Ambassador of Ireland in France, H.E. Geraldine Byrne Nason and Ambassador of France in Ireland, H.E. Jean Pierre Thebault. Honorary presidents of NetworkIrlande and the FICC were also in attendance. Primark, who entered the French market only a few years ago in December 2013, were awarded the title of Best Irish Company in France. Valeo Vision Systems, received the award for Best French Company in Ireland. Founded in 2007 and a member of the Valeo Group, the company has already become a world leader in the supply of automotive multi-camera solutions. The special award for Impact on Climate Change which recognizes exceptional efforts made by French and Irish companies to preserve the environment, was given to OpenHydro. The DCNS company designs, manufactures and installs tidal energy systems. The runners up included Axway Software, Crowley Carbon, ECOCEM France SAS, Greenval Insurance Company Ltd, JCDecaux Ireland, Sentenial, Smurfit Kappa, Saint-Gobain Construction Products (Ireland) Ltd and Viatel. The Ireland France Business Awards were established 25 years ago and are organized by Network Irlande and the France Ireland Chamber of Commerce (FICC). Director of the FICC, Cliona McGowan says, "The France Ireland Business Awards is a celebration of Franco-Irish business and is an important occasion to acknowledge French and Irish companies which are expanding and excelling outside their country of origin. "We were delighted to announce Primark, Valeo Vision Systems and OpenHydro as our 2015 winners and are confident that they will inspire other Irish and French companies to embrace the opportunity to do business either in Ireland or France." Source: www.businessworld.ie About us Everybody knows the quote by Francis Bacon, that "knowledge is power." But a lesser known quote, by Dale Carnegie, is "knowledge isnt power until it is applied." In a business content sense, we look at "knowledge" in terms of all online written content relating to a specific company and "application" in terms of the management of that online content. In the business world, every company looks after its brand. We know that many SMEs value their marketing department which typically includes business writers or journalists to manage their online written content. A successful company will take care to support their brand and ensure a good reputation. They will also make sure that the online message is strong. The most common way to do this is by typically hiring business writers, blog creators, social media bods and SEO experts. Its easy enough to look at how a company is projected online but what a company does with that information, how it is managed, is key. How a company advertises itself and how a company, regardless of size, manages itself in the public space, particularly online, is shifting rapidly. Social media for example has shifted the goalposts significantly; from Jan 2010 to Jan 2016 twitter went from 30 million active monthly users to 310 million; Facebook went from 500m in Sept 2010 to reach 1.55bn monthly active Facebook users in Sept 2015. A companys online message comes from two main streams of online traffic; inorganic, which is paid for content (adverts, white papers, blog posts, internal social media) and organic (news items, external social media). In terms of successfully managing your brand online, you essentially have the power over your inorganic content, so making this as strong as possible is fundamental to any success you may have. Strong content creation, which includes relevant SEO content, is a great way to foster a relationship with both potential and returning customers. Creating engaging content marketing should be thought of in the same sense of great customer service. Look at Ryanair as a simple example. They were consistently getting hammered in the press, online and in public. About 2-3 years ago, Ryanair decided that customer service should not be an afterthought. They decided that the improvement of customer service need not be expensive, but it would add value to the company. They redesigned their website and booking processes, they revisited advertising and they implemented a wide range of customer service improvements. As part of this improved customer service initiative, on the back of being hammered, they improved 7.1% from 2013/14 to 2015/16. Thoughtfully building your inorganic written content is the key to successfully managing your brand online. Basing your written content on sound SEO principles will engage your customers to the maximum. Make sure that you own your message online, make sure that message is clear and you will apply that power. "Knowledge isnt power until it is applied." About us Asian shares extended gains on Tuesday as a combination of stabilizing Chinese markets, rebounding oil prices and solid U.S. consumption data prompted investors to look for bargains after last week's rout. European shares were also expected to build on Monday's strong start, with spreadbetters seeing both Germany's DAX and France's CAC 40 rising up to 0.7 percent and Britain's FTSE 0.4 percent. S&P futures rose 1.7 percent, pointing to a firmer opening as well for U.S. markets, which were shut on Monday for a holiday. MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan gained 1.1 percent, with mainland China shares advancing 2.7 percent to three-week highs, helped by a surge in China's bank lending to a record high. Executive Director of financial markets at Standard Chartered Bank Koichi Yoshikawa said "Before the start of the Lunar New Year, there were worries about Chinese shares and a possible further fall in the yuan. But since the resumption of trading on Monday, Chinese markets have been surprisingly steady." (Reuters) Source: www.businessworld.ie Independent Irish whiskey producer, Teeling Whiskey, last week picked up four top accolades at the first stage of the World Whiskies Awards. The World Whiskies Awards are Whisky Magazine's product awards honouring the very best whiskies in the world. The Teeling Whiskey Company triumphed in three categories with its Single Grain, Single Malt, 24 Year Old Single Malt and The Revival 15 Year Old Single Malt, all scooping top honours. It will now go on to compete at the next stage of the competition for the global title. Last week, the company was also shortlisted for the entrepreneurial category at the 8th annual Financial Times Arcelor Mittal Boldness in Business Awards. The awards are regarded as the premier accolades in their field, thanks to their global reach and the impressive credentials of the eight-member judging panel. Previous winners of in the entrepreneurship category include Softbank, Tullow Oil and Google. The overall winners of both competitions will be announced on St. Patricks Day in London. Founder of the Teeling Whiskey Company, Jack Teeling says, "We are delighted to see that our commitment to quality and innovation within Irish whiskey continues to be acknowledged on the world stage. "As we strive to bring an independent voice back into a category dominated by multinationals, it is very rewarding that such a prestigious publication such as the Financial Times has recognised our efforts and we look forward to March 17th when the overall winners of the World Whiskies Award and the FT Boldness in Business Awards will be announced." Source: www.businessworld.ie About us Europe's postal companies, already under pressure from Amazon, could soon face a challenge from Uber, which is moving into deliveries, and other start-ups. UberRUSH -- run by Uber but connecting you to a courier rather than a taxi -- and new entrants like PiggyBaggy and Nimber, could dent the market share of operators such as Royal Mail, Deutsche Post and PostNL, equity analysts and investors told Reuters. They are beginning to factor in a longer-term impact on the stock values of these incumbents, which have been hit by Seattle-based Amazon shifting from customer to competitor by starting its own delivery services in parts of Europe. They see this as a harbinger of what lies in store for Europe's parcel delivery firms if Uber follows suit. The UK's Royal Mail has said Amazon's move will more than halve the growth potential for its parcels business - accounting for half of its roughly 9.5 billion pounds ($13.7 billion) revenues - for at least a few years. Meanwhile, Credit Suisse analysts estimate that if Amazon delivered half of its own parcels in three to five years, it could mean an annual 3 to 5 percent revenue loss for Deutsche Post arm DHL's parcel business. The possibility of Uber moving into postal delivery in Europe, as it has done in some U.S. cities, and the emergence of other firms relying on ordinary people rather than companies to deliver parcels in a cheaper and faster way, is seen as another drag on Deutsche Post, PostNL and Royal Mail shares, which are down 3 to 20 percent this year. "UberRUSH would be another potential competitor trying to take a slice of the pie, which would no doubt put further pressure on companies like Royal Mail when same day delivery grows in importance," said David Kerstens, European transport and logistics analyst at Jefferies. Uber says it "currently" has no plans to start UberRUSH in the UK, but analysts said it was just a matter of time before it launched elsewhere, given the rapid growth of its taxi service. If Uber were to capture 10 percent of the UK's courier market, it would translate into a 700 million pounds income for just one country, according to a report by delivery company ParcelHero, which says the global courier and parcel sector generates about $250 billion in revenues each year. The other threat comes from firms such as Finland's PiggyBaggy, which is now eying Denmark and Germany, and Norway's Nimber. Both connect customers willing to pay people who are traveling to the same destination to deliver their parcels. Nimber has 27,000 registered users since starting in Britain seven months ago and is targeting about 100,000 by the year-end. DHL, PostNL and Royal Mail all expressed confidence when asked how they would tackle these new challenges, with some pointing out that they were already developing similar operations. DHL said that for traditional providers, crowd-sourced delivery companies meant more competition, but also offered an opportunity. It has tried delivering parcels in Stockholm by involving local residents and is considering a second program. A Royal Mail spokesman said new entrants were adding to the options to consumers mainly in the same-day segment, in which it was also a sizeable player, while PostNL said it welcomed competition, but believed in the strengths of its own business. But for some, this optimism is overdone. Gary Paulin, co-founder of brokerage Aviate Global, said Royal Mail was one of his favored "short" plays, while Redmayne-Bentley investment manager David Battersby also saw the European postal firms losing their market dominance. "The traditional postal companies will not disappear but with the competition coming in, I don't see how they can maintain their iron-like grasp on the market," Battersby said. (Reuters) Source: www.businessworld.ie UK mobile phone operator Vodafone Plc and John Malone's cable company Liberty Global Plc agreed on Monday to combine their operations in the Netherlands in a bid to gain a stronger presence in the local market. Vodafone will pay 1bn cash to Liberty to equalize their stakes in the venture, which will rank as the second-largest telecoms company in the Netherlands after former incumbent KPN. It will also create a stronger competitor to smaller players Tele2 and Deutsche Telekom unit T-Mobile. U.S.-based Liberty's Ziggo is by far the largest cable TV operator in the Netherlands, while Vodafone is the second-biggest mobile network operator behind KPN. Vodafone has faced increasing pressure in national markets from former telecoms network monopolies such as Deutsche Telekom, Telefonica, KPN and BT, which are able to sell packages of broadband Internet, TV and mobile telecoms services. In the Netherlands Tele2 is attempting to scale up its operations, while Deutsche Telekom has been attempting to sell T-Mobile to private equity investors and exit the market. Earlier this month, Vodafone said it was in talks with Liberty about the joint venture in the Netherlands, after the companies could not agree on a larger tie-up or exchange of assets last year, a deal that could have covered as many as seven European markets. The Dutch joint entity would have had 2015 sales of 4.41bn and operating profit of roughly 1.9 billion, the companies said. The companies said they would see savings of 280m euros per year from the fifth year after the closing of the deal, which they expect towards the end of 2016. (Reuters) Source: www.businessworld.ie An avalanche crossed U.S. 89 in Logan Canyon at approximately 2:30 p.m. on Monday, February 15, 2016. The avalanche shut down traffic for several hours as crews worked to clear the snow. There were no vehicles caught in the avalanche. Temperatures above freezing and light rain Sunday and Monday made for dangerous avalanche conditions in Northern Utahs backcountry. The Utah Avalanche Center spotted several avalanches in the area, including one in Logan Canyon on U.S. 89 in the area commonly referred to as the Dugway. The avalanche was reported at approximately 2:30 p.m. and it took crews several hours to clear the snow from the highway. No vehicles or individuals were reportedly caught in the avalanche. Other avalanches were spotted in Logan Canyon at lower elevations, near the River Trail and in Green Canyon. The Avalanche Center has issued a High avalanche warning for lower elevations throughout Northern Utah because of warming temperatures and saturated snow. The center encourages people to avoid and stay out from under steep slopes with saturated snow, as well as drifted slopes and slopes with significant fresh accumulations at upper elevations. Temperatures Tuesday are expected to be in the lower 40s so the likelihood of additional avalanche activity remains high. LOGAN Spring Creek Middle School was temporally placed on lock-down Tuesday morning after a man threatened his estranged wife outside a nearby doctors office. Cache County Sheriffs Lt. Mike Peterson said deputies were called to 286 North Gateway Drive in Providence around 8:50 a.m. The complainant reported a man was threatening a female with a weapon. When they arrived on the scene, deputies found that 50-year-old Shane Kirby of Grace, Idaho, had confronted the woman and another male acquaintance in the parking lot of the office building. He reportedly had verbally threatened them but was not found to be in possession of any weapon. He was taken into custody for questioning and later arrested. Peterson said no children or staff at the middle school were in danger. The temporary lock-down was only due to the close proximity between the school and the office building. Kirby was booked into the Cache County Jail on suspicion of disorderly conduct and making a violent threat, both class B misdemeanors.

will@cvradio.com The mission of the Mule Deer Foundation is to ensure the conservation of mule deer, black-tail deer, and their habitat. The Bear River Chapter will hold its annual fundraising banquet this Saturday evening at the Riverwoods Conference Center in Logan. On KVNUs For the People program on Monday, David Tolman of the MDF talked about the scope of the organization He said, The foundation was formed in 1989 and has grown from one mans vision to where we have chapters in, Im not exactly sure how many of the states we have, but all of the western states and I know that theres a chapter in Atlanta, Georgia where they dont have any mule deer. We have some people back there who wanted to have a chapter. They come out here to hunt mule deer and felt like they could help in the fundraising part of it. Tolman said the local chapter is a great benefit to the area. After the fire in Blacksmith Fork Canyon awhile back, they planted 10,000 trees and shrubs that provide food not only to mule deer but many other animals. The organization also donates to the Mountain Crest Youth Shooting group which educates young people in the safe use of archery equipment and firearms. Tolman said a major challenge for mule deer is urban encroachment. Down in Bountiful, theyve built houses up on the mountain so far now that all those homes are in the mule deers winter range. So they come down and eat the ladys bushes because thats where they used to come down to when the snow was high in the mountains, they would come down further in towards the valley. So now theyre within those homes and once they get inside into the urban environment, the only real predator they have is the automobile, Tolman explained. They might have a few tickets left for the banquet. For more information, call Katie Gourdin at 435-757-5857. To find out more information on the organization go to muledeer.org How to help refugees in Denmark Published on February 16, 2016 Story by Isabelle Bonenkamp en fr pl it es de This is the ultimate guide for helping out where help is needed. The borders are closed but the refugees have come. As they are here, it is of the utmost importance that they integrate into society, find a home and a job, learn the language and in the end become a member of and contribute to the Danish welfare system. On their way there, refugees rely heavily on organizations like the Danish Refugee Council or on the municipalities to provide them with nutrition, housing and (winter) clothing. As the UN Refugee Agency points out, the greatest struggle at the moment is to keep the refugees out of the cold. This is why many organizations are on a constant need of volunteers in the camps, hostels and housing offices. Sascha Brinch Hummelgaard from Frivilignet Aaarhus says, "The biggest problem as I see it right now is to find apartments for all the refugees this is, though, a job for the municipality." It is therefore essential to communicate and organize the help between the many organizations and the municipality. Additionally, information about the help needs to be delivered to the new refugees which presents another problem. Not only does the work require a training period but it is also very important that the refugees feel consistency in their lives. Especially traumatized families must be treated carefully. Consequently, most organizations are interested in a long-term involvement. If interested, the Frivillignet, the Red Cross, Refugees Welcome and Crossing Borders offer positions and participation opportunities on their websites. There is the opportunity to help out in the local asylum seekers' centres. Furthermore, the organization traume helps to overcome refugees war traumas and it is also possible to become the legal guardian of a parentless refugee here. Sascha Brinch Hummelgaard recommends working as a volunteer. "Being part of a volunteer project which is long term, can help create a stronger feeling of making a difference. A long-term involvement can eventually create a long-term commitment to the refugees and hopefully a friendship that goes both ways," says Brinch Hummelgaard. Of course, not everyone has the time and means for such intensive involvement. For those who wish for a more moderate long-term involvement, there is the opportunity to teach bike riding or help out with home chores once a week. Nevertheless, even a weekly involvement can be very stressful. So if someone has time for just once, it is possible to bring clothes, toys and blankets to the Red Cross. Winter is even colder in Denmark than in many other places in the world. The Red Cross tells on the website which asylum camp is closest in Denmark. Maybe one can organize a collecting event after having consulted with the asylum seekers office about what is needed most in the specific camps. Otherwise, if there are no clothes or toys to give, music instruments equally are taken by the organisation Music Against Borders. But if there are no music instruments either, then the the Danish Refugee Council provies the opportunity to build a personal fundraising page, or Amazon allows to construct wish lists for refugees so people can make a planned gift as this example for refugees in Calais shows. Furthermore, gift shopping can be done in the online gift shop of the Danish Refugee Council or the Red Cross. Finally, assuming that one has no time but money, donating money will do just fine. The Danish Refugee Council, The (Danish) Red Cross, the Migrant Offshore Help Station, the UN Refugee Agency, the International Rescue Committee and Refugees Welcome and many others will all be glad to receive donations. However, some do neither have time nor money, but are very concerned with the topic. In this case, informing oneself is as much help as anything else. Catarina Santos, the Coordinator of Crossing borders in Aarhus, explains that listening and informing would so important because no good could come out of ignorance. Try to find out their stories, their dreams, their motivations, their problems. Refugees are people like you and me, and like you and me they want to have a nice, stable life, and provide the same to their children. There are many videos explaining the refugee crisis shortly or articles that tell stories of the refugees themselves. Jutlandstation has its own radio shows accessible online. Furthermore, the Blog Syria Deeply gives an overall insight and constant updates about the situation in Syria since the outbreak of the conflict. Information in Danish can be accessed via the Danish Refugee Council they provide an entire PDF concerning the topic. Eventually, reading about refugees will lead one to reconsider how much one is willing to give. In this case, this article will still be here. In the end, there is one piece of further advice for all readers even if just having decided not to get involved at all: Let's smile to the people on the street and especially to the refugees (if one happens to notice them). Giving someone the feeling of being welcome in a friendly environment is a great gift, and a gift easily made. From an international students point of view, spending the first winter in Denmark is difficult even without a war trauma, but being in possession of cozy housing, warm clothes and a bright future. Not only for those who are at the moment less fortunate, but for everyone that is dealing with the refugee crisis, a smile goes a long way. This article was published first on jutlandstation.dk and you find it here. Story by Isabelle Bonenkamp 5 things you need to know to understand the rise of Daesh Published on February 16, 2016 Story by Alice Dulczewski Translation by: Monica Biberson en fr it es de pl How can we efficiently fight against Daesh? Step one: accept that this jihadist group has not come out of nowhere. In his book Le piege Daech ("The Daesh trap"), historian Pierre-Jean Luizard looks at the reasons for its success. Here are five points he makes. Unheard of until two years ago, the Islamic State group named Daesh (or ISIS) became enemy number one in a few short months. Today, the organisation's growing number of attacks across the globe is putting increased pressure on the coalition to combat the Daesh threat. There is an ongoing debate over how to fight against it. Aerial bombing? Troops on the ground? We need to be careful. As the historian and CNRS research director Pierre-Jean Luizard reminds us, "a military defeat of Daesh will not solve anything if the causes of its initial success are not taken into account." His book, Le piege Daech ("The Daesh trap"), published just a month after the Charlie Hebdo attack, looks at the reasons for this group's meteoric success. A year on, his analysis is more relevant than ever. 1. A success "not military in kind" Whilst today we tend to associate Daesh with Syria, we should not forget that the jihadist group's birthplace is in Iraq, in particular in the mainly Sunni areas to the north of the country. In order to properly understand its rise, Luizard insists that we must bear in mind that "the ingredients of Daesh's initial success of are not military in kind." A quick look back in time is needed to properly understand this. In 2014, Daesh scored its first victories in the climate of tensions between the Sunni and Shi'ite communities of Iraq. The historian points to a brutal change in the balance of power in the wake of the American military occupation as the source of these tensions. The Shi'ite community, making up the majority of the country's population, found itself in power after having long been discriminated against under Saddam Hussein's (Sunni) regime. In turn, the Sunnis saw themselves become marginalised. As a result, in some mainly Sunni cities such as Mosul, Tikrit or Fallujah, people felt disconnected from the Shi'ite power in Baghdad, known to be thriving on favouritism and corruption. The Iraqi army, as the government's representative on the ground, was held in contempt by the population. One can understand why: "The army used indiscriminate bombing to crack down on sit-in protests against the political marginalisation of the Sunni Arab community," writes Luizard. 2. Daesh seen as a "liberating army" It is now easier to understand why, initially, a good part of the population welcomed Daesh's fighters. Being perfectly aware of the situation, Daesh presented itself as "protector of the Sunnis". It was a winning strategy, and the historian goes as far as to say that in Mosul, Tikrit, Fallujah and other places, the arrival of Daesh's militiamen was seen by many as the arrival of a "liberating army". Map of the Iraqi cities of Fallujah, Mosul and Tikrit Once they arrived, the army went even further. It presented itself as a kind of dispenser of justice which was going to right the inequalities of the past. In Mosul, for example, as Luizard explains: "militiamen publicly executed those who were deemed responsible for the corruption." As a result "products that had been the object of speculative shortages reappeared in markets, sometimes sold at half the price because they were basic foodstuffs." In a similar vein, Daesh restored power to local actors so long as they submitted to the jihadists' morals. It is for these reasons that in such places the majority of Arab Sunnis "some passively, others actively" accepted Daesh's arrival. 3. Bashar al-Assad's helping hand Because the war is being waged at the gates of Iraq, it has been a godsend in Syria for the group's ambition to create a new transnational state in complete disregard of current international borders. It should be noted that, since 2011 when Bashar al-Assad's regime began to repress the popular uprising, the conflict has increasingly turned communities against each other. Thus, Salafist/jihadist groups such as the al-Nusra Front a Syrian branch of al-Qaida quickly emerged from within the ranks of the opposition. The prolongation of the conflict has precipitated the break-up of the Syrian state, enabling these groups to fill an ever-widening void. This is without even taking into account the helping hand that came from an unexpected ally none other than Bashar al-Assad himself. But was it so unexpected? In fact, Luizard points out that the jihadist groups had shared goals with the Syrian regime. For example: "In a deliberate attempt to weaken more secular and pacifist tendencies within the opposition, the Syrian authorities in 2011 released hundreds of Salafist/jihadist prisoners," explains the historian. "One of them, in particular, was Abu Musab al-Suri, who was seen as a new ideologue of world jihad." Furthermore, he adds, "the regime has been careful to bomb first and foremost the locations and units of the Free Syrian Army (FSA)", which fights for democracy. Assad's message has been clear: "either chaos, or me!" As a consequence, the territory controlled by Salafist militias has extended. Syria has been broken up into pieces. 4. Daesh more credible than al-Qaeda The Salafist militias are not spared rivalries and skirmishes and continue to fight amongst themselves. Having said that, "there is constant migration from one section of the al-Nusra troops and other Salafist militias towards the ranks of the Islamic State," reveals Luizard. Why? The answer is simple: Daesh brings a more credible perspective. In fact, this is the first time that a Salafist group's clearly stated goal is "to occupy a geographic area with the ambition to build a state" in which it would apply Sharia Law; a state with a leader, a real army, taxes and even its own currency. Where money is concerned, Daesh has plenty of it. This is thanks to some private donors, of course, but also and this is important as a result of pursuing the logic of territorial conquest. Thus, Daesh has managed to get hold of astronomical sums on the ground. During the "robbery" of the only central bank in Mosul, for example, the war chest seized was estimated to have been as high as 313 million euros. But banknotes and gold are not the only source of Daesh's wealth oil and American military equipment taken from the Iraqi army have also played a decisive role. 5. The use of seduction and colonial reminders Whilst establishing itself in a given territory, Daesh ultimately seeks to transcend its Sunni/Arab/Middle Eastern character. It wants to address a world community. In order to do so, it has adopted a Universalist discourse. As Paul-Jean Luizard assures us, this conflict is not between "East and West" but between Daesh's vision of Islam and the non-believers. This takes into account the fact that in Islam "everybody is welcome, even blonde Europeans of Catholic origin, just as non-believers include both Arabs and bad Muslims." What better way to reach the maximum number of people than to, once again, stir the highly sensitive subject of colonial frustrations? By disregarding the borders inherited from a colonial past, Daesh makes symbolic use of certain historic elements to its own advantage. As Paul-Jean Luizard explains, Daesh "touch on a theme which 'speaks' to people in countries such as France, Great Britain or the United States. By presenting Muslims as eternal victims of a dominant non-believing West, it crystallises a diffuse feeling of injustice held by some young people." "Not falling into the trap" Today we know the horror of Daesh. There is no doubt about that. But, as Luizard warns, the important thing is not to fall into its "trap". A year ago, when his book was published, the historian was concerned about the fact that, strictly speaking, the coalition against Daesh had "no political perspective to offer to the people who have joined [the jihadi group]". We are forced to admit that the situation has hardly changed today. Yet we know that, with or without a military victory, a long-term peace solution is unthinkable if the roots of the rise of Daesh are not taken into account. As Luizard wonders: "When [the French Foreign Minister] Laurent Fabius speaks of helping the government of Baghdad to re-establish its sovereignty, does he realise that this is certainly the very last thing that the inhabitants of Mosul, Tikrit and Fallujah want?" The same thing can be said on the subject of Bashar al-Assad, the famous "lesser evil" that is starting to become more palatable than the "greater" one. In this new war against terrorism it is essential, according to Luizard, not to forget that "in reality, Daesh derives its strength only from its adversaries' weakness." --- Read: Le Piege Daech by Pierre-Jean Luizard (published by La Decouverte, 2015) Story by Alice Dulczewski Translated from 5 choses a savoir pour comprendre lascension de Daech From Schengen to Frontex: The new meaning of borders Published on February 16, 2016 Story by Polis180 Grassroots-Thinktank en it es fr de pl How has the concept of free movement of people changed throughout recent years? A look at the freedom-security nexus in light of the European refugee crisis. "Imagine if EU leaders were given a sneak preview of todays eurozone two years ago. They would have done whatever necessary to prevent the crisis in the single currency from escalating into something much worse. The same may be true of Schengen." The idea of freedom behind Schengen Running parallel to the beginning of trade relationships, the movement of people across nation-state borders became a concern for the founding countries of the European Economic Community. It was only in 1985, when the first agreement on the issue was signed by Germany, France, the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxemburg. Among its provisions, the Schengen Agreement, which is still fully (at least theoretically) operative today, defined rules for visas, asylum and external border checks. Followed by a convention in 1990, this set of laws initially took shape outside the EU framework being inspired by values such as freedom of movement. Moving towards securitisation: How to understand these measures We must consider the context in which this agreement took place in order to understand the proliferation of laws to regulate the movement of people within Europe. Back in the early 90s, Western Europe - especially France and Germany had to deal with an increasing number of Balkan refugees as well as people coming from the former Soviet Bloc. The media coverage at that time fostering the public concern contributed to making migration a "contentious issue". There is therefore another major and controversial shift to take into account, namely a progressive "securitisation" of migration that started to shape European policies in the early 2000s. And this trend is showing no sign of slowing down with the challenge posed by international terrorism and the widespread popular belief that the two phenomena are related. From Schengen to Frontex: Security over freedom When explaining the establishment of Frontex these circumstances must be taken into consideration. After the Commissions proposal for a European Border Agency in 2003, the most infamous surveillance mechanism at the EUs disposal took shape and was established in less than a year. Interestingly, one could argue that the need for solidarity over a fiercely defended cause, i.e. the safety of national borders, contributed to the rapidity with which "ad-hoc" centers on border control turned into an extensive coordination agency. This however has not resulted in a more efficient management of migration flows, neither preventing nor reducing mass movements to Europe. But most importantly, it has not helped to put migrants and refugees in a safer place. On the contrary, more than 37.000 migrants died in 2015 alone, on what should have been their journey of salvation to Europe. More refugees, more Frontex? Even though the Syrian crisis worsened and the number of refugees escaping their homeland towards the safer Western port subsequently increased, the reactions of the EU and its policies have not changed efficiently throughout the last decade. The lack of adequate responses can especially be seen in 2015, which ironically marked the thirtieth anniversary of the freedom of movement sanctioned by Schengen. On the contrary, Frontex has been reinforced and Schengen was temporarily suspended in the summer of 2015 as the crisis expanded to a staggering scale, which seemed to prove to be unbearable for German leaders and others. What if Merkels decision to suspend Schengen was to provoke a chain reaction throughout Europe and all Eastern States, led by the actions of Hungary, to start building fences and prevent people from continuing their journey, thus depriving them of their inherent right to seek safety and refuge? The failure of a Fortress Europe: Whats next? Instead of condemning these violations of not only values but also legal obligations, the European Commission recently proposed a reinforcement of Frontex for the surveillance of external territorial and maritime borders, allowing for the possibility of personnel deployment in the case of an emergency. The deterioration of what can be described as humanitarian crisis is not accompanied by an adequate European response, which now shows solidarity only within its secured territory. The "Fortress Europe" model has not worked so far. The idea of free movement conceived in the 80s is progressively losing its meaning if we consider what happens at the outskirts of our European comfort zone. Rather than investing millions more in fences, patrols, and an EU Border Guard, we need the courage to accept that the policies of exclusion have failed. --- In the upcoming weeks cafebabel will publish a series of articles together with the grass roots think tank Polis180 e.V. on the various facets of the Schengen area and the connected vision of a borderless Europe. This piece was written by Rossella Lombardi. 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In the post, Sandra Clement said the written statement indicates a threat against the school Tuesday morning at 6 a.m. A full sweep of the school and campus grounds were authorized because "all threats of this nature are taken very seriously," Clement states in the post. An increased police presence at the school also will be in effect tomorrow, according to the post. Clement asks parents with questions call 361-878-7340. Twitter: @CallerBetty SHARE Paul Iverson/Special to the Caller-Times Sachi Sooda, 11 (left), and her sister Rani Sooda, 9, each advanced to the Caller-Times South Texas Regional Spelling Bee on Saturday. Paul Iverson/Special to the Caller-Times Rani Sooda, 9 (left), and her sister Sachi Sooda, 11, practice in their home for the Caller-Times South Texas Regional Spelling Bee. The siblings qualified to compete in the bee on Saturday. Paul Iverson/Special to the Caller-Times Rani Sooda, 9 (left), and her sister Sachi Sooda, 11, practice spelling in their home. The siblings each advanced to the Caller-Times South Texas Regional Spelling Bee on Saturday. Paul Iverson/Special to the Caller-Times Rani Sooda, 9, spells a word during a study session at her home. She and her sister, Sachi, 11, each advanced to the Caller-Times South Texas Regional Spelling Bee on Saturday. By Julie Garcia of the Caller-Times Two words that start with the letter "V" and the number seven. That, plus countless hours of practice, is what got Rani and Sachi Sooda to advance to the Caller-Times South Texas Regional Spelling Bee on Saturday. Sachi's word was "vainglorious," which means having or showing too much pride in your abilities or achievements. Rani's word was "vague," which means something that is not clear in meaning. The sisters will represent London ISD in the elementary and middle school levels. Every student in the second through fifth grades attended the London school spelling bee, which teacher Shy Alewine said ignites their own interests in spelling. Both Sooda sisters competed under the No. 7, which they called lucky. Last year, Sachi, a sixth grader at London Middle School had beaten Rani in the elementary category. Rani, now in fourth grade, had missed the word "nourish." Sachi, 11, continues to be haunted by the word she missed three rounds into the regional contest: "petite." "Every time I think about it, I think it's such a simple word," Sachi said, shaking her head. In the year since, the sisters have been preparing for this year's contests. They practice 30 minutes to an hour every night with a long list of words printed from a website that specializes in words used in spelling bees. Now competing in two different categories, the sisters will both represent their school against 100 other elementary and middle school students in the regional contest at the Congressman Solomon P. Ortiz International Center. The educational event is sponsored by the newspaper and IBC Bank. They're not the only siblings who have experienced spelling success this year. Regional bee contestants also include 2014 winner Claire Thomas from the Incarnate Word Academy middle level and her brother Edmund Thomas from the elementary level. Last year's Home School Association winner, Kaelin Bunting, and her sister, McKenna, from Tuloso-Midway primary school, are also competing. The winner from the elementary and middle school categories advance to the Scripps National Spelling Bee May 25-26 in Washington, D.C. The last winner from Texas was 13-year-old Ansun Sujoe, of Fort Worth, in 2014. He tied with a New York boy to become the first co-champions since 1962. Rani, 9, and Sachi's oldest sister, Meera, competed in the regional bee as a middle school student when the family lived in Wichita Falls. Meera Sooda, now a 17-year-old senior at London, helps the younger girls develop winning strategies. They admit they're competitive with each other, and that it makes them better. "I miss more words than Rani," Sachi said. "She's always been the better speller. I don't know how Rani works." When they're not spelling, the Soodas play volleyball or play the cello or flute. Rani recently picked up guitar. They also like watching movies about spelling like the documentary "Spellbound," and "Akeelah and the Bee," a 2006 film starring Keke Palmer, Laurence Fishburne and Angela Bassett. No matter the result, the girls plan to competitively spell until they enter high school, the cutoff for spelling contests. They hope one or both of them makes it to the national competition. They just have to remember to breathe, focus and not panic. "I'm confident this year," Sachi said. Twitter: @Caller_Jules GABE HERNANDEZ/CALLER-TIMES Albert Villarreal talks to his lawyers Thursday during his capital murder trial in 28th District Judge Nanette Hasettes court. SHARE Xadrian Martinez By Krista M. Torralva of the Caller-Times A man has been sentenced to life in prison for beating his girlfriend's 6-year-old son to death. The jury in Albert Villarreal's trial deliberated about two hours before finding him guilty of capital murder, murder and injury to a child. There will be no punishment phase since the only option he faced for capital murder was life in prison with no parole. Prosecutors did not pursue the death penalty. The boy's mother, Nancy Martinez, testified she participated with Villarreal, 29, in the 2014 beating that killed her son, Xadrian Martinez. Martinez, 28, pleaded guilty to injury to a child and was sentenced to 35 years in prison. On Monday, Martinez voluntarily relinquished her parental rights to her other two children. Xadrian's now 9-year-old sister testified that Villarreal slammed her brother against a refrigerator. Martinez said she didn't feel the boy's pulse after that. Defense attorneys disputed Villarreal did the killing and blamed Martinez, who has a history of child abuse. Twitter: @CallerKMT SHARE Xadrian Martinez GABE HERNANDEZ/CALLER-TIMES Albert Villarreal talks to his lawyers Thursday during his capital murder trial in 28th District Judge Nanette Hasettes court. By Krista M. Torralva of the Caller-Times Attorneys will make final pitches to jurors before they deliberate a man's involvement in the beating death of a 6-year-old boy. Closing arguments will start at 10 a.m. Tuesday in the trial for Albert Villarreal, who is charged with capital murder in connection to the death of his girlfriend's son. Nancy Martinez testified she participated with Villarreal in the beating that killed her son, Xadrian Martinez, in August 2014. For her part, Martinez pleaded guilty to injury to a child and was sentenced to 35 years in prison. Xadrian's now 9-year-old sister testified that Villarreal slammed her brother against a refrigerator. Martinez, 28, said she didn't feel the boy's pulse after that. Defense attorneys dispute Villarreal did the killing and accuse Martinez, who has a history of child abuse. If convicted, Villarreal an automatic sentence of life in prison without parole. The trial is being held in 28th District Judge Nanette Hasette's court. Twitter: @CallerKMT FILE PHOTO I voted stickers. By Matt Woolbright of the Caller-Times The wait is over. Ballots for early voting can be cast starting today. Early voting in Nueces County kicks off at 8 a.m. There will be 12 locations across Corpus Christi where residents can vote. During early voting eligible voters can cast a ballot at any polling location. There will also be locations in Robstown, Agua Dulce, Banquete, Bishop, Driscoll and Port Aransas. Primary Election Day is March 1 in Texas, and that's when early voting results will be revealed. More information about early voting is available on Caller.com and Nueces County's website under the "Elections" tab at http://co.nueces.tx.us/countyclerk/elections/. Twitter: @reportermatt SHARE As if choosing among seven candidates in the Republican primary for Railroad Commission weren't confusing enough, add that there are two guys named Christian. Memorize the difference. Lance Christian that's L-a-n-c-e is the best choice and Wayne Christian, a former gospel musician and far-right ideologue lawmaker, may be the worst. It should be well known by now, but isn't among voters, that the Railroad Commission has nothing to do with railroads and everything to do with Texas' mineral energy resources policies. The three-member commission already has two strong, successful businesspeople in oil and gas lawyer Christi Craddick, the chairwoman, and Ryan Sitton, founder and operator of an engineering and technology firm that serves oil and gas. If there were to be a third heavily business perspective to replace outgoing Commissioner David Porter, the best of the other Republicans is Gary Gates, a real estate empire builder and cattle rancher who has oil and gas interests on his properties. But of all the candidates, Lance Christian not only is the most knowledgeable about the commission, but wants to use that knowledge to help industry thrive responsibly. He's a geologist working for the commission not just a geologist but one versed in hydrology. His science background and his knowledge of the inner workings of the agency would be uncommon assets to the commission. He knows better than the others which rules work and which don't. And he's refreshingly short on rehearsed slogans, another rarity in this race. Democrats should choose longtime North Texas lawmaker Lon Burnam. He's highly informed and served on energy-related House committees. We'll see how his brand of environmentalism plays in the general election. In the meantime, he is the most electable of three candidates. SHARE Jim Stever History lesson on "The Presidentress" If Hillary Clinton were to win this year's general election she could legitimately claim to be the first elected woman president but she cannot claim to be the first woman president. That singular honor belongs to Edith Wilson. Edith's husband, President Woodrow Wilson, after a long and tiring speaking tour, suffered a massive stroke. He was confined to a private room at the White House and Edith ran the day-to-day routine White House news and announcements. However, in the event of an important U.S. government issue, Edith would announce that she had consulted with the President on the matter and the President's answer was for or against the issue. However, there is no evidence that she had actually consulted with the President and no evidence that if she had done so, his answer was lucid and credible. As you might suspect, the media had a field day with this situation. The Wilsons were described in the press as "Presidentress and First Man." Edith Wilson was President of the United States for almost a year! And today Hillary is one-upped. | BY Ricki Green | FutureBrand has recently been involved in developing the Made In Bhutan brand strategy and visual identity to tell a compelling story for Bhutan and its products and services in an increasingly competitive global market. Partnering with the Bhutan Department of Trade and the United Nations Development Program, the engagement with the FutureBrand team from Australia, Singapore and Hong Kong began with an extensive immersion and analysis to understand the country, its culture and key audiences critical to its success particularly in relation to the countrys goods and services for export. The key findings included that, while stunningly beautiful with a rich and distinctive culture and ethos, Bhutan itself is not widely known as a tourist destination or an expert producer in a specific industry or sector. And while Bhutans economy and skilled workforce is developing, the small size of the population and market and limited resources mean that Bhutan has been unable to benefit from economies of scale. Additionally, its lack of infrastructure and the high competition from neighbouring countries offering conventional agriculture and cheaper imports has meant competing nations are managing to offer their uniqueness more efficiently and less expensively. Ultimately, FutureBrands immersion and analysis uncovered the need for Bhutan to first define what value Bhutan the country brings to the market before it is possible to define the value of Made In Bhutan. Consequently, we set out to define the strategy and identity for the Bhutan country brand to communicate the competitive difference it offers to the world. Building upon these insights, FutureBrand created one unified and overarching country brand for Bhutan, which is broad enough to be leveraged across all sectors and industries in the future particularly for sectors that support Bhutans sustainable and long-term growth plans such as handicrafts, organic farming and clean energy. Using the newly articulated brand strategy as the platform for creative exploration and inspiration, FutureBrand designed Brand Bhutan to amplify the ethos of Gross National Happiness, and capture the spirit of the country, its people and way of life. From the vibrant colours of the prayer flags to the spiritual patterns and symbolism of the countrys handmade treasures everything crafted for Brand Bhutan comes from the countrys pristine nature, timeless traditions and enduring values. Says Susie Hunt, FutureBrand chairman, Asia Pacific: Bhutan is a small country with a simple idea that can change the world, which very much aligns with our own purpose at FutureBrand to help create a more positive future. Bhutans innovative social, economic and cultural development policies continue to inspire people around the globe to be the best they can be, and we look forward to seeing how this new brand and toolkit can help shape the future of a nation and its people. | BY Ricki Green | Australias largest TAFE institute, TAFE Western Sydney, has partnered with popular Australian actor and comedian Rob Shehadie to launch a new web series, Educating Rob via VCCP Australia. The six-part web series follows Shehadies character as he navigates his way through various programs that TAFE Western Sydney offers and provides a first-hand and comical insight into being a student studying at TAFE. TAFE Western Sydney strategic marketing and communications director, Craig McCallum, said the partnership with Shehadie was a natural fit, given his support of and personal connection to western Sydney. Says McCallum: Rob grew up in Parramatta, and hes a proud western Sydney-sider whose achieved significant success and actively promotes the west, whether hes on the set of his latest TV series or on the stage doing his comedy routine, hes all about opening up and promoting opportunities for his western Sydney community. TAFE Western Sydney and Rob Shehadie are both passionate advocates for educating the future generation of western Sydney and it is great to see this passion come to fruition through this exciting project. Shehadie, who is also starring in the new Channel 9 comedy Here Come the Habibs, said he was looking forward to watching his character achieve his dreams while studying Automotive and Communications at TAFE Western Sydney. Says Shehadie: Im really excited to be working with TAFE Western Sydney to deliver a fun web series to inspire the young people of the west to build their skills and qualifications with the VET provider that has been a steadfast supporter of the west for many years. Further education is critical for any community but especially for my community, as there are high pockets of youth unemployment in western Sydney, with some areas experiencing as much as 25% unemployment. This can only change if people take up the opportunity to study. TAFE Western Sydney provides that chance. You can even study at TAFE for free. The Educating Rob series shows how my character is introduced to TAFE Western Sydney, how I select my courses and my life as a student at college and through online study blended learning and work experience, and the proud moment of my graduation. Yes, my whole family mum, dad, sister, brothers, cousins aunts, uncles attends the graduation. Why did I team up with TAFE Western Sydney while I was busy shooting Here Come the Habibs? Well thats easy to answer: I made the time to do it so young adults in the west can see, through the power of humour, that personal confidence and direction come when you go on to further education and develop the skills employers want. Its the start of a new academic year. I encourage my fellow Westies to seriously consider becoming a TAFE Western Sydney student, selecting a course that will lead to solid job prospects and giving further education a go. The cost of study may be a worry for students, but TAFE Western Sydney offers not only a whole bunch of free courses that can lead towards a qualification, but they also offer flexible payment plans so you can pay as you study. The web series will target western Sydneys youth market and focus on short, sharable digital content. Says McCallum: The way people consume media and content is changing; millennials in Western Sydney are not heavy consumers of traditional media and our campaign needed to reflect this. The youth of Western Sydney want something they can consume on-the-go, via an iPhone and then share with their friends. The Educating Rob web series will cut through the clutter of traditional training and education industry advertising with bite-sized content, longer episodes and an interactive digital content hub. Client: TAFE Western Sydney Director, Strategic Marketing & Communications: Craig McCallum Agency: VCCP Creative Director: Dean Hunt Copywriter: Georgie Waters Art Director: Felix Ettelson TV Producer: Kirsten Caly Agency Producer: Domonique Turner Group Account Director: Elizabeth Barnett / Jill Chestnut Studio: Sean Davitt Production Company: Invisible Artists Director: Danny Stern Producers: Emma Brunton, Vicky Ryan Color Grade: White Chocolate Executive Producer: Damien Whitney Post Production: Invisible Artists PR & Talent: Sefiani | BY Ricki Green | The One Club, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting creative excellence in advertising, design and marketing communications, has announced today that it has extended its final deadline for entries until February 22, 2016. The second extension was issued to accommodate the high volume of entries for The One Show, which receives well more than 20,000 entries. The One Show receives entries from more than 60 countries, and has board members and partners in a dozen countries, as well as offices in China. The One Show is produced by The One Club, a non-profit organization that produces several diversity, education and professional development programs and initiatives. These programs support a creatives career from the Young Ones College Competition through induction into the Creative Hall of Fame. Says Kevin Swanepoel, CEO of The One Club: The One Show is not only the pinnacle of creative achievement. Its the engine that drives our education, diversity and professional development programs. If you enter The One Show, your entry fees go toward funding these programs. One Show judging takes place in March; finalists will be announced in April; and Pencil winners will be revealed at The One Show, which takes place in New York City on May 11, at Gotham Hall, and May 13, at Cipriani Wall Street. According to modelling by Veitch Lister Consulting, residents in North Canberra had the highest number of bus trips per hour at 14,408 in 2011, which is forecast to increase to 27,066 in 2031.The audit found North Canberra was the most popular origin/destination for trips in 2011 followed by Belconnen and Tuggeranong. "Given we are now at the beginning of the 2016 school year and following further consideration, reflection and discussion of both the findings and the requests which have been received, our intention is to actively seek informed consultation regarding the issue with our extended community." The professional body says there is already a shortage of government vets, who are vital to safeguard the livestock industryAnd the shortfall is set to get worse as the department tries to crack down on pay and conditions of its veterinary workforce. [Your Business Name] Contact Info Phone: Fax: Email: Web: CAPITOLHILLCUBANS.COM Business Overview Geographic Area Line of Business Brands We Carry Products and Services Discounts Offered Additional Information Business Hours Timezone We Accept Three college students who first met while attending a Catholic high school in Florida have launched a scholarship fund to help others experience faithful Catholic education at a Newman Guide college. As we went off to different colleges, we kept in touch and found time to catch up whenever we returned [] Our Promise: Welcome to Care2, the world's largest community for good. Here, you'll find over 45 million like-minded people working towards progress, kindness, and lasting impact. Care2 Stands Against: bigots, racists, bullies, science deniers, misogynists, gun lobbyists, xenophobes, the willfully ignorant, animal abusers, frackers, and other mean people. If you find yourself aligning with any of those folks, you can move along, nothing to see here. Care2 Stands With: humanitarians, animal lovers, feminists, rabble-rousers, nature-buffs, creatives, the naturally curious, and people who really love to do the right thing. You are our people. You Care. We Care2. Aston Martin has put together a three year driver experience program which will see the first owners of the ultra-exclusive Vulcan travel to Abu Dhabi. Once there, they will meet up with Aston Martin Racing works driver Darren Turner who will offer them an extensive motorsport experience behind the wheel of this track-only 820 BHP supercar. Before heading out and experiencing the Yas Marina Formula 1 track in their Vulcans, the customers first receive a bit of training inside both a V12 Vantage S road car as well as the Vantage GT4 race car. According to the companys director of special projects & motorsport David King, the Vulcan merits its own unique ownership program seen as how its such a special car. King added that the program includes specialist training so customers can drive it in the way it was intended. It has been great to see the first customers reactions after unleashing their very own Aston Martin Vulcan on the Grand Prix circuit here in Abu Dhabi. When all is said and done, all 24 customers will receive world-class tuition in order to make the most out of their Vulcans only 24 units being built by the way. Race driver Darren Turner mentioned that the guys here this week have all been in the car as my passenger at recent events, but this was the first time they got to see and drive their very own Aston Martin Vulcan. It has been a pleasure to see how quickly they have all got up to speed and to hear their first impressions of the car. I predict many fun track days ahead for these guys! PHOTO GALLERY Just before Toyota pulls back the covers on the all-new C-HR at the Geneva Motor Show, we try to decipher what the production subcompact crossover will look like. Up until recently, when the words Toyota and Styling were mentioned in the same sentence, my first reaction was to yawn, then promptly fall into a sleep-induced coma. Now before you come at me guns blazing that was Toyota of yesteryear; today, the Japanese automaker looks like it is finally finding its design groove. The dramatic-looking C-HR concept that first appeared at the 2014 Paris motor show is the next step for Toyota. It will be a global model that will also arrive in North America badged as a Toyota, after the Japanese carmaker decided to kill Scion. Edgy Design: From the radical new Prius to the low-slung GT86 and the futuristic Mirai, Toyota has dumped its beige image for one of more vibrancy and youthfulness. The C-HR could very well turn into the best interpretation of Toyotas new and edgier design language to date. Much of the C-HR concept should make it into production, including the angular and upright diamond-inspired front end, flared guards and floating roof, though we expect the door & C-pillar designs, which gave it a pouncing stance, to be toned down. Under The Skin: Underpinning the C-HR is the versatile new Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA), which promises to offer increased levels of chassis rigidity, comfort and handling, while also supporting future models of various sizes and powertrain layouts. Expect cabin dimensions to straddle near Mazdas CX3 and Chevrolets Trax, comfortably seating four with perhaps five at a squeeze. Interior styling is still largely unknown; however, expect hints of the C-HR concept mixed with cues from the Corolla and RAV4. Hybrid Credentials: Toyota has developed new powertrains in tandem with the platform to improve performance and economy. In the case of the C-HR, it will get a new thermal-efficient hybrid powertrain, combining a normally aspirated, four cylinder gasoline unit with an electric motor, putting power to the ground via the front wheels. Its not known yet if Toyota will offer a regular gasoline engine and all-wheel drive on the C-HR. Compact CUV Rivals: One of the fastest growing segments due to their smaller dimensions and practicality, the small crossover arena is also becoming one of the more stylish too. Nissans Juke kick started the trend with a punch to everyones eyes, however recent efforts like Mazdas CX3, Chevys Trax/Buicks Encore, and Jeeps Renegade have lured buyers in their droves. Do you think that the CH-R with its hybrid powertrain can shake up the segment? Share your thoughts on Toyotas Juke rival in the discussion area below. By Josh Byrnes Photo Renderings Copyright Carscoops / Josh Byrnes Photo Gallery Photo: Contributed - MasterClips School bus drivers made the news last month with their warnings about drivers ignoring school bus warning lights. A little online searching led me to a public posting site that left me gobsmacked: Huh. News to me that you were required to stop when oncoming too; thought it was only when overtaking, given the painted wording on the bus is Do not pass when signals flashing. Anyone able to link me to the applicable sections of the MVA? The s-word screamed out at me when I read that. My 11 year old daughter, ever cautious about using inappropriate words, would have cautioned me, You shouldnt say tupid with an s, Daddy. She would be correct, as she so often is. Theres nothing stupid about ignorance. I hasten to clarify my use of the word ignorance. I do not intend the negative connotation with which it is sometimes used. I use the word with the literal meaning: A lack of knowledge or information. I have a tip of the iceberg mentality that leads me to think that the person who contributed that online posting is the tip of an iceberg of ignorance. This column is my little bit of heat contribution to melting the iceberg. Section 149 of the Motor Vehicle Act states: The driver of a vehicle . . . on meeting or overtaking a school bus . . . on or near which a sign or signal is displayed indicating the school bus is receiving or discharging school children, must stop the vehicle before reaching the bus and not proceed until the bus resumes motion or the driver of the bus signals to other drivers that it is safe to proceed. Get caught breaking that driving law and youre subject to a $167.00 ticket and three demerit points on your license. Youd have to be tupid with an s for that to be a motivation for your driving behaviour, though. A collaborative study between the BC Coroners Service and BC Injury Research and Prevention Unit published November 9, 2010, identified risky pedestrian behaviour (observed in 57.6% of fatalities) and lack of active supervision (observed in 33% of the deaths of children under 10) as key factors in child pedestrian fatalities in British Columbia. These two key factors are present when children are boarding and offloading a school bus: Children will dart across the street to catch their bus. Children will dart out from the nose or rear of a bus when departing. Often, they are not accompanied by their parents. As motorists, we must anticipate these factors and drive accordingly. Wouldnt you know, there is another section of the Motor Vehicle Act that requires extra caution when there are children around. Section 181 provides the common sense requirement that: . . . a driver of a vehicle must observe proper precaution on observing a child or apparently confused or incapacitated person on the highway. Yes, children are lumped in with confused and incapacitated people, and for good reason. Dont be distracted by the word highway, by the way. That word is broadly defined to include pretty much anywhere a vehicle might pass. Lets each of us take extra precautions any time we suspect children might be around. We need to watch like hawks in residential areas (where the study found 51.5% of child pedestrian fatalities occur), at public transit stops, around schools and playgrounds, in parking lots, and anywhere else children might be lurking. Email if you need a link to the Motor Vehicle Act site. Join the discussion This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet. If you have just started your journey in an online casino or are looking for a new site to play,... TwelveStone Health Partners officials announced Tuesday the company will build a new corporate headquarters, expanding its Murfreesboro operations. The headquarters will consolidate the companys corporate, logistics, billing and service divisions. TwelveStone, formerly Reeves-Sain Family of Medical Services, will invest $14.9 million and create 200 new jobs. We appreciate TwelveStone Health Partners for its ongoing commitment to Tennessee and creating 200 new jobs, Governor Bill Haslam said. The momentum of Tennessees healthcare industry is strengthened not only when companies locate in our state, but also when they decide to expand and grow here. We congratulate TwelveStone on todays announcement and thank the company for bringing us one step closer toward making Tennessee the No. 1 location in the Southeast for high quality jobs. In Middle Tennessee alone, the healthcare industry contributes an overall economic benefit of nearly $40 billion and more than 250,000 jobs to the local economy each year. Because of companies like TwelveStone Health Partners, that number continues to grow, Economic and Community Development Commissioner Randy Boyd said. We thank TwelveStone for expanding its presence in Rutherford County and creating valuable jobs for our Team Tennessee workforce. "As a fourth generation Tennessee entrepreneur, creating high-value jobs statewide is very important to me, TwelveStone Health Partners CEO Shane Reeves said. The mission of TwelveStone Health Partners is very much in line with the Department of Economic and Community Development. We are building a business that will have statewide impact benefiting communities in Chattanooga, Memphis and Knoxville. I appreciate the support weve received from TNECD, it is no surprise given the tremendous leadership shown by the state of Tennessee in supporting business." TwelveStone will begin construction in mid-March on a new 30,000 square foot corporate headquarters at Heritage Square in Murfreesboro providing the company with a centralized space for business operations as well as warehouse space. The launch of TwelveStone Health Partners is a result of last years acquisition of Reeves-Sain Drug Store, Inc. and EntrustRx, its specialty pharmacy business by Freds Inc. TwelveStone will offer packaged medication, infusion and enteral services, respiratory therapy services and durable medication equipment. The company plans to expand its existing 44-county service area footprint to all of Tennessees 95 counties. "We are extremely excited about this opportunity for one of Murfreesboro's hometown companies, Murfreesboro Mayor Shane McFarland said. TwelveStone is a prime example of a business that started in Murfreesboro and through good leadership and management has become a national leader in its industry. We are proud to support both business expansions and new businesses as they continue to make Murfreesboro a great place to do business and provide jobs for our residents. We congratulate TwelveStone for adding jobs to our community, Destination Rutherford Chair Bill Jones said. When an existing company chooses to expand, its always a testament to the good health of our business environment, and this is no exception. We are excited to be a part of this homegrown companys ongoing success. TVA and Murfreesboro Electric Department congratulate TwelveStone on its decision to expand and build a new corporate headquarters in Murfreesboro, TVA Senior Vice President John Bradley said. We, along with the city of Murfreesboro, Rutherford County, Rutherford Chamber of Commerce and Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development, celebrate TwelveStones continuing business success and commitment to grow in the Valley. Those interested in applying for a position with TwelveStone can visit www.12stonehealth.com/contact/#careers. DuPage Medical Group, the largest independent physicians group in the Chicago area, plans to acquire a majority stake in the Naperville Surgical Centre for $1.7 million, according to documents filed in February 2016 with the state health planning board. (Quan Truong / Chicago Tribune 2014) DuPage Medical Group, the largest independent physicians group in the Chicago area, is wasting no time seeking opportunities to grow, after receiving a $250 million minority investment last month. The Downers Grove-based practice plans to acquire a majority stake in an outpatient surgery center in Naperville for $1.7 million, according to documents filed this month with the state health planning board. Advertisement DuPage Medical began looking for investors last year for expansion and agreed to a deal with Summit Partners, a Boston-based private equity firm. They formed a new company called DMG Practice Management Solutions. DuPage Medical controls 70 percent of the company, and Summit owns the rest. When the deal was announced last month, DuPage Medical said the cash would be used to expand its geographic presence and services such as immediate care and outpatient surgery centers. The group, which has more than 460 physicians in about 60 suburban locations, had $518.6 million in revenues in 2014. Advertisement The Naperville Surgical Centre, which has four operating rooms, is currently owned by 44 physicians (51 percent) and a subsidiary of Advocate Health Care (49 percent), the state's largest hospital chain. Outpatient surgery centers, which perform procedures that don't require hospitalization, have been found to provide care at significant cost savings. Insurers pay less for procedures performed in surgery centers when compared with rates paid to hospitals for the same procedures. According to the terms of the proposed acquisition, DMG Practice Management Solutions will buy a 75 percent stake in the surgery center's operations. Advocate's ownership interest will be reduced from 49 percent to 12.25 percent. Advocate also plans to buy the building for $1.9 million. Surgical Care Affiliates, a Deerfield-based publicly traded company that invests in outpatient surgery facilities, plans to acquire the remaining 12.75 percent interest in the Naperville surgery center for $235,000, according to regulatory documents. The parties involved in the transaction could not be immediately reached for comment. asachdev@tribpub.com Twitter @ameetsachdev A North Shore developer has agreed to retrofit a 3-year-old Evanston luxury apartment building to settle a lawsuit over disability access. The 175-unit building at 1717 North Ridge Ave. will undergo renovation over the next five years, making everything from bathrooms and kitchens to mailboxes easier for people in wheelchairs to use, according to the agreement. Advertisement In addition to the repairs, Northfield-based Focus Development and Booth Hansen, the building's architects, will each pay $87,500 in damages and court costs to Open Communities, the nonprofit fair housing organization that filed the federal discrimination lawsuit in January 2015. The Fair Housing Act requires certain multifamily dwellings built after 1991 to be accessible to people with disabilities. Advertisement "Today we celebrate a victory for people with disabilities in Evanston," Gail Schechter, executive director of Winnetka-based Open Communities, said in a statement Friday announcing the settlement. "And by upholding their fair housing rights, we also uphold the rights of all people, including those with mobility impairments, to live in the housing of their choice." The lawsuit followed a 2014 complaint filed by Open Communities with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development over the eight-story apartment building, which includes studio and one-, two- and three-bedroom rental units, as well as a fitness center, pool and other common areas. Concerns included high thresholds at patio entrances, insufficient space within bathrooms, and kitchen sinks and ranges not fully usable by people in wheelchairs, all of which will be renovated under the terms of the settlement. Other modifications will include a curb cut on Ridge Avenue and a restriping of the garage to avoid parking obstructions. Focus and Booth Hansen denied the discrimination allegations but agreed to settle the claim "to avoid the cost and disruption of protracted litigation," according to the settlement. "We recognized that there were a few items that were noncompliant," Justin Pelej, director of development at Focus, said Monday. "We agreed to fix what was ours and move on." Pelej declined to disclose the estimated cost of repairs. Focus sold the building for $70 million to Atlanta-based Invesco in September 2013 five months after it was completed. In November, Open Communities settled an accessibility lawsuit with Minneapolis-based Ryan Companies, which agreed to make $2.7 million in alterations to more than 900 apartments in 10 housing complexes in Illinois and Iowa. Advertisement rchannick@tribpub.com Twitter @RobertChannick Labor negotiations between Mondelez International owner of the Nabisco plant on Chicagos Southwest Side and its largest union at the plant are set to begin Feb. 16, 2016. (Terrence Antonio James / Chicago Tribune) Labor negotiations between Mondelez International owner of the Nabisco plant on Chicago's Southwest Side and its largest union at the plant are set to begin Tuesday, amid anticipated layoffs and the union's ongoing efforts to prevent them. Last summer, global snack-maker Mondelez announced plans to lay off 600 of its 1,200 workers at the Chicago bakery where Oreos and other snacks have been made for decades. The Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers International Union, representing most of the workers who would be laid off, has fought those cuts and claims they discriminate against a workforce that's largely minority and over age 40. Advertisement The union so far has declined to engage in negotiations with Deerfield-based Mondelez over a shutdown package in advance of labor contract negotiations that cover 2,400 employees in Chicago and seven other locations. The eight separate contracts expire Feb. 29. Mondelez has negotiated terms of the layoffs with the plant's other two unions the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers and the International Union of Operating Engineers. Advertisement Meanwhile, the bakers union has filed a lawsuit and a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in recent weeks in opposition to the layoffs. Last month, 277 workers at the Chicago bakery received the 60-day layoff notice required by state law. The remaining cuts are expected later this year. In laying off half of its Chicago workforce, Mondelez is moving some operations to a new facility in Salinas, Mexico a facility that's considered important to increasing profit margins for Mondelez in North America. Mondelez would save about $46 million per year by installing the so-called "lines of the future" in the Mexico facility rather than the Chicago bakery, executives have said. Brian Gladden, chief financial officer for Mondelez, told analysts Tuesday at the annual Consumer Analyst Group of New York conference that the Salinas plant will be key to the company's plans to improve the bottom line. The plant opened in late 2014 and increased production in the second half of 2015. "As production volumes continue to build, we expect Salinas to increasingly contribute to further (profit) margin expansion in North America," Gladden said. gtrotter@tribpub.com Twitter @GregTrotterTrib Russias energy minister, Alexander Novak, said Feb. 16, 2016, that it has agreed with Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Venezuela to freeze oil production at January 2016 levels if other producers do the same following a closed-door meeting in the Doha, Qatar. The meeting reflects growing concern among major oil producers about the effects a prolonged slump in crude prices will have on their domestic economies. (Hasan Jamali / AP) Saudi Arabia and Russia, the world's two largest crude producers, agreed to freeze output after talks in Qatar. The deal to fix production at January levels will be "adequate" and Saudi Arabia still wants to meet the demand of its customers, Oil Minister Ali Al-Naimi said in Doha after talks with Russian Energy Minster Alexander Novak. Qatar and Venezuela also agreed to participate, Al-Naimi said. Oil pared gains in London, after rising before the meeting amid speculation the countries would discuss production cuts. Advertisement "This is an announcement of a production freeze among countries whose production didn't even grow recently," said Eugen Weinberg, head of commodities research at Commerzbank in Frankfurt. "If Iran and Iraq are not a part of the agreement, it's not worth much and even then there is still a question of compliance." More than a year since the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries decided not to cut production to boost prices, oil remains about 70 percent below its 2014 peak. Supply still exceeds demand and record global oil stockpiles continue to swell, potentially pushing prices below $20 a barrel before the rout is over, Goldman Sachs said last week. Advertisement Iran, OPEC's fifth-largest producer, ruled out any curbs on its oil production when the group met in December. It plans to boost output and exports by 1 million barrels a day this year following the lifting of international sanctions last month. This week the nation loaded its first Europe-bound crude cargo in four years. Iraq continues to boost production as it recovers from years of conflict and under investment. The nation's output reached a record 4.35 million barrels a day in January and more increases could follow, according to the International Energy Agency. Brent crude was 2 percent higher at $34.06 a barrel at 10:01 a.m. in London, having earlier climbed as much as 6.5 percent. "A freeze would not create an immediate U-turn, but it creates a better foundation for the price recovery in the second half," Olivier Jakob, managing director of consultant Petromatrix GmBh, said in a note to clients before the meeting concluded. The freeze deal comes after months of competition for market share between Russia and Saudi Arabia. Riyadh has taken the rare step of selling crude into Moscow's backyard of eastern European, while Russia overtook Saudi Arabia in oil exports into China. The two nations are also backing opposite sides in the Syrian civil war. According to the IEA, Saudi Arabia produced 10.2 million barrels a day in January, below the most recent peak of 10.5 million barrels a day set in June 2015. Russia produced nearly 10.9 million barrels a day in the same month, a post-Soviet record, according to official data. Venezuela pumped 2.4 million barrels a day and Qatar produced 680,000, according to the IEA. Qatar will lead monitoring of the output freeze agreement, the nation's Energy Minister Mohammad bin Saleh al-Sada said at a news briefing. Low oil prices haven't been positive for the world, he said. Over the past few decades, the U.S. job market has been pulling apart. Lots of new high- and low-wage jobs have been created, while middle-wage ones have become scarcer. Much of this divergence has been along geographical lines. I'll let economist Enrico Moretti, of the University of California at Berkeley, explain: "A handful of cities with the 'right' industries and a solid base of human capital keep attracting good employers and offering high wages, while those at the other extreme, cities with the 'wrong' industries and a limited human capital base, are stuck with dead-end jobs and low average wages. This divide I will call it the Great Divergence has its origins in the 1980s, when American cities started to be increasingly defined by their residents' levels of education. Cities with many college-educated workers started attracting even more, and cities with a less educated workforce started losing ground." Advertisement That's from Moretti's 2012 book, "The New Geography of Jobs," which explains much about our current economic situation, and perhaps something about today's politics as well. Wonder why voters are so resentful of elites and the establishment? Maybe it's because that elite establishment has become increasingly concentrated in a few prospering metropolitan areas while much of the rest of the country struggles. In Moretti's telling, this divergence is "deepening and accelerating." The most vibrant, important sector of the economy is what he calls the "innovation sector," and its workers thrive in the presence of others like them. So clusters of innovation such as the San Francisco Bay Area, New York, Boston and Austin, Texas, will keep creating good jobs, and most other places won't. Advertisement If that's true, then one of the most important public-policy challenges is figuring out how to enable more people to move to where the good jobs are. Lack of affordable housing in already crowded boomtowns is a problem. Moretti co-wrote a paper last year contending that reducing regulatory constraints on housing construction in San Jose, San Francisco and New York could increase U.S. gross domestic product by 9.5 percent. Another problem is that less-educated Americans are the least likely to move out of state to pursue job opportunities. Moretti proposes "relocation vouchers" as a way to address this. I find these arguments convincing and depressing. The U.S. is full of towns and cities that aren't exactly innovation-sector hotbeds but are pretty nice places to live. Real estate is relatively cheap there, too. Does everybody really have to leave them and move to San Francisco to benefit from one another's company? It so happens that The Atlantic's James Fallows has been exploring these kinds of places for the past three years, flying around the country with his wife in their single-engine plane. They've been giving progress reports along the way, but now Fallows has attempted to sum everything up in one big article. The piece is a wonderful, hopeful reminder that this country can be a wonderful, hopeful place. It also offers something of a challenge to Moretti's thesis. Fallows writes that he found evidence of a flow "of people with first-rate talents and ambitions who decided that someplace other than the biggest cities offered the best overall opportunities." He tells of a cluster of design-and-manufacturing startups in Duluth, Minn.; a high-tech steel mini-mill in small-town Mississippi; a school system on the rebound in Holland, Mich.; a group of young civic-improvement activists in San Bernardino, Calif. It's purely anecdotal, and not entirely convincing, but a nice reminder that a few people can make a big difference in turning a place around. Moretti's book contains perhaps the most dramatic example of this. Seattle in the late 1970s was a city in decline, with manufacturing jobs disappearing and crime on the rise. The Economist had called it the "city of despair." Then two young entrepreneurs who had been raised in Seattle, Paul Allen and Bill Gates, decided to move their software startup there from Albuquerque, N.M. The arrival of Microsoft changed everything for the city, which became one of the nation's leading innovation hubs. Meanwhile, Albuquerque's salaries and educational levels, which were close to Seattle's in 1979, have fallen way behind. So perhaps it isn't fated which cities will thrive in the coming decades. But the economic forces Moretti describes make it seem likely that only a few will win big, while most muddle along or lose ground. Samantha and Omar Mejia, of Romeoville, visit nieces and a local boy in Honduras in December. Samantha was early in her pregnancy during the trip and contracted the Zika virus. She has since miscarried. (Samantha Mejia) Samantha Mejia remains hopeful she someday will start a family despite her recent miscarriage, apparently caused by the Zika virus that in recent weeks has received growing international attention. But, the 30-year-old Romeoville resident said her thoughts right now are with the pregnant women in the affected areas which include Central America and South America, along with the Caribbean whose babies remain at risk from the mosquito-borne virus. Advertisement "They are really the ones who need our support and prayers," she said. For Mejia, an unfortunate series of circumstances apparently led to the sad end of her pregnancy. Advertisement For two years, she and her husband, Omar, planned a Christmas 2015 trip to visit his family in Honduras. "We found out two days before we were leaving that we were expecting," she said. That was before news about the virus had spread worldwide, or the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had issued any related travel warnings for pregnant women. Soon after the Mejias arrived in the Central American country, people there started to talk about the new virus and some of its symptoms, including fever and rash. "We wore bug spray," she said. "Knowing what I know now, I would have been more vigilant about it." After they returned to Romeoville, Samantha ended up in bed with what she thought was the flu. After a rash developed the following day, she went directly to the hospital. "They were like, 'Wait. What do you think you have?' " she said. After drawing her blood, the hospital had no lab code for the type of blood test needed, she said. The nurse had to handwrite in the margin what was needed. The CDC tested her blood and called to confirm she had the Zika virus. Advertisement "There was a certain element of relief knowing what I had," she said. Nevertheless, when she and her husband went for her first ultrasound, they learned she had miscarried. While doctors could not definitively say the virus caused her miscarriage, she said, the fetus tested positive for Zika. Mejia is one of three confirmed cases of Zika in Illinois, according to the state Department of Public Health. Daily Southtown Twice-weekly News updates from the south suburbs delivered every Monday and Wednesday > "To the general public, the risk is generally nonexistent with these three cases," said Melaney Arnold, spokeswoman for the department. The Illinois cases are each isolated incidents involving nonrelated persons who traveled to countries where they picked up the disease, Arnold said. The second case involves a pregnant woman who traveled to Haiti, and the third is a man who traveled to Colombia, she said. The CDC said Zika can be spread from mother to unborn baby, resulting in serious birth defects of the brain called microcephaly. Advertisement "Knowledge of the link between Zika and birth defects is evolving, but until more is known, the CDC recommends special precautions for pregnant women," which includes avoiding travel to areas affected by the virus, according to the CDC website. The mosquito that transmits Zika is the Aedes aegypti, also known as the yellow fever mosquito, a species "not really found in Illinois," Arnold said. And, even if those kinds of mosquitoes did find their way here, she said they would not survive the state's cold weather. On the mainland United States, there have been more than 50 confirmed cases of Zika. Erin Gallagher is a freelance reporter. Michigan's Short's Brewing beers will soon be available in Chicago for the first time, but only four of them. So we set out to taste and report on those beers, plus several others in the portfolio that you can find across the border. (Michael Tercha / Chicago Tribune) After announcing that it would defy its "Michigan only, Michigan forever" pledge never to distribute beer outside the Mitten State, Short's Brewing braced for backlash. It never came. "I thought it would be negative in Michigan, but ended up 99.9 percent positive," Short's partner Scott Newman-Bale said. "Less than a handful out of several thousand comments had anything bad to say. I was shocked how well it was received." Advertisement Short's made clear that in a burgeoning craft beer industry the nation is home to more than 4,000 breweries, up from 1,500 about 15 years ago it couldn't restrict itself to its home state and continue to grow. As a result, Short's will begin distributing four beers in Chicago (one more than initially announced) on March 4 and two ciders under its Starcut Ciders banner as of Feb. 26. Almost a week of launch events will begin March 6. The beer will be distributed by Breakthru Beverage Group (until recently known as Wirtz Beverage), which announced on Tuesday that it will also start carrying another Michigan brewery with a slightly askew take on brewing tradition: Odd Side Ales, of Grand Haven. Advertisement For Short's, distributing in Illinois was precipitated by sales slowing in Michigan during the end of 2015. Newman-Bale said several were options on the table such as a sale to a private equity firm or a larger brewery but most were never seriously considered. "We were approached, but we never pursued it," he said. "The whole point of craft beer is the connection to the consumer and the genuine nature of the industry. When (sales) numbers get large, I understand why people do it. It was just something ultimately we didn't want to do." When the brewery announced it would be coming to Chicago, I drove to southwest Michigan, visited two stores, and bought every Short's beer I could. Short's is a wildly fun and inventive brewery, with seemingly nothing off limits. A wide range of beers, including many listed below, will be available at launch events. Chicago-bound The beers that Chicago will get long-term: Soft Parade (fruit rye ale; 7.5 percent alcohol) A wonderful and odd beer with a ripe fruit nose almost like fruit salad that carries over onto the palate with hints of rye spice and tartness. Fruity, but without being too sweet, Soft Parade finishes dryly, and ties its unique elements together quite well. A versatile food beer that offers an ideal complement to heartier dishes, this is a fruit beer that's not sparing on the body or the booze. A surprising flagship, Soft Parade is the biggest seller for Short's to date, though Newman-Bale notes that it took some time to get there, and for drinkers to make sense of this beer. Huma Lupa Licious (India pale ale; 7.7 percent) Advertisement With so many IPAs on shelves these days, the challenge to stand out is steep. The freshest bottle of Huma (named for the humulus lupulus plant, better known as hops) I was able to find was nearly two months old, and that might be why this beer didn't wow me. Mostly bitter, a little grassy and a touch woody, Huma lacked the fruit character that distinguishes the best IPAs. I'll be curious to revisit on draft at a launch event. Space Rock (pale ale; 5 percent) Another tough one to evaluate because the freshest bottle I found was even older than the Huma. That said, I preferred it to Huma, even if it could stand a little more of the tropical fruitiness that makes a pale ale stand out, such as in Spiteful Brewing's Alley Time. Space Rock is gluten free, which will excite some, but so far, I don't see much reason to reach for this instead of any number of local pale ales. Bellaire Brown (brown ale; 7 percent) I try to avoid this word for obvious reasons, but here it is: Bellaire Brown is a perfect beer. Notes of milk chocolate, toffee and coconut mingle with just the slightest hint of bitterness and tie together cleanly. This has long been a must-buy for me when crossing into Michigan. Like Soft Parade, Bellaire will stand out on Chicago taps and shelves. If new to the Short's catalog, start here. The rest Advertisement Beers that might show up at launch events (or else you can drive to Michigan for them): Queen Bee (imperial amber ale brewed with honey; 8 percent) I half expected a too-syrupy, too-sweet beer from the description, but nope: This is very well executed. Malty caramel-honey sweetness goes down easy and warming. Another that would pair well with a meal. Evil Urges (Belgian dark strong ale brewed with dark Belgian candy sugar; 8.4 percent) I didn't love every beer on this list, but with my first sip of Evil Urges, I realized that the best Short's beers are as good as anyone's. Chocolate, toffee, tobacco and a hint of coffee mingle with notes of dark fruit in a beer you might not want to slam after a long work day, but that comes up weighty and profound. An ideal cold weather (or, again, food) beer. Love Knife (Belgian amber ale; 6.7 percent) Advertisement Another Belgian-inspired winner. Belgian yeast and American hops mingle to create a wonderful hybrid that hews a little sweet up front think bubble gum and banana that gives way to a little funk and a clean finish. Impressive. The Liberator (double IPA with lemon and orange zest; 8.2 percent) My favorite of the Short's hop-forward beers I tried. While I detected more citrus zest than the fruit itself, those fruity hints lay at the edges of what is otherwise a bitter hop bomb. Tasty, but two months old when I cracked the bottle; another I look forward to trying fresh. Twisted Cain (American black ale; 7.75 percent) Less hop-forward than I would have guessed based on the description, but considering how over-hopped so many beers are these days, that's not a gripe. Plenty of sweet chocolate on the nose that's balanced by light bitterness. Pitch perfect. This would be an ideal addition to the year-round portfolio. Local's (lager; 4 percent) Advertisement The only Short's year-round beer not to be distributed in Chicago. There's nothing to dislike here, but nothing special. Moving on. Electric Mullet (India-style cream ale; 6.7 percent) A very nice body and creaminess in an interesting hybrid beer. Cream ales are by design light and accessible, but this is fairly weighty and bitter. The bottling date was four months before I drank it, and I'd like to try it fresh. This bottle was an admirable attempt and interesting miss. Bonafide Legit (pale ale brewed with Michigan hops; 6 percent) More old beer! A September bottling date not cool! but this actually tasted OK, and I could detect hints of grassy fruitiness. Would like to try fresh; I suspect there's a good beer in here. Earl of Brixom (dark mild ale; 3.9 percent) Advertisement Fairly true to style and quite well done with light toffee notes up front and a dry bite at the finish. With that low level of alcohol, I'd love to see some kegs of this arrive in Chicago this summer. Another that would hold up in the year-round portfolio. London Fog (English-style brown ale with Earl Grey tea, vanilla and lactose; 5.3 percent) This beer is mostly what's described, topped with some interesting orangey-pineapple flavors. Not sure I need more than one, but this is a fun beer that's also quite tasty. After tasting through this roster, I'm disappointed Chicago won't see more of Short's' wacky and daring side. Soft Parade is admirable and unique and Bellaire Brown is as approachable and tasty as brown ale gets, but the brewery shines with its experiments. Fortunately, we'll see some of those beers at Short's' Chicago-area launch events, all of which start at 5 p.m. except where noted: March 6: Kaiser Tiger, 1415 W. Randolph St.; 2 p.m. start. Advertisement March 7: Bangers and Lace, 1670 W. Division St. Eat. Watch. Do. Weekly What to eat. What to watch. What you need to live your best life ... now. > March 8: Roots, 1924 W. Chicago Ave.; and Tribes, 9501 W. 171st St., Tinley Park. March 9: Northdown Cafe and Taproom, 3244 N. Lincoln Ave.; and Woods Creek Tavern, 251 Randall Road, Lake in the Hills. March 10: Sheffield's, 3258 N. Sheffield Ave. A launch event for Starcut Ciders will be held Feb. 27 at Emporium (1366 N. Milwaukee Ave.) at 9 p.m. jbnoel@tribpub.com Advertisement Twitter @joshbnoel This story was updated to include information about distribution of Odd Side Ales in Illinois. An election-year power struggle between a Democratic president and a Republican-controlled Senate is in many ways the worst nightmare for Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. (Nati Harnik / Associated Press) Reporting from Washington The coming partisan battle over who will fill the seat of the late Justice Antonin Scalia is certain to fuel growing public perceptions that the Supreme Court is becoming more of a political body than a neutral forum for deciding cases based on the law. The court has long tried to maintain the image of being distinct from the expressly political branches of the government. Although legal scholars disagree about how much the justices' political views determine their decisions, the justices themselves have taken pains to insist that they don't. Advertisement But repeated political battles over confirmations and the partisan forces that have swirled around Congress and the White House have all but eroded that sense of distinctiveness. An election-year power struggle between a Democratic president and a Republican-controlled Senate is in many ways the worst nightmare for Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. Advertisement Earlier this month he warned against the politicization of the high court and said its standing would be damaged if the public came to see justices as political figures, particularly after bruising confirmation fights. "We don't work as Democrats or Republicans," he told a law school audience in Boston. Roberts also took aim at exactly the kind of partisan Senate confirmation process that is likely to emerge if President Obama makes good on his vow to quickly name a replacement for Scalia, who died over the weekend. Noting that the last three Senate confirmation votes for Supreme Court justices fell largely along partisan lines, he said senators appeared to have a "different agenda" and that "the process is being used for something other than ensuring the qualifications of the nominees." So far that message appears lost on Democrats and Republicans, who see the chance to put their favored candidate into Scalia's seat as crucial to achieving their political and social goals. NEWSLETTER: Get essential California headlines delivered daily >> It's not unusual, of course, for justices to have sharply different ideological views. But this year's confirmation fight comes at an unusual time for the court. For the first time in modern history, the ideological divide of justices has mirrored their political affiliations: the liberals are Democratic appointees and the conservatives were named by Republican presidents. Advertisement This is quite a contrast from decades past, when Republican appointees such as William Brennan and Harry Blackmun became among the most liberal justices, and conservatives included Democratic-appointed Byron White. Republican appointees such as Lewis Powell and Sandra Day O'Connor were moderates who became important swing votes, a role now played by Republican appointee Justice Anthony M. Kennedy. Obama's two appointees Justices Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan replaced the last two liberal Republicans: Justices David H. Souter and John Paul Stevens. But though the ideological balance of the court did not change significantly, the perception did. Since 2010, when the court has divided 5 to 4, the split has usually fallen along partisan lines. Legal experts say the chief justice is right to emphasize that decisions don't necessarily fall along political lines and that justices have valid legal reasons for seeing cases differently. See the most-read stories this hour >> "There is a difference between judicial ideology and partisanship," said Stanford University law professor Michael McConnell, a former U.S. appeals court judge appointed by President George W. Bush. Advertisement But others say Roberts may be fighting an uphill battle over the public's perception. "The chief is in a very difficult position," said Irving Gornstein, executive director of the Supreme Court Institute at Georgetown University Law Center. "He understandably wants to assure the public the justices do not vote as Democrats or Republicans. If the public perception becomes that they are not just voting along ideological lines but voting their favored party, the esteem in which the court has been held will evaporate." Already this perception may be eroding the court's standing, according to opinion surveys. A recent Gallup poll found that last year for the first time, half of respondents disapproved of the Supreme Court, compared with 29% in 2000. The percentage of those having "little confidence" in the high court has doubled since 1973. Roberts has tried at times to bridge the partisan divide. He has sometimes crafted rulings that can bring together a large majority of the justices. And he famously split from his fellow conservatives in two cases that upheld Obama's healthcare law. Both times, he emphasized that Congress had passed a law and the court had a duty to uphold it where possible. But in a sign of how the court is seen as increasingly politicized, Roberts was criticized by conservatives as a traitor rather than commended for trying to follow the law as he interpreted it. Advertisement For those votes, he has been called "an absolute disaster" by Donald Trump, the Republican presidential front-runner. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), who formerly lauded the chief justice, now says he agrees with Trump. Both men have suggested that, if elected, they would seek Supreme Court justices who would overturn the court's rulings on same-sex marriage. Democrats are also more open about their plans to screen potential justices based on their politics and positions, rather than looking solely at their qualifications and experience. "I have a bunch of litmus tests," said Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton during a debate this month. She said she would like to appoint a justice who would overturn the court's Citizens United ruling, which opened the door for unlimited super PAC spending. Some critics say the court has at times contributed to the public perception through such controversial decisions as Bush vs. Gore, which ended the 2000 election dispute in favor of George W. Bush. And just two days after Roberts publicly warned against politicizing the court, he joined conservatives in a surprise 5-4 decision to block Obama's Clean Power Plan rules from taking effect. Advertisement The decision raised familiar cries of partisanship and was a rare example of the court halting a president's regulations before a lower court had reviewed them. Republicans cheered the order. It is "a victory for the American people and our economy," said House Speaker Paul D. Ryan. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) said it would be "seen as an infamous political action by the five Republican appointees on the Supreme Court." david.savage@latimes.com Twitter: @DavidGSavage ALSO Advertisement How Scalia's death may save teachers unions -- for now Why evangelicals are splintering and what it means for the GOP Analysis: Scalia's death puts Supreme Court at the center of the presidential campaign Caring for older adults can take a financial, physical and social toll on family and friends, a new study found. (BSIP/UIG/Getty Images) Millions of family and friends who help older, disabled adults manage medications and navigate the health system may be sacrificing their own well-being, a new study suggests. Caregivers who provided "substantial help" with health care in these settings were roughly twice as likely to experience physical, financial and emotional difficulties as those who did not provide that help, the study found. Advertisement Such caregivers, if they worked for a living, were three times more likely to be less productive on the job due to caregiving-related distractions and fatigue, according to the analysis. The researchers believe it's the first nationally representative study of the effects of caregiving experienced by those who assist older adults with health care. Advertisement "Families are really invisible, even though they're commonly attending medical visits or they're involved when someone's in the hospital, managing the transition back home," said study author Jennifer Wolff. She is an associate professor of health policy and management at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in Baltimore. The study is published in the Feb. 15 online edition of JAMA Internal Medicine. Caregivers see themselves as daughters, sons, spouses and friends not necessarily as "caregivers," Carol Levine, director of the New York City-based United Hospital Fund's Families and Health Care Project, explained in a commentary in the same issue. They may feel uncomfortable or too overwhelmed to take advantage of support groups and services, she said. Yet, they are the ones asking questions about treatments, giving injections and managing medications a stressful role that can take a toll on their well-being, she said. "By expecting family members to do all this stuff with relatively little support, we've created a multigenerational set of health problems, and so I think it's extremely concerning," Levine said. Using data from two national surveys, Wolff and colleagues estimated that 14.7 million unpaid caregivers in the United States mostly family members assist 7.7 million older adults. Nearly half of the older adults have dementia, and more than a third have a severe disability, the study findings showed. And 6.5 million of those caregivers provide substantial help with health care, meaning they assist with coordinating care and managing medications. Another 4.4 million provide some help, and 3.8 million provide no help with health care, the investigators found. Caregivers who provide substantial help with health care are more likely to live with the older adult than those who provided some or no care, the researchers said. And they devote much more time to caregiving more than 28 hours a week than caregivers who don't help with health care (just over eight hours a week). Advertisement Almost half of caregivers who provided substantial help were assisting an older adult with dementia, the researchers reported. Caregivers who provide substantial help are five times more likely to curb participation in things they enjoy such as visiting friends, attending religious services or participating in clubs or group activities than those who provide no help with health care, the study revealed. Health care reforms aimed at rewarding teams of providers for the value of care they provide have largely ignored the role that family caregivers play, the study authors explained. "It's a crisis of the system," Wolff said. "I think that families are often really disadvantaged because they don't have a recognized role in the health system." Dr. Eric Coleman, a geriatrician at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora, said caregivers don't want to be assessed by the health care system; "they want to feel more confident and prepared." Coleman, winner of a 2012 MacArthur Foundation "genius" fellowship for his work on transitioning patients from hospital to home, has developed a website and tools to help caregivers manage a loved one's care at home. Advertisement Likewise, the United Hospital Fund's Next Step in Care website provides advice and tips for caregivers navigating the complex health care system. Such tools, though, are only part of the solution, Levine said. What's needed, she said, is more creative thinking about how to help caregivers unwind and de-stress. For example, Levine mentioned one program that brings together people with Alzheimer's and their caregivers to sing and perform in concert. Respite care that provides caregivers a needed break from their responsibilities may be helpful, too, but tough to find in rural areas, she said. "We need to give caregivers the freedom to say you matter as a person, and that doesn't just mean your physical health; that means your mental well-being, your quality of life," Levine said. As the Zika virus rages throughout the Americas, global medical authorities are scrambling to quell an outbreak that has taken the world by surprise. Illinois experts believe the threat to local residents is very low, outside of those planning travel to Central America or South America. Still, they are trying to strike a crucial balance of urging people to take potential problems seriously without sounding alarm bells. Advertisement "It would be too glib and wrong to say 'you shouldn't be worried' because that ignores the fact that people are worried," said Dr. Nirav D. Shah, director of the Illinois Department of Public Health. "We understand that people have seen scary stories. But while we have a lot of compassion and empathy for those families, we want folks to know that what may be going on in South America is not necessarily something that will arrive here in Illinois. "It's a needle with a very small pinhole we have to thread here." Advertisement The virus has been linked to severe birth defects, including microcephaly, since it surfaced in Brazil about a year ago. But new research on the illness emerges constantly, and with it more questions than answers on its full impact. There is no vaccine. Illinois public health, medical and mosquito control officials say they are closely following the latest developments and spreading information. While they say the chance of contracting Zika virus in Illinois is minimal, they acknowledge that low risk doesn't mean zero risk. The primary type of mosquito that transmits Zika to humans, the aedes aegypti, is rarely found in Illinois and can't survive our winter. A similar species of mosquito can survive here, but experts don't know if it can transmit Zika. Even if it could, Americans are generally much better protected from mosquito-borne viruses than in other parts of the world because of aggressive mosquito abatement practices and cultural differences such as the use of air conditioning. Ephantus Muturi, director of the medical entomology program at the Illinois Natural History Survey, said the aedes aegypti appears in Illinois on occasion but is unable to thrive in our Midwestern climate. "They have to mate, feed, survive long enough to become adults," Muturi said. "Before they could establish populations (in Illinois), it would be winter again." Muturi said a similar type of mosquito, the aedes albopictus or the Asian tiger mosquito, has been able to survive locally. More research is needed to determine if it could transmit Zika. "There have not been many studies of Zika virus because for a long time it was not considered a problem," Muturi said. Advertisement One factor contributing to the virus' rapid growth in Brazil is the inability to control the mosquito population. Brazil's government has deployed thousands of soldiers to encourage residents to spot and eliminate places where mosquitoes could breed. In the U.S., large-scale, systematic abatement of adult mosquitoes and their larvae is common. "The way our society is structured is fundamentally differently from certain areas in Brazil," Shah said. "We have air conditioning, which the CDC director said really helps reduce the presence of mosquitoes. We have screens on our windows. We have wide availability of bug repellent." Local precautions are underway. Roger Nasci, executive director of the North Shore Mosquito Abatement District, said surveillance crews are being trained to spot an aedes mosquito, which is black with white stripes. They have specialized traps to collect them. And the district regularly communicates with local health departments to monitor where these types of mosquitoes are appearing. If the district finds them, Nasci said, crews will examine targeted areas to find out how much the mosquitoes are proliferating. Then they will find and empty buckets, flower pots and other pools of water, and apply time-released insecticide in those areas to stave off further breeding. Advertisement "We do have the existing capacity to detect, and control, manage or eliminate the mosquito populations of those two (aedes) species," Nasci said. Residents can reduce their own exposure to mosquitoes by faithfully using repellent and getting rid of standing water on their property, experts said. "Aedes mosquitoes can breed in very small containers that normal people wouldn't think are dangerous," Muturi said. "Anything that can hold water, no matter how small it is, that's what they like." Another unknown is what effect Zika will have in part of the United States where the aedes aegypti can survive and where Illinoisans are more likely to travel. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the aedes aegypti is found throughout southeast United States, including Florida, Georgia, Louisiana and parts of Texas. The distribution of the Asian tiger mosquito stretches farther north, into Missouri, and much of Illinois, Indiana and Ohio. Brazilian health leaders began reporting thousands of cases of ill people bearing skin rashes in March 2015, but a connection to Zika was not made until several weeks later, according to the World Health Organization. As the year wore on, Brazil logged sharp increases in cases of Guillain-Barre syndrome and newborns with microcephaly, a condition in which a baby's head is abnormally small. Advertisement Effects of the virus usually are mild and include fever, rash, red eye and joint pain. Recommended treatment involves staying hydrated and taking acetaminophen to relieve fever. WHO officials announced in early February there is a strong scientific connection between Zika infection during pregnancy and microcephaly, and deemed the outbreak a "public health emergency of international concern." People in nearly two dozen countries through North America and South America have been infected. At first, the consensus was that Zika could not be passed from one human to another. But the CDC revised its stance in February after a man in Dallas who had contracted the virus outside the U.S. later transmitted it to his partner during sex. Other recent research suggested Zika infection could damage a fetus' eyesight. "I think the challenge is, with this type of global infectious disease is you don't get the true understanding of all the different complications that can arise until you have a larger-scale outbreak," said Dr. Chad Achenbach, assistant professor in medicine-infectious diseases at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. "That's why we're seeing now these unique outcomes." More than 50 people in the U.S. had contracted Zika while traveling out of the country as of February, according to the CDC. Advertisement Daywatch Weekdays Start each day with Chicago Tribune editors' top story picks, delivered to your inbox. > Three people in Illinois, two of them pregnant women, have been diagnosed with the virus this year, according to the state health department. All three recently had traveled to Central America or South America and contracted the virus while abroad. The CDC travel alerts advise that pregnant women avoid traveling to countries with active mosquito transmission of Zika, and that men who live in or have visited there abstain from unprotected sex. All travelers should vigilantly protect themselves from mosquito bites, according to the CDC. WHO leaders have said millions more people could contract Zika over the next year, and worldwide health and political forces are mobilizing to stop the outbreak. President Barack Obama's latest budget proposal asks Congress for nearly $2 billion to boost local and international response. A dozen groups are working on creating a Zika vaccine, which could be years away from use, according to WHO. Achenbach said the Zika and Ebola outbreaks reinforce the need to increase access to basic health care and strengthen public health infrastructure. "I think this is a reminder of how important it is for us to think about global health and how we can think about our global community," he said. "We need to improve our health care systems worldwide so that when these kinds of events start, we can identify them and have the resources to control them before it causes a lot of complications like we saw with Ebola, and now with Zika." cdrhodes@tribpub.com Advertisement Twitter @rhodes_dawn Chicago police Officer Jason Van Dyke, center, arrives for a hearing on Sept. 14, 2018 at the Leighton Criminal Court Building. His attorney announced that a jury will decide his fate. (Antonio Perez / Chicago Tribune) Just weeks before a hotly contested primary election, a coalition of civil rights attorneys and critics of Cook County State's Attorney Anita Alvarez formally asked Tuesday that a special prosecutor take over the murder case against a Chicago police officer charged with shooting 17-year-old Laquan McDonald. The 25-page petition filed in Criminal Court accused Alvarez of having a cozy relationship with the Chicago police union, creating a conflict of interest that should disqualify her from prosecuting Officer Jason Van Dyke for McDonald's killing. Advertisement Pastor Marvin Hunter, a great uncle to Laquan McDonald and Sheila Bedi, Clinical Associate Professor of Law at the Northwestern School of Law speak about filing a petition asking for the Cook County Circuit Court to appoint special prosecutor and to disqualify Cook County State's Attorney Anita Alvarez from the prosecution of the shooting death of Laquan McDonald and the investigation of possible misconduct in the aftermath of the shooting. (Zbigniew Bzdak/Chicago Tribune) (Chicago Tribune) The petition also alleged that Alvarez has failed when it comes to charging police officers who have committed crimes and that when her office has brought cases, the trials have often been botched. "(Alvarez's) track record has undermined her credibility, created a crisis of confidence in her and her office, and created the appearance that this state's attorney cannot be trusted to zealously and effectively prosecute Officer Van Dyke," the petition said. Advertisement Alvarez's political opponents, including Kim Foxx, the top challenger in next month's Democratic primary, have been calling for a special prosecutor in the McDonald case for weeks, alleging the state's attorney charged Van Dyke only after a judge ordered the release of a now-viral dashboard camera video showing the officer shooting the teen 16 times as he was walking away from police. In a statement Tuesday, Alvarez denied any conflict of interest in the case and called the timing of the court filing "more than a little coincidental" considering the upcoming election. Indeed, some of Alvarez's biggest critics were in attendance at Northwestern University's Pritzker School of Law for the announcement of the petition. Among them were Cook County Commissioner Jesus "Chuy" Garcia, who has called for Alvarez's resignation over the McDonald case, and 21st Ward Ald. Howard Brookins Jr., who lost to Alvarez in the 2008 primary and is actively supporting Foxx's candidacy. But Locke Bowman, an attorney for Northwestern University's MacArthur Justice Center, denied any political motive, saying the petition was only about "seeing fair and objective justice done." "This has nothing to do with Kim Foxx. It has nothing to do with the current political process that's underway," Bowman said. "It has to do with the fact that this state's attorney has made it evident ... that her commitment is wavering and uncertain when it comes to the need to prosecute police officers when police officers offend." The petition will go before Criminal Court Presiding Judge Leroy Martin Jr. on Feb. 26. Martin, whose late father was a Chicago police superintendent, could decide to hear the matter himself or appoint another judge. Either way, if Alvarez's office objects as expected, both sides would be required to file extensive briefs, and a decision would likely not come until well after the March 15 primary. Van Dyke has pleaded not guilty to McDonald's killing on the city's Southwest Side in October 2014. His lawyer has said he feared for his life. But the police video contradicts reports by Van Dyke and several other officers at the scene that McDonald was lunging at police with a knife. Many of the shots hit McDonald in the back as he was lying motionless in the street. Advertisement The call for a special prosecutor comes amid a separate probe by the FBI and U.S. attorney's office into whether officers engaged in a cover-up at the scene that night. More than two dozen officers have been scheduled to appear before the federal grand jury, including the lead detective whose reports were dramatically at odds with the video, the Tribune has reported. Under state law, a special prosecutor may be appointed if the elected state's attorney "has an actual conflict of interest" in a proceeding. According to the petition, Alvarez is conflicted because she's "dependent upon a political alliance" with the Fraternal Order of Police and its members that has helped her maintain political power. Facing a barrage of criticism over her handling of the McDonald killing, Alvarez "can ill afford to alienate" the FOP, according to the petition, which said her alliance with the union "destroys her independence and makes it impossible for her to zealously" prosecute cops. The filing cited campaign contributions to Alvarez's campaign as well as the union's endorsement of the two-term incumbent in 2008 and 2012. The FOP has not endorsed a candidate in this year's race. FOP President Dean Angelo did not return calls or emails Tuesday seeking comment. Advertisement The petition also cited several fatal shootings by police officers in recent years and questioned why Alvarez did not bring charges. Among them was the 2011 fatal shooting of Flint Farmer by Officer Gildardo Sierra, who was profiled by the Tribune in 2011 for his involvement in three shootings, two fatal, over a six-month period. A dash-cam video suggested Sierra stood over Farmer as he shot him in the back, but prosecutors concluded Sierra reasonably mistook a cellphone for a gun pointed at him on a darkened street. Even when charges have been brought, such as against Cmdr. Glenn Evans and Detective Dante Servin, missteps by Alvarez's office led to acquittals, according to the petition. In her statement, Alvarez said her office has been working hand in hand with federal authorities for more than a year to build a "meticulous case" against Van Dyke. She also defended her record on prosecuting police, saying she has brought charges against 96 law enforcement officers in her seven years in office. "This case is no different Jason Van Dyke should be prosecuted by experienced Cook County state's attorneys using the resources gathered during the thorough joint investigation with federal authorities," Alvarez said. "It is clear that there is no legal conflict in this case, and prosecution will proceed to hold Jason Van Dyke accountable for the murder of Laquan McDonald." The appointment of a special prosecutor would be a rare but not unprecedented step in Cook County, where allegations of clout and corruption have often seeped into criminal cases. Two of the lawyers who spearheaded the petition Bowman and G. Flint Taylor of the People's Law Office were behind a similar move four years ago that led to the appointment of powerhouse attorney Dan K. Webb as the special prosecutor in the case of David Koschman, who died after being punched by Richard Vanecko, a nephew of then-Mayor Richard Daley. Advertisement Alvarez had concluded that Vanecko had acted in self-defense and no charges were warranted. Webb, however, convened a special grand jury that indicted him for manslaughter. Vanecko pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 60 days in jail. But Webb's investigation ended without any charges filed against police or prosecutors involved in the original investigation. Daywatch Weekdays Start each day with Chicago Tribune editors' top story picks, delivered to your inbox. > In 2002, Bowman and Taylor succeeded in getting two special prosecutors named to investigate the long-standing allegations that detectives working at a South Side police station under the command of Jon Burge routinely tortured African-American suspects in the late 1970s and 1980s. The result: a four-year inquiry that cost more than $6 million and produced a 290-page report concluding that torture was pervasive among Burge's crew yet no charges could be brought due to the statute of limitations. Taylor said Tuesday that special prosecutors were appointed in the Koschman and Burge cases only when public outrage and pressure combined to overcome the political status quo. "We stand here again with those voices strong and loud saying we must have a special prosecutor here," Taylor said. Chicago Tribune's William Lee contributed. Advertisement jmeisner@tribpub.com Twitter @ jmetr22b Protesters blocked traffic on Congress Parkway at LaSalle Street for more than an hour Tuesday morning to protest immigration policies, resulting in about 12 arrests. The demonstrators stretched across the inbound lanes of Congress around 8 a.m. holding a banner that read "Dismantle ICE. Defund the police!" ICE refers to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, which has offices on that block. Police started making the arrests before 9 a.m. As officers arrested a demonstrator in a blue and purple coat, children in the crowd chanted. "We love you, we've got your back." The crowd cheered as the protester was led from the scene. Other protesters chanted "F--- the police" as they were led to a police van. Police persuaded a protester on a green ladder to step down. The ladder, which was used to hang the banner, was put in the police van. Officers crowded around the base of the other ladder as the protester on top of it waved his fist in the air. The crowd shouted "deportation" in Spanish. The protester then stepped down to cheers and police took that ladder away. A woman with a megaphone shouted, "When I say shut down, you say ICE." "Shut down!" "ICE!" the crowd replied. In all, about 12 people were arrested. The scene was peaceful, with no struggles between protesters and police. The lanes were reopened to traffic by 9:25 a.m. The death of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia has created a new and unsettling issue for Illinois Sen. Mark Kirk, perhaps the most vulnerable of Republican senators seeking re-election this year. Kirk is offering no clue on whether he will side with leading Republicans, who have termed a final-year appointment by President Barack Obama a nonstarter, or with Obama and Democrats who say an appointment should be considered, regardless of the presidential election year. Advertisement Contacted by the Tribune, Kirk's campaign pointed to a statement the senator issued Monday that avoided taking a stand on the question of Scalia's successor and described the political maneuvering as "unseemly" at this time. Kirk's statement called Scalia a "giant in the history of American jurisprudence" and said the public should "take the time to honor his life before the inevitable debate erupts." Advertisement But the debate has already erupted, and Kirk is a key target of politicking on both sides. He already faces the difficult task of winning a second term as a Republican in a state that in recent presidential election years has sided with Democrats. "Sen. Kirk will be under tremendous pressure from his colleagues to automatically reject the president's nominee," said Bernard Cherkasov, CEO of the gay-rights group Equality Illinois. Noting Kirk's work on laws to prohibit workplace discrimination against gays and his support for same-sex marriage, Cherkasov said, "This is the Mark Kirk that we hope will be part of the confirmation process for President Obama's nominee to the Supreme Court." Kirk has never been a favorite of the state's hard-line conservative wing over his socially moderate positions, which he adopted during almost a decade as a congressman on the North Shore before winning election to the Senate. But his Senate victory came in a nonpresidential election year, and Kirk's perceived electoral vulnerability this year is evidenced by the fact that three Democrats are vying for the party's nomination for his seat U.S. Rep. Tammy Duckworth, former Chicago Urban League chief Andrea Zopp and state Sen. Napoleon Harris. Kirk, a former Navy reservist, has sought to stake out as re-election themes a hard line on national security and refugee immigration, and opposition to the U.S.-led multinational nuclear development agreement with Iran. But that tack could be upended by the politically polarized debate over an Obama appointment to the Supreme Court, which itself appears largely polarized ideologically between four liberal justices and four conservatives. "Sen. Mark Kirk must immediately level with the people of Illinois and let us know whether he supports the Constitution, or if he'll be a rubber stamp for (Senate Republican leader) Mitch McConnell's obstructionist and unconstitutional gambit," Duckworth said. Advertisement Duckworth said taking the congressional oath of office "does not cease to apply in an election year, nor does it cease to exist for the benefit of a political party that lost the last presidential election and wishes to impose a procedural do-over." Kirk does face a GOP primary challenger, James Marter, an information technology consultant from Oswego. Marter is appealing to the GOP's conservatives but has displayed little beyond token support or money. "Mr. Kirk has breached the trust of the people of Illinois and his party far too often, doing great harm to our country," Marter warned while saying he supported Senate GOP efforts to block any Obama appointment. Kirk has a big money advantage over all of his rivals in the race and also has the support of Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner. Several former Kirk staffers are top aides for the governor. Illinois has witnessed one senator's political career derailed by a Supreme Court nomination. When the late Democratic Sen. Alan Dixon backed Republican President George H.W. Bush's successful nomination of conservative Clarence Thomas to the high court, then-Cook County Recorder of Deeds Carol Moseley Braun got into the 1992 primary and won a three-way contest before triumphing in the general election. "Of course I was beat because I voted for Clarence Thomas," Dixon said in an interview connected with the 2013 release of his biography, "The Gentleman from Illinois." Advertisement The Senate seat held by Dixon, then Braun, eventually went to Obama and is now held by Kirk. rap30@aol.com Jaime Arellano during an interview in the visitor's room at the Wynne Unit of the Texas prison system in Huntsville, Texas. (Pat Sullivan / AP) One 16-year-old drove drunk, ran a red light and crashed into a pregnant woman's car, killing her and her unborn child. Another drunken teenager rammed a pickup truck into a crowd of people assisting a stranded driver, killing four. Jaime Arellano went to prison. Ethan Couch went free. Advertisement The stories of the two Texas teens illustrate how prosecutors' decisions in similar cases can lead to wildly different outcomes. The poor immigrant from Mexico has been behind bars for almost a decade. The white kid with rich parents got 10 years of probation. Couch lost control as he drove his family's pickup truck back to a party where he and some friends had been playing beer pong and drinking beer that some of them had stolen from Wal-Mart. The vehicle veered into a crowd of people helping the driver on the side of the road. Authorities later estimated that he was going 70 mph in a 40 mph zone. Advertisement The crash fatally injured the stranded motorist, a youth minister who stopped to help her and a mother and daughter who came out of their nearby home. But prosecutors in Fort Worth said they didn't ask to have his case moved to the adult system because they thought the judge would refuse. Instead, he stayed in juvenile court and became infamous for his psychologist's assertion that his wealthy parents coddled him into a sense of irresponsibility the psychologist called "affluenza." Arellano was charged with intoxication manslaughter and intoxication assault, the same counts against Couch. But prosecutors in Arellano's case moved quickly after his June 2007 crash to send him to adult court. Arellano took a plea deal and got 20 years in prison, where he remains today. Sending Arellano's case to the adult system opened the door to the kind of punishment many say Couch should have received from the beginning. Matt Bingham, the Smith County district attorney and head of the office that prosecuted Arellano, declined to comment on Couch's case but said he considered adult prison to be a fair option for any teenager who has killed someone. Juveniles don't always commit "what people think of as juvenile crimes," Bingham said. "There is an appropriate punishment for what they have done. And the fact that they're 16 years of age doesn't negate that." Arellano could never have argued he had "affluenza." Arellano and his family crossed the U.S.-Mexico border illegally two years before the crash and settled in East Texas. He spoke little English and had little knowledge of the court system. Five months before the crash, he dropped out of high school. Advertisement Now 24, he spoke to The Associated Press about his case from behind a narrow glass partition at a Texas prison. Wearing a white inmate uniform, he spoke in soft, accented English that he said he learned while in prison. Arellano had his first beer at 15 and had driven drunk a few times before. His parents tried to stop him from driving under the influence, but he said he wouldn't listen. "They talked to me way too many times," he said. "But I just didn't want to hear it." On the night of June 23, 2007, Arellano was driving an SUV through Tyler, about 100 miles east of Dallas, on his way to a party. He had an open beer and several more in a cooler. Witnesses saw him swerve through the intersection and slam into a Ford Mustang making a left turn ahead, according to police reports. Driving the Mustang was Martha Mondragon, a 31-year-old woman who was nine months' pregnant. Mondragon and the child she was carrying were killed. Her 6-year-old daughter flew out of her booster seat and through a car window. She was hospitalized and survived. Advertisement Prosecutors quickly sought to have Arellano's case moved to adult court, and a judge agreed. At that point, Arellano faced two choices: a plea deal with the promise of 20 years in prison and possible parole after a decade, or a jury trial in one of the most conservative regions of the United States and the risk of 50 years in prison. He took the plea. While he once thought he might have gotten probation if he were white, Arellano said he doesn't feel that way today. "I know it was serious," he said. "It had to happen this way so I could better myself, so I could think better." Arellano becomes eligible for parole next year. Once released, he expects to be deported to Mexico, where he hopes to work on a ranch. Couch faces possible detention for violating his probation when he returns to court on Feb. 19. Depending on the judge's ruling, he could get three months in jail and adult probation, which if violated could land him in prison for up to 40 years. Advertisement In the juvenile system, intoxication manslaughter cases in Texas over the last decade were just as likely to result in probation as they are detention, according to figures from the Texas Juvenile Justice Department. Juvenile justice experts say the state's juvenile system places more weight on rehabilitation than the adult system, where punishments are tougher. Since 2005, Texas has prosecuted 38 juveniles for intoxication manslaughter or intoxication assault. Only three were sent to the adult system, and half of all cases resulted in probation of some kind. Those numbers do not include juveniles who commit similar offenses but might be charged with different crimes or cases not reported by local authorities to the state. Once juveniles are in detention, it's more likely than not that they will go free when they turn 19. Only 33 percent of all juvenile offenders are sent to adult prison, according to a study of juvenile sentencing conducted by the University of North Texas professor Chad Trulson. Trulson said a probation sentence for killing four people might seem "absurd" to the average person. But in the juvenile system, he said, that type of sentence for intoxication manslaughter and potentially more serious offenses "is probably more typical than we would think." Advertisement Associated Press MORELIA, Mexico Pope Francis urged Mexico's young people to resist the lure of easy money from dealing drugs and instead value themselves during a visit Tuesday to the heartland of the nation's narcotics trade. "Jesus, who gives us hope, would never ask us to be hit men," he said. Francis brought a message of hope to Mexico's next generation during a youth pep rally in Morelia, capital of Michoacan state, a major methamphetamine production hub and drug-trafficking route. Advertisement It was by far the most colorful event of his visit, featuring butterfly-winged dancers and mariachi bands and a crowd so enthusiastic that Francis got pulled over by people grabbing at him. Improvising at times from his text, Francis told the crowd that he understood that for young Mexicans it was difficult to feel their worth "when you are continually exposed to the loss of friends or relatives at the hands of the drug trade, of drugs themselves, of criminal organizations that sow terror." Advertisement But, he insisted, by following Christ they would find the strength to say "it is a lie to believe that the only way to live, or to be young, is to entrust yourselves to drug dealers or others who do nothing but sow destruction and death." Francis offered a similar appeal to Mexican priests and nuns during a Mass earlier in the day in a Morelia stadium. There, he told the country's clerics that they must fight injustice and not resign themselves to the drug-fueled violence and corruption around them. "What temptation can come to us from places often dominated by violence, corruption, drug trafficking, disregard for human dignity and indifference in the face of suffering and vulnerability? What temptation might we suffer over and over again when faced with this reality, which seems to have become a permanent system?" Francis asked. "I think we can sum it up in one word: resignation." It was a clear reference to the situation in Michoacan as well as the nation at large, where gangs and drug lords have thrived thanks in part to the complicity of police and other public authorities. That corruption came to light most recently in the case of drug lord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman, who escaped for a second time from a maximum security prison in July, and was recaptured after an October meeting with actor Sean Penn. While Francis gave a message of hope to residents of Morelia, his visit was also a symbolic vote of confidence for the city's archbishop, Alberto Suarez Inda. Like Francis, Suarez Inda has called for Mexican bishops to be closer to their people and not act like bureaucrats or princes. Last year Francis made him a cardinal an unambiguous sign that Francis wants "peripheral" pastors like Suarez Inda at the helm of the church hierarchy. Since beginning his Mexico trip Friday night, Francis has repeatedly taken to task the Mexican church leadership, many of whom are closely linked to Mexico's political and financial elite and are loath to speak out on behalf of the poor and victims of social injustice. Advertisement "Sometimes the violence has made us give up, either out of discouragement, habit or fear," said Fausto Mendez, a 23-year-old seminarian who attended Tuesday's Mass. "That's why the pope comes to tell us not to be afraid to do the right thing." "Although he spoke strongly to the bishops, it was also directed at us," said Uriel Perez, 20-year-old seminarian at Tuesday's Mass. "Because the pope is demanding and he wants us to be prepared and on the streets shoulder to shoulder with our flock." Priests have also been victims of the violence. Since 1988, 38 priests have been killed and two more are missing, according to the Catholic Multimedia Center, which tracks violence against religious people in Mexico. Twenty-eight were killed since 2006, half of them in regions plagued by drug violence, including Michoacan , Guerrero and Veracruz, including some who suffered signs of torture. Much of Michoacan is part of a region called Tierra Caliente, or the Hot Lands, known for both its blistering temperatures and brutal tactics by gangsters eager to control lucrative drug-production territory and smuggling routes. By 2013, the pseudo-religious Knights Templar cartel was widely kidnapping and extorting money and dominating the state's economic and political scene, so much so that local farmers took up arms against them. But the uprising by the vigilante-style "self-defense" forces brought little peace to the state, with the groups fighting among themselves even as new criminal gangs sprang up. "I'm excited about the pope's visit, but the reality is that people are afraid. Right now there is a festive atmosphere and a lot of police, but in the day-to-day it's not that calm. Crime has risen," said Yulisa Duran, an 18-year-old nursing student sitting with her boyfriend in Morelia's main square. Advertisement As Francis entered the final stretch of his five-day trip to Mexico, his motivations for coming became clear. For starters, it's likely the trip might not have taken place at all, at least now, had Francis not needed to be in the region for his historic encounter Friday with the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, a meeting months' in the making. It's also clear that Francis has some serious issues with the Mexican church hierarchy, which, for its part, also has some issues with him. In coming to Mexico, the pope did it on his own terms: Praying at the shrine of the Virgin of Guadalupe and visiting the most impoverished and crime-ridden areas, rewarding "his" bishops with his presence and sending a message to others with carefully chosen words and deeds. He scolded church leaders for being too tied to their own privilege and power while staying quiet as their people suffer. He urged seminarians to be pastors of God and not "clerics of the state." He prayed at the tomb of Samuel Ruiz, a bishop who was a thorn in the side of the Mexican hierarchy for his defense of the indigenous. What Francis didn't do is also significant: He did not hold any public event in Mexico City, domain of the conservative Cardinal Norberto Rivera Carrera, and cancelled a scheduled cultural encounter. It seems the frosty sentiment is mutual: When he came to the historic center for his meeting with the Mexican president and bishops, the central Zocalo square was oddly empty. Francis wraps up his five-day visit on Wednesday by traveling to Ciudad Juarez, across from El Paso, Texas, for a cross-border Mass expected to focus heavily on the plight of migrants. Associated Press Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagan, from left, Chief Justice John Roberts, Justice Anthony Kennedy, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Justice Stephen Breyer, and Justice Sonia Sotomayor arrive before President Barack Obama delivers the State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2016. (Evan Vucci, AP) "We've always gone through periods when our democracy seems stuck. And when that happens, we have to find a new way of doing business. We're in one of those moments." President Barack Obama, Springfield, Feb. 10, 2016. Advertisement When President Obama uttered those words in Illinois last week, urging bipartisan cooperation, he could not have guessed how relevant they would soon become or how quickly they would be disregarded. The death of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, alas, quickly sent partisans to their battle stations. Republicans vowed to block any nominee, arguing that the decision should not be made by a lame-duck president. Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid retorted, "Failing to fill this vacancy would be a shameful abdication of one of the Senate's most essential constitutional responsibilities." Advertisement The president has indicated he will submit a nomination. The question is: What kind? If Obama is sincere in his wish for a new spirit of compromise, he can demonstrate it, and perhaps inspire it, by looking for someone acceptable to reasonable people on either side of the aisle. Senate Republicans don't hold all the cards here. If they appear obstructionist, they could not only damage the GOP presidential nominee but torpedo some of the incumbent Republican senators facing re-election this year including Mark Kirk of Illinois. Republican leader Mitch McConnell has to wonder whether holding to a hard line on the court vacancy could mean losing the Senate. Obama obviously is not going to win over the opposition party with a liberal dream candidate the Democratic version of Scalia. If he is to have any hope of getting his nominee approved, the candidate will have to be a Democratic version of John Roberts or Anthony Kennedy experienced, respected legal figures who, from their records, could not be counted as automatic votes for one side. What Obama should be looking for is someone who sees the role of a justice much like Roberts outlined it in his confirmation hearings: "Judges are like umpires. Umpires don't make the rules; they apply them. The role of an umpire and a judge is critical. They make sure everybody plays by the rules, but it is a limited role." Roberts and Kennedy, appointed by Republican presidents, have sometimes disappointed Republicans. There is no shortage of candidates who would verify Obama's willingness to meet the other side halfway. One is Sri Srinivasan, who served in the Solicitor General's Office under President George W. Bush and Obama and was confirmed for the Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit by a unanimous vote of the Senate. Another is Merrick Garland, chief judge of that court, who is considered a moderate. Or the president could break the usual mold of candidates and choose someone from elective office say Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., a former prosecutor and member of the Judiciary Committee known for working with Republicans, or Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., who calls himself a "radical centrist." Maybe the White House has in mind other prospects of this sort who would actually have a prayer of getting through the Senate. Republicans would be forced to choose between a comparative centrist now and a staunch liberal next year, if Hillary Clinton or Bernie Sanders is elected. Obama could boast that rather than make a partisan selection to please his Democratic base, he's nominating someone who at times may surprise and even flummox him in the coming decades. Just as Justices Roberts and Kennedy at times have surprised and flummoxed Republicans. The alternative for Obama is to choose an unmistakable liberal for symbolic or ideological reasons. We realize suggesting that he do otherwise asks him to buck his political instincts. Many Democrats will be peeved if he doesn't choose someone in the mold of his earlier nominees now on the court, the usually reliable liberals Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan. Advertisement Sure, Obama's submission of a doomed choice now could be used to tar the GOP as intransigent and rally the Democratic faithful on behalf of the party's presidential nominee. By taking that route, though, Obama would not only assure a protracted vacancy on the court but drive a bigger wedge between the two parties on Capitol Hill. If he wants to establish "a new way of doing business," this is his chance. Follow the Editorial Board on Twitter @Trib_Ed_Board and on Facebook. No, no, no, no. Its a nice thought, but Illinois should not make President Barack Obamas birthday a legal holiday. Longtime readers will know this is nothing personal against Obama, whom Ive generally supported since he began running for the U.S. Senate in early 2003. Given his history in Chicago and Illinois I think we should ultimately rename an area expressway in his honor and probably a few other things as well. But we already have enough paid holidays for state workers 13 during major election years and lawmakers ought to reject a Democratic proposal in Springfield ( House Bill 4654 ) to make Aug. 4, Obamas birthday, another one. Government holidays, when most of the rest of us go about our usual business but public offices and facilities shut down so employees can have the day off, are a pain. And theyre costly. The State Journal-Register reports that it costs Missouri $1.2 million in overtime and compensatory time payments each May 8 in order to formally observe Truman Day in honor of Harry Truman, the only president to hail from the state. And the only other state to devote a special legal holiday to a favorite son is Texas, which observes Lyndon B. Johnson day every August 27. An Obama high school, state park, college or government building? Yes, yes, yes and yes. But a holiday? No, no, no, no. Can wine and cheese help fight the impact of the emerald ash borer? A Geneva committee certainly hopes so. The fifth annual Wine, Cheese & Trees fundraiser will take place from 7 to 10 p.m. March 5 at the Persinger Recreation Center, 3507 Kaneville Road in Geneva. Advertisement The event is being hosted by the city of Geneva's Natural Resources Committee. The group has pledged to use event proceeds toward a city parkway reforestation program called the Greening Geneva initiative. Like many communities in the Chicago area, Geneva lost a number of ash trees due to the emerald ash borer infestation, city officials said. The city has removed more than 2,700 of the 2,800 infected parkway ash trees during the past several years. Advertisement To date, the committee has donated $20,000 to the city to purchase and plant 60 new trees in downtown Geneva. The committee is hoping to raise another $20,000 at the March 5 fundraiser. The committee also is looking at additional opportunities to educate the community about the importance of trees in an urban environment. Committee members will be visiting Geneva schools and planting oak trees with students, committee officials sad. At the March 5 event, wine will be paired with cheese, appetizers and desserts from local merchants. The evening also will feature a silent auction, live music, a live auction and more. Tickets can be purchased for $30 or four tickets for $100 at the Geneva Wine Cellars and Tasting Room, 227 S. Third St.; Geneva Chamber of Commerce, 8 S. Third St.; or online at squareup.com/store/GenevaNRC. For more information on the Wine, Cheese & Trees fundraiser, contact Natural Resources Committee Chairman Jay Womack at 630-299-9945 or email him at jwomack@wrdenvironmental.com. "He genuinely cared about people," and "always did the right thing," says Ferrelli, adding that those characteristics were not just evident in the way he conducted himself as a soldier but in his devotion to wife Joan "he lived for my mom," and to his four sons who, like the Marmion students he taught, respected his "tough but fair" approach when it came to life's lessons. Emcees Nick Coy and Sahiil Chatterji started the 2014 show by faking as the first models. (Geoff Scheerer / Pioneer Press) As juniors at Barrington High School in 2012, twin sisters Ashley and Courtney Quigley started a volunteer nonprofit that helps build homes for the needy in Guatemala City. Named Hope's In, the group today has brought more than 145 volunteers to the city, built 13 homes and hosted three weeks of medical clinics, Courtney Quigley said in an email. Advertisement Hope's In works with Potter's House Association, another nonprofit that assists the Guatemalans with many needed services, Ashley Quigley said, such as building homes and training adults to start businesses, among other services. Ashley explained the Guatemalans there live in "a garbage dump community," where they scavenge for anything they can find in the dump to eat, sell or remake to sell later. Advertisement "Like old dolls. About 13,000 people live there and the huge dump is in a ravine," Ashley Quigley said, estimating its size at about 40 acres. "I've been on the grounds before. It's nothing like I've seen before. You're first hit by the odor of rotten trash." Ashley Quigley is currently studying international relations at Instituto de Empresa, a business school in Madrid. "You close your eyes and blink, but it's still there. You can't escape the odor," she said. "When I graduate with a bachelor's degree, I really want to work with some nonprofit organization. Something really hands on and making a difference." Courtney Quigley is studying nonprofit organization management at New York University, Ashley said, and minoring in Spanish. After starting Hope's In, the sisters decided they needed a big, local event to raise funds for the organization's beneficial efforts. They came up with the "Hope's in Style" fundraiser, and the fourth annual event is scheduled for 1 p.m. Feb. 21 at Stonegate Conference & Banquet Centre, 2401 W. Higgins Road, Hoffman Estates. Jim and Jennifer Quigley are the sisters' parents. They said the fundraiser has collected a total of $110,000 to date and should bring in $75,000 this year. Advertisement "The $75,000 should be enough to build 10 homes," Jennifer Quigley said. "And people who attend the fundraiser can expect to see a whole fashion show," she added. Courtney Quigley is the guest speaker, as well as Kylie Mena, who will be attending medical school this fall at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Jennifer Quigley said. "Kylie is part of the medical team that goes to Guatemala City. In behalf of the team, she will speak at the fundraiser on the medical projects there," Jennifer Quigley said. Tickets for Hope's In Style are $35 for adults and $25 for students. A cash bar is available and appetizers and desserts will be served. A live auction of the clothing is planned and Bulls and Cubs tickets will be auctioned off, Jim Quigley said, as well as a hunting trip to Nebraska and a vacation home stay in Boca Grande, Fla. Advertisement Laura Mena, a senior at Barrington High School, is the event chairwoman. Laura, who is Kylie's sister, said the clothing stylists are students at the high school and students throughout Barrington School District 220 are modeling clothes. tshields@pioneerlocal.com Twitter: @tshields19 The 14th annual Homewood Chocolate Fest, which takes place Feb. 20 at Homewood-Flossmoor Park District Auditorium in Homewood, includes a variety of sweets, desserts and gourmet baked goods. (Photo courtesy of the village of Homewood) When it comes to sweet treats, chocolate tends to top many people's lists. Presented by the village of Homewood, the 14th annual Homewood Chocolate Fest takes place Saturday at Homewood-Flossmoor Park District Auditorium in Homewood. Advertisement "By mid-February people have cabin fever. Chocolate Fest is a wonderful opportunity to meet up with friends, learn of different chocolates and also make these scrumptious purchases," said Allisa Opyd, community events manager for the village of Homewood. "It's a good opportunity to learn especially with these baking demonstrations and to have an opportunity to learn what the latest trends are in the confectionery industry." Advertisement Erica Oktayuren, pastry chef at La Voute Bistro + Bar in Homewood, presents two demonstrations: one on how to make chocolate macarons and another about making chocolate mousse. "Sometimes people look at some of these different demonstrations and say, 'Oh gosh, this is going to be very overwhelming.' We always have demonstrations that people can learn and try at home," said Opyd, of Homewood. Professional and amateur bakers compete in the annual chocolate bake-off contest for the Home Sweet Homewood's master pastry chef title. "Everyone has a favorite recipe. This gives the public an opportunity to showcase and also vie for that wonderful title of first-, second- or third-place bake-off champion," Opyd said. "What we do find is that really everyone lines up for the sampling of the bake-off challenge recipes. People get to taste these wonderful, decadent desserts for a small donation," she said. Hosted by the Homewood Community Relations Commission, the competition offers public tastings to benefit South Suburban Humane Society, an animal shelter in Chicago Heights. Festival vendors include Bakewell Bakery from Homewood, Fabulously Sweet Creations from Markham, Pretzel Bizzare from Oak Forest and Short & Sweet Tasty Treats' Vintage Candy Apples from Homer Glen. "It's amazing because they're really spread out all over. We've got vendors coming in from Indiana, La Grange, Naperville, Oak Park, etc., so actually we're very fortunate to have so many wonderful vendors joining us in Homewood," Opyd said. Advertisement "We do bring in so many people ready to come out, taste and purchase chocolate. This gives them an opportunity to promote their wonderful recipes." In conjunction with the fest, Downtown Homewood Business Association hosts "Taste of Chocolate Around the World," featuring tastings and discounts at participating downtown-area businesses. Passports for this activity are available at the fest for a $1 donation. Homewood Chocolate Fest also features family-friendly attractions including the future Homewood Science Center presenting a science project about melting chocolate, the chance for children to decorate a take-home cooking apron and face painting. "It's a delicious, fun event," Opyd said. "It brings about 1,200 people out on a cold February day. We're really fortunate to have these great vendors joining us and great programming for the family." Daily Southtown Twice-weekly News updates from the south suburbs delivered every Monday and Wednesday > Jessi Virtusio is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown. Homewood Chocolate Fest Advertisement When: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday Where: Homewood-Flossmoor Park District Auditorium, 2010 Chestnut Road, Homewood Admission: Free Information: 708-798-3000 or www.homesweethomewood.com Etc.: Presented by the village of Homewood Brian Jones Sr. and his daughter Qur'Annah Jones at the Lincoln-Way North High School National Honor Society induction ceremony. Jones is a senior who was recently chosen as a semi-finalist in Operation Homefront's 2016 Military Child of the Year competition. (Handout) Lincoln-Way North High School senior Qur'Annah Jones, 18, has been selected as a semifinalist in Operation Homefront's "2016 Military Child of the Year" competition, according to the organization. Operation Homefront is a national nonprofit organization "dedicated to building strong, stable and secure military families," the group added. Advertisement Jones was among 500 applicants for the award and is now among 90 semifinalists, 15 from each of the six branches of military service. Six winners will each receive a $10,000 award, a laptop computer and a trip April 14 with a parent or guardian to Washington, D.C. for the awards ceremony and gala. Jones lives with her parents Brian and Genelle and her brother, Brian, Jr., 8, in their Frankfort Square home. She credits her father's "impeccable service" in the Coast Guard for allowing her the opportunity to compete for the award. Advertisement But Jones can give herself a pat on the back, as well. Her record of accomplishments and participation in school, community and church events reflects the leadership, volunteerism, scholarship and other criteria, which the Military Child of the Year applicants will be assessed. Jones said in 2013 and 2014 she organized a "Halloween Spooktacular" for children at Plank Trail Park in the Plank Trail Estates subdivision. Jones said she collected candy and decorations from people in the surrounding neighborhoods, decorated the park's gazebo and distributed candy to the children as a Halloween event. Jones said she has also been a member of the girls' group Building Relationships of Integrity Delivering God's Encouragement to Sisters (BRIDGES) at the Apostolic Church of God in Chicago. She is a former member of the Delta Sigma Theta GEMS program, which encourages the growth and empowerment of young women, she said. Her academic record at Lincoln-Way North High School in Frankfort is a solid one. Jones, who has a GPA of 3.71 on a 4.0 scale, was selected as a member the National Honor Society, the French National Honor Society and the Scholastic Bowl team. She said she has also been a member of the Future Business Leaders of America and Coexist, a multicultural club. Jones also participated on the varsity track and field team during her freshman and sophomore years. Jones has been accepted at Clark Atlanta University in Atlanta, Ga., and the University of Illinois at Chicago. She plans to major in English but has not yet decided whether she will pursue a career in teaching or journalism. "When I just had a real heart-to-heart with myself, I was thinking 'Okay, what's something I've always been good at, and that's English,'" Jones said. "Sometimeswe get ahead of ourselves and think we just need to do something because it sounds cool or we have a lot of friends who are interested in it, but I've always had the grades and the drive for English." Daily Southtown Twice-weekly News updates from the south suburbs delivered every Monday and Wednesday > It makes sense that doing well in English classes comes easily to her. Advertisement Jones said her love of reading, especially the works of Mildred D. Taylor, author of the award-winning "Roll of Thunder, Hear my Cry," have made a deep impression on her. Jones said she is often able to "understand what the author was trying to say . . ." Interestingly, Jones' first name -- Qur'Annah -- means "she who reads and seeks to interpret," she said. "I love reading. I would spend as much of my time reading for as long as I can remember in school," Jones said. "Instead of doing class work, I'd have a book cracked open. Reading is just a huge part of my life." Jones said if she is a winner in the 2016 Military Child of the Year competition she will use the award for her college education. "I'm very grateful to Operation Homefront for this opportunity," Jones said. "When I was first made aware that I was a semifinalist, I was ecstatic." Ginger Brashinger is a freelance writer for the Daily Southtown. The Long Red Line uses scarves to support victims of interpersonal violence. Participants are invited to show their support to end violence, using scarves they have made themselves. (Janelle Walker / The Courier-News) Gretchen Vapnar, executive director of the Elgin Community Crisis Center, remembers calling into a Chicago radio station after the host had blamed a victim for her rape because she was wearing pink hot pants. Vapnar told the host her story of seeing a beautiful piece of jewelry in a Michigan Avenue window. The gold and diamond bracelet was lighted to show how it sparkled, was draped in blue velvet, and made so the person seeing it would want it. So she broke the window. Advertisement "That display was intended to make me want that bracelet, so I took it," Vapnar says. Of course, anyone knows that committing a crime and taking the jewelry is not OK, but sexual assault is the same thing, she explained. Advertisement "I have to tell that story to friends, family and strangers, but I love to see the light go on," Vapnar said. "It is not her clothes, or not how attractive she is, or where she is walking or if she is walking alone. None of those things are the cause of assault or domestic violence. "There is only one cause of violence. That is the choice and decision of the perpetrator," Vapnar said. Vapnar's story, and the experiences of others who work with young people, domestic violence and sexual assault victims, and some victims themselves, were among those told Sunday at the Centre of Elgin during the fourth annual "Long Red Line" event. About 50 people attended The Long Red Line Sunday at the Centre of Elgin, in support of One Billion Rising. The global event brings recognition to violence against women. (Janelle Walker / The Courier-News) The Elgin event is held in conjunction with One Billion Rising, an international campaign which unites women and their allies in resistance to rape and all forms of interpersonal violence, organizers said. According to the One Billion Rising website, "The campaign began as a call to action based on the staggering statistic that 1 in 3 women on the planet will be beaten or raped during her lifetime. With the world population at 7 billion, this adds up to more than one billion women and girls." In past years, the event was held outside at the Gail Borden Library. It was moved to the Centre in deference to the cold weather often expected in February, when the event is held. It isn't just women who are the victims of violence, organizers said. One in seven men can also expect to be a victim of rape at some point in his lifetime. But the only way to end violence is to talk about the causes and prevention, organizers said. Advertisement Traci Ellis, an attorney and Elgin School District U46 board member, is the assistant director at Northern Illinois University's Center for Affirmative Action & Equity Compliance. The legal system takes domestic violence much more seriously than it has in the past, since the Violence Against Women Act was passed in 1994, Ellis said. Before then, domestic violence was often considered a "family matter," she said. In Illinois and other states, there are orders of protection or no contact orders available for victims of assault, stalking and rape. "While these tools are far from perfect... they can be effective tools for stopping the violence," she said. Just the issuance, and then the enforcement of those orders, highlights the seriousness with which the legal system views violence, Ellis said. Advertisement "She has a right to be free from violence, and the community will not tolerate violence," Ellis said. "It is important to keep a full court press on brining attention to the issue of violence these are community issues that negatively affect the quality of life," in a community, she said. Still, she said, our society does a terrible job of blaming victims for their assaults. As part of her job handling sexual assault on campus and training on sexual assault on campus, she talks to young men and women about consent, Ellis said. "I am always amazed at how surprised they are," when talking about consent, she said. Even if the girl shows up drunk, and if they have had sex before, they still need to have consent, she tells them. Advertisement "We tell women dress better, don't show off your body, act appropriately. But the only thing that causes rape is rapists," she said. "We have to do a better job as a community to sending the message to women that you have a right to move about the cabin free from violence. You have a right to live free from violence, and we have to do a better job sending a message to the perpetrator that we don't tolerate that," she said. Janelle Walker is a freelance reporter. Thousands of years ago Chinese people created toys out of household items such as plates, jars and chairs, which they spun, juggled and balanced. Today this ancient art form is preserved by groups like the Peking Acrobats, who will perform Friday at CLC during their 30th anniversary year of touring the world to show off their athletic skills. Advertisement Professional musicians play colorful, decorated traditional Chinese instruments such as the er-hu, a stringed instrument with a sound resembling the mournful quality of a cello, while acrobats perform daring maneuvers atop a pagoda of chairs along with tumbling, juggling and contortionist feats. "Chinese acrobatics is so popular because it's got the wow factor," said Cynthia Dike-Hughes, co-producer of the Peking Acrobats, which is part of IAI Presentations, Inc. The company has offices in California, Moscow, Russia and China and tours with cultural productions. Advertisement "The Peking Acrobats is all about defying gravity and the laws of physics," Dike-Hughes said. "It's very eye catching and at the same time, it's also a beautiful art form to watch." Shows are often sold out, she said. Dike-Hughes said the producers work to maintain the purity of the Chinese acrobatic art from while inspiring the athletes to be creative. For example, there's the traditional high chair act, when performers balance on the tip of chairs layered 20 feet in the air with no safety lines and no wires. "They're balancing using all their body strength to keep them up there," she said. "But each performer brings his or her own personal stamp to the act, for example, the way they balance. One of our performers balances on the vertical. He's actually parallel to the stack chairs at one point. It's extremely frightening." That said, "we have minimal injuries." That's because the acrobats begin training at the age of 5 or 6 and are chosen based on their particular innate skills. The contortionist, for example, "has a certain suppleness to the muscles and tendons," she said. "The jugglers and the balancing people they have incredible hand-eye coordination." China has special schools to train the acrobats. Students study basic skills such as reading, writing and math in the morning, and in the afternoon, they hone their acrobatic craft. "They are trained on how to land on their feet, how to take care of their bodies and how to make sure they're warmed up." Advertisement What she loves most about working with the Peking Acrobats is that "the audience is so receptive and so responsive and they're so grateful to the performers for sharing their talent. It's very rewarding, moving." "They love coming to the U.S.," she said of the performers. "They see so much of the world. These are new experiences they can add to their resume. As athletes they have a short window of opportunity to be a performer. So being a part of the Peking Acrobats is a real honor for them." Sheryl DeVore is a freelance writer. Peking Acrobats 30th Anniversary Tour When: 8 p.m. Friday Where: James Lumber Center for the Performing Arts, CLC, 19351 W. Washington St., Grayslake Advertisement Tickets: $12-$45 Information: 847-543-2300; jlcenter.clcillinois.edu Because finding love can be just as difficult for dogs as it is for humans, Morton Grove's Wright-Way Rescue hoped it would be love at first bark for a group of adoptable rescue dogs looking for homes during the shelter's first annual Dog Speed Dating event on Feb. 12. For an hour Friday night, about 14 families looking for a new canine companion made their way around a circle in a back room in the shelter, where they spent three minutes with each of the 12 dogs that were chosen for the speed dating event. Participants rated the dogs based on personality, appearance, friendliness, and other factors before tallying up the scores and choosing the dog of their dreams. Advertisement While people stopped by the shelter all night to admire the puppies that occupy the cages in the front entrance of the shelter, Friday night was meant as a night for the older dogs to shine. All the dogs in the speed dating circle were chosen because of their older age, which usually makes it harder for them to find homes, according to Alisa Brill, executive director at Wright-Way Rescue. "Our eligible bachelors and bachelorettes are mostly adult dogs that have come from foster homes, and they're ready to go home," Brill said. "We thought this was a cute idea for Valentine's Day, to try to get these dogs into new homes by the end of the night." Advertisement Because some families were eyeing the same dogs after the rating cards were submitted, it was a nail-biter as guests waited for the shelter staff to pick the winners by drawing a number. Arlington Heights residents Megan Boedecker and Brennan Casey came to Dog Speed Dating to find their first dog together as a couple. It was love at first sight when they were introduced to a 3-year-old spaniel named Leilani, but they found themselves on edge at the end of the meet-and-greet when they discovered another family had also chosen her. "This feels like I'm a bachelorette waiting for a rose on 'The Bachelor,'" Boedecker said while the couple waited to hear whether Leilani would be going home with them. "Adopting is harder than you think because it gets frustrating when you find one you want and someone else adopts him. It was a happy ending for Boedecker and Casey, however. They ended up being chosen in the drawing and went home with Leilani that night. Another couple, Mark and Bonnie Roter of Highland Park, also went home happy with a mixed-breed dog named Ozzy. "We had a fantastic first night with him," Mark Roter said the following day. "We had been looking for a dog we'd connect with for a long time, and speed dating was an amazing idea." The frigid February temperatures Friday night may have kept some would-be speed dating attendees home. Out of about 20 families who pre-registered for the event about 14 showed up, according to Brill. The shelter's goal for the night was to make it as easy as possible for people to adopt. Guests could sign up on Facebook and filled out applications online so they would already be pre-approved if they selected a dog at the event. Chicago resident Dana Land heard about Dog Speed Dating on Facebook, and drove in from the city with her three friends to meet the adoptable dogs. Advertisement "I think this is a great ideait's a great way to highlight rescues," Land said. "I've been following (Wright-Way) for a while on Facebook, and I think this is a good shelter because the take good care of their animals." Wright-Way Rescue is one of several no-kill shelters in the state that work to collect animals from overpopulated shelters that euthanize animals when they run out of space to house them. The rescued animals are first brought to the shelter's sister location, Wright-Way Rescue Admissions & Care Center in downstate Murphysboro, Ill. before vans driven by volunteers bring them up to the Morton Grove shelter each week. The shelter is funded through private donations, adoption fees, and sales from an in-house pet supply store that opened last year, officials said. Some families arranged "second dates" to come back the following week with other pets to see how they would interact together. Six dogs were adopted after the Friday night event, Brill said Monday. Natalie Hayes is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press. Four US journalists arrested in Bahrain while covering the anniversary of the island nation's 2011 uprising were charged, released and heading for the airport on Tuesday to fly out of the country, a lawyer said. Feb. 16, 2016. (AP) (Associated Press) A family member said that local journalist Anna Therese Day was released Tuesday after authorities in the Persian Gulf nation of Bahrain arrested her while she reported on a protest there on Sunday. "We're very happy about it," her sister Molly Day said of the decision to release Anna Day. Advertisement Anna Day graduated in 2006 from Carmel Catholic High School in Mundelein, according to her sister, and they both grew up in Kildeer. Her professional website features freelance reporting published by Mashable, The Daily Beast, CNN and The Huffington Post, among others. "She's absolutely passionate about her work," her sister said. "She's always been a fierce defender of human rights." Advertisement Anna Therese Day (Molly Day / Handout) Bahrain is an island nation near Saudi Arabia, and the Feb. 14 protest there was organized as a five-year anniversary of a 2011 attempted democratic uprising. The 2011 protests in Bahrain were driven by the country's Shiite majority, who demanded greater political rights from the Sunni-led monarchy. Police there said they detained four Americans for providing "false information that they were tourists," also alleging that one had taken part in an attack on its officers. Anna Day was named as one of the four detainees. Bahrain requires international journalists to get special media visas before entering to work, and the island kingdom allows tourist visas but Bahrain has often denied media visas since the 2011 protests. Molly Day said her sister is now out of Bahrain but not yet in a stable location. "The U.S. Embassy was instrumental in working with the authorities in Bahrain to secure her release," Molly Day said. This is not Anna Day's first experience reporting overseas, her sister said. "She has extensively covered the Middle East over the past five years," Molly Day said. "She has written about Egypt, Israel, Palestine, Jordan, Syria, Bahrain and other countries." Molly Day said her sister has experienced pushback from foreign officials in the past, but has never experienced a similar detention. Advertisement "She manages to make the family a little nervous with her coverage, but we're all extremely proud of her," Molly Day said. "She loves her work and she's giving a voice to those who otherwise might not be heard." Tribune wire services contributed to this report. rkambic@pioneerlocal.com Twitter: @Rick_Kambic Ralph Farbman is accused of flashing police-style red and blue lights to try to pull over a woman in Norridge. (Norridge police / Handout) A Chicago man accused of flashing police-style red and blue lights to try to pull over a woman after she left a Norridge gas station in December has pleaded not guilty to charges of impersonating a police officer. Ralph Farbman, 59, of the 5300 block of North Cumberland Avenue, entered the not guilty plea during his arraignment Jan. 28 before Cook County Circuit Judge Bridget Hughes at the Third Municipal District Rolling Meadows Courthouse. Advertisement Farbman has been out of jail with an electronic monitoring bracelet since Dec. 24, 10 days after police said he flashed a badge and identified himself as a federal law enforcement agent to a woman pumping gas on Dec. 14 at about 9:30 p.m. at the Shell gas station on Cumberland and Foster avenues. Police said Farbman pulled up next to the woman while she was parked at the gas pump and asked her where she was going. She became scared and started to drive away, police said, but he began following her in his 2001 Mercedes SUV. Advertisement She was stopped at a red light in the left turn lane at Foster Avenue waiting to turn north onto Cumberland when Farbman pulled up behind her and flashed his red and blue lights in an attempt to get her to pull over, according to a police report. When she kept driving, he turned on his lights again after several more blocks before turning off into a parking lot off of Cumberland, the police report said. The woman then drove onto the highway and continued driving around because she was afraid he would follow her home, the police report said. When reached by phone, Farbman told Pioneer Press that he carries a badge for his private investigating business. "I'm an investigator, and I have a badge that says 'chief investigative officer,'" he said. "The person who saw the badge misread it the wrong way it is legitimate." Farbman also confirmed to the Pioneer Press that he turned on his lights, which he said are from a light manufacturing business he works for in Wisconsin. An employee at the Shell gas station told police that Farbman comes into the station regularly and tells people he's a U.S. Marshal, according to the police report. Farbman was arrested at the gas station four days after the incident when an employee called Norridge police to tell them he had returned. According to police, the employee said Farbman hangs out at the gas station every day, and is "constantly turning the lights on and flashing them at customers, like a joke," according to the report. He also would flash his badge and identify himself as a police officer and ask the gas station clerk for free food, police said. Advertisement Farbman later told police that he flashes his lights for his friends at the gas station "because they like it," police said. He admitted to flashing his lights at the woman Dec. 14 but said it was "just to say hello," police said. He declined to comment when asked by the Pioneer Press whether he followed the woman and turned on the lights in an attempt to pull her over. He was carrying a gold and silver badge inscribed with the words "Chief Investigator/Investigative Legal Consultants" on it when he was arrested, police said. Farbman has a revoked concealed carry permit and is a convicted felon, according to police. Police also said he does not hold a private investigator's license. Attorney Rachel Baker from the Cook County Public Defender's office was appointed to represent Farbman in court. A status hearing for his case is scheduled for March 29 at 9:30 a.m. in room 110 at the Rolling Meadows Courthouse, 2121 Euclid Ave. Advertisement Natalie Hayes is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press. From left, at the Feb. 10, 2016 Ridgewood High School History Fair, are Josh Bortis, Daniel Shabat and Stavros Velasco, all from Norridge and Leigh School eighth-graders. Their saddle, borrowed from a teacher, helped to explain their project about the Pony Express. (Karie Angell Luc / Pioneer Press) What does 9/11 mean to a teenager born just weeks after Sept. 11, 2001? The collapse of the World Trade Center and the Nov. 13, 2015 terrorist attacks in Paris, France prompted the discussion Feb. 10's History Fair at Ridgewood High School in Norridge. Advertisement "It was a tragedy," said Brendan Burns, 14, a Giles School eighth-grader, who was born in October of 2001. "I don't know why they did it, it was just disappointing," he said, of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Advertisement Brendan, an exhibitor, collaborated with Lance Juridico, 14, and Taki Tselepatiotis, 13, all of Norridge, who were among eighth-graders competing in the fair. Their project, about the deliberate sinking of the RMS Lusitania ocean liner in 1915, was among nearly 125 projects evaluated by 40 judges. Eighth-graders who placed were recognized with certificates. While the Lusitania event happened roughly 100 years ago, the shock factor felt before 1918 likely contributed to starting World War I, Taki said, adding events such as last November's Paris attacks compare with emotions in these times. "It just shook me how someone could ruin something so beautiful and amazing," Taki said, about Paris. Union Ridge School of Harwood Heights and Giles School plus Leigh School, both of Norridge, participated in the second annual fair. "We're really so very excited to have all three grammar schools at our fair," said Lee Ann Rutherford, history fair coordinator and Ridgewood High School social studies instructor. Of documenting history: "It's important to care now more than ever," she said. Ridgewood High School juniors competed for separate distinction. Selected RHS qualifiers could move on to the Chicago Metro History Education Center's Chicago Metro History Fair regionals, with a possibility for state competition in Springfield. Last year, Ridgewood High School appeared downstate. Advertisement Sebastian Wozniakowski, 18, a Ridgewood senior from Norridge, traveled to Springfield last May. His project was based on Upton Sinclair's Chicago meatpacking novel, "The Jungle." "Being a state finalist and being able to go to Springfield, it was an amazing opportunity for me to showcase my knowledge and to present a piece of Chicago history that still impacts laws about public health and safety nationwide. "History makes us who we are today," said Wozniakowski, a Feb. 10 history fair judge. The national competition takes place this June in Maryland. "We are very hopeful we will have students go to nationals and we are very impressed with the students' work this year," Rutherford said. Showing work at the History Fair is itself an accomplishment, said Harwood Heights Mayor Arlene Jezierny, an event judge. Advertisement "These exhibits are amazing," said Jezierny. "Many of these children were born after major things happened and studying our past is to understand what our country had to go through and how it evolved." Stavros Velasco, 14, Josh Bortis, 14, and Daniel Shabat, 13, all of Norridge and Leigh School eighth-graders, profiled the Pony Express. "I like adventures," said Josh, who chose the topic, getting Stavros and Daniel interested. Their display included a saddle provided by a supporter. "There were all of these obstacles that they [Pony Express riders] had to cross that made it very difficult, like blizzards," Josh said. "They were willing to risk their lives every day," Daniel said. Advertisement With the arrival of reliable telegraph technology, the need slowed for horse-driven mail delivery. Groups formed around the Pony Express table where the three teenagers answered questions. "I'm just grateful for the opportunity they gave us," Josh said, thanking history fair organizers. The coordinating eighth-grade teachers included Dave Roselund of Giles School, Jason Pomponi of Leigh School and Dan Chambers of Union Ridge School. "It's a great experience and for a lot of them, it's really the first research project they've done," Roselund said. "I'm very proud of them," Chambers said. "They took a lot of pride in their projects and put so much time into them." Advertisement "For me, it was an opportunity to delve into subjects they were really interested in," Pomponi said. "Some of them came down to the wire, but I'm very impressed," Pomponi added with a smile. Karie Angell Luc is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press. There have been more than 80 salon burglaries in the Chicago area since last August. Feb. 15, 2016. (CBS Chicago) Police are asking for the public's help in catching two young men believed responsible for 86 burglaries at nail salons and other beauty parlors across Chicago and 32 suburbs since last summer. "Somebody out there has to know who this individual is," Northbrook Police Chief Chuck Wernick said at a press conference Monday at the Northbrook Police headquarters. The town has seen eight such burglaries since last summer, with two salons hit twice. Advertisement Officials decided to hold the press conference after a security camera captured clear footage of one of the suspects during a Feb. 3 heist in Highland Park, he said, and because the frequency of the crimes seems to be increasing. "We like to be proactive," Wernick said, "though I don't know how proactive it is after (86) incidents." Advertisement He said all of the crimes appear to be the work of the same two people. Working as a team, they punch out or smash front door windows, then go inside and rifle through cash drawers, grabbing jewelry, and in one case, a laptop computer. The suspects were described by police as white males in their teens or early 20s, and in some cases, a dark four-door car was seen parked in front of open salons hours before the crime. Wernick said there was no pattern to the burglaries, which have occurred every day of the week. "One stays in the car, and one breaks out the door of the salon," he said. "They take cash and the offender is probably in the establishment and out in no more than a minute." Wernick said the pair is believed to be responsible for 70 crimes in the suburbs and 16 in Chicago, with thefts of cash ranging from small change to $2,000. In total, the cash losses probably don't exceed $5,000, he said, including the theft of one laptop computer. The burglaries started in Wilmette in August 2015, and have taken place across the area, from the Joliet area to Crystal Lake, culminating in a burglary Saturday night in Kildeer. Chicago burglaries have occurred from the Far North Side to the Near North Side, Wernick said. He said he spoke on behalf of all affected jurisdictions, which had been brought on board in the investigation. Most of the incidents have taken place between 8 p.m. and midnight, police said. In no case have any salon employees been in danger, as all of the shops were closed, Wernick said. Advertisement Northbrook Detective Sgt. Mark Graf said shortly after the first Northbrook crime in August, officers visited the village's salons, warning them not to keep money in cash registers overnight. Some, he said, installed video security, and police have conducted extra patrols. Wernick advised that salon operators bank their money before closing, and leave on lights, especially in the front and over the cash register. Rashes of such crimes have occurred off and on throughout the area for years. The first step area police took in investigating the recent nail and beauty salon burglaries was checking those known to have committed such crimes in the past, Northbrook Det. Michael Terry said. Graf said that it was possible that the suspects are familiar with the salon industry, and they may be from around the North Shore area, since the crimes started there. "We'll ask them those questions when we catch them," Wernick said. Towns where the beauty shop burglaries were committed are: Algonquin, Arlington Heights, Barrington, Batavia, Buffalo Grove, Cary, Chicago, Crystal Lake, Deerfield, Downers Grove, Evanston, Frankfort, Glenview, Gurnee, Highland Park, Lake Zurich, Lemont, Libertyville, Kildeer, Naperville, New Lenox, Niles, Northbrook, Northfield, Oak Brook, Palatine, Roselle, Shorewood, Skokie, Vernon Hills, Wheeling and Wilmette. Advertisement Crime Stoppers (800-535-STOP) is offering a $1,000 cash reward for tips leading to an arrest. ileavitt@pioneerlocal.com Twitter; @Irv Leavitt The man climbing up the steep highway embankment on a chilly January morning was looking to end his life. He was clear about that in the 911 call he'd made, Park Ridge Police Sgt. Eric Hilderbrant recalled. Advertisement "He was saying he was going to jump off the 294 overpass onto Dempster and kill himself," Hilderbrant said. "We found him trying to climb up the embankment and it was evident he had already tried to climb up once and slid down." Responding to calls of distraught citizens, some intent on harming themselves or others, is nothing new in Hilderbrant's line of work. But how police officers are equipped to respond to tense situations, particularly when a mental-health issue is at the root, is getting a new focus. Advertisement Last year, a U.S. Justice Department grant secured by the Park Ridge Police Department allowed for officers to take crisis intervention training, a program that aims to prepare officers to deal with citizens struggling with a broad spectrum of mental health disorders, said Deputy Police Chief Duane Mellema. The training, Mellema said, is largely aimed at de-escalating tense or potentially dangerous situations through communication techniques. Some of the things officers are taught include showing empathy, speaking slowly and calmly, and taking time with the individual. "If a person thinks you are bothered or in a hurry, you'll have a hard time communicating with them," Mellema said. Out of 39 incidents last year that involved police response to a situation involving mental illness, all but one was handled without the use of force, Mellema said. The single incident in which force was used involved an intoxicated man who was subdued with a taser because he was walking in traffic on Dempster Street and attempting to get into cars that were stopped in traffic, Mellema said. In the case of the man threatening to jump from the Dempster Street overpass, communication and taking things slowly were key to getting him to come down and agree to go to a hospital, Hilderbrant said. "We started engaging him, telling him, 'Hey, it's not a big deal. We'll get you some help, everything will be fine,'" Hilderbrant said. "He was pretty agitated when we got there." Hilderbrant, with fellow officers Jodi Broderick and Jason Doucet, learned the man's name and spoke directly to him, not at him, in an effort to calm him down, Hilderbrant said. They developed a rapport with him and explained that they were there to help him, not arrest him. Eventually, the man, who was also intoxicated, agreed to come down and go with paramedics to the hospital, Hilderbrant said. Advertisement "What [crisis intervention training] does is slowing it down," he said. "A lot of times, in law enforcement, we want to solve the problem as quickly as possible. But sometimes, trying to rush it won't get the best outcome." Park Ridge Police Officer John Dorner says police have already been using many crisis intervention components in an effort to diffuse situations, but the new training has provided "more nuances and insight" into what people who are mentally ill, intoxicated or both are dealing with. "It teaches the officer to get on their level and put yourself in a situation where you're trying to get in tune with what they're going through and being a little more empathetic to whatever situation is happening," he said. Dorner recalled responding to a home where officers were told a girl, about 12 years old, who had been diagnosed with "multiple mental-health issues" and was acting out and refusing to go to the hospital. "Basically, Officer [Greg] Orta and I sat down next to her on the couch and we just talked for a good 15, 20 minutes," Dorner said. "Gone are the days when an officer would go in and say, 'You're going to go to the hospital.' You can talk your way out of a lot of things just by taking time. Time's on our side, especially when there's no safety [issue] involved." If someone in distress can see that an officer is willing to listen to him or her and is concerned and empathetic, the situation is more likely to be resolved without the officer needing to use force, Dorner added. Advertisement And though safety remains an officer's top priority, "as long as [the citizen is] contained and they aren't a harm to themselves or to us or anybody around us, it's OK to let them vent a little bit and let them know you are here to listen to their concerns," Dorner said. The training has also taught officers how to better identify when a mental-health issue is at play, Mellema said. Park Ridge Police Chief Frank Kaminski led the effort to obtain funding for crisis intervention training in light of what he believed to be a growing number of interactions between police and citizens with mental-health issues. "I think it's going extremely well," Kaminski said of the training, noting that a class of 14 officers wrapped up on Feb. 12. "I went through it myself and found it beneficial." In late December, in the wake of Chicago police shooting and killing a 19-year-old man and his neighbor, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel called for officers to undergo more training in de-escalation techniques to make situations "less confrontational and more conversational," the Chicago Tribune reported. "We were first," Kaminski said. Advertisement De-escalation techniques will also come into play when officers undergo procedural justice training this spring, Mellema said. The U.S. Department of Justice defines procedural justice as techniques that "resolve disputes" and involve communication, fairness, transparency and impartial decision-making. "The real key for procedural justice is to acknowledge the person's point of views, and express to them and allow them to know they are valued just as themselves and that their point of view has a value," Mellema said. Kaminski said procedural justice training has been touched upon in the past, but this is the first time that a certified, eight-hour training program will be required of the officers. "I think we'll be ahead of the curve with all the things we've been doing here," he said. "I feel good about that. We're moving the organization forward in the right direction prior to legislators requiring [procedural justice training]." Mellema acknowledges that de-escalation techniques will not work in all cases. "There will be incidents where, no matter what kind of method we decide to use, it just won't be effective," Mellema said. "Part of all this training is that officers understand that might happen. But all of these techniques, whether it's [crisis intervention training] or procedural justice, are intended to give officers more time. Time and space are the two things most likely to allow for a good outcome. The more time and more space you have, the less likely you need to resort to any kind of force." Advertisement A 2014 report by three Northwestern University students who analyzed data on officer-involved shootings in Houston found, in part, that officers who had undergone critical incident training were 82 percent less likely to use their guns. "The students learned that when a crisis-trained officer was on the scene, the likelihood of the officer using force dropped like a stone," said Mark Iris, the research team's professor at Northwestern. Iris, who was executive director of the Chicago Police Board prior to coming to Northwestern, said he anticipates more studies in the coming years about the effects of de-escalation training, though he acknowledged that some officers can be resistant to it. "Officers can be a tough crowd to sell. It goes against what many are trained to do," Iris said. "Some officers don't want to see themselves as social workers. The reality is, if you can successfully de-escalate a situation, the likelihood of officer injury goes down." jjohnson@pioneerlocal.com Twitter: @Jen_Pioneer East Chicago Police Chief Mark Becker has 40 years in law enforcement under his belt, and he's not sure that his career in the field is completely over. As of March 4, though, it'll be done in East Chicago. Becker announced his resignation Tuesday morning. Advertisement Becker said Tuesday he's leaving for all good reasons. With what he described as a "unique career" with both turns in the federal and local sides of police work, he said his mission to right the ship at East Chicago is well on its way to fruition. "It's been great. When the mayor brought me on, we vowed we would stop the corruption in the department," he said. "We're not perfect by any means, but with staying the course and the right succession of chiefs, the city will be in good shape." Advertisement Becker came to East Chicago in February 2012 after four years as chief of police in Portage. Before that, he spent 32 years with the FBI. Becker credited the city's Merit Commission with helping him remove nepotism and politics from the department's hiring practices. He also credits his officers with embracing education, and Indiana University Northwest professor Joseph Ferrandino, for providing an "unbiased set of eyes" to their process. "I'm running a report right now: In 2011, when I came on, the total spent on education was $3,070, and our officers logged 29.74 hours of further (education), or roughly five hours over the minimum," he said. "At the end of 2015, we spent $40,113, and we went from 29.74 hours to 97.55 hours of education. "That does a lot to professionalize the department." Becker said the crowning glory of his tenure, however, is community outreach. It was paramount for him to regain the community's trust, and they went out of their way to invite people to become part of the process. Whether by bike or walking the streets, the department is now better than it's been, he said. And now, with 28 hires to the department over the last four years, Becker said he can't wait to see the new energies take over. "We've only begun to excel. By time it's over, I expect we'll be one of the best departments in the state," he said. East Chicago Deputy Chief Frank Maldonado, while not entirely surprised by Becker's resignation, said he's confident the department will do Becker proud after he's gone. Advertisement "He'll be missed, that's for sure," Maldonado said. "He put this this department at a entirely different level both statewide and nationally, and he put in place a lot initiatives that before he hired in, we just talked about." Maldonado said Becker's replacement hasn't been chosen yet by Mayor Anthony Copeland, and he hasn't been told when that will be. In a press release, Copeland thanked Becker "for showing me how community policing is the fulcrum that balances the well-being of our city, and trust is the laminate between our citizens and our officers." Becker said for now, he'll continue with his consulting business and teaching leadership around the country. Michelle L. Quinn is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune. Police broke up a party with underage drinking Saturday in Liberty Township after one of the partygoers decided to leave and contacted police. In all, deputies with the Porter County Sheriff's Department arrested 12 adults and 13 juveniles on misdemeanor charges of minor consumption of alcohol. Police transported the adults to the Porter County Jail; the juveniles were released to their parents or legal guardians. Advertisement Police were called at 11:10 p.m. Saturday to a residence in the 900 block of North County Road 100 West after a partygoer left and contacted police to say that multiple underage people were drinking and using drugs, a police report said. Police said more than 75 people were at the party when they arrived and they spotted various bottles of hard liquor, empty beer cans, and multiple cups with alcoholic beverages in them all over the residence. Advertisement Police said once the residence was clear, they found an "unmeasurable amount" of marijuana that was collected and destroyed, a police report said. None of the partygoers could say who brought the alcohol, police said, adding the homeowner was out of town at the time of the party. Austin Dodson, 21, of Dyer, also was arrested on a misdemeanor charge of resisting law enforcement and transported to the jail after police said he showed up to pick up a juvenile relative who was at the party. When police declined to release the juvenile to Dodson because she needed to be picked up by a parent, Dodson refused to leave the scene despite repeated requests by police to do so, the police report said. Officers with Indiana State Police and the Portage and Burns Harbor police departments assisted on the scene. Amy Lavalley is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune. For innards-choking and BVDs-in-a-bunch, nothing has left Lake County's Democratic Party quite as unhappily constricted as East Chicago City Councilman Robert Battle. Battle is accused of killing an alleged narcotics business partner during a product distribution spat. One of these days there should be a trial but not before Aug. 8. He's been in Porter County's pokey since October. Advertisement You can feel their pain, anguish and embarrassment because the longer the accused sits in jail collecting his $42,365 council paycheck, the redder in the face becomes Sheriff John Buncich, the county party's molder of political morals and performance. Buncich was partaking in his intermittent "On The Road With High Outrage" media tour last week, explaining to Chicago public radio how shocked shocked I say that the people of East Chicago's 3rd Ward are being deprived of representation. Advertisement Let's take a giant big-boy step back and wonder what makes county Democrats so outraged by this, because there is little hint that previous political criminals perturbed them at all. This faux outrage mostly is hot wind. Let's assume for the sake of hypothetical discussion that Battle is a bad guy who did something bad. The man and candidate Battle was on the night of Oct. 12 when he allegedly killed Reimundo Camarillo Jr. is the same man with the same badness he was on Oct. 11. Prosecutors say he was a professional drug trafficker. His lawyer says he was functioning as a federal undercover narc draftee that night. County Democrats judged the Battle of Oct. 11 as a swell fellow and solid candidate. He was their buddy. In fact, the bad guy on Oct. 12 was the same noble candidate they put forward for elections twice with a hearty salute. County Democrats consecrated Battle just as they did the 60 other Democrat officeholders sent off for felonies over the decades. County Democrats regularly presented criminals for office and claimed they were wonderful people. The county's Democratic Party never seems outraged by its own corrupt membership. At best, it's a passive enabler. Even after Battle was charged, 308 citizens successfully voted to re-elect him. It was unanimous. They had the voices that counted. Republicans candidates stayed home. Advertisement In Battle's case, the official party apparatus wants East Chicago to toss him off the council and ignore a potential lawsuit. "They should look out for the citizens of East Chicago and that's just not happening," Buncich told WBEZ public radio. Added Buncich with unintended but hilarious hubris, the situation makes the Democratic Party look bad. Maybe the sheriff thinks an accused's legal presumption of innocence is an inconvenience to be ignored if it inhibits political efficiency. Perhaps he believes that about every resident of his own jail. Fortunately, that's not a call he gets to make. The law works without his approval and protects anyone until they've had their guilt proven. Fake rage is cheap emotion. No county political operative seemed morally miffed by East Chicago government thugs before Battle arrived. Former Mayors John Nicosia, Walter Jeorse, Robert Pastrick and George Pabay ran East Chicago as corrupt punks in good suits. In fact, for an uninterrupted span of five decades, East Chicago was the most provably corrupt political entity in Indiana. Every crooked mayor which means every mayor - ran as a "reformer." Advertisement There is no record that local citizens - or county Democratic functionaries - marched on city hall demanding the crooks vamoose and stop embarrassing noble citizens. Eventually East Chicago was fixed by federal prosecutors, federal judges and federal juries, but not by indignant county chairmen. Democrats mostly stood by placidly and happily absorbed East Chicago's orders, money and state clout. Prosecutors say what Battle did was murder. Battle says it was unavoidable self-defense. That difference of opinion is what courts decide. Post Tribune Twice-weekly News updates from Northwest Indiana delivered every Monday and Wednesday > Courts and prosecutors could always allow him to video-conference his council appearances, or even go free on second-degree murder bond if the crime was heat-of-the-moment and not planned. After all, he can't fulfill his council duties only because prosecutors are keeping him in jail. It's not his choice. Advertisement If Battle were free on bond, why would he flee? Battle gets $42 Gs to hang around, and he's owed his day in court. As for inflated outrage, Lake County's Democratic Party might be sure Robert "Coop" Battle is guilty, but so what? That's what TV courtroom mouthpiece Perry Mason used to call "incompetent, irrelevant and immaterial." Maybe the faux acid reflux outburst is a mostly useful alternative to looking in the mirror. David.Rutter@live.com A vaudeville-themed murder mystery show will take place at Pleasant Home in Oak Park Feb. 25 and 26. The Feb. 26 show is sold out, but tickets remain for Feb. 25. (Antonio Perez / Chicago Tribune) The more than century-old Pleasant Home in Oak Park is an example of Prairie School architecture to die for. On Feb. 25 and 26, someone will, and visitors will puzzle through the mystery with a cast of suspects in "Victim in Vaudeville," an original murder mystery being staged on the premises. "Victim in Vaudeville" is steeped in Oak Park history. The play is set at the turn of the century in 1907. A traveling vaudeville troupe is scheduled to perform at the former Warrington Opera House (originally a vaudeville theatre located behind Pleasant Home), but it's curtains for the troupe's manager, and the performers become the main suspects. Was it Lucille (Lisa Green), the show's top-billed so-called eccentric dancer? Was it Frederic (Thomas Holmes), the composer and piano accompanist? Or maybe it was the illusionist Theodoria (Jeanette Andrews), or the father and daughter comedy act of Clarence and Clementine (Michael Bassett and Amalia Najera, a seventh grader at Julian Middle School). It's up to Detective Otis Hershel (Kevin Bry) to puzzle out the clues with help from the audience. Advertisement The Feb. 26 show is sold out, but tickets still remain for the Feb. 25 performance. Pleasant Home Program Director Sarah Najera wrote and directed "Victim in Vaudeville." She is also a dancer and choreographer with Momenta, a dance company out of Oak Park's Academy of Movement and Music. Besides being historically appropriate to the era when the house was designed and built, vaudeville looms large in her own family history. Her grandfather Robert Morris was a hoofer in New York in the late 1920s until talking pictures sounded the death knell of vaudeville, Najera said. Advertisement Najera's grandfather returned to Milwaukee to open a dancing school, where he married one of his students and danced until the 1940s. "Victim of Vaudeville" is of a piece with other events staged at Pleasant Home. These include silent movie nights in the summer and twilight architectural tours offered on the second Thursday of the month in January, February and March. Each event was created to showcase Pleasant Home. A National Historic Landmark, it was designed in 1897 by George W. Maher, a West Virginia native whose family moved to Chicago when he was in his early teens. He is considered a prominent proponent of the progressive Prairie School. Najera has been program director for a year. If "Victim in Vaudeville" is a success, she would like to see more theatrical events that would further raise awareness of Pleasant Home, which she calls Oak Park's best-kept secret. "Many people who attend events here have told me that have lived in Oak Park their whole life but had never been here," she said. "That is slowly starting to change." 'Victim in Vaudeville' When: 7:30 p.m. Feb. 25; doors open at 7 p.m. Where: Pleasant Home, 217 Home Ave., Oak Park Tickets: $45, $40 for Pleasant Home Foundation members. Advertisement Contact: Pleasanthome.org Tax, Accounting, and Audit in China 2016 , out now and available for download in the Asia Briefing Bookstore, offers a comprehensive overview of the major taxes that foreign investors are likely to encounter when establishing or operating a business in China, as well as other tax-relevant obligations. This concise, detailed, yet pragmatic guide is ideal for CFOs, compliance officers and heads of accounting who must navigate the complex tax and accounting landscape in China in order to effectively manage and strategically plan their China-based operations. Taxation affects almost all aspects of doing business in China. With an idiosyncratic legal system widely different to that of Western countries, having a strong understanding of Chinas tax liabilities enables foreign investors to simultaneously maximize the tax efficiency of their overseas investments while ensuring full compliance with the countrys tax laws and regulations. Tax, Accounting and Audit in China 2016 covers the following: Chinas Tax System Chinas Business Taxes Individual Income Tax Accounting, Audit and Tax Compliance International Taxation Within these topics, we discuss Chinas tax laws and administration, corporate income tax, value-added tax, and individual income tax calculation methods and applicability. We also cover annual compliance requirements, profits/dividends repatriation and financial due diligence. In the international taxation context, we address such topics as transfer pricing and double taxation treaties. This practical and easy-to-understand guidebook will be of invaluable use to all executives involved in handling company finances concerning China, including: Chief Executive Officers Chief Financial Officers Accounting Managers Tax Specialists It is currently used by the Guanghua School of Management, Peking University as course reference material. About Us Asia Briefing Ltd. is a subsidiary of Dezan Shira & Associates. Dezan Shira is a specialist foreign direct investment practice, providing corporate establishment, business advisory, tax advisory and compliance, accounting, payroll, due diligence and financial review services to multinationals investing in China, Hong Kong, India, Vietnam, Singapore and the rest of ASEAN. For further information, please email china@dezshira.com or visit www.dezshira.com. Stay up to date with the latest business and investment trends in Asia by subscribing to our complimentary update service featuring news, commentary and regulatory insight. An Introduction to Doing Business in China 2015 Doing Business in China 2015 is designed to introduce the fundamentals of investing in China. Compiled by the professionals at Dezan Shira & Associates, this comprehensive guide is ideal not only for businesses looking to enter the Chinese market, but also for companies that already have a presence here and want to keep up-to-date with the most recent and relevant policy changes. Selling, Sourcing and E-Commerce in China 2016 (First Edition) This guide, produced in collaboration with the experts at Dezan Shira & Associates, provides a comprehensive analysis of all these aspects of commerce in China. It discusses how foreign companies can best go about sourcing products from China; how foreign retailers can set up operations on the ground to sell directly to the countrys massive consumer class; and finally details how foreign enterprises can access Chinas lucrative yet ostensibly complex e-commerce market. Transfer Pricing in China 2016 Transfer Pricing in China 2016, written by Sowmya Varadharajan in collaboration with Dezan Shira & Associates and Asia Briefing, explains how transfer pricing functions in China. It examines the various transfer pricing methods that are available to foreign companies operating in the country, highlights key compliance issues, and details transfer pricing problems that arise from intercompany services, intercompany royalties and intercompany financing. Jushi Egypt, set up by a Chinese fiberglass manufacturer, paid $17.1 million in taxes to the local authorities last year. [Photo provided to China Daily] More Chinese companies are setting up shop in Egypt or expanding existing operations there to take advantage of opportunities presented by the Belt and Road Initiative, as well as the nation's prime location and rich resources, executives said. While such a move helps Chinese firms cut costs, due in part to preferential trade policies offered to Egypt in Europe, the Middle East and sub-Saharan Africa, it also contributes to Egypt's industrialization and creates jobs. Jushi Group, a Chinese fiberglass manufacturer, set up a local subsidiary, Jushi Egypt, in January 2012. Located in the China-Egypt Suez Economic and Trade Cooperation Zone, the company has an annual output capacity of 80,000 metric tons. The plant cost $223 million. According to Yang Jixiang, deputy general manager, the subsidiary exported 95 percent of its productsvalued at about $84 millionin 2015 and paid about 135 million Egyptian pounds ($17.1 million) in local taxes. He said the operation has driven the development of downstream and upstream industries in Egyptian fiberglass. "Two Chinese companies have started businesses in the economic zone to supply us with materials, while an Egyptian factory has upgraded its technology and increased the number of mills it operates from one to four to meet our need for kaolin powder, a raw material in fiberglass." The company is building a new assembly line, also with an output capacity of 80,000 tons, which will go into service in June. Jushi Egypt employs about 1,100 Egyptians, who make up 40 percent of its mid-level executives, and 60 Chinese. Yang said the Chinese contingent will not be increased to handle the extra capacity. He explained that the company chose to set up a base in Egypt because of the country's location and the preferential trade policies it enjoys in other markets. "If you export fiberglass to Europe from China, you have to pay anti-dumping and anti-subsidy duties of 24.8 percent, not to mention the tariff. There is no tariff if you export to Europe or the Middle East from Egypt, nor any anti-dumping and anti-subsidy duties." Also, it takes at least a month to ship goods from China to Europe, but from Egypt it takes only a week, and a container could arrive in Turkey in just two days, he said. Egypt is rich in human and natural resources, too. "Engineers in Egypt are well-educated," he added. In early 2013, Muyang Co Ltd, China's largest feed machinery manufacturer in terms of revenue, also teamed up with the China-Africa Development Fund to establish Muyang Egypt in the China-Egypt Suez Economic and Trade Cooperation Zone. Together, they made an investment of $74 million. The first phase of the project went into operation in December. Annually, Muyang Egypt aims to produce 5 million tons of silo storage units, 6,000 tons of steel structures and 50 units of feed machines, a combined sales value of $150 million. Li Xiangdong, manager of Muyang Egypt, said the factory is in answer to the Belt and Road Initiative, which is an ambitious strategy aimed at better connecting Asia, Europe, the Middle East and Africa through infrastructure projects. "The Chinese government's preferential policies have provided us with a very good investment environment," he said, adding that the Egyptian subsidiary's products can easily be shipped to markets in the Middle East and Africa via the Gulf of Suez, while cheap labor costs had reduced overheads. Muyang Egypt will initially concentrate on making silos that reduce the risk of food wastage during storage and transportation, a common problem in Africa, Li said. In addition to producing storage units for African governments, the company will also make silos that can hold up to 100 tons for African farmers to securely store their harvests. Brilliance Auto Group, a Chinese carmaker, has announced plans to restart its assembly line in Egypt this year. The facility ran from 2006 until it was suspended in 2009. Follow China.org.cn on Twitter and Facebook to join the conversation. A domestic violence shelter in Jinzhou, Liaoning province, operates 24 hours a day.[China Daily] A domestic violence shelter will go into operation next month in Chengdu, Sichuan province. Children and adults who have nowhere to live in the aftermath of domestic violence can normally stay for up to 10 days in the shelter, which offers board and lodging. They can also file an application if they want to extend their stay, according to the Chengdu Civil Affairs Bureau. The shelter will ask government departments and social relief organizations for legal and medical aid, help to settle family disputes and offer employment assistance and psychological rehabilitation, if necessary. It will use the facilities of the existing Chengdu Women's Rights Protection Center, such as bedrooms, psychological counseling rooms and an activities center. Paintings of flowers, grass and trees hang on the bedroom walls and toy pandas are on the desks, aiming to create a family atmosphere, said Luo Li, an official with the bureau, which will launch the shelter with the city's women's federation and rescue stations. Top priority will be given to children, who will be looked after by social workers and may be sent to live with host families. "If adult men are threatened with domestic violence, they can seek help in the center, too," Luo said. "Domestic violence consists of physical and emotional violence. Adult men may also suffer from it. But the overwhelming majority of the abused are women and children, so we will launch the shelter with the city's women's federation," she said. The Chengdu shelter was established in response to an anti-family violence law to be implemented nationwide on March 1. Similar shelters have been setup in several cities, including Dazhou in Sichuan province, Nanjing in Jiangsu province, and Zhengzhou in Henan province, but all of them have few people seeking help. The Dazhou shelter was set up three years ago, but fewer than 10 people have sought help there. The Zhengzhou shelter is nine years old and fewer than 10 people have sought help, according to Beijing-based China Social News, a newspaper of the Ministry of Civil Affairs. An investigation by the All-China Women's Federation found that domestic violence exists in 30 percent of Chinese families. Psychological counselors attribute the low occupancy rate of anti-domestic violence shelters to the traditional mentality that domestic shame should not be made public. Tan Chunxia, a counselor in Nanjing, said low income levels can also be a factor, since if the abused are economically dependent on their family they would rather quietly endure violence than seek help in a shelter, she said. Flags flew at half-mast across Taiwan yesterday as the island mourned more than 100 victims of a powerful earthquake who died when an apartment complex collapsed. Many residents of the 16-story Wei-kuan complex in the southern city of Tainan were buried in rubble after the 6.4-magnitude quake struck on February 6. Rescuers called off the search for survivors over the weekend after those reported missing had been accounted for. All but two of the 116 dead were from the building more than 380 people were inside the complex on the night of the quake. Chinese New Year celebrations scheduled by government agencies were called off yesterday, and Tainan's government asked for the freezing of further assets belonging to the developer and architects of the building. Anger is growing in Taiwan over accusations of shoddy building work prosecutors have said there were "flaws" in the building, including inadequate steel reinforcement bars, and the developer is one of three men facing charges related to the disaster. Frustrations were exacerbated after photos of rubble at the site showed foam and tin cans had been used as concrete fillers. "The developer really had no conscience constructing such a building, he should be severely punished," said Liu Kun-min, whose brother, sister-in-law and two sons were killed in the quake, told Apple Daily. Tainan's city government yesterday sought to freeze NT$220 million (US$6.6 million) in assets belonging to nine people, including the developer, Lin Ming-hui, his shareholders, two architects and a contractor. The government is acting on behalf of 93 families involved in the collapse. Lin and architects Cheng Chin-kui and Chang Kui-pao, as well as a contractor linked to the building, already saw NT$30 million in assets frozen by Tainan district court last week at the request of the city government. A further NT$10 million was frozen by the court at the request of a voluntary legal foundation acting for two families of the victims. Hsiao Po-jen, head of the city government's legal affairs, said a family member of architect Cheng had been stopped trying to withdraw more than NT$10 million from his bank account. Flash Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said on Monday that Turkey will not allow the fall of Azaz town of Syria's Aleppo province to the Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD). "We will not allow the fall of Azaz. This must be clear to all in the world," Davutoglu was quoted as saying by state-run Anatolia News Agency. Azaz, in northern Syria near the Turkish border, is seen as a critical corridor that connects with bordering Turkey. "For the moment, YPG elements have been driven out from Azaz's surroundings," Davutoglu said while en route to pay a visit to the Ukrainian capital of Kiev. He vowed take a "severe response" if the military wing of the PYD tried to approach the Syrian town. The PYD is the Syrian affiliate of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), which is listed as a terrorist group by Turkey, the U.S. and the European Union. Turkish officials have repeatedly said that they will not allow the Kurds in Syria to expand more near the Turkish border. The latest escalation also came as talk about a ground intervention by Saudi and Turkey troops in Syria have made headlines in recent days. Observers say such an intervention will spark even more chaos in the war-torn country. Syria's Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem said any foreign troops entering Syria without the consent of the government "will be sent home in wooden coffins." Flash United Nations human rights expert Alfred de Zayas called on Monday for the United Kingdom and Sweden to implement UN working group on arbitrary detention rulings in the case of Julian Assange, who was first arrested in London in December 2010. The working group recommended Assange's arbitrary detention end and that his physical integrity and freedom of movement be respected while invoking his enforceable right to compensation. "The findings of the working group on arbitrary detention should be accepted and their recommendations implemented in good faith," de Zayas said in a statement. "Especially those states who claim to be at the vanguard of human rights should give good example, even if they do not agree with the conclusions of UN experts," he added. Assange's human rights infringements were triggered by an investigation by a Swedish prosecutor five years ago based on allegations of sexual misconduct. To date, the investigation has made no progress and no charges have been formally brought against the founder of WikiLeaks. A panel of experts found that Assange's detention was arbitrary because he was held in isolation for 10 days in the first stage of detention and because of the Swedish prosecutor's lack of diligence in his investigations which resulted in Assange's lengthy detention. The Australian was subject to 550 days of house arrest, during which period he sought refugee status at the Ecuadorean Embassy in London. The Republic of Ecuador granted Assange asylum because of Assange's fear that if he were to be extradited to Sweden, he would then be sent to the United States to face serious criminal charges. Assange has been unable to leave the embassy since August 2012, and is subject to extensive surveillance by British law enforcement. Flash The UN refugee agency said Monday it has voluntarily repatriated more than 8,000 Somali refugees from the Dadaab refugee camp in northeast Kenya to relatively safer areas in Somalia since December 2014. The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said it has also resumed repatriation of refugees by road after a few months of suspension, noting that its convoy comprising of five buses carried 218 individuals to Baidoa and Luuq in southwest Somalia in January. "This was also the first road convoy since the movement by road was suspended in October 2015 due to rainy season," the UN refugee agency said in its Bi-Weekly report released in Nairobi. During the reporting period, the UNHCR said eight road convoys carried 1,902 refugees to Somalia via Dhobley way station. "The voluntary return flight movements were still suspended, however, preparations to resume the flights to Mogadishu on Feb. 1 were undertaken. As of Jan. 31, 8,003 Somali refugees returned home since 8th December 2014, when UNHCR started supporting voluntary return of Somali refugees in Kenya," UNHCR said. The UN agency said the Return Help Desk (RHD) which is jointly managed by UNHCR, Kenya's department of refugee affairs (DRA) and Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) were quite busy attending to over 1,700 individuals who have expressed their interest to return or make enquiries about the voluntary return process. Returning refugees are assisted with transport to their places of origin, mostly in Kismayo, Mogadishu, Baidoa and Luuq in South and Central Somalia. They also receive a cash grant, food and basic domestic items such as sleeping mats, mosquito nets, a solar lantern, hygiene supplies and kitchen utensils to help them start a new life. The repatriation is the result of efforts by the Tripartite Commission formed by UNHCR and the governments of Kenya and Somalia which was formed to step up support for voluntary repatriation of Somali refugees. Despite the fragile security environment situation in Somalia, refugees have started to return, UNHCR said, noting that more still have returned spontaneously without receiving assistance from UNHCR. Under the current agreement assistance will be provided to returnees to any area of Somaliland, Puntland and South Central Somalia. Dadaab has been providing protection, shelter and humanitarian assistance to Somali refugees for two decades often under difficult and complex circumstances. Chronic overcrowding, a risk of disease, and seasonal floods are among these challenges facing the refugees. Flash Austrian Foreign Minister Sebastian Kurz's proposal for the closure of Greece's border with the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) as a means to add pressure on Athens to take more actions to stem the refugee flows, sparked angry responses from Greek officials on Monday. Refugees and migrants aboard the passenger ferry Blue Star Patmos arrive at the port of Piraeus, near Athens, Greece, Feb. 1, 2016. [Photo/Xinhua] "If the northern border is shut down leaving Greece for more than 24 hours with the refugees on its territory then its interest in accepting European help will quickly change," Kurz said in an interview with local newspaper Nea (News). "We must slow the refugee influx by stopping them at some border. If not at the Greece-Turkey border, then it can be the Greece-Macedonia border," the Austrian official said. His comments dropped as a bomb in Athens, other Greek media noted, reproducing the remarks. "Such statements are provocative and unacceptable as they are essentially perceived as a direct threat against Greece," Marina Chryssoveloni, spokesman of the parliamentary group of the Independent Greeks, the junior party in the two-partite coalition government of Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, said characteristically in a press release. "Obviously these statements reflect the planning of some countries or circles within the EU. But they do not recognize the fact that Greece fulfils its pledges regarding the management of refugee flows," she stressed. Meanwhile, in Prague the so-called Visegrad Group summit of Hungary, Poland, Slovakia and the Czech Republic was discussing a backup border control system with FYROM and Bulgaria's leadership that foresees the closing of borders with Greece. The handling of the refugee crisis has gradually divided European countries. Some put the blame on Greece for failing to effectively protect its borders, allowing almost a million refugees and migrants into Europe in a year. They push for Greece's exclusion of the Schengen free passport travel zone. Others insist on the necessity to find a European solution to a common challenge. "The EU's response to the refugee crisis will be given in cooperation with Greece and not against her," the European Commission's spokesman Margaritis Schinas commented from Brussels on Monday. Shortly earlier the commission had approved the release of 12.7 million euros (14.2 million U.S. dollars) of emergency funding to Greece for the creation of reception centers for refugees. Greek officials have repeatedly criticized their European partners of failing to meet their promises and give Greece more financial and technical help to deal with the refugee flows. Ahead of Thursday's EU summit on the refugee crisis, the Greek leader will hold talks on Tuesday with visiting European Council President Donald Tusk and on Wednesday with European Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker in Brussels. Flash British Prime Minister David Cameron is to hold an emergency cabinet meeting on Friday if he manages to reach a deal on Britain's European Union (EU) renegotiation at the EU summit this week, local media reported Monday. The meeting will see the suspension of "collective responsibility," and members of the cabinet are allowed to express their personal views freely on Britain's membership in the EU, British Sky News reported quoting anonymous sources. Cameron has agreed to talk to his cabinet ministers who may have doubts over his EU renegotiation efforts. The prime minister is also scheduled to hold talks with French President Francois Hollande on Monday to seek support from France. Leaders of EU member states are due to meet on Thursday and Friday this week to discuss Britain's renegotiation deal with the EU. Cameron has pledged to hold an "in or out" referendum on whether Britain should withdraw from the EU by 2017. He promised to campaign for his country to remain in the bloc if the EU agrees to reform as Britain has requested. Flash U.S. Former President George W. Bush on Monday hit the campaign trail in South Carolina in a bid to boost his brother Jeb Bush's teetering campaign in this crucial early voting state. Republican presidential candidate Jeb Bush speaks during a luncheon event with supporters in Nashua, New Hampshire, the United States, Feb. 8, 2016. [Photo/Xinhua] In his most political speech since leaving office in 2009, George W. Bush called on voters to choose a "measured and thoughtful" candidate and a candidate with humility for the 2016 presidential election. "I understand that Americans are angry and frustrated, but we do not need someone in the Oval Office who mirrors and inflames our anger and frustration," said the former president. "We need someone that can fix the problems that cause our anger and frustration, and that's Jeb Bush." During his 20-minute speech, Bush did not mention Donald Trump for once, but he left no doubt that apart from giving a boost to his brother's troubled campaign, his campaign debut was also meant to deliver a blow to the New York billionaire developer notorious for his blunt language and dismissal of "political correctness." "Strength is not empty rhetoric. It is not bluster. It is not theatrics. Real strength comes from integrity and character," said former president Bush. "And in my experience, the strongest person isn't usually the loudest person in the room." "All the sloganeering and all the talk doesn't matter if we don't win," he added. George W. Bush's rare emergence from political hibernation came at a time when Trump took several swipes at his two poisonous legacy of an unpopular war in Iraq and the economic recession that began at the end of his presidency. Tensions between Jeb Bush and Trump boiled over on Saturday at the last Republican primary debate, in which the real estate mogul blasted former president Bush's national security record and said it was under Bush's watch that the World trade Centers in New York fell on Nov. 9, 2001. Flash South Korean President Park Geun-hye on Tuesday said that Seoul will take "stronger and more effective" measures to create an environment forcing change in Pyongyang. Park said in a nationally televised parliamentary speech that those measures will make the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) realize a fact that the country cannot survive with nuclear development. Her parliamentary speech was arranged to explain Seoul's decision last week to shut down an inter-Korean factory park in the DPRK's border city of Kaesong as part of its punitive actions to Pyongyang's nuclear test and long-range rocket launch. The DPRK launched a rocket on Feb. 7 to carry an Earth observation satellite into orbit, following its fourth nuclear test on Jan. 6, the first of its disputed H-bomb test. Seoul and the international community condemned those provocations as a clear violation of UN Security Council resolutions. In response to the rocket launch, South Korea decided last Wednesday to stop operations at the Kaesong Industrial Zone, which Seoul saw as a key source of hard currency for Pyongyang to develop nuclear and missile programs. The DPRK responded a day later by shutting down the last symbol of inter-Korean cooperation project, expelling South Korean workers from there and freezing all of South Korean assets in Kaesong, while cutting off the remaining inter-Korean communications hotlines. Park said that the complete shutdown of the Kaesong complex represents only the start of a series of sanctions toward the DPRK in cooperation with the international society. It will not happen again like in the past that South Korea yields to DPRK provocations and provide unconditional aid to it, Park noted. Seoul, Washington and Tokyo are pushing hard to impose tougher new sanctions toward Pyongyang at the UN Security Council, separately from efforts to adopt other bilateral and multilateral restrictions for the recent nuclear and rocket tests. According to Seoul's unification ministry, about 616 billion won (560 million U.S. dollars) has been funneled into the DPRK government since the factory park started manufacturing products in December 2004. Some 70 percent of the funds have been channeled into the DPRK's nuclear and missile developments and the purchase of luxury goods, the ministry estimated without elaborating on how the 70 percent was calculated. South Korean companies had paid wages for DPRK workers in Kaesong in U.S. dollars to the DPRK government, which in turn had paid them wages in the DPRK currency or store vouchers, according to the Unification Ministry. Park said foreign currency inflow into the DPRK should be blocked to prevent the country from advancing its nuclear and missile capability. Touching on talks between Seoul and Washington on deploying a sophisticated U.S. missile defense system in South Korea, Park said that negotiations on the Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) deployment were part of measures to strengthen combined S. Korea-U.S. capability to deter the DPRK's missile threats. During the upcoming negotiations on the THAAD deployment, Park said, her country will strengthen cooperation with the United States and Japan, while laying stress on consulting with China and Russia. The THAAD, designed to track and destroy ballistic missiles at an altitude of 40-150 km, has been put under suspicion about its operational effectiveness in South Korea as hundreds of shorter-range DPRK missiles can fly at a much lower altitude. Controversy remained over safety as the THAAD's X-band radar emits super-strong microwaves being harmful to human bodies within 3.6 km and paralyzing electronic devices and airplanes within 5.5 km. Seemingly mindful of domestic oppositions to the THAAD deployment, Park said that "aiming the tip of a sword back to us and dividing ourselves are something that should not happen," calling for a national unity to tackle security issues. Opposition lawmakers denounced Park's excessively tough response to DPRK's recent provocations as a possible plot to boost security fears among the general public ahead of the April 13 generation election. Voters here tended to turn in favor of the ruling political party amid rising tensions on the peninsula. The Globe and Mail Nathan VanderKlippe Published Monday, Feb. 15, 2016 7:56 pm EST Last updated Monday, Feb. 15, 2016 7:58 pm EST Beijing The Globe and Mail As the Trudeau government prepares an aggressive new trade and diplomatic agenda with China, supporters of a democracy activist sentenced to a lifetime of solitary confinement in a Chinese jail say its time Ottawa demands his freedom. In 2003, China imprisoned democracy activist Wang Bingzhang on espionage and terrorism charges after a one-day trial in which he was not allowed to produce evidence or question testimony against him. Now, those who want him free hope a thawing in the relationship between Beijing and Ottawa can provide an opening to address his case, particularly as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau prepares to visit China later this year. For Beijing to reconsider its stance on Mr. Wang would require that Mr. Trudeau utter my fathers name with his Chinese counterpart on his upcoming trip. Anything short of that I dont think would bring about his release, said the jailed activists daughter, Ti-Anna Wang, a law student at McGill University. The new pressure on Mr. Wangs case underscores the balance Mr. Trudeau is being pushed to strike with China. Business leaders are eager for the new government to smooth the way for more China trade after the frictions that emerged under Stephen Harper, who first pledged not to sell out principles for dollars, before adopting a more commercially minded approach later in his tenure. At the same time, Mr. Trudeau has inherited several contentious consular files in Asia. China has indicted Canadian, Kevin Garratt, on espionage charges, and protestations from Mr. Harper did not secure his release. North Korea, meanwhile, has sentenced Canadian pastor Hyeon Soo Lim to a lifetime of hard labour. Mr. Trudeaus government has indicated an eagerness to pursue a business-oriented agenda with China, including talks toward a free-trade agreement that China has long wanted. Its not clear how willing the new government will be to pressure China on human rights when doing so stands to incite Beijings anger. Other countries, including the U.K., have recently been accused of abandoning such advocacy in the name of commerce. China has, however, shown a recent willingness to address old grievances with Canada. Last week, a Chinese court commuted the life sentence for Huseyin Celil, a Canadian jailed on terrorism charges, to a fixed-term sentence of roughly two decades. Mr. Celils imprisonment has been a major irritant between Ottawa and Beijing. Reducing his sentence does indicate that China is maybe seeking to make small gestures, said Irwin Cotler, a former Liberal attorney-general and justice minister who recently stepped down from politics. But its only a very modest and, standing on its own, insufficient demarche on Chinas part. Mr. Cotler acts as counsel to Mr. Wang and recently formed the Raoul Wallenberg Centre for Human Rights in Montreal. He will this week hold inaugural meetings for an all-party caucus on human rights, and Mr. Wangs case will be among the first Mr. Cotler expects MPs to take up. Mr. Cotler also met recently with Foreign Minister Stephane Dion, and urged the new government to leverage historic goodwill between the Liberal Party and China on Mr. Wangs behalf. In an e-mailed statement, foreign-affairs spokeswoman Amy Mills said Mr. Wangs case has been raised frequently by Canadian government officials since 2003. Canada is seriously concerned about reports that Mr. Wangs health has deteriorated and we have called on Chinese authorities to improve prison conditions and access to family visits. Born in China, Mr. Wang completed a PhD at McGill before returning home and founding several political opposition parties. He was expelled from China, but continued his efforts. He was kidnapped in 2002 while in Vietnam, where he had travelled to meet with Chinese activists. His family believes he was organizing another political opposition movement. Instead, he was taken into China, where he was jailed and denied counsel. Chinese authorities accused Mr. Wang of selling state secrets to Taiwanese spies, and advocating terrorism using kidnapping and explosives. China has said it acted lawfully in its treatment of Mr. Wang, arguing that its jurisdiction extends to any Chinese citizen guilty of criminal offences outside the territory of the country. The UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention disagreed, concluding that Mr. Wang had been arbitrarily detained in contravention of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, noting that China has never produced any evidence of Mr. Wang urging others to commit violence. The only kidnapping the UN could find was that of Mr. Wang himself. In a dozen years in prison, Mr. Wang, now 68, has suffered strokes, severe depression and erratic moods. His family has also suffered the disbelief of people skeptical China would seize a person from another country. Now that such cross-border apprehensions have gained far more attention Chinese authorities have been accused of snatching dissidents and booksellers from Thailand and Hong Kong in recent months thats no longer something thats entirely unthinkable, Ms. Wang said. Chinas new willingness to extend its authoritarian reach also underscores the reason for Ottawa to press Beijing on her father, she said. He became a democracy activist in part because Canadian values, North American values of freedom and democracy inspired him, she said. If governments like Canada and the U.S. who espouse these values dont stand up for people like my father, who else can he count on? China Aid Contacts Rachel Ritchie, English Media Director Cell: (432) 553-1080 | Office: 1+ (888) 889-7757 | Other: (432) 689-6985 Email: [email protected] Website: www.chinaaid.org Radio Free Asia 2016-02-15 Chinas official media has hit out at moves by U.S. politicians to rename the street in Washington where its embassy is located after jailed Nobel peace laureate Liu Xiaobo, accusing the Senate of provoking Beijing. Last Friday, the Senate unanimously passed legislation to rename the plaza in front of the Chinese embassy in Washington Liu Xiaobo Plaza. Detained in 2008, Dr. Liu continues to be unjustly imprisoned under the authority of [Chinese] President Xi Jinping, the Senate said in a news release after the vote. The bill is now headed to the House of Representatives for consideration, it said. The nationalist tabloid Global Times, which has close ties to the ruling Chinese Communist Party, said the move was rash and provocative. The apparently provocative move intends to outrage and unsettle China, the Global Times said in an editorial on Sunday. But this is no big deal. In addition to anger, it will enable us to learn more about the U.S. from another perspective: The U.S. has big problems in abiding by the rules and keeping self-respect and its Congress acts so rashly, it said. A human rights activist holds a banner during a rally marking the 60th birthday of imprisoned Chinese dissident and Nobel Peace Prize winner Liu Xiaobo in Hong Kong on Dec. 28, 2015. AFP Senate Bill 2451 was authored by Republican presidential candidate Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas, and is intended to honor Liu, who is currently serving an 11-year sentence for incitement to subvert state power. Liu, 60, is unlikely to qualify for parole, because he has never admitted to committing any crime. Since his Nobel prize was announced in 2010 to the fury of Beijing, Lius wife Liu Xia has remained under house arrest and close police surveillance at the couples home. Reminder to re-think this issue Independent writer Liu Di, who is a close friend of the Lius, welcomed the move. I very much welcome this decision by the U.S. Senate, because it [could mean] that they see Liu Xiaobos name every time they get a letter, which will act as a reminder to the Chinese government to re-think this issue, Liu Di said. I hope this would be helpful, although I couldnt rule out the possibility that the opposite would be true, she said. But I think it could have the effect of improving their circumstances. She said it was unclear how the move would affect Liu Xia, however. What happens to Liu Xia largely depends on what happens to Liu Xiaobo, Liu Di said. And even if they released Liu Xiaobo, they could still keep them under house arrest. Infuriate Beijing further Hong Kong activist Richard Choi, of the the Alliance in Support of the Patriotic Democratic Movement in China, said any change of the embassys address would likely infuriate Beijing further. Its hard to say how a name change [if it happened] would affect Liu Xia, but some international attention and concern is always better than no international attention or concern, where Chinese right activists are concerned, Choi said. Liu Xia has been cruelly treated over the past few years, and more focus on her case will, I think, definitely have a positive effect, he said. A literary critic and former professor, Liu was awarded the 2010 Nobel Peace Prize for his long and non-violent struggle for fundamental human rights in China in a decision that infuriated Beijing, which says he has broken Chinese law. He has been held since 2008 after helping to draft Charter 08, a manifesto calling for sweeping changes in Chinas government that was signed by thousands of supporters. Reported by Xin Lin for RFAs Mandarin Service. Translated and written in English by Luisetta Mudie. China Aid Contacts Rachel Ritchie, English Media Director Cell: (432) 553-1080 | Office: 1+ (888) 889-7757 | Other: (432) 689-6985 Email: [email protected] Website: www.chinaaid.org Zhang Chongzhus detention notice. Translation available upon request. (Photo: China Aid) China Aid By Ava Collins (Wenzhou, ZhejiangFeb. 16, 2016) Authorities criminally detained the pastor of a government-sanctioned church in Chinas coastal Zhejiang in the early afternoon of Feb. 5 for charges of leaking state secrets. Pastor Zhang Chongzhu of Wenzhous Pyongyang Three-Self Patriotic Movement (TSPM) Christian Church has been in custody since Sept. 8, 2015, after publically opposing the ongoing cross demolition campaign in Zhejiang. His official charge, stealing, spying, buying, or illegally providing state secrets or intelligence to entities outside China, is the same as that of Zhang Kai, a prominent human rights lawyer who has been detained in black jail since Aug. 25, 2015. Members of Zhang Chongzhus church believe that he may have been singled out for a formal criminal detention because he met with a U.S. diplomat in Shanghai last year. China Aid reports on cases like that of Zhang Chongzhu in order to expose abuses of human rights and religious freedom in China. China Aid Media Team Cell: (432) 553-1080 | Office: 1+ (888) 889-7757 | Other: (432) 689-6985 Email: [email protected] For more information, click here Pedestrians walk past a cafe of Starbucks Coffee in Shanghai on Dec 8, 2015. [Photo/IC] Service, high-tech sectors targeted amid increased overseas FDI into the country Foreign companies are keen to invest in China's service and high-tech industries to maintain robust growth, senior Commerce Ministry officials said on Monday. There is no sign that multinationals are withdrawing from the country on any scale, according to the officials. Overseas firms are eager to enhance their earning abilities, said Huang Feng, deputy director-general of the ministry's Department of Foreign Investment Administration. Huang said that multinationals are keen to invest in healthcare, environmental protection, pharmaceuticals, communication and information services in China, and also in high-tech industries that are being developed more slowly than the overall pace of development. "Foreign companies have discovered that market demand in China is changing as consumers and companies want to buy more high-value-added products and that there is surging demand for the service industry in the country," Huang said. He was commenting after foreign media reports said that global companies such as Microsoft, Panasonic and Sharp would withdraw or remove part of their business from China to either their home bases or to other emerging markets. Foreign direct investment into China rose by 6.4 percent year-on-year to $126.27 billion last year, the ministry said. Foreign investment in the service industry rose by 17.3 percent, accounting for 61.1 percent of the flow in 2015. The remaining FDI was attracted by the country's high-tech, high-end manufacturing and other sectors. Wan Lianpo, deputy director-general of the ministry's Department of Trade in Services and Commercial Services, said, "Major global companies are still optimistic about the Chinese market and investment prospects after assessing the market potential of other major global economies." Multinationals including Syngenta, Volkswagen, Luft-hansa, Samsung Electronics, Air Liquide, Bridgestone and Intel made substantial investments in China's service, manufacturing and agricultural sectors last year. Starbucks plans to open 500 stores this year in China, its largest market outside of the United States. It aims to create 10,000 jobs in the country each year up to 2019. Uber Technologies, the US ride-hailing company, has committed to invest 6.3 billion yuan ($957 million) in China to diversify its businesses ranging from transportation services to automotive financing. Li Jian, a senior researcher at the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation, said that although some multinationals had complained about the changing investment environment in China, they should get used to the new market development model. This is because China is moving up the value chain and optimizing its industrial structure amid the "new normal" the phrase introduced by President Xi Jinping to describe growth that is slower but of better quality. A flagship Disney store in the Lujiazui area of Shanghai. The Shanghai Disneyland is set to open on June 16. [Photo/China Daily] Tickets for the theme park are set to go on sale from March 28 Tickets for Walt Disney Co's $5.5 billion Shanghai Disneyland theme park are being priced 20 percent lower than its site in Hong Kong, and slightly lower than in Tokyo, officials have revealed. They are set to go on sale from March 28, with the park itself due to open the gates to its six themed areas on June 16. During the grand opening period (June 16-30), daily entry has been set at 499 yuan ($75), while the regular weekday price of admission will be 370 yuan, very much on a par with other major theme parks in China. High-demand times, such as designated public holidays and weekends, will also be priced at 499 yuan. The regular price of a one-day visit to Disneyland Hong Kong is HK$539, while in Tokyo it will set you back the equivalent of 374 yuan. A ticket to the Disney park in Los Angeles costs $99. Elsewhere in China, Chimelong Seaworld Park in Zhuhai, Guangdong province, is priced 350 yuan on regular days, and 380 yuan on peak days. Disney said that the two-tiered pricing in Shanghai will allow the park to manage what it expects to be periods of strong demand at its newest destination. Kelly Ryner, the president of Thinkwell Asia, a Los-Angeles-based firm specializing in design and production of ventures like theme parks, said the fact Disney has priced its tickets to be more competitive in the Chinese marketplace speaks to the quality of its brand, and a strong commitment to the Chinese people. "You don't want the park so expensive that Chinese people cannot afford to go there," said Ryner. "It is smart to make it affordable, and to build love with the local people." Disney's sixth site worldwide, Shanghai is targeted to attract 25 million visitors annually, mostly from the prosperous Yangtze River Delta region. Chris Yoshii, vice-president and global director of Leisure Asia of AECOM (Hong Kong), said Asia's theme park market had a good year in 2015, with tourism and domestic business continuing to grow. A undated file photo of an Orient 1-1 gas field exploration platform of CNOOC in South China Sea.[Photo/IC] Energy giant renews agreement with power utility CLP Group China's top offshore oil producer has signed a new contract to supply natural gas to CLP Group, the Hong Kong-based power utility, from a gas field in the west of the South China Sea. The supply will start in 2018 from China National Offshore Oil Corporation's Wenchang gas field after its completion of a 33-kilometer pipeline between there and its Yacheng gas project. The latter supplies a third of CLP's total electricity, or a quarter of Hong Kong's total. The new deal is expected to offset declines in production at Yacheng, which signed a two-decade gas supply contract with CLP in 1996. CNOOC said on Monday that Yacheng 13-1, the country's largest offshore gas project, has already supplied 50 billion cubic meters of natural gas to Hong Kong and Hainan province over the past two decades. Located 91 kilometers southwest of Hainan, Yacheng 13-1 pumps an annual average of 2.5 to 3 billion cubic meters of natural gas. Shen Hong, general manager of CNOOC China Ltd Yacheng Operating Company, said about 80 percent of its production goes directly to Hong Kong, with the rest to Hainan. As Yacheng's natural gas reserves are not meeting increasing demand, CNOOC has been seeking to generate more from the western part of the South China Sea, he said. Annual output from new gas projects in Dongfang and Wenchang is expected to reach 3.7 billion cubic meters in the next few years. The South China Sea is home to vast reserves of oil and natural gas. CNOOC's daily gas output topped 1 million cubic meters in 2012 from a single well in the Dongfang 13-2 field, making it one of China's largest offshore gas discoveries. Annual production at its Ledong gas field once peaked at 2 billion cubic meters. CNOOC plans to build a giant pipeline network that will link all major gas fields in the South China Sea, including Dongfang, Yacheng, Ledong and Wenchang, plus others in deep-water areas. Gas output from the sea is likely to reach 300 billion cubic meters per year, experts say. Lin Boqiang, director of the China Center for Energy Economics Research at Xiamen University, said that gas exploitation in the area is part of the country' long-term goal to satisfy its growing energy consumption. "Reliable gas supply in the South China Sea supports the country's efforts to optimize its energy mix toward cleaner sources and reduce its reliance on coal," he said. A little girl holds on to her mother while waiting in line to go through customs to travel overseas at an airport in Qingdao, Shandong province, Feb 3, 2016. [Photo/IC] Millions of Chinese broke from tradition and spent their vacations traveling abroad this Spring Festival holiday. Of the 300 million Chinese who traveled during the weeklong holiday, a record 6 million visited overseas destinations, according to Ctrip.com International Ltd, the nation's largest online travel agency. It is customary for Chinese to visit their hometowns and celebrate Chinese New Year with family. "Outbound tourism surged this Spring Festival and the number of outbound travelers that we handled tripled last year's total," said Liu Qing, vice-president of Tongcheng Network Technology Co Ltd, China's third-largest online travel agency based in Suzhou, Jiangsu province. Children pose for pictures with Mickey and Minnie Mouse at a subway station in Shenzhen as part of a promotion by Hong Kong Disneyland Resort on Nov 15, 2015. Winners could get tickets to the Hong Kong park.[Provided to China Daily] Hong Kong Disneyland Resort has recorded its first annual loss since 2011. Its latest financial report shows it fell HK$148 million ($19 million) into the red for the fiscal year ending October last year. Revenue also fell 6.4 percent to HK$5.11 billion, the park's first year-on-year decline in income since 2009. It made a profit of HK$332 million in 2014. Andrew Kam, its managing director, blamed the figures on increased costs and growing competition from other destinations. "Tourists now have more choices," he said, "because many countries have relaxed their visa requirements. "Currency rates in some countries have depreciated remarkably over the past two years and airlines are offering more international routes at competitive prices." Hong Kong Disneyland's total attendances fell to 6.8 million in the year, a 9.3 percent fall, while the figures also revealed a dramatic 23 percent drop in numbers from the mainland, which now accounts for 41 percent of total visitors compared with a half during its peak. Kam admitted it had been "a challenging year", but said the company had already adopted a new strategy to attract a more diverse mix of guests, particularly from Asian markets including India, Thailand, Singapore, and Indonesia. Officials from Hong Kong Disneyland attended 16 major expos in the Asian markets over the past year to promote the site, he said. There has also been a concerned social-media campaign, including one using Facebook in the Philippines, which has attracted about 400,000 followers. In the mainland, Kam said its marketing focus will be cities and areas linked by high speed rail, after the opening of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong express line in the future. The number of local Hong Kong visitors to the site actually set a record in 2015, accounting for 39 percent of the total, a 14 percent increase on the previous year. But Kam admitted the city is a relatively small market and expected the figure to remain stable this year. As for competition from the new Shanghai Disney Resort, which is due to open this summer, Kam said the Hong Kong park will continue to launch new attractions to lure visitors. In 2016, he said it is opening new features based on the blockbuster movies Star Wars and Iron Man, as well as a resort hotel. The site also plans to launch a three-day discount ticket to compete with Shanghai Disney. A model at Chunshuitang's media event to announce its second-round of financing of 80 million yuan on March 25, 2015 in Beijing.[Provided to China Daily] Chunshuitang, one of China's leading online store for sex products, is planning to list on a stock market in the first half of this year. Its larger aim is to expand its portfolio of products and services in the booming sex toys market in China. Lin Degang, chief executive officer of Chunshuitang, said proceeds of its initial public offering would be mainly used to develop more company-owned products and evolve its business from a sex products vendor to a products-and-services provider. Chunshuitang has plans to build a sex-themed hotel in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province. It is also looking for more sex health specialists to launch an online sex consultancy service in the near future. "We are aiming to build an efficient online platform to promote sexual health. Products and services to be launched will aim to promote intimate relations between lovers," said Lin. "We want to be the leader of the sex toys and sexual health segments with a market value of more than 10 billion yuan ($1.52 billion) in the near future." Changing attitudes toward sex among Chinese people and gender imbalancemen outnumber women in Chinahave helped expand the sex toys market whose annual output has exceeded 30 billion yuan, according to Lin. Chunshuitang was established in 2002 in Beijing as a business-to-customer sex products provider. Now, it has filed with the National Equities Exchange and Quotations to list on the New Third Board, a bourse that has attracted some 2,500 firms, 77 percent of which are technology companies, since its launch in late 2012. "We are shifting our focus to offer comprehensive services. We will focus on sexual health services and company-developed sex-related products," Lin told China Daily. The company has already received two rounds of financing: 20 million yuan in 2014 and 80 million yuan last year. According to Lin, Chunshuitang on its own has developed over 20 varieties of sex products so far. They are well integrated with smart technologies, he said. The company's latest products, called Ihole and Iball, are designed to improve men's and women's sexual experiences and sexual health. Popular for over two years now, they can make use of technological devices and connect to the user's mobile phones. "They will be also used in medical treatments. We are applying to the health authorities concerned to promote use of our smart devices in hospitals," said Lin. According to Lin, the company has also begun exporting its sex products to overseas markets. "Our products will no longer be simple sex toys. They will be smart or intelligent, helping improve users' experience." Sales of Chunshuitang's intelligent sex products brought in more than 40 percent of total revenue last year, he said, without disclosing the actual figures. Southern Publishing and Media Co Ltd launches its IPO on the Shanghai Stock Exchange on Feb 15, 2016.[Photo/Xinhua] Shares in Southern Publishing and Media Co Ltd rose by the 10 percent daily ceiling on their first day of trading on the Shanghai Stock Exchange on Monday, demonstrating strong prospect for the mainland's culture and media industry. The stock opened at 7.36 yuan($1.12) and quickly rose to its ceiling of 8.83 yuan as markets reopened after the Lunar New Year. Wang Guike, chairman of the Guangzhou-based company, said he was confident of growing profits in coming years. "Publishing will continue to be our mainstay, while printing is expected to see steady growth," Wang told a news conference in Shanghai. "We plan to invest more than 1 billion yuan on five major publishing projects, including in digital education, and in the upgrade of Xinhua bookstores, all of which have rosy futures," he said. There are also plans to explore the Hong Kong, Macao and Southeast Asian markets in the near future for the first time, Wang said, as well as increasing its cultural products and services activities in European and American markets. Established in December 2009, Southern Publishing's annual profits grew by an average 39.9 percent between 2010 and 2015.Its sales topped 1 billion yuan last year. Zhang Zhi'an, dean of the School of Communication and Design at Sun Yat-sen University in Guangdong province, said the company's financial performance suggests investors believed the publishing and media sector is on a strong footing, as many firms continue to gain from government support and preferential policies. "The good performance of Southern Publishing on its first trading day is a good demonstration of the strength of other publishing and media companies in the sector applying to go public in the near future," Zhang said. Cai Ling, a researcher at market research firm CI Consulting, said after Southern Publishing's listing, its operation will become a lot more market-oriented. YANGON - The bilateral trade between Myanmar and China hit over $9.4 billion in first ten months (April-Jan) of 2015-16 fiscal year, sources with Ministry of Commerce said Monday. During the period, Myanmar mainly exports oil and gas, agricultural products to China. The imports from China include industrial products and commodities. According to official statistics, bilateral trade between Myanmar and China amounted to over $10 billion in 2014-15 fiscal year. Of the total, Myanmar's export to China hit $4.6 billion and its import from China reached $5.6 billion. Meanwhile, according to Myanmar official statistics, China's investment in Myanmar amounted to $15.42 billion in 115 projects, accounting for 26.07 percent of the total as of December 2015 since Myanmar opened to such investment in late 1988 and standing first in Myanmar's foreign investment line-up. HARBIN - The third China-Russia Expo is scheduled to be held in the Russian city of Yekaterinburg from July 11 to 15, the organizing committee said on Monday. It will be the first time that Russia has held the event. The first two China-Russia expositions were held in Harbin, capital of Northeast China's Heilongjiang province. The five-day event will help to showcase products, technology and projects in sectors and fields including equipment manufacturing, consumer goods, resource development, agriculture, forestry, finance, education, tourism and regional development, the committee said in a statement. The expo, an important platform for bilateral economic and trade cooperation, will be jointly hosted by the Chinese Ministry of Commerce, Heilongjiang provincial government and Russia's Ministry of Economic Development and Ministry of Industry and Trade. China continued to be Russia's biggest trading partner in 2015, contributing to 12.1 percent of Russia's total trade, according to Russia Customs. Chinese Premier Li Keqiang speaks at the Central Urban Work Conference in Beijing, Dec 22, 2015.[Photo/Xinhua] Policies used to tide over last year's unusual volatility in the stock and exchange market were a right call, said Premier Li Keqiang in his first appearance after the Spring Festival holiday. Those market-stabilizing measures, consisting with international practice, defused some "bombs" over a period of time and warded off systematic financial risk, said Premier Li at an executive meeting of the State Council, according to Xinhua. However, authorities in charge should also draw lessons from the experience, address internal management issues and implement initiatives and take both timely and effective approach, added the Premier. The recent sharp decline in the international equity market has brought new challenges and uncertainties to China's economy, but it is also a test of tenacity, he said. "China's economy has proved stronger and stronger in the time of challenges." A-share market edged down on Monday as trading resumed after the weeklong holiday. The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index slid 0.7 percent to close at 2,746.20 after losing as much as 2.8 percent during early morning trading. Latest statistics showed national unemployment rate rose to 4.99 percent in January after the country expanded the survey from 31 major cities to all prefectural-level cities, said Li, adding that such level is not easy to achieve given that China has a population of more than 1.3 billion. "As long as the labor market remains stable, the economic fundamentals are stable," said Premier, according to Xinhua. Li also urged all departments to be more cautious and efficient. "China's economy has great potentials, as its high savings rate leaves much room for resilience. Once the economic growth shows signs of slipping below the reasonable range, we should take decisive moves when needed." China's GDP grew by 6.9 percent last year, the lowest since 1990, according to the National Bureau of Statistics. New yuan-denominated lending in January jumped 71 percent year-on-year to 2.51 trillion yuan ($385 billion), official data showed on Tuesday. SINGAPORE - Pratt & Whitney, a division of United Technologies Corp, together with joint venture partner, China Eastern Airlines, signed an agreement on Tuesday during the Singapore Airshow to incorporate V2500 engine overhaul capability in their facility in Shanghai, China. The Pratt & Whitney Shanghai Engine Centre will begin overhauling V2500 engines in 2017. The engine center opened in 2009 to perform maintenance on CFM56 engines for customers around the world. The facility's repair capabilities, including its 10-meter test cell with capability of up to 80,000 pounds of thrust and state-of-the-art information technology system, has provided maintenance, repair and overhaul services to airline customers in China and the Asia Pacific region, the company said. "The Shanghai Engine Centre is a proven, high-quality engine maintenance provider in this very competitive Asia Pacific market," said Matthew Bromberg, president of Pratt & Whitney Aftermarket. "Growing capabilities at this facility exemplifies our commitment to providing operators with comprehensive services at a competitive cost." Pratt & Whitney has helped keep our fleet running through its investment in cutting edge technology and advanced repair capability in engine maintenance, repair and overhaul," said Feng Liang, vice president of China Eastern Airlines. "We are pleased to expand our current partnership to include the V2500 engine services." Eddy Cue, Apple's senior vice president of Internet Software and Service, introduces Apple Pay during an Apple event at the Flint Center in Cupertino, California, September 9, 2014. [Photo/Agencies] A Chinese bank's official social media account said Apple Pay, a mobile payment service of Apple Inc, will be available in the country by Thursday, on Tuesday. Apple said in December it will launch the wireless payment business in China, its biggest overseas market, partnering with China UnionPay, the No 1 bankcard association in the country. The launch date was leaked by a WeChat account of China Guangfa Bank. Many banks use WeChat, an instant messaging app, to promote their businesses in China. "Apple and China UnionPay jointly confirmed that Apple Pay will be formally launched on February 18 at 5:00 am,"said the account. The CGB deleted the message on WeChat on Tuesday morning, indicating that the launch time may not be accurate. China UnionPay told China Daily it will announce the launch time with Apple later. Apple is yet to reply to emails seeking comment. Apple Pay allows iPhone users to make payments in brick-and-mortar stores via smartphones. The United States company is trying to launch the service in markets including China, France and Canada. Eddy Cue, Apple's senior vice president of Internet Software and Service, introduces Apple Pay during an Apple event at the Flint Center in Cupertino, California, September 9, 2014.[Photo/Agencies] Stocks of mobile payment related companies soared on Tuesday over speculation that Apple Inc will introduce its cash-free smartphone payment service to China this week. Apple Pay, a new way of making purchases in retail stores that was developed by the United States smartphone maker, will boost the mobile payment business as local players like Xiaomi Corp and Alibaba Group Holding also roll out similar services. The supposed launch date was leaked by the social media account of Guangzhou-based China Guangfa Bank on Tuesday. The bank said in a post on instant messaging app WeChat that Apple Pay will be available in the country by 5 am on Thursday. The bank deleted the message hours later, without giving a reason. Apple said in December that it will launch the wireless payment business in China its biggest overseas market partnering with the nations No 1 bank card association, China UnionPay. China UnionPay told China Daily it will announce the launch time with Apple later; Apple did not respond to an e-mail seeking comment. Fueled by the looming Apple Pay entry, shares of 30 Chinese companies that provide mobile payment technologies surged by an average of 6.69 percent on Tuesday, according to data from market tracker RoyalFlush Information. Eastcompeace Technology Co, a Guangdong-based maker of mobile payment terminals, and Nantian Electronic Information, a payment platform developer, led the advance. Both companies hit the 10 percent increase ceiling early in the trading day. Dating Telecom Technology Co, a mobile communications hardware maker, closed at 16.84 yuan ($2.56), a 6.11 percent jump from the day before. Li Chao, a Beijing-based analyst from iResearch Consulting Group, said Apple Pay will help open up the Chinese smartphone payment market, where e-commerce giant Alibaba now controls the lions share. It will be difficult for Apple Pay to challenge Alibabas payment services in the short run, but the availability of Apple Pay will certainly attract more people paying at the counters with smartphones instead of reaching for their wallet, Li said. Taking advantage of a chipset installed on the iPhone 6 and the later generation of the handsets, Apple Pay uses a technology called near-field communication to allow contactless data exchange between the smartphone and point of sale terminals. The transaction will be completed when users hold their devices near a POS portal. Transaction volume on mobile payment platforms reached 2.4 trillion yuan by the third quarter of last year, a 64.3 percent increase year-on-year, said Beijing-based iResearch. Wu Yiyao in Shanghai contributed to this story. gaoyuan@chinadaily.com.cn A gavel in a court. [Photo/IC] A pioneering Internet platform that allows lawyers to file cases and pay legal fees online has been embraced by Shanghai's lawyers. More than 1,300 of the city's 1,413 law firms have used the website, passport.lawyers.org.cn, since its launch in January last year, filing appeals, submitting and receiving legal material, communicating with judges and opening more than 13,000 cases. The real advantage of Shanghai's system is the online payment function, setting it apart from the websites adopted by other courts in China, according to Cao Hongxing, director of the information management division of the Shanghai High People's Court. "Among all such platforms developed by courts all over China, this is the only one allowing lawyers to fully complete the procedure of initiating lawsuits, and the first to have functions extending to the whole processfrom litigation to case tracking and implementation," he said. The biggest problem with instigating an online payment system was establishing the "string of links that need to be dealt with" between banks, lawyers, litigants and the courts, Cao said. "But the Shanghai court solved this problem. Now a notification of payment will be generated by the system automatically and the lawyer can make the payment online after litigation materials have been submitted and put on file by a judge. In this way, lawyers can file a lawsuit at home, from the office, or even while on a business trip," he said. Every registered lawyer in the city holds a professional ID card, which not only allows them to log on to the website, but means their activities can be traced, the court said. The platform has also been made available to lawyers from Shenzhen and Guangzhou, who can use their local professional ID cards, while legal professionals from other areas are only granted access after verification of their identity. Huang Jiayong, a lawyer from Shanghai Yingtai Law Firm, welcomed the move. "We used to shuttle back and forth from court and wait in line again and again to hand over material, apply for litigation, make payments and exchange evidence. But with this platform, all that takes just 10 minutes or so," he said. Meanwhile, Huang Yi, vice-president of the Shanghai Bar Association, said the platform was just one of the many ways that the working environment of lawyers was improving in the city. DF-21D missiles pass along Changan Avenue during the Victory Parade on Sept 3 to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the World's Anti-Fascist War.WANG ZHUANGFEI/CHINA DAILY Several drills have been carried out by the People's Liberation Army Rocket Force during the past two weeks, with one of them involving the simulated use of the cutting-edge DF-21D anti-ship ballistic missile, according to observers. During Spring Festival, a Rocket Force missile brigade carried out an exercise to test troops' combat readiness, China Central Television reported in a military news program. Footage showed more than 10 vehicles from the brigade leaving their garage and traveling among hills, reportedly in southern China. Several vehicles carrying missiles then took up prearranged positions and practiced the launch procedure. After the first round of "strikes", the missile carriers moved to another area and carried out a second round of simulated launches, the footage showed. Observers told the news website guancha.cn that judging from the missile vehicles' exteriors, they were carrying the DF-21D anti-ship ballistic missile that was unveiled by China during the Sept 3 military parade in Beijing. The weapon has been dubbed the "aircraft carrier killer" by Western military analysts. The observers said the exercise indicated that the DF-21D can be reloaded and prepared anywhere outside its missile base, allowing a second strike to be staged with a short preparation period following an initial strike. An introduction to the missile at the parade described it as a "trump card" in asymmetric naval warfare as well as a new milestone as the PLA builds up its strategic strike capability. Asymmetric warfare refers to war between belligerents whose relative military power, or whose strategy or tactics, differ significantly. Analysts in the United States believe the DF-21D has a range of 1,500 kilometers and is equipped with maneuverable warheads and a terminal guidance system. Shao Yongling, a professor of military strategy at the PLA Rocket Force Command College in Wuhan, Hubei province, said the DF-21D and DF-26 - which also made its debut at the parade - are probably the only two ballistic missiles capable of sinking aircraft carriers. In another exercise, two short-range ballistic missile brigades from a missile base carried out live-fire drills in tropical forests in southern China and in a desert in the northwest of the country. The PLA Rocket Force was set up in late December to replace the Second Artillery Corps that had managed the country's ballistic missiles since the 1960s. According to PLA Daily, the military's flagship newspaper, the Rocket Force has at least nine missiles in active service. They include the DF-31A intercontinental ballistic missile, the DF-26 intermediate-range ballistic missile and the CJ-10A ground-launched cruise missile. Beijing saw three days of blue skies last week, a 16 percent year-on-year decrease in PM2.5 A closed fireworks booth in Beijing after an officially permitted sale period came to an end on Friday. LI WENMING/CHINA DAILY Beijing enjoyed better air quality during the weeklong Spring Festival holiday compared to last year thanks to wind and fewer fireworks, the capital environment authority said on Monday. From Feb 7 to 13, the capital saw three days with good air quality and a large reduction in the average reading of PM2.5 - which decreased by 16 percent from the same period in 2015, according to the Beijing Municipal Environmental Protection Bureau. PM2.5 refers to particulate matter less than 2.5 microns in diameter that is hazardous to human health. Its average reading during the holiday was 98 micrograms per cubic meter, down from 117 in 2015. Residents also saw three days where pollution reached medium and heavy levels, when it is suggested that seniors and children stay indoors. "More days with better weather to disperse air pollutants and fewer fireworks were the major contributors to the improvement in air quality," Sun Feng, senior engineer in air quality monitoring of the Beijing Municipal Environmental Monitoring Center, said on Monday. It's estimated that sales of fireworks in Beijing saw a year-on-year reduction of 20 to 30 percent, the bureau said. Fewer fireworks did alleviate air pollution during the week, but they were still a prominent contributor to soaring pollution on the eve and day of Spring Festival (Feb 8), the bureau said. On the festival eve, Beijing saw PM2.5 readings climb quickly from a 'good' level of less than 100 at 7 pm on Feb 7 to 1,000 - the most hazardous level - before 6 am on Feb 8, the municipal environment watchdog said. Most cities experienced the same situation, the Ministry of Environmental Protection said. Among the 338 cities with regular air quality monitoring, 271 saw air quality failing to reach the national safety level from the eve to the morning of Spring Festival, 54 more than in 2015, said Hu Kemei, deputy head of the pollution monitoring department under the ministry. Among the polluted cities, residents in 66 cities saw the pollution index reach the highest level. Hu said fireworks were a major contributor to the soaring PM 2.5 readings. Setting off fireworks to embrace the Spring Festival is a tradition for Chinese. There have been debates for years on whether to forbid fireworks, and many cities have issued restrictions. "I noticed the choking air when setting off firecrackers, but it's also the smell of the holiday, reminding me of a new year's arrival," said Zhang Dong, a 28-year-old from Shijiazhuang, Hebei province. "I can bear the temporary jump in pollution on that special night." Lingyin Temple in Hangzhou of East China's Zhejiang province makes headlines with its job ad posted on social media. [Photo/IC] In a bid to modernize its image and better interact with its followers, a thousand-year-old temple in East China recently posted an online advertisement to recruit media professionals, male or female, to work in the temple. Lingyin Temple, located in Hangzhou of East China's Zhejiang province, posted the ad on its public account on messaging app Wechat on Feb 12, seeking professionals in web editing and video production. The jobs are open to both female and male applicants, and the candidates need not convert to Buddhism, a staffer from the temple told thepaper.cn. Built in 326 AD during the Eastern Jin Dynasty, Lingyin Temple has a history of nearly 1,700 years. The staffer said "as a thousand-year-old temple, Lingyin Temple has an open mind to new things." Since 2013, the temple started promoting Buddhist doctrines and publishing information about its religious services on its public accounts on social media platforms Wechat and Weibo, the Chinese version of Twitter. It was also revealed that the publicity department of the temple is mainly comprised of laymen rather than monks, and there are a total of more than 100 non-Buddhist staffers in the temple, almost the same amount as Buddhist staff. The jobs in the temple are not as mysterious as imagined, and they are rather like nine-to-five jobs, with lunch offered to workers, said the staffer. In 2014, China's kungfu Mecca Shaolin Temple made a splash among the public after publishing a similar job ad for media talent. In 2015, a temple in South China's Guangdong province also made headlines for posting a job advertisement for media professionals, receiving thousands of applications from all over the world. The Chinese military has set up a hotline and a mailbox for people to report corruption and other misconduct, according to the Discipline Inspection Commission under the Central Military Commission. The hotline uses two landline telephone numbers and two mobile phone numbers. Those who want to appeal against a disciplinary decision can also call the hotline or send a letter to the mailbox. The move is the latest step President Xi Jinping, also chairman of the Central Military Commission, has taken since he took office in Nov 2012 to tackle the once rampant corruption within the Peoples Liberation Army. Over the past three years, nearly 50 senior officers of the PLA and the Armed Police Force have been convicted or investigated for corruption allegations. The Central Military Commission's Discipline Inspection Commission was established in January to replace the old anti-graft body that was administered by the former PLA General Political Department. A 63-year-old woman from China's southwest Sichuan province miraculously survived being trapped in a 10-meter-deep dry well for 9 days by chewing on tree bark and drinking urine, Chengdu Business Daily reported Monday. On Feb 2, a few days before China's Spring Festival, the woman named Wang Huanzhen and her husband went out to collect firewood, but she accidentally fell into an abandoned well. When the husband returned after carrying the load back home, he could not find Wang. So he reported to the local police. The whole family and local police station spent the entire holiday searching for her in local and neighboring towns. On Feb 10, when a shepherd surnamed Yu passed by the industrial park where Wang and her husband had been collecting wood, he heard a weak call for help. Wang was found and then taken to a local hospital for treatment. A rib and her right leg were found to be fractured. Wang said that in order to stay alive, she had chewed on tree bark and drunk her own urine to avoid dehydration, which she learned in a first aid course after the massive Wenchuan earthquake that struck the region back in 2008. "I think it is my positive mindset that kept me alive," Wang added. Currently Wang is out of a critical condition and recovering. A computer simulation shows how our sun and Earth warp space and time, or spacetime, represented here with a green grid in this image released in Washington February 11, 2016.[Photo/Agencies] Chinese scientists are proposing a space gravitational wave detection project that could either be part of the European Space Agency's eLISA project, or a parallel venture. Scientists from the pre-research group of the Chinese Academy of Sciences disclosed that the group will finish drafting a plan for the project by the end of this year, and submit it to China's sci-tech authority for review. The draft will include two sets of alternative plans: one is to take a 20 percent share in the ESA's eLISA project; the other is to launch China's own satellites by 2033, which will authenticate ESA's eLISA. "Gravitational waves provide us with a new tool to understand the universe, so China has to actively participate in the research," said Hu Wenrui, a renowned physicist and a member of Chinese Academy of Sciences. "If we launch our own satellites, we will have a chance to be the world leader in gravitational wave research in the future. If we just participate in the eLISA project, it will greatly boost China's research capacity in space science, cutting-edge space technology and satellite manufacturing. "In either case, it depends on the decision maker's resolution and the country's investment," he said. The Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) gravitational wave observatory was EAS's cooperative mission with NASA to detect and observe gravitational waves with three satellites arranged in a triangle that sends a laser beam between each other, which was first proposed in 1993. Since NASA withdrew in 2011 due to a budget shortage, the LISA project evolved into a condensed version named eLISA. On Dec 2, ESA launched the LISA Pathfinder, a space probe to validate technologies that could be used in the construction of a future full-scale eLISA observatory, scheduled to launch in 2035. "Currently all operating gravitational wave detection experiments are ground observatories, which can only detect high-frequency gravitational wave signals. A space observatory, without any ground interference or limitation to the length of its detection arms, can spot gravitational waves at lower frequencies," said Wu Yueliang, deputy president of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences. On February 11, scientists from the advanced Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory in the US confirmed they had detected gravitational waves caused by two black holes merging about 1.3 billion years ago, the first time that humans have directly detected the elusive phenomenon since it was predicted by Albert Einstein's theory 100 years ago. BEIJING -- A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman urged the US Congress to block a bill approval by the Senate to rename a street in Washington D.C. after Liu Xiaobo, a convicted Chinese criminal. Spokesman Hong Lei told a routine press briefing on Tuesday that if the bill become a law, it will have "serious consequences." He did not elaborate. China is firmly opposed to the bill because it violated basic norms of international relations, according to Hong. "We urge the US Congress to stop considering the bill," Hong said, adding the Chinese side also hopes the United States Administration will end the "political farce." The bill wants to rename the street after Liu, a Chinese man sentenced to 11 years in prison on Dec. 25, 2009, after a Beijing court convicted him of violating Chinese law and engaging in activities aimed at overthrowing the government. Chinese scientists are proposing a space gravitational wave detection project that could either be a part of the European Space Agencys eLISA project or a parallel project. The announcement of the discovery of gravitational waves in the United States on Thursday by the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory has encouraged scientists around the world, with China set to accelerate research. Gravitational waves are tiny ripples in the fabric of space-time caused by violent astronomical events. Scientists from the pre-research group at the Chinese Academy of Sciences disclosed that the group will finish drafting a plan for a space gravitational wave detection project by the end of this year and will submit it to Chinas sci-tech authorities for review. The Taiji project will include two alternative plans. One is to take a 20 percent share of the European Space Agencys eLISA project; the other is to launch Chinas own satellites by 2033 to authenticate the ESA project. Gravitational waves provide us with a new tool to understand the universe, so China has to actively participate in the research, said Hu Wenrui, a prominent physicist in China and a member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. If we launch our own satellites, we will have a chance to be a world leader in gravitational wave research in the future. If we just participate in the eLISA project, it will also greatly boost Chinas research capacity in space science and technology. In either case, it depends on the decision-makers resolution and the countrys investment, he said. The draft will provide different scenarios with budgets ranging from 160 million yuan ($24.3 million) to more than 10 billion yuan. Although I am not sure which plan the decision-makers will finally choose, I think the minimum budget of 160 million yuan should not be a problem for China, Hu said. The Laser Interferometer Space Antennas gravitational wave observatory was the EAS cooperative mission with NASA to detect and observe gravitational waves. The project, proposed in 1993, involved three satellites that were arranged in a triangular formation and sent laser beams between each other. Since NASA withdrew from the project in 2011 because of a budget shortfall, the LISA project evolved into a condensed version known as eLISA. On Dec 2, the European Space Agency launched the space probe LISA Pathfinder to validate technologies that could be used in the construction of a full-scale eLISA observatory, which is scheduled for launch in 2035. Currently, all the operating gravitational wave detection experiments worldwide are ground observatories, which can only detect high-frequency gravitational wave signals, said Wu Yueliang, deputy president of the University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. A space observatory, without any ground interference or limitation to the length of its detection arms, can spot gravitational waves at lower frequency. On February 11, scientists from the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory in the US confirmed they had detected gravitational waves caused by two black holes merging about 1.3 billion years ago. This was the first time this elusive phenomenon was directly detected since it was predicted by Albert Einstein 100 years ago. LIGO, currently the most advanced ground facility for gravitational research, includes two gravitational wave detectors in isolated rural areas of the US states of Washington and Louisiana. Metaphorically speaking, if the research into gravitational waves is a symphony, the discovery of the LIGO experiment makes a good prelude by proving that the hypothetical wave does exist. But I believe the other movements will mostly be composed of new discoveries from space observatory devices, because the low and middle band which can only be detected from space is the most extensive source of gravitational wave, said Hu, the CAS physicist. Meanwhile, the Taiji project of the Chinese Academy of Sciences has competitors in China. Sun Yat-sen University in Guangzhou, Guangdong province, proposed the Tianqin project in July. That project will receive a 300 million yuan startup fund from the local government to initiate a four-step plan to send three satellites in search of gravitational waves and other cosmic mysteries. Li Miao, director of the Institute of Astronomy and Space Science, said it was still too early to tell the specific direction of the future of the universitys Tianqin project. The major gravitational wave research program in China is the cooperation with eLISA, which is led by professor Hu Wenrui, Li was quoted by Guangdongs Nanfang Daily as saying. The reason that eLISA made progress rather slowly was that the member states in Europe held different opinions as to whether gravitational waves exist. Now this has been proved to be true, which will greatly accelerate the pace of research in and out of China, Li said. chengyingqi@chinadaily.com.cn A still shot from Crosscurrent starring actor Qin Hao. [Photo/Agencies] Director Yang Chao says his film "Chang Jiang Tu" (Crosscurrent), shown in competition on Monday at the Berlin International Film Festival, is like a love poem for the most important river in China -- and also one of its most damaged. The film blends elements of the real and the surreal as it follows a quest by the young river captain Gao Chun, played by Qin Hao, as he steers his decrepit hulk of a freighter up the 6,300-km (3,915 m) river to deliver a mysterious cargo. He is also in pursuit of a beautiful young woman, An Lu (Xin Zhi Lei), who may or may not be a phantasm, and who appears at various places along the river, sometimes to make love to him, at other times to vanish from sight. During the voyage, Gao Chun reads from a book of poetry that is hidden away in a special compartment on the boat, while the screen flashes verses from famous poets of Chinese history. "There's a big classical tradition of Chinese poetry and successive Chinese poets from the Tang Dynasty through the other dynasties to the present day have used a variety of approaches to describe, to talk about the Yangtze River," Yang told Reuters. Xu Bing has created many works related to Chinese characters. Some of them are now on display at the Milan Triennale.[Photo by Jiang Dong/ China Daily] For the first time in Italy, the strength of Chinese characters in the works of a leading artist was central to an exhibition that kicked off on Saturday at the Palazzo dell'Arte (Palace of Art), the headquarters of the Triennale art institution. Xu Bing, born in Chongqing city in 1955, is one of China's most acclaimed living artists. His Character of Characters, a video animation illustrating the birth and relation of Chinese characters with human history, was the starting point of this project aimed at making the excellence of Chinese art known to a Western audience, curator Hans de Wolf said at the exhibition preview. "The idea to make this exhibition occurred a couple of years ago, when I saw for the first time this absolute masterpiece of Xu Bing at the Central Academy of Fine Arts in Beijing," De Wolf recalls. "For me it was a moment of inspiration. I understood immediately the extreme quality of this artwork." Yet also in the same year 2013, the Venice Biennale welcomed more than 100 Chinese artists who won no attention, a sign that Western audiences were not much aware of the fact that in China there were excellent artists, De Wolf says. "That is why I decided to put Xu Bing at the center of an exhibition gathering other artists from different countries but all dealing with the same phenomenon, written language," he says. It was in this way that the Milan Triennale's exhibition running through March 6 and titled Xu Bing Worlds of Words/Goods of Gods was born. It brought together eight artists from Africa, Europe and India who have all explored the world of words. "Looking back at my life as an artist, I find that I have made a lot of works related with Chinese characters," Xu says. "In fact, when we write a word, we are actually drawing a picture. Our children copy thousands and thousands of characters and they draw thousands and thousands of pictures." This culture and education system aroused profound reflection in his mind about the relation between China's culture and language, he says. In Chinese history, a new dynasty always started with the reform of the language. Xu says in his rich life experiencehe has witnessed the "cultural revolution" (1966-76) and has lived for 18 years in the United States before going back to Chinahe has put a "high degree of research" in these artworks produced in a stretch of time of more than 30 years. All of this complexity together with the contrasts and harmony born from his encounter with Western culture is reflected in Square Word Calligraphy, also on display at the exhibition. At first glance it appears to be Chinese characters, but it is a new way of rendering English. Chinese viewers expect to be able to read it but cannot, while Western viewers are surprised to find that they can read it. In Book from the Sky, another of his artworks, invented characters play a joke as they look real but have no meaning. "Here I tried to present the major elements of characters, a functional one and a decorative one," Xu explains. "Take calligraphy as an example, it is like a ritual for worshipping characters, which become 'holy', something higher than a tool passing information, and able to give space to knowledge instead of giving things." "I never think that an art form or style is very important in order to be looked at as art. I just want my artworks to benefit humankind, help people think and go to a right way of thinking," he adds. [Picture by Li Min/ China Daily] Judging by the global press coverage, 2015 was not a great year for restaurants in China. The restaurant that seemed to get the most international ink: Modern Toilet, where diners in Beijing, Taipei and Hong Kong "sit on toilets, drink out of urinal-shaped cups and eat curry out of toilet bowls". The economy is still slowing, and the government says banqueting and gifting are still no-nos, though French cognac importers think they see light at the end of the tunnel. Meanwhile, baijiu at home and abroad is getting lighter and fruitier, to attract a young and increasingly female drinkership. Star chef Alan Wong slipped into Shanghai with his Hawaiian fare in late December, but we're still looking on the mainland for Michelin-starred French chef Alain Ducasse, who has program for food in outer space but has yet to open a long-rumored restaurant in Beijing. Ditto Jamie Oliver, Gordon Ramsay and other culinary glitterati. And while Michelin-starred chefs continue to parachute into the mainland's top eateries for special events, the French guide continues to love only Hong Kong among China's cities. What CAN we look for in the mainland food scene? Some sure bets and likely starters: LEBANON: Black Sheep restaurants newest concept, Maison Libanaise, opens in stages starting this month in Hong Kong's Central district. It's a three-story bonanza of the vibrant food, drinks and culture of Lebanon: an all-day wholesome takeaway on the ground floor opens first, followed by a first-floor restaurant with traditional mezze and hearty main dishes for lunch and dinner, and a cozy rooftop wine bar, La Buvette, with a list featuring every winery in the country. Lebanon's wineswhich have been produced for more than 5,000 yearsare creeping into restaurants and bars on the mainland as well, including those of Chateau Ksara, built by French monks in 1857. CELLPHONE-DRIVEN DINING: A recent Bloomberg survey of 20 of the world's leading chefs and restaurateurs shows that many now welcome the use of the cameras to show off dishes on social media. Some French chefs have been particularly opposed, fretting that phones get more attention than food. Chefs in China probably never even tried to fight this trend among diners, and the global majority now seem to echo the view of Gaston Acurio, chef-patron of Astrid & Baston in Lima, Peru: "We don't like much the idea of everybody using their phones in the restaurant, either for talking or photos, but we like the idea of telling customers what to do even less." Chef Tong Chee-hwee prepares Spring Festival treats at his Chinese restaurant, HKK, in London.[Photo provided to China Daily] "In some parts of China, it is tradition to eat and gift apples during Chinese New Year," says chef Tong Chee-hwee, "as the word apple in Chinese 'pinguo' sounds like the word 'peace'." My friend and I are in London for Spring Festival, celebrating the holiday at the celebrated Chinese restaurant, HKK. That's the uber-upscale sibling of Hakkasan, the popular eatery that opened in London with the award-winning Tong as head chef in 2001. It won a Michelin star within a year that it retains today, and Hakkasan has since opened branches in Shanghai, San Francisco and elsewhere. My excitement about apples betrays an embarrassing habitI have skipped down through the special eight-course New Year menu to see what's for dessert. Happy day! There are two, including the green apple cardamom crisp noodle that has captured my fancy. But all in good time. Our Year of the Monkey starts with the Prosperity Platter, starring a fresh salad mix of crisp noodles, spicy greens, sprouts and jewel-toned pomegranate seeds, all lightly dressed with plum sauce and olive oil. It's served with a sparkling Japanese sake that's only 5 percent alcohol and very refreshing. Side plates offer nibbles of fatty pork with a crispy top, and a smoked Japanese oyster wrapped in Chinese cabbage. Chef Tong, who now spends most of his time at HKK, says a traditional platter like this is the sort of dish that Chinese guests are looking for in London, though in China each city has its own food heritage. Then comes Tai Ji Supreme Seafood Soup, actually a pair of soups in the same bowl: A brilliant yolk-yellow crab-roe soup and a rich white broth of flaky fresh crab are presented in a yin-yang design. Yin and yang play a significant part in Chinese cuisine as well as philosophy, reflecting the importance of balance and harmony in ingredients as well as in textures and flavors. Taiwan leader Ma Ying-jeou paid a visit on Thursday to Taiping Island, the largest island of the Nansha Islands in the South China Sea. In a speech to people living on the island, Ma said the sovereignty of the Nansha, Xisha, Zhongsha, Dongshan islands and surrounding waters is beyond doubt, Xinhua News Agency reported. Ma said that Taiwan will work to end disputes, pursue peace and promote joint development in the South China Sea. Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said on Thursday that the Nansha Islands have been China's territory since ancient times, and people across the Straits have the responsibility to protect the heritage of the Chinese nation. The Chinese government has always been committed to building the South China Sea into a sea of peace, friendship and cooperation, and will continue to maintain freedom of navigation in the area and protect its peaceful development, Hua said. Islands in the South China Sea were first discovered, named and used by the Chinese in the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD 24), Ma said. They were incorporated into the maritime defense system in the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), and have been inspected and managed since then, Ma said. The Taiping Island will be built into a maritime rescue hub and an environmentally friendly area, Ma said. Ma Xiaoguang, spokesman for the State Council's Taiwan Affairs Office, said in a regular news briefing on Wednesday that China has indisputable sovereignty over the South China Sea islands. Both sides across the Straits have the responsibility to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity, and safeguarding the overall interests of the Chinese nation, Ma said. pengyining@chinadaily.com.cn A poster that reads "Creating London's next financial district and Asian Business Port" on derelict land at the Royal Albert Dock in east London. In recent years, European property has been a hot area for Chinese companies. [Photo/Agencies] It's only one and half months into 2016. Yet by all estimates, Chinese companies' activity in overseas mergers and acquisitions will break a historic record this year, following a recent series of deals of quite substantial commitments. One example is the $43 billion takeover of the Swiss agribusiness company Syngenta by ChemChina, a Chinese chemicals group, reported in early February. The major deals reported so far are but part of the phenomenon. They will be joined by the actions of small- and medium-sized enterprises. Chinese companies' increasing cross-border investment is a by-product of the country's economic transition. It is a trend that the central government welcomes and provides due convenience to. But it is not, as it shouldn't be, just a government project. When Chinese companies are faced by a nearly all-round glut in their traditional lines of business, it is only natural for them to make moves to create new revenue streams. Overseas mergers and acquisitions may help them meet the domestic demand for high-quality products and services, and build up more trustworthy brands. And a better synergy can be established if they use an overseas takeover as a learning process that they may not get at homefor improving internal organization of a multicultural staff, and for managing relations with foreign customers and investors. Indeed, it would be unthinkable if the transition of the world's second-largest economy remained a close-door event, without involving more inspiration and resources from the rest of the world. Technically speaking, cross-border mergers and acquisitions are a risky undertaking, the most immediate being the inevitable rise in corporate debt. The larger a deal is, the more likely the investor is to be heavily financially leveraged. Bankers in the world may be wondering how they can cope with the current Chinese hunt for overseas assets. The Chinese public may also be asking how many of the expensive overseas takeovers may actually work. But the fact that the takeover targets are more diverse, rather than being concentrated in a number of mineral resources, as many past Chinese takeovers tended to be, reflects a more prudent and rational approach. More encouragingly, the Chinese investors also tend to be more diverse. The largest recent deals were not made by the largest State-owned corporations, but by companies with more experience competing in the global market. There are always merger-and-acquisition deals that fail. However, there is reason to hope Chinese companies will do better this time around. Visitors climb the Great Wall in Yanqing district, northwest of Beijing, on Feb 11, 2016, despite heavy smog. [Photo/IC] A tourist complained online that a restaurant to Harbin, Northeast China's Heilongjiang province, padded the bill and the staff became aggressive when they argued. According to the online post, the local police sided with the restaurant, while the local market regulators said they could not intervene about the price because it was clearly marked on the bill. A comment on Beijing News says: The local market regulators seem to have forgotten that a clearly marked price does not exclude cheating. The customer complained his party consumed 5.2 kilograms of fish but were charged for eating 7.2 kg; if that's true, the restaurant cheated them and deserves punishment. The restaurant staff also reportedly attacked the diners when they complained. They even continued beating the customers when the police arrived, forcing them to pay. If the reports are true, the restaurant violated the law and the police failed in their duty. Higher authorities need to intervene and punish the attackers and corrupt police for their illegal deeds. Some people have defended the restaurant by saying that prices are normally higher than regular during the Spring Festival period. But the tourist is reported to have been charged 10,302 yuan ($1,569) for the meal, which far exceeds the national average monthly salary. Basic business ethnics also require those running restaurants to confirm the price and quantity of such an expensive meal before printing the bill. But the reports suggest the restaurant did not do that; that's why it has a very bad record among past consumers. After the incident became a hot topic online, the local government responded that it is investigating the matter and will reach a conclusion soon. It is to be hoped they are impartial. Should local officials choose to side with the local restaurant even if it is in the wrong, that will deal a fatal blow to the reputation of tourism in Harbin. Visitors to tourist attractions, especially during the Spring Festival, can expect prices to be slightly higher than at other times, that is understandable as it is the result of market mechanisms. But those mechanisms should not be exploited to cheat customers. A cluster of clouds lingers above the Huangshan mountain range after an early winter rainfall, Nov 14, 2015. The clouds form a spectacular view of the mountain range in Southern Anhui province, which is a renowned scenic spot nationwide. The area is famous for its pine trees, snowy winter scenery, seas of clouds and stunning views of sunsets. [Photo/Xinhua] Tourists to Huangshan, a scenic range of mountains in Anhui province in Eastern China, complained about how crowded the tourist site was during the holidays. On Wednesday, the third day of the Spring Festival holiday, the resort was so congested that it took five times longer than normal to finish a sightseeing trip. Beijing Times comments: Crowds have become the holiday disease at tourist attractions throughout the country during the public holidays. What should be an enjoyable experience becomes anything but, as the excessive numbers of tourists make people stressed and tired, and create risks. To keep attracting tourists to scenic spots, the sites should improve the quality of their management, focus on visitors' experience and optimize the safety and emergency measures. According to Guideline for Measurement of the Carry Capacity of Scenic Areas, issued by the National Tourism Administration, every scenic destination should calculate the estimated maximum tourist capacity and develop a plan to control numbers. If all tourist attractions restrict the number of visitors to a safe limit, it will not only reduce the risk of accidents but also improve the experience for visitors, which will in turn improve their image. However, the reality is that the red line for visitor numbers is rarely observed and the resulting congestion leaves visitors with a bad impression. And for most tourist attractions their ability to respond to an emergency is still inadequate. A main cause of the congestion is the "centralized" vacations, which means most people are holidaying at the same time. In the long run, to eliminate the holiday congestion at popular attractions people need to be able to choose for themselves when they want to take paid leave. CAI MENG/CHINA DAILY The past year has witnessed positive and negative changes in Sino-US relations. Chinese President Xi Jinping's meeting with US President Barack Obama in the White House in September was a continuation of their informal meetings since 2013. And the Strategic and Economic Dialogue yielded remarkable achievements. The two countries also broadened their cooperation on climate change and security. Yet, the two countries' divergence and competition in South China Sea show there is still a lack of mutual trust. In general, this year will be a continuation of the pattern of relations featuring cooperation as well as competition. The US will carry on its "rebalancing to the Asia-pacific".Historically, the US always with draws around the world after being deeply involved in a war. Dwight Eisenhower did it after the Korean War. Richard Nixon did it after the Vietnam War. Barack Obama is no exception. After the Afghanistan War, he concluded the US' global anti-terror war, with drew US troops from Iraq in 2009, and reduced the US military presence in Afghanistan. However, while contracting in the rest of the world, the Obama administration has increased its input in Asia-Pacific region. US strategists reached a general consensus in 2010 that China will be the main challenge to the US' hegemony in the coming years, and if the US wants to maintain its leadership in the world, it must respond, contain and be vigilant to China's challenge. Obama's successor will likely maintain this view. In the past few years, the Obama administration has mainly done three things in the Asia-Pacific: strengthened the US' alliance with Japan, boosted its ties with India, and concluded negotiations on the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement. The Obama administration will continue to push ahead with these this year. Chinese Premier Li Keqiang addresses the 18th ASEAN-China summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Nov 21, 2015. [Photo/Xinhua] The summit between the United States and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations at the Sunnylands estate in California on Monday and Tuesday highlights the growing significance of the US' relations with the 10-member Southeast Asian organization. It is an unprecedented meeting between the two sides, as it is the first time that the US has hosted such a summit. US President Barack Obama and his ASEAN guests will no doubt have a lot to say on trade, security and their desire for a more meaningful strategic partnership. And China will certainly be a factor in all their discussions. The question is in what way will the "China factor" be addressed and will it have a positive bearing on the region. With China's rise and what is seen as its more "assertive" stance under its present leadership, both sides feel the need to reinforce their security cooperation to hedge against any uncertainties in the region. Obama's rebalancing to the Asia-Pacific has sought to refurbish its military, economic and political influence in the region to counter a reemerging China. Obama's rebalancing strategy is taking a ride on some ASEAN members' growing China anxieties. Washington has never been more expected to anchor the regional security order. And Obama sees enhanced ties between the US and ASEAN as part of his legacy. Nevertheless, "keeping China cornered" would not automatically produce stability and cooperation. China is a major player in the region. Coming up with a policy package to curb contentious security concerns in the Asia-Pacific and manage the lingering disputes will be a real test of the wisdom and vision of leaders throughout the region. Obama will expectably acclaim the growing economic and trade ties established between the US and ASEAN countries at the summit. US investment in ASEAN has exceeded the sum to China, Japan and the Republic of Korea in recent years, and four ASEAN states are members of the US-led Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement. The US' economic ties with ASEAN will predictably scale up. But China will also explicitly benefit from a prospering ASEAN and closer trading ties between the US and ASEAN. Similarly, Beijing's efforts to update the infrastructure in ASEAN countries will in return profit strong economic bonds between the US and ASEAN countries. Therefore, Beijing should look forward to fruitful economic results from the summit. Beijing's grave concern will be the utterances on the South China Sea from Sunnylands. Last week, the White House acidly warned China that maritime territorial disputes must not involve "bullying". Obama has previously used the word "bully" to describe Chinese behavior in the South China Sea, and the word sparks Beijing's irritation. If Obama is going to project China as a "bully" in the South China Sea disputes at the Sunnylands, obviously it will not help ease the tensions. What sort of utterances on the South China Sea can be expected? Will the US and ASEAN keep criticizing China, or will they seek a way to accommodate contending concerns while unequivocally proposing a roadmap for settlement? We will have to wait and see. The author is executive director of the China Center for Collaborative Studies of the South China Sea at Nanjing University. Low income families receive cash bonuses from their chicken farm cooperative on Jan 29. [Photo/xinhuanet.com] At the end of 2015, the State Council, China's Cabinet, issued a document on the all-round deployment on China's poverty alleviation in the next five years. China has made great achievements in poverty alleviation in recent years. From 2012 to 2014, China has lifted 52.21 million people out of poverty nationwide, and the incomes of farmers in poorer areas have increased at a higher rate than that of the national average level for three years. But China still faces great challenges in its poverty alleviation cause. At the end of 2014, there were still 70.17 million people living in poverty in China. To root out impoverishment in China in five to six years, the government aims at helping 11.7 million people out of poverty every year. Therefore, it is expected that the central government will implement a third 10 million people poverty alleviation plan in 2016. Before the Spring Festival this year, President Xi Jinping visited Jinggangshan, the old revolutionary area in Central China's Jiangxi province, to inspect the poverty alleviation work there. During his visit he said that country should not leave any impoverished family or person behind. The Tea Horse Road. It's been called the lesser-known little brother of the colossal Silk Road that linked China with Central Asia, Western Europe and Africa. But the Tea Horse Road - the 1,400-mile route that connected tea-growing Sichuan province with the 12,000-foot-high Tibetan capital of Lhasa - just got a little older, thanks to modern science. Tea, which has been used in Buddhist rituals for centuries, does not grow in Tibet. But what does grow there is something the Chinese needed desperately right up through the mid-Qing Dynasty - their superbly bred rugged little Nangchen horses. With lungs adapted to the thin air of the plateau, they turned into powerhouses in lower altitudes and were in constant demand. Until now, tea was believed to have first arrived in Tibet as part of Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD) Princess Wen Cheng's dowry on her betrothal to Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo in 641. But a research team from the UK and China has found evidence that not only was tea being drunk in China earlier than previously thought, it was being transported along the Tea Horse Road centuries before Princess Wen Cheng's wedding. The first known written reference to tea is from 59 BC, according to a new study published in the journal Scientific Reports. And the earliest physical evidence of tea was from China's Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127 AD). The research team recovered plant remains from two burial sites: the tomb of Liu Qi, fourth emperor of the Han Dynasty who died in 141 BC, north of Xi'an, and a second-century AD Gurgyam cemetery in Ngari district, Tibet. In the emperor's tomb, among macrofossils of foxtail millet and rice, they found apparent plant leaves gathered into dark brown brick shapes. In the Tibet tomb, along with a wooden coffin and well-preserved skeleton, they found pieces of silk with the woven Chinese characters for "King and Princess", ceramic and bronze vessels, a golden mask and in one ceramic bowl, what appeared to be plant residue. "The small plant leaves from both samples show several morphological features that match those of tea," the study's authors write. But looking like tea wasn't enough, they had to prove it was tea. Using chromatography and mass spectrometry they identified caffeine (a good start but caffeine is in lots of things - coffee, cola, cacao and gurana, to name a few), but only tea also has the amino acid theanine, and only one species of tea (Camellia sinensis) has it in the quantities both samples showed. Along with a third test, the scientists were able to "confirm physical evidence for tea being imported to Xi'an in the first century [BC] and westwards to Tibet by the second century [AD]." The tea that was pressed into moulds with sticky rice water, dried into 6-pound bricks and carted the treacherous route to Tibet - crossing windswept tundra, icy rivers, perilous mountain passes - was probably not the cream of the crop and over the years drinking it evolved into what's called yak butter tea, a staple of the region to this day. It's rare that one study kills two birds with one stone - that tea was being drunk a lot earlier than previously believed and that the Tea Horse Road was active centuries earlier too. As study co-author Dorian Fuller, professor of archaeobotany at University College London, told National Public Radio, "The identification of the tea found in the emperor's tomb complex gives us a rare glimpse into very ancient traditions which shed light on the origins of one of the world's favorite beverages." Next to water, tea is the world's most favorite beverage, consumed by more than two-thirds of the world's population, according to the study. Contact the writer at chrisdavis@chinadailyusa.com. Fireworks explode in San Francisco on Feb 6. Lucy Nicholson / Reuters The Spring Festival, or chunjie in Mandarin, seems to have transformed from the most celebrated traditional holiday in China into an international festival. People around the world are showing more interest in Chinese culture and learning from its cherished values. From news and social media clips, I saw African children shouting slogans with Chinese enterprises staff there to wish China prosperity and strength; Sydney, Australia setting off fireworks; and London putting on a parade and a series of performances on Trafalgar Square. In San Francisco, what especially impressed me was a video released on Feb 6 by Mark Zuckerberg, founder of social media giant Facebook. He spoke Mandarin with his wife Priscilla and 2-month daughter Maxima, both in red outfi ts, to celebrate Chinese New Year and wished Chinese users health and good fortune. The couple also revealed that they have picked a Chinese name for Maxima: Mingyu, meaning "our hope for a brighter tomorrow". In the video, Zuckerberg mentioned Facebook's Chinese New Year celebration, which includes the company hosting seven top chefs from China to join their Chinese Cuisine Week program and cook authentic Chinese dishes at the company kitchen in Menlo Park, California, for three days. Believing culinary skills and cuisine will link people together, the Chinese Consul General Luo Linquan in San Francisco visited Facebook headquarters on Feb 3 to welcome the Chinese chefs. "Food keeps one's stomach warm and heart happy," said Luo, adding that Chinese food would serve as a bridge for Chinese and Americans to increase mutual understanding and people-to-people exchanges. Dave Poth, lead chef at Facebook, said he was impressed by the professionalism his Chinese counterparts demonstrated and said they didnt need translators to communicate. "Food is food, and it's universal," he said. "To work with a group of top chefs from China is like a dream come true." Zuckerberg said the duck was his favorite dish. The consulate general threw two New Year receptions in a row to enhance the festive atmosphere. At a Jan 27 event to which California Governor Jerry Brown and San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee were invited, Luo characterized 2015 as "a year of great signifi cance for China-US relations. Citing President Xi Jinping's state visit to the US in September as a breakthrough, Luo noted that China and the US have reached consensus on 50 important issues. "The two countries agreed to push forward negotiations on a Bilateral Investment Treaty, expand the mutually benefi cial cooperation in energy, environmental protection, science and technology, aviation, infrastructure construction, agriculture, public health and other areas," Luo said. Luo encouraged the overseas Chinese in the Bay Area to actively integrate into US mainstream society, help boost China-US cooperation, popularize Chinese culture, and deepen the American people's understanding about China. Maggie Luo, a fi nancial professional in the Bay Area and a mom of two young children, worked with other parents to stage a Chinese cultural performance in her neighborhood primary school before Chinese New Year's Eve. "I'm proud of being Chinese, and we have such a long history of civilization, Maggie Luo said. "To let our children cherish their cultural heritage is our responsibility." Happy Chinese New Year! Contact the writer at junechang@chinadailyusa.com The "moon speech" by US President John F. Kennedy on Sept 12, 1962, at Rice University was ambitious and idealistic when he said, "We choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard." However, when 2016 Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders laid out a vision for society to provide free college education, raise the minimum wage to $15, expand Social Security and address the widening income and wealth gap and the criminal justice system, he was labeled by his Republican and Democratic rivals as unrealistic or socialist. Michael Moore's new documentary Where to Invade Next, which hit theaters across the US on Feb 12, reminds Americans that not only have many of these "unrealistic" and "socialist" ideals become a reality in European countries such as Norway, Sweden and Finland, they are described by those in Scandinavia as ideas originated in the US. The movie certainly struck a chord with the American audience as I watched in the Landmark E Street Cinema in Washington on a freezing Saturday afternoon. Many of them applauded at the end, not to mention the laughter during the hilariously funny movie. Long, paid vacations in Italy, a year of paid maternity leave in Scandinavia and a surprisingly cozy prison in Norway are just some of the contrasts with American society today. So striking are the words from Italian and Finnish employers/capitalists who talk about the importance of treating their workers well and of having a society that is equal, unlike the one in the US. Moore showed that for a little higher tax rate, the people from France to Scandinavia enjoy a much better life than the Americans. He explained that most Americans have no idea that a large chunk of the US taxpayers' money was spent on the military. According to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and National Priorities Project, 53.71 percent, or $598 billion, of the discretionary spending in 2015 was on the military, more than the combined spending on education, medical care and health, housing and community, energy and environment, transportation, science, food and agriculture, veterans' benefits and government. Most of the 2016 Republican and Democratic candidates have not talked about this issue. Instead, many of them have argued for more spending on the US military by exaggerating threats across the world. Having lived in New York and Washington for the last six years, I have always wondered why New Yorkers and Washingtonians don't complain about cell-phone service that is unavailable once inside the subway systems, considering communications are so important for everyone in the 21st century. Some time ago, I told my American colleague that cell-phone service is never interrupted in the Shanghai or Beijing subway systems. "Maybe Americans don't know you can have cell-phone service in the subway," the colleague said. In a talk at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) on Feb 10, Larry Summers, a former secretary of the Treasury under president Bill Clinton and a chief economic advisor for President Obama in 2009 and 2010, expressed deep concerns about the fruits of economic growth not being widely shared. He asked the mostly SAIS students and faculty if any of them feel proud as Americans of Kennedy or LaGuardia airports in New York. Many flights at Kennedy are international, and Summers asked if any of those international airports connected aren't nicer than Kennedy. "And we are supposed to be the greatest and richest country on earth," he said. US highway systems and airports used to be the envy of the world after World War II, but they have become increasingly dilapidated compared with the rest of the world, which has invested heavily in infrastructure in recent decades. A figure cited by both Summers last week and Bill Gates earlier is that China used more cement from 2011 to 2013 or 2011 to 2014 than the US used in the 20th century. In her 2010 book Third World America, Arianna Huffington also argued that excessive spending on war and the military at the expense of domestic issues is denying society and ordinary Americans of the American Dream. Moore's movie is the latest reminder that a nation that claims to be the greatest and most exceptional seems to quickly forget its ideals. Contact the writer at chenweihua@chinadailyusa.com The guided-missile destroyer USS Lassen (front) conducts a trilateral naval exercise with the Turkish and South Korean Navy on May 25, 2015. [Photo/IC] Increased maritime problems involving the United States could hijack the interests of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and its members, according to a regional expert. The comment was made ahead of a two-day gathering with ASEAN leaders hosted by US President Barack Obama on Monday at the Sunnylands estate in California. Washington stirred tensions in the South China Sea at the end of January when a US navy destroyer intruded in Chinese waters off the Xisha Islands. It was quickly forced away by the Chinese military. Joseph Matthews, director of the ASEAN Education Center in Phnom Penh, advised ASEAN leaders traveling to the meeting to avoid allowing the US to hijack it and use or exploit its presence against China. "The region's security is linked with economic prosperitythis is a fact you cannot escape. Unnecessary involvement by a third party that happens to be an outsider could further complicate the issue," Xinhua News Agency quoted him as saying. The White House Press Secretary's Office said in a news release on Friday, "The US-ASEAN partnership has been important in addressing shared challenges on a diverse range of issues." These included "upholding international law and standards in the South China Sea". Reuters said the Sunnylands gathering is aimed at demonstrating Washington's commitment both as a counterweight to Beijing and as an eager trading partner with ASEAN nations. The Associated Press reported in a commentary that forging a common front and encouraging bolder rhetoric against China over the South China Sea issue "will be a challenge" for those attending the meeting. Only four of ASEAN's 10 member states are involved in South China Sea disputes, "leading sometimes to conflicting views on handling the long-simmering rifts", the commentary said. Zhang Junshe, a senior researcher at the PLA Naval Military Studies Research Institute, said Obama and the ASEAN leaders are expected to promote regional peace and stability and to refrain from more provocations. "ASEAN countries have a clear understanding of the big picture and they know the consequences," Zhang said, referring to past provocations by the Philippines. Xinhua contributed to this story. Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert (L) enters Maasiyahu prison near Ramle, south of Tel Aviv, Israel, Feb 15, 2016. [Photo/Xinhua] JERUSALEM - Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert released a video statement insisting on his innocence on Monday, before arriving at prison in a motorcade to begin a 19-month sentence for corruption. Olmert is the first former head of government in Israel to go to prison. During his premiership from 2006 to 2009, he was internationally credited with working towards a peace accord with the Palestinians, until graft scandals forced him to step down. "As prime minister I was charged with the highest responsibility of safeguarding Israel's citizens. Today I am the one to be locked behind bars," he said in a video released to media before he pulled up at Maasiyahu prison in central Israel in a motorcade protected by bodyguards assigned to former leaders. "At this time, it is important for me to say once more, as I did in court and outside it, that I completely deny the bribery charges I was accused of," Olmert said in the video. Olmert was assigned to a small wing of the prison, where he will be segregated for security reasons from the general population along with co-defendants in the real estate scandal. Olmert was found guilty in 2014 of two bribery charges: accepting 500,000 shekels ($129,000) from developers of a Jerusalem real estate project widely regarded as one of the city's worst eyesores and 60,000 shekels ($15,500) in a separate land deal. He was sentenced to six years in jail, but the term was cut by the Supreme Court in December to 18 months after it overturned his conviction on the first bribery charge. Last month, a lower court tagged a month on to that sentence for obstruction of justice. A separate eight-month prison term is pending since Olmert's conviction last May in another case related to cash payments he was alleged to have received from an American businessman. Former US President George W. Bush speaks about the presidential candidacy of his brother US Republican presidential candidate Jeb Bush as he appears on the campaign trail with his brother for the first time in the 2016 campaign at a rally in North Charleston, South Carolina, February 15, 2016. [Photo/Agencies] CHARLESTON, S.C. - Former President George W. Bush came to the aid of his brother Jeb Bush's Republican presidential campaign in South Carolina on Monday with a rousing endorsement of his character and a call for voters to reject the angry bluster of Donald Trump. The appearance of the elder Bush on the campaign trail may help Jeb Bush with South Carolina Republicans who hold the former president in high regard. But it also carries some risks, given his launching of the Iraq war in 2003, which ended up being unpopular with many Americans and which Republican front-runner Trump has seized on to criticize him. George W. Bush, who has stayed out of politics for the most part since leaving office in early 2009, showed he remains an engaging speaker, generating cheers repeatedly over 20 minutes from the biggest crowd Jeb Bush has enjoyed in his campaign. Without mentioning Trump by name, the 69-year-old George W. Bush left no doubt he was talking about the New York billionaire who uses incendiary rhetoric at his campaign events. "These are tough times and I know that Americans are angry, but we do not need someone in the Oval Office who mirrors and inflames our anger and our frustrations," the former president said. Real strength, he said, means facing challenges and prevailing. Whether the elder Bush's presence will help his 63-year-old brother in the South Carolina Republican primary on Saturday remains to be seen. Jeb is running fourth in polls in South Carolina, behind Trump, Texas Senator Ted Cruz and Florida Senator Marco Rubio. Trump, at a news conference in Charleston earlier in the day, continued a stream of insults directed at the Bush family, insisting that the former president bore responsibility for the Sept 11, 2001, attacks that took place on his watch. South Korean President Park Geun-hye delivers her speech during a plenary session at the National Assembly in Seoul, South Korea, February 16, 2016.[Photo/Agencies] SEOUL -- The Republic of Korea's President Park Geun-hye on Tuesday said that Seoul will take "stronger and more effective" measures to create an environment forcing change in Pyongyang. Park said in a nationally televised parliamentary speech that those measures will make the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) realize a fact that the country cannot survive with nuclear development. Her parliamentary speech was arranged to explain Seoul's decision last week to shut down an inter-Korean factory park in the DPRK's border city of Kaesong as part of its punitive actions to Pyongyang's nuclear test and long-range rocket launch. The DPRK launched a rocket on Feb. 7 to carry an Earth observation satellite into orbit, following its fourth nuclear test on Jan. 6, the first of its disputed H-bomb test. Seoul and the international community condemned those provocations as a clear violation of UN Security Council resolutions. In response to the rocket launch, the ROK decided last Wednesday to stop operations at the Kaesong Industrial Zone, which Seoul saw as a key source of hard currency for Pyongyang to develop nuclear and missile programs. The DPRK responded a day later by shutting down the last symbol of inter-Korean cooperation project, expelling the ROK's workers from there and freezing all of the ROK's assets in Kaesong, while cutting off the remaining inter-Korean communications hotlines. Park said that the complete shutdown of the Kaesong complex represents only the start of a series of sanctions toward the DPRK in cooperation with the international society. It will not happen again like in the past that the ROK yields to DPRK provocations and provide unconditional aid to it, Park noted. Seoul, Washington and Tokyo are pushing hard to impose tougher new sanctions toward Pyongyang at the UN Security Council, separately from efforts to adopt other bilateral and multilateral restrictions for the recent nuclear and rocket tests. According to Seoul's unification ministry, about 616 billion won (560 million US.dollars) has been funneled into the DPRK government since the factory park started manufacturing products in December 2004. Some 70 percent of the funds have been channeled into the DPRK's nuclear and missile developments and the purchase of luxury goods, the ministry estimated without elaborating on how the 70 percent was calculated. Companies from the ROK had paid wages for DPRK workers in Kaesong in US dollars to the DPRK government, which in turn had paid them wages in the DPRK currency or store vouchers, according to the Unification Ministry. Park said foreign currency inflow into the DPRK should be blocked to prevent the country from advancing its nuclear and missile capability. Touching on talks between Seoul and Washington on deploying a sophisticated US missile defense system in South Korea, Park said that negotiations on the Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) deployment were part of measures to strengthen combined ROK-US capability to deter the DPRK's missile threats. During the upcoming negotiations on the THAAD deployment, Park said, her country will strengthen cooperation with the United States and Japan, while laying stress on consulting with China and Russia. The THAAD, designed to track and destroy ballistic missiles at an altitude of 40-150 km, has been put under suspicion about its operational effectiveness in the ROK as hundreds of shorter-range DPRK missiles can fly at a much lower altitude. Controversy remained over safety as the THAAD's X-band radar emits super-strong microwaves being harmful to human bodies within 3.6 km and paralyzing electronic devices and airplanes within 5.5 km. Seemingly mindful of domestic oppositions to the THAAD deployment, Park said that "aiming the tip of a sword back to us and dividing ourselves are something that should not happen," calling for a national unity to tackle security issues. Canberra must not undertake any action that endangers regional peace and stability, Beijing said, as the Australian foreign minister began a visit to China. An objective and fair attitude must be adopted by the Australians (towards the South China Sea issue) and they must not do anything that harms peace and stability in the region, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hong Lei said on Tuesday. Hong made the remarks in response to Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop's comments "questioning China's island reclamation in the South China Sea". Before visiting China, Bishop said in Tokyo that Australia supported the Philippines' tribunal efforts and she will ask for clarification from Beijing about its intentions on the islands. "Given that President Xi has said that China does not intend to militarize the islands then of course we ask what the construction work on the islands will be used for," Bishop told reporters in Tokyo, where she met Japanese counterpart Fumio Kishida. "In the past Foreign Minister Wang Yi has said they will be public goods, so I am seeking more detail as to how other nations could access these public goods," Bishop said of the islands. "Depending upon the answer he gives, we will look at the situation," she said. The Australians should not avoid the fact that the Philippines initiated arbitration unilaterally and this is not in accordance with international law, and it also violates the consensus reached by the Philippines and China as well as the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, Hong said. Emphasizing China's construction on the islands is mainly for providing public goods to the international community to facilitate maritime search and rescue, protect fishing activities as well as deliver emergency medical treatment, Hong made it clear that he believes that the international community will have the chance to use these facilities when they are ready. Hong also said that China's necessary homeland defense facilities on its own territory are covered by international law, and the construction will not affect the freedom of navigation and aviation in the South China Sea. Reuters contributed to this story BEIJING -- The US-led Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), which was signed by 12 countries accounting for 40 percent of the global GDP, will only have a slight negative impact on China, according to an authoritative US think tank. There is no denying that the multi-national free trade deal can bring hundreds of billions of U.S. dollars in revenues to the signatories every year, said Peterson Institute for International Economics (PIIE), an American nonprofit, nonpartisan research institute. But the TPP's negative impact on China is insignificant, which is negligible before 2025 and can cause China to lose between 9 billion and 20 billion US dollars a year by 2030, which accounts for less than 0.1 percent of its GDP at the time, the PIIE said. This may come as a surprise to those who see "the world's largest" free trade deal as a campaign to "encircle and suppress China" by excluding China, the world's largest trader. The PIIE also believes the TPP's impact on the real income of non-member countries in general is not going to be great and not all the impact is negative. China, India, South Korea and Thailand are among countries that will suffer from its negative impact as the pact diverts some trade from its non-members to members. South Korea will be hard hit as the deal will severely erode the advantages the country enjoys under its former free trade agreement with the United States. Meanwhile, some non-members, like the European Union and Hong Kong, will see their real income levels rise due to the TPP, which allows certain trade liberalization with its non-members. While the TPP is going to benefit its members in varying degrees, Vietnam will benefit most from it by 2030, with its real income expected to increase by 41 billion U.S. dollars, or 8.1 percent of its GDP, according to the PIIE's calculation of the TPP's real income effects. By 2030, the TPP will add 131 billion dollars a year to the United States' real income, the largest net increase, but the figure will account for only 0.5 percent of the country's GDP. US President Barack Obama has voiced an ambition to see all Asia-Pacific nations play by the same rules, and observers said this indicated Washingtons latest renewal of its plan to meddle in regional maritime problems. Obama made the comments while starting a two-day gathering of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations member leaders at Sunnylands in California. Observers predicted that Obama will stay tough on the South China Sea issue and pose more challenges to Chinas expanding maritime interests, trying to make his pivot to Asia a legacy of his eight-year presidency. AFP said that Obama, hoping to increase pressure on Chinas construction in the South China Sea, opened the meeting by declaring a US-ASEAN shared goal of building a regional order where all nations play by the same rules. Here at this summit, we can advance our shared vision of a regional order where international rules and norms, including freedom of navigation, are upheld and where disputes are resolved through peaceful, legal means, Obama was quoted by Reuters as saying. Teng Jianqun, a senior expert on US studies at the China Institute of International Studies, said that Washington in recent years has been working on tackling economic cooperation, which Teng described as the weak link of its ties with the ASEAN countries. Zhong Feiteng, an expert on Asia-Pacific affairs at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, noted that tension in the South China Sea is still rising. Zhong said the US arranged the gathering because it believes that the legitimacy of its engagement in the maritime problems will be boosted if ASEAN offers support or silent approval. Since there are differing positions regarding the South China Sea issue within ASEAN, Washington hopes to coordinate such positions in order to counterbalance China and offset Chinas influence, Zhong said. Xu Liping, a senior research fellow on Southeast Asia studies at CASS, said the South China Sea issue is increasingly vulnerable to geopolitical factors, because countries such as the US and the Philippines have taken it for bargaining chips or trading of economic interests. China should be alert toward such calculations, Xu said. In another development, Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop, ahead of her China visit, said on Tuesday in Tokyo that Australia recognizes the Philippines right to seek international arbitration against China over the islands in the South China Sea. In response, Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said the Philippines arbitration case was a contravention of international law and went against the consensus that Beijing and Manila have reached on the issue. China certainly will not accept this. Australia ought not to selectively avoid this reality, he told a daily news conference in Beijing. The Australian side should take an objective and impartial attitude and not do anything that harms regional peace and stability, he said. zhangyunbi@chinadaily.com.cn Contents of this Article: The phrase May you live in interesting times is often and incorrectly described as a Chinese curse. Although there is in fact no equivalent Chinese phrase, for companies manufacturing in China, these are interesting times indeed. This very long post aims to provide an overview of the challenges of manufacturing in China, as well as strategies for minimizing risks and maximizing opportunities. It outlines the administrative and regulatory requirements, process and production challenges, and specific cultural and market-specific risks. I am writing this post after fielding dozens of requests over the years to put together in one place ALL of the basics necessary to manufacture in China successfully. In this post, Ive tried to include everything that is relevant close to 90 percent of the time, while not bogging you down with the things that happen ten percent of the time, or less. Every business and company is different, however, and the information and advice offered here is intended to alert business managers to the legal considerations specific to the China manufacturing environment; it is not intended to serve as a replacement for bespoke legal advice. You may be the company that actually needs legal help with what I describe above as things that happen ten percent of the time, or less. But no matter what your situation, I urge you to reach out to me if youd like to discuss your specific circumstances or feel you need some help in protecting your company against your China manufacturers. China Manufacturing Challenges Manufacturing in a foreign country can offer significant benefits especially in terms of cost but when the mountains are high and the emperor (thats you, the client) is far away (), problems can arise. The best way to reduce the likelihood of having problems with your China product suppliers is to recognize that most China manufacturing problems stem from something the product buyer failed to do to prevent the problem. In other words, it is mostly up to you to reduce your risks. But what exactly should you do to protect yourself when manufacturing overseas? Start with these six basic measures: Use a Good Manufacturer If you do not know how to find a good manufacturer, pay someone who does. At the very minimum, make sure the company you will be using to make your products actually exists and is licensed to engage in the business for which you will be paying it. If you cannot afford to do these things, you should not be manufacturing overseas. Not kidding. Use Good Manufacturing Agreements Good contracts ensure that your China manufacturer knows what is required of it and what will happen to it if it does not meet those requirements. More than half of the overseas manufacturing contracts our international manufacturing lawyers see are worthless because they were written by someone who either does not know manufacturing or does not know international law, or both. Many are worse than using no contract at all. Use Detailed Contracts Overseas factories that engage in contract manufacturing tend to do exactly what you tell them to do. This means you need to clearly convey what it is that you want them to do, and that means your instructions and specifications should be detailed and in their language. Be overly specific. Visit the Factory Either your own people or a third-party quality control company should pay regular visits to your factory. Doing this allows you to make sure your factory understands what you want and lets them know that you are serious about making sure you get it. It also humanizes you and tells them that you really do care and are not just putting things down on paper to look good to your own buyers or to abide by some regulation somewhere. Inspect Your Products Perform regular product inspections appropriate to the product you are having made. Register Your Intellectual Property If you have intellectual property (IP) worth protecting (and nearly every manufacturer does), make sure you do everything you can within reason to protect it wherever you are manufacturing your products and wherever you sell your products. This means trademarks, patents and/or copyrights. Intellectual Property Rights Protections Register Trademarks in China The Chinese trademark system is complicated: idiosyncratic, highly regimented, and overseen by capricious examiners. So why not register China trademarks via the Madrid System for the International Registration of Marks? The one-size-fits-all Madrid application makes registering a trademark in China seem easy. Really easy: all you have to do is check a box marked China. As a result, Madrid applicants are lulled into a sense of complacency, but all too often the result is a rejection that could have been avoided with a national application in China. Madrid applications are supposed to be cheap and quick, but fixing Madrid problems after the fact is neither. Trademark prosecution in China is highly mechanical; for the vast majority of applications, you file an application, wait 18 months, and at the end of that time your trademark is either registered or rejected. (A slight oversimplification, but not by much.) For this reason, the meaningful work for Chinese trademark applications occurs before the application is filed. First of all, it is essential to conduct a pre-application trademark clearance (a.k.a. a trademark screening) to assess the trademarks registrability. Is the mark inherently distinctive? Does it run afoul of Chinas statutory prohibitions on trademarks? Does it conflict with any preexisting trademarks? Next, assuming the screening results dont scare you away, you must determine which class(es) to file in and the specific products or services (items) to be covered by the mark. This is a lot trickier than it sounds because the Chinese Trademark Office (CTMO) divides each Nice classification into a unique system of subclasses. For purposes of trademark registration, each subclass is treated discretely: a trademark for one item in a given subclass covers all items in that subclass, but is not effective on items in any other subclass. When you file a China national application, you determine the subclasses that you want your application to cover. But when you file a Madrid application, your list of items goes straight to a CTMO trademark examiner, who will decide from your list which subclasses the items should go in without consulting you. This lack of consultation, combined with the examiners often-tenuous grasp of English (or French or Spanish), means that imprecise descriptions of items can lead to problems of both overinclusiveness and underinclusiveness. It is possible to perform a pre-application screening before filing a Madrid application, and it is possible to craft a description of items in a Madrid application that will conform to the Chinese subclass system. But this requires working with an experienced China trademark attorney or agent, and it will cost nearly as much and take nearly as much time as a national application. In other words, you lose all of the advantages of the Madrid System, but keep all of the disadvantages. Finally, even if your Madrid System trademark is registered in China without a hitch, you may still have trouble enforcing your rights. Upon registration, the only formal certificate for Madrid System trademarks is the one issued by WIPO. China does not issue its own separate trademark certificate. In theory, this should not be a problem, because the WIPO certificate should be sufficient to enforce your trademark rights under Chinese law. In practice, Chinese bureaucrats and e-commerce customer service reps generally could care less about Chinas WTO obligations. Much of the time, before they will lift a finger against an infringing factory or website, they will demand a copy of a CTMO-issued Chinese trademark certificate. It is easy enough to request a Chinese trademark certificate based on a WIPO registration, but it takes another three to five months to get one. That can feel like an eternity when your trademark is being knocked off. Register Design Patents in China A design patent in China is generally analogous to a design patent in the U.S. or a Community design in the EU and it covers novel product designs that (1) incorporate shapes, patterns, and/or colors, (2) are rich in aesthetic appeal, and (3) are fit for industrial application. China registers design patents without conducting a substantive examination of the design patent application and so it does not take much at all to secure one. Substantive examinations only occur if a third party challenges a patents validity after registration. A design patent applicant need only submit an application to SIPO that satisfies the procedural requirements, particularly with respect to proper formatting of documents and drawings. As a result, in many circumstances companies must register a design patent on their product(s). If they dont, someone else will and then they find themselves having to challenge that patent in China (which is relatively expensive and time-consuming) or just walking away from China. Even though many of the design patents in China are nothing more than slight modifications of existing product designs, they still can have substantial value because their owners can sue for patent infringement and register the patent(s) with China Customs and have counterfeit or copycat products seized at the border. Even if you do not think your design is novel enough to be patented, there is a first-mover advantage to your filing for a China design patent simply because your design patent will be valid until successfully challenged by a third party. A Chinese design patent grants its holder exclusive use of the aesthetic features of a product, not its functioning portion. In other words, the patent is on how the product looks; its external appearance. What though, does it really mean to have a China design patent? A typical design patent case starts with a phone call from a Western company telling us a Chinese company (usually a company it already knows and usually either its manufacturer or a competitor) just contacted the Western company (or the Chinese company that makes the Western companys product) and said the Western companys product violates the Chinese companys China design patent. The Chinese company then threatens to sue the Western company (and/or its Chinese manufacturer) for patent infringement damages and to block any of the Western companys infringing product from leaving China. Though China Customs frequently blocks products from leaving China due to trademark infringement claims, blocking products due to a design patent claim is considerably less common. China Customs generally requires a party seeking to block a product from leaving China to post a substantial bond, which then becomes available to the party whose product has been blocked by customs. Many more companies are willing to bear this risk to stop trademark infringing products from leaving China than are willing to take this risk for a design patent claim. Whats the best way to nip design patent hijacking? Register your design patent first, before anyone else can do so. If you want to be sure to avoid your products being held up at the Chinese border on an IP claim, you should secure both a trademark and a design patent. Registering your IP with China Customs China Customs will block products that infringe on China IP from entering or leaving China. The leaving China part is why it is 100% essential that you register your IP in China even if all you are doing in China is having your products made there. The leaving China part is also why it usually makes sense for foreign companies that have registered their IP in China to also register that IP with China Customs. Even though manufacturing in China is on the decline, China still manufactures way more than any other country in the world and it is still by far the world center for product counterfeiting. If you register your IP in China, then also register that IP with China Customs, you will have positioned yourself to be able to block counterfeit versions of your products from leaving China for anywhere in the world. China NNN Agreements We love NNN Agreements for China. They are fast, cheap, easy, telling and effective. If in the course of conducting business in China, you are going to reveal anything (e.g. to partners, suppliers) that you do not want made public, you should consider an NNN Agreement. If you are going to be showing your products, prototypes or designs to a Chinese factory, you should consider an NNN Agreement. If you do not want your Chinese manufacturer competing against you with your products, you should consider an NNN. But the most important thing you need to know about China NNN Agreements is that they really should not be an NDA; they should be China-specific NNN Agreements, because Western-style NDA agreements do not work for China, and most of the time, using one is worse than having no protection at all. NDA agreements prohibit your Chinese counterparty from disclosing your secrets. They do not stop them from competing against you or going behind your back to your customers or clients or to anyone else. To prevent these behaviors, you need a China NNN (non-use, non-disclosure and non-circumvention) Agreement. 1. Non-Use Non-use requires your factory to agree not to make use of your idea/concept/product in a manner competitive with you, the disclosing party. The critical point is that this obligation arises by contract. This protection is not based on abstract property rights arising under intellectual property law. The prohibition protects you not because your concept is classified as some form of intellectual property such as a trademark, copyright, patent, mask work or even a trade secret. The factory is prohibited from using your work because it executed a contract that prohibits it from using your work. Getting a factory to sign a contract with a non-use provision means there is no need to look outside that contract to other areas of law for you (and Chinas courts) to be able to control the behavior of the Chinese factory. 2. Non-Disclosure The next element of an NNN Agreement is non-disclosure. This is the core of an NDA, or Non-Disclosure Agreement. Surprisingly enough, you need not be terribly concerned with having your Chinese counterparty disclose the information you want kept secret to an unrelated third party. This is because Chinese companies usually have no interest in letting others in on their good thing. If they want to use your concept, they want to use it for their own purposes, not to disclose it to others. But if you prohibit a Chinese factory from making direct use of your concept, the Chinese factory now has a problem. The clever Chinese entity will not directly breach your non-use prohibition; it will simply disclose your information to someone in its corporate group, then accurately claim it has not breached the non-use prohibition because it is not the one making use of your protected information. For this reason, it is important you understand the type of group with which you are dealing, and you must make clear in your NNN Agreement that disclosure is specifically prohibited within the group, and that if there is any infringement by any member of the group, the factory that signed your NNN Agreement and made the disclosure is fully liable. Often, some education of your Chinese counterparty on this issue is required, because Chinese companies often do not consider disclosure to a member of their own group as violating a non-disclosure prohibition. 3. Non-Circumvention Finally, you need to deal with non-circumvention. The Chinese factory knows you are purchasing the product at the China price, then adding a margin and selling it at a profit in the foreign market. In this situation, it is only natural for the Chinese factory to work to obtain a list of your customers to whom they can sell your product at the China price. After going through your customer list, they start marketing your product to the rest of the world. What would your customers do if offered your product for 50% less? In many industries (especially those where quality and servicing is critical), most customers would say no. But in many other industries including consumer products they quickly and almost uniformly say yes. Note also that if you have not registered your brand name and/or logo as your own trademark in China, there is nothing to stop your Chinese manufacturer from putting your brand name and/or logo on these very same products and selling them into any country where you do not have a corresponding trademark. This is circumvention, and you must prohibit circumvention by contract. There is no other way to do it. A good NNN agreement is your only protection. Finally, we always do our China NNN Agreements in both English and Chinese. We make the Chinese version the official one, and the English version just a translation for our English-speaking clients. Making them in Chinese means that the Chinese courts will be able to better understand them and enforce them more quickly. It also takes away the other sides argument that it did not know what it was signing. Should You Register Your Copyrights in China? Copyrights are automatically protected in China under the Berne Convention, but to be able to sue quickly for a copyright violation and to have full copyright protection in China, it almost always makes sense to file your copyrights there. Just as in the United States and the E.U., you need only submit a small portion of your software code to secure copyright protection on the entire program. Writing a Manufacturing Contract Some of the important considerations, issues and questions to consider when drafting a China manufacturing agreement: Decide if the agreement with your manufacturers will be exclusive or nonexclusive. Decide the manufacturers obligations to sell. There are basically two alternatives. The manufacturers are obligated to produce product under any purchase order you submit and their failure to produce at the agreed price would be a default. You would then almost certainly be required to purchase a minimum amount of product during a specified time period. This approach is best if you want to guarantee supply and you want to hold your manufacturers to their price commitments. Or, obligate your manufacturers to produce product only for those purchase orders it accepts. In other words, they will have the right not to accept purchase orders, at their discretion. The advantage of this to you is that it will not require you to purchase any specific amount of product. The disadvantage is that there is no guarantee of supply and there is no way to hold your manufacturers to any price commitment. Decide whether or not you want to identify specific ports of delivery. If you will have multiple ports and delivery locations in some of the countries where you will be receiving your product, the port/delivery location should be specified in the purchase orders rather than the manufacturing agreements. Decide on payment terms, e.g. payment 30 days after shipment, or 30 days after inspection. If you will provide for payment 30 days after shipment, you will need to determine when you will inspect the product. It is best to have inspection before payment, but this is not always practical. Decide on a warranty period. Decide on trade secrets/IP protection provisions, e.g. a monetary penalty for breach that might be both a lump sum penalty and a percentage of sales penalty. These penalties should be large enough to cause concern for the manufacturer, but not so large as to scare them into not signing. Decide on tooling provisions that may provide for a series of lump sum penalties. Manufacturers commonly refuse to return tooling and the most effective way to control this is to provide for a significant lump sum penalty for such a refusal. Additional considerations in drafting a manufacturing contract include: Product Testing: Where and how will you test your product? Will you do you own independent testing in China or will you wait until you receive the product in your home country? Will you require the Chinese factory to test and then provide you with test results? If you will do your own independent testing in China, it is important to set out the testing procedure in writing. Manufacturing Set-up Costs:Your factory may ask you to pay in advance for some of the manufacturing set-up costs. Though this is normal, it is important to clarify those costs and then get them in writing. Product Pricing: You will want to lock in your costs, especially in consideration of your factorys understandable desire to be protected from increases in the costs of materials. The normal way pricing is done for this kind of item in China is as follows: The product price is fixed for a set period, say, one year. The Chinese manufacturer takes the price risk during this time, both for changes in component prices and for RMB/USD exchange rate risk. It is easiest if the manufacturer builds in the cost of items from the approved suppliers and takes the risk of price changes. Often a manufacturer will calculate that amount at cost+ to cover the risk and to cover the costs of advance purchasing and warehousing. If your manufacturer is not willing to do the above, the quoted product price from them is not really a fixed price and it can change over time. The risk in this situation depends on the integrity and reputation of the manufacturer. Some Chinese manufacturers will double or triple their prices after production has started and after you are trapped into using them as your manufacturer. Reputable manufacturers typically will only raise their prices when there has actually been a material change in component prices. Product Packaging Costs: It should be made clear who has responsibility for packaging design, production, and payment. It should also be made clear how packaging costs will be included in the final cost of the product. It is important to get these costs agreed and in writing. Manufacturing Contract Duration: What will be the term of this agreement? The Three Main Types of Manufacturing Contracts Most manufacturing contracts involve one of three different types of manufacturing arrangements: Original Equipment Manufacturing (OEM), Contract Manufacturing (CM), and Original Design Manufacturing (ODM). These three different arrangements influence various legal issues inherent to overseas manufacturing. Original Equipment Manufacturing (OEM) In this arrangement, the buyer purchases from a factory a product that is already being manufactured by that factory. The product buyer then packages this product with its own trademark and logo. The buyer and the factory may agree to certain cosmetic changes (color, shape, minor added features) that further customize the product for the buyer. In an OEM arrangement, the intellectual property (IP) rights are usually clear: the buyer owns its branding (trademarks, logos and packaging) and the factory owns the product. Difficulty arises once the product is customized. Who owns the IP once the buyer has made changes to the product? An OEM agreement can provide clarity here. Usually, the buyer seeks to restrict the factory from using the customization in selling the base product to third parties. Contract Manufacturing (CM) In this arrangement, the buyer has a fully developed product design. Traditionally, this design was of a product that had been previously manufactured by the buyer. More recently, the product is a new design being manufactured for the first time overseas. In a CM arrangement, ownership may seem simple: the foreign buyer owns all the IP, both in design and branding, and the factory owns nothing. In practice, however, the division is not always so clear. For example, your factory may change your products design and use those design changes to modify its own products it sells in direct competition with your products. Difficulties exist in every contract manufacturing project, and they can be resolved with a clear, written agreement. Original Design Manufacturing (ODM) As external manufacturers are becoming more technically competent, foreign buyers have started entering into arrangements in which their overseas factories do some or all the product design work. There are many variations on this approach. In its most fundamental form, the foreign buyer provides drawings and a specification sheet, and the overseas factory does the rest of the work in consultation with the buyer. In an ODM arrangement, the obvious question is: who owns the design of the product? Both the foreign buyer and its overseas factory may claim ownership of the design using conflicting arguments. The overseas factory will agree to make the product on an exclusive basis for the foreign buyer, but the foreign buyer does not have the right to have the product made by a third-party factory. This position can come as a bad surprise to the foreign buyer, particularly when its overseas factory suddenly announces it will be doubling the price for manufacturing the product. These issues can get even more complex when the product incorporates or is based on technology clearly owned by the overseas factory. In this context, the factory will often state that the buyer can go anywhere it wants to manufacture the buyers own portion of the product design, but no third-party factory can make use of the factorys proprietary technology in the manufacturing process. Consider this case for a foreign buyer that has spent considerable time and effort to develop a product design only to learn after a year that its overseas factory has decided to terminate the manufacturing agreement. There is no simple default answer to these difficult issues; the only way to resolve them is to draft a detailed written ODM agreement in advance, setting out a path to resolution that is fair to both sides. The legal default in most countries will favor the position of the factory. Absent a clear agreement on how to proceed, the foreign buyer will lose pretty much every time. China Manufacturing Contracts Product Development Agreements Foreign companies that outsource their product manufacturing to China often co-develop their products with Chinese manufacturers. In some cases, the foreign company has completed its product development and the Chinese manufacturers only involvement is in setting up to manufacture the product in high volumes. In other cases, the foreign company side has only a general product idea and the Chinese manufacturer is tasked with turning the foreign companys napkin scribblings into a viable commercial product. Sometimes both the Chinese manufacturer and the foreign company contribute technology and know-how so the final product is a blend of both parties contributions. The product development stage is the highest risk stage for foreign companies manufacturing in China, yet it is also the stage most neglected by foreign companies. Foreign companies will use NNN agreements in the factory search stage and they will use OEM agreements for the production stage, but they rarely use product development agreements. This is a big mistake that often leads to one of two disasters for the foreign company. The first disaster can occur when the Chinese manufacturer does not charge the foreign company anything for the product development work. In these situations, the Chinese manufacturer often will claim that any intellectual property in the developed product is its own and will generously offer to make the product on behalf of the foreign company at price, payment, quantity, quality and delivery terms chosen by the Chinese manufacturer. No matter how outrageous the pricing or other demands from the Chinese manufacturer, there is little the foreign company can do because it waited until development was finished before even considering who would end up with its IP. The second disaster stems from foreign companies not considering the procedural issues necessary for successfully developing a product. Foreign companies far too often mistakenly assume that Chinese manufacturers can develop any product within the tight timeframes and close tolerances required by modern business. This often leads to the following: The product is never completed or never works properly. The product is not completed until after the market opportunity has passed. The product cost ends up being far higher than projected. The only good way to address the above product development risks is with a product development agreement enforceable in China. A good product development agreement covers the period between the NNN agreement stage when you are figuring out which Chinese manufacturer to use and the OEM agreement stage when you have already selected your Chinese manufacturer and know exactly what you will have manufactured. A good product development agreement generally includes provisions addressing the following: The product to be developed. The technologies the foreign company and the Chinese manufacturer will contribute. Who will provide the product specifications and in what form. Who will own the IP rights to the resulting product. Who will pay for product development costs? Who will pay for the molds and tooling? Setting of milestones. Chinese manufacturers often agree to do the development work, but fail to do so in a timely manner. Your product development agreement should provide incentives for your Chinese manufacturer to meet milestones and a penalty if it does not. Chinese manufacturers usually prefer to cover all of the costs of product development because they want to own the resulting product and foreign companies far too often go along with this, without realizing this likely means the Chinese manufacturer will end up with the product and its related IP. China Manufacturing Risk Management A China Manufacturing Compliance Checklist If you have familiarized yourself with the applicable Chinese laws and your business has done its utmost to comply with those laws, the odds of your company getting into legal hot water in China are low. We have helped countless foreign companies deal with China compliance failures, and very rarely have we concluded that our client was singled out for no good reason. Even when our client had done nothing wrong, we could still understand why the Chinese government had initially thought otherwise. On top of this, the foreign companies we represent have become much savvier in realizing the need to remain in compliance. It has truly been years since any of our clients have excused their non-compliance by claiming everyone is doing it. And yet we still get plenty of calls from companies that make this excuse after they have been caught operating illegally. Guess what in China like pretty much everywhere else in the world this is no excuse. But what exactly should you be doing now to ensure you are in compliance with Chinese laws? Corporate Compliance Are your companys activities still covered by the scope of business used during its registration? If you registered as an import/export company and you now own a factory, you should make some changes. Is your business in a different location from what is listed on your business license? That requires a change also. Is the person listed as your companys legal representative still with your company and still the person you want in this position? What about the general manager? The supervisor? Have there been any changes to the parent company? China Employment Compliance Chinas employment laws are complicated, localized, and pro-employee. Make sure you have appropriate written employment agreements with all of your employees in China, domestic and foreign. Review and update your employee manual (a.k.a. Employer Rules and Regulations). Review and update all other employment-related documents, from offer letters to severance agreements and everything in between. Make sure you otherwise stay in compliance: are all of your non-Chinese employees work permits and residence permits up-to-date? Have you secured approval from the local labor bureau for any employees under a non-standard working hours system? Have you secured all necessary renewals for such employees? Are you paying into the appropriate social insurance accounts for each employee? China Tax Compliance It is sometimes necessary to engage a competent local accounting firm. Your accountants must of course understand Chinese tax law, but they should also have at least a rudimentary understanding of your home countrys tax laws as well. For instance: make sure your transfer pricing is current and accurately reflected in your contracts and that your profit margins are high enough to keep Chinas tax authorities at bay. China IP Compliance We frequently get calls from foreign companies doing business in China that have let their China IP registrations fall into disorder (or never organized their IP in the first place). Most of the time, it is my law firms China IP lawyers who spot the problem. Even if you registered everything appropriately when you first came to China, have you kept up with newer products/services or brands? Are you registering design patents before you release your products? Are you keeping sufficient evidence of trademark use to fend off a non-use cancellation? Have you properly drafted and registered any trademark license agreements? Are you taking full advantage of Chinas trademark system to protect your brand name, slogans and logos? China Contract Compliance Many foreign companies do business in China in a way that makes it all but impossible for them to enforce their contractual rights. Do you have written agreements with all your major sources and clients? Are you using a lawyer to draft your design/manufacturing/licensing/purchase/etc. agreements? Are these agreements in Chinese? Enforced under Chinese law? Spend the time now on the above to avoid having to spend a lot more time later. Protecting Yourself from Scammers What can you do to help prevent China factory problems? The quick answer is to know your factory before you contract with them and especially before you send them any money. The way to know your factory is to do due diligence on them. The bare minimum due diligence on your potential China manufacturing partner should include the following: Obtain the Chinese manufacturers actual Chinese company name. This can then be verified by comparing it with the companys business license. Check with the official Chinese government registry to see if your Chinese manufacturer has actually been registered as a Chinese company. Check your Chinese manufacturers capitalization to see if it is sufficiently large enough and well-funded enough to handle your proposed deal. Check the Chinese companys corporate officers and shareholders to see if they have any conflicts of interest by owning other companies. This is quite common and often explains why they are insisting on you using certain sub-suppliers. Check the Chinese companys current operational status: Open, Irregular Operations, or Revoked. We have found that clients potential Chinese business partners had been placed on the irregular operations list by their districts Market Supervision and Administration Bureaus. The reasons for a company being flagged as such are often because of financial difficulties and mismanagement. You do not want to do business with such a company, because the consequences of a company being flagged as having abnormal operations include: Banking accounts and activities restricted or frozen. Services and licensing provided by government bureaus restricted or prohibited. Administrative penalties imposed. For example, a failure to notify the Bureau of a change in registered address carries a fine of RMB 10,000 to 100,000. The individuals in charge of the company restricted. Additionally, if the company has been flagged for three years, it will be placed on the list of companies that have seriously violated the law. We are seeing many more Chinese manufacturers on the irregular operations list than previously. Worse than that, we are also seeing more Chinese manufacturers showing up on the operations revoked list. Make sure the Chinese government has authorized your Chinese manufacturer (per its business scope) to do the type of business it is proposing to do with you. Companies in China must specify their intended business scope in their articles of association, and this scope is subject to approval by the government registration authorities and if a Chinese company exceeds its scope, it is operating illegally. Check the history of the Chinese manufacturer with which you might do business. Most fake companies do not bother to create a business history. If a company does not have a history you can verify, you should seriously consider walking away. Find out what property and IP your Chinese manufacturer owns. Companies that own property and/or IP are much less likely to scam you than those that dont. Check your Chinese manufacturers litigation history and whether and how often it has been in trouble with the government. A company that is constantly getting fined by the government and/or constantly getting sued by its product buyers is not a good company with which to do business. Have a good and China-specific manufacturing contract with your Chinese manufacturers. If the Chinese company formally declares bankruptcy (which does happen) and if it has some assets left (which also does happen) and if you have a China-centric manufacturing contract you at least have a chance at getting some or all of your money back. Pay as little as possible until your product has arrived and been quality-checked. One of the best things you can do to reduce your China product buying risks is to delay all or almost all payment until after you have confirmed delivery of conforming product. But few Chinese manufacturers will agree to this, and even fewer Chinese manufacturers that intend to scam you will do so. Use common sense. If a manufacturer seems too good to be true, it probably is not. Red flags: Insanely good proposed pricing Unrealistic promised delivery times Few questions to you about the details of the work Unresponsive to your questions to them Your Manufacturer Is Your Likeliest Competitor In deciding to manufacture in China, you will essentially be educating your Chinese manufacturer in how to compete with you. And guess what? It is perfectly legal for your Chinese factory to copy your products unless you have a contract forbidding that. It is also perfectly legal for them to use your brand name in China (or even to register your brand name as its own trademark) if you have not registered your brand name as a China trademark. Years ago, it was common to do business in China without a contract. Before China had modern trade laws and courts that were able to handle business disputes, this informal approach made sense because there was no alternative. To pursue a claim successfully against a Chinese company, there must be a written contract between the parties, executed by both parties in accordance with the Chinese law requirements. Unlike in the U.S. or the E.U., Chinese courts rarely allow for proving the existence of a contract by putting together pieces evidenced by scattered POs, invoices, emails and desperate phone calls. The court will insist on a written agreement that unambiguously names the parties and provides the basis for the agreement. Additionally, the contract must be enforceable in China. As a practical matter, Chinese courts incredibly rarely enforce foreign judgments, and it can be quite difficult to get them to enforce a foreign arbitration award. A contract enforceable in China must meet the following basic standards: (Photo : Getty Images) U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi shake hands after a press conference in Beijing in 2015. Advertisement China has expressed its disagreement over the possible deployment of advanced U.S. missile defence system in Korea. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yu made China's opposition clear during a meeting with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry last week. According to Xinhua, the meeting between Kerry and Wang took place on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference on Feb. 12. This is not the first time that China has protested against the deployment of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defence (THAAD) system in South Korea. Like Us on Facebook Advertisement The United States and South Korea have been conducting discussions on the deployment of THAAD since the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) launched a satellite on Feb. 7. Security experts have warned that the satellite launch may have been a cover for Pyongyang to test its long rang missile technology. The THAAD is one of the most advanced weapon defense systems in the world. It can intercept and destroy ballistic missiles inside or outside the atmosphere during the final phase of flight. However, the deployment of THAAD poses a threat to neighbouring countries - including China - despite assurances frpm Washington and Seoul that the missile will be focused solely on the DPRK. During an interview with Reuters on the sidelines of the Munich meeting, Wang revealed that China is indeed apprehensive about the deployment of THAAD in South Korea. He explained that Beijing is concerned with the deployment as it moves beyond the defense needs of the Korean Peninsula and the coverage may affect other Asian countries. He told Reuters that such a move will directly affect the strategic security interests of China and other Asian countries. The Chinese foreign minister urged the U.S. to be cautious and consider China's security interests as well, adding that such an interference could result in complications for regional peace and stability. Wang admitted that North Korea's recent nuclear test and rocket launch violated U.N. resolutions and challenges the global non-proliferation agenda. The United States and China have agreed to expedite the consultation process at the UN Security Council to finalize new resolutions and measures to prevent DPRK from developing nuclear programs. Advertisement Tagschina, Terminal High Altitude Area Defence, South Korea, UN Security Council, North Korea (Photo : Getty Images) Rioters throw bricks at police in Mong Kok district of Hong Kong on February 9, 2016 in Hong Kong. More than 40 police officers and journalists were among the people injured during the riot on the first day of Chinese New Year celebrations. Advertisement The Chinese central government has condemned the violence that occurred in Mong Kok on the first day of the Chinese New Year. Beijing has described the troublemakers behind the violence as "separatists." Like Us on Facebook Advertisement A riot in Mong Kok during the Chinese New Year celebrations left hundreds of people hospitalized and some detained. Last week Friday, Hong Kong police reportedly arrested a total of 65 people and charged 41 of them over the Mong Kok incident. According to South China Morning Post, Beijing's top man in Hong Kong broke his silence over the Mong Kok riot on Sunday morning. He described those who took part in the protest as "radical separatists," who were predisposed towards terrorism, adding that the rioters are "thugs". The grave indictment by Zhang Xiaoming, director of the central government's liaison office in Hong Kong, is a demonstration of Beijing's tougher take on social unrest in Hong Kong, putting the rioters in a similar category with separatists in the Tibet and Xinjiang regions. Zhang spoke on Sunday, Feb. 14, almost a week after the overnight unrest. In an official statement, China's Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said the riot that occurred in Mong Kok on Feb. 9 was initially plotted by a local radical separatist organisation. The foreign ministry has expressed strong condemnation of the violence, rendering its full support to Hong Kong police in maintaining peace and justice in the city. The government's classification of the protesters as "separatists" raises a lot of questions. Critics say the categorization that may lead to the unnecessary escalation of anti-mainland sentiment. The Communist Party has pledged to eradicate the three core threats of secession, terrorism and extreme religious forces. Offenders in mainland China can be handed with the death penalty. However, this does not apply in Hong Kong. Advertisement Tagsseparatist, Hong Kong, Mong Kok riot, Mong Kok (Photo : US Navy/Specialist 2nd Class Paolo Bayas/Released) Vice Admiral Joseph Aucoin (above), commander of the US 7th Fleet, has said that US-China naval protocols do not include the Chinese coast guard and non-naval vessels. Advertisement The US Navy on Monday called on Beijing to clarify its intentions in the South China Sea, expressing concern that China's use of coast guard vessels to assert its claims in the disputed waters could lead to unwanted hostilities. The US and Chinese navies have an agreed code to avoid flare-ups during unexpected encounters in the busy waterway, but the protocols does not include the coast guard and non-naval vessels, Vice Admiral Joseph Aucoin, commander of the US 7th Fleet, said during a press briefing in Singapore. Like Us on Facebook Advertisement "I would really like to see China to be more transparent on what their intentions are," said Aucoin. "I think that will relieve some of the angst we are seeing." Aucoin likewise warned that any move by China to fly jet fighters from runways on its man-made islands in the South China Sea would be destabilizing, and would not deter US flights over the area. Civilian Vessels China's white-hulled coast guard vessels have become the vanguard for Beijing's claims over the South China Sea, relegating the bigger, more heavily armed grey-hulled warships of the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) to less visible roles in Beijing's efforts to assert authority over the territory. The distinction is important. By deploying its coast guard to the contentious territory, experts say Beijing is reinforcing the political message that virtually all of the South China Sea is China's sovereign territory, subject to its domestic laws. The US Department of Defense estimates that around 30 percent of the world's ship-borne trade transits across the South China Sea, including around $1.2 trillion in trade bound for the US. Analysts claim that China's use of its coast guard in disputed areas of the South China Sea is also designed to ensure Beijing wins international sympathy in case of an encounter with the US Navy. "They would spin it as, 'Here is the United States, the source of all our problems in the South China Sea, bullying our civilian coast guard vessels in an area where we have legitimate jurisdictional rights,'" Ian Storey, a senior fellow at the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies in Singapore, told Bloomberg recently. Operational Airfield Vice Admiral Aucoin said the US and Chinese navies routinely hold high-level dialogues, and that the two institutions have a good working relationship. He admitted, however, that he worries about the involvement of the Chinese coast guard and other civilian vessels in Beijing's claims over the South China Sea, saying he is "not sure about their professionalism." The US Office of Naval Intelligence reports that China has amassed the largest coast guard fleet in Asia, with an estimated 205 maritime law enforcement vessels. China has built a new giant coast guard ship -- nicknamed "The Beast" -- which it is likely to arm with machine guns before deployment to the South China Sea. "How do we approach that when it is not grey hull versus another grey hull, when it's other types of ships?" said Aucoin. "I think we'll see more of that in the future." Chinese coast guard vessels usually operate around the reefs on which China has constructed runways, lighthouses and other buildings. Security analysts have said that Beijing will probably begin using the runways for military operations in the coming months. "They do have an operational airfield but I don't know when they will start flying fighter-type aircraft out of there," said Aucoin. "We will fly, sail and operate wherever international law permits, and that includes flying over that airspace." Advertisement TagsUS-China relations, Territorial disputes in the South China Sea, Coast Guard ships (Photo : U.S. Navy/Communication Specialist 2nd Class Paolo Bayas/Released) The US Navy's plans to deploy the Zumwalt-class stealth destroyers (above) to Japan's Sasebo naval base. Advertisement The US Navy will modify power facilities on a pier at Japan's Sasebo naval base to allow its Zumwalt-class stealth destroyers to berth there, according to reports. The plan for the deployment of the state-of-the-art US stealth warships to the Japanese naval base in the Nagasaki Prefecture comes at a time of heightened tensions between Japan and its neighbors, China and North Korea. Like Us on Facebook Advertisement "With China looming and North Korea lurking nearby, Tokyo has plenty of reason to welcome American reinforcements," says Peter Berger, founder of Boston University's Institute on Culture, Religion and World Affairs, in a report. "So we may see more renovations of Japanese ports over the next few years to permit the US Navy to dock in them." 'Video Game' Warship The US Navy's 600-foot Zumwalt-class stealth destroyers were first launched in 2013, and are reportedly designed for America's video game generation. Despite its considerable size, the vessel's fully automated system relies on a small crew of about 130 sailors. The ship is built by Pentagon contractor, Raytheon, which claims it tested the ship's technology configuration on young video gamers. Much of the ship is built on angles, making it difficult to detect on radar. According to the Huffington Post, the US Navy is fitting some of its Zumwalt stealth destroyers with the US military's new electromagnetic rail gun, which is capable of firing projectiles at seven times the speed of sound -- with pinpoint accuracy. "The US intention to station these ships in Japan is a reminder to China of the sophistication of US weapons systems," Berger claims. "With China upgrading its own naval capabilities and putting greater emphasis on maritime territorial claims in the South China and East China Seas, this arms race between Washington and Beijing is one to keep an eye on." "Newest Weapons" The Washington Post says, however, that even the US Navy has publicly questioned the vessels usefulness, saying the ship is vulnerable to enemy missiles and submarines. And critics have cited the $22-billion program behind the Zumwalt destroyer as an example of the Pentagon's budget bloat and misplaced priorities. The Japan Times claims the US Navy has allotted some $16.42 million for preparatory work on the Sasebo naval pier in its fiscal year 2017 draft budget. Construction is scheduled to begin sometime between May 2017 and October 2018. "Meanwhile, the pier repairs at Sasebo appear to be in line with the US military's strategy of deploying its newest weapons in the Asia Pacific region," the Times report says. Beijing and Tokyo have a long-standing quarrel over the Senkaku -- or Diaoyu -- Islands, which are roughly due east of mainland China and west of Okinawa, in the East China Sea. China has stepped up maritime patrols in the waters off the Japanese-controlled territory in the past months, and the Japanese government has grown increasingly worried about what Beijing intends to do next. In December, the Chinese coast guard's fearsome Zhongguo Haijing 31239 -- a vessel which used to be assigned to the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) -- entered the waters near the disputed islands, throwing Tokyo into a panic. Advertisement TagsChina-Japan relations, US-China relations, China-Japan Diaoyu Island Dispute (Photo : US Department of Defense/Missile Defense Agency) North Korea's latest rocket launch has forced South Korea to overcome some of its reluctance about permitting sophisticated US THAAD systems (being test fired in the above photo) within its borders. Advertisement The Chinese government has called on the United States and North Korea to resolve their issues through direct talks as tension in the region continues to mount in the wake of Pyongyang's rocket launch earlier this month. China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hong Lei issued the entreaty on Monday when asked by a reporter to comment on the possible deployment of US Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile batteries to South Korea. Like Us on Facebook Advertisement "We believe that the focus of the Peninsula nuclear issue is on the US and the DPRK," Hong said. "We are willing to urge both countries to be seated, talk and discuss how to address each other's reasonable concerns so as to finally achieve the goal we all hope." "X-Band Radar" North Korea's latest rocket launch has forced South Korea to sweep aside its initial hesitation about permitting the sophisticated THAAD systems within its borders. While officials in Seoul have been considering the deployment of the system all along, the subject was surrounded by controversy, largely because of South Korea's increasingly close economic and diplomatic ties with China. "We have grave concerns about the possible deployment of the THAAD missile defense system by the US in the ROK," Hong said, adding that the US defensive weapon's X-band radar system's coverage far exceeds South Korea's defense needs. Some analysts suggest that the prospect of THAAD batteries in South Korea has already compelled the Chinese government to re-think its opposition to hard-line sanctions against Kim Jong Un's government. White House national security adviser Susan Rice said she now expects China to support tough new international sanctions on North Korea for its rocket launch, a move Washington officials claim China had previously opposed. On Board? "I think it's unlikely that China wants to be seen by the international community as the protector of North Korea given its recent outrageous behavior," Rice told reporters at a briefing on Monday. "Given that, I expect that they will indeed come on board with significant new sanctions and we're working toward that end." THAAD is a US land-based anti-missile system designed to shoot down incoming short, medium and intermediate-range missiles. The Pentagon's Missile Defense Agency said that each THAAD battery includes a transportable radar system, a truck-mounted launcher and eight interceptors that can be fired and reloaded in rapid succession. Citing an unnamed source from South Korea's diplomatic community, Yonhap news agency reports that the US and China are already engaged in talks over the deployment of the missile shield in South Korea. "The Chinese side has been opposed to the THAAD with incorrect information and the discussions are aimed at changing China's view about the issue," said the source. Tensions have risen steadily in the Korean Peninsula since North Korean leader Kim Jong Un detonated a nuclear weapon and then launched a space rocket in the span of a few weeks earlier this year. Advertisement TagsChina-South Korea relations, US-China relations, THAAD, China-North Korea relations (Photo : Getty Images) Another Chinese national who recently returned from Venezuela has been diagnosed with the Zika virus. Advertisement Just a day after discharging its first patient infected with the Zika virus, China reported its second imported Zika case, the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ) announced on Monday. Last Friday, a passenger with fever was found by the AQSIQ's Guangdong provincial branch. The Zika virus case was only confirmed on Monday by the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, when blood and urine samples returned positive for the infection. Like Us on Facebook Advertisement Days before the making the return trip to Guangzhou via the Netherlands and Russia on Feb. 9, the patient was allegedly exposed to a friend, who purportedly had a "mosquito-borne disease in January," in Venezuela. That was 12 days before the patient developed fever. No other specific details were given. But it is clear that the 28-year-old patient has been already quarantined and is showing signs of progress, according to the National Health and Family Planning Commission. Meanwhile, China has already discharged its first Zika virus patient, a 34-year old Chinese man who also returned from Venezuela recently. The man was discharged on Sunday after showing negative results in his nucleic acid tests. Because of apt quarantine, experts claim that the risk of the virus spreading is relatively low. Furthermore, China's current temperature is unsuitable for the survival of mosquitoes. While there has only been a handful of cases of the Zika virus in Asian countries, the World Health Organization has declared an international health emergency to contain the spread of the virus in other regions. So far, the virus has spread to more than 20 countries and territories in Latin America, according to Reuters citing the Pan American Health Organization. Advertisement Tagschina, Zika virus, microcephaly, Zika virus in China (Photo : Youtube/World Breaking News) It only takes 16 seconds to get from the top to the bottom of the 20-meter slide. Advertisement A giant five-storey slide recently unveiled at a Shanghai shopping centre has elicited both fear and amusement from Chinese netizens. The huge ride is scheduled to open next month and will be free of charge for shoppers. The giant five-storey slide was built inside the Printemps mall in the Pudong area of Shanghai City in east China. The multi-coloured ride is located directly in the centre of the Pujian Printemps Department Store. Like Us on Facebook Advertisement Chinese web users have expressed safety concerns since a Weibo user posted pictures of the structure last week. While the main goal was to generate public interest in the mall, most online users have voiced concerns about safety, sabotage or possible smelly encounters. The Pudong New Area Market Supervision and Management Bureau told Shanghai Daily that the 20m slide had undergone testing and is safe. However, compulsory inspection is not required as it does not fall into any equipment category. More so, the department store operator is currently fixing some potential hazards. However, this did not prevent thousand of comments on Weibo about the dragon-like slide. Most concerns were about the riders' bottoms, some voiced fears that there might be open seams which could cut a big wound once you pass by or a screw may accidentally come loose resulting in a small section falling apart. Some are also not sure how the landing will come out. Many have voiced fears of being trapped inside the slide. It will only take 16 seconds to get down the slide from the top to bottom. Both children and adults can ride, however every rider needs to be over three feet tall and, at least, three years of age. The mall advices that anyone who is afraid of heights or suffers from heart ailments not use it. Advertisement TagsShanghai, shopping centre, Printemps mall, Pudong, Pudong Shanghai, East China, Printemps Department Store, giant slide, Pudong New Area Market Supervision and Management Bureau, weibo, Giant Snake-Like Slide, Giant Slide in shopping mall (Photo : Getty Images) US President Barack Obama said the US and ASEAN have a 'shared vision' in resolving maritime disputes peacefully. Advertisement United States President Barack Obama welcomed the leaders of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to a summit on Monday in California aimed at enhancing trade relations and forming a common stand on the South China Sea issue. While Monday's discussions focused on economic issues, President Obama made important pronouncements on the raging South China Sea dispute in which four ASEAN members have overlapping claims Like Us on Facebook Advertisement Obama said that the United States and Southeast Asian nations have a 'shared vision' of upholding international rules and resolving maritime disputes peacefully. Shared vision "Here at this summit, we can advance our shared vision of a regional order where international rules and norms, including freedom of navigation, are upheld and where disputes are resolved through peaceful, legal means," Obama said. Reports indicate that the Obama administration had sought to get all the ASEAN members to agree to a common stance on the South China Sea issue, but China allegedly applied pressure on Laos and Cambodia not to sign on. Even before the start of the summit, Obama had already made known his message to China, saying the latter should stop bullying its neighbors in the South China Sea region and resolve the dispute peacefully. 'Explosive and heated' Tuesday's meet is expected to be 'explosive' and 'heated' as maritime issues, particularly the raging South China Sea dispute, will be exhaustively tackled. Political observers said the meeting, at the same location where Obama once hosted Chinese President Xi Jinping, was designed to show Washington's role as a 'counterweight' to Beijing. Obama, whose second term in office will end next year, hopes to spread his US influence in the region as he continues to champion the cause of the ASEAN leaders. Political analysts said Obama is determined to present the US as a Pacific Power and his meeting with the ASEAN leaders is aimed at cementing that legacy. Advertisement TagsSunnydales California resort, South China Sea, Cambodia, china (Photo : Getty Images) Julie Bishop is expected to raise 'South China Sea' issue when she meets her Chinese counterpart Wang Yi tomorrow in Beijing. Advertisement Ahead of her visit to Beijing on Wednesday, Australia's Foreign Minister Julie Bishop has taken a tough stance against China's actions in the South China Sea. Speaking at the Japanese National Press Club in Tokyo, Bishop categorically stated that she would seek an explanation from China over its massive island construction in South China Sea. Like Us on Facebook Advertisement "China has every right to enjoy greater strategic influence consistent with its economic weigh, however China should act in a way that contributes to regional and global stability", she said. "While we take no position on competing claims in the South China Sea, Australia's commitment to freedom of navigation and overflight consistent with international law is unshakeable." Bishop is on a two-day visit to Japan and China. She is currently in Tokyo where she held an hour-long meeting with Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida on Tuesday. She is slated to leave for Beijing where she will be meeting her Chinese counterpart Wang Yi. Australia's plan to increase submarine cooperation with Japan is expected to be one of the talking points when Bishop meets Wang Yi in Beijing. Australia's Foreign Minister, however, shrugged off any possibility that China will have a problem with this issue, as Canberra will be very transparent about its submarine program with Japan. Bishop said that she also plans to raise the 'North Korea' issue with Wang. Advertisement TagsAustralia, china, Japan (Photo : Getty Images) North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un has urged Pyongyang's scientists to launch more rockets following the Feb. 7 successful satellite takeoff. Advertisement North Korean leader Kim Jong-un on Monday commended the scientists involved in Pyongyang's recent rocket launch that showed the enemies a "telling blow." He ordered the scientists to proceed with developing more rockets to be launched. Despite repeated international warnings, North Korea still launched a satellite earlier this month. The country claims that it had an Earth observation satellite aboard a rocket, however, observers believe otherwise. Washington and Seoul believe that the launch was a test for prohibited missile technology. Other countries are urging the United Nations to impose stringent sanctions against Pyongyang. Like Us on Facebook Advertisement According to North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency, the ruling Workers' Party held a banquet in honor of the scientists, officials and others who contributed to the rocket launch on Feb. 7. Kim and his deputies were present during the occasion. In his speech, Kim said that the launch has given his people the confidence and courage to deal with enemies that are trying to hinder the country from advancing. Kim said that the launch has shown Pyongyang's enemies - an apparent reference to Washington and Seoul - a significant message. North Korea's satellite launch has aggravated the strain between the two Koreas even more. Just last week, Pyongyang expelled all South Korean workers from a factory park in the North. This came as a response to Seoul's decision to suspend operations there. Meanwhile, Seoul accused Pyongyang on Sunday of channelling 70 percent of the money it accrued from workers at the Kaesong Park into making weapons and buying luxury items for the nation's small group of elites. North Korea has previously denied the allegations. The jointly run park was the last major cooperation project by both Koreas. It employed around 54,000 North Koreans, who worked for more than 120 South Korean companies. Although the Kaesong closure may affect North Korea, it is not an essential part of the nation's economy as a majority of the country's earnings come from trade with China. The relationship between China and South Korea has also been affected by Pyongyang's recent rocket launch as the latter gets frustrated over Beijing's lukewarm stance towards North Korea's provocations. Advertisement TagsKim Jong Un, North Korean leader, North Korea, Pyongyang, South Korea, Seoul, satellite launch, South East Asian Relations, North Korea-China Relations, South Korea-China Relations (Photo : Getty Images) China and South Korea may fall out very soon if the two nations continue to be at odds over the issue of the US THAAD deployment in the latter's territory. Advertisement Bilateral relations between China and South Korea are on the brink of collapsing as Seoul has started leaning on the the United States for support to protect itself from Pyongyang's unrestrained belligerent actions, specifically its recent missile test and rocket launch. South Korea is said to be 'frustrated' with China's non-committal stance following North Korea's series of provocations. As a result, President Park Geun-hye has pushed for the US to deploy of the THAAD ( terminal high altitude area defense) system on its territory, but China strongly opposes the move. Like Us on Facebook Advertisement Political analysts say Seoul-Beijing ties, which has withstood the test of time, are facing a different and more vulnerable crisis at this juncture and succeeding events point to the rapid deterioration of relations between the two nations. Strategic partnership The two countries have formed a strategic partnership over the years, but recent events have turned the relationship sour. The ongoing talks between Seoul and Washington over the THAAD deployment has particularly been a divisive issue. Experts say China may use its position as South Korea's number one trading partner as a leverage for Seoul to abandon its talks with Washington over the missile system deployment. "For some time, China will slam South Korea and the United States for a possible THAAD deployment because it has steadily opposed the anti-missile defense system," said Park Won-gon, an international relations professor at Handong University. Economic retaliations Last week, China urged Seoul to withdraw its plan after the Park government announced that it will hold negotiations with Washington about the US Forces Korea's (USFK) deployment of THAAD batteries on its territory. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi reiterated to his Seoul's counterpart Yun-Byung-se at a forum in Munich on Thursday that the deployment will only serve to destabilize peace and stability in the region and that it will be detrimental to China's key security interests. South Korean political analysts say as China continues to protest against Seoul's talks with Washington, Beijing is already thinking about its series of 'economic retaliations' against the nation, such as what happened during the 'garlic trade dispute' in 2000. 'Garlic trade dispute' During the 'garlic trade dispute', Seoul imposed a 315 percent tariff on cheap Chinese garlic to protect its farmers. China, angered by Seoul's action, retaliated by banning shipments of mobile phones and electronic gadgets from the South. Seoul caved in to the pressure and later cut the tariff to 30 percent and agreed to import 32,000 tons of Chinese garlic. Divided Economists are divided on the issue of economic retaliation. One camp believes that the sluggish Chinese economy will prevent Beijing from taking that route. "The two nations have close economic ties, so economic retaliation may also affect its own economy negatively," one analyst said. The two nations, meanwhile, will try to salvage their sour relations when their respective vice ministers meet in Seoul this week. According to the South Korean Foreign Ministry, First Vice Foreign Minister Lim Sung-nam will meet with his Chinese counterpart Zhang Yesui in the 7th Korea-China Strategic Dialogue. Advertisement TagsSeoul, Beijing, THAAD, garlic trade dispute, Washington, Beijing-Seoul ties The Chocolate Math of it All - v. 9/30/2022 Number of Days Since This Chocolate Bet Started: 5,860 Number of Chocolate Items Eaten: 5,860+ Number of different items combined with chocolate: 371 - from Absinthe to Zucchini) Weight of Chocolate Eaten: ~ 5,860 oz. (366.25 lbs. or 166.12 kg) Total Number of Chocolate Calories Consumed to date: ~ 879,000 (There are, on average, 150 calories in 1 oz. or 28.3 grams of chocolate.) Number of Companies producing chocolate items I've eaten: Approx. 1,592; Number of bean-to-bar makers: 194 Number of Countries where chocolates were made: 66 Number of Pounds of Chocolate Americans Eat: Approx. 11-12 pounds per year; I eat 27 lbs. (more than 12 kg.)/year. Per capita chocolate consumption in Switzerland, Austria, Germany and Ireland: 8-9 kilograms (17-22 pounds)/year. Global demand has stayed high, despite economic fluctuations. Cost of all these Chocolates: A lot of money, but worth every penny. Chocolates range from $1 to $20 each. Occasionally I receive gifts or samples. Copyright Information All other product names, logos, trademarks, and product packaging designs belong to their respective owners. Content and photos are by Corinne C. DeBra unless otherwise noted; all photos are posted in low resolution. Copyright (c) 2006-2021 Corinne C. DeBra, Chocolate Banquet Charles Ryrie, editor of The Ryrie Study Bible, has died Editorial Staff | 16 February, 2016 by Joni B. Hannigan DALLAS (Christian Examiner) Charles Caldwell Ryrie, editor of The Ryrie Study Bible, has died. The communications office at Dallas Theological Seminary has confirmed a message posted to Facebook Tuesday morning, Feb. 16, announcing his death. "Dr. Charles C. Ryrie (1925-2016), a great teacher of Scripture and Gospel. May he enjoy the presence of his Savior," the post reads. Ryrie was a Christian writer and theologian who served as professor of systematic theological and dean of doctoral studies at DTS. He retired in 1983. The Ryrie Study Bible, first published in 1978, contained more than 10,000 of Ryrie's explanatory notes. It has sold more than 2 million copies. Shared over 400 times in an hour, the simple one line message about his death had been "liked" by nearly a thousand Facebook followers, many of whom had left messages. Keith Mosebrook, a pastor at Easter Berlin Community Church in New Jersey, commented on the social media site that one of the reasons he attended Dallas Theological Seminary was to study under Ryrie. "First year, first day of classes, I was walking from my apartment on Swiss Avenue to the Seminary. Dr. Ryrie stopped and offered me a ride. What a humble man and great teacher. He had the ability to take complex theological issues and reduce them to language we could understand. He certainly marked my life," Mosebrook said. Ryan Henschen, who describes himself as a student studying homiletics at Liberty University School of Divinity, wrote a final tribute to Ryrie via Facebook. When I first became a Christian I was constantly looking for answers to all of my difficult questions. I needed someone who was intelligent but also understandable. "My first serious study Bible was a Ryrie Bible and I still use it. I am beyond happy that is now in the presence of our Lord and Savior and I can't wait to meet him on the other side," Henschen wrote. "Thank You Dr. Ryrie. I never met you but I feel like I know you!! Thank You!" For more about Ryrie, go to "Ryrie shunned the classroom yet became a beloved scholar." . COMMENTARY: The sky is not falling (following Scalia) 16 February, 2016 by Dr. David Allen , | FORT WORTH (Christian Examiner) Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia died Saturday. Political pundits have been having a heyday over it. Not surprising. What is surprising, at least somewhat, is the lugubrious prognostications by many Evangelicals via blog banter and twitter jitters. It would seem the sky is falling. Fears of a liberal, even ultra-liberal appointee by President Obama are not unfounded. Unless the Republicans grow a spine, it is likely that is exactly what will happen. But in case you missed it, even with Scalia, the best the Court could do on the Gay Marriage issue was a 5-4 vote that went the wrong way. With a liberal replacement, if that is what happens, a vacillating Kennedy is rendered inert and the best case scenario on a crucial vote would be 5-4 . . . with Kennedy one of the 4 conservative votes on occasion. 6-3 will not be uncommon. Make no mistake. Big Brother is already on Evangelical Street and it's just a matter of time before he comes knocking at our door. The writing on the barn says "All animals are equal." Yeah. But don't miss the rest of the scrawl: "Some animals are more equal than others." But I don't believe the sky is falling. Why? Simplethe Supreme Court has never been our hope. Don't get me wrong. We should pray for and work for a conservative nominee. But when the dust settles, we are way past the point of any government entity pulling our bacon out of the fire. When we put all of our eggs in the basket of a political party, be it Republican or Democrat, the Supreme Court, or President, we are in essence betraying the gospel. Have we forgotten that the gospel is the power of God unto salvation? The last time I checked, God was still on his throne. If any individual, any group, any church, any state, any nation, any people anywhere, will repent of their sin and turn to God, He will hear from heaven. We need to lift up our eyes beyond the hills, from whence cometh our help. The cultural war continues. We need to be good warriors. Above all, we need to be Christian warriors. Dr. David Allen is the Dean of the School of Theology and the Director of the Center for Expository Preaching at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth where he holds the George W. Truett Chair of Pastoral Ministry. This commentary first appeared here and is used with permission. COMMENTARY: Suit and tie for Sunday? 16 February, 2016 by Joe McKeever , | KENNER, La. (Christian Examiner) I posted a paragraph on Facebook calling for pastors to dress "to inspire confidence"and not look like they'd been out hitchhiking all night. It's important to note that I did not say he should wear the uniform of the previous generationa coat and tiebut merely to "dress one step in front of most of the men in the church," whatever that means. Twenty-four hours later, we had 245 comments. Clearly, people have strong feelings about this. "If I see you standing at the pulpit wearing a suit and a tie, I'm out of there." I smiled at that. The fellow who said it is so dead-set on making sure the church does not put too much emphasis on appearance that he...well, puts too much emphasis on appearance. As I write, the television set in this motel room is running the results of last night's Iowa caucuses. At some point I noticed something about the men candidates for nomination for president. All were wearing suits and white shirts and ties. Why? Watch any newscast. The anchormen are wearing suits and ties. How come? This cannot be accidental. It cannot be because they are stuck in a rut. Nor can it be because they are trying to flaunt their wealth or impress the world. These people never do anythingrepeat, never do anything!without good cause. So, why do the candidates and the anchor people dress up when they go to work? We will pause here while you consider your answer. At the same time, drop in on the typical church and you may be stunned to see that the fellow who looks like a hitchhiker just in from a day on the highway turns out to be the preacher. His jeans need pressing and the t-shirt he's wearing looks like he has worn it all day. His shoes? Sneakers with lots of miles on them. Some in the congregation actually take pride in the sloppiness of the preacher's attire. They say the object is to make the outsider comfortable on entering the Lord's House. They say the preacher is making a statement against the overemphasis of the previous generation on externals, on "dressing up" for church. Now, if you want to incite a holy reaction against your hypocrisy and superficiality, say something about how the preacher is dressed. (You're not even saying he should wear a coat and tie, but only that he should "dress up a little." Watch the reaction to your simple suggestion.) The comments will include: That's why I don't go to church any more, the emphasis on clothing! God doesn't look on the outward appearance! A suit and tie would turn off the people we're trying to reach! My jeans cost more than my grandpa's entire outfit. Only the heart matters. We want outsiders to feel welcome here. This "tempest in a teacup," I suggest, is ridiculous. We may as well be championing the outsiders' lack of musical taste and installing heavy metal music lest we turn them off. Oh, wait, we're already doing that. At one point, the call for pastors to "dress down" was well-intentioned, I will grant. Rick Warren (with his Hawaiian shirts remember those?) is probably as much to blame as anyone. Because I am white-headed and in my 70s, I have no right to speak about such a thing. Right? There was a timein the Jurassic past, I supposewhen the seniors among us were assumed to know a little and were given respect when they voiced their opinion. Those days are a distant memory. This generation automatically dismisses the point of view of anyone older than their parents. My last pastorate was from 1990 to 2004. To show how completely things have changed in one decade, it was my practice to give up the necktie during August. One month of the year, I did not wear a necktie. At night. Yep. I wore a tie on Sunday morning every Sunday. But for the evening services one month of the year, we shucked our ties. These days, the tieless preacher is the norm. (In my itinerant ministrywhat some might call "retirement"host pastors usually send word ahead of time that no one wears ties. And frankly, I'm not unhappy about that. And that, I guarantee, is going to make some think I'm contradicting myself here!) From the beginning the casual look in the pulpit was a reaction against the emphasis on fashionable clothing, as people donned persona for Sunday church different from who we were during the week. As I say, the change was well-intentioned. But that trend has run its course in my judgment. In fact, it has flat run in the ditch. I see preachers entering the pulpit wearing t-shirts that stretch to cover their paunch. I wonder if they have any idea how ridiculous they look? Anyone who knows the first thing about me is aware that I am completely committed to encouraging pastors. (That was one of three vows I made to God during a difficult time in my minister over 25 years ago. I vowed to live simply, give generously, and encourage God's shepherds.) Not long ago, a young pastor friend where I was preaching confided in me that he would be open to moving to another church if the Lord so led. That's when I made a suggestion. "The way you dress in the pulpit fits right in with your congregation," I told him. "But a pastor search committee is going to want a little more professionalism than what you are showing. If I were you, I'd dial it up a notch." He took that counsel in the manner in which it was given, and has since thanked me for it. I will admit that finding a young pastor who is open to a suggestion about these things is refreshing. The time has come to reverse the trend. I urge preachers to turn up the dial a notch, to dress a little better than the sloppy hitchhiking model they've been giving the Lord's people. Some say, "Teens are turned off by overdressed preachers." My responses are several: No one is suggesting you "over dress." Just dial it up a notch. (In many cases, I suggest starched dress shirtsnot necessarily whiteand slacks or khakis, sometimes with a sport coat.) Since when do preachers alter their approach to suit the juveniles in the congregation? Since when do we let the unchurched or the immature set the direction for anything in the church? (Answer: We do when we are lost and directionless ourselves.) It's time for the preachers to look and act like the adults in the room. Quit following the kids and start showing them proper respect for the Lord's house, the Lord's service, and the worship of the Lord. Honestly, most teens are not "turned off" by the preacher wearing a coat and tie. What they will think and you may not be able to handle this is that he is the adult in the room. The problem, of course, is with the preachers. As it often does, this comes down to the preacher. Many preacher tend to be followers, not leaders. They make decisions out of fear and not faith. Once they learn someone is criticizing them for preaching on tithing, that's the last they'll mention that subject for a year. Hearing that someone is unhappy over his haircut or facial hair, the typical preacher will let it grow out or shave it off. No one likes criticism, granted. No pastor enjoys hearing that he was the subject of discussion around a family's dinner table. No pastor who makes decisions from fear of criticism has a right to stand in God's pulpit on Sunday. "Be strong and of good courage." If clothes do not matter, why such a violent reaction to someone suggesting the preacher and worship leaders ought to dress up and not down? A few years ago, one of the start-up cut-rate airlines had their cabin crew dressed in short pants and polo shirts. They made a lot of jokes and played games with the passengers. They thought people wanted that. They were wrong. What passengers in those death-defying pressurized aluminum tubes rocketing through the stratosphere want from the crew is competency and professionalism. We do not want airline pilots wearing jeans and pullovers and sneakers. We like seeing them in their uniforms. It inspires confidence. Inspiring confidence. That's what it's all about. It's why television networks require their male anchors to wear suits, white shirts, and ties. Even sportscasters wear suits and ties. Mike Carico and John Gruden do their Monday night games dressed better than 90 percent of the preachers in the land, all with a goal of inspiring confidence. It's why the presidential candidates are wearing suits and white shirts and ties. (Sure, they will occasionally don khakis and polos for a quick bite at a Laconia, New Hampshire cafe. But before the day is out, they're back in the uniform for a rally somewhere. Inspiring confidence.) At the New Orleans airport, I picked up a denominational leader who was to address our annual gathering that night. It was a hot day and yet he was decked out in a suit and tie. I said, "Dr. Gary Frost, why are you wearing a suit? That has to be hot!" He laughed and said, "When the crew is looking for someone to upgrade to first class, they pick me." It happens quite a bit, he said. Inspiring confidence. Argue with it all you want. The truth is what it is. POSTSCRIPT... I thought readers might be interested in a few comments from the Facebook discussion. From Michael: "Here is my follow up thought for this. Why is a t-shirt and jeans good enough for Sunday morning preaching but not for preaching a funeral? If the deceased was OK with your attire on Sundays, certainly they would not mind that same attire as you preach their funeral. But I've never attended a funeral where the hip young pastor wasn't wearing a suit." From Todd: "I have noticed that if I lead a meeting in a suit and I lead a meeting in khakis and a button up dress shirt, there is a qualitative difference between the two meetings. Whether it is psychological or whether it's fair is irrelevant. It's real, and sometimes guiding a church requires one to do things in a certain way regardless if it is the manner at which I would choose to do it. Just as I didn't choose to be "called by God," I don't always get to choose how I follow Him!" From Jeremy: "I pastor a very contemporary church, and started dressing up more about 6 or 7 weeks ago. I looked at myself on camera and felt I looked sloppy. Interestingly, two doctors have joined in the last few weeks. I don't know if there is a correlation, but anecdotally, I think wealthier people are more comfortable with a more sharply dressed pastor. I don't wear a tie, but wear slacks and a nice sweater or crisp shirt." Dr. Joe McKeever is a preacher, cartoonist, and the retired Director of Missions for the Baptist Association of Greater New Orleans. Visit him at joemckeever.com. This commentary is used with permission. Viagra plays into proposed 'informed consent' law 16 February, 2016 by Gregory Tomlin , | FRANKFORT, Ky. (Christian Examiner) Less than two weeks after Gov. Matt Bevin signed an abortion bill that requires women in Kentucky to have a face-to-face or video consultation with a doctor before ending a pregnancy, a female state representative has filed a satirical bill in front of the Kentucky House of Representatives that aims to hit men below the belt. Rep. Mary Lou Marzian [D-Louisville] introduced House Bill 396 which would require if ever passed a man seeking a prescription for erectile dysfunction drugs to visit a doctor twice (on two different days), obtain his wife's written consent, and make him swear an oath on the Bible that the drug will not be used in an extra-marital relationship. In a commentary in Louisville's Courier-Journal, Marzian a retired nurse and 22 year veteran of the legislature wrote that she introduced the bill to "illustrate the absurdity of government encroachment into women's personal and medical decisions." "A rash of anti-abortion bills have been filed, and one is now law, that places extreme hardship and emotional stress upon women and strips away their rights to make choices about their health care, future and well being," she wrote. That Marzian is perturbed at what she called the "white men" of the legislature, with their "religious rants and false facts," is apparent in the language of the bill. She describes the litany of treatments for erectile dysfunction in the bill (most of which Christian Examiner cannot print), but she also includes the complications from the condition and contributing factors as justifications for the physician visits. The preamble also includes the side effects of the medication. "As these legislators and our governor increase efforts to mandate their presence in our doctor's examining rooms I believe it is time we regulate men's reproductive choices," Marzian wrote in the commentary. She said the measures in the bill may sound "salacious, outrageous or even comical measures, but I assure you women in Kentucky aren't laughing as they struggle with gut-wrenching decisions about unintended pregnancies now made more complicated and burdensome by legislative intrusion." The American Civil Liberties Union of Kentucky called Marzian a "reproductive rights champion" on its Facebook page. The liberal pro-abortion group also called the bill "interesting." One ACLU supporter wrote that a male patient should be required "to have a test that proves he is impotent and be required to consult with his preacher for permission to have intercourse without the intention of procreation." Another wrote, "Finally, a lawmaker with a sense of humor." Conservative lawmakers aren't laughing. Bruce Wilkerson, spokesman for Speaker of the House Greg Stumbo, said satire was not unprecedented in the legislature, but he offered no further comment. Marzian, who introduced the Viagra bill on the same day Gov. Bevin ceremonially signed Kentucky's informed consent law, told Reuters she has plans to introduce a bill requiring gun buyers to meet with victims of gun violence before they can purchase firearms. "That would also be to make a point. It will not go anywhere," she said. On Tuesday, February 9, a young teenage girl abandoned her mission to bomb the Dikwa refugee camp in northeast Nigeria, once out of sight from her captors. The teen was sent to the camp with two others on behalf of the Boko Haram terrorist group. Although one of the three was able to rip off her vest and flee, the other two female bombers detonated themselves, killing at least 58 people. It was reported by the Guardian that 78 other people were treated for wounds following the two bombings. Dikwa is 55 miles northeast of Maiduguri, which is the biggest city in the region, and also the birthplace of Boko Haram. Modu Awami, a self-defense fighter who helped question the girl, said that she said she was scared because she knew she would kill people, but she was also frightened of going against the instructions of the men who brought her to the camp. Algoni Lawan, a spokesman for the local government, told the Associated Press that the teenage girl was worried if she went ahead and carried out the attack that she might kill her own father, who she knew was in the camp. Lawan says that the girl tried to persuade her companions to change their minds, but could not convince them. The girl led soldiers to her unexploded vest, validating her story, and has given officials information about other planned bombings to help raise security within the camp. This camp is home to 50,000 people who have been displaced from their homes by Boko Haram. According to Amnesty International, Boko Haram has attacked numerous schools in Nigeria and kidnapped over 2,000 children and women, training them to strap bombs to their bodies and blow themselves up in highly populated areas. Lawan states that the young girl was among thousands who have been held captive for months by the extremist group. On Thursday, the United States strongly condemned the bombings. The U.S remains committed to assisting those afflicted by the conflict and supports efforts to provide greater protection for civilians and the regional fight against terrorism, according the State Department spokesman Mark Toner. Such attacks are making it difficult for the government to persuade people to return to their homes. Boko Haram has also razed homes and businesses and stolen livestock and seed grain that is needed for farmers to start their lives again. Whats the best way to foster unity across cultures in our churches? According to Sandra Maria Van Opstal, an experienced worship leader and trainer, the way we worship together sets the table for Christians to relate across ethnic and cultural boundaries. In The Next Worship: Glorifying God in a Diverse World (InterVarsity Press), Van Opstal (MDiv, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School) explores how worship traditions from different cultures can further the connection between local congregations and believers worldwide. Richard Clark, managing editor of Leadership Journal, spoke with Van Opstal about enlarging the cultural and stylistic boundaries of worship. How did you develop a passion for multicultural worship? As a child, I attended a Catholic parish with my mom, my grandmother, and eventually my whole family. Then, when I was a teenager, my father moved us to a Baptist church. And when I went away to college, I ended up at an urban, African American church. Looking back, I can see how each experience gave me a different foundation. My time in the Catholic Church gave me an appreciation for liturgy. In the Baptist church, I learned about making a personal decision for Jesus. And in the African American church, I was exposed to charismatic worship. In each case, I picked up a different sense of who God is and of the many ways we can worship him. When did you first experience a conflict over worship styles? Growing up in the 1980s, I can remember a generational conflict. The younger people were listening to more contemporary music. We wanted to bring some of that into the church, but the older folks wanted to continue singing out of the hymnal. The lesson I took away is that people have strong preferences ... 1 You have reached the end of this Article Preview You have reached the end of this Article Preview To continue reading, subscribe now. Subscribers have full digital access. Have something to add about this? See something we missed? Share your feedback here. Charles Caldwell Ryrie, the dispensationalist scholar and Christian educator best known for the popular study Bible that bears his name, died Tuesday at age 90. Ryrie was the author of more than 50 books and editor of the Ryrie Study Bible, which includes more than 10,000 footnotes by him. In the preface to the original 1978 edition, he wrote, The Bible is the greatest of all books; to study it is the noblest of all pursuits; to understand it, the highest of all goals. The Ryrie Study Bible has gone on to sell more than 2.6 million copies. Dallas Theological Seminary (DTS) paid tribute today to Ryrie, who taught systematic theology and served as a dean. Dr. Ryrie was a master at biblical and theological synthesis. He had the unusually rare gift of being able to state complex theological ideas in succinct statements, said DTS president Mark Bailey. All of us are indebted to his efforts to articulate and defend dispensational premillennialism. ... 1 UNC excavation crew in Galilee region of Israel uncover first known depictions of biblical heroines An excavation team in Israel has discovered the first known depiction of two biblical heroines from the Old Testament. World to reach 8 billion people in November, India to unseat China as most populous in 2023: UN By Nov. 15, the worlds population is projected to reach 8 billion, and by 2023, India is projected to surpass China as the worlds most populous country, according to a new report from the United Nations. Single, non-religious young adults are most unhappy Americans post-COVID-19: report Young adults under 35 who are single and non-religious report the highest levels of unhappiness since the COVID-19 pandemic began and since 1972, when the General Social Survey began measuring levels of happiness among Americans, a new analysis from the Institute of Family Studies suggests. Austria says refugee flow to be slowed 'step by step' The flow of refugees through the Balkans and towards Germany will be slowed progressively as part of a coordinated "domino effect" of restrictions by countries along the route, Austria's interior minister said in comments published on Tuesday. Austria has largely served as a corridor into neighbouring Germany for the hundreds of thousands of people, many of them Syrian refugees, who have streamed onto its territory since the two countries opened their borders to them in September. It has, however, taken in a similar number of asylum seekers to Germany in proportion to its far smaller population, and the coalition government has said it will not be able to cope if the influx continues unabated. With European measures to address the continent's migration crisis facing mounting delays and public support for the far right having risen, Vienna is turning to a "Plan B" aimed at stemming the flow of people without going through Brussels. It has already said it will limit asylum applications to less than half last year's total, and last week Foreign Minister Sebastian Kurz told Macedonia to be ready to "completely stop" the flow of migrants across its southern border, adding that Austria would soon do the same. "The domino effect along the Balkan route is developing according to plan," Interior Minister Johanna Mikl-Leitner, who is expected to announce new border measures later on Tuesday, was quoted as saying by Austrian newspaper Kurier. "It is important that each country progressively restrict the flow on its border, and that we do that in agreement with each other," she said, adding: "The brakes are being applied step by step." Macedonia, lying near the bottom of the Balkans next to Greece, has erected two lines of metal fencing topped with razor wire along its border at the main crossing point for refugees. Austria has erected barriers and a roughly 4-km (2.5-mile) fence as crowd-control measures at its main crossing for migrants, at Spielfeld on its southern border with Slovenia. Kurier said the country was preparing to introduce a similar crowd-control system further west at the Karawankentunnel crossing, also on the border with Slovenia. The introduction of such barriers was also possible at the Brenner crossing with Italy, a vital transport link, the paper said, adding that border supervision might be stepped up at nine other crossings on the Italian, Slovenian and Hungarian borders. Former ISIS sex slave speaks of moment family was massacred A Yazidi woman who was held as a sex slave by ISIS has asked the world to unite in the fight against the terrorist group during a speech in London. Nadia Murad, 21, was orphaned by ISIS, who killed her mother and six brothers in Sinjar, Northern Iraq, and taken by the group and kept as a sex slave. Murad was among more than 5,000 Yazidi women taken captive when ISIS took Sinjar. More than 3,400 remain in captivity, she said. "A year and a half has passed and the genocide against the Yazidis is continuous. We die every day because we see the world silent in the face of our plight," she said, according to the Mirror. Describing the massacre of her family, Murad said: "My mother saw them killing my brothers and then they took my mother and killed her. "I was already orphaned as I didn't have a father, all I had in the war was my mother," she said. "But when they took me to Mosul and raped me, I forgot my mother and brothers. Because what they were doing to the women was more difficult than death. "Imagine until now, for more than a year and a half, girls as young as nine are being rented and sold [for sex]." Murad has been campaigning for two months since her release seeking to raise awareness of the plight of the Yazidi people."When I speak I didn't speak just on my behalf, but on behalf of all the women and children affected in the war zone," she said. Yazidism is an offshoot of Zoroastrianism, which blends ancient religious traditions with both Christianity and Islam. According to ISIS doctrine, Yazidis are "devil-worshippers", and many have been systematically persecuted by militants. "About 5,800 Yazidi women and children were captured by the so-called Islamic State. They have killed many people in Iraq and Syria and displaced millions," Murad said. "For us, the Yazidis, they killed the men and took the women and children. They were committing all kinds; murder, rape and displacing people by force in the name of Islam. Many people may think my story is difficult, but many more had more difficult than mine. They killed six of my brothers, but there are families that have lost 10 brothers," she said. "At this moment, there are still 3,400 women in the hands of ISIS. All we are asking is that our women are freed." During her speech as the Trade Union Congress House in London, she branded ISIS "criminals" and compelled the global community to "come on board" the fight against them. How do you become a saint? Pope John XXIII and Pope John Paul II may have been widely admired and respected around the world, but what makes them worthy of the mantle of sainthood that they will be receiving this Sunday? There are four stages in the canonisation process. Step 1: Servant of God First, a potential sainthood candidate must be declared a 'Servant of God'. This begins when the bishop of the diocese where the candidate died begins an investigation, which is usually prompted by a petition from the faithful. This investigation usually doesn't start until at least five years after the potential saint has died, but the Pope does have the power to waive that rule, as Pope John Paul II did with Mother Teresa, and Pope Benedict XVI did with John Paul II. To carry out the investigation, there is usually a guild or foundation, or other organisation set up. Evidence is gathered in the forms of writings, sermons, and eye witness testimony. From all this a detailed biography is drawn up. Then, when enough information is gathered, the biography is taken by the presiding bishop to be submitted to the Roman Curia, the administrators of the Catholic Church. At this point, the candidate is known as a 'Servant of God'. Within the Roman Curia, there is the Congregation for the Causes of the Saints, a committee that deals with all matters of sainthood. They assign a Postulator, a specific person to oversee this candidate's case for sainthood. The Postulator gathers more information about the candidate, and then later permission is given to have the body of the prospective saint exhumed and examined. Once there is confirmation that no improper cults or societies have formed around this person, relics are taken and the second stage is moved onto. Step 2: Venerable/Heroic in Virtue At this step, Congregation for the Causes of the Saints recommends to the Pope that they should make a declaration describing the candidate as 'Heroic in Virtue'. This means that they were an exceptional Catholic, and to do that they have to display a 'heroic' amount of two groups of attributes known as the cardinal virtues and the theological virtues. The cardinal virtues are prudence, justice, fortitude and temperance, and the theological virtues are faith, hope and charity. If the sitting Pope is satisfied that these virtues are displayed 'heroically' in the candidate's life, they will make a declaration, and the candidate will be given the title 'Venerable'. This is the stage where the Catholic faithful are encouraged to start praying in the name of the candidate, with things like prayer cards being distributed. However, at this stage there is no special feast day for the candidate. Step 3: Beatification/Blessed This is the stage where the candidate will receive the title the 'blessed' and they can be honoured by a particular group of people, or a particular place. If someone is blessed, it is a statement that the Church believes that it is "worthy of belief" that they are in fact in heaven. To be beatified, candidates must meet one of two criteria. Either they have to be responsible for a miracle, or they have to have been martyred. The most common form of accepted miracles are usually medical in nature, but there are very strict rules on what constitutes a bona fide miracle. There has to have been prayers to the candidate as a venerable, and then the cure or healing has to have been spontaneous, instantaneous, total and permanent, and something that cannot be medically explained. To be confirmed, a given miracle is examined by a group of Italian doctors called the Consulta Medica, not all of whom are Catholic. While they don't pronounce a miracle, they do make the official statement: "We can find no scientific or medical explanation for the cure." Other miracles that are sometimes considered include incorruptibility, where the candidate's body has not undergone decomposition. Catholics believe this happened in the case of St Catherine of Siena. Despite having died in 1380, her body remained pristine and without decomposition more than 600 years later, without embalming of any kind. Another body related miracle is known as the odour of sanctity, where a candidate's body emits a sweet scent, rather than the stench of decay. This supposedly happened to St Teresa of Avila for nine months after her death in 1582. There is also the miracle of liquefaction, where the dried blood of a candidate on a relic or stored in a vial miraculously turns back into liquid. St Januarius of Naples who died in 305 is the traditional example. His dried blood is said to liquefy every year on the 19th of September. If the miracle or martyrdom is confirmed to be legitimate, then the Pope will declare the candidate to have been 'beatified'. This now leaves only one last step. Step 4: Sainthood For the Pope to accept someone to be canonised as a saint, it has to be proven that they are responsible for at least two miracles. In the case of John XXIII, often otherwise known as 'Good Pope John', Pope Francis has provoked controversy by approving his canonisation with only one miracle to his name. That miracle was the healing of Italian nun Sister Caterina Capitani of a stomach tumour in May of 1966, who prayed to the deceased pontiff for healing three years after he had passed away. Sister Adele Labianca, who had been taking care of Sister Capitani, said to the Religious News Service: "Not only was it a physical healing but an internal healing when you could feel the presence of God." For John Paul II, there are two confirmed miracles on record. The first was the healing of French nun Sister Marie Simon-Pierre from Parkinson's disease in 2005. Speaking on the BBC, Sister Marie Simon-Pierre described the moment she knew she was healed: "Exactly two months has passed since John Paul II returned to the House of the Father. I awoke at 4:30, amazed at having been able to sleep. I suddenly got out of bed: my body was no longer painful, there was no rigidity and, inside, I was no longer the same." Then in 2011, the second miracle was the healing of a Costa Rican mother of four, Floribeth Mora Diaz, who had an aneurism in a delicate and inaccessible area of the brain. The RNS quoted her telling her story: "My greatest concern was not dying but concern about what would happen to my children." After praying to the deceased pontiff one night, Ms Diaz reported seeing a vision. "When I woke up in the morning, I looked at the magazine cover which showed Pope [John Paul II] with his arms outstretched. "I felt a deep sense of healing. I heard his voice say to me, 'Get up and don't be afraid.' "I went to my husband in the kitchen and told him I was cured. I realised little by little the illness had been taken away." Once both miracles are verified as genuine by the Consulta Medica, the Pope will then make a declaration that the candidate now enjoys what the Catholic Church calls 'beatific vision', the ability for the most perfect and direct communication between an individual and God. ISIS used chemical weapons in Iraq, diplomat says ISIS attacked Kurdish forces in Erbil, Iraq with mustard gas last year, according to a diplomat. This would be the first known use of chemical weapons in Iraq since the fall of Saddam Hussein in 2003. An international chemical arms watchdog, Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), has confirmed that sulphur mustard (mustard gas) was used in Erbil, after around 35 Kurdish troops fell ill on the battlefield in August. Although the OPCW would not identify who used the weapon, the diplomat who spoke to Reuters on condition of anonymity as the report is yet to be released said the result confirmed that chemical weapons had been used by ISIS fighters. The samples were taken after the soldiers became ill during fighting against Islamic State militants South West of Erbil, capital of Iraq's autonomous Kurdish region. The OPCW already concluded that ISIS used chemical weapons in fightin with a rebel group in Syria in 2015 and the border between the Syria and Iraq are not recognised by ISIS, as they have declared a caliphate. This news comes days after James Clapper, the director of US National Intelligence, told a security conference in Munich on Saturday that ISIS "would like to use chemical weapons" in an attack in America. "It is pretty clear that they [Isis] have used this [chemical weapons] numerous times," said Clapper. "It is very clear aspirationally they would like to do more and it is a concern to us in the United States because the indications are that they would like to use chemical weapons against us." If Islamic State used chemical weapons in Iraq, experts are still uncertain of how the group might have obtained them, or whether it could have access to more. Another diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Syria's stockpile was a possible source of the sulphur mustard used in Iraq. That would mean Damascus had failed to fully disclose its chemical weapons programme, which was dismantled under international supervision in 2013-2014, the diplomat said. "If Syria has indeed given up its chemical weapons to the international community, it is only the part that has been declared to the OPCW and the declaration was obviously incomplete," the diplomat told Reuters. Syria agreed to give up its chemical weapons stockpile after hundreds of people died in an attack with Sarin nerve gas in a Damascus suburb in 2013. Western countries blame that attack on the government of President Bashar al-Assad, which denies it. Iraq's chemical arsenal, part of a "weapons of mass destruction" programme used to justify the US-British invasion of 2003, proved to have been destroyed and dismantled in the Saddam era, although US troops occasionally encountered old Saddam-era chemical munitions during the 2003-2011 occupation. Hamish de Bretton-Gordon, a specialist in biological and chemical warfare, said Islamic State fighters may have developed their own chemical weapons capability, and could be preparing to use it again. "I'm pretty convinced that the mustard IS are using in Iraq is made by them in Mosul," he said. "They have all the precursors at hand from the oil industry and all the experts at hand to do it." Sulphur mustard is a Class 1 chemical agent, which means it has very few uses outside chemical warfare. Used with lethal effectiveness in World War One, it causes severe delayed burns to the eyes, skin and respiratory tract. Additional reporting by Reuters. Manny Pacquiao apologises for 'worse than animals' comment on homosexuality Filipino boxing champion-turned-politician Manny Pacquiao has apologised for his comment that those who condone homosexuality are "worse than animals". Pacquiao said on Facebook that although he still believes gay marriage is wrong, he was "not condemning LGBT". "God Bless you all and I'm praying for you," he added. Pacquiao sparked controversy earlier this week, when, during an interview on local station TV5 he said: "It's common sense. Will you see any animals where male is to male and female is to female? "The animals are better. They know how to distinguish male from female. If we approve [of] male on male, female on female, then man is worse than animals." Pacquiao, a former world champion boxer, is a member of the Philippines house of representatives, and a popular politician in the country, where conservative views on sexuality are common, in part due to it being a Catholic nation. His statement, however, sparked controversy and, according to the BBC, local gay rights organisation and political group Ladlad condemned his remarks: His view "betrays a shallow understanding of sexual orientation and gender identity," the group wrote in a statement. This failure to understand gay rights issues would leave him in the past "when the cavemen ruled and the numbskulls roamed the earth." The politician took to instagram to defend his comments, posting a picture of himself with his wife. He said: "I rather obey the Lord's command than obeying the desires of the flesh. I'm not condemning anyone, but I'm just telling the truth of what the Bible says." He then quoted 1 Corinthians 6:9: "[9] Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men." Pacquiao is running for senator in the May 2016 elections, having served in the House of Representatives for two years. The boxer-turned-politician converted to Christianity several years ago, after a dramatic encounter with God and what he described as a "conviction from the Holy Spirit". Mississippi lawmakers re-file bill to make Holy Bible as official state book Mississippi lawmakers have re-filed a bill to make the Holy Bible the official state book. Democrat Rep. Tom Miles and nine other co-sponsors filed H.B. 840, which aims to create a new section in the Mississippi Code of 1972 to make the Holy Scripture the state book. "I am proud to say that we once again enjoyed bipartisan support on this effort," said Miles, who along with Rep. Michael Ted Evans, sponsored a similar bill during the 2015 session. Miles clarified though that "we are not trying to force religion on anyone." "What we are doing is making a statement that our state, and our state government, would do well to emulate the broad principles that are found in the Bible, including taking care of the poor and the needy among us. It's not a bad standard to strive for, and its message has stood the test of time for several thousand years," he said. "Me and my constituents, we were talking about it and one of them made a comment that people ought to start reading the Bible," Evans told AL.com, according to Christian News Network. Miles told the Associated Press that "the Bible provides a good role model on how to treat people. They could read in there about love and compassion." There is no publication that has been officially designated as Mississippi's state book but there is the teddy bear as state bear, square dancing as state folk dance and milk as state beverage. The bill has been referred to the Rules and Constitution committees. Feb. 23 is the deadline for passing measures out of committee. In 2012, Pennsylvania lawmakers passed a resolution that declared "Year of the Bible," saying there is a "national need to study and apply the teachings of the Holy Scriptures." President Ronald Reagan declared 1983 as the national "Year of the Bible." "Many of our greatest national leadersamong them Presidents Washington, Jackson, Lincoln, and Wilsonhave recognised the influence of the Bible on our country's development. The plainspoken Andrew Jackson referred to the Bible as no less than 'the rock on which our Republic rests,'" Reagan said then. Nevada Caucus: Clinton and Sanders speak at same black majority church in Las Vegas Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton spoke at the same black majority baptist church in Las Vagas on Sunday ahead of Saturday's Nevada Democratic caucus. Both democratic candidates spoke at Victory Missionary Baptist Church on Sunday. "I'm excited they are here, and I am encouraged that they are willing to sit at the same church at the same service, at the same time," Rev Robert Fowler Sr told the congregation, according to the New York Times. Clinton was accompanied by civil rights icon John Lewis, who has endorsed her candidacy. As Sanders was first to contact the church, he spoke first. "Some of us believe that what God teaches us and what this world is about is that we do not turn our backs on our brothers and our sisters, that essentially we are in this together," Sanders said. "I have four beautiful kids and seven grandchildren. I want you to worry about my kids, and I have got to worry about your children and your grandchildren. "That's what this church is about, and that's what our existence is about," 74-year-old Sanders continued. "But there are people out there today who say what the world is about is me. 'I got to make as much money as I can. I've got to become a billionaire.'" Nevada was among the hardest hit during the 2008 recession, he said. "No state in America knows more about the impact of the greed and illegal behavior of Wall Street than the state of Nevada. This state was decimated. We have made great progress but much more needs to be done." Sanders also focused on his desire to reform and demilitarise the police, ensuring accountability among officers. Clinton, who leads the Nevada Democratic Primary polls by 11.5 per cent, was introduced by Lewis, who declared that she was "prepared" and "ready" to be the next president. During her speech, she said she agreed with Sanders that "we can never let big banks wreck our economy. No bank is too big to fail, no executive too powerful to jail." however, she also said that, unlike Sanders, "I am not a single-issue candidate, and this is not a single-issue country." "Because if we were to achieve everything about banks and money in politics, would that end racism? Would that make it automatically going to happen that people would be able to get the jobs they deserve, the housing they need, the education their children need to have?" North Carolina sheriff's department puts 'In God We Trust' decals paid for by church on patrol cars The sheriff's department in Rutherford County, North Carolina has started sticking "In God We Trust" decals on its 50 patrol cars. The Rutherford Sheriff Department said it won't cost taxpayers anything as the Fairview Baptist Church in Golden Valley paid for the stickers amounting to $400, reminding atheists who may file a complaint that the decals do not represent an endorsement of religion by the government, according to Fox News. "We looked at it as an opportunity to show our patriotism," said Sheriff Chris Francis, Fox Carolina reported. "I want to make sure that my deputy sheriffs know what 'In God We Trust' means and how blessed we are to be citizens in America, to live in western North Carolina and to be able to support our nation's motto." The atheist group Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) has been targeting police departments around the U.S. over such stickers. "FFRF reminds the agencies that citizens trust law enforcement officers to attend to their secular duties, not spend taxpayer time placing religious messages on patrol cars to the exclusion of the 23 percent of Americans who are not religious," according to the group's letter that was sent to police departments including Rutherford's. Foundation co-president Annie Laurie Gaylor has asked the police to remove the "In God We Trust" stickers from patrol cars to "respect the rights of conscience of all citizens, including those who in good conscience reject belief in a god." Rutherford officials said with the church picking up the tab for the decals, they hope there would be no objection. Francis is hoping other police departments would follow suit. "I wish that more localities would show their patriotism, show what they believe in," he said. "I think our nation would be in a different place if they would." Fairview Pastor David Ledford explained that "we're not doing to this to thumb in the eye anyone." "We're trying to do this for unity's sake. The way we look at it, if somebody is against it, well they carry money in their billfold that says 'In God We Trust' on it.' It's contrary to say we can't put something like that on government building or a government vehicle," he said. Pope canonisations: Popes John Paul II and John XXIII declared new saints The skies were grey but that did not dampen the spirits of the thousands of people who crowded into St Peter's Square to witness Pope Francis declare Popes John Paul II and John XXIII as new saints. The Mass was co-presided by Pope Francis's predecessor Benedict and broadcast live on large screens as well as around the world in cinema theatres and over radio. It was a historic occasion for the Church, being the first time two popes have been canonised at the same time. Some people camped overnight to make sure they secured a spot in the square, with many more gathering around to watch it on the giant screens nearby. Pope Francis paid tribute to the two popes in his sermon, saying that although they lived through the "tragic events" of the 20th century "they were not overwhelmed by them". "For them, God was more powerful," he said. "In these two men, who looked upon the wounds of Christ and bore witness to his mercy, there dwelt a living hope and an indescribable and glorious joy. The hope and the joy which the risen Christ bestows on his disciples, the hope and the joy which nothing and no one can take from them." The Vatican had been under pressure from the Catholic faithful to make Pope John Paul II a saint, a wish that was granted in just nine years, an unusually short canonisation process. Only one miracle out of the two required to be canonised has been performed in the name of Pope John XXIII, but his life was deemed holy enough by Pope Francis, who waived the second miracle. Two miracles are credited in Pope John Paul II's name. A French nun was cured of Parkinson's disease, and a woman from Costa Rica was cured of a brain aneurysm. The Vatican said half a million people turned out to watch the canonisation in Rome, with the largest contingency being Polish. Dignitaries at the event included King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia of Spain, King Albert II and Queen Paola of Belgium, and the presidents of the European Union, Herman Van Rompuy, and the European Commission, Jose Manuel Barroso. During the Mass, Cardinal Angelo Amato, prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, asked Pope Francis to inscribe the names of the two popes in the Book of Saints, and the Holy Father pronounced the formula for canonisation: "For the honour of the Blessed Trinity, the exaltation of the Catholic faith and the increase of the Christian life, by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, and of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul, and own own, after due deliberation and frequent prayer for divine assistance, and having sought the counsel of many of our brother Bishops, we declare and define Blessed John XXIII [and] John Paul II be Saints and we enrol them among the Saints, decreeing that they are to be venerated as such by the whole Church. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen." This was followed by the presentation to the Pope of the relics of the two saints, one being a phial of the blood of John Paul II, which had been displayed on 1 May 2011, and a piece of skin removed from the body of John XXIII when it was exhumed for his beatification on 3 September 2000. Pope John Paul II to his female friend: 'Issues too difficult to write about' The late Pope John Paul II wrote letters to his close friend, the philosopher Anna-Teresa Tymieniecka, from Rome in order to avoid their being intercepted by the secret police in Poland. The latest revelations about their relationship concern autumn in 1974, when Karol Jozef Wojtya was still Archbishop of Krakow in Poland and spent more than a month at a synod of bishops in Rome. He wrote to her that he had not anwered before because he did not trust the post office in Poland but he had kept them and was re-reading them. "They are so meaningful and deeply personal, even if they are written in a philosophical 'code'," he wrote. At the end he said: "Finally there are issues which are too difficult for me to write about." Although there is no suggestion that the future saint broke his vow of celibacy during the 32-year friendship, there is speculation that she fell in love with him and he struggled with his feelings for her but saw her as a gift from God and the friendship as a vocation. Writing in The Telegraph, BBC journalist Ed Stourton said: "Cardinal Wojtyla gave Anna-Teresa what is known as a scapular, an item of devotional clothing which is worn next to the skin." In one letter, the then-Cardinal told her: "Once I remember exactly when and where I heard these words 'I belong to you', and for me, first of all, the gift of a person resonated in them. I was afraid of this gift, but I knew from the beginning, and I know still better and better now, that I have to accept this gift as a gift from heaven." The friendship began in 1973 whenand Polish-born Anna-Teresa Tymieniecka got in touch with him about her book on philosophy. She had moved to the United States after the war, married and had three children. She kept every one of the 350 letters they exchanged over 30 years and in 2008 she sold them to the National Library of Poland in Warsaw. Pope John Paul II's letters have been translated and were read by Ed Stourton for the BBC but Stourton was not given access to the letters sent to the Pope by Tymieniecka, who died in 2014. According to the BBC, Tymieniecka may have confronted the future pope about her feelings for him in Vermont, when he stayed with her and her family during a visit to the US with some Polish bishops. In one letter he confessed he was struggling with their relationship. Describing her as a gift from God, he wrote: "If I did not have this conviction, some moral certainty of Grace, and of acting in obedience to it, I would not dare act like this." Later, he he wrote: "My dear Teresa, I have received all three letters. You write about being torn apart, but I could find no answer to these words." There was a brief period of estrangement when the correspondence was limited to seasonal exchanges of cards, after he became Pope. She felt betrayed because Vatican officials did not want to acknowledge her role in his life. But she was one of the only people allowed to see him in hospital after the assassination attempt in 1981. "I am overwhelmed by sadness and anxiety, and want desperately to be close to you," she telegrammed. "I arrive on Saturday." Stourton reveals that the professor became a source of emotional support to Pope John Paul II during his long illness when he suffered from Parkinson's. Stourton also wrote for the BBC: "It is public knowledge that for four years Cardinal Wojtyla and Anna-Teresa Tymieniecka collaborated on an English-language version of a book on philosophy he wrote while teaching at Lublin University, and Anna-Teresa Tymieniecka has a walk-on part in several John Paul biographies. But the relationship was much deeper and more complex, and continued for far longer than has previously been recognised." Tymieniecka's husband, Hendrik Houthakker, was an economist at Harvard and after the collapse of communism advised the Pope on post-communist economies. Pope John Paul II granted him a papal knighthood in recognition of his services. Panorama: The Secret Letters of Pope John Paul II is available to watch on demand. Russia plans to upgrade its nuclear-tipped ICBMs to protect Earth from approaching asteroids and meteorites Russia under the leadership of President Vladimir Putin is showing its seriousness in dealing with threats to its existence, be they terrorist activities by the Islamic State or strategic military moves by the United States and its allies. Russian scientists, however, are setting their sights not on Earth-based threats but those coming from spacenear-earth objects (NEO) such as asteroids and meteorites. To be able to counter the perceived threats from these approaching space objects, Moscow is planning to convert some of its nuclear-armed intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) into weapons for space defence. Sabit Saitgarayev, lead researcher of Russia's Makeyev Rocket Design Bureau, told the Tass news agency that his team will try to target asteroid 99942 Apophis, which scientists believe may pass "dangerously close" to Earth in 2036. He said the current ballistic missiles will have to be upgraded for them to be capable of annihilating meteorites and asteroidsan undertaking that will require several million dollars' worth of funds. "Most rockets work on boiling fuel. Their fuelling begins 10 days before the launch and, therefore, they are unfit for destroying meteorites similar to the Chelyabinsk meteorite in diameter, which are detected several hours before coming close to the Earth," Saitgarayev explained. "For this purpose, intercontinental ballistic missiles can be used, which requires their upgrade," he added. Modifying the weapons of war will also require permission from the authorities, making this plan from Russian space scientists still tentative. The scientific community nevertheless already has a consensus that asteroid 99942 Apophis will not cause any significant damage on Earth. Scottish moderator to address Synod for first time in history History will be made today when the Church of England's General Synod is addressed by the Presbyterian Church of Scotland's General Moderator. It is believed to be the first time a serving moderator has been invited to speak to the Church of England's governing body. Synod will be asked to accept a new agreement between the Church of England and the Presbyterian Church of Scotland. The Columba Declaration commits the two national churches to "grow together in communion and to strengthen our partnership in mission" and will be debated in Synod following the presentation from Church of Scotland General Moderator, Rev Dr Angus Morrison. The proposed agreement foresees "fuller unity" as ministers will be invited to "exercise ministry in the other Church, in accordance with the discipline of each Church". However Morrison's address at Synod today will not be entirely welcomed, particularly by the Scottish Episcopal Church (SEC) who are "deeply hurt" by the new agreement. The SEC's Primus, the Most Rev David Chillingworth, said the agreement would cause "real difficulty" between his Church and the CofE. He also questioned whether it was "proper" for CofE to enter an agreement about "ministry and ecclesiastical order" in a part of the UK where it had no official jurisdiction. Members of Synod are also said to be unconvinced about the necessity of the agreement to be debated on Tuesday morning. They will be asked to welcome the Columba Declaration and a co-authored report by the two churches as "a significant development in the relationship between the two churches". The Church of Scotland will debate the proposals at their gathering in May. Speaking ahead of his Synod address, Morrison said: "I feel it a real honour to be invited as moderator to address the General Synod. "Through the historic Columba Declaration we are proposing to commit ourselves to growing further in communion and to strengthening our partnership in mission. "By formally recognising the long ecumenical partnership between our churches, I believe we will advance our shared mission of spreading the Christian message of the Gospels." During his time in London, Morrison will stay with his wife at Lambeth Palace. Morrison said it "will be a great pleasure to stay at Lambeth Palace" and added they were "looking forward to renewing our relationship with Archbishop Justin and Mrs Welby". The myth of modern atheism? Unbelief dates back to 500 BC, says Cambridge study A new Cambridge University study published today argues that atheism is not a modern invention, but rather dates back to 500 BC. "There is evidence from the 5th Century [BC] onwards, initially quite sketchy but certainly from the 2nd Century BC people were compiling lists of arguments against the existence of the gods," Professor Tim Whitmarsh, Professor of Greek Culture at Cambridge and author of the study, told the Telegraph. In Battling with the Gods, published today, Whitmarsh sought to debunk the "myth" that atheism is a modern, post-enlightenment invention. "Adherents wish to present scepticism toward the supernatural as the result of science's progressive eclipse of religion, and the religious wish to see it as a pathological symptom of a decadent Western world consumed by capitalism," he wrote. "Both are guilty of modernist vanity. Disbelief in the supernatural is as old as the hills." Speaking to the Telegraph, Whitmarsh said: "Atheism, of course, is a Greek word. "It started out as a negative term but I think there is evidence that people positively identified as that, using that word." While the "rhetoric used to describe it [atheism] is hyper-modern", the reality is that "early societies were far more capable than many since of containing atheism within the spectrum of what they considered normal," he said. The book cites evidence for atheism in the work of ancient Greek thinkers including Xenohanes of Colophon, who was born around 570 BC, and Cameades in the 2nd Century who compiled arguments against the existence of gods. Without the use of science, "these early atheists were making what seem to be universal objections about the paradoxical nature of religion the fact that it asks you to accept things that aren't intuitively there in your world. "The fact that this was happening thousands of years ago suggests that forms of disbelief can exist in all cultures, and probably always have." Use of boys' locker room by a transgender sparks controversy in California school A transgender, born a woman but who identifies herself as a man, has triggered a controversy at a high school in San Diego, California after she started using the boys' locker room. Parents packed the Poway Poway Unified School District board meeting Tuesday as they asked about student rights, according to the San Diego Tribune. Parent Holly Franz said she found out from her son three weeks ago that the transgender student was using the locker room at Rancho Bernardo High School to change. "My son came home from school and told me there was a girl using the boys' locker room," she said before the meeting. "This is someone he's known for years and has always been a girl. My son was very upset by this, and I called the principal." A California law that took effect in January 2014 allows transgender students to use bathrooms and locker rooms of their own choice, the report said. Franz said boys in her son's class were uncomfortable with the idea of a girl using their locker room with them when they change clothes. "When I think about all the permission slips that I've had to sign over the years for my kids to watch a PG movie or a PG-13 movie in the school classroom, and yet they could be facing a potentially R-rated situation right in front of them in the locker room, and I don't get to be notified, that's just not okay," she said, according to Christian News Network. Franz said she received death threats because of her stance on the matter. Her son, Jonathan, testified that he felt uncomfortable with seeing the transgender in the boys' locker room. "I walked in and saw a student who I've known as a girl for years but now claims she's a boy. It makes me feel uncomfortable to change around a female body," she said. One male student defended the transgender's right to use the facility. "The very fact that we are singling out this boy is already deplorable. To say that this student should have to give up his identity because of the discomfort of others is blatantly absurd because I, for one, am uncomfortable with intolerance on our campus," he said. An online petition on Change.org in support of the transgender student has garnered more than 1,400 signatures. This petition aims "to influence the district to NOT allow any action to be made including: notifying parents about transgender students using facilities, or force transgender students to use separate facilities." The board did not decide on the matter and left judgment to Poway Unified School District Superintendent John Collins. "Over the past two years, we have worked to ensure every student's right to privacy, as well as every student's right to feel safe, valued and included on our campuses," Collins wrote. Whatever happened to free speech? Most people would see free speech as an ideal or a right to uphold, but there are signs that this is changing. Take the recent "no-platforming" of Peter Tatchell, one of the fathers of the gay rights movement. If you'd missed this latest storm in a teacup, the gay rights officer of the National Union of Students, Fran Cowling, refused to share a stage with Tatchell in a debate. Why? Because he dared to support the right of Germaine Greer a mother of the feminist movement to speak her mind. Greer has been 'no platformed' herself because she thinks that men who have had a sex change do not become women. This view isn't uncommon in feminist spheres (nor in Christian ones!) but those who share it are being ostracised by people who have adopted the latest fashion in sexual politics battling 'transphobia'. This implosion of the "equality" movement is strange to observe. But Tatchell doesn't even share Greer's "transphobic" views. He just firmly believes in free speech which is why he's often sided with Christians when they've got into trouble for saying something deemed to be homophobic, even though he disagrees with them. Of course, Christians are well aware of the trend towards clamping down on opinions that aren't politically correct. From street preachers being arrested for saying homosexuality is a sin, to Christians being sacked for not supporting gay marriage it's been clear for some time that our society's capacity for tolerance is shrinking. It's not just the UK. In Australia, there's soon to be a referendum on gay marriage. Some Christian groups point out that 'anti-discrimination' laws prevent them from even presenting the case against redefining marriage. But the attack on Tatchell, whose opinions are impeccably politically correct, is a new level of intolerance. He was "no platformed" because he supported free speech, and that alone. So why is this happening? Those who 'no platform' or create twitter outrage are usually young, often students. Obviously there is no line in the sand. But I think that today's students grew up in a world very different to Tatchell's and Greer's. It's a world where society's conception of right and wrong has shifted focus from what we do, to the views that we hold. Opinions, particularly if they're labelled 'right wing,' 'homophobic' or 'conservative', are what get 'educated' people upset not actions. You don't get student protests and twitterstorms about serial killers, drink driving or the scourge of drug dealers on society. No it's opinions that seem to be the problem, even if they are held with good intent. If such opinion-based judgements are the main moral framework to which you've been exposed, then I think that it follows that you're going to reject free speech as an ideal. Why? If you believe in this new morality, free speech is what allows the very worst moral behaviour the expression of incorrect opinions. It's therefore got to be wrong. The worst sin is to cause offence. This morality based on opinions was dubbed 'virtue signalling' by James Bartholemew in this article. He links this change to the decline of Christianity in this country. In fact, holding an opinion isn't usually seen as a problem in the Bible what matters more is what we do, and our intentions. Jesus criticised the Pharisees for the state of their heart their inner desires and motivations and their behaviour. Jesus said that we shouldn't criticise, judge or look down on someone. Outrage about opinions is seen from the Pharisees rather than Jesus. Of course, Christians have no corner on right living and can be just as intolerant. When Christians had more power, they didn't always use it wisely, nor uphold free speech. Until very recently a person could be prosecuted for blasphemy. It's worth thinking about how we treat people who disagree with us, whether Christians from a different tribe, or those with different opinions about sexuality or anything else. Do we really do the best we can to love those with whom we disagree? If not, then we need to get our own house in order, if we've any hope of trying to influence the wider culture. In 30 years' time, when the students are the people in power will free speech still be seen as a human right, and tolerance a virtue? Perhaps not. But we should try to keep these ideals, and live to a higher one: that of love. Stephen Fry, another victim of the "thought police" this week, wrote: "I've heard people shriek their secularism in such a way as to make me want instantly to become an evangelical Christian." Perhaps if we really live out the way of Christ, loving those who we disagree with, we'd be more attractive. Gustave Le Gray: The pre-Impressionist photographer The story of French photographer Gustave Le Gray and this stunning image taken 160 years ago of royal ships in the port of Le Havre. By Rob Sharp A small man in his mid-thirties wrestles a large camera on to a jetty in Normandy. Ahead are five impressive ships with tall masts, their sails flapping gently in the wind. A crowd of people looks on, lined up excitedly on a pier to the figures right-hand side. A small rowboat travels towards the bulky apparatus. The photographer is well-dressed. He wears a modishly long goatee beard, and his brow is furrowed with an angry squint. He will be here for several hours. Behind the camera, he frames his image perfectly, viewing it back to front and upside down, hidden under a dark cloth to keep out the light. He then wrestles a piece of glass as big as the final image he needs into the cameras back. And then he waits. Later, before heading home to Paris, he develops his negative in Le Havre, possibly in a hotel booked just for the night. Gustave Le Gray self-portrait, circa 1856-1859 Gustave Le Gray took this image in 1856 or 1857. It was a period of global upheaval and industrial revolution. Napoleon III was on the throne in France, Impressionism was about to be born, and photographers, though long under appreciated as artists and technologically primitive, were beginning to stand proud among the bright lights and wide boulevards of the French capital. The photograph in question Ships Leaving the Port at Le Havre shows a series of silhouetted brigantines, or two-masted sailing ships. They are not naval vessels as was once suspected the gun ports were painted on to deter pirates while the dappling of the sun reveals Le Gray, a former painter, to have Romantic, sophisticated tastes, and the technical ability to capitalise on them. Le Gray is one of the biggest names in 19th-century French photography, says Ken Jacobson, an expert on the photographer and author of the 2001 book The Lovely Sea-View A Study of the Marine Photographs Published by Gustave Le Gray, 1856-1858. Gustave Le Gray (1820-1884), La vague brisee Cette Mer Mediterranee, 1857. Albumen print from collodion glass negative, mounted on original board. Image/sheet: 16 x 12 in (42 x 32.7 cm). Mount: 24 x 17 in (62.6 x 43.2 cm). This work was offered in Modern Visions: Exceptional Photographs, 17-18 February 2016 at Christies New York and sold for $137,000 While photography was still seen as a poor cousin to fine art artists resented the upstarts claim to rival painting, says Jacobson Le Gray was at the epicentre of a burgeoning Paris photography scene. In 1851, he was a founding member of the Societe Heliographique, a group founded partly to trade knowledge on new techniques. At the time, photography was regarded as a pursuit for for the well-off or committed amateur or as Juliet Hacking puts it in Lives of the Great Photographers, those who did not wish to be defined by the circumstances of their birth. Other prominent Societe members included nobleman photographer Henri Le Secq and various other scholars, artists, aristocrats and senior officials. Le Grays studio, at La Barriere de Clichy, now in Pariss 17th arrondissement, hosted photography students distinguished by birth, wealth or talent or sometimes all three, writes Sylvie Aubenas in her 2002 monograph Gustave Le Gray. By 1856 Le Gray had enjoyed significant commissions, producing portraits for the Imperial court of Napoleon III a prominent patron of photography as well as nature studies. But his seascapes pushed his popularity even higher. He is a pre-Impressionist, you could say. He is looking for subjects, reinventing the subject matter of photography and how to make a picture He is a pre-Impressionist, you could say, says Eugenia Parry, author of 1987s The Photography of Gustave Le Gray. He liked the ocean, and was looking to photograph the outdoors. He is looking for subjects, reinventing the subject matter of photography and how to make a picture. Le Gray was itinerant, innovative, and divided opinion widely among his peers. An intelligent seeker, a generous soul, writes photographer-cum-journalist Nadar in a 1900 letter. Eight years earlier, Maxime Du Camp, a former pupil of Le Gray, offered his own opinion: If he had not been scatter-brained, he would have made his fortune. Born to a haberdasher father in 1820 on the outskirts of Paris, Le Gray very quickly showed creative promise. As a young man, he moved to the capital to study under painter Paul Delaroche, one of the earliest champions of photography. In 1843 Delaroche was forced to close his studio after an accident resulting in the death of a student. Le Gray followed him to Rome, and within a month he was married to a local pedlars daughter, Palmira Leonardi. They resettled back in Paris and by the age of 26 Le Gray had two children. He was a poet, says Parry. He didnt know how to do business, he didnt really know how to do anything. He was kind of a dreamer. Gustave Le Gray (1820-1884), The Brig, 1856. Albumen print from wet collodion glass negative mounted on board. Image/sheet: 12 x 16 in (32.5 x 42 cm). Mount: 19 x 24 in (49.3 x 62 cm). This work was offered in Modern Visions: Exceptional Photographs, 17-18 February 2016 at Christies New York and sold for $221,000 But perhaps what made Le Gray scatter-brained also provides the key to his talent. His seascapes were a hit in England and France, among the most celebrated being The Brig (1856), with La vague brisee (1857) The Breaking Wave being a tour de force of instant image-capture, perhaps created by using more than one negative blended together. According to an 1857 edition of Revue Photographique, at one point Le Gray had orders totalling 50,000 francs for pieces such as these that had been created along the French coast. Such work was less lucrative than his portraiture, which became increasingly neglected. His wealthy backer, the Marquis de Briges, died, and de Brigess family liquidated Le Grays company, forcing the photographer to flee his creditors. It was fitting that Le Gray left for a new life on a ship, something that was synonymous with his artistic peak. In 1860 he abandoned his family to sail around the Mediterranean on a photography project for the writer Alexandre Dumas, before settling permanently in Egypt, where he died in 1884. For Le Gray to be photographing the sea, the boats, the sunlight on the water theres such a huge amount of production that goes into it, states Darius Himes, International Head of Photographs at Christies. You have all these kind of moments the subject matter, the technique of the photograph, his vision. Its the moment in time when all these things coalesce. Its kind of incredible that any of these photographs have lasted. Main image at top: Gustave Le Gray (1820-1884), Bateaux quittant le port du Havre (navires de la flotte de Napoleon III), 1856-1857. Albumen print from wet collodion glass negative mounted on original board. Image/sheet: 12 x 16 in (31 x 40.5 cm). Mount: 17 x 24 in (43.5 x 62.7 cm.) This work was offered in Modern Visions: Exceptional Photographs, 17-18 February 2016 at Christies New York and sold for $965,000 For more features, interviews and videos, visit Christies Daily A North Texas man with a long arrest record got away from Lewisville police during a visit to a hospital emergency room. Thomas Isaac Cano, 27, of the north Dallas suburb of Little Elm, was in the Lewisville city jail Sunday when he complained of heroine withdrawal symptoms, said Capt. Dan Rochelle of the Lewisville Police Department. The Port of Houston has a new regular service of ships calling from West Africa, carrying containers and roll-on, roll-off cargo, the Port of Houston Authority said. Grimaldi Line is operating the shipping lines, with six ships rotating between the Port Authority's container terminals and any of 15 West African ports, including in Nigeria, Ghana and Guinea. The ships will visit Houston every 11 days. Roll-on, roll-off cargo includes anything driven on and off the ship, typically things like cars and tractors. The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo and ConocoPhillips will host the 29th annual Rodeo Run on Feb. 27, kicking off RodeoHouston's annual parade. The run starts at the corner of Walker and Bagby streets in downtown Houston and includes a 5K run and walk, as well as a 10K run. The 2015 Rodeo Run drew more than 13,000 participants. "We're proud to host the ConocoPhillips Rodeo Run, but we're even more proud of the impact it makes on students' lives," ConocoPhillips human resources general manager and chairperson Heather Sirdashney said. "Knowing we are helping students achieve their goals and making their college dreams a reality is a worthwhile cause and a rewarding experience." Sirdashney said that participants, volunteers and sponsors together make the run a success. Runners' registration fees go directly to the HLSR Educational Fund for college scholarships. "This scholarship has given me significant peace of mind because it gives me more time to focus on studies, knowing that I do not have to work and study like many students do," said scholarship winner Lucas Bazemore, a Texas A&M junior. "My expenses being taken care of means that I'm able to ... develop myself a lot and allows me to focus on the things that will greatly benefit me in the long run." Each year, thousands participate in the run/walk. The 2015 Rodeo Run drew more than 13,000 participants. 6,850 runners in the 10K, and 4,950 runners and 2,200 walkers in the 5K. "Our team takes pride in holding a first rate run, which has become an annual tradition for Houstonians of all ages and fitness levels," Sirdashney said. "We encourage runners and walkers to support a great cause and consider signing up for the Rodeo Run you will be helping a deserving student fulfill their dream of going to college." This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate One person was hurt and residents were left homeless Tuesday morning after a massive blaze gutted portions of an apartment complex in northwest Harris County. The 3-alarm fire broke out about 4:20 a.m. at the Meadows apartments in the 1400 block of Blue Bell near Veteran's Memorial Highway, according to Harris County Sheriff's Office. One resident was injured while alerting other tenants about the blaze, said Capt Dean Hensley of the Harris County Fire Marshal's Office . The person was rushed to a nearby hospital. Details of the person's injuries and condition were not released. No other injuries were reported. Hensley said when firefighters arrived they spotted heavy flames and smoke . The fast-moving blaze spread quickly throughout one two-story building at the complex. Flames erupted through the roof and heavy smoke billowed into the sky. The building was engulfed in fire and the roof collapsed as firefighters struggled to control the blaze. The flames gutted at least 16 apartments. Dozens of residents stood outside watching firefighters battle the raging blaze as flames ripped through the apartments. Luciana McCall said she and her husband smelled smoke at about 4 a.m. . When they initially looked outside they saw no indication of a fire, but moments later when they looked again they spotted smoke billowing from the apartment above theirs. They banged on apartment doors to alert other residents about the fire. McCall said flames destroyed her family's apartment and likely everything inside it. When asked if she and her family had place to stay, McCall said, "No where. No where to go." The Red Cross was at the scene to help displaced residents with housing and other needs. The Little York Volunteer Fire Department and several other departments battled the flames. More than 50 firefighters were at the scene. Hensley said investigators are trying to determine what sparked the blaze. Chronicle photographer Cody Duty contributed to this report Jon Shapley/Staff After the headliners at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo call it a night, having played for tens of thousands of listeners, the rodeo's real nightlife begins. For more than two decades, the Hideout has been the rodeo's official after-party, offering live music after most of the day's attendees have gone home. Thirty five former University of Houston regents have signed a letter opposing the University of Texas' planned Houston expansion. The letter says UT's purchase of 100 acres of land -- and planned purchase of 200 more acres -- sets a "dangerous precedent" because UT didn't ask for the state leaders' input first. It is addressed to Gov. Greg Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, House Speaker Joe Straus, the state Senate, the state House of Representatives, and members of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. It turns out, a plane built in the Jet City was the first to fly a U.S. president overseas. Way back in 1943, President Franklin D. Roosevelt became the first sitting president to fly overseas, and he did it aboard a Boeing B-314 Clipper (nicknamed Dixie Clipper), according to Boeing. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate It took a couple big leaps of faith to get Cypress resident Jarrod Gullet where he is today. "A lot of what I'm doing is new territory for me," the local film producer admitted. "I've gone to places I never imagined - and hopefully the years ahead will bring even more adventure." Gullett does not have much time to look back. He's in the middle of creating a full-length feature documentary about Houston's legendary LGBT activist Ray Hill while running his media company, Proud Pony International, alongside business partner Travis Johns. The duo celebrated their fourth year in the saddle at Proud Pony in January and is now 2 years into the making "The Trouble With Ray." "The documentary came to us by chance," Gullett said. Gullett and Johns met Hill at a party and were enthralled with the stories he told. "When Travis and I walked away, we said, 'We must find a way to record these stories,' " Gullett said. "We were afraid that if we didn't, we'd lose this history forever." They started in May 2013 by making a three-minute short about Hill in response to a call from Comcast for its Houston Voice channel. "We used our own money, our own resources and our own time," Gullett said. The investment paid off when the film was selected for the Houston Film Commission's Texas Filmmaker's Showcase, which highlights the best Texas short films each year. "That screening was at the Director's Guild of America Theater in Hollywood," Gullett said. "It was a dream come true." The film later won best short documentary at Chicago's Reeling LGBT Film Festival and Dallas VideoFest and was nominated as one of the top five best short documentaries in the world at London's Raindance 2014. It was included in International Documentary Festival Amsterdam in 2014 and screened at American Documentary Film Festival in Palm Springs in 2015. In the film, Hill, known for his outspokenness, says, "Everybody says it was courage, the courage to be honest. But I think that the line between courage and insanity or madness or stupidity might not be very thick." In another part of the film, Hill says, "We haven't always thought about gay people the way we do today. We think a lot differently about them. And you're welcome, I'm glad to have played a role in that, and I certainly didn't do it by myself." Said Gullett, "Everywhere we went, people were saying they wanted to hear more of the story." So, the business partners decided to pitch a full-length version to an industry panel at the American Documentary Film Festival and were selected to receive a $5,000 grant from the organization. With the grant and their own funds from producing commercial projects with Proud Pony, Gullett and Johns moved forward on making the feature film. They wrapped the first half of shooting in September. "Then we ran out of money," Gullett said. They decided to launch an ambition Kickstarter campaign, asking for $50,000 to continue the filming. "Down to the last moment, we wondered, 'Can we do this?' " Gullett said. By Dec. 9, 2015, they raised $51,589 with 333 backers. "The untold story of Texas LGBT history resonated with a lot of people," Gullett said. Austin-based film consulting company, Production for Use, helped guide Proud Pony through the fundraising process. Annie Bush, principal and senior consultant, said the film appealed to her for many reasons. "What drew me to this was the fact that it's in the South and it was the last place you'd expect to see this type of activism," she said. "Ray Hill had the guts and drive to shake things up." Bush said that Hill is a complicated character. "He's very unapologetic about his flaws," she said. "I'm a fan of the outlier, someone going against the grain," Bush said. "I like supporting outsider culture." She added that Gullett is, in his own way, a bit of a rebel. "He's a champion for film in Houston, and he's making great content," she said. "The pitch video alone is one of the most creative I've ever seen. I'm looking forward to seeing where this film takes him." Now the filmmakers are back in business, planning local shoots throughout February, then heading to film in Los Angeles in March. They will move into post-production work, then marketing and distribution. For Gullett, who wanted to be a filmmaker since childhood, it's a dream come true. He studied theater in college and worked a number of odd jobs before starting Proud Pony with Johns. He moved into the business full-time two years ago. "There was nothing else I had this passion for," Gullett said. "Creating film and video is what makes me happiest." The last couple of years have been a blur of activity. "We've traveled around the world, met a million different people, created content we're proud of and created a company that our clients trust," Gullett said. He looks forward to continuing to grow the company further and embarking on new creative projects. And Gullett is equally excited about getting the story of Ray Hill out into the world and sharing the message that the activist represents. "You just have to stick with it against all odds," Gullett said. "That's the story of who Ray is, and it's incredibly inspiring. How do you make a change in the world? How do you give hope? What's it like to give a voice to the voiceless? He was the ultimate in powerlessness, and he affected change in every direction." In an email message, Hill said, "Being the subject of any artistic endeavor is in the first order of flattery and this is not my first time but it is the one I am most excited about." He said his previous experiences being in front of a documentary camera including one of mutual dislike and others in which the filmmakers "thought too highly of me and my work and tidied me up too much" or "seemed over impressed with what I was doing. "Given that background, Proud Pony has been assuring," Hill wrote. "There is much to be told and sometimes I get the impression they question my veracity, but Jarrod does his research and finds it close enough, mostly. So far it has been fun." The feature-length film allows the filmmakers to also shine a light on other figures who were part of Hill's journey. "Ray's story is beautiful, and the story of all the Texan LGBT heroes is remarkable," Gullett said. "It feels good to be telling that kind of a story. The film is not just about the past. It's also very much about looking forward." The Texas Department of Transportation will stage a Feb. 25 meeting to get public input on a proposed road project in Missouri City that could result in residents and businesses along part of FM 2234 losing part or all of their land. The project would widen FM 2234, also called Texas Parkway, near and at the intersection with U.S. 90A. The work would provide an additional lane for left turns and another for right turns in each direction of the road, doubling the number of lanes carrying turning traffic. FM 2234 will continue to have two lanes for motorists traveling through the intersection. TxDOT would also construct sidewalks along both sides of the expanded roadway. The main goal is to provide better traffic flow between FM 2234 and the highway, said Scott Elmer, assistant city manager for Missouri City. Most drivers on FM 2234 don't continue on that road beyond the intersection but turn onto the highway. Projections show that TxDOT, which maintains FM 2234, would need to purchase property along the west side of the road for the expansion, displacing four businesses and 13 residences, department public information officer Deidrea George said. The project is in preliminary stages and TxDOT won't acquire property until after public feedback and mandatory environmental studies, George said. TxDOT will announce which properties would be affected at the planned meeting, scheduled from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Missouri City Community Center, 1522 Texas Parkway, George said. The meeting will not have a formal presentation, but representatives from TxDOT's Fort Bend-area office and the projects development office will have information about the project and gather public feedback at the meeting through one-on-one conversations and written comments. March 10 is the deadline to submit comments about the project. Comments may be emailed to HOU-PIOWebMail@txdot.gov or mailed to the Director of Project Development, TxDOT Houston District Office, P.O. Box 1386, Houston, Texas 77251-1386. The average speed going through the intersection is 22 mph, according to Elmer. "Considering that the speed limit on (FM 2234) is 35 miles per hour, that's not too bad," Elmer said. As he drove through the intersection at about 9:30 a.m. on a weekday, Fort Bend County Precinct 2 Commissioner Grady Prestage said he didn't think the intersection was a problem. Prestage's office is on FM 2234, about a block away from the intersection. "You have your typical commuter traffic in the morning," said Prestage, who is not involved with the project. But a TxDOT traffic analysis found the average speed limit of 22 mph would go down to 6 mph by 2040 if an expansion doesn't occur, George said. With the project, TxDOT predicts the average speed would be at 25 mph by that year. In the afternoon, the intersection stacks up, Elmer said. Daily traffic averages 30,000 vehicles. The intersection's level of service, which engineers commonly grade like school grades from A to F, is at a D. Missouri City typically keeps its major intersections operating at a C or better, Elmer said. "Every car can expect about 24 to 26 seconds of delay," Elmer said. "And you add that up by the number of cars at the intersection, that's a lot of lost time and productivity for folks." The project, estimated to cost about $18 million, is not yet funded and TxDOT does not have a timetable for the work, George said. Missouri City contributed $770,000 for the proposed project in 1997. TxDOT has been planning to expand FM 2234 since the 1990s. Missouri City would not have to contribute additional funding to the expansion, Elmer said. U.S. 90A is a raised road. FM 2234 is at ground level, and cars drive under the highway. This would stay the same under the proposed project. After the meeting, TxDOT will take feedback into account and present its plan to City Council, which will consider a resolution on the project. The agency doesn't have to abide by the resolution, but typically TxDOT doesn't go ahead with local projects unless there is community support, Elmer said. "I cannot speak for my city council, but I can tell you as a former city engineer and a professional engineer, I think it's a plus for the city," Elmer said. Some folks just don't understand prayers, the Rev. Arun Arora, spokesman for the Church of England explained after an Anglican tweet offering solace to ailing atheist Richard Dawkins went viral. Dawkins, 74, author of "The God Delusion" and perhaps the world's most prominent non-believer, recently announced that he had suffered a hemorrhagic stroke Feb. 5 at his English home. The stroke affected his coordination, but not his mental faculties. "I gather that if you've got to have a stroke, this is a pretty good one to have," Religion News Service reported Dawkins saying in a recorded message addressing his condition. Dawkins, who has suffered from high blood pressure, said he had been under intense stress after being "disinvited" from the Northeast Conference on Science and Skepticism. Dawkins' invitation was withdrawn after he tweeted a video likening feminists to Islamists, RNS reported. Doctors, he said, "keep advising me not to get involved in controversies, and I am afraid I had to tell them that controversy -- that not getting into controversies -- is one of the things I'm not particularly talented at." The Anglican flap arose when the church tweeted, "Prayers for Prof. Dawkins and his family." Responding to the virtual firestorm, Arora resonded: "The tweet was a prayer. Nothing controversial in that." "Prayer is for everyone," he wrote. "Some of the twitter reaction assumed that Christians only pray for other Christians. In fact, Christians pray for all kinds of people. They pray for their friends and families. They pray for their community...They pray for terrorists, kidnappers and hostage takers. They pray for criminals as well as giving thanks for saints. Poets write poetry; musicians play music. Christians pray. And they love." To adhere to a new state law, the largest area school districts have begun posting online video of regular trustee meetings. Prompted by HB 283, which mandates the requirement for districts where enrollment exceeds 10,000, the Pasadena, Pearland and Clear Creek school districts started posting online video recordings in January. The law aims to promote transparency in larger districts but doesn't apply to smaller ones. Pearland, which has an enrollment of 21,095, had been posting audio recordings of meetings on the district's website for years and shows video recordings of the sessions on the city of Pearland's cable TV channel, district communications director Kim Hocott said. "We strive to keep open lines of communications and look forward to providing yet another way for the public to stay 'in the know,' " Hocott said. The district now posts video on its website no later than seven days after the meeting per the new law. District officials said the seven days gives them a cushion in case of technical difficulties. Board president Rusty DeBorde sees the change as providing another service for community members. "I wouldn't say it makes us any more transparent," DeBorde said, "it's more like another medium of (transparency). If you're listening to the audio, it may be difficult to relate; so something more visual helps put a name with a face." 'Seamless transition' The change for Clear Creek ISD, which enrolls more than 41,000 students, "was a seamless transition" that won't involve significant expense, said Elaina Polsen, the district's communications director. "In the past, (the district) recorded audio of the board meetings for record-retention purposes and would make them available for the public on request," she said. Pasadena ISD also started recording regular meetings in January to comply with HB 283. Its videos are posted on the school board's webpage as well as on YouTube. "In Pasadena ISD, our school board has always encouraged transparency," district spokeswoman Renea Ivy said. "At this point, we plan to record and post the regular meetings, not the special or workshops. This will allow us to keep spending in check. Audio recordings are available as always by request." Pasadena ISD's enrollment is 56,099. Ivy said the equipment to accommodate the video recordings cost $1,345. She said although the district hadn't provided video recordings of board meetings before passage of the bill, it had made audio recordings of each meeting available by request. In the case of Alvin ISD, the district started recording meetings three years ago because many of its families are spread across a large area. Courtesy to families "We're an expansive school district, covering 252 square miles," Assistant Superintendent Daniel Combs said, "We've got families coming from Pearland and Houston; so it's courtesy to help them see what's going on." The 23,200-student district live streams its meetings online. West of Pearland ISD, the Fort Bend Independent School District posts videos of its board workshop and regular meetings to its website, typically by the end of the business day the day after a meeting. With an enrollment of 10,900, Dickinson ISD had to meet the law's requirements. District communications director Tammy Dowdy said there was "a lot involved" for a district of its size to accommodate recording and posting video. "Dickinson ISD spent approximately $17,000 in start-up costs to begin videotaping board of trustees meetings," Dowdy said. "This included upgrades to the audiovisual equipment in the boardroom to allow for recording and archiving the board meetings and the first-year costs of hosting. "We estimate that the annual recurring cost will be approximately $8,000 per year, which includes hosting of the meetings and technical support during the meetings," she said. The Friendswood and Texas City school districts don't post video online. Both have enrollments below 10,000, exempting them from the rule. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate The parents of a Wharton High School student who they say was victimized by a former band director have sued the school district in federal court. Karen and Michael Mendoza filed the lawsuit Friday in U.S. District Court in Corpus Christi, claiming that the school district knew about a sexual relationship between their daughter and former band director Jason Toney. Toney, now 30, was sentenced in September to eight years in prison after pleading guilty to a sexual relationship with a student. Toney pleaded guilty Sept. 18, reaching a plea deal with prosecutors less than two months after he was indicted Aug. 4, authorities said at the time. The band director's sexual assault of the girl began in February 2014, during her freshman year of high school, in a classroom next to the band hall, the lawsuit states. The activity occurred "before, during and after school hours and most often took place in a secluded, unmonitored room where Jason Toney would lock the door while he assaulted Plaintiff," court documents state. In November 2014, the high school principal interviewed Toney and the girl about the relationship that allegedly began in the 2012-13 school year, when the girl attended the junior high school and Toney taught there. "Despite having actual knowledge of the sexual assaults .... Principal Mark Anglin did little to nothing to investigate or report the illegal relationship" and did not inform the girl's parents about it, the complaint states. It was another five months before the district removed Toney from the campus, called police and notified the girl's parents about the inappropriate relationship, only after receiving "an avalanche of new, anonymous tips," the lawsuit states. After a police investigation, Toney was arrested Aug. 6 on 11 counts of sexual assault of a child and five counts of an improper relationship between an educator and a student, according to the complaint. He pleaded guilty to four counts of an improper relationship with a student. As part of the plea agreement, Toney will never teach or work with children again, but he was not convicted on the sexual assault charges, meaning that he is not required to register as a sex offender upon his release from prison, authorities said at the time. According to a schedule issued Tuesday by the court, jury selection and trial are set for Feb. 13, 2017. Wharton school district officials did not immediately respond Tuesday to a request for comment. MARFA - U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia was animated and engaged during a dinner Friday night on his first trip to the sprawling Cibolo Creek Ranch. He was among a dozen invitees to a weekend that had nothing to do with law or politics. "He was very entertaining. But about 9 p.m. he said, 'It's been a long day and a long week, I want to get some sleep," recalled Houston multimillionaire John Poindexter, who owns the 30,000-acre luxury ranch and was seated near Scalia at dinner. When Poindexter tried to awaken Scalia about 8:30 a.m. Saturday, the judge's door was locked, and he did not answer. Three hours later, Poindexter returned after a ranch outing, with a friend of Scalia who had come from Washington with him. They discovered him in bed, the sheets unwrinkled. "He was lying very restfully. It looked like he had not quite awakened from a nap," Poindexter said. Scalia, 79, did not have a pulse and his body was cold. After consulting with a doctor at a hospital in Alpine, Poindexter - a Vietnam veteran, Houston businessman and philanthropist - concluded resuscitation would have been futile. Poindexter contacted federal authorities, at first encountering a series of answering services because he was calling on a weekend. "Ultimately, they became available and handled it superbly. They flew in by helicopter. They told me to secure the ranch, which I did until this morning," he said. Authorities contacted David W. Beebe, a Presidio County justice of the peace, at 1:15 p.m. Saturday to do an inquest on a body. He expected it to be an illegal immigrant. "Typically, when we get a call from that area of the county, it's somebody who's been found in a field who's been sitting there for two months or so, found by a hunter, oftentimes other-than-Mexican undocumented immigrant who died in the desert," Beebe said. Because Beebe was not immediately nearby, Presidio County Judge Cinderela Guevara performed the inquest. It wasn't until after 3 p.m. that Beebe learned the identity of the deceased. Scalia's body was driven from Marfa and arrived around 2:30 a.m. at Sunset Funeral Homes, according to spokesman Chris Lujan. Ranch has remote appeal The ranch is located south of Marfa, near the ghost town of Shafter, above Presidio, which lies on the Rio Grande across from Ojinaga, Mexico. Poindexter is about as removed as his ranch, but engage either and friends say it will open your eyes to the possibilities and wonders the world offers. "He's a very private person," said Larry Francell, founding director of the Museum of the Big Bend. "I don't know him in Houston - he may sing rock n' roll there - but here he is a private kind of guy who just goes about his business." Scalia was just the latest newsworthy guest to visit the hideaway near the Chinati Mountains. Mick Jagger, Julia Roberts and Tommy Lee Jones have also partaken in its scenic vistas and luxury accommodations. "It is just a beautiful place," said Houstonian John Brent, a frequent ranch visitor. "Whoever goes there should be glad they got the chance." Established in 1857 by Milton Faver, the ranch retains 19th-century constructions, including "El Fortin de Cibolo," a primitive fort designed to protect settlers from Apaches. Today the site is hardly primitive, boasting an airstrip, pool and spa. A man-made lake on the property is stocked with fish. Scalia, who was scheduled to return to Washington on Sunday, had little time to avail himself of the ranch's offerings. Poindexter, who made his wealth in manufacturing, said he had only met Scalia once before briefly, in Washington. Scalia came to the ranch because he was friends with another guest whose son had to back out of the trip at the last minute. "All the guests were friends of mine, I paid for all of them. There were no politics, no jurisprudence in the slightest," he said, declining to name the other guests. "It was an honor to have him. He was widely admired. There were no speeches. He wasn't asked any hard questions, it was all about the outdoors and Texas, and what it's like to being a Supreme Court Justice." Stoic, but active Poindexter, 71, is active in politics. He's given about $178,000 in contributions to state candidates and political action committees since 2005, according to the Texas Ethics Commission. In addition to almost $140,000 in donations to the conservative Texans for Lawsuit Reform, Poindexter has given thousands to Democratic candidates for state office. Scalia's sudden death was both a "personal tragedy" for those at the ranch, and for the nation, Poindexter said. "All of us here saw him as a stalwart defender of our way of life in Texas, in a real sense," he said. "It's a great loss. Having made that statement, if it was his time to go, he was surrounded by friends, in fairly nice setting, with a full tummy too. He said he was very happy to be invited, so it could have been in worse circumstances." "It's caused all of us here to stop and think about life, how precious it is, and how it is so unexpectedly lost," he added. A third-generation Texan, Poindexter rose from Houston public schools to multimillionaire through education and hard work. He graduated from the University of Arkansas in 1966, but his professional life was put on hold for a while because of military service. Poindexter commanded cavalry troops for the U.S. Army in Vietnam - collecting two Purple Hearts and two Bronze Stars. It took decades for some of those service accolades to come. After his service, he earned a graduate business degree and doctorate in economics from NYU. From there Poindexter quietly built a fortune through the investment ranks of New York before returning to Houston. Now, he is the sole owner of J.B. Poindexter & Co., Inc., which owns a diversified suite of manufacturing businesses. What he's known most for around Texas these days, however, is Cibolo Creek. He purchased his first slice of Faver's once-epic holdings the Friday before Labor Day 1990. "It is very impressive the enormous amount of improvements there," Brent said. It's most cherished asset, however, may be its scenery. Mule deer run along green hills, dotted by beaver-tail cactus and other native plants. Nights can be cool, but the sky comes alive with bright stars spanning the horizon. In addition to annual Labor Day celebrations Poindexter often opens the ranch for charitable events. Though for him it is a ranch paid for by work that is a passion project unto itself, for others Poindexter's paradise is meant for joy. Brent, who estimates he's made the trip from Houston at least 25 times, bristles when asked if he's ever gone on business. "Never," Brent said. "It's not that kind of place." Hearst newspaper staff writers Dug Begley, Filipa Ioannou, David Saleh Rauf and Monica Rojas contributed to this report This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate The remote West Texas ranch where Antonin Scalia was found dead Saturday is a 5-star resort that once was a group of forts used by 19th Century cattle barons to fend off attacks by Apaches and thieves. RELATED: San Antonio professors: Scalia 'respected and idealized' by St. Mary's law students Cibolo Creek Ranch was bought by Houston billionaire John Poindexter in 1990 and renovated into a luxury 33-room resort with a private airstrip. Its located about 30 miles south of Marfa, or about 440 miles west of San Antonio. Celebrity guests over the years have included Mick Jagger, Tommy Lee Jones and Julia Roberts, according to the Austin American-Statesman. RELATED: Owner of Cibolo Creek Ranch campaigned for soldiers' recognition The ranch sits on 30,000 acres and offers rooms from $400 to $700 a night. A somewhat clandestine Donald Trump supporter may have bit off more than he could chew when he confronted former U.S. President Bill Clinton at a pro-Hillary rally in Riviera Beach, Fla. Holding up a sign reading "The silent majority stands with Trump," yelled at Clinton while he was on the podium, the New York Daily News reports. Friday is the last day to request a mail ballot in Texas' March 1 primary. Applications must be received, not postmarked, by Feb. 19 and may be submitted to the county clerk's office by email, fax or mail. Registered voters may vote by mail if they are out of the county during early voting and on Election Day, 65 years old or older, incarcerated but not convicted, ill or disabled. Completed mail ballots, other than those sent from overseas, must arrive at the county clerk's office by 7 p.m. on Election Day, according to the Harris County Clerk's office. Harris County voters may download an application at www.harrisvotes.com or call (713) 755 - 6965 for more information. Instructions for those who reside outside of Harris County are available through the Texas Secretary of State. Horror master Stephen King stared into the void this week and picked a presidential candidate that scares him. The senator from Texas seems to be the stuff of nightmares, King told The Daily Beast in an interview Monday. In a question about how Ted Cruz might be a scarier prospect for America than Donald Trump, King agreed and explained what made Cruz so frightening (and a little tacky): David Goldman/STF The League of Women Voters this week released voter guides for the upcoming Texas primaries, for both local and statewide candidates. The guides detais what you need to bring to the polls, job descriptions of the contested positions, as well as answers from candidates on policy and personal questions. Marco Rubios latest ad references the famous Ronald Reagan campaign commercial Morning in America. Except theres one thing Rubios team forgot America. Buzzfeed noticed that the opening shot of the Morning Again in America ad for Rubio shows a scene in what looks like Vancouver, Canada. A narrator states its morning again in America just as a fluttering Canadian flag on a tugboat fades from the background. The stock footage specifically appears to showcase Vancouver Harbour. The Vancouver Lookout tower seems visible in the skyline. Its a gorgeous image, just the wrong country. The Rubio campaign did not respond to Buzzfeed for a request for comment. CENSORED: Meet the porn actress who appeared in a Ted Cruz ad This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate 5 1 of 5 YouTube Show More Show Less 2 of 5 PAUL CHINN Show More Show Less 3 of 5 4 of 5 DAVID HECKER/Getty Images Show More Show Less 5 of 5 The struggle is real with presidential campaign ads right now. Ted Cruzs team pulled an ad last week after discovering they had cast a former softcore porn actress in one of the roles. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate The former chief of criminal investigations for the District of Columbia police department think it's weird that no autopsy was ordered on Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia after he was found dead Saturday at a West Texas ranch. "As a former homicide commander, I am stunned that no autopsy was ordered for Justice Scalia," William O. Ritchie, a former homicide commander for the department, wrote in a Facebook post on Saturday, according to The Washington Post. RELATED: 11 things to know about the death of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia and what happens next Scalia was found dead on the morning of February 13, 2016, at the Cibolo Creek Creek Ranch in Marfa, Texas. Scalia's family reportedly declined to conduct an autopsy on the justice after it was determined that he had apparently died of natural causes. Presidio County Judge Cinderela Guevara pronounced the justice dead after speaking with law enforcement officers, who told her there were no signs of foul play. The process is legal under Texas law. Guevara later told The Associated Press that she spoke with Scalia's physician and learned that he had heart problems, high blood pressure and had recently been deemed too weak to undergo surgery for a shoulder injury. RELATED: Inside the West Texas ranch where Antonin Scalia was found dead "You have a Supreme Court Justice who died, not in attendance of a physician," Ritchie wrote. "You have a non-homicide trained US Marshal tell the justice of peace that no foul play was observed. You have a justice of the peace pronounce death while not being on the scene and without any medical training opining that the justice died of a heart attack. What medical proof exists of a myocardial Infarction? Why not a cerebral hemorrhage?" Ritchie continued, "How can the Marshal say, without a thorough post mortem, that he was not injected with an illegal substance that would simulate a heart attack..." "Did the US Marshal check for petechial hemorrhage in his eyes or under his lips that would have suggested suffocation? Did the US Marshal smell his breath for any unusual odor that might suggest poisoning? My gut tells me there is something fishy going on in Texas." The U.S. Marshals Service told The Washington Post that Guevara, not the service, made the proclamation of Scalia's death. The perceived lack of disclosure of facts surrounding Scalia's death have led conspiracy theorists to speculate and form alternate theories. Scroll through the slideshow to see what people with a tenuous connection to reality think about Scalia's death, including possible suspects, motivations and methods. And, make sure to visit mySA.com and ExpressNews.com for ongoing coverage of the justice's death. jfechter@mySA.com Twitter: @JFreports This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate With the relatively new Nevada caucuses set for Saturday, Hookers for Hillary is grabbing media attention. The group touting Hillary Clinton's campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination launched in April, shortly after the former U.S. secretary of state announced she would run. Its members are workers at the Moon Lite Bunny Ranch in Carson City, Nev., where prostitution is legal. Dennis Hof, owner of the Bunny Ranch and six other Nevada brothels, told the Daily Mail that Hookers for Hillary was his idea. He announced the group's Clinton endorsement with a tweet on April 15. PHOTOS: Go inside Dennis Hof's 'Moonlite Bunny Ranch' Taylor Lee, a 26-year-old former cake decorator from Houston, has worked at the Bunny Ranch for six months. She told The Guardian that she's happy to have health insurance to pay for anti-seizure medication. Lee, however, confessed to having divided loyalties. While the thinks Clinton would be an "excellent candidate," she said she would be caucusing on Saturday for Bernie Sanders. SEX TRADE: 24 charged with felony prostitution in one month in Houston Hof acknowledged that not all of his employees are backing Clinton, and he's not going to force anyone to vote a certain way. "I have 540 girls," Hof said Tuesday by phone. "My guess is probably 480 are supporting Hillary. They're looking out for their rights." A big factor in the discussion, Hof said, is health insurance. "They're all making six-figure incomes and before Obamacare they could not buy health insurance," Hof said. "The insurance industry in their ignorance painted them with the same brush as illegal prostitutes, which is like comparing (the pharmaceutical giant) Pfizer with the drug cartel." At that point, he broke off the conversation to take a call from Geraldo Rivera. As stated on its website, Hookers for Hillary has a four-point platform (predictably unimpeded by constraints of parallel construction): - Protecting health care reform - Foreign policy experience - Support for agencies that protect the public's health - Prevention of a return to supply side economics Hof was also in the news in October, when former basketball star Lamar Odom was found unconscious at another Nevada brothel. THE LEAD: Early vote could decide Texas primaries before Super Tuesday. Yet, with early voting set to begin in Texas on Tuesday, many voters already may have cast their ballots by the time the campaigns officially roll in for next week's final debate before election day on March 1, writes the Chronicles Rebecca Elliott this morning. -- Why? Texas voters increasingly have shifted away from Election Day balloting in recent years, opting instead to cast their ballots early or by mail. In Harris County, 56 percent of Republican voters cast an early or absentee ballot two years ago, up from 39 percent in 2008. Meanwhile, 59 percent of Democrats voted before Election Day in 2014, up from 44 percent in 2008. -- BUT: Nonetheless, Harris County Clerk Stan Stanart said the combination of Texas' earlier primary date and the fast-changing nature of the presidential race could delay voting. Welcome to Tuesday, folks. How long are you going to wait before you cast your vote? Im at bobby.cervantes@chron.com and on twitter at @bobbycervantes. -- The Cruz-ification of the GOP, by the Texas Observer's Chris Hooks. Where once Cruz was a little-noticed frequenter of the Texas tea party circuit, hes done more than any other Republican to set the tone in Congress during Obamas second term. His acolytes and supporters hold the highest elected offices in Texas. Even if Cruz loses the nomination, hes had an impact that will linger long after he does. -- Texas judge disclosed details about Scalias health, by the APs Sam Hananel and David Warren. Presidio County Judge Cinderela Guevara told The Associated Press on Monday she spoke with Scalia's doctor on the day he was found dead in his room at a remote Texas ranch. She said the doctor told her that Scalia had a history of heart trouble, high blood pressure and was considered too weak to undergo surgery for a recent shoulder injury. Those details are seemingly at odds with recollections of friends who described Scalia as his usual, happy self during the days leading up to his death. -- Scalias death could affect outcomes of Texas cases, by the Chronicles Mike Morris, Brian Rosenthal and Lauren Caruba. His sudden death will likely change the outcome of some major cases now before the Court and could impact five key Texas cases which touch on some of the most significant social issues in America, beginning in March with arguments on the state's far-reaching abortion restrictions and a second case involving whether faith-based nonprofits can deny employees contraceptive services. In Texas' five cases and in numerous others for potentially months to come, as President Barack Obama and Republicans square off over a new justice, Scalia's death raises the likelihood of cases ending in 4-4 rulings, although one of the court's conservatives, Justice Anthony Kennedy, sometimes votes with the liberals on social issues. SPEED READ Texas Take: Bush family value, Houston Chronicle Kronberg: Senate majority was already at risk before Scalia, Quorum Report Mauro on Clinton: This isnt her first rodeo, San Antonio Express-News Texas readies to vote, Houston Chronicle Bill Clinton to campaign in Texas for Hillary, Houston Chronicle The race to represent Arlington in House gets personal, Quorum Report Juarenses, profiteers ready for Pope Francis, El Paso Times Heart attack or some other natural causes? Reports conflict on Scalias cause of death, The Dallas Morning News Into the mosh pit: Republican campaign talk gets nastier, Austin American-Statesman Along the border, divided Mexican families share kisses and handshakes through a chain-link fence, Los Angeles Times Super PAC supporting Jeb Bush delays start date of ads in Super Tuesday states, The Dallas Morning News Bush comes under fire in Rollover Pass dispute, Houston Chronicle Obama faces political puzzle in naming Scalia successor, Associated Press More Texas children got insurance in ACAs first year, Houston Chronicle Oil up on reports that Russia, OPEC to talk oil, Houston Chronicle Asian economies struggling, more pressure on US, Houston Chronicle QUOTE TO NOTE I dont know if its a matter of recollection or anything like that but as far as any vote on the Speaker of the House is concerned, I never made a commitment to you, I never made a commitment to Scott Turner, I never made a commitment to Joe Straus, I never made a commitment to anybody because I never made up my mind on how I was going to vote until Jan. 12, 2015, which was the night before the vote was made. -- Rep. Brooks Landgraf defending himself from attacks about a supposed promise he made to vote for Speaker Straus. RACE TO 2016 -- Campaigns secretly prep for brokered GOP convention, by Politicos Ben Schreckinger. Mysterious outside groups are asking state parties for personal data on potential delegates, Republican campaigns are drawing up plans to send loyal representatives to obscure local conventions, and party officials are dusting off rulebooks to brush up on a process that hasnt mattered for decades. -- Rubio surges back to electrify South Carolina, by Politicos Eli Stokols. His bruises from New Hampshire have healedand not simply because of his faith. The 44-year-old senator was indeed humbled by the humiliation he suffered before heading to South Carolina, but his chances of capturing the Republican nomination havent completely gone south. Donald Trump sits high atop the polls here, but Rubio is positioned to finish either second or third. A poll Monday night taken entirely after Saturday's debate shows Rubio tied for second with Cruz at 18 percent. -- In Nevada, a tightening race threatens Clintons post-NH firewall, by WashPosts David Weigel and John Wagner. Sanderss aides say there is strong evidence in their internal polling that young and working-class Latinos are coming his way. Even the Clinton campaign is now playing down expectations. In a conference call with reporters last month, campaign manager Robby Mook said Clinton held a 25-point lead in the state. But in the wake of the New Hampshire defeat, Clinton spokesman Brian Fallon pointedly called Nevada a state that is 80 percent white voters, universally seen as a way to undercut the story that Sanders is making gains outside of progressive white voters. -- Trump threatens to sue Cruz unless his GOP rival apologizes, by APs Jill Colvin. Some of the harshest ads have been aimed at Trump, often using the political newcomer's past words to illustrate his evolving position on issues including abortion and gun rights. Trump also took aim Monday at the Republican establishment, accusing the Republican National Committee of packing its debate audiences with donors a move he claimed violated the loyalty pledge he signed in September vowing to run as a Republican and support the party's eventual nominee. -- GWB offers tough Trump takedown in campaign debut, by the APs Julie Pace. Trump's rise has confounded the Bush family and its allies. But despite months of predicting the brash billionaire would fade, it's Jeb Bush whose White House hopes are in peril, particularly if he's unable to pull out a strong showing in Saturday's South Carolina primary. The former president emerged from his self-imposed political hibernation to try to give Bush a boost. He layered each validation of his younger brother with an implicit critique of Trump. He urged voters to back a candidate who will be measured and thoughtful on the world stage. A candidate whose humility helps him understand what he doesn't know. A candidate who can win in November's general election. The summers final Live on the Waterfront concert was held Wednesday evening at Prince Arthurs Landing. The popular series in Thunder Bay has completed nine weekly shows that began on July 13. Wednesdays concert was unique as it was held one hour later in the evening to mesh with the 10 p. Quebec Skilled Worker Program for Immigration to Canada to Reopen This Summer CIC News Aa Accessibility Font Style Serif Sans Font Size A A Pour la version francaise, cliquez ici. The Canadian province of Quebec has confirmed that its flagship immigration program, the Quebec Skilled Worker Program (QSWP), will have at least one more application intake period in 2016. An exact opening date has not yet been made public, but the government of Quebec has stated that it is scheduled for the summer months. Through the QSWP, successful applicants and their families may obtain Canadian permanent resident status after receiving a Quebec Selection Certificate/certificat de selection du Quebec (CSQ) from the government of Quebec. The announcement that another intake period will take place in just a few months will give candidates who do not successfully submit an application over the course of the current intake period another opportunity to submit an application later in 2016. Moreover, potential candidates who do not currently have an account in the government of Quebecs secure online space Mon projet Quebec through which all applications for the QSWP must be submitted are, at the time of writing, scheduled to be able to register an account as of February 18, 2016. Registration in Mon projet Quebec has been closed since January 25 in anticipation of the current intake period, which was scheduled to open on February 16 but has been slightly delayed due to a technical issue. The current intake period may run until March 31 at the latest, but the 2,800 available spaces are widely expected to be filled soon after the system finally opens for the submission of new applications. The QSWP: How does it work? The QSWP uses a points-based system, where points are awarded for an applicants area of training, work experience, age, language proficiency, prior relationship with Quebec (through visits or family), the human capital factors of the applicants spouse or common-law partner (if applicable), and whether or not the applicant has a validated job offer in Quebec. If an individual satisfies the minimum points requirement for these factors, he or she may then gain additional points for any accompanying dependent children and proof of financial self-sufficiency. Candidates should note that a job offer is not required for the QSWP. Applicants should also note that they may be awarded points for French proficiency, though it is not an eligibility requirement for the program. Applicants who do not have knowledge of French, but who have strong credentials in other areas, may still be eligible to apply. Summer intake period may be the last of its kind This latest immigration news from Quebec is perhaps the most significant to come from the province over recent months. The Ministere de lImmigration, de la Diversite et de lInclusion (MIDI), the government ministry overseeing immigration to Quebec, has made a number of changes to program procedures over the past year, including the removal of the time-consuming adaptability interview and modifications to the area of training factor. Currently, the QSWP operates on a first-come, first-served basis. Quebecs Minister of Immigration recently proposed a bill that, if passed, would likely result in Quebec implementing an economic immigration system similar to the Express Entry system currently used by the government of Canada, whereby candidates must make an Expression of Interest before being invited to apply based on their credentials. It is expected that the QSWP application intake period that opens this summer will operate on the same first-come, first-served basis that is currently in place. Consequently, the summer 2016 QSWP application intake period may be the last of its kind a way to apply for immigration to Canada through an economic immigration program without having to first be invited to apply. It is unknown exactly how many applications may be accepted during the planned summer intake period. However, the MIDI has said that up to 7,000 applications may be accepted for the period 2016-2017. Old systems meeting new This calendar year may end up being the only year in which the province of Quebec offers a skilled worker program that is both first-come, first-served and managed online, namely through the Mon projet Quebec application management system, says Attorney David Cohen. Individuals interested in immigrating to Canada who do not wish to be at the whim of immigration programs that involve expressions of interest and invitations to apply, and who also wish to have everything done online, may not have another opportunity like this down the line. For many potential candidates, this summers Quebec Skilled Worker intake period may provide the best of both worlds. Quebec profile Population: 8,263,600 Largest city: Montreal Capital city: Quebec City Language: French is the most predominant language, though nearly half of all residents report having proficiency in both French and English. Economy: While the provinces substantial natural resources have long been the mainstay of its economy, sectors of the knowledge economy such as aerospace, information and communication technologies, biotechnology, and the pharmaceutical industry also play leading roles. These many industries have all contributed to helping Quebec become a highly influential province within Canada, second only to Ontario in economic output. To find out if you are eligible for the Quebec Skilled Worker Program, or any of Canadas over 60 immigration programs, please fill out a free assessment today. Note: Candidates in either of the following situations are not subject to the cap and may submit an application for a CSQ outside the aforementioned intake periods: The applicant has enclosed a validated employment offer with the application for a selection certificate submitted under the QSWP; or The applicant is a temporary resident in Quebec and eligible to submit an application for a CSQ. 2016 CICNews All Rights Reserved Un microbuz special a fost transmis de Uniunea Europeana si Fundatia Soros Moldova Centrului de zi pentru copiii cu dizabilitati din Cahul A reporter for The Atlantic got in trouble recently for agreeing, in 2009, to receive an advance copy of a Hillary Clinton speech in return for calling it muscular. A reporter for The New York Times also used the word muscular for the same speech, but told the public editor that there was no deal. My use of the word muscular may have reflected a lack of originality, the reporter said, but it did not reflect collusion. The reporter continued that he was trying to use muscular less frequently because its been reasonably criticized as a value-laden term and its a good idea to stay away from it. To use a journalistic cliche, these reporters are not alone. The Daily News in New York said of that same speech that Clinton stacked the room with aides and her team talked up the muscular approach she would take toward Iran. The Boston Globe, compiling its article from wires, apparently used The Times phrasing and noted the muscular tone and sweeping scope of the speech. On CNNs American Morning program, John Roberts noted: The speech was billed by her aides as muscular. In other words, the chances are that the speech would have been called muscular whether it was part of a deal or not. In that same month, July 2009, The Washington Post said Clinton, then Secretary of State, was speaking tougher about Thailand, one of several muscular statements she made on her trip to Asia apparently to demarcate her positions more clearly than before. (The Post columnist referred to a Times account written by the same muscular reporter, who did not use that word in covering the Thailand speech.) And even before the speech under discussion, CNNs Gloria Borger, asking whether Clinton had been sidelined by the White House, said: she may have wanted a more muscular response on Iran but the president was the one who had to decide to pull the trigger on that. Well stop now, before we become musclebound. Sign up for CJR 's daily email Regardless of the politics or ethics involved in the particular case, using muscular to describe an inanimate object is a relatively new phenomenon, and one that seems more popular in the United States than elsewhere. The Oxford English Dictionary does not even have a relevant definition, except in the figurative use muscular Christian, concerned with or devoted to good works and social issues, or setting store by the moral benefits of physical exercise; energetic and outgoing. The New Oxford American Dictionary has a figurative meaning that comes closer to the way Clinton (or her aides) meant it: vigorously robust: a muscular economy. Dictionary.coms entry, based on The Random House Unabridged Dictionary, lists as its muscular fourth definition vigorously and forcefully expressed, executed, performed, etc., as if by the use of a great deal of muscular power: a muscular response to terrorism. Even so, muscular has a very masculine tone and many of its synonyms conjure the lunk in the gym: beefy, brawny, burly, strapping. The synonyms that would fit are robust, strong, and powerful. But those may be too common for someone seeking a more muscular term. If the word muscular is value-laden, as the Times reporter said, many journalists are weighed down: In just the past six months, and just in The Times, muscular has been used multiple times in reviews (to describe voices, compositions, brushstrokes, or even a type font) as well as many times in reference to foreign policy and other weighty matters. And that doesnt include the hundreds of hits in articles not in The Times. If, as the Times public editor says, muscular tends to equate a hawkish foreign policy with a good foreign policy, its not clear that most readers outside the Beltway get that. More are likely to envision the Incredible Hulk than a hawk. Regardless, its clear that the frequent flexing of muscular means it has joined the journalistic pantheon of cliches. Welcome to the gym, er, club. Has America ever needed a media watchdog more than now? Help us by joining CJR today Merrill Perlman managed copy desks across the newsroom at the New York Times, where she worked for twenty-five years. Follow her on Twitter at @meperl. Steve Carmody sometimes feels uneasy about the praise. Carmody is a Flint-based reporter for Michigan Radio, the states leading public radio service, which was among the earliest news outlets to report seriously on concerns that the citys residents were being poisoned by lead leaching from their water pipesthe result of a switch to a new water source in April 2014. Michigan Radio reported on a crucial Environmental Protection Agency internal memo that laid out the concerns in July 2015, tracked each new development as the scope of the problem became clear last fall, and, in December, produced an hour-long documentary that has become one of the leading accounts of the crisis. For those efforts, Michigan Radio has won applause from listeners and industry peers. Carmody is proud of what the service has donebut he also thinks about what might have been different. It just gnaws on me that when people were saying they cant drink this water in May or June of 2014, I was taking, Dont worry, its safe as an answer from state officials, he said in recent interview. It just sticks in my craw. I shouldve seen this earlier. That will bother me for the rest of my career. Its a lesson worth taking seriously, and one for journalists to reflect on anytime a community keeps saying, despite official assurances, that something is wrong. In retrospect, Michigan Radio, like other news outlets, might have pushed harder, earlier, against claims from state environmental officials that the water was fine. But its also fair to say that in its coverage of the story, Michigan Radio has staked a claim for itself as an increasingly important player in the states media ecosystem. That influential reporting stems from the outlets growth in recent yearsand it has raised its ambitions for the journalism it will produce in the future. Sign up for weekly emails from the United States Project Its not that long ago that public radio in Michigan was primarily classical music. When Vincent Duffy, Michigan Radios news director, joined the outlet in 2007, there were roughly five people on any given day gathering news, he says. Now there is more than twice that; in total, 27 people work in content roles, including reporters, digital producers, and on-air hosts. In addition to the usual slate of national public radio fare, the service produces original programming like Stateside, The Environment Report, and State of Opportunity. (Ive occasionally been a guest on-air.) Some of the editorial growth comes from moving around existing positions, but the stations annual operating budget has also grown, in part due to rising audience support. Today, its about $6.5 million, with nearly two-thirds coming from listener contributions. The on-air programming reaches about 450,000 listeners each week via transmitters in Ann Arbor, Grand Rapids, and Flinta blue-collar city of about 100,000 people, where the listening audience is by far the smallest. Some of that has to do with it having a smaller population, Duffy said, but some is that an audience is more likely to listen to public radio if they are college-educated, and theres just a lower percentage of college-educated people in Genesee County [where Flint is located], which probably makes us less appealing. It just sticks in my craw. I shouldve seen this earlier. That will bother me for the rest of my career. Whatever the reason, that didnt stop the Flint water story from becoming a priority for Michigan Radiothough when the first glaring sign of a major public health concern arrived, Carmody wasnt the only one who had a hard time believing the severity of the situation. Curt Guyette, an investigative reporter for the ACLU of Michigan, had obtained the draft EPA report, and in early July he shared it with the public radio service in hopes of bringing it to a broader audience. The memo faulted the states methods for measuring lead levels, explained why the decision not to apply corrosion-control techniques created risks, and relayed almost unfathomably high concentrations of lead in one home. The day we had it, there was a disagreement in the newsroom, Duffy recalled. Some wanted to get it out right away, and others in the newsroom were saying, These numbers cant be right. This cant actually be happening that the lead levels are this high in a municipal water system. Turned out that actually was the case. Michigan Radios Lindsey Smith reported on the memo a few days later. (Let me start hereanyone who is concerned about lead in the drinking water in Flint can relax, a spokesman for the state environmental department told her, a line that has since become infamous.) But it was in the fall, as independent testing led by a Virginia Tech scientist and blood-lead analyses by a Flint pediatrician made the scale of the crisis clear, that the newsroom really pivoted to heavy coverage. Carmody reported the daily news, but when feedback made it clear that audiences were having a difficult time piecing the whole story together, the outlet decided to do the documentary. Smith, who covers West Michigan but had already done her share of FOIA requests for the Flint story, led the reporting, with support from web producer Mark Brush, environment reporter Rebecca Williams, Carmody, and editor Sarah Hulett. The station also paid for Smith to travel to Virginia Tech for interviews. Not Safe to Drink, which focuses on Flint mother and citizen activist LeeAnne Walters, put a human face on a complex story, making good use of what Smith calls the intimacy of the audio narrative. It aired locally in mid-December, and, thanks to a partnership with the Center for Investigative Reporting, it was broadcast nationally that same month. Michigan Radios online traffic in January more than tripled from the average, Duffy said, and the only thing we can attribute that to is people are still sharing our documentary. Even though its dated now, with quotes from individuals who are no longer working in their jobs. It also helps that Michigan Radios digital presence is better than the norm for state public media. On average, the website gets about 300,000 unique visitors a month; what began as an archive of the outlets best work is now often the home for stories that havent been broadcast yet. Were not scooping ourselves, Duffy said, because the website reaches a distinct audience. With a digital-first policythe story isnt done until the web story is done, Duffy saysthe station was in position to deliver online coverage featuring numbers and timelines that dont translate easily on air. While Michigan Radio started out front with the Flint water story, its been difficult at times to sustain the pace. Despite the newsrooms growthand the continuing staff decline at the states newspapersthe big papers can still put more people on a resource-intensive story thats dominating the news, like the recent release of thousands of emails obtained from similar FOIA requests on the same day. We do catch up there, Duffy says. Id like in three years to say, Remember the Flint water crisis? That is what started all this other incredible work. One other consequence of the coverage: a shift in the relationship with Governor Rick Snyders office, at least for a time. The office has not been pleased with all our coverage, said Duffy, referring in particular to elements of the documentary, and an accompanying reporters notebook posted online. After the documentary aired, he said, the governors office indicated it would communicate over email but would no longer agree to recorded phone interviews, including after the State of the State address in January. I asked Dave Murray, Gov. Snyders press secretary, about this. We had some concerns that we talked to them about, and were working on it together, he said. In a follow-up email, he added: We have great respect for the journalists at Michigan Radio. The organizations coverage of the Flint Water Crisis has been thorough and impressive, and we appreciate the work the reporters there have done to bring attention to the problems at all three levels of government as well as the recovery efforts that are underway. He pointed out that he frequently talks with public radio reporters in Lansing, who work for a capitol news network that serves stations across the state, and says that he recently spoke with Michigan Radios arts and education reporter. The Flint story, of course, is hardly over. Despite remediation efforts, lead levels in the water remain high; scores of children have been exposed, putting them at risk of developmental impairments and other consequences; and complex questions about government accountability are yet to be resolved. The Michigan Radio team balances getting to other big statewide storiesone of the prisoners released last month from Iran was from Flint, which Carmody reported about, while Smith covered the Grand Rapids mayoral electionand still staying on top of developments in the water story. For many of us, its seven days a week, almost every waking hour, trying to stay on top of the Flint story, Duffy said. Weve had discussions on how long to continue this and when we scale back and partner with someone else or reach out to NPR or something. For six people to wake up and do nothing but Flint, it takes its toll. That said, hes hopeful that this coverage is the start of a new era of important journalism at Michigan Radioand that the Flint coverage can be leveraged into resources that will help support it. What Id hate to have happen is three years from now we look back and say, Remember the Flint water crisis? Thats the best news weve ever done. Duffy said. Id like in three years to say, Remember the Flint water crisis? That is what started all this other incredible work. Weve shown ourselves what were capable of and the talent we have in our newsroom. Carmody, the reporter in Flint, points to a more immediate hope: that the lead crisis in Flint will be solved. But hes looking to the future, too. In about sixteen years, he said, he expects to retire from journalism. I know on my very last day, Im going to do a story about Flint water. Not because its my last day, and I feel like I have to, or because its an anniversary, but because its still going to be hurting people in this community sixteen years from now. Has America ever needed a media watchdog more than now? Help us by joining CJR today Anna Clark is a journalist in Detroit. Her writing has appeared in ELLE Magazine, The New York Times, The Washington Post, Next City, and other publications. Anna edited A Detroit Anthology, a Michigan Notable Book, and she was a 2017 Knight-Wallace journalism fellow at the University of Michigan. She is the author of The Poisoned City: Flints Water and the American Urban Tragedy, published by Metropolitan Books, an imprint of Henry Holt. She is online at www.annaclark.net and on Twitter @annaleighclark. Several people quarantined in Connecticut after returning from West Africa during the Ebola epidemic in 2014 were essentially imprisoned illegally under a state policy based on politics, not science, according to a lawsuit they filed on Monday. The lawsuit was filed by Yale Law School students against Gov. Dannel P. Malloy and state health officials on behalf of plaintiffs including a West African family of six quarantined at a relatives home for 20 days and a current student and former student at the Yale School of Public Health who were under 20-day quarantine orders at their homes. Other plaintiffs are planning to return to Connecticut from Liberia soon. The eight plaintiffs quarantined under state policy had no Ebola symptoms, had no contact with anyone with Ebola symptoms and never contracted the deadly virus. The lawsuit seeks unspecified monetary damages and an order preventing such quarantines in the future. Being quarantined made me feel like a criminal, Laura Skrip, one of the two Yale School of Public Health students quarantined, said in a statement issued by the law students. There was no scientific reason to confine me to my apartment, with no visitors and a police officer parked outside my door. An adviser to Malloy defended the quarantine policy Monday. An executive order signed by Malloy in October 2014, which remains in effect, gives the states public health commissioner the authority to quarantine people who may have been exposed to or infected with Ebola. Our first priority remains protecting the public from both foreseeable and unforeseeable harms whether it be storms or disease or otherwise, said the adviser, Christopher McClure. Like the governors of New York and New Jersey at the time, Malloy adopted more stringent policies than the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In New Jersey, Republican Gov. Chris Christie and state health officials are facing a similar lawsuit by a nurse who said she was illegally quarantined at a hospital, despite having no symptoms, when she returned to New Jersey from West Africa. Malloy, a Democrat, signed the quarantine order when he was running for re-election in the fall of 2014, a time when sensationalist news accounts stoked public fear that travelers might bring Ebola across the ocean to our state, according to the Connecticut lawsuit, which accuses officials of violating the plantiffs constitutional rights. Leaders of the Liberian community in Connecticut said the effects of the quarantines were severe. Local Liberians were asked by community members not to return to work and to keep their children off of public school buses, said Flomo Freeman, president of the Liberian Community Association of Connecticut. Community members fear traveling to see family and friends in Liberia because we know from the states past conduct that future Ebola cases in West Africa may spur further mistreatment in Connecticut. Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Knoedler & Co, which before closing in 2011 was New York Citys oldest art gallery, has agreed to settle a lawsuit over an $8.3 million sale of a fake Rothko painting, just as its ex-president was preparing to testify at trial. The deal, confirmed on Wednesday by Knoedlers lawyer, resolved the remaining claims in a closely watched trial in Manhattan federal court in a lawsuit brought by Sothebys Chairman Domenico De Sole and his wife, Eleanore. The settlement with the De Soles, who were seeking $25 million in damages, came after the collectors reached a separate agreement on Sunday with Ann Freedman, Knoedlers former president. Freedman was expected to testify on Tuesday as the case moved forward against Knoedler, but the trial was abruptly halted due to what U.S. District Judge Paul Gardephe called unexpected developments. Charles Schmerler, a lawyer for Knoedler and a related company, 8-31 Holdings Inc, said he was pleased a settlement was reached in light of Freedmans agreement. Terms of both settlements were not disclosed. A lawyer for the De Soles did not respond to a request for comment. The De Soles sued Knoedler and Freedman in 2013 after prosecutors brought charges against an art dealer, Glafira Rosales, for participating in a scheme to sell fakes to galleries. Those galleries included Knoedler, which received 40 paintings purportedly painted by modern masters including Mark Rothko and Jackson Pollock from Rosales, who pleaded guilty to wire fraud and money laundering charges in 2014. Prosecutors said the paintings, including the Rothko that the De Soles bought in 2004 for $8.3 million, were actually created by a Chinese artist, Pei-Shen Quian, who was indicted in 2014 and is believed to be living in China. At trial, lawyers for the De Soles said Freedman and Knoedler knew or should have known the paintings brought to it by Rosales were fake, and ignored a series of red flags. The Knoedler gallery bought their fake Rothko for the bargain-basement price of just $950,000 before selling it for $8.3 million, Emily Reisbaum, a lawyer for the De Soles, said in her opening statement. Its simple, Reisbaum said. You dont get to sell a fake painting and keep the money. To state the obvious, this is wrong. But the defendants contended they were misled, along with many art experts. (Reporting by Nate Raymond; Editing by Sandra Maler) Man pleads guilty to $190K insurance fraud scheme, extortion A bookmaker has pleaded guilty to charges he shot a gambler with a stun gun and tried to burn down a restaurant in a $190,000 insurance fraud scheme in Hartford. The Hartford Courant reports 52-year-old John Barile pleaded guilty Thursday in federal court to charges of arson, insurance fraud, gambling and extortion. Authorities say the East Hartford man ran an illegal sports-related bookmaking operation from 2010 to 2014. Prosecutors say he shot a gambler with a stun gun to punish him for not paying his debts. Prosecutors say Barile and three others plotted to burn down a pizzeria he and a partner owned in Middletown to collect an insurance payout in January 2010. Barile is scheduled for sentencing on May 6. Illinois County to File Insurance Claim to Recover Funds Lost by Fraud A northern Illinois county purchasing director allegedly spent more than $60,000 on personal items, according to a draft of an insurance claim Winnebago County plans to file. The Rockford Register Star reports the claim alleges Sally Claassen, who resigned from the job in September, allegedly spent more than $60,000 on personal items. The document was obtained by the Register Star after a Freedom of Information Act request. Claassen has not been charged with a crime. County Administrator Steve Chapman says the insurance claim is based on an internal investigation by the county auditors office. Claassen led the countys purchasing department from 1997 until she resigned in September amid an internal investigation. She is represented by attorney Chuck Prorok, who says Claassen is fully cooperating with the FBI and their investigation. Jury Convicts South Dakota Woman of Setting Fire to Own Bar A South Dakota woman accused of setting fire to her own bar to get insurance money has been convicted of arson. Attorney General Marty Jackley says a jury found Road House Bar and Grill owner Lori Brandner guilty Friday of aiding and abetting arson, conspiracy to commit arson and submitting a fraudulent insurance claim. Authorities alleged Brandner and three others set fire to her bar in the northern South Dakota town of Herreid on Jan. 21, 2015. The fire significantly damaged the bar, which Brandner co-owned with her husband. After the fire, Brandner submitted a $310,000 insurance claim. Her three co-defendants each previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit arson in exchange for testifying at Brandners trial. A sentencing date has not been set. Former California Guard, Wife Convicted of Filing Fraudulent $4M Workers Comp Claim A former corrections officer and his wife have been found guilty of workers compensation fraud. The Sacramento Bee reports that the John Alfonzo Smiley and Cynthia Ann Biasi were convicted Tuesday over filing a $4 million claim when Smiley was shot outside a sex club in 2008. The couple claimed in depositions that Smiley was gunned down outside a San Francisco restaurant by a parolee who recognized him as a corrections officer. But Sacramento County prosecutors said the couple was at a sex club and that Smiley was shot after an argument with another couple. Defense attorneys argued that San Francisco police did not properly look into possibility that a parolee was involved. Smiley and Biasi face as much as eight years, eight months in state prison. Sentencing is set for March 4. Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. How has new legislation affected marijuana use in the United States? The best available data suggest that marijuana use is increasing in adults but not teens, with a decrease in marijuana-related arrests but an increase in treatment admissions, according to an update in the January/February Journal of Addiction Medicine, the official journal of the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM). The review by Jane C. Maxwell, PhD, of The University of Texas at Austin and Bruce Mendelson, MPA, of the Denver Office of Drug Strategy gives insights into the initial impact of legalizing or decriminalizing marijuana in some states. Data are needed to understand the relationship between the patterns and amounts of use in terms of consequences as well as data on the health conditions of those receiving medical marijuana and the impact of higher potency, the authors write. Rising Rate of Marijuana Use, with Some Evidence of Harmful Effects Maxwell and Mendelson provide an update on recent state laws regarding marijuana and analyze available data on how those laws are affecting rates of marijuana use, attitudes toward marijuana, and other key issues. A few states have legalized possession/use of small amounts of marijuana, while several others have decriminalized marijuana. Most states now permit some types of medical marijuana use. Data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health suggest that, over the past decade, marijuana use has increased significantly among adults aged 18 to 25 and those aged 26 years and older. These trends appear to have begun before 2012, when Colorado and Washington became the first states to legalize marijuana. Meanwhile, marijuana use by youth aged 12 to 17 has not increased significantly. However, young peoples perceptions of the risks of using marijuana have decreased, suggesting that they may be more likely to start using marijuana in the future. Studies have consistently shown that the potency of marijuana is increasing. Data from California suggest that marijuana is more widely available, and that more drivers are testing positive for it. Initial reports from Colorado and Washington State provide evidence on the effects of legalization. In Denver, marijuana-related hospital admissions, emergency department visits, and calls to poison control centers have all increased. At the same time, arrests for marijuana use/possession and admissions to substance use disorder treatment programs have decreased. Data from the Seattle area also show reduced rates of treatment admissions and police involvement, along with an increased prevalence of frequent marijuana use. The lack of data on the characteristics of the users of medical marijuana, their medical conditions, and use patterns, as well as adverse events they may suffer by using different variations of the drug is an important knowledge gap. Data are needed to understand the relationship between the patterns and amounts of use in terms of consequences, as well as on the health conditions of those receiving medical marijuana and the impact of higher potency. The authors hope their review will provide a useful starting point for evaluating the impact of changes in marijuana legislation. They write, As more states enact laws allowing the medicinal use of marijuana and relax penalties for the personal use of marijuana, attention should be paid to the experiences of the states to date and changes in their laws to handle unanticipated problems. Source: Wolters Kluwer Health: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins On Tuesday, February 9, Safety National hosted a webinar on how the bureaucracy of workers compensation drives costs. The hosts of the Out Front Ideas webinar, Mark Walls, vice president of communications and strategic analysis at St. Louis-based Safety National, and Kimberly George, senior vice president and senior health advisor for Sedgwick, and five industry panelists described the major costs drivers arising from the highly regulated line of insurance. The panelists included: Todd Brown, former regulator and practice leader Compliance and Regulatory Affairs at Medata; Francine Johnson, vice president Regulatory Business Consulting and Analytics for Coventry; Mark Long, director of the Workers Compensation Agency for the State of Michigan; Angelo Williams, vice president Corporate Compliance at Safety National and Jon Wroten, SVP Compliance & Regulatory Affairs at Sedgwick. Understanding how the bureaucracy of workers compensation system adds costs begins with understanding the governments role, said Long, a current regulator for the State of Michigan. He explained that the governments role is to maintain equilibrium of the process; to enforce contracts, striking a deal between injured workers and employers. He explained that his agencys role is to ensure carriers required reporting is completed in a timely manner and at the correct rate. In addition, his agency ensures there is workers compensation coverage in place to protect workers. In the state of Michigan, he explained that his agency is also responsible for oversight of healthcare services roles, fee schedules and self-insurance groups, as well monitoring insolvencies and wrap up policies. Some of the biggest challenges and cost drivers to workers compensation regulatory compliance include the existence of overlapping regulatory bodies with no uniformity among states and satiating the increasing need for data, said Wroten, a former regulator. Johnson echoed Wrotens concerns, noting a lack of time to conform to changes was a real problem for the industry. She added that regulators need to understand the number of players involved when a change is required as well as that the industry constantly grapples with cost containment methodology versus the best treatment for injured workers. Data requirements was also singled out as a considerable challenge. As a former regulator, Brown said information is needed to ensure that the workers comp system is operating correctly, but that the challenge is in determining the exact information needed. He emphasized that it is important to remember that electronic data still takes time to compile and multiple systems are typically used. He added that it is important for agencies to consider how the information requested will be used to better improve the system. Is all the data requested truly necessary just because were in an information world today, Brown said. If you cant see a benefit in decreasing costs and improving efficiencies, youre doing a disservice to the system. In addition, he said that added data that is not necessary creates cyber risk. Responding to different regulator requests can be a daunting challenge, said Wroten, noting that there might be two or three different regulators per state, making compliance incredibly difficult. In addition, there are three different versions of the electronic data interchange used by states. For example, New York uses EDI 3, while California uses EDI 1. This results in carriers having to work with each states reporting nuances. As a state regulator, Long emphasized that his agency spends a great deal of time on education as a result of carriers using multistate adjusters. He explained that in the past, dedicated adjusters based in each state understood the unique laws governing the workers comp system. Compliance requirements add frictional costs to the system, said Wroten, who noted that there is a ripple effect when new regulation comes down it adds cost. Another issue relates to strict liability penalties, Wroten said that regulators often issue blanket penalties for violations at the highest amount allowed. He recommended regulators consider incentivizing insurers for compliance and not issuing a blanket penalty. For example, if a company is 99 percent compliant, then a penalty in the highest amount allowed may not be appropriate. As far as the most challenging states from a compliance standpoint, Johnson said Virginia, Louisiana, Texas and Florida dont always answer carrier questions and they wont offer alternative ways to handle disputes. For example, there is no informal resolution process on deferred regulation on fee schedules in Louisiana, if there is a dispute it heads straight to litigation. Brown reiterated that some states arent willing to provide answers to further clarification. Virginias view on a new regulation on fee schedules is that they wouldnt answer questions, choosing to allow any issues be ironed out in litigation. He said he is seeing more resistance from states to provide clarification once they establish a rule. Because many states have outsourced things like medical management, he said they no longer have in house expertise to respond to questions. One solution to achieving compliance goals while increasing efficiencies and reducing frictional costs, discussed by the panelists, included having carrier representatives attend industry conferences. Long said that some conferences host a regulator roundtable, offering an opportunity for carriers to engage with regulators on the challenges they face. Wroten explained that in order to improve the compliance process and reduce costs, there needs to be transparency in rulemaking and a baseline established for all states. Audra McDonald & Placido Domingo Among First Lincoln Center Hall of Fame Inductees Actress/Singer Audra McDonald attends the 2014 Drama Desk Awards Press Conference at Liberty Theatre on June 1, 2014 in New York City. (Photo : Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images) The first inductees into Lincoln Center's brand new Hall of Fame arena have been announced. In the first round of names to make the cut are Louis Armstong, Placido Domingo, Yo-Yo Ma, Audra McDonald, Leontyne Price and Harold Prince. The ceremony will be held on June 20 at Alice Tully Hall. For its first run, the ritual will include a stone slab with a carving of the honorees name to be placed in the surrounding plaza. And to keep the gala in the 21st century, an app will be available for visitors with smartphones to learn more about the achievements of each Hall of Famer. Jed Bernstein, President of Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, said of the appointments: "We are extremely proud to honor this inaugural class of inductees whose deep generosity of spirit and passion and exceptional creativity and tenacity have shaped and continue to shape the performing arts. As a class, they represent the diversity of the arts and artists celebrated at Lincoln Center each and every day and their contributions have added joy and wonder to our lives." Also as part of the honor, all the names will receive a trophy designed by Heatherwick Studios, a company who was instrumental in the redesign of David Geffen Hall. Audra McDonald, who is a part of the echelon to be named in June, has received a plethora of press as of late as she is due to reprise her role as Billie Holiday June 25 in Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill. Also on her plate, the six-time Tony winner will star in Broadway's Shuffle Along in the spring. Trained at the Juilliard School, Ms. McDonald also starred in New York Philharmonic concerts and various other Lincoln Center productions. For now, preview Ms. McDonald below before the June event, where the artists will also joing a list of 30 "founding legends," which include George Balanchine, Leonard Bernstein and Wynton Marsalis. 2016 The Classical Art, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. TagsLincoln Center, Audra McDonald, Louis Armstong, Placido Domingo, Yo-Yo Ma, Audra McDonald, Leontyne Price, Harold Prince Adam Pascal Talks Return to Nederlander Theater for Disaster Musical 20-Years After 'RENT' Former RENT star Adam Pascal is getting ready to return home to the Nederlander Theater. The venue that was home to RENTs Broadway debut is now hosting his new musical, Disaster! (Seth Rudetsky). Now, with RENT Turing 20 and getting ready to go back on tour, Pascal is opening up about his love for the place that started it all. Recently, Adam Pascal spoke to Playbill where he mussed about returning home to the Nederlander Theater: "It was the perfect space for that show at that time. There was nothing else on this block. It was really gritty. It was off the beaten path. It was kind of nasty and really helped provide the right kind of atmosphere for what the show was trying to convey, which is what the world, the feeling and the existence was like on the Lower East Side at the time. But, for us, it was so exciting. It was home. Coming here every day felt like going home for us. It was so comfortable, and it was so natural. It just really felt like the right place. I remember when the decision was made to move to Broadway from the [New York Theatre] Workshop, everyone's biggest concern was, 'Is this show going to suffer in terms of perception by the audience? Also, in its rawness, is it going to suffer making a move to Broadway?' And it didn't. I think part of the reason that it didn't was because it found this space, and it was the perfect place for it." The 20th Anniversary tour of RENT kicks off this winter and will be directed by Evan Ensign based on the original production direction by Michael Greif. Cast details are still to come. The cast of Disaster! includes: Faith Prince (Jerome Robbins Broadway) Roger Bart (Youre A Good Man Charlie Brown, Young Frankenstein, The Producers), Kevin Chamberlin (Addams Family The Musical), Adam Pascal (Rent, Aida), Rachel York (Les Miserables, Victor/Victoria, Kiss Me, Kate), Jennifer Simard (Sister Act, Shrek the Musical), Max Crumm (Grease, The Fantasticks), Lacretta Nicole (Book of Mormon) with Seth Rudetsky (Disaster Co-Writer) Disaster! starts Broadway previews on Feb 09 and officially opens on March 8 at The Nederlander Theatre, 208 West 41st Street New York, NY, 10036. 2016 The Classical Art, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. TagsAdam Pascal, Return, Nederlander, Theater, New, Musical, Disaster, Rent, 20-Year-Anniversary, Tour Glenda Jackson Returns to Stage as Shakespeare's King Lear in Old Vic Production British actress Glenda Jackson plays Hedda Gabler in Ibsen's 'Hedda', directed by the Royal Shakespeare Company's Artistic Director Trevor Nunn. (Photo : BIPs/Getty Images) Not all politicos lean to one side of the brain or the other. For Ms. Glenda Jackson, the two-time Oscar winner-cum-politician has announced that she will return to the Old Vic Theatre in October as Shakespeare's tragic King Lear. Glenda Jackson is a world-renowned actor of stage and film who also adjourned from the life of an artist in 1990, at the height of her career. Soon after, she would make her maiden speech to Parliament and be elected as the representative of Hampstead and Kilburn in North London. With an absence of almost 25 years, the news of Ms. Jackson's return has come to the excitement of many theatergoers. Last year, though, Ms. Jackson complained about the lack of opportunities elders have on the stage, specifically the lack of opportunities for elderly women in the performance circle to tackle such complex characters like those in Shakespearean texts. She lamented: "Let's look at Shakespeare. If you're lucky and you're talented as a man, you can go through every single male development stage. You can go all the way from ... Hamlet to Lear. There's a part along that path that matches the human development. There is no equivalent for women." So for Ms. Jackson, then, this performance is a breath of fresh air for a community of actors she feels has been unfairly slighted. But renowned director Deborah Warner, who will direct the production as well as Jackson, stated that rehearsals for the play will begin in August. While the date may be a few months away, the news is enough to fill the gap of excitement from now until then. If you aren't familiar with Glenda Jackson, though, preview her in a video below. 2016 The Classical Art, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. TagsGlenda Jackson, Shakespeare, King Lear, Old Vic Deandre Baskerville Deandre Baskerville (Adam Ferrise, cleveland.com) AKRON, Ohio -- Deandre Baskerville cried as he spoke about how his decision to stab a man in the parking lot at Chapel Hill Mall robbed a man of his life and left a young boy without a father. "I'm really sorry to his kids, and especially to his son," Baskerville said, pausing to collect himself. "I don't know what it's like to not grow up with a father." Summit County Judge Mary Margaret Rowlands sentenced the 29 year old to life in prison Tuesday with parole eligibility in 15 years. She had no discretion over the sentence after the jury returned their verdicts of guilty of murder and not guilty of aggravated murder. Baskerville admitted during his trial to stabbing Terrance Rogers, 35, in the neck. He claimed he acted in self-defense. Baskerville will appeal the case. "It's hard to say, but I think if I'd reacted differently, we'd all still be here, just in different rows," Baskerville said. Baskerville turned down a potential plea deal that would resulted in the same prison sentence before the trial started. Both Rogers' and Baskerville's families have known each other for decades, family members said at the hearing. Rogers' sister, Tonia Austin, said she forgives Baskerville. "At first we were so angry we wanted to fight everyone in your family," Austin said. "But we forgive you. I don't hate you, I hate the situation." Baskerville and Rogers ended up at Chapel Hill Mall on Aug. 19, unbeknownst to each other. Rogers was there to buy his preschool-aged son Nike Air Jordan shoes. Baskerville was paying a cellphone bill. They saw each other in front of the Foot Locker inside the mall. They argued about a drug debt that Baskerville claimed Rogers owed him. They went to the parking lot and Baskerville stabbed Rogers in the throat, severing his Rogers' jugular and trachea. Rogers ran back into the mall and collapsed near the Finish Line store. Baskerville ran away and was arrested Sept. 23 by the U.S. Marshals at a bus stop in West Virginia "For everyone here, the pain in this room is palpable, but frankly what happened is the cost of doing street business," Rowlands said. "People who deal in drugs or guns wake up everyday knowing that they might be killed of have to kill someone." TSA skill in finding deception disputed Behavior detection deficient, study says Travelers go through security checkpoint B at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport. (Lynn Ischay/The Plain Dealer) CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Have you been through the TSA checkpoint at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport lately? Did you get stuck in line in that stuffy strange hallway that feels like the bowels of a big box discount store? In case you haven't seen it, twitter user @LisaMaatz has the photo: Really Cleveland Hopkins airport? This is the best u can do re @TSA into Gate A. Long lines, stuffy hallways? #FAIL pic.twitter.com/InOJSwdZka Lisa M. Maatz (@LisaMaatz) October 16, 2015 The "Checkpoint B" entrance, a large atrium at the center of the airport flanked by escalators, is now reserved for the Transportation Safety Adminitration's pre-check passengers. They've paid for a background check that allows them to bypass the more rigorous screening procedures. That leaves two options for the traveling public. Checkpoint C: One relatively large entrance near the end of the United Airlines check-in counter is open 4:30 a.m.-6:20 p.m. Checkpoint A: The other, more predominant option is the long tunnel pictured above. Travelers must wait in one cue to have their boarding documents checked, then spend the next portion of their journey in the narrow passageway depicted above, before entering an antechamber with one body scanner and two x-ray machines for luggage. The wait can easily last a half hour. Have you had any TSA nightmares at Cleveland Hopkins airport? Painfully long wait times? While you're at it, have you had flights canceled or pushed back for hours? Share your stories below. Airport spokeswoman Michele Dynia said she will answer cleveland.com questions Tuesday. CLEVELAND, Ohio - The nonprofit Northeast Shores Development Corp. is leveraging a $120,000 ArtPlace America grant to involve Collinwood residents and the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections in the "Ballot Box Project," billed as Ohio's first example of "participatory budgeting." The idea is that residents, not experts or elected officials, will decide how the ArtPlace grant is spent. Participatory budgeting is a global movement that originated in Porto Alegre, Brazil, in 1989 and has since spread to 1,500 communities worldwide. A map shows the route of the Friday, March 4, "Democracy on the Move" parade from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. to launch the Collinwood "Ballot Box" project organized by the Northeast Shores Development Corp. In Collinwood, local residents will vote at several polling stations from Friday, March 4, through Wednesday, March 9, on how to divide the ArtPlace grant among 30 competing proposals. Artists devised the projects to address four themes chosen last fall by community residents: Collinwood history, vacancy, healthy eating and youth engagement. A minimum of eight projects will be selected and staged in 2016, in time to grab media attention during the Republican National Convention in July to highlight the neighborhood. Voting will be conducted with real voter enrollment information provided by the Board of Elections, which also provided training for volunteers, said Brian Friedman, executive director of Northeast Shores. Northeast Shores will use the polling process to encourage non-registered residents to register for the fall election. Registered voters will also be asked if they'd like an absentee ballot to vote in the March 15 Ohio primary. Polling will be held at Collinwood High School for children 14 and up to initiate them to voting, and to encourage students who will be 18 by November to register to vote in the presidential election. "We're really, really excited about it," Friedman said. "We're continuing to use Collinwood as a lab space for arts-based community development." Friedman also said he viewed the project as "a great way to increase democracy" on the eve of the Republican convention. In addition to ArtPlace and the Board of Elections, Ballot Box is sponsored by MetroHealth and Cuyahoga Arts and Culture, which supports the arts through the 30-cents-a-pack tax on cigarettes resoundingly renewed by voters last November. Northeast Shores will kick off its "Ballot Box" project on Friday, March 4, with its 2.2-mile "Democracy on the Move Parade" from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. The parade will start at the Collinwood Recreation Center, and end on Waterloo at the Slovenian Workmen's Hall. The parade will include floats and activities representing neighborhood businesses including Praxis, a nonprofit weaving center; the nonprofit Cleveland Rocks, which supports music related businesses; and the cooperative BRICK Ceramic + Design Studio. Artists involved in the project have also been invited to parade, and to grab attention for their proposals. Polling for the Collinwood project will be held at the following dates and times: - Friday, March 4, from 6 to 8 p.m., Slovenian Workmen's Hall, 15335 Waterloo Road. - Saturday, March 5, from 3 to 5 p.m., Collinwood Recreational Center, 16300 Lakeshore Blvd. - Monday, March 7, from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Euclid Beach Villa, 125 East 56th St. - Wednesday, March 9, from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Salvation Army, 17625 Grovewood Ave. Over the past decade, Collinwood has become nationally recognized for arts-based community development projects that have included murals, public art installations and other efforts anchored by local institutions such as the Beachland Ballroom and Tavern. Friedman said the Ballot Box project grew out of concern expressed by neighborhood residents over whether they could have a meaningful say over the increasing number of public art projects that have drawn national attention to the neighborhood. Northeast Shores looked for examples to follow, and discovered the participatory budgeting movement, which is being promoted in the United States by a New York-based nonprofit, Participatory Budgeting Project. "There's so much distrust of representative democracy," Friedman said. "There's so much money in the system that people distrust whether their representatives represent their interest." He said Ballot Box "is a great way for people to get more optimistic about democracy." By combining public art projects with participatory budgeting, "we want to get our neighborhood more empowered to feel the power of the vote," Friedman said. CLEVELAND, Ohio - When Ryan Florio made a cold call to Bed Bath & Beyond and pitched his Inca tea made with purple corn, a guy in purchasing listened, but made it clear he was not interested. Florio chalked it up as a blow-off. But a half-hour later, another buyer called him to say she checked out his website, was intrigued, and asked him to mail samples. Instead, Florio drove to New Jersey and made his tea for her. That meeting led to getting his product into 10 stores. Now two years after launching the business in his parent's home, Inca Tea is in 75 stores within that chain. And several other retailers sell his unusual tea, ranging from Miles Farmers Market - the first company that gave him a shot - to Whole Foods. Four years ago, Florio didn't even drink tea. He was unhappy, working in a medical device sales job that involved looking at feet after surgeries. Today, he smiles a lot, loves talking about "Inca Tea" to any customer willing to listen, and he's been asked to serve as a keynote speaker in June for the World Tea Expo convention in Las Vegas. His success story started something like this: "The first day on our hiking trip to Peru with our Sherpa guide, he boiled water over an open fire and threw in purple corn, some cinnamon cloves, apples and pineapples and made an ancient Inca tea," said Florio, 40. "I loved it so much because I felt great after drinking it. I wanted to figure out how to make it myself when I came back to Cleveland." The Parma native looked online for the recipe and quickly found one secret was a single unique ingredient -- purple corn, which Peruvians consider a super food recommended to fight against a host of medical maladies. He also stumbled on an expert on purple corn, an associate professor at Ohio State University. The more Florio researched, the more he convinced himself to quit his medical sales job, at 38, and start a tea company. "I truly hated working for corporations and other companies because at the end of the day, I knew that for as hard as I worked I wasn't truly rewarded for the amount of effort I put in. I knew how much money I was helping to generate for a company, but the money I was being paid was only a fraction of what I thought I should be making ... It was frustrating knowing that I wasn't where I wanted to be at nearly 40, so I took a gamble and a leap of faith." For the next 20 months, Florio worked with an herbalist to make the blends, considering the only thing he knew about tea then was how to drink it. He cashed in his 401(k) of about $25,000, and both he and his parents took out second mortgages on their homes to start the business. It's not the first time Florio has been an entrepreneur. In the late 1990's he had a company, for about a year, that sold decorative covers for large computer monitors. Several years later, his "retention" business aimed at real-estate agents shut down after three years because the housing market plummeted to record lows. That's when he started work as one of the first managers at Living Social, a platform for daily deals. He said he was looking for a challenge when he got into medical device sales. There, he sold items such as post-surgical splints for podiatrists and met with patients with splints in hand, offering suggestions to help them regain mobility. Yet, he knew again that he had to change up what he was doing. Combining cinnamon, cloves, apples, pineapples, hibiscus, elderberries and currants, Florio recreated the tea he had on his hike and called it Peruvian Spice Berry. It's the top selling brand, but so far he has a few other blends including mango and peach. Since the company's teas debuted in stores in February 2014, more than 250 retail outlets -- ranging from small, independent outlets to international supermarket chains -- have begun carrying the products. Inca Tea blends now can be found on the shelves at Heinen's, Giant Eagle Market District, Constantino's and Mustard Seed locally. "I am pro-Cleveland and purchase as many ingredients as I can from the West Side Market," he said, noting that all his packaging is designed and produced in Cleveland. Unlike many entrepreneurs in the startup food and beverage industry, Florio never wanted a brick and mortar business. His vision for Inca Tea has always been to strictly get into retail stores with hopes of building a brand and distributing his tea nationwide. But 14 months ago, he opened a small cafe at Cleveland Hopkins International airport. At the time, he was still running the business from his parent's home with tons of boxes in several rooms of the house. Now, he operates from a 10,000 square-foot warehouse and last month he signed on with two new major distributors. He's hoping to go from being in about 250 retail stores to about 1,000 by the end of the year. Right now Florio is in grinding mode, working many hours seven days a week. He hasn't taken a paycheck yet, because sales the first year were about $50,000 and more than $300,000 his second year. These are other excerpts from our recent conversation: Q. Technology is key in this digital age, but can you give me an example of how the personal touch has helped you to build your startup? I believe the personal touch is one of the reasons why I've been successful over the past two years. I make it a point to personally hand write a thank you note to everyone who orders product off my website. "Thank You" are the two most forgotten words, and I make it a point to say them often to my clients. Q: What is your No. 1 secret to productivity? Watching my company grow day over day, week over week and month over month... Knowing it went from a dream to a concept to a product that sells in some of the largest retail chains around the country. Q: What is the best part of your job? Creating a product that really changes peoples lives. I get countless emails from customers letting me know how my teas have either lowered their diabetes number, how their inflammation has gone down in their joints, how someone has truly lost weight over the past few months after drinking my tea or the countless emails I receive by customers letting me know that its the best tea that they have ever had! It's testimonials like that that keep me going every day. Q: Where or when do you do your best thinking? Hands down while I'm driving in my car! I'm one of those rare people who enjoys long road trips. I've created two patents, one of my blends and even how I will propose to my girlfriend one day! Q: How do you relax? Relax, is that really a word? Ha! My parents and girlfriend would probably tell you that I don't relax enough ... but when I do it's usually when I travel to destinations that include a beach and drinks. Q: You have such positive energy. Where does that come from? I can honestly say that for the first time in my life I LOVE what I do. That old cliche is true... Do What You Love and You'll Never Work a Day! I live by that quote. Q. How do your previous experiences help with your new role? I think my past experiences have given me the insight on what I really "don't" want to do with my life. I'm a big believer that every past experience whether good or bad should be a learning experience. Q. What would you say to your younger self? Never give up on your dreams and goals. Without dreams one will never have goals to obtain. And that no matter how many times you fail, pick yourself up and try again. Life isn't easy but nothing GREAT in life is. Q. What are the top three apps you use the most? Linkedin, Facebook, google maps. Q. Do you have a mentor(s)? I have a few mentors! I think everyone should find at least one to turn to for learning important life lessons! From a business standpoint, it's so great to surround yourself with industry experts who can help guide and give you direction on business matters. Q. What are you looking forward to in the next five years in Cleveland? I love the current growth that the city is experiencing. Having lived here my entire life, the energy now is one that is talked about all over the country. I love being a part of it and hopefully will continue to grow a Cleveland-based business to help add to the excitement. Q. A lot of people are afraid to reinvent because of naysayers. Do you ignore naysayers, or take part of what they say, and use it as fuel to learn even more about products and services? I've always had people in my life tell me that I'll never be successful or that I'm not cut out to have my own successful business. I use what people say as a spark to ignite my flame. It's always great to prove people wrong, but its even better to show yourself that you're able to do the things that many thought you couldn't. Q. Can you offer one piece of advice about reinvention? Do it. Pursue your passion and the money and success will follow. It's important to never give up, but realize that great things take time. Know your strengths but also know your weaknesses to surround yourself with individuals who can help elevate the weaknesses you have ... It's never too late to reinvent yourself. I did it at the age of 40 and have never been happier. Similar to The Plain Dealer's former column called "My Biggest Mistake...and How I fixed it," I'm now interested in sharing what drives a person or company to make a drastic change that led to success. I am looking for Career-changers - from millenials to retirees- and companies, from start-ups to major corporations, who want to share their stories. The focus: people who have drastically switched careers in the past five years and businesses that have found new ways to survive in a changing and ever-evolving marketplace. If that sounds like you, please contact me, Marcia Pledger, at (216) 470-7324 or send an email to mpledger@plaind.com. Now that its lawsuit against the government was dismissed, Quicken Loans plans to step up efforts to fight the government, which has accused the the mortgage giant of approving bad loans just to make money. The Detroit-based lender last April sued the U.S. Department of Justice and Department of Housing and Urban Development to prohibit the government from using what it called a flawed sample of loans to build a case against Quicken Loans. Quicken Loans' suit in federal court, which included a demand for a jury trial in Michigan, was dismissed in December. But the company plans this week to renew its call for the case to be heard in Michigan. The Department of Justice has its own lawsuit against Quicken Loans, also filed last year. The government has accused many large mortgage lenders of committing fraud to push through home loans before, during and after the economic crisis, and those loans eventually went into default. The loans in question were backed by the Federal Housing Administration, and the defaults left taxpayers on the hook when lenders collected FHA insurance on the loans. The defaults also rocked neighborhoods nationwide after the houses went into foreclosure. While many lenders have settled with the government, Quicken Loans says it will not. "The case is absurd," Quicken Loans CEO Bill Emerson said in an interview. "We're going to continue to fight it." Quicken Loans had previously filed a motion to have the case heard in Michigan instead of Washington D.C. The company's lead counsel, Jeff Morganroth, said it makes much more sense to have the case heard by a jury in Michigan because all of he witnesses are in Michigan, as are all of the records and company officials. The court has requested that Quicken Loans file papers to renew the motion; that's expected later this week. The company expects a ruling on the motion in the next couple of months, Morganroth said in an interview. Emerson notes that Quicken Loans is the nation's largest FHA lender and also has the lowest default rate. That irony is one of the reasons Quicken Loans is pushing back so forcefully when other lenders have just settled. The government has gone after at least 15 large lenders in the country during the past several years, with similar claims that they fraudulently approved loans that ultimately defaulted and cost the FHA money. FHA, an 81-year-old program, can help consumers buy homes with lower down payments. As long as the borrower and home meet certain standards, the government will guarantee the loan and reimburse the lender if the loan goes bad. "I'm not aware of anyone else that is fighting it like we are," Emerson said. "We're the lone soldier." Quicken Loans Chairman Dan Gilbert, who also is majority owner of the Cleveland Cavaliers, last year vowed to fight the case. At stake, he said, is not only a multi-million dollar settlement, but more importantly, the company's reputation if it admitted to wrongdoing when it didn't do anything improper. There's another concern here, Emerson said in the interview. Many FHA lenders have pulled out of FHA, leaving some consumers with fewer options to try to get financing for homes. "At some point, we have to ask ourselves . . . whether we can continue in this program," Emerson said. That likely would be a big blow to FHA and perhaps the broader housing market. Quicken Loans issues tens of thousands of FHA loans a year and also serves as a consultant to FHA about how to improve the lending process. That's part of what's wrong with the government's case, Quicken Loans says. When it's time to fight the case filed by the government, Quicken Loans will point out that the company wrote about 250,000 FHA loans from 2007 to 2011, the years covered by the lawsuit. The government subpoenaed files on 322 specific loans. Of those, government auditors decided to look at 116 that had defaulted, and said 55 (47 percent) had "defects" or mistakes. The government then extrapolated that and determined that 47 percent of some large portion of Quicken Loans' portfolio contained fraud. The company said that math is flawed. Quicken Loans has about 11,000 employees, a few hundred of them in Cleveland. Gilbert is also founder and chairman of Rock Ventures, which operates Cleveland's Horseshoe Casino. ringfinal.jpg Signet Jewelers Ltd., the world's largest diamond jewelry retailer, has launched the Signet Responsible Sourcing Protocol for Diamonds, designed to promote greater transparency and commitment to improving the integrity of the global diamond supply chain. Signet is based in Hamilton, Bermuda, but its U.S. retail operations are headquartered in Akron, including the brands Kay Jewelers, Jared the Galleria of Jewelry, and J.B. Robinson Jewelers. (Signet Jewelers Ltd.) CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Signet Jewelers Limited, the world's largest diamond jewelry retailer, on Tuesday announced it had launched the Signet Responsible Sourcing Protocol for Diamonds (D-SRSP), designed to promote greater transparency and commitment to improving the integrity of the global diamond supply chain. Signet created the protocol with input from the diamond industry, including the De Beers Group, Rio Tinto, Dominion Diamond Corp., the World Federation of Diamond Bourses (WFDB), the United States Jewelry Council, the International Diamond Manufacturers Association, Partnership Africa Canada, the Diamond Development Initiative, Jewelers of America, officials from the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), governments and Signet diamond suppliers around the world. "The D-SRSP builds on existing diamond industry standards, the U.N. Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and the OECD's Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains to ensure transparency through a collaborative process that is practical and workable," Signet Chief Executive Mark Light said in a written statement. "We have been active in the development of harmonized industry guidance and standards for many years, and with the new Responsible Sourcing Protocol for Diamonds, we are asking our suppliers to carefully map their supply chains more rigorously than ever before," he said. The protocol requires suppliers to perform greater due diligence on the diamonds they deliver to Signet and builds on years of effort by industry and governments to track where diamonds come from. Signet said it "envisions that the collaborative, workable and practical manner in which the Protocol was designed will lead the D-SRSP to become an accepted industry reference for responsibly sourced diamonds." Signet said it encourages all the companies involved in the diamond industry to adopt and use the protocol in their own supply chains, to promote greater transparency in the worldwide supply. "Today's consumers increasingly expect that companies act as responsible corporate citizens, held accountable for ensuring the integrity of our supply chain," Light said. Signet Jewelers, based in Hamilton, Bermuda, but with its U.S. retail operations headquartered in Akron, operates 3,600 stores worldwide under the brands Kay Jewelers, Zales, Jared The Galleria Of Jewelry, H.Samuel, Ernest Jones, Peoples, Piercing Pagoda, and regional brands like J.B. Robinson Jewelers. In 2013, Signet bought a diamond-polishing factory in Gaborone, Botswana, for an undisclosed sum as part of its efforts to ensure a more reliable long-term source of diamonds for its jewelry stores. Barnes said at the time that its goal was "to secure additional, reliable and consistent supplies of diamonds for our customers and achieve further efficiencies in the supply chain." The U.S. is the world's largest market for diamond jewelry, and sales of diamonds or diamond jewelry at that point accounted for more than 75 percent of Signet's U.S. sales. "By owning this state-of-the-art facility, its first, Signet can ensure more consistent, cost-effective access to diamonds in the sizes and qualities it needs with less vulnerability to the fluctuations of the overall diamond market," Signet spokesman David Bouffard said at the time. In a separate announcement also released Tuesday, Signet said it has filed a voluntary application with the United Kingdom's Financial Conduct Authority to delist its common shares from the London Stock Exchange. Its shares will still be listed on the New York Stock Exchange, under the ticker symbol "SIG." Signet said that because less than 1 percent of its annual trading volume takes place on the LSE, "the benefit of LSE listing is outweighed by the monetary expense, regulatory burdens, and time spent on LSE-driven activity." Its shares will be traded on the London Stock Exchange until Friday, March 11, 2016, and be canceled from trading at 8 a.m. GMT on Monday March 14, 2016. Signet's shares closed at $104.15 on Tuesday, up $5.52 or 5.6 percent from the previous close of $98.63. Follow @janetcho dogmasks.jpg Pictured from left Tri-City District Firefighters Rick Parker (helmet), Wayne Poussart and Greg Kaminksy resuscitate two dogs, rescued from a basement in Maple Heights, toward the end of 2015. A thermal imaging camera was used to locate the animals. The Tri-City Fire District encompasses the cities of Bedford Heights., Bedford and Maple Heights. Greg Kaminksy is a firefighter for both Maple Heights and Orange Village. (Photo courtesy of the Orange Village Fire Department) ORANGE, Ohio -- When fire strikes, most agree saving lives is what matters most. That's why the Airedale Terrier Club of Northern Ohio decided to fulfill its 2016 community outreach and public service mission, by donating pet resuscitation or oxygen masks to the Orange Village Fire Department. Assistant Fire Chief Daniel Fritz said the ATCNO donated three masks, which can be used for different size dogs and can be reused multiple times. For the past several years, the organization has been donating masks to communities where its members live, said Newton Falls resident and club President Kim Burrier. "We humans know to run outside if there's a fire, but our pets are more likely to hide. By the time fire fighters can get to pets, they may have already inhaled a lot of smoke", Burrier explained. Judi Pfancuff, a resident of Orange Village and an ATCNO member said she knew when the Assistant Fire Chief was contacted, "we had found a great place for this year's donation." Pfancuff also said Fritz told her of his personal experience and how he witnessed the life saving capabilities of the animal resuscitation equipment. Fritz also emphasized that while the masks are deeply appreciated, "We're delighted to receive them - hopefully we never have to use them, but if we do we'll be ready," he said. The ATCNO is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year and was founded in 1941 to serve the Northeast Ohio region. A primary purpose of the club is to boost interest in the Airedale breed - the largest in the American Kennel Club's terrier group - described as clever, friendly and courageous, by Pfancuff, who is the owner of two airedales. watch now Tech start-ups are in a quandary. They need to prove to potential investors that they have what it takes to live through what could be another tech bubble bursting. But in order to do that, they may need to already have some financial backing. Like not-so-small tech companies including Twitter and LinkedIn , start-ups need to prove that they're built to last and have the cash resources they'll need to grow, according to S&P Global Market Intelligence analyst Scott Kessler, who covered the rise and fall of tech firms during and in the aftermath of the dotcom bubble. "Twitter's ad revenue is still rising but as user growth slows, it becomes more and more important to ask whether Twitter can continue to grow revenue if it can't substantially increase its user base," said Debra Aho Williamson, principal analyst at research firm eMarketer. "Figuring out how to keep the revenue engine going even if usage doesn't grow should be a major focus," she said. And to avoid failure in the current tech start-up environment, it could help to look at the results of previous tech bubbles, experts say. "There were a number of companies at the turn of the century that really had very immature business models, they really hadn't demonstrated they were solving a big problem, that they were good stewards of capital," said Rocket Lawyer CEO Charley Moore in an interview with CNBC. Moore's firm provides legal services and advice to small business owners including tech start-ups. Like Moore, many embedded in and tracking the start-up world seem to agree that future success is not just a matter of concept and popularity, it's about having a product that makes lives easier and a solid business model that promises sustained profitability. What's more, start-ups should focus on differentiating themselves from competitors, providing value and operating with lean organizations, S&P's Kessler said. "I wouldn't characterize what's going on now as a bubble, necessarily, but I would say that we are undergoing a correction ... where companies are going to have to pay more attention to the bottom line and margins than perhaps they had in the last couple years," Moore said. watch now Airbus expects demand for its aircraft will remain strong, with interest in the superjumbo A380 remaining robust -- as long as global growth stays on track, the European aircraft manufacturer's chief executive told CNBC. "Yes there is some turmoil in the world but globally GDP (gross domestic product) is still healthy," Fabrice Bregier, told CNBC Tuesday at the Singapore Airshow. "I tell you something: If the GDP remains positive all around the world, the traffic will grow at 1.5 times this GDP. So we have this potential which is enormous." Airbus expects 12 A380 orders from Iran Air, as well as seeing interest from All Nippon Air, the company said at a press conference at the airshow. The aircraft maker also spoke with a customer Tuesday about a potential order for a minimum of five A380s, said John Leahy, chief operating officer. He noted that with demand for air travel growing quickly, larger aircraft are needed to avoid too much congestion at existing airport hubs. Airbus expects passenger traffic doubles every 15 years. Bregier added that Emirates is also looking to acquire more A380s this year, while Qatar Air is interested in more A350s. An Emirates Airline's Airbus A380-800 is displayed at the Dubai Airshow in November 2013. Arim Sahib I AFP I Getty Images While the lower oil prices are helping airlines, Bregier said, this had not stopped the push for more fuel efficiency. "The low oil price makes our customers, the airlines, very healthy, very profitable and so we are preparing the long term. We know that the long term is to move to more efficient aircraft and this is what we offer," he said. Leahy said Airbus isn't seeing airlines requesting deferrals of existing orders, adding that he's more concerned about whether production would be sufficient to meet demand. Airbus has increased production to 60 aircraft a month, he noted. watch now watch now watch now China should allow its currency to appreciate in order to support the country's transition from an export and investment-driven economy to one led by consumer spending, analysts told CNBC on Tuesday. hit a 2016 high against the U.S.dollar on Tuesday as China's central bank set the midpoint rate of the yuan per dollar at its highest in over a month. That move seemed to contradict China's recent controlled devaluation of the yuan, which has fueled fears that the economy is on the ropes and needs a weak currency so that Chinese products remain competitive on the international market. Tuesday's move showed the People's Bank of China does not want to devalue the yuan in the near term or allow massive devaluation, said Leland Miller, president of analytics firm China Beige Book. Allowing the currency to appreciate sends a message the PBOC will maintain stability and advances its goal of shifting to a consumer-led economy, he added. "By strengthening the currency, keeping it strong, you're putting purchasing power in the pockets of households. You're allowing them to buy more," he told CNBC's "Squawk Box" on Tuesday. "If you want to switch from investment to consumption, this is one of the easiest ways to do it." Patrick Chovanec, Silvercrest Asset Management's chief strategist, said China has sent mixed messages by shoring up the yuan and then letting it fall. However, he, too, said China should strengthen the yuan in order to support consumer spending. Chovanec said he has been as bearish as anyone on China's stock and property markets and the direction of the economy, but he added that hedge funds were wrong to treat troubles on China's horizon like the Asian financial crisis, which was essentially a debtor crisis. Some hedge fund managers such as Hayman Capital's Kyle Bass have made massive bets that the yuan will fall as loans held by Chinese banks go bad, forcing the PBOC to draw down foreign reserves to recapitalize financial institutions. To be sure, looming losses in China's debt market are bound to drag down the Chinese economy in significant ways, Chovanec said, but the key point is that China is not exposed to foreign debt. "Where countries run into currency crises is when they owe a lot of money abroad, or where there's dependence on foreign financing to support consumption levels. China is not in that circumstance," he told "Squawk Box." Instead the yuan is facing pressure because capital is fleeing the country, which Chovanec chalked up to a failure to rebalance the economy and shift toward consumption. A weaker yuan would erode the purchasing power of Chinese consumers, which would create an incentive for them to convert yet more yuan into dollars. "It's a very different kind of crisis with a very different kind of solution," Chovanec said. However, it is difficult to believe that with China's relatively low GDP per capita, the country can quickly transition to a consumer economy, said Boris Schlossberg, managing director of FX Strategy at BK Asset Management and a CNBC contributor. "You can't turn a Chinese consumer into an American consumer overnight. That I think is the biggest problem they're facing right now," he told "Squawk Box." The PBOC is "playing chicken with the market," said Schlossberg. While consensus says the yuan must ultimately fall 20 to 25 percent to rebalance the economy and reflate trade numbers, a decline would only lead to more capital flight. watch now Miner Anglo American on Tuesday posted a full-year net loss and announced plans to sell assets including Kumba Iron Ore as commodity prices slump. "We've got a couple of options (for the Kumba sale), whether we do a sell down or in fact do a spin-off," CEO Marc Cutifani told CNBC in an interview. He said the group was a smaller player in iron ore and wanted to focus on diamonds, platinum and copper. "It's about focusing on consumer-based commodities," he said. Shares in the group opened up over 6 percent, but was down 7 percent by mid-morning trade. "At the end of the day, we have to make some tough calls," Cutifani told CNBC. A slowdown in the Chinese economy has hit the mining industry hard. On Monday, ratings agency Moody's cut Anglo's debt rating to junk, citing a deterioration in commodities market conditions. Cutifani defended the group's position, telling CNBC it had bids on the table for a number of its assets. Moody's "may have to re-think" its announcement in the next months, he said. The net loss for 2015 came in at $5.62 billion. Underlying profit before interest and tax came in at $2.2 billion from $4.9 billion last year, a 55 percent drop. The group is planning to raise $3 to $4 billion from disposals in 2016. "We of course recognize the current challenging environment in which to deliver disposals. We are already engaged with parties interested in several of our assets, but we will only complete those transactions which deliver appropriate value for our investors," said Cutifani, in a company statement. The group will continue to focus on diamonds through its De Beers business. Cutifani said the group was "cautious" and added it may take another two to three months before he could comfortably say the market had turned. watch now On commodity prices as a whole, Cutifani said it was too early to call the bottom after a 20 percent reduction seen in the last 12 months. He was confident however that the group was "in the right place" and having "the right conversations". In December, Cutifani signaled the group planned some 85,000 jobs cuts. Tuesday, he said the figure was very similar. "What we've done is we said we'd be down to around 135,000 by the end of 2015 - we're actually down to 128,000 - we will end up with about 50,000 people in the core but I do have to remind you that 68,000 of the 78,000 reductions to go, go with assets. So they don't lose their jobs, and we're talking about 10,000 in the restructuring of our assets in getting our costs down," Cutifani told CNBC. watch now Paul Renken, senior geologist and mining analyst with VSA Capital, told CNBC Tuesday that shareholders have expressed concern over the slow progress of restructuring at Anglo American. "Mark Cutifani has a lot of work to do here," said Renken, to CNBC. "Frankly, Anglo American is slower than the other big iron and coal producers in taking these particular actions and as a result they haven't been cost cutting and otherwise rationalizing the business as quickly as the other big businesses," said Renken. Answering the criticisms, Cutifani told CNBC, "I'll let the numbers do the talking. In the last two years, safety is down 60 percent, environmental incidents is down 70 percent, productivity is up 27 percent, costs are down 27 percent, and we've taken out 30 percent of the assets in the last two years in terms of the restructuring. A lot more to do, lot more to do in 2016, this is the important year, and we've certainly accelerated in the last 18-months." Source: Forbes; CNBC calculations The billionaire activist investor celebrated the big 8-0 with a steak dinner at Mastro's Steakhouse in midtown Manhattan last week, according to the New York Post. In attendance were a crowd of private equity impresarios: Michael Milken, Apollo's Leon Black, Howard Lorber, Rich Handler, Andrew Whittaker and Bennett LeBow. The group spent the evening joshing each other, imbibing red wine and eventually "depleted the restaurant's caviar supply," according to an anonymous source cited in the Post's Page Six gossip column. Icahn did not immediately respond to a CNBC.com request for comment. It's understandable. Those guys are the titans of private equity and both Milken and Black are also on Forbes' list of billionaires. But they're small fries compared to Icahn. Black, at 64, has averaged around $190,000 per day he's been alive. Milken, who turns 69 later this year, has pulled in $98,313 on average. But it's not all a happy birthday for Carl. His public-facing investment firm, Icahn Enterprises, has lost 53 percent in value over the past 12 months amid a series of poor investments in energy. On the other hand, Icahn scored last week when American International Group agreed to put one of his analysts on its board. He's been pushing the insurance giant to slim down in recent months. Icahn has been instrumental in a number of corporate spin-offs over the years and his firm's success often comes in years with a lot of big deals. ALEPPO, SYRIA - FEBRUARY 15: A sea launched ballistic missile is seen unexploded on the soil at a olive grove after Russian warships, anchored near Latakia Port, launched 8 ballistic missiles in Azaz District of Aleppo, Syria on February 15, 2016. Stringer | Anadolu Agency | Getty Images The Kremlin strongly rejected on Tuesday accusations by Turkey that Russia committed a war crime in Syria after missile attacks killed scores of people a day earlier, hitting several medical facilities and schools. "We categorically do not accept such statements, the more so as every time those making these statements are unable to prove their unfounded accusations in any way," President Vladimir Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters during a conference call. Turkey on Monday accused Russia of an "obvious war crime" after missile attacks in northern Syria killed scores of people, and warned Kurdish militia fighters there they would face the "harshest reaction" if they tried to capture a town near the Turkish border. An offensive supported by Russian bombing and Iranian-backed Shi'ite militias has brought the Syrian army to within 25 km (15 miles) of Turkey's frontier. The Kurdish YPG militia - which Turkey regards as a hostile insurgent force - has exploited the situation, seizing ground from Syrian rebels to extend its presence along the border. Almost 50 civilians were killed when missiles hit at least five medical facilities and two schools in rebel-held areas of Syria on Monday, according to the United Nations, which called the attacks a blatant violation of international law. At least 14 were killed in the northern town of Azaz, the last rebel stronghold before the border with Turkey, when missiles hit a children's hospital and a school sheltering refugees, a medic and two residents said. Missiles also hit a hospital in the town of Marat Numan in the province of Idlib, south of Aleppo. watch now Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said a Russian missile had hit the buildings and that many civilians including children had been killed. Turkey's foreign ministry accused Russia of carrying out an "obvious war crime." But Russian Health Minister Veronika Skvortsova said Russian air strikes were targeting Islamic State infrastructure and she had no reason to believe that Russian planes had bombed civilian sites in Idlib. "We are confident that (there is) no way could it be done by our defense forces. This contradicts our ideology," she said in Geneva. Syria's ambassador to Russia said U.S. war planes were responsible. White House national security adviser Susan Rice on Monday condemned in the "strongest terms" the intensified bombing of northern Syria, adding that it ran counter to commitments to reduce hostilities made by major powers last week in Munich. The Syrian civil war, reshaped by Russia's intervention last September, has gone into an even higher gear since the United Nations sought to revive peace talks. The talks in Geneva were suspended earlier this month before they got off the ground. World powers agreed in Munich on Friday to a cessation of hostilities in Syria to allow humanitarian aid to be delivered, but the deal does not take effect until the end of this week and was not signed by any warring parties. watch now Turkey shelled YPG positions for a third straight day on Monday to try to stop its fighters seizing Azaz, just 8 km from the border. Ankara fears the Kurdish militia, backed by Russia, is trying to secure the last stretch of around 100 km along the Syrian border not already under its control. "We will not allow Azaz to fall," Davutoglu told reporters on his plane on the way to Ukraine. "If they approach again they will see the harshest reaction," he said. The standoff has increased the risk of direct confrontation between Russia and NATO member Turkey. U.N. envoy to Damascus U.N. Syria envoy Staffan de Mistura made a surprise visit to Damascus on Monday and will hold talks with Syria's foreign minister on Tuesday, a Syrian government official told Reuters. A senior UN official later confirmed that de Mistura had arrived in Syria for an unscheduled visit to "follow up on commitments made in Munich." But in a further clouding of the Munich deal, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said on Monday that any ceasefire did not mean each side had to stop using weapons, and that nobody was capable of securing the conditions for one within a week. At a news conference in Kiev, Turkey's prime minister doubted Russia's commitment to any deal to cease hostilities, pointing to comments from Moscow that it would continue its air strikes regardless. "They want to have just two options in front of the international community: Daesh or Assad," Davutoglu said, using an Arabic acronym for Islamic State. Turkey is enraged by the expansion of Kurdish influence in northern Syria, fearing it will encourage separatist ambitions among its own restive Kurds. Ankara considers the YPG a terrorist group. Davutoglu said Turkey would make the Menagh air base north of the city of Aleppo "unusable" if the YPG, which seized it over the weekend from Syrian insurgents, did not withdraw. Turkish Defence Minister Ismet Yilmaz said Ankara was not considering sending troops to Syria, according to the state-run Anadolu Agency. Syria's rebels, some backed by the United States, Turkey and their allies, say the YPG is fighting with the Syrian military and its backers - including Russia - against them in the five-year-old civil war. The YPG denies this. President Barack Obama reiterated Tuesday his plans to nominate a successor to Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia in "due time," taking swipes at Republican lawmakers who have argued that he should not name the judge during his final year in office. Scalia, who was 79, was found dead in Texas on Saturday, leaving a vacancy on the top U.S. court. Obama's nominee to replace him could potentially tip the court's ideological balance to the left, and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, a Republican from Kentucky, has said the vacancy "should not be filled until we have a new president." The Senate is responsible for confirming the president's judicial appointments. "The Constitution is pretty clear about what's supposed to happen now. When there is a vacancy on the Supreme Court, the president of the United States is to nominate someone. The Senate is to consider that nomination," Obama said from a news conference following a summit with leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in Rancho Mirage, California. "Historically, this has not been viewed as a question." Drilling for oil in the U.K. has reached a 15-year low, but there are signs of growth ahead, according to industry experts. Exploration and appraisal (E&A) drilling in the U.K. and the North Sea have declined in recent years as oil companies have cut their budgets, partly in response to the collapse in oil prices and the global supply glut. In fact, there has been no new E&A activity in the U.K. since October 2015, according to a report by 1Derrick, an oil and gas research company. In 2012, 41 wells were being drilled for exploration, down to 28 in 2014 and just 20 in 2015, the lowest since 2001. "In 2016, 1Derrick anticipates a further dip in the E&A activity, with only 15 wells expected," said Rajeev Singh, senior analyst at 1Derrick, in a press release. Gareth Mccormack | Lonely Planet Images | Getty Images According to the report, international exploration will continue to slow, as companies cut costs to focus on assets with a greater return on investment. France's Total has cut its global exploration budget for 2016 by 21 percent, while the Tullow has cut its budget by 60 percent. Despite this downturn, there are some pockets of positive news. For instance, North Sea oil production actually increased in 2015, according to Spencer Welch, director of oil markets and downstream for IHS. "For virtually all existing production platforms, current market prices of $30 per barrel still cover variable operating costs, so the incentive is still there to maximise production and cover more of the fixed costs," he told CNBC via email "IHS does not expect North Sea production to increase again in 2016 but we do expect production to be similar to 2015." The oil market rallied on Tuesday morning as chatter emerged that Qatar, Venezuela, Saudi Arabia and Russia met to freeze output of oil at January levels. After the brief rally, oil resumed its bearish position as none of the oil producing countries bit the bullet and cut production. "They're freezing levels at record levels, so that's not really a less bearish scenario," Kyle Cooper, Criterion Research managing director of oil and energy, told CNBC's "Power Lunch" on Tuesday. "Iran hasn't chimed in at all, and they're still actually claiming for increased output." In the same vein, the oversupplied oil market has witnessed no catalyst that has increase demand. Meanwhile, oil prices have continued to flirt within the upper $20 range. Due to no reduction in current output levels, Cooper anticipates that oil prices could still go lower. "I think there's at least a 50/50 chance that we test the $26.05 from last week," he said. "Then I think you got something in the $22, $23 type range." Low oil prices raise the question of the possible investment risks for energy investors. In a low oil price environment, "all stocks have become oil stocks," Jerry Castellini, CastleArk Management president and CIO, told CNBC. The markets are putting together one of the few multi-day rallies of the year. The rallied almost 70 pointsabout 3.8 percentfrom bottom Thursday afternoon to the open today. We are seeing the best 2-day rally for the S&P 500 since August 26 and 27 of last year. What's changed since Thursday? First, a vague comment from the UAE oil minister that there were efforts underway on a possible production cut, and Deutsche Bank saying they would be buying back some of their debt. Since then, everything reversed. Bond yields have gone back up. Stocks have rallied. The yen has again weakened. So far, it's mostly a lot of talk. But it's high-level talk on three of the four issues that are worrying the markets: the oil decline, a sudden devaluation of the Chinese renimbi, and bad loans in Europe. 1.Oil: Russia-Saudi production freeze? No one believes itand even if they did freeze, production is at historic highs and will not address the oversupply issue. But these are the two biggest producers in the world at least agreeing that something is very wrong. Sure, Iran and Iraq won't comply, but the pressure is building. And even though oil is down, more than 60 percent of the S&P energy sector is up today. 2. China: weak growth is an issue, so traders took note of the record loans the Chinese banks gave out in January. Second, PBOC governor Zhou Xiaochuan strongly defended the yuan, implying there would be no sudden devaluation. 3. ECB: Draghi said he would not hesitate to act at March policy meeting if market turmoil threatens the economic outlook. Deutsche Bank definitely ignited a rally in European banks. Italian banks rallied on vague reports that the ECB or the Italian central bank authorities may start buying bad loans. 4. The Fed: more hikes on hold? On the fourth big market worrythe Fed raising ratesthere has been no jawboning in the last few days, but the Fed funds futures market indicates essentially no hikes for 2016. The fact that the market has held up well today despite a modest drop in oil is a good sign. But it's not good enough. So much damage has been done that no one will believe anything until we put together a string of up days. We have not put together a three-day rally in the Dow or the S&P 500 since December 21st to 23rd of last year. All brief rallies this year have been met with new Supply (new rounds of selling). And Demand (buyer interest) has not been high despite the lower prices. So this is still a show-me rally. Raymond James Jeff Saut expressed the sentiment of a lot of traders this morning in his note. He wants to see convincing follow-through: "I am still waiting to see if the equity markets can string together more than three consecutive positive sessions to break the back of the current selling stampede." --CNBC's Peter Schacknow contributed to this report. watch now watch now watch now Global geopolitical uncertainty has pushed defense to the top of national agendas, helping prop up sales at major defense products suppliers, CNBC has been told. Speaking to CNBC at the sidelines of the Singapore Airshow, Patrice Caine, chairman and chief executive of French aerospace, transport and defense company Thales , said, "All the countries we deal with continue to invest massively in their security and in their defense." In Asia Pacific, for example, Thales is currently involved in a bidding war for the contract to supply and maintain Australia's new fleet of submarines, a deal that is reportedly worth A$50 billion ($35.83 billion). Thales owns a stake in French naval defense company DCNS which is one of the bidders; other bidders are from Japan and Germany, with a decision to be made mid-year. Brent Lewin | Bloomberg | Getty Images Caine's views were echoed by Giovanni Soccodato, executive vice president of strategy at Finmeccanica , the Italian industrial group. Soccodato told CNBC that demand for security, defense and aerospace products was growing, with Asia Pacific demand unscathed by the region's economic slowdown. "Because this area is still seeing some tensions, it's still seeing some increased development in security and safety infrastructures, and all these needs defense," he said. The ongoing civil war in Syria, North Korea's aggressive moves in recent months that included a nuclear test, and China's territorial claims in the South China Sea are just a few examples of the heightened political tensions that are spurring countries to invest more in defense and security. Both suppliers reported seeing particularly robust demand from the Middle East. "For them it's a top priority," Caine said. Thales' results for the six months to June 30, 2015 showed the company's order book from the Middle East for aerospace, transport, defense and security products was 1.68 billion euros ($1.87 billion), a leap of 158 percent on-year, and second only to sales to Europe. The Middle East has been engaged in particularly heavy conflict since 2011, when the Syrian civil war broke out. Since then, the terrorist group which calls itself the Islamic State has occupied large swathes of land in Syria and Iraq, adding to further instability in the region. watch now Los Angeles medical workers are dealing with an internal emergency straight out of science fiction, one that cybersecurity experts say is increasingly common. For more than a week, hackers have shut down the internal computer system at a Hollywood-area hospital for a ransom of 9,000 bitcoin, or almost $3.7 million, according to NBC 4 Los Angeles. The hospital says patient care has not been compromised, though the cyberattack has forced the facility, Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center, to revert to paper registrations and medical records and send 911 patients to other area hospitals, NBC 4 reports. Hollywood Presbyterian did not immediately respond to CNBC's request to comment, but an unnamed doctor told NBC 4 that emergency rooms have been affected and fax lines at the hospital are jammed from lack of access to email. watch now It's all due to a type of malicious software called ransomware that encrypts sensitive data until it can only be unlocked with a keycode, said Tim Erlin, director of IT security and risk strategy at enterprise cybersecurity firm Tripwire. "It's a good reminder that you don't have to attack the medical device to attack its ability to deliver care," Erlin told CNBC. "The IT infected was things like email, but the inability to access those systems degrades the ability to deliver care." Ransomware, like other malware, exploits weak spots to infect a company's system, according to Erlin. A company is more likely to be compromised when it has either software vulnerabilities, misconfigured software or when people in the organization are used as a vector for malicious links or emails. In addition to being wary of email attachments, outside software should have the latest updates and in-house software needs to be screened for loopholes that could be accessed by hackers, said Erlin. Plus, companies should avoid circumventing passwords or setting shared or default profiles that work around security measures. At the very least, businesses should back up their data so hard drives can be wiped and restored to their previous states, Erlin said. It's likely that the hospital was simply caught in a web of larger attacks, Erlin said. The most significant ransomware scheme last year, called CryptoWall, cost victims $18 million associated with network mitigation, network countermeasures, loss of productivity, legal fees, IT services and the purchase of credit monitoring services for employees or customers, according to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center. U.S. government debt prices fell on Tuesday as investors kept an eye on wild fluctuations in the oil markets. The yield (which has an inverse relationship to the price) on the benchmark 10-year Treasury note sat higher, at 1.788 percent, while the yield on the 30-year Treasury bond was also higher, at 2.658 percent. Traders in the U.S. are back at work Tuesday after Presidents Day, with the oil price fluctuating during the session. Overnight, oil prices rallied on hopes of a production cut with the world's biggest oil producers including Saudi Arabia and several key OPEC members meeting in Doha. However, the commodity erased those gains as traders were left disappointed at a announcement that the producers had frozen output at January levels. The official said it was now impossible to stop the war without such an operation, but that Ankara would not launch such an offensive on its own. Turkey is asking its coalition partners, including the U.S., to take part in a joint ground operation in Syria to try to end the five-year-old civil war, a Turkish official said on Tuesday. Coalition forces that have so far taken part in Syrian air strikes include Australia, Canada, France, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, the U.K. and U.S. "We want a ground operation. If there is a consensus, Turkey will take part. Without a ground operation, it is impossible to stop this war." "Turkey is not going to have a unilateral ground operation. We are asking coalition partners that there should be a ground operation. We are discussing this with allies," the official told reporters at a briefing in Istanbul. However, The complex interests of international players in Syria may be the greatest challenge to any unified ground operation by a coalition, Anthony Skinner, a director at Verisk Maplecroft told CNBC. While there is some sort of international consensus about targeting the terrorist organization known as Islamic State (IS), Skinner says there's no agreement on what ground forces would aim to achieve, and how they would engage with other groups, like those linked to Al-Qaeda or militias aligned with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Turkey remains concerned about Syria's Kurdish forces, given its domestic conflict with the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), while Moscow, for example, is trying to to exacerbate divisions within NATO, and weaken Turkey's hand in Syria, while strengthening its own, he said. This also comes as international players look to secure a ceasefire timeline while the United National has ramped up calls for "unhindered" aid delivery to civilians. "You have to have the fundamentals in place before you consider ground troops. You need a clear mandate and a clear exit strategy. If you don't have one, you might even strengthen Daesh (IS)," Skinner explained. "The multiplicity of agendas and aims that make ground troops unrealistic." In a seemingly contradictory parliamentary speech on Tuesday, Turkey's prime minister Ahmet Davutoglu stressed preventative measures would be taken to avoid getting involved in the Syrian war. Turkish forces have been shelling Syria for four straight days, with the state military confirming that it had returned fire "in kind" with forces across the border, which reportedly targeted members of a Kurdish militia. It's a move that the Syrian regime condemned in a letter to the U.N. Security Council published by the Syrian Arab News Agency earlier this week, which also claimed armed Turkish forces had already entered Syrian territory. Reuters contributed to this report. Follow CNBC International on Twitter and Facebook. Three months, and a massive manhunt later, lawmakers are meeting to review the laws and their effectiveness, CNBC takes a look at the options open to France as it continues its battle against the group that calls itself the Islamic State. In the aftermath of the attacks on Paris which left 130 people dead and another 367 injured, France rushed through a raft of emergency legislation aimed at curbing the threat from Islamic fundamentalists. In the hours following the attacks in Paris, French President Francois Hollande declared a State of Emergency, initially for 12 days and then for three months. At the time, the request met very little protest in both parliament and the National Assembly. However, with it set to expire on February 26, Hollande has asked for a further extension of three months to the end of May. And this time around, the request is being met with resistance, with some questioning its need and whether the extra powers it gives authorities are necessary. A group of UN human rights specialists has called on France not to extend the state of emergency, warning of "the lack of clarity and precision of several provisions of the state of emergency and surveillance laws," reported the Economist. The extension, narrowly voted in parliament last week, is supposed to be voted at the National Assembly on Tuesday. On the same day the Eagles of Death Metal, the band playing at the Bataclan concert hall on the night 90 people were killed by three terrorists, are set to play in Paris again for the first time since the attacks. The State of Emergency bill dates back to the French-Algerian War of the 1950s, and allows authorities to conduct house raids and searches without a warrant. It also gives officials extra powers to place people under house arrest outside the normal judicial process and allows restrictions on large gatherings. Since it was declared last November, BFM TV reports that there have been 3,099 house raids and searches. More than 380 people have been placed under house arrest. Most of the raids and house arrests took place in the weeks after the attacks. In total, at least 500 weapons have been seized-- 200 of which were seized from one person. Le Monde reported that one person had been charged in connection to terrorism. Yahoo announced Tuesday it will host the first-ever live-stream of the annual shareholders meeting of Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway . The live-stream on April 30 from Omaha will appear exclusively on Yahoo Finance, across all devices. "We're just taking their broadcast," Yahoo Finance Editor-In-Chief Andy Serwer told CNBC's "Squawk Box." Berkshire already records and broadcasts the event to video screens at the convention center. "No money changes hands at all here." Serwer described how this came about: "I got a call in December from Warren Buffett, asking me as head of Yahoo Finance, to do this." He added, "It was a one-sheet [contract], literally one page, 'You guys stream it, don't screw it up. We'll give you the wire. You plug it in. It goes to a satellite and you're done.' It was easy-peasy." The event will be offered in English and translated into Mandarin for Chinese viewers, Serwer said, adding he's still working out the details on whether it will be a simultaneous translation or subtitles or a rebroadcast the next day. "Over the past 50 years, we've seen a tremendous increase in the interest around our shareholders meeting," Buffett, chairman and CEO Berkshire Hathaway, said in a news release. "Partnering with Yahoo Finance provides us with the opportunity to reach more people than ever, in key financial centers around the world, from New York to China and beyond." Read MoreBuffett finds value in oil wreckage Yahoo Finance said live coverage will kick off at 10 a.m. ET on April 30, with on-the-ground reporting from the CenturyLink convention center in Omaha, 30 minutes before the shareholders meeting begins. Often called "The Woodstock of Capitalism," the Berkshire gathering draws tens of thousands of people to hear the Oracle of Omaha talk about the financial landscape and deliver updates on the company's business units. The meeting is a big draw for the city of Omaha. But Serwer played down concerns that live-stream could discourage people to attend in person. "It's like a NFL game. If you want to go to it live you're going to go." Yahoo Finance said an exclusive video-on-demand replay will be available on its platform for 30 days following the meeting. Yahoo said it will offer video and display advertising, as well as sponsorships alongside the live-stream. ALBANY, N.Y. Donald Radke of Syracuse took the oath of office on Feb. 8 as the 2016 Central Region vice president of the New York State Association of Realtors (NYSAR) during the associations inauguration ceremony in Albany. Radke, a realtor for 39 years, is a broker/owner of FM Realty Group in Fayetteville, according to a NYSAR news release. He is an active member and past president of the Greater Syracuse Association of Realtors, where he has chaired the legislative committee and served on multiple others. Radke is a past president of the Central New York Information Service, Inc., where he currently is VP, and serves on the board of managers for the New York State Alliance of MLSs. He is also a New York State-certified real-estate instructor, the release noted. At the state level, Radke is a member of the NYSAR board of directors and has served on several committees including professional standards, multiple-listing issues and policies, and housing opportunities. On the national level, Radke has previously served on the National Association of Realtors board of directors. Contact The Business Journal News Network at news@cnybj.com SYRACUSE, N.Y. Pinnacle Holding Company, LLC announced it has appointed Eric Krouse as its chief operating officer (COO). The company is parent of several diversified financial-services businesses, including Pinnacle Investments, its broker-dealer unit, where Krouse previously served as CEO. Its been my honor to have guided Pinnacle Investments during these last few years of rapid growth as we developed the infrastructure needed to support Pinnacle as it expands from a regional firm to a national competitor, Krouse said in a recent news release. I feel the company is now at a point where I can confidently hand the reigns over to a new CEO and that individual will be able to hit the ground running, he added. As COO of the parent company, Krouse plans to ensure that infrastructure is leveraged across all companies. Eric has helped us evolve from a small entrepreneurial firm with one office into a multi-faceted enterprise, Gregg Kidd, founder and chairman, said in the release . He has the ability to drill down to a level of detail that most people cant, which has allowed me and the other members of our management team to focus on what we do best. In addition to being named COO, Krouse will continue to serve as chief financial officer and a board member, the release said. He is celebrating his 10-year anniversary with the firm, as Pinnacle celebrates its 20-year anniversary. Pinnacle Holding Company is a Syracusebased financial-services firm with businesses in brokerage, money management, employer-sponsored retirement plans, and insurance. It has more than $1.2 billion in assets under management. Contact The Business Journal News Network at news@cnybj.com Terminal ready to take flight The new Columbia Regional Airport terminal is open for business. Flights will start next week. Best of Business 2022: Learn Who Won Our 15th Annual Reader Poll Local professionals chose their favorite business and professional services, products, healthcare, dining and more. Find out who their top picks are. Alabama Shakes singer Brittany Howard performs at the 58th Annual Grammy Awards on Monday, Feb. 15, 2016, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. (Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times/TNS) Go Play If you want personality, you gotta #GoMemphis SHARE Heath Fogg, from left, Brittany Howard, Steve Johnson, and Zac Cockrell of Alabama Shakes pose in the press room with the awards for best alternative music album for "Sound & Color", best rock song for "Don't Wanna Fight", and best rock performance for "Don't Wanna Fight" at the 58th annual Grammy Awards at the Staples Center on Monday, Feb. 15, 2016, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP) By Bob Mehr of The Commercial Appeal On the heels of winning a trio of Grammys on Monday night, Southern alt-rockers the Alabama Shakes have announced a concert date at the Mud Island Amphitheatre. The group will play the venue at 8 p.m. July 15. The group -- led by frontwoman Brittany Howard -- took home trophies for Best Rock Song, Rock Performance and Alternative album for their 2015 release "Sound and Color" during the annual Grammy ceremonies in Los Angeles. Tickets for the Mud Island show ($47.50 and $56.50) and go on sale this Friday at 10 a.m. at all Ticketmaster outlets, ticketmaster.com or (800) 745-3000. Participants in EPIcenter's first Logistics Innovation Accelerator last year were Steve Scully, CEO and founder of Thaddeus Medical Systems, Ashley Adewuyi, CEO and founder of Live Love Earn Labs (LiLoE Labs), Vijay Harrell, CEO of OneClickShip, and Chris Cantrell, founder of L7. Applications for the program's second year are being accepted through March 18. (Yalonda M. James/The Commercial Appeal) By Wayne Risher of The Commercial Appeal The EPIcenter Logistics Innovation Accelerator is taking applications through March 18 for its 2016 program. The 15-week program, sponsored by FedEx, has room for up to six innovative startup companies developing solutions to transportation and logistics issues. Each company will receive $50,000 in seed capital provided by EPIcenter and Innova, a Memphis-based venture capital firm that invests in early-stage companies. The scheduled start date is May 2. Information is available at epimemphis.com. SHARE Philip Mudd By Ted Evanoff of The Commercial Appeal National security consultant Philip Mudd, former senior intelligence adviser to the FBI, is scheduled to address the Economic Club of Memphis on Thursday. The meeting is set to begin at 6 p.m. in the Holiday Inn at the University of Memphis. Mudd, a senior fellow at the New America Foundation and George Washington Universitys Homeland Security Policy Institute, wrote the 2013 book, Takedown: the Hunt for al Qaeda. It explores intelligence agencies procedures to combat terrorism. Mudd earlier served as the deputy director of the Central Intelligence Agencys Counterterrorism Center, helped form the new government for Afghanistan after the U.S. invasion and in 2005 was named the deputy director of the FBIs National Security Branch. During a panel discussion nearly three years ago hosted by the Washington think tank Brookings Institution, Mudd said: I made a mistake. I thought we were fighting al Qaeda. What we were fighting was al Qaedism, and al Qaeda itself, the group, was only a subset of that. SHARE By Ryan Poe of The Commercial Appeal Two Democrats from Shelby County, Michael McCusker and David Vinciarelli, have picked up petitions to run for the seat held by Republican U.S. Rep. Stephen Fincher. McCusker, who announced Monday that he's exploring a bid, has been an assistant district attorney in Shelby County since 2001 and is a decorated, retired major in the U.S. Army. He lives in Germantown. Vinciarelli ran unsuccessfully for Memphis City Council District 7 last year. As was reported then, he was arrested for DUI in 2011 after he crashed his truck into a utility pole, and was found guilty of aggravated criminal trespassing in 1990. He also filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in 1997 and in 2004. Both bankruptcies are closed. The primary elections are Aug. 4, and the general election is Nov. 8. After Fincher announced Feb. 1 that he wouldn't seek a fourth term representing District 8, a wave of Shelby County Republicans announced their candidacies. Follow more politics and policy coverage from the InforMemphis team on Twitter and Facebook. February 16, 2016 - Eric Herbers raises his hand to swear in before taking the stand during the trial for his part in the heroin overdose death of his 18-year-old girlfriend, Sharon Muir. Herbers pleaded guilty to attempted second-degree murder in the heroin overdose death of 18-year-old Sharon Muir in 2013. (Brad Vest/The Commercial Appeal) By Katie Fretland of The Commercial Appeal Sharon Muir was an 18-year-old student at the University of Memphis who grew up in Germantown and wanted to become an art teacher. She was an avid reader, volunteered at an animal shelter and had played in a marching band, said her father, Patrick Muir. "She was a wonderful kid," Patrick Muir said. "She was a free thinker, very creative ... She loved everybody and wanted to create beauty." Her father was present Tuesday in court as 26-year-old Eric Herbers pleaded guilty to attempted second-degree murder in her heroin overdose in 2013. Herbers was charged with unlawfully distributing the heroin resulting in Sharon Muir's death. He pleaded guilty in an agreement for a sentence of eight years. Tennessee statute calls for a second-degree murder charge when a person unlawfully delivers a drug to another person and the drug results in their death. In 2008, a 17-year-old died from an overdose and a Collierville man was charged with supplying the morphine. Germantown police charged a 20-year-old man in 2009 with reckless endangerment after he said he injected his girlfriend with heroin. In Sharon Muir's death, the state alleged that Herbers bought the heroin to celebrate their one-month anniversary and video recorded Muir as she was dying. It was too late to save her by the time Herbers took Muir to Regional Medical Center after the incident which occurred July 25, 2013 at a house in the 400 block of Haynes Street near Central Avenue. Muir died of morphine toxicity. Herbers' previous adult criminal history included two misdemeanor convictions and no felony convictions. He had no juvenile charges. His attorney, Bill Massey, said the eight-year sentence is a just resolution, but that the statute making drug overdose deaths second-degree murder is "quite harsh when death is neither expected nor intended." In court Tuesday, Assistant District Attorney Tom Henderson said law enforcement should be encouraged to investigate the source of heroin in order to forestall deaths. "Each one of those is murder in the second degree," he said. FILE - In this Oct. 18, 2011 file photo, Supreme Court justice Antonin Scalia looks into the balcony before addressing the Chicago-Kent College Law justice in Chicago. The Supreme Court on Tuesday struggled with what one of the justices called its most important criminal procedure case in decades, whether to let police take DNA from those arrested, but not convicted, in hopes of using it to solve old cases. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast, File) SHARE Bob Corker Lamar Alexander By Michael Collins of The Commercial Appeal WASHINGTON U.S. Sens. Lamar Alexander and Bob Corker suggested Monday that Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia's successor should be chosen by the next president and not by President Barack Obama. Both of the Tennessee Republican senators have argued in the past that a president's Supreme Court nominees should receive an up-or-down confirmation vote in the Senate and should not be subject to a filibuster, except in extraordinary circumstances. But in statements released Monday by their offices, Alexander and Corker sided with Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, who has said the Senate should not consider a replacement for Scalia until after the November presidential election, even though Obama has said he intends to nominate someone to fill the vacancy. "I believe it is reasonable to give the American people a voice by allowing the next president to fill this lifetime appointment to the Supreme Court," said Alexander, a Maryville Republican. "Under our Constitution, the president has the right to nominate, but the Senate has the right to decide whether to consent at this point in a presidential election year." Corker, a Chattanooga Republican, made the same argument. "The president has the right to nominate a Supreme Court justice, and the Constitution gives the Senate the power to decide whether to confirm the nominee," he said. "But at this point I believe it would be more prudent to have the American people express their voice in deciding the future direction of our country." Scalia's death of natural causes during a hunting trip in Texas on Saturday has set the stage for an election-year battle between the White House and Senate Republicans over who should nominate his replacement. Obama has said he would submit a nominee to the Senate for confirmation "in due time." But McConnell and other Republican leaders have pledged that they won't confirm anyone Obama nominates. Alexander said McConnell "is only doing what the Senate majority has the right to do and what Senate Democrat leaders have said they would do in similar circumstances." Asked whether that contradicts his previous statements that Supreme Court nominees should get an up-or-down vote, Alexander said, "If Sen. McConnell changes his mind and decides to bring a consensus nominee to the floor, I would consider him or her. If he does not, there is nothing to vote on." February 16, 2016 - Worth Morgan listens during talks about the rollout of police body cameras during a Budget Committee meeting. Memphis City Council committees approved $2 million for a rollout of police body and in-car cameras, and got a preview of policies related to the videos. (Brad Vest/The Commercial Appeal) SHARE February 16, 2016 - Edmund Ford Jr. asks a question during talks about the rollout of police body cameras during a Budget Committee meeting. Memphis City Council committees approved $2 million for a rollout of police body and in-car cameras, and got a preview of policies related to the videos. (Brad Vest/The Commercial Appeal) By Ryan Poe of The Commercial Appeal The Memphis City Council on Tuesday approved adding $2 million to the budget this fiscal year to store police body and in-car camera video, and got a preview of the city policies for releasing the videos. The council unanimously approved a mid-year budget cleanup package that included the money, which will be paid to body camera supplier Taser International, and was already included in the citys five-year, $9.4 million contract. The money wasnt included in the current budget because the city hadnt planned on needing it before July 1, Chief Finance Officer Brian Collins said. Video storage and policies are two of the issues that led Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland to put an indefinite hold on the rollout of 1,700 body cameras in January. The budget cleanup added nearly $11.6 million in revenue to the budget, falling short of additional expenses by $543,000. Police Interim Director Mike Rallings told council members in the Public Safety & Homeland Security Committee on Tuesday morning that he doesnt know yet when the rollout of the cameras will happen. At the end of the day, our goal is to have a good policy with a good program that serves as many of our citizens as we possibly can, he said. Rallings said the city is outfitting 30 squad cars a month with in-car cameras, and hopes to have 400 outfitted by the end of this year. Memphis currently has three officers outfitted with body cameras, and 150 squad cars with in-car cameras. He also said an expansion of the use of body cameras by 12-14 officers at Crump station wouldnt happen until the city hires 10 part-time video analysts around April 5 to redact information. Strickland said two weeks ago that the expansion would come in March. Those part-time positions will cost the city $109,868 this fiscal year and $317,395 in the next, according to the administrations presentation. Chief Operating Officer Doug McGowen said several other cities that are implementing body cameras have also phased in their cameras. Were at a very similar place as other cities are, he said. McGowen also presented several policy proposals that werent voted on Tuesday, including one that will deny any records requests related to ongoing criminal investigations. He said the policy would cover officer-involved shootings, which is one of the reasons the community has been calling for the use of the body cameras. McGowen said the policy could be adjusted if it isnt working. I think theres room to maneuver, he said of the policy. Lucian Pera, The Commercial Appeals attorney, said the Public Records Act has an exception for ongoing investigations, but for the city to rely on that exception to keep police misconduct secret would be an overly broad reading of the act. Besides, he said, nothing in the Public Records Act prohibits the City from releasing such records and, since the biggest purpose of body-cams is public accountability by the police, how can that possibly be effective if body-cam footage is secret for years? McGowen also outlined a redaction policy for the videos, which he said would obscure images of victims of crimes, minors, nudity, dead bodies, graphic images, personal info and private spaces. He said Memphis is expected to spend three hours on redaction for every hour of video requested. Tweets by @ryanpoe Follow more politics and policy coverage from the InforMemphis team on Twitter and Facebook. The House Finance Committee is scheduled to vote on the latest motorcycle helmet bill, which allows anyone 21 and up with medical or health insurance other than TennCare to ride without a helmet. SHARE By Richard Locker of The Commercial Appeal NASHVILLE For 20 years, a small cadre of motorcyclists some in coats and ties, some in black leather jackets have descended on the State Capitol asking lawmakers to repeal Tennessee's mandatory motorcycle helmet law, which since 1967 has required all motorcycle riders to wear helmets on Tennessee streets and highways. And every year, they've left in defeat, after successive heads of the Tennessee Highway Patrol, the state Department of Health, emergency room doctors and others present lawmakers the latest statistics on deaths and severe brain injuries suffered by motorcyclists in accidents without helmets and on the costs of their medical care to taxpayers. The fight resumes Tuesday, when the House Finance Committee is scheduled to vote on the latest bill, House Bill 700, which allows anyone 21 and up with medical or health insurance other than TennCare to ride without a helmet. The bill also prohibits police from issuing a citation for violating the helmet law unless a citation is issued for some other traffic violation. Tennessee is one of 19 states plus the District of Columbia requiring all riders to wear helmets. Twenty-eight states require only underage riders, under either 18 or 21, to wear helmets. And Illinois, Iowa and New Hampshire have no laws at all requiring helmet use, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Most states enacted mandatory helmet laws the same year Tennessee did, after Congress required them to qualify for federal safety and highway funds. In the decades since, Congress has lifted the financial penalties, reimposed them and lifted them again. In 1996, a year after one of Congress's periodic removals of penalties, then-state Rep. Tim Burchett (R-Knoxville) now Knox County mayor introduced a helmet-choice bill. "This is, as my biker friends call it, let those who ride decide," Burchett said at the time. It passed the Senate four years later, after Burchett had moved from the House to the Senate, but has always failed in House committees. Don Lindsey of Knoxville, Tennessee public affairs director for AAA the Auto Club Group, which "strongly opposes" the bill, said Monday that Tuesday's outcome in the committee is uncertain. "The sense is that (advocates of the bill) make a little more progress each year. We never take anything for granted." As the bill, sponsored by Rep. Jay Reedy (R-Erin) and Sen. Kerry Roberts (R-Springfield), worked its way through committee hearings over the past two weeks, supporters and opponents repeated their arguments. Reedy said allowing cyclists to go unhelmeted would increase motorcycle tourism and tourism revenue in the state. "It's time to give Tennesseans back their liberties and freedoms," he said. But Tennessee Highway Patrol Col. Tracy Trott said "doubts" the increased tourism argument. "Kentucky and South Carolina don't have motorcycle helmet laws and we have more motorcycle rallies in Tennessee than they do in either one of those two states, so people are not staying away from Tennessee because we have a helmet law." Dr. David Reagan, chief medical officer at the state Health Department, told the finance committee last week that helmet usage reduces deaths in motorcycle accidents by 37 percent, head injuries by 69 percent and traumatic brain injuries by 36 percent. "Across the U.S., experience shows that after weakening motorcycle helmet laws, the rate of accidents stays the same or goes up but the severity of injuries goes up, including traumatic brain injury and death, and acute and chronic medical care costs go up to the state," Sheridan said. "This is going to kill more Tennesseans, maim more Tennesseans and drive up costs in a number of ways and that 's not even talking about long-term-care costs." Linus the skunk will make his debut at Wesselman Woods Nature Centers Harvest Festival & Hayrides Saturday SHARE By Tom Humphrey NASHVILLE A bill to allow Tennesseans to keep skunks as pets has won initial approval in committees of both the House and Senate with the sponsors contending it will provide a moneymaking opportunity for breeders of domesticated and de-scented animals. The Senate Energy, Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee approved the bill SB1821 in less than two minutes on a 7-1 vote without discussion beyond a brief explanation by Sen. Paul Bailey, R-Sparta, the Senate sponsor, who said 17 other states already allow skunks to be kept as domestic pets and sold, including the border states of Kentucky, Alabama and Georgia. The bill is scheduled for a Senate floor vote this week. The discussion was somewhat more lively in the House Agriculture Subcommittee, where the companion bill was approved on voice vote with Rep. Johnny Shaw, D-Bolivar, asking to be recorded as voting no after questioning sponsor Rep. Jeremy Faison, R-Cosby, at some length. Faison said the bill was requested by constituents. Initially, "I thought it was a joke," he said. But on looking into the matter, Faison said that skunks can be sold as pets for up to $1,000 each and there could be "tons of revenue" for those eager to engage in skunk marketing. There is an American Domestic Skunk Association, which says on its website that the organization is dedicated to finding homes "for adult skunks in need and also has baby skunks for sale in the spring of each year." The baby skunks must be picked up at the association's home office in Florida, says the website, which does not list prices. The bill repeals a current state law that prohibits private possession of skunks and instead puts them in a category of animals that can be owned through a permitting process regulated by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency. The upshot is that "domesticated" skunks from other states but not any native Tennessee skunks captured in the wild can be possessed and sold subject to TWRA oversight, Faison and Subcommittee Chairman Rep. Ron Loller, R-Bartlett, told Shaw in response to his questions. Faison said that domesticated skunks always have their scent glands removed at an early age. Shaw said that deprived the animals of their natural means of defense and asked, "Doesn't that get into animal abuse?" That would be especially true, he suggested, if domesticated skunks escaped or were released back into the wild by their owners. Faison said a separate state law already prohibits release of domesticated animals into the wild, so that is not a valid concern. In an interview with Nashville's WSMV-TV before the vote, Faison indicated he expected joking criticism of a "stinky bill." That did not materialize in the initial committee appearances, though Rep. Andy Holt, R-Dresden, accused Faison of reneging on a promise to bring a skunk to the subcommittee session. Holt's remark brought a quick response from subcommittee Chairman Loller on Faison's previous skunk appearance commitment: "That was before the chairman found out about it (the promise) and had a fit," Loller said. Senate Majority Leader Mark Norris, R-Collierville, speaks in favor of Gov. Bill Haslam's limited school voucher proposal in the Senate Finance Committee in Nashville, Tenn., Tuesday, April 8, 2014. The panel later advanced the measure to a full Senate vote. (AP Photo/Erik Schelzig) SHARE By Associated Press NASHVILLE A resolution directing Tennessee's attorney general to mount a legal challenge to the federal refugee resettlement program is headed for a vote in the state Senate. The Senate Finance Committee voted 9-1 on Tuesday to advance the measure sponsored by Senate Republican leader Mark Norris of Collierville. The measure would have the General Assembly hire its own lawyer if Attorney General Herbert Slatery were to decline to get involved. The lone vote against the measure came from Republican Sen. Steve Dickerson of Nashville, who said he was concerned that the measure would be perceived as being "unwelcoming." Stephanie Teatro, a co-executive director of the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition, said the measure would have taxpayers foot the bill for what she called "frivolous litigation." SHARE Freddie Willingham By Yolanda Jones of The Commercial Appeal A 33-year-old man is in jail on a $2 million bond accused of stabbing his wife 10 times, causing multiple injuries including the possible loss of her eye. Freddie Willingham is charged with attempted first-degree murder and domestic assault in the incident that occurred Jan. 24 at a home in the 3000 block of Queensgate, near the airport in the Oakhaven area. The victim's sister called police after going to the home and finding her sister on the living room floor with multiple stab wounds. Police said they heard the victim say "husband", and when they asked if her husband attacked her she nodded and said "yes." She was taken to the Regional Medical Center where she underwent surgery for stab wounds to her head, chest and hand. Officers found a bloody kitchen knife and a broken knife handle in the home. Police issued a warrant earlier this month for Willingham who fled in his wife's Jeep Grand Cherokee. He was arrested Monday. He also faces a separate charge of simple assault domestic violence after he was accused of punching his former girlfriend in the face in 2014, police said. Rudolph Vetter/The Commercial Appeal files A young man wades through flood waters to gather supplies from a stalled truck just west of Airways near Democrat Road on Feb. 16, 1954. Water from Nonconnah Creek began overflowing early in the morning and had submerged Democrat Road under six feet of water in some places by late afternoon in addition to washing out a 60-foot section of the Getwell Bridge over the creek. SHARE Feb. 16 25 years ago: 1991 The U.S. Justice Department filed suit against the City of Memphis and the city Board of Education Friday, charging that election methods have continually and aggressively discriminated against black voters. The suit seeks to block all citywide elections, apparently including those this fall. And the suit could give the federal government control over city elections, annexations and redistricting until 2006. If the department wins the case, which goes further than two lawsuits already filed by black Memphians, it could hasten the election of a majority black City Council and effectively prevent the annexation of white-majority areas such as Hickory Hill. 50 years ago: 1966 A formal method of arriving at what capital spending the city should undertake and in what order something which Memphis has never had was proposed yesterday by Commissioner Hunter Lane Jr. Simultaneously, the City Commission agreed to sell up to 35 million dollars in general improvement and school bonds this year to finance projects already authorized. Last year's 25 million dollar bond sale was the previous record. 75 years ago: 1941 Police motorcycle escorts for Memphis funerals will end April 1, Commissioner Joe Boyle said yesterday and the undertakers are reported to be forming their own escort service. Mr. Boyle said that providing escorts for funerals last year cost the city $24,000 in addition to taking officers away from traffic duty where they are sorely needed. 100 years ago: 1916 Every school in Memphis will soon be equipped with fire-fighting apparatus probably portable extinguishers the School Board announced yesterday. The announcement came after L.S. Akers, assistant fire prevention commissioner, informed the board of the state law requiring installation of fire extinguishers for every 2,000 feet of floor space. 125 years ago: 1891 London The body of another young woman has been discovered in a secluded section of the city. She had been horribly gashed with a sharp instrument. Everyone is confident that she is another victim of Jack the Ripper. Select Commodity All Ajwan Alasande Gram Almond(Badam) Alsandikai Amaranthus Ambada Seed Amla(Nelli Kai) Amphophalus Antawala Anthorium Apple Apricot(Jardalu/Khumani) Arecanut(Betelnut/Supari) Arecanut(Betelnut/Supari) Arhar (Tur/Red Gram)(Whole) Arhar (Tur/Red Gram)(Whole) Arhar Dal(Tur Dal) Ashgourd Astera Avare Dal Bajra(Pearl Millet/Cumbu) Bajra(Pearl Millet/Cumbu) Balekai Bamboo Banana Banana - Green Barley (Jau) Bay leaf (Tejpatta) Beans Beaten Rice Beetroot Bengal Gram Dal (Chana Dal) Bengal Gram(Gram)(Whole) Ber(Zizyphus/Borehannu) Ber(Zizyphus/Borehannu) Betal Leaves Bhindi(Ladies Finger) Bitter gourd Black Gram (Urd Beans)(Whole) Black Gram Dal (Urd Dal) Black pepper BOP Bottle gourd Bran Brinjal Broken Rice Broomstick(Flower Broom) Bull Bunch Beans Cabbage Calf Capsicum Cardamoms Carnation Carrot Cashewnuts Castor Seed Cauliflower Chapparad Avare Chennangi Dal Cherry Chikoos(Sapota) Chili Red Chilly Capsicum Chow Chow Chrysanthemum Chrysanthemum(Loose) Cinamon(Dalchini) Cloves Cluster beans Cock Cocoa Coconut Coconut Oil Coconut Seed Coffee Colacasia Copra Coriander(Leaves) Corriander seed Cotton Cotton Seed Cow Cowpea (Lobia/Karamani) Cowpea (Lobia/Karamani) Cowpea(Veg) Cucumbar(Kheera) Cummin Seed(Jeera) Custard Apple (Sharifa) Dalda Dhaincha Drumstick Dry Chillies Dry Fodder Dry Grapes Duck Duster Beans Egg Elephant Yam (Suran) Field Pea Firewood Fish Foxtail Millet(Navane) French Beans (Frasbean) Galgal(Lemon) Garlic Ghee Gingelly Oil Ginger(Dry) Ginger(Green) Gladiolus Cut Flower Goat Gram Raw(Chholia) Gramflour Grapes Green Avare (W) Green Chilli Green Fodder Green Gram (Moong)(Whole) Green Gram Dal (Moong Dal) Green Peas Ground Nut Oil Ground Nut Seed Groundnut Groundnut (Split) Groundnut pods (raw) Guar Guar Seed(Cluster Beans Seed) Guava Gur(Jaggery) He Buffalo Hen Hippe Seed Honge seed Hybrid Cumbu Indian Beans (Seam) Indian Colza(Sarson) Isabgul (Psyllium) Jack Fruit Jaffri Jamun(Narale Hannu) Jarbara Jasmine Jowar(Sorghum) Jute Kabuli Chana(Chickpeas-White) Kacholam Kakada Kankambra Karamani Karbuja(Musk Melon) Kartali (Kantola) Khoya Kinnow Knool Khol Kodo Millet(Varagu) Kulthi(Horse Gram) Lak(Teora) Leafy Vegetable Lemon Lentil (Masur)(Whole) Lilly Lime Linseed Lint Litchi Little gourd (Kundru) Long Melon(Kakri) Lotus Lotus Sticks Lukad Mahedi Mahua Mahua Seed(Hippe seed) Maida Atta Maize Mango Mango (Raw-Ripe) Marasebu Marget Marigold(Calcutta) Marigold(loose) Mashrooms Masur Dal Mataki Methi Seeds Methi(Leaves) Millets Mint(Pudina) Moath Dal Mousambi(Sweet Lime) Mustard Mustard Oil Myrobolan(Harad) Neem Seed Niger Seed (Ramtil) Nutmeg Onion Onion Green Orange Orchid Ox Paddy(Dhan)(Basmati) Paddy(Dhan)(Common) Papaya Papaya (Raw) Patti Calcutta Peach Pear(Marasebu) Peas cod Peas Wet Peas(Dry) Pegeon Pea (Arhar Fali) Pepper garbled Pepper ungarbled Persimon(Japani Fal) Pigs Pineapple Plum Pointed gourd (Parval) Pomegranate Potato Pumpkin Raddish Ragi (Finger Millet) Raibel Rajgir Ram Rat Tail Radish (Mogari) Raya Resinwood Rice Ridge gourd(Tori) Ridgeguard(Tori) Rose(Local) Rose(Loose) Rose(Loose)) Round gourd Rubber Sabu Dan Sabu Dana Safflower Sajje Same/Savi Season Leaves Seemebadnekai Seetafal Seetapal Sesamum(Sesame,Gingelly,Til) Sesamum(Sesame,Gingelly,Til) She Buffalo She Goat Sheep Snake gourd Snakeguard Soanf Soapnut(Antawala/Retha) Soji Soyabean Spinach Sponge gourd Squash(Chappal Kadoo) Sugar Sugarcane Sunflower Sunhemp Suram Surat Beans (Papadi) Suva (Dill Seed) Suvarna Gadde Sweet Potato Sweet Pumpkin T.V. Cumbu T.V. Cumbu Tamarind Fruit Tamarind Seed Tapioca Taramira Tender Coconut Thinai (Italian Millet) Thogrikai Thondekai Tinda Tobacco Tomato Toria Tube Rose(Double) Tube Rose(Loose) Tube Rose(Single) Turmeric Turmeric (raw) Turnip Walnut Water Melon Wheat Wheat Atta White Peas White Pumpkin Wood Yam Yam (Ratalu) Select State Select Market This is a guest post for Computer Weekly Open Source Insider written by Umair Shahid in his role as head of PostgreSQL at Percona -- a company known for its work delivering enterprise-class ... In this guest post, Aidan McClean, CEO and co-founder of online electric vehicle hire firm UFODRIVE, highlights the shortcomings in the UKs car charging infrastructure The UKs 2030 ban on the ... The artist formerly known as Kanye West has tied a ribbon round his recent package of white supremacist slogans, George Floyd family agitation and anti-Semitic tropes with an agreement to purchase ... This is a contributed piece for the Computer Weekly Developer Networks API series written by Galeal Zino in his capacity as co-founder and CEO of NetFoundry the company is the originator and ... As we connect more systems, applications, compute resources and containerised entities to each other through the neural networking connections offered by APIs, there is a clear and present need to ... Many organisations are shifting to a less-paper environment as they accelerate their digital transformation initiatives. Scanning plays a key role in this transition, enabling companies to ... In this guest post, Ciaran Dynes, chief product officer at data integration platform, Matillion, explores the role of cloud data in informing decisions that reduce global impact As the world turns ... Once simply known as IFS World Conference, the last pre-pandemic gathering from the US and European-headquartered cloud enterprise software company was called For The Challengers - a nod of sorts ... In what at first glance looked like the inventor of affordable rolled gift wrap finally having enough, Damien Hirst last week began the process of burning those of the 10,000 individual A4 ... With Oracle CloudWorld in Las Vegas kicking off, the on-going battle with third party support provider Rimini Street is once again making the news. On October 10th Oracle said it had informed the ... Cliff Saran's Enterprise blog Diminishing returns Cliff Saran Managing Editor Many moons ago, the tech sector would gel around a big product launch, like the next version of Windows. But in the era of over-the-air (OTA) continuous updates, especially on smartphones, there is ... Green Tech Why electric vehicles are the next big step for developers working in sustainability In this guest post, Rollo Home, head of product at national mapping agency Ordnance Survey, sets out the opportunities for software developers to get more actively involved in sustainability ... Eyes on APAC IT and sustainability: The 21st century paradox? Aaron Tan TechTarget This is a guest post by Han Chon, managing director for ASEAN at Nutanix There has been much discussion around how technology can be used to accelerate sustainability efforts, from green IT to ... CW Developer Network Holy (boundless) observability: Dynatrace launches Grail Adrian Bridgwater Dynatrace is of course not just a systems and data observability specialist. The company quite specifically describes and denotes itself as a software intelligence company with a platform ... CW Developer Network API series - Pantheon: Building web experiences with APIs & Jamstack Adrian Bridgwater This is a guest post for the Computer Weekly Developer Network API series written by Josh Koenig in his role as co-founder and chief strategy officer at Pantheon. Pantheon is a WebOps platform for ... CW Developer Network ThoughtSpot dev lead: The modern developer relations stack - part #2 Adrian Bridgwater This couplet of joint analysis pieces is written in full by Quinton Wall in his role as head of developer relations at ThoughtSpot. As a company, ThoughtSpot likes to call itself a modern analytics ... Data Matters Bono-Benioff fireside chat at Dreamforce 2022: divinity in the destitute Brian McKenna Business Applications Editor The last time I sat in the Yerba Buena Theatre near the Moscone Centre in San Francisco at Salesforces annual conference Dreamforce, was to hear David Beckham having a fireside chat with the then ... CW Developer Network ThoughtSpot dev lead: The modern developer relations stack - part #1 Adrian Bridgwater This couplet of joint analysis pieces is written in full by Quinton Wall in his role as head of developer relations at ThoughtSpot. As a company, ThoughtSpot likes to call itself a modern analytics ... Cliff Saran's Enterprise blog Ofcom adapts to the changing face of communications Cliff Saran Managing Editor Earlier this year, Ofcom commissioned Analysys Mason to look at the digital value chain. It is this study that sets the scene for a more expansive role at the regulator, as Ofcom looks to stay ... Green Tech Energy crisis in schools: Is the edtech sector doing enough to become energy efficient? In this guest post, Angela Townsend, director of channel sales at edtech provider SMART Technologies, talks about the impact rising energy prices are having on school IT systems. The rising cost ... CW Developer Network API series - Axway: The 'API Guild' operationalises us towards API-first Adrian Bridgwater This is a guest post for the Computer Weekly Developer Network written by Brian Otten in his role as VP of the digital transformation catalysts division at Axway - a company known for its ... Open Source Insider Newly formed Linux Foundation Europe provides inside track on OSS Dublin 2022 Adrian Bridgwater This is a guest post written by Dan Whiting, director of media relations and communications for the Linux Foundation. Whiting has filed this piece writing live this month from the Open Source ... Cliff Saran's Enterprise blog Has Putin started a server revolution? Cliff Saran Managing Editor The European Commission wants Member States to reduce consumption. Demand reduction is fundamental: it lowers energy bills, ends Putin's ability to weaponise his energy resources, reduces ... CW Developer Network Progress promotes people-centric programming Adrian Bridgwater Developers build code and so, logically, they need to deliver code above all else, right? This misconception was one of the lies developers tell themselves tabled by Microsoft's Billy Hollis during ... Green Tech How fuel cells could power the transition to a greener datacentre industry In this guest post, Russel Bulley, senior application engineer at datacentre equipment manufacturer Vertiv, shares his thoughts on how fuel cell technology could help the server farm industry go ... CW Developer Network Progress360 2022: day one keynote live report Adrian Bridgwater The email came in quite quietly over the weekend, just in advance of the morning keynote the following day and it read, So, its like a normal developer event - all over again right? The truth ... CW Developer Network API series - Salt Security: Unified monitoring of APIs for seasoned security Adrian Bridgwater This is a guest post for the Computer Weekly Developer Network written by Nick Rago in his capacity as field CTO at Salt Security - a company known for its specialist skills related to API ... Cliff Saran's Enterprise blog Apple iPhone 14: Time to put our desire for shiny new things into perspective Cliff Saran Managing Editor Can the launch of the iPhone 14 have come at a worse time? The standard of living of people is falling, inflation is rising rapidly, the pound is crashing and fuel bills are sky high and set to ... CW Developer Network What to expect from KubeCon + CloudNativeCon North America 2022 Adrian Bridgwater Almost freezing, not quite, but very interesting with a definite chance of Motown, some renowned US Midwestern culture and the possibility of eating at Big Boy, the home of the first double ... Green Tech Taking the lead: How leaders can help address global sustainability and human rights challenges In this guest post, professor Matthew Gitsham, who leads on sustainability at Hult International Business School, sets out the role that leaders should take when helping their organisations hone ... 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Open Source Insider CircleCI rolls out joint offering for GitLab developers Adrian Bridgwater Continuous Integration & Continuous Delivery (CI/CD) platform company CircleCI used the summer slowdown period to come forward with support for GitLab SaaS developers. This means that joint ... Green Tech The environmental impact of common architecture patterns In this guest post, Chris Darvill, vice president of solutions engineering covering Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) at cloud-native API platform provider Kong, talks about the environmental ... Days before its official unveiling at Mobile World Congress on Feb. 21, an online Samsung video shows water-resistant and wireless charging features of the next-generation flagship Galaxy S7 Edge, the sister of the Galaxy S7 smartphone running Android. Meanwhile, LG today officially announced a 5.7-in. display G4 Stylus 2 smartphone running Android 6.0 (Marshmallow), with a thinner pen tip on its stylus for notetaking and drawing. LG LG Stylus 2 will be unveiled next week in Barcelona along with a slew of new smartphones from Samsung and others. LG also announced a mid-priced X series of smartphones that are "designed for customers who do not want or need all the bells and whistles that come with today's high-end phones." Meanwhile, LG's high-end LG G5 smartphone will have an "always-on" display, as the company teased last week; it is also rumored to include a large battery that can be removed via a slide-out tray at the bottom. All the LG models will be on display next week at Mobile world Congress (MWC) in Barcelona. Such pre-show leaks and pre-show announcements are clearly designed to stir up public and press interest, analysts said. That's because of the basic similarities among Android devices and the stiff competition from multiple vendors to show off their unique features to buyers amid slowing growth in the smartphone market. Samsung Indonesia posted a YouTube video on Feb. 12 of the Galaxy S7 Edge that depicts the device as water-resistant and capable of wireless charging. An official Galaxy website includes the same video. In the Samsung video, Dellie Threesyadinda, a star Indonesian archer, is shown lifting the S7 Edge from a wireless charging pad and using it with a wirelessly paired Gear S2 round-faced smartwatch -- before running through a forest as rain pours down on the device. The market for the stylus-equipped G4 Stylus 2 is considered by analysts to be a smaller market than mid-priced phones or even top-of-the-line phones like the G5 or Galaxy S7. Still, much of the market's attention remains on high-end phones because they tend to include the biggest advances in chip sets, memory, displays and batteries or even unusual pressure-sensitive displays and newer security features; they also bring the greatest profits for their makers. So far, Apple has achieved enviable profit success with an assist from its iPhone models, but Samsung is still the biggest maker of smartphones globally; both Samsung and second-place Apple are feeling pressure from Huawei, Lenovo and Xiaomi, also in the top five. As announced, the G4 Stylus 2 will include a 1.2 GHz quad-core processor, a rear 13-megapixel camera and a front 8-megapixel camera. The 3,000mAh battery will be removable. Official pricing and availability haven't been announced for these upcoming smartphones. However, analysts and various leaker websites expect the S7 to cost about the same or even 10% less than the $700 price for the S6 launched a year ago. The S7 Edge is still expected to cost $100 more. As with the other Galaxy models, all the U.S. carriers will ship the newest S7 and S7 Edge devices; Gizmodo and others have predicted a March 11 shipment date. Samsung fans have noticed that the S7 and S7 Edge will look very similar to the S6 and S6 Edge, although slimmer. The S7 Edge will reportedly get a 3,600mAh hour battery, allowing 17 hours of continuous vide playback time, according to the International Business Times and others. 23 May 2022 - Understand the French healthcare system, how you access it and how you are reimbursed - Useful if you are new to the French healthcare system or want a more in-depth understanding - Reader question and answer section Aimed at non-French nationals living here, the guide gives an overview of what you are (and are not) covered for. There is also information for second-home owners and regular visitors. Ruth Davidson is the leader of the Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party. She is a Member of the Scottish Parliament for Glasgow. Much ink has been spilt discussing Jeremy Corbyns appearance on the Andrew Marr Show in January. Specifically, on his contention that Trident renewal could happen; but that Successor class submarines could be sent on patrol without missiles: They dont have to have nuclear warheads on them. But what has received much less attention is the appearance of another Labour leader, on another BBC programme, demonstrating even more clearly the tortured knots the party now finds itself in over this issue of national security. Kezia Dugdales appearance on Radio 4s Any Questions ten days ago was a masterclass of ideological gymnastics. She very clearly laid out the Scottish Labour position; that at their Scottish Party conference in October, delegates voted overwhelmingly against the renewal of Trident, and, as such, unilateral nuclear disarmament is now their official policy. When pressed, she conceded that she is by both instinct and belief, a multilateralist. She believes in renewing Trident and using the UKs position as a nuclear nation to reduce nuclear weapons across the globe. She married this apparent state of doublethink with the following: What Ive done tonight, is Ive expressed my view and Ive also put forward the democratically-made position of my party and its my job to do that as leader of the party. Im proud that, unlike other parties represented on the table, weve gone through that healthy, democratic process and weve come to that conclusion. And we will advocate for that position across the UK Labour movement. Ive highlighted the last sentence as I think it best sums up the tortuous contortions the party both north and south of the border now finds itself in. We have a multilateralist party leader saying that she not only accepts a unilateralist approach, but that shell advocate that approach which she herself does not believe to colleagues across the rest of the UK. Colleagues who, of course, also have a democratically determined position, but one of multilateralism (which is at odds with the UK party leader, who is a unilateralist). And theres the rub. Labour hasnt decided in this new era of straight-talking honest politics whether democratic decision-making trumps leadership or is subservient to it. In Scotland, it is apparent that the leader has bowed to conference delegates. Across the UK, Jeremy Corbyn has made it clear that the fact every single member of his parliamentary party (including himself) was returned to the Commons on a manifesto commitment of Trident renewal, matters not a jot. Nor does it matter that there was only a handful of days between the Scottish Labour conference where delegates voted to scrap Trident and the UK Labour conference where delegates voted for a motion to renew it. To Corbyn, such a conference vote is just something to get around and going on television to say hed consider building the submarines as long as he was allowed to leave the missiles in the shed was a sidestep to that effect. It is also a sop to the Trade Unions who have quite rightly spoken up for the tens of thousands of workers whose jobs rely directly or indirectly on the Trident weapons programme and the Vanguard class submarines which are the platform on which they sit. Building replacements, even if they were never allowed out on patrol, would at least answer the jobs question. I remember speaking last October to a Labour colleague of mine, who I knew well through our shared work on the Better Together campaign. He was upset and angry at the unions response to their conference motion scrapping Trident: For two years they said nothing. All during the referendum, we tried to make the case for Trident and the SNP kicked us all over the park. Where were Unite and the GMB then? As soon as we change our position, they come out against us, but we couldnt get a word of support out of them when we were backing them. And this speaks to the mindset of Scottish Labour. One of the great reliefs over the changed positioning on Trident is that it covers an exposed flank. It means theres one less thing for the SNP to aim at. Ditto the decision a fortnight ago to go into Holyroods election campaign on a promise of putting up taxes on every worker in Scotland. Suddenly, despite seeing the polls and knowing theyre heading for their worst defeat in the post-devolution era, Labour in Scotland are happy warriors again. They arent being attacked from the left by a party thats borrowed their clothes, won their voters and assumed the mantle of Scotlands natural party of government. It is an admission of weakness. Scottish Labour is happy to abandon the case for an independent nuclear deterrent because it is too hard, and they are no longer prepared to accept the suffering inflicted upon them by repeated SNP attacks on the issue. Their leader, who does not believe in her partys new policy, is happy to go along with it, to give her troops respite. If this was a debate about bus-passes for pensioners or student support, then I could understand a bit of toing and froing over where the line is drawn and questions over funding formulas to set rates or scales. But this isnt. This is an issue of national security. It is a question of defence capability. It is a decision about main-gating a huge and integral piece of our armed forces infrastructure. Its also about having the political courage to do whats right. And to articulate that case, no matter how hard it may be. The Labour party is in an utter mess over Trident renewal. And its in this mess for political, rather than defence, reasons. The Conservatives believe in renewal in both principle and practice. And we need to act from a position of principle. There has been much speculation that the vote on Trident renewal could be pushed closer to the Labour Conference in October to maximise that partys discomfort. I believe this would be a mistake, and one that cheapens both us and the import of the decision itself. This is a decision which should have been taken in the last parliament. The practicalities of coalition, and the position of the Lib Dems, prevented that. We now need to get on, put the question to the House and act in the interest of the security of our nation. Close Two-year into relationship with Chancellor George Osborne's psychiatric brother, the patient accused him of using her a "sex toy". Dr. Adam Osborne was written off the medical register after MPTS (Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service) declared him unfit to practice due to reason of misconduct. The panel's chairman, Dr. Nigel Callaghan, said that for the doctor to have an affair with his patient, who he was treating for anxiety and depression, was "profoundly unacceptable". According to Daily Mail, the patient accused the doctor of making her "dependent" on his therapy for two years before they started getting involved sexually. She said: "I am happy that he cannot do that to anyone again and I am happy that my story was believed, but I don't think I can ever be happy about Dr. Adam Osborne because that man was responsible for too much trauma. "He treated me like a sex toy. I don't think he has a conscience and I don't think he cares about anyone but himself. I am worried and anxious that he will think it is safe to contact me because now he is struck off there will be no further consequences. "He does still have a hold over me and that's why I am scared about him trying to contact me." The patient, referred to as Patient A, tried to take her life after Dr. Osborne ended their relationship over an email. After Thursday's hearing, Dr. Osborne said, "It was never my intention to hurt anyone although I can now clearly see that my irresponsible behavior has led to a great deal of distress to the people that I care about, in particular my family and the patient in question. "I realize that there is never any justification for breaking the boundaries of established good medical practice in regards to the doctor patient relationship, and it is never in the best interests of the patient to do so. "I have found medicine to be a very rewarding and fulfilling career and I am very saddened that this career is now inevitably over," as reported by Metro See Now: What Republicans Don't Want You To Know About Obamacare Close A saliva test that lasts all of 10 minutes can change the way cancer has been diagnosed over all these years. The scientists behind this breakthrough technology hope that it will be available within the next 4-years. The test known as "liquid biopsy" will cost on 15 and can detect the presence of genetic molecule associated with the disease by using just a single drop of saliva. As of today, it can take up to 2-weeks for cancer tests and its diagnosis. However, through this process, diagnosis "can be done in a doctor's office while patients wait". The saliva tests have so far proven near perfect, in terms of accuracy, on patients suffering with lung cancer. According to the professor who founded the test told Sky News that it can also be used to diagnose other diseases too. Professor David Wong, from the University of California at Los Angeles, said: "One that comes to mind and is on our agenda is pancreatic cancer where one gene is mutated in 95% of patients ... currently there are no effective early screening capabilities for pancreatic cancer at all." He says that this new technology can be sold via pharmacies so that the patients can do the tests from the comforts of their home. "Down the road it might be possible to test for multiple cancers at the same time," Professor Wong added, as reported by Eagle Radio The prototype of this product is already underway and is being tested in China as well as Continental Europe. "This technology is global. We're very enthusiastic and excited. The most important issue is performance and we have the capability," said Professor Wong. "Early detection is crucial. Any time you gain in finding out that someone has a life-threatening cancer, the sooner the better," International Business Times reports See Now: What Republicans Don't Want You To Know About Obamacare Close After the government's plans to axe the sugar tax plans, campaigners reacted with fury. David Cameron, Prime Minister of UK, has reportedly vetoed the proposal to impose sugar tax of up to 20%. Instead, it plans to use warning of the levy to pressure the companies into keeping the sugar content in check. Even though the news of discarded tax will bring cheer to the food & drinks industry, it was opposed vehemently by the anti-obesity campaigners. Tam Fry, spokesman for National Obesity Forum, said: "The decision must be reversed or it will be more proof that the Government is in the thrall of the food industry and the sugar barons will have won yet again. NHS chiefs know full well that the combination of child and adult obesity could topple the UK's most cherished institution," reported Telegraph. Graham MacGregor, chairman and founder of Action on Sugar, said: "It seems to me that Cameron is being very stupid rejecting this. All the experts agree that the plan we have will prevent childhood obesity and type 2 Diabetes. Everything he does ends up in chaos, this was his one opportunity to achieve a legacy. He will be a Prime Minister who has achieved nothing." MacGregor, professor of cardiovascular medicine at the Wolfson Institute of Preventive Medicine, added: "We won't stop and if the UK doesn't want to stop doing it, we will go to another country like Argentina or Chile which are much better organised in terms of public health and nutrition." A feasibility study may soon be launched to explain how important it is to impose sugar tax and how it can discourage people from consuming sugary drinks. See Now: What Republicans Don't Want You To Know About Obamacare Close Bloomberg School of Public Health at John Hopkins University developed tiny brain replicas to get deeper into the neurological diseases and its study. Many believe that this unique innovation will allow the scientists to get better understanding of neurological diseases and also develop their cures. In collaboration with several medical researchers across the country, a "mini-brain" was cultured in the lab. It is still at a nascent stage in the field of scientific inquiry but could help revolutionize how new drugs are tested by testing them on human cells rather than the lab animals. This process will provide more accurate results and also help develop the new and more effective drugs. The scientists reengineered human skin cell genes to make them similar to embryonic stem cells, the cells that can develop into any kind of tissue. These stem cells were then trained and cultivated to become brain cells. This phenomenal work was presented by the researchers on Friday at the American Association for the Advancement of Science conference in Washington, D.C, reported Maine News Online "We believe that the future of brain research will include less reliance on animals, more reliance on human cell-based models," said study leader Thomas Hartung, professor of health sciences at the Bloomberg School. Hartung also said that 95% of the drugs fail on human models even if they looked promising when tested on animals. As a result, lot of time and money is wasted on failed human tests. If successful, mini-brains can help develop cure for conditions like Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's, stroke, infection etc, says Tampa Bay Review Hartung is already in the process of applying for a patent so that he can develop these mini-brains commercially. He added, "We don't have the first brain model, nor are we claiming to have the best one. But this is the most standardized one. And when testing drugs, it is imperative that the cells being studied are as similar as possible to ensure the most comparable and accurate results," Baltimore Sun reports See Now: What Republicans Don't Want You To Know About Obamacare Close Sen. Elizabeth Warren points out that every year, thousands die due opioid painkillers and heroin. Last year, there were more than 47,000 Americans who passed away due to these painkillers, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report. Hence, she came up with a solution, asking the CDC to study "the use, uptake, and effectiveness of medical marijuana as an alternative to opioids for pain treatment in states where it is legal," reports HNGN. "Our country is faced with an opioid epidemic that only continues to grow at an alarming pace. Opioid abuse is a national concern and warrants swift an immediate action," Warren wrote in a letter to CDC head Thomas Frieden. Even as federal law still rules that medical marijuana is illegal, there is a contrary rule in 23 states, including Massachusetts, plus Washington, D.C., that permit the plant to be used for medical purposes. It can even be used recreationally in Colorado, Washington state, Oregon and Alaska. In her letter, Warren asked the CDC to probe into "the impact of the legalization of medical and recreational marijuana on opioid overdose deaths." However in a study published in the Journal of American Medical Association, there is "moderate-quality evidence" for medical marijuana to treat chronic pain and muscle stiffness in patients of multiple sclerosis. There is also "low-quality evidence" of the plant healing nausea and vomiting with chemotherapy, weight gain due to HIV infection, sleep disorders or Tourette's syndrome. See Now: What Republicans Don't Want You To Know About Obamacare Close Now if you are a male in Kentucky and want to just pop a Viagra to pep up your performance, then you can't do it alone. You need your wife's written permission to authorise your request. A bill, HB 396, sponsored by Democrat Rep. Mary Lou Marzian of Kentucky, also called for a couple of visits to the doctor before buying the drug. "I want to protect these men from themselves," said Marzian, a nurse, according to the Courier Journal. The bill would also require doctors to "prescribe a drug for erectile dysfunction only to a man who is currently married" and "require a man to make a sworn statement with his hand on a Bible that he will only use a prescription for a drug for erectile dysfunction when having sexual relations with his current spouse." Marzian's bill follows another state bill calling for women to take a doctor's consultation at least 24 hours before undergoing an abortion. Being an abortion rights supporter, Marzian had not supported the "informed consent" bill. "Do we really want a bunch or legislators interfering in private, personal, medical decisions?" Marzian asked, adding that "this is about family values." "We are very 'family values' in the Kentucky General Assembly - they are all awash in Christian family values, so that's why I put that part in there that [erectile pills] can only be used in a marital relationship," Marzian affirmed. See Now: What Republicans Don't Want You To Know About Obamacare Close Sea Shepherd is an anti-whaling eco-activist body that is at present working hard to keep track of the activities of the Japanese whaling fleet pursuing its activities in the Southern Ocean, says BBC News. Its flagship vessel, the Steve Irwin, sailed away from Western Australia for the Southern Ocean in January, its goal being the interception of the Japanese fleet. This will start its yearly whaling operations around this region. Having continuously disrupted Japan's whaling activities for more than 10 years, the Sea Shepherd forced Japan to stop its 2014-2015 hunt, as the International Court of Justice said the commercial activities were pretending to be research tasks. However, this year, it is expanding its activities, such that Sea Shepherd cannot track them, reports Radio New Zealand. Sea Shepherd founder Paul Watson points out the dangers of whaling. "The Japanese whaling fleet has greatly expanded their area of illegal operations in the Southern Ocean. This makes finding them very difficult," he said. The group has even tapped Australia and New Zealand for help. The Environment Minister Greg Hunt says that whaling should not be supported, yet his reports on the activities of the Japanese government have been "non-committal". See Now: What Republicans Don't Want You To Know About Obamacare Close Flint City and Michigan state officials had been accused of turning a deaf ear to residents' complaints regarding the water's bad taste and smell which they endured for 18 months until the crisis became a nationwide scandal. Governor Rick Snyder, in particular, has been a target of protests in his hometown Ann Arbor due to what the residents view as his grave mishandling of the crisis. Others call for his resignation. "He's terrible and I want him to get out of our town. It seems crazy for him to be here because what he represents in no way meshes with our community. I definitely think people are much angrier than I've seen before. It's a slap in the face for him to be here," said an upset Ann Arbor Resident Jennifer Scroggins as mentioned in a WZZM-13 report. Meanwhile, the embattled governor officially requests the federal government for an expanded Medicaid support to expectant mothers and people below 21 years old who are facing health risks due to their exposure to lead-poisoned water supply. In a request letter sent to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), the expanded coverage would alleviate the plight of 15, 000 Flint residents who had suffered from the water crisis. The level of lead contamination of the city's water supply would require extensive support for lab tests and medical treatments for children, pregnant women, and young adults. "Expanding these services and lead abatement efforts will mitigate the risks of lead exposure and result in better identifying any long-term health challenges, including behavioral issues," said the governor as quoted by Tech Times. Also, administration officials have already confirmed federal assistance for Flint which includes blood-level monitoring, psychosocial services, and nutritional support for the affected residents as stated in Detroit Free Press news story. See Now: What Republicans Don't Want You To Know About Obamacare Close Amazingly, bringing up a child helps to improve your immune system more than the "seasonal flu vaccine or traveler's gastroenteritis", according to scienceworldreport. Research by teams from VIB and KU Leuven in Belgium and the Babraham Institute in the United Kingdom examined the immune systems of 670 people from 2-86 years old, in order to understand the drive behind immune system variations. Analyzing a number of factors, such as age, gender, and weight, made the team examine whether individuals co-parented children. Such persons showed a 50 percent reduction in variation between their immune systems, as compared to others. As they were studied for three years, the team learnt that their immune systems continued to remain stable in spite of illnesses such as gastroenteritis. It indicates the strength of our immune systems to get back into shape. "Our research shows that we all have a stable immune landscape which is robustly maintained. What is different between individuals is what our individual immune systems look like," explained Dr Michelle Linterman, a researcher at the Babraham Institute and co-leader of the study, in a news release. "We know that only a small part of this is due to genetics. Our study has shown that age is a major influence on what our immune landscapes look like, which is probably one of the reasons why there is a declining response to vaccination and reduced resistance to infection in older persons." See Now: What Republicans Don't Want You To Know About Obamacare ABVP Attacks #RohithVemula Bus Yatra In Telengana By Joint Action Committee for Social Justice (UoH) 16 February, 2016 Countercurrents.org Joint Action Committee for Social Justice (UoH) condemns in the strongest possible words, ABVPs attack on members of Joint Action Committee in Bus Yatra in Telangana. When students for #JusticeforRohith organized a Public Meeting in Mahatma Gandhi University, Nalgonda, ABVP disrupted the meeting, attacked the students shouting slogans Anti-nationals, Khabardar against Rohith Vemula and the protesting students. ABVPs politics has always gone hand in hand with violence and vandalism. ABVP attacked the protesting students for #JusticeforRohith in Lucknow University, Ambedkar University, Delhi and many other places. In Haryana Central University, ABVP vandalised the candle march that was taken out for #JusticeforRohith. The University administration filed FIR against these students alleging them with carrying out anti-national activities. The administration forced the students to give a written letter against conducting any protests in future. Student members of a Left organization were attacked by ABVP in Sikar (Rajasthan), Dehradun and Lucknow. In Mumbai, more than 10000 people from colleges, bastis and all over the city gathered in a democratic protest for #JusticeforRohith, following which the BJP-led Maharashtra government and the police have filed an FIR against 1500 unnamed individuals charging them with rioting. In JNU, when students forged unity and stood together against ABVP lumpenism and deliberate attempts by the BJP-backed media houses to divert nations attention from the ongoing struggle for #JusticeforRohith, ABVP backed by BJP Sarkar and Delhi Police witch hunted and targeted students across organizations with charges of sedition. Compromising on the autonomy of an academic space, the JNU administration gave a free hand to Delhi Police to barge inside campus, illegally raid in hostels, male police officers entered ladies hostels and harassed women students and the larger student community. They have made a list of the student leaders of all organizations who led the struggle for #JusticeforRohith. JNUSU President Kanhaiya Kumar visited University of Hyderabad and expressed solidarity with our struggle for social justice. For this reason, he was picked by Police in plain clothes and arrested on charges of sedition. Joint Action Committee for Social Justice (UoH) is outraged by the arrest of JNUSU President Kanhaiya Kumar and demands his release immediately and unconditionally. The very fact that JNUSU President Kanhaiya Kumar was detained by Delhi Police even after making JNUSUs stand very clear condemning the Anti-India slogans raised by some fringe elements, exposes the nefarious agenda of the entire saffron brigade backed by state machinery to divert the whole attention away from the institutional murder of Rohith Vemula. It is to divert the issue from the rising rage against Rohith Vemulas murder and to intimidate the progressive voices that are being raised all over the country. While students protesting for #JusticeforRohith in front of RSS office in Jhandewalan were brutally lathi-charged, physically and sexually assaulted and detained by Delhi Police, ABVP backed by the same Delhi Police created ruckus all across the Delhi city. While every other protest demonstration is denied at India Gate, the BJP-backed protests are allowed to take place at India Gate with Delhi Police protection. This exposes the blatant nexus between ABVP, BJP, BJP-backed media houses, Delhi Police and Modi Sarkar. In our struggle for #JusticeforRohith, students and professors united and fought collectively against institutional murder of Rohith Vemula, the interference of BJP in Educational institutes and militarization of University of Hyderabad campus. Similarly, Students and Professors have united in JNU to fight a similar battle against the entire saffron brigade and the State machinery. At this end, Union Cabinet Minister of State for Labour and Employment Bandaru Dattatreya wrote a letter to Smriti Irani pushing for the order of social boycott and eventually the murder of Rohith Vemula. Similarly, the BJP MP Mahesh Giri wrote to the Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Smiri Irani asking for a stringent action against the targeted and witch hunted protesting students for #JusticeforRohith. Joint Action Committee for Social Justice (UoH) stands with the students and faculty members of JNU in this battle. The powers that be are scared of us, of the voices of the dissent against Brahmanism and Hindu Fascism and the united slogan raised by us for #JusticeforRohith. This reaction of the State is a deliberate and pre-planned conspiracy to target the democratic ethos of Universities that challenge the dominant power structures. The way Rohiths mother and family were harassed about his caste and the consistent lies by the government to prove that he is not a dalit are similar to their tactics of branding students all across the country as anti-nationalists to delegitimize and shift focus from the questions that we have been raising, for which they do not have any answers. These campuses have historically been places where democratic and dissenting voices have thrived. The Hindutvawadi, Brahmanical and Fascist forces want to malign and supress these democratic histories, movements and voices by sensationalising some issues and labelling all the progressive struggles as anti-national. It is to strangle any thinking and rational voices, like those of Kalburgi, Pansare, Dabolkar and Rohith. It is an attack on the constitution of this country and its people. Joint Action Committee for Social Justice (UoH) strongly condemns the attack on students all over the country, the planned attack on JNU students by the State, the arrest of JNUSU president Kanhaiya Kumar, police brutality and militarization of campuses, the attack on University autonomy and constant State intervention in Universities. Our fight for Social Justice, Zindabad! #JusticeforRohith! Chalo Delhi on 23rd February! Jai Bhim Printer Friendly Version Race And Class In America: A Synoptic Perspective By Jon Kofas 16 February, 2016 Countercurrents.org Introduction College students study race and class in sociology courses or in Black Studies programs, although it should be part of the core curriculum for all incoming college freshmen who need to understand the history of this multi-racial, multi-ethnic, multi-religious society. The issue of race identity vs. class identity in the US is as old as the institution of slavery followed by an apartheid society from the end of the Civil War to the Supreme Court decision of 1896 in Plessy v. Fergusson, the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and down to the early 21st century with lingering cultural and institutional racism manifesting itself in everything from the criminal justice system to public schools and public health. The sociological and political issue of race transcending class and vice versa is controversial depending on ones ideological perspective. White liberals and black nationalists subordinate class to race, while varieties of socialists for the most part, although hardly unanimous, argue that class transcends race and it must be so in order to address the broader problems of social justice. The dominant culture and institutional structure that includes government at all levels and everything from the educational system and churches to media have always subordinated class to race. It is hardly surprising to this day that this is what the majority reflect in public opinion polls as well, considering that America is much less class conscious than other developed nations despite the lack of social justice. http://hotair.com/headlines/archives/2016/01/30/racial-attitudes-differ-more-on-ideology-than-class/; also see Barbara Fields, Ideology and Race in American History in Region, Race, and Reconstruction, ed. by J. Morgan Kousser and James M. McPherson (1982). The Congressional Black Caucus and the Politics of Conformity In February 2016, the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) decided to endorse Hillary Clinton on the basis of her record of support for blacks arousing the curiosity of many who immediately looked into the financial backing of the CBC to determine who exactly was paying for the endorsement. Beyond the obvious Washington corporate lobbyists linked to the CBC, there are several salient questions that need some analysis, including class consciousness vs. race consciousness in America, and why is it that there is a blurring of the two. Is the political economy best served currently by both black and white elites and the white dominant culture and institutional structure perpetuating racial divisions over class divisions? Is identity in America based on skin color, ethnicity, religion and gender rather than class? Does race consciousness mean the same thing in the early 21st century when a black president has been elected twice as it did in the mid-19th century when black abolitionist Frederick Douglass lived in a society where race and class were the same under the institution of slavery? Is the CBC following a long-standing tradition of black churches that conform within the white establishment? Historically, black clergy have kept the congregation focused on spiritual matters within the black community isolated from the white mainstream; some have gone along with the white establishment both conservative and liberal so they can keep their turf; others as during the 1950s and 1960s became politicized and demanded reforms within the system or declared Black Nationalism as the solution. Does the fact that CBC exist indicate societal racism that needs a political power broker? If so, what does this reveal about race vs. class identity and why the former transcends the latter in America when it is not the case in other multi-racial societies? The racial identity vs. class identity issue emerged in the forefront of the presidential election of 2016 when two white people in the Democrat Party Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders - were competing for the voting bloc of African-Americans who supported overwhelmingly Barak Obama in his bid to the White House. Despite the fact that the Republican Party had a black presidential candidate (Ben Carson), in February 2016 the Congressional Black Caucus chose to support the former Sec/State Hillary Clinton, arguing she represents the interests of black people, presumably all of them and not just the 35,000 black millionaires in a population of about 39 million blacks or 13% of the total in the US. https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d0/US_real_median_household_income_1967_-_2011.PNG; It is important to note that big capital was as solidly behind the decision of the Black Caucus as it has been behind the Clinton campaign. There is something seriously wrong and highly hypocritical when the Black Caucus claims to represent all black people, but its funding sources come from the largest US-based multinational corporations influencing its decision to endorse Clinton rather than Sanders. http://www.democracynow.org/2016/2/12/who_endorsed_hillary_clinton_the_congressional Members of the CBC PAC board include Daron Watts, a lobbyist for Purdue Pharma, the maker of the highly addictive opioid OxyContin; Mike Mckay and Chaka Burgess, both lobbyists for Navient, the student loan giant that was spun off of Sallie Mae; former Rep. Albert Wynn, D-Md., a lobbyist who represents a range of clients, including work last year on behalf of Lorillard Tobacco, the maker of Newport cigarettes; and William A. Kirk, who lobbies for a cigar industry trade group on a range of tobacco regulations. https://theintercept.com/2016/02/11/congressional-black-caucus-hillary/ A Historical Overview of Race and Class Although the promise of capitalism is that it is color-blind and a system that provides equal opportunities for all to attain upward social mobility, the empirical reality not just in the US but across the globe has been anything but the promise. The market system has always taken advantage of race, gender, and ethnicity to divide the working class and middle class and to benefit by paying lower wages to those groups in society that are discriminated. Just as there have been lower wages for women, similarly the white-black wage ratio has also been lower working to the benefit of the employer using race to realize higher profits, thus contributing to the strengthening of US capitalism. Racial stereotypes that the media and the dominant culture perpetuate blacks are prone to crime, collecting welfare, and draining the social welfare system help to maintain racial divisions that keep a large percentage of the minority community in a permanent state of social subservience. (Nicola Ginsburgh, Race and class in the US Issue: 134 (27th March 2012) http://isj.org.uk/race-and-class-in-the-us/) Capital accumulation would not be possible in the absence of the active role of the state. This is where politicians enter into the picture of promoting co-optation so that capitalists encounter the least possible resistance to their goals. Following a long-standing tradition of yielding to white bourgeois co-optation, which has been an effective mechanism of sociopolitical control of the minority population, the Black Caucus invoked race above class to endorse Hillary Clinton. That she is running on a platform to maintain the neoliberal status quo that has kept blacks in the lowest income category of any social group in America in the last half century, including under Obama was not mentioned because the same big capital contributors to Clinton are also contributors to the CBC bought and paid for. Without mentioning big money contributors behind the endorsement, the Black Caucus argued that Hilary and her husband, former president Bill Clinton, were involved in the Civil Right Movement of the 1960s and Hillary best represents the Obama legacy whereas her opponent has been critical of Americas first black president for caving to Wall Street and the establishment. Two-thirds of Americans believe that the class divide is a more serious issue than immigration or race relations, given that the elusive American Dream has become just a dream for the vast majority, causing polarization in society in across all social realms including race relations. http://www.learnvest.com/2012/07/how-attainable-is-the-american-dream-really/ Historically the American Dream upward social mobility from the working class to the middle class - was never as easily attainable for blacks as it was for whites. Before the Civil War, the American Dream was more or less the domain of the white Anglo-Saxon Protestant elite, but it was hardly much different from the end of the Civil War to the Civil Rights Act of 1964 that outlawed discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. While there was a gradual opening for upward social mobility to blacks, it was hardly comparable to the rate of whites. More significant, the vast majority of the black population continued to make up a disproportionate part of Americas poor, lacking decent health and education. Although the Civil Right Act officially put an end to the Supreme Court case of Plessy v. Fergusson (1896) of separate but equal, it hardly ended the practice throughout the country of an apartheid society. In an article entitled Race transcends class in this country: A response to Seekings and Nattrass, South African university professor Xolela Mangcu argues that in his apartheid society race transcends class because people see color first and foremost even after he would have to announce his social status. Moreover, regardless of class differences, black people feel a sense of solidarity because of their common struggle against apartheid society. http://www.dailymaverick.co.za/opinionista/2015-04-06-race-transcends-class-in-this-country-a-response-to-seekings-and-nattrass/#.VsBhP-Y_DIW As shocking as many people may find it, there are some similarities between South Africa and the US, though clearly the US is the military leader of the world and still a powerful economy despite the global challenge that China has presented in a remarkably short period of time. Because of the institution of slavery that relegated black people in the southern states to the status of property that whites owned, and because of Jim Crow laws at the state and local level enforcing segregation and apartheid conditions, a hierarchy evolved based not just on class but also race. Almost like a caste system, blacks were at the bottom of the hierarchy, followed non-Western European immigrant workers from of any ethnicity regardless of color, and then white workers. Not surprisingly, the slowly evolving black middle class also fell into the same race-based hierarchy, considering that many cities have historic black middle class neighborhoods, just as they do of other ethnic groups. The endeavors of civil rights leaders in the 1950s and 1960s, including Martin Luther King to have race eliminated as criteria and to have blacks accepted on the same meritocracy-based criteria as whites was actually conceived by Europeans during the Age of Reason in the 18th century when the US was born as a republic. While the Founding Fathers incorporated the value system of the Enlightenment in the Constitution and laws, they excluded minorities and women. The white European bourgeois philosophy and values of the 18th century are deeply ingrained in American society that places the individual above the collective, thus protecting the individual property owner and slave owner. In a recent article entitled Martin Luther King Jr. Transcended Color and Class and So Can You, liberal Huffington Post reflects the ideal of 18th century Enlightenment liberal thinking against any communitarian values. In reality, no one can set another free. True equality arises from within. When you become it and live it, your demonstration of strength of character creates your ticket to freedom. Each one of us contains all the power we require to set ourselves free. Ultimately, it's an inside job. The suggestion that Martin Luther King transcended class and race is as absurd as the one that freedom comes from within. Of course, he was the first to admit as much. This 18th century liberal ideal assumes that the individual has choice in the matter of transcending race and class, when in fact the institutional structure determines racism and classism. No one decided to become a slave while all along thinking in her/his mind he/she is free. Slaves did not have the ability to free themselves from the institution simply by imagining they were free. This is only something that religion promoted to provide slaves with a spiritual outlet for their predicament in daily material life and something that white masters promoted along with black preachers, although for different reasons, resulting in maintaining the status quo. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/christine-horner/martin-luther-king-transc_b_7980342.html Racism at the City Level: Chicago American history is rich with examples of black leaders conforming to the white establishment and endorsing the political enemies of workers and especially black workers en masse. Some such cases have been very egregious that backfired on the black community. For example, the black leadership in Chicago chose to support Rahm Emanuel, another Obama protege committed to neoliberal policies and conducting policy to strengthen the richest citizens of the city. The black elites and black community leaders for the most part rejected Jesus Garcia, the candidate running on a populist progressive platform with a broad appeal to the middle class and workers. Despite the fact that Emmanuel had a record of covering up for institutional racism in the police department and refusing to make any changes at the leadership level, black leaders asked their followers to vote for Emanuel because they assumed a Latino mayor would be less friendly toward the minority community than a mayor linked to Obama. http://chicago.suntimes.com/politics/7/71/507983/humility-black-partnerships-forge-win-rahm-emanuel This was two years after Emanuel had ordered that 53 public schools and 61 buildings primarily in minority neighborhoods be shut down so the city could save $1 billion. This was carried out as part of a neoliberal agenda where Emmanuel was privatizing public services and using funds saved by shutting down schools so the city could then transfer funds for a variety of corporate welfare projects to local businesses. Moreover, he proposed building a public school near an environmental toxic site to save money. Nevertheless, blacks voted for him instead of his Hispanic opponent, despite his record of supporting a racist police force, and pursuing a racist policy toward public education. Although these neoliberal policies impacted largely the black community, they are at the core class and not race issues despite the hit the black community took because it was the easy target to the white establishment. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/09/17/rahm-emanuel-school-toxic_n_3941302.html; http://www.chicagonow.com/kelly-truth-squad/2015/02/the-next-50-chicago-public-schools-rahm-emanuel-will-close/; http://inequality.org/privatization-chicago/ Black Nationalism and the Liberal Integrationist Model Both at the local level as Chicago politics suggests as well as the national level the issue of race benefits capital but it only continues unabated because politicians black and white perpetuate the interests of capital over class and race, the latter which they use to subordinate the class struggle clearly evident in subtle and blatant forms. Unfortunately, Black Nationalism in the 20th century has actually helped to inculcate into the minds to black people that race consciousness transcends class consciousness. This is certainly since the era of Marcus Garvey and the Universal Negro Improvement Association in the 1920s and down to the late 20th century with various black leaders advocating nationalism, albeit often for opportunistic self-serving reasons as in the case of some black Muslims. (William L. Van Deburg, Modern Black Nationalism: From Marcus Garvey to Louis Farrakhan (1996). Despite the reality that in all peoples everyday material lives class transcends race, Black Nationalist leaders have tried to sell illusions not very different than those the church has been selling to the faithful who need spiritual comfort against the incredible odds in the real world. By the same token, the liberal integrationist model which has presented itself as the antithesis of Black Nationalism has also contributed to distracting from class consciousness in the black community. The liberal integrationist models rooted in local and national Democrat Party politics and coming out of the Civil Rights movement in the 1960s were in essence detrimental to the upward socioeconomic mobility of blacks, always as judged by results clearly evident half a century later. In fact, those liberal integrationist experiments of the 1960s and 1970s (segregated housing that entailed ghetto living, permanent welfare, substandard health and education, etc.) were in essence intended to provide the minimal social safety net while at the same time absorbing a tiny percentage of the black elites into the institutional mainstream. Meanwhile, nothing changed for the vast majority of the population that remains at the very bottom of the socioeconomic ladder judged by income and personal wealth statistics. It is these black elites that the Congressional Black Caucus represents today as it has historically, rather than the unarmed black teenager shot by cops every other week in cold blood in one of Americas cities. Gary Peller, Critical Race Consciousness: The Puzzle of Representation. (2012). The underlying problem is social justice. Both Malcolm X and Martin Luther King recognized toward the end of their lives when they too finally went beyond the issue of race and on to the much larger issue of class and the structure of the political economy and dominant culture. The alienation of blacks in contemporary society is not so different than it is for Hispanics and other non-European immigrants, or poor whites. The lumpenproletariat, of which a large segment blacks have been related by the political economy, are in the same boat as their brethren of other races and ethnicities. They are all operating under a system geared toward capital accumulation and bent on using race, gender, ethnicity and religion, especially targeting Muslims since 9/11, to divide the masses. This is hardly a new strategy, considering we see it on the part of the Europeans in the 19th and 20th century and their behavior toward colonial people as Franz Fanon among others has argued trying to understand the root causes of class and race alienation. Alienation, Race, Gender and Class Like sexism and xenophobia, racism breeds alienation not only because of the exclusion from the mainstream but because the people on the receiving end internalize the identity assigned to them by the hegemonic culture rooted in discrimination. As George Lulacs, History and Class Consciousness (1972) pointed out in the 1920s, the issue of alienation is catalytic in capitalist society, an issue on which Existentialist thinkers like Jean-Paul Sartre dueled in their writings especially as alienation was dominant in bourgeois life. Not only do we see very clear evidence of alienation among the petit bourgeoisie in America across all ethnic and religious groups despite their protestations to the contrary that capitalism effaces such alienation, the problem is becoming even more pronounced in a techno-society that continues to alienate human beings from each other as individuals and social classes striving to assert their identity and pulled in different directions by forces intended to distract them from the problem of social justice. Against such a culture of alienation even more prevalent today than when George Lucacs was writing a century ago, it is hardly surprising that racial, ethnic, religious, and other communal identities transcend class identify, especially for the lumpenproletariat. After all, who wants to identify with the working class? Whereas the American middle class was the essence of the American Dream a half century ago, that class is now considerably weakened, debt-ridden and hardly carries the same prestige it did during the early Cold War. Is it any wonder that working class people with high school diplomas support a billionaire right-wing populist presidential candidate Donald Trump who represents their fears and aspirations, their prejudices and anxieties, even when he invokes xenophobia, sexism and racism? What a better way to co-opt a segment of the disgruntled masses and keep them divided than to have such right wing populists who point to working people of a different race, ethnicity and religion? This is exactly what ultra right-wing politicians did in the interwar era of Fascism and Nazism rooted in discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, gender and religion. Public opinion makers think tanks and media, politicians and community leaders - mold mass psychology to accept alienation as normal, to reject class consciousness and to identify with communal groups of similar background instead of seeing the absence of social justice in its universal framework impacting the working class and middle class regardless of race, ethnicity, religion or gender. There are many sociological and historical studies analyzing the issue of race transcending class in America that goes hand in hand with gender transcending class, and ethnicity, and religion. These are all traits of a capitalist society where the political and social elites co-opt a small percentage of the leadership of the minority groups, keep these groups separate and use them to forge political and social consensus that serves a political economy aimed at preserving the privileges of the wealthy that includes a small percentage of blacks and other minorities, as well as women. Not surprisingly, Hillary Clinton, a millionaire who represents Wall Street, used her gender as an issue to co-opt women voters just as the Black Caucus used the issue of race to co-opt black voters for Clinton. Divisive tactics based on race, religion and ethnicity were commonly used by European colonialists to co-opt the native population and to keep it divided, whether in Africa, India and the rest of Asia, especially in the 19th and early 20th century. In short, the tactics of European imperialists remain alive and well in 21st century US. Throughout history, the social and political elites in the US have endeavored to suppress any attempt at raising class consciousness, while exacerbating race, gender, ethnic and religious consciousness. It is hardly surprising that class consciousness is subordinate to race, gender, ethnicity, and religious consciousness in a society where the entire institutional structure from educational system to community social clubs have no references to class because it is an anathema to even mention the class structure although it is staring at people in the face when they go from the ghetto to the gated community. It is a testament to the success of the elites in co-opting the disgruntled masses in the late 1960s and early 1970s by fragmenting their causes, breaking down their solidarity by focusing on specific groups that included feminists, blacks, Hispanics, gay rights activists and environmentalists, and all separate and never in solidarity with each other. (Angela Davis Women, Race and Class, 1983; also see Paula S. Rothenberg, Race Class and Gender in the US, 2004) Civil Rights, Cold War and Cryptic Jim Crow As the white establishment as the co-opted black elites always sing the praises of the civil rights movement, which did go a very long way in addressing some of the most egregious segregation problems and it did result in modest upward mobility. While the civil rights movement had some limited success, would any one argue that it eliminated institutional racism in America? If not, to what degree is this the fault of the white establishment and the black political elites that enjoy influence over black ministers and community leaders? The Obama legacy on which Hillary Clinton is running for president in 2016 is much closer to the Clinton one in so far as it continued the neo-liberal tradition that strengthened the richest Americans than it did the bottom 90%; among those bottom 90% blacks doing very poorly under Obama with youth unemployment at 50% and income disparity that suggests very clearly institutional racism as a mechanism that strengthens capital. Given the material lives of the vast majority of black people, the Black Caucus is about as relevant to black peoples lives as Gloria Steinem and her generation of upper middle class feminists to the lives of working class women of all ethnic backgrounds. In many multi-racial societies, class transcends race but not in the US where the elites of all ethnic groups and races have joined historically to suppress the concept of class as radical, socialist or Marxist. By contrast, race isolated as an issue is acceptable because it speaks to the possibilities of co-optation of a segment of minorities into the white institutional structure. In this respect, the US is not very different from South Africa, but very different from the Muslim North African and Middle East countries where class most definitely transcends race. In a pluralistic society that claims to be Enlightenment-inspired merit-based but in reality steeped in racism and xenophobia diversity is essential to prove that the system works and must be sustained as is. During the early Cold War when the US was engaged in a global struggle for ideological and political influence with the Communist countries, domestically it practiced apartheid while preaching the virtues of democracy to the rest of the world. The Civil Rights movement emerged from the Cold War political climate and became necessary to silence critics about the limits of American democracy. John Kennedy recognized as much but so did Lyndon Johnson. In the early 21st century America has come full circle with the anti-Islam campaign under the name war on terror elaborately institutionalized to replace the Cold War. (Mary L. Dudziak, Cold War Civil Rights: Race and the Image of American Democracy. 2011) Although the internal dynamics of a society drive domestic policy, in the case of the US foreign policy under Pax Americana bent on global policing if not hegemony invites attitudes of inevitable superiority as history suggests in the long standing Protestant tradition of providence and Manifest Destiny. Just as racial discrimination was part of the conquest at the expense of Native Americans, Latin Americans from the Polk to the McKinley administration, there was a parallel race discrimination against blacks that is continuing despite Affirmative Action as one way to address it. Diversity and Affirmative Action emerged from the Civil Rights movement that was in no small measure intended to improve Americas image abroad, but also to come to terms with the substantial demographic changes as minorities were becoming a larger percentage of society. Although loosely applied in many cases, Affirmative Action has helped to bring more blacks in college and that has been a catalyst to upward social mobility in a merit-based society. That some whites view Affirmative Action in higher education as preferential treatment for blacks or reverse discrimination as they argue in courts, including the Supreme Court, fails to take into account the centuries of excluding blacks from higher education on the basis of skin color without any regard to meritocracy. Education is itself a commodity for purchase by the wealthiest, considering that the children of the wealthy have access to the best schools, and the very wealthy are contributors to universities where their children attend classes. In other words, as a microcosmic reflection of the larger society, higher education is based primarily on class and secondarily on race, considering that the rich black students graduating from expensive private or affluent suburban schools can hardly be placed in the same category as the inner city public high school graduate where preparation for college is a luxury instead of a priority. (Ira Katznelson, When Affirmative Action Was White: An Untold History of Racial Inequality in Twentieth-Century America. 2006) In the workplace Affirmative Action been used as a meritocracy mechanism for professional jobs that benefit the black college-educated middle class now dwindling at an even greater rate than the white middle class under neoliberal policies of corporate welfare since the Reagan era at all levels of government. Other than skin color, which they use for their own personal gain, what exactly do black corporate executives have in common with an unemployed young man in Detroit? Similarly, white CEOs have more in common with their black counterparts than with unemployed white youths in rural Louisiana. Solidarity exists among the black and white capitalist but not necessarily among the black and white unemployed youth of working class background. In the era of a two-term black president, in the era of self-proclaimed pluralism, America is just as steeped in repression rooted in racism directed at working class blacks as it was before the Civil Rights movement. This becomes very clear when one looks at the American justice system and prisons filled with minorities. Moreover, the courts are institutionally biased against minorities. For example, George Zimmerman, the neighborhood watch volunteer shot and killed 17-year-old Trayvon Martin in February of 2012, but the court acquitted him. In most cases police killing unarmed black youth, prosecution and imprisonment of the police officer and police reform to end racism is rare. (Michelle Alexander, The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness. 2015; https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2013/07/16/pers-j16.html One could ask what the white and black political and social elites are doing about this new form of racism and absence of social justice at a time that they have the audacity to preach human rights and civil rights to the rest of the world. If Malcolm X and Martin Luther King were to return today they would be shocked that America remains so utterly oblivious to improving social justice for all people, especially minorities. These civil right leaders of the 1960s would probably not be shocked that the Congressional Black Caucus is on the payroll of multinational corporations that contribute by the millions to buy influence. Because the minority political leaders as well as most community and church leaders feel that racial equality comes within the capitalist system, their goal is greater integration within the system not the struggle against it. A clear recognition that the capitalist system is the source of inequality and social injustice as much in the black community as in all others will be the beginning of social action. Major Owens, The Peacock Elite, A Case Study of the Congressional Black Caucus, 2011) https://theintercept.com/2016/02/11/congressional-black-caucus-hillary/; http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/14/us/politics/14cbc.html?_r=0 Neither Black Nationalism nor liberal bourgeois schemes intended to assuage the entire minority community by absorbing a small percentage into the institutional mainstream while providing a weak social safety net for the rest have succeeded in eliminating poverty and ending institutional racism. Grassroots organizing and class solidarity is the only hope blacks, Hispanics and all working people. Following political and community leaders on the payroll of corporations, or merely dependent on business funding for their activities will only perpetuate the status quo. It is not unrealistic to expect institutions under the existing political economy to continue enjoying various ways of co-opting the leadership of the black community and quelling any demands for social justice. As Americas demographics are rapidly changing and the current minorities (13% black 17% Hispanic) will become the majority in 25 years or so, systemic change will come collectively by a cross section of people coming together to address the structural causes of injustice that rest with the social order under the current political economy. Jon Kofas is a retired university Professor from Indiana University. Tweet WhatsApp Share Share on Tumblr Comments are moderated Lord, Why Am I Banned from your Abode? Womens Entry In Places Of Worship By Ram Puniyani 16 February, 2016 Countercurrents.org One is witnessing strange incidents where the women from Muslim and Hindu community are facing similar obstacles. This relates to the issue of entry into places of worship. While the women from Bhumata Brigade are struggling to get entry into Shani Shingnapur temple (Ahmadnagar Mahrashtra), the Muslim women are fighting a legal battle to restore their access to mazar of Haji Ali dargah in Mumbai. In yet another incident the women are trying to get the right of worship in Sabrimala temple. The Hindu women in an act of brave initiative landed up in many buses to the Shani Shingnapur temple, where they were denied the entry while police had to resort to some force to prevent their entry. In case of Shani Shingnapur while men are allowed to the Chabutara (raised platform) it is believed that going to the Chabutara will be of bad omen for women as Lord Shani (Saturn) will cast an evil eye. So it is claimed that prohibiting women to enter is a matter of spiritual science. Sanatan Prabhat, the rightwing daily says that the movement of women must be prevented to save the Hindu traditions. In response to the agitation led by Trupti Deasai of Bhumata Brigade the spiritual Guru Sri Sri Ravishankar of Art of Living tried to mediate between the womens group and the temple trustees. Interestingly he advised that neither women nor men should be allowed to the Chabutara. The matter is being negotiated; solution does not to be near the sight. Also the RSS mouth piece Organiser opines that while initiating any move to amend the existing regulations care should be taken to preserve tradition and prestige of these places. In case of Sabrimala shrine, the argument is that Lord is a celibate and the women in menstrual age group will be distracting him. One recalls that one IAS officer, who happened to be a woman had visited the shrine for overseeing the arrangements in readiness for the pilgrimage in her official capacity. She was also denied entrance on the ground of her being a woman. In case of Haji Ali in Mumbai the local womens group Bhartiya Muslim Mahila Andolan has filed a writ in the court demanding the entry of women to the mazar be restored. The womens groups have cited different clauses of the Constitution where one have equality before the law and that one cannot be discriminated against on the grounds of gender. The argument of Dargah trustees is on the ground of security of women, which to say the least is ridiculous. In case of Sabrimala the earlier argument that the path to the shrine is difficult for women on the grounds of security was later was clarified by the Devswom Board Travancore by stating the real reason for denying entry to women is celibacy of Lord Ayappa. Muslim women have a varying degree of access to the mosques, much lesser in South Asian Countries than in countries like Turkey for example. In Hindu temples the entry is again not uniform; there are different pretexts to prevent their full access to the places of worship. While in many countries the law for equality is very much there, the traditions and the controllers of these places have been preventing the women from having full access to the holy deity. The patriarchal control over access top places of worship is there in various degrees. This does not apply to Churches in general, where access is not the issue, what is talked there is as to why women do not have the right to be on the higher levels of priest hood. In Hindu temples, Muslim mosques and shrines the women priests are practically not there, some claims of such positions will be more as an exception than as a rule or norm. In case of India where the equality is guaranteed by law, these laws of equality dont have entry into the places controlled by the conservative trusts. The controllers of institutions of religion are generally exclusively male bastion, the degree of control and its expression is varying though. In Hindu fold there is an additional factor is that is that of caste. One understands there is caste in the practice of Muslims and Christians also, but so far as the places of worship are concerned they are accessible to all, irrespective of caste. One recalls the struggles of Babasaheb Ambedkar for temple entry, the Kalaram Temple agitation, before he decided to renounce Hinduism calling it as being Brahminic theology. As such most religions do have the hierarchical structure in-built into the institution of religion. Talking of South Asia as a whole the Mosques, Dargahs and temples have lot of rigid rules as far as women are concerned. These are the norms which are imposed by traditions. Thus we see a bit of variation in different religions, different religions as far as treating women is concerned. As such it the differential treatment and this depends on the degree of secularization of the particular institution and particular country and region. By secularization we mean the extent of erosion of hold of landlord-clergy combine on the society. No uniform pattern is discernible but at the core there is the understanding which regards women as inferior beings, secondary to the men, being regarded as property of men so to say. Earlier it was regarded that their secondary position is purely due to biological functions, with time and with the impact of womens movement, it is clear that the gender roles are psychological and social, determined by time and location. In early matriarchal societies women had a predominant role in the family and social affairs. With the rise of slave society and later the feudal society, womens subservient role came to be the norm. Again with Industrial revolution and the values of Liberty, Equality and Fraternity gaining political ground, women started entering into social space and the social equations started changing towards those of equality. As degree of secularization is different the degree of success of women towards equality is different. The nations which saw Industrial revolutions, the path to womens equality were paved by the underlining slogan of revolutions or social transformations. Still the equality of women has not been automatic, there is a path of struggle through which women expressed their aspiration; longings and struggled for new equations towards equality. The movement for gender equality again has highs and lows; ups and downs. Currently one understands that the politics in the name of any religion, fundamentalism-communalism, is a politics of status quo to begin with and then it aims to throw back the society to the earlier feudal values of caste and gender hierarchy. Talking of recent times world witnessed this first in the form of rise of Christian fundamentalism in America in the decade of 1920, in the face of the rise of industrial society with modern education and industrialization coming to the fore. In the societies which had to undergo the painful experience of Fascism, Nazism, there also the role of women were defined to be in the confines of Kitchen Church and Children by the political ideology, which can be regarded as the close cousin of religious nationalism. With coming of Islamic fundamentalism again the attempt was made to further subjugate the women to lower positions in society. The cover of Islam was used for this social-political agenda. Afghanistan, Iran, Pakistan are few examples of that. Here in India we saw the rise of majoritarian and minoritarian communalism. Both these again try to push back the women, to restrict their social space, all in the name of religion. With the rise of religious nationalism in India, various issues came up which gave a glimpse of the attitude towards women. Many of these are not the fully blown up pictures, but they have in root the goal of subjugation of women, in the language of Sharia or a sophisticated version of Manu Smriti. In India while the secularization process; the overthrow of the hold of landlord-clergy combine; remained half way through. With the assertion of religious nationalism primarily Hindutva, the striving of women for equality is being countered strongly. In the ideology of dominating Hindutva the subordination and secondary position of women is asserted by invoking the noble traditions. In literature from Gita Press Gorakhpur, the major publication promoting traditional conservative values amongst Hindus which is generally the base of Hindutva politics, one can see millions of books being distributed which advise the home making role, the ideal of Sati (women being burnt on the funeral pyre of their husband), the stree dharma(duties of women as ordained by their religion) are propounded. Instructions to women about dress code and choice of life partner are handed down. One of the major agenda of the divisive love jihad campaign is to restrain the Hindu girls, to do away with their choice in matters of life and choice of life partner. Overall the role of religious institutions has been to maintain the social status quo, And the issues related to priesthood in holy places, the entry to these shrines do reflect the same in varying degrees. It seems that despite the obstacles, the women from different religious communities are making their statement loud and clear that their march towards equality cannot be halted by these institutions, and thats is the portent of these moves for entry to the abodes of the Lord! Ram Puniyani was a professor in biomedical engineering at the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, and took voluntary retirement in December 2004 to work full time for communal harmony in India. He is involved with human rights activities from last two decades.He is associated with various secular and democratic initiatives like All India Secular Forum, Center for Study of Society and Secularism and ANHAD. Response only to ram.puniyani@gmail.com An Open Letter From An Ultra-Nationalist In India By Shubhda Chaudhary 16 February, 2016 Countercurrents.org The recent attacks on the defenseless journalists and professors at Patiala Court or the arrest of Kanhaiya Kumar, the JNUSU President on charges of criminal conspiracy and sedition are justified. We live in a democracy, which is the dictatorship of the majority and the Hindutva politics defines our India of India which cannot be debated. Arguments, dialectics, informed discussions or Right to Dissent does not figure out in our vocabulary or verbatim because Freedom of Speech and Expression, if endowed in a country like India, can have jeopardizing results, especially because our India of India is so fragile and yes, petty student politics can be an insult to our Mother India. Yes, when Arnab Goswami at his atrocious decibel levels, shouts and rebukes the student leaders from JNU and calls them more dangerous than Maoists and terrorists, we stand with him. After all, we do not want to get into the discourse of what Maoism is or what fuels terrorism, just because we are so nationalistic in our approach that JNU row for us, stands nowhere when compared to the death of Hanumanthappa, which currently is our idol. Yes, even a fake tweet from Hafeez Sayeed supporting JNU students can get our blood boiling. Our private educational institutions where you get admissions by paying lakhs are better than these central universities with tuition fees of less than Rs 250 because at least, the previous ones dont have ideologies or verbatim. They never oppose or mark an advent into limelight because of Kashmir issue or Afzal Guru for that matter. That is what we call discipline and education, along with reasoning. Not this hullabaloo and heebie-jeebies created by this so-called left student political parties. Anyway, what are they? Their parent parties, be it CPI or CPM hardly has a national or state-wise leverage. Wasnt the collapse of USSR a lesson for them? And lets talk about JNU particularly. After all they have history to defend as their Godfathers like Jyoti Basu they defended colonial rule of India by British as they were allied with Stalin's Soviet (to them communist Soviets were dearer even if it meant being traitor to India) then again with China when they attacked India in 1962, they sided with Naxals in 1970's till they started killing them as well etc. So one cannot expect anything from those brainwashed in such twisted ideology, They hate this nation so much that Arundhiti Roy and supporters in JNU backing Jihadi Hurriyat, LeT, Hafiz Saeed or even ISIL should not come as surprise. They have sharp intellect, visceral hatred of India and especially Hindus that makes them ideal bedfellow of Jihadists. Nobody says 100% of students there are bad. And they are not. But certified anti nationalist and potential morons do form a significant, if not a majority, percentage. 10 percent of radicals can easily dictate the narrative and hence must be stopped. Freedom of speech doesnt mean you get to talk against the country, support Pakistan and terrorists who attacked India. Right to dissent doesnt mean you get to dissent against the country and when get caught cry fascism. I am curious to know where the supporters of JNU and their ilk get this kind of mentality from. Government must shut down JNU, the den of not only students but, also anti national elements who raised anti-India slogans and praised terrorists convicted and sentenced by Supreme Court. No more subsidies to the anti nationals: JNU room rent Rs. 11 per month, Annual fee Rs. 219 per year in two installments, Mess bills subsidized - Enough of feeding on my money. And if a stupid JNU scholar wants to give us lecture on Indias tolerance, democracy and inclusion. Well, it is the usual foreign sponsored Liberal-Secular Shit. They should probably see a psychiatrist or a shrink, because he/she might be a terrorist in making. Our government is our God. And we cant hear a word of debate. All hail the BJP! Thanks, An Ultra-Nationalist Shubhda Chaudhary is a PhD Scholar in JNU. She specialises in Middle Eastern Politics. Can be reached at shubhda.chaudhary@gmail.com The Truth About The Sedition Law By Parul Verma 16 February, 2016 Countercurrents.org Anti-Government is not equivalent to being an Anti-National . In every age there has been the tyrant, the oppressor and the exploiter who has wrapped himself in the clothes of false nationalism to deceive and overawe the people. One must understand the difference between a Patriot and a Nationalist. A patriot knows when to stand by his functional Government and at the same time question its dysfunctionalities when needed. While a Nationalist, covered under the skin of the false sense of loyalty , will continue to support the governance even if flourish the seeds of inequality among its own countrymen and shall attack all, who dare to question the discrepancies of the government. The article engages with the utter importance of understanding how crucial it is , as a responsible citizen to oppose the hollowness and dysfunctional policies of the ruling government. Prominent freedom fighters were charged under the Sedition Law. Section 124-A of the Indian Penal Code, stipulates the following :- "Whoever, by words, either spoken or written, or by signs, or by visible representation, or otherwise, brings or attempts to bring into hatred or contempt, or excites or attempts to excite disaffection towards the Government established by law in India, shall be punished with imprisonment for life, to which fine may be added, or with imprisonment which may extend to three years, to which fine may be added, or with fine." British colonial era laws continue to have utter importance in the legal systems of India. The sedition law used by the British colonial government to suppress nationalist dissent in the subcontinent during the 19th and early 20th centuries is being applied today to curtail reasonable criticisms of the government. The Sedition Law imposes restrictions on the fundamental freedom of speech and expression, clearly not within the limit of permissible legislative interference with the fundamental right. And the irony of the law is , United Kingdom abolished its own sedition law in 2010. The Father of the Nation, the Mahatma Gandhi was trialled under Sedition section of the colonial law in 1922. It was then he uttered, Section 124-A under which I am happily charged is perhaps the prince among the political sections of the IPC designed to suppress the liberty of the citizen. Affection cannot be manufactured or regulated by law. What in law is a deliberate crime appears to me to be the highest duty of a citizen. To preach disaffection towards the existing system of Government has become almost a passion with me. Infact the 19th and early 20th centuries the sedition offense was used primarily to suppress the resistance via the writings and speeches of prominent Indian Patriots and freedom fighters. The implementation of the law was observed during the trial of newspaper editor Jogendra Chandra Bose in 1891. Indian Patriots like Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Mahatma Gandhi were not spared either. Infact In 1919, Britain passed the Rowlatt Acts, which allowed the Raj to intern Indians suspected of sedition without trial. In protest, Gandhi declared a satyagraha, against the Colonial Governance , beginning a non-violent movement of civil disobedience. The Indian National Congress adopted Gandhis ideals and in 1920 launched a campaign of non-cooperation against the Raj. During his first nationwide satyagraha, Gandhi urged the people to boycott British education institutions, law courts, and products (in favour of swadeshi); to resign from government employment; to refuse to pay taxes; and to forsake British titles and honors, explains the Library of Congress, India: A Country Study. Gandhi was arrested under the sedition law. He was given a six-year prison sentence, which he began serving on March 18, 1922. Was Gandhi a anti-national ? NO. Infact, he along with other freedom fighters who opposed the Colonial Governance by questioning and resisting it, were the true Patriots. Imagine, if our ancestors did not fight against the dysfunctional and coercive governance of the British Raj , in the fear of being called as an anti-national, would we be breathing the air of independence ? NO. One needs to define the essence of being an anti-governance and anti-national. Not too long ago, Dalit scholar Rohith and his friends protested against the issue of discrimination. It resulted in them being suspended by the coercive power of the BJP. The student wing of the BJP, Akhil Bhartiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) led this witch-hunt with at least two central ministers giving them letters of support. It ended with Rohiths death but the so-called ABVP nationalists continued to discredit the Dalit student's movement. When the Padma awards were returned over Akhlaq's lynching in Dadri, the writers were accused of being 'anti -nationals' . When the students in JNU protested against the policies of the government, they were termed as 'traitors and anti-nationals. The usage of the term anti-nationals by the Modi Bhakts for anyone and everyone to dares to give voice against the hollowness of the Central Government , has become a crass phenomenon. From Aseem Trivedi, Arundhati Roy to Praveen Tagodia ,all has been labelled as anti-nationals for expression and reflection towards the governance of the ruling government. The categorisation by the right wing as anti-national to each , for wanting to utilise the freedom of speech to question the government elected by a common man, is a psychological technique to shame and eliminate dissent and plurality. The right wing ideologies of the ruling government is Abusing the Sedition Law. Any keen observer would not resist but laugh at the underdeveloped frontal lobe functionalities of the self proclaimed Hindu right wing Bhakts of the country , when their vain attempt to profit from politicising the on-campus protest in JNU backfired. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its affiliate, the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), committed Oracle blunder by escalating a small campus issue in the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) into a national dispute. One should not turn his head from the fact that the president of the JNU Students' Union (JNUSU), Kanhaiya Kumar, was not the organiser of the anti- national objectionable programme on the campus on February 9. Infact, the circulation of the speech on the internet confirms the loyalty of Kanhaiya Kumar towards the constitution of the country. Meanwhile, as the television channels, dedicated itself in portraying JNU students as Leftist, antinational, Pakistani agents etc, a video has surfaced that is being circulated over social media that allegedly shows ABVP students shouting Pakistan Zindabad slogans. Aam Admi Party ( APP) senior leaders, Ashutosh and Dilip Pandey met Special Commissioner (Law & Order) Deepak Mishra and demanded action against those seen in the video clips. We are disturbed by the fact that police arrested the JNUSU president without any evidence against him. The two video clips which we are submitting to you cast a very serious doubt on the role of ABVP in the entire incident and it must be thoroughly probed. Those seen raising anti-India slogans in these clips must be immediately identified and arrested, the AAP letter to the police read as reported by the IndianExpress. What needs to be questioned is the ease with which the Delhi Police arrested the JNU student under the charge sheet of the Sedition Law, without confirming the allegations against him. Infact, lets revisit the History again. RSS, that considers itself to be a Bhakt paints a different historical picture. The patriotism of the RSS (the mentors of the ABVP) during the tumultuous period of Quit India Revolt was not of a " Bhakt" to begin with. Three months after the Quit India agitation was launched by the Mahatma, a British police commissioner reported (D. O. No 174-S dated Buldana, the 28th Nov. 1942): The Rashtriya Swayam Sevak Sangh has however no plan to either fight Government or even to oppose it. In regards to the objects of the organization, the information so far received by me leads me to the conclusion that the Sangh does not want to come into conflict with Government.",as reported by Sukumaran C V. The categorisation by the right wing as anti-national to each , for wanting to utilise the freedom of speech to question the government elected by a common man, is a psychological technique to shame and eliminate dissent and plurality. Understand the importance of questioning the impunity of the power. A true Patriot stands by its government with pride, but dares to question The same government, once it starts to abuse its centralized Power. Parul Verma ( activist, student and a writer). Her work has been published in counter punch, counter currents, Intifada Palestine, last word, Kashmir Monitor, Global Research etc. For feedback or queries, contact her at parul_edu@yahoo.com SHARE Jeremy Matthews Christopher Wheeler Jeremy Matthews and Christopher J. Wheeler have joined the employee roster of Brinker's Jewelers in Evansville. Matthews comes to Brinker's with 12 years of retail experience, most recently at C.D. Peacock in Chicago. Wheeler comes to Brinker's after serving as a former Petty Officer in the U.S. Navy. Both are graduates from the Lititz Watch Technicum and are SAWTA Certified. They will serve as Certified Watchmakers, along with current Watch Department Manager and Senior Certified Watchmaker, Dean Powell. Brinker's Jewelers, now in its 44th year, is located in the 111 South Complex at the corner of Green River Road and the Lloyd Expressway. More information is at brinkersjewelers.com. SHARE Continuing 'Alvin & the chipmunks: the road chip' Through a series of misunderstandings, Alvin, Simon and Theodore come to believe that Dave is going to propose to his new girlfriend in Miami and dump them. They have three days to get to him and stop the proposal, saving themselves not only from losing Dave but possibly from gaining a terrible stepbrother. Stars the voices of Justin Long, Matthew Gray Gubler and Jesse McCartney. (PG) 'the boy' An American nanny is shocked that her new English family's boy is actually a life-size doll. After violating a list of strict rules, disturbing events make her believe that the doll is really alive. Stars Lauren Cohan, Rupert Evans and James Russell. (PG-13) 'Bridge of Spies' An American lawyer is recruited by the CIA during the Cold War to help rescue a pilot detained in the Soviet Union. Stars Tom Hanks, Mark Rylance and Alan Alda (PG-13) 'the choice' Travis (Benjamin Walker) and Gabby (Teresa Palmer) first meet as neighbors in a small coastal town and wind up in a relationship that is tested by life's most defining events. (PG-13) 'Creed' Former world heavyweight champion Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone) serves as a trainer and mentor to Adonis Johnson (Michael B. Jordan), the son of his late friend and former rival Apollo Creed. (PG-13) 'daddy's home' A mild-mannered radio executive strives to become the best stepdad to his wife's two children, but complications ensue when their freewheeling and freeloading real father arrives, forcing him to compete for the affection of the kids. Stars Will Ferrell, Mark Wahlberg and Linda Cardellini. (PG-13) 'Deadpool' A former Special Forces operative turned mercenary (Ryan Reynolds) is subjected to a rogue experiment that leaves him with accelerated healing powers, adopting the alter ego Deadpool. (R) 'dirty grandpa' Right before his wedding, an uptight guy is tricked into driving his grandfather, a perverted former Army general, to Florida for spring break. Stars Robert De Niro, Zac Efron and Zoey Deutch. (R) 'the 5th wave' Four waves of increasingly deadly alien attacks have left most of Earth decimated. Cassie is on the run, desperately trying to save her younger brother. Stars Chloe Grace Moretz, Matthew Zuk and Gabriela Lopez. (PG-13) 'the finest hours' The Coast Guard makes a daring rescue attempt off the coast of Cape Cod after a pair of oil tankers are destroyed during a blizzard in 1952. Stars Chris Pine, Holliday Grainger and Casey Affleck. (PG-13) 'the forest' A woman (Natalie Dormer) goes looking for her twin sister in an infamous Japanese forest beneath Mount Fuji where lost souls retreat to commit suicide. With the help of a local American guide (Taylor Kinney), she treks into the danger of the mysterious forest. (PG-13) '45 years' A married couple preparing to celebrate their wedding anniversary receive shattering news that promises to forever change the course of their lives. Stars Charlotte Rampling and Tom Courtenay. (R) 'the Good Dinosaur' An epic journey into the world of dinosaurs where an Apatosaurus named Arlo makes an unlikely human friend. Stars the voices of Jeffrey Wright, Frances McDormand and Maleah Nipay-Padilla. (PG) 'hail, caesar!' A Hollywood fixer in the 1950s works to keep the studio's stars in line. Stars Josh Brolin, George Clooney and Alden Ehrenreich. (PG-13) 'how to be single' New York City is full of lonely hearts seeking the right match, and what Alice, Robin, Lucy, Meg, Tom and David all have in common is the need to learn how to be single. Stars Dakota Johnson, Rebel Wilson, Alison Brie and Leslie Mann. (R) 'the hunger games: mockingjay Part 2' As the war of Panem escalates to the destruction of other districts by the Capitol, Katniss Everdeen the reluctant leader of the rebellion must bring together an army against President Snow, while all she holds dear hangs in the balance. Stars Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson and Liam Hemsworth. (PG-13) 'Kung Fu Panda 3' Continuing his "legendary adventures of awesomeness," Po must face two hugely epic, but different threats: one supernatural and the other a little closer to his home. Stars the voices of Jack Black, Angelina Jolie and Dustin Hoffman. (PG) 'the revenant' Leonardo DiCaprio stars as a 19th century fur trapper who seeks vengeance against the companions who robbed him and left him for dead following a vicious grizzly bear attack. (R) 'ride along 2' As his wedding day approaches, Ben heads to Miami with his soon-to-be brother-in-law James to bring down a drug dealer who's supplying the dealers of Atlanta with product. Stars Ice Cube, Kevin Hart and Tika Sumpter. (PG-13) 'sisters' Two sisters decide to throw one last house party before their parents sell their family home. Stars Amy Poehler and Tina Fey. (R) 'star wars: the force awakens' A continuation of the saga created by George Lucas and set 30 years after the events of "Return of the Jedi" (1983). Stars Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Adam Driver and Daisy Ridley. (PG-13) 'zoolander No. 2' Derek and Hansel are modeling again when an opposing company attempts to take them out from the business. Stars Ben Stiller, Owen Wilson and Penelope Cruz. (PG-13) By John Martin of the Courier and Press The two young friends killed Friday night by a wrong-way driver on Interstate 69 in Pike County knew one another from their years at Tecumseh Junior-Senior High School, and both had reason to be excited for the future. Stephanie Molinet, 22, of Elberfeld, and Autumn Kapperman, 21, of Boonville were in Molinet's 2014 Ford Focus when it collided with a 1995 Chevrolet Tahoe going south in the northbound lane. The driver of the Tahoe, 48-year-old Brian Paquette of Newport News, Virginia, remains in Deaconess Hospital with what police described as non-life-threatening injuries. The collision's impact spun Paquette's vehicle into the path of a 2011 GMC Terrain driven by Jason Lowe, 44, of Fishers, Indiana. Lowe was killed. A passenger with Lowe, 46-year-old Samantha Lowe of Fishers, was admitted to Deaconess but has since been released. Kapperman was five-months pregnant with her second child, whom she had named Makenzie Jewell Bruce. She is survived by her daughter, Bryleigh Noelle Bruce, and her fiancee, James Edward Bruce. "If anyone knew Autumn, they would know she was a mother first, friend second, and she was such a great mom," said Maria Napier, a friend of both young women killed in the crash. While at Tecumseh, Kapperman was active in the color guard, band, choir and the drama club. Former Tecumseh Principal Richard Lance, now an assistant principal at Castle High School, said Kapperman seemed "unassuming" at first, but she blossomed during drama productions. "She lived to be on stage, that was her personality," Lance said. Molinet was remembered as having the more outgoing personality of the duo. She also was involved in band and drama at Tecumseh. "She was wild," Napier said. "She didn't care what anyone thought about her. Her laugh was contagious, and she was so goofy." Lance recalled Molinet in the manner. "She was a very headstrong young lady, never hesitant to voice her opinion about things," Lance said. Molinet and Kapperman both were students at Ivy Tech Community College. Molinet studied pediatrics, while Kapperman studied nursing. "They were two of the most caring, funny, giving individuals I've ever met," Napier said. Molinet's visitation will be 4-8 p.m. Wednesday while service will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at Sunset Funeral Home. Friends may also visit prior to the service. Kapperman will have a private graveside service, but friends may visit from 2-8 p.m. Wednesday at Browning Funeral Home. Indiana State Police are still investigating the crash and why Paquette was driving the wrong way on I-69. The crash happened near the 49-mile marker, just north of the Petersburg exit. "We're waiting for some further information," said Sgt. Todd Ringle, a state police spokesman. Less than 15 minutes before the crash, a passing motorist had informed a state trooper parked on the interstate about a wrong-way driver. The trooper found Paquette's vehicle and tried to get his attention, but after noticing the trooper, Paquette crossed the median and made a U-turn, which meant he still was going in the wrong direction, according to police. The crash happened shortly thereafter. SHARE By Randy Kron Indiana Farm Bureau's position on taxes has traditionally been one of less, not more. Since the organization's founding in 1919, we have fought for an equitable tax structure, and are supportive of SB 308 and the General Assembly's efforts to fix an out-of-sync farmland property tax formula. As the newly elected president of Indiana Farm Bureau, I've traveled the state talking to our members, and crippling property tax bills remain a major concern for them. However, another important issue to Indiana farmers is the need for better local roads. For the past two years, the Farm Bureau membership has supported a policy that might surprise some. Farmers depend on local roads to do their work and get their products to market. Because of the deteriorating condition of the state's local road system, our voting delegates adopted a policy position that supports a data-driven solution for long-term road funding. They also supported finding more money for state and local roads and bridges from a range of sources, including raising fuel taxes. There are a number of road funding bills in the Statehouse this session, and each has merit. We support HB 1001, which offers a long-term infrastructure solution that includes both state and local roads. In addition to indexing the gas tax to regain lost buying power, the bill directs excess state reserves toward roads, establishes local taxing options, redirects 5 of the 7 cents of sales tax collected on fuel to be spent on roads and bridges, and increases the cigarette tax by $1 per pack to offset general fund sales tax that is redirected to infrastructure expenditures. Tapping local option income tax reserves, as SB 67 does, offers the chance to get money to critical needs faster. We believe that SB 67 is necessary because local communities have immediate road requirements and need cash now. We heard from some legislators who are committed to putting the best long-term funding package together that it's not a matter of "if," but "when." We believe that means a matter of months, not years. What I've heard about road funding from Indiana Farm Bureau members all over the state is "it's time to get this done." We urge state lawmakers to consider all options. Indiana agriculture needs a long-term, sustainable solution to fix our crumbling local roads and bridges. The rural economy depends on it. Randy Kron is president of Indiana Farm Bureau and a grain farmer in Vanderburgh County. SHARE By Greg Zoeller As the nation reflects on the service of Associate Justice Antonin Scalia, one of his final acts on the United States Supreme Court days before his death has been overshadowed. A preliminary order that the Supreme Court issued Feb. 9 by a 5-4 vote with Scalia in the majority potentially could be of long-term legal significance. The Court took the extraordinary step of ordering a halt to an Environmental Protection Agency rule that would regulate existing coal-fired power plants. Twenty-six states, including Indiana, contend EPA through this rule has overstepped its authority under the Clean Air Act. The Court granted the relief the states sought and ordered a temporary stay of the rule while the underlying legal challenge plays out in the lower court. As some commentators have noted, the Court "hit the pause button" on the EPA rule. Media coverage of the Feb. 9 order before Scalia's death focused on the policy arguments over the impact of the EPA rule on air quality and the costs of electricity. The fact that the Supreme Court took this rare action now rather than wait for the lawsuit to work its way up on appeal from the lower court, which could take another year suggests the Court might have reservations about how far a federal agency may extend its own powers without congressional authorization. States such as Indiana regularly have challenged in court what we consider overreach by federal executive branch agencies such as EPA. While many confuse these challenges with the policy arguments surrounding the regulations, as Attorney General I see them as a healthy part of the checks and balances of our constitutional system. President Obama expressed his frustration with the inaction of Congress when he said in a different context, "If Congress won't act, I will." Inherent in that approach is the constitutional question of the limitations on the power of the executive branch. If the President may act without Congress, what remains of the legislative role within our three equal branches of government? As the legal representative for our state government in court, my obligation is to be part of the checks that help balance the power of our federal government. I do not defend Congress' inaction on any number of areas of its federal responsibility; but it is my role to defend against federal government executive actions that encroach powers reserved for our state. The failure of Congress to act does not empower the President to assume legislative authority. The framers of our Constitution designed our system of separation of powers to prevent any branch from growing too powerful or authoritarian. These constitutional protections are critical for our system of ordered liberty. Maintaining the proper checks and balances among the three coequal branches and between the states and federal government is essential to maintaining limitations on the power of government at both the state and federal levels. Limiting the power of all government is at the core of our Constitution, which in turn protects individual liberty and freedom. Justice Scalia was a champion of limited government and of adhering firmly to legal texts, rather than indulging in expansive, imaginative interpretations of them. My hope is that his eventual successor will share a similar skepticism toward federal agencies that overstep their bounds and will favor a more appropriate balance of power. Greg Zoeller is attorney general of Indiana. For many authors, a blog gives them the chance to interact with their readers directly. A good author blog must attract new visitors while maintaining a loyal readership, provide interesting content that fills a gap within the marketplace, and seamlessly transition into those who are buying your books. These are just some of the reasons authors can do well with a blog. The question is how can you improve your blog? In place of sharing your favorite diet tips, short stories and mysteries are among my top suggestions. Mystery blogging started out as a short form of blogging. Blogs revolving around crimes and criminal activities were all the rage before the Internet made it easy to bring this form of blogging to millions of new authors. If you have a story to tell, theres no better way than to tell it through writing. Mystery blogs provide authors with a quick way to share their stories with the world. Another author blog idea is to create a static website. There are several reasons to choose a static website for your blog. One reason is that search engines are always crawling the Internet. When using a static website, your site will be indexed much faster. Another reason to create a static website is that many Internet users prefer websites that are not linked to from other sites. Another benefit of blogging is that it allows you to get short ideas down on paper and test ideas on your readership. You can talk about all aspects of life from exercise, to pets, to cooking and beyond. One final reason to use a static website as an author blog is that its hard to update a blog using links. Blogging platforms such as WordPress allow updating of blogs without linking. Linking is the preferred method for authors because it improves the overall value of their books. Another great blogging platform for mystery authors is to utilize guest blogging. Most blogging platforms such as WordPress allow authors to place a link to their website in each of their posts. This provides mystery readers with a quick way to find out about new books by having the authors website link to their latest book marketing blog post. Guest blogging provides authors with another avenue to promote their books. As authors continue to realize the importance of blogging and publishing books online, many more authors will take advantage of blogging opportunities. Mystery bloggers have discovered that they can market their books and their authorship by utilizing a variety of blogging platforms. Creating a book-marketing blog is simple and can lead to increased book sales. CSIRO cuts furore Corporate greed crushing science The fallout from the announcement of staff cuts at the CSIRO has not abated since agency head Larry Marshalls notorious email landed in Malcolm Turnbulls inbox. Scientists gathered in Melbourne for the conference of the Australian Meteorological and Oceanographic Society wore blue tape arm bands in protest and issued a strongly worded statement calling on the federal government to reverse the cuts at the world-renowned science organisation (see CSIRO Climate Research Cuts). Hardest hit by the job losses will be the Ocean and Atmosphere division that carries out vital research on climate change (see Climate Mad attempt to reverse the course of history in last weeks Guardian). So far, the government is backing Marshall, a former Silicon Valley entrepreneur, and his swipe at climate science. This underscores the business as usual nature of the Turnbull government despite the PMs media-hyped differences with his predecessor on the issue. The CSIRO chief claims that the time has come to move on from research on climate change to the sorts of products that could deal with it. Or so the story goes. Marshalls statement that the strength of the warnings coming from the scientific community sounds more like religion than science would be music to the ears of the pro-coal federal government and makes his own position clear. Religion and science Marshalls statements about the cuts and his vision for the country and the CSIRO are pure corporate speak. Just like a start-up, our nation needs to re-invent itself in order to navigate a new and uncertain future. Our nation needs us to create the science to enable the innovation for this profound reinvention, he said. The CSIRO chief takes his inspiration from the former chief talent officer of video-streaming transnational, Netfilx. A document from Patty McCord said that Netflix leaders hire, develop and cut smartly, so we have stars in every position. Marshall is taking a very Netflix-like attitude to CSIRO staff claiming that It will be up to them if they stay and go. NBN chief and former chair of the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, Ziggy Zwitkowksy has come out in support of Marshall and CSIRO chairman and former Telstra CEO, David Thodey. In recent decades the almost religiously held belief that corporate methods should be applied to government services and institutions has been imposed on the Australian community. The accumulated funding cuts, privatisation and commercialisation of the CSIRO have taken a heavy toll on the organisation. Its ability to contribute to the world class research and innovations for application in industry and agriculture has been undermined, not enhanced. At the same time, the government is taking its babble about innovation and the nimble economy to the next level. Exciting time Right on cue for the lead up to the federal election, the Turnbull government has announced its National Innovation and Science Agenda. Welcome to the ideas boom, the full page ads declared last week. TV ads are being broadcast. More than one commentator complained that the $28 million being spent to convince people theres never been a more exciting time to be an Australian. would have been much better spent on the CSIRO and other research spending. The campaign claims the government will make it easier for innovative businesses to find investors and access funding and for people to take a risk and give their ideas a go and so on. The opportunism is plain. Time will tell just how much innovation will flow from the agenda, but history doesnt tell a pretty tale about these sorts of schemes with their pots of money for grants. People wanting to take up the challenge for innovation in renewable energy, for instance, had the funding rug unceremoniously ripped out from beneath them. In the meantime, the world is being denied research on which our response to climate change is based. Scientists alarmed Like his conservative counterparts around the world, Turnbull is hoping people believe the climate emergency was fixed at the recent COP21 Paris climate talks. Unfortunately, the problems are still with us and evolving. Australias new Chief Scientist, Dr Alan Finkel, learnt of the axe-wielding at the CSIRO through the media. The head of the Bureau of Meteorology, Rob Vertessy, whose organisation collaborates on modelling and other programs with the CSIRO, found out the day before the announcement. Such is the respect for science. Dr Finkel spoke his mind at a recent meeting of the Senate estimates committee. There is no question that Australia needs a continuous and highly effective commitment on climate science, both to meet our national needs and to fulfil our international commitments. Flying blind about changes to the climate increases the risks for everybody, including industrial agricultural and financial interests. Unfortunately, short term profits, primarily those of the climate disrupting coal industry, are being put ahead of far more basic needs. Corporate interests are crushing science. They should never have been let near policy relating to the environment, education and science. The results are in. Capitalism has plundered the planet and threatens to make it uninhabitable. Its acolytes should not be directing the research that could help direct us away from the threats coming from climate change. Editorial Challenge to asylum seeker policy The High Court of Australias recent validation of legislation concerning off-shore processing of asylum applications was a bitter disappointment to those who oppose the federal governments ruthless treatment of asylum seekers. But the moral responsibility lies not with the Court but with the government, which framed the legislation, and with the Labor Party, which entered into a bipartisan arrangement to pass it. And the new law is retrospective, an appalling precedent that sets the scene for the future victimisation of individuals and minority groups. However, a storm of protest has now broken out over the governments proposal to fly 267 asylum seekers (including almost 100 children, of whom 37 are babies) from Australia, where they had been receiving medical treatment, back to the nauseatingly primitive and dangerous Nauru detention centre. Coalition and Labor premiers from five states have now offered sanctuary to those asylum seekers, and religious leaders from 44 churches, 5 cathedrals and 21 mosques have followed the ancient tradition of offering them sanctuary within their places of worship. Labor deputy leader Tanya Plibersek was the only Labor MP to respond to a letter sent recently to all parliamentarians by a group of 900 academics concerned over the issue. She has now described asylum seeker politics as toxic and called for the release of all children from mainland and offshore centres. Staff at one Brisbane hospital have refused to discharge an asylum seeker child because they would be sent back to Nauru. Doctors and other professionals stationed in the off-shore centres have risked prosecution by revealing the grim reality about the detention centres. Asked whether the government would send the 267 asylum seekers back, an obviously uncomfortable Minister for Immigration Peter Dutton replied that each case would be examined individually. But that answer is significant, because allowing any of them to stay would undermine the vicious policy adopted by Labor and the Coalition, that no asylum seeker who arrived by boat would ever be allowed to remain in Australia. The United Nations has criticised successive Australian governments for their treatment of asylum seekers, including the cynical and very expensive practice of trying to resettle them in neighbouring countries. (It cost us $55 million to persuade four asylum seekers to resettle in Cambodia). Australias Commission for Human Rights has declared that our immigration policies seriously breach the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Despite the governments policy of banning journalists from Nauru and Manus Island, there has been a constant series of reports of terrible effects on asylum seekers detained there, with multiple cases of sexual and physical assault, self-harm and attempted suicide. And that includes children. One paediatrician has revealed that a report of sexual assault is made every 13 days, and most of the victims are children. In November medical personnel reported that they had never seen worse cases of childhood trauma, that the results from one mass trauma screening test were higher than any published results anywhere in the world, and that 95 percent of the child detainees were likely to develop post-traumatic stress disorder. In response, the Australian government declared it intended to build the children some new playground equipment! The security firm managing the offshore centres has recently changed its business name and may not renew its contract next year because of the possibility of future legal action by detainees. The Nauruan government last year promised to complete processing 600 outstanding applications for asylum within a week, but so far only 63 have been completed. In the past, the coalition and Labor have dismissed criticism of the appalling asylum seeker policies. But they cannot do so now, with serious splits occurring within their own ranks. They will doubtless try to paper over the cracks with minor amendments, but that wont work. Australias treatment of asylum seekers is a national disgrace, equivalent to the odious white Australia and stolen generation policies. The coalition and Labor must dump off-shore processing and mandatory detention, and adopt humane policies in keeping with our international obligations. There is a growing community movement demanding it. Community union solidarity The Adelaide branches of the CPA have taken their call for solidarity with the trade unions to the streets in recent weeks. Members displayed their un-missable message from the Jervois Bridge in the Port Adelaide district and the Morphett Street Bridge in the city centre. The comrades were rewarded with lots of expressions of support from morning peak hour commuters. The slogan Workers need strong unions like the CFMEU was not popular with management at a construction site on North Terrace but workers clearly had a different attitude. The CPA in Adelaide is developing aspects of the Partys nationwide Workers Rights Campaign and will kick off a Community Union Defence League (CUDL) at a function at the Semaphore Workers Club on Saturday February 27 between 4 and 8pm. The event is a fundraiser for hard-working CFMEU organiser Jimmy OConnor, who was fined $12,000 in the Federal Court in Adelaide last August for trying to secure employment for a local worker. The function will feature speakers from the trade unions and community and musical items. Entry is $10. Timor-Leste End Australias shameful policy The Information Officer of the Australia East Timor Association SA, Andrew Alcock, issued the following statement today following yesterdays statement by Tanya Plibersek at the National Press Club about the maritime border between Australia and Timor-Leste: Along with the Timor Sea Justice Campaign and all Australians who work for social justice, human rights and fairness in international relations, the Australia East Timor Friendship Association of SA welcomes the announcement by Australias Shadow Foreign Minister, Tanya Plibersek, that a future ALP government will enter fresh negotiations with Timor-Leste to establish a permanent maritime boundary between the two nations that follows the principles outlined in the UNs Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). [Under this Convention, the mid way line between two countries represents the maritime boundary and each nation has the right to the resources in its half of the sea.] This is a very important positive step as it will mean an end to the shameful policy of Australia, the wealthiest nation in our region, of ripping off oil and gas resources from the half of the Timor Sea belonging to Timor-Leste, the poorest nation in the region and one of the poorest in the world. It is estimated that the value of these resources being taken by Australia that should be going to Timor-Leste could be as high as $40 billion. This money is sorely needed by the East Timorese to rebuild their nation and develop and undertake important development for its future after the 24 years of Indonesian unlawful and brutal occupation. It should be remembered that the illegal occupation was fully supported by Coalition and ALP governments throughout this time. After Timor-Lestes independence, the government of John Howard decided to exert pressure on the newly independent nation to take oil and gas out of its half of the Timor Sea and strong-armed the leaders of the newly independent nation into accepting an unfair agreement the Treaty on Certain Maritime Arrangements in the Timor Sea (CMATS). After the Timor-Leste government made an official complaint to the International Court of Justice about Australia spying on its meetings about the CMATS deal, the Abbott government tried to subvert the course of justice by raiding the office of Timor-Lestes lawyer, Bernard Collaery, and seizing key documents and also confiscated the passport of a former Australian intelligence worker who is a key witness in the case. Shamefully, the ALP governments of Rudd and Gillard did nothing to change this immoral policy during their terms of office between 2007 and 2013. In 2013, AETFA SA prepared two submissions for a Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs Defence and Trade Inquiry into Australias relations with Timor-Leste for the Federal Parliament. The Inquiry was chaired by Nick Champion (MHR Wakefield SA). In the same year, AETFA SA sent a delegation to meet with Nick Champion to discuss our submissions. During the discussion, our delegation raise the issue of the CMATS agreement. At first, he tried to tell us that this agreement had nothing to do with the Inquiry, which was quite ridiculous given that it is the major point of contention between the leaders of the two nations. Then he scorned the notion that the ALP should change the policy. Australias betrayal of the East Timorese is particularly shameful because during World War II, they gave great support to Australian commandos who were fighting the Japanese army there. After the Australians left, the Japanese military exacted a heavy revenge against the local people for giving that support and carried out a series of mass murders.These resulted in the deaths of about 40,000 people. In addition, 30,000 people lost their lives because their villages were attacked or they were caught in between combatants. During WW2, East Timor lost about 70,000 people out of a total population of half a million. In contrast, Australia lost 40,000 lives out of a population of 7 million. After all that the people of Timor-Leste have suffered over many years and given their WW2 sacrifice, it is time for our leaders to behave fairly and recognise the UNCLOS principle so that our former allies can rebuild their shattered lives and their destroyed infrastructure. For these reasons, Tanya Pliberseks announcement is very welcome. If the ALP is elected at the next federal elections and it honours this promise, relations between Timor-Leste and Australia will greatly improve as will our image in the world at large. However, it is recognised that Australia has already received a huge amount of royalties from the oil and gas in Timor-Lestes half of the Timor Sea. If a future Australian government is going to be fair, the money already received from these resources should be handed over to Timor-Leste. AETFA SA will be supporting actions of the Timor Sea Justice Campaign in late March this year to call on the current Australian government to recognise the UNCLOS principle as Australia accepts this arrangement with other nations, but not currently with Timor-Leste. Andrew (Andy) Alcock Information Officer AETFA SA Inc CSIRO Climate Research Cuts Statement by scientists attending *AMOS conference in Melbourne (08/02/2016) We strongly believe that the proposed cuts to CSIRO (announced 04/02/2016) will seriously undermine Australias capacity to respond to the challenges posed by climate change. Some 100 positions are to be cut in CSIROs Ocean and Atmosphere Flagship as part of 350 lost positions across the organisation. This will cripple CSIROs climate research. Australia is a continent surrounded by rapidly changing weather patterns, connected to a rapidly changing global climate. We have already learnt a great deal about our regions climate, but urgently need to improve our understanding in important areas. Such knowledge is necessary if we are to accurately assess the choices, including costs and benefit, of mitigation actions. It is essential if we are to innovate and adapt effectively, and minimise the impacts of future extreme events. If large, extreme events occur, we need the ability to rapidly assess these to diagnose further potential risks. Without such research, Australians will be flying blind into an increasingly volatile future. Generating this vital knowledge depends on continued research including long-term atmospheric and ocean monitoring, climate modelling, and development of climate projections and risk information for impact assessment. This program is being pursued in Australia by CSIRO, in conjunction with the Bureau of Meteorology and university partners. CSIRO is the primary research agency for many critical elements. Some examples of CSIRO research activities now at grave risk include: Monitoring changes in the Southern Ocean and how this affects global and regional climate. Monitoring the changing chemical composition of the atmosphere, including long-term trends based on ice core data, and air quality measurements at Cape Grim. This is vital for assessing global sources and sinks of CO2, ozone depletion, and verifying the effectiveness of mitigation. The ongoing development of a world-class climate model. The ACCESS model is an essential tool for analysing how climate processes work and for predicting how our climate will respond to increasing greenhouse gases, and is an important member of the international ensemble of climate models. Understanding what drives climate variability in Australia, and improving our ability to predict climatic anomalies. Understanding and predicting global and Australian region sea level rise and extreme sea level events and providing this information to decision makers. Assessing and synthesising the latest international and national research to provide detailed regional projections of climate change, which are expertly tailored for ease of use in a large range of applications. Such products are essential for innovate adaptation planning, as well as for resource management, community safety, and public education. The cuts to CSIRO will leave Australia unable to meet certain international research commitments, including commitments stemming from the Paris climate conference. This research is an imperative resource for our Pacific and Asian neighbours. We call on the federal government to support and strengthen these vital research areas, which are essential in the continual building of Australias climate research, adaptation and mitigation capability. * Australian Meteorological and Oceanographic Society International campaign Release political prisoner Ana Belen Montes The whole world is just one country. In this world country, the principle of loving others as one-self is an essential guide to harmonious relations between neighbouring states. These were the words Ana Belen Montes used during her trial for conspiracy to commit espionage for the government of Cuba. She was sentenced in October 2002 to 25 years in prison. Ana Belen Montes, aged 59, was born in West Germany from a Puerto Rican conservative family background on February 28, 1957. She worked for the Defence Intelligence Agency DIA as a senior analyst from 1985. She had many assignments on Cuba and served in the US Interests Office in Havana to study the Cuban military and again in 1998 to monitor the visit to Havana by Pope John Paul II. She had access to all the intelligence gathered on Cuba by the Defence Department due to her high ranking as senior analyst Unfortunately, Ana Belen Montes is another victim of the failed US policies towards Cuba. She just wanted Cuba to be able to exercise its right to self-determination just like the United States does. Ana never received any payment from Cuba or any one else; she only listened to her conscience and her desire for a new type of relations between Cuba and the US. None of her actions endangered US national security or harmed any US citizens. On the contrary her noble cause prevented actions against Cuba. In fact her actions saved Cuban and American citizens from terrorists attacks. Ana was arrested by the FBI on September 21, 2001 and charged with spying for Cuba. She was sent to the Federal Medical Centre, FMC Carswell, in Fort Worth, Texas, a federal prison for female inmates with mental or physical health problems. Ana does not suffer from any mental illnesses but her health is compromised by her isolation and her inability to communicate with other inmates or to receive visits. President Obama and Raul Castro say they are now both open to new relations of the type Ana Belen hoped for. This opportunity opened up on December 17, 2014 beginning with the release of three other unjustly held political prisoners, Antonio Guerrero, Ramon Labanino & Gerardo Hernandez, and the reopening of embassies in both countries. Ana Belen Montes is due for release in 2027. The Communist Party of Australia joins the international campaign for her release and calls on President Obama to pardon her. We call on all our Guardian readers and supporters to learn more about her case and to add their names to the on-line petition: petitions.moveon.org/sign/buried-alive Left government possible in Spain After weeks of political wrangling in Spain, inconclusive parliamentary elections saw no party win a majority, an arrangement among the spectrum of left-wing parties to install a social democratic-led government now appears possible. On December 20 last year, voters went to the polls to elect the lower house of the Cortes, or Spanish parliament. With no single party capturing enough seats to rule on its own, the outcome has been a nightmare for anyone trying to put together a coherent majority government. One after another, the major party leaders have come calling on the head of state, King Felipe VI, to discuss the formation of a new government. So far, none of them have met with much success. Acting Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy, whose right-wing Peoples Party (PP) has governed since 2011, told the King that he would be unable to form a new government. His party lost more than 50 seats this time, only managing to secure 123 spots in the 350-seat Cortes. He has not found other parties who are willing to prop up his government and reach the 176-seat majority needed. A Portuguese solution But last week, it appeared a deal might be possible that would put in power a new government headed by the Socialist Workers Party (Partido Socialista de los Obreros de Espana, or PSOE) and supported by the left-wing PODEMOS Party, the Spanish Communist Party, and other allies. This possible fix is being called a Portuguese solution. Parliamentary elections held in Spains western neighbour on October 4 produced a similar outcome of no single party winning a majority. There, a government was put in place headed by the Socialist Partys Antonio Acosta and supported by the Portuguese Communists, Greens, and the Left Bloc. These leftist groups did not ask for cabinet positions, so it was not a formal coalition government, but rather an accord between the signing parties. Because their priority was to get rid of the previous right-wing government and its reactionary policies, the leftist parties agreed to have their parliamentarians vote with a Socialist Party government in order to keep it in power. In Spain, somewhat equivalent political parties exist. The PSOE, which won 90 seats, resembles the Portuguese Socialist Party. PODEMOS, with 69 seats, has a program similar to the Portuguese Left Bloc. And the United Left, which is centred on the Spanish Communist Party and won two seats, resembles a similar alliance that the Portuguese Communist Party built with the Greens. But the Spanish situation is complicated by the existence of political parties which advocate the independence of Catalonia in the Northeast and the Basque country in the Northwest. These parties also divide along a left-right axis. In Catalonia, the Esquerra Republicana de Catalunya (Catalan Republican Left), which holds nine seats in the Cortes, is on the left, while the Democracy and Freedom Party, which has another eight seats, is on the right. In the Basque country, the left Euzkadi Herria Bildu (Basque Country Unite) has two seats, while the right-wing Euzko Alderdi Jeltzalea (Basque Nationalist Party) holds six seats. A further complicating factor is the existence of a conservative protest party, Ciudadanos (Citizens), which strongly opposes the programs of the Catalan separatist parties especially, and has a brand-new presence of 40 seats. Can a government of the left be formed either by cobbling together a coalition which reaches the magic number of 176 parliamentary seats or on the Portuguese plan of installing an all-PSOE government which the left agrees, on certain conditions, to allow to govern? A possible deal The prospect of a Socialist government supported by the leftist parties led to an uproar within some sectors of Spains oldest social democratic party. The loudest protests are coming from the faction of former Prime Minister Felipe Gonzalez, who headed the Spanish government from 1977 to 1982 and again from 1996 to 1997. Gonzalez is considered to be well to the right within the ideologically heterogeneous PSOE. Since leaving power, he has spoken out forcefully against the socialist governments of Venezuela and Cuba, allying himself with shady right-wing forces in Latin American politics in the process. In Portugal, Acosta was ultimately able to overcome resistance from the right within his own Socialist Party and assemble a government with Communist, Green, and Left Bloc support. If the Spanish parties do manage to imitate the Portuguese example, their accomplishment could have broader importance for the whole of Europe, as it would open the door to new advances for the left and the working class. Peoples World Risk of death high after release from prison Not enough is being done for people while in jail. There are far too many people in prison mentally unwell rather than criminally minded. There are far too many incarcerated for low level offending. When it comes to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples, just about every family has had a family member or close relative incarcerated. From a racialised lens Australia jails Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples at among the worlds highest rates. Having visited prisons and long worked with ex-prisoners, most of them soon after release, to improve their lot, it is my view that in general people come out of prison worse than when they went in. Trauma situational, multiple and composite is the end-result for the majority of the prison experience; particularly for those who were dished up a prison sentence for effectively non-criminally minded offences such as fine defaulting. The mentally unwell become more unwell, with many breaking down altogether. Those who went in for low level poverty-related offending come out of prison brutalised by abuses, fear, anxieties and debilitated in having to face much the same of what led them into prison. They face a life without secondary and university qualifications, without job skills. They continue on in the harsh reality of poverty and in a society that does not give the poor a break. The prisons I have visited are the sorriest tales of punitive tribulations, of neglect, of lost and troubled souls. Prisons are not about restorative and rehabilitative practicalities but places with the inmates in the longest queues begging for education programs, including literacy. Only the few will score participation in the handful of education programs offering the opportunity of qualifications. The unmet need is not just sad but it is disgraceful on the part of governments State and Commonwealth. More can be done but it is not. I am not going to argue the economic benefits to society; that it is cheaper to invest in peoples education, training up, in alternatives to incarceration than it is to incarcerate and punish. These arguments disgust me. These arguments indict our national consciousness, our logic and our collective values. The economy should be geared to society and not the other way around. I prefer to discuss and urge moral imperatives instead of framing our values in economical imperatives. We should be abominated by a society that incarcerates the poorest of the poor, the sickest of the unwell, that effectively punishes minorities because assimilation wants them to give up their cultural being. We should be abominated by this nation where at least one in ten and up to one in six of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islanders living have been to jail. This horrific statistical narrative should have long ago galvanised the nation to redress the intolerable racialised inequalities, the economic inequalities, the discrimination. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) 86 percent of prisoners did not complete Year 12. More than 30 percent did not get past Year 9. According to researchers Kate van Doreen, Stuart Kinner and Simon Forsyth the risk of death is greatly elevated among ex-prisoners compared with the general population. They stated, Although many deaths are drug-related or the result of suicide, little is known about risk and protective factors for death in this population. I have long argued that a significant proportion of suicides are of ex-prisoners and in most cases soon after their release from prison. It aches the heart to comprehend that people may have felt more secure while in prison than back in society despite that prison damaged them. The death rates from external causes and suicides of ex-prisoners are themes throughout our world and not confined to Australia. A number of studies estimate that these death rates from unnatural causes are up to 10 times the rates of death while in any year in prison. Importantly, Kate van Doreen, Stuart Kinner and Simon Forsyth suggest, Young people experience markedly increased risk of death in the year following release from adult prison. This elevation in risk is greater than that experienced by older ex-prisoners. Among young ex-prisoners, the majority of deaths are due to preventable causes, particularly injury and poisoning, and suicide. Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander comprise more than one quarter the Australian prison population and standalone their median age is much less than the rest of the prison population. It is estimated that more than 90 percent have not completed a secondary education. The majority come from the most impoverished contexts. They have little, if any, prospects post-release. I have brought a number of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander ex-prisoners into various educational institutions. Every single one of them took up the offer. Noongar man Mervyn Eades is the director of Ngalla Maya Aboriginal Corporation an employment training provider for ex-prisoners. Mervyn knows what prisoners go through, understands their lot, having done time himself and Ngalla Maya enjoys a high retention rate among ex-prisoners working towards the pick up a qualification, to be able to legitimately compete for a job. I am not interested in economic imperatives. I am interested in moral imperatives. It is the right thing to do for us as a society to improve the lot of others. The suicides will be reduced. The unnatural death rates that are damning this nation will be reduced. The impacts from loss and grief on families will disappear. I estimate, though the research is not yet in, that one quarter of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander suicides are linked in one way or another to ex-prisoners just out of prison more on this in future articles. In my view a significant proportion of the prison population should not be in prison and instead supported with all sorts of educational and other assistance. Prisoners should not just be locked in those damn cells instead help them with psychosocial counselling, mentoring, educational opportunities, job training and let us improve their lot. It is a disgrace and an indictment that prisons are missed opportunities for healing, education, the improving of ones lot. Actually, its bullshit. There is no greater legacy than to improve the lot of others to the point of truly changing lives, saving lives. Actually, it is easy. Gerry Georgatos is a suicide prevention researcher with the Institute of Social Justice and Human Rights and is also a member of the Aboriginal and Torres Suicide Prevention Evaluation Project (UWA). He is part of several national suicide prevention projects. Lifelines 24-hour hotline, 13 11 14 Crisis Support and Suicide Prevention Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636 Culture & Life The lucky country The ruling class in Australia used to try to persuade the working people that this was the lucky country. To a very limited extent and only to that extent it was true. It was a harsh and unforgiving land, prone to drought and fire. A few of the early settlers were certainly lucky enough to be able to appropriate all the land they could see. They quickly became members of the ruling class, if they were not already part of it. They were the squatters, and they became notorious for their arrogance, their ruthless dispossession of the Aborigines and their attempts to establish an aristocracy in Australia. The advent to power of the ultra-reactionary Commonwealth government of Bob Menzies kicked off a campaign by capitalist corporations to push governments out of running any enterprises or even running essential services. The majority of the people who settled in Australia, however, were workers, refugees from the enclosures of the common land in England, or from the clearance of the Scottish crofters from their Highland farms, or from the famine that similar profit-driven seizures caused in Ireland. They learnt the hard way that life as a free selector or small farmer in Australia was harsh indeed. Most found they had to augment their income by taking employment with the lucky big graziers, as drovers, boundary riders, or shearers. The settlers contempt for the greedy would-be aristocracy and the equally despised rich men who made sure they ended up in possession of the colonys gold reserves, led to a strong belief in egalitarianism, sentiments that had driven both the French and American revolutions half a century earlier. Trade unions were soon formed in Australia and won significant improvements in wages and conditions. The countrys economy was buoyed up by gold and wool, and employers could afford to be generous to their employees. But when workers in the wool industry itself specifically shearers took major industrial action over union rights, the employers ruthlessly smashed the union. The lucky country remained lucky only for the boss class. At the same time, while mining spread all over the country, wherever suitable minerals could be found, manufacturing developed in several centres scattered around the coastal fringe. The small population combined with an economy largely based on primary industry necessitated the direct involvement of the state in providing infrastructure and establishing industries. By the end of the Second World War, a very wide range of industries and services in Australia were being provided by public enterprises, owned either wholly or partially by state or Commonwealth governments. However, the advent to power of the ultra-reactionary Commonwealth government of Bob Menzies kicked off a campaign by capitalist corporations to push governments out of running any enterprises or even running essential services. They could all be undertaken by private companies (for profit) so why shouldnt they? Well, for one, this would involve changing the role and function of government itself, from providing public service to facilitating private profit. This process, the looting of the public sector for the benefit of private profiteers, was continuously and steadfastly promoted by the countrys capitalists and the political forces that support capitalism. The latter included not only the Liberal Party and its clone the National Party, but also the Right-Wing (the dominant faction) of the Labor Party. The process continues today, and as far as capitalism is concerned will continue until the private sector includes every enterprise, industry and service. To achieve this end, the capitalists are undertaking a wide-ranging frontal attack on the working class wherever possible across the whole world. Workers are losing their rights in country after country, working conditions are being broken down, and people are being forced back into having to endure living conditions that their grandparents fought to overcome. More and more of the wealth in each country is concentrated in the hands of a numerically tiny elite. That elite group will never have enough: their greed will always drive them no matter how much they have. In Australia at the moment, even the concept of bourgeois democracy (hardly a threat to capitalism) is under ruthless attack. The mass of the people are not even to be allowed to control their own local government affairs, in other words to govern themselves in their local communities. Instead local councils are to be forced to amalgamate into a restricted number of super councils, whose councillors will have much less actual contact with individual community members. This process is deliberately designed to give more power and influence to US-style lobbyists on behalf of corporate interests while making it harder (or next to impossible) for ordinary people to protect their localities from the predatory practices of profit-hungry property developers. With the full backing of the Turnbull LNP federal government, the Baird LNP government in NSW is running a TV campaign in support of the council amalgamations. The ad asserts boldly that the system of local government in NSW is broken but of course produces no evidence of any sort. Then it has the gall to say that the Baird government is fixing the problem (by the forced council amalgamations). But the bit that takes your breath away is the assertion that this is being done After listening to the community and councils. Forced amalgamations are presented as the LNP acting to restore democratic control, giving the people a say once again. But as my local community newspaper points out (under the heading Death of democracy): Sixty-one percent of residents of the Wyong Shire [where I live] and 57 percent of businesses did not believe amalgamation was a good idea, yet the Baird government claims to have a mandate. Even bourgeois democracy is too democratic for the ultra reactionaries who have muscled or lied their way into government in capitalist countries all around the world. At the very time when the people are demanding action from their governments to stop the growth of poverty and unemployment, these reactionaries want the people to have less say, and to tighten their belts and make do with less generally. No wonder avowed socialist and campaigner for the poor, Bernie Sanders is polling so well in the US primaries. If he actually wins the Democratic nomination its going to be very interesting election. Continue Reading Below Advertisement Elice's friend we mentioned earlier has spent thousands of dollars on special equipment for her daughter. But, even that becomes an expensive waiting game at times. "She is fed through a tube that connects to a button in her stomach. The tube burst over the weekend ... now, the medical supply company doesn't want to replace it until late January 'when she is due' ... using the same tube for six weeks when it's supposed to be changed weekly won't be safe; the tubes can't be cleaned thoroughly enough to keep mold out of it. Another parent on a support group Facebook page has the right size tubes and is willing to send them." Justin Sullivan/Getty Images News/Getty Images "Connect to friends, family, and desperately needed, necessary living equipment." Continue Reading Below Advertisement Yeah, these guys are left high and dry by their insurance companies and have no one to turn to but each other. It's either that or try to get yourself investigated by protective services. "My mother likes to walk barefoot because she's a country girl at heart. We had protective services called on us. We had to be watched for a month. After that, all of the resources we weren't offered beforehand were . She got speech therapy for about a month after that. But, when they realized she was being properly taken care of, those things slowly tapered off." And, according to Elice, it really doesn't matter whether you get paid (a measly $9 an hour, by the way) or decide to do this work for free -- no one treats you like a hero for the sacrifice. "My best friend doesn't work. She can't. There is no day care that will take her child due to her special needs ... she is on food stamps and in housing, and she lives on the money that is provided to care for her children. She gets judged because she looks like a healthy woman who just doesn't have a job. If you keep your parent at home and you get paid for it, you are lazy ... if you put them in a nursing home because you can't take care of them, you are a bad child ... " There is no winning here. NEC Australia is upgrading the water management system for Western Australia's Department of Water. Water Online, which is on track to go live by the third quarter of this year, will allow the department to accurately monitor projected development needs, such as identifying gaps between the supply and demand of water and where necessary, addressing these issues through water supply controls. As part of the Water Online program, the department has launched a new online portal which, for the first time, allows customers to access licensing information, submit applications and meter readings and apply to renew or transfer a licence," according to NEC. In addition, requests for planning advice can be lodged and tracked online, providing a faster and more efficient service, consistent with the WA governments reform agenda to reduce red tape and regulatory burden." Since the program started in 2014, NEC has delivered the management services along with a team of business analysts, developers and testers to implement a core set of Microsoft technologies based on .Net, Dynamics CRM 2015 and the business intelligence reporting stack. NEC Australia state manager Tim Hurst said: Everyone involved in this program is making a valuable contribution, knowing that this will help the department of water protect a vital resource for the states long-term future. Were also pleased our methodology and agile approach has proven to be very effective. Canberra-based IT provider Citadel Group has registered a 57 percent rise in revenue to hit $46.8 million for the six months to 31 December. The company posted a 515 percent rise in earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) to $12.6 million. Net profit after tax (NPAT) also rose by 312 percent to $5.6 million. Citadel's technology segment, which is the bulk of its business and comprises professional services and managed services, was a star performer, growing revenues by 72.9 percent to $41.5 million for the six months. The increase was mainly attributed to a number of contracts, including a five-year technical services contract with Monash University and a videoconferencing contract to the new Royal Adelaide hospital, as well as the acquisition of Citadel Health, formerly known as PJA Solutions. However, the companys education arm went backwards, with revenue down 7 percent to $5.3 million and NPAT down 37.5 percent to $1 million. Notwithstanding our quality outcomes [in terms of both education and employment pathways] and improvements made in campus facilities, there was a decrease in revenue resulting from continuing adverse media about the vocational education sector, the conduct of certain private providers, and a concomitant changing regulatory environment, which have all impacted enrolment numbers and the cost of student acquisition, the company said. Citadel is a 250-staff nationwide company with a $200 million market capitalisation. Its clients includes government agencies and blue-chip private businesses. Amazon Web Services has turned on the switch for a new availability zone for its Australian customers, fuelling speculation the cloud provider is about to officially open its own data centres in Sydney. Late last week AWS customers noticed a third availability zone - ap-southeast-2c - pop up in their consoles, adding to the existing Sydney-based ap-southeast-2a and ap-southeast-2b zones. It is understood the two existing Sydney availability zones correspond to space in Equinix's SYD3 facility as well as another, unnamed data centre partner in North Ryde. AWS is also understood to have limited space in Global Switch for the purpose of storing S3 data. AWS partners and customers told sister publication iTnews they expected the arrival of the third Sydney availability zone indicated the opening of the two secret data centres the company started building in 2014 was imminent. The company started construction on two new facilities in Eastern Creek, in Sydney's west, and Smeaton Grange near Camden in late 2014 to cater for its rapid growth in the region. It has previously declined to comment on the build and an AWS spokesperson similarly declined to comment for this story. But availability zones within a given region need to be geographically close for latency purposes, meaning the newly-released third zone would need to be located in Sydney near the two existing availability zones. While availability zones are virtual and not necessarily tied to a single data centre, the facilities that provide a specific service for the particular zone need to be geographically separate. AWS is also famous for building its own facilities rather than relying on partners. "I'm sure AWS would prefer to build its own data centres, using everything they've learned about efficiency, cost optimisation, and clean energy, but they're famously tight-lipped about precise locations. Did you hear that? Was that a black helicopter? We've said too much," local AWS specialist Jeff Waugh told iTnews. "Sydney is one of the fastest growing AWS regions, and a third availability zone is likely to spur even faster growth." New services A third availability zone means AWS will be able to bring new services into Australia. The company currently offers its overseas customers four high-profile services that require a third availability zone to operate, which for that reason have not yet been available to Australian customers. It revealed late last week that one of these services - its relational database Aurora - was now available to customers in the Sydney region. The MySQL-compatible relational database management system combines the "speed and availability of high-end commercial databases with the simplicity and cost-effectiveness of open source databases", according to AWS. Customers also expect the serverless computing platform Lambda, the Elastic File System shared filesystem, and Amazon RDS for Microsoft SQL Server with high availability functionality will soon land in Australia now that a third availability zone has arrived. The Australian Communications and Media Authority has accused Telstra 3G mobile reseller Lycamobile of failures in its complaints-handling procedures. The industry watchdog has found the mobile virtual network operator's complaints-handling procedures violated the Telecommunications Consumer Protections Code by failing "to keep any records of due response dates for its complaints". "And in some limited circumstances [Lycamobile] had not advised customers of delays in dealing with their complaints or kept records of proposed resolutions," announced the ACMA. An ACMA investigation into Lycamobile was triggered August last year when the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman noticed an increase in complaints about the Telstra 3G provider in the first half of 2015. Lycamobile has been contacted for comment. ACMA said the MVNO had undertaken to review its procedures to ensure future compliance. ACMA chair Chris Chapman said complaints-handling in the telco industry had improved noticeably since the Reconnecting the Customer enquiry in 2011. However, we will not fail to act where a providers standards do not meet the requirements of the industry code, he said. Good record keeping practices are essential to for providers to track the progress of complaints received and resolutions proposed both essential for maintaining a good customer experience and relationship. Lycamobile had previously been in trouble with ACMA in 2014 for overcharging customers, just months after an Australian Tax Office application to wind up the company was dismissed in the NSW Supreme Court. News Partners See VCE's VxRail Hyper-Converged Appliance As 'Awesome' Competitor To Nutanix, SimpliVity Matt Brown and Joseph F. Kovar Share this Partners are praising VCE's new VxRail appliance as an all-in-one solution that takes serious competitive aim at Nutanix and SimpliVity, the start-up darlings of the burgeoning hyper-converged market. VxRail, a hyper-converged appliance based on white box servers and new software from VMware, was introduced today and will begin shipping next month. The list price on the entry-level appliance is about $60,000, according to Todd Pavone, Chief Operating Office of VCE, the EMC Platforms Division. VCE, an EMC company, was recently renamed the EMC Converged Platforms Unit. "VxRail is an awesome offering from VCE, one that easily targets the hyper-converged infrastructure market currently served by Nutanix and SimpliVity," said Jamie Shepard, senior vice president for healthcare and strategy at Lumenate, a Dallas-based solution provider and partner to both VCE and VMware. Related: VMware Launches New Hyper-Converged Stack, EVO:Rail On The Rocks Pavone hesitates to pit VxRail against Nutanix or SimpliVity directly, saying instead that VxRail is intended for bigger, better things. "If I'm running SAP, I'm not going to put it on one of the start-ups' appliances," he said. Pavone also said VxRail isn't intended as a direct competitor with public cloud powerhouses like Amazon Web Services. "We can burst out of the appliance to Virtustream or vCloud Air [EMC and VMware platforms, respectively] or to the public cloud, it's not a complete competitive approach against the public cloud. We see CIOs as the broker of workloads." The appliance also makes sense in light of the pending acquisition of EMC by Dell in a $67 billion deal expected to close between May and October, said Geoff Woollacott, an analyst at Technology Business Research, Inc. "Now they can pump that through the Dell supply chain to keep costs down," Woollacott said. "We know Dell allows for easy plug-and-play configuration of servers and laptops, and this can cascade down to CI and HCI [converged and hyper-converged infrastructure] boxes. They can also push this new capability through the existing EMC enterprise sales force for IT customers wanting to consume infrastructure rather than build it, and this will accelerate as the power of these converged boxes become more real and more proven." "With VxRail, VCE intends to use the technology capabilities it's gained through its tight collaboration with Cisco to pivot to a broader set of use cases beyond Cisco-EMC boxes," Woollacott said. "They're able to do plug-and-play integrations from reference architectures and allow for workload-specific optimization." Unlike EVO:Rail, EMC's previous hyper-converged infrastructure appliance based on VMware software, the VCE VxRail integrates several key storage services, Shepard told CRN. "It comes integrated with EMC RecoverPoint," he said. "This lets us use RecoverPoint to replicate individual virtual machines, and not just an entire storage pool or volume. The target can be any storage device, which opens a whole new world for disaster recovery and the cloud." VCE VxRail also includes EMC's Avamar data protection software for backup and recovery with de-duplication at the source, Shepard said. VxRail is also a huge step above EMC's VSPEX Blue, a poor-selling hyper-converged appliance based on the EVO:Rail software, Shepard said. "VSPEX Blue was a test bed for EMC, which wanted to get something out to market to see what it needed to do," he said. Pavone acknowledged that EVO:Rail had been a disappointment, but said VxRail represents "a quantum leap forward." "EVO:Rail, you learn from your experiences," Pavone said. "We would like to say that from day one we did everything right, but in real life you don't. What's most important for us is having an offering that leverages the value proposition of VCE." VxRail, Pavone said, gives customers flexibility, configurability and simplicity where EVO:Rail attempted to offer a one-size-fits-all solution. "It was a great effort, good technology with a lot of loyal customers, but there was a major differentiation needed. We needed to help customers have an answer for all their applications regardless of where they reside." In that regard, VxRail is a natural for the channel, Pavone said, adding that partners will be critical to the VxRail sales strategy. Scott Miller, director of data center at EMC partner World Wide Technology, agreed. More and more, WWT's role is educating and advising customers on the appropriate use cases for hyper-converged solution, and the VxRail appliance will fit nicely into that conversation, especially around VDI (virtual desktop infrastructure) and ROBO (remote and branch office) deployments, he said. "This fits well into our overall go-to-market strategy and what we're doing with EMC and VCE. Before it was a piece-part approach," Miller said. "We're constantly educating customers on what the right use case is for hyper-converged. There's a lot of confusion. If you talk to an exclusive hyper-convergence player, hyper-convergence is the answer to everything. We're spending a lot of our time broadly educating our customer base on what's the appropriate use case," Miller said. "That's what they come to us for, especially on the data center side. We've become a trusted advisor because we're not an OEM. They talk to Nutanix or SimpliVity, and it seems like hyper-convergence could be a potential solution, and it could be. But sometimes it's not. We need to make sure they get the right answer for their needs." Also important is the fact that VCE VxRail can be integrated with VCE Vblock solutions if desired, Shepard said. "Customers can put VxRails in regional offices of any size and replicate to Vblocks at the core," he said. "They can manage it all from VMware vCenter and other VMware tools. This takes over from where Vblock left off." VxRail can also take advantage of customers' existing VMware enterprise license agreements, Shepard said. "Customers with VMware ELAs [enterprise license agreements] can get the VxRail for a low cost, with no need to purchase new licenses," he said. The hardware side of the VxRail consists of Quanta-manufactured, industry-standard servers, according to a channel source. On the software side, VxRail is based primarily on the VMware hyper-converged software, or VMware HCS. VMware HCS combines the latest version 6.2 of VMware's Virtual SAN, or VSAN, software-defined storage application with VMware vSphere and VMware vCenter Server in an integrated software stack. VSAN 6.2, unveiled last week, was a significant upgrade over previous editions of VSAN with new de-duplication and compression capabilities and erasure coding. Also integrated in the appliance is the VxRail Software. Most common customer management tasks are performed though VMware tools. The VxRail management software provides system maintenance through real time notifications on the state of apps, virtual machines, and the appliance via VMware Log Insight integration. It non-disruptively automates maintenance, hardware upgrades, and software updates. It also provides direct access to online chat and support, knowledge base articles, and the VxRail Community. VxRail appliances pack four separate nodes in a single 2U rack-mount format. They are available in six different models which vary according to number of processor cores and amount of memory and storage capacity available. All-flash models are available with up to 19.6 TBs of capacity and hybrid flash-hard drive models available with up to 10 TBs of capacity per node. Customers can order as few as a single four-node appliance, suitable for up to 200 virtual machines. VxRail scales up to 16 appliances with 64 nodes, which VCE said is suitable for up to 3,200 virtual machines. U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy, both D-Conn, are urging Germany to buy local. The senators on Tuesday urged Germany to replace its helicopter fleet with new Sikorsky-made CH-53K King Stallion aircraft Murphy and Blumenthal emphasized that maintaining interoperability between German and American equipment is critical for the two nations shared military and humanitarian interests and that Stratford-based Sikorsky helicopters - which are used by all five branches of the U.S. armed forces - are among the most reliable, low maintenance, and survivable aircraft in the world. The senators also highlighted that Sikorsky and its workforce are leaders in the design, manufacture, and service of helicopters. We understand that by the end of this year you will announce a plan to replace your existing CH-53G heavy-lift helicopters with new helicopters, and we would urge your consideration of the new CH-53K King Stallion aircraft, the senators said in a letter to German Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen. We strongly believe that maintaining interoperability between German and American equipment is essential, as Germany is one of our most important allies, the senators wrote . Flying a range of missions, including carrying cargo, vehicles, artillery and troops, the CH-53 is designed to operate on land or at sea, and to support the U.S. Marine Corps and the armed forces of our allies for decades to come. We are confident that the CH-53K is perfectly suited to meet Germanys air mobility needs and we look forward to further strengthening the relationship between our two countries. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate BRIDGEPORT Juan Marcanos family finally has justice nine years after he was shot to death in a city housing project. After two days of deliberations, a Superior Court jury found 31-year-old Nirone "Gully Guns" Hutton guilty of murder. He faces 60 years in prison when he is sentenced March 29 by Judge Maria Kahn. Despite the amount of time that has gone by, Bridgeport police wouldnt let this case lie and instead with renewed vigor and help from people in the community have brought this case to an appropriate conclusion, said Senior Assistant States Attorney Joseph Harry. When police and the community work together there is nowhere a crime suspect can hide. The 25-year-old Marcano was found lying in a stairwell of Building 5 in the Greene Homes on Feb. 27, 2007, with two bullet holes in his back. Witnesses during the two-week trial testified that Marcano, who did not live in the housing project, had been visiting some girls there when he was confronted by members of the Harlem 5 Star Generals, a franchise of the Bloods gang that controlled that building. Police said Marcano took on the leader of the gang, Garrett "Slim" Bostick, and appeared to be getting the best of him when Hutton put two 38-caliber slugs into Marcano's back. Within hours of the shooting, federal agents rounded up members of the gang after finding them with a cache of guns and ammo. But while police said Marcano, on his death bed, was able to identify Bostick as the man he fought with, he couldn't identify the shooter. Police later got a big break when they intercepted a letter to a prison inmate from "Gully Guns," according to trial testimony. The letter, read to the jury stated: "I redrum this (expletive). Gee got caught with the slammy after the redrum went down. I got that redrum under my belt that's crazy cause I aint trying to go to jail," police said. Redrum is code for murder on the streets. Slammy is a gun, the prosecutor told the jurors. Police said a fingerprint lifted from the letter was Huttons. Following his arrest in October 2013, police said Hutton confessed to killing Marcano. And on the witness stand Hutton reiterated that he had shot the victim - but he claimed he had done it in self-defense. He claimed Marcano had been pistol-whipping his friend and out of fear that the victim was about to shoot them, he fired. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate 5 1 of 5 Contributed Photo / Contributed Show More Show Less 2 of 5 Robert W. Marchant / Robert W. Marchant /Hearst Connec Show More Show Less 3 of 5 4 of 5 Contributed Photo / Contributed Show More Show Less 5 of 5 Larry Kudlow of Redding, a TV and radio financial pundit, spent seven months pondering a challenge to U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal this fall. On Tuesday, he decided not to. In an interview on CNBC, the former adviser to President Ronald Reagan said that he doesnt want to give up his broadcast jobs. CNBC is like an extended family to me, said the 68-year-old commentator, who in recent months was contemplating his first run for elective office. I love it some much I dont want to give it up. There I was, in a bar without the booze, a salon without the scissors, about to give my long, wavy locks the kind of love they have been missing over the years. Once given, would it be hard to walk away, never to return? Today, we are going to do a very runway look, Victorias Secret inspired, lots of body, says Jill Sota, as she sizes me up from behind the white swivel chair. Sign me up, sister! We are in Pink Soda, a blow-dry bar that opened in Newtown in July. I realize I will not actually look like a runway model when we are done, but maybe, just maybe, I will look a bit more glamorous. And considering my typical morning routine involves the intricate process of showering and walking out the door without drying or combing my hair, Ive given Sota a lot of leeway. This late-morning appointment is the result of professional curiosity, but for most others a visit to a blow-dry bar carries the promise of about 45 minutes of pampering and a polished look that would be hard to recreate at home. I know for me, I would manage to hurt, or possibly electrocute, myself while trying to administer product, swirl large bristled brushes and apply heat without burning my scalp. We can get at hard-to-reach places, Sota says, as I consider closing my eyes for the rest of the appointment. We have a birds-eye view. During the past several years, more and more blow-dry bars have begun to dot Fairfield Countys beauty landscape. The stylists at these establishments are not there to snip or color, but rather, create superior blow-outs, the kind that can make a bare-faced, underdressed, everyday 46-year-old woman suddenly want to post a look to Instagram. The epicenter for the movement radiates out of California, where several years ago, Alli Webb successfully launched Drybar, which has 56 locations across about a dozen states, though none yet in Connecticut. The growth of that chain and other franchises, as well as stand-alone stores, has been riding the trend in specialization of the beauty business think specialty brow and wax services, nail art and hair and lash extensions. Its all about the experience, says Pink Soda owner and Newtown resident Wendy Brown. She recently opened another store in Fairfield. If you want a 20-minute blowout, Im sure its out there, but its not going to be at Pink Soda. Others in the area are similarly situated to offer specialized services, such as GlamBlow, which is one of several such bars in Greenwich. My visit there, on a midweek morning, revealed one of the only times its not entirely insane, as co-owner Dana Barrella puts it, after stylist Ajay Rosenzweig has done such a number on my hair high sheen and bouncy, full curls that if I squint I can convince myself I look like Kate Middleton, an older and not-really Kate Middleton. It could be habit-forming, if not a bit tough on the wallet, if I did it every week. Typically, one can achieve a smooth and sleek look for about $40, but more sophisticated looks require more bucks. Braids and up-dos are options, as well as add-ons, such as scalp massages and keratin treatments. Should I just put in a few curlers, grab some salon-quality hair products and recreate some semblance of a fancy look at home? Sure, but I would not get the feeling of stepping into a spot that looks like my 7-year-old glam self created it all pink and white (Pink Soda) or all turquoise, silver and grey (GlamBlow)? It would be a whole less social, too, which adds to the allure. After Sota finished, the compliments begin and they are genuine. Very va-va-voom, says Nelba Marquez-Greene, smiling as Makayla Mann smooths her curls at the station across the way. This is Marquez-Greenes second visit to the salon. She was there that morning for the camaraderie and the talent, but also to support one of the many businesses that have supported her familys efforts. Last month, Brown and her team donated their time and talent to get Marquez-Greene ready for a segment on CBS News with Gayle King. Marquez-Greene and her husband, saxophonist and educator Jimmy Greene, spoke about his Grammy nominations for a Beautiful Life, a jazz album which celebrates the life of their daughter, Ana, who was killed in the Newtown school shootings in 2012. Marquez-Greene also has been making frequent media and public appearances to talk about the Ana Grace Project, a nonprofit the family established with the mission of promoting love, community and connection for every child and family. She said she only wishes she could take the Pink Soda team with her to Los Angeles to prep her for the Grammys, which will air Monday, Feb. 15. This is a special treat, you know, Marquez-Greene says. Its a nice luxury, a reminder to take care of yourself. Its also a wonderful way to see what might happen if I actually elevated my game just a bit. I tend to employ little makeup and consider a hair elastic an essential beauty tool, but I can see how some eyeliner, eye shadow and a sophisticated hairdo go a long way. Or as my fiance asked after seeing the stylists work, Who are you? chennessy@hearstmediact.com; Twitter: @xtinahennessy Stratford's favorite craft brewery is taking the road less traveled into New Hampshire this week. Two Road's Brewery recently announced they would be expanding their brand into New Hampshire. New Hampshire will become the ninth state to distribute the TwoRoad's beer since the brewery's debut in 2012, according to the craft beer website Brewbound. The crew at Mental Floss has come out with another entertaining U.S. map of Google searches. This one provides a state-by-state look at what people are musing about when they do Internet searches. This simple Italian-American from Queens, N.Y., as Justice Scalia often described himself, cast a tall shadow in the hallowed halls of the Supreme Court. His succinct dissemination of obtuse constitutional juris prudence was reduced to what he called textualism words matter because he fervently believed thats what the Founding Fathers of the Constitution believed (the Constitution is what they said it is). In reviewing some of his opinions, eloquent yet cogent, in my mind, places Justice Antonin Scalia on the same historic pantheon of excellence as former justices: John Marshall, Oliver Wendell Holmes, Louis Brandels, Robert Jackson. et al. Now you go to be judged by the Supreme Judge of us all, and Im sure that original jurisdiction by our Lord will give you eternal life in Heaven. Robert Lisi Brideport Thumbs up to the approximately 200 people who packed a hall in Stamford thursday evening to tell former city Mayor and now Gov. Dannel P. Malloy what they think of his proposed two-year $19.87 billion state budget that calls for across-the-board cuts to many services. The governor had the chance to explain his rationale and to promise that he would not resort to more taxes to balance the budget. We especially like that some children attended and expressed concerns it is good for young people to get involved in government. Malloy and Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman made Stamford the first stop on a listening tour, a work in progress which we hope will include Danbury, Bridgeport and Greenwich. Thumbs up to the nearly 12 percent reduction in major crime from 2014 to 2015 in Danbury, according to unofficial numbers released last week. Mayor Mark Boughton credits additional police patrols and the lowest unemployment rate in the state for the drop in robberies, assaults, burglaries and thefts. Remarkably for a city of more than 80,800 residents the seventh largest city in Connecticut there were no homicides last year (and just one the previous year). One crime did increase, however: The number of forcible rapes went from 31 in 2014 to 34 last year. The city should focus on ways to reduce occurrences as much as possible. Joint Declaration by Pope Francis and Patriarch Kirill Submitted by: Juana Havana international Religion Personalities 02 / 14 / 2016 Joint Declaration made by Pope Francis and Patriarch Kirill on Friday, February 12, published by the Cubaminrex Web site (www.cubaminrex.cu): The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God the Father and the fellowship of the holy Spirit be with all of you (2 Cor 13:13). 1. By God the Fathers will, from which all gifts come, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the help of the Holy Spirit Consolator, we, Pope Francis and Kirill, Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, have met today in Havana. We give thanks to God, glorified in the Trinity, for this meeting, the first in history. It is with joy that we have met like brothers in the Christian faith who encounter one another to speak face to face (2Jn12), from heart to heart, to discuss the mutual relations between the Churches, the crucial problems of our faithful, and the outlook for the progress of human civilization. 2. Our fraternal meeting has taken place in Cuba, at the crossroads of North and South, East and West. It is from this island, the symbol of the hopes of the New World and the dramatic events of the history of the twentieth century, that we address our words to all the peoples of Latin America and of the other continents. It is a source of joy that the Christian faith is growing here in a dynamic way. The powerful religious potential of Latin America, its centuriesold Christian tradition, grounded in the personal experience of millions of people, are the pledge of a great future for this region. 3. By meeting far from the longstanding disputes of the Old World, we experience with a particular sense of urgency the need for the shared labour of Catholics and Orthodox, who are called, with gentleness and respect, to give an explanation to the world of the hope in us (cf.1Pet3:15). 4. We thank God for the gifts received from the coming into the world of His only Son. We share the same spiritual Tradition of the first millennium of Christianity. The witnesses of this Tradition are the Most Holy Mother of God, the Virgin Mary, and the saints we venerate. Among them are innumerable martyrs who have given witness to their faithfulness to Christ and have become the seed of Christians. 5. Notwithstanding this shared Tradition of the first ten centuries, for nearly one thousand years Catholics and Orthodox have been deprived of communion in the Eucharist. We have been divided by wounds caused by old and recent conflicts, by differences inherited from our ancestors, in the understanding and expression of our faith in God, one in three Persons Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We are pained by the loss of unity, the outcome of human weakness and of sin, which has occurred despite the priestly prayer of Christ the Saviour: So that they may all be one, as you, Father, are in me and I in you so that they may be one, as we are one (Jn17:21). 6. Mindful of the permanence of many obstacles, it is our hope that our meeting may contribute to the reestablishment of this unity willed by God, for which Christ prayed. May our meeting inspire Christians throughout the world to pray to the Lord with renewed fervour for the full unity of all His disciples. In a world which yearns not only for our words but also for tangible gestures, may this meeting be a sign of hope for all people of goodwill! 7. In our determination to undertake all that is necessary to overcome the historical divergences we have inherited, we wish to combine our efforts to give witness to the Gospel of Christ and to the shared heritage of the Church of the first millennium, responding together to the challenges of the contemporary world. Orthodox and Catholics must learn to give unanimously witness in those spheres in which this is possible and necessary. Human civilization has entered into a period of epochal change. Our Christian conscience and our pastoral responsibility compel us not to remain passive in the face of challenges requiring a shared response. 8. Our gaze must firstly turn to those regions of the world where Christians are victims of persecution. In many countries of the Middle East and North Africa whole families, villages and cities of our brothers and sisters in Christ are being completely exterminated. Their churches are being barbarously ravaged and looted, their sacred objects profaned, their monuments destroyed. It is with pain that we call to mind the situation in Syria, Iraq and other countries of the Middle East, and the massive exodus of Christians from the land in which our faith was first disseminated and in which they have lived since the time of the Apostles, together with other religious communities. 9. We call upon the international community to act urgently in order to prevent the further expulsion of Christians from the Middle East. In raising our voice in defence of persecuted Christians, we wish to express our compassion for the suffering experienced by the faithful of other religious traditions who have also become victims of civil war, chaos and terrorist violence. 10. Thousands of victims have already been claimed in the violence in Syria and Iraq, which has left many other millions without a home or means of sustenance. We urge the international community to seek an end to the violence and terrorism and, at the same time, to contribute through dialogue to a swift return to civil peace. Largescale humanitarian aid must be assured to the afflicted populations and to the many refugees seeking safety in neighbouring lands. We call upon all those whose influence can be brought to bear upon the destiny of those kidnapped, including the Metropolitans of Aleppo, Paul and John Ibrahim, who were taken in April 2013, to make every effort to ensure their prompt liberation. 11. We lift our prayers to Christ, the Saviour of the world, asking for the return of peace in the Middle East, the fruit of justice (Is32:17), so that fraternal coexistence among the various populations, Churches and religions may be strengthened, enabling refugees to return to their homes, wounds to be healed, and the souls of the slain innocent to rest in peace. We address, in a fervent appeal, all the parts that may be involved in the conflicts to demonstrate good will and to take part in the negotiating table. At the same time, the international community must undertake every possible effort to end terrorism through common, joint and coordinated action. We call on all the countries involved in the struggle against terrorism to responsible and prudent action. We exhort all Christians and all believers of God to pray fervently to the providential Creator of the world to protect His creation from destruction and not permit a new world war. In order to ensure a solid and enduring peace, specific efforts must be undertaken to rediscover the common values uniting us, based on the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. 12. We bow before the martyrdom of those who, at the cost of their own lives, have given witness to the truth of the Gospel, preferring death to the denial of Christ. We believe that these martyrs of our times, who belong to various Churches but who are united by their shared suffering, are a pledge of the unity of Christians. It is to you who suffer for Christs sake that the word of the Apostle is directed: Beloved rejoice to the extent that you share in the sufferings of Christ, so that when his glory is revealed you may also rejoice exultantly (1Pet4:1213). 13. Interreligious dialogue is indispensable in our disturbing times. Differences in the understanding of religious truths must not impede people of different faiths to live in peace and harmony. In our current context, religious leaders have the particular responsibility to educate their faithful in a spirit which is respectful of the convictions of those belonging to other religious traditions. Attempts to justify criminal acts with religious slogans are altogether unacceptable. No crime may be committed in Gods name, since God is not the God of disorder but of peace (1Cor14:33). 14. In affirming the foremost value of religious freedom, we give thanks to God for the current unprecedented renewal of the Christian faith in Russia, as well as in many other countries of Eastern Europe, formerly dominated for decades by atheist regimes. Today, the chains of militant atheism have been broken and in many places Christians can now freely confess their faith. Thousands of new churches have been built over the last quarter of a century, as well as hundreds of monasteries and theological institutions. Christian communities undertake notable works in the fields of charitable aid and social development, providing diversified forms of assistance to the needy. Orthodox and Catholics often work side by side. Giving witness to the values of the Gospel they attest to the existence of the shared spiritual foundations of human coexistence. 15. At the same time, we are concerned about the situation in many countries in which Christians are increasingly confronted by restrictions to religious freedom, to the right to witness to ones convictions and to live in conformity with them. In particular, we observe that the transformation of some countries into secularized societies, estranged from all reference to God and to His truth, constitutes a grave threat to religious freedom. It is a source of concern for us that there is a current curtailment of the rights of Christians, if not their outright discrimination, when certain political forces, guided by an often very aggressive secularist ideology, seek to relegate them to the margins of public life. 16. The process of European integration, which began after centuries of bloodsoaked conflicts, was welcomed by many with hope, as a guarantee of peace and security. Nonetheless, we invite vigilance against an integration that is devoid of respect for religious identities. While remaining open to the contribution of other religions to our civilization, it is our conviction that Europe must remain faithful to its Christian roots. We call upon Christians of Eastern and Western Europe to unite in their shared witness to Christ and the Gospel, so that Europe may preserve its soul, shaped by two thousand years of Christian tradition. 17. Our gaze is also directed to those facing serious difficulties, who live in extreme need and poverty while the material wealth of humanity increases. We cannot remain indifferent to the destinies of millions of migrants and refugees knocking on the doors of wealthy nations. The unrelenting consumerism of some more developed countries is gradually depleting the resources of our planet. The growing inequality in the distribution of material goods increases the feeling of the injustice of the international order that has emerged. 18. The Christian churches are called to defend the demands of justice, the respect for peoples traditions, and an authentic solidarity towards all those who suffer. We Christians cannot forget that God chose the foolish of the world to shame the wise, and God chose the lowly and despised of the world, those who count for nothing, to reduce to nothing those who are something, that no human being might boast before God (1Cor1:2729). 19. The family is the natural centre of human life and society. We are concerned about the crisis in the family in many countries. Orthodox and Catholics share the same conception of the family, and are called to witness that it is a path of holiness, testifying to the faithfulness of the spouses in their mutual interaction, to their openness to the procreation and rearing of their children, to solidarity between the generations and to respect for the weakest. 20. The family is based on marriage, an act of freely given and faithful love between a man and a woman. It is love that seals their union and teaches them to accept one another as a gift. Marriage is a school of love and faithfulness. We regret that other forms of cohabitation have been placed on the same level as this union, while the concept, consecrated in the biblical tradition, of paternity and maternity as the distinct vocation of man and woman in marriage is being banished from the public conscience. 21. We call on all to respect the inalienable right to life. Millions are denied the very right to be born into the world. The blood of the unborn cries out to God (cf.Gen4:10). The emergence of so-called euthanasia leads elderly people and the disabled begin to feel that they are a burden on their families and on society in general. We are also concerned about the development of biomedical reproduction technology, as the manipulation of human life represents an attack on the foundations of human existence, created in the image of God. We believe that it is our duty to recall the immutability of Christian moral principles, based on respect for the dignity of the individual called into being according to the Creators plan. 22. Today, in a particular way, we address young Christians. You, young people, have the task of not hiding your talent in the ground (cf. Mt25:25), but of using all the abilities God has given you to confirm Christs truth in the world, incarnating in your own lives the evangelical commandments of the love of God and of ones neighbour. Do not be afraid of going against the current, defending Gods truth, to which contemporary secular norms are often far from conforming. 23. God loves each of you and expects you to be His disciples and apostles. Be the light of the world so that those around you may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father (cf. Mt5:14,16). Raise your children in the Christian faith, transmitting to them the pearl of great price that is the faith (cf. Mt13:46) you have received from your parents and forbears. Remember that you have been purchased at a great price (1Cor6:20), at the cost of the death on the cross of the ManGod Jesus Christ. 24. Orthodox and Catholics are united not only by the shared Tradition of the Church of the first millennium, but also by the mission to preach the Gospel of Christ in the world today. This mission entails mutual respect for members of the Christian communities and excludes any form of proselytism. We are not competitors but brothers, and this concept must guide all our mutual actions as well as those directed to the outside world. We urge Catholics and Orthodox in all countries to learn to live together in peace and love, and to be in harmony with one another (Rm15:5). Consequently, it cannot be accepted that disloyal means be used to incite believers to pass from one Church to another, denying them their religious freedom and their traditions. We are called upon to put into practice the precept of the apostle Paul: Thus I aspire to proclaim the gospel not where Christ has already been named, so that I do not build on anothers foundation (Rm15:20). 25. It is our hope that our meeting may also contribute to reconciliation wherever tensions exist between Greek Catholics and Orthodox. It is today clear that the past method of uniatism, understood as the union of one community to the other, separating it from its Church, is not the way to reestablish unity. Nonetheless, the ecclesial communities which emerged in these historical circumstances have the right to exist and to undertake all that is necessary to meet the spiritual needs of their faithful, while seeking to live in peace with their neighbours. Orthodox and Greek Catholics are in need of reconciliation and of mutually acceptable forms of coexistence. 26. We deplore the hostility in Ukraine that has already caused many victims, inflicted innumerable wounds on peaceful inhabitants and thrown society into a deep economic and humanitarian crisis. We invite all the parts involved in the conflict to prudence, to social solidarity and to action aimed at constructing peace. We invite our Churches in Ukraine to work towards social harmony, to refrain from taking part in the confrontation, and to not support any further development of the conflict. 27. It is our hope that the schism between the Orthodox faithful in Ukraine may be overcome through existing canonical norms, that all the Orthodox Christians of Ukraine may live in peace and harmony, and that the Catholic communities in the country may contribute to this, in such a way that our Christian brotherhood may become increasingly evident. 28. In the contemporary world, which is both multiform yet united by a shared destiny, Catholics and Orthodox are called to work together fraternally in proclaiming the Good News of salvation, to testify together to the moral dignity and authentic freedom of the person, so that the world may believe (Jn17:21). This world, in which the spiritual pillars of human existence are progressively disappearing, awaits from us a compelling Christian witness in all spheres of personal and social life. Much of the future of humanity will depend on our capacity to give shared witness to the Spirit of truth in these difficult times. 29. May our bold witness to Gods truth and to the Good News of salvation be sustained by the ManGod Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour, who strengthens us with the unfailing promise: Do not be afraid any longer, little flock, for your Father is pleased to give you the kingdom (Lk12:32)! Christ is the wellspring of joy and hope. Faith in Him transfigures human life, fills it with meaning. This is the conviction borne of the experience of all those to whom Peter refers in his words: Once you were no people but now you are Gods people; you had not received mercy but now you have received mercy (1Pet2:10). 30. With gracefilled gratitude for the gift of mutual understanding manifested during our meeting, let us with hope turn to the Most Holy Mother of God, invoking her with the words of this ancient prayer: We seek refuge under the protection of your mercy, Holy Mother of God. May the Blessed Virgin Mary, through her intercession, inspire fraternity in all those who venerate her, so that they may be reunited, in Gods own time, in the peace and harmony of the one people of God, for the glory of the Most Holy and indivisible Trinity! Francis Bishop of Rome Pope of the Catholic Church Kirill Patriarch of Moscow and all Russia 12 February 2016, Havana (Cuba) Cuban foreign trade minister kicks off working visit to Washington Submitted by: Juana United States Politics and Government 02 / 16 / 2016 Cuban foreign trade and investment minister Rodrigo Malmierca has begun a four-day working visit to the United States, which includes meetings with local officials, public and private entrepreneurs. This is only the second Cuban government minister to visit the US in over 50 years, after foreign minister Bruno Rodriguez visited to open the Cuban embassy in Washington last year following the historic announcement on December 17, 2014, by presidents Raul Castro and Barack Obama to re-establish diplomatic relations. Malmierca is due to meet with Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker and both will consider the scope of executive measures adopted by Obama to modify aspects of the over-50-year economic, commercial and financial embargo of Cuba. Pritzker visited Cuba last October for the first bilateral meeting on the potential and limitations of the measures aimed at easing the web of norms and policies in force against the Caribbean nation, which make up the US embargo law. Malmierca will also meet with members of the US Chamber of Commerce, an entity that set up the US-Cuba Business Council to boost bilateral trade exchange and lift barriers on commerce. He will meet with the Chambers leader Carlos Gutierrez, according to the agenda. The visit by the Cuban minister and the changes of US regulations raise unprecedented opportunities for the two countries, particularly in terms of travel and the development of small companies, said Gutierrez, who was Secretary of Commerce under President George W. Bush between 2005 and 2009. The Cuban minister arrived in Washington on Sunday heading a delegation that includes members of the Cuban Chamber of Commerce, the foreign ministry, the Central Bank of Cuba and entrepreneurs. They were welcomed at Dulles International Airport by Cuban ambassador to Washington Jose Cabanas. Cuba and the US have advanced bilateral actions in the areas of postal mail, civil aviation, the fight on drug trafficking, scientific cooperation and the environment. However, Cuba insists that in order to have normal bilateral relations Washington must lift the US embargo, return the Guantanamo naval base and stop subversive radio and TV broadcasts to the island. Customs of Cuba and Ecuador sign Memorandum of Understanding Submitted by: Juana Central America Politics and Government 02 / 16 / 2016 The National Customs Service of Ecuador and the General Customs of Cuba signed in Quito on Monday a memorandum of understanding to strengthen cooperation and assistance between the two entities, Prensa Latina Agency reported. According to Monica Marin, deputy director for regional support of the Ecuadorian institution, the agreement will facilitate constant exchange of information between the two countries, alert between governments and quick response in matters of smuggling, drug trafficking and other illegalities. It also includes topics such as training of customs officials and a program of canine training, among others. source: www.cibercuba.com What's going on in and around Somerset County? Ian relief: Deadline extended for property tax payments Gov. Ron DeSantis signed an executive order delaying the payment of property taxes across 26 Florida counties struggling from impact of Hurricane Ian. Dr. Hongmei Zhang A University of Memphis professor has won a grant from a major government institution that supports research to understand the causes, preventions and treatments for asthma.A The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases of the National Institutes of Health has awarded a team of researchers led by Hongmei Zhang, an associate professor in the Division of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Environmental Health at the U of M, a research grant to study childhood asthma.A aChildhood asthma is a significant problem for many Memphis families,a dean of the School of Public Health Lisa Klesges said. aThis is a great example of nationally recognized research at the University of Memphis that can lead to future benefits in reduced disease burden in our community.aA Memphis joins several universities from around the United States in looking into the gender-switch in adolescent asthma.A aAsthma is more common among boys before adolescence than among girls, but after adolescence, more females suffer from asthma,a Zhang said. aThis switchover drew our attention to explore the role of epigenetics.aA The research team includes researchers and clinicians from several universities, including the University of Bristol, the University of Southampton and Michigan State University, said Klesges, in a press release issued by the University of Memphis.A aI have been working closely with researchers and clinicians on our team for more than 8 years,a Zhang said.A Early prevention of asthma is vital to lessening the burden of the high-impact and avoidable disease, according to the press release.A The researchers hope the project will help prevent the prevalence and promote the decline of asthma during adolescence.A aOur ultimate goal with these findings is to help health practitioners to predict asthma at an earlier age, reduce asthma risk factors in adolescence, and prevent new incidence especially among girls,a Zhang said. aOur research will lead us one step closer to diminish the prevalence of asthma." Four University of Memphis students were accused of illegally smoking marijuana in Carpenter Complex on Jan. 18, which some say is becoming more prevalent and annoying in residence halls. A campus police report stated a resident at the complex complained about the smell of weed coming from room 204 around 6 p.m. The four occupants were all present, but denied smoking any substances. The case was referred to the Office of Student Conduct. When officers arrived on the scene no evidence was found, but they too could smell marijuana, the report said. Its really annoying, said Torika Baleilekutu, a resident at Carpenter. I hate walking from class and coming home to the smell of weed. Its disgusting. Officer Derek Myers of the campus police said while marijuana is legal in some parts of the country; it is still illegal in Tennessee. That means smoking weed in a residence hall at the U of M is against the rules and students who smoke it will face the consequences. I think were seeing an increase because obviously several states have pretty much legalized it even though the federal government has not and the state of Tennessee has not, Myers said. But we know from the surveys that more than half of the population thinks it should be legal and continue to smoke out of habit. The U of M residence life contract states if a resident is caught with paraphernalia or drugs, his or her contract will be canceled. However, Myers said if a student is caught with any type of drug on campus including alcohol there is no set punishment. It can range from suspension or expulsion based on the Student Code of Conduct. All students are responsible for knowing whats in the Student Code of Conduct, Myers said. Even if marijuana was legal, that doesnt mean the University says its OK to smoke it here. In fact, Myers said even though the number of drug violations on campus may seem to be increasing, the incidents at the U of M are relatively low compared to other similar size schools. If you look at what other universities report, were pretty low, Myers said. The reason is that less than 10 percent of our students actually live on campus. For students such as Baleilekutu, the issue is not whether it is legal or illegal or even whether the University takes it seriously enough. It is just a matter of courtesy to other students who live in the same place. Im not saying that people shouldnt have the right to smoke, but they should consider smoking somewhere where its appropriate rather than breaking the rules and disturbing residents homes Baleilekutu said. Myers said the U of M gets about 40 to 50 reports every year about illegal drug use on campus. If a student or staff member notices someone smoking in residence halls the first thing he or she should do is contact resident life. Students forget that they can help the problem too If they notice someone smoking in the wrong areas they can tell them to stop instead of expecting us to do it, Myers said. They are the ones who live here and are affected it by it everyday. Rock and roll jams play overhead, while various paintings and drawings cover the walls. A tray full of numerous bottles of different color tattoo ink is pulled forward as Jimmy Duong, 31, of Memphis, Tennessee selects a bottle for use. Learning how to draw on human skin is different, Duong said. The direction of the needle and its orientation to the grain of the skin make it that much harder. Duong is a current tattoo apprentice and has a BFA in Design Arts with a concentration in illustration, but tried other careers before tattooing. She said Tabatabai looked at her artwork and liked it. It was serendipitous that his previous apprentice just left, thus opening up a spot. People say you dont need to be in New York or LA or Chicago or a big city to make freelance artwork, but you kind of do, Faulhaber said. You cant forge the same kind of connection with someone through the Internet that you would if you met them at an art show. Faulhaber has a BFA in Illustration from the Kansas City Art Institute and was a freelance artist before tattooing. I learned how to use the tools through observation. Faulhaber said. Babak encouraged me to just work on a person who was willing because its totally different than pig skin, Its warm, its moving, its alive. Theres really no substitute for it. Faulhabers apprenticeship consists of grunt work, watching, asking questions, doing drawings and talking with Tabatabai about the process of working on skin. Unlike Duongs apprenticeship, that included practicing on pigskins, Faulhaber has only worked directly on human skin. Her first client tattoo was in May 2015. I tattooed on pig skin a lot longer than a lot of other people do, but I feel that it was to my advantage, Duong said. It gave me a lot more peace of mind before moving onto working on people. Duong drew sketches for 6 weeks, practiced on 20 pigskins and then tattooed himself in late October 2015. His first client tattoo was in November 2015. Evans said he did not go through a traditional apprenticeship, but wishes he had. Instead, he asked a tattoo artist about tools he needed, then learned tattooing by practicing on his friends. That was 25 years ago. If youre not prepared to just draw your ass off, you will never be a good tattoo artist. Ever, Evans said. Youre mechanically manipulating an image before you ever put it on a person. Tennessee law requires obtaining an apprenticeship license prior to tattooing a human and one year before being able to obtain an official tattoo license. Its tumultuous, Evans said. Its crazy. It can be fun, but its also a lot of work. An apprenticeship license is obtained by taking a two-hour blood-borne pathogens class, followed by a test, at the health department and showing them a letter of apprenticeship from a tattoo shop, along with paying a $140 fee. Apprenticing to be a tattoo artist includes, learning how to handle needles, sterilization, and even customer service. You have to have people skills, Duong said. You learn how to keep calm and keep other people calm. Youre talking, comforting and consoling. For artists who are trying to find an outlet and find a way a life, they could really do it, David Evans, 44, of Memphis, Tennessee, said. But, its not for everyone. Evans is a tattoo artist and co-owner of Underground Art, Inc., one of the oldest tattoo shops in Memphis. He oversees Duongs training. Its me keeping my fingers crossed that Ill be able to have a job that I dont hate that is actually worthwhile, Duong said. The official way to become a tattoo artist is through an apprenticeship. Its not all that different than college because you sacrifice a lot of time, but instead of a degree, you get a license and a certificate that says its okay for you to stab people, Duong said. One important difference an apprenticeship is from college is that its free. I went by Inked, but they were closed, Claire Faulhaber, 24, of Memphis, Tennessee, said. Then, I tried Trilogy and they really liked my stuff, but they already had an apprentice. Then, I remembered Babak had opened a shop up on Broad. Faulhaber is a current apprentice at Ronin Design & Manufacturing, Inc. under the owner and tattoo artist, Babak Tabatabai. Develop a portfolio, Evan said. Show all your work. Have anything and everything and let them be inundated by the amount of work you do. Faulhaber decided to pursue tattooing after a friend encouraged her to show her art portfolio to tattoo shops around Memphis. She said Tabatabai looked at her artwork and liked it. It was serendipitous that his previous apprentice just left, thus opening up a spot. People say you dont need to be in New York or LA or Chicago or a big city to make freelance artwork, but you kind of do, Faulhaber said. You cant forge the same kind of connection with someone through the Internet that you would if you met them at an art show. Faulhaber has a BFA in Illustration from the Kansas City Art Institute and was a freelance artist before tattooing. I learned how to use the tools through observation. Faulhaber said. Babak encouraged me to just work on a person who was willing because its totally different than pig skin, Its warm, its moving, its alive. Theres really no substitute for it. Faulhabers apprenticeship consists of grunt work, watching, asking questions, doing drawings and talking with Tabatabai about the process of working on skin. Unlike Duongs apprenticeship, that included practicing on pigskins, Faulhaber has only worked directly on human skin. Her first client tattoo was in May 2015. I tattooed on pig skin a lot longer than a lot of other people do, but I feel that it was to my advantage, Duong said. It gave me a lot more peace of mind before moving onto working on people. Duong drew sketches for 6 weeks, practiced on 20 pigskins and then tattooed himself in late October 2015. His first client tattoo was in November 2015. Evans said he did not go through a traditional apprenticeship, but wishes he had. Instead, he asked a tattoo artist about tools he needed, then learned tattooing by practicing on his friends. That was 25 years ago. If youre not prepared to just draw your ass off, you will never be a good tattoo artist. Ever, Evans said. Youre mechanically manipulating an image before you ever put it on a person. Tennessee law requires obtaining an apprenticeship license prior to tattooing a human and one year before being able to obtain an official tattoo license. Its tumultuous, Evans said. Its crazy. It can be fun, but its also a lot of work. An apprenticeship license is obtained by taking a two-hour blood-borne pathogens class, followed by a test, at the health department and showing them a letter of apprenticeship from a tattoo shop, along with paying a $140 fee. Apprenticing to be a tattoo artist includes, learning how to handle needles, sterilization, and even customer service. You have to have people skills, Duong said. You learn how to keep calm and keep other people calm. Youre talking, comforting and consoling. Lifestyle | Daily Life | News | The Sydney Morning Herald Were sorry, this feature is currently unavailable. Were working to restore it. Please try again later. Dismiss David Cameron yesterday agreed to hold an emergency Cabinet meeting on Friday night if he returns from Brussels with a reform deal that in his opinion justifies a vote to keep Britain in the EU. The PM had wanted to delay the session until Monday. Only then would Eurosceptic ministers be allowed to speak out. Bringing the meeting forward is a climbdown and a significant one. The original timetable was carefully crafted to give Mr Cameron a weekend in which to sway the public while Cabinet Eurosceptics remained outrageously muzzled. David Cameron yesterday agreed to hold an emergency Cabinet meeting on Friday night if he returns from Brussels with a reform deal that in his opinion justifies a vote to keep Britain in the EU The original timetable was carefully crafted to give Mr Cameron a weekend in which to sway the public while Cabinet Eurosceptics remained outrageously muzzled But that was never going to happen. Once the details of the deal were out, its critics would have torn off their gags. For weeks now, they have been unfairly silenced while anti-Brexit ministers have been allowed to talk up what sounds like a deeply unimpressive draft deal. Meanwhile, major corporations have been encouraged to declare that they would abandon the UK if we voted to leave the EU. But, inconveniently for the stay campaign, HSBC now says it will keep its headquarters in London (though it may relocate jobs to Paris) a vote of confidence in a post-Brexit Britain and a damning refutation of the scaremongers. Mr Cameron cannot be looking forward to Friday. So far as we can tell, his last-minute schmoozing of European leaders is not extracting any fresh concessions. There is also a danger that the one offer Britain has apparently secured, limiting the benefits of EU migrants, could be blocked by the European Parliament. By the end of this week we shall know which senior ministers are sufficiently unimpressed by the deal to campaign for Brexit. The gags and the gloves will be off. And not before time. Chaos in a call centre Yesterday the Mail published claims that staff at a 111 NHS non-emergency call centre were so exhausted they were falling asleep on the job. This was the same workplace where a call handler failed to recognise the sepsis that killed 12-month-old William Mead in 2014. Today we reveal the same call centre has been employing teenagers who have just finished their GCSEs to answer urgent calls in what appears to be a misplaced and somewhat desperate attempt to improve call-answering times. There is no reason to criticise the staff involved, some of whom are as young as 17. They are not medically trained, doubtless did their best, and it is hardly surprising that one of them put a patient suffering a stroke on hold. But South West Ambulance, which runs the 111 service in Devon, Dorset and Cornwall, has some questions to answer. So does Jeremy Hunt, the Health Secretary. This chaotic helpline was a wretched substitute for the seven-day emergency service that the Government promised the public. That service must be put in place without delay. A formidable lady Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe, the Met Commissioner, is today expected to meet Lady Brittan, widow of Lord Brittan, to apologise for failing to tell the former Home Secretary he had been cleared of a rape allegation before he died last year. Lady Brittan is not interested in Sir Bernards apologies and is refusing to let him into her house, preferring to meet on the neutral ground of a hotel. What she wants is an explanation. Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe (pictured), the Met Commissioner, is today expected to meet Lady Brittan Why was Leon Brittan allowed to die with this awful shadow hanging over him? Why did police raid her homes after Lord Brittan died? Tory MP Nicholas Soames describes the treatment of Lord Brittan as repulsively dishonourable. Lady Brittan seems to agree, and refuses to be drawn into a police PR operation. Jeremy Corbyn still hasnt met the Queen privately, five months after taking office, although all leaders of the Opposition are granted a private audience. Meanwhile, party members meet in London on Saturday for a Labour for a Republic meeting. The last avowedly Republican Labour leader was Michael Foot. The Queen once mistook him for comic Ken Dodd, I am told. My source explains: A potentially awkward situation was avoided as Mr Foot didnt know who Mr Dodd was. Jeremy Corbyn still hasnt met the Queen privately, five months after taking office, although all leaders of the Opposition are granted a private audience The Duchess of Cambridge is criticised for taking a 3,000 helicopter trip between Norfolk and London while the Queen got by with a 55 train ride. Incidentally, the landing place for helicopters close to Kates 21-roomed Kensington Palace apartment is called Perks Field. Disgraced former Telegraph owner Lord (Conrad) Black, 71, pictured, has put his inherited 11million Toronto family estate shared with wife, writer Barbara Amiel, 75 up for sale. Disgraced former Telegraph owner Lord (Conrad) Black, 71, pictured, has put his inherited 11million Toronto family estate shared with wife, writer Barbara Amiel, 75 up for sale Following his ousting from Hollinger International in 2004 and his 42 months in a US federal prison, he sold his London mansion for a reported 13million, his Palm Beach, Florida, spread for 16million and a Manhattan apartment for 6.25million. He says: We will be abroad a good deal, and moving to a more manageable home will be a convenience to us now as our careers have evolved. Looking down from the Grand Tier of the Royal Opera House at the showbiz riff-raff, assembled for the Baftas, a senior ROH official sighed: Well have to get a priest in to exorcise this place in the morning. As has become his custom, Bafta president Prince William didnt attend its annual luvviefest. The 20million estate of intellectual Gore Vidal all of it left to Harvard University, which he never attended is the subject of challenges from relatives. Half-sister Nina Straight (they had the same mother) is suing for the return of a 600,000 loan and for Vidals 4million Hollywood Hills mansion. Vidal, who died aged 86 in 2012, descended into alcoholism and dementia after Howard Austen, his lover of 53 years, died. It was the only marriage in our family to have lasted, remarks forthright Ms Straight. Having previously offered his remains to residents of the Battersea Dogs Home (who turned him down) Lord Avebury, who has died aged 87, planned interment at a Buddhist monastery in Warwickshire after embracing the faith. In the event, hell be laid to rest at Downe, near Orpington, Kent, scene of his famous 1962 by-election victory as Liberal Eric Lubbock. Feminist academic Camille Paglia discusses presidential hopeful Hillary Clintons disappointing failure to command the support of women, saying: What genuine principles does Hillary have left, after a public career so light on concrete achievement and so heavy with lies and greed? Yes, shes been handed job after job, but primarily due to her very unfeminist association with a man. A beauty product derived from a nut that grows in South America is claiming to have more natural skin-enhancing chemicals in it than the celebrity-loved Argan oil. Cacay Naturals Oil, which is being marketed as an anti-ageing product, contains three times more retinol - an age-battling vitamin A derivative - than other popular oils including rose hip. And demand for the product is growing - Amazon alone has seen a spike in sales of its 30ml bottles of 9,000 per cent. Scroll down for video The new weapon against ageing is the retinol-packed oil of the cacay nut from the South American rainforest Cacay Naturals, the US company behind the product, says the cacay (pronounced ca-ca-y) nut oil contains 100 per cent caryodendron orinocense seed oil. It is, they say, also packed with 50 per cent more Vitamin E than argan oil, a plant-based oil from Morocco's argan tree that has proved hugely popular with women - and a host of celebrities including Catherine Zeta Jones - looking to halt the ageing process. Testers who have tried cacay oil say that it's lighter than other oils and that users require just a couple of drops for it to hydrate and nourish damaged skin. Other companies have cottoned on to the potency of the cacay nut, with upmarket UK beauty company Bamford offering it in its Restore Elixir, which retails at 75. Elsewhere, Oilixia Skincare is using it in the 37 Brilliance Facial Oil. The new wonder skin ingredient is derived from the cacay nuts which grow in South America It's thought that the tree that produces the oil grows in South America - particularly around the Amazon lowlands - and produces an edible seed (nut) from which the oil is extracted. The three-kernel nut isn't dissimilar in appearance to a walnut and is said to have been used for medicinal purposes on skin wounds and burns by Amazon tribes. The super nut oil which is cold-pressed and doesn't need preservatives to keep it fresh also contains high levels of Vitamin F or linoleic acid, which is an omega 6 essential fatty acid. Beauty blogger Whippy Cake says cacay can also be used to fight acne, to repair damaged hair, as a cuticle oil, to help heal burns, scratches and rashes and to prevent ingrowing hairs. But she points out that cacay oil has a 'nutty organic smell' which might not be out of place in the kitchen but could be potentially off-putting in the bathroom. The Amazonian lowlands are among the South American destinations where the Cacay nut grows Skin expert and Wow beauty founder Denise Rabor told FEMAIL that she isn't surprised that the cacay nut is making waves. She said: 'Like many of my favourite treatment oils cacay oil is known for its high concentration of antioxidants, which work to keep body cells, collagen and elastin from damage by free radicals which in turn helps keep skin young and healthy.' Rabor adds she's a fan because the product doesn't leave a greasy residue. 'It's the high level of linoleic acid that help the oil quickly penetrate the skin, so it's easy to use your regular moisturiser afterwards.' Just one week after Kylie Jenner hinted that she would be expanding her booming beauty empire by changing the company's name from the Kylie Lip Kit to Kylie Cosmetics, it has been announced that the 18-year-old is moving from lips to tips and launching a range of nail polish. Women's Wear Daily reports that Kylie is working with mass market brand SinfulColors on three limited-edition nail polish collections. The first, King Kylie SinfulShine, launches on February, 26. 'I love getting my nails done and nails in general,' Kylie told the publication. 'I wanted to do something innovative and accessible to my young fans.' Beauty business: Kylie Jenner, 18, is expanding her budding cosmetics empire with a forthcoming collaboration with nail brand SinfulColors King Kylie: The collaboration consists of three collections with the first. a 20-piece royalty-themed line, launching on February 26 The debut collection, she revealed, will retail for $2.99 and contain 20 jewel tone shades with royalty-themed names. For example, there will be a raspberry called 'Real Regal', a silver called 'Knight Out,' and a lavender called 'Miss Majesty'. Like her recently-launched Lip Kit collection, the nail polish line features a nod to her favorite sibling Khloe Kardashian. In honor of the nickname given to Khloe by family members there's a white shade called Koko-Nuts. In addition to the colorful jewel tones, the collection also includes plenty of the neutral shades - like a bronze called Kreme de la Kreme and a beige called Kommando - that Kylie is often spotted wearing on Instagram. 'The colors are great for all skin tones,' she pointed out to WWD. Playing favorites: Like her last Lip Kit launch, her nail polish collection features a shade named after sister Khloe Kardashian Influencer: The brand chose Kylie to attract millennial shoppers Kylie is the first celebrity to collaborate with the brand, who sought her out for her millennial influence. 'We didnt want to just put a face on the product,' said Blake Decker, the brand's head of marketing. 'We desired someone with the insight into the category...we decided to dream high; dream big.' Considering that her lipstick line's launches have all sold out in under 30 minutes, the reality star has a proven ability to move products. Beyond lending her name and choosing the colors, the young business woman will also do tutorials with the shades on her popular app. Ivanka Trump has paid tribute to her beloved husband Jared Kusher with a romantic Instagram post shared in honor of Valentine's Day on Sunday. The pregnant 34-year-old took the opportunity not only to praise her 'one true love' but also to look ahead to the impending arrival of their third child together, which Ivanka described as a 'very special gift' that she can't wait to give her husband. 'Happy #ValentinesDay to my one true love,' the soon-to-be mother-of-three wrote alongside an image of her and her husband, which was taken in January during Jared's 35th birthday celebrations. Scroll down for video How romantic! Ivanka Trump shared this weeks-old image of herself and husband Jared Kushner on Instagram on Sunday, in honor of Valentine's Day Family day out: The 34-year-old also posted this picture of her husband and their two-year-old son Joseph enjoying a fun-filled trip to the iPlay America center in New Jersey on Sunday Sweets for my sweet: The couple's four-year-old daughter Arabella presented the couple with a delicious-looking plate of Valentine's Day cookies earlier in the day 'I'm grateful for you daily and can't wait to give you a very special gift in just a few more weeks!!' She then added the hashtags #growingfamily, #grateful and #vday, before finishing the post off with a heart-shaped emoji. And while Ivanka chose to share an older picture of herself and her husband to mark the romantic holiday, she couldn't resist the chance to share a few snaps of her family taken on the day itself. She revealed that the family-of-four spent Sunday at the iPlay America center in New Jersey by posting an image of her husband and their two-year-old son Joseph sitting in a Go Kart, before taking part in a race. And although it appears as though Ivanka and her four-year-old daughter Arabella skipped the high-speed action, the little girl still had a starring spot in her mother's Valentine's Day Instagram updates; not long before sharing the picture of her two favorite guys, Ivanka shared a snap of Arablla proudly holding a plate of Valentine's Day-themed cookies. The delicious-looking treats were labeled with Ivanka and Jared's names and featured all manner of romantic imagery, from lovebirds to hearts to 'I love you' writiing. Ivanka no doubt relished the opportunity to spend some time at home with her family after what has been a busy few weeks; despite her impending due date, the businesswoman was on-hand to help her dad Donald secure a victory in the New Hampshire primary just a few weeks ago. Ivanka braved the elements last week and took the family's private jet to snowy New Hampshire where she attended her father's rally in Manchester. Do a little dance: Ivanka shared this image of herself on the night of Jared's birthday party, in which she can be seen wearing the same ensemble as she is in her latest loved-up post Pop! The businesswoman shared this image of herself on Instagram last Wednesday afternoon, noting just how much her baby bump has 'popped' in the last few weeks Something he said: Ivanka, who is due in a matter of weeks, has been helping her father Donald with his presidential campaign and was by his side to help him secure a victory in the New Hampshire primary Celebrations: Ivanka and Jared enjoyed a victory dinner at a New Hampshire diner with her brothers Donald Jr. and Eric, and their wives, Vanessa and Lara The blonde beauty took to Instagram after her arrival to share a photo of herself looking chic in a navy winter coat and black boots despite the blustery weather. 'Hello New Hampshire! I'm so excited to be here!' she captioned the image, which sees her standing on an airstrip in front of several private planes. And soon she was hitting the campaign trail with her family. During her father's event, Ivanka was proudly holding her baby bump as she watched her father address the crowd. She later posted a photo of herself with Jared, her father, her stepmother Melania, her brothers Donald Trump Jr. and Eric, and their respective wives Vanessa and Lara Yunaska at a restaurant for dinner after the rally. 'Enjoyed a wonderful family dinner tonight in New Hampshire. What a great way to end an exciting day!' she wrote. It was thought that Ivanka and Jared's daughter Arabella and son Joseph, two, likely stayed in New York City while their parents are busy supporting their grandfather. Ivanka made seven campaign stops ahead of Tuesday's primary, traveling to New Hampshire even though she is eight months pregnant. And after it was revealed that Donald had won the New Hampshire primarily, Ivanka proudly stoon on stage with her dad during his victory speech, in which he thanked Ivanka and the rest of his family. The former model looked radiant in a long-sleeve black dress featuring a cream floral print, and later that night she and her siblings headed to a diner in New Hamsphire before they flew back to New York. Multi-cultural family: Ivanka shared this adorable video of her four-year-old daughter Arabella singing in Mandarin to celebrate the Chinese New Year last weekend Bedtime! Ivanka has been busy soaking up her final few weeks as a mother-of-two Family of five: Ivanka, who is pictured with her husband and their children at the Trump Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, is expecting her third child in early spring 'Ending an exciting day with my siblings at the Airport Diner! #nh,' she captioned a photo of her and her husband joined by her brother's Donald Trump Jr. and Eric and their respective wives Vanessa and Lara Yunaska. After she arrived home, the businesswoman shared a belated Chinese New Year message with her Instagram followers courtesy of her four-year-old daughter Arabella, who has been speaking Mandarin since she was a toddler. On Wednesday morning Ivanka shared a short video of her little girl wearing a red Chinese-embroidered dress as she sings a poem in Mandarin. The clip was filmed last Sunday, the day before the start of the Year of the Monkey, which lasts until January 27, 2017. 'Arabella wanted to have a pre-bedtime #ChineseNewYear party this past Sunday evening,' Ivanka captioned the video. 'She got all dressed up and performed songs and poems for Jared, Joseph and me.' 'It was pretty adorable #yearofthemonkey#happyChineseNewYear,' she added. In the short clip, Arabella can be see standing on the coffee table in front of the Chinese New Year decorations hanging from the windows behind her. Hours later she was back on the photo-sharing app, this time giving her followers a sneak peek at her growing baby bump; Ivanka shared an image of herself which was taken during an office photoshoot, in which she can be seen with her body turned side-on to the camera, while she hugs her baby bump in both hands in order to showcase it full effect. 'I crashed a shoot taking place in our office this week for our new apparel collection and my team snapped me walking past the set,' she wrote alongside the picture. 'Wow, has this bump popped!' She added: 'Baby no 3 will be here so soon - I cannot wait!' Once believes she could fly so leapt 50ft off a balcony Before her diagnosis she would have psychotic A 25-year-old has revealed how a mental disorder led her to throw herself 50ft off a London balcony breaking her back and leaving her paralysed. Rachel Edwards, 25, from Norfolk, was not suicidal when she took the decision to jump six years ago but because she was suffering from bipolar - which had yet to be diagnosed - she believed she was special and would be able to fly. Recalling how the events leading up to her terrible actions unfolded, she said: 'I got dressed into a nice outfit, did my make-up and went out on to the balcony. Scroll down for video Rachel Edwards reveals how she once jumped 50ft off a balcony as she was in the grip of mental illness and believed she would be able to fly 'There were helicopters and I thought they were there to film me flying. I felt like I was a really special person. I got up on the high ledge and stood on that and jumped.' Her mother rushed to her aid and found Rachel in pain and screaming that she didn't want to die. She was taken to hospital where she was given the devastating news that she would be wheelchair bound for life. 'When I was told I would never walk again it was the worst feeling ever. I thought my life was over,' she said. Rachel, who shared her story in BBC documentary The Not So Secret Life of the Manic Depressive: 10 Years On, that aired last night, said she began to adapt to life in a wheelchair and she was given full healthcare for her physical problems. Rachel, pictured in hospital after her fall, was told she would never walk again after breaking her back Pictured before she became paralysed, Rachel's mental health issues weren't diagnosed at first even though she had mood swings and psychotic episodes But the reason why she had jumped in the first place was not fully addressed and it would be another 18 months later that she was finally diagnosed with bipolar. Her friends recall how she could suddenly became hyperactive and childlike and she could have episodes of psychosis - again believing she could fly. She said: 'I still had these feeling that I could fly despite everything that had happened to me. I went upstairs one night and got dressed up again. I thought there was someone at my window and that I was going to fly off with them. 'I went to bed and thought I would do it later when everyone is asleep. Luckily that time I went to bed and when I woke up in the morning I had different ideas.' It was that second urge to jump that led to her diagnosis and she is now taking medication and is monitored by health care professions. Rachel said she has learnt being in a wheelchair 'is a different way of living but its still living' and she hopes she can support and inspire others Rachel said the symptoms of her mental disorder began when she was a teenager but at first she just though her low mood and tiredness was down to working to hard as a student alongside doing a part time job. She said: 'I used to feel so low and I didn't know why. Once I was very low for a week, I couldn't stop crying and didn't know what was wrong.' However, she then started having psychotic episodes where she became convinced of things that were fantastical. 'Suddenly my mood started to elevate on a college trip to Amsterdam. I went to the Van Gogh Gallery and looked at his paintings and had an idea I was him,' she said. On the ferry home, her psychosis continued as she believed she could control the weather and was found on deck screaming at a storm.. It wasn't long after this trip that she took the leap from the balcony that paralysed her at the age of 19. Rachel said at first she told people she fell off the balcony as she didn't want people to judge her as being 'nuts' if she told them she jumped because she thought she could fly She said at first she worried about the stigma of mental illness and how she might be judged so she used to lie about how she came to be in a wheelchair. 'People don't understand mental health or know about bipolar. I thought if I told people the truth they would think I am nuts so I used to say I fell off the balcony,' she said. However, she later decided to be open about how it wasn't an accident in order to raise awareness of mental health and support others. She has set up a blog where she writes honestly and openly about her experiences and how she has now learnt to live with both her physical disability and mental issues. Of her psychosis she writes: 'I can't explain how weird it is to be in the midst of a psychotic episode, everything seems great and you feel invincible hence why I thought I could fly!' Rachel is joined by her friends in hospital and said they have been an invaluable support On being wheelchair bound, she says: 'It has not been quick or easy to realise this, but being in a wheelchair really is not the end of the world! It's a different way of living but its still living.' Rachel hopes her blog will support others as well as raising awareness of mental issues. She continues to live life to the full with a supportive group of friends who she said have helped her through her ordeal and never pitied or judged her. She said: 'I didn't lose any friends, they gradually brought me back into the world, they came to see me, sat with me while I cried. They didn't feel sorry for me and include me in everything. 'We have been to festivals even though it is hard in the mud getting around, they always include me. I wouldn't want people feeling sorry for me.' Rachel said she lives her life to the full and now supports others with mental health problems Rachel, second from right, talks about her experiences with her friends on the BBC show She has now a job as a peer support worker for people with mental health problems and hopes she can support and inspire them through her example. She said: 'My brother said to me one day you will use what you have been through to help others. It now feels like I am meant to be doing it.' Some parents are happy, others say it promotes a health food 'obsession' Recalling your school day lunches can trigger memories of Friday lunchtime treats, steaming sausage rolls, meat pies and a range of cheap lollies and ice blocks for sale at the canteen. But after years of discussions about healthy eating in schools and a push for increased nutrition to help with 'brain food', schools have acted and now offer a selection of more balanced options, fruits and vegetables. But how far is too far? Scroll down fro video A healthy makeover: School canteens often trigger memories of Friday lunchtime treats, steaming sausage rolls, meat pies and a range of cheap lollies and ice blocks - but times have changed How far is too far? Rose Bay Public School in Sydney recently sparked a discussion on social media after their summer canteen menu was published and included homemade oats balls, a piece of seaweed for $1.50 and a vegetable box made up of veggie sticks, a boiled egg, cucumber, carrot and chickpea dip Back in the day: Many people have shared snapshots of their memories of how canteens used to be Many primary and secondary schools across the nation have transformed their simple canteens into impressive state of the art 'delis', 'pavilions' and cafeterias that offer a menu not unlike those seen in popular cafes. Rose Bay Public School in Sydney recently sparked a discussion on social media after their summer canteen menu was published ahead of the new school year. Included on the menu are a number of fads - from KA POW! Balls made from homemade oats, seeds and dried fruit to a piece of seaweed for $1.50 and a vegetable box made up of veggie sticks, a boiled egg, cucumber, carrot and chickpea dip. Nutritious: One school offers a Mediterranean Platter with falafel, couscous salad and yoghurt, organic beetroot and a 'Surf's Up' snack Box made with a boiled egg, corn chips, celery, carrot and cheese Extensive: St Luke's Grammar School offers a variety of gourmet meals throughout the week - from butter chicken with cauliflower to a daily salad made with quinoa, avocado, feta, spring vegetables and herbs The school also offers students CoCO Nuts! coconut water and a selection of smoothies. Bondi Public School, in Bondi, New South Wales, also offers an impressively extensive range of menu items with the school proudly claiming to prepare every item on offer from scratch including organic meats and wholemeal breads. Among the offerings are a Mediterranean Platter with falafel, couscous salad and yoghurt, organic beetroot and a 'Surf's Up' snack box made with a boiled egg, corn chips, celery, carrot and cheese. Cafe or canteen? Beaconhills College in Melbourne, Victoria, offers students mini pulled pork and slaw sliders, a sushi bar and berry french toast Healthy options: Melbourne's Bialik College offers students mushroom and roast vegetable burgers and a 'bowl of plenty' which includes beetroot, sweet potato, chickpeas, corn, cabbage and roast pumpkin, according to the canteen's Instagram account Breakfast option: The College also includes a healthy homemade chia pudding with berries on their menu Beaconhills College in Melbourne, Victoria, offers students mini pulled pork and slaw sliders, a sushi bar and berry french toast while Melbourne's Toorak College's 'Pavilion' menu includes a selection of six nori tubes and rice paper rolls. The Bialik College Cafeteria, in Melbourne, has its own Instagram page and boasts a menu of mushroom and roast vegetable burgers, kale, black quinoa and zucchini coleslaw in pomegranate dressing and Vietnamese rice paper rolls. The canteen menu at South Sydney High school offers a coffee bar, a salad bar with an offering of 15 salads and an extensive sandwich bar where students can select their preferred type of bread and fillings. All about 'brain food': The canteen staff at Bondi Public School prepare every item on offer from scratch including organic meats and wholemeal breads While most of the menus are colour coded in the popular traffic light system to show off the healthier items, the amount of green on each menu significantly outweighs amber and red. Parents have had a mixed response to their children's canteen menus, with some saying it's over the top, over-priced and claim it's 'unhealthy' and promoting food obsession, while others say it's great to see canteens opting for a larger, healthier offering for students. 'How is it not healthy to promote healthy eating? This should be starting at home. Our children need wholesome food to grow and develop. To say that promoting healthy eating is unhealthy is part of the problem,' one mother wrote on Facebook. Short and simple: This canteen menu from 1978 shows the simple (and less nutritious) offering - from jam and cream donuts to buttered rolls and flavoured milk 'If you think the kids are getting confused or overly focused on food then take it upon yourself as a parent to teach and encourage balance and moderation at home.' Another disagreed saying: I had to take my daughter to our GP because she had started to obsess over what was healthy and unhealthy...this was in year one at school. The bl***y school and the then PE teacher went (in my and our GP's opinion) overboard with this c**p.' The world's most famous model with Down syndrome, Madeline Stuart, made her second appearance on the catwalk at New York Fashion Week this week, at the FTL Moda show at Angel Orsensaz Foundation in Manhattan. The Brisbane 18-year-old first graced the catwalks in New York last September, when she made global headlines for single-handedly challenging society's conventional perception of beauty. This time, she was photographed wearing an ethereal, Russian-inspired look by Lulu te Gigi, complete with a furry hat and boots, a purple and gold sleeveless dress by US designer Josefa Da Silva and a long-sleeved white lace dress with a studded red belt - all accessorised with a broad smile. Scroll down for video Smiling appearance: Madeline Stuart on Monday made her second appearance at New York Fashion Week Looking the part: Madeline Stuart wows the crowd in a dazzling purple and gold dress during her walk 'She's a professional model now': The dazzling couture was by US designer Josefa Da Silva Star turn: The 18-year-old from Brisbane wore a Russian-inspired look by look by Lulu te Gigi at the FTL Moda catwalk show Madeline's return to the catwalk is significant as the model hopes to prove her first Fashion Week appearance wasn't mere tokenism. Indeed, Madeline's mother, Rosanne Stuart, told Daily Mail Australia just last month that one day it should become the 'norm' to see models like Madeline: If she gets lots of attention its amazing because we can speak to the world about inclusion and diversity, she told the Daily Mail Australia. In a way if she doesnt get as much attention it means its becoming the norm. Its a win either way. Elegant: Madeline stunned in an ivory lace dress accessorised with nude sandals and a bright red belt, her hair swept in to an elegant up-do Thanking her fans: Designer Josefa da Silva (left) waves to the crowd while standing on the runway with Madeline Stuart Model teamwork: Madeline Stuart walks down the runway holding the hand of another model who was part of the NYFW show Not mere tokenism: Madeline last walked at New York Fashion Week last September in an impressive debut Big attention:The model from Brisbane attracted headlines around the world ' I hope through modeling I can change society's view of people with disabilities, exposure to creating awareness, acceptance and inclusion,' Madeline wrote on her website in the past, making clear her beliefs as much as her catwalk credentials. And as for Madeline's modelling ambitions - after losing 44 pounds, Madeline's mother said that Madeline has inspired others who struggle with feelings of isolation or addiction to make a change. She has more than 575,000 followers on Facebook and 116,000 on Instagram. Social media star: Madeline is a star on social media, with some 575,000 followers on Facebook Proud mother: Her mother spoke to Daily Mail Australia last month and said Madeline is 'professional' now Madeline and her mother are in New York until tomorrow, where Madeline has attended FTL Modas clothing launch party, a Valentines Day event and a magazine photo shoot as well as her catwalk duties. Ms Stuart said previously that Madeline is the first model with Down syndrome to walk twice at NYFW and she was treated no different to to the other models: Shes a professional model now, she said. Mother and daughter: Rosanne and Madeline are in New York until tomorrow, for several events and shows An 18th Century prison cell with a grisly history for housing drunks and criminals has officially become Britain's smallest wedding venue. The tiny seven foot wide jail in Castle Cary, Somerset - with bars across the only window and manacles on the walls - may not spring to mind as an overly romantic setting. But council bosses applied to have the doomed Roundhouse - built in 1779 - licensed to hold marriage ceremonies for those looking to revel in 'dramatic irony' on their big day. Scroll down for video An unnamed bride squeezes inside the historic building. The tiny seven foot wide prison cell in Castle Cary, Somerset, has become the UK's smallest wedding venue - but its history is distinctly unromantic The Grade II listed building is usually locked but the council will hand over the keys to brides and grooms-to-be. It is only big enough to fit the registrar and happy couple - so any wedding guests will have to wait outside It will cost about 600 to hire out the venue for the ceremony - and the race is now on for the first couple to tie the knot in the unusual setting after bookings opened for the first time last week. The Grade-II listed 10ft tall building - where the town's vagrants and crooks were once locked up before they went before the district judge - is only big enough to fit the registrar and the happy couple, so any other guests will have to wait outside in the street. A town council spokesman said: 'Couples looking to inject an element of humour in their special day will revel in the 'dramatic irony' this building provides. 'The wedding industry is flourishing in Somerset and this new addition to the venues available provides a truly one-of-a-kind space. The town castle said the venue would appeal to those with a 'sense of humour' looking for some 'dramatic irony' on their big day 'Castle Cary has a particularly beautiful high street for visiting guests to wander through and the local economy will benefit from the additional visitors to the town.' The tiny jail stands behind the town's Market House - which is also available to hire for weddings - and is one of only four such buildings remaining in the country. Normally the Roundhouse is locked up with the local butcher holding the key and lending it out to any tourists wanting to go inside, but he will soon be handing them over to a happy couple. But while it might be the smallest - and probably the one with the most unromantic history - but it's not the first unusual venue to appeal to alternative couples in the UK. Bride and groom Micha, 27, and Phillip Trim, 36, from Romford, Essex, had to accessorise with hard hats when they tied the knot in a dark cave in Cornwall teaming with bats In the United States, the list of alternative wedding venues includes a former gold mine in Eldorado Ghost Town, otherwise known as Nelson's Landing in Nevada Just last month, bride and groom Micha, 27, and Phillip Trim, 36, from Romford, Essex, had to accessorise with hard hats when they tied the knot in a dark cave in Cornwall teaming with bats. They transformed the Carnglaze Caverns, in the Loveny Valley, near the village of St Neot, with more than 500 twinkling candles. Meanwhile in Manchester, a historic swimming baths are open for marriage ceremonies, with guests seated on the tiles which formed the bottom of the main pool. Opened in 1906, the Victoria Baths was described as 'most splendid municipal bathing institution in the country' and 'a water palace of which every citizen of Manchester can be proud.' It closed 87 years later. Saying those vows could be more of a challenge on the New York rollercoaster in Las Vegas, as the ride lifts couples 203 feet above the glittering strip If historic Naval vessels are more up your street, then you can also say 'I do' on board a historic submarine in Gosport,Hampshire. HMS Alliance is a Royal Navy A-class laid down towards the end of the Second World War and completed in 1947. Meanwhile, an old gold mine is among the more unusual wedding venues in the US. Eldorado Ghost Town, otherwise known as Nelson's Landing, is a deserted town in Nevada. Here brides and grooms can marry in a real mine location, with a tour of the ghost town and its sparse, barren scenery. A mother has shared an emotional Facebook post slamming big brands for not using models with disabilities after her son, who has Down's syndrome, discovered he's a natural on the catwalk. Anita Killick's six-year-old son Louis loves dressing up and posing for pictures, and has even been asked to model on the runway. But Anita, 43, from Caterham, Surrey, says she is disheartened that there aren't more children with disabilities modelling for mainstream brands. Scroll down for video Anita Killick, 43, wrote the emotional Facebook post after claiming that fashion agents weren't interested in adding disabled models to their books, adding that her son's condition was 'only a fraction' of who he is Louis walks the runway with a fellow model at Models of Diversity in August 2015. His mum Anita said that she had written to many fashion agents urging them to consider using more disabled models in their campaigns She explained how her son - who hit the catwalk for disability campaigners Models of Diversity in August 2015 - would love to represent the condition and break through the stigma surrounding it. In her heartfelt message, posted on Louis' Facebook page, she explained how his condition is 'only a fraction of who he is', adding: 'All children have dreams that one day may come true but if our children are not given the chance then this can't happen.' Speaking about her Facebook post, Anita said: My son may have Down's syndrome but he still wears clothes, so why can't he be a model? People always say that he's different but it's not true, he's exactly the same as everyone else and shouldn't be treated any differently to other kids. Louis loves dressing up and always puts on silly little outfits so I can take pictures of him - most of the time he's in his own little world. Children at his school have bullied him in the past and I want to show him that modelling can really help him build his confidence as he grows older so he knows how to deal with people who tease him. Louis' mum Anita Killick, 43, explained that he loves dressing up and always puts on silly little outfits'. She said she would love to show the world that 'it is possible to represent in fashion even if you have a disability' Louis posing in a suit, left, and on the runway for campaigners Models of Diversity in August 2015, right Louis at the Models of Diversity show last August. He was diagnosed with Down's syndrome shortly after birth Mum-of-four Anita says it was Louis's fascination with dressing up and his flamboyant personality that first inspired her to start taking pictures of him. It was only when she approached non-profit organisation Models of Diversity that Louis truly discovered his passion. She is also keen to show other parents who are expecting a child with Down's syndrome that even though it can be difficult, it's worth it, and there should be no stigma against the condition. Anita, who is also mum to Hannah, 16, Nathan, 13 and Hayden, 20 months, said Louis was diagnosed just a few days after he was born. She said: I just don't see what people think is wrong with children who have Down's syndrome, or a disability. 'I want to break through this stigma surrounding condition': Anita is keen to let other parents know that children with Down's syndrome can continue to live normal lives and achieve whatever they want to It's really important for people to understand that these children should have the same opportunities as other children. I'll never push Louis into doing anything he doesn't want to do but he's really enjoyed the modelling he's done so far and I'll always encourage him to be whatever he wants. When we first found out Louis had Down's syndrome we knew it was going to be hard but I want to let other mothers going out there know that it's so worth it - I want to break through this stigma surrounding condition. Her Facebook post reads: I may have Down Syndrome... But he doesn't have every single characteristic of Down Syndrome, he has his own features, likes, dislikes, strengths and weaknesses and traits that make him unique. Down Syndrome is only a fraction of who he is. Anita said that Louis loves dressing up - but modelling agencies are reluctant to take on disabled models 'He can do anything a typical child does': Six-year-old Louis poses in his football kit I may be different, but everyone is different in their own unique way, if I didn't have that extra chromosome I wouldn't be me. I am thankful to have Down Syndrome because I just want to make a difference in this world. My family would love for people to know there is a spectrum with Down Syndrome just like many other disorders. Just because my son has Downs Syndrome doesn't automatically mean he is going to be delayed in one area or another, Down Syndrome doesn't define who he is, it's just one small part that makes him an amazing son. He can do anything a typical child does it just takes him a little longer. My family really want to change the way people discriminate against disability through gaining more attention through social media none of us like feeling left out, people with Down Syndrome are no exception they want to be included so why not reach out and get to know the person not the condition.' Speaking about her son's modelling ambitions, Anita said: 'All children have dreams that one day may come true but if our children are not given the chance then this can't happen' Commenting underneath Louis' photos on Facebook, friend Helen Harwood said: 'He is beautiful' She wrote: THE ONLY SPECIAL NEED I HAVE IS TO BE LOVED AND ACCEPTED THE WAY I AM. Our son Louis was given the opportunity to participate in a catwalk walk show in UK with Models of Diversity an organisation that aims to put a diverse range of models into the spotlight and raise in society and addressing exclusion of disability in fashion. I have written to many children fashion agents to ask a simple question why don't you represent children with Downs Syndrome in your magazines or even on TV Commercials All children have dreams that one day may come true but if our children are not given the chance then this can't happen, some response I got was negative or a poor excuse,' she continued. 'Some comments were people would look at the model and not the fashion, or we can only use what our clients choose, yes maybe but if you don't have models with disabilities on your books how can they choose. Louis' mum Anita believes the fashion industry needs to be open-minded when it comes to disabled models Louis has walked the runway for Models of Diversity, and mum Anita can see no reason why he can't grow up to be a model. She has even written to agents, some of whom she claims have ignored her Some I spoke to said we will pass your message on to the relevant person and get them to give you a call !!! Well guess what I'm still waiting!!, I asked myself are people too embarrassed? We would love Louis to have a chance to show the world that it is possible to represent in fashion even if you have a disability. Have you ever studied the world DISABLED what can you get out of it.. ABLE.......... Queen Rania of Jordan looked sharp as she stepped out to meet young volunteers in the country's capital, Amman. The 45-year-old monarch attended the launch of the 6th Jordan Volunteers Forum at the Royal Cultural Centre on Wednesday. Mother-of-four Rania donned a long-sleeved dark grey top that cinched in at the waist, a pair of smart cornflour blue tailored trousers and a pair of pointed high heels for the engagement. Scroll down for video Queen Rania of Jordan looked sharp as she stepped out to meet young volunteers in Amman on Wednesday She accessorised the elegant day-time look with a boxy black leather handbag that had a gold chain and a tasselled adornment, and pearl stud earrings. Rania's hair was styled into big, bouncy waves and left to hang loosely around her shoulders. Her make-up was kept simple save for a slick of black mascara and pale pink lip gloss. Clearly a cause close to her heart, Rania told guests at the event that 'good citizenship, loyalty and kindness' are among the most important factors in bringing about positive change in their communities. Mother-of-four Rania donned a long-sleeved dark grey top that cinched in at the waist, a pair of smart cornflour blue tailored trousers and a pair of pointed high heels for the engagement The 45-year-old monarch, pictured centre, attended the launch of the 6th Jordan Volunteers Forum at the Royal Cultural Centre on Wednesday Rania, pictured centre, is greeted by representatives from Jordan Volunteers upon arrival at the event The occasion aimed to highlight the accomplishments of Jordan Volunteers over the past 12 months as well as the groups online and offline initiatives, which are reaching a wider network of volunteers and beneficiaries. Since its launch in 2009, 33,000 members have joined Jordan Volunteers and have been able to organise hundreds of volunteer activities in different sectors. Vulnerable groups including the elderly, orphans, people with disabilities and cancer patients are among the organisations beneficiaries. Jordan Volunteers is registered as a non-profit company under the Ministry of Trade and Industry. Her Majesty said she was 'proud' of the young volunteers and delighted that their initiatives have encouraged others to take part in similar schemes across the country. While at the event, Rania met with president, Dr. Motasem Masalmeh, and founder, Mohammad Jaber. She also browsed the company's online platform and listened to a talk, which included overviews of the members initiatives, their goals, and how they would like to see the future of volunteering evolve. Rania was gifted a copy of a book called, Jordan Volunteers Experience, which was written by the groups members is about volunteer work in Jordan. A woman found an innovative way to make sure her Valentine's Day was a memorable one - by texting 17 random men whose numbers were in her phone after meeting them on nights out. Blogger Victoria Trocino, 22, who lives in Dublin but is originally from New York, decided to wish some of her old flames a happy Valentine's Day with hilarious results. One man suggested the student should add him on LinkedIn after making unfavourable comments about his girlfriend's intelligence, while another asked if she had 'yellow hair and big t**s'. Scroll down for video Blogger Victoria Trocino, 22, who is originally from New York texted 17 men she'd met in Dublin bars on Valentine's Day to see how they would respond - and shared the hilarious results with followers 'Like Im sure a ton of us do, I now have a contact list filled with first names or code names of random guys Ive met out,' Victoria wrote in a blog post entitled A Valentine's Hey. 'Weve all been there: we go out, we have fun, we meet someone who is engaging, funny, flirty, and totally drunk. 'We dance and maybe kiss at one point but we both know its not going anywhere. So we exchange numbers as a formality and leave with our respective friends, never to speak to that person again.' Victoria opened her texts by simply saying: 'Happy Valentine's Day'. But she explained to FEMAIL that it was merely a coincidence that she got the idea to text her old flames on the romantic occasion. 'My friend encouraged me to do it, as a joke. I sent her the screen shots after I sent the Valentine's Day message and that was a joke enough for us,' she recalled. Victoria opened her texts by simply saying: 'Happy Valentine's Day' after being encouraged by her friend Clare to contact some old flames as a joke Niall was the first to reply but Victoria decided not to carry on the conversation and waste his time as he was a nice person and his replies were polite 'I set down my phone and wasn't expecting any texts back. Eventually my phone started buzzing and you know the rest. I was absolutely blow away by the results.' The first to reply to Victoria was a man called Niall who Victoria had met seven months earlier in a Dublin nightclub called Copper's. He said he was surprised to hear from Victoria after so long, but remembered she was American and was in Ireland for work. 'He was actually a nice guy and his responses were tame enough so I left the conversation there because moments later I got a text from a contact saved in my phone as Penguin Erector,' Victoria explained. The so-called Penguin Erector had told Victoria he worked in the penguin enclosure at Dublin Zoo, helping the animals back on their feet after they tumble over Penguin Erector admitted he had a new girlfriend, but described her as having 's*** for brains'. Remembering that Victoria was 'smart' he suggested they connect on the professional networking site LinkedIn He'd been given the quirky nickname as he'd claimed to Victoria that he worked in the penguin enclosure at Dublin Zoo and his job was to stand the birds up whenever they fell over. Once Victoria reminded him that they had met in Flannery's pub, he replied: 'FFS. Victoria from America? With the white teeth?' She confirmed it was indeed her, and Penguin Erector continued: 'Jaysus, thought you'd never speak to me again.' He added four kisses, and asked how she was, saying: 'I think about you often actually. Not to be weird.' However, he then confessed that he was spending Valentine's Day with his 'new lady' who he described as a 'ride' - an Irish slang term for someone attractive. At first Ryan did't remember Victoria, and thought his friend Dylan had put her up to texting him as a joke. But after some prompting he recalled her smile Ryan went on to reminisce about their encounter, saying he remembered Victoria's mouth. This came as a surprise to Victoria as they hadn't even kissed and asked if she was the one with 'yellow hair and big t**s.' When Victoria told Ryan she was brunette he reassured her she was 'lovely all the same' and tried to strike up a discussion about politics, asking if she was voting for Donald Trump Despite his new girlfriend's visual appeal, he complained that she was 's*** for brains'. 'I remember you being smart,' he said. 'Let's keep in touch for the future.' When Victoria questioned whether he was being serious, he replied: 'Add me on LinkedIn?' Victoria left the conversation there and, needless to say, has not added him on the professional networking site. Besides, she had another eager admirer called Ryan to communicate with. At first he thought his friend Dylan might have asked her to contact him to 'take the p***'. But Victoria assured him she didn't know Dylan and reminded him they had met in Pygmalion bar. Despite meeting her some months earlier Isaac remembered Victoria who pretended she was feeling lonely on Valentine's Day Isaac reassured her that there was no need to feel lonely on Valentine's Day with a bottom like hers and advised her to keep her head up 'F***'s sake,' he exclaimed. 'I remember you. With the smile.' Victoria replied: 'I mean, I have a mouth and I sometimes smile so there's a good chance that's me.' Ryan went on to reminisce about their encounter, saying: 'Oh yeah, I remember what else that mouth did too.' But Victoria was surprised, pointing out that they hadn't even kissed. 'You're the one with the yellow hair and big t**s?' he questioned. 'That's definitely not me,' she told him. 'I'm American with the brown hair and have relatively small chest.' He reassured her she was 'lovely all the same' and asked is she would be voting for Donald Trump. Next up was Isaac who she had also met in Copper's nightclub. He questioned why she was texting him after so much time and she pretended she was having a 'lonely Valentine's Day'. He told her: 'No need to be lonely on Valentine's Day especially with a bum like yours. Keep your head up love.' Victoria replied: 'Thanks, I'm cured.' She concluded by telling her followers that Isaac was a doctor. 'Quick, someone get this man a Nobel Prize,' she said. 'Hes just discovered a cure for loneliness. Queen Letizia proved why she's one of the world's best dressed women today as she stepped out in an elegant ivory suit. The 43-year-old Spanish monarch chose the stylish ensemble to meet with the Board of Patronage at the Prado Museum in Madrid alongside her husband King Felipe VI. Before business got under way, the royal pair were spotted chatting to a group of excited school children who had waited outside of the establishment to greet them. Queen Letizia proved why she's one of the world's best dressed women today as she stepped out in an elegant ivory skirt suit The 43-year-old Spanish monarch chose the stylish ensemble to meet with the Board of Patronage at the Prado Museum in Madrid alongside her husband King Felipe VI Spain's King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia browse the artwork in the Prado Museum before their board meeting Clearly making an effort for her day of engagements, Letizia donned a chic off-white blazer that nipped in at her slender waist and had a rose emblem on the lapel. This sophisticated jacket was paired with a matching knee-length pencil skirt and a pair of burgundy pointed high-heels. Letizia accessorised the day-time look with a plum-coloured snakeskin clutch bag and silver droplet earrings. Letting her natural beauty shine through, her make-up was kept simple save for a slick of pink lip gloss and a touch of mascara. King Felipe VI was spotted chatting to his wife Queen Letizia ahead of their meeting at the museum Clearly making an effort for her day of engagements, Letizia donned a chic off-white blazer that nipped in at her slender waist and had a rose emblem on the lapel Seated beside one another, King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia were spotted reading through the agenda Upon arrival the pair stood in the gallery's great hall and representatives from the organisation lined up to greet them Patrons shook hands first with King Felipe VI before then moving on to welcome Queen Letizia King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia posed for a photograph with representatives from the museum Letizia - who is mother to Leonor, Princess of Asturias, 10, and eight-year-old Infanta Sofia of Spain - tucked her glossy brunette hair behind her ears and appeared to be sporting a few blonde highlights. Meanwhile, 48-year-old Felipe looked handsome in a dark grey pinstripe suit, a crisp white shirt and a blue patterned tie. Upon arrival the pair stood in the gallery's great hall and representatives from the organisation lined up to greet them. Patrons first shook hands with Felipe before moving on to welcome Letizia. The group then stood together for a photograph with the royal couple taking centre stage. After admiring some of the museum's artwork, the team got down to business with their meeting. Seated beside one another, Felipe and Letizia were spotted reading through the agenda and making notes. The group then stood together got a photograph with the royal couple take centre stage Hiding her ivory skirt suit under a formal bright red coat, Queen Letizia was all smiles as she chatted to the youngsters in the sunshine Before their important meeting, King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia brightened up the morning of a class of merry school children Queen Letizia looked regal in a smart red coat that had a tie back and black patent button The group crowded round eager to get a close-up glimpse of their king and queen before making their way inside the hall King Felipe VI gave the crowd a cheery wave before heading off on his way into the museum Queen Letizia wads off the light breeze by pulling her bright red coat around her while King Felipe VI waves at well-wishers Queen Letizia's colourful coat was the perfect choice of outerwear for the bright and sunny day Before their important conference, Felipe and Letizia brightened up the morning of a class of merry school children. Hiding her ivory skirt suit under a formal bright red coat, Letizia was all smiles as she chatted to the youngsters in the sunshine. The group crowded round the couple, eager to get a close-up glimpse of their king and queen before they made their way inside the hall. Felipe gave the crowd a cheery wave before heading off on his way. Meanwhile, last week, Letizia gave royal style fans a little sense of Deja vu as she stepped out in a familiar regal rouge outfit to visit the Royal Palace in Madrid. The thrifty royal opted for her old favourite Felipe Varela skirt suit for the fourth time as she greeted vice president Soraya Saenz de Santamaria in the capital on February 10. She first wore the two-piece, which is thought to have cost around 679, on an official visit to New York in 2009. She sported the outfit for the second time more than a year ago when visiting Casa dos Marcos in Portugal and then in November during a day of engagements in Madrid. The excitement on the children's faces was clear to see as they chatted to Queen Letizia She's in her 90th year and is reportedly scaling back on her royal duties, but the Queen showed she still has a spring in her step as she arrived at an event in London this evening. The monarch, 89, attended the Gold Service Scholarship service where the winner of a national competition to find the nation's best waiter or waitress was set to receive their honour. After alighting from her car outside Claridge's Hotel, the royal nimbly stepped up on to the pavement where she was greeted by a uniformed member of staff who shook her hand. Scroll down for video The Queen, 89, arrives at the Gold Service Scholarship awards ceremony at Claridge's Hotel in Mayfair central London - an event to honour young waiting staff from across the UK Perhaps giving a nod to the occasion in question, she chose a two piece gold suit with a floral pattern, which she teamed with an elegant double string of pearls. Now in its fourth year, the Gold Service Scholarship is an annual competition for young, front of house professionals working in the hospitality industry. It aims to raise the profile of hospitality and service skills in the UK, recognise the country's best talent, and to motivate aspiring young workers. The Queen is patron of the Scholarship and joined leading hospitality figures at Claridge's hotel in London for the presentation ceremony. The Queen is patron of the scholarship and is an expert on good service. She takes a close interest in all aspects of the planning of state banquets, approves the menu and the seating arrangements, and always makes the final check of the table The Queen greeted the Gold service Scholarship winner Jennifer Santner before she was presented with her award Now in its fourth year, the Gold Service Scholarship is an annual competition for young, front of house professionals working in the hospitality industry, and the Queen is the scholarship's patron Last week, the eight finalists were tasked with planning, preparing and serving a three course lunch, including champagne and wines, to a table of four. They were also required to complete a written order of service before commencing with the preparation of service. Their efforts will no doubt be of great interest to the Queen who has attended hundreds of state banquets in her reign, and is an expert when it comes to identifying good food, service and hospitality. She takes a close interest in all aspects of the planning of state banquets, approves the menu and the seating arrangements, and always makes the final check of the table. She may be due to scale back on her royal duties in her 90th year, but the Queen still has a spring in her step After alighting from her car, the royal nimbly stepped up on to the pavement. She chose a two-piece gold suit for the event and carried a classic black handbag The royal greets a Claridge's staff member on arrival at the event. She was set to spot a familiar face among the finalists as James Parums who works at Buckingham Palace was among the contestants And she will spot a familiar face among the finalists this evening, as one of the candidates is James Parums who works at Buckingham Palace. Other finalists include Christoph Schrottenbaum from Dinner by Heston Blumenthal and Charlie Lee, from Fera at Claridges. The winner will receive a prize package of mentoring opportunities, travel and placements from a group of the most senior service professionals in the country. A yogi with close to one million Instagram followers has revealed that an online 'troll' who told her that her derriere was too large to wear white actually shamed her into removing one of her photos. Kerri Verna, 41, who is known as @BeachYogaGirl on Instagram, took to the social media app last week to share a photo of herself wearing a pair of tight white shorts, admitting in the caption that she had initially taken down the picture following a few nasty comments, before later deciding that she should have never have let one of her critics influence her or her actions in any way. The mother-of-two from Lake Worth, Florida, then went on to share a powerful message about body-shaming and self-love, writing: 'Let's talk about body-shaming for a moment. Scroll down for video Harsh critic: Kerri Verna, who is known as @BeachYogaGirl on Instagram, shared a photo of herself in white shorts, revealing on the social media app that she was once body-shamed by an online 'troll' for wearing them Fighting back: Along with the photo, the 41-year-old from Lake Worth, Florida, posted a powerful message about body-shaming and self-love 'Last time I wore white someone commented what a large a** I had and that I shouldn't wear white. Even though I'm totally happy with my body and completely self-confident with my body image, I will say on that particular day I wasn't feeling my best. 'I immediately deleted the photo and began to look closely at all my photos,' she admitted. 'Not that I thought I was "fat" but I began to question wearing white and if it "made me look fat".' However, Kerri soon realized that she made a terrible mistake when succumbed to pressure from someone she had never even met before. 'After a good night sleep, I woke up the next day wondering why in the world did I let some random internet "troll" bother me so much as to actually delete a photo!' she explained. Kerri went on to say that she loves 'fashion, photography, puppies, yoga, fitness, and the beach, and the photos she shares on Instagram are for herself and 'no one else'. True confession: Kerri admitted that at first she deleted the photo of herself wearing white shorts because an online bully told her that her behind was too large to be wearing them Big regret: Kerri soon realized that she made a mistake when she removed the image because of what someone else thought about it 'They are all for me, and I am quite happy with who I am,' she added. 'If someone is inspired by me that makes it even better. 'So, if you think my butt is too big to wear white or you think white makes my butt looks too big in this photo and you want to tell me ... 1. You are a troll. And 2. Thank you for your opinion but I didn't ask and I don't care,' Kerri wrote, using the hashtag #sorrynotsorry. Kerri went on to say that 'women of all sizes need to love their bodies and wear white shorts if you want to'. 'If you like it, wear it,' she added. 'Never let anyone's opinion make you feel bad or shameful about your body. It's just a shell ... It doesn't define you.' Kerri ended her powerful message with the hashtag #endbodyshaming. More than 8,400 people liked Kerri's post, with nearly 600 people commenting on her poignant message. Powerful words: 'Never let anyone's opinion make you feel bad or shameful about your body. It's just a shell. It doesn't define you,' she wrote Happier now: Kerri also shared a side-by-side photo of herself when she was 18 years old (L) along with a new picture of herself at 41 (R) as she explained that she used to be unhealthy and have low self-esteem Look of love: Kerri posted this photo of herself with her husband on Valentine's Day 'Your body looks powerful, healthy and strong. Enjoy all it does for you!' one person wrote, while another added: 'Your glutes rock! Strong is beautiful.' 'Uhh whoever said that is obviously jealous!' one person noted. 'You have an amazing body, and I'm glad that you were able to realize that what other people think and say doesn't matter... Only the way you feel about yourself matters. You're awesome.' A few days later, Kerri shared a side-by-side photo of herself when she was 18 years old along with a new picture of herself at 41 as she explained that she used to eat McDonald's for breakfast, smoke cigarettes, and never work out when she was younger. Kerri also noted that she was never asked out on a date at that point in her life and suffered from low self-esteem, but now, 23, years later, she is happy with herself and her life. A squirt of cool mist up the nose could help combat migraines. The results of a small UK study, published in the Journal of Headache and Pain, showed that the device is highly effective at easing the pain of migraine soon after an attack starts. Six of the 15 patients in the study said they experienced complete relief within 20 minutes of using the device, while seven experienced partial relief and two noticed no difference. The researchers, from Cumbria Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, said the device provided more pain relief than common migraine medication, including triptans a popular migraine drug available on prescription or over the counter and paracetamol. Now the device, known as RhinoChill, is being tested in a larger trial involving 90 patients at three NHS hospitals, comparing it against a placebo. The battery-powered probe has two prongs one for each nostril and is attached to a pump that emits a cool liquid when activated. The liquid evaporates as soon as it leaves the pump, penetrating the nasal cavity as an ice-cold mist; this is absorbed by the tiny nerves deep inside the face that process pain signals from blood vessels to the brain. The cold mist is believed to block receptors in the nerves, stopping the pain messages reaching the brain. The coolant also makes tiny blood vessels in the head constrict, so they release fewer pain-producing chemicals, called prostaglandins. Nerve block treatment for migraines is already available as a hospital treatment, and requires a doctor to insert a thin tube into the nose under local anaesthetic. The RhinoChill is designed to be used at home. Migraine affects one in ten of the UK population. Most people suffer with common migraine, which involves a severe throbbing headache, usually on one side of the head. Over-the-counter painkillers such as paracetamol and ibuprofen can help mild attacks. But in more severe cases, patients are prescribed triptans which work by restoring the chemical balance in the brain disrupted by migraines. Yet even these sometimes fail to curb attacks and can have side-effects including drowsiness and nausea. Recently, scientists have been exploring drug-free ways to switch off pain using devices to stimulate nerves in the body. For example, studies are exploring whether a puff of air in the ear can interrupt pain signals by targeting a nerve that has branches in the ear drum. In the new trial of the cold mist spray, 90 patients will keep a diary for 30 days logging the strength and frequency of their migraines and how well they respond to the medicines they take to give researchers an idea of how much pain they normally suffer. Then half the group will be given a RhinoChill device to use at home, and half an identical-looking placebo device with some minor changes in design but which provides a sufficient placebo treatment. Theyll use the devices for ten minutes as soon as a migraine sets in, and then keep a diary of their symptoms for the next two hours. Results should be available later this year. There is huge interest in whether targeting these nerves in new ways might be an effective treatment, says Dr Andy Dowson, the director of headache services at Kings College Hospital in London. The big attraction is that side-effects are unlikely. The next step is to shrink this technology into a more user-friendly form, he adds. MEANWHILE, a nose spray of the so-called love hormone oxytocin is also being trialled as a way to tackle migraine. More than 200 patients will receive either the oxytocin spray, known as TI-001, or a placebo to use for a month in a new trial at hospitals in Australia, New Zealand and Chile. The thinking is that spraying the hormone in the nose will block pain signals from the trigeminal nerve to the brain. A revolutionary treatment that could stop cancer from ever coming back is close to becoming widely available, scientists said yesterday. Dubbed a living drug, it will act in a similar way to a vaccine, by being constantly alert for the disease returning. T-cell immunotherapy hit headlines last year when British baby Layla Richards became one of the first people in the world to be given the treatment, which is made from the bodys own cells. Now, two landmark studies have revealed the therapys stunning potential. One suggests it will last for at least 14 years in the body, raising the tantalising prospect of a permanent cure for cancer. In the other, 94 per cent of terminally ill patients saw the disease vanish completely. The extraordinary results are unprecedented in medicine, the worlds biggest science conference heard The extraordinary results seen in so-called liquid cancers such as leukaemia rather than those that form solid tumours are unprecedented in medicine, the worlds biggest science conference heard. Researcher Chiara Bonini said: This really is a revolution. The treatment is created from T-cells white blood cells that normally fight off viruses and bacteria which are removed from the patient and genetically tweaked to recognise and attack their cancer. The genetically-modified cells are then grown in their millions in a lab before being infused back into the patient, where they hunt down and destroy the cancer cells. Scientists around the world are perfecting the technique, and a series of trials have shown it to have remarkable potential. Some of the most exciting results come from the San Raffaele Scientific Institute in Milan, where doctors gave ten patients infusions of T-cells and watched how long they lasted in the body. One type of T-cell survived for 14 years, the conference of the American Association for the Advancement of Science heard. Dr Bonini said these cells may last for life. If they were also genetically engineered to hunt out and destroy cancer, they would patrol the body year after year and stop it from ever returning. She likened the therapy to a vaccine that gives protection for life against an infection, adding: T-cells are a living drug and they have the potential to persist in our body for our whole lives. 'Our findings have profound implications for the design of T-cell-based immunotherapies. Dr Bonini said patients were very close to the first treatments becoming widely available.' T-cell immunotherapy is created from T-cells bottom left in left image) white blood cells that normally fight off viruses and bacteria. These are removed from the patient and genetically tweaked to recognise and attack their cancer. The genetically-modified cells are then grown in their millions in a lab before being infused back into the patient, where they hunt down cancer cells (right) The cancer cells are then destroyed. Researchers likened the therapy to a vaccine that gives protection for life against an infection. Scientists around the world are now perfecting the technique Professor Daniel Davis, a Manchester University expert on the immune system, described the study as an important advance. He said: The implication is that infusing genetically-modified versions of these particular T-cells could provide a long-lasting immune response. Immunotherapy has great potential to revolutionise cancer treatments and this study shows which type of T-cells might be especially useful to manipulate. A second study, also presented at the conference in Washington DC, reinforced the potential of T-cell immunotherapy. When scientists at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Centre in Seattle gave genetically-modified T-cells to leukaemia patients with months to live, the cancer disappeared in 94 per cent of cases. Patients with other blood cancers saw response rates of greater than 80 per cent, with more than half experiencing complete remission. Researcher Dr Stanley Riddell said: These are patients that have failed [every other treatment]. Most patients in our trial would be projected to have two to five months to live. 'This is extraordinary... unprecedented in medicine to get response rates in this range in these very advanced patients. BABY GIRL'S MIRACLE RECOVERY Hope: Layla Richards had the treatment last year Little Layla Richards was given a T-cell treatment so experimental it had only been tested on mice. The baby, from north London, had one of the worst cases of leukaemia her doctors had seen, and when all other therapies failed, her parents were told to expect the worst. But they refused to give up and, last summer, when Layla was one, doctors at Great Ormond Street Hospital gave her an infusion of 50million cells genetically engineered to hunt and kill her cancer. Her mother Lisa Foley, 27, said: We didnt want to accept palliative care and so we asked doctors to try anything for our daughter, even if it hadnt been tried before. Father Ashleigh Richards, 30, added: It was scary to think the treatment had never been used in a human before but even with the risks there was no doubt we wanted to try. The treatment wiped out Laylas cancer. It is too early to say she is cured, but doctors have described her recovery as a near miracle. Advertisement We have a long way to go. The response is not always durable, some of these patients do relapse but the early data is unprecedented. Professor Dirk Busch, a T-cell researcher at the Technical University of Munich, said: We have now for the first time genetically engineered T-cells in patients. A couple of years ago, nobody would have expected that they would work so nicely, that they would survive so nicely. That opens the door for getting more creative and making better cells. The treatment is not without its challenges, including side-effects that can be severe and even fatal. Success so far has been in leukaemia and other liquid cancers, rather than prostate, breast and other tumours that form lumps. Getting T-cells deep inside solid tumours will be difficult. Cost is also an issue, as the treatment is tailored to individual patients. Cancer Research UKs Dr Kat Arney said it was an exciting prospect. She stressed that it doesnt yet work for all patients we still need more results from more trials but theres a lot of hope this type of therapy could save lives. Satellite images could predict areas of the world where obesity and some forms of cancer are more prevalent, experts believe. A new piece of research, which has yet to be published, highlights the link between artificial light-at-night, and diseases including breast cancer and obesity. Researchers in Israel found a significant link between the strength of artificial light, and areas where people were overweight or obese, Haaretz reports. To arrive at their conclusions, researchers at the University of Haifa, led by doctoral candidate Nataliya Rybnikova, examined satellite images and compared them to health data from the World Health Organization. Artificial light-at-night increases the risk of being overweight or obese, researchers at the University of Haifa in Israel have concluded, in a new study Researchers studied satellite images from the US Defense Meterological Satellite Program. They then combined that data with country-level data on female and male overweight and obesity prevalence rates, from the WHO to arrive at their conclusions The theory is that artificial light impacts on the body's production of melatonin - a hormone that anticipates the daily onset of darkness. Typically levels of melatonin change throughout the day, reaching a peak in the evening, while falling off during daytime hours. Past studies have linked artificial light to obesity. Last year scientists at Leiden University found, after conducting experiments on mice, that animals exposed to light 24 hours a day for five weeks put on 50 per cent more fat than creatures who kept more normal hours. This was despite the animals eating the same amount of food, and doing the same level of exercise. Tests revealed constant light disrupted their body clock and slowed down a vital calorie-burning process. Worldwide overweight and obesity rates are on the rise, with an estimated 1,900 billion adults being defined as overweight and another 600 million adults being defined as obese, by the World Health Organization. The study states: 'Increasing exposure to artificial light-at-night (ALAN) may influence body mass, by suppression of melatonin production and disruption of daily rhythms, resulting in physiological or behavioral changes in the human body, and may thus become a driving force behind worldwide overweight and obeseity pandemic.' A number of studies have linked artificial light to obesity, tests have revealed light disrupts the body clock and slows down the body's metabolism, a vital process in burning calories Dr Rybnikova and her team examined most recent satellite images of night time illumination from the US Defense Meterological Satellite Program. They then combined that data with country-level data on female and male overweight and obesity prevalence rates, from the WHO. They found 'artifical light-at-night emerged as a statistically significant and positive predictor of overweight and obesity'. Past research by Dr Rybinkova and her team, published in the Journal Chronobiology International, reported links between artifical light-at-night and breast cancer rates. Researchers analyzed links in 180 countries, taking account of other factors which could have an influence, including birth rates. They noted a 'statistically significant' positive association between breast cancer and artificial light-at-night. They added countries in Western Europe showed the highest levels of association, while those in Southeast Asia and the Gulf States exhibited 'relatively low breast cancer rates against a backdrop of relatively high artificial light-at-night levels'. The recent study is set to be published in The International Journal of Obesity. Jem Abbotts was a healthy 37-year-old father of two when he decided to have a vasectomy, a routine procedure tens of thousands of men undergo successfully every year. Within ten days he would be dead, killed by sepsis, a deadly condition that, if spotted in time, is easy to treat. The sales executive from Sutton Coldfield underwent his vasectomy at the Sir Robert Peel Hospital in Tamworth, Staffordshire. It went well, but at some point Jem developed an infection. Six days later, his wife Karen recalls that Jem came home saying he felt really ill, like he had flu, so I told him to go to bed and rest. It wasnt flu. Jem was feeling the effects of sepsis. This fast-moving condition occurs when the bodys immune system over-reacts to an infection, caused by anything from a cut finger to the flu, attacking not only invading bugs but also its own tissues and organs, shutting them down one by one. Danger: Every year 44,000 people in the UK are killed by sepsis, while 100,000+ survivors are left with serious long-term complications, such as irreversible damage to lungs, heart, kidneys and brain, and limb amputations That Thursday night Jem was sick several times. The next day he still felt rotten, so Karen called the GP, who visited that afternoon. Despite the vomiting and flu-like symptoms, the GP put Jems condition down solely to an infection from the surgery. He prescribed antibiotics but didnt consider the much more serious possibility of sepsis. When he woke on Friday Jem complained of feeling cold and had developed strange mottling down one side. Both symptoms, caused by low blood pressure, were two telltale signs of sepsis. But it was Saturday before he finally gave in to his familys pleas to go to hospital. It was already too late. Jem had started to become disorientated and by the time the ambulance arrived he was in almost a drunk-like state, recalls Karen, 45. It was the last time Karen would see her husband awake. At the hospital his heart stopped; they got it working again in intensive care but he never regained consciousness. Many professionals unaware: Sepsis is one of the greatest - and possibly least well-known - health threats The last sight his children Emily, then 11, and Tom, eight, had of their father was of him attached to a life-support machine, which was finally switched off three days later. Just before he died, Karen was told Jem had fallen victim to sepsis. I didnt even know what it was, she says now. An inquest in March 2005 concluded no one had been to blame for Jems death. COUGH THAT LED TO LOST LIMBS sepsis can strike anyone, but death is far from inevitable. It is easy to treat with a strong dose of antibiotics, delivered intravenously, as well as fluids; however its largely unknown to the public and poorly recognised by doctors. Last week, the Mail launched a campaign to increase awareness of the dangers of sepsis, a campaign supported by the mother of William Mead, the one-year-old Cornish boy killed by sepsis in 2014 after warning signs were missed by doctors and the NHS 111 helpline. Every year 44,000 people in the UK are killed by sepsis. Whats more, while 100,000 survive, many are left with serious long-term complications, such as irreversible damage to lungs, heart, kidneys and brain, and limb amputations. In yet another sign of the NHSs failure to respond properly to sepsis, there is no national register of cases, so its not known for certain how many who survive sepsis are affected in the long term, though its thought as many as 30 per cent will have a significant complication, says Dr Ron Daniels of the UK Sepsis Trust. Theres little doubt how much sepsis survivor Corinne Huttons life has been changed by the condition. In June 2013, the 43-year-old mother-of-one developed a cough. At the time, she was running her own design company and she tried over-the-counter medication, but after two weeks saw her GP. He prescribed antibiotics for a suspected respiratory infection. Defiant: Bionic mum Corinne Hutton, from Lochwinnoch Scotland, suffered sepsis and was forced to have her hands and legs amputated (pictured with son Rory, age 6) I went home, feeling poorly like you would if you had a chest infection, and went to bed, says Corinne, who lives in Lochwinnoch in Renfrewshire. The next day, I was dying in hospital. That morning shed stayed in bed, while her four-year-old son Rory was looked after by his father. About mid-morning she became alarmed when she vomited blood. I still thought I just needed the antibiotics to work, but with a bit of bullying from my mum I phoned NHS 24 [Scotlands NHS 111]. She was advised to go to the walk-in clinic at the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Paisley. Seen immediately by a consultant, she managed to utter just a few words before passing out. I wasnt expected to survive, she says. Within hours of my getting to hospital my brother was on a plane from Dubai with his black suit. As her blood pressure plummeted, starving her body of oxygen, Corinnes organs began to shut down. Sepsis had set in. She was in a medically induced coma for the next three weeks, as doctors fought to save her life. Life-changing: Corinnes journey started in June 2013, when the 43-year-old mother-of-one developed a cough Dedaly: At the time, she was running her own design company and she tried over-the-counter medication, but after two weeks saw her GP...who prescribed medication for a suspected infection When she finally came round, she had been transferred 300 miles by air to a specialist treatment unit at Glenfield Hospital, Leicester. Three weeks later she learned that both her hands and feet would have to be amputated. In all, she underwent 13 different procedures, carried out in six gruelling bouts of surgery. She was in hospital for three months. Two-and-a-half years on, Corinne, now 45, is getting on with her life, and launched Finding Your Feet, a charity dedicated to helping people who have lost limbs. But she remains haunted by the way her life was turned upside down by a simple cough. In her case, she says: Nobody really did anything wrong, but that is whats so frightening, not just for me but for anyone who finds themselves in the same boat. Against the odds: I wasnt expected to survive, she says. Within hours of my getting to hospital my brother was on a plane from Dubai with his black suit. Gruelling: In all, she underwent 13 different procedures, carried out in six dramatic bouts of surgery THE SIMPLE TESTS DOCTORS DON'T DO Our campaign is calling for a radical improvement in the way the NHS tackles sepsis. Go into hospital with sepsis in England, and you have a 30 per cent chance of dying. In Wales or Scotland, your odds improve dramatically with death rates at 24 per cent and 20 per cent respectively. In the U.S., some hospitals have rates as low as 9 per cent. In each case, a simple, but effective, system of detection and treatment is in place, reinforced with awareness training for hospital doctors, nurses and pharmacists. Ironically, many of these systems including those in Wales and Scotland are based on the Sepsis Six, developed in England by the Birmingham-based UK Sepsis Trust. The Sepsis Six comprises three tests (two blood tests and a urine check) and three treatments antibiotics, intravenous fluids and oxygen that must be given within the all important golden hour of sepsis first even being suspected. Where the Sepsis Six is in consistent use by the NHS in England, death rates are closer to 20 per cent than the national average of 30 per cent. Its estimated that as many as 14,000 lives could be saved in England every year if only doctors followed these well-established protocols. The Sepsis Six protocols were developed by Dr Ron Daniels who was prompted to act when he was a junior critical care consultant at Good Hope Hospital, Birmingham, when Jem Abbotts died there in March 2004. Happier times: Corinne with her mum Doreen at a wedding in 2007 - before she lost her hands and legs I came into work one Monday morning and found myself having to explain to Karen that her 37-year-old husband was going to die, he told Good Health. She was going to have to go home and tell their two young children that Daddy wasnt coming home, all from something that was essentially preventable. Driven by Jems death, Dr Daniels began working to raise awareness of the condition, first locally among colleagues and then nationally, and in 2012 he and colleagues from Birmingham founded The UK Sepsis Trust. (Today, Good Hope Hospital has one of the best mortality rates for sepsis in England 20 per cent.) The charity is now widely recognised as the leading UK authority on the condition and has now introduced the Sepsis Six programme to the vast majority of British hospitals. But theres a problem, says Dr Daniels. While 94 per cent of hospitals say they use the system, it doesnt mean they use it with everyone. There are places now delivering The Sepsis Six in 90 per cent of cases, but they are few and far between. SAVE LIVES BY EDUCATING STAFF The problem, he says, is that NHS England seems unable to impose the type of system-wide direction that others have found so vital in improving sepsis care. Compare this with Scotland. In January 2012, NHS Scotland launched a three-year campaign aimed at improving recognition, assessment and timely treatment of sepsis. Training sessions for everyone involved with patients, from doctors and nurses to pharmacists and administration staff, were reinforced by posters, regular safety briefings, talks by patients and relatives of people who had died from sepsis, and even a specially developed sepsis screening app. But at the heart of it all was the Sepsis Six. Brave: Subsequently, Corinne became one of the first people in the UK to have a double hand transplant At the start, with a mortality rate of 24.8 per cent, NHS Scotlands sepsis record was already better than that in England, but the campaign drove the death rate down to 19.5 per cent. The man behind the programme is Professor Kevin Rooney, an intensive care consultant at the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Paisley and Scotlands national clinical lead for sepsis. A dedicated central team was set up to oversee the changes, but he gives credit for the lives saved to the Scottish government. Weve been very fortunate, he told Good Health. We identified this as a problem and right from the start weve had top-level support from the Scottish government and the chief executive of the NHS in Scotland. As a result, every hospital in NHS Scotland has been working on sepsis because they have been told, You have to do this. The response in England has lacked such central direction, says Dr Daniels. SEPSIS: THE WARNING SIGNS If a child or adult who has had any infection - even a mild cold - develops one or more of the following symptoms, call 999 immediately and say you think they have sepsis: - Abnormally cold to touch - Breathing rapidly/struggling for breath - Very lethargic/dicult to rouse - No urine (or wet nappy) for more than 12 hours - Skin mottled, bluish or extremely pale REMEMBER: Sepsis can begin under the cover of any infection, such as flu, a tummy bug, a chest infection or even a sore throat. If sepsis is suspected by doctors, treatment with antibiotics must begin as soon as possible - ideally within one hour of diagnosis even before blood tests are given. Advertisement FAILING TO TACKLE THE PROBLEM In 2013, the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman investigated several cases in which patients had died from sepsis and concluded they did not receive the treatment they urgently needed. In a third of cases existing care standards and protocols are not being followed. In response, in December NHS England launched Improving outcomes for patients with sepsis, a cross-system action plan. But the problem, says Dr Daniels, who worked on the action plan, is it is just another report what we need, and dont have, is a national central team acting on this, driving change. A spokesperson for NHS England declined to explain why its mortality rate for sepsis was so much worse than in Scotland or Wales. However, she suggested it was possible that differences in clinical coding may in part explain the disparities in different areas. The battle against sepsis also needs proper funding, says Dr Daniels, but he doubts that a financial incentive recently put in place by NHS England fits the bill. Concerning: In 2013, the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman investigated several cases in which patients had died from sepsis and concluded they did not receive the treatment they urgently needed THE SHORT-FALL IN SPECIALIST NURSES Under this system, local health authorities (known as clinical commissioning groups) can withhold money which a hospital can claw back by meeting certain standards. In the case of sepsis, about 30 per cent of hospitals have qualified for the money by appointing a specialist nurse to improve the response to sepsis across the hospital. But the evidence on the scheme collected last year by the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Sepsis was shocking: trusts expected to claw back an average of 660,000 each on sepsis, but were planning to invest just 64,000 in services to do so. If trusts are going to invest only 60,000, its not surprising that we dont yet have a reliable standard of care for what is a complex problem, says Dr Daniels. WE NEED SEPSIS CRACK TEAMS A far better incentive would be to reward trusts for setting up Code Sepsis teams, like in U.S. hospitals, akin to the crash teams on standby to respond to cardiac arrests but ready to start vital treatment as soon as sepsis is suspected. For Karen Abbotts, the day when all hospitals offer the same high level of sepsis care cant come soon enough. Until then, she knows that patients and their loved ones must be on guard, which is why she backs the call for a national awareness campaign. Jem was dying when he went into hospital, she says. If Id taken him a lot sooner it might have been a different story. Well never know. THE LITTLE GIRL LEFT WITH LEARNING PROBLEMS... IDENTICAL twin Tilly Moores (below, left) contracted sepsis when she was just seven months old. Her older sisters and her twin came down with chickenpox, as did Tilly but then her parents Mandy, a chemistry teacher, and Guy, a dentist, noticed an infected spot on Tillys chest. The Moores, from Henstridge in Somerset, took Tilly first to the out-of-hours clinic at Yeovil Hospital and then to A&E when her condition worsened. Affected: Mandy Moores and daughters Tilly (left) and Lucy, both 7, pictured at home near Yeovil, Somerset Aware: Her older sisters and her twin came down with chickenpox, as did Tilly but then her parents Mandy, a chemistry teacher, and Guy, a dentist, noticed an infected spot on Tillys chest No one could tell me what was wrong and she was clearly getting worse, says Mandy. When she developed a body rash, Tilly was transferred with medical team and on life support to a paediatric intensive care unit 80 miles away in Southampton. Mandy and Guy kept vigil by her side for a week while she was in an induced coma. After three weeks their baby girl was discharged but lack of oxygen caused by sepsis has definitely affected her, learning-wise and developmentally, says Mandy. Afterwards Tilly would reach milestones crawling, walking, talking a lot later than her twin, Lucy, says Mandy. Now seven, the twins are at the same primary school, but her mum says that Tilly is operating as a five-year-old in terms of academic ability. Quick-thinking: When she developed a body rash, Tilly was transferred with medical team and on life support to a paediatric intensive care unit 80 miles away in Southampton Children born through IVF face a potential health timebomb, with a higher risk of diabetes, high blood pressure and premature death, a scientist has warned. Dr Pascal Gagneux claimed that assisted reproduction is an evolutionary experiment that could prove as big a health disaster as junk food. And with problems potentially taking decades to develop, he warned that the consequences of artificial conception may yet to have emerged. However, last night British fertility experts said Dr Gagneux lacked the evidence to back up his warning. Children born through IVF face a potential health timebomb, with a higher risk of diabetes, high blood pressure and premature death, a scientist has warned Around 2 per cent of births in the UK, equivalent to 17,000 babies a year, are due to IVF. Of the estimated five million IVF offspring alive today, the oldest, British test-tube baby Louise Brown, is just 37. The practice is generally considered safe, but Dr Gagneux an evolutionary biologist from the University of California, San Diego said there are two studies that should ring alarm bells. In one, mice conceived by IVF that were allowed to age developed severe health problems. The females suffered from diabetes, high blood pressure and obesity, while the males experienced hormonal problems. More worrying was the second, in which 100 IVF and naturally conceived children as young as six were taken 11,500ft up a mountain, where low oxygen levels mimic the effects of ageing. Tests showed the hearts of the IVF children were weaker than the others including siblings who were conceived naturally. Dr Gagneuxs argument centres on a key difference between natural and artificial conception. When a woman conceives naturally, around 200million sperm try to fight their way to the egg. But only one the best makes it. However in IVF these natural checks are bypassed, and in many cases a scientist decides which sperm to use. Around 2 per cent of births in the UK, equivalent to 17,000 babies a year, are due to IVF. Of the estimated five million IVF offspring alive today, the oldest, British test-tube baby Louise Brown, is just 37 (stock photograph) Were engaging in an evolutionary experiment, Dr Gagneux told the American Association for the Advancement of Sciences annual conference in Washington DC yesterday. The jury is out about whether these children are going to be healthy 80 years down the line. Likening the possible hidden consequences of IVF to the use of a syrupy sweetener in junk food, he said: I would compare it to high fructose corn syrup and fast food in the US. It was fantastic ...and now the US are the first generation that are shorter and heavier and die younger. But it took 50 years. But last night Geoffrey Trew, an IVF consultant at Londons Hammersmith Hospital, said of Dr Gagneux: Hes pulling together several hypothetical ideas that dont bear extrapolation to what hes saying and unnecessarily worrying ... millions of parents. Fertility expert Professor Allan Pacey, of Sheffield University, added: There is no doubt that we probably have much to learn from how the female reproductive tract helps to select the best sperm and refine it for fertilisation. However, there is a wealth of evidence to suggest that the babies born through IVF ... are on the whole as healthy as their naturally conceived counterparts. A graduate who was told she could be pregnant after suffering suspected 'morning sickness' was horrified to discover she actually had brain cancer. Christine Tang, now 26, discovered she had a satsuma-sized tumour after vomiting every morning for a year. She lost almost two stone and dropped to a size four while doctors were baffled as to what was causing her illness. Miss Tang, of Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, was ordered to take repeated pregnancy tests and underwent countless scans, before finally being diagnosed with the disease aged just 24. Now, after surgery to remove the growth, daily radiotherapy and steroid medication, she is cancer-free, but has been left unable to walk without a stick and with double vision. Christine Tang, 26, began vomiting every day and was told to take repeated pregnancy tests by doctors (left) She was eventually diagnosed with a stage 4 medulloblastoma, a rare form of brain cancer rarely seen in adults and more commonly seen in children. She is pictured before the surgery to remove it Her ordeal began during a holiday to New York in October 2012 when she started feeling sick and lost her appetite. 'My friend and I had planned to go out for dinner and go out, but I didn't want to eat anything and just felt like going back to the hotel,' she said. 'When I got home I went to the GP and they made me take a pregnancy test because I was always being sick in the morning. 'I said, "I know I am not pregnant." It came back negative, but I was still told to take another one.' Miss Tang was prescribed medication to help with what was thought to be an acidic stomach. Yet still, the sickness continued. In February 2013, she was sent for an ultrasound of her stomach at Hemel Hempstead Hospital and six months later an endoscopy, but doctors weren't able to find the cause of her sickness. By September, a year on after her vomiting began, an MRI on her stomach also gave no clues as to what was wrong with her. Miss Tang lost almost two stone and dropped to a size four (left) while doctors were left puzzled over her condition. In September 2013, she was finally diagnosed with brain cancer and had surgery (left) After the operation, Miss Tang (pictured with her cousin) had daily radiotherapy session, and was given steroids to shrink the tumour. These made her gain weight and left her feeling 'unlike herself' She even visited the accident and emergency department of her local hospital twice, but to no avail. At 5ft tall, Miss Tang has always been slim, but she shed almost two stone in two years, finding even size six clothes would hang off her tiny frame. 'Vomiting everyday just became a part of my daily life. I was being sick every morning,' she said. 'I lost a lot of weight because I wouldn't eat a lot because I knew I would just bring it up again in the morning.' Vomiting everyday just became a part of my daily life. I was being sick every morning Christine Tang, 26 Weak, breathless and unsure what was really wrong with her, Miss Tang wondered if it was all in her head. But by mid-September 2013 she started to lose her balance and her GP ordered a full body MRI at Watford Hospital. Finally, a lump was found on the back of her head and the same day she was rushed to the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery in London. There, medics found a 4cm tumour and she was told she had stage 4 medulloblastoma, a type of cancer rare in adults and more commonly seen in children. She said: 'It didn't feel real to me. I was frustrated it had taken so long to get me diagnosed, but I just though I wanted to get on with the treatment and get well again.' Immediately, she was rushed for surgery to remove it. A second operation, and six weeks of daily radiotherapy followed in a bid to rid her of the disease. Miss Tang, pictured before her diagnosis, was forced to give up her job at an e-commerce company in London due to her illness. Now, she feels left behind as her friends progress in their careers while she has treatment Miss Tang, pictured before her diagnosis, says her life has 'completely changed' as a result of her diagnosis as she has to walk with a stick and has double vision She was even prescribed steroids to help reduce the swelling of the tumour, which caused her to gain weight and feel unlike herself. 'I was trying to be upbeat and positive, but I was really scared,' she said. 'But I thought I would have the operation and then be fine afterwards, but two years after and I am still struggling.' My whole world has come crashing down and my life as I knew it has gone. Trying to stay positive has been really difficult Christine Tang, 26 Since the diagnosis, Miss Tang has been forced to give up her job as a production co-ordinator at a London-based e-commerce company. She had dreamt of going to work in Hong Kong, where her parents are from, but will now put these plans on hold. She can no longer drive and feels left behind as her friends increasingly climb the career ladder and get engaged, while she endures treatment. She said: 'My life has completely changed. Because my tumour was attached to my brainstem, I have been left with side effects. 'My balance is not the same and I have to walk with a stick. That means no heels for me and I haven't touched a drop of alcohol in nearly two years. And to top it all off I have double vision. 'My whole world has come crashing down and my life as I knew it has gone. Trying to stay positive has been really difficult.' She said she has found strength and support in Trekstock, a London-based charity which supports young adults living with cancer. A baby girl has been born with an extra leg sprouting from her back due to a rare condition which affects one in a million infants. Two-year-old Varsha Sena, from Delhi, was born with two legs, and a third limb growing sideways out of her spine. Varsha suffers from a rare condition called polymelia, which causes a person to be born with extra limbs, often arms or legs. Doctors at the Govind Ballabh Pant Hospital, Delhi, were able to successfully amputate the unwanted third leg at the end of last month. Varsha Sena, two, was born with an extra leg sprouting from her back due to a rare condition which affects one in a million infants Varsha suffers from a rare condition called polymelia, which causes a person to be born with extra limbs, often arms or legs. She had an extra limb growing sideways out of the left side of her back The lead surgeon, Dr Daljit Singh, said: 'The baby was suffering from polymelia. 'It is a condition in which is a person is born with more than four limbs. We have not seen such a case in the last fifty years. 'This was the first case of polymelia in which the spinal cord had developed into an additional limb.' Varsha was born at Bara Hindu Rao Hospital in Delhi in 2014, and was later sent to the Govind Ballabh Pant Hospital for surgery to remove her extra leg. After seeing her baby for the first time, her mother, Komal Sena, 24, said she was scared of her child. She said: 'I was scared when I saw my daughter for the first time.' 'This was the first case of polymelia in which the spinal cord had developed into an additional limb,' said surgeon Dr Daljit Singh. Pictured is an X-ray of Versha's extra leg Dr Singh led the team at the Govind Ballabh Pant Hospital who were successfully able to amputate the unwanted third leg at the end of last month Versha's mother and father, Komal Sena and father Jitendra Sena, call her by the name of 'Ganesh' - a Hindu God with an elephant head who is usually depicted with four arms The family calls Varsha by the name of 'Ganesh' - a Hindu God with and elephant head who is normally depicted with four legs - due to her extra limbs. The rare disorder occurs in the womb when the cells form abnormally during embryonic development. The embryo begins to develop as conjoined twins. But one twin stops growing, leaving the remaining developments - often limbs - of the undeveloped twin attached to the body of the live baby. There are very few known cases of polymelia around the world. In 2014 MailOnline reported on the case of another Indian boy, from Gujarat, who was born with three arms. His right arm in the normal place, but two arms on his left side, and doctors at Ahmedabad Civil Hospital were able to remove the extra limb. In 2012 MailOnline reported on a newborn girl from Pakistan who was born with a third arm due to polymelia. Dr Daljit Singh (centre) and his team carried out the operation in the last week of July. He said: 'We have not seen such a case in the last fifty years' Polymelia occurs in the womb when the cells form abnormally during embryonic development. Versha's back is pictured after the extra leg was surgically removed There are very few known cases of polymelia around the world. Versha's mother said her daughter's condition meant she was 'scared' of her child when she was born. The superfluous limb is pictured after surgery The extra arm was joined to her back near her spinal cord. At just four years old the baby girl, who was from the Dera Ghazi Khan District in the Punjab province of Pakistan, underwent an operation to remove the extra arm. The most well known case of the condition was Lakshmi Tatma, from India, who was born with eight limbs. A parasitic twin who had stopped developing and died in the womb was attached to her body. Doctors removed the extra limbs in 2007. Its often said that raising children completely transforms a persons life. But now, scientists have revealed that raising children can also alters a parent's immune system. A new study examined the immune systems of 670 people between the ages of two and 86. Researchers determined that parenting has more of an effect on a persons immune system than the flu or a stomach bug. Study co-author Dr Adrian Liston, of VIB and KU Leuven in Belgium, said: Thats at least something for prospective parents to consider the sleep deprivation, stress, chronic infections and all the other challenges of parenting does more to our body than just give us grey hairs.' Raising children has more of an effect on a person's immune system than the flu or stomach bug, scientists have revealed. It 'radically rewrites' the immune system - especially if a person is co-parenting, a study said Researchers set out to understand what drives variation in the immune systems between individuals. Participants in the study were assessed over the course of three years. Scientists regularly monitored their immune systems, which showed that the individuals maintained a stable immune landscape over time. That stability remained even after the immune systems were triggered into action by the flu vaccine or gastroenteritis. The scientists assessed the effects of a range of factors that altered a persons immune system, including age, gender, depression, anxiety and obesity. They found that, after a challenge, the immune system often reverts back to the original ready state showing the elastic potential of the immune system. But, the study determined that the most potent factors that altered a persons immune system is whether they co-parented a child. Any parents of a nursery- or school-age child can appreciate the effect a child has on your immune system Dr Adrian Liston, of VIB and KU Leuven Those who lived together and shared a child had a 50 per cent reduction in the variation between their two immune systems, as compared to the diversity in the wider population. Dr Liston said: This is the first time anyone has looked at the immune system profiles of two unrelated individuals in a close relationship. Since parenting is one of the most severe environmental challenges anyone willingly puts themselves through, it makes sense that it radically rewrites the immune system. However, Dr Liston noted that it was a surprise to see that having kids was more potent than a bout of gastroenteritis. He added: I think that any parents of a nursery- or school-age child can appreciate the effect a child has on your immune system. The study shows that people have a stable immune system that is robustly maintained, according to Dr Michelle Linterman, who co-led the research at Babraham Institue. Couples who live and raise children together were found to have immune systems that converge over time. Pictured here, an illustration of how the immune profiles of two individuals become similar after having a child Dr Linterman said: What is different between individuals is what our individual immune systems look like. We know that only a small part of this is due to genetics. Our study has shown that age is a major influence on what our immune landscapes look like, which is probably one of the reasons why there is a declining response to vaccination and reduced resistance to infection in older persons. Improvement in law and order in Bihar, once known as the Wild East, is considered to be the biggest USP of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. But his government has, of late, come under sharp criticism over the rising crime graph. The recent killings of a few leaders owing allegiance to the NDA have not only raised a question mark over the law-and-order scenario, but also made Nitishs detractors invoke fears of the return of Jungle Raj (lawless regime) in the state. Opposition leaders on their way to Raj Bhawan to submit a memorandum to the Governor on Bihars rising crime graph The BJP-led Opposition had been a demoralised lot after tasting humiliating defeat in the state assembly elections last year, but the recent murders and other incidents have galvanised it into action against the Nitish government. Its leaders have even sought the intervention of Governor Ramnath Kovind in view of the prevailing anarchic situation. Nitish, on his part, has rubbished the charges, saying the so-called spurt in crime was merely a perception created by the Opposition. The chief minister, in fact, claimed that Bihar had been witnessing a steady decline in crime in recent years. According to the latest figures of the Bihar State Crime Record Bureau, the number of murders and kidnappings for ransom, rapes and bank robberies in 2015 has come down from the preceding four years. The big question, therefore, is how the Opposition has been able to create such a perception about the law and order if the overall crime rate has not really gone up. One of the major reasons may well be the involvement of the ruling Grand Alliance legislators in different incidents. Recently, a Janata Dal (United) legislator was charged with having misbehaved with a couple on a train in an inebriated state, while another was accused of helping her gangster husband escape from police custody. This was followed by an FIR lodged against a Congress MLA in a case of a young girls alleged abduction from her house. Last but not least, a Rashtriya Janata Dal legislator allegedly raped a minor girl at his house after getting her abducted. All these high-profile cases involving MLAs of the ruling alliance earned the Nitish government brickbats and prompted the Opposition to talk about a re-run of the lawless days. The 15-year-long RJD rule between 1990 and 2005, which was labelled as Jungle Raj on account of rampant lawlessness, was primarily known for wayward lawmakers who committed crimes with impunity. It was an era when the bahubali (strongman) leaders with criminal antecedents ruled the roost, thanks to their alleged proximity to the people in power in those days. The scenario began to change only after Nitish assumed power in 2005. He succeeded in taming the bahubalis by setting up speedy trials and giving no political patronage whatsoever to them. Even though his party still had tainted legislators, nobody had the power to take liberties with the law any more. This was the basic difference between the way the bahubalis were treated under the different regimes of the Lalu Prasad and Nitish Kumar. While they got away with their deeds most of the times under the RJD government, they had to face the law during Nitishs times. Law will take its course, became the standard refrain of the chief minister whenever any leader from the ruling party got arrested for any crime. There is no change in Nitishs oft-stated stand on the issue in his present term now, when he is running the government with Lalu Prasads support. His party was quick to suspend Jokihat MLA Sarfaraz Alam for his misbehaviour on Rajdhani Express. Lalu was also quick to mete out similar treatment to Raj Ballabh Yadav after his name figured in a rape case last week. The image of a government is generally built on the basis of public perception. The Grand Alliance government, therefore, must not been seen as being lenient towards any tainted leader involved in criminal cases. Since the Grand Alliance government has got a massive majority in the state assembly, Nitish and Lalu do not have the political compulsion to keep the MLAs with criminal records in good humour for its survival. The Nitish government has to maintain the law and order just the way it has done in the previous 10 years to allay the fears of Jungle Raj. Patna DM finds novel way to get work done Patnas DM Sanjay Kumar Agrawal sits with his staff to dispose the pending files Thousands of files remain unattended for months, thanks to the sloth and lack of interest shown by the workforce in government offices across Bihar. Patnas district magistrate Sanjay Kumar Agrawal has hit upon a novel way to expedite the work. He has decided to sit in the room meant for clerical staff, instead of his designated chamber, at least once a week to motivate the employees and galvanise them into action. Agrawal recently caught the clerical grade staff in the law department of Patna Collectorate by surprise when he took a chair beside them and started disposing of the pending files. The DM found out that there were 375 cases of stamp refunding pending in the department. Given the leisurely pace of work being done in his office, he realised that it would have taken two to three years to finish the job. His initiative, however, ensured that all the files would be cleared in less than a month now. Agrawals initiatives have inspired the employees to clear all pending files by March 10. According to the DM, this initiative will help in changing the work culture and will be replicated in all the administrative offices across the district. He has instructed all the departmental heads right up to the block level to work with the clerical staff in their room CM holds classes for the first-time legislators The newly-constituted Bihar assembly comprises 98 legislators who have become MLAs for the first time. They will all get an opportunity to make a mark in the House during the upcoming budget session commencing from February 25. Prominent among the first-time legislators are Rashtriya Janata Dal president Lalu Prasads minister-sons - Tejashwi Prasad Yadav and Tej Pratap Yadav. Nitish Kumar gave tips to 98 legislators, who have become MLAs for the first time, on how to conduct themselves in the House All of them got an opportunity to understand the rules of the legislative business during the recent orientation programme, organised on the occasion of the 95th foundation day of the Bihar legislature. Prominent constitutional experts such as GC Malhotra and Subhash Kashyap held interactive sessions with the newly-elected MLAs and briefed them about their roles and responsibilities as public representatives. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar also gave them valuable tips on how to conduct themselves in the House. Nitishs speech impressed the new legislators, including deputy chief minister Tejashwi who went on to dub the chief minister as his political guru. CS Karnan, Madras HC judge CS challenged CJI TS Thakurs (above) decision In a move unprecedented in the annals of the Indian judiciary, a High Court judge has stayed his transfer order - issued by the Chief Justice of India (CJI) - and issued a notice to CJI. CS Karnan, a judge of the Madras High Court, challenged CJI TS Thakurs decision. A shocked Supreme Court stayed Karnans order and ruled that the Chief Justice of Madras High Court shall not assign him any further work. The Thakur-led collegium recommended a mass transfer of High Court judges who have been accused of corruption and misconduct. New Vice Chancellor for Delhi University Yogesh Kumar Tyagi, currently Dean of Faculty of Legal Studies at South Asian University, was appointed Vice-Chancellor (V-C) of Delhi University, a position which saw much controversy during the term of Dinesh Singh. The HRD ministry appointed Tyagi for a term of five years after his name was chosen from a panel of four persons by President Pranab Mukherjee, who is the visitor of all central universities. The appointment of the DU Vice-Chancellor had been pending for three months since Singh left that office on October 28 last year, and Sudheesh Pachauri was the acting VC. Supreme Court Bar Association president steps down Supreme Court Bar Association president Dushyant Dave has stepped down from the post, saying he was finding it difficult to work with the executive committee. He had a long-running rift with its Secretary Gaurav Bhatia. In a resignation letter issued soon after SCBAs acrimonious Executive Committee meeting, he offered a sincere apology to all those who had put their faith in him. DD's interim DG puts in papers C Lalrosanga, the interim Director General of Doordarshan, has opted for voluntary retirement. Sources said Lalrosanga was appointed as the head of Doordarshan last year, until a regular DG was chosen. He has sent his papers to the I&B ministry citing personal reasons. Lalrosanga had nearly a year of service left. When contacted a senior I&B ministry official confirmed that Lalrosanga had resigned, adding that orders to this effect may follow. No talks on J&K government formation Even after the 40 days of mourning on Mufti Mohammad Sayeeds death, the BJP and the Mehbooba Mufti headed Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have failed to lift the suspense over government formation in Jammu and Kashmir. The leaders of both parties have held their respective positions leading to speculations about their next move. Swords were drawn between BJP president Amit Shah and Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi over the raging nationalism versus anti-nationalism debate. Amit Shah made the charge by seeking an apology from Congress president Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi for standing by the side of JNU anti-nationals. Rahul Gandhi rejected the certificate of anti-nationalism offered to be him by the BJP president. In a no-holds-barred attack, Shah asked the Congress to clarify whether freedom of expression meant supporting the countrys division. Rahul Gandhi (left) rejected BJP President Amit Shah (right)'s claims that he stood by the side of JNU "anti-nationals". BJP sources said that the party will also raise the issue during campaigns for upcoming state polls and accuse Congress of indulging in vote bank politics. Asserting that the shouting of anti-India slogans and some in favour of terrorists like Afzal Guru amounted to treason, Shah told the media that the BJP would not allow such an incident to take place in any part of the country. If Rahul Gandhi wants to support it in the name of freedom of expression, then I will ask the Congress party if there can be a bigger evidence of treason than the slogans which were shouted there. I want to ask Congress if it, as a party, supports the statements made by its vice-president Rahul Gandhi, Shah said. The BJP chief asked how long the Congress will continue with its vote bank politics and if it worries about providing shelter to anti-national activities while pursuing such politics. Congress spokespersons were still supporting these anti-national activities, he said, and took a jibe at its chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala for calling Parliament attack convict Afzal Guruji. What lies inside the heart comes out at times, he said. Earlier in the day, Shah wrote in his blog that Rahul had proved that national interest had no place on his mind and asked if he had joined hands with separatist forces and wanted another division of India. Speaking on the controversy for the first time, Shah demanded that Rahul should apologise for his stand on the JNU issue, saying support for anti-national forces in the name of the Lefts progressive ideology is not acceptable. Rahul Gandhi, who was in Assam, slammed the RSS over the JNU issue while accusing it of muzzling the youths voice by branding them as anti-nationals. He asserted that the party will stand up and challenge the BJP. Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) resembled a battlefield on Monday as the Left-and Right-wing students, teachers and general staff remained in a state of high alert in their respective barracks. The administrative block of the varsity was dominated by the Left, while the area near Ganga Dhaba remained the bastion of the Right. A large number of people had gathered at the gate to protest against anti-nationalism on campus. The Right-wing pressure against JNU continued on Monday when Sadhvi Prachi addressed a crowd at the north gate of the campus. Firebrand BJP leader Sadhvi Prachi addressed a crowd outside the campus, and attacked Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi She attacked Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi. Rahuls mother needs to answer the nation what the definition of nationalism is. They live on Indias money and praise Pakistan. All those who are supporting these anti-nationals should also be punished, she said outside JNU. General strike The Left-leaning students had called a general strike to demand the release of JNU Students Union (JNUSU) president Kanhaiya Kumar from police custody. He had been arrested on sedition charges by the Delhi police. While most of the departments of the university remained closed, several departments of the Science stream functioned as usual. Incidentally, the Science departments have been a stronghold of the Right-wing ABVP. Vice-chancellor M Jagdesh Kumar appealed to the students to not resort to strikes and protests as it hampered the academic functioning of the university. We also stand for free expression of ideas but I believe there is no need for strikes as the problem can be solved amicably. We are reaching out to the entire JNU community to see how the problem can be addressed, but academic functioning of the university is of prime importance and should not be hampered, he said. CPI(M) leader Prakash Karat visited JNU to demand the release of the arrested JNUSU president As the Afzal Guru row has divided the varsity down the middle, several Right-leaning teachers resigned from the JNU Teachers Association (JNUTA), saying that the Left-dominated JNUTA had been behaving in an undemocratic manner. Ten teachers have signed a collective resignation. We do not endorse the stand of the JNUTA in the matter and this is our way of showing dissent, said assistant professor Gautam Jha. Even the Left-leaning teachers have come to be divided on certain issues, though they have maintained overall unity. One such contentious issue is the role of the V-C. While a section claims that Kumar should not have let police on to the campus, another one believes that the V-C was caught in a bad situation and could not help it. Even Kumar defended himself. I was bound with the law of land. I never invited the police to enter the campus and pick our students. We only provided whatever cooperation was needed as per the law. We were bound to do so, he said. Fair inquiry JNUTA general secretary Bikramaditya Chaudhary continued to attack the V-C. The V-C did not ensure that due processes were followed, he told Mail Today. Another JNUTA functionary cast doubts over the disciplinary committee that the university administration has instituted in the matter. All the three members of the inquiry committee are affiliated to the Right-wing. How can a fair inquiry take place? he said. The JNUTA, however, might also move the President of India to request his intervention, Chaudhary told Mail Today. The teachers body has petitioned the chief justices of the high court and the Supreme Court regarding the Patiala House Court violence in which lawyers allegedly roughed up JNU students and teachers, along with some journalists. The petition expressed grave fear for the well-being of Kanhaiya in police custody. On the other hand, members and leaders of the Swaraj Abhiyan also held a protest on JNU campus late evening on Monday. The ABVP also organised a march against the administration for delaying action against those involved in the events of February 9 . Geelani detained for Press Club event Former Delhi University lecturer SAR Geelani has been questioned by police Former Delhi University lecturer SAR Geelani, who was booked for sedition in connection with an event at the Press Club of India in the Capital, was on Monday detained by police. Geelani has been detained and he is being questioned at the Parliament Street police station, a senior police official said. His detention comes amid the raging row over the arrest of JNU students union president Kanhaiya Kumar over sedition charges in connection with a campus event against the hanging of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru on February 9. At the Press Club event on February 10, a group allegedly shouted slogans hailing Guru, following which the police had registered a case under Sections 124A, 120B and 149 of the IPC against Geelani and other unnamed persons. The police had claimed to have registered the FIR taking suo motu cognisance of media clips of the incident. Cops also claimed that Geelani was booked as he is presumed to be the main organiser of the event. Request for booking a hall at the Press Club was done through Geelanis e-mail and the nature of the event was proposed to be a public meeting, which did not turn out to be so, a senior official had said. Bollywood actor Salman Khan has become a punching bag, especially on social media, for the circumstances under which he walked free in the 2002-hit-and-run case. But the megastar has been given a boost by the Supreme Court (SC), which termed the gossip that he had used money power to secure the acquittal as wild allegations. Dismissing a petition for a probe into allegations against Salman and his family for allegedly using money to secure his acquittal, a bench headed by justice JS Khehar observed on Monday: These are wild allegations without any basis. Why should we go into all this? The main controversy regarding the acquittal is already being looked into by this court. The Supreme Court dismissed a petition requesting a probe into allegations that Salman Khan and his family used money to secure his acquittal. (File picture) Petitioner and lawyer ML Sharma wanted the court to take note of a press statement made by Salmans father, Salim Khan, that the family spent Rs 25 crore on the case. The lawyer went ahead to forward the report to the bench claiming it was an extra judicial confession and Rs 25 crore was spent to influence the judiciary. That within the claim and declaration by father of Salman Khan in the presence of Salman Khan and others in the press, they spent more than Rs 25 crores to get acquittal order and other orders for Salman Khan." "It is confirmed by Salman himself that they bought entire judicial systems in the state for his bail and acquittal. It is a serious extra-judicial confession, which must be investigated by the CBI, said the plea. Khehar told Sharma: You have wrongly interpreted the news report. Where does it say they spent the money to influence the court? It says they have spent on lawyers fee. Where have they said they purchased anyone? These are wild allegations. What are the materials to substantiate this? They must have hired lawyers. How can you say that they did something wrong? Overturning the order of a lower court, which had in May convicted the actor under charges of culpable homicide not amounting to murder and sentenced him to five years in jail, Justice AR Joshi of Bombay HC said this was not a case where prosecution has successfully established its case of all its charges. The Maharashtra government disputed the High Courts observation that the investigation was conducted in a careless and faulty manner, claiming that there were many witnesses who adequately corroborated charges against Salman. Meanwhile, the court has fixed a hearing on February 19 for the petition filed by the widow and son of Nuroola Shaikh who died in the incident. They have sought reversal of the High Court order acquitting Salman. The raging temple entry row involving the famous Sabarimala shrine of Kerala took a new twist on Monday. Student members of the Happy to Bleed campaign moved the Supreme Court, asking how women can be discriminated against and barred from worshipping on the grounds of a healthy and biological process of menstruation. The apex court is currently hearing an appeal against the entry ban in which the campaign members have pleaded to be made a party. They have roped in senior lawyer and former Additional Solicitor General Indira Jaising to argue for them. Women aged between 10 and 50 years have been banned from entering the famous Sabarimala shrine in Kerala for half a century - but now activists want the Supreme Court to end this 'menstrual discrimination'. The temple in Kerala is revered by a large segment of the Hindu population. The administering Travancore Devaswom Board claims that women between 10 and 50 years (those of menstruating age) have been prohibited from entering the temple for the past half century. This customary ban has also been codified in Kerala Hindu Places of Public Worship (Authorisation of Entry) Rules, 1965. The Kerala High Court had upheld the rules and allowed the Devaswom Board to enforce the ban. Happy To Bleed is a campaign launched against menstrual taboos, and the sexism that women are subject to through it. It acknowledges menstruation as a natural activity which doesnt need curtains to hide behind. The students asked the Supreme Court whether modern society should continue to bear with menstrual discrimination when the Constitution mandates right to equality and health of women to achieve gender justice. One of the primary objectives of our campaign is fighting against menstrual discriminatory practices, specifically the practice of Sabarimala temple of denying entry to women and girls between 10-50 years which leads to stigma and shame based on gender and violation of womens rights, their plea said. During a hearing on Friday, Justice Dipak Misra had asked whether the Vedas, Upanishads and scriptures discriminate between men and women. A one-sided love affair, a Bollywood inspiration, and a history-sheeter - the investigation into the alleged abduction of Snapdeal executive Dipti Sarna has thrown up several interesting details. On Monday police identified the mastermind as Devender, who carries a reward of Rs 3 lakh on his head announced by the Haryana government. He and his accomplices were arrested. Inspired by Shah Rukh Khans hit 1993 film Darr, he allegedly plotted Diptis kidnapping along with four accomplices who were identified as Pradeep, Mohit, Fahim and Majid. Snapdeal executive Dipti Sarna, 24, was allegedly abducted by a stalker from Haryana The motive was love, police said. They claim Devender was so besotted with Dipti that he was even ready to go to jail for her. He told the police that he fell in love with the 24-year-old when he first saw her at Rajiv Chowk Metro station in January last year. He planned the abduction meticulously, even taking care to find out her favourite brand of chips. When the police put it to Devender that he was named in 30 other FIRs, yet still committed this crime, he replied: Mohabbat ke naam pe ek muqadma aur sahi. (Its okay to have another case for love). The police said it was for this reason that he did not harm the victim. During his interrogation, Devender said he was deeply influenced by Adolf Hitler, Genghis Khan and Shah Rukh Khans character in Darr. Ghaziabad police said the history-sheeter became obsessed with Dipti around January last year. Dipti was then an M-Tech student and a regular user of Metro trains. The police said she was frequently seen in the company of someone referred to by Ghaziabad SSP Dharmender Singh - as Mr A. After falling in love at first sight, Devender started stalking Dipti. During interrogation, he told police that he conducted over 150 recces from Vaishali Metro station to her home. He had plans to go to Nepal after getting married to Dipti. Devender, who has been to jail previously, was extremely disturbed over the girls regular meetings with Mr A, and he hatched a plot to kidnapped Dipti. Hoping to win her love, Devender bought two autorickshaws and started to ply them on the route Dipti took on her way to Vaishali Metro station. According to police, the other gang members didnt know Devenders real motive. Devender told them that he has identified a girl who is into hawala trading and has crores of unaccounted cash. His friends agreed to join him in abducting her. He told them they can land a bounty of at least Rs 1.5 crore each if everything works as per the plan. To sweeten the deal, Devender said the girl will never report the case to the police as it involved hawala money, a police officer said. I went to the Patiala court on Monday to cover the session in which arrested JNU student leader Kanhaiya Kumar, who had allegedly been involved in anti-India protests on the campus, was to be produced in court. It turned out to be the scariest day of my life. I saw fellow journalists being beaten up by a mob - until the mob turned on me, and demanded that I hand over my mobile phone so they could check if I was filming the violence. Agitated lawyers outside the Patiala House court complex in Delhi, where arrested JNU student leader Kanhaiya Kumar was being produced The police just silently watched. When I managed to wriggle out, I hid with a couple of reporters in the NIA court for 45 minutes, thinking I would be safe there. I was wrong. The mob soon arrived and abused us in front of the court staff. It started from a text when I got to know a clash had broken out between JNU students and lawyers. Later, some people in the court seemed to suggest that the so-called lawyers had come prepared to teach Kanhaiya a lesson. As I entered the court premise, I was told to not take out my phone as the mob was going after everyone who took out their phones, thinking they were recording the incident. I went inside the court of Metropolitan Magistrate Lovleen, where the hearing was about to start. Suddenly I saw senior journalist Amit Pandey being manhandled by the mob as they suspected him of video-recording the incident. He was dragged inside the court room and beaten up. I, along with another court reporter, tried to pull him away and pleaded with the mob to leave him. A police officer stood right next to us and silently watched. We shouted, Police bulao, dekho kya ho raha hai [call the police] - but he stood there, looking helpless. The court staffers were watching the violence too. Tensions ran extremely high as members of the media were beaten and had their phones seized by the mob I took Pandeys phone and kept it with me. But someone in the mob had seen me slipping the phone inside my pocket. He allowed the other court reporter to go but stopped me. Four men threatened to beat me up. They even raised their hands, at which point I broke down. They pulled my jacket and asked me to give them the phone. The very same police official said, I will not let them touch you. But after a minute, he fell silent again. All this while, I thought they would not hit me because I was a woman. But I was wrong. I succumbed to their threat and surrendered the phone, and was escorted outside the court room. I went towards the special cell court rooms, thinking I would be safe around strict security. Interestingly, the chaos took place amid high security which was beefed up because finance minister Arun Jaitley was personally appearing in a different case. Then, along with a few journalists, we went to the district judges court where we told court officials that we would want to report the matter to the judge. We were told that he was in his chamber attending a meeting. After hiding there for a while, we heard the mob move towards the court where Jaitley was present. I decided to go close to the spot and heard one of them shouting, pointing at me, Wo dekh, wo waha khadi hai. I ran back inside the court room. After a while, the mob entered. Some of them were smoking inside the court. This begs the question: Were all of them real lawyers or were some of them outside elements dressed in lawyers coats? We had not seen lawyers nonchalantly smoke inside the court. They came and asked us to leave the court. We didnt, as a mob was waiting outside. After a while they left. I called on 100 to file a complaint, but even then nothing happened. We locked the main door from inside and waited. Suddenly, a young lawyer came looking for us. Initially, we thought that the mob was making another attempt to make us step out of the court. But the lawyer sneaked another reporter and me out of the court and took us into his chambers. For more than 30 minutes, we were hiding in his chamber, with lights off, mobiles on silent. After escaping from the back gate of the court, I went to the Tilak Marg police station where other journalists who were heckled were also present. The lawyers chased us there and asked if we were filing a police complaint. I had never seen Delhi Police failing to come to the rescue of people who were being harassed or beaten up. Irrespective of my profession, I am a resident of Delhi, whose commissioner of police finds this fiasco to be a minor incident. And I find that extremely disappointing. Bassi terms mob violence 'minor' By Mail Today in New Delhi Delhi Police Commissioner Bhim Sain Bassi sought to hush things up by terming the incident minor. The clash at Patiala House court on Monday left journalists and JNU students wounded, but the police inaction only added to their woes. Even as the policemen on the court premises remained mute spectators, the top brass of Delhi police were also caught unawares. Such was the polices insensitivity to the issue that Delhi Police Commissioner Bhim Sain Bassi sought to hush it up by terming the incident minor. Senior officers, including Bassi, were preparing for the walled city conference at the time an unruly mob went berserk on the court premises. At this event, the commissioner was chief guest and other officers were also at the Red Fort lawns. Officially, this conference was to start at 3pm. Around 5 pm, the police commissioner arrived as he was the chief guest. All district officers, including joint commissioner, DCP and other officers were also present. Bassi stayed there for almost two hours and left around 7pm, said a source. Sources said the police had not made proper security arrangements and New Delhi district cops were busy with other things. Later, when law and order situation went out of control, cops of New Delhi district reached Patiala House court. Kanhaiya was present at the event, where he delivered a speech and participated in an unlawful assembly which indulged in anti-India sloganeering. It was because of his involvement, and the evidence we have collected so far, that he has been arrested under charge of sedition, Bassi said. Rajnath's claim baffles agencies By Abhishek Bhalla in New Delhi Home Minister Rajnath Singhs claim that the JNU protest had the backing of Lashkar-e-Taiba has come as a surprise for the security establishment, and has left officials red-faced. Many officials in the intelligence set-up said there are no indications to suggest that LeT founder Hafiz Saeed had backed the protest. When asked if there was any intelligence input to suggest Saeeds backing, a top government official privy to intelligence reports said: For this, you will have to ask the home minister. Rajnath Singh's claim about LeT backing the JNU protest has left the security agencies embarrassed Rajnaths claim has left the security and intelligence apparatus embarrassed as sources said there was nothing to link the JNU stir with Saeed or LeT. However, Rajnaths deputy in the home ministry, Kiren Rijiju, backed the ministers claim. Intelligence inputs cannot be shared or analysed in public, he said, adding that since Afzal Guru was backed by terrorists in Pakistan, a support group emerging in the country to immortalise him could have their backing. There is a support group for a convicted hanged terrorist. The event was organised where people spoke about breaking India into pieces. They are getting support from political parties. This is very, very unfortunate, the minister of state for home affairs said. Attacking those coming out in support of JNU students Rjijiju said at a time, when the whole country was paying tribute to those martyrs who laid down their lives in Siachen, one section of people was paying tribute to terrorists and their organisations. Sandeep Gadoli, 32, was killed by Gurgaon policemen during an encounter at a hotel The Bombay High Court on Monday directed the Mumbai police to file an FIR against the eight Gurgaon police officers who gunned down a wanted gangster Sandeep Gadoli during an alleged encounter at a Mumbai hotel. Sandeep Gadoli, 32, was killed by Gurgaon policemen during an encounter at Airport Metro hotel in Andheri East on February 7. His kin have alleged that the encounter was staged. We have put points before the High Court that Gurgaon crime branch officials intentionally killed Gadoli when they could have easily arrested him. Gadoli was not carrying weapons and so, he was not involved in crossfire. Officials could have easily shot him in the leg to overpower him, but they pumped bullets into his chest, claimed lawyer Tanveer Nizam, who has been hired by Gadolis relatives. He further alleged there were several loopholes in the theory put forward by Gurgaon police. The police had claimed that two of their personnel were injured during the encounter. If that was true, why were they admitted to a hospital only 7 hours later? They also broke the CCTV cameras during the encounter and most importantly, they did not inform the Mumbai police before conducting the raid, he said. The Bombay High Court has directed an SIT set up to probe the case to register cross-FIR against all the crime branch officials under IPC Section 302 (murder). Earlier, the Gurgaon police had registered an FIR under Section 307 (attempt to murder) against Gadoli at Andheri East police station. They claimed that he first opened fire when they asked him to surrender. Mayo College in Ajmer is in the news for all the wrong reasons. The prestigious residential school is being investigated by the Rajasthan State Commission for the Protection of Child Rights for the alleged harassment of a Class XI student, following a complaint by the boys mother. Manan Chaturvedi, chairperson of the commission, told Mail Today: Yes, we have received a complaint and have asked the Child Welfare Council (CWC) in Ajmer to seek the version of Mayo College before we decide on the next step. The commission is also looking into whether the elite school has been following provisions regarding the protection of child rights and banning of corporal punishment. The prestigious Mayo College in Ajmer is being investigated for the alleged harrasment of a Class XI student The student, who comes from a family of defence personnel, reportedly had a nervous breakdown after being detained in college. He was hospitalised but his parents were not informed. When he went home and suffered repeated panic attacks, he tried to kill himself. It was only then that he was referred to a psychologist. He was finally withdrawn from the school last month. The school has charged him with meddling with a CCTV camera and then drawing graffiti of the housemasters wife on November 5, 2015. This behaviour was allegedly a reaction to undue interference by the housemasters wife in disciplining students. While accepting that he did fiddle with the CCTV as part of group mischief following instructions from his seniors, the boy denied that he had drawn the graffiti. He also declined to name the seniors who were responsible for the graffiti. Students who snitch on seniors to teachers or house wardens are often boycotted in Mayo. Hence, the student had insisted that he could not betray his fellow students or offend his seniors who had asked him to fiddle with the CCTV camera. Sources in Mayo College claim the mother, who had worked there previously, holds a grudge against the school management and is trying to settle scores by levelling a fabricated charge. We took him back after his breakdown as the mother was a former colleague," a member of the Mayo board said on the condition of anonymity. The complaint before the commission accuses the housemasters wife of entering boys' dormitories and private changing rooms without knocking. It is also alleged that a few months ago, she had told the victim, Your father has abandoned your mother because she is too fast. The students father is an IAF officer and the mother heads a well-known co-ed school in Jaipur. The boys parents had brought such unwarranted remarks to the notice of the school authorities before the November 5 incident. The issue was almost settled once the boy rejoined the school on November 22 after the family members expressed their regret and gave an assurance that there wouldn't be any further misconduct. However, the housemaster allegedly continued to pressurise the student to either accept that he drew the graffiti or name those who were responsible for it. On the housemasters insistence, Lt Gen (retd) Surendra H Kulkarni, director principal, allegedly summoned the boy just before his examinations or before meals to remind him of the ways erring soldiers in the army are dealt with. He used to say: "I could crack soldiers in three minutes. The boys mother alleged that renewed pressure from the management began to play havoc with her son, who had to consult a psychiatrist. A source in the Mayo management said: "What could the principal have done if the housemaster kept insisting for action over graffiti on his wife?" Lt Gen Kulkarni declined to give his or the school's version to Mail Today. He said: "I am meeting with the CWC on February 17. It will not be appropriate for me to give my opinion to media until I present my side before the authorities." Ijeyraj Singh, ex MP and son of Brijraj Singh, erstwhile royal of Kota who is President of Mayo College General Council, declined to comment. He said: "I need to ascertain the facts before I go to media." Chaotic scenes were witnessed at the Patiala House court complex on Monday as an unruly mob thrashed journalists and some JNU students and teachers who were present there for a hearing on arrested JNUSU president Kanhaiya Kumar. At least six people were injured in the chaos that reportedly erupted over a petty issue of seats in the courtroom. Sources said some lawyers objected to JNU teachers and students sitting in the front row and asked them to vacate the seats. The students and teachers refused. Infuriated, the lawyers began thrashing them. Eyewitnesses say the police were just mute spectators as the chaos erupted. (File picture). Eyewitnesses said some unknown people wearing black jackets also joined the lawyers in beating the students and teachers. The mob also wanted mediapersons to leave the place. When the mob realised that journalists were present, they started asking them to leave. Journalists - both men and women - who were found to be using cell phones were beaten up as policemen stood as mute spectators, the eyewitness said. A Mail Today reporter along with other reporters, including Amit Pandey from IBN 7, Ritika Jain from DNA, Kaunian Sheriff from Indian Express, Amiya Kushwaha from IANS, Prachi Yadav from Navbharat Times, Sana Shakil from the Times of India and Suhshil from Total TV were threatened and beaten up. The mob also snatched away their phones and deleted data from them. Never have I seen such hooliganism by lawyers in a Delhi court, said Amit Pandey. Ritika Jain said: We tried our best to save Amit from the furious mob. We held to him tight and pleaded to the mob and the police personnel present to let him go. But nobody listened to us. I dont know who hit me or why they hit me. I started to run from the courtroom. Fortunately, some lawyers who knew me protected me from further assault, said Amiya Kushwaha. There was heavy police deployment in the court complex, but students alleged that they did not take any action against the unruly mob. The policemen later drove all students, teachers and journalists out of the complex. The incident left mediapersons, who later filed a complaint against the unidentified persons at Tilak Marg police station, in shock. Journalists will hold a protest march from the Press Club of India to the Supreme Court on Tuesday at 12 noon. Meanwhile, BJP MLA O P Sharma, who was in the complex, reportedly joined a group of lawyers in beating up a person, identified as CPI activist Ameeque Jamai, who was taken to Tuglaq Road police station. BJP MLA OP Sharma was caught on camera thrashing a JNU student who was protesting against Kanhaiya Kumars arrest OP Sharma (far right) said he himself had been roughed up, allegedly adding that it was not wrong to beat up people who shout slogans Sharma claimed he was roughed up. When told there was footage of him beating somebody, Sharma said: I do not know which video you are talking about. And in the same breath, he added that it is not wrong if somebody shouting such slogans is beaten up or even thrashed to death. Sometimes the market doesnt need much to lift its spirits. Bear market rally, short term rally, more buyers than sellers, call it what you like: the Footsie was in favour after a terrible week and rose more than 2 per cent yesterday. Most analysts do not expect it to last until Friday but for now traders were filling their boots. Renewed hope that central banks will continue to ease monetary policy gave some a reason to stay positive as ECB president Mario Draghi said the ECB was ready to do its part to strengthen the eurozone economy and that it will not hesitate to act. Relief: The Footsie was in favour after a terrible week and rose more than 2 per cent yesterday. Most analysts do not expect it to last until Friday While the markets were in panic last week when 80billion was wiped off the FTSE 100 in just four days investors sought solace in the safe haven of gold. Once equities were back in temporary favour, gold miners were ditched yesterday. Randgold Resources (down 125p to 6030p), Mexican precious metals miner Fresnillo (down 23.5p to 873.5p), mid-tier Egyptian focused Centamin (down 0.45p to 79.75p) and Acacia Mining were among those in the red. Acacia also suffered after it revealed its full-year profit fell 31 per cent in response to the weak gold price last year and shares slipped 19.6p to 225.1p. Joshua Mahony, market analyst at online trading firm IG, said: We have seen no signs to suggest that the downturn in global markets is over and as such, sellers are likely to return before the week is out. Investors in China came back after their New Year break but in the absence of anything to influence afternoon trading in Europe, as Wall Street was out of the picture on vacation for Presidents Day, the FTSE 100 rose 2.05 per cent or 116.68 points to 5824.28. The FTSE 250 advanced 296.79 points to 15,728.10. Mining giant Anglo American, ahead of its results today, was one of the top risers on the benchmark index. Investors expect it to be forced to flog off more assets in the face of a slump in profits and tumbling commodity prices. Its shares gained 19.1p to 393.05p but after the market closed credit rating agency Moodys reduced its rating of the miners debt to junk. BA owner International Consolidated Airlines flew higher after scribblers at Bank of America-Merrill Lynch upgraded their view to buy from underperform. The analysts reckoned it has become oversold this year and the shares lifted 24.7p to 504.5p. Nurofen tablets maker Reckitt Benckiser revealed better than expected full-year revenue of nearly 8.9billion and its shares shot up 405p to 6371p. Oil giant BP and partner Oman Oil have signed an agreement to develop a second phase of the Khazzan natural gas field. The second phase is expected to be available by 2020, and together will produce 1.5billion cubic feet of gas a day and BPs shares managed a 0.3p gain to 332.8p. The topic of house prices is not far from the mind of most Brits. Property website Rightmoves latest figures revealed the asking price for the average home has jumped to nearly 300,000. Februarys prices were up by 2.9 per cent, or 8,324, on January, and up by 7.3 per cent in a year. The housebuilders were in favour on the back of the figures. Barratt Developments built up a 7.5p increase to 552.5p and Taylor Wimpey climbed 0.8p to 171.6p. According to Rightmove (up 103p to 3483p) the volume of new properties coming to market is at its highest level since 2008, before the financial crisis took hold, and 5 per cent up on a year ago. AIM-listed house developer Telford Homes has agreed a sale of a housing development in north London to housing association L&Q in a 67million deal. Construction is already under way and is expected to be complete by the middle of 2018 and Telfords shares slipped 8.25p to 325p. Choppy waters remained for cruise operator All Leisure. Its passenger numbers were down 6 per cent for the year to the end of October. Turmoil and terrorist attacks in many of the areas it previously visited hit demand. It said bookings to the Eastern Mediterranean and North Africa notably Egypt, Turkey and Cyprus were heavily impacted. Its Russian tours programme was cancelled and its popular Black Sea cruise itineraries to Crimea remain off limits due to the ongoing political situation in the region. Overall profit after tax of 0.5million was better than the 7.5million loss a year earlier and total revenue fell more than 8 per cent to 127.3million which it said was partly due to its Voyager and Minerva vessels being in dry-dock. Things are so stormy it said it is now considering delisting from AIM due to the on-going costs of remaining as a publicly quoted company. Shares slumped 68 per cent or 3.75p to 1.75p. AIM-listed facilities management firm Mortice said its Office & General Group has won a 10-year 55million contract to supply the University of Hertfordshire and its shares were 10.5p better at 96p. Fidessa Group, the supplier of software for trading and investment businesses, has been doing a good job for traders in the face of the volatile markets. Brexit call: Toscafund said the EU has overreached itself and has unwelcome political ambitions Britain would be a better place if it quit the floundering European Union, according to one of the UKs largest hedge funds. In a scathing report that calls for the UK to turn its back on Brussels, Toscafund said the EU has overreached itself and has unwelcome political ambitions that should be rejected. It adds that Londons status as the worlds pre-eminent financial centre was safe because there is no plausible alternative. Toscafund looks after nearly 3billion of assets and owns stakes in housebuilder Redrow and Argos owner Home Retail Group. The analysis is bluntly at odds with warnings from US investment banking giants Goldman Sachs and Citigroup that so-called Brexit would wreak havoc in the British economy. In the report, Dr Savvas Savouri, an economist at Toscafund, said: Britain will be a better place for leaving the European Union. Britain is very much a flourishing economy as much of Europe flounders. When we are handed our voting card on the fateful referendum day we should keep in mind that our dynamic economy has dealt us a great hand, whilst the EU is playing with a great deal of bluff. He described the EU as a frustratingly technocratic and bureaucratic body that holds back economic growth. The Prime Minister has called on big business to speak out in favour of staying in the EU but hedge funds are split on the issue. Fresh vision: Charles Woodburn has been named as BAE's new Chief Operations Officer BAE Systems has signalled a shake-up as it fights to win key UK military contracts and develop the next generation of nuclear submarines. The worlds third biggest defence firm by sales yesterday unveiled oil industry veteran Charles Woodburn as its chief operating officer, a role which effectively makes him heir apparent to chief executive Ian King. Woodburn, 44, has been recruited to give fresh vision to BAE at a time when it has been recently shunned for top defence deals and questions over whether an order for 48 Eurofighter Typhoons for Saudi Arabia would go ahead. The next year will be crucial for BAE as the Government has pencilled in higher spending on defence budgets after shrinking them for years. Chairman Sir Roger Carr said: Charles will bring fresh perspective to the companys operations and board, whilst building a detailed knowledge of the defence industry under the guidance of Ian King. Christophe Menard, an analyst at broker Kepler Cheuvreux, said: Seeking an outsider could bring a fresh vision to BAE, which needs to reinvent and re-position part of its business, after years of difficult budgetary environments. Woodburns appointment lines him up to take over from King in 12 to 18 months. It was a position King held in 2007, before he became boss in 2008. At the time, BAE was going through a difficult time mired in allegations of bribery and corruption. Woodburn will be appointed to the BAE board as an executive director during the second quarter of 2016 having held a number of senior management positions in the oil and gas industry. A Cambridge graduate with a first class degree in Electrical Sciences and a PhD in Engineering he has worked in the Far East, Australia, France and the United States having worked at oil and gas firm Schlumberger for 15 years. An artist's impression of the BAE submarines due to replace the Vangard-class subs which carry Trident missiles Woodburn joins from private equity owned Expro which provides a range of engineering services on oil rigs. He will receive a salary of 750,000 a year as well as a 1.62million golden handshake to compensate him for incentives he was due at Expro. There is a requirement that he reinvests half of that amount in BAE within 120 days of receiving it. He is also expected to own stock worth at least 200 per cent of his base salary which aligns his potential earnings with shareholders. BAE is due to report full-year results on Thursday which are expected to show flat annual pre-tax profits of 1.4billion on sales of 17.4billion. Last week rival Rolls-Royce cut its dividend for the first time in 24 years and saw full-year earnings fall after a torrid two years in which the engineer issued five profit warnings. In a recent boost BAE was awarded a 201million contract from its biggest customer, the Ministry of Defence, to develop a successor to the Vanguard nuclear missile submarine. The so called Successor vessel will be part of Britains beefed-up nuclear submarine deterrent and part of a 31billion programme. And just this month the firm unveiled the latest version of its Terrier armoured vehicle. It was dubbed the Swiss Army Knife because of its versatility in clearing mines, digging trenches and smashing anything in its path. Stuart Gulliver, the chief executive of HSBC, has decided not to go on his travels after all. Following an exhaustive review lasting a year, Gulliver, along with chairman Douglas Flint and the rest of the board, decided unanimously to keep its headquarters in Londons Canary Wharf. Late on Sunday evening, following a board meeting, the directors officially dropped the threat to move but as this paper has pointed out, the banks threat to move out of London never looked credible. So the real question, therefore, is why did politicians ever take it seriously? Why did the authorities needlessly water down the regulation of banks and why did the Chancellor make changes to the tax system, appeasing HSBC at the expense of smaller lenders? These are not difficulties that need trouble the international lender itself. Taking us for a ride? HSBC is staying in London after authorities watered down the regulation of banks and the Chancellor made changes to the tax system at the expense of smaller lenders Having resolved the issue of its domicile, it is now turning to leadership. Douglas Flint is expected to step down as chairman next year and senior bankers say one leading candidate for the job is 61-year-old Frenchman Henri de Castries, who runs Gallic insurance giant Axa. HSBCs strong presence in France, where it bought leading lender CCF in 2000, is often overlooked. But the appointment of de Castries to the board last year adds credence to the banks latest threat: to move 1,000 investment bank jobs from London to Paris if the UK votes for a Brexit. Gulliver himself is expected to move on a year after Flint, in 2017. Long-standing director Rona Fairhead, who also chairs the BBC Trust, is to leave in the spring following a row over her pay and her role heading the audit committee, which failed to raise an alarm over the scandal in the Swiss division. In the unlikely event HSBC had made good on its menaces, it would have been damaging to the Citys prestige. As John Thanassoulis, professor of financial economics at Warwick Business School, points out, its decision to stay safeguards Londons position as a global centre of finance and protects jobs. But, he adds, the question is, has the Government created an environment in which the balance is pushed too far towards the banks? Grilling: HSBC boss Stuart Gulliver paid around 5m of bonuses into a Swiss bank account George Osborne first signalled a new deal with the banking sector in his Mansion House speech last summer. Further evidence of a less confrontational stance came in the ousting of hardliner Martin Wheatley as head of the Financial Conduct Authority and the dropping of an investigation into bank executive pay and culture. A string of scandals that have broken the surface whilst Flint and Gulliver have been at the helm, including foreign exchange rate rigging and accusations the private banking arm in Switzerland helped rich clients avoid tax. Despite this record, the pair mounted a case that the departure of the bank would be little short of a national tragedy for Britain. Their arguments gained traction even though experts pointed out there were only two even vaguely plausible alternative venues for the bank, the US and Hong Kong, both of which have extreme drawbacks. US authorities have meted out far harsher punishments than their British counterparts to lenders including HSBC, which operates there under a deferred prosecution agreement, which means the threat of being shut down hovers over its head. As for Hong Kong, it is a very different place from the British colony HSBC quit 23 years ago when it took over the old Midland. However much they may chafe at the British regulators, it stretches the imagination that Gulliver and Flint would willingly put themselves under the control of the former colonys current rulers in communist Beijing. Recent turmoil in China only serves to underline how risky an option that would have been. Osbornes changes to the banking levy of which HSBC was the main beneficiary have come at the expense of mutuals and challenger banks. The levy, meant to compensate the UK taxpayer for propping up banks considered too big to fail, was charged on lenders worldwide balance sheets, meaning HSBC had by far the biggest bill. But its replacement, an 8 per cent additional corporation tax charge on banks making profits above a mere 25million, will hurt the challengers. I never thought (HSBC) would move domicile elsewhere, said Paul Lynam, chief executive of challenger bank Secure Trust, though he added it was harsh to make it pay the levy on its global operations. Robin Feieth, chief executive of the Building Societies Association, said: HSBC keeping its HQ in London is good news. The corporation tax surcharge that spreads the cost of the levy to many more banks and building societies is not. Some observers believe that temperatures rose when Flint and Gulliver were hauled before the Treasury Select Committee a year ago. Simon Walker, Director General of the Institute of Directors, says: It did no credit to our parliamentary system to see how the chairman and chief executive were publicly ripped apart. Gulliver was grilled over his personal finances, in particular revelations he had paid around 5million of bonuses into a Swiss bank account via a Panamanian holding company. Chief executive Gulliver was given some every rough treatment by regulators in the UK and the US, some of it deserved, said veteran commentator David Buik. However, I think when the attacks became personal, the board of directors closed ranks and considered alternative HQ options. Warning: European Central Bank chief Mario Draghi The head of the European Central Bank yesterday warned that some of the regions banks face challenges but insisted they are stronger than they were in the financial crisis. ECB president Mario Draghi said lenders in the eurozone have been hit by a sharp fall in share prices amid worries about a weaker-than-expected economic outlook. But he insisted they have larger capital buffers than they did a few years ago when the entire system teetered on the brink of collapse. The comments, to the European Parliament, follow a precipitous fall in share prices so far this year with Deutsche Bank of Germany, Societe Generale of France and Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena of Italy among those on the slide. Clearly, some parts of the banking sector in the euro area still face a number of challenges, Draghi said. But he added: In the euro area, the situation in the banking sector now is very different from what it was in 2012. The ECB has already cut interest rates into negative territory and launched a 46billion a month money printing programme through so-called quantitative easing in an attempt to boost demand, inflation and economic growth. The British company behind the discovery of vast quantities of oil near Gatwick Airport last year revealed today that it has found enough oil at the Weald Basin site to produce around 463 barrels a day. UK Oil & Gas Investments said early testing revealed 'significant quantities' of oil at the site which has been dubbed the 'Gatwick Gusher'. The company's shares soared nearly 50 per cent this afternoon. Stephen Sanderson, chairman of UKOG, said: 'This is a very significant event for the company and for oil and gas activity in the Weald basin of southern England. Importantly, tests so far show oil has flowed to the surface under its own pressure and has not, so far, required artificial lift.' 'Gatwick Gusher': The British company behind the discovery of vast quantities of oil near Gatwick Airport last year says it has found enough oil at its Weald Basin site to produce around 463 barrels a day Environmental critics of UKOG's operations suggest the only way it can get to the oil at the sites around Gatwick Airport is by using controversial fracking techniques. But the company said it has kick-started the process of getting regulatory approval to carry out further tests, with the aim of demonstrating 'sustainable commercial production.' Mr Sanderson adds: 'While these flow rates are significant and in excess of management's expectations, it should be borne in mind that the planned future use of a horizontal well and appropriate conventional reservoir stimulation techniques could likely increase flow rates even further.' In April last year, UKOG announced it estimated there could be up to 100billion barrels at the site near Gatwick Airport in West Sussex. The company estimated that between 3 to 15 per cent of the oil could be recovered, which could mean anything between 1.5 and 15billion barrels. By comparison, the North Sea has produced about 45billion barrels in 40 years. UKOG owns a 30 per cent stake in Horse Hill Developments, the outfit which is drilling the site. Shares in UKOG are up 41.07 per cent or 0.58p to 1.98p this afternoon. Critics: Environmental critics of UKOG's operations suggest the only way it can get to the oil at the sites around Gatwick Airport is by using controversial fracking techniques The companys latest announcement suggests that the 'Gatwick Gusher' may well turn the area into a mini-Dallas after all, potentially without the need for fracking. Oil prices have dropped more than 70 per cent since mid-2014 as producers pump between one and two million barrels in excess of demand every day. Major oil exporters Russia and Saudi Arabia agreed today to freeze oil output levels, but said the deal was contingent on other producers joining in - a major sticking point with Iran. As a member of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Companies, Iran, Saudi Arabia's regional arch rival, has pledged to sharply increase output in the coming months as it seeks to regain market share lost after years of international sanctions lifted earlier this year. Sadiq Khan, Labour's candidate for London mayor, supported groups promoting Islamic extremism and gave a speech while the 'black flag of jihad' was openly flying, MailOnline can reveal. In a series of incidents between 2008 and 2012, Mr Khan promoted organisations that have advocated violence against women, been accused in Parliament of spreading anti-Semitism and homophobia, and staged events featuring extremists and terrorists. The revelations will come as a major embarrassment for the mayoral hopeful, who has spoken publicly of his concerns that his own daughter will become an extremist. Islamic: Mr Khan praised the Islamic model of finance, which prohibits charging interest and investing in the alcohol and pig farming industries, and went on to denounce terrorism Radical: A youth holds up the 'black flag of global jihad' in the audience during Mr Khan's speech Support: Sadiq Khan MP gives a speech at the Global Peace and Unity conference in 2008, an event organised by the controversial Islam Channel, which has been censured repeatedly by Ofcom for extremism Taliban: A woman waves what appears to be a white version of the flag, often associated with the Taliban THE 'BLACK FLAG OF JIHAD' Fanatic: Umar Islam, who is accused of plotting to blow up a passenger jet over the Atlantic, delivers a video message in front of the 'black flag of jihad' The use of a black flag with white holy script is an ancient tradition in the Islamic world. According to the Quilliam Foundation, some believe that one of Mohammed's original banners, the Uqab, was black. In the modern era, however, black flags with the Islamic declaration of faith have become popular with Jihadist and Islamist groups. Al-Qaeda, al-Shabab, Boko Haram, Jabhat al-Nusra, al-Tawhid wal-Jihad in Iraq, Jihadist fighters in Chechnya, Hizb al-Tahrir and ISIS have all adopted versions of the flag. The Arabic writing on the banner is usually the basic Islamic declarations of faith, known as the 'shahadas'. All these groups occasionally reverse these colours. A black flag, 'al-raya', for war; a white flag, 'al-liwa, for peace. The white version was particularly adopted by the Taliban in Afghanistan for peacetime. The black version is supposedly the flag of the 'Muslim army', and has been referred to as the 'flag of jihad'. According to Kamal Alam, Research Analyst at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), the flag is 'the best known symbol of global jihad', and is 'instantly recognisable as Al Qaeda and other groups'. 'It is the regular flag used by all groups calling for a global Caliphate,' he told MailOnline. Advertisement It follows the news that Mr Khan's former brother-in-law, Makbool Javaid, preached hatred against non-Muslims at a rally in Trafalgar Square with the 'black flag of jihad' flying behind him. Mr Khan was filmed delivering a speech at the Global Peace and Unity festival in 2008 organised by the Islam Channel, which Ofcom found guilty of extremism both before and after the MP's appearance. During Mr Khan's address, members of the audience were seen proudly flying the 'flag of global jihad'. One boy, who is also apparently wearing a jihadi headband, can be seen brandishing the flag at the camera and grinning. The flag, displaying white Arabic script on a black background, is used by extremist groups including Al Qaeda and Boko Haram. A spokesman for Mr Khan said that the banner was simply 'a black flag with the Islamic statement of faith on it', and that he was 'not sure what the jihadi context [was]'. However, a number of independent experts have confirmed to MailOnline that the flag is a recognised emblem of militant Islam. 'It is definitely equated with global terrorism, for sure,' said Kamal Alam, Research Analyst at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI). 'It is totally shocking for a senior Labour MP to give a speech while that flag is being flown and nobody is challenging it.' According to Usama Hasan, a former jihadist now at the Quilliam Foundation think tank, the flag was originally widely used but 'its significance has changed over the centuries' to become associated with extremism. Dr Elizabeth Kendall, Senior Research Fellow in Arabic at Pembroke College, Oxford, co-editor of Twenty-First Century Jihad, and one of Britain's foremost experts in radical Islam, agrees. 'Anyone who is using this flag today must be aware of its contemporary links to militant jihadist groups,' she told MailOnline. 'It has become a very potent symbol. It suggests that there is a radical Islamic worldview represented. 'If I were an MP giving a speech and this was in the crowd, I'd definitely want my security detail to investigate.' The footage shows the flag flying openly during the MP's speech, without complaint from any other member of the audience, the organisers, or Mr Khan himself. During his address, the Tooting MP spoke frequently in Arabic and praised Islamic finance, which forbids investing in 'haram' industries like alcohol production and pig farming, as well as charging interest. Anyone who is using this flag today must be aware of its contemporary links to militant jihadist groups Dr Elizabeth Kendall, jihadism expert, Senior Research Fellow in Arabic at Pembroke College, Oxford 'Suddenly, Islamic finance isnt such a bad thing [following the global financial crash],' he said. This will raise concerns about Mr Khan's intentions for the City of London if he is elected Mayor. Mr Khan's speech was organised by the Islam Channel, a controversial Muslim satellite station that has been repeatedly penalised by Ofcom for promoting extremist ideals such as marital rape. In one incident highlighted by Ofcom, Islam Channel presenter Nazreen Nawaz said: 'it shouldn't be such a big problem where the man feels he has to force himself upon the woman'. The Mayoral hopeful has spoken at the annual event at least four times. In his address, Mr Khan said: 'Congratulations to the team at Islam Channel for another record-breaking year. Let's hear it for Islam Channel!' During the year to which the Tooting MP referred, Ofcom had fined the station 30,000 for a series of misdemeanours, including a lack of objectivity on Israel. Moreover, l ess than two weeks after Mr Khan's speech, the station was again censured by the regulator for advocating marital rape and violence against women, and describing those who wear perfume as 'prostitutes'. The high-profile Ofcom investigation was well underway when Mr Khan delivered his speech. The unchallenged presence of a jihadi flag at the event together with the Islam Channel's history of radicalism and censure by Ofcom raises troubling questions about Mr Khan's judgement. The Islam Channel has not responded to MailOnline's repeated requests for comment. But it is not the only controversial group with which Mr Khan has been associated. Fanatic: 'Jihadi Sid' holds up another jihadi flag in a Channel 4 documentary 'The Jihadis Next Door' In June 2012, the Labour MP gave a speech at the opening of a conference held by the Federation of Student Islamic Societies (FOSIS), which has run gender-segregated events at universities and has been repeatedly accused of campus extremism. FOSIS is an umbrella organisation for Islamic student groups, a number of which have welcomed hate preachers onto university campuses. Last month, a Daily Mail investigation revealed a 'campaign of hate' on campuses which is 'poisoning the minds of students'. It is totally shocking for a senior Labour MP to give a speech while that flag is being flown and nobody is challenging it Kamal Alam, Research Analyst at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) In addition to Mr Khan, speakers at FOSIS events have included: FOSIS has been condemned by Theresa May, the Home Secretary, for its failure to 'fully challenge terrorist and extremist ideology'. A Prevent report produced by the Government the year before Mr Khan's speech said: 'There are several examples of students engaging in terrorism or related activities while members of university societies affiliated to FOSIS. 'Such extremists must have no part in any organisation that wishes to be recognised as a representative body.' On his personal website, Mr Khan highlights the fact that in 2012, he received an 'Achievement and Inspiration' award from FOSIS. The MP lent his support to yet another controversial organisation during the same period. Known as iEngage or Engage, it has since been rebranded as Muslim Engagement and Development (Mend). It was described in Parliament by Robert Halfon, a Conserative MP, as 'aggressively anti-Semitic, homophobic and [with] extensive links to terrorism in Tunisia and the Middle East'. Proud: A screenshot of Sadiq Khan's website in which he publicises an award he received from FOSIS Extremists: Haitham Al-Haddad, left, called Jews 'the descendants of apes and pigs', and Anwar al-Awlaki, right, an al-Qaeda recruiter killed by a US drone strike in 2011. Both have been linked to FOSIS Hate: CAGE director Moazzam Begg, left, and Azzam Tamimi, right, a Palestinian academic who has said he would carry out a suicide attack himself. Both have been linked to FOSIS Appearance: Sadiq Khan MP gives a speech at a FOSIS event. The group's logo can be seen behind him In 2011, there was an effort to bar the group from involvement with the All Party Parliamentary Group on Islamophobia, on account of its links to extremism. Mr Khan led the Labour MPs who argued that it should not be banned. Their efforts were initially successful. Four months later, iEngage's chief executive wrote to the Home Secretary asking her to lift a ban on the extremist preacher Zakir Naik, who stated that 'every Muslim should be a terrorist'. London is one of the world's biggest targets for terrorists. If Mr Khan is not going to stand up to jihadism, he shouldn't be Mayor Davis Lewin, Deputy Director and Head of Policy and Research at the Henry Jackson Society The group was removed from Parliament the following month. The organisation has produced a video featuring the preacher Haitham al-Haddad, who claimed that 'I received so many requests from Western women who committed adultery and they were begging me if they can find a way to a Muslim country to be stoned to death'. A fundraising dinner for Mend featured the firebrand preacher Abu Eesa Niamatullah, who stated in an essay posted online that 'women should not be in the workplace whatsoever, full stop,' and that carrying banknotes is inadvisable as 'the Queens crown isnt a suitable hijab'. Azad Ali, who once wrote a blog quoting an Islamic militant who justified the killing of British soldiers, and who attended many of Abu Qatada's sermons, is Mend's longstanding Director of Engagement. Mr Khan's sympathy for the group, in addition to his links to FOSIS and the Islam Channel, will cause outrage among backbenchers on both sides of the House. 'Khan is Jeremy Corbyn's man in London, and Jeremy Corbyn was Khan's man during the Labour leadership campaign,' said Steve Brine MP, the Conservative representative for Winchester. 'Nobody will be surprised at this. When it comes to his fitness to be London mayor, people can draw their own conclusions.' A Mend spokesman said: 'In February 2011, after his cowardly abuse of Absolute Privilege, Engage challenged Mr Halfon to repeat his defamatory claims outside Parliament. 'He has never substantiated his allegations nor since repeated them in circumstances where he would be forced to corroborate his libellous claims. 'Mend enjoys a good working relationship with MPs on the newly constituted all party parliamentary group on Islamophobia and we continue to support its important work on tackling anti-Muslim hostility and hatred, including in sections of the British press.' Davis Lewin, Deputy Director and Head of Policy and Research at the Henry Jackson Society think-tank, said: 'London is one of the world's biggest targets for terrorists. If Mr Khan is not going to stand up to jihadism, he shouldn't be Mayor.' When contacted by MailOnline, a spokesman for Mr Khan said: 'Senior Government and Conservative figures, including David Cameron, Boris Johnson and Lynton Crosby, have spoken at events organised by each of these organisations more recently than Sadiq. 'Sadiq has consistently called for more to be done to tackle extremism and radicalisation and outlined detailed plans to do so as Mayor.' 'It's outrageous that the trustee would seek to reopen a closed case based on events that happened later,' says Dickinson's attorney Lisa Bloom Trustee then argued should Dickinson win damages in case against Cosby then she should be forced to pay back creditors Trustee filed to reopen case because the supermodel never disclosed the allegations in bankruptcy petition Supermodel Janice Dickinson was targeted by an 'insensitive' bankruptcy trustee who chased her for money in the wake of her Bill Cosby sex abuse claims, Daily Mail Online has exclusively learned. The trustee, who presided over Dickinson's Chapter 7 bankruptcy in 2013, tried to drag the star back to court after seeing her give a string of emotional interviews on TV. Dickinson was left an 'emotional wreck' after coming forward with shocking claims that Cosby drugged and raped her in 1982 joining dozens of other women with similar claims. But the 60-year-old was further rocked when the trustee, named in legal documents as bankruptcy attorney Howard M. Ehrenberg, claimed she had lied about any potential legal claims when she went bankrupt three years ago. The trustee went to court in October last year demanding the judge reopen the already settled bankruptcy case claiming the supermodel had not revealed the rape allegations in her Chapter 7 petition. Janice Dickinson was discharged of nearly $1 million debt in April 2014 after declaring Chapter 7 bankruptcy a year earlier According to the court documents obtained by Daily Mail Online, Ehrenberg argued that should Dickinson win damages in her defamation case against Bill Cosby then she should be forced to pay her creditors back. The trustee explained that when the supermodel filed for bankruptcy she declared under 'penalty of perjury' all her assets, liabilities and potential claims against others. He said six months after the case was closed Dickinson appeared on numerous television shows in a 'publicity blitz' to discuss how Cosby had sexually assaulted her decades ago. Ehrenberg stated: 'It is clear that the Debtor (Dickinson) failed to list her claims and potential claims on her statements and schedules, and subsequently failed to do so again during her meeting of creditors.' Ehrenberg moved to make a 'Rule 2004' examination of Dickinson's affairs to discover all of her 'claims and potential claims against Cosby', any 'damages based on the claims and potential claims' and any changes in Dickinson's 'book sales, royalties and income based on her public relations blitz'. But top Los Angeles lawyer Lisa Bloom, whose firm represented Dickinson in the bankruptcy, hit out at the cynical move, branding it 'outrageous'. She tells Daily Mail Online: 'It's outrageous that the trustee would seek to reopen a closed case based on events that happened later and which Ms. Dickinson could not have possibly foreseen. 'Her case against Bill Cosby is for defamation and related claims that arose in November of 2014.' A close friend of Dickinson says the star was upset by the action and branded it 'insensitive'. The friend also says: 'It took a lot of courage for Janice to come forward about Cosby when she did. 'It's not something she did lightly and certainly not a decision she would have taken six months earlier. 'Janice felt compelled to tell her story after so many other women had come forward, it was strength in numbers. 'For the trustee to go after her for that is insensitive, she was an emotional wreck and more court trouble was the last thing she needed.' It's believed the trustee reached out to Dickinson's legal team several times before filing the motion to reopen the case. He insisted that even if Dickinson didn't believe she had any case against Cosby at the time she had been ordered to list any and all possible claims. Dickinson's attorney Lisa Bloom (left) called the motion to reopen the case 'outrageous'. Trustee eventually dismissed pursuing taking her back to court Bankruptcy trustee filed to reopen case because supermodel never disclosed her rape allegations against Bill Cosby in bankruptcy petition but then six months after it closed she went on TV shows to talk about it But the close friend tells Daily Mail Online: 'These horrific memories were locked away for decades and Janice can't possibly have known how the Bill Cosby situation was to unfold. 'She was ultimately only able to pluck up the courage to speak out when several other women decided to come forward.' Dickinson's legal team met with Ehrenberg at which point the trustee demanded the bankruptcy case be reopened and the judge determine if Janice violated bankruptcy law. The meeting didn't go well. Then without any explanation, the trustee withdrew his motion the following day - saving Dickinson from a federal court appearance. Dickinson filed for bankruptcy in March 2013 after accumulating nearly $1 million in debt and declaring: 'I'm broke!'. The former judge on America's Next Top Model had racked up unpaid tax bills and doctors' bills for plastic surgery procedures. She claimed she had just $19,000 in assets but nearly $1 million in liabilities. A court filing revealed the only assets Dickinson had were $5,000 in clothing, $1,000 in jewelry and a MetLife insurance policy worth $12,850. The liabilities included more than $550,000 in back taxes, $8,000 owed to Beverly Hills dermatologist and Michael Jackson doctor Arnold Klein, $300,000 to City National Bank, tens of thousands in unpaid medical bills and various other debt. Dickinson said she wasn't making any money but had monthly expenses totaling $1,200. She also claimed to have made no income in 2012 and only $38,000 in 2011. During the proceedings Dickinson was able to reach a settlement with City National Bank over the $300,000 she owed them from a previous lawsuit. The deal stated the model would pay a total of $100,000 over three years with $10,000 being paid upfront and three $30,000 payments. The bankruptcy took over a year before the judge granted Dickinson a discharge of her debt in April 2014. The case was closed on May 2 that year. According to a legal website attorney Howard Ehrenberg is a 30-year veteran of bankruptcy law and has been a member of the Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Panel of Trustees, appointed by the Office of the United States Trustee since 1995. The kebab store pit-stop after a night on the town has become somewhat of an Australian tradition. But for a group of five mates from Sydney, their lives were changed when they ordered the elusive halal-certified 'snack pack' for the first time while waiting for a metal gig at Redfern. Psyched on the smattering of chips, meat, cheese and sauce - they decided to make a Facebook group to see if there were others who had also been blown away by the deluxe culinary experience. Within two months, 'Halal Snack Pack Appreciation Society' (HSPAS) had taken off, raking in close to 40,000 likes and showing no signs of stopping. The Halal Snack Pack Appreciation Society has racked up close to 40,000 members since it was created in December, 2015. Founder Luke Eagles (right) says the group tries not to take itself too seriously The group was created for kebab enthusiasts and encourages them to leave reviews of specific shops The 'snack pack' is made up of a base layer of hot chips, a selection of kebab meat, cheese and sauce - and is preferably sold in a Styrofoam container Users are expected to address a number of crucial points while reviewing a kebab store's snack pack This man ditched the traditional birthday cake and celebrated his 21st with a steaming snack pack Users are expected to write a review of their experience - posting a picture of their meal and addressing the following criteria: halal signage, greeting, meat, chips, sauce, packaging and price. But before jumping on board, it's important to get a grasp of the specific jargon employed by the 37,000-strong horde of snack pack enthusiasts. First and foremost, snack packs are not simply good or bad - they are halal or haram (Arabic for permissible or forbidden) If you put tomato sauce on your snack pack prepare to be humiliated and/or called a dingo (fool). And if you swear by a certain kebab shop, it might be appropriate to reference it as 'the place of Jannah' - the Islamic phrase for eternal paradise. This man took his partner to a Kebab store for an all-expenses paid Valentines Day snack pack dinner This man poses next to a 'snack pack mountain' - the term for a generous portion of chips and meat Definitely halal: These snack-packs were shared on the Facebook group and praised for their excellent distribution of garlic and chilli sauce, with fresh chips and meet beneath ''Sauce: 10/10 perfection. Hot chilli and garlic. He was the Spielberg to my Hanks. I knew one God before I came to Lambs... and now I still know 1 God, but I now know how merciful HE IS,' wrote Michael (pictured) The founder of HSPAS, Luke Eagles, 25, told Daily Mail Australia the group tried not to take itself too seriously. 'We're all just here to enjoy food - if someone leaves a review, it's all good,' he said. 'When it first started the majority of the group would have been Muslim. At the end of the day, it doesnt really matter does it everyone is there for the snack packs.' Mr Eagles said he had been 'pretty selective and pretentious' when the group had first started up, but that attitude didn't last long, with 16,000 hopping on board in the first month. 'I honestly dont know why people join anymore, I think half the people are there because they genuinely love halal snack packs and then there are people that just love the internet funny and the banter,' he said. Nothing beats a bottle of Sprite and a snack pack filled to the brim and resting on the spoiler of a car Tradition: Australians have congregated outside Kebab shops at the end of a night on the town for a long time 'I have never been so proud to belong to this welcoming group that is dedicated to provide us insight and knowledge to guide us to the holy grail of Snack Packs,' wrote one user Most snack packs come in Styrofoam containers (the preferred holder) - although some shops use cardboard And there's certainly no shortage of banter on the Facebook page. 'My brothers. Inshallah and Inshallah (God willing) indeed. Lambs on Richmond. Mecca? No. but a Hecca a HSP joint?,' wrote one reviewer named Michael. 'Service: 6/10. it's 1am on Swan St. They hate everyone. It's packed. But the second they hear me ask for a HSP... it all changes. 3 brothers confer. "Cheese brother??"... yes 'akh. they know. They see through the crowd and know what is true,' he continues. 'Sauce: 10/10 perfection. Hot chilli and garlic. He was the Spielberg to my Hanks. I knew one God before I came to Lambs... and now I still know 1 God, but I now know how merciful and rayiea HE IS. Allahu Akbar.' Mr Eagles says the group isn't about making political statements, and that everyone is welcome to join - regardless of religious affiliation. 'We try to keep the religious thing out of the picture we just say halal so that people know what type of snack pack it is.' Devastating: One man was shamed for upending his snack pack in the back seat of a car A chemical linked to cancer by the World Health Organisation (WHO) is being used by councils across Australia to kill weeds in playgrounds, the ABC has reported. The herbicide 'glyphosate', known as 'Roundup', had its status upgraded from 'possibly' to 'probably carcinogenic to humans' in March last year by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), an arm of WHO. The ubiquitous pesticide is frequently used by households, farms and local councils to control grasses and weeds. The WHO said pesticide glyphosate, known as Roundup, probably causes cancer in humans The history of Glysophate or Roundup Glyphosate has a 40-year history of use for effective weed management. It originated in the 1960s as a pipe-descaling agent. In 1969, it was re-patented as a herbicide by biotech giant Monsanto as the active ingredient in the world's leading weedkiller, Roundup. Roundup was introduced to the consumer market in 1974 as a broad-spectrum herbicide and from 1980 quickly became one of the best-selling herbicides. Advertisement Concerned residents across Australia have petitioned their local councils to ban the 'carcinogenic' herbicide. Local councils are able to use the chemical around sensitive areas like schools, parks, and playgrounds and are not obliged to inform the public - unless Australian authorities say otherwise. Local councils have since been cautioned by the New South Wales insurance body State Cover to look at other alternatives to control weeds. 'It is recommended that councils take a cautious approach and investigate their use of glyphosate and other hazardous chemicals used for weed control,' State Cover told local NSW councils in a fact sheet. Residents have petitioned their local councils in Australia to stop using the herbicide to kill weeds in schools, playgrounds and parks Yarra City Council in Melbourne is one of several councils around the country to trial alternative methods of killing weeds but other councils have dismissed such trials due to costs and effectiveness. Mount Alexander Shire Council rejected a petition from Castlemaine residents in early February, after trialling an alternative steaming method in 2014 and concluding that it was more expensive and less effective than glyphosate. According to the ABC, the Australian Pesticide and Veterinary Medicine Authority (APVMA) and the Federal Department of Health are now looking into the risks of glyphosate to humans, with an investigation to be finalised in May or June. Countries including the Netherlands, Sri Lanka, and El Salvador have started banning glyphosate. Momentum to ban the weedkiller is building around the world, with Brazil's Public Prosecutor in the Federal District requesting that the Justice Department suspend the use of the herbicide. Daily Mail Australia has contacted WHO, Mount Alexander Shire Council and councils in NSW for comment. An outbreak of a rare and potentially fatal virus has left 55 newborns sick, with most of the infected babies under three months old. The respiratory and gastrointestinal infection parechovirus has swept through parts of Queensland, including Brisbane and the Gold Coast, leaving newborns with lethargy, diarrhoea, a temperature and a refusal to eat. Last month, two infants from Toowoomba were almost killed by the virus and were left fighting for life in intensive care, with one even having her chest cut open and given painful spinal taps. Scroll down for video An outbreak of a rare and potentially fatal virus has left 55 newborns sick, with most of the infected babies under three months old. Pictured: Tinley Beutel (right) and Lincoln Elwell (left), who suffered almost identical symptoms and were diagnosed with different strands of the virus in January The virus initially broke out in Brisbane in September, but there have been reported cases on the Gold Coast, and in Toowoomba, Townsville, Mackay and Bundaberg, The Courier Mail reported. The first reported case of parechovirus was recorded in Australia in December 2013 after 20 babies under 16 weeks were diagnosed in New South Wales, according to The ABC, but the disease was not formally recognised until 2014 when a test was developed. There is currently no specific treatment for the potentially fatal disease but doctors are trying to work on a vaccine. According to infectious disease expert Dr Theo Sloots, many GPs are not yet familiar with the deadly virus and therefore do not immediately connect the symptoms to parechovirus. 'They just think it's an infection. Awareness needs to be raised among GPs,' Dr Sloots said. 'It's in the kids under three months that it causes severe disease and in a considerable number of those, it involves the central nervous system and they go into intensive care.' There were 172 reported cases of the contagious virus in Queensland in 2015 and 55 in the first two months of 2016. The respiratory and gastrointestinal infection parechovirus has swept through parts of Queensland, including Brisbane and the Gold Coast, leaving newborns with lethargy, diarrhoea and a temperature (stock image) Last month, two infants from Toowoomba were almost killed by the virus and were left fighting for life in intensive care, with one even having her chest cut open and given painful spinal taps Baby girl Tinley was born healthily (pictured) on December 2 but fell ill three weeks later when she stopped eating, developed a temperature and became lethargic In January, baby girl Tinley Beutel was rushed to Brisbane's Lady Cilento Children's Hospital where she was put on respiratory machine and was later diagnosed with parechovirus. 'I thought she was going to die, I didn't think she would make it. Her heart rate was all over the place, her blood pressure was dropping. They had to put her on life support to keep everything stable,' her mother Skye Browne told Daily Mail Australia. Doctors initially thought Tinley had meningitis or a twisted bowl because of her symptoms, but she was diagnosed with parechovirus after five days in intensive care. Baby boy Lincoln Elwell was diagnosed with the virus the same time as Tinley, just a few days after he was born. 'We were told a number of times he might not make it, that he might die,' Lincoln's mother, Zoe Elwell. Doctors started doing tests before his heart rate shot up to 240 for six hours. 'His heart started to fail and he couldn't breathe. They had to put him on a machine otherwise he would have died,' Ms Elwell said. Tinley was rushed to Brisbane's Lady Cilento Children's Hospital where she was put on respiratory machine, had her chest cut open and was given spinal taps before doctors were able to diagnose her with parechovirus Baby boy Lincoln Elwell was diagnosed with the virus the same time as Tinley, just a few days after he was born Tinley Beutel has since returned home with her parents Skye Browne and Jason Beutel and siblings Rykar (left), Taylor (right) after a 10 day stint in intensive care The parents of both children are now urging others to be on the lookout for symptoms of the virus. WHAT IS PARECHOVIRUS? It is a potentially fatal respiratory and gastrointestinal infection. Can cause rashes, irritability, fever and diarrhoea - and in severe cases hepatitis or encephalitis. Virus is spread from person to person by direct contact with nose and throat discharges. There is currently no specific treatment but doctors are working on a vaccine. Children under three are at most risk of developing severe disease. Advertisement 'When Tinley got sick she was presenting with windy pains, so I was trying to bring wind up. It wasn't until she became lethargic that I knew something was wrong,' Ms Browne said. 'If I had kept thinking it was wind she probably would have died because her heart rate was so high she would have had a heart attack. 'My advice to parents is that if their baby is at all not themselves - if they have temperatures, not feeding or irritable - I'd go straight to the doctor.' Parechovirus is spread from person to person by direct contact with nose and throat discharges, including saliva or nasal mucus, sneezing and coughing, as well as faeces. The virus can cause rashes, irritability, fever and diarrhoea - and in severe cases it can cause hepatitis or encephalitis. Health authorities say good hygiene is the best protection, which includes washing hands with soap and water after going to the toilet, before eating, after wiping noses, and after changing nappies or soiled clothing. According to infectious disease expert Dr Theo Sloots, many GPs are not yet familiar with the deadly virus and therefore do not immediately connect the symptoms to parechovirus (stock image) A man said he was 'popping Xanax like candy' and 'spooning' an alleged murderer just hours before a Bikie associate was found dead outside a Gold Coast apartment complex. Jordan Christie said he was with Cohen Smith on the same night Smith is accused of murdering Max Waller, a Bandidos associate who was found stabbed to death in June 2013 outside the Carmel By The Sea in Broadbeach. Smith and Benjamin Mortimer are both charged with Mr Waller's murder, while Wade Yates-Taui is facing manslaughter charges. Max Waller, and alleged Bandidos associate, was found stabbed to death in June 2013 on the Gold Coast His body was discovered outside the Carmel By The Sea in Broadbeach in Queensland This week Jordan Christie gave evidence at the trio's committal hearing, saying just hours before Mr Waller's body was found, Christie was 'spooning' Cohen Smith, the Courier Mail reported. Mortimer and Yate-Taui are said to have been patched members of the Bandidos motorcycle gang at the time, while Smith is accused of being an associate. 'I passed out because I was intoxicated and on drugs,' Christie told the Southport Magistrates Court. 'Have you ever heard of Xanax? I was popping them like candy.' Wade Yates-Taui (pictured) is facing manslaughter charges Another witness told Southport Magistrates Court Mr Waller (pictured) had previously sold him ice Christie said he and Smith then woke up a few hours later, went to Smith's mothers house where they fell asleep again while 'spooning', then went to get sushi together the next day. He said he and Smith heard of Mr Waller's death on Facebook and said they were both in 'complete shock'. According to prosecutor Kirsty Johnson 32 witnesses will front the hearing. The wedding between Spc. Shane Adriano and Pfc. Tristian Resz was supposed to be an intimate affair. But when they shared their first kiss on social media, things didn't stay as private as they had hoped. The pair got married at Greene County Courthouse, Springfield, with just a few friends and a judge, reported the News Leader. The wedding between Spc. Shane Adriano (left) and Pfc. Tristian Resz (right) was supposed to be an intimate affair. But when they shared their first kiss on social media, things didn't stay as private as they had hoped. Pictured: The Facebook post from the American Military Partner Association And several hours after the wedding, which took place on Thursday, the American Military Partner Association posted the photo on their Facebook page and as of Monday evening, the photo has had over 4,400 likes and has been shared over 800 times. One Facebook user, Alexandria Recker, said: 'If I could say congrats a million times I would. Do not let anybody make you feel like your marriage is any less valuable than theirs. 'They are simply jealous you have the courage to wear that uniform and be happy with the man of your dreams next to you.' Jacob Rundle commented: 'Nothing but happiness to you both! Any negative comments reflect others insecurities, hatred towards themselves and ignorance. Stay strong you two!' The couple are planning on moving to a home in Waynesville, according to the News Leader, and met met last fall. While Adriano (left) only proposed to Resz (right) after a couple of months, he said that it was 'love at first sight' The pair got married at Greene County Courthouse, Springfield (pictured) with just a few friends and a judge While Rudy Medina wrote a more personal message: 'If only this had been possible when I was in the Air Force stationed in Germany in 1967. Oh want a happy life it would have been. It was all done in so much secrecy and opened to a few friends.' And another said: 'This is so great! The Military is a very hard world to live in, and to be be gay, is very difficult. Our country has come a long way, and the Military is better for it.' Although there have been some negative comments - the majority have been extremely positive. Newly wed Adriano told the News Leader: 'It just keeps getting reshared. 'We had a little bit of negative comments on there, but I wasn't even expecting that many people to like it and share it over and over again.' He added that he and his husband appreciate the warm wishes. Although there have been some negative comments - the majority have been extremely positive Adriano said that he and his husband appreciated all the warm wishes The pair got married at Greene County Courthouse, with just a few friends and a judge, reported the News Leader Resz told the News Leader that the majority of people were from the military and were commenting on the picture because they were so proud of how far the organisation has come. Don't Ask, Don't Tell the US military's 18-year ban on openly gay and lesbian service personnel was officially repealed in September 2011, signalling a new era for the country's armed forces. President Barack Obama said at the time that he welcomed the end of a policy that he said had forced gay and lesbian members to 'lie about who they are'. Adriano is currently stationed at Ft. Leonard Wood and has been in the Army for three years, while husband Resz has been in the reserves for a year and a half. The couple are planning on moving to a home in Waynesville, according to the News Leader, and met met last fall. While Adriano only proposed to Resz after a couple of months, he said that it was 'love at first sight'. Resz agreed: This is the one person I can't live without.' Judge David Jones performed the ceremony. Justice Scalia's children and grandchildren have paid tribute to him while his doctor has raised questions about the veteran jurist's health. The 79-year-old, who had been on the Supreme Court bench since 1986, is believed to have had a history of heart problems, high blood pressure and was too weak to have a shoulder operation. He was found dead at a ranch in Texas during a retreat with friends and admirers, prompting a flood of tributes from his loved ones. Many uploaded pictures of him holding his grandchildren in more relaxed settings, away from the courtroom. His grandson Antonin 'Nino' Scalia, named after the justice. led the heartfelt messages from his family, referring to him as 'Pop-Pop'. Scroll down for video Scalia's grand-son Antonin 'Nino' Scalia led the heartfelt messages from his family, referring to him as 'Pop-Pop' in a tribute He also posted a picture of himself as a child, cradled in the arms of his late father A picture on his Facebook profile shows him with Scalia's son Eugene (right) and other relatives including granddaughter Megan (second from left) On Facebook, he wrote: 'I am overwhelmed and deeply grateful for the outpouring of support which my family and I have received. My grandfather was one of my heroes in life, and will remain as such. 'He was much more than a brilliant intellectual, he was a loving grandfather, someone whom I loved deeply. 'There are no words to adequately encapsulate the man that he was, nor accurately describe the profound impact that he has had on my life and the lives of others. 'I share his name proudly, and find consolation in knowing that he is now in a far greater place.' Granddaughter Megan, a student at the University of Virginia, also referred to him as 'Pop-Pop' and shared one his quotes. 'Have the courage to have your wisdom regarded as stupidity. Be fools for Christ. And have the courage to suffer the contempt of the sophisticated world.' His daughter Catherine uploaded a picture of her father outside of the courtroom, wearing a bucket hat and sunglasses. Scalia's daughter-in-law Adele, who is married to his son Christopher, posted a picture of the American flag at half staff outside the Supreme Court. Presidio County Judge Cinderela Guevara, who was one of the first Texas officials notified of his death on Saturday, has raised new questions about his health. She says the doctor told her Scalia had a history of heart trouble, high blood pressure and was considered too weak to undergo surgery for a recent shoulder injury. Granddaughter Megan (center), a student at the University of Virginia, also referred to him as 'Pop-Pop' and shared one his quotes Scalia's daughter-in-law Adele, who is married to his son Christopher, posted a picture of the American flag at half mast outside the Supreme Court. She also posted a picture of them in a relaxed setting with one of his granddaughters Christopher also uploaded a picture of his mother and father in the wake of his death Those details are seemingly at odds with the recollections of friends who described Scalia has his usual, happy self during the time leading up to his death. Unlike presidents, the high court's members don't provide regular health disclosures to the public. Guevara didn't see his body and did not order an autopsy, a decision permissible under Texas law, but she still ruled the death a heart attack. She initially had determined an autopsy was needed. But she changed her mind after speaking with Scalia's physician Saturday evening. She said the lack of signs of foul play coupled with his doctor confirming Scalia's history of heart trouble and other illnesses meant the justice likely died of natural causes. Chris Lujan, a manager for Sunset Funeral Homes in Texas, said his was taken from the El Paso facility late Sunday afternoon and was to be flown to Virginia, although he had no details. Scalia's family didn't think a private autopsy was necessary and requested that his remains be returned to Washington as soon as possible, Lujan said. Scalia's weekend death was as much of a shock to those at the ranch as it was to the rest of the nation The owner of Cibolo Creek Ranch near Marfa, where Scalia died, said the justice seemed his usual self at dinner the night before he was found 'in complete repose' in his room. His daughter Catherine uploaded a picture of her father outside of the courtroom, wearing a bucket hat and sunglasses John Poindexter told reporters Scalia was part of a group of about 35 weekend guests. He arrived Friday around noon. The group had dinner Friday night and Scalia was his 'usual, personable self,' Poindexter said. Scalia retired around 9 p.m., saying he wanted a long night's sleep, according to Poindexter. A procession that included about 20 law enforcement officers arrived in the early hours Sunday at the funeral home more than three hours from the ranch, Lujan said. Kristina Mills, a history teacher at nearby Chapin High School, came to the funeral home to pay her respects and brought flowers. 'Recognizing his contribution to serving our country just compelled me to come,' she said. 'I wanted to do yellow roses because for him dying in Texas. I didn't want his family to have bad memories of Texas.' In the nation's capital, where flags flew at half-staff at the White House and Supreme Court, the political sniping soared, raising the prospect of a court short-handed for some time. The Senate's Republican leader, backed largely by his party's White House candidates, essentially told a Democratic president in his final year in office not to bother asking lawmakers to confirm a nominee for the lifetime seat. His daughter Meg uploaded this picture of Justice Scalia holding two of his grandchildren Scalia's colleagues praised his brilliance and grieved his death. Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg said she and Scalia 'were best buddies' for more than 30 years. Justice Clarence Thomas said, 'It is hard to imagine the court without my friend.' President Barack Obama ordered flags to be flown at half-staff at the high court, where Scalia served for three decades, and other federal buildings throughout the nation and U.S. embassies and military installations throughout the world. While flags were being lowered, the campaign-year political heat has risen over the vacancy on the nine-member court. At issue is whether Obama, in his last year in office, should make a nomination and the Republican-led Senate should confirm that choice in an election year. Obama pledges a nomination 'in due time.' Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., thinks it should wait for the next president. The Republican resistance to an election-year confirmation got a thorough public airing on the GOP debate stage just hours after Scalia's companions found him dead. Republicans argued that Obama, as a lame duck, should not fill the vacancy created by Scalia's death, but leave it to the next president which they hope will be one of them. The Constitution gives the Senate 'advice and consent' powers over a presidential nomination to the Supreme Court. Ted Cruz, one of the two GOP senators running for president, told NBC's 'Meet the Press' that the GOP-controlled Senate is doing its job. 'We're advising that a lame-duck president in an election year is not going to be able to tip the balance of the Supreme Court,' Cruz said. But the top Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee, which would hold hearings on a nominee, said it would be 'sheer dereliction of duty for the Senate not to have a hearing, not to have a vote.' Pornography websites will be forced to make all users prove they are over 18 under plans announced today. They will have to install age verification software or face a fine of up to 250,000, ministers say. The new law will cover both free and paid-for websites set up by commercial porn companies, as well as sites hosted abroad. It is likely that the age of users would be verified by checking that they have a valid credit card a sign that they are over 18 as happens with gambling sites. Pornography websites will be forced to make all users prove they are over 18 or face a fine of up to 250,000, ministers say (stock picture) According to a survey highlighted by the Government last night, more than a million children view online porn each month. In May 2015, adult sites had no fewer than 1.4million unique visitors aged under 18 a fifth of all children. Shockingly, half of these were aged between six and 14, meaning that 13 per cent of children from this age group had visited an adult site. The move is a significant victory for the Daily Mails Block Online Porn campaign, which has highlighted the dangers of children viewing adult websites. The campaign helped persuade the Government to force internet providers to install porn filters as a default option. The new law means that, for the first time, free porn websites would be required to verify the age of users. The Department for Culture, Media and Sport has launched a public consultation on exactly how the age verification will work. The Governments preferred option is for users to have to sign up via a credit card, as with gambling websites. Ministers say that because Visa and Mastercard have rules saying they will not process payments made by companies which break national laws, it means that if a porn site does not comply it will become financially unviable. Other options would be for sites to check details against the electoral roll or other age-verifiable information such as mobile phone accounts. Internet safety minister Baroness Shields said: The internet is a tremendous resource for learning and creativity but it is important to make sure that children are able to make the most of all it has to offer in a safe way. Keeping children safe online is one of governments greatest priorities. We want to make sure children are prevented from accessing pornographic content. So we are delivering on our manifesto by launching this consultation, which proposes we require companies providing this pornographic content to ensure they have safeguards in place to ensure those accessing their websites are over 18. Last night NSPCC chief executive Peter Wanless said: This consultation is an important and welcome step forward in keeping children safe from online pornography. Companies that produce and profit from this material have a responsibility to give children the same protection they would get in the offline world. A disgraced 111 call centre is employing teenagers to handle urgent calls even though they are not trained on how to assess patients properly. The 17-year-olds had just done their GCSEs when they were brought in last year allegedly in a bid to hit call-answering targets. But they are authorised only to take patients names and details, and offer basic advice on where to find a chemist or other health service. Christmas Day cover: Young girls at work at the call centre. The Daily Mail is not naming any of them and the faces of two have been obscured because their identities are not known. None is accused of any wrongdoing There is no suggestion of any wrongdoing by the teenagers, who have been described by colleagues as very hardworking. However, they are given no medical training and therefore have no real way of telling what is an emergency and when to advise a caller to ring 999, a whistleblower has told the Daily Mail. In at least one case, a patient suffering a stroke and in need of emergency care was placed on hold by one of the teenagers when they should have been sent an ambulance immediately. Last night MPs said it was outrageous that potentially life-or-death calls were being left in the hands of teenagers unable to give the necessary help. Investigation: The 111 service was branded not fit for purpose by Shadow Health Secretary Heidi Alexander (left) while Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt (right) welcomed tough action by the Care Quality Commission Amid a growing row over the Mails extraordinary revelations: The 111 service was branded not fit for purpose by Labours Shadow Health Secretary Heidi Alexander; An urgent inspection of 111 was announced by regulator the Care Quality Commission, which said it took the Mails findings extremely seriously; Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt welcomed the tough action by the regulator and said he would look closely at its findings; It emerged that the death of a man who called the 111 service 20 times in a weekend, but was not sent an ambulance, has never been made public; Furious MPs called the Mails revelations diabolical and demanded urgent safety assurances over the 111 service. The Mail yesterday revealed how the 111 helpline linked to the death of baby William Mead was mired in chaos. Concern: Whistleblower Sarah Hayes, a former manager at the NHS 111 service, said the use of the young call handlers was clearly unsafe A whistleblower told how overworked staff at a call centre, including a paramedic, were so exhausted they had fallen asleep while they were supposed to be taking life-or-death calls. It was also revealed that concerns had been repeatedly raised over the call handler linked to the death of one-year-old William, who died from sepsis at his home in Cornwall after 111 failed to realise he was seriously ill. This directly contradicts what the 111 service told the family which was that there had been no concerns about his performance. It can now be revealed that the same 111 service has brought in teenagers to man the phones, allegedly in a bid to improve its abysmal call-answering times. Whistleblower Sarah Hayes, a former manager at the service, said the use of the young call handlers was clearly unsafe. There is no suggestion of any wrongdoing by any of the teenagers involved, and the Mail has chosen not to name them. But images posted online show the extraordinarily young-looking group of girls answering urgent 111 calls on Christmas Day with one of them wearing tinsel in her hair. At least two of them were just 17 when they started working at the service. They are now thought to be 18. Miss Hayes claims the youngsters were brought in because the service which is the worst in the country was under pressure over its appalling call-answering statistics. It made it look like we were answering more calls. But most of the time they just have to put people on hold because they arent trained to give advice Sarah Hayes, 111 whistleblower She believes that bringing them in was a way of fiddling performance figures by making it appear more calls were being dealt with something the NHS strongly denies. It was about meeting targets primarily, Miss Hayes said. It made it look like we were answering more calls. But most of the time they just have to put people on hold because they arent trained to give advice. People then have to wait in a queue to speak to someone who is actually trained. The move to bring in the teenagers which was never made public flies in the face of promises about 111 made by ministers, who have always insisted that the service is staffed exclusively by highly trained advisers, supported by healthcare professionals. Baby: The Mail has revealed how the 111 helpline linked to William Mead's death was mired in chaos The teenagers are understood to have been hired at the beginning of last summer. Although they are answering life-or-death calls from patients, they have no access to the systems that 111 staff across the service are supposed to use to keep patients safe. Miss Hayes said: The ones in Dorset were very young. Some of them were 17 when they started. They were teenagers who had just done their GCSEs. She said the new employees were called non-Pathways advisers because they were not trained in Pathways, the computer system used at the 111 service. This system which was developed for use at 111 is supposed to be highly sophisticated and embedded with medical knowledge. If it is used correctly it is supposed to make it safe for call handlers who are not medically trained to make decisions about patients care. But the teenagers have no access to the system and so must make their own decisions about whether patients need emergency care or not. The former worker who spoke to the Mail said she did not blame the teenagers at all. She added: They were absolutely lovely and they would work very hard. But I think for a 17 or 18-year-old to be put in a position to make those decisions is wrong. It is unfair to them as well as to patients. These are life-or-death decisions, thats why we are given the computer system which is supposed to have clinical knowledge. A spokesman for South Western Ambulance Service Trust which runs the 111 service in Devon, Dorset and Cornwall said the role of the non-Pathways advisers was to deal with patients who do not require clinical assessment and have chosen from a series of automated options to help better direct their call. DO YOU HAVE A SCANDAL FOR US TO INVESTIGATE? Contact the Mail Investigations Unit at: investigations@dailymail.co.uk Advertisement They said anyone whose call went through to a non-Pathways adviser would have selected an option saying they required general health or pharmacy information. However, the spokesman confirmed that the trust would be carrying out further investigation into the incident involving the stroke patient. Ruth Rankine, the deputy chief inspector of the Care Quality Commission, said: These allegations are unacceptable. We take them extremely seriously and are planning to carry out an early inspection to investigate. Cover-up storm over heart victims 20 calls to hotline: He begged for help in vain - but 111 bosses wont reveal truth about string of blunders 'Swept under the carpet': Julie Bailey, who played a key role in exposing the Mid Staffs Scandal, said whistleblowers are 'still too afraid to speak up' The 111 service was last night accused of a cover-up over a man who died of a heart attack after making 20 calls to the helpline in a single weekend. The man is thought to have repeatedly begged staff at the service for help in the days before his death. But although he was describing symptoms which should have alerted the 111 call advisers to a possible heart attack, no ambulance is thought to have been sent. There was a major probe into the incident, during which serious mistakes on the part of the 111 service were identified. But the call centre which is among the worst in the country and was shamed over the death of baby William Mead has never made the report into the death public. Even now the 111 service is refusing to publish any of the details of what the investigation found. Last night NHS campaigners said it was totally outrageous that the helpline was refusing to be open and transparent about mistakes made. Meanwhile, regulator the Care Quality Commission indicated it will be looking into the death as part of an urgent inspection of the service. Roger Goss, co-director of Patient Concern, said of the apparent cover-up: How can the public possibly know whether they have sorted these serious incidents out or that they wont happen again if we are not allowed to know about them? So much for an open and transparent NHS. It makes Jeremy Hunts frequent calls for a transparent health service seem like empty rhetoric. Details of the case emerged after whistleblower Sarah Hayes, a former manager at the 111 helpline, bravely spoke about the chaos at the service covering Devon, Dorset and Cornwall. Regulator: The Care Quality Commission (based in this building in Central London) has launched an urgent inspection of the NHS 111 service The manager said she had been asked to review the calls made by the patient thought to have been disabled and in his fifties as part of a Serious Incident Investigation in November 2014. She believes the patient was treated as a nuisance because he had been labelled a frequent caller. She added: Listening to calls, there were obvious problems with the way he was dealt with. The patient kept declaring he had chest pain, upper back pain and shoulder pain. So much for an open and transparent NHS. It makes Jeremy Hunts frequent calls for a transparent health service seem like empty rhetoric Roger Goss, Patient Concern 'But it was never categorised as a possible heart attack, and so no ambulance was sent. We are trained to prioritise those signs yet they were missed completely in three-quarters of this poor mans calls. I think, from memory, that it was only once sent to a clinician and they also failed to send an ambulance. 'The main problem was that because he called so many times, he had been labelled a frequent caller. I think people thought he was just a nuisance. Baby Williams mother, Melissa Mead, said the 111 service had to learn from its mistakes, adding that it was completely wrong for failures to be covered up. The 111 service should be transparent about what went wrong in this case so that lessons can be learned, she said. What kind of monitoring was going on of the staff? Were there enough nurses or paramedics on duty? Unless they are honest about what went wrong, we will never know and we will not be able to prevent future tragedies. She added that it was wrong that patients and their families who have been let down by NHS and 111 services have to fight to get answers. Day one of the Mail's 111 investigation yesterday Julie Bailey, the NHS campaigner who played a key role in exposing the Mid Staffs Scandal, said: Whistleblowers are still too afraid to speak up and when they do they are hounded out of the NHS Its about time the NHS learnt from its mistakes [and] was properly resourced and led by competent leaders, who dont want mistakes swept under the carpet. The South Western Ambulance Service Trust, which claims it prides itself on being open and transparent, yesterday said it was not willing to disclose more details of this incident, even though it admitted there had been an investigation into the blunders. A trust spokesman said six recommendations about improvements had been made following the mans death, but refused to state what these were, saying only that they relate to updating internal policy and revising training. They refused to comment on the whistleblowers account, but said details of the incident were shared with the local Clinical Commissioning Group and a summary report was shared with the CQC. Health chiefs launch probe after Mails revelations as mother demands answers following death of her son which put 111 failings in the spotlight Let down: Melissa Mead with son William, whose death put 111 failings in the spotlight Health watchdogs are to launch an urgent inspection of a troubled 111 service amid an outcry over the Daily Mails revelations. The helpline was branded not fit for purpose yesterday after the Mail published photos showing exhausted members of staff asleep when they were supposed to be taking life-or-death calls. It was among a string of shocking concerns raised by a former manager at the service including claims she was left alone in a call centre covering 400,000 people with no clinical support. Today the Mail reveals how handlers as young as 17 have been brought in to answer 111 calls even though they are not properly trained to assess patients. Last night the Care Quality Commission announced a full probe. CQC deputy chief inspector Ruth Rankine said: These allegations are unacceptable. We take them extremely seriously and are planning to carry out an early inspection to investigate. 'It is critical that patients using urgent and emergency care are assured it is safe, effective, caring, responsive and well led. Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt said he welcomed the tough action and would be looking closely at the results. NHS regulator Monitor said it would be looking at the Mails claims. As outrage grew over the state of the NHS helpline, Labours shadow health secretary said the evidence uncovered by the paper showed there were growing questions over whether 111 was safe for patients at all. Mrs Mead is now calling for 111 managers to be honest about what went wrong over the heart victims death Heidi Alexander said: These reports are deeply concerning. They show a service which is totally unacceptable and, quite simply, not fit for purpose. 'Patients should have confidence that when they call NHS 111 they will get medical advice from a trained healthcare professional. These revelations raise serious questions about the quality of the current service, and its ability to spot patients with life-threatening illnesses. Aged one: William died from sepsis, hours after a 111 call adviser failed to spot he was seriously ill Images of staff asleep at their desks were taken at the call centre where fatal errors were made in the case of one-year-old William Mead, who died from sepsis in Penryn, Cornwall, hours after a 111 call adviser failed to spot he was seriously ill. The failings were among a string of blunders by NHS professionals, including multiple GPs, which contributed to his death. Whistleblower Sarah Hayes, a former senior call adviser at the centre in St Leonards, Dorset, bravely spoke out about the errors at the 111 service. Williams mother Melissa, who now campaigns for an improved health service, said she was very concerned by the reports and wanted urgent action. I think this reflects what is a very chaotic system, she said. And when there is a chaotic system, it allows for compromise in care. 'Clearly there needs to be more clinicians and nurses available, so call handlers are able to hand those calls over to them where clinically necessary. Recalling when she phoned the 111 service, Mrs Mead said: I didnt know that William was seriously ill. I had already been to doctors who had sent us away, and so I was looking for reassurance. Instead, we were failed. Roger Goss, co-director of Patient Concern, described the use of teenage call handlers at 111 as preposterous. It is critical that patients using urgent and emergency care are assured it is safe, effective, caring, responsive and well led Ruth Rankine, Care Quality Commission deputy chief inspector We feel the service should be staffed exclusively by fully qualified nurses, and every call centre ought to have at least one doctor on site, he said. It is worse to have somebody who gives you the wrong advice than to have nobody at all. Sarah Newton, Tory MP for Truro and Falmouth, said she had written to the Health Secretary for urgent assurances following the failings that led to the death of William Mead. She added: For people to be asleep on duty at an NHS urgent service is just totally unacceptable It takes a lot of bravery for people to speak out about failures in the NHS and clearly these allegations need to be thoroughly investigated. Charlotte Leslie, Tory MP for Bristol North West, said: There is still so much more to do to end these diabolical tragedies. 'Diabolical tragedies': Charlotte Leslie, MP for Bristol North West, said there is 'still so much more to do' 'We must have real penalties for being found to have covered up evidence of malpractice so that there is far more incentive to report and act on problems than to ignore them. Janet Davies, of the Royal College of Nursing, said the latest claims cast further doubt over NHS Pathways, the computer system used at 111 which is supposed to make it safe for people who are not medically trained to assess patients. Replacing skilled nursing expertise with cheaper staff who have little or no health experience is no way to run a service like NHS 111 A script and a computer are not the same as the advice of a skilled health professional, she said. It is time for a serious look at this service and whether it is fit for purpose. Current evidence suggests that it is not. A spokesman for the South Western Ambulance Service said the whistleblowers claims would be fully investigated. But Ken Wenman, trust chief executive, strongly refuted there had been any cover-up over Williams death. A 16-year-old was killed and her 19-year-old sister was left fighting for her life following a horror smash. Elif Kaya died after the Mini Cooper crashed with a BMW in South Woodford, north-east London. Her older sister Melia, who was driving the car, remains in intensive care at Royal London Hospital with serious and life-threatening injuries, following the incident at 1am on Saturday. Elif Kaya (left) died after the Mini Cooper crashed with a BMW in South Woodford, north-east London. Her older sister Melia (right), who was driving the car, remains in intensive care at Royal London Hospital Melia, a criminology student at Middlesex University, has undergone plastic surgery to her forehead and two operations. Her family said she is in a stable condition and is expected to have another operation on her pelvis tomorrow. Today, the Woodford teenagers' parents paid tribute to their youngest daughter Elif, who had been studying law at Epping Forest College to fulfill her dreams of becoming a barrister. Her mother Demet Kaya, 36, told the Evening Standard: 'She was an angel. She was a lovely daughter. She wanted to be a barrister and was doing so well. 'This is just so unfair. She was a very fair child, very confident and strong character. She was so intelligent and worked very hard. She knew what she wanted to do and was more mature than her years.' Elif's father Nevzat Kaya, 43, added: 'She was a very free spirit. She was so brave and smiley, we are just so shocked. Melia is now stable and we just want her back home. Thank God she's getting better.' Elif (left) had been studying law at Epping Forest College to fulfill her dreams of becoming a barrister. Melia (right), was a criminology student at Middlesex University Emergency services were called to the scene of the crash on Chigwell Road at around 1.10am. The girls' Mini was sent over a 3ft wall, before it smashed into a tree, after crashing with the other vehicle. Elif was pronounced dead at the scene 30 minutes later. The pair's friend Ayla Osman, 21, was also in the car and she was also taken to hospital and is said to be in a stable condition. The man driving the BMW was treated by paramedics for head injuries. Police are investigating the incident and are appealing for witnesses to come forward. Leon Brittans widow Diana (pictured together) will today ask the head of Scotland Yard why her husband was 'hounded in life and death' by his force Leon Brittans widow Diana will today ask the head of Scotland Yard why her husband was hounded in life and death by his force. She will demand to know why detectives, under pressure from Labour deputy leader Tom Watson, prolonged an investigation into a baseless rape claim made against her dying husband by a mentally ill Labour activist. Due to the Mets mishandling of the case, Lord Brittan died with the false sex allegation hanging over his head. It was not until nine months after his death that the Met grudgingly told his wife he was innocent. Lady Brittan will also seek an explanation as to why 35 officers ransacked their two homes just weeks after Lord Brittans death from cancer in January last year, in connection with claims of child sex abuse and murder made by a suspected serial fantasist known as Nick. As she mourned the death of her husband, police search teams climbed into the lofts of their properties in London and Yorkshire taking away the Tory peers clothes, diaries, computers, phones and family pictures. Apparently disgusted by the polices treatment of her and her late husband, Lady Brittan has asked to meet Met commissioner Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe at a neutral location a hotel rather than at her home or at New Scotland Yard. A source said: Lord Brittan was hounded in life and death by the Met, first over the false rape claim and then over the baseless VIP murder and abuse allegations. Lady Brittan is fully entitled to ask Hogan-Howe why?. Friends have described the raids on the Brittans two properties as totally unnecessary and say questions need to be asked about why the Met caved in to pressure from Tom Watson to prolong the rape investigation. I would expect Lady Brittans meeting with Hogan-Howe to be very businesslike. She will want answers, one said. The meeting will take place as the Met prepares to close its disastrous investigation into VIP child sex abuse and murder, Operation Midland, which as the Daily Mail revealed earlier this month is on the brink of collapse after officers found no evidence to support the homicide claims. Yesterday there were claims the Met is conducting a spin operation to defend the investigation after a carefully-written article in one national newspaper confirmed that no charges would be brought over Nicks allegations but glossed over the catalogue of blunders and scandals which have engulfed the inquiry. Despite spending in excess of 2million, detectives have found no evidence to substantiate Nicks triple murder and paedophile allegations against a VIP ring including former home secretary Lord Brittan, ex-PM Edward Heath, two former spymasters and ex-Tory MP Harvey Proctor. Former Army chief Lord Bramall, 92, was cleared last month of child sex abuse claims made by Nick, with police admitting there was insufficient evidence to even ask the Crown Prosecution Service to consider bringing charges against the hounded war hero. Friends have described the raids on the Brittans' two properties as 'totally unnecessary' and say questions need to be asked about why the Met - led by Commissioner Sir Bernard Hogan Howe (pictured) - caved in to pressure from Tom Watson to prolong the rape investigation A statement confirming the end of the investigation is expected once the last living suspect Mr Proctor, who has furiously denied any involvement, is told he will face no further action. It is understood the Met have been unable to find sufficient evidence to ask the CPS to consider charging him over Nicks allegations. Sir Bernard is today expected to personally apologise to Lady Brittan for the delays in informing her that her late husband had been cleared of the rape allegation made by a woman known as Jane. In October police apologised to Lady Brittan, saying she should have been told in April there would not have been a prosecution had her husband been alive. That month, senior officers also confessed they were told four times by the Crown Prosecution Service that there were no grounds to charge the Tory peer over the historical claims. But amid fears of a media and public backlash they stubbornly refused to abandon the case for almost three years hounding him until his death 13 months ago. Even after he died, they still urged the CPS to review the case which centred on an allegation that Lord Brittan raped a 19-year-old woman in 1967. The Met declined to comment about todays meeting between Sir Bernard and Lady Brittan. Last week Sir Bernard set up an independent inquiry under retired High Court judge Sir Richard Henriques into his forces handling of historical sexual allegations against public figures. Investigators with the CDC will be arriving in Palo Alto this week to A team of mental health experts from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is scheduled to be in California this week to investigate a series of suicides by teenagers in the affluent university town of Palo Alto. Santa Clara County officials took the unusual step of inviting the CDC to do an epidemiological study on the teen suicide problem that has anguished Palo Alto parents, teachers and young people for at least seven years, the San Jose Mercury News reported. The team, which includes representatives from both the CDC and the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, has spent the last three months working with the county Public Health Department to gather data on suicides, suicide attempts and suicidal behavior among Santa Clara County youth. Since 2014, five teens in Palo Alto, California have committed suicide, including 19-year-old recent high school graduate Quinn Gens (pictured), who jumped in front of a train on October 15, 2014. He was studying at nearby Foothills College at the time, a two-year institution Local news reports have speculated that Palo Alto's community of overachievers could be contributing to increased stress for teens growing up in the affluent Bay Area town. Above an aerial view of Palo Alto High School in February 2015 Starting Tuesday, its members plan to spend two weeks on the ground meeting with local doctors and community leaders, according to the Mercury News. Their research also will include evaluating existing suicide prevention programs, reviewing media coverage of the teen suicides and identifying the factors that might put Palo Alto's youth at greater risk, CDC spokeswoman Courtney Lenard told the newspaper. Six teenagers from Palo Alto, the home of Stanford University, killed themselves in 2009 to 2010 events that triggered public forums, peer-run support groups and police patrols at the commuter train tracks where some of the young people ended their lives. Yet five more teens committed suicide in 2014/15. Brian Bennion Taylor, 19 (left), and Sonya Raymakers, 17 (right), were part of the earlier cluster of suicides, in 2009/10 William Dickens (left) was 16 years old when he killed himself in October 2009. Jean-Paul Blanchard, a 17-year-old Gunn High School student (right), killed himself in May 2009 From 2010 through 2014, an average of 20 minors and young adults a year died by suicide in Santa Clara County as a whole. Palo Alto officials asked the state and county to request the CDC evaluation after hearing of a suicide assessment the agency conducted last year in Fairfax, Virginia, where 85 people between the ages of 10 and 24 killed themselves in a five-year period. The Fairfax County study concluded that among the possible risk factors facing young people there were an inadequate number of school counselors, stigma and denial around mental illness, pressure to excel academically and bullying through social media. A preliminary report on the situation in Palo Alto is expected to be completed soon after the site visit. The worrying trend of suicides first gripped the Palo Alto community in 2009, when five teens in less than a year killed themselves by jumping in front of oncoming trains. The first in the string of suicides was 17-year-old Jean-Paul Blanachard, who attended Gunn High School. His mother said in 2014 that he may have had an untreated mental disorder. Blanchard's death was followed a month later by the death of 17-year-old Sonya Raymakers, who killed herself in her final week of high school. She had been accepted to NYU. In August of that year, the youngest victim took her life, 13-year-old Catrina Holmes who was set to start at Gunn just four days later. According to her father, she left behind a suicide note saying she hated the 'b****y community' at her middle school. In October, Gunn student William Dickens, 16, killed himself the same way. His mother later said that he had a learning disability and felt like he couldn't keep up at his school's 'high-achieving, pressure-cooker atmosphere'. Brian Bennion Taylor, a recent graduate of Gunn, killed himself in January 2010. According to his obituary, he was diagnozed with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia - mental health issues that forced him to return home early after starting at BYU in the fall of 2008. Over the next three years, a little more than a handful of other young people in the area committed suicide. Then, in October 2014, a second rash of teen suicides rocked the community, starting with a 17-year-old private school girl who jumped to her death from an overpass. The very next day, 19-year-old Quinn Gens, a recent graduate of Gunn who was studying at nearby Foothill College, jumped in front of a train. A memorial fund for the teen benefitted 'bully prevention'. Just a few weeks later, Gunn 16-year-old Cameron Lee jumped in front of a train as well. A few weeks into 2015, Lee's 17-year-old classmate Harry Hann-yi Lee also killed hiself. His obituary said he struggled with clinical depression. Most recently, 15-year-old Paly High School student Qingyao Byron Zhu killed himself after jumping in front of a train in March 2015. For confidential help, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or click here Their average viewers are pushing 60 and like settling down to Countryfile and the Great British Bake Off. But now BBC1 and BBC2 audiences are facing a barrage of much racier content. From tonight, the BBC's flagship channels will be invaded by 'yoof' programmes following the closure of the BBC3 television channel. Every single BBC3 show longer than a few minutes in duration will be shown at least once on BBC1 or BBC2. And they will be given prominent positions in the schedule, in order to meet demands by the BBC Trust that they are shown at all times of day. From tonight, the BBC's flagship channels will be invaded by 'yoof' programmes following the closure of the BBC3 television channel (pictured) The BBC promised to give them a high profile billing, in order to get permission from the BBC Trust to axe the BBC3 television channel. The channel which targets 16 to 34 year olds and became notorious for trashy shows like 'Snog, Marry Avoid' and 'Hotter Than My Daughter' - will go off air this evening in order to save costs. The BBC will still spend 25million a year on content, but the programmes will only be shown online and on the broadcaster's more 'grown up' channels. But whilst the invasion of 'yoof' shows into BBC1 and BBC2 may spell good news for teenagers, it is likely to rile those channels' older viewers. BBC1 audiences have an average age of 59, whilst BBC2 viewers tipped over the 60 threshold for the first time last year, according to official figures. Instead of the Antiques Roadshow, QI and costume dramas like Don't Tell the Midwife, they will be now be confronted with programmes designed to explain online sex and rape culture to teenagers. Recent BBC3 hits include 'Webcam Boys', an investigation into young men who exhibit themselves online for money, and 'The Virtual Reality Virgin', which looked at how virtual reality technology stands to change the way people have sex. The channel also stirred up controversy by examining the definition of rape in 'Is This Rape? Sex on Trial'. And its future programmes promise to be no less shocking. Gavin and Stacey started life on BBC3 before becoming a major BBC1 hit, and boosting the career of its star James Cordon The online version of BBC3 has commissioned presenter Stacey Dooley to investigate the rapes in Cologne, and it will air a grim documentary about the death penalty, called 'The Man Who Witnessed 219 Executions'. Yesterday, BBC3 controller Damien Kavanagh argued that the channel's move online meant 'the shackles are off when it comes to creativity'. But he also predicted a backlash, suggesting that even the BBC is unsure that the shake-up is such a good idea. 'No one wins if we have to constantly defend ourselves against people trying to undermine what we are doing. We will have enough critics about what we make because it will be challenging, provocative and edgy,' he said. The BBC is desperately trying to argue that BBC3 has been 'reinvented' online instead of being closed. However, even the broadcaster's allies accept it has been axed. The television channel first began broadcasting in 2003, in an effort to keep younger viewers interested in the BBC when they had grown out of children's programming on CBBC. The experiment cost more than 1billion over 13 years, but the BBC decided to pull the plug in order to cut costs. The channel's budget will shrink from around 85million. BBC1 and BBC2 have already shown some BBC3 shows in the past with varying degrees of success. Gavin and Stacey started life on BBC3 before becoming a major BBC1 hit, and boosting the career of its star James Cordon. Advertisement A real estate agency has denied deleting a monstrous water tower from marketing photographs of a house in Sydney's south, saying the pictures were simply 'taken at an angle'. Molly Smith and her husband were outraged when they attended an open house inspection at the weekend and discovered a massive water tower overshadowing the brick home. Photographs in advertisements for the home showed a beautiful, clear blue sky above the house. There was not a hint of the enormous structure that casts a shadow over the street. 'It's not photoshopped, it's taken at an angle,' principal agent at the Ray White agency in Rockdale, Con Economos, told Daily Mail Australia. He said the photographs had originally been taken by a different real estate agency and provided to his firm by the house owner, who did not want to pay for new pictures. A real estate agency has come under fire for using this photograph to advertise a Sydney property for sale - where a massive water tower has been removed completely from the image Now you see it... A Sydney couple were dumbfounded after they discovered a huge water tower at the open house inspection at the weekend Now you don't... This picture was taken by Ray White from the front of the house this week in a bid to prove the picture wasn't photoshopped The reality: The home backs on to a huge watertank in south Sydney, satellite pictures show Mr Economos inspected the house on Monday evening and took pictures of it from an angle where the watertank was completely invisible. Prospective homebuyer Mrs Smith said earlier she was furious about the depiction of the view outside the renovated house, at in Penshurst Avenue in Penshurst. 'I feel like this is really underhanded deceptive behaviour and I don't think it reflects well on the business,' Mrs Smith told Australian Women's Weekly on Monday. 'They may not have taken the photos but it's pretty easy to see that it absolutely does not reflect the state of the property. Overall, I felt swindled.' Another patio shot also appeared to obscure the water tower, which is barely visible behind the roof of a verandah and a series of trees. Many of the images had also been brightened to light the gloomy surroundings, with the lawn looking greener than ever. Lisa Pennell, a Ray White spokeswoman, said in a statement: 'The photos in question were not taken by a Ray White contracted photographer, but were instead supplied by the owner from a previous marketing campaign with another agent. 'Despite this, it would appear from our own investigations that the photos have not been photoshopped and are instead taken from an angle from which the house obscures the water tank completely.' The Sydney couple were left speechless and outraged by the depiction of the view outside the three-bedroom property It seems the seller has gone to great lengths to subtly hide the large object, with a patio shot showing the water tower nowhere in sight A NSW Fair Trading spokeswoman provided Daily Mail Australia with its general guidelines about whether property advertisements can be photoshopped. The spokeswoman said it is an offence to publish, or allow to be published, any information relating to the sale or lease of any property that is 'materially false, misleading or deceptive'. 'Digital enhancement of advertising material may constitute such an offence where the enhancements are not disclosed or create a deception for buyers.' Consumers concerned that advertising material is misleading or deceptive can lodge a complaint at www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au. The Real Estate Institiute of NSW states that real estate agents 'must not alter or permit to be altered photographic images of properties, digitally or by other means, such that the images no longer truthfully and fairly represent that property. Molly Smith and her husband made the shocking discovery of a huge water tower overshadowing a property over the weekend A mother claims a hospital that saw the deaths of 11 newborns over two years told her she developed two bacterial infections just days after the birth of her son because she was fat. Caress Spiteri had just celebrated her wedding day on holiday destination Hamilton Island when she arrived at Bacchus Marsh Hospital, west of Melbourne, in Victoria for the birth of her baby in 2014. When the locum doctor, who was trained overseas, attempted to induce her, he performed the procedure incorrectly, ABC's 7.30 reported. Caress Spiteri (pictured) had just celebrated her wedding day when she arrived at Bacchus Marsh Hospital, west of Melbourne, in Victoria for the birth of her baby in 2014 'When he went to induce me, after he put the drip in my hand, he stuck the hook in my urethra as he was doing the internal to break my water,' Ms Spiteri told the national broadcaster. The Victorian mother's baby, Harley, was born via emergency caesarean section. Three days later, Ms Spiteri was discharged from the hospital despite being in crippling pain and desperate pleas from herself, her mother and her husband to the staff. She could not move, get out of bed or hold her baby after having two post-operative bacterial infections. A Bacchus Marsh midwife came to Ms Spiteri's house to check on her and her baby two days after they left hospital. But the midwife said the mother was okay. Baby Harley was born via emergency caesarean section Three days later, Ms Spiteri was discharged from the hospital despite being in crippling pain She could not move, get out of bed or hold her baby after having two post-operative bacterial infections Two days after that initial visit, a child maternal nurse visited Ms Spiteri and her baby boy. 'When she [the nurse] pushed my stomach up to see my wound, it actually exploded and all the pus shot out to the side of my stomach,' the mother told the ABC. 'She then told me to pack my son's bags and get myself immediately to the hospital.' It was at Bacchus Marsh Hospital Ms Spiteri then saw head of obstetrics Dr Surinder Parhar for her two-week check-up. 'He just grabbed my stomach like that and lifted it up. His thumb was actually in the wound and he told me that I got the infection because I was fat,' the mother said. But Dr Parhar denies he had said this to Ms Spiteri but did add obesity could be a contributor to the infection, according to legal documents. A child maternal nurse visited Ms Spiteri and her baby boy. The nurse told the new mother she had to go the hospital after she discovered the infection on her stomach It was at Bacchus Marsh Hospital Ms Spiteri saw head of obstetrics Dr Surinder Parhar for her two-week check-up. He told Ms Spiteri got the infection because she was fat When contacted by Daily Mail Australia, Dr Parhar said he did not wish to make further comment but he told the Herald Sun 'we did the best under the circumstances'. 'It was a growing area, we had the staffing [issues] and whatnot. No system is perfect, we provided a service and that is all I can say,' he said earlier this month. 'We provide a service and, if that is not good enough, other people can judge.' Ms Spiteri had to undergo corrective surgery at Melbourne's Royal Women's Hospital and 18 months later a gaping hole still remains in her stomach. She is now taking legal action against Bacchus Marsh Hospital. Baby Harley lived but 11 other newborns who were born in a two-year period in 2013 and 2014 were not so lucky. When the news of the deaths were revealed in October last year, Victorian Health Minister Jill Hennessy said seven of the deaths that happened over the two years were preventable. There is no suggestion Dr Parhar was directly responsible for these deaths. Monday night's episode of ABC's 7.30 revealed seven other newborn deaths happened at Bacchus Marsh Hospital dating back to 2003 after an independent review was done by Monash University's Professor Euan Wallace. Dr Parhar denied in legal documents he had told Ms Spiteri (pictured during her pregnancy) that she developed an infection becuase she was fat Ms Spiteri had to undergo corrective surgery at Melbourne's Royal Women's Hospital and 18 months later a gaping hole still remains in her stomach (above) It has also emerged the hospital employed at least three other doctors who were reported to the national medical regulator, Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). Of these doctors, two had their registration restricted while they were still at Bacchus Marsh Hospital. One of the doctors was Dr Claude Calandra who had 15 writs over 14 years in relation to medical negligence, which included alleged gynaecological injuries and stillborn babies. He has worked in hospitals in Melbourne's west for a number of years and now practises at Hoppers Crossing. In 2012, Dr Calandra had his registration restricted for six months but continued to practice. In a statement provided to Daily Mail Australia, the obstetrician and gynaecologist said he has not been approached 'by any medical authority in relation to a fresh investigation by the Victorian Health Department into infant deaths at Bacchus March Hospital'. The statement said while he had worked independently at the hospital, 'he has not practised as a staff member of the Bacchus Marsh maternity unit for more than 20 years, and was not associated with the current problems at the hospital'. 'Dr Calandra has no restrictions on his medical practice. His practice was at one stage temporarily restricted by Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency to between the hours of 8.30am and 6pm. He said the restriction was lifted in 2013. The statement said he 'has always sought to deliver the highest level of care to his patients'. There is no suggestion Dr Calandra was involved in any of the newborn deaths at Bacchus Marsh Hospital. Two other mothers, who also spoke out on 7.30, told of their heartache after losing their children. A mother known only as Jacinta said she had raised concerned with staff at the hospital after she could not feel her baby moving. 'I just knew straight away that something was not right. I raised it with the doctor, I raised it with my midwives,' she said. It has also emerged the hospital employed at least three doctors who were reported to the national medical regulator. One of them was Dr Claude Calandra Dr Parhar outside his home. When approached by Daily Mail Australia, he did not wish to comment Jacinta had a condition called Intrauterine Growth Restriction, which meant her uterus would not grow to fit her baby. She was adamant something was wrong so staff took 10 minutes to check for a heartbeat. When they found the heartbeat and established the baby was moving, Jacinta said the staff said 'She's moving. We can see that she's moving. She's fine. Go home'. But when she went back to the hospital two days later, staff told Jacinta baby Ruby was dead. She then had to drive 56km to Ballarat Hospital to deliver her child because Bacchus Marsh did not have the facilities to perform the procedure. '[Becoming emotional] I screamed and I wanted just to not feel a thing. I didn't want to feel it. I didn't want to be there 'cause I knew what was coming,' Jacinta said. 'And I knew that it was all going to be real at the end of it, that my baby was not going to cry and that she was not going to look at me and that I would have to hand her to someone else and not take her home. 'It was one of the most painful, gut-wrenching things I've ever, ever been through in my life.' Daily Mail Australia has contacted Bacchus Marsh Hospital and the Department of Health for comment on the matter. But the hospital would not confirm to 7.30 if they knew of the doctors' histories. Its former chairman Michael Tudball said he had no knowledge of it. The European Parliament president today warned David Cameron that while MEPs would work with the 'framework' agreed by EU leaders there were 'no guarantees' about the deal. Martin Schulz said like any parliament it was impossible to pre-empt a vote but promised 'constructive' work on Britain's final agreement, which is expected to be concluded at an EU summit on Thursday. Mr Cameron held back to back meetings with senior MEPs and other Brussels officials today as he continues a diplomatic push to complete the deal. His spokeswoman later insisted the discussions had been 'useful'. But with the formal start of the referendum campaign apparently just day away, he is already facing claims the agreement has been watered down even further as the Czech Republic became the latest nation to demand child benefit curbs only apply to new migrants. David Cameron met with European Parliament president Martin Schulz in Brussels today amid claims his deal on child benefit is being watered down Speaking after his meeting with Mr Cameron today, Mr Schulz said: 'I gave the Prime Minister a clear commitment that once an agreement is found in the (European) Council, once the legal text is on the table of the European Parliament, we will take immediately and start legislative process and try to be as fast as possible and as constructive as necessary. 'I am quite clear I can't give a guarantee for the outcome of future legislation nevertheless. 'It's understandable the Prime Minister asked the European Parliament to cooperate as intensively as possible, that was the assurance I gave the Prime Minister, that we will do the utmost to find a deal.' The European Parliament will not start work on the legislation for the deal until Britain has voted to stay in and Mr Schulz added: 'To be quite clear, no government can go to a Parliament and say this is our proposal, can you give a guarantee about the result? 'This is a democracy, it is not possible.' It was made clear yesterday some of the most contentious aspects of Mr Cameron's expected agreement will not be debated and voted by MEPs until after Britain's referendum. Mr Schulz insisted this was not a veto and added: 'I encourage British people to vote on the basis of the outcome of Thursday, to vote Yes. Guy Verhofstadt, the president of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe group in the European Parliament today suggested Mr Cameron should be given his deal on political integration Elsewhere Conservative MP Peter Bone looked forward to the expected start of campaigning and implied cabinet ministers could be on the campaign trail from Friday night 'Then we start a legislative procedure which will clarify and help to solve the problems addressed by the frame which will be, I hope, accepted on Thursday.' Following the meetings, Mr Cameron's spokeswoman said the meetings had been 'useful'. EMMA THOMPSON INSISTS SHE WILL 'OF COURSE' VOTE FOR BRITAIN TO STAY IN EUROPE Emma Thompson has intervened on Britain's future in Europe by urging the UK not to fall back to its 'cake-filled misery-laden grey old island'. The remarks at the Berlin Film Festival sparked an immediate backlash from campaigners who want Britain to quit the EU who condemned the movie star for 'doing our country down'. Ms Thompson's remarks stand in stark contrast to those of her fellow movie star Michael Caine who last month endorsed the campaign to get Britain out of Europe. The Harry Potter actress described living in 'a tiny little cloud-bolted, rainy corner of sort-of Europe ... a cake-filled misery-laden grey old island'. Asked how she would vote in the upcoming referendum, she said: 'I feel European even though I live in Great Britain, and in Scotland as well. 'So of course I'm going to vote to stay in Europe. Are you kidding? 'Oh my God, of course. It would be madness not to. It's a crazy idea not to. 'We should be taking down borders, not putting them up.' Ms Thompson made the comments while promoting new film Alone In Berlin at a press conference in the German capital on Monday. Steve Baker, chairman of Leave group Conservatives for Britain, added: 'It's always incredibly disappointing to see a star doing our country down. Advertisement She said: 'At the European Parliament, he met with the President of the European Parliament and the MEPs who are representing the Parliament in the negotiations on the UK's proposed reforms [Elmar Brok (EPP), Roberto Gualtieri (S&D) and Guy Verhofstadt (ALDE)]. 'They all offered their support for solutions in each of the four areas and, in particular, committed to work hard to ensure that the relevant secondary legislation on the emergency brake and child benefit is swiftly adopted by the Parliament. 'The Prime Minister also met with the chairs of the three largest groups in the European Parliament - Gianni Pittella, Chair of the Socialist and Democrats; Manfred Weber, Chair of the European People's Party and Syed Kamall, Chair of the European Conservatives and Reformist Groups. All three made clear their support for the proposals on the table and said they were ready to take any necessary EU legislation through the European Parliament swiftly.' 'The Prime Minister then went on to meet the President of the European Commission. They agreed that the talks on the UK renegotiation had progressed well since the publication of the draft proposals by the President of the European Council. They focused on those issues where there are still details to be nailed down in order to pave the way for an agreement at this week's summit.' Mr Cameron has also spoken by phone to the Czech prime minister Bohuslav Sobotka after the country's Europe minister highlighted problems with the child benefit agreement. Mr Cameron later spoke to key ally Mark Rutte by telephone and the Dutch Prime Minister agreed there was a 'good basis for a deal', Downing Street said. European Council president Donald Tusk, who was in Prague for talks with Mr Sobotka, confirmed that EU citizens currently working in the UK would not be affected by the proposed curbs on in-work benefits. He said 'unsolved problems' remained and there was 'an extra mile' to go before reaching an agreement, with the 'V4' Visegrad countries - the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia - having concerns. Mr Tusk said: 'In the Czech Republic, as well as in other Visegrad countries, the issue of access to social benefits continues to be among the most sensitive. 'I believe that the proposal I have put on the table is fair and balanced for all. It protects the freedom of movement, while helping the UK to address all its concerns when it comes to their specific system of in-work benefits. 'The safeguard mechanism on access to in-work benefits is not designed to apply to EU citizens currently working in the UK. We will now have to sort out the remaining issues in a constructive spirit of trust and co-operation. 'The position of V4 is very clear. In view of that I have no doubts: There is an extra mile we will have to walk to reach an agreement.' Guy Verhofstadt, the president of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe, a major European Parliament group, said after meeting Mr Cameron: 'If Britain doesn't want to be part of further political integration of EU, let's respect & recognise this fact in the treaties.' But Ukip leader Nigel Farage, who has accused Mr Cameron of ducking a meeting with him and other MEPs, insisted: 'The real truth is that this deal is not worth the paper it's written on. It is subject to European Parliamentary approval and ultimately judgments of the European Court of Justice. 'I am not sure that this 'deal' is the kind of second-hand car that the British public will buy from the Prime Minister. There is no reason to trust him. 'This deal is no more than Cam's sham.' As well as his meeting with Mr Schulz, pictured, Mr Cameron attended other discussions with senior MEPs at the Parliament in Brussels today The meetings were delayed as the Prime Minister swept into the building 25 minutes late, pictured left, but he eventually got into his schedule of back to back talks, right The starting gun on the campaign looks set to be fired as soon as Friday in an historic Cabinet meeting in London scheduled for the conclusion of the EU summit in Brussels. Czech Europe Minister Tomas Prouza today insisted his country did not want the deal to enable other countries to 'piggy back' on the British deal and would work to narrow the terms of the deal. THAT'S UPSIDE DOWN! FLAG OFFICIALS IN BRUSSELS GET THE UNION FLAG THE WRONG WAY UP European Parliament officials were today left red faced after they displayed the Union flag upside down during a visit by David Cameron. The gaffe is particularly embarrassing as the national flag is traditionally flown the wrong way up as a distress signal. As the Prime Minister went to the Parliament in Brussels to hold talks on his EU renegotiation with MEPs the flag outside could be seen to be hanging incorrectly. The thick white parts of the diagonal cross nearest the flagpole should be above the thinner white parts. Andrew Rosindell, MP for Romford and chairman of the Commons all-party flag group, said: 'You would think they would know which way the British flag should be flown. They should know better. 'It's a very embarrassing flaw in protocol by Brussels and shows what they really think of us.' The Union flag, which is more commonly called the Union Jack, has been used since the Act of the Union between Great Britain and Ireland in 1801. The term Union Jack is correctly used to specifically refer to the flag flown at the front of Royal Navy ships when in port. The British flag flies outside the European Parliament along with the flags of the other 27 member states and the EU flag. Advertisement Mr Prouza told the Today programme: 'As I said, we want to help the UK deal with the pressure they are facing, but we are not willing to have the whole social system of Europe being changed by that.' Mr Prouza said the Czech Republic believes that limits on EU migrants' access to in-work benefits, along with curbs on child benefit, would apply only to newcomers to the UK. He said: 'I think we need to have the same arrangement as for the discussion on in-work benefits. 'The proposal is clear that the limits on the in-work benefits would apply only to the newcomers and this is a very UK-specific solution. 'So we need the very same guarantees also for the child benefits taxation that applies only to newcomers and it also applies only to those working in the UK.' He added: 'It is in the proposals as we understand. Donald Tusk when he comes to Prague later today should be able to confirm this.' Elsewhere today, Love Actually actress Emma Thompson sparked controversy when she described living in 'a tiny little cloud-bolted, rainy corner of sort-of Europe ... a cake-filled misery-laden grey old island'. Asked how she would vote in the upcoming referendum, she said: 'I feel European even though I live in Great Britain, and in Scotland as well. 'So of course I'm going to vote to stay in Europe. Are you kidding? 'Oh my God, of course. It would be madness not to. It's a crazy idea not to. 'We should be taking down borders, not putting them up.' Mr Tusk last night warned Mr Cameron's renegotiation was 'very fragile' and unless handled carefully could lead to the break-up of the union Mr Tusk said it was a 'critical moment' as he told EU leaders to start listening to each other's concerns because 'what is broken cannot be mended' and the 'risk of break-up is very real'. Mr Tusk is undertaking a whirlwind tour of EU capitals including Berlin, Paris and Athens to sell the package of reforms he drafted in response to Mr Cameron's demand for change. And ahead of Mr Cameron's meetings today, Tory MEP Syed Kamall, chairman of EU reform campaign group Conservatives and Reformists, told the BBC: 'We want to make sure that the deal the British people vote on is actually the final deal and that the European parliament doesn't make any changes. Mr Cameron also had a further meeting with commission president Jean-Claude Junker on his visit to Brussels today 'That's one of the reasons that David Cameron is in Brussels today. He's talking to the big leaders of the parliamentary groups... to try and make sure he has support to get these changes through parliament.' WE MUST LEAD IN EUROPE, INSISTS GORDON BROWN Former Prime Minister Gordon Brown, right, today said Britain should be leading in Europe not turning away. As David Cameron looked to close his deal with other EU leaders, Mr Brown wrote in the Daily Mirror that staying In was best for the British people. He said: 'The economic evidence about British jobs gained, British businesses created and British investment secured is absolutely sound.' Mr Brown added: 'Europe matters to our livelihoods more than most think. And standing up for British jobs by championing our case in Europe is the patriotic thing to do.' The former PM concluded: 'In contrast to the UKIP view of being British - that we are only at our best on our own and semi-detached - let us remind people of that more profoundly patriotic view. 'This is that we stand up for British people's needs and aspirations best not by choosing splendid isolation, but as a proud, outward-looking nation playing our part in the world, fighting our corner for Britain as a leader of Europe.' Advertisement At a meeting in Brussels today, European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker will warn he will be allowed to restrict payment only to new arrivals. The decision could encourage a flood of thousands more EU migrants to Britain ahead of the changes coming into law in the months after the referendum. It represents another blow for Mr Cameron, who has already been told that he will only be able to reduce child benefit for EU migrants to rates based on income levels in their home countries rather than scrapping the payments altogether. Ahead of the meeting, Mr Juncker said last night: 'The social welfare system is of course at stake. 'We have to approach this question of the social welfare system with a maximum of prudence. 'We have to be cautious about that because this is concerning Britain but it is also concerning the other member states. 'I do think that these social welfare benefits have to continue to be applied to those already in Britain. 'For the incoming workers, this has to be seen.' Downing Street yesterday also admitted MEPs may have the power to change or block parts of the EU renegotiation deal even after Britain has voted on it in the referendum. The Prime Minister had insisted the agreement set to be signed off by EU leaders on Friday will be 'legally binding and irreversible'. But last night officials were forced to admit the European Parliament could alter parts of the package including the so-called emergency brake on migrant benefits and the plan to reduce child benefit payments. GRASSROOTS OUT CAMPAIGN BIDS TO TAKE THE OFFICIAL LEAVE GROUP STATUS The GO Movement, bringing together Grassroots Out with Leave.EU could ease concerns among supporters of Brexit of a disorganised campaign to get Britain out of the EU A campaign bringing together Nigel Farage with senior Conservative and Labour politicians will bid to be the 'official' Leave group at the referendum it was confirmed today. The Go Movement - a coalition of the Grassroots Out, Leave.EU, Global Britain and other campaign groups - has announced it will apply to the Electoral Commission. Success would mean access to guaranteed TV coverage during the main referendum campaign and greater funding as a result. The move comes amid continuing infighting and controversy on the Leave side as the different camps battled for supremacy. The new grouping will bring Tories David Davis and Liam Fox and Labour's Kate Hoey under the same banner as Ukip leader Mr Farage. Advertisement Ukip leader Nigel Farage, pictured today in Brussels, has insisted he had been due to meet Mr Cameron at the European Parliament but that he was dropped from the schedule The Prime Minister, pictured at his meeting last night with French president Francois Hollander, had vowed at the election to stop the payments to anyone whose children live in another country to stop the practice of it being sent abroad British Prime Minister David Cameron attended the Matthiae-Mahr Dinner in Hamburg, northern Germany, last week, pictured, to make his case for wider EU reform Mr Cameron will be in Brussels today for talks with senior MEPs over the deal. Yesterday, No 10 said Mr Cameron was 'looking for the European Parliament to make clear they will work with the UK to deliver on the solutions being discussed'. SUPPORT FOR BRITAIN'S EUROPEAN UNION MEMBERSHIP IS FADING FAST Support for Britain's membership of the European Union is fading fast, a poll released last night found. A ComRes poll for ITV News showed the In campaign had an eight-point lead, down from a 19-point lead in a similar survey last month. Some 49 per cent of voters said they would vote to stay, compared with 41 per cent who would vote to leave. The survey of 1,105 voters found control of borders was the main issue for people. Some 53 per cent said migration controls was one of their top issues, compared with 43 per cent citing sovereignty, and 38 per cent saying the economy. Just 19 per cent were worried about Britain's global influence being diminished, and 12 per cent said they were concerned about the uncertainty leaving the EU would bring. No 10 is growing increasingly alarmed by the shift in the polls. A ComRes survey at the weekend found 58 per cent of people believed the PM will fail to get a good deal from Brussels. Advertisement The Prime Minister's official spokesman said of the deal: 'It's quite hard to see at this stage whether anyone will modify it or not. Clearly on elements of the emergency welfare brake we will be looking for all countries in the European Parliament to deliver on that following the choice of the British people.' But the spokesman insisted that 'senior MEPs' are supportive of the PM's deal.Asked if the plans would be blocked after the referendum, she said: 'That is not what senior MEPs have suggested.' The spokesman suggested MEPs would also come under pressure to toe the line from their own governments, who will be legally bound by the deal they agree with Mr Cameron. Eurosceptic Tory MP Stewart Jackson last night said the admission confirmed that the package of reforms was 'worthless' as it could be altered in Brussels after British voters have backed it. Tory MEPs have privately pleaded with colleagues in other parties to publicly commit ahead of the referendum not 'to unpick any deal'. In a leaked document seen by the Daily Mail, representatives of the ECR group, which is predominantly made up of Tories, wrote: 'The European Parliament should vote to endorse the agreement as a whole before the referendum vote and commit itself unambiguously to implement it in full without qualification.' However, European Parliament president Martin Schulz and the leaders of the three main groups in the parliament have so far resisted the demand. An analysis of the deal by the Vote Leave campaign today concludes Mr Cameron's failure to get it enshrined in an EU treaty means it could be thrown out by the courts. The group says it will have 'the legal weight of an unsigned contract'. The starting gun will be fired on Friday: David Cameron prepares for an historic Cabinet meeting to start the referendum campaign - but Boris Johnson will NOT be invited Within hours of completing his deal on Britain's new membership of the EU Prime Minister David Cameron will meet his cabinet in London to formally begin the referendum campaign. Ahead of a blizzard of media appearances of his own, Mr Cameron last night conceded eurosceptic members of his Cabinet must also be allowed to make their own case. But because London Mayor Boris Johnson is not a member of the Cabinet he will not be invited to the landmark meeting in Downing Street. He had always been free to make clear his views but has instead stayed firmly on the fence. The historic meeting will receive Mr Cameron's deal - and he will then grant a rare suspension of 'collective responsibility' to give ministers the green light to oppose the agreement. Mr Cameron's cabinet, pictured meeting for the first time after last year's election, is expected to meet on Friday to formally mark the deal with the EU and then suspend their collective responsibility to back the PM Following the Friday Cabinet, eurosceptic ministers - thought highly likely to include Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith, Culture Secretary John Whittingdale and Commons leader Chris Grayling and probably several others - may appear at Brexit events within hours. Mr Duncan Smith is said to have told the Prime Minister it would be unacceptable to continue gagging Eurosceptic ministers while he was setting out the case for keeping Britain in Europe. Several ministers were said to be ready to defy Mr Cameron and dare him to sack them. 'Iain made very clear both the strength of feeling about this, and the number of people feeling it,' a source told the Mail Attorney General Jeremy Wright was also yesterday reported to be considering backing Brexit. Mr Wright was not available for comment and Eurosceptic sources said he was not known for having hardline views on Europe. Justice Secretary Michael Gove is seen as a key figure as he is very close to Mr Cameron but is said to be persuaded of the case to leave the EU. Former Tory Cabinet minister John Redwood last night appealed to Eurosceptic MPs not to be swayed by pressure from No 10. In an open letter he said: 'If you claimed to be a Eurosceptic to get selected and elected you now have to vote to leave.' The trial became a media circus as details of their kinky relationship came out in court Other clues that she had planned the trip was a change of hair color The fiery prosecutor in Jodi Arias' murder trial has made the shock revelation that Arias almost went free - despite stabbing her ex-boyfriend 29 times and shooting him in the face. Speaking on the Dr Phil show, Juan Martinez gave fascinating details about how he was able to prove that the murder was in fact a premeditated attack - not the result of an impulsive 'jealous rage', as her defense had argued. Martinez said his suspicion about her story had deepened after detectives found that Arias had bought spare gas cans months before her trip to Arizona, that had ended in the bloody murder of ex-boyfriend Travis Alexander. Scroll down for video The prosecutor (left) in Jodi Arias' (right) murder trial has made the shock revelation that Arias almost went free - despite stabbing her ex- boyfriend 29 times Arias (left) said Alexander (right) came at her 'like a linebacker', body-slamming her to the tile floor. She said she managed to wriggle free and ran into his closet to retrieve a gun he kept on a shelf 'With that information, I started to take a look at some of the receipts that were taken during an execution of a search warrant on her house, and I saw there was a receipt for a five-gallon gas can. So now I knew that I had three five-gallon gas cans [a total of] 15 gallons,' Martinez told Dr. Phil. 'And I also knew that in an interview with the police, her mother said, 'Jodi told me that she wasn't anywhere in Mesa and she had the receipts to prove it.' So it was clear she was planning to keep certain receipts, but she was also planning not to stop in Arizona for gas, because the 15 gallons allowed her to go through the state of Arizona without stopping for gas.' But what is most astonishing about Martinez' account is that if it hadn't have been for the gas cans she could have gotten away with it. Martinez said they were the key evidence that helped him prove to the jury that Arias had planned the trip to murder Alexander. Martinez added: 'Even in opening statements, the defense attorney indicated it was a trip she hadn't planned but the gas cans spoke otherwise.' He also explained that changing her hair from platinum blonde to drab brown and removing the license plates from the car were both indicators of pre-meditation. 'She went to great lengths to make sure that no one could tell she was there. And, by in large, she was successful,' he said. 'Except for that one mistake, she probably would've gotten away with it.' The fiery prosecutor made these revelations in his new tell-all book: Conviction: The Untold Story of Putting Jodi Arias Behind Bars. Martinez also explained that changing her hair from platinum blonde to drab brown (left and right) and removing the license plates from the car were both indicators of pre-meditation He told Dr Phil: 'The untold story is that her claims that this was a spur of the moment attack are completely falsified.' Arias' 2013 trial became a media circus as details of their kinky relationship and the violent crime scene emerged in court and were broadcast live. Spectators traveled to Phoenix and lined up in the middle of the night to get a seat in the courtroom to catch a glimpse of what had become to many a real-life soap opera. Interest in the case intensified after Arias did a jailhouse interview minutes after she was convicted of murder, telling a local TV reporter that she preferred the death penalty over life in prison. 'I would much rather die sooner than later. Longevity runs in my family, and I don't want to spend the rest of my natural life in one place,' she said. Two years after her arrest, she eventually admitted to killing him - but said it was in self-defense. She said she recalled Alexander attacking her in fury for dropping his camera after a day of sex at his home. Victim: Prosecutors said Arias heartlessly killed Alexander (pictured together above) because he wanted to break up with her She said Alexander came at her 'like a linebacker', body-slamming her to the tile floor. She said she managed to wriggle free and ran into his closet to retrieve a gun he kept on a shelf. She said she fired in self-defense but had no memory of stabbing him. But throughout the trial, prosecutor Juan Martinez attempted to paint Arias as a manipulative liar and said her account did simply not line up with the facts and how she had appeared to plot the killing. 'It's like a field of lies that has sprouted up around her as she sat on the witness stand,' Martinez said of Arias. 'Every time she spat something out, another lie.' Martinez sought to show how Arias had planned out her attack weeks in advance, explaining how she stole the 25 -caliber gun used in the attack from her grandparents' home where she was staying in Yreka, California, two days after a heated text-message exchange between Arias and Alexander. She was sentenced to natural life in prison with no chance of parole. And in a new twist, it was reported a few days ago that Arias has lost visitation privileges for roughly 200 days as punishment for calling a female correctional officer a 'c*** blocker'. Arias referred to the officer on February 3 in a crude fashion while talking with another officer, according to an Arizona Department of Corrections report. Hungry Jack's has banned beef with added hormones from its burgers amid concerns over unsubstantiated links to cancer and health problems. But McDonald's has revealed that it will not follow suit because the use of hormones has been deemed 'safe' and any changes could 'impact the livelihood of Aussie farmers'. Australian fast-food chain Hungry Jack's revealed it is using beef which is free from preservatives and supplements of naturally-occurring hormones oestrogen, progesterone and testosterone. The move comes after concerns were raised from Hungry Jack's consumers about added hormones - despite scientific evidence showing it is not harmful to humans or animals. Hungry Jack's has banned beef with added hormones from its burgers amid concerns from consumers over potential links to cancer and health problems Fears have persisted about a potential link between hormones in meat and developing cancer even though the practice has been deemed 'safe for human consumption' by the government. Hormone Growth Promotants (HGPs) have been used in Australia since 1979 to grow cattle faster and bigger with less feed. Around 40 per cent of Australian cattle was raised using the slow-release supplements of hormones which are given to the animals via pellets implanted behind their ears. On its website, McDonald's says: 'Most of the cattle we get our beef from are treated with added hormones, a common practice in the U.S. that ranchers use to promote growth.' In contrast, Hungry Jack's said it is now using 100 per cent Australian beef which is from 'known and trusted suppliers' and certified to contain no added hormones. The fast food chain has installed a 'rigorous' verification process to ensure that all the beef used in its patties come from cattle raised with no added hormones. Australian fast-food chain Hungry Jack's revealed it is using beef which is free from preservatives and supplements of naturally-occurring hormones oestrogen, progesterone and testosterone The fast food chain has installed a 'rigorous' verification process to ensure that all the beef used in its patties come from cattle raised with no added hormones Hungry Jack's also highlighted that the beef is free from additives, preservatives and fillers and that the price will remain the same. 'Our guarantee to provide customers no added hormone beef will not affect the price,' a spokesman said. But it conceded that the cattle are sometimes given antibiotics when medically necessary to 'ensure the welfare of the animal'. 'The use of antibiotics is regulated by the government and cattle are withheld from the supply chain during treatment,' it said on the website. Hungry Jack's chief marketing officer Scott Baird said the change was based on consumer research. 'This is an initiative that our customers told us they wanted,' he said. 'Customers demand greater transparency in the food they are eating. 'For Hungry Jack's this means beef with No Added Hormones that is 100% pure Australian, with no added preservatives or fillers'. The EU banned the use of HGPs and the import of products from treated cattle in 1998. But this reportedly contradicts the scientific opinion provided by the World Health Organisation and also the World Trade Organisation which found that the ban was not scientifically based. But McDonald's has revealed that it will not follow suit because the use of hormones has been deemed 'safe' and any changes could 'impact the livelihood of Aussie farmers The use of HGPs is allowed in many countries including Australia, New Zealand, USA, Canada, South Africa and Japan. A 2003 report by the Australian Department of Health and Ageing found 'there is unlikely to be any appreciable risk to consumers from eating meat from cattle that have been treated with HGPs'. The use of HGPs in Australia is approved and regulated by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA). Jed Matz from the Cattle Council of Australia said consumers should not be 'concerned' about the use of added hormones. 'You would have to eat more than 77 kilos of beef from treated cattle at one time to get the same oestrogen that you get from eating one egg,' he said. Coles was criticised for its ''no added hormones'' beef campaign in 2011 by some who said it could damage the beef industry and add to the environmental damage caused by meat production. Serial offender Timothy Broad, 30, was branded 'farcical' by a judge A thief was branded farcical by a judge as he was jailed for his part in a robbery after he was caught when he fell off his getaway bicycle three times. Serial offender Timothy Broad, 30, chose the bike as his getaway vehicle for the robbery at a One Stop Store in Clacton-on-Sea, Essex. But as he tried to flee after the raid it all went wrong for him as he fell off his bike three times, his bobble hat balaclava flew off in one of the crashes, revealing his face and bank notes stolen in the raid fluttered out of his pocket. Initially, Broad chased the notes up and down the road before finally abandoning the chase and his bike and running off. He was ultimately identified by detectives through DNA taken from the balaclava and blood on the abandoned cycle. Broad, who lives in the Essex town, was jailed for three-and-a-half years at Chelmsford Crown Court on Friday. The court was told he had a record of 71 convictions for 161 offences - mostly for theft - and had only been released from prison for one day before he committed the robbery. He admitted the robbery on November 21 last year, during which 380 was taken from shop assistant Sharon Benson, who at one stage had a knife held to her throat. Broad also admitted having a bladed article as well as stealing seven jars of coffee worth 32 from a Co-op store on August 31 last year. Broad, who lives in the Essex town, was jailed for three-and-a-half years at Chelmsford Crown Court on Friday Jailing him for three-and-a-half years, Judge Emma Peters told Broad his attempt to escape after the robbery at the store was farcical. But she added the late-night raid at the store by Broad and an accomplice - who has never been traced - had left women working there utterly terrified. Judge Peters said she accepted Broads accomplice was the one with the knife, but said it was a joint venture. Describing Miss Bensons ordeal, Nick Bonehill, prosecuting, said: She was absolutely petrified. She said she couldnt open the door. All she could see was the glint of the knife close to her. She tried to move away from them and look to see where her colleague was and managed to get into the back door of the staff room. A repairman called out to a Sydney woman's home to fix her TV antenna allegedly walked in on her while she was in the shower and tried to grab her breast, according to court papers. George Salloum, 42, fronted Liverpool Local Court on Tuesday charged with one count of indecent assault, which his lawyer said he intends to fight. Court documents reveal he is a married man who allegedly 'attempted to grab (the) breast' of the complainant in her Mount Pritchard home on December 30. Scroll down for video Pictured: George Salloum, 42, is accused of assaulting a 36-year-old woman in her shower Police allege the incident occurred while the 36-year-old woman was in the shower. The woman, who cannot be named, asked the repairman to leave before contacting police, and Salloum was arrested earlier this month. A document prepared by officers on the case states that Salloum has strong ties in the community and no criminal record in NSW. But it adds: 'The charges levelled at the accused would constitute a serious offence due to the sexual nature of the allegation.' Salloum, from Merrylands in Sydney's west, has been granted bail but must comply with conditions including that he not go within 100 metres of his alleged victim's home or workplace. The accused man made no comment as he left the court. His case is expected to resume in March. Mr Salloum (right) was hired to fix the woman's TV antenna on December 30 last year Court papers reveal he allegedly attempted to grab the breast of the woman while she was showering Economic downturn also cited as possible cause of rise in number of deaths England and Wales endured the biggest annual rise in deaths for almost 50 years last year, new figures have revealed. Public health experts have called for an investigation after the provisional statistics show a 5.4 per cent increase in deaths in 2015 compared to 2014 and 6.3 per cent more than the average for the preceding five years. Many of the deaths took place in the first months of 2015. The rise in both the number of deaths and crude death rate are the biggest for many year but similar increases have taken place before in the early 1950s and the late 1960s The Office for National Statistics figures also suggest that the crude death rate not adjusted for changes in the population age profile between years also increased by 4.9 per cent on 2014. The rise in both the number of deaths and crude death rate are the biggest for many year but similar increases have taken place before in the early 1950s and the late 1960s. A spike in deaths during the first months of 2015 have been attributed to flu and ineffective vaccines. In February last year, it was reported that the winter death toll was the highest for 15 years after millions were given a useless jabs. Death rates during the flu season in England and Wales were 25 per cent higher than the previous year. Public Health England (PHE) have admitted that the vaccine only protected three in 100 people who receive it and does not help protect against the strain that caused devastation this winter. But public health experts told the Health Service Journal (HSJ), who reported the story last night, that this did not explain the growth in 2015, and similar patterns in recent years. The HSJ said that the causes for the high death rates were still unknown. Experts have floated a number of theories including, weather, flu, cuts to care, support and health services, the recession, high pressure on NHS, a rapidly growing older population, older people returning to England from abroad and unidentified infections. Death rates during the flu season in England and Wales were 25 per cent higher than the previous year Dominic Harrison, an honorary professor at Central Lancashire University and Blackburn with Darwens public health director, said the changes were a strong and flashing amber warning light [that] something is making the population more vulnerable to avoidable death. Blaming the deaths on government cuts he said: One of the things this data may be telling us is it is just not possible to contain costs, improve quality, reduce inequality and improve outcomes within such a rapidly diminishing resource envelope. He added: We need to understand exactly what is happening if we are to prevent it continuing. Danny Dorling, professor of geography at Oxford University and an expert on inequality, another advisor on the report, called for the chief medical officer to investigate. He said: When people study 2015 [and take into account population changes] it is quite possible this will be the biggest rise [in deaths] since wartime. He added that he did not believe the rise was explained by flu or ineffective vaccines, and there were many possible reasons, including the impact of funding constraint, other policy, and the economic downturn. David Buck, Kings Fund senior fellow for public health and inequalities, said there were multiple possible causes. He said: PHE really needs to get behind this and investigate more thoroughly as guardian of the nations health. A spike in deaths during the first months of 2015 have been attributed to flu and ineffective vaccines Public Health Englands chief knowledge officer John Newton said: We have been monitoring changes in life expectancy and mortality in England We find the statistics for older people fluctuate quite a bit from year to year and around the country. There is often no obvious pattern to this but it is clearly important to keep a close eye on the trends and consider a range of possible explanations. In 2015, the monthly death figures suggest that cold weather and flu may have played a part in the high numbers of deaths in the early part of the year. Especially given that A(H3N2) was the dominant subtype circulating last flu season in the UK. In any flu season dominated by an H3 subtype, unfortunately we can expect the burden of illness to be seen in the elderly and therefore a relatively high overall mortality. Changes in the population over time can also have some surprising effects on these statistics for technical reasons. It is important to keep an open mind. A Department of Health spokesperson said: This is provisional data and our experts monitor deaths closely. Excess winter deaths can be due to a number of causes and deaths can fluctuate from year to year. We will continue to monitor this data closely and be advised by experts on any action necessary. The city of Allentown, Pennsylvania, has agreed to pay a $100,000 out-of-court settlement to the family of a teenage girl who was tasered in the the groin by a police officer in 2011, after a judge questioned the consistency of the cop's testimony and the adequacy of his training. Security camera footage shows Keshana Wilson, then 14 years old, leaving Dieruff High School with friends in September 2011. It then cuts abruptly to officer Jason Ammary roughly throwing Wilson against a parked car. She appears to push him away and raise her arms, at which point he tasers the girl in the groin, causing her to collapse. Filmed: Footage shows Allentown cop Jason Ammary struggling with Keshana Wilson, then 14. Wilson's mom filed a suit accusing Ammary of excessive force and the city of implementing poor training and vague rules Settled: The city settled the suit out of court for $100,000. A solicitor for Allentown said that they were confident that they would have won, but that the risk of high attorney's fees in the event of a loss was too great Ammary claimed that Wilson had resisted arrest and elbowed him in the chin, while the lawsuit filed against the city by Wilson's mother, Victoria Geist, said that he grabbed Wilson 'without warning' and accused him of excessive force. The lawsuit also accused the city of improper training of officers and deficient policies, and was set to go to trial this month when the city decided to settle, according to a report by The Morning Call on Thursday. Allentown solicitor Susan Ellis Wild told The Morning Call that the city believed it would have won a trial, but that it had decided to protect against the risk of paying high solicitor's fees in the event of a loss. The compensation was said to be for Wilson's pain and suffering, and not an admission of wrongdoing or liability by the city In 2014 the city made a motion to find the case in its favor without a trial, but US District Court Judge Lawrence Stengel said that the video was not sufficient to make a ruling, and ordered the case to go to trial. He also agreed with a number of complaints made in the lawsuit, a lawyer for Wilson told The Morning Call. Stengel is reported to have agreed that there were inconsistencies in Ammary's claims: when charging Wilson, the officer said that he had received information that she was planning to fight some other girls and that he had intervened to stop the fight from happening. But in his deposition, Ammary said that he didn't know who she was when he approached her. 'This factual inconsistency raises questions about whether officer Ammary believed Ms. Wilson was a threat to his safety when he first approached her,' wrote Stengel, adding that it should be down to a jury to decide whose testimony was more reliable. Settled: Wilson (pictured left, on right-hand side) says that Ammary (pictured right) grabbed her without warning; Ammary says she elbowed him in the chin Tasered: The video shows the moment Ammary pulled the trigger on Wilson, firing electrified taser probes into her groin Down: The video shows Wilson slumping to the floor upon being hit with the taser's charge. Ammary was named in another lawsuit filed in Allentown in 2015 Other disputed claims included whether Wilson covered her torso with her school bag, forcing Ammary to aim further down her body, and whether Ammary told her to lie on her front, driving the probes of the taser deeper into her skin, the report said. Stengel admitted that if the case were 'viewed in a light most favorable to the plaintiff,' a jury might be persuaded that Ammary had used 'excessive force.' Stengel also agreed with the questions raised in the lawsuit about the school's policies and training, noting that Ammary's school resource officer training - shadowing another officer - was inadequate, and that that the rules about who is too young to be tasered were vague. 'Given that seven officers were placed in city schools with Tasers, the department's lack of guidance on what type of force may be used on children and teenagers and lack of guidance on when tasering juveniles was appropriate could amount to 'deliberate indifference,' he wrote. This is not the only time that Ammery has been accused of excessive force. In August 2015, The Morning Call reported that Eli Heckman of Allentown had filed a $150,000 lawsuit against Ammery, 10 other officers and the city after Ammery allegedly 'twisted his arms and smashed his cellphone on the ground' after Heckman recorded the police restraining a man. The report says that the suit, which was filed against Ammery, 10 other officers and the city, alleges that 'Allentown does not properly train police officers and tolerates their misconduct.' AFL legend Billy Brownless has been spending time with his ex-wife Nicky just days after it emerged that she had an affair with his best friend Garry Lyon. The Footy Show co-presenter was seen dropping Nicky and their two teenage daughters off at their home in Geelong, south of Melbourne, in what appeared to be a show of support on Tuesday. The romance between his ex-wife and friend of 20 years is said to have torn apart Brownless' friendship with Lyon, and thrown their professional partnership into chaos. But it appears that Brownless and his former wife are still on speaking terms as Nicky was seen climbing out of his blue Ford with their daughters Lucy, 19, and Ruby, 18, following a coffee-run. Wearing sunglasses and with a ring visible on her left ring finger, Nicky looked relaxed as she entered her luxurious family home with her daughters, who were pictured clutching coffees. Billy Brownless has been spending time with his ex-wife Nicky (left) just days after it emerged that she had an affair with his best friend Garry Lyon, pictured is the mother-of-four with her daughter The Footy Show presenter was seen dropping Nicky (pictured) and their two teenage daughters off at their home in Geelong, south of Melbourne, in what appeared to be a show of support on Tuesday Nicky (pictured) was dropped off at her home by the AFL legend on Tuesday just days after it emerged she had an affair with his best friend Garry Lyon Just 45 minutes after returning home from a coffee trip, Nicky and her eldest child Lucy, who turns 20 next week, left for another caffeine run During her morning with her ex-husband and daughters, Mrs Brownless wore a blue patterned smock shirt, Celine handbag and sunglasses. Her teenage daughters also wore sunglasses and were seen smiling and chatting as they said goodbye to their media personality father. Just 45 minutes after returning home from the coffee trip, Nicky and her eldest child Lucy, who turns 20 next week, left for another caffeine run. After five minutes they left the cafe with their takeaway coffees and returned to the house. The Brownless family declined to comment when asked about the impact of the scandal on their family. It has emerged that Brownless reportedly suspected the affair between his former wife and Lyon had been going on for several years. Garry Lyon (right, with ex-partner Melissa) and Footy Show co-host Billy Brownless (left, with ex-wife Nicky) The mother-of-four was pictured going on a coffee run with one of her teenage daughters Nicky was photographed wearing a ring on her left ring finger as she walked out of her four bedroom Geelong home She was pictured getting into a blue car - as speculation mounts about her relationship with Lyon Nicky was pictured holding a coffee after leaving a cafe during her second coffee run The pair had popped into a cafe close to their luxury home in Geelong, south of Melbourne She was earlier photographed entering her luxurious family home an hour south-west of Melbourne, with her two daughters after being dropped off by her ex-husband The Footy Show star dropped Nicky and their two daughters off at their home in Geelong, south of Melbourne, in what appeared to be a show of support for the mother of his two children During her morning with her ex-husband and daughters, Mrs Brownless wore a blue patterned smock shirt, Celine handbag, Ray-Bans and her honey locks loose The glamorous mother-of-four is said to have started a relationship with Lyon after she split with Brownless. But according to The Age, a heartbroken Brownless had told friends he believed the former Melbourne Demons star's affair with his ex-wife Nicky, had lasted up to four years. Craig Kelly, who manages both Lyon and Brownless, confirmed that Lyon did start a relationship with Brownless' ex-wife Nicky, but only after she had separated from the former Geelong star. 'Today's media reports suggesting that Garry and Nicky's relationship has gone on for years are totally incorrect,' Kelly told AAP. 'We want to be clear that this relationship took place when both parties were not married. To that end, those details are private and no one else's business. 'Both families are in turmoil and trying to work through this extremely difficult time.' This comes as friends and family are reportedly furious at Lyon's affair. Lyon has shut himself away in his home in Hawthorn, Victoria, and is in a miserable state as he battles with depression, the Herald Sun reports. His eldest son Ben, 22, was pictured laughing and smiling with friends outside his mother Melissa's home in Hawthorn, Melbourne, on Tuesday. Melissa and Gary, who have another two sons together Josh, 18, and Tom, 20, first split in 2005 after being together since the age of 15. The couple then reunited and are understood to have separated permanently 18 months ago. Brownless' daughters emerged from the house on Tuesday in different outfits after getting dropped off earlier by their father Ruby, 18, (pictured) wore black leggings, Nike trainers and a loose fitting white sports top Nicky's stylish daughter Lucy (pictured) wore a black tasseled faux leather skirt, off the shoulder black shirt and aviator sunglasses Her teenage daughters also wore sunglasses, and were seen smiling and chatting as they said goodbye to their media personality father The three blonde beauties exited Brownless' blue Ford clutching coffees and were at ease and smiling after a morning spent together It has been reported the two fell out when Brownless discovered that his ex-wife Nicky had entered into a relationship with Lyon, and confronted his friend about it. Lyon is no longer in a relationship with his ex-partner Melissa, who is said to be very close friends with Nicky. The two families have previously been on holiday together and their children are reportedly friends. Craig Kelly, who manages both Lyon and Brownless, confirmed that the relationship took place when both parties were not married. 'Today's media reports suggesting that Garry and Nicky's relationship has gone on for years are totally incorrect,' Mr Kelly told AAP. Lyon is believed to have shut himself away in his Hawthorn home and is in a very depressed state Lyon (right) and Brownless (left) had been friends and worked together for more than 15, and are co-hosts of the AFL Footy Show along with James Brayshaw (middle) People close to the former Melbourne Demons player and current Channel Nine host are reportedly torn between wanting to help him and being upset at him 'We want to be clear that this relationship took place when both parties were not married. To that end, those details are private and no one else's business. 'Both families are in turmoil and trying to work through this extremely difficult time.' He said that Lyon started a relationship with Brownless' ex-wife Nicky, but only after she had separated from the former Geelong star. People close to the Channel Nine Network and Triple M radio host are torn between wanting to help Lyon and being upset with him, the report said. 'Everyone is furious with him,' someone close to Lyon told the newspaper. 'They think he's an idiot for having a relationship with Nicky and putting his whole career and friends at risk.' Garry Lyon's eldest son Ben, 22, (shown) was pictured laughing and smiling with friends outside his mother Melissa's home in Hawthorn, Melbourne, on Tuesday Melissa and Gary, who have three sons together Ben (pictured), 22, Tom, 20, and Josh, 18, first split in 2005 after being together since the age of 15 The two families have previously been on holiday together and their children are reportedly friends AFL Footy Show host Garry Lyon has been stood down from media duties by the Nine Network as he battles a 'serious mental health condition' Billy Brownless arrives at a function with ex-wife Nicky in 2013. The 49-year-old reportedly suffered a 'deeply private and personal' break in his friendship with Lyon after learning of the relationship Lyon played 226 games for the Melbourne Demons and kicked 426 goals in an illustrious career that saw him named as a half-forward flanker in their Team of the Century Channel Nine announced on Saturday Lyon would not be appearing on television or making media appearances and because of a 'mental health condition' he was suffering. 'For several months The Footy Show and Footy Classified co-host has been suffering from a serious mental health condition and he will take time out from all media roles to recover,' the statement said. 'There is no set time frame as to when he will return to television.' Lyon was offered the support of Nine management. 'We are all supporting Garry and hope he will be back to good health very soon. Our priority is his wellbeing,' Nine Melbourne managing director Ian Paterson said. 'Garry has our full support. From here on, it's a private and personal matter and we ask that be respected.' Lyon (middle) and Brownless (left) were both due to be part of the AFL Footy Show for 2016 - along with Sam Newman (right) Billy Brownless, Garry Lyon, and James Brayshaw pose with the Most Popular Sports Program Award for The AFL Footy Show in 2008 Billy Brownless and daughter Lucy Brownless arrive for Crown's IMG23 Tennis Players' Party at Crown Entertainment Complex on January 18, 2015 Mr Kelly, who is the CEO of TLA and is also a former Collingwood premiership player, said Lyon's mental illness needs to be respected and his treatment is ongoing. He said reports contradicting Lyon's medical situation are false. 'Garry's mental illness is serious and complex and has been ongoing for some time,' he said. 'He continues to receive medical treatment and, as anyone who has dealt with mental illness personally, or as a support, would understand it is a long process and often a day-by-day prospect.' Kelly has requested the privacy of both families be respected. Lyon, 48, played 226 games for the Demons and kicked 426 goals in an illustrious career that saw him named as a half-forward flanker in their Team of the Century. The show is scheduled to return on March 23, a day before the 2016 AFL season gets underway. Lyon suffered a 'deeply private and personal' break in his friendship with longtime Footy Show co-host Billy Brownless (pictured) Billy Brownless and daughters Lucy Brownless and Ruby Brownless pose at the Emirates Marquee on Stakes Day at Flemington Racecourse in 2015 A shipment of lollipops containing meth capsules were seized by police in Mexico. Police X-rayed a nine-pound box of candy labeled Handicrafts and Candy at Mexico City's international airport. The freight shipment originated in the drug-plagued state of Sinaloa and was headed to Omaha, Nebraska. Police X-rayed a nine-pound box of candy labeled Handicrafts and Candy at Mexico City's international airport and saw circular shadows in each piece of candy, which were methamphetamine capsules. The capsules were on the way to Omaha, Nebraska During the X-ray police said they saw circular shadows in each lollipop, which were methamphetamine capsules. Experts are still testing the capsules to determine their exact composition and weight, according to police. Rising levels of common street crime have swept across Sinaloa and since the 1960s almost every major Mexican drug lord has been Sinaloan. Police seized the box at Mexico City's international airport (pictured) Sinaloa is a hot agricultural state stretching down the Pacific Coast. The state is probably best known within Mexico as the birthplace of drug smuggling. Pope Francis recently launched a broadside against endemic corruption on Saturday on his first visit to Mexico as pontiff, calling on President Enrique Pena Nieto and his government to combat it. Corruption is deeply ingrained in Mexico, and Pena Nieto, his wife and finance minister have all been embroiled in conflict of interest scandals involving homes purchased from government contractors. The pope also exhorted Mexico's bishops to take a more active stand against the drug trade, which he said 'devours like a metastasis.' He told them to make it clear to drug dealers that they could not consider themselves good Catholics if their hands were 'drenched in blood, but pockets filled with sordid money and their consciences deadened.' Drug-trafficking gangs have infiltrated police forces across the country and more than 100,000 people have been killed in drug violence over the last decade and some 26,000 are missing. A former D.C. homicide commander believes there is something 'fishy' about the circumstances surrounding Justice Scalia's death. William O. Ritchie, the former head of criminal investigations for the capital's police department, questioned the way the local authorities handled the 79-year-old's passing at a ranch over the weekend. Presidio County Judge Cinderela Guevara announced the veteran jurist died of natural causes, without seeing the body and without ordering an autopsy. Scalia's personal doctor, Brian Monahan, has revealed he had a history of heart problems, high blood pressure and had been too weak to undergo a recent surgery. Scroll down for video A former D.C. homicide commander believes there is something 'fishy' about the circumstances surrounding Justice Scalia's death. There are questions over why an autopsy wasn't performed and his cause of death was determined as 'natural causes' by a judge who hadn't seen his body But it didn't stop a flurry of conspiracy theories about what happened, including a scathing account by Ritchie. According to the Washington Post, he wrote: 'You have a Supreme Court Justice who died, not in attendance of a physician, 'You have a non-homicide trained US Marshal tell the justice of peace that no foul play was observed. Did the US Marshal smell his breath for any unusual odor that might suggest poisoning? My gut tells me there is something fishy going on in Texas William Ritchie, former DC homicide detective 'You have a justice of the peace pronounce death while not being on the scene and without any medical training opining that the justice died of a heart attack. 'What medical proof exists of a myocardial Infarction? Why not a cerebral hemorrhage. He also raised concerns about the actions of the U.S. Marshal who called Guevara to report the judge's death. 'How can the Marshal say, without a thorough post mortem, that he was not injected with an illegal substance that would simulate a heart attack,' he added. 'Did the US Marshal check for petechial hemorrhage in his eyes or under his lips that would have suggested suffocation? 'Did the US Marshal smell his breath for any unusual odor that might suggest poisoning? My gut tells me there is something fishy going on in Texas.' A spokesman for the Marshal service told the Washington Post the officer did not give a determination of death. Monahan would not comment on the circumstances surrounding his patient's death because of confidentiality. The 79-year-old, who sat on the Supreme Court bench for 20 years, was found dead at a ranch in Texas during a retreat with friends and admirers. The hearse carrying Justice Scalia's body arrives at El Paso Airport on Sunday. His remains were then flown to Virginia. John Poindexter, who found the Justice lifeless in his room in the El Presidente suite at the Cibolo Creek Ranch in Texas, said Scalia looked peaceful. 'We discovered the judge in bed, a pillow over his head. His bed clothes were unwrinkled. He was lying very restfully,' Poindexter, the owner of the ranch, said. Poindexter first went to Scalia's room at 8.30am on Saturday, but the door was locked and his knocks went unanswered. He returned three hours later with a friend of Scalia's, who had come with him from Washington DC to the ranch. Poindexter said Scalia was 'stone cold' and did not have a pulse. After the owner and Scalia's friend called 911, local authorities and several US Marshals arrived at the ranch. 'The judge...was in complete repose. He was very peaceful in the bed,' Poindexter told NBC News. You have a justice of the peace pronounce death while not being on the scene and without any medical training opining that the justice died of a heart attack. What medical proof exists of a myocardial Infarction? Why not a cerebral hemorrhage William Ritchie 'He had obviously passed away with no difficulty at all in the middle of the night.' 'Among the most commonly said things yesterday was, if this had to happen, and we're really sad that it did, but if it had to happen, it happened in the very best of circumstances. 'He seemed to enjoy himself greatly.' Scalia arrived at the ranch, which is south of Marfa, Texas, around noon on Friday. Poindexter said the judge had a 'jolly lunch' and then observed as some of the guests hunted quail. At dinner that night Scalia was his 'usual, personal self' but seemed tired and at about 9pm said he wanted to get some sleep after 'a long day and a long week', Poindexter told My San Antonio. Scalia's personal physician and sheriff's investigators said there were so signs of foul play and concluded he had died of natural causes. Presidio County Judge Cinderela Guevara, who pronounced Scalia dead, said his death certificate will say the cause of death was natural and that he died of a heart attack, she told ABC News. She said Scalia's doctor in Washington DC told her the Justice had been sick last week but was at the office Wednesday and Thursday before departing for his quail hunting trip on Friday. Guevara was out of town and said she planned to drive to the ranch but was told by a US Marshal, who was with Scalia's body, that it was unnecessary to do so. She asked the US Marshals if there were any signs of foul play and they assured her 'absolutely not', according to The Washington Post. Guevara then talked to Scalia's personal physician in DC before she officially pronounced him dead and declined to order an inquest. Under Texas law it is legal for a justice of the peace to declare someone dead without seeing the body. US marshals accompanied a hearse carrying Scalia's body to the airport, where it was then transported to a private plane that departed for Virginia around 8pm. Police have arrested a man in connection with a double murder in San Francisco which left a third person fighting for their lives following the gun attack at a popular lookout. The man from San Pablo was arrested in Richmond, although he name has not been released yet by police. The attack happened at the Twin Peaks look out which offers stunning views of San Francisco bay shortly after 2am on Sunday. Shot: Julio Peraza (pictured, left with his brother) was one of two men shot to death at Twin Peaks, San Francisco, on Sunday. The other were Rene Mora, 19. An 18-year-old was left fighting for his life in hospital Police believe the gunman knew Julio Peraza, 21 and Rene Mora, 19, both from Santa Rosa. A third person, an 18-year-old man remains in hospital after suffering life-threatening injuries. Police said the suspect escaped from the scene in a carjacked GMC Yukon Denali which they recovered on Monday. KNTV reported that the shooting area was popular with tourists. Police have arrested a man on suspicion of shooting two people to death and badly wounding a third on Valentine's Day at a San Francisco lookout. KNTV reports Monday that a San Pablo man was arrested in Richmond. His name wasn't immediately released. He's suspected of killing two men shortly after 2 a.m. Sunday at the Twin Peaks lookout, a popular tourist spot with a sweeping view of the Bay Area. Police say the gunman apparently knew and targeted 21-year-old Julio Peraza and 19-year-old Rene Mora, both of Santa Rosa. An 18-year-old man who was shot and remains hospitalized with life-threatening injuries. Authorities say the attacker fled in a carjacked GMC Yukon Denali that was recovered Monday. Peraza's family have been hit hard. Speaking to KRON4, his brother Rafael said, 'I wish I could have one more day with him, let him know that he's loved.' He added: '[Julio would] always try to put a smile on your face, make your day good even though he was going through that, sometimes, know know, but he would never show weakness.' Julio had recently quit school and started working as a landscaper to bring in money for his family. His mother Sylvia told KRON4: 'He was a good son, he was a hard worker and he worked for his family. I'm going to miss everything about him. He was such a lovable son and he had a big heart.' It is understood the Twin Peaks area, pictured, has been the subject of much violent crime in recent weeks Peraza was shot dead at the Twin Peaks look out. Police said both dead men knew their alleged killer The area has been troubled by robberies and thefts in recent times, but SF police district supervisor Scott Wiener told KRON4 that the police had particular problems with staff numbers. 'You can never predict when a crime will happen like that. What I will say is that overall as a city, we need more police officers and on Twin Peaks we need more security, because we've had a number of different crime problems in the area.' Anyone with information about the shooting is being asked to call the San Francisco Police Department anonymous tip line at (415) 575-4444 or text a tip to TIP411 and start the text with SFPD. He said it was the first time he had seen the creature wash ashore Commenters claimed it was photoshopped or captured somewhere else A bizarre deep sea creature which looks like a cross between a crocodile and a dolphin has washed ashore on the banks of an Australian lake. Father Ethan Tipper snapped an image of the creature washed up off Lake Macquarie in NSW, before posting it online to see if anyone could identify it. The image has divided social media with some claiming it is a large hairtail and others suggesting the snap has either been photoshopped or captured outside of Lake Macquarie. Scroll down for video Ethan Tipper snapped the mysterious creature on Lake Macquarie, taking to social media to ask what it was WHAT IS A PIKE EEL? They are native to Australia's east coast Can travel 100 metres deep to feed Known to grow up to 1.8 metres in length Has an elongated body and long jaws Has large pointed teeth on lower jaw and the roof of its mouth Is nocturnal and difficult to catch The are not poisonous to eat, and are often sold in southeast Asia Advertisement But Australian Museum fish collector Mark McGrouther told Daily Mail Australia he suspects it is a pike eel, native to deep waters on the east coast of Australia. This is the first time I have ever seen one of them in the flesh,' he said. 'I suspect it was caught and discarded by fisherman who got more than they bargained for when they tried to reel it in. The pike eel is known to thrash around violently once hooked, damaging fishing equipment and forcing fishermen to cut their lines. Thei mage has divided social media with some claiming it is a large hairtail and others suggesting the image has been photoshopped Australian Museum fish expert Mark McGrouther told Daily Mail Australia he suspects it was a pike eel (pictured) which can grow up to 1.8 metres in length The pike eel has long slender jaws and large pointed teeth at the front of the lower jaw and on the roof of their mouth He said it was unclear how large the creature in the image was, but that the photography may have made it appear it deceptively large. They can grow up to 1.8 metres in length, but the angle of this photo makes it difficult to determine how large it is. The pike eel has an elongated body and slender jaws with razor sharp teeth on their lower jaw and the roof of their mouth. They are nocturnal and known to travel as far as 100 metres deep in search of fish and crustaceans to feed on. A group of fishermen pulled a terrifying prehistoric shark, known as the frill shark, from the water near Lakes Entrance in Victoria' last year The sighting at Lake Macquarie comes after a group of fishermen pulled a Goblin shark from waters off the coast of New South Wales in January last year. The species is elusive as it typically resides in waters near the ocean floor at around 1,200 metres below sea level. Later that month Victorian fishermen pulled a terrifying frilled shark, named for its six pairs of frill-like gills along with its dorsal fins, from Lakes Entrance. The shark's origin dates back 80 million years and it is only one of two species still alive from this period. She flew aboard a spacecraft in Star Trek Into Darkness, but Hollywood actress Alice Eve may have second thoughts about flying after a terrifying experience this weekend, which left her shaken. The 34-year-old daughter of Waking The Dead actor Trevor Eve and Gold Blend adverts star Sharon Maughan was flying from London to South Africa, where she is believed to be filming a new project, when the plane plunged like a stone. The flight dropped 2,000 ft the pilot said it was the worst turbulence he had seen in his 35 years in the sky, reveals Alice. There was a lot of screaming and a few people were hurt. Hollywood actress Alice Eve (pictured) was flying from London to South Africa, where she is believed to be filming a new project, when the plane plunged like a stone Despite producing some of our most lovey-dovey films, Notting Hill screenwriter Richard Curtis has been found wanting when it comes to his love life. He has yet to propose to Emma Freud, his partner of 25 years, for example. How touching, then, that she made the Valentines gesture of buying the 59-year-old a ring adorned with their initials. Sadly, her gift was rebuffed as she chose the wrong size. Still, as its a leap year, Emma, 54, the mother of his four children, could always try again on the 29th traditionally the only date a woman can propose to her man. Downton Abbeys Michael Fox may be in the spotlight now that hes dating co-star Laura Carmichael, but he reveals its not just his love life thats bringing him attention. Im always asked if Im in any way connected to the American actor Michael J. Fox, who is obviously quite famous, he says. At auditions, people always say, as a joke: Oh no, we were expecting the other one! Lady Kitty and an ancient ruin (he's on the right) While friends have no doubt been polite about the age gap between socialite Lady Kitty Spencer, 25, and her 45-year-old new beau, property tycoon Niccolo Barattieri di San Pietro, the South African-raised blonde isnt averse to cracking the odd joke herself. Kitty and Niccolo made a romantic sojourn to Bath for Valentines but, sharing a snap of the pair online, she cheekily added: Romans started development of Aquae Sulis in AD 43, so Niccolo Barattieri mustve been around to help with construction. Kittys father, Princess Dianas brother Earl Spencer, is only six years older than Niccolo. Lets hope Barattieri, who has three children with his ex-wife Sofia, saw the funny side. Socialite Lady Kitty Spencer, 25, and her 45-year-old new beau, tycoon Niccolo Barattieri di San Pietro A 19-year-old man has died, and a 29-year-old man has had his right arm amputated following a horrific bus accident which has left all 13 people on board with injuries. The Whitsundays Transit bus was travelling along Shute Harbour Road in Cannonvale, near Airlie Beach, Queensland on Tuesday around 1pm when it crashed into a ditch. A 17-year-old man is in a critical condition, he is expected to be transported to Townsville hospital with two of his fellow passengers, a man, 29, and woman, 25, who have serious arm injuries. The 19-year-old, from Proserpine, died later on Tuesday afternoon. Two rescue helicopters, including The Royal Flying Doctor, were dispatched to airlift the thirteen injured - including the driver of the bus - to a local hospital Scroll down for video A bus (pictured) carrying up to 30 passengers has rolled near a beach, leaving three people in critical condition and eight others injured The bus (pictured) was travelling along Shute Harbour Road in Cannonvale, near Airlie Beach, Queensland on Tuesday around 1pm when the crash occurred Nine patients have been taken to the Prosepine Hospital a male with a head injury and another patient who is having seizures. A 79-year-old woman was taken to Mackay Hospital with shoulder and back pain. Another two bus passengers who are in a stable condition were also taken to Prosepine Hospital as a precaution including a 30-year-old man with back pain and a 46-year-old woman with an injury to her ribs. RACQ Rescue said on their Twitter page a helicopter was waiting at Prosepine Hospital to transfer the critically injured patients. It is unknown where they will be headed at this stage. Queensland police media confirmed to Daily Mail Australia a woman who was trapped in the bus after the crash has since been freed by emergency services from the wreckage. Two bus passengers who are in a stable condition were also taken to Prosepine Hospital as a precaution Nine patients have been taken to the Prosepine Hospital including a 29-year-old woman with a 'significant arm injury,' and a male with a head injury According to the Queensland Police Facebook page, Shute Harbour Road between Gregory-Cannon Valley Rd and Hamilton Plains has been closed Queensland police media confirmed to Daily Mail Australia a woman who was trapped in the bus after the crash has since been freed by emergency services The RACQ CQ Rescue helicopter had two paramedics, rescue crewman and a doctor aboard to take the injured to Porsepine Hospital, The Brisbane Times reported. According to the Queensland Police Facebook page, Shute Harbour Road between Gregory-Cannon Valley Rd and Hamilton Plains has been closed. Three years ago Kate Phillips, who has suffered congenital heart disease her whole life, received a heart and lung transplant which saved her life. But her successful operation isn't a reality for many patients on vital organ waiting lists. Out of 381 hearts only 81 were successfully transplanted in Australia last year. Hearts are usually lucky to withstand a transport time of about four hours, with only one in four reaching operating tables. A world first medical research project hopes to increase the number of hearts available for transplant by 40 per cent by bringing them back to life. Kate Phillips and Professor John Fraser stand in front of the ex vivo machine The ex vivo machine supplies the donor heart with oxygen during storage and transport, while keeping it cold and reducing the amount of work it needs to perform Ms Phillips said the new machine is a 'game changer' and the thought of it gives her 'goosebumps' 'It supplies the donor heart with oxygen during storage and transport, while keeping it cold and reducing the amount of work it needs to perform all of which contributes to reducing donor heart injury,' said Professor John Fraser from The Prince Charles Hospital Critical Care Research Group. Professor Fraser said the ex vivo machine being trialed at Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane hospitals, has the potential to offer more hearts for transplant and hopefully a reduction in deaths in recipients waiting for heart transplants. 'It's Gatorade for hearts,' professor John Fraser told The Australian. 'The fluid mixes the donor's blood, which has beautifully evolved over millions of years, with various solutions of minerals, nutrients and the right balance of salt. We're still transporting it in a box but the box is perfused, there's a continuous flow of liquid within it, and that blood and that solution is being continually oxygenated, feeding all the right stuff, the right Gatorade, to the heart.' 'In terms of organ preservation, there's been relatively little to improve things over the last 20 or 30 years,' Professor Fraser said. 'Pretty much you put an organ in a bag of ice and run really fast. In a country as vast as Australia, time is of the essence. This technology could mean where we might once have given someone a heart that allows them to walk around Coles for a while, maybe we can give someone a heart that allows them to see their daughter graduate 10, 20 years from now.' Ms Phillips said the new machine is a 'game changer' and the thought of it gives her 'goosebumps'. 'I've heard stories of transplants where people are wheeled into theatre and they're told somethings happened to the organ on the way. 'So for this machine to have the potential to rejuvenate the heart while its in transport, it will give people waiting for an organ so much more hope,' she said. Phillips (left) has battled with congenital heart disease her whole life, a condition that can cause heart failure The 30-year-old who battled with congenital heart disease, a condition that can cause heart failure, said: 'I knew my whole life that one day I would need a transplant. It wasn't until i was 27 that I had exhausted all options and was basically at the final stage.' After a major cardiac arrest Ms Phillips received a successful heart and double lung transplant in 2013. 'I really don't know to how to describe how much of an impact it's had on my life, I'm alive firstly and I also have a lot more energy, my lips are pink, my eyes are clear and I can lay flat without pain now.' She said she is also now training to compete in her first long-distance race and hopes by sharing her experience she can help the Common Good research initiative at The Prince Charles Hospital Foundation in Brisbane. They are searching for a man with a neck Police are searching for a man with a '4114' neck tattoo who they believe could help them as they investigate the murder of two people who were shot in the head and dumped in a dam in a metal box. Mr Mariri sports the distinctive tattoo on the left side of his neck, which is also the postcode of the area in Logan where the police believe the two were murdered. Detectives investigating the murder of Cory Breton, 28, and his sister-in-law Iuliana Triscaru, 31, released an image on Tuesday of Tepuna Tupuna Mariri, also known as 'Puna', who they believe could help with their enquiries into the grisly murder. Scroll down for video Police are searching for a man with a '4114' neck tattoo who could have information on the callous murder of two people Iuliana Triscaru's body was recovered from inside a metal box that had been dumped in a Logan dam The remains of Cory Breton, who went missing on January 21, were found alongside Ms Triscaru Mr Mariri is described as being of Pacific Islander appearance, approximately 174 centimetres tall with a slim build. A police spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia that Mr Mariri and a 32-year-old man from Crestmead, who was interviewed by detectives on Friday, were wanted for questioning but were not believed to have been involved in the killings. The pair are believed to have been abducted from their Kingston unit in Logan, south of Brisbane, on January 24 before they were executed with a shot to the head, stuffed inside a makeshift coffin and dumped in a dam near Kingston Park Raceway. Police had been scouring the area for two-and-a-half weeks before they found the metal tool box containing the remains of Ms Triscaru and Mr Breton. Police had been scouring the area for two-and-a-half weeks before they found the box containing the remains of Ms Triscaru and Mr Breton just after 8am on Thursday Police used a crane to load the metal box, which is believed to hold the bodies of Mr Breton and Ms Triscaru, onto a truck at the crime scene Police fear the bodies of the Logan duo were stuffed inside the box after they were allegedly shot in the head They made the gruesome discovery behind a Coates Hire equipment-leasing shop on Mudgee Street just after 8am last Thursday. It is believed the duo - both parents - had been bound at the wrists and ankles before they were taken from their unit and crammed into a steel tool box that would end up serving as a makeshift coffin, the Courier Mail reported. According to police, the two-metre box was then put in a dark green 1999 Toyota Hilux and taken to a dam near Kingston Park Raceway, which gave the pair around ten minutes to lay and ponder their fate before they were shot in the head, crammed back into the box and dumped in the water. Six people have been charged with their murder, including a mother of seven. Detective Superintendent Dave Hutchinson, Southeast regional crime coordinator, said police are investigating links between the murders and an alleged drug dispute. Two men were arrested after police intercepted a vehicle on the Gateway Motorway, southeast of Brisbane, just before 5pm on Wednesday. Two men were arrested after police intercepted a vehicle on the Gateway Motorway, southeast of Brisbane, on Wednesday Three people were detained initially, but only two were charged with murder. Police also allegedly found a quantity of methylamphetamine when they searched the vehicle. Detectives have reportedly seized another car that they suspect was used to remove evidence. The six accused appeared in the Brisbane Magistrates Court last Thursday afternoon, where they were all charged with murder and remanded in custody. According to the Courier Mail, mother-of-seven Ngatokoona Maretti, 36, was charged on two counts of murder. Tuhirangi-Thomas Tahiata, 24, Webbstar Latu, 31, Davy Malu Junior Taiao, 21, Stou Daniels, 21, and Trent Michael Thrupp, 22, also appeared in court. Police fear the bodies of the Logan duo were stuffed inside the box after they were allegedly shot in the head Police allege that the metal box was transported by a dark green 1999 Toyota Hilux on the night of January 24 Mr Hutchinson said investigators were still looking for a motive, but suspected the murder was drug related. He said police were keen to speak to two more men, a 32-year-old from Crestmead and a 25-year-old from Kingston, who they believe have knowledge of the alleged crime. 'If those people, and they will know who they are ... we would encourage them to come and see us now,' Mr Hutchinson said. Miranda, the wife and mother of Mr Breton's daughter, told the Sunday Mail that they had planned to move away from Logan to get away from the 'scene' and have a fresh start. 'We were going to just move a bit closer into the Brisbane area somewhere so we could get away from it all, away from the Logan area.' She said family had been hit hard by the news of Mr Breton's grisly demise. Police said they found the metal box, which was about two metres long, just after 8am on Thursday Police conducted a forensic examination of the crime scene in the Logan suburb of Kingston on Thursday For the past two days police have focussed their search on a vacant block off Mudgee Street in Kingston Police divers searched a dam on the block, while officers and police dogs scoured nearby bushland 'His dad is really emotional, everyone is really upset his mum and dad are pretty much inconsolable at this stage. His sister is in the same boat,' she said. Police are also searching for two yellow ratchet straps that they believe were disposed of on Third Avenue in Marsden on January 25. 'We will allege the ratchet straps were used to secure the box to the utility,' Mr Hutchinson said. Mr Breton, a father-of-one, went missing on January 21 from the Logan area, while Ms Triscaru, a mother-of-three, was last seen at a Marsden address on January 24. Police set up two crime scenes in the Logan suburb of Kingston on Wednesday. One was centred around the house of 23-year-old Lelan Harrington, who disappeared with Ms Triscaru and Mr Breton, but was later found. A second concentrated on an area off Mudgee Street in Kingston and saw police divers search a dam on a vacant block, while officers and police dogs scoured nearby bushland. Pictured is the dark green 1999 Toyota Hilux that police believe was used in the murder Police told media on Thursday that they believed the metal box was strapped onto the Hilux The metal box was found in a dam behind a Coates Hire on Mudgee St in Logan A homeless man accused of attempting to snatch a baby at a popular Sydney beach allegedly told the infant's mother: 'This will be his last bread before he dies.' Court documents have revealed the terrifying encounter between 38-year-old Ronnie Ramirez and a new mother, 31, as she lay on the sand at Bronte Beach on February 8 with her baby boy on a towel beside her. Ramirez tried to snatch a seven-week-old baby from his mother's side at a beach - before lifeguards rushed to her defence. Scroll down for video Lifeguards helped foil the attempted abduction of a seven-week-old baby from his mother at Sydney's Bronte Beach The woman told police she feared Ramirez was going to 'take her baby and kill him' after the stranger lunged at her son and shoved her into the ground. A police statement of facts tendered to Central Local Court describes how Ramirez had attempted to grab the seven-week-old after telling the boy's mother: 'This is not your baby. Give it to me. I'm taking it.' 'The victim shouted, "Help, call the police,'" the fact sheet states. 'Whilst doing this the victim heard the accused say things such as "This will be his last thing to eat" and "This will be his last bread before he dies".' Police say the woman suffered minor injuries as she struggled with Ramirez until three lifeguards were able to pull him away. The accused - who is said to have been two weeks into a six-month good behaviour bond at the time of the alleged abduction attempt on February 8 - was arrested and charged with attempting to take or detain a child and common assault. Court documents note Ramirez had no fixed residence and listed his address as Bondi Beach. The documents also record concerns that 'due to his homelessness the accused is frequenting beaches in eastern suburbs, which police suggest is placing the community at risk'. The baby boy was lying on a towel next to his 31-year-old mother at Bronte Beach in Sydney's eastern suburbs at about 6pm last Monday when the incident happened. Ramirez, who was unknown to the mother, walked up and approached the pair before he tried to grab the newborn from his mother. The woman pushed the man away but the pair were involved in a struggle before nearby lifeguards intervened and helped foil the attempted abduction. Court documents revealed the terrifying encounter between 38-year-old Ronnie Ramirez and the new mother at Bronte Beach Spitzer, 56, was forced to resign as governor of New York in 2008, after it was revealed he was a client in a high-end prostitution ring According to reports she is a prostitute who charged up to $5,000 a night She said she was scared as she didn't want to go back to The 25-year-old Russian woman who fled the country after accusing disgraced former New York Governor Eliot Spitzer of choking her has been pictured. Svetlana Zakharova Travis boarded a flight for her native Russia Sunday night, following the confrontation with the scandal-hit politician in a $1,000-a-night suite at the Plaza Hotel on Saturday. The divorced woman called 911 and told cops that Spitzer had gotten physically abusive with her after telling him she planned to return to Moscow. She had also cut herself with glass, but when she was hospitalized for her wounds, she changed her story and became 'totally uncooperative' with police. Spitzer has not been charged in connection to the incident, but police continue to investigate. Scroll down for video Svetlana Travis, 25, accused the disgraced former Governor of New York Eliot Spitzer of choking her at a $1,000-a-night suite before flying back to her native Russia Travis called 911 and told cops that Spitzer had gotten physically abusive with her after she said she planned to return to Moscow Eliot Spitzer, the former New York governor who resigned over a prostitution scandal in 2008, is now being investigated over claims he choked Travis at the Plaza Hotel SVETLANA TRAVIS' TELL ALL ON PROSTITION In October 2014, Svetlana Travis reportedly wrote a tell-all of her time as a prostitute under the name 'Svetlana Z' for the website Matter. In the long essay, Svetlana details how she moved to New York City and got involved in prostitution after failing to find a job in Manhattan. Sventlana writes that she worked for one night as an exotic dancer, making $300, but didn't like the drunk men touching her so she immediately quit. She then worked at a 'happy ending' massage parlor where she made up to $500 a day. Eventually, she and another girl decided to branch out and start their own massage business and it was one of her regular clients who first paid her for sex. Below are a few of the most interesting quotes from the essay. On her success: I arrived in New York City from Chelyabinsk, a city right in the middle of Russia, when I was 19 years old, with $300 in my pocket. I turned 24 in March and have managed to save $200,000, by f****** for money. I've traveled to Morocco, Paris, Beijing, and Monaco. Men have brought me tea from London, chocolates from Switzerland, lingerie from France and shoes from Italy. I've bought my parents a little village house. Her two call girl identities: Clients knew me as Angelina or Anna. Angelina was 'sweet, intelligent, fun and playful a devoted pleasure seeker who takes enjoying life very seriously indeed.' Anna was more shy, a 'European companion who adores luxury travel often passionate, sometimes hilarious but rarely forgettable.' Angelina cost $800 an hour, $4,000 for the night; Anna ran $900 and $5,000. The work that goes into prostitution: I'm a vegetarian and I have a personal trainer. I got manicures and pedicures at least twice a week, always red, and always showed up in expensive lingerie and thigh-high stockings. Every time I met a client it was a performance, so I prepared. My mascara cost $130. Hair color was $200; eye shadow was $50, as was foundation and lipstick. A nice lingerie set costs at least $100; I spent $600. Not to mention the shoes. Her clients: Ninety percent of my clients were married, and most were bankers. If you know an investment banker who tells you he's never been to an escort, you know a saint - or more likely a liar. Perks of the job: My dates gave me flowers, Prada coats, iPhones. They did not take me to diners, or sports bars. When a guy meets an escort, he wants to be nice, he wants to prove he's the best, he wants to be great. Why she stopped working: I got out because I want to study filmmaking, and psychology, and I can afford to do that now. I got out because eventually I'd like to get married and have a kid, and the longer I escorted, the trickier that would get. She has no regrets: I don't regret what I've done with my body, or my life. I had some good times and some not-so-good times. I've met some interesting people and some idiots. I've learned a lot about what men and women want and need. Advertisement However the disgraced politician's lawyer, Adam Kaufmann, has denied Travis' account of the incident and claims she sent Spitzer an email saying she was sorry. He also said she was scared that she may have been sent to a mental hospital again, following a series of stays at psychiatric facilities. She is also believed to be a former high-end prostitute who charged up to $5,000 a night. Spitzer has denied Travis was his girlfriend and insisted Lis Smith, a former spokesman for Mayor DeBlasio, was 'the love of his life'. Previous reports suggested Spitzer and Smith broke up in December. According to Inside Edition, Travis is believed to have written an article for Medium in 2014 titled: 'Sex Is Sex, But Money Is Money.' Travis reportedly split from her husband Michael in 2013, but kept his last name as her initial 'Z' for the article. In it she states: 'I'm a businesswoman. I did what politicians in this country are always encouraging immigrants to do: work hard, seize opportunity, maximize your talents. In the article, she boasts that she came to New York with just $300 but became successful after building a stable of clients. 'I turned 24 in March and have managed to save $200,000, by f****** for money,' reads the piece. According to the message seen by the New York Times, Travis tried to backtrack when the news of the confrontation surfaced. In an email to Spitzer, which Kaufmann then showed the newspaper, she allegedly wrote: 'I just read the news, I'm so sorry.' He told the New York Post: 'In sum, the facts show that Ms. Travis was highly agitated, and feared that she would be kept for psychiatric treatment and consequently not be able to return to her family in Russia. Unsolicited, she has indicated that any allegations of assault were false.' She also allegedly offered to tell the police that her statement was fake. She then said she would hand over documents of all the psychiatric facilities where she had been a patient. The pair, who allegedly met in October 2014, agreed to meet before the weekend. Kaufmann said she told Mr. Spitzer: 'I'm in New York and I'm going back to Russia on Sunday - I'd like to see you on Saturday.' Kaufmann says the two agreed to meet in a room at the Plaza Hotel where they had a 'brief and amicable conversation' in the afternoon. Spitzer left, Kaufmann says, but then returned when she asked and found her 'highly emotional' and 'threatening self-hard'. 'Mr. Spitzer acted appropriately at all times during this incident. He has been and intends to remain fully cooperative in the event there is any further inquiry by relevant authorities,' Kaufmann added. The attorney confirmed the pair had been a relationship in the past, but wouldn't confirm when or how they had met. A police source told the Post that the two met two years ago when Travis was working as a prostitute and that Spitzer became her 'sugar daddy'. According to the New York Daily News, Travis recently had an eviction notice on the apartment where she lived. Around the time that she was allegedly evicted, Travis posted a picture on Instagram of herself staying a ta budget hotel. 'This is how my $60/night hotel room looks like Midtown NYC, right in the heart of the city, I truly love it! #NYC #29/01/2016,' the caption reads in Russian, according to the Post. 'There is even a safe in here :)' Spizter, 56, was forced to resign as governor in 2008, after it was revealed he was a client in a high-end prostitution ring. He tried and failed to re-enter politics by running for New York City comptroller in 2013, losing to Scott Stringer. Initial reports suggested Travis called 911 from a hotel room rented in Spitzer's name Saturday evening, saying she had cut herself and was distraught and having a breakdown, according to law enforcement sources unauthorized to speak about the incident publicly. According to reports police were called to the Plaza Hotel on Saturday at 8pm to reports of Travis having slit her wrists, before she told medics that Spitzer had choked her Police responded and Travis said she was fine, but they noticed the cut on her arm and took her to a hospital. At the hospital, she told doctors she had a relationship with the 56-year-old Spitzer, and he choked her and shoved her after an argument, the officials said. She said the two had been together at a bar at the hotel earlier Saturday evening. Hospital staff contacted police, who spoke to the woman and she told them she was leaving shortly for Moscow and did not want to press charges, the officials said. She said they had argued over her leaving for Russia and he assaulted her, and then she broke a glass and cut her arm, the officials said. The woman's arm was bandaged, and she was released. She left on a flight to Russia on Sunday evening, one official said. A woman claiming to be Travis told the New York Daily News over email that she cut her wrists in the hotel and called 911 when she noticed the wounds were deep. However, she tried cancelling the call because she was afraid she would be sent to a mental ward. 'He didn't choke me,' the woman wrote. 'Eliot didn't cut me, didn't choke me, he knows about my mental issues in the past and he was the only one who had helped me that night.' According to CNN, Spitzer went to visit her at Mt. Sinai Hospital under the alias 'George'. He was allegedly seen on surveillance video wearing a wool skull cap covering his entire face except for his eyes. When Spitzer was involved in the prostitution ring in 2008, he used the alias 'George Fox' to solicit call girls. Sources told NBC News that there may be video of Spitzer going up to the hotel room with the woman. After her second interview at the hospital, Travis reportedly changed her story and stopped cooperating with investigators. 'She's totally uncooperative and said that she was leaving and did not want to press any charges,' a source told the New York Post. One of his former call girls, Rebecca Woodard, claimed in a 2013 memoir that Spitzer once pinned her to a bed and choked her in a role-playing sexcapade in her Manhattan apartment. Spitzer, the multi-millionaire son of real estate tycoon Bernard Spitzer, studied at Princeton before graduating Harvard Law school and going on to become a lawyer. While at Harvard he met his former wife, Silda, who he has three children with. After graduating Spitzer then went on to make a name for himself as the 'Sheriff of Wall Street' by chasing down corrupt financiers, and was even considered presidential material. In 2007 he became the 54th governor of New York, but was forced to quit the following year amid a prostitution scandal. He reportedly had at least seven meetings with high-end prostitutes over a six-month period, and is believed to have spent up to $80,000 on hookers over many years. Infamous as Client 9 of the Emperors Club VIP call-girl ring, he resigned at a public press conference along with Silda, who elected to stand by him. Spitzer also split from wife Silda in 2014 after a 25-year marriage when he was exposed for having an affair with a spin doctor 23 years his junior Lis Smith, 33 (right), and Spitzer, 56, were pictured cuddling up at a Knicks game shortly after he split from his wife, but their relationship also fell apart in December last year After his resignation, Spitzer attempted to rehabilitate his public image with a stint presenting a CNN news show which failed and then eventually made his way back to work for his father who passed away last year, leaving Spitzer $16million. However, his marriage finally fell apart after he was pictured sneaking into the Soho apartment of political spin doctor Lis Smith in December 2013. The affair is widely believed to have been behind Spitzer's split from Silda, which was eventually agreed in February 2014. As part of the settlement, she was granted $7.5million, $240,000-a-year for life, and the couple's luxury Fifth Avenue apartment. Meanwhile Smith, who had just become part of Mayor Bill de Balsio's team and was widely tipped to become his press secretary, was dropped from his office. After the affair was made public, Spitzer appeared to have no qualms about hiding his new relationship with a much younger woman. Spitzer, once considered presidential material after a legal career hunting down corrupt Wall Street financiers, has now taken over his father's real estate business following his fall from grace Spitzer and Smith were said to have split because of their 'hectic schedules' while he worked in real estate and she managed Martin O'Malley's disastrous presidential bid Spitzer was spotted getting close with Smith at a Knicks game just weeks after his divorce was finalized, and Spitzer was also pictured as he was introduced to his new girlfriend's family in Christmas 2013. Shortly after the couple took a romantic trip to Jamaica where they engaged in an amorous hot tub session during which he was seen sucking her toes, it was claimed. The pair spent two years together, but broke up in December last year, during which Smith apparently took custody of a gray grimalkin cat the pair had adopted together. Spitzer met Smith, 33, while she was his campaign manager during his failed political 'comeback' to become New York City's new comptroller in 2013. After the failed bid she went to work for then New York Mayor- elect Bill de Blasio but within a week of her relationship with Spitzer becoming public, she was out. A widow whose tycoon husband died in a helicopter crash has lost an inheritance battle with her stepson for an extra 3.75million which she claimed to need to fund her extravagant lifestyle. Thandi Wooldridge said she needed 372,000 a year to continue taking Caribbean holidays, keeping expensive cars, buying jewellery and clothes, and socialising with her friends. But a judge ruled that the 50-year-old, who had already been left the 4.25m family home in Windlesham, Surrey, and other assets worth 1.6m in her husbands will, had plenty to live lavishly. Thandi Wooldridge applied for an extra 3.75million from her husband Ian's (pictured) inheritance, claiming she needed 372,000 a year to continue taking Caribbean holidays, keeping expensive cars and buying jewellery Mrs Wooldridge (left) argued that the inheritance she received was not large enough to keep her in the lavish lifestyle to which she was accustomed. However, her claim was opposed by her stepson, Charlie, 27 (right) Ian Wooldridge who ran a 40million-a-year construction empire with his brother Graham was killed in a crash on Northern Irelands Mourne Mountain while returning from a pheasant shoot. Following his death in 2010, he left behind his widow and his sons Charlie, 27, and Rhett, now 11. Mrs Wooldridge argued that the inheritance she received was not large enough to keep her in the luxurious lifestyle to which she was accustomed. However, her attempt to get more cash was opposed by her polo-playing stepson, Charlie. He said the money would have damaged the family business, which Mr Wooldridge bequeathed to his sons. The legal battle was one of the largest ever fought under the Inheritance Act 1975, which was introduced to help surviving dependents - left without sufficient money - to allow them to get by. In a ruling at Central London County Court, Judge Karen Walden-Smith threw out Mrs Wooldridges claim. Mr Wooldridge is pictured alongside Queen Elizabeth II at the Queen's Cup Final at the Guards Polo Club in June 2009. His company sponsored the contest She said: Thandi lives, and lived when Ian was alive, a lavish lifestyle way beyond the dreams or wishes of most. However, I expressly reject that her lifestyle ever involved expenditure of the level she now claims. That figure is not substantiated by any hard evidence and is contradicted by the evidence that is available. It is a claim which is not supported by her current expenditure and is a figure that she has gradually been building upon over the years that this claim has persisted. In my judgment, the will does make reasonable provision for Thandi. Thandi has enough. Mr Wooldridge left a gross fortune of about 10million, including the family home, Glanfield Manor, in Windlesham, Surrey, the construction business and polo facilities on the 140-acre estate. But the judge said handing Mrs Wooldridge an extra 372,000 a year would mean selling parts of the company, which would be significantly adverse to the interests of Charlie and Rhett. She said the widow had displayed a degree of profligacy which is surprising given her acceptance that she was uncertain about her financial security going forward. Mrs Wooldridge had bought a 155,000 Bentley in June 2014 despite already owning a 75,000 Range Rover. She claimed she needed 65,000 a year for holidays and 21,000 annually for going out. Charlie Wooldridge, who was represented by lawyers Addleshaw Goddard, said: I am very pleased with the judges decision. While New York followed up its coldest Valentine's Day in 100 years with a 1,200-mile-long winter storm that blasted it and 16 other states with snow, sleet and rain, California and Arizona were experiencing an extreme heatwave. Downtown LA reached 89 degrees on Monday beating its 1977 record of 88 degrees while Phoenix, Arizona is expected to hit highs of 89 degrees on Tuesday and 92 degrees on Wednesday, above the previous records for those dates of 84 and 88 degrees, respectively. In California temperatures have been exacerbated by a lack of rainfall, with the state now 15 days into a dry spell - despite technically being in the middle of a strong El Nino, the warm, wet period of the Pacific weather cycle that typically brings rainstorms. Melting: Visitors soak up the sun at Redondo Beach, California, on Monday, some 15 days into a drought that steadfastly refuses to break despite being in the middle of a strong El Nino Freezing: While California and Arizona sweated, emergency services rushed to accidents occurring all over the 17 states affected by a severe winter storm. These vehicles are tending to a 64-vehicle pileup on the I-78 However, high pressure fronts have kept the much-coveted rain away from cities such as San Diego, where residents are worrying that they might have seen the last of El Nino this year. 'If you just looked at the precipitation, you wouldn't think that there was an El Nino going on,' Sam Iacobellis, a climate researcher at Scripps Institution of Oceanography in San Diego, told The Associated Press. But their concerns are misplaced, say experts, as El Nino is predicted to last until April, giving plenty more time for rain to arrive. And the appropriately named Arizona Daily Sun reports that the state, which has broken heat records not just in Phoenix, but also in Prescott, Tucson and Yuma, will get a little relief from high temperatures later this week, but that the drop will be minimal. No rain: The downpours typically associated with El Nino are being kept away from Topanga Creek Beach (pictured on February 9) and other parts of California by a high pressure front Wreckage: A couple look at the damage wrought by what is believed to have been a tornado off Mississippi Highway 18, during the winter storms that swept down from Maine to Georgia It's a world away from the severe winter storms that swept across 17 states from Maine to Georgia, causing more than 2,000 car accidents within 24 hours, as well as four deaths and the delaying or cancellation of more than 10,000 flights. Snow reached 'white-out' levels in Pennsylvania, causing a 64-vehicle pile-up on the Interstate 78 that killed three people, while temperatures were so low in Boston going as low as minus nine degrees that railway tracks shattered. And in Florida and Mississippi, buildings were destroyed or damaged by what are believed to be tornadoes. One possible tornado was said to have swept through the town of Century, Florida, damaging 10 houses and leaving a 94-year-old woman trapped until neighbors could free her, The Associated Press reported. The woman was only slightly injured, but was taken to hospital as a precaution. And in Mississippi, a school in Wesson was affected by severe thunderstorms and what may have been a tornado while children were in attendance, damaging two gymnasiums and a library, and blowing the windows out of cars. ABC News reported that a total of six tornadoes had been reported around the gulf of Mexico. Concerns: While some are enjoying the extended heatwave in California (pictured), there are concerns that it may melt mountain snow that comprises one third of the state's water supply when it melts in summer Disaster: The I-87 pileup (pictured) was just one of hundreds of accidents caused by heavy snowfall in the eastern US Back in California, concerns have been raised that the unbroken run of heat will melt away the snowpack in the Sierra Nevada mountain range that usually provides about a third of the state's water when it melts in the springtime. However, while areas of the range broke record temperatures, the nights have been below freezing, retaining the much-needed snow. He was formerly chairman of the Paedophile Information Exchange group A paedophile campaigner who called for sex with children to be legalised was today suspended from Labour but party rules mean he cannot be immediately expelled. Tom O'Carroll, 70, former chairman of the Paedophile Information Exchange (PIE), is said to have joined the party after Jeremy Corbyn was elected as leader last September. The news has horrified party members who are calling for Mr O'Carroll to be 'immediately thrown out', on the basis he was jailed in 2006 for distributing indecent images of children. A Labour spokeswoman today said: 'Tom O'Carroll has been suspended from the Labour Party.' Tom O'Carroll, 70, pictured today right and left, former chairman of the Paedophile Information Exchange (PIE), is said to have joined the Labour Party after Jeremy Corbyn was elected as leader in September last year John Mann, a Labour MP for Bassetlaw, told The Times: 'He is totally unfit to be a Labour party member. 'He should be immediately thrown out. We don't want him or anyone like him near the Labour Party.' John Woodcock, Labour MP for Barrow & Furness, also expressed his anger about Mr OCarroll joining the party. He wrote on Twitter: Dismayed Mr O'Carroll joined party in Barrow. I've written to Labour general secretary demanding he barred for life. Speaking from his home via intercom yesterday, Mr O'Carroll told The Times: 'I don't really think I have any comment on this.' The former Open University information officer was a key activist for PIE which was set up in 1974 to campaign for a change in the law and was once described as 'one of the most infamous perverts on Earth'. He was jailed in 1981 for 'corrupting public morals' and again more than two decades later for child sex offences. He received a two-and-a-half year jail-term at Middlesex Guildhall Crown Court in December 2006 for two counts of distributing indecent images of children. Pressure is now expected to be placed on Iain McNicol, general secretary of the Labour Party, in a bid to oust Mr O'Carroll with many MPs raising concerns about how he was allowed to join. It is understood a Labour member can be suspended if he poses a 'safeguarding risk'. A party spokesman said: 'We do not comment on individual membership.' Mr O'Carroll came to blows with Harriet Harman, former deputy leader of Labour, in 2014 after claiming she 'didn't even try' to stop PIE working with the National Council for Civil Liberties (NCCL), where she was a legal officer in the late 1970s and where he sat on the gay rights sub-committee. In the eight years PIE was given affiliate status, Mr O'Carroll said he spoke at the NCCL's 1977 Spring conference, two years after he helped lead a campaign to cut the age of consent to as low as ten. John Mann (left), Labour MP for Bassetlaw, said Mr O'Carroll is 'totally unfit to be a Labour party member'. Mr O'Carroll came to blows with Harriet Harman (right), former deputy leader of Labour, in 2014 after claiming she 'didn't even try' to stop PIE working with the National Council for Civil Liberties in a bid to protect her career John Woodcock, Labour MP for Barrow & Furness, expressed his anger about Mr OCarroll joining the party He later said that Ms Harman, then general secretary of the NCCL, 'didn't even try' to remove him or other members because they 'didn't want to rock the boat' to protect their own careers. 'Really they didn't do much to oppose PIE's presence in my view because there were these other liberal forces, or radical forces, within NCCL,' he told the BBC in 2014. 'The support didn't come from Harman and co but it was there. The gay liberation front was very radical and at that time Harman and Patricia Hewitt couldn't just kick out PIE, well they could both try but they didn't even try and the reason they didn't try is they didn't want to rock the boat because their careers within NCCL depended on them not rocking the boat too much.' His comments were rubbished by people including, Jack Dromey, who said the convicted paedophile has no credibility. Advertisement Russia could be guilty of an 'appalling' war crime for bombing hospitals and schools in Syria which left up to 50 people dead, Philip Hammond said Tuesday. In a withering rebuke, Britain's Foreign Secretary said Moscow must 'explain' its actions. He said the devastating bombardment, which rode roughshod over international laws, 'must be investigated'. Children and women were among the victims as the Russian warplanes reduced to rubble buildings being used to treat innocent civilians and shelter families fleeing the civil war. Scroll down for video Bomb: At least four civilians died and seven more were wounded when a school in Aleppo was bombed by Russian forces Rescued: Rescue teams pulled children from the rubble after two schools in Aleppo were bombed by Russian airstrikes Rescue workers inspect the debris of a collapsed hospital run by aid group Doctors Without Borders to save victims after it was bombed by Russian forces in the Maarat al-Numan district of Idlib. Moscow has been accused of committing 'war crimes' with its attacks on Monday Rescuers try to pull victims from the debris of a collapsed Doctors Without Borders hospital in the Maarat al-Numan District of Idlib, Syria The United Nations said nearly 50 people, including children, died in bombings on at least five medical facilities and two schools in Syria Meanwhile, Turkey ratcheted up tensions by urging the United States and Britain to join a 'ground offensive' in Syria in a desperate attempt to end the five-year conflict. Officials in Ankara said it would be 'impossible' to stop the fighting without boots on the ground. However, the West will not risk being drawn into a military clash with Russia, which denied targeting the hospitals and schools. Development left a proposed ceasefire, agreed by world powers and due to begin Thursday to allow for the delivery of humanitarian aid, in tatters. In another blow to the planned truce, Syrian president Bashar al-Assad warned in a televised address that a pause in hostilities did not mean all parties would put down their weapons. Monday's strikes hit two hospitals - including one for mothers and babies - and a school sheltering internally displaced people in Azaz, near the border with Turkey, the UN said. Thirty-four people were killed and dozens wounded. Destroyed: A hospital in Azaz, near the Turkish border was also hit by airplanes belonging to the Russian army Two hospitals were also struck in Maarat al-Numan, further south in Idlib province, killing at least 12 people and wounding about 36. One of the hospitals in Maarat al-Numan was supported by Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF). It was reportedly struck by four missiles in what MSF said was 'direct targeting' over the course of 90 minutes. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said the raids violated international law and 'cast a shadow' over efforts to end the five-year civil war, while France said the attacks 'constitute war crimes'. French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault said: 'Attacks against health facilities in Syria by the regime or its supporters are unacceptable and must stop immediately.' MSF confirmed the strike on the hospital in Idlib, saying seven people were killed and at least eight were missing, presumed dead Devastation: This is the moment Russian cluster bombs destroy buildings in the Syrian city of Aleppo Impact: The first bomb dropped by the Russian fighter jet hits buildings in Aleppo - causing a flash of light Mr Hammond said: 'The reported airstrikes conducted on hospitals in northern Syria in recent days could amount to war crimes and must be investigated. 'I am appalled that the Assad regime and its Russian supporters are still bombing innocent civilians despite the agreement to a cessation of hostilities. 'Russia needs to explain itself, and show through its actions that it is committed to ending the conflict, rather than fuelling it.' He added: 'Russia's tactics are making a political settlement and therefore the defeat of Daesh [Islamic State] even harder to achieve.' The Foreign Secretary urged groups to 'commit to rapid progress towards a cessation of hostilities, humanitarian access and negotiations towards a political transition' in Syria. Ex-International Development Secretary Andrew Mitchell said Russia was guilty of 'appalling and hideous' war crimes and warned the Kremlin would be 'held to account'. UN human rights spokesman Rupert Colville condemned the deadly air strikes and said 'intentionally directing attacks' at hospitals and medical units would constitute a war crime. EU president Donald Tusk said: 'The whole world is hoping for peace and is ready for talks. Even though, the Russian bombing in Syria leaves us with little hope. The Assad regime is strengthened, the moderate Syrian opposition is weakened, and Europe is flooded with new waves of refugees.' But Russia said it 'categorically rejected' accusations of war crimes over the bombing of hospitals in Syria. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said 'those who make such statements are not capable of backing them up with proof'. Destruction: The missile illuminates the city's skyline with a large amount of buildings left destroyed or burning Two sequences are captured in the film, with buildings being targeted in the distance and the foreground of the filmmaker's view. Pictured, the second sequence where a series of buildings behind a treeline are destroyed Three children and a pregnant woman were among those killed in the hospital airstrike in Azaz today Syrian ambassador to Moscow Riad Haddad said the US was to blame for the attacks, a claim the Pentagon dismissed as 'patently false'. In Damascas, UN envoy to Syria Staffan de Mistura met Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Muallem to discuss the ending of hostilities and a resumption of peace talks this month FEB. Russian and Syrian jets have pounded northern Syria as part of a major offensive towards the city of Aleppo and cut off the rebels' access to Turkey. They have largely ignored Islamic State jihadists. The bombing campaign has sent a new wave of refugees to the Turkish border, fuelling the prospect of them reaching Europe. Meanwhile, the US-backed Kurdish YPG militia, which Turkey regards as a hostile insurgent force, has exploited the situation, seizing ground from Syrian rebels to extend its presence along the border. Alarmed by this, Turkey yesterday TUES shelled Kurdish positions for a fourth day running. Almost five years of civil war in Syria have led to the deaths of more than 250,000 people. More than 11 million people have been displaced. It comes as a report found that Russia had killed more civilians last month than the Syrian government and ISIS put together. The Syrian Network for Human Rights (SNHR) said Moscow's air strikes killed 670 civilians in January, including 94 children and 73 women. This was higher than for Syrian forces, which killed 516, and ISIS, which was responsible for 98 deaths, according to the SNHR, which uses a network of civil servants in the country to collect the data. White Helmets: The Civil Defence team, also known as the White Helmets, rescued victims of the bombing in Aleppo A man covers the bodies of some of those killed in the bombing just a few miles from the Turkish border A man wounded in the airstrikes in northern Syria is brought for medical treatment at Kilis Hospital in Turkey Another child, pictured with blood still staining his jumper, required treatment to his hand Kurdish fighters in northern Syria, meanwhile, captured a key town, despite Turkey resuming shelling in several parts of Aleppo, alarmed by their recent advances against mostly Islamist rebels. Ankara accuses the Kurdish forces of ties to the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) that has waged a decades-long insurgency against Turkey. Britain-based monitor the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said at least two children died in Monday's shelling and an AFP journalist on the border said Turkish howitzers fired for around 20 minutes from the Akcabaglar region. Nonetheless, the coalition of Kurdish and Arab fighters known as the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) captured the town of Tal Rifaat from mostly Islamist rebels, the Observatory said. The SDF had already seized the nearby Minnigh airbase and severed the road between Tal Rifaat, which lies 20 kilometres (12 miles) from the border, and rebel-held Azaz. Turkey fears the Kurds will be able to create a contiguous Kurdish territory just across the border in northern Syria. Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu warned earlier Monday that Ankara would not let Azaz fall to the SDF, adding that 'the necessary intervention will be made'. Moscow says its military intervention has targeted ISIS and other 'terrorists' but activists say Russia's raids have caused disproportionately high civilian casualties. Hollywood superstar Johnny Deep has jokingly revealed he might sleep on Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce's couch the next time he visits Australia. Depp made his comments during an interview on the red carpet ahead of the Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, while speaking to Seven News. The actor was asked if he still 'still loves us in Australia', after Mr Joyce famously threatened to kill Depp's dogs - Pistol and Boo - because they were 'smuggled' into the country. Scroll down for video Hollywood superstar Johnny Deep (pictured performing at the Grammys) has jokingly revealed he might crash on Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce's couch the next time he visits Australia 'Of course, I love Australia,' Depp told Seven News. 'I think that guy, Barnaby, he invited me to stay at his house for some reason.' The 52-year-old and wife Amber Heard have been locked in a bitter feud with Mr Joyce since he accused them of secretly bringing their two Yorkshire Terriers into Australia while Depp was in the country to film a movie. Mr Joyce, who is the Minister for Agriculture, accused Depp and Heard of 'sneaking' their dogs in, and threatened to have them put-down if they weren't removed from the country. 'I love Australia... I think that guy, Barnaby, he invited me to stay at his house for some reason,' Depp (pictured with wife Amber Heard) said Depp was interviewed by Seven News as he arrived at the Grammys in Los Angeles on Tuesday AEST 'Mr Depp has to either take his dogs back to California or we'll euthanise them,' the MP said. 'That's the deal,' he said during an interview on 3AW Radio. 'And if people think that's a bit harsh, well I'll tell you what harsh is. Harsh is if we let down our guard and ultimately rabies gets into the country.' Depp later threatened he would assault Mr Joyce if Heard, who is due to face court in April after being charged with illegally smuggling her dogs in, is jailed over the incident. Amber Heard has been charged with illegally importing animals into the country and producing a false document Mr Joyce, who is the Minister for Agriculture, accused Depp and Heard of 'sneaking' their dogs in and threatened to have them put-down if they weren't removed from the country last year 'Mr Depp has to either take his dogs back to California or we'll euthanise them,' Barnaby Joyce (pictured during Question Time in Parliament House) said last May 'If they did that I'd fly to Australia and assault that man (Joyce),' he joked during an interview on Jimmy Kimmel Live in September. The Pirates of the Caribbean star described Mr Joyce as a 'weird, sweaty-pated gut man' during the interview, and said he thought they brought the dogs to Australia legally. 'We were under the impression we had the correct paper work for the dogs, we were there with the dogs in front of everybody,' he said. 'If that's legal trouble, it's by far the most interesting I've ever experienced.' Amber Heard, 29, will stand trial on the Gold Coast in 2016 and the Pirates of the Caribbean star (pictured) could possibly appear as a witness, according to reports Read The case sparked global attention after Agriculture Minister Barnaby Joyce said the dogs might be put down unless they 'buggered off back to the United States' The dogs, which were staying at a Gold Coast home rented by Depp and Heard in May 2015, were quickly whisked out of the country before a 72-hour deadline lapsed and they were seized Heard is due to appear at Southport Magistrates Court in Queensland on April 12. It is unknown whether Depp will be called as a witness for his wife's defence. Under strict Australian laws designed to keep disease at bay, dogs entering from the United States must be declared and have to spend 10 days in quarantine. Penalties for contravening the Quarantine Act have a maximum of 10 years in prison and a $102,000 fine. Pistol and Boo's presence in Australia was only discovered when they were photographed at a poodle grooming parlour on the Gold Coast. Pistol and Boo's presence in Australia was only discovered when they were photographed at a poodle grooming parlour on the Gold Coast An increasing number of grandparents are becoming primary caregivers for their grandchildren, as the country responds to the opiate epidemic, mental health crisis, military deployment and a rise in female incarceration. According to census figures, There are now 2.7million grandparents across the country who are taking on the role of parents according to census figures in 2012. This marks a 12.5per cent increase since 2000. Twenty percent of these grandparents have incomes below poverty lines and about a quarter are struggling with disabilities. Professor Esme Fuller-Thomson of the University of Toronto said: 'People who step forward, step forward because there is a crisis in their family and apparently don't take into account their own limitations.' There are 2.7 million grandparents raising grandchildren across the country, which experts attribute to parents struggling with drug addiction and mental health issues among other things Debra Aldridge of Chicago, right, makes dinner for her grandson Mario Hendricks, who she has been raising for more than 11 years While research shows children fare better with other family members than they do in foster care, grandparents who become primary caregivers are often living in poverty or struggling with their own disabilities Researchers first noted the rise in grandparents taking care of their grandchildren since the early 1990s when the crack cocaine epidemic surged through the country. After years of declines, children in foster care rose by nearly 1 percent in 2013 and by 3.5 percent in 2014 to more than 415,000. Child welfare agencies are reporting an increase in the number of children, especially infants, taken from parents battling drug addictions and mental health issues. The increase comes as states are placing more foster children with relatives, after research showed children fare better with other family members rather than in foster care. Generations United, a nonprofit that advocates for 'kinship families,' says taxpayers would see significant savings by keeping children out of foster care and placing them with relatives. But the group says there is no comprehensive framework to keep these kinship families stable. Crucial programs, such as legal services and support groups, 'exist only in small pockets of the country,' it said. Those support services are something many grandparents raising grandchildren need, since many are living on fixed incomes and managing chronic illnesses. When Debra Aldridge of Chicago's South Side became her grandson's primary caregiver, she was making $7.50 an hour as a cook. The only other alternative, she said, was to put him up for adoption. 'I took one look at the little fella, and that was it,' said Aldridge, now 62. 'I couldn't let go.' For more than 11 years, Aldridge who is sinking deeper into poverty, has struggled to raise her 'baby,' Mario. To help make ends meet, she stands in food lines, taking two buses to reach the food depository. As her grandson enters his teens, Aldridge said she knows she'll need more resources to clothe, feed and keep him out of trouble. Informal caregivers often go without legal help, and if a state does offer financial aid for kinship families, sums are paltry - in Georgia, grandparents older than 55 can receive $100 a month Most of the time, grandparents receive little help from the state. Maria Nanos, executive director of the Center for Law and Social Work in Chicago, said grandparents can receive free legal help from the center, but informal caregivers navigate guardianship on their own. The center usually receives funds from the state's Department of Aging to help those grandparents, but Illinois has operated without a budget since July, so the center has not received the money this fiscal year. 'We have to turn people down,' Nanos said. Some states offer financial aid for informal kinship families, but these sums are meager. In Georgia, grandparents older than 55 can get a $100 monthly subsidy per grandchild. They have access to grants and could qualify for subsidies similar to those of foster parents (between $14.60 and $18.80 per day). But access to the assistance, which is often housed in different agencies, can be tricky if not impossible. Some states have created kinship navigators. Lynn Urvina, who is raising her own granddaughter, said her case files grow every year. Pictured, Aldridge hugging Mario before he heads off to a sleep-over at his cousin's To help relatives navigate the complex web of services, some states have created kinship navigators. Lynn Urvina, is one of about a dozen kinship navigators in Washington state. She said grandparents call her seeking information about support groups, obtaining guardianship and financial help to pay bills. Every year, her case files grow. Urvina, who is raising her own 12-year-old granddaughter with her husband, said: 'In our area, methamphetamines have had a huge impact.' Navigators in Washington serve 30 of 39 counties, with multiple counties overseen by one person. Some counties include rural communities where grandparents have little access to services, Urvina said. 'If all grandparents walked away and say, 'we can't do it,' there would be no homes for these kids,' Urvina said. A 'stressed' junior doctor who has been missing since Friday may have written a note which mentioned Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt after she walked out of hospital halfway through her shift. Doctor Rose Polge, 25, who works at Torbay Hospital in Devon, was last seen on Friday afternoon. Shortly after she was reported missing her car was found in a carpark near Anstey's Cove in Torquay. Now, hours after a friend revealed the young medic was under a lot of strain because of her 'long working hours', rumours at the hospital suggest she wrote a letter which mentioned Mr Hunt just before she disappeared. The note is believed to have been found in the car. Dr Polge had recently shared a link online to a petition supporting industrial action by junior doctors over Mr Hunt's proposed contract changes. Scroll down for video 'Stressed' missing junior doctor Rose Polge, 25, (pictured) who disappeared on Friday may have left a note mentioning Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt before she walked out of the hospital halfway through her shift Police assist divers searching the waters off Anstey's Cove as they continue to search for Dr Polge today ITV News Westcountry reports 'persistent rumours' have been circulating at Torbay Hospital about the note and Devon and Cornwall Police, who are leading the search to find the junior doctor, have refused to deny the report. A force spokesman said today: 'We are not making any comment about a note or the contents of it.' The BBC reports the note was found in Dr Polge's car and contained personal issues along with a passing reference to Jeremy Hunt. Dr Polge was a member of a Facebook group set up to co-ordinate striking junior doctors at the Devon hospital and last month she posted a new Facebook profile picture, featuring the hashtag #NotFairNotSafe. A friend, who did not want to be named, told The Sun: 'It's thought she disappeared halfway through her shift on Friday, which is very concerning. 'She usually had a smile on her face but the last couple of weeks were taking their toll. Rose was always cheerful and worked incredibly hard to get where she was.' But a Torbay Hospital spokesman has refused to confirm whether Dr Polge had been at work on Friday. A spokeswoman said: 'We will do what we can to support the authorities investigating her disappearance as well as providing support to colleagues, who are anxious for her.' Dr Rose Polge, 25, (pictured) who works at Torbay Hospital in Devon, was last seen on Friday afternoon Fears are growing for Doctor Polge, who works at Torbay Hospital in Devon, after she was last seen on Friday afternoon and her car was found abandoned in a carpark near Anstey's Cove (pictured today) in Torquay A specialist police diver leaps between rocks on the fourth day of the search for missing doctor Rose Polg This afternoon, Dr Polge's family released a statement which said: 'We would like to thank everyone for their help, hope and kind words. 'The support we have received from family and friends has been much appreciated, and clearly Rose is loved far and wide.' 'We are overwhelmed by the support from her friends and colleagues, dozens of whom have been combing the Devon Coast in search of Rose.' More than 100 volunteers scoured the coastal area for her over the weekend but as the search entered its fourth day they were told the places left to look could only be reached by experts. Dozens of police officers have been seen combing woodland near to where she was last seen and specialist search and rescue divers in protective gear have been scouring the cove. Police have confirmed they have brought in a drone to help in the search for the missing junior doctor and divers and rope teams have also been added to the huge search team. Dr Polge was also a member of a Facebook group set up to co-ordinate striking junior doctors at the Devon hospital and last month she posted a new Facebook profile picture, featuring the hashtag #NotFairNotSafe The 'stressed' junior doctor has been missing since Friday (pictured: Police divers survey the cove today) Shortly after Dr Polge was reported missing her car was found near Anstey's Cove (pictured today) Insp Simon Jenkinson, who is coordinating the search, said the drone could prove a useful tool in reaching areas with difficult access. But Dr Polge's family, who have travelled down to Devon to help the search effort, are said to be devastated after searches of the rugged cliffs and waters below proved fruitless. A hoodie believed to belong to the 5ft 2in brunette was found on rocks close to a beach in Torquay on Sunday evening. Yesterday a police source told The Daily Mail: 'The indications are not at all good. As time goes by it appears we are looking for her body. We have found her car and now a hoodie that we think belonged to Rose. The newly qualified doctor, who graduated from Southampton University last year, had reportedly spoken to her boyfriend (believed to be the man pictured) before she disappeared on Friday afternoon Police have confirmed they have brought in this drone to help in the search for the missing junior doctor A hoodie believed to belong to Dr Polge was found on rocks close to this beach in Torquay on Sunday evening Specialist police divers and rope teams (both pictured today) been added to the huge search team Devon and Cornwall Police said the disappearance was 'totally out of character' for the young woman 'If she went into the sea on Friday or Saturday when the conditions were very rough, she could be some way away from where she entered the water.' Detectives have not said what might have triggered her sudden disappearance, which has been described by friends as 'out of character'. Inspector Simon Jenkinson said yesterday: 'The only person who really knows why she has gone missing is Rose. We are keeping an open mind.' But he added: 'We are not looking at this time at any criminality. 'We don't consider there is any evidence she has been abducted and we are concentrating on where her car was found in Anstey's Cove car park. We are not thinking anybody else is involved.' A friend has revealed Doctor Rose Polge was under a lot of strain because of her 'long working hours' More than 100 volunteers scoured the coastal area around the cove for 25-year-old Dr Polge over the weekend The newly qualified doctor, who graduated from Southampton University last year, had reportedly spoken to her boyfriend before she disappeared on Friday afternoon. Police were said to have picked up a phone signal close to the spot where her car was found. A friend of her family, who live in Melbourn, near Royston in Cambridgeshire, said: 'They are still desperately hoping for good news but are clearly devastated that she has gone missing.' Dr Polge's friend Katharine de Kretser said: 'She's such a lovely person, so enthusiastic about life, and really positive, friendly, and a joy to be around. It's really out of character for her to just disappear, so she and her family need our prayers.' For confidential support call the Samaritans on 116123, visit a local Samaritans branch, or click here for details. Speciaist police divers wearing protective gear search for Rose Polge at Anstey's Cove, Torquay, today The search for Doctor Polge began on Friday night after she was reported missing and continues today Police officers assist divers searching the waters at Anstey's Cove as they continue to search for Dr Polge A group of young people gather at Anstey's Cove, Torquay, today where the junior doctor went missing Mugshot: Ayesha Pudden, 22, who has been jailed for two years, wanted cosmetic surgery to boost her self esteem but stole her flatmate's credit card details to do it This is the social media obsessed student who memorised her flatmate's credit card details to pay for a 5,000 nose job and lip fillers. Ayesha Pudden wanted cosmetic surgery to boost her self esteem, but instead of paying for it herself she burgled her neighbour before defrauding her. Yesterday the 22-year-old, who used Instagram and Twitter to brag about her luxurious life in London, was jailed for two years and her police mugshot shows her new nose and plumped lips. One friend said: 'Ayesha was desperate to live a lavish lifestyle and look like a star - showing off her designer shoes, clothes and her apartment on social media. 'She was constantly competing with other women and I think that's why she did this'. Today MailOnline can also reveal that Pudden, who described herself as a 'student, trader and independent businesswoman', would sell luxury Louboutin shoes online for up to 1,100 a pair. But several customers claimed she would just take their money but never deliver their high heels - or they would not be up to scratch. One said: 'She's a vile human being. I wanted to by a pair of Louboutin shoes she was selling at 400. I bought them and she said she would post them the next day when I asked for proof of postage she made excuse after excuse. 'Four days passed and I contacted her saying my shoes hadn't turned up and she told me to f*** off. She stole 400 from me'. Another friend said: 'She used to stunt on Twitter about all her rich luxuries such as Louboutins and claimed she earned it all through trading'. Last night her mother, from Wolverhampton, told The Sun her daughter was 'truly sorry'. Pudden's court case heard she had hosted a party at her student accommodation in Spitalfields, east London, in late December 2013. Character: Pudden was competitive with other women her age - and wanted to have plastic surgery to appear perfect During the party she got hold of the key card to flatmate Yuan Guos room while she was away and allowed guests to go inside where expensive clothing, cosmetics and jewellery totalling 16,115 was stolen. Business: Pudden, pictured overlooking Tower Bridge, sold luxury items such as Louboutin shoes online but some claimed they were ripped off When Ms Guo returned she confronted Pudden and gave her two weeks to return the items or she would report the matter to police. But Pudden had also memorised Ms Guos bank details and splashed out 4,860.27 on cosmetic surgery from The Harley Medical Centre. She since made efforts to return as much of the loot as possible and Snaresbrook Crown Court heard 7,000 worth had been handed back. Pudden admitted burglary, fraud and possession of stolen driving licences belonging to three strangers found by officers during a search of her room on 5 February 2014. Ms Guo moved out of the apartments as she was so upset by the burglary and the fact that she was not automatically insured. The court heard that Pudden suffers low self-esteem and carried out the fraud in order to boost her confidence through cosmetic surgery and expensive clothes. Nathan Palmer, defending Pudden, explained that his client accepts responsibility for what she has done and the culpability is hers. Jailing Pudden for two years Judge Alastair Hammerton, said: This is a case where your offending falls clearly past the custody threshold. Were I sentencing you for this one matter of burglary I would seriously think about a suspended sentence. However I have to sentence you for this and for the possession of the stolen driving licences and for fraud. It is my clear view that the scale of your offending is so substantial - burglary, fraud and stolen driving licences - that the only appropriate sentence is one of immediate imprisonment. Pudden, was jailed for two years for burglary with concurrent sentences of three months each on three counts of possessing anothers identity along with a six month term for fraud. Online presence: Pudden was obsessed with Twitter and Instagram, which she used to show off about her lifestyle A psychiatrist and her marine engineer husband have been accused of bringing a 28-year-old 'au pair' to Britain and turning her into a slave. Minu and Sanjeev Chopra, both 47, have been charged with arranging for the woman to come to the UK with the intention of exploiting her and with holding her in slavery or servitude. The alleged offences relate to two periods spanning five years. Accused: Minu and Sanjeev Chopra, both 47, (pictured) have been charged with arranging for the woman to come to the UK with the intention of exploiting her and with holding her in slavery or servitude Neighbours of the couple, who have an eight-year-old son, said the alleged victim lived with the family as an au pair, according to The Times. Those who live nearby Mr and Mrs Chopra in the upmarket Bamford area of Rochdale, Greater Manchester, described the couple as 'decent'. One neighbour, who did not want to be named, told The Times: 'There must have been some mistake over the paperwork or something like that because I see her around a lot. 'She never seemed in distress and she's been with them for two years in that house. I think she was with them in their previous house as well. 'I have spoken to her many times and she has never made any complaint to me. She never seemed upset or anything like that.' 'Decent' family: Neighbours of the couple (pictured left at the Olympic Torch relay in Manchester in 2012), who have an eight-year-old son, said the alleged victim was an au pair who lived with them at their home (right) Mr and Mrs Chopra (pictured) each face a maximum sentence of 14 years in prison if convicted under the Slavery Act. The couple are expected to appear together at Manchester Minshull St Crown Court on March 11 Police said the alleged victim was removed from Mr and Mrs Chopra's home and is being cared for by partner agencies. Dr Chopra, who was said by a neighbour to work as a psychiatrist at the Royal Bolton Hospital, appeared at Manchester Magistrates' Court on Saturday and was remanded in custody. Her husband was arrested on Saturday and remanded into custody before appearing at Bury and Rochdale Magistrates' Court yesterday. He describes himself as a chief engineer for Herald Marine services - a company which has its headquarters in Mumbai, India. Dr Chopra, who was said by a neighbour to work as a psychiatrist, appeared at Manchester Magistrates' Court on Saturday. Her husband appeared at Bury and Rochdale Magistrates' Court (pictured) yesterday Greater Manchester Police said officers attended an address in Bamford on Thursday and arrested a 47-year-old woman on suspicion of slavery, servitude and forced labour offences under the Slavery Act 2015. She and her husband, of Cranbourne Road, Rochdale, were later charged with holding a person in slavery or servitude between July 31 2015 and February 11 2016. The couple were also charged with intentionally arranging or facilitating entry into the UK of a person with a view to their exploitation, and knowingly holding another person in slavery or servitude between January 1 2011 and July 31 2015. The maximum sentence for offences under the Slavery Act 2015 is 14 years in prison. North Korea will collapse if it does not abandon its nuclear bomb programme, South Korea's president has warned. In a speech to the National Assembly, Park Geun-Hye said a fundamentally new approach was needed to derail Kim Jong-Un's pursuit of an atomic weapon. She warned that South Koreans had, over the years, become 'numb' to the threat from their northern neighbour and said it was now time to take a more courageous stand. Her speech came a week after Park took the unprecedented step of shutting down operations at the jointly run Kaesong industrial estate, triggering an aggressive response from Pyongyang. War of words: South Korean President Park Geun-Hye delivers a speech at the National Assembly in Seoul, South Korea, in which she warned that North Korea faces collapse if it does not abandon its nuclear program Defending the closure, Park said it was 'just the beginning' and signalled further steps that she argued were needed to derail the North's nuclear programme. 'The government will take stronger and more effective measures to make North Korea bitterly realise that it cannot survive with nuclear development and that it will only speed up regime collapse,' she said. Park said the North had diverted much of the Seoul payments to North Korean workers at the factory park to the Pyongyang leadership which is in charge of nuclear and missile development. Citing the North's nuclear test last month and long-range rocket launch on February 7, which was widely viewed as a ballistic missile test, Park said it was clear Pyongyang had no intention of discussing denuclearisation. Park (pictured on a giant screen at the National Assembly) warned that South Koreans had become 'numb' to the threat from their northern neighbour and said it was now time to take a more courageous stand South Korean protesters tear a banner showing a picture depicting North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, centre, during a rally in Seoul to support President Park Geun-Hye's policy about the Kaesong industrial park 'If time passes without any change, the Kim Jong-Un leadership which is speeding without a brake could deploy a nuclear-tipped missile and we will suffer,' she said. 'It has become clear that we cannot break North Korea's will to develop nuclear weapons through existing means and goodwill. 'It's time to find a fundamental solution for bringing practical change in North Korea and to show courage in putting that into action.' A similar line is being pushed by the United States and Japan in an effort to secure a strong UN Security Council resolution that will include harsh new sanctions for North Korea. But Park's speech failed to address the problem the Security Council is having in drafting a resolution that has the support of all five veto-wielding permanent members. Despite Beijing's annoyance with North Korea's nuclear ambitions and its young maverick leader Kim Jong-Un, its priority has been to prevent chaos on China's border. As a result, it has resisted punitive measures that might push Kim's regime towards collapse. Kim Jong Un has hosted a lavish banquet celebrating North Korea's recent long-range rocket launch. The country's leader was the toast of Monday's bash, attended by hundreds of scientists, technicians and officials all involved in the costly program which claims to have sent the country's fourth satellite into orbit Park indicated that South Korea should be more willing to act unilaterally if other countries lagged behind. 'We must throw away the impotent feeling of relying on the international community's sanctions... and mobilise all possible methods to solve the problem ourselves,' she said. After her speech, the Yonhap news agency cited defence officials in Seoul as saying four US F-22 stealth fighter jets would fly a mission over South Korea on Wednesday in a show of force aimed at Pyongyang. South Korea is also due to begin talks with the US this week on the possible deployment of an advanced US missile defence system that China and Russia have warned could undermine stability in East Asia. Defence officials in Seoul and Washington say bringing the Terminal High Altitude Area Defence System (THAAD) to the South has become a clear necessity given the progress North Korea was making on its ballistic missile programme. But China sees it as a threat to its own nuclear deterrent and Vice Foreign Minister Zhang Yesui reiterated Beijing's concerns during meeting Tuesday with his South Korean counterpart in Seoul. The note's purchasing power and convertibility makes it ideal for criminals They say it has become the 'currency of choice' for criminals and terrorists Europe is likely to scrap the 500 euro note following a realisation the majority of those in circulation are being hoarded in Russia and have become the 'currency of choice' for criminals and terrorists. Admitting the note is almost never used by normal people to 'get a bite to eat', European Central Bank bosses say it is likely to be scrapped. The rarely-seen purple bill is one of the highest-value notes of any currency across the world and offers a rare concentration of purchasing power and global convertibility. The rarely-seen 500 euro note (pictured) could soon be scrapped as European bank bosses admit it is used predominantly as a vehicle for corruption and fraud Mario Draghi, president of the European Central Bank, said law-abiding savers would not be penalised and could use the 200 euro note (155) instead to hold their cash. 'People will continue saving the 200 euro notes. The 500 euro note is being viewed increasingly as an instrument for illegal activities. It has nothing to do with reducing cash.' Rob Wainwright, director of Europol, said the 500 euro note (390) was the 'currency of choice' for criminals, while Mr Draghi added there was 'increasing conviction' the notes were used by fraudsters,FT reported. The review comes as European lawmakers look at ways to cut off terrorist financing in the wake of the terror attacks in Paris that left 130 dead. Michel Sapin, France's finance minister, said the denomination was 'more used to facilitate dishonest activities than by people like you and me to get a bite to eat'. Although European finance officials complain most the notes actually reside in Russia, the amount of cash in the euro zone rose to more than 1 trillion euros last year, with almost 30 percent of it hoarded in 500 euro notes. Germany was one of the early champions of the 500 euro note to match the value of its old 1,000 mark note and cater to Germans' traditional preference for cash over electronic money. Cash hoarding has become more prominent throughout the years of crisis. Capital controls prohibit large withdrawals in Greece, where savers have hoarded tens of billions, after big depositors lost money in the country's financial bailout. Given its huge purchasing power and use throughout 19 major European countries, the 500 euro has become an ideal vehicle for international terrorists The move comes less than a month after the head of the EU's anti-fraud body recommended the note is banned due to its use as a vehicle of big-money corruption. Giovanni Kessler, head of the European Anti-Fraud Office, said: 'I wonder if there is still a need for high denomination bills, such as the 500 euro bill, especially bearing in mind that these can make the life of fraudsters much easier.' Kessler is charged with investigating fraudulent use of EU funds and wrongdoing within EU institutions. In 2014, OLAF unveiled frauds for about 900 million euros. Formerly a prosecutor against the Italian mafia, Kessler argued that smaller denominations and a more widespread use of electronic money would help investigators. 'Traceability is paramount in fighting corruption and fraud,' he warned. Scotland Yard refused to speak to the family of the former MI5 chief accused of child abuse and even claimed the disastrous Operation Midland inquiry didn't exist, it was revealed today. Sir Michael Hanley was named along with other VIPs as a paedophile by the Met's key witness 'Nick', described by police as 'credible' and a fantasist by his own family. Sir Michael, who died in 2001 aged 82, was named last year by former MP Harvey Proctor as being investigated by police as part of Operation Midland, which is now on the brink of collapse. Since then his two children have demanded answers about what allegations aimed at their spy father, who was survived by his widow, Lady Lorna Hanley. Answers: The family of former MI5 chief Sir Michael Hanley claim Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe's detectives have never spoken to them and even denied Operation Midland exists But they have been met by silence and 'pushed from pillar to post' and were even told there is 'no such thing' as Operation Midland, which has cost taxpayers 3million so far. A source told The Times: 'The Met has really been giving them the runaround. They have been told, 'We don't even know of this particular operation'. 'It has been a fiasco, to be honest. They deserve some information about such damaging allegations. It is very distressing to be kept in the dark.' The former director-general of MI5, who died in 2001 aged 82, was a war hero known as 'Jumbo' because of his size. He first joined the Army in 1940 and was an officer in the Royal Artillery serving in Europe before he joined the security services in 1948. In the 1960s he was once wrongly accused of being a Soviet spy. A Polish defector had claimed that there was a well-placed KGB agent inside MI5 and the description was said to fit Sir Michael. He was cleared in a subsequent investigation and appointed Director-General in 1972, going on to hold the post under three prime ministers before he died 14 years ago. Suddenly last year Harvey Proctor called a press conference to lift the lid on Operation Midland after he was accused of abusing boys and playing a part in two murders, which he claimed was just a 'witchhunt' because he is gay. He then sensationally reeled off Establishment figures accused of being in a VIP paedophile gang, which included former Prime Minister Ted Heath and former Home Secretary Leon Brittan - as well as Sir Michael. His adoptive children, Sarah Pittman and Peter Hanley, said they were completely unaware of the allegations against their father until Mr Proctor named him. In a statement they said: 'Our father was a decent, loving, principled family man. 'These are unfounded allegations from an anonymous source and as such have no effect on our father's good name.' Tory MP Harvey Proctor, who has claimed detectives had asked him about the men during interviews about alleged abuse and even murder named other men 'Nick' said was at Westminster sex parties in the 1980s Despite this Sir Michael's widow and children are yet to be spoken to by detectives, and raises questions about the adequacy of the Met's investigation. Britain's top policeman has repeatedly refused to apologise as he was accused of kicking the row over his discredited investigation of war hero Lord Bramall into the long grass. Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe faced a furious backlash as he unveiled an independent review of his beleaguered historic child sex abuse inquiries, Operation Midland. Leon Brittans widow Diana will today meet the head of Scotland Yard to ask why her husband was hounded in life and death by his force. She will demand to know why detectives, under pressure from Labour deputy leader Tom Watson, prolonged an investigation into a baseless rape claim made against her dying husband by a mentally ill Labour activist. Due to the Mets mishandling of the case, Lord Brittan died with the false sex allegation still hanging over his head. Giving blood and donating organs should be seen as a Christian duty, a top Bishop has said Christians will be urged to give blood and donate organs under a motion to go before the Church of England's general synod. The move is backed by James Newcome, the Bishop of Carlisle, who wants blood and organ donation to be part of the 'sacrificial offerings' which are a Christian duty. His call comes after the number of organ donors fell for the first time in 11 years and the NHS says it needs more than 200,000 new blood donors to meet current demand. A motion is to go before the general synod, the highest governing body of the Church of England, which started yesterday. It is backed by fleshandblood, a group set up to encourage organ and blood donation among Christians. In a message to the group, Bishop Newcome said the campaign is based on the Christian concept of a 'sacrificial offering'. He said: 'That "sacrificial offering" is usually associated with time, money and gifts. But it applies just as much to the blood that flows in our veins and the organs that are such an intrinsic part of our bodies. 'Whether it's the regular donation of blood or registration to become an organ donor, being willing to give ourselves in this way is a significant aspect of our 'stewardship' of what we have received. 'And in both cases, the benefit to others is not only life-enhancing; it can mean the difference between life and death.' Bishop Newcome is also attempting to reduce fears among a minority that giving blood or donating organs is somehow against Christian teachings. James Newcome, the Bishop of Carlisle, has lent his weight to a motion to go before the general synod today He said: 'There have been people in the past who, on religious grounds, have argued that you should not give blood or organs. The most obvious category is the Jehovah's Witnesses,. 'It has certainly never been part of Church of England teaching that you shouldn't, but there may be some who feel our body is given to us by God and we shouldn't fiddle around with it. We've been at pains to point out that this is a misguided approach.' The NHS uses around 7,000 units of blood every day but donor numbers have fallen by around 40 per cent over the past decade. The number of people who died last year was the biggest annual rise in more than 50 years, official figures have revealed, with health experts blaming a crisis in care of the elderly. The 528,340 deaths in 2015 was more than 5 per cent higher than the previous year - the highest annual rate since 1968. But public health experts warned that long-term trends suggested the shocking rise could turn out to be the 'greatest rise since the Second World War'. Scroll down for video Death rates soared to the highest level since 1968 last year but health experts warned that long-term trends suggested the shocking rise could turn out to be the 'greatest rise since the Second World War' When long-term factors are taken into account - such as the high rates of elderly immigrants who arrived in the 1960s - the mortality rate could easily be on a par with the rate recorded in the 1940s, according to health professors. Last year's mortality rate data, released in preliminary data from the Office of National Statistics, showed a rise of nearly 27,000 deaths on the previous year. The annual death rate started to rise in 2011 after 40 years of a steady decline. Advisers to Public Health England (PHE) warned that the change was a 'strong and flashing amber warning light [that] something is making the population more vulnerable to avoidable death'. They called for an urgent investigation and warned that a crisis in care of the elderly was causing the alarming rise in death rates. RISING DEATH RATES BLAMED ON CUTS TO SOCIAL SERVICES George Osborne's cuts to social services have been blamed on the rising death rates The highest death rate in nearly 50 years has been blamed on George Osborne's cuts to social services. Oxford University Professor Danny Dorling, who advises Public Health England on life expectancy, said the higher mortality rate, which is particularly higher among women, is down to a reduction in services such as meals on wheels. He said it was not a coincidence that the mortality rate had shot up during times of austerity. 'When we look at 2015, we are not just looking at one bad year,' he told the Health Service Journal. 'We have seen excessive mortality - especially among women - since 2012.' 'I suspect the largest factor here is cuts to social services - to meals on wheels, to visits to the elderly. 'We have seen these changes during a period when the health service is in crisis, while social care services have been cut back.' Advertisement Dominic Harrison, a professor at the Central Lancashire University and Blackburn, told the Health Service Journal: One of the things this data may be telling us is it is just not possible to contain costs, improve quality, reduce inequality and improve outcomes within such a rapidly diminishing resource envelope we need to understand exactly what is happening if we are to prevent it continuing. Oxford University Professor Danny Dorling, who advises Public Health England on life expectancy, blamed the Government's cuts to social services for the rise in death rates. 'When we look at 2015, we are not just looking at one bad year. We have seen excessive mortality - especially among women - since 2012.' 'I suspect the largest factor here is cuts to social services - to meals on wheels, to visits to the elderly. 'We have seen these changes during a period when the health service is in crisis, while social care services have been cut back.' Warning that other factors could take the death rate to levels not seen since the Second World War, he added: 'The statistics clearly show that this is the biggest rise we have seen since the 1960s. 'But this may well turn out to be the greatest rise since the Second World War, taking into account the sustained nature of the rise, as well as other factors, such as the trend for immigration of older people in the 1960s.' A spike in deaths during the first months of 2015 have been attributed to flu and ineffective vaccines. In February last year, it was reported that the winter death toll was the highest for 15 years after millions were given a useless jabs. Death rates during the flu season in England and Wales were 25 per cent higher than the previous year. PHE have admitted that the vaccine only protected three in 100 people who receive it and does not help protect against the strain that caused devastation this winter. But public health experts told the Health Service Journal (HSJ), who reported the story last night, that this did not explain the growth in 2015, and similar patterns in recent years. The HSJ said that the causes for the high death rates were still unknown. Experts have floated a number of theories including, weather, flu, cuts to care, support and health services, the recession, high pressure on NHS, a rapidly growing older population, older people returning to England from abroad and unidentified infections. David Buck, Kings Fund senior fellow for public health and inequalities, said there were multiple possible causes. He said: PHE really needs to get behind this and investigate more thoroughly as guardian of the nations health. Public Health Englands chief knowledge officer John Newton said: We have been monitoring changes in life expectancy and mortality in England We find the statistics for older people fluctuate quite a bit from year to year and around the country. There is often no obvious pattern to this but it is clearly important to keep a close eye on the trends and consider a range of possible explanations. Cancers accounted for three in ten deaths in 2014, while the second highest cause of death was circulatory diseases, which includes heart diseases and strokes, followed by respiratory diseases such as pneumonia For females, the leading cause of death was dementia and Alzheimer disease, which accounted for 13.4 per cent of all female deaths In 2015, the monthly death figures suggest that cold weather and flu may have played a part in the high numbers of deaths in the early part of the year. 'Especially given that A(H3N2) was the dominant subtype circulating last flu season in the UK. In any flu season dominated by an H3 subtype, unfortunately we can expect the burden of illness to be seen in the elderly and therefore a relatively high overall mortality. Changes in the population over time can also have some surprising effects on these statistics for technical reasons. It is important to keep an open mind. A Department of Health spokesperson said: This is provisional data and our experts monitor deaths closely. Excess winter deaths can be due to a number of causes and deaths can fluctuate from year to year. We will continue to monitor this data closely and be advised by experts on any action necessary. The children's screams for help can be heard long before they are seen, drowning out the sound of the waves lapping against the shore, hidden in the darkness. Rescuers scrabble desperately across the sand, their torches searching for the source as the cries get louder. Then finally, they find what they are searching for: a group of dozens, scrambling through the foaming sea and across the rocks in the middle of the night. The children can barely breathe through their sobs. One drenched mother, clinging to her daughter, throws her head back as she wails. Every single one of the men, women and children emerging from the dark are soaked through to the bone, dressed for an autumn walk, and not a trip across dangerous, wintery waters. They reach out to the people who have met them on the shore, desperately clinging to them as they pull themselves onto the jagged rocks. And above it all comes a man's voice. 'Relax, relax, it's okay, everything's okay now,' he says. 'Please follow me - we have tents, we have heating.' Struggle: Raber (pictured holding a rescued girl) has given up his comfortable life in Switzerland to dedicate himself to helping the refugees washing up in Greece on a daily basis Selfless: MailOnline travelled to Lesbos to meet some of volunteers like Michael Raber, pictured, who is working all hours helping to pull thousands of migrants from the sea - both living and dead Overwhelming: Michael is one of hundreds struggling to deal with an estimated 76,000 people who have arrived in Greece by sea since the start of 2016 - 10 times the number who arrived during the same period last year Horrifying: Hundreds of the migrants making the journey have drowned doing so. In just one 24 hour period last month, more people drowned than in the whole of January for the previous two years, combined This is Michael Raber, who is working through the night to find and save the migrants and refugees arriving on the small Greek island of Lesbos. And despite the screams, tonight is a good night - because tonight, Michael and his team have not had to pull a child's body from the cold water, or dry the tears of a father who has lost his entire family. But with 2,000 people washing up on the shores of the Aegean islands every day in overcrowded, ill-equipped boats, even in the middle of winter, he knows it will not be long before he hears the screams of the drowning once more - sent to their deaths by greedy people smugglers who care little for the lives of those who buy their wares. After all, in just one 24 hour period last month, more people died making the journey than in the whole of January in the previous two years, combined. And while others are traumatised by the sight of the bloated bodies floating in the blue waters, it is the screams which leave a lasting impact on Michael. 'You encounter this fear of death the people have: its some sort of instinct,' he told MailOnline. 'That fear of death they feel is somehow transported to you. 'Its the sounds that are haunting. You can imagine what it is like before from the pictures, but the sounds, theyre still there. 'It's the screams, at least from the kids.' The Swiss national is one of hundreds of people who have given up their comfortable lives in western Europe in order to help the migrants arriving by boat at a rate ten times higher than this time last year, the vast majority fleeing the all-consuming war in Syria and Iraq. Haunting: Michael says the screams of the drowning - particularly the children - are what stays with him Terror: The fear of death as people fall into the sea 'is somehow transported to you', he told MailOnline Comfort: This woman and her child are among some 41,000 migrants who have arrived on Lesbos this year Grief: Michael described one boat which was so full no one noticed a woman drowning in a puddle of water in the bottom of the vessel until they arrived on the island, not even her devastated husband Michael gave up his career as an IT and business consultant to help in Lesbos after a holiday to Greece in August. He started cooking pasta and rice to help feed the hungry arriving in Athens, and helped to distribute food and 24,000 litres of water in just three weeks. Then an Afghan refugee told him about Lesbos, which is where MailOnline finds him, working with 22 other volunteers for Swiss Cross, the charity he helped found. In the months since, he has seen things - and heard things - which he could never have imagined. Sometimes, he told MailOnline, people don't even need to leave the boat in order to drown. 'A boat arrived, and it was so packed, that the people didnt realise on the floor of the boat was a woman, and it was full of water, this woman drowned in the boat in the water. 'Once the people were out, the man realized that his wife was still in, and realised shes dead, and he sank to the ground and was crying.' 'The cruel thing is when you think all these people are leaving in order to avoid death in their countries, these families then watch death at the sea,' added Aziz Darwich, who knows better than most how they feel. Aziz is a refugee himself, making his way along the same route in 2004 after fleeing Syria. THE CEMETERY OF THE DROWNED: THE SMALL MOUNDS OF SOIL AND NAMELESS NUMBERS WHICH MARK THE REFUGEE GRAVES The graves of those who drowned on the short journey from Turkey's west coast to the island of Lesbos are small but numerous. They can only just be made out - a mound of soil, marked at the head with a name or, as is the case with so many, a number, their names lost underneath the waves with their lives and identities. Entire families lie side by side in Agios Panteleimonas Cemetery in Mytilini - a village so overwhelmed by death it needed a 12-metre long to store dozens of bodies which had washed up in a matter of days last November. Lost forever: The tomb of an unidentified seven-year-old boy, drowned as he was trying to cross the channel Forgotten: Many drown alongside their families, or alone, with no one to reveal their true identities after death. This is a temporary marker put down for another unknown migrant, who drowned in the autumn Desperation: In Lesbos, they are running out of space to bury the migrants. Yet the fear of death is not enough to deter the hundreds of thousands still waiting to pay smugglers as much as 4,000 euros for the trip Devastation: The tombs of two unidentified baby girls, who were just three months old when they drowned Advertisement He now works for the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), spending five months on Kos, and now working in Lesbos. THE BILLION EURO TRADE IN HUMAN HOPE AND SUFFERING The smugglers who overload the boats waiting on the Turkish coast charge as much as 4,000 euros for a good, wooden boat. At the lower end - for the boats with little chance of making the journey unscathed - it is 800 euros a person. Michael Raber estimates that means - at the lowest end - smugglers earned 750million euros in a little over a year. The price has been several thousand deaths. 'They have no scruples, they are risking the lives of these people just to make money,' said Michael. 'They dont care about their wellbeing, their lives. 'But at the same time, I realise, that the guys are not the guys who make the big money. Probably, the one who makes the big money is never going to see a refugee.' Advertisement For Aziz, it is not the dead bodies which stay with him afterwards, but the stories of those who survived. 'Some of these people are saying we want to go back to our country, the ones who survived, bring our beloved ones back. They say we all left together, we should be all back together,' he told MailOnline. 'The one father was blaming himself, saying, it is my fault that my children are dead, because I put them on the boat. 'The father said I left my country for my children, maybe I want go to Iraq and take the bodies with me.' In the end, he agreed to bury his children on Kos - where he had to leave them, so he could continue his journey on to western Europe. Their graves now lie alongside hundreds of others who have lost their lives crossing this narrow stretch of the Aegean between Turkey and Greece. Last Monday alone, 27 migrants - including 11 children - on their way to Lesbos drowned when their boat capsized two miles off the coast of Turkey. Their graves are likely to be marked by little more than a mound of soil and a number, like so many who have gone before. Grief: Some refugees tell Aziz they wish to return home to bury the bodies of their drowned loved ones Staggering: At one point, the problem was so dire a 12-metre long refrigerated container was donated to the village of Mytilini to allow it to store dozens of bodies which had washed up in November Relief: For those who survive the trip unscathed, the look of joy is all the explanation you need. 'I won't forget the happy faces of parents that knew their kids were in safety after they arrived,' Michael said Yet it is not enough to deter those desperate enough to make the crossing. Already, the UNHCR estimates more than 76,000 migrants have arrived in Europe by sea since the start of 2016 - with nearly 41,000 arriving in Lesbos. As one refugee explained to Michael: 'In Europe, in the sky there is rain and snow and sun, and we have bombs.' And for those who survive the journey, cold but alive, with their loved ones, the danger will always be worth it. An Australian grandfather has become the country's oldest intern, after deciding to start a new career at 78 in the wake of becoming a widower. It is a story echoing that of Robert De Niro's character in Hollywood film The Intern - where he plays a man who goes on work experience in his 70s after the death of his wife. Ken Holmes, from Melbourne, is hoping to work in the aged care industry and has been an administration intern at a Mercy Place Aged Care facility. Ken Holmes, 78, (pictured) from Melbourne, has been an administration intern at a Mercy Place Aged Care facility finishing his last day on Tuesday Mr Holmes had been retired for 10 years, after spending 30 years working as a scientific and surgical toolmaker, when he decided to get back into the workforce. Mr Holmes spent the majority of his years in retirement caring for his wife Beatrice, who became sick, before she died. I got tired of talking to the cat and dog the cat talks back but you cant understand it and the dog gets between your legs looking for food and you damn near fall over, Mr Holmes told Daily Mail Australia. Im happy doing what Im doing I get to work with people my own age.' Mr Holmes completed an administration course at Mercy Health Training Institute and began interning to build up some work experience hours as part of the course requirements. Film: The Intern tells the story of Ben Whittaker (Robert De Niro), a 70-year-old widower who has grown bored of retirement so interns at an online fashion site, founded and run by Jules Ostin (Anne Hathaway) On Tuesday Mr Holmes completed 20 work experience days, and he will now start looking for a part-time job in the field. Although he would enjoy working full-time, Mr Holmes said that his mind says yes but his body says no. Working helps keep his mind sharp, Mr Holmes said, and anyone his age who feels like they are physically able to work, should try it. Mr Holmes completed his 20th day at Mercy Place Aged Care facility (pictured) in Melbourne on Tuesday Mr Holmes said his two children dont know about his new career and probably wouldnt be too thrilled to find out, wanting him to take it east. They dont tell me everything going on in their life so I dont have to do the same, he joked. His story mirrors that told in 2015 Hollywood blockbuster The Intern, starring De Niro and Anne Hathaway. Ben Whittaker (De Niro), a 70-year-old widower has grown bored of retirement and joins a senior citizen intern program. The United States and Cuba has signed an agreement authorizing up to 110 daily US commercial flights to Havana and nine other cities on the communist island. The first flight for more than 50 years between the two countries will take off in the next six months. On Tuesday, the deal was signed, meaning American airlines are now invited to submit applications to operate the flights. Additionally, the Cuban government will give 'thorough consideration to future requests from the US government to increase this level of service,' US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Transportation Affairs Thomas Engle said. However, it could be years before Cuban carriers can fly the same route without obtaining special permission on a case-by-case basis. Scroll down for video US Secretary of Transportation Anthony R. Foxx (seated left) and Cuba's Transportation Minister Adel Yzquierdo (seated right) sign documents to approve direct routes between Cuba and the US for the first time Ready for take-off: The first US-Cuba flight for more than 50 years will take off in six months once the deal is signed on Tuesday Terms of the agreement allow for regular flights 'between any city in the US and any city in Cuba,' provided it is equipped with proper infrastructure for international flights, he added. 'The two governments reaffirm their commitment to strengthen their already close cooperation in aviation safety and security matters.' The United States announced plans to resume the flights in December, on the one-year anniversary of the start of reconciliation between Washington and Havana. Under the new arrangement, airlines in the two countries can now strike deals in such areas as code-sharing and aircraft leasing, the Cuban embassy said at the time. However, tourist travel is still barred under the trade embargo that the United States slapped on Cuba in 1960 after Fidel Castro came to power in a revolution. The US Treasury Department has, however, set 12 categories of authorized travel. 'Initially, the US carriers will be allowed to fly 20 scheduled frequencies per day to Havana, the largest market, and remember that the current level is zero,' Engle said. 'And also allowed to fly 10 scheduled frequencies per day to any other city in Cuba that has an airport open to international service.' A sign shows the departure times for flights to Cuba at Miami International Airport US Secretary of State John Kerry formally visited Cuba to re-open the American embassy in August 2015, a month after the two countries formally restored diplomatic relations Besides Havana, flights will be allowed to Camaguey, Cayo Coco, Cayo Largo, Cienfuegos, Holguin, Manzanillo, Matanzas, Santa Clara and Santiago de Cuba. Although the understanding formally opens the door for Cuban airlines to operate future flights into the United States, none are allowed to arrive at present. Deputy Assistant Secretary for Aviation and International Affairs Brandon Belford said Cuban airlines will still have to obtain their own licenses from US authorities such as the Treasury Department and Office of Foreign Assets Control. 'So we do not anticipate Cuban-owned aircraft serving the US in the near future,' he said. Later on Tuesday, the Treasury Department will invite US airlines to submit applications for allocation of the new frequencies. Belford said 'carriers will have 15 days to submit their applications if they want to serve Havana and the other nine airports.' All final decisions will be made in approximately half a year. 'Our expectation is that we will be in position to make a decision and make it final sometime in the summer, in terms of which carriers and which US cities will have service into Cuba,' Belford said. Commercial flights between Cuba and the United States were cancelled 53 years ago but since the mid-1970s authorized charter flights have been allowed under certain conditions. A leopard that mauled five people after going on a rampage at a school in southern India earlier this month has escaped from a zoo after it was put in a cage with bars so far apart it could walk out. The 100lbs male squeezed out of the narrow bars of an iron cage at the Bannerghatta zoo in Bangalore city late Sunday, sparking a frantic search, wildlife officials said Monday. Six teams of wildlife workers have now been sent out to find the leopard, which was captured last week after a ten-hour rampage. Bad kitty: The leopard, pictured attacking a forestry official last week, squeezed out of the narrow bars of an iron cage at the Bannerghatta zoo in Bangalore 'About 50 officials divided into six teams have been scouring for the leopard in and around the zoo and trying to trace where it has escaped by following its pug (paw) marks,' chief wildlife warden of the state Ravi Ralph said, told AFP. He added an inquiry was underway to find out how the leopard managed to escape from captivity. Earlier this month, the leopard hit the headlines after photos in Bangalore showed the animal prowling around a closed school and trying to maul forestry officials, a wildlife activist and others who came too close. Wildlife expert Sanjay Gubbi was one of five people who was mauled by the leopard as he attempted to capture the rogue animal during its ten-hour rampage. The lion bites into the upper arm of Mr Gubbi as he tries to free himself from the aggressive big cat The leopard charges towards a crowd of young men, who desperately try to run for their lives Mr Gubbi uses his binoculars to fight off their lion as it claws at his right arm and shoulder The shocking incident took place in the Vibgyor International school in Kundalahalli in the Indian city of Bangalore, according to the News Minute. The leopard was eventually tranquilised, 10 hours after the big cat rampaged through the school, attacking several people including a scientist and a forestry employee. Photos have emerged of the moment Mr Gubbi grappled with the leopard, desperately attempting to wrestle the big cat, close to the school's swimming pool. He can be seen struggling as the beautiful leopard overpowers him and sinks its claws and teeth into the side of his arm and shoulder. CCTV footage shows the early moments when the leopard, believed to be an eight-year-old male, walked onto the school's premises early yesterday morning. Forestry officials run towards the leopard in a desperate bid to try and halt its devastating rampage The leopard attacks Sanjay Gubbi near the swimming pool despite a man armed with a tranquiliser gun waiting in the wings The leopard pads away from the scene, leaving behind a large trail of blood. Witnesses described how the big cat jumped on people and tore at their bodies with its claws and teeth The leopard is believed to be an adult male, aged around eight-years-old. Local media revealed that the leopard may have entered the school from a nearby forestry area Witnesses described how the leopard seemed to panic as it ran through the school, jumping on anyone who got in the way. Several other people injured by the leopard have now been named including forest department employee Benny Maurius. Local reports described how Mr Gubbi, a wildlife expert, tried to evade the leopard by climbing up a wall but was pulled down by the leopard. He only survived after he used a pair of binoculars to beat back the big cat and prevent further injury. Officials took time to put up nets were only able to capture the leopard ten hours after it first entered the school Desperate to capture the fugitive leopard, large nets were laid out in several of the school rooms India has a considerable leopard population, according to a recent wildlife census, which estimates it currently stands at 12,000 to 14,000 leopards Environment officials brought a large metal cage to the school in preparation for the eventual capture of the eight-year-old leopard Several men managed to trap the leopard in a large net while it was hiding up a ladder. After a ten hour ordeal, the leopard was tranquilised and removed to safety It is also thought that a television channel cameraman and presenter were also caught up in the incident and injured. The leopard was eventually captured after it was cornered and tranquilised by several veterinary staff. 'It was a long struggle to capture the leopard. Although it was injected with tranquilisers it could be captured only around 20.15 local time when the medication took full effect,' said senior police official S Boralingaiah. India has a considerable leopard population, according to a recent wildlife census, which estimates it currently stands at 12,000 to 14,000 leopards. The school's CCTV footage shows the leopard prowling through the corridors of the school in Bangalore told police 'I did it to kill him' but his motive is not yet known Former nursing home worker Hayato Imai (pictured) has reportedly confessed to killing three elderly residents by throwing them off balconies A former nursing home worker in Japan is suspected of killing three elderly residents by throwing them from balconies at various times over the last two years. Hayato Imai, 23, is said to have confessed to the killings after being arrested for allegedly hurling an 87-year-old resident to his death. He was detained yesterday on suspicion of killing Tamio Ushizawa at the nursing home in Kawasaki southwest of Tokyo in November 2014, according to the Kanagawa Prefectural Police Department. Police say the victim died of ruptured organs after allegedly being pushed by Imai from the fourth-floor balcony, the spokesman said, adding that his motive was not yet known. The suspect also admitted killing two more residents in their 80s and 90s in similar circumstances in 2014, the Asahi Shimbun daily and other local media reported. 'I did it to kill him,' Imai was quoted as telling police about the death of Ushizawa, Kyodo News reported. Imai was fired last year after being arrested on suspicion of stealing cash and jewellery from the room of a female resident at the facility. The elderly are traditionally respected in Japan and there is even a national holiday reserved for honouring senior citizens. Japan's population is rapidly ageing, with a quarter of the population currently aged 65 or over. That proportion is expected to grow to around 40 per cent over the next four decades. Comedian Tim Minchin has penned a scathing song slamming the most senior member of the Catholic Church in Australia, calling Cardinal George Pell 'scum' and a 'coward'. In his new expletive-filled charity single, 'Come Home, Cardinal Pell', Minchin urges Cardinal Pell to make the journey back to Australia and testify at the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sex Abuse. Cardinal Pell is currently in Rome and claims he is too ill to fly to front the commission. Comedian Tim Minchin has penned a scathing song slamming the most senior member of the Catholic Church in Australia, calling Cardinal George Pell 'scum' and a 'coward' He has been under fire since allegations emerged about him turning a blind eye to the abuse in Ballarat, in central Victoria. On Tuesday, Minchin took aim at the cardinal and labelled him a 'pompous buffoon'. 'Couldn't you see what was under your nose, Georgie... Is it true that you knew but you chose to ignore or did you actively try to keep it buried?' the comedic singer also asked the cardinal. 'And years later, when survivors, despite their shame and their fear stood up to tell their stories, I mean, with all due respect, dude, I think you're scum.' In his signature tongue-in-cheek fashion, Minchin admits he is not the 'biggest fan' of Pell's religion and did not hold back his feelings by adding: 'I personally believe that those who cover up abuse should go to prison.' He added: 'Your time is running out to atone, Georgie. I think the Lord is calling ya home, Georgie. 'Perhaps he could forgive even you if you just let them know what you knew.' Cardinal Pell is currently in Rome and claims he is too ill to fly to Australia to front the commission Minchin says the song's proceeds will go towards funding trips for child sex abuse survivors to go to Rome and sit in front of Cardinal Pell as he gives his evidence from Rome The song's proceeds will go towards funding trips for child sex abuse survivors to go to Rome and give them the opportunity to sit in front of Cardinal Pell if he gives his evidence via video link. Media personality Meshel Laurie has set up a gofundme page for the campaign and it has raised more than $100,000 in two days. But conservative media personality Steve Price has defended Cardinal Pell against Minchin's musical attack. Appearing on Network Ten's The Project on Tuesday night, the radio host slammed the comedian over his song. Price - who appeared on the panel alongside hosts Carrie Bickmore, Peter Helliar and Waleed Aly - criticised the tune as an 'insult' after it debuted on the program. 'Look, obviously, Tim Minchin feels really strongly about that but I just think it's really disgusting the way he resorted to personal abuse there of George Pell,' Price said. 'To write a song like that and use your talent to just simply abuse someone from a distance, I think is just pathetic. Conservative TV personality Steve Price has come under fire for defending Cardinal George Pell Mr Price appeared on the panel alongside hosts Carrie Bickmore, Peter Helliar and Waleed Aly on Tuesday Mr Minchin labels Australia's most senior Catholic a 'scum' and a 'god damn coward' for not attending the hearing as it 'stinks to the high heaven' 'This is the same Cardinal that came twice to the royal commission and appeared, looked people in the eye who were alleging that they'd been abused by priests. 'He's done it twice and he's convinced the commissioner that he's unwell in Italy and he can't fly. You gonna force this guy to get on the plane? Minchin needs to tone that down... in my view.' But Helliar was quick to respond to the criticism, saying Mr Minchin was entitled to 'a freedom of speech' through his new tune. 'He obviously wanted to make a point about a serious issue, and he's obviously made a point,' Helliar said. But Price responded: 'George Pell said he never knew what was going on in Ballarat. He said persistently under oath.' Following the song's debut, the response has been met with mixed comments on social media, with some throwing their support behind Minchin while others slammed Price's rant. The response has been met with mixed comments on social media, with some throwing their support behind Mr Minchin while others slammed Mr Price's criticism However, many defended Mr Price's opinion on the new song, with some calling it as 'marvellous' Giulio Reginato tweeted: 'Tim Minchin's new song? This that what they mean by "calling a spade a spade"? Brilliant !! ISteve Price what planet r u [sic] on??' Christopher Bendall said: 'Incredible song from @timminchin demanding answers from Cardinal Pell over Church abuse cover-ups.' Paul Lowe posted: 'Steve Price, why are you supporting Pell? Obviously you support the biggest cover up in history by the Catholic Church.' Steves Corner wrote: 'Shocker! Steve Price sticking up for Pell.' Stephen Matthews said: 'Steve Price clearly lives on another planet. Get some perspective mate.' Major search by mountain rescue teams had to be suspended due to 'treacherous' weather conditions on Tuesday Advertisement The hunt for a couple who disappeared while climbing Ben Nevis on a Valentine's trip has been suspended due to 'treacherous' weather conditions. Tim Newton, 27, and Rachel Slater, 24, are believed to have been camping in a green tent below the north face of the Scottish mountain as temperatures plummeted to minus 8C last weekend. Mountain rescue teams started desperately searching for the duo yesterday but adverse weather conditions including 90mph winds and freezing temperatures led to the search being called off early on Tuesday afternoon. It comes as forecasters warned of a sub-zero week with snow expected across the country, including London, and temperatures expected to drop again tonight. Tim Newton and Rachel Slater, pictured together, disappeared while climbing Ben Nevis. They have sparked a major hunt as temperatures dropped to as low as minus 8C overnight The couple, who are believed to have climbed the mountain for a Valentine's trip, camped behind a hut in a green tent (left) on the north side of the mountain. One member of the search party is pictured (right) Mountain rescue teams started desperately searching for the duo yesterday but adverse weather conditions including 90mph winds and freezing temperatures led to the search being called off early on Tuesday afternoon. Above, the Lochaber Mountain Rescue Centre A yellow weather warning has also been issued for Scotland and north west England, with more than 2 inches of rain expected in some places. The warning lasts until 9am tomorrow morning. Searches for Mr Newton and Miss Slater, from Bradford, West Yorkshire, by Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team started on Monday night. John Stevenson, leader of Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team, said the search for Tim Newton and Rachel Slater was unlikely to resume for a couple of days. He said: 'The weather is forecast to be even worse tomorrow with huge dumps of snow. As time goes on hopes are diminishing. 'We just hope they have dug themselves in somewhere but the conditions are among the worst we have experienced for many a year. 'We will never stop looking for Tim and Rachel but it is not looking good. It was really awful on the Ben. We really feel for their families.' Miss Slater's aunt, Jackie Cahill, today added that her niece was an experienced climber who had gone away for the weekend for a Valentine's trip. Ms Cahill, who lives in Australia but is currently visiting the family, said: 'Rachel and Tim are a couple. They had gone to Ben Nevis together for the weekend. I believe it was a Valentine's trip. 'Rachel is an experienced climber. All we can do is wait for news. It is shocking.' She later added: 'My brother has just sent me a text after waking up in Canada saying the latest information is that there is no information. They have 22 people searching there and the weather had gone bad. All we can do is wait.' Above, mist settles over a frosty field in Wimborne, Dorset, on Tuesday morning as rescuers continued to search for the missing couple in Wales A daffodil covered in frost was spotted next to the Thames towpath in Caversham, Berkshire, on Tuesday morning following a dip in temperatures A stunning view of a frosty morning from above Bole Hill Quarry in the Peak District in Derbyshire Icicles hang down from a cliff in Teesdale, County Durham, on Tuesday morning following a bitterly cold night during the current Arctic blast An isolated farm set in a valley in Teesdale, County Durham, was surrounded by snow this morning, with the white stuff expected to reach the south of the country by Wednesday evening One cyclist braves the weather despite Richmond Park turning white following a heavy frost and low temperatures on Monday night A young deer makes its way over the frozen ground on Tuesday morning as temperatures in west London dropped to -4C Geese stand on a frozen lake on Tuesday morning at Cannon Hill Park in Birmingham, West Midlands, as forecasters warned of more cold weather Snow gathers on the top of Old Packhorse Bridge in Carrbridge, the Highlands, as wintry conditions spread towards south east England West Sussex also experienced a light frost on Tuesday morning with the top of Arundel castle just visible above the treeline A woman walking her two dogs makes her way through a frosty field in Bristol on Tuesday morning following freezing temperatures overnight One early morning sunrise picture from Wakefield, West Yorkshire, shows the area waking up to a cold morning frost with beautiful pastel skies Three horses stand in the frost in Wakefield, West Yorkshire, before the rain and snow which forecasters have warned about hit the region A blog written by Miss Slater also revealed she was extremely capable when it came to climbing. She wrote: 'I've been around rocks my whole life as my parents are very keen climbers - most of my childhood was spent scrambling around at the bottom of the cliff with the occasional easy top rope. 'In 2005 my family moved to Calgary, Canada, and in 2007 I joined a youth climbing team at my local wall and in 2008 progressed to the competitive youth team. 'We trained three times a week at 6am and competed locally and nationally throughout the winter. In the summer and school holidays I sport climbed with my family in the Rockies and Western States of America.' Logbook entries for Miss Slater on UKClimbing.com suggest she has conducted a number of climbs with Mr Newton. Meanwhile, numerous messages have been posted on social media from people sharing information and voicing hope that the couple will be found safe. Responding to the rescue team's Facebook post, Tony Walker wrote: 'The missing persons are Rachel Slater (my niece) and her partner Tim Newton. 'Both very experienced climbers. Most likely they are wearing the same clothing as in the photo. Any info greatly appreciated.' On a climbing forum, Patrick Roman said he saw the pair at the weekend. Writing on the forum, he said: 'I was outside the CIC on Saturday morning. There were two people matching the image in the photo. He was wearing a red jacket and she a green and turquoise jacket.' A three-day forecast shows a band of rain moving across the country on Wednesday, with some snow expected on Wednesday night A graphic shows the latest weather warnings with large swathes of Scotland at risk of rain and central England at risk of snow Not so cold: A strong jet stream will bring much milder - but also more unsettled - conditions by the weekend for Britain A satellite image from the Nasa Modis instrument Aqua shows a large low pressure system in the North Atlantic moving towards Britain Thousands of starlings return to their roost for the night at the old Victorian pier in Aberystwyth, Wales, on Monday night Two deer determinedly lock antlers in Richmond Park, west London, on Tuesday morning following a heavy frost overnight The sun rises over four rowers on the Thames in Berkshire following a cold night on Monday. Temperatures are expected to remain low all week A rider exercises her horse at first light on Tuesday as a dramatic sky starts the day over the beach in Saltburn-by-the-Sea A yellow weather warning has also been issued for Scotland and north west England, with more than 2 inches of rain expected in some places. Above, the sun rises behind the pier in Saltburn-by-the-Sea on Tuesday A couple walk through a cold Cannon Hill Park in Birmingham on Tuesday morning as geese struggled to find a gap in the frozen lake A hot air balloon rises above a cold Bristol on Tuesday morning with many people also having to de-ice their cars before driving to work A spokesman at the MetOffice warned that a slow-moving front would make its way across the country over the next few days, bringing with it some rain and snow. They said: 'That will bring some rain for today for western Scotland and north west England. 'Between 0.75ins and 1.5ins of rain is expected with more than 2ins expected over higher grounds. It will be enough - with the ground already saturated - to bring some localised surface water flooding and perhaps some traffic disruption.' The spokesman added that the rain was likely to turn to snow for some areas by Wednesday evening. They said: 'Snow will move further south as the front moves through. We could see snow coming into central areas tomorrow and then as we go through Wednesday night into Thursday we could see some snow even in the south east - London could see a flake or two. 'The Arctic maritime air is bringing polar air behind it. Much of the snow so far this winter has been on the higher level but by Wednesday evening lower levels could see a risk of snow.' Shadow minister Gloria de Piero said PM David Cameron should get his own house in order before attacking others David Cameron was accused of 'rank hypocrisy' today after it emerged the civil service admits fewer black recruits than the top universities attacked by the Prime Minister. Mr Cameron provoked a row last month as he accused Britain's top universities of 'ingrained, institutional and insidious' attitudes that were holding the country back. The Prime Minister, whose attack was also levelled at the Armed Forces and businesses, made his claim in a push on social mobility for black and minority ethnic communities. But it emerged today Britain's Civil Service, for which Mr Cameron is directly responsible as Prime Minister, has a 'less diverse' intake to its Fast Stream graduate recruitment programme. Just 1.8 per cent of black and mixed race people who applied were accepted by Whitehall - compared to 4.8 per cent of white applicants. Shadow cabinet minister Gloria de Piero seized on the new figures, which were published by the Government. She told the Independent: 'It is rank hypocrisy for David Cameron to lecture Britain's universities about their record on recruiting black and working class students, when his own Civil Service fast stream has a recruitment record which is even worse. 'If he really wants to help young people from ordinary backgrounds to get on in life, he can start by putting his own house in order.' The new figures also revealed graduates are much more likely to be accepted to the Fast Stream if they come from professional families. Following the publication into a report into civil service recruitment earlier this month, Cabinet Office Minister Matt Hancock said the Government wanted to roll out 'name blind' recruitment. Mr Hancock said: 'I want to see a Britain where nobody is defined by the circumstances of their birth. To deliver that, public services need to reflect the country that they serve. 'Inequality matters. Countries with higher income inequality have lower levels of social mobility. It's harder to climb the ladder of opportunity if the rungs are further apart. We're going to put more rungs in that ladder. Mr Cameron, pictured in Brussels today, last month hit out at top universities for failing to admit enough black candidates 'I am not prepared to accept unequal access and unequal progress in Britain's top institutions. We will tear down these barriers to fairness for all.' Civil service chief Sir Jeremy Heywood insisted: 'The Civil Service has made great strides in the last few years on diversity, but there is still more to do if it is properly to represent modern Britain. The Bridge Report provides valuable evidence about the socio-economic background of our graduate recruits. 'We have held up a mirror to ourselves and can now see the challenges that we face more clearly and how to overcome them.' Last month, Mr Cameron told The Sunday Times: 'if you're a young black man, you are more likely to be in a prison cell than studying at a top university.' He said universities like Oxford, which he attended, are 'not doing enough to attract talent from across our country.' Of 2,500 undergraduates who started at Oxford in 2014, only 27 were black, he said. Working-class white males are also under represented in higher education. Cameron said the senior ranks of the military and large corporations also were failing to include enough people from ethnic minorities and working-class backgrounds, as a result of 'ingrained, institutional and insidious' discrimination. 'I don't care whether it's overt, unconscious or institutional we've got to stamp it out.' She claims he molested her during sex mob attacks in Cologne on NYE An asylum seeker who allegedly sexually assaulted a teenager during the mob-like attacks in Cologne on New Years Eve has been arrested after his 'victim' spotted him on TV. The Moroccan man, only identified as Taoufik M., 33, appeared on a program about his Fagin-style life heading a gang of pickpockets. His alleged teenage victim saw him on television and recognised him as the man she claims molested her in the west German city. Caught out: The Moroccan man, only identified as Taoufik M., 33, appeared in a TV report titled 'King of the pickpockets' when he was recognised by his alleged victim More than 5 million people in Germany watched the exclusive Spiegel TV report entitled 'King of the pickpockets'. One of them, a teenager from Cologne, later said it had left her speechless - after she claims she recognised him as the man who had put his hand under her skirt on New Year's Eve. The woman had spoken of her shock at being surrounded by a gang of foreigners and said that the man she later recognised on the TV had put his hand under her skirt. She claims she had been targeted by the man and assaulted, but managed to break free. She says he had then chased her and again repeated the assault, before threatening to hit her when she struggled, but that he had been stopped by other men who were with him. His alleged victim, a teenage girl, saw him during his television appearance, and recognised him as the man she claims molested her during the mob-like attacks in Cologne on New Years Eve (pictured) In the interview, Taoufik M. claimed that he had been forced into a life of crime because of his upbringing and only stole to feed himself. However, police has identified him as the boss of a gang of North African thieves and pickpockets who has been arrested 22 times by police for crimes ranging from grievous bodily harm through to organised thievery. At the end of last year, he was given a seven-month suspended sentence for organised theft because of his control of the pickpocketing game. His alleged sexual assault victim has now reported him to police, he has since been arrested and is now in custody. A police spokesman said the man was well-known by the special investigations unit looking at North African crime in Germany known as 'Soko Casablanca'. In the interview talking about his life in Germany he said he had been in the country for two years, and before that had lived in Italy. Police spokesman Markus Niesczery said: 'We're really pleased that the woman recognised the man on television and that she is prepared to testify against him. This is the horrific moment a motorcyclist is hit head on by an overtaking car. Dashcam footage from the car in front of the offending Mitsubishi Adventure shows the moment of impact on the Marcos highway flyover in Baguio City in the Philippines. The people in the car are happily listening to the radio as they drive along the two-way street when they suddenly see a car to the left of them trying to overtake, despite the double yellow lines, as a motorbike hurtles down that side of the road. Overtaking: Dashcam footage from the car in front of the offending Mitsubishi Adventure (left) shows the horrific head on collision on the Marcos highway flyover in Baguio City in the Philippines Head-on: The car tries to overtake, despite the double yellow lines, as a motorbike hurtles down that side of the road Impact: The motorcyclist, on the correct side of the road, crashes straight into the MPV The group shriek in horror as the action unfolds before them. The motorcyclist, who has not been identified, crashes head on into the MPV and is hurled into the windscreen. He spins into the air like a rag doll and his helmet flies off him. He is vertical as his head smacks into the ground before he falls motionless to the tarmac. 'Oh my God! Oh my God' the girls in the car filming scream. However it seems they are not intending to help the injured man as they start to drive off but are hindered by approaching traffic driving towards them. The Mitsubishi Adventure blocks the right lane, in front of the victim's body. Smash: The motorcyclist, who has not been identified, is hurled into the windscreen Upside down: He spins into the air like a rag doll and his helmet flies off him. He is vertical as his head smacks into the ground Landing: He falls motionless to the tarmac. 'Oh my God! Oh my God' the girls in the car filming scream Scared: It seems they are not intending to help the injured man as they start to drive off but are hindered by approaching traffic. The Mitsubishi Adventure blocks the right side lane, in front of the victim's body However another passing motorcyclist stops and comes over to the man. He crouches over him before deciding to approach the motorist. The driver emerges with his hands on his head, whether in injury or horror and shock it is not known. The two talk as the group in the car panic and end the recording. Roman Nuki Santos uploaded the clip to Facebook but did not film the video himself. It has now been shared over 22,000 times. According to FHM, Santos was told by Carlu Bueno, a nurse at Baguio General Hospital that the rider was still alive although he suffered an open arm fracture. The driver's identity is not known either. Good Samaritan: Another passing motorcyclist stops and comes over to the man. He crouches over him before deciding to approach the motorist Advertisement A 15,000 one-bedroom flat in Preston is thought to be one of the cheapest homes available to buy in the UK and it even comes with its own parking space. This second-floor, one-bedroom apartment in Lancashire costs just 15,000 - making it a tenth of the price of the average home in the UK and 5,000 cheaper than the average wedding. It is one of just four properties across the country which are currently on the market and which cost the same amount as a one-off luxury trip to the Maldives. The one-bed flat, which comes with its own parking space, is in a block of 40 and has shared outdoor space. And while the decor might not be to everyone's taste it has been described as the perfect first home to do up to the new owner's satisfaction. The second-floor apartment in Preston 15,000 property would be a steal for those struggling to get on the housing market in Lancashire Unusual: While the apartment's decor might not be to everyone's taste it has been described as the perfect first home to 'do up' Another is in the village of Hawick, a town on the Scottish borders and another one located in a traditional two-storey villa in Dunoon.There is also a third floor flat based in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria. At 2,000 less than the cost of a brand-new Mini, the value of these homes is half that of the average deposit in the UK, which now stands at more than 31,000. Online estate agents HouseSimple.com carried out a survey to find the cheapest homes in the UK as the average UK house price is now just under 300,000. Alex Gosling, from HouseSimple.com, said: 'They may not be much to look at, and they may need a little TLC, but it does seem crazy in this day and age, when the average UK house price is so high, that you can still buy a property for a tenth of that price.' He added starting off in the cheapest property the UK has to offer may not be a bad idea as you could make money on these properties by doing them up. He said: 'Even if you decide these properties are not to your taste, 20,000 could be a very nice deposit towards your dream property.' Loud: The bathroom featureesa striking orange floral tile patterns - and even comes with a handy cove to store your cleaning products Floral: The second-floor property in Preston, Lancashire, is on the market for just 15,000 - which is 5,000 less than the average wedding Surprisingly spacious: The one-bed flat in Preston, which comes with a parking space, is in a block of 40 and has shared outdoor space In December it was revealed there are now only two areas of London where you can buy an average home for less than 300,000. Househunters can still grab cheap property in Barking and Dagenham and Bexley but the dream of owning a house is fast disappearing for the majority of people in the capital. To get on the property ladder in the cheapest boroughs buyers are likely to need at least a 45,000 deposit for a house worth almost eight times the average London salary of around 35,000-a-year. Kensington and Chelsea in West London has been named Britain's most expensive place to live. Just one square metre of property in the Royal borough now costs on average 12,000, according to a report. This is nearly six times the national average of 2,033, and some 2,000 ahead of the area in second place, Westminster. With an average price of 11,635, Kensington and Chelsea tops a list compiled by Halifax of Britain's most expensive place for property on a square metre basis. Might need an update: This compact home costs half of the average deposit in the UK, which now stands at more than 31,000 Worth it: The 15,000 apartment costs just a a tenth of the average UK house price, which is now just under 300,000 One square metre of a property in Kensington and Chelsea costs nearly six times the national average of 2,033. All of the top 10 most expensive areas were in London, with Camden, Hammersmith and Fulham, Islington, Wandsworth and Hackney also on the list. Outside southern England, Altrincham in Cheshire is the most expensive town, with properties costing around 2,446 per square metre. Solihull, Warwick, Leamington Spa, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Harrogate and York were also among the most expensive towns for property outside London on a square metre basis. Home buyers looking to buy more space with their cash might want to consider Aberdare or Merthyr Tydfil in South Wales, Wishaw or Airdrie in Scotland, or head for Accrington or Blackpool in Lancashire, the research suggests. Last year two crumbling terrace houses in the same street went on the market at a combined guide price of 12,000 for both. One of the houses went up for sale at a guide price of 7,000 - and was soon followed by a second just a few doors down in the mining village of Tonypandy in the South Wales Valleys, which went for 2,000 less. A PCSO killed his own son after crashing his car into a tree at 80mph after taking his eyes off the road to watch the toddler play with his toys. Andrew Fox, 26, had been looking at 13-month-old Freddie in the rear view mirror for around five seconds - the equivalent of about 150m - when he was forced to swerve to avoid another vehicle. His Lexus then careered off the M6 motorway, smashing into a cluster of trees. Fox survived the crash but Freddie was injured and died at Birmingham Children's Hospital three days later. PCSO Andrew Fox (left) killed his 13-month-old son Freddie (right) after crashing his car into a tree at 80mph as he watched the toddler play with toys in the rear view mirror The court was told how, before setting off on his journey in December 2014, Fox had adjusted his mirror so he could see his son Freddie but not the road behind him. He later tried to cover up what had happened - by claiming in texts to Freddie's mother that a car had pulled out in front of him - despite knowing 'full well' that he was to blame. Fox, from Binley, Coventry, who is still employed as a PCSO for West Midlands Police and is also a Premier League assistant referee, initially denied causing Freddie's death by careless driving. But, on the first day of his trial at Warwick Crown Court, he changed his plea to guilty. Ahead of his sentencing, the court heard from Freddie's mother Charlotte Jolliffe - from whom Fox had split two weeks before the crash - who described her loss as being 'too much to bear'. In a heartbreaking statement read to the court, she said: 'I will never be blissfully happy again. 'The day that car crashed and killed my beautiful, happy little boy was the day that my life was truly ruined for ever. This is a pain I will carry until my dying day.' Sentencing Fox today, Judge Alan Parker accused the defendant of showing no remorse, telling him that he had given 'little thought about the consequences' of his actions, apart from to himself. The court heard from Freddie's mother Charlotte Jolliffe - from whom Fox had split two weeks before the crash - who described her loss as being 'too much to bear'. Her son is pictured above But the judge spared Fox jail, instead handing him a 12-month community order and banning him from the road for 12 months. He told him: 'Youve shown yourself to be exceptionally selfish, and have given little thought about the consequences of this apart from the consequences to yourself. 'Due to your careless driving you lost control of your car which careered off the road. 'Cars that are being driven carefully do not usually leave the carriageway on a clear motorway; this must have happened due to inattention on your part. 'Even on your own account you took your eyes off the road for five seconds, in which time the car would have travelled at least 150 metres, if not more. 'This led to a catastrophic collision with trees and shrubbery which you survived, but your son Freddie was tragically killed.' He added: 'Freddie was your son, but more especially the adored son of your former partner Charlotte Jolliffe. 'If he had lived, he would have had the incomparable blessing to have been brought up by a most loving mother. She was a perfect mother to a perfect child.' Judge Parker also blasted Fox for failing to admit what had happened immediately after the crash took place. He added: 'You knew full-well you were to blame. 'You told her to go to the hospital, but never told her which one, and she was held up in the traffic which had been stopped for the emergency services to care for Freddie. 'She was then taken by the police to the children's hospital in Birmingham, and Freddie died later. Her pain is incomprehensible and will never go away.' Prosecutor Lee Marklew told the court how the crash took place on a clear day, which would have given Fox a 500m viewpoint he was driving between 70 and 80 mph. He said Fox had picked the toddler up from Ms Jolliffe's home in Rugby, Warwickshire, that morning. Mr Marklew added: 'With nothing immediately in front of him, he spent what he said was no more than five seconds looking in the mirror as Freddie played with one of his toys. After Freddie was born, Fox's colleagues posted this picture on Twitter saying: 'PCSO Fox is now a daddy, meet Freddie everyone' 'When he looked back at the road he suddenly realised there was a car immediately in front of him, and he panicked and pulled the car to the right. 'It careered across the carriageway towards the central reservation where the wheels entered what is known as a 'French drain' of gravel. 'The car then went back across the carriageway and across the hard shoulder and, at some speed, into a number of trees. 'He must have known the peril he was placing himself and the boy in, because five seconds of inattention at that speed equates to the car travelling 155 to 177 metres.' Youve shown yourself to be exceptionally selfish, and have given little thought about the consequences of this apart from the consequences to yourself Judge Alan Parker Ms Jollife read out a statement in court which she tearfully spoke of her loss as being 'too much to bear' - but also of the 35,000 the charity she set up in her son's name has raised for the hospital. Ian Speed, defending, said: 'The thing that stopped him pleading guilty is that he has regarded that he has not himself been thought of as a victim as well, which he clearly is, as are his family. 'It will stay with him for the rest of his life.' A spokeswoman for West Midlands Police confirmed Fox was still employed by the force. She added: 'He did not fit the criteria to be suspended and the force was very sympathetic to the fact he lost a child. 'We do not believe he poses any threat to the force or the public and he is currently still employed by West Midlands Police.' Fox was promoted to the Premier League as an assistant referee at the start of this season. He has been the linesman in several high profile Championship games, including the East Midlands derby between Nottingham Forest and Derby. Fox was given a 12-month community order, 270 hours unpaid work and a year-long driving ban. Blindfolded and pinned down in a chair, a terrified ISIS prisoner prepares to be beheaded with a three-foot sword. These chilling pictures appear to show the captive being executed in the terror group's Syrian capital of Raqqa in front of dozens of onlookers and even young children. As the suspect is held down by a balaclava-clad militant, another masked fighter stands over him with a scimitar poised above his neck. It is not clear what crime the prisoner is alleged to have committed. But the jihadists often sentence victims to death for offences such as spying or blasphemy after 'convicting' them through an Islamic kangaroo court. Barbaric: A prisoner is held down as an ISIS executioner prepares to behead him with a three-foot sword Sickening display of warped justice: These pictures appear to show the captive being executed in the terror group's Syrian capital of Raqqa in front of dozens of onlookers and even young children An ISIS militant speaks into a microphone, possibly to read out the charges against the prisoner In other pictures that emerged online today, another suspect is seen having his hand chopped off with a meat cleaver after being accused of theft. The sentencing, also believed to have been held in Raqqa, is the latest in a string of sickening amputations carried out by ISIS over the last two years. Previous photographs taken in the Iraqi stronghold of Mosul showed in shocking detail how they pump their victims full of drugs before using a massive meat cleaver to cut off their hands. It means the victim is calm prior to, during and immediately after such butchery. Two years ago, ISIS released a document on social media explaining the rules of its penal code, which is being brutally enforced across ISIS-held territory in Syria and Iraq. Entitled 'Clarification [regarding] the Hudud', the document contains a list of the punishments handed out for crimes committed in the Islamic State, in accordance with the extremist group's radical interpretation of Shariah law. In separate pictures, another suspect has his hand chopped off with a cleaver after being accused of theft Maimed: The prisoner's right hand is bandaged. Under its warped interpretation of sharia law, ISIS will chop off an alleged thief's hand, although it is unclear whether the victim can choose which one is removed All punishments are carried out after a 'trial' at an Islamic State court. After the sentencing, the prisoner is taken into the centre of the town or city. Men and young boys of all ages are actively encouraged to gather and watch the punishments. An ISIS fighter then reads out the charges found against the victim before the punishment is carried out. All forms of blasphemy are punished by execution, even if the accuser chooses to repent of their sins. Likewise, committing murder, spying, apostasy or sodomy is punished by immediate death. Thieves have a hand cut off, although it is unclear whether the victim can choose which one is removed. Donald Trump said, yes, he's still mulling a lawsuit over 'liar' Ted Cruz's Canadian birth while the Texas senator continues to whack the billionaire with new attack ads. 'I'm thinking about it very seriously,' Trump told George Stephanopoulos this morning on Good Morning America. 'He was born in Canada. He can't be president because of the fact he was born in Canada. He lived there for years.' Cruz is expected to drop more ads hitting Trump, according to Stephanopoulos. Last night, a spot called 'Chance' hit the senator's YouTube page, which uses a Trump quote 'I'm very capable of changing to anything I want to change to' to characterize the GOP frontrunner as a malleable, formerly pro-choice, politician. 'South Carolina cannot trust Donald Trump,' the ad warned. 'Don't get him that chance.' Scroll down for video Donald Trump (left) campaigned through South Carolina yesterday and called Ted Cruz (right) a 'liar' time and time again. He sent out a statement saying he would sue over Cruz's birth in Canada if the senator doesn't stop lying about Trump's record Yesterday, Trump told the masses he wanted to sue the 'totally unstable' Texas senator over Cruz's Canadian birth, unless he received an apology for similar attacks. Trump also pointed fingers at the Republican National Committee, saying that if the party's governing body doesn't intervene, that pledge he signed to support the GOP nominee is null and void, which could open the door for a Trump third-party run. 'One of the ways I can fight back is to bring a lawsuit against him relative to the fact that he was born in Canada and therefore cannot be President,' Trump said of Cruz in a statement, after spending his afternoon in South Carolina labeling the senator a liar more than a dozen times. 'Additionally, the RNC should intervene and if they dont they are in default of their pledge to me,' Trump added. Trump was angry over a number of attacks Cruz had made in recent days, from an ad the Texas senator put out, which uses footage from 1999 to show voters Trump's pro-choice past, to remarks Cruz made on the Sunday shows, remarking that Trump would tarnish the Second Amendment. 'And if Donald Trump becomes president, the Second Amendment will be written out of the Constitution because it is abundantly clear that Donald Trump is not a conservative,' Cruz said, adding that Justice Antonin Scalia's death and the Supreme Court vacancy if caused changed 'the entire contours of this race.' In Mount Pleasant, South Carolina yesterday Donald Trump called Ted Cruz 'the most dishonest guy I think I've ever met in politics' Donald Trump called into CNN to reiterate his comments on Ted Cruz and respond to Cruz saying that Trump sounded 'rattled' Ted Cruz was also in South Carolina this week and used Twitter as a way to respond to Trump's allegations 'The time for the circus and reality show is over,' Cruz said. One of the newer ads, called 'Supreme Trust,' reminds voters that in 1999 Trump said he was pro-choice in an interview with the late Tim Russert. DONALD TRUMP'S 'RESPONSE TO THE LIES OF SENATOR CRUZ' Ted Cruz is a totally unstable individual. He is the single biggest liar Ive ever come across, in politics or otherwise, and I have seen some of the best of them. His statements are totally untrue and completely outrageous. It is hard to believe a person who proclaims to be a Christian could be so dishonest and lie so much. Cruz said I would be appointing a liberal judge when in fact I will appoint a great conservative and I am the only candidate who has gone so far, at the debate, as to suggest two individuals I feel would best represent the conservative values we need to protect: William Bill Pryor Jr. and Diane Sykes. Cruz says I am pro-choice, when in fact I am staunchly pro-life and have been for a long time. Like Ronald Reagan, on many issues, I have evolved. Cruz says I am in favor of ObamaCare, when in fact I have spoken about repealing and replacing this disaster of a system at every speech throughout my campaign and since its inception. Meanwhile, Cruz was responsible for getting Bush to put in the judge that failed to vote against ObamaCare twice. Cruz says I will try to take away your second amendment rights, when I am one of the strongest proponents of the right to bear arms and I say so in every speech that I have made for years. I am a proud member of the NRA and so are my sons. Cruz has become unhinged and is lying with the hopes that his statements will go unchecked until after the election and he will save his failing campaign. In Iowa, Cruz told thousands of Ben Carson voters that Dr. Carson had left the race and to instead vote for Ted Cruz. He apologized when the race was over. Likewise, his fraudulent voter violation form sent to Iowa voters. If Ted is going to continue to lie with such desperation, I have no choice but to fight back. One of the ways I can fight back is to bring a lawsuit against him relative to the fact that he was born in Canada and therefore cannot be President. If he doesnt take down his false ads and retract his lies, I will do so immediately. Additionally, the RNC should intervene and if they dont they are in default of their pledge to me. I am the strongest on the borders and I will build a wall, and it will be a real wall. I am strongest on illegal immigration, strongest on ISIS, strongest on the military and I will take care of our Vets. I will end common core and preserve the second amendment. I will renegotiate our trade deals and bring our jobs back to our country. I am the only person who will Make America Great Again. Advertisement The Cruz spot doesn't show the part of the interview when Trump says, 'I hate it,' talking about abortion, which showed movement on the issue to where Trump is running as a pro-life politician today. The same footage was used in the ad 'Chance,' which was released last night. Trump spent a large chunk of time on the stump yesterday in South Carolina putting Cruz through the ringer. 'I've never met people like politicians, they are the most dishonest people I've ever met,' Trump remarked to supporters in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina. 'Jeb is just Jeb,' Trump said, holding off his complaints about the Bush for the time being. 'But this guy, Ted Cruz, is the most dishonest guy I think I've ever met in politics.' Trump doubled down on his positions on abortion and the Second Amendment. 'I just want to tell you I'm pro-life,' Trump said, jokingly telling his audience that whatever they hear about the billionaire from Cruz, it's actually the opposite. 'The Second Amendment is my thing,' Trump huffed at another point. Besides abortion and guns, Trump called attention to some of the shenanigans that happened in Iowa with Cruz's staffers telling handfuls of caucus goers that Ben Carson, another popular choice among evangelical voters, was on the verge of dropping out. Cruz later apologized to Carson over the phone and again on the New Hampshire debate stage. 'What he did to Ben Carson in Iowa was a disgrace,' Trump said, adding that he was impacted too because Cruz was able to scoot ahead of him and win the Iowa caucuses. Trump came back a week later with a victory in New Hampshire, but he was still bitter about what happened in Iowa. 'If Iowa had any guts, the people from the Republican party, which they don't, they should disqualify him from winning Iowa,' Trump suggested. Trump encouraged his supporters to set the record straight, so that the billionaire wouldn't have to pay for advertising to counter Cruz's lies with just five days to go before South Carolina Republicans vote. He also hinted that he might be considering backing out of the loyalty pledge that he signed and gave to the RNC. He articulated a different reason to supporters not because of Cruz, like he said in his statement, but because the candidates weren't getting their share of the tickets for the debates, which, in Trump's opinion, is what led to him being booed at the last two gatherings. 'The whole room is filled with special interests and donors, which is a disgrace for the RNC,' Trump alleged. The debate's sponsoring parties divvy up the tickets and then the candidates take the rest, with the candidates getting the most they've seen on cycle for Saturday night's debate since only six Republicans are left. 'The RNC better get its act together, because I signed a pledge and the pledge isn't being honored by the RNC,' Trump complained. Moving on from his first event, Trump's campaign sent out the statement promising to sue Cruz over the senator's lies. Ted Cruz defended himself via Twitter suggesting that all he did was articulate Donald Trump's actual policy prescriptions 'Ted Cruz is a totally unstable individual,' it said. 'He is the biggest liar I've ever come across, in politics or otherwise and I have seen some of the best of them.' Trump then held a press conference for reporters and said the same thing. 'He's an absolutely disgusting liar,' Trump said of Cruz. 'And he goes around saying he's a Christian? I don't know, you're going to have to really study that,' Trump said to reporters this afternoon. Cruz took to Twitter to respond. 'You cannot simply scream "liar" when someone points out your actual positions,' he wrote, calling the trend 'curious' in a longer video message about the spat. The Texas senator also said at an event in South Carolina that he had never seen Trump so rattled. Soon after, Trump called into CNN and said that was just not so. 'He doesn't mean that,' Trump said. 'He's says that just for effects. He's the one. He's an unstable guy ... he's just using that expression because he likes it and it's just ridiculous.' See more news from Germany at www.dailymail.co.uk/Germany The signal worker tried to raise the alarm after realising their mistake The controller faces a possible five years in prison if he is prosecuted Investigators believe the controller opened the single line for both trains 11 people died after the two trains collided in Bad Aibling, near Munich The head-on collision between two commuter trains in Germany last week which killed 11 people has sparked a criminal probe after prosecutors said the disaster was caused by a train controller's 'human error'. As well as those killed there were dozens injured when the trains crashed on a single-line track near Bad Aibling near Munich. Chief prosecutor Wolfgang Giese said his office has officially opened a criminal investigation against the 39-year-old railway employee. The man at the centre of the investigation was responsible for controlling signals which allowed both trains onto the same stretch of track. As a result of the mistake, both trains, which were travelling at approximately 60mph, ploughed into each other head-on. Scroll down for video Prosecutor Wolfgang Giese, told a press conference in Bad Aibling, Bavaria today that last week's tragic accident near the town was caused by 'human error' after a controller allowed two trains use the same track 11 people were killed and another 150 wounded after two train collided near Bad Aibling in Bavaria (pictured) Last week's accident is believed to have been caused by human error by a train controller Prosecutors believe the controller made an error and opened the single line to both trains Giese said: 'Had he behaved according to the rules the trains would not have collided.' The man has been questioned on suspicion of negligent homicide, bodily harm and interference with rail traffic. If convicted, he faces up to five years in prison. Giese added: 'There is no evidence of technical problems... Our investigation shows that this was human error with catastrophic consequences.' Giese said the worker had admitted the error on Monday when he was questioned with his lawyer. Giese confirmed that the man was not in custody as his actions leading up to last week's crash were not deliberate. The man, who has not been named by authorities, made an emergency call after realising his mistake, said another prosecutor Juergen Branz. 'But that went unanswered,' he added. Branz said the controller did not have any drugs or alcohol in his system at the time of the accident. He added: 'What we have at the moment is a terrible error in this particular situation.' Branz added: 'He is not well.' He confirmed the railway worker has been taken to a undisclosed secure location in consultation with the defence lawyers. One of the trains derailed in the crash and several wagons overturned after the collision, which took place around 37 miles south of Munich on February 9. The accident took place on a single-track rail, and state-owned operators Deutsche Bahn launched an immediate investigation into the disaster. Each train carried several 'black boxes' which were recovered and interrogated to determine whether either driver was at fault. However, the investigation found that the line's controller opened up the track to the trains heading in opposite directions. Both trains met near a long, sweeping curve which meant neither driver could see the other until moments before impact. Each train was travelling in the region of 60 mph when they collided. Both trains were carrying 'hundreds of commuters when they collided 'head-on' in Bad Aibling, near Munich Both trains were fitted with an emergency system which would apply the brakes if they passed a red light However, because both trains were given green signals, the safety system was not ready to react One of the trains derailed in the crash and several wagons overturned after the collision south of Munich Scene: The horrific train crash took place in Bad Aibling, south of Munich, not far from the Austrian border The rail line is used by commuters going to Munich for work and is usually a large number of schoolchildren, but as German schools are currently on a winter break, there was a limited number of children on board. Police spokesman Stefan Sonntag said two regional trains crashed head-on on the single track between Rosenheim and Holzkirchen shortly before 7am last Tuesday. 'This is the biggest accident we have had in years in this region and we have many emergency doctors, ambulances and helicopters on the scene,' Sonntag said. German news agency Dpa quoted Bernd Rosenbusch, the head of the Bayerische Oberlandbahn, which runs the trains, as saying, 'this is a huge shock - we are doing everything to help the passengers, relatives and employees.' The trains' operator, Meridian, is part of French passenger transport firm Transdev, which is jointly owned by state-owned bank CDC and water and waste firm Veolia. It runs train, tram and bus networks in 19 countries and had revenues of 6.6 billion euros in 2014. A massive rescue operation was launched following last week's horrific impact in Bad Aibling, Bavaria Police in Pennsylvania have begun investigating a vulgar photo that was posted online, showing a male and female student stomping on an American flag and flipping off The shot, which emerged on social media at the weekend, appears to have been taken in a Richland Township classroom. It shows a male student stomping on the flag and a female student flips off the camera and sticking out her tongue. Both the Richland Township School District and Police department have acknowledged the situation and say they're looking into it, WJAC reported. Under investigation: The vulgar photo shows a male student stomping on the flag and a female student flipping off the camera and sticking her tongue out. It was taken in a Richland Township classroom in Pennsylvania Students cannot be punished by law for sending an offensive message, according to legal experts. The only charges that could be brought would be in relation to vandalism, assuming that the flag is school property. 'The Supreme Court made it clear that using the flag as part of a protest, even burning a flag, is protected by the First Amendment,' a legal director from the American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania told WJAC. 'There could not be criminal charges brought against the students.' The photo has been shared thousands of times on Facebook. Parents have been made away of it and are outraged. 'I thought it was disrespectful. It definitely wasn't a representation of what Richland school district is,' said Mindy Wadsworth, a Richland township parent. 'As a parent of a Richland student, I hope that's not how I would hope my child would act.' ''I thought it was disrespectful': Parent Mindy Wadsworth was one of many outraged by the photo last weekend After police looked into the incident, they released a statement saying it is now the responsibility of the Richland Township school district The Richland Township Police Department released a statement about the incident. They said that while they had investigated the photo, it is now the responsibility of the school district. 'The Richland Township Police Department has become aware of a disrespectful picture being passed along through Facebook,' the statement said. Disgraced: Former Captain Edgar Johnson was fired from Emanuel Women's Facility in Georgia in April and arrested in May after being accused of sexually assaulting 13 inmates Several female inmates have filed a lawsuit against the Georgia Department of Corrections accusing a former prison supervisor of rape, coercion and abuse of power. According to the complaint, former Captain Edgar Johnson used his position of authority at Emanuel Women's Facility in Swainsboro to 'intimidate and threaten' inmates into having sex with him against their will. Johnson, 48, was arrested in May 2015 on charges that he groped and fondled more than a dozen women over the course of four years and sexually assaulted some of them. Three of the alleged victims say that Johnson also threatened to extend their sentences, bar them from seeing their children and deny parole, according to the station 11Alive. 'They were sentenced, they were punished, but no judge gave a sentence that they were to be sexually assaulted,' said attorney Eugene Felton, who represents the three former inmates who are plaintiffs in the case, reported Fox 5 Atlanta. In response to the lawsuit, Johnson's attorney, Kendall Gross, said her client has always 'adamantly denied' the allegations against him. 'Furthermore, evidence from the preliminary hearing casts doubt on the claims made by his accusers,' Gross' statement read. 'We look forward to Mr. Johnson's day in court.' Johnson was fired from his job in April amid the allegations and was arrested the following month on multiple charges related to the investigation. He's free on bond. One of the plaintiffs, 35-year-old Casey Mincey, who served a three-year sentence after being convicted of identity fraud, said that during her stint in Emanuel she was assigned to clean the prison's mental health wing, which also housed Captain Johnson's office. Scroll down for video Breaking her silence: Alleged victim Casey Mincey, a former inmate in the Georgia prison, says Johnson raped her six times and then threatened to bar her from seeing her children to keep her quiet Attorney Eugene Felton (center) has filed a civil lawsuit on behalf of Mincey and two other former inmates Daily Mail does not usually name victims of sexual crimes, but Ms Mincey has voluntarily gone public with her allegations hoping to encourage other women to come forward. Mincey, like some of the other alleged victims, recounted how at first Johnson seemed like someone who cared. He said he was a pastor and discussed the Bible with her, and she would share stories about her six children with him, reported CNN. Then in October 2013, Mincey says Johnson began complimenting her on her looks, and before long he was putting his hands on her, giving her hugs and kissing her on the head. Then one day, she said the prison captain was embracing her when he slipped his hands down her pants. The woman claims in the lawsuit that Johnson raped her on six separate occasions. In a bid to prevent her from blowing the whistle on him, she says the high-ranking prison official threatened to bar her from seeing her youngest child and to block her transfer to another facility. Mincey says her forced sexual encounters with Johnson came to an end only after she asked for a different work assignment that took take her away from the mental health wing. One of the other plaintiffs also claimed in the complaint that Johnson used her children to keep her quiet and threatened to subject her to solitary confinement. A third plaintiff said Johnson told her if she spoke out, he would block her early release and hamper her chances of getting out on parole. Another alleged victim who spoke to the Associated Press in July said was 25 years old when she landed behind bars on charges related to an injury her son suffered while with her ex when the boy was supposed to be in her custody. Johnson said he was a pastor and recited passages from the Bible to her. Then, she said, he started telling her how pretty she was, how a girl like her didn't belong in prison. He asked about her family. He was a captain, so he could help her get to a transitional center closer to her children, he told her. 'He got a feel for your story to see what angle he could come at you with,' she said. Her assigned work detail included cleaning his office, but she said he'd summon her more often than needed - up to five or six times a day - sometimes having an officer wake her from a nap to go and see him. He'd give her tasks to keep her in the office or sometimes he'd just have her sit there, she said. He quickly started making sexual comments and brushing up against her in a way that was too familiar, she claims. Mincey and some of the other alleged victims said Johnson forced himself on them in his office located in the mental health wing of the Swainsboro correctional facility (pictured) 'You kind of just blocked it out, thinking: If I can just get out of his office without anything happening, I'll be fine,' she said. 'I guess after a while you just learn to deal with it.' The comments and unwelcome touching continued for about 18 months. Then in April 2013, as she was about to be transferred to a transitional center closer to her family near Atlanta, he forced her to have sex with him five or six times, threatening to stop her transfer if she didn't, she alleged. Johnson continued to contact her for the first six months she was in the transitional center, saying he missed her and that he looked up her photo in her file every day, she said. She never told anyone what was happening, but it was an open secret at the prison, she said. She was afraid of retaliation if she complained because he'd said repeatedly that he basically ran the place. Georgia Department of Corrections spokeswoman Lisa Rodriguez-Presley said at the time that the warden at the prison initiated an investigation immediately after she became aware of the allegations. The women in this case said Johnson forced them to have sex. But even consensual sex between an inmate and a prison employee is illegal. Because inmates are vulnerable to sexual assault both by prison staff and other inmates, Congress in 2003 passed the Prison Rape Elimination Act, which calls for corrections systems to have a zero-tolerance policy on prison rape. The women who say they were victimized by Johnson recall that he compared himself - going by his middle name - to the biblical Daniel in the lion's den, saying he always comes out on top, no matter what he's up against. They use words like 'ruined' and 'broken' to describe how they feel as a result of his alleged actions. When inmates would submit formal complaints about Johnson, the documents would be forwarded to the prison captain, who would then allegedly force other inmate working in his office to dispose of the papers. Plaintiffs' attorney Walter Madison called Johnsons behavior an 'open secret' at the prison and claimed that other officials helped him cover up his misdeed. When one female corrections officer attempted to speak up on the inmates' behalf, according to Madison, Johnson had her removed from the prison. Prince William today gave a strong signal that he wants Britain to stay in the European Union, telling civil servants that uniting with international allies was the 'bedrock of our security and prosperity'. In an intervention that is likely to infuriate Eurosceptics, the Duke of Cambridge said Britain had long been an 'outward looking nation' and said the 'ability to unite in common action with other nations is essential' in an 'increasingly turbulent world'. And he all but named the EU as he referenced international organisations such as the United Nations, Nato and 'elsewhere' as institutions that help Britain affirm its 'commitment to working in partnership with others'. Prince William's comments echo the Queen's extraordinary intervention in the days before the Scottish referendum, telling Scots to consider 'carefully' whether they want to leave the United Kingdom. Scroll down for video Prince William, pictured, told junior diplomats at the Foreign Office today that Britain had been an 'outward looking nation' in a strong signal he is backing Britain's continued membership of the European Union The comments from Prince William, pictured with Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond at the Foreign Office today, echoed the Queen's extraordinary intervention before the Scottish referendum when she told Scots to think 'carefully' about whether they wanted to leave the United Kingdom And last year Her Majesty called for unity in Europe as she addressed a state banquet in Berlin last summer, suggesting the monarchy does not plan to observe the usual electoral impartiality ahead of the In-Out referendum, which is expected to be held in June. Presenting awards to members of the Foreign Office's Diplomatic Academy, Prince William said today: 'For centuries, Britain has been an outward looking nation. Hemmed in by sea, we have always sought to explore what is beyond the horizon. 'That sense of mission and curiosity is something that I know continues to drive our economy, our cultural and educational exports and our Armed Forces and Diplomatic Service. 'And wherever we go, we have a long and proud tradition of seeking out allies and partners. 'In an increasingly turbulent world, our ability to unite in common action with other nations is essential. The Duke of Cambridge told junior diplomats in the Foreign Office that our partnerships with other nations was the 'bedrock to security and prosperity' Other political issues Prince William has been vocal about include the campaign against the illegal trade of rhino and elephant horns. Above, the Duke of Cambridge is pictured feeding a five-year-old black rhino in a Wild Animal Park in Port Lympne, England. 'It is the bedrock of our security and prosperity and is central to your work. Right now, the big questions with which you wrestle in the UN, NATO, the Middle East and elsewhere are predicated on your commitment to working in partnership with others. 'I know from my own experience how important that is. A subject that is close to my heart, the illegal trade in ivory and rhino horn, cannot be solved without nations working together in new ways.' Prince William's comments today signal that he could follow in the footsteps of his father, Prince Charles (pictured) by seeking a more influential role in contemporary political debate His comments are being interpreted by campaigners as a rare foray into politics and signal that he could follow his father's tendency to seek a more influential role in contemporary political debate. Prince Charles has never been too far from political controversy, with recently published letters he sent to ministers, known as the 'spider memos,' revealing the future heir to the throne was able to wield influence over government policy on a wide range of issues. Among the issues he discussed with senior ministers included government policy on alternative medicines, the badger cull, cuts to armed forces' equipment, the national curriculum and bizarrely, he demanded that the Patagonian Toothfish be made a 'priority'. Pro-EU campaigners were quick to welcome his comments, with the Britain Strong In Europe campaign saying his remarks showed that 'people from all walks of life are getting behind the campaign for Britain to stay' in the EU. However a Kensington Palace spokesman said the Duke's speech was 'not about Europe' and insisted he had not expressed a political view. A Royal source said: 'Talking about "working in partnership" and "our ability to unite in common action" is not expressing a political view. 'The speech was praising the work of young diplomats around the world on behalf of the British public. 'He did not mention the EU once and any suggestion that he was referring to Britain's EU membership is completely unfounded.' Prince William's speech was condemned by republicans, who accused him of making a 'deliberate political intervention that politicises the monarchy'. Prince William, pictured giving a speech at the Foreign Office today, all but named the EU as he referenced the UN, Nato and 'elsewhere' as institutions that help Britain affirms its 'commitment to working in partnership with others'. But Kensington Palace insisted his speech was 'not about Europe' Prince William's speech was condemned by republicans, who accused him of making a 'deliberate political intervention that politicises the monarchy' The Duke of Cambridge was accused of working in cahoot with the Prime Minister with his comments today Graham Smith, chief executive of campaign group Republic, said: 'The palace knows what it's doing, they would have known how these comments would be interpreted. These comments were clearly aimed at supporting the government's position. 'This fits a pattern of behaviour last seen in 2014 when the Queen interfered in the Scottish referendum. Carefully worded phrases they can quickly row back from the moment the story breaks. 'This begs the question whether there have been discussions between Number 10 and the palace, where the royals are asked to publicly support the government line. 'The myth of the non-political monarchy is unravelling and that poses real risks for the royals. A lot of people opposed to the EU will be angered by this latest royal intervention.' Meanwhile Eurosceptics claimed Prince William's comments signalled that he did not value the EU. Liz Bilney, chief executive of the Leave.EU group, said: 'His Royal Highness's talk to diplomats about maintaining partnerships as crucial to our country's interests is of course right, but it is taking a leap to suggest that this means we have to stay inside a failing institution like the European Union that does not always represent our interests or our views. PRINCE WILLIAM'S INTERVENTION IS A RARE FORAY INTO POLITICS Prince William, pictured feeding carrots to an elephant in China as part of his campaign against the illegal trade of ivory, prefers to focus his energy on humanitarian and environmental causes Prince William's intervention in the EU referendum campaign today is a rare foray into a current political campaign for the Duke, who prefers to focus his efforts on charity, humanitarian and environmental causes. He has played a growing role in the Tusk Trust since he joined as a patron at the age of 23, travelling across Africa to promote the conservation of wildlife. In particular he has concentrated on fighting against the illegal trade of rhino and elephant horns and risked causing a diplomatic row by telling Chinese citizens to stop buying illegally traded wildlife products just hours before the high profile state visit to the UK of China President Xi Jinping. Princess Diana exposed Prince William and his brother Harry to charitable campaigns early on in their lives. In the mid-1990s she took her two sons to visit shelters and clinics for those suffering from HIV/AIDS. It instilled a strong humanitarian interest in the future King. Today's comments by Prince William signal that he could follow his father's tendency to seek a more influential role in contemporary political debate. Prince Charles has never been too far from political controversy, with recently published letters he sent to ministers, known as the 'spider memos,' revealing the future heir to the throne was able to wield influence over government policy on a wide range of issues. Among the issues he discussed with senior ministers included government policy on alternative medicines, the badger cull, cuts to armed forces' equipment, the national curriculum and bizarrely, he demanded that the Patagonian Toothfish be made a 'priority'. Advertisement 'Commentators with a keen eye might have noticed that he listed organisations he presumably felt valuable, such as Nato and the United Nations, but did not explicitly state the European Union. 'I could just as easily claim that this commission signalled Prince William believes we should not give any importance to the EU, but I would not wish to be so presumptuous.' And Eurosceptic Tory MP Andrew Bridgen told MailOnline that Prince William was right about the importance of alliances. He said: Great Britain outside of the EU would have much more opportunity to forge links with the rest of the world. His comments come as the EU referendum debate heats up. Actress Emma Thompson also made an intervention today, urging voters not to fall back to its 'cake-filled misery-laden grey old island'. The Harry Potter actress described living in 'a tiny little cloud-bolted, rainy corner of sort-of Europe ... a cake-filled misery-laden grey old island'. Asked how she would vote in the upcoming referendum, she said: 'I feel European even though I live in Great Britain, and in Scotland as well. 'So of course I'm going to vote to stay in Europe. Are you kidding?' The remarks at the Berlin Film Festival sparked an immediate backlash from campaigners who want Britain to quit the EU who condemned the movie star for 'doing our country down'. Stuart Jackson, the Tory MP for Peterborough: 'I really couldn't give a monkeys what overpaid Leftie luvvie Emma Thompson thinks about Brexit.' And Tory MEP Daniel Hannan said: 'In what sense is Britain a 'tiny little island', Emma Thompson? Geography? Economics? Diplomatic reach? Which are the bigger islands?' Ms Thompson's comments stand in stark contrast to those of her fellow movie star Michael Caine who last month endorsed the campaign to get Britain out of Europe. Speaking in front of an audience including David Cameron, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and the German president Joachim Gauck in June 2015, the Queen said: 'In our lives, Mr President, we have seen the worst but also the best of our continent. 'We have witnessed how quickly things can change for the better. But we know that we must work hard to maintain the benefits of the post-war world. 'We know that division in Europe is dangerous and that we must guard against it in the West as well as in the East of our continent. That remains a common endeavor.' A year earlier - in September 2014 - Her Majesty made a carefully choreographed and highly symbolic appearance at a final church service in Scotland on the Sunday before the independence referendum and told a member of the public: 'I hope everybody thinks very carefully about the referendum this week.' Prince William's intervention today came as the Prime Minister held back to back meetings with senior MEPs and other Brussels officials today as he continues a diplomatic push to complete his deal that he hopes will be finalised at a crunch summit in Brussels this week. He suffered another setback today as the president of the European Parliament warned him that while MEPs would work with the 'framework' agreed by EU leaders there were 'no guarantees' about the deal. Martin Schulz said like any parliament it was impossible to pre-empt a vote but promised 'constructive' work on Britain's final agreement, which is expected to be concluded at an EU summit on Thursday. But with the formal start of the referendum campaign apparently just day away, he is already facing claims the agreement has been watered down even further as the Czech Republic became the latest nation to demand child benefit curbs only apply to new migrants. The EU's 28 national leaders will meet in Brussels on Thursday and Friday when Britain's renegotiation will be top of the agenda. If Mr Cameron can secure agreement at the summit, he will return to London on Friday to kick-start a four-month EU referendum campaign, with June 23 expected to be the date for the vote. Emma Thompson kicks off luvvie campaign to keep UK in the EU and not retreat to our 'cake-filled misery-laden grey old island' Emma Thompson today intervened on Britain's future in Europe by urging the UK not to fall back to its 'cake-filled misery-laden grey old island'. The remarks at the Berlin Film Festival sparked an immediate backlash from campaigners who want Britain to quit the EU who condemned the movie star for 'doing our country down'. Ms Thompson's remarks stand in stark contrast to those of her fellow movie star Michael Caine who last month endorsed the campaign to get Britain out of Europe. The Harry Potter actress described living in 'a tiny little cloud-bolted, rainy corner of sort-of Europe ... a cake-filled misery-laden grey old island'. Asked how she would vote in the upcoming referendum, she said: 'I feel European even though I live in Great Britain, and in Scotland as well. 'So of course I'm going to vote to stay in Europe. Are you kidding? 'Oh my God, of course. It would be madness not to. It's a crazy idea not to. 'We should be taking down borders, not putting them up.' Ms Thompson made the comments while promoting new film Alone In Berlin at a press conference in the German capital on Monday. Stuart Jackson, the Tory MP for Peterborough, immediately hit out at the claims. Emma Thompson's intervention sparked a fierce backlash from Brexit campaigners. Daniel Hannan questioned in what sense Britain was a 'tiny little island' Meanwhile Tory MP Stewart Jackson insisted he 'couldn't give a monkeys what overpaid leftie luvvie Emma Thompson thinks about Brexit He said: 'I really couldn't give a monkeys what overpaid Leftie luvvie Emma Thompson thinks about Brexit.' Steve Baker, chairman of Leave group Conservatives for Britain, added: 'It's always incredibly disappointing to see a star doing our country down. 'We are much greater than this.' Tory MEP Daniel Hannan said: 'In what sense is Britain a 'tiny little island', Emma Thompson? Geography? Economics? Diplomatic reach? Which are the bigger islands?.' Last month, Sir Michael Caine insisted Britain was better off out. He said: 'Unless there is some extremely significant changes, we should get out.' The actor also dismissed claims that Britain would struggle without the economic power of the EU, saying it could be 'scary' but Britons would 'work harder and try harder' to be a success on our own. Mr Caine's intervention is a huge boost for the Out campaign and his is the biggest name to speak out in favour of cutting ties with Brussels. Sir Michael told the BBC: 'To me, you've now got in Europe a sort of government-by-proxy of everybody, who has now got carried away. Pressed on his preference, he said: 'I sort of feel certain we should come out.' A former Miss Australia allegedly snorted cocaine and discussed money laundering in front of hidden police cameras. The allegations come after model Felicia Djamirze, 28, claimed she was severely injured by police while she was in bed with her alleged bikie associate fiance, Dean Grant O'Donnell, 35. O'Donnell is accused of being behind the sale of methamphetamine, known as the drug ice, in Hervey Bay and Maryborough, north of Brisbane, which led police to investigate using hidden cameras, tapped phones, tracking devices and surveillance, The Courier Mail reported. Model Felicia Djamirze (right) and her fiance Dean O'Donnell (left), an alleged Rebels bikie, were part of a major police investigation which including hidden cameras, tapped phone, tracking devices and surveillance 'Don't be dropping coke on the floor or the dogs will lick it up or snort it,' Djamirze allegedly said The couple had allegedly been caught snorting a white substance on more than one occasion, and in one incident, Djamirze became concerned her dogs would accidentally consume cocaine after it had fallen to the kitchen floor. 'Don't be dropping coke [cocaine] on the floor or the dogs will lick it up or snort it,' Djamirze allegedly said. O'Donnell is an unemployed bodybuilder, and Djamirze has posted several photographs of her French bulldog and chihuahua on Facebook. Police claimed they found Louis Vuitton dog collars and a $2,100 Versace man purse at the home. Djamirze allegedly said on one occasion while snorting a white powder she had 'worked out what' O'Donnell did. They then discussed how he had spent $5,000 a night 'like it was nothing'. It is reported the couple also discussed the drug trade and laundering money. O'Donnell also allegedly injected steroids at his home on a number occasions. One of the dogs owned by Djamirze. Police claimed they found Louis Vuitton dog collars and a $2,100 Versace man purse at the home Djamirze allegedly said on one occasion while snorting a white powder that she'd 'worked out what' O'Donnell does O'Donnell also allegedly injected steroids at his home on a number occasions Daily Mail Australia has contacted Djamirze's lawyer Chris Ford in relation to the allegations made in the newspaper. Police also allege O'Donnell had hid a handgun and shotgun in coolers under bark and branches in the bush. The 35-year-old had previous convictions for the illegal possession of firearms. The couple were sleeping inside a Susan River home, north of Brisbane, when Djamirze claims officers threw 'flash' grenades into the bedroom last week. She said she had been left with third-degree burns after one of the grenades blew up in her face. Djamirze was still in hospital on Monday night, and claimed she was also at risk of losing sight in her right eye. Judging from her Facebook, Djamirze appears to be a dog lover and has owned a French bulldog and a chihuahua Here she is pictured with her chihuahua who appears in many other photos on Facebook Djamirze posted a photo of a Louis Vuitton bag with her initials emblazoned on the tag A photo back in May 2014 of Djamirze competing as Miss Australia International She said she had two surgeries to repair her 'melted' hands, and is considering taking legal action. During the early morning raids last week on a handful of homes, police say they found 2kg of the drug ice, meth oil and steroids, according to a Queensland Police statement. Police allegedly uncovered seven high-powered illegal weapons and two silencers. Police also seized property to the value of $600,000, which included a residence and motor vehicles, during the raid on the Susan River home. At the time of the raids, Detective Senior Sergeant Dave Briese said the seizure of 2kg of ice meant 'a great deal to the community'. 'That's a minimum of 20,000 hits of ice that is not making its way into our community,' Det Snr Sgt Briese said. In January, she got engaged to O'Donnell who gave her this ruby ring she wears on her right ring finger because she's Russian Orthodox Djamirze was still in hospital on Monday night, and claimed she was also at risk of losing sight in her right eye. She said she had two surgeries to repair her 'melted' hands, and is considering taking legal action The model and first-year law student at the University of Western Sydney was charged with drug trafficking and O'Donnell was charged with both drug and weapon offences. He was remanded in custody and will appear for a committal hearing on April 14 at Hervey Bay Magistrates Court. Djamirze has denied the charge against her, with her lawyer adding police had not allowed her to see her injuries and police had not allowed her to see her injuries and paramedics did not show up at the scene for 40 minutes. 'The police treated this like a military operation which was entirely unnecessary,' Mr Ford told Daily Mail Australia. 'There was a high level of both physical and electronic surveillance. The police must have known my client was sleeping in a confined area when they tossed the stun grenade into her bedroom.' He also told The Courier Mail that 'police rode in like cowboys [and] nearly killed my client'. Mr Ford added Djamirze was suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. Since the incident, the model has started a gofundme page to raise money for burns and trauma patients. Djamirze is a motivational speaker for an organisation she founded called Dream Formal that promotes 'confidence and self-esteem' by giving under-privileged women the chance to have a full formal experience. Police have swooped on ISIS-linked terror cells in Belgium and Germany today, arresting at least 10 people said to have been recruiting for ISIS. Belgian police arrested people in the Brussels area who were allegedly part of a network recruiting people to fight with the terror group in Syria, prosecutors said. They were caught in raids in several areas of the Belgian capital, including the Molenbeek quarter where several of the key suspects in the November Paris attacks lived. Scroll down for video Police and army members patrol Brussels in the wake of the Paris attacks last year, where raids today netted 10 people police say were recruiting for ISIS The federal prosecutor's office said however that the arrests were not linked to the Paris bomb and gun attacks, claimed by ISIS, which left 130 people dead and hundreds injured. 'The raids were carried out as part of an investigation into a recruitment network linked to Islamic State. 'The investigation helped determine that several people had travelled to Syria to join Islamic State.' The raids were ordered by a counter-terrorism judge in the eastern city of Liege who will decide later in the day whether to continue holding the suspects, the statement said. Investigators were studying mobile phones and computer equipment seized in a total of nine raids across Brussels. Today German police raided several homes linked to an Islamic extremist group in the northern city of Bremen. The dpa news agency reported that the raids early today followed a decision by the city-state's top security official banning the group Islamischer Foerderverein Bremen. It is considered the successor to a previously banned extremist organisation whose members had fought for ISIS in Syria. Authorities planned to hold a news conference about the raids later today. The mastermind of the Paris terror attacks, Abdelhamid Abaaoud (pictured), was a Belgium-born Morrocan Belgium has produced more jihadist fighters relative to its population than any other country in Europe, with some 500 believed to have gone to fight in the Middle East. Belgian police are holding nine people in connection with the November 13 attacks in Paris as it emerges that the onslaught was largely organised and coordinated from Belgium. Three others were released but remain charged in connection with the attacks. Thirty-one people went on trial yesterday in Brussels - half of them in absentia - on charges they belonged to a 'terrorist group' that recruited for ISIS and other groups in Syria between 2012 and 2014. One of those present, Khalid Zerkani, was sentenced last July to 12 years in jail for encouraging people to go to Syria in connection with another network. For more on the migrant crisis visit www.dailymail.co.uk/migrantcrisis Austria has reported a spike in crime after Germany began turning away hundreds of asylum seekers from its border. Some areas have been described as no-go zones, especially for women, with one teenage girl saying she was now 'terrified' to leave the house. Passengers are also asking officials to accompany them onto platforms at one major train station because they fear being attacked. According to the latest reports, one in 10 of those trying to reach Germany are being sent back and are now stranded in Austria. Migrants wait to register at the State Office for Health and Social Affairs (LaGeSo) in Berlin. Austria says it has reported a rise in crime after Germany began turning away hundreds of economic refugees from its border In the northern Austrian town of Scharding, a popular crossing point, officials said 300 people a day were being rejected. Many of these are drifting to other parts of the country like the nearby Linz train station, where police reportedly said many of those causing trouble have come from Morocco. Local media reports that the area has become an almost no-go area. One father has written an open letter to the regional governor Josef Puehringer and to police saying his 16-year-old daughter is scared to go out alone. In the letter, which has gone viral, he wrote: 'My daughter is 16 and is terrified when she has to come through Linz train station in the evening. 'As a result, we have now arranged a travel group with other parents. 'My wife and I went to see it for ourselves. We travelled the same route that our daughter did and we found out that it was even worse than she described. 'There was not a policeman in sight and in a country like Austria it cannot be the case that our children are scared going to and from work.' Migrants wait to be registered at a the reception centre at the Austrian-Slovenian border crossing in Spielfeld Austrian train service security spokesman Joachim Zandl said: 'Especially with late trains, there are increasingly passengers that ask us to accompany them on the platforms because they are afraid.' It comes after Berlin approved a series of measures aimed at making Germany less attractive, particularly to economic migrants. The move includes classifying Morocco, Tunisia and Algeria as 'safe' origin countries a category which means their citizens would not usually gain asylum. Instead they are being sent back to the places where they crossed. Those being turned back at the border also include those who have tried to get into Germany with stolen or fake passports. The German U-turn is a major embarrassment for Austrian Chancellor Werner Feyman who insisted in October that it would not be a problem. In the northern town of Scharding, a popular crossing point, officials said 300 people a day were being rejected by German officials, with many drifting to other parts of the country like the nearby Linz train station He told local media: 'The captain has the ship under control. Angela Merkel keeps her word.' Austria has largely served as a corridor into neighbouring Germany for the hundreds of thousands of people, many of them Syrian refugees, who have streamed into its territory since the two countries threw open their borders to them in September. It has, however, taken in a similar number of asylum seekers to Germany in proportion to its far smaller population, and the coalition government has said it will not be able to cope if the influx continues unabated. With European measures to address the continent's migration crisis facing mounting delays and public support for the far right having risen, Vienna is turning to a 'Plan B' aimed at stemming the flow of people without going through Brussels. Advertisement A female worker uses pieces of wood to shape dozens of traditional Russian felt boots in a small workshop in the little town of Soligalich, Kostroma region, about 370miles northeast of Moscow. Russian towns like Soligalich, which has just 6,000 residents, are struggling to survive as young people leave for the big cities, while the older generations are left behind. Soligalish has almost no industry or modern service sector, and apart from the little Valenki workshop, there is just a small cheese-milk factory, a bakery, and some lumber cooperatives. Kicking it old school: A Russian female worker works on shaping Valenkis - a traditional Russian felt boot worn during winter months Sticking to tradition: Two young girls walk through Soligalich, Kostroma region wearing Valenki, a boot that has been worn in Russia for several centuries The Valenki workshop is at the centre of the town of Soligalich, Kostroma region, about 370miles northeast of Moscow The women working in the Valenki factory are using old methods and machinery which has been in the workshop since it opened in the 1960s. Some 20 women work in the small factory, and are paid around 120-200 euros per month (93.5-156), depending on how many Valenki boots are sold. Valenki making has always been considered a safe business in Russia, because many people in villages prefer to wear them for winter, and as they are not waterproof and are worn out comparativelt quickly, many people buy a new pair each year. The boots are made from raw wool of so-called Romanov sheep and manufacturing takes a couple of days, with a majority done by hand. Small town life: With just 6,000 residents, Soligalich is one of the smallest minucipalities in Russia that still classifies as a town, and the area has almost no industry or modern service sector Keeping it real: The Valenki 'factory' was build in the 1960s and still uses traditional methods and equipment to make the boots Why change: Because the Valenki is made of sheep's wool, it is best work in cold dry weather, as wet snow is soaked up in the boot Rolling in the feet: Two female workers roll out and measure felt for Valenki boots at the small workshop in Soligalich Low risk: Valenki boot production has always been seen as a safe business in Russia, because many people in villages prefer to wear them for winter and - due to the wear and tear - often need to buy a new pair every year The production starts with workers preparing wool leafs from raw wool, after which a special machine helps to makes non-woven wool fabric into rolls. The workers make a 'stocking', which is several times larger then the final product, which is then boiled, making the fabric denser. The boiled Valenki boot is then shaped a a shoe-tree, before drying. However, the Valenki production in Soligalich is at risk, as the younger generation shuns tradition, leaving no one to take over from the ageing workers in the factory. The future of small towns like Soligalich depends on economic and policies of the Russian government,as they fall victim to a relatively fast transition from a socialist economy to a market economy. Done by hand: A pair of Valenki boots costs around 15.50, and are worn in dry snowy weather in Russia Can you felt me: A female worker uses an old machine to prepare wool leafs from raw wool for Valenki boots in the workshop in Soligalich Staying alive: The small factory in provides jobs for about 20 people, who are paid around 120-200 euros per month (93.5-156), depending on how many Valenki boots are sold Former United Nations Secretary Boutros Boutros-Ghali has died at the age of 93. The Egyptian's death was announced by Venezuela's UN Ambassador Rafael Ramirez, the current council president, who asked members to rise for a moment of silence. Boutros-Ghali was the first UN chief from the African continent. He stepped into the post in 1992 at a time of dramatic world changes, with the collapse of the Soviet Union, the end of the Cold War and the beginning of a unipolar era dominated by the United States. But after four years of frictions with the Clinton administration, Washington blocked his renewal in the post in 1996, making him the only U.N. secretary-general to serve a single term. He was replaced by Ghanaian Kofi Annan. Former UN Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali (pictured with former U.S. President Bill Clinton in 1996) has died at the age of 93. After four years of frictions with the Clinton administration, the United States blocked his renewal in the post in 1996, making him the only U.N. secretary-general to serve a single term The current president of the U.N. Security Council, Venezuelan Ambassador Rafael Ramirez, announced Boutros-Ghali's death at the start of a session Tuesday on Yemen's humanitarian crisis. The 15 council members stood in a silent tribute. Boutros-Ghhali died Tuesday at a Cairo hospital, Egypt's state news agency said. He had been admitted to the hospital after suffering a broken pelvis, the Al-Ahram newspaper reported on Thursday. Boutros-Ghali's five years in the United Nations remain controversial. Some see him as seeking to establish the U.N.'s independence from the world superpower, the United States. Others blame him for misjudgments in the failures to prevent genocides in Africa and the Balkans and mismanagement of reform in the world body. In his farewell speech to the UN, Boutros-Ghali said he had thought when he took the post that the time was right for the United Nations to play an effective role in a world no longer divided into warring Cold War camps. 'But the middle years of this half decade were deeply troubled,' he said. 'Disillusion set in.' Former British Prime Minister John Major shakes hands with Secretary General of the United Nations Boutros Boutros-Ghali as they leave Downing Street on the eve of a Summit on Bosnia in July 1995 In a 2005 interview with The Associated Press, Boutros-Ghali called the 1994 massacre in Rwanda in which half a million Tutsis and moderate Hutus were killed in 100 days 'my worst failure at the United Nations.' But he blamed the United States, Britain, France and Belgium for paralyzing action by setting impossible conditions for intervention. Then-U.S. President Bill Clinton and other world leaders were opposed to taking strong action to beef up UN peacekeepers in the tiny Central African nation or intervening to stop the massacres. 'The concept of peacekeeping was turned on its head and worsened by the serious gap between mandates and resources,' he told the AP news agency. Boutros-Ghali also came under fire for the July 1995 Serb slaughter of 8,000 Muslims in the U.N.-declared 'safe zone' of Srebrenica in eastern Bosnia just before the end of the war. In 1999, families of the victims listed Boutros-Ghali as one of the international officials they wanted to sue for responsibility in the deaths. His legacy was also stained in investigations into corruption in the U.N. oil-for-food program for Iraq, which he played a large role in creating. Former Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat talks with Boutrous-Ghali at the United Nations in May 1996 Three suspects in the probe were linked to Boutros-Ghali either by family relationship or friendship. His cousin, Fakhry Abdelnour, is the head of an oil company called AMEP, which was accused of getting oil concessions through the executive director of the oil-for-food program, Benon Sevan. Boutros-Ghali frequently took vocal stances that angered the Clinton administration such as his strong criticism of Israel after the 1996 shelling of UN camp in Lebanon that killed some 100 refugees. In writings after leaving the UN, he accused Washington of using the world body for its own political purposes and said U.S. officials often tried to directly control his actions. He wrote in his 1999 book 'Unvanquished' that he 'mistakenly assumed that the great powers, especially the United States, also trained their representatives in diplomacy and accepted the value of it. But the Roman Empire had no need for diplomacy. Neither does the United States.' His opponents, in turn, accused him of being too sluggish in pushing U.N. reforms. Boutros-Ghali blamed slowness in reform on the lack of money and pointed out that the United States was $1.4 billion in arrears on payments. Noted for his dignified bearing and Old World style, Boutros-Ghali was the son of one of Egypt's most important Coptic Christian families. His grandfather, Boutros Ghali Pasha, was Egypt's prime minister from 1908 to 1910. Born November 14, 1922, Boutros-Ghali studied in Cairo and Paris and became an academic, specialized in international law. Boutros-Ghali, then Deputy Foreign Minister of Egypt, addresses the United Nations General Assembly after being sworn in as the new U.S. Secretary-General in United Nations in 1991 In 1977, then-Egyptian President Anwar Sadat named him minister of state without portfolio, shortly before Sadat's landmark visit to Israel to launch peace negotiations. Sadat's rapprochement with Israel brought harsh criticism from across Egypt's political spectrum. His foreign minister, Ismail Fahmi, resigned in protest at normalization with Israel. So Sadat turned to Boutros-Ghali, naming him acting foreign minister and minister of state for foreign affairs. Boutros-Ghali played a major role in subsequent negotiations that produced the Camp David peace framework agreements in September 1978 and the Egyptian-Israeli peace treaty in March 1979, the first such between an Arab state and Israel. Israelis considered Boutros-Ghali a hawkish negotiator. But he also staunchly defended Egypt's peace efforts against fierce Arab opposition. At one African summit, he sharply retorted to Algerian criticism, saying: 'Algeria wants to fight Israel to the last Egyptian soldier.' President Hosni Mubarak, who succeeded Sadat in October 1981, kept Boutros-Ghali in the same post. But Boutros-Ghlai was never promoted to the post of foreign minister because it was considered too controversial to have a Christian in the key post of a Muslim majority country. After leaving the United Nations, Boutros-Ghali served from 1998 to 2002 as secretary-general of La Francophonie a grouping of French-speaking nations. In 2004, he was named the president of Egypt's new human rights council, a body created by Mubarak amid U.S. pressure on Arab nations to adopt political and democratic reforms. The performer, who works under the name Freddy Fusion, has been suspended from his job as a result of the allegations Pogson is held on $20,000 bail in Orange County Jail for sexual battery She claims she woke to find Pogson on top of her, sexually Charges against Andrew Pogson have been dropped Charges have been dropped against a Disney cruise ship magician accused of sexually abusing a woman while she slept in her Orlando hotel room. Andrew Pogson - who performed under the stage name Freddy Fusion on a Disney cruise ship - was arrested he was accused of assaulting a female friend. The 39-year-old performer had reportedly offered to take the woman, who is not being named, on a Disney Cruise Line vacation, the Orlando Sentinel reports. When she arrived at the Marriott Orlando in Augusta National Drive, the pair shared a bed but she made it clear she only wanted to be friends with Pogson, an arrest report states. The following evening Pogson and the woman went to Epcot where she got drunk. When they returned to the room, she said that she ordered room service and then fell asleep. During the night, she allegedly woke up to Pogson on top of her, sexually assaulting her, she told police. An arrest report states that the alleged victim then ran out of the hotel room into the hallway screaming for help. When Pogson attempted to her approach her, she punched him in the face twice, according to police. Witnesses describe the woman crying 'hysterically' outside the hotel room. They told police she had been drinking heavily during that day. The magician, who is described on his website as part author, inventor, speaker, performer, TV personality, was arrested for sexual battery and was held in Orange County Jail on $20,000 bail. All charges have since been dropped. Pogson has toured nearly 40 countries with his comedy magic show for children and also runs a Freddy Fusion outreach program into U.S. schools. California newlyweds Durga Moparti and Rajesh Gutta are supposed to be on their honeymoon - but instead they have spent the past three days desperately searching for the bride's father, who vanished from the wedding reception Saturday. Prasad Moparti, 55, was last seen by family members walking down a road outside the Grand Island Mansion in Walnut Grove, which served as the setting of his daughter's traditional Indian wedding ceremony. According to relatives, he arrived in California from India about a month ago to walk his daughter down the aisle and was feeling homesick. Mystery disappearance: Prasad Moparti, 55, (center), vanished Saturday afternoon, not long after posing for this picture at his daughter's wedding in Walnut Grove, California 'Homesick': Mr Moparti (left) traveled from India to California in January to walk his daughter Durga (right) down the aisle. The bride says her father was feeling a little homesick and depressed Wedding venue: Durga Moparti and Rajesh Gutta's reception took place at the Grand Island Mansion in Walnut Grove Saturday It sounded like he was a littledepressed, and he wanted to go back to India, Durga Moparti told the station KVOR. Moparti's husband, Rajesh Gutta, said his father-in-law had 'not been doing well' lately. After taking part in the nuptials and posing for pictures with the beaming bride and groom, Mr Moparti told his new son-in-law he was going out for a stroll. He was last seen at around 4pm Saturday walking at a fast pace along Grand Island Road. Neighbors say they saw Mr Moparti making his way toward a nearby bridge. He has not been seen or heard from since. His daughter believes Moparti may have fallen unconscious and collapsed. The family are holding out hope that he will be found alive. Frantic search: The Sacramento Sheriff's Department dive team has been scouring the waters of the Sacramento River in search of the missing man Worried sick: Durga Moparti and her newlywed husband have postponed their honeymoon to take part in the search for her dad Cadaver dogs have been brought in to try and pick up a scent but there has been no trace of Mr Moparti The newlyweds have postponed their honeymoon to San Francisco and are busy scouring the area around the mansion and handing out 'missing' posters. My dad missing is the only thing going on in my head right now - nothing else, said Durga Moparti. The Sacramento Sheriff's Department has launched a search for Prasad Moparti, scouring the Sacramento River by boat. A dive team and cadaver dogs are being used to help track down the missing man. Mr Moparti is described as 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighing 180 pounds. He was last seen wearing traditional Indian dress in brown/gold colored top with a cream-colored undergarment. Relatives say Moparti speaks English well but is not familiar with the Walnut Grove area. Jeb Bush again threw out a theory as to why he's become Donald Trump's favorite punching bag of the Republican field. 'It's because he fears me,' Bush said on CBS This Morning. 'Because I'm the only guy standing up to him.' 'And I'm doing so poor in the polls, according to everybody,' Bush chuckled, suggesting he would perform better than expected in Saturday's South Carolina Republican primary. On a competing morning show, Trump sniffed about Bush bringing out 'the brother,' former President George W. Bush, who participated in his first rally for Jeb Bush last night, as the former Florida governor tries to regain his footing for the White House. Scroll down for video Jeb Bush said the reason he's Donald Trump's favorite punching bag is because the GOP frontrunner 'fears' the former Florida governor On CBS This Morning, Jeb Bush said that Donald Trump 'kind of exploded' during Saturday night's GOP debate when the two fought about George W. Bush's record on terror Trump has been on a tear over George W. Bush's record in recent days. During Saturday night's flamethrower of a debate, Trump blasted Bush for the double sin of having 9/11 occur on his watch and then taking the country to war with Iraq. 'The World Trade Center came down during the reign of George Bush,' Trump said at one point. 'Obviously it was a mistake. George Bush made a mistake, we can make mistakes, but that one was a beauty. We should have never been in Iraq. We have destabilized the Middle East,' Trump said at another. Trump suggested it took Jeb Bush 'five days' during the early months of his campaign to come out and say the Iraq war was a mistake. This morning Trump defended his attacks, suggesting to Jeb Bush that 'you can't bring out the brother' without anticipating being hit on George W. Bush's record. Donald Trump suggested that Jeb Bush (left) couldn't bring out 'the brother,' George W. Bush (right) without expecting to be hit on Bush 43's record, which includes 9/11 and the Iraq war 'He might be a nice person, I don't know,' Trump said of Bush 43. 'I've never met the brother.' During the phone interview, with ABC News' George Stephanopoulos, Trump let up on the charge that George W. Bush lied the country into war. 'I don't know if he lied or not, I just know there were no weapons of mass destruction,' Trump explained. Jeb Bush, on CBS, was incredulous that Trump, the Republican frontrunner, would attack a former Republican president. 'He is basically mirroring the words of Michael Moore in a Republican primary,' Jeb Bush said. 'It's kind of weird. It's kind of weird altogether.' 'I think he got angry on Saturday and just kind of exploded,' Bush added, referring to the Republicans' contentious debate. Bush also labeled this campaign cycle 'a little crazier' because of technology and Trump 'filling the space with vitriol and hatred and division.' 'I think he is a master at manipulation,' Bush huffed. 'And I find it amusing on one level that he constantly attacks me. I'm his primary target.' But with Trump being so successful at labeling Bush 'low energy' early on, host Gayle King questioned whether it might be better to turn the other cheek. 'Yeah, I've thought that,' Bush mused. A 36-year-old woman and her teenage daughter found dead inside their Florida home on Monday were murdered, police say. Detectives say Maria Sanchez and her 16-year-old daughter, Destiny Banuelos, lived in the Pine Hills home with an unidentified man, who discovered the bodies. The man left early in the morning on Monday and returned to the house around 2.30 p.m. to find the women dead, officials said. Police have confirmed that both the victims were shot dead, Fox 35 reported. Scroll down for video Double murder: Investigators say Maria Sanchez, 36 (left), and daughter Destiny Banuelos, 16 (right), were found dead Monday in their house in Pine Hills, Florida. No arrests have been made Scene: Police were called to the house - which was without electricity - about 2.30 p.m. by a man who lived there with the two victims. His relationship to the pair is unclear The mother and daughter were discovered with gunshot wounds at around 2.30pm by a man they lived with There was also no sign of a break-in at the home. However officials say the house was without electricity. The man who found the bodies is cooperating with police, but is not under arrest. 'This is not a neighborhood that typically has this type of violent crime,' said Orange County sheriff's spokeswoman Jane Watrell. However, outside of Pine Hills, this is the fourth double homicide this month in Orange County. Watrell said: 'We are working to confirm the identities and notify the next of kin. 'That's about as specific as I can be at this time.' Detectives are interviewing friends and relatives of the victims to try and determine a possible suspect, Watrell added. Deputies sealed off the street with yellow tape and crime scene experts photographed the scene inside The Sheriffs Office said the man who discovered the two bodies is cooperating with detectives A GoFundMe account was set up by family members to help cover the funeral costs of the two victims, who did not have life insurance, according to the fundraiser page. The page also said that Sanchez has four other children: Johnny, 18, Valerie, 12, Cristal, 10, and Michael, 9. The younger children are being cared for by their father. 'We sit confused how such an awful thing could happen yet we are trying to be patient as the detectives continue to investigate and search for the person responsible for their deaths,' the post said. Sabrina Megel, who lives on the street, told Click Orlando: 'I was scared, I didn't know what was going on. I wasn't home and when I came home, I saw all these cops.' Megel said she was greeted by detectives blocking off her street. 'My sister called me screaming on the phone saying, 'Something happened. Something happened.' Scalia was appointed to the nation's highest court in 1986 by then-President Ronald Reagan and had been the longest-serving justice Justice Antonin Scalia's courtroom chair on Tuesday was draped in black to mark his death as part of a Supreme Court tradition that dates to the 19th century. Scalia died Saturday at age 79, of an apparent heart attack while on a hunting trip in Texas. He was appointed to the court in 1986 by then-President Ronald Reagan and had been the longest-serving justice. He sat to the right of Chief Justice John Roberts, the seat given to the senior justice. Scroll down for video Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia's courtroom chair is draped in black to mark his death as part of a tradition that dates to the 19th century on Tuesday Mark of respect: As the senior Supreme Court judge, Scalia's chair sat to the right of Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts Scalia, 79, was found dead on Saturday in his hotel room at a Texas ranch where he was staying for a hunting trip. Pictured above in October 2010 The entrance to the marble courtroom and the mahogany bench in front of Scalia's chair also have been draped with black wool crepe. Bringing out the black mourning drapery has become a rarity in recent Supreme Court history. Scalia's death marks only the second time in more than 60 years that an active justice has died. The last was Chief Justice William Rehnquist in 2005. Scalia's body is now at the Fairfax Memorial Funeral Home in Fairfax, Virginia. Assistant manager Bob Gallagher said the body arrived on Sunday night and that there will be no autopsy before burial. His body will lie in repose on Friday in the Great Hall of the Supreme Court, sources familiar with the plan told NBC News on Tuesday. The sources added that on Saturday, devout Catholic Scalia's funeral will be held at 11am at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. Scalia was found dead in his hotel room - with a pillow on top of his head - at a remote Texas ranch. Presidio County Judge Cinderela Guevara declared that Scalia died of natural causes, but she did so by telephone, based on information from law enforcement personnel at the scene. The procedure is allowed under Texas law. People pose for a picture as the bench of late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia is seen draped with black wool crepe in memoriam inside the Supreme Court in Washington February 16, 2016 Devout Catholic Scalia's body will reportedly lie in repose on Friday, followed by a funeral on Saturday News of Scalia's funeral plans comes as the judge who decided no autopsy needed to be done on the justice's body disclosed new details about the 79-year-old's health in the days before he died. Presidio County Judge Cinderela Guevara told The Associated Press on Monday she spoke with Scalia's doctor on the day he was found dead in his room at a remote Texas ranch. She said the doctor told her that Scalia had a history of heart trouble, high blood pressure and was considered too weak to undergo surgery for a recent shoulder injury. Those details are seemingly at odds with recollections of friends who described Scalia as his usual, happy self during the days leading up to his death. News that the 79-year-old justice was in declining health may come as a surprise to the public, but unlike presidents, the high court's members don't provide regular health disclosures. Guevara told the AP that she consulted with Scalia's personal physician and local and federal investigators, who said there were no signs of foul play, before concluding that he had died of natural causes. She said she spoke with a 'Dr. Monahan' at some point after 8pm on Saturday to discuss Scalia's health history. Rear Adm. Brian P. Monahan is the attending physician for members of Congress and the Supreme Court. A Supreme Court spokeswoman could not immediately confirm that Monahan had examined Scalia, and Monahan did not return a phone message left for him at his Capitol office Monday. Scalia's death was a shock to those at the Cibolo Creek Ranch where he died, as well as to the rest of the nation. The owner of the ranch near Marfa, about 190 miles southeast of El Paso, said Scalia seemed normal at dinner the night before he was found 'in complete repose' in his room. John Poindexter told reporters Scalia had arrived Friday and was part of a group of about 35 weekend guests. Scalia retired around 9pm, saying he wanted a long night's sleep, according to Poindexter. Scalia apparently had mentioned to some people at the ranch he was not feeling well, according to Guevara. Bryan Garner, one of Scalia's close friends and the co-author of two books with the justice, said in an interview that Scalia seemed happy and jovial during recent trips to Hong Kong and Singapore in late January and early February. Garner said Scalia never mentioned anything about heart problems or other ailments during the trip. 'He did seem strong as ever,' Garner said. 'He was a very strong man physically.' In the nation's capital, where flags flew at half-staff at the White House and Supreme Court, the political sniping soared over replacing Scalia on the bench, raising the prospect of a court short-handed for some time. President Barack Obama has pledged a nomination 'in due time.' But the Senate's top Republican, Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, thinks it should wait for the next president. McConnell and other Republicans argued that, as a lame duck, Obama should not fill the vacancy created by Scalia's death during an election year. A BBC weatherman has described the moment he wrestled with a 'violent and abusive' woman who attacked his daughters' nursery school - and slammed police for their 'slow response'. BBC Points West weatherman Ian Fergusson, 51, was picking up his two daughters, aged one and three, from nursery in Clifton, Bristol, last night when he was confronted by the woman. He said he had to 'physically blockade' the door to hold back the woman who had apparently attacked the building at random. BBC Points West weatherman Ian Fergusson, 51, (pictured) was picking up his two girls, aged one and three, from nursery in Clifton, Bristol, when he was confronted by the 'maniacal' woman No one was hurt in the frightening incident but Mr Fergusson took to Twitter to accuse police of failing to get to their aid quickly enough. Addressing Avon and Somerset police, he wrote on Twitter: 'Is there an explanation why one hour ago me, my partner, our two very young daughters and two staff had to physically blockade for ten minutes a maniacal, violent and abusive woman trying to forcefully smash down the door of our girls' nursery whilst we were trapped inside? 'Our girls (were) terrified,' he added, saying that an ambulance arrived before police. He added: 'What if she'd had a knife? She wrestled with me and another guy.' Although no one was injured Mr Fergusson and his family were clearly shaken by the incident. He added: 'The girls were upset. They're only one and three. Who needs this cr*p in Clifton after work.' Mr Fergusson said he had to 'physically blockade' the door to hold back the woman who attacked the building Asked by a friend on Twitter if the attack happened because the woman had recognised him Fergusson replied: 'No, just random. Relative of one of the nursery staff arrived to help. 'He got into a scuffle trying to restrain her. She left after.' On Twitter Avon and Somerset police said: 'We are very sorry to hear about this incident and the distress it caused your family. 'If you haven't already, you can make an official complaint and it will be looked into.' An Avon and Somerset Police spokesman said this afternoon: 'We received a 999 call at 7.14pm regarding concerns for the welfare of a woman at a property in the Clifton area. 'We arrived 12 minutes later at 7.26 and the woman was taken to a specialist unit at Southmead Hospital where she could receive the necessary care.' Mr Fergusson is a Fellow of the Royal Meteorological Society and a Chartered Biologist specialising in sharks, particularly species inhabiting the Mediterranean Sea. He presented the BBC One documentaries 'Wild Weather' in 2011 and 2013. A dedicated marine conservationist Mr Fergusson was a founding trustee, inaugural chairman and is now a patron of the Shark Trust, a wildlife charity formed in 1997 and based in Plymouth. An accomplished cellist was arrested on Friday after Oregon State Police pulled him over for speeding and found more than 100 pounds of marijuana in his car. It's unclear what David R. Huckaby, 33, of St Paul, Minnesota was doing in Oregon at the time of his arrest. The Julliard graduate previously played cello in the St Paul Chamber Orchestra, before resigning in July of 2014. Scroll down for video The plastic bags containing marijuana that were allegedly found in Huckaby's car are pictured in front of a state trooper's vehicle. The drugs are said to be worth around a quarter of a million dollars Police say Huckaby was speeding on Highway 140 E near Bly in south central Oregon Friday, around 12:15pm, when they pulled him over. A search of the trunk of Huckaby's Toyota Camry turned up 113 pounds of marijuana in what appears to be plastic bags. While Oregon is one of the few states that has legalized the recreational use of marijuana, Huckaby was carrying way beyond the legal limit for the substance. As of July 1, last year, Oregonians are allowed to possess up to eight ounces of usable marijuana in their homes and up to one ounce on their person. Officials estimate the load found in Huckaby's car to be worth about $226,000. David R Huckaby, 33 (pictured left on Facebook and right in his mugshot), was arrested and charged with unlawful possession and distribution of marijuana Huckaby was arrested and booked on charges of unlawful possession and distribution of marijuana. He remains locked up in Klamath County Jail and is set to appear before a judge for a hearing on Tuesday. Authorities say Huckaby has no known ties to Oregon. A relative anonymously told the Twin Cities Pioneer Press that Huckaby has not lived in St Paul since he resigned from the orchestra there in 2014. Since then he has been living in California where he is a substitute cellist. Huckaby got his master's degree at the prestigious Julliard music school in Manhattan, and then joined the St Paul Chamber Orchestra in late 2009, before taking a leave of absence in May 2013. He officially resigned from the orchestra in July 2014, and since then has also subbed for the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. A former neighbor told WCCO that the arrest was completely out of character for Huckaby. Advertisement Pope Francis has urged priests in the troubled Mexican state of Michoacan to persevere in the face of violent threats posed by drugs gangs and mass corruption in the region. Beginning the fourth day of his visit to Mexico, Pope Francis was greeted by ecstatic priests and nuns in the city of Morelia - home to the incredibly violent Knights Templar cartel - for a Mass at a stadium on Tuesday. He told assembled clerics: 'Faced with this reality, the devil can overcome us with one of his favorite weapons: resignation... A resignation which paralyses us and prevents us not only from walking, but also from making the journey.' Hundreds of people greeted him at the airport and thousands, some of whom had been queuing overnight, cheered as the pontiff, surrounded by heavy security, travelled the five miles into the city. Scroll down for video Pope Francis arrived in the troubled western state of Michoacan to lead Mass at a stadium in the capital Morelia, centre of a drugs war Soon after he touched down, Pope Francis kissed a baby in the Venustiano Carranza stadium in Morelia in Michoacan State, Mexico Religious men move to the music and the crowd joins in as they await the arrival of Pope Francis at Venustiano Carranza stadium in Morelia The pontiff was greeted by priests and nuns in Morelia - home to the incredibly violent Knights Templar cartel - for a Mass in the stadium Pope Francis arrives to celebrate mass at Venustiano Carranza Stadium in Morelia during the fourth day of his visit to Mexico Nuns attend a mass celebrated by Pope Francis in Venustiano Carranza stadium, Morelia during the fourth day of his visit to Mexico Michoacan has endured some of the most gruesome episodes of Mexico's drug war, which has left 100,000 people dead or missing in the past decade. Around 40 clergymen, seminarians and Catholic lay people were killed in that span, including five in Michoacan, according to the Catholic Multimedia Center. One priest celebrated mass wearing a bulletproof vest in Michoacan. The Pope's visit was also a symbolic vote of confidence for the city's archbishop, Alberto Suarez Inda. Like Francis, Suarez Inda has called for Mexican bishops to be closer to their people and not act like bureaucrats or princes. Last year Francis made him a cardinal - an unambiguous sign that Francis wants 'peripheral' pastors like him at the helm of the church hierarchy. The trip will give him a chance to send a message about his vision for the future of the Mexican church and some are expecting a tough message like the one he delivered to the country's bishops on Saturday. In Morelia, 20-year-old seminarian Uriel Perez said that message was meant for the rest of the church too. He said: 'The pope is demanding and wants us to be prepared and in the streets, shoulder to shoulder with our flock.' Thousands of people queued up overnight along the five mile route from the airport into the city to catch a glimpse of the pontiff Pope Francis was greeted on the red carpet by local officials as he arrived at the airport on the penultimate day of his trip Pope Francis is giving Mass for priests, nuns and seminarians in an area where drugs gangs have killed the clergy Pope Francis will use his visit today to push his peace agenda in order to secure the safety of the ordinary people in Mexico More than 2,000 people were at the airport awaiting the Pope's arrival in an area where 100,000 people have been murdered or disappeared Jose Rodriguez, who returned from Los Angeles for the papal visit, said: 'I have faith that things will change after the Pope's visit, that we will realise that violence is not the way to go.' Later, Francis them took his message of hope to Mexico's next generation during a youth pep rally in Morelia, capital of Michoacan state, a major methamphetamine production hub and drug-trafficking route. It was by far the most colorful event of his visit, featuring butterfly-winged dancers and mariachi bands - and a crowd so enthusiastic that Francis got pulled over by people grabbing at him. Later in the day, Francis attended a youth rally at the Jose Maria Morelos y Pavon Stadium in Morelia, where young people were eager to snap pictures of the Pontiff The rally was by far the most colorful event of his five day visit to Mexico and it featured butterfly-winged dancers and mariachi bands The Pontiff is cheered by youths as he takes to the stage at the rally, where he warned young people not to lose themselves in the drug trade Improvising at times from his text, he told the crowd that he understood that for young Mexicans it was difficult to feel their worth 'when you are continually exposed to the loss of friends or relatives at the hands of the drug trade, of drugs themselves, of criminal organizations that sow terror.' But, he insisted, by following Christ they would find the strength to say 'it is a lie to believe that the only way to live, or to be young, is to entrust yourselves to drug dealers or others who do nothing but sow destruction and death.' Francis offered a similar appeal to Mexican priests and nuns during a Mass earlier in the day in a Morelia stadium. There, he told the country's clerics that they must fight injustice and not resign themselves to the drug-fueled violence and corruption around them. 'What temptation can come to us from places often dominated by violence, corruption, drug trafficking, disregard for human dignity and indifference in the face of suffering and vulnerability? What temptation might we suffer over and over again when faced with this reality, which seems to have become a permanent system?' Francis asked. Later while greeting fans at the stadium, some people got too enthusiastic and ended up pulling on his robes causing him to fall The fall caused him to crash into a young boy who was at the front of crowd, and it made the Pope visibly angry After he recovered and made it back on to his feet, he y elled: 'No seas egoista. Que te paso, no seas egoista', which translates to 'Don't be selfish, don't be selfish' 'I think we can sum it up in one word: resignation.' Francis has used his five-day cross-country trip, which ends Wednesday, to press Mexican leaders to provide 'effective security' to their citizens. It was just steps away from Morelia's 17th century cathedral where two grenades blew up in a packed plaza during independence day festivities on September 15, 2008, killing eight people and injuring some 100. Drug cartels were the main suspects. While the massacre shocked the country, the gangs mainly afflicted rural areas of Michoacan, especially the fertile lime and avocado region known as 'Tierra Caliente' ('Hot Land'). Thousands of people tried to take photographs of Pope Francis as his motorcade passed on the route in from the airport in Mexico The Pope was brought into the stadium on a golf cart amid tight security due to the threat posed by gangs in the city of Morelia Yet, Pope Francis looked relaxed as he prepared to say Mass for the priests, nuns and seminarians in the stadium on Tuesday Thousands of priests and clergy packed the Venustiano Carranza stadium in Morelia, Mexico, where the Pope celebrated Mass Some of the religious were queuing up outside the stadium at dawn in order to secure the best vantage points inside the arena Pope Francis is on the fourth day of his five-day visit to Mexico where he has urged the federal government to protect its citizens It was there in 2006 that the country came to know La Familia Michoacana after the cartel rolled five severed heads down a dance floor with a message promising 'divine justice'. The gang was founded by Nazario Moreno, alias 'The Craziest One', a self-styled messiah who wrote the 'Gospel of La Familia' - a religion-inspired rulebook banning gang members from consuming drugs or alcohol. The government wrongly declared him dead after a 2010 gunfight with police. Troops killed him for good in 2014. After his first death, the Knights Templar cartel emerged and Moreno became a folk saint known as 'San Nazario', with shrines in his honour dressed like a crusader with a red cross. Some of the nuns used blankets to protect themselves from the cold in the massive stadium as they awaited the arrival of Pope Francis Priests, nuns and seminarians started filing into the stadium shortly after dawn in order to secure their vantage point for the Pope's visit Some pilgrims slept on the street outside the city's cathedral ahead of Pope Francis visit later on Tuesday Student union president Lucinda Jane Sandon-Allum has become embroiled in a sexism debate after she claimed a university magazine 'bullied' her by publishing a satirical article A student union president has become embroiled in a sexism debate after she claimed a university magazine 'bullied' her by publishing a satirical article. Lucinda Jane Sandon-Allum labelled the article, which was published in society charity magazine RAG at Imperial College, south London, 'trollish' as she slammed the 'unacceptable' behaviour. The 21-year-old, who studied biological sciences, also blamed the 'first-person' article, which was 'written' by Sucinda Landon-Allum, for putting women off from running for leadership roles. The diary-type article is believed to have included references to the 'fictional' character's love life and 'elite' connections, as well as their disgust at 'poor people'. One paragraph allegedly stated: 'Dear Diary, today I took part in the RAG Firewalk. Unfortunately, I stumbled on the coats and fell over, causing my hair to catch on fire. 'I was immediately rushed to an elite private hospital in Acton, where I received a transplant of poor people's hair. Ew.' The magazine has since been told to apologise with the union advising the society to dispose of more than 1,000 copies. In a first-hand piece for the university's paper Felix, Ms Sandon-Allum said she was 'completely confident' the piece has directly affected the number of women wanting to get involved with the student union. She added: 'The actions of the RAG committee in publishing the RAG mag with offensive content, based on tired stereotypes about women and drawing upon aspects of my personal life, has directly led to women deciding against taking up leadership roles in our student community. 'If this is the way a few loud voices treat a woman in leadership, via trollish stereotyping and personal attacks, it is not a surprise that other female students have been discouraged from aiming for a leadership position.' She also referred to the university's 'gender imbalance' and said the piece tarnished 'RAG as a group that permits and enables bullying'. The diary-type article, which referred to Ms Sandon-Allum as Sucinda Landon-Allum, is believed to have included references to the 'fictional' character's love life and 'elite' connections, as well as their disgust at 'poor people'. Above, the alleged article But, despite support from the union, Ms Sandon-Allums claims have been disputed with one group at the university saying the magazine article was not sexist. The college's feminist society told Felix in a separate article: 'Though we cant comment on other aspects of the article, the committee of ICFemSoc (which does not necessarily represent the opinions of all its members, or all feminists) does not believe the article in itself is sexist.' In a statement posted on Facebook, the magazine wrote: 'As you've most likely seen over the past few days there has been some controversy surrounding our annual RAG Mag, which is a magazine designed to promote our events and make you guys laugh. 'This year the mag featured a specific satirical article, based upon the lines of Felix's Hangman's Diary of a Fresher, but from the point of view on the Union President. The 21-year-old labelled the article, which was published in society charity magazine RAG at Imperial College (pictured), south London, 'trollish' as she slammed the 'unacceptable' behaviour 'This article went too far and we deeply regret any offence this caused to any readers or person/s included in the article. 'We truly are sorry to anybody who this has offended, and for potentially tarnishing RAG's name and any wider effect it has had on the college community. 'We hope you see that it wasn't intending to be malicious or vile, but in hindsight it is clearly seen that it can be described as that. 'We greatly respect the work of the union and Lucinda in particular for making Imperial a friendlier environment.' Big companies should hire more applicants who are rough diamonds from working-class backgrounds, cabinet minister Justine Greening said today. In a speech ranging beyond her brief, the international development secretary expressed concerns that social mobility is not advancing fast enough and branded this unacceptable. Miss Greening, who attended a comprehensive school in Rotherham and was the first in her family to attend university, said her former employer had helped her onto the career ladder as an accountant by paying for her to study for an MBA. Justine Greening today urged big firms to hire candidates from working class communities alongside those from better off areas who have more 'polish' The daughter of a steelworker, she said she wanted to see more talented young people given similar opportunities - even if their background means they lack the polish of some of their peers. The biggest barrier, the last mile is corporate life, she told an audience. I mean Britains corporate world more systematically being prepared to identify rough diamonds and pull them through. Young people coming through our education system dont always have that polish some of their counterparts have. I talk about a levelling up of Britain and thats a really important phrase for me, growing up in Rotherham. I didnt want to take an opportunity from someone else, I wanted to have a go too. We talk about education, but after a while it becomes business which is a big player in opportunity.they have simply go to be prepared to do more development with more people and pull them through. For employers and businesses I think they need to see that apprenticeships is just a start. But what else can they do? 'Are they really promoting beyond the usual networks? My then employer, SmithKline - they put me through an MBA at the London Business School but that's not that normal actually. Why not? Miss Greening said social mobility was a generational challenge for governments. While some progress had been made on helping people climb the career ladder, she said: Its a mixed picturebecause where you relatively start still overwhelming predicts where you relatively finish. Even today. And I think thats unacceptable, I dont accept that. David Cameron made social mobility a big pitch of his second term, saying on the morning after the General Election that he wanted to make Britain a place where a good life is in reach for everyone. International Development Secretary Ms Greening, pictured on a tour of Lebanon last month, was addressing issues far from her normal brief at today's speech But he and Chancellor George Osborne, who attended Britains top schools, have faced criticism for their privileged upbringings. In a speech to the Centre for Social Justice at a specialist training centre for unemployed youngsters in London, Miss Greening, 46, stressed that she had relied on social mobility to get on in her career. LABOUR SHADOW MINISTER BLASTS DAVID CAMERON'S 'RANK HYPOCRISY' OVER SOCIAL MOBILITY David Cameron was accused of 'rank hypocrisy' today after it emerged the civil service admits fewer black recruits than the top universities attacked by the Prime Minister. Mr Cameron provoked a row last month as he accused Britain's top universities of 'ingrained, institutional and insidious' attitudes that were holding the country back. The Prime Minister, whose attack was also levelled at the Armed Forces and businesses, made his claim in a push on social mobility for black and minority ethnic communities. But it emerged today Britain's Civil Service, for which Mr Cameron is directly responsible as Prime Minister, has a 'less diverse' intake to its Fast Stream graduate recruitment programme. Just 1.8 per cent of black and mixed race people who applied were accepted by Whitehall - compared to 4.8 per cent of white applicants. Shadow cabinet minister Gloria de Piero, pictured above, seized on the new figures, which were published by the Government. She told the Independent: 'It is rank hypocrisy for David Cameron to lecture Britain's universities about their record on recruiting black and working class students, when his own Civil Service fast stream has a recruitment record which is even worse. 'If he really wants to help young people from ordinary backgrounds to get on in life, he can start by putting his own house in order.' Advertisement I know from personal experience just how much social mobility matters, it has underpinned my personal and my political life, she said. Today is a long way from the local comprehensive school I went to in Rotherhamit involved going to university - a step in the dark. When I asked my parents for advice on where to go, what to study, it was new to them too. As no one in my family had done it before. 'I remember that it felt like a risk because I was putting off getting a job and earning money for three years. I didnt know what kind of job I was aiming for, so I wasnt 100pc sure what I should study. When I look back, my horizons were quite limited. I didn't consider doing law as a degree, because I'd never met a lawyer. 'I chose to study something that had already had a big impact on my family economics - which at the time was all around me in Rotherham and South Yorkshire. I grew up against the backdrop of the steel industry strikes and miners strike in the 1980s. In fact, my first ever economics lesson was the day my dad was made redundant from British Steel. 'That year he was unemployed was the toughest year of my childhood. But I knuckled down at school and college. And I got on with climbing my own ladder. As I got on through university and got on with my career, sometimes I had a feeling almost of vertigo from getting further and further away from where I started. 'Things didn't always go well and I've had to be very resilient at times.Im not alone in my experience. But is it easier climbing the ladder now? Well, if you look across the piece, there is progress. But its a mixed picture. Miss Greening was elected MP for Putney in 2005 and promoted to Transport Secretary under the Coalition. But she was moved to her current job after a year, amid calls for Heathrow expansion which she opposed because it would affect her West London constituency. Hillary Clinton isn't saying whether Reverend Al Sharpton is going to put his weight behind her White House bid. 'My lips are sealed,' she told a reporter today as she imitated the civil rights leader following her meeting with him today in New York City. Clinton's impersonation was was caught on tape by Politico's Annie Karni, who then posted the video to Twitter. SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO Hillary Clinton is back in New York City today to give a speech in Harlem on breaking down the 'barriers' holding back African-American families. She met privately this morning with Reverend Al Sharpton and other civil rights leaders at the headquarters of the National Urban League WILL HE ENDORSE CLINTON? Sharpton told a reporter after the meeting, 'You gotta watch her. Shes trying to ask whether Im endorsing. I told her only you know and youre not telling' NOT SAYING: Clinton gave no clues. She said in a voice that sounded like a Sharpton imitation, 'My lips are sealed' Karni had just finished asking Sharpton about a possible endorsement when Clinton walked by. She can be heard telling an attendee of the meeting 'we're going to harass you!' before Sharpton makes the Politico reporter's presence known. 'You gotta watch her. Shes trying to ask whether Im endorsing. I told her only you know and youre not telling,' he said, prompting Clinton to say 'My lips are sealed.' Clinton back in New York City today to give a speech in Harlem on breaking down the 'barriers' holding back African-American families as she seeks the approval of black voters in upcoming presidential contests. She met privately this morning Sharpton and other civil rights leaders at the headquarters of the National Urban League. Sharpton was tight-lipped today about his plans to endorse and will meet with Clinton's opponent, Bernie Sanders, on Thursday for a second time. The men met for breakfast last week in Harlem. Today, Clinton spokes to Sharpton and representatives from the National Urban League, NAACP, the National Bar Association, the Legal Defense Fund and other organizations about their work before hearing from a group 30 'emerging' civil rights leaders Clinton thanked black activists in the room at the first meeting 'for the extraordinary advice that they have given to my team at the campaign' Today, Clinton spoke to Sharpton and representatives from the National Urban League, NAACP, the National Bar Association, the Legal Defense Fund and other organizations about their work before hearing from a group 30 'emerging' civil rights leaders. Clinton thanked black activists in the room at the first meeting, held at the headquarters of the National Urban League, 'for the extraordinary advice that they have given to my team at the campaign.' 'We have reached out and weve always found an open door and a responsive ear,' she said. 'My campaign is really about breaking every barrier because I believe absolutely that America cant live up to its potential unless every single person has the chance to live up to theirs.' The former first lady said she is 'grateful' for their work, which 'if you were to add up the many hundreds and hundreds of years represented by the organizations here today it would stretch back before the founding of our country.' 'Its been such a core commitment by those who came before that you are now continuing,' she said. In a suble jab at Sanders, Clinton said she is not ''a single-issue candidate,' and 'we dont live in a single issue country.' 'We have work to do. And that work can only be done in partnership with one another to advance the cause of civil and human rights and to, as you said, live up to the ideals of our country, which is exactly what our goal must be.' To the less-seasoned civil rights leaders she said, 'What Im trying to do in my presidential campaign and what I will do as president is to lead a concerted effort to break every barrier that stands in the way of people living up to their God-Given potential' To the less-seasoned civil rights leaders she made similar introductory remarks before reporters were escorted out of the room. 'What Im trying to do in my presidential campaign and what I will do as president is to lead a concerted effort to break every barrier that stands in the way of people living up to their God-given potential,' Clinton said. Clinton said that's been her 'North Star' since law school, 'and its absolutely critical' to her to deal with the issues standing in the way of success for African-Americans, from student debt to a 'judiciary that is not as diverse as it needs to be' to criminal justice and voting rights/ 'I know very well that both my campaign but more importantly that my presidency, if Im so fortunate to be in that position, must reflect the thinking and the planning and the proposals of people like you around this table.' Sanders will speak with many of the same leaders on Thursday in Washington, including Sharpton, the president of the National Action Network, the president of the NAACP, Cornell William Brooks, Melanie L. Campbell, of the Black Womens Roundtable Public Policy Network, and National Urban League president Marc Morial. MR. POPULAR: As the southern states come up to vote, Sharpton has found himself the target of direct attention from both Sanders and Clinton. He and Sanders had breakfast last week in Harlem Sanders will speak with Sharpton, the president of the National Action Network, the president of the NAACP, the Black Womens Roundtable Public Policy Network and the National Urban League president on Thursday in Washington A spokeswoman for Sharpton didn't mince words with the New York Times as she explained the importance of the meeting to Sanders' presidential prospects. 'Its important for Senator Sanders to share his platform on a range of issues with the heads of civil rights organizations because we are a large voting bloc and our issues should not be taken for granted,' Rachel Noerdlinger said. African-Americans made up 55 percent of the Democratic electorate in South Carolina eight years ago when Clinton faced off against Barack Obama. Their support will be critical to winning the Palmetto State next Saturday when Democrats hold their primary. Clinton is ahead in the state by 24 points, but Sanders is aggressively working to catch up with her there and in other states with significant minority populations that vote soon such as Georgia, where he's headed today for an event at Morehouse College in Atlanta. On Friday Sanders participated in a Black America forum in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where he was pummeled with questions about reparations for the decedents of slaves and Native Americans. He inched forward his position on the issue but, like Clinton, is not directly endorsing a government payout. He was also endorsed in New Hampshire by ex-NAACP head Ben Jealous, who hit the airwaves for him as a surrogate last week and is campaigned with him in South Carolina this morning along with actor Danny Glover and Erica Garner, the daughter of Eric Garner. Sanders has been endorsed by former NAACP head Ben Jealous, who campaigned with him in South Carolina this morning along with actor Danny Glover and Erica Garner, the daughter of Eric Garner. Garner is seen here going in for a hug at a town hall in Columbia, South Carolina, today Sanders is seen here participating in a prayer breakfast with local faith leaders at Allen University in Columbia, South Carolina, this morning. He heads to Georgia after this for an event at Morehouse College Clinton is speaking this afternoon at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture in Harlem. According to her campaign the speech's theme is 'how we break down the barriers that hold back African American families.' She'll also talk about 'racial injustice' and the 'systemic racism that deprives too many of the opportunity to live up to their God-given potential.' 'This is why Clinton has discussed justice reforms since the start of her campaign that will be felt on our streets, at our schools, and in communities that are too often ignored,' her campaign said. The Democratic presidential candidate 'believes that our leaders must do whatever it takes to tear down all the barriers and replace them with ladders of economic opportunity for all Americans,' it said. Forbes says Jackson, who would have turned 15 on Monday, was a Boy Scout who knew how to swim and loved nature His mother, Adell Forbes, later got a call that his body had been pulled from the water Jackson was reported missing while splashing in shallow water near a river bank after a hike Georgia high school freshman Tomari Aliijah Jackson landed in Belize Saturday as part of a group of 32 students and six A Georgia mother was left searching for answers after learning that her son has unexpectedly died during a school field trip to Belize, just days before his 15th birthday. According to a statement from the Cobb County School District, Tomari Aliijah Jackson was part of a group of 32 students and six chaperons who were visiting the Monkey Bay Wildlife Sanctuary on Saturday, just hours after landing in Belize. The teen, who was a freshman at North Cobb High School, was reported missing while splashing in shallow water near a river bank after a hike. Scroll down for video Mystery death: Georgia high school freshman Tomari Aliijah Jackson died on Saturday, just hours after arriving in Belize for a school field trip. The photo on the left was taken in Belize shortly before Jackson's death The teen was reported missing while splashing in shallow water near a river bank in Belize after a hike. The picture above shows the general area where Tomari vanished Jackson was found dead after a brief search and additional details on his cause of death weren't immediately available. The teen's distraught mother, Adell Forbes, said in an interview with Atlanta Journal Constitution that the circumstances surrounding her only childs untimely death did not make any sense to her. She said Tomari was a Boy Scout and a good swimmer who loved nature and enjoyed traveling. 'I wasnt concerned about his safety,' Ms Forbes said, adding that she trusted officials at her son's school to keep him safe during the week-long trip to the Central American country. After getting the initial call alerting her that Tomari was missing, Ms Forbes said she was preparing to go to Belize to help search for him. But then a second call came from the US Embassy telling her that a search party has recovered the boys body. Once they told me what what had happened, there was nothing else, Forbes said. Mother's anguish: Tomari's mother, Adell Forbes (center) says the 14-year-old, pictured above with his parents, was a Boy Scout who knew how to swim and loved nature and traveling Jacksons classmates returned to Georgia on Monday, six days ahead of schedule, but Tomari's body won't be transported to the US until at least Friday. His mother says she still does not know how Tomari died, and she is hoping that someone will come forward and shed light on what happened in the animal sanctuary on Saturday. Tomari was described by school officials and other students as an exceptionally talented teen who played the flute in freshman band, according to the news site MyAJC. Horror author Stephen King is best known for writing chilling books that scare his readers. But while promoting his new novel, the 68-year-old from Maine has revealed that the thing that scares him most is the thought of Republican candidate Ted Cruz becoming the next president. The author has previously spoken out about fellow Republican hopeful Donald Trump, labelling him a 'rabid coyote' and saying he is left speechless by anyone wanting to vote for him. Scroll down for video Horror author Stephen King, who has revealed that if Ted Cruz is chosen as the next president, it would be like electing 'the analog of an imam' Mr King also said that Donald Trump, right, was more electable than Cruz, left, due to the Texas Senator's fundamental Christian beliefs However, when asked his latest thoughts on the race for the White House in a new interview, he tore into Texas Senator Cruz, for his religious beliefs. He told the Daily Beast: 'I actually think Trump, in the end, would be more electable than Cruz because Cruz is a fundamentalist Christian and it would almost be like electing the analog of an Imam -- someone whose first guiding principle would be the scripture, rather than the Constitution. 'But I dont think he could get elected. And, even if he was able to govern without blowing up the world, could we look at a guy who resembles a cable game show host for four years? He has that awful plastered-down hair and everything.' However, despite Mr King's apparent praise for Trump, he still said that the GOP front-runner left him speechless. He added: 'At this point, hes said 40 different things that would have gotten him laughed out of the race if he wasnt so outrageous.' It is not the first time the novelist, who has a long history of supporting Democratic causes, has spoken out about politics. The author's comments come as the Republican presidential hopefuls campaign in South Carolina ahead of the state's primary poll on Saturday. Pictured are, from left - John Kaisch, Jeb Bush, Ted Cruz, Donald Trump, Marco Rubio and Ben Carson Politicians in his home state of Maine have even tried to persuade him to run for governor, but he has said he has no 'political aspirations'. The author's comments come as the Republican presidential hopefuls campaign in South Carolina ahead of the state's primary poll on Saturday. Ted Cruz won the first caucus in Iowa only two weeks ago, while last week's New Hampshire Primary was won by Donald Trump. Also still in the race for the Republicans are Jeb Bush, Ben Carson, Marco Rubio and John Kaisch. Meanwhile the Democratic candidates Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders head for Nevada for their next caucus. Quit: Alex Chalmers has resigned after accusing the group of anti-Semitism A chairman of the Oxford University Labour club has resigned after accusing the group of anti-Semitism and a poisonous attitude to minority groups. Alex Chalmers, co-chair of the student group, said a large proportion of members had some kind of problem with Jews and intolerant tendencies. The 20-year-old history student said individuals on the executive had used offensive terms with casual abandon and that some members even voiced support for terror group Hamas. He added that he decided to resign after OULC voted to endorse Israel Apartheid Week (IAW), an annual series of lectures against Israeli settlement in the West Bank and Gaza. Mr Chalmers, who is not Jewish himself, said the movement had a history of targeting and harassing Jewish students and inviting anti-Semitic speakers. His concerns follow a growing number of complaints from Jewish students that they are being made to feel unwelcome on campuses around the country. Earlier this year, an Israeli speaker had to cut his lecture short at Kings College London because of a violent demonstration by pro-Palestinian student activists. Announcing his resignation online, Mr Chalmers said the club had become increasingly riven by factional splits in recent months. He added: Despite its avowed commitment to liberation, the attitudes of certain members of the club towards certain disadvantaged groups was becoming poisonous. Whether it be members of the Executive throwing around the term Zio (a term for Jews usually confined to websites run by the Ku Klux Klan) with casual abandon, senior members of the club expressing their solidarity with Hamas and explicitly defending their tactics of indiscriminately murdering civilians, or a former Co-Chair claiming that most accusations of anti-Semitism are just the Zionists crying wolf, a large proportion of both OULC and the student left in Oxford more generally have some kind of problem with Jews. He said the decision on Israel Apartheid Week meant he could no longer defend the clubs policies. He added: I had hoped during my tenure as Co-Chair to move the club away from some of its more intolerant tendencies: sadly, it only continued to move away from me, to a place I could no longer hope to retrieve it from. On Monday, OULC formally endorsed IAW and resolved to publicize this decision to its members so a wide audience of people attend IAW events. It also resolved to mandate the Co-Chairs to make our opposition to the apartheid in Palestine if invited to comment by the media on related subject matters. Mr Chalmers stressed that despite his decision, he recognised that many students on the left were also opposed to anti-Semitism and that not all critics of Israel are anti-Semites. It is understood that he has received private support from many in the student body after announcing his position. Mr Chalmers is a student at Oriel College, where students unsuccessfully campaigned to tear down a statue of Cecil Rhodes over claims it is racist. He told student newspaper Cherwell: Leaving OULC was a difficult decision, but it had reached the stage where I no longer recognised the club that I joined last Michaelmas. I hope my decision will go some way in raising awareness of the campus anti-Semitism that has gone unnoticed for far too long in Oxford. Mr Chalmers is a student at Oriel College, where students unsuccessfully campaigned to tear down a statue of Cecil Rhodes over claims it is racist OULC, formed in 1919, describes itself as the home of the Labour Party and the left at Oxford University and the largest student Labour club in the country. Noni Csogor, remaining co-chair of the club, said in an online statement: Im deeply upset by Alexs decision to resign, but its one I respect; his commitment to his principles is honestly admirable, and he is and will remain one of my close friends. Alex is right to highlight growing anti-Semitic violence in the UK as a major issue; its also horrifying that Jewish students feel unsafe on campuses. We take allegations of anti-Semitism in the club very seriously and I will be discussing, with my executive committee, how to deal with the kinds of statements Alex mentions, and what concrete steps we can take in future to preserve a club thats been a safe haven for Jewish students in the past. In March last year, Moselle Paz Solis, Jewish Society president at the School of Oriental and African Studies, told the Jewish Chronicle that she was too scared to go anywhere after a controversial vote where students agreed to academically boycott Israel. If the parties switch places, with the Republicans winning the White House and the Democrats taking back the Senate, President Barack Obama may still get his Supreme Court pick. That's because the Constitution mandates that a new Congress start its work on Jan. 3, while a new president won't be sworn in until Jan. 20, giving Obama 17 days to shove someone through the Senate and onto the bench, NBC News pointed out. 'If a Democratic Senate comes in on January third, President Obama could send in his Supreme Court nomination,' a former Obama administration lawyer told the network's Ari Melber. 'Then Democrats could apply the 'nuclear option' to Supreme Court nominations, and vote in Obama's nominee by a simple majority,' the source added. Scroll down for video President Obama (left) could still get a Supreme Court nominee to replace the late Justice Antonin Scalia (right) if the Senate swings back to Democratic control in November The flag is flying at half-staff in front of the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington to honor the late Justice Antonin Scalia, while a political battle for his replacement has just commenced Drapery adorns the seat of the late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, the court's most gregarious conservative whose seat could go to a liberal justice if President Obama gets his way The nuclear option refers to a rules rewrite that would allow a simple majority vote to confirm a Supreme Court justice, ridding the process of the filibuster, which takes 60 votes to overcome. Senate Democrats already eliminated the filibuster from applying to lower court judicial nominees in 2013. On Saturday, 79-year-old Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, one of the Court's stalwart conservatives, was found dead in bed at a West Texas ranch. The loss quickly turned political with President Obama saying he would announce a nominee to fill Scalia's position shortly and asked the Senate for a 'timely' vote. But Republican Leader, Sen. Mitch McConnell, already said nope. 'The American people should have a voice in the selection of their next Supreme Court Justice,' McConnell said in a statement issued just hours after Scalia's death was reported. 'Therefore, this vacancy should not be filled until we have a new President.' The Republican presidential candidates, gathered in South Carolina for a GOP debate, all seemed to agree. A former Obama administration lawyer laid out a plan suggesting that if the Democrats win the Senate, but lose the White House, they push through a SCOTUS nominee in the 17 days between the new Congress' start and the inauguration of a new president 'It's called 'Delay! Delay! Delay!'' frontrunner Donald Trump said of Republicans' ideal strategy. Republicans' initial thinking was that the open seat, which could tilt the balance of the Supreme Court to liberal if Democrats have their way, would be a voter motivator and help the party win back the White House after eight years. But voters, fed up with Washington's antics, could also be motivated to bump some Republican Senators off of Capitol Hill, especially in purple states like Pennsylvania and New Hampshire, where Senate races are expected to be tight. Democrats need to only pick up four seats to win back a simple majority. 'The possibility shows Republicans could over play their hand,' said the former Obama official to NBC. 'If Republicans act in a way that jeopardizes Senate seats, then it doesn't matter who wins the presidential election,' the source said. As for whether Obama and Senate Democrats would test such an unprecedented maneuver one Republican former Senate aide thought definitely so. 'I have no doubt about the fact that Democrats would complete the "nuke,"' the source said. Paedophile Shabir Ahmed (pictured), claims his convictions for child sex offences were a conspiracy to 'scapegoat' Muslims The ringleader of a Rochdale child sex grooming gang is using European human rights laws in an attempt to avoid being booted out of Britain. Paedophile Shabir Ahmed, 63 - described by a judge as a 'violent hypocritical bully' - claims his convictions for child sex offences were a conspiracy to 'scapegoat' Muslims, his immigration tribunal today heard. The convicted abuser has written to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) to appeal against his impending deportation from the UK. His case will once again spark fears about how foreign criminals are trying to exploit human rights laws to remain in the country. Ahmed, serving 22 years in jail, was convicted in 2012 of being the ringleader of a group of Asian men who preyed on girls as young as 13 in Rochdale, plying them with drink and drugs before they were 'passed around' for sex. He appeared before the First Tier Immigration Tribunal, sitting at Manchester Crown Court, on Tuesday to appeal against the decision by Secretary of State Theresa May to strip him of his British citizenship, the first stage in the deportation process. Three judges will decide on his appeal, as well as on appeals by three other men who were part of the same gang and who also face deportation. Ahmed, who sat in the dock flanked by prison officers, told the court: 'She (Theresa May) says all her trouble is coming from Muslims, yet she's the biggest trouble causer in the world.' He said he was convicted by 'eleven white jurors', adding: 'It's become fashionable to blame everything on Muslims these days.' Vinesh Mandalia, representing the Home Office, told the tribunal Mrs May had exercised her right as the Home Office minister to deprive Ahmed - who was nicknamed 'Daddy' - of British citizenship 'if it is conducive to public good'. Mr Mandalia said Ahmed's appeal against depriving him of British citizenship included an appeal to the ECHR against his criminal convictions, which had been acknowledged by that court but did not mean they would hear his case. 'He explains simply on human rights grounds the conviction is unsafe on the basis it was a conspiracy by everyone involved,' Mr Mandalia said. Ahmed's appeal states his trial was 'tainted' and a 'miscarriage of justice' as it was 'institutionally racist' using Muslims as 'scapegoats'. Mr Mandalia said: 'The public interest weighs heavily in favour of the Secretary of State, to ensure those granted the benefits of British citizenship, however that comes to arise, know the responsibilities that go with it. 'And if you get involved in very serious organised crime then one of the consequences of that is that they will be deprived of their British citizenship.' He said divorced father-of-four Ahmed, who first came to the UK in 1967 aged 14, is a British citizen, but would not be rendered stateless as he retains Pakistani nationality having been born in Gujrat. Three times married Ahmed told the court he had four children living in the UK, had lived here for nearly 50 years and had 83,000 in a UK bank account. Ahmed was given a 19-year sentence at Liverpool Crown Court in May 2012 for a string of child sex offences, including rape. He was also jailed for 22 years, to run concurrently, in July 2012 for 30 rapes against another victim. Presiding tribunal Judge Michael Clements reserved his decision on Ahmed and the appeal of a second man, Qari Abdul Rauf. Taxi driver Rauf, 47, a father-of-five, was released on licence last year after serving half of a six-year sentence for trafficking a girl, aged 15, in the UK for sex, and for having sex with the youngster himself. If you get involved in very serious organised crime then one of the consequences of that is that they will be deprived of their British citizenship Vinesh Mandalia, representing the Home Office Rauf, who also acted as a religious studies teacher at a mosque in Rochdale, burst into tears, and through his Urdu interpreter asked the immigration tribunal for 'mercy' and that he 'wanted a second chance'. Two more men convicted of child sex offences in the Rochdale case, Abdul Aziz and Adil Khan, will have their appeals heard in Manchester on Wednesday. If the appeals fail all four can take their case to the Upper Tribunal, so any final decision on deportation could be some way off. The move is the latest in a series of cases in which serious foreign criminals have attempted to avoid being kicked out of Britain by claiming their human rights had been violated. In a move popular with swathes of the public, the Tories have pledged to scrap Labours controversial Human Rights Act. A Pennsylvania woman was arrested after she choked her 11-year-old son when he tried to stop her from putting his toddler sister outside in the snow, police said. Heather Michele Hall is accused of assaulting and spitting on officers who heard her repeatedly say she no longer wanted her two-year-old daughter. Hall, 35, remains in custody in York County Prison on $35,000 bail. She is charged with child endangerment and aggravated assault on a police officer, the York Dispatch reports. She is also charged with assault, resisting arrest and disorderly conduct. Heather Michele Hall (pictured) was arrested after she choked her 11-year-old son when he tried to stop her from putting his toddler sister outside in the snow, police said Police said the boy was tackled and choked while trying to stop Hall from putting the girl outside in the freezing cold. It was 15 degrees Fahrenheit (-9 degrees Celsius) with six inches of snow on the ground at the time. West Manchester Township Police were called to Hall's home in Baron Drive, York, at around 10pm on Sunday night. They say she appeared intoxicated. Officer Michael Jordan said he saw Hall asleep through a sliding glass door with her daughter pinned between her and the back of the couch, according to court documents. Officer Jordan that when she woke up, she screamed at him to get out and ordered her son not to speak to him. At one point, she said to the officer: What the f*** are you doing in my house, Jordan? Officer Jordan said he heard a tearful Hall, referring to her daughter, say three times: I dont want her anymore! Halls son told officers that she told him that she didnt want her daughter and planned to put her outside. When the boy stopped her, she held him by the throat, leaving a three-inch long mark, according to the Dispatch. When Halls boyfriend Mark Gibbs - who is the father of the two-year-old - arrived at the home, he picked up a bottle of brandy and quickly told officers she had been drinking. Officers said that while Gibbs did not appear drunk, he was unable to spell his daughters name or state her date of birth. Authorities said the York County Office of Children, Youth and Families is familiar with the family from a previous report last month, in which Hall was allegedly in a drunken stupor outside while her daughter screamed from inside her crib in the apartment. A caseworker determined the children could spend Sunday night with Gibbs and would contact the family on Monday. Meanwhile, police said Hall also resisted arrest, screaming as she was put inside a police cruiser and kicking another officer in the leg when he handcuffed her. Hall also repeatedly spat on the clear security divider in the cruiser. She was taken to York Hospital when she complained about pain while in the car. But police said she then spit on hospital security staff and repeated racial slurs at a black security officer. Officer Christopher Mills had to receive treatment for possible disease transmission after Halls allegedly spat into his mouth. Frauster also denied that his wife Ruth had ever been an 'officer' at the firm Insisted he never had an affair Sheryl Weinstein or had ever hit his son Madoff said his brother was not a 'pathetic soul' but a 'brilliant leader' But the real-life Madoff revealed that he hates the series in an email to NBC Based on the life of Bernie who stole Infamous Ponzi scheme mastermind Bernie Madoff has revealed he hates the new ABC mini-series based on his life. Madoff, which stars Richard Dreyfuss as the fraudster who charmed his wealthy clients out of billions of dollars, aired to glowing reviews earlier this month. But it appears the real-life Bernie was not among the show's fans. Scroll down for video Bernie Madoff (left) has revealed he hates the new ABC mini-series based on his life - starring Richard Dreyfuss (right) which opened to glowing reviews earlier this month Madoff, starring Richard Dreyfuss as the fraudster who charmed his wealthy clients out of billions of dollars, vexed the real thing so much that he wrote en email to complain The 77-year-old emailed NBC from jail - where he is currently serving 150 years for stealing $17.5 billion from his investors - to complain the series was 'absurd',NBC reports. 'I'm sure it is fruitless to enumerate the numerous fiction and absurd mischaracterization (sic) in the ABC movie,' he wrote in the email. 'However I have never been one to turn the other cheek. I will just cover those incidents that have drawn queries.' The convicted fraudster took umbrage with the portrayal of his family in the show - particularly that wife Ruth was ever 'an officer' in his firm. He also insisted that his brother Peter - who he says was 'improperly characterized as pathetic soul' was actually a 'brilliant and important leader of our market making and proprietary division.' 'His outstanding creation of our technology platform was the envy of wall (sic) street (sic),' he added. Peter is serving a 10-year sentence for his role in the Ponzi scheme. The 77-year-old emailed the network from jail - where he is currently serving 150 years for stealing $17.5 billion from his investors - to complain the series (pictured) was 'absurd' Behind bars: The fraudster was shown on the ABC two-parter visualizing a life behind bars The two-part series followed Madoff and his downfall as investigators closed in around him. The series carefully made it clear that Madoff's sons Mark and Andrew, as well as wife Ruth - played by Gwyneth Paltrow's mother Blythe Danner - knew nothing about his illegal enterprise, merely working for the legitimate side of his business. But there is the suggestion that Madoff believes 'the Madoff family curse' of cancer - including his brother Peter and son Andrews battle with the condition - could be linked to his crimes. At one point in the show, he has a terrible confrontation with son Mark, who had asked for the company's title to be changed to include the rest of the family, not just Bernie. 'Where did you get this? From her?' he asked his son, referring to the woman he had just said he planned to propose to, girlfriend Stephanie Mack. 'Because you better get one hell of a strong prenup,' he said. After Mark told him to 'go to hell you son of a bitch' over the ugly comment, Madoff slapped him, then warned: 'You will never, ever, be old enough to say go to hell to your father. Never.' He then complained about 'the weight I have to carry to keep this afloat,' finally telling his son: 'In time you'll understand.' The two-part series followed Madoff's downfall as investigators closed in around him (pictured outside court in 2009) But in his email, the real Madoff fumed that 'I have NEVER slapped my son Mark.' The series also showed the character of Madoff cheating on his wife in a hotel bedroom with Sheryl Weinstein, the former CFO of the Jewish women's volunteer organization Hadassah - something Bernie also denies. He dismissed her as a 'stalker.' While he defended his family, including his parents, Madoff did not defend his own actions and insisted that he would try and recover his investors' stolen money. 'Yes I made a disasterous (sic) business mistake that caused unforgiveable (sic) pain to my family, friends and clients, and will continue to do everything in my power to recover their lost investment principal,' he wrote. His victims have now recovered more than $11 billion of the money squandered away in one of the biggest ponzi schemes America has ever seen. The landmark development is a sign of significant progress as bankruptcy lawyers chase a total of $17.5 billion that investors originally handed over to Madoff before he went under in 2008. It means his victims are set to recover more than two thirds of their original investment - and they are hoping for more. A young couple in Maryland were killed in a car crash on Valentines Day - their six-month wedding anniversary - when a car crossed over the centerline and smashed into them, police said. Family and friends of Daniel and Kayla Amos, aged 21 and 20, have acknowledged the heartbreaking irony in the pair's death, after many said they were too young when they married last August. 'They were meant to be together,' Daniel Palmer, an executive pastor at the Chesapeake Church in Huntingtown, where the couple attended services, told The Capital Gazette. 'All us old people said, ''You have to wait. You're too young''. We were proven wrong.' Daniel and Kayla Amos, aged 21 and 20 (pictured at their wedding in August), were struck by a car in Edgewater, Maryland, and killed on Sunday while they were celebrating their six-month wedding anniversary Soul mates: Despite family and friends saying they were too young to be married, the couple wed last summer Marry me? The two, who married in August, were described as 'soul mates' who 'fell for each other instantly' The couple were traveling southbound on Solomons Island Road in Edgewater, Maryland, around 4:26 p.m. on Sunday when a 2002 Toyota Camry travelling in the other direction crossed the centerline and struck their car. A third car then hit both vehicles. Daniel Amos was pronounced dead at the scene. His wife died at an area hospital. The driver of the Toyota, Lauren Scott, 27, of Edgewater, was taken to the University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center in a serious condition. The driver of the third car - a Ford - Joseph Smith, 32, of Georgetown, Delaware, had minor injures and refused medical treatment at the scene. Police do not believe alcohol or drugs were a factor in the crash, which remains under investigation. Happy: The couple met when they were in high school. They had moved in together following their wedding and were excited about their home together, friends say Daniel and Kayla were active members of Chesapeake Church, where Daniel was an arts staff leader and guitar player. Kayla worked at Maertens Fine Jewelry & Gifts and was training to be a barista. Matthew Wright, Daniel's best friend, said the two connected immediately during Kayla's last year at Patuxent High School. She was 17; he was 18. 'It took him a month to figure out he loved her,' Wright told The Capital Gazette. 'Six months in, he's talking about marrying her. They just fit together.' 'You couldn't imagine seeing one without the other.' In memoriam: Kayla's sister, Samantha Cosner, posted this touching tribute to Facebook on Monday Kayla's younger sister, Samantha Cosner, paid a touching tribute to her sibling on Facebook, posting photos from their childhood and a lengthy note. 'I know this was Gods plan. Kayla and Dan were soul mates from heaven,' she wrote in the post on Monday. 'The moment they began to know each other they fell for each other. 'Dan and Kayla are together in heaven now. 'Never pass up a moment with your family, it's priceless and when it's gone, it's only a memory.' Daniel Amos, 21, and Kayla Amos, 20, were traveling southbound on Solomons Island Road in Edgewater, Maryland, when the driver of a Toyota Camry crossed the centerline and struck their car on Sunday Larry Patin, the stewardship pastor at Chesapeake Church, said Kayla and Daniel were meant to be together. While tragic, Patin said there was something right that the two left life together. 'They were soul mates,' Patin said. 'I don't know how she would've lived without him.' The Texas sheriff who was one of the first on the scene following Justice Antonin Scalia's death has dismissed claims he was found with a pillow over his face. Presidio County Sheriff Danny Dominguez tells Daily Mail Online that the pillow was in fact above the justice's head and that there was nothing 'fishy' about the death. He also says that he has been left 'upset' by the political wrangle sparked by Scalia's demise. Responding to comments made by retired D.C. homicide commander William Ritchie, who described the circumstances of Scalia's death as 'fishy', Sheriff Dominguez reveals there was no sign of a struggle or anything amiss. 'He [Scalia] was just lying on the bed with a pillow above his head,' he says. 'Everything seemed normal and he was just there lying down. 'There was no sign of a struggle, no wrinkles in the cover or on the pillow either.' Scroll down for video Speaking out: Presidio County Sheriff Danny Dominguez tells Daily Mail Online he stands by his investigation into the death of the Supreme Court Justice The 'El Presidente' suite at the Cibolo Creek Ranch, where Scalia's body was found Saturday morning. John Poindexter, the ranch's owner, said the judge was 'lying very restfully' when he was discovered Nebraska Congressman Jeff Fortenberry paid tribute to Scalia in a Facebook post on Saturday, sharing this picture of himself with the Supreme Court justice on a duck hunt (not the hunt he was on this weekend) Justice Scalia was surrounded by friends and admirers at a retreat at the Cibolo Creek Ranch before he died He adds: 'Those people in Washington, they got their theories and I got mine. They need to keep politics out of it.' Sheriff Dominguez and his deputies were the first local law enforcement officers to arrive at the luxury Cibolo Creek Ranch near Shafter, Texas following the discovery of 79-year-old Scalia's body early Saturday morning. According to owner John Poindexter, he and a friend of the late justice had attempted to call Scalia at around 8:30am that morning before going out and returning at 11am. When Scalia still could not be reached, he entered the $700-a-night El Presidente suite, where Scalia was found lying dead in bed. The original claim that the pillow was over the justice's head came from Poindexter, who told the San Antonio Express-News: 'We discovered the judge in bed, a pillow over his head. His bedclothes were unwrinkled.' Speaking later to NBC News, he said: 'The judge... was in complete repose. He was very peaceful in the bed. He had obviously passed away with no difficulty at all in the middle of the night. Mourned: Justice Scalia's body was taken by hearse to El Paso airport, and then flown for burial in Washington. His funeral will take the form of a Requiem mass on Saturday after his body lies in state Ranch owner John Poindexter (pictured) said Scalia (right) had been surrounded by some of his closest friends and admirers on the night before his death 'Among the most commonly said things [on Saturday] was, if this had to happen, and we're really sad that it did, but if it had to happen, it happened in the very best of circumstances. 'He seemed to enjoy himself greatly.' After Scalia's corpse was discovered between 11:30 and 11:40am on Saturday morning, a 911 call was made at 12:04pm. Sheriff Dominguez says he and his deputies were on the scene by around '12:30' following a 39-mile drive from the police department in Marfa to the remote ranch. 'It was totally routine,' he tells Daily Mail Online. 'Everyone has their way of doing an investigation and we did it our way,' he said. 'I was told that he had been there and had been out hunting quail with his friends the day before. They said he had felt tired afterwards and went to bed around nine.' Asked why Judge Cinderela Gonzalez felt able to issue a death certificate stating Scalia died of natural causes without seeing the body or an autopsy carried out, he says: 'If there's no suspicious circumstances, then that is allowed under Texas law. 'She made that decision after speaking with me and after making calls to his doctor and his family. 'The decision was also based on what they told her.' Scalia, who had long suffered from heart problems according to his doctor, will be laid to rest this weekend. His body was flown back to Virginia on Sunday afternoon and he will lie in repose at the Supreme Court on Friday in continuance of a tradition last observed after the death of Chief Justice William Rehnquist in 2006. But while Scalia's family have asked for privacy as they mourn, the death of the conservative justice has sparked a political war of words. Remembered: His daughter Meg uploaded this picture of Justice Scalia holding two of his grandchildren. His family paid tribute to 'Pop-Pop' and spoke of his deep religious faith Remote: The ranch is 39 miles from Marfa, where officers left from as soon as they received a 911 call about the discovery of his body President Obama has insisted that he will nominate a replacement for Scalia, backed by Democratic hopeful Hilary Clinton, while Republican presidential candidates have said they will oppose any attempt to appoint a new justice ahead of November's general election. Senator Ted Cruz, 45, has proved particularly vociferous and said on Monday that he would 'absolutely filibuster' any nomination Obama might make. However, the ongoing political wrangle has left a bad taste in the mouth of some onlookers not least Sheriff Dominguez, who says the political reaction to Scalia's death has been 'upsetting'. 'My issue is why are they [Washington] turning his death into such a big political deal already? It shows a huge lack of respect. 'Everyone, even our President, is getting involved and it's all about them and how it can be used for their benefit. He adds: 'They hadn't even removed the body when all of this started up. They should have at least let the funeral pass first. 'It's really upsetting that these are the kind of leaders we have and that it goes right to the very top. Show the family some respect. 'Both parties have been as bad as each other. They could have waited but they chose not to. Instead, they had to put their two cents in with no thought for the family.' Sheriff Dominguez, who is currently running for his sixth term of office, also tells Daily Mail Online: 'If the people of the world would allow Jesus Christ to take control of their lives, the world would be a better place.' FROM CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING TO AN ASSASSINATION: THE CONSPIRACY THEORIES SWIRLING ABOUT JUSTICE SCALIA'S DEATH... FROM THE JUST-ABOUT PLAUSIBLE TO THE PLAIN RIDICULOUS Someone at the ranch could have smothered Scalia with a pillow, according to the Dallas Observer . However, there would have been likely to have been signs of a struggle The newspaper also suggested he could have been poisoned. Only a full autopsy would detect this with any certainty There is a chance it could have happened through carbon monoxide fumes. Unfortunately for that theory the body reacts by turning bright red, which a sheriff and his deputies are hardly likely to miss The Abreau Report website stated his death was down to the Bush family in one of the more ridiculous claims. The blogger says they silenced him because he was going to 'confess to involvement by the Bush family in the attacks of September the 11th' Some readers of Fox News host Sean Hannity's blog say former Vice President Dick Cheney was behind it. The two were in fact friends and had hunted together An assassin killed Scalia on orders from Bill and Hillary Clinton, according to Saboteur365 , perhaps because the Supreme Court may ultimately have to rule on her secret server. No court case involving the server so far exists In his futuristic 2000 novel: 2006 The Chautauqua Rising, American writer Jack Cashill predicted Scalia would die from carbon monoxide poisoning but no one would believe it Advertisement The daughter of a woman whose family farm was saved nearly 30 years ago by a last-minute intervention from Donald Trump praised him during a campaign stop on Tuesday. Betsy Sharp told a Trump-friendly crowd in North Augusta, South Carolina, about her father's suicide in the face of a bank foreclosure and the billionaire who paid off the mortgage so her mother, Annabelle Hill, could continue to live there. Lenard Dozier Hill took his own life in 1986 on the morning his farm was to go to a courthouse auction, believing that his life insurance would pay enough to save the cotton and soybean plantation that had been in his family for more than 100 years. He never knew his insurance policy had an exemption for suicides. Donald Trump, pictured campaigning in South Carolina on Monday, told a crowd Tuesday in North August, S.C. that how had paid off a stranger's farm mortgage in 1986 Trump held a photo-op in rural Georgia in 1986 to burn Annabelle Hill's mortgage papers after settling up with her bank Recollection: Trump held up a picture of the meeting 30 years ago as he campaigned in North Augusta A raucous crowd greeting Trump in the border town near Georgia, packing into a rec center gymnasium on Tuesday motning Trump heard about the case in news reports and paid off the last $77,000 owed on a $300,000 bank loan himself, showing up in Burke County, Georgia to burn the mortgage papers with Mrs. Hill in a photo-op that locals still talk about. Sharp told Trump backstage on Tuesday that she prays for him every day, and asked him to autograph a photo of him with her mother there decades ago. 'She was having a very tough time, and I read about it, and I paid off her mortgage big deal, right?' Trump asked a capacity crowd inside a rec center gymnasium. Sharp recalled that her dad 'was going to lose our family farm ... and when Donald Trump heard the story, he reached out to help save it.' 'Today my brother lives on the farm and he has one of his daughters, they have built a house. But if it wasn't for his generosity, his kind heart he didn't know us from Burke County at all.' Betsy Sharp, shown in a farm organization's documentary about her parents' story, showed up at the Tuesday morning Trump rally to praise the billionaire presidential candidate as a compassionate man Trump also hammered Hillary Clinton for barking like a dog in her latest campaign appearahce 'And he saw the story and he couldn't believe that the bank was forcing my father to go to that depth,' she said. 'What I want you all to know is how kindhearted and caring he is. He cares about America. He cares about farmers, He cares about veterans. He truly wants to make America great again, and I think if we help him, we can get there.' Trump said he had never told that story before, and admitted that saving the Hill's farm cost him more money than he had anticipated spending. 'I figured I could do it a lot cheaper than paying off the mortgage,' he said. 'I found out the name of the bank. That was a mean banker, I want to tell you.' 'I called up: "We're gonna take you through hell, we're gonna this, we're gonna that." I couldn't get the guy to cut! So I bought the mortgage and I said, "The hell with it".' Hill was 'a great woman, and passed away, but passed away happy,' Trump said. The billionaire Republican front-runner also took a shot at his Democratic counterpart Hillary Clinton for barking like a dog Monday on the campaign trail. Clinton was recalling an Arkansas radio commercial from decades ago in which an announcer said he had a dog that would bark if a politician lied. 'I want to figure out how we can do that with Republicans,' she said. 'We need to get that dog and follow them around and every time they say these things like, "Oh, the Great Recession was caused by too much regulation": Arf, arf, arf, arf!' 'Hillary Clinton is a joke!' Trump said Tuesday. 'I'm watching television and I see her barking like a dog. ... and everyone said, "Isn't that wonderful?"' An Alaska Airlines flight was forced to make an emergency landing when smoke filled the cockpit minutes after taking off from Washington, D.C. The Seattle-bound flight was still ascending into the air from Reagan National Airport at 10.22am on Monday when passengers said they felt the engines slow. The pilots could be heard breathing through oxygen masks as they radioed ground control asking to land. At 10.38am, the Boeing 737 carrying 161 passengers landed at Dulles Airport in Fairfax, Virginia - less than 30 miles away. An Alaska Airlines flight was forced to make an emergency landing when smoke filled the cockpit minutes after taking off from Washington, D.C. Pictured: landing at Dulles Airport in Fairfax, Virginia minutes later Six crew members were hospitalized, according to Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority spokesman Chris Paolino. All of the passengers were evacuated safely, he added. Officials say the passengers were rebooked on other flights. The cause of the incident remains under investigation. Passengers filmed out the windows as their plane shook and circled snowy Virginia getting ready to land, according to ABC News. Trucks were waiting at Dulles to taxi the plane for inspection. Donald Trump will spend back-to-back evenings this week participating in televised town halls. Tomorrow he'll sit down with Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski of Morning Joe in South Carolina for an hour-long special that will air at 8pm Eastern on MSNBC. He's also on tap for a live CNN town hall on Thursday evening taping in Columbia, South Carolina. DOUBLE, DOUBLE TRUMP AND TROUBLE? The Donald will appear in two televised town halls on back to back evenings on CNN and MSNBC. He'll be the star of his own special on MSNBC. He'll share the spotlight with Jeb Bush and John Kasich on CNN leaving room for more drama between the candidates All six remaining GOP candidates will participate in town halls hosted by CNN and moderated by Anderson Cooper from 8pm to 11pm Eastern on Wednesday and Thursday in South Carolina. Cooper is seen here at the Democratic forum CNN hosted earlier this month in New Hampshire Tomorrow Trump will sit down with Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski of Morning Joe, above, in South Carolina for an hour-long special that will air at 8pm Eastern on MSNBC The Palmetto State will hold its Republican Party primary on Saturday. The six remaining GOP candidates will participate in town halls hosted by CNN and moderated by Anderson Cooper from 8pm to 11pm Eastern on Wednesday and Thursday in the state. The first showing, on Wednesday, will feature Ted Cruz, Ben Carson and Marco Rubio and will tape out of Greenville, South Carolina, down the highway from where Cruz and Carson are scheduled to speak at a Faith & Freedom Coalition presidential forum immediately prior. That same night, MSNBC will up the ante by showing a Trump town hall taped in Charleston at 8pm and an in-depth interview with John Kasich shot in Hilton Head at 7pm during Chris Matthews' Hardball program. Thursday night, when Trump, Jeb Bush and Kasich are taking their turn with CNN, MSNBC will air a forum for Democratic presidential candidates from 9 pm to 11 pm Eastern. That town hall will see Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton take questions from a live audience in Las Vegas, Nevada. MSNBC's Jose Diaz-Balart and Chuck Todd will moderate. CNN aired its Democratic special before the New Hampshire primary. The battle between CNN and MSNBC for the best programming presents Trump and Kasich, who is trying to build his second-place finish in New Hampshire into national momentum, with two televised opportunities to to promote their campaigns to South Carolina voters before Saturday's primary. Trump has a double-digit lead over his opponents and is expected to win on Saturday. He's polling at a low of 35 and a high of 42 percent. That's twice the support of Cruz and Rubio, both of whom were at 14 percent in a survey taken over the the holiday weekend by the South Carolina House Republican caucus. A Public Policy poll from the same time period had them at 18 percent. Bush had a high of 13 percent in the SC House GOP poll and a low of seven percent in the PPP poll. Carson was at seven percent in the PPP survey and six percent in the other. Kasich was at a steady 10 percent in both polls. The son of Celebrity Apprentice host Mark Bouris has been left drenched in blood after a night out, for the second time in as many months. Hotel manager Dane Bouris was pictured this weekend, barefoot and covered in blood, walking down New South Head Road in Double Bay in Sydney's east. It comes after the 34-year-old posted a photo to social media in January, along with the claim he had been beaten up by police on the Gold Coast after being removed from a strip club. Scroll down for video Dane Bouris, 34, was pictured covered in blood in the early hours of Saturday in Double Bay in Sydney's east Photographs from the early hours of Saturday morning published by the Daily Telegraph show Mr Bouris being led down the street by paramedics, his white t-shirt and blue shorts drenched in blood. He was not wearing shoes, and a friend told the publication he 'fell and cut his lip', and they had been having dinner but were not inside licenced premises. 'He collapsed or fainted and has hit his head and cut his lip. There was blood all over his shirt where he tried to stem the bleeding,' the friend said. NSW Police confirmed to Daily Mail Australia they attended the scene in Sydney's east 'about 1.20am on Saturday after reports a 34-year-old man was injured'. 'He was taken to St Vincent's hospital by ambulance paramedics for facial lacerations,' a spokesman said. He said police investigating the incident are seeking a statement from the man as well as information from witnesses. In January Dane Bouris posted this photo to social media accusing Gold Coast police of bashing him NSW Police confirmed to Daily Mail Australia they attended the scene in Sydney's east 'about 1.20am on Saturday after reports a 34-year-old man was injured' Mr Bouris is the son of Celebrity Apprentice host Mark Bouris, founder and chairman of 'Wizard Home Loans' Mr Bouris owns Morgans Boutique Hotel in inner Sydney's Darlinghurst. During the first week of 2016, he was removed from strip club Showgirls while partying on the Gold Coast and subsequently accused police of assaulting him. He posted an image showing his nose noticeably swollen, cuts and marks on his face and a pillow next to his head spotted with red, possibly blood. 'GC weak... cops bashed me for no reason, no charges ... It ain't right', he wrote alongside the image, which was later removed from his Instagram page. Dane Bouris (right), pictured with his father Mark Bouris (middle) and another man In November Mr Bouris was found not guilty of assaulting his girlfriend, after it was alleged he attacked Alexandra Dankwa after a night out with his millionaire father in April 2015. When handing down the not guilty verdict, Magistrate Michael Barko also threw out the Apprehended Violence Order (AVO) after hearing the businessman's girlfriend had no fears for her safety. Mr Bouris, who was a contender for 2013's Cleo Bachelor of the Year, is best known for appearing with his father on The Apprentice. A British Islamic preacher who has previously condoned child paedophilia and rape in a public debate is one of 12 speakers coming to Australia to speak at a Muslim conference. Hamza Tzortzis, who defended child marriage in a debate in Australia back in 2013, is one of 12 speakers from four continents who will address the United Muslims of Australia Quest for Success conference in Sydney in May. Tzortzis has been criticised in the past for stating that apostates (non believers) who fight against the Muslim 'communityshould be killed'. Scroll down for video British Islamic speaker Hamza Tzortzis, who has previously defended child marriage, is one of 12 speakers who will address the United Muslims of Australia Quest for Success conference in Sydney in May He later recanted his statement about beheading on his website saying he was under pressure while doing an online blog video. The British lecturer and public speaker also reportedly said: 'We as Muslims reject the idea of freedom of speech, and even the idea of freedom.' He will be joined at the event at Sydney's Olympic Park by Canadian preacher Sheikh Alaa Elsayed who is known to have condoned bigamy. 'If you have one wife, she fights with you! If you have two wives, they will fight for you,' Elsayed reportedly said. Canadian preacher Sheikh Alaa Elsayed will also speak at the event in May. He is known to have condoned bigamy saying if you have two wives they will fight for you Zachariah Matthews is one of the Australian speakers on the line-up. He has previously called for parts of sharia law to be introduced in Australia British lecturer Sheikh Zahir Mahmood is also on the list of speakers. He claimed back in 2009 that members of terrorist group Hammas were 'freedom fights' and they were just 'defending their country'. Australian speakers at the event include Zachariah Matthews and Sheikh Abu Hamza. Matthews has previously called for parts of sharia law to be introduced in Australia, while Hamza has said it is okay to hit your wife as long as it isn't too hard. British lecturer Sheikh Zahir Mahmood is also on the list of speakers. He claimed back in 2009 that members of terrorist group Hammas were 'freedom fights' and they were just 'defending their country' An advertisement for the event, which is being advertised on Facebook, says it will feature 'inspirational international and local guest speakers' who will share their 'vast range of insights, experiences and advice' The event has been organised the United Muslims of Australia - an Islamic youth and community based organisation - and is publicly being advertised on Facebook. An advertisement for the event says it will feature 'inspirational international and local guest speakers' who will share their 'vast range of insights, experiences and advice'. Jose Sanchez (pictured) was sentenced for 15 years A Boise, Idaho man who was pulled over for a routine traffic stop led officers on a dramatic chase that ended after his pickup truck careened across a highway and cartwheeled into a field. The Idaho State Police released the dash cam footage capturing the dramatic moment Jose Manuel Sanchez, 32, was launched into the air after his truck rolled over several times. Amazingly, Sanchez recovered and staggered away, still trying to evade the police. He was later sentenced to 15 years for battery of an officer, eluding police and possession of methamphetamine. When officers pulled Sanchez over in April, he initially complied. He stopped and the officer got out of the car, but Sanchez then turned his pickup truck around and drove straight at him. Jose Manuel Sanchez, 32, led Boise, Idaho, was fleeing from the police after he was stopped on a routine traffic check in April. Pictured above, Sanchez driving into the median of I-84 He was driving over 70mph. After driving left into the median, he swerved right and lost control. The blue pickup truck then flipped over several times Sanchez smashed into the police car door as the officer was trying to get back into the vehicle. As a result, the door slammed close on his leg. The officer called for backup, and other members of the Boise Police Department chased Sanchez through the city onto Interstate 84. Sanchez was driving at speeds over 70 miles per hour, and briefly drifted left into the median. He then lurched back and sped out to the shoulder, where the truck flipped over several times. A huge cloud of dust enveloped the blue vehicle, and the video footage shows a tire flying out. Moments later, Sanchez's body also emerges up over the dust. The officer pulls over and Sanchez shockingly emerges. He falls to the ground before getting up and staggering away. Sanchez was eventually arrested, treated for non-threatening injuries, and sentenced to 15 years in prison. The video was released after the Idaho State Police issued Certificates of Appreciation to two men who helped officers in Sanchez's capture. The crash kicked up a dust storm, and the dash cam footage shows a tire, as well as Sanchez's body, flying through the air This is the homeless woman accused of leaving her newborn partially submerged in a Subway toilet after spending just 10 minutes giving birth inside the sandwich chain in West Covina, California. Mary Grace Trinidad, 38, who was found 500 yards away at a local Pep Boys car repair, has been charged with attempted murder and child abandonment. The baby boy was partially submerged, with the umbilical cord hanging from the toilet, police spokesperson Rudy Lopez said. He also said the placenta was found in the trash. Newly released surveillance footage shows Trinidad took just 10 minutes to give birth- and filled up on a beverage before heading inside the bathroom. Scroll down for video Mary Grace Trinidad (pictured) is charged with attempted murder after allegedly leaving her baby partially submerged in a Subway toilet. The police released a January 3 mugshot of an unrelated crime Surveillance footage from inside the West Covina, California, chain shows she entered at 8.07am (left). She asked an employee for a cup, filled it up with a beverage, and entered the bathroom (right) She leaves just ten minutes later at 8.17am, with an employee following behind and walking her to the door She can be seen entering the Subway at 8.07am on Monday, wearing a pink dress and carrying a purse. She approaches the counter, gets a cup from an employee, and fills it up with a beverage before she enters the bathroom. She re-emerges at 8.17am, and a concerned employee follows her out to the door. A customer hears the newborn crying just moments after she left and alerts an employee who finds the baby in the bathroom. When authorities arrived on the scene, they removed the newborn, who was taken to the neonatal intensive care unit at Queen of the Valley Medical Center. About twenty minutes later, they followed the trail of blood she left behind for about 500 yards, and found Trinidad at a Pep Boys car repair, located about 20 miles outside of Los Angeles. She was arrested and taken to the same hospital as her baby for pregnancy-related issues. As of Tuesday, she is still hospitalized. Trinidad was wanted for a previous narcotics charge, according to police. They said bail will be set at $2million. The baby was in critical condition on Monday. It was unclear whether the baby was premature, and its current condition is protected under federal health care privacy laws, police said. California passed the Safely Surrendered Baby Law to prevent newborns from being abandoned. The law allows parents to give up their infants within 72 hours of birth with no questions asked. Authorities found her about 500 yards away at the Pep Boys car repair after they followed the trail of blood she left behind Advertisement Second World War veterans who took part in the D-Day landings today said they were humbled and honoured to receive France's highest decoration. Some 19 former servicemen received the honour from French Ambassador Sylvie Bermann at the French Embassy in London's Kensington today. And a further 23, now all pensioners, were also awarded the Legion d'Honneur today at a ceremony at Thiepval barracks in Lisburn, County Antrim. Among the soldiers recognised for their efforts on the day in 1944 that marked a major turning point in the war was 91-year-old Neville Henshaw. The former sergeant with the Royal Signals, from Comber in County Down, landed at Juno Beach and helped set up vital communications networks. Proud: Veterans with French Ambassador to the UK, Sylvie Bermann, after receiving the Legion d'Honneur at London's French Embassy Legion d'Honneur: Second World War veteran Corporal Alfred Court receives France's highest distinction, from Ambassador Bermann Respect: Veteran Sergeant Wilfred Jackson of the Royal Army Medical Corps salutes during the national anthem after receiving the medal He said: It's a surprise but at the same time, I think it's great recognition for what we did 71 years ago. I got a letter from the French president. I think I am more proud of the letter than I am of the medal because it thanks us for the part that we played when we brought freedom to France. Tens of thousands of Allied forces, carried on the largest armada ever seen, landed on five beaches across Normandy on June 6, 1944. In what was a major offensive against the Nazis, thousands of paratroopers were also dropped behind enemy lines. Although 4,000 men were killed during the operation, codenamed Overlord, the Nazis were defeated the next year. Recalling the horror that unfolded, Mr Henshaw added: We were very frightened and nervous but we had a job to do. Military hero:Second World War veteran Private David Greig receives the medal from Ambassador Bermann for his role in liberating France Cheers: Veteran Able Seaman Victor Walker holds up his glass after being given the Legion d'Honneur at the French Embassy in London Award: Sergeant Jackson was in the Royal Medical Corps and his job was to rescue and give medical aid to wounded soldiers Receiving his medal: Second World War veteran Trooper Victor Blake was in the 43rd Recce Regiment and landed on Juno Beach in 1944 I landed about midday on Tuesday, June 6 and a landing ship took us across. I landed in about two or three foot of water. I nearly drowned before I got there but, somebody pulled me out. I was soaking wet. Then the shooting started and it was all around us. 'They were firing at us. I was very lucky. You had to keep on going - trying to get across that beach as fast as possible. 'It was slow going because the sand was so soft. I was part of a small group and the group - they were all shot except me. 'Two were wounded - the chap alongside me was immediately shot dead. But I managed to cross that beach and meet up with other men. Giving an adress: Ambassador Bermann speaks to war veterans during the Legion d'Honneur ceremony at the French Embassy in London Memories: Tens of thousands of Allied forces, carried on the largest armada ever seen, landed on five beaches across Normandy in 1944 Happy: Corporal Alfred Court (centre), former Royal Tank Regiment tank commander, smiles with other veterans after receiving the award Attention: Sergeant Jackson salutes during the National Anthem after receiving France's highest distinction from the Ambassador 'We had to get into the ruins of some building to set up communications between different regiments because I was a wireless operator.' Former flight lieutenant Frank Ferguson, who was mentioned in despatches for his role in Normandy, said he was deeply honoured to get the medal. The National Order of the Legion of Honour was established by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802 and is the highest decoration in France. It is a great honour. I have waited 70 years to get it, added retired Royal Navy able seaman Samuel McGookin. The former serviceman from Belfast was part of the first wave supporting the landings at Juno Beach. Medals were presented to 17 former servicemen by Regine McCullough, France's honorary consul in the region. Elsewhere today: France's honorary consul Regine McCullough (centre) with 15 former servicemen at Thiepval Barracks in County Antrim Presentation: Andrew Nicholl, a former rifleman from the 1st Royal Ulster Rifles, receives his Legion D'Honneur medal at Thiepval Barracks Smiles: Neville Henshaw from the Royal Signals is also given a medal during the presentation to former servicemen at Thiepval Barracks Looking back: Thomas Edward Asher from the Royal Engineers (right) and Mr Henshaw speak during the presentation in County Antrim She said: This is the highest distinction in France so, it's very important. It is a big thank you. We will never forget what they did for freedom and for France. Without them who knows what would have happened. In June 2014 the French government offered to honour all surviving Allied servicemen who fought to liberate the country in the war with the medal. The Ministry of Defence is meant to process and approve applications from British veterans before sending them to Paris via the French Embassy. The driver escaped unharmed and said the fire grew quickly Tragic images have emerged of over 300 goats burned alive after a truck transporting them caught fire on February 15. The vehicle was carrying livestock from Shanxi Province to Nanjing in Guangxi when the blaze occurred, the People's Daily Online reports. Firefighters rushed to the scene but they could not put out the fire in time. Horrific images: Around 300 goats were killed after the truck they were being transported in caught fire Sad: The driver called the fire service who attended the scene almost immediately but it was too late The driver surnamed Dong spoke with local media saying: 'I was driving and everything seemed well. All of sudden the left tyre burst. I got off the truck to check what happened, and I saw smoke coming out of it. Because the hair of the goats is easily flammable, plus they were kept in a cramped space, the fire quickly spread throughout the truck.' Emergency services attended the scene and blocked off the road but they were too late to save the animals. It took half an hour to extinguish the fire. More than 300 goats burned alive in their cages. Authorities are investigating the cause of the blaze. This isn't the first case of tragic incidents involving the transportation of animals. In November last year, 2,000 ducks were roasted alive after the lorry transporting them from Guangdong province to Fujian caught fire. Drivers attempted to free the ducks but there was too much smoke. Only 30 ducks were saved. Incident: The driver reportedly saw smoke coming from the vehicle but only stopped when the fire spread A province in east China is set to give women, who suffer from painful menstrual cramps, time off work. According to government officials in Anhui, starting from March, the province will offer between one to two days leave a month for women who are the victims of painful periods, the People's Daily Online reports. The new rule was decided during the 67th annual meeting of the Anhui provincial government held in January. Anhui province in east China has introduced leave for women suffering from severe menstrual cramps During the annual meeting, Anhui authorities passed a new law on the protection of female employees in the province. Other measures including maternity leave and one hour a day breastfeeding leave for mothers with babies under the age of one. According to the rule, all women taking the 'menstrual leave' would have to get a note from their doctor to give to their employers, allowing the leave to take place. Anhui isn't the first province in the country to introduce leave for severe menstrual pain. Hubei and Hainan provinces also offer this type of leave however the take up has been fairly low. Hainan province haven't made the leave compulsory and so most employers have not made it company policy. Guangdong province held a consultation and trial period to consider the motion in December however it is not clear if it will be passed. There has been much debate in the country about whether the rule should be introduced country-wide and whether women will actually take up these sick days. According to China.org, an investigation carried out last year showed that around 20 percent of women would not take up the opportunity for various reasons including exposing their private lives and causing delays in work. The study also revealed that employers were feeling dubious about granting women leave as it would result in extra operating costs leaving companies questioning whether they should hire female employees. However Chinese media are reporting that in Anhui, employers who refuse to give the go-ahead to leave will be subject to fines. People in China are worried that employers would not help with efforts to balance discrimination at work According to Beijing News, many gynecologists believe that it will be hard to gauge the extent of the pain. Women on China's Twitter-like Weibo have been discussing the issue. One user wrote: 'I think this regulation will make it even harder for women to find jobs.' While another said: 'It looks like it is protecting women's rights, but eventually it will make things worse. The discrimination at work will never end if the rights of women and men are not balanced'. Other countries and regions in Asia already offer days off. Taiwan's current menstrual leave legislation guarantees female workers three days of menstrual leave a year, in addition to the 30 days of half-paid sick leave allotted to all workers. Advertisement Two adult sperm whales have been found dead in shallow water near the coastal city of Nantong, east China. Villagers discovered one of the huge bulls washed up on February 14, then two days later a second whale was found in deeper water on February 15, reports the People's Daily Online. Since the shocking discovery, one of the huge mammals, measuring 50 feet long and weighing 50 tonnes, has been removed by the local authorities in Jiangsu Province. It is still unclear why or how they became stranded and died. Scroll down for video Shocking: A sperm whale found dead on February 15 near the Chinese coastal city of Nantong was hauled out of the water earlier today Stranded: Another whale was found on Sunday morning by local fisherman, the 50 foot bull still remains on the beach in east China Pictures emerging from the Chinese media show dramatic operations are underway to haul the whales out of waters. One of them, which was found on February 15, was removed from the muddy beach today. Staff at the Yangkou Port used a special harness to lift up the whale before putting it on a heavy lorry to be transferred to the heavy cargo wharf. The special harness is said to consist of three heavy-lifting slings, and each of them can carry a maximum weight of 30 tonnes. Before it was removed from the water, experts thought the whale weighed 33 tonnes, it wasn't until it was out of the sea that they realised just how heavy it was. A large amount of ice and coarse salt was placed in the storage unit to help preserve its massive corpse. Washed up: A dead sperm whale weighing 50 tonnes was stranded in shallow water near Nantong city in east China's Jiangsu Province Hauled: The giant bull was transferred to the heavy cargo port of Yangkou Port, the huge dead bleeding whale measured 51 feet long Protected: After the first whale was discovered on Sunday local security stood by and guarded it on the beach from any poachers The first dead whale was found by a local fisherman on Sunday morning and it remains on the beach waiting to be towed away as of writing. The mature male measured almost 50 feet long and weighed 25 tonnes. A fisherman, named Yin Qiufeng, told China News Service that he had thought it was a capsized ship. 'But at a second glance I found it was a huge fish,' said Yin. He added: 'In the beginning I didn't dare go too close to have a better look because I thought it was still alive, but later I found out it was already dead.' After the first whale was discovered local security were pictured standing next to it, guarding the whale from any potential poachers. Both whales are believed to have died three to four days ago, they were discovered dead around five miles apart from each other. Battered: Although it is unclear how the whales died and became stranded, they both looked as if they has been scraped by something big Tragic: Police cordon off the area after a giant sperm is discovered dead on a beach in China on Sunday, it is unclear how it tragically died Heartbreaking: Since the shocking discovery, only one of the huge whales has been removed by local authorities in Jiangsu Province Local experts are unsure about the cause of death for both whales. Some have said they may have collided with large boats in the area, and others believe they entered the shallow waters by accident and became stranded. Other possibilities are that they were misled by sonar or became sick, whatever the cause, Chinese scientists are puzzled. Xu Jinrong, a well-known whale expert in China and a senior director at the School of Life Scientists at Nanjing University, said these two whales bear significance to the scientific research in the area. A special team has been set up especially to deal with the aftermath of the stranded whales. In their remote location off the coast of Chile, the ancient inhabitants of Easter Island were believed to have been wiped out by bloody warfare, as they fought over the island's dwindling resources. All they left behind were the iconic giant stone heads and an island littered with sharp triangles of volcanic glass, which some archaeologists have long believed were used as weapons. But new research suggests the islanders most likely used the sharp objects, called 'mata'a', as tools and not weapons. In their remote location off the coast of Chile, the ancient inhabitants of Easter Island were believed to have been wiped out by bloody warfare, as they fought over the island's dwindling resources. Instead, new research suggests the islanders most likely used the sharp objects, called 'mata'a', as tools instead of weapons The findings could turn the theories of the islanders' demise on their head, indicating the civilisation didn't wipe themselves in bloody battle, as previously believed. 'We found that when you look at the shape of these things, they just don't look like weapons at all,' said Professor Carl Lipo, an archaeologist at Binghampton University in New York. The team looked at more than 400 mata'a collected from various sites across Rapa Nui. Analysis showed the sharp objects differed greatly in shape - unlike the regular shape of arrow or spear heads - meaning they would make poor weapons. The findings could turn the theories of the islanders' demise on their head, indicating the remote civilisation (island pictured) on Rapa Nui didn't wipe itself out in bloody battle, as some have previously believed Rather than mortally injured islanders dropping the mata'a at the site of a fight, the team believe that the objects are scattered all over the island because they were used for farming or harvesting as well as in ritual tasks such as tattooing. Stock image of stone heads of Rapa Nui MATA'A: WEAPONS OR TOOLS? A team of archaeologists looked at more than 400 sharp glass objects, called Mata'a, collected from Rapa Nui. Analysis showed the objects differed greatly in shape, unlike the regular shape of arrow or spear heads. This suggests they would have made poor weapons. Rather than mortally injured islanders dropping the mata'a at the site of a fight, the team believes the objects are scattered around the island because they were used for farming, as well as in ritual tasks such as tattooing. Advertisement 'When you can compare them to European weapons or weapons found anywhere around the world when there are actually objects used for warfare, they're very systematic in their shape,' explained Professor Lipo. 'They have to do their job really well. Not doing well is risking death.' 'You can always use something as a spear. 'Anything that you have can be a weapon. 'But under the conditions of warfare, weapons are going to have performance characteristics. 'And they're going to be very carefully fashioned for that purpose because it matters.' 'You would cut somebody [with a mata'a], but they certainly wouldn't be lethal in any way,' explained Professor Lipo. In this respect, it would be like squaring up to a machete-wielding opponent with a breadknife, you might hurt them, but you're sure to come off worse due to your poor choice of weapon. Easter Island is one of the most remote inhabited island in the world, more than 2,180 miles away from the coast of Chile and 1,289 miles from the nearest inhabited island. Last year, academics from Virginia said the arrival of Europeans to the region in the 1700s brought syphilis, smallpox and slavery IF WAR DIDN'T WIPE THEM OUT, WHAT DID? Last year, a team of scientists from Virginia Commonwealth University was the first to question whether the collapse of Easter Island's civilisation was due to it over-exploiting the island's resources. It has long been held in lore that the island's landscape was washed away by the destruction of the palm forests, which ruined the fertile soil and forced the population to descend into war and cannibalism. But academics believe the arrival of Europeans to the region in the 1700s brought syphilis, smallpox and slavery. Scientists believe that many inhabitants survived perfectly well after the final tree was cut down, which goes against the belief the island's inhabitants caused their own downfall. The researchers reached their conclusion by looking at the same tools, which were scattered around the land. Advertisement According to Professor Lipo, this evidence strongly supports the idea that the ancient civilization didn't come to blows at the end. 'What people traditionally think about the island is being this island of catastrophe and collapse just isn't true in a pre-historic sense,' he explained 'Populations were successful and lived sustainably on the island up until European contact.' Rather than mortally injured islanders dropping the mata'a at the site of a fight, the team believes the objects are scattered all over the island because they were used for farming or harvesting as well as in ritual tasks such as tattooing. Instead of signs of catastrophe, the ubiquitous presence of the mata'a could instead indicate productivity. Professor Lipo concluded: 'We've been trying to focus on individual bits of evidence that support the collapse narrative to demonstrate that really there's no support whatsoever for that story.' The findings are published in the journal Antiquity. While the research looks to answer whether the objects were used in warfare, it also raises more questions about what happened to the island civilisation if warfare didn't wipe them out, then what did? The island is believed to have been settled by Polynesians, who sailed to the island shortly before 1200 AD. The population on the island grew quickly as settlements were formed, thriving for hundreds of years. Some scientists estimate that at its height, Easter Island's population may have been as much as 20,000 people WHAT ARE THE MOAI? The obsidian tools left behind by the Rapa Nui people are the lesser-known of the civilisation's artefacts. Most people know the islanders for the Moai, monolithic human figures carved on Easter Island between 1,250 and 1,500 AD. All the figures have overly-large heads and are thought to be living faces of deified ancestors. The 887 statues gaze inland across the island with an average height of 13ft (4 metres). All but 53 of the Moai were carved from tuff - compressed volcanic ash - and around 100 wear red pukao of scoria. In 1979 archaeologists said the statues were designed to hold coral eyes. The figures are believed to be symbol of authority and power. They may have embodied former chiefs and were repositories of spirits or 'mana'. They are positioned so that ancient ancestors watch over the villages, while seven look out to sea to help travellers find land. But it is a mystery as to how the vast carved stones were transported into position. Advertisement Last year, a team of from Virginia questioned whether the collapse of Easter Island's civilisation was due to it over-exploiting the island's resources. It has long been held in lore that the island's landscape was washed away by the destruction of the palm forests, which ruined the fertile soil and forced the population to descend into war and cannibalism. But academics believe the arrival of Europeans to the region in the 1700s brought syphilis, smallpox and slavery. The researchers reached their conclusion by looking at the same tools, which were scattered around the land. Easter Island is one of the most remote inhabited island in the world, more than 2,180 miles (3,500km) away from the coast of Chile and 1,289 miles (2,074km) from the nearest inhabited island. It is believed to have been settled by Polynesians, who sailed to the island shortly before 1200 AD. The population on the island grew quickly as settlements were formed, thriving for hundreds of years. Some scientists estimate that at its height, Easter Island's population may have been as much as 20,000 people. Diminutive 'hobbits' that died out on an Indonesian island some 15,000 years ago were not humans but a different species, according to new study. Fossils of Homo floresiensis - dubbed 'the hobbits' due to their tiny stature - were discovered on the island of Flores in 2003. Controversy has raged ever since as to whether they are an unknown branch of early humans or specimens of modern man deformed by disease. The new study, based on an analysis of the skull bones, shows once and for all that the pint-sized people were not Homo sapiens, according to the researchers. Scroll down for video Diminutive humans that died out on an Indonesian island some 15,000 years ago were not Homo humans but a different species, according to new study. Pictured are the remains of Indonesia's hobbit-sized humans (left) and modern human (right) are displayed at Gadjah Mada University in Yogyakarta, Indonesia Until now, academic studies have pointing in one direction or another - and scientific discourse has sometimes tipped over into acrimony. One school of thought holds that so-called Flores Man descended from the larger Homo erectus and became smaller over hundreds of generations. The proposed process for this is called 'insular dwarfing' - animals, after migrating across land bridges during periods of low sea level, wind up marooned on islands as oceans rise and their size progressively diminishes if the supply of food declines. An adult hobbit stood a metre (3 feet) tall, and weighed about 25 kilos (55 pounds). Controversy has raged as to whether the 'hobbits' are an unknown branch of early humans or specimens of modern man deformed by disease. Pictured is a Homo floresiensis sculpture on show at Smithsonian Institution Natural History Museum in Washginton In a previous study, researchers painstakingly reconstructed the face of Flores man from skull fragments THE 'INSULAR DWARFISM' THEORY A separate study published last year claimed the little people were descendants of prehistoric humans - Homo erectus. Project leader Yousuke Kaifu of the National Museum of Nature and Science said they reached Flores nearly a million years ago when it might have been possible to walk there from a larger land mass. Then, over the centuries, the seas rose, cutting them off. Because they had to survive on what food they could find, they evolved a small stature. Scientists have previously said they were clever hunters because they had found evidence of toolmaking, butchering and fires. Advertisement Similarly, Flores Island was also home to a miniature race of extinct, elephant-like creatures called Stegodon. But other researchers argue that H. floresiensis was in fact a modern human whose tiny size and small brainno bigger than a grapefruitwas caused by a genetic disorder. One suspect was dwarf cretinism, sometimes brought on by a lack of iodine. Another potential culprit was microcephaly, which shrivels not just the brain and its boney envelope. Weighing in with a new approach, published in the Journal of Human Evolution, a pair of scientists in France used high-tech tools to re-examine the layers of the 'hobbit' skull. More precisely, they looked at the remains of Liang Bua 1 (nicknamed LB1), whose cranium is the most intact of nine known specimens. 'So far, we have been basing our conclusions on images where you don't really see very much,' said lead author Antoine Balzeau, a scientist at France's Natural History Museum. One suspect was dwarf cretinism, sometimes brought on by a lack of iodine. Another potential culprit was microcephaly, which shrivels not just the brain and its boney envelope. Pictured is a 'Hobbit' Homo floresiensis skull (left) next to a Homo sapien skull (right) An adult hobbit stood a metre (3 feet) tall, and weighed about 25 kilos (55 pounds). One school of thought holds that so-called Flores Man descended from the larger Homo erectus and became smaller over hundreds of generations Joining forces with Philippe Charlier, a palaeopathologist at Paris-Descartes University specialised in solving ancient medical mysteries, the researchers secured high-resolution images recently generated in Japan to compute maps of bone thickness variation. 'There is a lot of information contained in bone layers of the skull,' Balzeau told AFP. The results, he said, were unambiguous: 'There were no characteristics from our species'that is, Homo sapiens. And while they found evidence of minor maladies, there was nothing corresponding to the major genetic diseases other researchers had pointed to. But if one part of the mystery may be solved, another remains intact. For while the scientists could not exclude the possibility that the 'hobbit' was a scaled-down version of Homo erectus, which arrived on the neighbouring island of Java some million years ago, nor could they be sure that H. floresiensis was not a species it its own right. 'For the moment, we can't say one way or the other,' Balzeau said. Skeletal remains of an 15,000-year-old hobbits were first discovered in 2003 in Flores, Indonesia. Flores is located east of Sumbawa and Komodo and west of Lembata. To the southeast is Timor Representatives of the Embassy of Poland are currently touring the world to tell people how they cracked the early Enigma machines (pictured) before passing their knowledge to British spy chiefs Their mathematical genius was crucial in breaking the Enigma code and now the Poles have launched an offensive to be written back into history. Representatives of the Embassy of Poland are touring the world to tell people about their crucial contribution to shortening the Second World War. They say that while all the credit goes to Britain and mathematician Alan Turing, played by Benedict Cumberbatch in the hit film the Imitation Game, it was actually their work that gave the Allies the edge over Hitler. Used by the Germans to encode military communications, the Enigma machine had up to 158 million million million settings, making it near impossible to crack. In the early 1930s, three Polish mathematicians, Jerzy Rozycki, Henryk Zygalski and Marian Rejewski set to work on an early version of Enigma and, unlike their British counterparts, quickly realised that maths, rather than linguistic patterns, were key. They had also created electro-mechanical devices called bombas, which simulated the workings and broke an early version of the machine in 1932. In July 1939, with the invasion of Poland imminent, and German upgrades of the Enigma machine making it too complex to crack without help, they shared their knowledge with British spy chiefs. The eventual breaking of Enigma at the British government's Code and Cipher School (GC&CS) at Bletchley Park, Buckinghamshire was credited with shortening the war by at least two years and saving millions of lives. But, the Iron Curtain had come down and the Poles lost their chance for glory. Maciej Pisarski, Deputy Chief of Mission, Polish Embassy in Washington, said: 'The story of Enigma was very important to us and the breaking of Enigma code was one of the most important contributions of Poland to the Allies victory during the Second World War. 'Our contribution to Enigma is something that we learned a lot about as children in Poland but we have a feeling that the knowledge is not so widespread. 'It was a crucial association which gave the allies the edge over the Germans. Poland says that while all the credit goes to Britain and mathematician Alan Turing (right), it was actually their work that gave the Allies the edge over Hitler. They say they developed the early Enigma machine (left) in 1932 Mathematician Alan Turing was played by Benedict Cumberbatch (pictured) in the hit film, The Imitation Game AN 'UNBREAKABLE' MACHINE The Enigma machine was used to transfer coded military messages to submarines in the Atlantic. German officials trusted completely that its codes were unbreakable and used it for all manner of communications. The Enigma machine allowed the user to type messages and then use rotors to 'scramble' them. The receiver had to know the exact settings to be able to decipher the code, which had around 159 quintillion (million million million) possible settings. The earlier models had just three rotors while later ones had five, which meant messages were even harder to decipher. German soldiers and sailors also were provided with a red book called the Kurzsignalheft, which contained tables that converted sentences into four-letter groups and was used for the operational communication. But unknown to them, code-breakers led by Alan Turing worked with other mathematicians to decipher the Nazi machines at Bletchley Park, Buckinghamshire. Turing and his team used one of the world's earliest computers in their bid to solve the code. It was not able to decipher German codes automatically, but once analysts had manually deciphered a few letters by picking out common words, such as the names of German generals or short words such as 'to' and 'they', the device could rapidly test hundreds of other possibilities to put together a code. Their efforts are said to have shortened the war by two years and saved up to 22million additional lives. An estimated 100,000 Enigma machines were made until the fall of the Third Reich but few machines survived the War. Advertisement 'We were trapped on the wrong side of the Iron Curtain during the Cold War and no one wanted to admit that anyone in Eastern Europe had anything to do with Engima.' 'Now it is our moral obligation to right this wrong and put this picture in a more complete way.' Dr Grazyna Zebrowska, science and technology advisor for the Polish Embassy in Washington D.C. said: 'I think the real story has been lost over time. 'The Polish involvement was well known during World War Two but during the Communist time it was not so convenient to admit that there had been so much co-operation between Britain and Poland. 'It was a very special and very secret alliance.' She added that there was an 'audible sigh' in Polish cinemas when their contribution to cracking Enigma was reduced to a single line. Dr Zebrwoska said: 'We're hoping this exhibition will show the work of the Polish mathematicians not just Alan Turing and everyone who was shown in the film.' The exhibition also tells how, on arriving in Britain, during the war, two of the Polish codebreakers, Henryk Zygalski and Marian Rejewski, offered to help on Enigma but to no avail. Dr Zebrowska told the American Association for the Advancement of Science's annual conference in Washington D.C.: 'They tried to help the British codebreakers but it was impossible to get to Bletchley Park or Alan Turing. 'The project was secret that nobody knew they were working on it.' A spokesman for the Bletchley Park Trust said: 'The early work in breaking Enigma which Poland shared with Britain and France in the days before the start of World War Two, was extremely important. 'The baton then passed to the codebreakers at Bletchley Park, who were able to develop the industrial processes and machinery necessary to deliver success in breaking daily-changing Enigma settings, producing intelligence which proved vital in helping the Allies win the war. 'The story of the early successes of the Polish cryptanalysts is incorporated in all of Bletchley Park's storytelling including exhibitions, the guidebook, free multimedia guides available to all visitors, guided tours of the site and, not least, is commemorated with the Polish Memorial in the grounds.' The eventual breaking of Enigma at the British government's Code and Cipher School at Bletchley Park (above), Buckinghamshire is credited with shortening the war by at least two years and saving millions of lives The remains of a mysterious woman found in the tomb of an ancient Siberian tsar may have been murdered to make sure the couple were buried together. The lavish tomb, full of gold, suggests the male was a high-ranking member of the 2,600-year-old community, and his bones showed he suffered from prostate cancer. However, there are no visible clues to explain the death of the younger woman he was buried alongside and archaeologists suspect she was poisoned in order to be buried with her older lover. The remains of a woman found in the tomb of a Siberian tsar may have been murdered to make sure the couple (pictured) were buried together. The man's bones showed he suffered from cancer but there are no visible clues to explain the death of the woman. Experts suspect she was poisoned to be buried with her lover The team also unearthed ancient jewellery, an art collection, as well as the remains of what is believed to be the ruler's 'entourage.' In the necropolis belonging to this mysterious civilisation, a total of 35 people - 16 men, 13 women, five children as well as a selection of bones that have not been identified - were found, plus 14 horses, according to reports in The Siberian Times. THE MACABRE ARZHAN RITUALS The tomb, known as Arzhan 2, was found in an area known as the Valley of the Kings in Tuva Republic. It was unearthed in 2001 and archaeologists have been analysing remains since. In the necropolis belonging to a seemingly lost civilisation was a total of 35 people - 16 men, 13 women, five children as well as a selection of bones that have not been identified plus 14 horses. This included what appeared to be an Siberian ruler and his wife, or possibly younger concubine. The lavish burial, filled with gold jewellery, suggests the male was a well-respected member of the community 2,600 years ago and his bones showed he suffered from prostate cancer. The researchers believe the men, women and children were slaughtered and laid to rest with their master in a rite that closely matched descriptions by Greek historian Herodotus. Herodotus, who from 484 BC to 425 BC, wrote: 'The body of the king is laid in the grave, stretched upon a mattress.' When the ruler died, 'his close circle' were 'killed'. Advertisement The researchers believe the group was slaughtered and laid to rest with their master in a burial rite that closely matched descriptions by Greek historian Herodotus. In particular, the tomb fits a description by Herodotus of the macabre Scythian rituals, penned several hundred years after Arzhan 2's creation. Herodotus, who from 484 BC to 425 BC, wrote: 'The body of the king is laid in the grave, stretched upon a mattress. 'Spears are fixed in the ground on either side of the corpse and beams stretched above it to form a roof. 'In the open space around the body of the king they bury one of his concubines, first killing her by strangling, and also his cup-bearer, his cook, his groom, his lackey, his messenger, some of his horses...and some golden cups, for they use neither silver nor brass.' German professor Hermann Parzinger, president of the Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation, and a joint leader of the excavations, said: 'Based on accompanying burials, we also found evidence of phenomena described by Herodotus when the living would follow the deceased.' When the ruler died, 'his close circle' were 'killed'. 'As they were the property of the leader, they had to follow him to the tomb. And we identified particular evidence of their murder,' Professor Parzinger said. The 'king', nicknamed Siberian Tutankhamun, is believed to be the earliest known sufferer of prostate cancer He was aged between 40 and 50 when he died, while his female partner is seen as being aged around 30. Other artefacts found on the site include 9,300 decorative gold pieces (selection pictured), not including an 'uncountable' number of gold beads. More than 44lbs of gold, including earrings, pendants and beads, and decorated weaponry, adorned the bodies of the royal couple, all made in what is known as Animal Art style The lavish tomb (site pictured) was full of gold suggesting the male was a high-ranking member of the 2,600-year-old community. The 'king', nicknamed Siberian Tutankhamun, is believed to be the earliest known sufferer of prostate cancer. He was aged between 40 and 50 when he died, while his female partner was around 30 The tomb, known as Arzhan 2, was found in an area known as the Valley of the Kings in Tuva Republic (marked). It was unearthed in 2001 and archaeologists have been analysing remains since. It is not known if the woman found in the tomb was the unknown ruler's wife, or his 'favourite concubine', said the researchers THE TOMB 'LINED WITH GOLD' Other artefacts found on the site include 9,300 decorative gold pieces, not including an 'uncountable' number of gold beads. More than 44lbs of gold, including earrings, pendants and beads, and decorated weaponry, adorned the bodies of the royal couple, all made in what is known as Animal Art style. It also includes 'many great works of art - figures of animals, necklaces, pins with animals carved into a golden surface,' explained Dr Mikhail Piotrovsky, director of the Hermitage Museum in St Petersburg. He described the collection as 'an encyclopedia of Scythian Animal Art because you have all the animals which roamed the region, such as panther, lions, camels, deer. The collection from the Arzhan 2 burial site is said to be impossible to insure, preventing it from being displayed in exhibitions abroad. Advertisement It is not known if she was his wife, or his 'favourite concubine'. Russian archaeologist Professor Konstantin Chugunov, co-leader of the excavation, has speculated that the woman who shared the ruler's grave could have been poisoned. The tomb, known as Arzhan 2, was found in an area known as the Valley of the Kings. It was unearthed between 2001 and 2003 and archaeologists have been analysing the remains found on the 262ft (80 metre) site ever since. Other artefacts found on the site include 9,300 decorative gold pieces, not including an 'uncountable' number of gold beads. More than 44lbs of gold, including earrings, pendants and beads, and decorated weaponry, adorned the bodies of the royal couple, all made in what is known as Animal Art style. It also includes 'many great works of art - figures of animals, necklaces, pins with animals carved into a golden surface,' explained Dr Mikhail Piotrovsky, director of the Hermitage Museum in St Petersburg where some of the collection is being held. He described the collection as 'an encyclopedia of Scythian Animal Art because you have all the animals which roamed the region, such as panther, lions, camels, deer. 'This is the original Scythian style, from the Altai region, which eventually came to the Black Sea region and finally in contact with ancient Greece. And it resembles almost an Art Nouveau style.' A total of 35 people and 14 horses were also found in the tomb. Experts believe the group was slaughtered and laid to rest with their master in a burial rite that closely matched descriptions by Greek historian Herodotus (illustrated). Herodotus wrote that 'the body of the king is laid in the grave' and 'his close circle' are 'killed' The jewellery (pictured) presents experts with a puzzle, because some have claimed the warrior Scythians - who at this point had no known contact with Ancient Greece - should now be seen in a new light. Dr Anatoil Nagler said: 'The people were excellent craftsmen. This puts the Scythian quality of life in a new light' The jewellery presents modern experts with a puzzle, because some have claimed the warrior Scythians - who at this point had no known contact with Ancient Greece - should now be seen in a new light. For example Dr Anatoil Nagler, of the German Archeological Institute, said: 'The people were excellent craftsmen. This puts the Scythian quality of life in a new light. 'It rejects the stereotype that Scythians were just wild horsemen and warriors, migrating and destroying other people. They had a high level of cultural development.' The collection (selection pictured) from the Arzhan 2 burial site is said to be impossible to insure, preventing it from being displayed in exhibitions abroad. 'Their exceptional artwork predates the influence of the Greeks, and displays a high degree of sophistication,' said the report An iron dagger (picutred left) and iron arrowheads with golden encrustation (pictured right) were also found in the tomb. The tomb was unearthed between 2001 and 2003 and archaeologists have been analysing the remains found on the 262ft (80 metres) site ever since But others claimed that the nomads mainly employed skilled craftsmen from other groups - who lived in permanent settlements - to make their jewellery and art. And some treasures came from the territory of what is now China, and others from 3,000-plus miles away around the Caspian Sea. The collection from the Arzhan 2 burial site is said to be impossible to insure, preventing it from being displayed in exhibitions abroad. They may be more King Charles Spaniel than Charles Lindbergh, but these canines could be about to perform a similarly record-breaking feat as the famous aviator. A total of 12 dogs have been chosen to take part in Sky 1's Dogs Might Fly show in which the cognitive abilities of man's best friend will be put to the ultimate test. After being put through a series of problem-solving tasks, the best performing pets will be sent to flight school for 10 weeks in the hope they will be able to successfully pilot a plane. A total of 12 dogs, including Spot (pictured), have been chosen to take part in Sky 1's Dogs Might Fly show in which the cognitive abilities of man's best friend will be put to the ultimate test to see if they can pilot a plane Experts, led by clinical animal behaviourist Mat Ward and dog trainers Cath Philips and Charlotte Wilde have scoured Europe for the smartest pets to take part in the trial. The 12 finalists include a 23-month-old collie-lurcher cross called Alfie, a two-and-a half-year-old Staffordshire bull terrier-collie cross named Shadow and 'boisterous puppy' Tess, an 18-month-old, Belgian shepherd. Chilli the Pyrenean shepherd cross and Spain and 22-month-old Labrador cross Blondie both live in Spain. There are also three previous strays, including a lurcher cross called Honey, an 18-month-old German shepherd Labrador cross called Reggie and Spot the terrier-beagle cross. Meanwhile, Parson-Jack Russell cross Spike is described as 'inquisitive', Wilf is a collie cross with 'bundles of personality' and 'comedian' Sox, an 18-month-old boxer-Labrador cross. MEET THE DOGGY FLYING SQUAD The 12 finalists include: Alfie: A 23-month-old collie-lurcher cross. Shadow: A two-and-a half-year-old Staffordshire bull terrier-collie cross. Tess: A 'boisterous' 18-month-old Belgian shepherd. The 12 finalists include a 23-month-old collie-lurcher cross called Alfie (pictured left) and 'boisterous puppy' Tess, an 18-month-old Belgian shepherd (pictured right) Chilli the Pyrenean shepherd cross (pictured left) Spain and 22-month-old Labrador cross Blondie (pictured right) both live in Spain Chilli: A two-year-old Pyrenean shepherd cross from Spain. Blondie: A 22-month-old Labrador cross Blondie also from Spain. Honey: A two-year-old lurcher cross stray. Reggie: An 18-month-old German shepherd Labrador cross. There are also three strays, including a lurcher cross called Honey (left), an 18-month-old German shepherd Labrador cross called Reggie (centre) and Spot the terrier-beagle cross (right) Parson-Jack Russell cross Spike (pictured) is two and a half years old and has been described by the experts on the show as 'inquisitive' Spot: A 'confident and eager' terrier-beagle cross puppy aged two. Spike: A two-and-a-half-year-old Parson-Jack Russell cross described as 'inquisitive.' Wilf: A 22-month-old collie cross with 'bundles of personality.' Sox: The 'comedian', 18-month-old boxer-Labrador cross. Poppy: A two-and-a-half-year-old Australian kelpie-collie cross described as 'bright and focused.' Shadow (pictured left) is a two-and-a half-year-old Staffordshire bull terrier-collie cross, while fellow finalist Sox has been described as the 'comedian' of the group and is an 18-month-old boxer-Labrador cross (right) Wilf (pictured left) is a 22-month-old collie cross with 'bundles of personality.' Making up the dozen is 'bright' Poppy, an two-and-a-half-year-old Australian kelpie-collie cross (pictured right) Advertisement The dogs are being put through their paces at a mansion in Sussex, and the experiment is being filmed by Oxford Scientific Films for Sky's upcoming show. During the test, the experts will study how the dogs respond to various stimulation tasks (example set-up with finalist Wilf is pictured) Making up the dozen is 'bright' Poppy, a two-and-a-half-year-old Australian kelpie-collie cross. The dogs are being put through their paces at a mansion in Sussex, and the experiment is being filmed by Oxford Scientific Films for Sky's upcoming show. During the test, the experts will study how the dogs respond to various stimulation tasks. Sky's show is presented by Jamie Theakston (pictured left). The dogs are being put through their paces by experts led by clinical animal behaviourist Mat Ward (pictured right) and dog trainers Cath Philips and Charlotte Wilde. Finalist Honey is pictured centre The dogs will also be taken to the top of London landmarks, and taken on a speedboat on the Thames (Spot, Shadow and Honey are pictured left to right) to test how they react to heights and speed. All of these experiments will show how the dogs react to the tests, as well as acclimatise them to being in a plane They will also be taken to the top of London landmarks, and taken on a speedboat on the Thames to test how they react to heights and speed. All of these experiments will test how the dogs react to the tests, as well as acclimatise them to the idea of being in a plane. More details will be revealed when the show airs next weekend. The plane's controls will be specially modified to make it possible for the pets to press buttons and steer, and the best performers will be subjected to 10 weeks of intensive training in how to use this doggy-friendly control panel. The plane's controls will be specially modified to make it possible for the pets (Spot pictured) to press buttons and steer, and the best performers will be subjected to 10 weeks of intensive training in how to use this dog-friendly control panel before taking to the sky Sky's show is presented by Jamie Theakston. Oxford Scientific Films explained: 'We will make even the most devoted dog lovers see their pets in a whole new light; proving that dogs have distinct personalities and incredible levels of intelligence. 'A nationwide search for dogs from rescue centres finds twelve of Britain's most extraordinary canine characters bursting with potential. 'A team of experts and trainers examine their skills in communication, empathy, memory and reasoning before tasking them with some breathtaking challenges. 'The top three go forward to Flight School where under the stewardship of New Zealand Driving Dogs Star Mark Vette they train for a world first - could one of them really fly an aeroplane?' Stanley Coren, professor of canine psychology at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver has criticised the show. He told The Independent: 'Given that we would not expect a human three-year-old to be able to fly a plane, I would not expect that a dog could do so either.' They were already the largest and most formidable predators to live in Australia, but an extinct giant species of marsupial lion also had a trick up its sleeve when hunting - they could climb. Thousands of claw marks inside a cave on the south western tip of Australia have suggested these ferocious creatures may have ambushed their prey by dropping on them from trees. Despite being the size of African lions, Thylacoleo carnifex were adept climbers and would have been one of the main threats facing humans when they arrived on the continent 50,000 years ago. The marsupial lion, Thylacoleo carnifex (skeleton pictured), grew to weigh up to 220lb and was the size of an African lion. But new research has shown the animals were also adept at climbing and may have used this to help them catch prey by dropping on them from trees, much like modern leopards Weighing more than 220lbs, the animals are thought to have preyed upon large herbivores, including the rhinoceros-sized Diprotodon optatum. But exactly how the lions hunted, captured and killed their prey has been greatly debated since their fossilised remains were first discovered in the mid-nineteenth century. COULD TASMANIAN DEVILS HAVE MADE THE CLAW MARKS? The researchers found claw marks from a number of species within the caves, including bears, rodents and Tasmanian Devils. While the bears and rodents are quite distinctive, the devils could be the other candidate for the scratches attributed to lions. These feisty carnivores are now restricted to the island of Tasmania, but were once much more widespread across the continent. Tasmanian Devils, however, leave distinctive tooth marks on bones of their prey as they tend to chew them. The researchers said the lack of tooth marks in more than 10,000 bones studied from the Tight Entrance Cave suggests devils did not use the caves. Instead, they said they are almost certain the marks were left by the extinct marsupial lions. Advertisement Some have claimed the creatures hunted in packs, while others said they tended to scavenge or even preyed upon bird eggs rather than actively hunting other animals. Now palaeontologists who have studied a huge cave known as Tight Entrance Cave, close to Witchcliffe in south west Australia, believe they have finally found the answer. They discovered the mud-encrusted limestone walls covered in scratches left by the marsupial lions along with other extinct creatures from the Pleistocene. Ranging from less than an inch to six-inches long, the marks show the lions were adept climbers, able to clamber high up on steep walls and over uneven boulders. It suggests the animals may have hunted by climbing trees and dropping on their prey from above, much like modern leopards. Writing in the journal Scientific Reports, the Dr Gavin Prideaux and Sam Arman, palaeontologists at Flinders University in Australia who conducted the study, said the claw marks appear to have accumulated over a period of 90,000 years. The lions appear to have last inhabited the cave 51,000 years ago, they said. Etched into the encrusted mud and limestone are thousands of scratches and claw marks (pictured), which researchers said were left by marsupial lions and their cubs. Many of the marks were on steep walls and difficult terrain, suggesting the animals were adept climbers, providing clues about how they hunted The scientists discovered thousands of claw marks in Tight Entrance Cave, close to Witchcliffe in south western Australia (illustrated). The caves were used as a den by marsupial lions for up to 90,000 years THE FEARSOME ANCIENT LION The lions appear to have last inhabited the cave studied 51,000 years ago. Claw marks within Tight Entrance Cave are located on steep surfaces, despite more gradual inclines being available on other sides of the central rock pile and boulder. This suggests regular, confident, purposeful climbing with a high degree of agility. Thylacoleo carnifex may also have used one of their large claws specifically for climbing, as scratch marks on more level ground appear to only have four claw marks. This finding suggests they raised this claw when walking on the ground and instead used it when grappling with prey or climbing trees. The researchers also found evidence that suggests the lions sheared flesh clean off the bones of their prey with powerful jaws. The creatures had sharp chisel-like teeth at the front of their jaws, which would have been well adapted to this. Although the first remains for Thylacoleo carnifex were discovered in around 1830 and the species was described in 1859, it was not until 2002 that full skeletons were discovered. Eight complete skeletons were found in a limestone cave under the Nullarbor Plain in southern Australia. Advertisement 'Many claw marks within Tight Entrance Cave are located on steep surfaces, despite more gradual inclines being available on other sides of the central rock pile and boulder,' the researchers said. 'This suggests regular, confident, purposeful climbing with a high degree of agility. 'This distribution reinforces the argument, based on skeletal morphology, that Thylacoleo carnifex could climb trees. 'This is in spite of its large size and "bear-like" build, which have been used to argue against its arboreal adeptness.' Thylacoleo carnifex may also have used one of their large claws specifically for climbing, as scratch marks on more level ground appear to only have four claw marks. This finding suggests they raised this claw when walking on the ground and instead used it when grappling with prey or climbing trees. The researchers also found evidence that suggests the lions sheared flesh clean off the bones of their prey with powerful jaws. The creatures have sharp chisel-like teeth at the front of their jaws, which would have been well adapted to this. None of the 10,000 bones they looked at had lion bite marks on them. Smaller scratch marks also appear to have been left by young lions, suggesting the predators used the caves as dens where they reared their cubs. Although the first remains for Thylacoleo carnifex were discovered in around 1830 and the species was described in 1859, it was not until 2002 that full skeletons were discovered. The giant marsupial lion (artist's reconstruction illustrated) was a fierce carnivore. However, scientists have been divided over how the creatures hunted, with some suggesting they were scavengers and others claiming they went after easy food like eggs. The new discovery suggests they were possibly even pack hunters Eight complete skeletons were found in a limestone cave under the Nullarbor Plain in southern Australia. At the time it led to suggestions that the animals had fallen in through an opening and starved to death. However, the new findings by Dr Prideaux and Mr Arman suggest the lions may have been using the cave as a den, which would explain why so many of their remains were found there. The experts said it would make sense for the predators to use caves as a den for their young as hunting with cubs in their marsupial pouches would have hindered their ability to catch prey. 'Marsupial lions, like all marsupials, would have given birth to extremely underdeveloped young that could not be left alone until becoming at least partially weaned,' the pair wrote. 'Marsupial lion females were at least three times the adult body mass of thylacines, which suggests that they may have borne young in the pouch for a minimum of four months. The lions (artist's impression pictured) may have used dens to keep their cubs safe while they went hunting, the researchers say, because carrying cubs in their pouch may have hampered their ability to catch prey DID CLIMBING ULTIMATELY CAUSE THE DEMISE OF THE LIONS? The marsupial lions are thought to have dominated the Australian continent as the top predator until the arrival of humans 50,000 years ago. If the creatures did use trees to help them hunt, it may also provide clues to what led to their demise. The animals are thought to have died out around 46,000 years ago after many of the trees that covered the landscape were destroyed by drought and fire. Advertisement 'Carrying older pouch young while hunting probably constrained predatory efficiency or prey size range. 'Even without invoking the difficulties involved in carrying pouch young, mere accompaniment by cubs has been implicated in 16 per cent of failed chases by cheetahs. 'As in numerous extant carnivores, adult marsupial lions likely left semi-independent young to shelter in the cave while they went off to hunt before returning to bring food and to rest.' Finally, the researchers said their findings suggest the lions may well have been capable of hunting in packs as they may have lived in small social family groups within the caves. Dr Prideaux told MailOnline: 'It intimates a degree of social behavior that may be consistent with collaborative hunting.' Writing in the journal the researchers added: 'Given that marsupial lions were apparently adapted to apprehending and consuming large prey and potentially social, it is feasible that, as in all extant group-living mammalian predators, they were cooperative hunters. 'As body mass, group living and group hunting are seen as co-adaptations for procuring large prey, it is plausible that marsupial lions were pack hunters. The researchers examined thousands of claw and scratch marks and compared them to those made by other animals. They found the large marsupial lions - Thylacoleo carnifex - left distinctive marks (illustrated) 'Such a strategy would have allowed them to prey upon the largest marsupial, the rhinoceros-sized Diprotodon optatum, bones of which have been found with incidental marsupial lion tooth marks.' The marsupial lions are thought to have dominated the Australian continent as the top predator until the arrival of humans 50,000 years ago. If the creatures did use trees to help them hunt, it may also provide clues to what led to their demise. The animals are thought to have died out around 46,000 years ago after many of the trees that covered the landscape were destroyed by drought and fire. However, Dr Prideaux said humans must also take their share of resonsiblity for killing off the creatures. It is one of the fundamental ingredients for life on Earth and covers around 71 per cent of our planet's surface, but it appears water is far more diverse than most of us could possibly imagine. A new study has discovered a new type of ice crystal that is super-lightweight. This brings the total number of frozen water forms up to 18 and although it doesn't form naturally on Earth, it could reveal clues about flowing water on distant planets. Scientists have discovered that water can form a unique type of ice under cetrain conditions that form a cage like structure (illustrated). This is the eighteenth form of ice to have been discovered but requires extreme pressures to keep it from collapsing according to the scientists and it not found naturally on Earth HOW DOES ICE FORM? Water is composed to two hydrogen atoms bound to an oxygen atom. However, due to the uneven distribution of electrons in these molecules, the hydrogen atoms take on a faint positive charge while the oxygen atoms take on a negative charge. This gives liquid water many of its unusual properties but also effects the crystal structure it takes when it freezes too. Once temperatures drop below freezing point for water, the electrical charges on the molecules cause it to form a open lattice structure, which is why water expands when it freezes. Its slipperiness is caused when pressure or friction causes a thin layer of ice to melt, reducing the traction on the surface. Advertisement Most forms of ice float on water as the molecular structure it forms when crystallising makes it lighter than it is in liquid form. Professor Xiao Cheng Zeng, a chemist at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, found that in the right conditions water molecules can arrange themselves in unusual ways. Together with colleagues at Dalain University of Technology, his team discovered a type of ice where water molecules form an interlocking cage-like structure called a clathrate. These molecules are thought to arrange themselves in this way at extreme pressures that cause the molecules to expand. Previously Professor Zeng and his team discovered another form of 2D ice that contracts rather than expands when it is frozen, under the right conditions. Professor Zeng said the newest form - or phase - of ice, called Ice XVII, does not appear to form in nature. The official name is the result of a quirk that has resulted in two forms being identified as Ice I. Professor Zeng said: 'Water and ice are forever interesting because they have such relevance to human beings and life. 'If you think about it, the low density of natural ice protects the water below it. It it were denser, water would freeze from the bottom up and no living species could surivive. Water is well known to create many unique and beautiful structures as it freezes, such as in snow flakes (pictured) but in conditions where pressure or temperatures vary, the molecular structure can also vary 'So Mother Nature's combination is just so perfect.' The new form of ice, which is reported in the journal Science Advances, is the second to be discovered since 2014 when researchers in Europe synthesised a new low density form. Professor Zeng and his team said the proposed ice, which has yet to be synthesised, would be about 25 per cent less dense again, making it possibly the lightest form of ice to be known. Clathrate cystrals were thought to only form when housing 'guest molecules' such as methane inside their cage like structure. These can often be found on the ocean floor and in permafrost, but Professor Zeng's work suggests they may also remain intact once the guest molecule has been evicted. Around 71 per cent of the Earth's surface is covered in water. Most of the biosphere - where life exists - ice forms one of two phases. However, there are now thought to be 18 different forms ice can take However, at -10F (-23C) the ice would require an outwards pressure four times greater than that found at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean to remain in tact. At -460F (-273C), the pressure required would be equivalent to a person carrying 300 jumbo jets on their shoulders. The research could provide some clues as to what form water may take on other planets, though, where temperatures and pressures are different from those found on Earth. 'We performed a lot of calculations (focused on) whether this is not just a low-density ice, but perhaps the lowest-density ice to date,' said Professor Zeng. 'A lot of people are interested in predicting a new ice structure beyond the state of the art.' Astronomers have sniffed the atmosphere of a distant super Earth - and found a highly poisonous form of hydrogen The exotic exoplanet, 55 Cancri e, is over eight times the mass of Earth and has previously been dubbed the 'diamond planet' because models based on its mass and radius have led some astronomers to speculate that its interior is carbon-rich. Using new processing techniques on data from the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope, a UCL-led team of European researchers has been able to examine the atmosphere of 55 Cancri e in unprecedented detail. Scroll down for video The exotic exoplanet, 55 Cancri e, is over eight times the mass of Earth and has previously been dubbed the 'diamond planet' because models based on its mass and radius have led some astronomers to speculate that its interior is carbon-rich. 55 CANCRI E: KEY FACTS 55 Cancri e is a 'super Earth': a rocky exoplanet about twice the size and eight times the mass of Earth. The planet is orbiting a sun-like star located 40 light years away. It is one of five planets orbiting a sun-like star in the Cancer constellation, and resides so close to its parent star that a year lasts just 18 hours. The planet is also tidally locked, meaning that it doesn't rotate like the Earth does instead there is a permanent 'day' side and a 'night' side. Since it is the nearest super Earth whose atmosphere can be studied, 55 Cancri e is among the best candidates for detailed observations of surface and atmospheric conditions on rocky exoplanets. Advertisement They found evidence for hydrogen and helium in its atmosphere, but no water. The results will be published in the Astrophysical Journal. 'This is a very exciting result because it's the first time that we have been able to find the spectral fingerprints that show the gases present in the atmosphere of a super-Earth,' said Angelos Tsiaras, a PhD student at UCL who developed the analysis technique along with colleagues Dr Ingo Waldmann and Marco Rocchetto in UCL Physics & Astronomy. 'Our analysis of 55 Cancri e's atmosphere suggests that the planet has managed to cling on to a significant amount of hydrogen and helium from the nebula from which it formed.' Super-Earths are thought to be the most common planetary type in our galaxy and are so-called because they have a mass larger than Earth but are still much smaller than the gas giants in the Solar System. 55 Cancri e is a 'super Earth': a rocky exoplanet about twice the size and eight times the mass of Earth. It is one of five planets orbiting a sun-like star in the Cancer constellation, and resides so close to its parent star that a year lasts just 18 hours. The planet is also tidally locked, meaning that it doesn't rotate like the Earth does instead there is a permanent 'day' side and a 'night' side. Since it is the nearest super Earth whose atmosphere can be studied, 55 Cancri e is among the best candidates for detailed observations of surface and atmospheric conditions on rocky exoplanets. The Wide Field Camera 3 (WFC3) on Hubble has already been used to probe the atmosphere of two super-Earths, but no spectral features were found in these previous studies. 55 Cancri e has a year that lasts 18 hours and temperatures on the surface are thought to reach around 2000 degrees Celsius. The planet is located in a solar system around 55 Cancri, a star in the Cancer constellation that is around 40 light-years from Earth. Because 55 Cancri is such a bright star, the team were able to use new analysis techniques to extract information about its planetary companion. 55 Cancri e is a 'super Earth': a rocky exoplanet about twice the size and eight times the mass of Earth. The planet is orbiting a sun-like star located 40 light years away. Pictured is an artist's impression Observations were made by scanning WFC3 very quickly across the star to create a number of spectra. By combining these observations and processing through computer analytic 'pipeline' software, the researchers were able to retrieve the spectral fingerprints of 55 Cancri e embedded in the starlight. 'This result gives a first insight into the atmosphere of a super-Earth. 'We now have clues as to what the planet is currently like, how it might have formed and evolved, and this has important implications for 55 Cancri e and other super-Earths,' said Professor Giovanna Tinetti (UCL Physics & Astronomy). Intriguingly, the data also hinted at a signature for hydrogen cyanide, a marker for carbon-rich atmospheres. 'Such an amount of hydrogen cyanide would indicate an atmosphere with a very high ratio of carbon to oxygen,' said Dr Olivia Venot, KU Leuven, Belgium, who developed an atmospheric chemical model of 55 Cancri e that supported the analysis of the observations. 'If the presence of hydrogen cyanide and other molecules is confirmed in a few years' time by the next generation of infrared telescopes, it would support the theory that this planet is indeed carbon rich and a very exotic place,' said Professor Jonathan Tennyson (UCL Physics & Astronomy). 'Although, hydrogen cyanide or prussic acid is highly poisonous, so it is perhaps not a planet I would like to live on!' Astronomers have detected wildly changing temperatures on a super Earth the first time any atmospheric variability has been observed on a rocky planet outside the solar system and believe it could be due to huge amounts of volcanic activity Since it is the nearest super Earth whose atmosphere can be studied, 55 Cancri e is among the best candidates for detailed observations of surface and atmospheric conditions on rocky exoplanets. Most of the early research on exoplanets has been on gas giants similar to Jupiter and Saturn, since their enormous size makes them easier to find. In recent years, astronomers have been able to map the conditions on many of these gas giants, but it is much more difficult to do so for super Earths: exoplanets with masses between one and ten times the mass of Earth. Passengers and air crew could be breathing in toxic fumes while on board aircraft with faulty air conditioning systems, a new study has warned. German scientists have found harmful chemicals known as organophosphates as well as traces of volatile compounds from burning aircraft fuel in blood samples taken from aircrew. Organophosphates form the basis of many insecticides, herbicides, and nerve agents. Most aircraft recycle around half of the air inside the cabin while other air is drawn in through the engines - often without passing through filters. Scroll down for video Fume events, where harmful compounds can be pumped into aircraft cabins (stock picture) due to engine leaks have been known about since the 1950s, but are thought to be rare. A new study found volative organic compounds and organophosphates in the blood of aircrew complaining of symptoms linked to such events Leaks in the engines can cause this air to become contaminated with anti-freeze, oils and kerosene. Known as 'fume events', sickness in passengers and aircrew have been recorded since the 1950s. One such event was implicated in the death of a British Airways co-pilot Richard Westgate, who died in 2012 after suffering a condition called aerotoxic syndrome. WHAT IS AEROTOXIC SYNDROME? 'Aerotoxic syndrome' is the term given to symptoms linked to the exposure to contaminated air in jet aircraft. Many former pilots, co-pilots and aircrew staff believe they have been subjected to long-term illnesses due to the amount of time they have spent exposed to cabin air and 'toxic fumes'. Numerous scientific studies have been carried out since the late 1970s to try and determine whether contaminated cabin air is the cause of chronic health problems. Symptoms of 'aerotoxic syndrome' are said to include: Fatigue, blurred or tunnel vision, loss of balance, seizures, memory impairment, headaches, tinnitus, confusion, nausea, diarrhoea, breathing difficulties and irritation of the eyes, nose and upper airways. If Sheriff Stanhope Payne, the senior coroner for Dorset, rules in the inquest into the death of British Airways co-pilot Richard Westgate that cabin air was partly to blame for his death, then it will be the first time an independent judge in the UK has put this on record. Advertisement The 43-year-old had complained of suffering from persistent headaches, nausea and chronic fatigue and he claimed this was caused by fumes in the cockpit. A study conducted following his death found that air in cockpits was being contaminated by contained organophosphates and other chemicals. Now a new study by scientists at the University of Gottingen, which has still to be published, suggests the problem may be widespread. The researchers tested 140 patients who reported symptoms of aerotoxic syndrome and found traces of organophosphates and volatile organic compounds in their blood. Dr Astrid Heutelbeck, who led the research, told German newspaper The Local: 'These are all substances that are forbidden in consumer products.' Organophosphates, however, are known to circulate widely in the environment as they are used in many pesticides. This means the general public can often be exposed to these chemicals by eating fruit or vegetables without washing them first. Some organophosphates are also used for treating lice in fish farming and there are fears the chemicals can accumulate in the bodies of marine animals. Historically, organophosphates were also used in nerve agents for chemical weapons. Richard Westgate (pictured), a former co-pilot with British Airways, died after complaining he was suffering from Aerotoxic Syndrome linked to fumes he inhaled while in the cockpit. His death prompted a study of the air in aircraft cabins that showed it was being contaminated with organophosphates and other chemicals The Department of Transport in the UK says fume events - where air in cabins are contaminated with fumes from the engine - only occur in around 0.05 per cent of flights. Stock image of an airline cabin is pictured It is thought they may get into aircrafts from fuel leaks from the engine into the air supply. According to the UK's department of transport, fume events occur on roughly 0.05 per cent of flights. Research conducted by Cranfield University for the Department of Transport in 2011 showed 95 per cent of aircraft cabin samples had no detectable amounts of two organophosphates called TCP and TOCP. It did find low levels of an organophosphate called TBP, which is an element in aircraft hydraulic fluid, but the levels were 1,000 times smaller than the exposure limits set by health authorities. New airliners, such as the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, are now being designed to avoid the use of 'bleed air' from the engines. A 2013 report published by Professor Michael Bagshaw, a specialist in aviation medicine at Kings College London, also noted: 'The amounts of organophosphates to which aircraft crew members could be exposed, even over multiple, long-term exposures, are insufficient to produce neurotoxicity.' Google's balloon-powered high-speed Internet service known as 'Project Loon' began its first tests in Sri Lanka Monday ahead of a planned joint venture with Colombo, the country's top IT official said. One of three balloons that will be used in the trials entered Sri Lankan airspace Monday, the Information and Communication Technology Agency chief Muhunthan Canagey said. 'The first balloon entered our airspace this morning. It was launched from South America,' Canagey told AFP. 'It is currently over southern Sri Lanka.' A high altitude WiFi internet hub Google Project Loon balloon is displayed at the Airforce Museum in Christchurch He said a Google team was expected later this week to test flight controls, spectrum efficiency and other technical matters. The government announced earlier this month it would take a 25 percent stake in a joint venture with Google to deliver a high-speed Internet service powered by helium-filled balloons. Sri Lanka is not investing any capital, but will take the stake in return for allocating spectrum for the project. A further 10 percent of the joint venture would be offered to existing telephone service providers on the island. It promises to extend coverage and cheaper rates for data services. Service providers will be able to access higher speeds and improve the quality of their existing service once the balloon project is up and running. The balloons, once in the stratosphere, will be twice as high as commercial airliners and barely visible to the naked eye. WHAT IS PROJECT LOON AND HOW DO THE BALLOONS WORK? Project Loon is a network of balloons travelling on the edge of space, designed to connect people to the internet in remote parts of the world. The balloons travel approximately 12 miles (20km) above the Earth's surface in the stratosphere. Winds in the stratosphere are stratified, and each layer of wind varies in speed and direction, so Project Loon uses software algorithms to determine where its balloons need to go. It then moves each one into a layer of wind blowing in the right direction. By moving with the wind, the balloons can be arranged to form one large communications network. Winds in the stratosphere are stratified, and each layer of wind varies in speed and direction, so Project Loon uses algorithms to determine where its balloons need to go. It then moves each one into a layer of wind blowing in the right direction (illustrated) The inflatable part of the balloon is called a balloon envelope made from sheets of polyethylene plastic that are 49ft (15 metres) wide and 40ft (12 metres) tall when inflated. The balloons harness power from card table-sized solar panels that dangle below them, and they can gather enough charge in four hours to power them for a day. Each balloon can provide connectivity to a ground area of around 25 miles (40km) in diameter using LTE, also referred to as 4G, technology. Project Loon is partnering with with telecommunications companies and mobile networks to share cellular spectrum. Ground stations with internet capabilities around 60 miles (100km) apart bounce signals up to the balloons. The signals can then hop forward, from one balloon to the next, along a backbone of up to five balloons. Advertisement The balloons will have a lifespan of about 180 days, but can be recycled, according to Sri Lankan officials involved in the venture. Official figures show there are 3.3 million mobile Internet connections and 630,000 fixed line Internet subscribers among Sri Lanka's more than 20 million population. Sri Lanka became the first country in South Asia to introduce mobile phones in 1989 and the first to roll out a 3G network in 2004. It was also the first in the region to unveil a 4G network two years ago. Robots may join China's 'Iron Man' robot and Nasa's 'Robonaut' on ISS Another prototype is an autonomous droid designed to behave human One of the prototypes is a human-like robot named 'Fyodor' Russia is planning to send robots to the ISS to do jobs that are too dangerous for astronauts. Two military prototypes are being tested on Earth, and they could eventually be launched into orbit to perform tasks such as spacewalks. They could join China's 'Iron Man' robot and Nasa's 'Robonaut', as nations race to get intelligent machines to the space station. Scroll down for video Russia is planning to send robots to the ISS to do jobs that are too dangerous for astronauts. Two military prototypes are being tested back on Earth, and they could eventually be launched into orbit to perform tasks such as spacewalks. Pictured is the Fyoder robot Russia's Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin said on Saturday that military robots won't be limited for battlefield testing, but will have priority in space applications. 'We've launched work to create an avatar that will become a crewmember of the Russian national orbital station,' Rogozin said. 'We believe humanoid robots with synthetic vision and AI in perspective is not a fairytale,' Rogozin said. He added that Russia is making 'systematic progress' towards putting military technology to scientific use. One of the prototypes is a human-like robot named 'Fyodor'. It has 'torso' with two arms, designed to handle objects in 'copycat, supervisory-controlled and autonomous modes' One of the prototypes is a human-like robot named 'Fyodor'. It has 'torso' with two arms, designed to handle objects in 'copycat, supervisory-controlled and autonomous modes,' according to RT.com. The robot is remotely-controlled by an operator wearing a special suit that transfers human movement to the robot. 'It has no 'human factor': it never gets distracted, never gets ill, has no emotions and always focuses on the task,' head of the Savior robotic program Sergey Khurs told Vesti media outlet. Another prototype is a droid that is designed to replicate the behaviour of a human. It can be controlled by an operator remotely or using its own software. Engineers have also designed a prototype of military exoskeleton that can improve the strength of an astronaut. This isn't the first time that a space agency has created a humanoid to send to space. Iron Man may be leaving the big screen and heading to the moon at least if the Chinese space agency has its way. The agency's main contractor, China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, recently unveiled a robot that looks remarkably like the Marvel comic hero Last year China's space agency contractor, China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, unveiled a robot that looks remarkably similar to Iron Man. As well as featuring the signature colours of Iron Man, the robot has a glowing emblem similar to Tony Stark's arc reactor. WILL RUSSIA PUT HUMANS BACK ON THE MOON IN 2029? Russia is to send a manned mission to the moon in 2029, meaning it may beat the United States in the race to return to the lunar surface. The head of Russia's state-controlled Rocket and Space Corporation Energia, which builds all of the country's manned spacecraft, announced it was building a new vehicle designed specifically for moon missions. The maiden flight for the new lunar spacecraft is scheduled for 2021 and in 2023 it will dock with the International Space Station before making an unmanned mission to the moon in 2025. Vladimir Solntsev, president of RSC Energia, which is 38 per cent owned by the Russian state, told a space technology conference in Moscow that it would land humans on the moon in 2029. It is the first time a firm date has been set for Russia's plans to land human's on the lunar surface but the Russian Federal Space Agency, Roscosmos, has previously said it would send a manned mission to the moon before 2030. Advertisement The metallic red and gold robot is named 'Xiaotian,' which translates to 'Little Sky'. Chinese state news agency Xinhua says that the robot is capable of a series of 'complex manipulation tasks' in moon landings or missions to space stations and unmanned probes. Another Chinese news site claims the robot's hands have flexibility similar to that of human hands. Nasa has a similar robot, dubbed Robonaut, which it describes as the first out-of-this-world humanoid. This isn't the first time that a space agency has created a humanoid to send to space. Nasa has developed a similar robot, dubbed Robonaut, which the first out-of-this-world humanoid With legs, the 8-foot Robonaut works on the 260-mile-high ISS, performing mundane cleaning chores and fetching things for the human crew. Each leg - 4 feet, 8 inches long - has seven joints. Instead of feet, there are grippers, each with a light, camera and sensor for building 3-D maps. Nasa engineers based the design on the tether attachments used by spacewalking astronauts. The next-generation model, currently in development and targeted for a 2017 launch, will venture outside on spacewalks. Nasa says that's where the real payoff lies. A robot could stay out in the vacuum of space for days, weeks or even months, clinging to the station. Meanwhile, human spacewalkers are limited to eight or nine hours. For base camps on the moon and Mars, robots could be deployed in advance and get everything running before the humans arrive and stay behind when they leave. And if there's a chore too risky for humans 'we could let the machine go out and sacrifice itself,' Robert Ambrose from Nasa's Johnson Space Center. 'And that's OK. It's not human. We can build another one. We'll build one even better.' Roughly 550 million years ago, Earths magnetic fields rapidly flipped their orientations, swapping north and south to trigger the massive extinction that ended the Ediacaran Period, researchers have found. They claim the 'hyperactivity' of Earths magnetic fields may have led to the destruction of the ozone layer, and an influx of UV radiation. These rapid changes are thought to have led to the Cambrian explosion, when soft-bodied creatures were replaced by hordes of new, complex animal species that could escape the light. Roughly 550 million years ago, Earths magnetic fields rapidly flipped their orientations, swapping north and south to trigger the massive extinction that ended the Ediacaran Period, a new study hypothesizes. Organisms of the Ediacaran Period were large, with soft-bodies, pictured above WHAT THE HYPOTHESIS PROPOSES The 'Cambrian explosion' began roughly 542 million years ago, after the end of the Ediacaran Period. During this time, large numbers of complex animal species emerged. New hypothesis suggests the evolutionary changes may have stemmed from the reversals of Earths magnetic field. A reversal period can occur over 7000-10,000 year, weakening the ozone layer between 20 and fourty percent in some areas, and allowing in more harmful solar radiation and cosmic rays. With UV radiation pouring in, animals that could escape the light would have a much more favourable chance of survival. Hard shells and complex eyes would allow organisms to seek shelter and burrow deeply, facilitating the flight from light. And, it would allow these animals to thrive in deeper areas with stronger waves. Advertisement Organisms of the Ediacaran Period were large, with soft-bodies. These organisms lived among thick mats of bacteria which lay on the sea floor that prevented oxygen from reaching the sea floor. The decline of this period is marked by the Kotlinian Crisis, during which many of these organisms became extinct. When the Cambrian explosion occurred 542 million years ago, hard-bodied, complex animals with sophisticated eyes emerged, breaking apart the bacterial mats when they burrowed. This made the sea-floor hospitable, according to Science, as oxygen could then extend to the area. Researchers have argued many possible causes for the Cambrian explosion, from the rise of atmospheric oxygen to the rise in carnivorous species. But, the new hypothesis by researchers from the US and Russia suggests the evolutionary changes may have stemmed from the reversals of Earths magnetic field. Earths magnetic field underwent a period of hyperactive reversals, Joseph Meert, a geologist at the University of Florida in Gainesville explained to Science. A reversal period can occur over 7000-10,000 year, weakening the ozone layer between 20 and fourty percent in some areas, and allowing in more harmful solar radiation and cosmic rays. Researchers studied magnetic records preserved by the minerals of 550 million-year-old rocks from the Ural Mountains in Western Russia, which revealed that the magnetic fields may have reversed at a rate twenty times faster in the Ediacaran Period than today. Trilobites, pictured in the illustration above, existed from the early Cambrian to the Permian era. With UV radiation pouring in during the magnetic field reversal, animals with hard shells and complex eyes could escape the light, giving them much more favourable chance of survival This could have doubled the amount of UV hitting Earths surface. With UV radiation pouring in, animals that could escape the light would have a much more favourable chance of survival. We argue that the combination of lower ozone and higher incident radiation resulted in the extinction of mostly sessile Ediacaran organisms and favored the rise of organisms that were able to burrow vertically or had protective adaptations to survive DNA damage from UV-B radiation, the authors write in the paper published to Science Direct. Hard shells and complex eyes would allow organisms to seek shelter and burrow deeply, facilitating the flight from light. THE FIVE GREAT EXTINCTION EVENTS Five times, a vast majority of the world's life has been snuffed out in what have been called mass extinctions. End-Ordovician mass extinction The first of the traditional big five extinction events, around 540 million years ago, was probably the second most severe. Virtually all life was in the sea at the time and around 85% of these species vanished. Late Devonian mass extinction About 375-359 million years ago, major environmental changes caused a drawn-out extinction event that wiped out major fish groups and stopped new coral reefs forming for 100 million years. End-Permian mass extinction (the Great Dying) The largest extinction event and the one that affected the Earths ecology most profoundly took place 252 million years ago. As much as 97% of species that leave a fossil record disappeared forever. End-Triassic mass extinction Dinosaurs first appeared in the Early Triassic, but large amphibians and mammal-like reptiles were the dominant land animals. The rapid mass extinction that occurred 201 million years ago changed that. End-Cretaceous mass extinction An asteroid slammed down on Earth 66 million years ago, and is often blamed for ending the reign of the dinosaurs. Advertisement And, it would allow these animals to thrive in deeper areas with stronger waves. While the hypothesis provides a novel explanation for the Cambrian explosion, it has been met with some skepticism from other researchers, according to Science. Some argue that, while UV radiation would increase during the periods of weakening fields, these effects would be limited on an evolutionary scale. Advertisement This breathtaking animation is what Earth looks like from 22,000 miles (35,400km) away in 'geocolor'. The footage was taken by the Himawari-8 weather satellite, operated by the Japanese Meteorological Agency, which sits in a geostationary orbit above the Pacific. Snow cover is shown in white, moonlit nighttime terrain in purple, city lights from major metropolitan areas in yellow, and daytime land and shallow-water features in true color. WHAT IS GEO COLOUR? In geocolor, snow cover is shown in white, moonlit night time terrain in purple, city lights from major metropolitan areas in yellow, and daytime land and shallow-water features in their true color. Advertisement It follows the release of an image of in true colour, as it was seen on February 10 and scientists claim it is one of the best portraits of our planet ever taken. According to the Discover blog, the natural colours on the image were made possible by a new processing method called the 'Simple Hybrid Contrast Stretch' (SHCS). The technique was developed by the University of Wisconsin Space Science and Engineering Center and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). It uses a simple algorithm to combine four images taken at different spectral bands - or different frequencies across the electromagnetic spectrum - to create a true color image, providing added clarity over previous true color images. Himawari-8 can deliver true-colour images every 10 minutes, up from one black and white image an hour, allowing meteorologists to better study weather systems such as convective clouds, which cause severe storms. It can see features down to around a third of a mile in size twice the resolution of similar weather satellites that watch other parts of the globe. The Cooperative Institute for Research in the Atmosphere (Cira) has also developed a looped image of what the Earth would look like in true-color (left) compared to something known as 'geocolor' (right). In geocolor, snow cover is shown in white, moonlit nighttime terrain in purple, city lights from major metropolitan areas in yellow, and daytime land and shallow-water features in true color' This breath-taking view is what Earth looks like from 22,000 miles (35,400km) away. The footage was taken by the Himawari-8 weather satellite, operated by the Japanese Meteorological Agency, which sits in a geostationary orbit above the Pacific. It shows the entire disk of Earth in true colour, as it was seen on February 10 and scientists claim it is one of the best portraits of our planet ever taken But while true-color is useful, geocolor could help scientists better pick out specific features on the planet. The Cooperative Institute for Research in the Atmosphere (Cira) developed a looped image of what the Earth would look like in true-color compared to something known as 'geocolor'. 'The GeoColor technique provides a simple yet visually powerful mechanism for transitioning seamlessly between multiple sources of information both in the vertical and horizontal dimensions,' Cira says. 'Behind the scenes in the GeoColor algorithm itself, tunable scaling factors provide developers the flexibility to adjust the relative strength of transparency in both dimensions. 'This technique results in dramatic improvement to the presentation quality of standard visible and infrared satellite imagery. Himawari-8 was placed in a geostationary orbit above Earth, which means it stays above the same portion of the planet - in this case Australia, Japan and the other regions seen. Zoom in below to explore the looping video of Earth in more detail The footage shows the Earth on August 5, 2015 and was created by Charlie Loyd , an Oakland-based satellite-imagery analyst for Mapbox. Focused on Japan as its center, Himawari-8 captures images of the western Pacific, Australia, and parts of Asia, Antarctica, and Alaska The instrument used to take the image was the Advanced Himawari Imager (AHI) on the spacecraft. Himawari-8 is actually one of two twin satellites that will be used to provide continuous observation of the East Asia and Western Pacific regions. The next satellite, called Himawari-9, will launch in 2016. The use of the words true colour is a little bit of a misnomer, as this is not exactly what the planet would look like to the human eye. Most images we see of Earth are colour-corrected to show how humans would see them. This image, however, was taken in multiple bands and shows the natural appearance of Earth from space. WHY CAN'T YOU SEE CITY LIGHTS IN THE VIDEO? On his website, Charlie Loyd explains that the satellite's camera is designed for daylight. Direct sun is about 10,000 times brighter than a city street at night. Our eyes adjust, but Himawari-8's sensor doesn't. 'If you've done manual photography, think of it like this: the camera is hardwired at the equivalent of 1/500 second at f/8 and ISO 100,' said Lloyd. 'Daylight is perfectly exposed, but night cityscapes just won't show up.' You may be able to make out city lights with the naked eye from Himawari-8's orbit if the sun in't in view at all. But this only happens during the eclipses around midnight near the equinoxes. 'Otherwise it would be like trying to see dim orange specks on a black paper while holding it up next to the sun,' said Lloyd. Advertisement Earlier this year, a scientist used 24 hours' worth of images from the satellite to create a looping 12-second film called Glittering Blue. The footage shows the Earth on August 5, 2015 and was created by Charlie Loyd, an Oakland-based satellite-imagery analyst for Mapbox. Focused on Japan as its center, Himawari-8 captures images of the western Pacific, Australia, and parts of Asia, Antarctica, and Alaska. Five times in just one minute, the sun rises on the western horizon, moves across the tropics and sets in the east. 'I've tried to make the colours in the video look like Earth would look if you were an astronaut next to Himawari-8 after your eyes adjusted,' Lloyd wrote on his website. 'I work in satellite imagery, and I'm sensitive to people feeling that they're seeing something 'doctored', but the adjustment is what ordinary cameras do automatically.' Five times in just one minute, the sun rises on the western horizon, moves across the tropics and sets in the east. 'I've tried to make the colours in the video look like Earth would look if you were an astronaut next to Himawari-8 after your eyes adjusted,' Charlie Lloyd wrote The turquoise in the tropics - especially along southern New Guinea and northern Australia - shows shallow water where bright sand can be seen under a relatively thin layer of ocean Television footage from the storm showed trees uprooted and power poles toppled over, a moped being swept into the air by wind and shipping containers piled on top of each other at a port. Typhoons are common in August in the South China Sea and Pacific, picking up strength from warm waters before losing strength over land. Lloyd says that there is no other satellite that is able to show as much detail of Earth as Himawari-8. The satellite focuses on the equator, near Jayapura. 'This perspective is like being swung around by a dancer: we always see their face, but we see the light moving over it,' said Lloyd. 'Himawari-8 is much further than the orbits of the International Space Station and high-resolution imaging satellites, which are just outside the atmosphere. 'If the video is about 30 cm (1ft) wide, then if Earth were that size, Himawari-8 would be 85 cm (2 9) away so the way it looks on your screen is roughly to scale from Himawari-8's point of view. A holiday apartment guest stole everything from televisions to fire alarms from a New York apartment earlier this month. The renter booked online to stay in the Hell's Kitchen property and checked out with $1,225 (850) of furniture and other household items later that day, local media reports. The 43-year-old host said he returned to the 10th Avenue apartment to discover that the guest had taken his Sony Bravia television, TV mount, mattress, dining room table and chairs. The renter booked online to stay in the Hell's Kitchen property and checked out with $1,225 (850) of furniture and other household items later that day According to DNAinfo, the thief also made off with the shower head, bed linen, three lamps, a side table, a Dyson hoover, cleaning supplies, clothing hangers, a towel, a set of closet shelves and the smoke alarm. The guest later used the host's cheque book to write two unauthorised cheques for $225 (155) and $275 (190). Police have confirmed that it is currently unclear as to whether the cheques were cashed. DNAinfo claimed that the property was booked through Airbnb, but the firm told MailOnline Travel that it was not one of its rentals. A Dyson hoover, cleaning supplies, hangers, a towel, a set of closet shelves and a smoke alarm were stolen Earlier this month, MailOnline reported on an incident which saw two flatmates who rented out their 1m north London home on Airbnb return to find their 8,000 Banksy print stolen and their property trashed. Jack Clarke, 33, and Dominic Jones, 32, decided to rent out their flat in Islington to make a bit of extra money when Mr Clarke went away to Yorkshire for a wedding. But they came home to find condoms, laughing gas canisters and cannabis joints strewn throughout the property, while chewing gum and food had been trodden into the carpet. A schoolboy has been left with deep six-inch scars on both sides of his leg after falling through a glass balcony door on holiday. Five-year-old Korbyn Ferguson from Middleton, Leeds, had just arrived at the Princessa Vera Aparthotel in Paphos, Cyprus, in August with parents Sharon and Andrew when the family decided to look out at the view from their balcony before heading to dinner. After coming back in and closing the door, Sharon and Andrew walked into another room where they heard an 'almighty crash and scream'. Korbyn Ferguson was transferred to Paphos General Hospital where he was given 22 stitches Five-year-old Korbyn (pictured) from Middleton, Leeds, was on holiday when he fell through a balcony door Running towards the noise, the horrified parents discovered that the five-year-old had tried to go back out onto the balcony, but as he leaned against the glass which was 'no thicker than a wine glass', it had smashed. Sharon, who booked the holiday through tour operator Jet2 Limited, said: 'Korbyn wanted to go to the pool but it was late, so we decided to go for dinner and leave the pool until the next day. 'We came in, Andrew closed the balcony doors behind us and then the next thing that happened was when we heard an almighty crash. 'Unbeknown to us, Korbyn had tried to go back on to the balcony and the glass in the door had literally "exploded" as his knee came in to contact with it. 'There was blood everywhere because as his knee had gone through the glass, he had tried to remove it and thereby sliced the other side of his leg as well. Five-year-old Korbyn leaned against the glass, which was 'no thicker than a wine glass' - and it smashed The five-year-old was kept in hospital for three days after the incident in his holiday apartment 'Andrew took him to the bathroom and put him in the bath and I tried to call reception but no-one answered. I went out to go to reception and the receptionist met me in the corridor because she'd heard Korbyn's screams. 'She ran to call for an ambulance and I made a tourniquet for Korbyn's leg with Andrew's belt.' After the paramedics arrived, Sharon said her son had 'gone into shock'. He was transferred to Paphos General Hospital where he was given 22 stitches and kept in for three days. After being released, Korbyn was told to return to the hospital every two days to check the wounds. Sharon added: 'It was an absolute nightmare but it wasn't until afterwards that we realised this was an accident that could and should have been prevented. 'The glass in the door was no thicker than a wine glass and there were no safety warnings or stickers on the glass. 'We were transferred to another hotel where it was very obvious glass doors were double-glazed and had stickers all over them. Glass can be seen scattered on the balcony in the apartment. A hole shows where Korbyn's knee went through The family had just arrived at the Princessa Vera Aparthotel in Paphos, Cyprus, in August when the incident happened 'It's now over 6 months later and although Korbyn's leg has healed, it is badly scarred and will be for life. 'He's very conscious of it and I am frightened it will affect him as he grows up and wants to play sport, swim and wear shorts in summer.' Clare Campbell, a specialist in travel law at Leigh Day who is representing the family, said that she does not believe that the tour operator took care to ensure the accommodation was of a suitable standard. She said: 'We believe that the tour operator has failed to comply with reasonable safety standards. 'There were no warning stickers about the presence of glass and the doors were not fitted with safety glass. Korbyn pictured with his parents Sharon and Andrew. Sharon said she made a tourniquet for Korbyn's leg with Andrew's belt in a bid to stop the bleeding 'When parents take their children on holiday they should be going safe in the knowledge that the tour operator has taken care to ensure the accommodation is of a suitable standard. 'We do not believe this was the case here, resulting in Korbyn's injuries.' Speaking to MailOnline, a Jet2.com spokesman said: 'The health and safety of our customers is extremely important to us and we are exploring the claim regarding Korbyn Ferguson. 'As this is still an ongoing claim, we are unable to comment any further at this time.' What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas - unless you are being observed by resort workers who love revealing the sights they've witnessed on social media. They're the pool party lifeguards, housekeepers and security officers that holidaymakers don't often notice, but who are only too willing to upload accounts of the good, the bad and the ugly. From drunken revellers racing wheelchairs down escalators to children being taken to strip clubs, Las Vegas' insiders have revealed on an internet thread the most shocking sights they've seen on the job. What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas - unless you are being observed by resort workers who love revealing the sights they've witnessed on social media Guests may not always notice pool party lifeguards, housekeepers and security officers but they certainly have a number of stories to tell. Stock image used The tales were told when Reddit user stahls94 asked workers to reveal the 'craziest sights' they'd seen in the resort town. The question obviously struck a chord with staff and visitors to Vegas as the post received nearly 1,400 responses. User davidlee8282 wrote: 'I had a guy come up to me and tried to sell me used lingerie/thongs that "strippers" wore. He had a gym bag full of thongs. I just made a 180 and walked the f*** away.' Another entrepreneurial worker, opted for extreme pain to make a quick buck, according to Fivesided_fistagon. This user wrote: 'I don't work in Vegas but I saw a man once on the strip with a sign that said "kick me in the balls for $10".' Pageplantzoso had a shock when he saw a man relieving himself in the middle of the road - and not even bothering to hide his genitals from the ongoing traffic. 'After a few seconds, with his other hand, he just waves me by, telling me to proceed,' wrote the Redditor. _Ryman_ joined in the thread with the revelation that there is a guy on the strip that lets you for insult him as much, and as meanly, as you want for just $5. 'Sounds pretty sweet,' he commented. Other notable characters witnessed include the unlikely sight of people dressed as Darth Vader, Jack Sparrow, and Captain Morgan eating breakfast together at McDonalds, as seen by Mustard-Tiger. Not unlike the film, The Hangover (pictured), raucous tales were shared when Reddit user stahls94 asked workers to reveal their craziest sights seen in the resort town Not all the posts were humorous, sadly. One Redditor witnessed a pregnant drunk woman stumbling down the street barefoot while shouting profanities, while a security guard at Caesar's Palace witnessed a lady having a miscarriage in one of the boutique shops. Sam_Jam_Goose wrote: 'An Asian lady probably in her mid thirties wearing a short skirt, had sat down on this perfectly white chair and immediately started to menstruate. 'Once my female guard got there and got all the info it turned out this lady might of had a miscarriage right there on the sales floor. We ended up calling her an ambulance.' From drunken revellers to children being taken to strip clubs, Las Vegas' staff have revealed their most shocking sights seen on the job Reddit user RenttheJoe saw something shocking, too - adults bringing their toddlers out on the strip at 2am. And klsi832 was horrified to witness people having sex in hotel hallways. They wrote: 'Like they couldn't use the room because their friends were in there so they just did it, fairly loudly but mostly clothed, in the freaking hallway.' Canoodling couples were also lamented by lifeguard lango92 who said he regularly spotted them getting cosy in the pool. Another hotel-related horror story was shared by user JackRakan93, who quoted a tale from his significant other's mother. 'She is a housekeeper for one of the fancier hotels on the strip,' he wrote on the thread. 'She has stories of entering a room and seeing food littered across the room and faeces smeared across the walls. 'On the bright side, she also finds cocaine-dusted $100 bills that she just washes and pockets.' The Reddit question obviously struck a chord with staff and those who had been to Vegas as nearly 1,400 responses were made to the post (file photo) And things don't get much better in the hotel pools. One of the lifeguards said: 'We would be cleaning up condoms, vomit, alcohol containers, clothing, syringes and all kinds of garbage up after closing every week, it was absolutely disgusting.' This level of filth was confirmed by another worker at one of the strip's popular clubs. Robertw3524 said he'd seen a hotel swimming pool turn cloudy and black from people using it who hadn't showered. Drunk people getting drunk and letting off steam are a staple of life in Vegas - but some take it to the extreme, with one user explaining that he'd seen 'two drunk guys racing power wheelchairs through the mall at Planet Hollywood'. He add: 'They thought it'd be a good idea to try to include the escalators as part of the race track.' One of the lifeguards of a Vegas pool said he would often clean up condoms, vomit, alcohol containers, clothing and syringes There's seemingly no end to the bad behaviour. One showgirl on the post said she once got tipped $100 by a man to kiss him. And RockinJoeSchmo spoke of further desperation, with one male gambler in his 30s running up to him and asking whether they would give cash for his gold wedding ring. 4chinisbetterkek was equally horrified to see a girl vomit in a guy's hands, only for them to continue making out a minute later. But a happier encounter was had by user Jimeeg, whilst walking down the strip. 'Suddenly the 70-year-old lady walking next to me starts singing the Pokemon theme song out of nowhere start to finish at the top of her lungs. She was so happy when I turned that s*** into a duet,' he wrote. Other posts don't relate to humans but simply to quirky objects, such as the vending machine selling 'emergency flats' for $11 for women who've tottered out in high heels that are a little on the painful side. Gordon Aikman, 30, complained about the way Air France handled his situation A disabled rights campaigner says his romantic honeymoon in Paris was nearly ruined when Air France refused to allow his electric wheelchair on board because it was too big. The airline was blasted in a social media campaign launched by Gordon Aikman, who has motor neurone disease and is paralysed, after he told that his wheelchair wouldnt fit because it exceeded the maximum height of the luggage hold of an Embraer 190 aircraft. Aikman, from Edinburgh, and his husband, Joe Pike, had to cancel their flights two days before they were due to fly and rebook with another airline, although Air France has since said it will apologise and offer a refund. The 30-year-old, who cannot walk, was upset with the airlines handling of his situation after he spent more than a week trying to arrange for his wheelchair to be transported including costly calls to 0871 numbers without receiving a response until about 48 hours before departure. He received an email last Friday telling him the dimensions of his wheelchair were too big for the aircraft that was being used on the flight. Aikman, who had hoped the airline would offer an alternative, then unleashed a flurry of tweets directed at Air France, mockingly writing: Grrrrrreat! Sorry sir, you cant take your legs on this @AirFranceUK flight Thanks guys! #AirFranceFAIL. He added: Sorry sir, your legs are too long you cant fly with @AirFranceUK today. He demanded an apology and called for better treatment of disabled passengers as his followers joined the campaign with tweets of their own. After cancelling his tickets with Air France, Aikman flew with easyJet on Monday after the budget airline confirmed it could accommodate the wheelchair. Before the flight, he told The Courier: The treatment I have had from Air France has been appalling. Life isnt worth living without my electric wheelchair, but Air France has made no effort to resolve the situation whatsoever, it has just ignored me, has offered no alternative. Gordon Aikman cancelled his flight and booked with easyJet, which was able to accommodate his wheelchair Air France notified Aikman by email two days before he was scheduled to fly to Paris for his honeymoon In a statement, Air France told MailOnline Travel that it will send an apology email to Aikman and all tickets and additional baggage charges will be refunded. It will also offer compensation as a gesture of goodwill. An airline spokesperson added: Air France fully understands Mr Aikman's frustration on this matter. 'We are extremely sorry and appreciate this must have been upsetting for Mr Aikman and his travel companions. Air France is committed to giving all passengers the best care and service. We regret that it was not possible to accept the transportation of Mr Aikmans wheelchair due to the dimensions exceeding the capacity of the [Embraer 190] aircraft. Air France had been in correspondence with the passenger trying to find a solution by possibly reducing the height of the wheelchair. However, due to the maximum acceptable height being 71cm this was not possible. Regretfully Air France was not able to convey this information to Mr Aikman quickly enough. Aikman, who depends on carers, was diagnosed with motor neurone disease in June 2014. The progressive condition is terminal and attacks the motor neurones, or nerves, in the brain and spinal cord, and leads to weakness and wasting. As messages stop reaching muscles, the disease strips a person of their ability to walk, talk, eat, drink and breathe. To aid in the efforts to find a cure, Aikman launched a charity, Gordons Fightback, to raise funds for research and awareness, and push for more specialists in the public health care system. So far he has raised 418,000 towards his goal of half a million pounds. Advertisement They are three of the industry's top models. But despite each attempting to make their own name in the fashion world there seems to be nothing but camaraderie between Kendall Jenner, Gigi Hadid and Karlie Kloss. The three stunners - along with a host of their beautiful colleagues - had an impromptu and very sensual dance-off at the Diane Von Furstenberg 2016 fall presentation as part of New York Fashion Week on Sunday. Scroll down for video Party time! Supermodel babes Gigi Hadid and Kendall Jenner joined Lily Aldridge and their stunning colleagues for a bit of a dance at the at the Diane Von Furstenberg 2016 fall presentation as part of New York Fashion Week on Sunday Tremendous trio: Kendall and Gigi posed for a behind-the-scenes snap with their beautiful fellow model, Karlie Kloss The trio each wore equally glam ensembles at the event as they posed for the snaps at the more intimate presentation held at the fashion brand's headquarters in the Meatpacking District of The Big Apple. Designer Diane's new collection was designed with the idea of dance as a strong motif throughout, and it's clear to see the supermodel beauties took to the theme as they danced their way through the unique event. Kendall, 20, looked fantastic in a low-cut patterned, multi-coloured - in shades of bright pink and blue with dashes of white on black satin - jumpsuit along with a pair of black suede booties, showing off her braless cleavage. She accessorised the look with an intricate, large blue magenta and black choker along with a furry navy clutch, keeping in line with the distinct disco era theme. See the latest Kendall Jenner updates as she poses with Gigi Hadid and Karlie Kloss Party time! The bevvy of models were joined by the prestigious designer (front, left) as they grooved on down as part of the presentation Letting loose: Gigi in particular looked to be having a whale of a time at the special presentation, which saw the models swap the runway for a party scene Disco divas: The bevvy of babes put their best foot forward as they posed during the disco-themed showcase BFFs: The two 20-year-old models spent plenty of time together at the event, showing off their beautiful figures in DVF's new collection In a snap: Gigi was on the other side of the camera for once as she tried her hand at photography Looking good: Kendall sported a multi-coloured low-cut jumpsuit, revealing her cleavage And... pose! The BFFs hammed it up for the cameras as they sat on a stool within the bare space, Gigi flaunting her stunning pins Monochrome magic: Gigi showed off her fantastic figure in a black and white number Just the two of us: They were later spotted posing for photos while seated on one of the couches Love movement: The stunners both flashed peace signs at the presentation, in the midst of NYFW New groove: Kendall also posed for a snap with Elsa Hosk Fantastic four: Kendall, Karlie and Gigi were joined by Jourdan Dunn who flashed her cleavage in her super-plunging attire Emotive: The Keeping Up With The Kardashians star looked off as the other three ladies posed for a snap Cuddled up: The 23-year-old Karlie later posed with Jourdan on the couch Golden: The two ladies complemented each other's looks as they sported black and gold, while Karlie made the most of her endless legs Having a blast: The two beauties shared a few laughs together, clearly showing that their profession is full of fun Golden girls: Karlie sparkled in the gown with a thigh-high split as Jourdan showed off her cleavage In a snap: She proudly held on to a instant camera Woman of many talents: She later got behind a SLR camera and attempted to take a few snaps The Keeping Up With The Kardashians star wore her raven-coloured locks down in a middle-part as she sported natural make-up on her face. Gigi's look was far less colourful as she sported a black and white sleeveless dress featuring a lacy black detailing at the sides, showing off her enviable long pins as she posed in the cool, clean space. The 20-year-old stunner finished off the look with a pair of black leather ankle boots as her signature blonde locks were worn down in waves, giving her a beautiful 1970s retro disco diva aesthetic. Flowy: Irina Shayk looked absolutely stunning in a black top tucked into a sheer maxi skirt Glam team: Kendall, Irina and Lily Aldridge looked absolutely gorgeous together, each of them showing what they've got in terms of enviable assets Ravishing in red: 27-year-old beauty Elsa Hosk posed seductively in a sparkling ruby number Beauties: Lily, Elsa and Irina proudly posed with Alanna Arrington (left) Ready for her close up: Hosk snapped a photo of Arrington with the instant camera Karlie, 23, shimmered in a glittery gold gown featuring a thigh-high split along with a pair of black stilettos, revealing almost every inch of her towering limbs and showing exactly why she's one of the world's top models. The trio were later joined by Jourdan Dunn who stunned in a cleavage-baring black halter number featuring a gold detailing. Lily Aldridge cut a sexy, ravishing figure in a red number along with a navy blue fur scarf and strappy heels, and looked to be having plenty of fun posing for pictures with her colleagues and dancing at the disco-themed showcase. Stunners: The models definitely looked like they were having a blast together, bringing a real disco vibe to the shenanigans Altogether now: Irina, Gigi, Kendall, Karlie, Jourdan, Elsa and Alanna looked absolutely glam What a sight! It was quite an impressive collection of some of the most beautiful women in the world Adorable: Designer Diane von Furstenberg planted a kiss on Kendall as she allowed them to display her gorgeous garments Party time: The beauties danced around as the Belgian-born designer blew kisses Big day: There was plenty going on during the presentation, but there was no runway like there usually is at the fashion week shows Fashionista: The 69-year-old designer sported a a patterned number featuring a frilly skirt Appreciative: She waved to all the press at the gathering Dynamic duo: Diane posed with Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour Looking good: Nicky Hilton (left) and Olivia Palermo were in attendance Wonder in white: Coco Rochaa wore a lacy white outfit Golden girl:Jaime King was also spotted hanging out at the event Where's Taylor? Swift's close friends Jaime and Karlie posed for a snap together Selfie time: The two blonde beauties took a selfie on the instant camera together Getting Cosy: Jaime, Karlie, Kendall, Gigi and Elsa cuddled up for a snap Motley crew: Kendall whispered in BFF Gigi's ear as the ladies hung out together Peace out! BFFs Kendall and Gigi chilled out on the lip-shaped sofa as the blonde babe showed off a two-finger sign Such fun! It looked as though the girls were all having a private party, rather than doing their day job Irina Shayk kept the leggy theme going as she sported a black dress featuring a patterned skirt with a thigh-high split, showing off the figure that caught the eye of the likes of her former boyfriend Cristiano Ronaldo and current beau Bradley Cooper. Her brunette locks were as perfectly 1970s as could be, loose and tumbling in relatively tight curls, her eyes dramatic and smoky. Elsa Hosk and Alanna Arrington were also a part of the high-fashion presentation along with Diane von Furstenberg herself. The 69-year-old Belgian-born designer took a different approach to her usually extravagant runway shows as she opted for a much more low-key affair held at her company headquarters. According to a press release, her upcoming collection is inspired by the movement of dancing, and it was obvious to see that her model army stuck to the theme and jived with it. Diane founded DvF in 1970, an area she was clearly keen to hark back to with her new range of colourful, free-flowing garments. Touch ups: A make-up artist worked on Kendall's eyes to give her a natural look before the unique show kicked off She wants to rock and roll all night: She sported a KISS shirt before changing into her jumpsuit Brunette beauty: She wore her raven-coloured locks in a middle part while getting ready behind-the-scenes In fine form: Gigi was also spotted during her preparations, turning from natural beauty into a more made-up look Glam shot: The work of her glam squad gave Gigi an enviable, beautiful glow Primped: Karlie seemed to be in good spirits as she flashed a big smile, not at all tired of getting pampered for her day job Session: Karlie had several hands on her as they did her hair and make-up Like what you see? She took a selfie after her hair and make-up were finished Gorgeous in green: Jourdan was dressed comfortably in a Champion hoodie and matching athletic trousers Glam time: Irina was pictured getting her smokey eye-makeup Busy: All the hard work of the make-up and hairstylists definitely seemed to work Smooches: The models and Diane posed with their best duck faces on in a SnapChat shared by Gigi Moving on: Kendall was spotted leaving the event in a white fur coat Pretty in patterns: Gigi was spotted leaving in a Charlotte Simone fur and Krewe du Optic sunglasses It might be the most dangerous stunt ever performed on Australia's Got Talent. But that didn't stop new judge Kelly Osbourne from happily volunteering to help out on Monday night's episode, before she even knew what she was getting into. The 31-year-old shot her hand in the air when contestants Nightmare and his partner Chaos, from Canberra, asked for a volunteer from the judging panel for a game of Russian roulette. Scroll down for video Danger: Kelly Osbourne happily volunteered herself to help out in a game of Russian roulette on Monday night's episode of Australia's Got Talent Shock act: Nightmare, from Canberra, said: 'That's the whole point of Russian roulette, you don't know exactly what's going to happen till it happens on stage' 'That's the whole point of Russian roulette, you don't know exactly what's going to happen till it happens on stage,' Nightmare told Kelly as he loaded up a staple gun. Wearing make-up similar to that of Brandon Lee's title character in 1994 film The Crow, the judges appeared a little taken aback as he strutted across the stage. The rest of his outfit consisted of a leather jacket with bones painted down the arms like a skeleton while the word 'evil' was emblazoned across his T-shirt. Dangerous stunt: The pair face each other and hold a staple gun pressed up against the others forehead Panellist Eddie Perfect remarked: 'I'm not gonna lie and say I'm not a little bit terrified.' And while most of the judges looked shocked, rock chick Kelly excitedly stepped up to join the pair on stage where the performer told her they're 'going to play a game of Russian Roulette.' Nightmare then revealed 'one of these staple guns is loaded' and asked Kelly: 'Use your women's intuition, that gut feeling, to tell me which one you think might be loaded.' As Kelly picked a gun up, she warned the performer: 'If you stab me I'll kill you.' Meanwhile, host Dave 'Hughesy' Hughes said from behind the curtain: 'Kids, if you're watching this at home, it's not a good idea.' Back onstage, Nightmare quipped back: 'I'm not gonna stab you, I'm gonna staple you there's a massive difference.' The pair then faced each other and held their staple guns up against the other's forehead. Meanwhile, they both held a playing card up against the forehead of the other - ready to be pinned in place by the staple - and Nightmare gave Kelly directions. Your choice: Nightmare tells her 'one of these staple guns is loaded' and to 'use your women's intuition, that gut feeling to tell me which one you think might be loaded' 'On the count of three I want you to pull the trigger and push as hard as you can,' he said. At the moment, judge Sophie Monk ducked down behind the judges desk looking terrified, unable to watch what happens next. Then, in unison, Kelly and Nightmare pulled the trigger - and Kelly walked away unharmed while Nightmare received a staple to the forehead. With the playing card now pinned to his skin, blood could be seen seeping out of the wound - but Nightmare looked unfazed. Real danger: Nightmare is seen loading staples into the gun used for the stunt And almost simultaneously, the disgusted judges all hit their red buzzers - eliminating the blood-and-guts act from the competition. Nightmare then asked Kelly if she would do the honours of pulling the staple out of his head - as Sophie made her feelings quite clear from the judging desk. Ex-Bardot star Sophie, 36, squealed: 'I don't like this game!' Meanwhile, Kelly was far less squeamish as she pulled out the staple, saying breezily: 'I'm keeping this'. Reflecting on the 'performance', Eddie said: 'Look... people turning themselves into noticeboards is normally, you know, my thing. 'But tonight, I just didn't dig it. So, I'm sorry, guys.' She's tough: As Kelly picks a gun out she looks at him and says, 'if you stab me I'll kill you' Ian 'Dicko' Dickson joked, 'It just reminded me I need to go to Officeworks,' which prompted laughter from the crowd. As Kelly returned to the panel, she bragged to a shocked Sophie: 'I've done worse'. And the daughter of rocker Ozzy Osbourne teased her new BFF by wiping the bloody playing card on her back. Sophie shouted: 'No! I don't like it. I don't like blood and stuff!' Stephen Fry has posted a lengthy blog post to explain why he has decided to quit Twitter following criticism from fans following his controversial BAFTAs jibe. The 58-year-old host was forced to defend himself on Sunday night after he referred to Best Costume Designer winner, Jenny Beaven, as a 'bag lady' after she picked up her gong. Now the comedian, actor and writer said he no longer enjoys Twitter, saying 'too many people have peed in the pond.' Scroll down for video Bye bye: Stephen Fry has explained why he has quit Twitter in a lengthy blog post, saying: 'I like to believe I havent slammed the door, much less stalked off in a huff throwing my toys out of the pram' Writing on his blog,, he said: 'Its no big deal as it shouldnt be. But yes, for anyone interested I have indeed deactivated my twitter account. 'Ive "left" twitter before, of course: many people have time off from it whether they are in the public eye or not. Think of it as not much more than leaving a room. 'I like to believe I havent slammed the door, much less stalked off in a huff throwing my toys out of the pram as I go or however one should phrase it. Its quite simple really: the room had started to smell. Really quite bad.' Good job they're friends: The 58-year-old host was forced to defend himself on Sunday night after he referred to Best Costume Designer winner, Jenny Beaven, as a 'bag lady' after she picked up her gong He goes on: 'Oh goodness, what fun twitter was in the early days, a secret bathing-pool in a magical glade in an enchanted forest. It was glorious "to turn as swimmers into cleanness leaping." 'We frolicked and water-bombed and sometimes, in the moonlight, skinny-dipped. We chattered and laughed and put the world to rights and shared thoughts sacred, silly and profane. 'But now the pool is stagnant. It is frothy with scum, clogged with weeds and littered with broken glass, sharp rocks and slimy rubbish. 'If you dont watch yourself, with every move youll end up being gashed, broken, bruised or contused. 'Even if you negotiate the sharp rocks youll soon feel that too many people have peed in the pool for you to want to swim there any more. The fun is over.' On a final note, he writes: 'To leave that metaphor, let us grieve at what twitter has become. Ill-advised?: BAFTA 2016 host Stephen took to Twitter on Sunday night to defend himself after he was criticised for the jibe 'A stalking ground for the sanctimoniously self-righteous who love to second-guess, to leap to conclusions and be offended worse, to be offended on behalf of others they do not even know. 'Its as nasty and unwholesome a characteristic as can be imagined. 'It doesnt matter whether they think theyre defending women, men, transgender people, Muslims, humanists the ghastliness is absolutely the same. 'It makes sensible people want to take an absolutely opposite point of view. Ive heard people shriek their secularism in such a way as to make me want instantly to become an evangelical Christian.' Stephen had taken to the social media site the day before, where he told fans to'f*** off' last night after jokingly referring to the Best Costume Designer winner as a 'bag lady.' He said: 'Only one of the great cinematic costume designers would come to the awards ceremony dressed like a bag lady.' Jenny, highly acclaimed for her work, collected her gong wearing a black leather jacket, baggy white T-shirt and dark trousers to the event, held at the Royal Opera House in London. The host's joke wasn't well-received and Twitter went wild following his jibe and demanded he apologise. But Stephen, who has presented the ceremony for 11 years, lost his temper and had a message for his critics. He tweeted: 'So just a word to the tragic figures who think calling Jenny Bevan a bag lady was an insult. She's a dear friend and she got it. Derrr.' 'Will all you sanctimonious f***ers f*** the f*** off Jenny Beavan is a friend and joshing is legitimate. Christ I want to leave the planet.' At the Bafta after party he posted a picture of himself with his friend with the caption: 'Jenny Baglady Beavan and Stephen Outrageous Misogynist Swine Fry'. Mr Fry joked that her Best Costume Designer award was ironic because she was so casually dressed. Not impressed: But Stephen, who has presented the ceremony for 11 years, took to the social networking site to stand up for himself But the joke was missed by many who bombarded him with angry messages. One said: 'Can't bear Stephen Fry's attitude. Mocking appearance just stifles diversity and people being themselves.' Another said: '@stephenfry you do realise you're presenting a public show...to the public...and you're talking to the camera and hence to the public.' While a third wrote: '#bafta2016 @stephenfry you must apologise for #baglady comment.' See our full BAFTAs coverage on all the winners, losers and red carpet fashion Evidence: As the row rumbled on Stephen tweeted this picture with his friend Jenny as he was criticised for ribbing her on stage last night Following his post, many of Stephen's fans tweeted him to say that they saw the funny side of his words. Shock: Twitter went wild with criticism after Stephen's comments, causing him to hit back His own sense of style: The BAFTA host chose a green velvet jacket for his big night One user tweeted: 'mr Fry. We are lucky we have you to remind us to laugh. Now you don't need me to tell you to ignore the twits. Now do you. X' While another said: '@stephenfry laugh and let go. You're awesome! A third wrote: '@stephenfry brilliant comment in the first place, brilliant response!' And another user wrote: 'those that matter don't mind, those who mind don't matter! It's cliche darling but oh so true. Much love.' Support: Lots of people took to Twitter to defend Stephen's choice of words, saying they should have been taken in good humour They've got his back: Following his post, many of Stephen's fans tweeted him to say that they saw the funny side of his words The man in the spotlight: The star presided over proceedings in the opulent surroundings of Covent Garden's Royal Opera House Time to party! The star looked in great spirits as he attended the gala dinner after the ceremony, despite his war of words on Twitter Close bond: The British host looked happy as he posed alongside husband Elliott Spencer Time to be merry: Following his hosting duties, the star kicked back and enjoyed the festivities Make way: Stephen was seen heading to London's grand Grosvenor House Hotel for one of the parties Party hopper: He later headed to the Weinstein party in partnership with BULGARI, GREY GOOSE & Netjets - held at London's Rosewood Hotel All fun and games: Stephen was quick to defend himself on social media THE EE BRITISH ACADEMY FILM AWARDS 2016 WINNERS LEADING ACTOR Leonardo DiCaprio, The Revenant LEADING ACTRESS Brie Larson, Room BEST FILM The Revenant DIRECTOR Alejandro G Inarritu, The Revenant SUPPORTING ACTOR Mark Rylance, Bridge Of Spies SUPPORTING ACTRESS Kate Winslet, Steve Jobs OUTSTANDING BRITISH FILM Brooklyn ADAPTED SCREENPLAY The Big Short ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY Spotlight EE BAFTA RISING STAR John Boyega DOCUMENTARY Amy CINEMATOGRAPHY Emmanuel Lubezki, The Revenant FILM NOT IN THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE Wild Tales ANIMATED FILM Inside Out OUTSTANDING DEBUT BY A BRITISH WRITER, DIRECTOR OR PRODUCER Najil Abu Nowar (Writer/Director) Rupert Lloyd (Producer) Theeb EDITING Mad Max: Fury Road, Margaret Sixel PRODUCTION DESIGN Mad Max: Fury Road, Colin Gibson, Lisa Thompson COSTUME DESIGN Mad Max: Fury Road, Jenny Beavan MAKE UP AND HAIR Mad Max: Fury Road, Lesley Vanderwalt, Damian Martin SOUND The Revenant, Lon Bender, Chris Duesterdiek, Martin Hernandez, Frank A Montano, Jon Taylor, Randy Thom SPECIAL VISUAL EFFECTS Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Chris Corbould, Roger Guyett, Paul Kavanagh, Neal Scanlan BRITISH SHORT ANIMATION Edmond, Nina Gantz, Emilie Jouffroy BRITISH SHORT FILM Operator , Caroline Bartleet, Rebecca Morgan BAFTA Fellowship Sidney Poitier Advertisement She spoke out over the weekend to defend herself from criticism after a week of unrelenting scrutiny. And now Samantha Armytage has placed blame for the furor surrounding a disastrous Sunrise skit with Kristin Davis elsewhere. The presenter, who was uninvited from an Australia for UN High Commissioner for Refugees luncheon after asking Kristin to take part in a Sex And The City reenactment, said the organisation 'inflated' the issue by asking her not to attend its event. Scroll down for video Taking aim: Samantha Armytage said Australia for UNHCR 'inflated' the furor surrounding Kristin Davis's appearance on Sunrise by uninviting her as the host of its fundraising event Speaking on the Kyle and Jackie O Show on Tuesday morning, Samantha said: 'It wasn't cruel that they dropped me (but) I was surprised. 'They inflated it all by making that decision.' Samantha had been due to host a fundraiser for the UNHCR last Friday and take part in a Q&A with Kristin who was in Australia to raise awareness for the cause. She was dropped from the event and asked not to attend after the actress complained that she had not been given enough time to discuss the issue the previous day on Sunrise. Controversy: Kristin Davis complained that she had not been given enough time to talk about refugees during an appearance on Sunrise Awkward: Samantha and her Sunrise co-stars asked the actress to take part in an embarrassing Sex And The City skit After speaking about her work with in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kristin was awkwardly asked to take part in a spoof reenactment of a Sex And The City scene with Samantha and her co-stars. The presenters giggled their way through the excruciating skit, leaving the 50-year-old starlet visibly uncomfortable. Afterwards Kristin took to Twitter to claim she hadn't been allowed to talk about refugees in response to a viewier's criticism of the skit. Sunrise producers swiftly apologised for Samantha's 'bad acting' and thanked Kristin for being 'a good sport'. Apologies: Samantha (above with co-star Edwina Bartholomew during the show) admitted that the skit was badly acted but said it was only a small part of a larger segment in which the actress did discuss refugees Row: Samantha was later described as a 'bimbo' by a fellow journalist who criticised the Sex And The City skit It wasn't enough to appease event organisers who replaced the journalist with a charity director to host the luncheon at the last minute. After the embarrassing public snub, Samantha was lampooned by a fellow journalist who labelled her a 'bimbo' in a scathing article. Speaking of the comments on Tuesday, she slammed the writer for her choice of words. Trying to stay on topic: Kristin thanked the journalist on Twitter, reminding fans that she was attempting to tell the stories of refugees in war-torn countries 'Thats so insulting. Theres a lot of stuff I let go, Im a public figure and I put myself out there every day, you have to take the hit. 'Those insults were unnecessary, doing it in the name of feminism doesnt further the cause. To criticise another woman on television is a bit outrageous. 'Im not going to tolerate women attacking women any more,' she said. Speaking out: Samantha penned an article in response to one writer who labelled her a 'bimbo' He reportedly spent Valentine's Day hanging out with Khloe Kardashian. But Lamar Odom was spotted alone as he grabbed a to-go order at Asian takeaway Pickup Stix in Los Angeles on Sunday. The 36-year-old appeared healthy and relaxed as he strolled into the Asian takeaway shop. Scroll down for video Out and about: Lamar Odom looked healthy as he picked up a takeaway order in Los Angeles on Valentine's Day, after reportedly spending the day with wife Khloe Kardashian The former Lakers star has made a remarkable recovery after overdosing in a Nevada brothel in October, and then spending time in a coma and months in rehab. Lamar spent much of Valentine's Day hanging out as friends with wife Khloe, E! News reported. 'It was more a day of friendship than romantic love,' a source told E!, adding that the former athlete 'appreciates Khloe so much for everything she has done for him these past few months.' See Khloe Kardashian as she spend Valentines with healthy looking Lamar Odom Feeling better: The former Lakers star wore a green hoodie and silver shorts as he headed into an Asian takeaway Lamar recently made his first major public appearance since his collapse as he joined Khloe and the rest of the Kardashian-Jenner family at Kanye West's Madison Square Garden fashion show and listening party on Thursday. And on Sunday, Lamar looked relaxed in an olive green hoodie and silver athletic shorts. He kept his hands in his pockets, and added black socks and sneakers. Medical marvel: The 36-year-old has made a remarkable recovery since his overdose and coma in October Cryptic: Khloe Kardashian shared a message about letting go of people who can't love you unconditionally as she took to Instagram on Valentine's Day Also on Sunday, Khloe took to Instagram to share an enigmatic message on the nature of unconditional love. 'We have to learn to accept the love we AREN'T given... I think that, at any given point, we are faced with the choice of whether to move on with what the universe gives and takes or to hold on and bury ourselves in our own misery,' she wrote. And the 31-year-old added: 'The choice is yours. Choose your happy over anything else. Love is different for us all. Be strong enough to Accept only unconditional love.' Close: Khloe whispered in Lamar's ear as they attended Kanye West's fashion show in New York on Thursday. It was Lamar's first public appearance since his coma Lamar and Khloe separated in 2013, but she rushed to his side to assist with medical care after his overdose. The pair were seen whispering and appearing cozy and holding hands while at the Yeezy show and in New York last week. But Khloe, who recently broke up with Houston Rockets boyfriend James Harden, insisted she and Lamar are just good friends. On Thursday, the reality star blasted people criticizing her for supporting Lamar, who has struggled with addiction issues and cheated on her throughout their marriage. 'God forbid exes are cordial right?!?! Wtf is wrong with people?!?! People should praise kindness. Not question it,' the Keeping Up With The Kardashians star Tweeted on Thursday. Just days after Sunrise co-host Samantha Armytage was caught up in an embarrassing Sex And The City skit live on air, the blonde was left red-faced. On Tuesday's morning show, her co host David 'Kochie' Koch revealed she was forced to usd a male's bathroom at the weekend at Etihad Stadium in Melbourne. 'She went into the men's toilet and then was surprised when I went in,' a chuckling David, 59, explained to viewers as a cringing Samantha listened on. Scroll down for video Leaked: David 'Kochie' Koch revealed on Tuesday that his Sunrise co-host Samantha Armytage was forced to use a male's bathroom at the weekend when they were at Etihad Stadium in Melbourne It came after the hosts were looking at a news report about people being caught on camera doing random things on Google Street View. 'Lucky they didn't catch us on the weekend, with that little incident,' he said, before Samantha urged him not to tell the story about her using the men's room. 'Oh don't, no Kochie, there's no need to tell that story,' Samantha said. After seasoned TV presenter David rattled off the incident, Samantha then helped him explain what really happened. Embarrassed: After the seasoned TV presenter David revealed she went into the male's loo, she then helped him explain what happened, revealing it was at Etihad Stadium Samantha said: 'We were at the referee's room at Etihad,' before Mark Beretta chimed in telling viewers 'It wasn't a real public toilet.' The blonde host went onto to reveal David went inside the bathroom while she was in a cubicle and that he did a double take when she saw him. 'No, there was no one else around. I went to the loo, Kochie comes in and the rest is history,' Samantha explained. Lucky: Mark Beretta chimed in telling viewers 'It wasn't a real public toilet' that Sam had entered David explained he went in because he was 'busting'. 'I was busting as well. She was in a cubicle, I was at the urinal. And she wouldn't come out of the cubicle, because she thought, "oh what if you turn around?" I said "no one is going to turn around." Samantha said she decided to lock herself in the cubicle until he left. 'I got a fright...I stayed in my cubicle until he was gone,' she said, adding presenter Edwina Bartholomew was also there on the day. Bad acting: The story comes after Samantha was involved in a cringe-worthy Sex And The City skit last week with the show's star, Kristin Davis Edwina said she didn't know why Kochie felt the need to 'share' the story, while David was flabbergasted as to why 'she thought I'd turn around.' The take comes after Samantha was involved in a cringe-worthy Sex And The City skit last week with the show's guest, Kristin Davis. After speaking about her work with in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kristin was awkwardly asked to take part in a spoof reenactment of a Sex And The City scene with Samantha and her co-stars. Afterwards Kristin took to Twitter to claim she hadn't been allowed to talk about refugees in response to a viewier's criticism of the skit. Not happy: Afterwards Kristin Davis (pictured) took to Twitter to claim she hadn't been allowed to talk about refugees in response to a viewier's criticism of the skit Sunrise producers swiftly apologised for Samantha's 'bad acting' and thanked Kristin for being 'a good sport'. Samantha had been due to host a fundraiser for the UNHCR last Friday and take part in a Q&A with Kristin who was in Australia to raise awareness for the cause. She was dropped from the event and asked not to attend after the actress complained that she had not been given enough time to discuss the issue the previous day on Sunrise. Shortly after, Samantha was lampooned by a fellow journalist who labelled her a 'bimbo' in a scathing article and hit back, before taking aim at the United Nations. Their secrets and scandals will be revealed on air when the new series of Real Housewives Of Melbourne debuts on February 21. And ahead of the show third series, glamourous cast members decided to strip down and pose in their lingerie for a racy new shoot. Gina Liano, Chyka Keebaugh, Gamble Breaux, Jackie Gillies, Janet Roach, Lydia Schiavello, Pettifleur Berenger and newest cast member Susie McLean all flaunted their fabulous figures in the shoot for NW magazine on Tuesday. Scroll down for video No dirty laundry here! Ahead of the Real Housewives Of Melbourne's third series debut, it's glamourous cast members decided to strip down and pose in their lingerie for a racy new shoot And even Janet, who at 55-years-old is the oldest of the housewives, wowed in a sexy ensemble. Flashing the most flesh is Pettifleur who is wearing a black sheer top and skimpy pants as she showcases her assets. Her long, slender legs are on full display, as is her toned stomach as she poses up a storm in front of the camera. True to form, the group look to be indulging in expensive champagne, as well as snacking on popcorn as they lounge around in their racy ensembles in the lavish bedroom suite. Holding pillows up as they cuddle up to one another, the woman, who are dolled up to the nines, appear to be replicating a playful scene from a typical girlie sleepover. Flawless! Gina Liano, Chyka Keebaugh, Gamble Breaux, Jackie Gillies, Janet Roach, Lydia Schiavello, Pettifleur Berenger and newest cast member Susie McLean all flaunted their fabulous figures in the shoot Melbourne's series three of the franchise looks to promise an even bigger dose of socialising, scandals, shocks and squabbles. In a sneak peek, the eight affluent ladies of the show appear to become embroiled in a number of raging cat fights, most notably Gina who is seen in a very heated argument with Pettifleur. After flashes of the group voyaging on a desert safari which includes Gina pictured perched on top a camel, in the next scene Pettifleur is shown banging her hands down on the dinner table as she yells at Gina with rage to 'calm the f*** down!' Not one to stand down in an argument, Gina fires back at her counterpart shouting: 'Stay the f*** out of it!' Fellow housewife Gamble Breaux then imitates stabbing someone with a knife during her piece to camera, in lieu of the fight. Catty! In a sneak peek for Melbourne's third series of the Real Housewives Of Melbourne,Gina Liano is seen embroiled in a very heated argument with Pettifleur Berenger 'Calm the f*** down!' Pettifleur is shown banging her hands down on the dinner table as she yells at Gina with rage 'Stay the f*** out of it!' Not one to stand down in an argument, Gina fires back verbal abuse at her counterpart Meanwhile, another argument in the trailer shows Pettifleur insulting an unidentified housewife, with the stab: 'Just listen to me sugardaddy.com!' As dramatic classical music plays, words flash across the screen such as 'new housewife,' 'old flames,' 'wedding bells,' and 'a baby?' The 'new housewife' is in reference to country girl turned Toorak housewife Susie, and it appears as if it doesn't take long for Susie to settle in, with the trailer showing her already embroiled in an argument with Lydia, as she admits that she has a 'problem' with her. Cut-throat! Fellow housewife Gamble Breaux then imitates stabbing someone with a knife during her piece to camera, in lieu of the fight The clue of a plot involving 'old flames' flashes to Janet telling a male, presumed to be a former love interest: 'No i know where you are going, don't!' as she puts her arm out to say 'no.' The teaser also includes snips from Gamble and partner Dr. Rick Wolfe's wedding in Byron Bay, which appears to have been officiated by Gina. However it appears the wedding doesn't go to plan as the ten-tier cake is shown toppling over, followed by an outburst of tears from Gamble, who is later shown storming off from the group. 'Just listen to me sugardaddy.com!' The trailer shows Pettifleur insulting an unidentified housewife 'New housewife': Susie McLean who will join seasoned cast members for the new series and it appears as if it doesn't take long for Susie to settle in as she becomes embroiled in an argument with Lydia The trailer also teases of a shock pregnancy, as Lydia yells out: 'Now I never expected that!' This isn't the first time that a pregnancy storyline has come up in the reality TV franchise. In 2011, The Real Housewives of New York star Ramona Singer had a pregnancy scare when she was 54-years-old. The teaser also includes snips from Gamble and partner Dr. Rick Wolfe's wedding in Byron Bay Lavish: Gamble's choice of wedding frock is shown, as she dons a figure hugging garment for the special occassion Special moment: The wedding appears to have been officiated by Gina It appears as if a fair amount of travel is on the cards for the ladies in the latest series, as they are shown voyaging across a desert safari in the back of a four-wheel drive and riding on camels, as well as sliding down a water slide in an inflatable tube at a theme park. A series of surprised and terrified looks from the women are flashed across the screen in quick succession hinting at a very salacious series. The trailer finishes with Housewives dolled up to the nines in elegant blue gowns as they strut their way through a ballroom while gold confetti rains down on them. The ostentatious stars will return to TV screens when season three of The Real Housewives of Melbourne premieres on Arena on February 21. 'Now I never expected that!' The trailer also teases of a shock pregnancy 'No I know where you are going, don't!' The clue of a plot involving 'old flames' flashes to Janet speaking to a male, presumed to be a former love interest Arriving in style! It appears as if a fair amount of travel is on the cards for the ladies in the latest series The first two seasons of The Real Housewives of Melbourne were nothing short of explosive, but it looks like the upcoming third installment of the hit reality series is going to be the most scandalous yet. Gina previously told Daily Mail Australian that season three has been 'spectacular' for her. 'I dont know if its because I found my feet or know it better, but its been so much fun,' she said. 'Season one I was cringing at the prospect of watching it. Season two I was a little bit worried. But this season Im really looking forward to it. I think everyone is really going to enjoy it.' Jet-setting! They are shown voyaging across a desert safari in the back of a four-wheel drive Out of her comfort zone: Gina is shown on a desert safari perched on top a camel Adventurous! Susie, Janet and Pettifleur are also shown sliding down a water slide in an inflatable tube at a theme park The synopsis for the first episode has already been released, and in true Housewives fashion, it sounds like a wild ride. One scene features Lydia and 'Switch The B***h' author Pettifleur meeting up to discuss come controversial comments that Gamble made about the 51-year-old's book. With tensions building, the ladies get together for a 'wholesome baking day' at new Housewife Susie's home - but it doesn't take long for the claws to come out. 'It's kill or be killed,' says Pettifleur of the baking day bust-up. Viewers will also be treated to divorcees Susie and Janet trying online dating. Shocking! A series of surprised and terrified looks from the women are flashed across the screen in quick succession hinting at a very salacious series Highly anticipated! The trailer finishes with Housewives dolled up to the nines in elegant blue gowns as they strut their way through a ballroom while gold confetti rains down on them Drama filled! The ostentatious stars will return to TV screens when season three of The Real Housewives of Melbourne premieres on Arena on February 21 It's one of Melbourne's biggest music events of the year, so Tully Smyth was sure not to miss out on the festivities for St Kilda Festival on Sunday. Hanging out with fellow Melburnian and comedy icon Chris Lilley, the former Big Brother contestant looked stylish in a bright red playsuit. The 28-year-old celebrated the weekend of free music and other entertainment at the St Kilda Sea Baths, which hosted DJs such as John Course, Andy Murphy and Lauren Mac. Lady in red! Tully Smyth celebrated St Kilda Festival in crimson playsuit in Melbourne on Sunday with funnyman Chris Lilley and Brynne Edelsten Flaunting her trim pins, the brightly-coloured romper kept her accessories to a minimal with her trademark nose ring and a black drawstring necklace. She opted for strappy black wedges, and kept her short ombre locks away from her face in a low-slung ponytail. Tully's makeup was exceptionally natural if but for light dusting of bronze eyeshadow. Gal pals: The 28-year-old posed with a friend, who was wearing a white lace mini dress Laid back: The Summer Heights High star opted for a casual ensemble in a grey marle T-shirt She later posed with a friend who was wearing a white lace minidress, wrapping their arms affectionately around each other as they smiled and laughed. The Summer Heights High star, meanwhile, opted for a casual ensemble in a grey marle T-shirt, black jeans and white sneakers. Brynne Edelsten also showed up showing off her trim physique in a pink, Aztec printed shift dress. The ex-wife of Sydney Swans owner Geoffrey Edelsten added bright pink shoes to her look, and styled her platinum blonde tresses in loose waves. Pretty in pink! Brynne Edelsten was also in attendance wearing a pink Aztec printed dress Having a ball! Brynne added bright pink shoes to her look, and styled her platinum blonde tresses in loose waves. Pictured with performer Rhonda Burchmore Tully recently penned a piece deconstructing each hit reality show and how she thought it would pan out for her in Mamamia. While the TV personality said that having to select from 14 'semi-attractive' men as the protagonist on The Bachelorette admittedly did sound appealing, she predicted a rather messy conclusion. 'Knowing me, Ill probably end up kissing all of them, falling for the Bad Boy, eliminating all the good guys early on and ending up with a crush on my sexually confused make-up girl,' she said. It is the controversial new sitcom that has audiences polarised with it's controversial racial-stereotyping and humour. And Here Come The Habibs continued to touch upon sensitive topics during the show's second episode on Tuesday night, which saw Olivia O'Neill hatch a plan to keep her Lebanese neighbour Mariam Habib out of her exclusive yacht club. However, Olivia was left horrified by the end of the episode when the entire local Lebanese community was invited to join the swanky society. Scroll down for video Plot: Olivia O'Neill hatches a plan to keep her Lebanese neighbour Mariam Habib out of her yacht club Not going to plan: Olivia was left horrified by the end of the episode when the entire local Lebanese community was invited to join the swanky society 'Oh my god, boat people!' cried Olivia as scores of middle eastern families arrived via waterborne vessels at the doorsteps of the yacht club, no doubt a jab by the show's writers about Australia's attitude to illegal immigration. The episode begins with Fou Fou and Mariam revealing to their sons' recent lottery win was behind the family's recent influx in wealth. 'I didn't want the money to go to your head', explained Fou Fou to his shocked children. Rags to riches: The episode begins with Fou Fou and Mariam revealing to their sons' recent lottery win was behind the family's recent influx in wealth Humble: 'I didn't want the money to go to your head', explained Fou Fou to his shocked children While Elias and Layla were excited at the admission, Tough-guy Toufic was disappointed as he realised that a lottery win would destroy his 'street cred'. Viewers also discover that Olivia had tipped off the local Herald newspaper that the Habibs had won the lottery as part of her plan to get rid of her middle eastern neighbours. Speaking to her unimpressed husband, Olivia gleefully explained that, by revealing the news to the press, the Habibs would be 'bled dry' by desperate friends and family begging them for money, eventually forcing them to move out of the neighbourhood. Her plan: Speaking to her unimpressed husband, Olivia gleefully explained that, by revealing the news to the press, the Habibs would be 'bled dry' by desperate friends and family Leaving the drama: 'I'm not going to be here when the falafel hits the fan,' smirked Olivia as she departed her palatial house to visit the exclusive local yacht club 'I'm not going to be here when the falafel hits the fan,' smirked Olivia as she departed her palatial house to visit the exclusive local yacht club. Meanwhile, Layla decided to capitalise on her new-found claim to fame, calling up a radio station to brag about her family's lucky win. When the radio announcer asked her who tipped off the press about her family's lottery bonanza, Lalya admitted she didn't know, but that her dad had vowed to kill whoever was to blame. Excited: Layla decided to capitalise on her new-found claim to fame, calling up a radio station to brag about her family's lucky win 'Well, Ji-had it been me, I'd be worried', quipped the radio DJ before adding, 'Yeah, hashtag I'll ride with Layla' - a reference to the social media trend that followed last year's shocking Martin Place siege. Soon, scores of money-hungry relatives and friends arrived at the Habib house, leading Fou Fou to ask Elias to take a suitcase of cash directly to the bank before the crowd discovers the stash. 'You know what wogs are like with cash. They're like cash vampires', explained Fou Fou. After smuggling the cash out of the house, Elias came across Madison from next door, who offered him a lift to the bank. On the way to the bank, however, Elias found himself arrested by the police thanks to the large amount of cash in his possession. They've heard: Soon, scores of money-hungry relatives and friends arrived at the Habib house Safety: After scores of relatives arrived Fou Fou asked Elias to take a suitcase of cash directly to the bank before the crowd discovers the stash of money Madison, furious, gave the policewoman a piece of her mind, saying: 'Are you going to harass me too or am I not middle eastern enough?' 'This is racial profiling!' she later exclaimed. After the incident, Elias discovered that the cash had vanished. By the end of the episode, it became apparent that family side-kick Mustapha had secretly taken possession of the briefcase while simultaneously saving the day. Also featured in the episode was Mariam's attempt at joining the exclusive yacht club to which Olivia belonged. 'First they invade my street, then they're into my club?' said Olivia to her friend when she realised that Mrs Habib had plans to join the swanky society. Revenge: Trying to sabotage Mariam's efforts to join the elusive yacht club, Olivia fools Mariam into killing the club mascot, a large fish, in preparation for lunch Making it work: Olivia's plan backfired after Mariam decided to cook up the fish - to the delight of the hungry club members Trying to sabotage Mariam's efforts, Olivia fools Mariam into killing the club mascot, a large fish, in preparation for lunch. However, Olivia's plan backfired after Mariam decided to cook up the fish- to the delight of the hungry club members. Mariam was welcomed into the club along with the entire local Lebanese community, whose memberships had all been funded by Fou Fou. Advertisement She is best known for her role as housewife Gloria in Modern Family. But Sofia Vergara showed that she is a woman of many talents. The 43-year-old actress made a surprise appearance at the 58th Annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles on Monday as she joined Pitbull on stage. Scroll down for video Woman of many talents: Sofia Vergara made a surprise appearance in a gold dress during Pitbull's performance at the 58th Annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles on Monday J-Lo did it first: Sofia's outfit looked very similar to one worn by Jennifer Lopez during a performance with the same artist Pitbull at the 2014 Billboard Awards in Las Vegas as they performed We Are One (Ola Ola) The Columbia-born beauty made it a grand finale as she shook her groove thing next to the 35-year-old rapper while they performed his new track El Taxi at Staples Center. Sofia's outfit looked eerily similar to one worn by Jennifer Lopez during a performance with the same artist at the 2014 Billboard Awards in Las Vegas as they performed We Are One (Ola Ola). Pitbull also enlisted in the help of Robin Thicke, Blink 182 drummer Travis Barker and Aerosmith guitarist Joe Perry but none got quite the attention that the brunette beauty did. See full coverage of the Grammy Awards 2016 with more of the latest news updates on performances and winners Coming out party: The 43-year-old stunner made her surprise entrance by being elevated from under the stage Cruising: She wore a bizarre Taxi costume with a matching hat Stripped: Luckily Pitbull's background dancers took off the costume and hat shortly Big reveal: The Modern Family actress rocked a flapper-inspired number Taking the stage: The two stars performed Pitbull's new song El Taxi Moving and grooving: She showed off her dance moves during the performance He rapped his new track as someone could be seen being elevated from under the stage. When she is finally revealed, Sofia is seen wearing a bizarre taxi car costume and hat while Pitbull's dancers pull the outfit off of her. The Hot Pursuit star then unveiled a shiny gold flapper dress featuring plenty of gaudy beads and sequins complete with plenty of fringe around the hemline. All smiles: Sofia beamed during the performance Sultry: Pitbull couldn't help but dance on the beautiful Colombia-born star Shaking her tailfeather: Sofia swayed her hips back and forth during much of the performance Like what you see? Pitbull no doubt admired Sofia's sultry moves Friendly touch: The Calle Ocho hitmaker danced along with her as he placed his hand on her lower back Fun times: Sofia looked like she had a blast on stage Show goes on: Pitbull was later joined by Robin Thicke (left) and Joe Perry (right) in addition to drummer Travis Barker as they performed Bad Man She completed the look with look with lace up nude-coloured booties. The star also wore her highlighted tresses down into waves flowing over her shoulders as she sported bold make-up on her face topped off with a swipe of bright red lip. Sofia proceeded to dance up on Pitbull as she swayed her hips to the side next to the Fireball hitmaker. Slaying: Sofia showed off her super sexy outfit backstage Beep beep: She also adjusted her hat before hitting the stage Dynamic duo: She also cuddled up with Pitbull for a snap Lovely ladies: Pitbull's backing dancers also looked happy to pose with the actress Shaking it out: Sofia took to her Instagram after the performance to share this video from backstage Golden girl: She could be seen rehearsing her dance moves before the big surprise Getting cosy: Pitbull could be seen standing next to her as they practised their routine together. Stunning: She shared the short clip with her 7.5million followers with the caption: 'Rehearsal in the dressing room' After the dancing session, Pitbull was joined by Barker, Perry and Thicke for his track Bad Man to close out the star-studded award show. Sofia definitely was ready to hit the stage as after the televised event she took to Instagram to share a short video of her practising her moves next to Pitbull. She shared the short clip with her 7.5million followers with the caption: 'Rehearsal in the dressing room.' Electrifying: Swift opened the Grammy Awards in LA on Monday night wearing a sparkling black bodysuit Dazzling: The singer performed her track Out Of The Woods Mystique: Smoke filled the stage to add a little drama for Taylor's performance Crooner: The Weeknd was the next act to perform and he sang his hits I Can't Feel My Face and In The Night Country tune: Sam Hunt and Carrie Underwood also sang a duet Duet: Ellie Goulding took to the stage with singer Andra Day to sing her hit Love Me Like You Do Talent: Next up was a Lionel Richie tribute which John Legend led with Commodores hit Easy All the hits: Meghan Trainor sang Lionel's hit You Are while Tyrese Gibson belted out Commodores' Brick House The finale! The 66-year-old hopped on stage alongside the group to sing All Night Long Trio time: Alabama based country group Little Big Town sang their track Girl Crush That's the Way of the World: Stevie Wonder joined group Pentatonix for a a quick tribute to Earth Wind and Fire singer Maurice White who died earlier this month Throwing it back: Jackson Browne performed with the Eagles band members Don Henley and Joe Walsh (right) Something a bit different: Actor Leslie Odom, Jr. and actor-composer Lin-Manuel Miranda (R) and cast of Hamilton performed live from Broadway Sweeping the board: Kendrick Lamar had already won five Grammys by the time hit hit the stage Powerful: The 28-year-old rapper performed Alright on stage Top of his game: Kendrick bagged awards for Best Rap Performance, Best Rap/Sung Collaboration, Best Rap Song, Best Music Video (with Taylor Swift for Bad Blood) and Best Rap Album and there were still two more categories to go when he performed Honoring the king of pop: Miguel performed a heartfelt rendition of She's Out of My Life by Michael Jackson Centre stage: Adele, 27, performed her song All I Ask wearing a sparkling red gown Wowing the crowd: The songstress gave a powerful performance despite some technical glitches Crooning: Justin Bieber performed an acoustic version of Love Yourself Putting on a show: The most highly anticipated performance of the night however was Lady Gaga, who sang a medley of hits for a David Bowie tribute Tribute: The 29-year-old diva sported a variety of colorful and zany outfits to sing Bowie hits such as Changes, Rebel Rebel, Fashion and Fame to name just a few Jesinta Campbell looked every inch the top model as she jetted into New York for Fashion Week on Sunday. The 24-year-old showed off her trim pins in a pair of skin tight leather look pants and over the knee high heeled boots as she pushed her own trolley full of luggage out of the arrivals gate. She added a thick knitted jumper to her ensemble to keep warm in the chilly winter climate - a stark contrast to the Sydney summer she has just left. Scroll down for video Those legs: Jesinta Campbell jetted into New York for Fashion Week on Sunday and put on a very leggy display in a pair of figure hugging pants paired with over the knee boots Her dark tresses were slicked back into a neat bun at the nape of her neck and she added a pair of tortoiseshell sunglasses to her ensemble. She highlighted her perfect pins with stylish over the knee boots with a high heel that accentuated the length of her legs and draped a a bright yellow Chanel Boy Bag over her shoulder. Braving the cold: The 24-year-old wore a heavy black jacket with an oversize collar that wrapped tight around her neck as she stepped out into the bitter weather Jet set style: She highlighted her perfect pins with stylish over the knee boots with a high heel that accentuated the length of her legs and draped a a bright yellow Chanel Boy Bag over her shoulder The model pushed her trolley piled high with luggage towards her awaiting car, and the air was so cold you could see her breath. Jesinta abandoned the trolley and draped one oversize brown leather bag over one shoulder and pushed her suitcase on wheels. Happily smiling as she made her way to the car, 24-year-old Jesinta appeared to be in high spirits, despite spending Valentine's Day apart from her beau Lance 'Buddy' Franklin. Not too posh to push: The model pushed her trolley piled high with luggage towards her awaiting car, and the air was so cold you could see her breath Jesinta Campbell boarded an international flight from Sydney on Sunday and jetted to the US for work commitments enjoying New York Fashion Week. The glamorous 24-year-old - who appears to be in the city for her ambassador role for David Jones - has shared numerous images and clips from her visit with her social media fans, including a snap of herself standing on a snowy street to Instagram. In the picture shared on Tuesday, the brunette beauty is wearing Australian label Camilla and Marc in the shot. Ready to go! Australian model Jesinta Campbell is currently in New York attending Fashion Week and shared this picture of herself braving the snow in the city on Instagram on Tuesday She cuts a glamorous figure in a long black trench coat Jacket, with a black top underneath and high-heeled boots. The leggy star has her dark locks swept off her face and slicked back into a low bun. She also shared a video of herself on Instagram getting ready for the day with a make-up artist applying her face-paint as she pouts and poses, telling her followers to follow her adventures on David Jones' Snapchat. Meanwhile on her own Snapchat account, she spoke of just how cold it was in New York. Picture perfect: She also shared a video of herself on Instagram getting ready for the day with a make-up artist applying her face-paint as she pouts and poses 'It's actually so cold, I can't feel my fingers,' she says with a laugh. In the clip, she wears a turtle neck jumper and has a pair of sunglasses on with her hair tied into a bun. She also shared another picture of her Camilla and Marc outfit, and can be seen posing in the mirror in the Snapchat image. Leonardo DiCaprio celebrated his momentous BAFTA win by partying with Irish beauty Laura Whitmore until the early hours of Monday morning, according to a new report. The Hollywood star - who won the Best Actor prize for his role in The Revenant - reportedly set his sights on the Im A Celebrity presenter and asked her to come back to his room at Londons Rosewood Hotel following the awards ceremony. According to The Sun newspaper, an onlooker claimed: Leonardo was completely taken by Laura. She was playing it cool but he made a beeline for her and they instantly started flirting. Scroll down for video Has he fallen for her charms? Leonardo DiCaprio (left) celebrated his momentous BAFTA win by partying with Irish beauty Laura Whitmore (right) until the early hours of Monday morning, according to a new report The unlikely duo were spotted talking to one another at one of the glamorous after-parties, and it is believed the 30-year-old stunner loved the attention she received. Leo made it clear he wanted her to come back upstairs to his suite at the hotel to continue the party afterwards, the source added. It is believed that Laura was one of many friends who headed back to the superstars suite at 3.30am where the late night antics and celebrations continued. See more on Leonardo DiCaprio and his rumoured romance with Laura Whitmore Celebrations: The Hollywood star reportedly set his sights on the Im A Celebrity presenter and asked her to come back to his room at Londons Rosewood Hotel following the awards ceremony A partygoer told the publication: He was all over Laura until after 5am. At one point he held her face in his hand. However, a source close to Leonardo has since denied the fact the pair headed back to his hotel room. Laura - who acted as the official red carpet host for EE at the event - has been dating Sunset Sons rocker Rory Williams over the past few months. Meanwhile, the newly-single heartthrob ended his short-term romance with blonde bombshell Kelly Rohrbach at the end of the year. Irish beauty: The unlikely duo were spotted talking to one another at one of the glamorous after-parties, and it is believed the 30-year-old stunner loved the attention she received She's taken: Laura - who acted as the official red carpet host for EE at the event - has been dating Sunset Sons rocker Rory Williams over the past few months The 41-year-old actor was no doubt in the mood to celebrate after he scooped one of the biggest awards of the night, competing against the likes of Eddie Redmayne, Bryan Cranston, Matt Damon and Michael Fassbender. The Revenant was the big winner at The EE British Academy Film Awards with a total of five gongs. The gritty revenge drama took home the major awards including Best Film, Best Director for Alejandro G. Inarritu as well as Leo's Leading Actor. The film also won the Cinematography and Sound accolade, bringing its total wins to five - narrowly beating Mad Max: Fury Road, which took home four trophies. Huge night: The 41-year-old star won the Best Actor prize for his role in The Revenant Just hours before, she strutted down the red carpet alongside BFF Taylor Swift at this year's Grammy Awards in a striking blue sequinned gown. But it was all change as Selena Gomez slipped into another number for a spellbinding performance at the star-studded ceremony, held at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Monday. The 23-year-old went from blue to red, as she wowed in a slinky cherry-red Cushnie et Ochs ensemble with a sexy cut-out design along the bodice. Scroll down for video Quick change! Selena Gomez went from blue to red at this year's Grammy Awards, held at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Monday Silky satin fabric and a tight fitted structure highlighted her svelte figure perfectly, while a small train added to the high-fashion feel. Adding some extra height to her frame, the brunette beauty donned a pair of black barely-there Giuseppe Zanotti heels and amped up the glam factor with encrusted hoop earrings. Earlier on, Selena went for a glitzy look in a blue sequined Calvin Klein gown which featured cut-out sides, and she flashed plenty of cleavage thanks to a low-cut neckline. See full coverage of the Grammy Awards 2016 with the latest red carpet pictures Lady in red! The 23-year-old wowed in a slinky cherry coloured Cushnie et Ochs ensemble with a sexy cut-out design along the bodice Hollywood glamour: Silky satin fabric and a tight fitted structure highlighted her svelte figure perfectly, while a small train added to the high-fashion feel. Doing her thing: The singer delivered a spellbinding performance at the star-studded ceremony 2016 GRAMMY WINNERS Record of the Year Really Love, DAngelo & The Vanguard WINNER: Uptown Funk, Mark Ronson featuring Bruno Mars Thinking Out Loud, Ed Sheeran Cant Feel My Face, The Weeknd Blank Space, Taylor Swift Album of the Year Sound & Color, Alabama Shakes To Pimp A Butterfly, Kendrick Lamar Traveller, Chris Stapleton WINNER: 1989, Taylor Swift Beauty Behind The Madness, The Weeknd Song of the Year Alright, Kendrick Lamar Blank Space, Taylor Swift Girl Crush, Little Big Town See You Again, Wiz Khalifa featuring Charlie Puth WINNER: Thinking Out Loud, Ed Sheeran Best Pop Vocal Album Piece By Piece, Kelly Clarkson Before This World, James Taylor Uptown Special, Mark Ronson How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful,, Florence + The Machine WINNER: 1989, Taylor Swift Best Pop Solo Performance Heartbeat Song, Kelly Clarkson Love Me Like You Do, Ellie Goulding WINNER: Thinking Out Loud, Ed Sheeran Blank Space, Taylor Swift Cant Feel My Face, The Weeknd Best Pop Duo/Group Performance Ship To Wreck, Florence + The Machine Sugar, Maroon 5 WINNER: Uptown Funk, Mark Ronson featuring Bruno Mars Bad Blood, Taylor Swift featuring Kendrick Lamar See You Again, Wiz Khalifa featuring Charlie Puth Best New Artist Courtney Barnett James Bay Sam Hunt Tori Kelly WINNER: Meghan Trainor Best Dance Recording Were All We Need, Above & Beyond Featuring Zoe Johnston Go, The Chemical Brothers Never Catch Me, Flying Lotus featuring Kendrick Lamar Runaway (U & I), Galantis WINNER: Where Are U Now, Skrillex And Diplo With Justin Bieber Best R&B Performance If I Dont Have You, Tamar Braxton Rise Up, Andra Day Breathing Underwater, Hiatus Kaiyote Planes, Jeremih Featuring J. Cole WINNER: Earned It (Fifty Shades Of Grey), The Weeknd Best Rap Performance Apparently, J. Cole Back To Back, Drake Trap Queen, Fetty Wap WINNER: Alright, Kendrick Lamar Truffle Butter, Nicki Minaj featuring Drake & Lil Wayne All Day, Kanye West featuring Theophilus London, Allan Kingdom & Paul McCartney Best Rap/Song Collaboration One Man Can Change The World, Big Sean featuring Kanye West & John Legend Glory, Common & John Legend Classic Man, Jidenna Featuring Roman GianArthur WINNER: These Walls, Kendrick Lamar featuring Bilal, Anna Wise & Thundercat Only, Nicki Minaj featuring Drake, Lil Wayne & Chris Brown Best Rap Song All Day, Kanye West WINNER: Alright, Kendrick Lamar Energy, Drake Glory, Common & John Legen Trap Queen, Fetty Wap Best Rap Album 2014 Forest Hills Drive, J. Cole Compton, Dr. Dre If Youre Reading This Its Too Late, Drake WINNER: To Pimp A Butterfly, Kendrick Lamar The Pinkprint, Nicki Minaj Best Rock Performance WINNER: Don't Wanna Fight, Alabama Shakes What Kind Of Man, Florence & The Machine Something From Nothing, Foo Fighters Ex's & Oh's, Elle King Moaning Lisa Smile, Wolf Alice Best Country Solo Performance Burning House, Cam WINNER: Traveller, Chris Stapleton Little Toy Gun, Carrie Underwood John Cougar, John Deere, John 3:16, Keith Urban Chances Are, Lee Ann Womack Best Country Duo/Group Performance Stay A Little Longer, Brothers Osborne If I Needed You, Joey+Rory The Driver, Charles Kelley, Dierks Bentley & Eric Paslay WINNER: Girl Crush, Little Big Town Lonely Tonight, Blake Shelton featuring Ashley Monroe Best Country Song Chances Are, Hayes Carll, songwriter (Lee Ann Womack) Diamond Rings And Old Barstools, Barry Dean, Luke Laird & Jonathan Singleton, songwriters (Tim McGraw) WINNER: Girl Crush, Hillary Lindsey, Lori McKenna & Liz Rose, songwriters (Little Big Town) Hold My Hand, Brandy Clark & Mark Stephen Jones, songwriters (Brandy Clark) Traveller, Chris Stapleton, songwriter (Chris Stapleton) Best Country Album Montevallo, Sam Hunt Pain Killer, Little Big Town The Blade, Ashley Monroe Pageant Material, Kacey Musgraves WINNER: Traveller, Chris Stapleton Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media Empire: Season 1 Fifty Shades Of Grey WINNER: Glen Campbell: Ill Be Me Pitch Perfect 2 Selma Best Song Written For Visual Media Earned It (Fifty Shades Of Grey) WINNER: Glory Love Me Like You Do See You Again Til It Happens To You Best Music Video LSD, A$AP Rocky I Feel Love (Every Million Miles), The Dead Weather Alright, Kendrick Lamar WINNER: Bad Blood, Taylor Swift featuring Kendrick Lamar Freedom, Pharrell Williams Best Musical Theater Album An American In Paris Fun Home WINNER: Hamilton The King And I Something Rotten! Lifetime Achievement Award WINNER: Earth Wind & Fire MusiCares Person Of The Year WINNER: Lionel Richie Advertisement The songstress, whose luscious locks were styled in soft curls, picked nude lipstick and dramatic smoky eye make-up for the perfect flourish. During the bash, the American star offered her support to girlfriend Taylor, who scooped up three impressive gongs, including Album Of The Year, best pop vocal album and music video for Bad Blood. She was forced to console the award-winner after her Grammys opening performance didnt go to plan. Star pals: The pop star bumped into Hollywood beauty Amber Heard Catch up: The two stars looked delighted as they caught up backstage Strike a pose: Selena looked absolutely incredible in her striking scarlet number VIPs: The singer was seated with BFF Taylor Swift and British star Ed Sheeran Party gals: She posed up a storm alongside actress Serayah McNeill and BFF Taylor Earlier on... Selena joked that Taylor was her 'date' for the evening Bright move: The singer posed alongside her BFF, who looked incredible in a vibrant ensemble, which consisted of a orange bandeau top with a hot pink skirt, which was slit open to reveal her matching underwear. Already winners: The pop star pals were informed earlier in the evening that Taylor's hit Bad Blood had won Best Music Video Different styles: While Selena wore smoky eyes and nude lips, Taylor sported her signature red lipstick with just a little eye make-up BFFs: The two stars embodied girl power as they supported each other at the star-studded ceremony Taylor was spotted wiping away tears, mouthing the words 'I missed a note' as she sat back down in the audience after singing Out of The Woods to the star-studded audience. The blonde beauty looked incredible in a vibrant ensemble, which consisted of a orange bandeau top with a hot pink skirt, which was slit open to reveal her matching underwear. The 26-year-old paired her Atelier Versace outfit with metallic Stuart Weitzman heels, and was also showing off a new shorter hairdo complete with blunt fringe. She later took to her social media sites to share a snap from the event, and captioned it: No big deal just rolled up with the hottest date. @selenagomez #grammys. Finer details: The beauty amped up the glam factor with encrusted hoop earrings and a statement blue ring Style star: Selena went for a glitzy look in a blue sequined Calvin Klein gown which featured cut-out sides Daring to bare: She flashed plenty of cleavage thanks to a low-cut neckline of her gown Senior ABC journalist Virginia Haussegger has revealed she was once on an interview panel which failed to give Sunrise presenter Samantha Armytage a job. This revelation comes after an ongoing public argument between the women which started when Haussegger wrote a scathing opinion piece about an embarrassing Sunrise segment, labelling Armytage a 'bimbo'. Armytage hit back by saying she didn't know who the ABC journalist was - but that backfired on social media when Haussegger told the world how they had met. The public feud between ABC journalist Virginia Haussegger and Sunrise presenter Samantha Armytage continues after Armytage said she didn't know who the ABC reporter was The senior journalist reminded her in a post which has since been deleted The feud began when Armytage was accused of doing feminism a disservice after a Sex And The City skit The ABC journalist posted the information on Facebook, the post has since been deleted but managed to attract 180 likes in two hours. 'I couldn't help but smile when I had just heard Sam Armytage told Mamamia she had to Google to find out who I was. 'I guess Sam has wiped it from her memory ... or perhaps forgotten, but she once applied for a job here in Canberra to join our newsroom. 'I was on the interview panel, and unfortunately she didn't get the job. The ABC journalist revealed she was once on an interview panel who decided not to give Armytage a job 'I recall she was an excellent candidate' she wrote at the end of the post 'But I recall she was an excellent candidate,' the post read. Haussegger's original article accused the Sunrise presenter and her bimbo brigade of doing feminism a disservice after involving the celebrity advocate in a cringeworthy stunt instead of discussing Davis' work with refugees. But fellow Sunrise presenter Edwina Bartholomew hit back at the criticism and accused Haussegger of going against the sisterhood. A cohost of Samantha Armytage (pictured) has defended the Sunrise presenter following a Sex And The City skit on the breakfast program last Thursday 'You might be surprised to know even "mindless bimbos" can be feminists,' Bartholomew wrote on Twitter The sisterhood in action @virginia_hauss. You might be surprised to know even mindless bimbos can be feminists, Bartholomew wrote to Twitter Monday morning. After publishing her opinion piece to Sydney Morning Herald, Haussegger wrote to Twitter that she wished she never had cause to write this column. I take no joy in calling any woman a mindless bimbo, she wrote in the tweet. What on earth is going on in Samantha Armytages head? Not much it would seem, given the pitiful episode she and her gal pals put actress Kristin Davis through on Thursday. It was gender-cringe TV at its worst, Haussegger wrote in her opinion piece. Bartholomew (pictured) hit back at ABC journalist Virginia Haussegger, who wrote a scathing opinion piece about Armytage Actress Kristin Davis (far right) complained about taking part in a Sex And The City skit on Seven's Sunrise last week because she had not been given enough time to discuss her work with refugees It was the blithe dismissal of Davis message, and the purpose of her visit, that obviously left the celebrity activist so offendeded. Haussegger, who had interviewed Davis for the ABC prior to the Sunrise segment, said the actress desperately wanted people to know about the daily threat of sexual violence facing millions of women and children refugees, particularly in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Donning a blonde curly wig to portray Sarah Jessica Parkers character Carrie, Armytage giggled her way through the skit while Davis awkwardly played along. 'The waste of time was one thing. But the mindless treatment of Davis as little more than a girly play-thing is what the women on this show ought to be ashamed of,' Haussegger wrote. 'Their nonsense nattering does a major disservice to feminism. If Armytage and Co. don't give a hoot about feminism fine. But perhaps they should think about women like themselves glamorous, privileged women who are in positions of power and influence and how hard others have fought for such women to be taken seriously. To be heard. And to have their views considered worthy of prime time, serious discussion. Davis later thanked Haussegger on Twitter. Im trying to tell these womens story, the actress said of refugee women. Sunrise had been slammed by Davis after the Thursday program, and Armytage was consequentially dropped as a host of an Australia for UNHCR fundraising event the following day. Davis played Charlotte in the hit show Sex And The City. Armytage and co-star David Koch delivered a stony-faced apology on Friday insisting they had devoted significant airtime to the UNHCR and Davis efforts. But Haussegger, who is a board member of the UN Women National Committee Australia, labelled their apology as 'utterly shameful'. ABC journalist Virginia Haussegger penned a scathing critique of Sunrise's Sex And The City stunt and accused host Samantha Armytage and her 'bimbo brigade' of doing a major disservice to feminism Armytage was consequentially dropped as a host of an Australia for UNHCR fundraising event the following day which featured Davis (pictured) Haussegger, who is a board member of the UN Women National Committee Australia, labelled Sunrise's apology over the skit as 'utterly shameful' Armytage later hit back in her own opinion piece at the vile criticism she received. She said her only crime was to take part in a three-minute television skit that was admittedly, appallingly acted, but obviously meant as a bit of fun, she wrote in her opinion piece for News Corp. 'The journalist who wrote this vitriolic piece took up valuable column space (which could have focused on the important issues of the day such as, maybe refugees?) and used the most base, vile and derogatory terms to describe not only a fellow woman, but a woman in her own profession,' Armytage said. 'Why is it that some of those who shout the loudest about feminism are the most unkind to other women? 'Feminism means different things to different people... Not all wear it like a badge of honour. To use petty barbs such as "bimbo", "dumb", "ditzy", and "daft" to prove a point, does not make you a feminist. It makes you a bully, she said. Dropped: Samantha Armytage was dropped as the host of a UN High Commissioner for Refugees lunch a day after a disastrous skit on Sunrise with ambassador Kristin Davis (above together on Thursday) Armytage hit back at the criticism and attacked Haussegger for her name calling in her own opinion piece No laughing matter: Amytage and her co-hosts used the end of the segment to reenact a scene from the show Unimpressed: Davis reluctantly took part in the skit but later complained that she would rather have focused on the issue John Leslie made a rare TV appearance on Tuesday as he called for celebrities accused of sex offences to remain anonymous. The Scottish TV presenter spoke to Kate Garraway and Charlotte Hawkins on Good Morning Britain after he was formally told by police 24 hours earlier that a case against him had been dropped. The former Blue Peter host, 50, spoke out after admitting his career had been 'ruined' by a claim made against him by a 22-year-old woman four months ago. Scroll down for video Ordeal: TV and radio presenter John Leslie called for celebrities accused of sex offence to remain anonymous as he appeared on Good Morning Britain on Tuesday John attended a police station in Dalkeith, Scotland on Monday, where officers formally told him that the case had been dropped. Speaking on the breakfast show on Tuesday, he said: 'It's not when you are named - it's because you are named and then shamed. 'The media brings up previous things and they presume you're guilty until proven innocent. There's no evidence. Your name's just been put out there and you can't defend yourself.' Although John was relieved when the case was dropped, he said the damage done to his career and reputation is irreparable. Stressful time: The 50-year-old spoke to GMB co-hosts Kate Garraway and Charlotte Hawkins on the breakfast show Moving forward: The Scottish star is hoping to rebuild his career again after being cleared The presenter was suspended from his job on Radio Forth in Scotland last November following allegations made by the young woman following an awards night. In an interview over the weekend, Leslie explained how he considered his accuser as a friend and explained how it was her who asked if she could go home with him on the night of November 19. John said he had spent his last few pounds on a bottle of champagne for them both, and she had paid for their taxi home, where they had sexual contact. In a detailed account he gave to his solicitors, he said that they fooled around, she kissed him softly, and she even remarked on how comfortable his bed was. The presenter, who first thought she was out of his league, said they even embraced and kissed as she left, she put her number in his phone and he said he hoped he would see her again. When he was told to go home when he arrived at work the next day, because of 'a complaint', he assumed he may have made a bad joke that offended someone at the office. Support: Many viewers of Good Morning Britain agreed with John's call for anonymity He then explained how he was later dragged out of bed by police officers, put in handcuffs and taken to the police station, where he was held for 10 hours. Reflecting on the aftermath of his arrest on GMB on Tuesday, he said: 'Before I got home, there was 20 press outside my door. I was a fugitive inside my home.' Now free, John is attempting to rebuild his career, although admits he is uncertain if he will find work again because of the damage the allegations have done to his career. He said he had been offered a new contract for his radio show shortly before the incident, before being suspended. He explained: 'I did have a new job, have a new contract. Being a radio presenter is not quite the same as being on telly but I was loving it. 'I was a fugitive in my own home': John said he was besieged by press following his arrest in November 'It's up to them whether they give me that new contract. To be honest, the damage has been done. I can't see them giving me my job back.' Following the broadcast, viewers on Twitter appeared to largely agree with John's call for stars to have anonymity after being accused. One person on Twitter wrote: '@GMB very sad for John Leslie and others falsely named - too many people make false allegations with the prospect of compo.' Another tweeted: 'Just seen John Leslie interviewed on #GMB He speaks an enormous amount of common sense. Brave too. Well done!' However, others agreed with Kate's concerns that giving the accused anonymity may prevent victims from reporting sexual crimes. The TV personality's latest ordeal comes after similar allegations back in 2003 and 2004, for which he was never convicted. They were the most famous faces on TV during their decade-long reign on the small screen. And Jennifer Aniston has thanked bosses behind her hit sitcom Friends for the 'best years of her career' as she reunited with her beloved co-stars during a tribute to director Jim Burrows. The Hollywood A-lister sat alongside pals Lisa Kudrow, David Schwimmer, Courteney Cox, Matt LeBlanc as they reminisced about the show during upcoming show Must See TV: An All-Star Tribute to James Burrows. Scroll down for video I'll be there for you! Jennifer Aniston led the Friends reunion by hailing the show as the 'best 10 years of their career' as she reunited with former castmates (L-R) Lisa Kudrow, David Scwimmer, Courteney Cox and Matt LeBlanc for a TV special In a new clip from the programme - set to air in the US on February 21 - Aniston said: 'We would do anything for Jim Burrows because he really gave us the opportunity of a lifetime and probably the best 10 years of our acting careers that we will forever remember. 'We experienced friendship, family, heartbreak, babies, everything together. 'We also sort of had a wonderful experience with the world loving us, as well - they connected with us.' Noticeably missing was Matthew Perry - popular for his role as sarcastic Chandler Bing - as he is contracted for play The End of Longing in London's West End. The comedy which ran for ten years from 1994 to 2004 followed the lives of a group of twenty-something year-old friends: Rachel, Monica, Phoebe, Joey, Chandler and Ross living in Manhattan. See more Jennifer Aniston updates as she gushes about how Friends changed her life Back together: The reunion was for a tribute for TV director James Burrows, pictured above with the cast at the filming 'We experienced friendship, family, heartbreak, babies, everything together:' The cast of Friends, which ran for ten years from 1994 to 2004, remember their time on the legendary sitcom series on the show, set to air in the US later this year What a friendly bunch! Clockwise from top: David Schwimmer as Ross, Jennifer Aniston as Rachel, Matthew Perry as Chandler, Lisa Kudrow as Phoebe and Matt LeBlanc as Joey in the iconic sitcom Oops! Friends stars Lisa, David and Courteney were left a little embarrassed by the questions aimed at them Hot under the collar: Even Jennifer Aniston and Matt LeBlanc looked red faced as they discussed the highs and lows of working on the show Not there for them: Noticeably missing was Matthew Perry - popular for his role as sarcastic Chandler Bing - as he is contracted for play The End of Longing in London's West End The show's co-creator Marta Kauffman recently stated there will 'never be a Friends reunion movie' and one of the show's leading men David Schwimmer confirmed that the special was a tribute to the director and not a much-hyped Friends reunion special. The cast co-ordinated in a mainly black colour scheme with Cox, 51, putting on a leggy display in an off the shoulder mini-dress. Kudrow on the other hand took style pointers from Jennifer by donning a sophisticated black jumpsuit with matching black strappy heels. LeBlanc, 48, and Schwimmer, 49, the latter who is currently starring in the critically acclaimed The People Vs OJ Simpson: American Crime Story, both looked suave in beautifully tailored suits. Getting a grilling: Host Andy Cohen wasn't afraid to ask the difficult questions, including whether bosses ordered the cast not to sleep with each other In a previous trailer for the television reunion special host Andy Cohen asked questions which have been on everyone's minds since 1994. 'Did you all sign contracts saying that you wouldn't sleep with each other?' After cringing uncomfortably, Lisa is seen in the clip nudging her co-star David. The scene ended in an excitable cliffhanger as viewers would have to tune into witness the answer. The James Burrow special will also feature cast reunions from other shows such as Cheers, Frasier, Will & Grace, Taxi, and The Big Bang Theory. Kaley Cuoco in particular, who stars as Penny in The Big Bang Theory and was just spotted at a post-Grammys party with handsome country crooner Sam Hunt, was over the moon about getting a picture with the former Friends stars. In the snap, Kaley along with her co-stars Johnny Galecki, Jim Parsons and Simon Helberg posed with the legendary TV stars. Kaley Cuoco, 30, an obvious Friends fans captioned the Instagram snap: 'Ummmm NIGHT MADE. Can't breathe #friends meets #bbt @bigbangtheory_cbs I died and went to heaven.' 'Ummmm NIGHT MADE. Can't breathe #friends meets #bbt @bigbangtheory_cbs I died and went to heaven': Kaley Cuoco couldn't hide her excitement as she and her co-stars bagged a photo with the iconic Friends cast This special has been a long-time coming with Cox stating on The Late Late Show With David Letterman in 2014: 'Let me tell you something. There's six friends and I've been trying to put together a cast dinner for 10 years. It doesn't happen!' 'I can get the girls to come, maybe Matthew Perry. Matt LeBlanc cancelled last time right at the last minute. Schwimmer lives here [in New York City], so it's just not gonna happen.' And Kudrow, 52, has also poured water on the fire, citing her age as the primary reason she isn't interested in reprising her role as Phoebe. 'I'm too old,' she told HuffPost Live in 2013. 'I wouldn't even have an interest in seeing what those people are doing 10 years later as parents that have to be responsible. It would be so different that it wouldn't be Friends anymore.' LeBlanc also believes the magic of Friends would be lost now that the cast have firmly put their twenties behind them. 'Friends was about a finite period of time in your life, like after college and before your life really gets started. That's sort of where you're away from home and you're away from college, and your friends are your family,' he said on The Meredith Viera Show. New generation: The Friends cast were joined by modern comedic talent The Big Bang Theory (L-R) Kaley Cuoco, Simon Helberg, Johnny Galecki and Jim Parsons Back together: Other comedy alumni at the tribute were stars from Will and Grace (L-R) Shaun Hayes, Megan Mulally, and Eric McCormack Taylor Swift celebrated her triple win at the Grammy Awards in stunning style on Monday night. The 26-year-old superstar - who undeniably stole the show at the ceremony - looked utterly sensational in a tiny leg-baring ensemble as she prepared to party the night away with boyfriend Calvin Harris and famous gal pals Lorde and Ellie Goulding. And the 32-year-old DJ couldn't help but show off his award-winning beauty, as he Snapchatted a photo of the star planting a big kiss on his cheek while enjoying an after-party at Hyde night club in West Hollywood. Scroll down for video Proud of her! Calvin Harris took to Snapchat to share a photo of girlfriend Taylor Swift planting a kiss on his cheek following her big night at the Grammys Time to celebrate! Taylor opted for a super-sexy look as she stepped out to celebrate her triple win at the Grammy Awards on Monday evening, with gal pal Lorde and others Taylor had changed out of her impressive Grammys outfit - a bright orange and pink skirt and top combo - into something far sexier for the after party. She showed off her lovely legs in a super-short mini skirt teamed with a matching sleeveless crop top, drawing attention to her toned, whittled waistline and shapely shoulders. The cream co-ordinating items were covered with a metallic gold detail running horizontally across the fabric adding a fantastic edge to the look: she tied it together with a pair of towering gold heels adding inches to her lofty frame. See more on Taylor Swift as she celebrates her Grammys win with beau Calvin Harris With her beau: Taylor looked in fantastic spirits as she headed into the Hyde nightclub with her group of friends, which also consisted of her boyfriend Calvin Cozy: After spending the awards show with pal Selena Gomez as her date, Taylor kept close to boyfriend Calvin as she enjoyed the evening's after parties (pictured with friend, DJ Dillon Francis) Letting her (new) hair down: The 26-year-old looked raring to go as she led the way in her striking cream and gold co-ord, her new short bob looking great with her bare shoulders Impressive: She showed off her lovely legs in a super-short mini skirt teamed with a matching sleeveless crop top, drawing attention to her toned, whittled waistline and shapely shoulders She showed off her funky new bob hairstyle as she strode out of the party bus and into the A-list soiree, holding hands with a friend while being clung to by music star Lorde. Finishing her dazzling look, she added a pop of bright neon pink to her lips, which were firmly fixed into a huge smile as she stepped out after her big night. Following in her wake was her beau, Scottish DJ Calvin, who looked typically stoic in a very casual outfit as he prepared to join the others. Calvin had skipped the show to work on new music, and a source told E! News that the star was 'so excited' for Taylor following her big night of Grammy wins. They added that 'Taylor was so happy to be around Calvin,' and noted that the two were tactile, sharing 'a kiss here and there.' Taylor - who is known for her close-knit and very famous circle of friends - was joined by Lorde and Ellie for the celebration at Hyde Sunset Kitchen & Cocktail, which was the setting of the Republic Records Grammys after party. Lorde, 19, looked to be having a whale of a time as she followed behind her star pal, looking stylish and with a typical gothic edge in a low-cut textured black jumpsuit. Style star: The cream co-ordinating items were covered with a metallic gold detail running horizontally across the fabric adding a fantastic edge to the look Starry Eyed: Brit singer Ellie Goulding flaunted her toned legs in a cool star-printed leather mini dress Off the party bus! Taylor and her famous cohorts had been transported from the Grammy Awards at the Staples Center to the Hyde Sunset Kitchen & Cocktail in Hollywood for the Republic Records party Ellie, 29, also rocked her signature quirky style, showing off her toned legs in a funky star printed leather mini dress. During the show, Taylor was the talk of the music industry as she became the first ever female artist to win the Album of the Year award twice. And, in her acceptance speech, she hit out at Kanye West, following his claim last week that he made her famous. What a night! She was still basking in the glory on Tuesday, as she shared an Instagram snap clutching her awards 'As the first woman to win Album of the Year at the Grammys twice, I want to say to all the young women out there, there are going to be people along the way who will try to undercut your success or take credit for your accomplishments or your fame,' Taylor said as she accepted her award, clearly referencing the rapper's recent comments. 'But if you just focus on the work and you don't let those people sidetrack you, someday, when you get where you are going,' she added. 'You will look around and you will know that it was you and the people who love you who put you there. And that will be the greatest feeling in the world. Thank you for this moment.' She was still basking in the glory on Tuesday, as she shared an Instagram snap lovingly clutching all three of her awards. Taylor captioned the image: 'Oh what a night. ' Popular: It was undeniably Taylor's night, and she looked hell-bent on letting loose after an evening of ups and downs as she strutted into the packed-out venue Taylor's strong words at the Staples Center in Los Angeles came after Kanye infuriated the pop star after he released a track about having sex with her and claimed he made 'that b*tch famous' with his 2009 MTV Awards stage invasion. In an astonishing 15 tweet outburst last week, Kanye began by saying he 'did not diss' the singer and he has 'never dissed her'. But he then launched into a rant about how he called her on the phone, had an hour-long conversation with her about the song Famous, and said she found it 'funny' and gave him her blessing. Furthermore, he defended the use of the word 'b*tch' in the song, saying it was an 'endearing term' in hip hop, like the word 'Ni***'. The track Famous, which also features Taylor's rival Rihanna, Kanye raps: 'I feel like me and Taylor might still have sex.' And added: 'Why? I made that b*tch famous.' In what could be seen as a jump in logic, Kanye even claimed that the line 'I made that b*tch famous', was actually her idea. In the tweets he wrote: 'I'm not even gone take credit for the idea... it's actually something Taylor came up with.' Hitting back! Taylor took a not-too-subtle swipe at Kanye West as she accepted the award for Album Of The Year at the Grammys earlier on Monday evening Quite the armful! Swift, who won the album of the year Grammy for Fearless in 2009, walked away on Monday with three awards, including best pop vocal album and music video for Bad Blood Bright spark: As she walked the red carpet at the awards ceremony, Taylor flaunted her lovely figure in a pink and orange two-piece combo The Trouble hitmaker later denied Kanye's claims and blasted the track as 'misogynistic'. Her spokeswoman said in a statement to MailOnline: 'Kanye did not call for approval, but to ask Taylor to release his single Famous on her Twitter account. 'She declined and cautioned him about releasing a song with such a strong misogynistic message. Taylor was never made aware of the actual lyric, "I made that b*tch famous."' Kanye infamously interrupted Taylor's 2009 speech at the MTV VMAs. But since that time the two looked to have patched things up as Taylor presented Kanye with the Video Vanguard Award at last year's VMAs. Now, of course, it looks like things are back to being volatile. But she put it all behind her as she held her head high during - and after - the ceremony, an almost constant smile on her face. Also on the night, Taylor nabbed two other Grammys. As well as winning Album of the Year, she bagged Best Vocal Pop Album for Bad Blood, and Best Music Video for the single of the same name. They are very rarely spotted attending the same A-list events. But on Monday, Australian singer Cody Simpson and little sister Alli stepped out together at the Republic Record's Grammy after party at Hyde Sunset Kitchen & Cocktail in Los Angeles. The 19-year-old dressed to impress for the occasion as he rocked a matching black tuxedo which included a pair of straight cut slacks. Scroll down for video Partying together: Cody Simpson and little sister Alli stepped out together for the Republic Record's Grammy after party at Hyde Sunset Kitchen & Cocktail in Los Angeles on Monday He added a white shirt, which he left the top selected buttons undone, to his red carpet look. While posing in front of the photo wall, Cody buttoned his suit jacket up at the front while placing his hands in his pant pockets. As he showed off a slight smirk for the cameras, the best pal of Justin Bieber gelled his short blonde locks to the left. Check him out! The 19-year-old dressed to impress for the occasion as he rocked a matching black tuxedo The cool guys: Cody mingled with actor Mark Wystrach at the exclusive Hollywood event Simple: Alli matched her brother as she too opted for a black and white outfit which included a form fitting strapless jumpsuit and sheer throw over Flawless: The 17-year-old accessorised with a black choker scarf and white leather ankle boots Alli matched her famous brother as she too opted for a black and white themed outfit for the evening. The 17-year-old looked chic in a form-fitting strapless black jumpsuit. She teamed the one-piece garment with a white knee-length sheer throw-over that she wore off her shoulders. Alli, who has made herself known for hosting Radio Disney in the US, accessorised with a black chocker scarf and white leather ankle boots. A flick: She tied her long blonde locks back into a slick ponytail as she kept her make-up simple with a slight eye mascara wing and a nude lipstick Say cheese: At the event she posed for images with Internet personality Frankie Grande - older half brother to singer Ariana Happy times: When arriving at the event with her brother Alli showed off a large smile as she exited the car Partying the night away? Later in the evening Cody was spotted heading towards an awaiting vehicle The up-and-coming singer tied her long blonde locks back into a slick ponytail as she kept her make-up simple with a slight eye mascara wing and a nude lipstick. The brother-sister duo were later spotted arriving together at popular nightclub The Nice Guy. Cody looked to have had a good night on the town as he was spotted displaying a large smile as he headed into an awaiting vehicle. Where to look? As he made his way outside, he attempted to keep his head down for the cameras On show: The Surfboard singer had his shirt half unbuttoned down the front , giving onlookers clear view of his bare chest Time to go: He was pictured quickly jumping into the car, but his sister was no where to be seen Appearances: Fellow Australian and model Miranda Kerr also attended the event with her boyfriend Evan Spiegel, the Snapchat co-founder and CEO Also at the star studded event was fellow Australian Miranda Kerr who put on a leggy display as she slipped into a tiny green and yellow leopard print sequins dress. The former Victoria's Secret model showed off her natural beauty as she posed for photos with her boyfriend Evan Spiegel, the Snapchat co-founder and CEO. Bella Hadid and her beau The Weekend also attended the exclusive event following an appearance at the official Grammy's ceremony earlier in the day. The beauty, who is the younger sister of Gigi Hadid (Cody's ex-girlfriend), stepped out in a gloriously sexy plunging black dress. She accentuated her supermodel pins in a pair of slim-fitting black leather trousers and ankle boots. Knows her place: Bella Hadid made a statement at the after party as she stepped out in a gloriously sexy plunging black dress They reportedly married in December after a whirlwind romance of less than a year, And now former model Jodhi Meares, 44, and her rumoured toyboy husband Nicholas 'Finn' Tsindos, 28, have dropped yet another hint they have indeed tied the knot. Hunky photographer Nick shared an Instagram snap of the pair relaxing by the beach on Tuesday - and notably referred to Jodhi as 'Mrs T'. Scroll down for video Former model Jodhi Meares, 44, (left) flaunted her trim physique with rumoured husband Nicholas 'Finn' Tsindos, 28, (right) in a recent beach snap - as he calls her 'Mrs T' The picture shows Nick - who is 16 years younger than Jodhi - showing off his tattooed chest as he conceals his gaze behind a pair of dark sunglasses. Meanwhile, his rumoured bride soaks up the sun's rays in the background and only casually glances at the camera behind her shades. Jodhi, from Merimbula, NSW, put on a youthful display as she flaunted her super-fit physique in a skimpy blue and black bikini. The ex-wife of James Packer looked simply stunning as she showed off her slender, bronzed tummy and ample cleavage for the photo. Dropping hints: The photographer, who goes by Nicholas Finn professionally, teasingly captioned the Instagram photo: 'Mrs T lighting it up on the beach as usual' Changes: James Packer's ex-wife has changed her name to Jodhi Tsindos on Instagram last month, though her account handle still remains as 'jodhimeares' Her toyboy lover - who uses the name Nicholas Finn professionally - seemed to strongly imply that the pair had officially tied the knot. The Melbourne snapper captioned the image: 'Mrs T lighting it up on the beach as usual @jodhimeares x'. Last month, a source told Woman's Day that the couple 'got married in Hawaii' over the holidays. This follows the ex-Australia's Next Top Model host's decision to change her name on Instagram to 'Jodhi Tsindos'. Model-turned-designer Jodhi made headlines in 1999 after she wed billionaire James Packer, 48. Despite allegedly splashing out $10million on a lavish ceremony, their marriage was short-lived. After three three tumultuous years, the couple split in a blaze of publicity in 2002. She later became engaged to ex-INXS frontman Jon Stevens, but they split in February last year. When it comes to dressing up, the TOWIE girls have some seriously stiff competition on their hands. And on Tuesday, Georgia Kousoulou led the way as she put on quite the eye-catching sartorial display for a day of fun in the beautiful Spanish island of Gran Canaria. Accompanied by close pal Kate Wright, the 24-year-old slipped into a skimpy green and white bikini with a plunging neckline that generously exposed her cleavage as she prepared to shoot scenes for TOWIE. Scroll down for video This is life! Georgia Kousoulou put on quite the eye-catching sartorial display as she joined gal pal Kate Wright in t Gran Canaria to shoot scenes for TOWIE on Tuesday The skimpy attire drew heaps of attention to her toned, sun-kissed curves as she sipped on a variety of cold refreshing beverages while soaking up the balmy climes - even it is 11 degrees Celsius. Georgia - who is dating fellow co-star Tommy Mallet - wore her blonde locks swept away from her facial features, leaving it to cascade down her back in sleek waves. She concealed her eyes with trendy aviators and enhanced her pretty complexion with blush tinted cheeks and a bold matted lip. Strutting her stuff! The 24-year-old slipped into a skimpy green and white bikini with a plunging neckline that generously exposed her cleavage Busty display: The skimpy attire drew heaps of attention to her toned, sun-kissed curves Bright move! Kate, 24, opted to flaunt her ample assets in a neon pink two-piece, which boasted halter-neck detail, silver embellishment and a revealing bodice Kate, 24, opted to flaunt her ample assets in a neon pink two-piece, which boasted halter-neck detail, silver embellishment and a revealing bodice. The TV personality styled her outfit further with a semi-sheer blue skirt and chic wedged heels, while mirrored cat-shaped sunglasses rounded things off. The Essex beauties were also joined by Danielle Armstrong, whose white bikini teamed with a blue shirt dress - revealed plenty of toned tum as she made her way to the beach. Beach ready: Georgia - who is dating fellow co-star Tommy Mallet - wore her blonde locks swept away from her facial features, leaving it to cascade down her back in sleek waves Specs appeal: She concealed her eyes with trendy aviators and enhanced her pretty complexion with blush tinted cheeks and a bold matted lip Chilled vibes: The TOWIE girls appeared to be in great spirits during the day out Kicking back: They relaxed and soaked up the balmy climes in peace A treat: Kate was seen sipping on a variety of cold refreshing beverages Chloe Sims, 33, was hard to miss in a bright pink swimming custom which had the words Lets Get Physical emblazoned across it. She partially covered up with an open-wide denim overlay jacket, while standing tall in camel brown strappy sandals. New girls Chloe and Kourtney were also on the scene, working their magic in an array of bold choices. Meanwhile, it was also confirmed that veteran star Jessica Wright has decided to bow out from the popular ITVBe show. Here she comes! The Essex beauties were also joined by Chloe Sims, who looked incredible in her bold outfit Sending a message? The 33-year-old was hard to miss in a bright pink swimming custom, which had the words Lets Get Physical emblazoned across it Turning heads: Danielle Armstrong revealed plenty of toned tum as she made her way to the beach in a white bikini, teamed with a pale blue shirt dress and strappy sandals The finer details: The blonde star highlighted her facial features with a plush pink pout, tinted cheeks and well-defined eyes Keeping his cool: Bobby Norris rocked leopard-print shorts with a grey T-shirt and black jacket The 30-year-old star, who has been on the show since it began in 2010, released a video on Instagram on Tuesday to break the news. Clad in a pretty red lace dress, she is seen saying to the camera: 'After five amazing years on The Only Way Is Essex it is time for me to step away.I've had the best time and I wanna say thank you all so much for your support.' She added: 'You will be seeing me soon and I'm also gonna be keeping up with all the goss in Essex. Love you all lots.' There was no further information about her reason for leaving the popular series. Not alone: TOWIE new girls Chloe (far right) and Courtney (middle right) joined Georgia and Kate In the mix: Courtney, 20, looked lovely in a plush pink number as she kicked back on a sun lounger Wild thing: Chloe, 23, opted for a black and white animal print outfit with a sheer overlay Taking it all in: The girls seemed to be having a wonderful as they kicked back during filming Will she catch someone's eye? Single Chloe is said to be good friends with CBB's Megan McKenna, and knows Lewis Bloor, Jake Hall and Dan Edgar well French Montana was seen partying with ex Khloe Kardashian at The Nice Guy in West Hollywood last week. But at the Grammy Awards on Monday night, the rapper told E! News he is nothing more than 'good friends' with the 31-year-old Keeping Up With The Kardashians bombshell. The hit maker also said he admires how the blonde has supported her ex Lamar Odom as he recovers from an October overdose inside a Nevada brother. Scroll down for video Just pals: French Montana (right) told E! News at the Grammys on Monday that he was just friends with ex Khloe Kardashian, who he partied with last week at The Nice Guy in West Hollywood He's fine too: The 31-year-old Excuse My French hit maker also said he admires how she is there for Lamar: 'I love the support they have for each other'; here Lamar is seen in Calabasas on Sunday When asked how Khloe is doing after her split from basketball star James Harden, French said, 'She's good, she's good. I spoke to her last week.' He then added that they are 'great friends' and sweetly added: 'I think we're going to be friends forever.' The 31-year-old Excuse My French hit maker also said he admires how she is there for Lamar: 'I love the support they have for each other.' See more of the latest on Khloe Kardashian as she denies any romance with ex Lamar Bonded: Khloe brought Lamar to the Yeezy 3 show in NYC last week Montana even said he has talked to Kardashian about Odom's health. 'She told me he's doing good,' the I Luh Ya Papi rapper said. 'Definitely, for sure.' An E! source added that Khloe and French are 'purely platonic' and that they see each other 'all the time due to their circles being small.' Meanwhile, Khloe was seen on Grammy night at Justin Bieber's private party at The Nice Guy. Party girl: The E! stunner leaving The Nice Guy on Monday night after Justin Bieber's private Grammy party Last week, Khloe not only hung out with French at The Nice Guy. She also had dinner with him at BOA Steakhouse in West Hollywood. And they also went to strip club Ace Of Diamonds - the same gentlemen's club where James was spotted partying with Scott Disick and Tyga last month. See more Khloe Kardashian updates as it's revealed she's split from James Harden As fans of Keeping Up With The Kardashians will know, French's relationship with Khloe's pal Malika isn't exactly smooth sailing. In one episode of the show last year, French - real name Karim Kharbouch - blamed Malika for the demise of his romance with Khloe. The pair originally dated for six months in 2014, before splitting for several months and resuming their relationship in December 2014 before splitting again the following March. Ahead of her evening out, Khloe namechecked her glam squad for creating her look. She wrote: 'Excuse me!! Bobble head coming through!! Weeeerrrrk @monicarosestyle @joycebonelli @jenatkinhair.' Val Kilmer sparked health fears after he was pictured with a tracheostomy tube late last year. However, the 56-year-old was spotted out in London recently looking much healthier, and even took to Facebook last Wednesday to share a snap from his visit. He showed off a smile while posing without a tracheostomy with his artist friend Tracey Emin, though a faint scar could be seen on his neck. Scroll down for video Bouncing back: Val Kilmer appeared to be in better health while posing with his artist friend Tracey Emin in a recent Facebook picture Val seemed to be in good spirits during the outing, on which he reported seeing The Master Builder, starring Ralph Fiennes. The actor gushed about the performance on Facebook, and even joked about his hair in the photo, writing of his friend: 'Altho I wish she would have told me my hair was doing a Chris Walken... Lord.' Previously, Val had taken to sporting bandannas or scarves around his neck, perhaps to hide his tracheostomy tube. Recovering: The actor had also showed off a smile as he posed beside Will Forte and Jorma Taccone in January, once again without his tracheostomy, though he did show a faint scar where it had been Back in October Val had taken to Facebook to deny that he was battling throat cancer, following rumors of ill health. He did, however, admit that an undisclosed procedure had left him with a 'swelling.' According to the UK's National Health Service website, a tracheostomy is a surgical opening in the anterior wall of the trachea to facilitate ventilation - the opening is usually maintained by use of a tracheostomy tube. A tracheostomy may be created for a number of reasons - including to deliver oxygen to the lungs when a person is unable to breathe normally after an injury or accident, or because their muscles are very weak. llness: Earlier this year Val caused concern as he was seen near his home in Malibu, California with what appeared to be a breathing aid around his neck Keeping covered up: And the star had frequently been spotted wearing large scarves or bandannas around his neck, possibly to cover up the tracheostomy tube It can also allow a person to breathe if their throat is blocked, whether because of a swelling, a tumour, or something stuck in their throat, and to reduce the risk of food or fluid going into the lungs. MailOnline contacted a spokesperson for Val Kilmer for further comment at the time, with one representative confirming that the actor was currently on hiatus. Just two months ago Val took to social media to deny that he was gravely ill in hospital after Radar reported that he was admitted to UCLA's intensive care unit and could 'barely speak.' He wrote on Facebook: 'Thank you all for your love and support. There's a rumor I'm unwell again and in hospital which is totally untrue.' 'I was in to verify I have no tumor or infection of any kind which was verified by the very caring experts at UCLA.' Turkey won't let Syrian town of Azaz fall under Kurdish control: PM Turkey will not allow the Syrian town of Azaz just across from the Turkish border to fall under the control of Syrian Kurdish fighters, Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said on Monday. "We will not let Azaz fall," Davutoglu was quoted as saying by the private NTV television on his plane en route to an official visit to Ukraine. "The YPG (the People's Protection Units, a Syrian Kurdish militia) will not be able to cross to the west of the Euphrates (River) and east of Afrin," he added. Fighters with the Free Syria Army (FSA) regroup at their base in Azaz, some 47km north of Aleppo, on September 13, 2012 Marco Longari (AFP/File) Turkish artillery struck at targets of Kurdish militia at the weekend, with Ankara insisting that it was returning fire under the rules of engagement. The regime in Damascus has condemned Ankara over the shelling while urging the United Nations to act. But Davutoglu said: "The necessary intervention will be made (by Turkey) against the YPG when it is required." Turkey has been gravely concerned by the moves of the Kurdish fighters on Azaz and has so far defied calls from its Western partners to stop artillery bombardments of YPG positions. The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), a US-backed Kurdish-Arab militia alliance in which the YPG plays a key role, has also seized the Minnigh air base in northern Syria. Davutoglu warned the forces to withdraw from the airport, issuing a veiled threat of possible Turkish military action if they failed to do so. "They will withdraw from the airport," he said, referring to the Minnigh air base. "If not, the airport will be rendered unusable," he added, without specifying further. Turkey accuses the Syrian Kurdish forces of being the Syrian branch of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), which has waged a bloody war against the state since it took up arms in 1984. Russia is the key ally of the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, who Turkey wants to see ousted. Bilateral relations have also nose-dived after Turkey shot down a Russian war plane on the Syrian border on November 24. Davutoglu said the "the YPG is clearly Russia's instrument in Syria right now," the state-run Anatolia news agency reported. "Everyone must see this. Today the PKK in Turkey and YPG in Syria are clearly instruments of Russia," he said. "Russia is using those tools to be able to corner Turkey. Therefore, our stance has a legitimate ground." US urges Russia, Turkey to avoid 'escalation' over Syria: State Dept The United States on Monday urged Turkey and Russia to avoid any further escalation after the two traded verbal blows over their respective military actions in war-torn Syria. "It is important that the Russians and Turks speak directly, and take measures to prevent escalation," a State Department spokesperson told AFP. Tensions with Turkey have soared over Moscow's backing of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and Russia's air campaign against what it claims are "terrorist" targets in the country. People gather around the rubble of a hospital supported by Doctors Without Borders (MSF) near Maaret al-Numan, in Syria's northern province of Idlib, on February 15, 2016, after the building was hit by suspected Russian air strikes Ghaith Omran (AL-Maara Today/AFP) The intensifying war of words has dampened hopes that a proposed cessation of hostilities will take hold this week. Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu earlier accused Russia of acting as a "terrorist organisation" in Syria, and worsening the refugee crisis on Turkey's doorstep through its "barbaric attacks on civilians." Turkey has long backed Assad's ouster and like other Western nations accuses Russia of predominantly bombing Syrian rebel groups backed by Washington and its allies instead of the Islamic State group. Russia meanwhile described Turkey's shelling of Kurdish and Syrian regime positions in the north of the country as a "provocative" action. Ankara has vowed to continue the strikes on Kurdish fighters, who it accuses of links to the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party that has waged a decades-long insurgency in Turkey. Washington has found itself in a highly uncomfortable position on the issue: it is allied with Turkey as part of the US-led coalition against IS and in NATO, but also supports the Syrian Kurds. Demo against girl's brutal rape turns violent in Chad Riot police violently shut down a protest on Monday by hundreds of young Chadians in the capital N'Djamena, after photographs of a girl who had allegedly been brutally gang-raped spread on social media. One protester was reported to have been shot dead as police moved to disperse the demo with tear gas, a fellow demonstrator told AFP on condition of anonymity. Police spokesman Colonel Paul Manga denied that any protesters had been killed and said two of the girl's alleged rapists had been arrested. Police forces, like these officers seen in N'Djamena on June 15, 2015, were reported to have shot one protester dead as hundreds demonstrated after an alleged gang-rape photos spread on social media Brahim Adji (AFP/File) Protesters said a girl, named as Zouhoura, was kidnapped last weekend and gang-raped by five young men from the families of senior officers. The men then allegedly posted a video online showing the victim in tears. The video has since been removed. On Monday morning, pupils from Zouhoura's high school and other protesters gathered outside her home and marched to the court to demand compensation for the girl. Singing the national anthem, they marched holding banners that read "Justice for Zouhoura" and "We are all Zouhoura, our dignity is being denied". "As we arrived not far from the court, police fired tear gas. They also used live bullets," one protester told AFP. "Then they chased us through the city, and at the Liberty High School one of us fell, hit by a bullet." Manga said the situation was "under control", adding: "There were no victims, to my knowledge." Hilfiger makes fashion splash with 'It' girl Gigi Tommy Hilfiger headlined day five of New York Fashion Week by sending model-of-the-moment Gigi Hadid down an ocean-liner themed catwalk to open and close a trans-Atlantic voyage-themed show as snow fell outside. Hilfiger, who has turned affordable but fashional apparel into a global empire, is known for his flamboyant Fashion Week shows, which each season transform the Armory on Park Avenue into a spectacular set. "Years back, in the '20s, the '30s, when the people would travel trans-Atlantic they would get dressed properly," the 64-year-old design king told AFP ahead of the show, explaining his inspiration. US model Gigi Hadid presents a creation by Tommy Hilfiger during the Fall 2016 New York Fashion Week on February 15, 2016, in New York Jewel Samad (AFP) The models wearing his fall/winter 2016 collection strode the deck of the ocean liner, which pumped steam into the air through giant funnels against a night sky backdrop of glittering stars. Hadid, who has collaborated with Hilfiger on a capsule collection to debut in September, opened the show dressed in a bias-cut, silk print dress, walked second in an embellished silk blouse with black retro briefs, and closed the show in a gold sequined sailor dress and tiara. The daughter of real estate developer Mohamed Hadid and "Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" star Yolanda Foster, Gigi is dating One Direction alumnus Zayn Malik and has more than 13 million followers on Instagram. The supermodel and Los Angeles "It" girl, aged 20, and her millions of adoring fans are precisely the customers that marketing savvy Hilfiger is keen to snap up. Hilfiger, dressed in a captain-style navy jacket, made a victory lap at the end of the show for which he created a special "InstaPit" for the Instagram creators transforming the way fashion is consumed. French navy allusions featured prominently on captain-style jackets and coats, embellished with braiding, and there was a sprinkling of 1970s styles and shapes thrown in, such as high-waisted bell bottoms. Hilfiger said the collection was made sexy with whimsical, fun print dresses and crepe de chine, which would be layered up in winter with a sweater or a jacket, or paired with a stunning black leather coat. - Winter Wonderland - "We made it sexy by doing a lot of crepe de chine," he told AFP. "At the same time even her shoes have a wink and a nod and the wink is the sense of humor and the nod is to the navy and military influence." The models wore ankle socks and gold loafers in an almost grungy look Hilfiger said was optional. "The socks we thought were appropriate for a young woman of today who wants to have some sort of a nostalgic look in her wardrobe," he said. Trousers were finished with a lot of braiding and button detail, there were high-waisted wide shorts and wide-legged jumpsuits, vintage swim pants and a modern motorcycle jacket was given a nautical feel. In September, the label will allow customers to buy clothes straight from the catwalk, doing away with the customary six-month lag that Instagram has undercut by zapping images across the world in seconds. Here are other highlights of Monday: -- Winter Wonderland -- Los Angeles luxury label Thomas Wylde, founded with British roots and a rock n roll culture, celebrated 10 years in the business with a second collection from creative director Jene Park. The effervescent Park described it as her ultimate "Winter Wonderland" celebrating the brand's first decade, and a lifetime of love and passion "mixed with a little Disney Magic to make my dreams come true." The South Korea-born designer told AFP it reflected Venice, the upmarket beachfront neighborhood where the fashion house is based. The dominant use of vermillion red -- including striking red fur -- represents bougainvillea, she said. "For me its celebrating," Park told AFP. "You're beautiful, you're confident, you're a superhero, you're a woman, you wear it with confidence." Ethical label Maiyet said its inspiration came from Italian architect and furniture designer Carlo Mollino, offering a classic wardrobe in trademark desert hues for its professional, global clientele. Such is the buzz the label is creating, the Chelsea venue was packed to the rafters for the show of suits, evening dresses, sharply tailored coats in understated vanilla, brown, rose and mint. There were tight cigarette trousers, an elegant brown leather dress with spaghetti straps, and stunning red evening dress with a billowing train and slits on the thigh. There were capes, very on trend this season, ankle boots and pumps with heels that looked like old fashioned door knobs. Gigi Hadid presents creations by Tommy Hilfiger during the Fall 2016 New York Fashion Week on February 15, 2016, in New York Jewel Samad (AFP) US designer Tommy Hilfiger greets the audience after presenting his creations during the Fall 2016 New York Fashion Week on February 15, 2016 Jewel Samad (AFP) A model presents a creation by Tommy Hilfiger during the Fall 2016 New York Fashion Week on February 15, 2016, in New York Jewel Samad (AFP) Israel court rejects West Bank treatment for hunger striker Israel's top court on Monday rejected a Palestinian hunger striker's request to be moved to the West Bank for treatment but said he could be transferred to annexed Arab east Jerusalem. The supreme court gave Mohammed al-Qiq until 10:00 am (0800 GMT) on Tuesday to decide whether to agree to his transfer from hospital in northern Israel to Jerusalem's Palestinian-run Makassed Hospital. The 33-year-old is reported to be close to death after 83 days on hunger strike in protest against his internment under Israel's administrative detention laws. A Palestinian man lying on a hospital bed wears a mask depicting hunger-striking Palestinian journalist Mohammed al-Qiq, during a demonstration in solidarity with him near the West Bank, on February 13, 2016 Musa Al Shaer (AFP/File) His internment was officially suspended on February 4, but he was still prevented from leaving hospital in Afula in northern Israel where he is handcuffed to his bed. Qiq's lawyer has said his client will continue his fast "until he is freed", and demanded he be moved to his West Bank home city of Ramallah but the Israeli military prosecutor opposed the application. A supreme court statement said it recommended the "transfer of the hunger striker to Makassed Hospital in east Jerusalem to continue his treatment". It added the move was "in the framework of the frozen administrative measures concerning him", raising the possibility he could be detained again if he ends his hunger strike. Although the Makassed is Palestinian-run, Israel views the whole of Jerusalem as an integral part of its territory and has raided the hospital a number of times in recent months to arrest individuals or seize equipment. Qiq, a father of two and a correspondent for Saudi Arabia's Almajd TV network, was arrested at his home in Ramallah on November 21. He has been refusing food since November 25 in protest against the "torture and ill treatment that he was subjected to during interrogation", according to Addameer, a Palestinian rights organisation. The United Nations has expressed concern about his fate, with the International Committee of the Red Cross describing his condition as critical. Israel's Shin Bet domestic security service says Qiq was detained for "terror activity" on behalf of the Islamist group Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip. Israel's controversial administrative detention law allows the state to hold suspects without trial for periods of six months which are renewable indefinitely. Missile strikes on north Syria schools, hospitals kill 50: UN Air strikes have hit at least five medical facilities and two schools in northern Syria, killing 50 people, the United Nations said Monday, calling the attacks "blatant violations of international law." The United States also condemned the attacks on civilian targets, which it said included two hospitals in the Aleppo area -- a Medecins Sans Frontieres facility and the Women's and Children's Hospital in Aziz city. The upsurge in violence comes just days after international powers, meeting in Munich, proposed a "cessation of hostilities" within a week as a step towards a permanent ceasefire. People carry a stretcher amidst debris after a hospital supported by Doctors Without Borders (MSF) was hit by suspected Russian air strikes near Maaret al-Numan, in Syria's northern province of Idlib, on February 15, 2016 Omar Haj Kadour (AFP) Neither the United States nor the United Nations identified who carried out the air strikes, but Russia has been waging an air campaign in and around Aleppo in support of a Syrian government ground offensive. State Department spokesman John Kirby said the latest development "casts doubt on Russia's willingness and/or ability to help bring to a stop the continued brutality of the Assad regime against its own people." "That the Assad regime and its supporters would continue these attacks, without cause and without sufficient regard for international obligations to safeguard innocent lives, flies in the face of the unanimous calls by the ISSG, including in Munich, to avoid attacks on civilians," he said. AFP photos of the MSF hospital hit by an air strike showed it had partially collapsed in the attack. The surrounding area was strewn with twisted metal, cinderblocks and detritus from the damaged building. "The destruction of the hospital leaves the local population of around 40,000 people without access to medical services in an active zone of conflict," said MSF Syria operations chief Massimiliano Rebaudengo. The UN statement indicated the range of civilian targets was far broader, and the death toll much higher, than originally reported from the region. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon was "deeply concerned by reports that missile attacks on at least five medical facilities and two schools in Aleppo and Idlib that killed close to 50 civilians including children and injured many," UN deputy spokesman Farhan Haq said. Ban considers that "such attacks are blatant violations of international law," he added. The fighting in Syria has intensified despite Friday's call in Munich for an end to hostilities in a civil war that has killed more than 260,000 people since it began five years ago. Concern also has been raised by Turkish cross-border shelling of Kurdish-led fighters in Aleppo province and a parallel war of words between Turkey and Russia. "If Russia continues behaving like a terrorist organization and forcing civilians to flee, we will deliver an extremely decisive response," Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said earlier Monday. A State Department spokesperson urged Turkey and Russia to avoid any further escalation. Clinton courts Las Vegas, seeking rebound in White House race Hillary Clinton is courting Las Vegas, visiting the workaday back rooms of Sin City's glitzy casinos to rev up her White House run after a crushing loss to Bernie Sanders in New Hampshire. Nevada holds the next Democratic nominating contest on February 20, and Clinton is expected to do well in the western state, where she spent the weekend campaigning. "I need your help on Saturday at 11," she says over and over again here, referring to the 11 am start time of the caucuses, the neighborhood gatherings that select delegates to the Democratic nominating convention in July. Victory for Hillary Clinton in Nevada will depend on the faithfulness of her following among the tens of thousands of maids, servers, croupiers and others whose livelihoods revolve around Las Vegas's hotel-casinos Don Emmert (AFP/File) Victory for Clinton will depend on the faithfulness of her following among the tens of thousands of maids, servers, croupiers and others whose livelihoods revolve around Las Vegas's hotel-casinos. It's in the entrails of the luxurious Caesars Palace and in the windowless employees' cafeteria at the old Harrah's that she has gone to plead her case. Clinton is in familiar territory here. Ovations greet her when she enters a room, and she is immediately surrounded by well-wishers. Hotel maids, some of whom barely speak English, whip out their smartphones to have their picture taken with "Hillary." "May you be the president," a kitchen worker tells Clinton in Harrah's employee cafeteria. "That means the world to me," Clinton responds, batting her eyelashes. Las Vegas is home to 73 percent of Nevada, a sparsely populated state of immense deserts and rugged mountains. Half its 2.8 million residents are white, the rest are Hispanics, blacks and Asian in origin. Because of that diversity, the Democratic Party in 2008 gave Nevada a prime place on the primary calendar, just after the very white states of Iowa and New Hampshire. In Nevada, as in Iowa, the nominating process is conducted through meetings in neighborhood locales where participants join groups in favor of one candidate or the other, rather than vote directly for a candidate. In 2008, 15 percent of the participants were Hispanic and 15 percent were black. Clinton prevailed over Barack Obama, winning two thirds of the Hispanic vote. This go around, Clinton established an early presence in Nevada, opening a campaign headquarters last July, four months before Bernie Sanders did. Dozens of local personalities have endorsed her candidacy. When Sanders' activists descended on a rally Friday organized by the powerful culinary union, which has 57,000 members, most of them Hispanics, Clinton's immense local following was plain to see. "No, no, no. Hillary!" Gabriela Rivera tells a Sanders volunteer who vainly tries to give her a leaflet. "The woman is strong!" But the Clinton team is trying to dampen expectations, fearing that the Sanders wave among young voters (more than 80 percent of those under 30 voted for him Iowa and New Hampshire) could spread to non-white voters here. It's the big unknown of the primary season. - Polls lacking - At the Sanders headquarters in Las Vegas, volunteers of all ages go in and out, leaflets in hand. The campaign has put resources into the state: more than 100 paid campaign staffers, 12 offices, and a bigger advertising budget than Clinton's. Communications director Emilia Pablo, who was born in Mexico and raised in California, believes young people will be drawn to Sanders regardless of their race or ethnicity. "The young folks want to join the political revolution, and then they tell their parents, uncles and aunts, who might have been set for Hillary Clinton, but then these young kids (say), 'Mom, Dad, you might want to have a second thought,'" she says. The Vermont senator has also made some Hispanic allies, like the publisher of the Spanish-language monthly El Reportero, Luis De Leon. "The majority of the Latinos that have to work 12 hours from sun up to sun down, they see themselves in that," he said, of Sanders' denunciation of the widening gap between rich and poor. No Democrat can win their party's nomination without substantial minority support. In South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama and Texas, black and Hispanic Democrats outnumber whites. The black and Hispanic communities are very different, sociologically and in terms of their priorities, but Clinton has so far gained their support. A CNN poll in January found that 58 percent of non-whites nationally preferred Clinton, as did three quarters of South Carolina's black Democrats. The enthusiastic welcome she received Sunday at a historically black Baptist church in Las Vegas, attests to her popularity compared to Sanders, who was given a polite reception at the same service. But polls are lacking in Nevada, and focus only on Hispanics. Sanders hopes that his victory in New Hampshire, which made a big splash in the media, will make him better known here, and set the stage for a surprise on Saturday at 11. US Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders speaks during the primary night rally in Concord, New Hampshire, on February 9, 2016 Jewel Samad (AFP/File) Bush brothers take stage in GOP race, Trump blasts rivals George W. Bush, campaigning for his brother for the first time, says Jeb has the backbone and optimism to be president and that Americans should avoid nominating someone who "mirrors and inflames our frustration." The former president and his "big little brother" Jeb Bush tag-teamed Monday for a forceful denunciation of the man currently at the top of their Republican party's polls, the billionaire Donald Trump. Bush the elder received a hero's welcome in South Carolina, where he remains a revered figure by many, and sought to steer the 2016 race away from the mudslinging and personal insults and toward character and judgment. Former US President George W. Bush waves with his wife Laura as he stands with his brother and Republican presidential candidate Jeb Bush during a campaign rally in Charleston, South Carolina, February 15, 2016 Jim Watson (AFP) With Jeb desperate to score a comeback victory after poor showings in early-voting Iowa and New Hampshire, he said the best applicant for the world's most powerful job was not necessarily the loudest, but the one who could best apply his skills. "I've seen Jeb in action. He'll be a strong and steady hand when confronted with the unexpected," Bush said of his brother, who is seeking a boost to his fortunes in South Carolina. The southeastern state on Saturday becomes the third to vote in the presidential nominating contest leading up to the November election. Trump's controversial remarks and policy positions -- last year he called for a ban on Muslims entering the United States -- have caused an uproar. But he is an anti-establishment outsider seizing on voter anxiety and anger with Washington, and remains firmly at the top of the polls even after turning American political convention on its head. George W's message: don't buy into it. "I understand that Americans are angry and frustrated, but we do not need someone in the Oval Office who mirrors and inflames our anger and frustration," Bush told some 3,000 people in North Charleston, one of Jeb's largest crowds since the Florida ex-governor launched his presidential bid last June. "There seems to be a lot of name calling going on," Bush said. "Labels are for soup cans. The presidency is a serious job that requires sound judgment and good ideas," he added, stressing that his brother is the Republican candidate "who can win in November." It was a polished speech, filled with Dubya's trademark Texas twang, by a controversial politician whose family remains highly popular in South Carolina. Some attendees openly admitted they had come to see the former president, not necessarily to hear Jeb Bush. With the elder Bush brother launching into the caustic Republican nomination fray, Trump unleashed a new round of invective at his challengers. Trump rounded on the former president during Saturday's debate in a bid to blunt any Bush progress, and he continued the assault Monday at a press conference, slamming George W, who was president during the 9/11, 2001 terror attacks. "So you had that. You obviously had the war which was a big mistake. I think few people would say the war in Iraq was a positive," Trump said. Jeb Bush, for his part, argued that Americans should want an experienced hand in charge, especially when it came to national security. "Who is going to be the steady hand to keep us safe?" he said. Trump also scolded Senator Ted Cruz, his current closest competitor, as "totally unstable" and a "liar" for attacking Trump's earlier, liberal positions on abortion and health care. And he repeated his threat to sue Cruz over his eligibility to be president. Trump is insisting that Cruz, who was born in Canada, is not a natural born citizen as the US Constitution requires candidates to be. - Republican 'disgrace' - At an event in Mount Pleasant, the brash billionaire lashed out at the party itself, calling the Republican National Committee a "disgrace" after he was loudly booed at Saturday's Republican debate by an audience that Trump said was stacked with establishment lobbyists and donors. "The RNC better get its act together," he said. Trump leads by a stunning 20 points over Cruz in the Palmetto State, known for its brutal political atmosphere. Senator Marco Rubio, seeking a resurrection after finishing fifth in New Hampshire, is third at 14.3 percent, followed by 10.5 percent for Ohio Governor John Kasich, whose impressive second place New Hampshire finish was helping him surge here. Bush is fifth at 10 percent, with former neurosurgeon Ben Carson at just 4.5 percent support. South Carolina voter Wendy Johnson, who attended the Bush rally, said she was torn between Trump, Rubio and Bush, but that she was growing tired of Trump's insults and thought he might be "too hot-headed." As for Bush, "he's a good guy," the 44-year-old stay-at-home mom told AFP. "I just don't know if has the fire in him that his brother had." Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks during a press conference at the Hanahan Town Hall in Hanahan, South Carolina, on February 15, 2016 Jim Watson (AFP) Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump waves from his SUV as a Ted Cruz supporter holds up a placard in Hanahan, South Carolina on February 15, 2016 Jim Watson (AFP) S. Korea's Park says time to play hardball with North South Korean President Park Geun-Hye on Tuesday signalled a tough new approach to derailing North Korea's nuclear weapons programme, promising an uncompromising and more assertive response to Pyongyang's provocations. In a strongly-worded televised speech to the National Assembly, Park warned that South Koreans had over the years become "numb" to the threat from their northern neighbour, and said it was time to take a more courageous stand. North Korea carried out its fourth nuclear test last month and followed that up on February 7 with a long-range rocket launch that was widely condemned as a ballistic missile test banned under UN resolutions. Anti-North Korean activists protest the latest nuclear test and rocket launch by Pyongyang, in Seoul, on February 11, 2016 Ed Jones (AFP/File) Arguing that efforts to foster cooperation with the North had led nowhere, Park said it was time to prioritise the stick over the carrot in bringing Pyongyang into line. "It has become clear that we cannot break North Korea's will to develop nuclear weapons through existing means and goodwill," the president said. "It's time to find a fundamental solution for bringing practical change in North Korea and to show courage in putting that into action," she added. Her comments are likely to trigger an angry response from the North, which is already smarting from her unprecedented decision last week to shut down the operations of South Korean firms at the jointly-run Kaesong industrial estate in North Korea. - Stealth fighter mission - After her speech Yonhap news agency cited defence officials in Seoul as saying four US F-22 stealth fighter jets would fly a mission over South Korea on Wednesday in a show of force. Citing the North's nuclear test and rocket launch, Park said it was clear it had no intention of discussing denuclearisation. "If time passes without any change, the Kim Jong-Un leadership -- which is speeding without a brake -- could deploy a nuclear-tipped missile and we will suffer," she said. Defending the closure of Kaesong, Park said it was "just the beginning" and signalled further steps that she argued were needed to derail the North's nuclear programme. "The government will take stronger and more effective measures to make North Korea bitterly realise that it cannot survive with nuclear development and that it will only speed up regime collapse," she said. A similar line is being pushed by the United States and Japan to try to secure a strong UN Security Council resolution that will include harsh new sanctions on North Korea. Choi Kang, vice president of the Asan Institute think-tank in Seoul said Park's speech flagged a clear and significant policy change. "It is a shift from an ideal North Korea policy to a realistic North Korea policy," Choi said. "In the past, incentive was stressed as the most important means for denuclearising North Korea. Now, by making North Korea pay a practical price, it has shifted to changing North Korea's strategic calculation and inducing it to make a decision," he added. But Park's speech failed to address the problem the Security Council is having in drafting a resolution that has the support of all five veto-wielding permanent members. Despite Beijing's annoyance with North Korea's nuclear ambitions and its young maverick leader Kim Jong-Un, its priority has been to prevent chaos on China's border. It has resisted punitive measures that might push Kim's regime towards collapse. In her speech, Park indicated that South Korea should be more willing to act unilaterally if other countries lagged behind. "We must throw away the impotent feeling of relying on the international community's sanctions ... and mobilise all possible methods to solve the problem ourselves," she said. South Korea is due to begin talks with the US this week on the possible deployment of an advanced US missile defence system which China and Russia have warned could undermine stability in East Asia. Defence officials in Seoul and Washington say bringing the Terminal High Altitude Area Defence System (THAAD) to the South has become a clear necessity given the progress North Korea is making on its ballistic missile programme. Kim Jong-Un Gal Roma/Adrian Leung (AFP) South Korean President Park Geun-Hye says a fundamentally new approach is needed to derail Pyongyang's nuclear weapons programme Jung Yeon-Je (AFP) Syrian hospital strikes kill 50, cast doubt on ceasefire hopes Hopes for a ceasefire in Syria were fading on Tuesday, after dozens were killed in air strikes on hospitals that France branded war crimes and Syria's president said implementing a truce would prove "difficult". The United Nations said nearly 50 civilians, including children, died in bombings of at least five medical facilities and two schools in northern Syria's Aleppo and Idlib provinces. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said the raids violated international law and "cast a shadow" over efforts to end Syria's five-year civil war, while France said the attacks "constitute war crimes". People gather around the rubble of a hospital supported by Doctors Without Borders (MSF) near Maaret al-Numan, in Syria's northern province of Idlib, on February 15, 2016, after the building was hit by suspected Russian air strikes Ghaith Omran (AL-MAARRA TODAY/AFP) "Attacks against health facilities in Syria by the regime or its supporters are unacceptable and must stop immediately," said French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault. The United States, which like the UN did not identify who carried out the air strikes, said two civilian hospitals were hit in northern Syria: one run run by medical charity Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) and another in rebel-held Azaz city. The region around Syria's second city of Aleppo has been the target of a major offensive by Syrian government troops, backed by Russian warplanes, which has sent tens of thousands fleeing to the Turkish border. "That the Assad regime and its supporters would continue these attacks... casts doubt on Russia's willingness and/or ability to help bring to a stop the continued brutality of the Assad regime against its own people," the State Department said. MSF confirmed a hospital supported by the charity was hit in Idlib, northwest Syria, and said seven people were killed and at least eight were missing, presumed dead. But Syria's ambassador to Moscow, Riad Haddad, said the hospital had been targeted by a US raid. "American warplanes destroyed it. Russian warplanes had nothing to do with any of it -- the information that has been gathered will completely back that up," he told Russian state television channel Rossiya 24. - Kurds make fresh gains - The heated words cast fresh doubt on a days-old deal to enforce a nationwide ceasefire later this week, with Syria's President Bashar al-Assad saying it would be "difficult" to implement. "They are saying they want a ceasefire in a week. Who is capable of gathering all the conditions and requirements in a week? No one," Assad said in televised remarks. Seeking to keep alive the deal for a "cessation of hostilities" in Syria clinched in Munich, Germany, last week, the UN's envoy for Syria, Staffan de Mistura, arrived in Damascus on Monday. Kurdish fighters in northern Syria meanwhile captured a key town, despite Turkey resuming shelling in several parts of Aleppo, alarmed by their recent advances against mostly Islamist rebels. Ankara accuses the Kurdish forces of ties to the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) that has waged a decades-long insurgency against Turkey. Britain-based monitor the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said at least two children died in Monday's shelling and an AFP journalist on the border said Turkish howitzers fired for around 20 minutes from the Akcabaglar region. Nonetheless, the coalition of Kurdish and Arab fighters known as the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) captured the town of Tal Rifaat from mostly Islamist rebels, the Observatory said. The SDF had already seized the nearby Minnigh airbase and severed the road between Tal Rifaat, which lies 20 kilometres (12 miles) from the border, and rebel-held Azaz. Turkey fears the Kurds will be able to create a contiguous Kurdish territory just across the border in northern Syria. Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu warned earlier Monday that Ankara would not let Azaz fall to the SDF, adding that "the necessary intervention will be made". - EU joins condemnation - Moscow says its military intervention has targeted the Islamic State jihadist group and other "terrorists", but activists say Russia's raids have caused disproportionately high civilian casualties. Russia has been accused of hitting several health facilities since its Syrian aerial campaign began September 30. EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini branded the Idlib attack "unacceptable" and urged "all parties (to respect) basic principles of humanitarian law". The Observatory also reported 10 civilians, including three children, were killed in suspected Russian strikes in and nearby Azaz that hit near a hospital, it said. Russia's air strikes have allowed government forces to press a major operation that has virtually encircled rebels in eastern Aleppo city, as well as pushing them from much of the region to the north. They have angered Turkey, with Davutoglu on Monday warning: "If Russia continues behaving like a terrorist organisation and forcing civilians to flee, we will deliver an extremely decisive response." Moscow called Turkey's shelling in Syria "provocative" and said it supported raising the issue at the UN Security Council. A US State Department spokesperson urged Turkey and Russia to avoid any further escalation. "It is important that the Russians and Turks speak directly, and take measures to prevent escalation," the spokesperson told AFP. More than 260,000 people have been killed since Syria's conflict began with anti-government protests in March 2011. Latest deadly airstrikes on schools and hospitals in Syria Thomas Saint-Circq (AFP) Turkish army cannon shoots in the direction of Syria near the border close to Oncupinar crossing gate in Kilis, in south-central Turkey, on February 15, 2016 Bulent Kilic (AFP) People carry a stretcher amid the debris after an MSF-supported hospital was hit by a suspected Russian air strike near Maaret al-Numan, in norethern Syria, on February 15, 2016 Omar Haj Kadour (AFP) In Congo, a war for Africa's elephants Andre Migifuloyo and Djuma Uweko lived together, worked together and last October died together fighting to protect Congo's elephants from voracious ivory-seeking poachers. In the continental war to protect Africa's elephants, the rangers of Garamba National Park in north-eastern Democratic Republic of Congo are manning the frontline. The two men grew up in the same small town of Dungu and joined the park service in their early twenties, a good job that pays a decent monthly wage of around $200 (180 euros). Elephants stand in tall grass in the Garamba National Park in north-eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, on February 7, 2016 Tony Karumba (AFP) Migifuloyo became a ranger in 2011 and two years later Uweko followed. Both were quick to make friends with others and lived with their young families in Nagero, the park village by the Dungu River with its little red brick church and thatched homes. In his spare time Migifuloyo, 26, enjoyed war films. Uweko, 27, liked a beer. Both earned reputations for discipline and courage in the field. On a sweltering Monday afternoon in early October they were part of a 10-man patrol that ran into a large gang of poachers in the north of the park. Almost as soon as the firefight began Uweko, armed with an AK-47, was shot. Migifuloyo was fatally hit moments after firing off a rocket-propelled grenade. - Rhinos slaughtered - Uweko dragged himself into the thick elephant grass where he lay bleeding until the poachers found him, and shot him dead. Two others also died: one in the initial exchange of fire while the other, like Uweko, was wounded then executed. Dieudonne Komorewa, 33 and a ranger for nearly eight years, was Migifuloyo's close friend and second cousin. "I could tell he was a disciplined person, and brave, from the start," Komorewa said. "He was fun to be around." The day before his friend was killed they had gone shopping together for baby clothes for Migifuloyo's unborn child. Most days Komorewa takes up his dead friend's toddler son to play with his own children. "I love that kid so much," he said. Komorewa remains a determined ranger. "The enemy is the enemy and everything we do here is against them. We mustn't be scared of them, we must always be ready," he said. Who the enemy is varies. Sometimes it is members of the ragtag yet brutally effective rebel Lord's Resistance Army (LRA), more often it is armed groups from South Sudan or pastoralist-poachers from Sudan or Central African Republic, or occasionally unknown shooters in helicopters who kill the elephants with a bullet in the top of the skull. - 'If they see us they shoot' - Every year more than 30,000 elephants are poached in Africa, according to conservationists, leaving around 450,000 in the wild while the illegal ivory trade their tusks supply is estimated to be worth $3 billion (2.7 billion euros) a year. The poachers are killers, so African Parks, the South Africa-based, European Union-backed conservation organisation that manages Garamba, has brought in military trainers and a helicopter to help level the battlefield. The 120 park rangers - a quarter of what's needed to patrol the 12,400 square kilometre (4,800 square mile) park, about half the size of Wales -- are looking more and more like the paramilitary force they must be to win the ivory war. In 2015 there were 28 firefights with poachers. Four rangers were killed and 114 elephants shot - almost one in 10 of those left in Garamba - but just 40 years ago there were 23,000 elephants here, plus close to 500 northern white rhinos. Poachers killed Garamba's last rhino a decade ago and the rangers are fighting to stop Garamba's elephants meeting the same end. At the 50-metre (yard) firing range cut out of the thick bush, military trainers from Pretoria-based security company Noctuam are working on the rangers' marksmanship. A year ago rangers would shoot from the hip or, sometimes, over their heads holding the gun sideways like in a gangsta movie. Now they steady themselves in a low crouch, aim, exhale and squeeze the trigger. Lack of bullets means each ranger gets just five practice shots before each deployment. - 'Bush justice' - The adjacent obstacle course is made out of rough branches and tree trunks. The teaching happens at the camp but the real learning is in the field, said one of the trainers who did not want to be identified. "Here you can only tell them what to do. In the bush you show them," he said. Garamba's security advisor Peter Philippot, a 45-year old French former soldier, says weapons and ammunition are his priority. The armoury is mostly filled with battered and ageing AK-47 rifles with an effective range of 100 metres, but in the park's thick, tall grass and forests most firefights begin at frighteningly short range. "In the bush you can't see nothing after 20 metres and most fights start at 10 metres. We need shotguns," said Philippot. A $2 million (1.8 million euros) Squirrel helicopter donated by Howard Buffett, the philanthropist son of a billionaire businessman, helps even the odds, said the 60-year old South African pilot Frank Molteno. His aircraft was hit by gunfire and nearly shot down as he rescued the surviving rangers during October's battle. "If they see us they shoot at us, so we shoot at them. It's bush justice," he said. The war is merciless. The poachers who killed Migifuloyo, Uweko and the two others stripped their bodies, looted their gear and left their corpses strewn in the baking sun. It took four days for the rangers to find, retrieve and bury their colleagues. Komorewa visits his friend's grave a couple of times a month, clearing the dead leaves that gather on the concrete, but despite the loss he has never considered giving up. "I could be killed riding my motorbike, not just in the bush," he said. "Death is everywhere." A scout stands next to elephant tusks confiscated from poachers at Garamba National Park Tony Karumba (AFP) A park ranger stands in elephant grass during an anti-poaching operation in Garamba National Park in north-eastern Democratic Republic of Congo Tony Karumba (AFP) In the past three years alone in the Democratic Republic of Congo more than 100,000 African elephants have been killed for their tusks Tony Karumba (AFP) China's space telescope to displace humans in search for aliens China will move nearly 10,000 people to make way for the world's largest radio telescope which promises to help humanity search for alien life, state media reported on Tuesday. The five-hundred-metre Aperture Spherical Radio Telescope (FAST), nestled between hills in the southwestern province of Guizhou, is due to start operation this year. Provincial officials have vowed to relocate 9,110 residents living within five kilometres of the listening device by September, the official Xinhua news agency said. The five-hundred-metre Aperture Spherical Radio Telescope (FAST), nestled between hills in the southwestern province of Guizhou, is due to start operation this year The relocations will "create a sound electromagnetic wave environment", it cited a top regional official named Li Yuecheng as saying. Residents will receive 12,000 yuan ($1,800) in subsidies for their troubles, with some getting extra support for housing, it said. FAST, built at a cost of 1.2 billion yuan, will dwarf the Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico as the world's largest radio telescope, which is some 300 metres in diameter. Xinhua earlier cited Wu Xiangping, director-general of the Chinese Astronomical Society, as saying that the telescope's high level of sensitivity "will help us to search for intelligent life outside of the galaxy". In the past China has relocated hundreds of thousands of people to make way for large infrastructure projects such as dams and canals. Many complain of poor compensation. The area surrounding the telescope is remote and relatively poor. Xinhua earlier said it was chosen because there are no major towns nearby. Russian, Saudi oil ministers meet in Doha: Qatari official The Russian and Saudi oil ministers met Tuesday in Doha to discuss the global supply glut that has sent prices plunging, a Qatari official said. The oil ministers of Venezuela and Qatar also attended the talks, the official said. News of the meeting between Saudi Arabia's Ali al-Naimi and his Russian counterpart Alexander Novak pushed up oil prices on world markets, with European benchmark Brent crude rising above $34 a barrel. Saudi Minister of Oil and Mineral Resources Ali al-Naimi is meeting his Russian counterpart Alexander Novak in Doha to discuss the global supply glut that has sent prices plunging Fayez Nureldine (AFP/File) Oil prices have tumbled about 70 percent since June 2014, hit by oversupply, sluggish demand and worries about the global economic outlook. They have also been pressured by the return of Iran to world markets after the lifting of international sanctions linked to its nuclear programme. The 13-nation OPEC oil cartel, of which Saudi Arabia, Venezuela, Qatar and Iran are members, has refrained from cutting output as it looks to maintain market share in the face of competition from US shale oil producers. At around 0600 GMT on Tuesday, Brent crude for April delivery was trading $1.30, or 3.89 percent, higher at $34.69 a barrel. Thousands displaced in Myanmar rebel clashes: UN Over 3,000 people have fled their homes in northern Myanmar following clashes between two ethnic rebel groups, the United Nations said Tuesday, raising fears the government's fragile peace efforts could be fracturing. Heavy fighting in the northern state of Shan broke out last week between the Restoration Council for Shan State (RCSS) and the Taang National Liberation Army (TNLA). It is a rare instance of the country's ethnic armed groups turning on each other and comes during a complicated transition from an army-backed government to Aung San Suu Kyi's pro-democracy party. Residents fleeing conflict areas near the Myanmar and Chinese border arrive at a temporary refugee camp at a monastery in Lashio, northern Myanmar Ye Aung Thu (AFP/File) "We are receiving reports that more than 3,000 people have been displaced in the past week," said Mark Cutts, country head of the UNs Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. He said most of them were being housed in monasteries in the town of Kyaukme and receiving help from local groups and the Myanmar Red Cross. Kyaukme's lower-house MP Sai Tun Aung told parliament in an emergency debate on the issue that locals have reported teachers and students fleeing on foot to escape arrests, killings and arson attacks being carried out by "an armed group moving around the region". He did not specify which rebel group was responsible. The region is home to the Palaung ethnic group, whose interests the TNLA says it represents. The RCSS has previously had a small presence in the area and is based further south. The government has tried in recent years to end decades-long civil wars between the military and numerous ethnic armed groups battling for greater autonomy. The outgoing government signed a peace deal with a handful of major groups, including the RCSS, late last year. But its efforts to sign a nationwide peace deal foundered after the government baulked at including several groups locked in ongoing conflict with the military, including the TNLA. It is unclear what sparked the recent fighting between the RCSS and TNLA. But the lack of full participation in the peace deal has raised concerns that rebel groups could begin vying with each other to control territory. Major Mai Aik Kyaw, a spokesman for the TNLA, told AFP there has been daily fighting between his group and the RCSS, helped by government forces, since February 7. "We were attacked by two government jet fighters just five minutes ago as we tried to destroy poppy fields," he told AFP by phone from the area, saying the RCSS had sent more fighters to the area since signing the ceasefire. "This month is the most serious one. They began looting our territory after they signed. If they stay in the region it will be difficult to control fighting and it could also disturb the peace process," he said. No one from the RCSS or Myanmar military were available for comment. Countrywide peace talks with ethnic armed groups have been steered by the quasi-civilian government that replaced outright military rule in 2011. It was trounced in November elections by Aung San Suu Kyis National League for Democracy, which will form a government in April. Significant hurdles lie ahead, including ongoing fighting and Suu Kyi's strained relationship with the still hugely powerful military. Shan State Army - South (SSA-S) soldiers in Loi Tai Leng, in Myanmar's northeastern Shan State, seen in 2015 KC Ortiz (AFP/File) Bangladesh arrests publisher for 'offensive' book on Islam Bangladesh police have arrested and charged a publisher after Islamists in the Muslim-majority nation of violent protests over one of his books which they deemed offensive, an officer said Tuesday. Police also shut down Shamsuzzoha Manik's stall at the country's book fair in Dhaka where he was selling copies of "Islam Bitorko" (Islam Debate), which includes a controversial chapter on sex and Muslims. "There was a chapter entitled 'Muslim Manosher Jouna Bikriti' (sexual perversion of the Muslim mind). The contents were offensive," said senior police officer Abu Baker Siddique. Relatives of the dead publisher Faisal Arefin Dipan who was hacked to death react after seeing his body in Dhaka on November 1, 2015 Munir Uz Zaman (AFP/File) "We got complaints from many people and we were worried that it could trigger a serious deterioration of law and order," he told AFP. Manik was the translator and publisher of the book. The 73-year-old's arrest on Sunday comes amid mounting fears over freedom of speech in conservative Bangladesh, which has seen a series of killings of secular bloggers and publishers blamed on Islamist militants. A small hardline Islamist group called Khelafat Andolon (Caliphate Movement) warned on Sunday that it would storm the month-long book fair unless Manik was arrested within 24 hours. Police have charged Malik under the country's tough Internet law with publishing material that hurts religious beliefs. He faces up to 14 years in jail if convicted. Police arrested Malik, the owner of publishing firm Ba-dwip Prokashoni, at his home in the capital and raided his offices, seizing copies of the book. "We've confiscated the book after we've found it can hurt religious sentiment of Muslims," Siddique said. There was no comment from Ba-dwip, but the head of state-run Bangla Academy which holds the book fair every year supported the arrest. "We've asked publishers not to showcase such controversial books in the fair stalls which would hurt people's religious sentiments. It was an unforgivable crime," academy director general Shamsuzzaman Khan told AFP. Some publishers and secular authors last year fled the country in fear of attack over their work. Others are too scared to speak out against what critics say is an erosion of freedom of speech and the rise of religious extremism. Last year police shut a stall at the fair of another publisher, Rodela, following similar complaints on a book about the life of the Prophet Mohammed. Indian teachers strike to protest at student's arrest Hundreds of teachers at one of India's top universities went on strike Tuesday to protest at the arrest of a student on a controversial sedition charge that has sparked mass protests. Student union leader Kanhaiya Kumar was arrested on Friday for allegedly shouting anti-India slogans at a rally called to protest against a Kashmiri separatist's execution three years ago -- a charge he denies. His arrest has reignited a row over freedom of expression in India, where some rights campaigners say the Hindu nationalist government is using the British-era sedition law to clamp down on dissent. A row over the arrest of an Indian student on a controversial sedition charge escalated Friday 15, with students refusing to attend classes and violent scenes at the Delhi court where he was due to appear Sajjad Hussain (AFP) Violence broke out on Monday at the court where Kumar, head of the student union at New Delhi's prestigious Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), was remanded in custody. The opposition Congress Party accused supporters of the ruling nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of being behind attacks on students, academics and journalists who had gone to the court for the hearing. It condemned police for failing to protect them. "Indian National Congress strongly condemns the barbaric and inhuman attack in Patiala House Court yesterday on journalists, young students and teachers by BJP goons," said Kapil Sibal, a senior party leader. "Delhi police remained a mute spectator as young students, teachers and journalists were assaulted and thrashed with impunity, inside the court rooms, in the court complex and outside it." Gulshan Sachdeva, a professor at the JNU's Centre for European Studies who joined Tuesday's strike, said the controversy had "brought a bad name to the university". "People are talking without understanding what the real issue is," he told AFP by phone. "At the JNU, there is a kind of open space where all kinds of people are free to come and speak what they feel like." Om Prasad of the All India Students Association said the teachers had been angered by attempts to "defame" the university, which has a long history of left-wing activism. On Tuesday a small group of right-wing Hindu nationalists burnt an effigy outside the university premises and called JNU students "traitors". Many students at JNU have said they will boycott classes until Kumar is released, after staging major protests against his arrest at the weekend. Kumar denies he was among those chanting anti-India slogans at last Tuesday's rally to mark the 2013 hanging of Kashmiri separatist Mohammed Afzal Guru over a deadly 2001 attack on the Indian parliament. Protests against Guru's execution have regularly been held in Kashmir, where many believe he was not given a fair trial. Guru always denied plotting the attack, which was carried out by Kashmiri militants. Police have also registered sedition cases against another five students whom they say attended the rally, but have been unable to track them down. Meanwhile S.A.R Geelani, a former Delhi University lecturer, was arrested early on Tuesday on the same charge in connection with another event marking Guru's death. Sedition, which carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment, has been used in the past against supporters of independence for the disputed territory of Kashmir, which is divided between India and Pakistan and claimed in full by both. Indian forces have since 1989 been fighting militant groups seeking either independence for Kashmir or a merger with Pakistan. Indian Congress and Leftist activists shout slogans again the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government during a joint protest against the arrest of a student from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in Kolkata on February 15, 2016 Dibyangshu Sarkar (AFP/File) An Indian advocate and a pro-Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) activist scuffle outside the Patiala House court in New Delhi on February 15, 2016 Prakash Singh (AFP) China fury over US bill to name road for jailed Nobel laureate China on Tuesday slammed the US Senate for moving to rename a stretch of road after a jailed dissident and Nobel laureate -- potentially changing its Washington embassy's address to 1 Liu Xiaobo Plaza. Liu was a co-author of Charter 08, a bold petition calling for political reform in the Communist-ruled country, and was jailed for 11 years in 2009 for subversion. His Nobel award the following year outraged Beijing. The Senate passed the measure -- introduced by Republican senator Ted Cruz, currently vying to be his party's presidential nominee -- on Friday. Chinese dissident Wang Dan displays a poster of Liu Xiaobo (L) in front of Taiwan 's presidential office in 2013 Sam Yeh (AFP/File) The move "violated the basic norms of international relations", China's foreign ministry spokesman Hong Lei told reporters. "We require the US Senate to stop the deliberation on the relevant bill, and we also hope that the US administration will stop and put an end to the political fuss," he said at a regular briefing. On Sunday the Global Times, a paper with close ties to China's ruling party, posted an editorial on its website saying the move was "no big deal". But Hong said: "If the bill is passed, it will cause grave consequences." Cameroon stages major attack on Boko Haram base in Nigeria Cameroon mounted a major assault against a key Boko Haram base in Nigeria last week, inflicting heavy losses on the Islamist group and seizing arms and prisoners, the government said in a statement obtained by AFP on Tuesday. The Cameroonian army offensive took place from February 11 to 14 in Ngoshe in Nigeria, some 15 kilometres (nine miles) from the northern town of Ashigashia on the border between the two countries, government spokesman and Communications Minister Issa Tchiroma Bakary said in the statement. "162 Boko Haram terrorists were neutralised," or killed, and two Cameroonian soldiers also died, he said. A Cameroonian soldier carrying a rocket launcher as he stands at a post in the Cameroonian town of Fotokol, on the border with Nigeria, last year after clashes occurred between Cameroonian troops and Nigeria-based Boko Haram insurgents Reinnier Kaze (AFP/File) The report could not be independently confirmed. The minister said around 100 hostages had been released, including 15 Cameroonians, in the attack against the Boko Haram command post housing facilities for making bombs and mines. "The command post was also used to brainwash and train teenagers used as human bombs for kamikaze attacks," he said. Four facilities for making improvised mines were found there as well as hundreds of containers full of explosive devices, batteries, detonator wires and suicide vests, the statement said. Among weapons seized were heavy machine-guns, rocket-launchers, AK-47s, grenades, 100 training rifles, uniforms and thousands of munitions. The assault had been approved by Nigeria and was part of the "Arrow Five" operation involving a multinational force set up to fight Boko Haram that includes Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad, Niger and Benin. In recent years, Boko Haram fighters slipped back and forth across the frontier, often using Cameroon's remote north as a rear base, acquiring arms, vehicles and supplies there. But since late November, the Cameroon army has carried out operations in several border areas aimed at weakening the Nigerian jihadists. As a result, the insurgents turned away from direct confrontation with the military in favour of suicide attacks, increasingly staged by women and girls. Nearly 1,200 people have been killed since the Nigerian fighters took their offensive into neighbouring Cameroon in 2013, according to government figures. In Nigeria, the group has killed at least 17,000 people and made more than 2.6 million others homeless since their six-year campaign began. Former UN chief Boutros Boutros-Ghali dies Former UN secretary-general Boutros Boutros-Ghali, who led the world body during one of its most difficult periods, with failed missions in Rwanda and Bosnia, died Tuesday in Cairo. He was 93. The Egyptian diplomat became the first secretary-general from Africa in 1992, but his tenure ended abruptly five years later when the United States vetoed his second term. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon described Boutros-Ghali as a respected statesman and scholar of international law who brought "formidable experience and intellectual power" to the top UN job. Egyptian politician Boutros Boutros Ghali served as the UN's sixth secretary general from 1992 to 1996 Jean-Pierre Muller (AFP/File) "His commitment to the United Nations -- its mission and its staff -- was unmistakable, and the mark he has left on the organization is indelible," Ban said. A former Egyptian foreign minister, the veteran diplomat headed the world body during one of its most difficult times with crises in Somalia, Rwanda, the Middle East and the former Yugoslavia. After a series of clashes with the US administration, Washington turned against Boutros-Ghali and decided to back Ghanaian Kofi Annan for the top post in late 1996. French President Francois Hollande paid tribute to Boutros-Ghali, saying this "great Egyptian and great servant of the United Nations" had worked tirelessly to preserve peace and to prevent conflicts worldwide. "His message must serve as inspiration to the international community's action at a time when the Middle East knows new tragedies," Hollande said. British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond said Boutros-Ghali's "contribution to international affairs will long be remembered." UN Security Council diplomats began a meeting in New York by observing a moment of silence in memory of Boutros-Ghali, who died in a Cairo hospital. Under his tenure, the United Nations expanded its peacekeeping missions but the retreat from Rwanda ahead of the 1994 genocide and from the Bosnian enclave of Srebrenica a year later were seen as dismal failures. Boutros-Ghali served as the United Nation's sixth secretary-general. - Clashes with the US - Relations with the United States began to sour in late 1993, when a US-led operation in Somalia led to major casualties among American troops. Further problems emerged during peacekeeping operations in the former Yugoslavia, and after the genocidal massacres of 1994 in Rwanda, which the United Nations failed to halt. There was also friction over UN sanctions against the regime of Saddam Hussein in Iraq, which had invaded and then been ejected from Kuwait a year before Boutros-Ghali took up his post. Washington's then ambassador to the United Nations, Madeleine Albright, argued that Boutros-Ghali had failed to enact reforms needed to make the world body more efficient. When his candidacy for a second term was vetoed, Boutros-Ghali felt that he was being punished for pushing UN member states to pay their membership arrears -- an issue on which the United States has long been a laggard -- and for condemning Israeli actions in southern Lebanon. In his tribute, Ban said Boutros-Ghali had "rightly insisted on the independence of his office and of the secretariat as a whole." After leaving the United Nations, Boutros-Ghali served as secretary-general of the Francophonie group of French-speaking nations. Boutros-Ghali was born on November 14, 1922 into a Coptic Christian family in Cairo. He was educated at Cairo University and in Paris, where he established a lifelong connection with France. After a university career centered on international relations, including a spell at Columbia University in New York, he became Egypt's foreign minister in 1977, under president Anwar Sadat. He accompanied Sadat on his groundbreaking trip to Jerusalem in that year, an event which both forged a peace agreement between Egypt and Israel and led to Sadat's assassination four years later. As US Ambassador to the UN Madeleine Albright looks on (L), UN Secretary General Boutros Boutros-Ghali (R) speaks with reporters outside the White House after a private meeting with US President Bill Clinton on May 27, 1994 Pamela Price (AFP/File) After leaving the United Nations, Boutros-Ghali served as secretary-general of the Francophonie group of French-speaking nations Suhaila Sahmarani (AFP/File) Egypt acquits fourth police officer in torture death An Egyptian court on Tuesday acquitted a police officer previously jailed for life for torturing to death a detainee arrested over a church bombing in 2010, a court official said. The judgement by a court in the Mediterranean city of Alexandria comes as global rights groups increasingly accuse President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi's regime of brutally repressing all opposition. Colonel Hossam al-Shinnawi became the fourth out of five officers to be acquitted in the case of torturing to death Sayed Bilal, an Islamist who was arrested over a church bombing in Alexandria. Egyptian soldiers and police stand guard with armoured personnel carriers (APC) outside the criminal court in Egypt's Mediterranean city of Alexandria on March 3, 2014, during the retrial of two policemen Khaled Desouki (AFP/File) The fifth officer is still awaiting a verdict. All five are former members of the state security apparatus, and they were given separate retrials after a lower court found them guilty in 2012. Shinnawi and three others were initially sentenced to life imprisonment, while another officer was handed a 15-year jail term. The court did not immediately give its reason for Tuesday's order to acquit Shinnawi. More than 20 churchgoers were killed weeks before the 2011 uprising against ex-president Hosni Mubarak when a suicide bomber detonated his explosives in front of a church after a New Year's Eve mass. Police rounded up Islamists, including Bilal, belonging to the hardline Salafi movement after they held protests against the Coptic Church, which they accused of detaining a woman who converted to Islam. Bilal's badly bruised body was returned to his family a day after his arrest over the church attack, rights activists said at the time. His lawyer criticised Tuesday's judgement. "Today, the policemen have no accountability and are safe from any punishment," said Ahmed al-Hamrawi. Police abuses were a major trigger for the 2011 revolt against Mubarak. Dozens of policemen were tried for the deaths of protester after the revolt against Mubarak, but most were acquitted. The police force has managed to rehabilitate itself in the eyes of many Egyptians despite its deadly crackdown on supporters of Mubarak's successor, Islamist president Mohamed Morsi. In recent months six policemen have been jailed in separate cases of deaths in custody. In December, Sisi had warned that police officers found guilty of "committing mistakes" would be punished. Three Americans seized in Iraq have been released: US Three Americans who were kidnapped in the Iraqi capital Baghdad last month have been released, the State Department said Tuesday. "We sincerely appreciate the assistance provided by the government of Iraq, and its whole-of-government effort to bring about the safe release of these individuals," deputy spokesman Mark Toner said in a statement. Toner specifically thanked Iraq's security forces, defense ministry and intelligence service for their role in securing the Americans' release. A member of the Iraqi security forces mans a checkpoint on the main road from Baghdad's central Jaderiyah district to Dura, on January 18, 2016 Sabah Arar (AFP) The identities and employment of the victims was not made public. "A force belonging to the intelligence service was able to free the three kidnapped Americans," a senior Iraqi intelligence officer told AFP, without providing details on which group had held them. Kidnappers have recently seized Qataris and Turks, but it has been years since Americans were abducted, and Iraqis have suffered the most from kidnappers seeking ransoms or to settle scores. A spokesman for the security command responsible for the capital said last month the Americans had been kidnapped from a "suspicious apartment" in Baghdad. An Iraqi police colonel told AFP on condition of anonymity that the Americans had been brought to the apartment for "drinking and women." Brothels and alcohol shops have been repeatedly targeted by powerful Shiite militia groups that are playing a major role in combating the Islamic State jihadist group, which has overrun large parts of Iraq. These groups, which fall under an umbrella organization known as the Hashed al-Shaabi, or Popular Mobilization units, have played a key role in the fight against IS fighters. But they and their affiliates have also been accused of abuses including summary executions, kidnappings and destruction of property. The US is leading a coalition of countries that have bombed thousands of IS targets in Iraq and Syria and which are providing training to Baghdad's forces. IS also has ample motive to target Americans, but while it is able to carry out bombings in Baghdad, it does not have a major presence in the city. Dozens of foreign nationals have been kidnapped in two incidents during the past few months. In December, gunmen kidnapped more than two dozen Qataris who had come to southern Iraq to hunt. Their whereabouts are still unknown, as are the identities of their kidnappers. It had been years since an American was kidnapped in Iraq. Rubio challenged on immigration by voteless veteran Jose Ruben Guerrero is a former US Marine, a self-described "conservative immigrant" who thinks White House hopeful Marco Rubio would earn his vote in November -- if he had a vote, that is. Guerrero is a legal resident of the United States who came to the country with his Mexican parents when he was a few months old, before they overstayed their visas. Despite being allowed to stay in the country, the 37-year-old military veteran from Lady's Island, South Carolina is not a citizen. US Marine Corps veteran Jose Ruben Guerrero, of Lady's Island South Carolina, speaks to Republican presidential candidate Marco Rubio (R) during a town hall meeting in Beaufort, South Carolina, February 16, 2016 Jim Watson (AFP) He also has a checkered record that he said he is afraid to have brought up at a citizenship hearing. So when his favorite Republican presidential candidate hosted a town hall in nearby Beaufort, Guerrero stood up. "I'm also an immigrant. I'm a legal resident, I couldn't vote for you even though I want to," he told Rubio, the son of Cuban immigrants, in front of more than 600 people. "I'm scared to apply for citizenship because there are veterans being deported," he added. "What would you do to help someone like me?" Rubio has been at the center of America's immigration debate for three years, ever since he co-authored comprehensive immigration reform legislation that passed the Senate but died in the House of Representatives. Rubio has since hardened his position, saying it is imperative to tighten US border security and put other programs in place including an e-verify visa check system before the nation overhauls its immigration laws. A years-long pathway to citizenship -- something his Senate bill advocated -- is code for "amnesty," he now says. "I understand the contributions immigrants have made to America, including the armed services," Rubio told his questioner. "I understand the human side of this, it's difficult," he added. "But we're a sovereign country, and sovereign countries have to be able to control who comes here, when they come here and how they come here." - 'I made mistakes' - Rubio is seen by some as a compassionate conservative on the issue, far more so than frontrunner Donald Trump, who advocates sending millions of undocumented immigrants back to Mexico and often repeats the line that "we're going to build a wall" on the southern US border. After the town hall, Guerrero told AFP he could relate to Rubio's "immigrant past, his history, his ties to a multicultural community." "And as long as he's willing to protect our borders to keep us safe and my children and my grandchildren, he has my support." But he also said bluntly that he is "looking for help." "I made mistakes like anybody else," Guerrero said, without describing the details of his brushes with the law. "It's a shame I think that I have to be concerned that my mistakes might lead me to getting deported." Rubio declined to say how exactly he might be able help legal residents like Guerrero should the senator rise to the presidency, but he encouraged Guerrero to go through the process of obtaining citizenship. "Some of the most passionate Americans are Americans by choice," Rubio said. "People that know America is special because they know what life is like outside of America." Guerrero did not deploy overseas, but he served dutifully in the Marine Corps from 1997 to 2003. During the late 2009 US troop surge in Iraq, he signed up again, and now remains in the military reserves. "All I can do is offer myself to the nation," Guerrero said, after meeting Rubio briefly and taking a picture with him. "I did what was asked of me." Republican presidential candidate Marco Rubio, pictured at a town hall meeting on February 16, 2016, declined to say how exactly he might be able help legal residents should he rise to the presidency Jim Watson (AFP) Pakistan province passes landmark Hindu marriage bill Lawmakers in Pakistan's southern Sindh province have passed a bill allowing the Hindu community to register their marriages, officials said, marking the first time the Muslim majority nation has enacted a law safeguarding the matrimonial rights of the religious minority. Since the country's independence in 1947, Pakistani Hindus have not been able to acquire the legal documentation needed to register their marriages and annulments. The bill, which was passed on Monday, will also allow the province's Hindu community to file for divorce. A Pakistani Hindu couple performs a Hindu ritual during a mass wedding ceremony in Karachi on January 2, 2015 Asif Hassan (AFP/File) Nand Kumar, a Hindu member of parliament in Sindh's assembly, praised the passage of the legislation. "This is a very welcoming act, since 1947 we have had no law governing our marriages and related issues," Kumar told AFP on Tuesday. "We did not have any documentary evidence of our marriages or even separation. Now at least we can register the marriages at official forums," Kumar added. Dr Ramesh Winkwani, the chairman of Pakistan's Hindu council, told AFP that a similar bill would be tabled soon in the country's federal parliament that would allow Hindus nationwide to acquire marriage certificates. Pakistan's Hindu community numbers around 8.2 million in the Muslim majority nation of 180 million people, with the vast majority residing in the south. Following the end of British rule in South Asia in 1947, the sub-continent was partitioned into mainly Hindu India and the Muslim majority state of Pakistan, triggering widespread religious bloodshed in which hundreds of thousands were killed and millions displaced. Bacardi seeks US reversal on Cuba license to sell rum Bacardi said Tuesday it had demanded the United States reverse its recent decision allowing Cuba to sell Havana Club rum in America when the US trade embargo ends. Bacardi, stepping up its long legal battle over trademark protection of its Havana Club rum, said it had filed the request for the U-turn with the Office of Foreign Assets Control, the Treasury's arm that enforces economic and trade sanctions. "OFAC's decision to grant the license to the Cuban government reverses its prior decision in 2006 to deny that very same license and contradicts its own defense of that decision in various US courts," said Bacardi senior vice president and general counsel Eduardo Sanchez in a statement. A worker checks bottles at the factory of the Cuban rum Havana Club, in San Jose de las Lajas on November 22, 2013 Adalberto Roque (AFP/File) "We request that OFAC revoke License 837-1 retroactively to prevent Cuba -- and its business partner Pernod Ricard -- from their continued trafficking in illegally confiscated property," Sanchez said. The privately held, Bermuda-based Bacardi has been selling Havana Club in the US since the mid-1990s. French spirits and wine company Pernod Ricard sells its Havana Club rum in Cuba and a number of markets, notably Germany, France, Britain and Canada, but not the US. The move is Bacardi's latest salvo in the legal battle that dates back to the Cuban revolution of 1959, and it comes amid thawing US-Cuba diplomatic relations. The United States and Cuba restored diplomatic relations in July 2015. In January, Cuba received a license to sell Havana Club in the United States from the US Patent and Trademark Office once the US embargo against the communist island is lifted. Bacardi, which had made rum in Cuba under its own name and that of Havana Club, left the island in 1960 after Fidel Castro came to power. Bacardi insists it bought the rights to Havana Club from the Arechabala family, which made the rum until its distillery was seized by the Cuban government after the revolution. Boutros-Ghali: veteran diplomat and UN chief vetoed by US Egyptian Boutros Boutros-Ghali, who died aged 93, was the only UN secretary general to be refused a second term when he fell foul of Washington despite the backing of the 14 other states in the Security Council. The veteran diplomat, who died in a Cairo hospital, headed the world body between 1992 and 1996, when crises in Somalia, Rwanda, the Middle East and the former Yugoslavia posed massive challenges for United Nations peacekeeping operations. His opponents focused on failings in the UN's approach to peacekeeping while his supporters highlighted the difficult conditions laid down by the major powers including the United States. Boutros Boutros-Ghali, pictured in October 2002, was born into a Coptic Christian family in Cairo and educated at Cairo University and in Paris, where he established a lifelong connection with France Patrick Kovarik (AFP/File) Boutros-Ghali himself felt Washington's veto was to punish him for pushing UN members to pay their membership arrears -- an issue on which the US, which pays 25 percent of the UN budget, had long been a culprit. He also thought he was being singled out for condemning the actions in Lebanon of Washington's main Middle East ally, Israel. Indirectly, Boutros-Ghali said the United States was arrogant and compared its attitude to that of ancient Rome. "Like in Roman times, they have no diplomacy. You don't need diplomacy if you are so powerful," he said in an interview two days before Washington cast its veto. "How can I fight Goliath?" he asked. Boutros-Ghali was born into a Coptic Christian family in Cairo on November 14, 1922 and educated at Cairo University and in Paris, where he established a lifelong connection with France. - To Jerusalem with Sadat - After a university career centred on international relations, including a spell at Columbia University in New York, he became Egypt's minister of state for foreign affairs in 1977, under president Anwar al-Sadat. In that year, he accompanied Sadat on his historic trip to Jerusalem, which both forged peace between Egypt and Israel and led to Sadat's assassination four years later. Boutros-Ghali became the UN's sixth secretary general, and its first from the African continent, on January 1, 1992. Things began to go seriously wrong in late 1993, when a US-led operation in Somalia led to casualties among American troops. The operation, part of a UN drive to provide humanitarian aid despite civil conflict, led to acrimony between the US authorities and the world body. Further problems emerged during operations in the former Yugoslavia, and after the genocidal massacres of 1994 in Rwanda, which the UN failed to halt. There was also friction over the implementation of UN sanctions against the regime of Saddam Hussein in Iraq, which had invaded and then been ejected from Kuwait by a US-led coalition a year before Boutros-Ghali took up his post. After the US cast its veto in November 1996, France and Egypt separately issued statements expressing support for the Egyptian diplomat and noting that Washington had acted without the support of any other country. However, in the face of the US opposition, Africa had to come up with someone acceptable to Washington, picking the Ghanaian UN under-secretary general for peacekeeping, Kofi Annan, who held the post until 2006. After leaving the UN, Boutros-Ghali served as secretary general of the community of French-speaking nations. He later became president of the Curatorium Administrative Council of the Hague Academy of International Law. In "Who's Who" he listed his hobbies as "the works of Matisse and collecting old pens from the Ottoman Empire." He is survived by his Jewish wife Leia Maria. They had no children. Boutros-Ghali will forever be a "symbol to national politicians ... and an honourable example at the international level," Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said in a statement. UN former secretary general Boutros Boutros Ghali during an Egyptian-European Book fair outside the Arab World Institute (IMA) in Paris, on June 12, 2003 Jean-Pierre Muller (AFP/File) Four new allegations of sex abuse against UN peacekeepers in C. Africa UN peacekeepers from the Democratic Republic of Congo have been accused of sexually abusing four children who were living in a camp for displaced civilians in the Central African Republic, a UN spokesman said Tuesday. The four victims were sexually abused between 2014 and 2015, spokesman Farhan Haq told reporters. The UN mission in the Central African Republic has been hit by a wave of allegations of sex abuse by its peacekeepers, whose mandate is to protect civilians in the strife-torn country. UN peacekeepers stand guard in Bangui on February 14, 2016 Issouf Sanogo (AFP/File) "These four allegations involve peacekeepers from the Democratic Republic of Congo," he said. UN officials received information about the allegations from aid groups on February 11 who reported that the four minors were living at Ngakobo camp, in the Ouaka prefecture of the Central African Republic. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon fired the head of the 10,000-strong MINUSCA force in August over the mounting number of cases, but the allegations have continued to surface. The Kinshasa government was notified on Monday about the allegations and now has ten days to decide whether it will carry out its own investigation of the soldiers or ask the United Nations to take the lead. After rape allegations targeted troops from the DR Congo last year, the United Nations had decided to send the full contingent of some 120 soldiers back home. Ban last week appointed a special coordinator, American Jane Holl Lute, who will be tasked with improving the UN response to sexual abuse cases involving peacekeepers. This followed a report by an independent panel that found the United Nations had grossly mishandled the cases despite the official zero-tolerance policy on sexual violence. French and European Union soldiers serving in the Central African Republic also face allegations of sexual abuse, although their missions are not under the UN flag. Turkey urges Syria ground operation, UN prepares aid convoys Turkey called Tuesday for a ground operation with its international allies to end the war in Syria, as the United Nations announced aid convoys are being sent to besieged towns. "So far I understand that the government of Syria has approved access to seven besieged areas," said Vanessa Huguenin, spokeswoman for the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). In Damascus, UN envoy Staffan de Mistura said aid convoys will be sent on Wednesday to test the resolve of warring parties to allow in humanitarian supplies. Members of the civil defence pull a boy out from under the rubble of a building following air strikes by suspected Russian warplanes backing the Syrian government, Aleppo on February 16, 2016 Thaer Mohammed (AFP) "It is clear it is the duty of the government of Syria to want to reach every Syrian person wherever they are and allow the UN to bring humanitarian aid, particularly now after so long time," he said after meeting Foreign Minister Walid Muallem. "Tomorrow (Wednesday) we test this," he said, referring to the warring parties. A Red Crescent source said the first convoys will head for the rebel-besieged Shiite villages of Fuaa and Kafraya in the north, and to Madaya and Zabadani which are encircled by the army. Around 486,700 people in Syria are in areas besieged by either government or rebel forces, UN figures show. Scores are reported to have died of malnutrition or because of a lack of medical treatment. On the international front, tensions escalated over Russia's air war backing Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, with Ankara branding the bombing "barbaric". Turkey sees Assad's ouster as essential to ending a five-year conflict that has killed more than 260,000 people, and is highly critical of Iran and Russia for supporting the Damascus regime. "We want a ground operation with our international allies," a senior Turkish official told reporters in Istanbul, adding such an operation would require the involvement of the United States and Gulf states. - Fears of escalation - "There is not going to be a unilateral military operation from Turkey to Syria," the official emphasised, but added: "Without a ground operation it is impossible to stop the fighting in Syria." Saudi Arabia, another fierce critic of Assad, has said it is ready to send special forces to Syria to take part in ground operations against the Islamic State (IS) jihadist group. On Tuesday, the Pentagon said Saudi Arabia, which has been focused on the war in its neighbour Yemen, has resumed participation in air strikes by the US-led coalition against IS in Syria. Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Zarif warned Riyadh not to deploy troops in Syria, saying that without the authorisation of Damascus it would violate international law. The Islamic republic is a key Syrian ally and has sent thousands of "military advisers" to help Assad's regime. The UN said Monday nearly 50 civilians, including children, had died in the bombings of at least five medical facilities and two schools in northern Syria. The region around Syria's second city of Aleppo has been the target of a major anti-rebel offensive by government forces backed by Russian warplanes, sending tens of thousands fleeing to the Turkish border. Russia denied it had bombed any hospital, calling such reports "unsubstantiated accusations". De Mistura and Muallem met in the Syrian capital to try to keep alive a proposal announced in Munich last Friday for a "cessation of hostilities" in Syria within a week. Assad has said it would be "difficult" to implement a truce by Friday. "Who is capable of gathering all the conditions and requirements in a week? No one," he said. Turkey shelled Kurdish positions in northern Syria for a fourth straight day Tuesday, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. It said shells hit the town of Tal Rifaat which was captured on Monday from mostly Islamist rebels by a Kurdish-Arab coalition known as the Syrian Democratic Forces. The UN Security Council on Tuesday criticised Turkey for its bombardment of northern Syria, in a decision applauded by Syria's UN ambassador. "Turkey is trying to pull everybody into this nightmare, into this escalation," Bashar Jaafari said. - Victory imminent: Hezbollah - Ankara accuses the Kurdish forces of ties to the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) that has waged a decades-long insurgency against Turkey. It fears the Kurds will be able to create a contiguous Kurdish territory just across the border in northern Syria. Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu on Tuesday accused Kurdish fighters in Syria of being "Russia's legion working as mercenaries", with the of harming Turkey's interests. Russia's air strikes have allowed government forces to press a major operation that has virtually encircled rebels in eastern Aleppo city, as well as expelled them from much of the region to the north. The head of Lebanon's Shiite movement Hezbollah which has been fighting alongside Assad's forces, declared Tuesday that "victory" was imminent. "In the days ahead and for the decade to come... we will proclaim victory alongside the Syrian army," Hassan Nasrallah said in a video message to supporters in Beirut. He also accused Saudi Arabia and Turkey of dragging the whole region into a war. Turkey has been infuriated by the Kurdish advances, focusing its anger on Russia's air support. "Those vile, cruel and barbaric planes have made close to 8,000 sorties since September 30 without any discrimination between civilians and soldiers, or children and the elderly," Davutoglu said. On the ground, the Observatory said at least 15 civilians were killed in US-led coalition air strikes on the IS-controlled town of Al-Shadadi in Hasakeh province of northeast Syria. Members of the Syrian Arab Red Crescent unload aid parcels from a lorry on February 13, 2016 in the rebel-held city of Douma, northeast of the capital Damascus Abd Doumany (AFP/File) Tanks stationed at a Turkish army position near the Oncupinar crossing gate near the town of Kilis fire towards the Syria border, on February 16, 2016 Bulent Kilic (AFP) Syrian President Bashar al-Assad speaks in Damascus on February 15, 2015 A picture shows the rubble of a hospital supported by Doctors Without Borders (MSF) near Maaret al-Numan, in Syria's northern province of Idlib, on February 15, 2016, after the building was hit by air strikes An injured northern Syrian child is carried on a stretcher at a hospital in the southern Turkish border town of Kilis on February 16, 2016 Bulent Kilic (AFP) UN's envoy for Syria, Staffan de Mistura, gestures following meetings in Damascus on February 16, 2016 Louai Beshara (AFP) US restores regular flights to Cuba The United States and Cuba signed an agreement Tuesday authorizing daily US commercial flights to the communist-ruled island for the first time in more than 50 years. The deal allows up to 110 daily flights to 10 destinations in Cuba, with about 20 of them to the capital Havana, where authorities have ordered renovations to double the capacity of Jose Marti airport. "Today is a historic day in the relationship between Cuba and the United States," said US Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx in Havana, where he signed the accord with his Cuban counterpart Adel Rodriguez. People wait to check in their luggage before boarding a flight to Havana from Miami International Airport in 2014 Joe Raedle (Getty/AFP) "For the first time in more than five decades, the United States and Cuba will allow (airlines) to establish a service between our two nations." Rodriguez said the accord marked "the start of a new era in air transport links between Cuba and the United States, which will contribute to the deepening of ties between our two countries." Currently, all flights between the two countries are charter flights. US authorities said they would immediately invite American airlines to submit applications to operate the flights, with routes to be set up within months. The Cuban government will also give "thorough consideration to future requests from the US government to increase this level of service," said US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Transportation Affairs Thomas Engle. The agreement allows for regular flights "between any city in the US and any city in Cuba," provided it is equipped with infrastructure for international air travel, he added. Airlines in the two countries can now strike deals on code-sharing and aircraft leasing, the Cuban embassy said in December when the plan was announced. However, travel by US tourists is still barred under the trade embargo that the United States slapped on Cuba in the 1960s after Fidel Castro came to power in a revolution. The US Treasury Department has set 12 categories of authorized travel including for artists and journalists. - Multiple destinations - "Initially, the US carriers will be allowed to fly 20 scheduled frequencies per day to Havana, the largest market, and remember that the current level is zero," Engle said. They may also "fly 10 scheduled frequencies per day to any other city in Cuba that has an airport open to international service." Besides Havana, flights will be allowed to Camaguey, Cayo Coco, Cayo Largo, Cienfuegos, Holguin, Manzanillo, Matanzas, Santa Clara and Santiago de Cuba. The agreement formally opens the door for Cuban airlines to start operating future flights into the United States. But Deputy Assistant Secretary for Aviation and International Affairs Brandon Belford said Cuban airlines will still have to obtain their own licenses from US authorities. "So we do not anticipate Cuban-owned aircraft serving the US in the near future," he said. - Call for applications - On Tuesday, the Treasury Department was to invite US airlines to submit applications to be allocated the new flights. American Airlines, Delta and United Airlines have previously expressed an interest in running regular flights to Cuba as has JetBlue, which already operates charter flights. Belford said "carriers will have 15 days to submit their applications if they want to serve Havana and the other nine airports." All final decisions will be made in within about six months. "Our expectation is that we will be in position to make a decision and make it final sometime in the summer, in terms of which carriers and which US cities will have service into Cuba," Belford said. Commercial flights between Cuba and the United States were cancelled 53 years ago but since the mid-1970s, authorized charter flights have been allowed under certain conditions. Cuba is strengthening its foreign commercial ties after formally restoring diplomatic relations with the United States in July. US Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx (L) and Cuban Minister of Transportation Adel Yzquierdo shake hands after signing an agreement authorizing daily commercial flights in Havana, on February 16, 2016 Yamil Lage (AFP) 2024 Games candidates unveil their plans The race to host the 2024 Olympic Games gets underway in earnest on Wednesday with the four bid cities -- Budapest, Los Angeles, Paris and Rome -- presenting their initial candidature files to the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The first step in an 18-month campaign to host one of the world's top sporting events will be a low-key affair with IOC president Thomas Bach and leading officials currently attending the Winter Youth Olympics in Lillehammer. Bids will be transmitted by USB key to IOC headquarters in Lausanne with Los Angeles and Budapest deciding not to mark the occasion, unlike Paris and Rome. The official logo of the Paris bid to host the 2024 Olympic Games is seen on the Arc de Triomphe in Paris on February 9, 2016 Lionel Bonaventure (AFP/File) The Californian city, the 1984 Olympic hosts, will publish their bid on their website once the IOC have confirmed receipt. The celebration on the US west coast will take place on Tuesday with the unveiling of the city's official logo, a week after Paris unveiled theirs at a special ceremony in front of the Arc De Triomphe. The Los Angeles bid is in line with Olympic Agenda 2020 which targets cost reduction. Existing installations such as the Staples Center, the LA Coliseum, the Rose Bowl, and university stadiums will be used with athletes to be housed on the UCLA campus. No ceremony will take place in Budapest where opponents, fearing spiralling costs and risks of corruption, tried to force a citizens referendum to block the bid, like in Hamburg. The Hungarian capital have announced a modest budget of 2.4 billion euros ($2.7 billion) to build infrastructure. By contrast, Rome and Paris will mark the handover -- The Eternal City getting things rolling early at the Palazzo dei Congressi, the fencing venue at the 1960 Games. Rome bid president Luca Di Montezemolo will preside over a ceremony to be broadcast on state-owned television RAI. With the Colosseum as their emblem and the city's major tourist attractions as venues, the Italian capital will build on its strengths and existing infrastructure to avoid, like its rivals, unnecessary and unpopular costs. Paris -- who suffered a traumatic loss to London for the 2012 Games -- will unveil their bid in the afternoon at the city's new Philharmonie. Bid committee president Bernard Lapasset will confirm a budget of 3.2 billion euros for infrastructure, with existing stadiums and arenas being used along with landmark Paris monuments like the Grand Palais and the Trocadero. A week after unveiling its logo representing the Eiffel Tower, Paris should also confirm that its Olympic project will be turned towards their youth and suburbs. More detailed dossiers will be submitted in October before visits to the candidates by the IOC evaluation commission in early 2017. Boeing loses appeal of US bomber award to Northrop US officials rejected Tuesday a Boeing-led challenge to the Air Force's award of a major contract to rival Northrop Grumman to supply next-generation bombers. The Government Accountability Office "found no basis to sustain or uphold the protest" from Boeing and partner Lockheed Martin for a contract potentially worth some $80 billion, the agency said. "In denying Boeing's protest, GAO concluded that the technical evaluation, and the evaluation of costs, was reasonable, consistent with the terms of the solicitation, and in accordance with procurement laws and regulations," the GAO said. The Government Accountability Office "found no basis to sustain or uphold the protest" from Boeing and partner Lockheed Martin for a contract potentially worth some $80 billion Toshifumi Kitamura (AFP/File) Boeing and Lockheed had filed the protest in November after the Air Force picked Northrop for a contract to engineer and build the new long-range strike bomber. Boeing had argued that the Air Force's method for evaluating costs of the bomber was "fundamentally flawed" and did not adequately recognize initiatives by the aerospace giant to save money on the contract. The contract covers engineering and options for the first 21 aircraft. The Air Force has estimated the initial engineering and manufacturing phase as having a value of $21.4 billion, with some 100 aircraft costing $511 million per plane, GAO said. Boeing said it was reviewing the GAO decision. "We continue to believe that our offering represents the best solution for the Air Force and the nation, and that the government's selection process was fundamentally and irreparably flawed," Boeing said. "We will carefully review the GAO's decision and decide upon our next steps with regard to the protest in the coming days." Israel slams French peace plan Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday slammed France's diplomatic plan for an international conference on Middle East peace with recognition of a Palestinian state if talks fail. Netanyahu called it "mystifying" and counterproductive, arguing that it gives Palestinians no incentive to compromise. "It says, 'We shall hold an international conference but, if it doesn't succeed, we are deciding in advance what the consequence will be -- we shall recognise a Palestinian state'", he told reporters during a visit to Berlin. Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, seen in Berlin on February 16, 2016, called France's diplomatic plan "mystifying" and counterproductive Odd Andersen (AFP) "This of course ensures in advance that a conference will fail, because if the Palestinians know that their demands will be accepted... they don't need to do anything," he said. He restated his policy that peace will only come as a result of direct bilateral talks between the sides. He was speaking shortly after France's ambassador to Israel, Patrick Maisonnave, met the political director of the Israeli foreign ministry to explain the initiative. French diplomats have also been conducting talks on the issue with the Palestinians over the past few days. The plan proposes setting up a support group of the permanent members of the UN Security Council, some Arab and European states and international organisations. It would work in two stages, meeting first without the conflicting parties and then bringing them into the conference around summertime. To the Israeli government it is anathema. "Everybody is against this idea; when you see both EU foreign minister (Federica) Mogherini and the Palestinians opposing it, it seems there are so many bodies opposed to it," deputy foreign minister Tzipi Hotovely told Israeli public radio. In a conversation with Netanyahu on Friday Mogherini referred to the need to resolve the conflict "in direct negotiations between the parties." French sources say the Paris plan is not an alternative to direct talks but seeks to create "a consensus allowing the conditions for the sides to meet." Palestinian officials have welcomed the French initiative, having long argued for an international process to end the Israeli occupation and bring about a two-state solution. Peace talks collapsed in April 2014 and the situation has since deteriorated, with the prospects of fresh dialogue appearing increasingly remote. A wave of Palestinian knife, gun and car-ramming attacks erupted in October, with 25 Israelis, an American and an Eritrean killed, according to an AFP count. Court says Palestinian hunger striker to stay in Israeli hospital Israel's Supreme Court said Tuesday a Palestinian hunger striker who has fasted over 80 days must stay in the northern Israeli hospital where he is being held, after a compromise bid failed. "The court refused the request of Mohammed al-Qiq and will leave him in the hospital in Afula," his lawyer Jawad Boulos said in a statement. The 33-year-old journalist is reported to be close to death 84 days after starting a hunger strike in protest against his internment without trial under Israel's "administrative detention" laws. Palestinians take part in a demonstration calling for the release of Mohammed al-Qiq, in the West bank town of Hebron on February 16, 2016 Hazem Bader (AFP) He has occasionally taken minerals and vitamins but mainly ingests only tap water, doctors who have visited him say. On Tuesday night, firebrand Arab Israeli Islamic cleric Raed Salah announced that he and others whom he did not name were starting an open-ended hunger strike in solidarity with Qiq. "We call on all who are able to join us immediately," he said in a statement. "The prisoner Mohammed al-Qiq is living in the decisive moments between life and death, and we cannot abandon him at such a time." The Supreme Court officially suspended the internment order against Qiq on February 4, but refused his demand for transfer to a hospital in the West Bank city of Ramallah, under Palestinian Authority jurisdiction. On Monday, it offered a compromise whereby he would be moved to the Palestinian-run Makassed hospital in Israeli-annexed east Jerusalem. Afou Agbaria, an Arab Israeli former parliamentarian and physician who visited Qiq in Afula, said he turned down the proposal. "He refuses to be cared for in Makassed because it is located under Israeli sovereignty and he says he will not be retained in custody," he told AFP. - "Death or freedom" - "He said, 'It's death or freedom, and if Israeli security has something against me, it must bring me to justice, rather than hold me under administrative detention without trial or charge'." Qiq, a father of two and a correspondent for Saudi Arabia's Almajd television network, was arrested at his West Bank home in Ramallah on November 21. He has been refusing food since November 25 in protest against the "torture and ill treatment that he was subjected to during interrogation", according to Addameer, a Palestinian rights organisation. The United Nations has expressed concern about his fate, with the International Committee of the Red Cross describing his condition as critical. Israel's Shin Bet domestic security service says Qiq was detained for "terror activity" on behalf of the Islamist group Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip. Israel's controversial administrative detention law allows the state to hold suspects without trial for periods of six months renewable indefinitely. Ride and home sharing painted as old ideas made new Ride- and home-sharing startups shaking up the world are old concepts getting new life, founders of two prominent ventures told an "ideas conference" Tuesday. "We didn't invent anything new," co-founder Joe Gebbia said of Airbnb during a candid presentation at the prestigious annual TED gathering in Vancouver. "Hospitality has been around forever." A view of the Airbnb Haus on January 24, 2016 in Park City, Utah, Airbnb co-founder Joe Gebbia says "hospitality has been around forever," Matt Winkelmeyer (Getty/AFP) During a separate TED talk, Uber co-founder Travis Kalanick described Uber as a modern day spin on the "Jitney," a ride-sharing trend that rocketed after being launched in California in 1914 but which was crushed under the weight of regulation in subsequent years. "It turns out there was an Uber way before Uber," Kalanick said during an on-stage talk. "If it had survived, the future of transportation would probably be here already." The name "Jitney" came from a slang reference to a US five-cent coin, which is what a car dealer in Los Angeles who noticed crowds waiting for trollies decided to charge people to take them where they wanted to go. Within a year the trend spread to other US cities, to the chagrin of powerful trolley operators, Kalanick said, drawing a parallel to opposition that the smartphone-based ride-sharing service has gotten from the taxi industry. The trolley industry successfully lobbied for regulation of the Jitney, winning rules such as mandating two drivers per car; long hours behind wheels, and even back seat lighting to discourage the "pernicious" trend of couples "spooning," Kalanick quipped. He drew a connection between the Jitney being regulated out of existence and rocketing sales of personal automobiles that shaped modern lifestyles and by extension, bred woes such as traffic congestion and pollution from exhaust fumes. "When we started Uber in 2010 we just want to push a button and get a ride; we didn't have any grand ambitions," Kalanick said. "Well, it turned out that a lot of people wanted to just push a button and get a ride." San Francisco-based Uber has grown from 40 people at its start to 6,500 employees now, he noted. In China alone, there are 15 million UberPOOL trips monthly, and exponential growth is also being seen in Los Angeles, according to Kalanick. UberPOOL lets riders heading for common destinations split the cost of trips. He saw self-driving cars becoming part of the ride-sharing equation, but perhaps not for a decade or two. "It is going to be a long transition, and they will work well in some places and not in others," Kalanick said of seld-driving cars. "This is a world that is going to exist, and for good reason." He listed Apple, Google, Tesla and major auto makers among the companies working on autonomous vehicles. - 'Stranger danger' - Airbnb co-founder Gebbia recalled holding a yard sale a day after graduating college, only to let a seemingly friendly fellow who bought some of his art crash in his living room for a night. He recounted waking up in the middle of the night and locking his bedroom door to make sure he would be safe from someone he didn't know. That sense of "stranger-danger" typically learned as children was among challenges that Airbnb had to surmount to get people to open doors for travelers, according to Gebbia. "We have been taught since we were kids that strangers equal danger," Gebbia said. "We had to build Olympic-size trust between people who never met." Airbnb tackled the trust challenge with a website that let hosts and aspiring guests learn a bit about one another, and to build reputations in the form of reviews. "Things have been going pretty well," Gebbia said, noting there have been incidents such as unsanctioned parties leaving homes wrecked and customers left standing in the rain when lodging didn't come through. "Thankfully, out of the 123 million nights we have seen hosted, less than a fraction of a percent have been problematic. When trust works out right, it can be absolutely magical." A powerful appeal of the "sharing economy" is about making traditional business transactions into opportunities to share cultures, experiences and local culture as well, according to Gebbia. "People share a part of themselves, and that changes everything," Gebbia said. "I see a future of shared cities that bring us community and connection instead of isolation and separation." Airbnb co-founder Joe Gebbia, pictured on March 27, 2015, said the company tackled the trust challenge with a website that let hosts and aspiring guests learn a bit about one another, and to build reputations in the form of reviews Yasuyoshi Chiba (AFP/File) Solitary confinement in the United States Solitary confinement in U.S. jails and prisons has recently come under scrutiny, facing challenges in statehouses, the courts and even by President Barack Obama, who recently banned solitary for some juveniles in federal custody. Still, placing certain inmates for long periods alone inside 6-by-10-foot cells for 23 hours each day is the most common correctional tool nationwide used to quell disorder, punish unwanted behavior and handle the most hard-to-control prisoners. Here's a look at solitary practices across the country: WHAT IS SOLITARY CONFINEMENT? In this June 9, 2015 photo, Candie Hailey, right, cries as she hugs her younger sister, Chyna, following her college graduation ceremony in New York. "I am proud of you," said Candie. "We been through a lot." Hailey dropped out of high school to help care for Chyna and another sister, and later earned an equivalency diploma and a college degree before Rikers Island prison made her a "solitary survivor." (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews) Solitary is referred to by many names in different lockups but generally refers to the placement of a prisoner inside a cell for between 22 and 24 hours per day as punishment for breaking internal rules, because the inmate is considered too dangerous or as a form of protective custody. An estimated 80,000 to 100,000 people in state and federal prisons are held in solitary on any given day, though advocates argue those 2011 federal figures are likely low. Also unknown is how many of the roughly 700,000 daily jail inmates nationwide are serving their time in solitary. WHERE IS IT BEING REFORMED? In January, Obama announced that he would ban the use of solitary for juveniles punished for low-level offenses in federal prisons. In Colorado, legislators in 2014 largely barred corrections officials from placing mentally ill prisoners in long-term solitary confinement. In California, Maine, Washington and Michigan corrections officials have enacted reforms to reduce the number of inmates serving their time in solitary. WHAT'S HAPPENING IN NEW YORK? New York City jail officials have recently reformed how solitary in the jails, eliminating its use for young inmates and those suffering from serious mental illnesses. From March 2014 to the end of January 2016, officials have shrunk the overall number of inmates housed in 23-hour confinement from about 600 to 219. Scalia's body being flown back; he died of natural causes WASHINGTON (AP) The body of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia was taken to a West Texas airport Sunday afternoon and was being flown to Virginia after it was determined he died of natural causes and an autopsy was not necessary. Chris Lujan, a manager for Sunset Funeral Homes, said Scalia's body was taken from the El Paso facility late Sunday afternoon and was being flown to Virginia, though he had no details. Scalia's family didn't think a private autopsy was necessary and requested his remains be flown home as soon as possible, he said. Presidio County Judge Cinderela Guevara told The Associated Press on Sunday she consulted with Scalia's personal physician and sheriff's investigators, who said there were no signs of foul play, before concluding the 79-year-old had died of natural causes. He was found dead in his room at a West Texas resort ranch Saturday morning. Guevara says the declaration was made around 1:52 p.m. Saturday. The hearse which transported Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia's body to the airport from Sunset Funeral Home departs the Atlantic Aviation hangar at El Paso International Airport in El Paso, Texas, Sunday, Feb. 14, 2016. (VIctor Calzada/The El Paso Times via AP) MANDATORY CREDIT Terry Sharpe, assistant director for operations at El Paso International Airport, said a private plane carrying Scalia's body departed around 8 p.m. EST. Scalia's body was accompanied to the airport by U.S. marshals, he said. He said he didn't know where the plane was headed. The U.S. Marshals Service referred questions about the flight to Supreme Court officials, who did not immediately respond to inquiries. Scalia's weekend death was as much of a shock to those at the ranch as it was to the rest of the nation The owner of Cibolo Creek Ranch near Marfa, where Scalia died, said the justice seemed his usual self at dinner the night before he was found "in complete repose" in his room. John Poindexter told reporters Scalia was part of a group of about 35 weekend guests. He arrived Friday around noon. The group had dinner Friday night and Scalia was his "usual, personable self," Poindexter said. Scalia retired around 9 p.m., saying he wanted a long night's sleep, according to Poindexter. A procession that included about 20 law enforcement officers arrived in the early hours Sunday at the funeral home more than three hours from the ranch, Lujan said. Kristina Mills, a history teacher at nearby Chapin High School, came to the funeral home to pay her respects and brought flowers. "Recognizing his contribution to serving our country just compelled me to come," she said. "I wanted to do yellow roses because for him dying in Texas. I didn't want his family to have bad memories of Texas." In the nation's capital, where flags flew at half-staff at the White House and Supreme Court, the political sniping soared, raising the prospect of a court short-handed for some time. The Senate's Republican leader, backed largely by his party's White House candidates, essentially told a Democratic president in his final year in office not to bother asking lawmakers to confirm a nominee for the lifetime seat. Scalia's colleagues praised his brilliance and grieved his death. Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg said she and Scalia "were best buddies" for more than 30 years. Justice Clarence Thomas said, "It is hard to imagine the court without my friend." President Barack Obama ordered flags to be flown at half-staff at the high court, where Scalia served for three decades, and other federal buildings throughout the nation and U.S. embassies and military installations throughout the world. While flags were being lowered, the campaign-year political heat has risen over the vacancy on the nine-member court. At issue is whether Obama, in his last year in office, should make a nomination and the Republican-led Senate should confirm that choice in an election year. Obama pledges a nomination "in due time." Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., thinks it should wait for the next president. The Republican resistance to an election-year confirmation got a thorough public airing on the GOP debate stage just hours after Scalia's companions found him dead. Republicans argued that Obama, as a lame duck, should not fill the vacancy created by Scalia's death, but leave it to the next president which they hope will be one of them. The Constitution gives the Senate "advice and consent" powers over a presidential nomination to the Supreme Court. Ted Cruz, one of the two GOP senators running for president, told NBC's "Meet the Press" that the GOP-controlled Senate is doing its job. "We're advising that a lame-duck president in an election year is not going to be able to tip the balance of the Supreme Court," Cruz said. But the top Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee, which would hold hearings on a nominee, said it would be "sheer dereliction of duty for the Senate not to have a hearing, not to have a vote." Vermont Sen. Patrick Leahy told CNN's "State of the Union" that he believes McConnell is "making a terrible mistake. And he's certainly ignoring the Constitution." ___ Warren reported from Dallas. Associated Press writers Sarah Rankin in Chicago and Betsy Blaney in Lubbock, Texas, contributed to this report. AP videographer John L. Mone in El Paso, Texas, also contributed. ___ Follow Laurie Kellman at http://www.twitter.com/APLaurieKellman FILE - In this Oct., 15, 2006 file photo, Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonin Scalia speaks at the ACLU Membership Conference in Washington. On Saturday, Feb. 13, 2016, the U.S. Marshals Service confirmed that Scalia has died at the age of 79. (AP Photo/Chris Greenberg, File) The U.S. flag flies at half-staff outside the Sunset Funeral Home, Sunday Feb. 14, 2016 in El Paso, Texas. Antonin Scalia's body lay in a Texas funeral home Sunday and officials waited word about whether they would need to perform an autopsy before the late Supreme Court justice could return home to Virginia. In Washington, where flags flew at half-staff at the White House and Supreme Court, the political sniping soared, raising the prospect of the court remaining short-handed for some time. (VIctor Calzada/The El Paso Times via AP) EL DIARIO OUT; JUAREZ MEXICO OUT; MANDATORY CREDIT, EL DIARIO DE EL PASO OUT Traffic passes the Cibolo Creek Ranch near Shafter, Texas, Sunday, Feb. 14, 2016. Justice Antonin Scalia vacationed at the resort prior to his death Saturday. Scalia was found dead Saturday morning at the private residence in the Big Bend area of West Texas. (AP Photo/John L. Mone) Austrian school evacuated over dummy hand grenade VIENNA (AP) School was out at least temporarily for hundreds of Vienna school children after one of them brought a hand-grenade to class. But it turned out to be a dummy. Police spokesman Patrick Maierhofer says a lower and middle school were temporarily evacuated Monday after a 14-year old boy pulled out the grenade from his school bag. Once at the scene, police and firefighters quickly established that the ordnance was not live and was meant for demonstration purposes. Police say the boy, an immigrant from Romania, found it there years ago and brought it to school to show it off because his history class was focusing on World War II. Israeli officer filmed overturning Palestinian's wheelchair JERUSALEM (AP) Israel says it has launched an investigation into a border police officer who was filmed tipping over a Palestinian in a wheelchair in the West Bank. Justice Ministry spokeswoman Eden Klein said Monday that an investigation is underway. The incident happened Sunday after Israeli forces shot and wounded a Palestinian woman who police said had pulled out a knife and tried to attack an officer. Footage shot by a local resident shows the woman on the ground bleeding and officers ordering Palestinians to keep away. One officer flips over a Palestinian's wheelchair, dumping him on the ground. The Latest: Catholic college president says he won't resign EMMITSBURG, Md. (AP) The Latest on a dispute between the president of Mount St. Mary's University and faculty members who have demanded his resignation over his strategy for boosting the school's academic reputation. 12 p.m. The president of a Catholic college in Maryland is rejecting the faculty's demand for his resignation. Mount St. Mary's University President Simon Newman told scores of cheering students at a rally Monday in Emmitsburg, "I'm not going to stop." The faculty voted overwhelmingly Friday to ask Newman to resign by Monday morning. The request followed an uproar over his plan to boost the student-retention rate by identifying freshman likely to fail and offering tuition refunds for those choosing to leave. Critics said Newman was too focused on eliminating, rather than helping, struggling students. On Sunday, the student government released results of a student poll indicating 3-to-1 support for Newman. The Student Government Association says 61 percent of undergraduates voted, and 76 percent of them favored Newman's leadership. ___ 7:35 a.m. A Catholic college in Maryland is awaiting a response from the school president to a faculty demand for his resignation. Mount St. Mary's University faculty voted overwhelmingly last week to ask Simon Newman to resign by 9 a.m. Monday. The request followed an uproar over Newman's plan to boost the student-retention rate at the college in Emmitsburg by identifying freshman likely to fail and offering tuition refunds for those leaving early in the semester. On Sunday, the student government released results of a student poll indicating 3-to-1 support for Newman staying on. Seattle Sounders say Chinese team wants Obafemi Martins SEATTLE (AP) Forward Obafemi Martins didn't travel to preseason camp with the Seattle Sounders, who are considering an offer to send him to a team in the Chinese Super League. The 31-year-old has been with the Sounders since 2013 and scored 15 goals in 21 regular-season games last year. The BBC reported Sunday that Martins has joined Shanghai Shenhua. Sounders general manager Garth Lagerwey said in an audio statement released by the team Sunday: "Obafemi's not here with us in this phase of camp. We've had an approach from a Chinese club for his services. It could take a while to have that resolved." Seattle is preparing for its 2016 opener against Mexico's America on Feb. 23 in the first leg of the CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinals. Texas inmate set to die Tuesday for Dallas-area store holdup HUNTSVILLE, Texas (AP) A suburban Dallas convenience store clerk was on the phone with his girlfriend when two people, one of them carrying a sawed-off shotgun, walked in. Gregory Martin told her he believed he was about to be robbed and to call police. Plano officers found 15-year-old Christopher Vargas standing over Martin's lifeless body and 18-year-old Gustavo Garcia hiding in a beer cooler with the shotgun near him. Authorities later determined the weapon had been used a month earlier in a robbery at a Plano liquor store where the cashier, Craig Turski, was fatally shot. Garcia, now 43, is set for lethal injection Tuesday night in Turski's 1990 slaying. He'd be the third prisoner executed this year in Texas, which puts more inmates to death than any other state. A federal judge said Friday he won't stop the execution, and the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles refused a clemency petition. No additional appeals are expected, Seth Kretzer, one of Garcia's lawyers, said Monday. In the federal court appeal, Garcia's attorneys had argued that lawyers at his trial and in earlier appeals failed to uncover details of an abusive and alcohol- and drug-influenced youth disclosures that could have convinced jurors to spare him from a death sentence. They also said they needed additional time to investigate those claims. "Garcia's guilt is clear," responded Fredericka Sargent, an assistant Texas attorney general. The U.S. Supreme Court last month refused to review an appeal that raised questions about deficient legal help, and last week turned down a request for a rehearing. Court documents show Garcia, who has spent more than half of his life on death row, shot Turski in the abdomen on Dec. 9, 1990, then reloaded and shot the 43-year-old cashier in the back of the head. A month later, Martin, 18, was shot in the head after he was taken to a back room. In a statement to police following his arrest for Martin's killing, Garcia said he'd ordered Turski to his knees when a customer entered the store. "I then panicked," he said. "I shot the clerk with the shotgun." On Thanksgiving in 1998, Garcia and five other inmates were scaling a pair of 10-foot-high prison fences when corrections officers opened fire on them and they surrendered. A seventh convict, Martin Gurule, was shot but managed to flee, making him the first inmate to escape Texas death row since a Bonnie and Clyde gang member broke out in 1934. Gurule's body was found about a week later in a creek a few miles from the prison, and an autopsy showed he drowned. "At least I can say I tried," Garcia said of the escape attempt in a 1999 interview with The Associated Press. "Facing execution is scarier." He declined an interview request as his execution date neared. Vargas, Garcia's partner in both fatal robberies, was tried and as an adult, convicted and is serving life in prison. His age made him ineligible for the death penalty. Trial to start on IS-linked charges in Texas cartoon contest PHOENIX (AP) An Arizona man set for trial this week is believed to be the first person the U.S. government has tried on terror charges linked to the Islamic State group. Abdul Malik Abdul Kareem, 44, is accused of providing the guns used in an attack at a Prophet Muhammad cartoon contest in Texas last year. Investigators say he and the two shooters watched videos depicting violence by jihadists, tried to get pipe bombs, planned the May attack in suburban Dallas and researched travel to the Middle East so they could join Islamic State fighters. FILE - This undated file booking photo from the Maricopa County, Ariz., Sheriff's Department shows Abdul Malik Abdul Kareem. The Arizona man is set for trial Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2016, on terror charges linked to Islamic State. Kareem is accused of providing the guns used in an attack at a Prophet Muhammad cartoon contest in Texas. (Maricopa County Sheriff's Department via AP, File) Kareem faces charges including conspiracy and conspiring to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization. Kareem denies the allegations. Kareem and his lawyer, Daniel Maynard, declined requests for an interview. Maynard has previously said the case was trumped up and based largely on the work on an unreliable confidential informant. The other two men, Elton Simpson and Nadir Soofi, brought semiautomatic rifles and an Islamic State flag to the contest featuring cartoons deemed offensive to Muslims. They died in a shootout with police before hurting anyone attending the event. It's unknown whether the thwarted attack was inspired by the Islamic State or carried out in response to an order from the group, which has taken control of parts of Syria and Iraq while carrying out beheadings, mass shootings and other violence. FBI Director James Comey told lawmakers in December that one of the attackers exchanged more than 100 messages with an overseas extremist in the days before the attack. Kareem's indictment says Simpson used social media to communicate with Islamic State extremists and other violent jihadists. The U.S. Justice Department didn't respond to questions about the case. "I believe the shooters were motivated by what they thought was the Islamic State, but I'm not sure they were directed by the Islamic State," said Scott Stewart, a vice president for the Texas-based global intelligence company Stratfor. The U.S. government has charged 78 people with crimes related to the Islamic State group since March 2014, said Karen J. Greenberg, director of the Fordham Law School's Center on National Security, which tracks terrorism cases. While 24 people charged with crimes related to the radical group have pleaded guilty, no one has yet gone to trial on such charges. James Newman, Kareem's younger brother, told The Associated Press that his brother never expressed a radical political or religious view to him and is a victim of guilt by association with the two Muslims who carried out the attack. He rejects the government's portrayal of his brother as a supporter of terrorists. Newman said Kareem was a Muslim throughout his adulthood, but his faith deepened over the last five years after he was jailed on a drunken driving conviction. He used his religion as a way to cope with his longtime struggle with alcohol. Trump threatens to sue Cruz unless his GOP rival apologizes HANAHAN, S.C. (AP) Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump on Monday offered rival Ted Cruz an ultimatum, threatening to sue Cruz over his eligibility to serve in the White House unless the Texas senator stops airing what Trump calls "false ads" and apologizes for what the billionaire real estate mogul called a series of lies about his positions. With less than a week to go before South Carolina's Republican primary, the GOP front-runner also reiterated that the 9/11 attacks happened during President George W. Bush's time in office an apparent attempt to overshadow the former president's Monday campaign appearances on behalf of his brother, Jeb Bush. The new attacks came as the race entered an increasingly nasty phase, with numerous negative ads airing on local television following an unusually caustic debate this past weekend. Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, right, accompanied by South Carolina Lt. Gov. Henry McMaster, speaks with members of the media during a news conference Monday, Feb. 15, 2016, in Hanahan, S.C. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke) Some of the harshest ads have been aimed at Trump, often using the political newcomer's past words to illustrate his evolving position on issues including abortion and gun rights. Trump also took aim Monday at the Republican establishment, accusing the Republican National Committee of packing its debate audiences with donors a move he claimed violated the loyalty pledge he signed in September vowing to run as a Republican and support the party's eventual nominee. "I signed a pledge, but it's a double-edged pledge," Trump said at a luncheon in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina. "The pledge isn't being honored by the RNC." RNC spokesman Sean Spicer responded to the criticism by saying: "Ten tickets from the RNC went to donors 10." But Trump saved the bulk of his criticism for Cruz. "If he doesn't take down his false ads and retract his lies," Trump said in a statement bashing Cruz, he will immediately file a lawsuit challenging Cruz's eligibility to serve as president. Trump has previously said a federal court should decide whether Cruz meets the constitutional requirement of being a "natural-born citizen" to serve as president. Cruz was born in Canada to an American mother, and many legal experts have said he meets that test. "Ted Cruz is a totally unstable individual. He is the single biggest liar I've ever come across, in politics or otherwise, and I have seen some of the best of them. His statements are totally untrue and completely outrageous," Trump said in the statement. At events in the Charleston area and at a rally in Greenville, Trump piled on, slamming Cruz as "the most dishonest guy I think I've ever met in politics, "nuts" and a "basket case." He also questioned Cruz's faith. "He goes around saying he's a Christian. I don't know, you're going to have to really study that," Trump said at a freewheeling news conference. Cruz responded to Trump during a question-and-answer in Camden, characterizing Trump as nervous about his standing in the state. "Today Donald Trump held a press conference. He apparently lost it. I mean, he was just going on and on about how I was the most horrible person in the world because I keep repeating the things he said," Cruz said to laughs. "And it's an amazing thing. Have you noticed how rattled Donald gets when his numbers start going down? He gets very, very upset. "But I guess the only explanation one can have is his internal poll numbers in South Carolina must be plummeting following the debate," Cruz said. Laurens resident Tom Kennemore, who attended Trump's evening rally in Greenville, said he grows uneasy when Trump starts tearing into fellow Republicans. But he also appreciates Trump's willingness to tell the truth no matter what. "I'm done with establishment people," he said." The Republicans have taken the House and Senate and done nothing with it. We need a little more kick." Earlier, during an afternoon news conference, Trump also renewed his criticism of former President George W. Bush. While Trump would not say whether he considered Bush to be a failed president and declined to label him responsible for the 9/11 attacks, the former reality TV star repeatedly noted that "the Word Trade Center came down during the reign of George Bush." Trump said his decision to go after George W. Bush who made a pair of campaign stops on his brother's behalf on Monday in South Carolina was akin to his attacks on former President Bill Clinton, which began once the former president ramped up his campaigning for his wife, Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton. "If the ex-president is campaigning for his brother, I think he's probably open to great scrutiny, maybe things that haven't been thought of in the past," Trump told reporters. Trump said the real purpose of his news conference was to protest the Obama administration's consideration of the Consolidated Naval Brig in Charleston as a potential site for relocating detainees now housed in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Trump vowed to keep the prison open and stop the movement of any detainees to American soil. Trump said the news conference had nothing to do with the former president. "Say hello to him for me," he told a reporter who noted Bush would soon be appearing nearby. "Give him my warmest regards." He also dismissed the possibility that it might be risky to aim increasingly caustic attacks at a former president who remains a popular figure in South Carolina. Trump countered: "So am I." ___ Associated Press writers Scott Bauer in Camden and Jeffrey Collins in Greenville contributed to this report. ___ Follow Jill Colvin on Twitter at: http://twitter.com/colvinj Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump listens to a question during a campaign stop Monday, Feb. 15, 2016, in Mount Pleasant, S.C. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke) Obama welcomes Southeast Asian leaders to US for talks RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. (AP) President Barack Obama opened a meeting of leaders from a 10-nation bloc of Southeast Asian nations on Monday, calling the landmark gathering on U.S. soil a reflection of his personal commitment to an enduring partnership with the diverse group of countries. Obama and leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations will spend two days discussing economic and regional security issues. In brief remarks as the leaders sat around a horseshoe-shaped table, Obama said he became familiar with Southeast Asia as a boy living in Indonesia with his mother. Since becoming president, Obama has made numerous trips to Asia-Pacific countries as part of his policy "pivot" toward the region, with the goal of reassuring allies unnerved by China's assertive presence there while also reaping economic gains for the U.S. President Barack Obama speaks at the plenary session meeting of ASEAN, the 10-nation Association of Southeast Asian Nations, at the Annenberg Retreat at Sunnylands in Rancho Mirage, Calif., Monday, Feb. 15, 2016. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais) "You and the people of ASEAN have always shown me extraordinary hospitality and I hope we can reciprocate with the warmth today and tomorrow, which is why I did not hold this summit in Washington," Obama said. "It is cold there. It's snowing, so welcome to beautiful, warm Sunnylands," he said. Sunnylands is the storied California desert estate where the leaders will conduct their talks at a conference center with picturesque views of the snow-capped San Jacinto Mountains. Underscoring the relaxed atmosphere, all leaders wore open-collar shirts with their suits. It's the first time the leaders of Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar and Cambodia have held a stand-alone meeting in the U.S. China is not an ASEAN member, but its territorial claims over disputed waters have raised international concerns and heightened tensions with some member countries. Obama said trade between the U.S. and ASEAN had increased 55 percent since he took office. The region is now the U.S.'s fourth-largest goods trade partner. U.S. companies are also the largest source of foreign investment in its member nations, he said. Obama said he wants to build on that progress "so that growth and development is sustainable and inclusive and benefits all people." Monday's talks will focus on the economy. After a working dinner, the conversation on Tuesday, the summit's final day, shifts to regional security issues, including the South China Sea and counterterrorism. China says it has a historical right to virtually all of the South China Sea and has built seven artificial islands, including with airstrips, to assert its sovereignty. Taiwan and ASEAN members Brunei, Malaysia, Vietnam and the Philippines also claim land features in these potentially resource-rich waters, which are an important conduit for world trade. Though not a claimant, the U.S. has spoken out against China's conduct and has angered Beijing by sailing Navy ships near some of the artificial islands. The U.S. has argued for the maritime rights issue to be resolved peacefully and is looking for ASEAN to take a unified stance by calling for the disputes to be resolved based on international law. ASEAN has avoided criticizing China by name in joint statements issued at past summits. The Trans-Pacific Partnership free-trade agreement among the U.S., ASEAN members Brunei, Malaysia, Singapore and Vietnam, and seven other nations, will likely be discussed. The pact is Obama's signature trade achievement, one he has sought to sell to skeptical lawmakers as a chance for the U.S. to shape the region's trade rules, not China. Congress, however, must ratify the deal and that outcome remains in doubt. Terrorism inspired by the Islamic State group is of increasing concern in the region. Eight people were killed during assaults last month in Indonesia's capital, Jakarta, the first major attack there in six years. Police said the attackers were linked to IS. Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim nation, have all reported citizens traveling to fight in Iraq and Syria, and several small militant groups in the Philippines have pledged allegiance to IS. Obama also plans to raise issues of good governance and adherence to the rule of law. Human rights advocates have faulted the U.S. for inviting unelected leaders, like Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, who seized power in a May 2014 coup. Cambodia's Hun Sen, who has used violence and intimidation against political opponents, made his first official U.S. visit during his 31-year tenure as prime minister. ___ Associated Press writer Matthew Pennington in Washington and Jim Gomez in Manilla, Philippines, contributed to this report. ___ Follow Darlene Superville on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/dsupervilleap President Barack Obama, center, speaks at the plenary session meeting of ASEAN, the 10-nation Association of Southeast Asian Nations, at the Annenberg Retreat at Sunnylands in Rancho Mirage, Calif., for Monday, Feb. 15, 2016. Sitting with Obama are Laos' president, Choummaly Sayasone, left, and Brunei's sultan, Hassanal Bolkiah, right. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais) President Barack Obamak right, stands with with Malaysia's prime minister, Najib Razak, left, at a meeting of ASEAN, the 10-nation Association of Southeast Asian Nations, at the Annenberg Retreat at Sunnylands in Rancho Mirage, Calif., Monday, Feb. 15, 2016. Obama and the leaders of the Southeast Asian nations are gathering for two days of talks on economic and security issues and on forging deeper ties amid China's assertive presence in the region. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais) President Barack Obama stands with the Singapore prime minister, Lee Hsien Loong, left, at a meeting of ASEAN, the 10-nation Association of Southeast Asian Nations, at the Annenberg Retreat at Sunnylands in Rancho Mirage, Calif., Monday, Feb. 15, 2016. Obama and the leaders of the Southeast Asian nations are gathering for two days of talks on economic and security issues and on forging deeper ties amid China's assertive presence in the region. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais) The U.S. flag flies at half-staff, in honor of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia who died this weekend, outside one of the entrances to the Annenberg Retreat at Sunnylands in Rancho Mirage, Calif., site of today's meeting of ASEAN, the 10-nation Association of Southeast Asian Nations, Monday, Feb. 15, 2016. President Barack Obama is hosting the ASEAN leaders, it is the first meeting of its kind on U.S. soil, as he looks to deepen ties with the region's fast-growing economies. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais) President Barack Obama greets Cambodia's prime minister, Hun Senas, left, at a meeting of ASEAN, the 10-nation Association of Southeast Asian Nations, at the Annenberg Retreat at Sunnylands in Rancho Mirage, Calif., Monday, Feb. 15, 2016. Obama and the leaders of the Southeast Asian nations are gathering for two days of talks on economic and security issues and on forging deeper ties amid China's assertive presence in the region. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais) China top issue as Obama greets SE Asian nations for summit RANCHO MIRAGE, California (AP) President Barack Obama and the leaders of Southeast Asian nations are gathering in California for an unprecedented two days of talks on economic and security issues amid China's assertive presence in the region. This is the first time the leaders of Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar and Cambodia are meeting in the U.S. China is not a member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or ASEAN. Maria Mendoza cleans and vacuums around the head table as last minute preparation are made at the Annenberg Retreat at Sunnylands in Rancho Mirage, Calif., site of today's meeting of ASEAN, the 10-nation Association of Southeast Asian Nations, Monday, Feb. 15, 2016. President Barack Obama is hosting the ASEAN leaders, it is the first meeting of its kind on U.S. soil, as he looks to deepen ties with the region's fast-growing economies. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais) The summit was conceived as part of Obama's mission to raise the U.S. profile and help set the agenda in the fast-growing Asia-Pacific region, where China's territorial claims over disputed waters have raised international concerns and led to friction with ASEAN countries. The association's member countries make up the seventh-largest economy in the world, the White House said. ASEAN countries together represent the U.S.' fourth-largest trading partner. Trade between them tops $226 billion. Ben Rhodes, Obama's deputy national security adviser, said the nations are important partners on issues ranging from the economy to maritime security and counterterrorism to combatting the threat from climate change. Obama planned to focus Monday evening's talks on the economy, specifically on using innovation and entrepreneurship to promote prosperity in the region. After a working dinner, the conversation shifts Tuesday to regional security issues, including the South China Sea and counterterrorism, before the summit concludes at midday. China says it has a historical right to virtually all of the South China Sea and has built seven artificial islands, including with airstrips, to assert its sovereignty. Taiwan and ASEAN members Brunei, Malaysia, Vietnam and the Philippines also claim land features in these potentially resource-rich waters, which are an important conduit for world trade. Though not a claimant, the U.S. has spoken out against China's conduct and has angered Beijing by sailing Navy ships near some of the artificial islands. It has argued for the maritime rights issue to be resolved peacefully and is looking for ASEAN to take a unified stance by calling for the disputes to be resolved based on international law. The Trans-Pacific Partnership, a free-trade agreement among the U.S.; ASEAN members Brunei, Malaysia, Singapore and Vietnam; and seven other nations, will likely be discussed. The pact is Obama's signature trade achievement, and he has sought to sell it to skeptical lawmakers and interest groups as an opportunity for the U.S. to shape the region's trade rules, not China. Congress, however, must ratify the deal, and that outcome remains in doubt. Terrorism inspired by the Islamic State group is of increasing concern in the region. Eight people were killed during assaults last month in Indonesia's capital, Jakarta, the first major attack there in six years. Police said the attackers were linked to IS. Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim nation, have all reported citizens traveling to fight in Iraq and Syria, and several small militant groups in the Philippines have pledged allegiance to IS. Obama also plans to raise the issue of good governance and adherence to the rule of law. ASEAN members run the gamut of political systems, from open democracies in Indonesia and the Philippines to communist governments like Vietnam and Laos that ban political dissent. Human rights advocates have faulted the U.S. for inviting unelected leaders, like Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, who seized power in a May 2014 coup. Cambodia's Hun Sen, who has used violence and intimidation against political opponents, is making his first official U.S. visit during his 31-year tenure as prime minister. Four of the leaders attending are "lame ducks," like Obama, with little time left in office. One of them, Myanmar's Thein Sein, was skipping the summit and sending a deputy instead. ___ Associated Press writer Matthew Pennington in Washington contributed to this report. The U.S. flag flies at half-staff, in honor of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia who died this weekend, outside one of the entrances to the Annenberg Retreat at Sunnylands in Rancho Mirage, Calif., site of today's meeting of ASEAN, the 10-nation Association of Southeast Asian Nations, Monday, Feb. 15, 2016. President Barack Obama is hosting the ASEAN leaders, it is the first meeting of its kind on U.S. soil, as he looks to deepen ties with the region's fast-growing economies. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais) The Annenberg Retreat at Sunnylands in Rancho Mirage, Calif., site of ASEAN, the 10-nation Association of Southeast Asian Nations, Monday, Feb. 15, 2016. President Barack Obama is hosting the ASEAN leaders, it is the first meeting of its kind on U.S. soil, as he looks to deepen ties with the region's fast-growing economies. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais) Russia presses air blitz in Syria to dictate peace terms MOSCOW (AP) Moscow joined the fight in Syria to return to relevance in international diplomacy. It has succeeded by anyone's measure and Russia hopes to use its air power to dictate the terms of a cease-fire and prospective peace talks. Russian warplanes have helped the Syrian army make broad advances and close in on the country's biggest city, Aleppo. Meanwhile, the Western-backed opposition is fractured and weakened. So as talk turns to a cease-fire, Syrian President Bashar Assad, Moscow's sole ally in the region, is in a stronger position than he has been in years. Russian President Vladimir Putin listens to President of Russia's Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs (RSPP) Alexander Shokhin in the Novo-Ogaryov residence, outside Moscow on Monday, Feb. 15, 2016. (Alexei Druzhinin/Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP) What's more, Russia has cast itself as an indispensable global player that holds the key to the settlement of a nearly five-year conflict that has flooded Europe with refugees. And the United States can't hope to push forward its agenda of ending the war without overtures to Russia. Not that there aren't challenges ahead for Russian President Vladimir Putin. Turkey, Saudi Arabia and other regional players that have backed Assad's foes are loath to see the Syrian ruler strengthen his grip on power. They have been mulling the deployment of ground troops to Syria, which could trigger broader hostilities and raise the threat of confrontation between their forces and the Russian military. For its part, the U.S. sees Assad as the chief obstacle to peace and has been reluctant to engage in any military-to-military dialogue with Russia. Still, Putin appears eager to raise the stakes, hoping that Assad's siege of Aleppo will further strengthen Russia's hand. The impact of Moscow's air strikes appears particularly significant given the modest size of the Russian force just a few dozen jets. But they have operated at a frenetic pace, each flying several sorties a day for a total of more than 6,000 combat missions in 4 months. The campaign, Russia's first military operation outside the former Soviet Union since the 1991 Soviet collapse, has demonstrated the new capability of the nation's resurgent military and allowed Russia to test its latest weapons in combat for the first time. In one example, the military tested its new long-range cruise missiles, firing them from all possible launch platforms strategic bombers, surface warships in the Caspian Sea and a submarine near Syria. Moscow has denied any intention to open more air bases in Syria in addition to the Hemeimeem air base in Syria's coastal province of Latakia, the well-protected heartland of Assad's Alawite sect. The Russian military says it makes little sense to allocate extra assets since it takes just 15 minutes for Russian warplanes from Hemeimeem to reach any area in Syria. Russia has deployed an unidentified number of advisers to train Syrian troops to use Russian weapons and help coordinate air attacks, but Putin has firmly ruled out ground action. By operating from Hemeimeem, which lies deep inside government-controlled territory, Moscow has minimized the risk of casualties from militant incursions. So far, the Russian military has lost three men in Syria: a pilot killed when his warplane was downed by a Turkish jet in November, a marine who died on a mission to rescue that pilot's crewmate, and a Russian military adviser who died in mortar shelling at the front line. By limiting its presence in Syria, the Kremlin has been able to keep spending on its military action to an estimated $2 million to $4 million a day, an amount easily sustainable even for the crisis-stricken Russian economy. At such costs, the Kremlin could maintain its air campaign indefinitely. There is no such reservoir of patience among America's European allies, who struggle to cope with the continuing influx of refugees from the conflict. Russia began its air campaign on Sept. 30, nearly five years after the war began, and the impact soon became visible as Assad's military launched a multi-pronged offensive. The main Syrian army efforts are now focusing on Aleppo, Syria's largest city and commercial capital, which has been split between the government and its opponents since 2012. In recent weeks, Assad's troops backed by Hezbollah and Iranian forces have methodically cut supply lines, forcing more than 50,000 civilians to flee to the nearby Turkish border. Russian warplanes flying up to 70 sorties a day have maintained constant pressure on the anti-government forces, striking their strongholds and depots and chasing their convoys. There are risks to the strategy, as can be seen in Russian-Turkish tensions after NATO member Turkey shot down the Russian jet. And in the crowded skies over Syria, U.S. officials say Russian pilots often perform risky maneuvers, flying extremely close to the U.S. warplanes. Moscow and Washington have agreed to exchange information about air operations over Syria to prevent incidents, but Russia has pushed for broader coordination. Putin apparently hopes that engaging the U.S. in military-to-military cooperation in Syria could help ease the strain in relations and also cast Moscow as a power equaling the U.S. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said last week that close coordination between U.S. and Russian military experts would be essential for securing a cease-fire. But Russia also vows to press its air assault against extremist groups, making clear that Moscow is in no rush to stop fighting. Putin appears ready to gamble that things will keep going his way. Turkish artillery fire from the border near Kilis toward northern Syria, in Kilis, Turkey, Monday, Feb. 15, 2016. Turkey defied international calls and shelled parts of northern Syria for a third day today, insisting it would not allow Kurdish-led forces to seize key areas along the border. The cross-border Turkish artillery fire, which began on Saturday, has added to an increasingly complex situation in Syria's northern Aleppo province just days before the ceasefire is due to begin.(AP Photo/Halit Onur Sandal) 4 US reporters arrested in Bahrain on uprising's anniversary DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) Bahrain has arrested four American journalists covering the anniversary of its 2011 uprising amid a long crackdown on dissent in the tiny Gulf nation, witnesses said Monday. Police said they detained four Americans for providing "false information that they were tourists," while also alleging one took part in an attack on its officers. The U.S. Embassy in Manama said it was "aware of the arrest of four U.S. citizens in Bahrain" on Sunday but could not discuss the case due to privacy concerns. Police said one of the journalists was a woman and three were men. Witnesses identified the woman as Anna Therese Day, an American freelance journalist from Boise, Idaho, who previously had contributed to The Huffington Post and The Daily Beast. A Bahraini anti-government protester standing amid clouds of tear gas fired by riot police during clashes in Sitra, Bahrain, on Sunday, Feb. 14, 2016. Hundreds of Bahraini youths shouting anti-government slogans have taken to the streets in Bahrain despite a heavy police presence to mark the fifth anniversary of an uprising calling for political change in the tiny island kingdom. (AP Photo/Hasan Jamali) In a statement, The Post told The Associated Press that Day, who had blogged on the website and appeared on its HuffPost Live program, was not on assignment for the outlet at the time of her arrest. "The safety of journalists is of utmost importance to The Huffington Post and we have security measures in place for our reporters around the world," the statement read. "Anna Day is not employed or contracted by The Huffington Post." Jesse Ayala, a friend in New York, said Day and her crew "were not on an exclusive assignment" when they were arrested. "The allegation that they were in any way involved in illegal behavior or anything other than journalistic activities is impossible," Ayala said in a statement. Photographs of the reporters working in Sitra, a largely Shiite community south of the capital that has seen repeated protests, circulated on social media, including one image of Day being filmed while speaking to a masked protester. On Sunday, police arrested a photographer working with the group, the two witnesses said. Later that night, police surrounded the area with checkpoints and arrested the other three, they said. The witnesses spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity for fear of being arrested. An Interior Ministry statement alleged one of the four journalists "was wearing a mask and participating in attacks on police alongside other rioters in Sitra." The statement also said the journalists entered the country between Thursday and Friday on tourist visas. "At least some of the arrestees were in the country as members of the international media but had not registered with the concerned authority and were involved in illegal activities," the statement said, without elaborating on what those activities were. Bahrain requires international journalists to obtain special media visas before entering to work. The island kingdom allows citizens of many countries, including the U.S., to get a tourist visa on arrival. Obtaining a media visa takes several days, and activists say Bahrain has denied media visas for some journalists since the 2011 protests. A statement on the state-run Bahrain News Agency said the journalists had "been afforded full legal rights in line with the kingdom's procedures and constitution while investigations continue." Bahraini officials did not respond to questions from the AP about the arrests. U.S. Ambassador William V. Roebuck also met with Bahraini Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa on Monday, according to a late statement on the Bahrain News Agency. The 2011 protests in Bahrain, which is home to the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet, were the largest of the Arab Spring wave of demonstrations to rock the Gulf Arab states. They were driven by the country's Shiite majority, who demanded greater political rights from the Sunni-led monarchy. The protests were quashed after Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates sent in reinforcements. Bahrain blamed regional Shiite power Iran for stirring up the demonstrations, though a government-sponsored investigation into the unrest said there wasn't a "discernable link" between the protests and the Islamic Republic based on the information the government gave them. Bahrain's government committed to a number of reforms in the wake of the 2011 demonstrations, but low-level unrest continues, particularly in Shiite communities. Small groups of activists frequently clash with riot police and bombs occasionally target security forces. Hundreds of Bahraini youths protested Sunday on the fifth anniversary of the uprising. The New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists called for the immediate release of the American journalists, saying at least six other reporters are being held by the kingdom over their work. "It is sad that the fifth anniversary of the protests is marked by the arrest of yet more journalists in Bahrain, which has since become one of the worst jailers of journalists in the Arab world," said Sherif Mansour, the committee's Middle East and North Africa program coordinator. ___ Associated Press writer Adam Schreck contributed to this report. ___ Follow Jon Gambrell on Twitter at www.twitter.com/jongambrellap A Bahraini man watches anti-government protesters clashing with riot police firing tear gas, in Sitra, Bahrain, Sunday, Feb. 14, 2016. Hundreds of Bahraini youths shouting anti-government slogans have taken to the streets in Bahrain despite a heavy police presence to mark the fifth anniversary of an uprising calling for political change in the tiny island kingdom. (AP Photo/Hasan Jamali) The Latest: Funeral held for Colorado deputy shot by teen GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (AP) The Latest on the funeral of Colorado deputy shot by teen suspect at (all times local): 2:01 p.m. Mesa County Sheriff's Deputy Derek Geer, who was shot and killed in the line of duty, was remembered at a funeral service for the commitment he showed his community and his family. At the end of the hourlong service, hundreds of mourners stood as uniformed fellow officers bore his coffin from a Grand Junction church. The officers marched out in silence at a halting, mournful pace. In a letter from his wife read during the service, Kate Geer said she and their two children were her husband's priority. Senior Pastor Kirk Yamaguchi also spoke during the service, thanking God that Geer "was willing to lay down his life for the sake of protecting all of us." ___ 1:16 p.m. A funeral service is underway for Mesa County Sheriff's Deputy Derek Geer, who was shot and killed in the line of duty. Sheriff Matt Lewis addressed the mourners at Canyon View Vineyard Church on Monday. Senior Pastor Kirk Yamaguchi also spoke. Yamaguchi thanked God that Geer "was willing to lay down his life for the sake of protecting all of us." Geer was shot multiple times Feb. 8 after responding to a report that a person carrying a gun and wearing a bandanna over his face had been spotted near two Grand Junction schools. A bagpiper played as uniformed colleagues carried Geer's body into the church. Geer's flag-draped coffin was then placed before an array of flowers and a large photograph of the deputy. Eight pallbearers gave the coffin a slow, solemn salute. ___ 11:30 a.m. A bagpiper played as uniformed colleagues carried Mesa County Sheriff's Deputy Derek Geer's body into the church for a funeral service. Geer flag-draped coffin was then placed before an array of flowers and a large photograph of the deputy. Geer was shot multiple times Feb. 8 after responding to a report that a person carrying a gun and wearing a bandanna over his face had been spotted near two Grand Junction schools. After bringing in the coffin, the eight pallbearers gave it a slow, solemn salute as family members and other mourners filed in. Some mourners wore blue T-shirts emblazoned with sheriff's stars. ___ 4:30 a.m. Law enforcement colleagues are gathering in western Colorado to mourn a sheriff's deputy who was shot and killed by a suspect whom prosecutors have described as a teen drifter who used drugs and stole guns. Friends and relatives of Derek Geer also are expected at Monday's funeral, along with many who did not know him. The Mesa County Sheriff's Office heard from so many who wanted to pay respects that it arranged for a live stream of the services in a Grand Junction church to be shown in five other churches and a university theater. Geer was shot multiple times Feb. 8 after responding to a report that a person carrying a gun and wearing a bandanna over his face had been spotted near two Grand Junction schools. ___ Colorado Planned Parenthood clinic reopens after shooting COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (AP) A Planned Parenthood clinic in Colorado Springs reopened nearly three months after a gunman killed three people and injured nine others, its exterior walls showing bullet scars and its entrance sheathed in plywood on Monday. The clinic had more than 30 scheduled appointments, plus walk-ins, said Vicki Cowart, president of Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains. Security guards were on duty, and the organization was reviewing safety, she said. "We are opening today with our eyes to the future," Cowart said. Vicki Cowart, president of Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains addresses the media outside the Planned Parenthood building on Monday, Feb. 15, 2016, in Colorado Springs, Colo. Colorado Springs' Planned Parenthood clinic reopened Monday, nearly three months after a gunman killed three people and injured nine others. We are opening today with our eyes to the future, said Cowart. (Jerilee Bennett/The Gazette via AP) MAGS OUT; MANDATORY CREDIT The rest of the week's schedule was nearly full for a range of health services, including abortions, the Colorado Springs Gazette reported (http://tinyurl.com/z3esex8 ). Only about a third of the building was in use because crews still were repairing damage from the Nov. 27 attack. The entrance was heavily damaged by a police armored vehicle during the response to the shooting. Robert Lewis Dear has been charged with 179 counts including murder, attempted murder and assault. During courtroom outbursts, he declared himself a "warrior for the babies" and said he was guilty. A judge ordered Dear to undergo a mental health evaluation to determine if he is competent to stand trial. Police and witnesses said Dear began shooting in the parking lot before moving into the building. Over the next several hours, SWAT teams tried to rescue people from hiding places inside the clinic and to corner Dear as he kept firing. He surrendered about five hours after the attack began. Among those killed was a police officer with the University of Colorado-Colorado Springs who had gone to help. Two civilians also died, and five police officers were among the wounded. Cowart said Planned Parenthood is discussing ways to honor the victims. Words of encouragement were written on the sidewalk in chalk Monday, and an ornament hanging on a nearby tree read "Hope." Cowart said the 15-member staff is tough but suffered from the attack. "I don't want to underplay that this has been hard on our people," she said. Clinic workers declined to comment Monday. Abortion protesters also returned to the area, holding signs along a nearby street, but they distanced themselves from Dear's actions and expressed sympathy for the shooting victims. "No one deserves to go through what they went through," protester Joseph Martone said. "We respect life. All life." ___ Information from: The Gazette, http://www.gazette.com All signs of the Planned Parenthood shooting have not been completely erased with numbered marks of evidence still seen on one corner of the building on Monday, Feb. 15, 2016, in Colorado Springs, Colo. The Colorado Springs' Planned Parenthood clinic reopened Monday, nearly three months after a gunman killed three people and injured nine others. Only part of the building was in use Monday because crews were still repairing damage from the Nov. 27 attack. (Jerilee Bennett/The Gazette via AP) MAGS OUT; MANDATORY CREDIT The media sets up for a press conference before the opening of the Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains, by a chain link fence around ongoing construction of the entrance in Colorado Springs, Colo. Colorado Springs' Planned Parenthood clinic reopened Monday, February 15, 2016, nearly three months after a gunman killed three people and injured nine others. The clinic will offer all of its services - including contraceptives, cancer screenings and abortions - but during fewer appointments, and in only part of the building while construction crews continue repairs elsewhere. (Jerilee Bennett/The Gazette via AP) MAGS OUT; MANDATORY CREDIT FILE - In this Dec. 9, 2015, file photo, Robert Lewis Dear talks during a court appearance in Colorado Springs, Colo. A Planned Parenthood clinic in Colorado Springs reopened Monday, Feb. 15, 2016, with bullet scars in the exterior walls and the entrance sheathed in plywood, nearly three months after Dear killed three people and injured nine others. The clinic has booked appointments for the week for a range of health services, including abortions. (Andy Cross/The Denver Post via AP, Pool, File) MANDATORY CREDIT A shadow from a chain link fence falls across the Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains sign on Monday, Feb. 15, 2016, in Colorado Springs, Colo. The Colorado Springs' Planned Parenthood clinic reopened Monday, nearly three months after a gunman killed three people and injured nine others. The clinic will offer all of its services - including contraceptives, cancer screenings and abortions - but during fewer appointments, and in only part of the building while construction crews continue repairs elsewhere. (Jerilee Bennett/The Gazette via AP) MAGS OUT; MANDATORY CREDIT Father Bill Carmody, left, and Joseph Martone, took up their usual spots of protest on a corner near the Planned Parenthood on Monday, Feb. 15, 2016, in Colorado Springs, Colo. The Colorado Springs' Planned Parenthood clinic reopened Monday, nearly three months after a gunman killed three people and injured nine others. Only part of the building was in use Monday because crews were still repairing damage from the Nov. 27 attack. (Jerilee Bennett/The Gazette via AP) MAGS OUT; MANDATORY CREDIT Cruz not standing for Rubio, Trump calling him a liar AIKEN, S.C. (AP) Donald Trump and Texas Sen. Ted Cruz continued to joust for primacy heading into the South Carolina primary next weekend, foregoing policy differences for name-calling and insults. Trump called Cruz "nuts," "dishonest" and "an unstable person," while Cruz questioned both Trump's conservative credentials and whether he had the temperament to be president. Cruz is trying to weaken Trump's standing among South Carolina's social conservatives and evangelical Christians, a key voting bloc in Saturday's contest. "The people of South Carolina want a consistent conservative they can trust," Cruz told reporters before his rally in Aiken. He also released a new television ad attacking Trump, showing footage of his praising Planned Parenthood and Hillary Clinton. It ends with the line, "South Carolina cannot trust Donald Trump." Republican presidential candidate Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, meets with parishioners Sunday, Feb. 14, 2016, after speaking during services at a Community Bible Church in Beaufort, S.C. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke) Trump threatened to sue Cruz, challenging his eligibility to serve in the White House unless he stops airing what Trump calls "false ads" and retracts what the billionaire real estate mogul called a series of lies. Trump called Cruz "the most dishonest guy I think I've ever met in politics." "I think he's an unstable person," he said, later declaring: "He's nuts." Speaking to hundreds of supporters, Cruz said he intends to make the presidential race a referendum on the Supreme Court and the importance of electing a president who will nominate conservatives. The issue is at the forefront of the presidential race following the sudden death of conservative Justice Antonin Scalia, whom Cruz praised as a "lion of the law." Cruz said before his rally that a vote for Trump would be a vote for doing away with Second Amendment gun rights, predicting that the billionaire businessman would appoint liberal justices to the Supreme Court. He ticked off a list of Democrats Trump had donated to in the past, including 2004 presidential nominee John Kerry. Cruz also blasted Trump's sister, a federal appellate judge, calling her a "radical pro-abortion extremist" who should not be considered for the Supreme Court vacancy. Trump's sister, Maryanne Trump Barry, is a judge on the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Philadelphia. Trump has said she would make a good justice, but Cruz said she would not be a good choice, citing an opinion she wrote in 2000 that held a New Jersey law banning late-term abortions placed an "undue burden" on a woman's constitutional right to have the procedure. Cruz also took issue with Trump and Florida Sen. Marco Rubio. Both called him a liar during Saturday's debate. Cruz said they both "simply scream 'Liar, liar!'" whenever their records are questioned, and that approach would not work when negotiating with the likes of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Cruz also blasted Trump's apparent confusion during a Republican debate last year over what constituted the nuclear triad as an example of how the real estate mogul is unprepared to be president. And Cruz again returned to criticizing Trump's praise of Planned Parenthood. Cruz released a television ad on Sunday attacking Trump for previously saying Planned Parenthood "serves a good function." In Saturday's debate Trump said that the organization "does do wonderful things, but not as it relates to abortion." "He's entitled to have that opinion," Cruz said Monday. "A lot of liberal Democrats have that opinion." Cruz also said Rubio's positions on supporting a path to citizenship puts him in line with "a lot of liberal Democrats" including Hillary Clinton. Rubio has previously supported a path to citizenship for people in the country illegally, but has backed off that position and now says border security must be increased first. Even as Cruz sharpened his attacks on Rubio and Trump, he said the campaign "shouldn't just be about insults and personal attacks." ___ Associated Press writer Jill Colvin in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, contributed to this report. Trump threatens to sue Cruz unless his rival apologizes HANAHAN, South Carolina (AP) Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump on Monday offered rival Ted Cruz an ultimatum, threatening to sue Cruz over his eligibility to serve in the White House unless the Texas senator stops airing what Trump calls "false ads" and apologizes for what the billionaire real estate mogul called a series of lies about his positions. With less than a week to go before South Carolina's pivotal Republican primary, the front-runner also reiterated that the 9/11 attacks happened during President George W. Bush's time in office an apparent attempt to overshadow the former president's Monday campaign appearances on behalf of his brother, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush. The new attacks came as the race entered an increasingly nasty phase, with numerous negative ads airing on local television following an unusually caustic debate this past weekend. Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, right, accompanied by South Carolina Lt. Gov. Henry McMaster, speaks with members of the media during a news conference Monday, Feb. 15, 2016, in Hanahan, S.C. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke) Some of the harshest ads have been aimed at Trump, often using the political newcomer's past words to illustrate his evolving position on issues including abortion and gun rights. Trump also took aim Monday at the Republican establishment, accusing the Republican National Committee of packing its debate audiences with donors a move he claimed violated the loyalty pledge he signed in September vowing to run as a Republican and support the party's eventual nominee. "I signed a pledge, but it's a double-edged pledge," Trump said at a luncheon in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina. "The pledge isn't being honored by the RNC." But Trump saved the bulk of his criticism for Cruz. "If he doesn't take down his false ads and retract his lies," Trump said in a statement bashing Cruz, he will immediately file a lawsuit challenging Cruz's eligibility to serve as president. Trump has previously said a federal court should decide whether Cruz meets the constitutional requirement of being a "natural-born citizen" to serve as president. Cruz was born in Canada to an American mother, and many legal experts have said he meets that test. "Ted Cruz is a totally unstable individual. He is the single biggest liar I've ever come across, in politics or otherwise, and I have seen some of the best of them. His statements are totally untrue and completely outrageous," Trump said in the statement. At events in the Charleston area and at a rally in Greenville, Trump piled on, slamming Cruz as "the most dishonest guy I think I've ever met in politics, "nuts" and a "basket case." He also questioned Cruz's faith. "He goes around saying he's a Christian. I don't know, you're going to have to really study that," Trump said at a freewheeling news conference. Cruz responded to Trump during a question-and-answer in Camden, characterizing Trump as nervous about his standing in the state. "Today Donald Trump held a press conference. He apparently lost it. I mean, he was just going on and on about how I was the most horrible person in the world because I keep repeating the things he said," Cruz said to laughs. "And it's an amazing thing. Have you noticed how rattled Donald gets when his numbers start going down? He gets very, very upset. "But I guess the only explanation one can have is his internal poll numbers in South Carolina must be plummeting following the debate," Cruz said. Earlier, during an afternoon news conference, Trump also renewed his criticism of former President George W. Bush. While Trump would not say whether he considered Bush to be a failed president and declined to label him responsible for the 9/11 attacks, the former reality TV star repeatedly noted that "the Word Trade Center came down during the reign of George Bush." Trump said his decision to go after George W. Bush who made his campaign debut on his brother's behalf on Monday in South Carolina was akin to his attacks on former President Bill Clinton, which began once the former president ramped up his campaigning for his wife, Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton. "If the ex-president is campaigning for his brother, I think he's probably open to great scrutiny, maybe things that haven't been thought of in the past," Trump told reporters. Trump said the real purpose of his news conference was to protest the Obama administration's consideration of the Consolidated Naval Brig in Charleston as a potential site for relocating detainees now housed at the U.S. Navy base in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Trump vowed to keep the Guantanamo prison open and stop the movement of any detainees to American soil. ___ Associated Press writers Scott Bauer in Camden and Jeffrey Collins in Greenville contributed to this report. Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump listens to a question during a campaign stop Monday, Feb. 15, 2016, in Mount Pleasant, S.C. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke) What We Know: Scalia had heart troubles, successor in flux Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia died Saturday while on vacation quail hunting near Marfa, Texas. The 79-year-old jurist's unexpected death has left questions about when a new justice will be named to the high court. Key takeaways about what happens next: The successor: President Barack Obama says he intends to nominate a new justice to replace Scalia "in due time," waiting for the Senate to return from recess. Some Republicans, including Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, have said a nomination should wait until the next president. FILE - In this Oct. 1, 2014, file photo, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia speaks to an audience gathered at the University of Colorado, in Boulder, Colo. Scalia, 79, was found dead the morning of Saturday, Feb. 13, 2016, at a private residence in the Big Bend area of West Texas. Scalia's body lay in a Texas funeral home Sunday and officials awaited word about whether they would need to perform an autopsy before the late Supreme Court justice could return home to Virginia. (AP Photo/Brennan Linsley, File) The cause of death: Presidio County, Texas, Judge Cinderela Guevara pronounced Scalia dead by phone Saturday after consulting with sheriff's investigators and U.S. Marshals. Guevara said they saw no signs of foul play. After consulting with Scalia's physician, Guevara said she decided against ordering an autopsy and one wasn't performed. Scalia's physician told Guevara his patient had a history of heart trouble, high blood pressure and other chronic illnesses, she said. Scalia's last day: The owner of Cibolo Creek Ranch, where Scalia died, said the justice seemed his usual self on Friday night. Scalia was found dead in his room after he didn't show up for breakfast on Saturday morning. Clinton: Obama might pressure Republicans with court pick ELKO, Nevada (AP) Hillary Clinton predicted Monday that President Barack Obama will nominate someone who's already been confirmed by the Senate to replace the late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia. The Democratic candidate for president said that potentially would increase pressure on Republicans to consider Obama's choice for the high court. "I'm hoping that we will get somebody nominated that will get people saying, 'Hey, the only reason you're blocking this is pure partisanship, so do your duty,'" Clinton said. Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton speaks during a rally Sunday, Feb. 14, 2016, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher) Some judges now serving on the federal appeals courts "were confirmed 99-0" by the Senate, she said. "I think the president is going to look for somebody who has the record that is going to be hard for the Republicans to be against," Clinton said. "Somebody who is a sensible person with a good record, and maybe somebody who's already been confirmed by the Senate." In the wake of Scalia's death on Saturday, Republican senators and several Republican presidential candidates have said Obama should not seek to replace the revered conservative jurist during the final 11 months of his term. Instead, they argue, that choice should be left to the winner of November's presidential election. Obama has said he will make a nomination, and Clinton and her rival for the Democratic presidential nomination, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, have both expressed outrage at the potential of a Republican-led Senate refusing to consider it. "You talk about the Constitution a whole lot. Well, how about obeying the Constitution and start holding hearings when President Obama nominates the next Supreme Court justice," Sanders said Monday at a rally in Ypsilanti, Michigan. "Talk about cowardice, talk about obstructionism." Clinton visited Elko as she battles to win Nevada's Democratic caucuses on Feb. 20, a race viewed as tightening as Sanders battles to expand his support among Nevada's multiethnic communities. Clinton headed from Elko to Reno for other campaign events, while Sanders campaigned Monday in Michigan. There, he met privately with families dealing with the water crisis in Flint which he called one of the more difficult meetings he ever had. "It is beyond my comprehension in the year 2016 in the United States of America we are poisoning our children," he said. Flint's water became tainted when the city began drawing from the Flint River in April 2014 to save money. State regulators failed to ensure that the water was properly treated, and lead from aging pipes leached into the water supply. Clinton visited the city earlier this month and touted on Monday the endorsement of several faith leaders from the city. ___ Lucey reported from Ypsilanti, Michigan. Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., speaks during a rally at Eastern Michigan University on Monday, Feb. 15, 2016, in Ypsilanti, Mich. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) Maya James, of Traverse City, Mich., cheers as Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., is introduced during a rally at Eastern Michigan University, on Monday, Feb. 15, 2016, in Ypsilanti, Mich. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton takes a selfie with supporters during a rally Sunday, Feb. 14, 2016, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher) Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., right, meets 3-month-old Oliver Lomas, of Venice, Calif., who was dressed as Sanders during a rally at Bonanza High School, on Sunday, Feb. 14, 2016, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton takes a selfie with an employee of Caesars Palace during a visit to the casino Sunday, Feb. 14, 2016, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher) Kasich campaigns in Michigan, while rivals fight in South UTICA, Mich. (AP) As his rivals focused on South Carolina's looming primary, Republican presidential candidate John Kasich campaigned across Michigan on Monday, plugging his blue-collar roots and warning college students that the U.S. is "not a socialist country." The Ohio governor has visited adjacent Michigan more than any candidate from either party. "I got to do well up here," he implored a crowd of hundreds at an evening town hall event in Utica, in Macomb County north of Detroit. Republican presidential candidate Ohio Gov. John Kasich addresses supporters during a campaign stop at Michigan State University, Monday, Feb. 15, 2016, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio) Kasich, who enjoyed larger crowds than when he visited last year, earlier held similar events at two Michigan universities. He decried the increasingly nasty nature of the GOP race and said he would "do my level best to raise the bar in politics and my level best to make sure that not just one group in our country rises but everybody has a chance to live out their God-given potential and their purpose in life." Democratic contender Bernie Sanders, who has called for tuition-free college, also was in Michigan on Tuesday. "I'm not giving out free college," Kasich joked to students at Michigan State University, later adding that schools' spending must be contained and some of their assets privatized. Students should be able to earn college credits in high school to save money, he said. Kasich also said to loud applause: "You got to be discriminating. I mean frankly you got to understand the very nature of our economic system. We are a free-enterprise system that has a set of values connected to it. We're not a socialist country." South Carolina whose primary is Saturday is not natural turf for Kasich, who supports expanding Medicaid and opposes deporting people living in the country illegally. When a small business owner in Utica bemoaned his rising medical premiums, Kasich said he would fight to repeal President Barack Obama's health care law but also prevent millions of working poor from losing their insurance. He downplayed the risk of focusing on Michigan's March 8 primary at the expense of other states, saying "I've got to go where I think is the most fertile ground." He said Michigan and Ohio are "like two different sides to the same coin" and Michigan is a "really, really important state" for his campaign. ___ Follow David Eggert at http://twitter.com/DavidEggert00 . His work can be found at http://bigstory.ap.org/author/david-eggert Republican presidential candidate Ohio Gov. John Kasich meets with supporters during a campaign stop at Michigan State University, Monday, Feb. 15, 2016, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio) Republican presidential candidate Ohio Gov. John Kasich meets with supporters during a campaign stop at Michigan State University, Monday, Feb. 15, 2016, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio) Republican presidential candidate Ohio Gov. John Kasich meets with supporters during a campaign stop at Michigan State University, Monday, Feb. 15, 2016, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio) Republican presidential candidate Ohio Gov. John Kasich meets with supporters during a campaign stop at Michigan State University, Monday, Feb. 15, 2016, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio) Republican presidential candidate Ohio Gov. John Kasich addresses supporters during a campaign stop at Michigan State University, Monday, Feb. 15, 2016, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio) EU future not what it once was with 2 big crises at summit BRUSSELS (AP) After decades of often unbridled expansion and increasing prosperity, the once-robust European Union is this week looking at its biggest challenge crumbling from within, says EU President Donald Tusk. Only days ahead of a crucial summit that opens Thursday, Tusk is crisscrossing his bloc of half a billion people and 28 nations literally from Paris to Bucharest, on to Athens and Prague to finish in Berlin in little more than 24 hours in yet another desperate quest to somehow reap unity where division has been sown. "This is a critical moment," Tusk said in Bucharest as he sought to find a willingness to compromise to make sure that Britain would want to remain in the EU. "The risk of break-up is real," he said Monday, now publicly saying what had been on his mind for weeks. European Council President Donald Tusk enters her car at the Elysee Palace, in Paris, following a meeting with French President Francois Hollande. Monday, Feb. 15, 2016. (AP Photo/Jacques Brinon) British Prime Minister David Cameron wants to walk away from the two-day summit in Brussels with the blueprint for a reformed EU that he can sell to his historically halfhearted nation to make sure he can win a British referendum on EU membership that could come as early as June. The stakes are immense, Tusk acknowledges, fearful that if Britain goes it will start an unraveling that no one knows when and where it might end. A so-called Brexit might turn into a full-blown EUxit. "This process is indeed very fragile. Handle with care. What is broken cannot be mended," Tusk said, raising the stakes as the summit approaches. The European Union was built on the ashes of World War II, first taking decades to bring economic wealth before taking on the task of bridging the huge ideological divide that cut the continent into a capitalist west and a communist east. As a Pole, Tusk himself was reared under communism before the collapse of the Soviet empire. Barely a dozen years ago, Poland joined the EU at the very height of the bloc's powers. Now, he does not want to oversee the collapse of what he so dearly believes in. Everyone has always known the British to be argumentative and not easily given to compromise. "I make no apology for that. That is who we are," Cameron said last week. The problem is that it is this lack of compromise and stubbornness which is now seeping into the cornerstones of the EU ever more. Compounding the predicament caused by a potential British exit, is the migrant crisis affecting just about every single member state, causing more bad blood than Britain's show of hard love. "The migratory crisis we are witnessing now is testing our Union to its limits," Tusk said Monday. And it is turning the members of the EU ever more against each other. Hundreds of thousands of migrants have come, almost unchecked, through EU member Greece and on to Germany and Sweden into the rich heartland. Almost everyone complains Greece isn't doing enough to stem the influx. The rich member states who are the draw for the migrants complain the eastern Europeans are not doing their part to shelter refugees. Some eastern European nations complain that they lack the resources to handle large numbers of refugees and that the more prosperous nations are too soft-hearted and have allowed the borders to be overrun. And just about every country has said that the European Union has failed miserably to deal with the migrant crisis. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has said "If it were up only to us Central Europeans, that region would have been closed off long ago," referring to the south where the migrants come from. Tusk knows the challenge facing EU members at the upcoming summit. He says he was also driven to despair by last summer's cliffhanger when Greece was almost pushed out of the euro zone due to its financial crisis. It could be the same soon. "It is high time we started listening to each other's arguments more than to our own," he said. ___ Follow Raf Casert on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/rcasert. Monday 15 February 2016 Paris 12.00 Meeting with President Francois Hollande Bucharest 18.20 Meeting with President Klaus Iohannis (photo opportunity - press statement 19.00) Tuesday 16 February 2016 Athens 10.00 Meeting with Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras (photo opportunity - press statement 10.45) Prague 13.30 Meeting with Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka (photo opportunity - press statement 14.40) Berlin 20.30 Meeting with Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel French President Francois Hollande, right, welcomes President Donald Tusk at the Elysee Palace in Paris, Monday, Feb. 15, 2016. (AP Photo/Jacques Brinon) European Council President Donald Tusk, center, approaches Romanian President Klaus Iohannis, right, after arriving at the Cotroceni presidential palace in Bucharest, Romania, Monday, Feb. 15, 2016. Tusk visited Romania on Monday and warned of a possible European Union break-up after discussing the issue of the UK leaving the EU, a prospect known as "Brexit", with Romania's president.(AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru) ROMANIA OUT European Council President Donald Tusk, left, shakes hands with Romanian President Klaus Iohannis, right, after a joint press briefing at the Cotroceni presidential palace in Bucharest, Romania, Monday, Feb. 15, 2016. Tusk visited Romania on Monday and warned of a possible European Union break-up after discussing the issue of the UK leaving the EU, a prospect known as "Brexit", with Romania's president.(AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru) ROMANIA OUT Obama faces political puzzle in naming Scalia successor WASHINGTON (AP) For most presidents, choosing a Supreme Court nominee is a puzzle. For President Barack Obama, the chance to pick a successor to Justice Antonin Scalia is more like a Gordian Knot. As the White House carries out a rare election-year search for a nominee, the president's lawyers and top advisers are sorting through a tangled web of political, legal and personal factors. A smart pick and nomination strategy could determine whether Obama gets to reshape the highest court for the next generation. The wrong pick could cede that opportunity to his successor. A vistor to the Washington Monument walks past flags flying a half-staff in honor of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia on a wintry Presidents Day holiday in Washington, Monday, Feb, 15, 2016. (AP Photo/J. David Ake) Democrats view this as a moment decades in the making. Recent Republican presidents have gotten more chances to fill seats, tilting the court in to the right. "The Supreme Court has not reflected where the American people have been on issues," said Gregory Craig, who served as White House counsel early in Obama's first term. "This is the first opportunity in many, many years to bring the court more in line with the American people." For Obama, the clock is ticking. The sooner he picks a name, the longer he has to try to force the Republican-led Senate to hold a vote. At the heart of Obama's dilemma is how to manage the fierce Republican opposition to his decision to name a nominee. Within hours of Scalia's death on Saturday, Republicans began arguing Obama should let his successor fill the open seat. Obama brushed that argument aside, but it is undoubtedly weighing on his decision. Given the election-year timing, Obama would likely have been inclined to name the nominee most likely to appeal to Republican senators. But if Republicans object to Obama even trying to fill the post and remain united in that position the president may see little point in bending too far to appease the other party. He may feel the pull to focus more on ginning up his own party's base. Then key question becomes: What are the chances of getting a vote? This wouldn't be "the first time Republicans have come out with a lot of bluster only to have reality sink in," White House spokesman Eric Schultz said Monday. Refusing to allow a vote has consequences for the court, Shultz said, pointing to the prospects for tie votes that would allow lower court decisions to stand. Schultz said the president will use the same criteria he used when he nominated Sonia Sotomayor, who became the first Hispanic on the court, and Elena Kagan, then-solicitor general. In those instances, and in his appointments to lower courts, Obama has shown a desire to expand ethnic and racial diversity and to elevate more women. His nominee would almost certainly support abortion rights, consideration of race in college admissions and other areas of public life, limits on campaign contributions and stronger rights of labor unions all issues that have divided the court's liberal and conservative justices on a 5-4 margin. In all likelihood, those cases where the conservatives prevailed, with Scalia in the majority, would come out the other way if Obama gets to pick Scalia's successor. Obama also has prioritized young candidates people likely to hold the seat for decades. He's aimed for relatively uncontroversial personalities, people with views that fall into the category of mainstream liberal jurisprudence. Obama will also be mindful of the clock. He has said there is "plenty of time" for Republicans to consider his choice. The more time he gives them before them particularly before the height of campaign season the stronger his argument. The time crunch may lean in favor of candidates who've already been vetted for administration jobs or recent court appointments. It's standard practice to keep files on possible nominees and assign a staff member in the White House Counsel's office to manage and update the list. That list has long included Merrick Garland, chief judge for the D.C. circuit. He has a reputation as a moderate, in part because he was an official in the Justice Department who led investigations of the Oklahoma City bomber and the Unabomber. If Obama is going to reach out to Republicans, Garland might be the tool. But as a 63-year-old, white male Garland doesn't check the diversity or youth boxes. For a more historic choice, Judge Sri Srinivasan is considered a leading option. Born in India and raised in Kansas, Srinivasan, 48, would be the first Indian-American on the court. He joined the appeals court in Washington in 2013, meaning he has been recently scrubbed. The Senate confirmed him by a 97-0 vote. Srinivasan, however, may not fire up the interest groups Democrats might want to engage in the fight. He initially faced relatively muted opposition from liberal groups because of his work in private practice defending business interests against claims of human rights abuses in foreign countries. Other judges under possible consideration are Paul Watford, a 48-year-old former federal prosecutor appointed by Obama to the federal appeals court based in San Francisco. Watford would be only the third African-American to serve on the Supreme Court. Judge Patricia Millet, 52, like Srinivasan, worked in the Justice Department under both Democratic and Republican administrations. She also was nominated by Obama and confirmed to the appeals court in Washington in 2013. It's possible Obama may look beyond the bench for his candidate. Homeland Security chief Jeh Johnson has been floated. A sitting senator is an enticing option, if Obama wants to force Republicans to deny a colleague a hearing. New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker and Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar have both been mentioned as possibilities. FILE - In this Jan. 28, 2015 file photo, Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn. is seen on Capitol Hill in Washington. Klobuchar is a possible pick by President Obama as a candidate to fill the Supreme Court seat of the late Justice Antonin Scalia. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh) 10 Things to Know for Tuesday - 16 February 2016 Your daily look at late-breaking news, upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about Tuesday: 1. GOP RIPS OBAMA'S PLAN TO NAME SCALIA SUCCESSOR High-profile Republicans say they intend to block any high court nominee the president chooses to replace Justice Antonin Scalia, who has died at 79. Pope Francis waves from his popemobile as he arrives at Viktor Manuel Reyna stadium in Tuxtla Gutierrez, Mexico, Monday, Feb. 15, 2016. Francis is celebrating Mexico's Indians on Monday with a visit to Chiapas state, a center of indigenous culture, where he presided over a Mass in three native languages thanks to a new Vatican decree approving their use in liturgy. The visit is also aimed at boosting the faith in the least Catholic state in Mexico. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia) 2. WHAT TEXAS JUDGE DISCLOSES ABOUT SCALIA'S HEALTH ISSUES Presidio County Judge Cinderela Guevara tells The AP that Scalia's doctor said the Supreme Court justice had a history of heart trouble, high blood pressure. 3. KENDRICK LAMAR WINS GRAMMY FOR BEST RAP ALBUM Taylor Swift kicks off the awards show by performing her latest hit, "Out of the Woods." 4. POPE CELEBRATES MASS FOR MEXICAN INDIANS The pontiff denounces the centuries-old exploitation and exclusion of the country's indigenous people in the southern Chiapas state during his Mexico trip. 5. AIRSTRIKES HIT SYRIA SCHOOL, 2 HOSPITALS An independent human rights group says Russian warplanes struck the clinics and school, killing and wounding dozens of civilians. 6. WHO STUMPS FOR JEB IN SC PRIMARY RUNUP Former president George W. Bush emerges from self-imposed political hibernation to hit campaign trail for his brother's sputtering White House bid. 7. WHY CANCER PATIENTS GET HUNG UP IN OBAMACARE'S TANGLED PAPERWORK Hundreds of thousands of people lose subsidies under the health law, or even their policies, when they get tangled in a web of paperwork problems involving income, citizenship and taxes. 8. WHERE OBAMA OKs FIRST US FACTORY IN 50 YEARS The president's administration approves a tractor company to build the first U.S. factory in Cuba in more than half a century. 9. LAB TAKES FIRST WESTMINSTER OBEDIENCE TITLE Heart the 3-year-old Labrador retriever fetches heart-print pillows, wins Westminster's first-ever obedience award. 10. 'STAR WARS: EPISODE VIII' STARTS FILMING, ADDS DEL TORO The sequel follows the box-office smash "The Force Awakens," and it's scheduled for release December 2017. Republican presidential candidate and former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, right, accompanied by his brother former President George W. Bush, center, and George's wife Laura Bush, takes the stage during a campaign stop Monday, Feb. 15, 2016, in North Charleston, S.C. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke) Argentine alien festival soars at UFO sighting site hotspot CAPILLA DEL MONTE, Argentina (AP) Thousands of earthlings descended on Capilla del Monte for an annual international alien festival that has made the town a hotspot for UFO sightings. The weekend festival in Cordoba province included a parade of neon lights with Star Wars characters, an alien costume contest and shops selling green stuffed aliens with bulging eyes next to hooded ETs from the 1982 film. Some also attended workshops on everything extraterrestrial held near a local hill that is the site of a purported UFO sighting 30 years ago. The incident reputedly left a large burning mark on the hill's grass. In this Feb. 12, 2016 photo, an alien enthusiast in an illuminated costume arrives for a parade at the annual Alien Festival in Capilla del Monte, Cordoba, Argentina, the site of an alleged UFO sighting 30 years ago. Thousands of earthlings gathered for the festival in this central Argentine town which has become a global hot spot for UFO sightings. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko) The sighting also left a mark in the economy of the town, which has flourished with its alien tourism. "People come here for the energy, for the UFO sightings," said Leonardo Fuentes, a visitor from Chile. "So it's not just tourism but more about all that you can see." The festival, now in its fourth year, has become popular among alien enthusiasts worldwide, but some locals are concerned about its fast growth. "The festival is fun, but it can also generate a lack of seriousness toward the issue," said Luz Mary Lopez, who heads the UFO Investigation Center in Capilla del Monte. Her late husband made the investigation of the town's UFO sightings his life's work. Lopez has continued this by offering talks on the events of Jan. 9, 1986, when a local boy saw what many believe to be an alien spaceship. She also has been asking authorities to go beyond tourism to develop the town as a scientific and spiritual hub. One of the most visited sites during the weekend festival was the nearby Uritorco hill. Known as Argentina's "magic mountain," it is sought after by star-gazers, seekers of its "special source of energy" credited for the UFO sightings, and even those who believe it is a door to other dimensions. In this Feb. 12, 2016 photo, a float titled "The Ambassadors of the Universe" parades during the annual Alien Festival in Capilla del Monte, Cordoba Argentina, the site of an alleged UFO sighting 30 years ago. The festival, now in its fourth year, has become popular among alien enthusiasts worldwide. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko) In this Feb. 12, 2016 photo, tourists look out at Uritornco Mountain near Capilla del Monte, Cordoba Argentina, the site of an alleged UFO sighting 30 years ago. Known as Argentinas magic mountain, it is sought after by star gazers, seekers of its special source of energy credited for the UFO sightings, and even those who believe it is a door to other unknown, dimensions. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko) In this Feb. 14, 2016 photo, a woman in an alien costume poses for a picture during the annual Alien Festival in Capilla del Monte, Cordoba, Argentina, the site of an alleged UFO sighting 30 years ago. The festival includes a parade, a costume contest and workshops with well-known speakers in everything extraterrestrial. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko) In this Feb. 13, 2016 photo, Luz Mary Lopez, director of the local Center of UFO Investigation, points to an area of burned grass in a picture taken near Uritorco Mountain, after the night of Jan. 9,1986 when a UFO was allegedly spotted near Capilla del Monte in Cordoba, Argentina. Since then, the site receives scientists to study the phenomenon, as well as a tourists who come for an annual Alien Festival. "The festival is fun, but it can also generate a lack of seriousness toward the issue," Lopez said. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko) In this Feb. 12, 2016 photo, a man decked out in an alien costume makes hand gestures with the public during a parade at the annual Alien Festival in Capilla del Monte, Cordoba, Argentina, the site of an alleged UFO sighting 30 years ago. The sighting left a mark in the economy of the town, which has flourished with its alien tourism. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko) In this Feb. 12, 2016 photo, an ET doll sits outside a shop during the annual Alien Festival in Capilla del Monte, Cordoba Argentina, the site of an alleged UFO sighting 30 years ago. All types of commercial enterprises have sprouted up in recent years, capitalizing on the town's eccentric offering as a UFO landing point. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko) In this Feb. 12, 2016 photo, a man in an illuminated costume parades during the annual Alien Festival in Capilla del Monte, Cordoba, Argentina, the site of an alleged UFO sighting 30 years ago. The director of the UFO Investigation Center, Luz Mary Lopez, has been asking local authorities to go beyond tourism to develop the town as a scientific and spiritual hub. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko) In this Feb. 13, 2016 photo, tourists watch an alien parade during the annual Alien Festival in Capilla del Monte, Cordoba, Argentina, the site of an alleged UFO sighting 30 years ago. The festival, currently hosting its fourth edition, has caused some controversy as the more fervent believers feel it has put a frivolous twist on what they consider a serious phenomenon. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko) In this Feb. 12, 2016 photo, lightening strikes near the town of Capilla del Monte, Cordoba, Argentina, the site of an alleged UFO sighting 30 years ago. In February, the remote town hosted its annual festival dedicated to aliens, drawing space oddity and UFO hunters from all over the world. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko) In this Feb. 14, 2016 photo, a youth sporting a Star Wars costume parades at the annual Alien Festival in Capilla del Monte, Cordoba, Argentina, the site of an alleged UFO sighting 30 years ago. Thousands of earthlings gathered for the festival in this central Argentine town which has become a global hot spot for UFO sightings. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko) In this Feb. 13, 2016 photo, Luz Mary Lopez, director of the Capilla del Monte Center of UFO Investigation, shows a 1986 picture in which 12-year-old Gabriel Gomez draws in the sand, for local authorities, a representation of the UFO he saw from his window on Jan. 9, 1986 in Capilla del Monte, Cordoba, Argentina. Lopez's late husband made the investigation of the townis UFO sightings his lifeis work, and she has continued this by offering detailed talks on the mysterious events. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko) In this Feb. 14, 2016 photo, people dressed as Star Wars characters pose for pictures after parading at the annual Alien Festival in Capilla del Monte, Cordoba, Argentina, the site of an alleged UFO sighting 30 years ago. The festival, now in its fourth year, has become popular among alien enthusiasts worldwide. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko) In this Feb. 12, 2016 photo, a man dressed as an alien parades during the annual Alien Festival in Capilla del Monte, Cordoba, Argentina, the site of an alleged UFO sighting 30 years ago. The festival includes a costume contest and workshops with well-known speakers in everything extraterrestrial. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko) In this Feb. 12, 2016 photo, people dressed as aliens compete in an alien costume contest in Capilla del Monte, Cordoba, Argentina, the site of an alleged UFO sighting 30 years ago. The sighting left a mark in the economy of the town, which has flourished with its alien tourism. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko) In this Feb. 13, 2016 photo, an outline of an alien stands high during the annual Alien Festival in Capilla del Monte, Cordoba, Argentina, the site of an alleged UFO sighting 30 years ago. People come here for the energy, for the UFO sightings, said Leonardo Fuentes, a 39-year-old tourist from Chile. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko) In this Feb. 14, 2016 photo, people dressed as Star Wars characters exit the stage during the annual Alien Festival in Capilla del Monte, Cordoba, Argentina, the site of an alleged UFO sighting 30 years ago. The director of the UFO Investigation Center, Luz Mary Lopez, has been asking local authorities to go beyond tourism to develop the town as a scientific and spiritual hub. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko) Pope to Mexican youth: Jesus doesn't want you to be hit men MORELIA, Mexico (AP) Pope Francis urged Mexico's young people to resist the lure of easy money from dealing drugs and instead value themselves during a visit Tuesday to the heartland of the nation's narcotics trade. "Jesus, who gives us hope, would never ask us to be hit men," he said. Francis brought a message of hope to Mexico's next generation during a youth pep rally in Morelia, capital of Michoacan state, a major methamphetamine production hub and drug-trafficking route. It was by far the most colorful event of his visit, featuring butterfly-winged dancers and mariachi bands and a crowd so enthusiastic that Francis got pulled over by people grabbing at him. Confetti rains down on flag-bearers at the end of a meeting between Mexican youth and Pope Francis, at Jose Maria Morelos y Pavon Stadium in Morelia, Mexico, Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2016. On his one-day trip to the capital of the Michoacan state, Francis also celebrated mass and visited the Morelia cathedral. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell) Improvising at times from his text, Francis told the crowd that he understood that for young Mexicans it was difficult to feel their worth "when you are continually exposed to the loss of friends or relatives at the hands of the drug trade, of drugs themselves, of criminal organizations that sow terror." But, he insisted, by following Christ they would find the strength to say "it is a lie to believe that the only way to live, or to be young, is to entrust yourselves to drug dealers or others who do nothing but sow destruction and death." Francis offered a similar appeal to Mexican priests and nuns during a Mass earlier in the day in a Morelia stadium. There, he told the country's clerics that they must fight injustice and not resign themselves to the drug-fueled violence and corruption around them. "What temptation can come to us from places often dominated by violence, corruption, drug trafficking, disregard for human dignity and indifference in the face of suffering and vulnerability? What temptation might we suffer over and over again when faced with this reality, which seems to have become a permanent system?" Francis asked. "I think we can sum it up in one word: resignation." It was a clear reference to the situation in Michoacan as well as the nation at large, where gangs and drug lords have thrived thanks in part to the complicity of police and other public authorities. That corruption came to light most recently in the case of drug lord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman, who escaped for a second time from a maximum security prison in July, and was recaptured after an October meeting with actor Sean Penn. While Francis gave a message of hope to residents of Morelia, his visit was also a symbolic vote of confidence for the city's archbishop, Alberto Suarez Inda. Like Francis, Suarez Inda has called for Mexican bishops to be closer to their people and not act like bureaucrats or princes. Last year Francis made him a cardinal an unambiguous sign that Francis wants "peripheral" pastors like Suarez Inda at the helm of the church hierarchy. Since beginning his Mexico trip Friday night, Francis has repeatedly taken to task the Mexican church leadership, many of whom are closely linked to Mexico's political and financial elite and are loath to speak out on behalf of the poor and victims of social injustice. "Sometimes the violence has made us give up, either out of discouragement, habit or fear," said Fausto Mendez, a 23-year-old seminarian who attended Tuesday's Mass. "That's why the pope comes to tell us not to be afraid to do the right thing." "Although he spoke strongly to the bishops, it was also directed at us," said Uriel Perez, 20-year-old seminarian at Tuesday's Mass. "Because the pope is demanding and he wants us to be prepared and on the streets shoulder to shoulder with our flock." Priests have also been victims of the violence. Since 1988, 38 priests have been killed and two more are missing, according to the Catholic Multimedia Center, which tracks violence against religious people in Mexico. Twenty-eight were killed since 2006, half of them in regions plagued by drug violence, including Michoacan , Guerrero and Veracruz, including some who suffered signs of torture. Much of Michoacan is part of a region called Tierra Caliente, or the Hot Lands, known for both its blistering temperatures and brutal tactics by gangsters eager to control lucrative drug-production territory and smuggling routes. By 2013, the pseudo-religious Knights Templar cartel was widely kidnapping and extorting money and dominating the state's economic and political scene, so much so that local farmers took up arms against them. But the uprising by the vigilante-style "self-defense" forces brought little peace to the state, with the groups fighting among themselves even as new criminal gangs sprang up. "I'm excited about the pope's visit, but the reality is that people are afraid. Right now there is a festive atmosphere and a lot of police, but in the day-to-day it's not that calm. Crime has risen," said Yulisa Duran, an 18-year-old nursing student sitting with her boyfriend in Morelia's main square. As Francis entered the final stretch of his five-day trip to Mexico, his motivations for coming became clear. For starters, it's likely the trip might not have taken place at all, at least now, had Francis not needed to be in the region for his historic encounter Friday with the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, a meeting months' in the making. It's also clear that Francis has some serious issues with the Mexican church hierarchy, which, for its part, also has some issues with him. In coming to Mexico, the pope did it on his own terms: Praying at the shrine of the Virgin of Guadalupe and visiting the most impoverished and crime-ridden areas, rewarding "his" bishops with his presence and sending a message to others with carefully chosen words and deeds. He scolded church leaders for being too tied to their own privilege and power while staying quiet as their people suffer. He urged seminarians to be pastors of God and not "clerics of the state." He prayed at the tomb of Samuel Ruiz, a bishop who was a thorn in the side of the Mexican hierarchy for his defense of the indigenous. What Francis didn't do is also significant: He did not hold any public event in Mexico City, domain of the conservative Cardinal Norberto Rivera Carrera, and cancelled a scheduled cultural encounter. It seems the frosty sentiment is mutual: When he came to the historic center for his meeting with the Mexican president and bishops, the central Zocalo square was oddly empty. Francis wraps up his five-day visit on Wednesday by traveling to Ciudad Juarez, across from El Paso, Texas, for a cross-border Mass expected to focus heavily on the plight of migrants. ___ Associated Press writer Jacobo Garcia reported this story in Morelia and AP writer Nicole Winfield reported from Mexico City. AP writers Peter Orsi and Mark Stevenson in Mexico City contributed to this report. ___ Nicole Winfield on Twitter: www.twitter.com/nwinfield Pope Francis is cheered by youths as he arrives to the stadium in Morelia, Mexico, Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2016. Francis arrived in the heart of Mexico's drug-trafficking country to offer words of encouragement to clergy trying to minister to a people tormented by the violence and gang warfare of the drug trade. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia) Pope Francis talks to faithful inside the Cathedral in Morelia, Mexico, Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2016. Francis arrived in the heart of Mexico's drug-trafficking country to offer words of encouragement to clergy trying to minister to a people tormented by the violence and gang warfare of the drug trade. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia, Pool) A nun smiles behind a poster welcoming Pope Francis to Venustiano Carranza stadium before Mass in Morelia, Mexico, Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2016. Francis arrived in the heart of Mexico's drug-trafficking country to offer words of encouragement to clergy trying to minister to a people tormented by the violence and gang warfare of the drug trade. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia) Religious men jump backwards as the crowd joins in a well known dance played over the loudspeakers, as they await the arrival of Pope Francis at Venustiano Carranza stadium in Morelia, Mexico, Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2016. On his one-day trip to the capital of troubled Michoacan state, the Pope will also meet with youth and pay a visit the Morelia cathedral. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell) Pope Francis stands before Our Lady of Health, "Nuestra Senora de la Salud," as he arrives to celebrate Mass in a stadium in Morelia, Mexico, Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2016. Francis arrived in the heart of Mexico's drug-trafficking country to offer words of encouragement to priests trying to minister to a people tormented by the violence and gang warfare of the drug trade. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia) Nuns wave flags as they await the arrival of Pope Francis to celebrate Mass at Venustiano Carranza stadium in Morelia, Mexico, Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2016. On his one-day trip to the capital of Michoacan state, the Pope will also meet with youth and pay a visit the Morelia cathedral. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell) A marching band of nuns, from Monterrey, play their instruments as they spontaneously parade on the eve of Pope Francis' arrival, in Morelia, in the Mexican state of Michoacan, Monday, Feb. 15, 2016. On his one-day trip to the capital Morelia, Francis will visit the cathedral, meet with youth, and celebrate Mass with priests and seminarians, and religious men and women. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell) A man wears a paper mask depicting Pope Francis, as priests, seminarians and religious men and women await the Pope's arrival to celebrate Mass, at Venustiano Carranza stadium in Morelia, Mexico, Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2016. On his one-day trip to the capital of troubled Michoacan state, the Pope will also meet with youth and pay a visit the Morelia cathedral. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell) People photograph and wave at Pope Francis after he celebrated Mass at Venustiano Carranza stadium in Morelia, Mexico, Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2016. On his one-day trip to the capital of troubled Michoacan state, the Pope will also meet with youth and pay a visit the Morelia cathedral. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell) Doctors: Upsurge in paralysis condition accompanies Zika CUCUTA, Colombia (AP) The doctor taps Zulay Balza's knees with a hammer and she doesn't feel a thing. She can't squeeze his outstretched fingers or shut her eyelids. Her face is partially paralyzed. "The weakness started in my legs and climbed upward. The face was last. After three days, I couldn't walk," said Balza, 49. "My legs felt like rags." Balza is a patient at the public University Hospital in Cucuta, at the epicenter of the Colombian outbreak of the mosquito-borne Zika virus. Only Brazil has more cases. In this Feb. 11, 2016 photo, Zulay Balza fails to close her eyes as neurologist Jairo Lizarazo tests her facial muscles at the Erasmo Meoz Hospital in Cucuta, Norte de Santander state, Colombia. Balza was diagnosed with Guillain-Barre Syndrome, a disorder in which the immune system attacks the nervous system, causing muscle weakness and sometimes paralysis. According to the Health Institute of Norte de Santander state, 30 cases of Guillain-Barre Syndrome were diagnosed in the state since a Zika outbreak, a 10 time increase in the state's yearly average. Balza doesn't know if she has the Zika virus, while only one in five people infected with Zika show symptoms, according to her neurologist Lizarazo. (AP Photo/Ricardo Mazalan) Two weeks ago, she came under assault by Guillain-Barre (gee-YOHN-bah-RAY), a rare and sometimes fatal affliction that is the Western world's most common cause of general paralysis. Alarm over the Zika epidemic spreading across the Americas has been chiefly over birth defects, but frontline physicians believe a surge in Guillain-Barre cases may also be related. The World Health Organization says Guillain-Barre cases are on the rise in Brazil, Colombia, El Salvador, Suriname and Venezuela, all hit hard by Zika, though a link remains unproven. The auto-immune disorder historically strikes only one or two people in 100,000. About one in 20 of those cases ends in death in the developed world, and it is frightful. "I thought my body was going to explode," said Balza, sitting on her hospital bed and apparently over the worst. Guillain-Barre attacks skeletal muscular nerves as if they were a foreign enemy. Fine motor skills rapidly erode, arms and legs tingle and weaken to numbness. Patients lose their balance, their speech. In rare cases, they require ventilators to stay alive. The syndrome typically strikes after a bacterial or viral infection, such as influenza, HIV or dengue, though its cause can't always be determined. Dr. Jairo Lizarazo, the neurologist treating Balza, has seen cases increase more than tenfold since December 30 cases in all in this muggy city bordering Venezuela. Like Balza, many patients never showed the characteristic symptoms of Zika fever, rashes, joint pain and conjunctivitis. Four in five don't. He's convinced the virus boosts susceptibility to Guillain-Barre. "It's an epidemiological association," said Lizarazo. "We don't know exactly how it works. But it's there, for sure." Associated cases confirmed or suspected based on clinical evidence number in the hundreds. Guillain-Barre cases believed to be linked to the virus have killed three people in recent weeks in Colombia and health officials have attributed another three Guillian-Barre deaths in Venezuela to suspected Zika infections. WHO said Zika has been confirmed present in apparently just one Guillain-Barre death, in the northwestern Venezuela state of Zulia in January. Dr. Maria Lucia Brito Ferreira, chief neurologist at Hospital da Restauracao in Recife, Brazil, said she hopes to get laboratory confirmation this month that nine Guillain-Barre deaths recorded there in the past year were Zika-related. Cases of Guillain-Barre in Colombia about 450 annually before Zika struck were up nearly threefold in the past month and a half. El Salvador has reported 118 cases since November, nearly as many as previously seen in a year. "The only explanation is the Zika virus," said Deputy Health Minister Eduardo Espinoza. Dr. Osvaldo Nascimento, a leading Rio neurologist, estimates Brazilian cases of Guillain-Barre are up fivefold. Reporting is not compulsory, so the government's partial figure of 1,868 cases requiring hospitalization last year is a sketchy parameter. An upsurge in Guillain-Barre was documented in 2013 during a major Zika outbreak in French Polynesia, with a study finding cases up twentyfold. WHO said all 42 cases recorded in the Pacific archipelago tested positive for Zika as well as dengue fever, which is also currently present in Colombia, Venezuela, Brazil and other Zika-affected countries. Antibodies for the dengue and chikungunya viruses, which are far more debilitating than Zika, are often being found in infected patients. That is making establishing a direct Zika-Guillain-Barre link more complicated. Like Zika, both viruses are transmitted by the Aedes aegypti mosquito and could also trigger Guillian-Barre, experts say. Under normal circumstances, eight in 10 patients nearly fully recover from Guillian-Barre, though it sometimes takes months. Data on Guillain-Barre is scant in most of the developing world. Of 18 countries participating in a clinical study launched by Dutch physicians in 2012, only two are in Latin America: Mexico and Argentina. Brazil just joined. Across the region, investigators were simply unable to get government funding to participate, said Dr. Ken Gorson, a Tufts University neurologist and president-elect of an international foundation that combats Guillain-Barre. Poorer countries were ill-prepared to manage the crisis. Colombia's National Health Institute is overwhelmed with a weeks-long backlog in completing tests for Zika. The three Guillain-Barre deaths that the country's Health Ministry attributed to Zika on Feb. 5 have not yet been confirmed by laboratory tests, said spokesman Ricardo Amortegui. Nor have the three deaths in the Venezuelan state of Lara announced last week. One Guillian-Barre fatality in Colombia suspected of being linked to Zika was a 51-year-old man from the Caribbean island of San Andres who died in November, said Rita Almanza, epidemiology chief in Medellin. The others were a 45-year-old man and a 41-year-old woman flown from Turbo on the Caribbean coast who died in Medellin in February. Guillain-Barre grabbed hold of Nancy Pino in neighboring Venezuela with devastating effect. The 68-year retired school administrator developed fever, rashes and muscle pain while celebrating Christmas with her family in the hot lowland state of Anzoategui. She recovered quickly. Days later, her hands and feet started to go numb. Her tongue felt like it was asleep. She stopped eating. The family rushed her to a Caracas hospital. She could barely walk. Bed-ridden, she lost the ability to talk and soon, to breathe. Doctors attached her to a respirator. "It was so quick," daughter Nihara Ramos said between sobs. "It was like a flame consuming her from the bottom up." Doctors diagnosed Guillain-Barre with a spinal tap they assumed she had Zika earlier and suggested that the relatives obtain immunoglobulin, an expensive treatment that pools healthy antibodies from hundreds of donors. Gorson said it costs $15,000-$45,000 in the United States. The family, straightjacketed by Venezuela's economic crisis, couldn't find or afford enough. In less than three weeks, a woman who once bounded up seven flights of stairs to her apartment was dead. ___ Associated Press writer Frank Bajak reported this story from Lima, Peru, and AP writer Libardo Cardona reported in Cucuta, Colombia. AP writers Hannah Dreier in Caracas, Venezuela; Marcos Aleman in San Salvador, El Salvador; and Luis Henao in Santiago, Chile, contributed to this report. In this Feb. 11, 2016 photo, Zulay Balza fails to close her eyes as neurologist Jairo Lizarazo tests her facial muscles at the Erasmo Meoz Hospital in Cucuta, Colombia. Balza was diagnosed with Guillain-Barre Syndrome, a disorder in which the immune system attacks nerve cells, causing muscle weakness and sometimes paralysis. According to the Health Institute of Norte de Santander state, 30 cases of Guillain-Barre Syndrome were diagnosed in the state since a Zika outbreak, a 10 time increase in the state's yearly average. Balza did not show symptoms of the Zika virus, which only one in five infected people show. (AP Photo/Ricardo Mazalan) In this Feb. 11, 2016 photo, Zuleidy Balza, left, sits with her mother Zulay Balza who's recovering from Guillain-Barre syndrome at the Erasmo Meoz Hospital in Cucuta, Norte de Santander state, Colombia. Balza was diagnosed with Guillain-Barre Syndrome, a disorder in which the immune system attacks the nervous system, causing muscle weakness and sometimes paralysis. According to the Health Institute of Norte de Santander state, 30 cases of Guillain-Barre Syndrome were diagnosed in the state since a Zika outbreak, a 10 time increase in the state's yearly average. Balza did not show symptoms of the Zika virus, which only one in five infected people show. (AP Photo/Ricardo Mazalan) Senate Republicans to Obama: Don't make Court nomination WASHINGTON (AP) Senate Republicans united behind Majority Leader Mitch McConnell in insisting that President Barack Obama's successor fill the Supreme Court vacancy after the death of Justice Antonin Scalia. Democrats looking to reclaim the Senate majority immediately accused them of putting politics ahead of their constitutional responsibility. Vulnerable Republican incumbents in Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, New Hampshire and Ohio all states that Obama won twice echoed McConnell's contention that the winner of the presidency in November's election should choose the next jurist. Democrats counter that Obama is president until Jan. 20, 2017, and has every constitutional right to nominate Scalia's replacement. "I believe the best thing for the country is to trust the American people to weigh in on who should make a lifetime appointment that could reshape the Supreme Court for generations," said Republican Sen. Rob Portman of Ohio. Said Republican Sen. Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania: "President Obama insists that he will nominate someone for the court. He certainly has the authority to do so. But let's be clear his nominee will be rejected by the Senate." Obama has said he will fulfill his constitutional duty and nominate a replacement in due time. His Democratic allies made it clear that denying the president that right would be an unprecedented step and argued it would enshrine the Republicans as "the most nakedly partisan, obstructionist and irresponsible majority in history." "By ignoring its constitutional mandate, the Senate would sabotage the highest court in the United States and aim a procedural missile at the foundation of our system of checks and balances," Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid said in an op-ed piece in Tuesday's Washington Post. Scalia's death has raised the stakes in the presidential race and in the battle for control of the Senate because his replacement will determine the ideological bent of the high court. Scalia was a leader of the court's conservative bloc, and the court is now divided between four liberal-leaning and four conservative-leaning justices. Senate Republicans have the numbers in this consequential fight involving the Senate's constitutional power to "advice and consent" on court nominations. Republicans outnumber Democrats 11-9 on the Judiciary Committee, which would hold confirmation hearings and vote on whether to send the nominee to the full Senate. Republicans hold the majority, 54-46, and Democrats face an almost insurmountable task in trying to get 14 Republicans to join them to overcome Senate rules that require 60 votes to end debate and hold a final vote on a nominee. Beyond math is the political calculus. Control of the Senate is at stake this election and Democrats looking to unseat Portman and Toomey along with New Hampshire's Kelly Ayotte and Wisconsin's Ron Johnson have seized on their call to wait until next year. In a fundraising appeal, Ohio Democrat Ted Strickland said Portman "has a clear choice to make: He can look out for his party and D.C. special interests by holding back President Obama's nominee, or he can do his job for the people of Ohio." In New Hampshire, Democratic Gov. Maggie Hassan, who is running for Senate, criticized Ayotte and argued that Obama's constitutional right to nominate isn't suspended in his last year in office. Democrats are counting on the pressure on Republican senators to force McConnell to allow a nominee to move forward, though the majority leader has showed no signs of relenting since his statement within hours of Scalia's death on Saturday that the vacancy should not be filled until a new president is sworn in. Various conservative groups that claimed victory when moderate Republican Speaker John Boehner of Ohio stepped down last year, and have questioned McConnell's fealty made it clear that Republican lawmakers must stand firm. "Senator McConnell is right: Under no circumstance should the Republican Senate majority confirm a Supreme Court nominee as Americans are in the midst of picking the next president," said Michael Needham of Heritage Action. "Republican rhetoric condemning President Obama's willful disregard for the rule of law will ring hollow if they do confirm a nominee." Obama's allies made clear that if a nominee is ignored or delayed, they will accuse the Republican majority of obstruction, and use that argument in their bid to win back the Senate. "Senate Republicans continue to think that governing is as simple as being against President Obama at every turn," said Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois, the No. 2 Democrat in the Senate. "It's not, and the American people deserve better leadership than they're getting with this Congress." Palestinians renovate church at Jesus' birthplace BETHLEHEM, West Bank (AP) After two years of painstaking work, experts have completed the initial phase of a delicate restoration project at the Church of the Nativity, giving a much-needed face-lift to one of Christianity's holiest sites. The project, partially funded by the Palestinians and conducted by a team of Palestinian and international experts, is the biggest restoration at the iconic church in some 600 years. The removal of centuries of dust has left Crusader-era mosaics sparkling in sunlight filtering through brand new windows. Structural repairs on the fragile rooftop and windows have been completed and art treasures have been returned to their delicate elegance. Although the Palestinians are overwhelmingly Muslim, they consider the church a national treasure and one of their most visited tourist sites, and President Mahmoud Abbas has been actively involved in the project. The removal of centuries of dust has left Crusader-era mosaics sparkling in sunlight (pictured) filtering through brand new windows and led to new discoveries, such as the icon Ziad al-Bandak, who leads the Palestinian committee in charge of the restoration, calls what has been accomplished so far nothing short of "revolutionary." "For the first time you can see, when you go up, mosaics really magnificent and beautiful and unique in the whole world," he said. The Church of the Nativity, located in the biblical West Bank town of Bethlehem, was built by Saint Helena in the 4th century over the grotto where the Virgin Mary is said to have given birth to Jesus. Despite its spiritual significance, the church was neglected for centuries and is listed as endangered by UNESCO, the United Nations cultural agency. Until two years ago, rain leaked through the severely damaged rooftop, threatening to harm priceless artworks inside. Then, in 2013, the Palestinian Authority, the internationally backed self-rule government, took the lead in financing the restoration. The rest has come from the Palestinian private sector, the Roman Catholic, Greek Orthodox and Armenian churches and other countries. Al-Bandak said nearly $8 million has already been spent. The renovation is being conducted by a joint team of engineers, restoration experts and workers Palestinians as well as Italians from "Piacenti," a firm which specializes in the renovation of historical sites and has worked on dozens of villas, palaces, churches and monasteries in Italy and Russia. Over the past two years, specialists have replaced the most damaged of the ancient wood beams of the rooftop and put up a new cover. They also installed new wooden framed windows that prevent water infiltration. For the first time in almost 1,000 years the thousands of fine mosaics' tiles have been retouched. Mimmo Nucatolo, who heads the Italian team restoring the mosaics, called the gold, green and pastel artworks "a unique example" made by skilled mosaicists at the end of the Crusader period. But he said that after centuries of neglect, the mosaics were in such a bad state that they almost disappeared from sight. "From underneath you could no longer see the colors, so much so that some people were wondering 'Do we really have mosaics in this church?'" Nucatolo said. While experts are still carrying out work 10 meters (32 feet) above ground, visitors and pilgrims will have to wait until the end of 2016 before being able to admire the winged creatures and brightly colored mosaics that have been brought back to rare brilliance. After completing the mosaics in the central nave specialists are now renovating those in other areas of the church, working on wall plastering, restoring the external stone facade and repairing the wooden beams. The metal scaffolding will only be removed after these steps are completed, said Afif Tweme, the restoration's project manager. He said he hopes this will be done by the end of the year. The plan is also to install a microclimate system to control sunlight, temperature and humidity in the church, as well as new lights and a smoke detection system, Tweme said. The Roman Catholic, Greek Orthodox and Armenian churches share ownership of the church, and run it according to a 19th-century agreement that assigns responsibilities for upkeep that are jealously guarded by each denomination. The churches have traditionally viewed each other with suspicion and have had fraught relations. But al-Bandak said they have all been "very cooperative" throughout the restoration, even allowing access to the church in the dead of night to facilitate the work of experts. The full restoration will continue in phases and is expected to take at least another three years. Additional projects will include work on stone capitals and columns as well as on the ancient floor mosaics currently covered by stone flooring. The work will depend on the availability of funds. Al-Bandak said an additional $11 million is needed. The Palestinian Authority has already launched a campaign to raise the funds and Abbas has pledged to follow through. "He told me from the beginning: 'Even if you don't have all the money to go ahead, start. This is a holy place and money will come,'" al-Bandak said. The completion of the first phase is already a source of pride. "We are very proud of it because when we protect our national heritage, our history, we protect our future," al-Bandak said. In this Feb. 4, 2016 photo, tourists walk at the Manger Square of the Church of the Nativity in the West Bank city of Bethlehem. After two years of painstaking work, experts have completed the initial phase of a delicate restoration project at the Church of the Nativity, giving a much-needed face lift to one of Christianitys holiest sites. (AP Photo/Nasser Nasser) This Feb. 4, 2016 photo, shows the finishing of renovated mosaic inside the Church of the Nativity, in the West Bank city of Bethlehem. After two years of painstaking work, experts have completed the initial phase of a delicate restoration project at the Church of the Nativity, giving a much-needed face lift to one of Christianitys holiest sites. Ziad al-Bandak, who leads the Palestinian committee in charge of the restoration, calls what has been accomplished so far nothing short of "revolutionary." (AP Photo/Nasser Nasser) The renovation project (pictured), partially funded by the Palestinian Authority and conducted by a team of Palestinian and international experts, is the biggest restoration at the iconic church in some 600 years In this Feb. 4, 2016 photo, a cracked mosaic is prepared for restoration inside the Church of the Nativity, in the West Bank city of Bethlehem. After two years of painstaking work, experts have completed the initial phase of a delicate restoration project at the Church of the Nativity, giving a much-needed face lift to one of Christianitys holiest sites. (AP Photo/Nasser Nasser) In this Feb. 4, 2016 photo, a restoration expert works on mosaic inside the Church of the Nativity, in the West Bank city of Bethlehem. After two years of painstaking work, experts have completed the initial phase of a delicate restoration project at the Church of the Nativity, giving a much-needed face lift to one of Christianitys holiest sites. (AP Photo/Nasser Nasser) In this Feb. 4, 2016 photo, a mosaic is prepared for renovation inside inside the Church of the Nativity, in the West Bank city of Bethlehem. After two years of painstaking work, experts have completed the initial phase of a delicate restoration project at the Church of the Nativity, giving a much-needed face lift to one of Christianitys holiest sites. (AP Photo/Nasser Nasser) Al-Bandak said: 'He [President Abbas] told me from the beginning: "Even if you don't have all the money to go ahead, start. This is a holy place and money will come." This image shows the restoration in progress In this Feb. 4, 2016, photo, restoration experts work on the the rooftop of the Church of the Nativity, in the West Bank city of Bethlehem. After two years of painstaking work, experts have completed the initial phase of a delicate restoration project at the Church of the Nativity, giving a much-needed face lift to one of Christianitys holiest sites. The project, partially funded by the Palestinians and conducted by a team of Palestinian and international experts, is the biggest restoration at the iconic church in some 600 years. (AP Photo/Nasser Nasser) Analysis: Russia presses air blitz in Syria to dictate peace MOSCOW (AP) Moscow joined the fight in Syria to return to relevance in international diplomacy. It has succeeded by anyone's measure and Russia hopes to use its air power to dictate the terms of a cease-fire and prospective peace talks. Russian warplanes have helped the Syrian army make broad advances and close in on the country's biggest city, Aleppo. Meanwhile, the Western-backed opposition is fractured and weakened. So as talk turns to a cease-fire, Syrian President Bashar Assad, Moscow's sole ally in the region, is in a stronger position than he has been in years. Russian President Vladimir Putin listens to President of Russia's Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs (RSPP) Alexander Shokhin in the Novo-Ogaryov residence, outside Moscow on Monday, Feb. 15, 2016. (Alexei Druzhinin/Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP) What's more, Russia has cast itself as an indispensable global player that holds the key to the settlement of a nearly five-year conflict that has flooded Europe with refugees. And the United States can't hope to push forward its agenda of ending the war without overtures to Russia. Not that there aren't challenges ahead for Russian President Vladimir Putin. Turkey, Saudi Arabia and other regional players that have backed Assad's foes are loath to see the Syrian ruler strengthen his grip on power. They have been mulling the deployment of ground troops to Syria, which could trigger broader hostilities and raise the threat of confrontation between their forces and the Russian military. For its part, the U.S. sees Assad as the chief obstacle to peace and has been reluctant to engage in any military-to-military dialogue with Russia. Still, Putin appears eager to raise the stakes, hoping that Assad's siege of Aleppo will further strengthen Russia's hand. The impact of Moscow's air strikes appears particularly significant given the modest size of the Russian force just a few dozen jets. But they have operated at a frenetic pace, each flying several sorties a day for a total of more than 6,000 combat missions in 4 months. The campaign, Russia's first military operation outside the former Soviet Union since the 1991 Soviet collapse, has demonstrated the new capability of the nation's resurgent military and allowed Russia to test its latest weapons in combat for the first time. In one example, the military tested its new long-range cruise missiles, firing them from all possible launch platforms strategic bombers, surface warships in the Caspian Sea and a submarine near Syria. Moscow has denied any intention to open more air bases in Syria in addition to the Hemeimeem air base in Syria's coastal province of Latakia, the well-protected heartland of Assad's Alawite sect. The Russian military says it makes little sense to allocate extra assets since it takes just 15 minutes for Russian warplanes from Hemeimeem to reach any area in Syria. Russia has deployed an unidentified number of advisers to train Syrian troops to use Russian weapons and help coordinate air attacks, but Putin has firmly ruled out ground action. By operating from Hemeimeem, which lies deep inside government-controlled territory, Moscow has minimized the risk of casualties from militant incursions. So far, the Russian military has lost three men in Syria: a pilot killed when his warplane was downed by a Turkish jet in November, a marine who died on a mission to rescue that pilot's crewmate, and a Russian military adviser who died in mortar shelling at the front line. By limiting its presence in Syria, the Kremlin has been able to keep spending on its military action to an estimated $2 million to $4 million a day, an amount easily sustainable even for the crisis-stricken Russian economy. At such costs, the Kremlin could maintain its air campaign indefinitely. There is no such reservoir of patience among America's European allies, who struggle to cope with the continuing influx of refugees from the conflict. Russia began its air campaign on Sept. 30, nearly five years after the war began, and the impact soon became visible as Assad's military launched a multi-pronged offensive. The main Syrian army efforts are now focusing on Aleppo, Syria's largest city and commercial capital, which has been split between the government and its opponents since 2012. In recent weeks, Assad's troops backed by Hezbollah and Iranian forces have methodically cut supply lines, forcing more than 50,000 civilians to flee to the nearby Turkish border. Russian warplanes flying up to 70 sorties a day have maintained constant pressure on the anti-government forces, striking their strongholds and depots and chasing their convoys. There are risks to the strategy, as can be seen in Russian-Turkish tensions after NATO member Turkey shot down the Russian jet. And in the crowded skies over Syria, U.S. officials say Russian pilots often perform risky maneuvers, flying extremely close to the U.S. warplanes. Moscow and Washington have agreed to exchange information about air operations over Syria to prevent incidents, but Russia has pushed for broader coordination. Putin apparently hopes that engaging the U.S. in military-to-military cooperation in Syria could help ease the strain in relations and also cast Moscow as a power equaling the U.S. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said last week that close coordination between U.S. and Russian military experts would be essential for securing a cease-fire. But Russia also vows to press its air assault against extremist groups, making clear that Moscow is in no rush to stop fighting. Putin appears ready to gamble that things will keep going his way. Turkish artillery fire from the border near Kilis toward northern Syria, in Kilis, Turkey, Monday, Feb. 15, 2016. Turkey defied international calls and shelled parts of northern Syria for a third day today, insisting it would not allow Kurdish-led forces to seize key areas along the border. The cross-border Turkish artillery fire, which began on Saturday, has added to an increasingly complex situation in Syria's northern Aleppo province just days before the ceasefire is due to begin.(AP Photo/Halit Onur Sandal) Combat jobs for women stir questions about the draft WASHINGTON (AP) The decision by the Pentagon to allow women to serve in all combat jobs has put new focus on an often-forgotten U.S. institution: the Selective Service. While America has not had a military draft since 1973, all men must register with the Selective Service within 30 days of turning 18. U.S. leaders repeatedly insist that the all-volunteer force is working and the nation is not returning to the draft. But there are increasing rumblings about whether women should now be required to register if they can indeed serve in all areas of the military. FILE - In this Aug. 21, 2015, file photo, Army 1st Lt. Shaye Haver, center, and Capt. Kristen Griest, right, pose for photos with other female West Point alumni after an Army Ranger school graduation ceremony at Fort Benning, Ga. Haver and Griest became the first female graduates of the Army's rigorous Ranger School. The decision by the Pentagon to allow women to serve in all combat jobs has put new focus on an often-forgotten U.S. institution: the Selective Service. While America has not had a military draft since 1973, all men must register with the Selective Service within 30 days of turning 18. U.S. leaders repeatedly insist that the all-volunteer force is working and the nation is not returning to the draft. But there are increasing rumblings about whether women should now be required to register if they can indeed serve in all areas of the military. (AP Photo/John Bazemore, File) Some questions and answers about the Selective Service and any moves toward requiring women to register: Q: Is the Selective Service part of the Defense Department? A: No. It is an independent agency that exists to ensure that the nation would be able to force men into military service in a fair and equitable way if directed by the president and Congress in a national crisis. Q: Are women subject to the draft? A: No. Under the current law, women can volunteer to serve in the U.S. military, but they are not required to register and they would not be subject to any draft. Q: Has the law been challenged? A: Yes. In 1981, the Supreme Court heard a case brought by several men challenging the law for gender discrimination. The court upheld the constitutionality of the male-only draft registration law. The court accepted Congress' decision to exclude women from registration because they were excluded from direct combat by statute and by military policy. Q: Who would decide if women need to register? A: It would take an act of Congress. Recently four U.S. House members introduced legislation to abolish the Selective Service, saying that the all-volunteer force is working. And two members of Congress introduced legislation requiring women to register but said they actually opposed their own bill. They said they were only doing so to trigger a debate on allowing women to serve in front-line combat jobs which they also oppose. Q: What does the Pentagon say? A: When Defense Secretary Ash Carter decided to open all combat jobs to women, the Defense Department did a legal analysis of his decision. The analysis found the landscape has changed since the court case, and that opening combat jobs to women "further alters the factual backdrop to the Court's decision." The Pentagon had made no recommendation on the matter, but the department said it will consult with the Justice Department when needed. Q: Do military officials and politicians believe women should register? A: During recent hearings, the Army's chief of staff, Gen. Mark Milley, and the commandant of the Marine Corps, Gen. Robert Neller, said they thought women should have to register. Some key lawmakers, including Republican Sen. John McCain, chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, agree. Republican presidential candidates Sen. Marco Rubio and former Gov. Jeb Bush said they supported the idea of having women register. Republican Sen. Ted Cruz said later that including women would be "nuts" and a dangerous example of political correctness. Q: What penalties are there if an 18-year-old doesn't register? Cruz makes his Supreme Court knowledge new focal point GREENVILLE, S.C. (AP) Ted Cruz has always talked about the Supreme Court as a candidate for president, but it's become the new focal point of his White House bid following the weekend death of Justice Antonin Scalia. The Texas senator on Monday recast the stump speech he's offered voters for the past several weeks to highlight the importance of electing a conservative who will appoint what he called the right kind of justices to the Supreme Court, which he described as currently being "activist" and "out of control." Cruz argued before the Supreme Court nine times by age 40, winning two cases and losing four, with three cases having a murkier outcome. He says that gives him alone "the background, the principle, the character, the judgment" to find a solid conservative to replace Scalia. Republican presidential candidate Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, speaks at a rally at the Southeastern Institute of Manufacturing & Technology in Florence, S.C., Monday Feb. 15, 2016. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin) The tea party darling also has vowed to filibuster any nominees offered by President Barack Obama, saying one more liberal Supreme Court justice could wipe out state-level abortion restrictions while undermining religious liberty and curtailing gun ownership. "This presidential election is the turning point between either prevailing or losing that fight for a generation," Cruz told a crowd in Florence, South Carolina. A graduate of Harvard Law School, Cruz clerked for Supreme Court Chief Justice William Rehnquist. His high court arguments were the bedrock of his underdog Senate victory in Texas and are woven into the DNA of his presidential run. If elected, Cruz would be the ninth president to have argued before the Supreme Court, but the first since Richard Nixon in 1966, according to The American Bar Association. Cruz constantly reminds audiences he defended states' rights, gun rights, the Ten Commandments and capital punishment before the high court. He doesn't suggest he won every case, but Cruz's defeats can get lost in translation. While canvassing for Cruz in Iowa last month, a volunteer visiting from Georgia proclaimed to caucus-goers that her candidate "won every one" of his nine cases. Cruz did prevail in his final Supreme Court appearance. He won a patent infringement case in 2011 involving a deep fat fryer while working for a private Houston law firm. His other eight appearances came during his five years as Texas solicitor general, a job he took on in 2003 at 32. Cruz didn't get to pick his own cases as he argued for Texas. But then-Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott, now the state's governor, encouraged him to join out-of-state cases that could promote conservative values. "Ted Cruz was tireless in searching for every possible opportunity, not just to talk about, but to implement and execute, a conservative constitutional vision for the country," said James Ho, Cruz's successor as Texas solicitor general. In his first Supreme Court case in 2003, Cruz argued Texas shouldn't have to honor an agreement to improve health coverage for poor children. He lost 9-0. The following year, Cruz implored the Supreme Court to uphold a 16-year prison sentence for a man convicted of stealing a calculator from Wal-Mart. The justices remanded the case to a lower court, which sentenced the man to time served. The case Cruz most trumpets brought him to the Supreme Court twice and involved a Mexican national named Jose Ernesto Medellin. Medellin was convicted of the rape and murder of two teenage girls in Houston in 1993, but wasn't notified of his right to contact Mexican diplomats upon arrest, as dictated by the 1963 Vienna Convention. The International Court of Justice ruled in 2004 that U.S. courts should review the convictions and sentences for Medellin and 50 other Mexican-born prisoners because of the treaty violation. President George W. Bush directed state courts to review such cases, and Texas sued. "It was an unusual circumstance," Cruz, who once worked for Bush's presidential campaign and administration, told The Associated Press in 2014. "Especially when the president was a Texan, was a Republican and was a friend." The Supreme Court first sent the case back to state courts. Upon hearing it a second time, the justices sided with Texas 6-3 and Medellin was executed. In 2006, Cruz defended congressional redistricting maps drawn by Texas' GOP-controlled Legislature. The Supreme Court didn't declare them unconstitutional, despite claims they deliberately dispersed the voting power of the state's growing Hispanic population. But it did rule that a sprawling South Texas congressional district had to be redrawn. Two more Cruz Supreme Court arguments came in 2007 and involved the death penalty. Cruz argued a man convicted of killing a former Taco Bell co-worker should be executed despite the jury not being instructed to consider several factors, including his having been abused as a child. Cruz also defended the death sentence of a killer whose schizophrenia meant he might not be able to understand why he was being executed. He lost both 5-4. Cruz also lost 5-4 his final case as solicitor general, an unsuccessful defense of states' imposing the death penalty in cases of child rape. It originated in Louisiana, but Cruz served as lead attorney for 10 states. In his filings, Cruz overlooked that in 2006, Congress had modified the military's justice code to add child rape as a crime punishable by death. He was so worried that The New York Times would write that his office "screwed up by not finding" that statue that he wrote to another attorney via email: "Would love to have some sort of response, so we don't look silly." ___ Associated Press writer Scott Bauer contributed to this report from Florence, South Carolina. Obama, SE Asian leaders seek resolution to maritime disputes RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. (AP) President Barack Obama and the leaders of Southeast Asia called Tuesday for peaceful resolution of the region's maritime disputes as they concluded a summit in California. Obama told a news conference that disputes must be resolved by legal means, including a case brought by the Philippines challenging China's sweeping claims over most of the South China Sea. China has refused to take part in the proceedings, but Obama said parties to the U.N. law of the seas are obligated to respect the ruling, expected later this year. President Barack Obama shakes hands with Vietnam Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, after posing for a group photo with other leaders of ASEAN, the 10-nation Association of Southeast Asian Nations, Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2016, at the Annenberg Retreat at Sunnylands in Rancho Mirage, Calif. Also on stage are, Philippines President Benigno Aquino III, Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Thailand Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, and Myanmar Vice President Nyan Tun. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais) Obama has been hosting 10 leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or ASEAN, in the U.S. for the first time. That sends a subtle message to China that the U.S. remains an important force in the region. But the leaders' joint statement after two days of talks avoided direct reference to China, reflecting the careful path that ASEAN members tread in their diplomacy with the world powers. "Any disputes between claimants must be resolved peacefully through legal means such as the upcoming arbitration ruling under the U.N. Convention of the Law of the Seas, which the parties are obligated to respect and abide by," Obama said. The Philippines brought its case in 2013 after Beijing refused to withdraw its ships from a disputed shoal under a U.S.-brokered deal. Despite China's refusal to participate, the arbitral tribunal based in The Hague has agreed to hear the case. China says it has a historical right to virtually all of the South China Sea and has built seven artificial islands, some with airstrips, to assert its sovereignty. Taiwan and ASEAN members Brunei, Malaysia, Vietnam and the Philippines also claim land features in these potentially resource-rich waters, an important thoroughfare for international shipping. Though not a claimant, the U.S. has spoken out against China's conduct and has angered Beijing by sailing U.S. Navy ships near some of the artificial islands to demonstrate freedom to sail there despite China's territorial claims. Obama said the U.S. will continue to fly, sail and operate wherever international law allows, and it will support the right of other countries to do the same. The U.S. has long argued for the maritime rights issue to be resolved peacefully and is looking for ASEAN to take a unified stance on the issue. The diverse group of countries includes governments that lean toward either Washington or Beijing. Only four ASEAN members are South China Sea claimants, leading to sometimes conflicting views on how to handle long-simmering rifts. The U.S.-ASEAN joint statement did not refer directly to the arbitration case brought by the Philippines, but it does urge "full respect for legal and diplomatic processes" in resolving disputes. Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong told a working dinner of the leaders on Monday night that China's role in the region is expected to grow. Loong said China's larger presence will likely lead to occasional frictions, uncertainties and anxieties, including on the South China Sea, but these issues must be managed peacefully to preserve regional stability and security, the Singapore-based Channel News Asia reported. The summit is the latest effort by Obama to deepen U.S. ties with the fast-growing economies of Southeast Asia a commitment he described as "strong and enduring." Obama plans to visit Vietnam in May, and then in the fall, become the first U.S. president to visit Laos. Human rights activists have criticized Obama for hosting Southeast Asian leaders who have not come to power in free and fair elections. Obama said the U.S. would continue to stand with those in the region looking to advance rule of law and good governance. He encouraged the return of civilian rule in Thailand, a long-standing U.S. ally, whose current prime minister came to power in a May 2014 military coup. The leaders concluded the summit by posing for the traditional family photo on the plush lawn outside a historic residence at Sunnylands, the storied California desert estate where the talks were held. Sunnylands is also where Obama had his first formal meeting with China's current president, Xi Jinping, in 2013. The leaders also discussed economic cooperation. ASEAN members Brunei, Malaysia, Singapore and Vietnam are all members of the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a free trade pact that is the main plank of Obama's outreach to Asia. ____ Pennington reported from Washington. Associated Press writer Kevin Freking in Washington contributed. President Barack Obama, center, waves as he poses for a group photo with leaders of ASEAN, the 10-nation Association of Southeast Asian Nations, at the Annenberg Retreat at Sunnylands in Rancho Mirage, Calif., Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2016. ASEAN's Secretary General Le Luong Minh Brunei's Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen, Indonesian President Joko Widodo, Malaysia Prime Minister Najib Razak, Laos President Choummaly Sayasone, Philippine President Benigno Aquino III, Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Thailand Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, Vietnam Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, and Myanmar Vice President Nyan Tun. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais) President Barack Obama, center, walks with leaders of ASEAN, the 10-nation Association of Southeast Asian Nations, for the official photo, Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2016 at the Annenberg Retreat at Sunnylands in Rancho Mirage, Calif. President Obama and leaders of Southeast Asia nations are wrapping up a two-day summit conceived to show U.S. seriousness about staying engaged and keeping a high profile in a region where a rising China has rattled American allies. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais) Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong listens as left as President Barack Obama speaks at the second plenary session meeting of ASEAN, the 10-nation Association of Southeast Asian Nations, Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2016, at the Annenberg Retreat at Sunnylands in Rancho Mirage, Calif. Obama and leaders of Southeast Asia nations are wrapping up a two-day summit conceived to show U.S. seriousness about staying engaged and keeping a high profile in a region where a rising China has rattled American allies. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais) President Barack Obama participates in the second plenary session meeting of ASEAN, the 10-nation Association of Southeast Asian Nations, Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2016, at the Annenberg Retreat at Sunnylands in Rancho Mirage, Calif. The president hosted the ASEAN leaders, it is the first meeting of its kind on U.S. soil, as he looks to deepen ties with the regions fast-growing economies. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais) President Barack Obama participates in the second plenary session meeting of ASEAN, the 10-nation Association of Southeast Asian Nations, Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2016, at the Annenberg Retreat at Sunnylands in Rancho Mirage, Calif. The president hosted the ASEAN leaders, it is the first meeting of its kind on U.S. soil, as he looks to deepen ties with the region's fast-growing economies. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais) British leader in Brussels ahead of key talks on EU future BRUSSELS (AP) British Prime Minister David Cameron won a commitment from the European Parliament chief Tuesday that the assembly will "do its utmost" to back any fair deal on the EU reforms Cameron is seeking this week ahead of a referendum on whether Britain should remain in the EU. Cameron wants European leaders at the two-day summit starting Thursday to boost national decision-making for London, including ways to limit welfare payments to EU workers coming to Britain. The British leader held talks Tuesday amid warnings that any reform package could be vetoed by lawmakers after the referendum because it will not be secured by a change in the EU treaty. British Prime Minister David Cameron, left, meets with European Parliament President Martin Schultz, right, and other leaders of political groups at the European Parliament in Brussels on Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2016. David Cameron is visiting EU leaders two days ahead of a crucial EU summit. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert, Pool) At the same time, EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker told EU legislators the bloc is not planning for any British departure, the so-called "Brexit." "I am not entering into the details of a plan B, because we don't have a plan B, we have a plan A Britain will stay in the European Union as a constructive and active member," Juncker said. Even if European Parliament President Martin Schulz said he wanted any deal to remain within the framework of the EU treaty, he did promise cooperation where possible. "The European Parliament will do its utmost to support compromise and a fair deal but I cannot pre-empt the result" of the legislators, Schulz said after meeting with Cameron. "To be quite clear, no government can go to a parliament and say 'this is our proposal, can you give a guarantee about the result?'" he said. In Athens, EU Council President Donald Tusk was drumming up support two days ahead of the summit for a deal that would keep Britain in the EU. He spoke of the "still fragile negotiations," which have hit snags especially in social welfare and on relations between the euro nations and Britain's financial center, the City of London. French Finance Minister Michel Sapin insisted that eurozone nations should have a free hand to increase their cooperation whatever London may think about that. "We have a eurozone, and it has to deepen," he said of the 19 nations that share the euro currency, and from which Britain has decided to opt out. "There is still progress to be made, integration to put into place. And no one should be able to dictate how we should do so." Sapin's comments came a day after Cameron held talks in Paris with French President Francois Hollande. Cameron's Downing Street office says the leaders agreed that a draft of reforms "provides a firm basis to reach agreement at this week's summit." ___ Lori Hinnant in Paris and Elena Becatoros in Athens contributed. British Prime Minister David Cameron, left, meets with European Parliament President Martin Schultz, second right, and other leaders of political groups at the European Parliament in Brussels on Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2016. David Cameron is visiting EU leaders two days ahead of a crucial EU summit. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert, Pool) British Prime Minister David Cameron, left, is greeted by leaders of political groups at the European Parliament in Brussels on Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2016. David Cameron is visiting EU leaders two days ahead of a crucial EU summit. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert, Pool) British Prime Minister David Cameron, left, is greeted by European Parliament President Martin Schultz at the European Parliament in Brussels on Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2016. Cameron is visiting EU leaders two days ahead of a crucial EU summit. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo) Uganda: 1 killed in violence ahead of presidential polls KAMPALA, Uganda (AP) An opposition supporter was fatally shot Monday in clashes with the police during a campaign event in the capital, the police and a presidential candidate said Tuesday, raising concern over the role of the security forces in tight presidential elections Thursday. Police spokesman Fred Enanga confirmed Tuesday that one civilian was killed in scuffles and that the police fired rubber bullets to disperse supporters of presidential candidate Kizza Besigye. Besigye, in a close race with long-time Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, said Tuesday he does not believe the election will be free and fair, and urged his supporters to defy any illegal orders by the authorities. Uganda's long-time President Yoweri Museveni waves to supporters from the sunroof of his vehicle as he arrives for an election rally at Kololo Airstrip in Kampala, Uganda Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2016. Opposition leader Kizza Besigye, in a close race with Museveni, said Tuesday he does not believe the election will be free and fair. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis) One such order is a ban on carrying mobile phones to polling stations, a decree that some worry would hamper efforts to promote transparency during the elections. Besigye is urging his supporters to protect their votes at the polling stations, while the country's election commission has been encouraging voters to vote and then return home. Besigye's supporters say those with smartphones, for example, might be able to record any illegal or inappropriate events at polling stations. Eduard Kukan, who is leading election monitors from the European Union, told reporters Tuesday that he would raise concerns with the election commission, including over the voters' register. Museveni, who took power by force three decades ago, has said the military will "smash" those who threaten national security. That amounts to intimidation, according to Besigye, a retired army colonel who served as deputy interior minister in Museveni's first Cabinet. Besigye broke ranks with the government in 2000, citing the lack of democracy within the ruling party. "Our people spoke with one voice and gave a simple message that they want change," Besigye told reporters Tuesday. "That was a very strong and direct message everywhere we went." A supporter holds a poster of opposition leader Kizza Besigye in front of a line of riot police, as he awaits Besigye's convoy near the village of Kyanji, outside Kampala, in Uganda Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2016. Besigye, who is in a close race with long-time President Yoweri Museveni, said Tuesday he does not believe the election will be free and fair. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis) A supporter wears a sticker on his hat of Uganda's long-time President Yoweri Museveni at an election rally at Kololo Airstrip in Kampala, Uganda Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2016. Opposition leader Kizza Besigye, in a close race with Museveni, said Tuesday he does not believe the election will be free and fair. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis) Opposition leader Kizza Besigye, standing through the sunroof of his vehicle, receives a live duck as a gift from a supporter as his convoy passes through small villages outside Kampala, Uganda Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2016. Besigye, who is in a close race with long-time President Yoweri Museveni, said Tuesday he does not believe the election will be free and fair. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis) Opposition leader Kizza Besigye speaks to the media at his residence in the town of Kasangati, outside Kampala in Uganda Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2016. Besigye, who is in a close race with long-time President Yoweri Museveni, said Tuesday he does not believe the election will be free and fair. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis) Uganda's long-time President Yoweri Museveni adjusts his hat as he attends an election rally at Kololo Airstrip in Kampala, Uganda Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2016. Opposition leader Kizza Besigye, in a close race with Museveni, said Tuesday he does not believe the election will be free and fair. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis) Opposition leader Kizza Besigye speaks to the media at his residence in the town of Kasangati, outside Kampala in Uganda Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2016. Besigye, who is in a close race with long-time President Yoweri Museveni, said Tuesday he does not believe the election will be free and fair. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis) Uganda's long-time President Yoweri Museveni waves to supporters from the sunroof of his vehicle as he arrives for an election rally at Kololo Airstrip in Kampala, Uganda Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2016. Opposition leader Kizza Besigye, in a close race with Museveni, said Tuesday he does not believe the election will be free and fair. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis) Opposition leader Kizza Besigye gestures to crowds of cheering supporters from the sunroof of his vehicle as his convoy passes through small villages outside Kampala, Uganda Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2016. Besigye, who is in a close race with long-time President Yoweri Museveni, said Tuesday he does not believe the election will be free and fair. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis) Uganda's long-time President Yoweri Museveni waves to supporters from the sunroof of his vehicle as he arrives for an election rally at Kololo Airstrip in Kampala, Uganda Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2016. Opposition leader Kizza Besigye, in a close race with Museveni, said Tuesday he does not believe the election will be free and fair. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis) Uganda's long-time President Yoweri Museveni wears his well-known hat as he addresses a rally of his supporters at the Kololo Airstrip in Kampala, Uganda Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2016. Opposition leader Kizza Besigye, in a close race with Museveni, said Tuesday he does not believe the election will be free and fair. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis) Opposition leader Kizza Besigye addresses crowds of cheering supporters from the sunroof of his vehicle as his convoy passes through small villages outside Kampala, Uganda Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2016. Besigye, who is in a close race with long-time President Yoweri Museveni, said Tuesday he does not believe the election will be free and fair. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis) Uganda's long-time President Yoweri Museveni waves to supporters from the sunroof of his vehicle as he arrives for an election rally at Kololo Airstrip in Kampala, Uganda Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2016. Opposition leader Kizza Besigye, in a close race with Museveni, said Tuesday he does not believe the election will be free and fair. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis) Uganda's long-time President Yoweri Museveni wears his well-known hat as he addresses a rally of his supporters at the Kololo Airstrip in Kampala, Uganda Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2016. Opposition leader Kizza Besigye, in a close race with Museveni, said Tuesday he does not believe the election will be free and fair. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis) Supporters of Uganda's long-time President Yoweri Museveni cheer as a helicopter they believe him to be in, flies overhead, before his arrival at a rally at the Kololo Airstrip in Kampala, Uganda Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2016. Opposition leader Kizza Besigye, in a close race with Museveni, said Tuesday he does not believe the election will be free and fair. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis) Opposition leader Kizza Besigye gestures to crowds of cheering supporters from the sunroof of his vehicle as his convoy passes through small villages outside Kampala, Uganda Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2016. Besigye, who is in a close race with long-time President Yoweri Museveni, said Tuesday he does not believe the election will be free and fair. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis) Dozens of supporters riding motorbikes surround the convoy of opposition leader Kizza Besigye as it passes through small villages outside Kampala, Uganda Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2016. Besigye, who is in a close race with long-time President Yoweri Museveni, said Tuesday he does not believe the election will be free and fair. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis) The Latest: More record highs in heat-scorched California SAN DIEGO (AP) The Latest on severe weather around the United States (all times local): 5:46 p.m. Temperatures have again broken records in California, where a lingering heat wave is on the verge of finally easing. Swimmers and sunbathers gather at Redondo Beach, Calif., on Presidents Day, Monday, Feb. 15, 2016, as Southern California baked in summer-like heat. (AP Photo/John Antczak) The National Weather Service says the high in downtown Los Angeles hit 90 degrees on Tuesday, breaking the old record of 88 for the day that was set in 1977. San Diego's high of 89 was eight degrees above the 1981 record. The airport in San Francisco recorded 72, beating a 2007 high. Daily records were tied or broken in more than two dozen other cities. The heat is expected to ease Wednesday, dropping temperatures as much as 20 degrees and bringing a chance of rain into Thursday morning. Some areas could see up to a half-inch of rain. But the weather service says high pressure will build again, bringing a chance of above-normal temperatures early next week. ___ 1:10 p.m. Authorities say temperatures are nearing 90 degrees in much of the Southwest, while the East Coast and the South are cleaning up from a weekend of freezing rain and tornadoes. In San Diego, people flocked to the beaches, where temperatures were in the mid-80s on Tuesday. Temperatures were even higher in Phoenix: The National Weather Service is forecasting a high of 90 degrees. That would be the earliest 90-degree day on record for the city. The previous mark was set on Feb. 24, 1986. Elsewhere, messy snow, sleet and freezing rain created hazardous road conditions over a wide area from the Mid-Atlantic states through Pennsylvania to northern New England. Tornadoes touched down in Mississippi on Monday, and thunderstorms knocked out power to tens of thousands in New Jersey on Tuesday. ___ 9:30 a.m. A crash involving several cars and tractor-trailers caused a pileup on Interstate 81 in northeastern Pennsylvania. Roads in the area were icy after recent snow turned to freezing rain. Emergency officials told WNEP-TV (http://bit.ly/20XSCqQ ) that eight tractor-trailers and three smaller passenger vehicles were involved in the pileup shortly before 4 a.m. Tuesday. Some drivers were checked at hospitals for minor injuries. Driver Tom Tosh from Endicott, New York, tells the TV station from what he saw, "it's a miracle" no one was killed. Nearly a dozen tow trucks were seen helping to clear the wrecked vehicles. ___ 9:25 a.m. The latest winter storm has left thousands without power in southwest Virginia. Appalachian Power reported nearly 49,000 Virginia customers out of service Tuesday morning. Appalachian Power spokeswoman Teresa Hamilton Hall tells The Roanoke Times (http://bit.ly/1omxppy ) that most of the outages were caused by ice or trees bringing down power lines. Dominion Virginia Power, the state's largest utility, reports fewer than 15,000 customers without power. ___ 9:10 a.m. A mix of snow and ice caused a tough commute for drivers across much of Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine on the first day back at work after the holiday weekend. Many schools were closed or delayed openings. A winter weather advisory was in effect through midday Tuesday. Snow that fell overnight was expected to turn to sleet and freezing rain. Some areas have already reported up to 4 inches of snow, and road conditions were hazardous. But gone were the subzero temperatures and dangerous wind chills of the previous few days. Temperatures were in the 20s and expected to rise to near 50 in some areas, turning the wintry mix into rain. 8:55 a.m. Unsettled weather has reached South Florida in the form of wind, rain and a threat of possible tornadoes. Tornado watches and warnings expired in Broward and Palm Beach Counties, but National Weather Service meteorologist Chuck Caracozza says South Florida could see more bad weather Tuesday as a cold front pushes through. Caracozza says the stormy conditions could bring wind gusts of up to 60 mph. The cold front also is expected to send temperatures down to about 60 degrees Tuesday night. On Monday night, a suspected tornado tore through Century, near Pensacola in the Florida Panhandle, destroying or significantly damaging about 10 homes. No injuries were reported. ___ 8:20 a.m. Virginia State Police say they have responded to at least three fatal crashes on icy roads in the state, a fraction of the nearly 100 crashes reported statewide. Police say a trooper and two other people were on the median of Route 288 in Chesterfield County outside Richmond on Monday evening when they were hit by a vehicle, throwing one person into a nearby firefighter. Police said that person was pronounced dead and the trooper and the second person were taken to hospital with serious injuries. Police say 63-year-old Steven Gibbs of Linden was killed Monday morning when his SUV hit a snow plow in Fauquier County. In Loudoun County, police say a woman was killed Monday night when her car rear-ended a backhoe. ___ 7:35 a.m. Icy, slushy roads are greeting commuters in southern New Jersey and eastern Pennsylvania, as Presidents Day snow melts and freezing rain transitions to rain. PennDOT spokesman Gene Blaum tells WPVI-TV that icy spots are possible on roadways and speed remains reduced on some sections of the Pennsylvania Turnpike and other roads around the region. Fog is complicating the Tuesday morning commute in Allentown and other parts of the Poconos. Some schools are closed and others are opening two hours late over the tricky travel conditions. The National Weather Service says rain and warmer temperatures are expected to melt the slush later Tuesday afternoon. However, the rain could cause some flooding. Temperatures could climb to almost 60 degrees in Philadelphia. ___ 7:35 a.m. Transportation officials are warning motorists to delay travel as the mid-Atlantic region wakes up to a coating of ice that's making roads and sidewalks treacherous. Many schools systems are closed or opening late Tuesday. Federal offices and some governments in the region are opening late, too. Transportation officials are urging drivers to be cautious. Officials say they been seeing spinouts and crashes. In Virginia, state police say there have been reports of ice bringing down trees onto Interstate 81 in Roanoke County. Officials say they are treating roads, but all streets could be dangerous. Conditions are expected to improve later in the day as temperatures rise. ___ 6:50 a.m. A mix of snow, sleet and freezing rain has made driving hazardous for commuters in upstate New York, with winter storm warnings and other advisories posted. Separate tractor-trailer crashes within miles of one another shut down a major artery, the Thruway, in both directions for a time early Tuesday just northwest of Albany. Authorities later reopened most lanes. State police say there was freezing rain at the time but the causes of the crashes are being investigated. The city of Buffalo public works department brought in extra crews to remove the snow that began falling around 3 a.m. The National Weather Service says snow accumulations could range from 2 to 4 inches in the Hudson Valley to as much as 18 inches in areas between Rochester and Buffalo. ___ 6:40 p.m. Temperatures are warming in most of North Carolina, but problems including power outages lingered after the snow, sleet and freezing rain. A major utility, Duke Energy, reported that more than 32,000 customers were without service in North Carolina early Tuesday, chiefly west of Winston-Salem and in the Raleigh-Durham areas. And schools were opening 2 hours later than usual in at least 10 North Carolina counties, mostly in the east. Forecasters warn more winter weather will move into the western part of the state Tuesday night and early Wednesday with up to 3 inches of snow possible in some areas. Strong thunderstorms also remain a possibility around the Raleigh-Durham area, forecasters say. ___ 6:30 a.m. The federal government is opening three hours late after freezing rain coated the Washington region in hazardous ice. The U.S. Office of Personnel Management, which sets leave policies for 300,000 federal workers, says the government will open late Tuesday, but employees have the option for unscheduled leave or telework. Freezing rain fell throughout the region overnight after a storm dropped several inches of snow on Monday, leaving roads and sidewalks very slick. Many school systems in the region are opening late or are closed for the day. ___ 5:15 a.m. The National Weather Service says commuters across much of Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine face a tough morning slog back to work after the long holiday weekend. A winter weather advisory remains in effect through midday Tuesday across much of northern New England amid forecasts that snow will turn to sleet and freezing rain in some areas. While the Northeast endures bitter cold, snow and icy rain, some Western states are coping with record warmth. Temperatures in the continental U.S. on Monday ranged from a morning low of 26 degrees below zero at Saranac Lake, New York, to a high of 89 degrees at Fullerton, California. In Phoenix, Arizona, the fire department went so far as to issue safety tips associated with hot weather such as not leaving children or pets unattended in vehicles, staying hydrated, and scheduling outdoor activities during the cooler hours of the morning and evening. ___ 4:52 a.m. Suspected tornados tied to a vast winter storm system that pounded much of the Eastern seaboard with snow and sleet have pounded several homes to rubble and damaged a school in the South. There were no immediate reports of any deaths or serious injuries. But witnesses say one 94-year-old woman had to be pulled from beneath debris after a suspected twister tore through a Florida Panhandle community on Monday. Police in Virginia reported at least three traffic fatalities on roads slickened by snow and sleet. And much of the East Coast shivered through bitter cold and snow. In the West, Arizona and California basked in heat. The National Weather Service forecasts Phoenix to have a record high of 89 on Tuesday. A pedestrian loses his umbrella to high winds and rain while walking near the state Capitol on Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2016, in Albany, N.Y. (AP Photo/Mike Groll) Stronghope, Miss., Volunteer Fire Chief Sammy Moore, right, and his wife Maryann, comfort each other as they look at what remains of their home Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2016, following Monday's storm system that brought destructive winds to areas of central and south Mississippi. Several homes and businesses, including this one were severely damaged or destroyed. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis) Peggy Taylor speaks about how she prayed as she, a friend and her 10-month-old grandson, huddled in a tub while what she believes was a tornado destroyed her patio in the Stronghope community near northeast of Wesson, Miss., Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2016. Taylor's home was one of several homes and businesses, that were severely damaged or destroyed in the destructive winds that hit central Mississippi. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis) A truck splashes through a rain-drenched Progress Avenue in Pottsville, Pa., Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2016. (Jacqueline Dormer/Republican-Herald via AP) MANDATORY CREDIT 9/11 musical 'Come From Away' to play Canada, Washington NEW YORK (AP) A musical set against the 9/11 terrorist attacks will play Toronto and Washington, D.C., this fall with the hope of arriving on Broadway in spring of 2017. "Come From Away" is the true story of a Canadian town that sheltered thousands of airline passengers whose flights had been diverted on Sept. 11, 2001. It has played the La Jolla Playhouse in California and the Seattle Repertory Theatre. It will next play Washington D.C.'s Ford's Theatre from Sept. 2-Oct. 9, and Toronto from Nov. 15-Jan. 1, 2017, at a theater to be announced. Israeli celebrity rabbi goes to prison for bribery JERUSALEM (AP) A spokeswoman for Israel's prison service says a celebrity rabbi with a following in the United States has reported to prison to begin a one-year sentence for bribery. Spokeswoman Sivan Weizman says Rabbi Yoshiyahu Yosef Pinto arrived to a prison in central Israel on Tuesday. Pinto was sentenced last year after he pled guilty in a plea bargain. He admitted to offering bribes in 2012 to receive classified information on a police investigation into one of his charitable organizations. FILE - In this July 11, 2011 file photo, a man kisses the hand of Rabbi Yoshiyahu Pinto at a wedding in Lod, central Israel. An Israeli prison spokeswoman said Pinto, a celebrity rabbi with a following in the United States, has reported to prison on Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2016, to begin a one-year sentence for bribery. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty, File) The Latest: Croatia sets quota for migrants passing through ATHENS, Greece (AP) The Latest on the influx of migrants into Europe (all times local): 8:10 p.m. Croatia says it will limit the migrant flow across the Balkans to 2,500 people a day and will include only those fleeing wars, but excluding those who are seeking jobs or want to join their families in Germany and Austria. A policeman prepares to take a photograph of a woman as children wait for their turn at a registration and hospitality center for refugees and migrants, known as a hotspot, on the eastern Greek island of Chios, Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2016. Greek Defense Minister Panos Kammenos said that military teams have set up most of the long-delayed migrant reception facilities the country has promised its European Union partners to build. But he said the installations may not have to be fully used. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris) Croatia's interior ministry said Tuesday it was acting on the newly announced Slovenian and Austrian limits and has informed the neighboring countries on the Balkan migrant corridor. The Croatian ministry says that the number of migrants who will be admitted corresponds to the current daily total. Last year, the number of migrants crossing the corridor that leads from Greece to Macedonia, Serbia, Croatia and Slovenia was over 10,000 a day. The ministry says that Slovenia has prevented some 200 migrants from entering over the past weekend. ___ 7:55 p.m. Austria's interior minister says the country is preparing to limit the number of asylum-seekers entering as early as this week. Johanna Mikl-Leitner gave no firm number Tuesday of the maximum daily entries over the Balkan route that begins in Greece and now ends on Austria's border with Slovenia, saying only "we will set quotas." Slovene media report that Austrian officials have told their Slovene counterparts that 2,500 a day will be able to cross. That's the approximate number now entering Austria including those heading onward to Germany. But the number may vary according to how many apply for asylum in Austria. Officials indicate that could be the determining factor in the daily quota of crossings. ___ 7:40 p.m. An anti-migrant vigilante group claiming to protect citizens from perceived threats posed by asylum-seekers is recruiting members in Estonia. The Soldiers of Odin's Facebook page said Tuesday it was seeking to enroll men who are ready "to step out for the defense of our own people in the face of strangers." Estonia, with a population of 1.3 million, has had fewer than 1,000 asylum-seekers since the 1990s. It has agreed to accept 550 migrants under the EU's relocation plan but has yet to receive a single person in that quota. The Soldiers of Odin, which derive their name from a Norse god, was founded last year in Finland. The group claims about 600 members in Finland with groups in Britain, the U.S., Estonia, Germany and Sweden. ___ 7:10 p.m. Austria plans to extend border controls to Italy as it plans for possible shifts in migrant flows to the country. An Interior Ministry statement Tuesday says checkpoints will be set up at the Silian, Brenner and Nauders-Reschenpass crossings. Eight other new check points will be established on the country's border to Slovenia, where most of those looking to settle in Austria and further northward are now entering. The statement also says more military personnel will be patrolling Austrian borders. It quotes Interior Minister Johanna Mikl-Leitner that the moves are necessary "as long as there are no viable solutions on the EU outer borders." She is alluding to Greek problems in protecting the bloc's external borders from the flow of migrants fleeing the Mideast and other regions of war and poverty. ___ 4:30 p.m. Danish police say they have not seized any money or valuables from asylum-seekers since a contentious new law permitting them to do so came into force last month. Police spokesman Thomas Christensen says officers have not searched migrants or their belongings, merely asking them to declare assets worth more than 10,000 kroner ($1,500). The Jan. 26 law brings asylum rules into line with welfare rules for Danes, who have to sell assets worth more than 10,000 kroner before they can receive social benefits. Christensen said Tuesday that the cellphones of some asylum-seekers with deficient identification had been temporarily seized to establish their identities. Last year, more than 21,000 people applied for asylum in Denmark, among the highest per capita rates in the EU and an increase of more than 40 percent on 2014. ___ 2:20 p.m. French police have dismantled two suspected smuggling networks in a makeshift migrant camp near Dunkirk with a reputation for harboring people smuggling. Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve said Tuesday that 10 people were in custody, among them suspected smugglers, after raids over the past two days at the Grande-Synthe camp. Local media have reported two recent non-fatal shootings in the camp. In 2015, 28 smuggling networks were dismantled in the Calais region double the previous year, the Interior Ministry statement said, adding that 251 networks were dismantled nationally. Up to 1,500 migrants, most trying to get to Britain, are currently in the squalid Grande-Synthe camp, east of Calais, where about 4,000 travelers stay. At the initiative of Doctors Without Borders, the Grande-Synthe camp is being transferred shortly to another spot. ___ 12:20 p.m. The Greek government says it has completed work on most of the migrant facilities it has promised its European Union partners to deliver. But Defense Minister Panos Kammenos says the centers might not have to function to their full capacity of 24,000 people because an agreement to involve NATO in policing Greece's sea border with Turkey will "end the immigration problem." Greece is the main gateway for people from the Middle East, Asia and Africa seeking a better life in Europe. About 77,000 people have reached the country's eastern islands this year from nearby Turkey, paying smugglers for a berth on frail boats. Government officials said Tuesday that four of five promised reception and screening centers on the islands are now functional, and the last will be ready in days. Refugees and migrants wait for the procedures by the Greek authorities at a registration and hospitality center, know as a hotspot, on the eastern Greek island of Chios, Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2016. Greek Defense Minister Panos Kammenos said that military teams have set up most of the long-delayed migrant reception facilities the country has promised its European Union partners to build. But he said the installations may not have to be fully used. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris) A military officer salutes Greek officials at the new relocation center for refugees and migrants in the western Athens' suburb of Schisto, Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2016. The Greek government says it has completed work on most of the migrant facilities it has promised its European Union partners to deliver. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris) Greek Defense Minister Panos Kammenos, right, and Migration Minister Ioannis Mouzalas make statements in Athens before their tour at registration and hospitality centers, know as hotspots, on the eastern Greek islands, on Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2016. The European Union wants Athens to improve screening and disembarkation procedures for refugees and migrants arriving by boat, and to increase its capacity to document and house asylum-seekers and build detention facilities for those facing deportation. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris) Albania's finance minister replaced, no reason given TIRANA, Albania (AP) Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama fired his finance minister on Tuesday and nominated former Economy Minister Arben Ahmetaj to take the post, but gave no explanation for the move. Shkelqim Cani, appointed finance minister in September 2013, learned of his ouster while in a meeting with international finance officials, a source close to him told The Associated Press. The source would speak only on condition of anonymity. During Cani's time in office, the country's debt rose from 62 percent of GDP to 73 percent now. Former Economy Minister of Albania, Arben Ahmetaj, speaking in Tirana Friday, Feb. 5 2016. Arben Ahmetaj was nominated by Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama as new finance minister to replace Shkelqim Cani, giving no reason on the move, Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2016. Ahmetaj needs to give better results in lowering the countrys public debt reaching more than 73 percent from 62 percent of GDP in 2013 and also better money collection in taxation and customs. (AP Photo/Hektor Pustina) Ahmetaj, 46, was replaced at the post of economy, tourism, trade and enterprise ministry by Milva Ekonomi, former deputy health minister. Despite international assistance, Rama has continuously complained of poor results in money collection from the taxation and customs authorities, both within the Finance Ministry. Rama's Cabinet inherited more than $700 million (626 million) arrears on payments due to private company, and also face a significant fall in remittances from Albanian expatriates working mainly in Italy and Greece. However, hundreds of millions of dollars of international aid from the International Monetary Fund, World Bank and European Bank for Reconstruction and Development helped the government take the country's growth back to positive trends with 2.7 percent in 2015 and the inflation kept at 2.1 percent. Albanian is one of the continent's poorest countries, lacking significant foreign direct investment and suffering from unemployment of about 17 percent. Philippine rebels kill 6 policemen, wound 8 others in attack MANILA, Philippines (AP) Suspected communist guerrillas killed six policemen and wounded eight others in an ambush in the northern Philippines on Tuesday in the latest flare-up of the decades-old Marxist insurgency, the military said. Army Maj. Gen. Lysander Suerte said about 40 New People's Army rebels detonated a bomb then opened fire on a truckload of policemen in the coastal town of Baggao in Cagayan province Tuesday, sparking an hourlong gunbattle. Two assault helicopters were deployed and soldiers and policemen were pursuing the attackers, who burned construction equipment in a nearby farm irrigation project late Monday, Suerte said. The Marxist insurgency has flared on and off for more than four decades and is one of the longest-running rebellions in Asia. The military says the insurgency has been considerably weakened in many regions. EU unhinged: Thursday's summit faces 2 of its biggest crises BRUSSELS (AP) To listen to harried European Union chief Donald Tusk is to realize that the leaders of the 28 member nations are facing the prospect of an unhinged EU if this week's summit goes badly wrong. Negotiations with Britain over EU reforms to give Prime Minister David Cameron a better shot at winning a referendum to stay an EU member are far from finished as they head into the final stretch. At the same time, the migrant crisis is quickly turning into a seminal test of unity, pitting east against west and many against Greece. Greece's Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, right, welcomes European Council President Donald Tusk at Maximos Mansion in Athens Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2016. After decades of often unbridled expansion and increasing prosperity, the once-robust European Union is this week looking at its biggest challenge - crumbling from within, Tusk said. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis) "The migratory crisis we are currently witnessing is testing our union to its limits," Tusk said Tuesday as he was seeking compromise on both issues ahead of Thursday's summit. "There is an extra mile we will have to walk to reach an agreement," Tusk said in Prague Tuesday, near the end of a five-nation whirlwind tour that was to end in Berlin barely 24 hours after it started in Paris. Instead of the veneer of unity, the EU can no longer hide its divisions. A British referendum could come as early as this summer, and the loss of one of the biggest member states a member of the G7 group of richest economies and the United Nations Security Council could be sealed. It would be one massive blow. When it comes to migration, it is more a steady crumbling of foundations that is feared. Four eastern European nations have publicly taken stand against some of the core EU policies and publicly chided southern member Greece. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban recently said that "if it were up only to us Central Europeans, that region would have been closed off long ago," referring to the south where the migrants come from. Hundreds of thousands of migrants have come, almost unchecked, through EU member Greece and on to Germany and Sweden. Almost everyone complains Greece isn't doing enough to stem the influx. The rich member states who are the draw for the migrants complain the eastern Europeans are not doing their part to shelter refugees. Several eastern European nations complain that they lack the resources to handle large numbers of refugees and that the more prosperous nations are too soft-hearted and have allowed the borders to be overrun. And just about every country has said that the European Union has failed miserably to deal with the migrant crisis. The us-versus-them thinking has increasingly become a mind-frame within the EU. Sharp divisions have become commonplace in part carried over from the financial crisis, which some cast as a clash between profligate states like Greece against penny-pinching Germany. Tusk came to the defense of Greece on Tuesday and told the Visigrad east European group of nations "Let me be very clear: Only when united can we solve this crisis." And if Tusk was already instrumental in brokering a deal for Greece last summer, he feels the current crises are an even bigger test. The stakes are immense, Tusk acknowledges, fearful that if Britain goes it will start an unraveling that no one knows when and where it might end. A so-called Brexit might turn into a full-blown EUxit. The European Union was built on the ashes of World War II, first taking decades to bring economic wealth before taking on the task of bridging the huge ideological divide that cut the continent into a capitalist west and a communist east. As a Pole, Tusk himself was reared under communism before the collapse of the Soviet empire. Barely a dozen years ago, Poland joined the EU at the very height of the bloc's powers. Now, he does not want to oversee the collapse of what he so dearly believes in. Everyone has always known the British to be argumentative and not easily given to compromise. "I make no apology for that. That is who we are," Cameron said last week. The problem is that this stubbornness is now seeping into the cornerstones of the EU ever more. ___ Follow Raf Casert on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/rcasert. British Prime Minister David Cameron, left, is greeted by European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker at EU headquarters in Brussels on Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2016. David Cameron is visiting EU leaders two days ahead of a crucial EU summit. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert) Czech Republic's Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka, left, welcomes European Council President Donald Tusk, right, in Prague, Czech Republic, Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2016. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek) Greece's Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, right, welcomes European Council President Donald Tusk at Maximos Mansion in Athens on Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2016. After decades of often unbridled expansion and increasing prosperity, the once-robust European Union is this week looking at its biggest challenge - crumbling from within, Tusk said. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis) The Latest: UK: Still details to be settled before EU summit BRUSSELS (AP) The Latest on preparations for Thursday's European Union summit (all times local): 5:20 p.m. The British government says there are "still details to be nailed down" before a crunch summit Thursday and Friday on U.K. demands for reform of the European Union. British Prime Minister David Cameron, left, is greeted by European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker at EU headquarters in Brussels on Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2016. David Cameron is visiting EU leaders two days ahead of a crucial EU summit. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert) Prime Minister David Cameron held last-minute meetings in Brussels Tuesday with European parliamentarians and European Commission leader Jean-Claude Juncker. Cameron's office said the legislators agreed that any changes agreed at the summit would be brought before the EU Parliament quickly. British Euroskeptics have tried to undercut Cameron's hopes of a deal by suggesting the parliament could scupper any agreed made at the summit. Downing St. said the talks with Juncker "focused on those issues where there are still details to be nailed down in order to pave the way for an agreement at this week's summit." ___ 4:35 p.m. Ireland has called on Europe to do everything possible to keep Britain inside the European Union because Ireland's economy depends on seamless business relations with Britain, its top trading partner. Dominic Hannigan, chairman of the Irish Parliament's all-party committee on European affairs, says a British exit from the 28-nation bloc would put Ireland at a profound economic disadvantage. The Republic of Ireland, politically independent from the UK since 1922, joined the then-European Economic Community alongside Britain in 1973. The two nations share a land border because of Northern Ireland, a UK region. The EU contributes tens of millions annually to cross-border development projects. "The British and Irish economies are largely intertwined," Hannigan said Tuesday as he called on European nations to "do all in our power to ensure that the UK remains within the EU." ___ 4:10 p.m. EU Council President Donald Tusk says his proposal to address Britain's demand for EU reforms is "balanced" for all but there are still issues to be solved ahead of the forthcoming EU summit. Speaking after meeting Czech Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka on Tuesday, Tusk said solutions have to be found for issues such as "the EU treaty change, emergency breaks on non-euro area countries, safe guard mechanism on access to benefits and finally the notion of the ever-closer (European) Union." He said the limit on benefits for workers is not meant to apply to workers from other states currently working in Britain. British Prime Minister David Cameron hopes to secure a deal with the EU's other 27 member nations at a summit Thursday and Friday for a looser union with the bloc. He then plans to hold a referendum in Britain on whether it should stay in the EU. Sobotka, also speaking on behalf of Hungary, Poland and Slovakia, said a compromise needs to be found on social benefits. ___ 2:50 p.m. German Chancellor Angela Merkel says it makes no sense to talk about new quotas of migrants for European countries to take in when initial quotas agreed upon still haven't been divided among the EU. Merkel said Tuesday instead her focus at an upcoming EU summit will be efforts to work with Turkey on reducing the flow of migrants to Europe in general. Merkel says "I'll put all my energy into arguing this European-Turkish approach is the best way forward." She says European countries have not yet divided up 160,000 asylum seekers as had been previously agreed so that it made no sense to discuss new quotas. ___ 2:35 p.m. European Union chief Donald Tusk is making clear that the bloc's 28 leaders are heading into a summit this week that could fundamentally alter the political course of the continent. Negotiations with Britain are still finely balanced over whether the EU can make the necessary reforms for Prime Minister David Cameron to support remaining an EU member in a national referendum on the issue. At the same time, the migrant crisis is quickly turning into a seminal event, pitting east against west and many against Greece. "The migratory crisis we are currently witnessing is testing our union to its limits," Tusk said as he sought compromise on both issues ahead of Thursday's summit. Greece's Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, right, welcomes European Council President Donald Tusk at Maximos Mansion in Athens Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2016. After decades of often unbridled expansion and increasing prosperity, the once-robust European Union is this week looking at its biggest challenge - crumbling from within, Tusk said. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis) Greece's Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, right, welcomes European Council President Donald Tusk at Maximos Mansion in Athens on Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2016. After decades of often unbridled expansion and increasing prosperity, the once-robust European Union is this week looking at its biggest challenge - crumbling from within, Tusk said. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis) Many ways to capture your pet's personality in a portrait Want to record your beloved pet's likeness in a work of art? There are many unusual options, from artfully designed throw pillows to stained glass, metalwork and paintings. Your pet's adorable face could adorn holiday ornaments, glass stemware, ceramics, jewelry, rock art even a spoon or a phone case. Just a sampling of what's available: This photo provided by Kathy Halper Art & Embroidery shows an embroidered dog portrait, "Seamus," by longtime painter Halper, of Highland Park, Ill. Embroidery has always been considered a craft, (but) I approach it as an equal, contemporary art form, says Halper. "The excitement for me is creating the painting experience with thread. (Kathy Halper Art & Embroidery via AP) ___ DIGITAL PORTRAIT In the small fishing port of Brixham, England, Karen McIntosh assembles digital caricatures of pets. "I am a real fan of the dark, moody images of the Old Masters, and love recreating this ambience in my work," she says. She blends images and adds shadows and brush strokes in Photoshop for a painterly feel to works printed on high-quality matte paper. "It's so much fun creating the composition around an animal's expression or breed, and I welcome a challenge," says McIntosh, who has made portraits of llamas, mice and horses in addition to many dogs and cats. (www.etsy.com/shop/YourPetsPawtraits ) ___ PAINTED METAL Lisa Manzo of Plainfield, Illinois, uses high-gloss paints on galvanized steel a modern-looking canvas to create colorfully stylized pet portraits. She fills in her black outlines with a vibrant, fluid paint. The combination lends dimension. "(With) some of my works, you really have to take a step back to realize what it is," says Manzo. "I love the fact that the viewer needs to use their imagination to put it together. I think art should make you go, 'Mmm, how cool.'" (www.etsy.com/shop/DropMyPaintsStudio ) ___ PAINTED PILLOW Sebnem Ergun's story begins with a stray cat she found near her home in Istanbul, Turkey. The animal's courage gave Ergun the strength to quit her day job to paint first on stones and porcelain but now on cotton fabric finished into pillows. She has mailed her custom-order artwork to customers around the world. "Painting, especially painting pets and animals, is like meditation for me," Ergun says. "I feel my inner joy and peace while painting their unique beauties." (www.shebbodesign.etsy.com ) ___ SEWN PILLOW In Hartlepool, England, textiles instructor Diane Watson uses applique, embroidery and pops of vintage fabric color to fashion a pet's image onto linen that becomes a pillow. She began by embroidering a portrait of her brother's dog, and has since made hundreds of custom-order pillows, of guinea pigs and goats as well as the usual dogs and cats. "I love animals and have my own pets a grumpy cat and a friendly greyhound. There's so much diversity with animals, and they mean a lot to people," she says. (www.etsy.com/shop/NaughtyDOG2 ) ___ EMBROIDERY Kathy Halper of Highland Park, Illinois, is a painter who recently began embroidering pet portraits framed in embroidery hoops or stretched over square forms. "Embroidery has always been considered a craft, (but) I approach it as an equal, contemporary art form," Halper says. "The excitement for me is creating the painting experience with thread." (www.kathyhalper.com ) ___ CERAMICS Suzanne Ellenbogen of Golden, Colorado, was creating ceramic jewelry and sculpture when she began sculpting animal heads, starting with her two Goldendoodles, Fred and Ginger. Commissioned work soon followed. "I love that a piece starts as a mound of clay, never knowing exactly what it will be until I start forming it, then adding texture and color," she says. (www.suzellenbogen.com ) ___ STAINED GLASS Glass pieces lend vibrancy to Suzanne Coverett Earls' pet portraits. "Glass enables me to bring the realistic sparkle and depth to the eyes of my furry subjects," she says from her rural home near Brantford, Ontario. Earls tries to capture each animal's quirks and personality in custom-order pieces using hand-cut stained glass. (www.etsy.com/shop/PiecefulArts ) ___ METAL Dadra Hunt of Scottsdale, Arizona, welds metal pet portraits out of steel. Working from a photograph, she draws on and hand-cuts 16-gauge steel, layering and bending the steel before welding it. Pieces are colored using stains, heat or paint. "I have worked with a lot of mediums but metal art resonates with me the most," says Hunt. "It's exciting to take something so seemingly hard and impassive and find the character within." (www.dhseadragon.com/index.html ) This photo provided by Pieceful Arts shows a a stained-glass portrait by Suzanne Coverett Earls of Brantford, Ontario. Glass enables me to bring the realistic sparkle and depth to the eyes of my furry subjects." Find an art form for recording your beloved pet's likeness by visiting online arts and crafts venues. (Suzanne Coverett Earls/Pieceful Arts via AP) This photo provided by Drop My Paints Studio shows a painting of a yellow lab on metal by Lisa Manzo, of Plainfield, Ill. Some of my works you really have to take a step back to realize what it is, says Manzo. I love the fact that the viewer needs to use their imagination to put it together. I think art should make you go, Mmm, how cool. (Lisa Manzo/Drop My Paints Studio via AP This photo provided by dhSeadragon Distinctive Designs shows a handcrafted metal wall hanging of a dog by Dadra Hunt of Scottsdale, Ariz. I have worked with a lot of mediums but feel metal art resonates with me the most, says Hunt. Its exciting to take something so seemingly hard and impassive and find the character within. (Dadra Hunt/dhSeadragon Distinctive Designs via AP) This photo provided by Diane Watson shows a pillow sewn and appliqued by Watson of Hartlepool, England. I love animals and have my own pets a grumpy cat and a friendly greyhound. Theres so much diversity with animals and they mean a lot to people." (Diane Watson via AP) This photo provided by Suzanne Ellenbogen shows ceramic artist Ellenbogen's Goldendoodle, Fred. I love that a piece starts as a mound of clay, never knowing exactly what it will be until I start forming it, then adding texture and color," says Ellenbogen, of Golden, Colo. Find an art form for recording your beloved pet's likeness by visiting online arts and crafts venues. (Suzanne Ellenbogen via AP) This photo provided by shebbodesign shows a selection of painted pillows by Sebnem Ergun of Istanbul, Turkey. Painting, especially painting pets and animals, is like meditation for me, Ergun says. Find an art form for recording your beloved pet's likeness by visiting online arts and crafts venues. (Sebnem Ergun/shebbodesign via AP) AP Interview: Sanders' brother shares political odyssey OXFORD, England (AP) These are exciting times for Larry Sanders, a stalwart Green Party campaigner in Oxford, England. He's just been appointed to a new job as his party's national spokesman on health. And he's helping out his little brother Bernie with a small electoral campaign on the other side of the Atlantic. Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders is an outsider who has far exceeded expectations as he battles Hillary Clinton for the Democratic Party's presidential nomination. The left-wing senator has energized thousands of young supporters with his promise to transform the American economy, education and health care systems, and last week gained more momentum by winning the New Hampshire primary. More than 3,000 miles (4,800 kilometers) away, his brother, a retired academic who has lived in Britain since 1969, finds himself a "sudden celebrity." Larry Sanders at home in his kitchen in Oxford, England, Monday, Feb. 15, 2016. These are exciting times for Larry Sanders, a stalwart Green Party campaigner in Oxford, England. He's just been appointed to a new job as his party's national spokesman on health. And he's helping out his little brother Bernie with a small electoral campaign on the other side of the Atlantic. Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders is an outsider who has far exceeded expectations as he battles Hillary Clinton for the Democratic Party's presidential nomination. The left-wing senator has energized thousands of young supporters with his promise to transform the American economy, education and health care systems, and last week gained more momentum by winning the New Hampshire primary. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth) "I was at a meeting the other day and when I stood up to ask a question, half the people in the audience started clapping," Larry Sanders said in an interview with The Associated Press. "I've been going to meetings for 40 years and no one's ever applauded before." Sanders, who ran for a seat in Britain's Parliament last year (he came fifth of seven candidates), has watched his brother's growing success with emotions that swing from pride to disbelief. "Sometimes it's quite casual 'Oh, there he is again with 20,000 people cheering him.' And other times I say, 'Oh my God, look at that.'" He says he has only recently started to believe that underdog Bernie can do it, "go all the way to the White House." "Really only in the last month or so did it seem to me that he was going to win the nomination," he said. "I think once he has won the nomination he will find the general election much easier. "I'm not entirely surprised by it, actually," he added. "I didn't expect it to happen quite so quickly, but I've seen him in action: He's a very powerful politician. And the other thing of course is, the basis of what he's saying is real. ... There has been a shift in wealth and income from the bulk of the population to the very richest, and it goes back 40 years." At 80, Larry Sanders is six years older than his brother, his Brooklyn accent mellowed by more than four decades in Britain. He says the brothers' politics are rooted in the post-war Brooklyn where they grew up, the children of "staunch New Dealer" parents. Their father, Eli, was a Polish Jew who came to the United States when he was 17, their mother Dorothy the New York-born child of eastern European Jewish immigrants. "We were not poor we had everything we needed but our parents argued, and what they argued about was money," Sanders said in the kitchen of his modest, century-old house not far from Oxford's historic city center. "I think a lot of politicians, if they've come from financially secure backgrounds, it doesn't really resonate what it means to have these arguments and to have this tension. And Bernard, without wanting to have it, has it, and it hasn't gone away." To Sanders, his brother is always Bernard, never Bernie, which just doesn't "sound right." Sanders said that growing up, the brothers were conscious of the shadow of the Holocaust, "because we knew we'd lost relatives, and the consequence of that was that politics was very serious. Lots of kids grow up thinking it's just game-playing." He said their early values were simple ones learned in public school and Hebrew school: The Declaration of Independence's assertion that "all men are created equal," the Torah's exhortation to be kind to "the stranger among you." "Tens of millions of people anywhere will have had very similar upbringings," he said. "But Bernard, somehow it stuck with Bernard." Larry Sanders studied politics at Brooklyn College, where he was involved with the Young Democrats, and discussed political ideas with his younger brother, a good-but-not-great student and a top track athlete. "I dragged him to some meetings," Sanders said. "He found them incredibly boring, but he came." Larry was surprised when Bernie announced his first political campaign, a run for high school student president. "He didn't do very well he finished third out of three," Sanders said. "But he was the only one who had a serious platform. The others talked more about prom stuff, but he ... (said) the school should raise money for scholarships for Korean orphans." Later, Larry watched as Bernie charted his own political path first as part of the civil rights movement in Chicago, then in Vermont, where, as an independent, he served as mayor of Burlington, congressman and senator. Larry moved to Britain with his late first wife, becoming a university lecturer in health and social care and serving for a decade as an Oxfordshire county councilor. Last week, he was named national health spokesman for the Green Party, which has thousands of members but just one lawmaker out of 650 in Parliament. He lives with his partner Janet in a cozy house full of books and knick-knacks and toys they have four grandchildren under 10. A book about Franklin D. Roosevelt lies on a table, as does a neat stack of "Oxford for Bernie" leaflets. Sanders, who still has U.S. citizenship, has been campaigning to get American students at Oxford to back his brother in the Democrats' global primary in March. Sanders spent five weeks with Bernie on the campaign trail last fall, and was astonished by his stamina. "I do worry a little bit about his health, but the miracle is that he does it and he thrives," he said. "I think seeing him more recently as things have even gotten better electorally for him, he looks to me more comfortable and more calm. How he does it I don't know. The only connection I can say (is) that his physical constitution as a runner when he was young is part of it. He could run, keep on running and he did keep on running." Sanders plans to return to the U.S. for the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia in July. He has allowed himself to daydream about watching his brother take the presidential inauguration oath and about visiting him in the White House. "It's said to be a very good B&B, so we'll take advantage of it," he said. "I won't insist on the Lincoln bedroom." ___ Follow Jill Lawless on Twitter at http://Twitter.com/JillLawless Larry Sanders holds political leaflets at home in Oxford, England, Monday, Feb. 15, 2016. These are exciting times for Larry Sanders, a stalwart Green Party campaigner in Oxford, England. He's just been appointed to a new job as his party's national spokesman on health. And he's helping out his little brother Bernie with a small electoral campaign on the other side of the Atlantic. Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders is an outsider who has far exceeded expectations as he battles Hillary Clinton for the Democratic Party's presidential nomination. The left-wing senator has energized thousands of young supporters with his promise to transform the American economy, education and health care systems, and last week gained more momentum by winning the New Hampshire primary. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth) Larry Sanders smiles at home in Oxford, England, Monday, Feb. 15, 2016. These are exciting times for Larry Sanders, a stalwart Green Party campaigner in Oxford, England. He's just been appointed to a new job as his party's national spokesman on health. And he's helping out his little brother Bernie with a small electoral campaign on the other side of the Atlantic. Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders is an outsider who has far exceeded expectations as he battles Hillary Clinton for the Democratic Party's presidential nomination. The left-wing senator has energized thousands of young supporters with his promise to transform the American economy, education and health care systems, and last week gained more momentum by winning the New Hampshire primary. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth) Larry Sanders at home in his kitchen in Oxford, England, Monday, Feb. 15, 2016. These are exciting times for Larry Sanders, a stalwart Green Party campaigner in Oxford, England. He's just been appointed to a new job as his party's national spokesman on health. And he's helping out his little brother Bernie with a small electoral campaign on the other side of the Atlantic. Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders is an outsider who has far exceeded expectations as he battles Hillary Clinton for the Democratic Party's presidential nomination. The left-wing senator has energized thousands of young supporters with his promise to transform the American economy, education and health care systems, and last week gained more momentum by winning the New Hampshire primary. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth) Larry Sanders at home in his kitchen in Oxford, England, Monday, Feb. 15, 2016. These are exciting times for Larry Sanders, a stalwart Green Party campaigner in Oxford, England. He's just been appointed to a new job as his party's national spokesman on health. And he's helping out his little brother Bernie with a small electoral campaign on the other side of the Atlantic. Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders is an outsider who has far exceeded expectations as he battles Hillary Clinton for the Democratic Party's presidential nomination. The left-wing senator has energized thousands of young supporters with his promise to transform the American economy, education and health care systems, and last week gained more momentum by winning the New Hampshire primary. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth) Larry Sanders poses for a photographer with his younger brother Bernie in this undated image provided by Larry Sanders. These are exciting times for Larry Sanders, a stalwart Green Party campaigner in Oxford, England. He's just been appointed to a new job as his party's national spokesman on health. And he's helping out his little brother Bernie with a small electoral campaign on the other side of the Atlantic. Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders is an outsider who has far exceeded expectations as he battles Hillary Clinton for the Democratic Party's presidential nomination. The left-wing senator has energized thousands of young supporters with his promise to transform the American economy, education and health care systems, and last week gained more momentum by winning the New Hampshire primary. (Sanders Family via AP) A University of Rhode Island professor has developed a sensor that detects the kind of explosive used in the Paris bombings, to try to stop future attacks. Professor Otto Gregory compares his sensor to a dog's nose, the gold standard in explosives detection. It 'sniffs' the air for vapors emitted from explosives. University of Rhode Island engineering professor Otto Gregory, right, is reflected in a silicon wafer, center, that contains sensors to detect explosives, in front of a thin film surface analyzer, behind, in a laboratory on the school's campus, in South Kingstown. HOW IT WORKS The sensor measures the energy that's released as a molecule as an explosive breaks down. Nanowires in the sensor act as a catalyst to cause that decomposition so the explosive can be detected. The system also measures the electrical properties of the catalyst as it interacts with the explosive vapor, as a second check. It detects both nitrogen-based and peroxide-based explosives, Gregory said. He envisions it being affixed inside a Jetway or an entrance to a nightclub, stadium, subway or other public space, triggering an alarm if explosives are detected. Advertisement Inside his laboratory, Gregory is evaluating how well his sensor detects triacetone triperoxide. The Paris attackers packed TATP into their suicide vests and wielded assault rifles, killing 130 people Nov. 13. TATP was also used in the 2005 London bombings, which killed 52 commuters, and by Richard Reid, who tried unsuccessfully to detonate a bomb in his shoe during a trans-Atlantic flight in 2001. TATP is relatively easy to make, and the materials are readily available in pharmacies and hardware stores, experts say. Even small quantities can cause large explosions. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security began funding Gregory's work through a center for explosives research in 2008. His sensor is designed to continuously monitor an area, unlike a quick swab of a hand or of luggage at the airport to screen for particulates from explosives. It doesn't need training or breaks, as bomb-sniffing dogs do. 'Think of it as an electronic dog's nose that would run 24/7,' said Gregory, a chemical engineering professor. Homeland Security created a center of excellence for explosives experts to collaborate and improve the nation's response to threats, called the ALERT, or Awareness and Localization of Explosives-Related Threats, Center. Gregory's work is fairly mature, and a commercial partner will probably want to invest, said ALERT Center Director Michael Silevitch. 'You can't have a dog everywhere,' Silevitch said. 'The more we can screen vulnerable targets, the better off we're going to be.' The sensor measures the energy that's released as a molecule as an explosive breaks down. Nanowires in the sensor act as a catalyst to cause that decomposition so the explosive can be detected. Researchers say the system can now rival a dog's nose: Pictured, 'Biggles' the sniffer dog basks in the sun, close to the finish line of the London Marathon. The system also measures the electrical properties of the catalyst as it interacts with the explosive vapor, as a second check. It detects both nitrogen-based and peroxide-based explosives, Gregory said. He envisions it being affixed inside a Jetway or an entrance to a nightclub, stadium, subway or other public space, triggering an alarm if explosives are detected. The first prototype would cost roughly $1,000 to $2,000, Gregory said. He's working on a hand-held version he estimates would cost several hundred dollars, and he's talking with companies interested in licensing it. A Homeland Security spokeswoman said she couldn't comment on the project until it's complete. Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts, leads the agency's ALERT Center. The University of Rhode Island is a partner. Gregory receives $80,000 to $100,000 annually for his sensor research through the center. A silicon wafer with sensor arrays called microelectromechanical systems, or MEMS, in a University of Rhode Island laboratory, in South Kingstown, R.I. The MEMS are designed to detect vapors emitted from explosives including TATP, which was used in the Paris attacks. Jimmie Oxley, the technical lead at URI for the center, said there's nothing exactly like it on the market today. A spokesman for Smiths Detection in London, a leading designer and manufacturer of sensors that detect and identify explosives, confirmed Gregory's technique is different than its own systems. University of Rhode Island engineering professor Otto Gregory is reflected in a silicon wafer, that contains sensors to detect explosives, in front of a thin film surface analyzer, behind, in a laboratory on the school's campus. FLIR Systems Inc., based in Wilsonville, Oregon, makes hand-held explosive trace detectors but uses luminescence to detect explosives. 'We're always interested in new technologies that prove their capabilities in real-world operational environments,' said Aimee Rose, the company's director of explosive detection products. 'It's exciting to see these new technologies coming to light.' Gregory said he has four patents on the technology. To test the sensor, Gregory and his team put TATP onto filter paper and blow gas over it. The vapor travels through pipes to two of the sensors. Avial containing TATP filter paper in a URI laboratory on the school's campus in South Kingstown, R.I. The filter paper contains small amounts of the explosive TATP and emits a vapor that is used in testing and developing detectors for the presence of the explosive. TATP was used in the Paris attacks. Each sensor looks like a SIM card for a mobile phone, though it's about half that size. Data is fed into a computer. Gregory is searching for the point at which the sensor can't detect an explosive because it's too diluted. So far, it can find one molecule of an explosive in a billion molecules of air, he said. He's also trying to make sure the sensor won't trigger false alarms. Syrian boy writes emotional letter to Swedish king STOCKHOLM (AP) A 12-year-old Syrian boy is hoping for an audience with Swedish King Carl XVI Gustaf after describing his family's perilous journey to the Nordic country in a moving letter to the figurehead monarch. The royal palace confirmed Tuesday that the king had received the letter from Ahmed, whose mother asked that his surname not be published because he's a minor. The family is still waiting to hear whether it will be granted refugee status. Ahmed wrote that his family lived happily in Aleppo, Syria, "until the war started with the sound of missiles, shooting and terror." The letter that twelve-year-old Syrian refugee boy Ahmed posted to the Swedish King is displayed in Malmo Sweden, Wednesday Feb. 3, 2016. Ahmed is hoping for an audience with Swedens King Carl XVI Gustaf after describing his familys perilous journey to the Nordic country in a moving letter to the figurehead monarch. The royal palace confirmed Tuesday Feb. 16, 2016, that the king had received the letter from Ahmed, whose mother asked that his surname not be published because hes a minor. The photo with the letter shows Ahmed with Pooja Sharafi (Pooja Sharafi via AP) He described their escape to Greece in a "rubber boat" amid the cries of children and how his "heart was crushed" when he saw the tears of his mother. "I wanted to talk about my journey from Syria to Sweden," Ahmed told The Associated Press. "And I wanted to talk to him about Swedish people. I like the Swedish people very much." Ahmed wrote the letter in Arabic. Pooja Sharafi, a 29-year-old counsellor at the school in Malmo where Ahmed is enrolled, helped him get it translated into Swedish. "I was very moved when I read it," said Sharafi, whose parents fled to Sweden as refugees from Iran. He also posted the letter on Facebook. Royal palace spokesman Daniel Urso said the king replied on Feb. 11 but declined to disclose the details, saying it was a "private matter." However, Ahmed, his mother and Sharafi said none of them had seen a reply. The reason for the discrepancy wasn't immediately clear. Ahmed said he hopes to meet the king, who he had heard "is very kind to his people." In the letter, the boy said he even brought new clothes from Syria to wear in case he's able to meet the monarch. Ahmed said he is thankful that the family has found shelter in Sweden, one of the top destinations for asylum-seekers in Europe, and that he wants to repay the country when he grows up. "I want to be doctor in Sweden, big doctor," he told AP. "I want to do something very good to Swedish people because they gave me a beautiful place." ___ Jan M. Olsen reported from Copenhagen, Denmark. Man accused of plan to attack UK or US troops in Britain LONDON (AP) Prosecutors say a British man used a bomb-making article from an al-Qaida publication to plan an attack on British or American military personnel in the U.K. Prosecutor Max Hill told a London court Tuesday that Junead Khan a delivery driver whose work took him past U.S. air bases in eastern England was "preparing for an attack on British forces or American soldiers or airmen" when he was arrested in July. When police raided Khan's home, they found a laptop containing an article from an al-Qaida online magazine entitled "Make a bomb in the kitchen of your mom." Khan denies preparing for an attack. Somali plane bomber was known as religious but not extremist MOGADISHU, Somalia (AP) He was a teacher at an Islamic school, known in his hometown in northwestern Somalia as a talkative, religious man with a sense of humor. He has also been identified as a suicide bomber who tried to bring down an airliner. Abdullahi Abdisalam Borleh boarded a plane on Feb. 2 with a bomb which exploded at 11,000 feet. The blast created a hole in the fuselage of the Airbus 321, just above the wing, and Borleh was blown out, his body falling to earth and landing in the Somali town of Balad. FILE - In this Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2016 file photo, a hole is photographed in a plane operated by Daallo Airlines as it sits on the runway of the airport in Mogadishu, Somalia. Abdullahi Abdisalam Borleh boarded the plane on Feb. 2 with a bomb which exploded at 11,000 feet. The blast created a hole in the fuselage of the Airbus 321, just above the wing, and Borleh was blown out, his body falling to earth and landing in the Somali town of Balad. (AP Photo, File) Borleh said he was going abroad for health reasons, according to Sheikh Mohamed Abdullahi, a mosque imam in Hargeisa near where Borleh was from, and who met with him in January. Abdullahi estimated Borleh's age at between 50 and 52, described him as "chatty," and said that he had a leg problem that required him to sometimes walk with a cane. "He travelled to Mogadishu to obtain a passport to go to either Turkey or India for medical reasons," Abdullahi said in a telephone interview. "He was probably travelling overseas to straighten his leg." On Saturday, al-Shabab, Somalia's Islamic extremist rebels, claimed responsibility for the attempt to destroy the plane with 81 passengers and crew aboard. The al-Qaida-linked group mocked efforts to prevent such attacks and threatened more "to purify this Muslim land from the filth of the disbelievers." "Despite all their security measures ... the Mujahideen can and will get to them," the group said. There are mounting signs that al-Shabab had inside help. A senior civil aviation security officer who supervised operations of screening machines at Mogadishu airport was one of 20 people arrested after he was seen on CCTV accompanying another man who handed the laptop believed to contain the bomb to Borleh after he had gone through security. The other man, identified as an airport employee, was also among those arrested. "It was a meticulously planned and coordinated plot, and the bomber would never have gone beyond any security screening without the assistance of well-placed insiders facilitating his limitless access into the airport," said a senior Somali counterterrorism official who insisted on anonymity for his own safety. Borleh may also have had help from other official quarters. A Somali federal official recommended that the government issue Borleh a passport, said a senior intelligence official in Somaliland, the autonomous region where Borleh was from. Borleh had been on security agents' radar, "but we had never considered him to be dangerous," the official told The Associated Press by phone from Hargeisa, Somaliland's capital. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he is not authorized to speak to the media. Officials are also looking at a lead that runs straight to Somalia's foreign ministry. A senior Somali immigration official said Borleh had obtained a Turkish visa to work in Turkey as a foreign ministry adviser, and provided the AP with a copy of a letter allegedly sent from the Somali Embassy in Ankara, Turkey, to the Turkish Embassy in Somalia's capital. The letter asked the Turkish Embassy to facilitate a visa for Borleh to be "an advisor to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Investment Promotions." But the Somali Embassy in Ankara denied making such a request to the Turkish Embassy in Mogadishu and called the document a fake. The Somali Foreign Ministry and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Investment Promotion Abdusalam H. Omer did not comment, despite repeated requests from AP over five days. It is possible that al-Shabab, in a display of sophisticated deception, wrote the letter on official or official-looking stationery and sent it to the Turkish Embassy. The embassy declined to comment to AP on whether it had received the letter or acted on it. Having the visa would have been key to getting aboard a flight, which originally was on Turkish Airlines. In its statement claiming responsibility, al-Shabab lashed out at Turkey, which has been a strong supporter of the Somali government. The flight on Feb. 2 was supposed to have been on Turkish Airlines, but the airline canceled because of bad weather from a previous departure point, and Dubai-based Daallo Airlines was instead used. Flight 159 consequently took off an hour late, a delay which may have saved the passengers and crew. If the bomb had gone off at cruising altitude, as it might have if it was rigged to a timing device set to coincide with the original flight time, the result could have been catastrophic, with the plane possibly disintegrating because of the vast difference between air pressure inside and outside at 30,000-plus feet. Instead the blast happened earlier, at a lower altitude. Borleh was the only fatality and the plane's controls were unaffected by the blast allowing the pilot able to fly the plane back to Mogadishu safely. The statement from al-Shabab did not mention Borleh. Some intelligence officials believe he knowingly carried the bomb aboard, though that has not been conclusively established. Borleh was seen as very religious but not a firebrand in his northwestern town of Borama, far from the battlegrounds of al-Shabab, which operates mostly in southern Somalia. While the extremist group doesn't have a presence in the town near the Ethiopian border, intelligence officials say there are a few al-Shabab sympathizers there. Borleh taught the Quran and Islamic ethics to local children but acquaintances said he didn't discuss politics. He favored a long mustache and usually wore trousers cut to just below the knee. He was married and had children, though how many isn't clear. "He was a normal and humorous man, and he rarely talked about persecutions against Muslims in East Africa," said a local journalist who met Borleh before he travelled to Mogadishu. Abdullahi, the Muslim preacher in Hargeisa, is still trying to come to grips with what happened. "It's hard to believe he committed the crime being reported by media," Abdullahi said. With officials still trying to fill in the blanks, the man who fell from Flight 159 remains a cipher. ___ AP writer Suzan Fraser in Ankara, Turkey contributed to this report. Bush, Cruz appeal to South Carolina's military community CHARLESTON, South Carolina (AP) Jeb Bush and Ted Cruz on Tuesday appealed to South Carolina, a state with a large military and veteran population, with promises to strengthen U.S. defense as the next Republican primary approaches. Democratic rivals Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders sought support from black voters in upcoming nominating contests. South Carolina residents will cast their votes for a Republican nominee for president on Saturday. For the Democrats, the Nevada caucuses are next. Polls show Donald Trump leading with about a third of the vote in South Carolina, holding a double-digit lead over Cruz, a Texas senator. Florida Sen. Marco Rubio is trying to rebound from a disappointing fifth place finish in the New Hampshire primary. Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump poses with a cutout while visiting his campaign office, Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2016, in Greenville, S.C. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya) Bush, the former Florida governor, is desperately trying to save his campaign by finishing ahead of Rubio and Ohio Gov. John Kasich. They are locked in a race to emerge as the more mainstream alternative to Trump, the brash billionaire, and Cruz, an outspoken conservative Cruz. On Monday, Bush had his brother, former President George W. Bush, on the campaign trail for the first time. Jeb Bush's comments Tuesday focused heavily on gun rights. He also addressed the Supreme Court vacancy following the death of Justice Antonin Scalia, saying that he would choose someone who, like Scalia, was a "lover of liberty." Cruz called for increasing the number of active-duty troops, airplanes and battleships. He did not put a price tag on his plans, but pointed to former President Ronald Reagan's approach as a model for how he would get it done. Cruz said he will pay for it by cutting federal spending by at least $500 billion, selling federal assets and properties and auditing the Pentagon to find savings. Cruz came under fire from his rivals over what they call a pattern of unethical campaign tactics and inaccurate statements by the Texas senator who has shaped his White House bid around trust. Trump and Rubio have accused Cruz of distorting their records with increasing frequency, openly calling him a liar. The Texas senator shrugged off the criticism Tuesday while campaigning in South Carolina. Trump and Rubio have accused Cruz of distorting their records with increasing frequency. "Both Donald Trump and Marco Rubio have this very strange pattern where if you point to their actual record, if you point to the words that have come out of their mouth, they don't respond on substance. They just scream 'Liar! Liar! Liar!'" Cruz said Tuesday. The fiery conservative's ability to navigate questions about his integrity could well decide his fate in the crowded 2016 contest, where he remains a top-tier contender. "He's lying. And I think it's disturbing," Rubio said in Beaufort. "I think this is very disturbing when you have a candidate that now on a regular basis just makes things up." Trump was even more aggressive, describing Cruz the day before as "the single biggest liar I've ever come across, in politics or otherwise." Clinton, the Democratic front-runner, made a direct appeal to black voters Tuesday as she moved to shore up the support of minority voters in advance of nominating contests in South Carolina and the Deep South, where blacks make up more than half of the Democratic electorate. Clinton spent all of Tuesday in New York City focused on solidifying the African-American support her family has long enjoyed and that her campaign is counting on to act as a firewall against the surprisingly insurgent campaign of Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders. She capped off her day with a speech at a Harlem public library in which she vowed to protect the economic opportunities and voting rights of African-Americans. The former secretary of state suggested black voters would find her proposals more far-reaching than Sanders' warnings about economic inequality and the power of Wall Street. "It's not enough for your economic plan to be, 'Break up the banks,'" Clinton said. "You also need a serious plan to create jobs especially in places where unemployment remains stubbornly high." Sanders has pushed back against Clinton's contention that he is only a "single-issue" candidate and campaigned Tuesday in South Carolina, holding a prayer breakfast with black ministers and appearing with Erica Garner, whose father, Eric Garner, died from a police chokehold in New York City in 2014. Sanders pledged to reduce income inequality and break up big financial institutions, but also stressed criminal justice reform and voting rights and reflected on the country's racial history. "It is clear to everybody that we still have a long, long way to go," he said. Democratic presidential candidate, Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt. smiles during a prayer breakfast with faith leaders at Allen University, Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2016, in Columbia, S.C. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks to supporters during a campaign stop in North Augusta, S.C., Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2016. (Michael Holahan/The Augusta Chronicle via AP) MANDATORY CREDIT Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks to supporters during a campaign stop in North Augusta, S.C., Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2016. (Michael Holahan/The Augusta Chronicle via AP) MANDATORY CREDIT Republican presidential candidate and former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, accompanied by his brother former President George W. Bush and George's wife Laura Bush, takes the stage during a campaign stop Monday, Feb. 15, 2016, in North Charleston, S.C. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke) Republican presidential candidate Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, waves to the crowd as he arrives to speak at a rally at the Southeastern Institute of Manufacturing & Technology in Florence, S.C., Monday, Feb. 15, 2016. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin) Republican presidential candidate, Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla. meets with attendees during a campaign stop, Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2016, in Summerville, S.C. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke) Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton speaks at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2016, in New York. (AP Photo/Bryan R. Smith) Woman charged in Oklahoma parade crash to face more charges STILLWATER, Okla. (AP) A prosecutor says she expects to file about 12 new charges and drop two others against a woman accused of driving her car into Oklahoma State University's homecoming parade last fall, killing four people and injuring dozens of others. Payne County District Attorney Laura Austin Thomas said Tuesday after a hearing that more injured victims of the Oct. 24 crash have been found and two people initially thought to be victims were not injured by the crash. Adacia Avery Chambers of Stillwater is charged with four counts of second-degree murder and 46 counts of assault and battery. Thomas said she expects to amend the charges by next week. Prosecutors say Chambers intentionally drove her car into the parade crowd. AP EXPLAINS: Why the fight in northern Syria is pivotal BEIRUT (AP) Across a narrow strip of border territory near the Euphrates River, a ferocious battle with huge implications for Syria's civil war is playing out, one that also risks erupting into a regional conflict. The fight for control of Aleppo pulls in all the major players in Syria's civil war over a prized strip of rebel-held land near the Turkish border. A look at this stretch of territory sometimes referred to as the Azaz corridor: FILE - In this Feb. 15, 2016 file photo, a wounded Syrian man is carried to a hospital in Kilis, Turkey. The fighting in northern Syria has huge implications in the civil war and risks erupting into a wider regional conflict. The battle for control of Aleppo involves all the major players over a prized strip of rebel-held territory near the Turkish border. (AP Photo/Halit Onur Sandal, File) ___ THE GEOGRAPHY The area is a nearly 100-kilometer (60-mile) border zone stretching from Azaz in the west to the town of Jarablus near the Euphrates River, down to the northern suburbs of Aleppo city. The zone is wedged between Kurdish-controlled areas to the east and west. It includes Azaz and Marea, two strongholds of Turkey-backed rebels fighting to topple President Bashar Assad; and Jarablus, al-Bab and Manbij, held by the Islamic State group. Syrian government troops, backed by Hezbollah and Iranian forces, are pushing toward the north from around Tel Rifaat. Warplanes from the U.S.-led coalition pound IS-held areas in the zone, while Russia, a key Assad backer, bombs the rebels. ___ WHY IT'S IMPORTANT The outcome of the fight in Aleppo may to a large extent determine the outcome of the 5-year-old conflict. This is because the town of Azaz, with its border crossing of Bab al-Salameh, has been a lifeline for the opposition since it fell into rebel hands in 2012. A route known as the Azaz corridor links rebel-held eastern Aleppo with Turkey. If the rebels lose this corridor, they would effectively lose Aleppo. The entire border with Turkey would be sealed off, its control shifting to anti-Turkish Syrian government or Kurdish forces. ___ THE KURDS AND IS Kurdish fighters, who have been the most successful in the war against IS and are allied with both the U.S. and Russia, control most of the 910-kilometer (565-mile) boundary with Turkey, interrupted only by a patch of rebel- and IS-held land. They are taking advantage of the chaos to advance and try to link the two enclaves they control to the east and west. They have advanced eastward from Afrin and from the west to the edge of Azaz, triggering alarm in Ankara, which responded with artillery on Kurdish positions. Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu on Monday vowed the "harshest reaction" should the Kurdish People's Protection Units, or YPG, advance on Azaz, a town near the border held by anti-Assad rebels. The Kurds are also preparing to move in on IS-held areas, starting with Jarablus just east of the Euphrates. ___ A SAFE ZONE Turkey has for years lobbied the international community for a no-fly zone in this strip of territory along its border a plan that opens the possibility of a safe haven for tens of thousands of displaced Syrians. Washington has long rejected that, fearing it would draw U.S. forces further into the civil war. Last year, the U.S. and Turkey announced they would create an IS-free zone in the area, but that idea went nowhere. Turkey is still toying with the idea of a ground incursion to secure the area, but a Turkish official said Tuesday there will be no unilateral ground operation. He spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to talk publicly on the issue. Saudi Arabia has said it also is ready to send ground troops to Syria to fight IS and is sending warplanes to an air base in Turkey near the border. ___ HUMANITARIAN DISASTER The fighting in Aleppo has sent tens of thousands of people fleeing toward the Turkish border, where they sleep in tents and open fields. It also has disrupted aid deliveries, putting more civilians at risk of being completely cut off. Aid groups estimate that more than 100,000 people have left Aleppo in the past two weeks because of fears the city would become besieged. Fears of more refugees flowing into Europe may change perspectives. German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Monday backed the idea of a no-fly zone in Syria to protect civilians who might otherwise flee the country. Turkish artillery fire from the border near Kilis town toward northern Syria, in Kilis, Turkey, Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2016. A Turkish official says his country is pushing the case for ground operations in Syria, hoping for the involvement of the U.S. and other allies in an international coalition against the Islamic State group. The official told reporters in Istanbul that "without ground operations it is impossible to stop the fighting in Syria" and that Turkey has pressed the issue in recent discussions with the U.S. and other Western nations. (AP Photo/Halit Onur Sandal) Turkish medics carry a wounded Syrian child to a hospital in Kilis, Turkey, Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2016. Airstrikes blamed on Russia hit at least two hospitals and a school in northern Syria on Monday, killing and wounding dozens of civilians and further dimming hopes for a temporary truce, as government troops backed by Russian warplanes pressed a major offensive north of Aleppo. The raids came days after Russia and other world powers agreed to bring about a pause in fighting that would allow for the delivery of humanitarian aid and the revival of peace talks.(AP Photo/Halit Onur Sandal) FILE - In this Feb. 15, 2016 file photo, a Turkish man helps a Syrian woman carrying a wounded Syrian girl to a hospital in Kilis, Turkey. The fighting in northern Syria has huge implications in the civil war and risks erupting into a wider regional conflict. The battle for control of Aleppo involves all the major players over a prized strip of rebel-held territory near the Turkish border. (AP Photo/Halit Onur Sandal, File) Turkish medics carry a wounded Syrian child to a hospital in Kilis, Turkey, Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2016. Airstrikes blamed on Russia hit at least two hospitals and a school in northern Syria on Monday, killing and wounding dozens of civilians and further dimming hopes for a temporary truce, as government troops backed by Russian warplanes pressed a major offensive north of Aleppo. The raids came days after Russia and other world powers agreed to bring about a pause in fighting that would allow for the delivery of humanitarian aid and the revival of peace talks.(AP Photo/Halit Onur Sandal) FILE - In this Feb. 7, 2016, file photo, Syrians wait for information, in front of the closed Turkish border crossing with Syria, on the outskirts of the town of Kilis, in southeastern Turkey. The fighting in northern Syria has huge implications in the civil war and risks erupting into a wider regional conflict. The battle for control of Aleppo involves all the major players over a prized strip of rebel-held territory near the Turkish border. (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis, File) Turkish artillery fire from the border near Kilis town toward northern Syria, in Kilis, Turkey, Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2016. A Turkish official says his country is pushing the case for ground operations in Syria, hoping for the involvement of the U.S. and other allies in an international coalition against the Islamic State group. The official told reporters in Istanbul that "without ground operations it is impossible to stop the fighting in Syria" and that Turkey has pressed the issue in recent discussions with the U.S. and other Western nations. (AP Photo/Halit Onur Sandal) FILE - In this Feb. 9, 2016 file photo, Syrian Aya Sharqawi, 6, wounded in an airstrike recently in her hometown of Tel Rifaat, Syria, lays on her bed at a hospital in Kilis, Turkey. The fighting in northern Syria has huge implications in the civil war and risks erupting into a wider regional conflict. The battle for control of Aleppo involves all the major players over a prized strip of rebel-held territory near the Turkish border. (AP Photos/Lefteris Pitarakis, File) Turkish soldiers take position as artillery fire from the border near Kilis town toward northern Syria, in Kilis, Turkey, Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2016. A Turkish official says his country is pushing the case for ground operations in Syria, hoping for the involvement of the U.S. and other allies in an international coalition against the Islamic State group.The official told reporters in Istanbul that "without ground operations it is impossible to stop the fighting in Syria" and that Turkey has pressed the issue in recent discussions with the U.S. and other Western nations. (AP Photo/Halit Onur Sandal) Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu addresses his lawmakers in Ankara, Turkey, Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2016. Turkish artillery continue to pound the positions in northern Syria as a Turkish official says his country is pushing the case for ground operations in Syria, hoping for the involvement of the U.S. and other allies in an international coalition against the Islamic State group.The official told reporters in Istanbul that "without ground operations it is impossible to stop the fighting in Syria" and that Turkey has pressed the issue in recent discussions with the U.S. and other Western nations.(AP Photo) Moroccan freed from Guantanamo slams IS, reflects on torture SAFI, Morocco (AP) As a prisoner in Guantanamo, Younis Chekkouri learned about the new group of Islamic extremists advancing through Syria and Iraq. Released after 13 years without charges, and free in his home country for the first time in two decades, the 46-year-old vows not to be among the estimated 2,000 Moroccans who have chosen to join the Islamic State group. "Islam is innocent of this group and its actions," he says. "They are criminals." Younis Chekkouri cries as he speaks to The Associated Press about his detention in Guantanamo, in Safi, Morocco, Monday, Feb. 15, 2016. Chekkouri has been released from Guantanamo after 13 years without charges , and is free in his home country for the first time in two decades. (AP Photo/Abdeljalil Bounhar) Other inmates at Guantanamo also followed the news and widely echoed his condemnations of IS, he adds. He and his younger brother, Ridouane Chekkouri, who was released from Guantanamo in 2004, sit alongside each other on the terrace of a cafe in their hometown Safi, recounting and listening to their shared stories of torture and abuse. According to unclassified appeals documents provided to The Associated Press and written by the elder Chekkouri's lawyers in 2010, "he suffered serious abuse at the hands of the United States, in detention in Afghanistan." "Part of this involved threats made against his younger brother, Ridouane," the documents say. "They would try to use my brother against me," Younis says, recalling their initial detention in the province of Kandahar in Afghanistan. "They broke his arm," he adds as Ridouane gazes down. Younis says he went to Afghanistan after a number of years studying Sufism in various countries across the Mideast, including Sudan, Yemen, and Syria, among others. In court documents, he is quoted as saying he was looking for work as a recently married 31-year-old, initially traveling with his wife. In an interview Monday with The Associated Press, he describes himself as something of a tourist. He was picked up by bounty hunters along with suspected al-Qaida fighters and others in December 2001, and recalls being taken to a room in Pakistan "where I was greeted by people with blonde hair and blue eyes." "They immediately asked me which terrorist group I belonged to," he told the AP. None was the answer, but that was disregarded by the U.S. military until 2009. Only then did it conclude that he didn't pose a threat to the United States, acknowledging in court documents that the allegations against him were trumped up by fellow detainees determined to be unreliable. They included one described as "a pathological liar" and another who was repeatedly subjected to waterboarding, "parroting whatever his torturers wanted to hear." Still, Younis remained at the U.S. base in Cuba until September last year, caught up in international legal wrangling, and upon his arrival in Morocco he was immediately detained without any charges or detailed explanation of why. He was eventually released Friday, pending a hearing on Feb. 23 that will determine whether or not he will face charges of "conspiring against national security," according to his Morocco lawyer Khalil Idrissi. The U.S. Justice Department alleged, among other things, that he had ties to the Moroccan Islamic Combatant Group, or GICM, allegations it later withdrew. Morocco's head of the Central Bureau of Judicial Investigations has said Morocco can choose to maintain the allegations dropped by the U.S. At least four former Guantanamo inmates from Morocco have joined extremist fighters in Syria, including one later arrested in Spain for recruiting, and the North African kingdom keeps a close watch on the rest. Within 20 minutes of meeting the AP, Younis receives a phone call from a local security official asking about the group's authorization to film him, two plainclothes officers approaches him directly, and a uniformed officer requests authorization from the AP. As he recounts his time detained in Guantanamo, Chekkouri breathes deeply and requests a break. "The only positive part about Guantanamo was that I ate three meals a day there," Chekkouri says. He compares life there to "The Hunger Games," a film he says he watched during his imprisonment. "I was subject to all sorts of dark torture and sexual abuse in Guantanamo and Kandahar," he says as his brother hands him tissues for the tears streaming down his face. A Sufi Muslim whose form of religion is viewed with suspicion by extremist groups like IS and al-Qaida, Chekkouri denies any links to radicals. "I'm finally tasting freedom," he says as he gazes toward the Atlantic Ocean from the boardwalk of his coastal hometown. Since his release, he has been left to fend for himself, unable to purchase the proper medication to treat his depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. Still, Chekkouri remains hopeful about his future. He is due to be reunited with his Algerian wife, who is in her homeland, in about two weeks. "Ours is a unique story, worthy of a Hollywood film," reflects Chekkouri. He pulls out a Valentine's Day card his wife sent him while he was in Guantanamo, filled with hearts and a long, hand-written poem in Arabic. But they are no longer the young couple they were when he was detained, and he feels robbed of the fatherhood he dreamed of while in Guantanamo, when he would write to an imagined daughter. "I saw my niece yesterday and embraced her. I went to sleep that night thinking she was my daughter," he says as he holds back tears. "They've deprived me of being a father." ___ Ben Fox in Miami contributed. Hinnant reported from Paris. Younis Chekkouri gestures towards the Atlantic Ocean, as he speaks to The Associated Press in Safi, Morocco, Monday, Feb. 15, 2016. Chekkouri has been released from Guantanamo after 13 years without charges , and is free in his home country for the first time in two decades. (AP Photo/Abdeljalil Bounhar) Younis Chekkouri gestures towards the Atlantic Ocean, as he speaks to The Associated Press in Safi, Morocco, Monday, Feb. 15, 2016. Chekkouri has been released from Guantanamo after 13 years without charges , and is free in his home country for the first time in two decades. (AP Photo/Abdeljalil Bounhar) Younis Chekkouri gestures towards his brother Ridouane as he speaks to The Associated Press in Safi, Morocco, Monday, Feb. 15, 2016. Chekkouri has been released from Guantanamo after 13 years without charges , and is free in his home country for the first time in two decades. His younger brother, Ridouane Chekkouri, was released from Guantanamo in 2004. (AP Photo/Abdeljalil Bounhar) Israel refuses to move hunger striking prisoner to Ramallah JERUSALEM (AP) Israel's Supreme Court has rejected a hunger striking Palestinian prisoner's request to receive treatment in a Ramallah hospital. Mohammed Al-Qeq stopped eating 84 days ago to protest his incarceration without trial. He's being treated in a hospital in the Israeli city of Afula. Israel says al-Qeq, 33, is involved in militant activities linked to Hamas. Al-Qeq refused an Israeli offer to move to a Palestinian hospital in east Jerusalem because Israel could easily detain him again there after being discharged. Qadura Fares, chairman of the Palestinian Prisoners Society, says Israel's denial amounts to "a death sentence" for al-Qeq. Judge Elyakim Rubinstein said in court Tuesday that Israel aims "to save his life but under no circumstances will we remove him from Israel's borders." Autopsy on grandmother held in girl's death to take weeks MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) It will be weeks before an autopsy reveals what killed an Alabama woman who was serving life without parole for the running death of her 9-year-old granddaughter. Alabama prison spokesman Bob Horton said Tuesday that an autopsy on 50-year-old Joyce Hardin Garrard (juh-RAHRD') (juh-RAHRD') could take six to eight weeks. Garrard died Friday, five days after being taken to a hospital from the state's women's prison. Horton says the initial diagnosis was cardiopulmonary arrest. Garrard was convicted last year of killing 9-year-old Savannah Hardin by making her run as punishment for a lie about candy in 2012. Evidence during the trial showed the girl ran for hours outside Garrard's home in rural northeastern Alabama. Hearing seeks answers about why El Faro sailed into storm JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) The captain of the doomed freighter El Faro emailed his superiors asking about changing the route home the day before his ship sank in a hurricane near the Bahamas, according to testimony Tuesday at an investigative hearing. The email from Michael Davidson asked whether he could take a slower route home from Puerto Rico through the Old Bahama Channel after trying to outrun Hurricane Joaquin. The El Faro never made it that far. The ship sank Oct. 1 after losing propulsion while sailing from Jacksonville to Puerto Rico, killing all 33 aboard. Investigators are seeking answers about who bears responsibility for the ship sailing into a hurricane. The investigative board stands during a moment of silence for the crew members lost during the sinking of the El Faro ship at the hearings in Jacksonville, Fla., Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2016. The series of U.S. Coast Guard hearings will seek answers about why freighter El Faro sank near the Bahamas last fall, killing all crew members in the worst U.S. commercial maritime disaster in decades. (Bruce Lipsky/The Florida Times-Union via AP, Pool) MANDATORY CREDIT Philip Morrell, vice president of marine operations for Tote Services Inc., told a U.S. Coast Guard investigative panel that it is not company policy for captains to ask for permission about voyages or routes. Morrell said the email showed common courtesy by the captain, not evidence that management dictated the ship's route. Investigators asked Morrell why another Tote official, John Fisker-Anderson, replied "authorized" if Davidson did not need permission to change his route. Davidson had also described Hurricane Joaquin's behavior as erratic and unpredictable in his email. "It's clear in our manuals that he doesn't need our permission. He advises us, it's a one way conversation," Morrell said. The panel also sought answers about why the El Faro had taken the longer, safer route near the coast of Florida in 2015 during Tropical Storm Erika. The ship could have taken that route on this trip as well, and the panel sought to learn whether the decision to take the faster route was influenced by Tote officials. Keith Fawcett, a member of the Coast Guard's investigation board, said that company emails show that there was a lot of discussion between Davidson and Tote officials about Erika, a storm much weaker than Joaquin. Fawcett said the emails mention risk assessments for Erika and other safety precautions. Fawcett noted the lack of emails about Joaquin. "Did you send any risk assessments to Capt. Davidson about Hurricane Joaquin?" Fawcett asked. "Not to my knowledge," Morrell said. The 40-year-old freighter, which is longer than 2 football fields, was also scheduled to have its engine boilers serviced in November, Morrell confirmed. But he said the maintenance was routine. It is still not know what caused the vessel's loss of power before it sank. Morrell said the ship performed as well as newer ships, and had similar repair requirements. It was scheduled to be dry docked and sent to Alaska in 2016 where it was to serve as a backup for another cargo ship. Some family members in attendance sobbed as the panel held a moment of silence for the victims. "The fact that we are seeing this hearing speaks to the severity and preventability of the El Faro tragedy. We're just not supposed to see maritime tragedies like this in this day and age," said Jason Itkin, a lawyer representing the family of Anthony Shawn Thomas, one of the sailors who died. Morrell said since the El Faro's sinking, the entire Tote fleet has been outfitted with updated weather reporting systems that provide routing help to captains. Asked why the company waited so long to give their ships this technology, Morrell said he didn't know. The hearings resume Wednesday and are expected to last through next week. ___ Follow Jason Dearen on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/JHDearen . His work can be found here: http://bigstory.ap.org/author/jason-dearen . Capt. Jason Neubauer, right, and the board is sworn in at the beginning of the hearings into the sinking of the El Faro ship in Jacksonville, Fla., Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2016. The series of U.S. Coast Guard hearings will seek answers about why freighter El Faro sank near the Bahamas last fall, killing all crew members in the worst U.S. commercial maritime disaster in decades. (Bruce Lipsky/The Florida Times-Union via AP, Pool) MANDATORY CREDIT Capt. Jason Neubauer, right, chair of the marine investigation, questions Phil Morrell, Vice President of operations for TOTE Maritime, at the hearings into the sinking of the ship El Faro in Jacksonville, Fla., Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2016. The series of U.S. Coast Guard hearings will seek answers about why freighter El Faro sank near the Bahamas last fall, killing all crew members in the worst U.S. commercial maritime disaster in decades. (Bruce Lipsky/The Florida Times-Union via AP, Pool) MANDATORY CREDIT The investigative board stands during a moment of silence for the crew members lost during the sinking of the El Faro ship at the hearings in Jacksonville, Fla., Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2016. The series of U.S. Coast Guard hearings will seek answers about why freighter El Faro sank near the Bahamas last fall, killing all crew members in the worst U.S. commercial maritime disaster in decades. (Bruce Lipsky/The Florida Times-Union via AP, Pool) MANDATORY CREDIT Family members of the crew stand during a moment of silence for those lost on the El Faro ship at the hearings in Jacksonville, Fla., Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2016. The series of U.S. Coast Guard hearings will seek answers about why freighter El Faro sank near the Bahamas last fall, killing all crew members in the worst U.S. commercial maritime disaster in decades. (Bruce Lipsky/The Florida Times-Union via AP, Pool) MANDATORY CREDIT Cmdr. Matt Denning, center, questions Phil Morrell, Vice President of operations for TOTE Maritime, at the hearings into the sinking of the El Faro ship in Jacksonville, Fla., Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2016. The series of U.S. Coast Guard hearings will seek answers about why freighter El Faro sank near the Bahamas last fall, killing all crew members in the worst U.S. commercial maritime disaster in decades. (Bruce Lipsky/The Florida Times-Union via AP, Pool) MANDATORY CREDIT Admin opposes Cruz bill to rename Chinese Embassy address WASHINGTON (AP) The Obama administration said Tuesday that the president would veto legislation to rename the area in front of the Chinese Embassy in Washington after a prominent Chinese political prisoner. State Department spokesman Mark Toner told reporters that the bill proposed by Republican presidential candidate Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas, which has passed the Senate, would only complicate efforts to impress upon China the need to respect human rights and release Liu Xiaobo. Liu is a Nobel laureate serving an 11-year sentence on the conviction of inciting state subversion after calling for democratic reforms The proposal has already raised hackles in China, which said it violated fundamental principles of international relations. "If the bill becomes law, it will lead to serious consequences. We demand the U.S. Congress stop reviewing the bill, and also hope the U.S. administration could put an end to such a political drama," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei told a news conference in Beijing on Tuesday. Cruz's bill would make "1 Liu Xiaobo Plaza" the official address of the embassy. Its current address is 3505 International Place. The bill still needs House approval and then President Barack Obama's signature. Toner said the White House has indicated Obama would veto it. "We view this kind of legislative action as something that only complicates our efforts so we oppose this approach," Toner said in Washington. "It's our desire to work more productively and cooperatively with Congress on ways to address our shared goal of improving human rights in China." Cruz said in a statement Tuesday that the veto threat showed the administration's "eagerness to coddle an authoritarian Communist regime at the expense of pro-American dissidents." He said it was ironic that Obama, who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2009, wants to veto a bill honoring the 2010 prize winner, Liu. ____ The Latest: Rancher Cliven Bundy to stay behind bars PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) The Latest on federal criminal charges against Nevada rancher Cliven Bundy (all times local): 2:30 p.m. A federal judge says Nevada rancher Cliven Bundy should stay behind bars because he's a danger to the community and a risk for failing to show up for future court dates. FILE - In this Jan. 27, 2016, file photo, rancher Cliven Bundy stands along the road near his ranch in Bunkerville, Nev. Bundy, the father of the jailed leader of the Oregon refuge occupation, and who was the center of a standoff with federal officials in Nevada in 2014, was arrested in Portland on Wednesday night, Feb. 10, the FBI said, Thursday, Feb. 11, 2016. (AP Photo/John Locher, File) U.S. Magistrate Judge Janice Stewart ruled Tuesday that Bundy shouldn't be released ahead of trial because "that is likely the last the government will see of him." Bundy's charges stem from an armed 2014 standoff with federal officials trying to round up cattle grazing illegally near his ranch northeast of Las Vegas. Attorney Noel Grefenson says his 69-year-old client couldn't be such a danger if authorities waited to charge him for 22 months. Stewart dismissed that argument and set his next hearing for Friday. Bundy was arrested last week when he arrived in Oregon to support his sons, who are accused of leading a weekslong occupation at a national wildlife refuge. ___ 12:35 p.m. A family member says Nevada rancher Cliven Bundy isn't dangerous or a criminal and should be released from jail because he isn't a flight risk. Daughter-in-law Briana Bundy said Tuesday that a federal judge in Oregon should let the 69-year-old live at home while he awaits trial. Prosecutors are calling Cliven Bundy "lawless and violent" and telling the judge not to free him because he doesn't recognize federal authority. His charges stem from an armed 2014 standoff with federal officials trying to round up cattle grazing illegally near his ranch northeast of Las Vegas. Bundy was arrested last week when he arrived in Oregon to support his sons, Ammon and Ryan Bundy. They're jailed and accused of leading a weekslong occupation at Malheur National Wildlife Refuge. ____ 12:20 p.m. Federal prosecutors are calling Nevada rancher Cliven Bundy "lawless and violent" and telling a U.S. judge in Oregon that he shouldn't be freed from jail ahead of trial. A 34-page document filed Tuesday before Bundy appears for a detention hearing in Portland says the 69-year-old should stay behind bars because he doesn't recognize federal authority. His charges stem from an armed 2014 standoff with federal officials trying to round up cattle grazing illegally near his ranch in Nevada. Bundy was arrested in Oregon last week when he arrived to support his sons, Ammon and Ryan Bundy, who are accused of leading a weekslong occupation at Malheur National Wildlife Refuge. The brothers are jailed. It's unclear who will represent Cliven Bundy. He has asked for a court-appointed attorney last week, but a judge said she wanted to see financial documents first. ____ 8:30 a.m. A Nevada rancher is returning to court to seek his release from jail in Oregon, where he went to support the armed occupation of a national wildlife preserve. Cliven Bundy has a detention hearing set for Tuesday, when a federal judge will decide whether to allow him to go home as he awaits trial. Prosecutors said last week that he should stay behind bars because they didn't expect him to show up for future court dates. Bundy was arrested in Portland last week on charges stemming from a 2014 armed standoff that forced federal officials to release cattle being rounded up near his Nevada ranch. The 69-year-old came to Oregon to support the weekslong occupation at Malheur National Wildlife Refuge launched by his now-jailed sons, Ammon and Ryan Bundy. Obama opposes bill to rename Chinese Embassy address WASHINGTON (AP) The Obama administration said Tuesday that the president would veto legislation to rename the area in front of the Chinese Embassy in Washington after a prominent Chinese political prisoner. State Department spokesman Mark Toner told reporters that the bill proposed by Republican presidential candidate Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas, which has passed the Senate, would only complicate efforts to impress upon China the need to respect human rights and release Liu Xiaobo. Liu is a Nobel laureate serving an 11-year sentence on the conviction of inciting state subversion after calling for democratic reforms FILE - In this file photo taken in April 2008, Chinese dissident Liu Xiaobo poses for a photographer in China. A Chinese nationalist newspaper says Americans politicians are resorting to petty actions after the Senate approved a bill to rename the plaza in front of the Chinese Embassy in Washington after the imprisoned Chinese political dissident. (Kyodo News via AP, File) JAPAN OUT, MANDATORY CREDIT The proposal has already raised hackles in China, which said it violated fundamental principles of international relations. "If the bill becomes law, it will lead to serious consequences. We demand the U.S. Congress stop reviewing the bill, and also hope the U.S. administration could put an end to such a political drama," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei told a news conference in Beijing on Tuesday. Cruz's bill would make "1 Liu Xiaobo Plaza" the official address of the embassy. Its current address is 3505 International Place. The bill still needs House approval and then President Obama's signature. Toner said the White House has indicated Obama would veto it. "We view this kind of legislative action as something that only complicates our efforts so we oppose this approach," Toner said in Washington. "It's our desire to work more productively and cooperatively with Congress on ways to address our shared goal of improving human rights in China." ____ Man sentenced to federal prison in art-forgery scheme PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) A federal judge in Oregon has sentenced a 75-year-old man to a year and a day in prison after authorities said he faked works by well-known artists and sold the knockoffs to a dozen unsuspecting buyers. Larry Ulvi of Portland was sentenced Tuesday after prosecutors said a search of his apartment turned up 160 paintings, many done in the style of Mark Tobey. The artist, who died in 1976, was part of the Northwest School art movement, and his abstract-expressionist works have been shown around the world. Prosecutors say Ulvi pocketed thousands of dollars from gallery owners and created uncertainty about the authenticity of Tobey paintings and drawings that remain in the marketplace or in the homes of art lovers. Ulvi pleaded guilty to mail fraud last summer as part of a plea deal. Despite that, prosecutors and an FBI special agent said he has been unwilling to lead them to other fakes. "The problem with fakes is that they take a long time to discover," said Robert Koch, a Portland gallery owner who provided expert testimony. "One person may discover a fake but the tip of the iceberg is still buried under the water." Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott Asphaug wrote in his sentencing memorandum that Ulvi used his "skills as an artist and his mendacity as a salesman" to pull off a scheme that began more than decades ago. According to court documents, Ulvi approached a California gallery owner in May 2013 and offered to sell work supposedly done by Tobey. The gallery owner paid $9,000 for three paintings, much less than what original Tobey works would fetch. The gallery owner soon bought another half-dozen forgeries. When Ulvi offered three more paintings, the owner became suspicious that one man could own so many Tobey works. The owner contacted Heiner Hachmeister, an expert on Tobey's art. Hachmeister advised that the paintings were knockoffs. The expert had said the same thing to a Seattle dealer solicited by Ulvi in 2011 and 2012. Besides the forgeries, the investigators who searched Ulvi's northwest Portland apartment found a sheet of paper that had been used to practice the signatures of Tobey and another Northwest School artist, Kenneth Callahan. Public defender Alison Clark asked U.S. District Court Judge Robert Jones to place Ulvi on probation, citing his age and health problems. She said her client never got rich off the scheme, and lives on fast food. But the judge said Ulvi was a fraud for a "long, long time" and must be punished. Jones said Ulvi is gifted, and will recommend he be sent to the federal prison in Sheridan, Oregon, which has "a wonderful art department." The judge even said he'd visit. "You can do good," he said, "as long as you're not making any fakes." ___ Bill Cosby's sexual-assault case appears to be headed toward an evidence hearing after a Pennsylvania judge refused to halt the criminal proceedings and ask the state Superior Court to review a key pretrial issue. The 78-year-old TV star is accused of drugging and violating an ex-Temple University employee at his suburban Philadelphia home in 2004 and could get 10 years in prison if convicted. The defense insists Cosby had a promise from a previous district attorney he would never be charged over the encounter. Montgomery County Judge Steven O'Neill found the evidence of such an agreement lacking after a hearing this month. Cosby's lawyers then asked him to approve an immediate appeal of the issue to the Superior Court. That would have likely delayed the scheduled March 8 preliminary hearing. Scroll down for video A Pennsylvania judge refused to halt the criminal proceedings in Bill Cosby's sex assault case However, O'Neill in a ruling Tuesday said the legal question involved does not warrant a direct appeal. 'An immediate appeal from these orders would not materially advance the ultimate termination of the matter,' the judge wrote in a brief order. A spokesman for Cosby's lawyers said they had no comment on the decision. They have argued that the charges stem from a political feud between former District Attorney Bruce L. Castor Jr., who had declined to arrest Cosby a decade ago, and Kevin Steele, who invoked the case as he campaigned against Castor last fall. Steele won the race for district attorney and filed charges against Cosby in December, days before the filing deadline expired. Dozens of women in recent years have come forward and accused Cosby of sexual impropriety spanning decades. Cosby, who played Dr. Cliff Huxtable on The Cosby Show from 1984 to 1992 and has been married for decades, has denied the women's accusations. The statute of limitations has expired in most of the cases against him. Cosby, whose legal residence is in western Massachusetts, remains free on $1 million bail. It is yet another setback for Cosby, who is attempting to do all he can to avoid going to trial. Last week, a federal judge in Massachusetts ruled that Cosby's wife must give a deposition in a defamation lawsuit against the disgraced comedian, but said she can refuse to answer questions about private marital conversations. In the lawsuit, seven women allege Cosby defamed them by branding them as liars after they went public with accusations that he sexually assaulted them decades ago. A lawyer for the women has sought to compel Camille, 71, to give a deposition. Last month, a magistrate judge rejected Cosby's bid to quash the deposition subpoena. On Thursday, U.S. District Judge Mark Mastroianni upheld the magistrate's ruling, but said Camille Cosby may refuse to answer questions that call for testimony prohibited by the Massachusetts marital disqualification rule. The rule generally prohibits spouses from testifying about private marital conversations. The women's lawyer, Joseph Cammarata, hoped to depose Camille Cosby on February 22, but it was not immediately clear if that date is firm. Camille's lawyers praised the ruling. In a statement, they said the ruling affirms 'the confidential nature of and protection afforded to marital communications.' Cammarata has argued that since Camille Cosby has been married to Cosby for 52 years and was also his business manager, she could have useful information. But since the judge ruled that she can refuse to answer questions about her private conversations with her husband, it is now unclear how much information she will supply. In his ruling, Mastroianni said the right to refuse to answer certain deposition questions does not entitle someone to refuse to appear for a deposition altogether. The judge also said that the marital disqualification rule only applies to private conversations and there are exceptions, including when a third party was present and heard the conversation, if both spouses were jointly engaged in criminal activity or if the communication was written. 'Accordingly, in light of the relatively narrow scope of the rule, the existence of various exceptions, and (Camille Cosby's) unique role in Defendant's life for over fifty years, she may possess a good deal of relevant, non-protected information which can be uncovered in a deposition,' Mastroianni wrote. Obama: No excuse for GOP not to vote on a court nominee RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. (AP) President Barack Obama declared Tuesday that Republicans have no constitutional grounds to refuse to vote on a Supreme Court nominee, and he challenged his political foes in the Senate to rise above the "venom and rancor" that has paralyzed judicial nominations. As Obama cast the dispute over filling the seat of the late Justice Antonin Scalia as a test of whether the Senate could function, there were early signs that Republican resistance could be eroding. Senate Judiciary Chairman Charles Grassley suggested he might be open to considering Obama's yet-to-be named nominee, an indication his party may be sensitive to Democrats' escalating charges of unchecked obstructionism. "I intend to do my job between now and January 20 of 2017," Obama told reporters at a news conference. He said of the nation's senators, "I expect them to do their job as well." President Barack Obama gestures as he answers questions during a news conference following the conclusion of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) leaders summit at the Annenberg Retreat at Sunnylands in Rancho Mirage, Calif., Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2016. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais) Obama was in California for a meeting of Southeast Asian leaders gathered for two days of diplomacy. But his attention was divided at that conference. Since Scalia's unexpected death at a Texas ranch on Saturday, White House lawyers and advisers have been scrambling to refine and vet a list of potential replacements, while also devising a strategy to push a candidate through the Republican-led Senate. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has said he doesn't think Obama should be putting a candidate forward. The Kentucky senator, as well as several Republicans up for re-election this year, say Obama should leave the choice up to the next president. The November election, they argue, will give voters a chance to weigh in on the direction of the court. Obama dismissed that notion, insisting he will put forward a replacement and believes the Senate will have "plenty of time" to give the nominee a fair hearing and a vote. Democrats say Obama has every right and a constitutional duty to fill vacancies on the court until he leaves office next January. Obama conceded the dispute reflects years of escalating partisan hostilities over judicial nominations and said Democrats' hands are not bloodless. Years of bickering have left the public accustomed to a situation where "everything is blocked" even when there's no ideological or substantive disagreement, he said. "This would be a good moment for us to rise above it," he said. The pace of judicial confirmation always slows in a presidential election year, as the party that does not control the White House holds out hope that its candidate will fill vacant judgeships rather than give lifetime tenure to the other party's choices. In the past, lawmakers have sometimes informally agreed to stop holding hearings on lower court nominations during campaign season. Obama argued Tuesday that "the Supreme Court's different." "There's no unwritten law that says that it can only be done in off years. That's not in the constitutional text," he said. "I'm amused when I hear people who claim to be strict interpreters of the Constitution suddenly reading into it a whole series of propositions that aren't there. There's more than enough time for the Senate to consider in a thoughtful way the record of a nominee that I present and to make a decision." McConnell has shown no signs of shifting his opposition, and several lawmakers facing heated elections have backed him up. But the Republican party may still be searching for a strategy. In an interview with home state reporters, Iowa Republican Grassley said he "would wait until the nominee is made before I would make any decision." Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid told reporters in Las Vegas Tuesday, "I'm very glad we've had a few renegade Republicans break from the pack and say there should be action taken" on a nominee. The White House has been looking for cracks in the Republicans opposition as it deliberates on a nominee. If Republicans indicate they may hold hearings, Obama would have greater reason to name a "consensus candidate," a moderate nominee who would be at least somewhat difficult for Republicans to reject. If there's virtually no chance of Republicans bending, Obama might go another route picking a nominee who galvanizes support among the Democrats' liberal base and fires up interest groups in the election year. Obama on Tuesday would not tip his hand much. "I'm going to present somebody who indisputably is qualified for the seat and any fair-minded person, even somebody who disagrees with my politics, would say would serve with honor and integrity on the court," he said. Asked if that meant he was leaning toward a moderate, Obama said, bluntly, "No." He would not comment on whether he would consider appointing a candidate during a congressional recess, a last-ditch maneuver likely to further inflame partisanship in Congress. Obama's dilemma arises, in part, because of the unusual timing. Supreme Court vacancies in presidential years are rare, largely because the justices avoid retiring when prospects for confirming successors are uncertain. If Senate Republicans hold fast to their vow not to confirm anyone Obama nominates, the Supreme Court will operate with eight justices not just for the rest of this court term, but for most of the next one as well. High court terms begin in October, and the 80 or so cases argued in the course of a term typically are decided by early summer. The court would be unable to issue rulings on any issue in which the justices split 4-4. Court officials said Scalia's body will lie in repose Friday in the Supreme Court's Great Hall, after a private ceremony. The funeral mass Saturday will take place at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington. Scalia's courtroom chair was draped in black on Tuesday. ___ Associated Press writers Mark Sherman and Donna Cassata in Washington and Nicholas Riccardi in Las Vegas contributed to this report. The flag flies at half-staff outside the Supreme Court in Washington, Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2016, following the death of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia over the weekend. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh) President Barack Obama answers questions during a news conference following the conclusion of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) leaders summit at the Annenberg Retreat at Sunnylands in Rancho Mirage, Calif., Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2016.(AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais) Clinton makes pitch to black ministers ahead of SC primary NEW YORK (AP) Making a direct appeal to black voters, Hillary Clinton said Tuesday she would give African-Americans their next ally in the White House and offered a detailed plan to overcome racial disparities ahead of crucial primaries in South Carolina and the Deep South. Clinton took her presidential campaign to Harlem in New York City, her focus squarely on solidifying support among black voters who twice backed her husband, former President Bill Clinton, and will be vital in upcoming contests against Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders. The former secretary of state suggested black voters would find her proposals more far-reaching than Sanders' warnings about economic inequality and the power of Wall Street. She said the recent water crisis in Flint, Michigan, underscored the complex and intersecting challenges facing black communities. New York Mayor Bill de Blasio, left and Gov. Andrew Cuomo, right watch as Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, center shakes hands with Rep. Charles Rangel, R-N.Y., left, as she takes the stage to speak at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2016, in New York. (AP Photo/Bryan R. Smith) "It's not enough for your economic plan to be, 'Break up the banks,'" Clinton said. "You also need a serious plan to create jobs especially in places where unemployment remains stubbornly high." Both Clinton and Sanders are making specific appeals to black voters after Sanders won a 22-point victory in last week's New Hampshire' primary, creating a potential opening with black voters for the self-described "democratic socialist." The Democratic candidates are vying for support in Saturday's Nevada caucuses and then facing off in South Carolina on Feb. 27 and a series of March 1 "Super Tuesday" contests that include Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia. Sanders has pushed back against Clinton's contention that he is only a "single-issue" candidate and campaigned Tuesday in South Carolina, holding a prayer breakfast with black ministers and appearing with Erica Garner, whose father, Eric Garner, died from a police chokehold in New York City in 2014. Sanders pledged to reduce income inequality and break up big financial institutions, but also stressed criminal justice reform and voting rights and reflected on the country's racial history. "It is clear to everybody that we still have a long, long way to go," he said. Clinton noted her solidarity with President Barack Obama, the nation's first black president, pointing to his work to help the nation recover from recession and overhaul the health care system. In pointed comments about the Supreme Court, Clinton said some Republicans had vowed not to consider a successor to the late Justice Antonin Scalia until the next administration. "Some are even saying he doesn't have the right to nominate anyone. As if somehow he's not the real president," Clinton said. "You know, that's in keeping with what we've heard all along, isn't it? Many Republicans talk in coded racial language about takers and losers. They demonize President Obama and encourage the ugliest impulses of the paranoid fringe. This kind of hatred and bigotry has no place in our politics or our country." Clinton's address offered a laundry list of ideas to help African-Americans, including steps to provide job and housing opportunities, protect voting rights and support Historically Black Colleges and Universities. She also discussed a $2 billion proposal to address the "school-to-prison" pipeline, which aims to hire social workers and staff for school districts to curtail suspension rates among black students. She coughed repeatedly during her speech and tried to soothe her throat with water and a lozenge. Her voice breaking, she said, "If you work with it and stick with it, you can make a difference." Earlier, she met with several civil rights leaders, including the Rev. Al Sharpton, who met with Sanders following his New Hampshire victory last week. The heads of nine historic civil rights groups, including the NAACP and the National Coalition of Black Civic Participation, praised Clinton but stopped short of backing her campaign. __ Thomas reported from Washington. Associated Press writer Catherine Lucey in Columbia, South Carolina, contributed to this report. __ On Twitter, follow Ken Thomas http://twitter.com/KThomasDC and Jonathan Lemire http://twitter.com/jonlemire Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton arrives to speak at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2016, in New York. (AP Photo/Bryan R. Smith) Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton speaks at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2016, in New York. (AP Photo/Bryan R. Smith) Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton speaks at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2016, in New York. (AP Photo/Bryan R. Smith) Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton holds up a throat lozenge as she speaks at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2016, in New York. (AP Photo/Bryan R. Smith) Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton speaks at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2016, in New York. (AP Photo/Bryan R. Smith) Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton speaks at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2016, in New York. (AP Photo/Bryan R. Smith) US freezes assets of Salvadoran MS-13 gang leaders WASHINGTON (AP) U.S. authorities have frozen the assets of two leaders of the notorious MS-13 street gang based in Central America, saying they "pose significant threats to the national security, foreign policy, or economy of the United States." The order freezes the U.S. assets of gang leaders Jose Roberto Orellana and Dany Balmore Romero Garcia, and prohibits Americans from engaging in transactions with them. The Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control said Tuesday the two have been "orchestrating assassination campaigns for MS-13." In 2012, the office designated the MS-13 gang as a "transnational criminal organization" engaged in such crimes as drug trafficking, kidnapping, human smuggling, prostitution, murder and extortion. Lord Brittan's widow accepts 'full apology' from Met Police boss Lord Brittan's widow has accepted a "full apology" from Scotland Yard chief Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe over his force's handling of a rape allegation against her husband. Lady Brittan had a private meeting with the Metropolitan Police Commissioner in London on Tuesday. Britain's largest police force came under fire over its investigation into a claim that Lord Brittan raped a 19-year-old woman known as "Jane" in 1967 - which he denied. Lady Brittan pictured with her late husband In a statement, the family of the late politician said: "At the start of the meeting Sir Bernard offered Lady Brittan a full apology on behalf of the force, which she accepted. "Lady Brittan went on to ask and table some 30 questions regarding the two police enquiries as they related to Lord Brittan. "Sir Bernard promised to answer them in writing and Lady Brittan and the family await his response." Lord Brittan died aged 75 in January last year without being told he would not face any action over the rape allegation. Police originally determined that the complaint should not be pursued more than a year before his death. But the investigation was reopened and he was interviewed under caution in May 2014 while suffering from terminal cancer Sir Bernard told BBC Radio London his conversation with Lady Brittan was "constructive". He said: " I hope she found it helpful. I confirmed the apology that we made some months ago now. "It is an apology for not telling her at an early stage about the fact that Lord Brittan, who by that stage unfortunately had died, was not to be prosecuted in the future. "There was no chance of successful prosecution. She's had quite a few questions. "I thought it was important to meet her. We had actually arranged it for a while ago but for various reasons it couldn't happen, but it did today." Asked if Lady Brittan was accepting of the apology, Sir Bernard replied: "To be fair, I think you'll have to ask her. I don't think it's fair for me to try and answer for her, but certainly she didn't reject it." Police first apologised to Lady Brittan in October, saying she should have been informed earlier that there would not have been a prosecution had her husband been alive. Lord Brittan has also been named in connection with the hugely controversial Operation Midland, a separate inquiry into allegations of a VIP paedophile gang. Sir Bernard said the investigation " has not yet been concluded". He said: "As soon as it is, obviously we will announce whatever the outcome is. "These things are never straightforward. They are historical investigations, which are quite hard to investigate. "We've had suspects named - we don't do that - it's caused difficulty for investigators. And then during the investigation people say: 'Why don't you complete these things quicker?' "Well one of the difficulties being that new witnesses come forward during the investigation. We've had to explore what they've said. "There's been quite a lot going off in the background, but we don't share what happens in the investigation in the public domain." A furore erupted over the investigation after D-Day veteran Lord Bramall was cleared. His home had been raided and he was interviewed under caution before he was told in January he would face no further action. There have been suggestions that the inquiry, which had cost 1.8 million as of November, is on the brink of collapse amid questions about the reliability of the central witness in the investigation, a man known as "Nick". Former Tory MP Harvey Proctor, who furiously denied any involvement, has been interviewed under caution twice but there are unconfirmed reports that he will also be formally told he will face no further action. MEPs 'will not simply rubber stamp David Cameron's EU reform demands' David Cameron has been warned that Euro MPs will not simply rubber stamp his reform demands if he secures an agreement at a crunch summit this week. The Prime Minister was told there was no guarantee that measures would make it through the European Parliament unchanged, with one MEP warning it was a "distinct possibility" that the plans could face a "very hostile" reception. Mr Cameron held a series of meetings with key players in Brussels in an effort to keep his proposed deal on track ahead of the gathering of European Union leaders on Thursday and Friday. David Cameron has been schmoozing European leaders as he attempts to secure a strong EU reform deal for the UK (AP) If a deal is reached, MEPs will eventually have to approve parts of the reform package, including restrictions on benefits, but Downing Street has insisted any agreement would be a "legally binding document under international law, entered into by the 28 leaders of member states" and that the European Parliament should deliver on that. The parliament would begin the legislative process as soon as the UK voted to remain in the EU, the parliament's president Martin Schulz indicated. Mr Schulz said that once a deal is struck "there will be a very constructive debate" among MEPs. "But to be quite clear: No government can go to a parliament and say: 'This is our proposal, can you give a guarantee about the result?' This is, in a democracy, not possible. "Therefore my answer is the European Parliament will do the utmost to support compromise and a fair deal, but I can't pre-empt the result in the European Parliament. "But, once more, once the institutions agree, our experience is it goes in a good direction." Hungarian MEP Gyorgy Schopflin warned that the European Parliament could cause problems for the deal. Asked if MEPs could "wreak havoc", he told BBC Radio 4's World At One: "I think that's a distinct possibility. That depends on the shape and concept of the deal - we won't know this until the early hours of Friday morning. "But I think the European Parliament will obviously look at it very closely and there will be some groups - I suspect the Greens - who will be very hostile to it indeed, unless it is pointing towards more integration, which I don't see happening." Ukip leader and MEP Nigel Farage said: " There are many groups here who are spoiling for a fight. "The real truth is that this deal is not worth the paper it's written on. It is subject to European Parliamentary approval and ultimately judgments of the European Court of Justice." Britain's renegotiation is the first item on the agenda for the European Council summit, but the gathering of 28 EU leaders is not scheduled to conclude until Friday lunchtime, after which Mr Cameron will call an immediate Cabinet meeting if he secures a deal. The meeting will effectively fire the starting gun on the referendum battle, as Eurosceptic ministers will be given the green light to campaign for a Leave vote in the poll expected on June 23. In a sign of the unease felt in parts of Europe about the proposals to curb welfare payments, Czech minister for Europe Tomas Prouza said the measures will only apply to newcomers rather than existing claimants, and he suggested that other EU countries should not be able to follow the UK's lead. He told the BBC Radio 4 Today programme: "In central Europe there has been willingness to help the UK and there still is, but the issue we have is not with the UK and David Cameron's demands, the issue is with other countries trying to piggyback on the British proposals for their own benefit." He added: "The proposals are clear that the limits on in-work benefits would apply only to the newcomers as it's a very UK-specific solution, so we need the very same guarantees also for the child benefits indexation that applies only to the newcomers and only those working in the UK. "It's important we don't do the changes retrospectively." European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker, who also held talks with the Prime Minister in Brussels, said there was no "plan B" in preparation for a possible Brexit because the UK would remain a "constructive and active member". He said: "If I would say now that we have a plan B, this would indicate a kind of willingness of the Commission to envisage seriously that Britain could leave the European Union. "So I am not entering into the details of a plan B, because we don't have a plan B, we have a plan A. Britain will stay in the European Union as a constructive and active member of the Union." Downing Street said the meetings with senior MEPs in Brussels had been "useful". The three MEPs representing the parliament in the negotiations - Elmar Brok, Roberto Gualtieri and Guy Verhofstadt - had "c ommitted to work hard to ensure that the relevant secondary legislation on the emergency brake and child benefit is swiftly adopted", a Downing Street spokeswoman said. Mr Cameron also met the leaders of the three largest groups in the parliament who " made clear their support for the proposals on the table and said they were ready to take any necessary EU legislation through the European Parliament swiftly". Downing Street said Mr Cameron and Mr Juncker agreed that the talks on the renegotiation had "progressed well" since the publication of the draft deal but "there are still details to be nailed down" to secure an agreement this week. Mr Cameron also spoke to his Czech counterpart Bohuslav Sobotka and "both agreed that further discussions are necessary to pin down all the details". European Council president Donald Tusk, who was in Prague for talks with Mr Sobotka, confirmed that EU citizens currently working in the UK would not be affected by the proposed curbs on in-work benefits. He said "unsolved problems" remained and there was "an extra mile" to go before reaching an agreement, with the "V4" Visegrad countries - the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia - having concerns. Mr Tusk said: "In the Czech Republic, as well as in other Visegrad countries, the issue of access to social benefits continues to be among the most sensitive. "I believe that the proposal I have put on the table is fair and balanced for all. It protects the freedom of movement, while helping the UK to address all its concerns when it comes to their specific system of in-work benefits. "The safeguard mechanism on access to in-work benefits is not designed to apply to EU citizens currently working in the UK. We will now have to sort out the remaining issues in a constructive spirit of trust and co-operation. "The position of V4 is very clear. In view of that I have no doubts: There is an extra mile we will have to walk to reach an agreement." Mr Cameron spoke to key ally Mark Rutte by telephone and the Dutch Prime Minister agreed there was a " good basis for a deal", Downing Street said. A spokesman added: "They also discussed migration, agreeing it was more important than ever for the international community to work together to find effective ways to support refugees in the region, and discouraging them from making the perilous journey to Europe." Russian bombing of Syrian hospitals 'a war crime', says Andrew Mitchell Russia's bombing of Syrian hospitals is undoubtedly a war crime, the former international development secretary Andrew Mitchell has claimed. Moscow has denied being responsible for an attack on a facility in Idlib province run by Medecins Sans Frontieres. But former cabinet minister Mr Mitchell said the Russians were guilty of breaking international laws. Andrew Mitchell pointed out that only one of the hospitals was in an Isil-controlled area "It's certainly a war crime," the ex-cabinet minister Mr Mitchell told BBC Radio 4's Today programme. "The Russian Air Force has now hit 30 hospitals in Syria of which only one is in an Isil (Islamic State) area. "Everyone knew this was a Medecins Sans Frontieres (Doctors Without Borders) hospital and undoubtedly this is a breach of the international law and the Russians are guilty of that." Turkey and France have also agreed that the attacks constitute war crimes. Mr Mitchell said nothing could be done to immediately challenge Russia. "There is effectively nothing we can do at the moment but they can be held to account in the future," the Tory MP said. "For Russia's reputation in the future and its role in the UN this has a very significant effect." The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said Russian warplanes targeted the hospital in Idlib province, destroying it and killing nine people. But a spokesman for Russian president Vladimir Putin dismissed the report and told journalists to rely on official announcements from the Syrian government. The air strikes came days after Russia and other world powers agreed to bring about a pause in fighting next week to allow for the delivery of humanitarian aid. Accused was preparing for attack on military personnel in UK, court told An alleged Islamic extremist planned a terror attack on British or American military personnel in the UK, a court has heard. Junead Khan, 25, drove close by air bases in East Anglia, including the US Air Force's RAF Lakenheath and RAF Mildenhall complexes in Suffolk, while working as a delivery driver, prosecutors claim. When he was arrested, al Qaida instructions on how to make a "viable" pipe bomb and pictures of a large military-style knife were found on his laptop and a balaclava was found at his Luton home, the jury was told. Junead Khan is on trial at Kingston Crown Court charged with making preparations for attacking military personnel in the UK Prosecutor Max Hill QC told Kingston Crown Court that Khan was "preparing for an attack on British forces or American soldiers or airmen" when he was arrested last July. Mr Hill told the jury: "You may conclude that by arresting Junead Khan on July 7, what happened at that moment was that his plans were therefore, we suggest, thwarted. He was not able to carry out what he wanted to do. But that makes him no less guilty of the charge." Khan is charged with making preparations for attacking military personnel in the UK between May 10 and July 14, which he denies. He is on trial alongside his uncle, Shazib Khan, 23, also from Luton, with whom he is jointly charged with making preparations for travelling to Syria to fight for Islamic State (IS). The pair deny engaging in conduct in preparation of terrorist acts on August 1 2014 and July 15 2015. The trial heard that Junead Khan was working as a driver for pharmaceutical firm Alliance Healthcare when he was arrested at its depot in Letchworth, Hertfordshire. Mr Hill added that Junead Khan's work "meant that he was required to make deliveries of pharmaceuticals to locations in Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Norfolk", which took him near places "in which there were American air force personnel". When police raided his home they found a laptop containing an article called "Make a bomb in the kitchen of your mom", from the online magazine of al Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP). It gave instructions for the construction of a "viable" pipe bomb, the jury was told. Officers also found black flags in the attic with Islamic slogans of the type used by IS jihadists, the court heard, and pictures on his phone and laptop that showed him posing in front of them in his bedroom. US and British flags believed to have been stolen from the New York Diner in nearby Dunstable were also found in the bedroom, the jury was told. Police officers from Bedfordshire Police's Prevent programme visited Junead Khan in May 2014, more than a year before his arrest, the jury heard. However, the officers left a card after finding he was at work. The court heard the men joked about the visit, and subsequent visits, in social media chats. In another chat, the jury was told, Junead Khan said to his uncle: "Jihad training bro LOL, we have to keep fit." He also possessed a "nasheed" or Islamic prayer in praise of Islamic State and the men celebrated at the end of June 2014 when the Islamic State caliphate was declared, the jury heard, with Junead Khan writing: "Inshallah give them victory." Mr Hill said: "The idea of leaving the UK in order to go to IS is clearly in the defendants' minds ... at the declaration of the Islamic State in June 2014. It becomes clear that was not to be a pilgrimage. It was not to be a trip to live in peace under Islam. It was a trip to fight." Mr Hill said that the following July the defendants watched a graphic IS "recruitment" video, The Clanging Of The Swords, which has "little if anything to do with living a peaceful existence in the caliphate but has everything to do with fighting and killing". Detectives also discovered items of clothing at Junead Khan's home - into which Shazib Khan had moved - which prosecutors claim show the men had planned to go to Syria. Evidence was also discovered of a social media chat between Shazib Khan and a Jewish woman, in which he said the Jews were "baby killers" and "infidels in our Holy Land" in reference to the Israel-Palestine conflict, the court heard. Later, after watching another IS propaganda video, Shazib Khan wrote to Junead Khan: "I want to wear the black outfit. Looks sick." Edited versions of both videos were shown to the jury. Rochdale child sex ringleader launches appeal against deportation The ringleader of a Rochdale child sex grooming gang cited human rights laws as he launched an appeal against deportation from Britain. Paedophile Shabir Ahmed, 63, described by a judge as a "violent hypocritical bully", has written to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) claiming his convictions for child sex offences were a conspiracy to "scapegoat" Muslims, his immigration tribunal heard. Ahmed, serving 22 years in jail, was convicted in 2012 of being the ringleader of a group of Asian men who preyed on girls as young as 13 in Rochdale, plying them with drink and drugs before they were "passed around" for sex. Shabir Ahmed has been described by a judge as a "violent hypocritical bully" (Greater Manchester Police/PA) He appeared before the First Tier Immigration Tribunal, sitting at Manchester Crown Court, on Tuesday to appeal against the decision by Secretary of State Theresa May to strip him of his British citizenship, the first stage in the deportation process. Three judges will decide on Ahmed's appeal, as well as on appeals by three other men who were part of the same gang and who also face deportation. Ahmed, who sat in the dock flanked by prison officers, told the court: "She (Theresa May) says all her trouble is coming from Muslims, yet she's the biggest trouble causer in the world." He said he was convicted by "eleven white jurors", adding: "It's become fashionable to blame everything on Muslims these days." Vinesh Mandalia, representing the Home Office, told the tribunal Mrs May had exercised her right as the Home Office minister to deprive Ahmed of British citizenship "if it is conducive to public good". Mr Mandalia said Ahmed's appeal against depriving him of British citizenship included an appeal to the ECHR against his criminal convictions, which had been acknowledged by that court but did not mean they would hear his case. "He explains simply on human rights grounds the conviction is unsafe on the basis it was a conspiracy by everyone involved," Mr Mandalia said. Ahmed's appeal states his trial was "tainted" and a "miscarriage of justice" as it was "institutionally racist" using Muslims as "scapegoats". Mr Mandalia said: "The public interest weighs heavily in favour of the Secretary of State, to ensure those granted the benefits of British citizenship, however that comes to arise, know the responsibilities that go with it. "And if you get involved in very serious organised crime then one of the consequences of that is that they will be deprived of their British citizenship." He said Ahmed, who first came to the UK in 1967 aged 14, is a British citizen, but would not be rendered stateless as he retains Pakistani nationality having been born in Gujrat. Three times married Ahmed told the court he had four children living in the UK, had lived here for nearly 50 years and had 83,000 in a UK bank account. Ahmed was given a 19-year sentence at Liverpool Crown Court in May 2012 for a string of child sex offences, including rape. He was also jailed for 22 years, to run concurrently, in July 2012 for 30 rapes against another victim. Presiding tribunal Judge Michael Clements reserved his decision on Ahmed and the appeal of a second man, Qari Abdul Rauf. Taxi driver Rauf, 47, a father of five, was released on licence last year after serving half of a six-year sentence for trafficking a girl, aged 15, in the UK for sex, and for having sex with the youngster himself. Rauf, who also acted as a religious studies teacher at a mosque in Rochdale, burst into tears, and through his Urdu interpreter asked the immigration tribunal for "mercy" and that he "wanted a second chance". Two more men convicted of child sex offences in the Rochdale case, Abdul Aziz and Adil Khan, will have their appeals heard in Manchester on Wednesday. Bulgaria charges three Syrians with trying to join Islamic State SOFIA, Feb 15 (Reuters) - Bulgarian prosecutors have charged three Syrians with attempting to join Islamic State militant group after border patrols arrested them as they tried to enter Turkey from Bulgaria, the interior ministry said on Monday. The three Syrians, who had refugee status from Germany, had already made one unsuccessful attempt to enter Turkey through Greece earlier this year, the ministry said. "During operational activities their affiliation to Islamic State has been established, as well as their intention to join the terrorist group," the ministry said in a statement. The three men, who had already been given six-month suspended sentences for attempting to cross the Bulgarian-Turkish border illegally. They now face up to 10 years in jail if convicted. Province in Muslim Pakistan passes landmark Hindu marriage bill By Syed Raza Hassan KARACHI, Pakistan Feb 15(Reuters) - Pakistan's southern province of Sindh on Monday became the country's first region to give its small Hindu minority the right to register their marriages officially. Non-Muslims make up only about three percent of the 190 million population of Pakistan, which was founded as a haven for the sub-continent's Muslims on independence from the British in 1947 with a promise of religious freedom to minorities. But Hindus have had no legal mechanism to register their marriages. Christians, the other main religious minority, have a British law dating back to 1870 regulating their marriages. "The objective of this bill is to provide a formal process of registration of marriage for Hindus," said the bill passed by the legislature in Sindh, where most of Pakistan's Hindus live. The law can be applied retroactively to existing marriages. Without the law, Hindus say their women were easy targets for rape or forced marriage and faced problems in proving the legitimacy of their relationships before the law. Widows have been particularly disadvantaged. Pakistan's Hindus and other minorities have faced a surge of violence in recent years as militant Islamists attack groups that do not share their strict interpretation of Islam. All of Pakistan's minorities - Hindus, Christians, Ahmadis and even Shi'ite Muslims - say they feel the state fails to protect them and sometimes even tolerates violence against them. Many complain the problem has become worse since Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif won an election in 2013. Sharif has close ties with Saudi Arabia, whose brand of conservative Wahhabi Islam is preached by many of the people who denounce minorities. The U.S. Commission on Religious Freedom said in a recent report that conditions in Pakistan had "hit an all-time low" and governments had failed to adequately protect minorities and arrest those who attack or discriminate against them. But many see the passage of the bill as a ray of hope. "Now after the passage of this bill in the Sindh assembly, after 70 years, Hindus will also have a marriage certificate just like Muslims do," said Shahnaz Sheedi, the coordinator for South Asia Partnership Pakistan, a civil rights movement. For veteran Turkish smuggler, only an army could stop migrant flow By Dasha Afanasieva IZMIR, Turkey, Feb 15 (Reuters) - Demand has never been higher for the services of Turkish smuggler Dursun, who has taken migrants to Europe for more than decade, and he says nothing short of an army could stamp out his illicit trade. The EU is counting on Ankara to stem the flow of migrants to Europe after more than a million arrived last year, mainly illegally by sea from Turkey, in the continent's worst migration crisis since World War Two. But the task of policing Turkey's coastline may be beyond its stretched security forces, even with the help of Western allies. NATO sent ships to the Aegean on Thursday to help Turkey and Greece stop criminal networks smuggling migrants. "Turkey would have to put soldiers on all the beaches," said the burly Dursun, 30, who has spent three short prison spells in Greece for piloting motor boats full of migrants into Europe. "You have to put thousands of soldiers on the beaches," he said in the coastal city of Izmir, declining to give his last name. The Turkish government is under growing pressure from the EU following a 3 billion euro ($3.3 billion) aid deal for the country last year, aimed at slowing the flow of migrants. Thousands died making the crossing in 2015, and the exodus has also strained security and social systems in some EU states and fuelled support for anti-foreigner groups. Ankara has stepped up patrols of its 2,600 km Aegean coast, deploying more coastguard and police and increasing the punishment for the smugglers it catches, especially if their actions led to the deaths of migrants. While Turkey boasts the second-largest army in the NATO alliance, it is also fighting Kurdish militants in the southeast and has a heavy military presence on its border with Syria where a civil war has raged for five years, the main source of the current refugee crisis. Namik Kemal Nazli, governor of the Ayvalik district near Izmir, said a big problem facing authorities was the fact that much of the coastline was remote and relatively unpopulated, with many places where smugglers could hide. "It is hard to control the entire coastline and they are exploiting this," he said. DANGEROUS ROUTES Western diplomats are sympathetic to the difficulties of managing a jagged coast line with plenty of blind spots. But they say Ankara can still do more, both with policing its shores and in tracing criminal gangs. They also say it should do a better job of deterring illegal migrants, especially as some have been caught multiple times trying to make the crossing. Illegal migrants are usually fingerprinted after being caught. Depending on their nationality, many are released, free to try to reach Europe again. Turkey, which has taken in more than 2.6 million refugees since the start of the Syrian civil war, says it needs more help from the West. Its Minister for EU Affairs Volkan Bozkir said last week that solving the refugee crisis was not just Turkey's job, urging European countries to cooperate with Ankara on border controls and information sharing. Yet the flood of refugees only increases, with more than 80,000 arriving in Europe by boat during the first six weeks of this year - mainly from Turkey to Greece - and more than 400 dying as they tried to cross, according to UNHCR, the U.N. refugee agency. More than 2,000 people a day are now risking their lives to make the journey, UNHCR said last week. The cold winter weather can mean cheaper passage but a more dangerous journey. Smugglers are taking riskier sea routes to avoid the police crackdown, said Abby Dwommoh of the International Organisation of Migration. "When interdiction measures go up, smugglers and the migrants tend to find ways around them," she told Reuters. "The numbers are overwhelming for any country to deal with." MORE CAUTIOUS When Dursun started out, there was only a trickle of refugees from Eritrea and Somalia; there were no Syrians and only a few smugglers. Now, the courtyard of a mosque in the rundown neighbourhood of Basmane in Izmir where he operates is filled with Syrians trying to make deals with smugglers - just a few blocks from a police station. Even though police are more vigilant, Dursun said there was nothing they can do unless a smuggler was caught on a beach with a group of refugees. As he spoke, he pointed out other smugglers walking past. Locals say it has become a popular occupation, to which neighbourhood drug dealers have switched. Still, the native of Turkey's Black Sea coast says he's become more cautious and no longer captains the boats, despite the lucrative payment of 2,000 euros a trip. Instead, he brings the migrants and refugees to the setting off points by minibus, coordinating with others in a chain that includes lookouts and those who assemble the groups of refugees. "If the driver is alone and gets arrested, but nobody saw him transport refugees and there were no refugees in the car, he will be out again straight away," he said. Punishments have become much harsher. Recently, two ring leaders were sentenced to 15 and 20 years in jail, he said. On a recent stormy day, the hotels in Cesme, about an hour's drive from Izmir, were filled with migrants who were waiting for the weather to break before setting out from Europe. One hotel manager, who declined to give his name, said even if NATO "shut down the sea" to stop smugglers, that wouldn't deter migrants from seeking to reach Europe. "Of course they would look for other ways." ($1 = 0.8981 euros) English better than German for Berlin fest war film, makers say By Michael Roddy BERLIN, Feb 15 (Reuters) - The makers of a movie based on the true story of a German couple who denounced Hitler in handwritten postcards they planted around Berlin after their son was killed in combat were peppered with questions on Monday about why the film was made in English. "Alone in Berlin", recounting the story of factory foreman Otto Quangel, played by Brendan Gleeson, and his wife Anna, played by Emma Thompson, living in Berlin in the 1940s was directed by Vincent Perez. It is being show in competition at the Berlin Film Festival for the top Golden Bear prize, to be awarded on Saturday. Perez said that despite the German subject matter, the story was universal, and this had justified using English-speaking actors for the main roles. "I think what I like about the fact (of) making the film in English is to bring the film into an international level; you know, that was the aim," Perez said at a post-screening press conference. Thompson lent support: "I think that one of the reasons why we did this in English is because it's a European story and it should apply and feel relevant to all of us whether it's in French or Portuguese, whatever language it is." Thompson was challenged by the opening questioner on how she felt about the rise of nationalist and anti-immigrant movements in Germany and elsewhere around Europe. "Oh crikey, great start, great start for a movie about something else," Thompson said, eliciting a ripple of applause and laughter. "Actually there is a quite a good answer, in a sense, because this movie's about being brave, about saying things that are not popular." The postcards that Quangel wrote at home bore slogans such as "help us stop the criminal war machine" and were planted in public places so ordinary people could see them. All but a handful were immediately turned over to the police, who launched a major hunt for the person responsible. The couple were eventually caught, tried, and beheaded in Berlin's Ploetzensee Prison in April 1943. The film is based on a Hans Fallada novel in which the couple's names were changed from the real life Otto and Elise Hampel. Gleeson, who portrays Otto Quangel as a blue collar worker who is spurred to action when he realises his son's death has been in vain, said what the Quangels did was a testament to the importance of taking a stand against injustice and brutality. Missiles in Syria kill 50 as schools, hospitals hit; Turkey accuses Russia By Ercan Gurses and Suleiman Al-Khalidi KIEV/BEIRUT, Feb 15 (Reuters) - Turkey on Monday accused Russia of an "obvious war crime" after missile attacks in northern Syria killed scores of people, and warned Kurdish militia fighters there they would face the "harshest reaction" if they tried to capture a town near the Turkish border. An offensive supported by Russian bombing and Iranian-backed Shi'ite militias has brought the Syrian army to within 25 km (15 miles) of Turkey's frontier. The Kurdish YPG militia - which Turkey regards as a hostile insurgent force - has exploited the situation, seizing ground from Syrian rebels to extend its presence along the border. Almost 50 civilians were killed when missiles hit at least five medical facilities and two schools in rebel-held areas of Syria on Monday, according to the United Nations, which called the attacks a blatant violation of international law. At least 14 were killed in the northern town of Azaz, the last rebel stronghold before the border with Turkey, when missiles hit a children's hospital and a school sheltering refugees, a medic and two residents said. Missiles also hit a hospital in the town of Marat Numan in the province of Idlib, south of Aleppo. Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said a Russian missile had hit the buildings and that many civilians including children had been killed. Turkey's foreign ministry accused Russia of carrying out an "obvious war crime." But Russian Health Minister Veronika Skvortsova said Russian air strikes were targeting Islamic State infrastructure and she had no reason to believe that Russian planes had bombed civilian sites in Idlib. "We are confident that (there is) no way could it be done by our defence forces. This contradicts our ideology," she said in Geneva. Syria's ambassador to Russia said U.S. war planes were responsible. White House national security adviser Susan Rice on Monday condemned in the "strongest terms" the intensified bombing of northern Syria, adding that it ran counter to commitments to reduce hostilities made by major powers last week in Munich. The Syrian civil war, reshaped by Russia's intervention last September, has gone into an even higher gear since the United Nations sought to revive peace talks. The talks in Geneva were suspended earlier this month before they got off the ground. World powers agreed in Munich on Friday to a cessation of hostilities in Syria to allow humanitarian aid to be delivered, but the deal does not take effect until the end of this week and was not signed by any warring parties. Turkey shelled YPG positions for a third straight day on Monday to try to stop its fighters seizing Azaz, just 8 km from the border. Ankara fears the Kurdish militia, backed by Russia, is trying to secure the last stretch of around 100 km along the Syrian border not already under its control. "We will not allow Azaz to fall," Davutoglu told reporters on his plane on the way to Ukraine. "If they approach again they will see the harshest reaction," he said. The standoff has increased the risk of direct confrontation between Russia and NATO member Turkey. U.N ENVOY IN DAMASCUS U.N. Syria envoy Staffan de Mistura made a surprise visit to Damascus on Monday and will hold talks with Syria's foreign minister on Tuesday, a Syrian government official told Reuters. A senior UN official later confirmed that de Mistura had arrived in Syria for an unscheduled visit to "follow up on commitments made in Munich." But in a further clouding of the Munich deal, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said on Monday that any ceasefire did not mean each side had to stop using weapons, and that nobody was capable of securing the conditions for one within a week. At a news conference in Kiev, Turkey's prime minister doubted Russia's commitment to any deal to cease hostilities, pointing to comments from Moscow that it would continue its air strikes regardless. "They want to have just two options in front of the international community: Daesh or Assad," Davutoglu said, using an Arabic acronym for Islamic State. Turkey is enraged by the expansion of Kurdish influence in northern Syria, fearing it will encourage separatist ambitions among its own restive Kurds. Ankara considers the YPG a terrorist group. Davutoglu said Turkey would make the Menagh air base north of the city of Aleppo "unusable" if the YPG, which seized it over the weekend from Syrian insurgents, did not withdraw. Turkish Defence Minister Ismet Yilmaz said Ankara was not considering sending troops to Syria, according to the state-run Anadolu Agency. Syria's rebels, some backed by the United States, Turkey and their allies, say the YPG is fighting with the Syrian military and its backers - including Russia - against them in the five-year-old civil war. The YPG denies this. South of Azaz, the Kurdish-backed Syria Democratic Forces (SDF) alliance, of which the YPG is a member, took around 70 percent of the town of Tal Rifaat, according to the Syrian Observatory, which monitors the war. HOSPITALS HIT Tens of thousands have fled to Azaz from towns and villages where there is heavy fighting between the Syrian army and militias. "We have been moving scores of screaming children from the hospital," said medic Juma Rahal, following the missile strikes. At least two children were killed and ambulances ferried scores of injured people to Turkey for treatment, he said. French charity Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) said seven people were killed and at least eight staff were missing after missiles hit a hospital in the province of Idlib, west of Aleppo, in a separate incident. "The author of the strike is clearly ... either the government or Russia," MSF president Mego Terzian said. Rocket launch shows North Korea does not want peace: S.Korea president SEOUL, Feb 16 (Reuters) - North Korea's rocket launch earlier this month shows the isolated country does not want peace, South Korean President Park Geun-hye said on Tuesday. Pyongyang launched a long-range rocket on Feb. 7 carrying what it called a satellite, drawing renewed international condemnation just weeks after it carried out a nuclear test. Venezuela opposition mayor to face trial on conspiracy charges CARACAS, Feb 15 (Reuters) - Former Caracas mayor Antonio Ledezma is to go on trial to face charges of conspiring to destabilize the country through violence, according to a statement on Monday night from Venezuela's public prosecutor. Detained a year ago, opposition politician Ledezma, 60, is seen by his supporters as a scapegoat for President Nicolas Maduro as the OPEC country suffers a brutal economic crisis. Ledezma's wife, Mitzy de Ledezma, wrote on Twitter that prosecutors were seeking a sentence of 16 years. Ledezma, a hard-line opposition leader whom Maduro supporters mock as "The Vampire," was initially held at the Ramo Verde military prison outside Caracas, where opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez is also kept. He was allowed out of jail in April for a hernia operation and placed under house arrest. Lopez was jailed in September for nearly 14 years on charges of inciting 2014 anti-government protests that spiraled into violence killing more than 40 people. Hungary, Factors to watch, Feb 16 BUDAPEST, Feb 16 (Reuters) - Following is a list of events in Hungary and the region, as well as news stories and press reports which may influence financial markets. (For any queries: Budapest editorial +36 1 327 4745) WHAT IS HAPPENING IN HUNGARY (ALL TIMES GMT) BUDAPEST - 3-month treasury bill auction (1030) IN THE REGION PRAGUE - European Council President Donald Tusk meets Czech Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka on British EU reform demands ahead of an EU Summit later in the week. News conference at 1340 GMT. PRAGUE - flash Q4 GDP data (0800) CROATIA - Croatia cenbank holds first long-term repo operation; POLAND - Polish energy company PGE to publish 2015 results POLAND - Orange Polska, dominant telecom Q4 news conference POLAND - employment and wages data IN THE NEWS REUTERS UPDATE 2-Central Europe wants back-up plan for migrant crisis, Merkel says no PRAGUE, Feb 15 (Reuters) - Central European leaders on Monday proposed drafting emergency back-up plans to halt the flow of migrants to Western Europe through the Balkans in case efforts to limit the numbers arriving in Greece from Turkey do not work. EU's migration policy has failed, Hungary's Orban says BUDAPEST, Feb 15 (Reuters) - Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said on Monday that the European Union's policy on the migration crisis had failed and underlined that Hungary would not accept a distribution of refugees by national quota. Hungary will need zero budget balance to cut debt -PM BUDAPEST, Feb 15 (Reuters) - Hungary will need to balance its budget "sooner or later" if it is to reduce debt further, Prime Minister Viktor Orban told Parliament on Monday, without offering details. CEE MARKETS-Leu firms, consumer prices boost Romanian central bank hawks BUDAPEST/BUCHAREST, Feb 15 (Reuters) - The leu led a firming of Central European currencies on Monday after Romanian figures showed that consumer prices fell less than expected in January. Russia's Putin, Hungary's Orban to discuss energy projects - agencies MOSCOW, Feb 15 (Reuters) - Russian President Vladimir Putin and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban will discuss economic ties including joint energy projects in Moscow on Feb. 17, Russian news agencies cited the Kremlin as saying on Monday. Ukraine president's party to condemn government's performance: leader KIEV, Feb 16 (Reuters) - Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko's party will vote to criticise the performance of Prime Minister Arseny Yatseniuk's government as "unsatisfactory" in a parliament vote, its leader Yuriy Lutsenko told parliament on Tuesday. The decision would significantly raise the chances of parliament holding a no confidence vote against the government, which could precipitate a government collapse and snap elections. Saudis and Russia agree oil output freeze, Iran still an obstacle By Rania El Gamal and Tom Finn DOHA, Feb 16 (Reuters) - Top oil exporters Russia and Saudi Arabia agreed on Tuesday to freeze output levels but said the deal was contingent on other producers joining in - a major sticking point with Iran absent from the talks and determined to raise production. The Saudi, Russian, Qatari and Venezuelan oil ministers announced the proposal after a previously undisclosed meeting in Doha. It could become the first joint OPEC and non-OPEC deal in 15 years, aimed at tackling a growing oversupply of crude and helping prices recover from their lowest in over a decade. Saudi Oil Minister Ali al-Naimi said freezing production at January levels - near record highs - was an adequate measure and he hoped other producers would adopt the plan. Venezuelan Oil Minister Eulogio Del Pino said more talks would take place with Iran and Iraq on Wednesday in Tehran. "The reason we agreed to a potential freeze of production is simple: it is the beginning of a process which we will assess in the next few months and decide if we need other steps to stabilise and improve the market," Naimi told reporters. "We don't want significant gyrations in prices, we don't want reduction in supply, we want to meet demand, we want a stable oil price. We have to take a step at a time," he said. Oil prices jumped to $35.55 per barrel after the news about the secret meeting but later pared gains to trade near $33 on concerns that Iran may reject the deal and that even if Tehran agreed it would not help ease the growing global glut. OPEC member Iran, Saudi Arabia's regional arch rival, has pledged to steeply increase output in the coming months as it looks to regain market share lost after years of international sanctions, which were lifted in January following a deal with world powers over its nuclear programme. "Our situation is totally different to those countries that have been producing at high levels for the past few years," a senior source familiar with Iran's thinking told Reuters. Iranian Oil Minister Bijan Zanganeh also indicated Tehran would not agree to freezing its output at January levels, saying the country would not give up its appropriate share of the global oil market. SPECIAL TERMS The fact that output from OPEC kingpin Saudi Arabia and non-OPEC Russia - the world's two top producers and exporters - is near record highs complicates any agreement since Iran is producing at least 1 million barrels per day below its capacity and pre-sanctions levels. However, two non-Iranian sources close to OPEC discussions told Reuters that Iran may be offered special terms as part of the output freeze deal. "Iran is returning to the market and needs to be given a special chance but it also needs to make some calculations," said one source. Russian Deputy Prime Minister Arkady Dvorkovich said freezing output was not a problem for his country as he anyway expected its production to be flat this year versus 2015. An Iraqi oil ministry source said Baghdad was also happy to freeze production if all parties agreed. "The agreement (if successful) should support oil prices but there are reasons to be cautious. Not all OPEC members have signed up to the deal - notably Iran and Iraq. History would also suggest that compliance may be an issue," said Capital Economics' analyst Jason Tuvey. OPEC has been quarrelling for decades over output levels and Russia, which last agreed to cooperate with OPEC back in 2001, never followed through on its pledge and raised exports instead. Also complicating any potential agreement is the geo-political rivalry in the Middle East between Sunni Muslim power Saudi Arabia and Shi'ite Iran. Saudi Arabia and its Gulf allies are fighting proxy conflicts with Russia and Iran in the region, including in Syria and Yemen. In Syria's five-year-old civil war, Riyadh politically and financially backs some rebel groups battling President Bashar al-Assad's government, which has gained the upper hand with the help of Russian warplanes and Iranian-backed Shi'ite militias. RUSSIAN BUDGET The Doha meeting came after more than 18 months of declining oil prices, knocking crude below $30 a barrel for the first time in over a decade from as high as $115 a barrel in mid-2014. The slump was triggered by booming U.S. shale oil output and a decision by Saudi Arabia and its OPEC Gulf allies to raise production to fight for market share and drive higher-cost production out of the market. But although U.S. output has begun to decline and global demand has been robust it has still not been enough to offset booming global production which has led to oil stockpiles rising to record levels. Saudi Arabia has long insisted it would reduce supply only if other OPEC and non-OPEC members agreed, but Russia - the world's biggest oil producer and No.2 exporter - has said it would not join in as its Siberian fields were different from those of OPEC. The mood began to change in January as oil prices fell below $30 per barrel. While Venezuela has been the hardest-hit producer, current oil prices are a fraction of what Russia needs to balance its budget as it heads towards parliamentary elections this year. Saudi finances are also suffering badly, running a $98 billion budget deficit last year, which it seeks to trim this year. But while talking about potential cooperation with OPEC, Russia raised its output to a new record high in January. For a table on OPEC and Russian output, click here "Even if they do freeze production at January levels, you have still got global inventory builds which are going to weigh on prices. So whilst it's a positive step, I don't think it will have a huge impact on supply/demand balances, simply because we were oversupplied in January anyway," said Energy Aspects' analyst Dominic Haywood. Top officials escape assassination attempt in Yemen's Aden - security source ADEN, Feb 16 (Reuters) - The governor and security director of the southern Yemeni city of Aden escaped a gun attack on their convoy on Tuesday, a security official said, the latest in a string of militant attacks on the government. Three of the gunmen were killed in an exchange of fire, while two bodyguards and two civilians walking by were wounded, the official said. But Governor Aidarus al-Zubaidi and Brigadier General Shalal Ali Shayyeh were unhurt. Genetically-engineered mosquitoes could prove a vital weapon in the fight against Zika, the World Health Organization said. Experts at the UN health agency said it may be necessary to test the effectiveness of the method. Furthermore, experiments should test releasing bacteria that stop mosquitoes' eggs hatching. In a statement, WHO said: 'Given the magnitude of the Zika crisis, WHO encourages affected countries and their partners to boost the use of both old and new approaches to mosquito control as the most immediate line of defence.' The virus has been linked to a spike in babies born with abnormally small heads, or microcephaly, in Brazil and French Polynesia. Genetically-engineered mosquitoes could prove a vital weapon in the fight against the Zika virus, pictured under the microscope, the World Health Organization said The UN health agency has declared Zika a global emergency, even though there is no definitive proof it is causing the birth defects. WHO says at least 34 countries have been hit by the virus in the current crisis, mostly in Latin America. Experts highlighted the potential of releasing sterile irradiated male mosquitoes, a technique that has been developed at the United Nations' International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Zika, which is now sweeping the Americas, is transmitted primarily by the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which the UN health body described as an 'opportunistic and tenacious menace'. Many scientists believe Zika could be linked to microcephaly, or abnormally small heads, in newborns and a serious neurological disorder in adults called Guillain-Barre syndrome. 'If these presumed associations are confirmed, the human and social consequences for the over 30 countries with recently detected Zika outbreaks will be staggering,' the WHO said. DONORS MUST DELAY GIVING BLOOD IF THEY'VE BEEN EXPOSED TO ZIKA VIRUS - FDA The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today recommended individuals delay donating blood if they have had a confirmed Zika infection or have been potentially exposed to the virus. There have been no reports of Zika entering the US blood supply. But experts warn the risk of blood transmission is considered likely based on scientific evidence of how Zika and similar viruses spread, the agency said. The FDA issued these guidelines to ensure that blood banks defer blood donations, since about four out of five of those infected do not show symptoms. Advertisement Fighting the infection at source by eliminating the Aedes aegypti mosquitoes responsible for transmission is moving up the public health agenda, especially as the same insects also spread dengue, chikungunya and yellow fever. However, the concept of wiping out an entire mosquito species also raises serious ecological questions, since it runs counter to preserving biodiversity. Still, insect control expert Jo Lines at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine has few reservations. 'This is an invasive species, so getting rid of these mosquitoes would, if anything, restore the natural ecology, not destroy it,' he told Reuters. Like rats and pigeons, Dr Lines argues, Aedes aegypti has adapted perfectly to modern urban living by breeding in everything from discarded bottle tops and used car tyres to pet water bowls and vases in cemeteries. As a result, the diseases it carries are likely to be a growing threat to humankind in the years ahead. While spraying or 'fogging' with insecticide can provide part of the solution, WHO experts said they recommended evaluating newer tools, including a genetically modified prototype mosquito developed by Oxitec, the British subsidiary of Intrexon. The male mosquitoes are modified so their offspring will die before reaching adulthood and being able to reproduce. The WHO said its Vector Control Advisory Group recommended further field trials of the technique, following promising previous tests in the Cayman Islands. Another option involves the mass release of male insects that have been sterilised by low doses of radiation, which the IAEA has already used to control tsetse fly in parts of Africa. In a statement, WHO experts said: 'Given the magnitude of the Zika crisis, WHO encourages affected countries and their partners to boost the use of both old and new approaches to mosquito control as the most immediate line of defence.' Pictured, the Aedes mosquito which carries the Zika virus An alternative approach uses Wolbachia bacteria, which do not infect humans but cause the eggs of females that mate with infected males to fail to hatch. Mosquitoes carrying Wolbachia have been shown to reduce mosquitoes' ability to transmit dengue. The WHO said large-scale field trials of Wolbachia bacteria would be started soon. Much remains unknown about Zika, including whether the virus actually causes microcephaly. The WHO believes the suspected link could be confirmed within weeks. Brazil is investigating more than 4,300 suspected cases of microcephaly. Researchers have confirmed more than 460 of these cases as microcephaly and identified evidence of Zika infection in 41 of them. Iran's Zarif tells European lawmakers Islamist militancy also their problem By Gabriela Baczynska BRUSSELS, Feb 16 (Reuters) - Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif told European Union lawmakers on Tuesday militant Islam was also a European problem as he defended Iran's involvement in Syria's civil war on the side of President Bashar al-Assad. European parliamentarians quizzed Zarif about alleged human rights violations in Iran, Iranian defence spending and nuclear activity and Tehran's stance on Middle East conflicts that have killed hundreds of thousands of people and driven millions from their homes, spurring a large influx of refugees into Europe. Radicalised European citizens, often with Muslim immigrant backgrounds, have gone to Syria and Iraq to fight for Islamic State militants, who claimed responsibility for the shooting and bombing rampage in Paris that killed 130 people in November. "We all need to understand why some who behead innocent individuals in our part of the world speak European languages with perfect accents. Why is it that this is happening?" Zarif told the European Parliament session. "You feel the consequences of the growth of extremism in our region in terms of refugees that come to Europe, in terms of the spread of unfortunate terrorist incidents in various European cities. Extremism cannot be contained in one country or one region, it's a global menace, requiring a global response." In Syria, an offensive by government forces backed by Russian air strikes and Iranian-backed militias has regained significant ground from rebels in the north near Turkey's frontier, dimming prospects that a truce deal hatched by world powers in Munich last week will take hold soon. Zarif said Tehran had no "boots on the ground" in Syria but only "military advisers" on the invitation of Assad. "We will move out military advisers when the local government deems it necessary for us to remove them," Zarif said. "Why is Iran there? Because Iran believes that the alternative right now - either in Iraq or in Syria - is not a democratic government but Daesh." Daesh is a pejorative Arabic acronym for Islamic State. Syria's war created a breeding ground for the ultra-radical Islamic State, whose insurgents now control large swathes of territory in Syria and neighbouring Iraq. Russia has come under criticism for not ceasing air strikes in Syria since the Munich agreement and has faced accusations that it was using lengthy and complex Syria diplomacy only to buy time to turn the tide of the war on the ground. Zarif challenged that, saying: "Who is going to impose the military solution in Syria? Nobody. Russia can't impose a military solution either ... We need a political solution." He criticised Saudi Arabia, Shi'ite Iran's arch-foe in the region and a conservative Sunni Muslim monarchy that has now thrown its weight behind some rebel groups fighting Assad. Excluding Greece from Schengen won't solve migrant crisis-EU's Tusk By Renee Maltezou and Karolina Tagaris ATHENS, Feb 16 (Reuters) - Excluding Greece from the open-border Schengen area will not solve the migrant crisis that is testing Europe's cohesion to its limits, EU Council President Donald Tusk said on Tuesday. Europe needed to improve the protection of its external borders, he told reporters after talks with Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras in Athens. That required more effort by Greece, but also more support from its European Union partners. Central European nations on Monday proposed drafting emergency back-up plans to halt the flow of migrants to Western Europe through the Balkans, effectively ring-fencing Greece. "The migration crisis is testing our union to its limits," Tusk said. "For all those talking of excluding Greece from Schengen, thinking this is a solution to the migration crisis, I say no, it is not." Greece -- the main entry point into Europe for more than a million refugees and migrants since last year, many crossing the sea from Turkey -- is under intense pressure from its EU partners to tighten border checks. EU ministers last week gave Greece three months to fulfil 50 recommendations to fix its borders. If it does not, the EU members of the free-travel Schengen zone can impose checks on internal frontiers for up to two years. Tusk, who was in Greece to rustle up support for an ambitious EU reform programme designed to keep Britain in the EU, was echoing sentiments expressed by German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who said Greece needed help in meeting its border protection duties, and not shunned. "Let me be clear," Tusk said. "Excluding Greece from Schengen solves none of our problems." Greece says the burden it is assuming in the migrants crisis is disproportionate, adding strain on a nation reeling from six years of deep recession induced by austerity under the terms of three international financial bailouts. Athens says numbers are too big to handle, that it cannot turn back boatloads of refugees and migrants into the sea, and that Turkey do more to stop the migrants at its shores. Greece said on Tuesday it had set up four out of five proposed registration centres for refugees, drafting in the army to help. The leaders of Hungary, Poland, the Czech Republic and Slovakia said on Monday there should be tighter controls on the borders of Balkan countries neighbouring Greece if attempts to limit the numbers from Turkey to Greece failed.. Tsipras repeated his call for a common European approach. Americans kidnapped in Iraq last month released -Iraqi media BAGHDAD, Feb 16 (Reuters) - Three U.S. citizens who were kidnapped in Baghdad last month have been released, according to Iraqi media reports on Tuesday that were confirmed by a senior Iraqi government source. Unknown gunmen seized the trio from a private apartment in mid-January. U.S. and Iraqi sources said at the time that they were being held by an Iranian-backed Shi'ite militia. The U.S. Embassy in Baghdad declined to comment immediately on the reports. Americans kidnapped in Iraq last month released BAGHDAD/WASHINGTON, Feb 16 (Reuters) - Three U.S. citizens who were kidnapped in Baghdad last month have been released with the help of the Iraqi government, the State Department said on Tuesday. Unknown gunmen seized the trio from a private apartment in the capital's southeasterly Dora district in mid-January and were thought to be held by an Iranian-backed Shi'ite militia, though Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi later dismissed the likelihood of Iranian involvement. "We sincerely appreciate the assistance provided by the government of Iraq, and its whole-of-government effort to bring about the safe release of these individuals," State Department spokesman Mark Toner said in a statement. U.S. Defense Department spokesman Peter Cook said the Americans were contractors for the State Department and said the Pentagon was not involved in the Americans' recovery. An official in the Iraqi interior minister's office said the Americans had been released in an area near Yousifiya, south of Baghdad. "Intelligence forces received them and will hand them over to the American authorities (in Baghdad)", he told Reuters earlier on Tuesday. The Defense Department is providing the Americans with transportation out of the region, and they are set to leave Iraq on Tuesday, Cook said. The Iraqi government has struggled to rein in the Shi'ite militias, many of which fought the U.S. military following the 2003 invasion and have previously been accused of killing and abducting American nationals. Some analysts believe the kidnappings were meant to embarrass and weaken Abadi, who is trying to balance Iraq's relations with rival powers Iran and the United States. Iran's Zarif tells European lawmakers Islamist militancy also their problem By Gabriela Baczynska and Clement Rossignol BRUSSELS, Feb 16 (Reuters) - Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif told European Union lawmakers on Tuesday militant Islam was also a European problem as he defended Iran's involvement in Syria's civil war on the side of President Bashar al-Assad. European parliamentarians quizzed Zarif about alleged human rights violations in Iran, Iranian defence spending and nuclear activity and Tehran's stance on Middle East conflicts that have killed hundreds of thousands of people and driven millions from their homes, spurring a large influx of refugees into Europe. Radicalised European citizens, often with Muslim immigrant backgrounds, have gone to Syria and Iraq to fight for Islamic State, which claimed responsibility for the shooting and bombing rampage in Paris that killed 130 people in November. "We all need to understand why some who behead innocent individuals in our part of the world speak European languages with perfect accents. Why is it that this is happening?" Zarif told the European Parliament session. "You feel the consequences of the growth of extremism in our region in terms of refugees that come to Europe, in terms of the spread of unfortunate terrorist incidents in various European cities. Extremism cannot be contained in one country or one region, it's a global menace, requiring a global response." In Syria, an offensive by government forces backed by Russian air strikes and Iranian-backed militias has regained significant ground from rebels in the north near Turkey's frontier, dimming prospects that a truce deal hatched by world powers in Munich last week will take hold soon. Zarif said Tehran had no "boots on the ground" in Syria but only "military advisers" on the invitation of Assad. "We will move out military advisers when the local government deems it necessary for us to remove them," Zarif said. "Why is Iran there? Because Iran believes that the alternative right now - either in Iraq or in Syria - is not a democratic government but Daesh." Daesh is a pejorative Arabic acronym for Islamic State. Syria's war created a breeding ground for the ultra-radical Islamic State, whose insurgents now control large swathes of territory in Syria and neighbouring Iraq. Russia has come under criticism for not ceasing air strikes in Syria since the Munich agreement and has faced accusations that it was using lengthy and complex Syria diplomacy only to buy time to turn the tide of the war on the ground. Zarif challenged that, saying: "Who is going to impose the military solution in Syria? Nobody. Russia can't impose a military solution either ... We need a political solution." He criticised Saudi Arabia, Shi'ite Iran's arch-foe in the region and a conservative Sunni Muslim monarchy that has now thrown its weight behind some rebel groups fighting Assad. "Are we talking about democracies in our region criticising Bashar al-Assad?" Zarif said. "This is not about democracy, this is not about the rights of the Syrian people. This is all about a convoluted, perverted concept of regional equilibrium, which they believe has been disturbed and they want a redress." Turkey, which shares Riyadh's desire to see Assad go, has called for a ground operation in Syria and Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates expressed readiness to send in troops as part of an international coalition against Islamic State, providing Washington takes the lead. Hezbollah chief says Turkey, Saudi Arabia prefer war over political agreement in Syria BEIRUT, Feb 16 (Reuters) - The leader of Lebanon's Hezbollah group said on Tuesday that Saudi Arabia and Turkey favored a prolonged war in Syria rather than agreeing to a settlement which would lead to President Bashar al-Assad staying in power. Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah also said the talk that the two countries, which support insurgents fighting to topple Assad, were planning to send ground troops to Syria to fight Islamic State was a pretext for them to "to gain a foothold" there. "The armed groups supported by Saudi Arabia and Turkey did not deliver so the motive is not fighting Deash but to look for a foothold after all these disappointments that occurred so far," he said. Daesh is an derogatory Arabic acronym for Islamic State. "They want to come to find a foothold in the face of the other axis," Nasrallah told supporters via a video link in a speech during the anniversary to commemorate the group's late leaders. Turkey, Saudi Arabia and some European allies want ground troops deployed in Syria, Turkish foreign minister said, as a Russia-backed government advance nears its borders. This has raised the possibility of direct confrontation between the NATO member and Moscow. Russian air support for the Syrian government offensive has transformed the balance of power in the five-year-old war in the past three weeks Nasrallah, whose troops are fighting alongside Syrian, said that the recent advances of the army and its allies have put Syria on a "new track" and that the plans of Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Israel to topple Assad have failed. He also said that Turkey and Saudi Arabia were driven by their "hatred" to Assad. "For them, there is no problem if the fighting and destruction continued in Syria for dozens of years, they do not have a problem with that," he said. Saudi coalition, Houthi rebels restricting Yemen aid access -U.N. UNITED NATIONS, Feb 16 (Reuters) - A Saudi Arabia-led coalition and Houthi rebels fighting in Yemen are both restricting humanitarian aid access in the impoverished country where more than 80 percent of people need help, United Nations aid chief Stephen O'Brien said on Tuesday. The Saudi coalition began a military campaign in March of last year to prevent Iran-allied Houthi rebels from taking complete control of Yemen. The Houthis and forces loyal to former Yemen President Ali Abdullah Saleh, accuse the coalition of a war of aggression. O'Brien said the Houthis were inconsistent in allowing access and movement of humanitarian goods and personnel, while a recent warning by Saudi Arabia about the safety of aid workers in "Houthi-controlled areas" caused delays to key missions. "The parties to the conflict have a duty of care in the conduct of military operations to protect all civilian persons and objects - including humanitarian and health care workers and facilities - against attack," he told the U.N. Security Council. "I remind all parties of their obligations under international humanitarian law to facilitate humanitarian access to all areas of Yemen," O'Brien said. Saudi Arabia, which is leading air strikes against the Houthis and their allies in Yemen, warned the United Nations and international aid groups to protect staff by removing them from areas near rebel military bases. "U.N. agencies and NGO partners are delivering assistance under extraordinarily difficult and dangerous circumstances," O'Brien said. "Just this last Sunday, a Saudi-led coalition airstrike hit a building 200 metres away from the Diplomatic Transit Facility, accommodating U.N. and diplomatic personnel." He said more than 6,000 people had been killed in the past year, of which about half were civilians. He said more than 700 children had been killed and some 1,000 injured. U.N. sanctions monitors said in a report last month that the Saudi-led coalition and the Houthi rebels have targeted civilians and that some of the attacks could be a crimes against humanity. Yemen relies almost solely on imports, but the conflict has slowed shipments to a trickle. O'Brien said a World Food Programme ship carrying humanitarian supplies and headed to the Yemeni port of Hodeidah was diverted by coalition forces on Feb. 11 to the Saudi port of Jizan. History will not judge American foreign policy kindly. In the Middle-East especially, the United States has proved a cynical and damaging interloper. Last week's 17-nation agreement on "cessation of hostilities" in Syria is a ploy to halt the Russian-Syrian advance in provinces held by insurgent and terrorist groups opposed to the Syrian government. Since 2011, the US and its western allies have made a concerted effort to replace Syrian president Bashar al-Assad. The US has clandestinely provided arms and funds through the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) to insurgent groups fighting alongside the terrorist al-Nusra front. These groups project themselves as a credible political "opposition" to Assad. The Syrian president has over the years proved a cruel dictator. Thousands of Syrians have died, some allegedly after chemical attacks. Many more have fled the country. But the insurgent groups Washington supports as his replacement could prove far worse. The Syrian civil war, fuelled by western weapons and money, has devastated Syria. Nearly 2,50,000 Syrians, mostly civilians, have died in the fighting. Over 4.50 million have become refugees, in Turkey and elsewhere, including large numbers in Europe. Till a few months ago, the sectarian civil war was being won by the insurgent and terror groups opposed to Assad. His eviction seemed assured. The entry of Russia into the conflict on September 30, 2015, changed everything. Moscow began bombing the al-Nusra front and other groups who were making rapid advances on Assad's exhausted government forces. Even Damascus, the Syrian capital, seemed vulnerable. The tide turned a month ago following increased Russian aerial strikes on anti-Assad forces. Syrian government troops are now encircling Aleppo in the north, Syria's largest city and the opposition groups' stronghold. If the city falls and insurgent groups are cut off from their supply links on the Turkish border, removing Assad from power will be next to impossible. That is why the US convened a 17-nation security conference in Munich on February 12-13, 2016, to seek a ceasefire. The clear objective: to stall the Russia-backed Syrian government's recapture of territory it has lost to US-backed opposition groups over the last year. The ploy won't work. While Russia is party to the "cessation of hostilities" agreement, it has not, and will not, stop bombing opposition-held positions. Assad too has vowed to fight on till all lost territory is regained, irrespective of the Munich agreement. Besides, the ceasefire agreement does not cover al-Nusra, the most powerful of the terrorist and insurgent groups fighting Assad. The elephant in the room is of course the Islamic State (ISIS). The self-proclaimed caliphate has been weakened by sustained counter-attacks from Iraqi forces supported by Iran and Lebanon's Hezbollah. While steadily losing territory in Syria and Iraq, however, ISIS is gaining ground in lawless Libya where it has exploited a dysfunctional government wracked by two factional groups vying for control of Tripoli. So far ISIS hasn't seized control of any oilfields in Libya. But as the Syrian civil war drags on, the US and its allies, in their obsession to evict Assad, could end up giving ISIS a lifeline in Libya. The consequences for the Middle-East and beyond would be catastrophic. Former President George W. Bush made a tragic error by invading Iraq and laying the ground for the rise of ISIS in the post-Saddam Hussein vacuum. President Barack Obama risks making another seminal error by removing Assad. If that happens, terrorist groups like al-Nusra will fill the vacuum in Syria as ISIS did in Iraq in 2012. That fortunately is unlikely to happen following the Russian-Syrian offensive, despite the Munich conference ceasefire agreement. Assad is an Alawite (a Shia-affiliated sect). Sunni Saudi Arabia and Turkey fear an Iran-Iraq-Syria axis that will challenge Sunni ascendancy in the Middle-East. They are threatening to send ground troops to counter the Syrian-Russian advance. But judging by the Saudi experience in Yemen (where, after nearly a year of fighting the Shia Houthi rebels, a stalemate persists), Saudi troops are unlikely to frighten the Russians or Assad's rejuvenated troops. Sadly, President Obama's last year in office will be marked not just by a foreign policy failure in Syria and Libya. It will also be discredited by Washington's noxious attempt to destabilise another Middle-East country by indirectly supporting terror groups like al-Nusra and allowing ISIS time to regroup. RICHMOND The Virginia Commonwealth University alumna posed for a selfie in front of the bathroom mirror, shoulders back, eyebrow arched, midriff bare beneath the hem of her shirt. She posted the photo and others showing far more of her body for anyone in the Twitterverse to see. Another young woman, who says she is 18 and lives in Richmond, took her Twitter profile photo wearing a see-through tank top and a thong. She asked last week in a tweet: anyone want my kik? referring to a popular instant messaging app. Seeking affirmation, sexual or otherwise, is an age-old human condition, but the preponderance of mobile devices and social media apps allows us to cast a net into a worldwide abyss of unknown potential. The United Nations said there were more than 7 billion cellphone subscriptions in 2015 97 for every 100 people on Earth. Many criminal justice experts, educators and parents say that net has grown too large to leave unchecked in the hands of children and young adults who do not have the tools or the wherewithal to recognize when theyre being duped or worse. Last month, 13-year-old Nicole Lovell allegedly was lured from her Blacksburg home by a Virginia Tech engineering student whom she believed to be her boyfriend. The two had connected on Facebook and Kik. Police say David Eisenhauer, 18, stabbed Lovell after picking her up from her home in the middle of the night. He and fellow engineering student Natalie Keepers, 19, are accused of meticulously planning the murder and dumping Lovells body just across the North Carolina state line. *** Lovells death has parents asking a terrifying question: Could that have happened to my child? The short answer is yes, experts say. Lovells Internet activities should serve as a warning for parents and children alike, said Marcus Messner, an associate professor of journalism at VCU who studies social media. There is a lesson from a tragic case like this, Messner said. It could be an eye-opener. Despite the gruesome nature of the teens death, he said its worth discussing with children because it shows the very real dangers lurking in cyberspace. Lovells father told daytime talk-show host Phil McGraw of Dr. Phil that Nicole had been punished over Christmas for chatting online with older men. Messner said the parents in this case acted responsibly, but theres no filter that keeps predators offline. Thats why its important for parents to talk frankly with their children, and build trust, he said. So when someone does reach out, the child will come to them. But if that trust is broken, there has to be punishments. Many of the mainstream social media applications that adults use, including Facebook and Twitter, say they do not allow users younger than 13 to participate. But those terms of use tend to be widely disregarded, Messner said. Plus, a recent Pew Research study said teens ages 13 to 17 are moving away from the applications their parents are using. That was the case for Lovell, who frequently used Kik, a messaging app that many adults had not heard of until after her high-profile death. Her posts about dating and romance were not as blatantly sexual as older teens messages, but Lovell seemed to be seeking affirmation in her own way. She was bullied in school about her weight and a tracheotomy scar on her neck. Cute or nah, she posted New Years Day with a selfie on a Facebook forum called Teen Dating and Flirting. Youre very round, one of the more than 300 commenters wrote, according to The Washington Post. And no not cute, another commented. This is an age when what might seem like over-sharing to parents is the norm for children and teens. Only a fraction of the VCU alums more than 400 tweets so far this month have been racy photos of herself. The rest have been about her cat, what shes having for dinner, relationship issues and the like. She initially agreed to be interviewed for this story but then could not be reached. *** Eight- to 10-year-olds were born when cellphones were the norm, and they are coming of age when social media is everywhere, said Ian Danielsen, coordinator of the Child Advocacy Center for Richmond-based Stop Child Abuse Now. The explosion of social media apps continually catches parents off-guard. Every day, they seem to find out about new apps that their kids may have been using for months. Parents need to take themselves to school more than they think, he said. Danielsens group coordinates efforts between law enforcement officers and social services workers to interview victims when allegations of child abuse surface. He said he has seen an increase in the number of cases involving abuse that began with contact via social media. Danielsen said parents who suspect a predator is contacting their children should immediately call the police or Child Protective Services. Often, parents mistakenly believe they have to have proof that someone has untoward intentions before making a report. Law enforcement officers advise parents that its not enough just to check their childrens phones, but they should get on these sites themselves and see how they work. The predators, the bad actors, will go where the kids are, go where the targets are, and these days they are online, said Adam Lee, special agent in charge of the FBIs Richmond office. With the Internet comes a phenomenon Lee called courage of the electronic, which he explained as an inclination to say or do things one might not say or do in person. Lee said parents, who typically are paying for the cellphones or tablets their children are using, should have access to all of their accounts. He suggested keeping the devices in the parents bedroom at night. Gone are the days of having the family desktop in common areas, he said. Not every parent is as paranoid as an FBI agent, but they should be. Lovells case is not the first, but with the proper education and preventive measures, similar cases could be prevented, he said. In 2012, five Petersburg girls, ages 14 to 17, were solicited by a Dinwiddie County pastor using a phony Facebook account and his cellphone. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison. That same year, a Gordonsville man who police said also set up a fictitious Facebook account claiming to be a 19-year-old female University of Virginia student, pleaded guilty to 15 charges of sexually soliciting five underage boys in Louisa, Henrico and Chesterfield counties and possession of child pornography. *** Its not just the sheer number of social media applications or other platforms such as Internet gaming with messaging functions that make it difficult for law enforcement to track down the users with evil intentions, its also the companies that run the applications. Some are better at working with police than others, said Richmond police Detective Kevin Hiner, who is part of a two-man computer crimes unit. They run the world, he said of the Internet companies, many of which say their customers expect them to zealously guard user data. Social media have played a role in every case he works, said Hiner, who also is a member of the Internet Crimes Against Children task force that works with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. The first thing Im asking is: Is the child active on social media? Do they have a cellphone? he said. Hiner said the Internet is making stranger abductions a thing of the past. People might look at that and say it was a stranger abduction, said Hiner, referencing the Lovell case in Blacksburg. But to the child victim, the person isnt a stranger. Its their Internet friend. Media experts and law enforcement officers agree that not all social media interactions are bad or dangerous. Being savvy in these places will help them in the future, said Messner, the VCU professor. Let them have some fun on these platforms. Trust, and then check up on it. Liz Pearce, director of mission with the Childrens Museum of Richmond, teaches classes around the region called Staying Ahead of Your High-Tech Kid. She said its never too early or too late to take a more proactive role in protecting children and teens who access the Internet. The nature of a teenager and a young persons brain is to take risks, and they dont always understand the ramifications, said Pearce, who founded and ran an organization called Commonwealth Parenting before it merged with the Childrens Museum. Its critical, she said, to use protective filters that block certain content and to track a childs usernames and passwords as early as possible. Parents should read all of the texts their youngest children are sending to make sure they are appropriate, and praise them when they are using their devices properly. As they get older, we hate it, but they are going to figure out a way to get around those filters, Pearce said. Teens most likely will balk when Mom and Dad start reading everything they write online, but parents have that right because typically they are paying for Internet access and cellphone lines. They need to exercise that right until they feel confident their children are mature enough to handle themselves. At these young ages, kids are confronted with really confusing grown-up situations, Pearce said. Parents should remember that building a culture of trust and open communication takes time, she said, and they are not fighting the battle alone. Sometimes, even when they try their best and keep an eye out for warning signs changes in their childs mood or behavior, withdrawal from friends or dropping grades danger still slips through, she said. Pearce keeps the computer screen in her house facing outward so she can see what her third-grade daughter is doing online. This is my field, so I check the history of the computer; I talk with her about who she is talking with online, Pearce said. I do my best, but am I still scared to death? Yes. *** That fear led Tiffany Jana, founder and CEO of Richmond-based TMI Consulting, to be hypervigilant in protecting her three children, who are now 18, 17 and 8. The Internet is like having a lighted runway straight to your childs bedroom from anywhere in the world, Jana said. You wouldnt leave the front door open and the back door open. They can barely navigate the world on their own, so what in the world makes us think they can navigate social media? When her daughter, Naomi Vickers, was in eighth grade, her school issued laptop computers to all students and asked parents to take a course in Internet safety. Jana said it was mind-blowing for her because, as a member of Generation X, she had no frame of reference for parenting in an age of social media. Jana said she decided to collect every username and password used by each of her children, and she installed software called Net Nanny to track all of their conversations. She read their text messages, scrolled through their lists of friends on Facebook, and asked about anyone she didnt know. Her children were not allowed to use computers alone in their rooms until they were 16, and their phones were useless after 9:30 p.m. save for texting and calling emergency numbers she approved in advance. Jana once got an alert that her oldest child, Seth Vickers, had engaged in mild flirting only to find out a female classmate of his simply was trying to boost his confidence after a tough day. In another instance, she was warned that Seth had arranged to make contact with someone but, after reviewing his messages, she saw that he was trying to meet up with friends at the movies. Once her children turned 17, Jana removed most of her restrictions because she trusted them. Seth Vickers, now a computer science freshman at VCU, recalled last week that he was less than thrilled that his mother was watching his every move online. Out of his group of friends, she probably had the strictest set of Internet rules, he said. One time, he thought about creating a secret account to which his mother would not have access, but he realized he did not really have anything to hide from her and decided against it. Looking back, he understands her reasons for being strict. Part of me is glad that she did it, Vickers said. At the time, I really just did not understand what was out there on the big wide Web. Sarah Kleiner and Ali Rockett report for the Richmond Times-Dispatch. Philanthropist David Rubenstein, who already has donated tens of millions of dollars to refurbish the Washington Monument and other icons, is giving $18 million to fix up the Lincoln Memorial. The National Park Service announced the gift Monday. The money will be used to fix the memorial's roof, clean the marble and improve accessibility by adding a second elevator. The park service also plans to create 15,000 square feet of visitor space tucked beneath the memorial for exhibits. Rubenstein said his admiration for Lincoln drew him to this project. "Lincoln deserves to have his memorial in tip-top shape," he said in a phone interview. The Lincoln Memorial draws more 7 million visitors annually and is the most visited attraction on the National Mall. Park Service Director John Jarvis said the memorial, dedicated in 1922, is structurally sound but does need some repair work. "It's pretty stout, and I think really has held up quite well for a structure of its age," Jarvis said. "But you can't build a 100-year roof." The memorial is built on pilings, and the park service is going to explore ways for visitors to see the foundations that anchor the memorial to the bedrock. The unseen superstructure is marked with graffiti from the workers who built the memorial over a seven-year period, including caricatures of former President William Howard Taft and memorial architect Henry Bacon. Rubenstein, a billionaire who founded The Carlyle Group investment firm in Washington, already has given $7.5 million to repair the Washington Monument after a 2011 earthquake, $5.4 million for the Iwo Jima Memorial in Arlington and $12.35 million for Arlington House, the home of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee on the grounds of Arlington National Cemetery. In recent years, Rubenstein has given $10 million to Montpelier, historic home of James and Dolley Madison in Orange County, as well as two $10 million donations to Monticello, Thomas Jefferson's historic home in Albemarle County. He said he hopes his donations have spurred others to think about giving. Will Shafroth, president of the National Park Foundation, believes it has. He notes that donations to the foundation have grown from about $25 million three years ago to an expected $100 million in this fiscal year. On Monday, the foundation announced that a $350 million, five-year capital fundraising campaign begun in October 2013 is about half way to reaching its goal. "Due to things like Mr. Rubenstein's generous gifts, we've tapped into a real vein of interest ... in highlighting the importance of these national treasures," Shafroth said. Rubenstein, a history buff, said he is particularly excited that his gift will provide the park service a better opportunity to tell Lincoln's story to visitors at the memorial, and generally increase awareness about his presidency. "It will be good if people read more about Lincoln and what he did to keep the country together," he said. RICHMOND Experts say the death of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia could have an impact on former Gov. Bob McDonnells appeal, as well as a GOP challenge to a newly imposed congressional redistricting map for Virginia. Scalia had expressed strong concerns about the law U.S. officials used to prosecute McDonnell and his wife, Maureen in 2014, for accepting $177,000 in gifts and loans from Jonnie R. Williams Sr., then-CEO of Star Scientific, in exchange for promoting a company product. Its very speculative, of course, but I think its reasonable to assume that Scalia was probably one of the justices most likely to have been sympathetic to McDonnells position, said Randall Eliason, former chief of the Public Corruption/Government Fraud Section at the U.S. Attorneys Office in Washington. Scalia, said Eliason, was very critical of the honest services law in the past and had generally argued for narrow interpretations of federal corruption statutes. Scalia wrote the opinion in that Sun Diamond case containing the discussion of what an official act is that McDonnell and his supporters always cite to support their claim that McDonnell did not perform official acts, he said. Henry L. Chambers Jr., a professor at the University of Richmond School of Law, explained last month that the justices appeared poised to decide in the McDonnell case what a government official must do to be guilty under the Hobbs Act or of honest services fraud. Those crimes require a government official engage in official acts to be guilty. However, an official act appears to cover almost any action that a government official takes to push forward any issue that has been brought in front of the official, he said. Chambers said the court will determine if the actions McDonnell took are official acts under the statutes. Or the court could decide that a public official must use government power more directly than did McDonnell in order to have engaged in official acts, he said. The justices narrowed the law in the 2010 case of Enron CEO Jeffrey Skilling, ruling that bribery and kickbacks qualify as honest services fraud when engaged in by a public official. Scalia issued a dissenting opinion in the Skilling case, arguing the law was too vague. Last year a three-judge panel of the Richmond-based 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals unanimously upheld Bob McDonnells convictions and the full appeals court declined to rehear the case. The Supreme Court agreed last month to hear his appeal and could hold arguments in April. The court is allowing the McDonnells to remain free pending their appeals. The trial judge, U.S. District Judge James R. Spencer, sentenced Bob McDonnell to two years in prison and the former first lady to one year and one day. Andrew G. McBride, a former federal prosecutor, pointed out that a 4-4 tie on the court would affirm the unanimous, three-judge ruling in the Richmond-based 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upholding the convictions. There would be real irony here if the Supreme Court granted this review on the proposition that the honest services doctrine demanded a review and a death on the Supreme Court eliminated that viewpoint, said McBride. Justices who like clear, bright legal lines dont like honest services fraud, said McBride. He still sees the possibility of a 5-3 vote in McDonnells favor, however. McBride said, It shows that the Supreme Court is not an abstraction. The court is made up of real human beings who make decisions that have great impacts on other human beings McDonnell could wind up behind bars, lose his law license and be a felon because of one justices death. Thats pretty striking, he said. Bob Holsworth, a veteran political analyst, formerly at Virginia Commonwealth University, said, Im not certain that the McDonnell case will split ideologically, especially given the briefs written in his support by Democratically oriented attorneys general and law professors. Still, I would think that the former governor may have been counting on Scalias vote, thinking that he would be concerned about the alleged criminalization of political activity, said Holsworth. Scalias death also could make it more likely that Virginias newly imposed congressional map remains in place, giving Democrats a good chance of picking up a seat in the redrawn 4th District, which would now include Richmond and Petersburg. On March 21, the Supreme Court is scheduled to hear an appeal by Republicans in Virginias congressional delegation. They are challenging a ruling by a three-judge panel that in 2012, Virginia legislators packed too many additional African-Americans into the 3rd District, represented by Democrat Robert C. Bobby Scott, diluting their influence in surrounding districts. In an effort to fix the constitutional flaw, the three-judge panel on Jan. 7 imposed a Virginia congressional map with the districts candidates will run in this fall. In the process of redrawing Scotts 3rd District, confining it to Hampton Roads, the judges also transformed the district of Rep. J. Randy Forbes, R-4th. The judges moved the cities of Richmond and Petersburg to the 4th District, making it much likelier that a Democrat could win the seat in November. Said Holsworth: I think [Scalias death] makes it less likely that the lower courts decision will be reversed a 4-4 decision will leave the court-ordered redistricting in place. It has become far more difficult for the GOP to win its appeal. Frank Green reports for the Richmond Times-Dispatch. DANVILLE Newly elected Charlottesville mayor and University of Virginia lecturer Michael Signer will talk about lessons from one of the countrys Founding Fathers at two events in Danville later this month. Signer will be presenting Lessons in Leadership from James Madison, a look at the statesmans origins and beliefs leading up to the drafting of the U.S. Constitution. The major thing that drew me was this real fascination with James Madison and the sense that hes kind of been ignored at our peril, Signer said. Signer said Madison was one of the first American public figures to lead by statesmanship leading by challenging and educating the public rather than appealing to passion and the lowest common denominator. Signer also will discuss Madisons long relationship with fellow Founding Father Patrick Henry. Once a student of Henry, Madison eventually began to battle him over demagoguery versus statesmanship, Signer said. The rivalry eventually led to an intense battle over the tone of the Constitution and religious freedom, he said. The main event is a 6 p.m. talk and reception Feb. 25 at the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research. Additionally, high school and college students can attend a talk at 3:30 p.m. the same day at Brewed Awakening. Bob Gibson, executive director of the Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership at UVa and event organizer, said the event is an opportunity for students to both meet Signer and learn about Sorensens summer leadership programs for both high school and college students. Gibson said he is excited about the upcoming events. These are always good programs at the institute because they give the public a lot of opportunities to ask questions, he said. Signer began his first term on the Charlottesville City Council in January, when he also was chosen by fellow councilors to be mayor. Trevor Metcalfe reports for the Danville Register & Bee. With the wintry, icy mess showing no signs of stopping Tuesday morning, Charlottesville City Schools joined Albemarle County Public Schools in closing for the day. Earlier Tuesday, the city schools announced a two-hour delay, but after several bus drivers could not make it into work due to the icy conditions, the district decided to close. Greene County schools are closed for the day, as are all schools in Orange, Buckingham, Fluvanna, Louisa and Madison counties. The Charlottesville area will remain under a winter storm warning until 10 a.m. Tuesday, when the icy sleet is expected to turn to rain and temperatures soar near 53 degrees, according to the National Weather Service. As temperatures drop Tuesday night, though, theres a 30 percent chance of snow showers after 1 a.m. Both Albemarle County and Charlottesville city offices announced they will open at 10 a.m. All Charlottesville Parks and Recreation registered programs starting before 10 a.m. are cancelled. Those programs occurring after 10 a.m. will continue as scheduled. Carver Recreation Center and Smith Aquatic & Fitness Center will open at 10 am. Charlottesville Area Transit buses will operate on a normal schedule. As of 9 a.m., Dominion Virginia Power was working to restore electricity to about 4,014 households in the Charlottesville and Albemarle area. The Charlottesville Albemarle Airport is asking that anyone scheduled to fly Tuesday morning stay in close contact with their airline for potential delays and cancellations. The Virginia Department of Transportation advises people to postpone their morning commute until temperatures warm up, if possible, as freezing rain continues to make roads treacherous. As of 5 a.m., Interstates 64 and 66 were mostly clear with some patches of ice. As the sleet turns to rain, Charlottesville reminds property owners to remove snow and ice from their sidewalks. The snow must be removed by 8 a.m. Wednesday. The Inn at Little Washington in Rappahannock County continues its reign as the longest-tenured Five Diamond restaurant in North America, and the only one in Virginia. It has maintained AAAs highest rating for 28 consecutive years, since 1988. All of us here are thrilled and honored to have once again received the American Automobile Associations highest honor, said Inn chef and proprietor Patrick OConnell. Were very proud of our talented team of dedicated individuals who work so hard every day to maintain this standard. Thank you to our guests and neighbors for their patronage and support over the last three-and-a-half decades. To be AAA-approved, properties must pass an unannounced, on-site evaluation. Hotels must provide acceptable cleanliness, comfort and hospitality, and restaurants must meet requirements for cleanliness, food preparation and service. Earning the coveted Five Diamond designation that the Inn at Little Washington has kept means its hotel exhibits ultimate luxury, sophistication and comfort with extraordinary physical attributes, meticulous personalized service, extensive amenities and impeccable standards of excellence. The restaurant, in addition, offers leading-edge cuisine of the finest ingredients, uniquely prepared by an acclaimed chef, served by an expert staff led by a maitre d in extraordinary surroundings, according to AAA. We are excited about the many new projects underway here and the Inns ongoing evolution, OConnell said. Through March, the Inn at Little Washington hosts its Friends and Neighbors program, providing a discounted price to residents of Culpeper, Fauquier, Rappahannock and Warren counties. The program offers the restaurants seven-course tasting menu to local residents for $128 per person a $50 discount and guest rooms starting at $298 per night, otherwise $575 or higher. Five Diamond restaurants represent just .2 percent of the more than 30,000 AAA-rated restaurants in the U.S., Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean. California and New York are tied at nine for the most Five Diamond restaurants followed by Illinois with six, Quintana Roo, Mexico with six and Nevada with five. Virginias Four Diamond Restaurants include The Old Mill Room in Charlottesville, listed since 1987, Lemaire in Richmond, listed since 2010, and 2941 Restaurant in Falls Church, listed since 2004. Thiruvananthapuram: Medium and Small Enterprises (MSME) are critical to economic development and a 'level playing field' should be ensured for them, RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan said on Monday. "We need to create many more jobs and that is one of the most important things in the country in the coming years. MSMEs are very important source of job creation," he said at a India MSME Summit here. Job creation really takes off not when they are small, but when they grow, he said, adding that it is important to create conditions for the growth of MSMEs, not just for startups, but also to grow in effective ways. Kerala is well placed for a revolution in MSME sector, he said, adding that the state should leverage its high level of education and capabilities. Quoting a Chinese professor, he said differences in the vigour of MSMEs in China and India have to do with the level of educational differences between the two countries. "Kerala, anywhere in India is well positioned with the educational level to go forward. Kerala is a great place for furthering revolutionising MSMEs," he said. More entities will create more competition. Giving the example of banana chips, he said a new way of making them would be tremendously useful for the country, both in terms of spreading it and improving productivity. He was referring to Manoj Joshi, Joint secretary, MSME, who pointed out the reluctance of some in the chip industry to go in for modernisation. While banana chips makers in Kochi use machines, some in the state capital prefer to stick on to the old practise. Stressing upon the need for competition from MSMEs, he said that it was the way to progress. The sector should be encouraged as it not only benefits the economy, but also helped in socially empowering women and those in the weaker sections. "So from the perspective of the economy, from the perspective of spreading opportunities across the country and perspective of spreading social equality, MSME is a critical sector in the economy," he said. Government and regulators should give the sector a 'level playing field', he said. A regulatory structure that creates a lot of bureaucratic obstacles that distorts the level playing field will have the opposite effect, he said, citing the example of Italy, where too many regulations have held back the growth of MSMEs. "We need to figure out a regulatory environment both at the RBI, centre and state government level that facilitates right regulations. I do not mean no regulation. De-regulation is necessary', he said. In the banking sector, 23 new banks had been cleared to enter the field and two had already started, he said, adding 'some small financial banks have precisely targeted to loan MSMEs'. There is need for entities to help MSMEs and some of it can be done by banks. 'There is lot of handholding banks cannot do. We have to think if NGOs can do it'. Rajan said that Reserve Bank plans to make significant changes in its rules to extend loans to startups, with focus on providing a better growth environment for MSMEs. "We in RBI are looking at our rules governing the finance of startups and we are making some significant changes to facilitate the kind of start up you see in the country". Stating that India lacked good bankruptcy laws, Rajan said the new bankruptcy code government was bringing in Parliament, would go a long way in addressing MSMEs problems and the distress faced by the sector. He also wanted formulation of a portable safety network for workers in the MSME's. 'A safety net is not for enterprises, but for the workers of MSMEs', he said. It was important that workers in the sector have a safety net that envisages protection of their pension and insurance benefits even if they move from one enterprise to another, he said. On the lines of Vidya Lakshmi for education loans, the RBI Governor proposed a portal for MSMEs for getting loans from banks. "We are discussing on it', he said. Stating that land acquisition was a problem in the country, he wanted to speed up digitalisation of land ownerships. "Making land acquisitions easier is very important. State governments are moving forward on steps in this regard for entities to acquire land," he said. She says that he has left a lifetime of memories that can keep her going. (Photo: Humans of Bombay) Since our childhood we have heard many stories about India and Pakistan, some heartwarming while some that can send chill down our spine. Our grandparents have often narrated us tales about them living through the India-Pakistan partition. Each of these stories teaches us some incredible lesson. Heres one such incredible tale shared by a woman on the Humans of Bombay Facebook page and its a beautiful love story as well. This is a story of a grandmother, who now has five children and 15 grandchildren. She recalls her time in Pakistan and remembers the moment she met the love of her life. I first met him when I was at my sister-in-laws house somewhere around 1930 in Lahore, she says in the post. She got married during partition and started her life from scratch in India. In the post she narrates how when communal hatred was at its peak, a Muslim friend helped them escape. As time went by and Independence was around the corner he asked me to marry him saying that war was inevitable and he couldnt bear the thought of being separated from me. Since then the couple started their life together and they also revisited Pakistan. Though now her husband is no longer alive, she says how he has left a lifetime of memories that can keep her going. Read the post below to know how they met and stayed together through thick and thin. Bengaluru: The leopard that was captured at Vibgyor School in Whitefield last week was not fed on Sunday evening as it was supposed to be treated with sedatives on Monday morning. Usually when an animal is to be sedated, and treated the next day, we dont feed it the previous day, Dr Nirupama Jaisingh, Veterinary Officer, Bannerghatta Biological Park, told Deccan Chronicle. After the sedation, the animal was supposed to be subjected to physical examination. The final report on the health of the big cat was scheduled to be sent to the Forest Department, she said. We are wondering as what made the big cat escape from here as it was regularly fed with 4-5 kg of chicken every day. Usually we understand the psychology of the wild animal that has been captured and put inside a cage. For the first two days, the leopard ate only 100-150 gm of chicken. That is because the animal is frustrated as it is not used to the new environment where it is surrounded by iron rods, concrete structures and humans making visits. Id restricted people from visiting the leopard as it was aggressive in the cage. But after a couple of days, it mellowed down and started eating around 4-5 kg of chicken every day, she said. Forest officials search the area where a leopard, which was caught at Vibgyor School, escaped from Bannerghatta National Park on Monday (Photo: SATISH B.) Veterinarians are wondering why only this leopard escaped and not the 20 other big cats that have been caged at the zoo. Wildlife experts said that it was probably because the leopard had not adapted itself to the new environment. Also, as it was made to stay hungry on Sunday night, it made desperate, random attempts and succeeded in getting out. May stray into human habitats again! "It is difficult to say whether the leopard will go back to the human habitat as it is handicapped (it has a broken canine tooth and a glaucoma-like ailment in its left eye). Hence we are advising the people in the neighbouring villages to be careful and stay alert. We will have our patrolling teams do their rounds as well to trace the animal," says Dr. Ravi Ralph, PCCF adding that "As it was blind in the left eye, and did not have a canine tooth, we decided to keep him at the rescue centre and treat him. If it has escaped and is there in the forest, it can take good care of itself, but then we wanted to be on the safer side for the sake of the animal." May have escaped into the forest "Only the inquiry committee's report will confirm that the animal has escaped and gone out. Most likely if it has escaped it could have escaped into the forest because the natural hiding place for an animal is the forest. We believe, it will not go towards human habitation, but in any case, we are taking precautionary steps having increased patrolling and vigil. This will be done by the forest department officials, and we will also advise surrounding villagers to stay alert," Mahendra Jain, Additional Chief Secretary. Likely hideouts searched The forest department officials formed teams and patrolled the nearby areas in the forest to trace the leopard as soon as the news of the leopard escape broke out on Monday morning. The six-member team constituting a veterinary doctor (armed with tranquilizer gun) in each team, along with range forest officer and others patrolled in a jeep from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. at the National Park forest area to trace the animal. They had gone to a spot in the forest where water was there, where the animal could have probably visited for quenching its thirst after its escape, said a forest official. Last checked at 4 am The last time, the leopard was checked on by the forest watchers was at 4:00 a.m. on Monday, after it was checked for routinely at around 6:00 p.m. on Sunday evening. There are 20 other leopards, three tigers and 18 lions housed in the BBP Rescue Centre in total. Only 3 watchers The 10-acre BBP Rescue Centre has only three forest watchers. Usually, all the 17 animal holdings are kept locked at night. Our watchers have to only monitor the animals that come near the rescue centre and chase them away, a senior official said. Bear escaped too A Himalayan bear, which the watchers have named Begalamma, escaped from its cage and enclosure 10-15 days ago. It was traced two days later. Additional Chief Secretary Mahendra Jain and PCCF Ravi Ralph inspecting the spot at the rescue centre, from where the leopard that was caught at Vibgyor School escaped from the Bannergatta National Park on Monday morning A leopard with friends in high places? The leopard that was captured at the Vibgyor School in Varthur last Sunday and led to an unprecedented shutdown of schools in the area, escaped from its cage and enclosure from the Bannerghatta Biological Park (BBP) Rescue Center right under the nose of forest watchers, disappearing into the wild on Monday early morning. The leopard was spotted scaling a 25-feet enclosure fence by a forest watcher named Girish at around 6:45 a.m., who started shouting and raising an alarm to alert the other two forest watchers, Nagaraj Shastri and Krishnappa, who were on duty on Sunday night. The leopard had managed to manipulate an iron rope that went through the roof and inside the cage, which had a trap door on one end of it. When the iron pulley is pulled, it lifts and opens the door, and when it is dropped, a weight suspended on the other end which is kept on a parapet wall outside the cage falls, so that the door falls and shuts," said a forest officer. The amazing thing is that the leopard had either figured it all out, or was just plain lucky that the complicated pulley and weight system worked when he played around with it! Or did one of the guards take pity on the animal from the wild and let him go back to his own? Clearly, after the door was lifted and he was able to get out of the cage through the open door, the leopard came into what is called a squeeze cage (where the animal is squeezed into the cage so it remains unable to move while being given treatment) which does not have a roof through which it would have jumped into the enclosure area. The big cat then scaled the 25-feet high diamond-netted fence and disappeared into the wild even as it dawned on the forest watcher what was happening, added the forest officer. "We have seen other leopards playing with those iron threads that run through the roof inside their cages, but usually the door never opens," Bhagyalakshmi, Range Forest Officer told Deccan Chronicle. Mahendra Jain, Additional Chief Secretary to Government Forest, Ecology & Environment Department along with Dr. Ravi Ralph, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) (PCCF) inspected the cage and the enclosure in the rescue center where the leopard escaped from the Bannerghata Biological Park on Monday morning. "We came and inspected the cage and the enclosure. Prima facie, it looks like it's not that easy for the leopard to escape out of the cage as the forest watchers say," said Mr. Mahendra Jain. "According to them, as what they have told me, the leopard was trying to play with the iron rope which could have opened the door slightly through which it managed to sneak out into the squeeze cage which had a slide door and jump out through its roof into the enclosure after which it scaled the high fence and escaped into the forest," added Mr. Jain. "It is rather impossible for the leopard itself to cross these three barriers alone and escape and we do not know if someone has let it go out of the cage into the enclosure to play for a while, and we will have to check on that. It's understandable that the leopard can climb the tree and then cross over the high enclosure fence, but how did it come out of the cage is yet to be examined technically," said the additional chief secretary. "We have got some footprints and pug marks outside the enclosure and also some leopard fur that the experts collected from the fence that it scaled. We will conduct an investigation and confirm whether it's the same animal that escaped to file a report on the incident," Mr. Jain added. "We have constituted an inquiry committee to investigate into the matter and the responsibility will be fixed action will be taken," Dr. Ravi Ralph said. The 4 to 6-year-old male leopard was shifted to the rescue center on February 7, Sunday for medical treatment as it was handicapped with a broken canine tooth in its left upper jaw, and a glaucoma-like ailment in its left eye. The leopard was rescued from Vibgyor school premises in South East Bengaluru after a 5-hour long operation where three people were injured including Sanjay Gubbi, scientist and tiger conservationist. Students affiliated to the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) protest outside the office of the vice chancellor of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in New Delhi. (Photo: PTI) The recent JNU-related incident of arresting the students union president Kanhaiya Kumar and charging him with sedition is a completely botched affair, made infinitely worse by Union home minister Rajnath Singhs thoroughly misconceived intervention. The entire episode casts our democracy in the darkest shades which underlines that it is intolerant of protest, that it suppresses debate and discussion even in the context of a university, and that it is eager to accept only the Hindutva view of nationalism and patriotism. Without a shred of proof, Mr Singh chose to make the implausible claim on Sunday that the action of a section of the student body which was protesting the hanging of Afzal Guru, convicted for the attack on Parliament, three years ago had received support of Lashkar-e-Tayyaba chief Hafiz Sayeed. This is evidently intended to raise the nationalist pitch shortly before Assembly elections in five states and days before the opening of the Winter Session of Parliament when the government is expected to face severe criticism on a range of issues. The Left parties and the Congress have challenged the home minister to offer proof in Parliament. If he fails to do so, he would be deemed to be highly irresponsible. The most charitable view is that the government is seeking to divert attention from its many failures by taking refuge in patriotism. Mr Kumar was despatched to prison without an inquiry, but recent claims and allegations suggest that a section of the ABVP, the student body of the RSS, acted as agent provocateur, and raised pro-Pakistan slogans at the protest meet for which Mr Kumar has been punished. The intention was evidently to discredit and penalise ABVPs opponents in campus politics. The allegation must be thoroughly investigated.Something similar had happened at Hyderabad University last month when dalit students were demonised, leading to the suicide of Rohith Vemula. In the case of both Hyderabad and JNU, a BJP MP acted as trigger by falsely representing non-ABVP student politics as anti-national to the Union HRD minister and the upper echelons of the government. n the JNU case, the HRD minister and the home minister have both come out using language lacking in balance against students and even indulging in a reference to Mother India, as Smriti Irani did. JNU teachers and students went on a day-long strike on Monday to demand the release of Mr Kumar. The demand has found endorsement across the spectrum, except from those linked to the Sangh Parivar. However, the teachers and students would do well not to resort to a prolonged strike. Let teaching and knowledge-production not suffer. The issues raised by them and by the home minister point to the dangers of majoritarianism in a democratic society, against which the country must guard itself. Mumbai: A group of US researchers have developed a new smartphone app to provide accurate, real-time alerts before the occurrence of an earthquake. The MyShake app, which utilises your smartphones motion sensor to detect earthquakes, is a combined effort of researchers from the University of California at Berkeley and Deutsche Telekom AG. It is based on an algorithm developed by UC Berkeley seismologists and programmers from the Silicon Valley Innovation Center, which is part of the Deutsche Telekom T-Labs, turned it into an app. The MyShake earthquake app Myshake runs in the background consuming minimal power, allowing the devices on-board accelerometer to record any kind of nearby jolts at any time of the day or night. Moreover, this innovative app helps record the time and amplitude of a tremor, and subsequently sends the data along with the phones location to Berkeleys seismological lab for analysis. Although the app is in its budding stages, the researchers have pointed out that the system will improve as more people start using it. The app continually records accelerometer data, and after a confirmed earthquake will also send five minutes of data to the researchers, starting one minute before the quake and ending four minutes after. This happens only when the phone is plugged in and connected to a WiFi network, Deutsche Telekom said in an official statement. One of the main purposes of the app is to create a global seismic network to eventually warn users ahead of impending jolts from nearby quakes. The company also said, For many earthquake prone developing countries such as Nepal and Peru, MyShake could potentially warn affected persons valuable seconds earlier, and ideally, save lives. These countries currently have either only a sparse ground-based seismic network or early warning system, or none at all but do have millions of smartphone users, the company said. MyShake will be presented by the company at the Mobile World Conference (MWC) 2016 to be held in Barcelona from February 22-25. The free Android app is currently available to the general public, and users can download it from the Google Playstore. Apple users have no reason to be disappointed as an iPhone app is also on the cards. After the app gains a bit of traction and all the bugs are fixed, UC Berkeley seismologists plan to warn people regarding an approaching earthquake. Click on Deccan Chronicle Technology and Science for the latest news and reviews. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter. It has become clear that we cannot break North Korea's will to develop nuclear weapons through existing means and goodwill, says Park. (Photo: AP) Seoul: South Korean President Park Geun-Hye on Tuesday said a fundamentally new approach was needed to derail North Korea's nuclear weapons programme, marked by an uncompromising, assertive response to Pyongyang's provocations. In a speech to the National Assembly, that seemed to have one eye on upcoming parliamentary elections, Park warned that South Koreans had, over the years, become "numb" to the threat from their northern neighbour, and said it was time to take a more courageous stand. The speech came a week after Park took the unprecedented step of shutting down operations at the jointly run Kaesong industrial estate in North Korea, triggering an aggressive response from Pyongyang. "It has become clear that we cannot break North Korea's will to develop nuclear weapons through existing means and goodwill," Park said. "It's time to find a fundamental solution for bringing practical change in North Korea and to show courage in putting that into action," she added. After her speech, the Yonhap news agency cited defence officials in Seoul as saying four US F-22 stealth fighter jets would fly a mission over South Korea on Wednesday in a show of force aimed at Pyongyang. Citing the North's nuclear test last month and long-range rocket launch on February 7, which was widely viewed as a ballistic missile test, Park said it was clear Pyongyang had no intention of discussing denuclearisation. "If time passes without any change, the Kim Jong-Un leadership which is speeding without a brake could deploy a nuclear-tipped missile and we will suffer," she said. Defending the closure of Kaesong, Park said it was "just the beginning" and signalled further steps that she argued were needed to derail the North's nuclear programme. "The government will take stronger and more effective measures to make North Korea bitterly realise that it cannot survive with nuclear development and that it will only speed up regime collapse," she said. A similar line is being pushed by the United States and Japan in an effort to secure a strong UN Security Council resolution that will include harsh new sanctions for North Korea. But Park's speech failed to address the problem the Security Council is having in drafting a resolution that has the support of all five veto-wielding permanent members. Despite Beijing's annoyance with North Korea's nuclear ambitions and its young maverick leader Kim Jong-Un, its priority has been to prevent chaos on China's border. As a result, it has resisted punitive measures that might push Kim's regime towards collapse. In her speech, Park indicated that South Korea should be more willing to act unilaterally if other countries lagged behind. "We must throw away the impotent feeling of relying on the international community's sanctions and mobilise all possible methods to solve the problem ourselves," she said. South Korea is due to begin talks with the US this week on the possible deployment of an advanced US missile defence system that China and Russia have warned could undermine stability in East Asia. Defence officials in Seoul and Washington say bringing the Terminal High Altitude Area Defence System (THAAD) to the South has become a clear necessity given the progress North Korea was making on its ballistic missile programme. Washington: Air strikes have hit at least five medical facilities and two schools in northern Syria, killing 50 people, the United Nations said today, calling the attacks "blatant violations of international law." The United States also condemned the attacks on civilian targets, which it said included two hospitals in the Aleppo area - a Medecins Sans Frontieres facility and the Women's and Children's Hospital in Aziz city. The upsurge in violence comes just days after international powers, meeting in Munich, proposed a "cessation of hostilities" within a week as a step towards a permanent ceasefire. Neither the United States nor the United Nations identified who carried out the air strikes, but Russia has been waging an air campaign in and around Aleppo in support of a Syrian government ground offensive. State Department spokesman John Kirby said the latest development "casts doubt on Russia's willingness and/or ability to help bring to a stop the continued brutality of the Assad regime against its own people." "That the Assad regime and its supporters would continue these attacks, without cause and without sufficient regard for international obligations to safeguard innocent lives, flies in the face of the unanimous calls by the ISSG, including in Munich, to avoid attacks on civilians," he said. AFP photos of the MSF hospital hit by an air strike showed it had partially collapsed in the attack. The surrounding area was strewn with twisted metal, cinderblocks and detritus from the damaged building. "The destruction of the hospital leaves the local population of around 40,000 people without access to medical services in an active zone of conflict," said MSF Syria operations chief Massimiliano Rebaudengo. The UN statement indicated the range of civilian targets was far broader, and the death toll much higher, than originally reported from the region. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon was "deeply concerned by reports that missile attacks on at least five medical facilities and two schools in Aleppo and Idlib that killed close to 50 civilians including children and injured many," UN deputy spokesman Farhan Haq said. Ban considers that "such attacks are blatant violations of international law," he added. Nepal: A Dutch tourist who survived a tiger attack in the jungles of south-west Nepal by climbing a tree over the weekend said on Monday he was lucky to be alive. Gerard Van Laar, who has been travelling in Nepal since last month, said he was attacked by the tiger when he and his Nepalese guide were hiking in Bardia national park on Saturday. I was super lucky to be alive. I would have been dead if it had not been for Krishna [his guide], Laar told the Associated Press by telephone from Bardia, about 400km (250 miles) south-west of the capital, Kathmandu. All of a sudden I heard a roar and a growl, and the tiger was heading toward us at full speed, he said. Laar was able to escape by climbing a tree but his guide was attacked and slightly injured as he ran away to draw the attention of the tiger.The tiger returned and circled the tree while Laar tried to stay as quiet as possible about six metres (20ft) above the ground. About two hours later the guide arrived back with help and they shouted and used sticks to drive away the tiger. Carnivorous plants stir the imagination. You can find the results in science fiction novels (The Day of the Triffids), Broadway plays (Little Shop of Horrors) and in recent research that concludes that the Venus flytrap can count. Not out loud, of course. And no one is claiming that the plants are aware that they are counting. But even so, this is the first time someone has demonstrated counting in a plant, according to the researcher who led the experiments, Rainer Hedrich at the University of Wurzburg, in Germany. Rainer, Jennifer Bohm and Sonke Scherzer, all at Wurzburg, and a team of other scientists reported their research in Current Biology. Venus flytraps are carnivorous. They live in poor soil and pull needed nutrients from the insects they trap and dissolve. Their trap is a pair of leaves that act as jaws and a stomach. When an insect lands and bumps into trigger hairs on the surface of these leaves, the trap closes. As digestive enzymes seep into the trap, it becomes what Rainer calls a green stomach, and the prey is gradually turned into a nourishing soup. Being smart Scientists knew that an insect had to bump the trigger hairs more than once to cause the trap to shut, presumably to avoid wasting energy by responding to random raindrops and windblown debris. In the recent experiment, researchers studied how the plant was responding to movement of the trigger hairs, and determined that it was counting electrical pulses from them. Plants dont have a nervous system to transmit these pulses as animals do, but a spike in electricity produced by biochemical changes can travel on the surfaces of cells. The researchers flicked the trigger hairs while they recorded electrical activity in the plant. The motor cells that close the leafy jaws on prey acted only when they received two signals within about 20 seconds. That meant that the cells somehow remembered the first signal for a short time. After 20 seconds, this first electrical pulse was forgotten, essentially resetting the process. But closing the trap on an insect is only Step 1. The Venus flytrap must also dissolve its prey. Two flicks of a trigger hair were not enough to kick off that mechanism. More than three flicks of a trigger hair were needed to signal the cells that produce digestive enzymes to begin that process. In nature, the trigger hairs are activated time and again as the trapped prey struggles. That frenzy gives the plant a way to judge the amount of digestive enzymes needed. Rainer and colleagues found that more electric signals from the trigger hairs translated proportionally into more enzymes for the green stomach. David Clapham at Harvard, who studies the biochemistry of how animal cells generate electric signals as a way to transmit signals in their nervous systems, said he was intrigued by what seemed to be this just-in-time system of providing digestive juices. The flytrap expends energy only to produce enzymes when they are needed and only in the amount needed, an efficient mechanism for a plant living in a poor environment. The process is slow compared with what occurs in animals, he said, but plants have a lot more time to react. Rainer said that electrical signals were produced by biochemical changes and that this process evolved very early in the history of life. A single cell can be electrically excited, he said. Asked about primitive animals, like the worm C. elegans, studied in many laboratories around the world by many, many scientists, he joked, I think the Venus flytrap is much smarter than C. elegans, quickly adding with a laugh, Dont quote me on that. The first list of selected applicants for nursery admission in private schools under the general category was out on Monday, bringing relief for some parents while adding to the woes of others. While some parents were elated as their childs name made it to the list of various schools, others were left dejected as their wards name did not appear at all in the first list. My child has not been selected anywhere despite applying to 20 schools, said a worried parent. When asked what would be his future course of action, the parent said, My child is currently in a playschool and if his name does not appear in the second list also, we would be left with no option but to try for a seat under the management quota next year. Experts said that according to the trend seen in the first list, most have been selected on the basis of points given to girl child, alumni or siblings in addition to distance and parents with boy child are mostly at loss. I had applied to 18 schools in south Delhi for my baby boy but still he did not get selected. The list in all these schools has maximum girls and even the waiting list hardly has any boys, said another parent, who did not wish to be identified. On other hand some parents whose children managed to make it to the list of several schools are seeking suggestions on which is the best one. My daughters name is there in Bloom, Greenfield, Hope Hall Foundation, Bhatnagar Foundation and Poorna Prajna schools. Please suggest me which one is better, wrote a parent on admissionsnursery.com, an online forum for the parent community. Dissatisfied parentsMany parents whose wards have failed to get through in the schools they have applied feel that the point system has come in their way. According to them, the results announced by schools so far give the impression that admission is a prerogative of those who have a sibling in the school or those who fulfil the criteria of alumni. Parents of boy child particularly, not fitting in the points system developed by the schools find it difficult to get an admission for their wards in nursery schools, said Sumit Vohra, founder of admissionsnursery.com. The second list will come out on February 29. A 52-year-old former American Embassy employee was found dead at his house in south Delhis Krishna Nagar area on Sunday night. According to police, the deceased, Ravinder Kumar was paralysed on one side of the body. Police have not found any visible injury marks on the body. Sign of any forced entry has also not been reported from the place. Neighbours of Ravinder called the police after a strong stench enveloped the entire building. They had also been hearing the nonstop TV noise coming from his house for some days. We broke the door open and found the body on the bed. The television and heater were on, and the house was filled with a foul smell of decomposed body. We suspect that he had been dead for more than a week, said a senior police officer. Ravinder used to live alone in the two-room apartment. His wife and two children live in Chicago. Five years back he along with his wife, daughter and son went to Chicago. Two years ago he came back. I think he couldnt adjust to the lifestyle there. His family still lives there, I am not sure whether they will even return after hearing his death, said a neighbour. A recluse and short-tempered by nature, his neighbours say that there was a marked change in his behaviour since he returned back from Chicago. When his family was here, he used to interact with us, and was a fine person. However, since his return from America, he became weird. He would not respond to any of our queries. One day my son accidently spat on him. He got so incensed by the act that he threw his shirt, on which the saliva drops had landed, on our door and didnt take it back, said a neighbour of the deceased. He used to drink a lot, and would come up to our house for fight if he had heard a noise coming from our house, the neighbour added. Police are thinking about conducting a post-mortem of the body, as chances of Ravinders family coming over to India from Chicago are slim. There is, however, another problem which the building residents are facing after the removal of the body. Police took away the body today; however, they didnt bother to wash the house. The stench coming from the house is unbearable. Its making us sick. We have to burn several incense sticks to suppress the stench, however, the moment we open our door, the foul smell enters in our house, one of the neighbours said. Cancer survivors launched a campaign to collect 2,50,000 signatures to light up Taj Mahal in gold colour to create awareness about the life threatening disease on the occasion of 15th International Childhood Cancer Day on Monday. Light it up Gold Taj Mahal campaign was launched at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences. Twenty-five-year-old Ritu Bhalla, a two time cancer survivor, said: We want Taj to turn gold as this is the colour of childhood cancer and the gold ribbon and gold light are the symbols that honour the courage and struggle of childhood cancer patients and their families. Scores of children with cancer wore light it up gold Taj Mahal T-shirts and participated in I deserve poster competition, she added. Our aim is to engage with children with cancer, their parents and families, doctors, nurses, hospitals donors, schools and colleges to get over 2,50,000 signatures pledging support to our Light it up Gold Taj Mahal campaign, said Chandan Kumar, a blood cancer survivor. Pledging his support, to the survivor team, Director AIIMS Professor M C Misra said, Childhood cancer is curable. Lets pledge complete support to childhood cancer control programme. Lets us go gold Light up Taj Mahal. People should recognise childhood cancer patients needs and give them a special focus. Light it up Gold Taj Mahal is being launched with 65 participating cancer centres across the country under the aegis of Kidscan Konnect teenage and young adult childhood cancer survivors group of NGO Cankids Kidscan. Sonal Sharma, NGO co-founder and parent of 19-year-old childhood cancer survivor Gungun, said: Survival rates in the country are low due to lack of awareness, stigma, late diagnosis and exorbitant cost of treatment as well as inadequate cancer treatment facilities including insufficient supportive care. Access to best possible treatment, care and support is the human right of every child with cancer in India not a privilege. As survivors who have been through the journey, we are demanding that childhood cancer be a child health priority in India, said Kapil Chawla Hodgkins Lymphoma survivor. It all began at 2 pm when a group of men in lawyers' robes entered the courtroom of metropolitan magistrate Lovleen. They told those present to leave, claiming that they should have obtained permission first to attend the proceedings. Jawaharlal Nehru University Students Union President Kanhaiya Kumar was to be produced there on the expiry of his three-day police custody. A group of students, however, objected to the lawyers demand saying that it was an open court. In a move which appeared to be predetermined, the lawyers started thrashing students, professors, media persons and even the court staff. A man standing near the stairs of the courtroom was among those beaten up. He was let off only when he started screaming that he was a court employee. The 50-odd lawyers then started looking for anti-national JNU students and professors. But some media persons seen using their mobiles were their first targets. I was talking to my colleagues in office when someone hit me on my neck. My phone was then snatched, a journalist told Deccan Herald. The phone was returned only after I showed my ID card, he added. Another journalist caught in the brawl claimed that the lawyers were asking if they were from JNU. They held people presuming them to be from JNU and started thrashing them. My mobile phone was snatched and broken saying that I had filmed them beating people, he said. Some even hurled shoes. A female journalist said that the attackers also misbehaved with her. Later, nine journalists filed a complaint with Tilak Marg police station. Separate complaintA separate complaint has been filed by some JNU students.Seven faculty members, including five women, were manhandled and pushed in the court, said JNU professor Ayesha. The murderous mob was baying for blood and the cops just stood and watched. The attackers were men in lawyers' clothes but they were clearly on the wrong side of the law, she added. All this happened in the presence of police personnel who were deployed in large numbers at the court complex. The lawyers chanted Long live India, down with JNU. It is alleged that they also used abusive language and shouted anti-Pakistan and pro-India slogans till evening. Sensing that things could get out of control, police produced Kanhaiya Kumar before the metropolitan magistrate at Vasant Vihar police station. His custody was extended by two more days. Condemning the attack, Delhi Union of Journalists (DUJ) has demanded strong action against the lawyers. They alleged that police remained mute spectators to the entire incident. Delhi Police Commissioner Bhim Sain Bassi described the incident as a scuffle and said that no major injuries were reported. Police will look into the complaints and take action. Certain excesses have been committed by both sides, Bassi said. Jawaharlal Nehru University campus stands divided on the sedition charges against students union president Kanhaiya Kumar, with the varsitys non-teaching staff association backing ABVP and the teachers association rooting for Kanhaiyas release. Weve realised that it is a huge battle, JNU Prof Ayesha Kidwai told students outside the universitys administrative block. She and a few other JNU teachers and students faced an irate mob of lawyers at the Patiala House court, where Kanhaiya was produced in a sedition case. The lawyers were escorted by police. They wanted us to clear out because were anti-nationals, she said, alleging that the JNU teachers and students were forcibly ejected from the courtroom by a group of lawyers. Later in the day, JNU students union presidents police custody was extended by two days. Even as the JNU teachers association (JNUTA) has called for a strike on Tuesday in solidarity with comrade Kanhaiya, the universitys staff association said it will not allow anti-national activities on campus. JNU witnessed an unprecedented show of strength today by JNU Staff Association (JNUSA), who chanted Vande Mataram and supported nationalistic cause. They demanded judicious punishment to those students who indulged in organising of the February 9 programme, ABVP Delhi state secretary, Saket Bahuguna, said. Regarding JNU faculty members, the opinion is divided. Yes, its an unfortunate reality that in these testing times, a section of JNUTA has come out in support of the organisers, he said. A group of university students, including the JNU students union (JNUSU) president, were charged with sedition for hosting an event against the judicial killing of Afzal Guru and Maqbool Bhat in solidarity with the struggle of the Kashmiri people for their democratic right to self-determination, according to a note issued by the JNU administration. The ABVP has been discredited and yesterdays human chain saw successful participation of all sections of the JNU community. Now we have to take this march outside the campus and counter the criminal designs of the RSS who subject JNU students to discrimination and mob frenzy, JNUSU vice president Shehla Rashid Shora said. Meanwhile, Kidwai said the attackers roughed up and sexually harassed female teachers at the Patiala House court. Late in the evening, Prashant Bhushans Swaraj Abhiyan, a splinter group of the Aam Aadmi Party, held a protest at the gates of the JNU campus. Bhushan told students he has offered to appear as a counsel for Kanhaiya Kumar who faces charges of sedition. Two Indian students were killed in a fire at a medical university in Russia on Sunday, Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj said in tweets. The Minister also said: "Some students are injured. They are out of danger. The place is 400 kms from Moscow. Our team has already reached there." The fire broke out on the fourth floor of the dormitory of the Smolensk Medical Academy, said the Russian investigative committee. Two students were killed in their sleep; they were Pooja Kallur, 22, and Karishma Bhosale, 20, both from Maharashtra. They were fourth-year medicine students. Reports said Pooja and Karishma shared a room on the fourth floor of the six-storey hostel for Indian students. Their families received calls from the families of other students on the fire and were told that the two were missing. Expressing condolences, Ms Swaraj said the remains of the students will be brought to Mumbai today. Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump has threatened to sue his rival Ted Cruz over his eligibility to serve in the White House unless he receives an apology from the Texas Senator for spreading lies about the real estate tycoon's record. "Ted Cruz is a totally unstable individual. He is the single biggest liar I've ever come across, in politics or otherwise, and I have seen some of the best of them. His statements are totally untrue and completely outrageous," Trump said, days ahead of South Carolina's pivotal Republican primary. In a statement, Trump, 69, threatened to take legal action against Cruz for him being born in Canada and not in the US. The businessman ordered Cruz to retract statements about his past inconsistencies on abortion rights and other social issues. Trump also demanded that the senator from Texas take down advertisements attacking him. "It is hard to believe a person who proclaims to be a Christian could be so dishonest and lie so much," he said. "Cruz has become unhinged and is lying with the hopes that his statements will go unchecked until after the election and he will save his failing campaign," Trump alleged. "If Ted is going to continue to lie with such desperation, I have no choice but to fight back," he adding that one of the ways he can fight back is to bring a lawsuit against him relative to the fact that he was born in Canada and therefore cannot be President. "If he doesn't take down his false ads and retract his lies, I will do so immediately," Trump said. Cruz, 45, fired back, claiming that he is simply pointing out Trump's actual positions. "You cannot simply scream 'liar' when someone points out your actual positions," he tweeted. The Texas Senator said he won't engage in personal attacks, but will continue to focus on his competitor's records, policies and vision. The Florida Senator Marco Rubio also attacked Cruz and accused him of lying. "Senator Cruz will say or do anything to win an election including employing underhanded tactics and making charges against all his opponents that he knows are outright lies. America can't afford more politicians like Ted Cruz who will easily sacrifice principle for political gain," said Joe Pounder, Rubio spokesman. Cruz insisted that the election is about vetting the candidates. "It is not being honest or candid for either Marco Rubio or Donald Trump to pretend that their records are different than what they are and simply to yell and scream at anyone who points to the words that have come out of their own mouths," he said. For 8-year-old Pinki Paramanik, it was an experience of a lifetime. The precious moments she spent with Prime Minister Narendra Modi will remain etched deep in her memory. Pinki, who is orthopaedically challenged, along with two other physically challenged teens from Paradip area were privileged to receive assistive aids and appliances from the Prime Minister during the public function when Modi commissioned a oil refinery project on February 7. As the standard III student from Koladia village near Paradip walked with crutch to the dais, there was a thunderous applause from the crowd that had thronged at the venue. "Kaunsi kashya mein padhti ho? (in which class do you study) Agey jeevan mein kya banna chahti ho? (what is your future goal in life)" - the comforting words from the PM resound in her mind weeks after the little girl from Paradip had a firm handshake with Modi. "I was awed by the occasion. I have never seen such a massive crowd. I could not comprehend what Modi uncle asked me. Those in the dais helped me and prodded me to reply. I told I will become a doctor. Modiji patted me on the back," Pinki recalled. "My child is suffering from muscular disorder on lower limbs. She walks with crutches. Despite deformity, she is determined towards study. After the Prime Minister handed her over physiotherapy MSIED kit, she was excited. And the exposure has given her a sense of self-belief," Pradipta Paramanik (Pinki's father), said. "I was told that my speech and hearing impaired daughter Nandini will be given hearing aid by the PM, a day before his visit to Paradip. Six hours before the function, we were brought to the meeting place. While I was extended hospitality in the guest enclosure, my daughter was taken to another spot for security reasons," said Niranjan Swain of Bhitargarh village. "My 18-year-old daughter is a Higher Secondary student of the Arts stream in Paradip College. Neither she can speak nor hear. Modiji reassuringly told her whether she could hear after giving her the hearing aid. He was gracious and exchanged soothing words to make her feel comfortable. She signalled affirmatively. "Disability has not deterred Nandini. She is studious. She idolises Ira Singhal, the physically challenged woman who cleared the civil services examination. Shaking hands with the Prime Minister has given her a sense of positivism," Swain said. Apart from Pinki and Nandini, visually-impaired Santosh Rout (20) of Gandakipur near Paradip, who studies in BJP College, Bhubaneswar, also received an aid from the PM. Modi had distributed appliances to the physically challenged children. The kits were provided to us by Engineers India Limited under the Corporate Social Responsibility programme, said Manager, Corporate communications, IOCL's Paradip Refinery, Sangram Mishra. In a setback to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, ruling Congress in Karnataka today won one seat and its rival BJP two in the fiercely-fought February 12 assembly bypolls. In the direct fight, BJP retained Hebbal in Bengaluru and wrested Devadurga in Raichur district from Congress which snatched Bidar in north Karnataka from its arch rival. Of the three seats that went to by-polls due to the death of sitting members, BJP had held two and Congress one. The outcome has come as a blow to Siddaramaiah considering the prestige invested in the contest to wrest the seats from BJP. Bogged down by infighting, former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda-led JD(S) lost deposit in all the constituencies. BJP candidate Y A Narayana Swamy defeated his nearest Congress opponent C K Abdul Rahman Sharief, grandson of former Railway Minister C K Jaffar Sharief, by a margin of 19,149 votes in Hebbal. Sharief was given the ticket at the last minute against the wishes of Siddaramaiah who had plumped for his favourite Byrathi Suresh, an MLC, as the candidate. In Bidar, Congress' Rahim Khan triumphed by a margin of 22,721 votes, defeating his closest opponent Prakash Khandre of BJP. K Shivana Gouda Nayak of BJP defeated A Rajashekhra Nayak of Congress by a margin of 16,871 votes in Devadurga. Speaking to reporters in Mysuru, Siddaramaiah said he will "bow" to the verdict of the people but said that the verdict would have no bearing on his government. Home Minister and also state Congress Chief G Parameshwara said the party will introspect about its loss in two seats. "We aimed to win all the three but expected at least two but the outcome is not that way. We will introspect and find reasons about loss in two seats," he said. BJP leader Prahlad Joshi said it was a vote against the "arrogant conduct" of Siddaramaiah while another party leader and former Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar claimed it was an indicator of the future political direction in the state. Amid by-election results, all the three parties are also pinning hopes on Zilla and Taluk Panchayat elections outcome for which the first phase of polls in 15 districts were held on Friday. The second phase of polling for the rest 15 districts will be held on February 20. The results will be out on February 23. Top editors of national media and hundreds of journalists today hit the streets demanding action against those involved in beating up members of their fraternity in a court complex in police presence and sought Supreme Court's intervention in protecting freedom of speech. The journalists, shouting slogans against the Modi Government and Delhi Police, marched from Press Club of India to the Supreme Court and submitted a memorandum to its, Registrar, seeking cancellation of licences of lawyers involved in the assualt. The protesters also demanded Police Commissioner B S Bassi's sacking due to alleged inaction by the security personnel at the Patiala House Courts yesterday when journalists, students and teachers of JNU where attacked by people wearing lawyers' black robes. A separate delegation of journalists met Home Minister Rajnath Singh demanding his intervention in ensuring "accountability of the Delhi Police who watched silently as the assault happened". The memorandum by the journalists was submitted to Supreme Court even as it agreed to hear a petition tomorrow on a plea seeking action against those involved in the violence at Patiala House court complex. "We demand the intervention of the highest court of the land to take appropriate action against the advocates involved in the assault," the memorandum said, urging the court to direct the bar council to cancel the licences of the errant advocates. No arrest has been made even 24 hours after the assault where Delhi BJP MLA OP Sharma was also seen beating up a CPI activist. The journalists also said the CCTV footage of yesterday's incident should be called for and police directed to ensure protection to journalists and other media persons. Yesterday, groups of lawyers had beaten up journalists and JNU students and teachers ahead of the hearing of the sedition case registered against JNUSU president Kanhaiya Kumar in connection with an event at the university last week to protest the hanging of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru. Anti-India slogans were also allegedly raised at the event. Nadeem Ahmad Kazmi, Secretary General of Press Club of India, said the Supreme Court registrar told them Chief Justice of India T S Thakur will meet a delegation of journalists in a few days. "We hope that the Supreme Court will surely protect freedom of speech because it is constitutionally mandated to do so," he said. Senior journalist Siddharth Varadarajan slammed the Delhi Police for remaining "mute spectators" when the assault was going on. "The manner in which the police allowed the goons to beat up jourmnalists and no action has been taken against them even after 24 hours tells you that the terrain is likely to get more and more hostile for journalism. "There is not even a video of Kanhaiya Kumar saying anything and he has been booked for sedition and here you have a video recording of an MLA kicking and beating somebody and not even a case has been registered," he said. In the memorandum to the Home Minister, the journalists demanded that the perpetrators of the assault be brought to book at the earliest. "As Union Home Minister, we urge your intervention in the matter on two counts. There should be some accountability of the Delhi Police who watched silently as the assault happened. "And secondly, as there were CCTV cameras where the incident of assault must have been recorded, we demand that the perpetrators of the assault be brought to book at the earliest," they said. In the memorandum, the journalists also criticised Bassi for describing the incident as a "minor scuffle". "It is a matter of concern that the Delhi Police Commissioner has dismissed the incident describing it as a scuffle. Such observations will encourage only those elements who already believe that they are above the law of the land," it said. In the memorandum to the Supreme Court, the journalists said Delhi Police did nothing even as "brutal assault" was unleashed by lawyers on mediapersons including, on women scribes, in and outside the court room. More than a dozen journalists were set upon by lawyers who prevented them in the discharge of their duties. The journalists had gone to cover the hearing of the sedition case against arrested JNU students union president Kanhaiya Kumar. The Supreme Court today refused to pass an interim order on a plea of Congress leaders that Arunchal Pradesh Governor J P Rajkhowa be restrained from swearing in a new government in the politically-fragile state which is now under President's rule. The five-judge constitution bench headed by Justice J S Khehar also declined the prayer of Congress leaders that status quo be maintained in the crisis-hit state and no new government formation be permitted. "We have heard your arguments on injunction. We don't propose to pass any order and we will hear the matter on merits," the bench, also comprising justices Dipak Misra, M B Lokur, P C Ghose and N V Ramana, said. Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi, who rushed to the court after coming to know that Congress leaders were seeking status quo on possible political developments in the state, said the courts cannot "pre-empt" a constitutional authority from taking any decision. "The decision of the constitutional authority can be annulled by the court, but this application is totally misconcieved. Either today or tomorrow, President's Rule has to be revoked and the government has to be formed," he said while opposing the application in which Congress leaders have expressed apprehension that the proclamation of central rule is likely to be withdrawn. The bench then told senior lawyers Fali S Nariman and Kapil Sibal, appearing for Arunachal Pradesh Congress leaders, that the only order, which it had deemed fit at this juncture, has been suggested and if these leaders do not accept it, then they should argue on merits. During the hearing, Sibal cited a purported press note, issued on behalf of the Governor and said how can the Governor swear in a person as the Chief Minister, a rebel Congress leader who has been disqualified from the House. Sibal sought an order to ensure that no new government is sworn-in in the state till the apex court decides on the petitions. The bench then sought Attorney General's view asking what the Parliament would do, if it passes some interim orders on the plea of Arunachal Congress leaders. President's Rule is yet to be affirmed by Parliament and whatever is the verdict of this court, the only answer will be the floor test, Rohatgi replied. "Whatever is the verdict of the court, the only answer will be floor test and the ultimate answer will be the floor test. Whether 'A' becomes the Chief Minister or 'B' becomes Chief Minister, it will be decided on the floor of the House," he said. There was exchange of words between the senior lawyers appearing for both sides on the authenticity of the press note purportedly issued by the office of Rajkhowa. Nariman said he had information that the Governor has made a recomendation about revoking President's Rule in the state and the press note substantiated it. T R Andhyarujina, who represents the Governor, said till now, the proclamation is very much in place and the assembly stands in "suspended animation". "Yesterday some leaders have met the Governor but he has categorically told them that nothing could be done till the proclamation is revoked. No report of Governor recommending revocation has been made till now," Andhyarujina said. Sibal said at present, they were not asking for any order on the proclamation as they also do not wish to pre-empt the actions of the President on recalling of the proclamation. The bench then asked, "what does this status quo mean then?" "We have nothing to do with the proclamation but the court can't allow a person to be sworn-in as a Chief Minister who is disqualified," Sibal argued, adding that Congress leaders be given an opportunity to approach the Governor once the proclamation is revoked. The bench observed that this injunction cannot be granted and Congress leaders were at liberty to approach the Governor. It asked the Attorney General whether a person, who is disqualified from the House, can be asked not to be sworn in. No, in that case, the court would get itself into the politics by suggesting whom to appoint or whom not to, Rohatgi said. "The subject matter of disqualification can be adjudicated by the court but it can't suggest who to appoint as Chief Minister or who not to," Rohtagi said. The bench is hearing a batch of pleas on constitutional powers of the Governors and would continue the hearing tomorrow. A visit to the world famous Yellowstone National Park (YsNP) in United States of America is a dream come true for any forest enthusiast, geologist, nature lover or photographer. A treasure trove of nature and wonder, I couldnt believe the magic that lay before my eyes when I went for a two-day tour in July 2013 with my family. Located primarily in the state of Wyoming, the National Park has a diverse ecosystem comprising lakes, canyons, rivers, mountain ranges and sub-alpine forests. Three deep canyons are located in the park, cut through the volcanic tuff of the Yellowstone Plateau by rivers. The Lewis River flows through Lewis Canyon in the south and the Yellowstone River has carved two colourful canyons. We saw many wonderful active volcanoes in the form of geysers, hot springs and mud pots. The most attractive geyser we saw is the Old Faithful Geyser (OFG). It is named so as it has remained as it was, since it was discovered and faithfully continues to thrill visitors though others are drying up. It remains active with low emission of steam. At an interval of about 67 minutes, it starts to emit hot water. The geyser then erupts in full swing to a height of 130-145 feet to the surprise of on-lookers for five minutes and gradually goes back to dormancy. The process repeats about 20 times per day. It is one of the most popular geothermal features in the park. My visit to the other geysers, mud pots and hot springs at Black Sand Basin, Biscuit Basin, Lower Geyser Basin, Norris Geyser Basin, Mammoth Terraces, West Thump Geyser Basin, Dragon Mouth and Sulphur Caldron were breathtaking. The biggest highlight was Lake Yellowstone, a beauty queen of nature with blue waters, surrounded by mountains and thick forests. It is one of the largest high-altitude lakes in North America and is centered over the Yellowstone Caldera, the largest super volcano on the continent. After the lake is a den of American bisons with open meadows and saddles in between hill ranges, nursing rich pine forests till it reaches the wonderful region of rugged the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. This valley is famous for sighting bisons, elks, grizzly bears and birds. The Yellowstone River drops at two places; the Upper Falls and Lower Falls. The YsNP service has made arrangements to watch falls from either side of the Upper Falls. The South Rim gives a full view of the falls and the North Rim takes visitors right on to the head of the falls. We saw a spectacular view from the South Rim at Artist Point and the view of the falls of the gorge from the North Rim at Point of Inspiration. Two trails to the base of Lower Water Falls from either rim of the Canyon are fascinating walking trails for trekkers. We also saw a vast expanse of flora and fauna. Over 1,700 species of trees and other vascular plants are native to the park. Another 170 species are considered to be exotic and Lodgepole Pine forests cover 80 percent of the total forested areas. There are almost 60 species of mammals in the park, including the grey wolf and the threatened lynx. Other large mammals include the bison, black bear, elk, moose, mule deer, white-tailed deer, mountain goat, pronghorn, bighorn sheep, and mountain lion and 311 species of birds. We could see, enjoy and take photographs of four big herds of bisons at Hudson Valley along the river Yellowstone, in addition to sighting of solitary bison at several places. While returning from the Grand Canyon, a bull bison was found struck in between the flowing traffic of visitors. We were lucky to see it as close as five ft away when it was walking along the median of the road for a while. This indicates that wild animals can adjust to the moving visitors and traffic. The National Park Service maintains nine visitor centres and museums, many of the other 2,000 buildings and the development of the park. Campfire programmes, guided walks and other interpretive presentations are available at numerous locations in the summer and on a limited basis during other seasons. There are 500 km of paved road and 1,800 km of hiking trails available. We often take the beauties beneath the surface of the Earth for granted. Little did I realise that I could unearth the magic beneath Mother Earth. It was fascinating to get a glimpse into the internal activities and even though I am back, the treasures are still within me. (Rtd IFS Officer) (The author can be contacted at bmt.rajeev.ifs@gmail.com) It used to take Yatin Ahuja (name changed) nearly two hours to reach work daily. His routine required him to hail a rickshaw from home to the Metro station, board the train, get off at the station closest to his office in Gurgaon, and then board another rickshaw to reach his workplace. It was harrowing. Two hours simply got wasted, most of the times, standing in the packed trains or looking for last mile commute options. I do not own a car, and neither can I afford a taxi daily. While reaching Gurgaon is comparatively easy, the commute within the city can be problematic, he says. This story resonates with many professionals who work in the NCR region. But things are changing with the launch of various bike-taxi service providers like Bikxie, M-Taxi and Baxi that offer affordable last mile connectivity options. Baxi, which was launched on December 1, 2015 aims to fill in the huge gap in the available personalised commuting options for commuters. Similarly, following the worsening traffic situation and lack of last mile connectivity options for commuters, Bikxie was launched on January 1 as an option which is reliable, safe and convenient. If you look at auto rickshaws and other cheap modes of commuting from a personalised pick-up point to a personalised drop-off point, there isnt anything available for less than Rs 40-50 for the last-mile commute. With Baxis, the cost of personalised trips of the last-mile commute can be reduced to approximately Rs 25, which helps a large number of people. This means that Baxis can help save approximately 10 per cent of the salary of a lot of blue collar workers, and early stage white collar workers, and hence be a valuable service to them, Manu Rana, founder of Baxi, tells Metrolife. Such two-wheeler taxi services are already popular in many countries across the world including Indonesia, China, Thailand, Sweden and Cameroon. The prices too are economical, with Bikxie charging Rs 10 for the first two kilometres and Rs 5 for every subsequent kilometre, M-Taxi charging Rs 20 for the first two kilometres and Rs 5 for every subsequent kilometre, and Baxi charging Rs 10, and then Rs 4 for every kilometre and Re 1 for every minute. But it is not only about being economical, as Arunabh Madhur, founder and CEO, M-Taxi points out. He says two-wheelers can easily cut across heavy traffic and are quicker than four wheelers. He adds that passengers can avail their services in three ways. They can either book a ride on our Android app; or call on an IVR number which would connect them to a rider closest to them; or they can even hail a bike taxi parked across the various Metro stations and office spaces in Gurgaon, he says. Generally available between 7.30 am and 8 pm, Baxi is operational in Gurgaon and Faridabad, while M-Taxi and Bikxie are available only in Gurgaon. The service providers claim that the response has been phenomenal and astounding and sometimes do up to 1,000 rides a day. But since there are women professionals who opt for such services, have some security measures been undertaken? Answering, Mohit sharma, co-founder and CEO, Bikxie says the company did an internal research and found out that while male passengers would opt for a fast and reliable two-wheeler taxi with enthusiasm, female passengers would be reluctant on account of safety concerns and apprehension of riding behind male drivers. To make female customers feel safe, we launched Bikxie Pink service on January 20 with female pilots for women commuters only. We have purchased 10 new bikes for males and five scooties for females, says Mohit sharma, co-founder and CEO, Bikxie. The escape of a leopard from the Rescue Centre of the Bannerghatta Biological Park (BBP) in Bengaluru is a matter of grave concern. It lays bare the extreme negligence of the BBP staff. Only a week ago, the leopard, which was found prowling in a city school, was captured by forest officials and brought to the rescue centre. Nabbing the 5-year-old, 45-kg male leopard was not easy. It took scores of forest officials around eight hours to pin him down. Those who participated in the operation put their lives at risk. Indeed, six of them were mauled by the leopard. And now, within days of its arrival at the rescue centre, the leopard has broken free. The immediate task of the BBP authorities and forest officials is to recapture the leopard. It was unwell and was reportedly irritable over the past week. The public must be instructed to avoid unleashing violence on the big cat as that will make it only more agitated and ferocious. Simultaneously, authorities need to establish how the leopard slipped out of an enclosure that reportedly has three levels of barriers. Some officials admit that the big cat could not have done this on its own. Did disgruntled employees at the rescue centre deliberately left gates open? Even if this was not deliberate but a result of genuine oversight, this is an unacceptable excuse as there can be no room for mistakes in dealing with wild animals. Importantly, the leopard was in a treatment area meant for tigers. A squeeze box for tigers has bars that are fairly wide apart as a tiger cannot slip through this. However, a leopard, given its highly flexible body, can squeeze through these bars. Clearly, animal enclosures in the BBP are not secure enough. A fortnight ago, a Himalayan black bear tore through the mesh and scaled a wall to escape from the park. Safety protocols are not being followed. In March last year, two lions severely mauled a zoo employee at the Park. A newly hired contract staff had apparently opened the wrong gate. Clearly, no lessons have been learnt from these incidents. There is an urgent need to review safety protocols to ensure procedures are not being violated. Only the most responsible and experienced workers must be allowed to deal with big cats, bears and elephants as any error here puts at risk the lives of many people and other animals. The lackadaisical attitude of the authorities to safety measures at the Park is reprehensible. Public confidence in them is at an all-time low. Myanmar is expected to witness a transformation in its political power structure from dictatorship to democracy by March 2016 after the National League for Democracys (NLD) recent electoral victory. The country is likely to evolve a political regime somewhere between a liberal and disciplined democracy. How would the new power structure in Yangon alter its external dynamics especially with New Delhi? NLD leader Aung Suu Ki enjoys a special relationship with India, due to her deep association with the country. However, she does not seem to have forgiven the fact that New Delhi chose to cooperate with the military regime since 1990s. India never figured in her pre-election foreign tours on account of this policy; but she finally addressed the Ind-ian media in October 2015 at New Delhi. During an interview Suu Ki described Prime Minister Narendra Modi as rather reserved but a likely ally in the progress of democracy in her country. She also said that Modi had tremendous goodwill towards her country and to us as a movement for democracy. She further said that Indias seven decades of democracy could serve as an inspiration to Myanmar. At the state level, both the people of Myanmar and the military junta have enjoyed good relations with India. New Delhi has pragmatically pursued political, social and economic relations with the military regime even while it supported the democratic aspirations of Myanmars citizens. India offered political activists asylum on her soil and adopted a sympathetic position towards them. India therefore enjoys goodwill with the military leadership and the people of Myanmar. Apart from the western world, India and China as Myanmars neighbours, have their interests in the resource rich country. As a result, New Delhi was able to secure assistance from Myanmar to combat insurgencies which wrack its North-East region as evident from the recent trans-border commando raid to neutralise NSCN(K) insurgents in Myanmar territory. The India-Myanmar relations have over the last six decades experienced their share of highs and lows. Then prime ministers U Nu and Jawaharlal Nehru shared a common world view against colonialism and imperialism. Both leaders advocated Asian solidarity. The two neighbours participated in many meetings where they dazzled the audiences. However, the bilateral relationship cooled when General Ne Win came to power through a military coup on March 2, 1962. Their ties soured further when Myanmar remained silent over the Chinese attack on India in October 1962. Not many countries objected to the manner in which Myanmars military generals systematically suppressed the opposition in 2007. Even though Suu Ki became the beacon of hope for democracy in Myanmar, the pace of political reforms has been pathetically slow. But since she was released in 2010, the country has in principle welcomed democracy. The military junta allowed limited free elections, loosened restrictions on the media and freed most political prisoners. The recent elections were therefore the most anticipated polls in Myanmars political history characterised by its military dictatorships which practice disciplined democracy where the military comprises a third of parliamentary seats along with elected representatives. Myanmar assumes significance for India due to its geographic location which serves as a gateway into South East Asia in the context of Indias Look East policy initiated since 1991. More recently, Narendra Modis Act East Policy has further sustained the significance of Myanmar. Indias policy towards Myanmar has two distinct dimensions strategic and economic wherein the strategic strand has to do with Chinas influence in Myanmar while the economic element entails exports to South East Asia. Infra development Towards this objective in 1994, India began to develop National Highway 39 which terminates at Myanmar with the twin objectives of tackling insurgency and promoting bilateral trade. Also in 2014, the Imphal airport at Manipur was upgraded to Tulihal International Airport to facilitate traffic from Myanmar into India for cultural events. India is set to open a new four lane motorway for traders and tourists to drive from its eastern state of Assam into Myanmar, then Thailand and towards Cambodia as far as Vietnam. The new trilateral highway proposes to create a new economic zone which begins from Kolkata on the Bay of Bengal to Ho Chi Minh City on the South China Sea. It will be a super highway to build the Mekong-India Corridor and link the world's second fastest growing market India with the new Asian Tiger economies of Indo-China. As a result, this new economic zone would bypass China, the world's fastest growing economy and thereby curtail Beijings influence in the region. The military regime in Myanmar has been close to China so far due to ideological reasons. However, the process of democratisation of economic reforms may not please the Chinese -- but India will have more to gain from the progression of political reforms in Myanmar. For India to cope up with the contemporary world economic crisis as well as the challenges of an emerging Eurasian world order, it needs to deepen its linkages with the rest of Asia. To reach out to Myanmar would be a good start. The Look East policy promotes regional economic integration and equity-based development which should spur democratisation in Myanmar. Today, the military junta realises the need to dilute its disciplined democracy that characterises the countrys current polity in favour of more liberal democracy that will accelerate economic growth. (The writers are Assistant Professors who teach International Relations at Christ University, Bengaluru) Last weekend, florists sent out millions of Valentines Day bouquets filled with roses, carnations, tulips and other blooming symbols of love. And some lost money on almost every single sale. The neighbourhood flower store, once a retail staple, is rapidly disappearing in the US. Nearly 40 per cent of Americas floral businesses have closed since 2000, with 14,000 remaining at last count, in 2013, according to census data. The number of paid employees in the field has been cut in half. A recent market report from IBISWorld put it bluntly: The florists industry has entered the declining stage of its life cycle. The recession and shoppers changing preferences have played a role: Fresh flowers are a luxury that tend to get scrapped when money is tight. But florists say one of their biggest challenges is a behind-the-scenes margin fight that plays out every time a buyer goes online to arrange a flower delivery. If a shopper goes directly to a florists website, the store keeps most of the revenue from the sale. That calculation changes radically if buyers go through national merchants like FTD.com, or if they search for local sellers on Google and click the resulting ads, which are often placed by virtual companies with no inventory of their own. In all those cases, a big chunk of the transaction is captured by middlemen. That leaves the bricks-and-mortar merchants, to whom the orders are passed for fulfilment, typically collecting 70 per cent or less of the sale price, fuelling a sort of love-hate relationship with online merchants. While they can increase business for a florist, that business can come at a high price. Its break-even at best on the vast majority, Bonnie Bank, the controller of Superior Florist, an 86-year-old flower shop in Manhattan, said of the orders placed with her shop by outside sellers. The higher-dollar ones, maybe you can make a small margin. The dilemma has also created an opening for new entrants into the online market like BloomNation, a startup in Santa Monica, California, that bills itself as an Etsy for flowers, and GotFlowers, created by a software developer, also based in California. The industrys current financial structure has its roots in a century-old practice. In 1910, a group of 15 American florists formed a cooperative, the Florists Telegraph Delivery service, to exchange orders. A customer in Denver wou-ld, for example, be able to walk into a local flower shop and arrange a delivery to a friend in Boston. The originating florist transmitted the order through the florists wire service and received a commission for the effort; the rest of the money was passed on to the fulfilling merchant. Two changes upended that genteel arrangement. First, technology made it easier for customers to shop with national retailers offering a standardised product catalogue, a trend that the Internet rapidly accelerated. And around the same time, the wire services began competing more directly with their merchants to capture incoming sales. In 1994, the members of FTD, which had by then been renamed Florists Transworld Delivery, privatised their co-op and sold it to an investment fund for $150 million. In a typical wire service transaction today, the originating merchant receives 20 per cent of the sale price, and the wire service FTD and Teleflora are the industrys big three keeps 7 per cent. If an order comes in directly through a wires website, the service keeps the full 27 per cent. Amplifying the problem for merchants is the rise of order gatherers that create elaborate virtual storefronts and advertise extensively on search engines. Their aim is to capture the 20 per cent commission, plus service and delivery fees. The flower shops that receive those orders through their wire services say they are stuck with low-price, low-margin orders, and consum-er websites are filled with scathing reviews from customers complaining about how little the delivered flowers look like the photos they saw. Its really deceptive, said Mike Fiannaca, the president of Sparks Florist in Nevada, who created a YouTube video that demonstrates how order gatherers use his stores name in their ad links. We want to give all our customers the best possible value, and the experience with these sites is often terrible. Irked by misleading orders and the wire services fees, Rhoda Paurus, the owner of St Cloud Floral in Minnesota, is considering dropping both of her services, FTD and Teleflora. She to-ok the first step toward separation in May, when she switched her websites e-commerce system from Telefloras to one run by BloomNation. BloomNation charges a flat 10 per cent fee on the orders it processes, and it does not have a standardised product catalogue. Merchants take and post photos of their own arrangements. That part particularly delights Paurus, who changes her photos daily. If we get a double shipment of roses, within a few minutes, we can have a rose special on our website, she said. BloomNations executives say 1,500 shops are using their marketplace. Farbod Shoraka, one of the founders, began working on the concept five years ago after hearing from his aunt, a florist, about her businesss many pain points. So why do florists stick with it? Some of them say they value the sales volume that the wire services bring in and have found ways to make the orders profitable. Others point to the industrys reliance on the vendors it has worked with for decades. Consumer awareness A lot of florists still rely on the wire services to send their outgoing orders, including many florists we have worked with for years and years, Bank said. Although we try to talk them into paying us directly, many are resistant. Thats why we will likely continue with Teleflora, to maintain those relationships. The wire services say they play a vital role in marketing florists goods. FTD noted that many florists gain new local customers from orders originated by FTD, and Teleflora said its fees were in line with the standards needed to successfully promote consumer awareness and orders in a competitive marketplace. Chris Drummond, a third-generation florist and the president of Plaza Flowers in Philadelphia and Norristown, Pennsylvania, agrees with that view. He advertises aggressively through a variety of channels, including online campaigns, search engine ads, direct mail, fliers and promotional deliveries to potential business clients. But as their industry shrinks, some flower shop owners are stepping up their efforts to change the way it operates. Real Local Florists, an advocacy group, began working several years ago with Sundaram Natarajan, a software developer, on an e-commerce system for florists websites that would offer a less expensive alternative to the wire services systems. Natarajans software, GotFlowers, is now used by 50 shops nationwide. Recently the group requested a new feature, now in development, and it is one that sounds rather familiar. We had the idea that we wanted to create our own florist-to-florist network, said Fiannaca, one of the groups founders. I can send an order to a member florist, and his or her products would populate on my web page. So a century later, Real Local Florists is essentially working to recreate the kind of co-op that FTD pioneered. When asked about the similarity, Fiannaca laughed. Its a good model, he said. It just has to be one that helps keep local florists in business. The parents and family members of two Maharashtra girls, who died in the fire at the fourth floor of the six-floor dormitory of the Smolensk State Medical University in Russia, are waiting for their bodies. The two victim girls are Pooja Kallur (22) of Navi Mumbai and Karishma Bhosale (20) of Pune, and they were hostel roommates. The Smolensk State Medical University is located some 400 km away from Moscow, where the two girls were studying medicine. The bodies are expected to arrive in India by Tuesday. Poojas father Uday Bhosale said: We are completely shattered. We were informed by the college that Karishma died in the incident of fire, nothing beyond that, Jyoti Malusare, the maternal aunt of the Pune-based girl said. The family resides in the Parvati area of Pune. Karishma completed her schooling from Katariya High School in Mukund Nagar and got admission to Smolensk in 2012. She is survived by her parents and younger brother, Karan. The Navi Mumbai-based family of Pooja also blamed the college. We need to know what exactly has happened, said a relative. We have lost two Indian girl students (both from Maharashtra) studying at Smolensk Medical Academy in Russia in a fire accident...some students are injured. They are out of danger. The place is 400 km from Moscow. Our team has already reached there, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj tweeted on Monday night. An activist of the RSS was beaten to death by a gang of assailants in Kannur on Monday, triggering tension in politically sensitive regions of the district. The activist named Sujith (27) of Azad Colony in Aroli was assaulted at his home by a group of 10 assailants with logs. Sujiths parents and brother tried to resist the attack,also sustained injuries. Sujith died while he was being taken to the hospital. At least five people were detained in connection with this incident. Local BJP leaders said that the killing was orchestrated by CPI(M) workers in response to the arrest of CPI(M) district secretary and senior leader P Jayarajan. The CPI(M) has maintained that Jayarajan was targeted by the CBI in connection with the murder of RSS functionary E Manoj at the behest of RSS-BJP leaders in the state. BJP state president Kummanam Rajasekharan said, the incident proved that the CPI(M) was not ready to give up the politics of violence. The CPI(M) said, that there was no political connection to the incident. Based on preliminary reports, the incident happened as part of an ongoing clash between two local groups over harassment of a girl residing in the area, CPI(M) State Secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan told reporters. A Mumbai youth missing in Pakistan for the past three years and was later found in jail has been serving a three-year prison term on charges of espionage. Hamid Nehal Ansari, 30, has been missing since November 2012. His parents Nehal Ahmed Ansari and Fauzia Ansari left no stones unturned in tracing him. Reports from Peshawar early January said the division bench of the Peshawar High Court disposed of the case of Indian national Hamid Nehal Ansari, missing in Pakistan for over three years, after the government confirmed that he was currently in army custody and facing trial in military court. Latest reports from Pakistan said Ansari was sentenced to three years imprisonment and was shifted to Peshawar central prison. Pakistan-India Peoples' Forum for Peace and Democracy (PIPFPD), which has been pursuing the case for a long time, said that countrys government should release Ansari and send him back to India since he had already served three year jail sentence. PIPFPD general secretary Jatin Desai said the parents of the boy had submitted a petition in the Pakistani High Commission one addressed to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and another to Army chief Gen Rahil Sharif- requesting his release. On November 4, 2012, Hamid flew to Kabul to attend job interviews. He then crossed over to Pakistan and reached Kohat on November 12, 2012, and had since disappeared without a trace. From the Facebook posts and gmail records, the parents suspect that he was in love with a Pakistani girl and must have gone there to meet her. Three of his online friends from Pakistan -- Atta ur Rehman, Shazia Khan and Saba Khan encouraged him to come to Kohat from Kabul. Women journalists in Delhi on Tuesday met Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and asked him to take action against lawyers and others who attacked mediapersons in court. They also demanded action against Delhi Police personnel who watched silently the violence unleashed by a group of lawyers. A delegation of journalists under the aegis of India Womens Press Corp (IWPC) met Rajnath and apprised him of the incident at the Patiala House court on Monday when lawyers attacked journalists and students and faculty of Jawaharlal Nehru University who had gone there to witness the court proceedings against JNUSU president Kanhaiya Kumar. They raised the issue of Delhi Police Commissioner B S Bassi dismissing the incident as a scuffle and demanded that accountability be fixed. It is a matter of concern that the Delhi Police Commissioner has dismissed the incident describing it as a scuffle. Such observations will encourage those elements who already believe that they are above the law of the land, the journalists said in a memorandum. More than a dozen journalists were set upon by lawyers who prevented them in the discharge of their duties... These were the regular beat journalists who were on assignment. Even women journalists were not spared. It is unfortunate that security personnel of the Delhi Police did nothing even as the assault continued, it said. The journalists also demanded his intervention to sort out the issue. We urge your intervention in the matter on two counts. There should be some accountability of the Delhi Police who watched silently as the assault happened. And secondly, as there were CCTV cameras the incident of assault must have been recorded. We demand that the perpetrators of the assault be brought to book at the earliest, they said. Earlier, over 200 journalists took out a protest march demanding strong action over Mondays violence at the Patiala House Courts Complex. Security establishment fears that the arrest of student leader Kanhaiya Kumar could aggravate resentment among non-Left leaning students and teachers beyond Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU). They also believe that with students organisations backed by different political parties, there is every possibility of politicisation of the issue. In its report, the Intelligence Bureau has said there is resentment among students in JNU as well as among teachers. It noted that the JNU Teachers Union has expressed its reservation to Vice Chancellor Jagdish Kumar regarding police presence on the campus. The vice chancellor assured them that the police would enter the campus only in an emergency. Despite this assurance, aggressive protests and student unrest in Delhi, in particular at JNU, is apprehended, since the arrest of JNUSU president may aggravate resentment not only among Left supported student groups but also among entire students and teachers in various educational institutions, the report said. The report said a police personnel in plain clothes is already performing his duty at the campus and he has been directed to keep watch over the situation. It will not be out of place to mention here that due to clash of ideologies, the possibility of dharna, demo or protest by ABVP, DSU and other students' organisations can't be ruled out against the backdrop of the incident (February 9), where different students organisations are backed by different political parties, there is every possibility of politicisation," it said. Following the incident involving a meeting on Afzal Guru, the IB also said that the ABVP has alleged that DSU and other Left student outfits are indulging in anti-national activities. On the other hand, other groups who had participated in the programme are alleging that their freedom of expression and right to protest is being curtailed. The IB report also names 16 students, including Kumar, among those who were actively participating in the event. The report also referred to two previous notes made on the students' activities in the campus in which it had named Democratic Students Union (DSU), which agencies claim have links with Maoists, and Democratic Students Front (DSF), a breakaway group of the SFI. It also noted that the special branch always keeps an eye on the activities of students, student organisations, youths and people who have stake in JNU. The Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) row appears to have provided fodder for the BJP to tide over Opposition attempts to corner the Modi government on fringe uprising, poll debacle and other issues ahead of assembly polls in five states. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other BJP brass will invoke nationalism and the government's achievements during campaigning in West Bengal, Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry, to counter Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for backing the praise of terrorist Afzal Guru, hanged in Parliament attack case, said party sources. The party is of the view that nationalist versus anti-nationalist agenda will gain currency in state elections of West Bengal, Kerala and Assam, where the BJP will confront the Congress and the Left parties. Leaders from both the sides had come out in support of students who had raised slogans against the hanging of Afzal Guru. The BJP thinks by being aggressive against Rahul Gandhi, it will politically seize similar controversial move of another Congress leader, Digvijay Singh. Singh had ended up embarrassing the Congress and was lampooned by people for his controversial remark about the sea burial given to Al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden by the US forces after killing him in Pakistan in 2011, recalled a senior BJP leader. "However big a criminal might be, his religious traditions should be respected while burying him," was Singhs comment from which the Congress had distanced itself. The party has decided to launch a country-wide campaign with the catchline We love India. Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday hit out again at Prime Minister Narendra Modi saying that attack on journalists and the JNU show his regime wants the country to follow RSS ideology. Rahul, who is on a two-day visit to Assam, said the RSS is planting its own Pracharaks as vice chancellors of different universities. The way journalists were assaulted, it is absolutely wrong and we condemn it. They are planting RSS in every university. They are suppressing the voice of Indian students, but we will not let it happen. We will fight it out .They want to suppress the voice of the youth of the country, he said while interacting with reporters on the sidelines of a rally in Sivsagar. Rahuls rally was attended by thousands of Congress supporters from various districts of Upper Assam. It was a great show of strength for the ruling Congress after the BJP launched a high-pitched election campaign by Modi and party president Amit Shah. They are trying to suppress the voice of the youth be it in JNU, in Hyderabad, Lucknow and other places, Modi has failed to fulfill his promises, Rahul said. He said Modi has failed in many fronts. He (Modi) promised to contain price rise of essential commodities when he came here before the Lok Sabha polls, he said. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Tuesday filed a charge sheet against former Star TV CEO and media tycoon Peter Mukerjea in the sensational Sheena Bora murder case. The CBIs decision to charge Mukerjea with criminal conspiracy, murder and destruction of evidence among others comes three months after his arrest. The 59-year-old businessman was arrested on November 19, 2015, and hours after chargesheets were filed against his wife Indrani, her first husband Sanjeev Khanna and driver Shyamvar Rai. This is the supplementary chargesheet in the case. Bail plea rejectionMukerjeas bail plea was rejected on February 12, by a special CBI court which observed that the chargesheet was yet to be filed as investigation was still on. Sheena, daughter of Indrani with her first live-in partner Siddhartha Das, was in a live-in relationship with her step-brother Rahul Mukerjea son of Peter Mukerjea. Indrani had introduced Sheena and her brother Mikhail as her siblings to the Mukerjeas. Discovery of bodySheenas body was found in Pen taluka on May 23, 2012, 29 days after her murder, but no ADR or FIR was registered. Only an entry was made at the police station diary. During investigation, a medical board minutely examined the skeleton as well as conducted superimposition of the skull which established the identity of the deceased...investigations further has established the role of the four accused in the case, official sources said. The CBI in its chargesheet before the Additional Metropolitan Magistrate R V Adone said that a total of 52 witnesses were examined and their statements and other relevant documents compiled. The statement of one of the witnesses (witness number 32) was submitted in a sealed envelope to the Esplanade Magistrate Court. Prime Minister Narendra Modi may have yet another meeting with his Pakistan counterpart Nawaz Sharif in Washington DC in March or early April, if Islamabad takes action against plotters of the Pathankot attack. Modi and Sharif are likely to attend the Nuclear Security Summit to be hosted by US President Barack Obama in Washington DC from March 31 to April 1. New Delhi and Islamabad are exploring possibility of a meeting between the two prime ministers on the sideline of the summit, sources told Deccan Herald on Tuesday. Another Modi-Sharif meeting in Washington is likely to give new momentum to bilateral engagement, which came under a shadow after the January 2-5 attacks on Indian Air Force base at Pathankot in Punjab. New Delhi, however, made it clear that the onus for the meeting between the two prime ministers was on Islamabad and it could do so by taking further steps to bring to justice the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) leaders and operatives, who had plotted and coordinated the terror attack. Sources said that New Delhi was expecting some progress in Islamabads action against JeM and other terror outfits based in Pakistan within the next few weeks. This could make the atmosphere conducive not only for the meeting between the two prime ministers, but also for talks between Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar and his Pakistani counterpart A A Chaudhry in Islamabad. Sepoy Sunil Suryawanshi should have arrived in his village on February 16 for house-warming ceremonies and the first birthday of his daughter. Suryawanshi, one of the nine soldiers buried in an avalanche in Siachin, instead arrived in a coffin. His last rites were performed with full military honours on Tuesday in Satara district. Born in Maskarwadi in Satara district of western Maharashtra, Suryawanshi, 24, completed his education from Dahiwadi College and enrolled in the armed services. He was posted since September 30, 2010. Suryavanshi spoke to his wife Rekha just days before the tragedy. He had plans to visit home for the house-warming of his new house and wanted to be with his daughter Tanvis first birthday on February 19. "It is sad...we have lost a boy," said Jallinder Kharat, a retired soldier from the village, who had also served at Siachen. On Monday, a week after the body was airlifted, a wreath-laying ceremony was held at Punes National War Memorial. Suryawanshi completed his basic training from Army Medical Corps Centre and College on April 9, 2011, and got his first posting at Command Hospital, Eastern Command. Farewell to Kerala martyrThe tiny village of Munroethuruthu in Kollam district on Tuesday bid a tearful farewell to Lance Naik Sudheesh B who died along with nine others in an avalanche in Siachen, reports DHNS from Thiruvananthapuram. The mortal remains of Sudheesh (29) were cremated with military honours in the presence of hundreds who turned up at his native village. His surprise act on Monday staying his own transfer order issued by the Supreme Court is not a new one for Justice Karnan of Madras High Court. Ridden with series of controversial statements and odd behaviors in the last five years, Justice Karnan always alleges he was a victim of caste discrimination. Soon after he was appointed as a permanent sitting judge in the Madras High Court, Karnan issued a controversial statement in November 2011, that his four fellow judges had humiliated him on the basis of caste since 2009. He also said all the Dalit judges were targeted. In was in June 2013, his controversial judgement reached its heights when Justice Karnan ruled that if any unmarried couple of the right legal age indulge in sexual gratification, it is a valid marriage. The sitting judge said wedding customs including tying mangal thaali only follow the religious customs and will not stand legal examination unless the wedlock is sexually consummated. After several criticisms over his judgement on the marriage custom, Karnan was forced to issue a gag order after few days. Even known for his peculiar acts, Justice Karnan created ruckus in a busy court room in January 2014 by submitting a letter that the appointment of 12 candidates for additional judges post was unfair. In May, 2015, Justice Karnan accused a sitting judge of the high court of sexually assaulting an intern in his chambers. In the same month, he also wrote to the Centre to probe into the educational qualification of one of his fellow judge. Allegedly irked with his act, even the Supreme Court criticised Karnanss conduct. In another act, Justice Karnan shot off a letter to the Chief Justice of India against the collegium system in June. The Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to pass an interim order on a plea of Congress leaders that Arunachal Pradesh governor J P Rajkhowa be restrained from installing a new government in the state. A five-judge Constitution bench presided by Justice J S Khehar also rejected their plea for maintaining status quo in the state so that no alternative government could be formed. We dont propose to pass any order and we will hear the matter on merits, the bench, also comprising justices Dipak Misra, M B Lokur, N V Ramana and P C Ghose, said. The state has been placed under Presidents Rule since January 26. Attorney-General Mukul Rohatgi rushed to the court after coming to know that Congress leaders were seeking direction on maintaining status quo on possible political developments in the state. He said the courts cannot pre-empt a constitutional authority from taking any decision. Agreeing to his submission, the bench said, If somebody is installed (as chief minister), let the floor test take placewe will consider the case on merit. Senior lawyers Fali S Nariman and Kapil Sibal, appearing for Arunachal Congress leaders, submitted that the governor cannot invite rebel Congress leader Kalikho Pul to be chief minister as he is disqualified from the House. There has been no trace of the six-year-old male leopard which ran away from a three-layered cage in the rescue centre at the Bannerghatta Biological Park here early on Monday. Though Tuesday was a holiday for the BBP staff, they continued to search for signs of the runaway leopard. Sunil Panwar, Deputy Conservator of Forests, Bannerghatta National Park (BNP), said they had found pug marks of leopard and tiger in the forest, but it was difficult to identify if they were of the runaway leopard. The BNP has a healthy population of leopards. BBP Executive Director Santosh Kumar said the teams were searching for the leopard in the periphery, but havent got any leads so far. Officials in the zoo and the forest department said the feline could survive in the wild and make its own territory. It could even be a new one, where there are no other animals. Scientist Qamar Qureshi from the Wildlife Institute of India said that if a glaucomised canine was missing, it shows the leopard had come to the periphery of urban areas searching for easy prey such as stray dog or dead animals. In the wild, healthy males dominate prime territory, pushing out others to the periphery. This could be another reason why the animal strayed. The psychology of the animal plays a vital role in it. Leopards are very adaptive and smart and can survive with human beings in the periphery, he told Deccan Herald. But these are all theories, well have to wait and watch. Former Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, B K Singh, said the BBP staff hadnt taken the issue seriously. I thought they took a good decision by keeping the animal in captivity, but they seem to have failed. Normally an aged animal will not survive in the wild. I have seen many cases where leopards were caught in Mysuru and released into the Nagarhole Tiger Reserve. They returned to Mysuru through urban patches and no one noticed. The same could happen here too, he warned. Meanwhile, Forest officials held a meeting with parents and staff of Vibgyor High at Varthur. They appealed people not to spread rumours nor panic about the leopard escape. A Nigerian national, who is accused of stabbing a 30-year-old Ugandan woman at Banjara Layout, Horamavu, in eastern Bengaluru last week, was arrested from his home in Horamavu Agara on Monday night, police said. Onsas, the suspect, told the jurisdictional Hennur police that Shakira, a businesswoman from Uganda, had been his live-in lover for a few months. Sometime ago, she ditched him for another man. On February 10, he bumped into her at Africano Kitchen, a restaurant in Ramamurthy Nagar, attacked her and fled. The incident came to light on Saturday night after the woman lodged a complaint at the Hennur police station. She said she was into garment business. It emerged that she was overstaying her business visa as she was living in the City for the past one year. She initially cooked up the story that she was injured in a road accident. In her police complaint, she claimed that Onsas attacked her for refusing to buy him a drink. Police are checking Onsass passport and visa but said he was not giving clear answers about the purpose of his stay in Bengaluru. The Congress might have lost the bypoll to Hebbal Assembly constituency, but it is construed as a victory to the camp of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in the party, which wanted to field independent MLC Byrati Suresh as the candidate. Sources in the Congress said the senior leaders were divided in their stand over the candidate selection. It had, in a way, become original Congressmen vs migrants in the party. Siddaramaiah, who is seen as a leader of the migrant camp, wanted to field his close follower Suresh. The latter had done much groundwork in the constituency to contest the bypoll. Sureshs brother Byrati Basavaraj is Congress MLA from KR Puram, Bengaluru. The Byrati brothers, who are realtors, have developed considerable political clout ever since Siddaramaiah became the chief minister. The Byrati brothers had been calling the shots in the party affairs in Bengaluru, leading to a lot of anxiety among senior leaders. For instance, the partys candidate for the recently held Legislative Council polls from Bengaluru Urban was decided by the Byrati brothers, the sources said. The Congress leaders, those belonging to the original Congressmen camp, opposed Siddaramaiahs choice. These leaders wanted to check the growing clout of the Byratis. Hence they, including Congress leader in Lok Sabha Mallikarjuna Kharge, backed the candidature of C K Abdul Rahaman Sharief, grandson of C K Jaffer Sharief though he had lost the 2013 Assembly elections from the same constituency. The Byratis and their followers, as a result, did not show much interest in the campaign after the party decided to field Sharief, the sources said. Sureshs supporters repeatedly embarrassed the party by openly shouting slogans over the denial of ticket to their leader during the campaign. The party failed to rein them in. Besides, Sharief was not in touch with the constituency people, especially the party workers, after his defeat in the 2013 elections. Many leaders of the minority community were unhappy with the partys choice, sources said. In Devadurga, the party dillydallied on the candidate selection: whether to field widow of late Venkatesh Naik or his son (finally, they chose his son Rajashekar Naik). The party failed to woo the electorate despite half a dozen ministers camping in these constituencies during the campaign. Energy Minister D K Shivakumar was in charge of Hebbal, while Public Works Minister H C Mahadevappa spearheaded the campaign in Devadurga. The party, however, made the right moves in Bidar. It decided to field Rahim Khan, much in advance. Unlike Sharief, Khan had kept in touch with the constituency people after he lost in 2013. Khan, who is into education, had earned the goodwill of the people by supplying drinking water. That was the reason he won with a huge margin of 22,825 votes, the sources said. The State Rural Development and Panchayat Raj (RD&PR) department has bagged the e-Puraskar award for the year 2014-15. The award is conferred by the Union Ministry of Panchayat Raj (MoPR), after assessing top performing States in facilitating the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) tools for empowerment of panchayats. The selection of Karnataka for the award has been communicated to the State government by the Ministry in its letter on February 10. Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister H K Patil told the media in Bengaluru on Tuesday that last year too the department has won the first prize for devolution of funds, functionaries and functions, which carried a cash reward of Rs two crore. The ministry was yet to announce the cash award for this year, he said. The MoPR has been conferring e-Puraskars to bring in transparency, efficiency and accountability in the functioning of panchayats through the use of ICT. As many as 23 people have been arrested in connection with a clash among groups belonging to two communities at Tadasa village in the taluk late on Monday nigh. Miscreants threw stones at the police station, damaging a few police vehicles. The police resorted to lathi charge to bring the situation under control. First, a clash broke out between two groups over money not being paid after a few miscreants had food at a pushcart eatery near the bus stand. This then resulted in a clash between communities. Miscreants threw stones on policemen who arrived at the spot. The injured personnel have been admitted to the local government hospital for treatment. By Jessica Swarner 4 February 2016 (Cronkite News) Longtime Sanders, Arizona, resident Wayne Lynch was told in July that the water on his ranch contained dangerously high amounts of uranium, yet he is still using it. Theres no other water source we have, Lynch said in late January. Theres no other well that they could tap in to. Lynch said the problem extends to the Sanders community, including nearby schools, which have no choice but to use contaminated wells. People are always getting cancer, he said, naming his mother, an aunt and a grandmother among those who have been diagnosed with the disease. Lynchs case was just one of the stories brought to Washington last week by Clean Up the Mines, a group that highlights the detrimental effects of abandoned uranium mines, especially those on and near reservations. According to government data, there are about 15,000 uranium mines in the West, with 75 percent of those on federal or tribal lands. Clean Up the Mines was in the District for a week, working to spread awareness of what it calls an environmental crisis. That included a Thursday, January 28 protest outside the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) building. The group demanded that the federal agency conduct studies on radiation levels in water supplies and move to clean up uranium waste. Group members met with about 10 EPA officials after their protest. They listened to our frustrations, said Tommy Rock, a Navajo and member of Dine No Nukes who was in Washington D.C. for the protests. They didnt really say muchthey just listened to us, he said. It was Rock, a doctoral candidate in environmental sciences at Northern Arizona University, who tested the water near Sanders and found uranium levels of 47 parts per billionwell above the legal limit of 30 parts per billion. The Sanders Unified School District draws water from wells where uranium levels have been tested at 37 parts per billionforcing the district to rely on bottled water for its offices, schools and teacher housing, said interim Superintendent Dan Hute. There is uranium. It is over the limit. Its been a mess, Hute said. [more] Prabhas Film With Sujeeth May Go On Floors In December The energy ministers of Russia, Saudi Arabia and Venezuela reached an agreement on Tuesday to keep oil output at current levels, contingent on obtaining the agreement of other major producers, Qatar's energy minister said, according to a report citing Reuters. "The meeting which was highly anticipated that a production cut will take place ended up with disappointment. The only silver lining is that there will be no increase in the output as the big players- Saudi Arabia and Qatar understands that at current level, the US production cannot sustain. So basically, they are willing to keep the pressure on oil producers and have limited their losses. Not many producers can afford the price at current price level and this present prodigious challenge for others", Naeem Aslam at Ava Trade said by way of an immediate reaction. Production would reportedly be maintained at the same levels as in January. As of 09:18GMT front month West Texas crude futures were changing hands at $30.13 per barrel in electronic trading on NYMEX, versus the $31.53 they were to be seen at before the deal was announced. The deal was "highly contingent" on other producers joining in, Barclays said in a research note sent to clients. Furthermore, "any significant price recovery risks increasing the incentives for US shale output to start growing again," analysts Miswin Mahesh and Kevin Norrish said. Hence, even if the deal was successful the upside for prices "looks limited", they said. Nevertheless, while the plan looked difficult to implement its significance lay in that it was the first time since November 2014 that OPEC had acted to insert some uncertainty about Saudi strategy into the minds of oil market participants, the analysts added. 1630:Close Stocks tracked Wall Street higher, brushing off losses on the Continent as the president of the Philly Fed, Patrick Harker argued for near-term patience when it came to tightening interest rates again. Merlin Entertainments did best on the top flight index after naming a new chief financial officer. IAG gained on the back of an upgrade out of analysts at BofA-Merrill Lynch. StanChart sank to the bottom of the pile after analysts at Morgan Stanley reiterated their underweight stance on the shares. Crude oil futures on the other hand surrendered early gains to trade lower as analysts took a sceptical view on the possibility that Iran might agree to cap its output. 1456: Ascential, the business publisher and events group previously called Top Right and before than Emap, has had its credit upgraded by S&P after it was floated last week by owners The Guardian and Apax Partners. S&P said following the IPO and related refinancing of senior secured facilities, the company reduced its debt to about 265m, with Apax cutting its equity holding to about 35.6%. S&P lifted its long-term corporate credit rating on Ascential Holdings to 'B+' from 'B'. 1450: The Footsie is holding higher with shares of Merlin Entertainments, IAG and BP having moved into the top slots. 1330: The New York Fed's regional manufacturing gauge dropped from -19.37 points in the month before to a reading of -16.64. 1330: Three-month copper futures are higher by 0.5% to $4,580.25 per metric tonne on the LME. 1222: Commenting on Russian and Saudi plans to freeze output analysts at Barclays said that while the plan looked difficult to implement its significance lay in that it was the first time since November 2014 that OPEC had acted to insert some uncertainty about Saudi strategy into the minds of oil market participants, the analysts added. 1122: According to an unconfirmed report, an OPEC delegate has told Bloomberg and the FT that Saudi Arabia may be open to taking more actions to prop up the price of oil. 1012: So-called aggregate financing grew by a record 3.42trn yuan (362.1bn) last month, according to the People's Bank of China. That was far more than the 2.2trn yuan which analysts had penciled in. Chinese lenders opened the spigot on lending in January, with the widest measure of credit far surpassing analysts' projections. 0930: The consumer price index retreated by 0.8% month-on-month in January and increased by 0.3% year-on-year, according to ONS. Economists had penciled in a fall of 0.7% on the month and a 0.3% rise year-on-year. 0912: The outlook for asset quality at Asian banks has deteriorated since StanChart's strategic review was carried out, as a result of slowing economies and lower commodity and property prices, analysts at Morgan Stanley said on Tuesday. As a result, the broker's analysts upped their estimates for credit costs, bringing them to approximately 42% to 30% below the analyst consensus for StanChart's earnings per share in 2016 and 2017. Morgan Stanley reiterated its recommendation to 'underweight' and lowered its bear case to 261p. 0901: Stocks have started higher on the back of another sharp rise in crude oil futures and amid overnight gains in Chinese equities. Oil and mining shares are predictably at the top of the leaderboard. According to Bloomberg, Russia's and Saudi Arabia's energy ministers are due to meet today in Doha, Qatar. StanChart is moving lower, possibly weighed down by negative comments out of Morgan Stanley. CPI data are scheduled for release today in the UK at 09:30. Investors will also be closely watching three Fed speakers who are due to make speeches later in the day. FTSE 100 up 39.41 points to 5,863.91. Mixed global conditions made 2015 a rocky ride for Spectris , with the company's full year results to 31 December - released on Tuesday - showing increased sales, but depressed earnings. The FTSE 250 firm, focused on productivity-enhancing instruments and controls, saw sales grow by 3% at constant exchange rates to 1.19bn. Spectris said that comprised entirely of three percentage points of growth from acquisitions, with like-for-like sales unchanged for the year. On a regional basis, the company reported good sales growth in Europe at 3% and a slight increase to sales in Asia. Sales to North America were down 2%, and the Rest of World segment was down 9%, which the firm blamed on weakness in Russia. Operating profit was down 9% on a like-for-like basis to 181.1m, after the inclusion of 7m in restructuring costs to improve profitability going forward. Its operating profit was down 15% on a statutory basis. "2015 was characterised by mixed trading conditions, with growth in Europe and Asia offset by a challenging environment in North America and the Rest of the World," said chief executive John O'Higgins. "We are on track with the restructuring measures announced last July. The benefits of these, together with our focus on operational excellence initiatives, will enable us to better align cost growth with sales growth in 2016 whilst continuing to invest in our core R&D programmes," he added. During 2015, the group began its refined strategy in a bid to focus on certain growth opportunities, which saw it shift its focus from the supply of products to the provision of 'complete solutions' to clients. Basic earnings per share were down 16% to 95.6p, while adjusted earnings per share - which excluded non-operational items - were down 8% to 114.3p. Spectris announced a dividend 6% higher than the previous year, at 49.5p per share. Save my User ID and Password Some subscribers prefer to save their log-in information so they do not have to enter their User ID and Password each time they visit the site. To activate this function, check the 'Save my User ID and Password' box in the log-in section. This will save the password on the computer you're using to access the site. Note: If you choose to use the log-out feature, you will lose your saved information. This means you will be required to log-in the next time you visit our site. Columbus-area business profits surged in COVID bounce back Some Franklin County suburbs did particularly well as the economy recovered from COVID disruptions, according to income-tax receipts. From the 1,500-square-foot patio of the Divide Bar & Grill, customers can sip a cold one overlooking the citys new Shiloh Conservation Area, leaving an unobstructed view of the Beartooth Mountain Range. Owner Darrin Williams, 29, said hes excited to be opening at 11 a.m. Tuesday in the growing Montana Sapphire subdivision, which is welcoming several new businesses this year. The Divide sells appetizers, burgers and sandwiches with 12 beers on tap, all microbrews. Williams said its half bar and half grill, with a relaxing atmosphere in an up-and-coming location. Great bar food, with a little bit of an upscale twist, Williams said. The Divide is the newest business to open in the 65-acre Montana Sapphire subdivision, and developers are expecting a fast start of the year at this fast-growing retail center on Billings West End. The Fuel Fitness gym opened last week next to the Divide. A Jimmy Johns sandwich shop is coming this spring next to the Verizon store, and Dottys Casino is moving into the Sapphire mall next to Steak n Shake. An addition to the Rimrock Auto GMC lot will also be finished within the next few months. It really accelerated in 2015, and were taking a lot of calls in 2016, said Blaine Poppler of Coldwell Banker Commercial, which is marketing the property. Popplers partner, George Warmer, added that the subdivision is about 75 percent full and has about 17 acres left on the market. The first Montana Sapphire lots were sold in 2003, but the development really took off in 2011 after the Great Recession, Warmer said. Plans for the Divide at 4020 Montana Sapphire Drive have been underway for about a year, when Williams won the state lottery for a new liquor license, typically worth as much as six figures. He added that the total investment was in the millions but declined to give an exact figure. First Interstate Bank provided the financing, he said. The building cost $885,000, according to the city of Billings. The 1.7-acre lot had been on the market for $515,315, or about $7 per square foot, according to Coldwell Banker Commercial. The Divide has 29 employees and operates from 11 a.m. to as late as 2 a.m., depending on business. The phone number is 406-894-2206, and the website is www.dividebargrill.com. Beer from Billings-based breweries Uberbrew and Angry Hanks are available on tap. Customers can also try the Divide Countryside brown ale, brewed at Uberbrew. Williams, a 2005 Billings Skyview graduate, worked at restaurants in college at Montana State University but is relatively new to the industry. He worked in the building industry before launching this project. His wife, Cassie Williams, 32, is a real-estate agent at ReMax of Billings and helped launch the business. In the name Divide, Williams wanted something to reflect the duality of Montana, from prairies versus mountains to Griz versus Cats. The logo depicts another take on the theme, with a rolling river splitting two mountains. At the very least, Williams hopes the name will stick with people who are debating where to go to grab a few drinks. Subscriber content preview SEATTLE (AP) Shareholders have approved the merger of timber companies Weyerhaeuser and Plum Creek. The votes at separate meetings in the Seattle area on Friday move the companies toward becoming one of the world's biggest timberland and forest products companies. The Flathead Beacon reports about 70 percent of Plum Creek shareholders voted in favor of the merger agreement at a meeting in Seattle. A vote at a meeting in Federal Way counted more than 98 percent of the Weyerhaeuser shareholders in favor of the proposal. . . . Subscriber content preview HAVANA (AP) The United States and Cuba will sign an agreement next week to resume commercial air traffic for the first time in five decades, starting the clock on dozens of new flights operating daily by next fall, U.S. officials said Friday. U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx is scheduled to fly to Havana on Tuesday to cement the deal. Barring other major announcements, it would be the most significant development in U.S.-Cuba trade since Presidents Barack Obama and Raul Castro announced in late 2014 that they would begin normalizing ties after a half-century of Cold War opposition. . . . After two trips to northwest Wyoming in 1897 and 1898, Ernest Thompson Seton published "Wahb: The Biography of a Grizzly" through a series of three articles for Century Magazine, and then the story appeared in book form in 1900. Recently, Buffalo Bill Center of the West curators Jeremy Johnston and Charles Preston have collaborated on a revised edition of Setons book, which recently won a National Outdoor Book Award. Preston and Johnston will discuss the legacy of Setons work at the next meeting of the Pahaska Corral of Westerners on Monday at the Sunset House Restaurant in Cody, Wyo. There is a no-host dinner starting at 6 p.m. followed by the presentation around 7 p.m. Both the dinner and the presentation are open to the public. Guests are also welcome to attend only the presentation if they so choose. Although classified as fiction, Seton based his biography of Wahb on various bear stories, many from the Yellowstone area. Setons work was very popular but raised concerns among other naturalists including President Theodore Roosevelt about its accuracy in depicting grizzly bear behavior. For this presentation, Preston will discuss grizzly bear biology and ecology. Johnston will share how Setons book influenced the publics perceptions of grizzly bears within the Yellowstone region and how this popular work shaped local bear tales. Both Johnston and Preston serve as curators at the Buffalo Bill Center at the American West. Charles R. Preston is the Willis McDonald, IV Senior Curator of Natural Science and Founding Curator-in-Charge of the Draper Natural History Museum. Jeremy M. Johnston is the Hal and Naoma Tate Endowed Chair and Curator of Western History and the Ernest J. Goppert Curator of the Buffalo Bill Museum. For more information, contact Jeremy Johnston 307-578-4032 and jeremyj@centerofthewest.org OPELIKA -- Following an hour long back-and-forth between the state and legal counsel for Alabama House Speaker Mike Hubbard, a Lee County judge granted another hearing in the felony ethics case just weeks before the case is set to go to trial. Circuit Judge Jacob A. Walker III granted the defenses request for an evidentiary hearing Tuesday morning scheduled for March 3. Hubbard, R-Auburn, is set to go to trial March 28, 1 years after a Lee County grand jury indicted him for 23 felony ethics violations. Walker called the latest hearing after the defense filed an affidavit from radio show host Baron Coleman, a lawyer who also worked as a consultant on Sandy Toomers 2014 primary campaign against Hubbard. In a signed affidavit dated Feb. 2, Coleman said he and special prosecutor Matt Hart had detailed conversations about the more than yearlong grand jury investigation into Hubbard, adding that he used that information in the primary campaign against the speaker. Coleman testified in October he had no knowledge of grand jury information. The state filed a competing motion for a protective order last week, arguing Coleman served as a confidential informant for the Attorney Generals Office since 2012 and fought against the request for another evidentiary hearing in the case. The state already filed an exhibit under seal with information Coleman provided the AGs Office as a confidential informant, Hart said. We would submit (the affidavit) is not a reason to hold up the trial. Its already been delayed enough, Deputy Attorney General Mike Duffy told the court. Walker countered that ruling in favor of the evidentiary hearing did not mean an order to delay the trial, though a recent motion to continue by the defense will be discussed. Isnt it best simply to have a hearing, get Mr. Coleman under oath, and get to the bottom of it? Walker asked. Duffy and Hart, who has been the subject of prosecutorial misconduct allegations since the indictment dropped, argued that granting another evidentiary hearing would encourage the defense to subpoena more witnesses and file another eleventh hour affidavit in an effort to delay the trial. Mr. Coleman sat in this court for three days, and the defense never called him, Acting Attorney General Van Davis said. As I stand here today, I dont think theres one scintillaof evidence before the court that we violated the (Grand Jury Secrecy) Act. I dont know how long we can keep having hearings and hearings and hearings. Every time we get this case ready for trialsomething new comes up. Davis further alleged the affidavit is misleading, noting Coleman states he came to the conclusion Hart was leaking grand jury information, and speculated lead defense attorney Lance Bell had prepared the affidavit. It just shows the trickery in this case, Hart said. Weve believed theres obstruction in this case, and thats another matter the Attorney Generals Office is looking into. But Bell told the court Coleman had approached him in early January and had prepared the affidavit independently. He could not answer when Walker asked why Coleman had only recently decided to come forward with allegations of grand jury leaks and fraud. I wish I knew the answer to that, Bell said. Thats the million dollar question. Coleman and other witnesses are expected to testify at the March 3 hearing. Hubbard has maintained his innocence since the indictment was announced in late October 2014. Despite requests from the state GOP Committee to suspend his leadership position, Hubbard has continued to serve as the speaker of the Alabama House of Representatives during the 2016 legislative session. He attended Tuesdays hearing. Sara Falligant can be reached at sfalligant@oanow.com Leala E. Simmons "Teena" Aycock has gone to be with the Lord on Monday, February 15, 2016, at her home in Coffee Springs, Alabama surrounded by her loving family. She was 74. Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, February 17, 2016, in the Coffee Springs First Baptist Church with Rev. David Bradshaw officiating. Mrs. Aycock will be placed into the church for a one hour visitation prior to service. Burial will follow in the Meadowlawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Enterprise with Warren Holloway Ward Funeral Home in Geneva directing. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Tuesday, February 16, 2016, from 6 until 8 p.m. Flowers will be accepted or memorial contributions may be made to the First Baptist Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 98, Coffee Springs, Alabama 36318. Mrs. Aycock was a member of the First Baptist Church in Coffee Springs. She was a retired school bus driver, served as the previous mayor of Coffee Springs, and a homemaker for 55 years. She was preceded in death by her parents, Rudolph Simmons and Jimmie Roach Yasson. Mrs. Aycock's survivors include her loving husband of 55 years, Jeffrey Glynn Aycock; son, William Glynn (Linda Brown) Aycock; daughters: Tracie Aycock (Matthew) Swanson and Joanna Swindle; grandchildren: Anna (Elam) Wallace, Ian Aycock, Brianna Swanson, Jaeden Swindle, and Jonan Swindle; other extended family and friends. Warren Holloway Ward Funeral Home, 334-684-9999, is in charge of arrangements. Sign a guest register at whwfuneralhome.com. Sign the guest book at www.dothaneagle.com. Dianna Johnston, a resident of Dothan passed away on Saturday, February 13, 2016. She was 43. Graveside services will be held at 10:00 am on Thursday, February 18, 2016 at Sunset Memorial Park with Rev. Jean Tippit officiating and Robert Byrd directing. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Wednesday evening from 5-7 pm. Mrs. Johnston was born on March 30, 1972 in Panama City, Florida and lived the early years of her life in Bonifay. She was a 1990 graduate of Holmes County High School and attended Wallace Community College where she received her RN Degree. Mrs. Johnston was employed with Southeast Alabama Medical Center in Special Procedures and most recently was working in the Intensive Care Unit. She was currently attending Troy University to gain her Bachelors' degree in Nursing. She enjoyed listening to music, eating snacks, Peanut M & M's and Reeses Peanut Butter Cups, and loved spending time with her boys. Mrs. Johnston attended Harvest Church. Dianna was preceded in death by her father, Charles Faison, by her grandparents, Marguerite "Nana" Engel and Edward Engel, Lonnie and Jewel Faison. Survivors include her husband, Buddy Johnston; her 2 sons, Ethan and Jack Johnston; her mother, Linda Faison; her brother, Thomas Faison; her sister, Vanessa (Kevin) Collins; her aunts, Elizabeth Deeken and Yvonne Faison; her sisters-in-law, Lisa Carraher, Pam Hughes, and Rebecca Tavill; her brother-in-law, Alex Johnston; several cousins including, Cindy Clements; several nieces and nephews. Robert Byrd of Sunset Memorial Park Funeral Home 334-983-6604 www.SunsetMemorialPark.com. Sign the guest book at www.dothaneagle.com. dpa ElectionsData With dpa ElectionsData you get access to a unique collection of data. Via a programming interface (Rest-API), your developers can access detailed information, candidate profiles and live results for all national elections in the European Union and important international elections, like the US Midterm elections etc. The data pool also includes all heads of state and government as well as about 20,000 elected members of parliament throughout the EU. In addition to their data (name, party, constituency or list position), we collect social media profiles and official websites of individuals and parties. HELENA It would be good if the toilets didnt periodically overflow at Hawthorne Elementary School. And if the speech therapist could move her office out of the former shower room. And then, there are the cracks and peeling facade that can be so demoralizing. These are just a few of the problems cited by staff working at the 95-year-old Hawthorne Elementary School on Helenas West Side. Across town, it's rotten pipes that have John Carter worried. A civil engineer, Carter oversees Helena School Districts facilities. Sealed in a zip-close bag on the shelf in his office is a rusted-out piece of sewer line that burst at Bryant School last year. One of the most recent breaks was a pipe outside Project Alternative Learning on Christmas Eve, causing water shut-offs to part of Helena's downtown and Westside. It also caused sinking of the school parking lot and part of the street. Carter and Helena are not alone. Nearly 70 percent of Montanas schools were built before 1970, according to the states 2008 "Public Schools Facility Condition Assessment, which was based on a review of known building ages. A 2013 Helena Public Schools assessment reported the average age of Montana school buildings is around 53 years old. Helena's Carter keeps a series of ever-changing databases and spreadsheets tracking the lifespan of roofs and boilers across the elementary school and high school districts and prioritizing major projects at 18 school buildings (and 11 modulars) before disaster strikes. The projects are many, since the average age of Helenas school buildings is 64, he said. Carters trying to deal with an estimated $60 million in deferred maintenance costs over the next 15 to 20 years. Just in the next five years, the district is due to replace $5.5 million in elementary school roofs. There are some 1.1 million square feet of floors in the district to keep track of and replace as needed. Carter relies on a 10-year deferred maintenance bond that passed in 2013, that provides annual amounts of $1.25 million for elementary school buildings and $750,000 for two high schools and the PAL building. He supplements this with grants he writes, having received $2.8 million in the past eight years from a variety of sources. In June 2015, a $70 million elementary school bond was soundly defeated by voters by a 60-40 margin. It would have built two new elementary schools and a large addition on another elementary school, and paid for renovations at six others. Until the voters find a bond thats palatable, Carter has a lot of work ahead stretching funds. Its something hes made into an art form. Take a Helena Middle School boiler with a life expectancy of 30 years. Its now 81 years old and is finally getting replaced this year. The 2013 Helena Public Schools assessment cites guidelines by the National Center for Educational Statistics that school buildings are typically considered functionally obsolete at age 60, which raises eyebrows in a city like Helena that prides itself on its historic heritage and buildings. Older school buildings can lack things like flexible floor plans and ways to easily wire in new technology. They also lack energy efficient windows, classroom sinks needed for teaching science and art and ADA accessibility and can need seismic upgrades or have asbestos and lead paint issues. But newer buildings arent always the answer. Helenas Jim Darcy School, which was built in 1965, and is the districts fifth-newest building, was being considered for demolition because of its rapidly failing physical condition. Deferred maintenance can be deferred only so long, before it takes its toll. Pay now or pay later, said Anthony Perpignano, president of CWG Architects in Helena, which is designing a new school addition in White Sulphur Springs. Crumbling foundation White Sulphur Springs elementary students had been attending class in a building with walls that wept when it rained, according to a previous story in the Helena Independent Record. The high school roof has leaked since the early 1960s. A safety inspection revealed that the elementary schools foundation was crumbling and mold was causing bricks to fall away in some places. Lights in the elementary school had to be turned off during rain as to avoid a short caused by the leaky roof. Last fall, the community passed a $9.4 million bond to construct a 70,000-square-foot building adjoining their high school. White Sulphur Springs is just one example of a much larger problem, Perpignano said. Theres not enough money to keep up with maintenance, he said. Its an epidemic and it goes across the state. Inadequate funding at all levels, from the school district to the state to the federal government contribute to the problem, Perpignano said. But since no money is on its way any time soon, he said its a good idea for school districts to have a long-range facility plan. East Helena Public Schools has had such a planning committee for decades, he said. Trigger points are identified ahead of time. As these are approached, the district has time to make plans and take them to the voters. Combining old with new Some school districts such as Billings have been able to marry the old with the new, earning praise from the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The National Trust works, where possible, to renovate old school buildings with historic value, rather than raze them. Downtown schools that are razed can have a destructive ripple effect on neighborhoods and downtowns. Billings voters approved School District 2's $122 million construction bond in November 2013. The money remodeled, refurbished and renovated elementary schools, including McKinley and Broadwater. Two new middle schools also are under construction. Former Broadwater Elementary School PTA president Ann L. Clancy worked with a fellow parent, architect Scott Atwood, in spearheading the effort to remodel and expand Broadwater and McKinley elementary schools. The success is just this year, she said. The district added architecturally matching new structures to the historic schools, she said. Now we can see these schools last another 100 years. She questions the bias against older buildings. What do you think people are doing in Europe, where people are using buildings hundreds and hundreds of years old? Americans have a "throw-away mentality, she said. We put up these crappy buildings and then just tear them down. Aging gracefully Not every aging school building is limping toward retirement or a wrecking ball. Sunset Elementary School in Greenough, 32 miles east of Missoula, was built around 1910. Its actually two one-room school houses that were moved and merged into one, according to supervising and sole teacher Toni Hatten. Despite its age and small enrollment five at the moment the school has up-to-date technology, said Hatten, including a whiteboard, a Smart Board and really good Internet service. Her students use iPads a lot and online curriculum. Technology is a huge part of our day. We use it daily multiple times, she said, between typing, practice work, research and presentations. The students each have their own Chromebook. My young kids are pretty advanced, she said. Hatten, who arrived at the school in fall 2011, said her board is very supportive of technology and professional development, and just sent her to a major technology conference in Orlando, Fla. One of the challenges of an older building is little critters, she said. You always have to be vigilant to make sure it is under control. Not only is there an occasional mouse, but also a squirrel or two have ventured indoors. Despite the limited and fluctuating enrollment, the ranching community has been strongly supportive of the school and continues to invest in it. The bathrooms were just remodeled and the lighting has been upgraded. We are supported by tax dollars from the local community, she said. Its the best, she said of teaching at Sunset. By far, its the best position Ive had. Its a fabulous environment. I think every teacher should experience it. Basin School, 37 miles south of Helena, celebrates its 120th anniversary this year and has an enrollment of 17. While the building is sound, technology can be a challenge at times, said supervising teacher Harmony Letang. Were pretty much the Internet hub of the town, she said. To retrofit the technology into the school setting is always a challenge, particularly the wiring. They also need to make sure they have adequate bandwidth for students to do standardized testing. Our facilities are dated, she said, particularly the bathrooms, which are small and have just two stalls per gender. The building also lacks a gymnasium. Letangs been teaching there since 2003 and since that time, theyve upgraded the siding and replaced an oil-fueled boiler with propane heat. The school also put in all new energy-saving windows and a Smart Board. But some of the advantages of an older building, she said, can outweigh the inconveniences. Its a unique setting. It doesnt look like every other school. It has unique character, said Letang. We still pull the bell rope in the bell tower to call kids in from recess. Theres an immediate sense of history, she added. Former students stop in and tell stories about what it was like when they attended. Thats a real benefit that connection to history. I think the building is very well suited to teaching, she said. We are able to get online. I never felt like the building was any kind of hindrance. I just think its a fantastic place to work. I think it has a lot of charm. I love the place. Neighborhoond schools This is a sentiment partially echoed in Helena at Hawthorne School by its teachers. Some things maybe not the plumbing work beautifully. Staffers realize their building could be closed because of declining enrollment and the buildings structural problems. We value the community, the small school size, said teacher Eric Lehman. He believes thats one of the reasons Helenas bond failed in 2015 people didnt want to lose neighborhood schools. The Hawthorne kids feel they belong they all know each other and all the staff, and the staff know them. Theres a lot of parent support and involvement. Some parents walk their kids to school in the morning, stay for the morning Pledge of Allegiance and then visit on the playground. The staff talk about long-term friendships that formed and flourished over the years between families, providing an extended family network for kids. I worked in a bigger school and you dont have this sense of community, said Anne Bartsch. Neighborhood schools are not a common thing, added Lehman, who taught in a large school in Washington, D.C. PABLO A $1.1 million grant from the Department of Housing and Urban Development will help the Salish Kootenai Housing Authority find a long-term fix for high levels of arsenic and iron in the water supplied to 39 of its housing units on the Flathead Indian Reservation. Housing authority director Jason Adams said $345,000 of the grant will be used to drill a new well and connect it to homes in Dixon Agency. An upgrade to the filtration system on the current well about 2 1/2 years ago bought about five years to find a longer-term solution. The balance of HUDs Indian Community Block Grant Program funding headed to the Flathead Reservation, $755,000, will be used to rehabilitate 20 private homes owned by tribal members. HUD also announced a $1.1 million grant to the Blackfeet Housing Authority to rehabilitate 29 housing units scattered across the Blackfeet Reservation and $900,000 to the Northern Cheyenne Tribal Housing Authority to do the same with 27 homes on the Northern Cheyenne Reservation. These are competitive grants, and its nice to see ours be successfully funded so we can continue to offer and improve our services, Adams said. The Indian Community Development Block Grant program was established in 1977 to help Indian tribes and Alaska Native villages meet their community development needs. Only three of the 75 grants just announced by HUD are for more than the $1.1 million awarded to CSKT and the Blackfeet Tribe. The largest single grant was for more than $4.1 million to the Navajo Nation in Arizona. That will be used to connect power and water lines to half a dozen Native American communities there that lack those services. Every family deserves the chance to have a decent home, economic opportunity and vibrant neighborhoods to call their own, HUD Secretary Julian Castro said in announcing the grants. Today we make another critical investment in helping tribal nations address affordable housing and community development needs in their communities. Australian Mustang owners are already galloping into the grooming yard to customise their pony car. With Ford Australia officially offering the iconic American muscle car for the first time as a mainstream model, enthusiasts are rushing to enhance their vehicle with more power and muscular looks. Some of Australia's leading aftermarket tuners and hot rod shops have jumped on the wagon to offer upgraded kits that, at the most extreme, cost more than the $60k sticker for the flagship Mustang GT itself. Melbourne's Mustang Motorsport, which has been importing and converting previous-generation Mustangs for more than 25 years, has a catalogue of upgrades from iconic America Mustang tuners such as Shelby and Roush. Company founder, Craig Dean, says the official arrival of the Mustang has seen a significant increase in demand already from owners wishing to customise their car. "Mustang owners have always been a passionate group," he said. "Now that it's being sold here, we've seen a lot more enquiry. There are clearly some who just want a Mustang and now have it available, but it's also the kind of car that people want to change, whether it's [new] wheels, body kits or engine upgrades." Mustang Motorsport has a variety of packages available from Shelby and Roush that include adding a supercharger to the 5.0-litre V8 which can increase its power output from 306kW in standard form to over 500kW. Australian automotive engineering company, Harrop, is also joining the stampede to offer performance upgrades for Mustang owners, confirming it is in the development phase of a supercharger kit for the 5.0-litre V8. Having previously supplied, and worked hand-in-glove with, Ford Performance Vehicles on the supercharged 'Miami' V8 in the final iteration of the GT Falcon, Harrop already has extensive experience integrating its top-mounted blower on the 5.0-litre engine. "We're undergoing final development of the supercharger at the moment, but we're already seeing a lot of interest from Mustang owners," Harrop's marketing spokesman Jake Di Pietro told Drive. While final power outputs are still to be determined, it is expected that Harrop's HTV1900 supercharger will increase power to around 450kW from the engine. The demand for more power among Mustang enthusiasts could be seen as a result of Ford Australia not offering the high-performance models, such as the GT350, that are available in America. At the moment, the blue oval has the Ecoboost four-cylinder and V8-powered GT variants available in fastback coupe and convertible body styles. Even still, it has been overwhelmed by the demand with more than 4000 orders before the car officially landed in Australia late last year which has created a 12-month waiting list and forced Ford to increase its list price for new customers. The dilemma Sarah is in the market for an SUV, which will be mainly used for urban commuting but also needs to be able to tow a two-tonne speedboat. She's been looking at Volkswagen's Tiguan but isn't sure if it's a good fit for her scenario. The budget Not provided The shortlist We hope Sarah isn't too attached to the Tiguan because its 2000kg maximum braked towing capacity is cutting things much too fine in this scenario. Its 100kg towball download limit (TDL) is also problematic when towball download can be up to 10 per cent of the total load while a weight-distribution hitch could be a potential solution, it's not much help when the outright capacity is limiting. Indeed, she might have to also compromise a little on her size requirement as most small and medium SUVs aren't much different to the Tiguan when it comes to their stated towing capacities. There is one exception to the rule that you can't get real towing muscle and a compact exterior. But if it doesn't work, moving up to the large-SUV segment might be inevitable. Ford Territory AWD, from $45,740 AWD versions of this Ford have a 2700kg maximum braked towing capacity, plus a 270kg TDL, so offer the kind of safety margin you'd want with a two-tonne load. We can't see Sarah being upset about how it drives (it's agile and easy on the senses), its functional qualities (its roomy, comfortable and versatile) or servicing (Ford caps costs for life). The elephant in the room, though, is its elephant-like size compared to a Tiguan. It costs more than the VW, so like the other cars here used examples might have to be considered. Move the focus from towing and there are rival large SUVs with more contemporary origins, fresher presentation, snappier diesel engines, better economy and more safety technology. Read Drive's Ford Territory reviews: Ford Territory Titanium TDCi AWD road test Hyundai Sante Fe diesel manual, from $41,490 This Hyundai's 2500kg maximum towing capacity puts it a step ahead of many large SUVs, if not the Territory. It's one of those rivals to the Ford we mentioned with newer design, fresher presentation and a snappier, thriftier diesel engine. It doesn't drive as well but isn't at all bad, and while it's not quite as roomy that's unlikely to be an issue for Sarah. It matches the Territory with lifetime capped-price servicing but throws in a five-year warranty (versus three). The Santa Fe's TDL number, however, isn't ideal, even with the optional 'load-assist' kit that boosts it from 100kg to 150kg. Only manual versions have a 2500kg rating (autos rate 2000kg) and they only come in base Active trim, so the Elite's added luxuries (sat-nav, etc) and Highlander's safety tech (autonomous emergency braking, etc) are out. Read Drive's Hyundai Santa Fe reviews: Hyundai Sante Fe Series II first drive Jeep Cherokee Limited diesel, from $49,000 This Jeep has this group's weakest maximum towing capacity (2393kg) but counters with a strong TDL number (239kg) and standard auto gearbox. Significantly, it's less bulky than its rivals here, so closer to the size Sarah wants. It's nicely functional, economical, drives well and has technology like adaptive cruise and blindspot/lane-departure warnings (albeit as options), plus this group's best off-road credentials (if that matters). But don't expect to save money because it's small you need the diesel engine to get the best towing numbers in the Cherokee range and only this topline Limited model has it. There are some rough spots to stomach (occasionally clumsy nine-speed auto, no driver's footrest) and Jeep's servicing deal is this group's least tempting (no capped-price servicing, six-monthly/10,000km intervals versus yearly/15,000km for the other cars). Read Drive's Jeep Cherokee reviews: Jeep Cherokee Limited 4x4 diesel road test Medium SUV road-test comparison Drive recommends The Hyundai goes a long way to being this group's best all-rounder and best buy, and there are ways around its TDL deficiencies. The key factor is whether Sarah can handle its mandatory manual gearbox. If she can, it's worth thinking about very seriously. If she can't, it's down to the Ford and Jeep. The latter best fulfils Sarah's wish for something compact with big towing ability but its cost and ownership question marks are big crosses to bear. The Territory isn't the latest, or even the greatest in some respects, and its size is an issue. But its towing abilities, functionality, driving flair and Jeep-beating ownership make it a smart choice if you absolutely must have an auto. Home Four wheelers Automobile Exports Decline By 19 Percent In January oi-Rajkamal Automobile exports from India has seen a decline of almost 19 percent in January 2016. Carmakers exported 33,909 units in January 2016, compared to exporting 41,787 units during January 2015. The major reason for the decline in export is due to challenges faced in some of the export markets such as Algeria, Europe, and other neighbouring countries. Sugato Sen, the Deputy Director General of the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) told PTI, "We are facing issues in Algeria as they have brought in some changes in technical regulations. We have visited the country to sort out the issues. It is bothering us." Carmakers are facing high taxation issues in Sri Lanka, while in Europe, India's biggest export market for compact cars is still recovering from a slump. During 2014-15, Indian carmakers exported vehicles worth USD 293 million to Algeria, USD 158 million worth vehicles to Sri Lanka, and USD 335 million worth vehicle shipments to Europe. Recently, animal rights activists in Australia have been campaigning against the Australian import of Livestock claiming that the industry is not legal and legitimate. They are also claiming the Livestock industry is not meeting animal welfare interests. In February, the livestock industry has responded saying that it is not only legal and legitimate; they are also acting responsibly by striving to meet community animal welfare expectations. The campaign was launched with bus and billboard advertisements going live by Animals Australia suggesting the livestock trade is a crime against animals. Alison Penfold, CEO of the Australian Livestock Exporters have responded saying they have to show Australia that they are improving the welfare of Australian exported livestock, but suggested that trade is criminal by nature is simply wrong. What we need to take from this is Australia has been exporting a lot of livestock across the world and does over $1.9 Billion in livestock export in Japan alone. This is based on the report by Asialink Business which is an Australian Government supported program to help Australian businesses build their Asia capabilities had just recently launched a visual piece outlining the global flow of imports into Asia. According to the infographic from Asialink Business, Australia has exported over $9 Billion of products to China in 2014 and Asias top imports are poised to drive up 43 percent by 2050. The report also states that eased trading restrictions on livestock across Asia are opening further opportunities for Australian businesses and that Australias agriculture industry (particularly meat & beef) continues to be in high demand across Asia. Australian exporters have been respectful of laws governing trade over the years but once a video came out in 2011 which shows how livestock was being treated and this fell far below the community standards. Since that time, the Australian livestock industry has made several changes with over 7500 trained workers overseas in animal handling, husbandry and slaughter which have seen Australia lead welfare among animals for over 100 livestock exporting nations. Instead of investing in campaigns on buses and billboards, we should be concentrating on investing in people and livestock facilities around the world to ensure the welfare of livestock in our charge through practical on the ground training and improvements in handling, husbandry and slaughter practices. The Australian livestock industry is gearing up to meet its agenda of continually improving export livestock quality, and to ensure steps will be taken to counter any serious incidents of mistreatment that may have caused pain and suffering to the animals. Some of the pictures which surfaced online and which are being used as the campaign headliners show animals being treated brutally and inhumanely. This has no place in the Australian livestock trade and it looks like the Australian livestock trading community will be taking strict measures to prevent such cases in the future. Animal Australias call to ban the livestock trade as the only solution, if implemented, would be devastating to the countrys economy and also would mean a large number of employees being fired! One other thing is, a ban on livestock trading doesnt necessarily mean the livestock will be treated well? The Australian Livestock industry will be doing a strict scan of all exporters and identifying those who are not following standards in welfare, training and inhumane handling and take necessary actions to prevent and resolve any issues. For more information on the changes to animal welfare implemented by Australian exporters in export markets keep watching this space for more updates! Billings lost one of its oldest and most dedicated humanitarians on Saturday when Margaret Ping passed away at Billings Clinic. Ping would have celebrated her 104th birthday on May 11, but age never stopped her from doing what she could, when she could. She enjoyed serving others and stayed involved with the local organizations she nurtured throughout her life. Every week she volunteered at the Big Horn County Historical Museum on Wednesday and Habitat for Humanity on Thursday. It was the culmination of a life dedicated to service. Ping was born in Liberal, Mo., in 1912. Her family moved to Hardin when she was 4 years old and opened a general store. She graduated from Hardin High School in 1929. She obtained a bachelors degree from Oberlin College and a masters from Teachers College at Columbia University at the height of the Great Depression. After three formative years in New York City doing community outreach in low-income neighborhoods, Ping worked for the YWCA for 39 years in cities across the United States and abroad. She spent 10 years in Mexico City and established the YWCA in Peru before retiring and returning to Montana. Ping donated the land the Big Horn County Historical Museum was built on in 1977, helped establish Global Village a decade later and brought Habitat for Humanity to Billings. Along the way she touched lives and encouraged education. Billings woman celebrates 100th birthday and 80 years of service On an August day in 1933 at the peak of the Great Depression, 21-year-old Margaret Ping said (Margaret had) an ability to see a need in somebody and try to help them fulfill that, whatever it is, said longtime friend Lyn Hamilton. All the organizations she was a part of or started in this area is all because she wanted to make this a better world. Hamilton met Ping though the Boston YWCA more than 60 years before her death and they became best friends. After Ping moved back to Montana, Hamilton was taking night classes at Boston University and struggling to make progress towards a degree. After some encouragement from Ping, Hamilton joined her in Billings to attend Rocky Mountain College. She earned a bachelors degree in sociology in 1963. I was one of many recipients of her generosity, in that I had free room and board while I was in school, Hamilton said. Ping was a devoted member of the Mayflower Congregational United Church of Christ. The Rev. Steve Gordon said she helped many students get a college education. She gave so much more than financial resources, she gave so much of herself, Gordon said. He said her mind stayed sharp until the end. She attended church every Sunday, and stayed active in community action programs. She quit driving in her 90s but organized a dozen rides a week to maintain her presence at service organizations and church activities. Ping never slowed down. Gordon said she wanted to do more so she took up oil painting at 102 and gave her artwork to friends and other church members. Ping continued to volunteer even after her health deteriorated following a fall around Thanksgiving. Her last trip to the Big Horn County Historical Museum was on Feb. 3, said Diana Scheidt, the museums director. She liked things that were challenging to her, Scheidt said. She loved writing text for exhibits, interpretations. She loved the research and was such an asset because she knew so many people. Ping touched so many lives in the community her memorial service is expected to be too large for Mayflowers sanctuary. The service will be held at First Congregational Church at 2 p.m. Saturday. Montana State Prison inmate Dewey Eugene Coleman died on Sunday at the Lewistown Infirmary of natural causes, according to a news release from the Montana Department of Corrections. He was 67. Coleman was on death row for almost 15 years before his sentence was commuted to life in prison. Im not sending flowers, said Eleanor Harstad Neurohr on Monday. Neurohr is the mother of Peggy Lee Harstad, the woman Coleman was convicted of killing in 1974. On July 4, 1974, Harstad, 21, was returning home to Rosebud from a Fourth of July rodeo in Harlowton. She was spending the summer at her familys farm before beginning her teaching career in Plains. On the drive, her path crossed Dewey Eugene Coleman and Robert Dennis Nank. The two had been riding a motorcycle through Montana after leaving a veterans' hospital in Wyoming, where they had been treated for medical issues related to mental health. Their motorcycle had broken down and were stopping vehicles asking for assistance. When Harstad came upon the two men, they took control of her vehicle, a light-green car with a white-and-green checkerboard top. A friend had brought the car back from California for Harstad, Neurohr said. The men drove Harstad to a secluded area where they bound and sexually assaulted her; Nank later stated he was impotent at the time and did not succeed in assaulting Harstad. They drove with Harstad a little longer before they allowed her to get dressed again and then killed her by holding her down in the Yellowstone River until she drowned. The next day, Neurohr drove to the Harstad family ranch outside Forsyth into town to grab coffee with friends and run errands. As she headed into town, she saw the unmistakable checkered top of her daughters car. She thought it was unusual to see a car so similar to her daughters, but believed it was a road workers. She was at a cafe when a call came in to the business; John Harstad, Peggy Harstads father, was on the line. He asked me if I knew where Peggy was, and I said, 'Yes, I think shes at a girlfriends house or maybe with Lynda, her sister,'" Neurohr said in an interview with the Gazette on Monday. And John said, Well, a car with her license plate was found parked along Frontage Road.'" Neurohr and her husband saw their daughter everywhere after that. The whole town rallied to help them find her. They even called in a Native American clairvoyant from Hardin who stayed at the Harstad ranch. Neurohr still credits the woman with pointing the family to the area on the Yellowstone River where Harstads body was found. Peggy was right across from where she said she would be, Neurohr said. Two fisherman found her, and I remember, it had rained a lot that year, so the river was very high, and Coleman and Nank hadnt put Peggy in the main stream, so, when the water receded, the two fisherman saw her body. Her body was discovered in late August 1974 on the north bank of the Yellowstone River near Forsyth. They wouldnt let me see her, Neurohr said. I wanted so badly to see her. The night before Peggy Harstad's death, she kissed both her parents and thanked them for all theyd done for her. She was kind, a loving, good-natured person, Neurohr said. When Harstad would come home from college, her sister Lynda Ottun would walk over from where she and her husband lived, and the three women would visit in the kitchen together. The girls would sit together on the counters laughing and chatting while Neurohr prepared dinner or lunch, Neurohr said. I miss that, Neurohr said. After Peggy Harstads death, Neurohr said she could never again get close to her older daughter. Sometimes I wish Id asked her, talked to her about it, Neurohr said. But we were all hurting, hurting so deeply. Nank and Coleman were arrested in October 1974 in Boise. Nank entered a plea agreement to avoid the death penalty, in exchange for testifying against Coleman. Nank confessed that he and Coleman had raped, beaten and drowned Harstad, while Coleman denied that he was involved. Both were charged with deliberate homicide, aggravated kidnapping and rape, according to Gazette archives. Nank died in 1999 according to Montana State Death Records. Coleman was convicted and sentenced to 100 years for the homicide and 40 years for the rape charge. He received the death sentence for his conviction of aggravated kidnapping, a mandatory sentence at the time. That law was repealed in 1977. Coleman appealed his sentence, and the Montana Supreme Court determined the mandatory death sentence to be unconstitutional. Coleman was again sentenced to death in 1978 under a new statute. Just days before the hanging was to take place, Coleman was granted a stay of execution. Coleman later argued that his death sentence was handed down because he was black, and that Nank was given preferential treatment because he was white. The two men are interchangeable to Neurohr, who said the death penalty wasnt good enough for either. My daughter suffered at their hands, Neurohr said. They should suffer. That was my hate talking at the time, but I still feel what they got was far too plush. Both men pointed the finger at the other after the death of her daughter, but both could have stopped it, she said. Killing my daughter, through that, I lost my husband, Neurohr said. John Harstad died from a heart attack in 1989, a month after an interview with the Gazette about his daughter's death, in which he remarked on the overwhelming support from the community. "It was just all too late," he had said of their efforts. The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in favor of Coleman in 1988, commuting his death sentence to life imprisonment. Neurohr is the last surviving member of Peggy Harstads direct family. Her sister, Lynda Ottun, died from cancer in 2005. Her adoptive brother, Rowland Limberhand Harstad, died in 2009 from a heart attack. The youngest brother, Monte Harstad, died in 2013, also following a battle with cancer. Monte always thought he should have been with her, Neurohr said. Even though he was just a little tyke, he thought, maybe if hed been with her, she would have come home. In May 1974, a few months before Harstad was killed, she told her mother where she wanted to be buried when she died. She pointed to a big hill where she used to ride her horse, Neurohr said. From the top, she could see the familys entire ranch. I remember I told her, Peggy, were not going to talk about it, were not going to think about it, Neurohr said. "'Parents dont bury their children.'" Coleman would have been eligible for parole this year. A previous hearing with the Montana Board of Pardons and Parole in 2011 did not go in his favor. Im happy about it, Neurohr said of Coleman's death. But theres closure, it gives you a feeling, I cant really explain the feeling, it has all come to the end. Bank to support refugee-hosting communities Sir Suma Chakrabarti, President of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), has visited Gaziantep in the south-east of Turkey, one of the regions most affected by the refugee crisis, to assess on the ground how the Bank can respond to the needs of refugee-hosting communities. The visit was part of President Chakrabartis three-day stay in Turkey, the Banks top investment destination, from 16 to 18 February. The trip also includes meetings with the government in Ankara and Sir Sumas participation at the FT-EBRD Central Asia Investment Forum in Istanbul alongside Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Mehmet Simsek. In Gaziantep, where the EBRD has had an office since 2014, the President met mayor Fatma Sahin to discuss the challenges posed to local labour markets, social cohesion and public services by the continuous inflow of refugees. Currently, refugees account for about 17 per cent of the 1.5 million-strong population of the city. Sir Suma also met with the President of Gazianteps Chamber of Commerce, Eyup Bartk, to discuss the role of the private sector in delivering investments that secure lasting and sustainable results for both refugees and their hosts. Later, he discussed the role that private sector schools could play in helping to educate and integrate children from Syria, in a meeting with Gokhan Gundogdu, the owner and CEO of the privately run Gundogdu Colleges based in Adana, another major city in south-eastern Turkey. In addition, President Chakrabarti visited a municipal vocational training centre in Gaziantep and a similar educational facility within the Islahiye refugee camp, some 90 km west of Gaziantep, where he discussed the prospects for refugees to participate in the labour force. Sir Suma welcomed the Turkish authorities decision to issue work permits to refugees, helping to fend off the expansion of a damaging shadow economy. He said: It is crucial to create economic opportunities for refugees and the host population and to make the host economies more robust and resilient in the longer term. Working closely with the authorities, the private sector and donors, the EBRD will apply its tried and tested financial instruments to further strengthen the Turkish economy and help it cope with current challenges. On 3 February the EBRD announced a plan in response to the refugee crisis to finance up to 500 million of new transactions in refugee-hosting countries, subject to mobilising an additional 400 million in grants from donors. In Turkey, the Bank is developing a pipeline of projects including financing for small and medium-sized enterprises and investments in municipal services. It is also supporting policies to help promote an environment where refugees can make an active and positive contribution to local economies. The EBRD is an important investor in Turkey, with 1.9 billion invested in 2015 alone. The Bank operates from offices in Istanbul, Ankara and Gaziantep and to date has invested over 7 billion through 180 projects in infrastructure, energy, agribusiness, industry and finance. It has also mobilised about 16 billion for these ventures from other sources of financing. GOPocrisy in full display SEE UPDATES BELOW In 2013, Michigan Republicans have already sent 107 bills to Governor Rick Snyder, all but one of which he signed into law. Of those 106 new laws (pdf), all but 6 5.7% were passed with Immediate Effect meaning that they went into effect immediately rather than the statutorily-mandated 90 days after the end of the current legislative sesssion. Heres how it looks graphically: You may recall these images of Michigan Democrats trying to stop bills from being passed with Immediate Effect: In countless cases, bills that were passed without the requisite 2/3 majority were still declared by Republican leadership, without a voice vote, to have been passed with Immediate Effect. But not legislation that would help nearly a half million Michiganders obtain affordable health care, save thousands of lives, and help combat the rise in health care costs. This, for them, was a bridge too far. If you wonder why progressives are so outraged by the lack of immediate effect for Medicaid Expansion, this is it. The utter hypocrisy of it is galling and offensive. The Senate and House may both be voting on Medicaid Expansion today. Visit Amys excellent ACTION post about how you can help encourage recalcitrant Republicans to do the right thing, pass Medicaid Expansion with Immediate Effect, and prevent so many working poor families in Michigan from having to wait needlessly until next April before they can begin receiving this life-saving assistance. Dont forget, our state will save money in the bargain. You can also sign a petition put out by Democratic candidate for governor Mark Schauer, demanding the Republicans pass the law with Immediate Effect: Last week, after almost a year of obstruction, the state Senate voted to provide over 400,000 of Michigans seniors, children, and working families health care with Democrats providing a majority of votes. If the Legislature doesnt finish the job including granting Immediate Effect to the bill Michigan will lose over $600 million in Medicaid funding. This is too crucial for the extremists in the Legislature to play partisan games. They need to act now, before its too late. Click here to sign the petition telling Lansing Republicans to finish the job by voting to give Medicaid expansion Immediate Effect. The Tea Party has obstructed this bill for too long. Health care for over 400,000 Michigan kids, seniors, and working families is on the line. We cant afford more excuses from Lansing Republicans. We need Governor Snyders allies in the State Legislature to act now. Demand action: click here to add your name. Sincerely, Mark Sign Marks petition HERE. UPDATE: Two things. First, I have been asked about the statement that we will lose over 600 million dollars due to the lack of Immediate Effect. This is due to the fact that, according to Jim Haveman, the Director of the state Department of Health and Human Services, without immediate effect, we will lose $7 million a day in Affordable Care ACt funds after January 1st, 2014 until Medicaid Expansion is in place. Medicaid Expansion as passed by the Senate wont kick in until April so were looking at roughly 90 days x $7 million = $630 million in lost revenues for the state of Michigan. Second, our glorious small government Repblicans passed a grand total of 625 bills that were signed into law by Governor Snyder in 2012. Of these, only 14.1% were passed without Immediate Effect. Given that an astonishing 281 of these bills were passed during the Lame Duck session after the November election, the wait time for those that werent passed with Immediate Effect was much shorter than those Michiganders who live without health care coverage that they could obtain from this legislation. Keep in mind, most of these people HAVE a job. It just doesnt offer health care insurance and doesnt pay enough for them to afford it and still be able to pay the rent, put food on the table, and keep the water and electricity on their homes. 625 bills, 281 in the last few weeks of the session. Its a truly astonishing record, particularly for the tea party extremists who now control our state legislature and claim that they are there to end the reign of Big Government. As if. UPDATE 2: The Senate did NOT take up reconsideration of Immediate Effect today as many thought they would Senate Minority Leader Tupac Hunter, D-Detroit, began Tuesdays Senate session with a motion to reconsider last weeks vote on immediate effect, which saw 14 Republicans break caucus protocol to deny a needed 2/3 majority. But Lt. Gov. Brian Calley, who presides over the upper chamber, informed members that the bill had already left the Senate and was on its way to the House. If approved there later Tuesday, the Senate vote to deny immediate effect will stand. The tea party in Michigan is the tail that is successfully wagging the dog, Senate Minority Leader Gretchen Whitmer, D-East Lansing, said in a floor speech. To the average citizen, it simply makes the majority look petulant and petty. To the average citizen, theyre scratching their heads saying, What on earth is going on? in this chamber. Winning Most Offensive Quote of the Day is Senate Majority Leader Randy Richardville: Were done, he said of the Medicaid bill. Were moving on to different issues now Its kind of like we had this really big dinner. We got the dinner done and now some people are asking for dessert. Were going to skip dessert on this one and move forward. Right, Randy. Life-saving health care coverage is just like dessert. Tell that to 470,000 Michiganders who now have to wait while you and your Republican pals play politics in a desire to do whatever it takes to harm President Obamas signature achievement. Shameful. UPDATE 3: The House has now approved the Senate version of the Medicaid Expansion bill (without Immediate Effect) and it now goes to Governor Snyder for his signature. [Photos courtesy of state House Representative Jeff Irwin (D-Ann Arbor)] The following guest post was written by Joe DiSano, the principal of DiSano Strategies, a Lansing-based political consulting, lobbying, and public relations firm. DiSano can be reached at [email protected] and you can follow him on Twitter @joedisano. Enjoy. Im on record that Im not Rick Snyders biggest fan. Im a Democratic consultant. Hes the Republican governor. You know the drill. But if the governor were my client, Id tell him that he needs a new PR strategy pronto. He has badly fumbled the Flint water crisis. Snyder has blamed state bureaucrats and the feds, when his entire brand is that hes a tough nerd who gets results. His PR team should have told him to take full responsibility no ifs, ands or buts. People would have respected that approach, even if theyre still rightfully angry. Snyder and his media team have also repeatedly lashed out at Democrats and activists. As a PR professional, I would have put the kibosh on that. Look, when theres a huge crisis, your enemies are going to score points off you. Thats politics. You cant take the eye off the ball and keep responding to them. Otherwise, you look like you care more about your political future than the people of Flint. Im a dad and so is Snyder. Im sure he genuinely cares about kids suffering from lead poisoning. He did get pretty emotional at his State of the State address. But hes repeatedly talked about how criticism hurts his feelings and played the victim, like telling WILX-TV that People want to have me shot. His PR team should have stopped that weeks ago. So Snyder needs to clean house. Everyone in his state media office needs to go. This isnt personal. Its a necessary decision that Snyder has to make to right the ship and regain trust. It will send a powerful signal to the public and exhausted reporters who have been covering the Flint crisis that the governor is taking a new and more open approach. Snyder has also hired two outside PR firms, Mercury Public Affairs and Bill Nowling of Finn Partners. These contracts need to end immediately. They havent gotten results. The governors interview on CNN last week was a disaster. He looked like a deer caught in the headlights. Its a bad look that Snyder is devoting so much time and so many resources to remaking his image. No one sees these hires as being about helping Flint. And it doesnt help him that the firms are being paid from private funds. That just feeds criticism about his lack of transparency, something thats dogged him for his entire time as governor. Nobody, except Donald Trump, likes firing people. Im sure this would be a wrenching decision for the governor. But he needs a PR team that can help him respond with empathy and openness. He needs professionals who can steer him back to his no credit, no blame motto and focus on results. Nows the time for Snyder to be bold and decisive. The people of Flint and Michigan are waiting. UPDATE: After reading the Columbia Journalism Reviews story on how Gov. Rick Snyders communications office blackballed Michigan Radio for its reporting of the Flint water crisis, I think that perfectly underscores my columns point. [Caricature by DonkeyHotey from photos by Anne C. Savage for Eclectablog] Laws usually are established after interpersonal or business activities collide with the real or perceived rights of others. After parties with different positions fight about whos right and whos wrong, legislatures create laws to solve the legal issues raised, and courts enforce them or create their own (Miranda rules, for example). Many of the laws from the past, however, do not make sense when applied to e-commerce. From time to time, I write columns about various laws that dont make as much sense as they did way back when. This column addresses antitrust laws that make sense when selling traditional goods, but fall short in the e-commerce environment. First, a little history about antitrust laws. Back in the 1800s, the U.S. and state governments created antitrust laws because of the total control companies exerted over certain industries, such asrailroads, oil, steel and sugar. Under federal and state antitrust laws, the government or competitors can sue to stop anticompetitive behavior. U.S. and state antitrust laws were used to break up AT&T in 1982 when it was in the landline business, but Ma Bell got back together as it morphed with the advent of the Internet and use of cellphones. Today, we see antitrust laws being applied to brick-and-mortar businesses such as the proposed merger of Staples and Office Depot. U.S. vs. Microsoft Antitrust Applied to Software In 2000, there was a long trial against Microsoft for antitrust violations related to its software marketing activities. The U.S. and a number of states wanted to break Microsoft into five companies for its control of a part of the software market. The governments brought the case because, among other things, Internet Explorer was alleged to control the browser market since it was packaged as part of the Windows operating system. That made entry and maintaining market share complicated for competitors, even though any Windows user could load competing browsers. AOL was a major proponent of that claim. During the trial, AOL purchased Netscape (a major browser at the time) for about US$5 billion. Interestingly, for many years AOL was a dominant Internet business and even purchased Time Warner. Natural market forces have since greatly diminished AOLs market power. The court found that Microsoft unlawfully tied its Web browser to the Windows operating system, but the Department of Justice settled during the following appeal, so Microsoft was able to continue incorporating its browser into Windows. Another aspect of the case was that Microsoft limited its APIs, or application programming interfaces, to favored partners. The effect was that selected competitors were not able to provide software that worked with Microsofts operating system, because without the APIs, companies could not create software that would operate with Windows. Ultimately, the judge hearing the trial ruled that Microsoft did violate antitrust laws. He restricted certain market activities and required that Microsoft make its APIs freely available so that any company could write software that would work using Windows. While the judge did not break the company into five businesses as the government had advocated, to avoid future claims that it would violate any antitrust laws, he also ordered Microsoft to report to the U.S. government regularly before releasing products for years following the trial. EU vs. Microsoft Antitrust laws are not limited to the U.S. The EU sued Microsoft for anticompetitive actions, alleging that it forced every Windows customer to use only Internet Explorer. The browser competitors complained to the EU antitrust authorities. The result was that Microsoft agreed to create an option when implementing a new version of Windows that randomly offered a number of competing browsers for customers to select. That appeased the EU. Googles Monopoly in the Cloud? The issue with Microsofts browser was that it was packaged and included with the Windows operating system, which competing browsers claimed was anticompetitive. However, was that concern justified, since any Windows customer could load a competing browser? Did the antitrust cases actually give Google Chrome and other browsers the opportunity to compete and overtake their competitors, which eventually caused the demise of Internet Explorer? Google controls an estimated 90 percent of the search engine business in the EU and about 67 percent in the U.S. Is that anticompetitive? Many competitors have complained that Google must be using anticompetitive methods or it would not have that kind of market share. However, free search services offered by Google are well free, and no one is holding a gun to the head of the consumers requiring them to select Google certainly not Google! So how do antitrust laws apply to Google as a search engine leader? Good question. I suggest that antitrust laws do not apply. However, until the pending claims in the EU against Googles search engine are resolved, it is too soon to know. Some search engine competitors in the U.S. and elsewhere suggest that Google manipulates search results for pay, and as a result, the results are not natural. There is no proof of that, and since all search engine algorithms are the secret sauce of the search engines, no one really knows how the results are cooked and presented to consumers. That information likely would remain secret even in litigation since it is Googles trade secret. Nonetheless, even allegations of this sort do not sound like antitrust, since consumers are free to select any search engine. The Frightful 5 In January, The New York Times identified Amazon, Apple, Facebook, Google and Microsoft as the undisputed rulers of the consumer technology industry in anarticle titled Techs Frightful 5 Will Dominate Digital Life for Foreseeable Future. The article included these observations:This gets to the core of the Frightful Fives indomitability. They have each built several enormous technologies that are central to just about everything we do with computers. In tech jargon, they own many of the worlds most valuable platforms the basic building blocks on which every other business, even would-be competitors, depend.These platforms are inescapable; you may opt out of one or two of them, but together, they form a gilded mesh blanketing the entire economy.Probably no would question the market power of the Frightful 5, but what about any anticompetitive behavior? Do Antitrust Laws Apply? Microsoft and Google, two of the five, offer myriad services, including cloud and operating systems. They have competitors in each space and do not control the markets, so it is hard to see whether antitrust laws would apply. What about Amazon, Apple and Facebook? Do you think they are violating any antitrust laws? Lets look at each. Amazon sells products galore, as do hundreds of thousands, maybe even millions, of other e-commerce enterprises. Amazon also boasts the largest cloud business in the world, but there are a number of other major cloud vendors, including IBM (SoftLayer), Rackspace and Google. Apple has a significant market share for the cell and tablet markets, but it also has significant competition from Googles Android-based products. From a computer manufacturer and operating system perspective, Apple has major competitors, including all the Microsoft/Intel-based companies such as Lenovo, HP and Dell. Of course, Facebooks dominance in the social media world is unquestioned, but why and how consumers select Facebook does not fit squarely into antitrust law violations, and there are serious competitors in the social media market. Antitrust actions may be threatened, so we can watch to see how this play out, and time will tell how the courts rule. The Future Antitrust laws will be in place to protect consumers in various industries, and maybe the Frightful 5 will be targets. However, the future of anticompetitive behavior in the e-commerce space is merely speculation. For all we know, some or all of the Frightful 5 may not even exist in 10 years. Remember the past market power of AOL, MySpace and BlackBerry, which have seriously diminished. Microsoft is abandoning the name Internet Explorer and has created a new product. Perhaps the Frightful 5 may not be so frightful in a few years. Any effort to ban encryption or provide government agencies with backdoor access would be unenforceable and prone to failure, according to a Harvard University report released last week. Bruce Schneier, a fellow at HarvardsBerkman Center for Internet and Security, and collaborator Kathleen Seidel, together with Harvard student Saranya Vijayakuma, identified and surveyed 865 encryption products from 55 countries; 546 of those products were developed outside the United States. U.S. mandates forcing backdoors for law enforcement access would be futile, Schneier said in the report. Avoiding U.S. surveillance is easy to do with hundreds of competing products available. A wide range of high-caliber foreign products offer secure applications for encrypting voice, text messages, files, network traffic and anonymous currency. The products provide the same levels of security as U.S. products do today, he said. To this international market, a domestic regulation will have minimal effect. This is something that is obvious to those of us in the industry but not so obvious to the policymakers. I hope the information contributes to the general debate, Schneier told the E-Commerce Times. Counterproductive Policies The report counters a move by some U.S. lawmakers and government officials abroad to outlaw encrypted communication or include prefitted backdoors to provide access for government and law enforcement officials. A U.S.-only ban on encrypted devices would never work, Schneier concluded. It would be the same as putting a ban on Americans gambling. It would be unenforceable. There is no possible way to make it work, he said. In order to enforce a ban against encryption in the U.S. (or any other jurisdiction), law enforcement officials would have to watch every bit coming into the country. Officials would have to inspect every device entering the country and ensure that people from other countries surrender all their devices at the border. It would require a full body cavity search, because who knows where you could hide devices, Schneier said. More Emphatic Results The Berkman Center survey was modeled on a similar study George Washington University researchers conducted in 1999. That survey found 805 encryption products from outside the U.S. Few of the products from the George Washington University report show up in the Berkman Center study. That indicates huge changes in the encryption market over the last 17 years. The new survey identified 587 entities that sell or give away encryption products. Of those, two-thirds are outside the U.S. Countries outside the U.S. producing the most encryption products are Germany (112 products), followed by the United Kingdom, Canada, France and Sweden, according to the study. Those five countries account for two-thirds of the total number of encryption products available. Many smaller countries including Algeria, Argentina, Belize, the British Virgin Islands, Chile, Cyprus, Estonia, Iraq, Malaysia, St. Kitts and Nevis, Tanzania, and Thailand produce at least one encryption product. Of the 546 foreign encryption products, 56 percent are available for purchase and 44 percent free. Among those products, 66 percent are proprietary while 34 percent are open source. Some for-sale products also have free versions with some of the same features included. Products made outside the U.S. include 47 for file encryption, 68 for email encryption, 104 for message encryption, 35 for voice encryption and 61 for virtual private networking. Results Defy Intent Laws requiring encryption backdoors will snare innocent users, the survey analysis concludes. The intended targets, such as terrorists and organized crime members, will be unaffected. Encryption bans will have little benefit for homeland security or crime-fighting efforts. The international marketplace will prevent a successful deployment of encryption bans. Many people in the information security community have been saying this for quite some time, said Nathan Wenzler, executive director of security atThycotic. Still, legislators continue to insist that companies create backdoors. The report wont change how government agencies address the encryption issue, but it will definitely add to the growing sentiment around [about] just how bad of an idea these encryption backdoors would be, he told the E-Commerce Times. I cant imagine that a universal encryption protocol will ever come about. Requiring backdoors and mandating antiencryption rules is doomed to failure because it will be impossible to get every company and every individual user to comply, Wenzler said. Flawed Plan Government policymakers remain unclear on the technical issues involved. They continue to assume that if they have a backdoor into a single system or application, they will have the access they require, said Mark Parker, senior product manager atiSheriff. Having a backdoor doesnt help get into a message or file delivery service if the messages or files are encrypted using any of the myriad available tools, he told the E-Commerce Times. In addition, universal encryption is extremely difficult to obtain because of inherent distrust. Many organizations and governments would not trust universal encryption since, once broken, it would leave them vulnerable, Parker said. Mission: Impossible Federal agencies insisting on mandating backdoors or banning encryption are clueless, said Rod Schultz, vice president of products atRubicon Labs. The digital revolution the Internet created makes physical borders obsolete. It also makes it easier to generate, send and store information. The fact that the U.S. is even considering mandating backdoors into technology that either is created or resides within its borders means that our government has failed to grasp the paradigm shift created by the Internet, he told the E-Commerce Times. Mandated backdoors or weakened encryption will create a black market for digital goods that do not have those weaknesses, Schultz warned. Deal flow and value creation will shift away from U.S.-based companies. Foreign governments all over the world will thank Washington, D.C., he said. 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Marilyn Morrison said two of her daughters, Naomi and Claira, were playing on the hillside behind their Pullman Street apartment on the Northside on Friday when they found the rusty trap on the ground. I thought it was just junk, but when I ripped it out all of this was here, Morrison said, gesturing to cables and a plastic stake that had anchored the trap to the ground. Aside from the trap itself which had already been sprung the parts appeared to be brand-new, Morrison said, and were either obscured or buried. Morrison went to the Missoula Police Department on Monday to ask what she should do with the trap and was referred to Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks. Because of the Presidents Day holiday, FWPs offices were closed Monday, and officials with the agency could not be reached for comment. Lora OConner, executive director of the Humane Society of Western Montana, said Morrison contacted the organization over the weekend asking to share information about the trap on its Facebook page. She said she removed the trap because she felt it was a danger to animals and children in the area, OConner said. OConner said she recalls previous incidents of pets being caught and hurt in traps placed within city limits, and wants residents to be aware that its possible others are out there. The jaws of the trap were more than big enough for a childs hand or foot to get caught in, Morrison said. For now, shes told her children who regularly play on the hillside to stay out of the area. Im just hoping theres not more up here that arent sprung, she said. Theres a lot of kids up there during the summer especially, and a lot of people walk their dogs and bike up there. The trap did not have a metal identification tag with the name of the owner, a violation of Montana law for anyone other than a landowner trapping on their own property. Morrison said she is unsure of who owns land, which sits between her apartment building and Interstate 90, and shes hoping to hear more from FWP officials Tuesday. I just dont know what kind of animal would you even be trying to trap over here? It just seemed dangerous, Morrison said. FARGO -- The Fargo Police Department and the family of Officer Jason Moszer, who was killed in an eight-hour standoff that started Wednesday night, have set a date for his funeral. The funeral will be held at 1 p.m., Feb. 22, at Scheels Arena in Fargo. Moszer, 33, a six-year veteran of the Fargo Police Department, was killed in a shootout after officers responded to a domestic disturbance reported at 308 9th Ave. N. A resident of the home, Marcus Schumacher, 49, shot at police, and one bullet hit Moszer, police said. The standoff ended early Thursday with Schumacher's death. It hasn't been revealed if police fatally shot him or he killed himself. Moszer died Thursday afternoon at Sanford Medical Center, a short distance from where he was shot. He is survived by his wife, Rachel, stepson, Dillan, and stepdaughter, Jolee. Late Friday morning, the Fargo Police Department and City of Fargo set up the Moszer Family Benefit Fund to raise money for the family. The goal is to raise $100,000. The fund will be open for at least 90 days, but is expected to be open longer than that. As of Saturday evening the online portion of the fund set up through Dakota Medical Foundation, impactgiveback.org, had raised more than $38,000, said Fargo Police Lt. Joel Vettel. Vettel didn't know how much in physical donations had been made at Bell State Bank, which is handling the fund. Vettel said after the accounts were opened, they were receiving up to four donations per minute for a period of time. "There has been a tremendous amount of support people have been trying to provide and it has been wonderful," Vettel said. "It reflects how great our community is, and people are willing to step up. People see this not as an attack just on a police officer but as an attack on our community and people are taking it personally." Those who wish to donate may do so by going to impactgiveback.org or by dropping off a donation at any Bell State Bank and Trust location. Donations go straight to the benefit fund and are not tax deductible. A second fund, set up by family friend Aaron Joneson, will be combined with the Bell State Bank account, Vettel says. Joneson set up an online funding campaign with the goal of raising $5,000 and has already raised more than $34,000. On Saturday, Moszer's body was moved from Sanford Medical Center to the Fargo Cass Public Health building. Today, the body will go to Grand Forks for an autopsy, a standard procedure for any death involving law enforcement, Vettel said. A police officer will remain beside Moszer's body at all times until he is buried. On Friday, Vettel said up to 2,500 law enforcement officers from around the country could attend the funeral. Scheels Arena has a seating capacity between 5,000 and 6,000. Vettel said more details about the funeral would be known by Monday or Tuesday. Consolidating rural school districts with sparse enrollment is a complicatedand contentiousprocess that can unfold over several years. Case in point: Vermont, where the issue has been roiling the local and legislative landscape for a year now. Amid rising education costs for a rapidly dwindling student population, that states legislature last year passed a law aiming to reward residents of districts willing to consolidate with a series of tax breaksand to significantly increase the local homestead-tax rate on those districts that stay independent and spend beyond a series of caps set by the state. The statewhich spends an average of $18,000 per student, the highest rate in the nationhas more than 280 districts, serving just 80,000 students. At least 79 of those districts have fewer than 100 students, and one district has just 19. By 2018, the state legislature hopes the consolidation law will cut the number of districts in half, allowing schools to better share academic and administrative resources. Residents in 10 areas throughout the state will vote March 1 on whether to consolidate their surrounding districts at the school boards request. Related Video In this report for PBS NewsHour, John Tulenko of Education Week profiles a northern region of Vermont where residents are sharply divided on whether to combine its five school districts: We needed to change as a matter of survival, said Jeffrey Francis, the executive director of the Vermont Superintendents Association, which supports the new law. But many Vermont residents who will have to vote on consolidation efforts think the measure will erode the democratic process and lead to the closing of small schools around the mostly rural state. Kids here are able to find a niche, and they arent shuffled along in large groups, said Martha Allen, the president of the Vermont Education Association, the state teachers union, which is opposed to the law. Its that kind of a thing that I dont want to lose in our state. The conversation about students and their offerings gets lost when it turns into a spreadsheet with dollars and cents. Shifting Population Flocking Together Several states are weighing the consolidation of small, rural districts as a way to boost efficiency and escape skyrocketing administrative costs. Among them: ALASKA: Protests by parents, teachers, and students erupted after the head of the House budget committee last fall suggested the closure of schools with fewer than 25 students in the mostly rural state as a way to save state money in the face of a deficit. KANSAS: After fierce debate, the House education committee killed a bill last week that would have turned all of the states districts into countywide districts, reducing the number of districts from 286 statewide to 132. The proposal resulted in large protests from several advocacy organizations, superintendents, and parents throughout the state. OKLAHOMA: A state senator has proposed eliminating all of the states K-8 districts and consolidating them with larger neighboring districts. A separate bill proposes to allow districts to annex neighboring districts with fewer than 300 students. VERMONT: The states legislature last year passed Act 46, which gives tax breaks to districts willing to consolidate with neighboring districts. The state has 278 districts with just 80,000 students. Districts that refuse to consolidateall but 12 of Vermonts 278 districts so far would face spending caps. Source: Education Week Legislatures across the country consolidated thousands of school districts over the past century, in tandem with a shift in the population out of rural areas and into cities. In 1930, the country had 130,000 districts averaging 170 students each, said John Yinger, a researcher at Syracuse University who has studied the impact of consolidations in New York state. Today, there are just 13,000 districts, and the typical size is more like 5,000 students, the researcher said. Interest in consolidating districts also has emerged in states such as Alaska, Kansas, and Oklahoma this year. Consolidation efforts can be complicated by factors including determining new pay scales for teachers in combined districts, preventing tax rates from surging in poor districts that merge with wealthier districts, and figuring out how to redesign school zones, said Yinger. He said states can sometimes save money on consolidations, but only if districts are very small. The cost to provide education varies enormously across districts, Yinger said, pointing out that states most times keep class sizes small and pay teachers higher wages when merging districts. Historically, in addition to potential savings, those who favored consolidation also touted the potential for more-efficient management, expanded extracurricular offerings, and less bureaucracy. Balancing all those factors can cause political heartburn and pushback from rural communities concerned both about financial factors and the impact consolidation can have on a communitys identity. Its fair to say that nowhere has that fight been more heated in recent months than in Vermont. Its school system is a patchwork of governance structures, with many school boards determining policy for just one or two schools. Board meetings can get into the minute details of whether a group of students needs a new curricula or if a particular school bus is outdated. And its not uncommon to see more than a quarter of a towns population show up to vote on its school districts budget. Theres a lot of trust, neighborliness, reciprocity, and a sense of community here, said Susan Clark, a local official in Middlesex, Vt., who has also written extensively about the states governance structures. Theres a sense that the government is a we, not a they. If were having a problem with a budget, we need to roll up our sleeves and find out where to make cuts. Strong Bonds In the classroom, teachers build strong bonds with students and are quick to realize students shortcomings, said Allen of the teachers union. She attributes the states high scores on national tests to small classrooms and the nimble structure of the states governance. The states average class size ratio is 10 students for every teacher, according to the state education department. Weve created these really close-knit communities where everybody wants the kids to succeed, Allen said. All of this takes human capital to make it work the way it should work. But the states K-12 enrollment has been dropping in recent years, from 100,000 in 2000 to just 80,000 students today. Because the districts are so small and the states funding formula is based on enrollment, board members in tiny districts across the state found themselves laying off staff members if they lost just a dozen students, or forgoing building upgrades and cutting extracurricular activities. After several years of debating the impact of the states many small and under-resourced districts, legislators last April passed Act 46 as a way to both encourageand prodvoters to merge their local districts with neighboring ones. While some communities previously had discussed the possibility of merging to cut down on layoffs, board members had a hard time getting local residents to buy into it. The new law provides for a series of tax cuts over several years for districts that meet certain criteria and choose to merge. For those that dont, districts have to abide by funding thresholds that increase local homestead-tax rates if they exceed those spending caps. The states education department last year provided grants to at least 27 groupings of districts (known as supervisory unions) to help them study the feasibility of merging with surrounding districts. Any merger must be placed before voters. The voters have until the end of next school year to decide whether to merge. After that, the states department of education will step in and look at the feasibility of a merger, according to the law. The measure prohibits any school from being closed within the first four years of operation without voters approval. Districts that dont merge by the end of next year will have their budgets subjected to intense scrutiny by the legislature and state board of education. John Alberghini, the superintendent of the Mount Mansfield school district, which was created when seven districts merged, said when he previously oversaw eight separate districts, he found himself making tough decisions on how to avoid having local residents tax rates climb. Because of the finance system, the budgets became very volatile, he said. You lost one or two students, and the tax rate could go way up [unless the district cut] really important programs for students. Two years ago, all but one of the districts in his community voted to merge, allowing him to save more than $100,000 in a budget of more than $40 million. He also said the combined district has been able to save its unified arts program and its support for at-risk students. We had to ask ourselves if we are better off united or separate, he said. What can we do better for students, taxpayers, and the community? Pushing Back But the push to consolidate has not gone over so well with many other districts, in large part because of the spending thresholds. Some local educators are warning that the spending caps will force program cuts and layoffs. Its unnerving to think how debilitating these cuts will be, Brian Schaffer, the principal of Lamoille Union High School, in Hyde Park, Vt., wrote in a letter addressed to legislators. The spending cap will have a detrimental effect on the quality of education in our school. The state legislature decided in January to ease those restrictions for now but eliminate them by 2018. In the meantime, the legislature continues to debate how best to encourage consolidations in the coming year. Consolidation may be a very good idea in some districts, maybe in most districts, said Sen. Dick McCormack, a Democrat who voted against last years measure. I dont have a scientific basis for concluding that. Theres nothing stopping communities from consolidating anyway. They didnt need to be pressured. The idea that the top-down, heavy-hand approach of the state struck me as gratuitous. Creating a single-enrollment system for district and charter schools is touted by many K-12 policymakers and researchers as a way to streamline and make more equitable the school application process in cities fragmented by school choice. But getting buy-in from parents can be another storyone thats currently playing out on both sides of the country. Both Boston and Oakland, Calif., have proposed plans to combine all district and charter schools into a single application process, and in both cities, proponents are facing pushback from some parents. In Bostons case, the issue is getting lumped in with larger concerns over funding and an effort to increase the number of charters in Massachusetts. I think we have a very sound public policy that could die on politics, said Rachel Weinstein, the chief collaboration officer with the Boston Compact, a partnership among Bostons district, charter, and Roman Catholic schools. A common-enrollment system, also called single or universal enrollment, provides one application form for all or most public schools in a city. Families submit their top choices, and a computer uses an algorithm to match students to schools based on family preferences and available seats. So far, four citiesDenver, the District of Columbia, Newark, N.J., and New Orleansuse this approach. Denver and New Orleans were the first cities to jump on board in 2012, although for somewhat different reasons. Denver officials wanted to simplify the application process for parents as the number of school choices expanded. Education officials in New Orleans, a city made up almost entirely of charters, had additional motivation: to stop charters from turning away students with special needs. Mayoral Support The idea for a unified enrollment system in Boston has been marinating for a couple years among district and charter school leaders. Its also a priority of Mayor Martin Walsh, who announced the proposal in September after proponents determined there was support from both charter schools and the Boston district. Right now, I can get a [Boston school district] assignment, and I can also go to charter schools separately and be assigned to multiple schools ... there could be one family holding five seats, said Rahn Dorsey, the mayors chief of education. And those schools that were planning for you to come have already been spending money, theyve already held that seat for you and not another student who wanted to go there. But a much bigger battle over charters has been heating up in Massachusetts, complicating progress toward streamlining enrollment in Boston. A full-court press by charter advocates to raise the statewide cap on charters faces strident opposition from teachers unions. The statewide cap of 120 charter schools has not been reached, but some cities, like Boston, have already hit their regional limits. Charter advocates estimate there are 13,000 students on waitlists for charters in Boston alone. Furthermore, a looming deficit as high as $50 million in the Boston districts $1 billion annual budget is also complicating the situation. The combination of all of it at the same time is really a lot to take in, said Kenny Jervis, a father of two students who attend district-run schools in Boston. He said district school parents fear a single enrollment system will divert attention from other important issues, while charter parents worry it will restrict choice. Jervis has attended public meetings on the enrollment system and says that city and district leaders havent clearly articulated how unified enrollment will benefit families. They say, It will be good. You ask why, they say, Because. Its like talking to your 6-year-old. Resistance in Oakland A plan to create a common-enrollment system in Oakland is also running into resistance from a parent group whose members fear it will spark an exodus from district-run schools to charters. Although not unexpected, the pushback in both cities baffles and frustrates city and district leaders. Unified enrollment systems not only represent a hard-fought detente between two sectors often at odds, but theyre designed to simplify increasingly complex schooling landscapes for parents. Common-enrollment systems often include information meant to help parents compare schools and judge which ones are the best fits for their children. A single system is also intended to ease the burden for parents who would otherwise have to juggle multiple applications and deadlines. Unified enrollment also makes it difficult, if not impossible, for charter schools to cream high-performing students and turn away those with special needssomething critics have long accused charters of doing in order to inflate their test scores, according to the Center on Reinventing Public Education, a research and policy analysis group at the University of Washington. Thats what sold Shannah Veron, the executive director of Boston Collegiate Charter School, even if it means charter schools will have to draw from the districts narrower assignment zones. Its hurtful when we hear that we are creaming, that we dont want to serve all students, she said. There are some schools that are very eager to have more relationships with their surrounding communities. On the flip side, many parents are uncomfortable with a computer algorithm making the ultimate call on something as high stakes and personal as where to send their children to school, said Betheny Gross, a researcher at CRPE who has interviewed and surveyed hundreds of parents on this issue in other cities. Theyre no less arbitrary than bingo balls or lottery numbers being pulled, but somehow it feels different, she said. "... If it were my kid, I might feel kind of weird about it, too. And for the parents who have the time and resources to manage multiple applications and deadlines, a common-enrollment system strips them of their advantage of getting their top choices. Finally, for people opposed to, or even just wary of, the growth of charter schools, common-enrollment systems might represent a tacit acknowledgment from district and city leadership that charters are there to stay. Last weeks Kansas supreme court ruling that the states stopgap funding formula violates its constitution will leave the legislature scrambling to come up with a formula acceptable to the court by the end of the fiscal year in June or risk not having schools open for the 2016-17 academic year. The states high court said Feb. 11 that the formula is inequitable and unconstitutional, leaving districts that serve the states poorest students $54 million short annually. The court has yet to rule on another part of the long-running lawsuit, Gannon v. State of Kansas, dealing with adequacy of funding, which would require the legislature to increase its aid to education by $548 million. The state spends around $4 billion a year on education. Without a constitutionally equitable school finance system, the schools in Kansas will be unable to operate beyond June 30, the court said in its opinion, which upheld a lower courts ruling on the block-funding issue. The legislatures chosen path during the 2016 session will ultimately determine whether Kansas students will be treated fairly and the schoolhouse doors will be open to them in August. Aftershocks Expected Kansas has among the best schools in the nation, and an activist Kansas supreme court is threatening to shut them down, Republican Gov. Sam Brownback said in a statement. But school districts were pleased, hoping that the ruling would eventually lead to more money being poured into their coffers. It all comes back to the fact that districts have very differing abilities to raise revenue to fund schools because of differences in property valuation, and the court is simply saying, You cannot allow those differences to exist in a way that could affect the quality of education in these different districts, said Mark Tallman, the lobbyist forthe Kansas Association of School Boards. In that sense, that has always been a key principle we have supported, and hopefully the legislature will be able to quickly respond to this. Some lawmakers took a quite opposite view. Its essentially a temper tantrum by the courts to push their political will on the legislature, said State Sen. Jeff Melcher, a Republican. Its kind of one of those things: Give us the money, or the kid gets it. The state legislature last week was in the thick of finalizing its budget for next year, and the ruling is likely to hamper that process. Lawmakers, courts, and school districts have been sparring for years over the amount schools are provided by the state and how that money is distributed. In 2010, the Dodge City, Hutchinson, Kansas City, and Wichita districts sued the state, alleging that its funding formula hurts poor and minority students the most and fails to distribute enough money to provide an adequate education. After the state supreme court ruled in 2014 that the states funding formula was inequitable, the legislature added $140 million last year to its education budget and put in place the block-grant funding formula as a two-year stopgap measure until it could come up with a better formula. But superintendents complained that the block grant froze most funding outside the states teacher-pension fund and fell $54 million short last year, forcing them to ultimately lay off staff and close schools early. The four districts sued again, this time claiming that the block-grant formula was also inadequate and inequitable, a battle they won in a lower court. The state appealed, leading to last weeks ruling. The state supreme court is expected to rule on the adequacy part of the lawsuit later this year. The state slashed its personal income taxes in 2012 and 2013, leading to funding shortfalls. Brownback has argued that the states education funding continues to set annual records and provides stability for the state and districts. Last month, a legislative committee report said superintendents are spending $1 billion more than they did a decade ago in state money though the enrollment has climbed only 7 percent, and yet student performance has either stagnated or fallen. Going forward, the state government needs to more heavily scrutinize school district spending and consolidate services across the state, the report said. WATFORD CITY, N.D. Students in Watford City are saying goodbye to crowded hallways and portable classrooms as they transition to a newly constructed high school this week. The completion of the $53 million school marks a new era for the school district that has seen enrollment nearly triple since the beginning of the Bakken oil boom. Students in grades 7-12 began attending classes on Tuesday in the new 163,000-square-foot building, freeing up space in the districts other two buildings for elementary grades. Were excited to be back in what wed consider a good position again with a little bit of room to grow and a little room to work with, said Steve Holen, superintendent for the McKenzie County School District. Though the district in the heart of the Bakken no longer sees enrollment jumps of 20 percent or higher, its still gaining students despite the recent slowdown in oil activity. Enrollment was 1,325 last week, compared to about 540 in 2009-10, and most of that growth occurred in about four years, Holen said. The rapid increases forced the district to exceed capacity at its two school buildings, even after building an addition to the elementary school and using portable classrooms. This building, its just packed, said High School Principal Terry Vanderpan. The hallways, kids cant help but run into each other when youre passing periods at the same time. Theres not enough space. As grades 7-12 move out of the former high school, fourth- and fifth-graders will move in and share the building with sixth-graders. Grades K-3 will stay at the elementary school and the district plans to get rid of its portable classrooms. The district also plans to sell temporary teacher housing trailers that are next to the elementary school now that Watford City has permanent teacher housing available. Its a nice evolution. We went through such a flux with housing units, temporaries, it happened so rapidly, Holen said. Its a smart turn of the corner to the next phase, which is being more proactive than reactive to all that was happening so fast. The new high school, featuring technology-equipped classrooms, a college-style lecture hall and more science labs, is substantially complete, though some work will continue on the building and landscaping. The Watford City Event Center, under construction next to the new high school, is expected to be complete this fall. The school district hopes to promote the fine arts with the addition of a performance theater, scheduled to open in April, that will be a first for McKenzie County. Each of the three floors in the high school features a large area for collaborative teaching, which social studies teacher Eric Krogen said will help students become more immersed in the material. I think it will allow us to do more interdisciplinary lessons, making it more meaningful to the students, Krogen said. The new features also will allow the district to expand its STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) programs. Well have a lot more opportunities for more classes, said sophomore Iida Lehto, whose family moved to Watford City from Michigan for a job in the oil and gas industry. Students said theyre also looking forward to a new gymnasium and larger cafeteria with more food options. Its exciting, said sophomore Avery Sundeen, a Watford City native. Not a lot of people get to move into a new school. The community could see another new school in the future. The district is projected to grow about 10 percent each year and hit about 2,100 students in 2010-11, according to a demographic study by RSP and Associates, which was recently revised and takes into consideration the lower oil prices. We still think the prospect for Watford City in particular is still good for growth even in a slower environment, Holen said. We still are planning for growth. Vanderpan said many new students have parents who work in oil production and are less likely to move around than those involved with drilling. McKenzie County leads the state in oil production, accounting for about 35 percent of North Dakotas total. A Census estimate put the countys population at 10,996 in 2014, compared with the 2010 Census population of 6,360. We are getting families that are looking to stay here, so thats nice, Vanderpan said. If growth continues, the next step would be to build another elementary school, Holen said. But this time, the district would be able to plan for it, rather than react. If we grow, we have options to work into. If we dont grow for a few years, this will service us great and we get back to a more normal situation, he said. Having new school buildings will help McKenzie County recruit and retain teachers, Holen said. The district filled all 26 of its teacher vacancies this year, and permanent facilities will help keep them, he said. It helps Watford to have be able to have facilities like this because we dont want to be the stepping stone to the next district, Holen said. We want to be that destination district. Last week a high level delegation from the European Parliament were briefed on the European Investment Banks current support for renewable energy, transport and water investment and backing for private sector investment in Kenya and the wider Eastern Africa region, and expected future engagement in the country. The European Investment Bank is the worlds largest international public bank and last December celebrated the 10 year anniversary of the Nairobi office. The visit to the Nairobi based East Africa representative office of the European Investment Bank allowed the members of the European Parliaments development committee to discuss key projects backed by the EIB. These include schemes crucial for increasing sustainable energy in Kenya, improving supply of clean water around Lake Victoria and enhancing access to finance by Kenyan and neighbouring countries companies in cooperation with leading local banks. The meeting also provided an opportunity for finance experts and engineers based in Nairobi to outline the economic and social benefits of long-term investment backed by the European Investment Bank, which is owned directly the European Unions 28 member states. The parliamentarians led by Linda McAvan, Chairwoman of the European Parliaments Committee on Development, were welcomed to the Nairobi office by Catherine Collin, the European Investment Banks regional representative in East Africa. Long-term investment plays a key role supporting sustainable economic and social development. As we embark on a new period of global cooperation on the new Sustainable Development Goals we need the EIB, the world's largest public bank and a leading development finance institution, to play a key role in building that sustainable future. As members of parliament, we want to work with the EIB to improve lives and opportunities in Kenya and the wider region and we welcome the EIB's transparent engagement with the European Parliament over many years. said Linda McAvan MEP, Chair of the European Parliament Committee on Development. The European Investment Bank supports long-term investment that improves lives and unlocks economic opportunities in more than 160 countries around the world. As a public bank we work closely with the European Parliament and 28 national parliaments across Europe to explain our commitment and engagement to support specific projects. The development committee visit comes weeks after a detailed independent assessment by the European Court of Auditors recognised the EIBs key role supporting European development cooperation and catalysing investment across sub-Saharan Africa. said Pim van Ballekom, European Investment Bank Vice President. Supporting sustainable growth in Kenya and across East Africa is in Europes interest, as the European Union is Kenya's biggest export market by far. Good infrastructure and a thriving business sector that has access to finance are strategic pillars for Kenya's growth and regional integration. Implementing agreements at COP21 by supporting clean energy is also a key common priority to develop together, further to the already successfully cooperation on the Turkana Wind Farm. These are the DNA of the European Union. As the EUs development bank, the European Investment Bank is underpinning the European economy in similar ways and I'm glad that the EIB is expanding its portfolio in Kenya and the region to support this growing partnership. said Ambassador Stefano-Antonio Dejak, Head of the European Union Delegation to Kenya. The parliamentary delegations three day visit to Kenya included high-level meetings with government officials and members of the Kenyan Parliament, as visits to a number of projects supported by the European Union and by UNICEF. The European Investment Bank is the worlds largest international public bank and over the last 5 years has provided nearly EUR 13 billion for long-term infrastructure and private sector investment across Africa. CASPER, Wyo. The slopes are vacant. The chairlifts halted. It's been 12 years since the Antelope Butte Ski Area has seen any visitors, but soon that will change. Since 2011, the Antelope Butte Foundation has set its sights on acquiring the former ski area from the U.S. Forest Service. They mapped out a three-phase campaign worth $4 million. Phase one? Buy the land. On Monday, the foundation announced that the first step was complete, purchasing the land from the U.S. Forest Service 10 months ahead of schedule. "Its huge," said Andrew Gast, executive director and "Ski-EO" of the Antelope Butte Foundation. "This enables us now to do a couple of things. One is take advantage of any kind of commitments we have for work on the facility. Two is that we have several pledges that (were) contingent on us owning the facility that we can now claim. The third is that now, we can hold more events and have another step toward operating." The next major challenge for the foundation will be similar to the last: raising money. The foundation has raised about $620,000, $290,000 of which went toward purchasing the land. Phase two requires $3.37 million, mainly for restoration, construction and equipment acquisition. "Its been abandoned for 12 years. Theres a lot of work to be done," Gast said. "Running a ski area is not just one business. Its really like six or seven. Youve got a restaurant and a bar, ski school, rentals, lifts, all that stuff." To raise money for the restoration, the foundation is beginning a campaign that will allow donors to name facilities, ski trails, chairs and more in perpetuity. To kick off the campaign, the group is hosting a celebration Thursday at the Best Western Sheridan Center in Sheridan. The Ullr Ball, named for the Norse god Ullr who was depicted on skis, will feature live music, auctions and more. Gast estimates Antelope Butte will be fully operational and ready for skiers and snowboarders by December 2017. The facility will also have a mountain biking center as well as hiking trails, which may be open the summer before. Before acquiring the property outright, these projects were simply hopes and dreams. "But (now)," Gast said, "actually owning the facility means its going to happen." POWELL, Wyo. Two Colorado pilots who are accused of operating an unregistered airplane that authorities claim was involved in a criminal enterprise have pleaded not guilty. At separate appearances in U.S. District Court in Cheyenne last week, Scott Lewis and Gilbert Wiles pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to operate an unregistered aircraft and aiding and abetting the operation of an unregistered aircraft. The charges follow the government's seizure in 2014 of the men's Cessna airplane after it landed at the municipal airport in Cody. Police also confiscated over $250,000 in cash from a Cody hotel room rented by the pilot and a passenger. The U.S. Attorney's Office is pressing a civil forfeiture case against the plane and the cash, alleging both are tied to illegal drugs. Island woman urges people 'Be Clear on Cancer' A cancer survivor from the Isle of Man is urging people to "Be Clear on Cancer" after having her kidney removed. 53-year-old Kim Mcciver was diagnosed with kidney cancer in 2014 after suffering from what she thought was cystitis. When it didn't clear she was sent for further tests and then to Liverpool where she had her kidney and both adrenal glands removed by keyhole surgery. Just under 17,500 people are diagnosed with bladder and kidney cancer in England each year - an awareness campaign launched today is highlighting the main symptom; blood in your urine. It was something Kim had noticed - she's urging people not to ignore it or make excuses about getting help: Media Kim Mcciver CHEYENNE, Wyo. The Senate Judiciary Committee on Monday approved an amended version of a bill that seeks to close a loophole regarding the legal possession of marijuana edibles. Senate File 96 establishes that preparations, compounds, mixtures or substances, including baked goods, candies, drinks and other edibles containing marijuana or its active ingredient, THC, are illegal to possess. In introducing the bill, Sen. Jeff Wasserburger, R-Gillette, said there has been conflict in some of Wyomings district courts over exactly how to treat marijuana possession when it is not in a plant form. Wasserburger said at least two judges in the state have found state statutes unclear when it comes to governing THC content in edibles. SF96 attempts to set that straight. As originally written, the bill would define the possession of any edibles containing marijuana/THC as a misdemeanor, with a pound or more of such edibles constituting a felony punishable by up to five years in prison. But Wendy Braund, a public health administrator with the Wyoming Department of Health, said she was concerned that SF96 set the bar so high for felony possession of edibles. From our read, this bill decriminalizes possession of larger amounts of marijuana, she said, adding that the amount of THC in one pound of edibles is not standardized. Braund said she was concerned that leaving the one-pound felony provision in the bill could lead to a sharp increase in, for example, the number of children presenting at emergency rooms in the state due to accidental ingestion of large amounts of THC. She said other states that have decriminalized marijuana edibles have seen threefold increases in just those numbers. Sen. Michael Von Flatern, R-Gillette, questioned why SF96 would criminalize the weight of edibles, rather than their THC content. He noted that someone could bake three pounds of brownies with only a very small amount of THC, but would still be inviting a lengthy prison term, whereas someone with an ounce of Gummi bears would not, even if the THC content of the Gummi bears could be extremely potent. Byron Oedekoven, executive director of the Wyoming Association of Sheriffs and Chiefs of Police, asked committee members to consider what law enforcement personnel are actually encountering during their routine stops across the state: Is it homemade baked pot brownies, or packaged and marketed products from Colorado, where marijuana has been legalized? The latter seems to be the case, Oedekoven said, adding that in his experience, when it comes to packaged products, three ounces of Gummi bears is roughly equivalent to three ounces of leaf marijuana three ounces being the felony cutoff for the latter. So youd rather see (the felony cutoff for edibles) be three ounces instead of a pound? asked committee chairman Sen. Leland Christensen, R-Alta. Correct, Oedekoven replied. Sen. Dave Kinskey, R-Sheridan, moved to amend SF96 to make three ounces the felony cutoff for edibles. This again prompted objection from Von Flatern, who said he didnt feel it was right for someone to lose their voting rights or gun ownership rights for being caught with three ounces of brownies that may have only residual THC content. Its truly not testable; you dont know how much THC is in that object, Von Flatern said. Until they come up with a reliable test for it, I cant support this bill or the amendment. But Christensen argued that, in his past experience in law enforcement, it would be very rare for a person caught with three ounces of edibles to wind up being sentenced to prison. Far more often, he said, prosecutorial discretion would result in a lesser punishment, if any. Kinskeys amendment passed the committee by a 3-2 vote, with Von Flatern and Sen. Floyd Esquibel, D-Cheyenne, opposed. The bill then passed the committee by a vote of 4-1, with Von Flatern again opposed. CASPER, Wyo. Hillary Clintons presidential campaign established support in Wyoming months before anyone from the state voted for her. That felt wrong to a group of University of Wyoming students. About three days before the Iowa caucus, Clintons campaign announced the support of every Democratic National Committee member in Wyoming. Though Wyoming Democrats have only four superdelegates Ana Cuprill, Mike Gierau, Mary Hales and Bruce Palmer the support was an early sign of strength for the Clinton campaign in the Cowboy State. Cuprill and Palmer are respectively the state chair and vice-chair of the Wyoming Democratic Party. In a letter to the Wyoming Chapter of the Democratic National Committee posted on the groups Facebook page, The Students for Bernie Sanders at the University of Wyoming described the four DNC members' support as highly inappropriate and showed a lack of impartiality. The letter goes on to say that the students dont believe the Wyoming DNC members meant to manipulate voters but that the superdelegates should wait to pledge their support for any particular candidate. Many Wyoming Democrats voting for the first time will be students and young people, said London Homer-Wambeam, president of the group. And the vast majority of those are Sanders supporters, he said. To him, announcements like the one the Clinton campaign made about the Wyoming DNC members' support could sway young voters and make them think the former secretary of state's victory is inevitable, even though the party's caucuses won't be held until April 9. Its a clear political move to discourage voters who want to support Sanders, Homer-Wambeam said. Early Monday morning, Cuprill said she was working to draft a response to the student's letter. While unpublished as of Monday afternoon, a two-page response written by Cuprill and provided to the Casper Star-Tribune corrects errors in the student's letter and encourages the UW Sanders supporters to "vote blue, no matter what." In the letter, Cuprill also cautions the students to remain respectful to Clinton supporters during the election process. "I doubt Senator Sanders would be as disrespectful as some of his followers have been on social media to these elected officials or even to the 4 of us who by our own elected positions are entitled to be superdelegates," Cuprill writes. When the Clinton campaign announced the four DNC members support, Wyoming Democratic Party, executive director Aimee Van Cleave noted that the superdelegates' views do not represent the official stance of the party. In response to the college students letter on Monday, she said it was a mischaracterization to think that Democrats dont want people to support Sanders. Despite concern that the superdelegates' support could discourage voter turnout, Van Cleave said the college students letter shows the exact opposite could happen. If they have enough passion to draft a letter to the party, then I hope they have enough passion to show up and caucus with us on April 9, Van Cleave said. Charter plane carrying millions of South African Rand (ZAR) impounded in Zimbabwe Strange story. A charter plane from Munich to Durban that was carrying 57 tons of South African Rand (ZAR) landed in Harare. Officials spotted what looked like blood coming from the landing gear door, and found a dead man when the door was opened. Reports conflict as to whether this was an emergency landing or a scheduled fuel stop. Also conflicting reports as to whether the crew (2 Americans, one South African and one Pakistani) have been arrested or are just being kept out of the public eye. It's unclear if the man was a stowaway. The plane and its contents have been impounded pending the investigation. The Reserve Bank of South Africa has confirmed the money was headed their way and the bank is working to have the money sent on to SA. Maybe nothing to see here, but why would a plane full of money for the RSA Reserve Bank go to Durban instead of Joburg? Sure there's a branch in Durban, but when you're talking millions of Rand that were freshly printed in Munich...I would think the plane would go to Joburg and then the money transferred to HQ in Pretoria. Then maybe dished out from there to the branches. SA Article: BBC: Warning - photo in the linked article might upset some people!Strange story. A charter plane from Munich to Durban that was carrying 57 tons of South African Rand (ZAR) landed in Harare. Officials spotted what looked like blood coming from the landing gear door, and found a dead man when the door was opened.Reports conflict as to whether this was an emergency landing or a scheduled fuel stop. Also conflicting reports as to whether the crew (2 Americans, one South African and one Pakistani) have been arrested or are just being kept out of the public eye. It's unclear if the man was a stowaway.The plane and its contents have been impounded pending the investigation. The Reserve Bank of South Africa has confirmed the money was headed their way and the bank is working to have the money sent on to SA.Maybe nothing to see here, but why would a plane full of money for the RSA Reserve Bank go to Durban instead of Joburg? Sure there's a branch in Durban, but when you're talkingof Rand that were freshly printed in Munich...I would think the plane would go to Joburg and then the money transferred to HQ in Pretoria. Then maybe dished out from there to the branches.SA Article: http://www.iol.co.za/news/africa/mys...-plane-1985052 BBC: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-35577988 LANDER, Wyo. Wyoming regulators strongly defended their oversight of Alpha Natural Resources in a letter to their federal counterparts Friday, saying the state has taken appropriate steps to ensure the bankrupt coal company meets its $411 million reclamation obligations. The letter, which comes on the heels of a warning from the U.S. Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement last month, marks an escalation in the debate over coal companies' reclamation responsibilities. State officials questioned Washington's authority to intervene in the matter, arguing Wyoming has "exclusive jurisdiction over surface coal-mining operations" under the law. "OSMRE has no basis for second guessing DEQ's judgement," wrote Kyle Wendtland, who oversees mining regulation at the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality. It was not immediately clear how federal officials would react. An OSMRE spokesman did not respond to a request for comment on Monday, a federal holiday. The tension stems from a deal signed by Alpha and Wyoming in September. The agreement gives Wyoming a $61 million super-priority claim, ensuring the state is among the first paid in the event Alpha fails to emerge from bankruptcy. But critics charge that falls far short of covering the company's $411 million in estimated cleanup costs. Federal regulators expressed a similar concern in a Jan. 21 letter to the state. Mining companies are required to carry bonds in the amount of their cleanup costs in order to maintain a mining permit. Many coal companies have employed "self-bonds," which allows firms to secure future cleanup costs against their own assets. But Alpha failed the financial stress test needed to qualify for self-bonding status last year, prompting the state to initially request $411 million in replacement bonds. An Alpha spokesman declined to comment Monday. The company, in bankruptcy filings, has said replacing its bonds in full would be detrimental to restructuring efforts. Alpha has continued mining as it attempts to emerge from Chapter 11. Under its deal with Wyoming, Alpha is not required to post replacement bonds during bankruptcy. Federal officials said the deal may violate the law because it allows the miner to continue operating without sufficient bonding to cover its $411 million in estimated cleanup. In their response, state officials said the agreement did not release Alpha from its reclamation obligations. On the contrary, they said, it requires the company that emerges from bankruptcy to fully cover its bonding obligations. And they argued the deal was in the best interest of the public, ensuring Alpha continues reclaiming land at its two Campbell County mines. "These events highlight certain systemic problems with self-bonding, but had to be addressed individually and in a timely manner," Wendtland wrote. "DEQ, as the entity with exclusive jurisdiction over the matter, exercised its considerable discretion to enter a settlement that protects the public, the environment and sets a firm timetable for Alpha's transition away from self-bonds." A federal bankruptcy court's approval of the agreement proves the state's actions were justified, he added. A DEQ spokesman did not return a request for comment Monday. The tension between the state and federal governments is a result of the way U.S. mining laws are structured, said William Gorton, a mining attorney at the Lexington, Kentucky law firm Stites & Harbisob. States are given jurisdiction to enforce federal law, but Washington is granted oversight. "It creates tension along the federal-state interface, if you will," Gorton said. "These sort of issues are decided in the courts." Of the bankruptcy court's ruling in favor of Wyoming's agreement with Alpha, he added: "I think it is a compelling fact OSM might have to consider in its response." Mark Squillace, a law professor at the University of Colorado who has criticized Wyoming's approach to mine reclamation, said state officials failed to address federal regulators' central concern. Claiming Alpha remains liable for the entirety of its cleanup does not meet the legal requirement that a company be fully bonded for reclamation, he said. The fact remains Wyoming has secured only $61 million of the estimated $411 million in cleanup work, Squillace said. Meanwhile, the deal has frozen the company's reclamation liability at $411 million while it continues to mine, he said, meaning Alpha's cleanup bill is likely larger than what it is responsible for guaranteeing. "These companies are in dire straits," Squillace said. "What their creditors want to know is, 'where is the money?' They dont get money by doing reclamation work. They have every incentive to pull coal out of the ground as fast as they can without performing reclamation." Tara Wallace can already envision the collective side-eyes. The Love & Hip Hop: New York star is well aware that you are having trouble getting pass the volatile, explosive, and at times absurd love triangle involving her, veteran 90s rapper Peter Gunz and up and coming singer Amina Buddafly. Yes, she understands all of the criticism. How could Tara be expecting her third child with Gunz, a married man who has publicly gone back and forth about his feelings for his wife Amina? Does it at all bother Tara when shes lobbed with criticism on social media from fans who charge that she is merely a selfish home wrecker who could have long stepped away from the relationship after discovering the revelation that Gunz had indeed put a ring on the finger of another woman? In an exclusive interview with Enstars, Tara says she is not at all surprised with some of the scrutiny she has received over her relationship with the very married Gunz. Unfortunately it takes people who have gone through situations like this to understand that there is more to the story, she says. You have people that have never gone through anything like this. They cant relate to waking up with a camera in their face and finding out along with everyone watching the show that Peter is married. Tara cryptically adds that not everything isnt what it seems. For those people who say this and that about me, they have to just stay patient and know that there is more to the story that has been shown thus far, she answers. Hopefully through this interview people will gain a better understanding of that. And what of Amina, the other woman who in a previous episode of Love & Hip Hop: New York sobbed uncontrollably upon hearing that Tara once again was pregnant with Peters baby making the entire affair worthy of a Tele Novella? Tara, despite her on-air battles with Gunz other half keeps it diplomatic, but she remains defiant. She says she is not walking away from her relationship with Peter to appease Amina. Im not going to bash her (Amina), she says. We all have a responsibility to either stay or walk away. I didnt expect to end up having another child [with Peter] out of it. But those feelings are not going to go away. You can run away from them; you can move out of the houseyou may not even want to try to work it out or move back in. Tara pauses and admits: But I still have feelings for Peter. And unfortunately, I have the right to explore those feelings. This is a person that Ive spent a lot of years with. I dont have to up and walk away from our relationship just to make someone else happy. Tara is set to release her book, The Goddess Potential, this upcoming spring detailing what she describes as her inner journey from taking the bold risk of moving from Mississippi to New York to pursue an acting career to all the drama she has endured with her stormy relationship with Peter Gunz and coping with her newfound fame from Love & Hip Hop. This book is about real life, Tara explains of the upcoming page turner. Its about finding yourself after all of these things have gone wrong in life. Thats how I found myself. [UPDATE: Tara had her baby (and Peter Gun's) over the weekend. The baby is a boy, name Gunner Ethan Pankey. Born on February 13th at 1:25 AM. 6lbs, 15 oz.] WWE's journey to Fastlane will hit the final mile markers during tonight's Raw online live stream. 'The X-Files' 2016: Where Is William? EP Teases Major Finale Mystery The Feb. 15 event will air live from the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif., and Roman Reigns, Dean Ambrose, and Brock Lesnar will continue to battle it out ahead of their pay-per-view match. The trio will go head-to-head in an effort to gain entry to Triple H's WrestleMania title match, and Lesnar has spent the last month trying to terrify his opponents. Unfortunately for the Anomaly, his plan seems to have backfired. Ambrose gained the upper hand last week, and now that he has one foe on the retreat, WWE.com believes the Lunatic Fringe may turn his attention to Reigns. 'The Flash' Season 2: What Will Cause Earth-2 Barry To 'Step Up'? EPs Preview 'Escape From Earth-2' Over in the world of the Divas, Charlotte is looking to continue her domination. Now that Brie Bella is back, however, the reigning champ should watch her back. Meanwhile, the WWE fans will get a special surprise when Big Show and Braun Strowman enter the ring. Click here to catch all the action as it unfolds on USA. This essay argues that the university in India needs to foster five kinds of pluralism: in the student body, in the teaching faculty, of disciplines, of approaches within a discipline and of funding sources. It notes that the fostering of these varieties of pluralism has had to face formidable challenges from the countervailing forces of parochialism and populism. These forces need to be resisted, and our universities renewed, by making them plural in all senses of the term. For as we enter our seventh decade of freedom, what we make of ourselves will depend, far more than we presently seem to realise, on what we make of our colleges and universities. Earlier this year, the National Archives mounted an exhibition on the founding of the first modern universities in India. A Kolkata newspaper gave its report on this exhibition the headline: The Other Revolution of 1857.1 This was apt, for the founding of these universities was indeed a revolution, and indeed also the other to the better known revolution of 1857. Call it by whatever name, a sepoy mutiny or a war of independence, that uprising was essentially reactionary, looking back to a period before the white man set foot in the subcontinent. On the other hand, the revolution set in motion by the universities was essentially progressive, looking forward to a time when the white man would finally leave the subcontinent. Founded in 1857, the universities of Calcutta, Bombay and Madras were the crucible of modernity in India. As Andre Beteille has written, these universities opened new horizons both intellectually and institutionally in a society that had stood still in a conservative and hierarchical mould for centuries. These universities were among the first open and secular institutions in a society that was governed largely by the rules of kinship, caste and religion. Thus the age-old restrictions of gender and caste did not disappear in the universities, but they came to be questioned there.2 The universities were also a crucible of nationalism. It was there that young men and women learnt to question the logic of colonial rule, to hold up, as a mirror to their rulers, the British ideals of liberty and justice that were haphazardly upheld at home and comprehensively denied in the colonies. Gandhi and Ambedkar had their early education under the auspices of the Bombay University, C R Das and Subhas Chandra Bose under the auspices of the Calcutta University, C Rajagopalachari and C Subramaniam under the auspices of the Madras University. Tens of thousands of more ordinary freedom fighters were also educated in all senses of the word by their time in these universities or in other universities set up in the period of colonial rule such as those in Allahabad, Punjab, Benaras and Aligarh. These soldiers of non-violence, who defied their family and sacrificed their careers to fill the jails on Gandhis call, came from all sections of society. They were high caste as well as low caste, men as well as women, Hindu and Sikh as well as Muslim and Christian. It is not just that the Indian university trained those who led and manned the freedom struggle. It was also that they trained those who led and manned the creation of a modern, democratic, nation state. For no new nation was born in more difficult circumstances against the backdrop of civil war and privation, with eight million refugees to be resettled and 500 princely states to be integrated. That a nation was forged out of these fragments, and that this was henceforth governed on the basis of a democratic Constitution, was a miracle and not a minor one. This miracle was the handiwork of a group of visionary leaders with Nehru, Patel and Ambedkar pre-eminent among them aided by thousands of now forgotten civil servants, lawyers, doctors, teachers, social workers and soldiers, a majority of whom were shaped and formed by the Indian university system. That system was, and is, based on constituent colleges. The nurturers of nationalism and the nation state were educated as much in these colleges as in the universities of which they were part. Places such as Presidency College, Calcutta; Presidency College, Madras; Elphinstone College, Bombay; St Stephens College, Delhi; Government College, Lahore; Patna College, Patna; and Maharajas College, Mysore, have all contributed in ways large and small to the shaping of modern India.3 It behoves us to recognise (and salute) the role played by our universities and colleges in nurturing Indian nationalism and building Indian democracy. But, since we live in the present, we must also admit that the state of our universities (and colleges) is not what it could and might be. I myself live in what is claimed to be the capital of Indias knowledge economy, yet the university that my city houses is less than distinguished. And the university that carries the name of the city in which this journal is published is not exactly in the pink of health either. In these respects the universities of Bangalore and Mumbai fairly represent the state of universities in the country as a whole. II I have long believed that while India is sometimes the most exasperating country in the world, it is at all times the most interesting. By the same token, if Mumbai is sometimes the most exasperating city in India, it is at all times the most interesting. The reasons in both cases, and for both characteristics, are the same. They lie in the unparalleled diversity of this particular country and this particular city. Which other land can match India in its mix of different castes, classes, languages, faiths, forms of dress, cuisines, musical styles, et al? And which other Indian city can remotely come close to Mumbai in containing, within its capacious hold, representative examples of these varied cultures and lifestyles? For the scholar or writer, at his desk or in his ivory tower, the diversity of human forms is perenially interesting. For the citizen living life on the ground, however, it can at times be deeply exasperating. When people of one habit or temperament or ideology or social custom are placed close to people of another, they tend sometimes oftentimes? to react with prejudice and suspicion, this sometimes oftentimes? manifesting itself in conflict and combat, whether intellectual or physical, individual or institutional. Life would be altogether less discordant if everyone around us spoke and thought and dressed and ate just as we did. But altogether less interesting. Broadly, there have been two responses of political leaders to the prevalence or persistence of social and cultural diversity. The first has been to flatten it, to try and make citizens as alike as one another in the ways they think and speak and live. Or at least in the important ways such as religion or language or political ideology. The second response has been to permit citizens their own individual ways of living, while crafting institutions that allow them to collaborate and coexist. Fortunately, the men and women who built modern India chose the second path. They did not follow Israel or Pakistan in fusing faith with state by granting special privileges to citizens of one religion. They did not follow Germany or the US in making it mandatory for all citizens to speak one language. And they did not follow Soviet Russia and the communist China in constructing a single-party state. At least in theory, the Indian nation state is the most plural on earth. It demands less conformity among its citizens than every other state we know. The practice of pluralism is another matter. At various points in Indian history, vast influence has been exercised by those who would seek to make one religion (Hinduism), one language (Hindi), one party (the Congress), or even one family (the Nehru-Gandhi) dominant over the other religions, languages, parties and families of India. The theory and practice of pluralism in (and by) the Indian nation is a fascinating subject. So is the theory and practice of pluralism in the states and cities of India. Take the city this journal is printed in, whose social diversity is reflected most immediately in the different names we know it by. There is, of course, a Maharashtrian Mumbai, but also an Anglo-Indian Bombay, as well as a Hindustani Bambai. But this is also in some part a Gujarati city, also a Tamil city and a Kannadiga city. Every linguistic group in India is richly represented here, as is every religious community and political ideology. At the same time, Mumbai is the capital of a state formed to protect the interests of a single linguistic group. What are the tensions this creates in the lives and labours of the citizens of Mumbai/Bombay/ Bambai? The linguistic division of India has worked very well for India as a whole. There has been friction at the edges, conflicts about towns and villages on the border, and about riparian rights, but had these states not been created, I believe, the conflicts would have been much more serious. Consider the examples of Pakistan and Sri Lanka, the first of which broke up and the second of which is mired in an apparently unending civil war largely because one community sought to impose a single language on the nation. When, in 1956, Sinhala was made the single official language of Ceylon (as Sri Lanka was then known), a left wing member of Parliament presciently warned that two torn little bleeding states might yet arise out of one little state.4 If a single language had been imposed on all of India as the Hindi zealots wanted this massive country might have been torn apart into 15 large and bleeding states. So, without question, linguistic pluralism has strengthened Indian unity. But how does this diversity of language groups play itself out within a state, rather than in the country as a whole? As residents of Mumbai/Bombay/Bambai know all too well, diversity has sometimes produced sharp conflicts. If Mumbai is the capital of the state of Maharashtra, some ask, why must so many of the best or most lucrative jobs be taken by those whose mother tongue is not Marathi? These outsiders answer that the Constitution of India grants all its citizens the right to live and work anywhere in the union. For 40 years now this debate has raged in Mumbai. It is now making itself heard in my native Bangalore, likewise the capital of a state based on language, likewise a city where the wealthy and powerful mostly do not speak the local tongue. Here, too, the conflict has manifested itself in the citys renaming, with Bangalore becoming Bengulooru. III Diversity is a social condition; it is what India is. Pluralism is a political programme; it is a manifestation of what we wish India to be. At the level of the nation, the practice of pluralism poses one set of challenges; at the level of the city or state, yet another. What then, of the university? What are the varieties of pluralism that a university in India must seek to foster? In my view, these are principally of five kinds: First, the university must foster pluralism in the student body. There must be students of all ages; from those in their late teens to those in their early 30s (or even beyond). One way to do this is to have, within a single campus, programmes running all the way from the BA or BSc right up to the PhD. There must be many women students; in the ideal situation, 50 per cent or more. Students from low caste and working class backgrounds must be adequately represented; so also those from minority religions. Finally, a university is made more Indian if it can attract students from other states of the union. Second, the university must foster pluralism in the teaching staff. Like the students, these must be both women and men, who come from different classes, castes and religious groupings. And this is even more crucial here from different parts of India. But unlike in the case of students, it is not enough that the teachers come from different social backgrounds. They must also have diverse intellectual credos. Some must prefer abstract theoretical work; others, research that is more applied in nature. Since scholars are also citizens, university teachers have political beliefs; but these, again, must be of varied kinds. A university where all the teachers were communists, or all of them Shiv Sainiks, would be a very boring place indeed. Third, the university must offer a plurality of disciplines. It should have at least some, if not all, undergraduate colleges which offer degrees in the sciences as well as the humanities. There must be graduate programmes in the major disciplines mathematics, economics, history, political science, physics, chemistry, biology, literature, etc but also professional schools offering degrees in law, medicine and business as well as, ideally faculties of fine arts and music. At the same time, the university must have the flexibility and imagination to create new departments Economic and Political Weekly February 17, 2007 when scientific progress or social developments oblige it to do so. Fourth, a university must foster a pluralism of approaches within a discipline. Its department of economics must have Friedmanites and Keynesians as well as Marxists. Its department of biology should have space for experimentalists who splice genes, for Darwinians who study speciation, and for fieldworkers who live with animals in the wild. A university department all of whose members were wedded to one particular theoretical or experimental approach would be boring place indeed. As Max Weber pointed out, unlike political parties or religious seminaries, universities are not institutions for the inculcation of absolute or ultimate moral values. Put less politely, universities must not be allowed to become vehicles of indoctrination, promoting a particular political or religious point of view. They teach the student facts, their conditions, laws and inter-relations, serving in this manner to sharpen the students capacity to understand the actual conditions of his own exertions. However, what ideals the [student] should serve what gods he must bow before these they require him to deal with on his own responsibility, and ultimately, in accordance with his own conscience. This pluralism of methodological and theoretical approaches must be promoted at various levels: that of the university as a whole, by each of its constituent departments, and by each individual teacher as well. A century ago, in words that seem strikingly contemporary, Max Weber deplored the tendency of some professors of educating their students into certain political beliefs and ultimate outlooks. He was himself clear that the university teacher is under the sternest obligation to avoid proposing his own position in the struggle of ideals. He must make his chair into a forum where the understanding of ultimate standpoints alien to and diverging from his own is fostered, rather than into an arena where he propagates his own ideals.5 Fifth, a university must encourage a pluralism of funding sources. It must not rely only on state patronage, but raise money from fees, from its alumni, and from private corporations. By diversifying its portfolio, so to speak, the university reduces its dependence on a single source of patronage, while also engaging with (and making itself relevant to) a wider swathe of society. Stated in this straightforward manner, these ends seem self-evident. Surely any self-respecting university will always be plural in all these ways? Not, perhaps, in India, where one cannot say with confidence that any of our universities have met these ideals wholly or consistently. However, at various points in history, one Indian university or another has been plural in one or other of these ways. As Andre Beteille has noted, it took 600 years for Oxford or Cambridge to admit women, whereas Calcutta and Bombay admitted them from their inception. They also provided avenues of upward mobility for the lower castes: in the traditional system an untouchable like B R Ambedkar would have been condemned to a life of illiteracy. Those from minority religions also got, and took, their chances some of the best scholars and teachers in the history of Mumbai University have been Parsi and Muslim.6 Likewise, there have been splendid examples of Indian universities promoting diversity in the social background of its teachers, and of these teachers in turn, promoting a diversity of intellectual approaches. Determined to make Calcutta University more than a home for Bengalis, Ashutosh Mukherjee appointed C V Raman and Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan to chairs when they were young and unrecognised which Ashutosh Mukherjee did not care about but also talented and hardworking, which he appreciated. Raman and Radhakrishnan eventually moved on to other pastures, but a contemporary of theirs who stayed in Calcutta was the Malayali from Merton, Kuruvilla Zachariah, among whose students at Presidency College were many future leaders of free India. Third, many Indian universities have been inclusive in a disciplinary sense. The pattern was set by the three founding universities, which all had departments of science and social science, as well as a faculty of law and a school of medicine. Thus in the 1930s and 1940s, Bombay University was perhaps best known, on the research side, for its School of Economics and Sociology, while for the past half century that honour has consistently been held by the university department of chemical technology. Fourth, the best university departments in India have promoted a variety of intellectual approaches. The long time head of the sociology department in Bombay, G S Ghurye, was a bookish conservative; yet among the students he sent out into the world were the superb ethnographer M N Srinivas and the Marxist theoretician A R Desai. Srinivas, in turn, bestrode the Delhi University department of sociology like a colossus; in turn, he did not impose his methodological preferences on those he taught or guided. Srinivas had little interest in comparative sociology, or in the industrial working class, or in the Sanskritic tradition; yet three of his distinguished students were to make these subjects their own. It is with the fifth kind of pluralism that the record is most disappointing. The Indian university has relied too heavily on subsidies and hand-outs from the state. Middle class and even rich students pay the same fees as the poorer students; in effect, almost no fees. There has been little attempt to tap the generosity of alumni even the most prosperous ones. Few universities cultivate active links with the private sector or with philanthrophic foundations. Pluralism is one important ideal of the Indian university; it is not, of course, the only one. A university must also have an institutional cohesiveness, that allows it to reproduce itself regardless of the particular individuals who lead or staff it. Again, a university must have a particular and recognisable character, that encourages its students, staff, faculty, and alumni to identify with it. And it must set standards of academic excellence consistent with those in the nation and the world, and it must continually strive to maintain them. These ends might not always be mutually compatible. Thus, in one particular case or another, say, the recruitment of students from under-represented social groups or the appointment of a new dean, pluralism might conflict with institutional efficiency or efficiency in turn conflict with academic excellence. Compromises have to be made, judgment calls taken. It would be foolish not to recognise that a public university serves multiple ends, and that these may sometimes be in conflict. That said, the varieties of pluralism enumerated above are, I believe, among the most important ends an Indian university should strive to fulfil. IV In the history of the Indian university, the forces favouring pluralism have had to contend with the opposing forces of parochialism. These are ever present, often powerful, and sometimes overwhelming. One form of parochialism is identity politics. Particularly in staff appointments, the claims of caste or region or religion can play as significant a role as academic qualification or distinction. Often, the candidate with the best connections gets the job rather than the best candidate. And so the disputes that now dominate many if not most of our universities are not over the principles and methods of science and scholarship; they are over pay and promotion and the distribution of seats and posts among different castes, communities, and factions.7 A second form of parochialism is ideological. When the NDA government was in power in New Delhi, there was much criticism of the role played by the human resource development minister, Murali Manohar Joshi, in placing, in important posts, intellectuals more amenable to his own political ideology. The criticism was just it would have been more just still if it had acknowledged that in this respect Joshi was merely following the lead of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), which, in both West Bengal and Kerala, has consistently interfered with university appointments. No critic of Marxism stands a chance of becoming vice-chancellor of Calcutta University, for example. A third form of parochialism is institutional. There is, in almost every Indian university, a marked tendency to employ ones own graduates to teaching positions. This in-breeding has infected even the best departments in the best universities. Thus the history department in the Jawaharlal Nehru University and the sociology department in the Delhi University are largely staffed by those who have, at some stage or another, passed through the same portals as students.8 Whether based on identity or ideology or institution, these varieties of parochialism have had a corrosive effect on university life. They have undermined the quality of teaching, narrowed the range of subjects taught, and polluted the general intellectual ambience. By now, they have collectively impacted millions of Indians, who have got a more limited education than they hoped for, or, indeed, deserved. Provincialism apart, there are other hurdles to the fostering of a plural ethos in the Indian university. One is short-sighted public policy. In the colonial period, the best science in India was done in the universities by men such as C V Raman and Satyen Bose in Calcutta; Meghnad Saha and K S Krishnan in Allahabad; T R Seshadri in Delhi and K Venkataraman in Bombay. However, at independence the decision was taken to set up a series of laboratories under the auspices of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). It was made clear that these would be the favoured sites for research, and that the universities would focus mostly on teaching. The best talent drifted away to these prestige institutes, impoverishing the universities. On the other side, without the challenge and stimulation of students, laboratory science got steadily more bureaucratic, and did not deliver on its promises either.9 In any case, in the Indian context what C P Snow called the two cultures the humanistic and the scientific always had an uneasy relationship. Almost from the beginnings of modern education, Indian men were brought up to believe that the arts were inferior to the sciences. Even in the universities where the two coexisted, science students or professors scarcely came into contact with their counterparts in the humanities. After independence, apart from the CSIR the creation of the Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT) also contributed to the further moving apart of the two cultures. Although the IITs had departments of humanities, their concerns were integrated in a desultory way into the curriculum. The precedent had been set, well before, by the Indian Institute of Science, whose original charter (influenced by its visionary founder, Jamsetji Tata) had room for a department of social science, which, however, remains to be activated a century after the institutes founding. And so the finest young minds in the sciences have been encouraged to cultivate an indifference (and even contempt) to the social sciences and to history.10 The plural ambitions of the Indian university have also been severely tested by a now rampant populism. I have in mind the widespread suspicion of what are termed elite departments and elite universities. There is continuous pressure towards the equalisation of resources, so that the public pie is shared equally by institutions good and bad, old and new. Institutions that were intended to be small and select are urged to let in more and more students, regardless of whether they can maintain standards while doing so. Where institutions of excellence should serve as a benchmark towards which others can aspire, they are instead asked to come down to the level of the lowest. In this manner, policies conducted in the name of democracy and egalitarianism serve only to degrade the education system as a whole.11 These prejudices sometimes operate within a single university. Thus the Delhi School of Economics has long attracted widespread (and, for the most part, undeserved) opprobrium. Professors in other departments resented its international reputation; actually a product of intellectual excellence and an institutional culture of team-work, but in the eyes of its critics a consequence of western-oriented elitism.12 Successive vice-chancellors sought to erode its autonomy and bring it on par with, or down to the level of, the other departments of the university. Teaching vacancies were unfilled, sometimes for years upon end. Proposals to reform syllabi were held up. The end result could have been foretold; the Delhi School no longer has an international reputation. A final hurdle is constituted by the invisible hand of the market. Universities work best when they have an integrated campus, bringing together undergraduate colleges, postgraduate departments of the arts and sciences and professional schools, thus allowing the students and teachers of these different units to mingle with and learn from one another. Among the major universities of India, only Delhi even remotely approximates this ideal. The reason for this is that a large chunk of territory was set aside for it when the new capital of British India was being planned. As the university expanded, the new colleges that sought affiliation had to be located elsewhere, but by then the campus itself had a sufficient density of institutions to have a character of its own. It was also close enough to the city to be connected to it. On the other hand, the universities of our other metros, Bombay, Calcutta, Madras and Bangalore, grew in a random fashion, so that their constituent units were farflung and in no real contact. Since the price of real estate forbids the consolidation of these units, the undergraduate colleges remain isolated from one another and from the postgraduate departments; even the latter are often fragmented, spread unit by unit across the city. Some universities, for example Bangalore, then thought to construct a new campus in land available on the outskirts. The postgraduate departments were relocated here, with the undergraduate colleges staying where they were. This new campus has only served to further separate the university from the city whose name it carries and of which it is presumed to be an integral part. Rising property prices have inhibited the growth of university pluralism in another respect; by making it very hard for Indians to study or teach in parts of India far from their own. In about 1940, a modest apartment could be rented in Mumbai at about 20 per cent of a professors salary; by about 1970 this figure might have jumped to 50 per cent. Now it must be close to, Economic and Political Weekly February 17, 2007 or even in excess of, 100 per cent. What this means is that the pool of available teachers has steadily shrunk; it now contains only those who have homes in the city itself. The consequences of this for the quality of intellectual life in the university are depressingly obvious. The market works in mysterious ways. On the one hand, it has discouraged the movement of students and teachers within India; on the other hand, it has encouraged their movement to distant parts of the globe. In the 1960s and 1970s, large numbers of Indian scientists studied and then found employment in the western universities. Now, they are increasingly joined by social scientists, historians and literary scholars, the trade in whom is especially brisk in the American academy, to meet the demands of the growing Indian diaspora and the newfound fashions of postcolonial studies. Once, names such as Ghosh, Mukherjee, Srinivasan and Reddy were quite common in the payroll of the universities of Mumbai and Pune; now, they are more likely to be found in the faculty web pages of the universities of Minnesota and Chicago. The influence of parochialism and populism on our universities is, in part, a consequence of the clash or contradiction between two varieties of pluralism. For the survival of the republic of India, it was perhaps necessary to create linguistic states, so as to inhibit the dominance of one language group over the others. However, this enactment of a plural politics at the level of the nation as a whole has sometimes led to a denial of pluralism at lower levels. This is particularly true in the state sector, where one can manipulate recruitment in a manner that the private sector forbids. Since an overwhelming majority of our universities are managed by state governments, they are particularly prone to local or regional chauvinism. Ideally, a university would not want to be parochial even at the level of the nation state. The best western universities seek to draw students and faculty from all over the world. Such was also the original intention of Rabindranath Tagores university, as witness the name Viswabharati. That our universities become more international in their composition may be too much to hope for, but let us at least try and make them adequately Indian. Writing in 1968, the sociologist Edward Shils singled out student unrest as a major threat to the proper functioning of universities in India. Shils observed that Indian students had been restive in the 1930s and 1940s as well, but that this had found a focus and a constructive outlet through the independence movement. In the 1960s, however, student protest was directionless; it was, in fact, a form of juvenile delinquency. Indian student agitation, wrote Shils, was demoralising and degrading the academic profession which is already in a worse situation than one cares to see. If unchecked, student unrest would disrupt more than the universities if they go on, they will demoralise the Indian police services and render them incompetent to maintain public order or they will precipitate harsher repression resulting in many deaths which will in turn place very heavy strains on the Indian political system.13 These predictions were not entirely falsified. A few years later, students across India found a focus in the JP movement, which did in fact precipitate harsher repression as well as the heavy strain on the Indian political system known as the Emergency. Still, it would be unfair to blame the general deterioration of our institutions of higher education solely or even primarily on discontented students. Indian universities have been undermined from above rather than degraded from below, corrupted and corroded by the forces of parochialism and populism itemised in this essay. This writer is not the first to comment on the dangers of parochialism in the university nor, to be sure, will he be the last. In September 1962, a month before war broke out between India and China, a group of liberal intellectuals met in Bombay to discuss the prospects for a national university. The convenor of the symposium, the mathematician A B Shah, pointed to the growing regionalisation of the universities under the pressures of a developing multilingual society. This process of regionalisation, he continued, is accompanied by increasing fragmentation of the intellectual elite and a weakening of the university tradition, which was never very strong in India. Shah felt that the solution lay in the creation of a few national universities that would keep the tradition of the university alive till experience makes men re-examine the wisdom of what they have done. He identified likely five carriers of this noble ideal, the three premier universities in Bombay, Calcutta and Madras, plus two new universities to be sited in the north and the south, respectively. These national universities, he felt, could ensure the continuity and development of all-India cultural life so essential in the context of regionalisation. They would provide the nation with a window to the world, and also a yardstick by which the work of the regional universities could be evaluated. In his contribution to the symposium, the economist B R Shenoy focused on the declining quality of university and college teachers. This, he felt, was due to three reasons: abysmally low salaries, which meant that alternative professions were more attractive; the reproduction in the university of bureaucratic red-tapism, which meant that administrators were more important and more powerful than professors; and regionalism, which on the one hand, repels from the academic profession men from outside the region, and on the other, adds to the pressure for migration out of the profession. Shenoy also called for the creation of national universities which would be wholly autonomous, free from interference by the government or any political organisation.14 This writer is also not the first to sing the praises of university pluralism. In a talk broadcast over the Delhi station of All India Radio on March 17, 1940, Maurice Gwyer outlined what he saw as the future of the university he was then heading. He called, first of all, for the transferrence of all the constituent colleges of the [Delhi] University to a common site where they may stand together as a solid token of that sense of unity and purpose which is perhaps the most vital element in University life; secondly, the extension of the science laboratories and an increase in our present facilities for the teaching of science; and thirdly, the improvement and development of the University Library. Gwyer went on to say that while the other and older universities of India were strongly rooted in their respective towns and provinces, Delhi University should not be afraid to draw its strength from a whole subcontinent. It should be a symbol of what India herself, above and beyond all her creeds or castes, can offer to the world. Gwyer also spoke of the importance of the university reducing its reliance on the public exchequer. He hoped that the time will come when to endow a chair of learning at Delhi University will seem to rich men a way, not less noble than others, of perpetuating their memory. He ended his talk in words that rang true then, and ring truer today: I am speaking tonight more especially to the citizens of Delhi. Delhi University will always, I hope, be their university as well as a university for all India; and I look forward to the time when they will feel a great pride in its fortunes and in its work. I hope it will be a civic centre in the truest sense, and that those of its sons who are educated within its walls will learn there how to combine a love of their city with a love of their country, to look beyond the immediate conflicts of community and party to the greater unity which lies behind them, and to remember that of all the civic virtues for which a university should stand, a love of truth, a sense of proportion and a spirit of tolerance are not the least.15 VI Not very long ago, India had some fairly decent universities, but a very poor record in removing mass illiteracy. In the past two decades this situation has been reversed. There is a new energy abroad in the school sector driven in part by the state, in part by voluntary organisations, and most of all by parents. Once, many poor families chose to put their children to work rather than send them to school. Now, they wish to place them in a position from which they can, with luck and enterprise, exchange a life of menial labour for a job in the modern economy. As the educationist Vimala Ramachandran pointed out in 2004, the demand side had never looked more promising. The overwhelming evidence emanating from studies done in the last 10 years clearly demonstrates that there is a tremendous demand for education across the board and among all social groups. Wherever the government has ensured a well-functioning school within reach, enrolment has been high.16 Recent developments in primary education call for a cautious optimism. So, perhaps, do recent developments in the realm of advanced scientific research. The past two decades have seen the creation of several high quality research institutes such as the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology in Hyderabad and the National Centre for Biological Sciences in Bangalore. The ministry of science and technology has announced that it shall fund four new institutions on the model of the Indian Institute of Science.17 On the other hand, our best universities have steadily deteriorated in quality and capability. True, there remain a few wellfunctioning departments, some very fine scholars and many devoted teachers. Still, I think it is fair to say that in respect of the five criteria enumerated here, the universities of Bombay, Calcutta and Madras probably functioned better in the 1930s and 1940s than they do now. The halcyon period of the University of Delhi ran from the 1950s to the 1970s, that of the Jawaharlal Nehru University from the 1970s to the 1990s.18 The deterioration that has set in, in these and other universities, has multiple causes. Among them are the varieties of parochialism and populism enumerated above. These malign forces have been stoked by the political leadership. The ministers of education in the states work consistently to undermine the autonomy of their universities by interfering in appointments high and low. The ministers of education at the centre have promoted personal favourites regardless of ability, and also used universities as tools of partisan politics.19 Our universities are in crisis, but few people and none, apparently, in positions of high authority seem to be aware of this. But perhaps I should amend that last statement. One person in high authority has in fact spoken on the subject of university education. This is the president of India, A P J Abdul Kalam, who recently asked for the creation of a new Nalanda. Now this is a charming idea, but also a hopelessly romantic one. Surely Indias needs would be better served by renewing our existing universities, by making them more plural, in all senses of the term. Crafting an agenda for the renewal of our universities is the subject for another essay, to be written by another (and better qualified) scholar. Here, I might just suggest a few items for inclusion on that agenda. First, I think we need to think more seriously about university size. Our big cities each have far too few universities for their own, and the public, good. The universities of Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Delhi and Bangalore each have several hundred institutions affiliated to it, with a combined student population that runs into three lakhs and more. How can these institutions be effectively run, how can standards be maintained, by a single chain of authority headed by a solitary vice chancellor?20 Second, within each university, big or small, all constituent units must not be treated alike. In particular, colleges and departments with a tradition of excellence in teaching and research should be accorded institutional autonomy, including the autonomy to raise their own funds. Each university must be encouraged to cultivate their own areas of distinction. Those words, distinction and excellence, need to have their meanings restored. For, as we know only too well, in the realm of the academy, parochialism and populism work only to propel a race to the bottom. Why not instead work to ensure that some institutions of quality exist, and that those not yet there are encouraged to emulate them? Third, to attract better teachers one needs more flexibility in recruitment policies. Now, most universities allow only fulltime faculty, whose jobs are secure until superannuation, in exchange for which they must come to work every day and not take outside employment. However, a university in a city such as Mumbai or Kolkata can and must take advantage of the talent available in the public and corporate sector, in the media, and in voluntary organisations. If a scientist in an industrial lab, an editor in a newspaper, a senior lawyer in the high court, were all permitted to come one day a week to teach one course a year to young and keen students, there would, I think, be a profusion of volunteers.21 Likewise, with the increasing drift of the finest Indian scholars abroad, statutes and prejudices must be amended to allow some professors to teach for one term only, while spending the rest of the year where they like. The encouragement of adjunct and part-time faculty would, I think, greatly enrich the intellectual life of the university and also help towards balancing its budget. At the same time, with regard to fulltime faculty our universities need to more seriously combat the pressures of parochialism. A policy of not appointing ones own graduates, at least at the lower levels, would aid a cross-fertilisation of intellectual approaches and perspectives. A policy of setting part a certain percentage of teaching jobs say 30 per cent for candidates from other states would make each university less parochial as well as more national.22 By making ones teaching staff less parochial one can fashion a student body that is less parochial as well. One function that the best colleges and departments have historically served and can be made to serve again was to attract outstanding students from outside the state or region. In their pomp, the Delhi School of Economics, the department of history at the JNU, the school of fine arts at M S University in Baroda, and the department of philosophy at the University of Pune, all had a catchment area that included all of India. Which brings me, finally, to the question of funding. As of now, almost all universities in India are funded by the state Economic and Political Weekly February 17, 2007 and controlled by the state. In the longterm, we need to have many more private universities, which might challenge the public universities to reform and redeem themselves, in the same manner, as say, Jet Airways has forced sharp and mostly beneficial changes on Indian Airlines.23 In the shorter term, colleges and universities in the state sector must more actively woo successful alumni and industrial houses for funds. The money, when and if it comes, can be tied to specific programmes and departments, but its ultimate use must be left to the discretion of the institution. The ideals that I have outlined here are the product of an experience that is individual but I think not unrepresentative. My mind was shaped and quickened by the University of Delhi, which I was lucky to know and experience towards the end of its glorious period. But what I owe my alma mater is merely what other and greater Indians have owed other universities. The national movement, and the building of a free and democratic India, were both nurtured and sustained by men and women whose minds were formed by the universities of India. It is commonly argued that the impressive growth rates of recent years will be stalled by poor infrastructure: erratic power supply, pothoted highways, inadequate public transport, and the like. My own view is that Indias economic and social development depends crucially on a renewal of its higher education system. As we enter our seventh decade of freedom, what we make of ourselves will depend, far more than we presently seem to realise, on what we make of our universities. EPW Email: ramguha@gmail.com CASPER, Wyo. Almost $2 million in federal grant money is headed to the Wind River Reservation and Wyomings public housing authorities. Nearly $900,000 will be used for large maintenance repairs or upgrades to existing low-income properties in municipalities across the state. Different areas will use the money to meet diverse needs. A 30-year-old roof may be fixed in Rock Springs; a new back driveway could be laid in Buffalo. Another $842,084 will be used by the Eastern Shoshone Housing Authority to extensively rehabilitate 116 housing units on the reservation. What the money wont do is expand public housing. And more low-income housing is a growing need in some areas, especially with Wyomings dire economic situation, officials say. There are more than 1,000 people on the waiting list for low-income housing provided by the Cheyenne Housing Authority. These are people that have applied for housing through the city housing authority and have not yet received it, said Greg Hancock, the authority's executive director. The Cheyenne office operates 341 units in Cheyenne and Laramie. It also facilitates the Section 8 Voucher Program to help cover the cost of renting. Even with a similar voucher program for veterans, the demand for affordable housing is greater than the supply, Hancock said. In Rock Springs, the waiting list has spiked in the last three months, said executive director April Thompson. She expects her community's need to grow as more people, particularly families, buckle under the strain of the plummeting economy. Most people try to do what they can, with families, savings, Thompson said. I have noticed it is families that need help. But the Rock Springs Housing Authority is limited in what it can provide, she said. It currently has 100 low-income units, 15 Veteran Affairs Supportive Housing Vouchers and 52 Section 8 Vouchers. The impact of low oil and gas prices is a paradox in Wyoming. It can be a boon for the most vulnerable populations, who benefit from the affordable transportation costs. But it is also creating more of a need, in our area specifically, she said. It means that tons of people are out of work and struggling. For Buffalo's public housing building, the waiting list has not gone up in relation to the economy, said Richard Trembley, director of the Cloud Peak Vista Apartments. But the waiting list for Buffalos single low-income property hasnt gone down in recent years either, he said. In 2014, officials tried to obtain a grant to build a 12-unit low income building for seniors on an empty lot adjacent to the other affordable housing. But funding ultimately fell through. The federal grant dollars are dispensed yearly from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Developments Capital Fund Program. In total, Wyoming will receive $894,658, with Cheyenne receiving the lions share, $385,516. Rock Springs will receive $155,643; Evanston, $113,131 and Casper $91,850. Douglas, Buffalo, Hanna and Lusk will all receive grants for under $100,000. D emand President Jokowi Support Justice for All Contact: John M. Miller, East Timor and Indonesia Action Network (ETAN), 917-690-4391, john@etan.org Peter Phwan, ETAN/ICANet, San Francisco (415) 812-2414 Muhamad Amin, San Francisco (415) 412-6372 For Immediate Release On Tuesday, February 16, human rights and environmental activists, members of the Indonesian-American community and others will gather in San Francisco, California, to urge Indonesia's President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo to make justice a priority of his administration. Demonstrators will gather in silence from 5:30 to 7:30 pm in front of the Palace of Fine Arts Theatre, 3301 Lyon St, San Francisco, CA 94123, where the President is scheduled to speak, They will call for greater efforts to bring to justice those responsible for past and ongoing human rights violations. "President Widodo took office pledging to break with the past. Instead, we see too many echoes of Indonesia's lawless past," said John M. Miller, National Coordinator of ETAN. Peter Phwan of ICANET, a Bay Area Indonesia-American group, said "Jokowi should keep his campaign promise for commitment of human rights. So far, he has disappointed us." "The persecution of religious minorities continues. Churches still burn and minority faiths still have trouble getting permits to build houses of worship. This was the pattern of the past administration." BACKGROUND 1. Indonesia must reveal the truth and provide justice for past human rights violations from the mass killings in 1965 on to the illegal invasion and occupation of East Timor It is 50 years since Suharto's 1965 seizure of power and 40 years after Indonesia's illegal invasion of East Timor (Timor-Leste). During Suharto's decades in power, Indonesian security forces and their proxies killed hundreds of thousands. Indonesia has taken only halting steps to acknowledge these crimes against humanity and has yet to take serious steps to hold those responsible for the crimes committed throughout the archipelago from Aceh to Timor-Leste (East Timor) to West Papua. Many of those responsible maintain powerful positions, including in Widodo's own political party and administration. Refusing to acknowledge the past, the Indonesian military is increasingly re-inserting itself into domestic affairs. 2. End the Persecution of Religious Minorities Religious minorities in Indonesia remain under threat. The recent burning of churches in Aceh and bans on Ahmadi worship are among the most recent examples. Followers of minority religions continue to face persecution and to have trouble opening houses of worship, including GKI Yasmin and HKBP Philadelphia churches. Many localities enforce discriminatory regulations in violation of national law. 3. End the Persecution of Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender people Public officials have made a series of troubling anti-gay statements, urging barring LGBT people from universities and other institutions. Recently, the Communication and Information Ministry threatened to ban gay and lesbian emoji or stickers in WhatsApp, Facebook and Twitter. 4. Stop Human Right Violations in West Papua While Jokowi has promised a new deal for Papua, many of those promises remain unfulfilled. About 40 political prisoners remain in jail and the rules governing media access remain murky. West Papuans advocating for freedom face harassment, arrest or worse. Expanded "development" projects threaten indigenous rights and livelihoods. Indonesia continues to rebuff appeals for direct dialogue with the independence movement. 5. Protect the Environment, Stop Deforestation Indonesia's forests continue to be stripped to establish palm oil and other plantation agriculture. The rate of deforestation is among the worst in the world. Illegal logging is often facilitated by lax enforcement and corrupt military and police. Haze from the seasonal burning of forests in Indonesia affects the health and well-being of millions in several Southeast Asian countries. Plans to add additional coal-fired electric plants also pose health hazards and will contribute to climate change that already threatens Indonesia's coral and coasts. The massive Benoa Bay Reclamation Project would destroy a large conservation area in Bali for hotels and tourism. Join ETAN's email listservs on Timor-Leste, Indonesia and West Papua Younited Italia, Nicola Manzari e il nuovo Coo, Luca Faccini e Head of Growth e Domenico Petraroli e General Counsel BINGHAMTON, NY - Analysis of artifacts found on the shores of Rapa Nui, Chile (Easter Island) originally thought to be used as spear points reveal that these objects were likely general purpose tools instead, providing evidence contrary to the widely held belief that the ancient civilization was destroyed by warfare. According to Carl Lipo, professor of anthropology at Binghamton University and lead on the study, the traditional story for Rapa Nui holds that the people, before Europeans arrived, ran out of resources and, as a result, engaged in massive in-fighting, which led to their collapse. One of the pieces of evidence used to support this theory is the thousands of obsidian, triangular objects found on the surface, known as mata'a. Because of their large numbers and because they're made of sharp glass, many believe the mata'a to be the weapons of war that the ancient inhabitants of the island used for interpersonal violence Lipo and his team analyzed the shape variability of a photo set of 400-plus mata'a collected from the island using a technique known as morphometrics, which allowed them to characterize the shapes in a quantitative manner. Based on the wide variability in shape of the mata'a and their difference from other traditional weapons, the team determined that the mata'a were not used in warfare after all, as they would have made poor weapons. "We found that when you look at the shape of these things, they just don't look like weapons at all," said Lipo. "When you can compare them to European weapons or weapons found anywhere around the world when there are actually objects used for warfare, they're very systematic in their shape. They have to do their job really well. Not doing well is risking death." "You can always use something as a spear. Anything that you have can be a weapon. But under the conditions of warfare, weapons are going to have performance characteristics. And they're going to be very carefully fashioned for that purpose because it matters...You would cut somebody {with a mata'a], but they certainly wouldn't be lethal in any way." According to Lipo, this evidence strongly supports the idea that the ancient civilization never experienced this oft-theorized combat and warfare, and that the belief that the mata'a were weapons used in the collapse of the civilization is really a late European interpretation of the record, not an actual archeological event. "What people traditionally think about the island is being this island of catastrophe and collapse just isn't true in a pre-historic sense. Populations were successful and lived sustainably on the island up until European contact," said Lipo. Lipo and his team believe that the mata'a are found all over the landscape because they were actually cultivation tools used in ritual tasks like tattooing or domestic activities like plant processing. "We've been trying to focus on individual bits of evidence that support the collapse narrative to demonstrate that really there's no support whatsoever for that story," he said. "Sort of a pillar of the broader study is the fact that this is an amazing society that really was successful. It just doesn't look like success to us because we see fields that are rock, we think catastrophe, and in fact it's actually productivity." The paper, "Weapons of war? Rapa Nui mata'a 1 morphometric analyses" was published in Antiquity. ### A 60 year-old theory to explain why seas surrounding islands and atolls are particularly productive has just been proven by a marine biologist from Bangor University's School of Ocean Science, working with a colleague at the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Open ocean environments don't appear to host vast communities of life, however, approach a coral reef and you'll inevitably come across an abundance of life, from increased levels of plankton to bird and marine life. When Charles Darwin first saw a coral reef he was perplexed by this. How could such a productive system exist in such a seemingly unproductive environment? The question of how such a productive system exists in such a seemingly unproductive environment became known as Darwin's paradox. The Island Mass Effect is a hypothesis explaining why waters surrounding small islands, reefs and atolls support a greater abundance of sea-life than is found in the near-by open ocean. Writing in Nature Communications (DOI: 10.1038/ncomms10581), the authors describe the extent to which the Island Mass Effect happens and also identify some of the key drivers in this 'positive feed-back effect', which acts as a life-supporting mechanism. The researchers measured a massive increase in phytoplankton in the waters surrounding 35 small islands and atolls in the Pacific Ocean. They recorded up to 86% more phytoplankton in these waters than is found in open oceans. At the base of the food chain, the presence of a greater number of these microscopic organisms has an effect right up the food chain to the top predators like tuna, who feed on the fish and animals supported by the phytoplankton. But why does the phytoplankton thrive in these areas? Once the growth begins, it becomes a self-fuelling cycle, a little bit of life brings more. The physical presence of the islands themselves creates circulation patterns and the positive feed-back effect begins, with fish being attracted to the phytoplankton, and larger fish and birds to the fish. Their droppings add 'fertiliser' to the water, encouraging production of yet more phytoplankton, which in turn supports more life. Human activity also feeds into the cycle. Run-off from agricultural fertiliser from land and other human activity also feed into the system- whether beneficial or not. Another important element identified by the researchers is the presence of lagoons contained within the atoll's reefs. Their shallow protected waters attract large numbers of birds and their basins are washed out daily by the tide, distributing nutrients into the shallow waters at their rim, and driving further phytoplankton growth. Senior author of the paper Gareth Williams, of Bangor University's School of Ocean Sciences said: "The hypothesis was generally accepted, but had never actually been proven, beyond studies of single islands. Having proven the hypothesis, we have also established valuable baseline data about the abundance of marine life around these islands, some of which are the most remote in the world. "From an understanding of the drivers of phytoplankton production in the tropics, we can begin to explore how this productivity may become altered under future climate change scenarios such as altered ocean circulation patterns and what the biological knock-on effects may be, particularly to local fisheries." "There are clearly "hotspots" in productivity scattered across the open ocean which may act as natural refuges to future climate change. We identify these for areas with and without people - coral reefs rather ironically offer examples of some of the most degraded habitats that echo chronic human-induced change, but also boast some of the most pristine examples left on our planet." Lead author of the paper Jamison Gove, of NOAA's Ecosystems and Oceanography Division said: "The Island Mass Effect is nearly ubiquitous- we found it occurring in 91% of the coral reef ecosystems we surveyed across the Pacific. It is clearly an essential mechanism that provides energetic resources to support subsistence-based human populations. We now need to determine what other biological knock-on effects occur as a result of this and how all these mechanisms and interactions may become altered in this era of rapid change." ### Further information: Gareth Williams, School of Ocean Sciences, Bangor University, Tel: +44 (0)1248 382588, mail: g.j.williams@bangor.ac.uk 07538 309460 Twitter @RemoteReefs Image caption: The productive waters surrounding a remote coral reef atoll (Palmyra Atoll) teeming with marine life (photo credit: Zafer Kizilkaya ). Short video clips clip of large numbers of planktivorous fishes aggregating around productive regions of islands are also available to illustrate the piece. Contact press@bangor.ac.uk . They have the following descriptions: 00009: School of fusuliers are coming to a cleaning station on a coral head. Mansuar Island, Raja Ampat Marine Protected Area, Indonesia. (223,350KB) Roma3: Midnight snappers, Macolor macularis, schooling over a reef in Tomea Island of Wakatobi National Park, Sulawesi Indonesia. Marine Protected Areas and especially no fishing zones are the only places in tropical seas to witness the dense fish schools. (61,884KB) Roma11: Green turtle, Chelonia mydas, is resting on hard corals. Green turtle is a herbivore and mainly feeds on sea-grasses. They are delicacy in Balinese cuisine and sought after all around Indonesia. Wakatobi National Park, Sulawesi Indonesia. (328,308KB) Roma13: Reef scenic with healthy hard corals and barrel sponges, Wakatobi National Park, Sulawesi Indonesia. (80.070 KB) Slingjaw:( A slingjaw wrasse, Epibulus insidiator, has a protractible jaw. Preying on anthiases hovering on a table coral, Wakatobi National Park, Sulawesi Indonesia. (67,680 KB) Turtle: Green turtle, Chelonia mydas, with remoras is resting on a small cavern during the strong current battering the reef. Wakatobi National Park, Sulawesi Indonesia. (89,303KB) All are copyright of and should be credited to Zafer Kizilkaya. Editor's notes: 1. The research: Near-island biological hotspots in barren ocean basins focussed on data from 35 coral reef islands and atolls spanning 43 of latitude and 60 of longitude. Please credit the source. Washington, DC-- A team of scientists including Carnegie's Dina Bower and Andrew Steele weigh in on whether microstructures found in 3.46 billion-year-old samples of a silica-rich rock called chert found in Western Australia are the planet's oldest fossils. The purported fossils have been a heated scientific controversy for many years. The team asserts that at least a portion of the microstructures are actually pseudo-fossils. Their findings are published in Astrobiology. More than two decades ago, microscopic filamentary structures, less than two dozen micrometers in length, found in Australia's Apex chert formation were declared to be fossils of photosynthetic bacteria from the Archean eon. These alleged microfossils were obviously of great interest to scientists interested in the origins of life on Earth as well as those trying to determine the best way to look for life on other planets. But since then, subsequent research involving Owen Green at Oxford University (who is also a co-author on this study) has called these claims into question, putting forward the idea that the structures are fossil-like mineral formations, but not actually the remains of life. Debate about the authenticity of the Apex chert microfossils has raged over the last several years. The research team--which also included Marc Fries of the NASA Johnson Space Center and John Lindsay (now deceased) of the Lunar and Planetary Science Institute--analyzed the orientation of the quartz crystals (quartz is a form of silica, which makes up chert) surrounding the alleged microfossils in order to determine whether the crystals and microstructures were both formed as part of the same geological processes. "Based on our findings, we think that the Apex fossil that was designated as Eoleptonema apex in the originally described samples that we re-studied here was actually formed when a series of quartz grains cracked and was filled in with carbon-rich material to create a sheet-shaped structure within the larger crystal," Steele explains. The source of the carbon could have been biological, or abiotic, but this structure itself is not a fossil, the team asserts. "Studies have shown that 60 percent of the originally described alleged microfossils were found in material that is younger than its host rock, E. apex being one such example. This study further develops a new technique in order to study the indigeneity of the microfossils in the rock and shows without a doubt that this particular example is a pseudo-fossil. The other microstructures in the primary rock (i.e. the oldest part of the rock) should now be analyzed critically in order to prove that similar processes have not been responsible for the formation of those features," said Bower. ### This work was funded by NASA SRLIDA, NASA ASTEP, WITec GMbH, the NAI postdoctoral program, and Oak Ridge Associated Universities. The samples were supplied by the Natural History Museum London. The Carnegie Institution for Science (carnegiescience.edu) is a private, nonprofit organization headquartered in Washington, D.C., with six research departments throughout the U.S. Since its founding in 1902, the Carnegie Institution has been a pioneering force in basic scientific research. Carnegie scientists are leaders in plant biology, developmental biology, astronomy, materials science, global ecology, and Earth and planetary science. February 16, 2016 -The Center for Infection and Immunity at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health announced today that it has received a $1.9 million grant from the Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation for tick-borne disease research. The grant will support research into the role in human disease of known and as-yet-to be-discovered tick-borne bacteria and viruses by determining the tick microbiome and testing for the presence of potential pathogens using molecular and serological methods. "I was shocked to learn how many people suffer from Lyme disease in silence, and how much we still need to do to raise awareness and help find a cure," said Alex Cohen, President of the Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation. "This gift is incredibly personal to me as I have experienced, first-hand, the chronic and debilitating side effects of this understudied disease. We share the Center for Infection and Immunity's desire to find a cure for Lyme disease and hope that this gift will help pave the way to that important work." Lyme disease is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi and transmitted to humans through the bite of infected ticks. Typical symptoms include fever, headache, fatigue, and a characteristic skin rash. If left untreated, infection can spread to joints, the heart, and the nervous system. There are about 329,000 new cases of Lyme disease each year, according to CDC statistics. As a result of the difficulty in diagnosing and treating Lyme disease, as many as one million Americans may be suffering from the impact of its debilitating long-term symptoms. "Our hypothesis is that some patients with ongoing symptoms who have not responded to antibiotics known to be effective against Borrelia may be infected with viruses or other antibiotic resistant bacteria," said Ian Lipkin, MD, director of the Center for Infection and Immunity. "This generous award from the Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation will allow us to pursue discovery and surveillance efforts needed to rigorously test this hypothesis." ### About the Center for Infection and Immunity at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health The Center, led by W. Ian Lipkin, MD, the John Snow Professor of Epidemiology at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health, is one of the world's largest academic centers for microbial surveillance, diagnosis, and discovery. Dr. Lipkin and his team pursue research to determine the role of microbes in the development of disease and to dissect the mechanisms by which the response to infection results in disease. The team pioneered genetic methods to rapidly identify infectious agents and has molecularly characterized more than 700 viruses associated with disease in humans and wildlife including 20 novel viruses in ticks alone. About the Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation The Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation is committed to inspiring philanthropy and community service - with special interest in children's health, education, veterans, and the arts - by creating awareness, offering guidance, and leading by example to show the world what giving can do. The Cohen Foundation's Lyme Initiative is investing to cure Lyme, which infects over 300,000 Americans each year and leaves 10-20% with persistent, life-altering symptoms. Through funding leading researchers and innovators, the Foundation will improve our ability to prevent, diagnose, and treat all stages of Lyme disease. LIVERMORE, Calif.--The Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets will make a dominant contribution to 21st century sea-level rise if current climate trends continue. However, predicting the expected loss of ice sheet mass is difficult due to the complexity of modeling ice sheet behavior. To better understand this loss, a team of Sandia National Laboratories researchers has been improving the reliability and efficiency of computational models that describe ice sheet behavior and dynamics. The team includes researchers Irina Demeshko, Mike Eldred, John Jakeman, Mauro Perego, Andy Salinger, Irina Tezaur and Ray Tuminaro. This research is part of a five-year project called Predicting Ice Sheet and Climate Evolution at Extreme Scales (PISCEES), funded by the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Scientific Discovery through Advanced Computing (SciDAC) program. PISCEES is a multi-lab, multi-university endeavor that includes researchers from Sandia, Los Alamos, Lawrence Berkeley and Oak Ridge national laboratories, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Florida State University, the University of Bristol, the University of Texas Austin, the University of South Carolina and New York University. Sandia's biggest contribution to PISCEES has been an analysis tool, a land-ice solver called Albany/FELIX (Finite Elements for Land Ice eXperiments). The tool is based on equations that simulate ice flow over the Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets and is being coupled to Earth models through the Accelerated Climate for Energy (ACME) project. "One of the goals of PISCEES is to create a land-ice solver that is scalable, fast and robust on continental scales," said computational scientist Irina Tezaur, a lead developer of Albany/FELIX. Not only did the new solver need to be reliable and efficient, but it was critical that the team develop a solver equipped with next-generation and advanced analysis capabilities. Tezaur said the team next needs to run the solver on new and emerging computers. They also need to be able to calibrate models and quantify uncertainties in expected sea-level rise. "The data we get from climate scientists are usually measurements from the top surface of the ice," she said. "To initialize an ice sheet simulation, we need information about what is happening inside and at the bottom of the ice. Determining interior and bedrock ice properties is what we call model calibration, and requires the solution of an inverse problem. A lot of our work has been in developing and implementing optimization algorithms that are able to solve these inverse problems robustly and efficiently." Tezaur stresses that the success of PISCEES is due in large part to strong collaborations between glaciologists, climate modelers, computational scientists and mathematicians. "Glaciologists and climate scientist collaborators on PISCEES provide us with data sets to go into our model, while computational scientists come up with the right algorithms to use and implement them efficiently," she explains. Improving computational modeling The PISCEES project began in 2012 because there was no robust land-ice model as a building block for earth system models that calculate sea-level rise predictions to support the DOE's climate missions. Sandia's Albany/FELIX solver includes advanced capabilities and provides increased robustness, scalability and speed, Tezaur said. "In just three years of work, we have created a next-generation land-ice model that is verified, scalable and robust and portable to new and emerging architecture machines," Tezaur said. "These models are equipped with advanced analysis capabilities." The Albany/FELIX solver was written using the so-called "component-based" software development strategy, an approach devised by Sandia computational scientists in which new application codes are written using mature modular libraries. New solvers created using this approach are "born" scalable: fast, robust and capable of advanced analysis since they are based on a collection of algorithms developed and tested by domain experts. The components comprising Albany/FELIX are the Trilinos libraries, a collection of open-source packages developed by Sandia. In addition to recommending and executing the component-based code development strategy, Sandia researchers have developed approaches for improving the robustness of the nonlinear solver. The Albany/FELIX code has demonstrated scalability up to 1 billion unknowns and tens of thousands of cores thanks to parallel scalable iterative linear solvers and newly developed preconditioning methods by Tuminaro. Adjoint-based deterministic inversion algorithms and software developed and implemented by Perego have enabled rigorous model calibration. In collaboration with experts from the QUEST SciDAC institute, Eldred and Jakeman, a framework for forward and inverse uncertainty quantification (UQ) has been developed. Finally, Albany/FELIX has been made portable to new architecture machines thanks in large part to the efforts of computer scientist, Irina Demeshko. Verification and validation are important While code performance is critical to the success of Albany/FELIX, equally important are verification and validation, two procedures for evaluating a model and its code. Verification ascertains that a code is bug-free. In contrast, validation seeks to check that the physical process described by a model is consistent with what is seen in the real world. Sandia has done a thorough verification of the Albany/FELIX solver using the method of manufactured solutions, code-to-code comparisons on canonical land-ice benchmarks and by performing convergence studies on realistic Greenland and Antarctica landscapes with real data, Tezaur said. Tezaur explains that, in general, validation is much harder to do than verification. The degree to which ice sheet models have been validated by observations is fairly limited, due in part to the limited duration of the satellite observation era and the long adjustment time scales of ice sheets. The PISCEES team has checked that its solver predicts ice sheet quantities such as surface velocities, surface mass balance and that these quantities are consistent with past and recent observations. "We are in the process of doing a validation study for the Greenland Ice Sheet for the period 1991-2012," Tezaur said. "The ice sheet model output will be compared to ice surface elevation and ice sheet mass change observations from ICESat and IceSat 2, the Ice, Cloud and land Elevation Satellite." Early results show promise for assessing the performance of different model configurations. A verification and validation test suite, known as the Land Ice Validation and Verification Kit, is being developed by PISCEES collaborators at Oak Ridge, and goes hand-in-hand with the efforts at Sandia. In recent months, climate scientists Steve Price and Matt Hoffman at Los Alamos have begun to use Albany/FELIX for production runs on Edison and Cori, two of the newest Cray supercomputers at the National Energy Research Scientific Computing Center. During the next two years, calculations provided by the team will be used to estimate expected sea level rise during the 21st century. Sandia National Laboratories is a multi-program laboratory operated by Sandia Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Lockheed Martin Corp., for the U.S. Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration. With main facilities in Albuquerque, N.M., and Livermore, Calif., Sandia has major R&D responsibilities in national security, energy and environmental technologies and economic competitiveness. ### Ask a biofuel researcher to name the single greatest technical barrier to cost-effective ethanol, and you're likely to receive a one-word response: lignin. Cellulosic ethanol--fuel derived from woody plants and waste biomass--has the potential to become an affordable, renewable transportation fuel that rivals gasoline, but lignin, one of the most ubiquitous components of the plant cell wall, gets in the way. In nature, the resilient lignin polymer helps provide the scaffolding for plants, reinforcing slender cellulosic fibers--the primary raw ingredient of cellulosic ethanol--and serving as a protective barrier against disease and predators. Lignin's protective characteristics persist during biofuel processing, where it's a big hindrance, surviving expensive pretreatments designed to remove it and blocking enzymes from breaking down cellulose into simple sugars for fermentation into bioethanol. To better understand exactly how lignin persists, researchers at the US Department of Energy's (DOE's) Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) created one of the largest biomolecular simulations to date--a 23.7-million atom system representing pretreated biomass (cellulose and lignin) in the presence of enzymes. The size of the simulation required Titan, the flagship supercomputer at the Oak Ridge Leadership Computing Facility (OLCF), a DOE Office of Science User Facility, to track and analyze the interaction of millions of atoms. The research, led by Jeremy Smith, a Governor's Chair at the University of Tennessee (UT) and director of the UT-ORNL Center for Molecular Biophysics, revealed in atomistic detail why lignin is such a problem: Not only does it bind to cellulose in the preferred locations sought by enzymes, but lignin also attracts and occupies the cellulose-binding domain of the enzymes themselves. "That impedes the mechanism the enzyme has to anchor to cellulose. Thus lignin binds exactly where it is least desired for industrial purposes," said ORNL staff scientist Loukas Petridis. "This detailed knowledge of lignin behavior can guide genetic engineering of enzymes that bind less to lignin and therefore produce bioethanol more efficiently." Beyond the scientific knowledge obtained from the simulation, the team's biomass system advances computational biophysics' shift toward complex, multicomponent systems, a move enabled by leadership-class supercomputers. Building a Biomass Model During pretreatment, acid, water, and heat work to remove non-cellulosic biomass from plant material. Lignin, however, sticks around, clustering into aggregates around the cellulose and impeding enzymes from reaching cellulose. To accurately model this crowded environment, Smith's team used experimental data to create a representative sample of pretreated biomass and enzymes. The model took into account details such as the ratio of cellulose to lignin, type of lignin, and relative amount of enzymes. In total, the simulation tracked nine cellulose fibers, 468 lignin molecules, and 54 enzyme molecules in a rectangular water box. The team built the model using a molecular dynamics code called GROMACS under an allocation awarded through the Innovative and Novel Computational Impact on Theory and Experiment, or INCITE, program. With a complete model, the team turned to the Cray XK7 Titan, America's fastest supercomputer, to supply the necessary computing power to observe the system in action. During its largest runs, the biomass simulation scaled to nearly 4,000 of Titan's 18,666 nodes, producing roughly 45 nanoseconds of simulation time in one day. Over the course of a year, the team amassed 1.3 microseconds of simulation time, a significant length of time in the world of computational biophysics. "There's nowhere else in the world where we could have run this simulation," Petridis said. In addition to lending insight to the challenges of next-generation biofuels, the team's simulation pointed toward potential pathways that could help mitigate lignin's impact. Specifically, the simulation demonstrated that lignin does not bind as much to less-ordered, or amorphous, cellulose fibers, meaning it competes less with the enzymes there. "Industrialists knew amorphous cellulose is more easily broken down by enzymes, but what we show is that it's not only the inherent properties of amorphous cellulose that makes it easier for the enzymes but also that lignin is less of a pest," Petridis said. Analysis in Parallel To maximize their time on the OLCF's flagship supercomputer, Smith's team tweaked GROMACS to streamline communication across thousands of Titan's CPU cores. Additionally, the team doubled the time interval GROMACS used to calculate the motion of the biomass system. By implementing a more computationally efficient method to track long-range interactions between atoms, the team was able to increase its timestep from 2 femtoseconds to 4 femtoseconds, or 4,000 trillionths of a second, without losing accuracy. The resulting data was transferred to the OLCF's High-Performance Storage System until it could be analyzed. Typically, analysis is carried out in serial, or one event a time, but growth in computing power and simulation size has created an analysis bottleneck--it just takes too much time. To get around this constraint, Smith's team worked to equip GROMACS with the capability to conduct analysis in parallel, meaning thousands of Titan's processors could work in tandem to carry out analysis tasks. For example, running parallel analyses on 2,000 CPU cores, the researchers could obtain results 2,000 times faster than conventional methods. In collaboration with the ORNL team, Josh Vermaas, a graduate student at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, contributed significantly to this effort as a DOE Computational Science Graduate Fellow at ORNL. The new capability not only helped the team reduce its time to solution, but it also paves the way for analyzing similar large-scale simulations in the future. "Analysis was one of the stumbling blocks for simulations at this scale," said team member Roland Schulz, a UT postdoctoral researcher. "With parallel analysis, it's now more feasible and will make leadership-class simulations easier." As supercomputers allow for larger and more realistic systems, the ambitions of researchers and the realism of their biological systems continue to rise. Summit, the OLCF's next leadership-class supercomputer, will offer at least five times the computing power of Titan. For Smith's team, that means its biomass models have room to grow in complexity to further probe biofuel's challenges. "We're trying to reach the complexity that is found in nature and industrial conditions," Petridis said. "Eventually, we would like to construct a simple model of a plant cell wall that we could process in silico, or via computer simulation, and see how it changes during pretreatment." ### The research was supported by DOE's Office of Science. Related publication: Josh V. Vermaas, Loukas Petridis, Xianghong Qi, Roland Schulz, Benjamin Linder, and Jeremy C. Smith, "Mechanism of lignin inhibition of enzymatic biomass deconstruction." Biotechnology for Biofuels 8, no. 1 (2015): 1. Oak Ridge National Laboratory is supported by the US Department of Energy's Office of Science. The single largest supporter of basic research in the physical sciences in the United States, the Office of Science is working to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time. For more information, please visit science.energy.gov. A Sino-Australian forum is the theme of the new issue of Family Medicine and Community Health (FMCH), an international medical journal with editorial offices in China and the U.S. The Winter 2015 issue includes three original research articles, one systematic review on models of oral healthcare, three commentaries and two papers focusing specifically on health care in China. Authors from China contributing to this issue come from the University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, Jinan Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Laizhou Health Inspection, Sichuan University, and the Hubei University of Chinese Medicine. Australian authors come from North Richmond Community Health Limited, Victoria; La Trobe University, Link Health and Community, Victoria, and Griffith University. In a broad sense, Australia and China face similar health policy challenges despite the differences between the two countries. Both countries are working to reduce gaps in health services accessibility and in health outcomes between rich and poor, urban and rural and indigenous and nonindigenous people. Universal coverage of medical care services, coordination between primary care and hospital care, cost containment, and safety and quality of care are priorities on the health reform agenda in both countries.This special issue of FMCH, coordinated by Chaojie Liu of La Trobe University, Demos Krouskos of North Richmond Community Health and Michael Geary of Banyule Community Health provides an opportunity for Australian researchers and health practitioners to demonstrate to their professional peers in China the potential benefits from closer professional and institutional engagement. The featured work in this issue is an original research article entitled "Striking a balance: the critical importance of sense-making and values-congruent partnerships between GPs and patients following stroke." As stated by authors Carolyn Ehrlich, Elizabeth Kendall and Tara Catalano, people with a recent experience of stroke commonly rely on general practice for assistance to manage everyday consequences and associated disability. The authors investigated how the relationship between these people and their general practitioners assisted daily self-management. Other articles published in the issue include: Xiaohui Ren, Hongdao Meng, Chaojie Liu, Jinhui Wu, Birong Dong, Ningxiu Li: "Family structure and support for the oldest old: a cross-sectional study in Dujiangyan, China" This paper examined the association of family size and composition with family support for nonagenarians and centenarians given the decline of the extended family in a society where adult children have traditionally provided support for their aged parents. Yan Wu, Yanping Zhao, Xiaoxia Huang, Junyan Wang, Huilin Xu, Hualin Su: "Exploration and practice of general practitioner responsibility system in urban community" The authors investigated the public health management model of Minhang District of Shanghai. They concluded that the development of the system was limited by several factors. Bradley Christian, Martin Hall, Rachel Martin: "A paradigm shift in models of oral health care: an example and a call to action" This review examined the Oral Health Program at North Richmond Community Health and their development of an innovative model of oral health care. Evaluation of this approach is currently being conducted to study the sustainability of such a model under the current public dental service funding model. Xuefeng Shi, Xuefeng Bian, Weiqing Wang, Yunyun Fang in "Current situation of AIDS prevention and control with traditional Chinese medicine and relevant policies in China", analyzed the current system, the prevention and treatment team, drugs relating to AIDS prevention and control with traditional Chinese medicine and the relevant policies in China. In "The role of a community health service in the prevention of violence against women" Bronwyn Upston, Carolyn Poljski, and Helen Wirtz describe the roles community health services can play in the prevention of violence against women - as a partner and setting for prevention programs, in planning and service provision. Ailsa Rothenbury: "A new paradigm for assessment of infant feeding deviation" Historically, infant survival relied on breastfeeding until pathogens were identified, food technology developed, and infant/child surveillance commenced within the ethos of public health. The concept of the infant as a primary cause of feeding problems demands consideration of a new paradigm and prompts research. John Adamm Ferrier:"Systematic reviews in general practice: Applicability of the review "Mass media interventions for preventing smoking in young people" in the People's Republic of China." This paper examined how a major problem for Chinese primary health providers such as general practitioners has been the lack of a clear role within the entire health system, unlike in other countries where the general practitioner is rightly considered to be the cornerstone of the system and the gatekeeper to specialist services. The publication of this special issue coincides with a conference recently held in China : "National General Practice Conference 2015 & 13th Academic Annual Meeting of the General Practice Branch of Chinese Medical Association". Dr Margaret Chan (Director-General of the World Health Organization) and Dr. Zhu Chen (Deputy Chair of National People's Congress) attended the conference and made inspiring speeches, calling for strengthening of primary health care in health reforms. These speeches were translated and included in this issue along with a letter from 13 prominent academicians supporting the further development of general practice in China. ### FMCH is available on the IngentaConnect platform and at Family Medicine and Community Health. Submissions may be made using ScholarOne Manuscripts. There are no author submission or article processing fees. ATLANTA--Small proteins that affect communication between cells play an important role in regulating inflammation that occurs during inflammatory bowel disease, according to researchers at Georgia State University, Emory University, the University of Michigan and Amgen, a biotechnology company. The researchers compared immune cells in mice with and without intestinal inflammation and identified a new factor, a cytokine called IL-36, that is expressed in the inflamed intestine of mice. They explored the role of this cytokine to determine if it's promoting disease, helping to protect against disease or simply associated with the disease. The findings are published in The Journal of Immunology. "What we found was quite striking," said Tim Denning, lead author of the study and associate professor in the Institute for Biomedical Sciences at Georgia State. "If we block the effects of this cytokine, IL-36, in a mouse model of intestinal inflammation, the mice were better and had less disease early on, which suggested that this was a pro-inflammatory cytokine. However, when we assessed the ability of mice deficient in the receptor for IL-36 to heal, which is a vital part of resolving intestinal inflammation, they were completely unable to do so. The study highlights the important role of IL-36, not only in driving some of the inflammatory process, but also in helping to resolve the inflammation." Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), chronic inflammation of all or part of the digestive tract, affects about 1.5 million Americans. The two main types, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, develop from uncontrolled inflammation in the intestine, which leads to severe diarrhea, pain, fatigue, weight loss and even death. There are trillions of helpful bacteria inside human intestines, and the immune system is trained not to react aggressively. However, in people with IBD, the immune system doesn't tolerate these bacteria and instead fights against them. In this study, the researchers investigated the factors that may be regulating the immune system's balance between tolerating these bacteria and reacting aggressively against them. They discovered the dual role of IL-36 in both promoting intestinal inflammation and resolving or healing that inflammation. The findings highlight the significance of understanding the timing and phase of disease, Denning said. "Treatments that block certain factors, regardless of knowing the role it may be playing at a certain stage of disease, could lead to a poor outcome and may be the reason some clinical trials fail," Denning said. "It is key to understand what phase of disease patients are in, what cytokines are expressed and the appropriate therapeutic targets during these distinct phases. Oftentimes, blocking a factor is not universally beneficial. Immune responses and inflammation, which are often viewed as deleterious, can be both good and bad depending on the context." For instance, blocking IL-36 may be beneficial in certain phases of the disease, but eliminating this factor could also make the body unable to recruit and activate cells necessary for healing and resolution of the disease. Therefore, it's important to understand the pathways IL-36 affects because this cytokine could be valuable in other stages of the disease, he said. ### Co-authors for the paper include Akihito Harusato, Vu Ngo, Kyle Flannigan, Duke Geem, Oscar Medina-Contreras, Benoit Chassaing and Andrew Gewirtz of Georgia State; Hikaru Nishio, Loukia Lili, Philipp-Alexander Neumann, Giovanna Leoni and Jacob Kohlmeier of Emory; Asma Nusrat and Charles Parkos of Emory and the University of Michigan; and Jennifer Towne of Amgen. The study is funded by the National Institutes of Health and Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America. Read the study at http://www.jimmunol.org/content/196/1/34.full?sid=026945ee-9205-46c6-b264-c7dcc2583634. Fluid flows can take one of two forms: well-ordered "laminar" or highly disordered "turbulent" motion. Although everyday experience shows that laminar motion in simple shear flows as in pipes or channels gives way to turbulence as the flow speed increases, the exact nature of this transition has remained a riddle since its first study in the 19th century. IST Austria professor Bjorn Hof and his colleagues from the Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization in Gottingen and the Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nurnberg have considerably contributed to answering this question in the past. In their recent publication--in Nature Physics in February 2016--they were eventually able to show that the transformation can be fully characterized as a phase transition, based on their study of the so called "Couette flow". This kind of flow consists of a viscous fluid that is confined between two parallel walls that move in opposite directions. Just like in pipes or channels, turbulence in Couette flow first appears in localized domains and seems to co-exist happily with laminar regions. Investigations over exceedingly long times, however, reveal that turbulent and laminar regions in reality compete and try to annihilate each other. Below a critical speed, the laminar phase wins, but yields to turbulence beyond some threshold, resulting in an ever changing co-existence pattern of laminar and turbulent domains. A qualitatively similar behavior is known from "directed percolation". This simple statistical physics model is believed to describe many contact processes in nature such as the spreading of forest fires or of an epidemic in a population. Surprisingly, all these very different phenomena should be characterized by the same three numbers at the transition point. These three "critical exponents" fully describe the resulting fluctuating co-existence patterns for this type of phase transition. The turbulent Couette experiments could precisely confirm predicted critical exponents. Apart from finally providing an answer for the nature of the onset of turbulence, they are also one of the first experimental confirmations of the directed percolation universality class. Hof comments: "We believe that the start of sustained turbulence in other shear flows will equally fall into the directed percolation class which future research will need to verify." ### On Friday, February 12th, 2016, Leuphana University of Luneburg and information solutions provider Elsevier announce the top five candidates for the first Green and Sustainable Chemistry Challenge. The selected projects offer environmentally friendly and sustainable processes, products and resources which can be used to address challenges in developing countries. The challenge was launched by Elsevier, in close collaboration with the Leuphana University of Luneburg, Germany as a response to the increasing strain on the planet's resources and the growing importance of inventing alternative ways to carefully use them. "We are delighted with the response that we received from participants all over the world," says Prof. Dr. Klaus Kummerer, Director of the Institute of Sustainable and Environmental Chemistry at Leuphana University. He adds: "The great number of submitted proposals does not only underline the importance and relevance of this topic but demonstrates that fantastic ideas and initiatives exist already, which - with more support - could make a tremendous difference." The final candidates were selected by a jury of international experts out of almost 500 submissions from across the globe. From sustainable textile dyeing and biopesticides to water purification, all projects offer innovative solutions to enhance life in developing countries and solve today's global challenges. The finalists will defend their proposals to the panel of judges at the first International Green and Sustainable Chemistry Conference in April in Berlin. The winning project will receive a cash prize of 50,000 for the implementation of their project, the winner of the second prize will receive 25,000. "Without a doubt the jury had a difficult time selecting the five finalists from the many outstanding entries and will be challenged to choose the two winners," says Rob van Daalen, Senior Publisher at Elsevier responsible for a portfolio of journals in Physical and Theoretical Chemistry. "As a scientific publisher, we see that research in sustainable chemistry has grown over the last years. This is why we not only want to raise awareness for the topic itself but also create opportunities for researchers to connect and build a community." The nominated projects are: Yunsang Kim (University of Georgia, USA): Sustainable Textile Dyeing Using Nanocellulosic Fibers Development of innovative textile dyeing technology based on nanocellulosic fiber that aims to reduce generation of wastewater and release of toxic chemicals in textile dyeing process Development of innovative textile dyeing technology based on nanocellulosic fiber that aims to reduce generation of wastewater and release of toxic chemicals in textile dyeing process Daniel Joe Dailin (Universiti Teknologi Petronas, Malaysia): Biopesticide for improvement of paddy yield Development of a water-based bio-pesticide by utilizing a unique combination of different plant extracts such as ginger, garlic, red chili and neem Development of a water-based bio-pesticide by utilizing a unique combination of different plant extracts such as ginger, garlic, red chili and neem Lucian Lucia (North Carolina State University, USA): BIO-AQUA Water Purification Biobased initiative to optimize a quick and unique approach to water purification to remediating drinking water in third world nations of its heavy metal toxins Biobased initiative to optimize a quick and unique approach to water purification to remediating drinking water in third world nations of its heavy metal toxins Eric Chiang (UCSI University, Malaysia): Sustainable Fertilizer Delivery Systems and Biosorbents Carboxymethyl cellulose as a Root Targeted Delivery Vehicle as well as biosorbent to remediate polluted sites and to reduce leaching of fertilizers into water catchments Carboxymethyl cellulose as a Root Targeted Delivery Vehicle as well as biosorbent to remediate polluted sites and to reduce leaching of fertilizers into water catchments Anindya Ghosh Roy (LMU Munich, Germany): To provide an eco-friendly, low cost clean water solution An affordable solution to minimize the problem of contaminated water sources by designing a portable water filter that provides clean water solution and is 100% biodegradable For further information about the Green Chemistry Challenge, read more on the Elsevier Green and Sustainable Chemistry Challenge website, watch this short video clip about the challenge, or join the conversation on social media: @ELSchemistry and #GreenChemChallenge. To find out more about sustainability science as a research field, read Elsevier's Sustainability Science in a Global Landscape report. ### About Leuphana University Leuphana University of Luneburg addresses the future of social commitment to civil society in the 21st century. Culture, sustainability, entrepreneurship, and education are the four thematic focuses in research and teaching. The Leuphana College is the place for Undergraduate studies and offers students a diversely integrated, interdisciplinary bachelor's program. At the Graduate School students can choose from various master's programs with possibilities for interdisciplinary specialization. The Professional School offers a wide range of continuing education programs. More than 9,000 students are currently enrolled at Leuphana. Nearly 750 of the 1.200 staff members are academics, 155 of them professors. About Elsevier Elsevier is a world-leading provider of information solutions that enhance the performance of science, health, and technology professionals, empowering them to make better decisions, deliver better care, and sometimes make groundbreaking discoveries that advance the boundaries of knowledge and human progress. Elsevier provides web-based, digital solutions -- among them ScienceDirect, Scopus, Elsevier Research Intelligence and ClinicalKey-- and publishes nearly 2,200 journals, including The Lancet and Cell, and over 33,000 book titles, including a number of iconic reference works. Elsevier is part of RELX Group plc, a world-leading provider of information solutions for professional customers across industries. http://www.elsevier.com Media contact Henning Zuhlsdorff Leuphana Universitat Luneburg + 49 4131 677-1007 henning.zuehlsdorff@leuphana.de Aileen Fennell Christensen Elsevier +31 20 485 2053 a.christensen@elsevier.com By age 2, infants' attention to objects and events may be shaped by their culture Infants from the U.S. and China looked at the same dynamic scenes Adults from the U.S. focus primarily on objects; those from China focus relatively more on events Infants' attention in the two cultures showed strong overlap: also reliable differences Researchers: Results underscore value of conducting cross-cultural research with infants EVANSTON, Ill. --- Do the cultures in which we live shape how we view the objects and events in the world that surrounds us? Research with adults has suggested that it does. But how early might any such culturally inflected differences emerge in development? In a new Northwestern University study, researchers address the issue directly, asking how 24-month-old infants from the United States and China deploy their attention to objects and actions in active scenes. Researchers found that 24-month-old infants from the U.S. and China -- who are on the threshold of learning words for objects and actions -- have a great deal in common when observing active scenes. However, infants' looking patterns in the two cultures diverged significantly for a brief period. In the experiment, all infants watched a series of repeated scenes (e.g., a girl petting a dog). Then, infants watched new scenes in which either object was switched (the girl petting a pillow) or the action was switched (e.g., the girl kissing a dog). This was when their attention diverged. Infants from China preferred looking at the scenes featuring a new action. In contrast, infants from the U.S. showed the opposite pattern, preferring scenes featuring a new object. This new result provides the earliest evidence for strong overlap in infants' attention to objects and events. But the research also raises the possibility that by 24 months, infants' attention may already be shaped subtly by the attentional patterns characteristic of adults in their cultural communities. "There is already reason to suspect that infants' attention to objects and events in dynamic scenes might already be influenced by cultural-specific patterns of attention," said the study's lead author Sandra Waxman, the Louis W. Menk Chair in Psychology in the Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences at Northwestern and faculty fellow in the University's Institute for Policy Research. "We know, for example, that infants pay attention carefully to the actions of their parents and to others close to them." Furthermore, decades of previous research suggest that when observing scenes, adults from the U.S. focus predominantly on objects, while those from China and Japan direct more of their attention to the contexts and events in which those objects are engaged. According to the researchers, the current results underscore the value of conducting cross-cultural research with infants. "Clearly, 24-month-old infants from the U.S. and China have a great deal in common when attending to dynamic scenes, but they may have also begun to pick up the attentional strategies characteristic of adults in their respective communities," Waxman said. "The results reported here suggest that by the time they reach their second birthdays, infants may be on their way to becoming 'native lookers.'" ### "How early is infants' attention to objects and actions shaped by culture? New evidence from 24-month-olds raised in the U.S. and China" was published in Frontiers in Psychology. In addition to Waxman, co-authors include Brock Ferguson, Kathleen Geraghty and Erin Leddon, Northwestern University; and Xiaolan Fu, Jing Liang and Min-Fang Zhao, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China. NORTHWESTERN NEWS: http://www.northwestern.edu/newscenter/ Tackling antibiotic resistance on only one front is a waste of time because resistant genes are freely crossing environmental, agricultural and clinical boundaries, new research has shown. Analysis of historic soil archives dating back to 1923 has revealed a clear parallel between the appearance of antibiotic resistance in medicine and similar antibiotic resistant genes detected over time in agricultural soils treated with animal manure. Collected in Denmark - where antibiotics were banned in agriculture from the 1990s for non-therapeutic use - the soil archives provide an 'antibiotic resistance timeline' that reflects resistant genes found in the environment and the evolution of the same types of antibiotic resistance in medicine. Led by Newcastle University, UK, the study also showed that the repeated use of animal manure and antibiotic substitutes can increase the capacity of soil bacteria to mobilise, or ready themselves, and acquire resistance genes to new antibiotics. Publishing their findings today in the academic journal Scientific Reports, the study's authors say the data highlights the importance of reducing antibiotic use across all sectors if we are to reduce global antibiotic resistance. Lead author David Graham, Professor of Ecosystems Engineering at Newcastle University, said: "The observed bridge between clinical and agricultural antibiotic resistance means we are not going to solve the resistance problem just by reducing the number of antibiotics we prescribe in our GP clinics. "To reduce the global rise in resistance we need to reduce use and improve antibiotic stewardship across all sectors. "If this is not done, antibiotic resistance from imprudent sectors will cross-contaminate the whole system and we will quickly find ourselves in a situation where our antibiotics are no longer effective." Antibiotics have been used in medicine since the 1930s, saving millions of lives. Two decades later they were introduced into agricultural practices and Denmark was among the leaders in employing antibiotics to increase agricultural productivity and animal production. However, a growing awareness of the antibiotic resistance crisis and continued debate over who and which activities are most responsible led to the EU calling for the use of antibiotics in non-therapeutic settings to be phased out and Denmark led the way. The Askov Long-Term Experiment station in Denmark was originally set up in 1894 to study the role of animal manure versus inorganic fertilisers on soil fertility. Analysing the samples, the team - involving experts from Newcastle University, the University of Strathclyde and Aarhus University - were able to measure the relative abundance of specific -lactam antibiotic resistant genes, which can confer resistance to a class of antibiotics that are of considerable medical importance. Prior to 1960, the team found low levels of the genes in both the manured soil and that treated with inorganic fertiliser. However, by the mid 1970's, levels of selected -lactam genes started to increase in the manured soils, with levels peaking in the mid 1980's. No increase or change was detected in the soil treated with inorganic fertiliser. "We chose these resistant genes because their appearance and rapid increase in hospitals from 1963 to 1989 is well-documented," explains Professor Graham. "By comparing the two timelines, we saw the appearance of each specific gene in the soil samples was consistent with the evolution of similar types of resistance in medicine. So the question now is not which came first, clinical or environmental resistance, but what do we do about it?" Following the ban on non-therapeutic antibiotic use in Danish agriculture, farmers substituted metals for antibiotics, such as copper, and levels of the key -lactam genes in the manured soils declined rapidly, reaching pre-industrialisation levels by 2010. However, at the same time the team measured a 10-fold rise in Class 1 Integrons. These are gene carrier and exchange molecules - transporters which allow bacteria to readily share genes, including resistance genes. These findings suggest the application of manure and antibiotic substitutes, such as copper, may be 'priming' the soils, readying them for increased resistance transmission in the future. "Once antibiotics were banned, operators substituted them with copper which has natural antibiotic properties," explains Professor Graham. "More research is needed but our findings suggest that by substituting antibiotics for metals such as copper we may have increased the potential for resistance transmission. "Unless we reduce use and improve stewardship across all sectors - environmental, clinical and agricultural - we don't stand a chance of reducing antibiotic resistance in the future." ### New research demonstrates how climate change and the immune reaction of the infected individual can affect the long-term and seasonal dynamics of parasite infections. The study, led by Penn State University scientists, assessed the infection dynamics of two species of soil-transmitted parasites in a population of rabbits in Scotland every month for 23 years. The study's results could lead to new strategies for the treatment and prevention of infections from similar parasites in humans, livestock, and wildlife. A paper describing the research will be published in the online Early Edition of the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences during the week ending February 19, 2016. "Our research shows that how we target treatment for parasite infections -- not only in wildlife like the rabbits we studied, but also in humans and livestock -- will depend on how the climate changes and whether or not the host can mount an effective immune response," said Isabella Cattadori, associate professor of biology at Penn State and a research scientist affiliated with Penn State's Center for Infectious Disease Dynamics and Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences. Previous work in Cattadori's laboratory had shown that infections from one of the parasite species monitored in the study are controlled by an immune response in the rabbits, but infections from the other parasite species are not controlled, even though the rabbit does have an immune response to the parasite. "Over the course of 23 years, we saw clear evidence of climate warming at our study site in Scotland. The warmer climate leads to increases in the number of soil-transmitted parasites in the pastures where the rabbits live because the parasites can survive longer in the soil," said Cattadori. "With more parasites, there is an increased risk of infection, but how this increased risk affects the severity of the infection in the long term depends on the ability of the host to mount an immune response." For the parasite that is not controlled by the rabbit's immune response, the researchers observed an increase in the intensity of infections in adult rabbits with climate warming. "Because they can't clear the infection with an immune response, the rabbits accumulate more and more parasites as they age so that older individuals carry most of the infection in the population," said Cattadori. For the parasite that is controlled by the rabbit's immune response, the researchers saw no long-term increase with climate warming in the intensity of infections in the rabbit population overall. However, the severity of infection did increase in young rabbits that had not yet developed a very strong immune response. "Our research shows that as climates continue to change, we will need to tailor our treatment of parasite infections based on whether or not the host can mount an effective immune response," said Cattadori. "When a host's immune response cannot control the infection, treatment should be targeted at older individuals because they carry the most severe infections. When a host's immune response can control the infection, treatment should be targeted at younger individuals because they are at the greatest risk." ### In addition to Cattadori, the research team also included Andrea Mignatti from the Politecnico di Milano in Italy and Brian Boag from the James Hutton Institute in Scotland. The research was funded by the National Science Foundation (grant numbers DEB-1145697 and DEB-0716885). CONTACTS Isabella Cattadori: imc3@psu.edu, (+1) 814-865-9594 Barbara Kennedy (PIO): science@psu.edu, (+1) 814-863-4682 VIDEO and PHOTOS A video and high-resolution photos are online at http://science.psu.edu/news-and-events/2016-news/Cattadori2-2016. The video also is on YouTube at https://youtu.be/BVuUAyxOHPg . NEW ORLEANS, La.--Feb. 16, 2016-- Louisiana's status as a leader in medical and health research is important to a strong majority of residents (89%), according to a state-based public opinion survey commissioned by Research!America. Sixty-nine percent of respondents agree that Louisiana state funds should be used to support scientific research at public universities, and 75% say spending money on medical research is important to Louisiana's economy in terms of jobs and incomes. "Louisianans are not only proud of science currently conducted in their state but aspire to more, saying they strongly believe that public investments pay dividends in saving lives and bolstering the local economy," said Mary Woolley, president and CEO of Research!America. "The state's academic research institutions are conducting innovative studies on diseases that have real impact close to home, which carry a tremendous burden for citizens from both health and economic standpoint." The University Medical Center of New Orleans and Research!America hosted the Louisiana Research Summit in New Orleans on February 16 which brought together the states and nations scientific leaders to discuss the need to capitalize on the states existing research expertise with additional support, ensuring that what happens in Louisiana laboratories improves the lives of everyday citizens. Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA) is the honorary host of the program. Diabetes, obesity, cancer and heart disease are serious health issues in Louisiana. In some Louisiana parishes, the rate of diabetes is 50% higher than the rest of the nation. Studies show that these health problems happen more often among minorities or citizens with lower incomes. Eighty-one percent of Louisianans say it is important for the state to fund and conduct medical or health research to understand and eliminate these differences. In addition, 58% say the Louisiana state legislature should help fund prevention research to help people make behavioral changes that can help them overcome health threats such as smoking, while 62% say the state should fund research to address obesity, hypertension and diabetes. "Simply put, research works," said F. King Alexander, president of Louisiana State University. "It leads to solutions for both the state's most pressing challenges and the nation's leading problems. Louisiana research has national impact, and prioritizing research funding serves as a direct benefit to everyone. More studies bring more results, which in turn deliver an improved quality of life for every citizen in the country." When asked if our health care system treats mental health and physical health the same, 66% said no. And among those respondents, 75% said physical health is treated with more importance. More than a third (37%) say access to mental health services, such as counseling, is getting worse. Louisianans also expressed strong support for science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education with 80% in agreement that the state legislature should assign a higher priority to improving STEM education and careers in those fields. Among other survey findings: 79% say it is important for Louisiana to be a leader in information technology. 47% of Louisianans say they would be willing to share their personal health information to advance medical research. 53% say gene therapy, the altering of human genes to treat disease, should continue. 82% of Louisianans say it's important that candidates running for national office assign a high priority to increasing funding for medical research. The survey of 800 Louisianan adults, conducted by Zogby Analytics in February 2016, has a margin of error of +/- 3.5 percentage points. To view survey results, click http://bit.ly/1Svd4dX. ### About Research!America Polls Research!America began commissioning polls in 1992 in an effort to understand public support for medical, health and scientific research. The results of Research!America's polls have proven invaluable to our alliance of member organizations and, in turn, to the fulfillment of our mission to make research to improve health a higher national priority. In response to growing usage and demand, Research!America has expanded its portfolio, which includes state, national and issue-specific polling. Poll data is available by request or at http://www.researchamerica.org. About Research!America Research!America is the nation's largest nonprofit public education and advocacy alliance working to make research to improve health a higher national priority. Founded in 1989, Research!America is supported by member organizations representing 125 million Americans. Visit http://www.researchamerica.org. SILVER SPRING, Md. - The Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR) began vaccinations today in a Phase 1 clinical trial to evaluate the safety and immune response of a vaccine candidate to prevent Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS). Though other vaccine candidates have previously been tested for use in camels, which are the suspected source of the coronavirus which causes MERS (MERS-CoV), this vaccine is the first to be tested in humans. Seventy-five participants will receive the vaccine at WRAIR's Clinical Trial Center in Silver Spring, Md. The vaccine (GLS-5300) is being co-developed by Inovio Pharmaceuticals and GeneOne Life Science Inc. MERS is a severe respiratory disease akin to the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and was first identified in Saudi Arabia in 2012. MERS has infected more than 1,600 people and killed nearly 40% of those infected. The most common symptoms of this disease are fever, cough and shortness of breath. Older people and those with weakened immune systems are at greater risk for severe disease and death. There are currently no approved vaccines or specific treatments for MERS. "This study is an important advancement in the research and development of countermeasures for MERS," said Dr. Kayvon Modjarrad, a clinical researcher with the U.S. Military HIV Research Program (MHRP) at WRAIR and principal investigator of the trial. "Recent events have taught the global community that promising candidate countermeasures for emerging infectious diseases, like MERS, need to be advanced early in order to prevent or respond to the potential of a growing epidemic." The virus has been circulating primarily in Saudi Arabia, where the majority of cases have been reported. According to the World Health Organization, cases have now been confirmed in 26 countries, but experts believe these cases were acquired in the Middle East and then exported outside the region. A 2015 outbreak in the Republic of Korea is the largest outbreak outside of the Middle East. "MERS is a growing global concern given its high fatality rate," said MHRP Director Col. Nelson Michael. "Given global deployments to the Middle East and South Korea coupled with close living quarters in those situations, military personnel are at increased risk for exposure to MERS." Emerging infectious diseases such as MERS pose an ongoing threat to military operations and readiness. WRAIR develops vaccines, drugs and diagnostics for these diseases of importance to military and public health. Its Clinical Trials Center conducts 13-15 clinical studies per year, and in December initiated a Phase 2 clinical trial of an Ebola vaccine following its groundbreaking first-in-human testing of the Ebola vaccine that showed efficacy in Guinea last year. ### About the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research Headquartered in Silver Spring, Maryland, the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR) has a long history and diverse mission as a military research institute within the U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command and Department of Defense. With extensive research units in Africa, Asia and the Caucasus region, WRAIR is comprised of two Centers of Excellence, the Center for Infectious Disease Research and the Center for Military Psychiatry and Neuroscience. For more information on WRAIR, visit http://wrair-http://www.army.mil/ This news release is available in German. Bridges, tunnels and roads: Concrete is the main component of our infrastructure. And when the structural elements need to be repaired, it often leads to long traffic jams. At the Annual Meeting of the AAAS (American Association for the Advancement of Science) in Washington, D.C., Prof. Christian Grosse from the Technical University of Munich (TUM) and other experts talked about smart materials for sustainable infrastructure. Small cracks can form in concrete due to permanent loading or variations in temperature. As Prof. Christian Grosse from the Chair of Non-destructive Testing (NDT) at TUM explains, the cracks do not usually pose any direct threat to the stability of structures: "However, water and salts can penetrate the concrete and damage the affected components." Three healing mechanisms Repairing infrastructure is expensive and can result in long traffic jams. In the EU research project HealCON, an international team of researchers is working toward the development of concrete that can repair itself. The scientists are examining three different self-healing mechanisms. - Bacteria as mini construction workers Certain bacteria produce calcium carbonate as a metabolic product. The scientists soak balls of clay with the spores of these bacteria and mix the balls into concrete. Once water penetrates the concrete, the microorganisms become active and release calcium carbonate, one of the main components of concrete. "The bacteria can close cracks of up to a few millimeters in width in a matter of a few days," says Grosse. - Hydrogels as gap fillers Hydrogels are polymers that absorb moisture. They are used in diapers, among other things. Materials containing hydrogels can expand to ten or even 100 times their original size. Cracks that form in concrete can be healed by a hydrogel that expands when it comes into contact with moisture, thus preventing the water from penetrating further without expanding the cracks. - Greater strength thanks to epoxy resin Epoxy resins or polyurethane can be encapsulated and mixed into the concrete. When the concrete cracks, the capsules break open and the polymer is released. It forms a hard mass that seals the crack. It also has a positive side-effect: It increases structural stability. Looking into concrete Grosse and his colleagues specialize in testing how well these healing agents work in individual cases. They use non-destructive testing methods to do this, for example acoustic emission technology. Pressure is exerted on a concrete block that contains one of the healing agents. When the concrete cracks, acoustic waves are generated, which are measured using sensors. By means of the measurement data, the scientists not only can establish that cracks have formed but also can determine precisely where. Following the healing process, the researchers carry out the experiment again. If the healing process was not successful, there are few new acoustic waves, as the cracks are still there. If the cracks have been filled, new ones arise - but in different places. "The localization of the crack sounds clearly indicates whether a remedy works or not," explains Grosse. Testing structural components using ultrasound While acoustic emission analysis is suitable for laboratory applications, a different technology must be used for real-world on-site testing of large concrete components. "In this case, we use continuous ultrasound pulses," explains Grosse. The scientists measure the time required for ultrasound pulses to propagate through the concrete. Cracks prevent the transmission of the signal, and as a result it needs more time to traverse the material. If the cracks have been filled, the pulses go through the material faster again. The strength of the signal also declines noticeably in the case of damaged material. Promising results have already been obtained from experiments carried out under laboratory conditions. The next stage will involve the use of the self-healing material in actual building components (sections of bridges or tunnels). After this, the technologies will have to be adapted for use in standard concrete production and construction methods. The HealCON project is being funded as part of the European Union's 7th Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development (FP7/2007-2013) under grant agreement number 309451. The project is coordinated by Ghent University (Belgium). ### Highresolution photos: https://mediatum.ub.tum.de/?id=1291076#1291076 Video on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SzhWM_oWVCg Contact: Prof. Dr. Christian Grosse Centre for Building Materials Chair of Non-destructive Testing Tel: + 49.89.289.27221 grosse@tum.de Session on AAAS: https://aaas.confex.com/aaas/2016/webprogram/Session12203.html Speakers: Prof. Mo Li, University of California, Irvine: "Sustainable Infrastructure Materials with Repeatable Self-Healing Capacity" http://engineering.uci.edu/users/mo-li Prof. Erik Schlangen, Delft University of Technology: "Self-Healing Concrete (with Bacteria) and Self-Healing Asphalt (with Steel Wool)" http://www.citg.tudelft.nl/en/about-faculty/departments/structural-engineering/sections/materials-an... Prof. Christian Grosse: "Sensing and Monitoring of Structures" http://www.professoren.tum.de/en/grosse-christian/ Discussant: Prof. Christoph Reinhart, Massachusetts Institute of Technology https://architecture.mit.edu/faculty/christoph-reinhart Public health measures to reduce smoking would have more success if policy makers intervened to curb the vast profitability of the tobacco industry, say University researchers. The lucrative nature of the cigarette market, dominated by a small number of large shareholder-owned companies, results in a vigorous fight against any new public health measures that may disrupt their profit-making. The researchers from the University of Bath and University of Ottawa say governments should look to the success of past policies that have transitioned other industries towards products that are less harmful to health, such as the switch from leaded to unleaded petrol. They suggest a new approach to competition policy and a range of carrot and stick incentives including tax differentials, which place combustible products, like cigarettes, at a marketplace disadvantage compared to less hazardous alternatives like e-cigarettes; giving companies tax credits for the development of lower risk products; and more direct measures such as price controls and product licensing that favours lower risk products. Effective regulation of the industry to curb profits would create new appeal in less harmful commercial opportunities, such as e-cigarettes, thereby promoting an escape route for corporations and removing their need to fight so hard for the continuation of current tobacco markets. Introducing tobacco related health measures would consequently be more straightforward, quicker and cheaper and smoking rates could be reduced more easily. Dr Rob Branston, Deputy Director of the Centre for Governance & Regulation in the University's School of Management, said: "An extremely profitable company that only operates in a cigarette dominated tobacco market has the ultimate incentive to fight tooth and nail against cigarette control measures because they are fighting for corporate survival. "The current structure of the tobacco industry means each and every public health measure requires repeated and ongoing battles with the tobacco industry in individual countries. States often face massive legal battles if they are to successfully implement tobacco control measures and corporations fight long, hard and viciously. "Public health goals can be hard enough to achieve without unnecessarily making tobacco companies behave like cornered animals." Professor David Sweanor from the University of Ottawa's Faculty of Law and Centre for Health Law, Policy and Ethics, who spearheaded the development of world-leading tobacco control initiatives in Canada, added: "A proper tobacco/nicotine diversification and exit strategy for the shareholders of the profit seeking tobacco industry would protect public health by addressing the current addiction to the continuation of the cigarette market. "Companies need to be given incentives to move away from their focus on extraordinarily deadly cigarettes so that they accept the winding down of combustion-based tobacco products, much like petrol companies transitioned from leaded to unleaded fuel. "Intelligently designed industry incentives could lead to a viable and rapid endgame for cigarettes, ultimately achieving a public health breakthrough of historic proportions." ### Big tobacco, E-cigarettes, and a road to the smoking endgame is published in the International Journal of Drug Policy: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.drugpo.2015.12.023 The School of Management was ranked 8th in the UK in the independently-assessed Research Excellence Framework. 89 per cent of their submitted case studies were deemed to have an outstanding or very considerable impact. A new cellular signal discovered by a team of scientists at the University of Chicago with scientists from Tel Aviv University provides a promising new lever in the control of gene expression. The study, published online Feb. 10 in the journal Nature, describes a small chemical modification that can significantly boost the conversion of genes to proteins. Together with other recent findings, the discovery enriches a critical new dimension to the "Central Dogma" of molecular biology: the epitranscriptome. "This discovery further opens the window on a whole new world of biology for us to explore," said Chuan He, John T. Wilson Distinguished Service Professor in Chemistry, Investigator of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute at UChicago and senior author of the study. "These modifications have a major impact on almost every biological process." The central dogma of molecular biology describes the cellular pathway where genetic information from DNA is copied into temporary RNA "transcripts," which provide the recipe for the production of proteins. Since the theory was first postulated by Francis Crick in 1956, scientists have discovered a multitude of modifications to DNA and proteins that regulate this process. Only recently, however, have scientists focused on investigating dynamic modifications that specifically target the RNA step. In 2011, He's group discovered the first RNA demethylase that reverses the most prevalent mRNA methylation N6-methyladenosine (m6A), implying that the addition and removal of the methyl group could dramatically affect these messengers and impact the outcome of gene expression, as also seen for DNA and histones. Subsequently, scientists discovered that the dynamic and reversible methylation of m6A dramatically controlled the metabolism and function of most cellular messenger RNA (mRNA), and thus, the production of proteins. In the new Nature study, researchers from UChicago and Tel Aviv University describe a second functional mRNA methylation, N1-methyladenosine (m1A). Like m6A, the small modification is evolutionarily conserved and common, present in humans, rodents, and yeast, the authors found. But its location and effect on gene expression reflect a new form of epitranscriptome control, and suggest an even larger cellular "control panel." "The discovery of m1A is extremely important, not only because of its own potential in affecting biological processes, but also because it validates the hypothesis that there is not just one functional modification," He said. "There could be multiple modifications at different sites where each may carry a distinct message to control the fate and function of mRNA." The researchers estimated that m1A was present on transcripts of more than one out of three expressed human genes. Methylated genes exhibited enhanced translation compared to unmethlyated genes, producing protein levels nearly twice as high in all cell types. This increase suggests that m1A, like m6A, may be a mechanism by which cells rapidly boost the expression of hundreds or thousands of specific genes, perhaps during important processes such as cell division, differentiation, or under stress. "mRNA is the perfect place to regulate gene expression, because they can code information from transcription and directly impact translation; you can add a consensus sequence to a group of genes and use a modification of the sequence to readily control several hundred transcripts simultaneously," He said. "If you want to rapidly change the expression of several hundred or a thousand genes, this offers the best way." However, despite their complementary effects, m1A and m6A exert their influence on mRNA through different pathways. While studies have found that m6A localizes predominantly to the tail of messenger RNA molecules, increasing their translation and turnover rate, m1A was found largely near the start codon of mRNA transcripts, where protein translation begins. The different mechanisms could allow for finer tuning of post-transcriptional gene expression, or the selective activation of particular genes in different physiological situations. "This study represents a breakthrough discovery in the exciting, nascent field of the 'epitranscriptome,' which is how RNAs are regulated, akin to the genome and the epigenome," said Christopher Mason, associate professor at Weill Cornell Medicine, who was not affiliated with the study. "What is important about this work is that m6A was recently found to enrich at the ends of genes, and now we know that m1A is what is helping regulate the beginning of genes, and this opens up many questions about revealing the 'epitranscriptome code' just like the histone code or the genetic code. " Future studies will examine the role of m1A methylation in human development, diseases such as diabetes and cancer, and its potential as a target for therapeutic uses.--Rob Mitchum ### Citation; "The dynamic N1-methyladenosine methylome in eukaryotic messenger RNA," Nature,Feb. 10, 2016, by Chuan He, Dan Dominissini, Sigrid Nachtergaele, Qing Dai, Dali Han, Wesley Clark, Guanqun Zheng, Tao Pan, and Louis Dore from the University of Chicago, and Sharon Moshitch-Moshkovitz, Eyal Peer, Nitkan Kol, Moshe Shay Ben-Haim, Ayelet Di Segni, Mali Salmon-Divon, Oz Solomon, Eran Eyal, Vera Hershkovitz, Ninette Amariglio, and Gideon Rechavi from Tel Aviv University. DOI: 10.1038/nature16998 The NHS could save 8.2 million a year on dental treatments - the equivalent to 364,000 dental check-ups - if all 12-year-olds across the UK chewed sugar free gum after eating or drinking, thanks to the role it plays in helping to prevent tooth decay. So says a study involving researchers from Plymouth University Peninsula Schools of Medicine and Dentistry published in the British Dental Journal. Tooth decay is preventable but treating it is an increasing burden on the NHS and family finances. The latest Government figures show that young people in the UK experience unacceptably high levels of tooth decay and that it can have a real impact on their self-esteem as well as their health, with 35 per cent of 12 year olds reporting being embarrassed to smile or laugh due to the condition of their teeth. New health economic research published in the British Dental Journal demonstrates that the NHS could save up to 2.8m on dental treatments per year if all 12-year-olds across the UK were to chew one additional piece of sugar free gum per day. This cost saving raises to a potential 3.3m if two pieces of sugar free gum were to be chewed per day by all 12-year-olds and to 8.2m for three pieces. This research is the first of its kind in the UK and was conducted by York Health Economics Consortium and Peninsula Dental School, University of Plymouth with support from The Wrigley Company Ltd. Sugar free gum could be an easy and effective addition to families' oral health routines. The British Dental Health Foundation recommends that, while brushing for two minutes, twice a day is still the best way to keep teeth clean and healthy, for children over the age of seven, chewing sugar-free gum during the day can be extremely effective in breaking down lingering food, neutralising harmful plaque acids and reducing the risk of decay. Chewing sugar free gum after eating and drinking increases the production of saliva, which helps to wash away food particles and neutralise harmful plaque acids which, over time, can weaken teeth and lead to tooth decay. It also promotes the remineralisation of tooth enamel. The important role of sugar-free gum in oral care is widely recognised and accepted by experts, dental associations and regulatory authorities around the world. The European Commission (EC) has approved five oral health claims for sugar-free chewing gum, one of the few food categories to gain such recognition. The oral care benefits of chewing sugar-free gum are also recognised by the World Dental Federation (FDI), and endorsed by the British Dental Health Foundation. Professor Liz Kay of Plymouth University Peninsula Schools of Medicine and Dentistry, and co-author of the study says: "The findings of this study are hugely exciting as they reveal a new and easy way of helping people improve their oral health. Crucially, whilst these figures are significant, they refer only to cost reductions for treating 12-year-olds in the UK; if this model was to be applied to the whole population then there is a real potential to create substantial NHS savings. Clinical evidence has already proved that sugar free gum can help prevent caries and now we can also see a clear financial advantage." Dr Mike Dodds, Lead Oral Health Scientist at Wrigley comments: "This study demonstrates the role that sugar free gum can play in preventing dental decay. Wrigley is committed to supporting people across the UK to improve their oral health through the simple step of chewing sugar free gum after eating and drinking, especially while they're on the go." The cost of dental disease in the UK Each week, more than 1 million patients in the UK use NHS dental services - many of them seeking treatment for dental disease, the consequences of which costs the NHS a huge 3.4bn a year. A 2013 study showed that 34% of 12-year-olds surveyed in the UK had obvious decay in their permanent teeth, while other studies have demonstrated that poor oral health as a child or adolescent can lead to poor oral health as an adult, creating a potentially vast NHS cost throughout the patient's lifetime, through the replacement of fillings and the implantation of crowns, bridges and prosthetics. A recent survey of hygienists and dentists found that they are most anxious about the state of their paediatric patients' oral health, with hygienists noting that teens were the second group of concern, making these age groups key targets for interventions. In the UK, official oral care guidance has rarely explicitly mentioned sugar free gum. However the evidence described above suggests that the potential benefits of including sugar free gum in preventative oral health advice should be considered. With the NHS facing a huge funding gap, new solutions - such as sugar free chewing gum - need to be considered to help tackle the totally preventable problem of tooth decay. ### Daniel Bodony's love of science began with a love of airplanes. He worked for one of his dad's colleagues on the weekends who had an airplane. "I would mow his grass and he would let me fly," Bodony remembers fondly. Those early boyhood days fueled the fire for Bodony as he committed himself to a career as a military pilot but, at that time, a pilot who wore glasses was not allowed. Taking that in stride, Bodony decided he would instead design airplanes, only to experience another shift in his early career. "When I got to college and started to design airplanes I realized that I liked the science behind the design more than I liked the design itself," he said. Bodony, the Blue Waters Associate Professor in Aerospace Engineering at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC), is looking into the science surrounding the aeroacoustics of jet engines and researching how to make them quieter. A veteran user of NSF high performance computing (HPC) resources since 2008, Bodony says: "The reason we use supercomputers is because in aeroacoustics there is no simple relationship that relates an unsteady flow field to the sound it creates. So we have to resort to elaborate experiments or simulations to try to come up with the contextual underpinnings that relate cause and effect. And we still haven't done it. The fact that aircraft has gotten quieter over the years is more by accident than by design, and we're trying to change that, but it relies on bigger calculations, bigger codes, and more complex computing capabilities." The computational challenges that Bodony and his team face invariably involve turbulence, which is an unsteady, chaotic motion of a fluid. In the practicalities of calculating a turbulent flow, a researcher has two options: 1) make many assumptions and have a small computational model or 2) make few assumptions and have a very large computational model. Because the researchers don't yet understand sound generation at a fundamental level, they have to resolve all of the scales of motion involved in the turbulent flow. "It's a classical multi-scale problem," Bodony says. "Computational research is required to resolve all of those scales which requires us to use the largest computers to which we have access - XSEDE's Stampede being one of them." The NSF Extreme Science and Engineering Discovery Environment (XSEDE) is the most advanced, powerful, and robust collection of integrated advanced digital resources and services in the world. It is a single virtual system that scientists can use to interactively share computing resources, data, and expertise. XSEDE'S Extended Collaborative Support Service (ECSS) Through XSEDE's Extended Collaborative Support Service (ECSS) program, researchers have access to cyberinfrastructure experts with a variety of expertise. ECSS experts, many with advanced degrees in domain areas, are available for collaborations lasting months to a year to help researchers fundamentally advance their use of XSEDE resources. Bodony has used the ECSS program for a variety of projects. When asked if he would recommend the ECSS program to other researchers, his response was a quick, "Yes, wholeheartedly. The ECSS experts are able to look at the code and understand the hardware and software very quickly to make a diagnosis." Currently, through XSEDE's ECSS program, Bodony works primarily with Luke Wilson from the Texas Advanced Computing Center, one of the top advanced computing centers for open science in the nation. Wilson, who serves as the technical expert -- his expert knowledge about the hardware, and how the software interacts with the hardware -- is helping Bodony and his team achieve real performance results on their code. Three categories of ECSS support exist for projects: Extended Support for Research Teams; Extended Support for Community codes; and Extended Support for Gateways. Bodony is in the Research Teams category, with the single investigator code known as PlasComCM, a multi-physics solver that can solve for the motion of a compressible viscous fluid with a compressible, finite strain solid. "When we run our code we have a basic idea of what its weaknesses are, and we try to identify the biggest weakness that impacts our ability to run efficiently on XSEDE systems, including being able to utilize Stampede's Intel Xeon Phi processors," Bodony says. According to Wilson, "the goal has always been to get this code up and running on the Intel Xeon Phi, and we started out looking for some simple places we could target to improve performance, mostly through vectorization. We found that the data encoding and the original algorithm weren't well suited to the Xeon Phi...there was a lot of out of order memory access, which you can't vectorize very easily." At first, Wilson executed a simple performance analysis of the code and identified the algorithmic weaknesses to find better ways to express the algorithms. Sometimes the algorithms needed new data structures, sometimes an entirely new algorithm needed to be implemented to perform the same operation, and sometimes the researchers needed to rewrite part of the code that made that algorithm no longer necessary. It was a team effort among Bodony, Wilson and several people at UIUC, but Wilson was instrumental in taking the cumulative view of the code and speeding it up by a factor of seven. How? He figured out where the performance bottlenecks were. With too many memory loads for every floating point operation, the code had to copy data out of memory, add and multiply, and then store it back into memory. "It took a long time to figure out that some of the constructs we were using in Fortran were causing unnecessary memory loads, and that was a big shock to us," Bodony said. "We thought the compilers were supposed to do this automatically." Then, they found that by reordering some of the add and multiplies they were able to get better cache utilization and better vectorization. When they achieved multiple adds and multiplies done concurrently, it brought them closer to 100 percent of Stampede's theoretical peak performance. "We still have a long way to go with jet noise and we're going to continue to follow jet noise for the foreseeable future," Bodony says. "We think the flow that exits the jet engines contains the information that we need to figure out how to make jet engines quieter. We just haven't probed it in the right way. We've been working on tools to extract that information. Our current hypothesis has shown that our idea has merit using small scale simulations and now we're applying these ideas to the full scale jet noise problem." What's next for Bodony and team? According to Bodony, future computers are going to look a lot different than Stampede or any of the other NSF-funded systems. Now, they're not using ECSS to focus on performance; they're working with ECSS to change how the code is programmed. As part of the exascale applications group, Bodony and his team are focused on building scalable algorithms. "How you program on future machines is going to be very different from how we program for Stampede," Bodony said. "What that means is that the codes that we have now may not run on future machines. We're trying to rewrite the code in such a way that it's ready for those future machines. Luke and I are working together to figure out how to fix our current code and transform it into one that's useful at exascale." "Most people think that Knight's Landing (a second generation Xeon Phi product using a 14 nm process) is a preview of what processors will look like going forward as we push toward exascale -- lots of concurrency, many cores in a single package, the memory footprint per thread is going to be very small -- so we will completely rethink the way we solve our problems. It's safe to say that every time a new processor comes out it's a completely new challenge," Wilson concluded. ### Dr. Dan Bodony's research is funded by the Office of Naval Research. XSEDE and TACC's Stampede supercomputer are funded by the National Science Foundation. University of Texas at Arlington chemists have developed new high-performing materials for cells that harness sunlight to split carbon dioxide and water into useable fuels like methanol and hydrogen gas. These "green fuels" can be used to power cars, home appliances or even to store energy in batteries. "Technologies that simultaneously permit us to remove greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide while harnessing and storing the energy of sunlight as fuel are at the forefront of current research," said Krishnan Rajeshwar, UTA distinguished professor of chemistry and biochemistry and co-founder of the University's Center of Renewable Energy, Science and Technology. "Our new material could improve the safety, efficiency and cost-effectiveness of solar fuel generation, which is not yet economically viable," he added. The new hybrid platform uses ultra-long carbon nanotube networks with a homogeneous coating of copper oxide nanocrystals. It demonstrates both the high electrical conductivity of carbon nanotubes and the photocathode qualities of copper oxide, efficiently converting light into the photocurrents needed for the photoelectrochemical reduction process. Morteza Khaledi, dean of the UTA College of Science, said Rajeshwar's work is representative of the University's commitment to addressing critical issues with global environmental impact under the Strategic Plan 2020. "Dr. Rajeshwar's ongoing, global leadership in research focused on solar fuel generation forms part of UTA's increasing focus on renewable and sustainable energy," Khaledi said. "Creating inexpensive ways to generate fuel from an unwanted gas like carbon dioxide would be an enormous step forward for us all." For the solar fuel cells project, Rajeshwar worked with Csaba Janaky, an assistant chemistry professor at the University of Szeged in Hungary and Janaky's master's student Egon Kecsenovity. Janaky served as a UTA Marie Curie Fellow from 2011 to 2013. The findings are the subject of a Feb. 15 minireview, "Electrodeposition of Inorganic Oxide/Nanocarbon Composites: Opportunities and Challenges," published in ChemElectroChem Europe and a companion article in the Journal of Materials Chemistry A on "Decoration of ultra long carbon nanotubes with Cu2O nanocrystals: a hybrid platform for photoelectrochemical CO2 reduction." "The performance of our hybrid has proved far superior to the properties of the individual materials," Rajeshwar said. "These new hybrid films demonstrate five-fold higher electrical conductivity compared to their copper oxide counterparts, and generate a three-fold increase in the photocurrents needed for the reduction process." The new material also demonstrates much greater stability during long-term photoelectrolysis than pure copper oxide, which corrodes over time, forming metallic copper. The research involved developing a multi-step electrodeposition process to ensure that a homogeneous coating of copper oxide nanoparticles were deposited on the carbon nanotube networks. By varying the thickness of the carbon nanotube film and the amount of electrodeposited copper oxide, the researchers were able to optimize the efficiency of this new hybrid material. Rajeshwar also is working with Brian Dennis, a UTA associate professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering, and Norma Tacconi, a research associate professor of chemistry and biochemistry, on a project with NASA to develop improved methods for oxygen recovery and reuse aboard human spacecraft. The team is designing, building and demonstrating a "microfluidic electrochemical reactor" to recover oxygen from carbon dioxide extracted from cabin air. The prototype will be built over the next months at the Center for Renewable Energy Science and Technology at UTA. Rajeshwar joined the College of Science in 1983, is a charter member of the UTA Academy of Distinguished Scholars and senior vice president of The Electrochemical Society, an organization representing the nation's premier researchers who are dedicated the advancing solid state, electrochemical science and technology. He is an expert in photoelectrochemistry, nanocomposites, electrochemistry and conducting polymers, and has received numerous awards, including the Wilfred T. Doherty Award from the American Chemical Society and the Energy Technology Division Research Award of the Electrochemical Society. Rajeshwar earned his Ph.D. in chemistry from the Indian Institute of Science in Bangalore, India, and completed his post-doctoral training in Colorado State University. ### About The University of Texas at Arlington The University of Texas at Arlington is a Carnegie "highest research activity" institution of more than 50,000 students in campus-based and online degree programs and is the second-largest institution in The University of Texas System. The Chronicle of Higher Education ranked UTA as one of the 20 fastest-growing public research universities in the nation in 2014. U.S. News & World Report ranks UTA fifth in the nation for undergraduate diversity. The University is a Hispanic-Serving Institution and is ranked as the top four-year college in Texas for veterans on Military Times' 2016 Best for Vets list. Visit http://www.uta.edu to learn more, and find UTA rankings and recognition at http://www.uta.edu/uta/about/rankings.php. February 16, 2015 - Overcrowding is a common problem in Israeli inpatient psychiatric wards, and appears to contribute to higher rates of problem incidents--including falls and aggressive behavior, reports a study in the March issue of Medical Care. The journal is published by Wolters Kluwer. "Our study confirms previous studies that overcrowding in psychiatric wards can be dangerous and can lead to an increased number of adverse events, such as violence and falls," according to the new research, led by Dr. Anat Tsur of Clalit Health Services and Dr. Alexander Teitelbaum of Kfar Shaul Psychiatric Hospital, Jerusalem. The results show evidence of a "dose-response" effect: as overcrowding increases, so does the risk of incidents. Call for 'Emergency Measures' to Address Overcrowding on Psychiatric Wards The researchers analyzed the relationship between bed occupancy rates and adverse events at four closed wards in an Israeli state psychiatric hospital during 2011-12. Closed wards, where patients' movements are restricted, were studied on the assumption that they might be more likely to show the effects of overcrowding. The study focused on two types of incidents: aggressive behavior and falls. Of approximately 700 adverse events, about 400 were incidents of aggressive behavior, including nearly 300 episodes of physical violence between patients. Overall, at least one incident occurred on 24 percent of days. The average net occupancy rate, reflecting all patients actually present, was about 96 percent; while the gross occupancy rate, including patients temporarily off the ward, was 106 percent. "These figures stress the fact that overcrowding is a serious problem in this psychiatric hospital," Dr. Teitelbaum comments. The researchers note that the rates far exceeded the maximal 85 percent occupancy rate recommended for optimal patient and staff safety and outcomes. Incidents were more likely on days when the wards were more crowded. Net occupancy averaged 98.6 percent on days when aggressive behavior or falls occurred versus 95.7 percent on days without incidents. There was a similar difference for gross occupancy: 107.7 versus 105.5 percent. The risk of adverse events increased from 18.6 percent when on days with net occupancy of 85 percent or less to 26.7 percent on days when net occupancy rose to 106 percent or higher. "This trend suggests a causal link between overcrowding and increasing risk of adverse incidents," Dr. Tsur and colleagues add. At the same rates, the probability of aggressive behavior increased from 8.3 to 14.1 percent. Overcrowding was associated with violent incidents for all wards overall and for three out of the four wards individually. The researchers believe the situation at their hospital reflects recent dramatic declines in psychiatric inpatient beds in Israel. They note that shortages of psychiatric inpatient beds are even more pronounced in some other countries, including the United States and Canada. At least in Israel, mental health care reforms are underway, with the goal of strengthening psychiatric community services and reducing hospitalization rates. In the meantime, Dr. Tsur comments, "We hope this study will convince healthcare providers and policymakers of the necessity to take efficient measures aimed at reducing overcrowding in psychiatric hospitals and making inpatient facilities safer for patients and staff." ### Click here to read "Overcrowding in Psychiatric Wards is Associated With Increased Risk of Adverse Incidents." Articles: "Overcrowding in Psychiatric Wards is Associated With Increased Risk of Adverse Incidents" (doi: 10.1097/MLR.0000000000000501) About Medical Care Rated as one of the top ten journals in health care administration, Medical Care is devoted to all aspects of the administration and delivery of health care. This scholarly journal publishes original, peer-reviewed papers documenting the most current developments in the rapidly changing field of health care. Medical Care provides timely reports on the findings of original investigations into issues related to the research, planning, organization, financing, provision, and evaluation of health services. In addition, numerous special supplementary issues that focus on specialized topics are produced with each volume. Medical Care is the official journal of the Medical Care Section of the American Public Health Association. About Wolters Kluwer Wolters Kluwer is a global leader in professional information services. Professionals in the areas of legal, business, tax, accounting, finance, audit, risk, compliance and healthcare rely on Wolters Kluwer's market leading information-enabled tools and software solutions to manage their business efficiently, deliver results to their clients, and succeed in an ever more dynamic world. Wolters Kluwer reported 2014 annual revenues of 3.7 billion. The group serves customers in over 170 countries, and employs over 19,000 people worldwide. The company is headquartered in Alphen aan den Rijn, the Netherlands. Wolters Kluwer shares are listed on NYSE Euronext Amsterdam (WKL) and are included in the AEX and Euronext 100 indices. Wolters Kluwer has a sponsored Level 1 American Depositary Receipt program. The ADRs are traded on the over-the-counter market in the U.S. (WTKWY). For more information about our products and organization, visit http://www.wolterskluwerhealth.com, follow @WKHealth or @Wolters_Kluwer on Twitter, like us on Facebook, follow us on LinkedIn, or follow WoltersKluwerComms on YouTube. The bilharzia-causing parasite, Schistosoma mansoni, first infected humans as they fished in lakes in East Africa and was spread, first to West Africa and then to the New World by slave traders in 16th-19th Centuries, genomics reveals The bilharzia-causing parasite, Schistosoma mansoni, first infected humans as they fished in lakes in East Africa and was spread, first to West Africa and then to the New World by slave traders in 16th-19th Centuries, genomics reveals. Today (16 February) in Scientific Reports, Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Imperial College London and Royal Veterinary College scientists used the full DNA sequences of Schistosoma mansoni parasites from Africa and the French Caribbean to discover the fluke's origins, map its historic transmission and identify the secrets of its success. Their findings show how the global slave trade transported the disease from Senegal and Cameroon to Guadeloupe. Further genomic comparison with a closely related schistosome species that infects rodents reveals how the parasite has adapted to infecting human beings. Schistosoma mansoni is a blood fluke (flatworm) that infects more than 250 million people worldwide and causes more than 11,000 deaths each year. Six years ago the Sanger Institute published the parasite's first full DNA sequence (genome); this latest study used that 'genetic map' to construct and compare the genomes of S. mansoni parasites gathered from across Africa and the New World, the majority of which were held at the Schistosomiasis Collection in the Natural History Museum, London. By analysing the differences between the human-infecting S. mansoni and its close relative, the rodent-infecting S. rodhaini, the scientists calculated that the two species evolved from a common ancestor approximately 107,000 to 148,000 years ago in East Africa. This finding suggests that the species is much 'younger' than previously thought. "The timing of the separation of the two species coincidences with the first archaeological evidence of fishing in Africa," explains Thomas Crellen, first author of the study from Imperial College London, the Sanger Institute and the Royal Veterinary College London. "The parasite develops in freshwater and infects people by burrowing through their skin. The introduction of fishing would have meant that people spent more time in the water, greatly increasing their chances of being infected." Analysing the differences between genomes from different locations also revealed the darker side of human history. "Comparing the S. mansoni genomes suggests that flukes in West Africa split from their Caribbean counterparts at some point between 1117AD and 1742AD, which overlaps with the time of the 16th-19th Century Atlantic Slave Trade," says Professor Joanne Webster from Imperial College London and the Royal Veterinary College. "During this period more than 22,000 African people were transported from West Africa to Guadeloupe by French slave ships, and the fluke was carried with them." Comparing the genomes of S. mansoni with S. rodhaini also revealed the genetic variations that have been positively selected over time in the human-infecting fluke and have been "fixed" into its DNA. It is likely that these variations are the evolutionary adaptations that have occurred to enable the fluke to successfully tunnel into, and thrive within, human beings. "When we looked for the differences between human-infecting S. mansoni DNA and its rodent infecting cousin S. rodhaini, we found two important variations. We found that changes to two genes in S. mansoni's DNA - VAL21 and an elastase gene -appear to be important in allowing the fluke to enter and live in humans," says Dr James Cotton, senior author of the study from the Sanger Institute. "VAL genes produce proteins that cause allergic responses, so it is possible that the variation in VAL21 helps the fluke to hide from our immune systems. The elastase gene helps the parasite to burrow in to the body, by breaking down elastin - a major component of human skin." It is hoped that exploring the genetic makeup of the fluke it will be possible to discover more about the processes the parasite relies on to infect humans and offer new opportunities to develop preventive and therapeutic interventions. ### NOTES TO EDITORS: Publication: Crellen T et al. (2016) Whole genome resequencing of the human parasite Schistosoma mansoni reveals population history and effects of selection. Scientific Reports 6: 20954. Doi: 10.1038/srep20954 Participating Institutions: Imperial College London Imperial College London is one of the world's leading universities. The College's 14,000 students and 7,500 staff are expanding the frontiers of knowledge in science, medicine, engineering and business, and translating their discoveries into benefits for society. Founded in 1907, Imperial builds on a distinguished past - having pioneered penicillin, holography and fibre optics - to shape the future. Imperial researchers work across disciplines to improve global health, tackle climate change, develop sustainable energy technology and address security challenges. This blend of academic excellence and its real-world application feeds into Imperial's exceptional learning environment, where students participate in research to push the limits of their degrees. Imperial nurtures a dynamic enterprise culture, where collaborations with industrial, healthcare and international partners are the norm. In 2007, Imperial College London and Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust formed the UK's first Academic Health Science Centre. This unique partnership aims to improve the quality of life of patients and populations by taking new discoveries and translating them into new therapies as quickly as possible. Imperial has nine London campuses, including its White City Campus: a 25 acre research and innovation centre in west London. At White City, researchers, businesses and higher education partners are co-locating to create value from ideas on a global scale. http://www.imperial.ac.uk The Royal Veterinary College The Royal Veterinary College (RVC) is the UK's largest and longest established independent veterinary school and is a constituent College of the University of London. The RVC offers undergraduate, postgraduate and CPD programmes in veterinary medicine, veterinary nursing and biological sciences, being ranked in the top 10 universities nationally for biosciences degrees. It is currently the only veterinary school in the world to hold full accreditation from AVMA, EAEVE, RCVS and AVBC. A research-led institution, in the most recent Research Excellence Framework (REF2014) the RVC maintained its position as the top HEFCE funded veterinary focused research institution. The College also provides animal owners and the veterinary profession with access to expert veterinary care and advice through its teaching hospitals; the Beaumont Sainsbury Animal Hospital in central London, the Queen Mother Hospital for Animals (Europe's largest small animal referral centre), the Equine Referral Hospital, and the Farm Animal Clinical Centre located at the Hertfordshire campus. http://www.rvc.ac.uk Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute The Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute is one of the world's leading genome centres. Through its ability to conduct research at scale, it is able to engage in bold and long-term exploratory projects that are designed to influence and empower medical science globally. Institute research findings, generated through its own research programmes and through its leading role in international consortia, are being used to develop new diagnostics and treatments for human disease. http://www.sanger.ac.uk The Wellcome Trust The Wellcome Trust is a global charitable foundation dedicated to achieving extraordinary improvements in human and animal health. We support the brightest minds in biomedical research and the medical humanities. Our breadth of support includes public engagement, education and the application of research to improve health. We are independent of both political and commercial interests. Death is difficult to talk about for Preston VanLoon, director of spiritual care at Sanford Health in Bismarck, death is a part of life as much as birth. Just as people spend months and weeks preparing for a birth, they should do the same for death, he said. VanLoon is also the director of advance care planning, a new program offered at Sanford to help patients talk about death and their end-of-life care. Twenty hospital staff members are trained to be advance care planning facilitators who meet with patients to discuss future health care plans and help them prepare an advance directive document a legal document outlining the treatment they would or would not like to receive at the end of their life. VanLoon said facilitators will pose this scenario to the patient: Suppose that you came down with a serious illness or a very severe injury and were unable to speak for yourself, who would speak for you? What type of medical care would you like to receive? Sanfords new service is modeled after a program called Respecting Choices Advance Care Planning, operated under the Gundersen Health System in La Crosse, Wis. Ninety percent of people in La Crosse have an advance care document, VanLoon said. Research has found that fewer than 50 percent of people in the United States have an advance directive in their medical records. Sanfords goal by 2018 is to have 80 percent of its patients with an advance care document, VanLoon said. We want to get the word out as much as possible, he said. Everyone older than 18 should have an advance care plan, VanLoon said. Its just as important for an older person or someone with a chronic illness as it is for a young, healthy person, he said. "You could go drive home today and someone goes through a red light and hits your car. Instead of being hooked up to machines in our intensive care unit for 100 days or however long it might be, you can make sure that your wishes are honored by having an advanced care planning conversation," VanLoon said. Kalen Heller, chaplain and advance care planning facilitator, said many of his patients have difficulties talking about death scenarios during their visits. I think culturally, too, (for) a lot of people its just something that we dont talk about, Heller said. For example, VanLoon said, people say "I dont want to suffer," but what does that mean not to suffer? It helps them to clarify that, VanLoon said. The new service takes about 60 to 90 minutes, and an additional 30 minutes to fill out an advance care document, which needs to be notarized by two people. The document is free, and staff member will make several copies to give to a physician, family member and upload it to the hospitals records. It includes two components: a living will expressing what the patient wants should something happen and another part determining who would be their health care agent or someone who would speak on their behalf. Advance care planning has several benefits, VanLoon said, including insuring treatment, reducing over or under treatment, and minimizing stress and possible conflict between family members. It also results in higher patient satisfaction because people are able to choose what type of treatment they want, he said. An ideal time to get an advance care document is at a patients annual checkup, VanLoon said. Sanford is also training more physicians on how to incorporate advance care planning into their patient visits. A person should also get their advance care document reviewed every five to 10 years, he said, or they should follow the five Ds: Decade has passed. Death of close one. Divorce or a major life change. Diagnosis. Decline or deterioration of a persons health. People interested in advance care planning should contact: 701-323-1ACP (1227), or email acp.bismarck@sanfordhealth.org Ashish Bagga, CEO, India Today Group won the coveted News Television CEO of the Year Award whereas, Nikhil Wagle, of Maharashtra1 was felicitated with the Lifetime Achievement Award at enba 2015 The winners of the eighth edition of exchange4media News Broadcasting Awards powered by ETV News Network were announced at a gala event held in Delhi on Saturday . Ashish Bagga, CEO, India Today Group won the coveted News Television CEO of the Year Award whereas, Nikhil Wagle, of Maharashtra1 was felicitated with the Lifetime Achievement Award. Aaj Tak was awarded Channel of the Year (Hindi) and it won several awards including Best Current Affairs Programme- Hindi (Raat kya hoti hai Bhopal se pucho), Best News Coverage - International Hindi (Nepal Earthquake), Best Video Editor Hindi (Amit Singh and Anupam Rajkhowa (Champion Phir Se), Best Channel Marketing Hindi and Best Channel or Programme Promo - Hindi (Dilli ke dil mein kya hai). NEWS9 won the Most Promising Channel of the Year (English) award. Apart from that, the channel also won awards for Best Continuing Coverage by a Reporter English (Deepak Bopanna-Bengaluru's Burning Lakes) and Best Videographer - English/Hindi (Jay Jagan). NDTV 24X7 won awards for Best Current Affairs Programme- English (Truth vs Hype- No one killed Ramesh Khamankar), Best Talk Show English (The NDTV Dialogues: India's Daughter Nirbhaya the documentary), Best News Coverage - International- English (Truth Vs Hype (Untold Stories of The Syrian Refugee Crisis), Best Anchor English (Sreenivasan Jain), Best Channel Marketing English. India Today Television bagged awards for Best Current Affairs Programme English (Telengana's Suicide Crop), Best In-Depth Series English (In Kashmir the People + In Kashmir the Politicians), Best News Coverage - National English (Delhi Elections Coverage 2015), Best Videographer (Kashif Siddiqui (In Dependence), Best Video Editor English (Anupam Rajkhowa and Kishore Sethi for Nepal's Nightmare, Above Destruction; Rajeev Chandan and Kaushik Sen for Inside Kumbh). CNN-IBN took home awards for Best Business Program English (The GST Classroom), Best In-Depth Series English (Reporters Project), Best News Coverage - International English (The Himalayan Tragedy) and Best Spot News Reporting English (Prabhakar Kumar for Nepal Quake coverage). ABP News won awards for Best Talk Show Hindi (Press Conference Arvind Kejriwal), Best In-Depth Series Hindi (Ramrajya), Best News Coverage - National Hindi (Operation Sammohan) and Best Anchor Hindi (Dibang). IBN7 won for Best News Coverage - National Hindi (Operation 30 seconds) and Best Continuing Coverage by a Reporter Hindi (Prateek Trivedi for Bihar Maange More). INDIA News won awards for Best Business Programme Hindi (Ghar Ek Sapna - Assured Returns) and Best News Producer Hindi (Vaibhaw Vardhan for Kissa Kursi Ka). The award for Young Professional of the Year- Editorial- English/Hindi went to Poorva Jain, News9. Sonia Singh (NDTV) was named News Television Editor- in- Chief- English; Deepak Chaurasia of INDIA News won News Television Editor-in-Chief of the Year- Hindi as did Milind Khandekar of ABP News. CNBC-TV18 and Zee Business won the BARC India Business News Channel of The Year English and Hindi respectively. Here is the event in pictures: Anna Belkina, Head of Communications & Deputy Director- Marketing & Strategic Development, Russia Today during her inaugural address Panel Discussion: From L to R- Avinash Pandey, Chief Revenue Officer, ANN and COO ABP News, Anna Belkina, Head of Communications & Deputy Director- Marketing & Strategic Development, Russia Today, Madhavan Narayanan, Senior Associate Editor, Technology/ Columnist, Hindustan Times, Dr Waiel S.H Awwad, Writer and Political Analyst, Rohit Gandhi, Editor in Chief, English News and Current Affairs, Zee Media Corporation and Saurabh Shukla, Editor in Chief, News Mobile Asia. Sonia Singh of NDTV receiving the News Television Editor-In-Chief of The Year Award- English NDTVs Sreenivasan Jain receiving the Best News Anchor Award, English Dibang of ABP News won the Best News Anchor Award, Hindi Purvi Jain of News 9 won the Young Professional of the Year Award Editorial, English/ Hindi - Milind Khandekar of ABP News was awarded the News Television, Editor-in Chief of the Year, Hindi Deepak Chaurasia won the News Television, Editor-in Chief of the Year Award, Hindi Ashish Bagga won the prestigious News Television CEO of the Year Award at enba 2015 Nikhil Wagle of Maharashtra 1 was conferred Life Time Achievement Award of the Year at enba 2015 Read more news about (internet advertising India, internet advertising, advertising India, digital advertising India, media advertising India) Some 20,000 people are set to become American citizens in a series of naturalisations ceremonies across the US to mark the birth of the country's first President George Washington.Some 180 ceremonies are due to take place for Presidents Day on 22 February with the biggest at Mount Vernon in Virginia with keynote speeches."Whatever their backgrounds and political views, our presidents have all recognized that we could not have succeeded as a nation were it not for the contributions of immigrants," said Leon Rodriguez director of the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCI)."Through the contributions they make, and by choosing to naturalize, our newest citizens will strengthen the fabric of our nation and reinforce America's unique heritage as a nation of immigrants," he added.Rodriguez will personally administer the Oath of Allegiance to 50 people and deliver keynote remarks at the Mount Vernon ceremony and other key meetings include at the Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural Site in Buffalo, New York, the History Colorado Centre in Denver, Colorado, and at Washington Crossing Historic Park in Pennsylvania.He added that USCIS encourages new citizens, their families and friends to share their experiences and remember that the parents of several US Presidents were immigrants.One of this group was the seventh president Andrew Jackson whose parents arrived in the American colonies with their children Hugh and Robert in 1765 from Northern Ireland because of political unrest and religious persecution. They arrived in Philadelphia and travelled south to the Carolinas and the future President was born 1767.The British invaded the Carolinas when Andrew Jackson was 13 and he and his brothers volunteered to fight the British. Hugh died of heat stroke and the British captured Andrew and Robert. While the brothers were prisoners, an officer slashed Andrew with a sword, scarring his face, and Robert contracted smallpox. The brothers were very ill when Elizabeth rescued them in a prisoner exchange she arranged but Robert didn't survive his illness.When Andrew recovered, Elizabeth became a nurse for injured and sick soldiers in Charleston, South Carolina. She contracted cholera soon after and passed away, leaving the 14 year old Andrew an orphan but despite his challenges in youth, Andrew Jackson thrived.He became a lawyer and the first member elected to the US House of Representatives from Tennessee. He was later selected for the US Senate and appointed as a judge on Tennessee's Superior Court. He went on to serve as President from 1829 to 1837. As the results of New Hampshire's primary were coming in Feb. 9, some commentators on Twitter were jubilant about the "disruption": that is, the victories of an inane socialist demagogue and a foul-mouthed nationalist demagogue and what they represented to the "establishment." Yes, mobs are disruptive. Madame Defarge enjoyed a good shakeup herself. Sen. Bernie Sanders believes that eight years of the most leftist president in American history have left the plutocrats in total control. Channeling the late Hugo Chavez, he promises to lift the minimum wage to $15 per hour, provide free college educations for all and deliver universal health care (with only a small tax on the middle class). How will he pay for it? "With a tax on Wall Street speculation." Now, I'm no particular fan of Wall Street, but this is rubbish. Sanders bellows: "The greed, the recklessness and the illegal behavior drove our economy to its knees. The American people bailed out Wall Street, now it's Wall Street's time to help the middle class." Without defending bailouts (and if you want an excellent history of how the government encouraged risky behavior by bankers, see "Gambling With Other People's Money" by Russ Roberts), let's remember that in 2008 the banks were given loans, not bailouts, and the purpose was not to support billionaires but to head off what Congress had reason to fear was a total freeze-up of the financial system. Maybe they were wrong, but Congress was genuinely terrified that without a quick infusion of government money, there could be a full-scale liquidity crisis, i.e., when you and I went to our ATMs, we'd get an error message. If you'll indulge another objection to the greedy-bankers-robbing-the-middle-class tale, the banks paid back the "bailout" money (with interest) as Jim Geraghty of National Review reminds us. Further, while you'll never hear this from Bolshie Bernie, it wasn't private greed that created the financial crisis but government coercion and incentives that encouraged lending to "non-traditional" (i.e., non-creditworthy) customers. There's more to say on this, like the fact that many of those sainted middle-class victims of the financial crisis were actually house flippers who made risky bets. That's not to say many innocent people were not hurt. But spare us these black/white morality tales. Oh, and Sen. Sanders: Even if you confiscated all of the wealth of America's "billionaire class" (what a ridiculous term for a few hundred individuals), you wouldn't come close to the $17 trillion in new spending you've proposed. Meanwhile, the Dodd-Frank bill that was supposed to be the cure for what went wrong in 2008 -- the bill the Democratic House and Senate passed and Obama signed -- is a big cause of our anemic growth now. The big banks have done OK with the thousands upon thousands of new regulations. In fact, they've gotten even bigger. But medium and small banks, the ones who typically finance new ventures and thus create new job opportunities, are going under. The ones that remain are actually discouraging new deposits. That's right. They can't lend out the money because of the strictures of Dodd-Frank, so they don't want new money. An employee at one of the surviving banks told me that she now spends about 30 percent of her time on Dodd-Frank compliance. What would she have done with that time otherwise? "Helped our clients to become more efficient." Businesses that are more efficient are more profitable. More profits equal more employment. Profits -- shh, don't upset the Democrats -- are good. Not that the leading contender for the Republican nomination grapples with any of these questions. Like Sanders, he's not interested in reform so much as looking for scapegoats. Sanders blames greedy billionaires for the problems of the middle class and the poor; Trump blames treacherous immigrants, crafty foreigners and incompetent leadership in Washington. Some people seemed surprised that there was overlap between Sanders and Trump supporters, but it makes perfect sense. Some commentators on the right, particularly on talk radio, have ridden the hobbyhorse of immigration very hard -- even to the point of welcoming Trump's rise as a ratification of their fixation. But in Iowa, immigration was rated important by only 13 percent of GOP caucus participants. In New Hampshire, only 15 percent said it was important to their vote. Terrorism, government spending and the economy all ranked higher. Trump and Sanders are disruptive, and people who welcome chaos for its own sake are dangerous. The Founding Fathers of this country were extremely wary of excessive power -- whether in an executive or in a mob. They designed the system to be stable and somewhat resistant to every shift in public mood, and it has served us very well. But the voters are the ultimate custodians of the American system, and by turning to demagogues in both parties, they've ventured into scary terrain. (Mona Charen is a Senior Fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center.) Hello all,I recently returned to Canada after completing 2 years under YMS Tier 5. I have had to leave my partner in the UK while he finishes the financial requirement business.I am looking at the best way to get back to him, as soon as possible.I was looking at a marriage visitor visa, which would allow me to go to the UK for up to 6 months to get married. However, we currently have nothing planned at the moment (no registry, venues, etc as we are planning to have a small courthouse wedding). We are both shy and hate large groups of people. We have also been discussing whether to marry in Canada, prices, etc. We have no rings purchased as of yet as we would like to go shop for them together. Would this deter the marriage visitor visa application in any way?Also, with that being said, how soon after returning from my Tier 5 could I apply for this visa? (Or even to go back on a visitor visa?)Ideally, I would like to go to the UK, see him and/or marry, and have him return to Canada to file for a spouse visa application. But even more ideally, the cheapest and quickest way to get back to the UK with him.Edit:I have also just heard about the fiance visa? I know I could not work, but if we got married straight away and then applied for the below, would that be easier?"You switch to leave to remain as partner (spouse), on form FLR(M). You can do so as soon as you are married. Easiest is to do by same-day premium service at public enquiry office. From six weeks before you wish to attend, go online and book your appointment at UK Border Agency | Premium service for applications in the UK.You would apply for spouse visa if you married abroad. Now that your fiancee is in UK and you marry in UK, you change her visa to leave to remain (LTR) as spouse."Thanks in advanced. The Rascal said: Dear, The E44 is no where near Buraimi? That's the Hatta Road from (basically Dubai), I'm talking about the Buraimi (Al Ain) border. Click to expand... My dear I am aware of what you said. I just told u to google that artical. Ok i will cut paste for you."The exit fees for land border crossings into Oman has been standardised to Dh35 per person exiting Emirati territory through the Hatta border post.Guides can also confirm that non-GCC nationals (expatriates) are no longer allowed to take the direct E44 route between Al Madam and Hatta, which enters Omani territory. Expats will now need to take the Sharjah-Kalba road to Hatta in order to avoid being turned back at Al Madam checkpoint after which checkposts are manned by the Omani authorities.Expat Route to Hatta Turn left at the Al Madam roundabout and get onto the E55 heading to Al Malaiha. Turn into the Sharjah/Kalba road (signpost Shawka). Turn right towards Hatta onto the E44 after around 25-30 kilometres, thereby avoiding Omani territory and moving on to the Al Wajajah border post.Time difference The change results in 30 minutes of extra driving which is better when compared to 45 minutes to 2 hours of extra driving when you reach the border and you're asked to turn back and loop around.Avoid Al Madheef checkpoint (Al Ain/Buraimi border) as well as Al Hili border as these are only open to GCC nationals, while the Dibba police post requires expats to have a hotel booking for the Golden Tulip hotel or the Six Senses Zighy Bay or a dhow cruise booking to pass through".Hope now you get it what i am trying to know. Friends and neighbors: In good faith, our trusted legislators created our current budget based on projections of expected revenue. We could not have anticipated a change this drastic in the world economy recently, but we now must deal with our current $1 billion shortfall. Recently, our governor ordered a budget-wide general fund cut of 4.05 percent. Required reduction will be done flexibly based on the judgment of the division heads. We understand difficult decisions must be made, but as citizens we need to request special consideration for services needed by our most vulnerable children and families. North Dakota currently has two programs assisting families with the costs involved in helping children with autism, an ASD (autism spectrum disorder) Medicaid waiver, and an ASD voucher for those not able to use Medicaid. These two combine to promote maximum child development and help prevent expensive out-of-home placements by providing help to pay for assistive technology, training, and other approved support services that enhance the quality of life of children with autism disorders and help meet the unique needs of families caring for them. Both of these programs could be negatively impacted. North Dakota already ranks as one of the lowest in the nation in providing services for individuals on the autism spectrum: our minimal existing services cannot be slashed. Our states already underfunded autism services cannot be cut further, and the North Dakota Autism Spectrum Disorder Advocacy Coalition, asks our fellow citizens to contact their legislators, (nd.gov), and let them know we need to help our neighbors most in need. Thank you. I write in strong support of Jerod Tufte's candidacy for the North Dakota Supreme Court. I served with Jerod in the National Guard for eight years. When deployed, he worked directly with commanders during planning and embedded with soldiers on mission to ensure compliance with rules of engagement and other operational constraints. When I was chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, I regularly consulted with Jerod regarding criminal justice legislation. His insight into the impacts of proposed legislation showed he sincerely held the highest ideals of the prosecutor and took seriously not only pursuing justice for victims of crimes, but also his duty to respect and protect the rights of our fellow citizens. Jerod Tufte has been a district judge since 2014 and has the experience and character to serve our state with distinction on the Supreme Court. It may be that the long weekend has helped prices on the Chicago Board of Trade. This morning (Feb. 16), prices are higher in the early session, negating the small losses we saw in grain markets on Friday. For many of us, the holiday that mattered was Valentines Day, but the holiday that affected the market came on Monday in the form of Presidents Day. The result was a three-day weekend. The long stretch without trading can always affect the flow of the market. Sometimes the net is nothing, as prices may decline on Friday, then get that loss back Tuesday. Today, Tuesday, we are seeing grain prices modestly higher, and higher than we were trading on Friday. The March corn futures are up two and a half cents after being down one and a half at the close Friday. The March soybeans are up 5 cents after a loss of 3/4 of a cent Friday. March Chicago wheat is up four cents after a three-quarters cent loss Friday. In corn, the gains came overnight, and presumably as a result of the Friday Commitment of Traders report that put large spec funds short an estimated 156,000 contracts as of the 9th. It is a move in the right direction, but there are market forces that will likely limit the move. First, there is technical resistance at 3.64 1/4, which is the ten-day moving average. We are now trading 3.61 1/4, comfortably below that resistance. Second, corn sales are lagging. We will have exports reported today, but the trade believes we are falling behind projections. Third, the principal South American producers of Argentina and Brazil are forecast to receive welcome rains. The gains in the soybeans come in spite of what is mostly negative news. That same Commitment of Traders Report showed specs increasing their shorts by more than 40,000 contracts over the previous week. Production in South America continues to bring negatives to the market. Previously it was thought that the yields would be poor, but increased acres would bring about a record crop. Now comes news that the harvest so far is even larger than anticipated. One analyst has raised its production expectation for Brazil to 99.7 MMT. Another has the Argentine estimate now up to 58.8 MMT. Hurting bean prices is the news that the Chinese in January imported 38 percent less than in December, and nearly 18 percent less than this time last year. Wheat markets are dominated by the realities of large world-wide supplies. We are trading at the bottom end of trading ranges, and we are near five-year lows for wheat. Friday the March Chicago wheat futures were at 4.57 1/2, down three quarters of a cent. This morning they were up four. The recent high was at 4.88 1/2 on Jan. 26. That makes our Friday close 31 cents below the recent high. Our recent low was on the 12th and the 9th, at 4.55. We are just above that, and trying to hold above the lows. We are in the middle of February now. Still bleak The end of winter is in sight, and the end to the winter price doldrums is not. We need news to spark this market. Although we are positive today, there is not much news to hold these small gains. We still have no real bullishness that would pull us up to the price levels farmers are looking for right now. SALEM, Ohio Having a weed management plan can be beneficial to maximizing your crop yield this year. Mark Loux, Ohio State University weed specialist, and Doug Doohan, weed management expert and professor in the Department of Horticulture and Crop Science, share a few pointers on weed management, equipment preparation and challenging weeds farmers should be on the lookout for this year. Q. Why is weed management so important? A. Weeds rob crops of nutrients, water and sunlight, said Doohan, and weeds often create conditions that are conducive to disease. They are probably the biggest robber of yield, said Loux. If we dont do a good job of weed control we will lose yield. Q. What weed species should farmers be on the lookout for this year? A. Marestail (or horseweed) has been a concern for farmers for a few years, as it has become resistant to many commonly used herbicides, particularly glyphosate. It is easiest to control when it is in its seeding or low-growing rosette stage through late April. (Marestail will reach a height of 3-6 feet.) I spend a lot of time tweaking marestail programs, said Loux. A lot more time than any other weed in my 28 years here and I am still tweaking programs. Palmer amaranth, an Amaranthus (pigweed) species, is fairly new to Ohio and has resulted in substantial crop losses in affected areas. Originating from the South, the species has most likely made its way to the area through equipment, cotton-derived feed products and cover crop and wildlife seed products that have been transported from infested areas like Kansas and Texas. Palmer amaranth has prolific seed production and small seeds well adapted to minimum and no tillage. It grows really fast up to 3 inches a day and is highly resistant to many common herbicides. Timing is critical when treating for Palmer amaranth and needs to be done when the plants are less than 3 inches tall. Palmer amaranth also has a strong, woody stem that can cause damage to equipment. Q. How can farmers prepare for weeds now? A. They should be evaluating their history of weed control over the last several years, said Loux. That means, identify what has been working and what areas need to be improved. Certain parts of the field may require more attention than others and may have different species of weeds growing in them. Identify what herbicides have been used and what has been most effective. Its a great time of year to make sure your equipment is cleaned up, said Doohan, commenting on the milder temperatures this winter. Cleaning equipment prevents the spread of weed seeds that could have been pick up in the fields from previous years. Check sprayer nozzles and filters to make sure they are working effectively and creating an even spray. Doohan recommends replacing all nozzles if they havent been changed in a few years, even if some are OK, you should bring them all up to spec. Check hoses for leaks and check storage for old materials that need to be discarded. How can farmers update their weed management programs and identify what herbicides are best to use? One of the most important things a farmer can do is spend some time reading the herbicide label, said Doohan. Understand how the herbicide works and what the risks are involved with using that particular herbicide. You need to know your crop and you need to know your weeds, said Doohan. Weeds tend to be patchy, meaning one area of a field could be covered in thistle while another area has some viney weeds. You have to know how to manage those different weeds. And those resources are readily available through Extension services with online fact sheets and identification guides. A recently released book, featuring information from both Loux and Doohan, the 2016 Weed Control Guide for Ohio, Indiana and Illinois, also provides management tips and weed identification. If you are still struggling, call an expert like Loux or Doohan. 'Opening the Gate' scheme aims to give new entrants more confidence IPSWICH, S.D. -- It's been a lovely winter for animal care on the Kenneth Kilber ranch, about four miles west of Ipswich. The family's operation was ahead in lambing, as 80 percent of the process was completed by Feb. 8. It's so early for lambing that South Dakota and Minnesota were just getting started at the end of January, so numbers were published in a Feb. 7 report. North Dakota lambing was 6 percent complete and Montana was 5 percent complete. South Dakota sheep and lamb deaths since Jan. 1 were less than average on 27 percent of the farms, average on 72 percent and above-average on only 1 percent. "We've had a few weekends of cold spells, but we've gotten through it," Kilber said, heading out for chores on a recent afternoon. "We have an excellent barn that we do our lambing in. It's all inside work." Kenneth and his wife, Norma, lamb about 450 bred ewes. In recent years, they've fed all of their lambs to market weight -- roughly 500 to 600. They also have 100 head of red Gelbvieh commercial cows. They start calving on April 15 and are kept for much of the year. "The calves get background-fed until March 30 the following year, and then they're sold." The calves are then about 850 to 900 pounds, and sold at Hub City Livestock Auction in Aberdeen. The Kilber family also has a dozen Pygmy goats, and they sell market goats through the sale barns. "I grew up with it, and I like the business of sheep," Kilber said. "I look forward to lambing time in the fall. I look forward to getting ready for it, getting things set up for it. (But) you don't get much sleep during lambing time because there's always something going on." Winter lambing The Kilbers usually plan to start lambing in the first week of December. They were about 10 days later than expected this year, possibly because of warmer temperatures during breeding. They try to lamb about 150 to 200 ewes in a group, separated by four-week intervals. Newborn lambs are inside for about two weeks and then move to pole barns. The Kilbers wean the lambs at about 10 weeks and give them full feed until they are finished at about 140 pounds. In total, the process takes about six months. The Kilbers try to complete lambing by April 1, so they can be ready for calving season. "When we start calving by the middle of April, we'll be done with sheep, hopefully," Kilber said. "Once in a while, they'll cross over a little bit (lambing and calving), but very little." The Kilbers have a good percentage of twin lambs -- about 80 percent, which is better than the 150 percent lambing average for the flock. That's a net gain of roughly 125 lambs. "It's been a very, very good year for twins," Kilber said. They had four sets of triplets this year, which isn't necessarily a good thing because that means there will be "bum" lambs, rejected by the mother because she can't feed them all. Kilber then has to hand-feed them until they're ready to wean or "graft" onto an ewe that has lost a lamb. There are more births when low pressure weather systems move through. "That's when things happen fast," Kilber says. "Lots of lambing at one time." Image courtesy of General CableKentucky-based General Cable Corporation said it added $4 million to its reserve and has now set aside $28 million thats probable to be disgorged to the SEC in a possible settlement of FCPA offenses. In a securities filing last week, the company said the $28 million is the amount of profit it made from bribe-tainted sales in Angola, Thailand, India, China, and Egypt. General Cable said its disgorgement may rise to $33 million because of other transactions that were possibly tainted by bribery. (Our list of the top ten FCPA disgorgements is here.) In September 2014, General Cable said it was investigating possible bribes in Angola, Thailand, and India that were paid over at least ten years starting in 2002. The investigation later expanded to China and Egypt. The current $28 million accrual is for disgorgement only and doesnt include the amount of any possible fines, civil or criminal penalties or other relief, any or all of which could be substantial, General Cable said. The manufacturer of copper and fiber-optic cables said its internal investigation focused on payments and gifts made directly and through intermediaries to employees of public utility companies and/or other officials of state owned entities. The payments raise concerns under the FCPA and possibly other laws, the company said. It self disclosed the findings of its investigation to the DOJ and SEC. General Cable Corporation trades on the NYSE under the symbol BGC. The company reported revenue of about $4.2 billion last year. * * * Heres the full FCPA disclosure from the Form 8-K (pdf) filed by General Cable Corporation with the SEC on February 10, 2016: As previously disclosed, we have been reviewing, with the assistance of external counsel, our use and payment of agents in connection with, and certain other transactions involving, our operations in Angola, Thailand, India, China and Egypt (the Subject Countries). Our review has focused upon payments and gifts made, offered, contemplated or promised by certain employees in one or more of the Subject Countries, directly and indirectly, and at various times, to employees of public utility companies and/or other officials of state owned entities that raise concerns under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) and possibly under the laws of other jurisdictions. We have substantially completed our internal review in the Subject Countries and, based on our findings, we have increased our outstanding FCPA-related accrual of $24 million by an incremental $4 million, which represents the estimated profit derived from these subject transactions that we believe is probable to be disgorged. We have also identified certain other transactions that may raise concerns under the FCPA for which it is at least reasonably possible we may be required to disgorge estimated profits derived therefrom in an incremental aggregate amount up to $33 million. The amounts accrued and the additional range of reasonably possible loss solely reflect profits that may be disgorged based on our investigation in the Subject Countries, and do not include, and we are not able to reasonably estimate, the amount of any possible fines, civil or criminal penalties or other relief, any or all of which could be substantial. The SEC and DOJ inquiries into these matters remain ongoing, and we continue to cooperate with the DOJ and the SEC with respect to these matters. ______ Richard L. Cassin is the publisher and editor of the FCPA Blog. He can be contacted here. An acclaimed doctor, who once starred in BBC One's 'Helicopter Heroes Down Under', has joined Prince William's air ambulance team. Prince William Dr Sarah McNeilly is the latest recruit to the East Anglian Air Ambulance service, which is based in Cambridge and serves Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire and Bedfordshire. The London-born anaesthetist is expected to send six months with the unit. She is a familiar face to British TV viewers thanks to her participation in the 10-episode spin-off of 'Helicopter Heroes', which followed a number of UK medics in Australia. William began working with the East Anglian Air Ambulance last July and completed four rescue missions in his first week. William made four potentially life-saving trips during the seven days; firstly to Garboldisham in Norfolk and then Felixstowe in Suffolk, where he rescued a man suffering a heart attack. Later in the week, he attended an incident in Colchester, Essex, whilst another mission saw him head to Wisbech, Cambridgeshire. And the royal revealed he took on the role because he sees it as the type of job which will help him "to be a good guy". He explained: "For me it is also really important to be grounded. I feel doing a job like this really helps with grounding the core of what I am trying to become ... just trying to be a good guy, trying to do what you can, trying be a decent individual, thoughtful. Qualities in people that you would want to be associated with." Herkul.org is a scholarly website managed by Turkish Islamic scholar Fethullah Gulens students. Along with the students essays on various topics, it regularly broadcasts speeches of Gulen. Access to the website is now blocked in Turkey by state-controlled Internet watchdog, the Telecommunications Directorate (TIB). Having views other than the official ideology of the state is considered a crime in anti-democratic societies, Albayrak, Fethullah Gulens lawyer stated. Since the AKPs corruption scandal, a number of business groups, media outlets, aid organizations, civil society organizations, universities, private schools and prep schools that were established by people sympathetic to the Gulen movement have been targeted by government-orchestrated police raids and investigations. Sri Lanka's HNB's Corporate Banking business, following a very successful 2015, has announced the $18 million financing of Hela's strategic acquisition of Foundation Garments, Sri Lanka's business newspaper Daily FT has reported.Twenty years since its inception, Hela Clothing, the British-owned apparel group with a manufacturing base in Sri Lanka is poised to contribute significantly to the growth of the island nation's apparel industry following its acquisition of Foundation Garments, the report said. Sri Lanka's HNB's Corporate Banking business, following a very successful 2015, has announced the $18 million financing of Hela's strategic# Hela Clothing recently appointed a new chairperson and made the first of a series of acquisitions. It nominated the charismatic CEO and much accomplished entrepreneur Dian Gomes, who recently completed a successful 25-year stint at MAS Holdings, as its new Chairman.Gomes was the Managing Director and CEO of MAS Holdings' largest business division, MAS Intimates. He has built some of the most influential and globally recognised business brands throughout his career in the apparel industry and is geared to take Hela Clothing to new heights, through continuous growth, development and innovation.Joining Gomes in his quest to grow Hela Clothing's business both locally and internationally are Directors Robert Wigley and Dominic McVey, Managing Director - Casual Wear Cluster, Harsha Guneratne, Managing Director - Intimate Wear Cluster, Dilanka Jinadasa, Sales and Marketing Director Ananda Weerakoon and Group Manufacturing Director Nipuna Dias.Wigley, the former Chairman of Merrill Lynch, is an investor, entrepreneur and finance industry veteran. Being the Chairman of Ellestone Apparel and the majority shareholder of Hela, Wigley plays a vital role in providing strategic direction and will spearhead Hela's aggressive mergers and acquisition plans.McVey, Britain's youngest self-made millionaire, made his first million at the age of 15. Being Britain's second most influential entrepreneur under 30, and Dian's predecessor, he doubled the top line of Hela and will be involved in executing their new growth strategy, the report said. (SH) Fibre2Fashion News Desk India Swedish manufacturing companies are enthusiastic about India and see the country as a major investment destination and an important export hub, says a survey.According to the business climate survey conducted by Swedish Chamber of Commerce India, about 70 per cent of the Swedish companies see India as a major export hub. Last year, 30 per cent of the companies expressed such sentiment, it said. Swedish manufacturing companies are enthusiastic about India and see the country as a major investment destination and an important export hub, says# Swedish heavyweight companies like ABB, Atlas Copco, Camfil, Ericsson, Ikea, Saab, Sandvik, Scania, SKF, Tetra Pak, Volvo have substantial presence in India and have generated 1.60 lakh direct jobs in the country."The companies also feel that for India to truly take its place in the global value chain, there are key reforms that need to materialise," it added.The survey covered 141 Swedish companies doing business in India in sectors like engineering products, IT/telecom, fashion and lifestyle, healthcare, automotive, services and defence.According to the survey, the National Capital Region (NCR), Maharashtra and Karnataka form the major hubs for Swedish companies."About 90 per cent indicate that they will focus their investments in states they are already present in while 30 per cent are looking to expand into 3 new states - Tamil Nadu (10 companies), Rajasthan (8) and Gujarat (6)," it added."Last year, Odisha, Gujarat, Maharashtra, West Bengal and AP/Telangana were the top states," the survey said.Maharashtra continued to be a very important hub for Swedish businesses, with one out of 3 companies having their head office in the state, while most manufacturing companies have some presence.Maharashtra was favoured mainly because of the strategic location for imports and exports and proximity to strategic business partners, the survey said. (SH) Fibre2Fashion News Desk India RUGBY Nearly 300 people, including a couple dozen school kids, packed the house in Rugby Tuesday morning, leaving farm, ranch and business to weigh in on a deep borehole project that many believe is just the first step in nuclear waste disposal. The meeting was called by the Pierce County Commission, looking for a forum to get reliable information to residents and get everyones questions answered. The commission was caught flat-footed by news that the federal Department of Energy had awarded $35 million to learn if mid-continental basement rock can safely store nuclear waste capsules by drilling 3 miles down at a site 15 miles south of Rugby. Based on mostly negative comments, applause and a show of hands against it, any formal land use application is probably dead on arrival in the county. Pierce County Commissioner Mike Christenson said before the meeting he didnt like the smell of the idea and, even after hearing from the research principals, he hadnt changed his mind. Its not going to take a genius to figure out what people want, Christenson said. Representatives from lead researcher Battelle Memorial Institute, drilling partner Energy and Environmental Research Center of Grand Forks and the DOE said the 3-mile deep borehole is a laboratory in the ground and that no waste will be used or stored in the project. It will be plugged and abandoned after cores are removed for study. This is not a nuclear project, this is a science project, said DOEs deputy of nuclear energy Andy Griffith, a theme repeated throughout the two-hour meeting. He said any disposal will come in a consent-based process that DOE is developing to work with communities willing to accept such waste. Stephanie Steinke, of Rugby, said she had trouble with that. The consent process is not designed yet, and youre asking me to buy into a process that doesnt exist yet? How can we know the science wont lead you right back here in 15 or 20 years? she asked. Steinkes comments were typical of most in the meeting from people who had quickly read everything they could find on the governments long, troubled history to permanently store nuclear waste. Griffith said its his job to develop that process, to find a durable solution for waste. This is tough; this is really hard work, he said, acknowledging that the government failed with the Yucca Mountain storage project in Nevada because it used federal land without local consent. We failed at Yucca Mountain." At least one person in the room said the researchers should have the opportunity to do their work. I love science, and I believe in science and technology. Lets give these guys a chance before we get all scared, said Christie Jaeger, who ranches 15 miles from the site. Dave Johnson, whose company deals with oil field waste, encouraged cooperation. He said the process of knowledge and the valuable information from the project would help everyone make good decisions. We have a long-standing tradition in North Dakota of making sound, long-lasting decisions based on science, he said. Galen Mack, the Pierce County States Attorney, said North Dakota has already contributed oil, gas and wind energy into the world. There is no nuclear power here. Shouldnt the disposal be where the waste is generated? Weve done our share, he said. Griffith said the bottom line from his view is that the DOE wont force the issue. Were not going to do this if you dont consent. We wont force this on you, but I thank you for the time to listen, Griffith said. John Harju, EERC researcher, said the team will regroup and sort through what its heard from Pierce County, several public meeings and other contacts around the community. There is no Plan B or alternate site in the proposal and the focus has been on the Rugby site 20 acres of state-owned land because its the right geology with a relatively shallow covering of sedimentary layers and close to a highway. If this site is not feasible and if there is another site (to consider), we havent had that conversation yet, Griffith said. Barely a week after the Central Statistics Office predicted a 7.6 per cent GDP growth for India, a report by business consultancy KPMG says India is set to become an even more attractive and stable destination for investors on the back of favourable macroeconomic conditions.The KPMGs report titled 'India Soars High' was released at the Make in India Week event in Mumbai. Barely a week after the Central Statistics Office predicted a 7.6 per cent GDP growth for India, a report by business consultancy KPMG says India is# According to the report, India is on a higher economic growth trajectory even as global economies struggle to cut through stubborn headwinds."With favourable macroeconomic conditions, a prudent fiscal policy, responsible government spend and a pro-reform government, India shall continue to evolve into an even more attractive and stable investment destination," the report said.It noted that strong economic growth prospects combined with a unified tax system would increase the scope for infrastructure investment."This would be further strengthened by the measures to rationalize subsidy," KPMG said. "The savings from subsidies and higher tax revenues would enable the government to fund its capital expenditure plan while sticking to the fiscal discipline," it said.According to KPMG, the government is committed to bring fiscal deficit down to 3 per cent by 2017-18. "Reform measures initiated by the government have underpinned India's long term growth potential while the reduction in current account deficit on the back of falling oil prices enabled the RBI to increase foreign exchange reserves, which could act as a cushion against external shocks," the report said.It said the Indian economy is now expected to become even more resilient which would give investors enough comfort to operate in India. (SH) Fibre2Fashion News Desk India The Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) which has purchased 8 lakh bales of cotton so far in the 2015-16 marketing year, has decided that it won't to buy any more as domestic prices have firmed up slightly after demand from Pakistan.Last year, the state-run CCI had procured 87 lakh bales of cotton. The cotton marketing year runs from October to September. The Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) which has purchased 8 lakh bales of cotton so far in the 2015-16 marketing year, has decided that it won't to# "We have procured 8 lakh bales at the minimum support price (MSP) so far in 2015-16. No further procurement would take place as prices have started increasing," CCI Chairman and Managing Director B K Mishra told PTI.The cotton has been purchased mainly from Andhra Pradesh, Telangana. A smaller quantity was purchased from Maharasthra, he said.The government's cotton procurement was expected to be higher than 8 lakh bales due to sluggish demand from China. But increase in shipments to Pakistan as well as announcement of bonus, over and above MSP, to cotton growers in Gujarat have supported domestic prices to rise.Mishra said India has already exported 40 lakh bales of cotton so far this year, of which 20 lakh bales were shipped to Pakistan. India had exported 67 lakh bales in the entire 2014-15 marketing year.India's cotton output is expected to fall this year on back of a pest attack and drought.The government's Cotton Advisory Board has pegged the country's total cotton production to decline to 352 lakh bales in 2015-16 from 380 lakh bales last year. (SH) Fibre2Fashion News Desk India H&M, a Swedish multinational retail clothing company, has put a ban on cotton from Turkmenistan and Syria due to underage workers involved in cotton cultivation, the company said in a press release. The company which known for its fast-fashion clothing for men, women, teenagers and children, has signed a commitment requirement with all its suppliers that they don't buy cotton from Turkmenistan or Syria. The suppliers that do not sign the commitment would not be allowed to work with H&M. H&M under no circumstances would accept underage workers and forced labor being used in its entire value chain, said the company. Since December 2015, H&M has a ban on cotton from Turkmenistan and Syria. The company has earlier put an equivalent ban on cotton from Uzbekistan since 2013. H&M, a Swedish multinational retail clothing company, has put a ban on cotton from Turkmenistan and Syria due to underage workers involved in# By 2020, the company targets cotton used in its products to come from sustainable sources like organic, recycled or from the better cotton initiative so that it would be fully traceable. (NA) Fibre2fashion News Desk - India Blighted by pest, drought and unseasonal rain, Pakistan's low cotton output this year will hit the country 's exports, experts fear. The Pakistan Businessmen and Intellectuals Forum (PBIF) has said low cotton output was hurting millions of cotton farmers which would ultimately affect exports and gross domestic product (GDP).The country would miss the target of cotton production by 4.6 million bales necessitating imports worth $4 billion to keep textile industry running which would hit balance of payment situation and forex reserves, PBIF President Mian Zahid Hussain said in a statement. Blighted by pest, drought and unseasonal rain, Pakistan's low cotton output this year will hit the country's exports, experts fear. The Pakistan# He said the cotton sector which is backbone of the national economy, needed immediate attention of the government as it held 8.5 per cent share in the GDP, fetched $12 billion through exports and provides jobs to 40 per cent of the labour force.The situation shouldn't be allowed to take toll on sliding exports and drag down GDP by one per cent minimum, he said. The reasons behind the low cotton output included sudden and unpredictable rains, drought in some areas, low cotton prices and hike in prices of inputs by 15-20 per cent and use of substandard seed which had discouraged farmers, he added.He said that the sowing target of cotton was also missed as it was planted on 2.946 million hectares against the target of 3.122 million hectares which could lead to disastrous consequences if the trend continued in future.Mian Zahid Hussain lashed out authorities who discounted local wisdom to promote genetically modified seed terming it pest resistant which proved otherwise.The imported seed failed to withstand pink bollworm and whitefly attacks while pesticide to tackle the pests were not available in the market which played havoc with the crop, he added.He called for immediate government action to restore the health of the cotton sector and warned that any delay could hurt the economy badly and Pakistan could slip from its position as the world's fourth largest cotton producer. (SH) Fibre2Fashion News Desk India Government has stopped All Earthworks Company from extracting gravel under the Namosi Development Corporation issued licence from the Navua River with immediate effect after the Prime Minister called together government stakeholders in a meeting on Monday 15th February. Complaints had been raised with the Prime Minister concerning the gravel extraction operations by the company.The complaints involved the issue of the river becoming shallower upstream rendering it inaccessible with boats that are utilised as a mode of transport by villages and communities in the upper Navua River. The river was also being diverted by the gravel extractor by constructing an access way in order to reach the opposite side to extract more gravel. Villages and communities also reported a depressed ecosystem, which resulted in depleted river food sources, such as fish, eels and mussels, as the extraction operations continued.The license to extract gravel from the particular area of the Navua River was issued to Namosi Development Cooperation but was being utilised by All Earthworks Company, which is unethical and raises issues of legality.The Ministry of Lands issues extraction licenses for State land and the iTaukei Lands Trust Board (TLTB) for iTaukei land. The Prime Minister has directed that Ministry of Lands or TLTB will only approve gravel extraction license after appropriate Environment Impact Assessments (EIA) are conducted.The Prime Minister emphasised the need for Government officials to make timely decisions to ensure that in the future, exploitation of resources and communities in this manner are avoided.The Fiji Police Force will ensure that the directive to stop the gravel extraction operations is complied with. Earlier, we had informed you that an important fight sequence featuring Superstar Rajinikanth and Akshay Kumar will be shot as a part of the first shooting schedule of Shankar's 2.O (Enthiran 2). Now, the latest news pertaining to this report has it that, a massive set worth a whopping 20 Crore rupees has been erected at Poonamallee in the west of Chennai. It is said that the all important stunt sequence will be captured here and that the entire team is excited about it. Hollywood stunt choreographer Kenny Bates has been roped in to take care of this particular sequence, which the team plans to shoot from February 18th, according to a report. Since the entire movie will be shot in 3D, all the stunt sequences are expected to present the Tamil moviegoers with a never seen before experience. Starring Amy Jackson in an important role, 2.O is India's biggest project with a massive budget of 350 Crores, which covers the production charge alone. Top 10 Real-Life Love Stories Of Kollywood! How many shares do you need to launch a stock market? According to Myanmars outgoing government, the answer is zero. The Yangon Stock Exchange was opened to much local fanfare on December 9. It marked the culmination of an economic plan, first announced in 2008 by the outgoing military-backed government to open a bourse by 2015. The former pariah states establishment of a stock exchange is a deliberate proclamation of its desire to modernise and become an appealing investment destination. But while the ribbon-cutting ceremony may have garnered international headlines, the bourse itself is empty. Maung Maung Thein, who is both the deputy finance minister and chairman of the Myanmar Securities and Exchange Commission, revealed six initial listing candidates when the YSX opened its doors, a mix of banks, holding companies, and agri-businesses (see table). However, he offered no firm timetable for their likely debuts. Click for full view To cap all of this, a new government formed by the main democratic opposition takes the reins at the end of March after easily winning Myanmars first democratic national elections in decades.The SEC wants shares in up to six of these companies to begin trading by March, before the current government leaves office. But by the beginning of February no clarity had yet been offered about the number of shares on offer or the percentage of ownership these companies intend to list, or indeed about their respective balance sheets. So even getting one company listed by March could be ambitious. The countrys SEC, which is controlled by the outgoing administration, wants to get stocks trading before the start of the new regime but in its haste it risks damaging the very bourse it is meant to oversee. Theres a simple reason for the stock exchanges hasty launch: pride. Myanmar spent most of 2015 preparing for its first free elections in 25 years. For months before the November 8 election it was obvious the ruling Union and Solidarity and Development Party, which is affiliated with the military, would lose to the National League for Democracy party, headed by national icon and former political prisoner Aung San Suu Kyi. In the end the NLD won by a landslide, gaining 80% of the available seats in the House of Representatives. The MPs took their seats on February 1 but the NLD can only form a new government at the end of March, once the term of current president Thein Sein expires. That has left the outgoing government with a small window to cement its financial legacy by launching the YSX. Thein has made the most of the new, stock-less exchange, presiding over its launch and attracting widespread coverage as international business editors scrambled to tell their readers about the latest frontier market for investment. Local reports also indicate that up to 10 securities companies have been granted licences, subject to them putting up the requisite capital, to operate as underwriters on the YSX. One of these, AYA Trust Securities, is a wholly owned subsidiary of AYA Bank, which has plans for its own initial public offering further down the line. Even so, with time pressing, the speed of the governments IPO plans has left many bemused. The new government takes over from April and the current government wanted to start the exchange [and list some companies] by March, Takashi Takahashi, deputy director for Myanmar Securities Exchange Centre, told FinanceAsia. So people were very confused. Takahashi is one of four bankers seconded from Daiwa Group to work in MSEC, a joint venture with Myanma Economic Bank. CONFLICTS OF INTEREST The close links between the government and SEC is one that Soe Thein, the former deputy director general of the SEC, has been openly critical about for some time. I left the SEC in 2013 because we had different visions of the future, he told FinanceAsia in his paper-filled office in Yangon. I wanted a very independent SEC and to recruit talented people from outside the country but the Ministry of Finance disagreed. It had just lost control of the central bank and wanted to control the SEC. Plus it was not willing to pay SEC members decent salaries. This situation has not changed. Myanmars central bank formally became independent of the Ministry of Finance in 2013. But the MoFs ongoing relationship with the SEC is not the only unusual one relating to the stock exchange. Takahashi met FinanceAsia in the dusty old three-storey headquarters of Myanma Economic Bank. The Japanese banker was given two weeks to brush up on his English in late 2014, before being relocated from Tokyo to Yangon. Daiwa has worked with the SEC since 1996 to get an exchange up and running and it has overseen the implementation of its IT systems. It also set up MSEC, and has separately established a local investment bank adviser, called Myanmar Corporate Strategic Advisory. But rivals say these multiple roles mean it too has conflicts of interest. Maybe in another country this situation would not be allowed, Takahashi said. But Myanmar has many programmes and wants to open the stock exchange as soon as possible, so they especially allowed us to support the Myanmar exchange and [create] the securities company and the investment banking company. TAKING TIME The best thing the SEC and YSX can do would be to publish definitive listing, corporate governance, and financial requirements for any companies seeking to list. This should include their adherence to modern IFRS accounting standards countersigned by reputable accountancy firms. The YSX can then approve companies that meet its criteria and these companies can then, in association with lawyers or securities companies, issue detailed financial prospectuses. It would also be wise to ensure that at least five securities companies are fully ready to go, with IT systems, sales and trading staff, and research teams capabilities all in place. Lastly, and most importantly, it would be wise for the regulator and securities companies to take their time to educate the thousands of potential investors about the risks and rewards of listed equities investing. Of course, that would likely take a few years. But its what would make a healthy, sustainable stock market more likely in the long run. Ultimately, its down to the incoming government. Its politicians would be well advised to pressurise the outgoing government to slow this breakneck stock market rollout. President Thein Seins outgoing government may wish to leave a legacy but surely a stillborn stock market isnt what it has in mind. In the year since Sri Lanka's strongman president Mahinda Rajapaksa was ousted from power, a new coalition government has tried to form a national economic and political consensus. One of its leading lights is Dr Harsha de Silva, a former economist and politician who was an outspoken critic of the previous regime. De Silva is regarded as one of the country's foremost up-and-coming politicians. He is also part of a generation of educated Sri Lankans who have started entering politics en masse for the first time. With the three-decade long civil war finally at an end, these newly-minted MP's share a belief that Sri Lanka has a historic opportunity to finally put itself on a sustainable development path. Here de Silva discusses the challenges and opportunities facing the new government as it revives key infrastructure projects established by the Rajapaksa clan. Readers can find out more about investing in Sri Lanka at FA's Sri Lanka Investment Summit in March. Q: Sri Lanka has undergone some fairly seismic changes over the past year. What would you say tops the list? A: Our major achievement was re-integrating with the rest of the world. Were now seen as a credible nation again. Up until that point, wed been classified with a group of pariah countries and constantly pulled up in front of the UN Human Rights Council because of the way the civil war ended in 2009. But the election of Maithripala Sirisena as President and Ranil Wickremesinghe as prime minister in January last year started to change all that. Weve been able to repair our relationship with the West and continue our friendships with India and China. Weve come a long way in the space of a year. Right now, were in the process of drafting a new constitution. This is being structured to achieve reconciliation with the Tamil minority in the North so all the different peoples who live in Sri Lanka can do so in harmony. One of the coalition governments first big steps was suspending more than 30 projects initiated by the previous government on the grounds they were not won through open tenders and huge bribes were paid to the family of [former president] Mahinda Rajapaksa. Many of these contracts were with Chinese firms. Did this harm Sri Lankas relationship with China and how successful have you been in trying to restructure them? The past year has given us space to re-evaluate all the outstanding contracts and by and large many of the issues have been resolved to the benefit of both China and Sri Lanka. The biggest project, which got suspended, was the $1.4 billion Port City development in Colombo. This was being financed with Chinese money. The government ordered an environmental impact assessment and after that was released, there were a number of public discussions, which led to a raft of revisions. It now looks like the project will go ahead with an announcement expected shortly, possibly before the beginning of March. Our discussions with the Chinese concerning the various infrastructure projects have enabled us to cement the relationship between our two countries. Where we could, we were able re-negotiate and restructure the contracts to bring the overall costs down. Our major concern was the lack of transparency with the way they were originally awarded. So have all the stalled projects been re-started? No not all of them. There are still some concerns. The Northern Expressway project from Colombo has not been re-started, for example. This is a very important project because the expressway will form a backbone up the country from Colombo to Jaffna in the north with an extension to Kandy, our second largest city. When we were in opposition wed been led to believe it was all set for implementation. But that was not the case at all and there are multiple issues, which remain to be sorted out. What about the Southern Expressway from Colombo to Mahinda Rajapaksas hometown of Hambantota on the other side of the country? The government announced this project would re-start in January. It was already about three-quarters complete and now there is only one final 96-kilometre stretch left to finish. The big challenge we have in the Hambantota area is what to do with the white elephants which were built there. We spent $1.3 billion on a port and $220 million on an airport that no one uses. Roadworks ahead I thought the port was being used and that a Chinese company might put in a ship repair yard there? No, thats not the case. The ports minister is going to call for fresh proposals to find new tenants for the port at the very least. That is a viable project. What are the governments main objectives for 2016? The overriding objective is to make sure the new constitution is written. Its essential because it will bind all the different ethnic groups together and build a national identity we can all be proud of. When we do that Sri Lanka will become a place that investors want to come to and it will help us to meet our development objectives. Isn't there a danger that by focusing so heavily on constitutional change the government will not give the economy the priority it needs? Yes thats a challenge well need to meet. But by putting a new constitution in place we will do much to address issues relating to corruption and governance that have held back investment in the past. Under the previous government exports fell heavily as a percentage of GDP from about 35% to 15%. At the same time our commercial debt grew rapidly. Before Rajapaksas time in office, Sri Lanka was funded through soft loans and concessionary loans. But that changed and he took on short-terms loans and built investment projects like the ones I mentioned in Hambantota, which do not generate the revenues needed to service the loans. Hambantota Port Economists frequently say Sri Lanka needs to do more to improve tax collection to manage its budget deficit. Whats your view? Yes they are correct. At 12% of GDP our tax revenues are among the lowest in the world. That is a structural problem that needs to change. The other criticism leveled at the government concerns a lack of focus. While the government has been widely praised for its desire to listen and take on board many different opinions, some commentators worry that it will not be able to formulate or execute a coherent strategy. I have every confidence in the government. Our prime minister has come up with a very detailed medium-term strategy for the country. He has very clearly articulated the steps Sri Lanka needs to take to become a global player and position itself at the heart of the Indian Ocean by turning itself into a logistics hub etc. If you look at what weve done in 2015 then youll see we have delivered already. When the two coalition parties came together everyone was very surprised and skeptical. They thought wed never be able to work together or make it last, but we have forged a national consensus. Thats a remarkable achievement in itself. On the economic front, it will take some time to turn things round. These changes dont happen overnight, but we are moving in the right direction now. There are multiple external challenges to deal with including the state of the global economy, which we cannot control. But are very clear about the issues we need to address internally and committed to achieving them. Brad Gilbertson is optimistic and knowledgeable about North Dakota's sheep industry. But even he was surprised to hear the number of sheep in the state soared 14 percent in 2015, the largest percentage increase in the nation. "Really? It was that much? That's a big increase," the Sherwood, N.D., sheep producer and state Lamb and Wool Producers Association spokesman said of the increase. His best explanation is that a "combination of things," including more young producers, pushed up sheep numbers in the state. The sheep industry nationwide -- which had been in long-term decline -- continued to rally in 2015, according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service, an arm of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The U.S. had 5.32 million sheep and lambs on Jan. 1 -- up 1 percent from a year earlier. It was the second straight year that sheep numbers rose nationally. Relatively attractive meat prices have led some established operators to expand their flocks and some young producers to enter the industry, said Peter Orwick, executive director of the Denver-based American Sheep Industry Association, which represents more than 80,000 sheep producers nationwide. "The trend is definitely encouraging," he said. The 2015 increase includes included big gains in Kentucky (10 percent). Pennsylvania and West Virginia (9 percent), Michigan (8 percent) and Montana (7 percent). The gains more than offset losses in several drought-stricken western states, most notably California, the nation's second-largest sheep producer behind Texas. California's sheep population fell to 575,000 on Jan. 1, 2015, from 600,000 a year earlier. Many, if not most, of the sheep forced out of California by drought now are in flocks elsewhere in the country, Orwick said. Rebuilding the flock Until the recent upturn, the U.S. sheep population had been dropping after reaching a record 56 million in 1942, reflecting decreased demand for wool and greater competition from other meats. That led to low prices which caused many producers to leave the business, according to U.S. Department of Agriculture's Economic Research Service. As the number of sheep declined, there was growing pressure on the so-called infrastructure, or the people and businesses that support the U.S. sheep industry. For example, finding veterinarians with sheep experience was increasingly difficult. So, in 2011 the American Sheep Industry Association launched a campaign to boost sheep numbers by increasing herd size and the average birth rate per ewe. Sheep usually, but not always, have multiple births. That campaign is benefitting the U.S. sheep population, as is growing ethnic and religious demand for lamb because of the rising number of Hispanics and Muslims in the country, industry officials say. Orwick said he's particularly pleased that more young sheep producers are entering the industry to replace retiring ones. Mixed in Upper Midwest The NASS survey found mixed results in the Upper Midwest. Bucking the national trend, the number of sheep in Minnesota fell to 125,000 on Jan. 1, from 130,000 a year earlier. The latest USDA estimate probably doesn't accurately reflect the number of sheep in the state, said Melanie Pamp, a Tracy sheep producer and president of her state's Lamb and Wool Producers Association. South Dakota's sheep population held steady at 255,000, NASS said. Montana's sheep numbers rose to 230,00 on Jan. 1, from 215,000 a year earlier. North Dakota increase North Dakota's sheep population rose to 73,000 on Jan. 1, from 64,000 a year earlier. That 9,000-head increase was eclipsed by the rise in the number of sheep in several states, including the 15,000-head increase in Montana. But the relatively small number of sheep in North Dakota caused the 9,000-head increase to be the largest percentage gain in the nation. Gilbertson said he knew North Dakota's sheep numbers were rising, but he hadn't expected an increase as large as NASS estimated. The state's Starter Flock program, in which young, would-be sheep producers reduce financial assistance and mentoring, has helped boost sheep numbers, he said. Agweek has published several stories on the program. Gilbertson thinks sheep numbers in the state will continue to rise. "To increase 14 percent in a year -- that's really a lot," he said. "It's great to hear. And I think there's opportunity to keep going up." (Jonathan Knutson is a staff writer for Agweek. To subscribe to the weekly agriculture magazine, call 800-811-2580 or email subscriptions@agweek.com.) Union Medical Healthcare took advantage of the improvement so far this week in market sentiment to kick off pre-marketing on Tuesday for an initial public offering in Hong Kong that could raise as much as $150 million for the aesthetic medical service provider. The investor education exercise follows Monday's strong rally in global stock markets, led by Tokyo, where shares surged by 7% on expectations of extra stimulus measures. The gains continued into Tuesday, with Hong Kongs Hang Seng Index adding another 1.08% after posting its biggest daily surge in five months on Monday. The market bounce has given market participants a sigh of relief after a dismal start to the year following Chinas controversial introduction (and subsequent suspension) of a circuit-breaker mechanism that inadvertently helped to aggravate rather than calm market volatility. The mood in the run-up to the Chinese New Year holiday had been downbeat after data showed the Chinese economy grew in 2015 at its slowest rate in 25 years and as deflation worries diffused globally after crude oil prices hit a 13-year low in late January. Against that market backdrop there have not been any sizeable listings in Hong Kong, the world's biggest IPO hub last year, so far in 2016. Goodbaby China, which sells baby and childrens products, attempted to build books for a HK$1.25 billion ($161 million) IPO in late January but pulled the deal earlier this month citing the volatile market conditions. Premarketing of IPOs typically takes around a week but Union Medical Healthcare was advised by sole sponsor Credit Suisse to conduct two weeks of premarketing to better gauge market sentiment before officially launching the trade, a source familiar with the situation told FinanceAsia. That means the Hong Kong-based medical beauty group will not decide on the launch until early March and any listing will not materialise until late March. Business Union Medical Healthcare claims to be the largest aesthetic medical service provider in Hong Kong in terms of revenue in 2014. It offers plastic surgery as well as traditional beauty services under the Dr Reborn brand. Over the last two years the company has recorded stellar earnings growth. In 2014 it booked HK$81 million ($10.4 million) in net profit, reversing a HK$33 million loss a year earlier. That was followed by another 115% improvement last year when Union Medical Healthcare made a net profit of HK$174 million. The strong growth in earnings was largely driven by the provision of aesthetic surgical medications, including breast augmentation, liposuction, and double eyelid surgery procedures. Over the past three years, sales from this division grew at a compound annual growth rate of 26% to HK$281 million and accounted for about 45% of the firms total revenue last year, according to the companys preliminary prospectus. By comparison traditional beauty services such as facials and massages grew at a CAGR of 19% during the same three-year period. So their contribution to the companys total revenue dropped to 16% last year from 26% in 2013. In recent years Union Medical Healthcare managed to improve its cash positions significantly due to the increase of prepayments from clients. Pre-sales of medical packages accounted for 38.7% of total revenue last year, up from 13.3% two years earlier. Similar to other aesthetic medical service providers, Union Medical Healthcare operates a light-asset model and leases all its 23 service centres and clinics in Hong Kong, Macau, and Guangzhou. It also has 22 full-time registered doctors and hires several other doctors on a part-time basis or through subcontractors. Such a business model allows the company to expand rapidly but also makes it more vulnerable to rental adjustments. In 2015 rental and related expenses amounted to HK$65.8 million, a 92% increase from two years ago. Another concern investors might have is the relatively short history of the company, particularly in the riskier medical surgery segment. Union Medical Healthcare was founded in 2005 but it was not until 2011 when it began offering aesthetic surgical procedures. Valuation and comps Sources familiar with the matter said Union Medical Healthcare plans to issue 25% of its enlarged share capital before greenshoe, equating to a valuation of around $600 million and a fair valuation range of 18 times to 24 times forecast earnings for the 2016 financial year. Syndicate analysts have taken the likes of Bloomage Biotech and Shanghai Haohai Biological Technology as Union Medical Healthcares closest comparables in the domestic market although their businesses are different in nature. Bloomage Biotech and Shanghai Haohai, which manufacture biomedical materials for medical and cosmetics purposes, are in the upstream of the healthcare industry while Union Medical Healthcare is largely a medical services provider in the latter stages of the value chain. Shares of Bloomage are down 12.5% in price year-to-date and trade at 23.8 times earnings on a rolling 12-month basis, while Shanghai Haohai's are down 12.9% and trade at 22.15 times earnings. The choice of peers by syndicate bankers reflects the absence of a sizeable Hong Kong-based medical services provider, which makes benchmarking fairly difficult. Modern Beauty Salon Holdings, which operates beauty centres in Hong Kong, is a direct competitor to Union Medical Healthcare but the shares are highly illiquid and its market capitalisation is expected to be just one-tenth of its rival. Medy-Tox, a Korean supplier of botulinum, toxin, therapeutics, and Korean biomedicine manufacturer Alteogen are taken as global comparables. Medy-Tox is trading at a hefty 57 times forecast earnings this year, while Alteogen is expected to remain in the red this year. Hong Kongs aesthetic medical services market is highly fragmented. Union Medical Healthcare was the largest provider by revenue last year but only commanded a 6.84% market share. That leaves a lot of room for expansion, potentially through mergers and acquisitions. The market is also expected to get bigger in Hong Kong due to the rising acceptance and growing affordability of aesthetic medical services, with total revenue expected to nearly double to HK$6.95 billion by 2019 from HK$3.52 billion in 2014, according to Frost & Sullivan. Still, how investors value the company may depend on its perceived ability to expand in China in the long term, given the lower penetration rate of aesthetic medical services there. At present, the company operates one clinic in Guangzhou versus 20 in Hong Kong but it is planning to open a second mainland clinic in Shanghai in the near future, according to the preliminary IPO prospectus. But there are also inherent risks associated with these expansion plans, particularly in terms of regulations and new competition. "Our expansion plans, particularly our plans to expand our business in various locations of the PRC, Macau and Taiwan, are subject to uncertainties and risks and we may not be able to replicate the success we have [achieved] in Hong Kong or successfully manage our expanded operations, the company said in the prospectus. Most income tax planning is focused on shrinking federal tax liabilities. With state income tax rates as high as 13.3%, strategies that reduce those liabilities are increasingly popular, as well. A newly-popular strategy is the so-called NING trust, a Nevada Incomplete Gift Non-Grantor trust. Its an extension of the DING trust, a Delaware Incomplete Non-Grantor trust. In the case of the former, portfolio assets that may generate significant income are stowed in a Nevada trust, shifting the tax exposure to that states 0% state tax rates, rather than the rate imposed in the settlors home state. The end result? It can be a significant savings while the client avoids unfavorable gift tax ramifications. There are no adverse tax consequences for individuals in the top federal tax brackets. As an added benefit, the trust qualifies as a Nevada asset protection trust indirectly, which is necessary for the favorable tax treatment. Unfortunately, the costs to create and manage a NING trust along with the potentially unfavorable federal income tax treatment for those not already at top tax rates can limit the strategys appeal. Nonetheless, for those who do have significant assets and income, and investments with significant tax exposure, a Nevada trust structured as a NING trust can generate substantialstate income tax savings at least, until the remaining states with high tax rates follow recent actions by New York and crack down on the strategy altogether. THE NING STRATEGY A NING trust is useful for reducing state income tax liabilities, while also obtaining asset protection benefits. The strategy can help someone who has significant potential income or capital gains. For instance, an individual who holds a multi-million-dollar portfolio which may be generating both significant federal and state income tax liabilities can try to shift the income from the state in which they live, to another state that has more favorable tax treatment. Notably, the goal is only to generate stateincome tax savings, as federal taxes will be due no matter what. Imagine an investor who has a $10 million portfolio comprised mostly of stock with a cost basis of only $1,000,000. In a state such as California, the annual dividends from the trust, along with the capital gains when the stock is sold, will be subject to a California tax rate as high as 13.3%. Thats in addition to federal capital gains tax rates as high as 23.8%, including the 3.8% Medicare surtax on investment income. For a looming $9 million capital gain, the tax liability for California alone is almost $1.2 million, in addition to almost $2.2 million of federal taxes. However, if the individual lived in a state with a 0% tax rate, such as Texas or Nevada, the stock sale would still trigger $2.2 million of federal taxes, but would entail zero capital gains taxes at the state level, for a tax savings of $1.2 million. Of course the investor could potentially obtain this treatment by simply moving to the state with the more favorable tax treatment. Yet even for such a significant tax savings, not everyone wants to relocate a family just to save money. MAKING THE TRANSFER The solution is to transfer the stock to a NING trust, which is based in (and subject to) the tax laws of Nevada, not California. Accordingly, once the stock is inside the NING trust, when it is sold and the trust reports the gain on its tax return and pays its bills, the trust will face onlyfederal capital gains taxes, because that Nevada-based trust would be subject to the states 0% tax rate. In the meantime, the assets in the NING trust may still be distributed back to the original settlor, subject to some constraints as discussed below, and/or to other family members. The end result: money stays in the family, but enjoys a whopping $1.2 million of state income tax savings by avoiding California income tax rates on the gain. The caveat: In order to receive favorable treatment, the trust must be drafted to carefully navigate through a series of tax laws to ensure that it is taxed in Nevada and not the higher-tax-rate home state of the settlor. In addition, funneling money intoa NING trust doesnt generate a big gifttax liability at the time. A NON-GRANTOR TRUST The first key characteristic of a NING trust is that it is taxed as a non-grantor trust. By operating as such, it is treated as a separate and distinct entity for income tax purposes. Even if the person who funded the trust (the settlor/grantor) lives in a state with a high-income tax rate such as California, the assets held inside the trust are taxed separately based solely on whichever state the trust is based. This fact lets the trust settlor contribute assets into the trust and shift the income tax consequences of those assets from the settlor (and his home state tax rules) to the trusts state, deliberately chosen to be more favorable. Because real estate and physical tangible property is always taxed on the basis of where the property is located, this state-tax shifting opportunity for NING trust assets is usually for intangibleproperty such as portfolio assets, and the interest/dividends/capital gains generated by those investments. The second key characteristic of a NING trust is that the transfer tothe trust is treated as an incomplete gift. This is actually a benefit. Because the gift is not completed means transferring property into the NING does not trigger the filing of a Form 709 gift tax return that requires the settlor to use a portion of his lifetime unified credit amount for gift and estate taxes. The settlor of a NING trust can obtain the income tax benefits, withouttriggering unfavorable gift or estate tax treatment. Notably, the fact that the transfer of assets to a NING is an incomplete gift also means the investments inside the NING trust will be included in the settlors estate, providing for a step-up in basis on those investments at death. BEFORE THE NING TRUST The first type of income-shifting, non-grantor, incomplete-gift trust was not based in Nevada, but in Delaware and thus went by the acronym DING. DING trusts were designed to allow investors to shift state income tax costs from a high rate state to the more favorable Delaware tax rates. The key provisions of the early DING were: 1) The DING would have a distribution committee responsible for determining how much of the investment was sent out of the trust. This committee, comprised of the settlor and at least one other adult beneficiary, would determine when distributions would be made and to which beneficiaries. If any one person on the committee had too much power, it could cause the assets of the trust to be in thatpersons estate instead. Thus, a balance of powers was necessary. For instance, the DING trust might stipulate that the distribution committee could make distributions to various beneficiaries based on the unanimous consent of the committee. The fact that members of the committee couldnt act alone ensured that trust assets wouldnt be in their estates. Because the trust could make distributions back to the settlor only by acquiescence of an adverse party, it would not be treated as a grantor trust under IRC Section 672(a), either. 2) The DING trust would permit the original settlor, at death through a will, to redistribute the remaining assets of the trust among the remaining beneficiaries. The fact that the settlor had given away the property to the DING trust, but retained the right to control who ultimately received the money, meant that the gift was not complete for gift tax purposes under Treasury Regulations 25.2511-2(b) and -2(c). That would avoid any gift tax consequences in funding the trust. Terms would apply only at death and only to other beneficiaries, ensuring that the trust would not be a grantor trust. 3) What made the first DING trust feasible were laws passed in the late 1990s that allowed for domestic asset protection trusts (or DAPT). Before that, any trust that was created by a settlor for her benefit would be subject to her creditors. Having the settlors trust be subject to the settlors credits under Treasury Regulation 1.677(a)-1(d) made the trust a grantor trust. When Delaware and other states passed laws permitting a self-settled domestic asset protection trust to enjoy state creditor protection, it was possible for such a trust to not be a grantor trust, which in turn introduced the potential to shift state income tax consequences as a DING trust. DEATH OF THE DING The initial DING trust strategy lost momentum after a series of IRS pronouncements in particular CCA 201208026 which declared that while the DING was a valid non-grantor trust, the testamentary power of appointment only ensured that the trusts remainderwas an incomplete gift. The lead or income interest in the trust the share that could be distributed to other beneficiaries while the original settlor was still alive was deemed to be a completed gift, which would have triggered gift taxes when funding the DING. The solution to this was to give the settlor some kind of lifetimepower to recover or control investment assets. If the settlor could get access to the trust property while alive, it would become subject to his creditors, which in turn would cause the trust to become a grantor trust, invalidating the strategy altogether. Fortunately, though, providing the grantor greater lifetime powers created a problem for DING trusts under Delaware law, but it was not fatal for similar incomplete-gift, non-grantor trusts based in Nevada. Nevada is the only state that provides such robust creditor protection for a domestic trust. Even if the settlor still has some retained powers, the trust can stillbe protected. That means the trust can avoid grantor trust status, even as the settlor retains enough control to make the transfer an incomplete gift. Accordingly, in PLR 201310002, the IRS approved a structure with a Nevada asset protection trust where the settlor retained the power to appoint trust assets to beneficiaries for their health, education, maintenance and support (HEMS), a power that rendered the transfer to the trust an incomplete gift for both the income and remainder interests. The power was still eligible for creditor protection under Nevada law and therefore avoided grantor trust status. The fact that Nevada was the only state to permit this asset protection treatment led to the rise of the NING trust over the prior DING trust. There is now a similar Alaska asset trust statute suggesting that could be a potential option for clients. CAVEATS AND CONCERNS The first caveat to recognize when exploring a NING trust is that it only works in cases where the trust and the property it owns can completely sever any relationship to the home state of the settlor who contributes to the trust. In turn, this means the NING only works for intangible property e.g., investment portfolios of stocks and bonds and not real estate in the grantors home state. With real estate and other tangible property, the tax consequences are always tied to the state where the property is located. Intangible property that has no physical presence is taxed based on where its owner is located. Gains on California real estate would be taxed in California while a stocks and bonds portfolio owned by a California resident may cease to be taxed by California if the property becomes attached to a tax-paying entity elsewhere. Avoiding any relationship to the original state also means that the NING trust should have a corporate trustee not based in that state, but in Nevada. In practice this means finding a Nevada trustee, or Nevada trust company, to handle the NING. The Nevada trustee could hire a financial advisor in another state, including the grantors home state, to manage the trust assets. Its crucial to employ an estate planning attorney familiar with Nevada law to draft the NING. The second caveat is to remember that when a non-grantor trust makes distributions, the tax consequences generally flow from the trust to the underlying beneficiary. This means that as beneficiaries receive distributions, state income taxes may ultimately be due on gains/income passed to the beneficiary that year. Of course, not all gains may be passed along every year. Nonetheless, its important to recognize that some state income tax liabilities may still come through to the beneficiaries when the NING assets are used. Its also important to recognize that if NING trust assets are immediately liquidated, or if liquidated assets are immediately distributed, the trust can draw scrutiny as a potential step transaction, so called because multiple separate steps are taxed as a single event. In other words, if the settlor contributes appreciated stock to a NING then immediately sells it, and in the next year distributes all the property back to himself, its clear that the NING was just a short-term conduit and the state tax authorities may claim it should be ignored for tax purposes. As a result as with a backdoor Roth contributionstrategy, let time pass between each step some advisors suggest several years between to substantiate that the trust is not being used for step transactions. Finally, know that some states dislike the NING strategy, equating it as a tax avoidance scheme. Some states have amended state tax laws to prevent its use. In 2014, New York State passed laws to prevent using a NING, declaring that the trust will be treated as a grantor trust for state tax purposes to ensure that the trusts income is still taxed in New York. Similar discussions are happening in other states particularly those with high tax rates, where significant dollars are at stake. WHO SHOULD USE IT? The process to create a NING can be complex, and costs arent trivial. A competent attorney must draft the trust carefully, given that more states are challenging the strategy. A conservative settlor may wish to obtain a private letter ruling to ensure that the trust will be honored for federal tax purposes. Revenue Procedure 2015-1 entails a cost of $28,300 just for the PLR. A corporate trustee must be hired. Using a NING will likely require trust assets capable of generating hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars in taxable income for the state income tax savings to be worthwhile. In addition, the reality is that for federal tax purposes, the top 39.6% tax bracket for a non-grantor trust as well as the 3.8% Medicare surtax on investment income begins at just $12,300 of income in 2015. By contrast, the the top tax bracket doesnt start until a married couple reaches $464,850 (with a threshold of $250,000 of AGI for the 3.8% Medicare surtax). If the NING settlor isnt alreadyat or near top tax brackets theres a danger than any state income tax savings would be more than what is offset by higher federal taxes. HURRY HURRY Of course, the NING only presents tax savings opportunities for those who are facing a high state income tax bracket to begin with. Those investors who are already in states with little or no state tax rate will not benefit from the strategy. The ideal NING candidate: Has exposure to significant taxable income from existing intangible assets (e.g., highly appreciated stock, large portfolio that generates ongoing income, etc.) which could be tied up in a NING trust without creating other cash flow problems. Is already at or near the top federal tax rate even after the intangible assets are transferred. Lives in a state with high state tax rates. For those who fit all of these characteristics, the NING could be an especially appealing tax planning strategy to shrink state income tax exposure. But act fast. More high-tax states will likely crack down on the strategy soon. Michael Kitces, CFP, is a Financial Planning contributing writer and a partner and director of research at Pinnacle Advisory Group in Columbia, Md. Hes also publisher of the planning industry blog Nerds Eye View. Follow him on Twitter at @MichaelKitces. Read more: JAKARTA, Feb 15, 2016 - (ACN Newswire) - The discussion currently surrounding the Draft Bill on Tobacco Affairs (RUU Pertembakauan) is seen as a fateful matter for the cigarette industry by multiple parties. The notion of a 20% import limitation on the total requirements of the tobacco industry, a 60% import duty for imported tobacco, and a triple excise on cigarettes that utilize imported tobacco is seen as lethal by the industry. Director of Beverages, Tobacco Products and Materials Industry Ministry, Willem Petrus Riwu, stated that solutions to addressing this matter must be formulated soon. Willem also added chapters on the Tobacco Draft Bill which address import limitations must be thoughtfully considered. "We must evaluate such needs from the perspective of the industry." Currently, according to Willem, many parties have yet to understand the actual condition of the domestic tobacco supply. "As a matter of fact, the total availability of national tobacco is not yet able to fulfill the needs of the industry. We must not neglect such a situation, but rather try to find a proper solution," he then added. The Chairman of the Association of Indonesian Cigarette Manufacturers (Gappri), Ismanu Soemiran, explained that currently domestic tobacco is only able to fulfill less than 50% of the total cigarette industry's needs. Hence, the Parliament's agenda of limiting tobacco imports through the Tobacco Draft Law will significantly raise the cost of import duty and will certainly hurt the industry. In line with Gappri, the Chairman of the Indonesian White Cigarette Manufacturers Association (Gaprindo), Muhaimin Moeftie, asked the government to pay closer attention to some points while discussing the Draft Bill. The discourse which restricts imports of tobacco is one important thing to note. "The current production of cigarettes today is more than 300 billion, thus requiring more than 300 thousand tons of tobacco per year. On the other hand, the production of national tobacco is still less than 200 thousand tons per year. Which suggests, if the government wanted to limit the use of imported tobacco, such a plan will require a long transition period, and a concrete effort to improve the productivity of national tobacco production," he said. According to Moeftie, during this transitional period the government must conduct series of efforts to ensure the domestic supply's ability in meeting the needs of the industry. Aside from the quantity, Moeftie also highlights quality problems, particularly in terms of the variety of tobacco available in Indonesia. "Production of cigarettes does not merely require a singular type of tobacco; there are several types which are utilized. The problem is, not all kinds of tobacco can be optimally cultivated in Indonesia," he explained. The plan for the imposition of triple excise duty for cigarettes which use imported tobacco was also seen unwise, and could kill the industry. "Keep in mind, this time almost all players in the industry use imported tobacco, both small and large factories," said Moeftie. He was concerned, if these regulations were to be implemented, the industry, especially small industry, may be affected. Contact: Lukman Public Relations Manager Mobile: +62 81232885533 Email: pejuangpagi@gmail.com Copyright 2016 ACN Newswire . All rights reserved. Kostenloser Wertpapierhandel auf Smartbroker.de SINGAPORE, Feb 15 - The Singapore Airshow, Asia's largest and one of the most important aerospace and defence exhibitions in the world, takes flight at an opening ceremony and welcome reception tonight at Marina Bay Sands. Guest of Honour at the event, Mr Teo Chee Hean, Deputy Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security of Singapore, officially opened Singapore Airshow 2016. Marilyn Ho Experia Events Pte Ltd Director, Communications Tel: +65 6595 6130 Email: marilynho@experiaevents.com Kevin Foo Hill+Knowlton Strategies Tel: +65 6390 3320 | +65 9099 9119 Email: kevin.foo@hkstrategies.com SINGAPORE, Feb 15, 2016 - (ACN Newswire) - The Singapore Airshow, Asia's largest and one of the most important aerospace and defence exhibitions in the world, takes flight at an opening ceremony and welcome reception tonight at Marina Bay Sands. Guest of Honour at the event, Mr Teo Chee Hean, Deputy Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security of Singapore, officially opened Singapore Airshow 2016.The Singapore Airshow, in its fifth edition, has evolved and expanded since its first edition to become a key platform to tap into emerging opportunities, engage in dialogues and showcase technologies. The event returns from 16 to 21 February 2016 with a renewed focus on driving global aerospace and defence industry trends and developments.Tweet @SGAirshowAbout Singapore AirshowSingapore Airshow, a marketplace and networking powerhouse for the world's aviation community, is a must-attend event in the global aerospace and defence calendar. Organised and managed by Experia Events, the biennial event is also a platform for high-level conferences dedicated to leading players in the global aviation industry with the Singapore Airshow Aviation Leadership Summit (SAALS) as well as co-located events - the A*STAR Aerospace Technology Leadership Forum and the Singapore Aerospace Technology and Engineering Conference (SATEC). For more information, visit www.singaporeairshow.com.About Experia Events Pte LtdExperia Events specialises in organising and managing exhibitions and conferences of strategic interest, fostering industry development and thought leadership. It has built a strong portfolio in aerospace and defence with the highly successful Singapore Airshow, Asia's largest and one of the most important aerospace and defence exhibitions in the world, and IMDEX Asia, the premier international maritime defence exhibition in Asia, and Rotorcraft Asia, the premier dedicated event for the global civil helicopter industry. Its expertise also extends to the government and lifestyle sectors, through key events such as the Singapore International Water Week and World Cities Summit. With a proven track record underscoring its aspirations to stage events that influence, Experia Events aims to diversify its range of strategic events globally. For more information, visit www.experiaevents.com.Source: Singapore AirshowContact:Copyright 2016 ACN Newswire . All rights reserved. PoP at Data Logistics Center will meet the growing demand for high-speed connectivity in Lithuania's booming Information and Communications Technology Sector Hurricane Electric, the world's largest IPv6-native Internet backbone, announced today its latest Point of Presence (PoP) at Data Logistics Center (DLC), Juozapaviciaus str. 13, Vilnius LT-09311 Lithuania. Data Logistics Center is one of the largest data communication and data center operators in the Baltic region. DLC provides its customers with robust data protection services along with several methods for secure data transfer. Information is safeguarded within the Data Logistics DATA INN data center. Through its agreement with Energijos Tiekimas, DLC is also able to utilize certified green electricity. According to recent reports, Lithuania's Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector is rapidly expanding and Lithuania has the most robust fiber network in the European Union. Additionally, some of the world's leading technology companies have expanded into Lithuania, such as Google and Uber, and the country is host to thirteen of the twenty largest IT companies in the Baltic States. With this new PoP, Customers of DLC and those within the Greater Vilnius area will have direct access to Hurricane Electric's robust IPv4 and IPv6 network as well as increased network capacity through 100GE (100 Gigabit Ethernet), 10GE (10 Gigabit Ethernet) and GigE (1 Gigabit Ethernet) ports. DLC customers will also now have the opportunity to exchange IP traffic, or "peer," with Hurricane Electric's global network, which is Jumbo Frame (9000 byte MTU) compatible. Additionally, those taking advantage of Hurricane Electric's offerings will also experience increased capacity, more reliability and reduced latency in the delivery of next generation IP services. "Hurricane Electric is thrilled be expanding to Lithuania and is well positioned to meet the needs of its burgeoning ICT sector," said Mike Leber, President, Hurricane Electric Internet Services. "Over the next couple of months, Hurricane Electric looks forward to announcing additional investments in network expansion in this vital region." About Hurricane Electric Fremont, California-based Hurricane Electric operates its own global IPv4 and IPv6 network and is considered the largest IPv6 backbone in the world as measured by number of networks connected. Within its global network, Hurricane Electric is connected to over 120 major exchange points and exchanges traffic directly with more than 4,300 different networks. Employing a resilient fiber-optic topology, Hurricane Electric has no less than four redundant paths crossing North America, two separate paths between the U.S. and Europe, and rings in Europe and Asia. In addition to its vast global network, Hurricane Electric owns and operates two data centers in Fremont, California, including Fremont 2, its newest 208,000 square foot facility. Hurricane Electric offers IPv4 and IPv6 transit solutions over the same connection at speeds including 10 Gbps and 100 Gbps Ethernet. For more information on Hurricane Electric, please visit http://he.net View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160215005746/en/ Contacts: Milldam Public Relations Adam Waitkunas, 978-369-0406 (office voice) 978-828-8304 (mobile) adam.waitkunas@milldampr.com PARIS, Feb. 16, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --Pharnext confirms its support and commitment to the fight against rare diseases on the occasion of the Worldwide Rare Disease Day taking place this year on February 29th. Pharnext is deeply involved in the development of new pleotherapy-based treatments using its network pharmacology approach for patients with rare neurological diseases as well as other neurological conditions with high unmet medical needs. The 6,000 existing rare diseases affect approximately 580 million people worldwide including 60 million in Europe and North America. Many of these individuals suffer from the lack of safe and efficacious therapies for their serious conditions and from a lack of up-to-date information on their diseases. Pharnext's Pleodrugs are synergistic low-dose combinations of repositioned drugs with established safety profiles. These innovative therapies under development tackle simultaneously several disease targets potentially offering an excellent efficacy and safety profile. These are essential features for patients suffering from debilitating rare diseases. Pharnext has two lead therapeutic candidates in development for severe orphan neurological diseases: PXT-3003 for the treatment of Charcot-Marie-Tooth type 1A disease (CMT 1A) in an international pivotal phase 3 trial - To date, no curative or symptom alleviating medications have been approved for CMT 1A patients and treatments for this rare neuromuscular disease consist only of supportive care PXT-864 for the treatment of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) in a completed phase 1 trial - ALS is a very severe, life-threatening neurodegenerative disease; Currently approved treatments have very limited impact on life expectancy and do not improve quality of life for patients Quotes Daniel Cohen, M.D., Ph.D., chairman, chief executive officer and co-founder of Pharnext, said, "We are absolutely committed to developing efficacious and safe new therapies for patients suffering from various rare diseases. From Pharnext's perspective, every patient counts and deserves the best therapeutic solution." About Pharnext Pharnext is an advanced clinical stage biopharmaceutical company developing novel therapeutics that simultaneously target multiple key disease pathways for severe orphan and common neurological disorders. The proprietary research and development platform of Pharnext, based on network pharmacology, is applicable to a broad spectrum of diseases and allows the rapid development of "pleodrugs", synergistic combinations of repositioned drugs with established safety profiles. The company's two lead pleodrugs are PXT-3003 for the treatment of orphan disease Charcot Marie Tooth type 1A (Phase 2 clinical trial completed) and PXT-864 for Alzheimer's disease (Phase 2 clinical trial ongoing) and other neurologic indications (including Parkinson's disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis). For further information, visit www.pharnext.com Contacts Pharnext contact Daniel Cohen, M.D., Ph.D. Chairman and Chief Executive Officer medical@pharnext.com Media Contacts Tony Russo, Ph.D. Matt Middleman, M.D. Russo Partners T: 212-845-4251 T: 212-845-4272 tony.russo@russopartnersllc.com matt.middleman@russopartnersllc.com Florence Portejoie Caroline Carmagnol ALIZE RP T: +33 1 44 54 36 64 pharnext@alizerp.com Synaffix BV, a biotechnology company exclusively focused on the development of an industry-leading antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) technology, today announced that its newly constructed high potency laboratory is now fully operational. The high potency laboratory is designed to facilitate the synthetic modification and safe handling of the most potent anti-cancer payloads and their site-specific attachment to antibodies. This recent advancement enables Synaffix to generate gram-scale batches of ADCs for preclinical use. "The installation of our high potency laboratory marks an important event in the evolution of our R&D capabilities here at Synaffix. Coupled with the preexisting speed of our GlycoConnect technology to generate ADC material as fast as couple of weeks, the increased scale and ongoing commitment to safety will further enhance our ability to support the growing number of collaborations with biotech and pharma companies", said Floris van Delft, Chief Scientific Officer of Synaffix. About GlycoConnect and HydraSpace The Company's two proprietary technology platforms, GlycoConnect and HydraSpace, expand the therapeutic index (TI) of ADCs without the need for antibody engineering, while retaining the versatility to utilize any IgG isotype and payload class. GlycoConnect represents a site-specific conjugation technology that utilizes the native antibody glycan for efficient attachment of cytotoxic payloads, resulting in ADCs that come with an expanded TI compared to marketed approaches. HydraSpace was developed as a payload-enhancing linker to further differentiate the GlycoConnect technology from alternative approaches. The highly polar nature of HydraSpace compared to polyethylene glycol (PEG) significantly increases the conjugation efficiency of highly hydrophobic payloads, while reducing the aggregation propensity of the resulting ADC. Intriguingly, HydraSpace has also been shown in several occasions to significantly boost the efficacy of an ADC, compared to its PEG-based alternative. An unprecedented attribute of HydraSpace furthermore lies in the optionality to increase drug loading (DAR4), including dual-warhead ADCs (DAR2+2), by a single conjugation event. Dual-warhead ADCs have two different mechanisms of action built into the same targeted therapeutic and are designed to provide superior outcomes compared to the co-administration of the two active components separately. About Synaffix BV Founded in 2010, Synaffix BV is a Netherlands-based biotechnology company exclusively focused on continued advancement of a best-in-class antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) technology platform. As a leading innovator in the field of ADCs offering absolute versatility and state-of-the-art solutions, our vision is to become the preferred partner in the development of these complex biological therapeutics and realize our ambition connect to cure. Synaffix is backed by a top tier, life science-focused investor syndicate including Aravis, BioGeneration Ventures, BOM Capital and MS Ventures, the strategic corporate venture capital fund of the healthcare business of Merck. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160215005754/en/ Contacts: Synaffix BV Anthony DeBoer Director, Business Development +31 620 773 194 a.deboer@synaffix.com BERLIN (dpa-AFX) - German drug maker Merck KGaA (MKGAY.PK) said that it extended the partnership with Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel, of by signing a new framework agreement, building on a successful partnership of almost four decades. It will span the next three years, with an option for multiple successive extensions of two years each. As part of the new framework agreement Merck will fund each of the two research areas with up to 1 million euros per year over the three-year period initially. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. SANTA CLARA, California, February 16, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Mobileum Announces Fair Usage Policy Support Mandated by EU Regulation Mobileum, the leader in roaming and analytics solutions for telecom business transformation, has today announced the launch of the advanced version of Roam-Like-at-Home (RLAH) enabler, with fair usage policy (FUP) support to meet the guidelines mandated by EU Regulation 2015/2120. (Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140224/671325) While the detailed FUP guidelines are open for public consultation by the European Commission and are yet to be finalized, Mobileum's RLAH enabler offers highly flexible policy rules to cover a broad definition of periodic travel, and thus ready to support FUP even before the regulations fully come into force. This will enable roaming providers to apply a 'fair use policy' to prevent misuse or anomalous use of regulated roaming services, thus, when the roamer exceeds fair use limits, a surcharge may be applied. The European Union (EU) Council has set June 15, 2017 as the deadline to end roaming surcharges. However, some mobile operators have already seized this opportunity to offer an 'inclusive pricing' model to subscribers for data usage, limiting the threat of roaming bill-shock and induce usage uplift. "Mobileum's EU Regulation enabler not only ensures compliance with EU regulations on roaming, but also helps CSPs to proactively offer a Roam-Like-at-Home tariff to roamers, with set limits that can be monitored and capped using the FUP (fair usage policy) feature to guard against service misuse," according to V.V.R. Kishore, SVP of Roaming Business at Mobileum. The RLAH enabler solution is an extension of Mobileum's proven solution for compliance with EU Regulation III Single IMSI enabler, which has already been deployed by CSPs across the EU. The policy rules within the RLAH enabler can measure actual roaming usage against allowances, subject to FUP limitations, for regulated traffic in real time and also send notifications to subscribers when they reach the allowance limits. To learn more, visit Mobileum at booth # 6H41 at MWC-2016 in Barcelona. About Mobileum: Mobileum helps CSPs leverage the power of predictive analytics to deliver monetizable insights that drive business transformation at 617 CSPs across 150 countries. Mobileum's Wisdom-Action platform powers solutions across domains such as voice and data roaming, IoT/M2M, video, WiFi Hetnets, Travel, Counter fraud, Data abuse, and CEM. Mobileum is based in California's Silicon Valley, with offices across the globe. http://www.mobileum.com Media Contact: Sudhir Kadam (00) 1 408 844 6551 sudhir.kadam@mobileum.com Golden visa: the main countries offering investors a European residence visa - Bradley Hackford Non-European international investors are increasingly looking to settle in Europe, because they are particularly attracted to the quality of life in Europe. Other investors simply want to be able to travel freely in Europe especially for professional reasons. The golden visa offers its holder the possibility to freely settle in Europe as well as the ability to travel in Europe without the constraints commonly associated with obtaining the necessary visas for citizens of some countries. The golden visa (see here (http://www.bradleyhackford.com/en/golden-visa-european-residence-for-investors/)) is obtained through an investment in the selected country. In addition, the holder is required to show that there is no history of a criminal record. Portugal Portugal's golden visa program is the best known today. Launched in 2012, this program allows the golden visa to be received in a timely manner with some slight restrictions. Obtaining the golden visa in Portugal primarily requires an investment that can be made in 3 ways: -Acquiring one or more properties in Portugal for a total value of at least 500 000 or -Making a bank deposit in the amount of at least 1 million in a Portuguese bank or -Creating a company in Portugal that generates at least 10 sustainable jobs In addition, taxation in Portugal is very attractive for those who also wish to establish residency there as a non-habitual resident. Malta Malta's golden visa program, implemented in 2015, requires a minimum investment of 250 000, which must be maintained for at least 5 years. In addition, a real estate purchase of at least 320 000 or lease of a property for a minimum of 12 000 per year is required. The applicant must also demonstrate the availability of financial assets of at least 500,000 or have an annual income of 100 000 per year from sources outside of Malta. Note that Malta also has a program available which allows applicants to obtain Maltese citizenship through an overall investment of approximately 1 million. Spain Spain has a golden visa program very similar to the one offered by Portugal. The two main forms of investment for the Spanish program are real estate investment for an amount of at least 500 000 or performing a bank deposit of at least 1 million in a Spanish bank. Latvia The golden visa program in Latvia has very few binding financial prerequisites. In fact, obtaining this visa requires either the purchase of real estate in Latvia with a minimum value of 250 000 or making a bank deposit of at least 300 000 in a local bank. Bulgaria An investor visa in Bulgaria is obtained by investing at least 511 292 in government bonds, to be invested for 5 years. It should be noted that contrary to the countries mentioned above, Bulgaria, although a member of the European Union, is still not part of the Schengen area. Among the European countries not yet part of the Schengen area, we also note Cyprus's program, for which the main prerequisite is the purchase of real estate in the country with a value of at least 300 000. In addition, like Malta, Cyprus offers a programme for acquiring citizenship by making an economic investment. About Bradley Hackford Bradley Hackford is a firm specialising in international expatriation and change of physical and tax residence, primarily in jurisdictions with attractive taxation. The firm is also involved in the process related to the acquisition/change of nationality and in procedures related to visas for investors (golden visas). http://www.bradleyhackford.com/en/ (http://www.bradleyhackford.com/en/relocation/) golden visa (http://hugin.info/162569/R/1986255/728677.pdf) This announcement is distributed by NASDAQ OMX Corporate Solutions on behalf of NASDAQ OMX Corporate Solutions clients. The issuer of this announcement warrants that they are solely responsible for the content, accuracy and originality of the information contained therein. Source: Bradley Hackford Limited via Globenewswire HUG#1986255 PUNE, India, February 16, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The report "Molding Compound Market by Thermoset Resin Type (Phenolic, Epoxy, Polyester and Others), by Applications (Electricals, Aerospace, Automotive and Others), and by Region- Global Forecasts to 2020", published by MarketsandMarkets, The global market by thermoset resin type is projected to grow from USD 8.04 Billion in 2015 to USD 10.96 Billion by 2020, at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.40% between 2015 and 2020. Browse 69 market data Tables and 47 Figures spread through 121 Pages and in-depth TOC on"Molding Compound Market". http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/molding-compounds-market-240465448.html Early buyers will receive 10% customization on this report. This market is majorly dominated by the electrical application. They are widely used in automotive and aerospace applications, as they are flexible and can be molded into complex shapes and sizes. The increase in the demand for corrosion an heat resistant products, improved electrification and need for safety at home and commercial building, encourages use of reliable components such as thermoset molding compounds in electricals that are heat resistant and thermally stable and availability of new innovative products are the factors driving the thermoset molding compound market. Rising need for thermally stable and corrosion resistant components will drive the molding compounds market by thermoset resin type for various applications The major forces driving the thermoset Molding Compound Market are replacement of traditional materials thermoset molding compounds products. These products offer superior properties including corrosion resistance, heat resistance, and dimensional stability. Lightweight and increase in fuel efficiency have always been the foremost drivers for using thermosets in the automotive industry, the benefits of reducing the weight of a car or a truck include lower fuel consumption and operating costs, resulting in fewer emissions as well. Phenolic molding materials offer outstanding long-term engineering performance when exposed to elevated temperature The phenolic molding compounds is projected to be the fastest-growing segment during the forecast period in the thermoset molding compounds market. With their properties they are used in applications such as disc break pistons, commutators, circuit breakers, and so on. Phenolic molding compounds, being heat resistant in nature offer consumer safety in case the end product overheats, melts, or initiates a fire, phenolic molding materials protect the components from adverse effects of high temperature. Inquiry of this Report at http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Enquiry_Before_Buying.asp?id=240465448 Asia-Pacific is the largest market for thermoset molding compound China contributes a major market share in the global as well as Asia-Pacific thermoset molding compounds market. The growing economy, industrial development with the availability of low-cost labor in the region, and the increasing demand of low-maintenance products are some of the factors driving the thermoset molding compounds market in Asia-Pacific. The major players in the thermoset Molding compounds market include: Hexion Inc. (U.S) Hitachi Chemical Company ( Japan ) ) BASF SE ( Germany ) ) Huntsman International LLC (U.S.) Eastman Chemical Company (U.S) MarketsandMarkets broadly segments the thermoset molding compounds market on the basis of resin type; region and applications. The study covers more than 10 countries for the four main regions namely, North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and RoW. Browse Related Reports: Composites Market by Type (Carbon Composites, Glass Composites and Aramid Composites), by Manufacturing technology (Layup, Filament winding, Injection molding, Pultrusion, Compression Molding etc.) , by Resin Type (Thermoplastics Composites and Thermosets Composites), by Application (Automotive, Aerospace & Defense, Electronics & Semiconductor, Wind, Construction, Pipe & Tanks, Marine and others), and by Region - Global Trends and Forecasts to 2020 http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/composite-market-200051282.html Composite Resin Market by Resin Type (Thermoset and Thermoplastic), by Manufacturing Process (Layup, Injection Molding, Filament Winding, Pultrusion, Compression Molding, RTM, and Others), by Application & by Region - Global Forecasts to 2020 http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/composites-resin-market-66717271.html About MarketsandMarkets MarketsandMarkets is world's No. 2 firm in terms of annually published premium market research reports. Serving 1700 global fortune enterprises with more than 1200 premium studies in a year, M&M is catering to multitude of clients across 8 different industrial verticals. We specialize in consulting assignments and business research across high growth markets, cutting edge technologies and newer applications. Our 850 fulltime analyst and SMEs at MarketsandMarkets are tracking global high growth markets following the "Growth Engagement Model - GEM". The GEM aims at proactive collaboration with the clients to identify new opportunities, identify most important customers, write "Attack, avoid and defend" strategies, identify sources of incremental revenues for both the company and its competitors. M&M's flagship competitive intelligence and market research platform, "RT" connects over 200,000 markets and entire value chains for deeper understanding of the unmet insights along with market sizing and forecasts of niche markets. The new included chapters on Methodology and Benchmarking presented with high quality analytical infographics in our reports gives complete visibility of how the numbers have been arrived and defend the accuracy of the numbers. We at MarketsandMarkets are inspired to help our clients grow by providing apt business insight with our huge market intelligence repository. Contact: Mr.Rohan Markets and Markets UNIT no 802, Tower no. 7, SEZ Magarpatta city, Hadapsar Pune, Maharashtra 411013, India Tel: +1-888-600-6441 Email: sales@marketsandmarkets.com Visit MarketsandMarkets Blog @http://www.marketsandmarketsblog.com/market-reports/chemical Connect with us on LinkedIn @ http://www.linkedin.com/company/marketsandmarkets Box [NYSE: BOX] today announced that Unicef UK is deploying Box's cloud content management and collaboration platform to its employees. In addition to providing collaboration, Box will improve content management and mobile information sharing, both internally and externally. "Our staff work with colleagues and partners around the world on hundreds of projects," said Ian Williamson, ICT Director at Unicef UK. "Box will provide us with a platform to help manage our content more effectively and to be more efficient and productive in our work for children." "Unicef UK's move to Box underscores the increased adoption we've seen in Europe, as organizations and companies move towards a more mobile and collaborative workforce," said David Quantrell, Box senior vice president and general manager of EMEA. "Unicef UK helps to provide essential care for the vulnerable and it is crucial that its IT systems help to support employees. Box helps make sure staff can share and collaborate wherever they are and on any device in a secure way." Unicef UK raises funds to protect children in danger, transform their lives and build a safer world for children. With the support of partners, individuals and organizations, Unicef UK also works to influence policy makers to safeguard the rights of children everywhere-especially the most disadvantaged. Box makes it easy for more than 41 million users at 54,000 organizations around the world to share and collaborate. With today's announcement, Unicef UK joins a growing list of non-profits who have moved to Box, including the International Rescue Committee, the UN Foundation and Oxfam. In May 2014, Box announced Box.org, an initiative focused on empowering global nonprofits to achieve their missions and deliver lasting social impact through technology. About Unicef Unicef is the world's leading organisation for children, promoting the rights and wellbeing of every child, in everything we do. Together with our partners, we work in 190 countries and territories to translate that commitment into practical action, focusing special effort on reaching the most vulnerable and excluded children, to the benefit of all children, everywhere. Unicef UK raises funds to protect children in danger, transform their lives and build a safer world for tomorrow's children. As a registered charity we raise funds through donations from individuals, organisations and companies and we lobby and campaign to keep children safe. Unicef UK also runs programmes in schools, hospitals and with local authorities in the UK. For more information please visit unicef.org.uk About Box Founded in 2005, Box [NYSE:BOX] is transforming the way people and organizations work so they can achieve their greatest ambitions. As the leading enterprise software platform for content collaboration, Box helps businesses of all sizes in every industry securely access and manage their critical information in the cloud. Box is headquartered in Redwood City, CA, with offices across the United States, Europe and Asia. To learn more about Box, visit www.box.com. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160216005343/en/ Contacts: Box Titus Thomson, +44 (0) 203 691 9588 titus@box.com NEW YORK, NY--(Marketwired - February 16, 2016) - This month, RosettaBooks, the leading independent eBook publisher, marks the three-year anniversary of opening its UK Office, led by Jonathan Ward. The UK Office has had a number of successes in the last three years, working with classic London literary agencies including Curtis Brown, AP Watt/United Agents, Pollinger Ltd, Andrew Nurnberg Associates, Aitken Alexander, AM Heath and Society of Authors. Rosetta's work in the UK began with the signing of the complete works of Sir Winston Churchill in 2012, including his six volume World War II series in which he won the Nobel Price in Literature in 1953. The titles in the series include The Gathering Storm, Their Finest Hour, The Grand Alliance, The Hinge of Fate, Closing the Ring and Triumph and Tragedy. This acquisition led the opening of a UK office to explore other extraordinary backlist British titles and expand its international reach. In keeping with its tradition of publishing leading backlist authors, RosettaBooks has signed a bevy of British masters including 18 Robert Graves titles, led by I, Claudius and Claudius the God; 12 Sir Martin Gilbert books, led by History of the Twentieth Century and his bestselling biography Churchill: A Life; a five-title collection of Bernard Shaw writings on topics such as Theatre, Politics, Music, Literature and Religion (publishing March 1) and international authors like Mikhail Bulgakov (publishing Feb. 23). "There continue to be great opportunities on the UK backlist, and also opportunities to put together new projects using the uncollected works of iconic authors," says Ward. RosettaBooks has also begun two new publishing initiatives since the opening of its international office: frontlist book publishing and RosettaBrand. RosettaBrand builds upon Rosetta's longstanding institutional partnerships publishing initiative, working with AARP, Mayo Clinic, Hearst, The Associated Press and Harvard Health Publications by utilizing eBooks as communications and branding tools. "RosettaBooks has significantly broadened its international reach during the past three years and looks forward to expanding its core backlist, frontlist and institutional publishing collections in years to come," said Arthur Klebanoff, CEO of RosettaBooks. About RosettaBooks: RosettaBooks is the leading independent digital publisher. Its prominent author collections include 52 works of Winston Churchill, 35 titles by renowned science fiction author Arthur C. Clarke, 20 works by Kurt Vonnegut, 12 titles from international bestselling business author Stephen R. Covey and 18 works by Robert Graves, celebrated 20th century English poet, critic, and author of I, Claudius and Claudius, the God. RosettaBooks also publishes eBook lines in collaboration with AARP, Harvard Health Publications and Mayo Clinic. Publisher of ten Kindle Singles, including Ray Bradbury's The Playground, RosettaBooks has launched nine of them to bestseller status. RosettaBooks is an Inc. 500 company, on the exclusive list of the fastest growing private companies in the United States. For more information, please visit RosettaBooks.com and follow the e-publisher on Facebook and Twitter. Press Contact: Michelle Weyenberg Director of Marketing, RosettaBooks mweyenberg@rosettabooks.com TEL AVIV, Israel, February 16, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The European Investment Fund (EIF) and Israel's Bank Leumi, along with LeumiTech, the high-tech banking arm of Leumi, have signed an agreement to increase lending to innovative small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) as well as small mid-caps under 'InnovFin - EU finance for innovators', an initiative supported by the European Commission . (Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160215/333351 ) The new agreement allows Bank Leumi to provide finance amounting to USD 100 million (EUR 93 million) to innovative companies in Israel with the support of a guarantee provided by the EIF and backed under 'Horizon 2020', the EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation. This is the first InnovFin SME guarantee signature in Israel, enabling Leumi, Israel's leading innovative finance provider, to offer innovative companies additional financing at favourable conditions. Pier Luigi Gilibert, EIF Chief Executive: "I am pleased to be signing the first InnovFin SME Guarantee agreement with Bank Leumi for the benefit of innovative companies. Bank Leumi is a key player in the innovation arena and we are strongly convinced that together we can provide support to innovative and growing businesses in need of finance." Rakefet Russak-Aminoach, Bank Leumi CEO: "Taking part in the flagship program for research and innovation in the European Union is another step further in our activities to expand funding for Israeli high-tech while allowing for better financing terms. It is only natural that a bank which specializes in the Israeli high-tech industry is also the first Israeli bank to be a part of this unique program". Russak-Aminoach also added that she sees Leumi's participation in the program as the beginning of a wider collaboration with EIF in future programs." Yifat Oron, LeumiTech CEO: "It's common knowledge that Israel is THE 'Start-Up Nation' and spearheads innovation. The agreement signed today will enable LeumiTech to expand even further its support to the high-tech industry and offer companies additional products specifically tailored to the industry's unique character. I am positive that many high-tech firms in Israel could gain great additional value by receiving funding via the program, on top of the usage of LeumiTech's wide range of existing financial products." LeumiTech, the high-tech banking arm of the Group, was founded in 2014 with the main goal of promoting financing and development in the Israeli high-tech industry. Within a short period of time LeumiTech has established itself as the financial home for Israeli high-tech, by providing companies with a comprehensive package of services, including: credit and financing, investments and partnerships, unique products and services tailored to the industry and an innovative global platform for managing their international financial operations. Out of hundreds of start-ups established in Israel in 2015, over 60% chose to work with LeumiTech. Press contacts: EIF: David Yormesor Tel.: +352-42-66-88-346, e-mail: d.yormesor@eif.org LeumiTech: Zohar Gurevitz Tel.: + 972-54-4404484, e-mail: zohar@pr360.co.il LONDON (dpa-AFX) - Shares of Anglo American Plc (AAUKY.PK, AAL.L) declined around 6 percent in the morning trading in London after the mining company reported Tuesday a hefty $5.45 billion loss in its fiscal 2015 on charges and weak prices. Further, the company suspended dividend payments, and announced certain measures to improve cash flows and to reduce net debt including about 60 percent reduction in the current roles in the core portfolio. For fiscal 2016, the company expects $1.9 billion of EBIT benefit from cost and productivity improvements. The company will move to 16 core assets from 45 across three operating Business Units. The evaluation and sales processes for a number of Anglo American's major non-core assets are progressing. The target for the disposals programme has been increased to $5 billion to $6 billion by end of 2016, with $3 to 4 billion expected in 2016. Capital expenditure in 2016 is expected to be less than $3.0 billion, a 25 percent reduction from 2015. Capital expenditure in 2017 is expected to be reduced by a further $500 million to $2.5 billion. Anglo American said its core portfolio is expected to require fewer than 5,000 overhead and indirect roles, about 60 percent reduction from the current 11,500 roles. Of this, the majority relates to those roles associated with assets that will be exited over time. For the year, Anglo American's pre-tax loss was $5.45 billion, compared to a loss of $259 million in the prior year. The latest full-year results were hurt by impairments of $5.7 billion in operating special items, reflecting the impact of deteriorating market conditions, including weaker prices, on asset valuations. Underlying earnings were $827 million, compared to $2.22 billion last year. Underlying earnings per share was $0.64 compared to $1.73. Group underlying earnings before interest and tax or EBIT was $2.23 billion, a 55 percent decrease, due to sharply weaker commodity prices. Underlying EBITDA also declined 38 percent from last year to $4.85 billion. Mark Cutifani, chief executive of Anglo American, said, 'Against the strong headwinds of a 24 percent decrease in the basket price of our products for the year as a whole, our ongoing intense focus on operational costs and productivity delivered a $1.3 billion EBIT benefit in the year, providing some mitigation.' Group revenue, including attributable share of associates' and joint ventures, fell 26 percent to $23 billion from $30.99 billion last year. Production volumes, however, increased 5 percent with operational performance in line with expectations across the majority of the business. Platinum production rose 25 percent, largely due to the recovery from the 2014 strike, while copper production decreased by 5 percent, due to the disposal of Anglo American Norte. On a pro forma basis, excluding the impact of Anglo American Norte, production was 1 percent lower. Overall, copper equivalent unit costs reduced by a further 16 percent in US dollar terms, representing a 27 percent total reduction since 2012. The average iron ore CFR China price was down 42 percent and copper price was down 20 percent. The company did not declare any final dividend for 2015, compared to last year's final dividend of 53 US cents per ordinary share. In London, Anglo American shares were trading at 367.65 pence, down 6.46 percent. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Kostenloser Wertpapierhandel auf Smartbroker.de LONDON, ONTARIO -- (Marketwired) -- 02/16/16 -- Sernova Corp. (TSX VENTURE: SVA)(FRANKFURT: PSH)(OTCQB: SEOVF), a clinical stage regenerative medicine company, announced today it has received its initial EUR 566,500 ($875,000 CDN) installment of non-dilutive funds from the HemAcure Grant funded by the EU Horizon 2020 Program. Sernova will use the payment to fund activities related to the development of a GMP clinical grade Factor VIII releasing therapeutic cell product combined with Sernova's Cell Pouch to treat severe hemophilia A, a serious genetic bleeding disorder caused by missing or defective factor VIII in the blood stream. "We are excited that the HemAcure consortium partners, a group developing a therapeutic that is highly disruptive to the current standard of care treatments for hemophilia A, are already working diligently to advance the program. Together, we are working to address, with a sense of urgency, the critical challenges posed by severe hemophilia A," remarked Dr. Philip Toleikis, Sernova President and CEO. The therapeutic goal is to use the patient's own cells after correcting for the factor VIII gene deficiency. These cells are placed in the implanted Cell Pouch and release factor VIII on a continual basis at a rate that is expected to significantly reduce disease-associated hemorrhaging and joint damage. The constant delivery of factor VIII from the corrected cells may also reduce or eliminate the need for multiple weekly infusions - the current standard of care for the prophylactic treatment of hemophilia A which uses plasma-derived or recombinant, genetically engineered factor VIII. "Sernova continues to benefit from the judicious use of partnerships, grant applications and other forms of non-dilutive funding to advance our technology platform and products in development, thereby maximizing potential returns for our stakeholders," added Dr. Toleikis. Sernova has developed a highly innovative, scalable, implantable medical device (Cell Pouch) for the placement and long term survival and function of therapeutic cells. It has proven to be safe and efficacious in multiple small and large animal preclinical models and has demonstrated safety alone and with therapeutic cells in a clinical trial in humans for another therapeutic indication. We believe the Cell Pouch platform is the only such patented technology that when implanted under the skin is proven to become incorporated with blood vessel enriched tissue-forming chambers for the placement and long term survival and function of therapeutic cells. About Hemophilia A People with Hemophilia have prolonged abnormal bleeding as a result of trauma. Hemophilia A, also called factor VIII (FVIII) deficiency is the most common form of Hemophilia and is a genetic disorder caused by missing or defective FVIII, a blood clotting protein. Severe hemophilia occurs in about 60% of cases where the deficiency of FVIII is less than 1% of normal blood concentration. While it is passed down from parents to children, about 1/3 of cases are caused by a spontaneous change in the gene. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention hemophilia occurs in about 1 in 5,000 births. If the prolonged bleeding occurs in the brain of a person with hemophilia, it can be fatal. Prolonged bleeding in joints can cause inflammatory responses and permanent joint damage. Approximately 20,000 people in the United States and 10,000 in Europe have the moderate or severe form of hemophilia A, as well as approximately 2,500 in Canada. All races and ethnic groups are equally affected by hemophilia A. Though there is no cure for the disease, it can be controlled with regular infusions of recombinant clotting FVIII. Annual costs for the treatment of the disease for each patient may range from $60,000 to $260,000 US for a total cost of between $2-5B per year in North America and Europe. About Horizon 2020 Programme Horizon 2020 is the biggest EU Research and Innovation program ever with nearly EUR80 billion of funding available over seven years (2014 to 2020). It promises more breakthroughs, discoveries and world-firsts by taking great ideas from the lab to the market. The project is funded as part of societal challenges "personalizing health and care" in a specific call about innovative treatments and technologies. New therapies, such as gene or cell therapies, often require technological innovation in the form of development of specific component tools and techniques such as isolation and multiplication of a cell or development of a scaffold, delivery of the therapy to the patient and for following-up the effect of the therapy in the patient. In particular, achieving therapeutic scale production and GMP standards at reasonable cost is often underestimated. The European Union aims to improve the development of advanced methods and devices for targeted and controlled delivery, and to bring these innovative treatments to the patient. About HemAcure HemAcure is the name of the consortium developing a product for hemophilia A. This project has received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under grant agreement No 667421. The consortium members include the University Hospital Wurzburg (Coordinating Institute), IMS - Integrierte Management Systeme in Heppenheim, Germany, Universita del Piemonte Orientale "Amedeo Avogadro," Loughborough University, GABO:mi Gesellschaft fur Ablauforganisation: milliarium mbH & Co. and Sernova Corp. The main objective of the HemAcure project is to develop and refine the tools and technologies for a novel ex vivo prepared cell based therapy within Sernova's prevascularized Cell Pouch to treat this bleeding disorder that should ultimately lead to improved quality of life of the patients. About Sernova Sernova Corp is a clinical stage regenerative medicine Company developing medical technologies for the treatment of chronic debilitating metabolic diseases such as diabetes, blood disorders including hemophilia and other diseases treated through replacement of proteins or hormones missing or in short supply within the body. Sernova is developing the Cell Pouch, an implantable medical device and therapeutic cells (donor, xenogeneic or stem cell derived therapeutic cells) which then release proteins and/or hormones as required. Forward-Looking Information This release may contain forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects", "plans", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "projects", "potential" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will", "would", "may", "could" or "should" occur. Although Sernova believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results may differ materially from those in forward looking statements. Forward-looking statements, which include our beliefs about the functionality of the Cell Pouch and our expectations of the potential benefits of the consortium and the Horizon 2020 hemophilia project, are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of Sernova's management on the date such statements were made. Sernova expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release Contacts: Sernova Corp. Philip Toleikis, Ph.D. President and CEO (604) 961-2939 philip.toleikis@sernova.com / info@sernova.com www.sernova.com Ray Matthews & Associates Suite 601-128 West Cordova Street Vancouver, BC V6B 0E6 (604) 818-7778 ray@raymatthews.ca www.raymatthews.ca PUNE, India, February 16, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- According to a new market research report "Hemostats Market by Product Type (Thrombin, Oxidised Regenerated Cellulose, Combination, Gelatin, Collagen), and Geography (Americas, Europe, APAC, MEA) - Global Forecast to 2020" published by MarketsandMarkets, the global market size is anticipated to reach USD 2.76 Billion by 2020, at a CAGR of 6.2% from 2015 to 2020. Browse 199 market data Tables and 90 Figures spread through 159 Pages and in-depth TOC on "Hemostats Market" http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/hemostats-market-9571619.html Early buyers will receive 10% customization on this report. Factors such as increasing surgical procedures and rising number of insurance providers are driving the Hemostats Market. According to Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 51.4 Million surgeries have taken place in the U.S. in 2014. The increase in number of surgeries accelerates the demand for hemostats and thereby is driving the growth of the market. However, the high cost of products hinders the growth of the global Hemostats Market. Based on product type, the global Hemostats Market is segmented into thrombin-based, oxidized regenerated cellulose based hemostats, combination hemostats, gelatin based hemostats, and collagen based hemostats. The thrombin based hemostats segment dominates the Hemostats Market and is projected to grow at a significant pace during the forecast period, in terms of value. Based on geography, the global hemostat market is segmented into the Americas, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Middle East and Africa. Each region is further segmented into countries, covering around 50 countries, globally. The market in the Americas is one of the key geographical segments that generate major revenue in the global Hemostats Market. The growth in the Americas Hemostats Market is attributed to the increase in number of surgical procedures. However, the Hemostats Market in Asia-Pacific is anticipated to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period. Increasing healthcare infrastructure along with rise in number of surgeries are propelling the growth of this market. Major companies operational in the Hemostats Market are Johnson & Johnson Services, Inc. (U.S.). C. R. Bard, Inc. (U.S.), Baxter (U.S.), B Braun Melsungen AG (Germany), Pfizer Inc. (U.S.), Vascular Solutions, Inc. (U.S.), Gelita Medical GmbH (Germany), Equimedical (Netherlands), Integra Lifesciences Holdings Corporation (U.S.), Z-Medica, LLC (U.S.), and Marine Polymer Technologies, Inc. (U.S.). Inquiry before Buying @ http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Enquiry_Before_Buying.asp?id=9571619 The research study is aimed at identifying emerging trends and opportunities in the global Hemostats Market along with detailed classifications, in terms of revenue. It provides comprehensive competitive landscape and identifies the key players with respect to market size and market share. The research study also includes a detailed segmentation of the global Hemostats Market on the basis of product type and geography. Apart from the market segmentation, this report also provides an in-depth analysis of the market by providing a detailed process flow diagram and market dynamics, such as drivers, restraints, and opportunities in the global Hemostats Market. Browse Related Reports: Coagulation/Hemostasis Analyzer Market by Product (Automated, POC), Consumables (Reagents, Standards), Test Type (APTT, Prothrombin Time/INR, D-Dimer, Fibrinogen), Technology (Mechanical, Optical), End Users (Research Institutes, Hospitals) - Forecast to 2019. http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/hemostasis-coagulation-analyzer-market-197226392.html Biosurgery Market by Type (Surgical Sealants, Hemostatic Agents, Soft Tissue Attachments, Adhesion Barriers, Bone Graft Substitutes), Application (Neurological, Cardiovascular, General, Orthopedic, Reconstructive) - Global Forecast to 2020. http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/biosurgery-market-166922302.html About MarketsandMarkets: MarketsandMarkets is world's No. 2 firm in terms of annually published premium market research reports. Serving 1700 global fortune enterprises with more than 1200 premium studies in a year, M&M is catering to multitude of clients across 8 different industrial verticals. We specialize in consulting assignments and business research across high growth markets, cutting edge technologies and newer applications. Our 850 fulltime analyst and SMEs at MarketsandMarkets are tracking global high growth markets following the "Growth Engagement Model - GEM". The GEM aims at proactive collaboration with the clients to identify new opportunities, identify most important customers, write "Attack, avoid and defend" strategies, identify sources of incremental revenues for both the company and its competitors. M&M's flagship competitive intelligence and market research platform, "RT" connects over 200,000 markets and entire value chains for deeper understanding of the unmet insights along with market sizing and forecasts of niche markets. The new included chapters on Methodology and Benchmarking presented with high quality analytical infographics in our reports gives complete visibility of how the numbers have been arrived and defend the accuracy of the numbers. We at MarketsandMarkets are inspired to help our clients grow by providing apt business insight with our huge market intelligence repository. Contact: Mr. Rohan Markets and Markets UNIT no 802, Tower no. 7, SEZ Magarpatta city, Hadapsar, Pune, Maharashtra 411013, India 1-888-600-6441 Email: sales@marketsandmarkets.com Visit MarketsandMarkets Blog @ http://mnmblog.org/market-research/healthcare/medical-devices Connect with us on LinkedIn @http://www.linkedin.com/company/marketsandmarkets BLACK REPUBLICAN BLOG - The Republican Party is the party of civil rights and the four Fs: faith, family, freedom and fairness. The Democratic Party is the party of the four Ss: slavery, secession, segregation and socialism (Quote By Author Michael Scheuer). CLEVELAND, OH -- (Marketwired) -- 02/16/16 -- Shaker, the market leader in engaging realistic job previews and custom simulations for pre-employment testing, today announced the results of its strong performance in the second half of 2015 as it continues to transform how companies hire. Building on the momentum gained in the first half of 2015, the company introduced new capabilities to improve the talent acquisition process while welcoming new large-scale clients, growing existing accounts and expanding its internal team. "For nearly 15 years, Shaker has helped companies make more informed hiring decisions through our unique blend of advanced selection science, commitment to creating engaging candidate experiences and focus on measurable results," said Joseph P. Murphy, Shaker's executive vice president. "More organizations are recognizing the value of our advanced assessment technology to predict on-the-job performance and improve quality of hire. Shaker has experienced tremendous growth, as exemplified by our strong 2015 results. As we continue to enhance our functionality and deliver new innovations in the assessment space, we expect to sustain this momentum throughout 2016 and beyond." Client Growth and Success In the latter half of 2015, Shaker welcomed many new clients seeking to leverage its Virtual Job Tryout (VJT) technology. New clients include a top-five quick service restaurant (QSR) chain that will be taking advantage of the technology to improve outcomes for its store manager and district manager positions, and one of the world's largest franchisors, which will be using a VJT system to hire store managers. Many existing clients expanded their use of Shaker's VJT technology, requesting new systems to evaluate additional roles within their organizations, as for financial advisors, first-line managers and software development supervisors. A large number of clients, including multiple global retailers, have also adopted the company's mobile-optimized VJT to reach new audiences and allow their candidates to complete the assessment from their handheld devices. The quality of Shaker's VJT technology and its ability to improve its clients' hiring practices continues to garner industry recognition. One of its clients, a top-five financial institution in the U.S., won the prestigious Human Resource Management Impact Award, presented by the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology (SIOP) and the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) to organizations demonstrating the most effective, evidence-based HR practices. The client received this award for its success in implementing Shaker's multimethod, pre-employment assessment solution to facilitate hiring across multiple call center and operations roles, leading to savings of $6.8 million as a result of increased new-hire retention. Product Expansion Shaker broke new ground in its product functionality in 2015, introducing standardized VJT solutions for call centers and retail banking roles. As a result, small and mid-sized businesses can now make better hiring decisions faster through evaluation of the performance drivers Shaker has determined to be indicative of success in these high-volume jobs. Shaker also launched and upgraded data integrations with workforce solutions providers Workday, ADP, and iCIMS, delivering further efficiencies to users of those systems and enabling them to make informed hiring decisions as part of their larger talent management processes. Shaker also revealed a distribution partnership with Performance Assessment Network (PAN), which has included Shaker's family of Standard VJTs in its catalog of the most trusted assessment solutions on the market. Growing Industry Presence As Shaker continued to introduce new innovations, the company achieved widespread recognition and advanced its position in the assessment space. Shaker's executives shared thought leadership at multiple industry conferences, including the Fall ERE Recruiting Conference, DisruptHR Cleveland and the IPAC 2015 Conference. Shaker also participated in the 2015 IHRIM Annual Conference's first-ever Technology Incubator, highlighting how VJT technology optimizes recruiting practices by enabling faster time to hire, lower turnover and improved levels of new-hire performance. In addition, Shaker presented several webinars showcasing how VJTs elevate the candidate experience, improve recruiting processes and lead to precision hiring decisions. Strategic Additions Another factor key to Shaker's success is its ability to attract and hire the talented individuals who advance its mission and develop innovative functionality to further improve its technology. In the second half of the year, the company welcomed three I-O experts: analyst Carter Gibson; Dan Koletsky, who joined Shaker's Insights team as a relationship manager; and Noelle Frantz, who was appointed as an analyst to Shaker's Design-Build team. The company also welcomed business development expert Tim Kennedy as director of Sales for North America Looking Forward "Shaker is committed to delivering the solutions that help companies make well-informed, data-based decisions today, while constantly developing new innovations to meet the needs of employers in the future," said Murphy. "Based on our ongoing growth and momentum, we are well-positioned to maintain our standing at the forefront of innovation in the assessment industry. We look forward to continuing our strong performance and helping more organizations enable their talent acquisition teams with insights from big data to hire the best talent possible." ABOUT SHAKER Shaker's Virtual Job Tryout (VJT) technology enables recruiters to combine the best of predictive analytics and human judgment. Recruiters identify best-fit candidates with more precision, increase new-hire retention and improve quality of hire. VJT technology delivers pre-employment assessments as day-in-the-life experiences that educate and engage while obtaining a work sample that predicts job fit and competencies critical for success. VJT technology is available in Standard and Enterprise (custom) configurations. It has been deployed in most industries for entry-level to mid-management positions. More information can be found at shakercg.com. BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MI -- (Marketwired) -- 02/16/16 -- PROGREEN PROPERTIES, INC. (PROGREEN), (OTC PINK: PGEI), is pleased to announce that a definitive joint venture agreement was executed in Ensenada, Mexico on February 13 with INMOBILIARIA CONTEL S.R.L.C.V. (CONTEL) for the first tract of land of approximately 300 acres for agriculture use in Baja California, Mexico, as referred to in our earlier press release on January 5. The JV provides for CONTEL to contribute the land to the JV at extremely low cost and favorable terms, as well as handling all planning, permits, preparation and construction, in order for the property to be marketed as prime farm land. PROGREEN will be responsible for providing the financing. Resulting profits from the resale of the property as developed farm land will be split equally between the two parties. Work on this first tract of land has already commenced, which will include clearing and leveling of the land, construction of a large water reservoir and piping for irrigation. Water pumps will be powered by solar energy for sustainability. We anticipate completing the work over the coming two months, in order to offer the land for sale for this season's farming. "We believe we are now in a break-through phase for PROGREEN's entry into this new area of real estate development, with the future looking very bright and healthy and anticipate to be able to communicate a series of positive news in near future," says Jan Telander, President. About ProGreen Properties, Inc. PROGREEN PROPERTIES, INC. (PROGREEN) (OTC PINK: PGEI) based in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, is engaged in the business of acquiring, refurbishing and upgrading residential real estate into modern affordable homes, some being aimed at the local real estate market and some sold to European Property Investors. The company has also recently entered into property investments in Baja California, Mexico. The company expects this will be a sustainable and growing activity for the company for many years to come. This press release might contain information, which may constitute 'forward-looking statements' within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. 'Forward-looking statements' are based upon expectations, estimates and projections at the time the statements are made that involve a number of risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated. Contact: Jan Telander President & CEO Phone: (248) 805-3652 Email: jan@progreenproperties.com TORONTO, ONTARIO -- (Marketwired) -- 02/16/16 -- Kombat Copper Inc. (TSX VENTURE: KBT) ("Kombat Copper" or the "Company") has signed an addendum to the previously announced Memorandum of Agreement ("MOA") with EBM Mining Namibia (Pty) Ltd. ("EBM") whereby EBM will be Kombat Copper's contractor and will essentially manage the refurbishment of the local infrastructure as well as carry out development and mining of near surface mineralization at the Kombat Mine for a minimum period of three years. Initial production is expected before the end of this year. Kombat Copper is also discussing several other business opportunities associated with the Kombat Mine property with EBM including the stockpiling and distribution of aggregate stone and sand material, important byproducts of the mining operations to be run by EBM, which could potentially be sold to the local market. Another possible opportunity is the reprocessing of tailings at the Kombat Mine, however, further technical test work and studies will be required to determine if this is economically viable. Paul Bozoki, President and CEO of Kombat Copper, commented: "Kombat has an extensive database and significant local infrastructure that will allow for a relatively quick start up of mining and milling operations at the Kombat Mine with our contractor EBM Mining Namibia. The management of EBM Mining Namibia has extensive contract mining experience in Southern Africa and the Company feels that this relationship will be financially beneficial to both parties. This work will no doubt have a ripple effect with positive economic implications in the local region. Kombat Copper shares this positive news with its local partners, Epangelo Mining and Havana Investments in contributing to the economy of Namibia." Commencement of Mining at the Kombat Mine by EBM Mining Namibia EBM is a newly established company in Namibia with offices in Windhoek. Their management team has extensive experience in small-scale mining operations around Southern Africa. Recent projects operated by EBM South Africa have included the profitable retreatment of base metal tailings. Other mining projects in which EBM's management have been closely associated with include: diamonds, fluorspar, tin and precious metals. EBM has a reputation for running efficient operations on a timely and cost effective basis. Initial mining by EBM of near surface mineralization will focus on the Kombat East and Kombat Central areas and EBM will also be assessing the Gross Otavi deposit located 12 kilometers to the west of the Kombat Mine where a historic resource had been defined. The Kombat East and Kombat Central areas have shaft and ramp access, which will allow for a relatively quick start up of operations. Under the agreement, the Kombat mill will be refurbished by EBM to produce both lead and copper concentrates. Kombat Copper through its Namibian subsidiary, Manila Investments (Pty) Ltd, will hold any export permits. Kombat Copper's decision to (i) mine the near surface mineralization on the Kombat East and Kombat Central areas; and (ii) produce any concentrate from such mining and processing is not based on a feasibility study or mineral resource/reserve with demonstrated economic viability. Kombat Copper has decided to put certain areas of the Kombat Mine into production without first establishing mineral resources or mineral reserves, supported by a technical report and/or feasibility study. The Company cautions readers that such production may not be economically feasible and historically such projects have a much higher risk of economic or technical failure. The MOA is structured so that it does not exploit Kombat Copper's core copper resource base located in the Asis West and Asis Far West zones and does not prohibit Kombat Copper from resuming full mining activities on the remainder of the deposit upon completion of technical and engineering studies with respect to mineral resources. It is being structured to provide up front monthly payments to the Company with an attractive profit sharing component in the event the operation is profitable. Additional details on the MOA will be provided upon completion of the definitive agreement, which is expected in the near term. Appointment of Chief Financial Officer Further to the management changes announced in the press release of February 8th, 2016 Kombat Copper is pleased to announce the appointment of Heidi Gerry as Chief Financial Officer. Ms. Gerry is an accredited finance professional (CPA, CMA) with over fifteen years post designation experience in finance and accounting with controller/manager level experience in reporting, budgeting, forecasting and analysis within small to large-scale public organizations. Qualified Person F. W. Nielsen, P.Geo., a director of, and consultant to Kombat Copper, is a "qualified person" as such term is defined in National Instrument 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the technical information and data included in this press release. About Kombat Copper Kombat Copper is a publicly traded Canadian exploration and development company with its core operations focused on copper resources in Namibia, one of the world's most prospective copper regions, where it has substantial assets in place with significant upside. The Company holds an 80% interest in five mining licenses in the Otavi Mountainlands, an area of Namibia particularly known for its high-grade copper deposits. Within these licenses are three past-producing mines including the Company's flagship property, the past-producing Kombat Mine. The Kombat Mine's extensive infrastructure includes an 800 m production shaft which was opened in 2006, two additional recently-operational shafts, three ramp systems, extensive underground workings, mine buildings, a tailings facility, a mill and concentrator. The Kombat Mine opened in 1962 and historically produced 12.46 million tonnes of ore grading 2.62% copper over a period of 45 years. It is linked to vital existing infrastructure, including power, water, roads, and rail with close proximity to the port of Walvis Bay and to one of only five commercial-grade smelters in Africa located in Tsumeb, located 100 road kilometers away from Kombat. Cautionary Notes Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This news release may contain forward-looking statements. These statements include statements regarding the drill program, possible mineralization and deposits, the anticipated timeline regarding future exploration work, availability of results and production, the Company's expectations regarding mineral resources, the Company's expectations regarding entering into a definitive agreement for production of mineralization from the Kombat Mine and potential development work and the Company's plans for the Kombat Mine, including its dewatering and any financial impact. These statements are based on current expectations and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially because of factors discussed in the management discussion and analysis section of our interim and most recent annual financial statements or other reports and filings with the TSX Venture Exchange and applicable Canadian securities regulations. We do not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, except as required by applicable laws. Contacts: Kombat Copper Inc. Rob Hopkins Manager, Investor Relations +1 (416) 861-5899 info@kombatcopper.com www.kombatcopper.com CANBERA (dpa-AFX) - The Canadian dollar slipped against its major counterparts in European deals on Tuesday, erasing early gains, as oil rally faded after the meeting between OPEC member-states in Qatar agreed to freeze oil output, instead of production cuts. Saudi Arabia Oil Minister Ali Al-Naimi announced that the country has reached a deal to fix production at January levels, for which Saudi Arabia, Russia and Venezuela will cooperate. Al-Naimi added that the OPEC will consider more measures in coming months to correct the oil market. Risk-off mood also weighed, as shares in European banks retreated and a gauge of German economic sentiment fell steeply, rekindling worries over global growth. The loonie was firmer in Asian deals, amid higher oil prices and dovish comments from European Central Bank's President Mario Draghi. Pulling away from an early weekly high of 83.51 against the Japanese yen, the loonie edged down to 82.37. The loonie is seen finding support around the 81.00 zone. The loonie weakened to 1.5468 against the euro, after having advanced to near a 2-week high of 1.5305 at 3:45 am ET. If the loonie extends slide, it may find support around the 1.56 region. Survey data from the think tank ZEW showed that German investor confidence declined sharply in February to its lowest level in sixteen months, hurt by worries over the global economic slowdown and the falling oil price. The economic sentiment index dropped to 1 from 10.2 in January, falling for a second straight month, the Mannheim-based ZEW said. Economists had forecast a zero score. The loonie eased to 1.3821 against the greenback, following near a 2-week high of 1.3706 hit at 3:55 am ET. Further weakness may take the loonie to a support around the 1.40 mark. After rising to a 4-day high of 0.9829 against the aussie in pre-European trading, the loonie edged down to 0.9892. The next possible support for the loonie is seen around the 1.00 area. In the New York session, Canada existing home sales for January and manufacturing sales data for December and U.S. NAHB housing market index and Empire State manufacturing index, both for February, are slated for release. At 8:30 am ET, Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia President Patrick Harker is expected to speak on the economic outlook before the 2016 Economic Forecast panel sponsored by Lyons Companies and the University of Delaware Center for Economic Education & Entrepreneurship, in Newark. At 10:30 am ET, Minneapolis Federal Reserve Bank President Kashkari is scheduled to speak at Brookings Institution in Washington D.C. The German Federal Constitutional Court is due to announce a ruling regarding the constitutionality of the ECB's Outright Monetary Transactions policy (OMT) in Karlsruhe later in the day. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Kostenloser Wertpapierhandel auf Smartbroker.de SAINT HELIER (dpa-AFX) - While reporting its fourth-quarter financial results today, Baxalta Inc. (BXLT) said that due to its proposed merger agreement with Shire plc (SHPG, SHP.L) announced on January 11, 2016, going forward Baxalta will not be hosting an investor conference call to discuss financial results. Further, the company said it will not update its financial guidance for full-year 2016. Previously-issued guidance for Baxalta as a standalone entity is no longer applicable. In early January, Shire and Baxalta said that the boards of directors of both companies have reached an agreement for Shire to combine with Baxalta. Under the agreement, Baxalta shareholders will receive $18.00 in cash and 0.1482 Shire ADS per Baxalta share. The transaction, which is subject to customary closing conditions including regulatory approvals in several jurisdictions and approval by both Baxalta's and Shire's shareholders, is expected to close mid-2016. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. WESTBROOK, CT -- (Marketwired) -- 02/16/16 -- O'Brien Communications Group (OCG) has been selected by Marias Technology of Covington, Ohio, to refresh, re-stage, re-position, and promote the prominence of its brand and its service portfolio. A provider of software testing, project management, system implementations and integrations, hosting services, and more to the insurance industry, Marias helps manage its clients' technology, so its clients can manage their businesses. "We've reached a point in our maturity as an organization -- and in the maturation of our service offerings -- that made it necessary to mature and improve our positioning the market," said R. Christopher Haines, EVP and COO at Marias. "Given the depth of OCG's experience and the number of brands they've promoted successfully, they were an easy and obvious choice for us to make." Staffed by insurance experts with long histories in the industry, Marias understands, anticipates, and responds to the needs of the insurers it serves. By staying abreast of technology, Marias effectively tests systems, homegrown or vendor-provided, to ensure they're effectively functional, integrated, and compliant. And since Marias is able to test all or part of any system -- policy, claims, billing, agent and policyholder portals, mobile apps, rates, rules, validations, printing, overall usability, and more -- it reduces its clients' risk and exposure. "Chris Haines has become one of our biggest advocates," said Mark O'Brien, founder and Principal of OCG. "His integrity spoke to us from the start. And the faith he's placed in us makes us determined to earn that faith every day." About O'Brien Communications Group O'Brien Communications Group, LLC, is a business-to-business brand-management and marketing communication firm. OCG offers strategic consultation and planning services. OCG creates, packages, distributes, and measures the effectiveness of brands, messages, and marketing communication programs. OCG stands behind its work. For more information, please visit www.obriencg.com, e-mail info@obriencg.com, or call 860-944-9022. About Marias Technology Marias Technology, headquartered in Covington, Ohio, offers insurance technology services to small to mid-sized insurance companies. Services range from system testing and implementation, to system hosting and management services, as well as IT management on-demand. Marias also specializes in availability services such as cloud-based backup. For more information, please visit www.mariastechnology.com, email info@mariastechnology.com, or call 866-611-2212. Media contact: JoAnna Bennett 860-333-5009 Email Contact MONTREAL, QUEBEC and SARASOTA, FLORIDA -- (Marketwired) -- 02/16/16 -- February 16, 2016 - Intertape Polymer Group Inc. (TSX: ITP) ("IPG" or the "Company") announces today that it has decided to invest in the construction of a greenfield manufacturing facility to increase the Company's manufacturing capacity of water-activated tapes. Over the past few years, water-activated tapes have represented an area of significant growth for the Company. The Company currently produces water-activated tape at a manufacturing facility in Menasha, Wisconsin and has decided that this new facility will be constructed in the Southeastern United States in order to optimize service levels to its customers and supply chain logistics at both plants. The exact location of the new plant will be determined upon receipt of final approval of state and local credits and incentives offered. Capital expenditures for this new investment project are currently estimated to total approximately $44 to $49 million US dollars, and the project's after-tax internal rate of return is expected to exceed the Company's hurdle rate of 15%. Approximately $31 to $36 million of capital expenditures are expected to be incurred on this project in 2016. Approximately $4 million of equipment purchased in 2015 is being applied to this project. At this time, the Company is planning for the new manufacturing facility to be operational by the end of 2017. Total capital expenditures for 2016 for the Company are now expected to be approximately $55 to $65 million. "We are excited to make this strategic investment in additional capacity to enable us to meet the growing demand for water-activated tape. This project is in line with our strategy to leverage world class assets with a minimal environmental footprint to produce high-quality products in growing areas of our product portfolio. The new manufacturing facility should allow us to enhance our position in the market and better serve our customers," said Gregory Yull, President and Chief Executive Officer of IPG. About lntertape Polymer Group Intertape Polymer Group Inc. is a recognized leader in the development, manufacture and sale of a variety of paper and film based pressure sensitive and water activated tapes, polyethylene and specialized polyolefin films, woven coated fabrics and complementary packaging systems for industrial and retail use. Headquartered in Montreal, Quebec and Sarasota, Florida, IPG employs approximately 2,000 employees with operations in 17 locations, including 12 manufacturing facilities in North America and one in Europe. For information about IPG, visit www.itape.com Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements and information included in this presentation constitute "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (collectively, "forward-looking statements"), which are made in reliance upon the protections provided by such legislation for forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical facts included in this presentation, including statements regarding the increase in manufacturing capacity of water-activated tapes, the investment in a greenfield facility in the Southeastern United States, the optimization of service levels to customers and supply chain logistics at both plants, the amount and timing of total capital expenditures for this project, the expected after-tax internal rate of return for this project, the timing for the new manufacturing facility to be operational, the growing demand for water-activated tape, the enhancement of market position and the service to customers, the leveraging of world class assets, the minimal environmental footprint and the quality of the products may constitute forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on current beliefs, assumptions, expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections made by the Company's management. Words such as "may," "will," "should," "expect," "continue," "intend," "estimate," "anticipate," "plan," "foresee," "believe" or "seek" or the negatives of these terms or variations of them or similar terminology are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, these statements, by their nature, involve risks and uncertainties and are not guarantees of future performance. Such statements are also subject to assumptions concerning, among other things: business conditions and growth or declines in the Company's industry, the Company's customers' industries and the general economy; the quality, and market reception, of the Company's products; the Company's anticipated business strategies; risks and costs inherent in litigation; the Company's ability to maintain and improve quality and customer service; anticipated trends in the Company's business; anticipated cash flows from the Company's operations; availability of funds under the Company's Credit Facility; and the Company's ability to continue to control costs. The Company can give no assurance that these statements and expectations will prove to have been correct. Actual outcomes and results may, and often do, differ from what is expressed, implied or projected in such forward-looking statements, and such differences may be material. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statement. For additional information regarding some important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in these forward-looking statements and other risks and uncertainties, and the assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements, you are encouraged to read "Item 3. Key Information - Risk Factors," "Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects (Management's Discussion & Analysis)" and statements located elsewhere in the Company's Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2014 and the other statements and factors contained in the Company's filings with the Canadian securities regulators and the US Securities and Exchange Commission. Each of these forward-looking statements speaks only as of the date of this presentation. The Company will not update these statements unless applicable securities laws require it to do so. Contacts: MasonBrison Pierre Boucher +1 514 731-0000, #237 pierre@maisonbrison.com VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA -- (Marketwired) -- 02/16/16 -- Lara Exploration Ltd., ("Lara" or the "Company") (TSX VENTURE: LRA) is pleased to report that it has completed a preliminary review of the historical data, more recent exploration results, drill core and made field visits to the Azul Tin Project in Tocantins State, central Brazil. Based on this review, the Company has completed the second payment due under the terms of the Purchase Option Agreement (the "Agreement") signed with Best Metais e Soldas S.A. ("BEST"). Sixty-one diamond drill holes were completed by BEST in the early 1980's to test extensions of the tin mineralization exposed in the pits. The position of the older drill holes from the 1980's are mostly still marked with concrete posts that can be located in the field (and which have been surveyed into the database), but the cores are no longer in a usable state. However, as part of the Agreement with BEST, Lara has acquired the data and drill core from seven more recent check holes, completed in 2014, results of which are summarized in Table 2. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Table 2. DRILL RESULTS FROM 2014 PROGRAM ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- From To Width Tin Hole ID UTM-E UTM-N Az. Dip (m) (m) (m) % ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- TAD-001 765745 8546780 90 -60 22.32 25.12 2.80 0.88 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- including 22.32 23.12 0.80 1.94 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- TAD-002 765725 8546780 90 -60 29.60 33.30 3.70 1.33 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- TAD-003 765705 8546780 90 -60 38.00 45.04 7.04 0.47 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- TAD-004 765620 8546680 90 -60 73.40 74.10 0.70 1.03 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- TAD-005 765700 8546760 90 -60 45.70 47.30 1.60 3.84 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- TAD-006 765750 8546760 90 -70 17.70 24.50 6.80 1.09 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- and 29.50 31.50 2.00 0.37 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- TAD-007 765610 8546641 90 -64 No significant mineralization ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- (i) Intercept intervals are slightly oblique to foliation, so close to, but do not represent true thicknesses; (ii) Intercepts were calculated using weighted average grade/thickness, with a 0.1% tin grade minimum cut-off, a maximum 1.5m width of internal dilution and a 6% tin grade top-cut. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- The 2014 drilling program intercepted mineralization over similar widths and at similar grades as the original programs from the 1980's and greatly increases the confidence in the historical data. Lara's review of the project and the historical data has been very encouraging and clearly demonstrates the potential to outline tin mineralization of economic significance within the Azul Project. The Azul Tin Project comprises a 671-hectare Mining License; with the target geology metamorphosed granitic lithologies, exposed along a fold anticline structure that forms a north-south elongated body extending for 65km. The tin mineralisation identified to date lies on the western side of the granite and comprises quartz gneiss, rich in biotite, and carrying cassiterite (tin mineral) and sulphides (pyrite, pyrrhotite and chalcopyrite), that dip westwards at a shallow angle (approximately 30 degrees ) parallel to the host granite gneiss and pegmatite lithologies. Part of the fold anticline structure has been the subject of artisanal mining in the past. Most of the exploration work undertaken to date has been concentrated near two small pits, located approximately 200 metres apart. The South pit is the larger and is about 65m long in a north-south direction; the North pit is about 30m long, also along a north-south direction; both pits appear to be on the same structural trend. BEST Purchase Option Lara has now completed the first two payments due under the Agreement with BEST. Lara must still make further staged cash payments of US$40,000 by December 31, 2016; US$200,000 by December 31, 2017; and finally US$500,000 by December 31, 2018 to purchase the Azul Project. BEST thereafter remains entitled to a 2% net smelter return royalty on any production, but Lara can acquire this royalty at any time for a one-time cash payment of US$3 million. Quality Assurance and Quality Control Drill core samples from the 2014 program were analyzed for tin by X-Ray fluorescence after fusion. Certified Reference Materials (with low and high tin values) were inserted as standards, along with blanks, on a ratio of one per 20 samples. Duplicates were inserted into the analysis process on a ratio of one per 40 samples. The analyses were carried out at the Intertek do Brasil Inspecoes Ltda., in Cotia (Sao Paulo), with umpire samples analyzed at SGS Geosol Laboratorios Ltda., in Belo Horizonte (Minas Gerais). Qualified Person Michael Bennell, Lara's Vice President Exploration and a Fellow of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (AusIMM), is a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects and has approved the technical disclosure and verified the technical information in this news release. About Lara Lara is an exploration company following the Prospect Generator business model, which aims to minimize shareholder dilution and financial risk by generating prospects and then exploring them in joint ventures funded by partners. The Company currently holds a diverse portfolio of prospects and deposits in Brazil, Peru, Colombia and Chile. Lara's common shares trade on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol "LRA". Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Contacts: Lara Exploration Ltd. Chris MacIntyre VP Corporate Development +1 416 703 0010 www.laraexploration.com TORONTO, ONTARIO and NUCLA, COLORADO -- (Marketwired) -- 02/16/16 -- George Glasier, President & CEO of Western Uranium Corporation (CSE: WUC) ('Western' or the 'Company') is pleased to announce that the Board of Directors has appointed Patrick Siglin as Vice-President Development of Western Uranium Corporation. George Glasier, President & CEO of Western commented "Pat Siglin came to Western upon completion of the previously announced acquisition of Black Range Minerals Limited (Black Range). Pat, while at Black Range had primary responsibility for the development of the Ablation Technology, as well as oversight of the development of the Hansen/Taylor Uranium Deposit. Pat is a graduate of the University of Iowa with a degree in geology. Pat's knowledge and experience will be indispensable in bringing the Ablation Process into production at the Company's mines. Pat will also head up the Company's exploration program and work closely with Western's staff to move into production." As part of our cost reduction measures, Catherine Becket will be replaced as Corporate Secretary by Denis Frawley. Catherine was Corporate Secretary at the predecessor company Homeland Uranium Inc. and was integral in the transition of Homeland into Western Uranium. The Board thanks Catherine for her professionalism and diligence during the transition. The Board of Directors has decided to pursue an additional listing of Western stock in the United States. The Company has engaged a U.S. law firm to act as Special U.S. counsel and Principal American Liaison for an application for listing on the OTCQX. Western is also in the process of receiving a shipment of African uranium ore for testing to determine how the Ablation Process can improve the economics of this large fully-developed deposit in Africa. Western has been working with Black Range creditors in Australia and the United States and has sought accommodation in the payment of the outstanding Black Range payables until further funds are raised. Management hopes that Western will be able to finalize such a raise within the next 60 to 90 days. Western has arranged extension agreements on both a short-term loan and note payable until June 2016. The $250,000 short-term loan was entered into on October 1, 2015 and had an original due date of December 15, 2015 prior to being extended to June 16, 2016. The note payable was assumed in the purchase of mining assets on August 18, 2014 and its final payment of USD $250,180 was originally due on October 13, 2015 and had been extended to January 13, 2016 prior to its additional extension until June 13, 2016. Supplementary remuneration was added to both instruments as consideration for the respective lenders to extend due dates. Western is pleased with these arrangements because they allow the Company the time and flexibility to assess financial options with respect to the repayment of its debts and the debts of its recently acquired subsidiary, Black Range Minerals Limited. As previously announced, Western has entered into a supply contract with a top 5 US utility. The Company continues to work with additional US Utilities to add supply contracts. A trip to Europe has been scheduled for the beginning of March to continue efforts to raise funds from European Funds and investors. Management of Western continues to believe that momentum is building around the world for nuclear power to play a larger role in slowing climate change. Although many experts are predicting an improved uranium price in 2016, Western is positioning the Company to be profitable at current uranium prices. We believe any increase in the price of uranium or vanadium will impact margins positively. WESTERN URANIUM CORPORATION George Glasier, Director, President and CEO About Western Uranium Corporation Western Uranium Corporation is a Colorado-based uranium company focused on near production of uranium and vanadium in the Western United States. FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS AND CAUTIONARY NOTE This news release may contain forward-looking statements that are based on the Company's expectations, estimates and projections regarding its business and the economic environment in which it operates. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties that are difficult to control or predict. Therefore, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from those expressed in these forward-looking statements and readers should not place undue reliance on such statements. Statements speak only as of the date on which they are made. Contacts: George Glasier President and CEO 970-864-2125 gglasier@western-uranium.com Michael Skutezky Chairman of the Board 416-564-2870 mskutezky@western-uranium.com Release 13 narrowband LTE Cat M1/M2 compliant Baseband, RF, RAM, and power management all integrated in a single chip Ultra low power for maximum energy efficiency Programmable RF filtering enables easy design of single worldwide SKU LTE chipmaker Sequans Communications S.A. (NYSE:SQNS) today introduced Monarch, the industry's first LTE Cat M chip, compliant with the 3GPP Release 13 LTE Advanced Pro standard that defines new narrowband capabilities of LTE for machine-type-communications (LTE MTC). Monarch is designed and optimized to support the vast new range of low data use, ultra low-power, cost-sensitive, narrowband IoT applications such as smart energy meters, industrial IoT sensors, asset trackers, smart city controllers, and consumer wearables. Monarch is the newest member of Sequans' StreamliteLTE family of products for the Internet of Things. This Smart News Release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160216005554/en/ Monarch achieves an exceptionally high level of integration whereby baseband, RF, RAM, and power management are integrated in a single, tiny 6.5 x 8 mm FC-CSP package. Monarch supports both of the narrowband categories defined in the Release 13 standard: Cat M1, 1.4 MHz bandwidth; and Cat M2, 200 kHz bandwidth.1 Beyond the requirements of the standard, Monarch includes unique and powerful feature enhancements. These include: 1) a programmable RF filtering technology that enables the simple design of a single worldwide SKU that supports nearly any LTE band and enables global roaming; and 2) Sequans' exclusive low power technology, Dynamic Power Management (DPM), that dynamically adapts chip-level power profiles in real time based on traffic patterns and use cases, making possible 10-15 years2 of battery life in real-world IoT applications. "Monarch is the industry's first Cat M1/M2 chip and it is highly optimized to address the size, cost and power requirements of IoT applications," said Georges Karam, Sequans CEO. "We've innovated to minimize power consumption, reduce the bill-of-materials, and simplify implementation of a global-ready device to maximize Monarch's market reach. The release of Monarch extends Sequans' LTE for IoT leadership-proven last year with the introduction of our Cat 1 chipset, Calliope-and highlights Sequans' strong commitment to perfecting the use of LTE for IoT, now including an entire new class of narrowband devices." Monarch has already been accepted in the market by industry leaders including Verizon and Gemalto3 as the starting point for key LTE for IoT initiatives: Verizon has partnered with Sequans to accelerate LTE Cat M development, and Gemalto has extended its strategic partnership with Sequans to develop new Monarch-based Cat M module solutions for IoT applications. "We have already seen great interest in Monarch from our partners," said Karam. "With the support of these industry leaders, we will truly accelerate the market for LTE Cat M technology and enable the creation of massive numbers of new LTE for IoT devices. Looking at what we achieved with LTE Cat 1 technology, namely advancing from network and device trials to full commercial deployment in the space of one year, we are excited to achieve the same in Cat M and proud to introduce our first Cat M solution, Monarch." Monarch chip features Narrowband LTE UE categories M1 and M2 Compliant with 3GPP Release 13 (LTE Advanced Pro) for machine type communications (MTC) Single chip 6.5 x 8 mm FC-CSP package Integrated baseband, RF transceiver, memory, and power management Supports extended DRX and PSM network features for long sleep duration use cases Includes Sequans' proprietary Dynamic Power Management (DPM) technology for 10-15 years 2 of battery life of battery life Programmable RF filtering for global band support in a single-SKU design Optimized for half-duplex FDD (HD-FDD) operation; also supports full-duplex FDD and TDD Throughput: LTE UE category M1 (1.4 MHz bandwidth) up to 300 kbps DL/375 kbps UL in HD-FDD LTE UE category M2 (200 kHz bandwidth) up to 40 kbps DL/55 kbps UL in HD-FDD Supports wide variety of embedded and host operating systems Low power serial interfaces Sequans StreamliteLTE Product Family Sequans' StreamliteLTE product family now includes Monarch, Calliope and Colibri LTE chipset platforms, offering a cost-effective solution for virtually every IoT application. Sequans LTE Chipset Typical Data Rate Representative Applications Monarch: LTE Cat M1/M2 ~300 kbps DL, ~375 kbps UL (LTE Cat M1 in 1.4 MHz, HD-FDD); ~40 kbps DL, ~55 kbps UL (LTE Cat M2 in 200 kHz, HD-FDD) Utility meters, fitness bands, smart watches, healthcare monitors, asset trackers, industrial sensors, smart city controllers, home automation Calliope: LTE Cat 1 Up to 10 Mbps downlink, 5 Mbps uplink (LTE Cat 1, 20MHz FDD) Vehicle telematics, fleet tracking, video surveillance, digital signage, retail kiosks, ATMs, connected CE devices, alarm panels, POS terminals, asset trackers, healthcare devices, enterprise PDAs Colibri: LTE Cat 4 Up to 150 Mbps downlink, 50 Mbps uplink (LTE Cat 4, 20 MHz FDD) M2M routers, gateways, network bridges, IoT aggregators See Sequans at Mobile World Congress, Barcelona, Hall 7, stand I81, 22-25 February 2016. Notes to reporters: 1) Category M1 was formerly known as Category M; Category M2 was formerly known as NB-IoT 2) Battery life varies with message size, transmission frequency, uplink/downlink ratio, active/sleep mode duty cycle, network conditions, battery technology, and other factors. 3) See also: Verizon, Sequans announce LTE Cat M chipset acceleration for IoT; Sequans Partners with Gemalto on Narrowband LTE CAT M1 and CAT M2 Technology Forward Looking Statements About Sequans Communications Sequans Communications S.A. (NYSE:SQNS) is a 4G chipmaker and leading provider of single-mode LTE chipset solutions to wireless device manufacturers worldwide. Founded in 2003, Sequans has developed and delivered six generations of 4G technology and its chips are certified and shipping in 4G networks, both LTE and WiMAX, around the world. Today, Sequans offers two LTE product lines: StreamrichLTE, optimized for feature-rich mobile computing and home/portable router devices, and StreamliteLTE, optimized for M2M devices and other connected devices for the Internet of Things. Sequans is based in Paris, France with additional offices in the United States, United Kingdom, Israel, Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan, South Korea, and China. Visit Sequans online at www.sequans.com; www.facebook.com/sequans; www.twitter.com/sequans View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160216005554/en/ Contacts: Sequans Communications S.A. Media relations: Kimberly Tassin (USA), +1-425-736-0569 kimberly@sequans.com or Investor relations: Claudia Gatlin (USA), +1-212-830-9080 claudia@sequans.com Comentarios y reflexiones sobre la actualidad politica y economica de Espana y del mundo EL SEGUNDO, CA -- (Marketwired) -- 02/16/16 -- Prodege, LLC -- a leading Internet and media company -- today announced that Julie Schoenfeld, CEO of Strobe, Inc., and Maya Noeth, Vice President at Technology Crossover Ventures (TCV), have been elected to Prodege's Board of Directors. Consistently recognized as a best place to work in LA, Prodege's flagship product, online rewards platform Swagbucks, recently surpassed $120 million in gift cards and cash given to members. Schoenfeld is a veteran entrepreneur with a knack for assembling successful teams and improving customer experiences. Prior to Strobe, Inc. she served as CEO of Perfect Market, Inc., a digital publishing software company, acquired by Taboola in August 2014. As CEO, Schoenfeld provided major online publishers with improved advertising performance in both social and search by personalizing the user experience. Before Strobe Inc., Schoenfeld led the sale of Net Effect, Inc. to Ask for over $300M. Noeth is an experienced savvy technology investor with expertise in the Internet and mobile sectors. She has played a key role in TCV's investments in EA, Facebook, Netflix, Rent the Runway, VICE Media and more. Before joining TCV, Noeth served as interim CFO of Paperless Post. "These two talented women bring invaluable expertise and insights to the table. I've worked separately with Julie and Maya for many years and look forward to their passion and future board contribution in driving Prodege to new heights," said Chuck Davis, CEO & Chairman of the Prodege Board of Directors. Both Schoenfeld and Noeth are graduates of Harvard Business School. Schoenfeld also holds a B.S. in engineering from Tufts University. Schoenfeld is a member of the National Association of Women Business Owners Los Angeles Chapter. In 2012 the organization acknowledged her with the prestigious Innovator of the Year award and in 2015 she was included in Digital LA's Top 50 Digital Women List. Julie also serves as a judge for the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year program in Greater Los Angeles. Noeth holds an A.B. in Linguistics from Harvard College and began her career as an investment banker at Morgan Stanley in their Media & Communications group. They are welcomed to the Prodege Board of Directors by fellow members Jay Hoag (Founding General Partner, TCV), Josef Gorowitz (Founder, President and Director, Prodege) and Chuck Davis (CEO & Chairman, Prodege). ABOUT PRODEGE, LLC./SWAGBUCKS Prodege, LLC is a leading Internet and media company that operates multiple customer engagement brands that deliver content and rewards to millions of users. Prodege's flagship product Swagbucks is the web's most popular rewards program that gives users free gift cards and cash for the everyday things they already do online. Points are redeemable for gift cards to major retailers including Amazon and Walmart. Headquartered in El Segundo, California, Swagbucks has already paid out over $120 million in cash and gift cards. For more information please visit http://www.swagbucks.com. Media Contact Jade Mangahis jade@praytellagency.com 917.690.9595 Katja Gagen TCV kgagen@tcv.com 415.690.6689 WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Crude oil prices rallied Tuesday morning after four of the world's largest producers agreed to freeze production. Saudi Arabia, Russia, Qatar and Venezuela will keep output unchanged from January if Iran and Iraq agree to do the same. Crude oil prices collapsed to 13-year lows last week, but have stabilized above $30 on the news of this meeting in Doha. March WTI crude oil was up 60 cents at $30.25 a barrel in electronic dealing. The rally is unlikely to take oil near $35 until there are clear signs of sustained demand from China and Europe, two major consumers facing economic weakness. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. HYDERABAD, India, February 16, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Mordor Intelligence announces the publication of their report on Germany endoscopy devices market. The report titled "Germany Endoscopy Devices Market- Growth, Trends & Forecast (2015-2020)" discusses the market in detail, with an in-depth analysis different endoscopy procedures, equipment and major players in the industry. (Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150428/740799 ) The Germany endoscopy devices market, valued at USD 2.79 billion in 2015, is projected to reach a value of USD 3.81 billion by 2020. The Compounded Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) during the forecast period 2015-2020 is estimated to be 6.4%. Get the full report here: http://www.mordorintelligence.com/industry-reports/germany-endoscopy-devices-market For the purposes of this research study, the market is segmented based on: Type of device: capsule endoscope, flexible endoscope, rigid endoscope, robot assisted endoscope, surgical Endoscope and others Usage: irrigation/suction systems, access devices, wound protectors, insufflation devices and operative manual instruments Visualization equipment: endoscopic cameras including SD visualization systems and HD visualization systems Applications: colorectal surgery, ENT surgery, gastrointestinal surgery, gynecologic surgery, lung & respiratory care, urology, and weight loss Endoscopy devices are minimally invasive tools used by doctors or surgeons to examine the internal organs of the patient's body. Some of the endoscopic procedures include laparoscopy, gastrointestinal endoscopy, arthroscopy, gynecological endoscopy, urology endoscopy, bronchoscopy, laryngoscopy, etc. The laparoscopic segment is expected to account for the largest share of the Germany endoscopy equipment market, followed by gastrointestinal endoscopy. The major players in the Germany endoscopy devices market include Boston Scientific, Fujifilm Holding, Karl Storz GmbH, Olympus Corporation, Pentax Medical, Smith & Nephew and Stryker Corporation. Browse related reports here: http://www.mordorintelligence.com/report_search.php'search=Endoscopy+Devices About Mordor Intelligence: Mordor Intelligence is a global market research and consulting firm. Our singular focus is to provide research insights for business success. Our research team has expertise in diverse fields like Agriculture, Healthcare, ICT, Chemicals, Manufacturing, Logistics, Electronics and Automotive. However diverse the expertise maybe, everyone in our team shares one common trait - 'we love data and we love providing solutions to clients using that data'. Seeing your business flourish based on our solutions and strategy is what we love the most. For information regarding permissions and sales, please contact: info@mordorintelligence.com Media Contact: Madan Gopal AVP - Marketing & Strategy Email:madan@mordorintelligence.com Direct Line:+1 661-210- 4568 Website:http://www.mordorintelligence.com CALGARY, ALBERTA -- (Marketwired) -- 02/16/16 -- Petrus Resources Ltd. (TSX: PRQ) ("Petrus" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has entered into a letter of intent with an industry partner to swap developed and undeveloped land, production, and facilities interests in the Ferrier and Foothills areas of Alberta effective January 1, 2016 subject to customary closing conditions. Petrus will acquire approximately 400 Boe/d and an average of approximately 40% working interest in 8 sections of predominantly undeveloped land in its Ferrier core area. Petrus estimates that it will acquire approximately 15 gross / 6 net undeveloped liquids-rich Cardium horizontal drilling locations. Petrus will dispose of non-core assets of approximately 250 Boe/d, associated land, and a 19.56% WI in the Hanlan-Robb gas plant and will retain the ability to process its remaining production volumes at cost through the Hanlan-Robb facilities. Petrus is also pleased to announce that its Board of Directors has approved an interim capital budget for the first half of 2016 in the amount of $11 million which includes the drilling of up to 3 gross / 2.5 net Cardium horizontal wells in the Ferrier area. The budget also includes funds for facilities and gathering system acquisitions and enhancements to further improve operational efficiencies and lower operating expenses. The interim capital budget will be funded with a portion of the Company's operating cash flow. Excess free cash flow will be used to further reduce net debt. Kevin Adair, CEO commented, "Petrus is excited to continue to add lands and drilling locations in Ferrier where our new plant and gathering infrastructure give us a significant cost advantage. During the current challenging operating environment, it is important to work with industry partners to optimize underutilized assets to the benefit of both parties. With our recent financing completed, management is focused on measured organic development in Ferrier and continued evaluation of additional strategic acquisition opportunities." ABOUT PETRUS Petrus is a public Canadian oil and gas company focused on property exploitation and strategic acquisitions in Alberta. The Company has established a sustainable platform of low decline, low operating cost assets with a multi-year inventory of repeatable, low risk, economic drilling locations. Petrus has 45.3 million shares issued and outstanding. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements. More particularly, this press release contains forward-looking statements concerning the characteristics of the swapped assets, including production levels, working interest percentages and expected drilling locations, and matters pertaining to the interim 2016 budget, including expected operations, uses of funds, potential acquisitions, sources of funds for the interim 2016 budget and the expected use of excess cash flow to reduce debt. The forward-looking statements contained in this document are based on certain key expectations and assumptions made by Petrus. Although Petrus believes that the expectations and assumptions on which the forward-looking statements are based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements because Petrus cannot give any assurance that they will prove to be correct. Since forward-looking statements address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors and risks. These include, but are not limited to, risks associated with the oil and gas industry in general (e.g., operational risks in development, exploration and production; delays or changes in plans with respect to exploration or development projects or capital expenditures; the uncertainty of reserve estimates; the uncertainty of estimates and projections relating to production, costs and expenses; health, safety and environmental risks; commodity price and exchange rate fluctuations; and uncertainties resulting from potential delays or changes in plans with respect to exploration or development projects or capital expenditures). The forward-looking statements contained in this document are made as of the date hereof and Petrus undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements or information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless so required by applicable securities laws. BOE The term barrels of oil equivalent ("boe") may be misleading, particularly if used in isolation. A boe conversion ratio of six thousand cubic feet of natural gas to one boe (6 mcf/bbl) is based on an energy equivalency conversion method primarily applicable at the burner tip and does not represent a value equivalency at the wellhead. All boe conversions in this report are derived from converting gas to oil in the ratio of six thousand cubic feet of gas to one barrel of oil. Given that the value ratio based on the current price of crude oil as compared to natural gas is significantly different from the energy equivalency of 6:1, utilizing a conversion on a 6:1 basis may be misleading as an indication of value. The forward-looking statements contained in this document are made as of the date hereof and Petrus undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements or information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless so required by applicable securities laws. Contacts: Petrus Resources Ltd. Kevin Adair, P.Eng. President and CEO (403) 930-0888 kadair@petrusresources.com www.petrusresources.com VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA -- (Marketwired) -- 02/16/16 -- IDM Mining Ltd. (TSX VENTURE: IDM) ("IDM" or the "Company") reports that it has received its Section 11 Order for the Red Mountain Underground Gold Project (the "Project") from the British Columbia Environmental Assessment Office ("BC EAO"), setting out the scope, requirements, processes, and methods of the provincial environmental assessment ("EA"), as well as the public and Aboriginal consultation procedures. "Receipt of the Section 11 Order represents a significant permitting milestone for the Project," said Michael McPhie, Executive Chairman of IDM Mining. "The next major milestone will be the submission of Environmental Assessment Applications for review by the federal and provincial regulatory authorities later this year. We have been pleased with the continued co-operation and involvement of all stakeholders, including: the Nisga'a Lisims Government, the community of Stewart, and the provincial and federal government agencies, who will be involved in assessing the potential environmental effects of the Project. With their input and advice, the EA process is moving forward in an efficient and timely manner." The planned two year environmental baseline program in support of the EA process is nearing completion. Baseline studies conducted to date have included: surface and groundwater quality, hydrology, climate, geochemical studies, archeological assessments, geohazards assessments, fisheries and wildlife studies. Following the completion of our 2016 spring and early summer sampling and monitoring program, the baseline environmental studies will be sufficient to meet provincial and federal EA guidelines, and the data will be incorporated into the provincial and federal EA Applications. Project engineering studies, including tailings and water management design, are progressing in conjunction with the EA process, with an aim to publish a Feasibility Study by the end of 2016. Additionally, the Company is updating the Project's NI 43-101 Resource Estimate and Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA), which will include IDM's 2014 drilling and historic drill results from the 141 Zone; this area of mineralization runs parallel to the current resource zones. The revised PEA is targeted for release in the second quarter of 2016, and will also include updated project design and site layout concepts, a new economic model, and a detailed development timeline. ABOUT RED MOUNTAIN IDM Mining is currently earning an option to acquire a 100% interest in the 17,125 hectare Red Mountain property, located 18 kilometers northeast of Stewart, BC. Numerous gold and silver deposits and exploration prospects have been identified by IDM and previous operators over a 15 km by 4 km trend of strong alteration and mineralized prospects. Since discovery in 1989, in excess of $45 million has been spent on the Project including a production-sized underground ramp, extensive engineering and design studies and environmental assessment work. ABOUT IDM MINING LTD. IDM Mining Ltd. is a mineral exploration and development company based in Vancouver, BC, Canada. The Company's current exploration and development activities are focused on precious metals in British Columbia and Yukon with a primary focus on the high grade underground Red Mountain Project, which is currently engaged in the BC and Canadian environmental assessment processes. Further information can be found on the Company's website at www.IDMmining.com. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD of IDM Mining Ltd. Robert McLeod, President, CEO and Director "Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release." Forward-Looking Statements: Some statements in this news release contain forward-looking information or forward-looking statements for the purposes of applicable securities laws. These statements include, among others, statements with respect to the proposed exploration and development activities and their timing, resource estimates and potential mineralization, the PEA, including estimates of capital and sustaining costs, anticipated internal rates of return, mine production, estimated recoveries, mine life, estimated payback period and net present values, and other plans and objectives of IDM. These statements address future events and conditions and, as such, involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the statements. Such factors include, among others and in addition to those described elsewhere in this release, timing and success of future exploration and development activities, exploration and development risks, delays in obtaining or inability to obtain required government or other regulatory approvals, permits or financing, the risk of unexpected variations in mineral resources, grade or recovery rates, of failure of plant, equipment or processes to operate as anticipated, of accidents, labor disputes, and unanticipated delays in completing other development activities, the risk that estimated costs will be higher than anticipated and the risk that the proposed mine plan and recoveries will not be achieved, equipment breakdowns and bad weather, the timing and success of future exploration and development activities, exploration and development risks, mineral resources are not as estimated, title matters, third party consents, operating hazards, metal prices, political and economic factors, competitive factors and general economic conditions. In making the forward-looking statements, the Company has applied several material assumptions including, but not limited to, the assumptions that: required regulatory approval, permits and financing will be obtained; the proposed exploration and development will proceed as planned; with respect to mineral resource estimates, the key assumptions and parameters on which such estimates are based; that the proposed mine plan and recoveries will be achieved, that capital costs and sustaining costs will be as estimated, and that no unforeseen accident, fire, ground instability, flooding, labor disruption, equipment failure, metallurgical, environmental or other events that could delay or increase the cost of development will occur, and market fundamentals will result in sustained metals and minerals prices. The Company expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise except as otherwise required by applicable securities legislation. Contacts: IDM Mining Ltd. Robert McLeod 604-681-5672 direct 604-617-0616 cell rm@idmmining.com www.IDMmining.com News Highlights: Companies will create disruptive voice-control solutions, combining VocalZoom's Human to Machine Communication (HMC) sensor with Cobalt's speech recognition engine. Tests show near-perfect speech recognition in noisy environments as VocalZoom sensor translates facial vibrations into a clean, isolated voice source signal for the Cobalt speech recognition engine. The VocalZoom sensor delivers a nearly 60 percent performance improvement and connects directly to Cobalt's engine to give product developers the easiest path to deployment. VocalZoom will demonstrate its HMC optical sensor technology in the Intel Startup Pavilion (Hall 8, Stand 16) at the 4YFN (4 Years From Now) Connecting Startups conference during Mobile World Congress 2016. VocalZoom, a leading supplier of Human-to-Machine Communication (HMC) optical sensors that enable a more natural, personalized and secure voice-control experience, today announced that it will be collaborating with Cobalt Speech Language, Inc., to deliver a disruptive new, end-to-end solution for voice control in the connected car, head-mounted devices and access control applications. The two companies have signed an agreement to combine VocalZoom's optical HMC voice sensor technology with Cobalt's speech recognition engine, creating a comprehensive voice-control development platform for products that deliver near-perfect performance even in noisy environments with other people speaking in the background. "I've been working to advance the state of the art in speech recognition technology for more than two decades, and have achieved more performance improvements working with VocalZoom's HMC sensor in two months than would typically be seen in two years with conventional approaches," said Cobalt founder and chief executive officer Jeff Adams, who previously built and managed world-class speech and language software groups at Nuance, Yap and Amazon. "I believe we are now poised for unprecedented breakthroughs and a new realm of voice control product possibilities using this combined solution. It will open the next chapter in how we control our increasingly digital world." Traditional solutions use one, two or an array of acoustic microphones with noise reduction technology, but performance is generally unsatisfactory and the industry has struggled to achieve even single-digit percentage improvements. Today's systems can't provide clean enough, isolated speaker input that machines can understand. In contrast, products that incorporate VocalZoom's HMC optical sensor are able to acquire and measure facial vibrations during speech, and combine this additional data with the output from acoustic microphones to create an isolated, near-perfect reference signal regardless of noise levels. VocalZoom and Cobalt have conducted tests under noisy conditions that show an almost 60 percent improvement for Cobalt's speech recognition engine with the VocalZoom sensor, using the industry's most widely adopted architecture featuring an acoustic microphone and noise reduction technology. "We are pleased to be working with Cobalt and its team of industry leaders, who've been at the forefront of so many of today's speech recognition technology innovations," said Rammy Bahalul, vice president of sales and business development for VocalZoom. "Together, we have demonstrated how easy it is to combine the VocalZoom HMC sensor with Cobalt's speech recognition solution, which will give consumer electronics manufacturers, worldwide, a platform for significantly improving their current products with no changes required to their existing speech architecture or noise reduction algorithm." VocalZoom is working with Cobalt to create an easy-to-use product development platform with the HMC sensor and Cobalt's speech recognition engine so that developers can speed time to market for significantly better-performing products based on their existing voice-control system architectures and noise-reduction technology. Each company will be contributing proprietary products and technology for the jointly developed platform, which will be offered to mutual customers under their own sales and licensing agreements. VocalZoom at 4YFN During Mobile World Congress VocalZoom will be at the 4YFN (4 Years From Now) Connecting Startups conference during Mobile World Congress 2016, February 22-25, 2016, in Barcelona, Spain. The company will be demonstrating its HMC optical sensor technology in the Intel Startup Pavilion, Hall 8 at Fira Montjuic - 4YFN Stand 16. About VocalZoom VocalZoom supplies Human-to-Machine Communication (HMC) sensors for delivering a, natural, personalized and secure voice-controlled user experience in today's increasingly mobile and interconnected world. The sensors enable accurate and reliable voice control and biometrics authentication in any environment, regardless of noise. Applications including mobile secure payments, headsets and wearables, mobile phones, access control, smart home solutions, and hands-free automotive voice control. For more information, visit www.VocalZoom.com and follow the company on LinkedIn. About Cobalt Speech Language Cobalt Speech Language, Inc. is an independent, commercial software lab. The company's founders previously pioneered ground-breaking consumer speech recognition technology for Dragon, Nuance, Yap, and Amazon. Cobalt is recognized as a leader in developing custom speech recognition applications. For more information, visit http://www.cobaltspeech.com/. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160216005731/en/ Contacts: Magnet PR Group for VocalZoom Kelly Poffenberger, 714-553-9071 kellyp@magnetprgroup.com OTTAWA, ONTARIO -- (Marketwired) -- 02/16/16 -- Cornerstone Capital Resources Inc. ("Cornerstone" or "the Company") (TSX VENTURE: CGP)(FRANKFURT: GWN)(BERLIN: GWN)(OTCBB: CTNXF) announces the following project update for the Cascabel copper-gold porphyry joint venture exploration project in northern Ecuador, in which the Company has a 15% interest financed through to completion of a feasibility study. SolGold Plc is funding 100% of the exploration at Cascabel and is the operator of the project. HIGHLIGHTS: -- CSD-16-016 ("Hole 16") intersects significant visible copper mineralization from 568.1m, containing porphyry style "B" type stockwork veining forming greater than 5% of the rock volume -- Hole 16 at a current depth of 738.6m -- Hole 16 is planned to extend the Alpala Central deposit by 100m to the southeast All reported intervals referred to in this news release are core lengths. At present the true thicknesses of Hole 16 intersections are uncertain due to the early stage of drilling. Figures, photographs and tables referred to in this news release can be seen in PDF format by accessing the version of this release on the Company's website (www.cornerstoneresources.com) or by clicking on the link below: http://www.cornerstoneresources.com/i/pdf/NR16-02Figures.pdf. FURTHER INFORMATION: The Cascabel project is located in northern Ecuador, within the Eocene aged Andean Copper belt, the same metallogenic belt as some of the world's largest porphyry copper and gold deposits (Figure 1). CSD-16-016 ("Hole 16") commenced on January 25, 2016 from the same drill site as Holes 4 and 14, and is at a current depth of 738.6m. This hole is being drilled to the southwest (at an azimuth of 198 degrees) and a dip of -83 degrees, and is planned to extend the known extent of the Alpala Central deposit 100m to the southeast as well as to the northeast of the hole 12 intersection (Figure 2). Hole 16 initially intersected volcanic rocks with weak disseminated sulphide mineralization and veining from surface to 563.4m. The drillhole passed through a major NNW trending post-mineral fault zone from 563.4m to 568.1m, and entered into host rock containing porphyry style "B" type quartz magnetite and copper sulphide veining, typical of the Alpala porphyry mineralization, overprinted by later "C" type chalcopyrite veining, which combined form greater than 5% of the rock volume, diagnostic of the mineralized intrusive porphyry phases at Alpala. The mineralization encountered so far is typical of other holes drilled at Alpala. The presence of significant altered fracture zones along with visible networks of copper sulphide quartz and magnetite veining at relatively high levels, similar to that intersected at similar depth within Hole 12, is very encouraging. Solgold geologists believe this suggests that the porphyry system at depth could be very strong and fertile, similar to that intersected in Hole 12, which penetrated the high grade core of the Alpala deposit, returning an intersection of 576m @ 1.03% Cu, 1.19 g/t Au (1.75% CuEq) (see Cornerstone news release 15-23 dated October 20, 2015). The evolving Leapfrog 3D geological model at Alpala predicts that Hole 16 will intersect the prospective "D10" early phase diorite intrusion from around 880m down hole, and pass thereafter into the often higher grade "QD10" quartz-diorite intrusion from 1270m. The hole is projected to a total depth of approximately 1600 metres. Photographs of drill core examples from mineralization intersected in Hole 16 thus far are typical of mineralization previously encountered in the upper parts of the Alpala deposit (Figure 3). Significant portions of the Alpala system remain untested, and an aggressive drilling program is planned for 2016 in order to test these targets and also test the numerous targets being developed within the broader Cascabel concession area. The presence of these recent discoveries at surface, in conjunction with geophysical, geochemical and geological signatures of the inferred porphyry centres to date are highly encouraging and highlight the fertility and strength of the mineralizing systems present within the Cascabel cluster of porphyry copper gold targets. About Cascabel: SolGold Plc owns 85% of the equity of Exploraciones Novomining S.A. ("ENSA"), an Ecuadorean company that holds 100% of the Cascabel concession in northern Ecuador. Cornerstone owns the remaining 15% of ENSA, which also holds the rights to the La Encrucijada gold-silver project. SolGold is funding 100% of the exploration at Cascabel and is the operator of the project. Cornerstone's 15% interest is financed through completion of a feasibility study. Cascabel is located in north-western Ecuador in an under-explored northern section of the richly endowed Andean Copper Belt, 60 km northeast of the undeveloped inferred resource of 982 million tons at 0.89% Cu Junin copper project (0.4% Cu cut-off grade; Micon International Co. Ltd. Technical Report for Ascendant Exploration SA, August 20, 2004, pages 28 & 29). Mineralization identified at the Junin copper project is not necessarily indicative of the mineralization on the Cascabel Property. Qualified Person: Yvan Crepeau, MBA, P.Geo., Cornerstone's Vice President, Exploration and a qualified person in accordance with National Instrument 43-101, is responsible for supervising the exploration program at the Cascabel project for Cornerstone and has reviewed and approved the information contained in this news release. Logging, sampling and assaying Holes referred to in this release were or are being drilled using HTW, NTW, NQ and BQ core sizes (respectively 7.1, 5.6, 4.8 and 3.7 cm diameter). Geotechnical measurements such as core recovery, fracturing, rock quality designations (RQD's), specific density and photographic logging are performed systematically prior to assaying. The core is logged, magnetic susceptibility measured and key alteration minerals identified using an on-site portable spectrometer. Core is then sawed in half at the ENSA core logging facility, and half of the core is delivered by ENSA employees for preparation at ALS Minerals Laboratories (ALS) sample preparation facility in Quito. Core samples are prepared crushing to 70% passing 2 mm (10 mesh), splitting 250 g and pulverizing to 85% passing 75 microns (200 mesh) (ALS code CRU-31, SPL21 and PUL-32). Prepared samples are then shipped to ALS in Lima, Peru where samples are assayed for a multi-element suite (ALS code ME-ICP61, 1g split, 4-acid digestion, ICP-AES finish). Over limit results for Ag (greater than 100 g/t) and Cu, (greater than 1%) are systematically re-assayed (ALS code Ag-AA62, 4-acid digestion, AAS finish). Gold is assayed using a 30 g split, Fire Assay (FA) and AA finish (ALS code Au-AA23). Drill hole intercepts are calculated using a data aggregation method, defined by copper equivalent cut-off grades and reported with with up to 10m internal dilution, excluding bridging to a single sample. Copper equivalent grades are calculated using a gold conversion factor of 0.6, determined using copper price of US$3/pound and gold price of US$40/gram. Quality assurance / Quality control (QA/QC) The ALS Laboratory is a qualified assayer that performs and makes available internal assaying controls. Duplicates, certified blanks and standards are systematically used (1 control sample every 15-20 samples) as part of Cornerstone's QA/QC program. Rejects, a 100 g pulp for each core sample and the remaining half-core are stored for future use and controls. Plans: SolGold has announced it is planning a resource statement at Alpala, the most advanced target at Cascabel, during 2016, in addition to drill testing the other key targets at Aguinaga, Trivino, Tandayama America and Chinambicito in the Cascabel concession. By the end of 2016 SolGold has reported it is planning further metallurgical testing, and completion of early stage mine and plant design and a scoping study for an economic development at Cascabel. SolGold is investigating both high tonnage / low grade open cut and high grade / low tonnage underground developments as a block caving operation. About Cornerstone: Cornerstone Capital Resources Inc. is a mineral exploration company with a diversified portfolio of projects in Ecuador and Chile, and a proven ability to identify, acquire and advance properties of merit. The company's business model is based on generating exploration projects whose subsequent development is funded primarily through partnerships. Further information is available on Cornerstone's website: www.cornerstoneresources.com and on Twitter. Cautionary Notice: This news release may contain 'Forward-Looking Statements' that involve risks and uncertainties, such as statements of Cornerstone's plans, objectives, strategies, intentions and expectations. The words "potential," "anticipate," "forecast," "believe," "estimate," "expect," "may," "project," "plan," and similar expressions are intended to be among the statements that identify 'Forward-Looking Statements.' Although Cornerstone believes that its expectations reflected in these 'Forward-Looking Statements' are reasonable, such statements may involve unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors disclosed in our regulatory filings, viewed on the SEDAR website at www.sedar.com. For us, uncertainties arise from the behaviour of financial and metals markets, predicting natural geological phenomena and from numerous other matters of national, regional, and global scale, including those of an environmental, climatic, natural, political, economic, business, competitive, or regulatory nature. These uncertainties may cause our actual future results to be materially different than those expressed in our Forward-Looking Statements. Although Cornerstone believes the facts and information contained in this news release to be as correct and current as possible, Cornerstone does not warrant or make any representation as to the accuracy, validity or completeness of any facts or information contained herein and these statements should not be relied upon as representing its views subsequent to the date of this news release. While Cornerstone anticipates that subsequent events may cause its views to change, it expressly disclaims any obligation to update the Forward-Looking Statements contained herein except where outcomes have varied materially from the original statements. On Behalf of the Board, Brooke Macdonald, President and CEO Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Contacts: For investor, corporate or media inquiries Investor Relations 1-709-745-8377 or North America toll-free: 1 (877) 277-8377 ir@cornerstoneresources.ca www.cornerstoneresources.com Master Mind Communications Co., Ltd. Orn-anong ("Fah") Pattaravejkul Tel: +66-2-612-2081 #129 Mobile: +66-86-884-4458 E-mail: ornanong.p@mtmultimedia.com Website: www.mtmultimedia.com BANGKOK, Feb 16, 2016 - (ACN Newswire) - SET-listed motorcycle leasing firm Group Lease PCL ("GL"; SET:GL) has announced that it is expanding its business model to include its pioneering e-Finance system across ASEAN, to drive revenues and profits to even greater heights. GL posted record-high profits of THB192.9 million in the last quarter of 2015.Mitsuji Konoshita, GL Chairman and CEO, explains that the new business model builds around an efficient and low-cost e-Finance system developed by GL to serve the financing needs of the company's growing number of clients in the rural countryside of Cambodia, Laos, and other markets in ASEAN where GL is expanding.The system has worked successfully in Cambodia and, on top of traditional products like Honda motorcycles and Kubota agricultural machinery, it is now used as a financing platform for other products such as solar panels and consumer durables. It essentially facilitates the entire business process from loan-application evaluation to e-Payment of monthly installments by clients."This e-Finance system has been developed exclusively by us to serve our specific purpose. As a result, our operations are cost-effective, assets-light, easy and fast. The system puts us in a very advantageous position since other traditional finance companies or banks cannot compete with us," Mr. Konoshita said.In Cambodia, GL operates nearly 200 e-Finance PoS (Points of Sale) nationwide which serve the growing needs of villagers in the countryside, most of whom have no bank accounts or access to mainstream financing. These PoS link clients directly with GL's head office in Phnom Penh, without having to direct them through costly and cumbersome branch offices as done by other traditional finance houses.GL's operations in Laos, which kicked off in May last year, took only five months to reach the break-even point and contributed THB2.5 million to the group's consolidated net profits.Announcement of GL's new business model comes after the company reported record net profit of THB192.9 million (US$5.4 million) for Q4 2015, twice that of Q4 2014, comprising THB90 million (US$2.5 million) from Thailand, and THB102 million (US$3 million) from overseas operations, largely from Cambodia. For full FY 2015, GL recorded net profit of THB582.9 million (US$16 million) on revenue of THB2,884.7 million (US$81 million).Maintaining that this has been a major factor behind GL's current success, Mr. Konoshita said the new digital finance model will drive the group's revenues and profits to new heights in the years to come.Mr. Konoshita projected that the group's aggregate portfolio, which doubled from THB4.5 billion (US$126 million) in FY2014 to THB9.2 billion (US$258 million) in FY2015, will further double to THB18 billion (US$505 million) by the end of this year. He also forecast that 2016 net profit will top THB1 billion (US$28 million).GL management is particularly bullish on the Cambodian growth prospect. According to Mr. Tatsuya Konoshita, GL Executive Director and Chief Investment Officer, GL Finance (the group's wholly-owned subsidiary in Cambodia) provided leasing for 23,000 motorcycles last year, or less than 10% of the total 260,000 new motorcycles sold in the country. "So, there is still enormous growth potential," he said.Another prospective high-growth market is Indonesia where GL has registered a joint-venture company with its strategic partner J Trust Bank group since last December and is now waiting for a license from the Indonesian authorities before kick-starting the consumer-finance business. GL's management has been in Indonesia since the end of last year to do all the necessary preparations; the license is expected this quarter while operations can kick off in the second quarter.Maintaining Indonesia is a huge market ten times the size of Cambodia, Mr. Konoshita stated that GL hopes to launch with US$20-30 million sales in the first year, but full market potential for GL could top US$1 billion in the years ahead.*US$ conversions are approximative on the date of this release.About Group Lease PCLGroup Lease Public Company Limited was established on 6th May 1986 and listed on the Stock Exchange of Thailand in 2004 (SET:GL). In 2007, APF group has become major shareholder by holding around 65% of total shares. The company has expertise in hire-purchase of motorcycles as it has been in the motorcycle leasing business for over 20 years. The motorcycle brands for financing include Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki, Kawasaki.In 2012, GL announced a long-term business plan to become the leading finance company in the Southeast Asian region. In order to do so, the Company has acquired Group Lease Holdings Pte., Ltd. (GLH), a Singapore holding company, as a headquarters for its expansion plan in other countries. For more information, please visit www.grouplease.co.th.Source: Group Lease PCLContact:Copyright 2016 ACN Newswire . All rights reserved. Who: Finland is taking the lead in 5G and launches '5G Test Network Finland' at Mobile World Congress 2016. Join Anne Berner, Minister of Transport and Communications of Finland, to hear about the unique innovation ecosystem paving the way for the future. The launch includes a panel discussion with the topic "5G: Enabling digital business in 2020?" with representatives from both public and private sectors. What: The 5G Test Network Finland unites global telecommunications vendors, SMEs, network operators, public authorities, universities and research institutes to develop the digitalized future together. The goal of this initiative is not only research but also to ensure cross industry usability of 5G as well as explore new business models and opportunities created through this new technology. The joint effort is open for foreign companies and provides a perfect test bed to develop solutions and services, related to for example IoT, health technology and smart vehicles, before making them commercially available. When: Tuesday, Feb 23, 2016, 11.00 am-12.00 pm CET Where: Finland Pavilion, Stand #1E04, Hall 1 Additional Speakers: Anne Berner, Minister of Transport and Communications of Finland Pertti Lukander, Head of Industry Engagement, Nokia Jukka Paananen, Senior Vice President, BaseN Pekka Sivonen, Director, Digitalisation, TEKES More information about 5G Test Network Finland: www.5gtnf.fi Follow us on Twitter @Finprory and visit www.mwc16.fi for news and updates of the Finnish Pavilion throughout the event. About Finpro: Hosting the Finland Pavilion at MWC16, Finpro helps Finnish SMEs go international, encourages foreign direct investment in Finland and promotes travel to Finland. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160216006057/en/ Contacts: Finpro Teija Rasanen Marketing Specialist Mob: +350 50 469 9695 Email: teija.rasanen@finpro.fi the journey to unveiling all my innermost longings and passions of quest , thoughts and reflections on the full depth of life and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ who is the true knowledge of God! - John 17 : 3 GUELPH, ON -- (Marketwired) -- 02/16/16 -- Eco-Shift Power Corp. (OTC PINK: ECOP), a global producer of advanced LED lighting products, today announced it has signed a distribution agreement with Sprocket International, a leading global LED lighting distributor. Under the terms of the Agreement, Sprocket will provide Eco-Shift exclusive access to its world class clientele by designating the Company as its sole provider of LED lighting products and components. The Santa Monica, CA-based Sprocket team has a proven sales track record with about $75 million in annualized LED sales globally. With 15 years' experience distributing both commercial and residential lighting products worldwide, the Sprocket team is well positioned within the lighting industry. A partial list of their current or prior clients includes: Major hotels, such as The Peninsula, Hilton and Marriott Major facility management companies, including Fastenal (2,800 locations) and Rexel Big box retailers, such as Sears, Bed Bath & Beyond, Target, Costco, and Walmart Theme parks, such as Disneyland Tokyo Industry e-commerce companies, including the top-ten online electrical resellers Casinos, such as Harrah's, Caesars Palace, Golden Nugget and Wynn Entertainment industry, including CBS game shows Wheel of Fortune, Jeopardy and Price is Right. The Company expects its Sprocket driven sales will begin to ramp up substantially beginning in the second quarter, 2016. Sprocket will represent Eco-Shift's new 2016 catalogs with its clients, along with Eco-Shift's international distributors and/or resellers being brought on in Europe, Australasia, Latin America, South Africa and the Middle East. This strategy reflects Eco-Shift's collaborative, win-win management style that further distinguishes the Company as the up and coming industry leader. Accordingly, Eco-Shift in 2016 expects to sign and announce several other distribution agreements in specific vertical or geographic markets to ensure thorough market penetration worldwide. "Sprocket and their highly regarded team of experts are known as the go-to source for leading edge certified LED lighting products," said Eco-Shift Chief Executive Officer, Alistair Haughton. "We're excited to be doing business with Sprocket, and we anticipate a highly successful partnership with orders already in process for Q2-16 fulfillment." Commenting on the Agreement, Sprocket Vice President Jordan Barnette said, "Sprocket is synonymous with the industry's top quality LED lighting. We trust Eco-Shift Power to provide the unrivalled quality and reliability our clients have come to expect. "We found the Eco-Shift emphasis on quality extends throughout its entire product offering ranging from the LED lamps, lenses, diodes and drivers on down to the high quality housing materials, connectors, wiring and solder used on the boards," Mr. Barnette added. "This commitment to the highest quality, even on the smallest not visible parts, makes Eco-Shift the standout manufacturer and our logical choice. "Eco-Shift delivers the range and quality of products our clients value -- at the large volumes we require -- backed by the industry's best warranties." About Eco-Shift Power Corp. Headquartered in Guelph, Ontario, with affiliate and distributor offices strategically located in key markets California, Florida, Auckland NZ, and Scotland, Eco-Shift Power Corp. is a contract manufacturer of advanced, high-efficiency lighting products and components designed for state-of-the-art energy management systems and cloud-based software platforms. It has strong relationships with a growing worldwide customer base composed primarily of major OEM/ODM lighting designers and distributors. Please visit us at www.eco-shiftpower.com Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains "forward-looking statements." Such statements may be preceded by the words "intends," "may," "will," "plans," "expects," "anticipates," "projects," "predicts," "estimates," "aims," "believes," "hopes," "potential" or similar words. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, are based on certain assumptions and are subject to various known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond Eco-Shift's control, and cannot be predicted or quantified and consequently, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, risks and uncertainties associated with (i) the highly competitive nature of lighting industry sales and distribution, (ii) development and protection of our key OEM/ODM and distribution partnerships, (iii) unexpected industry technological development. More detailed information about Eco-Shift and the risk factors that may affect the realization of forward looking statements is set forth in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Investors are urged to read these documents free of charge on the SEC's web site at www.sec.gov. Eco-Shift assumes no obligation to publicly update or revise its forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. ECO-Shift Company Contact: sales@eco-shiftpower.com contact@eco-shiftpower.com +1(844) 779-7900 (toll free) Eco-Shift Power Corp. 53 Speedvale Avenue Guelph, ON N1H 1J6 Canada Sprocket International Contact: Jbarnette@sprocketintl.com Jordan Barnette +1 (276) 870-7493 Sprocket International Santa Monica, California, 90403 USA CORONA, CA--(Marketwired - February 16, 2016) - Today Acology Inc. (OTC PINK: ACOL) announced that progress has been made placing its signature product, The MedTainer', in medical facilities and hospitals in South Asia markets. The Government of the Philippines has expressed an interest in making The MedTainer an integral part of nation-wide programs focusing on its growing palliative-care industries. Acology management has focused a great deal of attention and resources in the past 12 months on introducing The MedTainer in global markets and targeting medical services industries in particular. The ability of The MedTainer to effectively grind pills and herbal supplements and the additional benefit of being a cost-effective, clean and safe method of increasing medication control for aging populations, has begun to gather increased attention from medical professionals and administrators throughout the region. Presentations, emphasizing licensing and implementation, will take place in Manila next month. In other news, Acology has successfully stopped several manufacturers based in China from selling counterfeit products in this and other countries. Having established a pattern of stringent surveillance and vigorous defense of its patented and trademarked products, Acology has barred sales with the cooperation of website giants Ali Baba, Made-In-China and DHGate.com. Safe Harbor Statement This press release includes statements that are covered by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Because such statements deal with future events they are subject to risks and uncertainties and actual results for fiscal year 201 and beyond could differ materially from the company's current expectations. Forward-looking statements are identified by such words as "anticipates", "projects", "expects", "planned", "intends" and "believes" "estimate" "targets" and other similar expressions that indicate trends and future events. It is understood that investment entails risk on the part of the investor and could result in the loss of some or all of his or her investment. Acology Inc. and D&C Distributors are located in their production and distribution facility at 1620 Commerce St. Corona, California, 92880. Acology trades on the OTC under the call letters ACOL. The company's email is www.Acologyinc.com. Please send inquiries to info@acologyinc.com or call (844) ACOLOGY (844-226-5649) Contact: Acology Inc. info@acologyinc.com NEW WATERFORD, NOVA SCOTIA -- (Marketwired) -- 02/16/16 -- Health Outcomes Worldwide (HOW), one of Canada's top e-health software solution providers, will continue to lead the way in revolutionary patient care, as it builds on a banner year of growth in 2015. Health Outcomes Worldwide helps to empower healthcare organizations, doctors, and nurses to allow patients to heal more quickly while significantly reducing costs. The company's award-winning software, how2trak, gives healthcare providers real-time, evidence-based direction on best practice wound care. HOW has the largest wound-care database in Canada and with the development of the Intelligent Practice Assistant (IPA), a groundbreaking technology, which allows users to respond with embedded evidence-based cues and reminders to ensure patient care follows the Gold Standard of best practice and solidifying the companies leading position in the global market. HOW raised $1.5 million in venture-capital funding in 2015, and won a five-year contract to implement how2trak in 10 long-term care facilities. Now employing twelve full time staff, the company also finalized a partnership with Think Research, the number one provider of expert clinical content in Canada, allowing HOW to integrate how2trak into existing electronic health records. In 2015, HOW signed contracts with several other partners across Canada and the United Kingdom. HOW also began a pilot project with the VON in the Cape Breton-Antigonish region to provide home-care patients with best-practice wound care solutions. Working partnerships were also forged with technology sector leaders; Calgary Scientific and SLYCE Inc. Corrine McIsaac, founder and CEO of HOW, was the proud recipient of several professional awards in 2015, including: top 50 CEOs of Atlantic Canada, Discovery Awards Innovation Award, and the Pinnacle Award at the Women in Business Awards. "I am incredibly proud of the accomplishments the HOW team has made in the past year and I feel we are well positioned to continue this momentum throughout 2016. HOW is leading the way in healthcare software solutions and as a result, we are helping patients to heal more quickly while helping doctors and nurses do their jobs more efficiently," said McIsaac. For more information, visit www.healthoutcomesww.com. Contacts: For further information or interviews, please contact: Monica Brewer Manager of Customer Solutions & Business Implementation 902.577.5730 monica.brewer@healthoutcomesww.com www.healthoutcomesww.com TORONTO, ONTARIO -- (Marketwired) -- 02/16/16 -- Nutritional High International Inc. (the "Company" or "Nutritional High") (CSE: EAT)(OTCQB: SPLIF) is pleased to announce that it has entered into a joint-venture agreement ("JV Agreement") with an Illinois grower for its Illinois dispensary project and has commenced renovations at its property in Lawrenceville, Illinois. It has also been granted conditional approval ("Conditional Approval") to register its dispensary by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation ("IDFPR"). The investor group owns a cannabis cultivation and extraction facility in Southern Illinois that is licensed with the Illinois Department of Agriculture ("IDOA"). This facility was amongst the first to commence commercial cultivation and processing of cannabis products under the Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Pilot Program Act (Illinois) ("CUMCPPA"). The facility is located near Albion, IL, which is approximately 40 miles from Lawrenceville, IL. David Posner, CEO of Nutritional High commented - "We are very pleased to be advancing our medical cannabis business in Illinois with such strong local partners. While the Illinois market for medical cannabis is still in its infancy, our property is favorably situated as it will be the only medical cannabis dispensary within a 100 mile radius. As the industry gains legitimacy and support in Illinois, we expect that the qualifying medical conditions will be expanded, thereby further enhancing our dispensary's long-term value proposition." Terms of the Joint-Venture The terms of the JV Agreement contemplate that a group of investors shall fund up to USD $300,000 of the expenses necessary to complete the establishment of the Company's medical cannabis dispensary in Lawrenceville, IL ("Dispensary") to the satisfaction of IDFPR and provide first four months of working capital. This investor group is providing a guarantee for half the seller's mortgage, which should cover all build-out and start-up costs. The investor's relationships in the community should also help accelerate growth of the Dispensary. In exchange for its contribution, the investor group shall receive for an undivided 50% interest in NH Medicinal Dispensaries Inc. ("NHMD"), the Company's wholly owned subsidiary which holds the Conditional Approval for the Dispensary and an undivided 50% interest in Small's Mill Holdings Inc. ("SMHI"), the Company's wholly owned subsidiary which holds the Company's interest in the real estate property located in Lawrenceville, IL where the Dispensary will operate once approved. The JV Agreement is subject to a final agreement that would be subject to all requisite regulatory approvals from the relevant government authorities which include, without limitation, IDFPR and the IDOA. The investor group has made initial advances to the Company and will fund build-out efforts while the Company seeks any necessary further approvals. Grant of Conditional Approval by IDFPR and Operations Update The Company is pleased to announce that NHMD has been advised by the IDFPR that it has been awarded a Conditional Approval to register the Dispensary under the CUMCPPA. The Conditional Approval sets out the requirements that the NHMD must fulfill prior to IDFPR approving the registration of the dispensary, which includes (without limitation): completing the renovations and passing the final inspection to the satisfaction of IDFPR. After completing the registration, the dispensary will register its principal officers, agents-in-charge and agents, upon completion of which it is expected that NHMD will be granted a final license to operate the dispensary. According to ArcView Market Research, the medical cannabis industry in Illinois is estimated to reach approximately $15.6 million in 2016. It is estimated that approximately 4,400 qualified patients have received permits to purchase cannabis products under the currently-approved conditions, and this figure is expected to increase exponentially as the program develops and additional permitted medical conditions are added to the program. Nutritional High is looking to benefit from this expected growth in furtherance of its singular goal of continuing to add value for shareholders. Nutritional High endeavors to become one of the premier suppliers of industry-leading medical cannabis products in Illinois, with a view of serving the majority of the patients in the southern part of the state. About Nutritional High International Inc. Nutritional High is focused on developing, manufacturing and distributing products and nationally recognized brands in the hemp and marijuana-infused products industries, including edibles and oil extracts for nutritional, medical and adult recreational use. The Company works exclusively through licensed facilities in jurisdictions where such activity is permitted and regulated by state law. For updates on the Company's activities and highlights of the Company's press releases and other media coverage, please follow Nutritional High on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Google+. NEITHER THE CANADIAN SECURITIES EXCHANGE NOR OTC MARKETS GROUP INC, NOR ITS REGULATIONS SERVICES PROVIDER HAVE REVIEWED OR ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE. This news release may contain forward-looking statements and information based on current expectations. These statements should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results. Such statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those implied by such statements. Such statements include submission of the relevant documentation within the required timeframe and to the satisfaction of the relevant regulators, completing the acquisition of the applicable real estate and raising sufficient financing to complete the Company's business strategy. There is no certainty that any of these events will occur. Although such statements are based on management's reasonable assumptions, there can be no assurance that such assumptions will prove to be correct. We assume no responsibility to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances. Company's securities have not been registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act"), or applicable state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold to, or for the account or benefit of, persons in the United States or "U.S. Persons", as such term is defined in Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act, absent registration or an applicable exemption from such registration requirements. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the securities in the United States or any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. Additionally, there are known and unknown risk factors which could cause the Company's actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information contained herein. All forward-looking information herein is qualified in its entirety by this cautionary statement, and the Company disclaims any obligation to revise or update any such forward-looking information or to publicly announce the result of any revisions to any of the forward-looking information contained herein to reflect future results, events or developments, except as required by law. Contacts: Transcend Capital Inc. Etienne Moshevich Investor Relations 604-681-0084 et@transcendcapitalinc.com Nutritional High International Inc. David Posner CEO 647-985-6727 dposner@nutritionalhigh.com TOLEDO, OH -- (Marketwired) -- 02/16/16 -- To meet the growing demand for pizza in the Dallas/Fort Worth region, Marco's Pizza franchise is seeking to partner with entrepreneurs who want a slice of the action. The demand for pizza in the Dallas/Fort Worth region is growing, and so is the population. Dallas/Fort Worth added more new residents than almost anywhere else in the U.S., according to the latest population estimates. The Dallas/Fort Worth region is also business-friendly. In 2015, Dallas was named the No. 1 most pro-business city in the U.S. by Marketwatch and the second-best U.S. city for small business by Thumbtack -- making it an excellent region for opening a Marco's Pizza franchise. Marco's has aggressive growth plans for Texas, looking to open 45 additional locations in the Lone Star State over the next four years under the leadership of Justin Tarrant and Robert Pina, both Area Representatives and multi-unit franchisees with a collective 10 years of Marco's Pizza experience. The newest Lone Star State location is scheduled to open in Coppell, Texas, in January 2016. "We are still at the ground floor of our development in the Lone Star State, making it an exciting expansion region for us," said Cameron Cummins, Chief Development Officer at Marco's Pizza. Once customers try Marco's Pizza's Ah!thentic Italian-style pizza -- fresh-made with delectable cheeses, meats and vegetables -- they're hooked. Marco's has prime locations available in Dallas/Fort Worth for entrepreneurs to start building their franchise restaurants and loyal customer base. "Our franchisees come from a remarkably wide variety of backgrounds. But there's a common thread among our franchisees -- passion for the Marco's product. Almost half of them were Marco's consumers first. They fell in love with our product," Cummins said. Marco's prides itself in making the best pizza money can buy. Pizzas are hand-made in the Italian tradition. They use fresh, never-frozen cheeses, make the dough in stores daily and top it with only premium meats and vegetables. Founded in Toledo in 1978, Marco's is the only Top 20 pizza chain started by a native Italian. Marco's has enjoyed stunning growth in recent years and is on pace to open 1,000 restaurants by the end of 2017. The brand's proven business model and sustainable growth have been heralded by the likes of Forbes, Consumer Reports, Entrepreneur, Franchise Times and Nation's Restaurant News. Why Dallas/Fort Worth? Why now? Not only is the Dallas/Fort Worth economy and general population booming, the region also is home to several colleges and universities, as well as Fortune 500 companies -- such as American Airlines and AT&T. Busy business travelers and tourists visiting the Dallas/Fort Worth area, not to mention area residents, want dining options, making it an ideal location for Marco's Pizza. The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently published a study on American eating habits that found on any given day, 13% of the entire U.S. population is eating pizza. With the combined metro population of Dallas/Fort Worth at more than 6.5 million, that works out to about 845,000 people feasting on pizza daily, and Marco's is ready to grab a big slice of that market. Competitors have oversaturated their markets, but Marco's Pizza still has prime locations for franchisees to set up shop -- Dallas/Fort Worth is one of them. Marco's Pizza growth outpaces pizza industry Marco's Pizza has the fastest-growing unit growth, according to Nation's Restaurant News, who named the beloved pizza franchise as part of its Second 100 List -- an analysis of businesses that are smaller but are focusing on growing around the nation. The publication states that while the pizza industry is mature and growth is limited, Marco's Pizza is the exception. Not only is Marco's growing faster than other pizza franchises, currently on pace to open its 1,000th location in early 2017, Marco's Pizza sales growth also is higher than any other pizza franchise. The publication reports that Marco's Pizza sales growth is tops for system-wide sales in the Second 100 pizza segment. Marco's Pizza franchise seeks friendly, passionate entrepreneurs in the Dallas/Fort Worth region Marco's Pizza is seeking quality franchisees who are committed to making their franchises places where customers want to buy fresh, delectable pizza -- welcoming, friendly individuals who remember customers' names and are passionate about the Marco's product. The investment required to start a Marco's Pizza franchise is typically about $350,000. The pizza franchise is looking for people who have a net worth of $150,000 and a minimum liquidity of $100,000. Previous restaurant experience is not necessary to open a Marco's Pizza. The company's team of veteran pizza executives has experience growing brands and is always ready to help franchisees throughout their careers. At a six-week training at Marco's University, franchisees learn how to make the perfect pizza in the company's state-of-the-art kitchen. In addition to learning about the product and how it is made, the company helps franchisees learn to manage the business side of the franchise. Franchisees learn how to train staff, manage finances and study market analysis, as well as learn the insurance requirements, leasing issues and marketing savvy needed to be successful. To learn more, visit www.marcosfranchising.com. Embedded Video Available Image Available: http://www2.marketwire.com/mw/frame_mw?attachid=2960369 Image Available: http://www2.marketwire.com/mw/frame_mw?attachid=2960371 Embedded Video Available: http://www2.marketwire.com/mw/frame_mw?attachid=2960374 Contact Cameron Cummins Chief Development Officer ccummins@marcos.com OMAHA, NE--(Marketwired - February 16, 2016) - California is home to three of the top 10 foodie cities in the United States, according to a new study by Infogroup. By measuring six indicators from their business and consumer database Infogroup has identified where the country's biggest foodies live. After defining a foodie city using consumer preferences and business frequency for eating in and dining out, Infogroup used its verified business database of more than 17 million records and consumer database of more than 235 million individual records to identify the cities with the highest "foodie score." "Eating in" indicators included three factors. The first one is a TargetReady Model pinpointing a consumer preference of cooking for fun model (measured from responses to an external consumer survey). The second factor is identifying high-end, specialty, and organic grocers per 10,000 residents. Finally, the third factor is measuring the percentage of grocers that are high-end, specialty and organic. Although seemingly similar, Infogroup made the distinction between the second and third indicators to account for cities that have an unusually high number of grocery stores. "Dining out" indicators included a Model demonstrating consumers' propensity to eat at fine dining restaurants as opposed to fast food or family dining chains (measured from responses to an external consumer survey), single location restaurants per 10,000 residents, and percentage of restaurants that are single location. After compiling these factors, Infogroup ranked the following as the top 10 foodie cities in the U.S.: 1. San Francisco, CA 2. Santa Cruz, CA 2. Bridgeport, CT (Tied with Santa Cruz, CA) 4. Barnstable, MA 5. Ocean City, NJ 6. Boulder, CO 7. Santa Fe, NM 8. Trenton, NJ 9. New York City, NY 10. Santa Rosa, CA Tourists from across the country travel to San Francisco to go on dedicated local restaurant tours. A strong showing in the top five for both measures of grocers and a top 10 finish in the Dining Propensity Model pushed the city over the top as the nation's Top Foodie City. This is further demonstrated in the TargetReady Models, which show a high consumer preference for specialty organic stores. "We are continually interested in identifying and analyzing the most valuable business and consumer trends, which led us to the question, 'Where do foodies live?'" said Mike Iaccarino, chairman and CEO of Infogroup. "Our hope is that not only will people consider this information as they're deciding where to live, but also that restaurant and businesses owners will consider this information as a trusted source when planning their next opening." To get a better idea of what a foodie city looks like, Infogroup investigated the most positively related business occupations to high "foodie scores." The top five positive correlations were yoga instructors, real estate management, graphic designers, architects, and website design service. Infogroup also analyzed other consumer attitudes and behaviors that may be related to foodies, along with the TargetReady Cook for Fun Model. Top TargetReady Models include foreign travel for vacation, frequent business travelers, heavy Internet buyers, online investment trading, and higher educations. This indicates foodie cities are comprised in large part by young and wealthy residents. "Using our verified business and consumer database, our team did a deep analysis of our definition of a foodie and honed in on the unique characteristics that make up a foodie city," furthered Matt Graves, Chief Data Officer at Infogroup. "We compared millions of data points across hundreds of categories to identify where people live that love to cook, value specialty and organic groceries, and enjoy eating out at high-end, locally-owned restaurants." To read more about Infogroup's Top 10 U.S. Foodie Cities data study, click here. About Infogroup Infogroup is a marketing services and analytics provider that delivers best in class data-driven customer-centric technology solutions. Our data and software-as-a-service (DaaS & SaaS) offerings help clients of all sizes, from small companies to FORTUNE 100' enterprises, increase their sales and customer loyalty. Infogroup provides both digital and traditional marketing channel expertise that is enhanced by access to our proprietary data on 245 million individuals and 25 million businesses, which is distributed real-time to our clients. For more information on Infogroup's marketing and data solutions, visit www.infogroup.com. Image Available: http://www.marketwire.com/library/MwGo/2016/2/15/11G082918/Images/Foodie_Study-a1b32a830f2b89e79d7d0d54c4af1fec.jpg Media Contacts Rachel Gulden Walker Sands Communications 312-267-0530 rachel.gulden@walkersands.com Malti Shukla Infogroup (402) 836-5290 Malti.Shukla@infogroup.com OAKVILLE, ONTARIO -- (Marketwired) -- 02/16/16 -- Saint Jean Carbon Inc. ("Saint Jean" or the "Company") (TSX VENTURE: SJL), a carbon science company engaged in the development of natural graphite properties and related carbon products, is pleased to announce announce that the Company has entered into two Letters of Intent (LOI) to acquire two past producing hydrothermal lump/vein graphite mines. The first mine is known as the Diamond Graphite Mine and the second is known as the Bell Graphite mine, both located in South Western Quebec. The Diamond hydrothermal lump/vein graphite mine consists of 31 claims that were in production from 1907 through to 1920. The mill at that time ran two shifts and processed 100 tons per day of mineralized material, netting about 8 tons of concentrate per day. The Bell hydrothermal lump/vein graphite mine consists of 13 claims. Historically the mine produced about 6,700 tons of graphite between 1906 and 1912. Exploration drilling was performed in the early 1950s which defined the downward extension of Bell Mine graphite deposit. Paul Ogilvie, CEO, commented: "We are pleased to add the Diamond and Bell hydrothermal lump graphite properties to our growing list of graphite holdings. We believe that in the future as electric cars, home energy storage and graphene applications evolve, the need for significant quantities of the highest quality graphite will grow in demand". Both transactions are subject to TSX approval. On closing the Company will issue 1,500,000 shares to each of the two claim holder(s), and a .75% (three quarters of a percent) Net Outputs Return (NOR) royalty. The Company looks forward to closing quickly and starting as soon as possible to gather samples for preliminary testing. Christian Derosier, PGeo, PhD. is the qualified person (QP) acting on behalf of Saint Jean Carbon who has reviewed and approved the information in this news release. About Saint Jean Saint Jean is a publicly traded carbon science company, with interest in graphite mining claims on three 100% Company-owned properties located in the province of Quebec in Canada. The three properties include the Walker property, a past producing mine, the Wallingford property and the St. Jovite property. For information on Saint Jean's other properties and the latest news please go to the website: www.saintjeancarbon.com On behalf of the Board of Directors Saint Jean Carbon Inc. Paul Ogilvie, CEO and Director Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS: This news release contains forward-looking statements, within the meaning of applicable securities legislation, concerning Saint Jean's business and affairs. In certain cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "intends" "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved". These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, and are naturally subject to uncertainty and changes in circumstances that may cause actual results to differ materially. The forward-looking statements in this news release assume, inter alia, that the conditions for completion of the Transaction, including regulatory and shareholder approvals, if necessary, will be met. Although Saint Jean believes that the expectations represented in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, there can be no assurance that these expectations will prove to be correct. Statements of past performance should not be construed as an indication of future performance. Forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties, should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results, and will not necessarily be accurate indications of whether or not such results will be achieved. A number of factors, including those discussed above, could cause actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements. Any such forward-looking statements are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. All of the forward-looking statements made in this press release are qualified by these cautionary statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking information is provided as of the date of this press release, and Saint Jean assumes no obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances, except as may be required under applicable securities laws. Contacts: Information Contact : info@saintjeancarbon.com (905) 844-1200 LINCOLNSHIRE, IL -- (Marketwired) -- 02/16/16 -- Bentley's Pet Stuff, a family-owned healthy pet foods business founded by Lisa and Giovanni Senafe, along with entrepreneur Marcus Lemonis, host of CNBC's reality series, The Profit, today announced the acquisition of Pet Outpost, a leading local pet products store in the Milwaukee area. Following the recent acquisition, plans are in place to open an additional 8 to 10 Bentley's Pet Stuff stores in the greater Milwaukee area over the next 12 months to join the existing 15 Chicago area Bentley's locations. Previous owner, Sherri Losby, opened Pet Outpost at 4604 N. Wilson, Shorewood, WI in 2011, and enjoyed great reviews on the staff's friendly service, expertise and quality of their natural pet products. Plans are in place for Losby to stay with the newly merged business to assist with the expansion of the Bentley's Pet Stuff brand. "We are excited to bring Bentley's Pet Stuff to the Milwaukee area to help meet customer demand for natural pet products," said business partner, Marcus Lemonis. "As an alumni of Marquette University, I have always wanted to bring one of my businesses to the Milwaukee area. By acquiring the existing Pet Outpost location, we are in an opportune position to serve the greater metropolitan area with the same exceptional service customers have become accustomed to and start the process to open additional locations in this market." Bentley's Pet Stuff sells natural food, pet care essentials, toys, grooming products and treats for their four-legged friends. The company focuses on the three critical elements in caring for pets: to nourish, energize and reward. Specialty pet food brands such as Fromm, Orijen, Zignature, Honest Kitchen and Stella & Chewy's can be obtained from all Bentley's Pet Stuff locations. In addition, seasonal products and holiday gift items are available for purchase throughout the year. "As pet lovers, our values perfectly aligned with Sherri and the Pet Outpost staff, and we're confident this new addition to our business and future expansion will help us continue to offer the very best in products and services to pets and their owners," said co-founder and owner Lisa Senafe. "This acquisition highlights our commitment to promoting healthy foods and treats for the well-being of animals and further allows our team to meet the vast needs of pet owners." About Bentley's Pet Stuff Bentley's Corner Barkery opened its doors in 2008 with a mission to feed animal lovers' pets genuine real meat products made in the USA. Their dedication to customers' animals is why they hand pick and research every item stocked on their shelves, allowing customers to be at ease when making a purchase at any of their retail stores throughout the Chicagoland area. Started from a single retail store eight years ago, Bentley's Corner Barkery grew to encompass seven locations offering natural pet food, a variety of treats, toys and more! In November 2015, Bentley's Corner Barkery acquired Pet Stuff and the newly formed company, Bentley's Pet Stuff, now features 15 locations across Chicagoland. http://www.petstuff.com/ About Marcus Lemonis Marcus Lemonis is an entrepreneur, investor, television personality, and chairman and CEO of Marcus Lemonis LLC as well as Camping World and Good Sam Enterprises. Camping World is the nation's largest RV and outdoor retailer, and Good Sam is the world's largest RV owner's organization. Visit www.campingworld.com for more information. Lemonis is known as the "business turnaround king" and host of CNBC's prime time reality series, The Profit, in which he lends his expertise to struggling small businesses around the country and judges businesses based on a "Three P" principle: People, Process, and Product. The Profit airs Tuesdays 10pm ET/PT on CNBC. More about Marcus Lemonis can be found at http://www.marcuslemonis.com, Facebook https://www.facebook.com/marcus.lemonis and Twitter @MarcusLemonis. Image Available: http://www2.marketwire.com/mw/frame_mw?attachid=2964608 For media, contact: Karen L. Porter Director of Media Services Email Contact LOS ANGELES, CA -- (Marketwired) -- 02/16/16 -- Marketing Maven, a bicoastal integrated marketing agency, announced that its launch campaign for client Woof Washer 360 was recognized as a finalist for a 2015 North American Excellence Award on February 2, 2016. The Excellence Awards are a global brand rewarding outstanding achievements in PR and communications. Marketing Maven was among the North American Excellence Award Launch Category finalists including Gramercy Pictures and MasterCard. Southern Comfort was named the category Honoree. "We are honored to be recognized for our measurable results for the launch of consumer brand Woof Washer 360 and to be among several iconic brands in the award category," said Lindsey Carnett, CEO and president of Marketing Maven. These awards honor companies and brands that have exhibited exceptional results in campaign development and management. Marketing Maven was contracted by R&H Direct to service and launch the Woof Washer 360 Campaign with PR and social media development and management. With their understanding of the product category and expertise in executing social media campaigns, the product demonstration video went viral and garnered almost 50 million Facebook video views in three days. The product completely sold out on www.woofwasher360.com with campaign results of a $24 to $1 ROI and $0.02 CPM. With this award-winning combination of services, Marketing Maven is able to take an integrated approach to providing the right campaign management expertise to clients. About The North American Excellence Awards The North American Excellence Awards were created to honor the most outstanding achievements of communications professionals in their field. In addition to this, the Awards also provide an excellent networking forum for all attendees and take a comprehensive look at communications achievements across North America. The Awards are part of a worldwide implementation of Excellence Awards, being rolled out in Africa, Asia-Pacific, Europe, Latin America and North America simultaneously. About Marketing Maven With offices in Los Angeles and New York, Marketing Maven is a full service marketing and communications agency. With origins in direct response public relations, Marketing Maven has developed into a premier voice in brand strategy, social media, innovative media relations, event marketing, tradeshow support, Hispanic marketing and search engine optimization. Marketing Maven leads the industry in utilizing advanced metrics to measure their clients' marketing reach and providing competitive analysis unparalleled in the industry. For additional information about Marketing Maven, visit www.MarketingMaven.com. Press Contact: Mari Escamilla Email Contact (310) 341-7352 MUNICH, Feb. 16, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --General Atlantic, a leading global growth equity firm, announced today that Achim Berg, former Chief Executive Officer of arvato AG, will join General Atlantic as an Operating Partner effective April 1, 2016. Mr. Berg will work closely with the firm's portfolio companies both in Germany and globally. He will be based in General Atlantic's Munich office. Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150818/259242LOGO "We are thrilled to welcome Achim to the GA team as an operating partner," said Bill Ford, Chief Executive Officer of General Atlantic. "As a leading executive within the technology and business services sectors, his deep expertise and decades of experience will make him a valuable asset to our portfolio companies and global investment team both in Germany and globally." "Achim Berg has a distinguished track record as an innovative and impactful executive atglobally recognized technology and business services firms," said Jorn Nikolay, Managing Director and Head of Germany for General Atlantic. "As we continue to deepen our capabilities in Germany and across the EMEA region, we believe he will be an important resource to our companies looking to accelerate growth in Germany and beyond." "General Atlantic has a track record of excellence in identifying and serving as a valued partner to leading high-growth companies. I look forward to playing a central role in the expansion of GA's presence in Germany and to working closely with the entrepreneurs and management teams at our global portfolio companies," said Mr. Berg. Mr. Berg most recently served as Chief Executive Officer of arvato AG, a leading provider of media and business communications and technology services, which is subsidiary of German media conglomerate Bertelsmann SE. In this role, he was responsible for the strategy and operative business of Bertelsmann's largest division with 70,000 employees. He also served as a member of the Executive Board of Bertelsmann. Mr. Berg also serves as Vice President and a member of the Executive Board of BITKOM, Germany's Federal Association of Information Technology, Telecommunications and New Media. Prior to arvato, Mr. Berg held a number of senior management positions at Microsoft, most recently as Corporate Vice President of the Windows Phone division at the U.S. corporate headquarters, and before that, General Manager of Microsoft Germany and Area Vice President of Microsoft International. Prior to this, Mr. Berg served on the Executive Board of T-Com, Europe's largest telecommunications company, where he was responsible for the marketing and sales of landlines. Earlier in his career, Mr. Berg worked at Fujitsu Siemens Computers GmbH, Dell Deutschland GmbH and Bull AG. Mr. Berg completed his studies in computer science in 1989 in Cologne and completed the European Potential Management Program at the European Economic School. About General Atlantic General Atlantic is a leading global growth equity firm providing capital and strategic support for growth companies. Established in 1980, General Atlantic combines a collaborative global approach, sector specific expertise, a long-term investment horizon and a deep understanding of growth drivers to partner with great entrepreneurs and management teams to build exceptional businesses worldwide. General Atlantic has more than 100 investment professionals based in New York, Amsterdam, Beijing, Greenwich, Hong Kong, London, Mexico City, Mumbai, Munich, Palo Alto, Sao Paulo and Singapore. www.generalatlantic.com. Media Contacts Jenny Farrelly General Atlantic Phone: +1-212-715-4080 media@generalatlantic.com Susanne Jahrreiss/Ralf Geissler Perfect Game Communications Phone: +49-89-30 90 52 95-0 mail@perfect-game.de Who Did It? CNN Won't Say | Main | Palestinian University Honors Terrorist with 'Cultural Event' February 16, 2016 Washington Post Fails to Properly I.D. Terrorist 'Charity' Twice in the same week, The Washington Post has failed to fully identify a Turkish charity? that has ties to terrorist groups. A Feb. 12, 2016 Post article (Turkey wont open border to refugees?) on Ankara rejecting demands to open its borders to Syrian refugees, noted efforts by a Turkish relief agency IHH, which has been shipping tents and meals across the [Syrian] border.? Three days previously, an online article (Merkel horrified by Russian air attacks in Syria?) referred to IHH as a nongovernmental Islamic charity group.? The Post quoted Burak Karacaoglu, the groups spokesman, expressing concern over opening the gates? to refugees. Karacaoglu said he was concerned about the [Syrian] airstrikes, which are increasingly targeting civilian areas.? Yet, The Post fails to mention that IHH is more than just a nongovernmental Islamic charity group.? In fact, IHH has close ties to both the current Turkish regime and terrorist organizations. According to a 2011 report by the Meir Amit Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center, an Israeli think tank that studies Islamic terrorism, the Turkish IHHhas a record of supporting terrorist groups? and has close relations with Turkeys AKP government.? In its Jan. 24, 2011 report on IHH, the center says that collaboration between IHH and ruling AKP (Justice and Development Party) party in Turkey is based on a common Islamic worldview? and the concept that IHH can be used as a tool to implement Turkish foreign policy.? According to the center, approximately one-quarter of senior IHH members have been appointed to government positions by the AKP. The center reports: IHH has its roots in the conservative Islamic Mili Gorus movement, the parent of the Islamic Welfare Party which the AKP and the extremist Islamist Saadet party splintered from in 2001. Given its provenance, IHH is a clearly Islamist movement, which in the past was considered suspect and investigated by the Turkish authorities because of its involvement in providing support for Islamist groups (including those with ties to the global jihad) in combat zones such as Bosnia, Chechnya and Afghanistan. Ideologically IHH is or was originally based on the worldview of a central order of the Sufi tradition of Islam. The order, called Naqshbandiyya, has millions of adherents, including senior figures of the Turkish government.? Cooperation between IHH and Turkeys leaders was made plain in the Mavi Marmara flotilla incident. As CAMERA has noted (Radical, Pro-Hamas Flotilla? Seeks Media Win,? May 31, 2010), IHH participated inwith the blessing of the Turkish governmenta flotilla including armed activists sailing for the Gaza Strip under the guise of bringing aid to Palestinian Arabs. No aid was found aboard the lead ship, the Mavi Marmara, and video showed armed passengers attacking IDF forces who boarded the ship once it violated Israels blockade. The U.N. Palmer Report later upheld the blockade as legal. The stated goal of flotilla organizers was to spark an international incident and use the confrontation over humanitarian aid? to slander Israel. Passengers included members of the extremist group ISM (International Solidarity Movement) which supports violence against Israel, as well as sympathizers and financiers of Hamas, a U.S.-designated terror group. The Meir Amit Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center reported that IHH in Germany has been designated a terrorist group and that the United States also has examined the possibility of making a similar designation due to the organizations past support for global jihad,? its involvement in the foiled terrorist attack on Los Angeles International Airport in 2000, its extremist anti-Western anti-Israeli Islamist character and the support it gives Hamas, which is designated as a terrorist organization by the United States.? For towing the Turkish governments line and actively working for its frequently pro-Islamist, anti-Israel agenda, IHH has received awards from the AKP. In 2005 and 2007 it received awards from the Turkish vice prime ministers office. The Washington Post failed to report that IHH is much more than a nongovernmental charity? or relief agency.? Posted by SD at February 16, 2016 12:11 PM Guidelines for posting This is a moderated blog. We will not post comments that include racism, bigotry, threats, or factually inaccurate material. Post a comment ALBANY, New York, February 16, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- According to a new market report published by Transparency Market Research "Smart Cards Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast, 2016 - 2023," the market was valued at US$ 7.25 Bn in 2014 and is expected to reach US$ 14.17 Bn by 2023, expanding at a CAGR of 7.4% from 2016 to 2023. Asia Pacific was the largest revenue contributor in 2014, accounting for over 47.4% of the global smart card market's revenue. The growth is mainly driven by the increasing adoption of smart cards for applications such as telecommunication, toll collection, ticketing, and driver's license, and national and cross-border identification cards. Asia Pacific is expected to retain its dominant position and is expected to become the fastest-growing market for smart cards during the forecast period. The Asia Pacific smart cards market is estimated to expand at a CAGR of 7.9% from 2016 to 2023. China, India, South Korea, and Japan are expected to be the major contributors to the market in near term. Full Research Report on Global Smart Cards Market with detailed figures and segmentation at: http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/smart-card.html The declining prices of SIM cards, along with increasing requirements to migrate to EMV standards, are fueling the adoption of smart cards across the telecommunication, financial services, retail, and loyalty sectors. Moreover, with the growth of security threats and fraudulent activity, rise in demand for highly secure and expedited transactions, communication, and identification solutions from the telecommunications, healthcare, government, and transportation sectors is also contributing to the growth of the market. Smart cards are classified based on components into memory-based smart cards and microcontrollers-based smart cards. Memory-based smart cards are powered by card readers and are mainly used in low-end and mid-end SIM cards. Microcontrollers-based card usage is driven by the added functionality such as security and intellectual data processing capabilities. Based on incorporation of the components, different smart card types are available in the market: contact smart cards, contactless smart cards, dual interface smart cards, and hybrid smart cards. Of these, contact smart cards are expected lose market share to contactless and other card types. Contactless smart cards provide a technology platform for the addition of new applications to access control systems and facilitate more secure identity verification for both physical and logical access. Additional security features provided by contactless and dual interface smart cards is driving their adoption in ATM/credit/debit cards and e-IDs, and transportation IDs among others. Contactless smart cards accounted for 18.6% of the total smart cards market revenue in 2014 and is expected to register the highest growth of 11.5% from 2016 to 2023. Get Sample Report Copy OR for further inquiries, click here: http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=844 Geographically, Asia Pacific dominated the global smart cards market in 2014. This was mainly due to increases in the number of mobile subscribers, which in turn is propelling the growth of SIM cards and in turn smart cards. The global market for smart cards was dominated by the leading players Gemalto NV, Giesecke & Devrient (G&D) GmbH, and Oberthur Technologies, which collectively accounted for more than 50% of the global market revenue in 2014. Other players competing in the market include Morpho S.A., Eastcompeace Technology Co., Ltd. Watchdata, Datang Telecom Technology & Industry Group, and Wuhan Tianyu Information Industry Co., Ltd. The report includes an analysis of the global smart cards market and provides estimates in terms of revenue (US$ Mn) from 2013 to 2023. Market estimates are provided for segments, categorized on the basis of types, components, and geography. The market has been segmented as follows: Browse the Press Release of this report, here: http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/pressrelease/smart-card.htm Market Segmentation of Global Smart Cards Market: Smart Cards Market, by Types Contact Smart Card Contactless Smart Card Hybrid Smart Card Dual-interface Smart Cards Smart Cards Market, by Components Microcontroller Memory Cards Smart Cards Market, By Geography North America Europe Asia Pacific Middle East & Africa (MEA) & (MEA) Latin America Other Research Reports by Transparency Market Research: Video Analytics Market: http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/video-analytics-market.html http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/video-analytics-market.html Electronic Scrap Recycling Market:http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/electronic-scrap-recycling-market.html About Us Transparency Market Research (TMR) is a global market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMR's experienced team of Analysts, Researchers, and Consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information. Our data repository is continuously updated and revised by a team of research experts, so that it always reflects the latest trends and information. With a broad research and analysis capability, Transparency Market Research employs rigorous primary and secondary research techniques in developing distinctive data sets and research material for business reports. Contact Sudip.S 90 State Street, Suite 700 Albany, NY12207 Tel: +1-518-618-1030 USA- Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453 Email:sales@transparencymarketresearch.com Website:http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com Blog:http://www.europlat.org TORONTO, ONTARIO -- (Marketwired) -- 02/16/16 -- EEStor Corporation (TSX VENTURE: ESU) ("EEStor" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that subject to regulatory approval Mr. Michael Michalyshyn joined the Company's Board of Directors effective immediately. Mr. Michalyshyn, LLB, MBA brings an extensive background in licensing and Intellectual Property law which shall assist the Company in the commercialization of its technologies. Recently, Mr. Michalyshyn was the General Counsel & VP Human Resources at QNX Software Systems and continued on after the acquisition of the company by BlackBerry Limited to become the head of BlackBerry's Technology Licensing group. He is currently General Counsel & Corporate Secretary at ViXS Systems Inc. (TSX: VXS). Stewart Somers, Chairman of the Board stated, "We are delighted in welcoming Mr. Michalyshyn as a director and Chair of the Compensation and Governance Committee. Michael brings considerable expertise to the Board as the Company executes its intellectual property and licensing strategies as part of its operating plans." Ian Clifford, CEO and Founder of the Company added "As EEStor continues its ongoing discussions with potential licensee partners for the Company's high voltage capacitor technology, Mr. Michalyshyn's extensive experience in intellectual property law and complex licensing negotiation will prove invaluable to the Company. In addition, our continuing work on the high energy density aspects of our technology will also require continued intellectual property strategy and implementation, and Michael brings relevant experience which will support our core teams efforts. About EEStor Corporation The Company's mission is to be the provider of leading edge electrical energy storage and related capacitor technologies. The Company operates on the principle and belief that a fundamental breakthrough in energy storage will be the catalyst for positive environmental and economic change globally. The Company's current business strategy is focused on licensing and partnership opportunities across a broad spectrum of industries and applications building on its recent technology achievements related to capacitors. The Company holds an approximate 71.3% as-converted equity and voting interest and certain technology rights to a solid-state capacitor and related energy storage technologies currently under development by EEStor, Inc. The acquisition of the controlling interest in EEStor Inc. aligned the businesses of both companies and now allows EEStor Corporation to benefit from other revenue streams that should be available to EEStor, Inc., including applications throughout the capacitor industry and not limited to high density energy storage applications. The Company's success depends on the commercialization of the technology developed by EEStor Inc and there is no assurance that it will be successful in the completion of the various enhancement phases to warrant the anticipated licensing opportunities in the technology. Readers are directed to the "Risk Factors" disclosed in the Company's AIF. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Contacts: Ian Clifford Chief Executive Officer EEStor Corporation 416-535-8395 ext. 225 ian.clifford@eestorcorp.com HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA -- (Marketwired) -- 02/16/16 -- Note to editors: There are four maps associated with this press release. Erdene Resource Development Corp. (TSX: ERD) ("Erdene" or "Company"), is pleased to announce excellent results from preliminary metallurgical testing conducted by Blue Coast Research Ltd. ("BCR") on drill core composites from its wholly-owned Bayan Khundii gold project ("Bayan Khundii") in southwest Mongolia. Highlights of the BCR Report -- Gold from Bayan Khundii is free milling and amenable to conventional processing techniques -- Gravity concentration and cyanidation of the gravity tails yields very good overall gold recoveries for both high-grade and low-grade composites -- 99% recovery of gold from high-grade (24.9 g/t Au) composite using gravity plus cyanide leach methods -- 92% recovery of gold from low-grade (0.7 g/t Au) composite using gravity plus cyanide leach methods "From the initial drill results received just two months ago, to these very encouraging metallurgical results, Bayan Khundii is proving to be an exceptional gold discovery when you consider the high-grade, large size potential, proximity to surface, and now high gold recoveries," said Peter Akerley, Erdene's President and CEO. "We have a number of studies underway geared towards a quick ramp-up for this project as we move into Q2 2016." Metallurgical Program Summary The metallurgical testing program was carried out by BCR of Parksville, British Columbia and was designed to provide an initial scoping level characterization of both gravity and cyanide recovery techniques. In December 2015, the Company announced initial drill results for a new gold discovery identified during the 2015 exploration season, named Bayan Khundii (Rich Valley), located within the prolific Tian Shan gold belt in southwest Mongolia. Results included several very high-grade intersections enveloped by wide zones of lower grade gold in a series of parallel structures exposed at surface. Gold mineralization has been identified in three separate areas over a 1.7 km southwest-northeast trend, with detailed exploration only taking place in the southwestern-most area where 15 shallow holes were completed over a 475 by 300 area (average drill depth of 46 m). Geophysical targets have been established under cover to the east and north of this area, and two zones of gold mineralization have been identified 700 m and 1.2 km along trend to the northeast. Mineralization remains open along strike and at depth. Highlights of the 15-hole, shallow drill program were reported in a previous press release (link here) and are summarized in Table 1 below: Table 1. Bayan Khundii drill results -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Drill Hole From To Interval Gold (m) (m) (m)(i) (g/t) -------------------------------------------------------------------------- BKD-01 14 21 7 27.5 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- incl 15 16 1 187.0 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- BKD-03 7 22 15 2.0 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- incl 9 12 3 9.4 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- incl 11 12 1 25.3 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- BKD-04 4 12 8 2.0 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- incl 4 6 2 7.5 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- BKD-08 14 24 10 2.4 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- incl 22 24 2 7.4 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- BKD-09 33 59.4 26.4 5.9 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- incl 34 49 15 9.9 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- incl 34 36 2 48.9 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- incl 45 46 1 38.9 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- BKD-10 0 35 35 5.7 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- incl 11 23 12 16.2 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- incl 21 22 1 167.0 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- (i) Reported intervals are not true width. They represent drill intersection widths from holes drilled at a 45 to 60 degree angle. The Bayan Khundii mineralization is moderately dipping (approximately 40 to 50 degrees) perpendicular to the drill hole angle. Metallurgical Sample Selection As an initial approach to metallurgical testing, two 75 kg composite samples were prepared from coarse reject material from individual one-metre drill core samples. The composites are representative of high and low grade gold mineralization within the main mineralized zones over the entire 475 m by 300 m area. The first sample, BK-MET-15-01, is a high-grade composite sample with a head grade of 24.9 g/t Au that included 25 one-metre intervals, with representation from 11 of the 15 holes. The second sample, BK-MET-15-02, is a low-grade composite with a head grade of 0.7 g/t Au that included 25 one-metre intervals, with representation from all 15 holes. Composite head-grades reported by BCR matched the average of the original individual sample assays very closely at 24.9 g/t Au and 0.7 g/t Au versus the average of the original assays which were 25.3 g/t Au and 0.7 g/t Au for the high- and low-grade samples, respectively. Gravity Results Extended Gravity Recoverable Gold tests (E-GRG) were conducted on both high and low grade composites. Gravity tests were conducted using a laboratory scale Knelson MD-3 centrifugal concentrator. The high-grade composite had a high response to gravity separation. Gold recoveries are presented in Table 2 below. The high-grade gravity concentrate represents 1.2% of the original sample mass and contains 1380.9 g/t Au and 200 g/t Ag. Table 2. Gravity recoverable gold ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Composite Au Recovery (%) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- High-Grade (BK-MET-15-01) 71 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Low-Grade (BK-MET-15-02) 32 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- The low-grade gravity concentrate represents 1.1% of the original sample mass and contains 21.2 g/t Au and 11.9 g/t Ag. The lower grade composite (BK-MET-15-02) displayed a low to average gravity response. Bottle Roll Tests (cyanidation) Standard bottle roll tests were completed on the gravity tails of each composite. The high-grade composite (BK-MET-15-01) tails represent 98.8% of the original sample mass and had an average grade of 6.8 g/t Au. The low-grade composite (BK-MET-15-02) tails represent 98.9% of the original sample mass and had an average grade of 0.5 g/t Au. Results are very encouraging with very high recoveries noted in both the high-grade and low-grade composites. Leach extractions of the gravity tails are summarized in Table 3 below. Table 3. Bottle roll recovery for gold --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Test Composite Au Recovery (%) --------------------------------------------------------------------------- CN-1 High-Grade (BK-MET-15-01) 95 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- CN-2 Low-Grade (BK-MET-15-02) 86 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Overall Recovery Measurement for a Gravity plus Cyanidation Flowsheet A flowsheet employing both gravity concentration and cyanidation of the gravity tails yields very good overall gold recoveries for both the high-grade and low-grade composites. This suggests that gold from Bayan Khundii is free milling and amenable to conventional processing techniques. Overall circuit recoveries are summarized in Table 4 below. Table 4. Overall recovery for a gravity plus cyanidation flowsheet ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Composite Overall Au Recovery (%) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- High-Grade (BK-MET-15-01) 99 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Low-Grade (BK-MET-15-02) 92 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Bayan Khundii Project Update The maiden drill program at Bayan Khundii, with results announced in December of 2015, targeted multiple parallel structures over a 475 m by 300 m area where quartz veining and breccia exposed at surface contained visible gold. Drilling intersected gold-bearing zones of quartz breccia, comb-quartz veins, and hypogene hematite veins and fine fracture veinlets, within pervasively silica- and sericite-altered volcanic host rocks. Visible gold was observed in 10 of the 15 drill holes, mostly as finely disseminated grains, with some individual grains up to 2 mm. The gold mineralization is typically associated with quartz veins and/or hematite within, or along, the boundary of quartz-hematite veins and veinlets. The main mineralized veins are in zones ranging in width from approximately 1 m to 35 m with dips ranging from 40 to 50 degrees to the southwest. The intensely-altered host volcanic units in these zones also carry anomalous gold mineralization (varying from 0.1 to 1.0 g/t Au over wide areas) associated with fine quartz and/or hematite veinlets. The strong, pervasive alteration and widespread hypogene hematite indicate a large intense alteration system that has positive implications for the potential size of the system. All mineralized zones were intersected within 50 m of surface and remain open along strike and at depth. The Company completed an induced polarization geophysical program over the Bayan Khundii prospect in Q4-2015 that indicates the mineralization is located at the apex of broad positive chargeability and resistivity anomalies. Included with this news release are maps, cross-sections and photos highlighting results of the Bayan Khundii drill program. To read Erdene's December 14, 2015 news release announcing Bayan Khundii drill results, please click here. Qualified Person Results for the metallurgical test program summarized in this release were reviewed and approved by Andrew Kelly, P.Eng., of Blue Coast Research Ltd., a Qualified Person for the purpose of National Instrument 43-101. All other technical information in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Michael MacDonald, P.Geo. (Nova Scotia), Director of Exploration for Erdene, a Qualified Person as that term is defined in National Instrument 43-101. All drill result samples have been assayed at SGS Laboratory in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. In addition to internal checks by SGS Laboratory, the Company incorporates a QA/QC sample protocol utilizing prepared standards and blanks. All metallurgical testing and analysis was carried out by Blue Coast Research Ltd. at their facility in Parksville, British Columbia. About Blue Coast Research Ltd. BCR specializes in metallurgical flowsheet development, from conceptual through prefeasibility to full feasibility level studies as well as in-plant consulting services supporting the start-up and optimization of mining production plants. Their metallurgists have significant experience with polymetallic base and precious metal concentrates globally. About Erdene Erdene Resource Development Corp. is a Canada-based resource company focused on the acquisition, exploration, and development of base and precious metals in underexplored and highly prospective Mongolia. The Company holds four exploration licenses and a mining license located in southwest Mongolia. These include: Altan Nar - an extensive, high-grade, near-surface, gold-polymetallic project; Bayan Khundii - a high-grade gold discovery made in Q2-2015 that the Company is currently exploring; Khuvyn Khar - an early-stage, copper-silver porphyry project with multiple drill targets and significant copper intersections; Zuun Mod - a large molybdenum-copper porphyry deposit; Altan Arrow - an early-stage, high-grade, gold-silver project. In addition to the above properties, the Company has an Alliance with Teck Resources Limited on regional, copper-gold exploration in the prospective Trans Altay region of southwest Mongolia. For further information on the Company, please visit www.erdene.com. Erdene has 105,060,005 issued and outstanding common shares and a fully diluted position of 124,720,102 common shares. Forward-Looking Statements Certain information regarding Erdene contained herein may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements may include estimates, plans, expectations, opinions, forecasts, projections, guidance or other statements that are not statements of fact. Although Erdene believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to have been correct. Erdene cautions that actual performance will be affected by a number of factors, most of which are beyond its control, and that future events and results may vary substantially from what Erdene currently foresees. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include market prices, exploitation and exploration results, continued availability of capital and financing and general economic, market or business conditions. The forward-looking statements are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. The information contained herein is stated as of the current date and is subject to change after that date. The Company does not assume the obligation to revise or update these forward-looking statements, except as may be required under applicable securities laws. NO REGULATORY AUTHORITY HAS APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED THE CONTENTS OF THIS RELEASE To view the maps associated with this press release, please visit the following links: http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/Map1_Bayan_Khundii_Regional_Location.jpg http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/Map2_Bayan_Khundii_Project_Map.jpg http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/Map3_Bayan_Khundii_Cross_Section1.jpg http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/Map4_Bayan_Khundii_Cross_Section2.jpg Contacts: Peter C. Akerley, President and CEO Ken W. MacDonald, Vice President Business Strategy and CFO (902) 423-6419 info@erdene.com www.erdene.com https://twitter.com/ErdeneRes AUSTIN, Texas, Feb. 16, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- ABI Research, the leader in transformative technology innovation market intelligence, forecasts that the evolution to LTE-based public safety from the current narrowband systems will grow at double-digit rates over the next five years with public safety platforms doubling their DAS spend by 2021. According to ABI Research estimates, the in-building wireless public safety system revenue will grow to reach US$1.7 billion in 2021. The region with the largest spend is North America, followed by Asia-Pacific, then Europe. Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20151014/276887LOGO "During this transition period, public safety agencies will use LTE in parallel with their legacy narrowband systems," says Nick Marshall, Research Director at ABI Research. "Typically, this will entail agencies relying on TETRA or P25 to supply mission critical voice and using LTE to supply enhanced data services. Over the next 5 years, in-building communications systems, such as DAS, will be used to distribute public safety coverage and capacity in buildings." The evolution to wideband public safety networks and platforms will be given a major boost by the 3GPP's upcoming LTE Advanced Pro specification due to be finalized in 2016. Government organizations like the U.S.'s FirstNet and the UK's Emergency Services Network (ESN) are all poised to start nationwide public safety network buildouts. Other regions and countries, including South Korea and China, all have similar plans to migrate to broadband for public safety. "Indoor public safety networks are more stringently specified than commercial indoor networks and must respond to the public safety imperatives of high availability and reliability," concludes Marshall. "Public safety communications must also be made available in areas not traditionally covered by commercial cellular communications such as stair wells, equipment rooms and underground locations." These findings are part of ABI Research's In-Building Systems Service (https://www.abiresearch.com/market-research/service/in-building-wireless/), which includes research reports, market data, insights and competitive assessments. About ABI Research For more than 25 years, ABI Research has stood at the forefront of technology market intelligence, partnering with innovative business leaders to implement informed, transformative technology decisions. The company employs a global team of senior analysts to provide comprehensive research and consulting services through deep quantitative forecasts, qualitative analyses and teardown services. An industry pioneer, ABI Research is proactive in its approach, frequently uncovering ground-breaking business cycles ahead of the curve and publishing research 18 to 36 months in advance of other organizations. In all, the company covers more than 60 services, spanning 11 technology sectors. For more information, visit www.abiresearch.com. SACRAMENTO, CA -- (Marketwired) -- 02/16/16 -- In celebration of its new "Start Small" campaign, ScholarShare, California's 529 College Savings Plan, announced that it will help California families start their college savings efforts by offering up to $10,000 in college savings through "Start Small. Dream Big." events. ScholarShare's first "Start Small. Dream Big." event will be held on Saturday, Feb. 20, 2016 at the Westfield Santa Anita in the city of Arcadia. The events will feature an oversized puzzle that, once finished, will display an image to show that small, realistic steps can lead to a better savings outcome for higher education expenses. "We know that saving for college can be an overwhelming challenge for many California families, and that is why our 'Start Small' campaign encourages families to approach the savings process with a positive mindset," said State Treasurer John Chiang, Chair of the ScholarShare Investment Board, which administers the program. "Rather than focusing on the overall amount needed for their children to attend college, we encourage families to start with small, manageable steps that build momentum over time. The key is to get started, and we want to help California families to do just that with our statewide 'Start Small. Dream Big.' events." Through this sweepstakes, California parents and grandparents will have the opportunity to enter for the chance to win a piece to the puzzle. Each puzzle piece will be worth at least $50 towards a ScholarShare 529 college savings account. A total of $10,000 in college savings accounts will be distributed at each event -- the average cost of tuition and room and board at a four-year California university. California parents and grandparents can enter for a chance to win at https://www.scholarshare.com/start-small-dream-big/index.php. Each entrant may submit one entry form during the sweepstakes period. The sweepstakes period will close at 1:30 p.m. PT on Saturday, Feb. 20, 2016. Winners will be announced live at each event, and invited to place a piece of the puzzle on the board. As each piece is placed on the board, winners will reveal how much money they have won towards their ScholarShare 529 college savings account. More details about the event, including official rules, prize details, eligibility requirements and upcoming event dates are available at https://www.scholarshare.com/start-small-dream-big/downloads/ScholarShare-Start-Small-Dream-Big-Sweepstakes-Rules.pdf. Must be present to win. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited. Sponsored by ScholarShare. About the ScholarShare 529 College Savings Plan: To sign up for an account or for more information about the plan, visit http://www.scholarshare.com/. For information about the ScholarShare Investment Board (SIB), visit http://www.treasurer.ca.gov/scholarshare. Like ScholarShare on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/scholarshare529 and follow us on Twitter at @ScholarShare529. Named for the section of the IRS code under which they were created, 529 plans offer valuable tax advantages. Contributions are made with money that has already been taxed. Once funds are placed in the account, investment earnings, if any, are not federally or state taxed, if withdrawn to pay for qualified higher education costs. The ScholarShare 529 College Savings Plan Twitter and Facebook pages are managed by the State of California. For more news, please follow the Treasurer on Twitter at @CalTreasurer and on Facebook at California State Treasurer's Office. SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA -- (Marketwired) -- 02/16/16 -- Simavita Limited ("Simavita" or the "Company") (ASX: SVA) (TSX VENTURE: SV) announces an important strategy update. Strategic Review Simavita has undertaken an extensive strategy review which has identified 3 key areas of focus; cost containment (reducing the Company's "cash burn"), the speed of revenue uplift (in-depth review of revenue generation via licensing in line with strategy) and capital management (the extent, source and structure of additional capital needed to fund the Company's further growth). Mr. Brown, the Company's Chairman, noted that; "Simavita had already completed its essential development and commercialization phase at the time of the IPO in late 2013. For the past two years since the IPO, the Company has been independently pursuing a global roll-out and expansion phase to firmly establish the Company's products and services in world markets. Developing a world market is a demanding validation process, but one that has now successfully established sales and customers on 3 continents; North America, Europe and Australia. It is now time to initiate the next phase of the Company's growth, by extending the Company's global resources and reach through licensing agreements with large global players". Mrs. Lewis, the Company's CEO, said; "The recent addition of a new contract with the municipality of Aarhus in Denmark is further evidence of the global acceptance of Simavita as the unique digital address to the most ubiquitous problem in aging. As customer acceptance has grown, the Company has also found itself being approached by a number of international groups interested in licensing arrangements. I believe this convergence will be very positive for the Company's future." Board Retirements In line with initiatives to further streamline the business, the Company also announces the retirement of two directors (Mr. Ari Bergman and Mr. Damien Haakman), effective 29 February 2016, who have been with the Company through its early development and commercialization phase. Mr. Ari Bergman has been on the Board for 15 years and is the son of the late Dr. Fred Bergman, whose original concept led to the foundation of the early precursor to Simavita. Mr. Bergman noted that; "Simavita has developed an excellent product, and now has growing sales and customers in Europe and North America as well as Australia. With the addition over the past 18 months of 3 new highly qualified directors to the Board I feel it is the right time for me to retire from the Board." On behalf of the Board and staff, Mr. Brown thanked Mr. Bergman for his dedicated service to the Company over many years. Mr. Damien Haakman's family have been firm believers in Simavita from the early days and prior to his late father Andre passing last year, Andre had established his family as the largest shareholder in the Company. Mr. Damien Haakman noted that; "With the establishment of Simavita in global markets, and the professionalization of the Board our family also feels the Company has entered its next phase. My retirement from the Board will allow me to spend more time on the responsibilities associated with our active family office and my young family. I am also conscious that from a corporate governance point of view, my retirement will maintain the balance of independent and non-independent directors on the Board." On behalf of the Board and staff, Mr. Brown thanked Mr. Haakman for his service as a director, and for his family's ongoing support of the Company. Mr. Brown also notes that the Haakman family had most generously participated in the Company's most recent capital raising. Simavita's CEO, Mrs. Philippa Lewis said; "I personally would also like to thank Mr. Bergman and Mr. Haakman for their contributions as directors of the Company. I am now looking forward to working with the ongoing Board on this exciting new phase of the Company's activities as we reduce our cost structure and accelerate the licensing aspirations we have held for many years." Cost Reduction The Company's strategic review has identified the need for cost reduction, and has now commenced a systematic program of cost reduction beginning with the Board and CEO. Mr. Brown noted that Mrs. Lewis has always been an exemplary leader, and in order to set an example in the area of cost cutting, and to demonstrate her confidence in the Company's licensing strategy, he advised that Mrs. Lewis has reduced her annual salary by 30% until such time that the Company has secured its first major licensing agreement. Chairman's Disclosure As part of its global strategic review, the Company has retained Integrated Equity Pty Ltd. ("Integrated Equity"), a corporate advisory firm based in Melbourne, Australia, that focuses on listed and private equity. Integrated Equity's scope of work will include services related to various aspects of the Company's capital management activities, financial modeling and forecasting, general assistance and guidance in the formulation, revisions and execution of Simavita's corporate strategies. Michael Brown, the Company's current Chairman, is also the founder and executive chairman of Integrated Equity. Mr. Brown and Integrated Equity have previously provided corporate advisory services to Simavita within the past 3 years, prior to assuming his role as Chairman. As requisite background to Integrated Equity's engagement the Company advises that Integrated Equity owns 519,410 common share purchase warrants ("Broker Warrants") of Simavita exercisable at a price of AUD$0.41 that expire on December 3, 2016. The Broker Warrants were issued in connection with services provided by Integrated Equity pursuant to the Company's IPO in December 2013. Integrated Equity also owns 500,000 common share purchase options of Simavita exercisable at a price of AUD$0.62 that expire on July 1, 2017. The options were issued in connection with corporate advisory services previously provided by Integrated Equity to the Company pursuant to an engagement that commenced on July 1, 2014 and concluded on December 31, 2014. Mr. Brown currently owns, exercises control or direction over, directly or indirectly, 210,000 shares in the Company as well as the warrants and options above. In addition the Company advises that the engagement of Integrated Equity is for a term of two months, and allows for up to 16 consulting days per month, at a fee of AUD$2,500 per day. For the avoidance of doubt, the engagement will not attract any other fees, and no securities of the Company will be issued to Integrated Equity in connection with the engagement. About Simavita Simavita is a digital healthcare company that has developed an innovative software platform. The first application for the platform is a world first solution for the management of urinary incontinence, with a focus on the elderly. This platform technology is an instrumented incontinence assessment application that provides evidence-based incontinence management care plans to the residential aged care market. About SIM SIM is a wireless sensor technology that delivers evidence-based instrument incontinence data on individuals. SIM provides user friendly tools and software to assess the incontinence condition and to help plan better outcomes. SIM issued to detect record and report incontinence events during a compulsory or recommended assessment period in residential aged care sites to develop an evidence-based incontinence care plan. Conducting assessments is mandatory in many countries and the incontinence assessment creates an influential element of care of each individual. For more information on Simavita or SIM, please visit www.simavita.com. About Integrated Equity Integrated Equity was established in 2008 as a corporate advisory practice with an emphasis on listed and private equity. For more information about Integrated Equity, please visit their website at www.Integratedequity.com. The TSX Venture Exchange ("TSX-V") has in no way passed upon the merits of the transactions set out herein and has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this press release. Neither the TSX-V nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX-V) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this Release. Except for historical information, this announcement may contain forward-looking statements that reflect the Company's current expectation regarding future events. These forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainties, which may cause, but are not limited to, the anticipated date of on the ASX, changing market conditions, the establishment of corporate alliances, the impact of competitive products and pricing, new product development, uncertainties related to the regulatory approval process, and other risks detailed from time to time in the Company's ongoing quarterly and annual reporting. Forward-Looking Information This document may contain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of Canadian securities laws ("forward-looking information"). This forward-looking information is given as of the date of this document. Forward-looking information relates to future events or future performance and reflects Simavita management's expectations or beliefs regarding future events. Assumptions upon which such forward-looking information is based include that Simavita will be able to successfully execute on its business plans. Many of these assumptions are based on factors and events that are not within the control of Simavita and there is no assurance they will prove to be correct. In certain cases, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "potential", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or information that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved" or the negative of these terms or comparable terminology. By its very nature forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Simavita to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. Such factors include, among others, risks related to actual results of current business activities; changes in business plans and strategy as plans continue to be refined; other risks of the medical devices and technology industry; delays in obtaining governmental approvals or financing or in the completion of development activities; as well as those factors detailed from time to time in Simavita's interim and annual financial statements and management's discussion and analysis of those statements. Although Simavita has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Simavita provides no assurance that forward-looking information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. For further information, please visit the Company's profile on SEDAR (www.sedar.com) or the Company's website (www.simavita.com). Contacts: Company Philippa Lewis Chief Executive Officer plewis@simavita.com +61 2 8405 6381 Media and Investor Relations Glen Zurcher glen.zurcher@irdepartment.com.au +61 420 249 299 www.simavita.com LONDON and RABAT, Morocco, February 16, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Infosys Finacle, part of EdgeVerve Systems, a product subsidiary of Infosys (NYSE: INFY), today announced that Albaraka, one of Morocco's leading microfinance institutions (formerly known as FONDEP), has successfully implemented Finacle Core Banking, Customer Relationship Management (CRM), and Wealth Management solutions. (Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20151104/283829LOGO ) Albaraka replaced its existing core banking system with the Infosys Finacle solution to accelerate its plans to expand into retail banking and insurance products distribution. Infosys Finacle was selected for its advanced functionality, flexibility and local language capabilities. Product specialists from the Infosys Finacle Mauritius team played a pivotal role in the deployment, using their understanding of the requirements for developing a system for French-speaking territories of the financial services sector in North Africa. Albaraka is the third largest micro-credit institution in Morocco, and has a rapidly expanding network of 208 branches throughout the country. The bank, which has been growing in the micro-credit industry, will use the new core banking platform to offer a 360-view of customer assets through the CRM and the core banking modules. Mouatassim Belghazi, CEO, Albaraka said, "Since its creation in 1986, the institution has always considered its banking software systems with high attention. As such, we have permanently invested for allowing its improvement and assuring its sustainability. With Infosys Finacle, we are confident about reaching our objectives of operational efficiency and achieving our mission of contributing to social economic inclusion, as well as the financial inclusion of micro entrepreneurs who are excluded from usual financing routes." Michael Reh, Executive Vice President and CEO (designate), EdgeVerve said, "The Finacle suite of products will enable Albaraka to serve its rapidly growing customer base with an industry-leading core banking solution, as well as in growing the micro finance sector in Morocco. The new technology platforms will enable the bank to extend its service offering and geographical scope as it seeks to bring banking services to more and more people." About Infosys Finacle Finacle is the industry-leading universal banking solution from EdgeVerve Systems, a wholly owned subsidiary of Infosys. The solution helps financial institutions develop deeper connections with stakeholders, power continuous innovation and accelerate growth in the digital world. Today, Finacle is the choice of banks across 84 countries and serves over 547 million customers - nearly 16.5 percent of the world's adult banked population. Finacle solutions address the core banking, e-banking, mobile banking, CRM, payments, treasury, origination, liquidity management, Islamic banking, wealth management, and analytics needs of financial institutions worldwide. Assessment of the top 1000 world banks reveals that banks powered by Finacle enjoy 50 percent higher returns on assets, 30 percent higher returns on capital, and 8.1 percent points lesser costs to income than others. To know more, visithttp://www.finacle.com About EdgeVerve Systems Ltd EdgeVerve Systems, a wholly owned subsidiary of Infosys, develops innovative software products and offers them on-premise or as cloud-hosted business platforms. Our products help businesses develop deeper connections with stakeholders, power continuous innovation and accelerate growth in the digital world. We power our clients' growth in rapidly evolving areas like banking, digital marketing, interactive commerce, distributive trade, credit servicing, customer service and enterprise buying. Today EdgeVerve products are used by global corporations across financial services, insurance, retail and CPG, life sciences, manufacturing, and telecom. Finacle, our universal banking solution, is the choice of financial institutions across 84 countries and serves over 547 million customers - nearly 16.5 percent of the world's adult banked population. To know more, visithttp://www.edgeverve.com About Albaraka Albaraka, one of Morocco's leading microfinance institutions, with a network of 208 branches, and has over 1,300 employees. The institution serves a portfolio of nearly 151,000 customers, with an outstanding portfolio loans of over 1.260 billion dirhams. In 2015, "Microfinanza Rating", an international rating agency specialized in microfinance, reported the excellent operating and financial performance of Albaraka by maintaining the rating of "A" and upgraded the social rating of Albaraka to an "A" which is characterized by a good management system of social performance and customer protection. For more information please visit http://www.albaraka.ma Safe Harbor Certain statements in this press release concerning our future growth prospects are forward-looking statements regarding our future business expectations intended to qualify for the 'safe harbor' under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in such forward-looking statements. The risks and uncertainties relating to these statements include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties regarding fluctuations in earnings, fluctuations in foreign exchange rates, our ability to manage growth, intense competition in IT services including those factors which may affect our cost advantage, wage increases in India, our ability to attract and retain highly skilled professionals, time and cost overruns on fixed-price, fixed-time frame contracts, client concentration, restrictions on immigration, industry segment concentration, our ability to manage our international operations, reduced demand for technology in our key focus areas, disruptions in telecommunication networks or system failures, our ability to successfully complete and integrate potential acquisitions, liability for damages on our service contracts, the success of the companies in which Infosys has made strategic investments, withdrawal or expiration of governmental fiscal incentives, political instability and regional conflicts, legal restrictions on raising capital or acquiring companies outside India, and unauthorized use of our intellectual property and general economic conditions affecting our industry. Additional risks that could affect our future operating results are more fully described in our United States Securities and Exchange Commission filings including our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015. These filings are available at http://www.sec.gov. Infosys may, from time to time, make additional written and oral forward-looking statements, including statements contained in the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and our reports to shareholders. Any forward-looking statements contained herein are based on assumptions that we believe to be reasonable as of this date. The company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements that may be made from time to time by or on behalf of the company unless it is required by law. PONCE, PUERTO RICO -- (Marketwired) -- 02/16/16 -- In wake of the Zika virus global outbreak, Ponce Health Sciences University (PHSU) and Ponce Research Institute, which have played a leading role in the development and implementation of Zika containment and treatment strategies, have announced additional funding to expand current research to include Zika testing and surveillance. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has also agreed to provide grant funding to the University to support data collection and research efforts designed to: Identify the incidence and impact of Zika in the Puerto Rico community; Develop protocols for the intervention of sick patients, infected pregnant women and their offspring; Provide clinical services to those affected by the disease; Educate the community to prevent the spread; and Equip health care professionals with the means to provide adequate education and intervention to the general population. "It will only be through the joint efforts of the private and public sectors, including academic and research institutions, that such a serious threat shall be addressed," said Dr. David Lenihan, President and CEO of Ponce Health Sciences University. "Drawing upon our unique expertise, we are committed to be vigilant on the evolution of this threat and be an active partner with health authorities to detain Zika." This effort will be directed by Dr. Luisa Alvarado, Professor of Pediatrics at PHSU School of Medicine, who oversees the world's largest monitoring system for Dengue and Chikungunya -- two diseases that, like the Zika fever, can be transmitted by mosquitoes. Dr. Alvarado leads grant research on the evaluation of Dengue Epidemiology, Prevention and Outcomes, and the Sentinel Enhanced Dengue Surveillance System, which is funded by a CDC Collaborative Agreement with Hospital Episcopal San Lucas Ponce and Guayama, and the Ponce Research Institute at PHSU. "Puerto Rico is uniquely positioned to address the spread of Zika because of both our climate and long standing research on related diseases. We support Dr. Alvarado and her research efforts, and will continue to move forward during outbreaks such as this, as part of our commitment to conduct groundbreaking, impactful research on topics that affect our Hispanic communities," said Dr. Kenira Thompson, President of the Ponce Research Institute. ABOUT PONCE HEALTH SCIENCES UNIVERSITY Ponce Health Sciences University (PHSU), a fully accredited U.S. medical school, is dedicated to providing the highest quality graduate education programs available in medicine, clinical psychology, biomedical sciences, and public health in order to prepare world-class, culturally competent health professionals to better serve a growing population of Hispanic patients across the United States. Located in Ponce, Puerto Rico, PHSU is recognized both in Puerto Rico and abroad for its educational service and research achievements. Media Contact: Sarah Herring 202-479-7149 Email Contact DALLAS, TX -- (Marketwired) -- 02/16/16 -- MedCAREERS Group, Inc. (OTC: MCGI), a development stage company and owner of Nurses Lounge, a professional network for nurses, announced they recently consolidated all of their short-term toxic debt with a single, vision-friendly investor. By consolidating these notes into more friendly hands and alleviating investor fear of constant major dilution, the consolidation will hopefully allow MCGI to grow to a more realistic market cap. One that a winner-take-all business model with growing membership and sales should support. MCGI, with just under 500 million shares issued and outstanding, has traded recently in the $0.0006 range giving it a market cap of around $300,000. Should the price rise over time to between $.005 to $0.01 the market cap would equate to between $2.5 million and $5 million, which, one can argue, would still be below valuations that growing privately held platform business model companies are receiving from venture capitalists at this stage of their business. MedCAREERS Group, Inc.'s focus is to develop and build value through its wholly-owned subsidiary Nurses Lounge, Inc., an online professional network for nurses and stakeholder organizations such as nursing schools, associations and employers. By consolidating the profession onto one simple to use networking platform, organizations receive a cheaper, faster and more effective way to communicate to the broader nursing profession as well as a more targeted and efficient platform for nurse recruiters. Also: Visit: www.nurseslounge.com follow on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/thenurseslounge and on twitter @TheNursesLounge Forward-Looking Statements This press release may contain forward-looking statements, including information about management's view of the Company's future expectations, plans and prospects. In particular, when used in the preceding discussion, the words "believes," "expects," "intends," "plans," "anticipates," or "may," and similar conditional expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Any statements made in this news release other than those of historical fact, about an action, event or development, are forward-looking statements. Such statements are based upon assumptions that in the future may prove not to have been accurate and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that its forward-looking statements will prove to be correct. Such statements are subject to a number of assumptions, risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. Factors that could cause results to differ include but are not limited to, successful performance of internal plans, product or services development and acceptance, the impact of competitive services and pricing, or general economic risks and uncertainties. Investors are cautioned that any forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected. The forward-looking statements in this press release are made as of the date hereof. The Company takes no obligation to update or correct (i) its own forward-looking statements, except as required by law, or (ii) those prepared by third parties that are not paid for by the Company. For more information, contact: Tim Armes Phone: 972-393-5892 Email: tarmes@nurseslounge.com EDMONTON, ALBERTA -- (Marketwired) -- 02/16/16 -- Alberta-based Edo Japan (Edo), known for its hot, fast and delicious Teppan-style meals, got busy feeding more than just hungry customers during the final months of 2015. As part of its 'Simply Better' holiday giving campaign, Edo restaurants across the country raised $74,753.94 for local food banks, $14,873 of which will go to Edmonton's Food Bank. Edo will present Edmonton's Food Bank (11508, 120 St. NW) with a cheque in this amount on Thursday, February 18 at 10 a.m. With a strong focus on community giving, Edo was proud to mark the sixth consecutive year of its ongoing partnership with Canada's food banks. Edo demonstrated its continued commitment to making the holidays 'Simply Better' for everyone with the second year of its annual fundraising program, which directs 25 cents from every spring roll purchased at Edo restaurants to local food banks. The food banks, in turn, are able to distribute four dollars' worth of food for every dollar donated. As in previous years, Edo's final food bank contribution surpassed its 2015 fundraising goal of $50,000. "Edo Japan recognizes the increased difficulty many Canadians face when it comes to feeding their families, both during and after the holiday season," said President and CEO, Tom Donaldson. "It is our hope that by partnering with local food banks, we can help to create 'Simply Better' moments for those in need by meeting their needs a in a tangible way. We are proud to be a part of the communities we serve and are incredibly grateful for the continued support of our franchisees and customers in contributing to this cause." Since the inception of its partnership with Canadian food banks in 2010, Edo has raised more than $332,000 for local food banks in the cities where it operates. In addition to the money raised during its holiday campaign, Edo also supports local food banks with donations collected during dry runs for the openings of new stores. "Local food banks continue to support an increasing number of Canadians each month," said Marjorie Bencz, CM, Executive Director of Edmonton's Food Bank. "Programs like Edo Japan's 'Simply Better' campaign play an important role in raising awareness around hunger and the needs of organizations like ours. We are incredibly grateful for Edo's continued support of Edmonton's Food Bank." To keep up-to-date with all of Edo's initiatives, follow them on Twitter at @edo_japan and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/edojapan. About Edo Japan Established in 1979 in Calgary, Alberta, Edo Japan was designed to bring the freshness of hot Japanese Teppan-style cooking to suburban shopping centres and food courts across Canada. Offering the highest quality, freshly prepared food in the quick service restaurant industry, Edo Japan has quickly become a popular alternative with more than 114 locations across Canada, serving more than eight million meals annually. For more information please visit www.edojapan.com. @edo_japan https://www.facebook.com/edojapan http://www.youtube.com/user/edojapaninc Contacts: Brookline Public Relations for Edo Japan Erica Morgan O: 403.538.5641 ext. 106 emorgan@brooklinepr.com Poll: Majority in France Believe Jews Responsible for Antisemitism | Main | Washington Post Fails to Properly I.D. Terrorist 'Charity' February 16, 2016 Who Did It? CNN Won't Say In a gross omission in an article Sunday about Palestinians opening fire on Israeli security forces near Damascus Gate, CNN fails to fulfill one of the basic journalistic requirements: to report who carried out the attack ("Israel says 2 men are dead after opening fire on police near Damascus Gate"). It's not only the headline which fails to note that the two attackers were Palestinian. Nowhere does the article itself identify the assailants as Palestinian, though that information had earlier been reported by other news services. The CNN story begins: Two men who opened fire at Israeli security forces outside the Damascus Gate of Jerusalem's Old City were shot and killed late Sunday, according to Israeli police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld. No police or soldiers were injured. Authorities have not yet identified the alleged attackers, referring to them only as "terrorists." According to the time stamp, the article was last updated at 22:20 GMT. Before then, news agencies had already identified the assailants as Palestinian. For instance at 21:37 GMT, AFP reported ("Palestinians fire at Jerusalem police, attackers shot dead: police"): Two Palestinians opened fire on Israeli police just outside Jerusalem's old city walls before being shot dead by officers, police told AFP. (Emphasis added). Late Sunday, two Palestinians were fatally shot after they opened fire with automatic weapons on Israeli security forces near Jerusalem's Damascus Gate. (Emphasis added.) Similarly, the Associated Press reported at 22:00 GMT: CNN again covers up Palestinian violence at the end of the brief article by reporting: Israel has experienced a spate of violence since October. Specifically, Israel has experienced a spate of Palestinian violence since October, key information obscured by CNN. This is not the first time in recent months that CNN has had trouble identifying Palestinian culprits or characterizing the last few months of Palestinian violence as Palestinian. See "CNN Dances Around Palestinian Violence, Refuses to Identify Culprits" for more details. Posted by TS at February 16, 2016 03:35 AM I do not understand how you can report an attack on Israeli police and fail to identify the attackers as Palestinian, when several other respected sources have done so. Posted by: Thomas Kaplan at February 18, 2016 04:25 PM CNN, along with many other media giants appears to be minimizing the importance of telling the truth when reporting stories concerning Jews and Israel. It is interesting that in the United States, per capita hate crimes against Jews are the highest of all reporting groups. CNN under reports this news. . CNN constantly reports on anti-Black bias in the United States but completely disregards acts of anti-Semitism. What is it with CNN and other media outlets, why is it that Jews who work at these companies don't stand up and say enough is enough, tell the truth! Posted by: Rob Cohen at February 21, 2016 06:56 PM Guidelines for posting This is a moderated blog. We will not post comments that include racism, bigotry, threats, or factually inaccurate material. Post a comment The upcoming H&H Classics Donington Park Auction, powered online by Proxibid, gives collectors the opportunity to bid on great classic cars and motorcycles. And for the first time, H&H Classics is offering the chance for UK buyers to finance a significant portion of the estimated value of their desired car or motorcycle. Thanks to an agreement between H&H Classics and Unbolted, a peer-to-peer lending platform well known for its lowest rate guarantee, and quick and efficient financing, is now available for buyers and sellers. "We are delighted to work with H&H Classics to provide financing for buyers and sellers," said Mark Magnacca, Chief Marketing Officer for Unbolted. "Extending the purchasing power for buyers and reassurance for sellers leads to a more exciting sales experience. And, with online bidding in this auction, buyers can finance and bid from the comfort of home." Unbolted offers H&H Classics buyers the opportunity to bid with confidence as Unbolted will, post auction, immediately lend 70% of the hammer price, or of the high estimate, whichever is lower. The "Buy Now Pay Later" loan can be for up to 6 months with an option to renew or pay off at any time with no penalties. Since the loan is secured by the vehicle, no credit check of the buyer is required. Unbolted's approval process is quick, simple, and discrete. Unbolted offers H&H Classic sellers an advance of up to 50% of the reserve price up front and does not charge any commissions on the actual sale price. Proxibid uses state-of-the-art fraud protection technology, which monitors the Marketplace for fraud 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This means both buyers and sellers are protected by the toughest fraud prevention system in the industry, ensuring all purchases in the Marketplace are safe and secure. With Proxibid, both buyers and sellers can have confidence in the security of their purchases, which is why Unbolted's "Buy Now Pay Later" loan method is being offered exclusively to Proxibid bidders for this auction. H&H Classics events, powered online by Proxibid, will take place at the following venues and dates: Donington Park Wednesday 24th February Duxford Wednesday 20th April Donington Park Wednesday 18th May Chateau Impney: Hill Climb Saturday 9th July Donington Park Thursday 28th July Duxford Wednesday 12th October Donington Park Wednesday 16th November Chateau Impney Wednesday 7th December For more information about these and other auctions, please visit www.proxibid.com. Proxibid Social Visit us online at www.proxibid.com "Like" us on Facebook www.facebook.com/proxibid Follow us on Twitter www.twitter.com/proxibid About Proxibid Proxibid.com is the world's most trusted online Marketplace for buying and selling highly valued items. Founded in 2001, Proxibid is headquartered in Omaha, NE with offices in New York and London. Proxibid sells across 15 categories, from fine art, antiques and collectables to heavy construction equipment, property and everything in between. More than $3 billion in inventory passes through Proxibid's Marketplace annually. More than 12,000 sales events take place in the Proxibid Marketplace each year, and more than 10,000 new buyers join the Marketplace each month. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160216006303/en/ Contacts: Proxibid Carly Docter, +1 402-991-4763 carly.docter@proxibid.com SAN FRANCISCO, CA--(Marketwired - February 16, 2016) - Last week a dedicated crew from Zephyr Real Estate reported for duty at the San Francisco-Marin Food Bank. They, along with two other like-minded groups, broke down approximately 3600 pounds of bulk rice into one-pound packages for distribution to those in need throughout our community. The teams completed their task at the Food Bank's warehouse, filling up 18-wheel trailers with ready-to-deliver individual food packages. Zipping around the warehouse among the trailers, the fleet of forklifts and the mountains of perishable and non-perishable food donations was an inspiring undertaking, and we applaud those hardy volunteers. Together they donated 72 hours to accomplish this feat. This is the second work shift provided by Zephyr agents, coordinated by agent Teri Cavanaugh from Zephyr's Upper Market office. "It is hard not to be inspired by the reach (and need) of the Food Bank," commented agent Jim Beitzel. "Plans are already underway for the next shift." Over 107,000 meals are provided daily, and 30,000 families will receive wholesome foods at the Bank's pantries weekly. 10,000 children will be served healthy snacks in the classroom each school day, and 450 community partners will receive supplies for their meal and food programs. Together over 25,000 volunteers make this program work by getting the most value from each donation and distributing the food where it is needed most. Opportunities for donating and volunteering are available at the Food Bank's website, http://www.sfmfoodbank.org/ways-to-give. "Zephyr has a long reputation for participating and giving back to our community, and this group clearly exemplifies that," stated Randall Kostick, President of Zephyr Real Estate. "I'm proud to be associated with all our community-minded agents." About Zephyr Real Estate Founded in 1978, Zephyr Real Estate is San Francisco's largest independent real estate firm with over $2 billion in gross sales and a current roster of more than 300 full-time agents. Zephyr's highly-visited website has earned two web design awards, including the prestigious Interactive Media Award. Zephyr Real Estate is a member of the international relocation network, Leading Real Estate Companies of the World; the luxury real estate network, Who's Who in Luxury Real Estate; global luxury affiliate, Mayfair International; and local luxury marketing association, the Luxury Marketing Council of San Francisco. Zephyr has six offices in San Francisco, a brand new office in Greenbrae, and two brokerage affiliates in Sonoma County, all strategically positioned to serve a large customer base throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. For more information, visit www.ZephyrRE.com. Image Available: http://www.marketwire.com/library/MwGo/2016/2/12/11G082658/Images/FoodBankVolunteers-f0f822fd3682aa8881586967062ba90b.jpg Contact: Melody Foster Zephyr Real Estate San Francisco, CA 415.426.3203 Email contact TORONTO, ON--(Marketwired - February 16, 2016) - Model risk management has become very important across North America. After Letter 11-7 was introduced in the US, many changes were made to model risk practices. There are indications that Canada will have a similar regulation soon, making model risk management, and vendor model validation a top priority for financial institutions in Canada. John Zhang, Senior Manager of Investment Risk at CCP Investment Board, has recently spoken with GFMI about topics to be discussed at the upcoming Model Risk Management -- Canadian Edition Conference: What are some of the major challenges in vendor model validation today? JZ: One of the major challenges in vendor model validation is the full examination of all the models/functions served for the business's purposes within both the framework of regulatory requirements and legal/accounting compliance. It's not a difficult job to validate a single model within the vendor system given market input data. However, it will be a challenge to identify every single model involved in the business application process offered by the vendor system and validate all of them in accordance with necessary regulatory requirements. Another challenge is less detailed and incomplete documentation from vendors. Lastly, a huge problem is the inaccessibility to the source codes, which will make it difficult to justify the hard coded data and extreme case testing. How are vendor models built, and how much do we know about them? JZ: Most vendor systems are built to serve, or focused on some special business purpose, such as valuation of derivatives (P&L), market risk (VaR), Counterparty credit risk (PFE), economic capital (EC), etc. A good vendor system usually is designed with more flexibility or compatibility for future development. We start to know the vendor by the scope of functions it can offer. With the complete model validation process, we can have a clear picture of the framework offered by the vendor, and we believe such a model validation process can help model users to better understand the product and make full use of the vendor's functions. What are the top regulatory expectations around vendor models? JZ: Most financial institutes are on their way to seeking Basel compliance. For the banks' exposure to the U.S. market, they need to be CCAR compliant as well. As a result of that, the design of the structure/framework of the vendor has to be compliant with such requirements. What are the key issues in model risk quantification today? JZ: Model risk quantification is still in its infancy. Actually, it's still far from reaching the level of a fully accepted method and application in the industry due to the following issues: 1. the various types of model involved; 2. the complexity of models; 3. the availability and reliability of market quotes. What do you think attendees will gain by attending the event? JZ: Through a series of practitioner's lectures and panel discussions, you will have ample opportunity to actively benchmark with your peers and take home key implementation strategies on model risk management and how to build a concrete model validation framework by maintaining regulatory compliance. John Zhang is the Senior Manager with Investment Risk at CPP Investment Board. John has over 13 years of financial quantitative modeling experience across banks' capital market derivative pricing models, market risk models, and counterparty credit risk models to alternative investment risk models. Before joining CPPIB in October 2014, John was the Senior Manager with Model Risk Governance and Vetting at BMO for over four years. John headed a small group of quantitative analysts responsible for all model vetting activities related with capital market derivative pricing models (vendor models) and treasury models with BMO. Prior to working with BMO in May 2010, John worked with National Bank of Canada for over six years on a couple of senior quantitative analyst roles from market risk model development to derivative pricing model validation. John received his Master of Quantitative Finance degree in 2003, and Master of Applied Science degree in 2002 -- both from the University of Waterloo. Join John Zhang at the Model Risk Management Conference, March 7 th - 8 th , 2016 in Toronto, ON, Canada. View the conference agenda to check out John's case study topic. For more information, please contact Jen Jordan, Digital Marketing Coordinator, GFMI at 312.894.6347 or jenjo@global- fmi.com. About Global Financial Markets Intelligence GFMI is a specialized provider of content-led conferences for the financial markets. Carefully researched with leading financial market experts, our focused quality events deliver key bottom-line value through targeted presentations, interactive discussions and high-level networking opportunities. Image Available: http://www.marketwire.com/library/MwGo/2016/2/16/11G083043/Images/John_CPPIB1-d5aa77bb5d45a08a868e792c6b628d4f.JPG Jen Jordan Digital Marketing Coordinator GFMI 312.894.6347 jenjo@global-fmi.com Regulatory News: ADOCIA (Paris:ADOC) (Euronext Paris: FR0011184241 ADOC) announces today its revenue and cash position for the full year 2015. Cash position and indebtedness At December 31, 2015, cash and cash equivalents amounted to EUR 72 million compared to EUR 49.8 million on December 31st 2014. This increase of EUR 22.3 million is primarily attributed to a capital increase of approximately EUR 30 million (net of fees) completed in March 2015 with healthcare-focused investors. Cash position at the end of the year also included a USD 10 million milestone payment (EUR 9.2 million) from Eli Lilly following positive results of a bioequivalence pilot study comparing BioChaperone U200 to BioChaperone U100. Over the full year 2015, the net amount of cash needed to finance operations amounted to EUR 15.3 million, compared to EUR 10.6 million over the same period last year. Financial debts at the end of December 2015 totaled EUR 0.8 million. They consisted essentially of reimbursable advances received from the French agency for innovation Bpifrance Financement related to our insulin projects. Annual revenue details for 2015 In millions of euros IFRS rules 2015 2014 Var. value Licensing revenue 19,9 0,4 + 19,5 Research and collaborative development contracts 17,0 0,3 + 16,7 Revenue (a) 36,9 0,7 + 36,2 Grants, public funding and tax credit research (b) 7,8 3,5 +4,3 Operating income (a)+(b) 44,7 4,2 +40,5 Consolidated operating income at December 31, 2015 increased significantly to EUR 44.7 million compared to EUR 4.2 million in the same period in 2014. Revenue of nearly EUR 37 million at December 31, 2015 resulted primarily from the collaborative and licensing agreement signed with Lilly at the end of 2014 for the development of an ultra-rapid insulin analog formulated with Adocia's proprietary Biochaperone technology. Licensing revenue for the full year 2015 amounted to EUR 19.9 million and included: The technical amortization for EUR 10.7 million of the initial USD 50 million payment received in December 2014. In IFRS rules this payment is linearly amortized over the duration of the program as anticipated at the time of the signature of the agreement. In 2014, due to execution of the contract on December 18, 2014, this amortization had a slight impact on revenue (EUR 0.4 million). A milestone payment of USD 10 million, or EUR 9.2 million, received from Lilly following positive results of a pilot bioequivalence study. This is the first milestone payment paid pursuant to the contract, which includes a total potential for USD 520 million in development and commercial milestones. Revenues from the research and collaboration agreement amounted to EUR 17 million, reflecting Lilly reimbursement of all internal and external costs related to development of the licensed project. In 2014, revenue of EUR 0.3 million resulted solely from on-going research and collaborative contracts related to the formulation of monoclonal antibodies. In 2015, these collaborations continued and generated a total EUR 0.2 million in revenue. Other operating income consisted of a Research Tax Credit ("Credit Impot Recherche") for EUR 6.8 million in 2015 compared to EUR 3.5 million in 2014. This significant change reflects increased activity supporting the development of our projects. Additionally, the reimbursable advance of an initial amount of EUR 2.25 million obtained from Bpi on a bone reconstruction project (osteoporosis) was cleared out during 2015. Consequent to the decision of a "partial failure" of the program in 2015, an amount of EUR 1.05 was forgiven and recognized as a grant. The remaining amount of the advance which was not yet reimbursed (EUR 0.5 million) was paid by Adocia on September 30, 2015. "Adocia strengthened its cash position through its active partnership with Eli Lilly and its fundraising carried out in March 2015. With 72 million euros and a strict and controlled management of its expenses, the Company intends to pursue its ambitious development plan" comments Valerie Danaguezian, Financial Director of Adocia. Detail of revenue per quarter In millions of euros IFRS 2015 2014 Q4 Q3 Q2 Q1 Q4 Q3 Q2 Q1 Licensing revenue 11,8 2,7 2,7 2,7 0,4 Research and collaborative development contracts 6,2 3,5 4,1 3,2 0,1 0,1 0,1 0,1 Revenue 18,0 6,2 6,8 5,9 0,4 0,1 0,1 0,1 About ADOCIA Adocia is a clinical-stage biotechnology company that specializes in the development of innovative formulations of already-approved therapeutic proteins. Adocia's insulin formulation portfolio, featuring four clinical-stage programs and one preclinical program, is among the largest and most differentiated in the industry. The proprietary BioChaperone technological platform is designed to enhance the effectiveness and/or safety of therapeutic proteins while making them easier for patients to use. Adocia customizes BioChaperone to each protein for a given application in order to address specific patient needs. Adocia's clinical pipeline includes a unique formulation of PDGF-BB for the treatment of diabetic foot ulcer and four novel insulin formulations for the treatment of diabetes: two ultra-rapid formulations of insulin analogs (BioChaperone Lispro U100 and U200), a rapid-acting formulation of human insulin (HinsBet U100) and a combination of insulin glargine and a rapid-acting insulin analog (BioChaperone Combo). Adocia is also developing a concentrated, rapid-acting formulation of human insulin (HinsBet U500). In December 2014, Adocia signed a partnership with Eli Lilly for the development and commercialization of the BioChaperone Lispro programs. Adocia's extended, early-stage programs include innovative monoclonal antibody formulations, featuring two ongoing collaborations programs with major pharmaceutical companies in the field, and the delivery of anticancer drugs using the proprietary DriveIn nanotechnology platform. Adocia aims to deliver "Innovative medicine for everyone, everywhere." To learn more about Adocia, please visit us at www.adocia.com Disclaimer This press release contains certain forward-looking statements concerning Adocia and its business. Such forward-looking statements are based on assumptions that Adocia considers to be reasonable. However, there can be no assurance that the estimates contained in such forward-looking statements will be verified, which estimates are subject to numerous risks including the risks set forth in the 'Risk Factors' section of the Reference Document registered by the French Autorite des marches financiers on April 30, 2015 under number R.15-032 (a copy of which is available on www.adocia.com) and to the development of economic conditions, financial markets and the markets in which Adocia operates. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are also subject to risks not yet known to Adocia or not currently considered material by Adocia. The occurrence of all or part of such risks could cause actual results, financial conditions, performance or achievements of Adocia to be materially different from such forward-looking statements. This press release and the information contained herein do not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy Adocia shares in any jurisdiction. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160216006283/en/ Contacts: Adocia Gerard Soula, Tel.: +33 4 72 610 610 Chairman and CEO contactinvestisseurs@adocia.com or Adocia Press Relations ALIZE RP Caroline Carmagnol and Florence Portejoie Tel.: 33 1 44 54 36 61 caroline@alizerp.com adocia@alizerp.com Global expansion comes as Nextdoor surpasses 92,164 neighborhoods using the service in the United States, representing more than half of the country SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 16, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Nextdoor (nextdoor.com), the free and private social network for neighborhoods, today announced that it is expanding internationally, starting with the Netherlands. Nextdoor is now used by more than half of all neighborhoods in the United States, with 92,164 communities. Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160215/333447 Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160215/333446 This launch marks the first non-English implementation of Nextdoor and its first international office. The product has been localized and is now offered fully in Dutch or English on Web, iOS, and Android devices. "Our goal has always been to bring Nextdoor to every neighbor, in every neighborhood, across the world," said Nirav Tolia, Co-Founder and CEO of Nextdoor. "We started with neighborhoods in the U.S. and have been blown away by the response. Now it is time to expand our focus to include the rest of the world." On Nextdoor, neighbors create private online communities for their neighborhoods where they can ask questions, get to know one another, and exchange local advice and recommendations. Topics of discussion are as varied as local events, school activities, plumber and babysitter recommendations, recent criminal activity, upcoming garage sales or lost pets. "The Netherlands was an obvious first choice for our international expansion," said Tolia. "The country has always been an early adopter of technology and has very strong neighborhood identity." During a very successful three-month pilot period, 93 neighborhoods have embraced Nextdoor in cities and villages across the Netherlands to build even better neighborhoods. The ways neighbors use Nextdoor does not vary greatly from the United States, but Dutch neighbors do seem to be a bit more social and generous. On average, Nextdoor members in the Netherlands give away 10 times the amount of free items per neighborhood, and host 8.5 times more events per neighborhood than Nextdoor members in the United States. "The Dutch have quickly adopted Nextdoor as the best place to discuss the things that matter most in our communities," said Tamar van de Paal, Dutch Country Manager for Nextdoor. "We are thrilled to be the first country outside of the U.S. to be able to utilize this valuable community building platform to build even better neighborhoods." "The best companies have global potential because they address a universal problem," said Bill Gurley, General Partner at Benchmark. "We have always felt that Nextdoor's value proposition could be extended beyond the U.S. I am excited for the company to take the first step in this journey." Nextdoor is aggressively pursuing plans to grow its international presence beyond the Netherlands, and plans to begin a pilot phase in the United Kingdom in the coming months. To sign up for Nextdoor in the U.S., visit Nextdoor.com or download the free mobile apps. To sign up for Nextdoor in the Netherlands, visit Nextdoor.nl or download the free mobile apps. About Nextdoor.com, Inc. Nextdoor (nextdoor.com) is the private social network for neighborhoods. Using Nextdoor's platform, available on Web and mobile devices, neighbors create private online communities where they get to know one another, ask questions, exchange advice and recommendations, and address crime and safety concerns. More than 92,164 neighborhoods across the United States are using Nextdoor to build stronger and safer places to call home. Headquartered in San Francisco, Calif., Nextdoor is a privately-held company with the backing of prominent investors, including Benchmark, Greylock Partners, Tiger Global Management, Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, and others. For additional information and images: nextdoor.com/newsroom Contact information: Kelsey Grady, Head of Communications, kelsey@nextdoor.com Kitty van muiswinkel, Communications Manager, Netherlands, kitty@nextdoor.com DOWNINGTOWN, PA -- (Marketwired) -- 02/16/16 -- Having just marked 20 years in the craft brewing industry, Victory Brewing Company (Victory) proudly announces a landmark alliance with Southern Tier Brewing Company (Southern Tier) under parent company Artisanal Brewing Ventures (ABV). As the first major transaction of 2016 within the rapidly evolving craft beer industry, this union presents a new model for craft beer partnerships by preserving brewery independence while pooling deep collective resources. The new strategic framework between ABV, Victory and Southern Tier provides capital, security and vision for the future. ABV, formed to unify independent craft brewers and distillers, embraces the collaborative craft spirit while administering crucial growth resources. Arlington Capital Advisors acted as exclusive financial consultant to Victory. Wells Fargo's Beverage Finance group provided capital to support the investment and continued growth at ABV. The transaction is expected to close within the next 60 days. Under the umbrella of ABV, Victory and Southern Tier will independently operate their breweries, commanding a joint capacity of over 800,000 barrels of potential annual production. This alliance creates one of the largest brewers in the Northeast and ranks within the top 15 craft brewing companies in the United States according to Brewers Association criteria with combined 2015 shipments of over 250,000 barrels. With a world-class roster of complementary beer brands and an even stronger standing in the marketplace, ABV will shepherd Victory and Southern Tier in collaborative sales and marketing efforts to strengthen, support and expand its distributor and retail partnerships. Victory and Southern Tier brands will become increasingly available to loyal and new consumers across their combined markets as a direct result of this union. "The craft beer community is at its most critical moment since its inception as larger brewing corporations have bought into our grassroots movement, irrevocably changing the marketplace. Like-minded brewers such as Victory and Southern Tier can preserve our character, culture and products by banding together," said Bill Covaleski, Founder and Brewmaster of Victory Brewing Company. "Allied we can continue to innovate and best serve the audience who fueled our growth through their loyal thirst." "Having gotten to know Phin, John and the whole management team, I am more excited than ever about the innovations that lie in our collective futures. One walk through their brewery and I knew that Southern Tier had the same belief in quality and excellence that has driven our culture for 20 years," explains Ron Barchet, COO of Victory Brewing Company. The Victory and Southern Tier leadership teams and employees will remain intact. Bill Covaleski and Ron Barchet of Victory, who will become significant shareholders in ABV, will join the Artisanal Brewing Ventures' Board of Directors. CEO John Coleman and CFO Bill Wild will lead ABV's management team. "This is exactly the kind of alliance we imagined when we created Artisanal Brewing Ventures in 2014," said Phin DeMink, founder of Southern Tier Brewing Company and also a major shareholder in ABV. "This is a concept that was specifically designed by and for craft brewers, so we can focus on the things we're best at while creating meaningful scale advantages. I'm proud to see this model validated and am grateful that my friends Ron and Bill have become our partners." "This is the ultimate craft beer collaboration. It is an honor to be associated with these pioneering entrepreneurs who have been contributing to the industry since craft's early days," said John Coleman, CEO of ABV. "I look forward to guiding these two truly great organizations forward as they collaborate, innovate and share best practices." "I believe this is a watershed transaction for the craft brewing world. This union of two great regional players preserves their independence and distinct cultures while sharing administrative and management functions to support deeper investment in sales, marketing and innovation," commented Vann Russell, Managing Director and Founder of Arlington Capital. Image Available: http://www2.marketwire.com/mw/frame_mw?attachid=2964190 Image Available: http://www2.marketwire.com/mw/frame_mw?attachid=2964172 Contacts: Food Shelter PR Joanne Jordan 917.673.9305 Email Contact Lorraine Gimblett 917.523.2327 Email Contact Berlin (ots) - - Achieving a fair deal with Great Britain at EU summit - Making substantial progress now in European refugee policy - House of German Business in Brussels opened Immediately before the EU summit in two days' time, BDI President Ulrich Grillo and German Employers' President Ingo Kramer appealed to the heads of state and government to conclude an agreement with Great Britain. "The demands made by the British government are in part very sensible. The EU must strengthen European competitiveness and bring about a major reduction in bureaucracy", said Grillo. "A Brexit would only lead us up a dead end. Departure from the EU by Britain would not only be a shock for the common single market but would above all send out a strong signal against Europe. In the view of German industry there can be only one message to the British: "Stay in - it is in your own interests." On Tuesday Grillo, Kramer and Martin Schulz, President of the EU Parliament, opened the House of German Business, the new BDI/BDA Representation in Brussels. Employers' President Ingo Kramer emphasized that the EU summit must achieve substantial progress in European refugee policy: "European solidarity is needed in order to bring the influx into Europe under control and to reduce it. We must help the neighbouring states in the crisis regions even more effectively. In addition, we must work together to achieve better control of Europe's external borders. Individual member states cannot manage this on their own. Frontex, the border management agency, is in urgent need of greater competences. The securing of external borders is the precondition for open internal borders." The Presidents of BDI and BDA warned that the European Union is facing a decisive year. "The opening of our office comes at a time in which it is more important than ever to make our presence felt in Brussels and to shoulder responsibility. For German industry a united Europe is essential. We are convinced Europeans. We know that it is the EU which makes a decisive contribution to our prosperity in Germany and in Europe", said Grillo. Europe should take advantage of all opportunities offering the prospect of future growth and stability. For German industry this includes the rapid expansion of economic cooperation with USA within the framework of the free trade agreement TTIP. "We businessmen in Europe must campaign for the agreement. It would be disastrous if we were to waste this opportunity. The Pacific Agreement TPP is now entering upon the ratification phase. That must be an additional incentive to take a major step forward in the next TTIP negotiating round in the coming week", stressed Kramer. OTS: BDI Bundesverband der Dt. Industrie newsroom: http://www.presseportal.de/nr/6570 newsroom via RSS: http://www.presseportal.de/rss/pm_6570.rss2 Pressekontakt: BDI Bundesverband der Dt. Industrie Presse und Offentlichkeitsarbeit Breite Strae 29 10178 Berlin Tel.: 030 20 28 1450 Fax: 030 20 28 2450 Email: presse@bdi.eu Internet: http://www.bdi.eu Kostenloser Wertpapierhandel auf Smartbroker.de SAN DIEGO, CA -- (Marketwired) -- 02/16/16 -- Today's manufacturers offer many great products for kitchen remodels that not only integrate with technology, but have environmental benefits. Flooring and countertops are made of recycled materials or sustainable products, while appliances can be more energy-efficient and cut down on utility use. Homeowners are encouraged to check out modern options prior to a home remodel when updating their kitchen or bathroom. When it comes to flooring, cork makes a great addition to a kitchen remodel. Trees are not damaged in the cork extraction process, and it is a comfortable and warm surface for the kitchen. In addition, it comes in many different styles and is affordable. When sealed and treated correctly, it's waterproof. Marble and granite are outdated for countertops. IceStone makes exquisite countertops out of recycled cement and glass which are completely safe for use in any home. ECO by Cosentino takes old porcelain and turns it into new products for bathroom and kitchen remodel. Recycled surfaces come in many different styles and colors to coordinate with flooring, cabinets, and personal style. Appliances which are more than 10 years old benefit from an update. Newer products with the ENERGY STAR label feature modern designs that use less electricity and water. Lower utility bills offset the initial cost of new refrigerator or dishwasher. New lighting options use up to 80 percent less energy than incandescent lights, last longer, and do not have special disposal needs. Eco-friendly kitchen and bathroom fixtures can often reduce water use up to 50 percent in today's home. Instead of being clunky and outdated, these faucets are sleek and modern to fit into any home. Automatic faucets are one sustainable option that many families are installing to reduce disease transmission and save money on water use. It's easy to promote sustainable living by choosing eco-friendly products which prevent unused water from going down the drain. When renovating a room, homeowners should also check out thermal windows and energy efficient doors, which offer better insulation and noise-pollution reduction. Eco-friendly paints are made from natural substances and do not have the toxicity of regular paints which pollute the indoor and outdoor air. Homeowners have more options than ever before when it comes to going green during a remodeling project. About: Kaminskiy Design & Remodeling has been providing San Diego homeowners with excellent home remodeling services for more than a decade. Visit the website, http://www.kaminskiyhomeremodeling.com, to see photos of some of their favorite projects. Call 858-271-1005 to get more options for an eco-friendly kitchen and bathroom remodel. Image Available: http://www2.marketwire.com/mw/frame_mw?attachid=2964750 Image Available: http://www2.marketwire.com/mw/frame_mw?attachid=2964752 Media: Internet Marketing Guyz www.internetmarketingguyz.com Email Contact SINGAPORE -- (Marketwired) -- 04/26/16 -- How well does your smart home know you? For example, does it know that you like it a little bit chilly inside while you are sleeping -- but nice and toasty warm when you wake up? Intraix' KLUG Home does. KLUG Home is a tiny USB smart home hub that simply plugs into your Wi-Fi router and connects you with the different smart devices around your home -- all on one interface, controllable via a smartphone app. Available for pre-order on Indiegogo, KLUG Home enables these devices to interact with one another to create a thoughtful, truly smart home. The KLUG Home Difference Named for the German word for 'smart,' KLUG Home combines the two features that represent the future of a truly smart home: contextual awareness and voice control. KLUG Home employs machine learning algorithms to monitor and learn from a user's personal changes and preferences, creating a synergistic, smart ecosystem as opposed to merely a platform. Giving users the ability to use their voice as a means of control, KLUG Home can talk to today's most popular digital assistants, including Alexa (Amazon Echo), Siri (Apple HomeKit) and Ok Google (Google Now). Is Your Smart Home Really Smart? Let's face it -- smart home technology can be overwhelming. For something that is supposed to simplify your life, it actually can end up doing the opposite. Most of the 'smart' or 'connected' devices on the market today are really just sensors that are controlled remotely through the cloud via multiple interfaces on your smartphone. Simply adding connectivity doesn't make them intelligent. Intraix, makers of KLUG Home, believe that a smart home is really only smart when it starts to learn. In order to create actual intelligence, smart devices require a centralized controller to provide context. KLUG Home provides this context -- think of it as the brains behind your connected home. It does all of this out of view, as its small form factor enables it to sit nicely behind your router, which also acts as its power source. Simply plug it in, and KLUG Home goes to work in the background connecting, organizing and steering all of your smart home devices -- leaving you free to go about your day. Secure Support for Today's Connected Devices KLUG Home supports the most popular smart devices, hubs and software on the market, including Nest, SmartThings and Amazon Echo. It integrates the most widely used, reliable and secure protocols (Wi-Fi and ZigBee, Apple HomeKit, Google Now) and can connect to many third-party smart devices, including: Fitbit, Netatmo Weather Station, Philips Hue lights, Billion smart plugs and various alarm systems and motion sensors. "We believe that smart devices can be even smarter when they work together and play off of each others' synergies," noted Bryan Lee, co-founder of Intraix. "A truly smart home starts with better software -- and this is where we make a difference. We've designed KLUG Home to listen, learn and understand your habits and preferences at home. It gets smarter as it gets to know you better and is able to develop single contexts across the multiple devices that you own and use most. KLUG Home makes your home uniquely yours -- and we think that's a beautiful thing." Availability KLUG Home is now available for pre-order on Indiegogo and priced at $79 for early adopters. First units are slated to ship in October 2016. Please visit Indiegogo for all of the details. About Intraix PTE LTD Intraix is a Singapore startup that was founded in 2012 on the belief that smart devices can be smarter together. The company's goal is to build high-quality products that help to create a connected lifestyle for everyone as society moves into a new era of technological innovation. Intraix is supported by SPRING, IDA and IE Singapore and has won various awards in entrepreneurship. To learn more about KLUG Home, visit www.getklug.com, or follow Intraix on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. Embedded Video Available Image Available: http://www2.marketwire.com/mw/frame_mw?attachid=2997511 Image Available: http://www2.marketwire.com/mw/frame_mw?attachid=2997514 Embedded Video Available: http://www2.marketwire.com/mw/frame_mw?attachid=2997508 Media Contact: Justine Houston-Brown Lages & Associates (949) 453-8080 Email Contact Washington D.C.--(Newsfile Corp. - February 16, 2016) - The Securities and Exchange Commission today announced that a Massachusetts-based technology company and its Chinese subsidiaries agreed to pay more than $28 million to settle parallel civil and criminal actions involving violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA). An SEC investigation found that two Chinese subsidiaries of PTC Inc. provided non-business related travel and other improper payments to various Chinese government officials in an effort to win business. PTC agreed to pay $11.858 million in disgorgement and $1.764 million in prejudgment interest to settle the SEC's charges and its two China subsidiaries agreed to pay a $14.54 million fine in a non-prosecution agreement announced today by the U.S. Department of Justice. "PTC failed to stop illicit payments despite indications of potential corruption by agents working with its Chinese subsidiaries, and the misconduct continued unabated for several years," said Kara Brockmeyer, Chief of the SEC Enforcement Division's FCPA Unit. The SEC also announced its first deferred prosecution agreement (DPA) with an individual in an FCPA case. DPAs facilitate and reward cooperation in SEC investigations by foregoing an enforcement action against an individual who agrees to cooperate fully and truthfully throughout the period of deferred prosecution. FCPA charges will be deferred for three years against Yu Kai Yuan, a former employee at one of PTC's Chinese subsidiaries, as a result of significant cooperation he has provided during the SEC's investigation. According to the SEC's order instituting a settled administrative proceeding against PTC: From at least 2006 to 2011, two PTC China-based subsidiaries provided improper travel, gifts, and entertainment totaling nearly $1.5 million to Chinese government officials who were employed by state-owned entities that were PTC customers. PTC gained approximately $11.8 million in profits from sales contracts with state-owned entities whose officials received the improper payments. Chinese officials were compensated directly and through third-party agents for sightseeing and tourist activities. Third-party agents typically arranged overseas sightseeing trips in conjunction with a visit to a PTC facility, typically the corporate headquarters in Massachusetts. After one day of business activities, the additional days of sightseeing visits lacked any business purpose. Typical PTC-paid travel destinations for Chinese officials included New York, Las Vegas, San Diego, Los Angeles, and Honolulu. Officials enjoyed guided tours, golfing, and other leisure activities. Employees of PTC's Chinese subsidiaries also provided improper gifts and entertainment to Chinese government officials, including small electronics such as cell phones, iPods, and GPS systems as well as gift cards, wine, and clothing. The improper payments were disguised as legitimate commissions or business expenses in company books and records. The SEC's order finds that PTC violated the anti-bribery, internal controls, and books and records provisions of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. In the settlement, the SEC considered PTC's self-reporting of its misconduct as well as the significant remedial acts the company has since undertaken. The SEC's investigation was conducted by Asita Obeyesekere, Kathleen Shields, and Rory Alex of the Boston Regional Office. The case was supervised by Paul G. Block of the FCPA Unit. The SEC appreciates the assistance of the Fraud Section of the U.S. Department of Justice. Status will allow specific reimbursement codes for EOS exams in Korea Regulatory News: EOS imaging (Euronext, FR0011191766 EOSI), the pioneer in 2D/3D orthopedic medical imaging, announced today the decision from the Center for New Health Technology (NECA) to grant the EOS imaging platform the Innovative Technology status, recognizing EOS as a unique modality worthy of a new reimbursement code with higher coverage than conventional X-rays. The New Health Technology Assessment Committee was established in July of 2000 under the Ministry of Health and Welfare to look at the safety, effectiveness and cost effectiveness of relevant technologies as well as the social, ethical and legal effects. The Committee uses a systematic literature review to search, analyze and contemplate existing studies comprehensively and without bias as the basis for evaluating the applications. EOS was granted the Innovative Technology status on the basis of the combination of innovations in dose reduction, simultaneous biplanar scanning and 3D reconstruction capacity. Now that EOS imaging has received the New Health Technology Notice, an EOS exam will be registered in the health insurance benefits coverage list as a specific modality. During the coming years, EOS exam reimbursement levels will be determined. In the meantime, hospitals may determine for themselves the amount they will charge for each EOS exam, allowing immediately utilizing EOS in better financial conditions. EOS imaging received the Korean Food and Drug Administration (KFDA) clearance in 2014. The approval from the NHTA is an important step towards EOS imaging's ability to develop in the Korean medical imaging market. Korea is the third market in Asia for imaging equipment and is making strong investments to become a world leader in the medical device industry with a particular emphasis on medical imaging equipment and processing software. Marie Meynadier, CEO of EOS imaging said, "The EOS platform is an exciting new modality in the orthopedic imaging market, and enhanced reimbursement can obviously contribute to the pace at which it is becoming a standard of care. We are pleased that the Korean NECA committee recognized how innovative our technology is, the value our solution offers patients and the role that appropriate reimbursement will play in the availability of our solutions to the people of Korea." For more information, please visit www.eos-imaging.com. EOS imaging has been chosen to be included in the new EnterNext PEA-PME 150 index, composed of 150 French companies and listed on Euronext and Alternext markets in Paris. EOS imaging is listed on Compartment C of Euronext Paris ISIN: FR0011191766 Ticker: EOSI Next press release: 2015 Full-year results and 2016 First-quarter sales on April 28, 2016 About EOS imaging EOS imaging designs, develops, and markets EOS, an innovative medical imaging system dedicated to osteoarticular pathologies and orthopaedics, as well as associated solutions. The Company is authorized to market in 48 countries, including the United States (FDA), Japan and the European Union (EC). The Group posted 2015 revenues of 21.8 million and employs 107 people including an R&D team of 39 engineers. The Group is based in Paris and has five subsidiaries in Besancon (France), Cambridge (Massachusetts), Montreal (Canada), Frankfurt (Germany) and Singapore. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160216006431/en/ Contacts: EOS imaging Anne Renevot CFO Ph: +33 (0)1 55 25 61 24 investors@eos-imaging.com or NewCap Financial communication and investor relations Pierre Laurent Ph: +33 (0)1 44 71 94 94 eosimaging@newcap.eu or The Ruth Group (US) Press relations Joanna Zimmerman Ph: 646-536-7006 jzimmerman@theruthgroup.com According to Technavio's latest report, the global flow battery marketis likely to grow at a CAGR of over 9% during the forecast period. Flow batteries such as zinc bromide, vanadium redox, sodium bromide, and hydrogen bromide are primarily used as advanced energy storage systems. These are best suited for microgrid applications. Their beneficial characteristics such as longer lifecycle and discharge hours contribute to the growth of this market. The global flow batteries market is expected to witness steady growth during the forecast period, attributed to the rising use of flow batteries in various applications and government support such as funding and investment in R&D. Sayani Roy, a lead researcher at Technavio for energy storage says, "Any abrupt rise in demand for energy can be met by batteries. In countries such as India and Africa where power outages can last more than expected, batteries with low discharge rates, such as flow batteries, are ideal." In this report, Technavio covers the present scenario and growth prospects of the global flow battery market The report also presents the vendor landscape and a corresponding detailed analysis of the top four vendors operating in the market. The market is segmented into the following regions: Americas EMEA APAC Americas: government support and intensive R&D boost growth The flow battery market in the Americas is likely to exceed USD 79 million in 2020, growing at a CAGR of 9%. The flow battery market in the Americas is expected to witness steady growth during the forecast period because of government support and intensive R&D. For instance, in 2015, the US Department of Energy (DOE) listed 72 flow battery projects globally, with a total power of 102,722 kW. The projects considered in this list included announced and under construction operational facilities. Automobile manufacturers are increasingly deploying flow batteries in electric vehicles. REDT has developed an electric vehicle refueling system, which uses vanadium redox flow technology. "This technology will instantly recharge the battery by replacing the chargeless electrolyte with a charged electrolyte, thus reducing the time taken to charge electric vehicles," says Sayani. Request for a sample: http://goo.gl/sRsc62 EMEA: flow battery market to exceed USD 38 million The flow battery market in EMEA is expected to witness a steady growth during the forecast period growing at a CAGR of over 9%. Europe primarily uses flow batteries in the transportation segment, mainly electric vehicles. For instance, in July 2014, Nanoflowcell, a car manufacturer was granted permission to sell the Quant model (concept car), which is powered by flow batteries in Germany and the rest of Europe. The application of flow battery is growing, as this technology is ideal for the utility sector and in UPS, which requires an energy burst for a few seconds or minutes. The growth in industrial demand in this region, will further boost the flow battery market. APAC: fastest-growing region in the flow battery market The flow battery market in APAC is predicted to exceed USD 44 million by 2020, growing at a CAGR of over 10%. The market is expected to undergo significant growth during the forecast period owing to fluctuations, power outages, the need for large-scale energy storage systems, and growing environmental concerns. For instance, increased demand for energy storage systems such as flow batteries is predicted from APAC countries like China which plans to invest over USD 47 billion in improving its power grid. The flow battery market is expected to be widely used due to its effectiveness in pitch control and peak power support. Key Vendors: EnerVault Imergy Power Systems Primus Power Prudent Energy Some of the other prominent vendors listed in the report are: Aquion Energy, EnSync Energy Systems, Redflow, Sumitomo Electric, and UniEnergy Technologies. Browse Related Reports: Global Distributed Energy Generation Technologies Market 2015-2019 Global Energy Storage in Microgrids Market 2015-2019 Global Telecom Power Systems Market 2015-2019 Purchase these three reports for the price of one by becoming a Technavio subscriber. Subscribing to Technavio's reports allows you to download any three reports per month for the price of one. Contact enquiry@technavio.com with your requirements and a link to our subscription platform. About Technavio Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. The company develops over 2000 pieces of research every year, covering more than 500 technologies across 80 countries. Technavio has about 300 analysts globally who specialize in customized consulting and business research assignments across the latest leading edge technologies. Technavio analysts employ primary as well as secondary research techniques to ascertain the size and vendor landscape in a range of markets. Analysts obtain information using a combination of bottom-up and top-down approaches, besides using in-house market modeling tools and proprietary databases. They corroborate this data with the data obtained from various market participants and stakeholders across the value chain, including vendors, service providers, distributors, re-sellers, and end-users. If you are interested in more information, please contact our media team at media@technavio.com. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160216005329/en/ Contacts: Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media Marketing Executive US: +1 630 333 9501 UK: +44 208 123 1770 www.technavio.com media@technavio.com MONTREAL, QUEBEC -- (Marketwired) -- 02/16/16 -- Mobi724 Global Solutions Inc. ("Mobi724" or the "Company") (CSE: MOS), a technology leader in the digital incentives, couponing and payment space, announces that its subsidiary, Mobi724 Asia Inc., has signed a multi-year agreement with Tangent Solutions, Inc. ("Tangent") in the Philippines to allow the latter to use Mobi724's EMV Payment Solutions. The Company will immediately start the integration process. This integration will enable Tangent's network to become EMV compliant. All banks and all retail payment terminals in the Philippines are required to be EMV complaint. Robert Rioux - President of Mobi724 Asia Inc. stated: "All banks must be EMV compliant by the end of 2016. This is an opportunity for us to leverage our EMV gateways to connect and route the retail payment terminals to the proper issuing bank. This agreement allows us to reach over 40% of all the retailers in the country and it will allow us to connect MPOS transactions. Once the initial integration with Tangent has been done and execution of this first phase is commenced, in a subsequent phase, we can begin to leverage our couponing solutions as well." About Tangent Solutions, Inc. Tangent is the leading third-party and EFTPOS terminal service and solutions provider in the Philippines. Tangent offers innovative software for the payment industry and manages the payment terminals fleet for over 80 banks in the country through its partnership with Bancnet, the largest ATM switch in the Philippines and with all the major credit card acquirers in the country. Tangent also provides solutions to more than 40% of all the retailers in the country. Tangent has been in the EFTPOS solutions provider business since 1999 and has been at the forefront of the technological revolution, helping its clients maximize the power of technology to achieve their business objectives. Its nationwide presence coupled with years of industry expertise, and leadership uniquely qualifies it to provide the most cost-effective services and solutions in the market. Moreover, its tradition to provide answers that are custom-tailored to their specific needs. From the provision of EFTPOS terminals, maintenance and support, software development and implementation, to project management and consultancy, Tangent offers leading-edge end-to-end services that will allow its clients to succeed in today's fast-paced marketplace. About Mobi724 Global Solutions Mobi724 Global Solutions Inc. (CSE: MOS), a corporation based in Montreal (Canada), offers a unique and fully integrated suite of solutions - PAYMENT-COUPONING AND LOYALTY all in one. Our vision is to enhance the value of commoditized payment transactions to the players in this eco-system (card associations, banks, mobile carriers and retailers) by adding layers of intelligence to these card-linked transactions (i.e. smart transactions) in a seamless manner for all the players in the eco-system. Mobi724 Global Solutions unleashes the true potential of both payment and card-linked couponing/rewards transactions for both online and offline points of sale. The Corporation provides its customers with full and comprehensive traceability and enriched consumer data through its offering. Its solutions enables card associations, retailers, manufacturers, offer providers, mobile operators and card issuers to create, manage, deliver and "track and measure" incentive campaigns worldwide to ANY mobile device and allow its redemption at ANY point of sales. Our credit and debit EMV payment solutions will allow banks to process end to end EMV transactions, focusing on authentication, approved security and quick merchant adoption which allows the users to process payments with a wide range of devices over a secure and seamless transaction. Mobi724's PCI and EMV cloud-based switch, with their device agnostic connectivity, simplifies deployment and integration, and introduces new payment and digital incentives solutions to the market enabling multi layered intelligent transactions therefore SMART TRANSACTIONS. For more information on its products and on Mobi724 Global Solutions, visit www.mobi724globalsolutions.com. Certain statements in this document, including those which express management's expectations or estimations with regard to the Company's future performance, constitute "forward-looking statements" as understood by applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements are, of necessity, based on a certain number of estimates and hypotheses; while management considers these to be accurate at the time they are expressed, they are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and risks on the commercial, economic and competitive levels. We advise readers that these forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties, and other known and unknown factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied in these forward-looking statements. Investors are advised to not rely unduly on the forward-looking statements. This advisory applies to all forward-looking statements, whether expressed orally or in writing, attributed to the Company or to any individual expressing them in the name of the Company. Unless required by law, the Company is under no obligation to publicly update these forward-looking statements, whether to reflect new information, future events, or other circumstances. The Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE) has not reviewed this news release and does not accept responsibility for its adequacy or accuracy. This news release does not constitute a solicitation to buy or sell any securities in the United States. Contacts: Mobi724 Global Solutions Mr. Marcel Vienneau 1-514-394-5200 Ext 413 www.mobi724globalsolutions.com Technavio has announced the top six leading vendors in their recentglobal foot protective equipment (FPE) marketreport. This research report also lists seven other prominent vendors that are expected to impact the market during the forecast period. Competitive vendor landscape The global FPE market is partially fragmented due to the presence of several small and medium-sized players. However, the market is dominated by established manufacturers who are giving top priority to product innovation. Although the majority of the market is catered to by these top six vendors, there are private labels launching their protective equipment at lower prices to provide inexpensive alternatives to the slightly more expensive branded equipment in an attempt to use sales volume to gain market share. This has led to the entry of several new players into the global FPE market, but these new vendors are limited to producing equipment that requires low technical knowledge and expertise. "In a product category like foot protective equipment, where a repeat purchase may not happen for several years, the best differentiating factor is either quality, functionality or price, says Mukesh Chandra Anchuri, industry expert for personal protective equipment at Technavio. Request sample report: http://goo.gl/wd52LU Top six vendors for the foot protective equipment market Bata Bata was founded in 1894. It mainly undertakes the manufacturing and marketing of footwear and accessories to various countries worldwide and has over 5000 retail stores. The company operates 25 production facilities across 20 countries. Some brands of the company are Ambassador, Baby Bubbles, Bata Comfit, Bata Industrials, Marie Claire, North Star, Pata Paa, Power, Safari, Sundrops, and Tomy Takkies. Under the Bata Industrials brand, the company undertakes the design of safety footwear and accessories for the professional end-user market. Bata Industrials caters to industries such as automotive, construction, mining, fishing, chemicals, food and beverages, electronics, manufacturing, petrochemical, transport, and logistics in countries such as Mexico, India, Kenya, Singapore, Australia, and New Zealand. BBF Safety Group BBF Safety Group is headquartered in Pinetown, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The company offers safety footwear products under the Bova, Sisi, Lemaitre, Frams, Wayne, and Bronx Safety brands. The company was formed through the merger of five South African safety footwear manufacturers, Beier Safety Footwear, Bagshaw Footwear, United Frams, Bronx Safety, and Wayne. Dunlop Protective Footwear Dunlop Protective Footwear was founded in 1905 and is headquartered in Raalte, the Netherlands. The company designs, develops, manufactures, and markets a wide assortment of protective footwear for various industries and multiple applications globally. They have operations in the Netherlands, the US, France, the UK, and Scandinavia. Honeywell Honeywell was incorporated in 1985 and is headquartered in New Jersey, US. Honeywell is a diversified technology and manufacturing company that provides aerospace products and services; turbochargers, control, sensing, and security technologies; electronic and advanced materials; and energy-efficient products and solutions for homes, businesses, and the transportation industry worldwide. As of December 2014, the company had around 127,000 employees. The company reported net revenue of USD 39.06 billion in FY2013 and USD 40.31 billion in FY2014. The company's R&D activities are conducted mainly in the US, India, Europe, and China. They spent USD 1.89 billion on R&D activities in FY2014. Jonsson Workwear Jonsson Workwear was established in 1925 and is headquartered in Durban, South Africa. The company designs, manufactures, and markets a wide range of personal protective equipment worldwide. The company designs, manufactures, and markets a wide range of personal protective equipment mainly in Africa but also worldwide. The company focuses on developing new products from time-to-time to gain an edge over its competitors and also to expand its business operations worldwide. In February 2015, the company launched a new range of high-visibility jackets for mining operations and a new range of corporate workwear for men and women. Liberty Shoes Liberty was established in 1986 and is headquartered in Gurgaon, India. The company offers various kinds of footwear for men, women, boys, and girls. The company operates through 10 brands: Footfun, Gliders, Force 10, Fortune, Perfect, Senorita, Tip Top, Coolers, Warrior, and Windsor. As of March 2015, the company generated revenue of USD 86. Browse Related Reports: Global Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Market 2015-2019 Fall Protection Equipment Market- Global Market Size, Trends, Forecast 2015-2019 Global Surveillance Market for Hazard Protection 2015-2019 Purchase these three reports for the price of one by becoming a Technavio subscriber. Subscribing to Technavio's reports allows you to download any three reports per month for the price of one. Contact enquiry@technavio.com with your requirements and a link to our subscription platform. About Technavio Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. The company develops over 2000 pieces of research every year, covering more than 500 technologies across 80 countries. Technavio has about 300 analysts globally who specialize in customized consulting and business research assignments across the latest leading edge technologies. Technavio analysts employ primary as well as secondary research techniques to ascertain the size and vendor landscape in a range of markets. Analysts obtain information using a combination of bottom-up and top-down approaches, besides using in-house market modeling tools and proprietary databases. They corroborate this data with the data obtained from various market participants and stakeholders across the value chain, including vendors, service providers, distributors, re-sellers, and end-users. If you are interested in more information, please contact our media team at media@technavio.com. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160216005335/en/ Contacts: Technavio Research Jesse Maida US: +1 630 333 9501 UK: +44 208 123 1770 Media Marketing Executive www.technavio.com OTTAWA, ONTARIO -- (Marketwired) -- 02/16/16 -- Did you know? The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has tax credits, deductions, and benefits to help students. Make sure you claim those you are eligible for when you file your income tax and benefit return. Even if you have little or no income, you should still file your income tax return to claim eligible credits and benefits. Want to learn more about the benefits of filing a tax return? Check out our two videos designed to help you put cash back in your pocket this filing season: Filing your Tax Return and Filing by Yourself. Important facts Here are the top savings for students at tax time: - Eligible tuition fees - You can claim the tuition fees paid to attend your post-secondary educational institution for the tax year in question. You may be able to transfer the unused amount to a parent, grandparent, or to the parent or grandparent of your spouse or common-law partner. - Education amount - As a full-time student (or a part-time student who has a certified mental or physical impairment), you can claim $400 for each month you were enrolled in a qualified educational program in a designated educational institution. As a part-time student, you can claim $120 for each month you were enrolled. You may be able to transfer the unused amount to a parent, grandparent, or to the parent or grandparent of your spouse or common-law partner. - Textbook amount - Claim this amount only if you are entitled to claim the education amount. You can claim: -- $65 for each month you qualify for the full-time education amount -- $20 for each month you qualify for the part-time education amount You may be able to transfer the unused amount to a parent, grandparent, or to the parent or grandparent of your spouse or common-law partner. - Interest paid on your student loans - You may be able to claim an amount for the interest paid in 2015 on your student loan for post-secondary education after your education is completed. You can also claim interest paid over the last five years if you haven't already claimed it. But it has to be interest paid on a loan received under the Canada Student Loans Act, the Canada Student Financial Assistance Act, the Canada Apprentice Loans Act, or a similar provincial or territorial government law. - Public transit amount - You can claim the cost of monthly public transit passes or passes of longer duration such as an annual pass for travel within Canada on public transit for 2015. Keep your transit passes for local buses, streetcars, subways, commuter trains or buses, and local ferries in case we ask to see them at a later date. - Eligible moving expenses - If you moved for your post-secondary studies and are a full-time student, you may be able to claim moving expenses. You can deduct these expenses only from the part of your scholarships, fellowships, bursaries, certain prizes, and research grants that has to be included in your income. If you moved to work, including for a summer job, or to run a business, you can also claim your moving expenses. However, you can deduct these expenses only from the income you earned at the new work location. To qualify, your new place of residence must be at least 40 kilometres closer to your new school or work location. -- Goods and services/Harmonized sales tax (GST/HST) credit - If you are turning 19 before April 1, 2017, you may be eligible for the GST/HST credit. The CRA will determine your eligibility when you file your 2015 income tax and benefit return and will send you a notice of determination if you are eligible for the credit. -- Child care expenses - If you pay someone to look after your child while you go to school, you may be able to deduct child care expenses. If you had a summer job or worked during the school year, your employer is required to provide you with a T4 slip. Make sure to collect all your T4 slips before filing to avoid any adjustment or delay to your benefit and credit payments. For information on carrying forward or transferring amounts, and to check out the CRA's videos for students, go to www.cra.gc.ca/youth. Need a hand to prepare your tax return? - If you have modest income and a simple tax situation, volunteers from the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program (CVITP) may be able to prepare and file your tax return for you. For more information, go to www.cra.gc.ca/volunteer. - You can authorize a parent or another person to represent you by using the Authorize my representative service in My Account. Your representative will have instant access to your information and the online services to easily manage your account. The CRA's online services make filing and managing your taxes easier The CRA's online services are fast, easy, and secure. You can use them to help file your income tax and benefit return, make a payment, track the status of your return, register for online mail, apply for child benefits, and more. Access the CRA's full suite of self-service options-register for My Account at www.cra.gc.ca/myaccount today, and start managing your tax matters online! Stay connected To receive updates when new information is added to our website. - Follow the CRA on Twitter - @CanRevAgency. - Subscribe to a CRA electronic mailing list. - Add our RSS feeds to your feed reader. You can also watch our tax-related videos on YouTube. Contacts: Philippe Brideau Media Relations Canada Revenue Agency 613-941-6269 WASHINGTON, DC--(Marketwired - February 16, 2016) - Last week, Morocco's King Mohammed VI concluded a week-long trip to southern Morocco during which he presided over the launch of numerous infrastructure projects in Laayoune and Dakhla. There, officials released details of an $8 billion development plan designed to "make the Moroccan Sahara a hub for communication and exchange with sub-Saharan African countries," as promised by the King in November. In Laayoune on February 5, the King launched the construction of a new Phosboucraa fertilizer plant; a new port to facilitate shipments; and the Foum El Oued technology park, or Technopole, which will serve as a platform for research and development and will be the site of the Mohammed VI Polytechnic University. Altogether, the investment, made in part by OCP Group subsidiary Phosboucraa and the Phosboucraa Foundation, amounts to nearly $2 billion and will support a community of thousands. In Dakhla on February 8 and 9, the King presided over the opening of a new fish market; the "Oued Massa" seawater desalination vessel, which can supply 20 liters of drinking water per day per person to 75,000 inhabitants; and the Azura Aquaculture farm, which boasts state-of-the-art facilities for water filtration, phytoplankton production, and spawning and fertilization, as well as a laboratory, a micro-nursery area and a nursery. Regional representatives announced public-private investments to the tune of $3 billion for projects including Dakhla's Atlantic port, the development of aquaculture, a new water desalination plant, expansion of the seafood industry, educational and cultural initiatives, road infrastructure improvements, dam and other water management projects, the healthcare sector, and environmental conservation efforts. Announced by the King in a November speech from Laayoune marking the 40 th anniversary of the Green March, the investment is the next step in Morocco's regionalization plan -- which aims to devolve power to local and regional governments. It is also designed to make the Southern Provinces a hub for business in Africa. And, as King Mohammed VI said in November, "by starting to implement advanced regionalization and adopting a development model, Morocco wishes to increase the chances of finding a lasting solution to the artificial dispute over our territorial integrity." "This massive investment is a clear and concrete demonstration of King Mohammed VI's and Morocco's commitment to prosperity and growth for the people of the Moroccan Sahara," said former US Ambassador to Morocco Edward M. Gabriel. "But it's also a key element in Morocco's ongoing efforts to democratize by empowering local populations." The Moroccan American Center for Policy (MACP) is a non-profit organization whose principal mission is to inform opinion makers, government officials, and interested publics in the United States about political and social developments in Morocco and the role being played by the Kingdom of Morocco in broader strategic developments in North Africa, the Mediterranean, and the Middle East. This material is distributed by the Moroccan American Center for Policy on behalf of the Government of Morocco. Additional information is available at the Department of Justice in Washington, DC. Image Available: http://www.marketwire.com/library/MwGo/2016/2/16/11G083121/Images/fertilizer_complex_launch_2-15daaa5609ad952d96d5b7e117c39e99.jpg CONTACT: Jordana Merran 202.470.2049 jmerran@moroccanamericancenter.com ROUYN-NORANDA, CANADA -- (Marketwired) -- 02/16/16 -- Explor Resources Inc. (TSX VENTURE: EXS)(OTCQX: EXSFF)(FRANKFURT: E1H1)(BERLIN: E1H1) ("Explor" or the "Corporation") is pleased to announce that at the Annual and Special Meeting of Shareholders held on February 16, 2016, the following directors were elected: Christian Dupont of New Brunswick, Geoffrey Carter, of Ontario, Mario Colantonio of Ontario, Jonathan Challis of the UK and Gerhard Merkel of Germany. The accounting firm of Dallaire & Lapointe Inc. was re-appointed as independent auditors. The shareholders have also approved the continuation of the Corporation's Stock Option Plan and the ratification and restatement of the Shareholder Rights Plan. Subsequently to the Annual and Special Meeting, the Board of Directors of the Corporation held a meeting and has appointed the following officers: Christian Dupont, as President and Chief Executive Officer, Rodrigue Tremblay, as Chief Financial Officer and Julie Godard as Corporate Secretary. Finally, the following directors have been appointed to the Audit Committee: Christian Dupont, Mario Colantonio and Geoffrey Carter. Two members of this committee are considered independent directors. Explor Resources invites investors to visit it's booth at the following conference: Booth #2122 at the Investor Exchange of the PDAC 2016 located in the south building of the Metro Toronto Convention Center from March 6 to March 9, 2016. The management team at Explor Resources Inc. looks forward to having you join us. Explor Resources Inc. is a publicly listed company trading on the TSX Venture (EXS), on the OTCQX Exchange (EXSFF) and on the Frankfurt and Berlin Stock Exchanges (E1H1). This press release was prepared by Explor Resources Inc. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange Inc. nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the Policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) has reviewed or accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. About Explor Resources Inc. Explor Resources Inc. is a Canadian-based natural resources company with mineral holdings in Ontario, Quebec, Saskatchewan and New Brunswick. Explor is currently focused on exploration in the Abitibi Greenstone Belt. The belt is found in both provinces of Ontario and Quebec with approximately 33% in Ontario and 67% in Quebec. The Belt has produced in excess of 180,000,000 ounces of gold and 450,000,000 tonnes of cu-zn ore over the last 100 years. The Corporation was continued under the laws of Alberta in 1986 and has had its main office in Quebec since 2006. Explor Resources Flagship project is the Timmins Porcupine West (TPW) Project located in the Porcupine mining camp, in the Province of Ontario. Teck Resources Ltd. is currently conducting an exploration program as part of an earn-in on the TPW property. The TPW mineral resource (Press Release dated August 27, 2013) includes the following: Open Pit Mineral Resources at a 0.30 g/t Au cut-off grade are as follows: Indicated: 213,000 oz (4,283,000 tonnes at 1.55 g/t Au) Inferred: 77,000 oz (1,140,000 tonnes at 2.09 g/t Au) Underground Mineral Resources at a 1.70 g/t Au cut-off grade are as follows: Indicated: 396,000 oz (4,420,000 tonnes at 2.79 g/t Au) Inferred: 393,000 oz (5,185,000 tonnes at 2.36 g/t Au) This document may contain forward-looking statements relating to Explor's operations or to the environment in which it operates. Such statements are based on operations, estimates, forecasts and projections. They are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict and may be beyond Explor's control. A number of important factors could cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially from those expressed in forward-looking statements, including those set forth in other public filling. In addition, such statements relate to the date on which they are made. Consequently, undue reliance should not be placed on such forward-looking statements. Explor disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, save and except as may be required by applicable securities laws. Contacts: Christian Dupont, President 888-997-4630 or 819-797-4630 819-797-6050 (FAX) http://www.explorresources.com/ info@explorresources.com MILWAUKEE, WI -- (Marketwired) -- 02/16/16 -- EnSync, Inc. (NYSE MKT: ESNC), dba EnSync Energy Systems, a leading developer of innovative energy management systems for the utility, commercial, industrial and multi-tenant building markets, today announced second quarter 2016 results, ended December 31, 2015. Key Projects Status The Company made significant progress on many of its key projects during, and subsequent to the end of the second quarter of fiscal year 2016, including: University of the Nations: Phase I is complete and supplying power to the University. Phase II will be complete by early March. Century West: The project is on schedule to be commissioned by May. OATI: The Agile Hybrid batteries have shipped and installation and commissioning will be complete by May. Cayman Islands: Our equipment has shipped to the Cayman Islands and the installation and commissioning will be complete by May. Other Key Recent Developments and Accomplishments Production Release and Technology Transfer from EnSync to Meineng Energy: Fourteen Agile Flow Batteries were shipped from Meineng Energy to EnSync customers since the beginning of Q2. Thirteen Matrix Energy Management Systems have either been shipped from Meineng Energy to EnSync, or are in process of assembly and test in China. Meineng is now qualified to build and test our advanced Matrix systems and modules. Matrix ETL Listing to UL 1741: Our Matrix Energy Management platform is now listed by ETL to UL1741 specification. Hawaii "Smart Inverter" Compliance Achieved: Our inverters are among the first to achieve this designation. Installed Base Performance: The V3-Series Installed Base Upgrade Program is complete. All candidate systems have been upgraded, with significant improvement to performance. The program has been finished under budget. Hybrid Storage System Success: We achieved the milestone of 1.0MWh of Hybrid Flow-Li Ion batteries shipped for C&I / Microgrid applications less than a year from announcement. EnSync remains the premier supplier of hybridized commercial energy storage solutions. Management Discussion Brad Hansen, president and chief executive officer of EnSync, commented, "I am pleased with the progress we are making and the accomplishments during, and subsequent to the end of the quarter. The capabilities of our differentiated technology and systems solutions allow our customers to prioritize their electricity use from the grid, renewables and storage, synchronizing each of these sources in real time and leveraging their respective values. These capabilities will be a driving factor in moving the economy from a focus on coal-generated power to one utilizing renewable energy sources. These solutions, coupled with our expertise and credibility for economic modeling, system design and project development are a competitive differentiator in the PV + Storage systems market." Mr. Hansen continued, "The University of the Nations project is on schedule and Phase I is performing well. Five other contracted power purchase agreement (PPA) projects are in varying degrees of construction and commissioning. Our near term efforts have transitioned from closing PPA contracts to marketing our existing projects. In December, we hired Fred Vaske as Vice President of Structured Finance to drive the development of an investor base and in turn, sell these projects. Fred brings a great deal of knowledge from his 20 years of project financing experience including major players in renewable energy, such as SunPower, Recurrent Energy, HanWa Q-Cells and Scatec Solar." Fred Vaske, Vice President of Structured Finance for EnSync, added, "There is a great deal of interest in the EnSync PPA projects from both banks and corporate investors that have previously been investors in solar projects. They have recognized that there are new and variable services attributable to solar + storage installations that are lacking with solar only projects. Investors also recognize, based on regulatory and policy changes such as what recently occurred in Nevada's retroactive application of net metering reductions, that storage offers a degree of insurance against unanticipated change. Investors will also be very pleased with EnSync's industry leading control, communications and monitoring of the value generated by the project over the contract life." Mr. Hansen concluded, "Recent developments validate our strategy. The President signed the budget bill, which extends the solar/storage investment tax credit an unprecedented five years, providing a strong foundation for future growth. The Supreme Court endorsed FERC jurisdiction over demand side management. This ruling will become important as we introduce our capability to perform supply response on-demand applications for commercial buildings. Additionally, state commissions continue to make changes in Net Metering programs and rate structures that enhance the value of storage in self-generation systems. Finally, we've put together a great executive team, with the right products and a robust strategy to address these developing opportunities." Financial Results Total revenue for three months ended December 31, 2015 was $382,261 compared to $300,654 for the three months ended December 31, 2014. Total costs and expenses were $4,889,717 compared to $3,575,886. Loss from operations was $4,507,456 compared to $3,275,232. Net loss attributable to common shareholders was $4,515,762 compared to $3,446,642. Loss per share was ($0.10) compared to ($0.09). Current backlog for components, systems and engineering services is approximately $2.5 million. Additionally, the Company has acquired PPA contracts valued at approximately $11.2 million. Financial Position The Company ended the second quarter of fiscal 2016 with total assets of $44.8 million, including $28.1 million in cash. As of December 31, 2015, we have cumulative project costs of $5.8 million related to PPA contracts. We plan to recover substantially all of these costs before the end of our fiscal year as we sell or finance these projects. Conference call - Today, February 16, 2016 - 4:30p.m. EST (3:30 p.m. CST) Date: Tuesday, February 16, 2016 Time: 4:30 p.m. EST (3:30 p.m. CST) Domestic participant dial in #: 888-471-3843 Participant passcode #: 9519944 Please call the conference telephone number 5-10 minutes prior to the start time. An operator will register your name and organization. A replay of the call will be available later on the same day via the investor relations section of the company's web site at www.ensync.com until April 16, 2016. Domestic replay #: 888-203-1112 Replay passcode #: 9519944 About EnSync Energy Systems EnSync, Inc. (NYSE MKT: ESNC), dba EnSync Energy Systems, is enabling the future of electricity with advanced energy management systems critical to a global economy becoming increasingly reliant upon the expansion of renewable energy. Whether part of the grid power transmission and distribution network, or behind the meter in commercial, industrial and multi-tenant buildings, EnSync technology brings differentiated power control and energy storage solutions to electricity-challenged environments. Our technologies also serve as the system level intelligence in microgrid applications, by seamlessly integrating multiple generation and storage assets to deliver power in remote and community level environments not served by the grid, or areas electing to use the grid secondary to microgrid assets. In 2015, EnSync incorporated power purchase agreements (PPAs) into its portfolio of offerings, enabling electricity savings for customers and providing a stable financial yield for investors. EnSync is a global corporation, with a joint venture in AnHui, China at Meineng Energy, as well as a strategic partnership with Solar Power, Inc. (SPI). For more information, visit: www.ensync.com. Safe Harbor Statement Certain statements made in this press release contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended that are intended to be covered by the "safe harbor" created by those sections. Forward-looking statements, which are based on certain assumptions and describe our future plans, strategies and expectations, can generally be identified by the use of forward-looking terms such as "believe," "expect," "may," "will," "should," "could," "seek," "intend," "plan," "estimate," "anticipate" or other comparable terms. Forward-looking statements in this press release may address the following subjects among others: statements regarding the sufficiency of our capital resources, expected operating losses, expected revenues, expected expenses and our expectations concerning our business strategy. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements, as a result of various factors including those risks and uncertainties described in the Risk Factors and in Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations sections of our most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K and our subsequently filed Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. We urge you to consider those risks and uncertainties in evaluating our forward-looking statements. We caution readers not to place undue reliance upon any such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. Except as otherwise required by the federal securities laws, we disclaim any obligation or undertaking to publicly release any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statement contained herein (or elsewhere) to reflect any change in our expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based. EnSync, Inc. Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) December 31, 2015 June 30, 2015 ------------- ------------- Assets Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 28,171,129 $ 10,757,461 Restricted cash on deposit 60,223 60,193 Accounts receivable, net 85,708 113,093 Inventories, net 2,673,598 1,198,117 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 596,498 441,537 Deferred financing costs - 545,825 Customer intangible assets 154,875 - Note receivable 165,156 159,107 Deferred project costs 159,978 - Project assets 5,790,256 - ------------- ------------- Total current assets 37,857,421 13,275,333 Long-term assets: Property, plant and equipment, net 3,794,418 4,164,912 Investment in investee company 2,339,931 2,408,528 Goodwill 803,079 803,079 ------------- ------------- Total assets $ 44,794,849 $ 20,651,852 ============= ============= Liabilities and Equity Current liabilities: Current maturities of bank loans and notes payable $ 328,744 $ 324,626 Accounts payable 1,411,045 1,056,744 Accrued expenses 415,291 1,129,166 Customer deposits 1,064,797 1,177,155 Accrued compensation and benefits 273,088 235,351 ------------- ------------- Total current liabilities 3,492,965 3,923,042 Long-term liabilities: Bank loans and notes payable, net of current maturities 888,451 1,053,581 Deferred revenue 13,290,000 - ------------- ------------- Total liabilities 17,671,416 4,976,623 ------------- ------------- Commitments and contingencies (Note 15) Equity Series B redeemable convertible preferred stock ($0.01 par value, $1,000 face value) 3,000 shares authorized and issued, 2,300 and 2,575 shares outstanding, preference in liquidation of $5,172,385 and $5,635,866 as of December 31, 2015 and June 30, 2015, respectively 23 26 Series C convertible preferred stock ($0.01 par value, $1,000 face value), 28,048 and 0 shares authorized, issued, and outstanding, preference in liquidation of $21,951,048 and $0 as of December 31, 2015 and June 30, 2015, respectively 280 - Common stock ($0.01 par value); 300,000,000 and 150,000,000 authorized, 47,608,821 and 39,129,334 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2015 and June 30, 2015, respectively 1,184,403 1,099,608 Additional paid-in capital 136,775,596 117,104,936 Accumulated deficit (110,877,163) (102,674,049) Accumulated other comprehensive loss (1,589,759) (1,589,486) ------------- ------------- Total EnSync, Inc. equity 25,493,380 13,941,035 Noncontrolling interest 1,630,053 1,734,194 ------------- ------------- Total equity 27,123,433 15,675,229 ------------- ------------- Total liabilities and equity $ 44,794,849 $ 20,651,852 ============= ============= See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements. EnSync, Inc. Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) Three months ended Six months ended December 31, December 31, ------------------------ ------------------------ 2015 2014 2015 2014 ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- Revenues Product sales $ 335,694 $ 114,177 $ 486,230 $ 663,518 Engineering and development 46,567 186,477 169,007 201,997 Service - - ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- Total Revenues 382,261 300,654 655,237 865,515 ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- Costs and Expenses Cost of product sales 323,289 171,683 304,608 507,646 Cost of engineering and development 82,020 59,982 136,167 169,145 Advanced engineering and development 2,015,364 1,480,813 3,691,652 2,778,396 Selling, general, and administrative 2,287,978 1,704,234 4,514,952 3,763,787 Depreciation and amortization 181,066 159,174 359,656 313,690 ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- Total Costs and Expenses 4,889,717 3,575,886 9,007,035 7,532,664 ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- Loss from Operations (4,507,456) (3,275,232) (8,351,798) (6,667,149) ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- Other Income (Expense) Equity in loss of investee company (20,889) (225,471) (68,597) (307,973) Gain on investment in investee company - - - 1,257,407 Interest income 14,094 7,879 18,710 11,490 Interest expense (12,517) (26,270) (27,647) (53,850) Other income - - 76,437 - ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- Total Other Income (Expense) (19,312) (243,862) (1,097) 907,074 ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- Loss before benefit for Income Taxes (4,526,768) (3,519,094) (8,352,895) (5,760,075) Benefit for Income Taxes (640) - (640) - ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- Net loss (4,526,128) (3,519,094) (8,352,255) (5,760,075) Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest 80,424 143,508 149,141 226,010 Gain attributable to noncontrolling interest - - - (481,870) ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- Net Loss Attributable to EnSync, Inc. (4,445,704) (3,375,586) (8,203,114) (6,015,935) ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- Preferred Stock Dividend (70,058) (71,056) (146,580) (118,865) ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- Net Loss Attributable to Common Shareholders $(4,515,762) $(3,446,642) $(8,349,694) $(6,134,800) =========== =========== =========== =========== Net loss per share Basic and diluted $ (0.10) $ (0.09) $ (0.18) $ (0.18) Weighted average shares- basic and diluted 47,348,603 39,051,379 46,673,751 34,835,949 See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements. EnSync, Inc. Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) Six months ended December 31, ---------------------------- 2015 2014 ------------- ------------- Cash flows from operating activities Net loss $ (8,352,255) $ (5,760,075) Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities: Depreciation of property, plant and equipment 345,209 313,690 Amortization of intangible asset 14,447 - Customer intangible asset - - Stock-based compensation, net 463,539 853,811 Equity in loss of investee company 68,597 307,973 Gain on investment in investee company - (1,257,407) Interest accreted on note receivable (6,049) (3,156) Gain on bargain purchase (76,437) - Changes in assets and liabilities Accounts receivable 27,385 787,867 Inventories (1,475,481) (98,328) Prepaids and other current assets (154,961) 49,385 Deferred financing costs - - Refundable income taxes - 10,908 Deferred project costs (159,978) - Project assets (5,603,034) - Accounts payable 354,301 (122,582) Accrued expenses (731,570) (556,073) Customer deposits (112,358) (286,050) Accrued compensation and benefits 37,737 33,610 Deferred revenue 13,290,000 - ------------- ------------- Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities (2,070,908) (5,726,427) ------------- ------------- Cash flows from investing activities Cash paid for business combination (225,829) - Change in restricted cash (30) 1,149 Expenditures for property and equipment (10,416) (303,280) Issuance of note receivable - (150,000) ------------- ------------- Net cash used in investing activities (236,275) (452,131) ------------- ------------- Cash flows from financing activities Payment of financing costs (261,982) - Repayments of bank loans and notes payable (161,012) (173,982) Debt issuance costs - - Proceeds from issuance of preferred stock 13,300,000 - Preferred stock issuance costs - - Proceeds from issuance of common stock 6,800,000 14,837,760 Common stock issuance costs - (1,148,023) Contributions of capital from noncontrolling interest 45,000 7,127 ------------- ------------- Net cash provided by financing activities 19,722,006 13,522,882 ------------- ------------- Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents (1,155) 5,340 ------------- ------------- Net increase in cash and cash equivalents 17,413,668 7,349,664 Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of period 10,757,461 10,360,721 ------------- ------------- Cash and cash equivalents - end of period $ 28,171,129 $ 17,710,385 ============= ============= Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information: Cash paid for interest $ 27,795 $ 49,577 See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements. Investor Relations Contact: Three Part Advisors, LLC Jeff Elliott (972) 423-7070 Matt Selinger (817) 310-8776 Phillip Kupper (817) 778-8339 EnSync Media Contact: Michelle Montague (262) 735-5676 WESTMINSTER, MA -- (Marketwired) -- 02/16/16 -- TechPrecision Corporation (OTCQB: TPCS) ("TechPrecision" or "the Company"), an industry leading global manufacturer of precision, large-scale fabricated and machined metal components and tested systems with customers in the defense, energy and precision industrial sectors, today reported financial results for the third quarter and first nine month period of fiscal year 2016, the period ended December 31, 2015. Third Quarter Recap "This was another quarter of operational and financial progress as we delivered our third consecutive quarter of net profit and increased our sales order backlog by approximately $6 million in the last nine months to $20.5 million at December 31, 2015," stated Alexander Shen, TechPrecision's Chief Executive Officer. "We improved profitability in the third quarter of fiscal 2016 on a sales volume that was essentially the same as the year-ago quarter, with net profit of $12,000 compared to a net loss of $946,000 for the third quarter of fiscal 2015. We achieved these results with our consistent sharp focus on productivity initiatives, resource realignment, and top line growth with key customers. Furthermore, we renegotiated terms on one of our outstanding loans which contributed to a $2.5 million improvement in our working capital position since fiscal 2015 year-end." "Moving forward, we intend to maintain the sharp focus that led us to this point of our recovery," continued Mr. Shen. "We plan to replenish our backlog and continue to focus on new business contracts with our core customers which utilize our core competencies in custom, large scale, high precision fabrication and machining, and leverage our established expertise, certifications, and qualifications in the defense, nuclear, and precision industrial sectors. We must continue to execute and maintain operational run rate improvements to improve our gross margins, and increase the amount of cash generated from operations." Third Quarter of Fiscal 2016 Financial Results Net sales of $3.5 million were essentially flat compared to the year-ago quarter. Cost of sales decreased 23% or $735,000 to $2.4 million compared to $3.2 million in the year-ago quarter. Gross profit was $1.1 million compared to $341,000 in the same quarter last year. Gross margins improved in the third quarter of fiscal 2016 due to improved throughput, lower materials and labor costs, and the absence of contract losses. Selling, general and administrative expenses increased by approximately 9% or $63,200 compared to the same quarter last year. The third quarter of fiscal 2015 was positively impacted by a $300,000 nonrecurring adjustment to compensation. Net income of $12,000 increased significantly compared to a net loss of $946,000 in the prior year's third quarter. First Nine Months of Fiscal 2016 Financial Results Net sales decreased 16% or $2.3 million to $12.0 million compared to $14.3 million in the year-ago period. Fiscal 2015 revenues were higher primarily on shipments of production furnace components and certain prototypes under a certain customer purchase agreement. The Company shipped $1.8 million of production furnace components under this purchase agreement for the nine months ended December 31, 2014. Cost of sales decreased 36% or $4.7 million to $8.2 million compared to $12.9 million in the year-ago period. The decrease was driven primarily by lower labor costs, lower overhead as a percentage of sales and fewer contract losses. Gross profit in the first nine months of fiscal 2016 was $3.8 million compared to $1.4 million in the first nine months of fiscal 2015. The improvement was driven by a better production mix compared to higher labor costs, under absorbed overhead and contract losses which dampened margins in fiscal 2015. Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased by approximately 23%, or $762,000, to $2.5 million in the first nine months of fiscal 2016, down from $3.2 million in the year-ago period. Net income was $473,000 for the first nine months of fiscal 2016 compared to a net loss of $2.9 million in the first nine months of fiscal 2015. Balance Sheet Summary At December 31, 2015, TechPrecision had positive working capital of $443,000 compared to negative working capital of $2.1 million at March 31, 2015. The Company had $816,000 in cash and cash equivalents at December 31, 2015 compared to $1.3 million at March 31, 2015. Since the end of the third quarter, cash and cash equivalents have increased to approximately $1.3 million at January 31, 2016. Teleconference Information The Company will hold a conference call at 4:30 p.m. Eastern (U.S.) time on Tuesday, February 16, 2016. To participate in the live conference call, please dial 1-877-407-8133 five to 10 minutes prior to the scheduled conference call time. International callers should dial 1-201-689-8040. When prompted, reference Conference Passcode 13629925. A replay will be available for one month until March 16, 2016. To access the replay, dial 1-877-660-6853 or 1-201-612-7415. When prompted, enter Conference Passcode 13629925. The call will also be available live by webcast at TechPrecision Corporation's website, www.techprecision.com, and will also be available over the Internet and accessible at http://www.investorcalendar.com/IC/CEPage.asp?ID=174689. About TechPrecision Corporation TechPrecision Corporation, through its wholly owned subsidiaries, Ranor, Inc. and Wuxi Critical Mechanical Components Co., Ltd., globally manufactures large-scale, metal fabricated and machined precision components and equipment. These products are used in a variety of markets including: defense, aerospace, nuclear, industrial, and medical. TechPrecision's goal is to be an end-to-end global service provider to its customers by furnishing customized and integrated "turn-key" solutions for completed products requiring custom fabrication and machining, assembly, inspection and testing. To learn more about the Company, please visit the corporate website at http://www.techprecision.com. Information on the Company's website or any other website does not constitute a part of this press release. Safe Harbor Statement This release contains certain "forward-looking statements" relating to the business of the Company and its subsidiary companies. These forward looking statements are often identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "believes," expects" or similar expressions. Such forward looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to be materially different from those described herein as anticipated, believed, estimated or expected. Investors should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. The Company's actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of a variety of factors, including recurring operating losses and the availability of appropriate financing facilities impacting our ability to continue as a going concern, to change the composition of our revenues and effectively reduce operating expenses, the Company's ability to generate business from long-term contracts rather than individual purchase orders, its dependence upon a limited number of customers, its ability to successfully bid on projects, and other risks discussed in the Company's periodic reports that are filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and available on its website (www.sec.gov). All forward-looking statements attributable to the Company or to persons acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by these factors other than as required under the securities laws. The Company does not assume a duty to update these forward-looking statements. -- Tables Follow -- TECHPRECISION CORPORATION CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited) December 31, March 31, 2015 2015 ------------ ------------ ASSETS Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 816,301 $ 1,336,325 Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $25,000 at December 31, 2015 and March 31, 2015 766,564 826,363 Costs incurred on uncompleted contracts, in excess of progress billings 2,798,008 2,008,244 Inventories- raw materials 148,550 134,812 Current deferred taxes 826,697 826,697 Other current assets 464,841 538,253 ------------ ------------ Total current assets 5,820,961 5,670,694 Property, plant and equipment, net 5,217,048 5,610,041 Other noncurrent assets, net 9,676 45,490 ------------ ------------ Total assets $ 11,047,685 $ 11,326,225 ============ ============ LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Current liabilities: Accounts payable $ 1,225,873 $ 1,526,123 Trade notes payable -- 138,237 Accrued expenses 1,623,254 1,665,658 Advanced claims payment 507,835 -- Deferred revenues 1,087,179 1,211,506 Short-term debt -- 2,250,000 Current portion of long-term debt 934,176 933,651 ------------ ------------ Total current liabilities 5,378,317 7,725,175 Long-term debt, including capital lease 4,035,160 2,485,858 Noncurrent deferred taxes 826,697 826,697 Stockholders' Equity: Preferred stock - par value $.0001 per share, 10,000,000 shares authorized, of which 9,890,980 are designated as Series A Preferred Stock, with -0- and 1,927,508 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2015 and March 31, 2015, respectively (liquidation preference: $0 - December 31, 2015; $549,340 - March 31, 2015) -- 524,210 Common stock - par value $.0001 per share, 90,000,000 shares authorized, 27,324,593 and 24,669,958 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2015 and at March 31, 2015, respectively 2,732 2,467 Additional paid in capital 7,057,807 6,487,589 Accumulated other comprehensive income 23,344 23,561 Accumulated deficit (6,276,372) (6,749,332) ------------ ------------ Total stockholders' equity 807,511 288,495 ------------ ------------ Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 11,047,685 $ 11,326,225 ============ ============ TECHPRECISION CORPORATION CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (Unaudited) Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended December 31, December 31, ------------------------ ------------------------ 2015 2014 2015 2014 ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- Net sales $ 3,506,560 $ 3,510,842 $11,985,422 $14,311,895 Cost of sales 2,434,900 3,169,456 8,223,349 12,884,553 ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- Gross profit 1,071,660 341,386 3,762,073 1,427,342 Selling, general and administrative 768,220 705,059 2,482,465 3,243,968 ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- Income (loss) from operations 303,440 (363,673) 1,279,608 (1,816,626) ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- Other income (expense) 465 136 1,531 (1,023) Interest expense (includes OCI reclassifications for cash flow hedges of ($-0-) and ($248,464) in 2014) (291,908) (582,202) (808,209) (1,200,796) Interest income 6 21 30 96 ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- Total other expense, net (291,437) (582,045) (806,648) (1,201,723) ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- Income (loss) before income taxes 12,003 (945,718) 472,960 (3,018,349) Income tax benefit (related to OCI reclassification) -- -- -- (152,792) ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- Net income (loss) $ 12,003 $ (945,718) $ 472,960 $(2,865,557) =========== =========== =========== =========== Other comprehensive income, before tax: Change in unrealized loss on cash flow hedges -- -- -- (16,680) Reclassification adjustment for cash flow hedges -- -- -- 248,464 Foreign currency translation adjustments (1,135) (4,319) 217 (4,272) ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- Other comprehensive income, before tax (1,135) (4,319) 217 227,512 ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- Tax expense from reclassification adjustment -- -- -- 152,792 ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- Other comprehensive income, net of tax (1,135) (4,319) 217 74,720 ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- Comprehensive income (loss) $ 10,868 $ (950,037) $ 473,177 $(2,790,837) =========== =========== =========== =========== Net income (loss) per share (basic) $ 0.00 $ (0.04) $ 0.02 $ (0.12) Net income (loss) per share (diluted) $ 0.00 $ (0.04) $ 0.02 $ (0.12) Weighted average number of shares outstanding (basic) 27,324,593 24,669,958 26,084,080 24,447,736 Weighted average number of shares outstanding (diluted) 27,509,980 24,669,958 26,210,206 24,447,736 TECHPRECISION CORPORATION CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited) Nine Months Ended December 31, ------------------------ 2015 2014 ----------- ----------- CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES Net income (loss) $ 472,960 $(2,865,557) Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities: Depreciation 582,628 633,741 Amortization of debt issue costs 219,876 177,771 Stock based compensation expense 51,100 196,458 Provision for contract losses (111,958) (589,392) Changes in operating assets and liabilities: Accounts receivable 59,798 220,258 Costs incurred on uncompleted contracts, in excess of progress billings (789,764) 2,068,537 Inventories - raw materials (13,738) 70,586 Other current assets (110,355) (214,294) Other noncurrent assets -- 105,395 Accounts payable (438,486) (908,083) Accrued expenses 67,709 116,290 Advanced claims payment 507,835 -- Deferred revenues (124,327) (283,575) ----------- ----------- Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities 373,278 (1,271,865) ----------- ----------- CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES Purchases of property, plant and equipment (192,215) (54,096) ----------- ----------- Net cash used in investing activities (192,215) (54,096) ----------- ----------- CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES Borrowings of long-term debt -- 6,400,000 Repayment of long-term debt (700,174) (4,628,174) Deferred loan costs -- (253,975) ----------- ----------- Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities (700,174) 1,517,851 ----------- ----------- Effect of exchange rate on cash and cash equivalents (913) 76 ----------- ----------- Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents (520,024) 191,966 ----------- ----------- Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period 1,336,325 1,086,701 ----------- ----------- Cash and cash equivalents, end of period $ 816,301 $ 1,278,667 =========== =========== Company Contact: Mr. Thomas Sammons Chief Financial Officer TechPrecision Corporation Phone: 978-883-5109 Email: sammonst@ranor.com Website: www.techprecision.com Investor Relations Contact: Hayden IR Brett Maas Phone: 646-536-7331 Email: brett@haydenir.com Website: www.haydenir.com Susan K. Carter, senior vice president and chief financial officer, of Ingersoll-Rand plc (NYSE:IR), a world leader in creating comfortable, sustainable and efficient environments, will discuss the company's long-term strategy, starting at 1:35 pm E.T., Thursday, February 18, 2016, at the Barclays 2016 Industrial Select Conference in Miami. The live webcast will be accessible on the Ingersoll Rand website at http://www.ingersollrand.com and on the Barclays' Conference website at: https://cc.talkpoint.com/barc002/021716a_ae/?entity=18_5XIUCT8 An archive of the webcast will be available for 30 days following the event on the Ingersoll Rand website. About Ingersoll Rand Ingersoll Rand (NYSE:IR) advances the quality of life by creating comfortable, sustainable and efficient environments. Our people and our family of brands-including Club Car, Ingersoll Rand, Thermo King and Trane-work together to enhance the quality and comfort of air in homes and buildings; transport and protect food and perishables; and increase industrial productivity and efficiency. We are a $13 billion global business committed to a world of sustainable progress and enduring results. For more information, visit www.ingersollrand.com. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160216006692/en/ Contacts: Ingersoll Rand Media: Misty Zelent, 704-655-5324 mzelent@irco.com or Analysts: Joe Fimbianti, 704-655-4721 joseph_fimbianti@irco.com or Janet Pfeffer, 704-655-5319 janet_pfeffer@irco.com St. Martin Walmart.jpg Walmart will construct a Neighborhood Market on this site just off the North Washington Avenue and Ponce de Leon intersection in the St. Martin community. Groundbreaking is expected next week. (Warren Kulo/Gulflive.com) ST. MARTIN, Mississippi -- In a story published Monday on GulfLive.com, Ocean Springs officials said Walmart engineers had informed them during their last conversations the company intended to move forward with plans to construct a Walmart Neighborhood Market on the site of the old Delchamps building on U.S. 90. Whether that project ultimately comes to fruition remains to be seen, but Tuesday morning, Jackson County Assistant Planning Director Marcus Catchot confirmed to The Mississippi Press that Walmart will, in fact, build a Neighborhood Market in the St. Martin community, just north of Ocean Springs, with groundbreaking expected next week and a September completion date. "We've been working with them on this project for about two years," Catchot said. "It slowed down for a while, but then picked back up around Christmas. They're blowing and going now." Unlike the Ocean Springs project, the St. Martin project has already secured all of the necessary construction permits. Contractor White-Spunner was awarded the contract to construct the Neighborhood Market, which will be located just off the intersection of North Washington Avenue and Ponce de Leon Drive on what is currently wooded property behind the Merchant & Marine Bank. While preliminary plans for the Ocean Springs Neighborhood Market calls for a drive-thru pharmacy, the St. Martin market will have gas pumps, Catchot said. Where this leaves the Ocean Springs Neighborhood Market project is unknown. Walmart is notoriously tight-lipped about its plans, but if both the St. Martin and Ocean Springs sites are built, it would leave no less than five Walmart stores within 11 miles of each other. There is already a Walmart Supercenter and Neighborhood Market in D'Iberville and a Supercenter on U.S. 90 in east Ocean Springs. Ocean Springs officials said Monday their last understanding was the Neighborhood Market planned for the city was going forward. "My last contact with the Walmart engineering firm indicated this was a 2016 project," said Ocean Springs building official Hilliard Fountain. "After the project was first announced about a year and a half ago, it kind of went quiet, but then picked up again." Yet another piece to the Walmart puzzle: the status of the long-awaited Supercenter in Gautier -- a cornerstone of the new mall development project there. Gautier Mayor Gordon Gollott said Tuesday his last direct contact with Walmart officials was about 8-9 months ago. Whether Walmart ever builds in Gautier is "very much up in the air right now," he said. OTTAWA, ONTARIO -- (Marketwired) -- 02/16/16 -- On behalf of all Canadians, I wish to congratulate the Canadian artists who stood out once again on the international stage, on the occasion of the 58th annual Grammy ceremony. We are very proud of you, of your efforts and of your accomplishments. As Minister of Canadian Heritage, I congratulate all the Canadian artists who received a Grammy award, namely: Best Dance Recording - "Where Are U Now" - Skrillex and Diplo with Justin Bieber Best R&B Performance - "Earned It (Fifty Shades of Grey)" - The Weeknd Best Urban Contemporary Album - "Beauty Behind the Madness" - The Weeknd Record of the Year - "Uptown Funk" - Charles Moniz from Burlington, Ontario, was a sound engineer on this record by artist Mark Ronson Featuring Bruno Mars. Best Album Notes - "Love Has Many Faces: A Quartet, A Ballet, Waiting To Be Danced" - Joni Mitchell Best Historical Album - "The Basement Tapes Complete: The Bootleg Series Vol. 11" - Jan Haust from London, Ontario, was one of the compilation producers and Peter J. Moore from Hamilton, Ontario, was one of the mastering engineers (Bob Dylan And The Band) Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical - "Sound & Color" Shawn Everett, engineer; Bob Ludwig, mastering engineer (Alabama Shakes) I wish to commend all the musical creators and artists whose contribution in the 58th Grammy Awards is truly a source of pride. The above list of Canadian winners is provided to the best of our knowledge. Visit grammy.com for more details. Stay Connected Follow us on Twitter, YouTube, Facebook and Flickr. Contacts: Pierre-Olivier Herbert Press Secretary Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage 819-997-7788 VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA -- (Marketwired) -- 02/16/16 -- Lynden Energy Corp. (TSX VENTURE: LVL) (the "Company" or "Lynden") reports financial and operating results for the three and six months ended December 31, 2015. This press release should be read in conjunction with the Company's Form 10-Q for the three and six months ended December 31, 2015 (the "Form 10-Q") filed today with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") and applicable Canadian Securities Regulators. All monetary references in this press release are to U.S. dollars. Highlights The Company's financial and operating performance for the three months ended December 31, 2015, included the following highlights: -- Primarily as a result of a significant drop in commodity prices, petroleum and natural gas sales decreased by 38% as compared to the three months ended December 31, 2014; -- Realized prices decreased 38% per Bbl of oil, 41% per Mcf of gas and 62% per Bbl of NGL compared to the three months ended December 31, 2014; and -- Average daily production was 1,451 Boe/d in the three months ended December 31, 2015, compared to 1,392 Boe/d in the three months ended December 31, 2014. Results of Operations Three months ended December 31, 2015 Net loss for the three months ended December 31, 2015, was ($7,379,901) and ($0.06) per share and diluted share, compared to net income of $509,461 and $0.00 per share and diluted share for the three months ended December 31, 2014. Net income decreased by $7,889,362 for the three months ended December 31, 2015, compared to December 31, 2014, primarily due to lower oil and gas revenues of $2,264,789, higher production and operating expenses of $116,667, lower depletion, depreciation and accretion of $128,401, higher general and administrative expenses of $322,897, higher exploration and impairment charges of $6,567,237, and lower income tax expense of $772,400 in the three months ended December 31, 2015. Six months ended December 31, 2015 Net loss for the six months ended December 31, 2015, was ($7,620,946) and ($0.06) per share and diluted share, compared to net income of $2,144,930 and $0.02 per share and diluted share for the six months ended December 31, 2014. The large decrease in net income was primarily due to: 1) a $6,806,200 decrease in oil and gas revenues; and 2) a $6,119,738 increase in exploration and impairments. The net loss for the six months ended December 31, 2015 also resulted in an income tax recovery of $574,300 compared to income tax expense of $1,788,000 for the six months ended December 31, 2014. Petroleum and Natural Gas Revenues The following table provides summary information regarding oil, natural gas and NGL revenues, production and average product prices for the three and six months ended December 31, 2015 and 2014. We determine a barrel of oil equivalent using the ratio of six Mcf of natural gas to one Boe, and one barrel of NGL to one Boe. The ratios of six Mcf of natural gas to one Boe and one barrel NGL to one Boe do not assume price equivalency and, given price differentials, the price for a Boe for natural gas or NGL may differ significantly from the price for a barrel of oil. Three Months Ended Six Months Ended December 31, December 31, ------------------------- ------------------------- 2015 2014 2015 2014 ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ Net Revenues Oil $ 3,000,918 $ 4,461,778 $ 5,655,630 $ 10,709,854 Natural gas 364,205 616,750 766,922 1,300,288 NGL 328,760 880,144 664,787 1,883,397 ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ 3,693,883 5,985,672 7,087,339 13,893,539 Production and operating expenses (1,482,924) (1,366,257) (3,021,775) (2,692,187) ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ Net back $ 2,210,959 $ 4,592,415 $ 4,065,564 $ 11,201,352 ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ Production Oil (Bbl) 74,693 69,013 134,488 141,415 Natural gas (Mcf) 170,138 170,501 356,007 340,322 NGL (Bbl) 30,434 30,668 57,534 60,973 Total barrel of oil equivalent (Boe) 133,483 128,098 246,356 259,108 Daily production averages Oil (Bbls/d) 812 750 731 769 Natural gas (Mcf/d) 1,849 1,853 1,772 1,850 NGL (Bbl/d) 331 333 313 331 Total barrel of oil equivalent (Boe/d) 1,451 1,392 1,339 1,408 Average prices Oil (per Bbl) $ 40.17 $ 64.65 $ 42.05 $ 75.73 Natural gas (per Mcf) $ 2.14 $ 3.62 $ 2.35 $ 3.82 NGL (per Bbl/d) $ 10.80 $ 28.70 $ 11.55 $ 30.89 Total barrel of oil equivalent (per Boe) $ 27.70 $ 46.52 $ 28.80 $ 53.62 Capital Requirements and Sources of Liquidity The Company's primary sources of liquidity have been available cash on hand, cash generated from operations, borrowings under our Credit Facility, and proceeds from asset dispositions. To date, the Company's primary use of capital has been for the acquisition, development and exploration of oil and natural gas properties. During the six months ended December 31, 2015, we spent approximately $11.0 million on capital expenditures on property, plant and equipment. Our fiscal 2016 (July 1, 2015 to June 30, 2016) capital budget for drilling, completion, recompletion and infrastructure was originally established at approximately $18.9 million, and has since been revised downwards to approximately $10.4 million, for the following: -- $4.7 million, or 45, for the participation in the drilling and completion of 6 gross vertical Midland Basin wells, 5 of which wells have been drilled, completed and tied-into production as of December 31, 2015; -- $4.1 million, or 39% for the participation in the drilling and completion of 1 gross horizontal Midland Basin wells, which well has been drilled, completed and tied-into production as of December 31, 2015; and -- $1.6 million, or 16%, for the participation in the drilling and completion of 3 gross vertical Mitchell Ranch Project wells, one of which has been drilled as of December 31, 2015. Based upon current oil and natural gas price expectations for fiscal 2016, we believe that our cash and cash equivalents on hand, our cash flow from operations and additional borrowings under our Credit Facility will provide us with sufficient liquidity to execute our current capital program excluding any acquisitions we may enter into. The Company is not contractually bound to drill any wells to which it has not first consented. In April 2015, we entered into a NYMEX-based oil price put contract for 9,000 bbls of oil per month from September 2015 until August 2016 (12 months) with a strike price of $50 per bbl as a hedge against some of the effects of commodity volatility during the period of the contract. However, future cash flows are subject to a number of variables, including but not limited to the level of oil and natural gas production and prices, and significant additional capital expenditures which will be required to more fully develop our properties. We cannot assure that additional capital will be available on acceptable terms or at all. If we require additional capital for that or other reasons, we may seek such capital through traditional reserve base borrowings, joint venture partnerships, production payment financings, asset sales, offerings of debt and equity securities or other means. We cannot assure you that needed capital will be available on acceptable terms or at all. If we are unable to obtain capital when needed or on acceptable terms, we may be required to curtail our current drilling program, which could result in a loss of acreage through lease expirations. In addition, we may not be able to complete acquisitions that may be favorable to us or finance the capital expenditures necessary to maintain our production or replace our reserves. A capital budget has not been formally established for the first half of fiscal 2017 (July 1, 2016 to December 31, 2016), however the Company anticipates significantly reduced levels of capital expenditures in the period compared to the prior period. Currently, plans anticipate 1 gross vertical Wolfberry well, 1 gross horizontal well in Howard County, and 3 vertical Mitchell Ranch Project wells in the first half of fiscal 2017, at an estimated capital cost to the Company of $4.9 million. Proposed Business Combination On December 17, 2015, Lynden and Earthstone Energy, Inc. ("Earthstone") announced a definitive agreement (the "Earthstone Agreement") under which Earthstone will acquire Lynden in an all-stock transaction under a plan of arrangement pursuant to the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia) (the "Transaction"). Under the Earthstone Agreement, Lynden shareholders will receive 0.02842 of a share of Earthstone stock in exchange for each share of Lynden common stock held. Following the Transaction, shareholders of Earthstone and Lynden are expected to own approximately 79% and 21% respectively, of the combined company on a fully diluted basis. Additional details regarding the Transaction, including but not limited to required securityholder, regulatory and court approvals, are contained in the Form 10-Q and in the Company's previous filings. About Lynden Lynden Energy Corp. is in the business of acquiring, exploring and developing petroleum and natural gas rights and properties. The Company has various working interests in the Midland Basin and Eastern Shelf of the Permian Basin, West Texas, USA. Further information relating to Lynden is also available on its website at www.lyndenenergy.com. Units of equivalency This press release uses oil equivalents (Boe) to express quantities of natural gas, natural gas liquids and oil in a common unit. A conversion ratio of 6 Mcf of natural gas to 1 barrel of oil is used. Boe may be misleading, particularly if used in isolation. The conversion ratio is based on an energy equivalency conversion method primarily applicable at the burner tip and does not represent a value equivalency at the wellhead. Forward-looking statements Certain statements and information in this press release may constitute "forward-looking statements" and are made pursuant to the "safe harbour" provisions of applicable Canadian securities laws and of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The words "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "plan," "intend," "foresee," "should," "would," "could" or other similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, which are generally not historical in nature. These forward-looking statements are based on management's current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effect on the Company. While management believes that these forward-looking statements are reasonable as and when made, there can be no assurance that future developments affecting us will be those anticipated. All comments concerning expectations for future revenues and operating results are based on management's forecasts for the Company's existing operations and do not include the potential impact of any future acquisitions. Forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties (some of which are beyond the Company's control) and assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's historical experience and management's present expectations or projections. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: the receipt by Lynden and Earthstone of all required securityholder, regulatory and court approvals for the Transaction, the volatility of commodity prices, product supply and demand; competition; access to and cost of capital; uncertainties about estimates of reserves and resource potential and the ability to add proved reserves in the future; the assumptions underlying production forecasts; the quality of technical data; environmental and weather risks, including the possible impacts of climate change; the ability to obtain environmental and other permits and the timing thereof; government regulation or action; the costs and results of drilling and operations; the availability of equipment, services, resources and personnel required to complete the Company's operating activities; access to and availability of transportation, processing and refining facilities; the financial strength of counterparties to the Company's credit facility and the purchasers of the Company's production; and acts of war or terrorism; general economic conditions and other financial, operational and legal risks and uncertainties detailed from time to time in the Company's Securities and Exchange Commission filings. For additional information regarding known material factors that could cause actual results to differ from projected results, please see "Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors" in the Company's Form 10-K filed with the SEC on February 16, 2016, and which is also available under its profile at the SEDAR website (www.sedar.com), and with other reports that the Company files with the SEC and with Canadian securities regulators. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements after the date they are made, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by Canadian securities laws. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. Contacts: Lynden Energy Corp. Colin Watt President and CEO 604-629-2991 www.lyndenenergy.com OTTAWA, ONTARIO -- (Marketwired) -- 02/16/16 -- Prime Minister's Office The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement on the death of Boutros Boutros-Ghali: "Today, we mourn the loss of Boutros Boutros-Ghali, former Secretary-General of the United Nations and of La Francophonie. "Mr. Boutros-Ghali led the United Nations during a tumultuous period in history as the world grappled with major crises in Rwanda, Somalia, and former Yugoslavia. He was a champion for world peace, and charted a path for the United Nations focused on conflict prevention, peacemaking, and peacekeeping. As the first Secretary-General of La Francophonie, he promoted the French language and culture in the world. "Mr. Boutros-Ghali's legacy includes the major role he had in the successful negotiation of the1979 Treaty of Peace between Egypt and Israel, as well as his ground-breaking report 'An Agenda for Peace'. "On behalf of all Canadians, we extend our deepest condolences to Mr. Boutros-Ghali's family, friends, and colleagues." This document is also available at http://pm.gc.ca Contacts: PMO Media Relations: (613) 957-5555 Mobify, a Vancouver, Canada-based mobile customer engagement platform, raised a $10m funding round. The round was led by Munich-based Acton Capital Partners. In conjuntion with the funding, Hannes Blum, Venture Partner, Acton Capital Partners, and Mark Organ, founder and CEO of Influitive, joined Mobifys board of directors. The company intends to use the funds to accelerate delivery of new technologies and adoption of its platform. Led by CEO Igor Faletski, Mobify provides retailers with a platform to enage mobile customers via real-time interactions leveraging technologies for mobile web and native applications, push messaging, location-based marketing etc. The company currently serves 150 enterprise customers including including Ann Taylor, Crocs, Carnival Cruises, Bosch, Superdry, Eddie Bauer, Tommy Bahama and Beyond the Rack. FinSMEs 16/02/2016 New Delhi: Automobile industry body SIAM wants the government to reduce excise duty on large cars and SUVs to 20 percent from the current rates of up to 30 percent in the upcoming Budget. Besides, the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) has also asked Finance Minister Arun Jaitley for an incentive scheme for scrapping of old vehicles in the Budget. "We have asked for 20 per cent excise duty on vehicles that currently have excise duties of 24, 27 and 30 per cent," SIAM Director General Vishnu Mathur told PTI. Explaining the rationale behind the demand, he said, "From 12.5 to 30 percent, the differential in excise duty has grown over the years. We are asking for two rates -- one for small cars and one for large vehicles." Currently, small cars that are less than four meters in length attract excise duty of 12.5 percent, while cars with more than four meters length but with engine of less than 1,500 cc capacity attract a duty of 24 percent. Further, vehicles with engine capacity of more than 1,500 cc are charged an excise duty of 27 per cent and while those with ground clearance of more than 170 mm attract an excise duty of 30 percent. The demand for excise duty cut is among the main proposals that SIAM has put before the finance minister ahead of the Budget. "The second thing which we are asking is incentive scheme for scrapping of old vehicles," Mathur said. Elaborating on the scheme, Mathur said the move would help reduce air pollution. "We want this vehicle scrapping scheme to be incentive based and not a mandatory one. Even if 15-20 per cent old vehicles go off the road, it will make a huge difference. Besides, the scheme would be revenue positive for the government," Mathur said. The government will present the Union Budget for 2016-17 on 29 February. PTI It is fully within the rights of general taxpayers to ask questions on how the tax-money government collects from them is deployed. Given that banks are going broke with ballooning bad loans and that majority of them (to be specific 70 per cent of the industry by assets) are government banks, which are capitalized every year by the government using taxpayers money, there is no surprise why the Supreme Court asked the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Tuesday to hand over the names of large defaulters to the apex court. The court has asked the question, which millions of taxpayers would want to ask. Clearly the bank recapitalization has become a major burden on the public exchequer. Consider this: In the last eight years, the government has infused Rs 90,000 crore in Indias 27 public sector banks. This fiscal year alone, the government has so far infused Rs 20,000 crore out of the promised Rs25,000 crore. This is part of the Rs 70,000 crore package the government has promised to the government banks over the next few years to fill their funding gap for credit expansion, mandatory reserve requirements under Basel-III requirements and the bad loan provisioning. Now, is this money is used efficiently by banks? The answer lies in the balance sheets of these lenders. As visible in the form of bad loan mountains being disclosed by the banks nudged by the RBI, state-run banks have failed to efficiently use this capital. Most of this money has gone bad (means loan money hasnt returned to lenders) on account of poor judgment on the creditworthiness of the corporate borrowers, pressure to fund social sector (remember the 2008 mammoth debt waiver scheme) and innumerable government schemes. By virtue of their public sector character, bank managements have hardly been taken to task on inefficiency in operations. Thus, most chairmen and EDs of state-run banks contributed to the mess and happily passed on the buck to their successors for years. Bad loans were covered up in the form of restructured loans and technical adjustments as every outgoing chairman wanted to show a good book and ensure a post-retirement berth. Even now, the only reason why banks are reporting massive amount of bad loans in the October-December quarter is the March, 2017 deadline given by RBI to disclose all bad assets on their book or clean-up their balance sheets. Else, state-run banks would have happily continued to bundle up their bad assets unto a point the system blows up at some point. But, the point here is at least from now on, as Firstpost argued in this article, the government must count every penny it gives to state-run banks and how the money is used, instead of keep gambling with taxpayers money every year. It should take strong punitive action against large corporate defaulters (which constitute 65 percent -70 percent of the total Rs 4.4 lakh crore bad loans in the banking system). The government and the RBI should also make sure credit appraisal mechanism is foolproof and NPAs emerge only in cases of genuine stress (where the only hope is better economic conditions) not by lending to politically-connected crony promoters through middlemen. Given that reasons for the corporate loan defaults, as appears now, are not mainly the general economic slowdown but the mismanagement and inefficiency of banks, willful defaults and reckless lending, bank managements are answerable for the current mess in the banking system. In this context, the Supreme Court has asked the right question when it demanded the list of defaulters (above Rs 500 crore in value) from RBI. Already, RBI has the details of defaulters with various banks, which is circulated among banks and credit bureaus. This, however, is not shared with the public since this information is sensitive to commercial confidentiality. But, given that things have gone to a real mess now and the banking industry is nearly facing a bad-loan crisis, it is highly critical the wrongdoers are taken to task by judiciary, regulators and the government to recover the money. Once it gets hold of the list of large defaulters, the apex court can ask the government and the banking sector to initiate legal actions against wilful defaulters, who wouldnt pay back to banks, despite having the wherewithal to do so and even make a mockery of the system by publicly flaunting their wealth. After all, crony promoters have used the same judicial platforms to their advantage for long for not repaying the money they owe to the lenders. Data support from Kishor Kadam Just ahead of the Union Budget for 2016-17, tax terrorism, which has already taken a toll on investor sentiment, seems to be returning to haunt the multinational companies in India. This, despite finance minister Arun Jaitley and other NDA ministers promising a predictable tax regime to improve the ease of doing business in the country. According to a report in Bloomberg, the Indian tax authorities have sent a notice to Vodafone Plc, which is engaged in an arbitration with the government in a tax case, threatening to seize assets if the company did not pay up $2.1 billion or Rs 14,300 crore in taxes. According to the report, Anil Sant, deputy commissioner of income tax, has sent the notice on 4 February to Vodafone International Holdings BV. The tax pertains to a transaction the company did in 2007, in which it bought out Hutchison's 67 percent stake in its telecom JV in India for about $11 billion. The deal was executed through companies that are not based in India. However, the income tax department slapped a basic capital tax demand of Rs 7,990 crore on the transaction. Though the company won a court battle in the case, the government later changed the law to retrospectively apply the tax on such transactions. Apart from Vodafone, a clutch of other multinational companies such as Cairn Energy and Nokia have also been slapped such tax demands by the Indian authorities. The tax law had severely damaged the country's image among the investor community. While the law was brought in by the erstwhile UPA regime, there were expectations that the NDA government under Narendra Modi, touted to be much more business-friendly than the predecessor, would put an end to the tax terrorism. However, the latest development in the Vodafone case suggests that the NDA too may be going the UPA way. The government's move assumes significance as Vodafone's international arbitration proceedings against India are currently on in the case. It is also noteworthy that it comes at a time when the government rolling out schemes after schemes to attract foreign investors and bring about a change in the perception about India. According to Mukesh Butani, managing partner at BMR Legal, the world is watching Cairn and Vodafone cases both under going international arbitration. "...The decisions are going to play a lot in the minds of investors. Whatever the government wants to do, it must do it sensibly and quickly," he had recently told the Financial Express in an interview. But going by the twist in the Vodafone tale, clearly the government is more interested in talking and managing headlines than doing something to bring about a real change. NEW DELHI/SINGAPORE As India prepares to import corn for the first time in 16 years, at least one stipulation in its international tender has become much tougher to meet - that shipments of the crop are completely free of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). The Asian country of 1.2 billion people does not allow cultivation of any genetically modified food, and has rules that are supposed to ensure that imports contain no trace of GMOs.But an explosion in the use of GM crops worldwide means that purity grade has become harder to attain and, with a growing risk of the supply chain being contaminated, underlines the vulnerabilities faced by countries trying to stay GM free. Even a shipment containing a handful of genetically altered seeds could cross pollinate with local varieties and mean that in India's case farmers end up illegally growing GM crops. "They can buy non-GMO corn, especially out of the Black sea region, but I doubt anybody can offer shipments with zero presence of GMOs," James Dunsterville, an agricultural commodities analyst at Geneva-based commodities information platform AgFlow. South Korea's Daewoo International (047050.KS) won the tender to ship 250,000 tonnes of non-GM corn to India from Ukraine, but two international traders in Singapore and an exporter in Kiev said Ukraine could at best guarantee 99.1 percent non-GM corn. "The biggest risk of accepting anything less than 99, or 100, percent is that the imported GM corn may eventually get mixed with conventional seeds that farmers sow in India," said an Indian government scientist. "If, God forbid, any GM seed gets mixed here, it'll spoil the entire Indian agriculture," added the scientist, who asked not to be named since he was not authorised to talk to media. Daewoo declined to comment but two sources close to the company said it would be able to meet the requirements and that it was aware of the conditions in last month's tender issued by Indian state-run firm PEC. RISKS OF CONTAMINATION Shrinking arable land, volatile weather and a world population tipped to top 9 billion by 2050 are increasing pressures to plant GM crops to boost yields and protect from pests. Much of the corn in major producers such as the United States, Brazil and Argentina is GM, helping production hit record levels in recent years and keeping a lid on food prices. Global corn prices Cv1 have recovered about 13 percent after hitting a 5-year low in 2014 but are still more than 50 percent below a record price of $8.49 a bushel in 2012. Indicating the difficulty of keeping GM free, Greenpeace said that Chinese farmers were illegally growing GM corn, despite an official ban on cultivating GM varieties or other staple food crops. The environmental group said almost all samples taken from cornfields in some parts of the north-east, China's breadbasket, tested positive for GMO. China has not directly commented on the report, though officials have issued warnings to seed dealers and farmers not to use unapproved GM seeds. Some farm economists have said India should speed up efforts to embrace GM foods after China took a step towards this with its bid for Swiss transgenic seed developer Syngenta (SYNN.VX). But public and political opposition in India remains strong amid fears they could compromise food safety and biodiversity. GM advocates say such fears are not scientifically proven. "India must reject cargoes from suppliers who promise to provide corn that is only 99.1 percent free of GM organisms, said Devinder Sharma, an independent food and trade policy analyst based in Chandigarh, highlighting a risk of contamination. However, Sharma said that it had become standard global practice for GM-free buyers to settle for crops that were up to 99 percent GM free. A source at trader PEC said India's condition that the imports were non-GM was sacrosanct. PEC received 15 bids from global traders including Daewoo, Noble, Cargill and Agro Corp to supply corn mainly to be used as animal feed for India's poultry industry. But Singapore-based traders said there could have been more participants in the tender but for the non-GM restriction. Though Ukraine and growers in Europe, such as France, do produce non-GMO corn, suppliers may not be able to guarantee supplies are completely free of gene-altered grains because of common bulk handling systems, said a trading manager with an international trading company. "It could be a dirty truck or a dirty conveyor belt. It only takes one seed to get a GMO positive result." (Additional reporting by Pavel Polityuk in KIEV; Editing by Ed Davies) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. PASS CHRISTIAN, Mississippi -- Authorities say they've arrested a Gulfport woman in connection with a shooting after a Mardi Gras parade in Mississippi that left two people dead and four others wounded. Local news outlets report that officials have arrested Sharon Johnson on a charge of hindering prosecution. Harrison County Sheriff Troy Peterson said in a release that Johnson removed and disposed of evidence at a Gulfport hospital on Feb. 7 while victims of the shooting in nearby Pass Christian were being treated. He says the evidence was relevant to the investigation. Pass Christian Police Chief Tim Hendricks says eight people have now been arrested in connection with the shooting. The others weren't immediately identified. Johnson is being held in a county jail in southern Mississippi. It's unclear if she has an attorney. LONDON Oil prices were steady on Monday, holding on to last week's gains on speculation that OPEC might agree to cut production to reduce a supply glut that has pushed prices to the lowest in over a decade. Brent crude futures LCOc1, the global benchmark, were unchanged at $33.36 a barrel at 1718 GMT. U.S. futures CLc1 traded at $29.67 a barrel, up 23 cents on Friday's close. Trade was thin due to the U.S. Presidents Day holiday. "Some traders still think about the chances of an OPEC plus Russia (production) cut and close their short positions," said Frank Klumpp, oil analyst at Stuttgart-based Landesbank Baden-Wuerttemberg. Nigeria's oil minister told Reuters the mood inside OPEC was shifting to a growing consensus that a decision must be reached on how to prop up prices. Non-OPEC member Russia said on Monday it was in talks on coordinated output cuts with individual OPEC members, mainly Venezuela, but not with the organization itself, news agency Interfax quoted Russia's representative to OPEC as saying. Last week, the United Arab Emirates' energy minister said OPEC was willing to cooperate on an output cut, the Wall Street Journal reported last week. "The fact that the market has reacted so strongly certainly indicates that these comments are being taken seriously," analysts at Frankfurt-based Commerzbank wrote. However, many analysts, including the International Energy Agency, are still skeptical OPEC will cut a deal with other producers to reign in ballooning output. "We continue to believe that if prices were to be artificially supported with production cuts it would only give more expensive forms of production more room to breathe and would only solve the problem in the short term," Phillip Futures said in a note. Iran is exporting 1.3 million barrels per day (bpd) of crude, and will be pumping 1.5 million bpd by the start of the next Iranian year on March 20, a vice president was quoted as saying on Saturday. Iran would load 4 million barrels of crude on tankers destined for Europe in the coming 24 hours, a senior official was quoted as saying. Ben van Beurden, chief executive of oil company Shell (RDSa.L), said on Monday that volatility in oil prices may stabilize later this year and that prices could rebound after that. (Additional reporting by Osamu Tsukimori in Tokyo; Editing by Dale Hudson and Susan Fenton) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. SINGAPORE Pratt & Whitney's new chief says the performance of suppliers is much better than year ago, easing concerns over its ability to execute a $10 billion gamble on a new engine as it seeks to reclaim a once revered status in the jet industry. But the industry veteran said he knew how to find out whether the company's make-or-break production goals for the latest short-haul airplane engine are under strain. "I will get every engine serial number and will see the parts that are committed and if it supports the engine shipment date," Robert Leduc told Reuters at the Singapore Airshow. Speaking after opening a high-tech fan-blade plant in Singapore, Leduc also played down concerns over aircraft demand, saying the company had seen no deferrals or cancellations. Once dominant in commercial aviation, Pratt lost its way in the 1990s after betting on the wrong category of plane and leaving the door open to General Electric (GE.N) and its French partner Safran (SAF.PA), who now lead sales by volume. It is seeking to regain its position with a fuel efficient engine for jets including the Airbus (AIR.PA) A320neo as well as Canada's Bombardier (BBDb.TO) and the latest model of Embraer. Developed at a cost of $10 billion, the Geared Turbofan engines claim to burn 15 percent less fuel and have already influenced the way some future jet engines are designed. Pratt has sold 7,000 of them and triggered other engine and plane developments. But analysts warn the company still has much to prove as it attempts to increase production seven-fold in the next four years. When the previous president stepped down earlier than expected last month after steering through development, the boss of parent United Technologies (UTX.N) named retired operations expert Leduc to take on the crucial early production phase. It was the second time the no-nonsense 59-year-old had been pulled out of retirement. Returning to Pratt & Whitney's Connecticut offices on Jan. 14, Leduc paid tribute to the advanced design, but told senior staff: "Now we've got to execute and deliver to our customers. Our reputation depends on it," according to a person present. It plans to make 200 Geared Turbofans this year, roughly doubling in 2017. That number will grow close to 1,400 by 2020. GE-Safran venture CFM International also has aggressive output plans, but benefits from an existing supply chain. FIST FIGHTS OVER Both engine makers are at the forefront of a record output drive that has triggered concerns over the ability of weaker suppliers to keep up. Any slip-ups could affect profit across the sector and Pratt must additionally demonstrate it can execute on an all-new civil project for the first time in years. "I have spent an inordinate amount of time on this in the last four weeks; it was probably my number one priority, digging into the industrial schedule," Leduc said. With $22 billion of long-term supply agreements, or 85 percent of its needs now in place, confidence in suppliers has risen in the past year, Leduc said. That allows Pratt to focus most effort on the engines where needed. "We weren't managing that way last year," Leduc said. "I think every engine was a fist fight; we didn't have the fidelity around the (supplier) commitments. Now the design is stable; once (that happens) you give your operations a fighting chance to deliver." Even so, some glitches need to be resolved. The Airbus A320neo missed an end-2015 target for first delivery after it emerged the engines needed longer than usual to start properly, adding precious minutes to turnaround times. A part was redesigned and will be followed by a software fix in 3-4 weeks. But the problem is an example of the slim margin for error in the cut-throat short-haul airline market. Most modern jet engines need 150-180 seconds to start up. Pratt's new engines currently need closer to 350 seconds. By June the goal is to get this to 200 seconds, and by end-year back to normal, a person familiar with the repair plan said. The engines have also faced a problem with sophisticated control software sending erroneous messages to the cockpit, adding extra workload before the plane can take off. Engineers aim to eliminate 65 percent of the rogue messages by April and the rest by June. They are not related to aircraft systems and don't present any safety risk, Leduc said. He said there had been no schedule delays since he took the job last month. Industry sources have cited previous delays and say Airbus is renegotiating some deliveries. Both firms say output will be skewed towards the second half. "I have got a fair amount of confidence in what is going to happen. I think we have got enough fidelity around our plants now and our investment and our supplier commitments that we are confident that we are going to make this ramp-up," Leduc said. (Reporting by Tim Hepher; Editing by Mike Collett-White) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Tuesday dismissed a petition seeking NIA probe in the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) sedition case in which anti-India slogans were allegedly raised, saying the plea was "premature" as the police is already investigating the matter. "It is an inicident of 9 February. Delhi Police is probing the matter. Let the police investigate first. We cannot step in unless necessary," a bench of Justice Manmohan said, adding, "The present writ petition is premature and is dismissed." During the hearing, the counsel, appearing for petitioner Ranjana Agnihotri told the court that this is a serious and sensitive matter as anti-India slogans were raised inside the JNU campus. Advocate Hari Shankar Jain, the counsel for the petitioner, argued that sovereignty and integrity of the country were threatened by a few students and people associated with the university and "hostile foreign forces" were trying to destabilise the country. The bench, however, observed, "We are not politicians. We just cannot jump into things. The investigation is on. The police, law and order are taken care of by the government and let them do the needful first." During the proceedings, the counsel for the Centre submitted that it was a fact that anti-national slogans were raised in the university campus but whether there was a "youthful error or any conspiracy" behind it is being probed by Delhi Police. The counsel for the Delhi government said, "Who instigated these people is being probed by the police and we should wait till the probe is on." During the arguments, the petitioner's counsel contended that the bench should direct the government to appoint a judicial commission to look into the matter. "No. The State will look into it," the bench said. "In the present case, the incident has taken place only on February 9, so this court at this stage cannot say that the police is not investigating the matter properly. This court is confident that Delhi Police will investigate all the aspects," the bench said. The plea was yesterday filed in the high court soon after a group of men in lawyers' robes thrashed students and mediapersons in Patiala House court complex here ahead of the hearing in the sedition case in which JNUSU president Kanhaiya Kumar has been arrested. The petition had alleged that Delhi Police was not probing the case properly and the matter should be transferred to National Investigation Agency (NIA). Kanhaiya was arrested on February 12 in connection with a case of sedition and criminal conspiracy over an event at the university against hanging of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru. The same day, he was remanded in three days police custody by a court here after the police said his and five other absconding accused' alleged links with terrorist groups were being probed. Yesterday, his custody was extended by two days. A case was registered under Sections of 124 A (sedition) and 120B (criminal conspiracy) of IPC against unknown persons at Vasant Kunj (North) Police station following complaints by BJP MP Maheish Girri and ABVP. The event was held despite the varsity administration having cancelled the permission following a complaint by ABVP members, who had termed the activity as "anti-national". PTI Madurai/Theni: Hundreds of people on Tuesday bid emotional farewell to Siachen bravehearts G Ganesan and S Kumar, whose last rites were performed with full state honours at Chokkathevanpatti in Madurai and Kumanan Kuzhu in Theni districts respectively. While Sepoy Ganesan (25) was cremated at Chokkathevanpatti, Havildar Kumar (37) was buried at Kumanankuzhu. The atmosphere at the funeral was highly emotional with friends, relatives and locals bidding tearful farewell. District Collectors of Madurai and Theni - Veeraraghava Rao and Venkatachalam respectively - handed over cheques of Rs 10 lakh each to the bereaved families, the solatium announced by the state government. The government has also assured job to one family member of the two deceased soldiers. Ganesan, Kumar and eight other soldiers, including Havildar M Elumalai of Vellore and Sepoy N Ramamurthy from Krishnagiri of Tamil Nadu, got buried in snow after an avalanche hit their high-altitude post in Siachen glacier in Ladakh on 3 February. One of them, Lance Naik Hanumanthappa Koppad, found alive under the snow, also died on 11 February after battling for life. PTI Mumbai/New Delhi: Within days of being given a diphtheria jab during a school vaccination drive, 5-year-old Meraj Shabbir Khan's leg became so swollen that he was hospitalised. In a cramped Mumbai paediatric ward, third-year pharmacology student Nitin Shinde opens the boy's file and notes the vaccine, his age and the doctor's diagnosis of a skin infection. That information is later logged into a computer programme linked to a national database, part of India's fledgling efforts to track, analyse and ultimately warn patients about unknown side effects of drugs on the market. India's six-year-old pharmacovigilance programme, which collects and submits suspected adverse drug reactions to a World Health Organisation (WHO) database, is key to improving drug safety in a country where medicine consumption is high, experts say. But , hospital personnel across India told Reuters. Gaps in the system mean the government has less data to determine whether drugs might have harmful side effects. Also, relatively little information flows from one of the world's largest pharmaceutical markets to the WHO database of over 12 million suspected adverse drug reactions. "In a country of 1 billion people consuming so much medicine, obviously safety is a concern," said G Parthasarathi, dean of the pharmacy school at JSS University in Mysore, adding the pharmacovigilance programme is still gaining traction. "We've made a good start," he said. Last year, India contributed 2 percent of the 2.1 million suspected reactions added to VigiBase, the WHO's global database. China, with a comparable population, contributed 8 percent. Tracking adverse drug reactions is urgent "in public health programs where huge amounts of medicine are being used," said Sten Olsson, a WHO programme expert at the non-profit Uppsala Monitoring Centre (UMC) in Sweden which maintains VigiBase. The centre analyses the WHO database for worrying patterns among suspected reactions and, where there are safety concerns, publishes a "signal" that goes out to member countries. It is up to those countries to act on that information or not. "We're concerned that with some of our new signals nothing has been done with them," said Olsson. Indian health officials say the monitoring programme is a "high priority" and a $14.5 million annual budget is sufficient. "We are going to develop a better pharmacovigilance system in India in due course," said GN Singh, India's drug controller. "Patient health will be assured." Drug companies The programme could improve, experts say, if drugs firms contributed more. To make a new drug in India, companies need permission from the national drug controller after submitting safety and efficacy data including from local clinical trials. For four years after an approved drug is on the market, firms must submit safety reports, including those on adverse drug reactions. After that there is no mandatory requirement for them to report all adverse reactions, and smaller firms, which make up over a third of India's market, often don't have robust monitoring resources. "They feel after four years, every drug is safe," said a person working in pharmacovigilance at a multinational drugs company in India. "That's not the case." Last year, only about one tenth of the suspected adverse drug reactions India collected came from drugmakers, compared to 95 percent in the United States. But making reporting mandatory for all companies and all drugs is not realistic, industry advocates say. "You have up to 80,000 drugs on the market. You think the government is prepared to do pharmacovigilance for all of them?" said T.R. Gopalakrishnan, deputy secretary-general of the Indian Drug Manufacturers Association. "Many manufacturers don't even know where their drugs are being consumed." "What can I do" Some of India's 179 monitoring centres operate smoothly, but other parts of the system aren't working, programme administrators say. In interviews with staff at more than 20 centres, programme coordinators cited problems ranging from a shortage of personnel, computers and funds to raise awareness among staff to a lack of cooperation from doctors who say they are too busy. "I call doctors to my office, serve them tea... and push them to report. What else can I do?" said C.B. Choudhary, who coordinates a monitoring centre at Katihar Medical College in Bihar state. "I want the programme to start, but it isn't happening," he said. Not all centres require extra personnel or equipment, and those that do are in the process of getting full staff, said V. Kalaiselvan, principal scientific officer at the Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission which hosts the pharmacovigilance programme's headquarters in Ghaziabad outside New Delhi. Regarding doctors' lack of engagement, "the culture of reporting is improving," he said. Reporting numbers have risen, and staff at headquarters used patient data last year to make seven recommendations to the drug regulator to add new warning labels - the first time Indian, not foreign data, was used, said Kalaiselvan. The body recommended, for instance, that the regulator require an antibiotic combination of piperacillin and tazobactam, sold in India by several major drugmakers, be sold with a warning that it could cause breathing difficulty and potassium deficiency. REUTERS Thank you Mr OP Sharma. Or simply OP for his friends like Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley. Thank you for not letting your status as member of the Capital's legislative assembly stand in your way of hitting, kicking, pulling the hair of defenceless, unarmed people at the Patiala House Court on Monday afternoon. Thank you for proclaiming this with pride: 'Goli bhi maar deta agar banduk hoti" (would have shot them dead if I had a gun) and stating unequivocally that "it is not wrong if somebody shouting such (anti-India) slogans is beaten up or even done to death." Moderation, never his strong point (he was suspended during the Winter Session of the Delhi Assembly in 2015 for using derogatory language against AAP MLA Alka Lamba), is something he will not have to pick up in the service of his party now. Thanks to those men in black coats, trained to uphold the law and the Constitution, for shoving and pushing and beating, mercilessly, completely outnumbered mediapersons and students, irrespective of gender and age, grabbing their phones and cameras. Thank you for chasing them into courtrooms and closing the doors for concentrated attention, merely for waiting to hear the bail petition of Kanhaiya Kumar, JNU's student union president on charges of sedition or, at worst, for simply being "JNU-waales." You even embarrassed that great champion of television patriotism, Arnab Goswami. Not to worry, they have laid down the law, might is better than right, whatever they may have been taught in law schools. Thank you home minister Rajnath Singh. First for sending the flatfoots into the JNU campus and picking up Kanhaiya Kumar for merely being present at a meeting where 'anti-national' slogans were raised but one who, by the police's own admission, did not mouth those slogans himself. Second, for not knowing the difference between fake and real tweets thereby giving true blue terrorist Hafiz Saeed, a handle to accuse India of "misleading its own people and the world." Whatever else the home minister may be accused of, efficiency is unlikely to be one of them. Thank you Smriti Irani, for paying more attention to the complaints of ABVP members than to the submissions of teachers. Thank you for interfering into the workings of the academic institutes under the charge of your HRD ministry, throwing university after university into turmoil and generally living up to the appellate Manusmriti Irani, bringing a gleeful smile to the face of her bete noire Madhu Kishwar who has been happily tweeting, tongue firmly in cheek, that "CPM leaders very happy with HRD Irani for her cooperative attitude towards their concerns." Ms Irani knows who are actually beholden to her: East Delhi MP Maheish Girri, Secunderabad MP Bandaru Dattatreya Batra and others of their ilk. Thank you Delhi Police Commissioner BS Bassi, for making your priorities clear by dismissing the assault on JNU students and journalists at the courthouse on Monday as a "minor incident", the "fallout of an emotive issue". Probably unused to seeing commitment to one's profession, he was certain no one had "suffered any major injuries" since the media was "reporting from the spot even after being attacked." Meanwhile, the people who may have actually shouted those anti-national slogans at JNU on 9 February are still missing in action. Thank you Mr Amit Shah, for raising the ante by stating this to be wholly an issue of "nationalism and patriotism", clearly endorsing the strong-arm tactics deployed against the "Left-leaning JNU students," dubbing JNU a "hotbed of separatism and terrorism" and accusing anyone questioning the actions of the authorities as "joining hands with separatists". Clearly, the BJP president has found his poll issue, whenever and wherever they are held. Thank you Mr Narendra Modi, for permitting the country to be polarised so quickly. No longer the fig leaf of the great developer, the angry flames that engulfed the Make in India stage appearing like a symbolic funeral pyre for those grandiose drams that the man who wanted to be Prime Minister had successfully sold to the nation. Growth is turning out to be a mirage and can be consigned to those flames, replacing it with nationalism and patriotism, often said to be the last refuge of scoundrels. Birthday wishes in person to the Pakistan Prime Minister notwithstanding, anti-Pakistanism is now the mantra, and will be chanted ad infinitum, on any and every flimsy ground. If that gambit failed in the Bihar elections, that doesn't mean it has to be given up so easily. Now the choice will be even sharper. There was still some confusion during the Bihar polls with Narendra Modi riding two horses - the development agenda and the anti-Pak plank. Come 2019, or in Assembly elections before that, we will have a much clearer choice. Voters need no longer be confused by promises of a great economic leap forward and will know precisely what they are voting for. Almost like something approaching the current American experience. The Prime Minister and his men may even have started taking notes every time Donald Trump comes on television. If we haven't got our Bernie Sanders yet, we will. Situation, the times will create him. New Delhi: The teaching community at JNU is divided over the student agitation against arrest of its student union president on sedition charges, with a group of them opposing the administration while the others advocated waiting for law to takes its course. While a section of teachers today joined the students in boycotting classes in protest against arrest of Kanhaiya Kumar and said they would take classes on "nationalism" in the varsity lawns, the other section condemned the disruption of academic functioning of the university. "The administration is not only acting against students but also teachers and we are being openly attacked while the VC stays mum over it. The entire world is now referring to JNU as a hub of anti-nationals on basis of propaganda of few people in power. It is time we teach our students what nationalism is," said Rohith Azad, a faculty member, who was among those attacked in Patiala Court yesterday. Slamming him for "instigating" the students for disrupting the classes, Amita Singh, Chairperson JNU's Centre for Law and Governance said, "a perception is being created that all teachers are in support of the student agitation, which is wrong. We do not advocate any such activity before the police or university enquiry is over. Teachers' job is to teach and not to support student's agitation". PTI Kannur: A 27-year-old RSS worker was hacked to death in front of his aged parents at Papinesseri in Kannur district, police said. Sujit, who suffered serious injuries in the attack, succumbed to injuries before reaching hospital last night. His aged parents and a brother tried to stop the assailants, who stormed into the house at around 11.30 pm last night, and suffered injuries in the process. Police said some CPI(M) sympathisers have been taken into custody for questioning. BJP has called for a 'hartal' in Kannur, Pappinessery and Azhikode areas to protest against the killing. Speaking to the media on Tuesday, BJP spokesperson MJ Akbar said, "The Left in Kerala has opted for a continuous politics of murder and violence...People will not accept this and will give a befitting reply in the coming elections." With inputs from PTI LUCEDALE, Mississippi -- A George County grand jury has indicted a transgender man on assault charges and sex crimes against a transgender minor. The Sun Herald reports Krishna "Kris" Maroney, 24, was indicted on eight counts of sexual battery, two counts of touching of a child for lustful purposes and two counts of aggravated domestic violence. Maroney has pleaded not guilty. His lawyer has declined comment The indictment states the victim had been in a relationship with Maroney, but was younger than 16. Maroney is accused of engaging in sex acts with the victim eight times and sexually touching the minor at least twice. The Lucedale resident is also accused of once trying to strangle the victim and once cutting the victim's tongue with a knife. All crimes allegedly occurred in late 2012. George County sheriff's Sgt. J.D. Savage said an investigation began in August after the victim came forward with the allegations. "When you have a young victim it does take time sometimes for them to disclose these type of crimes which have been committed against them," Savage said when asked why the case wasn't investigated until 2015. "It's actually normal to have a timeline like this." Maroney is free on $100,000 bail, and a trial is set for April 25. Sexual battery carries a maximum sentence of up to 20 years, and a charge of touching of a child for lustful purposes is punishable by up to 15 years in prison. If convicted of all the charges, Maroney could go to prison for life. It's the second recent criminal case involving a transgender person in the southeast Mississippi county. Josh Vallum, a member of the Latin Kings street gang, faces a murder indictment in the beating death Mercedes Williamson, a 17-year-old transgender teen from Theodore, Alabama. Officials say Vallum beat Williamson to death with a hammer in late May. George County investigators said Vallum admitted to the killing. Bengaluru: The leopard that was captured last week after it had entered a private school here and injured three forest department personnel has escaped from the enclosure in Bannerghatta Biological Park, where it was caged. A senior official said it could have escaped late in the night and the incident came to light only this morning. An operation is on to track and recapture it. "We will come to know about it only after investigation...Once the probe is over, we will fix the responsibility and initiate action," he said. The leopard had entered a private school near Varthur here on February 7 causing panic in and around the area. However, it was tranquilised and captured after a day-long operation, during which it had attacked three forest personnel. Meanwhile, speaking to reporters in Mysuru, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said he would seek information from forest department officials about the leopard's escape. "I will seek details of the animal's escape. I will talk to the forest department officials and find out the reason," he said. Officials said there were three layers of barriers and it was difficult (for the animal) to escape by itself. "We will get to how the leopard escaped only after a thorough investigation," they said. PTI Mumbai: Altogether 124 farmers committed suicide in various parts of Maharashtra since January this year, the state government informed the Bombay High Court. Of these, 20 suicides were reported from Osmanabad alone, a government pleader submitted before a division bench. The high court is hearing a suo motu public interest litigation urging to take steps on a war-footing to prevent farmers from committing suicide. A week ago, the government had informed that 80 farmers had committed suicide in January 2016. However, on Tuesday, the state government said that 124 farmers had taken their lives in the past 45 days. "The figure is very alarming...in the last one-and-half months, 124 farmers have killed themselves. We would like to know from the government what steps are being taken to stop this," said Justice Naresh Patil heading a division bench. Referring to media reports, the court enquired from the government whether it had decided to close down fodder depots in the state. To this, the government pleader said he would have to seek instructions from the state. On 21 January, 2016, the state government had told the high court that 1,000 farmers had committed suicide in Maharashtra in 2015. Hearing this, the high court suggested the government to rope-in corporates to deal with the crisis. The court had earlier suggested that big business houses should be urged either to adopt villages or provide equipment, including tractors, to the farmers for free. The court had also suggested that the government may promote collective farming as a solution. It would especially help the farmers with small land-holding who are unable to recover the cost of cultivation, it said and asked the state to come out with welfare schemes for farmers. The government also informed that the Centre had sanctioned Rs 3,500 crore for helping the distressed farmers in Maharashtra, while the state allocated Rs 2,500 crore. Of this, Rs 14.34 crore has been disbursed so far. Ashutosh Kumbhkoni, appointed as amicus curiae to assist the court, had earlier said that according to the National Bureau of Crime Records, 15,978 farmers committed suicide in Maharashtra in the last five years. PTI By Shishir Tripathy Once upon a time, that hooded sweatshirt with JNU painted in bold letters on it was an object of envy for non-JNUites. It was worn by students of the university with pride and some intellectual swagger. In the last one week things have changed though. Now wearing it can lead you to being branded anti-national and probably land you in trouble. Santosh Singh, a former JNU student who now teaches political science in Delhi University, says, Two days ago two students from JNU were manhandled at Munirka market. They were wearing the JNU sweatshirt and some people present there started calling them anti-national. When they protested they were roughed up. Realising that they had no defence they left quietly. Singh adds, This all is happening because the way JNU is being branded now. The very first day when the video of the anti-national slogans being raised appeared, some students of JNU registered their concern over their university being branded as a breeding ground of anti-national elements and their apprehension is proving right. The three-kilometre auto-rickshaw ride from Ber Sarai to IIMC gate of JNU by this reporter on Monday night revealed how badly the reputation of the premier university had been tarnished by the 9 February incident and the way it had been analysed. All through the 15-minute journey, the auto-rickshaw driver kept abusing JNU students whom he held responsible for betraying the country. Umesh Kumar, a JNU student, who recently submitted his PhD thesis and lives in Mahanadi near JNU, is aghast the way his alma mater is being branded. He also faced the brunt of this. I live in Mahanandi and I was about to shift to Munirka. Yesterday when I went to give the rent and security money to the landlord he denied to rent me his flat," He minced no words. He simply said I cannot allow people like you to live in my house because I dont want to get into any trouble, says Kumar. Following the infamous Batla House encounter, which took place in 2008, many politicians unleashed an attack on Jamia Millia Islamia because the Muslim terror suspects were reportedly students of the university and the shootout had occurred in its neighbourhood, Jamia Nagar. The institution was tagged as nursery of terror in no time. Speaking at the convocation of the university, President Pranab Mukherjee in November 2014 had said: Since its inception, Jamia has fostered understanding of Indias rich history and culture, including the cultural traditions of Islam. Through its academic programmes it has instilled in students a national perspective. Jamia has a wide academic profile. It caters to learning in a variety of disciplines at various levels from under-graduate to PhD. It is heartening to know that there are over thirty centres dedicated to research in areas like peace and conflict resolution, womens studies, media and governance, North-East studies, Dalit and minority studies, and comparative religions and civilization. The institution which fostered understanding of Indias rich history and culture became nursery of terror owing to one incident. As Bajrang Dal and other ultra right wing activists joins the protests against JNUs anti-national activities the probability of a swift branding of JNU as the nursery of terror looms. That was 2008, let us not do the same in 2016. Patna: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar today denied describing Ishrat Jahan, who was killed in an encounter in Gujarat, as a daughter of Bihar and threatened to sue the media for putting words into his mouth. Show me any piece of evidence that I described Ishrat Jahan as daughter of Bihar? Kumar told reporters on the sidelines of the Janata Ke Darbar Mein Mukhya Mantri program me. I have been perusing through records and news clippings to ascertain if I ever used this (describing Ishrat Jahan as a daughter of Bihar). After doing necessary ground work, I will initiate legal action against the media, electronic as well print, for putting words in my mouth to this effect, he said. I am very guarded in using words and making comments on anything, and will not tolerate this of putting words in my mouth to defame me, the Bihar Chief Minister said. In the wake of David Coleman Headley testifying Ishrat Jahan as a terrorist, the BJP had dug Kumars reported old comment describing Jahan, born in Bihar, as a daughter of Bihar to hit out at him. The BJP leaders have on several occasions used the narration to accuse Kumar of appeasing a particular community as part of vote bank politics. PTI 40 Adivasi women allegedly raped, gang raped or molested in Bastar (Chhattisgarh) by the police. Tribal women were verbally and physically abused and sexually exploited by the police. Tribal girl Meena Khalkho, allegedly a Maoist and was killed in an encounterwas in fact innocent, who was brutally raped and murdered. Staring off from these startling facts, the Chhattisgarh Congress unleashed a scathing attack on Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh on Monday. Chhattisgarh Congress president, Bhupesh Baghel alleged, In Raman Singh government, the tribals of Chhattisgarh have virtually lost their rights to live. Innocent tribals have been branded as Maoists and thrown behind bars and women are being raped. Our fact-finding team went 20 km into the tribal belt of Bastar and got the horror tales of rape. The government is patronising criminals and the corrupt. We will organise a Save Democracy rally in Jagdalpur and expose the BJPs ugly face. The public rally will narrate the stories of rape and atrocity on tribal women and corruption in Chhattisgarh, and challenge the government to come up with the truth. The fact-finding report of the Chhattisgarh Congress alleges that15 tribal women from Peddagelur and Chinnagelur were molested, beaten, threatened; some were chased out of their homes, which the security forces occupied. Our team heard statements from women of atrocities and verbal abuse of extreme form. Women told them that they were beaten with batons and guns. They were pulled by their hair and their faces were banged on the ground, alleged Baghel, while speaking to Firstpost. In fact, the incident of molestation and rape of three women by the police that took place between 19-24 October, was independently investigated by a special committee of Congress MLAs which shockingly found the facts to be correct. Another such incident is that of the tribal girl Meena Khalkho from Surguja. Chhattisgarh government and police have alleged that she was a Maoist and got killed in an encounter. But, after a strong protest from the Congress, a judicial probe was conducted and it was found that she was brutally raped and killed. The post mortem report tells a tale of brutal rape and horror, alleged AICC spokesperson Ajoy Kumar. Even after tabling of the inquiry report of Meena Khalkho in Chhattisgarh assembly on 25 July, 2015, no action has been taken against anyone involved in this crime. There is no police record or evidence to establish the lie that she was a Maoist. The state government has demanded Rs 4500 crore from the Centre to deal with the Maoists and development. For this they have cooked up stories of fake surrenders of 70 Maoists. Out of the 70, 60 had no criminal records against them. The Chhattisgarh government cannot deal with the Maoist menace by alienating the tribals and by using coercive methods, Chhattisgarhs Leader of Opposition, TS Singh Deo told Firstpost. Citing the report, Congress MP and in-charge of Chhattisgarh, BK Hariprasad said 11,000 tribal women have been missing in Chhattisgarh and 40 minor girls between six to 13 years had been sexual exploited for two years. After the Congress countered the BJP, it has been branded as anti-Hindu. Today, the Naxals have made inroad up to the state capital Raipur and the government hasnt done anything, he claimed. The Congress has squarely blamed Prime Minister Narendra Modi for these incidents. BJP is ruling both at the Centre and in the state. If Chhattisgarh has been witnessing cases of mass rape, sexual exploitation of minors and atrocities on innocent tribal, whos to be blamed other than the PM? Like the BJP-led government at the Centre has branded all the JNU students as anti-nationals, they have branded tribal as Maoists, said Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala. The Chhattisgarh BJP has termed the Congress allegations as false and claimed these have been leveled with the intention to belittle the state governments efforts to root out Maoists from the state. There is no question of suppressing the truth. The Congress had raised the issue of rape of Meena Khalkho. The CM and Minister for Home addressed it and the culprits were arrested. There isnt a single case against which legal action hasnt been taken up, remarked state BJP spokesperson Sachhidanand Upasane. Shivratan Sharma, general secretary, state BJP added, It has been the policy of the Congress to malign the BJP government through false and baseless allegations. The state government has tackled the Naxal menace in Chhattisgarh with an iron hand and have cornered Maoists. The Congress has levelled false charges only to gain political mileage. SAR Geelani, the former Delhi University lecturer was booked for sedition on early Tuesday morning for allegedly organising an event marking the death anniversary of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru at the Press Club of India. Geelani was detained on Monday night and questioned for several hours before being placed under arrest. According to New Delhi District Commissioner of Police, Jatin Narwal, Geelani was arrested at 3 am under IPC sections 124A (sedition), 120B (criminal conspiracy) and 149 (unlawful assembly). Geelanis arrest comes in the context of increasing political tensions over the anti-national protests that took place at Jawaharlal Nehru University which spilled over to a Delhi court where a mob of lawyers thrashed reporters before a hearing in a sedition case against student union leader Kanhaiya Kumar. JNU students' union president Kanhaiya Kumar was arrested too over sedition charges in connection with an event on 9 February where JNU students were protesting against the hanging of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru. Who is SAR Geelani? His conviction and consequent acquittal Syed Abdul Rahman Geelani, of Kashmiri origin taught Arabic at a college in Delhi during the time of his first arrest. He openly supports the idea of Kashmiri self-determination. Geelani was a suspect in the 2001 Parliament attacks along with Afzal Guru, Shaukat Hussain and Navjot Sandhu. Three of the accused including Geelani were handed the death penalty while, Navjot Sandhu was acquitted of all charges except one under Section 123 of the Indian Penal Code (concealing with intent to facilitate design to wage war) she was then sentenced to five years rigorous imprisonment for five years, according to this earlier Firstpost report. However, Geelanis conviction led to a massive legal and civic campaign, claimed Outlook in an oped. Geelani was tortured in police custody and was branded as guilty by the media. His wife and children were illegally detained. His wife was told, Your husband is in jail We will kill you. We will kill the children. You better tell him to come clean. (Except from an interview printed in In Custody: Law, Impunity and Prisoner Abuse in South Asia). After a relentless battle fought by his legal team, the Delhi High Court set aside his conviction and acquitted Geelani on all charges the court found there was no evidence to the effect that Gilani was maintaining personal or telephonic contacts with any of the deceased terrorists. There is no evidence of any participative acts in connection with or in pursuance of the conspiracy. He was not connected with the procurement of hideouts, chemicals and other incriminating articles used by the terrorists. Speaking from the point of view of probabilities and natural course of conduct there is no apparent reason why Geelani would have been asked to join conspiracy, as reported by P Venkatrama Reddi and PP Naolekar in Outlook. Geelani: A resilient voice for independent Kashmir Geelani has also been vocal about his support for an independent Kashmir. In various media interviews, he has come out openly and vehemently in support for Azaad Kashmir. We talk about the freedom of expression, we hold seminars, and large debates, but where is it? The whole Kashmir is under curfew. The whole Kashmir is gagged, Kashmiris wherever they are, if they come out on the streets protesting and mourning, they are gagged. First goons and uncivilised elements in the society are facilitated to trash them, hit them, beat them, then police harasses them, he said in an interview. Geelani has also expressed his displeasure with the States treatment of Afzal Guru and his hanging. He has held numerous protests and events in the past. In an interview with Frontline, he said: Afzal was so truthful about the evidence. When his lawyer suggested during the trial that Afzal did not go with Mohammad (the terrorist who was killed in the Parliament House attack) to buy the car (used in the attack), he intervened and said he went. He said he didnt know why he was purchasing the car. He said he was introduced to him as a citizen of Kashmir from Doda and that he was told to take him to Delhi (by a Special Task Force official). He could have easily denied it. Though the procedure was followed, the whole process was flawed completely. The facts were brought to the knowledge of the courts, but they never looked into them. The Supreme Court said very clearly that it is not law which requires him to hang, but it is the sentiments, the collective conscience of the nation. I havent seen people of the country going after his blood. It is only the fringe elements which wanted him hanged. I am amazed that the people running this huge country have such a narrow vision. Perhaps, it is this dissenting voice that keeps him in radar of the State and police as an 'enemy of the state'. New Delhi: Former Delhi University lecturer SAR Geelani, booked for sedition for allegedly organising an event at the Press Club of India to mark the death anniversary of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru, was arrested in the wee hours of Tuesday morning on sedition and other charges in connection with an event in which anti-India slogans were raised, police said. "Geelani was arrested around 3 am at the Parliament Street police station under IPC sections 124A (sedition), 120B (criminal conspiracy) and 149 (unlawful assembly)," DCP (New Delhi) Jatin Narwal said. The arrest comes in the wake of growing political tensions over alleged anti-India protests at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) which spilled over to a Delhi court where a mob of lawyers thrashed reporters before a hearing in a sedition case against student union leader Kanhaiya Kumar. Geelani was called to the police station on late Monday night where he was detained and questioned for several hours, and later arrested. After his arrest, he was taken to RML Hospital for a medical examination, he said. JNU students' union president Kanhaiya Kumar was arrested too over sedition charges in connection with an event on 9 February where JNU students were protesting against the hanging of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru. At an event in Press Club on 10 February, in which Geelani was present on the dais along with three other speakers, a group allegedly had shouted slogans hailing Afzal Guru. Taking suo motu cognisance of the matter, the police registered a case against Geelani and other unnamed persons on 12 February. Police had claimed that Geelani was booked as he is presumed to be the "main organiser" of the event. "Request for booking a hall at the Press Club was done through Geelani's e-mail and the nature of the event was proposed to be a public meeting, which did not turn out to be so," a senior official had said. Following the registration of the FIR, the police questioned for two consecutive days DU professor Ali Javed, a Press Club member, under whose membership number the hall for the event was booked. In 2001, Geelani was arrested by Delhi Police in connection with the Parliament attack case but acquitted for "need of evidence" by the Delhi High Court in October 2003, a decision upheld by the Supreme Court in August 2005, which at the same time had observed that the needle of suspicion pointed towards him. On the same day, a mob of lawyers thrashed reporters before a hearing in a sedition case against JNU student leader Kanhaiya Kumar in Patiala House court complex in Delhi. Kumar, who was arrested and charged with sedition by the Delhi Police last Friday, was sent to police remand for two more days. Four journalists, including one from IANS, and some JNU students were assaulted. The escalating stand-off over the arrest of Kanhaiya Kumar saw the students going on strike till he is released. Reports on Monday afternoon said that teachers of the university have decided to join the agitating students over the ongoing row as well. Lawyers and JNU students indulged in scuffle inside the court premises in New Delhi ahead of hearing in the case against Kanhaiya Kumar, who was arrested in a sedition case, PTI reported. Further, journalists were reportedly beaten, threatened and their mobile phones were snatched. This happened even as the police present at the spot remained mute spectators, according to an NDTV report. "A group of people in the garb of lawyers, but were sympathisers of the BJP, thrashed JNU students who were produced in court today The lawyers indulged in rowdyism. Outside the court, BJP MLA OP Sharma and a group of hooligans attacked students and journalists. The phones of journalists were snatched away. These people were aware that they were journalists This hooliganism unleashed by the BJP they may be shouting patriotic slogans but that is totally to misguide the people. The hooligans were led by a BJP MLA," Congress spokesperson PC Chacko is quoted in The Indian Express. Writing in The Indian Express, Alok Singh recounts how he saw other students being roughed up at Patiala House court before he came under attack. The embedded tweet here, published on CNN-IBN shows a BJP MLA beating up a person outside Patiala House court and then he later defends his actions in the name of 'patriotism'. BJP MLA caught on cam assaulting a person outside Delhi court, justifies act in the name of patriotism #JNUCrackdownhttps://t.co/FMNmRKogug CNN-IBN News (@ibnlive) February 15, 2016 Delhi Police Commissioner BS Bassi said, "We are looking into the content of various tweets which are blasphemous and objectionable." Vice-Chancellor Jadesh Kumar appealed to the students to not resort to strikes and protests so that academic functioning of the university is not hampered. We also stand for free expression of ideas but I believe there is no need for strikes as the problem can be solved amicably. We are reaching out to the entire JNU community to see how the problem can be addressed but academic functioning of the university is of prime importance and should not be hampered, he told reporters. While the teachers association of the university have raised questions over the VC allowing a police crackdown on campus, Kumar said he was bound with the law of land. I never invited the police to enter the campus and pick our students. We only provided whatever cooperation was needed as per the law of land. We were bound to do so, he added. An united Opposition vehemently protested against Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh's diktat against the agitating students of JNU. CPM leader Prakash Karat on Monday took pot-shots at Rajnath Singh for saying that Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba chief Hafiz Saeed backed the Afzal Guru event at the JNU campus in New Delhi. "The home minister relies on a fake Twitter handle for information," Karat, who visited the campus on Monday, told the media. Nitish Kumar: in 2019 the people will throw out these people because of the way they are running the country. pic.twitter.com/hE7dG1j5os ANI (@ANI_news) February 15, 2016 Nitish Kumar: in 2019 the people will throw out these people because of the way they are running the country. pic.twitter.com/hE7dG1j5os ANI (@ANI_news) February 15, 2016 On Saturday evening, Rahul Gandhi showed up at JNU campus where he slammed the government action: "What is anti-national? Most anti-national people are those suppressing the voice of students in JNU." BJP president Amit Shah on Monday launched a scathing attack on Rahul for his stand on the JNU row and said that no anti-national activities would be allowed in the country. "No citizen can accept that a terrorist is favoured and anti-India slogans raised at a prestigious university of the country," Shah said in a blog. "But the kind of statements that Rahul Gandhi and his party colleagues have delivered at the campus proves that there is no place for national interest in their thinking," he said. Shah also said, "Rahul Gandhi has compared the present situation in the country to Hitler's reign...I want to know from Rahul Gandhi-did the Emergency of 1975 define the democratic values? Does not consider Indira Gandhi's approach as comparable to Hitler?" Meanwhile, maintaining that the Centre was against only a 'handful' of people responsible for the current state of unrest at the JNU campus, Minister of State for Minority Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi on Monday said that the government had problems with students protesting only when it was 'anti-national'. Quoting Naqvi, ANI tweeted saying, "We don't have any objection to students raising their voice and protesting, but the reason behind it is important. If an anti-national activity has happened and action is being taken against it and someone protests against it then it is unfortunate." With inputs from agencies When Snapdeal employee Dipti Sarna returned after being missing for 36 hours, the police had initially suspected the involvement of someone close to her. This was because, according to her own testimony, she had not been assaulted or tortured, but was treated well by her abductors. However, in an eloquent address to media persons on Monday, Ghaziabad SSP Dharmendra Singh compared the accused Devendra to Shah Rukh Khan's character in the film Darr. The police claimed that the accused did not know Dipti but was 'infatuated' with her. Indeed, if one goes by the police's version of events, the sequence of events could well make for a Bollywood thriller. According to the SSP, the accused first saw Dipti with a friend for the first time in January-February 2015 at Rajiv Chowk in Delhi. Subsequently, in one year, he is said to have stalked her around 150 times, after which he abducted her. The police have claimed that he was a 'well-known criminal' and that he had escaped from the custody of the police while being produced in court. The accused has around 30 cases registered against him, the first one being in 2001, according to the police. The charges against him pertain to murder, attempt to murder and dacoity. The accused, a graduate, has read Adolf Hitler's Mein Kampf in jail, the police claimed, adding that the dictator's memoirs are one of his influences. The police, it would seem, was not content to compare the accused with only Shah Rukh. There was another Khan with whom they would draw parallels. A Hindustan Times report has quoted a police source as saying that he was a 'Dabanng'-like figure in his village. According to the officer, he had recently settled a land deal between two men, which earned him Rs 5 lakh. With this money, he bought two autorickshaws, which he would later use to carry out a meticulously planned, and nevertheless botched up, abduction attempt. According to the SSP Ghaziabad, the accused Devendra wanted to escape to Nepal along with the girl and settle into a lavish life there. However, that was not to be. The autorickshaw in which he was travelling with the victim broke down, after which he took her into his car and headed towards his native village. But this was not the end of his troubles. According to the police, his car, too, ran out of gas, after which the accused, undeterred, borrowed his cousin's car and continued on his journey. It is not yet clear, however, why the accused let the woman go free subsequently. One wonders from which film/historical character he got the inspiration for his change of heart. A few called it BJP's self goal. Others just shook their heads as they read the Tuesday morning newspapers that were splattered with news reports on how lawyers, a BJP MLA and 'sympathisers' thrashed students from JNU and journalists, who were at the Patiala House Court just before Kanhaiya Kumar's sedition case was scheduled to be heard. The BJP's Delhi legislator Om Prakash Sharma allegedly attacked a CPM activist and JNU students at Patiala House Court on Monday. The party backed Sharma, saying he was opposing anti-India slogans and was hit on the head first, to which he reacted. A section of lawyers and others beat up several JNU teachers and students and journalists who were awaiting the court appearance of students union leader Kanhaiya. His remand was eventually extended by two days at a hearing held in a police station. Now, sample these photos: If there ever was a time to dust off that old cliche about a picture speaking a thousand words, this is it. "Mein goli bhi maar deta agar bandook hoti. Koi hamari Ma ko gaali dega to kya usey maaroge nahin (I would have opened fire if I had a gun. If someone abuses our mother, wont I beat him up)." This is what Sharma said when he was asked by reporters why did he thrash a CPM activist in the court premise on Monday. Sharma, who boasts of a close association with union finance minister Arun Jaitley, is ill-reputed for his foul language and violent behaviour. ANI quoted Sharma as saying: OP Sharma: When I was leaving Patiala House court, someone shouted anti-national slogans, when I asked him to stop a scuffle took place CNN-IBN News (@ibnlive) February 16, 2016 Natural act that takes place when someone hits you on head, happened here also-BJP MLA OP Sharma on y'day's incident pic.twitter.com/yampmQVUiz ANI (@ANI_news) February 16, 2016 Maarne ke baad jab wo bhaagne lage to humne unhe chase kia. Uske baad ka ghatanakram aapke saamne hai: OP Sharma pic.twitter.com/BFTgjwSnNs ANI (@ANI_news) February 16, 2016 Maine unko mana kia, unko samjhaane ke baavzud wo nhi maane aur isi beech haatapaai ho gyi,mujhe sar par chot maar di: OP Sharma ANI (@ANI_news) February 16, 2016 Mai jab court se bahar nikal rha tha to jo sajjan the, mai unka naam bhi nhi jaanta, wo Pak zindabad ke naare laga rhe the-BJP MLA OP Sharma ANI (@ANI_news) February 16, 2016 BJP MLA Sharma, whose claim to fame, is his infamous quote in the Delhi Assembly in 2015 where he targetted AAP MLA Alka Lamba and said, "Ye toh raat bhar ghumne wali (She roams all night)". The same man, is now defending 'national pride' and how. The Vishwas Nagar legislator, who flaunts his proximity to Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, had also attacked Lamba in August last year, calling her a drug addict, after she was assaulted while she was carrying out an anti-drugs drive. Following the incident, Sharma was summoned by the Delhi Commission of Women after Lamba lodged a complaint against him. Black day in India's democracy Activists and senior politicians termed the scuffle at the court as a black day in India's democracy. Varun Chauhan, a friend of Kanhaiya's said, "We were all here and were peacefully waiting for him. There are six-seven lawyers here, who started telling people in the morning that we are Pakistan, and were hurling abuses referring to mothers and sisters. We were not saying anything to them...They also misbehaved with the JNU teachers present there." CPI(M) activist Ameeque Jamei, who was assaulted by Sharma, said, "They were asking who the people were from CPI(M) and JNU. They said, 'Court tay nahi karegi, hum tay karenge ki deshdrohi kaun hai (We will decide, not the court, on who is anti-national)." Describing the ongoing scene at the court on Monday afternoon, Basant Kumar Mohanty of The Telegraph quoted a lawyer as saying, "Bahar jao, yeh chairs lawyers ke liye hai, bahar jao (go outside, these chairs are meant for lawyers, go outside )." After teachers protested against the demand, other lawyers joined the chorus and said, "Pakistan zindabad slogan dete ho aap log (You chant 'Pakistan Zindabad)." The whole court campus was reverberating with one line: "Saale, Pakistan zindabad bol rahe ho. Maro saale ko (they are saying 'Pakistan zindabad'. Beat them up)." What others said Delhi BJPs media convenor Praveen Shankar Kapoor said OP Sharma was not a 'badmash' (anti-social element) and he did nothing wrong. Speaking to IANS, AAP's Alka Lamba said, "Today's (Monday) act exposed his mentality. He should be arrested immediately and an FIR should be registered against him. He should not walk free just because BJP is in power." BS Bassi on Patiala House incident: When the scuffle happened OP sharma also got injuries and has gone through a medical test #JNUCrackdown CNN-IBN News (@ibnlive) February 16, 2016 It was a little bit surcharged environment and allegations and counter-allegations have been made: BS Bassi,CP Delhi pic.twitter.com/l6zqizkomo ANI (@ANI_news) February 16, 2016 I'm not ashamed of what happened yesterday: #OPSharma on courtroom brawl ABP News (@abpnewstv) February 16, 2016 Those who will hit me, I will hit them: #OPSharma (BJP) on courtroom brawl ABP News (@abpnewstv) February 16, 2016 Cracking down on students & using #HafizSaeed to justify the crack down is a new low, even for this NDA government. #JNUCrackdown Omar Abdullah (@abdullah_omar) February 14, 2016 JNU row: Nothing wrong in killing those raising pro-Pak slogans, says BJP MLAhttps://t.co/E9VIweifs1 #JNUCrackdown pic.twitter.com/63GS6NgXGu CNN-IBN News (@ibnlive) February 15, 2016 It's a mad mad mad world out there !!! Modi Sarkar is going insane, lost it completely. #JNUCrackdown https://t.co/cBsU3i0bti Sanjay Jha (@JhaSanjay) February 14, 2016 Sedition law is a British colonial concept. In modern world we call them not anti- national but maverick or dissident #JNUCrackdown Madhavan Narayanan (@madversity) February 13, 2016 As a result of Monday's attacks on students and media, eminent mediapersons on Tuesday decided to protest against Monday's assault. Senior TV journalists like Rajdeep Sardesai, NDTV's Barkha Dutt, Sonal Mehrotra and Nidhi Razdan were among the few who led the march on Tuesday. Scenes from protest March by the journalist fraternity in Delhi against the attack on media in Patiala house court pic.twitter.com/XhalNcOOPm Praveen S Thampi (@pravthampi) February 16, 2016 Good Morning! Today is d protest day against d attack on media in Delhi. Join d march. nikhil wagle (@waglenikhil) February 16, 2016 Will break phones or bones, mediapersons were told on Monday, TV reports said. Perspective can't be bought, sadly: To put everything that has happened till now in perspective, let's take a look at what Kanhaiya told the gathering he addressed on 9 February: "What I mean to say is that we don't need the certificate of patriotism from the RSS. We don't need a nationalist certificate from the RSS. We belong to this country. We love this country. We fight for the 80 per cent of the poor population of this country. For us, this is nation worship...Which Mother India are you talking about? If my mother is not part of your Mother India, your concept of Mother India is not acceptable to me." You can watch the full video of Kumar's speech here: The series of bypolls which were held in different parts of the country saw mixed results for the BJP-led NDA alliance, with the party securing a major upset by winning the Muzaffarnagar seat in Uttar Pradesh. Uttar Pradesh The Samajwadi Party has held the Muzaffarnagar seat since the year 2012, according to an NDTV report. However, all eyes were on the results of this bypoll, as it has come after the widespread violence between religious communities that had scarred the region in 2013. Twenty candidates, including Kapil Aggarwal (BJP), Gaurav Swaroop (SP), Salman Saeed (Congress) and Pankaj Bharadwaj (Shiv Sena), were in the fray for the by-election to the seat. Mavia Ali of Congress won the Deoband defeating SP candidate Meena Rana. The by-election could be a sign of things to come during the elections in Uttar Pradesh next year. The Samajwadi Party, in power in the state government in UP, also suffered a setback in Deoband, losing to the Congress, as reported by India Today. This seat, too, was previously held by the Samajwadi Party. Punjab In Punjab, the ruling Shiromani Akali Dal won the bypoll to Khadoor Sahib Assembly seat, with party candidate Ravinder Singh Brahmpura defeating his nearest rival Independent candidate Bhupinder Singh by a margin of 65,664 votes. The main opposition parties Congress and Aam Aadmi Party had stayed out of the contest. Maharashtra The Shiv Sena retained the Palghar Assembly seat near Mumbai with its nominee Amit Ghoda defeating Congress candidate Rajendra Gavit by 18,948 votes. Though it was a multi-cornered contest, the real fight was between Amit Ghoda and Gavit, former Maharashtra minister. Telangana The ruling Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) wrested the Narayankhed Assembly seat in Medak district from Congress with its candidate Bhupal Reddy winning the seat by a margin of 53,625 votes. Congress candidate P Sanjeeva Reddy polled 39,451 votes while M Vijaypal Reddy of TDP got 14,787 votes in the constituency, considered a Congress bastion. The result came as a further boost to the TRS, led by Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, as the party had scored a landslide win in the recent Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation polls, bagging 99 seats of the 150-member civic body. Tripura The ruling CPI-M won the Birganj Assembly by-election in Tripura's Gomati district, with party candidate Parimal Debnath trouncing his nearest rival BJP candidate by a margin of 10,597 votes. While Debnath secured 20,355 votes, BJP's Ranjit Das polled 9,758 votes. Congress candidate Chanchal De got only 1,231 votes and his deposit was forfeited, Returning Officer Debapriya Bardhan told reporters. With inputs from PTI MOSS POINT, Mississippi -- Despite rain which fell in southeast Jackson County Monday afternoon, a massive wildfire which stretches across the Alabama state line continued to burn as of midday Tuesday. The Grand Bature wildfire, which started late Thursday, had expanded by another 200 acres in Alabama, bringing the total acreage involved to 4,427 by midday Tuesday, according to Brittany Petersen of the U.S. Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. Air operations were halted during the showers and thunderstorms Monday, Petersen said. The fire did help with containment, which is currently at 50 percent and has allowed about half of the fire fighting resources to return home. Resources and personnel from the Mississippi Forestry Commission, Alabama Forestry Commission, Jackson County Emergency Management Services and Mississippi Department of Marine Resources have been used to battle the fire. "Firefighters are planning a reconnaissance flight later today to reassess the total acres and containment level," Petersen said. "The rain did help to reduce fire activity but not enough to put the fire out," Petersen said, "especially since larger heavy fuels, such as dead trees are still smoldering in the burned areas. The rain has allowed us to reduce the number of personnel assigned to the fire, and transition to more mop up activities." "Mop up usually included taking down smoldering dead trees, breaking up hot spots where fuels are still burning, and over all trying to reduce the risk of spot fires. We suspect after the flight today that we will have a better idea of the containment level which the rain would have helped with." Bayou Heron Road is open to residents only starting today, while fire crews continue to work in the area. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service firefighters will remain on scene until roads are clear and the fire is contained, according to Petersen. On Monday evening, firefighters were near Grand Bay, Ala., providing structure protection and monitoring containment lines, according to Petersen. Air operations ceased due to the storms. By Ashok K Singh Dear nationalists and ultra-nationalists! You will do a super job of fighting anti-nationals, like JNU students, and all those real and imagined nations enemies by keeping out soldiers from the increasingly poisonous and divisive discourse. Fortifying arguments by playing on sentiments of ex-servicemen and forces in the debate over conduct of some students and wider discourse over nationalism is ridiculous and even insidious. For instance, whats the connection between the death of Lance Naik Hanumanthappa Koppadand the students who raised anti-national, pro-Afzal Guru slogans at JNU? True, Afzal was convicted in the parliament attack case. And he was hanged, and eulogising him in any manner may even constitute anti-national behavior. True, soldiers have been dying at the border in Kashmir with bullets from Pakistan and Pakistan-sponsored terrorists. The government has to stop it through all means at its disposal. The entire nation stands behind the forces. Hanumanthappas death coincided with the JNU incident. But linking his tragic death and soldiers sacrifices to the conduct of students, even if anti-national, are extraneous to what constitutes the crux the matter. Its an attempt to whip up emotions for narrow political gains. No political party- from the Left to the Right, can be accused of having said or done anything to lower the morale of the forces or compromise the nations interests on the border. One can even understand the reasons why some television networks have been using forces sacrifice at the border to justify and propagate a brand of nationalist politics that helps grab eyeballs at prime time and might help the ruling party advance its political agenda. But Amit Shah? One fails to understand the twisted logic of the BJP president who has questioned the Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhis visit to the JNU and his anti-government statements and linked them to the death of Hanumanthappa and soloders sacrifice on the border. Shah wrote in a blog, unusual as he rarely writes a blog, on his website: Is this Rahul Gandhis example of nationalism and patriotism where he defends those, who raise slogans in favour of Parliament attack mastermind Afzal Guru and support separatism in Kashmir? I want to ask Rahul Gandhi if this is how he has offered his tribute to the 10 soldiers including Lance Naik Hanumanthappa, who lost their lives while defending the nation on the icy heights of Siachen Glacier, by openly supporting anti national activities at JNU. Amit Shahs no-holds-barred attack on Rahul Gandhi points to the opportunity the BJP has smelt in taking up the JNU issue to pin down the opposition and take political mileage out of it. It shows how well planned was the BJPs strategy in raking up the spectre of anti-nationalism. Shah would have been delighted to see some ex-servicemen, alumni of JNU, jumped into the cesspool of current political debate. They have threatened to return their degrees to the JNU Vice Chancellor in protest against anti-national activities on the campus. The ex-servicemen of June 1978 batch of the National Defence Academy (NDA) wrote a letter to the VC stating that they consider it an affront to be equated with the present student fraternity of the university which is indulging in such anti-national activities." Ex-servicemen are free to participate in politics and they do. Two of them, Gen V K Singh and Rajyabardhan Rathore, hold ministerial positions in the current government. They are free to return degrees and awards to express their anger and frustration over what happened at the JNU meet. However, as JNU alumni they also must be aware that the university has not fallen into some sort of irreversible decline. It was and is one of the finest post-graduate universities in the country. The current crisis will blow over unless the ruling party gets tempted to stretch its agenda to defang the university of its academic and ideological edge. Television cameras have been visiting widows and family members of the security forces who died during the attack on the Parliament. Its not surprising for family members to express anger over the conduct of those who raised pro-Afzal Guru, anti-India slogans. India is lucky to have a defence force that is professional and apolitical. For reasons good or bad (more good I suppose) defence forces have also been treated as holy cows. Let them be as one. To attempt to involve ex-servicemen to whip up emotions is bad politics. To attempt to make soldiers party to divisive debate over shrill nationalism is a disturbing trend in politics. Sivasagar(Assam): Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi today condemned the attack on journalists in the Patiala House court complex in Delhi on Monday, calling it "very wrong". "The way journalists were beaten up in the court is very wrong and we condemn it," Gandhi said in a media interaction during the course of his visit to poll-bound Assam. Several journalists and students were assaulted by lawyers and a Delhi BJP MLA inside and outside the Patiala House Courts where a sedition case against JNU students' union president Kanhaiya Kumar was to be heard. Gandhi also took on the NDA government over alleged suppression of voices of students in the country and on the issue of appointment of "RSS Vice Chancellors". "They(Government) are suppressing the voice of students in Delhi, Hyderabad, Lucknow. Well not accept this, we will fight this," he said. "They are putting RSS VCs in every University and College, they are trying to suppress the voice of the students," he added. PTI United Nations: Hopes for a ceasefire in Syria were fading on Tuesday, after dozens were killed in air strikes on hospitals that France branded war crimes and Syria's President said implementing a truce would prove "difficult". The United Nations said nearly 50 civilians, including children, died in bombings of at least five medical facilities and two schools in northern Syria's Aleppo and Idlib provinces. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said the raids violated international law and "cast a shadow" over efforts to end Syria's five-year civil war, while France said the attacks "constitute war crimes". "Attacks against health facilities in Syria by the regime or its supporters are unacceptable and must stop immediately," said French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault. The United States, which like the UN did not identify who carried out the air strikes, said two civilian hospitals were hit in northern Syria: one run run by medical charity Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) and another in rebel-held Azaz city. The region around Syria's second city of Aleppo has been the target of a major offensive by Syrian government troops, backed by Russian warplanes, which has sent tens of thousands fleeing to the Turkish border. "That the Assad regime and its supporters would continue these attacks... casts doubt on Russia's willingness and/or ability to help bring to a stop the continued brutality of the Assad regime against its own people," the State Department said. MSF confirmed a hospital supported by the charity was hit in Idlib, northwest Syria, and said seven people were killed and at least eight were missing, presumed dead. But Syria's ambassador to Moscow, Riad Haddad, said the hospital had been targeted by a US raid. "American warplanes destroyed it. Russian warplanes had nothing to do with any of it -- the information that has been gathered will completely back that up," he told Russian state television channel Rossiya 24. Kurds make fresh gains The heated words cast fresh doubt on a days-old deal to enforce a nationwide ceasefire later this week, with Syria's President Bashar al-Assad saying it would be "difficult" to implement. "They are saying they want a ceasefire in a week. Who is capable of gathering all the conditions and requirements in a week? No one," Assad said in televised remarks. Seeking to keep alive the deal for a "cessation of hostilities" in Syria clinched in Munich, Germany, last week, the UN's envoy for Syria, Staffan de Mistura, arrived in Damascus on Monday. Kurdish fighters in northern Syria meanwhile captured a key town, despite Turkey resuming shelling in several parts of Aleppo, alarmed by their recent advances against mostly Islamist rebels. Ankara accuses the Kurdish forces of ties to the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) that has waged a decades-long insurgency against Turkey. Britain-based monitor the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said at least two children died in Monday's shelling and an AFP journalist on the border said Turkish howitzers fired for around 20 minutes from the Akcabaglar region. Nonetheless, the coalition of Kurdish and Arab fighters known as the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) captured the town of Tal Rifaat from mostly Islamist rebels, the Observatory said. The SDF had already seized the nearby Minnigh airbase and severed the road between Tal Rifaat, which lies 20 kilometres (12 miles) from the border, and rebel-held Azaz. Turkey fears the Kurds will be able to create a contiguous Kurdish territory just across the border in northern Syria. Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu warned earlier Monday that Ankara would not let Azaz fall to the SDF, adding that "the necessary intervention will be made". EU joins condemnation Moscow says its military intervention has targeted the Islamic State jihadist group and other "terrorists", but activists say Russia's raids have caused disproportionately high civilian casualties. Russia has been accused of hitting several health facilities since its Syrian aerial campaign began September 30. EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini branded the Idlib attack "unacceptable" and urged "all parties (to respect) basic principles of humanitarian law". The Observatory also reported 10 civilians, including three children, were killed in suspected Russian strikes in and nearby Azaz that hit near a hospital, it said. Russia's air strikes have allowed government forces to press a major operation that has virtually encircled rebels in eastern Aleppo city, as well as pushing them from much of the region to the north. They have angered Turkey, with Davutoglu on Monday warning: "If Russia continues behaving like a terrorist organisation and forcing civilians to flee, we will deliver an extremely decisive response." Moscow called Turkey's shelling in Syria "provocative" and said it supported raising the issue at the UN Security Council. A US State Department spokesperson urged Turkey and Russia to avoid any further escalation. "It is important that the Russians and Turks speak directly, and take measures to prevent escalation," the spokesperson told AFP. More than 260,000 people have been killed since Syria's conflict began with anti-government protests in March 2011. AFP New Delhi: Over 400 academicians from international varsities, including Columbia, Yale, Harvard and Cambridge, have come out in support of JNU students agitating against a row over an event on the campus. A joint statement signed by 455 academicians from global universities, said, "JNU stands for a vital imagination of the space of the university an imagination that embraces critical thinking, democratic dissent, student activism, and the plurality of political beliefs. It is this critical imagination that the current establishment seeks to destroy. And we know that this is not a problem for India alone". "Similar attacks on critical dissent and university spaces are being attempted and resisted across the world. An open, tolerant, and democratic society is inextricably linked to critical thought and expression cultivated by universities in India and abroad. "As teachers, students, and scholars across the world, we are watching with extreme concern the situation unfolding at JNU and refuse to remain silent as our colleagues (students, staff, and faculty) resist the illegal detention and autocratic suspension of students," said the academicians, some of which are JNU alumni. JNU students union president Kanhaiya Kumar was arrested last week in connection with a case of sedition and criminal conspiracy registered over holding of the event against hanging of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru at the varsity during which anti-India slogans were alleged to have been raised. His arrest has triggered widespread outrage among students and teachers and drawn severe criticism from non-BJP political parties. The university teachers have also rallied behind its protesting students and questioned the administration's decision to allow the police crackdown on the campus even as they appealed to the public not to "brand" the institution as "anti-national". Yesterday, violence broke out in the Patiala House court complex when groups of lawyers thrashed journalists and students and teachers of JNU while the political slugfest over the arrest of Kanhaiya snowballed with BJP chief Amit Shah targeting Rahul and Sonia Gandhi on the issue. PTI Charleston: George W Bush never mentioned Donald Trump. But with his folksy touch, the former president unleashed a tough takedown Monday of the billionaire businessman who has upended a Republican Party his family has long led. "I understand Americans are angry and frustrated," Bush said during his first campaign rally for his brother, former Florida Gov Jeb Bush. "But we do not need somebody in the Oval Office who mirrors and inflames our anger and frustration." Trump's rise has confounded the Bush family and its allies. But despite months of predicting the brash billionaire would fade, it's Jeb Bush whose White House hopes are in peril, particularly if he's unable to pull out a strong showing in Saturday's South Carolina primary. The race has entered an increasingly nasty phase in South Carolina, with numerous negative ads airing on local television following an unusually caustic debate this past weekend in which Trump confronted Jeb Bush about his brother's record as president. Trump has led polls in South Carolina, but is trying to fend off attacks from his chief rival, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, who describes himself as "a consistent conservative" who can be trusted. Bush is trying to pull ahead of Florida Sen. Marco Rubio and Ohio Gov John Kasich to emerge as the more mainstream alternative to Trump and Cruz, both of whom the party establishment considers unelectable. George W Bush emerged from his self-imposed political hibernation to try to give Bush a boost. He layered each validation of his younger brother with an implicit critique of Trump. He urged voters to back a candidate who will be "measured and thoughtful" on the world stage. A candidate whose "humility" helps him understand what he doesn't know. A candidate who can win in November's general election. "All the sloganeering and all the talk doesn't matter if we don't win," Bush said. "We need somebody who can take a positive message across the country." With his brother as a strong warm-up act, Jeb Bush delivered an impassioned version of his campaign speech, touting his experience as Florida governor and vowing he could put Republicans back in the White House for the first time in eight years. "I can beat Hillary Clinton," he said of the Democratic front-runner. "I can promise you that." The former president's return to presidential politics has been met with blistering attacks from Trump about the unpopular Iraq war and the economic recession that began at the end of his administration. Trump has also repeatedly reminded voters that the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks happened on Bush's watch. "If the ex-president is campaigning for his brother, I think he's probably open to great scrutiny, maybe things that haven't been thought of in the past," Trump told reporters Monday. Rather than gloss over 9/11, Bush leaned in. As the crowd fell into a hushed silence, he recounted in detail his whereabouts on the morning of the attacks and praised the troops that served in the two wars he started in response. "Your most solemn job as voters is to elect a president who understands the reality of the threats we face," he said. As he praised South Carolina's Republican Gov Nikki Haley, the daughter of Indian-born parents, Bush pointedly said, "Thank goodness our country welcomed her parents when they immigrated here in 1969." It was a reminder of how much the Republican Party has changed since he was president. While Bush championed failed legislation that would have provided a pathway to citizenship for millions of people in the U.S. illegally, many current Republican presidential candidates have fought to outdo each other with tough enforcement policies, even mass deportations. Jeb Bush spent months trying to figure out what role, if any, his brother might play in his campaign. The 43rd president left office deeply unpopular with a nation fatigued by the Iraq War and angry over his botched response to Hurricane Katrina. He's also a reminder to voters eager to break with the political establishment that Jeb Bush would be the third man from his family to serve as president. But South Carolina is a state that has long been friendly to the Bush family. Presidents George W Bush and George HW Bush each won two Republican primaries in the state, and their family retains deep social and political ties here. George W Bush has kept a low profile since leaving the White House in early 2009. He retreated to his home state of Texas, where he picked up painting and delved into work on his presidential library, public health projects in Africa, and events for wounded military service members. The former president is the latest member of the prominent political family to hit the campaign trail to help prop up Jeb Bush. Family matriarch Barbara Bush had hit the campaign trail in New Hampshire, delighting voters with her outspoken style and tenacity, as the 90-year-old traipsed through snow to get to events. AP Colombo: Indian fishermen are "plundering" Sri Lanka's natural fishing resources and violating its sovereignty by poaching into the country's waters, the Marxist JVP has alleged. JVP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said the continuous poaching by Indian fishermen was a violation of Sri Lanka's sovereignty. "When we speak of sovereignty we only speak about the land. Our seas are being violated and our fishing resources are being plundered day in and day out by Indian fishermen," Dissanayake said during an address to a fisheries conference in the southern Dondra village yesterday. He claimed poaching by Indian fishermen have now gone up to the extent that only three days of fishing was available to Sri Lankans, while Indians indulge in illegal fishing rest of the week. Not only Sri Lankan fishermen are being denied their livelihoods, Indian fishermen were plundering a natural resource belonging to Sri Lanka, Dissanayake said. Dissanayake's comments came as trade unions and professionals have stepped up their opposition to the proposed Indo-Lanka Economic and Technical Cooperation Agreement (ETCA). There were street demonstrations last week against the proposed pact, which the government says will replace the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement. The government says the pact is yet to be formalised and it will only be done after proper consultations. PTI Peshawar: A 31-year-old Indian national, who had gone missing in Pakistan in 2012, has been sentenced to three years in prison by a military court for espionage. Hamid Nehal Ansari was convicted on Sunday by the military court in Kohat, a city in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, and was shifted to Peshawar Central Prison, a jail spokesman said. He has a right to appeal under the Pakistan Army Act. India had sought consular access for Ansari, an engineer, and asked Pakistan to ensure his safety and security. According to Dawn, Ansari has confessed to illegally entering Pakistan from Afghanistan for espionage. He had seven Facebook accounts as well as around 30 email addresses. He was reportedly found to be in possession of sensitive documents, it claimed. Over three years after Ansari went missing in Pakistan where he had allegedly gone to meet a girl he had befriended on the Internet, authorities last month admitted that he has been in army custody and facing a trial in military courts. In light of the information, a two-member bench had on 13 January disposed off a habeas corpus petition filed by Fauzia Ansari, the convict's mother, against his alleged illegal detention. Court had asked the government to respond to the petition by Fauzia on the whereabouts of her son. In response, Military Intelligence Directorate intimated that Ansari was in military custody and is being tried by a military court. Ansari, a Mumbai resident, was taken into custody by police and Intelligence Bureau (IB) officials in Kohat, about 70 kms from from Peshawar, in November 2012. Ever since, his whereabouts were unknown. Ansari's mother claimed he was in touch with some Pakistani friends who had suggested him to cross into Pakistan from Afghanistan without a visa. She claimed that he had befriended a Pakistani woman through social media and had gone to Pakistan to meet her. PTI Kiev/Beirut: Turkey on Monday accused Russia of an "obvious war crime" after missile attacks in northern Syria killed scores of people, and warned Kurdish militia fighters there they would face the "harshest reaction" if they tried to capture a town near the Turkish border. An offensive supported by Russian bombing and Iranian-backed Shi'ite militias has brought the Syrian army to within 25 km (15 miles) of Turkey's frontier. The Kurdish YPG militia - which Turkey regards as a hostile insurgent force - has exploited the situation, seizing ground from Syrian rebels to extend its presence along the border. Almost 50 civilians were killed when missiles hit at least five medical facilities and two schools in rebel-held areas of Syria on Monday, according to the United Nations, which called the attacks a blatant violation of international law. At least 14 were killed in the northern town of Azaz, the last rebel stronghold before the border with Turkey, when missiles hit a children's hospital and a school sheltering refugees, a medic and two residents said. Missiles also hit a hospital in the town of Marat Numan in the province of Idlib, south of Aleppo. Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said a Russian missile had hit the buildings and that many civilians including children had been killed. Turkey's foreign ministry accused Russia of carrying out an "obvious war crime." But Russian Health Minister Veronika Skvortsova said Russian air strikes were targeting Islamic State infrastructure and she had no reason to believe that Russian planes had bombed civilian sites in Idlib. "We are confident that (there is) no way could it be done by our defence forces. This contradicts our ideology," she said in Geneva. Syria's ambassador to Russia said US war planes were responsible. White House national security adviser Susan Rice on Monday condemned in the "strongest terms" the intensified bombing of northern Syria, adding that it ran counter to commitments to reduce hostilities made by major powers last week in Munich. The Syrian civil war, reshaped by Russia's intervention last September, has gone into an even higher gear since the United Nations sought to revive peace talks. The talks in Geneva were suspended earlier this month before they got off the ground. World powers agreed in Munich on Friday to a cessation of hostilities in Syria to allow humanitarian aid to be delivered, but the deal does not take effect until the end of this week and was not signed by any warring parties. Turkey shelled YPG positions for a third straight day on Monday to try to stop its fighters seizing Azaz, just 8 km from the border. Ankara fears the Kurdish militia, backed by Russia, is trying to secure the last stretch of around 100 km along the Syrian border not already under its control. "We will not allow Azaz to fall," Davutoglu told reporters on his plane on the way to Ukraine. "If they approach again they will see the harshest reaction," he said. The standoff has increased the risk of direct confrontation between Russia and NATO member Turkey. UN Envoy in Damascus U.N. Syria envoy Staffan de Mistura made a surprise visit to Damascus on Monday and will hold talks with Syria's foreign minister on Tuesday, a Syrian government official told Reuters. A senior UN official later confirmed that de Mistura had arrived in Syria for an unscheduled visit to "follow up on commitments made in Munich." But in a further clouding of the Munich deal, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said on Monday that any ceasefire did not mean each side had to stop using weapons, and that nobody was capable of securing the conditions for one within a week. At a news conference in Kiev, Turkey's prime minister doubted Russia's commitment to any deal to cease hostilities, pointing to comments from Moscow that it would continue its air strikes regardless. "They want to have just two options in front of the international community: Daesh or Assad," Davutoglu said, using an Arabic acronym for Islamic State. Turkey is enraged by the expansion of Kurdish influence in northern Syria, fearing it will encourage separatist ambitions among its own restive Kurds. Ankara considers the YPG a terrorist group. Davutoglu said Turkey would make the Menagh air base north of the city of Aleppo "unusable" if the YPG, which seized it over the weekend from Syrian insurgents, did not withdraw. Turkish Defence Minister Ismet Yilmaz said Ankara was not considering sending troops to Syria, according to the state-run Anadolu Agency. Syria's rebels, some backed by the United States, Turkey and their allies, say the YPG is fighting with the Syrian military and its backers - including Russia - against them in the five-year-old civil war. The YPG denies this. South of Azaz, the Kurdish-backed Syria Democratic Forces (SDF) alliance, of which the YPG is a member, took around 70 percent of the town of Tal Rifaat, according to the Syrian Observatory, which monitors the war. Hospitals Hit Tens of thousands have fled to Azaz from towns and villages where there is heavy fighting between the Syrian army and militias. "We have been moving scores of screaming children from the hospital," said medic Juma Rahal, following the missile strikes. At least two children were killed and ambulances ferried scores of injured people to Turkey for treatment, he said. French charity Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) said seven people were killed and at least eight staff were missing after missiles hit a hospital in the province of Idlib, west of Aleppo, in a separate incident. "The author of the strike is clearly ... either the government or Russia," MSF president Mego Terzian said. Reuters Islamabad: India and Pakistan are in constant touch, High Commissioner Gautam Bambawale here said on Monday, but maintained that no dates have been set for the Foreign Secretary-level talks. Talking to the media here, Bambawale said that the two sides were in touch over the issues of talks and Pathankot probe. "I cannot give any particular date for the secretary-level talks, but foreign secretaries from both countries are in constant contact," he said. The scheduled meeting between foreign secretaries of Pakistan and India was postponed after the 2 January Pathankot attack for which India blames Pakistan-based terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba. Bambawale, who arrived in Pakistan last month to assume the charge of the High Commission, said that the national security advisors of the two countries were in touch over the Pathankot attack. PTI Seoul: South Korea's president warned Tuesday that rival North Korea faces collapse if it doesn't abandon its nuclear bomb program, an unusually strong broadside that will likely infuriate Pyongyang. President Park Geun-hye, in a nationally televised parliamentary address defending her decision to shut down a jointly run factory park in North Korea, said South Korea will take unspecified "stronger and more effective" measures to make North Korea realise its nuclear ambitions will result only in speeding up of its "regime collapse." Park shut the park in response to the North's recent long-range rocket test, which Seoul and Washington see as a test of banned ballistic missile technology. North Korea last month also conducted a nuclear test. Both developments put the country further along it its quest for a nuclear armed missile that could reach the US mainland. Without elaborating, Park said the North has diverted Seoul payments to North Korean workers at the factory park to the Pyongyang leadership, which is in charge of nuclear and missile development. She also said the South has sent more than $3 billion in government and civilian aid to the North since mid-1990s. South Korea's main liberal opposition party has criticized the government's decision to suspend operations at Kaesong, saying the measure will only deepen tension with North Korea and raise more fear among South Koreans. Liberal lawmakers also said the Kaesong shutdown isn't effective because North Korea maintains economic ties with China and Russia. It is unusual for a top South Korean official to touch upon such a government collapse in North Korea because of worries about how sensitive North Korea is to talk of its authoritarian government losing power. Pyongyang has long accused Washington and Seoul of agitating for its collapse. Park's comments are certain to anger North Korea as they were made as the country marks the birthday of late dictator Kim Jong Il, the father of current leader Kim Jong Un. Seoul officials said North Korea was able to divert the Kaesong payments because the workers there were not paid directly. Instead, US dollars were paid to the North Korean government, which siphoned off most of the money and paid only what it wanted to the employees in North Korean currency and store vouchers, according to a statement from Seoul's' Unification Ministry on Sunday. The ministry did not detail how it arrived at that conclusion. North Korea has previously dismissed such views. Earlier this month, North Korea ignored repeated international warnings and launched what it said was an Earth observation satellite aboard a rocket. Washington, Seoul and others view the launch as a prohibited test of missile technology and are pushing hard to have Pyongyang slapped with strong sanctions. The launch, which followed the North's fourth nuclear test last month, aggravated already-strained ties between the rival Koreas. Last week, Pyongyang expelled all South Korean workers from the jointly run factory park in the North and put the area in charge of the military in retaliation for Seoul's decision to suspend operations there. AP Hanahan, South Carolina: Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump on Monday threatened to sue rival Ted Cruz, challenging his eligibility to serve in the White House unless the Texas senator stops airing what Trump calls "false ads" and retracts what the billionaire real estate mogul called a series of lies. With less than a week to go before South Carolina's pivotal Republican primary, the Republican front-runner also reiterated that the 9/11 attacks happened during President George W Bush's time in office an apparent attempt to overshadow the former president's Monday campaign appearances on behalf of his brother, Jeb Bush. Trump focused much of his criticism at Cruz, however. "If he doesn't take down his false ads and retract his lies," Trump said in a statement bashing Cruz, he will immediately file a lawsuit challenging Cruz's eligibility to serve as president. Trump has previously said a federal court should decide whether Cruz meets the constitutional requirement of being a "natural-born citizen" to serve as president. Cruz was born in Canada to an American mother, and legal experts have said he meets that test. The statement took issue with Cruz's recent suggestions that Trump would appoint liberal judges to serve on the Supreme Court, is opposed to abortion rights and would undermine the Second Amendment guaranteeing the right to bear arms. "Ted Cruz is a totally unstable individual. He is the single biggest liar I've ever come across, in politics or otherwise, and I have seen some of the best of them. His statements are totally untrue and completely outrageous," Trump said in the statement. At events in the Charleston area, Trump piled on, slamming Cruz as "the most dishonest guy I think I've ever met in politics," ''an unstable person" and a "basket case." "He goes around saying he's a Christian. I don't know, you're going to have to really study that," Trump said. Cruz responded to Trump during a question-and-answer session following an appearance at a gallery in Camden, characterising Trump as nervous about his standing in the state. "Today Donald Trump held a press conference. He apparently lost it. I mean, he was just going on and on about how I was the most horrible person in the world because I keep repeating the things he said," Cruz said to laughs. "And it's an amazing thing. Have you noticed how rattled Donald gets when his numbers start going down? He gets very, very upset. "But I guess the only explanation one can have is his internal poll numbers in South Carolina must be plummeting following the debate," Cruz said. Cruz also blasted Trump's sister, a federal appellate judge, calling her a "radical pro-abortion extremist" who should not be considered for the Supreme Court vacancy. Trump's sister, Maryanne Trump Barry, is a judge on the 3rd US Circuit Court of Appeals in Philadelphia. Trump has said she would make a good justice, but Cruz said she would not be a good choice, citing an opinion she wrote in 2000 that held a New Jersey law banning late-term abortions placed an "undue burden" on a woman's constitutional right to have the procedure. During a Monday afternoon news conference, Trump also renewed his criticism of former president George W Bush. While Trump would not say whether he considered Bush to be a failed president or label him responsible for the 9/11 attacks, the former reality TV star repeatedly noted that "the World Trade Centre came down during the reign of George Bush." Trump said his decision to go after George W Bush who made a pair of campaign stops on his brother's behalf on Monday in South Carolina was akin to his attacks on former President Bill Clinton, which began once the former president ramped up his campaigning for his wife, Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton. "If the ex-president is campaigning for his brother, I think he's probably open to great scrutiny, maybe things that haven't been thought of in the past," Trump told reporters. AP Today I spoke at WebRTC Conference Japan. My message was about how next generation services will really be what drives the future of WebRTC. Take for example, Romo. Romo is an affordable, personal robot that uses your iDevice as his brain with WebRTC. In the future, you will see more services like these driving the business of WebRTC. But first, lets establish where WebRTC is at today. Tsahi Levent-Levi, who writes the bloggeek.me blog regarding WebRTC, published a very nice infographic at the end of December 2015 about the state of WebRTC. There are some interesting tidbits in here such as that there are over 850 WebRTC vendors and projects at the end of 2015, with more than 26 vendors per month adopting WebRTC in 2015. Clearly, there is momentum building, even if it is in the background. When a WebRTC service is implemented, there are a few issues to be resolved, namely interoperability, scalability, integration into existing architectures, and centralized recording. Centralized recording may seem like a strange item, but these days messaging typically needs to be recorded, and organizations need to be able consolidate and centralize the recorded data. You cant do that on a handset. So centralized recording is key. A media server plays a key role here, as well as in scalability and interoperability. In fact, media servers play a key role in pretty much all of the messaging related services. I also spoke about some key WebRTC use cases Ive seen. I bucketized them into Vertical (such as emergency services or healthcare), Customer Management, and Collaboration. Some of these are adjuncts to existing architectures and some of these are all WebRTC (if they are more contained). These are all exciting developments because if WebRTC is to succeed, they need to be practical for business, either with regard to making money, or saving money, or providing more services. WebRTC is gaining traction, slowly but surely. I thank the organizers for inviting me to speak at the conference. There will also be a Dialogic sponsored WebRTC meet up being held at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. If youre going to Mobile World Congress, be sure to sign up. Earlier this month Apple acknowledged the Error 53 bug that led to bricking of iPhones. Now, the company has officially acknowledged the existence of a recently-exposed date settings bug and has posted a new support document for the same on its website. The bug which caused iPhones to crash when their date was manually set to 1/1/1970 can also brick other iOS devices like iPad and iPod touch. The 1970 date bug reportedly affects iPhones, iPads and iPod touch devices powered by a 64-bit processor and running iOS 8 or iOS 9. This means devices like iPhone 5s and above, iPad Air and above, iPad mini 2 and sixth generation (2015) iPod touch could be affected by the bug. Unfortunately, Apple has not explained the reason behind the cause of the bug. Acknowledging the bug, Apple said on its website, Manually changing the date to May 1970 or earlier can prevent your iOS device from turning on after a restart. An upcoming software update will prevent this issue from affecting iOS devices. The company also said that users whose iPhones have been bricked by the bug should call Apple Support for further assistance. ZTE has sent invites for its press conference at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2016 in Barcelona on February 21st. The theme of the event is Imagination and beyond with ZTE to ignite your mobile life. CEO Adam Zeng and head of EMEA and APAC, Jacky Zhang will be speaking at the event. This time it doesnt reveal any plans about flagship smartphone launches, but it will showcase and announce a range of smart devices and also focus on key 5G technologies. It will share details about the progress its 5G technologies have achieved in network architecture design, MIMO, high-frequency communications, IoT integration and more. ZTE will also display its flagship AXON smartphone family and MYHome voice assistant for the smart home and launch 4K IPTV+OTT (over the top) Android-based STB at the event. The ZTE MWC 2016 conference is scheduled on February 21st, Sunday at 3:30 PM CET (8:00 PM IST). Apple is already looking forward to open its retail branded stores in India and is waiting for a DIPP approval. However, it looks like the company does not want to stop at that, as it is planning to set up its first technology development center outside the US in Hyderabad, according to a latest report from the Economic Times. As per a senior Telangana official, Apple is investing around $25 million and will also likely employ about 4,500 people, said the report. The company is reported to acquire 250,000 square feet in Tishman Speyers WaveRock facility, which is Hyderabads IT corridor and is set to start in the latter half of this year. Jayesh Ranjan, IT secretary of Telangana, told ET This is correct. MoU will be signed after some approvals come. Theyre (Apple) waiting for the SEZ approval (for the area) to come, which is expected to be given in a couple of days. Google CEO Sundar Pichai had announced in December last year during his visit that the company will invest Rs 1,000 crore in its first company-owned campus in Asia, which will house 13,000 employees. Similarly, another tech giant, Microsoft also plans to expand operations in the state. In recent times, Apple has realized the potential in India has as a smartphone market. The company is expected to win approval from the government to launch the single brand retail stores in the country. In response to the global commodities crunch, Freeport-McMoRan (FCX 2.68%) needed to take action to address its weakening cash flow and worrisome debt load. Most of the actions it has taken thus far have really been to bridge the growing gap between cash flow and outflows, with the company making a number of cuts to both capex and operational expenses as well as selling equity to raise cash. Now, the company has finally made an initial step toward debt reduction by agreeing to sell a partial stake in one of its mines for $1 billion. It's a small step forward, but forward progress none the less. Details on the deal In last quarter's earnings report, Freeport-McMoRan noted that it was "actively engaged in discussions with third parties regarding potential transactions." Now, we're seeing the first tangible outcome of those discussions after the company reached an agreement to sell a 13% ownership interest in its Morenci copper mine in Arizona to Sumitomo Metal Mining for $1 billion. The deal expands their existing partnership because Sumitomo and one of its affiliates already own 15% of the mine, with Freeport having owned the other 85%. However, once this deal closes, Freeport-McMoRan's interest in the mine will drop to 72%. Freeport-McMoRan expects the deal will close by mid-year and the cash will be used to repay borrowings under its bank term loan and revolving credit facility. While the company expects to record a $550 million gain on the sale, it will be able to offset any cash taxes on that gain from previous losses. In other words, the full $1 billion can be used for debt repayment. What's next for Freeport-McMoRan While a billion dollars is a lot of money, it's really just a drop in the bucket for Freeport-McMoRan. That's why CEO Richard Adkerson described the move as an "important initial step toward our objective to accelerate debt reduction and restore our balance sheet." It really is just a baby step given that the company's total debt stood at $20.4 billion at the end of last quarter, with the term loan alone totaling $3 billion. So, this transaction isn't exactly needle-moving when the numbers are that big, which is why it's just one of many transactions the company is pursuing. Currently, the only other transaction to be reported is the company's offer to sell a 10.64% interest in its crown jewel Grasberg mine in Indonesia for $1.7 billion to that country's government. Reports surfaced about the offer earlier last month, with the government having 60 days to respond with potential buyers for that stake. In a lot of ways, it's a similar transaction, with Freeport-McMoRan working to sell a larger stake directly to its current partner instead of bringing in another partner. In addition to that, Freeport-McMoRan continues to evaluate options for its oil and gas business, though the company has been exploring alternatives for this business for more than a year. It started off by seeking a financial funding partner to pay for capex in exchange for a working interest in those growth projects, but that has expanded to potentially selling a stake in the entire business via an IPO, or even an outright sale. So far, the company has come up empty in its attempts to raise capital for the business, but it continues to look at "all alternatives," according to Adkerson. Deciding what alternative route to take is really the most critical decision facing the company right now. That business not only saddled the company down with its current mountain of debt, but crashing oil prices have incinerated the value of the business. Freeport needs to stop this bleeding by finding a way to maximize whatever value is left in that business, which is going to be hard to do with oil in the low $30s. Investor takeaway Freeport-McMoRan took an important first step toward debt reduction by agreeing to sell a partial stake in the Morenci mine. However, much work is left to be done given how much debt the company still needs to address. Further, after more than a year exploring alternatives and watching oil prices continue to slide, Freeport really needs to find a palpable alternative for its oil and gas business in order to get that weight off of its shoulders so it can begin to move forward once again. With a lower for longer oil price scenario increasingly becoming the reality, investors are reevaluating what risk means for oil companies. Metrics that looked just fine when oil prices were elevated are now gravely concerning at many companies. Because of this investors are looking at risk in a whole new way, focusing their attention on just two things: cash and cash flow. Companies that have a lot of both are viewed as having the least amount of risk of going bankrupt should oil prices remain depressed. One company that is on the lower end of the risk spectrum is Occidental Petroleum (OXY 0.57%) because it has plenty of both to meet its needs for more than a year at the current oil price. Stilling on a pile of cash As of the end of 2015 Occidental Petroleum had $4.4 billion of cash on its balance sheet against just $6.8 billion in long-term debt. Because of this the company has a very strong investment grade credit rating. That cash balance alone is more than enough to meet the company's minimum projected liabilities for 2016, which includes $1.5 billion in current maturities of long-term debt as well as the company's maximum $3 billion capex plan for 2016. That puts the company in a strong position in 2016, because unlike a lot of peers it doesn't have to worry about its liquidity or credit, meaning risks to either are virtually nil right now. Operational cash flow buoyed by diversification Cash flow is a slightly different story because lower commodity prices are going to weigh on Occidental Petroleum's operational cash flow. However, the company's diversification helps it mute some of this weakness. For example, it has a very large enhanced oil recovery business in the Permian Basin that continues to produce a lot of cash flow. As the slide below shows, the company's cash costs can be as low as $22 per barrel of oil equivalent, which means it's still delivering solid cash flow at today's oil price: Further, Occidental Petroleum's cash flow is supported by its predictable chemicals business as well as high margin operations in Colombia and the Middle East, including the Al Hosn gas project in Oman, which is expected to deliver between $300 million to $600 million in cash flow depending on commodity prices. Even more cash is coming in the door Not only does the company have plenty of cash already on the balance sheet, and diversified sources of operational cash flow, but it has two other sources of cash coming in the door very soon. First, Occidental Petroleum is expected to receive about $900 million more from its settlement with Ecuador. That settlement is compensating the company after Ecuador seized one of its oil fields in the country in 2006 and is expected to be fully paid by April. In addition to that, Occidental Petroleum expects to receive $300 million from assets sales in the coming months. These guaranteed cash payments further enhance Occidental's near-term liquidity. Standing behind the dividend A big evidence that Occidental Petroleum is less risky than most other producers right now is the fact that the company has no plans to cut its dividend. In fact, president Vicki Hollub recently said that the company doesn't "see a threat to our dividend going through the cycle." That's in stark contrast to rivals ConocoPhillips (COP 0.58%) and Anadarko Petroleum (APC), both of which recently reduced their payouts. ConocoPhillips' dividend cut in particular was surprising because the company had said that its dividend was its top priority. However, it has realized that it simply didn't have the cash balance, nor the projected cash inflow, to comfortably maintain the payout given that industry conditions have continued to deteriorate. Anadarko Petroleum, likewise, took what it viewed was the appropriate action given the current environment and its own financial limitations. In both cases the companies freed up a significant amount of cash flow that they can use to enhance their operations and financial flexibility, with Anadarko freeing up $450 million while ConocoPhillips' dividend and capex reductions freed up a whopping $4.4 billion. While Occidental Petroleum could likewise free up a significant amount of cash flow, upwards of $2.3 billion if it suspended its payout all together, it didn't need to do so because of its solid financial position at the moment. Investor presentation While Occidental Petroleum isn't without risk, its strong cash balance, diversified cash flows, and additional sources of cash make it one of the least risky oil companies right now. A big evidence of its lower risk is the fact that the company is standing behind its dividend at a time when most of its rivals are slashing theirs. This isn't to say that the company's risks won't increase should oil be even lower this time next year, but at least for the time being Occidental Petroleum is in a much stronger financial position than most of its peers. Indonesia's mining ministry on Tuesday recommended that Freeport McMoRan Inc receive a new six-month copper export permit, potentially ending a near two-week stoppage after the previous permit expired last month. Freeport was forced to halt overseas shipments from one of the world's biggest copper mines in Papua after the government demanded the U.S. mining giant first pay a $530 million deposit for a new smelter before a new export permit could be approved. A lengthy export stoppage would have hit Freeport's profits and denied the Indonesian government desperately needed revenue from one of its biggest taxpayers. "We issued a recommendation that Freeport receive an export permit," Bambang Gatot, the mining ministry's director general of coal and minerals, told reporters. The mining ministry recommendation will now be sent to the trade ministry, which has the power to issue export permits. Typically once the trade ministry receives a recommendation from the mining ministry, the renewal of an export permit would be a formality. Freeport Indonesia produces about 220,000 tonnes of copper ore from the mine per day. About a third usually goes to a domestic smelter at Gresik, with the rest exported as concentrate. Gatot told parliament the mining ministry supported the renewal of Freeport's export permit because of the miner's willingness to continue paying an export tax of 5 percent. Talks between the two sides over the $530 million bond were still ongoing. Indonesia wants the deposit as a guarantee that the Phoenix, Arizona-based company will complete construction of another local smelter. The amount would add to an estimated $80 million that Freeport set aside in July 2015 to obtain its current export permit. Clementino Lamury, a director for Freeport Indonesia, told parliament the company already had a contract with vendors on constructing the smelter and would abide by the agreed payment terms, despite government demands for the investment to be accelerated. Freeport CEO Richard Adkerson last month said the government's demand for a smelter deposit was "inconsistent" with an agreement reached between the two sides in mid-2014. According to that agreement, Freeport must sell the government a greater share of the Grasberg mine, and invest in domestic processing to win an extension of its mining contract beyond 2021. The U.S. mining giant wants to invest $18 billion to expand its operations at Grasberg, but is seeking government assurances first that it will get a contract extension. Freeport's long-held desire to continue mining in Indonesia beyond 2021 has been beset by controversy, including cabinet infighting, resignations and a major political scandal that led to the resignation of the parliamentary speaker. (Reporting by Wilda Asmarini; Additional reporting by Bernadette Christina Munthe; Writing by Michael Taylor and Randy Fabi; Editing by Himani Sarkar, Tom Hogue and Mark Potter) A Florida family is mourning the loss of their 10-year-old daughter after an inherited condition that also claimed the lives of two of their other children took her life as well. Naples Daily News reported that Erin Mading and her husband, Benjamin, had five children when they learned about Lynch syndrome, an inherited condition that increases the risk of colon cancer and other types of cancer. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) estimates that among the 140,000 new cases of colorectal cancers diagnosed annually, about 3 to 5 percent are caused by Lynch syndrome. Isabella, who was diagnosed when she was 7, died Saturday, Feb. 6, at age 10, after suffering from a brain tumor linked with the syndrome. Cody, Isabellas 17-year-old brother, died in 2010, and her sister Averi died three years later at age 17. They were both diagnosed with Lynch syndrome too. Erin Mading, Isabellas mother, told the newspaper that Isabella just flourished during the last year of her life, and she described her as the social butterfly of our street. NaplesNews.com reported that the Madings relocated from Bonita Springs, Fla. to Pittsburgh so Isabella could undergo an experimental infusion therapy that was part of Bristol-Meyers Squibbs compassionate drug program. On Halloween 2015, Isabella began the treatment, which targeted the cancer in her brain and that doctors administered every two weeks. Despite undergoing seven infusions and surgery to reduce swelling, Isabellas tumor kept growing, the newspaper reported. It was just more than we expected, Erin, 41, also mother to 20-year-old Kylie and 15-year-old Olivia, told NaplesNews.com. According to the Mayo Clinic, if one of the parents possesses a gene mutation for Lynch syndrome, there's a 50 percent chance they'll pass it along to each of their children. NaplesNews.com didnt report whether Kylie and Olivia have been diagnosed with the syndrome. Erin said Isabella wanted to become a nurse when she grew up. Watching medical professionals interact with her brother and sister as they underwent treatment inspired her career choice. "[Isabella] grew up in a hospital with her brother and her sister, Erin told the newspaper. She had a wisdom beyond her years." A pair of twins who were joined at the head underwent a successful 10-hour separation surgery that involved 22 doctors and nurses, Central European News (CEN) reported. The twin girls, Tuqa and Yakeen, are said to be doing well. The twins were joined at the head and that meant this was one of the most complicated and difficult Siamese cases, Dr. Ahmad Al-Furrayan, the lead surgeon at Specialist Childrens Hospital at the King Abdul Aziz Medical City (KAMC) in Saudi Arabia, told CEN. It was the final procedure in the process that started in 2014. The Saudi government funded the procedures as a humanitarian gesture. Saudi Arabia has performed 37 surgeries on Siamese twins since 1990, with many patients coming from other countries, CEN reported. Wiggly fingers approaching the armpits can elicit giggles from some people. For others, even a feather caressing the toes will bring about no response. Scientists are perplexed by the variability and the origin of the tickle response. One neuroscientist, David J. Linden, a professor at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, explains whether the childlike response is learned or innate and why it is almost impossible to tickle oneself. The Evolution Conundrum Some scientists have argued that being ticklish is a defensive reflex against attack, but Dr. Linden finds that explanation wanting. While some ticklish parts of the body would be vulnerable in battle, others, like the toes and feet, wouldnt result in a mortal wound if struck, he says. He compares being ticklish to having an itch, which most experts believe evolved as a protective measure against infestation by insects or worms. Itching and tickling are similar in that they are both sensations that demand an immediate physical response, Dr. Linden says. We can take that as a cluethat perhaps the tickle response is some sort of reflex gone awry. Still, the neuroscientist says, We honestly dont know why humans are ticklish. A Cross-Cultural Phenomenon Dr. Linden says there is no indication being ticklish is inherited. He has seen tickling across every culture, and says the behavior is often informed by social norms, taboos and the setting in which it takes place. If someone is really angry, you cant tickle them, he says. Click for more from The Wall Street Journal. Editor's note: The following column originally appeared in The Hill newspaper and on TheHill.com. Name the Republican politician facing the biggest loss if next weeks South Carolina primary ends up with a first or second place finish for Donald Trump or Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas). Its Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.). On Capitol Hill far from the television cameras focused on the presidential horse race Ryan is in a real-life political crisis as he tries to impose his leadership on the Republican majority in the House. The single biggest test of his command and control is corralling members of his conference to produce an official GOP budget. Ryan needs to at least draft a budget reflecting his partys spending priorities. Without that fig leaf, he risks going into the history books as the rare speaker who, in the honeymoon of his first year, did not propose a budget, much less pass one. That scenario also opens the door to Ryan being responsible for allowing a government shutdown to hang over a presidential election. Keep in mind that Congress central function, as devised by the Founding Fathers, was the power of the purse, exercising power over the federal budget. Ryans problem is rooted in the success of Trump and Cruz, the most anti-establishment Republicans in the presidential primaries. The populist, right-wing grassroots of the party, represented by the House Freedom Caucus and leading conservative media figures, is energized by the success of anti-establishment candidates in the GOP primaries. On the campaign trail, Trump and Cruz are calling for true conservatives to shun any budget deal that does not reduce spending and the size of government. That would include the budget deal struck with President Obama by Ryans predecessor, Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio). At the debates and in their stump speeches, several Republican presidential candidates consistently curse the GOP majority in Congress as traitors for making that deal with Obama. They win cheers and votes by insisting on lower spending, smaller government and balanced budgets right now. It is also true that they never say what cuts they would make to the budget. Ryan knows this game. He was one of only 79 House Republicans to vote for a $1 trillion short-term budget deal brokered last October by Boehner with Obama and congressional Democrats. With a few tax extenders, Ryan supported a similar long-term spending bill deal in December. But he has yet to author a budget revealing spending priorities and get it through Congress. The Republican contenders for the presidential nomination, as well as conservative talk radio hosts, call the deal a capitulation to Democrats and a betrayal of conservative principles. That has led hard-line House conservatives to conclude that they will gain politically by not passing any type of spending measure in an election year. This is the same extreme political logic that led to past government shutdowns. House Republicans said that their voters, the people who elected them in districts gerrymandered to be solidly Republican, wanted no compromises; they wanted smaller government and to block all of Obamas initiatives. That strategy proved a liability in national polls and has led Republican congressional leaders to turn away from the far-right of the party for fear of permanently damaging the GOP brand. That is why Ryan is pushing House Republicans to become a party of proposition not opposition. But Ryan is reluctant to confront members of his caucus who see political gain in simply condemning big government. In addition, a big part of the problem facing Ryan springs from his promises to the right-wing Freedom Caucus when he sought to reassure them when he took the top job in the House. To give the hard-liners more control over House legislation in the post-Boehner era, Ryan pledged to pass all twelve House appropriations bills on time and through regular order in an election year. That has left Ryan with his hands tied as he tries to deal with the budget committee chairs. Now Ryan is trying to stave off budget failure by dumping all over the presidents final budget request to Congress. Last week, House leaders took the extraordinary step of announcing they wont even hold hearings on the Obama budget. Ryan could only stand on the sidelines for fear of being run over by his own team. As The New York Times editorial board noted last week, Their decision is more than a break with tradition. It is a new low in Republican efforts to show disdain for Mr. Obama, which disrespects the presidency and, in the process, suffocates debate and impairs governing. This political drama is full of irony. Just four years ago, GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney tapped Ryan to be his vice-presidential running mate in order to reassure conservatives. Ryan had credibility with conservatives because the budget he proposed when he was Chairman of the House Budget Committee included strong cuts and even making Medicare into a voucher program. Now the party has drifted so far to the right that Ryan, their one-time budget warrior, is being branded insufficiently conservative as he tries to get Republicans to agree on any Republican budget. In a presidential election year where the electoral map favors Democrats, the last thing Republicans need is a high-stakes display of incompetence and dysfunction by their own leaders in Congress. If the GOP majority in Congress cant govern themselves long enough to pass their own budget, how can they be trusted with the White House? A Pennsylvania high school has launched an investigation after a photograph surfaced of a student desecrating an American flag inside a classroom at Richland High School. The repulsive photograph, reportedly posted online over the Valentines Day weekend, shows a young man standing on Old Glory as a female student stands nearby with her middle finger raised. Click here to join Todds American Dispatch a must-read for Conservatives! Seething outrage would be a good way to describe the reaction in Richland Township a country town that prides itself on patriotism. What a shameful display of ignorance, contempt and utter disregard for the country, flag and veterans sacrifice, one resident wrote online. What a disgrace, wrote another. Maybe they should be put on the front lines, so they can get a taste of reality. This behavior is repulsive, wrote the mother of an RHS graduate currently serving in the Armed Forces. To make matters worse, Richland Township is home to many of the Armed Forces units that also defend that flag. As detestable as the desecration may have been the response from the Richland School District has been admirable and downright remarkable. This photo is not representative of the feelings of the 1,600 students in our district, Superintendent Arnold Nadonley told the Tribune-Democrat newspaper. Out of respect for our veterans both those who have defended our flag and those still serving in our military nobody wants to see something like this. The district solicitor posted a message online promising a timely and thorough review of this incident and will implement appropriate legal discipline. They called the photo unfortunate and unpatriotic. "The ACLU enjoys nothing better than an old-fashioned American flag burning." The students involved in the desecration have not been identified. However, the mother of the young man reached out to television station WJAC to apologize. My son did a stupid and impulsive thing, she said in a statement. He apologized immediately and regrets what he did. We appreciate the people reaching out with understanding and forgiveness. Our family has the highest respect for our country and military and we would like to issue a sincere apology on behalf of our entire family. Meanwhile, the American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania doesnt seem to think theres a problem with desecrating Old Glory. As long as they were trying to send a message of protest, it sounds like they are protected to me, legal director Witold Walczak told the Tribune Democrat. The ACLU enjoys nothing better than an old-fashioned American flag burning. Superintendent Nadonley told the local newspaper he understands that students rights dont end at the schoolhouse gates. But well pursue this matter in whatever legal way we can, with due process and with respect to the flag, our Constitution and our country, he said. My goodness! I never thought Id hear a public school administrator stand up to the ACLU and defend American patriotism! We still dont know why the troubled teenagers did what they did -- but the school district is definitely going to use the incident as a teaching tool. Consider these words from Principal Brandon Bailey. We need to remember that great adversity often leads to great opportunity, he wrote online. We need to unify and use this opportunity to show to the world that the Richland School District has some of the finest students, faculty and staff in our great nation. Well said, Principal Bailey. Instead of parking the offenders in a holding cell -- maybe they could be dispatched to work at a nearby VA hospital. Perhaps they could do yard work for widows of local war veterans? Or maybe the school could host an assembly featuring graduates currently defending our freedom? Lets hope those two wayward teenagers have learned their lesson. When you see the Star-Spangled Banner, you stand and salute you dont stand and stomp. As congressional lawmakers and presidential candidates battle over the late Justice Antonin Scalias potential Supreme Court replacement, a sideshow debate has developed over the circumstances of his death. Questions linger over the precise cause, after the 79-year-old Scalia was found dead Saturday at a remote Texas ranch. Conspiracy theorists jumped on an apparently mangled quote from the ranch owner about a pillow supposedly being found over the judge's head. But even as that quote was walked back, the ambiguous ruling of natural causes -- after a TV station initially reported the cause of death as a heart attack -- combined with the decision not to conduct an official autopsy has at the very least raised eyebrows among seasoned investigators. As a former homicide commander, I am stunned that no autopsy was ordered for Justice Scalia, William O. Ritchie, former head of criminal investigations for D.C. police, wrote in a post on Facebook on Sunday, according to The Washington Post. Ritchie also questioned how authorities could have ruled a cause of death without first conducting a post-mortem to make sure Scalia was not injected with a substance to induce a heart attack. Famed forensic pathologist Michael Baden told FoxNews.com it is standard procedure not to conduct an autopsy if the cause of death is not controversial, and if the family chooses not to request one. I think the family has an absolute right not to request an autopsy, and the family would know [Scalias] medical history better and if hes been treated for heart issues, Baden said. However, he said that given Scalias stature, he would have recommended an autopsy be conducted, in order to stem the tide of conspiracy theories. The family has to expect various conspiracy theories will arise because of peoples concerns about Scalia and I think it would have been, from the public point of view, a good idea to have an autopsy to avoid kinds of speculations and conspiracy speculations so the whole truth can be seen by the public, he said. There were also questions over the fact that Presidio County Judge Cinderela Guevara issued the cause of death over the phone without seeing the body. Guevara told the Associated Press that, although she did make the conclusion over the phone, she first consulted with Scalia's personal physician and local and federal investigators, who said there were no signs of foul play. State law allows an inquest to be performed by phone. Guevara said she followed procedure because both justices of the peace serving the region were out of town and she was also about 65 miles away from the resort. Guevara certified Scalia's death by telephone about 1:52 p.m. Saturday. Guevara told The Post an initial report by a Dallas TV station that quoted her as saying Scalia had died of myocardial infarction was inaccurate, and she meant only that his heart had stopped. The answers were not good enough for scattered conspiracy theorists, who point to other oddities surrounding Scalias death, such as ranch owner John Poindexters reported claim that he found the judge with a pillow over his head. "We discovered the judge in bed, a pillow over his head. His bed clothes were unwrinkled," Poindexter told the San Antonio Express-News. Was Scalia murdered? asked talk radio host Michael Savage Monday, before calling for a Warren Commission-like federal investigation into Scalias death, a reference to the commission set up to investigate the death of President John F. Kennedy. How come theres been no request for an autopsy? ... My friends, something stinks, Savage said. Poindexter later clarified to CNN that the pillow had been up against the headboard and had only covered Scalia's head, not his face. As for declaring the cause of death over the phone, Baden says this is standard operating practice in many parts of the U.S. even though he doesnt agree with the practice. I find it dangerous not to issue cause of death by phone without looking at the body. However, it is very common now. When I started out, doctors always saw the patient before issuing cause of death, Baden said. FoxNews.coms Adam Shaw and The Associated Press contributed to this report. Using the grassroots strategy that worked for him in Iowa and New Hampshire, Bernie Sanders is betting that issues rather than name recognition will help him win over South Carolina's minority voters -- once considered Hillary Clinton's "firewall" against a serious presidential challenge. And, with the primary still more than a week away, black voters in the state appear to be giving the lesser-known Democratic presidential candidate a chance to speak to the issues that matter most to their community. In the South, it has never been about name recognition, Wendell Gilliard, a state lawmaker and black Democrat, told FoxNews.com. Sanders has a grassroots message that connects with grassroots people. Thats what counts in South Carolina. Vivica Fox, Angela Bassett and other movie stars can campaign for Hillary. But I still feel the Bern. Clinton, to be sure, is taking nothing for granted. After Sanders met last week with Al Sharpton in New York, Clinton also was meeting Tuesday with civil rights leaders in Harlem and delivering a speech on racial injustice. But there is a political maxim that holds candidates must visit the barbershops, beauty salons and bible studies to hear what issues really matter to people, especially black voters. And there, the Democratic race is still very much up for grabs. In North Charleston, S.C., where nearly 50 percent of the population is black, and poverty and jobless rates exceed the national levels, the Diamond Cutz Barber Salon is known as the spot where locals come to get a trim and talk politics. Two weeks before the states Feb. 27 Democratic primary, the scene was more like a town hall, with the barbers and customers talking shop about the candidates and issues. If candidates are going to reach out to black voters, they have to reach out to the black youth, said 37-year-old Shawn Seymour. They are the ones who really need the help. Seymour seemed to lean Clinton while his barber, Robert McFadden, appeared more intrigued with the lesser-known Sanders and his concerns about womens rights and LGBT issues. Neither was willing to fully commit nor seemed impressed by either candidates growing list of endorsements, including rapper Killer Mike for Sanders. Killer Mike hasnt dropped an album in years, the 35-year-old McFadden said over the low hum of his electric clippers. Both argued blacks too often feel like election-year pawns and candidates dont realize the needs of the black community are unique. Politicians only come to the black folks when they whine or complain or want black votes, Seymour said, like my granddaddy used to say. Both seemed resigned to the fact the election will do little to help the local community, like homeless people now living in a tent city in downtown Charleston. There are some issues that are solely black, McFadden said. We want jobs. Hours later, in a debate with Clinton, Sanders acknowledged the black community has tremendous problems -- including poverty and over-incarceration -- but still described them as part of a general economic issue. Clintons southern state polling lead remains substantial, despite her loss in New Hampshire last week. Recent polls show she has at least a 50-point lead over Sanders among black voters in South Carolina, who account for the majority of the states Democratic electorate. However, Sander has steadily cut her overall lead in the state, from its 58-point high in September to roughly 25 points. Clinton indeed has close ties to the black American community, dating back to husband Bills terms as Arkansas governor and U.S. president. However, much of that support abandoned her for Barack Obama in their 2008 South Carolina primary battle, which Obama won by a landslide. Her husband was dismissive of the outcome, which resulted in Hillary Clinton eventually apologizing. Time appears to have healed those wounds. Clinton had an 80-percent favorability rating among African-Americans, according to a Gallup poll last summer. And she has increasingly tried to tie herself to Obama, while insisting shes not running for Obamas third term. Clintons impressive list of endorsements spans powerful black political leaders -- including the Congressional Black Caucus political arm and 29 South Carolina state legislators. 'In the South, it has never been about name recognition' South Carolina state Rep. Wendell Gilliard Among them is state Sen. Marlon Kimpson, whose district encompasses where Walter Scott was fatally shot last spring by a police officer in North Charleston and the downtown Charleston church in which nine black parishioners were gunned down in June. Kimpson praised Clinton for immediately seeking tighter gun laws. She didnt wait around like a lot of other politicians, he said. My constituents appreciated that. Its what led me to endorse her. Sanders has won his own key endorsements, including from former NAACP leader Ben Jealous and South Carolina state Rep. Justin T. Bamberg, a former Clinton supporter and lawyer for the Walter Scott family. He more recently also won the support of writer Ta-Nehisi Coates, considered a leading voice among young, black intellectuals. College of Charleston politics professor Kendra Stewart said the endorsements that really matter in South Carolina are those of Bamberg and 12-term Rep. James Clyburn, the most influential Democratic lawmaker in the state, who still remains neutral in the race. Bambergs was a signal that not all black voters have to support Hillary, Stewart said. It said youre going to have to work for that vote. Sanders' grassroots efforts in South Carolina include radio ads specific to potential black voters and paying some canvassers and event hosts the $15-an-hour minimum wage that he has proposed, in addition to visiting churches and barber shops. Its more about meeting people where they are, Aneesa McMillan, Sanders South Carolina communications director, said Monday. Were going where the potential voters are. The Rev. Isaac J. Holt Jr., senior pastor of the influential Royal Missionary Baptist Church in North Charleston, told FoxNews.com that Sanders already has been to his church -- about a mile from where Scott was fatally shot -- and that Clinton intends to visit. What we try to do is present the candidates so every member can make an intelligent choice, he said, noting he and the church do not make endorsements. He said his congregation includes Republicans and suggested he personally feels let down by the candidates. Theyre so beat up, he said Friday. Democrats say what black churches want to hear. And its so much about personality that its hard to know what they think. Whats really missing is the enthusiasm. Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton turned to animal impersonations Monday as the former secretary of state ramped up her effort to secure victory over surging Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders in this Saturday's Nevada caucuses. Speaking before a crowd in Reno, Clinton described how she would like to fact-check various Republican claims. He began her story with a recollection of a political ad that aired on the radio in Arkansas. The ad featured a dog that the announcer claimed would bark any time a candidate said an untrue statement. "We need to get that dog and follow him around and every time they say these things, like, 'oh the Great Recession was caused by too much regulation," Clinton said before yelping, "Arf! Arf! Arf! Arf!" to general applause. Clinton and her opponent, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, have criss-crossed the Silver State in recent days. On Sunday, they wound up at opposite ends of a pew in the same Las Vegas church. Sanders' ground game is catching up to the Clinton machine as well. The so-called Democratic socialist's campaign has over 100 staffers on the ground and has more than doubled its paid staff here since last month, along with spending double on his television spots compared to Clinton - $2.93 million to Clintons $1.46 million. Adding to the uncertainty is a relative lack of polling coupled with a sense of the momentum being behind Sanders in the wake of his thumping victory over Clinton in last week's New Hampshire primary. Showing the importance her team has placed on Saturday's caucuses, Clinton skipped a campaign event in Florida, sending her husband, former President Bill Clinton, to stump in her stead. As in Iowa and New Hampshire, Sanders has publicly pinned his hopes in Nevada to voter turnout. "Everything in my political gut tells me that we have the momentum here in this state," he told a rally in Las Vegas Sunday, "and if people come out in large numbers on caucus day, were going to win." It is possible to win the Nevada caucuses, but lose the all-important battle for Democratic National Convention delegates. That's exactly what happened to Clinton in 2008 against then-Senator Barack Obama. The Clinton campaign may not have helped its cause in Nevada with comments made last week by campaign spokesman Brian Fallon in which he compared Nevada to the more racially and ethnically homogenous Iowa and New Hampshire. "Theres an important Hispanic element to the Democratic caucus in Nevada," Fallon said. "But its still a state that is 80 percent white voters. You have a caucus-style format, and [Sanders will] have the momentum coming out of New Hampshire presumably, so theres a lot of reasons he should do well." That remark reportedly angered allies of Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, with one telling Politico that Reid had "pushed hard to move Nevada near the front of the primary calendar precisely because of its diversity." The woman seeking Americas top job is getting a boost from the worlds oldest profession. Ahead of the Nevada Democratic caucuses this weekend, a group of sex workers operating under the name Hookers for Hillary is going all in for Hillary Clintons campaign touting her positions on health care and other issues. According to The Guardian, brothel owner Dennis Hof and the girls at the Moonlite Bunny Ranch launched the pro-Clinton project shortly after she entered the race. In interviews with the newspaper, they described their support as an endorsement of Clintons efforts to combat domestic violence as well. And one simply described it as a case of women helping women. Were helping Hillary and were helping ourselves. Women should help other women, right? Entice Love, a 26-year-old sex worker, told The Guardian. The group, on its website, offers a four-point rationale for supporting Clinton: her defense of ObamaCare; her foreign policy experience; her support for agencies that protect the publics health; and even her opposition to supply side economics. On the latter point, the group says husband Bill Clinton presided over the most prosperous time in Bunny Ranch history, which coincided with a tax increase on wealthy Americans. A return to relying on the disproven theory of trickle-down economics would only serve to exclude the vast majority of hard-working Bunny Ranch clients from having the discretionary income to enjoy with their favorite Bunny, the group says. The endorsement and efforts on behalf of the Clinton campaign are a departure from 2008 and 2012 when the clique was backing the libertarian Ron Paul. But Love said, When Im looking at who I want to pick for the presidency, I look at what are they doing that I can relate to that will be of benefit for me. A Kentucky lawmaker has put forward a bill that would require men to visit a doctor at least twice and obtain a signed permission slip from their wives before they could obtain a prescription for the erectile dysfunction drug Viagra. State Rep. Mary Lou Marzian, a Democrat, acknowledged to the Louisville Courier-Journal that the bill has no chance of passing. However, she said the bill was a response to several anti-abortion measures, including a recently ratified law that requires a woman seeking an abortion to get counseling at least 24 hours in advance from a health professional. In an opinion piece, Marzian said her bill is meant to "illustrate the absurdity of government encroachment into women's personal and medical decisions currently running amok in the Kentucky General Assembly and [Gov. Matt] Bevin administration." Marzian's bill specifies that only married men can obtain Viagra and a prospective patient must "make a sworn statement with his hand on a Bible that he will only use a prescription for a drug for erectile dysfunction when having sexual relations with his current spouse." Other state lawmakers have filed similar bills to make political points. In 2012, a bill from an Ohio state senator required men to get a psychological evaluation before getting a Viagra prescription and last year a South Carolina state representative filed a bill that would require men to wait 24 hours before getting a prescription. Marzian has also said she would file a bill requiring potential gun buyers to undergo counseling from victims of gun violence 24 hours in advance of the purchase. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Click for more from the Louisville Courier-Journal. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry on Sunday pushed Albania to enact a major package of judicial and legislative reforms, backed by U.S. money that also is intended to help the Balkan nation take in Iranian refugees from Iraq. Kerry, returning to the United States from a four-day trip to Germany, made a brief stop in Albania's capital to urge the government and opposition parties to support the package now pending in parliament. Kerry said the reforms represent a significant step forward in Albania's bid to join the European Union. The changes include the creation of an anti-corruption court and prosecutor's office as well as a national investigative body similar to the FBI in the United States. The U.S. has provided $20 million in assistance to support the reforms and $5 million more is budgeted this year. U.S. officials traveling with Kerry said that while the reforms are needed for their own sake as well as E.U. membership, they also were key to Albania's fulfilling a commitment to relocate thousands of members of the exiled Iranian Mujahedeen-e-Khalq opposition group. Saddam Hussein had welcomed the Iranian group into Iraq in the 1980s, but Iraq's current Shiite-led government considers their presence illegal. The group lost what had been its home for decades, Camp Ashraf north of Baghdad, and was moved to a former U.S. base in the Iraqi capital. Over the past 18 months, Albania has taken in about 1,000 members of the group and has committed to taking 2,000 more. Neither Kerry nor any of the Albanian officials mentioned the relocations. After meeting Kerry, Albanian President Bujar Nishani said he had assured Kerry of "Albania's determination against organized crime and corruption." Prime Minister Edi Rama said he expected the reforms to be adopted next month. "I am very confident we shall do that and with the United States of America on our side there is optimism for success," Rama said. The package is the latest effort to clean up what was once one of Europe's most dysfunctional governments. In December, Albania's parliament approved legislation barring people with criminal records from holding public office or most civil service jobs. The new legislation gave three months to people currently in office or in most civil service jobs who have a criminal record to resign. After that they will be dismissed. Kerry praised Albania for its efforts so far, but reminded Rama and his government that more must be done. "In the end, only Albanians can enact the right laws and insist on their effective implementation," he said. "Fighting corruption is hard but necessary work and it is vital to Albania's economic future and its ability to become one with Europe." While in Tirana, Kerry also thanked Albania for its contributions to the fight against the Islamic State group, saying the majority Muslim country was a leader in countering violent extremism. President Obama fired back Tuesday at Senate Republicans pre-emptively threatening to block his eventual nominee to succeed the late Justice Antonin Scalia, saying at a press conference that the Senate has more than enough time to consider his pick and he intends to press ahead. The Constitution is pretty clear about what is supposed to happen now, Obama said. When there is a vacancy on the Supreme Court, the president of the United States is to nominate someone. The Senate is to consider that nomination. Obama, in his most extensive remarks on the vacancy since the 79-year-old Scalia was found dead at a Texas ranch on Saturday, rejected widespread calls by Republican lawmakers and 2016 candidates to defer to the next president to fill Scalias seat. There is no unwritten law that says that it can only be done on off-years. Thats not in the constitutional text, Obama said, blasting what he called an obstructionist Senate. The president has found himself in an awkward position, though, as he scolds Republicans over threats to block his nominee since Obama, as a U.S. senator, tried in 2006 to filibuster the nomination of Samuel Alito, who ultimately was confirmed. Asked about that seeming discrepancy on Tuesday, Obama did not answer directly. He noted that senators are sometimes worried about primary elections and a backlash from supporters, and take strategic decisions. But he brushed off his own opposition to Alito, saying hes on the bench now, regardless of which votes particular senators have taken. Obama held the press conference at the close of a summit in California with leaders of Southeast Asian nations. It came as hes facing an already-heated battle back in Washington over his potential pick to replace Scalia before he has even announced his nominee. Senate Republicans want Obamas successor to fill the vacancy, and some are threatening to oppose any Obama nominee. The next Court appointment should be made by the newly-elected president, Sen. Pat Toomey, R-Pa., said in a statement Monday. Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus said push to let Obamas successor to fill the vacancy "is not about the person," but "about the court." "The American people should have a voice in the selection of their next Supreme Court Justice by allowing this issue to be front and center in this years election," he said. "As Democrats have already admitted, their breach of decades of precedent is all about scoring political points. But Obama says he will fulfill his constitutional duty and nominate a replacement in due time. Suggesting he would not use a single-issue litmus test in selecting his nominee, Obama said Tuesday whomever he chooses will be indisputably qualified. At the same time, he said he understands the stakes, bluntly acknowledging the next justice would be a deciding vote in a divided court. Later asked if the public should assume he is likely to choose a moderate, Obama curtly responded, No. He then elaborated, saying: I dont know where you found that. You shouldnt assume anything other than theyre going to be well-qualified. He also suggested he was not considering a controversial recess appointment, but did not definitively rule it out, either. Obamas Democratic allies have blasted Republicans for their recent statements on the court battle. "By ignoring its constitutional mandate, the Senate would sabotage the highest court in the United States and aim a procedural missile at the foundation of our system of checks and balances," Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., said in a scathing op-ed in Tuesday's Washington Post. A key Republican senator, though, left open the possibility of at least holding a confirmation hearing. Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Charles Grassley told Iowa radio reporters Tuesday he supports Majority Leader Mitch McConnell's view that Obama's successor should nominate someone but won't make any decision until there's a nominee. At Tuesdays press conference, Obama also weighed in on the 2016 race to succeed him in the White House. He reprised his criticism of the Republican candidates, and even seemed to take a shot at Florida Sen. Marco Rubio for allegedly running away from a comprehensive immigration reform bill. But on the Democratic primary battle between Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders, he declined to comment extensively. Lets see how this thing plays itself out, he said, adding: Ultimately, I will probably have an opinion on it. On foreign policy, Obama also said he's under no illusions that a ceasefire negotiated for Syria will bring lasting peace to the "shattered" nation. Obama and leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, meanwhile, spent the session in California Tuesday trading views on China's territorial claims to disputed water of the South China Sea, moves that have sounded international alarms and heightened tensions with some association members. Counterterrorism, a growing concern in the Asia-Pacific region, was also on the agenda. The U.S. maintains that maritime disputes should be resolved peacefully according to international law, a stance Obama emphasized Monday in welcoming leaders of ASEAN's 10-nation bloc: Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar and Cambodia. Freedom of navigation must be upheld, Obama said Tuesday, following the first ASEAN-only summit held in the U.S. The Associated Press contributed to this report. This is the kind of Washington hypocrisy that should make everyone cringe. In the immediate aftermath of Antonin Scalias death, Democrats and Republicans, along with liberal and conservative commentators, are making arguments that are parsed as principled, but really naked partisanship. They are taking positions that they would reverse in a heartbeat if the Supreme Court vacancy occurred under mirror-image circumstances. In fact, many of them have taken the opposite stance in the past. So the high-minded rhetoric really rings hollow. What troubled me initially is that there was no decent intervalindeed, no interval at allbetween the announcement of the 79-year-old jurists death and the online debate over what should happen to his seat. That seemed disrespectful, but its the world we now live in. President Obama says he will nominate a successor. Mitch McConnell says dont bother, the Senate wont be voting on a nominee because we want to wait for the next president. Both sides are invoking the Constitution. But its easy to see through the pretense. Heres Chuck Schumer, the incoming Senate Democratic leader, saying of McConnell: He doesnt even know who the presidents going to propose and he said, No, were not having hearings; were not going to go forward to leave the Supreme Court vacant at 300 days in a divided time. And as the Daily Caller noted, heres Schumer in July of 2007, saying Senate Democrats shouldnt allow George W. Bush to fill any future Supreme Court vacancies except in extraordinary circumstances: We should reverse the presumption of confirmation. The Supreme Court is dangerously out of balance. We cannot afford to see Justice Stevens replaced by another Roberts, or Justice Ginsburg by another Alito. And heres McConnell, as noted by Daily Kos, saying in 2005: "The Constitution of the United States is at stake. Article II, Section 2 clearly provides that the president, and the president alone, nominates judges "The Republican conference intends to restore the principle that, regardless of party, any president's judicial nominees, after full debate, deserve a simple up-or-down vote. Does anyone seriously doubt that if the vacancy occurred now with a Republican in the White House and Democrats controlling the Senate, each side would be making the opposite argument? As SCOTUSblog points out, the Senate has confirmed numerous high court nominees in election years, under William Taft, Woodrow Wilson, Herbert Hoover and FDR. Ronald Regan nominated Anthony Kennedy on Nov. 30, 1987, and a Democratic-controlled Senate confirmed him, 97 to 0, on Feb. 3, 1988. (In fairness, it would have been hard for the Democrats to do nothing since they had blocked Reagans previous nominees, Robert Bork and Douglas Ginsburg.) This reminds me of filibusters. The majority says the tactic thwarts the will of the people until they find themselves in the minority, at which point it becomes an important tool for democracy. By the way, Senator Obama joined a Democratic effort to filibuster Samuel Alito in 2006 as somebody who is contrary to core American values, not just liberal values, even as he criticized the technique. The punditry has been just as predictable. Here is John Yoo, the former Bush Justice Department official, in National Review: Republican senators and the presidential candidates should reject the claim that they have an obligation to fill Justice Scalias vacancy before the election...The Senate can confirm, reject, or just sit on the nominee, just as it can with any other proposal from the executive branch. And here is the liberal case at Salon: In an astounding display of partisan pettiness that is low even for their bottom-feeding standards, Republicans came together as one within hours of Justice Antonin Scalias death to register their outrage that this Barack Obama fellow dare suggest he should nominate a replacement, just because the Constitution, which every conservative swears he sleeps with under his pillow at night, says he should. As a matter of political optics, I dont know why McConnell didnt wait until the president came up with a name. Then the Republicans could have come up with reasons why they opposed that nominee, instead of looking obstructionist by saying theyd block anyone for Scalias seat. Oh, and there is one more layer of hypocrisy here. Presidential candidates usually proclaim that they want to name justices who agree with their philosophies, but wouldnt dream of imposing a litmus test. Yet John Roberts, who promised the Senate he would call balls and strikes, is now a reviled figure on much of the right because of his role in a pair of rulings upholding ObamaCare. Never mind that he has built a largely conservative record as chief justice. Never mind that the legal issues before the court were not whether ObamaCare is a good program but, for instance, whether Congress meant for the subsidies to be available through the federally run marketplace or only on exchanges established by the states. (Scalia dissented on both decisions.) So do those who complain about judicial activism really want politically determined outcomes, rather than conservative or liberal judges attempting to honestly interpret the law? The GOP gamble here is that if Republicans win the election, the new president can name someone who would preserve the courts 5-4 balance by filling Scalias considerable shoes. The risk is that the Democrats win and Hillary Clinton gets to nominate a justice even more liberal than Obama can under the current circumstances. For all the lofty talk, this is a bare-knuckled fight about which party in effect controls the Supreme Court. Windows 10 is a better operating system than Windows 8.1 but its still not as stable as it should be. Particularly when compared to Apples OS X. I use Windows 10 and OS X interchangeably on a variety of new PC laptops and MacBooks. While Im not going to make a blanket claim that one operating system is better than the other, I will say that OS X, in my experience, is the more stable of the two. Arguably, Apple is better able to control the operating environment because it designs both the hardware and software. That said, here are a few (recent) Windows 10 pet peeves that can make it a more challenging OS to use day to day compared to OS X. Note that "Windows" in the context of this article does not necessarily imply Microsoft, as software issues can be attributed to software created by third-party software developers, the PC maker, or Microsoft. Related: New 4-inch iPhone and 'iPad Air 3' get March release date, report says Windows System hangs: a host of small annoyances like system slowdowns due to seemingly trivial software issues are nothing new to Windows users. One example of a quirk thats been particularly irksome for me is a right-click freeze. This happened on two late-model (new) PCs from two different top-tier PC makers which means its a Windows problem, not a hardware problem. In short, if I right-clicked on the Windows desktop, I would get the spinning busy blue circle. This had the (very annoying) effect of hanging i.e., slowing down everything. It was a show-stopper for me. After some research, I solved this by diving into the Windows Registry (on both laptops) and making changes. But thats not something the average user will do. Windows Processes weirdness: there are just too many examples to even begin to cover them all here. So, Ill focus on a very recent one that shows how a rogue process can cripple your system. One afternoon, all of the browsers I had open (Google Chrome, Firefox, and the Microsoft Edge browser) suddenly stopped loading pages. After being completely befuddled for a couple of hours, I decided to glance at the Windows 10 Task Manager under the Processes tab - I noticed that the CPU usage was maxing out bouncing around between 98 percent and 100 percent, without falling back down into normal ranges. This is a red flag if youre doing relatively undemanding tasks. I solved it by isolating the problem process and disabling it. This immediately got the CPU percentage back to normal levels and all Web pages began loading normally. But it was time consuming to fix. And is your average user going to be able to figure something like this out? I wonder. Microsoft Edge browser: while I was optimistic at first about the Edge browser, it has not worn well for me. Ive stopped (except on rare occasions) using it because it can't be used on other operating systems (just Windows 10) like Chrome and Firefox can. And its behavior on the two Windows laptops I use regularly is erratic. While all browsers can behave unpredictably, Edge is more prone to that behavior than other browsers. Related: Samsung Galaxy S7 vs. iPhone 7 rumor roundup After contacting Microsoft about the problems cited above, I was put in touch with a Microsoft support specialist, who offered suggested fixes. Because I had already fixed two of the issues mentioned above on my own, I focused on the Edge browser. The specialist took control of my computer for about 30 minutes and tweaked some settings and erased unnecessary temporary files, among other things. I won't know if his changes helped until I use Edge on a regular basis. And OS X? While its not flawless, I just spent more than a month using a new MacBook, pretty much all day every day. It was a relatively problem-free experience compared to Windows 10. Ironically, the only consistent, thorny problem I had on OS X was with Microsofts OneDrive (Microsofts file hosting service) for OS X. (I also have had show-stopping problems with OneDrive on Windows 10 -- but I won't go into that here.) Let me repeat, OS X is not flawless it has its own gotchas as any operating environment does. And Windows is indispensable for running many critical business applications not to mention gaming. But, for me, reliability is really important, if not paramount. And in that department OS X is the clear winner. Related: iPhone 7 rumored to wow with killer camera, reports say As a postscript, my experience obviously does not apply to everyone. And I plan to revisit the Windows 10 vs. OS X topic again. As, I said, this is not intended as a blanket statement about OS X's across-the-board superiority, just one aspect based on my own experience. A Texas mayor wants federal agents to investigate after a black banner with Arabic-style writing was seen mysteriously hanging from the top of a government-owned building on Monday. The banner, draped from the roof of Citizens Tower in Lubbock, was black with a red heart in the center and the words alhab lljamie printed in white. An Arabic-speaking source translated that to love all, according to FOX34. The flag was stabilized with two cinder blocks, Lubbock Online reported. Mayor Glen Robertson asked City Manager James Loomis to have the flag removed from the building, which was formerly known as the Omni Building. I have sent Mr. Loomis an email requesting that we remove the Arabic flag from the Omni building, that we take all steps necessary to secure the building and that Chief [Greg] Stevens notify the Department of Homeland Security, FBI and the Lubbock Sheriffs Office, Robertson said in a public statement. It is premature to come to conclusions before we can gather more facts but I believe that we must take this situation seriously in light of current national and international events. Stevens said the sheriffs department had received three reports of trespassing at Citizens Tower since 2014. The building, mostly vacant except for construction work, is surrounded by equipment and the banner case is being treated as a trespassing investigation. Even though the message seems to be innocuous and well-meaning, that was not the best way to go about spreading the message, Councilman Victor Hernandez told Lubbock Online. Click for more from FOX34. Police charged a 19-year-old man on Monday in the weekend shooting of a Clarksdale police officer. Assistant Clarksdale Police Chief Robbie Linley said Johnny Robinson Jr. was charged with attempted murder and one count of armed robbery in the shooting of Cpl. Derrick Couch. The officer remained in critical condition in a Memphis hospital. Clarksdale Mayor Bill Luckett and other officials visited Couch there Monday. Luckett said Couch remains sedated and unconscious in an intensive care unit, after being shot in the face Saturday. Luckett has said the bullet is lodged in his brain. Family members told WHBQ-TV Monday that Couch underwent surgery to reattach his eye. "He's sedated and resting quietly. That's the best I can describe it," Luckett said. "We're just keeping our fingers crossed, hoping for the best." Bail was set at $700,000 by a Clarksdale municipal judge. It wasn't immediately clear Monday if Robinson has a lawyer to speak for him. Linley told The Associated Press that Robinson is unlikely to make a court appearance until at least Thursday. The shooting happened about four blocks from a convenience store that two men in masks had just robbed Saturday night. The store and City Hall, which houses the police department, are on the same block, although the store faces a different direction. Robinson was also charged Monday with an October robbery of the same store. Lindley says police are seeking a second man in connection with Saturday's armed robbery, but don't believe he was involved in shooting Couch. Police questioned a man Sunday, but Linley said he was released after police determined he wasn't involved. Luckett said Robinson's father brought him to the police station Sunday afternoon. A search warrant produced "telling evidence" at the family's home, Luckett said, and parts of the crime are captured on video recordings from the store and other locations. Couch's father, Alonzo Hardiman, told WMC-TV Monday that he's some signs of hope from his son. "Doctor asked him to move his feet a little and he did do it, so he's a little better," Hardiman said. "It didn't have to go that way. They didn't have to rob a person and they surely didn't have to shoot my son." Couch is a father of five, a pastor at a Tunica church and has been a police officer for more than six years. Hardiman said his son was shot doing what he loves. "Being a police officer seemed to have been one of his greatest joys besides being a family man and a minister," he said. A treacherous mix of snow, sleet and freezing rain turned morning commutes to icy misery Tuesday for many returning from a long holiday weekend in the Northeast, a day after suspected twisters tore through parts of the South. At least three deaths were reported on slick roads, all in Virginia, and motorists battled hazardous road conditions over a wide area from the Mid-Atlantic states through Pennsylvania to northern New England. In the West, California and Arizona braced for more record warm temperatures after basking in the high 80s and low 90s on Monday. Millions along the East Coast, meanwhile, were still shivering from a deep freeze. In Washington, the federal government was opening three hours late after freezing rain coated the capital city in ice atop the several inches of snow that fell Monday. The U.S. Office of Personnel Management, which sets leave for 300,000 federal workers, said employees also could opt for unscheduled leave or telework. Messy snow, sleet and freezing rain made driving hazardous around the Northeast. Separate tractor-trailer crashes within miles of each other shut the Thruway in upstate New York near Albany for a while Tuesday morning. Authorities later reopened most lanes. In northeastern Pennsylvania, a crash involving several cars and tractor-trailers is caused a pileup that closed Interstate 81 before dawn Tuesday. Only minor injuries were reported. Roads in the area were icy after recent snow turned to freezing rain. Buffalo's public works department called in extra crews to remove fresh overnight snowfall. The National Weather Service said accumulations could range from 2 to 4 inches in the Hudson Valley to 18 inches between Rochester and Buffalo. In the South, suspected tornados associated with the big storm system turned several homes to rubble Monday in the northwest corner of Florida's Panhandle and in Mississippi. Authorities say more than a dozen homes were destroyed in both states. There were no immediate reports of any deaths or serious injuries from the reported twisters. One of three apparent twisters swept through Century, a rural town in the northwest Florida Panhandle, destroying or significantly damaging about 10 homes, Escambia County spokeswoman Joy Tsubooka said. Donald Pugh was at home in Century when the funnel tore through his neighborhood of small wood-frame houses and mobile homes, downing trees. Pugh told The Associated Press that he and other neighbors used a chain saw to free a 94-year-old woman, stuck under a twisted metal door and other debris of her home. "It took us quite a while," he said. "She was telling us where she was and that she was OK," Pugh added. The woman was taken to a hospital as a precaution. In Mississippi, windows were blown out of cars and two gymnasiums and a library were damaged Monday at a K-12 school in Wesson where children were in attendance when heavy thunderstorms and a possible tornado crossed at least 19 counties. No students were hurt. In Virginia, State Police said they responded to at least three fatal crashes on icy roads, a fraction of nearly 100 crashes reported statewide. Two utility companies reported thousands of people without power early Tuesday. Police say a Virginia trooper and two other people were on the median of Route 288 in Chesterfield County near Richmond when they were hit by a vehicle Monday evening, throwing one person into a nearby firefighter. Police said that person was pronounced dead and the trooper and the second person were taken to a hospital with serious injuries. In Virginia's Fauquier County, police said, a 63-year-old man was killed Monday when his SUV hit a snow plow. In Loudoun County, a woman was killed Monday night when her car rear-ended a backhoe, according to police. In several Northeastern cities including New York, Boston and Hartford, Connecticut temperatures had dipped Sunday below zero, falling to minus 40 on Mount Washington in New Hampshire. Many communities were expecting warmer temperatures to follow. In the West, Arizona and California were baking in the heat: It was 89 on Monday in downtown Los Angeles, breaking 1977's record of 88. The National Weather Service forecast that Phoenix would hit highs of 89 Tuesday and 92 Wednesday, above the previous records of 84 and 88 degrees, respectively. In Orange County, Santa Ana hit 94, well above the 89 recorded in 1977. In Phoenix, Arizona, the fire department issued hot weather safety tips such as not leaving children or pets unattended in vehicles, staying hydrated, and scheduling outdoor activities in the cooler morning and evening hours. A woman who police said accused ex-New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer of assault later recanted and apologized in an email before leaving the country, according to Spitzers lawyer. Adam Kaufmann said in a statement obtained by The New York Post on Tuesday that the woman recanted the allegations of assault in an unsolicited email sent to Spitzer which confirms that no assault occurred. On Monday, Kaufmann noted the woman did not want to cooperate with law enforcement and had already left on a flight to Russia on Sunday evening. Unsolicited, she has indicated that any allegations of assault were false, Kaufmann said, adding it was unfortunate that the woman's emotional difficulties had been made public. Mr. Spitzer acted appropriately at all times during this incident. He has been and intends to remain fully cooperative in the event there is any further inquiry by relevant authorities. The incident in question began Saturday evening when the woman called 911 from a $1,000-a-night room rented by Spitzer at the Plaza Hotel, two law enforcement officials with knowledge of the case told The Associated Press. The 25-year-old woman, who Kaufmann has identified but FoxNews.com is not identifying, then called back to try to cancel the emergency call, but police were already en route, the officials said. Unsolicited, she has indicated that any allegations of assault were false." Adam Kaufmann The woman initially said she was fine but responding officers noticed broken glass and a cut on her arm and transported her to a hospital. While at the hospital, the woman told doctors she had a relationship with the 56-year-old Spitzer, and he choked her and shoved her during an argument, officials said. Later, she became totally uncooperative and declined to press charges, according to The Post, citing sources. Spitzer phoned the woman repeatedly at the hospital and even showed up looking for her, a source told The Post. Spitzer has not elaborated on what his relationship was with the woman, however, he said in a statement that she was not my girlfriend. Subsequent press reports have identified the woman as a high-priced prostitute. Kaufmann denied that Spitzer had injured the woman, instead saying she was distraught and Mr. Spitzer sought to keep her calm. Police have yet to interview Spitzer. Mr. Spitzer acted appropriately at all times during this incident, Kaufmann said in Tuesdays statement. He has been and intends to remain fully cooperative in the event there is any further inquiry by relevant authorities. Spitzer, a Democrat, resigned two years into his term as governor in 2008 amid revelations that he had sex with prostitutes. He was identified as a patron of a high-priced prostitution ring during a federal investigation, but he was never charged. His attempt at a political comeback failed when he lost his bid to become New York City's comptroller in 2013. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Prasad Moparti watched his daughter walk down the aisle on her wedding day . . . and then he vanished. The 55-year-old father of the bride left his daughters picturesque California wedding on Saturday afternoon and hasnt been seen since the reception, FOX40 reported. I think he just went for a casual walk because one of my family members actually saw him walking down the road, said Durga Moparti, Prasads daughter. But the effort to find Prasad has been complicated by his seemingly voluntary stroll and his demeanor before disappearing. Prasad flew in from India about a month ago for the Walnut Grove wedding and was described as being recently homesick. It sounded like he was a little depressed and he wanted to go back to India, Durga told KFOR. Rajesh Gutta, Durgas husband, said Prasad was not doing well. And while the Sacramento County Sheriffs Department has searched for Prasad, theyve classified him as a voluntary missing person. Wedding guests spent part of Saturdays reception looking for Prasad, and the sheriffs department scoured a nearby river and brought in a cadaver dog, all to no avail. I believe that he was just walking and he fell unconscious, and he just tripped or something like that, Durga said. But Im really not sure what happened, and this seems like a total mystery. The space where Prasad disappeared can be dangerous terrain for those who dont know the landscape. You got to be careful, Ron Retlzlaff, who regularly fishes in the area, told KCRA. Yeah, a rock slips out, you hit your head. Durga and Rajesh said theyve put their planned honeymoon on hold until they get some closure about what happened to Prasad. Our only focus is to get our father back, Durga said. And our efforts will continue until we get our father back. Click for more from FOX40. A homeless California woman gave birth in the bathroom of a fast food restaurant on Monday and then left her newborn crying in a toilet, police said. Police followed a trail of blood leading from a Subway restaurant in a West Corvina shopping center to track down Mary Grace Trinidad, 38, FOX11 reported. Trinidad was located at a Pep Boys Auto Parts & Service store in the same center. Subway customers found the baby laying in toilet water and crying. Employees went inside and saw an umbilical cord hanging out of the toilet, West Covina Police spokesman Rudy Lopez told FOX11. Then they found the baby in the toilet. The newborn was rushed to the hospital and remains in critical condition, Lopez said. Trinidad was taken to the hospital and is expected to be charged with child abandonment and attempted murder following her arrest after she is discharged by doctors. She also was wanted for an unrelated narcotics offense. Shopping center employees told FOX11 that Trinidad had been hanging around the area for about a year. Its getting ugly in South Carolina. Donald Trump waging a verbal war against Ted Cruz and Jeb Bush. Trump released a statement calling Ted Cruz a liar. He also doubled down on his attacks on Jeb Bush and what he calls the failures of former President George W Bush as President Bush began campaigning for his brother in South Carolina. Ted Cruz has unleashed a slew of new anti-Trump advertising. Zeke J Miller and Philip Elliott write in Daily Beast: Donald Trump has a very simple message: Ted Cruz is a dirty, rotten, no-good, Canadian liar. To hammer that point home, he used the words lie, lying and liar six times in 90 seconds during one question he took from reporters on Monday. At other points, the real estate mogul called the Texas Senator dishonest, unstable and, for good measure, a Canadian. Hes a lying guy. A really lying guy. Some people misrepresent. This guy is just a plain-out liar. In fact, I felt better because Marco Rubio called him a liar the other night on stage, Trump said. I felt so much better. I said, Good, a politician called a politician. Now I can call him a liar. Faced with millions in negative ads on South Carolina airwaves from Cruz and former Florida governor Jeb Bushs super PAC, Trump seemed to be on the defensive. Perhaps feeling the pressure, he called on Cruz to take down his ads or face a lawsuit over his birthplace. It was one of the most transparently opportunistic and bullying moments of Trumps already precedent-defying campaign. My only worry about South Carolina is that my opponents lie, Trump said, revealing a crack in his signature confidence. Especially Cruz. Hes the single biggest liar Ive ever seen. Ed O'Keefe Philip Rucker write in The Washington Post: Former president George W. Bush made a folksy and resolute return to the political arena here Monday night after a seven-year hibernation, trying to enliven his brother's flagging campaign and stop Republicans from coalescing around front-runner Donald Trump. Though he never uttered the billionaire mogul's name, Bush delivered an unmistakable rebuke to Trump's candidacy ahead of next Saturday's critical South Carolina primary by touting the importance of humility in leadership and warning that "bluster" and "theatrics" must not be mistaken for strength. "Americans are angry and frustrated, but we do not need someone in the Oval Office who mirrors and inflames our frustration," Bush said. He added, "Strength is not empty rhetoric. It is not bluster. It is not theatrics. Real strength, strength of purpose, comes from integrity and character." In another implicit contrast with Trump, Bush said that his brother was "a man of deep and humble faith that reveals itself through good works, not loud words." He then said, "All of the sloganeering and all of the talk doesn't matter if we don't win." Hillary Clinton seems to be more vulnerable than once thought in Nevada. Heres how the Washington Post put it today: Until quite recently, Clinton's campaign saw Nevada as a chance for a face-saving victory after an anticipated defeat in New Hampshire. But that defeat turned out to be a trouncing. Now, the Sanders campaign is trying to prove that she can be beaten anywhere. Nevada, where the senator from Vermont is facing off against Clinton's allies among organized labor leaders and a Latino-heavy electorate, has become the first test. Clinton's hopes rested on her overwhelming advantage among voters of color - part of a "firewall" her aides have claimed in many states that follow overwhelmingly white Iowa and New Hampshire on the electoral calendar. Sanders, however, is betting that his appeal among young and working-class voters, revealed so dramatically in New Hampshire, is strong enough to transcend race. Meanwhile, Bill Clinton on the campaign trail.. is increasingly seen as a mixed blessing. Lots of live events for us to monitor today. 1000EST -- Dr Ben Carson holds a press conference. Spartan Felt, Inc., Roebuck, SC. LIVE via LiveU 1000EST -- OH Gov Kasich holds a town hall meeting. Livonia GOP Field Office, Livonia, MI. LIVE via LiveU 1000EST -- Sen Cruz makes a military speech. USS Yorktown, Mt Pleasant, SC. LIVE via LiveU 1030EST -- Fmr FL Gov Jeb Bush tour FN Manufacturing and holds a town hall meeting. Columbia, SC. LIVE via LiveU 1200EST -- Dr Ben Carson attends lunch and holds a town hall meeting with the Cherokee County GOP. Daddy Joe's BBQ, Gaffney, SC. LIVE via LiveU 1210EST -- Sen Rubio holds a town hall meeting. Dorchester Boat Club, Summerville, SC. LIVE via LiveU 1000EST -- Sen Sanders attends a prayer breakfast. Allen Univ, Columbia, SC. LIVE via LiveU 1130EST -- Sen Sanders holds a town hall meeting. Univ of South Carolina, Columbia, SC. LIVE via LiveU President Obama is vowing to push ahead with plans to fill the vacancy left by the sudden death of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia. The New York Times today writing, Senate Republicans on Monday began to close ranks behind a vow by Senator Mitch McConnell, the majority leader, to block consideration of any nominee to replace Justice Antonin Scalia, who died over the weekend, for the remainder of President Obama's term. Senator Rob Portman, Republican of Ohio, who faces re-election this year, said in a statement that the Senate should follow what he called ''common practice'' to stop acting on lifetime appointments during the last year of a presidential term. Senator Patrick J. Toomey, Republican of Pennsylvania, agreed, leaving nearly every vulnerable Republican incumbent backing Mr. McConnell's pledge. Justice Scalia's death has given Mr. Obama a tantalizing opportunity to reshape the Supreme Court, but cementing a lasting legacy on American jurisprudence will present a familiar challenge: breaking the will of Republicans. Weather is all over the place right now. In California they are in the middle of a record-breaking heat wave with San Francisco hitting 77, and Los Angeles hitting the high 80s and even 90s! So much for drought relief. On the East Coast, a messy mix of snow and ice has been replaced by 50 degree weather in the Northeast. The Mid-Atlantic cleaning up after snow storms. Tornadoes reported in Florida and Mississippi. President Obama holds a news conference from California this afternoon after wrapping a two day summit of Asian allies who are part of ASEAN.. Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar and Cambodia. The two day summit has tackled the increasing aggression of China, and the threat from North Korea. South Korea is warning about the possibility of a collapse of North Korea as the North steps up is military aggression against the world. Markets are expected to surge at the open along with oil prices. Dow futures are up more than 250 points. Saudi Arabia, Russia, Venezuela and Qatar have agreed to freeze oil output as a glut continues to weigh on the price of oil. Its unclear if the production halt will slow the fall in oil and gas prices. More oil came on market when sanctions against Iran were lifted. Fighting escalates further in Syria. Russia is denying it was behind an airstrike that killed at least nine at a hospital in northern Syria. EU is considering new barriers to entry for refugees as several EU countries are overwhelmed by immigrants. Taylor Swifts 1989 won album of the year at last nights Grammys. Be sure to tune in today for Jon Scotts in-depth look at the refurbishment of the iconic TWA terminal at JFK Airport in New York. Part I will air at 11:20am ET. Part II will air at 1:35 pm ET. For more news, follow me on Twitter: @ClintPHenderson Students at a Catholic college in Rhode Island have occupied the president's office over allegations of racism on campus. At least 20 Providence College students sat in the office of the Rev. Brian Shanley on Tuesday and planned to stay until he signed an agreement of commitment. The students said Shanley hasn't responded to a list of demands they presented to the school's administration in December. Associate Vice President Steven Maurano told the Providence Journal that Shanley couldn't sign the group's agreement because some of the demands, such as curriculum changes, cannot be made without a discussion with faculty. Providence College officials haven't allowed media on campus. About 75 to 100 Providence College students staged a demonstration in November calling on Shanley to address racism on campus. Historians in Australia are working to determine how a letter sent around 1870 from Paris on a hot air balloon ended up in archives more than 10,000 miles away in Sydney. The letter, measuring about 8-by-5 inches and which has no papertrail, was brought to light when country officials discussed developing an exhibit. The stamp on the letter indicates that it was sent on Dec. 7, sometime between 1870 and 1871, the BBC reported. The letter was sent during the Franco-Prussian war, from the author, Charles Mesnier (or Mesmier) to his mother. The letter mentions some real battles and reassures the family not to worry about him. The BBC reported that there is hope that relatives of the sender live in Australia. The current theory is that the letter was bought at an auction. NDTV reported that balloon mail was one of the few ways people could communicate in Paris. These flights often took place under the cover of night and thousands of letters were delivered using this method. We were delving into our collections to see what material connects to France, and it was extraordinary to find this intriguing piece of history, Louis Doyle, the assistant director general at Australias National Archive, told the BBC. Three Americans who were abducted in Baghdad last month have been freed Tuesday, Iraqi officials told The Associated Press. The three officials, speaking on condition of anonymity as they were not authorized to brief the press, said Tuesday that the Americans were freed by the Iraqi intelligence service. They say the three are in good health and have been handed over to the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad. The embassy could not immediately be reached for comment. The embassy confirmed in January that several Americans had disappeared. Iraqi authorities said the three were kidnapped from a "suspicious apartment" without elaborating. Iraqi and Western officials said they suspected one of two powerful Shiite militias was behind the kidnapping. "We are aware of reports that American citizens are missing in Iraq," State Department spokesperson John Kirby had told Fox News in January. "The safety and security of American citizens overseas is our highest priority. We are working with the full cooperation of the Iraqi authorities to locate and recover the individuals. Due to privacy considerations, I have nothing further." An Iraqi police colonel had told AFP on condition of anonymity that three Americans and an Iraqi translator were kidnapped in southern Baghdad by militiamen wearing military uniforms. "We don't know what their work is," the colonel said of the Americans. A spokesman for Baghdad's Joint Operations Command had told The Washington Post that the three citizens were Iraqis who had acquired U.S. citizenship. Fox News' Lucas Tomlinson contributed to this report. The four U.S. journalists released in Bahrain Tuesday after being arrested while covering the anniversary of the island nation's 2011 uprising are preparing to fly out of the country, a lawyer says. Despite facing charges, Bahraini officials allowed them to head for the airport, apparently after the intervention of the U.S. Embassy in Manama, The Associated Press reports. Bahrain is the home of the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet, which patrols the Persian Gulf and surrounding waterways crucial to the global oil trade. Their arrest and charges highlight the sensitivity the kingdom still feels five years after the uprising, as low-level unrest and protests continue. While we believe the four should not have been held at all, we are grateful to the Bahraini authorities for facilitating their timely release, read a statement issued Tuesday on behalf of the families. We are awaiting news of their current location and hope they will be free to return to the United States as soon as possible, the statement added. The journalists had left a police station after meeting with prosecutors and were on their way to the airport to fly out Tuesday night, lawyer Mohammed al-Jishi told The Associated Press. Authorities kept their cameras and computers, al-Jishi said. The reporters had been held since their arrests Sunday while covering protests in Sitra, a Shiite community outside of the capital, Manama. Bahrain police initially said they detained the four Americans on Sunday for providing "false information that they were tourists" and also alleged that one took part in an attack on Bahraini officers. In a statement Tuesday, Manama's chief prosecutor Nawaf al-Awadi said the journalists' possession of cameras and computers sparked their investigation. It said the journalists were freed "pending the completion of the investigation." An Arabic version of the statement from al-Awadi said the journalists had been charged with illegally assembling with the intent to commit a crime. A later English version carried by the state-run Bahrain News Agency said they were charged with "unlawful obstruction of vehicles and attending unlawful gatherings." The differences between the two could not be immediately reconciled. The nature of the journalists' release suggests they'll likely be banned from returning to Bahrain. The U.S. Embassy in Manama declined to immediately comment on news of the journalists' release. On Monday, U.S. Ambassador William V. Roebuck met with Bahraini Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, according to a late-night statement on the Bahrain News Agency. Only one of the four journalists has been identified so far, freelancer Anna Therese Day of Boise, Idaho. The families of the other three wish their names remain private. A friend of Day's, Jesse Ayala, has said the journalists were simply doing their job and denied they took part in any "illegal behavior." Day had previously contributed to The Huffington Post and The Daily Beast. Police said one of the journalists was a woman and three were men. On Sunday, police arrested a photographer working with the group, two witnesses said. Later that night, police surrounded the area with checkpoints and arrested the other three, they said. The witnesses spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity for fear of being arrested. An Interior Ministry statement alleged one of the four journalists "was wearing a mask and participating in attacks on police alongside other rioters in Sitra." The statement also said the journalists entered the country between Thursday and Friday on tourist visas. "At least some of the arrestees were in the country as members of the international media but had not registered with the concerned authority and were involved in illegal activities," the statement said, without elaborating on what those activities were. Bahrain requires international journalists to obtain special media visas before entering to work. The island kingdom allows citizens of many countries, including the United States, to get a tourist visa on arrival. Obtaining a media visa takes several days, and activists say Bahrain has denied media visas for some journalists since the 2011 protests. The 2011 protests in Bahrain were the largest of the Arab Spring wave of demonstrations to rock the Gulf Arab states. They were driven by the country's Shiite majority, which demanded greater political rights from the Sunni-led monarchy. The protests were quashed after Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates sent in reinforcements. Bahrain blamed regional Shiite power Iran for stirring up the demonstrations, though a government-sponsored investigation into the unrest said there wasn't a "discernable link" between the protests and the Islamic Republic based on the information the government gave them. Bahrain's government committed to a number of reforms in the wake of the 2011 demonstrations, but low-level unrest continues, particularly in Shiite communities. Small groups of activists frequently clash with riot police and bombs occasionally target security forces. Hundreds of Bahraini youths protested Sunday on the fifth anniversary of the uprising. The New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists said at least six reporters are imprisoned by the kingdom over their work. "It is sad that the fifth anniversary of the protests is marked by the arrest of yet more journalists in Bahrain, which has since become one of the worst jailers of journalists in the Arab world," said Sherif Mansour, the committee's Middle East and North Africa program coordinator. The Associated Press contributed to this report. The Chinese military has deployed an advanced surface-to-air missile system to one of its contested islands in the South China Sea according to civilian satellite imagery exclusively obtained by Fox News, more evidence that China is increasingly "militarizing" its islands in the South China Sea and ramping up tensions in the region. The imagery from ImageSat International (ISI) shows two batteries of eight surface-to-air missile launchers as well as a radar system on Woody Island, part of the Paracel Island chain in the South China Sea. It is the same island chain where a U.S. Navy destroyer sailed close to another contested island a few weeks ago. China at the time vowed consequences for the action. Woody Island is also claimed by Taiwan and by Vietnam. The missiles arrived over the past week. According to the images, a beach on the island was empty on Feb. 3, but the missiles were visible by Feb. 14. A U.S. official confirmed the accuracy of the photos. The official said the imagery viewed appears to show the HQ-9 air defense system, which closely resembles Russias S-300 missile system. The HQ-9 has a range of 125 miles, which would pose a threat to any airplanes, civilians or military, flying close by. This comes as President Obama hosts 10 leaders from Southeast Asia -- Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Bruneil, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar and Cambodia -- in Palm Springs, many of those leaders concerned over Chinas recent activity in the South China Sea. "The United States will continue to fly, sail and operate wherever international law allows," Obama said Tuesday. The Pentagon was watching the developments closely, a defense official told Fox News. "The United States continues to call on all claimants to halt land reclamation, construction, and militarization of features in the South China Sea," the official said. In the past two years, China has built over 3,000 acres of territory atop seven reefs in the area. There are a total of three runways built on three of the artificial islands. This development comes weeks after the U.S. Navy guided-missile destroyer USS Curtis Wilbur (DDG-54) sailed within 12 nautical miles of Triton Island, part of the Paracel Island chain in the South China Sea. The incident drew strong condemnation from Chinas defense ministry who vowed there would be consequences. A Chinese military spokesman said the U.S. warship violated Chinese law and was a deliberate provocation. The Chinese issued warnings to the U.S. ship and expelled it swiftly, according to a statement from Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying. The U.S. Navy denied that any warnings took place. The statement from the Chinese defense ministry warned sailing that close to the island may cause extremely dangerous consequences. The incident in the South China Sea in late January came days after Secretary of State John Kerry visited Beijing to discuss regional issues including Chinas contested islands in the South China Sea. During a press conference in Beijing with Kerry, Chinas foreign minister pledged not to "militarize" the disputed islands. "China has given a commitment of not engaging in so-called militarization, and we will honor that commitment. And we cannot accept the allegation that Chinas words are not being matched by actions," Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said. But Wang left himself some diplomatic space for the deployment of weapons to protect the islands. "There are some necessary facilities for self-defense," he added. Kerry said the United States "does not take sides on the sovereignty questions underlying the territorial disputes." But his Chinese counterpart was less ambiguous. "I pointed out to Secretary Kerry that the South China Sea Islands have historically been China's territory. China has a right to protect its own territorial sovereignty," Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said. In early January, China tested one of the runways by landing two civilian airliners on Fiery Cross Reef in the Spratly island chain of islands. Pentagon officials are concerned that military aircraft could be next. Monday, the commander of the Navys 7th fleet, responsible for the waters of the western Pacific, told reporters, We are unsure where they are taking us," and urged Beijing to be more open with its military operations. It could relieve "some of the angst we are now seeing," Vice Admiral Joseph Aucoin said, pledging that the U.S. military would continue to conduct freedom of operations missions close to the contested Chinese islands, including flying aircraft overhead. The mother of a Georgia teenager said Monday that officials have given her no answers on the death of her son in Belize hours after he arrived there on a class trip. North Cobb High School freshman Tomari Jackson was reported missing Saturday while his group was in shallow water near a river bank after a hike at the Monkey Bay Wildlife Sanctuary. His body soon turned up after a search. It just doesnt make sense to me at all, the boy's mother, Adell Forbes, told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Relatives say the teen was a Boy Scout who knew how to swim. He was Forbes' only child, and would have turned 15 on Monday. The group consisted of 32 students and six chaperones, district spokeswoman Lauretta Hannon said. Those students returned to Georgia early Tuesday, Fox 5 reports. District officials say they worked with the U.S. Embassy to coordinate travel arrangements. Counselors will be at the school when students return to class from winter break Feb. 22. Superintendent Chris Ragsdale says officials' top priority is supporting Jackson's family, students and staff. Click for more from Fox 5. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Pope Francis heads into the heart of Mexico's drug-trafficking country Tuesday for meetings with young people, whom he is holding up as the hope for a better future for a country wracked by the violence and gang warfare of the drug trade. Francis' visit to Morelia, the capital of Michoacan state, a hotbed of narcotics production and smuggling, will also give him a chance to send a message about his vision for the future of the Mexican church. Last year, Francis made a cardinal out of Morelia Archbishop Alberto Suarez Inda, one of several "peripheral" bishops elevated to the highest ranks of the church's governance. Like the pope, Suarez Inda has called for Mexico's church leaders to put aside their comfortable lives and become pastors with the "smell of their sheep." It's a famous phrase of the pope's about the need for bishops to accompany their flock closely through life's ups and downs. Since beginning his Mexico trip Friday night, Francis has repeatedly taken to task the Mexican church leadership, many of whom have been reluctant to criticize the wealthy and powerful elite to whom they have close ties. On Saturday in Mexico City, he scolded what he called gossiping, career-minded and aloof clerics, and admonished them to stand by their flock and offer "prophetic courage" in facing down the drug trade. In an inscription in a seminary guestbook, he urged future priests to be pastors of God instead of "clerics of the state." The pope's stop in Morelia signals that he fully backs Suarez Inda's pastoral program and holds him up as a model for other clerics to emulate. In 2013, at what was perhaps the height of the violence in Michoacan, Suarez Inda led eight other bishops in signing an unusually outspoken letter accusing government authorities of "complicity, forced or willing," with criminal gangs. It urged priests to "do whatever is in your power" to help people in an atmosphere of kidnappings, killings and extortion and to "carry out concrete actions in favor of peace and reconciliation." Suarez Inda clearly backs Francis' ideas about the role of clerics in contemporary Mexico, echoing the pope's admonition that "pastors should not be bureaucrats and we bishops should not have the mentality or attitude of princes." The pope "shakes up the conscience of priests in order that we not be mediocre, installed priests who simply seek social promotion, but rather that we truly live our calling to serve the people with great generosity," Suarez Inda told the Mexican newspaper El Universal last month. Suarez Inda was also part of a group of clergy from Michoacan and neighboring Guerrero state who prepared a report on Mexico's drug violence last year that he said left Francis "very shocked and impressed." Francis may outline more of his vision for the church during a Mass celebrated with clerics, seminarians and nuns at a stadium. But the day's highlight could come in his final event, a gathering of Mexican youth. Francis often speaks off the cuff when meeting with young people, and he will almost certainly touch on the drug problem. Much of Michoacan is part of a region called Tierra Caliente, or the Hot Lands, known for both its blistering temperatures and brutal tactics by gangsters eager to control lucrative drug-production territory and smuggling routes. By 2013, the pseudo-religious, evangelical-inspired Knights Templar cartel was widely kidnapping and extorting money and dominating the state's economic and political scene so much that local farmers took up arms against them. But the uprising by the vigilante-style "self-defense" forces brought little peace to the state, with the groups fighting among themselves even as new criminal gangs sprang up or tried to muscle their way into Michoacan, a big source of methamphetamine production. "I'm excited about the pope's visit, but the reality is that people are afraid. Right now there is a festive atmosphere and a lot of police, but in the day-to-day it's not that calm. Crime has risen," said Yulisa Duran, an 18-year-old nursing student sitting with her boyfriend in Morelia's main square. "I lived in a tiny town that was very gentle, and then the (cartel) came in," Duran added. On Monday, Francis denounced centuries-old exploitation and exclusion of Mexico's indigenous people in the southern state of Chiapas and said the world can learn from their traditions. "Some have considered your values, culture and traditions to be inferior," he said. "Others, intoxicated by power, money and market trends, have stolen your lands or contaminated them." He called for a collective "Forgive me." In San Cristobal de las Casas, Francis celebrated a Mass that featured readings in native Mayan languages. He also made a point of praying before the tomb of Bishop Samuel Ruiz, who ministered to Mexico's poorest and supported the controversial practice of blending their indigenous culture into Catholic rituals. Russia on Tuesday rebuffed claims that its warplanes struck a hospital supported by Doctors Without Borders in northern Syria in airstrikes the previous day that killed at least nine as Syrian government forces and a predominantly Kurdish coalition made gains against rivals in the country's north. In Moscow, President Vladimir Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters the hospital report was another case in which those who make accusations against Russia cannot back them up. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights had said Russian warplanes targeted the hospital in Idlib province on Monday, destroying it and killing nine people. The makeshift clinic was supported by the international aid group, also known by its French acronym MSF. France said that such attacks "could constitute war crimes." Peskov, in a conference call with journalists, said those who make such accusations should instead do as Moscow does and rely on the "primary source" official announcements from the Syrian government. When pressed, he told journalists the Syrian government had made a string of announcements on who could have been behind the bombing. He also noted that Syria's ambassador to Russia said the hospital was destroyed by the Americans. "We categorically reject such claims, even more so because each time those who make such claims prove unable somehow to corroborate their unsubstantiated accusations," Peskov said. MSF said the hospital in the town of Maaret al-Numan in Idlib province was hit four times in attacks that were minutes apart. The attack left the local population of around 40,000 without access to medical services, said MSF mission chief Massimiliano Rebaudengo. The Observatory and other opposition activists said another hospital in Maaret al-Numan was also hit Monday, most likely by a Syrian government airstrike. And in the neighboring Aleppo province, a missile struck a children's hospital in the town of Azaz, killing five people, including three children and a pregnant woman, according to the Observatory. A third air raid hit a school in a nearby village, killing seven and wounding others. Opposition official Abdulrahman Al-Hassan said the women's hospital in Azaz was hit by two surface-to-surface missiles, blaming the attack on Russia because "photos of the missiles have Russian language (and) because we haven't seen this kind (of missile) before the Russian intervention." The airstrikes came just days after Russia and other world powers agreed to bring about a pause in fighting that would allow for the delivery of humanitarian aid and the revival of Syrian peace talks. The projected truce agreed on Friday in Munich was to begin in a week, but there has been no sign it would happen. Meanwhile, Syrian government troops and a predominantly Kurdish coalition of fighters advanced and captured more areas in the north from rival groups on Tuesday, while pro-government forces routed extremists from a main power station in the area. The north has been the focus of the most intense clashes in recent weeks in Syria. Syria's state news agency SANA and the Observatory said government forces took the villages of Ahras and Misqan in the northern province of Aleppo. Separately, members of the Syria Democratic Forces, a coalition of Arab and Kurdish groups, captured the major town of Tel Rifaat, one of the largest militant strongholds in Aleppo. After Tel Rifaat, SDF fighters also took the nearby village of Kfar Naseh, south of the town. The SDF fighters are a separate entity in Syria's five-year civil war and have mostly battled the Islamic State group. Parts of the coalition oppose President Bashar Assad but have also fought against other rebels and the Western-backed opposition. Intense clashes broke out Tuesday near the village of Kaljibrin as SDF fighters tried to reach it, according to the Observatory and Aleppo-based activist Bahaa al-Halaby. If SDF captures Kaljibrin, it would squeeze rebels in their stronghold of Mareh and the adjacent village of Sheikh Issa, which is also under attack by ISIS. Also Tuesday, government forces and allied gunmen captured a power station in eastern Aleppo from ISIS that the extremists had used as a jailhouse. The Observatory said the station and nearby villages were captured under the cover of aerial attacks by Syrian and Russian warplanes and helicopter gunships. Meanwhile, in the city of Aleppo, insurgents repelled an attack by SDF fighters on the neighborhoods of Hullok and Bustan al-Basha, according to al-Halaby and the Aleppo Media Center. "They were trying to besiege (rebel-held parts) of the city of Aleppo but were forced out," al-Halaby said via Skype. In Damascus, the U.N. special envoy to Syria, Staffan de Mistura, met on Tuesday with Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem. In a brief statement to reporters after the meeting, de Mistura said the talks focused on "the issue of humanitarian and hindered access to all besieged areas, not only by the government but also by the opposition and ISIL," another acronym that refers to ISIS. The UN envoy arrived in the Syrian capital Monday for discussions on aid deliveries and how to resume peace talks in Geneva. Indirect peace talks between representatives of the Syrian government and the opposition collapsed earlier this month in Geneva after just two days, largely because of the government offensive in Aleppo. The current biggest killer of civilians in Syria is not the countrys army or the Islamic State terror group but Russia itself, according to an independent watchdog. An analysis by the Syrian Network for Human Rights alleges that throughout January, Russian airstrikes caused 679 of the 1,382 civilian deaths in Syria that month, Newsweek reported Monday. The watchdog group uses Syrian civil servants to confirm death tolls, and said out of the 679 civilians Russia is alleged to have killed, 94 were children and 73 were women. The report said ISIS was responsible for 98 deaths in January, while the Al Qaeda-affiliated Al Nusra Front was responsible for 42. The watchdog says Russias kill total comes mainly from air strikes on contested cities such as Deir ez-Zor, Aleppo, Idlib and Raqqa. Russia has repeatedly denied that its operations in Syria have been hitting civilian targets. Click for more from Newsweek. A former Islamic State sex slave who said she saw her family slaughtered in front of her is calling on humanity to be united in facing ISIS. Nadia Murad, 21, made the comments during a speech at Londons Trade Union Congress House, The Mirror reported Sunday. Murad, from the Iraqi town of Sinjar, said she was orphaned after ruthless ISIS militants killed six of her brothers and her mother. "When they took me to Mosul and raped me, I forgot my mother and brothers. Because what they were doing to the women was more difficult than death," she said. Murad said she was among the more than 5,000 Yazidi women taken captive when ISIS swept through the region, many of which were sold into the sex trade. "They were committing all kinds; murder, rape and displacing people by force in the name of Islam, she said, through tears, according to The Mirror. "Many people may think my story is difficult, but many more had more difficult than mine, she added. "They killed six of my brothers, but there are families that have lost 10 brothers. Murad said there are still 3,400 women being held captive by ISIS and 40 percent of Sinjar is still under their control. "What we are asking for is humanity to be united in facing ISIS. It is a threat to all the communities in the region," she said. Click for more from The Mirror. A 12-year-old Syrian boy is hoping for an audience with Swedish King Carl XVI Gustaf after describing his family's perilous journey to the Nordic country in a moving letter to the figurehead monarch. The royal palace confirmed Tuesday that the king had received the letter from Ahmed, whose mother asked that his surname not be published because he's a minor. The family is still waiting to hear whether it will be granted refugee status. Ahmed wrote that his family lived happily in Aleppo, Syria, "until the war started with the sound of missiles, shooting and terror." He described their escape to Greece in a "rubber boat" amid the cries of children and how his "heart was crushed" when he saw the tears of his mother. "I wanted to talk about my journey from Syria to Sweden," Ahmed told The Associated Press. "And I wanted to talk to him about Swedish people. I like the Swedish people very much." Ahmed wrote the letter in Arabic. Pooja Sharafi, a 29-year-old counsellor at the school in Malmo where Ahmed is enrolled, helped him get it translated into Swedish. "I was very moved when I read it," said Sharafi, whose parents fled to Sweden as refugees from Iran. He also posted the letter on Facebook. Royal palace spokesman Daniel Urso said the king replied on Feb. 11 but declined to disclose the details, saying it was a "private matter." However, Ahmed, his mother and Sharafi said none of them had seen a reply. The reason for the discrepancy wasn't immediately clear. Ahmed said he hopes to meet the king, who he had heard "is very kind to his people." In the letter, the boy said he even brought new clothes from Syria to wear in case he's able to meet the monarch. Ahmed said he is thankful that the family has found shelter in Sweden, one of the top destinations for asylum-seekers in Europe, and that he wants to repay the country when he grows up. "I want to be doctor in Sweden, big doctor," he told AP. "I want to do something very good to Swedish people because they gave me a beautiful place." ___ Jan M. Olsen reported from Copenhagen, Denmark. Turkey called Tuesday on the United States and its allies to take part in a joint ground operation in Syria, saying it is impossible to stop this war without a greater effort against a Moscow-backed Syrian government offensive. "We want a ground operation. If there is a consensus, Turkey will take part, a Turkish official, who declined to be named in order to speak more freely, told reporters in Istanbul, according to Reuters. Without a ground operation it is impossible to stop this war. There was no immediate U.S. response. A Syrian government offensive in recent weeks, assisted by Iranian-backed Shiite militias and Russian airstrikes, has brought President Bashar Assads forces within 15 miles of Turkey. Syrian Kurdish fighters, regarded by Turkey as hostile insurgents, also have capitalized on the chaos by capturing positions held by Syrian rebel fighters and bolstering their presence along the border. "Turkey is not going to have a unilateral ground operation ... We are discussing this with allies," the official said. Turkey, a key NATO member, already has been opening up its air bases to the U.S. and other members of the coalition fighting the Islamic State terror group in Syria. Last week, world powers meeting in Munich agreed to a pause in the fighting, but the apparent cease-fire is not set to begin until the end of the week, and it has not been approved by the warring Syrian parties, Reuters reports. Meanwhile, Damascus says it aims to recapture the city of Aleppo and seal off the border with Turkey, which has been used as the main supply route into rebel-held territory. On Monday, Turkey accused Russia of an obvious war crime after missiles hit two hospitals in Syria, killing at least 14 people, according to the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. Turkey also warned Kurdish fighters that it would face the harshest reaction if it tried to regain territory along the Turkish border. Russia on Tuesday denied responsibility for the attacks, saying groups are making accusations without evidence. The state of Texas continues to be a magnet for growth in the franchising industry, thanks in part to a new law the legislature enacted last year to protect the viability of franchise businesses. Nationwide, the franchise industry is expected to add 278,000 direct jobs to the economy for a total of 9.1 million and the number of establishments will grow by 13,358 to 795,932 in 2016. "Texas recognized the importance of defining the difference between franchisors and franchisees, and enacted legislation clarifying an employee of a franchisee is not an employee of the franchisor," said IFA State Director Jeff Hanscom. "This legislation provided clarity to the small business community in Texas and allowed the franchise business model to continue to thrive." State law S.B. 652 was signed in the wake of a decision by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) to change 50 years of federal labor law and legal precedent. In response, nearly a dozen states have passed or are considering actions to protect local franchises against federal government overreach. "State legislatures and courts across the country are responding to the NLRB's efforts to expand joint employer liability and through important legislation are preserving the franchise business model and the jobs and opportunity it creates," Hanscom stated. Texas boasts 66,355 franchise establishments and the industry is responsible for nearly 728,000 jobs throughout the state. "We are proud to be a Texas-based franchise brand," said Catherine Monson, President & CEO of Fastsigns International. "The franchise model has allowed hundreds of Fastsigns owners to build and grow their own small businesses, not only in Texas, but across the country. We appreciate that the Texas legislature understands the importance of the continued success of the business model in our state." Get Ready New Hampshire and Maine: Krispy Kreme Doughnuts are Coming Seven shops to open over several years. WINSTON-SALEM, N.C.- February 15, 2016 - (BUSINESS WIRE) - The Hot Lightis heading north! Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, Inc., (NYSE:KKD) today announced it has signed a development agreement with NH Glazed, LLC, to open four shops in New Hampshire and three in Maine over the next several years. The demand for Krispy Kreme doughnuts and coffee continues to grow throughout New England, so we are very happy to bring this iconic brand to New Hampshire and Maine, said Patricia Perry, Krispy Kreme Doughnuts Vice President, Global Franchise Development. Our partner, Cort Mendez, owner of NH Glazed, LLC, is experienced in the restaurant industry and is committed to delivering the high-quality Krispy Kreme Doughnuts experience to our customers in those states. Mendez previously owned 10 Five Guys franchises in New Hampshire. He said the Krispy Kreme Doughnuts fan base in both Maine and New Hampshire is already very strong, making this the ideal time to open the shops. Our team is excited to bring this iconic brand to the north and share that signature taste of Krispy Kremes sweet treats and premium coffee, said Mendez. We already have a nice following in both states, so were confident Krispy Kreme Doughnuts will become a fast favorite! Krispy Kreme Doughnuts is in the process of expanding its development efforts throughout the United States, with particular focus on the Northeast, Northwest and certain areas of the Midwest. There are currently almost 300 shops located in 41 states nationwide. About Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, Inc. Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, Inc., is a global retailer of premium-quality sweet treats, including its signature Original Glazed doughnut. Headquartered in Winston-Salem, N.C., the Company has offered the highest-quality doughnuts and great-tasting coffee since it was founded in 1937. Krispy Kreme Doughnuts is proud of its Fundraising program, which for decades has helped non-profit organizations raise millions of dollars in needed funds. The Company has more than 1,000 retail shops in 25 countries. Connect with Krispy Kreme Doughnuts at www.KrispyKreme.com, or on one its many social media channels, including www.Facebook.com/KrispyKreme, andwww.Twitter.com/KrispyKreme. Forward-Looking Statements Information contained in this press release, other than historical information, should be considered forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are based on managements beliefs, assumptions and expectations of our future economic performance, considering the information currently available to management. These statements are not statements of historical fact. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that may cause our actual results, performance or financial condition to differ materially from the expectations of future results, performance or financial condition we express or imply in any forward-looking statements. The words believe, may, forecast, could, will, should, would, anticipate, estimate, expect, intend, objective, seek, strive or similar words, or the negative of these words, identify forward-looking statements. Factors that could contribute to these differences include, but are not limited to: the quality of Company and franchise store operations; our ability, and our dependence on the ability of our franchisees, to execute on our and their business plans; our relationships with our franchisees; our ability to implement our international growth strategy; our ability to implement our domestic small shop operating model; political, economic, currency and other risks associated with our international operations; the price and availability of raw materials needed to produce doughnut mixes and other ingredients, and the price of motor fuel; our relationships with wholesale customers; our ability to protect our trademarks and trade secrets; changes in customer preferences and perceptions; risks associated with competition; risks related to the food service industry, including food safety and protection of personal information; compliance with government regulations relating to food products and franchising; increased costs or other effects of new government regulations relating to healthcare benefits; and risks associated with implementation of new technology platforms. These and other risks and uncertainties, which are described in more detail in the Companys most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and other reports and statements filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, are difficult to predict, involve uncertainties that may materially affect actual results and may be beyond the Companys control, and could cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by any of these forward-looking statements. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for management to predict all such factors or to assess the impact of each such factor on the Company. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which such statement is made, and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which such statement is made. SOURCE Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, Inc. Contact: Sarah Roof Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, Inc. Corporate Communications Coordinator 336-726-8878 sroof@krispykreme.com ### Comments: Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus. Disqus Dear Deb and colleagues You raise the question of academic culture. A complex story! Under the surface of the Ivory Tower image, its enormously varied, changing radically, dynamic - while many faculty feel nothing will ever change. So we face the challenge of people, collectively, regaining a sense of agency. I also believe that colleges and universities are crucial places to work for change, including in K-12 education. Next week Im going to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign to talk about Public Universities and the Future of Democracy ( https://undergrad-education.illinois.edu/initiatives/Boyte%20lecture%20flyer.pdf )The provost has created a university-wide task force charged with undergraduate curricular change across the university, and they are asking what would a renewed focus on citizenship and democracy mean. The College of Education has also organized a session on citizen teacher, a teacher who is equipped to be agent of democratic change, and we also have a humanities discussion on the new civic studies, our transdisciplinary field of civic engagement. This kind of thing is happening a lot. Colleges and universities are upstream institutions. There, professionals develop the identities and the practices which they carry with them into careers, and the process shapes the whole society -- including K-12 education. We need to see democratic change in higher education on a large scale if were going to see broad democratic change in schools, religious congregations, businesses, nonprofits, or government. They all go together. Im not nostalgic about the past, with its prejudices and exclusions. But its important to also know what weve lost. There was once a widespread sense that higher education contributes to a democratic way of life, especially for public colleges and universities, including City College in New York where all students from New York high schools could attend for free. Across higher education democracy-building was often a central theme. Most of the American institutions of higher education are filled with the democratic spirit, said Harvard President Charles Eliot in 1908. Trumans Commission on Education in 1947 declared that The first and most essential charge upon higher education is that ... it shall be the carrier of democratic values, ideals and processes. Now there is a fledgling democracy movement to revitalize these purposes. Heres a link to a discussion on the Kettering Foundations web site among a group of college and university presidents who want to revitalize the role of philosophers of democracy and education. https://www.kettering.org/blogs/template-campus-conversations . The template identifies several areas of work like strengthening the public narrative of an institution; emphasizing cooperative excellence not simply individualist achievement; preparing students for citizen careers; creating a diversity of free spaces for discussion across disciplines; and becoming part of places, woven into the fabric of communities not simply partners with places. But there are large obstacles. The scholarly culture of universities became more detached from the world over the last half century, a process documented in Thomas Bender and Carl Schorskes collection, American Academic Culture in Transformation, a set of reflections by leaders in four disciplines about academic culture over the last half of the 20th century. The pattern of detachment is reinforced by the rankings like the Shanghei 100" and US News and World Report which put a premium on publications, publish or perish, as well as cultures of exclusivity (the higher the percentage of students rejected the higher the rankings in US News, which leads to some institutions gaming the system). The result is that higher education is significantly weakened while facing attack from powerful interests. Politicians like Marco Rubio, the presidential candidate, or Scott Walker, Wisconsins governor, argue colleges should be focused much more on vocational training (Rubio is famous for saying we need more welders and fewer philosophers). Meanwhile a host of commissions and leaders are arguing for defense of the liberal arts, equating these with skills and identities like critical thinking and global citizenship. They warn against pressures toward careerism. This, Im convinced, is a dead end and dysfunctional debate about false choices. However imperfectly, the old democracy tradition of higher education, especially but not only in public schools, brought together preparation for work and professions with public meanings, of work. They connected liberal arts and practical arts. This was also tied to a different view of democracy as a way of life built through work filled with public meaning. They also cultivated a democratic patriotism linked to a democratic internationalism -- neither bellicose nationalism nor global citizenship. This linkage is crucial to revitalize. Colleges need to prepare students not only for todays jobs but to be agents of change to create more humane, democratic institutions as part of a democratic society. This means connecting liberal arts and professional studies in new ways and connecting both to democratic purposes and practices. Here, Augsburg College, a Lutheran private college growing from the folk school movement in Scandinavia - which explicitly educated for life, infusing all work with public and civic meanings -- is like the old landgrants. Both education and nursing are focusing on democratic and civic purposes, for instance. We will need very different ways to assess such preparation. And a lot of organizing. Kumon Math and Reading Centers Expand in East Coast Markets New Kumon Centers open in New York, South Carolina and Virginia TEANECK, N.J. - Feb. 16, 2016 /PRNewswire - Kumon, the world's largest after-school math and reading program, opened new centers on the East Coast this month. Thousands of parents in New York, South Carolina and Virginia will now have access to nearby Kumon learning centers for their pre-school to high school aged children. New centers have opened in the following cities: Merrick, New York Simpsonville, South Carolina Roanoke, Virginia "We are excited to bring the Kumon method of learning to even more families throughout New York, South Carolina and Virginia," said Larry Lambert, vice president of franchise recruitment at Kumon North America. Kumon has seen a 20 percent increase in student enrollments in the Northeast region and a 32 percent increase in the Southeast region in the past five years. With nearly 300,000 students enrolled in math and reading programs at 1,500 Kumon centers nationwide, Kumon continues to lead the way in the education franchise industry. Kumon has seen a 25 percent growth in the number of franchise Kumon Centers opened in the U.S. during the last five years and a 44 percent growth in the last decade. Today in 49 countries and regions, the Kumon Method is helping millions of children succeed in the classroom and in life. The Kumon Method empowers children to become self-learners and is designed to advance children's math and reading skills while fostering a love for learning. Kumon sparks critical thinking, establishes a pattern of success and builds confidence that can lead to accelerated learning throughout life. Parents can visit kumon.com to find their nearest Kumon center. About Kumon Math & Reading Centers Kumon is an after-school math and reading enrichment program that unlocks the potential of children, so they can achieve more on their own. As a comprehensive program, Kumon serves children in preschool through high school. Founded inJapan in 1958, the learning method uses an individualized approach that helps children develop a solid command of math and reading skills. Through daily practice and mastery of materials, students increase confidence, improve concentration, and develop better study skills. Kumon has 26,000 centers in 49 countries and more than four million students studying worldwide. The company's North American headquarters is located in Teaneck, N.J. Visit www.kumon.com to learn more. SOURCE Kumon North America ### Comments: Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus. Disqus On a Mission to Win a 7-Eleven Franchise Thousands of Military Veterans Enter Second Operation: Take Command Contest; Deadline for Entries is Feb. 26 DALLAS - Feb. 16, 2016 // PRNewswire // - Hundreds of veterans are charging ahead to enlist in Operation: Take Command, 7-Eleven, Inc.'s second franchise giveaway contest targeted exclusively to U.S. military veterans. With the Feb. 26 deadline for entries fast approaching, more than 9,000 veterans have entered, already exceeding last year's total number of entrants. The winner will receive a waiver of the franchise fee, valued at up to $190,000, to franchise any 7-Eleven convenience store available in the continental U.S. at the contest's culmination. Interested veterans, who are first-time 7-Eleven franchise applicants, can enter online at www.VeteransFranchiseGiveaway.com throughFriday, Feb. 26, 2016. The winner will be announced in June. "This is a great opportunity for a veteran to take charge of his or her future," saidLarry Hughes, 7-Eleven vice president of Franchise Systems and himself a West Point graduate and U.S. Army veteran. "Veterans have a proven track record as 7-Eleven franchisees. Leadership and character, systems orientation, discipline, the ability to build teams the qualities that are stressed in the military are the same ones that lead to success in our system." In addition to their military experience, many of the veterans who have entered this year's Operation: Take Command competition hold bachelor's and graduate degrees and possess business, retail and management skills. The Operation: Take Command franchise giveaway is a multi-phased competition that includes meeting 7-Eleven's franchising qualifications and successful interviews. The top 25 will be invited to submit a video on why they deserve a 7-Eleven franchise. Up to seven will be selected for the semi-finals round, which includes a Facebook video contest. The three getting the most Facebook votes will be interviewed by 7-Eleven's franchise department and narrowed to one winner. To qualify for the contest, an entrant must be age 21 or older, a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, an honorably discharged veteran, have excellent credit and at least three years of leadership, retail or restaurant experience. Contestants will go through the same qualification process as all 7-Eleven franchise applicants including credit evaluation, a leadership test, business plan development, budget and location preferences. 7-Eleven has been recognized by veterans' organizations for its military-friendly business opportunities, hiring practices and philanthropic support for military families. Military veterans serve in every level of the company from store sales associates to headquarters personnel. The retailer also has supported military assistance organizations including Hire Heroes USA, the USO, Reserve Aid, Warrior Gateway and Operation Mend. "Response to this year's Operation: Take Command has already surpassed last year, I think in part because veterans recognize what a great opportunity owning a 7-Eleven franchise can be and that 7-Eleven is a military-friendly company on all fronts," Hughes said. "Five of the top 10 finalists in last year's contest are now 7-Eleven franchisees." 7-Eleven was selected a 2014-2015 "Best for Vets" franchise by Military Times, a Top 100 Military-Friendly Employer by G.I. Jobs and Military Spouse magazines in 2014, 2015 and 2016, one of U.S. Veterans Magazine Top 100 Veteran-Friendly Companies, and MVE (Most Valuable Employer) by civilianjobs.com. The Fine Print: The contest is not open to eligible veterans who are legal residents of Hawaii, North Dakota, South Dakota and where prohibited. All participants must read and agree to the official rules at veteransfranchisegiveaway.com. This is not an offer to sell a franchise, which will be made by us only in a state if 7-Eleven, Inc. is first registered, filed, exempted or otherwise qualified to offer franchises in that state, and only if 7-Eleven provides an appropriate Franchise Disclosure Document. A credit of up to $190,000 toward the initial franchise fee will be awarded. The winner will be required to pay any portion of the initial franchise fee over $190,000 for the store they select, along with other initial fees, including but not limited to a $29,000down payment on inventory, cost of all licenses and permits, expenses to attend training and other fees described in our Franchise Disclosure Document. The 20-percent franchise fee discount that we offer to veterans is not applicable to this contest when calculating the initial franchise fee for the selected store. About 7-Eleven, Inc. 7-Eleven, Inc. is the premier name and largest chain in the convenience retailing industry. Based in Irving, Texas, 7-Eleven operates, franchises and licenses more than 10,700 7-Eleven stores in North America. Globally, there are some 57,900 7-Eleven stores in 17 countries. 7-Eleven has been honored by a number of companies and organizations. Accolades include placing #7 on Entrepreneur magazine's Franchise 500 list for 2016, #1 on Entrepreneur magazine's 2014 Top Global Franchise list; #10 spot on Entrepreneur magazine's Franchise 500 list for 2015; #1 on "Best Retail Franchises" list for April 2015 by FranchiseRankings.com; #3 onForbes magazine's Top 20 Franchises to Start; and is among GI Jobs magazine's Top 100 Military Friendly Employers for 2016. 7-Eleven is franchising its stores in the U.S. and expanding through organic growth, acquisitions and its Business Conversion Program. Find out more online at www.7-Eleven.com. SOURCE 7-Eleven, Inc. ### Comments: Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus. Disqus In this rapidly developing topic, we aim to provide you with the ability to share your experiences, questions and news with us. Simply choose one of the options below and your story may be featured in this section. Learn More Essential Businesses Share Your Story Ask Questions Submit News Subscribe Pizza Patron Launches 'Veterans Por Favor' - Waives All Franchise Fees DALLAS, TX - (Marketwired - Feb 15, 2016) - Today, in honor of Presidents' Day, as America celebrates its past and present commander in chiefs, Pizza Patron announced that it is launching its 'Veterans Por Favor' program. The program waives all franchise fees for veterans on their first restaurant with the chain. "The 'Veterans Por Favor' program was formed to show our gratitude and appreciation for the hard working, blue collar men and women of our armed services," said Victor Vazquez, vice president of Business Development for Pizza Patron, Inc. The program is for qualified, honorably discharged veterans. It fully waives the $20,000 in franchise fees for the first restaurant to give veterans an enormous boost into business ownership with a rock-solid thirty year old chain. "Our experience with veterans within our corporate organization strengthens our belief that military training often provides veterans with the skills and discipline needed to operate successfully within a franchise organization," said Vazquez. "By eliminating franchise fees, the cost of entry may come down just enough to put owning a business within the reach of many otherwise qualified candidates." The 'Veterans Por Favor' program is now being offered and is slated to run through the end of 2016. Development opportunities exist throughout Texas in both major and tertiary markets, and exclusivity is available in select markets. Pizza Patron is coming off its best year in company history, and recently announced the re-launch of its franchise program. The chain has more than a decade of experience in franchising and has grown over the years with a strong core of seasoned franchisees. Pizza Patron provides franchisees with extensive training and support, as well as turnkey development, including assistance in site selection, tenant representation, architectural plans, construction and store launch. Pizza Patron franchisees also benefit from commodity pricing negotiated direct with manufacturers, long-standing relationships with vendor partners and an operating system that has been refined and strengthened over thirty years of business. For more information on Pizza Patron, or to find the nearest location, visit www.pizzapatron.com. About Pizza Patron Since 1986, Pizza Patron has been committed to making its promise of "Mas Pizza. Menos Dinero." a reality for every customer. From the beginning, the brand has been recognized for its 'fresh-dough' pizza, its low prices and its trademark "friendly, bicultural service." In 2007, the company drew international media attention with its PIZZA POR PESOS program when it began accepting Mexican Pesos at all of its restaurants. In 2012, the company's PIZZA POR FAVOR promotion that gave free pizzas to anyone who ordered in Spanish sparked international news coverage and lively debate throughout the U.S. Today, Pizza Patron is the leading Mexican pizza brand in the U.S. and remains dedicated to bringing its unique experience to life with every pizza made, and in every community it serves. Website - www.pizzapatron.com Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/pizzapatron Twitter - http://www.twitter.com/pizzapatron SOURCE Pizza Patron Contact: Sandy Bell 972-800-1745 ### Comments: Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus. Disqus Restaurant Brands International Inc. Continues Tim Hortons U.S. Expansion with Accelerated Growth in Indiana OAKVILLE, ON - Feb. 16, 2016 // PRNewswire // - Restaurant Brands International Inc. ("RBI") (TSX/NYSE: QSR, TSX:QSP) and Luke Family of Brands ("Luke") have reached an agreement to further develop the Tim Hortons brand in Indiana. The agreement will make Luke the exclusive Tim Hortons Area Representative and Developer in Indianapolis and Lafayette, responsible for owning and operating restaurants, managing the market and sourcing local entrepreneurs to develop restaurants, creating thousands of jobs in the state of Indiana. "The Area Representative and Developer model is critical to our strategy of bringing Tim Hortons to the world," said Daniel Schwartz, CEO of Restaurant Brands International. "We are confident that the Luke team will strongly position the Tim Hortons brand for success in the short- and long-term." "We're excited about coming to Indianapolis and Lafayette to grow the iconic Tim Hortons brand," said Elias Diaz Sese, President of Tim Hortons. "Given our strong presence in the Columbus area and aggressive development plans in neighboring Cincinnati, the Indiana market is a prime growth opportunity for our continued expansion in the U.S." "We have an extensive portfolio of brands and diversified holdings, and we believe that developing the Tim Hortons brand in our home state of Indiana is a very compelling franchise opportunity," said Tom Collins II, President of Luke Family of Brands. "We look forward to serving the highest quality coffee, baked goods, and food offerings to the people of Indianapolis and Lafayette." This agreement is the most recent by RBI in its plans to grow Tim Hortons in the U.S. In January 2016, RBI announced an agreement for the Columbus area and inOctober 2015 established an Area Representative and Developer Agreement for theCincinnati area. Tim Hortons opened its first restaurant in the U.S. in 1984. Today, the brand maintains a strong base of restaurants across Canada, the U.S. and the Middle East. About Restaurant Brands International Restaurant Brands International Inc. is one of the world's largest quick service restaurant companies with more than $23 billion in system sales and over 19,000 restaurants in approximately 100 countries and U.S. territories. Restaurant Brands International owns two of the world's most prominent and iconic quick service restaurant brands Tim Hortons and BURGER KING. These independently operated brands have been serving their respective guests, franchisees, and communities for over 50 years. To learn more about Restaurant Brands International, please visit the Company's website at www.rbi.com. About Tim Hortons Tim Hortons, part of Restaurant Brands International, is one of North America's largest restaurant chains operating in the quick service segment. Founded as a single location in Canada in 1964, Tim Hortons appeals to a broad range of consumer tastes, with a menu that includes premium coffee, hot and cold specialty drinks (including lattes, cappuccinos and espresso shots), specialty teas and fruit smoothies, fresh baked goods, grilled Panini and classic sandwiches, wraps, soups, prepared foods and other food products. As of December 31, 2015, Tim Hortonshad more than 4,400 system wide restaurants located in Canada, the United States and the Middle East. More information about the Company is available atwww.timhortons.com. About Luke Family of Brands Luke Family of Brands is a third-generation, family-owned retail conglomerate. The company operates more than 60 profit centers across its various retail holdings and supplies fuel products to over 250 customers throughout the Chicago area. Luke employs 700 associates with annual consolidated sales in excess of $1 billion. Forward-Looking Statements This press release includes forward-looking statements, which are often identified by the words "may," "might," "believes," "thinks," "anticipates," "plans," "expects," "intends" or similar expressions and reflect management's expectations regarding future events and operating performance and speak only as of the date hereof. These forward-looking statements include statements about RBI's expectations regarding RBI's ability to use the area development model to bring the Tim Hortons brand to the world; its expectations regarding the ability of the Luke team to strongly position the Tim Hortons brand for success in the short- and long-term in theIndianapolis and Lafayette markets; its expectations regarding the growth potential of the Tim Hortons brand in these markets; and its expectation that its strong presence in the Columbus area and aggressive development plans in Cincinnati will make theIndiana market a prime growth opportunity for Tim Hortons continued expansion in the U.S. The factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from RBI's expectations are detailed in filings of RBI with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and on the securities regulatory authorities in each province and territory of Canada, such as its annual and quarterly reports and current reports on Form 8-K and include the following: risks related to RBI's ability to successfully implement its domestic and international growth strategy; and risks related to RBI's ability to compete domestically and internationally in an intensely competitive industry. Other than as required under U.S. federal securities laws or Canadian securities laws, we do not assume a duty to update these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, subsequent events or circumstances, change in expectations or otherwise. SOURCE Restaurant Brands International ### Comments: Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus. Disqus Spoiled Rotten Photography Shines at The PPA Imaging 2016 Conference! February 16, 2016 // Franchising.com // Huntsville, Alabama - Spoiled Rotten Photography (SRP) wrapped up their annual conference in Atlanta, Georgia in January. The SRP conference included a memorable mission trip to Feed My Lambs Preschool at the City of Refuge in Atlanta, where they provided beautiful portraits of the children to their parents. Awards were earned by several Huntsville photographers, including Melissa Tash, Megan Bourrell, and Jackie Kelly. Huntsvilles SRP location earned numerous awards for outstanding photography: Melissa Tashs Image Awards for 2016 included: Diamond Image Award and highest scoring portrait for Little Boy Blue Gold Image Award and Peoples Choice Award for Fine Tuned Silver Image Award for Bashful Princess Megan Bourrells Image Awards for 2016 included: Gold Image Award for Friend Of My Heart Gold Image Award and Peoples Choice Award for Lets Talk About It Diamond Image Award for Free Smiles Image of Excellence Award for Rodeo Angel Image of Excellence Award for Swing With Me Jackie Kellys Image Awards for 2016 included: Judges Choice and Diamond Image Award for Peaches & Cream Silver Image Award for Isnt She Lovely Silver Image Award and Judges Choice for Teddy & Me Silver Image Award for Lifes Greatest Blessing Image of Excellence Award for Little Rascal About Spoiled Rotten Photography Spoiled Rotten Photography is the original creation of southern entrepreneur and professional photographer, Melissa Tash. SRPs goal is to transform the landscape of school photography by creating unique and personal school photographs that will be cherished for a lifetime. Learn more about SRP here: www.spoiledrottenphotography.com SOURCE Spoiled Rotten Photography Media Contact: Nissa Weisser nweisser@gmail.com ### Comments: Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus. Disqus BEIRUT Airstrikes hit two hospitals and a school in northern Syria, killing and wounding dozens of people on Monday, according to opposition activists, who said the strikes were carried out by Russian warplanes supporting a major advance by government troops. An airstrike in the province of Idlib destroyed a makeshift clinic supported by the international aid group Doctors Without Borders, while in the neighboring Aleppo province, a missile struck a childrens hospital in the town of Azaz, killing at least five people and wounding dozens. A third air raid hit a school in a nearby village, killing seven and wounding others. Doctors Without Bordersalso known by its French acronym MSFsaid in a statement that the hospital in the town of Maaret al-Numan was hit four times in at least two attacks that were minutes apart. It said at least seven people were killed and at least eight others were missing, presumed dead. This appears to be a deliberate attack on a health structure, and we condemn this attack in the strongest possible terms, said Massimiliano Rebaudengo, MSFs mission chief. The destruction of the hospital leaves the local population of around 40,000 people without access to medical services in an active zone of conflict. The aid group said the hospital had 30 beds, 54 staff members, two operating theatres, an outpatients department and an emergency room. MSF has been supporting the hospital since September and covered all its needs, including providing medical supplies and running costs, it said. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said Russian warplanes targeted the makeshift hospital, destroying it and killing nine people. The opposition group, which tracks both sides of the conflict through sources on the ground, said dozens were wounded in the attack. Syrian troops have been advancing in the north under the cover of Russian airstrikes in recent weeks. The offensive has been focused on Aleppo province, where troops are trying to cut rebel supply lines to Turkey and surround rebel-held parts of Aleppo city, once Syrias largest. On Monday, Syrian state TV reported that pro-government gunmen have entered western parts of the northern town of Tel Rifaat, where they were fighting fierce battles against insurgents. Tel Rifaat is a major stronghold of militants fighting to overthrow President Bashar Assad. Opposition activist Yahya al-Sobeih, speaking by phone from Maaret al-Numan, said the entire building has collapsed on the ground. He said five people were killed near the MSF clinic and all members of the medical team inside are believed to be dead. Paramedics and volunteers were working on removing the rubble, he added. The four-story building was once a cement company, but had served as a makeshift clinic during the war, al-Sobeih said. The missile attack in Azaz, near the Turkish border, killed five people at the hospital, including three children and a pregnant woman, and wounded more than 30, the Observatory said. Activist Bahaa al-Halaby, who is based in the northern city of Aleppo, said the hospital was struck by a missile, and that 10 people were killed. Abdulrahman Al-Hassan, chief liaison officer at the Syrian Civil Defense, a group of first responders known as the White Helmets, said the womens hospital in Azaz was hit by two surface-to-surface missiles. He added that some 10 people were killed and many were wounded. We think it is Russia because the photos of the missiles have Russian language [and] because we havent seen this kind [of missiles] before the Russian intervention, he said. Russia has been a key ally of Assad throughout the five-year uprising and civil war, and began launching airstrikes to support his forces on Sept. 30. In Turkey, the private Dogan news agency reported that more than 30 of those wounded in Russian airstrikes in Azaz, primarily children, were transferred to a hospital in southern Turkey. It showed footage of ambulances arriving at the Kilis State hospital, medics unloading children on stretchers and a girl wrapped in a blanket. They hit the school, they hit the school, wailed a Syrian woman who was unloaded from an ambulance onto a wheelchair. The Observatory and al-Halaby said an air raid struck a school in the village of Kaljibrin, near Azaz. Al-Halaby said the raid killed seven people and wounded others. The Observatory said five were killed. Meanwhile in Brussels, European Union officials on Monday called on Turkey to halt its military action in Syria after Turkish forces shelled positions held by a U.S.-backed Kurdish militia over the weekend. The EUs foreign policy chief, Federica Mogherini, said that only a few days ago, all of us including Turkey, sitting around the table, decided steps to de-escalate and have a cessation of hostilities. She said more fighting is obviously not what we expect. A third of statesand many individual districts have now adopted the Next Generation Science Standards, which emphasize scientific inquiry and link broad concepts across the science fields. But many teachers are saying they still have few instructional resources to help them bring the new benchmarks to their classrooms. The American Association for the Advancement of Science, an international nonprofit, announced at its annual meeting last week the release of a new, research-based curriculum for middle school teachers thats aligned to the NGSS. And according to early piloting, the eight-week-long unit is having quite an impact on science learning. The curriculum, created by the groups Project 2061 initiative, aims to teach foundational concepts about atoms and chemical reactions that are essential for high school biology, Jo Ellen Roseman, the Project 2061 director, explained last week. Too many students come into biology with basic misperceptions about chemistry, she said. For instance, they dont see gases as having mass, or they think atoms are transmuted rather than rearranged during chemical reactions. The Toward High School Biology unit, which received funding from the U.S. Department of Educations Institute of Education Sciences and went through five years of development, focuses on the molecular basis for biologyand it does so by introducing students to different scientific phenomena in a hands-on, inquiry-based way. Teachers Try It Out In an afternoon teacher workshop at the AAAS meeting, Project 2061 representatives and a few teachers that have piloted the program led small groups of educators through some of the demonstrations. In an experiment from the first chapter, the teachers watched what happens when iron and air mix. Cari Herrmann-Abell, a senior research associate for Project 2061, soaked a piece of steel wool in vinegar to dissolve the protective coating, then placed the wool into a flask. Then she covered the top with a piece of a latex glove. Students doing this experiment would feel the flask warming right away. The teacher shows that over time, they would eventually see the latex get sucked into the flask and rust begin to form on the steel wool. We dont talk about reactions at first, we talk about investigations, changes, observations, said Herrmann-Abell. Something is happening to the matter in there thats changing the system. Modeling Atoms Rearranging The group then switched to Legos to model what was going on with the atoms during that chemical reaction. They used a brown Lego to represent iron and two reds together to represent oxygen. Then they reconfigured those Legos to form a new chemicalrust. The Lego modeling shows students that the atoms dont actually change or disappear in the closed system; they just rearrange. Once theyve experienced it on substance level and modeled it on a molecular level, we can start adding some vocabulary about chemical reactions, said Hermann-Abell. The curriculum requires quite a bit of writing, the teachers whod piloted it told the AAAS attendees. For each demonstration, students document what they observe and attempt to explain it using evidence. I teach a population of students that are very reluctant writers so though I was very excited about the unit, I was concerned about how my students would react to all that writing, said Leah Donovan, a middle school science teacher in Howard County, Md., who tested the curriculum in her classroom. I have to say that every year Ive taught the unit, theyve risen to the occasion. Very, Very Large Effect Sizes A randomized control trial that the group conducted with six schools in Maryland showed large effect sizes after students took part in the curriculum. (Many more schools across the country tested the curriculum, but those results were not presented at the conference.) Students took pre- and post-tests on the science ideas included in the unit. Students who learned the Toward High School Biology unit showed much more growth on the post-test than those in control classrooms, in which teachers covered the same material but did not use the curriculum. For example, the percentage of students who held the misconception that atoms are changed into other atoms, fell from 31 percent to 23 percent in the control classrooms between the pre- and post-test. But it fell from 33 percent to 14 percent in the THSB classrooms. The researchers compared the effect size of THSB to the average effect size of 27 other curriculum units, some of which were taught over an entire school year, and found that is was twice as large. These are very, very large effect sizes for a unit thats eight weeks long, said Herrmann-Abell. Schools will need to buy their own materials to go with the curriculum, and those should cost about $1,200, the Project 2061 team said. They will also need to pay for the curriculum to be printed. Project 2061 is still determining how to release the curriculum, since the teachers editions cant go online. But the curriculum will be available in some form with enough time for teachers to practice over the summer and be ready to implement it next year, said Roseman. Related stories: William Bill Mason, 91, of Spotsylvania County passed away at his home on Friday, Feb. 12, 2016. He is survived by his loving wife of 37 years, Marilyn Mason; his children, Jeanne Whyte of Inlet, N.Y., Laurie Crabtree and her husband, William, of Purcellville, John Mason and his wife, Mary Kay, of Chapin, S.C., and Leslie Mason of Manassas; two stepchildren, Pamela Hazelwood of Houston, Texas, and Rhonda Robinson and her husband, Monty, of Centerville; eight grandchildren; four great- grandchildren; his sisters, Betty Buechli and her husband, Hank, of New City, N.Y., Joan Dancker of Little Silver, N.J., and Anne Colburn of Fortville, Ind.; and numerous nieces and nephews. After his service in the U.S. Navy between 1942 and 1946 in the Pacific on USS LST935 amphibious ship, he attended Stevens Institute of Technology, where he completed a Master of Science in electrical engineering in 1955. His career spanned 40 years, first at Hazeltine, Long Island, then with MITRE Corporation, opening the McLean office in 1961. Bill retired from MITRE Corporation in 1989 as Technical Director for Information Systems. Bill enjoyed a multitude of hobbies and was a 32nd degree Scottish Rite Mason. He published Friends in A Hundred Places, which chronicled 43 years of escapades by motorcycle across the U.S. and Canada. Until recently, Bill and his wife were residents of Lake of the Woods, where Bill served on the Board of Directors and several committees, including the Finance Committee. A celebration of Bills life will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Feb. 19, at the Lake of the Woods Church, 1 Church Lane, Locust Grove, with a reception following. A graveside service with full military honors will follow at 2 p.m. in Culpeper National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Heartland Hospice of Warrenton, 400 Holiday Court, Suite 101, Warrenton, VA 20186; or the Lake of the Woods Church. Online guest book is available at johnsoncares.com. Chipotle Pregnancy Discrimination Trial Commences Bringing Chain Legal Scrutiny Lawsuit Legal welcomes the additional public awareness of female discrimination issues by employers brought about by chains' employee-filed workplace discrimination case, publishes lawsuitlegal.com -- International restaurant chain Chipotle Mexican Grill has been receiving considerable negative media coverage of late. On the heels of shouldering responsibility for an E. coli outbreak and plunging sales over the last four months, the company is now actively defending itself against allegations of gender discrimination against a former employee. Initially filed with the U.S. District Court in March of 2013, the resulting trial began on Jan 25 of this year. LawsuitLegal.com has announced they welcome the added public awareness the case will bring to the important issue of employer pregnancy discrimination and women's rights in the workplace. According to information found on the portion of the Lawsuit Legal website pertaining to this type of case, https://www.lawsuitlegal.com/pregnancy-discrimination.php, The Pregnancy Discrimination Act passed in 1978 further extended the circumstances covered by Title VII of the Civil Rights Act. The company helps women who experienced workplace discrimination connect with top employment lawyers to help with their claim. The charges were brought upon the company by former employee Elizabeth A. Rogers who held the position of general manager at the chain's Crescent Hills, Kentucky location in February of 2011 when she informed her regional manager she was pregnant with twins according to a report on the case http://www.ajc.com/news/news/national/chipotle-lawsuit-alleges-gender-discrimination/nqJhX/. After being placed on bed rest in April of the same year and experiencing a number of complications as well as the loss of one twin after birth, Rogers ultimately returned to work in early August. From that point, the plaintiff alleges extensive prejudicial actions against her, concluding with loss of her job in mid-November. Two additional former female employees of the chain are involved in the lawsuit, both also accusing the company of gender discrimination. Stephanie L. Ochoa and Tina M. Reynolds both report being fired from the company and replaced with male employees despite previous praise and promotions. The trial will be watched closely. Thom Pryor, legal analyst with https://www.lawsuitlegal.com, stated they are watching the case with interest. "Whether it happened or not, we don't know; the trial will tell," commented Pryor, "but the increased attention to pregnancy discrimination issues in restaurants and other businesses is welcomed. Pregnant women are a protected class, and it is illegal to discriminate against employees based on gender." Pryor further stated, "Despite the legal protection brought into effect more than 35 years ago, companies all too commonly violate the law. Regardless of the outcome of the Chipotle trial, we hope this will increase public awareness of illegal employer practices and what can be done." Victims of discrimination and other crimes may also connect with Lawsuit Legal through their Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lawsuit-Legal/366729220129050. About Lawsuit Legal: Connecting people with legitimate legal claims to attorneys nationwide who can help, Lawsuit Legal makes it simple and easy to acquire award-winning legal assistance when it's needed most. For more information about us, please visit http://www.ajc.com/news/news/national/chipotle-lawsuit-alleges-gender-discrimination/nqJhX/ Contact Info: Name: Thom Pryor Organization: Lawsuit Legal Phone: (888) 713-6653 Source: http://marketersmedia.com/chipotle-pregnancy-discrimination-trial-commences-bringing-chain-legal-scrutiny/103693 Release ID: 103693 For more information visit r Recent Press Releases By The Same User Agarwood Essential Oil Market Expected to Grow at CAGR 4.2% During 2016 to 2022"> (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Cyber Weapon Market by Type, Product, Application, Region, Outlook and Forecast to 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Landscaping and Gardening Expert Trevor McClintock Launches New Locally Optimized Website (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Sleep apnea devices Market is Evolving At A CAGR of 7.5% by 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Agriculture Technology Market 2017 Global Analysis, Opportunities and Forecast to 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Global VR Helmet Market by Manufacturers, Technology, Type and Application, Forecast to 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Cherokee Nation's Newest Goal: Eliminate Hepatitis C Cherokee Nation is working to fully eliminate hepatitis C from their population. The process will begin with screenings on all those 20 years and older. Effective treatments will be in place for those who test positive. -- The Cherokee Indians have hepatitis C infection rates almost five times higher than other racial or ethnic groups in the U.S. They're the first community within the country to set a goal of eliminating the virus from their population. The hepatitis C project will begin by screening all member over the age of 20 and if they test positive they'll be put on the proper treatment program. The project also will work to inform healthcare providers on treating the disease as well as holding public information campaigns to increase awareness of the infection. Most members of the Cherokee Nation and additional native groups use outreach clinics and tribal hospitals because the federal government provides health care to all American Indians. That makes hepatitis C screening an easier task, said Dr. Jorge Mera,Director of Infectious Diseases for the Cherokee Nation. "Most of our patients will come in through the system at some point," Mera said. "We will be able to screen them, and once we screen them and detect that they're positive, engage them in care and hopefully treat them and cure them." One distinction being made is testing of all patients over age 20, a departure from the former strategy of singling out patients who had a history of intravenous drug use. Part of the screening process is to tests patients over the age of 20 versus the previous tactics of only testing those with a drug history. "We're not doing screening based on risk factors, first because we know it doesn't work well," Mera said. "Many Providers will not ask risk factors with patients. They don't have the time to do it or it is a sensitive issue." Hepatitis C, commonly transmitted by sharing needles, can cause liver damage, cancer and death. With the help of the University of Oklahoma, the Oklahoma state health department and federal health officials, the Cherokee Nation will b e able to enhance hepatitis C screening and implement new pharmaceutical advancements. Mera said he hopes the partnership will lead to discoveries that will be useful nationwide. "We won't be able to extrapolate what we do or find to every medical scenario in the United States, but I think everybody will learn a little bit from some of the things we did." For more information on hepatitis C please visit Fucoidan Force's website. For more information about us, please visit http://www.fucoidanforce.com/ Contact Info: Name: Mary Ann Martin Organization: Fucoidan Force Address: Sarasota, FL Phone: 18007014556 Release ID: 104000 For more information visit r Recent Press Releases By The Same User Agarwood Essential Oil Market Expected to Grow at CAGR 4.2% During 2016 to 2022"> (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Cyber Weapon Market by Type, Product, Application, Region, Outlook and Forecast to 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Landscaping and Gardening Expert Trevor McClintock Launches New Locally Optimized Website (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Sleep apnea devices Market is Evolving At A CAGR of 7.5% by 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Agriculture Technology Market 2017 Global Analysis, Opportunities and Forecast to 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Global VR Helmet Market by Manufacturers, Technology, Type and Application, Forecast to 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) A New Study Has Found Some People Get Hives from Vibration A new study has found some people get hives from vibration. Patients who have this condition break out into hives from activities like running, hand clapping, snoring, towel drying, or even bumpy bus rides. -- Hives are an annoying rash, that is usually caused by skin care products, a particular food, or animals that people have come in contact with. An unusual type of hives, caused by vibrations, is called "vibratory urticaria. " Patients who have this condition break out into hives from activities like running, hand clapping, snoring, towel drying, or even bumpy bus rides. Researchers released new information today that could help unlock why some people develop this rare allergy. Scientists have pinpointed a specific mutation in the ADGRE2 gene that runs in some families with this rare disorder, according to researchers at the National Institutes of Health, all of the families originate from a small area in Lebanon, suggesting common ancestors. Hives occur when immune system cells called mast cells release the chemical histamine, usually as an allergic response. The release of histamine brings on the red, itchy and bumpy hives. Mast cells usually release histamine when allergic signals come from the immune system, but this research suggests that the hive-causing cells are sensitive to physical vibration as well. People without vibratory urticaria still release some histamine in response to vibration, according to the lead investigator in the study, Dr. Hirsh Komarow of the NIH Laboratory of Allergic Disease. For those with the disease, the reaction to vibration is much stronger. The hives develop within a few minutes of the vibration and usually stop within an hour. "It's more of an annoyance," Komarow said confirming what people with the condition have told him "Since people have it since birth and since other family members have it, it is accepted as the standard and there are certain things you don't do. It's not so bad because your brothers and uncles and niece don't do it either." The study didn't show that every person with the condition will have this same genetic mutation, but it shows how this disease can be passed on through generations. This research may help scientists learn more about how mast cells function in the skin can expand the knowledge of how allergic reactions work. Dr. Hugh Sampson, director of the Jaffe Food Allergy Institute at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, explains that this research could help doctors work with the small group of patients suffering from this disease, where the exact genetic mutation remains unknown. "You know there has to be a physiologic reason behind it but nobody has found it," stated Sampson. Sampson said he cares for one patient who developed the disease, after he started playing the trumpet and the instrument's vibrations caused hives. "The man hated playing the trumpet, so it was a huge relief to not to have to play anymore," Sampson said jokingly. Several studies published in reputable medical journals show that maintaining a healthy immune system is quite beneficial for optimal skin health and can aid in helping prevent hives and other skin conditions. Learn More For more information about us, please visit http://www.fenvir.com/ Contact Info: Name: Heather Mills Organization: Fenvir Address: Sarasota, fla Phone: 8007014556 Release ID: 104003 For more information visit r Recent Press Releases By The Same User Agarwood Essential Oil Market Expected to Grow at CAGR 4.2% During 2016 to 2022"> (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Cyber Weapon Market by Type, Product, Application, Region, Outlook and Forecast to 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Landscaping and Gardening Expert Trevor McClintock Launches New Locally Optimized Website (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Sleep apnea devices Market is Evolving At A CAGR of 7.5% by 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Agriculture Technology Market 2017 Global Analysis, Opportunities and Forecast to 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Global VR Helmet Market by Manufacturers, Technology, Type and Application, Forecast to 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Startup Company Signs Wealthy Deal To Buy Student's Handmade Organic Skincare Formulas Last year the 25-year-old CEO of Z Skin Cosmetics hit headlines after turning down millions to sell the formulas to his products. Now, just over a year later, the young entrepreneur has officially inked a generous deal. -- Originally approached to sell his formulas last year, the college student turned down multiple offers from major companies, and his decision hit headlines turning heads around the world. Now Ryan Zamo, the 26-year-old CEO of Z Skin Cosmetics, has officially signed a deal to turn over his formulas to a new start-up company in Africa. The companies that first offered Zamo deals last year may be giants compared to 'Coca Vita', the new company which has acquired the globally selling skincare formulas, the young entrepreneur commented, "They have a mission statement to help local Kenyans. Coco Vita is trying to help the local coconut farmers, build schools for the children, and breathe life into the ailing local economy. So it's not a company just using my successful products to expand their wallets, but its going to help a really great cause, and that in itself is why I started my business; to help people." Z Skin Cosmetics was originally started to help Ryan Zamo win his battle over acne. He quoted, "I honestly just started making skincare because I was tired of trying everything under the sun and seeing absolutely nothing happening to my skin. I never thought I would have a successful business from it, but my goal became helping others the way I wish someone would have helped me when I needed it, and that's why I took the deal with Coco Vita and not the previous companies." For more information about us, please visit http://www.zskincosmetics.com/#!welcome/lzx57 Contact Info: Name: Ryan Zamo Email: ryan@zskincosemtics.com Organization: ZskinCosmetics.Com Source: http://marketersmedia.com/startup-company-signs-wealthy-deal-to-buy-students-handmade-organic-skincare-formulas/104025 Release ID: 104025 For more information visit r Recent Press Releases By The Same User Agarwood Essential Oil Market Expected to Grow at CAGR 4.2% During 2016 to 2022"> (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Cyber Weapon Market by Type, Product, Application, Region, Outlook and Forecast to 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Landscaping and Gardening Expert Trevor McClintock Launches New Locally Optimized Website (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Sleep apnea devices Market is Evolving At A CAGR of 7.5% by 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Agriculture Technology Market 2017 Global Analysis, Opportunities and Forecast to 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Global VR Helmet Market by Manufacturers, Technology, Type and Application, Forecast to 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Royal Wing Suites and Spa Receives TripAdvisor Travelers Choice Award For Top Luxury Hotel Royal Wing Suites and Spa has been honoured by TripAdvisor users with a Travelers Choice Award for Top Luxury Hotel, putting them in the top 25 hotels in all of Thailand. Pattaya, Chonburi -- February 16, 2016 (FPRC) -- Thailand is an increasingly popular tourist destination, and individuals from all around the world want to go to Thailand and experience it in luxury and comfort, with access to all its best features and unique adventures. Royal Wing Suites and Spa is a luxury hotel overlooking the stunning Gulf of Thailand, and TripAdvisor users have recently secured it a Travelers Choice Award thanks to the amazing feedback received by the hotel on the site. The award puts the hotel in the top 1% of establishments on TripAdvisor, and one of the top 25 hotels in Thailand according to customer feedback. This outstanding reputation has doubtless been achieved through the tireless efforts of the staff combined with the amazing features of the luxury spa, which offers both relaxation and adventure at Travelers fingertips. The Royal Wing Suites and Spa is one of four five star hotels in the Royal Cliff Hotels Group, and is the one specifically tailored to offer the most luxuriant and relaxing experience possible, with onsite spa facilities offering the very best in Thai massage, classes, yoga and more. Mr. Vitanart Vathanakul, Executive Director of the Royal Cliff Hotels Group explained, Receiving the TripAdvisor Travelers Choice Award is a true source of pride for our entire team at the Royal Wing Suites & Spa. This prestigious accolade is given to establishes whose guest reviews have been consistently outstanding. As such, it represents a remarkable vote of confidence in our services and hospitality. I am truly grateful to all the valued guests taking the time and effort to leave feedback, positive comments and recommendations for the hotel and spa on TripAdvisor, and look forward to helping more people have the same extraordinary experience throughout 2016. About Royal Wing Suites and Spa: Royal Wing Suites and Spa is part of the Royal Cliff Hotels Group. The Royal Cliff Hotels Group operates four award-winning hotels providing tourists from home and abroad with the ultimate experience. The Royal Cliff Hotels Group is consistently voted among the best hotels in Thailand thanks to their amazing features, incredible views of the gulf of Thailand and a team of staff dedicated to making the experience unforgettable. For more information please visit: http://www.royalcliff.com/ Send an email to Maria Gequillana, PR & Marketing Communications Manager of r (66 38) 250421 Recent Press Releases By The Same User ShapeHost Launches New Spring Sale Offering Savings Of Up To 35% On VPS Packages (Tue 8th Mar 16) Paypro Finance Launches their Consumer Financing for Small Business Program (Mon 7th Mar 16) Kuber Ventures Publishes New Infographic To Show Difference Between EIS for Pensions and SIPP (Thu 3rd Mar 16) Pregnancy Exercise Publishes New Guide Into Training For Fitness While Pregnant (Thu 3rd Mar 16) Centex Hosting Launches Newly Redesigned Website To Herald Expansion Into VPS Hosting (Thu 3rd Mar 16) Royal Cliff Receives ISO 22000 Food Safety Management Certification (Wed 2nd Mar 16) Niroomand Law Offers Alternative Divorce Resolution Services With a focus on family and divorce law and other related legal services for people in the Greater Toronto Area, Niroomand Law is excited to announce that the law firm offers mediation and arbitration services for people. -- With a focus on family and divorce law and other related legal services for people in the Greater Toronto Area, Niroomand Law is excited to announce that the law firm offers mediation and arbitration services for people looking for alternative means to use through each step and process of their divorce proceeding. These two services are effective methods for resolving disputed matters without having to go to trail and appear in front of a judge. Many people often assume all separation and divorce processes have to be resolved in front of a judge during the divorce trial. However, this is not the case and divorcing couples are free to initiate separation and divorce agreements on their own with help from their divorce lawyers in Toronto. Utilizing one or both of these effective methods can help avoid having to wait the one-year mandatory period required by the courts to resolve outstanding issues and matters. Mediation is an effective process to use in cases where the divorcing couple is on amicable terms, or at least willing to negotiate and attempt to come to agreements on their own, by communicating through their divorce lawyers and, if needed a third party mediator. Divorcing parties are not required to be in the same room, and if they desire, can be kept in separate rooms if needed, while communicating their intentions through their lawyers. Arbitration is another effective process that helps keep divorcing couples out of the courtroom, but the process is conducted similar to a divorce trial. The main advantage to using arbitration is it is held in a private forum. In addition, the parties can remain in separate rooms, while their lawyers communicate information between their respective clients and the arbitrator. Although, the final decision of the arbitrator is binding, just like the decision was made by a judge during the divorce trial. Besides offering family and divorce law-related legal services, Niroomand Law also provides legal advice and representation for personal injury and disability law matters. The law firm understands the challenges and stresses disable people face while attempting to resolve related legal matters. The highly experienced and skilled lawyers, paralegals, and other legal professionals at Niroomand Law are very familiar with the intricacies required in personal injury and disability law matters. The entire legal team at this law firm provides compassionate and caring support, while ensuring their clients obtain the best results possible. For more information about Niroomand Law and the law firm's various family, divorce, personal injury, and disability law legal services, please feel free to visit their official website at www.niroomandfamilylaw.ca or contact the law firm directly by phone at 647-560-3007. About Niroomand Law Founded in 2003 by Hossein Niroomand, Niroomand Law started as a general law firm practice. Over the years, the firm has evolved from initially offering a diverse range of legal services, like wills and estates, family law and personal injury, into a law firm that now focuses on specific family law and other legal areas where their clients require the most assistance. Today, the family law firm in Toronto continues to provide legal assistance to people of all backgrounds in family law matters including divorce, child custody, support, and visitation, as well as legal representation for personal injury and disability law matters. For more information about us, please visit http://www.niroomandfamilylaw.ca/ Contact Info: Name: Hossein Niroomand Organization: Niroomand Law Address: 401 Bay Street , 16th Floor Toronto, Ontario M5H 2Y4 Phone: +64 7-560 3007 Source: http://marketersmedia.com/niroomand-law-offers-alternative-divorce-resolution-services/104047 Release ID: 104047 For more information visit r Recent Press Releases By The Same User Agarwood Essential Oil Market Expected to Grow at CAGR 4.2% During 2016 to 2022"> (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Cyber Weapon Market by Type, Product, Application, Region, Outlook and Forecast to 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Landscaping and Gardening Expert Trevor McClintock Launches New Locally Optimized Website (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Sleep apnea devices Market is Evolving At A CAGR of 7.5% by 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Agriculture Technology Market 2017 Global Analysis, Opportunities and Forecast to 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Global VR Helmet Market by Manufacturers, Technology, Type and Application, Forecast to 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Mountain West Trailers Launches New Website & Expands Inventory The folks behind Mountain West Trailers are pleased to announce the launch of their revamped website and exciting new products in their continuing dedication to trailer customization. Heber City, Utah -- February 16, 2016 (FPRC) -- Mountain West Trailers is thrilled to announce the launch of its new website. The site is designed to further streamline the companys customer service experience, as team members are already renowned for their friendly demeanor, expertise, and readiness to help clients with all trailer-related requirements. Mountain West Trailers is also excited to announce the addition of several new trailers and accessories to their already-impressive inventory. The company makes it easy to customize trailers so they fit any need, such as campers, concession trailers, UTV haulers, racecar haulers, and enclosed cargo trailers, and now carry all-aluminum enclosed cargo trailers and all-aluminum open-car haulers. The trailers feature screwless, seamless aluminum roofs, best-in-class ramp door openings, and radial tires on silver aluminum wheels among many other innovative highlights. Benefits of All-Aluminum The aluminum design featured throughout these spectacular trailers and haulers offer a plethora of benefits attractive to a wide range of industries, as aluminum is incredibly durable and corrosion-resistant. The screwless roof design does not need sealant, and subsequently requires no maintenance. The square trailer and hauler design remains resilient no matter what happens en route. Expanded Inventory Inventory is regularly updated to ensure the best selection; the company is also an authorized Haulmark and Look Trailers dealer. If theres a part or accessory thats not in stock, a team member will order it, usually with next-day delivery. Mountain West Trailers are currently expanding their inventory to include more trailer and RV accessories, such as Weathertech floor mats. Weathertech floor mats are renowned for their customization options and supreme durability. The sales team at Mountain West Trailers does not work on commission. These trailer experts are ready to help customers make informed decisions without pressuring them to upgrade. Mountain West Trailers also offers financing options through Sheffield Financial. Applications are completed online so customers can obtain approval while they wait. Enjoy browsing the incredible selection at Mountain West Trailers and remember that the company will customize any trailer to suit any need! Check the newly designed website to see what the latest trailer and trailer part arrivals entail, as well as the companys new blog specifically for auto racing enthusiasts that helps dealers drive traffic to their own sites and Facebook pages. About Mountain West Trailers Mountain West Trailers is Heber City, Utahs, premier trailer service. The company makes customizing trailers of any size and shape an easy process, and serves as an authorized dealer for some of the top trailer brands, including Haulmark and Look Trailers. Inventory is constantly updated, and financing options are available. For more on Mountain West Trailers, please visit http://mountainwesttrailer.com/ Send an email to Chad Asby of r (435) 709-8862 Recent Press Releases By The Same User ShapeHost Launches New Spring Sale Offering Savings Of Up To 35% On VPS Packages (Tue 8th Mar 16) Paypro Finance Launches their Consumer Financing for Small Business Program (Mon 7th Mar 16) Kuber Ventures Publishes New Infographic To Show Difference Between EIS for Pensions and SIPP (Thu 3rd Mar 16) Pregnancy Exercise Publishes New Guide Into Training For Fitness While Pregnant (Thu 3rd Mar 16) Centex Hosting Launches Newly Redesigned Website To Herald Expansion Into VPS Hosting (Thu 3rd Mar 16) Royal Cliff Receives ISO 22000 Food Safety Management Certification (Wed 2nd Mar 16) Lawson Law Firm Publishes Free E-book Advising Personal Injury Victims of Rights Not a solicitation for new lawsuits, this e-book assists victims in finding important information needed to decide if they need an attorney and how to find the right one to represent them Springfield, MO -- February 16, 2016 (FPRC) -- Recent statistics released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) revealed that in excess of six million car wrecks occur in the US each year. Furthermore, the report goes on to state there are over three million injuries from said accidents, and approximately 40,000 deaths, making death by motor accident the number one cause of death in the country. Recovering from accidents, whether permanent or temporary, can be a complicated process, requiring insight to the judicial system most laymen don't possess. In a recent survey conducted by the Insurance Research Council, the number one reason individuals gave for consulting with an accident attorney was they wanted to make sure they were adequately protected and that everything was done according to the law. With more lawyers than any other specialization, the personal injury field is saturated with attorneys seeking to help victims of auto negligence; however, it can often be confusing to an individual which attorney to choose, or if they even need an attorney. With this in mind, Larson Law Firm has published an ebook titled, Arm Yourself with What You Need to Win Your Missouri Injury Case. This publication, according to Springfield Car Accident Lawyer and writer Kurt Larson, sets out to answer consumers most pressing legal questions and to help them make intelligent decisions regarding their own case. Says Larson, "Picking the right lawyer, if you even need a lawyer in the first place, is one of the most important decisions individuals make in the entire process of their case. We are tired of seeing good people being short changed by lawyers with clever advertising. These lawyers are giving a bad name to great attorneys who are true advocates for the clients. We want to show how you can find the best attorney for your case at no additional expense to you." Larson goes on to explain, "This is not a solicitation for a personal injury lawsuit. We spend a lot of time speaking with and giving guidance to people who contact our firm for general advice and guidance in personal injury cases. This free book is simply a way for victims to gain important information to read in the comfort of their own home, and without the anxiety that may come with contacting a lawyer directly. Frankly, many times people do not need an attorney, and we tell them why. With our free materials, individuals should be well-armed to determine if they need an attorney, and if so, to find the right attorney to represent them." About Larson Law Firm: For more than 20 years, Kurt Larson has dedicated his in-depth legal knowledge exclusively to protecting injury victims, and to helping families who have tragically lost a loved one due to wrongful death. Kurt and his team have a passion for righting wrongs and holding people accountable for their negligent behavior. The goal of his firm is to aggressively represent his client's interests, keep them informed about the status of their case and counsel them on whether pursuing the case through trial is in their best interest. Send an email to Kurt Lawson of r 4178906677 Recent Press Releases By The Same User ShapeHost Launches New Spring Sale Offering Savings Of Up To 35% On VPS Packages (Tue 8th Mar 16) Paypro Finance Launches their Consumer Financing for Small Business Program (Mon 7th Mar 16) Kuber Ventures Publishes New Infographic To Show Difference Between EIS for Pensions and SIPP (Thu 3rd Mar 16) Pregnancy Exercise Publishes New Guide Into Training For Fitness While Pregnant (Thu 3rd Mar 16) Centex Hosting Launches Newly Redesigned Website To Herald Expansion Into VPS Hosting (Thu 3rd Mar 16) Royal Cliff Receives ISO 22000 Food Safety Management Certification (Wed 2nd Mar 16) AAA Storage Announces Grand Opening of New Palmetto, Florida Facility Extending service and support to the Palmetto area helps meet the growing self-storage demand generated by recent population surges, publishes aaastorage.com Palmetto, FL -- February 16, 2016 (FPRC) -- Census reports indicate the population of Palmetto has surged more than 70 percent over the last 25 years with an additional 7 percent growth projected by 2017. This uptick in area newcomers has driven up demand in the real estate industry as well as the self storage sector. On the heels of this development, Dal Anderson of AAA Storage has announced the addition of a new facility. Anderson elaborated, "We're proud to be kicking off 2016 by celebrating the grand opening of AAA Storage Hwy 41 during the month of February. Formerly Jayson's Mini-Storage, this is our newest state-of-the-art, immaculately-maintained facility in the state of Florida. With the industry expanding by leaps and bounds in Palmetto and the surrounding areas, our team is happy to be expanding our reach to cater to the growing needs of our friends and neighbors here." Under previous ownership, Jayson's Mini-Storage went into foreclosure in June of last year. This turn of events left a number of the facility's customers facing uncertainty regarding the future of their belongings. For many, these proceedings would have brought about the additional expense of moving truck rentals and relocating to less conveniently located facilities. AAA Storage acquired the property during the latter half of 2015 and has since completed maintenance and upgrading efforts. The location offers units in an array of sizes for household goods as well as commercial equipment; additionally, RV storage and climate-controlled units for items vulnerable to the elements are available. Around-the-clock security monitoring has been implemented. Anderson notes the company has no plans to uproot the facility's current clients. Concluded Anderson, "We feel the facility's current customer base has been left out in the cold, so to speak, for far too long and look forward to building a new level of trust with them as well as the remainder of the community. Our team is excited to offer area residents the best storage units in Palmetto FL through our newest facility and will continue to apply the same high standards of operation here as we do with all our storage facilities. Anyone in need of storage solutions should feel free to contact us at any time, and we're always available to address questions or concerns." About AAA Storage Hwy 41: The team of professional storage experts at AAA Storage Hwy 41 is dedicated to providing unmatched quality and service to create the self-storage experience customers expect and deserve. AAA Storage offers facilities throughout Texas, Florida, Oklahoma and North Carolina with a variety of unit sizes and types to accommodate customers' needs. They further strive to give their customers greater peace of mind with 24-hour security monitoring, ground level access and an array of money-saving options. Send an email to Dal Anderson of r (941) 729-5297 Recent Press Releases By The Same User ShapeHost Launches New Spring Sale Offering Savings Of Up To 35% On VPS Packages (Tue 8th Mar 16) Paypro Finance Launches their Consumer Financing for Small Business Program (Mon 7th Mar 16) Kuber Ventures Publishes New Infographic To Show Difference Between EIS for Pensions and SIPP (Thu 3rd Mar 16) Pregnancy Exercise Publishes New Guide Into Training For Fitness While Pregnant (Thu 3rd Mar 16) Centex Hosting Launches Newly Redesigned Website To Herald Expansion Into VPS Hosting (Thu 3rd Mar 16) Royal Cliff Receives ISO 22000 Food Safety Management Certification (Wed 2nd Mar 16) Virginias House of Delegates on Monday voted down a bill that would have prohibited school-based arrests for disorderly conduct for students ages 14 and younger. The bill was championed by advocates for school discipline reform as a way of reducing the states high rate of student arrests by limiting the reasons students can be referred to school-based law enforcement officers. Disorderly conduct is a broad, subjective statute that often leads to law enforcement sanctions for behaviors that should be dealt with by school officials, they argued. But Virginias House voted down the bill 36-60, with one member abstaining. Members who voted against the bill argued that students should not be granted immunity based solely on where the conduct took place, the Richmond Times-Dispatch reports . I agree that we need to find out why this is going on. We need to put a stop to a bunch of it, said Del. C. Todd Gilbert, R-Shenandoah, according to the Times-Dispatch. But what this bill does is say that in no case can you ever charge a student with disorderly conduct. It is blanket immunity. The Virginia bill was one of several that state lawmakers have proposed to rework school discipline to reduce classroom removals and to drive down disproportionately high discipline rates for students of color. The other bills are still pending, but they face a steep path to approval, the Times-Dispatch reports. As I wrote recently, Virginia is one of a handful of states that have aimed to tackle student arrests in current legislative sessions. South Carolina lawmakers have also aimed to eliminate student arrests for disturbing a school, the broad infraction that led to a violent video taped arrest of girl there last year. Related: Follow @evieblad on Twitter or subscribe to Rules for Engagement to get blog posts delivered directly to your inbox. Local Team Introduces Ancient Art of Reflexology to Athens Area Residents Newly opened Foot Palace offers one-of-a-kind healing and stress relief experience, publishes yourfootpalace.com Athens, GA -- February 16, 2016 (FPRC) -- Reports from the American Medical Association point to stress as a primary contributing factor in 85 percent of illnesses. As health care costs soar and society's trust in pharmaceuticals wanes, many are turning to alternative medicine for relief. Over the last decade, reflexology has emerged as a front runner in this field; in fact, studies recently conducted by a Chinese research team indicated 90 percent of participants receiving this treatment felt some level of remission with 40 percent experiencing complete healing. Aside from the proven physical and emotional benefits, people are increasingly drawn to the relaxing effects of modern combinations of reflexology with traditional spa treatments. This comes as no surprise to Foot Palace managing partner and spokesperson Jinx Ditthavong who introduced this ancient technique to residents of the Athens area in November of last year. Located in the Kroger Shopping Center off Epps Bridge Parkway, the newly opened reflexology day spa was strategically placed for locals' convenience and offers ready access from highway 316 for those passing through the area. Specializing in foot reflexology, the company additionally provides reflexology massage services for the head, face, neck, arms and hands as well as a variety of spa service upgrade treatments, all of which can be scheduled at http://www.yourfootpalace.com . "Our signature reflexology service is a one hour session for $35, and this is not an introductory rate; it's our permanent price as a courtesy to our customers," Ditthavong expounded, "We also extend a number of other offers, including our weekly Industry Monday promotion in which anyone whose profession requires them to be on their feet all day will receive our signature service at a discounted price. We're committed to using only certified organic plant-based products containing no parabens, petroleum, artificial colors or synthetic fragrances and not tested on animals." Among the issues stemming from stress are irritability, depression, varying levels of aches and pains, sleeping and eating disorders as well as lack of concentration. Reflexology is designed to target pressure points on the body, thereby relieving emotional stress as well as those ailments. The techniques involved likewise bring about a sense of overall relaxation, which the team at Foot Palace strives to enhance. Services meant to increase this effect include soothing mineral foot soaks, hot stone treatments and aromatherapy to name a few. Carrying the slogan "Let us soothe your soles", Foot Palace is an independent establishment locally owned and operated by a team of three partners: Athens native Park Harris who is a master electrician and avid dog lover as well as sibling duo Von and Jinx Ditthavong, both residents of Oconee County for 25 years. Von is the mother of an up-and-coming North Oconee High School freshman and an active member of the community, currently volunteering as a mentor to middle and high school girls. Jinx is the face of the company and acquired his reflexology certification from the Academy of Radiant Health in Atlanta. Ditthavong concluded, "We're proud to bring this affordable alternative form of health care to the Athens area, and we network with local businesses and doctors to provide the highest level of treatment to our clients. We offer services for men and women alike as well as group events and couples. Everyone can reap the stress-relieving and healing benefits of our treatments, and we encourage anyone interested to read our blog for more information and schedule an appointment to let us re-balance their bodies from the inside out." About Foot Palace: The Foot Palace team provides tried and true ancient healing techniques in a professional and relaxing atmosphere. Send an email to Jinx Ditthavong of r (706) 521-5290 Recent Press Releases By The Same User ShapeHost Launches New Spring Sale Offering Savings Of Up To 35% On VPS Packages (Tue 8th Mar 16) Paypro Finance Launches their Consumer Financing for Small Business Program (Mon 7th Mar 16) Kuber Ventures Publishes New Infographic To Show Difference Between EIS for Pensions and SIPP (Thu 3rd Mar 16) Pregnancy Exercise Publishes New Guide Into Training For Fitness While Pregnant (Thu 3rd Mar 16) Centex Hosting Launches Newly Redesigned Website To Herald Expansion Into VPS Hosting (Thu 3rd Mar 16) Royal Cliff Receives ISO 22000 Food Safety Management Certification (Wed 2nd Mar 16) Cheap Car Insurance 123 Launches New Website CheapCarInsurance123 offers a website devoted to helping vehicle owners find affordable rates on car coverage. The website also provides tips for reducing the cost of insurance rates. -- Cheap car insurance can be found on the new website launched by Maviael Jimenez of CheapCarInsurance123.org. Finding affordable car coverage on vehicles is critical for several reasons. By law, vehicle owners must carry automobile insurance. The regulations through the United States require vehicle insurance on every owned car or truck. Another reason for having insurance coverage is to take care of costs which are associated with a vehicle involved in a car accident. Insurance cover also takes care of fixing the other vehicles when fault is affixed to the covered driver. Obtaining cheap auto insurance is the responsible thing to do for anyone who is driving a vehicle. People may see affordable coverage as a waste of resources. For most individuals, there is rarely a need to actually place a claim against the coverage. In spite of that, car insurance is not something to go without. Traffic, particularly in urban areas is constantly increasing, making the risk of collisions, parking scrapes and other vehicle injury, more likely. The newly launched website helps to make vehicle insurance more affordable in several ways. Affordable carrier and policies for various types and levels of coverage can by found on the website. Exploring rates and terms of coverage allows vehicle owners to find the most effective coverage at a price that is budget friendly. Shopping around is an effective way to be certain that the lowest cost for the policy is obtained. The website also provides many specific tips for obtaining the lowest possible cost without sacrificing coverage. Tips such as bundled policies to include autos and life insurance from the same carrier is one example. Reducing the risk profile is another tip to lower the cost of insurance. Vehicle owners are able to review the various cost reduction tips in order to identify those which will be the most effective. For more information about us, please visit http://www.Cheapcarinsurance123.org Contact Info: Name: Maviael Jimenez Organization: Cheap Car Insurance Source: http://marketersmedia.com/cheap-car-insurance-123-launches-new-website/103249 Release ID: 103249 For more information visit r Recent Press Releases By The Same User Agarwood Essential Oil Market Expected to Grow at CAGR 4.2% During 2016 to 2022"> (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Cyber Weapon Market by Type, Product, Application, Region, Outlook and Forecast to 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Landscaping and Gardening Expert Trevor McClintock Launches New Locally Optimized Website (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Sleep apnea devices Market is Evolving At A CAGR of 7.5% by 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Agriculture Technology Market 2017 Global Analysis, Opportunities and Forecast to 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Global VR Helmet Market by Manufacturers, Technology, Type and Application, Forecast to 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Global Impact Modifier Market 2016 Industry Research & Forecast Global Market News has released report on Global Impact Modifier Market 2016. Deerfield Beach, FL, United States of America February 16, 2016 /GlobalMarketNews.us/ The market report, titled Global Impact Modifier Market 2016, is an analytical research done by QY Market Research study based on the Impact Modifier market, which analyzes the competitive framework of the Impact Modifier industry worldwide. This report Worldwide Impact Modifier Market 2016 build by the usage of efficient methodical tools such SWOT analysis, the Impact Modifier industrial 2016 study offers a comprehensive evaluation worldwide Impact Modifier market. Do Enquiry Before Purchasing Here : http://www.qymarketresearch.com/report/42963#inquiry-for-buying Global Impact Modifier Market 2016 report has Forecasted Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) in % value for particular period, that will help user to take decision based on futuristic chart. Report also includes key players in global Impact Modifier market. The Impact Modifier market size is estimated in terms of revenue (US$) and production volume in this report. Whereas the Impact Modifier market key segments and the geographical distribution across the globe is also deeply analyzed. Various Impact Modifier market dynamics such as growth drivers, restrictions, and the future prospects of each segment have been discussed in detail. Based on that, the Impact Modifier market report determines the future status of the market globally. Get Free Sample Report : http://www.qymarketresearch.com/report/42963#request-sample This report covers every aspect of the global market for Impact Modifier , starting from the basic market information and advancing further to various significant criteria, based on which, the Impact Modifier market is segmented. Key application areas of Impact Modifier are also assessed on the basis of their performance. The Impact Modifier industrial chain, existing policies,and rules and regulations are studied in this Impact Modifier Market report. Key manufacturers, their manufacturing chain, products, Impact Modifier market price structures as well as the revenue. The report also evaluates the production capacity, dynamics of demand and supply, logistics, and the historical performance of the Impact Modifier market worldwide. About Us: QY Market Research is a single destination for all the industry, company and country reports. We feature large repository of latest industry reports, leading and niche company profiles, and market statistics released by reputed private publishers and public organizations. Contact US: Joel John Suite #8138, 3422 SW 15 Street, Deerfield Beach, Florida 33442 United States Toll Free: +1-855-465-4651 (USA-CANADA) Tel: +1-386-310-3803 Website: QY Market Research Email: sales@qymarketresearch.com The post Global Impact Modifier Market 2016 Industry Research & Forecast appeared first on Global Market News. For more information visit r Recent Press Releases By The Same User Global Retro-Reflective Sensors Market 2016 Industry Size, Trends, Demand Review & Forecast 2025 (Thu 3rd Mar 16) Research on Global Quatrz Oscillator Market 2016 Industry Analysis, Review & Forecast 2020 (Thu 3rd Mar 16) Global Private Branch Exchange(PBX) Market 2016 Industry Size, Trends, Research, Demand & Forecast (Thu 3rd Mar 16) Global Print Mark Sensor Market 2016 Industry Size, Research, Trends, Growth & Analysis 2022 (Thu 3rd Mar 16) Global OLED Lighting Device Market 2016 Industry Trends, Demand, Analysis & Review Forecast 2020 (Thu 3rd Mar 16) Global Network Card Market 2016 Industry Size, Research, Trends, Demand Review & Forecast 2020 (Thu 3rd Mar 16) WebDesignRankings.com Releases New List of Top 30 Small-Business Web Designers With demonstrated ability to understand small business needs and deliver websites that produce results, members of list stand as the best working today, WebDesignRankings.com reports San Francisco, CA -- February 16, 2016 (FPRC) -- WebDesignRankings.com released a brand-new list of today's top web design agencies for small businesses. Expert web designers themselves, the members of the WebDesignRankings.com panel considered hundreds of candidates, focusing on the ability of each to deliver profitable, top-quality websites to small business clients. Representing the cream of the crop as of February, 2016, the new WebDesignRankings.com list ranks the thirty best options for small businesses and is available now at https://www.webdesignrankings.com/best-web-design-companies-small-businesses/ . "A website can easily make or break a small business today, as many have discovered in recent years," WebDesignRankings.com representative Joe S. said, "The fact is, though, that small business web design is a specialty of its own, and it is one that relatively few truly excel at. Instead of being impressed by the enterprise-size clients an agency boasts about, small business owners typically do well to seek out an agency that really understands what clients of their scale need and benefit from. Our new rankings highlight the thirty agencies that really stand out in this way at the present time, and we think a lot of small businesses are going to find them helpful." With thousands of web design agencies now plying their trade in the United States alone, settling on one can be challenging. In their own pursuit of new customers, some agencies emphasize low pricing or point out how they have worked with impressive-sounding clients in the past, but focusing too much on these factors can be misleading. What most small business owners ultimately want and care about is acquiring a site that will produce new customers and thereby greatly repay any investment made into it. While that is an obviously reasonable and laudable goal, figuring out just which of many agencies will be able to reach it can seem almost impossible. The new WebDesignRankings.com list of the best design agencies for small businesses as of February 2016 will therefore be of great value to many readers. Compiled by a team of skilled, knowledgeable web design specialists, the new rankings focus specifically on how successful agencies are at delivering websites that produce real, rewarding results for their small business clients. Like the rest of the rankings available at WebDesignRankings.com, the new list was compiled without the acceptance of payment or the introduction of other conflicts of interest. With the thirty top small business web design agencies selected and ranked, business owners can be assured of working with those best equipped to help them succeed. About WebDesignRankings.com: With an in-house team of industry veterans identifying and ranking the most capable and accomplished web design agencies, WebDesignRankings.com makes it easy to quickly, accurately find the best partner for a project of any kind. Send an email to Joe S. of r (415) 766-7508 Recent Press Releases By The Same User ShapeHost Launches New Spring Sale Offering Savings Of Up To 35% On VPS Packages (Tue 8th Mar 16) Paypro Finance Launches their Consumer Financing for Small Business Program (Mon 7th Mar 16) Kuber Ventures Publishes New Infographic To Show Difference Between EIS for Pensions and SIPP (Thu 3rd Mar 16) Pregnancy Exercise Publishes New Guide Into Training For Fitness While Pregnant (Thu 3rd Mar 16) Centex Hosting Launches Newly Redesigned Website To Herald Expansion Into VPS Hosting (Thu 3rd Mar 16) Royal Cliff Receives ISO 22000 Food Safety Management Certification (Wed 2nd Mar 16) The Top 3 Best Ruby on Rails Hosting 2016 Announced by TheHosting.review The best Ruby on Rails hosting providers in the year of 2016 are announced by TheHosting.review, all of which are the highly reliable and affordable hosting providers ensuring rich features, the latest version of Ruby on Rails, peak hosting performance and great support. -- TheHosting.review is one of the most popular hosting review sites that contain a large number of reviews, awards, comparisons and tutorials about all the hot web hosts in the market. Today, this site announces the top 3 best Ruby on Rails hosting in 2016 based on the deep researches among dozens of candidates. The result is based on aspects of affordability, hosting speed, reliability, features, industry reputation and technical support. After 6 months of tests, this site chooses to pick HostGator, BlueHost and InMotion Hosting as the award winners. To come out the result, the hosting reviewers of TheHosting.review have done the following tasks. o Collect the feedbacks from hundreds of real customers and analyse what satisfies them and what does not. o Set up the sample websites for the testing of hosting reliability and page loading speed using the monitoring tool of Uptime Robot. o Compare the prices and features to figure out which of them offers the most cost-effective hosting plan. o Try their support service to know whether they can ensure the 24/7 technical support with the fast response speed. o Search on the web for some other professional reviews of these candidates. Among these web hosts, HostGotor is the number one option that ensures the high quality Ruby on Rails hosting plans. This hosting provider offers 3 plans in total - Hatchling, Baby and Business. By activating the special coupon code EUNGE30OFF, all of these packages can be purchased at no more than $4 for each month. Besides, each of these plans come with rich features that include the cPanel control panel, PHP, MySQL, Python, the 1-click installer for hundreds of scripts, plenty of server resources, free advertising credits and many more. The second award winner is BlueHost, which is the leading web hosting provider coming with the large customer base. By purchasing via this promotional link, the service can be got starting at $3.49/mo effectively. In addition, by utilizing the quality web servers and well-equipped data centers, BlueHost can ensure the fast hosting speed and great uptime. According to the monitoring results of TheHosting.review, this web host ensures the 100% uptime and super-blazing server response speed. The last option is InMotion Hosting. This web host offers the best technical support with their professional support team. In addition, by utilizing the exclusive Max Speed Zone technology, InMotion is another fast hosting provider with the peak performance. For more information about us, please visit https://thehosting.review/best-ruby-on-rails-hosting/ Contact Info: Name: Eunge Organization: Eunge Media and Technology Group Ltd Source: http://marketersmedia.com/the-top-3-best-ruby-on-rails-hosting-2016-announced-by-thehosting-review/104077 Release ID: 104077 For more information visit r Recent Press Releases By The Same User Agarwood Essential Oil Market Expected to Grow at CAGR 4.2% During 2016 to 2022"> (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Cyber Weapon Market by Type, Product, Application, Region, Outlook and Forecast to 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Landscaping and Gardening Expert Trevor McClintock Launches New Locally Optimized Website (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Sleep apnea devices Market is Evolving At A CAGR of 7.5% by 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Agriculture Technology Market 2017 Global Analysis, Opportunities and Forecast to 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Global VR Helmet Market by Manufacturers, Technology, Type and Application, Forecast to 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Mission Viejo CA Laundry Service & Dry Cleaning Co. Launches Rewards Program Crown Valley Dry Cleaners announces a rewards program they will be launching alongside their newly released website for their dry cleaning, laundry and alterations services at their Mission Viejo, CA location . The rewards will offer loyal customers perks simply by using their service. -- Dry Cleaner Crown Valley Cleaners Announces Loyalty Rewards Program Mission Viejo CA - A premiere dry cleaning, laundry service and alterations company has announced the launch of their rewards program. This comes on the tail of their newly launched website and is a value added benefit that the company will be using to reward their most loyal customers. Reward programs have seen a lot of success with other dry cleaners, and now Crown Valley Cleaners is providing rewards and perks with the release of their rewards card. "I think it is important to add value and show customers we care whenever possible," said Edmund, one of the partners of the California based dry cleaning, laundry service and alterations company. "The concept is simple. Customers will have the opportunity to purchase a rewards card that offers discounts and perks on top of our already competitive prices. Basically, when someone comes in and uses our service whether it is our dry cleaning, laundry, fluff and fold service or alterations, they will be able to use this card. The card never expires and can be used on a full spectrum of our services. We are very proud of it and are excited to get it fully rolled out for our customers." The rewards program will work by allowing customers to purchase a simple card. When the customer purchases dry cleaning services, Crown Valley Cleaners will then punch out a part of the card. This card will offer over $100 in discounts, rewards, and bonuses. Some of the rewards being offered to their customers are up to $5 off, 50% off, or they can choose to take $1 off each dry cleaning item as a perk. The rewards program is a way of rewarding loyal customers and allowing them to have even more of their clothes cared for. Many small businesses have been experimenting with loyalty programs of various kinds for decades now. Often, this push adds a value won situation for both the business owner as well as the customer. The customer gets to save money from their loyal patronage, and the company retains a customer for repeat sales. The loyalty rewards program will go into effect in conjunction with the launch of their new website where customers will be able to save between $1 off each dry cleaning item, $5 off an order, or up to 50% off depending on the rewards used. The rewards card available for sale will position Crown Valley Cleaners as the leader in customer retention in the local area by providing these incentives to long term clients. For the business location and more about the business check below; Name: Crown Valley Cleaners Address: 27620 Marguerite Pkwy Mission Viejo, CA 92692-3607 Phone: 949-347-6899 For more information about us, please visit http://www.crownvalleycleaners.com Contact Info: Name: Edmund Lee Organization: Crown Valley Cleaners Address: 27620 Marguerite Pkwy Mission Viejo, CA 92692-3607 Phone: 949-347-6899 Release ID: 104140 For more information visit r Recent Press Releases By The Same User Agarwood Essential Oil Market Expected to Grow at CAGR 4.2% During 2016 to 2022"> (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Cyber Weapon Market by Type, Product, Application, Region, Outlook and Forecast to 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Landscaping and Gardening Expert Trevor McClintock Launches New Locally Optimized Website (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Sleep apnea devices Market is Evolving At A CAGR of 7.5% by 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Agriculture Technology Market 2017 Global Analysis, Opportunities and Forecast to 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Global VR Helmet Market by Manufacturers, Technology, Type and Application, Forecast to 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Garmany Proudly Announces New Director of Sales and Marketing Andrew Weisbrot Garmany is delighted to welcome Andrew Weisbrot to the professional retail team as their Director of Sales and Marketing. He will be focusing on customer experience, community outreach, events and more meaningful cultivation projects. -- Red Bank, NJ (February 16, 2016) - Garmany is delighted to welcome Andrew Weisbrot to the professional retail team as their Director of Sales and Marketing. The business looks forward to the future with great promise and continued success while adding more talent to their repertoire. With over 20 years of experience in the global luxury brands industry, Andrew is no stranger to this niche market. He will be focusing on customer experience, community outreach, events and more meaningful cultivation projects. Most recently, Andrew was Managing Director for Brioni in New York City. Prior to that, he held Senior Director positions at HUGO BOSS. He brings a wealth of experience and Garmany is proud to have him join their contingency of professionals. Andrew resides in Colts Neck with his wife Michelle and two daughters, Finley and Avery. Garmany continues to thrive with owner Johnell Garmany, who recently lost his father and business partner, Larry Garmany, in July 2015. Larry's legacy of excellence, passion and impeccable style lives on with a most dedicated team and loyal clientele. Garmany is an exquisite upscale Men & Women's Clothing Store regarded as one of the top 10 among independent retail establishments in the country. Located in Red Bank, New Jersey since 1989, a visit to Garmany is a must for the man or woman who desires the utmost in style, sophistication, and personal attention. The Garmany staff consists of professional clothing consultants and master tailors, all of whom are committed to the ultimate in shopping experiences. Call 732-576-8500 or visit www.garmany.com to learn more or stop into the store at 121 Broad Street, Red Bank, New Jersey 07701 between 9:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. Monday-Saturday. Contact Susan Belfer at Belfer Communications for media inquiries and interviews at 732.239.1559 or sbelfer@belfercom.com. Visit www.garmany.com for additional information. For more information about us, please visit http://www.garmany.com Contact Info: Name: Johnell Garmany Organization: GARMANY OF RED BANK Address: 121 Broad St. Red Bank, NJ 07701 Phone: 732-576-8500 Release ID: 104151 For more information visit r Recent Press Releases By The Same User Agarwood Essential Oil Market Expected to Grow at CAGR 4.2% During 2016 to 2022"> (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Cyber Weapon Market by Type, Product, Application, Region, Outlook and Forecast to 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Landscaping and Gardening Expert Trevor McClintock Launches New Locally Optimized Website (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Sleep apnea devices Market is Evolving At A CAGR of 7.5% by 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Agriculture Technology Market 2017 Global Analysis, Opportunities and Forecast to 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Global VR Helmet Market by Manufacturers, Technology, Type and Application, Forecast to 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) The death of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia has thrown the Friedrichs v. California Teachers Association union-fees casea challenge with key implications for teachers unions, education, and labor lawinto uncertainty. The case was heard by the Supreme Court in January, with a decision expected this summer. Most court-watchers thought the writing was on the wall that the court would deal public sector unions a major blow in striking down agency fees, which are charged of nonmembers. But Scalias death means that its now likely that Friedrichs will result in a 4-4 decisionmeaning an appellate court ruling upholding agency fees would stand. A quick refresher: Friedrichs seeks to eliminate unions abilities to collect agency fees on free-speech grounds. (The fees are charged of individuals who dont want to join a union, but still benefit from its collective bargaining in the form of benefits and wage increases.) The Supreme Court set a precedent 40 years ago in holding, in Abood v. Detroit Board of Education, that agency fees were permissible because nonmembers can get a refund of the portion of dues that goes to political purposes. Since then, the precedent has been chipped away at by conservative groups such as the Center for Individual Rights and National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation. And in the Friedrichs case, a group of teachers who oppose of agency fees argue that the very act of collective bargaining is by definition political, since unions take positions on delicate matters like tenure and seniority. Unsurprisingly, the new tack has seemed to resonate with the courts conservative justices, who all but invited a focused challenge to agency fees in a 2014 ruling . But Scalia himself was seen as a bit of wildcard on the matter. He had previously expressed concern about the problem of free riders, one of the core issues that Abood had sought to balance. Hopes that Scalia might be inclined to uphold Abood dissolved after January oral arguments in the case, however. Scalia, in his characteristically crusty way, joined the courts other conservative justices in pointedly grilling the attorneys representing the teachers union. With his death, though, a 4-4 deadlock seems likely. And that means that, for now, the lower court ruling is likely to stand, protecting agency fees for the time being. Its hardly a long-term victory, however. Since the lower courts ruling doesnt create a precedent for the other states that permit agency fees, the U.S. Supreme Court could easily accept another challenge to Abood. Theres also the possibility that the justices could ask to re-hear Friedrichs after a new justice is confirmed, reports the SCOTUS blog . In both cases, the outcome could hinge on a swing vote by that fifth justice. So an important thing to watch here will be who ultimately gets to put forth the nominee. President Obama has said he will nominate a successor to Scalia, but theres a tremendous amount of uncertainty over whether the Senate would confirm that pickRepublicans have promised they will block it until the 2016 election is over. Well be updating this post with reaction from some of the major groups, so stay tuned. Photo: Associate Justice Antonin Scalia, in a 2005 portrait session with fellow members of the U.S. Supreme Court. J. Scott Applewhite/AP-File A coalition of the willing for Syrian refugees? The United States has resumed its war in Iraq, once again building a "coalition of the willing." Our government has, unfortunate... Last post Sorry about the long hiatus, dear readers. I had intended to take a short break and it seems to have turned into a long one, so I am startin... Why are we still discussing the TPP? Has anybody actually read the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement? I presume the negotiators have. And no doubt a host of corporate la... Mister Trudeau and the impossible dream Oh, if only the economy could grow forever. We could buy more stuff tomorrow and more the day after tomorrow, and in their time our children... Hard times at the World Bank Paul Wolfowitz, president of the World Bank, was required to remove his shoes when he visited a mosque in western Turkey recently. Note his ... Paul MartinCanada's greatest finance minister? Paul Martin's official prime ministerial portrait was unveiled on Parliament Hill on Wednesday. During the ceremony, he was referred t... A Dipper writes his party president re leadership As one of those federal New Democratic Party members who feels we should stop floating across the political spectrum looking for a place t... A long overdue budget break for the CBC Of all the items in the new federal budget, the one that jumped out at me, and caused a whoop of delight, was the $675-million over five ye... Be happy! ...today is International Happiness Day Blogging about happiness may seem eccentric, but today is the United Nations International Day of Happiness, and happiness is good, so I t... The European Federation of Investors and Financial Services Users has called on the EU regulator to release details of the hundreds of closet trackers it uncovered. As part of a study into closet trackers which ended earlier this month, the European Securities and Markets Authority said that between 5 and 15 per cent of Ucits equity funds could potentially be closet trackers . The federation, which is also known as Better Finance, said this meant that out of Esmas sample of 2,600 funds, there were up to 360 closet trackers. Given that there are around 29,000 Ucits funds in total in the EU, there could be 4,350 closet trackers among them. In a statement, Better Finance said: Esma - unlike the Norwegian regulator - would not disclose these funds that were uncovered by its investigation as most likely falsely active, nor would it disclose in which countries they are domiciled, leaving EU investors totally in the dark. Moreover, despite having already taken more than a year to perform a quantitative followed by a qualitative investigation, Esma now leaves it up to national competent authorities to deal with this huge case of wronged investors, without setting any timeline or obligation to disclose. However, investors holding those funds have waited and suffered long enough, and can certainly not wait for hypothetical action, with no timeline, by unknown national regulators. It added that the problem could be worse than the figures showed, because a large number of Ucits equity funds do not disclose their benchmark or relative performance to those benchmarks in their key investor information document (Kiid). Intervention against closet tracking in various forms has begun in Norway, Sweden and the Netherlands, with JPMorgan analysts recently concluding that the Financial Conduct Authoritys asset management market study could also shine a light on the practice. Earlier this month, Esma stated it would continue to work with national regulators to determine further actions, as its analysis gives only a first indication of whether particular funds are closet index trackers. This work will include an active role for Esma in the coordination of further analysis carried out at the national level, while fuller investigations on a fund-by-fund basis will necessarily fall in the remit of national competent authorities, as part of their regular supervisory work. damian.fantato@ft.com The Nevada Democratic Caucus is being viewed as extremely competitive with no clear-cut favorite among the oddsmakers. BetOnline has Hillary Clinton at -150 , requiring a $15 bet to win $10 (the $15 is refunded only if she wins), thus making the former Secretary of State the de facto favorite. But Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders was listed at -120, with a payout potential of $12 for every $10 should he win. We could see both of these candidates at EVEN odds before all is said and done ahead of Saturdays Democratic Caucus, suggests Gambling911.com Senior Editor Payton OBrien, who advised that site traffic for both the South Carolina Primaries and Nevada Caucuses was brisk days advance of voting. The Democratic Caucus in Nevada will take place Saturday (February 20) while the Republican Primary will occur in South Carolina at the same time. The Republican caucus in Nevada will take place the following Tuesday (February 23) and the Democratic Primary in South Carolina the following Saturday (February 27). Polling in Nevada has proven especially difficult with internals suggesting a very tight race. Wall Street Journal reporter Byron Tau commented: "Nevada is the third state in the Democratic nominating process, but only six public polls have been conducted in the last year. Iowa, by contrast, was polled nine times in January aloneand nearly 100 times in the year leading up to the February caucuses. New Hampshire residents were polled nearly 50 times in the weeks leading up to their primary. As a result of the scarcity of public polling, the race between Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders in the state is almost totally unknown." - Gilbert Horowitz, Gambling911.com I was pleased to see President Ray acknowledge the problems that Oregon State University's uncontrolled growth has caused to nearby neighborhoods. Acknowledging the problem is the first step towards finding a solution. At this moment, OSU requires all first year students to live on campus. This is good. I would like to suggest that the requirement be expanded to all sophomores as well, with additional affordable housing for juniors, seniors, and graduate students as desired. Right now, OSU has 4,524 beds, mostly occupied by first-year students. If the population expands to 28,000 and students live on campus for two years, that would require approximately 5,300 additional beds to be constructed, the equivalent of five developments the size of The Retreat. Is OSU willing to build such significant housing on campus? Such a commitment would be a substantial shift in OSUs housing policy and a huge benefit to close-in neighborhoods. It would make our smaller, more affordable, conveniently located homes available for long-term residents, OSU employees, small families, and downsizing retired folks a benefit to all. If not, President Rays stated concern is not a meaningful change to a city that has been and will continue to be destroyed by the unrestrained growth of OSU. Charlyn Ellis Corvallis (Feb. 7) Super creepy "Prosperity Christianity" preacher-scammer Mike Murdock is endorsing Donald Trump for president. Seems a good fit. Says Murdock, "I ain't seen a woman as good looking as a $100 dollar bill." Bloomberg reports: "He has a warrior spirit for restoring America in the eyes of the world and he has a warrior's heart," said Murdock, the head pastor at the Wisdom Center ministry, told Bloomberg News in an interview. "I am endorsing him for president." Murdock, who frequently preaches about prosperity, arguing that a strong moral faith will lead to financial success for Christians, joins a handful of high-profile evangelists who have backed the billionaire candidate who's battling for supremacy in the Feb. 20 Republican primary in South Carolina. Two-thirds of Republican voters in the state describe themselves as evangelical. "We feel as evangelicals that God is being ignored," said Murdock, who also preaches as a televangelist on multiple national and international networks and has nearly a quarter-million Twitter followers. "We feel that there's content for God in the Bible, and I believe that Mr. Trump has a heart of restoration, including restoring us economically." Peter from the National Coalition Against Censorship sez, "A Florida parent thought 'This One Summer' was too graphic for an elementary school library. The district agreed, and then went further; they're restricting access to the graphic novel in the high school libraries as well. The only time I ever had a book censored, it was at a Florida school. My sympathies to Jillian and Mariko Tamaki on having their book banned. Make no mistake: This One Summer is spectacular and has received awards and accolades from all quarters; it's the first and only graphic novel to win Canada's Governor General's Award, the country's most prestigious prize for literature. As was the case with my book banning, the officials who banned One Summer violated their own procedures for evaluating challenged works. A parent of a third grade student at Sabal Point Elementary School in Longwood complained about some of the language in This One Summer, by Mariko Tamaki and Jillian Tamaki. The district removed the book from the library, but then also had it removed from open shelves at three high schools in the district. Using a complaint from the parent of an elementary school student to restrict access to a book geared towards teen readers is an unorthodox and troubling maneuver. A letter from the National Coalition Against Censorship (NCAC)signed by the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund, American Booksellers for Free Expression, Association of American Publishers, National Council of Teachers of English, American Library Association, and the PEN American Center's Children's and Young Adult Book Committeepoints out that the decision undermines the freedom to read: While the book may be above the maturity and reading level of elementary school students, its value for young adults at the high school level has been recognized by leading professionals. The book may not be of interest to every student, but as per Seminole County Public Schools' own policies, "The [school's educational media] center shall provide a wide range of materials on all levels of difficulty, with diversity of appeal, and the representation of different points of view." Florida High School Libraries Restrict Access to Award-Winning Graphic Novel [NCAC] See sample pages from this book at Wink. Terry Gilliam's memoir is as unique as the man himself. Known for his work with Monty Python and as a director of films like Brazil, Time Bandits, and Twelve Monkeys, Gilliam's work has always had a surreal quality that makes it instantly recognizable. His "Pre-posthumous Memoir" happily possesses a similar quality. Most authors would write a memoir that is a prose account of their life, and maybe they would include a couple pictures of the highlights for added effect. Gilliam, originally a cartoonist and animator, naturally flips this idea on its head and sticks pictures all over the book, drawing attention to them with handwritten notes. Sometimes the pictures are a direct reference to the text, sometimes they are tangentially related to the text, and occasionally they have no apparent connection to anything outside of Gilliam's head. What we get reads less like a book and more like a collage of many art pieces. The actual text of the memoir ends up being just one piece of many that ties the others together. You could probably only read the handwritten notes and pictures and still get a good sense of Gilliam's life and personality. The pictures scattered throughout the book are a collection of old family photos, sketches, illustrations, magazine ads, set photos, and more. Gilliam's early years in advertising and comedy magazines include some of the most surprising work, with hints of what the artist Gilliam would later become. As far as story content, Gilliam spends a lot of time on his childhood and formative years before Monty Python and his work in Hollywood. We get a great glimpse into his decision to leave America for Britain, and his own self-proclaimed ability to somehow always be in the right place at the right time. Readers looking for in-depth details about the making of his films won't find much besides the occasional hindsight infused self-analysis of his choices. Gilliam instead seems to be most interested in connecting the dots of his life after the fact, trying to make sense of the events that led him to being such an offbeat artist. We're treated to an excellent journey into the mind of an artist who after an illustrious career spent questioning the boundaries of reality finds himself asking those same questions, just in newer (and sometimes stranger) forms. He never quite gets an answer, and fans of his work should find this is no surprise. Alex Strine Gilliamesque: A Pre-Posthumous Memoir by Terry Gilliam Harper Design 2015, 352 pages, 7.9 x 10.2 x 1 inches $22 Buy a copy on Amazon Irish Tinkers : Irish itinerants kicked out Foto: Max Malsch Vilich-Muldorf Tinkers, a group of Irish itinerants who live in their campers, were cleared out by police. Teilen Teilen Weiterleiten Weiterleiten Tweeten Tweeten Weiterleiten Weiterleiten Drucken Police cleared out a group of Irish tinkers from restricted land along Beueler Strae in Vilich-Muldorf. The Irish groups are also referred to as Travellers, pavees, or gypsies. They move from place to place, living in their camper vans. Police noticed them moving in on Sunday with their campers, tents and cars. They broke the lock on a gate which had been put up by authorities to restrict access to the land due to the weather conditions. Police made several attempts to get the tinkers to leave on their own will, and finally had to give them an ultimatum to leave by 5:00 p.m. on Monday evening. When they did not leave, several police units were sent there Monday evening to clear them out. They were supported by the local Beuel branch of the Technical Relief Agency, which lit up the area to give police better visibility. Police sought identification from those on the land but several persons locked themselves in their campers. Courts issued authorities a search warrant so they could enter the camper vans. Three bicycles, which had been reported as stolen, were seized by police. By 6:40 p.m., the area had been cleared of the tinkers and the land closed off again. Human labour may be obsolete by 2045 News oi -GizBot Bureau Within 30 years, machines will be capable of doing almost any job that a human can, making human labour obsolete, a US scientist has said. "We are approaching a time when machines will be able to outperform humans at almost any task," said Moshe Vardi, a computer scientist at US-based Rice University. SEE ALSO: Yu Yutopia Review: A Specs-Heavy Phone with Some Shortcomings! "I believe that society needs to confront this question before it is upon us: If machines are capable of doing almost any work humans can do, what will humans do?" phys.org quoted Vardi as saying on Saturday. Vardi will be addressing the issue "Smart Robots and Their Impact on Society," at the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science in Washington -- one of the world's largest and most prestigious scientific meetings -- on Sunday. "The question I want to put forward is, 'Does the technology we are developing ultimately benefit mankind?'" Vardi said. At the event he would be presenting evidences about pace of advancement in the field of artificial intelligence (AI) is increasing. SEE ALSO: Facebook India head Kirthiga Reddy steps down: 10 interesting facts you didn't know about her! "A typical answer is that if machines will do all our work, we will be free to pursue leisure activities," Vardi noted, adding "I do not find this a promising future, as I do not find the prospect of leisure-only life appealing. I believe that work is essential to human well-being." The scientist asked the humans to rise to the occasion and meet this challenge before human labour becomes obsolete. Source IANS Best Mobiles in India Facebook, To stay updated with latest technology news & gadget reviews, follow GizBot on Twitter YouTube and also subscribe to our notification. Allow Notifications Matt Ruff is a spectacular and versatile science fiction writer who is perhaps most commonly considered an absurdist, thanks to his outstanding 1988 debut Fool on the Hill, but whose more recent works have highlighted his ability to walk the fine line between funny-ha-ha and funny-holy-shit. The Mirage was one such novel, but as brilliant as it was (and it was), it was only a warm-up for this book, Lovecraft Country, a book that takes a run at the most problematic writer in today's pop culture canon and blasts right through him. HP Lovecraft, father of the Cthulhu mythos, was, even by the disgusting standard of his day, a scumbag racist pig. Seriously. Even Robert Howard couldn't let Lovecraft's vicious invective pass without comment. David Nickle's novel Eutopia pulled down Lovecraft's pants and showed us all his shame. Lovecraft Country doesn't stop at the clothing. The novel involves a large, extended, accomplished African-American family living in Jim Crow Chicago. These characters a young soldier, a radical printer, a grifter's daughter turned landlady, a travel agent, a budding comics creator, and many others don't need Elder Gods to experience horror. They live it in their daily lives, through harassment, violence, expropriation, and the legacy of slavery that is anything but ancient history for them. Each character gets their own novella, a series of linked tales that both illustrates, at a visceral level, the terrors of the black American experience, and the family's relationship to another family, former enslavers who are Lovecraftian sorcerers, obsessed with the taming of ancient mysteries and sacrifices to unknowable Elder Gods from beyond our universe. Ruff inverts the Lovecraft horror, which turned so often on "miscegenation" and the duty of advanced humans to trample those around them in their drive to recapture this lost wisdom (and humanity's lost grace). His Lovecraftian horror is the horror of the people whom the Lovecraftian heroes viewed as subhuman, expendable, a stain on the human race. By blending real history (such as the Tulsa riots) and Lovecraftian tropes, Ruff's characters shine as active protagonists in their own story who have lives, have dignity, and have indomitable spirit that they use to fight back against the power structure that Lovecraft lionized. In his afterword, Ruff notes that he was inspired by Pam Noles's 2006 essay Shame, about her experiences growing up both black and geeky, and the way her family made her interrogate the portrayal of race in her favorite media. The essay is a must-read, presaging much of the debate underway today. Ruff started his career as an absurdist, with a light touch that made his debut a breeze as well as a hoot. Though his subject-matter has gained gravity over the years, his touch has, if anything, gotten lighter and quicker. Lovecraft Country doesn't just race along, it tears, demanding that you keep turning its pages without interruption. I read the second half of the book while walking in my neighborhood, holding the book with one hand and clutching bags of groceries in the other, and then finishing up in bed with a small LED lamp after my wife had fallen asleep. It's one of those books. But on the other hand, there really aren't any books quite like it. Lovecraft Country [Matt Ruff/Harper] From Lumia 640 to Lumia 650: What all has changed and does it warrant your attention? Features oi -Sayan Microsoft, after much delay has finally launched the budget Lumia 650 smartphone at a modest price of $199, which is roughly Rs 13,000 in India. But has it received some noteworthy changes over the existing Lumia 640? As reported earlier the Redmond giant is closely working to revamp its current smartphone portfolio with improved and more powerful successors. While this may be true for its Lumia 950 and Lumia 950XL flagship, the same can't be told for the Lumia 650. Microsoft is in fact referring to the Lumia 650, which may be the last device form the Redmond stable to come with a Lumia branding; as a "smart choice for your business". At 6.9mm: One of the slimmest Lumia around Well, the Lumia 650 does stand it ground when its design is compared to its predecessor. It is in fact one of the slimmest Lumia smartphone around at just 6.99m. However, that doesn't warrant a claim that it is the slimmest Windows phone in the world. First budget Lumia to feature a Metal Frame Microsoft has introduced a new chamfered metal frame design in their budget business phone aka the Lumia 650. The presence of brushed metal adds a premium look and feel to the smartphone; in fact, it is a marked changed over the all plastic predecessor. Hence Microsoft Windows smartphone revamp plans seems to be justified as long as you are sticking to the design aspect of the device. From 1MP to 5MP: Selfies have changed! It is great that Microsoft has finally noticed that they are decisively lagging behind in the megapixel race. While Android counterparts are running after introducing 13MP selfie snappers upfront, the Redmond giant was sticking to a resolution which is just 10% of the aforementioned. The amends has however, been made in the Lumia 650 as it now features a 5MP selfie snapper which is also capable of shooting wide angle groupfies. 5" HD IPS LCD now replaced with an AMOLED one While the 5" HD (1280x720p) screen has been carried forward from the older Lumia, Microsoft has replaced the ClearBack LCD panels with improved AMOLED ones. It worth recalling that the Lumia 650 is the first budget handset from the makers of Windows 10 to feature an AMOLED panel. SD212 (Lumia 650) compared to SD400 (Lumia 640): What were they thinking! Microsoft has however, made a blunder with the internal of the Lumia 650. Instead of packing in an improved SoC like the Snapdragon 412, the Redmond giant has opted for the SD212. This is quite disappointing considering the fact that the Lumia 640 came with a Snapdragon 400 chip. Well, Microsoft may however churn a reason stating that the business users aren't quite interested towards the specs sheet; hence including a lower powered chip would help to cut the price. While this is indeed true, but would you as an average user buy this phone considering that it has a Snapdragon 212 inside? Why still 1GB? The Lumia 650 still comes with a 1GB of RAM while other Android counterparts are including 3GB in this price range. 8GB to 16GB: Storage is no longer an issue Microsoft has increased the internal storage of the Lumia 650 to 16GB from the 8GB on the Lumia 640. Apart from that it can now support memory cards as large as 200GB as compared to the 128GB (wonder why would you buy such a large memory card anyways!) No Continuum As you may already be aware the Snapdragon 212 SoC doesn't come with Continuum support. So forget connecting your phone via the dock to your monitor. 2000mAh vs 2500mAh: Where did that 500 go? In terms of specs the Lumia 650 comes with a markedly smaller battery. At 2000mAH it is in fact, 500mAH smaller than the one seen in the 640. This however, doesn't mean that the Lumia 650 will have a poorer battery. Remember the Lumia 650 is making use of a low powered SD212 chip and a run on Windows 10 onboard. So these two might together compensate for that loss of 500mAh. Windows 10 icing on the cake As expected the budget business phone from Lumia run on the company's latest operating system namely the Windows 10. It provides a number of improved features over the Windows 8.1 which was seen in the earlier Lumia. Overall Microsoft has come out with a phone that indeed suits business needs. It has the looks, the software and well the camera too. But an area of concern is in the processing power. The Redmond giants seems to have cut a little too many corners in the Lumia 650. While this is truly a decent budget Lumia, it definitely isn't what was expected from Microsoft as part of its 'revamped' lineup. Best Mobiles in India #1 The most certain out of the lot of products expected from Samsung, are the 2016 flagship smartphones, Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge. Both these smartphones are confirmed to launch at the Galaxy Unpacked event this year. With rumors pointing towards the addition of the Snapdragon 820 chipset, a 4K display and an Iris scanner, this is one spectacle smartphone enthusiasts will not want to miss out on. Other rumors suggest 4GB of RAM, 32/64GB in onboard storage (without expansion options) and a reduced 12MP camera sensor but with improved picture clarity and contrast. Source #2 Along with the obvious Galaxy smartphone launch, a lot of speculation is in the air regarding the fact that Samsung is also releasing a 360-degree camera, focused on the VR platform. With Samsung's Gear VR getting rare acclaim, the company is looking to strengthen their division in order to overthrow the likes of the Oculus and HTC Vive. Described as a compact spherical camera', the Gear 360 is expected to sport two 180-degree fisheye lenses. Software will be available to connect the camera to Samsung's latest flagship, the S7, and possibly last year's S6 as well. Source #3 Successor to the fairly successful Tab S2 and, further the Tab S, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S3 is expected to launch sometime in 2016. That it will be at MWC is something that we are quite skeptical about. With the last two versions launched in July 2014 and June 2015 respectively, we can't really expect Samsung to surprise us with an early tablet PC launch. But you never really know with these guys. Rumors regarding the Galaxy Tab S3 suggest that Samsung is trying to put the edge' into their tablet series, literally. Borrowing features from the S6 Edge and Note Edge, this new tablet will possibly sport an additional screen on the corner, for higher functionality during use. Source #4 Announced back in 2015, Samsung Pay has been seen as a big alternative to Apple Pay, in the Android ecosystem. While the company has since been silent regarding the update for this service, analysts predict a major announcement concerned with the expansion plans for Samsung Pay. Planned for launch in international markets, Samsung Pay is compatible with the company's Galaxy, Note and even Gear smartwatch series. Source #5 Samsung recently launched a fresh new range of luxury straps for its latest Gear S2 Classic smartwatch so it seems that the company isn't exactly ready to launch another wearable device just yet, not at MWC 2016 that is. While no new hardware is expected in this division, a software upgrade along with the integration of above-mentioned Samsung Pay is going to be something to look out for this time. Source LeEco leads industry with three consecutive record flash sales News oi -GizBot Bureau LeEco's Le 1s ended with a record order of 55,000 within 9 seconds for its third flash sale which just concluded today. The response to the silver Le1 s with 4, 23,000 pre-sale registrations was clearly very enthusiastic has proved to be as popular as the gold colour version. With the successful conclusion of this flash sale, LeEco has performed a hat trick and also broken several records on the way. The internet technology giant LeEco, in less than 30 days of its India entry has successfully established itself as a significant player in the smartphone industry, creating several industry leading milestones: A record 220,000 (2.2 lacs) total orders received within the shortest time of 31 seconds in the 3 flash sales An incredible 20,28,000 (20.2 lacs) registrations received across the 3 flash sales LeEco's international stature, superior products and lower-than industry BOM cost pricing have contributed immensely to creating these amazing records. SEE ALSO: LeTV Le 1S First Impressions: A beautiful and powerful budget smartphone The premium Big & Bold, Le Max too was available on Open sale on Flipkart today and thanks to its near-cult status and niche fan following, this model was also completely sold out. LeEco is on a blistering growth track and pursuing its goals in India with relentless focus and sharply defined strategies. It has successfully wooed the Indian consumers with their Superphones which are clearly differentiated in terms of superior performance, technology and disruptive pricing. The company's global reputation, remarkable technology expertise, incredibly lower than the industry BOM cost valuation have attributed to these records. The company is also firmly committed to increasing its customer base and to this end is working on various plans to up the ante in achieving its business goal of being among the top 3 players in the business. SEE ALSO: LeEco Le 1S: 10 Most Useful Tips And Tricks For Better Experience Mr. Atul Jain, COO, Smart Electronics Business, LeEco India said "We believe that with this third highly successful outcome, LeEco has lived up to its global reputation of being a market disruptor and game changer. Le Max, the top-selling premium Superphone, which joins the sales in India for the first time, has proved to be a strong contender. Le 1s, the all-time best seller and record breaker, disrupts the market and manifests the 'LeEco phenomenon'. We are delighted with the huge vote of confidence that Indian consumers have given us and am confident that going forward we will continue to offer more exciting products " At a price only Rs 10,999, Le 1s has a full metal unibody, a world's first mirror-surfaced fingerprint scanner, and a 5.5" FHD display, the flagship processor of the year Helio X10 Turbo, 3GB Ram and 32 GB storage, dual-SIM card slots, 4G LTE support, and USB Type-C port. On the camera front, there is a 13-megapixel f/2.0 rear camera, and 5-megapixel wide angle selfie camera. This phone is so popular in other markets that in less than 3 months it sold more than 3 million units in China. The phone has also been endorsed by Tech Influencers and rated highly on specialized tech portals. Another outstanding feature is the phone's fast charging technology, which means a 5- minute quick charge allows for 3.5h talk time. Business people need never worry about the phone running out of charge during busy days. SEE ALSO: LeEco Le 1s Reaches 700,000 Registrations For Second Sale On Flipkart For anyone who failed to buy the Superphones, LeEco invites all to join the shopping carnival-LeEco Day on Flipkart on 25th February 2016. And buyers of this phone can expect a content ecosystem to be uploaded into its android-based EUI system in the 2nd quarter of this year since the company has already signed contracts with Eros and Yupp TV. Also noteworthy is the company's after-sales policies. LeEco has put in place 555 service centers in prime locations in the country, besides providing 24*7 toll free services, and other value-added services. Best Mobiles in India U.S., Coalition Continue Counter-ISIL Strikes in Syria, Iraq From a Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve News Release SOUTHWEST ASIA, February 15, 2016 U.S. and coalition military forces have continued to attack Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant terrorists in Syria and Iraq, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported today. Officials reported details of the latest strikes, noting that assessments of results are based on initial reports. Strikes in Syria Attack, fighter, and remotely piloted aircraft conducted four strikes in Syria: -- Near Raqqah, two strikes struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL vehicle and an ISIL crane. -- Near Ayn Isa, two strikes struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed two ISIL buildings and an ISIL fighting position. Strikes in Iraq Attack, ground-attack, fighter, and remotely piloted aircraft conducted 14 strikes in Iraq, coordinated with and in support of the Iraqi government: -- Near Huwayjah, a strike struck an ISIL tactical unit. -- Near Fallujah, two strikes struck two separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed an ISIL bunker. -- Near Habbaniyah, a strike struck a large ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL staging area. -- Near Kisik, two strikes struck an ISIL tactical unit, destroying an ISIL fighting position and an ISIL heavy machine gun and suppressing an ISIL mortar position. -- Near Mosul, four strikes struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL fighting position, an ISIL vehicle, an ISIL supply cache, four ISIL assembly areas and an ISIL checkpoint. -- Near Ramadi, a strike struck an ISIL tactical unit. -- Near Samarra, a strike destroyed three ISIL tactical vehicles and an ISIL crane. -- Near Sinjar, two strikes destroyed an ISIL fighting position and suppressed an ISIL mortar position. Task force officials define a strike as one or more kinetic events that occur in roughly the same geographic location to produce a single, sometimes cumulative, effect. Therefore, officials explained, a single aircraft delivering a single weapon against a lone ISIL vehicle is one strike, but so is multiple aircraft delivering dozens of weapons against buildings, vehicles and weapon systems in a compound, for example, having the cumulative effect of making those targets harder or impossible for ISIL to use. Accordingly, officials said, they do not report the number or type of aircraft employed in a strike, the number of munitions dropped in each strike, or the number of individual munition impact points against a target. Part of Operation Inherent Resolve The strikes were conducted as part of Operation Inherent Resolve, the operation to eliminate the ISIL terrorist group and the threat they pose to Iraq, Syria, the region, and the wider international community. The destruction of ISIL targets in Syria and Iraq further limits the terrorist group's ability to project terror and conduct operations, officials said. Coalition nations that have conducted strikes in Iraq include Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Jordan, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and the United States. Coalition nations that have conducted strikes in Syria include Australia, Bahrain, Canada, France, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and the United States NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Montenegro begins Accession Talks with NATO NATO - North Atlantic Treaty Organisation 15 Feb. 2016 Montenegro marked an important step on its road towards NATO membership on Monday (15 February 2016), beginning two days of Accession Talks in Brussels. The talks cover the details of membership including political, military and legal questions, and provide an opportunity for both sides to clarify outstanding issues. Following the talks, the next step will be for Allies to sign an Accession Protocol, after which Montenegro will begin attending NATO meetings as an invitee. Once all Allies have ratified the Protocol, Montenegro will be able to accede to the Washington Treaty and become the 29th member of the Alliance. The talks are being chaired by Ambassador Thrasyvoulos Terry Stamatopoulos, NATO's Assistant Secretary General for Political Affairs and Security Policy. The Montenegrin delegation is led by Ambassador Dragana Radulovic, Head of the Montenegrin Mission to NATO. Opening the talks, Ambassador Stamatopoulos said: "the holding of the Accession Talks today is a mark of the progress made by Montenegro since regaining its independence. NATO membership will reinforce Montenegro's security and sovereignty." Since 2009, NATO and Montenegro have worked closely together through the Membership Action Plan, which helps nations prepare for possible future membership. In December 2015, NATO Foreign Ministers invited Montenegro to start Accession Talks. Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg welcomed the invitation as "historic" saying "it makes clear that NATO keeps its door open, to complete our vision of a Europe whole, free and at peace." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address North Atlantic Council and NATO Parliamentary Assembly discuss NATO Summit in Warsaw NATO - North Atlantic Treaty Organisation 15 Feb. 2016 The North Atlantic Council met members of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly on Monday (15 February) and discussed priorities for this year's NATO Summit in Warsaw as well as how the Alliance is adapting to the new security challenges. The discussions were part of regular consultations between the two organisations. The NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said that the Warsaw Summit agenda will be driven by two major themes, balance and adaptation. The Alliance will need to ensure a right balance between addressing challenges coming from the East and from the South. And the Alliance will also need to ensure a right balance between deterrence and dialogue with partners who do not necessarily share NATO's core values, including Russia. He highlighted that a strong deterrence posture goes hand in hand with NATO's readiness to have dialogue. Mr. Stoltenberg said that fulfilling the Wales Defence Investment Pledge will help the Alliance achieve these objectives. Members of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly and of the North Atlantic Council also discussed NATO's decision to provide support to assist with the refugee and migrant crisis in the Aegean See and cooperation between NATO and the European Union. The Secretary General also had a separate meeting with the President of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, Mr. Michael Turner. The NATO Parliamentary Assembly is an inter-parliamentary organisation of parliamentarians from NATO member countries and associate countries and is independent from NATO. It provides a link between NATO and the parliaments of NATO member countries, to help build parliamentary and public awareness and understanding for Alliance policies. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Turkey, Saudi Arabia begin joint military drills Iran Press TV Mon Feb 15, 2016 6:19PM Turkey and Saudi Arabia have begun joint air exercises, claiming it is within the framework of cooperation and military training between the two countries. The Turkish military said in a statement that the five-day drills started on Monday, adding that six Saudi F-15 fighter jets are involved in the military exercises. The drills were planned in advance and are taking place in Turkey's central region of Konya, the statement said. Saudi Arabia and Turkey are widely believed to be among major sponsors of terrorist groups operating against the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. The joint drills started only a day after Brigadier General Ahmed al-Asiri, a Saudi military spokesman, said Riyadh has dispatched warplanes to the Incirlik Air Base in southern Turkey, claiming that the move was in line with the so-called fight against Daesh Takfiri terrorists in Syria. Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Saturday that Ankara and Riyadh could launch a ground operation in Syria "if there is a strategy." Meanwhile, Syrian Ambassador to Russia Riad Haddad said on Monday Ankara is planning a military incursion into Syria in order to save Daesh militants. 'They [Turkish authorities] claim they will enter Syria to attack Daesh. In reality, they want to interfere in Syrian affairs to save Daesh, to save terrorism in our country,' Haddad said. Earlier this month, Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Muallem said Damascus would resist any ground incursion into its territory and would send the aggressors home 'in coffins.' Iran and Russia have also warned against the deployment of foreign ground forces into Syria, calling it a dangerous move which could lead to a permanent war. "All sides must be compelled to sit at the negotiating table instead of unleashing a new world war," Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev told Germany's Handelsblatt newspaper on February 12. Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Shamkhani said on February 9 that a potential troop deployment by regional countries to Syria would be a "very dangerous" decision. In addition to Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates have also expressed readiness to send soldiers to Syria. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US drone crashes in south Somalia, residents say Iran Press TV Mon Feb 15, 2016 5:45PM An unmanned aerial vehicle operated by the US military has crashed in southern Somalia near the country's border with Kenya, residents say. Residents and witnesses said the US drone crashed Monday in a militant-held village in the southern Gedo region. The volatile region is considered a stronghold of al-Qaeda-linked al-Shabab militants. Later on Monday, al-Shabab group claimed on their radio station that its militants seized the crashed drone that carried at least six missiles. The US military has denied the report. Spokesman for the US Africa Command, Chuck Prichard, said on Monday all their 'assets in this area are accounted for and we have no indication that any were involved in this reported incident.' The US has been using unmanned airplanes in Somalia and other countries, including Afghanistan, Pakistan and Yemen, to target alleged positions of militants. According to witnesses, the attacks have led to civilian deaths in most cases. Human rights groups say the US drone strikes have killed many civilians over the past few years in a blatant violation of international law. Somalia's former defense minister killed in a bomb blast In a separate development on Monday, Somalia's former defense minister was killed in a car bomb in the capital, Mogadishu. Muhyadin Mohamed Haji who was the defense minister in 2008 was killed after an explosive attached beneath the driver's seat of his car went off. Another person was wounded in the attack that took place in a central district of the volatile city. Sheikh Anbdiasis Abu Musab, al Shabab's military operations spokesman, claimed responsibility for the bombing, saying "we are behind his killing.' The militant group has frequently targeted government officials and lawmakers over the past years. The east African country has been the scene of deadly clashes between government forces and al-Shabab militants who have frequently staged attacks against government officials and civilians. The Takfiri militants seek to overthrow Somalia's government. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UN warns of famine in besieged Yemeni city Iran Press TV Mon Feb 15, 2016 5:36PM The United Nations has warned of famine in the Yemeni city of Ta'izz as Saudi airstrikes with banned weapons continue against the impoverished country on an almost daily basis. The World Food Program announced on Monday that Ta'izz 'is in the grip of severe food insecurity at 'Emergency' level - one step below famine.' WFP says it delivered enough aid to part of the city on Saturday to support only 3,000 families for one month. The central city of Ta'izz with a population of over 600,000 in 2005, is the third largest city in Yemen after the capital Sana'a and the southern port of Aden. It has been at the center of fierce battles between the popular committees backed by allied Yemeni army and militants fighting for the fugitive former president, Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi. Ta'izz has also been the target of many Saudi airstrikes. Saudi Arabia launched its military aggression against Yemen in late March last year in a bid to bring Hadi back to power. Over 8,278 people, among them thousands of children, have been killed since the Saudis started the attacks on the poorest Arab country. The strikes have also taken a heavy toll on the poor country's facilities and infrastructure, destroying many hospitals, schools, and factories. On Sunday, Human Rights Watch released a detailed report, saying internationally-banned cluster munitions supplied by the United States have been used by Saudi Arabia in numerous attacks on civilian targets. "Saudi Arabia and its coalition partners, as well as their US supplier, are blatantly disregarding the global standard that says cluster munitions should never be used under any circumstances,' said Steve Goose, the arms director at Human Rights Watch and chair of the international Cluster Munition Coalition. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US admiral warns China against flying warplanes over S. China Sea Iran Press TV Mon Feb 15, 2016 5:32PM A senior US naval commander has warned that China's plan to fly fighter jets from its new man-made islands in the South China Sea will be destabilizing and would not deter US operations in the disputed waters. US Navy Vice Admiral Joseph Aucoin also urged Beijing to be more open over its intentions in the South China Sea, saying it would relieve 'some of the angst we are now seeing.' 'We are unsure where they are taking us,' Aucoin told journalists on Monday in Singapore about China's recent moves. 'So we are going to sail, fly, operate throughout these waters....like we have been doing for so long,' he said. Chinese and international security experts expect Beijing to start using its new runways in the disputed Spratlys archipelago for military operations in the next few months. Washington accuses Beijing of rapidly building up to 800 hectares (2,000 acres) of artificial islands in the Spratlys, an archipelago of more than a hundred islands, reefs and atolls in the South China Sea. Last month, China tested the 3,000-meter runway built on a reclamation on Fiery Cross Reef by landing several civilian aircraft from Hainan island. Aucoin said he could not give an estimate when he expected Chinese military jets to start operating in the Spratlys. 'It's a destabilizing uncertainty,' he said when asked about the impact of possible Chinese warplane patrols. Since last October, US warships and bombers have operated close to Beijing's artificial islands. China claims sovereignty over nearly all of the South China Sea, which is also claimed in part by Taiwan, Brunei, Vietnam, Malaysia and the Philippines. Beijing has accused Washington of meddling in the regional issues and deliberately stirring up tensions in the disputed waters. The US military announced last week that it will start formal talks with South Korea on placing an anti-missile system on North Korea's doorstep, not far from the Chinese mainland. The Terminal High Altitude Area Defense System (THAAD) is designed to shoot down ballistic missiles in their terminal phase using a hit-to-kill approach. On Monday, China said the possible US deployment of THAAD to the Korean Peninsula is a threat to China's strategic interests, and Beijing will not allow its "national security interests to be damaged." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address EU says ready to impose sanctions on Burundi over 'human rights violation' Iran Press TV Mon Feb 15, 2016 3:48PM The European Union (EU) has expressed readiness to impose a new round of sanctions on violence-ridden Burundi if the African country "fails to remedy its human rights record." 'The EU... stands ready to impose restrictive measures against those whose actions might have led or might lead to acts of violence and repression (and) serious human rights violations,' EU foreign ministers said in a statement released during a meeting in Brussels on Monday. Giving no details of the nature of measures and the time of their implementation, the statement said the 28-nation bloc "will adopt the appropriate measures necessary in view of the lack of positive signals.' The warnings come after peace talks between the EU and the Burundian officials on December 8, 2015 failed to find a way to end the deadly crisis in the country. Last year, the EU imposed sanctions on Burundi that included asset freezes and travel bans for some government officials. Burundi has been convulsed by turmoil since April 2015, when President Pierre Nkurunziza announced his bid to compete for a third presidential term, sparking widespread protests. The opposition stood against the move, arguing that the president's decision was in breach of the Constitution, which allows the president to run for two successive terms. Nkurunziza's allies, however, argued that his first term did not count as he was elected by the parliament and not by direct vote. Since then, over 400 people have lost their lives in violence with the situation worsening after Nkurunziza won the vote in last July presidential election. In December 2015, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad Zeid Al Hussein expressed concern that the country risks relapsing into a civil war. Between 1993 and 2005, around 300,000 people died in Burundi as a result of a civil war fought along ethnic lines. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Update: air strikes against Daesh 15 February 2016 British forces have continued to conduct air operations in the fight against Daesh Latest update While diplomatic efforts continue to implement a cease-fire in Syria and the unimpeded delivery of humanitarian aid, RAF aircraft have maintained intensive operations against the Daesh terrorists in both Syria and Iraq. On Tuesday 9 February, a pair of Typhoon FGR4s, supported by an RAF Voyager air refuelling tanker, destroyed an armoured vehicle, converted into a large truck-bomb, blocking a road with a Paveway IV guided bomb south-west of Kirkuk. The following day, Wednesday 10 February, Typhoons provided close air support to Iraqi troops engaged in close combat with Daesh extremists north of Habbaniyah. The Typhoons struck the terrorists with a pair of Paveway IVs. As Iraqi ground forces clear the remaining pockets of Daesh within Ramadi city they are also turning their efforts to Daesh strongpoints to the north and east of the city, supported by coalition aircraft. On Thursday, a pair of Typhoons, working in close cooperation with a coalition surveillance aircraft, successfully conducted two Paveway attacks on groups of terrorist fighters. Later that day, a second Typhoon mission over the area used Paveways to destroy a heavy machine-gun position and an accommodation block used by Daesh. Typhoons were also active east of Ramadi on Friday 12 February, bombing two groups of terrorists, as well as a team planting improvised explosive devices. On Sunday 14 February, a Tornado mission successfully targeted a compound north of Habbaniyah, where around 16 Daesh extremists had been observed, striking it with a pair of Paveway IVs. Whilst the Typhoons and Tornados were providing direct close air support to the Iraqi ground forces, Reaper remotely piloted aircraft and Sentinel strategic surveillance aircraft conducted extensive reconnaissance missions across Daesh-held areas of Iraq and Syria to help gather the vital intelligence which allows coalition forces to conduct effective air strikes on the terrorists. As Daesh are steadily driven back in Iraq, it is as important to determine where they no longer have a presence as it is to find where they are located. On the ground, British military instructors continue to play their part in the coalition programme to build up the capabilities of the Iraqi security forces; the specific training and equipment which the UK has provided to help the Iraqi troops deal with improvised explosive devices is proving particularly important as they now seek to make the streets of Ramadi safe to allow the many displaced people to begin returning to rebuild their lives. Previous air strikes 1 January: An RAF Reaper supported coalition air strikes in Ramadi, and on 2 January, another Reaper used a Hellfire missile to destroy a mortar position near Fallujah. 3 January: A busy day for RAF aircraft: Typhoons delivered four successful attacks in Ramadi against terrorist positions, including a mortar team. A second Typhoon mission over Ramadi conducted no less than six attacks, accounting for five machine-guns and a sniper position. Near Haditha, Tornados destroyed a truck-bomb, while a Reaper used Hellfires against two armed pick-up trucks and a group of terrorist fighters. Over northern Iraq, two more flights of Tornado GR4s successfully attacked a total of two mortar and four machine-gun positions. Daesh terrorists have suffered further losses following intensive Royal Air Force strikes as part of the coalition's air campaign over Iraq and Syria. 4 January: A pair of RAF Typhoon FGR4s operated over northern Iraq and used Paveway IV precision guided bombs to attack eight terrorist mortar and rocket positions. Meanwhile, Tornado GR4s provided close air support to the Iraqi army as they continue their operations to eliminate the remaining terrorist fighters in and around Ramadi. When an Iraqi unit came under rocket-propelled grenade and mortar fire from several Daesh-held buildings, the GR4s conducted a very accurate attack on all four buildings using Paveway IVs. The Tornados were tasked to deal with a group of terrorists who were preparing for a counter-attack. Despite this being a difficult target for most weapons, the GR4s were able to score a direct hit with a Brimstone missile. An RAF Reaper was also patrolling over Ramadi it provided surveillance support for three air strikes by coalition fast jets, and also conducted two attacks using its own weapons, employing a GBU-12 laser guided bomb against a Daesh machine-gun team, and destroyed two terrorist trucks with a single Hellfire missile. On Monday evening, a Tornado patrol, supported as ever by a Voyager air refuelling tanker, used a Paveway IV to strike a Daesh-held building near Mosul. 5 January: RAF Typhoon patrols over Ramadi continued, they used Paveways to destroy two terrorist machine-gun positions, as well as an anti-aircraft gun that had opened fire on an Iraqi Air Force helicopter. Near Haditha, Reapers provided close air support to Iraqi security forces as Daesh attempted to mount an attack on them Hellfire missiles and a GBU-12 were used against two armed pick-up trucks, two machine-gun teams and groups of terrorist fighters. In the area around Mosul, Tornado GR4s hit two Daesh rocket teams. 6 January: Following their loss of control of key areas in Ramadi, Daesh extremists attempted to mount attacks against Iraqi ground forces near Haditha. Coalition aircraft provided extensive close air support to Iraqi troops, and a pair of RAF Tornado GR4s used two Paveway IV bombs in attacks on with an Iraqi terrorists who were engaged in close combat unit. The Typhoons then flew south to Ramadi, where operations continued as the Iraqis sought to eliminate those Daesh positions that remain in the city. Working closely with other coalition aircraft, the Typhoons conducted four Paveway attacks, destroying two machine-gun positions and two armoured personnel carriers. In northern Iraq, Tornado GR4s supported Kurdish forces; south of Sinjar, a Paveway IV destroyed a terrorist team manning rocket launchers, while near Mosul, three fighting positions and three accommodation blocks used by Daesh were destroyed by six Paveways. Later in the day, Typhoons were once again over Ramadi, where they struck two terrorist positions, including a heavy machine-gun team that was firing on Iraqi troops. 7 January: Operations over Ramadi continued with Typhoons delivering six successful Paveway IV attacks on Daesh positions, including two more machine-gun teams. In the north, the Tornados were likewise again patrolling over Mosul and Kisik, and these missions used Paveways against a group of extremists and a rocket position. 8 January: Tornado GR4s conducted two more Paveway attacks near Mosul, striking rocket and machine-gun teams. 10 January: The focus turned to a series of targets inside Syria. Near Raqqa, a pair of Tornados bombed a pair of Daesh-held buildings, one of which was a confirmed command and control centre, and used a Brimstone missile to destroy a supply truck. A second pair of GR4s dropped four Paveway IVs on a tunnel complex, again near Raqqa, whilst a Reaper engaged a terrorist position with a Hellfire missile. During the evening, a further Tornado flight and a Reaper used a combination of Brimstone and Hellfire missiles to attack a number of mobile cranes brought in by Daesh to attempt to repair the severe damage inflicted by previous RAF and coalition air strikes on the Omar oil field. 11 January: A milestone was passed on Monday morning when an RAF Reaper flew the 1,000th sortie by the type since they were committed to operations against Daesh in October 2014. Iraqi ground forces have made repeated successful advances against the Daesh terrorist network, with recent major successes at Sinjar and Ramadi. Mosul remains the largest Iraqi town held by the terrorists, and they have concentrated much of their command and control functions within the city. Patient intelligence assessment allowed a walled compound in the northern part of Mosul to be identified as a major headquarters of the Daesh security organisation, which is responsible for terrorising the civilian population and indeed demoralised elements of their own membership into compliance, and is thus associated with many of the terrorists' worst atrocities inside Syria and Iraq. Very careful planning allowed three key targets within the compound to be identified, and an attack carefully planned to minimise any risks to civilians in Mosul. 11 January: RAF aircraft have also continued very active air operations against Daesh targets inside Syria. A Reaper identified a terrorist check point one of the methods used by Daesh to attempt to impose their will on the civilian population and successfully attacked it using a Hellfire missile. 12 January: Reapers maintained surveillance over the oilfields in eastern Syria which have been targeted by coalition air strikes, including by the RAF, to deny Daesh the ability to use the oil to finance their operations. The Reapers identified a mechanical excavator which was being used to attempt repairs, and an oil pump which had evidently been brought back on line, and destroyed both with Hellfire missiles. In north-eastern Syria, Tornado GR4s meanwhile patrolled in the area of Al Hasakah, where they used Paveway IVs to strike two Daesh-held strongpoints. While other coalition aircraft conducted a series of strikes on a range of other key Daesh targets within Mosul, Typhoon FGR4s from RAF Akrotiri, supported by a Voyager air refuelling tanker, used Paveway IV guided bombs to attack the security headquarters compound, and initial analysis indicates that the attack was a success. 13 January: Typhoon FRG4s provided Iraqi ground forces with close air support as they continue to eliminate terrorist positions in and around Ramadi and conducted two successful attacks with Paveway IV guided bombs on Daesh machine-gun teams. Further north, south-west of Sinjar, Tornado GR4s supported operations by the Kurdish peshmerga and used a Paveway to destroy a machine-gun position which had opened fire on the troops. 14 January: Typhoons were again in action over Ramadi, where they delivered three Paveway IV attacks on a group of Daesh fighters preparing for an assault, a firing position and a mortar team. Tornados patrolled east of Mosul, where they used a pair of Paveways to attack a mortar position and an armed pick-up truck. Typhoons operated in the same area that night, and successfully bombed three buildings in a terrorist-held compound. 15 January: Tornado GR4s struck a Daesh barracks near Raqqa, with two Paveway IVs, also destroying one of their vehicles parked close by. 17 January: GR4s conducted two successful attacks with Brimstone missiles, destroying a vehicle near Tabbaqah, west of Raqqa, in Syria and a terrorist supply truck south of Sinjar in Iraq. 18 January: Typhoons operated over northern Iraq, working in close cooperation with Kurdish forces. North-west of Mosul, our aircraft identified two groups of armed terrorists and struck both with Paveway IV guided bombs. The Typhoons then flew west to the area south of Sinjar, the scene of a significant Kurdish victory in November, where they employed a third Paveway to destroy a concealed Daesh vehicle. 19 January: Typhoons and a Reaper patrolling over Ramadi to assist the Iraqi ground forces as they continue to clear the city of Daesh positions. The Typhoons conducted successful Paveway attacks on a terrorist mortar team and a group of Daesh armed with rocket-propelled grenades. The Reaper used its Hellfire missiles to destroy a group of terrorist vehicles, including a fuel tanker, a supply truck and a mechanical excavator used for constructing defensive positions. Meanwhile, a second Reaper was operating near Haditha, where it attacked a large truck-bomb, terrorist fighters and a supporting vehicle with three Hellfires. 20 January: Typhoon FGR4s and Tornado GR4s provided close air support to Iraqi ground forces in and near Ramadi. Four successful attacks were conducted using Paveway IV guided bombs, striking two Daesh-held buildings, a group of extremists, and an armoured personnel carrier which was being converted into a large truck-bomb. The latter attack also detonated the stockpile of explosives close by. A Typhoon mission also provided support to Iraqi troops near Fallujah, hitting a terrorist mortar position with a Paveway IV. 21 January: A pair of Typhoons patrolling Ramadi and Haditha, delivered four Paveway attacks on three Daesh strongpoints and a further explosives stockpile. Further north, a Tornado flight used a pair of Paveway IVs to destroy a terrorist fighting position and a mortar team near Qayyarah. 22 January: Typhoons worked closely with another coalition aircraft to target a group of terrorists concealed beneath trees, scoring a direct hit with a Paveway. 24 January: A Typhoon mission operating near Ramadi, identified an anti-aircraft gun and ammunition store and attacked with two Paveways which destroyed both targets. The Typhoons then switched their focus to a network of Daesh trenches located near Habbaniyah, where they were joined by a pair of Tornados. The two RAF aircraft conducted six attacks with Paveways on the trench positions and a bunker. Tornado GR4s also patrolled south-east of Mosul, where they struck three terrorist-held buildings. A further Typhoon mission dropped six Paveways on a terrorist command compound north-west of Ramadi. Meanwhile in Syria, Tornados used Brimstone missiles to successfully attack three mobile cranes, being used by Daesh to repair damage from coalition air strikes. 25 January: A further two cranes destroyed by Brimstones, south-west of Raqqa, whilst a Reaper remotely piloted aircraft hit a Daesh position with a Hellfire missile, just on the Syrian side of the border. In northern Iraq, Tornado GR4s bombed a mortar position and a sniper team which had opened fire on Kurdish forces advancing south of Sinjar. 26 January: In the west of Iraq, a pair of GR4s conducted three attacks with Paveway IV guided bombs against a weapons stockpile, a terrorist fighting position, and a truck armed with an anti-aircraft gun. Further north, GR4s provided close air support to Kurdish troops near Kirkuk; a Paveway was used to strike a Daesh-held building. The GR4s then attacked a group of terrorists hidden inside a pair of caves overlooking the Little Zab River. The Tornados launched a pair of Brimstone missiles, which scored direct hits on both of the cave entrances. Meanwhile in Syria, Tornados used six Brimstones to attack mobile cranes south-west of Raqqa, highly valued by Daesh when attempting to repair damage inflicted by air strikes. 27 January: Typhoon FGR4s patrolled east of Ramadi and used a Paveway to destroy a terrorist armoured personnel carrier, then, north of Habbaniyah, worked with another coalition aircraft to deliver a successful Paveway attack against a group of terrorists engaged in combat with Iraqi troops. In northern Iraq, between Qayyarah and Mosul, a Tornado mission destroyed a Daesh vehicle with a Paveway IV. 28 January: Typhoons in action north of Habbaniyah conducted four successful attacks on Daesh positions, including a heavy machine-gun team. In north-western Iraq, Tornados bombed both a mortar and a heavy machine-gun position, while other Tornados and a Reaper operated east of Ramadi; the GR4s destroyed an armed vehicle, parked under cover, with a Brimstone, and the Reaper used a Hellfire missile to destroy an armoured truck extensive secondary explosions suggest that it had been converted into a large truck bomb. 29 January: Tornado GR4 and Typhoon FGR4s from RAF Akrotiri, supported by a Voyager tanker, flew armed reconnaissance missions over north-east Syria and northern Iraq. Near Mosul, the Typhoons conducted two attacks with Paveway IV precision guided bombs, striking a group of terrorists and a weapons store. Across the border in Syria, two pairs of Tornados worked in close cooperation with an RAF Reaper to target a group of Daesh defensive positions and a large tunnel complex with several entrances. The Tornados dropped eight Paveways on the defensive positions and two tunnel entrances, while the Reaper conducted an attack on a third tunnel with its own GBU-12 guided bomb. 30 January: In the area of Ramadi, Reapers conducted two successful attacks with Hellfire missiles against an armoured truck and a mechanical excavator, while a patrol along the border with Syria destroyed another engineering vehicle, used to build defences and attempt repairs to damage from coalition air strikes, near Al Qaim. 31 January: A Tornado GR4 flight provided support to the Iraqi army in and around Ramadi: our aircraft used a Brimstone missile to destroy a large truck-bomb, and three Paveways to destroy terrorist positions, including a heavy machine-gun team which had been previously attacking the Iraqi army. In northern Iraq, Typhoons conducted two Paveway attacks on a group of terrorists caught in the open near Mosul, and, slightly further south, a Daesh-held building. A pair of Typhoons also patrolled over eastern Syria, where they employed Paveways to destroy two large clusters of defensive positions. 1 February: Two Tornados flew reconnaissance and close air support for the Kurdish peshmerga in northern Iraq. Near Kisik Junction, they used a Brimstone missile and three Paveways to attack three rocket launchers and a Daesh vehicle, then over Qayyarah, a further Brimstone and Paveway destroyed an ammunition truck and a mortar position. Typhoons operated in the area of Ramadi, where they conducted successful attacks on three terrorist strongpoints. 2 February: Typhoons worked closely with other coalition aircraft to target a group of terrorists manoeuvring in the open near Ramadi, hitting them with a Paveway IV guided bomb. The Typhoons then flew to the area north of Habbaniyah, where they conducted a Paveway attack on a terrorist-held building. Further north, a pair of Tornado GR4s bombed a Daesh mortar team that was firing on Iraqi troops near Bayji. 3 February: Typhoons and Tornados providing close air support to Iraqi forces clearing Daesh positions in the area around Ramadi. The Typhoons destroyed a terrorist building with a Paveway, then used two more Paveways to engage a pair of Daesh groups, armed with heavy machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades, which were engaged in close combat with Iraqi troops. Despite the proximity of the friendly forces, the precision of the Paveways and careful planning by the aircrew allowed both targets to be struck successfully. The Tornados similarly had to attack a series of Daesh positions close to Iraqi forces, and these were also highly successful: Paveway attacks accounted for four groups of terrorist fighters, including one heavy machine-gun and two mortar teams, and when machine-gunners opened fire on the Iraqis from the windows of a single storey building, the Tornados launched a pair of Brimstone missiles which accurately struck both windows. Later in the day, Typhoons used a Paveway to destroy a mechanical excavator which had been converted into a large booby-trap, positioned amongst trees next to a road east of Ramadi. 4 February: RAF patrols over the countryside around Ramadi and Fallujah. Typhoons bombed three Daesh positions, as well as a group of terrorists caught moving in the open, whilst Tornado GR4s again attacked extremists engaged in very close combat with Iraqi forces; Paveways were used to destroy a heavy machine-gun team and a strongpoint, but in one instance, the terrorists were so close to the Iraqi troops that even a Paveway could not be used safely. Fortunately, the Brimstone missile's precision and small warhead allowed one to be fired into the midst of the Daesh fighters to significant effect. The following day, Typhoons operated around Habbaniyah and Ramadi, using eight Paveways to destroy an armed truck, a recoilless gun, two Daesh-held buildings, a command and control position, two weapons caches and a workshop producing truck-bombs. 7 February: Tornados used a Brimstone missile to destroy a truck-bomb near Habbaniyah, while Typhoon missions near Ramadi successfully attacked a garage containing an armed pick-up truck which was firing through the doorway at advancing Iraqi soldiers, and a terrorist-held building. Throughout all these missions, the Typhoons and Tornados were supported by a Voyager air refuelling tanker, with Sentinel aircraft providing essential strategic surveillance support to the coalition. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UN agency delivers added food supplies to besieged area inside Yemen's Taiz city 15 February 2016 For the second time this year, the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has managed to deliver food inside an area undergoing heavy fighting in the central Yemeni city of Taiz, where residents are in desperate need of external food assistance. On Saturday, a food convoy entered the area of Al Qahira carrying food for 18,000 people, the agency said in a press release. The food includes 3,000 family rations of vegetable oil, wheat, pulses and sugar enough for a family of six for one month. The delivery coincided with a mission to Taiz city, where WFP's Representative and Country Director in Yemen, Purnima Kashyap, met with local officials and witnessed the arrival of humanitarian assistance. "It makes a big difference for a family living in a hard-to-reach area to know that we will come again; that this is not a one-off delivery and that they can depend on us," said Ms. Kashyap. "We continue to overcome access and security issues in Yemen. It is vital that WFP has regular and safe access to be able to deliver food to families before they fall deeper into hunger." WFP has been delivering food assistance to parts of Taiz city since December 2015, but with the fighting, it has been difficult to move food to all districts of the city. On 21 January, the agency reached Al Qahira and Al Mudaffar districts, distributing food to 3,000 families. Taiz is one of 10 governorates out of Yemen's 22 governorates in the grip of severe food insecurity at 'emergency' level one step below famine on the five-point Integrated Food Security Phase Classification scale. At least one in five households in the area does not have enough food to lead a healthy life, and many face life-threatening rates of acute malnutrition. The conflict has worsened Yemen's already poor food security situation, adding more than 3 million people to the ranks of the hungry in less than a year. According to the UN's 2016 Humanitarian Needs Overview, 7.6 million people in the country are severely food insecure a level of need that urgently requires external food assistance. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address VOA EXCLUSIVE: Afghan Official Expects Peace Talks Soon by Ayaz Gul February 15, 2016 A close aide to Afghan President Ashraf Ghani says he is "very positive" that direct peace talks with Taliban insurgents will take place before the end of this month with no conditions from either side. Efforts are under way to determine the venue for the much-anticipated meeting. In an exclusive interview with VOA, Afghanistan's newly appointed ambassador to Pakistan, Omar Zakhilwal, singled out for credit Islamabad's 'positive' cooperation for rekindling hopes for Afghan peace. Unlike his predecessors, Zakhilwal has arrived in Islamabad with the additional responsibility of having "full political authority" and backing of Afghan politicians 'across the board' to win Islamabad's consistent and crucial support for ending the 15-year-old Taliban insurgency in Afghanistan. A four-nation cooperation group of senior Afghan, Pakistani, American and Chinese officials, at their latest meeting in Islamabad, agreed on a "road map" for peace and announced that direct talks between the warring Afghan sides were expected by the end of February. "I am very positive that we will," Zakhilwal said when asked whether the Afghan government and the Taliban will both come to the negotiating table this month. He went on to say that all the countries involved are currently engaged in intense diplomatic efforts to determine a venue and have established contacts with the Taliban's political office in Qatar for arranging the peace dialogue. "We are under no illusion that as soon as we sit with the Taliban, by the end of the day, we will have a settlement out of it. So it's going to be a prolonged process; I hope not so prolonged that people at the end will lose hope in it, but at least it certainly cannot happen in a meeting or two," Zakhilwal asserted. Taliban yet to decide Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid told VOA that the group's Qatar office is solely authorized to comment on whether they intend to join the negotiations. Mujahid denied media reports that said a top Taliban delegation from its Qatar office recently traveled to Pakistan as part of preparations for the upcoming meeting with Afghan peace negotiators. Ambassador Zakhilwal said predominant public skepticism in Kabul about Pakistan's assistance in the peace process continues to pose a challenge to President Ghani's renewed outreach to Islamabad. Many Afghans have long accused the Pakistani military of giving secret support and sanctuary to the Taliban, enabling the group to sustain its insurgency. Zakhilwal emphasized the need for all sides to make all possible efforts to overcome "negative perceptions" on both sides, and noted Pakistan's cooperative approach in the recent four-way talks on the Afghan peace effort. "There was nothing more that we could have asked for. There was no resistance from Pakistan and there is, so far, full commitment to implement that road map, and I have no doubt that the intentions are not there. But we must keep the environment such that it does not get spoiled, and if we do deliver on this road map I do believe that we will have some early indications that we are on the positive track." But, like many Afghan and foreign observers, the ambassador fears a spike in Taliban-led violence in the coming weeks when rising temperatures allow insurgents easier movement through snow-covered high mountain passes. "When we do not see the violence diminishing in the process, then the public will not believe in the process they will say 'look the Taliban are using this just as a delaying tactic or playing [a game with us]'. So, that's why what we have in the roadmap as an indicator of the success of the negotiation in this process and as an indicator to the public that they should be supporting it, diminishing violence." Islamabad's influence Pakistani officials insist they have "limited" influence with the Taliban to try to persuade them to engage in talks, and dismiss suggestions they completely control them or can influence their battlefield activities inside Afghanistan. Zakhilwal dismisses widespread criticism that there are disagreements between President Ghani and Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah over engaging the Taliban in peace talks. Without going into details, the Afghan ambassador said the national unity government is ready for "give and take" and to accommodate the Taliban in the political and power structure when negotiations begin. He reiterated neither side should insist on pre-conditions. Zakhilwal also criticized the latest U.S. intelligence assessments that Afghanistan is "at risk of political breakdown" during 2016 because of political disagreements, economic deterioration and worsening national security. "They have been proven wrong before and they will be proven wrong again there is enough maturity within the politicians of Afghanistan to understand the risks of following any other path other than the path of positive engagements and supporting and being behind the government at a time when the time is extremely challenging." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Pentagon Denies US Drone Crash in Somalia by William Gallo February 15, 2016 The Pentagon is rejecting al-Shabab's claim a U.S. drone crashed Monday in southwestern Somalia. Pro-al-Shabab websites said the drone carrying six missiles crashed in a rebel-held village called Shan-da'ar in the Gedo region. The militants claimed on their local radio station that they have taken the crashed drone to a safer location. Somali security sources could not immediately comment on the reported crash. In an email to VOA, a Pentagon spokesperson said, 'All AFRICOM assets in this area are accounted for and we have no indication any were involved in this reported incident.' An official said on condition of anonymity the Somali government heard the information about the drone crash, but could not verify who owned it. 'We heard about the news and we know that drones and war planes have been operating in the region since the last month attack on the military base, which was run by Kenyan troops who are part of the African Union, but we cannot verify whose drone it was.' said the official. The U.S. military has carried out numerous drone attacks in Somalia during the past several years, taking out several high-level members of the al-Shabab. The insurgent group wants to impose its strict interpretation of Islamic law on Somalia. It has carried out repeated terror attacks in Somalia and around the region. Mohamed Olad of VOA Somali contributed to this report NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Obama Seeks to Pave Long-term Path for US Rebalance Toward Asia Pacific by Mary Alice Salinas February 14, 2016 U.S. President Barack Obama is set to welcome the leaders of all 10 Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to a historic summit in California on Monday, where he will seek to put his U.S. strategic rebalance with the Asia Pacific on a path that would reach decades into the future. Obama and the ASEAN leaders will meet for two days at the scenic Sunnyland retreat in Rancho Mirage where a more informal agenda is planned to discuss a range of critical and thorny issues central to the U.S. pivot to the region. The White House views America's leadership role and engagement in the region as critical to the nation's future prosperity and security. ASEAN nations include Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar and Cambodia. The dynamic and diverse region is experiencing explosive growth and rising tensions, each having the potential to affect the global economy and security. Administration officials say that by hosting the ASEAN summit, Obama hopes to develop a work plan for his final year in office to further the rebalance effort and also send a message to future administrations that the same high level of engagement is needed for the U.S. to secure and maintain its leadership role. The talks will includes ways to build closer relationships on trade and commerce, the implementation of the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement, increased people-to-people ties, cooperation on countering violent extremism, and the creation of rules and principles to guide nations on a range of issues. The heart of the region The administration describes ASEAN as "the heart" of the Asia Pacific and the ideal forum to build a regional infrastructure to ensure the peaceful and legal pursuit of interests. "The more that we can establish clear rules of the road for how issues are managed, for how disputes are resolved, the more stable and prosperous this region is going to stay going forward," said Ben Rhodes, White House deputy national security advisor. "Otherwise, it's the law of the jungle. It's one big nation bullying a smaller nation, and that's how you lead to a cycle of conflict, which is in nobody's interest," he added. Territorial disputes in the South China Sea and China's increasing activities there will be a key discussion during the summit. The U.S. will send "a very clear message" to ASEAN leaders that it opposes China's "militarization" of the disputed territories and any escalation of tensions across the region, White House officials say. It will be a delicate issue as ASEAN countries want to see a productive relationship between Washington and Beijing, and they are uneasy about tensions between the two super powers. Though the U.S. is not a claimant in the South China Sea disputes, Obama is expected to make clear the U.S. will continue recent freedom-of-navigation operations in the same waters. The U.S. "interest in the South China Sea is the free flow of commerce, open sea lanes, and the global economy depends on it," said Rhodes. Beijing maintains it has long had a rightful claim to the disputed territories. Territorial disputes in the South China Sea and China's increasing activities there will be a key discussion during the summit. The U.S. will send "a very clear message" to ASEAN leaders that it opposes China's "militarization" of the disputed territories and any escalation of tensions across the region, White House officials say. It will be a delicate issue as ASEAN countries want to see a productive relationship between Washington and Beijing and are uneasy about tensions between the two super powers. Though the U.S. is not a claimant in the South China Sea disputes, Obama is expected to make clear the U.S. will continue recent freedom of navigation operations in the same waters. The U.S. "interest in the South China Sea is the free flow of commerce, open sea lanes, and the global economy depends on it," Rhodes said. Beijing says it has a long had a rightful claim to the disputed territories. North Korea The U.S. and ASEAN leaders also will discuss North Korea's recent nuclear test and long-range missile launch, and what role China can help play in pressuring Pyongyang to end its "provocative" actions. While the China and the U.S. have disagreed on North Korea, the U.S. sees a common interest with China in ensuring the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. 'We are exceptionally candid in confronting the many differences and tensions that exist between us," said Daniel Kritenbrink, National Security Council Senior Director for Asian Affairs. "But our relationship with China is mature, it's stable, it's broad, it's complex.' Ultimately the ASEAN summit, however, is "not about China," according to Daniel R. Russel, Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs. Rather, it is about creating a cohesive ASEAN committed to rules and fairness, he said. "It allows major countries like the United States and other powers to engage constructively as partners. It prevents Southeast Asia from becoming a sphere of influence or becoming a battlefield," said Russel. Obama will speak for human rights and democracy, though administration officials acknowledge ASEAN countries have vastly different political models, and records on human rights and democracy. "The U.S. rule has not been to dictate the precise model that each is going to take given that they are at different stages of development," said Rhodes. "However, we do make it a part of our engagement to support basic universal rights, to support civil society." Countries showing "positive movement in pursuit of a democratic transition" like Myanmar will get U.S. support, officials say. The 10 ASEAN members combined comprise the third-largest economy in Asia, and the seventh-largest in the world, with a combined GDP of $2.4 trillion, according to the U.S. More than 65 percent of its 632 million people are younger than the age of 35. The nations are evolving into economies driven more by entrepreneurship, technology and knowledge-based markets, and "these are places where the United States can really add value," Rhodes said, by "inter-connecting innovation and entrepreneurship within our own economy and the global economy." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address EU Warns Burundi of More Sanctions by VOA News February 15, 2016 European Union foreign ministers say they are prepared to increase economic sanctions on Burundi which has been in a political crisis since July when President Pierre Nkurunziza won a third term. The EU ministers meeting in Brussels Monday said the European Union stands ready to impose sanctions against those in Burundi who have contributed to the country's violence as well as those who have hampered a political solution. However, the EU ministers said they would not suspend humanitarian aid to Burundi. Last year, the European Union imposed travel bans and asset freezes on four officials close to President Nkurunziza. Violence in Burundi began last April when President Nkurunziza announced he would run for a third term in office. Clashes between police and protesters and series of attacks in the capital, Bujumbura, have killed more than 400 people and sent hundreds of thousands fleeing the country. President Nkurunziza was re-elected last July in a poll boycotted by the opposition. His critics say he violated two-term limits in the constitution and the Arusha agreement that ended Burundi's civil war. The president said his first term didn't count against the limit because he was elected by parliament instead of a popular vote. The African Union has proposed deploying peacekeepers to Burundi, but President Nkurunziza has refused to accept them, saying Burundi would fight them as invaders. In December, the European Union invited Burundian officials to Brussels for formal talks to try to find a political solution to the crisis. 'Despite all the efforts of the international community, the situation in Burundi remains deadlocked,' EU foreign ministers said in a statement Monday. Some material for this report came from AP, AFP and Reuters. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Opposition Leader: Burundi Deflecting True Causes of Crisis by James Butty February 15, 2016 The exiled leader of the opposition Front for Democracy in Burundi (FRODEBU) said the allegation that Rwanda is involved in destabilizing Burundi is a pretext to turn the political crisis in Burundi into a Hutu versus Tutsi problem. FRODEBU leader Jean Minani said blaming Rwanda is a strategy by Burundian President Nkurunziza to deflect Burundi's problems. "It is the new pretext of the Burundian government who doesn't want to go into talks, and now a new pretext to say I can't go into negotiations because I have nothing to do there. They have no answer for our problems. We have other refugees in Tanzania, in Congo, and in Uganda. Why are only the refuges in Rwanda taking up guns to fight the Burundian government," he said. U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Linda Thomas-Greenfield told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee last week that there are credible reports that Burundian refugees in Rwanda were being recruited by armed Burundian opposition leaders to participate in armed attacks on the Burundian government. And Burundi Foreign Minister Alain Nyamitwe told VOA last week his government had evidence of Burundian refugees being recruited and conscripted into rebel groups to destabilize the country and eventually remove President Pierre Nkurunziza from power. But Minani said the problem in Burundi is between Burundians and not between the governments of Burundi and Rwanda. "Those who say that Rwanda is helping refugees to go to fight Nkurunziza want to say that the problem is between Rwanda and Burundi. Nkurunziza wants to make this problem an ethnic problem. But as the leader, we say the problem is not an ethnic problem. It's a political problem; it's a problem between one person Nkurunziza who wants to stay in power without any legitimacy," Minani said. He said anyone who thinks that it is a problem between the Tutsi and Hutus is a person who doesn't quite understand the problems in Burundi. Minani said his group wants to resolve the Burundian crisis through peaceful negotiations. "We are on the way to a peaceful solution. We want a solution from negotiation, and if Rwanda can help us to negotiate peacefully, if all the East African countries can help us to find a peaceful solution we are interested in the position," he said. He said if no solution is found quickly, the Burundian crisis could engulf the entire East African region. "He [President Nkurunziza] begins with Rwanda. Tomorrow it will be Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya, and Congo. It is his strategy and all the international community tends to believe this man," Minani said. Rwandan Foreign Minister Louise Mushikiwabo said in a statement last week that her government was planning on relocating Burundian refugees to other countries. Minani said Burundian refugees are victims of what he called the "irresponsibility" of President Nkurunziza. "Refugees are refugees; to be a refugee is not a simple thing; it's a big problem. To make a new location for a refugee is like to kill him twice. So, if they take this solution, I say to them it is a very bad solution," Minani said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ugandan Police Detain, Then Release Opposition Leader Besigye by Jill Craig February 15, 2016 Ugandan police detained opposition candidate Kizza Besigye in the capital Kampala Monday as he campaigned for the country's presidential election this week. Witnesses said police fired tear gas at a Besigye event and took him into custody. He was then taken to another location outside of Kampala before being freed. Besigye has lost three disputed elections to President Yoweri Museveni, who has been in power since 1986. Uganda's assistant inspector general of police accused Besigye of violating campaign rules. "If you choose because it is political period, to campaign, to go to a place where you are not supposed to be at that time, and then lead a procession through the central business district, the nerve center of economic activity, at such a time, I think we must protect other people," he said. One of Besigye's lawyers, Lukwago Shifrah, said she was in a car with the opposition candidate when they were stopped by police and tear-gassed. "We were together and actually we finished the first rally which was carried out there, and then we left to go to the convoy and then we had another rally but we were blocked, and they had to tear-gas us, which wasn't called for because he's a candidate like any other people,' Shifrah said. Voter Charles Opakrwoth said he had been a long-time supporter of NRM, President Museveni's party, until recently, when he switched Besigye's FDC party. He says he was at the junction when the police took Besigye. "Me, as a Ugandan, and I know human rights law, what they have done today, is not fair. Even if they do to other person, even if to do to another person, it's still not good," he said. After Besigye was released, his supporters and police faced off in Kampala, as supporters waited for him to make an appearance at Makerere University. Some supporters threw stones and police fired tear gas canisters to disperse the crowds. Ugandans go to the polls Thursday to vote for president, parliamentary seats and local government seats. Museveni has been in power since a 1986 coup and won landslide victories in 2006 and 2011 in elections that observers said were marred by irregularities and intimidation of opposition parties. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Military Strikes Continue Against ISIL in Syria, Iraq From a Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve News Release SOUTHWEST ASIA, February 16, 2016 U.S. and coalition military forces have continued to attack Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant terrorists in Syria and Iraq, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported today. Officials reported details of the latest strikes, noting that assessments of results are based on initial reports. Strikes in Syria Attack, fighter, and remotely piloted aircraft conducted 10 strikes in Syria: -- Near Abu Kamal, six strikes struck an ISIL weapons cache, an ISIL headquarters, three ISIL weapons storage facilities and an ISIL barracks. -- Near Hasakah, two strikes struck two separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed an ISIL building. -- Near Raqqah, a strike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL vehicle. -- Near Hawl, a strike struck an ISIL tactical unit, destroying three ISIL buildings and damaging a separate ISIL building. Strikes in Iraq Rocket artillery and fighter and remotely piloted aircraft conducted 20 strikes in Iraq, coordinated with and in support of the Iraqi government: -- Near Baghdadi, a strike destroyed seven ISIL rocket rails and an ISIL weapons cache. -- Near Qaim, nine strikes struck an ISIL improvised explosive device facility, an ISIL logistics facility, an ISIL staging area, two ISIL internet cafes, two ISIL headquarters and an ISIL media headquarters. -- Near Fallujah, a strike destroyed two ISIL vehicles, two ISIL heavy machine guns and an ISIL bunker. -- Near Kirkuk, a strike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL vehicle, an ISIL weapons cache and three ISIL fighting positions. -- Near Mosul, two strikes struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL fighting position and an ISIL bunker. -- Near Ramadi, two strikes struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL front-end loader. -- Near Sinjar, two strikes destroyed three ISIL fighting positions and suppressed an ISIL mortar position. -- Near Tal Afar, two strikes struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL fighting position and an ISIL bunker. Task force officials define a strike as one or more kinetic events that occur in roughly the same geographic location to produce a single, sometimes cumulative, effect. Therefore, officials explained, a single aircraft delivering a single weapon against a lone ISIL vehicle is one strike, but so is multiple aircraft delivering dozens of weapons against buildings, vehicles and weapon systems in a compound, for example, having the cumulative effect of making those targets harder or impossible for ISIL to use. Accordingly, officials said, they do not report the number or type of aircraft employed in a strike, the number of munitions dropped in each strike, or the number of individual munition impact points against a target. Part of Operation Inherent Resolve The strikes were conducted as part of Operation Inherent Resolve, the operation to eliminate the ISIL terrorist group and the threat they pose to Iraq, Syria, the region, and the wider international community. The destruction of ISIL targets in Syria and Iraq further limits the terrorist group's ability to project terror and conduct operations, officials said. Coalition nations that have conducted strikes in Iraq include Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Jordan, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and the United States. Coalition nations that have conducted strikes in Syria include Australia, Bahrain, Canada, France, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and the United States. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address U.S. Marines helocast with Royal Thai, Republic of Korea Marines during Cobra Gold 16 US Marine Corps News By Cpl. Thor Larson | February 16, 2016 Royal Thai, Republic of Korea and U.S. Marines helocasted from an MV-22B Osprey Feb. 10, 2016 for the first time in a joint environment during exercise Cobra Gold 16 in Thailand. Cobra Gold is an exercise that increases cooperation, interoperability and collaboration among partner nations in order to achieve effective solutions to common challenges. Helocasting is a technique used by reconnaissance teams to insert into maritime environments. Other platforms regularly conduct helocasting missions, but for the Osprey this was one of the first times it has been done. Helocasting is part of the MV-22's training and readiness syllabus, according to U.S. Marine Maj. Arturo Guzman, the squadron director of safety and standardization for Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 262, Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force. The Osprey's operational test and evaluation squadron conducted helocasting most recently in 2008 to validate the Osprey's ability and collect data. VMM-262's goal while conducting the helocasting operations during CG16 was to gather more data and either recommend or not recommend it as a useful tactic for the battlefield. "After Cobra Gold, our recommendation is that it is absolutely a viable tactic," said Guzman. "We conducted this in a crawl, walk, run approach. First was a simulator, then a fresh water lake and salt water in Okinawa, Japan with no personnel. The last step was during Cobra Gold in Thailand with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, Maritime Raid Force, Royal Thai and ROK Marine Recon teams." The exercise is a great opportunity to build on Marine units' capabilities while also building stronger relations with our partner nations in the Pacific region, according to U.S. Marine Capt. Chad Bainbridge, the Platoon Commander for the Amphibious Reconnaissance Platoon, MRF, 31st MEU. "This is the first time we've ever helocasted from an Osprey and the first time anyone's helocasted from an Osprey alongside our partner nations," said Bainbridge. "Completing this mission alongside our Thai and ROK counterparts is very beneficial to building upon our abilities to work together." Cobra Gold, in its 35th iteration, is designed to build both the U.S. and its partner nation's capabilities in planning and executing complex and realistic operations. The helocast conducted alongside their partners enable participants from all three militaries to build their capabilities in a developing technique. "It was an honor to be one of the first Koreans to helocast from the Osprey," said Republic of Korea Gunnery Sgt. Hong, Suck Joon, a ROK Reconnaissance Marine. "I very much appreciate the training with the U.S. Marines and Thai marines during Cobra Gold." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Oil Prices Soar As Russia, Saudi Arabia Discuss Output February 16, 2016 by RFE/RL Oil prices have shot up ahead of a meeting between the energy ministers of Saudi Arabia and Russia, the world's two largest oil exporters, in Qatar. Reports say Saudi Arabia's Ali al-Naimi and Russia's Aleksandr Novak are meeting to discuss the glut in global oil production that has caused oil prices to collapse since 2014. The meeting comes even as Iran, freed this year from most Western economic sanctions, launched its first oil exports to the European Union in over three years on February 15. Iranian officials say the country has boosted exports by 400,000 barrels a day so far this year, adding to an already saturated global oil market. Crude-oil prices have plunged more than 70 percent since June 2014, falling below $27 a barrel last week, largely because of surging supplies from the United States, Russia, and members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) like Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and Iran. OPEC officials say a new idea has been discussed in recent days. Rather than trying to cut production -- a goal which appears unattainable right now -- members might agree along with Russia to simply not increase production any further. Such an output freeze would allow Iran to continue pumping at its current higher rate, while Russia could continue its recent record levels of productions, which were projected to flatten out this year anyway. Saudi Arabia has said it would need cooperation from other major producers like Iran and Russia before it would consider curtailing production. Russia has a tarnished record on cutting production, having failed to follow through with cuts it promised to coordinate with OPEC in 2001. Iran Reluctant To Cut Production Still, it is Iran that has been most reluctant to consider restraining production, since the lifting of nuclear-related sanctions this year has enabled it to ramp up its depressed output to levels that prevailed before the sanctions. An OPEC official told The Wall Street Journal that Venezuelan officials believe they can convince Iran to go along, however. Naimi and Novak will be joined in Qatar's capital, Doha, by Venezuelan Oil Minister Eulogio Del Pino, the delegates said. Their Nigerian counterpart, Emmanuel Ibe Kachiwku, will join them on February 21. Nigeria and Venezuela have been strong advocates of a production cut coordinated with other large producers like Russia to try to bring supply back into balance with demand and boost prices. OPEC officials have said Saudi Arabia will be closely watching Iran's return to the market before deciding whether a production cut is wise. The talks come after previous attempts led by Venezuela to agree on a production cut failed earlier this month. Nigeria has called for an emergency OPEC meeting to talk about cutting production ahead of the cartel's scheduled gathering in June in Vienna. The fall in oil prices has devastated the economy in Venezuela, Nigeria, Azerbaijan, Iraq, and other oil producers. Russia's economy is also showing strain, as oil-dependent government revenues plummet. What stance Russia will take in the negotiations is a mystery. Igor Sechin, an ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin and president of the country's largest oil company, state-run Rosneft, said last week that the market would benefit from a 1 million-barrel-a-day cut in production. But he downplayed the likelihood of a coordinated cut. Other Russian officials, including Novak, have been more willing to openly discuss working with OPEC. Russia's representative to OPEC said on February 15 that his country wasn't in talks with OPEC on potential cuts to oil output, but was talking with some of the group's members, mostly through Venezuela. While it's not clear what will be accomplished by the Doha meeting, battered oil markets reacted enthusiastically to the news. Oil prices surged by 2 percent in trading on February 15 and gained another 3 percent to 4 percent in early trading on February 16. 'As much as we continue to believe that this is yet another meeting that would yield nothing, the markets remain wary of any sudden agreement that major oil producers could come to,' Daniel Ang, investment analyst at Phillip Futures in Singapore, told AFP. 'It does seem like Russia has been invited into the inner circle of OPEC countries, which was vastly different from a year ago.' With reporting by Reuters, The Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg, and AFP Source: http://www.rferl.org/content/oil-prices-soar-ahead-of- russia-saudi-arabia-talks-on-output/27554733.html Copyright (c) 2016. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russia Starts Construction of 7 Mi-171Sh Helicopters for Bangladesh Sputnik News 13:26 16.02.2016(updated 13:27 16.02.2016) Russia has started construction of seven Mi-171Sh combat-transport helicopters for the Bangladesh Air Force, a deputy CEO of the Russian Helicopters company said Tuesday. SINGAPORE (Sputnik) In 2015, Moscow delivered five Mi-171Sh helicopters to Bangladesh. Following the delivery, Moscow signed a contract for the supply of another batch to Dhaka. 'At the moment the helicopters are under construction at Ulan-Ude Aviation Plant [located in the eastern Russian Republic of Buryatia] and are planned to be delivered before the end of 2016,' Alexander Shcherbinin told RIA Novosti. He added that Mi-171Sh helicopters had already shown good results in Bangladesh. Mi-171Sh (domestic designation Mi-8AMTSh) was designed for personnel transportation but can also be equipped with weapons. Russian Helicopters is a leading helicopter design and manufacturing company, headquartered in Moscow. It is part of Russia's state technologies corporation Rostec. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Cameroon Claims to Have Liberated Nigerian Boko Haram Stronghold by Moki Edwin Kindzeka February 16, 2016 Cameroon says its soldiers have liberated the northeastern Nigerian town of Goshi from Boko Haram and handed it to the Nigerian government. A spokesman for the government of Cameroon said more than 160 Boko Haram fighters were killed and hundreds of hostages, both Cameroonian and Nigerian, freed. Cameroon Communications Minister Issa Tchiroma Bakary said between February 11 and 14, Cameroon's military launched raids on Goshi, where intelligence reports indicated Boko Haram fighters were running training camps and bomb factories. He said the terrorists were also training teenagers, especially girls, and brainwashing them to be suicide bombers. Cameroon obtained the approval of Nigeria to free Goshi from the insurgents. 'During this victorious assault 162 Boko Haram terrorists were neutralized, four artisan mine factories were dismantled, a previously identified training center was set ablaze, war weapons seized. The operation led by Cameroon special forces also led to the release of hundreds of people held hostage by Boko Haram. Several Nigerian hostages were also freed,' said Bakary. The spokesman said Cameroon lost two soldiers in the battle, adding that Nigerian troops celebrated the victory with Cameroon troops who have now left Goshi, a town 15 kilometers from Cameroon's border with Nigeria. Regional forces from Cameroon, Nigeria, Chad, Niger and Benin have been launching raids on Boko Haram strongholds along the border since last year. According to the United Nations and Amnesty International, Boko Haram's 6 year insurgency has killed over 20 000 people, and displaced 2.5 million people. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address According to Premium Times, 54 out of the 130 abducted girls may have been identified. In a video viewing session which took place at the ... Obama-ASEAN Talks Center On Peace, Security, Prosperity by Mary Alice Salinas February 16, 2016 Long-term peace, security and prosperity for Southeast Asia are the goals U.S. President Barack Obama and the 10 members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations are seeking to ensure during a second day of talks in California. Obama and ASEAN leaders focused on developing innovation and entrepreneurship in southeast Asia during the first day of the two-day summit Monday. The talks are taking place at the historic Sunnylands retreat, an informal setting the White House says offers a relaxed atmosphere and opportunity for leaders speak more "candidly." At the opening of the summit, Obama said ASEAN is "central" to peace and prosperity in southeast Asia and an important forum where "international rules and norms, including freedom of navigation, are upheld and where disputes are resolved through peaceful, legal means." Obama is seeking to develop a leadership role with ASEAN, which the White House sees key to the U.S. rebalance to the Asia Pacific. The strategic shift toward the region is critical to America's further security and economic prosperity and a vital counterbalance to China's influence, the White House has said. The ASEAN nations include Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar and Cambodia. The dynamic and diverse region is experiencing robust growth and rising tensions, potentially affecting the global economy and security. Wide ranging agenda Talks are focused on increasing cooperation on trade and commerce, the implementation of the Trans-Pacific Partnership, violent extremism, human rights, the environment, human trafficking and security, including maritime disputes in the South China Sea. China's increasing activities in its contested waters has been a key topic at summit. Obama is restating U.S. opposition to China's "militarization" of disputed areas and calling for claimants to lessen tensions across the region, according to the White House. It is a sensitive issue for ASEAN countries, some of whom are claimants in the dispute. While members welcome U.S. engagement, they are also uneasy about tensions between Washington and Beijing. The White House has said the United States will continue recent freedom of navigation operations in the region. "We fully support freedom of navigation and we will stand by our partners," said National Security Advisor Susan Rice said Monday. Beijing says it has long had a rightful claim to the disputed territories. North Korea The U.S. and ASEAN leaders are also addressing what role China can play in pressuring North Korea to end "provocative" actions, include Pyongyang's recent rocket launch. While China and the U.S. have disagreed on North Korea, the United States sees a common interest with China in ensuring the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. Obama said Monday, in the last seven years ASEAN has become "the region's leading forum for addressing political and security challenges" adding "our sustained engagement is delivering concrete results that benefit all of us." Young, rich region The 10 ASEAN members comprise the third-largest economy in Asia, and the seventh-largest in the world, with a combined GDP of $2.4 trillion. More than 65 percent of its 632 million people are younger than the age of 35. Trade between the United States and ASEAN countries has increased by 55 percent in seven years, according to the White House. Southeast Asia is now America's fourth largest goods trading partner, said the president, including U.S. exports that sustain more than 500,000 U.S. jobs. And he credited investment by U.S. companies in ASEAN for the region's growing middle class. Human Rights Rice acknowledged some ASEAN nations "have a long way to go" on human rights issues, but she "strenuously" disputed claims the United States is "legitimizing" the behavior of governments with poor records. 'We take every opportunity to talk on human rights," she said. Obama told ASEAN leaders on Monday, "together, we can continue to support the aspirations and dignity of our citizens," and said the recent election in Myanmar "gives hope for a nation that is inclusive, united, peaceful and democratic." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Possible US THAAD deployment in ROK confuses and angers Chinese people People's Daily Online (People's Daily Online) 10:34, February 15, 2016 The U.S. has requested China's cooperation in resolving the the DPRK nuclear issue, at the same time, it planned to deploy the THAAD system with its allies, which confuses and angers the Chinese people, said Fu Ying, chairwoman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs of China's National People's Congress Saturday. During a panel discussion of the 52nd Munich Security Conference, Fu Ying expounded China's position on the North Korea nuclear issue, international orders and China-US relations. When asked about whether China has "lost control" over North Korea, Fu responded with humor that this is a question with typical Western thinking. China will never control other countries, or be controlled by them. Take the DPRK nuclear issue, on the one hand, the U.S. has requested China's cooperation, on the other hand, it planned to deploy the THAAD system with its allies, which confuses and angers the Chinese people, Fu explained. As Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told the media on Friday, China holds three principles: firstly, nuclear weapons must not exist on the Korean Peninsula under any circumstances; secondly, military action is not an option; and lastly China's national security must not be undermined, she added. Endeavoring to address the concerns of each side, China advocates to eventually halt the nuclear program in North Korea by restarting the Six-Party Talks. China is fulfilling its responsibility, while the U.S. should do the same, Fu said, adding that the key to solving the issue lies with the U.S. Regarding China's role in the future, Fu thinks people should not evaluate China from the perspective of the U.S, and that China will not become another U.S. China was among the most impoverished countries in the world 30 years ago. As a developing country, China will embark on a path of win-win cooperation with other countries in accordance with its own national conditions and visions. In her keynote speech Fu also mentioned that American values, its system of military alliances and international organizations including the U.N. are the three pillars of the 'U.S.-led world order'. China cannot totally agree with this order, as it believes in a U.N.-centered world order together with a series of international mechanisms, laws and principles. As one of the founders, China has a sense of belonging to the current world order. Apart from benefiting from and contributing to the international order, China also participates in its reform, Fu said. Kevin Michael Rudd, former Australian Prime Minister, NG Eng Hen, Singaporean Minister of Defense, and Robert Corker, Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations also attended the meeting. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US anti-missile system threatens China's interests: Beijing Iran Press TV Mon Feb 15, 2016 1:42PM China says the possible US deployment of an anti-missile system to the Korean Peninsula is a threat to China's strategic interests, and Beijing will not allow its "national security interests to be damaged." The US military announced last week that it will start formal talks with South Korea on placing the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense System (THAAD) on the North Korea's doorstep. THAAD is designed to shoot down ballistic missiles in their terminal phase using a hit-to-kill approach. The Pentagon made the announcement after North Korea launched a long-range rocket carrying what it called a satellite. Washington says it wants to deploy the anti-missile system THAAD to the Korean Peninsula as a deterrent against North Korea's ballistic missile program. 'We are firmly opposed to the relevant country's attempts to damage China's strategic and security interests, with the nuclear issue as an excuse,' Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei told reporters in Beijing on Monday. China was 'seriously concerned about the possible deployment of the THAAD system', he added, saying it 'covers a range that is far beyond the needs of defense of the Korean peninsula.' China argues that the THAAD deployment would trigger an arms race in the Asia-Pacific region. 'We will not allow our legitimate rights and national security interests to be damaged,' Hong stated. China and the US are at loggerheads over a number of issues, particularly the South China Sea dispute. Beijing claims sovereignty over almost the whole of the South China Sea, which is also claimed in part by Taiwan, Brunei, Vietnam, Malaysia and the Philippines. The waters are believed to sit atop vast reserves of oil and gas. Washington has sided with China's rivals in the territorial dispute, with Beijing accusing the US of meddling in the regional issues and deliberately stirring up tensions in the South China Sea. US President Barack Obama is hosting leaders from the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) at a summit which aims to counter what Washington calls China's increasingly assertiveness in the South China Sea. The two-day summit, which is being held in Rancho Mirage, California on Monday, comes as the US steps up pressure against China. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address EU Lifts Most Sanctions On Belarus February 15, 2016 by RFE/RL EU foreign ministers have voted to abandon a handful of sanctions against Belarus over its rights and democracy record and adopted an EU Council text praising mutual cooperation, furthering a thaw that critics fear will let the authoritarian regime in Minsk off the hook too quickly. The 28 ministers agreed that 170 Belarusians, including President Alyaksandr Lukashenka and senior officials, along with three blacklisted Belarusian companies should be permanently removed from the EU list of those facing asset freezes and visa bans. Belarusian Foreign Ministry spokesman Dzmitry Mironchik described the EU decision as 'an important stage toward full normalization of our relations,' saying it 'opens up new opportunities for a broader, diverse cooperation' between Belarus and the EU. The lifting of the measures goes into effect on March 1. EU foreign-policy chief Federica Mogherini said the EU had seen a 'positive trend' from Belarus. 'We have agreed by the fact that we have seen over the last couple of years some steps that are encouraging and that is what we want to try and support and encourage further, which means that the way is still long ahead of us, especially ahead of the authorities [in Belarus],' she said in Brussels. But she maintained that the situation in Belarus was not a 'rosy or a perfect picture,' insisting the bloc would maintain a policy of 'critical engagement' with Minsk. As expected, the EU left an arms embargo in place and extended for another year sanctions targeting four Belarusian officials suspected of involvement in opposition disappearances more than a decade ago. The sanctions were set to expire at the end of this month, following a four-month suspension in October. Most were imposed in response to an official crackdown against the opposition following a flawed presidential election in 2010, but some date back as far as 2004. Speaking outside the EU ministers meeting in Brussels, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Linas Linkevicius insisted that the move did not mean that EU 'expectations and requirements' toward the Belarusian authorities will be 'lowered.' Swedish Foreign Minister Margot Wallstrom acknowledged to journalists in the EU capital that 'the situation of human rights and democracy has not improved.' 'But we also think that sanctions need to be one element of what our relation to Belarus should be and how we are going to work with Belarus as a partner,' Wallstrom said. 'So now we have a compromise on the table according to which we' -- the European Union -- 'should keep some sanctions and discuss a broader strategic position on Belarus.' Polish Foreign Minister Witold Waszczykowski called the partial lifting of the sanctions an 'experiment.' 'As a neighbor [of Belarus], we are satisfied because we hope that it will improve our neighborly relations,' Waszczykowski said, adding that he plans to travel to Belarus and see whether the country 'is determined to cooperate with the European Union and -- above all -- with Poland.' Belarusian Foreign Minister Uladzimer Makey said on February 9 that 'sanctions are not a good method to develop cooperation and interstate relations.' 'We are ready to move along our part of the way in the framework of EU's expectations,' state-controlled news agency Belta quoted Makey as saying. 'We are interested in looking for common ground through dialogue and moving on to normal cooperation.' Belarusian President Alyaksandr Lukashenka was once dubbed by the United States Europe's last 'dictator,' and his administration routinely jails dissenters and stifles public criticism. Belarus has won recent praise from the West with its release in August of political prisoners and its role in international talks to halt fighting in eastern Ukraine. Former Belarusian political prisoner Ales Byalyatski is among those who have urged European leaders to maintain pressure on Minsk, saying that the situation inside the former Soviet republic has not improved. Lukashenka has ruled post-Soviet Belarus with an iron fist for two decades and won a fifth term in October in an election that Western monitors determined was neither free nor fair. He has lately shown a willingness to resist falling automatically in line with Moscow, declining to recognize the independence of breakaway Georgian territories allied with the Kremlin or acknowledge Russia's annexation of Crimea, seized from Ukraine in early 2014. Also on February 15, the EU foreign ministers adopted EU Council conclusions on Belarus that noted 'proactive' cooperation and engagement on visa and human-rights issues. The text hints at an acceleration of efforts to boost economic and other cooperation but calls for the 'reinstatement of the civil and political rights of former political prisoners and highlights the need to ensure freedom of association and assembly, including by allowing the registration of political and civil society organizations.' It also urges the Belarusian government to 'set up a moratorium [on the death penalty] as a first step towards its abolition.' With reporting by RFE/RL's Brussels correspondent Rikard Jozwiak Source: http://www.rferl.org/content/belarus-eu-drops-sanctions/27553686.html Copyright (c) 2016. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Minsk Welcomes EU Decision to Partially Lift Sanctions From Belarus Sputnik News 22:04 15.02.2016 Minsk welcomes the decision by the European Union to cancel a vast portion of anti-Belarus sanctions, and is ready to continue bilateral dialogue, a ministry's spokesman said in a statement Monday. MINSK (Sputnik) Earlier in the day, the EU Foreign Affairs Council decided to partially lift sanctions from some Belorus individuals, in particular, not to extend the restrictive measures for 170 individuals and three companies whose listings are currently suspended. The ministers also encouraged increased cooperation between Belarus and the Council of Europe with a view to becoming a full member. 'We welcome today's decision of the EU Foreign Affairs Council on lifting the majority of restrictive measures against Belarus and intensification of cooperation with our country. This decision marks an important phase on the way towards full normalization of relations and opens new possibilities for broadening comprehensive interaction between Belarus and the EU,' Dmitry Mironchik said in a statement. According to him, the decision goes in line with the interests of Belarus, the European Union and the whole European region in general. 'Belarus is open to continuation of a constructive dialogue with the European Union and its Member States on all issues of mutual interest,' Mironchik added. The sanctions against Belarus were gradually imposed from 2002 to 2010. The most serious package of restrictions was adopted in 2010 after the presidential elections in Belarus and the authorities' crackdown on a mass protest that followed. They included visa bans and financial restrictions on some 200 Belorussian individuals, including President Alexandr Lukashenko, and several entities. The West has accused the Belorussian authorities of persecuting the political opposition and violating citizens' basic rights and freedoms, in particular, freedom of expression. Lukashenko has insisted that the accusations were groundless. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UN Expert: Kim Jong Un Could Be Held Accountable for Crimes Against Humanity by VOA News February 15, 2016 A United Nations expert on human rights in North Korea is warning the country's supreme leader, Kim Jong Un, could be held accountable for alleged crimes against humanity. Marzuki Darusman, the U.N. special rapporteur on human rights in North Korea, issued the warning in a report made public Monday. The U.N. Human Rights Council should advise Kim and other senior North Korean leaders 'they may be investigated, and if found to be responsible, held accountable for crimes against humanity committed under their leadership,' the report said. Darusman was the head of a special U.N. investigation into North Korea's human rights abuses, which are considered to be among the worst in the world. The so-called Commission of Inquiry accused the North of committing atrocities not seen since the Nazi era. The panel also called for North Korean leaders to be prosecuted at the International Criminal Court. But that would require action by the U.N. Security Council. China and Russia, which are veto-wielding members of the council, oppose such a move. The secretive North Korean government is accused of running a massive network of political prisons, as well as carrying out murder, enslavement, torture, imprisonment, rape, forced abortions and other sexual violence. In his latest report, Darusman said Pyongyang does not appear to have made any improvements on rights issues since the U.N. investigation ended two years ago. The U.N. Human Rights Council will review the report next month. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russia Plans to Seal Deal on Mi-17V-5 Helicopters Delivery to India in 2016 Sputnik News 11:31 16.02.2016(updated 11:34 16.02.2016) Russian Helicopters plans to sign a contract with India for the delivery of an additional batch of 48 Mi-17V-5 military transport helicopters in 2016, the company's deputy director general said Tuesday. SINGAPORE (Sputnik) On February 2, the holding delivered the final batch of 151 Mi-17V-5 helicopters to India under previously concluded contracts. 'We hope that in 2016 we will reach with the Indian side specific agreements on the supply of another batch of Mi-17V-5s. The contract will be carried out through the Rosoboronexport, we are talking about 48 units,' Alexander Shcherbinin told reporters at the Singapore Airshow. Rosoboronexport, Russia's state arms exporter, struck a deal to deliver 80 Mi-17V-5s to India in 2008. Four years later, the sides added three supplements to the initial agreement to deliver 71 more helicopters before the end of 2015. Between 2012 and 2015, Russia delivered 148 out of the 151 helicopters to India. The Mi-17V-5 helicopter is the latest model in Russia's Mi-8/17 helicopter family. Designed for personnel transport, as well as for carrying cargo internally or on an external sling, it is used in search and rescue operations, and can be equipped with weapons. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address IRGC to conduct missile drills soon: Senior commander Iran Press TV Mon Feb 15, 2016 11:17AM A senior Iranian military commander says the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) is preparing to conduct a missile maneuver in the near future. Iranian Armed Forces' Chief of Staff Major General Hassan Firouzabadi said on Monday that the IRGC missile maneuver will be held in less than a month to test the precision and power of Iranian missiles. Firouzabadi also said that the planned exercises are aimed at maintaining the preparedness of the Iranian Armed Forces and further enhancement of the country's missile industry. The announcement comes as Iran has conducted several missile tests during the past months. On October 11, Iran successfully test-fired Emad, a precision-guided long-range missile which has been completely designed and manufactured by Iran's Aerospace Industries Organization, an affiliate of the Iranian Ministry of Defense. On December 2015, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani ordered the Defense Ministry to speed up efforts to boost the country's missile power, following reports that the US was planning to impose fresh sanctions on Tehran over the issue. The US Department of the Treasury announced on January 17 that it had imposed new sanctions targeting Iran's ballistic missile program, adding five Iranian citizens and a network of companies based in the United Arab Emirates and China to a US blacklist. The new sanctions came only a day after Iran and the five permanent members of the UN Security Council the US, Britain, France, Russia and China - plus Germany started to implement the nuclear agreement, dubbed the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), they reached in the Austrian capital, Vienna, on July 14, 2015. After the JCPOA went into effect, all nuclear-related sanctions imposed on Iran by the European Union, the United Nations Security Council and the United States were lifted. Iran, in return, has put some limitations on its nuclear activities. Rouhani said that Iran's missile power, which he described as a means to protect the country's sovereignty and a major deterrence against terrorism in the Middle East and beyond, has never been up for negotiations, including in the nuclear talks with the P5+1 group. He once again rejected claims that Iran is planning to produce missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads, saying that Iran will continue to produce and test ballistic missiles as a "conventional and important" instrument for defending the country. Last week, Iran's Defense Ministry delivered the first batch of a newly developed air-launched cruise missile, dubbed Nasr (Victory), to the Air Force. Iran's Aerospace Industries Organization on August 25, 2015 launched the production line of Nasr cruise missile in a bid to upgrade the country's deterrence capabilities. In recent years, Iran has made great achievements in its defense sector and attained self-sufficiency in producing essential military equipment and systems. The Islamic Republic has repeatedly said its military power poses no threat to other countries, reiterating that its defense doctrine is based on deterrence. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Moscow to deliver S-300 missile system to Iran in 'nearest time' Iran Press TV Mon Feb 15, 2016 10:44AM Russia will deliver the S-300 surface-to-air missile defense systems to Iran in "the nearest time" as part of a long-running contract between Tehran and Moscow, the country's Foreign Ministry says. "Deliveries will be made soon," Zamir Kabulov of the Russian Foreign Ministry's Asia department told RIA Novosti news agency on Monday. Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Hossein Dehqan, who arrived in Moscow on Monday, had said on February 10 that Tehran will take delivery of the first batch of the S-300 missile defense systems in the first quarter of 2016, adding that the Islamic Republic will receive the second batch by the first half of 2017. Kabulov also said the Islamic Republic has also shown interest in buying the more advanced S-400 missile systems, but no talks have been held on the matter. "There are no talks being held on the S-400. The Iranians have noted that they would principally be happy [to receive them], but there haven't been any negotiations," he said. Dehqan's trip to Moscow comes at the official invitation of his Russian counterpart Sergei Shoigu. The officials are scheduled to discuss the latest mutual, regional and international developments, as well as enhanced defense, military and technical cooperation between Tehran and Moscow. Russia committed to delivering the systems to Iran under a USD-800-million deal in 2007. Moscow, however, refused to deliver the systems to Tehran in 2010 under the pretext that the agreement was covered by the fourth round of the United Nations Security Council sanctions against Iran over its nuclear program. The sanctions barred hi-tech weapons sales to Tehran. Following Moscow's refusal to deliver the systems, Iran filed a complaint against the relevant Russian arms firm with the International Court of Arbitration in Geneva. Tehran also developed its domestically-built Bavar-373 air defense system, which was successfully test-fired in August 2014. In April last year, Russian President Vladimir Putin lifted a previous ban on the delivery of S-300 to Iran. In November 2015, Russia signed a new contract to supply Iran with the systems by the end of that year for the first time since the 2010 freeze on supplies under the UN Security Council resolutions. The development came after Iran and the P5+1 states Russia, China, France, Britain, the US and Germany reached a landmark agreement, dubbed the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), on Tehran's nuclear program in July last year. Under the JCPOA, limits are put on Iran's nuclear activities in exchange for, among other things, the removal of all nuclear-related economic and financial bans against the Islamic Republic. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russia to Deliver S-300 Air Defense Systems to Iran Soon Sputnik News 09:55 15.02.2016(updated 12:46 15.02.2016) Russia will soon send S-300 air defense systems to Iran while the countries have not held any negotiations on the possibility of delivering S-400 systems. MOSCOW (Sputnik) Russia will soon deliver S-300 air defense systems to Iran, Russian Special Presidential Envoy on Afghanistan Zamir Kabulov said. "Deliveries will be made soon," Kabulov told RIA Novosti in an interview. Iranian Defense Minister Hossein Dehghan earlier said that the first shipment of Russian S-300s would be made in the first quarter of 2016. Tehran has shown interest in the deliveries of Russian S-400 air defense systems but the two countries are not currently holding any negotiations on the topic, Kabulov said. "No, there are no talks being held on the S-400. The Iranians have noted that they would principally be happy [to receive them], but there haven't been any negotiations," Kabulov told RIA Novosti. A number of news outlets earlier cited Hossein Dehghan as saying that Tehran could purchase the S-400s from Moscow if necessary and that the issue was apparently being discussed. In 2007, Moscow and Tehran signed an $800-million deal for the delivery of five S-300 missile systems to Iran. In 2010, Russia suspended the contract, citing a UN Security Council resolution that placed an arms embargo on Tehran until it proved the peaceful nature of its nuclear project. Tehran filed a lawsuit against Moscow over the incident. In April, Moscow repealed the S-300 delivery ban, after Iran and six global powers, including Russia, reached a framework nuclear agreement to remove the anti-Tehran sanctions in exchange for guarantees of the peaceful nature of its nuclear activities. In mid-January, the International Atomic Energy Agency announced the conclusion of its investigation into Iran's nuclear program, having found no indications of military-related nuclear developments in the country. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address An honest essay has numerous characteristics: original thinking, a good structure, balanced arguments, and plenty more. But one aspect often overlooked is that an honest essay should be interesting. It should spark the readers curiosity, keep them absorbed, make them want to stay reading and learn more. An uneventful article risks losing the readers attention; whether or not the points you create are excellent, a flat style, or poor handling of a dry subject material can undermine the positive aspects of the essay. The matter is that a lot of students think that essays should be like this: they believe that a flat, dry style is suited to the needs of educational writing and dont even consider that the teacher reading their essay wants to search out the essay interesting. You might want to have online essay editor service to boost your confidence in writing with an error-free output. Academic writing doesnt need to be and shouldnt be bland. The excellent news is that there is much stuff you can do to create your essay more attractive, while youll be able only to do such a lot while remaining within the formal confines of educational writing. Lets study what theyre. Have an interest in what youre writing about Dont go overboard, but youll be able to let your passion for your subject show. If theres one thing bound to inject interest into your writing, its being fascinated by what youre writing about. Passion for a subject matter comes across naturally in your essay, typically making it more lively and fascinating and infusing an infectious enthusiasm into your words within the same way that its easy to talk knowledgeably to someone about something you discover fascinating. Include fascinating details Another factor that may make an essay boring maybe a dry material. Some topic areas are naturally dry, and it falls to you to form the article more interesting through your written style and by trying to seek out fascinating snippets of knowledge to incorporate, which will liven it up a small amount and make the data easier to relate to. A way of doing this with a dry subject is to create what youre talking about that seems relevant to the critical world, as this is often easier for the reader to relate to. Emulate the fashion of writers you discover interesting When you read lots, you subconsciously start emulating the fashion of the writers you have read. Reading benefits you a lot, as this exposes you to a spread of designs, and youll start to require the characteristics of these you discover interesting to read. Borrow some creative writing techniques Theres a limit to the quantity of actual story-telling youll do when youre writing an essay; in the end, essays should be objective, factual and balanced, which doesnt, initially glance, feel considerably like story-telling. However, youll apply a number of the principles of story-telling to create your writing more interesting. consider your own opinion Take the time to figure out what its that you think instead of regurgitating the opinions of others. Cut the waffle Rambling on and on is dull and almost bound to lose the interest of your reader. Youre in danger of waffling if youre not completely clear about what you wish to mention or havent thought carefully about how youre visiting structure your argument. Doing all your research correctly and writing an essay plan before you begin will help prevent this problem. Editing is a vital part of the essay-writing process, so edit the waffle once youve done a primary draft. Read through your essay objectively and eliminate the bits that arent relevant to the argument or labor the purpose. employing a thesaurus isnt always a decent thing Avoid using unfamiliar words in an essay; theres too great a likelihood that youre misusing them. You may think that employing a thesaurus to seek out more complicated words will make your writing more exciting or sound more academic, but using overly high-brow language can have the incorrect effect. Avoid repetitive phrasing Please avoid using the identical phrase structure again and again: its a recipe for dullness! Instead, use a variety of syntax that demonstrates your writing capabilities and makes your writing more interesting. Mix simple, compound, and complicated sentences to avoid your paper becoming predictable. Use some figurative language Using analogies with nature can often make concepts more accessible for readers to know. As weve already seen, its easy to finish up rambling when youre explaining complex concepts mainly after you dont know it yourself. One way of forcing yourself to think about a couple of pictures, present it more simply and engagingly is to form figurative language. This implies explaining something by comparing it with something else, as in an analogy. Employ rhetorical questions Anticipate the questions your reader might ask. One of the ways ancient orators held the eye of their audiences and increased the dramatic effect of their speeches was by using the statement. A decent place to use a statement is at the top of a paragraph, to steer into the following one, or at the start of a replacement section to introduce a brand new area for exploration. Proofread Finally, you may write the top interesting essay an instructor has ever read. Still, youll undermine your good work if its plagued by errors, which distract the reader from the particular content and can probably annoy them. Iran Vows to Continue Military High-Tech Cooperation With Russia Sputnik News 19:00 16.02.2016(updated 19:07 16.02.2016) Iran will continue military-technical cooperation with Russia with focus on high-tech equipment allowing Iran to maintain superiority and to stave off regional and global threats, Iranian Defense Minister Hossein Dehghan said Tuesday. MOSCOW (Sputnik) Earlier in the day, Russia's Kommersant newspaper reported citing unnamed sources thar Iran plans to buy the Sukhoi Su-30SM fighters, the Mil Mi-8 and the Mil Mi-17 helicopters, as well as other weapons from Russia in an arms deal worth more than $8 billion. 'Russia is our partner, we are cooperating and will continue to cooperate with Russia,' Dehghan, who is on a visit to Moscow, said in an interview with Rossiya 24 television. 'Our priority in this cooperation is, certainly, the things that give us the superiority capability, as well as ensure deterrence against the threats in the region and beyond,' the Iranian minister stressed. The Iranians allegedly want to buy the Sukhoi Su-30SM multirole fighters, the Yakovlev Yak-130 advanced jet trainer and light attack aircraft, the Mil Mi-8 and Mil Mi-17 transport helicopters, as well as the K-300P Bastion-P mobile coastal defense missile systems, frigates and diesel-electric submarines. Last Thursday, a source in the Iranian Defense Ministry confirmed that Iran was interested in acquiring the Sukhoi Su-30 to upgrade its fleet. The source did not specify what version of the aircraft Iran was interested in. A day earlier, Iranian Defense Minister Hossein Dehghan, who is on a two-day visit to Moscow, mentioned that Tehran wanted to seal a license production deal with Russia. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Daesh used mustard gas against Iraq's Kurdish fighters: Source Iran Press TV Mon Feb 15, 2016 3:13PM Test results show that the Daesh Takfiri group used mustard gas against Kurdish Peshmerga forces in Iraq last year, says a source from the global chemical weapons watchdog. The source at the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) said on Monday that laboratory tests confirmed that Daesh militants had used sulfur mustard, commonly known as mustard gas, on the battlefield last August, Reuters reported. Blood samples were taken from almost 35 Kurdish fighters who became ill during their fight against Daesh militants southwest of Erbil, the capital of Iraq's semi-autonomous Kurdistan region, last August. Mustard gas, which has few uses outside chemical warfare, can form large blisters on exposed skin and in the respiratory tract. It is banned under the Chemical Weapons Convention, which is an arms treaty intended to stop the use of chemical weapons. The terrorist group is notorious for its barbarity, heinous atrocities and sacrilegious acts. The Takfiri militants have been accused of committing gross human rights violations and war crimes in areas they control, particularly in Syria, and Iraq. The group has used chemical weapons both in Iraq and Syria. In October 2015, the Ministry of Peshmerga Affairs in Iraq's Kurdistan said that Daesh fired mortar rounds containing mustard gas at Kurdish fighters. Germany's Federal Intelligence Service, also known as the BND, said in August 2015 that it had collected evidence that the Takfiri group had used mustard gas against Kurdish fighters in northern Iraq. In August 2015, the so-called Syrian Observatory for Human Rights also said Daesh militants struck the town of Mare', located north of the flashpoint city of Aleppo with artillery shells that contained chemicals. In the same month, US media outlets citing several American intelligence and military officials also said that the terrorists had used mustard agent as a weapon in their raid on the northeastern Syrian city of Hasakah in early August. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Deal with Iraq easy if salaries paid: Kurdish leader Iran Press TV Tue Feb 16, 2016 6:9PM The deputy prime minister of Iraqi Kurdistan says a political and economic deal with the central government in Baghdad could easily be reached if the federal government agrees to pay employees in the semi-autonomous region. 'If Baghdad pays the full salaries of people who receive salaries from the government in the Kurdistan region, including the Peshmerga [armed forces], we can easily and naturally agree with it,' Qubad Talabani said on social media on Tuesday. Talabani's comments on his official Facebook page were published a day after Iraq's Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi announced that Baghdad would pay the salaries of the cash-strapped Iraqi Kurdistan's employees if the semi-autonomous region stopped its independent exports of oil. 'Give us the oil and I will give every employee in Kurdistan [his or her due] salary,' Abadi said on Monday in an interview with al-Iraqiya TV. Baghdad cut the Kurdistan Regional Government's federal budget in 2014 after the Kurds independently laid their own oil pipeline for exports to Turkey, Iraq's neighboring country to the north. The federal government regards the Kurdish region's independent crude exports to Turkey as illegal. Abadi, who had previously estimated that Kurdistan exports over 600,000 barrels of crude per day, said this is equal to the region's share of the federal budget. The KRG authorities have failed to pay the salaries of public servants working in the region since September 2015. KRG public employees have held demonstrations to express their outrage at unpaid salaries and wage cuts. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iraq censures US, EU for inaction over Turkey's troops deployment Iran Press TV Tue Feb 16, 2016 6:5PM Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi censured the United States and the European Union Tuesday for inaction on Turkey's military deployment north of Iraq, warning that Baghdad may be forced to get help from Russia for pushing back the Turkish forces. In a phone conversation, Abadi has warned US President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden that Turkey may be aiming to occupy the northern Iraqi city of Mosul and areas surrounding it in the same manner that it invaded Cyprus in 1974, urging the US and European allies to make Turkey leave the Iraqi territory as soon as possible, the Lebanese al-Mayadeen news channel reported. In early December 2015, Turkey deployed a contingent of its troops to the Bashiqa military camp north of Mosul, claiming that the move had been earlier coordinated with Iraqi officials. Baghdad swiftly denied the claim and called on Ankara to immediately withdraw its forces from the camp. Abadi warned the White House and leaders of major European powers that Iraq may be compelled to ask for Russia's intervention in northern Iraq if Turkey does not pull back its troops from Bashiqa. The Iraqi prime minister also warned Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu that if Ankara does not specify a clear timetable for the withdrawal of the troops, Iraq could resort to other options. Baghdad had previously filed an official complaint with the United Nations Security Council, demanding the immediate withdrawal of the Turkish contingent. Abadi also slammed an emerging plan by some Persian Gulf Arab states for deploying troops into Syria, saying such action would directly affect the security of Iraq and could fan the flames of militancy in the Middle East. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Japanese Defense Ministry Spots Suspicious Submarine Near Tsushima Island Sputnik News 11:48 16.02.2016 A suspicious submarine was spotted close to Japan's Tsushima island in the Korea Strait, the Japanese Defense Ministry said Tuesday. TOKYO (Sputnik) The sub was detected on Monday by Japanese Self-Defense Forces patrolling waters between Japan and the Korean Peninsula, the ministry said in a statement. 'On the morning of February 15, a P-3C aircraft, a patrol helicopter and the Asagiri destroyer of the Self-Defense Forces detected a submarine in the adjacent body of water southeast of Tsushima (Nagasaki Prefecture) that was travelling from the Sea of Japan to the East China Sea,' the statement read. The adjacent body of water refers to a 12-mile stretch between Japan's territorial waters and its special economic zone. It is not closed to navigation by foreign submarines under international laws, although this is the first time that Tokyo reports on an incident near Tsushima. The Japanese military reported submarines passing close to its territorial waters in the southern Okinawa Prefecture three times between 2013 and 2014. The new sighting comes amid escalating tensions between Japan and China over East China Sea islands. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Proposed Libyan Unity Government Faces Harsh Scrutiny by Parliament by Edward Yeranian February 15, 2016 The ball is now in the court of Libya's internationally recognized parliament in Tobruk to approve or vote down a newly named 18-member government. Arab media reported "tensions" during a parliament debate Monday on whether to approve the government proposed by Prime Minister-designate Fayez Saraj. He insists the new 18-member Cabinet is "broadly based," though it is smaller than a 32-minister panel voted down by parliament last month. Saraj says the new ministerial council is composed of 13 ministers with portfolios and five ministers of state. Fathi al Majbari, who belongs to the "presidential council" named in last year's national unity agreement, stressed the new government must put an end to turmoil in the country. He says the Cabinet will represent a new beginning for Libya and an end to conflict, so that all Libyans can unite their efforts to battle the country's sole enemy, terrorism. Al Arabiya TV reported a parliamentary meeting Monday in Tobruk broke up before coming to any decision on whether to approve the government. Several members of the new unity Cabinet were reported to be considering withdrawing their names. Political scientist Ghazi Maqala told Libyan TV it is not at all clear whether the parliament in Tobruk will approve the new government. He says that parliament appears to be divided and chances are 50-50 of it approving the Cabinet. But he stressed that voting down the government could lead to unexpected consequences. Khattar Abou Diab, who teaches political science at the University of Paris, told VOA the new government was not extremely solid. "It is the product of compromise," he said, "cobbled together using the least common denominator. Many of its members," he argues, "come from the old regime and run the risk of being voted down by parliament." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address 3,000 displaced in violence in northern Myanmar state: UN Iran Press TV Tue Feb 16, 2016 11:16AM The United Nations (UN) says thousands of people have been displaced amid clashes between different ethnic rebel groups in Myanmar's northern state of Shan. On Tuesday, the UN said fighting had erupted last week between members of the Restoration Council for Shan State (RCSS) and the Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA). "We are receiving reports that more than 3,000 people have been displaced in the past week," said the head of the UN's Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in Myanmar, Mark Cutts. Cutts added that most of those who have recently been displaced are being housed in monasteries in the town of Kyaukme and are currently receiving assistance from local groups and the Myanmar Red Cross. The violence comes as efforts to sign a nationwide peace deal were threatened after the Myanmarese government hesitated to include a number of groups currently engaged in fighting, including the TNLA. The government in Myanmar has been in power since 2011, when it replaced a military junta. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Pakistan Anticipates Putin Visit to Seal Pipeline Deal by Ayesha Tanzeem February 15, 2016 Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to visit Pakistan in the coming months to inaugurate a gas pipeline project in which Russia will investing billions of dollars. Pakistan's Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif already has sent an invitation and Russia has shown willingness to send its head of state, according to Mobin Saulat, the CEO and managing director of Inter State Gas Systems, the Pakistani company handling the project. "Maybe before June," Saulat said hopefully, referring to Putin's arrival. Saulat attributed Russian interest in this project to changing regional dynamics, both political and economic. "We are 200 million people. And we provide a gateway to other South Asian countries," he said. Energy officials meet As a sign of Russian interest, he pointed out that Pakistani officials and energy experts, on a recent Moscow trip, were able to meet the heads of Russian energy giants Gazprom, Rostec, and Rosneft for the first time in more than two decades. Russia also wants to supply liquid natural gas to Pakistan. Saulat said in time Pakistan should expect to import 4 million tons per annum of LNG from Russia. Pakistan recently signed a deal with Qatar to provide a similar amount. Economic incentives apart, both sides might have strategic and political motives for working together on this project. Pakistan has been trying to form new regional partnerships to diversify from its heavy reliance on the U.S. and China. Russia likely views the deal as an opportunity to expand its influence in key areas of South and Central Asia. "There's a great deal of thinking that this has more geopolitical underpinnings rather than commercial ones," said Khurram Hussain, a business and economy journalist, and a former Pakistan scholar at Washington-based think tank Woodrow Wilson Center. He sounded doubts, however, about the pace of the project. "I take agreements that have been signed in a veil of secrecy with a great deal of skepticism," said Hussain, adding that if the government wanted to start the project in a few months, now would be the time to let analysts review the terms and conditions. Boosting Pakistan's economy He acknowledged that the deal, if it goes through, would be good for Pakistan. "Pakistan is in dire need for foreign investment in infrastructure and the only parties that are willing to step forward thus far have been other states, particularly China," he said. While the current venture is a state-to-state project, it might give a signal to the private sector that Pakistan's economy has powerful backers. Russia will spend from $2 billion to $2.5 billion, which is almost 85 percent of the cost of building the pipeline. The 1,100-kilometer-long structure will be able to transport 1.2 billion cubic feet of gas per day throughout Pakistan, from Karachi to Lahore. The first phase of the three-phase project is expected to come online in two years, with the final completion date scheduled for some time in 2019. LNG, from any country that comes to Karachi port will be re-gasified and sent through this pipeline to the north. In time, the pipeline will help replace the aging infrastructure currently used to transport gas within Pakistan. Russian involvement Pakistan initially approached China, Russia, and Qatar for the financing of the project and received favorable responses from all. In the end, the government opted for Russia in order to diversify its regional partnerships. Saulat said the Russians "immediately responded." Russia already has sent teams to survey the route and is in the process of designing the project. Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak and his Pakistani counterpart Shahid Khaqan Abbasi signed the agreement when Novak visited Islamabad in October. Saulat expects the deal to usher in a new era of Russian investment in Pakistan. "In the next few months you'll see more and more Russian delegations coming in," he said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address South Korea is Done Dancing With Nuclear North by Brian Padden February 15, 2016 South Korean President Park Geun-hye will defend her hardline response to North Korea's recent nuclear test and rocket launch in an address to the National Assembly in Seoul Tuesday. Following North Korea's recent moves, Park has abandoned virtually any hope of negotiating with the Kim Jong Un government and has joined with allies Washington and Tokyo to step up efforts to coerce Pyongyang to capitulate. "It is clear that the music has stopped for the Park Geun-hye administration and it shows the intention that it is no longer interested in doing any kind of dancing with the North Korean authorities," said Bong Young-shik, a national security analyst with the Asan Institute for Policy Studies in Seoul. Halting cash flows Sunday the Park administration justified closing the jointly run Kaesong Industrial Complex in North Korea last week, saying that 70 percent of the income generated at the complex was used to finance the North's nuclear program. The United Nations has banned North Korea from developing nuclear weapons and ballistic missile technology and has imposed four rounds of increasingly stronger sanctions since 2006. After North Korea's third nuclear test in 2013, the U.N. imposed sanctions prohibiting the bulk transfers of cash that could be linked to illicit activities by the North. In an interview with South Korean broadcaster KBS Sunday, Unification Minister Hong Yong-pyo said the salaries of the 54,000 North Korean workers, and other costs associated with running the Kaesong complex, were transferred in U.S. dollars directly to a North Korean government bureau called Office 39. He said this bureau, which is run by the ruling Worker's Party, manages all foreign currency transfers. And in the case of Kaesong, it funneled 70 percent of the approximately $120 million in earnings each year to the military and other prohibited programs. In closing the Kaesong complex, the Park administration ended the last significant cooperative inter-Korean project, initiated over a decade ago to build trust and reduce the potential for conflict between these long-term enemies. Other South Korean aid programs were halted and sanctions imposed against North Korea in 2010, after Seoul accused Pyongyang of sinking a South Korean warship and killing 46 sailors. Turning from China Seoul has moved closer to Washington with its decision to proceed with formal talks to deploy the controversial Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile defense system. Although there were reports in the past year that Seoul was quietly considering THAAD, President Park had been reluctant to endorse it, reportedly to maintain good relations with Chinese President Xi Jinping. The two leaders had pushed closer economic and diplomatic ties over the last few years. China is now South Korea's biggest trading partner. The trade volume between the two Asian neighbors, over $200 billion, is more than double the volume between South Korea and the U.S. President Park has also visited China numerous times, most recently attending celebrations in Beijing for the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II. Kim Jong Un has yet to meet with the Chinese President. China and Russia oppose stationing THAAD in Korea because it could further fuel a regional arms race and because the over 1,000-kilometer reach of the system's radar can potentially be used to monitor military installations in their countries. Beijing has called on all sides involved in the tensions on the Korean peninsula to practice restraint. However, North Korea's recent provocations, analysts say, gave the conservative South Korean leader the justification she had been seeking to support increased military measures. "Now this is a moment where essentially the two sides can use a palpable North Korean threat to say, 'okay let's really bring this front and center into the public eye and move ahead,'" said analyst John Delury, with Yonsei University in Seoul. Regime change In the National Assembly, some members of Park's ruling Saenuri party have called for even stronger security measures. On Monday Won Yoo-cheol, a party leader in the legislature, called for South Korea to deploy its own nuclear deterrent or again station U.S. tactical nuclear weapons. The U.S. pulled its tactical nuclear weapons out of South Korea in 1991. And Na Kyung-won, the chairwoman of South Korea's parliamentary committee on foreign affairs said Monday that it is now time to consider a regime change in North Korea. The Park administration rejected these options as too extreme, but analyst Bong Young-shik, with the Asan Institute for Policy Studies, would like the South Korean president to say in her speech Tuesday if the goal of increased sanctions is to collapse the Kim Jong Un government and at what cost. "I hope that her address would include a very specific and persuasive explanation on why purely coercive measures should have been taken and why we need to believe that, despite all these concerning aspects of the strategy, the strategy will eventually work," said Bong Young-shik, Washington and Beijing are still reportedly at odds over imposing strong United Nations sanctions, with China saying it does not want to trigger regional instability. Analysts say that unless China's goes along with proposed measures to cut off trade and aid to its ally, sanctions will have a very limited impact. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address South Korea calls for 'robust' sanctions against North Iran Press TV Tue Feb 16, 2016 2:59AM South Korea says the United Nations Security Council should adopt 'extraordinary' measures in response to North Korea's recent nuclear test and rocket launch. South Korea's Ambassador to the UN Oh Joon called on the Security Council members late on Monday to ratify 'a robust and comprehensive' sanctions resolution to make clear to Pyongyang that the council "will no longer tolerate" Pyongyang's nuclear weapons development. North Korea conducted its fourth nuclear test last month and successfully launched a long-range rocket reportedly aimed at placing an earth observation satellite into orbit earlier this month. However, the US and South Korea denounced the move as a cover for an intercontinental ballistic missile test. The South Korean envoy also described Pyongyang's recent measures as 'a clear threat to international peace and security and a blatant challenge to the international community.' Reports say the US and China are negotiating the text of a new resolution against North Korea over its nuclear activities. In another development, South Korean President Park Geun-hye warned on Tuesday that North Korea will collapse if it does not give up its nuclear program. Addressing the parliament, Park said Seoul should take 'stronger and more effective' measures to make Pyongyang realize its nuclear ambitions will only accelerate its "collapse." North Korea says it is developing a nuclear arsenal in an effort to protect itself from the US military, which occasionally deploys nuclear-powered warships and aircraft capable of carrying atomic weapons in the region. The Korean Peninsula has been locked in a cycle of military rhetoric since the 1950-1953 Korean War, which ended in an armistice. No peace deal has been signed since then, meaning that Pyongyang and Seoul remain technically at war. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address South Korean President Takes Tough Stand Against North by Brian Padden February 16, 2016 South Korean President Park Geun-hye has called for unity and support for her hardline response to North Korea's recent nuclear test and rocket launch. During a televised address to the National Assembly in Seoul Tuesday, Park said many South Koreans have become desensitized to the often repeated threat of nuclear war since North Korea first warned in 1994 that it would set the Seoul sky on fire. "We have lived in fear of North Korea for so long that we have become somewhat insensitive to the security issues. And I think we have overlooked that the North Korean nuclear threat is directed towards us," Park said. Closing Kaesong Park's address follows the Seoul government's sudden decision last week to close the jointly-run Kaesong Industrial Complex. She repeated claims that the move was made to halt the North from diverting hundreds of millions of dollars that was intended to pay the wages of the 54,000 workers and instead was used to develop weapons of mass destruction. The United Nations has banned North Korea from developing nuclear weapons and ballistic missile technology. After the North's third nuclear test in 2013, the U.N. imposed sanctions prohibiting bulk transfers of cash that could be linked to Pyongyang's illicit activities. The Park administration first made the allegation only days ago that Kaesong funds were being funneled into the North's nuclear program. As recently as January the Seoul government rejected claims that the complex might be in violation of U.N. sanctions regarding bulk transfers of cash to the North. The South Korean leader said that the Kaesong project, initiated more than a decade ago to build trust, as well as millions of dollars in aid Seoul has provided to the North over the years, has failed to reduce tensions on the Korean peninsula. On the contrary she said Seoul's attempts at engagement only emboldened the North Korean leadership to believe that it can provoke and threaten the South and defy the international community without consequence. "Our good intentions cannot reduce North Korea's willingness to develop nuclear weapons and it will only help further develop its nuclear capabilities," she said. Closing Kaesong will cause economic pain for the North, but will also hurt the 124 South Korean companies that were forced to evacuate their manufacturing plants. North Korea seized all assets at the complex preventing companies from removing much of their equipment and finished goods. President Park assured the manufactures that the government will reimburse them for most of their losses and assist them to relocate. Forcing compliance Seoul's commitment to a purely punitive approach to compelling Pyongyang to halt it's nuclear development program, aligns with strong sanctions being imposed by the U.S. and Japan, she said, and with strong international measures being developed in the U.N. The U.S. Congress recently passed sanctions that would target U.S. assets of individuals or companies that import North Korean goods, technology or training related to weapons of mass destruction. Japan's sanctions include prohibiting North Korean ships from entering Japanese ports and a total entry ban on North Korean nationals into Japan. There are recent indications that China may go along with imposing stronger U.N. sanctions on North Korea. On Friday Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Beijing will support a U.N. Security Council resolution to make Pyongyang 'pay the necessary price.' In an editorial Monday the official China Daily called for sanctions to 'truly bite." And at the ASEAN summit in California, U.S. National Security Advisor Susan Rice said Washington and Beijing are closer to agreeing on "significant new sanctions." China is North Korea's chief economic trading partner and supporter. Beijing has been reluctant to support measures that would cripple its ally and trigger regional instability, such as banning the import of fuel into the North and cutting off all cross border trade. Bolstering defenses Citing the evolving North Korean nuclear threat, South Korea's president defended her decision to proceed with formal talks with the United States to deploy the controversial Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile defense system. "We are increasing our Korea/U.S. joint capacity to deter North Korean attacks and also continuing our discussions to improve our joint missile defense posture," she said. China and Russia oppose stationing THAAD in Korea because it increases the U.S. military presence in the region and could potentially be used against them. Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Hong Lei said Monday that Beijing "firmly opposes any countries' attempt to infringe [on] China's strategic security interests." Following the North's nuclear test the United States has rotated more military assets into South Korea. This week the U.S. deployed the nuclear powered submarine USS North Carolina to participate joint exercises with the South Korean Navy. And a Seoul defense ministry official said Washington will soon send four F-22 stealth fighter jets to South Korea. Park's decision to support THAAD will likely set back gains made to improve economic and diplomatic ties with Beijing. China is now South Korea's biggest trading partner. The trade volume between the two Asian neighbors, over $200 billion, is more than double the volume between South Korea and the U.S. Some analysts expect Beijing to retaliate against Seoul by redirecting trade elsewhere and making it more difficult for Chinese tourists to visit. On Tuesday Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Zhang Yesui met with his South Korean counterpart Lim Sung-nam in Seoul to discuss the regional security concerns. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russian Airborne Troops Test New Air Defense Control System Sputnik News 14:10 15.02.2016 The Barnaul-T automated air defense control system was used for the first time during drills involving airborne troops units, which started on Monday in Russia's Pskov region, the Russian Defense Ministry said. MOSCOW (Sputnik) According to the spokesperson, the Barnaul-T system, recently delivered to the Pskov-based airborne troops division, is supposed to reduce the time needed to search for and ultimately destroy air targets. 'Divisions of Russian airborne troops have put the latest Barnaul-T automation systems in operation for the first time in order to provide coverage for areas of high [airborne] divisional concentration,' a ministry spokesperson said. On Monday morning, a formation of airborne troops in the Pskov region was set to the highest degree of combat readiness. Over 2,500 paratroopers and about 300 military hardware units are participating in the planned military exercises. The exercises are expected to last for five days. The Barnaul-T automated air defense control system was developed to search for air targets, receive information from other systems of detection, as well as plotting targets' trajectories. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russia's East Military District to Receive First Su-34 Jets in 2016 Sputnik News 07:26 15.02.2016(updated 07:41 15.02.2016) District spokesman Alexander Gordeev said Monday Russia's Eastern Military District will receive its first batch of Sukhoi Su-34 Fullback fighter-bombers this year. KHABAROVSK (Sputnik) Russia's Eastern Military District (EMD) will receive its first batch of Sukhoi Su-34 Fullback fighter-bombers this year, district spokesman Alexander Gordeev said Monday. 'The state-of-the-art Su-34 fighter-bombers are planned to be delivered to the district's aviation regiment stationed in Khabarovsk Territory in 2016,' Gordeev told reporters. The two-seat Su-34, a derivative of the Su-27 fighters, are expected to replace the aging Su-24 strike aircraft in service with the Aerospace Forces and Navy. The fighter-bomber is fitted with twin AL-31MF afterburner turbojet engines and can carry a payload of up to eight metric tons of precision-guided weapons over 2,500 miles. Sukhoi manufacturer is expected to deliver a total of 124 Su-34s to the Defense Ministry by 2020. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Saudi Arabia Denies Deployment of Ground Troops Outside Kingdom at Present Sputnik News 22:08 16.02.2016(updated 22:45 16.02.2016) Saudi Arabia has no ground troops deployed outside the kingdom at present, including in Yemen, a Saudi defense ministry adviser said Tuesday. CAIRO (Sputnik) Yemen has been engulfed in a military conflict between the government headed by Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi and Shiite Houthi rebels, who have been supported by army units loyal to former Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh. In March 2015, a Saudi-led coalition of Arab states began airstrikes against Houthis in Yemen at the request of President Hadi, causing hundreds of civilian casualties. According to the Yemeni Health Ministry, the bombardments of the coalition in the country have killed over 7,000 people and injured more than 16,500. 'All our ground units are currently deployed within the kingdom's borders,' Brigadier General Ahmed Asiri told RIA Novosti. 'Our forces are not taking part in the ground operation in Yemen, only our military advisers are there. The ground campaign is carried out solely by the Yemeni army with the air support provided by the coalition forces,' Asiri stressed. The adviser's statements come following last week's media reports suggesting that Saudi Arabia could send thousands of ground forces to Syria to take part in the fight against the Daesh jihadist group. At the moment, Riyadh is a part of the US-led international coalition that conducts anti-Daesh airstrikes in Syria and Iraq. In mid-December 2015, Saudi Arabia started its own Muslim 34-nation coalition to fight Islamic extremism. The joint operation command center is based in the Saudi capital. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Riyadh Denies Presence of Troops in Turkey for Possible Operations in Syria Sputnik News 09:25 16.02.2016 A Saudi Defense Ministry official told Sputnik that Riyadh had no troops deployed in Turkey for possible operations in Syria. MOSCOW (Sputnik) A Saudi Defense Ministry aide denied to Sputnik in a telephone interview that Riyadh has any troops in Turkey in preparation for possible ground operations in Syria. "There are no ground troops from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia currently in Turkey," Ahmed Asiri said. Earlier, Saudi authorities said that in order to increase efforts in the fight against terrorism, they were prepared to send military personnel into Syria under the condition that the possible operation would be agreed with the US-led coalition. An overall agreement on this was reached, Asiri told Al Arabiya television. Turkish media reported last week that Turkey had deployed 100 servicemen to Syria. The Turkish Defense Ministry later denied the reports, but confirmed that planes from the Saudi Air Forces would be based in Turkey. Over the last few days, Turkey has intensified shelling of Syrian territory, citing alleged threats from Kurdish groups against Turkey. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Riyadh to Sputnik: Drills in Saudi Arabia Not Runup for Specific Operation Sputnik News 09:09 16.02.2016(updated 13:40 16.02.2016) The Northern Thunder military exercises in Saudi Arabia with the participation of 21 countries are not a training drill for any specific operation, a Saudi Defense Ministry aide told Sputnik. MOSCOW (Sputnik) The drills began on Sunday in Saudi Arabia's northern region near the Iraqi border and include ground troops and the air forces from Egypt, Sudan, Jordan, and a number of other Arab and Islamic countries participating in the Saudi-led coalition against Daesh, which is prohibited in numerous countries including the United States and Russia. "These exercises are not directed at any specific operation. The Arab and Islamic countries decided to hold joint military exercises on the invitation of Saudi Arabia, and all of the participants in the drills will get use out of them," Ahmed Asiri said in a telephone interview. The drills are designed to enhance military readiness of the participating countries and promote the exchange of experience, he added. Saudi Foreign Minister Adel Jubeir said Sunday the deployment of country's special troops in Syria would depend on a decision of the US-led international coalition against Daesh. Commenting on the situation after the International Syria Support Group talks in Munich, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov noted that statements signaling readiness to engage ground troops in military operations in Syria would lead to an aggravation of the crisis. Riyadh May Begin Equipping 'Moderate' Syrian Opposition With Better Arms Saudi Arabia may begin equipping the "moderate" Syrian opposition with more effective weaponry, the Saudi Defense Ministry aide told Sputnik. Saudi Arabia and other countries in its coalition are helping the moderate groups and coordinating them through a united command center in the country, Ahmed Asiri said. "The Kingdom will continue supporting the moderate Syrian opposition until the Syrian people get their rights," Asiri said. 'If the decision is made on quality changes on the character of [delivered] weapons, then we will discuss this with the countries supporting the moderate opposition,' he added. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Medvedev: US-led coalition's ground operation in Syria will result in long war IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Moscow, Feb 15, IRNA -- No one is interested in a new war and a ground operation in to Syria will result in a full-fledged, long war, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said in reference to the US-led coalition's threat to start ground operation in the war-torn Syria. Medvedev made the remarks in an interview with Euronews TV channel's Global Conversation presenter Isabelle Kumar on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference on Sunday. Speaking about the Munich Security Conference's topics, he said, 'It is true that Syria dominates the conference's agenda. This is due to obvious reasons, since the country is engulfed in a civil war. You know, as I was heading to this conference, I had a feeling that the situation in this area is very complex and challenging because we have yet to come to an agreement with our colleagues and partners on key issues, including the creation of a possible coalition and military cooperation. All interactions in this respect have been episodic so far. I note that here, in Munich, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov met with Secretary of State John Kerry, and other colleagues acting in various capacities later joined them. They agreed on what should be done in the short run. For this reason, I'm cautiously optimistic about the prospects for cooperation on this issue. Let me emphasize that this cooperation is critical, because unless we come together on this issue, there will be no end to the war in Syria, people will keep dying, the massive influx of refugees to Europe will continue, and Europe will have to deal with major challenges. Most importantly, we will be unable to overcome terrorism, which is a threat to the entire modern civilization.' To a question about Russia policy for de-escalation of Syria conflict, Russian prime minister said, 'Let me remind you the reasons behind Russia's involvement in Syria. The first reason that compelled Russia to take part in this campaign is the protection of national interests. There are many fighters in Syria who can go to Russia at any time and commit terrorist attacks there. There are thousands of them in Syria'. Medvedev added 'Second, there is a legal foundation in the form of the request by President al-Assad. We will therefore take these two factors into account in our military decisions, and, obviously, the developments in the situation. What matters most at this point is to agree on launching the talks between all the parties to the Syrian conflict. Another important thing is to coordinate a list of terrorist groups, since this issue has been a matter of endless debates on who's good and who's bad. I believe that everything is quite clear in this respect, and everything else is just a spanner in the works. This is the first point I wanted to make'. 'My second point is the following. Today, I learned that Secretary of State John Kerry said that if Russia and Iran do not help, the US will be ready to join other countries in carrying out a ground operation. These are futile words, he should not have said that for a simple reason: if all he wants is a protracted war, he can carry out ground operations and anything else. But don't try to frighten anyone. Agreements should be reached along the same lines as Mr Kerry's conversations with Mr Lavrov, instead of saying that if something goes wrong, other Arab countries and the US will carry out a ground operation,' the Russian premier noted. He underlined 'I've answered this question only recently. But let me reiterate that no one is interested in a new war, and a ground operation is a full-fledged, long war. We must bear this in mind'. Speaking about the future of Syrian President, Bashar al-Assad, he reiterated that 'Russia does not support President al-Assad personally, but maintains friendly relations with Syria as a country. These ties were built not under Bashar al-Assad, but back when his father, Hafez al-Assad, was president. This is my first point in this respect.' 'Second, we have never said that this is the main issue for us in this process. We simply believe that there is currently no other legitimate authority in Syria apart from Bashar al-Assad. He is the incumbent president, whether anyone likes it or not. Taking him out of this equation would lead to chaos. We have seen that on numerous occasions in the Middle East, when countries simply fell apart, as it happened with Libya, for example,' Russian premier added. 'It is for that reason that he should take part in all the procedures and processes, and it should be up to the Syrian people to decide his destiny. He fully understands that. During his visit to Moscow, he said that if the people do not support him, he will naturally step down. However, he should remain in office until the future political order is agreed upon, as well as how the country is to be governed. This is Russia's take on this issue'. Regarding the transition of power in Syria, Medvedev said, 'I don't think that we should go into too much detail on these issues. I'm talking about Russia, the European Union and the United States. We should focus on facilitating the launch of this process. We must make sure that everyone sits down at the negotiating table, in fact, make them talk to each other, so that maybe they close their eyes to the mutual grievances they might have and the outstanding issues. This is the way to national conciliation. Given that Syria is a multi-religious country, the need for everyone to hear the other parties is extremely important.' 'We all understand what this dialogue will look like. Let's be honest and recognize that it will be anything but simple given the parties involved. On one side, you have President al-Assad, supported by a part of society and the military, and, on the other side, the other part of society, often representing different confessions, people who don't like al-Assad but have to sit with him at the same negotiating table.' 'Nevertheless, they need to come to an agreement for the sake of keeping Syria united. I see our mission as countries seeking to facilitate this process in making sure that these talks get underway and help the parties deal with sensitive issue,' he added. To a question about the ongoing offensive against Aleppo and all the suffering it is causing, he noted that 'Russia will be guided in its actions by the existing agreements with President al-Assad, on the one hand, and the agreements that we are currently trying to reach with other countries, on the other hand, including with our negotiating partners, that is the United States and other countries. However, decisions on ending combat operations depend on whether the parties involved are willing to lay down arms and how fast. In fact, when one group stops fighting, while the other begins to build on its military success, this is the most dangerous situation. All it does is escalate the conflict. It is for that reason that there should be a common decision on when to stop military action. This should be our objective. Russia came forward with this initiative on 4 February. There was some hesitation among our US colleagues. They discussed this issue in many ways, they had to overcome the persistent disagreements between the Department of State and the Department of Defence, appealed to Barack Obama, and seem to have come to an agreement in the end. Let's hope that there will be no delays from now on. This will be the starting point for Russia. That said, the final decision rests with the President of Russia, who is the Commander-in-Chief of our Armed Forces'. 9191**1771 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russian source: Strategic city seized back from terrorists in Aleppo IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Moscow, Feb 15, IRNA -- The Russian news agency Rossiya Segodnya reported that the strategic city of Tal Rifat has been won back by Syria's popular and Kurdish forces. 'This important city has been seized back by Syrian popular forces,' the news agency reported. It reported that hundreds of terrorists who had entered Syria from Turkey have been killed in clashes with the Syrian popular forces and Kurdish fighters in Tal Rifat city. Some 300 militants and trucks with ammo rushed from Turkey to the Syrian city of Tel Rifaat in Aleppo but their attempt was disrupted by airstrikes, a source said. Kurdish forces have been storming the city, besieged by terrorists. A group of approximately 300 militants with trucks laden with weapons attempted to break into the northern Syrian city of Tal Rifat in Aleppo from Turkey, but most of the militants were killed, a source in the Kurdish self-defense forces said Monday. "Reinforcements were sent to Tal Rifat from Turkish territory. Around 300 militants and weapons. Airstrikes were conducted against the convoy heading out of Turkey on the Azaz-Tal Rifat road. Most of the reinforcements were destroyed, some were able to reach the city," the source told RIA Novosti. Over the weekend, Turkey demanded the Syrian Kurdish militia withdraw from the areas on Syria's northern border they have been in control of. When the fighters refused, Turkey-backed armed rebels crossed into Syria from Turkey to support rebels fighting Kurds near Tal Rifat. It was reported earlier that Kurdish Self-Defense Forces began storming the city of Tal Rifat besieged by terrorists and located approximately 12 miles from the border with Turkey. 2050**2050 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US condemns airstrikes on Syrian hospitals Iran Press TV Mon Feb 15, 2016 7:30PM The United States has condemned Monday's air strikes that hit two civilian hospitals in northern Syria, killing at least 22 people. The US State Department accused the Syrian government of Bashar al-Assad of conducting the airstrikes. 'That the Assad regime and its supporters would continue these attacks, without cause and without sufficient regard for international obligations to safeguard innocent lives," State Department said in a statement on Monday. The strikes "casts doubt on Russia's willingness and/or ability to help bring to a stop the continued brutality of the Assad regime against its own people,' it said. The State Department identified the stricken hospitals as one run by Medecins Sans Frontieres (Doctors Without Borders) in the town of Maarat al-Numan in the province of Idlib and the Women's and Children's Hospital in the city of Azaz in the province of Aleppo. However, the Syrian ambassador in Moscow told Rossiya 24 television on Monday that the airstrikes were carried out by US planes. 'It was destroyed by the American Air Force. The Russian Air Force has nothing to do it with,' said Ambassador Riad Haddad. If confirmed, this won't be the first time the US military has attacked hospitals. On 3 October 2015, a US Air Force AC-130U gunship attacked the Kunduz Trauma Center operated by Doctors Without Borders. It has been reported that at least 42 people were killed and over 30 were injured. The merciless strike, which lasted for more than an hour, led to the closure of the trauma clinic, depriving tens of thousands of Afghans of vital healthcare. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US calls on Russia, Turkey to avoid 'escalation' over Syria Iran Press TV Mon Feb 15, 2016 6:45PM The United States has called on Turkey and Russia to avoid any further escalation over the Syrian crisis after the two countries traded accusations. 'It is important that the Russians and Turks speak directly, and take measures to prevent escalation,' a State Department spokesperson told AFP on Monday. Russia has been conducting airstrikes on Daesh and other terrorist groups in Syria since September last year. The Russian bombing campaign has turned the tables in favor of the government of President Bashar al-Assad whom Turkey opposes. Turkey along with Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the US and some European states have been sponsoring terrorists in Syria to oust Assad since 2011. Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu on Monday accused Russia of acting like a 'terrorist organization' in Syria, and vowed to deliver a robust response. He also blamed Moscow of exacerbating the refugee crisis on Turkey's borders through its 'barbaric attacks on civilians' in Syria. Russia said on Monday Turkey helps new militants illegally enter Syria and join the ranks of the battle-drained terrorist groups already fighting the Assad government there. "Moscow expresses its most serious concern about the aggressive actions by the Turkish authorities regarding the neighboring state," Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement. The statement also blasted Turkey's shelling of the positions of Kurdish and Syrian forces in the north of the Arab country, calling it a "provocative" act. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Security restored to three villages in Syria's Aleppo Iran Press TV Mon Feb 15, 2016 6:2PM Syrian armed forces and allied volunteer fighters have recaptured three villages north of the country as the battle continues to purge militants from areas across the province of Aleppo. Syria's official news agency SANA said on Monday that army units, in cooperation with popular defense groups, restored security and stability to Masqan village in the northern countryside of the city of Aleppo. The report said Syrian forces had earlier in the day liberated the village of Kafr Naya, located around 25 kilometers north of the city of Aleppo, from the occupation of terrorists. The gains came hours after the allied forces seized control over the village of al-Tiba and its surrounding farms in eastern countryside of Aleppo. The village is located near the Kwairis military air base and its eastern neighborhood, which the Syrian forces have retaken from Daesh Takfiri forces operating in the region. SANA said a demining operation had begun in Tiba while other sources said an operation was ongoing in the vicinity of the thermal power station near the village where Daesh has built huge fortifications. The report said 12 machinegun-equipped vehicles were completely destroyed in the offensive. Syria has been recording back-to-back victories in its battle against militants in Aleppo, especially since pro-government forces managed to break the siege on two key villages near the Turkish border, namely Nobbul and Zahra, less than two weeks ago. Syria's success in Aleppo, Idlib and Latakia provinces has apparently irritated neighboring Turkey, with reports suggesting that more weapons are being smuggled from southern Turkish border towns into Syria to help militants resist Syria's sweeping drive. Opposition sources in Turkey said Monday that the only conduit remaining for the transfer of weapons from Turkey into Syria is through a border crossing on the border with the Syrian province of Idlib as previous access points in Aleppo and Latakia have been blocked by Syrian government forces. Since 2011, Syria has been gripped by a militancy it blames on some foreign governments. The conflict has reportedly claimed the lives of more than 470,000 people. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Turkey continues shelling Kurdish regions in Syria: Group Iran Press TV Mon Feb 15, 2016 1:20PM Despite international outcries, Turkey has shelled Kurdish regions in northern Syria for the third day, saying it will not allow Kurds to take control of the Syrian border town of A'zaz. The so-called Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said on Monday that Turkish forces shelled a road to the Tal Rif'at town as well as a region near A'zaz. Turkey had targeted the same areas over the weekend. 'We will not let A'zaz fall,' said Turkish Prime Minister Ahmed Davutoglu, adding, 'The YPG (the Kurdish People's Protection Units) will not be able to cross to the west of the Euphrates (River) and east of Afrin.' Ankara regards the YPG and its affiliate the Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD) as an ally of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), which has been fighting for an autonomous Kurdish region inside Turkey since the 1980s. The YPG, which controls nearly Syria's entire northern border with Turkey, has been fighting against the Daesh Takfiri terrorist group. Syria on Sunday condemned the Turkish attacks, and took the case to the UN Security Council. Turkey claims that Syrian Kurdish forces were advancing under the support of the Russian air force. The Russian Foreign Ministry has also condemned Turkish attacks as "provocative." 'Starting from February 13, Turkish artillery concentrated in border areas is carrying out massive strikes on Syrian towns recently freed from terrorists,' the ministry said in a statement. The statement said many civilians were killed and wounded in the Turkish attacks while infrastructure and a number of residential houses were destroyed. The Russian ministry also expressed Moscow's "serious concern" about what it calls Ankara's aggressive actions against Syria and described it as "overt support of international terrorism.' Turkey is said to be among the main supporters of the militant groups operating in Syria, with reports saying that Ankara actively trains and arms the Takfiri terrorists there and facilitates their safe passage into the conflict-ridden Arab country. Earlier, France and the US called on Turkey to halt its artillery bombardment of the Kurdish areas in Syria. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Turkey helping new militants penetrate Syria: Russia Iran Press TV Mon Feb 15, 2016 11:24AM Russia says Turkey helps fresh militants illegally enter Syria and join the ranks of the battle-drained terrorist groups already fighting the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad there. "Moscow expresses its most serious concern about the aggressive actions by the Turkish authorities regarding the neighboring state," Russia's Foreign Ministry said in a Monday statement, in reference to conflict-hit Syria. The statement also blasted Turkey's shelling of the positions of Kurdish and Syrian forces in the north of the Arab country, calling it a "provocative" act. "Moscow expresses its most serious concern about aggressive actions by Turkish authorities," it said. Separately, a Russian Foreign Ministry official said Moscow will continue its airstrikes against terrorist groups in Syria's strategic northern province of Aleppo even if a ceasefire agreement in the country is implemented. Moscow began its aerial military campaign against terrorists in Syria on September 30 last year upon a request from the Damascus government. Since then, it has killed hundreds of Daesh terrorists and other foreign-backed militants, and inflicted heavy material damage on them. The International Syria Support Group (ISSG) agreed in the German city of Munich on Friday to a "cessation of hostilities" in Syria and to implement a ceasefire in a week. The ISSG members also asked the UN to resume the collapsed peace talks between the Syrian government and the Saudi-backed Syrian opposition group known as the High Negotiations Committee (HNC). The talks were suspended on February 3 after the HNC refused to attend the sessions in Geneva. Its refusal came after the Syrian army, backed by Russian air cover, made significant gains against Takfiri militants on several fronts, particularly in Aleppo. Syria has been grappling with foreign-backed militancy since March 2011. According to a new report by the Syrian Center for Policy Research, the conflict has claimed the lives of over 470,000 people, injured 1.9 million others, and displaced nearly half of the country's pre-war population of about 23 million within or beyond its borders. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Turkey will continue targeting Kurdish forces in Syria: PM Iran Press TV Mon Feb 15, 2016 2:5AM Turkey says it will continue targeting forces of the Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD) in Syria despite rising international pressure to halt the shelling. Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu made the remarks during a phone conversation with German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Sunday. According to a statement released by the Davutoglu's office, Ankara 'will not permit the PYD to carry out aggressive acts. Our security forces gave the necessary response and will continue to do so.' Over the weekend, Turkey shelled positions of PYD and its affiliate, the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG), in northern Syria, claiming its actions to be of a retaliatory nature. Earlier, France and the US called on Turkey to halt its artillery bombardment. Ankara considers the PYD as an ally of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), which has been fighting for an autonomous Kurdish region inside Turkey since the 1980s. Davutoglu claimed that Syrian Kurdish forces were advancing under the support of the Russian air force. The YPG, which controls nearly all of Syria's northern border with Turkey, has been fighting against the Daesh Takfiri terrorist group. Daesh terrorists, who have been wreaking havoc in Syria, Iraq and miles further in Libya, were initially trained by the CIA in Jordan in 2012 to destabilize the Syrian government. Ankara has reportedly provided support for the Takfiri militants operating inside Syria. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Obama Urges Russia To Stop Bombing 'Moderate' Rebels In Syria February 15, 2016 by RFE/RL U.S. President Barack Obama has urged Russia to stop bombing "moderate" rebels in Syria during a conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The two leaders spoke by phone on February 14, two days after major powers agreed a limited cessation of hostilities in Syria, although none of the warring parties signed the deal that does not take effect until the end of this week. The White House said Obama's discussion with Putin stressed the need to rush humanitarian aid to Syria and contain air strikes. 'In particular, President Obama emphasized the importance now of Russia playing a constructive role by ceasing its air campaign against moderate opposition forces in Syria,' the White House said in a statement. Russian bombing raids directed at rebel groups are helping the Syrian army to achieve what could be its biggest victory of the war in the battle for Aleppo, the country's largest city and commercial center before the conflict. According to the Kremlin, Putin and Obama agreed to intensify cooperation to implement the Munich agreement. But a Kremlin statement made clear Russia was committed to its campaign against Islamic State and 'other terrorist organizations', an indication that it would also target groups in western Syria deemed moderate by the West. Russia says the 'cessation' does not apply to its air strikes, which have shifted the balance of power towards Assad. It says Islamic State and the Al-Qaeda-affiliated Nusra Front are the main targets of its air campaign. But Western countries say Russia has in fact been mostly targeting other insurgent groups, including some they support. Reaction from politicians in the West to the deal reached in Munich on February 12 was skeptical. U.S. Senator John McCain said he did not view the deal as a breakthrough. 'Let's be clear about what this agreement does. It allows Russia's assault on Aleppo to continue for another week,' he said at security conference in Munich. 'Mr Putin is not interested in being our partner. He wants to shore up the Assad regime,' McCain said. A senior ally of German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Russia had gained the upper hand in Syria through armed force. Norbert Roettgen, head of the foreign affairs committee in the German parliament, said Russia was determined to create 'facts on the ground', to bolster its negotiating position. With reporting by RFE/RL's Steve Gutterman in Munich, AFP, and Reuters Source: http://www.rferl.org/content/russia-united- states-obama-putin-syria/27552286.html Copyright (c) 2016. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Local Ceasefires, Fight Against Terrorists Key to Syrian Reconciliation Sputnik News 23:10 15.02.2016(updated 01:11 16.02.2016) Syrian President Bashar Assad said Monday that local ceasefire agreements, as well as joint fight against terrorists in the war-torn country are the solution to the Syrian crisis. MOSCOW (Sputnik) Syria has been in a state of civil war since 2011, when mass anti-government protests against President Bashar Assad and the ruling party escalated to an armed confrontation between government troops and allied militia on the one hand, and Syrian opposition factions on the other. 'The fight against terrorism and [local] ceasefires are the basis for peace and stability [in Syria],' Assad said in remarks aired by Syria's state television. Apart from fighting the rebels in the ongoing conflict, government forces have had to counter extremist groups as well, including Daesh, which is outlawed in Russia and many other countries. The UN Security Council Resolution 2254, passed in December, reaffirms the goals of previous agreements to end the bombardment of civilians in Syria, bring the entire spectrum of political groups in the crisis-torn country to the negotiating table and promote a lasting political resolution of the crisis. The UN-brokered talks on the Syrian reconciliation began in late January and were put on hold until February 25. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Foreign Ministry: Ankara Condemns US Appeal to Stop Shelling Kurds in Syria Sputnik News 20:45 15.02.2016 Turkey strongly condemned US call to stop Ankara's shelling the Kurdish militia in Syria, as the latter are seen as terrorist by Ankara, Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesman Tanju Bilgic said on Monday. MOSCOW (Sputnik) Earlier in the day, US State Department spokesman John Kirby said in a statement that Turkey and Syrian Kurdish forces should move to deescalate tensions in northern Syria, claiming that Ankara and the Kurdish militia both face a serious threat from Daesh, encouraging them to focus on anti-Daesh efforts. 'We took with bewilderment the US attempt to put Turkey on par with a terrorist organization. Turkey's actions are aimed at the fight against terrorism, Turkey strongly condemns statements by Kirby, our strong protest has been brought to the attention of the US authorities,' Bilgic told a press briefing. On Saturday, Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said Turkish forces had shelled Kurdish People's Defense Units (YPG) positions in northern Syria as a retaliatory measure within rules of engagement. The attacks continued on Sunday. The Kurds comprise ancient tribal groups, which are currently living in parts of Turkey, Iran, Iraq and Syria. In Turkey, Kurds represent the largest ethnic minority, and are striving to create their own independent state, which is not welcomed by Ankara. YPG is the military wing of the Syrian Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD). Ankara considers the group to be an affiliate of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), which is deemed a terrorist organization by Ankara. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Syrian Kurds: Turkish Army 'Can't Stop Our Fight Against Terrorists' Sputnik News 20:08 15.02.2016(updated 00:03 16.02.2016) Tark Ebuzeyt, commander of the Democratic Forces of Syria in the town of Azaz, spoke to Sputnik in an exclusive interview, where he talked about the recent attack by Turkish armed forces. Against the background of the ongoing violent clashes between troops of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the fighters of the al-Nusra Front and Ahrar al-Sham in the northern province of Aleppo, Turkish armed forces continue to fire on positions held by Syrian Kurds near the village of Azaz. Tark Ebuzeyt said, "This morning, Turkey once again attacked the village of Der-e-Jemal, the region of Ming and an airbase, which are located in the (Kurdish) controlled territory in the Azaz area. As a result of this attack, two of our soldiers were injured but none were killed. In the area affected by the fire, a number of buildings were destroyed and heavy damage was done." The commander further stated, "the attack by the Turkish armed forces will not stop us. In spite of everything, we will not stop our fight against terrorists. We will continue to fight until we cleanse the region from Daesh and similar terrorist groups," Ebuzeyt said. On Saturday, Turkish forces began shelling the positions of the SDF-allied Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) in Syria's Aleppo Province. Turkish forces bombed a village and an airbase that was recently captured by Kurds, al Mayadeen TV reported Saturday. Prior to being captured by the YPG, the village and the airbase had been occupied by the al-Nusra Front, a terrorist organization. On Sunday, the Russian channel NTV reported, citing a military source, that Turkish forces have continued to shell YPG positions in Syria, killing two Kurdish fighters. The Syrian Foreign Ministry sent a letter to UN chief Ban Ki-moon slamming Ankara over the shelling. "The shelling of Syrian territory by Turkish heavy artillery is a direct support of terrorist groups and an attempt to boost their morale", the Syrian news agency SANA cited the statement as saying. Syrian authorities have called on the UN to take measures to ensure security and "put an end to the crimes of the Turkish regime." Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Some 300 Militants, Trucks With Arms Move to Syria's Tel Rifaat From Turkey Sputnik News 16:06 15.02.2016(updated 16:45 15.02.2016) Some 300 militants and trucks with ammo rushed from Turkey to the Syrian city of Tel Rifaat in Aleppo but their attempt was disrupted by airstrikes, a source said. Kurdish forces have been storming the city, besieged by terrorists. BEIRUT (Sputnik) A group of approximately 300 militants with trucks laden with weapons attempted to break into the northern Syrian city of Tel Rifaat in Aleppo from Turkey, but most of the militants were killed, a source in the Kurdish self-defense forces said Monday. "Reinforcements were sent to Tel Rifaat from Turkish territory. Around 300 militants and weapons. Airstrikes were conducted against the convoy heading out of Turkey on the Azaz-Tel Rifaat road. Most of the reinforcements were destroyed, some were able to reach the city," the source told RIA Novosti. Over the weekend, Turkey demanded the the Syrian Kurdish militia withdraw from the areas on Syria's northern border they have been in control of. When the fighters refused, Turkey-backed armed rebels crossed into Syria from Turkey to support rebels fighting Kurds near Tel Rifaat. It was reported earlier that Kurdish Self-Defense Forces began storming the city of Tel Rifaat besieged by terrorists and located approximately 12 miles from the border with Turkey. On Sunday, Al Mayadeen TV reported that some 400 militants of the Sham Legion militant group arrived in the Syrian province of Aleppo through the Turkish territory to help al-Nusra Front terrorist group. Syrian Kurds have also been fighting against Daesh, which is outlawed in many countries including Russia, for years and have already liberated vast Syrian territories from Daesh control. The Kurds comprise ancient tribal groups, which are currently living in parts of Turkey, Iran, Iraq and Syria. In Turkey, Kurds represent the largest ethnic minority, and are striving to create their own independent state, which is not welcomed by Ankara. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Turkish Army Shells Kurds in Syria Near Border for Third Day in a Row Sputnik News 14:49 15.02.2016(updated 15:13 15.02.2016) The Turkish Armed Forces have again shelled the positions of the Kurdish forces of self-Defense in northern Syria, Turkish Foreign Ministry press secretary Tanju Bilgic said Monday. ANKARA (Sputnik) On Saturday, Turkish forces began shelling the positions of Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) in Syria's Aleppo region. Turkish forces bombed a village and an airbase that were recently captured by Kurds, Al Mayadeen TV reported Saturday. Prior to being captured by the YPG, the village and the airbase belonged to al-Nusra Front terrorist organization. On Sunday, NTV channel reported citing a military source that Turkish forces have continued to shell YPG positions in Syria killing two Kurdish fighters. "This morning there was an attack on our border point in the province of Hatay. According to operative information, the shelling came from the [the Syrian Kurdish Democratic Union Party's] positions. We opened return fire," Bilgic said at a briefing. Later, Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu claimed that Turkish forces had shelled Kurds' positions in northern Syria as a 'retaliatory measure.' On Sunday, the Syrian Foreign Ministry sent a letter to UN chief Ban Ki-moon slamming Ankara over the shelling. Syrian authorities have called on the UN to take measures to ensure security and 'put an end to the crimes of the Turkish regime.' Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address A Royal Pecking Order? Qatar Ready to Invade Syria if Saudis Ask Sputnik News 13:54 15.02.2016(updated 13:57 15.02.2016) Qatar is ready to join the anti-Daesh ground operation in Syria if asked to do so by Saudi Arabia, the London-based Arabic daily Al-Sharq Al-Awsat wrote, citing Khalid Al Attiyah, the country's Minister of State for Defense. Khalid Al Attiyah said that Qatari soldiers would fight "side by side" with their comrades from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates if "Riyadh asks them to," Al-Sharq Al-Awsat reported. He also reiterated Qatar's readiness to engage in a ground operation to "defend the Syrian people." The United Arab Emirates said last week that it was ready to commit ground troops to Syria to take on Daesh terrorists as part of a US-led coalition. The announcement came less than a week after Saudi Arabia said that if the US-led antiterrorist coalition decided to launch such an operation, Riyadh would follow suit. 'If there was a consensus from the leadership of the coalition, the kingdom is willing to participate in these efforts because we believe that aerial operations are not the ideal solution and there must be a twin mix of aerial and ground operations,' Brigadier General Ahmed Asseri told al-Arabiya TV. Bahrain earlier said that it too was ready to send ground forces against Daesh militants, as part of the US-led coalition. According to The Guardian, Saudi Arabia could send a several thousand-strong force to Syria and that the entire operation could be carried out in close coordination with Turkey. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Syrian Army Pushes Towards Key Airbase in Daesh Stronghold Sputnik News 09:25 15.02.2016(updated 12:09 15.02.2016) The Syrian army and popular forces took back one more strategic hill from Daesh terrorists following hours of fierce firefights northeast of Hama province as part of their ongoing advance towards Tabaqa airbase in Raqqa province, Iran's Fars news agency reported, citing a military source on Sunday. The Syrian Armed Forces, backed by the National Defense Forces and the pro-government Palestinian militia, captured the small hilltop of Tal Masbah, which was one of the last Daesh outposts along the Salamiyah-Raqqa Highway. The government forces are attempting to seize the important Tabaqa military airport in southwestern Raqqa, which was captured by Daesh forces in August 2014. Meanwhile, the Syrian army and popular forces launched massive operations along Ithriya-Raqqa highway northeast of Hama province forcing the terrorist groups to abandon more positions in the region, leaving behind scores of dead and wounded fighters. Earlier on Sunday, the Syrian military aircraft also targeted a major center of concentration for the militant groups deployed in the village of Hamada Omar in Salamiyah region, killing and wounding dozens of terrorists, Fars News reported. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Syrian Army Victories Make Riyadh, Ankara Desperate Sputnik News 06:50 15.02.2016(updated 12:18 15.02.2016) Out of desperation, Turkey and Saudi Arabia may take thoughtless actions in the Syrian conflict which will make an already perplexing state of affairs even more complicated. Turkey and Saudi Arabia are desperately trying to restore the balance between opposing forces in Syria, while militants, backed by both countries, are losing ground to the Syrian Army supported by Russian anti-terrorist campaigns, according to the Independent. On Sunday, the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that Ankara and Riyadh may launch a joint operation 'against the Daesh terrorist group' in Syria. In fact, the newspaper noted, the countries only plan to support anti-government forces. Additionally, Ankara is going to attack Syrian Kurds which have been successfully confronting Daesh militants under the support of the US-led coalition. How come they call it an 'anti-terrorist operation' then? The answer is anger. 'To add to Ankara's fury, the Russians, too, are now building close ties with the Kurds,' the newspaper reads. 'One cannot rule out Riyadh and Ankara, feeling increasingly desperate, taking action which will add to the witch's brew which is now Syria.' The mere fact that Saudi Arabia will send troops and aircraft to Turkey doesn't mean an invasion is inevitable. But this is for sure a bad omen. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Syria: for first time in months, UN agency delivers aid to residents of Yarmouk camp 14 February 2016 The United Nations relief agency charged with the well-being of Palestinian refugees across the Middle East has been able to deliver urgently needed humanitarian supplies to the civilian residents of the besieged refugee camp of Yarmouk, on the outskirts Damascus, for the first time in nine months. "Although we did not enter the camp itself, were able to reach the nearby area of Yalda, where 900 families from Yarmouk, Yalda and the neighbouring areas of Babila and Beit Saham were provided with a 35 kilogram food parcel," according to Chris Gunness, Spokesperson for the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). In a press statement yesterday he noted that the camp had been taken over by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also known as ISIS) group on 1 April last year. And although some humanitarian assistance had entered the areas since the last UNRWA distribution in June, 2015, humanitarian needs remain acute, he stressed. "There are clear indications that disease is on the rise, particularly among the most vulnerable such as children. There is an acute lack of medicines to treat them," Mr. Gunness explained, noting that one resident told UNRWA aid workers: 'People are getting sick all the time, especially the kids with hepatitis. We do not have the health services here to treat them.' Mr. Gunness said the community also indicated that food, non-food items, particularly winter blankets and clothing, but also water, sanitation and healthcare items, were the greatest priorities. UNRWA plans to continue distribution operations today, aiming to provide 6,000 families with food parcels by the end of the week. The following week, the agency hopes to distribute winter blankets, hygiene kits, water purification tablets and establish mobile health points, he said. "UNRWA is coordinating closely with other humanitarian partners and hopes this renewed access, facilitated by the Syrian authorities, will lead to sustained operations in the area," said Mr. Gunness. He went on to stress that as armed violence continues to threaten the lives and safety of Palestine refugees throughout Syria, the agency appeals for donors to increase their support to the UNRWA Syria Emergency Appeal. More than 95 per cent of Palestine refugees now rely on UNRWA to meet their daily needs of food, water and healthcare. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UN: Nearly 50 Dead in Strikes on Syrian Medical Facilities, Schools by Jamie Dettmer February 15, 2016 The United Nations says nearly 50 civilians, including children, were killed Monday in missile attacks on medical facilities and schools in northern Syria. 'Such attacks are a blatant violation of international laws,' U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon said, according to his spokesman. A 30-bed hospital run by Doctors Without Borders was destroyed Monday while three other medical facilities were damaged in northern Syria by what rebels battling the Assad government claim were targeted airstrikes by the regime. The charity group said the strike at Maarat al-Numan in Idlib province killed seven people. The group known by its French initials, MSF, said the hospital was hit four times in two attacks, leaving at least eight staff members missing. 'This appears to be a deliberate attack on a health structure, and we condemn this attack in the strongest possible terms," said Massimiliano Rebaudengo, MSF's Head of Mission. "The destruction of the hospital leaves the local population of around 40,000 people without access to medical services in an active zone of conflict," said Massimiliano. Medics and witnesses say at least 10 people were killed at a maternity and pediatric clinic hit by missiles and rockets in the border town of Azaz. Condemnation, calls for cease-fire The U.S. State Department condemned the attacks. 'We call again on all parties to cease attacks on civilians and take immediate steps to grant humanitarian access and the cessation of hostilities that the Syrian people desperately need,' spokesman John Kirby said. An official with the U.S-led coalition against Islamic State (Col. Chris Garver) stressed on Twitter there were no coalition aircraft operating near the medical facilities that were attacked. According to political activists, warplanes also targeted the hospitals in Maaret al-Numan and Orem Al-Kubra. Another airstrike in the northern Aleppo countryside left a school sheltering displaced Syrians from nearby towns seriously damaged with an unknown loss of life, according to Mazin Ibrahim, a relief worker. Another school in the region was also hit, according to the U.N. As a precaution, staff shuttered the National Hospital at Maaret al-Numan and a clinic. Dr. Wasel al-Jurk told VOA by phone, "We closed because we feared we would be hit, too. We evacuated the patients as best we could." Meanwhile, the European Union is calling on aggressors to halt attacks in Syria and respect a fragile cease-fire agreement reached in Munich, after the United Nations reported four hospitals were attacked in northern Syria. European foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini called the airstrikes on the Syrian hospitals Monday "completely unacceptable," and repeated calls for all parties involved to stop hostilities and allow humanitarian aid to pass. But she suggested a cease-fire deal reached in Germany just days ago is still relevant. "We will probably continue to face some setbacks. This is not a reason to change policy after just four days," said Mogherini. Syria topped the agenda of European Union foreign ministers who met in Brussels, and bilateral talks later in the day between Mogherini and Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif. Iran is a close ally of Syrian President Bashar al Assad. Humanitarian group Doctors Without Borders has blamed Syria's government or Russia for airstrikes on one of its facilities. Reports suggest the strikes also hit schools. The United Nations says dozens of people were killed in the strikes. There is also concern over Turkey's actions. Ankara has vowed a harsh reaction against Kurdish militia fighters in northern Syria if they capture a town near the Turkish border. During a press conference in Brussels, Iran's Zarif also urged fighting in Syria to stop. On resuming ties with the European Union after the lifting of international sanctions against Iran, he said things were 'moving in the right direction.' 'There are psychological elements that need to be addressed. I believe that European countries, European governments need to provide greater assurances to their financial institutions that we have a new situation." Mogherini said the European Union has published clear guidelines on doing business with Iran. Hopes dimming The strikes come days after Russia and other world powers agreed to a limited cessation of hostilities in Syria, but hopes are dimming there will be any decrease in violence. Almost five years of civil war in Syria have led to the deaths of upwards of 250,000 people and displaced more than 11 million. While it has not been confirmed who carried out these latest attacks, Mego Terzian, president of MSF France, said the Maarat al-Numan strikes were carried out by forces "loyal to President Bashar al-Assad." And the London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which monitors violence in Syria, said the airstrikes were believed to have been carried out by Russian jets. UNICEF appalled The airstrikes were condemned by Anthony Lake, executive director of the U.N. children's agency, UNICEF. "We at UNICEF are appalled by reports of attacks against four medical facilities in Syria two of which were supported by UNICEF," he said. "Two of the strikes occurred at Azaz in Aleppo and another two in Idlib, where one of the hospitals was reportedly struck four times,' he added. 'In addition, there are reports that two schools were attacked at Azaz reportedly killing six children." Fear of new offensive Rebel commanders fear the airstrikes targeting hospitals herald the start of an offensive in Idlib. "The pattern has been for hospitals and civilian structures to be struck first," said Mohammed Adeeb of the Shamiya Front, a rebel militia alliance. The purpose, he argued, is to sow panic, encourage civilian flight and lower the morale of fighters, who start focusing on how to get their families to safety. Soon after the airstrikes on the pediatric hospital in Azaz, there were steady streams of ambulances transporting the wounded across the border with Turkey to the hospital at Kilis. As the wounded were carried out, Syrian refugees already in Turkey and camera crews crowded around. Wounded transported to Turkey The Kilis hospital admitted 36 of the wounded from Syria, three died. Speaking with VOA outside Kilis hospital, he said his staff had told him the Shahid Ismail school was hit Monday in a missile strike, where many displaced families were seeking sanctuary from the Russian-backed offensive sweeping through the northern countryside of Aleppo. "They say there are many dead but we don't know how many," he added. 'There are people buried in the rubble and we can't get to them.' VOA United Nations correspondent Margaret Besheer and Lisa Bryant contributed to this report. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Turkish Politicians Warn of Intervention in Syria by Dorian Jones February 15, 2016 The Turkish military confirmed Monday its forces shelled Syrian Kurdish positions of the PYG for a third consecutive day. During a visit to Ukraine, Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu warned the PYG that it will face what he called the 'fiercest response' if it makes further territorial gains. Ankara accuses the group of being a terrorist organization linked to the Kurdish rebel PKK, which Turkish forces are fighting in Turkey. The PYG is fighting to connect the last link in a continuous Kurdish-controlled region in Syria along the Turkish border. With the Syrian Kurdish leadership dismissing Ankara's warning, Turkey's political leaders have not ruled out a military intervention. But retired Turkish general Haldun Solmazturk warned that any intervention would be extremely risky. 'The major military risk is a conflict with the Russian armed forces; it is inevitable. And besides, the Syrian regime forces would also resist and also various groups from Kurds to ISIL," Solmazturk said, using an acronym for Islamic State. "I mean there are so many risks involved, currently Syria is a most complicated military environment for an army to intervene.' Russia, U.N. Since Turkish jets downed a Russian warplane in November, Moscow has installed a sophisticated anti-aircraft system to support its fighter jets and bombers operating in Syria. What is more, international relations expert Soli Ozel warned that Russian President Vladimir Putin may be only too happy to see a Turkish intervention. 'I think the Russians are waiting eagerly for Turkey to take such a step, in order to get even for their downed plane," Ozel said. "Putin, I think, wants to exact a punishment from Turkey.' Turkish news reports quote military leaders as saying that, under Turkish law, any intervention in Syria requires sanctioning by the U.N. Security Council. Domestic concerns Observers say Turkey might try to circumvent that law by declaring that its target is the Islamic State extremist group. But Ozel said domestic security concerns could ultimately prevent Turkey from sending an unwilling military into Syria. 'If the government insists that they must do it, it will be done," Ozel said. "But can a government really push a military that obviously for good reasons is reluctant to do such a thing? Especially if that military is now fighting domestically in Turkey an extraordinary brutal and fierce battle against the PKK, which is also a big priority for the government?' Major security operations are continuing across towns and cities in Turkey's predominantly Kurdish southeast against the PKK. During spring, with winter snows melting, the PKK are expected to emerge from their winter hideouts and escalate their operations across the region. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Terrorists in Syria get arms via Turkey border: Russia Iran Press TV Tue Feb 16, 2016 5:27PM Russia says terrorists active in Syria's volatile northwestern region still receive arms smuggled through the Turkish border during night. 'Simultaneously, weapons, ammunition and manpower reinforcements are still being smuggled across the Turkish-Syrian border at nighttime to supply terrorists in Idlib and Aleppo,' Russia's Defense Ministry spokesman Major General Igor Konashenkov said on Tuesday. As clashes escalate in Aleppo Province, foreign-backed militants are massively evacuating their families to areas near the Turkish border, the Russian official said, adding, 'However, as the Turkish authorities have tightened the pass controls, chiefly injured militants are allowed to pass across the border unimpeded.' Turkey's military has been shelling Kurdish positions in northern Syria since February 13. Turkey's raids came after the Kurdish fighters, backed by Russian airstrikes, drove the militants from areas near the Turkish border. Russia's Defense Ministry accused Ankara of launching "massed" artillery strikes on positions held by Syrian government forces as well as those by patriotic opposition groups. Turkey has been among the main supporters of the militant groups operating in Syria, with reports saying that Ankara actively trains and arms the Takfiri terrorists there and facilitates their safe passage into the crisis-hit Arab country. Turkey has also been accused on numerous occasions of being involved in illegal oil trade with the Takfiri Daesh terrorists. Russia has released pictures and videos purportedly showing the movement of oil tankers from Daesh-controlled areas in Syria toward Turkey. In another development on Tuesday, Russia's Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said some Western countries had called on Moscow not to hit a 100-kilometer corridor on the Syria-Turkey frontier around the city of Azaz in order to keep terrorists' supply routes open. 'Obviously, this (the request) is aimed at ensuring continued daily supplies to ISIS (Daesh), al-Nusra Front and other terrorist groups with weapons, ammunition and food from Turkey via this area, and also to allow it to serve as a passageway for terrorists,' she said. Russia launched its own campaign against Daesh and other terrorist groups in Syria last September upon a request from the Damascus government. The airstrikes have expedited the advances of Syrian forces against militants. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Saudi, Turkey boots in Syria may trigger regional war: Ex-soviet states Iran Press TV Tue Feb 16, 2016 3:52PM A security alliance of post-soviet states says plans by Turkey and Saudi Arabia to deploy ground troops into Syria could escalate tensions in the conflict-ridden Arab country and result in direct military clashes between countries in the Middle East. Nikolay Bordyuzha, the secretary general of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), made the warning in a statement released on Tuesday. 'Mass shelling of the Syrian territory by Turkey, Ankara's and Riyadh's plans to start ground operations in Syria may upgrade the Syrian crisis to a new, dangerous level a direct military confrontation between countries in the region,' Bordyuzha stated. Turkey and Saudi Arabia say they are waiting for a US nod after announcing their bid for ground operations inside Syria. Although swiftly welcomed by the United States, the initiative attracted heavy criticism from Damascus, with Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Muallem saying "coffins" await any aggressor to the country "whether they be Saudis or Turks." Turkey's military has been shelling Kurdish positions in northern Syria since February 13. Turkey's strikes came after the Kurdish fighters, backed by Russian airstrikes, drove foreign-backed militants from areas near the Turkish border. Elsewhere in his comments, Bordyuzha said Saudi and Turkish boots on the ground in Syria would threaten the CSTO member states. 'Further instigation of hotbed of war in Syria's territory in direct proximity from the zone of the CSTO's responsibility is a threat to security of the organization's member states,' he said. The CSTO is a regional security group comprising six post-Soviet Union countries of Russia, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Armenia and Tajikistan. Tensions in the Middle East have heightened in the past months after regional powers sided with warring sides to the conflict in Syria. The foreign-sponsored conflict in Syria, which flared in March 2011, has claimed the lives of some 470,000 people and left 1.9 million injured, according to the Syrian Center for Policy Research. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russia dismisses Turkey accusations of attacking hospitals in northern Syria Iran Press TV Tue Feb 16, 2016 1:38PM Russia rebuffed Turkish claims Tuesday that its fighter jets hit medical centers in northern Syria, saying there is no evidence to support such accusations. 'Once again, we categorically reject and do not accept such statements,' Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said when asked whether Russian planes bombed hospitals in Syria. He went on to say that those who make such claims "are unable to prove in any way their unsubstantiated accusations." Moscow prefers to rely on 'first-hand sources' of information, which in this case would be the Syrian government, the Russian diplomat said. On Monday, about 50 civilians, including children, lost their lives in bombings of at least five medical facilities and two schools in Syria's Aleppo and Idlib provinces. One of the hospitals, which were targeted in the attacks, was supported by the medical aid group Doctors Without Borders (MSF). Turkey's Foreign Ministry held Moscow responsible for the attacks, accusing the Kremlin of carrying out an "obvious war crime" in Syria. The so-called Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, affiliated to the foreign-backed Syria opposition groups, also blamed Russia for the deadly airstrikes. However, Riad Haddad, Syria's ambassador to Moscow, accused the United States of bombing the MSF hospital. 'Russian warplanes had nothing to do with any of it.' UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said the strikes violated international law and 'cast a shadow' over attempts aimed at bringing an end to Syria's five-year conflict. Since September 2014, the US along with some of its allies has been conducting airstrikes against the alleged Daesh elements without any authorization from Damascus or a UN mandate, but the strikes have failed to disband the terrorists. On the contrary, Russia launched its own campaign against Daesh and other terrorist groups in Syria last September upon a request from the Damascus government. The airstrikes have expedited the advances of Syrian forces against militants. In a relevant development on Tuesday, Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu denounced Moscow's campaign in Syria as 'barbaric,' saying Russian planes have conducted close to 8,000 sorties in the Arab country over the past few months. The remarks came a few days after Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said Saudi Arabia and Turkey could launch a ground operation in Syria. Since February 13, Turkey's military has been shelling positions of the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) in northern Syria. Turkey is widely believed to be among the main supporters of the militant groups operating in Syria, with reports saying that Ankara actively trains and arms the Takfiri terrorists there and facilitates their safe passage into the crisis-hit Arab state. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Fatal raid on northwest Syria hospital deliberate: MSF Iran Press TV Tue Feb 16, 2016 9:5AM Doctors Without Borders has sharply condemned a deadly aerial attack against its medical facility in Syria's northwestern province of Idlib and said the raid was not "accidental." The Paris-based medical aid group, known by its French acronym MSF, confirmed seven people were killed after one of its health facilities was hit by four missiles within minutes of each other in the Maarat al-Numaan city of Syria's Idlib Province. The quick succession "leads us to believe that ... it wasn't an accidental attack, that it was deliberate," said Sam Taylor, a spokesman for Doctors Without Borders operations in Syria. Massimiliano Rebaudengo, MSF's head mission, also said the strike "appears to be a deliberate attack on a health structure and we condemn this attack in the strongest possible terms." "The destruction of the hospital leaves the local population of around 40,000 people without access to medical services in an active zone of conflict," he added. The MSF said five patients, a caretaker and a guard were among the dead, while eight staff members were missing and presumed dead following the airstrike. The medical charity further noted that it had been supporting the hospital, which had 30 beds, 54 members of staff, two operating theaters, an outpatient department and an emergency room, since 2015, and it was offering medical supplies as well as running costs to it. Besides the MSF-run clinic, four other medical facilities and two schools in Idlib as well as Syria's northwestern province of Aleppo came under similar attacks. The UN says 50 civilians lost their lives in the raids. Turkey has accused Russia of carrying out the attack and the US has called for an end to Russian airstrikes which target foreign-backed militants. Both Syria and Russia have dismissed the allegations. Syrian Ambassador to Russia Riyad Haddad said on Monday Moscow's fighter jets had nothing to do with the airstrike, adding "intelligence information" showed US warplanes carried out the attack. Russian Health Minister Veronika Skvortsova also dismissed the accusations and said Moscow's military aircraft only target positions of terrorists in Syria. "We are confident that [there is] no way could it be done by our defense forces. This contradicts our ideology," the Russian official stated. The United States, in return, ruled out any involvement in the attack. Colonel Steve Warren, a spokesman for the US military in Iraq, said US forces were not operating in the targeted area. Last October, US fighter jets attacked an MSF-run clinic Afghanistan's embattled city of Kunduz, killing at least 30 people. Washington claimed the raid was a mistake, but the medical charity said the assault seems to have had no purpose but to "kill and destroy." One of the health centers that was struck by a missile on Monday is in the militant-held city of A'zaz, situated in Aleppo Province, which has been under heavy shelling by the Turkish military over the past few days. The Monday strikes also targeted a school sheltering displaced families in the city, leaving 14 people dead. In letters to the United Nations on Monday, the Syrian Foreign Ministry condemned Ankara's shelling of Kurdish villages, saying such raids are aimed at supporting the "armed terrorist organizations." The ministry said the Turkish shelling is a response to Syrian army's Russian-backed gains against terror groups, particularly in Aleppo Province. The foreign-sponsored conflict in Syria, which began in March 2011, has claimed the lives of some 470,000 people and left 1.9 million injured, according to the so-called Syrian Center for Policy Research. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address NATO Powers, UN Condemn Deadly Strikes On Syrian Schools, Hospitals February 16, 2016 by RFE/RL NATO powers and the UN chief have condemned air strikes on Syrian hospitals and schools that killed dozens of civilians on February 15, with Turkey and France saying they amounted to 'war crimes' and Ankara blaming Russia for the bombings. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on February 16 that Russian forces had nothing to do with the attacks and urged that 'in this case, the primary source of information is the statements of official representatives of the Syrian authorities.' The United Nations said that up to 50 civilians, including children, were killed in the strikes on at least five medical facilities and two schools in the northern Syrian provinces of Aleppo and Idlib. The bombings came as Syrian troops with Russian air support intensified an offensive on Aleppo. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon condemned the raids as 'blatant violations of international law' and said they 'cast a shadow' over efforts to end Syria's five-year civil war. The United States said that two civilian hospitals were hit in and around Aleppo in northern Syria: one run by French medical group Doctors Without Borders (MSF) and another in the city of Azaz. While the United States did not directly accuse Russia of carrying out the strikes, the State Department said such action 'casts doubt on Russia's willingness and/or ability to help bring to a stop the continued brutality of the Assad regime against its own people.' Russia has been conducting air strikes in support of President Bashar-al-Assad's forces since September 30 and has backed his government's military campaign throughout the five-year war. Moscow says it is targeting Islamic State (IS) militants and other 'terrorists,' but Western government say the majority of its strikes have been against more moderate opponents of Assad. Moscow maintains that its air strikes do not target civilians, while the United States and others have accused Russia of bombing indiscriminately and causing significant civilian casualties. Anti-Assad Syrian monitoring groups have said the Russian air campaign has been the major cause of civilian deaths in Syria since it began. Syrian activist and journalist Baha al-Halabi told RFE/RL's Current Time on February 15 that 'Russian warplanes carry out hundreds of air strikes every day.' Halabi added, 'Destruction has become the general standard in Aleppo city and the outskirts. In every street, there is something that has been damaged. Every neighborhood in Aleppo has been hit by bombardment or shelling. Residential buildings are damaged. Even on the outskirts of Aleppo, every street and every area has been hit by bombardment or shelling.' The strikes on February 15 are likely to increase already mounting concerns over Russia's commitment to a cessation of hostilities starting later this week, as agreed by countries in the International Syria Support Group (ISSG) in Munich on February 12. 'That the Assad regime and its supporters would continue these attacks, without cause and without sufficient regard for international obligations to safeguard innocent lives, flies in the face of the unanimous calls by the ISSG, including in Munich, to avoid attacks on civilians,' State Department spokesman John Kirby said in a statement on February 15. French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault said acts such as the 'deliberate' bombardment of a hospital 'constitute war crimes,' adding that 'attacks against health facilities in Syria by the regime or its supporters are unacceptable and must stop immediately.' Turkey's Foreign Ministry went a step further, blaming Russia for the attacks. Moscow has not responded to the allegations. Kremlin spokesman Peskov said relations with Turkey were 'in a deep crisis' and added that Russia 'regrets this, but it is not the initiator of the crisis.' Ankara and Moscow have traded accusations and low-level sanctions since Turkey's air force shot down a Russian Su-24 military jet it claimed had ignored warnings after flying from Syria into Turkish airspace in late November. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, MSF, and other authorities said the air strikes were carried out by Russian or Syrian planes. Turkey has been hinting it may join the fight in the Aleppo region to stop Syrian Kurds from seizing strategic territory there near the Turkish border. Turkey has been shelling Kurdish troops in the area for several days. On February 16, an unnamed Turkish official told the Reuters news agency that Ankara has asked its allies, including the United States, to consider a joint ground operation in Syria. In the past Washington has ruled out a major ground action. However, the official said Ankara 'is not going to have a unilateral ground operation.' Syria's ambassador to Moscow, Riad Haddad, claimed a hospital had been hit by a U.S. air raid. 'American warplanes destroyed it. Russian warplanes had nothing to do with any of it -- the information that has been gathered will completely back that up,' he told Russian state-run channel Rossia-24. He did not provide any evidence, however. The increasing violence on the ground in Syria and war of words between NATO countries and Moscow have dampened hopes that the cessation of hostilities will take hold on schedule on February 18. Moreover, Assad, who was not present at the Munich negotiations, said on February 15 that honoring the truce would be 'difficult' and his government will continue to battle any group that has taken up arms against it, insisting all such groups are 'terrorists.' 'Cease-fires occur between armies and states, but never between a state and terrorists,' he told members of the Bar Association in Damascus. With reporting by Reuters, AFP, Interfax, AP, and The New York Times Source: http://www.rferl.org/content/nato- france-turkey-un-russia-war-crimes-syria- air-strikes-hospitals-schools/27554537.html Copyright (c) 2016. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US to 'Adjust Accordingly' After Assessing Results of Ceasefire in Syria Sputnik News 22:23 16.02.2016 The US military will modify its operations after evaluating the results of the ceasefire agreement in Syria reached by the International Syria Support Group last week, US Department of Defense spokesperson Peter Cook told reporters Tuesday. WASHINGTON (Sputnik) On Thursday, the International Syrian Support Group met in Munich on the sidelines of the Security Conference held there. The session resulted in the adoption of a final communique that set a one-week deadline for measures to be implemented to end the hostilities in Syria. 'We will assess the secession of hostilities and whether or not the parties have agreed to it, and we will adjust accordingly,' Cook stated in a briefing. Cook declined to predict what the Defense Department will do, but underscored the results of the assessment will 'factor into our decision-making going forward.' Cook also noted that Defense Secretary Ashton Carter carefully tracks the situation and stays in touch with Secretary of State John Kerry. 'We are watching what is happening to those forces on the ground that we have supported, we obviously have concerns about their wellbeing,' Cook pointed out. 'At the same time, we are seeing progress in Syria, writ large.' Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russian Forces' 'Only Aim' in Syria to Help Gov't Fight Extremists Sputnik News 19:08 16.02.2016(updated 19:09 16.02.2016) The Russian Aerospace Forces' only aim in Syria is to help the country to fight off Daesh jihadists and other extremists. MOSCOW (Sputnik) The Russian Aerospace Forces' only aim in Syria is to help the Syrian government forces, the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) and the patriotic opposition to fight off Daesh jihadists and other extremists, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Tuesday. 'The Russian Aerospace Forces are helping the Syrian army, the Kurdish YPG troops and the Syrian patriotic opposition to repel Islamic State (IS), Jabhat al-Nusra and other terrorists. Russian military pilots have never had and never will have any other objectives in Syria,' Zakharova said. According to the spokeswoman, claims by Washington, later repeated in Paris, London, Riyadh and Ankara, that Moscow has been conducting airstrikes against the 'wrong' targets in Syria and in violation of Munich agreements are surprising. 'It's strange hearing anything about preserving people's lives from countries that bomb hospitals in Afghanistan and supply cluster munitions for striking civilian facilities in Yemen,' Zakharova said, as quoted in a statement on the Foreign Ministry's website. Syria has been in a state of civil war since 2011, with the army loyal to President Bashar Assad fighting several opposition factions and militant groups, such as Daesh, which is prohibited in many countries, including Russia and the United States. On September 30, Russia's Sukhoi Su-25, Su-24M and Su-34 attack aircraft, with the support of Su-30 jets, commenced precision airstrikes on terrorist positions in Syria at Damascus' request. On Thursday, a meeting of the International Syria Support Group resulted in the adoption of a final communique that called for humanitarian access to be provided swiftly to all besieged areas in Syria and set a one-week deadline for the implementation of measures to end the hostilities in the country. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Turkey's Heavy Artillery Fires 100 Volleys on Residential Areas in Aleppo Sputnik News 17:25 16.02.2016(updated 20:42 16.02.2016) The Turkish artillery has been massively shelling Syrian troops and patriotic opposition in border areas since last week, with over 100 volleys registered in the Aleppo province, the Russian Defense Ministry's spokesperson told journalists on Tuesday. 'Since last week, Turkey's heavy artillery has been shelling Syrian troops and patriotic opposition in border areas. According to reconnaissance, the Turkish artillery has fired more than 100 volleys at border residential areas in the Aleppo province,' Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov said. On Saturday, Turkish forces began shelling the positions of Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) in Syria's Aleppo region. Turkish forces bombed a village and an airbase that were recently captured by Kurds, Al Mayadeen TV reported Saturday. Prior to being captured by the YPG, the village and the airbase belonged to al-Nusra Front terrorist organization. On Saturday, Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu claimed Turkish forces shelled Kurds' positions in northern Syria as a retaliatory measure within rules of engagement. Syria's Foreign Ministry branded the shelling as direct support of the terrorists on Sunday. Kurdish fighters, alongside the Syrian Armed Forces, have been fighting against terrorists in the north of the country. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russia Denies Ankara's Claims of Ballistic Missile Strike on Hospital Sputnik News 17:19 16.02.2016(updated 20:39 16.02.2016) Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov dismissed Turkish allegations on Tuesday that Russian forces had carried out a ballistic missile strike on a hospital in Syria's Idlib region. In the Russian Caspian flotilla, there are no ships with the ability to launch a missile strike on a hospital in the Syrian province of Idlib, Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov told reporters. 'While visiting Ukraine, Turkish PM Ahmet Dacutoglu accused Russia of striking a hospital in Idlib with a ballistic missile from the Caspian Sea. But we have no any ships in the Casian flotilla which are able to launch such strikes,' Konashenkov said. Earlier in the day, Kremlin has denied allegations that Russia is behind a recent bombings of a hospital in Syria. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov called these allegations 'baseless and unacceptable.' On Monday, the Doctors Without Borders (MSF) said that a hospital in the northwestern Syrian city of Maarat Numan, in the Idlib province, was hit by four rockets. It did not say which of the warring parties was suspected to be behind the deadly attack claiming the lives of at least seven people. Russia's Defense Ministry spokesman, Maj.-Gen. Igor Konashenkov reminded that Russia's Aerospace forces had launched airstrikes on terrorist targets after repeatedly verifying its reconnaissance data in order to avoid casualties among civilians. Despite this, Turkey and some Western countries continue to accuse Russia of targeting populated areas. 'All strikes against terrorists' targets launched only after repeatedly verifying its reconnaissance data in order to avoid casualties among civilians,' Konashenkov noted. 'Once again I remind you that the Russian Armed Forces together with partners launched a multi-level intelligence system that provides reliable Data about the activities of terrorists in Syria and some of its neighbors day and night,' he added. It seems Turkey has launched an information campaign against Russia, the spokesman added. 'Ankara launched an aggressive international media campaign against Russia in order to avoid losing control over northern and north-western Syria, where the Turkish authorities had been the de facto absolute masters in recent years,' Russian Ministry of Defense spokesman Major-General Igor Konashenkov told reporters on Tuesday. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Feeling the Heat: Syrian Army Retakes More Villages Amid Aleppo Offensive Sputnik News 09:49 16.02.2016(updated 12:13 16.02.2016) The Syrian army seized back two strategic villages in eastern Aleppo and repelled a large-scale attack by Daesh and other terrorist groups in the north of the province, Iran's Fars news agency reported on Monday. The liberation of TayyAba and Abu Zaneh villages, which are very close to the Aleppo thermal power plant, paves the way for taking it back from the militants. Earlier on Monday, the Syrian army and the National Defense Forces advanced on the militants' positions in the eastern part of Aleppo province forcing the enemy to retreat from their defensive lines, leaving behind scores of their fighters killed and wounded. Also on Monday, the terrorist groups operating in the north of the province pulled back from another strategic village under sustained attacks by the People's Protection Units, suffering a heavy death toll and losing much of their military hardware, Fars News wrote. Meanwhile, government troops thwarted a large-scale attack by the terrorists on government forces' lines of defense in the northern part of Aleppo province, military sources said. Dozens of militants were killed or wounded after their attempts to prevail over the defensive lines of the Syrian army positions in Tal al-Madhafah in the southern part of Handarat were dashed by the government forces. The militants' military grid also sustained major damage in the failed attack, the agency reported. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Syria: UN 'gravely concerned' over repeated attacks on hospitals, school 16 February 2016 The United Nations human rights office today expressed grave concern over airstrikes yesterday in Syria that hit at least four hospitals and a school, reportedly killing more than 45 people and injuring dozens of others. "We are gravely concerned about these abhorrent and repeated attacks on medical facilities in the Syrian conflict," UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) spokesperson Rupert Colville told the regular news briefing in Geneva. He said that in Maarat al-Numan, in Idlib Governorate, two hospitals were attacked, including one supported by Medecins Sans Frontieres, which was reportedly hit by four missiles, allegedly killing nine people and injuring 30 others. The National Hospital in Maarat al-Numan was also hit, with three people reported killed and six injured. A mother-and-child hospital in the town of Azaz, some 30 kilometres from Aleppo, was also struck yesterday, with 13 people killed and dozens injured. The facility, which is supported by the UN, had been previously struck on 25 December 2015. A second hospital in the town, the General Hospital, was also struck, with seven people killed and 23 injured. Both hospitals are well-known facilities, Mr. Colville noted. Also in Azaz, a school that was sheltering internally displaced people was hit in yesterday's strikes, reportedly killing 14 people. "While it is not yet clear whether these facilities were intentionally targeted, the sheer number of incidents raises huge question marks about the failure of the parties to the conflict to respect the special protections afforded to medical facilities and personnel under international humanitarian law," the OHCHR spokesperson said. He stressed that customary international humanitarian law affords special protection to hospitals, medical units and healthcare personnel, and Article 3, common to the four Geneva Conventions of 1949 which is binding on all parties to the conflict in Syria requires the wounded and sick be collected and cared for. "Depending on the circumstances, an airstrike on a hospital may constitute a war crime. Intentionally directing attacks against hospitals and places containing the sick and the wounded and against medical units using the Red Cross or Red Crescent emblem is a war crime, in a non-international armed conflict," Mr. Colville said. Attacks on hospitals and other medical facilities in Syria began as far back as the beginning of 2012. A 13 September 2015 report by the Commission of Inquiry on Syria, entitled "Assault on medical care in Syria," listed an appalling litany of attacks on hospitals and medical units over the past four years, as well as numerous examples of the sick and wounded being deliberately denied medical assistance, primarily by Government forces and pro-Government militias. The report also cited what it termed "one of the most insidious trends of the armed violence in Syria" namely, the targeting of health-care personnel, with ambulance drivers, nurses, doctors and medical volunteers attacked, arrested, unlawfully detained, and disappeared. The OHCHR spokesperson said the escalation of the conflict in and around Aleppo is of grave concern, with civilians continuing to suffer the consequences. Air and ground strikes by different parties including airstrikes conducted by Syrian and Russian planes, as well as ground operations by Syrian Government forces and their allies, and by armed opposition groups have led to the destruction of essential civilian infrastructure such as medical facilities and bakeries, rendering life even more difficult for civilians in many towns and villages across the governorate. As of yesterday, 58,000 internally displaced people were at the Syrian/Turkish border, many of them in camps, with the figures increasing daily, the spokesperson said. Several villages in the northern rural part of the governorate are reported to be almost empty due to people fleeing over the last week. Mr. Colville said that the population of Aleppo is in dire need of an immediate ceasefire and unhindered humanitarian assistance. Without it, the tens of thousands of civilians remaining in towns and villages across the governorate will be left vulnerable to aerial attacks, mass killings, and destruction of the remaining infrastructure and will be deprived of badly-needed assistance. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russia Rejects Accusations it Bombed Syrian Hospitals by Jamie Dettmer February 16, 2016 Russia on Tuesday rejected accusations that its forces were responsible for deadly airstrikes on hospitals in northern Syria. The United Nations said the attacks Monday on medical facilities and schools killed nearly 50 civilians, including children. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which monitors violence in Syria, said the airstrikes were believed to have been carried out by Russian jets. But Dmitry Peskov, a spokesman for President Vladimir Putin, rejected the accusations and said the Syrian government should be the source of information about who was responsible. U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said 'such attacks are a blatant violation of international laws,' according to his spokesman. Syrian rebels blamed President Bashar al-Assad's forces for the strikes that destroyed a 30-bed hospital run by Doctors Without Borders and damaged three other medical facilities in northern Syria. Doctors Without Borders said the strike at Maarat al-Numan in Idlib province killed seven people. "This appears to be a deliberate attack on a health structure, and we condemn this attack in the strongest possible terms," said Massimiliano Rebaudengo, MSF's Head of Mission. "The destruction of the hospital leaves the local population of around 40,000 people without access to medical services in an active zone of conflict," Massimiliano said. Medics and witnesses say at least 10 people were killed at a maternity and pediatric clinic hit by missiles and rockets in the border town of Azaz. US condemnation The U.S. State Department condemned the attacks. 'We call again on all parties to cease attacks on civilians and take immediate steps to grant humanitarian access and the cessation of hostilities that the Syrian people desperately need,' spokesman John Kirby said. An official with the U.S.-led coalition against Islamic State (Col. Chris Garver) stressed on Twitter there were no coalition aircraft operating near the medical facilities that were attacked. According to political activists, warplanes also targeted the hospitals in Maret al-Noman and Orem Al-Kubra. Another airstrike in the northern Aleppo countryside left a school sheltering Syrians displaced from other nearby towns seriously damaged with an unknown loss of life, according to Mazin Ibrahim, a relief worker. Another school in the region was also hit, according to the U.N. As a precaution, staff shuttered the National Hospital Maret al-Noman and a clinic at Mare'. VOA United Nations correspondent Margaret Besheer contributed to this report NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Turkey Wants Ground Troops in Syria by Chris Hannas February 16, 2016 A Turkish official said Tuesday Turkey is asking allies to take part in a ground operation in Syria, saying that is the only way to stop the country's five-year war. But the official told reporters that while Turkey wants a ground effort, it will not undertake the effort on its own. Turkey is taking part in U.S.-led airstrikes against Islamic State targets in Syria, along with Saudi Arabia, which has also signaled willingness to deploy ground troops as part of a wider coalition. Syria: cease-fire will be difficult Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said Monday that both countries have long wanted to send troops into his country. He accused them of being directed by powers abroad and said they are 'only followers that carry out orders.' Assad also said the war in Syria has been an international conflict since its first few months, and that a proposed cease-fire would be 'difficult' to implement. Turkey has conducted cross-border airstrikes on Kurdish fighters in northern Syria since Saturday and warned of a 'harsh response' if Kurdish-led forces do not retreat from their positions near the border. The Kurdish YPG militia has taken over large amounts of territory from Islamist rebels along Syria's border with Turkey in recent days, exploiting a Russian-backed Syrian government offensive against the rebels. The YPG advance has alarmed Turkey. It accuses the group of having links to the PKK, a Kurdish rebel group viewed as a terrorist group by Ankara, and worries the Kurds may be trying to set up a separate region along the border. Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu on Monday said his country will not let Kurdish fighters take the town of Azaz, located only a few kilometers south of Turkey. He warned if the Kurds do not withdraw from a nearby air base then Turkish forces will make it 'unusable.' But it is not clear that Turkish airstrikes will stop the Kurdish advance. On Monday, the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) - an alliance that also includes Arab groups - was making gains in Tel Rifaat, one of the Islamist rebels' last remaining bastions in the region. The SDF now controls more than two-thirds of Tel Rifaat, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based war monitoring group that relies on a network of contacts on the ground in Syria. Syria conflict creating refugees Diplomats in New York said Monday that Russia has asked the UN Security Council to hold discussions on Turkish military actions in Syria and Iraq. Russia has not commented. The fighting underscores the complicated nature of the conflict in Syria, where fighting has killed hundreds of thousands of people and created millions of refugees over the past four-and-a-half years. Turkey is opposed to the Assad government and has aided various rebel groups fighting against him. But it also opposes Kurdish fighters, who have been fighting a decades-long battle for autonomy in Turkey. Further complicating matters, the YPG Kurdish militia group is backed by the United States, a key ally of Turkey. Washington has called for Turkey to scale back its campaign against the Kurds, but Ankara appears to be undeterred. In a phone call this week with Prime Minister Davutoglu, U.S. Vice President Joe Biden 'noted U.S. efforts to discourage Syrian Kurdish forces from exploiting current circumstances to seize additional territory near the Turkish border,' according to a White House statement. But Biden also urged Ankara to 'show reciprocal restraint by ceasing artillery strikes in the area,' the statement said. Turkey's foreign ministry said Monday the statement was received with 'astonishment,' since it put U.S. 'ally Turkey and a terrorist organization in the same equation.' The ministry also insisted Turkey would continue its airstrikes, which it has portrayed as being retaliatory. The fighting comes as major powers try to implement a temporary cessation of hostilities this week. The cease-fire is set to begin this week, and is meant to allow humanitarian agencies to disperse badly needed emergency aid. The pause in fighting is also meant to create space for the resumption of international peace talks, which collapsed earlier this month, in part because of a massive Russian-backed Syrian government offensive. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Bitter Rebels Blame Kurds for Looming Tide of Syrian Refugees by Jamie Dettmer February 16, 2016 Intense fighting in northern Syria, near the Turkish border, has raised sharp concerns that a huge new wave of Syrian refugees will soon be pouring into Turkey. Turkish officials and a rebel commander manning a border post fear that Assad regime forces and Kurdish fighters will press their offensive to the Syrian border crossing at Azaz, following major gains on the battlefield overnight in the northern Aleppo countryside. Both the Turks and Syrian rebels say that could spark a new wave of refugees to push toward Turkey. With tens of thousands of desperate civilians crowded in camps along the border near Azaz, Turkey may be forced to admit them, and that could attract even more refugees. Turkish officials contend this is a deliberate Kurdish strategy to drive as many Sunni Arab families as possible out of the northern Aleppo countryside. This would allow Kurds to lay claim to the territory as part of their homeland, and the Turks believe this plan has been endorsed by the Assad regime, if only as a wartime tactic. Militiamen with the People's Protection Units, or YPG - the armed wing of the Syrian Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD) - took control overnight of Tell Rifaat, a strategic town 15 kilometers from Azaz that overlooks the junction of two main roads leading to Aleppo city. Tell Rifaat sits higher than the surrounding countryside, providing clear firing lines for artillery batteries. Pockets of rebel resistance were still reported Tuesday, but the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a pro-opposition monitoring group, said the YPG and its allies were in control of Tell Rifaat and the village of Kafr Naseh after heavy clashes with rebel and Islamic factions. Regime forces mainly Iranian, Afghan and Iraqi Shi'ite fighters also seized control of the villages of Masqan and Ihres overnight. Ihres is an important way station for civilians fleeing territory controlled by the Islamic State. A 'calamity' The rebel commander overseeing security at the Bab al Samah border crossing said the latest developments are a 'calamity.' In an exclusive interview with VOA Tuesday, Abu Ali Sijjos said without Tell Rifaat, rebel fighters have nowhere to establish a defensive line. "All we can do is to form a protective line around the displaced civilians, but the Russians can still attack with their warplanes and the regime would be able to lob mortars over the line," Ali Sijjos added. He confirmed that some rebel factions withdrew Tuesday from the town of Mare', 25 kilometers north of Aleppo, based on American officials' advice to avoid a clash with the approaching YPG. Those Kurdish fighters are now just seven kilometers from the border at Azaz. The rebel commander's account of contacts with U.S. officials could not be verified immediately by VOA. "The Russian warplanes are driving the civilians to the border,' Ali Sijjos said, 'and they are terrified." He admitted that rebel fighters are panicking and fear for their families' safety. If regime forces or the Kurdish YPG militia enter the "Azaz pocket" where tens of thousands of civilians have sought sanctuary, Ali Sijjos said, "the displaced will try to storm the fence if the Turks don't open the border for them." The rebel commander, who survived a jihadist car-bomb attack two months ago, said: "The Turks keep issuing statements that Azaz is a red line for them, but we don't take them seriously. The Turkish shelling is not really assisting us. It is doing nothing to deter the Russian airstrikes." New tide of refugees According to Turkey's Hurriyet newspaper, Turkish security officials have warned that PYD militias and Assad regime forces are trying to create a new tide of refugees wave by moving toward Azaz, from which 10 refugee camps stretch along an eight-kilometer route to Kilis in Turkey. YPG commanders deny they are part of the Assad regime's offensive, or coordinating their activities with Russia's warplanes. They contend they have sheltered Arab Sunni families who fled heavy fighting in the Kurdish enclave of Afrin. Syrian rebel commanders, however, insist there has been clear military coordination, and say they will never forgive what they consider treachery by the Kurds. Regardless of the ultimate outcome of Syria's five-year-long civil war, which has already left upwards of 250,000 dead and 11 million people displaced, the Syrian rebels say they will exact revenge on the Kurds for joining a battlefield alliance with the Assad regime. Kurd betrayal General Salem Idris, former chief of staff of the Western-backed Free Syrian Army, contends such revenge is inevitable. He says the FSA and the political opposition cautioned U.S. officials that while the YPG may have been a useful ally for the West in the struggle to defeat Islamic State jihadists, in the longer term it was always ready to work with the Assad regime. 'There is very strong coordination between the YPG and the regime,' Idris says. 'It is not hidden today." The moment the regime's offensive began, after repeated Russian airstrikes against rebel targets, Idris said the YPG decided Assad was likely to win and grasped the opportunity to side openly with the regime on the battlefield. "This will have bad results for the Kurds in the future,' the Free Syrian Army general said. 'People will remember what they did when we were fighting the regime and Hezbollah, and the Russians and all the mercenaries from Iran and Iraq as well as the Islamic State. They came from behind and attacked us." "The U.S. could put more pressure on the Kurds to stop" their intervention on the side of the regime, Idris said. Other rebel commanders also voice deep bitterness toward the Kurds' political party, the PYD, which they blame for repeated failure of the rebels' efforts to arrange a truce with the Kurdish militiamen. "They tricked us," says Mohammed Adeeb of the rebel alliance known as the Shamiya Front. Nader Othman, the deputy prime minister of the opposition Syrian Interim Government, also says the PYD will come to regret its actions against Sunni Arabs, and he predicts that Kurdish leaders "will discover [Syrian President Bashar] Assad is not to be trusted." "He will turn on them when the opportunity presents itself," Othman said. "But the problem for us is now, and the problem is that the U.S. sees the YPG as a partner when it comes to the Islamic State." Impact on US policy The Kurdish fighters' battlefield moves have been devastating for U.S. policy in Syria, and they are unraveling the alliance the Obama administration has been trying to build to confront and destroy the Islamic State group, according to Daveed Gartenstein-Ross, an analyst with the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies, a Washington think tank. "It's a complete wreck," says Gartenstein-Ross. "There are literally U.S.-backed groups fighting other U.S.-backed groups right now. Specifically, the U.S.-backed opposition in northern Aleppo is fighting the U.S.-backed YPG. I have never seen a situation where one CIA-backed group is fighting another with this kind of intensity. It illustrates why so many people have trouble trusting the United States. It's hard for people to believe our government is this incompetent, so they search for some hidden conspiracy," he says. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UN Human Rights Office Condemns Attacks on Syria Hospitals, School by Lisa Schlein February 16, 2016 The U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights has condemned airstrikes on at least four hospitals and a school Monday in northern Syria. He says if intentional, these attacks could amount to war crimes. The United Nations reports scores of people were killed and many more injured in the aerial attacks, which have been widely blamed on Syria's government and its ally, Russia. Four missiles reportedly hit one of the hospitals, run by the charity Doctors Without Borders. Additionally, another facility, a mother-and-child hospital supported by the United Nations Children's Fund, was struck with heavy loss of life in the bombardment. This hospital had previously come under attack on December 25. U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights spokesman Rupert Colville told VOA he did not know whether attacks against medical facilities and personnel have increased since Russia began bombing what it said were terrorist targets in Syria. "It is a bit hard to judge motivation like that; but, the sheer scale of these attacks would suggest it could well be a tactic of war... So, this apparent, at least partial targeting of hospitals, it is very difficult to tell if an individual event, immediately whether it is a deliberate targeting, obviously; but, the situation is just quite atrocious," he said. Colville said it was not clear whether these hospital facilities were intentionally targeted. "The sheer number of incidents raises huge question marks about the failure of the parties to the conflict in Syria to respect the special protections afforded to medical facilities and personnel under international humanitarian law. Depending on the circumstances, an airstrike on a hospital may constitute a war crime," he said. Since the Syrian conflict began almost five years ago, the World Health Organization reports nearly 700 health workers have been killed and that an estimated 60 percent of public hospitals and 49 percent of primary health centers have become either partially or completely non-functional. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address No question of Tsai toeing Ma's line in cross-strait policy: DPP ROC Central News Agency 2016/02/15 20:12:56 Taipei, Feb. 15 (CNA) President-elect Tsai Ing-wen () will not follow incumbent President Ma Ying-jeou's () line on China as a scholar has suggested, the Democratic Progressive Party said on Monday. DPP spokesman Wang Min-sheng( ) said in a statement that there is no question of Tsai toeing Ma's line after scholar Shao Zong-hai () argued in an article in the China Times -- a local newspaper -- that the new government's cross-strait policy will follow Ma's. Tsai has said clearly that she will stick to the public will, abide by democratic principles and insist on safeguarding the Taiwanese people's options for their future, Wang said in the statement, calling that the biggest difference between the new government and the Ma administration. 'We will not follow the established approach,' Wang said. He said that the public will and democracy should be the government's two pillars in formulating cross-strait policy and that if the party deviates from the two pillars, it cannot expect to be stable for very long. In her visit to the United States last June and also during the presidential campaign, Tsai said her support for 'maintaining the status quo' referred to promoting cross-strait policy under the Republic of China constitutional system and following the public will. The new government will continue to promote cross-strait peace and stability on the foundation built through cross-strait consultations and exchanges over the past two decades, and she has pledged that cross-strait ties will be consistent, predictable and sustainable, according to Wang. Tsai will assume the presidency on May 20. (By Sophia Yeh and Lilian Wu) Enditem/ls NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Turkey 'shocked' by US stance on 'terrorist' Kurds Iran Press TV Mon Feb 15, 2016 9:14PM Ankara is "shocked" by the United States stance on Syrian Kurdish troops that have been battling Takfiri terrorists of Daesh. Last week, US State Department spokesman John Kirby dismissed the idea that Syria's Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD) is a terrorist group, which made the Turkish government summon the US envoy in Ankara. 'To tell you the truth, we are shocked by Kirby's statements putting Turkey and the terrorist organization in the same basket," Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesman Tanju Bilgic said at a weekly briefing in the capital on Monday. Ankara considers the group as an ally of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), which it has been battling for months, but to the US, PYD is seen as part of the fight against the Daesh terrorists. Responding to a question regarding the difference between the two states, Kirby said last Monday that 'This is not a new concern, as I said, that the Turks have proffered. And we don't, as you know, recognize the PYD as a terrorist organization.' 'Self-explanatory' Turkey, which says it is battling the Takfiris in the region, has used the chance to also attack PKK militants, who have been seeking an autonomous Kurdish region inside the country since the 1980s. "Turkey has suffered a lot from terrorism. What Turkey has been doing to fight terrorism is self-explanatory," Bilgic said. He further reiterated that Ankara's stance on the Kurdish forces would not change. "Turkey's policy on PYD, that has links to (PKK fighters in) Qandil mountains, is also obvious. We explained our policy and conveyed our expectations on PYD to the United States at the highest level.' Bilgic made the remarks amid fears of escalation between Turkey and Russia in Syria, which made the US to warn both sides on Monday to "prevent escalation." Bilgic, however, said he was "shocked by the statements calling on us to stop shelling." "Because Turkey is an ally of the United States but PYD is a terrorist organization. Turkey does not need any permission to fight terrorism. Turkey's fight against terrorism will continue with resolve.' Russian Foreign Ministry expressed "its most serious concern" in a Monday statement about Turkey's "aggressive actions" in Syria, which includes helping new militants illegally enter the country to join the Takfiri ranks. Turkey along with Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the US and some European states have been sponsoring terrorists in Syria since 2011 to oust President Bashar Assad. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Kremlin-Backed Prosecutor In Crimea Seeks Closure Of Tatar Mejlis February 15, 2016 by RFE/RL The prosecutor in Russian-occupied Crimea has filed a request with that territory's Supreme Court to ban the Crimean Tatars' self-governing body, the Mejlis. The Mejlis has refused to recognize Russia's forced annexation of the peninsula from Ukraine nearly two years ago and played a key role in the consolidation of efforts on behalf of Crimean Tatars. Natalya Poklonskaya signed the request on February 15 to brand the Mejlis 'an extremist organization,' Russian news agencies reported. The reports say Poklonskaya handed a copy of the legal challenge to a leader of the Mejlis, Nariman Celal, the same day. Many Crimean Tatars fled Crimea during or after its military seizure by Russia in early 2014, and others who remained have complained of harassment or even disappearances under the Moscow-backed authorities on the peninsula. The European Parliament this month overwhelmingly approved a resolution to condemn Russia for its treatment of the minority group, which one member said, 'have been persecuted from the very beginning of the Russian invasion.' Poklonskaya's move comes four days after the Russian authorities who control Crimea arrested several Crimean Tatars on suspicion of belonging to Hizb ut-Tahrir, an Islamist political organization that is banned across Central Asia and Russia. Crimean Tatars activists rejected the charges, saying that they were politically motivated. Established in 1991 and legalized by the Ukrainian government in 1999, the Mejlis has been known as an organ that addressed issues related to Crimean Tatars to Kyiv and international bodies. The Mejlis was led for many years by the veteran leader of the Crimean Tatars, Soviet-era dissident Mustafa Dzhemilev. Since November 2013, the Mejlis has been led by Refat Chubarov. Dzhemilev and Chubarov, both Ukrainian lawmakers, have been barred from entering Crimea for five years by Crimea's pro-Moscow leadership. The Organization for Security and Cooperation In Europe's (OSCE) Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights and the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities issued a report in September saying that since Russia's land grab, fundamental freedoms had 'deteriorated radically' for many in Crimea, especially for pro-Ukrainian activists, journalists, and the Crimean Tatar community. Crimean Tatars have been reported abducted, and in some cases their later found dead, while others have been arrested and charged with extremism since the annexation. Crimean Tatars are native to the Black Sea peninsula but were deported to Central Asia by Soviet dictator Josef Stalin in 1944. They began returning in large numbers to Crimea in the late 1980s and now compose more than 12.5 percent of Crimea's population of 2.5 million. With reporting by TASS and Interfax Source: http://www.rferl.org/content/crimea-russian-prosecutor- looks-to-shut-tatars-mejlis/27553626.html Copyright (c) 2016. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ukraine Faces Crucial Test as Resignations Dent Anti-corruption Drive by Henry Ridgwell February 15, 2016 Ukraine's political crisis deepened Monday with the resignation of the deputy prosecutor general, who accused his superior of 'running a dead institution with no independence.' Vitaliy Kasko's departure follows a similar move by Economy Minister Aivaras Abromavicius earlier this month, who also accused loyalists of Ukraine's president of widespread corruption. 'It is a crisis of trust. It is a crisis of, basically, values," Abromavicius said. "I think we really need to use this opportunity to bring in a completely different set of people with a completely different mindset.' That opportunity could come Tuesday when parliament convenes to debate a report on the coalition government's performance, which could force a no confidence vote and lead to a snap election. A parliamentary source said that, after a meeting of various faction leaders Monday, 'the general mood is that the government should leave.' But if the government falls, Ukraine's progress could be set back even further, according to analyst Orysia Lutsevych of Chatham House. 'I think nobody is seriously interested in the new elections, because we will get pretty much the same parliament," Lutsevych said. "It will just delay time and drain resources in a time of economic hardship.' Slow reform Two years after street protests led to the overthrow of president Viktor Yanukovych, Ukraine's slow pace of reform is testing Western allies. Yatseniuk's approval ratings have plummeted to less than 1 percent, the economy has tanked and a conflict with separatist rebels has no end in sight. The International Monetary Fund has warned that the $40 billion bailout of Ukraine is at risk. 'On the one hand, there is not a critical mass of reformers in key branches of government," Lutsevych said. "Secondly, it is because we do have these strong vested interests in Ukraine entrenched through different state enterprises, cash flows through the banks, and fusion of capital and political life. And, finally, it is because the whole bureaucracy and administration has not been changed.' President Petro Poroshenko blames the slow pace of reform on the continuing conflict in the east against pro-Russian separatists. Speaking at the recent Munich Security Conference, he had tough words for Moscow. 'The only thing which needs to be done is remove your troops from Ukrainian territory, both on Donbas and Crimea; return the Ukrainian control on the control part of Ukrainian and Russian border; release all the hostages," Poroshenko said, then "we will have no tension, no escalation, no war in this region." Russia claims it is abiding by the year-old Minsk Agreement, which mandates demilitarization in return for Kyiv giving more autonomy to rebel-held regions. But monitors from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe warn the conflict is at its worst point in six months, and elections due to be held in the east under the Minsk agreement look likely to be delayed for several months. Some information for this report was provided by Reuters. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ukraine government survives no confidence vote Iran Press TV Tue Feb 16, 2016 3:14PM The government of Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk has survived a no confidence vote, hours after the president asked him to step down. The motion got 194 votes in the Verkhovna Rada on Tuesday, falling short of the 226 votes required to oust the prime minister. Earlier protesters rallied outside the parliament in Kiev calling for the resignation of Yatsenyuk over what they perceive to be his government's failure to fight graft. The protest was organized by the Ukrainian nationalist Svoboda party and the Party of Ordinary People. Yatsenyuk's government has come under increased pressure due to allegations of corruption and the slow pace of reforms. Meantime, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko called on Yatsenyuk and the country's controversial prosecutor general to resign because both had lost the public's trust. 'In order to restore trust in the government, the president asked the prosecutor general and the prime minister to quit,' presidential spokesman Svyatoslav Tsegolko wrote in social media on Tuesday. Yatsenyuk was a leading figure during Ukraine's 2014 pro-EU changes and vowed to clean up the government by cutting its ties to shadowy tycoons. Soon, however, people accused the former banker of defending the interests of the very same billionaires he had vowed to sideline. A former lawmaker accused a close Yatsenyuk associate in December of receiving a massive bribe for giving the Czech company Skoda the right to provide equipment for Ukraine's nuclear power plants. Yatsenyuk dismissed the charges but was unable to shed the shadow of corruption that has trailed him ever since. Recent opinion polls show 70 percent of Ukrainians supporting Yatsenyuk's dismissal and only one percent backing his People's Front parliamentary bloc. Ukraine's biggest political party said on Tuesday it will rate the performance of Yatsenyuk's government as 'unsatisfactory' in an imminent vote that could precipitate a collapse of the coalition government and snap election. The risk of the Ukrainian government falling also threatens a massive IMF-led rescue package aimed at reviving the country's shattered economy and slashing its reliance on Russian financial support. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has warned that it may withhold aid to Ukraine if it does not carry out anti-corruption reforms. Earlier this month, Ukrainian Economic Development and Trade Minister Aivaras Abromavicius resigned, claiming that substantial quantities of money were being diverted away from the Ukrainian government. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ukraine PM Yatsenyuk Survives No-Confidence Vote In Parliament February 16, 2016 by RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk has survived a no-confidence vote in parliament, hours after President Petro Poroshenko called on him to resign 'in order to restore trust in the government.' A total of 194 lawmakers voted that they had no-confidence in Yatsenyuk's government, shy of the 226 votes required to pass the no-confidence resolution introduced earlier in the day by Yuriy Lutsenko, leader of Poroshenko's own party, the Poroshenko Bloc, in parliament. The vote came amid what opinion polls show is growing disenchantment among Ukrainians with the pro-Western government that took power following the ouster of President Viktor Yanukovych, a Kremlin ally, in February 2014. A presidential statement earlier in the day said Yatsenyuk's government has lost the support of the ruling coalition, which includes the Poroshenko Bloc. The president's statement, which also called for the resignation of Prosecutor-General Viktor Shokin, said Arseniy Yatsenyuk's government had lost the support of the ruling coalition, which includes Poroshenko's own party, the Poroshenko Bloc. In a televised address, Poroshenko said that in order 'to restore [public] trust, therapy is no longer sufficient -- it takes a surgery.' 'The moment for a partial reshuffle of the cabinet of ministers has been lost,' he said. 'The discussion about it has been so long that the issue itself got lost in it. The demand for a full cabinet reload is obvious now. Poroshenko's request that Yatsenyuk and Shokin resign came shortly before the prime minister presented his report on the work of the government to parliament. Many had not expected Yatsenyuk to survive the no-confidence vote. Before the parliamentarians made their surprise decision, it was anticipated that fresh coalition talks and possible early parliamentary elections would be held, something that Poroshenko himself had warned 'would only deepen the political crisis.' In his address to parliament before the vote, Yatsenyuk avoided saying would resign,but said he would accept whatever decision lawmakers made. 'I call upon you -- regardless of what your decision will be -- we have no right to stall. We have laid the foundations for a new country -- now let's build a new Ukrainian house on top of it, a new European Ukraine that the entire [Ukrainian] people deserves. We will accept any decision this parliament takes," he said. The parliamentary leader of his party, Maksym Burbak, told parliamentarians that voting against the government 'could trigger early elections and chaos.' Meanwhile, the Ukrainska Pravda newspaper and the lb.ua news portal cited unidentified sources, including one in the Prosecutor-General's Office, as saying that Shokin had already resigned following Poroshenko's request. Pro-Western lawmaker Mustafa Nayyem also wrote on Twitter that Shokin had resigned but did not indicate a source for this information, which could not be immediately confirmed. If the government collapsed, it would have dismayed Ukraine's international backers, who have invested much cash and political capital supporting the government in the standoff with Russia over Moscow's annexation of Ukraine's Crimea territory in 2014 and Kyiv's war with Russia-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine. The push to eliminate problems like bribery, kickbacks, and preferential hiring for wealthy insiders has proceeded at a slow pace, resulting in growing frustration both inside Ukraine and among Western officials and lenders. All of the parties that originally formed Yatsenyuk's coalition support integration with the European Union and moves to steer the country away from economic and political ties with Russia. Poroshenko had also asked for the resignation of Shokin, a controversial appointment in 2014 who had served in previous administrations. Shokin was called out by name earlier this month by Lithuanian-born Economy Minister Aivaras Abromavicius, who announced his resignation and cited a 'sharp escalation in efforts to block systemic and important reforms.' With reporting by Reuters, AFP, pravda.com.ua, and lb.ua Source: http://www.rferl.org/content/ukraine-poroshenko-yatsenyuk-shokhin-resign/27555646.html Copyright (c) 2016. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UN mourns death of former Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali 16 February 2016 Boutros Boutros-Ghali, veteran Egyptian diplomat and the first United Nations Secretary-General from Africa, passed away today at the age of 93. He is being praised for guiding the Organization through the tumultuous early 1990's and for helping shape the UN's response to post-Cold War realities, drafting a seminal report on preventive diplomacy, peacemaking and peacekeeping. The UN Security Council announced Mr. Boutros-Ghali's death this morning, after which the 15-member held a moment of silence. Mr. Boutros-Ghali had a long association with international affairs as a diplomat, jurist, scholar and widely published author. He became a member of the Egyptian Parliament in 1987, and at the time of his appointment as UN chief, he had been Deputy Prime Minister for Foreign Affairs of Egypt since May 1991, and had served as Minister of State for Foreign Affairs from October 1977 until 1991. Over four decades, Mr. Boutros-Ghali participated in numerous meetings dealing with international law, human rights, economic and social development, decolonization, the Middle East question, international humanitarian law, the rights of ethnic and other minorities, non-alignment, development in the Mediterranean region and Afro-Arab cooperation. In September 1978, Mr. Boutros-Ghali attended the Camp David Summit Conference and had a role in negotiating the Camp David accords between Egypt and Israel, which were signed in 1979. The sixth United Nations Secretary-General, his term was marked by brutal conflicts in Haiti, Somalia, Rwanda and the former Yugoslavia, among others. Soon after his inauguration, the Security Council met in its first-ever summit of Heads of State. At their request, Boutros-Ghali authored the report called 'An Agenda for Peace,' an analysis on ways to strengthen UN capacity for preventive diplomacy, peacemaking and peacekeeping. Also during his tenure, he spearheaded UN structural and management reform. Shown, the Secretary-General visits Sarajevo (Bosnia and Herzegovina) in late 1992, accompanied by peacekeepers from the UN Protection Force (UNPROFOR). The war in the Balkans, accentuated by widespread "ethnic cleansing," lasted 42 months, ending in 1995. At UN Headquarters in New York, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon hailed his predecessor as a respected statesman who brought "formidable experience and intellectual power to the task of piloting the United Nations through one of the most tumultuous and challenging periods in its history, and guiding the Organization of the Francophonie in subsequent years." "As Secretary-General, he presided over a dramatic rise in UN peacekeeping. He also presided over a time when the world increasingly turned to the United Nations for solutions to its problems, in the immediate aftermath of the cold war," Mr. Ban told reporters. "He showed courage in posing difficult questions to the Member States, and rightly insisted on the independence of his office and of the Secretariat as a whole. His commitment to the United Nations its mission and its staff was unmistakable, and the mark he has left on the Organization is indelible," Mr. Ban stressed. He extended his deepest condolences to Mrs. Boutros-Ghali, as well as to the rest of the family, to the Egyptian people, and to the late Secretary-General's many friends and admirers around the world. "The United Nations community will mourn a memorable leader who rendered invaluable services to world peace and international order," he concluded. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Trading Symbol: TSX-V: ZFR Shares Outstanding: 33,395,961 HALIFAX, Feb. 16, 2016 /CNW/ - The Board of Directors of Zephyr Minerals Ltd. ("Zephyr" or the "Company") (TSX-V: ZFR) is pleased to announce the appointment of Sean Tufford as vice president, corporate development. David Felderhof, executive vice president stated "We are very pleased to welcome Mr. Tufford to the Company. Sean has developed an extensive network of industry contacts throughout North America and Europe, which combined with his strong marketing communications skills, passion and energy, should prove to be a great asset to the Company and its shareholders as we continue to advance our high grade gold property in Colorado, USA." Mr. Tufford of Halifax, Nova Scotia, has been actively involved in the mineral resource industry for many years and has held executive level mining positions with past experience in raising capital, mergers and acquisitions, and successfully marketing exploration, development and production mining projects. Prior to joining Zephyr Minerals Mr. Tufford held the position of vice president, corporate development for GoGold Resources Inc. a position he held for five years. Previous to GoGold Mr. Tufford was with Brigus Gold Corp., which company resulted from a merger between Linear Gold Corp. and Apollo Gold Corp. in 2010. Prior to entering the mining industry, Mr. Tufford held senior level positions for M5 Marketing Communications and Provincial Aerospace Limited. Mr. Tufford brings energy and an international roster of trusted relationships to his position with Zephyr Minerals. The position is for an initial term of one year. The Company will grant Mr. Tufford 300,000 stock options to purchase common shares of the Company for a period of 5 years. The stock options vest upon grant and are weighted equally with exercise prices of $0.15, $0.20, and $0.25. The options will be granted in accordance with the Company's stock option plan and as set forth by TSX Venture Exchange policy. The options are subject to the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange. About Zephyr Minerals Ltd. Zephyr Minerals Ltd. is a gold exploration and development company focused on advancing its flagship high grade Dawson Gold Project in Colorado, USA. Zephyr has commenced engineering and development studies with a goal of completing a Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) as part of its efforts to advance the Dawson Project with the ultimate goal of production. To be included in the Zephyr email database for Company updates please contact sean@zephyrminerals.com, or visit our website www.zephyrminerals.com for more information. Cautionary Statement: Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. The forward-looking statements contained in this document are made as of the date hereof and the Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements or information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless so required by applicable securities laws. SOURCE Zephyr Minerals Ltd. TSX: GPR NYSE MKT: GPL VANCOUVER, Feb. 16, 2016 /CNW/ - Great Panther Silver Ltd. (TSX: GPR; NYSE MKT: GPL) ("Great Panther"; the "Company") announces that it has received official notice allowing the Company to resume the use of explosives at its Guanajuato Mine Complex (the "GMC"). The Mexican regulatory authority responsible for permitting and regulating the use of explosives has now formally concluded its review of the previously announced theft of explosives from one of the mines at the GMC, and the Company has resumed full production at the mines. The Company is endeavouring to make up for the temporary disruption to production and, while this may have a minor effect on the first quarter's results, the Company's 2016 production guidance remains as previously announced. ABOUT GREAT PANTHER Great Panther Silver Ltd. is a primary silver mining and exploration company listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange trading under the symbol GPR, and on the NYSE MKT trading under the symbol GPL. Great Panther's current activities are focused on the mining of precious metals from its two wholly-owned mining operations in Mexico: the Guanajuato Mine Complex, which includes the San Ignacio Mine, and the Topia Mine in Durango. The Company holds an option agreement to acquire a 100% interest in the Coricancha Mine Complex in the central Andes of Peru and holds an option to acquire a 100% interest in the advanced-stage Guadalupe de Los Reyes Project in Sinaloa, Mexico. Robert Archer President & CEO CAUTIONARY STATEMENT ON FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities laws (together, "forward-looking statements"). Such forward-looking statements may include, but are not limited to, the Company's plans for production at its Guanajuato and Topia Mines in Mexico, exploring its other properties in Mexico, the overall economic potential of its properties, the availability of adequate financing and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or outcomes expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements to be materially different. Such factors include, among others, risks and uncertainties relating to potential political risks involving the Company's operations in a foreign jurisdiction, uncertainty of production and cost estimates and the potential for unexpected costs and expenses, physical risks inherent in mining operations, currency fluctuations, fluctuations in the price of silver, gold and base metals, completion of economic evaluations, changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined, the inability or failure to obtain adequate financing on a timely basis, and other risks and uncertainties, including those described in the Company's Annual Information Form for the year ended December 31, 2014 and Material Change Reports filed with the Canadian Securities Administrators available at www.sedar.com and reports on Form 40-F and Form 6-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and available at www.sec.gov. SOURCE Great Panther Silver Ltd. Bowled over: The cocktail work at Tenpin is sharp. Photo: Simon Schluter Address 49 Beach St Port Melbourne, VIC 3207 View map Opening hours Wed-Thu 5pm-10pm; Fri-Sun noon-10pm Features Accepts bookings, Gluten-free options, Groups, Licensed, Vegetarian friendly, Views, Outdoor seating Prices Moderate (mains $20-$40) Chef Ashley Richey Payments eftpos, AMEX, Visa, Mastercard Phone 03 9041 3211 You want hot? We've got hot. We're talking a beach-abutting, dumpling-serving, cocktail-slinging, vaguely games-themed restaurant boasting an unobstructed view of the Spirit of Tasmania. Nothing is hotter in this neck of Port Melbourne, as you'll quickly discover when you show up at Tenpin without booking, even on an evening so quiet that you can hear the ferry easing out to sea. This breezy new eatery is brought to you by the team behind Mr Lawrence, the Middle Eastern restaurant in a pub down the road. This time, owners Lyndal Barnes, Nick Savage, Matt Thurley and chef Ashley Richey have pulled the focus further south, and although on paper all this reads like yet another box-ticking proposition here's your catch-all menu juxtaposing edamame with green curry, and you guessed correctly that there's a long list of stick drinks it would be a mistake to approach with your expectations set to 2015 cliches. It would be understandable, though. The explosive hipsterfication of south-east Asian cuisine that followed Chin Chin, knocking the city sideways, has meant we've ploughed through some average homages to our neighbours up north. So many sugary, salty dish riffs amid fitouts that range from slightly tacky to blatantly offensive. Duck larb has a slow-burn heat. Photo: Simon Schluter In a lot of ways, Tenpin sidesteps those faux pas. Intentionally? It's unclear, but aside from an '80s video game graphic featuring a monkey and a ragey broad with a sword, it's otherwise beachy clean, a dining hall set-up of high stools with gold felt banquettes along the side for those who need back support. Upstairs, overflow seating looks out to the bay, while decorative features amount to that big bowling pin and a fire hose, resplendent against a patchwork section of exposed brick. Cocktails are doubly refreshing for their sharp use of bright, sour ingredients (the excellent case in point being the bracing and biting herbal and heated jalapeno-infused pisco, lime and peppery gin highball dressed with crushed coriander seeds) and for not calling it something like "me love you long time". Green curry with blue-eye and snake beans. Photo: Simon Schluter Is Richey's cooking the fierce and pungent stuff of, say, Jinda Thai in Abbotsford? It is not, but the ex-head chef of Chin Chin and Mecca Bah knows how to make you double dip without leaving you in fear of 3am desert mouth. The dish of Portarlington mussels has an instantly addictive quality you might associate with something that been dunked in pure MSG, but that's not what grabs or holds you until the bottom of the bowl. It's the sweet, salty and sour alignment of a perfectly balanced mix of chilli jam, chicken stock and oyster sauce fried with Thai basil, kaffir leaves and just the right amount of lime juice. Duck larb scores highest on the Scoville scale. The combination of fresh and roasted chillies gives the salad of minced duck, raw onion and lemongrass, textured with roasted rice, a frontal attack and slow burn heat that lingers. It is eaten like a taco in iceberg leaves with cucumber. Coconut trifle. Photo: Simon Schluter Grilled and sliced wagyu skirt steak is less melty and fatty than you'd expect, more iron-rich, which works well in contrast with a sweet and salty dressing and another lip-numbing papaya salad that you might call a shrimpless som tum. Is the pad Thai exciting? Is it ever! You'll order the smoky egg-strewn noodles anyway, without regrets. Sure they roll out the redundant "this menu is designed for sharing" chat, and misses are scattered throughout. The pork dumplings on a kim-chi base are underseasoned, dry and doughy on one visit, and the roasted rice on your duck larb can make the dish a little gritty overall. But I also challenge you to take a dive into the elegantly fragrant, and just-spicy-enough-to-make-lager-a-solid-decision green curry filled with blue-eye and snake beans and not see the virtue in a place that lets you climb off your cultural high horse for a little while and roll with it. Tenpin is not authentic or original, but it's a good, tasty time on a plate in an environment that won't make you feel complicit in cultural tone deafness. That's hot. THE LOWDOWN Pro tip: Beeline just for the bar. The cocktails are sound and the views immense. Go-to dish: You won't drink the Port Arlington mussel liquor if you have dignity. Like this? Easy Tiger, 96 Smith Street, Collingwood, is a longstanding advocate of modern Thai without the tropes. Correction: Tenpin chef Ashley Richey has not worked at Jinda Thai. http://tenpinkitchen.com.au/ Morgan McGlone will open a Southern-style restaurant in a Surry Hills pub. Photo: Supplied Belles Hot Chicken owner Morgan McGlone is taking a pause from the deep fryer to reboot a pub menu in Surry Hills. The ingredients of the project smack of new-world food order: a Sydney-raised chef, via Melbourne, taking food cues from one of the most celebrated restaurants in the American south in a newly renovated, century-old pub. McGlone confirmed he'll slide into Harpoon Harry in April, introducing a menu inspired by his time in the kitchen at Sean Brock's Husk restaurant in Nashville. "We'll be moving away from the Latino vibe at Harpoon Harry and I'll bring all that knowledge I picked up working at Husk. It won't have a connection with Belles I can do things aside from fry chicken," he quips. Expect the in-house smoker to get a serious work-out under the chef's watch. McGlone's residency at the venue will last at least a year, possibly longer. He's moving into a part of Surry Hills with a growing Melbourne influence, as Chin Chin is opening around the corner at the same time another neighbour, Longrain co-owner Sam Christie, is pulling back from the Melbourne market. Short Black's southern cousin Espresso reports Christie has sold his stake in Longrain Melbourne to business partners John and Lisa van Haandel but "he'll remain involved" in the Victorian spin-off. SHARE By Staff Report San Angelo Chamber of Commerce and the P-16+ Education Partnership will host College Goal Sunday for all San Angelo and area high school students and their parents Feb. 21. College Goal Sunday will pull together volunteers and financial aid professionals to help families of college-bound students complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, grants, loans and work-study. The two-hour free event runs from 2 to 4 p.m. in the Sunset Mall Community Room, 4001 Sunset Dr. All participants will be entered into a drawing for one of multiple $500 tuition scholarships given by the P-16+ Education Partnership. For more information contact Sandra Pomroy 325-655-4136 or srp@sanangelo.org. SHARE By Scripps Wire Services Fort Worth Councilman's plea to gay teens goes viral A city councilman in Fort Worth has rocketed into cyberspace prominence in a video pleading with gay teens not to commit suicide and tearfully recounting his own ordeals as a bullied schoolboy. "Give your self a chance to see how much life will get better," Councilman Joel Burns says in his appeal to bullied teens, which he made during a 12-minute speech to the council on Tuesday. By Friday afternoon, the video had received more than 500,000 hits on YouTube, and Burns was being lauded on social networking sites. Dallas Judge indicted on bribery charges State District Judge Suzanne Wooten has been indicted on multiple bribery charges related to her 2008 campaign. The charges stem from Wooten's campaign, in which she defeated longtime incumbent Judge Charles Sandoval in the 2008 Republican primary. They involve accusations that Wooten's campaign was given money in exchange for a favorable court ruling. Wooten's attorney, Peter Schulte, called the indictments "completely ridiculous." He said Wooten has done nothing wrong and he is confident she will prevail in court. Odessa Man gets 22 years for sex offense An Austin man was sentenced to nearly 22 years in federal prison for sending sexually explicit messages to an 11-year-old girl. The Odessa American reported that Mario Angel Alvarado sent the messages by Internet and text. He pleaded guilty in July, and the sentence was announced Friday. After his prison sentence, Alvarado will be on supervised release for the rest of his life. A convicted sex offender, Alvarado had recently been released from prison and was living at a halfway house when the he met the young girl online. Houston Arrests made in death of cabdrivers Houston police say they have arrested two people in the deaths of two cabdrivers who were robbed and shot after picking up passengers from the same gas station after it had closed. Police say they have arrested two 21-year-olds, a man and a woman. Police spokesman John Cannon told the Houston Chronicle on Saturday that he expects capital murder charges to be filed against Danielle Hudson of Antoine and Chaz Blackshear of Bentworth. He says police will discuss details of the case at a news conference Monday. Thirty-two-year-old Mohammed Nabiil Elsayed of Houston was killed Tuesday, and 50-year-old Blaise Uzoma Nwokenaka of Bellaire died Thursday. Galveston No one hurt after pilot crash lands A pilot walked away unhurt after his single-engine aircraft landed on its belly at a Galveston airport. The Houston Chronicle reported that the pilot told the tower at Scholes International Airport shortly before 2:30 p.m. Friday that his landing gear had failed and that he had to make an emergency landing. Department of Public Safety Trooper Mike Gonzales said the single-engine model 1738 Bellanca landed on its belly shortly before 3 p.m. Galveston firefighters extinguished a small fire. The pilot, whose name was not immediately available, had taken off from Scholes about an hour earlier. No one was injured. wire services Speculation that California Atty. Gen. Kamala D. Harris could be on President Obama's short list of possible nominees to the U.S. Supreme Court has reached a fever pitch -- but don't fit her for a robe just yet.The talk that Harris -- simultaneously the first woman and African American to be elected to the statewide post -- could fill the vacancy created by this weekend's unexpected death of Justice Antonin Scalia is just that, for the moment.It's a line of thought that is coming mostly from media outlets and analysts offering commentary ahead of what is likely to be a deliberative process that will start in earnest when President Obama returns to Washington this week after spending several days in California.Still, it's not hard to understand why court observers and the legal community would watch Harris, 51, the daughter of immigrants from India and Jamaica. She is a graduate of Howard University in Washington, D.C., and earned her law degree at UC Hastings College of the Law in San Francisco.Former Obama White House advisor David Axelrod mentioned the possibility of a Harris nomination on a weekend news show, and Harris' name has popped up on hypothetical lists from the New York Times, Associated Press, USA Today, the National Law Journal and the wonky but well-regarded SCOTUSblog.Harris has brushed aside the speculation, although questions about the issue will follow her during her ongoing campaign for U.S. Senate ahead of California's June 7 primary."While the attorney general is honored to be mentioned in these conversations, she's committed to her current job and continuing her fight for California families in the U.S. Senate," campaign spokesman Nathan Click said Monday.Most describe Harris as a veteran prosecutor and astute, ambitious political leader. Harris also has been a strong Obama supporter since he was a U.S. Senate candidate from Illinois.Harris' national profile got a boost when Obama gave her a speaking role at the Democratic National Convention in 2012. The headlines continued in 2013 when Obama apologized publicly for having described her as "the best-looking" attorney general in the country.For all her demographic and political strengths, Harris does not come from the judicial realm. She has staked out liberal positions on issues that would raise the ire of Republican Senate leaders who already have warned Obama to leave the nomination to the next president."Kamala Harris would be an unusual choice -- most recent appointments have been federal court of appeals judges -- but a plausible one," said Erwin Chemerinksy, dean of the UC Irvine School of Law. "However, there are so many plausible names. I doubt anyone has inside information so it is just all speculation."Plus, Harris is the current front-runner to replace retiring Democratic Sen. Barbara Boxer, and she may not want to forgo the opportunity to represent Californians in Washington.Throughout her political career, Harris has articulated clear positions on many controversial, divisive issues that could come before the nation's high court.Harris favors the protection of abortion rights, an end to the federal ban on medical marijuana and a path to citizenship for immigrants in the country illegally. She backs major changes in the criminal justice system, in part to address racial disparities, including shorter sentences for low-level drug crimes and a shift in government funding from prisons to crime prevention.As attorney general, Harris has taken actions conservatives would no doubt take issue with during a Senate confirmation hearing, should one ever occur:-- She refused to defend Proposition 8, the 2008 ballot measure that outlawed same-sex marriage in California until the U.S. Supreme Court found it unconstitutional.-- Harris defended a state law that required members of public employee unions to help pay for collective bargaining. A case challenging those requirements -- Friedrichs vs. California Teachers Assn. -- is pending in the Supreme Court and could yield a 4-4 decision in Scalia's absence.-- Harris, who has been supported politically by the California Teachers Assn., appealed a Los Angeles County Superior Court judge's ruling in the case of Vergara vs. California, which threw out the state's tenure process for grade school teachers.-- Harris criticized a federal appeals court for rejecting Obama's executive actions on immigration, a case that is also pending before the Supreme Court.When she was San Francisco district attorney, Harris was scrutinized for refusing to seek the death penalty against a gang member who in 2004 gunned down police Officer Isaac Espinoza. Harris stuck to her campaign promise never to pursue the death penalty.Boxer, U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, then-state Atty. Gen. Bill Lockyer and then-Oakland Mayor Jerry Brown, all Democrats, criticized Harris' decision.For more than a decade, she worked as a prosecutor in Alameda County and San Francisco, and tried cases involving charges of drunk driving, sex crimes, assault and homicide. Her transition to electoral politics began in 2003 during her successful campaign to unseat San Francisco Dist. Atty. Terence Hallinan.Harris was elected attorney general in 2010, narrowly beating L.A. County Dist. Atty. Steve Cooley, a Republican. She was reelected in 2014 by a wide margin.Her parents divorced when Harris was a toddler and her late mother, who was a breast cancer researcher at UC Berkeley, raised Harris and her sister, Maya, to be proud African American women during a tumultuous time in the United States. Harris was a student in the second class to integrate Berkeley's public schools in the late 1960s.Her sister has served as advisor to Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign and is a senior fellow at the Center for American Progress. Deadlocks expected Impact on labor An abortion case, scheduled for argument next month, over a Texas law that would close most of the state's abortion clinics by requiring them to follow hospital standards and employ only doctors with admitting privileges at nearby hospitals. An appeals court upheld the law, so a Supreme Court deadlock would let Texas enforce it and allow other states in the same appellate circuit to enact similar laws. A Republican-backed lawsuit, also from Texas, that seeks to redraw state and local election districts nationwide so that they represent equal numbers of registered voters rather than the general population. The case could have a major impact in states such as California that have large numbers of noncitizen immigrants who are ineligible to vote. A tie vote would preserve the current population-based system, upheld by lower courts. Yet another Texas case, challenging any consideration of race in public college enrollment. California already prohibits such affirmative action under a 1996 ballot measure, Proposition 209, but the Supreme Court, and lower courts in the Texas case, have allowed state schools to take race into account to promote diversity on campus. Death penalty question The future of the United States Supreme Court, and the hundreds of millions of people affected by its decisions, has just changed.The death of Justice Antonin Scalia, leader of the court's dominant conservative bloc, impacts pending cases on issues such as abortion, immigration and the viability of public employee unions. Over the longer term, a shift in the court's majority could reshape rules that govern some of the fundamentals of the democratic process, such as campaign financing and voting rights. A newly composed court could also revisit the death penalty and access to firearms.Most immediately, the sudden vacancy on the court turns an ongoing partisan conflict over judicial confirmations into a clash with repercussions for the presidential election as well as the judiciary.Even before President Obama announced his intention Saturday to nominate a successor to Scalia, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell had declared that the vacancy should await the next president. "The American people should have a voice in the selection of their next Supreme Court justice," said McConnell, R-Ky., a position promptly endorsed by Republican candidates at Saturday night's debate.The impending blockade infuriated Democrats but should not have come as a surprise. Last year, according to a report by the liberal Alliance for Justice, the Republican-controlled Senate confirmed only 11 of Obama's judicial nominees and just one nominee to a federal appeals court, left 70 judicial seats vacant, and even blocked votes on some Obama candidates who had been recommended by their state's Republican senators.And that was without use of the filibuster, which allows 41 of the 100 senators to block Senate votes on pending nominations or legislation. In 2013, the then-majority Democrats abolished filibusters for most presidential nominees, including candidates for lower courts, but kept them for Supreme Court appointments.So for now, and most likely for the year, the Supreme Court is down to eight members, raising the prospect of 4-4 deadlocks on some of the most important cases in the 2015-16 term, which runs through June. A tie vote leaves the lower-court ruling in place, ending the case without fulfilling the high court's usual task of establishing nationwide legal standards.One potential exception is the immigration case, a challenge by 26 Republican-led states to Obama's November 2014 executive order that would grant a three-year reprieve from deportation to immigrant parents of U.S. citizens or legal residents -- if the parents had no serious criminal records -- and allow them to apply for work permits. It would also expand an earlier program halting deportation of immigrants who were brought to the United States illegally as children. More than 4 million immigrants would be affected.A 4-4 vote would leave in place a lower-court ruling that found the president exceeded his authority and barred enforcement of his order nationwide. But the issue could return to the Supreme Court if a future Democratic president issued a similar order. It's also possible that one or more conservative justices will decide the states lacked legal authority to challenge Obama's order because they failed to show it would cause them tangible harm.A Supreme Court deadlock, on the other hand, would be a huge victory for unions of teachers and other government employees whose right to collect dues from nonmembers whom they represent was challenged in a California case.During oral arguments last month, a conservative majority appeared ready to decide that allowing the unions to collect fees from nonmembers for the costs of representing them violated the nonmembers' freedom of speech, a potentially major financial and political blow to organized labor. A 4-4 vote would leave in place not only the lower-court rulings in the unions' favor but also a 1977 Supreme Court ruling that allowed the "agency shop" fees.Other cases with potential tie votes include:The court's composition has also become a leading issue in the presidential election.Scalia's death has given new urgency to warnings from Republicans such as Ted Cruz that the nation is "one justice away" from eliminating the constitutional right to possess guns for self-defense, granted by a Scalia majority opinion in 2008. It could also give Hillary Clinton, if elected, a chance to carry out her pledge to nominate justices who would overturning the court's 5-4 rulings weakening the Voting Rights Act and allowing corporations to contribute unlimited sums to political causes.A liberal majority could also take a new look at the death penalty, whose constitutionality was questioned last year in a dissenting opinion by Justices Stephen Breyer and Ruth Bader Ginsburg. And Obama's executive order to reduce global warming by limiting coal plant emissions, blocked by the Supreme Court in one of Scalia's final votes, could return to the court if reissued by a new Democratic president.In recent months, several conservative groups have said they preferred a deadlocked court to one with a liberal majority. Hours after Scalia's death, the conservative Federalist Society -- whose members have included Scalia and two of his colleagues -- issued a statement recalling that the Senate, during John Tyler's presidency in the 1840s, rejected nine of his Supreme Court nominations and left one seat vacant for more than two years.With the current political composition, confirmation of a Supreme Court candidate "is impossible now, and will be difficult even after the election," said Michael McConnell, a Stanford law professor and former federal appeals court judge.Carl Tobias, a University of Richmond law professor and court commentator, contends that the Senate -- whose constitutionally prescribed role is to "advise and consent" on court appointments -- has an obligation to give an Obama nominee a hearing and an up-or-down vote. The public is unlikely to tolerate a shorthanded and deadlocked court for long, Tobias said, and Republican leaders are risking a "constitutional crisis." On Monday, in the morning, at the Maryborough RSL Club, His Excellency the Honourable Paul de Jersey AC attended the Young Professionals Fraser Coast Networking and Professional Breakfast and addressed guests. Read the Governor's Young Professionals Breakfast speech here. Following, at Queens Park, Maryborough, the Governor, with Mrs Kaye de Jersey, unveiled a plaque for a Jacaranda which descended from the Tree of Justice Jacaranda which shaded the entrance to the Brisbane District and Supreme Court buildings from the late 1800s, and addressed guests. Read the Governor's Jacaranda plaque unveiling speech here. In the afternoon, at the Brolga Theatre and Convention Centre, the Governor and Mrs de Jersey received a briefing on regional issues from Fraser Coast Regional Council, followed by lunch where the Governor acknowledged and thanked Councillors and Council staff. Following, at Albert State School a School at which His Excellency attended in the 1950s the Governor, with Mrs de Jersey, addressed a Special Assembly, presented students with certificates, and toured classes, and then departed Maryborough for Fraser Island. On Tuesday, in the morning, on Fraser Island, His Excellency the Honourable Paul de Jersey AC and Mrs Kaye de Jersey received a Welcome to Country from representatives of the Butchalla people, before receiving a briefing on, and thanking stakeholders involved in, the Islands management and preservation. Following, at Central Station, the Governor and Mrs de Jersey met and received a briefing on local issues from staff and volunteers, and then visited Central Station, Wanggoolba Creek Boardwalk, Pine Valley and Lake McKenzie. (TNS) Family and friends of Autumn Steele have many questions about the day the 34-year-old mom was accidentally shot and killed by a Burlington police officer.Why was Officer Jesse Hill holding a gun when responding to a domestic disturbance in Steeles front yard?Did Steeles dog bite Hill as the officer alleged?How many shots were fired?Steeles supporters think most of these questions could be answered with the video from the body camera Hill was wearing during the Jan. 6, 2015, shooting, as well as cruiser dash-camera video and other records.But local and state law enforcement agencies have refused to release most of the records, saying the law allows them to keep investigative material secret even after a case is closed.Theres so much we dont know, Steeles mother, Gina Colbert of Columbus, Ga., said in a phone interview. Theres no way to arrive at any kind of closure.Open government advocates are asking Iowa lawmakers this session to change the law so police are required to release information once a case is closed if it doesnt endanger a persons life. Senate Study Bill 3088 also would launch a study of the use, storage, public inspection and confidentiality of body camera video.Meanwhile, the Iowa Public Information Board is contesting the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigations decision not to release records of Steeles shooting. An administrative law judge will hear the case, which could carry a civil fine.The idea that you can have a case and have it closed and that information goes into a black hole never to be seen again doesnt speak to transparency, said Bill Monroe, a board member and retired Iowa Newspaper Association director.Transparency leads to people having an opportunity to review these cases. It isnt just for the press its for the people, he said.The Iowa DCI investigated 27 officer-involved shootings in 2014 and 2015. Half those resulted in fatalities two when people committed suicide. The DCI doesnt track the race of people involved in shootings, but police booking photos and descriptions indicate three were black and two others Hispanic.Prosecutors who reviewed the officer-involved shootings determined all were justified.Theyre working for usFred Cailey, 77, of Stockport, saw a story in the Van Buren County Register about a police chase that ended with Fairfield Police firing shots at two teenagers. I read the report in the paper and I had questions, Cailey said.What was the initial offense that started the chase?Why did Fairfield police decide to shoot?Could police have resolved this differently?Cailey called Van Buren County Attorney Abe Watkins, who had determined the shooting was justified. Watkins told Cailey to call the DCI, which said the agency would not release investigative materials about the shooting even though the case was closed.Maybe everything was 100 percent on the up and up, but who knows? Cailey said. Theyre working for us, but in this case, theyre not working for us.Citizens, including Cailey, asked for police records in five officer-involved shootings in the past two years, including Steeles. In each case, the DCI used Iowa Code Section 22.7(5) as justification for not releasing the records.The code reads: Peace officers investigative reports, and specific portions of electronic mail and telephone billing records of law enforcement agencies if that information is part of an ongoing investigation, except where disclosure is authorized elsewhere in this Code may be kept confidential.A Polk County judge ruled, because of the placement of the comma, only email and phone billing records should be made public after an investigation is over meaning other materials could be kept secret.But open government advocates argue theres no reason to hide records in closed cases particularly in a time when trust in police is low because of racially charged police shootings in Ferguson, Mo., Baltimore, Chicago and Minneapolis.Let us see the evidence and we can clear this up, said Barb Reed of Marion, who joined a group pushing for release of records about the Steele shooting. If we taxpayers are paying for all these body cameras, we should have the right to see this.Law enforcement agencies often release video when it proves officers did the right thing.Johnson County Attorney Janet Lyness decided in 2011 to release video of an Iowa City standoff.Police went to Chad Newmires house after Newmire told family and friends he was having suicidal thoughts. Newmire told police he had a gun tucked into his waistband and, after 40 minutes of negotiations, started to reach for the weapon.Officers fired bullets, so-called bean bag rounds rounds fired as shotgun shells and a stun gun at Newmire, who was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries.I looked at it as this would be information very important for the public to have, Lyness said about the video.Des Moines lawyer Michael Giudicessi gave other examples of police showing videos that cast them in a good light.In May 2015, the Iowa Highway Patrol released dash camera video of a state troopers valiant effort to administer CPR to a motorist, Giudicessi wrote in a brief filed in September with the state Public Information Board.The University of Iowa police gave the media unedited body camera videos relating to the Dec. 5, 2014, removal of public art that depicted a Ku Klux Klan robe and a subsequent student confrontation, the brief stated.But officials want to maintain their right to keep investigative materials confidential.To try to legislate, it gets sticky, said Judy Bradshaw, director of the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy and former chief of the Des Moines Police Department. I think you allow individual chiefs and sheriffs to develop their own policies.Bradshaw pointed to times when police enter private houses for a mental health crisis, reported domestic assault or child abuse. Would those body camera videos also be public?Proposed changes to Chapter 22.7(5) must be heard by a State Government subcommittee before Friday or the bill will die, said Sen. Jeff Danielson, D-Cedar Falls, committee chairman.I think there are some good ideas in the bill, he said. We need to look more closely at the use of body cameras.One-third of officer-involved shootings in Iowa in the past two years involved police shooting at people in moving vehicles, despite evidence these maneuvers are risky, often avoidable and banned in many metropolitan police departments.In nine shootings, Iowa law enforcement officers fired at people in vehicles, usually during or after a chase. In most cases, the driver accelerated toward an officers body or cruiser or the officer feared that was going to happen.My husband is a police officer and I want him to come home at night, said Gayle Rhineberger-Dunn, a University of Northern Iowa associate criminology professor. I would have a hard time being upset if he shot at a vehicle.But as a criminologist, Rhineberger-Dunn questions whether shooting at a person in a moving car is the right choice.Why are we there? What has the person done? Are they a threat to others? she asked. It behooves us to examine the outcomes of those cases and whether or not we should be shooting at moving vehicles.Case studyFairfield Police Officer Kathy Blumhagen was on an overnight patrol June 2 last year when she spotted a sedan spray-painted blue. She typed in the license plate, but got one of the letters wrong and the plate appeared to be registered to another vehicle.It looked suspicious and she wanted to investigate it further, which is part of her job, Fairfield Police Capt. Colin Smith said.Blumhagen put on her lights, but Dakota Murray, 19, of Keosauqua didnt pull over. He made several turns before gathering speed and heading south out of Fairfield on Highway 1, according to the dash-camera recording obtained by The Gazette.The chase reached 95 mph at one point, but eventually slowed as Murrays car started to leak some sort of fluid.You could at least make this a little more interesting, Blumhagen quipped about five minutes into the chase.Three minutes later, Murray veered onto a gravel road, skidding into a U-turn and reversing into a ditch.Blumhagen and Fairfield Sgt. David Wall, guns drawn, ran toward the car and, apparently afraid the teen could drive it up the embankment, started firing. One, two, three, four, five shots fired, one through the windshield.Gods looking out for them tonight, Blumhagen told other officers after learning neither Murray, nor his passenger, a 16-year-old girl, was hit.Murray was charged and convicted with eluding police and sentenced to two years prison.Is it justified?Van Buren County Attorney Abe Watkins determined the actions of Fairfield Police were justified. Thats because Iowa law allows law enforcement officers to use deadly force if they believe their lives or the lives of others are at risk.If youre using a car as a deadly weapon against an officer, the officer could use deadly force, said Russ Rigdon, legal instructor for the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy.The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled in favor of police who have fired shots at moving vehicles even when the cars are driving away, Rigdon said.Linn County Attorney Jerry Vander Sanden determined the March 29 shooting of Kyle R. Orth, 28, of Cedar Rapids, by Cedar Rapids police was justified after Orth led police on a chase, crashed into a telephone pole and drove at two officers.Orth was sentenced in December to six months in jail for drunken driving and eluding police.Risks outweigh benefitsBut law enforcement experts say shooting at moving vehicles is generally a bad idea.You may not hit the intended target. You could hit a passenger or some civilian outside the car, said Geoffrey Alpert, a University of South Carolina criminology professor who studies use of force. If you happen to hit the driver, then youve got an unguided missile.A better option would be to get out of the way, he said.If an officer has time to pull his gun and shoot, he has time to take two or three steps back and avoid the vehicle, Alpert said.Many police departments in major cities have banned shooting at moving vehicles unless the person in the car is threatening the officer or someone else with deadly force other than the vehicle.Moving into or remaining in the path of a moving vehicle, whether deliberate or inadvertent, SHALL NOT be justification for discharging a firearm at the vehicle or any of its occupants, states the Philadelphia Police Department directive on use of force. An officer in the path of an approaching vehicle shall attempt to move to a position of safety rather than discharging a firearm at the vehicle or any of the occupants of the vehicle. (Capital letters used by the department.)Cities with similar prohibitions include Denver, New York City and Los Angeles.Cedar Rapids and Iowa City police departments allow officers to shoot at moving vehicles only as a last resort to prevent death or substantial harm to officers or other people.Perceived threatLaw enforcement officers are often forced to make split-second decisions about potential threats and lawyers who review officer-involved shootings tend to give officers the benefit of the doubt.Whether the officer perceived a threat is up to the officer, said Watkins, Van Buren County prosecutor.A Waterloo man filed a federal lawsuit in July against the city of Waterloo, claiming Waterloo Police officers lied about an April 5 officer-involved shooting.Police said Jovan Webb, 28, who police wanted to talk with about a fight, bumped Sgt. Steven Bose with the front of his car as Webb tried to drive out of a parking lot. Bose dove to the ground to avoid being hit, but other officers thought Bose had been struck or was being dragged by Webbs car, the Iowa Attorney Generals Office reported.Webb faces charges of assault, interference and carrying a weapon.Webbs lawsuit claimed he was unfairly targeted by police because he is black. He claimed he had nothing to do with the fight, and when he tried to drive away police blocked his exit and then shot him five times.Both parties agreed to dismiss the suit Feb. 5 because of the criminal case.Often a review of officer-involved shootings shows things police could have done differently to de-escalate the conflict. The Van Buren County shooting will be used as a training scenario for Fairfield Police, Smith said.There were some instances the officers could have done things better, he said. Overall, they followed our policies to the letter. Thats really all we can ask of them. (TNS) -- In the face of fierce opposition from Frontier Communications and cable companies, state lawmakers have scrapped plans to build a 2,500-mile high-speed Internet network all at once in West Virginia and instead seek to construct the fiber network in segments.State senators backed away from proposed legislation last week that would have created a $72 million state-funded network designed to bring Internet to rural communities. Lobbyists representing large Internet providers complained that the project would duplicate existing networks.A completely reworked version of the bill (SB 315) would allow Internet companies to request grant and bond money to build individual fiber segments, provided the firms can show they could sign up a sufficient number of customers and have viable plans to retire their debt.It's a more intelligent way to do it, instead of putting us on the hook for 2,500 miles without commitments from providers to pay for it, said Sen. Chris Walters, R-Putnam. It will really help companies get bonds and grants easier to expand fiber in West Virginia.The scaled-back plan comes on the heels of a Federal Communication Commission report that ranks West Virginia 48th in the nation when it comes to people having access to high-speed broadband Internet service. More than 544,000 West Virginians or about 30 percent of the state's population don't have broadband service. Only Mississippi and Montana had worse broadband access rates.Our problem in this state are the rural markets period, said Jim Martin, CEO of Citynet, a Bridgeport-based Internet company. What this bill does is it recognizes we don't have the infrastructure in the rural areas, and we need to build out to those rural markets to make the Internet affordable.At a legislative committee meeting last week, Martin held up a U.S. map of middle-mile broadband networks built with federal funds. Any Internet provider can connect to the open-access networks and serve customers. West Virginia is mostly blank on the map.West Virginia is a big black hole, he said.In recent weeks, lobbyists for larger Internet providers like Frontier and Suddenlink have blasted Walters' bill, saying the state can't afford to build an expansive fiber network and few firms would sign up to use it.The large Internet providers noted that only 54 percent of West Virginians have access to public water, and 40 percent of residents have public sewer service, while 70 percent can subscribe to broadband Internet. Those figures show the private sector can expand Internet service in West Virginia without government help, said Mark Polen, executive director of the West Virginia Cable Association.That's a pretty good record to start with after just 15 years of investment, said Polen, adding that broadband access has increased significantly across West Virginia in recent years.Large Internet providers aren't sold on Walters' bill overhaul either. They've seen nothing in writing. The Senate Government Organization Committee passed the revised legislation Friday based solely on Walters' explanation. The bill goes to the full Senate this week.The bill was written on a concept, Polen said. We saw the movie before the book came out.In an interview with the Gazette-Mail, Walters said private Internet providers or possibly cities or towns could request grant and bond money through the West Virginia Water Development Authority, one of the few state agencies that issues bonds. The companies would have to submit business plans detailing the number of customers they expected to serve, project costs and how they would pay off their bonds.The individual segments will be built and bonds will be sought when viability is determined based on data provided by the project sponsor, Walters said. It would be done zone by zone. It's been successful in states all across the country.Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin hasn't stated his position on the legislation. The governor supports broadband expansion, but wants to see the bill's specifics, said Becky Neal, Tomblin's executive aide.The governor is concerned about anything that affects the budget, Neal said. Until the legislation is completed and comes across his desk, there is concern about the fiscal impact and putting the state coffers at risk.Senate members seem to support recent changes to Walters' bill. They've vowed to take steps to expand high-speed Internet, after fielding numerous complaints from constituents. Some lawmakers say they're getting almost as many calls about download speeds as potholes these days.I see this as a way to make the industry move forward a little faster, said Sen. Kent Leonhardt, R-Monongalia. You [Internet providers] could use this legislation to your advantage and to the advantage of West Virginia citizens at the same time so that we could get more-affordable and faster Internet. The stock market's recent volatility is a continuation of the bumpy ride investors have experienced since the Great Recession. Such swings used to have little direct effect on public pension plans, but that has changed.That's because over the past four decades public pensions, in hopes of boosting investment returns, have shifted funds away from fixed-income investments such as government and high-quality corporate bonds. Today they hold, on average, about half of their assets in stocks and another quarter in alternative investments such as private equity, real estate and hedge funds. Between 2006 and 2013, the percentage of their funds invested in alternative assets more than doubled.Not surprisingly, the collective returns of public fund investments over the last few years have been volatile, ranging from a high of 21 percent in fiscal year 2011 to a low of 1 percent in fiscal 2013. Returns for calendar 2015 are expected to be essentially flat.Rules governing disclosure and transparency haven't kept pace with these trends. While some individual funds and states have made changes, more work must be done to increase transparency and present a clear picture of funds' bottom-line performance and costs.Alternative investments can be complex. Most, including private equity and real estate, can be challenging to accurately value because there is no public exchange. They also often come with higher management costs. The total cost of managing pension assets has increased by more than 30 percent over the past decade, reducing returns on alternatives by as much as 10 to 20 percent for some plans.Current disclosure standards were designed for much simpler investments and do not provide enough transparency for these complex and costly alternatives. Beneficiaries, taxpayers and policymakers need better information about the investment performance of public pension plans because investment returns account for an estimated 60 percent of the money paid out in the form of pension benefits.Insufficient transparency affects the ability to discern how much is being paid in fees and the resulting impact on investment returns. Current accounting standards allow public pension plans to report investment returns without deducting the cost of fees paid to investment managers, known as "gross of fees." More than a quarter of the largest plans take this route. Some additional costs, such as carried interest and some performance fees, also can go unreported.There are some exceptions. One of the few plans to comprehensively report performance fees is the Missouri State Employees' Retirement System. In 2014, the plan reported that performance fees paid to investment managers accounted for about half of its overall fees.And last July the nation's largest public retirement plan, the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS), raised the bar on investment-fee transparency by announcing that it would disclose the full amount it pays to invest in private equity. In November, CalPERS' new policy of providing additional reporting on carried interest for private equity and other performance fees showed that external investment partners realized $700 million from profit-sharing agreements in fiscal 2015 -- information the public would not have had without the new reporting policy.Movement toward stronger reporting and greater transparency on the costs associated with alternative investments appears to be gaining momentum. The Institutional Limited Partners Association's Fee Transparency Initiative, a widely supported industry effort to establish comprehensive standards for fee and expense reporting among institutional investors and fund managers, is advocating total fee reporting by private equity managers and their investors. And in a recent letter to the Securities and Exchange Commission, 13 state and municipal treasurers and comptrollers -- many of them members of the Fee Transparency Initiative -- appealed for industrywide standards on private equity fee disclosure, including carried interest.There's no one-size-fits-all approach to successful investing, but there is a uniform need for full disclosure on investment performance and fees. This will help ensure that risks, returns and costs are balanced in ways that follow best practices and that public pension plans accurately disclose the fees that are paid.State pension plans are entrusted with $3 trillion in public funds and face the challenge of a $1 trillion gap in the amount needed to pay for pension promises. With the dramatic shift toward more complex alternative investments, government workers and taxpayers deserve more complete information on both the cost of managing pension investments and the bottom-line results of these riskier investment strategies. Michael Schumacher's manager on Monday paid tribute to the absent F1 legend, as his entire family gathered for a rare public appearance. In Marburg, Germany, Schumacher's wife Corinna, father Rolf, children Gina-Maria and Mick and friends Norbert Haug and Stefano Domenicali all gathered. Attended by 200 others, it was the opening of an exhibition celebrating Schumacher's career, hosted by long-time sponsor DVAG and taking place on the 20th anniversary of the great German's first test at the wheel of a Ferrari. The notable absentee, however, was the 47-year-old seven time world champion himself, as he was apparently still being tended to by full-time rehabilitation staff at his palatial home on the shores of Lake Geneva. "He is the most successful driver in history," manager Kehm said, "and sometimes, on days like this, it is good to be reminded of it. "Of course, Michael is not here and of course we miss him. We know what has happened and cannot change it. We must accept it and hope with everything we have that with continued support and patience he will one day be back with us. "Racing was his life and no one would have liked to have been here more than him," Kehm added. (GMM) The companys new delivery vehicles feature up to 20% gradeability, 80 miles of range and a 50% battery charge time of 2.5 hours. Installed by Morgan Olson on a Ford F59 Chassis, the walk-in step vans are the first Motiv-powered vehicles installed on a previously-used body. AmeriPride Services, a leading textile rental services and supply company in North America, announced plans to replace 20% of the fleet at its Vernon branch with electric delivery trucks equipped with Motiv Power Systems All-Electric Powertrains. Motiv has delivered the first of ten zero-emission step vans. The F59 chassis from Ford is incredibly versatile and were excited to demonstrate an all-electric option with these AmeriPride trucks. It provides a good example to the regional delivery services community that there are real things a company can do to improve regional air quality and reduce fuel costs. Jim Castelaz, founder and CEO of Motiv Power Systems In addition to the F59 chassis, Motiv has upfit packages available for the Ford E450 and Crane Carrier COE2 Class 8 chassis. Configurations include all the components required to transform a chassis to zero-emission all-electric drive and are professionally installed to OEM standards at the time of the vehicles manufacture. AmeriPride chose the Vernon market for this pilot based on route density and infrastructure, financial incentives and the regions poor air quality. The purchase of the ten all-electric walk-in vans was made possible through a grant from the California Energy Commission. Other initiatives AmeriPride is implementing at Vernon and other branches include propane, compressed natural gas and hybrid vehicles; trailer skirting and double-decker semi trailers; fuel efficient sedans for the service team and the installation of telematics technology and route optimization software to reduce mileage and increase efficiency. The Motiv All-Electric Powertrain has been successfully used in school buses, shuttle buses, delivery trucks, maintenance trucks and North Americas only all-electric refuse truck in the City of Chicago. Lithium X Energy Corp. is acquiring a 100% interest in the CVL Lithium Property in Nevadas Clayton Valley. The acquisition makes Lithium X the largest claims holder with more than 15,020 acres (6,078 hectares) in Clayton Valley and land positions both north and south of Albemarles Silver Peak mine, North Americas only lithium producer. The Clayton Valley South Expansion consists of 471 federal placer mining claims, totaling approximately 9,540 acres (3,861 hectares) and is located approximately 30 miles southwest of Tonopah, Nevada, within the Clayton Valley. Clayton Valley is a 3.5-hour drive south of the Tesla Gigafactory. The Property is located between and contiguous with the Silver Peak lithium mine operated by Albemarle Corp. on the northern boundary, the Clayton Valley South project operated by Pure Energy Minerals Ltd to the east and the Neptune property owned by Nevada Sunrise Gold Corporation to the west. The company plans to test several potential lithium-bearing aquifers on the Property. The geological structure of the sediment-filled deep basin underlying the claims is a rich environment, according to the company; analysis of geological, geophysical and drill log data shows evidence of potential lithium-bearing aquifers. Within these sediments there are several known lithium bearing aquifers; these are the salt aquifer system, main ash aquifer, lower ash aquifer and the lower gravel aquifer. Faults within the basin create infiltration barriers that hinder the dilution of lithium brines from the influx of fresh water from the surrounding mountains. Historic and present drilling programs surrounding the Clayton Valley South Expansion suggest the potential for discovery of lithium-bearing brines. Albemarle wells are less than 300 feet from the Property and current drilling by Pure Energy is estimated to be 800 feet from the Property. Consideration for the acquisition consists of a cash payment of US$350,000 and 4,000,000 common shares of the cCompany to the vendor. A finders fee of 295,000 common shares of the Company is payable to a third party. The acquisition of the Property is expected to close on or before 26 February 2016 and is subject to certain conditions including, but not limited to, receipt of all necessary approvals, including the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange. The Company also announces the appointment of William Randall as the new VP of Project Development. Randall is a professional geologist and qualified person (QP) with extensive executive and technical experience in lithium exploration and development in the Clayton Valley and in South America. Lithium X Energy Corp. is a lithium exploration and development company with a focus on becoming a low-cost supplier for the burgeoning lithium battery industry. Ricardo has been requested to provide assistance in providing an objective and unbiased assessment of a new Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT) under development by Chinese automaker JAC. Under the new contract, Ricardo will produce a comprehensive and objective engineering assessment of JACs prototype DTR630 OTS transmission. In particular, the performance of the unit will be evaluated against best-in-class international competitor products in terms of NVH, efficiency and shift quality. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate After being named the worst in Connecticut, one southwest Connecticut city was given another dubious honor by infotainment website RoadSnacks. The website recently looked at school completion rates throughout the state to discover the dumbest cities in Connecticut. Much to the dismay of many residents, five local cities made the top 15. Bridgeport was named the dumbest city in the state based on the percentage of residents without a high school education and the local high school dropout rate, which was 10.8 percent and 25.6 percent respectively. The next closest southwestern Connecticut city was Danbury at number 10, followed by Derby (11), Norwalk (12), and Stamford (15). Cities that ranked out of the top 20 had less than a three percent dropout rate and held a less than 10 percent rate of adults without a high school education. The rankings were based off cities with a population above 5,000 residents and dropout and education rates among each city's entire population, not the current rates among high schoolers. "More than a quarter of the population over the age of 25 in Bridgeport is walking around without even a high school education. That's the 2nd highest number of adults without even a basic education in the state of Connecticut," the website said. "Nearly 11% of kids ages 16-19 are current high school dropouts. That's the 4th highest number in the state." However, the rankings weren't a total slam on the region. Neighboring cities Milford, Shelton, and Ansonia were named among the smartest cities in the state with a population above 2,000, mainly due to their low high school dropout rate. The rankings were inspired off a Washington Post study that looked at the smartest state in the country based off IQ scores, SAT scores, and graduation rates. Connecticut came in as the fourth smartest state in America behind Massachusetts, Minnesota, and New Hampshire. To see the entire list, check out the full RoadSnacks breakdown. The new municipal pool in Byram doesnt have completed design plans, but discussions have begun about who will be able to dive in. Town department heads have begun to consider whether access to the pool should be limited to Greenwich residents only. Town Attorney Wayne Fox said the decision on access would be up to the town. If a residents-only policy were to be instituted, he said it would be legally defensible. We have taken a look at it, Fox said. These are policy decisions that need to be made by the Board of Selectmen about what kind of access they want to permit to the pool. But I am of the opinion that if the town wants to do it, they have the right. The towns residents-only beach policy was struck down by the Connecticut Supreme Court in 2001 after a lawsuit was filed by Stamford attorney Brendan Leydon. As a result the town instituted a policy by which non-residents can purchase guest passes to beaches and pay to park. Some officials argued Monday there could be a different policy for the pool. This pool is something that is being created with town tax dollars and Greenwich residents should be given priority when it comes to use of the pool, Republican First Selectman Peter Tesei said. The old pool was closed last summer due to nearby soil contamination. The Byram Park facility is not expected to reopen until construction on the new pool is complete. But the current policy allowed residents with a beach card or anyone with a guest pass to access the pool when it was open. Republican Selectman John Toner said restricting access is a good idea. The pool is not a natural resource, he said. Its something that were going to build and $11 million for it is a lot of money. But Democratic Selectman Drew Marzullo said there are many factors to be considered before a decision is made, including the potential for a repeat of the fight that led to the beach policy being struck down in court. While this may be legally defensible, do we as a town want to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars in court litigating such? Marzullo said. Thats one issue. The other is how will this be implemented? When a town resident wants to bring, lets say his or her grandchild who lives in New York for a swim, then what? They can swim in the ocean but cant at the pool? This is wrought with obstacles including perception. Tesei said priority access for residents means a resident should be able to get a non-resident in as a guest same as what was in place for the beaches before the court ruling. While the state Supreme Court decision found Greenwich had to allow public access to its beaches and parks, including Byram Beach and the nearby park, Fox said there are key distinctions when it comes to a pool. In the Leydon decision, the Supreme Court determined that the beach was an area where people could congregate and take part in their constitutional right to free speech and assembly, Fox said. But it would be looked upon differently when it comes to a small pool. People would still be allowed to go to the beach or the park but a pool is looked upon differently. Because a pool has limited capacity, Fox said different standards can be applied to it. He noted pools are often behind gates and are not considered natural gathering areas like a beach or park could be. Fox said other municipalities, including New Canaan and Trumbull, have resident-only policies in place for their municipal pools. So he feels it would stand up to a lawsuit if a policy were put in place and subsequently challenged. What the town wants to do about a policy is another question entirely and something that is up to the selectmen to decide, Fox said. Fox said his office looked into the matter as part of the conditions placed on funding for the pool last year by the BET. In order for money to be spent on design and other pre-construction work, the BET placed conditions that had to be met, including creation of a policy for use. It was a very general question but it led to the examination of what the policy could look like, Fox said. The issue was brought up by the BET Budget Committee this month during budget discussions with town Director of Parks and Recreation Joe Siciliano. Were meeting to put some options on the table, Siciliano said, adding that a residents-only policy is a possibility, as is continuing the current policy. The possibility of limiting access on certain busy days is also being considered. Actual plans for the pool, which have not been finalized, are expected to be revealed this year. The pool is being built through a public/private partnership between the town and the Junior League of Greenwich. Last year the town approved $9.5 million to remediate contaminated soil in the park and build the new pool. The BET placed conditions on the release of the money though and will hear a status report on the project in the coming months. The BET is going to want to know the answer to the policy questions before we vote in March or April, BET Budget Committee Chairman James Lash told Siciliano. Tesei said he had not received any direct communication from the BET about this issue but he is open to discussing it on the Board of Selectmen. kborsuk@scni.com Currently, the restaurant only seats 18. Photo: Roxanne Behr Cesar Ramirez and Moe Issas tiny, much-acclaimed Chefs Table at Brooklyn Fare seems to be relocating from Boerum Hill to West 37th Street, which boasts a slightly larger capacity. The initial plan was for the midtown branch of the grocery store to hold an entirely new restaurant concept, but an employee tells Eater, We are moving locations to a second location, but we actually do not have a set date for the move, and the liquor license application states, This will be a first class restaurant similar to owners other restaurant by the name of Brooklyn Fare. There is a chance that Chefs Table at Brooklyn Fare moves into the soon-to-open West Village outpost, though theres no liquor license pending. Perhaps a Manhattan location will attract even more high-rollers to the $306-per-person meal? [Eater NY] Heres a spoon, says your waiter upon placing the raw fish in front of you. Dont forget to use your spoon, says someone else ambling by. Did you use the spoon? asks the host inspecting your bowl. While some restaurants push bottled water or white truffles on customers, the staff at Llama Inn seem devoted to singing the praises of silverware. Theres a good reason for this, actually two: the cloudy elixirs pooled in the rustic, earthenware bowls in which the house ceviche and tiradito are served. These Peruvian seafood preparations are a highlight of the cuisine, not to mention of this particular new Williamsburg restaurant, and the slurpable liquid component the sour, tangy, piquant acid in which the morsels of raw fish cook is as essential and delicious as the seafood itself, some might say more. As any fan of the premillennial Douglas Rodriguez-led Nuevo Latino craze or the proliferation of Pio Pios and Coco Rocos can attest, theres nothing new in New York about either ceviche or Peruvian food, which has been threatening to become the next big thing for years. But there is something new about Llama Inn, which opened in November in a trapezoidal terrarium of a space with glass walls jutting out like the bow of a ship toward the seamy underbelly of the BQE. The chef, Erik Ramirez, is a Jersey-born first-generation Peruvian-American who has cooked at Eleven Madison Park and, more to the point, Nuela, the Nuevo Latino restaurant that eventually morphed into the Pan-Peruvian Raymi, where he became executive chef. Ramirez calls Llama Inn a New York Peruvian restaurant, but a better term might be New Brooklyn Peruvian. It exhibits the familiar characteristics and culinary signifiers of its genre: the classically trained fine-dining chef casting off glitz and glamour for cheaper rent and a shaggy hipster clientele; the stripped-down menu and unfussy decor; the shared-plates mandate; coffee and cocktail programs that are as assiduously considered as the menu; neutral-toned, rough-hewn dishware crafted upstate by a cult potter. Most telling, though, is the food, which is Peruvian in flavor and inspiration but tweaked just enough to make it seem personal and distinctive. Ramirez is a master of contrast and prizes the crunch, which in the case of that corvina ceviche takes the form of a blanket of crisp plantain chips; underneath, sweet fried plantains balance the concentrated tang of the dish-defining leche de tigre (to the classic commixture of lime, chile, red onion, and fish stock, Ramirez adds dashi). The thinner slips of red snapper tiradito are immersed in yuzu-persimmon leche de tigre and garnished with poppy seeds and candied ginger. Raw and roasted beets, paired as they tend to be with goat cheese, also benefit from the sweet-tart pop of gooseberries and the crunch of the roasted corn called cancha, while quinoa transforms from health-food fodder into something much more luscious with the addition of bacon, banana, and cashews. Its like an Elvis peanut-butter-bacon-and-banana sandwich translated into a grain bowl. Ramirez sources some of his most obscure ingredients directly from the homeland, like the papa seca, or freeze-dried potato he uses in a hashlike stew served with arctic char. But you get the sense that for him, as for many New York cooks of his generation, authenticity is not essential, or even desirable. A duck-sausage dish nods to Perus popular arroz con pato, and hunks of tender goat neck are intermingled with dabs of potato puree and crowned with quinoa crisps. Both manage to be gutsy and dainty at the same time. Of the two large-format dishes, the roast chicken is perfectly fine, but probably nothing you havent seen before a well-cooked bird dwarfed by a mound of fat fried potatoes. The beef stir-fry, Ramirezs twist on the Peruvian-Chinese classic lomo saltado, on the other hand, is pure genius. The meat is cooked in soy and vinegar, scattered with French fries, and presented with delicate chive crepes rather than the traditional rice. The object is to approach the dish fajitas style, as you might do at your local Chilis, wrapping up morsels of meat with onions, tomatoes, pickled chiles, and avocado; the trick is to wangle the last pancake without attracting attention. Youll probably want at least three people to do justice to those platters, but Llama Inn neednt be a feast-only destination; excellent cocktails, many that plumb the hidden depths of pisco, the national grape-brandy spirit, make the bar a destination in its own right. (The Peruvian grilled-meat skewers called anticuchos are ideal bar snacks try the fermented-soybean-slathered chicken thigh or the char siu pork.) The desserts are equal parts exotic and comforting, especially a mousse that melds Peruvian chocolate with the tropical fruit lucuma and crisp shards of dehydrated coffee-milk foam a finale that might be the next best thing to Cosmes corn-husk meringue. Rating: 4 stars Llama Inn 50 Withers St., at Meeker Ave., Williamsburg; 718-387-3434; llamainnnyc.com Open: Nightly for dinner; weekend brunch. Prices: $4 to $48. Ideal Meal: Corvina ceviche, quinoa, goat neck, chocolate-lucuma dessert. Note: Brunch highlights include mussels ceviche, a tortalike chicken-thigh sandwich, and a single-serving beef stir-fry topped with a fried egg. Scratchpad: Two stars for the inventive food, one for the serious cocktails, and one more for the congenial atmosphere. *This article appears in the February 22, 2016 issue of New York Magazine. More reasons to go with grass-fed. Photo: Kai Schwabe/Westend61/Corbis Organic farming is clearly better for livestock and your palate, but benefits to the human body are still not obvious. A pair of new studies, though, could help strengthen the argument for why eating organic is also the healthier option. Researchers behind the two papers, which appear this month in the British Journal of Nutrition, say their findings show that organic meat and milk both contain 50 percent more omega-3 fatty acids than their conventionally raised counterparts. Two provisos quickly worth noting: The study was co-funded, alongside the EU, by a British nonprofit that supports organic farming, and its based on 196 preexisting papers on the topic, instead of on any new research. Still, per the analysis, organic meat was also lower in two kinds of saturated fat and has slightly more iron and vitamin E. The authors say as a result that eating organic (any kind of animal meat is fine, they note) could pay off in ways besides just a tastier dinner. And its not something magical about the organic process, they argue, but rather just what the animals are being fed pasture grass instead of unnatural feed. Omega-3s considered one of the good fats have been shown to lower cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart disease, which is one reason the USDA started recommending Americans eat more omega-3-rich fish in 2010. The problem, as the New York Times points out, is that if millions more people suddenly became pescatarian, the worlds already-endangered seafood supplies would run dry. Whether people can actually get healthier by eating a slab of grass-fed meat and drinking some organic milk every day isnt something scientists can answer yet, but any hopeful news whatsoever about red meat is more than welcome right now. [NYT] That labels full of holes. Photo: Rob Lawson/Getty Images Castle is the FDAs highest-profile case of Parmesan-maker-gone-awry its president is supposed to plead guilty this month to charges that could mean a year in prison and a $100,000 fine, and Bloomberg notes its scam cheeses made money hand over fist, enough to adorn the factory with crenelated battlements and curved archways so it looked like a medieval castle. But while the company actually filed for bankruptcy in 2014 after a fired factory worker ratted the company out to the FDA, people in the industry still say packs of grated Parm are full of fraud: One cheese-maker fighting for stricter labeling laws says 40 percent of whats out there isnt even a cheese product, and a Dairy Farmers of America subsidiary claims its tests showed only one-third of labels are accurate. Bloomberg also ran some lab tests on brands of 100 percent grated Parmesan to see how much cellulose, the main ingredient in paper, they contained. The results were disconcerting: Essential Everyday 100% Grated Parmesan Cheese, from Jewel-Osco, was 8.8 percent cellulose, while Wal-Mart Stores Inc.s Great Value 100% Grated Parmesan Cheese registered 7.8 percent, according to test results. Whole Foods 365 brand didnt list cellulose as an ingredient on the label, but still tested at 0.3 percent. Kraft had 3.8 percent. Add Parmesan to the list of foods that come with more than you bargained for: The FDA warns Parmesan fraud has become a serious problem for American consumers. Tests show products described as 100 percent Parmesan routinely have cut-rate substitutes like wood pulp, and cheaper cheeses such as cheddar, Swiss, and mozzarella. [Bloomberg] Lenovo introduced the Lemon 3 smartphone for the Chinese market last month. So far it hasn't been launched elsewhere, but that's set to change soon. The company is now teasing the unveiling of a new device at MWC in Barcelona next week, and the handset in question looks exactly like the Lemon 3. So this means we'll soon see it becoming available in other countries, probably starting with India - because the teaser image you can see above has originated at Lenovo's official Twitter account for the subcontinent. The Lemon 3 is basically Lenovo's competitor for the Xiaomi Redmi 3. It's even priced the same at around $100, so it's incredibly affordable. That said, it doesn't necessarily disappoint in the specs department. It's got a metal construction and features a 5-inch 1080p touchscreen, a 13 MP rear camera with LED flash, a 5 MP selfie shooter, Qualcomm's Snapdragon 616 SoC at the helm (with a 1.5 GHz octa-core Cortex-A53 CPU), 2GB of RAM, 16GB of expandable storage, LTE support, dual-SIM functionality, and a 2,750 mAh battery. It runs Android 5.1 Lollipop. Source | Via Haiti - Tourism : Instability in Haiti force Air Century to cancel its first flight The first regular flight scheduled Monday, February 15, 2016 https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-16516-icihaiti-tourism-business-air-century-announces-regular-flights-to-haiti.html by the Dominican airline between the Dominican Republic and Haiti from the airport Dr. Joaquin Balaguer (JBQ) to the Toussaint Louverture International Airport (PAP) to Port au Prince, has been canceled. The company Air Century announced the cancellation of this flight, due to socio-political instability in Haiti and the postponement of the first flight to Monday, February 22 where it expects a better business environment. Let's recall that the flights will be carried out in SAAB 340B aircraft with a capacity of 34 passengers and aircraft British Aerospace Jetstream with a capacity of 19 passengers. Customers can book the tickets online : www.aircentury.com/ For more information and reservations: (809) 826-4333 or by email : bookings@aircentury.com SL/ iciHaiti Haiti - Diplomacy : Ban Ki-moon encourages the implementation of the roadmap Monday in New York, the spokesperson of the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Ban Ki-moon, speaking on Haiti declared "The Secretary-General welcomes the 14 February election by the National Assembly of Haiti of a Provisional President of the Republic. This election stems from the agreement signed on 6 February between Haitian stakeholders to preserve institutional continuity and further the electoral process. Welcoming this crucial first step, the Secretary-General encourages all parties to work together towards the implementation of the roadmap contained in the agreement to ensure the return to constitutional normality. The Secretary-General expresses his confidence that the stabilization of Haiti and the democratic process will continue in a peaceful and collaborative manner." HL/ HaitiLibre Haiti - Environment : The Albert Schweitzer Hospital converts to solar power The German company Qinous provided at the beginning of this year, a storage device of solar energy in lithium-ion batteries with a total capacity of 200 kW, which can ensure the supply of clean, renewable energy to the Albert Schweitzer Hospital, located in the commune of Deschapelles (Artibonite). After the installation of this equipment, the Albert Schweitzer Hospital will lower its carbon footprint on the environment, nearly 200 tons per year. The compact lithium ion battery system provides for daytime grid stabilization, thus allowing for 100 percent penetration of solar power from a 230 kW roof-mounted PV system and complete shutdown of diesel generators during the day. The new facility was financed by the Swiss partnership HAS Haiti through private donations. For the first phase of the project, the young company provided a battery system with a 200 kW output and a capacity of 225 kWh. The 3-meter-high, 6-meter-long and 2 1/2 meter wide battery container was delivered by ship from Germany to Haiti. It now stands next to the hospital and is accessible at all times to trained technical staff. Thanks to its robust construction, it can withstand even the most extreme weather conditions. The integrated monitoring system allows the hospitals power supply to be constantly observed and optimized. From its headquarters in Germany, Qinous analyzes the gathered data in order to ensure an optimally efficient supply and constant further development of the technology. In the long term, an even larger PV system and higher storage capacity is envisaged for the PV project in order to assure a clean energy supply for the Albert Schweitzer Hospital around the clock. The diesel generators will then be used only in a limited manner. HL/ HaitiLibre Haiti - News : Zapping politics... J-C Moise always seeking to exclude J. Moise Jean Charles Moise presidential candidate under the banner of the Platform "Pitit Dessalin" reiterated its requirements for the formation of an electoral verification Commission for the purification of the results of the last elections, which according to him could lead to the exclusion of the candidate Jovenel Moise. Furthermore while stressing the blur of speech of Jocelerme Privert he asserted that no member of the platform "Pitit Dessalin" will integrate the new government. The transition is the result of a conspiracy According Josue Merilien, Coordinator of the National Union of Haitian Normaliens (UNNOH), this transitional continuity is the product of a conspiracy of the Core Group and a part of the international community saying that this new government will have not the will nor the capacity to address the real problems of the country. A delegation of "JISTIS" at the National Palace As part of consultations aiming, among others, the choice of the Prime Minister who will be responsible to proceed with the formation of the government and to define its mission, a delegation from the JISTIS platform composed of Me Andre Michel, Jean Nazaire Thide, Claude beauboeuf, Enold Florestal should be received on Tuesday at the National Palace. Parliament awaiting Parliament is waiting for the signal from the President Jocelerme Privert for consultations on the nomination of the next Prime minister could start, indicated Ronald Lareche, Vice-President of the Senate. Verification Commission, Jocelerme Privert would have undertaken commitments Assad Volcy Deputy Coordinator of the platform "Pitit Desalin" says that "Jocelerme Privert has made formal commitments regarding the Verification Commission to clarify the electoral process," adding "this does not mean that the crisis is resolved because we have a transitional government which should do checks. We believe that the mission of M Privert is huge." "We have to bury the weapons of violence" dixit to Paul Evans "Whatever our differences and disagreements, we must commit ourselves to bury the weapons of violence to tie us to the path of dialogue as the only way to achieve our objectives, which should be aimed essentially at ensuring an atmosphere of peace for living together in cohesion," advised advised Paul Evans Paul. HL/ HaitiLibre Australian companies expand their global footprint, HR managers need to be mindful that employers working overseas may still be covered by Australian legislation.So when it comes to sacking a worker who is stationed overseas, HR needs to ensure correct procedures are followed in order to avoid a case of wrongful termination, says Lucienne Gleeson, an Associate with PCC Lawyers When an employee is dismissed whilst they are working overseas it may depend upon the entity that employs them, and the terms of the employment contract, as to whether they may be entitled to seek relief for any wrongful termination or conduct under Australian law, Gleeson told HC Online.If they are engaged by an Australian registered business entity (even if that business has an overseas parent) or a federal, state or local government authority then they will be covered by either the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) or the relevant state industrial relations legislation, she says.More broadly, Gleeson says if an employee has negotiated their written employment contract to specifically state that it is covered by laws in a particular Australian state and perhaps also references the relevant Australian legislation, then they will likely have recourse for claims such as breach of contract, discrimination and unfair dismissal in the jurisdictions in Australia.HR managers should also be aware that employees may be entitled to claim long service leave, even in situations where an employee has worked for an overseas entity outside of Australia for part of their employment.However Gleeson says one situation where a person sent overseas to work may not be entitled to any relief under Australian law is where they sign a contract local to the country they have been sent to.A local contract would potentially reference local laws and that the local jurisdiction applies, Gleeson says.Another circumstance where the employee may not necessarily be entitled to relief under Australian industrial laws includes where the employee is no longer covered by their old written contract or has not signed a new written Australian contract before leaving for the assignment.A new oral contact may be formed based in an overseas jurisdiction where there is a significant change in terms and conditions of employment, such as pay, relocation terms, and/ or a new role, or where the formation of the contract occurs overseas, Gleeson says. North Carolinas latest child health report card tracking 40 areas of child health, shows progress in some areas while others lag badly. The report card is issued annually by the North Carolina Institute of Medicine (NCIOM) and NC Child, and reports on such health concerns and risk factors as asthma, teen births, infant mortality, and child deaths from a variety of causes. (Click here to download the Report Card.) Improvement has come in hospitalization rates for asthma, (receiving a grade of A), and insurance coverage, teen births, immunization rates, and dental health, which got grades of B. Badly lagging areas getting a D include school health, weight and physical activity, tobacco use, and mental health, alcohol and substance abuse. Birth outcomes, including the state infant death rate, which has not improved since 2010, received a C. Report authors highlighted the need to improve the health of parents as an important strategy for addressing some of the most difficult health problems facing children. Currently, 17.4 percent of all parents statewide (324,000) lack health insurance, which is a major impediment for continued progress in childrens health. Its a simple conceptyou cant separate the future of children from the realities of the families they grow up with, said Dr. Adam Zolotor, president and chief executive officer of the NCIOM. Healthy children come from healthy families. Infant mortality In the case of infant mortality, getting mothers regular health care before they ever become pregnant is critical. According to Michelle Hughes, executive director of NC Child, the most economical way to do that is for state leaders to create a North Carolina plan to cover people who are in the insurance coverage gapthey earn too much money to receive Medicaid, but earn too little to receive subsidized insurance coverage under the Affordable Care Act. These people typically work in industries such as construction, retail and hospitality, where wages wont cover insurance and employers dont provide it. North Carolinas infant mortality rate has stopped improving after declining for most of the past 20 years, and in the last five years it has worsened for Hispanic and American Indian families, said Hughes. Those families are the most likely racial and ethnic groups to be uninsured in North Carolina. North Carolina could use federal funding right now to make sure parents and future parents get the care they need to promote healthy births. Child health insurance The uninsurance rate for children reached an all-time low of 5.2 percent in 2014, but the high rate of uninsured parents restricted additional gains. 119,000 children remain uninsured statewide. Two-thirds of uninsured children are eligible for either Medicaid or NC Health Choice, but not enrolled. North Carolina has the opportunity to use federal funding to insure half a million adults, said Hughes. In states that have closed the coverage gap for adults, weve seen corresponding improvements in the health insurance rate for children. Having health insurance allows children and their parents to receive preventive care like check-ups, immunizations, and dental cleanings, which can prevent chronic diseases and have a long-term impact on not only their health, but also their education and economic status. The Report Card also found that one in 10 babies are born to mothers who smoke, a health risk that often predates pregnancy. Children of parents who smoke have worse birth outcomes, get sick more often, and are more likely to smoke themselves. Parents eating behaviors and levels of physical activity also significantly impact those of their children. Parental influences on child health begin before conception and continue throughout their lifetime, said Zolotor. While North Carolina has made gains in many areas of child health, more attention needs to be given to the significant impact that improving the health of parents would have on childrens health. Click here to download the 2016 Report Card. About the Report Card For 20 years, the North Carolina Child Health Report Card has monitored the health and safety of children and youth in our state. The report compiles more than 40 indicators of child health and safety into one easy-to-read document that helps policymakers, health professionals, the media, and concerned citizens track childrens health outcomes, identify emerging trends, and plan future investments. The report card presents data for the most current year available, usually 2014, and a comparison year, or benchmark, usually 2010. About the North Carolina Institute of Medicine The North Carolina Institute of Medicine (NCIOM) is an independent, quasi-state agency that was chartered by the North Carolina General Assembly in 1983 to provide balanced, nonpartisan information on issues of relevance to the health of North Carolinas population. The NCIOM convenes task forces of knowledgeable and interested individuals to study complex health issues facing the state in order to develop workable solutions to address these issues to improve health, health care access, and quality of health care in North Carolina. Visit http://www.nciom.org for more information and the full report of the Task Force on Essentials for Childhood. About NC Child NC Child advances public policies that improve the lives of North Carolinas children. We work statewide to ensure that all children are healthy, safe, well-educated, and economically secure by engaging communities, and informing and influencing decision-makers. Visit http://www.ncchild.org for more information. Share this: Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Reddit Pocket When it comes to weight loss, salmon probably isnt the first food you think of. Many people eat (Business Insider) William Ackman, founder and CEO of hedge fund Pershing Square Capital Management, speaks at the Sohn Investment Conference in New York, May 5, 2014. On Thursday, the Financial Times published an op-ed written by hedge fund billionaire Bill Ackman.It was an endorsement of Michael Bloomberg for president, and it was the talk of the industry. Its not that people on Wall Street didnt like what Ackman said. As a former Wall Streeter himself, Michael Bloomberg is respected in the community, and his centrist policies sit well with the generally fiscally conservative, socially liberal ethos. To read this article: Pasi Flinkman, the managing director of Orkla Confectionery & Snacks Finland, confirms in an interview with Uusi Suomi that closure is one of the three options under consideration. Orkla, a Norwegian supplier of branded consumer goods, has initiated consultative negotiations with the entire staff of its traditional crisps factory in the Aland Islands as part of its effort to bolster its long-term competitiveness. We've weighed a number of options from the very beginning: the first is developing the factory further, the second is transferring parts of the factory elsewhere and the third is transferring the all of the factory's production operations elsewhere. We're still reviewing and weighing up all of the options. We've yet to commit to any of them, he stresses. The closure of the crisps factory, which entered into commercial operation as early as in 1970, would have ramifications for two well-known product families in Finland Oolannin frozen food products and Taffel crisps. The former, in particular, is so closely associated with the country that manufacturing the products abroad, from foreign raw materials, would hardly be straightforward, acknowledges Flinkman. Its roots are so deep in Finland that transferring production abroad would be difficult. It would require a clear shift in marketing communications because the brand has been built on its home-grown nature, he explains. The transfer would not be as problematic for the other products manufactured at the site: the production of Kartanon crisps, for example, was not transferred from Sweden to the Aland Islands until the production capacity of the factory was cranked up by 30 per cent in 2014. Flinkman assures that the possible transfer would not risk the return on the roughly million euro investment required by the expansion as the production lines can be shipped to the other factories of Orkla in shipping containers. Orkla has several factories with comparable technology and production in the Nordics and Baltics, he highlighted in a press release earlier this month. The press release also indicated that the confectionery and snacks producer is weighing up its manufacturing footprint due to the amount of capital it has tied up in the maintenance and operation of its factories. The closure of the factory in the Aland Islands would be a blow for the entire potato production industry of Finland as Orkla is only using Finnish-grown potatoes in its factories in Finland. We've used Finnish potatoes exclusively in our Finnish factories, but nowhere else. It'd certainly be bad news for the farmers. That's one aspect we have to take into consideration, says Flinkman. A spokesperson for the Central Union of Agricultural Producers and Forest Owners (MTK) revealed in an interview with Helsingin Sanomat that the factory in question is the destination of all potatoes produced in the Aland Islands and as many as five per cent of the potatoes produced in Finland. The factory processes roughly 280,000 tonnes of potatoes a year. Orkla should according to Flinkman consider using Finnish-grown potatoes at its production sites abroad if it decides to shut down the factory in the Aland Islands. We're very conscious of our significance for the country and, especially, for the Aland Islands, he affirms. He also points out that if the conglomerate decides instead to develop its factory, it could drive up demand for home-grown potatoes. Aleksi Teivainen HT Photo: Antti Aimo-Koivisto Lehtikuva Source: Uusi Suomi The preparatory work could ultimately result in the re-designation of wood-based biomass as a non-renewable source of energy. It may sound rather insignificant, but a review of the renewable energy production of Finland suggests the consequences can be quite dramatic, Martikainen writes on the blog of the state-owned producer of peat and wood-based fuels. The ongoing preparatory work to re-evaluate the sustainability criteria of the European Union for solid biomass could have disastrous consequences for Finland, warns Ahti Martikainen, the director of communication and public affairs at Vapo. He points out that wood-based fuels accounted for 25 per cent and hydro-power only for 5 per cent of the total energy consumption of Finland in 2014. Wood energy, therefore, represents a significant portion of the renewable energy consumed in Finland. If wood was to be even partly classified as non-renewable, Finland would be downgraded from a leading country to one bringing up the rear in renewable energy production in Europe, Martikainen warns. Mika Anttonen, the chairman of the executive board at St1, has similarly drawn attention to the perils of the revisions drawn up by the European Union. He voiced his hope in an interview with Uusi Suomi last week that officials and policy-makers for once stood up for Finland. Our officials and policy-makers should look in the mirror before blaming others for the lack of competitiveness. This is their chance to promote competitiveness, he argued. St1 produces bio-ethanol from sawdust. His demands to safeguard national interests are echoed by Martikainen. We've seen many times how central EU countries play into their own hands as long as they can. We must hope and trust that the Finnish Government has been informed about the [proposed] changes in sustainability criteria. If wood is included in the emissions trading scheme, it would undermine the Government's spearhead projects in bioeconomy, says Martikainen. He also estimates that it is incomprehensible how little discussion the issue has stirred up in Finland. This would be a notch above the news about the ongoing, or newly-suspended, talks for a social contract or the costs of hundreds of millions of euros arising from the mass migration to Europe, he states. Aleksi Teivainen HT Photo: Martti Kainulainen Lehtikuva Source: Uusi Suomi Sentencing has been adjourned in the case of a man who raped a young woman with Down syndrome. Faisal Ellahi (34) had his case put back after the Central Criminal Court heard his lawyers are seeking a psychological report. Mr Justice Tony Hunt adjourned proceedings and said he was "disappointed" that it had not been established yet when the report will be available. Ellahi, who is originally from Haripur in Pakistan, was convicted in December following a five-week trial. He had denied charges of rape, sexual assault and having sex with a mentally impaired person at his home in Dublin on June 12, 2013. The victim became separated from her mother on a south Dublin street before being stopped by Ellahi, who lured her back to his house where he raped and assaulted her. Yesterday, Lorcan Staines, for the prosecution, said the defence would know later whether there would be a report and the "time frame". Judge Hunt said he was "surprised" because he thought the defence had requested a report and that the case was before the court "to see when that will be available". "I am surprised, to be honest, that the matter of a report is still under consideration," he said. The case was due to be mentioned at the Central Criminal Court again today. When the trial ended in December, Judge Hunt had told the jurors their verdict was "absolutely correct" and that Ellahi's claim that the woman consented to the acts or was capable of consenting to them was "absolutely ludicrous". Horrendous At an earlier hearing, the court was told Ellahi continues to deny the charges and maintains his position that he did not know the woman had Down syndrome when he attacked her. Judge Hunt agreed with counsel that the case involved a single incident of rape, unlike cases of multiple rape or rape over a prolonged period of time. But he added: "The effects of that single incident are horrendous way beyond the normal range of the offence because of the victim." A Smirnoff Vodka and Miwadi floral tributes at the funeral of David Byrne Liam Byrne, brother of David Byrne breaks down as he carries his coffin Dublin's south city was in a security lockdown yesterday for the gangland funeral of David Byrne. Hardened mobster Liam Byrne broke down in tears as he carried his brother's remains from the Church of St Nicholas of Myra yesterday afternoon. Dad-of-two David (34) was blasted to death at The Regency Hotel 11 days ago in a crime that shocked the nation. Yesterday, drug lord Christy Kinahan Snr's two sons Christy jnr and Daniel both paid their respects at the tense funeral. Crime figures 'Fat' Freddie Thompson and Liam Roe, wearing navy suits, blue shirts and blue ties, took turns to carry the silver coffin. Hospital Sean McGovern, who was also shot at the hotel by thugs carrying AK47s and handguns, was another pallbearer at the funeral. The 30-year-old received a gunshot wound to the stomach, but was able to discharge himself from the Mater Hospital later that evening. From early yesterday morning there was a heavy garda presence on Francis Street and through to Mount Jerome cemetery in Harold's Cross amid fears of another attack. Uniformed gardai along with the armed Emergency Response Unit (ERU), Armed Support Unit and undercover officers flanked the streets ahead of the 12.30pm funeral. Just after midday, the lengthy cortege of two hearses and 10 black Mercedes stretch limousines made its way from the Byrne family home in Raleigh Square, Crumlin towards the south inner city under the watchful eye of the garda helicopter. Mourners filled the streets as a lone piper led the funeral cortege through Carman's Hall to Francis Street. In his homily, Fr Niall Coghlan said the assassination of the dad-of-two at the Regency Hotel last week was senseless, but called for peace between both sides. "It strikes me... that it doesn't take much courage to attack a defenceless person with weapons of destruction. What courage is there to walk into a hotel and blast a man to death when he cannot defend himself or to walk into a man's home and do the same thing? It is not courageous," Fr Coghlan said. "What is courageous is someone willing to put their head above the parapet and call for an end to this despicable destruction of human life. "You might be a lonely voice in your own world, but for the people of Dublin's north and south inner cities who had suffered greatly at your hands... you will be a hero because you will bring peace again to our beautiful capital city and an end to the policy of violent death, revenge, and tit for tat. "Hatred destroys not just the hated but the hater. It objectifies another and enforces self-loathing." "Hate is nobody's friend." As the funeral drew to a close, three horse-drawn carts arrived in the street with floral tributes spelling out 'best pal', 'cuz', and 'son'. Some of the more elaborate displays included Smirnoff vodka, a bottle of MiWadi blackcurrent concentrate and a remote control car covered in blue flowers complete with a photo of Byrne in the driving seat. As the hearse left the church mourners followed it down Francis Street and then doubled-back to their waiting limousines. Cortege Gardai blocked the road at the busy junction between The Coombe and Clanbrassil Street, and the cortege then drove through slowly with two ERU vehicles following closely. The cars made their way to Mount Jerome cemetery in Harold's Cross. Sources told the Herald how Liam Byrne paid a staggering 60,000 for four grave plots in recent days. It is believed that his brother's 18,000 coffin will take up at least two plots. Armed members of the ERU manned checkpoints in Tallaght last night as family, friends and associates of David Byrne mourned his passing at a private function in a pub. The Ohio restaurant where an attacker with a machete wounded four people has reopened to the public with limited service in a step toward getting business back to normal. The owner of Nazareth Restaurant and Deli in northeast Columbus hugged and chatted with hundreds of diners who streamed through a buffet and donation line Monday, four days after the assault. Owner Hany Baransi says he wanted to make sure employees and patrons are OK and show appreciation for the community support. He told The Columbus Dispatch he planned limited food service Tuesday, too. "Right now, we're not thinking about business," Baransi said Monday. "Right now, we're just thinking about hugs. Lots and lots of hugs." Authorities haven't released a possible motive for the attack or many details about the suspect, 30-year-old Mohamed Barry, who was from the West African nation of Guinea. He was fatally shot by a policeman after the assault. Four people were injured in the Thursday attack. Hurt most seriously was Bill Foley, a local musician who was setting up to play in the restaurant when it began. Baransi has speculated that his restaurant was targeted for his ethnicity he is an Arab from Israel and his religion, Christianity. Columbus police and the FBI haven't talked publicly about the motive and are continuing to investigate. "Hany's Christian beliefs and his support of Israel is so strong, and we all respect him so much for everything he has always stood for," loyal customer Jerry Loos said. "Now, it's time for all of us to stand with Hany." Few might remember it now, but there was a time when certain members of George W. Bushs administration were denounced as traitors. Virginias current governor, Terry McAuliffe, was among the denouncers. Back then in 2004 McAuliffe headed up the Democratic National Committee. In an Oct. 15 interview on CNN, McAuliffe said Bush adviser Karl Rove had just spent two and a half hours before a federal grand jury today answering questions about who in the White House committed treason by outing a CIA operative. McAuliffe was referring to a scandal known as Plamegate. The backstory is complicated, but it boils down to this: During the run-up to the Iraq War, a fellow named Joseph Wilson wrote an op/ed in The New York Times undermining a key administration claim about Iraqs quest for weapons of mass destruction. This made the administration most unhappy. Not long afterward, someone told columnist Robert Novak and a few other members of the media that Wilson was married to one Valerie Plame, a CIA employee. Plame was supposed to be undercover; her role as a CIA operative was classified. True, she was working in Washington at the time, but you still dont blab about these things. Outrage ensued, and suspicions coalesced around the theory that someone high up in the Bush administration had outed Plame to undermine Wilsons story. Lewis Scooter Libby, an adviser to Vice President Dick Cheney, became the chief suspect. To say this intrigue consumed Washington would be putting it mildly. A special counsel was appointed. Reporters went to jail for not revealing sources. The thing dragged on for years. The news coverage alone bordered on obsessive, for obvious reasons. Villainous War-Mongering President Violates Sacred Tenets of National Security to Slime Truth-Telling Critic of War must have been auto-saved on a thousand newsroom computers for easy repetition. Libby eventually was convicted of lying to the FBI and a couple of other things, but Bush commuted his sentence. Anyway, by then it had been learned that a State Department official, Richard Armitage, was the original source of the leak. He had casually disclosed Plames identity at the end of an interview with Novak. Nevertheless, rage continued to simmer over the disclosure. It was as The New York Times put it a serious offense, which could have put (Plame) and all those who had worked with her in danger. Wilson and Plame called it treason. When he was asked if Karl Rove is guilty of treason, Sen. Frank Lautenberg said, Yes, I think so. Rachel Maddow and others agreed. The word got tossed around so much Plamegate was sometimes referred to as Treasongate. Which brings us to Hillary Clinton. *** As the AP reported several days ago, Clintons home (email) server contained closely guarded government secrets, including material requiring one of the highest levels of classification. That material involves special access programs, a highly restricted subset of classified material that could point to confidential sources or clandestine programs. Some of the material is so closely guarded that the State Department has chosen to withhold 22 of the emails, on the grounds that releasing them would be too damaging. One unnamed government official alleges the emails contain operational intelligence that could jeopardize sources, methods, and lives. But then, those emails might already have been released. The AP has reported that Clintons server was connected to the Internet in ways that made it more vulnerable to hackers. (In fact, the person who revealed Clintons private email address was a Romanian hacker named Marcel Lazar Lehel.) Former Secretary of Defense Robert Gates has said the odds are pretty high that Russia, China, and other nations hacked into her server. Clinton repeatedly has tried to bluff her way through all of this. First she claimed her emails contained no classified material. When that didnt hold up, she insisted she never received or sent material that was marked classified at the time. But as countless others have noted, whether the material was marked as classified is irrelevant. Six years ago, a former NSA official, Thomas Drake, was prosecuted under the Espionage Act for keeping a printout of an email that was not marked classified. Eight years ago, Jessica Lynn Quintana pleaded guilty to knowingly removing classified material from a national research library; she had taken home printouts and information stored on a thumb drive. In late September the State Department confessed that the safe it installed for Clintons lawyer, David Kendall, so he could review her emails was not secure enough. It was good enough for some classified information, but not approved for TS/SCI material i.e., Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information. Material like that is supposed to be held in a special facility designed for just such purposes not, say, the basement of your home in Chappaqua, N.Y., which is where Clintons server lived. *** Clinton signed a nondisclosure agreement acknowledging that negligent handling of classified information could cause irreparable injury to the United States. Confronted about that the other day, she dodged the question: You cant get information off the classified system in the State Department to put onto an unclassified system, no matter what that system is. Actually, you can. And she might have. There is evidence her aides might have copied material from the secure Secret Internet Protocol Router Network and the Joint Worldwide Intelligence Communications systems and pasted it into emails to her. Turn into nonpaper w no identifying heading and send nonsecure, Clinton ordered a staffer at one point. The very best that can be said of Clintons behavior, which she claims was driven by personal convenience, is that it constitutes grotesque negligence. The FBI continues to investigate the matter. Perhaps, one of these days, she will testify about it before a federal grand jury. If so, it will be interesting to hear what Terry McAuliffe, et al., have to say about that. Find Hinkle on Twitter: @ABartonHinkle 160216 ABG President arrives back in Bougainville By Joe Elijah The ABG President Hon Chief Dr. John Momis arrived backed in the Region today. After being away for a week on Government Business, the President and his delegation touched down at 12 noon ABG standard time to a low key reception. The President and his delegation were met at the airport by his Vice Hon Patrick Nisira, Minister for Culture and Tourism Hon John Tabinaman and his staff. According to the Presidents office no media conference was organized, the people of Bougainville want to know what is happening to the Presidents staff and protocol for missing such an accord and poor organizing by the Presidents office. The community of Bougainville are condemning such practice, they are now requesting that in the future, before and after the Chief Executive and President of Bougainville leaves the Region, there must be Departmental Heads, NGO Representatives, and the media must be present to see the president off and to welcome him back at all times and to give the ABG President such an accord he deserves. While the President was away on Government Business, his Vice Hon Patrick Nisira was the acting President, Chief Hon Dr. John Momis reassumes full responsibilities back tomorrow after taking a short rest. Ends 160216 Vice President appeals to both former Public Servants and ABG Members to return Government Houses back to the state. By Joe Elijah In a press conference today called by the Office of the Vice President, Hon Patrick Nisira, the Vice President made a STRONG appeal to both the Former Public Servants and ABG Members to save face and return the Government houses they are illegally occupying back to the Government. According to the Vice President, some of the public servants and former members of the First and second House are still living in Government Houses since 2005. What the Government is now looking at said Hon Nisira is, first the government will serve those public servants and former parliamentarians eviction notices, and if they still continue to occupy the state properties, than the Government will have no option but to rent the houses back to them, back dated at the time they have left the public service force. The Vices President said, it is common sense for Former Public Servants and former Parliamentarians who have left the Government, to just own up and return the Government assets back to the Government, because if they continue to occupy those houses, they will be left with basically nothing if the Government introduces renting the houses back to them at the market rate. Hon Nisira added that it is a criminal act for public servants to still hold on to public assets like houses, vehicles and boats after they have left the Government, this practice has to stop before it corrupts the government and the sickness jumps onto the junior generation of today. Ends This weekend might be the last warm one we have in awhile local The Chinese One Belt One Road (OBOR) project is now seriously being discussed in India. The OBOR aims to connect more than 60 countries of Asia and Africa with Europe through multiple economic corridors with projected outward investments of $500 billion. Whatever may be its outcome, it is a brilliant idea that has captured the imagination of policymakers in South, South-East and Central Asia key areas of Indian strategic concern. There is less clarity in Indian policy circles on how to respond to the OBOR. Some are suggesting that we must counter this initiative with our own strategy. We can bring in the Indian Ocean component where we do have a strong presence. Since India cannot match Chinas resources, others have suggested that India must support some of the OBOR initiatives as they will help regional integration and infrastructure building. India can build its own narrative on the basis of many strategic partnerships and FTAs it has signed in the last 15 years. We can put together our Look-East (now Act-East), Connect Central Asia, SAARC, IOR-ARC, India-Africa Dialogue, and engagements in Afghanistan and West Asia into one initiative. It could be linked with the International North South Trade Corridor, Project Mausam, Make in India, Digital India etc. The OBOR is also a combination of a series of initiatives of the recent past put together into a single tale. However, China had a different compulsion. Over the last 25 years, it had created huge capacities to build infrastructure along with foreign exchange reserves. With the slowing down of its economy, those capacities are no longer fully needed at home. Therefore, Chinese companies were looking for new outlets for their already built capacities. There are, of course, added risks to these investments. For India, there is a huge task of first building its own infrastructure in the next two decades. Moreover, these big initiatives create geopolitical anxieties. One can already witness disquiet in India, Japan, South-East Asia and the US about Chinas designs. This is exactly what happened when Washington announced the New Silk Road Strategy in 2011. However, Russia, China and Iran opposed it. Similar things are happening with the Russian-designed Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) where Europe and the US are looking at it as a Russian design to further dominate the former Soviet space. Both Moscow and Beijing have made political statements about integrating the OBOR with the EAEU. It is not clear, however, how these two could be integrated. The EAEU is a customs union. In any foreseeable future none of the countries participating in the EAEU is ready for a customs union with China. Soon, India will be part of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation. It also hopes to connect with the EAEU. So, New Delhi will have to support some of the OBOR initiatives when they become agendas of these organisations. China is keen to get India on board for some projects, where Indian trade volumes and linkages with the Indian market are crucial. There will always be an attraction for New Delhi to announce an international initiative to match the OBOR. But the wise thing would be to integrate some of the OBOR initiatives into our own plans. As a result, Chahbhar and Gwadar become complementary rather than competing ports. This will help build an integrated emerging Asian economic architecture. Gulshan Sachdeva is professor at the School of International Studies, JNU The views expressed are personal Last month, we wrote about Dharavis first museum on wheels. Now, its founders, TED speaker and Amsterdam-based visual artist Jorge Manes Rubio and Amanda Pinatih (art historian and critic) have made Dharavi their home for the past 15 days. On February 18, their much-talked about project -- Design Museum Dharavi opens to public. Expect terracotta pottery, water filters made using mud, and handmade brooms all handcrafted by the local artisans of Dharavi. Originally planned as a caravan to be towed by a bike, the project has finally taken shape as a museum-on-vendor carts (another local touch). We realised the caravan structure would be difficult to move around, says Rubio. With the help of a local NGO, URBZ, the duo sought help from the people of the neighbourhood to build the 8ftx4ft metal structure, which can expand to 24ft. The local community leader, Shyam Kanle, helped curate the artisans whose works will be showcased. The barriers have been broken because we are getting help from Shyam, who knows the locals well, says Pinatih. The logo for Design Museum Dharavi (Image courtesy: Design Museum Dharavi) With multiple projects calling Dharavi their muse, one would think the locals might be sceptical about the project. But that hasnt been the case. We didnt approach this project as designers working with labourers. We see them as co-creators, so that they can take ownership of what theyve amde, says Rubio. The locals also get paid for the work they put in this project. We never told them, This is what youre supposed to do. We came here and asked them what design problems they were facing, and suggested what could be done, says Rubio. For instance, while interacting, the duo realised that the terracotta tea vessels the locals made werent of much use because the tea would spill. So, they suggested a different design to solve the problem. The museum will reside in Dharavi till March. It will come back again with other exhibitions based on the response in the first phase. We will fly back to Netherlands, but stay in touch with the locals through video calls, says Pinatih. The exhibition will be open till February 21 from 6pm to 10pm, three streets away from the Kumbharwada signal. A pottery workshop will be held on February 20 between 3pm to 6pm. To register and find out about where their next stop in Dharavi will be, visit designmuseumdharavi.org Narayan Tripathi of the BJP won the by-election for Maihar assembly segment in Madhya Pradesh by 28,281 votes on Tuesday. In the 230-member Madhya Pradesh assembly, Congress holds 57 seats, the BSP holds four while three seats are held by independent candidates. Tripathis victory takes the total number of BJP members in the assembly to 166, including the Speaker. Tripathi had earlier won the Maihar seat with a margin of just 6,975 votes in 2013 assembly elections on a Congress ticket but had resigned from the party to join the BJP, necessitating the bypoll. In the recent bypoll, which had 15 candidates vying for the seat, Tripathi received 82,658 votes while Patel secured 54,377 votes. The BSPs Ramlakhan Singh and Samajwadi Partys Ramniwas Urmaliya, expected to play spoilers in the contest, secured just 9,892 and 8,982 votes respectively. A total of 2,863 votes were polled under NOTA. The Maihar by-election was held on February 16 and an average polling of 71.76% was recorded in the constituency. The high margin of victory ensured that fireworks and celebrations began early at the state BJP headquarters in Bhopal. I express my gratitude to the voters of the constituency for the victory. The love shown by people is our real strength, CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan tweeted. The faith shown by people in policies of the government gives renewed strength to us. BJP state president Nandkumar Singh Chauhan credited BJP workers in Maihar for the victory saying they worked with the zeal of army men. However, state Congress president Arun Yadav cried foul and in a statement said the BJP had won the election dishonestly and with the help of the government machinery. Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan has shown us once again why he is just like us. The actor-producer finally took time out of his busy life to collect his graduation degree on Tuesday, 28 years after passing out from Hansraj College in New Delhi. (Totally justified, considering his chock-o-block schedule, we say. ) See: Shah Rukh Khan, Mahira on sets of Raees On the occasion, he walk down the memory lane as he recalled his days time at his alma mater. The 50-year-old Dilwale actor, who was in the capital to launch the anthem of his much-awaited Yash Raj Film, Fan, said he felt special coming back to the campus. What a beautiful day thank you university mates & faculty. Love to all for such a memorable emotional moment. pic.twitter.com/bNaQQLJmCn Shah Rukh Khan (@iamsrk) February 16, 2016 This is a very special moment for me. I am back in my college, which I left in 1988. I am missing only one thing --my children are not with me today, as I wanted to show them every corner of my college, Shah Rukh said at the event. Watch: Shah Rukh Khan goes crazy about himself in new song While presenting him with the degree, Hansraj College Principal Rama Sharma said the institution is proud of its superstar student. We are very happy to present him the degree after so many years. We had kept his degree safely in our college. We are proud to bestow him with it today, Sharma said. Fan took me to Delhi my younger days and today to my college. Thank you yrf and Maneesh. JABRA mazaa aayaa. pic.twitter.com/o4yzsWIwNI Shah Rukh Khan (@iamsrk) February 16, 2016 Read: Not being secular is the worst crime as patriot, says Shah Rukh Khan The actor also signed the register after taking the DU graduate degree. Shah Rukh, who was born in Delhi, lived in famous localities of the city including Rajendra Nagar and Gautam Nagar. The Chennai Express star studied at St Columbas School and earned his bachelors degree in Economics from Hansraj. Follow @htshowbiz for more. Its a relaxed evening. Although Sonam Kapoor has a new film releasing soon, she has no anxiety. She is stress-free. Talking about the criticism her appearance in Coldplays latest video has received, she says she was taken aback by the reactions. However, she continues to feel optimistic. When there is a dialogue about any piece of art, its a good thing. Thats the only way we can evolve as a community, she says. In a candid chat at her Juhu residence, Sonam talks about being compared to her father (Anil Kapoor), how she has changed over the years that she has spent in B-Town, and more. Ever since Raanjhanaa (2013), you seem to be on a rise I have had a steady growth. I am not winning any of those awards (laughs). Insisting that everyone should be allowed to have an opinion, Sonam said, People must be allowed to say what they want to; you cant censor people. (Instagram) But do awards matter? To an extent, some of them do. They show your position in the industry. You know where you stand [when you win an award]. Yes, I have been nominated but at the same time, I dont think in the last couple of years, actors have received awards which they rightly deserved. There have been better performances. So a lot of performances were overseen. Apparently, a few days back you said that Kangana Ranaut deserved the awards and not Deepika Padukone I said that three actors performances were the best of the year Richa (Chadha), Deepika and Kangana. But mathematically, Tanu Weds Manu Returns (2015) was a bigger hit. So, if one has to give a best actress (popular) award, it has to be given to Kangana. And as for critical awards, Deepikas performance was flawless. Similarly, Bajrangi Bhaijaan (2015) was the best film money wise as well as critically. Whether a person attends an awards function or not, its irrelevant. You have to give the award to the person who deserves that trophy. But, arent these awards given to actors who attend these functions? Its their choice, and I understand and respect the kind of principles certain actors have. At the same time, I dont know who is wrong and who is right. Read: Sonam hasnt delivered a blockbuster yet, says dad Anil Kapoor Have you come to terms with the fact that you will always be compared to your father? You have to keep working hard and put in your 100%, since there will always be comparisons. You can never let go, especially when you come from a film family. You have to take it as a challenge. Instead of letting it bog you down, you should be like, No, I will work harder, so that I dont let my family down. Else, you wont remain consistent. And thats what, for instance, Hrithik (Roshan) has done. He has been working hard to better himself. Even Shahid (Kapoor) has done the same. Looking at them, I have learnt that you have to keep at it, regardless of the ups and downs. Sonam talks about being compared to her father (Anil Kapoor): You have to keep working hard and put in your 100%, since there will always be comparisons. (HT Photo) You sound maturer now. For instance, you dont voice your opinion about other people like how you did on Koffee With Karan in the past. What has changed? Nothing. If you watch the episodes, I have actually not said anything. Also, now I feel that if I have an opinion about an issue that really matters and will impact society culturally or politically only then I give an opinion. Personal opinions are just gossip. So, I have decided that I wont give a personal opinion about any person, because that will not matter in the larger scheme of things. How do you manage to stay immune to the harshness of the industry? Ever since I started off as an actor, I was clear that I wont play dirty games. If someone is saying something or is putting out negative articles about me behind my back, I will openly say what I want to, instead of being shady about it. But later, I was like, it just makes me look bad and mean, which I am not. I know how people work behind the scenes. So, I decided I would rather not say anything at all, as eventually, it reflects on me. So now, do you see the industry and its people differently? I am not foolhardy about it anymore. So, I talk about acting and share my opinions on a film. But if someone hurts me, I wont get into that space again (react to it). Ive realised that I am not street-smart. When you arent street-smart, you need to learn how to be wise. I just dont want to take part in those games. If you watch the (Koffee With Karan) episodes, I have actually not said anything, says Sonam when asked why she was sounding maturer now. (Instagram) So, will we never hear you comment on people from the industry? I never talk about people. I make a lot of statements, but they have nothing to do with the film industry. We are just making films; we are not changing the country or world in any way. Also I am not a 21 or 22-year-old anymore. Read: Post controversy, Sonam Kapoor says she will not comment on anyones clothes Do you ever lose sleep when you see your contemporaries doing well or signing a big film? The reason I function in a certain way is so that I dont lose sleep at night (smiles). I dont judge anyone; everyone has to find their own way. I need to live with myself eventually, and some people can live with themselves and with whatever they do. Everyone has their own belief of rights or wrongs. I am very comfortable in my own skin and the kind of person I am. Read: I work for the craft not awards You now make statements on topics ranging from intolerance to Section 377 Yes, everyone should be allowed to have an opinion whether its good, bad or ugly, especially in a country like India. We are the worlds biggest democracy and a secular nation. People must be allowed to say what they want to; you cant censor people. If you cant complain about your own home, then what are you supposed to complain about? I make statements that might not go down well with people, but it is fine. You cant bury a person for doing that. I find that unfair. You feel very strongly about LGBT rights too Yes, if I am talking about Section 377, its only because I feel that everyone has the right to be who they are. We, as a nation, are known for our tolerance. We have never invaded any other nation. We have accepted every religion. Why cant we accept someones sexuality? Everyone should be allowed to love who they want to. Sonam on award shows: Whether a person attends an awards function or not, its irrelevant. You have to give the award to the person who deserves that trophy. (Instagram) But do you think such statements can go against you? Two years back, when my upcoming film was offered to me, I had made a very strong political statement, and I was bombarded on social media. Then, this script came to me, and I thought, This girl (Neerja Bhanot) died for what she believed in, so what am I complaining about? This is just people saying stuff on Twitter. So instead of going into the grey area, I said, I have to remain the way I am. Even if three people out of 20 listen to what I say, Ive made a slight difference. Read: Sonam Kapoor reveals why Neerja isnt a Bollywood product Follow @htshowbiz for more. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Tata Sons chairman emeritus Ratan Tata has taken up an altogether different avatar after hanging his boots as chairman of the $100-billion group in December 2012. Tata held that position for 21 years and pulled off some of the biggest global multi-billion dollar deals for the group. He now seems to be more excited in investing a few lakhs in projects that excite him without the trappings of the stock market or answering pesky questions from faceless shareholders. Tata has in the last three years invested in 29 startups out of which at least four are unicorns, unlisted startups valued at over $1 billion, through RNT Associates, in which he holds majority shares. Two months into 2016 and he has already announced his sixth investment for the year. So who gets Tatas money? Tata dropped a few cues at a recent open house for startups in Bengaluru. I am always additionally excited when an idea can, in its fulfilment, make a difference in a way that it either brings prosperity to a part of the community or enhance the quality of life of a certain segment. The other is where you do something game changing this is extremely invigorating. To me, its much more than the returns you have, he said. While the entrepreneurs are taking pride in Tata investing in their startups, he himself thinks he has a lot to learn. At this point in time I would not like to have a discussion on my investments in startups. As I have stated more than once, I am in a learning phase in this activity, Ratan Tata told HT in an e-mail reply. For us it is not about the money but the vision he brings with him which helps us to take a rounded approach. He always guides us at operational as well as the strategic level with whatever little time he is able to take out of his busy schedule, said Ankur Pegu, founder and CEO of Swasth India, a startup which focusses on cancer treatment and health data analytics. Tata picked up stake in Swasth India last year. Tata generally does not take big stakes in companies and has also made many early-stage investments. Tatas investments in start-ups not only gives them publicity but also adds certain amount of credibility to the brand which is evident in the increase in valuations of these start-ups when they go in for successive rounds of funding. The value of investments in many cases is quite small per se. But getting it from Ratan Tata pushes up the goodwill of the business. said an entrepreneur who recently convinced Tata to cut a cheque. It is not about small companies only. Even big startups such as Snapdeal, Ola and Paytm are consider Tatas involvement valuable. It was a great experience to have Ratan Tata as an investor. As we want to build a company that Indians trust, Tata is perhaps the best person to be associated with, said Vijay Shekhar Sharma, founder and CEO of Paytm, Indias largest mobile wallet company. Out of Tatas 29 investments, Paytm has seen the biggest jump in share valuation after receiving funds from him. Tata investment interests are not limited to India alone. Interestingly, his first startup investment was in Boston-based wind energy startup Altaeros Energies. Xiaomi, Chinas largest smartphone maker, already a big name in India has also got funds from Tata. His most recent foreign investment was in Singapore-based startup Crayon Data, a big data analytics firm. (With inputs from Kalyan Subramani in Bengaluru and Sunny Sen in New Delhi) SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON I remember another major police action at JNU. It was the summer of 83 and we, the students of JNU, had gheraoed the vice-chancellor in his house for the umpteenth time. The pretext was the expulsion of the president of the student union, the Kanhaiya Kumar of the day, for reasons that escape me now. The police arrived in the late afternoon. They broke down the vice-chancellors house, rescued him and arrested a bunch of us. Another 300-odd courted arrest. We were beaten (I was) and thrown into Tihar jail, charged not quite with sedition, but attempt to murder and the rest. The charges were eventually dropped thank god but not before we spent ten days or so in Tihar. The police action was sponsored by the Congress government at the Centre and had the support of much of the faculty, many of whom, like the vice-chancellor, were prominent members of the Left. The justification, I recall, was that the student body had become lumpenised (what an ugly word), and could no longer be relied upon to pursue historically appropriate causes. A telling sign of the lumpenisation was the election of a student union president who was not from the reliable SFI and AISF, student wings, respectively of the CPM and CPI. The incident was used as an excuse to change JNUs radical admissions policy, which gave students who had gone to school in rural areas extra points in the admission process, which was identified as the way all these lumpens were getting into JNU. There were allegations that this was in fact the main purpose of the intervention and the expulsion of the union president was a deliberate provocation, intended to precipitate a protest that could be used as an excuse. It could have been, though I never saw any proof that this was the case: What it undoubtedly was is an attempt by the State to establish the lines of authority. We are the boss they were telling us, shut up and behave. It seems that the current mess, though much more shrill and unpleasant (I dont recall the home minister having anything to say about the matter back in 1983, nor lawyers beating up journalists, nor the entire opposition trying to score points), is in many ways quite similar. Once again there seems to have been an internal angle; the apparently fake Hafiz Saeed tweets, and the allegations of imposters shouting pro-Pakistan slogans (who else would, the Left in India has no love for Pakistan) suggest a set up, perhaps by some student group, with or without outside sponsorship. But the reaction of the State, embodied in the charges of sedition and subsequent statements by prominent politicians and public personalities aligned with the current government, sends the same message: How dare you! It is important to recognise that one can reasonably disagree about the substance of the students position or even its symbolic content. This is not the right place to discuss the Kashmiri peoples right to self-determination, or Afzal Gurus hanging, or indeed whether anyone should ever be hanged, but it suffices to say that these are not straightforward issues, whatever my private views be about them. If Rajnath Singh had taken it upon himself to take the students to task for adopting positions that he felt were immature or incorrect, I might have disagreed with him but I would have recognised that this is his prerogative, or even his responsibility, given the stance we have taken as a nation. But to call it sedition is to trivialise a very serious charge and endanger the safe space that universities have traditionally provided. Just as the government had in 1983 when it accused us of attempting to murder the vice-chancellor. Every nation necessarily inhabits a morally compromised space. All too often our ideals seem to be held to ransom by what we believe, rightly or wrongly, to be objective reality. As India, we support the self-determination of the Palestinian people but not those of the Kashmiris, because we need to secure our borders or because we need to protect the Kashmiri people from some greater evil across the border or because we need to defend the legitimacy of the original accession. Whatever those arguments be, when we make them it is vital that we recognise that we are on delicate terrain, vital that every time we deviate from our stated ideals we take a deep breath and think about it. This is why universities, and civil society more generally, are so important for a democracy like ours, founded on a genuine idealism that we have a hard time holding on to. They provide a space to question whatever we are doing in the name of things we say we believe in or might believe in. Its a space where we can say things we half believe in, or even disbelieve, to provoke a reaction that might teach us what we really believe. Students often say things that they will one day change their minds about, but also things that change our minds when we think about them. We need the space. Please stay out. Abhijit Banerjee is Ford Foundation International Professor of Economics and Director, Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab, MIT The views expressed are personal SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Urging the government to take action against those who had shouted anti-India slogans in Jawaharlal Nehru University and the Afzal Guru event at Press Club, a group of academicians, lawyers and scientists met Union home minister Rajnath Singh on Monday. They submitted a memorandum to Singh seeking strict action against those who had raised anti-national slogans in JNU. Home Ministry sources said Singh gave them a patient hearing and assured them their demands will be examined. Asserting that separatist and Naxalite elements are using JNU as a platform for their activity, the Group of Intellectuals and Academicians (GIA) marched from the Constitution Club to the Press Club of India. Temples of education like JNU cannot be allowed to be used to support terrorists. Sloganeering and shouting was not one such incident. It was only the tip of the iceberg. There should be a thorough probe into the nexus of pro-separatists elements in Kashmir and Pakistan, said Monika Arora, Supreme Court lawyer and member of GIA. The members said that the fight is not about the confrontation between the left and right organizations but about the integration of the country. We are not fighting for the closure of JNU but all that we are saying is that the campus is being used as a platform by some separatists. So we are demanding a proper probe in the matter, said Inder Mohan Kapahy, member of University Grants Commission (UGC). The members also demanded a probe into the pro-Afzal Guru event that took place at the Press Club of India. The group submitted a memorandum to the president of Press Club and demanded that action be taken against those who helped in holding the event. Delhi Police commissioner BS Bassi on Monday defended the arrest of Jawaharlal Nehru University Students Union president Kanhaiya Kumar, saying the student leader raised anti-national slogans during a controversial event on the campus, but sources in the security establishment remained skeptical of his claim. Activists of AISA shout slogans in front of computer science department in JNU, on Monday protesting against police action on varsity students. The security establishment has even washed its hands off the controversial claim by Union home minister Rajnath Singh that the JNU event got support of the Pakistani terror outfit Lashkar-e-Tayyebas patron Hafiz Mohammad Saeed. We didnt find anything against Kanhaiya but since the Delhi Police have arrested him, they must be having some evidence against the student leader, said a senior security official, requesting anonymity. Bassi, who met the home minister on Monday, maintained that the Kumar did deliver the alleged seditious speech. Kanhaiya was present at the event, where he delivered a speech and participated in an unlawful assembly which indulged in anti-India sloganeering. Thats why he has been arrested, Bassi told reporters. Official sources said the JNU issue was also discussed in the daily intelligence briefing, which is chaired by the home minister and attended by the intelligence chiefs and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval. Bassi also said that the student leader will also be interrogated for terror links. He, however, said they have found no evidence linking LeT to the JNU incident so far. As and when it comes, it will be shared with the home ministry, Bassi said. On the involvement of members of Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), Bassi said, As far as I am informed, ABVP students were protesting against the particular event. However, if anything comes up against them, they will also face action. The Delhi top cop also spoke on the controversy surrounding a tweet purportedly by Lashkar chief Hafiz Saeed. He said it was the content of tweet that matters more than its authenticity. Dont go into whether the tweet is authentic or not. See what the content is. The tweet was blasphemous, which could incite violence, and that is the only reason why we issued an alert. I am surprised that people are more concerned about the (authenticity of the) tweet than its potential impact. The Twitter account is being probed. Police sources said they are also looking into the content of various other tweets. The police have written to Twitter headquarters in California to help them identify the email id and location from where the said tweets were generated. The authenticity of the tweets will be ascertained. A new tweet in the name of Hafiz Saeed has emerged, saying that the accusation against him over the JNU situation was based on a post from a fake account. The said tweet is also being verified, sources said. The security establishment has also said they had no intelligence inputs on Hafiz Saeeds involvement in the imbroglio. We dont have any intelligence input in this connection. The Delhi police might have something in this regard, said the security official. Rajnaths deputy, Kiren Rijiju, defended Singh saying intelligence inputs indicated that Hafiz Saeed and some related organisations were backing the JNU incident. That is what the Home Minister had said, said Rijiju. When pressed more about intelligence inputs, he added they cant be shared or analysed in public. Dipti Sarnas family watched the proceedings after the arrest of five of her abductors at Sihani Gate police station in Ghaziabad on Monday afternoon. Her return had been only through the efforts of police and even the media pressure that helped the accused let her free, said Narendra Sarna, Diptis father. He said the police asked them not to speak to the media about the case. Even Dipti is not in a condition to speak, said Sarna. For a couple of minutes on Monday afternoon, the family was given a nod by Sihani Gate police officials to allow Dipti to speak about the incident. I have told everything to the police. I do not wish to narrate it further. I have no comments on whether I would be able to travel by metro or autos in the future. But, some steps should be taken so that such things dont happen again in future, Dipti said. Superintendent of police Salman Taj, however, said police did not disallow the family from speaking to the media. It was their choice. We said the details of the case should not be shared as it could hamper investigation, he added. Relatives and neighbours accompanied the Sarna family at the station. Meanwhile, police said that a major clue that led them to the abductors was the operation of two mobiles procured using the same ID. It was found that the two numbers were frequently in contact with another when Dipti was abducted. The same photograph of the prime accused was on the two IDs. How could a person be talking to himself frequently? We followed their movements and the locations which were headed to Kami village, said a police officer. Read | Snapdeal exec abductor wanted to whisk Dipti away to Kathmandu They have always been two completely different worlds one a space where there is no mandatory attendance, the other where students are held back for not attending classes; one where life stirs after noon, the other where classes start at 8.30am; one that has been boiling over for the past three days and the other that has maintained a calm exterior. The two big universities in the Capital JNU and DU couldnt have a more varied reaction to the incidents at JNU. Read more: DU professor Geelani held, brawl breaks out over JNU issue Since the Delhi University Students Union comprises ABVP members entirely, any statement supporting JNU students is not expected. Also, since DUs campus is scattered, unlike JNUs residential, close-knit campus, finding a unified voice over any issue has always been a problem. A lot of teachers from DU have in their individual capacity attended protests and solidarity meets for JNU students. For students, however, a bigger debate as a group is missing. Only a group of 22 students from the English department have issued a statement of solidarity with JNU students so far. Tarun Narang, second year student at Campus Law Centre, said since support for Left-leaning student parties in DU is less, a coordinated support is missing. The issue has not been able to grow big as the Left-leaning bodies have very less support here... Though among ourselves we do talk about the incident, but views wary. There is a sense of confusion among students, he said. Many students were reluctant to talk and disconnected calls when asked about the incident. Read more: Traitor, anti-national and intolerant: Who said what at JNU protest According to Mukul Manglik, who teaches History at Ramjas College, the reason behind the silence could be a mix of fatigue, fear and a slow realisation of the import of what has happened. DU students have been fighting against the administration and state for a long time over several issues. This has sapped them, perhaps. Many would also be scared considering the whole anti-national rhetoric, he said. For Rakesh Sinha, who teaches Political Science at Motilal Nehru College and is a RSS ideologue, the need for any kind of solidarity or condemnation does not arise. The popular opinion in DU is against those booked, Sinha said. Read more: JNU row: When dissent becomes sedition, democracy gasps for breath The Delhi University Teachers Association, which under the current leadership, is believed to be Left leaning, is yet to come out with an official statement on the developments. President, Nandita Narain, however, has spoken out against the police action and alleged intolerance as a member of the Federations of Central Universities Teachers Association. JNU students staying as tenants in south Delhis Munirka area are being asked to vacate, BJP MP Udit Raj on Tuesday claimed describing it as a consequence of a motivated campaign to label the varsity as a den of anti-nationals and traitors. Raj, an alumnus of the institution, said that only a section and not the whole of JNU support anti-nationals while lamenting that a wrong message has gone out to the people which needs to be corrected. Referring to a statement made by another alumnus, Raj said, JNU students staying in rented accommodations in the Munirka area are being asked to vacate terming them as anti-nationals in the wake of the recent incident. JNU Students Union vice-president Shehla Rashid Shora made a similar claim wondering who would mend this damage. Our opponents are saying that we should wait for the enquiry to be over but what about the entire university being branded anti-national, some of my friends have been asked to vacate their rented houses in Munirka, Shora said. The BJP MP also termed as unfortunate yesterdays attack on journalists, JNU teachers and students inside the Patiala House Court premises by groups of lawyers. Read | Government tries to douse JNU fire, journalists, teachers join protests Raj, who represents the North West Delhi constituency, said he was unaware of sedition charges against arrested JNUSU president Kanhaiya Kumar. Let there be more clarity. Its too early to comment. Raj said it is not the fact when pointed out that a section of the right wing has demanded the shut down of JNU and has went on to describe it as a den of traitors and anti-nationals. I am not aware of any such demand and in case someone has said so I disassociate from those remarks. BJP and ABVP condemn such demands if any. We also oppose any attempts to interfere with the probe into the case, he said. He also took an ambiguous position over police presence in the campus of the sprawling university saying that there was a similar clampdown during his days as a student. Flanked by a number of former JNU students, Raj stressed on the need to isolate students allegedly indulging in anti -India activities. Police should be assisted in identifying those elements, he said. Its painful. Being ex-JNU students, we are constantly being asked all sorts of questions. JNU as a whole is not a den of traitors and anti-nationals, its a place of intellectuals. I am proud of JNU. A wrong message has gone out. Its a great institution which has produced luminaries in every field, Raj told reporters. Read | Kick them out: HT reporter recounts mob attack outside Delhi court The Centre on Monday came out with a laundry list of the countrys cleanest and dirtiest cities as part of its Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM). Mysuru topped the name-and-shame rankings, which includes 73 cities, followed by Chandigarh, Tiruchirappalli and New Delhi. City administrations were marked for the way they manage solid waste, the number of toilets built and the success of their sanitation strategy, and how well they have communicated it to the public. This is a commendable exercise and one of the best ways of profiting from this would be to use the SBM platform to crowd share the best practices of the top city administrations. This is important because state governments tend to work in silos and effective ideas are appreciated at various meetings but are not always quickly replicated by other cities. Take, for example, Surat. It did a great job in cleaning up after the plague but not many cities seem to have learnt from it. This is not to say that what worked in Mysuru will work in Kolkata, but instead of starting from scratch, cities can benefit from each others experiences. One big takeaway from Mysuru is the way they implemented the rules: The civic administration imposed penalties on violators, both in cash and kind. While cash penalties were imposed on those found defecating in the open, the civic administration refused to pick up waste from homes that did not segregate it at source. That India has little time when it comes to cleaning up is a no-brainer. According to Census 2011, Indias urban population is 377 million or 31% of the total population. These numbers are expected to increase to 600 million by 2031. The Census 2011 also showed that in 4,041 statutory towns, close to eight million households do not have access to toilets and 7.9 million defecate in the open. Weak sanitation and untreated sewage have huge health impacts and if the government cannot fix this problem, it will miss several health and related targets that India is obligated to meet under the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. To achieve what the Centre has set out to do under the SBM, public support is crucial. The government can build toilets, put up waste-to-energy plants and clean up roads. But no amount of State intervention can work unless the citizens realise that it is meant for their benefit, and join forces. For Clean India, citizens must be ready to get their hands dirty. Delhi BJP legislator Om Prakash Sharma has a short riposte to anyone accusing him of thrashing lawyers, teachers and students out of a local court: He thought they were anti-national. I have been like this since childhood, he tells HT, sporting a bandage on his head not there the day before. The government has already shown it is not backing down in its mission to defend Bharat Matas honour: Slapping sedition charges, ministers talking about Saraswati and Bharat Mata, and now, beating up anyone who dares to not toe the nationalist line. Nationalism in India is not new, were taught a sober version of patriotism in schools and colleges where even the more violent freedom fighters the BJPs idol Bhagat Singh for example didnt thrash his fellow countrymen if they didnt join in. Neither did Shyama Prasad Mukherjee, the Jana Sangh founder, or Vivekananda both men the BJP loves to quote. The thrust of our freedom movement lay in vigorous debates, even with ideas one found reprehensible. Read: Journalists and teachers join JNU protests, govt tries to douse fire Our constitutions maker BR Ambedkar included a hostile response by Gandhi to his book Annihilation of Caste in subsequent editions despite holding a dim view of the Mahatmas commitment to end the caste system. In current times, the father of the nation would probably be accused of insulting the Bharat Mata and locked up. The things Sharma has been since childhood are not particularly comforting for the Mata he is defending. He called Aam Aadmi Partys Alka Lamba a bazaaru aurat inside the Delhi assembly a slur that shows his detachment with minor points such as respect for women in his patriotism rubric. He has also been repeatedly accused of brawling in the assembly. Whether Mother India wants such unruly children defending her is a serious question, especially when these defenders dont respect free speech, fundamental rights or women. In the six decades of independence, the collective ego of the country appears to have ballooned and grown more fragile. It can no longer brook dissent, difference of opinion or criticism. It cannot believe that its actions can be questioned or that it is capable of wronging entire populations. It cannot digest that not everyone in the country is absolutely happy with every single action of their masters. Read: Kick them out: HT reporter recounts mob attack outside Delhi court Except that, such nations remind one of North Korea or Zimbabwe countries that bank on physical violence of men for whom it is natural reaction to suppress any voice of dissent. OP Sharma wont understand that terrorists commit anti-national or seditious acts, not students at a public university hosting an open event. He wont understand that thrashing dissent breeds insurgency and resentment towards a nation and makes it splinter helping achieve the target of JNUs slogan makers even while arresting them. He wont understand that our country is failing many, many millions of people women, adivasi, lower caste, transpeople, people from Kashmir and the Northeast and the best response as a democracy is to listen to them. To give aggrieved populations the right to speak out and complain is the only way any country improves and becomes capable of fulfilling the promise a mature republic holds for its people. OP Sharma may explain away his violence but if India has to survive, we cant all be like this since childhood. Lets grow up. (Views expressed are personal. The author tweets as @dhrubo127)Read: Will JNU row help NSUI regain space in campus politics? Three back-to-back issues FTII row, Rohith Vemulas suicide and now JNU controversy have infused fresh energy to the National Students Union of India (NSUI), the Congress partys student wing, which has been struggling to regain its space in campus politics. The last two have also prompted the NSUI to reach out to Left, Dalit and other organisations in a bid to launch a united front against its arch rivals Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), the student wing of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). And at the forefront of the NSUI revival efforts is Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi who joined the students twice at the University of Hyderabad to protest the suicide of Dalit research scholar Rohith Vemula. Gandhi also backed the agitating Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) students who were protesting the arrest of their leader Kanhaiya Kumar. Kumar has been booked under charges of sedition over a protest organised in the JNU campus on February 9 against the hanging of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru. The Congress vice-president had earlier visited the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) at Pune to express solidarity with students protesting against the appointment of actor Gajendra Chauhan as its chairperson. The intent is clear the Congress is desperately trying to win back not only the support of the Dalits, who have moved away from the party over the years, but also the youth and student community which, to a large extent, had deserted it in the wake of a series of corruption scandals during the UPA rule. Read: Journalists and teachers join JNU protests, govt tries to douse fire While the half of Indias population of 1.25 billion is under 25 years of age, 65% people are 35 or under. Their disillusionment with the Congress saw groundswell of support for the anti-corruption movement launched by Anna Hazare in 2011. The NSUI had lost the Delhi University polls for the second consecutive year in 2015 and its presence remains negligible in JNU campus. This will certainly help NSUI to reconnect with the student community. ABVP is creating trouble in every university. They (ABVP) have got a protective umbrella in the form of central government and are using it to their advantage. The Congress revival is also linked to NSUI resurgence, CP Bhambri, political analyst and a distinguished scholar at JNU said. However, the NSUI has tried to make a clear distinction as far as the JNU row is concerned. It has strongly condemned the eulogising of Afzal Guru and at the same time maintained that any attempt to label the institution as anti-national was unacceptable. We respect the verdict given by the Supreme Court and there is no second-guessing that he was a terrorist and it should not even be a subject of discussion. Just a handful of students making a martyr out of him dont represent the collective voice of the university, NSUI president Roji M John said. BJP activists burn an effigy of Congress vice-president in Guwahati. (PTI) There is absolutely no doubt that the BJP is determined to crush dissenting voices emerging from various institutions of prominence. It is quite evident this incident is being used to further its agenda to close such centres of learning, he added. John sought a thorough probe into the entire JNU incident and claimed that a handful of 15-20 Kashmiri students had indulged in slogan-shouting. They were all outsiders, a handful of 15-20 Kashmiri students. Let the government probe it and take appropriate action against those involved, he demanded. Apart from holding countrywide protests over the JNU controversy, the NSUI will also be part of a rally organised by the joint action committee of University of Hyderabad on the Vemula issue in Delhi on February 23, the day Budget session of Parliament begins. Educational institutions are meant to be open places where ideas flow. NSUI will continue fight for campus democracy and freedom of speech and expression, John said. Read: Kick them out: HT reporter recounts mob attack outside Delhi court SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The Madhya Pradesh government is mulling over to introduce book banks in schools across the state to save the green cover. The government has already initiated pilot project in three districts -- Indore, Datia and Narsinghpur -- to study the viability of the plan. The state government on Monday informed the central bench of the National Green Tribunal that it had in principal decided to bring a policy to form book banks in schools. It informed the panel that after studying the result of the pilot project, the state government would examine the issue of creating similar book banks in the entire state. Earlier, the green panel had emphasised that under Article 48 of the Indian Constitution, every state was required to come with a policy for protection, improvement and safeguarding the forest and environment. The two-member bench also noted that with the use of books by succeeding classes a lot of paper and in turn forest could be saved. The bench issued the direction while hearing a petition filed by Shrikant Kate, who runs a book bank for poor children in Gwalior. The next hearing in the case will be held on March 8. Kate had argued that if book banks were created in the government schools, tonnes of paper could be saved, which ultimately meant fewer trees would be felled for making paper. The tribunal has also directed the Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh governments to submit their plans on how they were planning create book banks in schools from the upcoming academic session. Actor Kate Winslet was once told that she could get roles which are meant for fat girls. The 40-year-old revealed the insecurities she overcame to forge a successful career, reports femalefirst.co.uk. Watch the Steve Jobs trailer here Winslet, who won the Best Supporting Actress award for her role in Steve Jobs at the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) Awards in London, dedicated the award to teenage girls and said: When I was younger, when I was 14, I was told by a drama teacher that I might do okay if I was happy to settle for the fat girl. Well look at me now. Read: Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet have mini Titanic reunion So what I always feel in these moments is that any young woman who has ever been put down by a teacher, by a friend, by even a parent, just dont listen to any of it, because thats what I did - I kept on going and I overcame my fears and got over my insecurities. Read: Titanic was an experiment for Kate Winslet and I: Leonardo DiCaprio The actor has previously won BAFTAs for movies Sense and Sensibility and The Reader. Follow @htshowbiz for more Two mobile phone numbers among 100,000 scanned by police with frequent calls between them and registered to identity cards with the same photograph was what led investigators to Devendra Kumar, who allegedly abducted Snapdeal employee Dipti Sarna. Officials grew suspicious after noticing that the volume of calls between the numbers spiked during the hours Sarna went missing. Police also found out the same photograph was used on both identity cards. Read more: Snapdeal case: Abductor is one of Haryanas most wanted criminals The same photograph of the prime accused was on two IDs. How could a person be talking to himself frequently? This made us suspicious, said a police officer. Police showed the photograph on the IDs to Sarna, who immediately identified the man as Kumar, her abductor. He took the trouble of procuring two fake identity cards but used his real photograph on both of them. Police tracked the mobile numbers that led them to Sonepats Kami village, where Kumar hails from. Watch: Snapdeal employee kidnapper reveals chilling details The mobiles got switched off in Kami village and later one got switched on at Khoda in Ghaziabad. Analysis revealed the mobiles location was persistent at Khoda for several months. When police teams zeroed on the man in Khoda, he revealed fake names during interrogation. But one of his aides revealed his identity during hard questioning, the officer said. Until then, police were clueless as they had limited their search to Morti village, Sarnas last known location. They questioned 150 auto drivers near Vaishali Metro Station but couldnt narrow down the suspects list. Kumar was infatuated with Sarna and stalked her for over a year since he first saw her at the Rajiv Chowk Metro station in central Delhi. He abducted Sarna with a plan of whisking her away to Kathmandu and marrying her but let her go unharmed, hoping to impress her by being the savior. Read more: Snapdeal exec abductor wanted to whisk Dipti away to Kathmandu I wanted to leave the world of crime and wanted to live an ordinary life. I had developed a very possessive liking for her due to her sweet voice and the type of clothes she wore. But I did not know her name and never spoke to her, an officer quoted Kumar as saying. During the abduction, I told her her friend would murder her in order to make her rely on me. The 30-year-old psycopath entered the world of crime in 2001 when he beat up a constable in his village and snatched his bike. Since then, Kumar has been involved in 30 cases related to murder, abduction and robbery in Haryana. He holds a Dabang like figure in his village (Kami in Sonipat) and recently settled a land deal between two men where he earned 5 lakh. From this amount, he also purchased the two autos to pursue his dreams to marry Dipti, a police officer, attached to investigation, said. Kumar reportedly told police he moved to Ghaziabad and purchased two autos, thinking Sarna would board his auto once. The plan came to mind when the tyre of my auto got punctured and my passengers sat in another auto. On the day of the abduction, I got her auto tyre punctured with an instrument and she boarded my auto, an officer quoted Kumar as saying. But the plan hit a hitch right away when the tyres of a Maruti Swift car in which Kumar and his accomplices were supposed to escape got punctured by the same instrument. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON An Indian-origin couple, married for nearly 81 years, were awarded for being New Zealands longest- married couple by a Christan group. Auckland couple Jeram Ravji and Ganga Ravji, who have taken part in Indias freedom struggle, will turn 100 in May and June respectively. They will celebrate their 81st wedding anniversary in two months. Jeram and Ganga were born in India on May 4, 1916 and June 6, 1916 respectively. The couple, whose family includes six children, 15 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren all living in Auckland, were betrothed at the age of six in India and married at the age of 19. They were felicitated by Family First NZ, a Christian lobby group. Ganga said her husband was imprisoned for 10 months after joining Mahatma Gandhis freedom struggle and fighting against the rule of the British government, NZ Herald reported. She was often beaten up by police during her husbands time as a freedom fighter to try to get information from her about her husband, she said. Ganga said that the key to a good marriage was to learn to make sacrifices and to take the good with the bad. (The advice) we would give to our children if they had difficulties with their marriage would be you have to work hard, you have to have tolerance - thats the most important part, tolerance, Ganga said while speaking to the Herald through her daughter Bhanu Daji. The Ravjis said they love each other just as much now as they always have. He moved to New Zealand in 1928 when he was 11, five years after the pair became betrothed at age six in 1922. They married at 19 and lived as a family in New Zealand from 1953, first in Whanganui before moving to Auckland in 1981. Although we can only go on the nominations made, we are pretty sure that the Ravjis are New Zealands longest-married couple. As part of their award from Family First NZ, they will have a professional photo sitting with their extended family which includes 6 children, 15 grandchildren and 25 great- grandchildren all living in Auckland. The last family photo was 10 years ago at their 90th birthday celebrations, Family First New Zealand Director Bob McCoskrie said. Despite fighting the British rule in India, Ravjis said they were looking forward to receiving their letter from the Queen when they turn 100 this year. There is heightened suspense about the all-party meeting on Tuesday morning. Will Prime Minister Narendra Modi, whose reticence at crucial times has baffled even his admirers, break his silence on the controversial arrest of Jawaharlal Nehru University students union president? His decision to convene this meeting ahead of the Budget session of Parliament does display an out-of-box thinking. It comes at a time when the Budget session, scheduled to commence on February 23, already looks headed for a washout. The NDA government has given a host of issues on a platter to the opposition viz handling of the Pathankot terror attack and the governments seeming diffidence on the resumption of India-Pakistan foreign secretary-level talks, imposition of Presidents rule in Arunachal Pradesh, alleged interventions of Central ministers leading to Dalit research scholar Rohith Vemulas suicide at the Univeristy of Hyderabad, and now the JNU row. Convening this meeting is said to be the result of an out-of- box thinking, the one the PM has displayed right from the first day in office when he invited his Pakistani counterpart to attend the swearing-in ceremony. He displayed it again making a stopover at Lahore after making a phone call to Nawaz Sharif from Kabul. Read | People from JNU are here. Throw them out: When lawyers turned vandals These out-of-box initiatives have usually ended up giving the opposition an opportunity to take jibes at the government. Done for optics is the usual charge of the opposition as the government seems to lose the plot after taking these initiatives. It is, therefore, imperative for the PM that when he meets opposition leaders this morning, he takes all parties on board with a non partisan, statesman-like approach. There is growing disquiet among his core support base, among the students and the youth, over the NDA governments handling of campus protests, be it at FTII in Pune, University of Hyderabad or the JNU. Police stop demonstrators during a protest against the students of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) outside the university campus in New Delhi. (Reuters Photo) While the PM has been silent, his ministers and party colleagues have not exactly helped regain the students confidence with their provocative statements. The PMs outreach to the opposition has usually been marked by simultaneous attack on them by his party or ministerial colleagues. For instance, shortly after he met Congress president Sonia Gandhi at his residence to break the parliamentary log jam on the bill enabling the roll out of the goods and services tax, there was a concerted attack on Sonia and Rahul Gandhi. On Monday, when parliamentary affairs minister Venkaiah Naidu was dialling opposition leaders, BJP president Amit Shah was writing a blog to slam Rahul Gandhi for supporting anti-national forces on the JNU campus. He followed it up with a press conference in the evening to attack Rahul and Sonia Gandhi on this issue. Given this backdrop, as they head for the meeting, there is scepticism in the opposition camp about the PMs move. But, Modi is known to spring surprises. Read | DU professor Geelani arrested on sedition charges, brawl breaks out SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON In a move reminiscent of early 1990s, a group of militants on Monday appeared in a village of south Kashmir to pay tributes to one of their colleagues killed in a gunfight with security forces on Sunday. Locals said a group of militants participated in the funeral of the Lashkar-e-Taiba militant, Adil Ahmad, 24, who was laid to rest at his ancestral graveyard at Bandarpora in south Kashmirs Pulwama district. Adil was killed during an encounter with the police and army in Kakpora area of Pulwama on Sunday. It was during this encounter when security forces had fired at a group of villagers who were allegedly pelting stones on the security personnel near the encounter site. Danish Farooq Mir, 20, who was pursuing BTech from Islamic University of Science and Technology and Shaista Hameed, 22, who was doing post-graduation in Urdu, both residents of Pulwama, were killed during the clashes. Police said that Shaista was killed while being evacuated from the encounter site. Police had said that two militants had managed to escape from the site due to heavy stone-pelting by locals. The residents said when the body of the slain militant was brought to his native village, five to six armed militants, including Adils brother Shafat Ahmad, appeared in the village and participated in his funeral that was attended by a large number of people on Monday. Some locals said a few rounds were also fired in the air by the militants. A local news agency, CNS, quoting eyewitnesses, said the militants thanked people for helping them break the security forces cordon on Sunday. They (militants) didnt allow people to take their videos on mobile phones and even sought support for the Kashmir cause, the agency reported. Adil had joined militant ranks about one-and-a-half years ago. Adils joining created problems for his brother Shafat Ahmed and he was frequently forced to present himself before the officers at different security camps. This made his life hell and some six months ago, he, too, joined the militant outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba, the agency quoted the relatives as saying. Senior superintendent of police Tejinder Singh told Hindustan Times that he was inquiring about the incident. We have also received these reports and are verifying them, he said. Twitter was abuzz on Monday after lawyers and BJP leaders assaulted journalists and JNU students in the Patiala House court complex here on Monday Some women journalists and JNU professors were also molested and roughed up outside the court complex, reports said. India Today reporters Anusha Soni, Poonam Sharma, Sneha Agarwal (Mail Today) manhandled by lawyers in Patiala courts; mobile phones snatched, tweeted India Todays official account. India Today reporters Anusha Soni, Poonam Sharma, Sneha Agarwal (Mail Today) manhandled by lawyers in Patiala courts; mobile phones snatched IndiaTodayFLASH (@IndiaTodayFLASH) February 15, 2016 Other news organisations also live tweeted that their reporters were harassed by the lawyers. Two of our reporters Alok Singh and Kaunain Sheriff beaten up by lawyers inside Patiala House court Muzamil Jaleel (@MuzamilJALEEL) February 15, 2016 Criticising the BJP for using violence as a diversionary tactic to take attention off the central governments alleged failures, the Aam Aadmi Party condemned the attack on students and journalists. The BJP attacked students and journalists to divert attn from land scam in Gujarat, the falling SENSEX and the INR, Delhi Water Minister Kapil Sharma tweeted. The BJP attacked Students and Journalists to divert attn from land scam in Gujarat, the falling SENSEX and the INR, pic.twitter.com/O0pNE3oTaS Kapil Mishra (@KapilMishraAAP) February 15, 2016 I condemn the attack on TV reporters/JNU faculty by few lawyers in Patiala house court. They sud be identified/their license sud be seized, AAP spokesperson Ashutosh said on the microblogging site. I condemn the Attack on TV reporters/JNU faculty by few lawyers in Patiala house court.They sud be identified/their license sud be seized. ashutosh (@ashutosh83B) February 15, 2016 There was also no dearth of people who took to social media expressing anguish at the JNU fraternity over the recent incidents. Dear JNU Students, We Fund Your Studies, Not Your Politics Folks pl read, Infosys founder-turned-philanthrophist Mohandas Pai said on Twitter. The shameless naxals in JNU takes our money for food & studies then worships Pakistan & China..time to crackdown & #CleanUpJNU, Rahul Easwar wrote. The shameless naxals in JNU takes our money for food & studies then worships Pakistan & China..time to crackdown & #CleanUpJNU Rahul Easwar (@RahulEaswar) February 15, 2016 Others asserted that the university should have been left up to finding and punishing the guilty in the February 9 event. JNU issue has trapped Govt into taking extreme measures. This shd be left to JNU to find n punish the guilty Kiran Mazumdar Shaw (@kiranshaw) February 15, 2016 People from the media also took to the microblogging site to express solidarity with their colleagues who were assaulted. The Editors Guild of India, Press Club & News Broadcasters Association should condemn the attack on journalists at Patiala House. Now!, Pankaj Pachauri, media advisor to former prime minister Manmohan Singh, said. The Editors' Guild of India, The Press Club & News Broadcasters' Association should condemn the attack on journalists at Patiala House. Now! Pankaj Pachauri (@PankajPachauri) February 15, 2016 #SaffronEmergency and Patiala House were among the top 10 national trends on Twitter all of Monday evening. When lawyers attack media & students in a place so close to the Supreme Court, you know that talk of #SaffronEmergency will gain ground. Salman Anees Soz (@SalmanSoz) February 15, 2016 Has Bjp confused "sedition" with opposition? #saffronemergency swati chaturvedi (@bainjal) February 15, 2016 The only Make In India is: beating up students, doing violence against Minorities & atrocities against Dalits & tribals. #SaffronEmergency Vinod Mehta (@DrunkVinodMehta) February 15, 2016 'Aaj Ka Goonda Raaj' released in 1992, 24 years ahead of time.#SaffronEmergency Shirish Kunder (@ShirishKunder) February 15, 2016 Looks like this #JNUCrackdown & the #PatialaHouse hooliganism will turn into this government's Anna Hazare moment. What a complete shambles! Seema Goswami (@seemagoswami) February 15, 2016 Read | DU professor Geelani arrested on sedition charges, brawl breaks out The CBIs chargesheet against Peter Mukerjea filed on Tuesday said the former media entrepreneur played an active role in the plot to kill Sheena Bora, his step daughter. The claim, officials said, was based on records of phone calls made between him and his wife Indrani Mukerjea who is the prime suspect in the murder. CBI officials said they also have a statement of a key witness who revealed how Peter tried to break up Sheenas relationship with his son Rahul. The witnesss identity has been kept a secret and the deposition given to the court in a sealed envelope as the agency fears Mukerjea may use his clout to target him. The agency has also submitted an email of one Prithvi Sanghvi to whom Peter had written that the relationship of Rahul-Sheena was not correct. CBI also attached an email dated May 27, 2012, sent by Peter to Rahul that states, I maintain my original position Sheena is fine and if somebody asks you ask them to speak to indrani. This is after the murder, in which Peter is trying to convince Rahul that Sheena is alive and is in US. CBI has also given bank details of Sheena and Vidhe (Indranis daughter with Sanjeev Khanna, also adopted by Peter). The bank statements show from 2005-07 Indrani sent money to both Sheena and Vidhe but Vidhie was paid more than Sheena. This, according to CBI, proves Indrani did not like Sheena much. They have also mentioned that a New Delhi flat owned by Indrani and willed in Sheenas name was sold by Indrani before the murder in 2012. CBI sources said this establishes Indrani wanted to give Sheena nothing. The agency has also attached two emails of Sheena to her close friends, dated 26/8/09 and 28/8/09.In the first email Sheena says Indrani tried her level best to see she (Sheena) lost her job and even contacted higher ups in Reliance for that. In the second email, she calls Indrani a B**** and witch and how she was not a good mother and tortured her. Read | Peter Mukherjea slaps legal notice on CBFC to stop release of film on Sheena Bora SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The Union Cabinet could on Wednesday recommend ending Presidents rule in politically fragile Arunachal Pradesh after the Supreme Court refused to pass a stopgap order on a Congress plea that governor JP Rajkhowa be restrained from swearing in a new government. Sources say the home ministry is waiting for a report from the governor about the situation in the northeastern state that has been facing a political turmoil since last Decembers revolt by a section of lawmakers of the Congress, which was in power, against chief minister Nabam Tuki. President Pranab Mukherjee signed an order last month to place Arunachal Pradesh under central rule following a recommendation from the Union Cabinet, while the Congress approached the Supreme Court, accusing Rajkhowa of acting like a BJP agent. Imposition of Presidents rule has been a controversial issue in India, with successive governments facing accusations of abusing Article 356 of the Constitution to foist it on states. Rajkhowa is learnt to have sent the claim of Congress dissidents for forming the government to the President. Led by dissident leader Kalikho Pul, 32 MLAs including 11 of BJP from the 60-member assembly had met the governor on Monday to stake claim. The Congress suffered a blow when a five-judge constitution bench headed by Justice JS Khehar on Tuesday declined a plea from its leaders that status quo be maintained in the crisis-hit state and no new government formation be permitted. We have heard your arguments on injunction. We dont propose to pass any order and we will hear the matter on merits, the top court said. At one point the SC offered to direct a floor test to determine the relative strengths of the groups, but the counsel representing former chief minister Tuki and Speaker Nabam Rebia declined. A Congress delegation headed by Ghulam Nabi Azad, who leads the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, met Mukherjee and urged him to not allow the revocation of Presidents rule in the state, saying Rajkhowa intends to swear-in Pul as the new chief minister. The party, which has 47 MLAs in the state assembly, suffered a jolt when 21 of them rebelled and 11 BJP legislators backed the dissidents in a bid to pull the rug from under the Nabam Tuki government. Later, 14 rebel Congress MLAs were disqualified. The governor then called an assembly session on December 16 in which the deputy speaker revoked the disqualification of the 14 rebel Congress legislators and removed the Speaker. Delhi University professor SAR Geelani, booked for sedition for allegedly organising an event at the Press Club of India to mark the death anniversary of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru, was detained by police on Monday evening. The detention came on a day political tensions over alleged anti-India protests at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) spilled over to a Delhi court where a mob of lawyers thrashed reporters before a hearing in a sedition case against student leader Kanhaiya Kumar. Geelani has been detained and he is being questioned at the Parliament Street police station, a senior police official said following suo motu action based on media clips of the alleged incident. At the Patiala House court, lawyers were seen forcibly throwing out faculty members and students belonging to the university, shouting Long live India, down with JNU. Kumar, the JNU student union president, has been charged with sedition and criminal conspiracy for an allegedly seditious speech last week to mark the anniversary of Gurus execution. The court violence came a day after home minister Rajnath Singh said the anti-India event at JNU was supported by Hafiz Saeed, who New Delhi alleges was the brain behind the 2008 Mumbai attacks, following a series of tweets by the Lashkar-e-Taiba chief under a hashtag supporting JNU. But the account may have been fake, leading to Saeed taking potshots at the Indian government and calling it a prime example of how the Indian government fools its own people. Read | Traitor, anti-national and intolerant: Who said what at JNU protest Many have called Kumars arrest an attempt to muzzle free speech at one of Indias best universities but the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad, the organisation that first filed the complaint, said it was merely defending the countrys honour against anti-national elements. Asked about the court violence, home secretary Rajiv Mehrishi said: Law would take its own course. Anyone violating it will be dealt accordingly. The Delhi high court is scheduled to hear a plea seeking a National Investigation Agency investigation into sedition charges on Tuesday while the police appeared confident of its probe in the case. Kumar was sent to two days of police custody. There is irrefutable proof against Kanhaiya Kumar. The police are looking into various tweets that are blasphemous and objectionable, Delhi police commissioner BS Bassi told HT. Thousands of students continued to paralyse JNU for a fourth day on Monday, erecting barricades and shouting slogans demanding Kumars release. The university teachers said they would boycott classes on Tuesday in support of the striking students. Lawyers allegedly thrashed protesters and journalists inside the Patiala House Court premises on Monday afternoon. (Sonu Mehta/ HT Photo) The universitys vice-chancellor M Jagadesh Kumar distanced himself from the controversy, saying he was bound by the law of land. I never invited the police to enter the campus and pick our students. We only provided whatever cooperation was needed as per the law of the land. We were bound to do so, he said. Controversial Hindu leader Sadhvi Prachi also visited JNU on Monday as teachers of 40 central universities backed the demonstrations. This is the latest in a series of rows on university campuses that have involved the ruling party. The BJP was the target of a months-long stir at Punes Film and Television Institute of India against the appointment of actor Gajendra Chauhan as chairperson. At University of Hyderabad last month, thousands of students gathered to demonstrate against the Centre after the death of Dalit scholar Rohith Vemula, following revelations that Union minister Bandaru Dattatreya wrote a letter that led to the PhD students suspension. Read | Students, journalists assaulted near Delhi court hearing JNU sedition case Read | Opponents press Rajnath to prove his claim of Hafiz Saeed hand in JNU Anxious parents of the Karishma Bhosale, a 20-year-old student from Pune who died in a fire at a medical university in western Russia on Sunday, are waiting for the completion of legal formalities so that they can receive her body. While the autopsy on the bodies of Karishma and Mumbais Pooja Kallur have been completed, Karishmas family is yet to receive any information. We are waiting for any communication either from the college or from any competent authority, they said. The two girls died in a fire that broke out at the Smolensk Medical State University Academy, which is 400 km from Moscow, on Sunday. According to the Russian investigative committee, the preliminary report showed that the fire occurred on the fourth floor of the dormitory of the university on Sunday morning. Read more: Two Indian women students die in Russian medical university fire Karishma and 22-year-old Pooja used to share a room in the college hostel, which has a majority of Indian students. Postmortem report revealed that both the students died of suffocation, family sources said. The family of Karishma, a fourth-year student of surgery, received a phone call about the incident from the college authorities on Sunday. We were shocked when the college told us about the mishap and death of Karishma, her father Uday Bhosale, who is a businessman, said. Bhosale, who had taken a loan for his daughters education, had spoken to Karishma a day before the mishap. She was also in touch with her family on WhatsApp. Shocked family members have raised several questions about the incident and asked why Karishma and Pooja were not rescued like the other 200 odd students. Language has also emerged as a major problem in getting information as college authorities speak only Russian. Karishmas family said she was planning to visit her parents in June this year. Delhi University lecturer SAR Geelani was arrested on Tuesday morning for sedition and other charges in connection with an event here in which anti-India slogans were raised. Geelani was arrested around 3 AM at the Parliament Street police station under IPC sections 124A (sedition), 120B (criminal conspiracy) and 149 (unlawful assembly), DCP (New Delhi) Jatin Narwal said. Geelani was called to the police station on Monday night where he was detained and questioned for several hours, and later arrested. After his arrest, he was taken to RML Hospital for a medical examination. Read more: Students, journos assaulted near Delhi court hearing JNU sedition case So why was he arrested? Geelanis arrest comes amid the raging row over the arrest of JNU students union president Kanhaiya Kumar over sedition charges in connection with an event on February 9 against the hanging of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru. At a Press Club event on February 10, in which Geelani was present on the dais along with three other speakers, a group allegedly had shouted slogans hailing Afzal Guru. Taking suo motu cognisance of the matter, the police registered a case against Geelani and other unnamed persons on February 12. Read more: JNU row: Politics should take a back-seat, law must take its own course Police had claimed that Geelani was booked as he is presumed to be the main organiser of the event. Request for booking a hall at the Press Club was done through Geelanis e-mail and the nature of the event was proposed to be a public meeting, which did not turn out to be so, a senior official had said. Following the registration of the FIR, the police questioned for two consecutive days DU professor Ali Javed, a Press Club member, under whose membership number the hall for the event was booked. Read more: DU professor Geelani arrested on sedition charges, brawl breaks out In 2001, Geelani was arrested by Delhi Police in connection with the Parliament attack case but acquitted for need of evidence by the Delhi High Court in October 2003, a decision upheld by the Supreme Court in August 2005, which at the same time had observed that the needle of suspicion pointed towards him. Students protest in thousands Activists of the Students Federation of India (SFI) and All India Students Federation (AISF) staging a demonstration over JNU issue in Guwahati on Monday. (PTI) Meanwhile, outrage over the arrest of the left-wing student leader, who had organised a rally to mark the anniversary of the execution of a Kashmiri separatist, has led to demonstrations in at least 18 universities. In the largest protest, thousands of students and academics at New Delhis prestigious Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) boycotted classes and erected barricades for a fourth day in an escalating conflict with the authorities. Police stop demonstrators during a protest against the students of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) outside the university campus in New Delhi (REUTERS) The government does not want students to have a say, said Rahila Parween, vice-president of the Delhi unit of the All India Students Federation, a left-wing student union. It wants to dictate what students think, understand and say. The incident marks another flare-up in an ideological confrontation between Modis nationalist government and left-wing and liberal groups that is prompting critics to compare it with Indira Gandhis imposition of a state of emergency in the 1970s to crush dissent. Members of Modis ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) accused the student leader, Kanhaiya Kumar, of anti-India sentiment. One BJP lawmaker said the university, which has a tradition of left-wing politics, should be shut down. I can assure you that every action we take is to protect our country. Any anti-India activity will not be tolerated, BJP President Amit Shah, one of Modis closest allies, said at party headquarters. Protests spread when Kumar was arrested last week for sedition, after giving a speech questioning the hanging in 2013 of Mohammad Afzal Guru over his role in the 2001 attack on parliament. Activists have long questioned Gurus conviction, and the Supreme Court has described the evidence against him as circumstantial. A police man tries to save a JNU student who was being beaten up during a clash between the advocates and the students outside the Patiala House Courts in New Delhi on Monday. The clash broke out after a protest by the students against the arrest of JNUSU President Kanhaiya Kumar. (PTI) Scuffles erupted outside a New Delhi courthouse between lawyers and students where Kumar, 28, was to appear before a judge on Monday. Anti-India sentiment A leader of the student group that is aligned with the BJP said freedom of expression should not be misused to justify acts that could harm the country. You cannot be an Indian if you celebrate the death anniversary of a terrorist, said Saurabh Sharma, joint secretary of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (All India Student Council). Home Minister Rajnath Singh has, meanwhile, faced ridicule for citing a fake tweet to say that the JNU demonstration had been backed by Hafiz Saeed, a Pakistani militant accused by India of being behind the 2008 attack on Mumbai in which 166 people died. Delhi police circulated the fake tweet at the weekend in a warning to students not to get carried away by such seditious and anti-national rhetoric. A spokesman did not answer calls to his mobile phone on Monday seeking comment. At least 18 university campuses witnessed protests on Monday. Students in Kolkata burnt an effigy of Modi and left-wing groups in Odisha planned state-wide demonstrations. Analysts said the student protests were the most widespread in India since the self-immolation of a young Indian in 1990 after the government ruled in favour of providing affirmative action to the lower castes in higher education. We are witnessing liberal India, particularly young people who are usually more idealistic, fighting back, said Satish Misra, a political analyst at the Observer Research Foundation. (With input from agencies) The BJPs Delhi legislator Om Prakash Sharma allegedly attacked a JNU student at a city court on Monday. The BJP backed Sharma, saying he was opposing anti-India slogans and was hit on the head first, to which he reacted. The Aam Aadmi Party condemned the attack and demanded strict action against the Bharatiya Janata Party leader. However, the Delhi BJP state unit backed Sharma, saying he did nothing wrong. Delhi BJPs media convenor Praveen Shankar Kapoor said Sharma was not a badmash (anti-social element) and he did nothing wrong. Read more: Why DU lecturer Geelani was arrested in JNU row According to Sharmas version to the party, people present in the court premises misbehaved with him first and raised anti-India slogans. When he opposed, a person attacked him on his head and then he (Sharma) reacted, Kapoor told IANS. Going by his account, I dont think he did anything wrong. Delhi BJP stands with him, Kapoor added. BJP MLA OP Sharma thrashing one of the JNU students who were protesting against the arrest of JNUSU President Kanhaiya Kumar during a clash between the advocates and the students outside the Patiala House Courts in New Delhi (PTI) Earlier, Sharma was embroiled in a controversy for allegedly passing derogatory remarks on AAP legislator from Chandni Chowk, Alka Lamba. Read more: Not just JNU and and Hyderabad: ABVP is no stranger to controversies Lamba said Sharmas act of beating a JNU student exposed his mentality. Earlier on August 9, he planned an attack on me when I was conducting an anti-drug campaign near Kashmere Gate Inter-State Bus Terminal. After that, he passed derogatory remarks on me in the Delhi assembly and broke the mike for which he was fined as well, said Lamba. Todays (Monday) act exposed his mentality. He should be arrested immediately and an FIR should be registered against him, she said. He should not walk free just because BJP is in power. The AAP also condemned the attack, saying the BJP was deliberately creating an atmosphere of terror and chaos in Delhi. The AAP appeals to all residents of the national capital to peacefully reject all attempts by the BJP and its affiliated organisations to destroy the democratic values of the country, the AAP said in a statement. Four journalists, including one from IANS, and some JNU students and teachers were assaulted by a section of lawyers on Monday at a city court. The incident took place just before the president of the Jawaharlal Nehru University Students Union (JNUSU), Kanhaiya Kumar, who has been arrested on charges of sedition, was to be brought to the court. New Delhi: Delhi BJP lawmaker OP Sharma, who is accused of assaulting protesters outside Patiala House court, has an excuse. I have been like this since childhood, he says. Main bachpan se yahi karta aa raha hu, mujhe mara gaya toh khali nahi baitha gaya, teen char hath maine bhi maar diye, (I have been doing this since I was a child, when I was hit, I hit back in self-defence). That was Sharmas response after TV channels showed him assaulting CPI activist Ameeque Jamai and others outside the Patiala House courts on Monday. Sharma, an MLA from east Delhis Vishwas Nagar, is one of the three BJP legislators in the Delhi Assembly. He is under suspension and barred from attending assembly proceedings after he called AAP legislator Alka Lamba a bazaaru aurat (immoral woman). Sharma is not apologetic for Mondays incident. When I came out (of the court) some people were shouting anti-India slogans. I tried to stop them and they attacked me. In defence, I also hit them, said Sharma. India and Pakistan are in constant touch, High Commissioner Gautam Bambawale said in Isalamabad on Mondau , but maintained that no dates have been set for the Foreign Secretary-level talks. The secretary-level talks were expected to start in mid-January, but were put off in the wake of the attack on the Indian air base in Pathankot. Talking to the media, Bambawale said that the two sides were in touch over the issues of talks and Pathankot probe. I cannot give any particular date for the Secretary- level talks, but Foreign Secretaries from both countries are in constant contact, he said. The scheduled meeting between Foreign Secretaries of Pakistan and India was postponed after the January 2 Pathankot attack for which India blames Pakistan-based terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba. Bambawale, who arrived in Pakistan last month to assume the charge of the High Commission, said that the National Security Advisers of the two countries were in touch over the Pathankot attack. Almost a week has passed since a cultural event at the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) snowballed into a raging debate over nationalism, sparked by the arrest of JNU student body president Kanhaiya Kumar. The student leader was produced in court on Monday where a mob of lawyers were seen forcibly throwing out university faculty members and students, leading to more violence. Even reporters were thrashed by the lawyers who were heard sloganeering against the university. Former Delhi University professor SAR Geelani was also booked for sedition for allegedly organising an event at the Press Club of India to mark Afzal Gurus death anniversary. He was detained by police on Tuesday evening. Geelani had faced trial as Gurus co-accused in the Parliament attack case but was acquitted by the Delhi high court, a ruling that was later upheld by the Supreme Court. Read more: He organised the event: Why DU lecturer Geelani was arrested in JNU row Read more: Journalists and teachers join JNU protests, govt tries to douse fire Heres a quick look at what went down in the last week. What is the controversy all about? On February 9, a group of students organised a cultural evening of protest against the judicial killing of Afzal Guru and Maqbool Bhatt and in solidarity with struggle of Kashmiri people for their democratic right to self determination at Sabarmati dhaba on campus. The event was also attended by students from outside the campus. The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) held a protest from across the road against the event. The ABVP complained to the administration earlier following which permission for the event was revoked, but organisers went ahead anyway. Things went out of hand when the two sides clashed towards the end of the event as organisers took out a march from Sabarmati dhaba to Ganga dhaba. Allegations of inflammatory and anti-India slogans being raised surfaced. ABVP claims that JNU students union members were also part of the crowd which shouted anti-India slogans but other groups maintain that union members and many other students only joined in to control the clash between ABVP and the organisers. Read more: Not just JNU and and Hyderabad: ABVP is no stranger to controversies On February 10, ABVP lodged a police complaint regarding the matter. The next day, BJP MP Maheish Giri also lodged an FIR following which a case of sedition was filed against unknown persons. Read more: In pics | Student protests: JNU turns into melting pot of controversy Who were the organizers? Ten students, most of them former members of the ultra-left Democratic Students Union (DSU), organized the event. DSU has little or no support on campus over its ideological stand on various issues. Those named in the FIR include Umar Khalid and Anirban Bhattacharya from DSU. Why was permission given for the event? University administration maintains that organisers said the event was to be a cultural evening of poetry reading. When apprised of the nature of the event, the administration withdrew its permission. However, organisers, backed by many other students, alleged that the university administration withdrew permission due to pressure from ABVP. What is police doing in the case? On February 12, police arrested Jawaharlal Nehru University Students Union (JNUSU) president, Kanhaiya Kumar, on charges of sedition. On Monday he was produced in Patiala House court and sentenced to two days of police custody. The FIR has few more names, including former DSU members, former JNUSU office bearers and All India Students Association secretary, Delhi state, Ashutosh Kumar. The Home Ministry said that more people were under the scanner. Read more: Bassi confident JNU student Kanhaiya was involved, Centre not convinced What steps has JNU administration taken? A day after the event was held, vice-chancellor M Jagadesh Kumar ordered a proctorial inquiry into the incident. However, on February 11, he constituted a high-level committee to probe the incident following which eight students were debarred from all academic activities till the inquiry concludes. The university is likely to submit its final report on February 25. What is happening now? Students and teachers are on strike demanding the release of Kanhaiya Kumar, accusing the present government of clamping down on dissent. All major student organisations in the university have condemned the alleged anti-India slogans raised at the event. They also alleged that the actions by the BJP government are aimed at silencing JNU students who have been at the forefront of movements like the demand for fellowships in higher education and the Dalit scholar suicide case in Hyderabad. Read more: JNU students go on strike, V-C appeals for peace Students of Jadavpur University on Tuesday took out a torch rally and shouted slogans against hanging of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru. The students, affiliated to various Left parties, took to the streets on Tuesday to protest the alleged police atrocities inside the JNU campus. During Tuesdays rally, a placard supporting Afzal Guru was briefly held up by students before others from the crowd quickly intervened and pulled it down. A number of slogans like Jo Kashmir Mange Azadi, Jo Manipur ne Manga Azadi and Jo Ishrat ne Manga Azadi were also raised at the start of the rally before being hushed up by the student leaders. All India Students Association (AISA) leader Anumita Mitra justified the slogans saying these only questioned the lack of transparency in Afzals trial and his subsequent death penalty. The slogans demand azadi from making Indian laws like khap panchayat. If slogans protesting against the branding of scholars like Rohith Vemula as anti-national and terrorist by the Modi government for challenging cast exploitation are anti-national, then we are all anti-nationals, said Mitra, a third year student. However, Nirjhar Mukhopadhay, another student leader who was at the forefront of the rally, blamed some fringe elements for the slogans raised supporting Afzal Guru and Geelani. Various types of people are present at rallies. Some fringe elements gave these slogans. But that does not reflect the stand of the majority of students. They dont reflect my opinion. But he admitted that he had said: Kashmir mange azadi/Manipur mange azadi. Please let me tell you in what context I have said that. We all love our country. Azadi for us signifies freedom from atrocities, atrocities of the Modi government, and freedom from intolerance, he added. Sarnendu Barman, general secretary of the Faculty of Engineering and Technology Students Union (FETSU), said that although they did not support slogans like Pakistan zindabad, police atrocities on the students inside the campus could not be tolerated. Barman said that since Jadavpur University has had bitter experiences of police atrocities inside the university campus, they can easily relate to the JNU terror. Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) workers sent police in the JNU campus in the name of a raid, following which the students were heckled regardless of their gender and thrown out of their dorms. Barman added. Elsewhere, in Jammu students belonging Akhil Bhartiya Vidyarthi Parishad, the student wing of RSS, took to the streets on Tuesday stating that anti-India slogans by JNU students could not be tolerated. In Osmania University, Hyderabad, ABVP activists staged a protest march dubbing JNU as an anti-national university. The Joint Action Committee of students formed in Mumbai University after suicide of Rohith Vermula, a dalit student of Hyderabad University on the other hand came out in support of JNU students and wore black bands to show their anger. Students who have questioned capital punishment and hanging of Afzal Guru are being questioned by pseudo nationalists, the action committee said in a statement. A nation can survive its fools, and even the ambitious. But it cannot survive treason from within. An enemy at the gates is less formidable, for he is known and carries his banner openly. But the traitor moves amongst those within the gate freely, his sly whispers rustling through all the alleys, heard in the very halls of government itself. For the traitor appears not a traitor; he speaks in accents familiar to his victims, and he wears their face and their arguments, he appeals to the baseness that lies deep in the hearts of all men. He rots the soul of a nation, he works secretly and unknown in the night to undermine the pillars of the city, he infects the body politic so that it can no longer resist. A murderer is less to fear. Marcus Tullius Cicero What is now happening across India over the JNU protests or so-called unrest reminds me of the Ciceros immortal statement. There can be no second opinion or view over what constitutes an anti-national act, if people support hanged terrorist Afzal Guru and openly shout that they will not rest till India is destroyed. It is the most heinous act on the part of a citizen to denounce his own country and back terrorists. The same thing has happened at the JNU campus in Delhi. The backers of these so-called protestors argue that it was a mere voice of dissent. But the reality speaks of a different situation. None of the protesting students were actually expressing a civilised voice of dissent over something. They were indulging in a clear case of anti-national act by raising slogans in favour of Pakistan. Read | JNU row: Politics should take a back-seat, law must take its own course I agree that those who oppose the BJP or RSS have every right to do so under the Constitution of India. India is a true democracy and it allows a greater degree of dissent. But, these protestors with a vested interest and a hidden anti-India agenda were not exercising their democratic right in a non-violent and Constitutional manner. They were actually calling for a bloodshed, worse toppling our cherished democratic institutions including the government. If it is not sedition, then nothing else is. The Left wing radicals have not been able to digest the fact that the people of India voted Prime Minister Narendra Modi to power in a historic election almost two years ago. Their hatred for the BJP has now turned into their hatred for Mother India. Out of frustration, these elements which have always been directly and indirectly backing anti-national forces have now become truly anti-India. They must realise that being anti-BJP is democratic, but being anti-India is not. These elements have been living in the same India, benefit from the same democratic institutions and invoke the same Constitution when in trouble. But, they work against all these cherished ideals and would not mind if India is destroyed. What a sadistic mindset! In pictures: Right or Left? JNU campus issue triggers protests The claims of the Left, Congress and others, who are beating their chest crying that freedom of expression is under threat, is laughable. The same elements have turned our great academic institutions into dens of thugs and systematically suppressed all voices of dissent when they were in power. The Communists have a history of killing their opponents in cold blood even in school and college premises. The entire country knows what the Communists have done to JNU over the years. The Left and the Congress should be the last to fight for democracy and free thinking. Because both are anathema to them. Rahul Gandhi has disgraced himself by openly backing the people who glorified Afzal Guru and shouted anti-India slogans. As Cicero famously said these elements are traitors within. They mercilessly kill their own mothers who breastfeed them. They are now caught with their pants down. They are playing victims to hide their crimes and divert the attention from the real issue. Read | Traitor, anti-national and intolerant: Who said what at JNU protest It is time to expose these dangerous, pervert elements who could bring the edifice of Indian democracy down unless we nip them in the bud. They must be taught that opposing political opponents is entirely different from attacking ones own motherland. (Simha represents Mysuru constituency of Karnataka and is a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party. Views expressed here are personal.) Read more: He organised the event: Why DU lecturer Geelani was arrested in JNU row #SaffronEmergency: Court assault sends twitterati into a frenzy Not just JNU and and Hyderabad: ABVP is no stranger to controversies Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi following an attack on journalists in the premises of Patiala House court. A scuffle broke out on Monday as Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) students union president Kanhaiya Kumar who was arrested on sedition charges last week was produced in court. BJP leader OP Sharma denied taking part. He told reporters he was only rounding up those who raise pro-Pakistan slogans outside the court. Read: I have been like this only: Why India cannot afford an OP Sharma Activists of Campus Front of India demand the release of JNUSU president Kanhaiya Kumar, at Shastri Bhavan, New Delhi. (Arun Sharma/HT Photo) Front pages of almost all newspapers on Tuesday have published the photograph of BJP MLA OP Sharma beating up a youth in full public view outside the court premises. His statement that if he had a gun he would have shot such people has also been published, Kejriwal said in his letter. Calling for immediate action to be taken against lumpen and anarchist elements who attack journalists, Kejriwal said it would give a clear signal that such activities will not be tolerated. OP Sharma is an MLA of the BJP and it must also take action against him. I feel even if you once call this MLA and scold him, he will not dare to repeat his actions again in life. If that is not done, then such elements feel they have the complete support of the central government, the Delhi CM wrote in his letter. Nobody can be allowed to take the law in their hands and if public representatives, who swear in the name of the Constitution, do so, then the country is headed towards a serious crisis, he added. Read: JNU protests: Pak daily calls it the new, ugly face of Modis India Expressing concern over incidents that have taken place in Delhi, Kejriwal urged PM Modi that political interference in JNU and other academic institutions should be immediately stopped. It is extremely dangerous that the JNU incident is being portrayed to show this institution as a terrorist centre. The JNU and its students have achieved fame at the international level due to its high academic standards and the hard work of its students, the letter read. Kejriwal said that the police administration of Delhi is directly under the Centres control and the former has miserably failed in JNU row. I request you to give strict instructions so that the confidence of the people of Delhi in the police can be restored. People are waiting with desperation for you to break your silence and intervene to bring the situation under control, the letter read. The arrest of Jawaharlal Nehru University Student Union (JNUSU) president Kanhaiya Kumar on charges of sedition has triggered an intense debate on the limits of free speech in India. Kumar was arrested on Friday for allegedly raising anti-India slogans during a demonstration on the campus to mourn the hanging of parliament attack convict Afzal Guru and Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) co-founder Maqbool Bhat. Read more: People from JNU are here. Throw them out: When lawyers turned vandals Delhi Police have also registered a separate case of sedition against SAR Geelani in connection with another meeting held on Wednesday at the Press Club of India in Delhi where also anti-India slogans and placards were raised. Geelani - who faced trial as Gurus coaccused in the Parliament attack case - was acquitted by the Delhi High Court in 2003 and the acquittal was upheld by the Supreme Court in 2005. But the top court had said the needle of suspicion pointed towards him. Law on free speech in India Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution guarantees freedom of speech and expression to all citizens. It says, All citizens shall have the right to freedom of speech and expression. Read more: Boycotting classes: JNU wont relent till Kanhaiya is set free But this freedom is not absolute and can be subjected to reasonable restrictions as mentioned in Article 19(2) of the Constitution. The purpose was two-fold. First, it protects existing laws restricting free speech. Second, it authorises the State to make laws imposing reasonable restrictions on the right given under Article 19(1)(a) in the interests of the sovereignty and integrity of India, security of the State, friendly relations with foreign states, public order, decency or morality or in relation to contempt of court, defamation or incitement to an offence. Interestingly, many of these restrictions were added to the constitution in May 1951 by the very first amendment piloted by Jawaharlal Nehru -- considered to be a liberal. Since then Article 19(2) has been used to justify a host of laws -- including those on sedition, defamation, contempt of court, obscenity, official secrets, hate speech etc -- that impinge on free speech. Read more: DU professor Geelani arrested on sedition charges, brawl breaks out Law on sedition Sedition was not a part of the original Indian Penal Code (IPC) that came into force in 1862. It was added to the IPC in 1870 and its scope and ambit was broadened in 1898 to deal with the freedom movement that was gaining ground. According to Section 124A, a person commits the crime of sedition if s/he brings or attempts to bring into hatred or contempt, or excites or attempts to excite disaffection towards, the Government established by law in India. It can be by words, either spoken or written, or by signs, or by visible representation, or otherwise. The maximum punishment for sedition is imprisonment for life. Explanation 1 to Section 124A clarifies that the expression disaffection includes disloyalty and all feelings of enmity. Condemning government action not sedition Explanation 2 and 3 to Section 124A make it clear that comments expressing disapprobation of the measures of the Government or an administrative or other action of the Government with a view to obtain their alteration by lawful means, without exciting or attempting to excite hatred, contempt or disaffection, do not amount to sedition. Criticism of public measures or comment on Government action, however strongly worded, would be within reasonable limits and would be consistent with the fundamental right of freedom of speech and expression. SCs interpretation After the commencement of the Constitution in 1950, some of the high courts had declared Section 124A IPC unconstitutional as being violative of Article 19(1)(1)(a). However, the Supreme Court upheld its validity in Kedar Nath Singh versus State of Bihar in 1962. A five-judge Constitution Bench headed by then Chief Justice of India BP Sinha said though the section imposed restrictions on the fundamental right to freedom of speech and expression, the restrictions were in the interest of public order and were within the ambit of permissible legislative interference with the fundamental right. The law struck the correct balance between individual fundamental rights and the interest of public order, the SC said. The apex court said sedition law would be attracted only if the offence was such that it could cause public disorder by acts of violence. JNU Sedition row JNU is known as the bastion of the left. In December 2015, the JNU administration canceled Yoga guru Ramdevs talk after JNUSU opposed him being invited as a keynote speaker at the valedictory ceremony of the 22nd International Congress of Vedanta. Free speech means allowing everyone to express their views within the boundaries set by law. While Ramdev was not welcome on the JNU campus, JNUSU extended the courtesy to those who wanted to hail Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru as a martyr. Surely, leftists are not followers of French philosopher Voltaire who said, I do not agree with what you have to say, but Ill defend to the death your right to say it. Law must take its own course If anti-India slogans were raised at the event and complaints lodged, the Delhi Police were bound to register an FIR. Arrests that followed were only natural and necessary to take the probe to its logical conclusion. To expect the police not to act in such matters is an open invitation to anarchy. There is nothing wrong in criticising the Prime Minister, his government, the ruling party or its mother organization RSS. But to exhort people to destroy India as a nation certainly transgresses the legally permissible limit of free speech. Lets not forget that Gujarat Patidar leader Hardik Patel -- arrested on charges of sedition for allegedly instigating his community youth to kill policemen has not been given bail by courts so far. Those shouting anti-India slogan on JNU campus are giving a bad name to the prestigious university and vitiating the academic environment for ideological and political reasons. Politics should take a back seat. Law must take its own course. Teachers of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) are divided in their support to students agitation. While one section observed a strike on Tuesday, another continued to take classes. Ever since the arrest of JNU students union president Kanhaiya Kumar, the students have been protesting to demand his release and have said they will not go to classrooms till he is released. Backing their demand around 300 teachers met the vice-chancellor on Tuesday and urged him to withdraw permission to allow police to conduct indiscriminate search and arrest on campus. The V-C should withdraw the permission he has given to Delhi Police for indiscriminate search and arrest in the campus, said Ajay Patnaik, president JNU teachers association. JNUTA has also demanded that eight students, who have been debarred from all academic activities till university inquiry is complete, should be allowed to join studies. In our governing body meeting it was decided to demand that the order to debar eight students from academic activities should be cancelled, said a member of JNUTA. President of JNUTA Ajay Patnaik (R) with secretary of the association Vikramaditya during a press conference at JNU campus in New Delhi on Sunday. (Sanjeev Verma/HT Photo) JNUTA said the enquiry committee should be reconstituted and expanded. We want the administration to include more people from different schools and backgrounds, said Patnaik. However, another section of teachers said they conducted classes and will not participate in the strike called by JNUTA. This group said they have support of a large section of teachers. There is an impression that all teachers are supporting the agitation by students. Not all teachers are part of it. Classes are being conducted in Sanskrit department and science schools. The administration has taken the right steps, said Ameeta Singh, who teaches at centre for law and governance. Teachers said action should be taken against those guilty of shouting anti-national slogans. Those who shouted anti-national slogans should be punished, said Hari Ram Mishra, who teaches at Centre for Sanskrit Studies. While the students have decided to continue with their indefinite strike till Kumar is released and sedition charges against him are dropped, JNUTA said it will resume classes from Wednesday but continue to support the students agitation. The government indicated on Tuesday it was willing to discuss a raging political row over a police crackdown at Delhis Jawaharlal Nehru University, but protests continued against right-wing violence and sedition charges levelled on student leaders. Parliamentary affairs minister M Venkaiah Naidu said the budget session could discuss all issues after Opposition leaders raised concerns over growing campus protests at an all-party meeting called by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The government is ready to walk the extra mile, Naidu said, seeking to douse protests sparked by the arrest of Kanhaiya Kumar, the JNU student union president accused of making a seditious speech on the campus where alleged anti-India slogans were shouted. At the meeting, finance minister Arun Jaitley defended the police action against the students, offering to show Opposition leaders video clippings of alarming slogans shouted on the JNU campus, sources said. When Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad said the party would never support anti-national slogans, Jaitley offered to show a clipping of Rahul Gandhis speech telling JNU students that those who suppressed their voices were anti-national. Congress leaders rebutted that. Responding to objections over sedition charges slapped on student leader Kanhaiya Kumar, a senior minister said whether it was sedition or incitement to violence can be tackled later, sources said. A senior home ministry official told HT the sedition charges may have been slapped out of over enthusiasm by police, indicating flexibility on the part of the government in defusing the crisis. JNU teachers boycotted classes in support of striking students and hundreds of journalists hit the streets to protest Mondays attack on reporters and teachers by lawyers linked to the BJP outside a Delhi court. JNU students protest against arrest of JNUSU president Kanhaiya at JNU campus. (Sanjeev Verma/HT Photo) The journalists submitted a memorandum against the violence to the Chief Justice of India. Also, the Supreme Court will hear a plea against the attack on reporters on Wednesday, amid an outpouring of support for JNU from academics from around 400 foreign universities, including Harvard and Yale. The police havent arrested anyone for beating up the journalists, despite cameras capturing Delhi BJP legislator OP Sharma hitting a CPI leader. Earlier in the day, the Delhi high court dismissed a petition seeking a National Investigation Agency probe into the sedition charges, saying it was premature. The budget session is in danger of being overshadowed by rising political bitterness over the polices and governments handling of the JNU crisis that Opposition leaders say muzzles free speech. The government wants to push through reforms such as a goods and services tax. RSS people are being appointed as vice-chancellors in universities and reputed institutes. They are trying to suppress the voice of the youth -- be it in JNU, in Hyderabad, Lucknow and other places, Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi said. When Ghulam Nabi Azad brought up the JNU issue at the all-party meeting, finance minister Arun Jaitley countered him by saying there was another side to the story. How can anybody endorse their views? You should have disapproved those remarks but instead, your leaders went there to express solidarity with the protestors, Jaitley said. The journalists also submitted a memorandum to home minister Rajnath Singh, urging accountability of Delhi police, who allegedly watched while the assault took place. As there were CCTV cameras where the incident of assault must have been recorded, we demand the perpetrators of the assault be brought to book at the earliest, the statement said. They criticised city police commissioner BS Bassi for describing the incident as a minor scuffle. The striking students are ranged against supporters of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad, the group that first filed the sedition complaint, saying it was defending the countrys honour against anti-national elements. The protesting students found support on several other university campuses across the country. Students of Jadavpur University in Kolkata took out a torch rally protesting against police atrocities on JNU students. Outside the JNU campus, protesters from the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal staged violent demonstrations, carrying saffron flags and demanding the shutdown of the anti-national JNU administration. We will not allow any anti-national activity, said Kuldeep Kumar Sharma, 55. The students are hiding behind those four walls. They should come out and face the nation. Read | Kick them out: HT journalist recounts mob attack in a Delhi court BJP is leading in two of the three Assembly constituencies of Karnataka that went to by-elections on Friday. According to the office of chief electoral officer, BJP is leading in Devadurga and Hebbal constituencies by a margin of 15,025 votes and 16,171 votes, respectively, and Congress in Bidar by a margin of 20,248 votes till around noon. By-polls were necessitated due to the death of sitting members. In all the three constituencies, there is a direct fight between ruling Congress and opposition BJP, while political infighting in former prime minister HD Deve Gowda-led JD(S) has reduced the party to the third position. Hebbal in Bengaluru is considered crucial for Congress as stakes are high for the party which has fielded CK Abdul Rahman Sharief, grandson of senior party leader CK Jaffer Sharief, against the wishes of chief minister Siddaramaiah who had opted for MLC Byrathi Suresh as the candidate. According to current trends, BJPs YA Narayana Swamy in Hebbal is leading with 37,640 votes, while Rahman Shariff has secured 21,469 and JD(S) candidate Ismail Sharieff Nana 2,515 votes. Ten candidates are in the fray in Bidar, three in Devadurga and 20 in Hebbal. Of the three seats, BJP had held Hebbal and Bidar and Congress Devadurga. As a beat reporter following Delhi high court proceedings, news of Jawaharlal Nehru University students and faculty being targeted by lawyers inside Patiala House court caught my eye. I was scrolling through the newsfeed on my Twitter account when the news broke around 2.30 pm. A hearing on the extension of police custody of JNU student body president Kanhaiya Kumar, who was slapped with charges of sedition, was to come up. As my colleague, who covers the trial court, was on leave, I reached the court premises and entered from a back gate. While making my way towards the courtroom of Metropolitan Magistrate Lovleen, who was hearing the case, I saw an agitated mob of about 100 lawyers rounding on someone near the entry gate to the courtroom. Unable to see what the commotion was about, I stepped onto a nearby elevated green pasture where a few onlookers had crowded for a better look. Still unable to see clearly, I had taken out my phone to click a photograph when two of the onlookers nearby cautioned me to hide it. What are you doing? This has started because of you guys trying to click pictures here. Mobile rakh do (keep your mobile away), said one of them. By this time, I could see what was happening: a woman reporter from an English News channel was furiously trying to make a point as a mob of lawyers pushed her towards the main entry gate, all the while hurling abuses at her. To my surprise, a good number of Delhi Police officials, who were standing barely five feet away, did not intervene even as the mob became more agitated and pushed the woman towards the police security check kiosk near the entrance. Instead, a police officer escorted her out of the main entry gate. I could see the dejection in her eyes. No sooner had she stepped out of the gate, another brawl broke out inside the complex. The lawyers had resorted to fist blows and kicks to a man in plain clothes. No one came to his rescue, not even one of the more than 50 police officers who watched him being thrashed by the mob. At this point I noticed three colleagues, two of them women, standing near the dhabas where reporters usually have tea. Sensing there was unruly elements around and that anyone could be targeted, I made a beeline for them. However, they were already cornered by another mob between two cars. I was barely five feet away and extended a hand to hail them from the side when I was suddenly pushed from behind. Who are you? What are you doing here? said a voice, even as some others from behind began shouting, Inhe nikalo! (Kick them out) Chaos ensued. To avoid a confrontation, I kept silent and walked past the shouting men without reacting and headed straight for the main entry gate. It was unsettling to feel unsafe even inside the court premises where a large number of Delhi police officers were stationed, apparently to protect and keep law and order. Once outside, I was relieved to see the three reporters who were cornered inside, unharmed. Similar stories began to surface among those of us outside. All were either thrown out by the mob or intimidated into leaving or had escaped being roughed up. Since mayhem continued, I began tweeting the events. Lawyers on rampage are not unheard of. Last week, lawyers in Lucknow took matters into their own hands and went on a violent protest after the death of one of their colleagues. However, in my career as a legal reporter, I have never witnessed the messenger becoming the target. The day will forever be etched into the wall of shame for the legal fraternity. (This is a first-person account from a HT Correspondent who was forced out of the court premises by the unruly mob of lawyers on Monday) SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The police on Tuesday registered two FIRs in connection with the attack on JNU students and journalists outside Patiala House court. Though police have registered the case against unknown persons, the photograph of one of the lawyers who was caught on tape thrashing the students was circulated widely on social media. Photographs of lawyer Vikram Chauhan with BJP leaders reportedly at ABVP functions and a poster of his photograph with home minister Rajnath Singh went viral on social media. We have registered two FIRs against unknown persons. One is related to the scuffle inside the court while the other is related to the one which happened outside the court premises (in which BJP MLA OP Sharma was involved). We are in the process of identifying the people in the tape and will take action. In both the cases, police is the complainant, said DCP (New Delhi) Jatin Narwal. Police sources said that they would also probe the identity of the people who had asked lawyers to assemble at the court. Chauhan, however, told Hindustan Times that the students and teachers of JNU were provoking the lawyers at the court. Narrating the sequence of events, he said, When we entered the court complex, we saw that all the seats had been occupied by the students and teachers. When we asked them to move, the students got agitated and started asking us to show our identity cards. It was then that one of my colleagues informed the police control room. A poster showing Chauhan and Rajnath Singh on Facebook. (Facebook) While students and journalists have alleged that the lawyers got violent and attacked them, Chauhan said, The students started shouting Pakistan Zindabad. They also said Afzal tumhara naam rahega. We then shouted Bharat Mata Ki Jai. It was then that all hell broke loose and we got into a scuffle with them. Regarding his pictures which reportedly show him at BJP and ABVP events, Chauhan said that the pictures were taken from Facebook. The students have selectively used the photographs from my Facebook profile. The same album on Facebook has my pictures with JNU leader Sharad Yadav and also other Congress leaders. I belong to no party, he said. Sucheta De, former JNU students union president said, Why are police not arresting the lawyer and the BJP leader caught on tape? This shows the intention of the government. Its muddy enough for the next assembly elections in West Bengal. Because the sceptre of Mamata Banerjees TMC looks slightly worn out? The CPI(M) is making huge efforts to re-enter Bengals political discourse? The Congress is trying its best to ride piggyback on the Left? The BJP is desperate to regain the vote-share it had won during the Modi wave? Clear dividing lines are getting blurred. Old enmities are resurfacing. New friendships are slowly forming. And the old power centre, the CPI(M) headquarters in central Kolkatas Alimuddin Street, looks busy again with all the lights on leaders are looking hopeful, holding press conferences and instructing workers from districts. Even the side rooms are full one-on-ones are going on. The focus This time its not change (paribartan) and development (unnayan) on the agenda as much as long-lost friends the CPI(M) and the Congress and old foes the CPI(M) and the Trinamool Congress the Hindu divided family of Subhash Chandra Bose, the rebellious Gorkha Janmukti Morcha and the disillusioned tribal parties on the Bengal-Jharkhand border. And, of course, the rioting at Kaliachak. It represents at least in public perception the growing clout of the Muslim voter, with a 30% vote-share that can influence 125 of the 249 assembly seats in Bengal. The Muslim voter in Bengal followed the Congress once and then the CPI(M) till Banerjee during her anti-Left movement in Muslim-dominated Nandigram discovered how an undivided Muslim vote-bank could get her to power and keep her there, safe and warm. She is confident of a comfortable return to power for the second term. In fact, her party organ has predicted a haul of 224 seats this time. Poise and doubts Its this confidence that should serve as the TMCs main election plank. There couldnt be any doubts over the outcome of the elections. The CPI(M) is a spent force. It will never be in the race again, said Partha Chattopadhyay, TMC secretary general and education minister. The lights at Alimuddin Street and the proposed CPI(M)-Congress tie-up wont make any difference at the end. Itll be the TMC all the way. But the realisation that the old adversary is up and walking if not running is prompting the TMCs attempt to project the BJP as the first challenger. And the CPI(M) is trying to project the alleged communal politics of the TMC and the BJP as the main danger. Idris Ali, MP and a major TMC leader, claimed his party would get two-thirds majority. And he followed it up with the assertion that the BJP candidates would lose their deposits. He didnt mention the CPI(M), however. Weather report How is the pre-poll weather affecting parties other than the CPI(M)? The scene in the Trinamool Congress office and chief minister Banerjees residence is slightly different from the trademark Left discipline. Briskly, but in its usual chaotic way, the ruling party is getting ready for another round of bloody fighting probably, mostly against itself given the intense faction fights in the ruling party, although the most prominent TMC rebel, former general secretary Mukul Roy, has returned to the party as vice-president. In comparison, the BJP office in central Kolkata looks a little out of breath. One has to cross an empty reception hall to reach a middle-aged bhadralok worker sitting at a small cubicle in one corner. So is the state of affairs with the Congress. The leaders prefer to meet outside the office. One never knows when rival factions will interrupt a cosy chat. The leaders offices in the assembly house are considered safer. The issue, in fact, is what the central leadership decides on the CPI(M)s call for a tie-up. Odd and even The state Congress heavyweights chief Adhir Chaudhury, Abdul Mannan and Abu Hasem Khan Chaudhury are all for the tie-up, but long-time legislator and former state chief Manas Bhuniya and his circle of friends are against it. And they have already made their positions clear to party vice-president Rahul Gandhi. In the CPI(M) camp, Bengal leaders, including former chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharya, want to go with the Congress. The reason: Even during the peak of Banerjees popularity in 2011, the CPI(M)-Congress combined vote-share was 49.96% against the TMCs 39.08%. In the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, the combined vote-share was 32.3% against the TMCs 39%. Clearly, the BJP made a dent into the non-TMC vote-bank. For now, it seems that its only the TMC which can expect smooth sailing. But why, then, is the TMC still belligerent? Why do all the recent bomb blasts inevitably point towards local TMC leaders? Why is Banerjee so keen on allegedly playing the Muslim card? CPI(M) politburo member Mohammed Salim thinks its not only the next elections that Banerjee is looking at. She wants a longer shelf-life in power. So do the CPI(M) and the BJP. It seems the Bengal elections are going to turn out to be a battle for the future. Eager to push crucial reforms related legislations through in the coming Budget session of Parliament, PM Narendra Modi on Tuesday reached out to the opposition saying that he is the Prime Minister of the country, and not of the BJP and offering to hold discussions on any issue that they wanted. At the all-party meeting convened by the PM, the Congress and the Left looked isolated in their attempt to escalate the issue of arrest of JNU student leader Kanhaiya Kumar in the Budget session as most regional parties favoured a smooth functioning of Parliament. Even the Congress ally RJD opposed disruptions. RJD leader Prem Chand Gupta narrated how his granddaughter didnt go to visit Parliament as it doesnt function. SP chief Ramgopal Yadav said that due to disruptions, image of Parliament has gone down. BJD leader Bhartruhari Mahtab said that parties should avoid vitiating the atmosphere by magnifying one incident. In a vast country like India, he said, many incidents happen but it should not be made an excuse to disrupt proceedings of Parliament. Many smaller parties including the AIADMK, the TMC, and the NCP supported smooth functioning of parliament. TRS and the YSR Congress leaders argued that Telangana and Andhra Pradesh had a number of issues to raise in Parliament, which they were not able to do due to disruptions. Opposition leaders raised a number of issues including suicide by a dalit research scholar, the arrest of JNU students and the imposition of Presidents rule in Arunachal. They said the Congress was prepared to cooperate in the passage of bills, but the government should make an attempt to remove distrust between the two sides. Congress leaders including Ghulam Nabi Azad and Anand Sharma took strong exception to the attacks on Nehru-Gandhi family by top ruling party leaders. In this context, they referred to PMs recent remarks blaming one family for disruptions in Parliament and also BJP president Amit Shahs attack on Rahul Gandhi on Monday. Objecting to Shahs poser to Rahul Gandhi whether he wanted another partition, Sharma said that generation after generation, the Gandhi family made sacrifices for the country and Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi became martyred. CPI leader D Raja said that his party also wanted Parliament to function but the situation in the country was scary because of your people The Supreme Court on Monday refrained from passing an order on a plea to legalise passive euthanasia and the right of terminally-ill persons to execute Living Will not to prolong their lives by putting them on life support systems and kept it open for the government to take a call on both the issues. The issues of passive euthanasia and Living Will is being considered by the government. However, we may clarify that the pendency of the petition should not come in the way of the authority to take a decision, a five-judge Constitution Bench headed by Justice A R Dave said. We are not passing any order at this stage, the bench, also comprising Justices Kurian Joseph, Shiva Kirti Singh, A K Goel and R F Nariman, said while agreeing with the view of the Centre that the court should post the next hearing in July and till then allow a public debate to take place in the peoples court, that is Parliament. Additional Solicitor General P S Patwalia opposed the plea of NGO Common Cause and its advocate Prashant Bhushan that the court should consider and pass an order at least on the limited issue of Living Will, till a legislation is enacted. He submitted that since the Health Ministry was examining the Law Commission report after which a Bill would be drafted by the Law Ministry, the apex court should defer the hearing and wait till July for the debate to take place. When the bench asked Bhushan, do you want courts verdict or the peoples verdict on it, he said the issue of Living Will is not the subject of parliamentary debate as it concerns the fundamental right to life guaranteed under the Constitution which also covers the right to die with dignity. However, the bench was of the view that it is something which should be debated in peoples court, i.e Parliament. As Bhushan argued for consideration of the limited issue of Living Will saying that it is given by the terminally-ill persons of sound mind, the bench asked, would it not be a case where you are permitting a miracle to happen? During the hearing, the ASG gave an example of former Formula One world champion Michael Schumacher, who is in coma for over two years, saying that his family members are hoping that medical science has developed and he will return to normalcy and are against withdrawing life support system. A doctor-turned-advocate, who has sought intervention in the matter, said the issue concerning euthanasia is very sensitive and has to be deliberated in a careful manner. Dr Kishore submitted that persistant vegetative stateDr Kishore submitted that persistant vegetative state does not mean that a person is dead, so the life support system should not be withdrawn. He elaborated that during his career as a doctor for 40 years, he had come across three cases from across the globe that after being in coma for 19 years, they have returned to lead a normal life. Putting the onus on the authority to take a decision on the issue assumes significance as the Centre in its latest affidavit has said it has framed a draft legislation on the issue but would await the apex courts verdict on it. Based on recommendations of the expert committee, the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) has proposed formulation of legislation on passive euthanasia. The expert committee has further suggested certain changes in the draft bill. The committee has not agreed to active euthanasia since it has more potential for misuse and, as on date, it is prevalent in very few countries worldwide, the ASG had said in the last hearing. He had also submitted that the Law Commissions report favouring legalising of passive euthanasia with certain safeguards is being examined and a bill will be drafted thereafter. The court is awaiting the governments stand in its endeavour to examine a plea to legalise passive euthanasia by means of withdrawal of life support system to terminally-ill patients. The apex court on January 15 had asked the government to make its stand clear in a reasonable time. The law officer apprised the bench about the 241st report of the Law Commission which has stated that passive euthanasia should be allowed with certain safeguards and there was a proposed law -- Medical Treatment of Terminally Ill Patient (Protection of Patients and Medical Practioners) Bill, 2006. He had said his contention will also be based on 6.7 regulation of 2002 in Medical Council of India Act which says that practicing euthanasia shall constitute unethical conduct. However on specific occasions, the question of withdrawing supporting devices to sustain cardio-pulmonary function even after brain death, shall be decided only by a doctors team and not the treating physician alone. The bench was hearing a PIL filed in 2005 by NGO Common Cause which said when a medical expert opines that the person afflicted with a terminal disease has reached a point of no return, then he should be given the right to refuse being put on life support system, as otherwise it would only prolong his agony. JNU teachers on Tuesday joined the students in boycotting classes in protest against arrest of its student union leader in a sedition case and said they would take classes on nationalism in the varsity lawns. The students had on Monday gone on an indefinite strike till JNUSU president Kanhaiya Kumar is released and the sedition case against him dropped. Read more: JNU protesters have a sadistic mindset and an anti-India agenda After 10 teachers and a group of students were attacked in Patiala House court complex where Kanhaiya was produced on Monday, the teachers association decided to join the students in boycotting classes. Read more: What really happened on the night of Feb 9: A JNU student recounts The administration is not only acting against students but also teachers and we are being openly attacked while the VC stays mum over it. The entire world is now referring to JNU as a hub of anti-nationals on basis of propaganda of few people in power. It is time we teach our students what nationalism is, said Rohith Azad, a faculty member, who was among those who were attacked yesterday. The one-and-half-hour long lecture on nationalism will be held every evening at 5 in front of the administration block. Read more: Why DU lecturer Geelani was arrested in JNU row JNU students union president Kanhaiya Kumar was arrested last week in connection with a case of sedition and criminal conspiracy registered over holding of the event at the varsity during which anti-India slogans were alleged to have been raised. His arrest has triggered widespread outrage among students and teachers and drawn severe criticism from non-BJP political parties. The university teachers had earlier rallied behind its protesting students and questioned the administrations decision to allow the police crackdown on the campus even as they appealed to the public not to brand the institution as anti-national but they had not joined the strike earlier. Read more: Kick them out: HT journalist recounts mob attack in a Delhi court Teachers bodies of 40 central universities and Pune-based FTII had also come out in support of the agitating students, saying it is an issue of indiscipline and not sedition. Over 400 academicians from international varsities, including Columbia, Yale, Harvard, Cambridge, Oxford, SOAS, University of Toronto, McGill, Kings College, University of California, Berkeley and New York University have also expressed solidarity with JNU students condemning the illegal detention and autocratic suspension of students. Tensions over anti-India slogans allegedly shouted at Delhis Jawaharlal Nehru University has put the focus on the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad, which first lodged a police complaint that led to sedition charges against student leader Kanhaiya Kumar. Read more: DU professor Geelani arrested on sedition charges, brawl breaks out But even as the BJPs student wing grows in strength across the country and takes over campuses such as the Delhi University, it has repeatedly been embroiled in controversies over the past two years. HT takes a look: February 2016 Alleged ABVP workers attack Congress leader Anand Sharma on February 13. Purported video shows ABVP supporters shouting anti-India slogans at JNU campus January 2016 Dalit scholar Rohith Vemula commits suicide at the University of Hyderabad, triggering mass demonstrations across the country. Authorities suspended him from the university after a fight with ABVP workers who opposed his protest over Yakub Memons death sentence. Read more: Students, journos assaulted near Delhi court hearing JNU sedition case December 2015 ABVP workers demonstrate against a Beef Festival at Hyderabads Osmania University, organise a pork festival in protest October 2015 ABVP and SFI workers clash at the Shree Kala Varma College in Keralas Thrissur over organising a beef festival. December 2014 ABVP workers and other right-wing groups disrupt the screening of the Aamir Khan-starrer PK for hurting Hindu religious sentiments. Khans effigy is burnt in different states. September 2014 Alleged ABVP workers vandalise the venue of the Kashmir film festival in Hyderabad and disrupt film screenings, calling the event anti-national. Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi charged the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh of wanting to wipe out multiculturalism in India as he campaigned for the party in Assam on Tuesday, a day after he attacked the BJP for its divisive politics. The national party is focusing on the northeastern state that is due for assembly polls in two months and hopes to counter the RSS-backed BJP that has made inroads into Congress strongholds. The BJP had won in all the five parliamentary constituencies in the upper and northern Assam belt during the last Lok Sabha polls. Stating that the RSS has the political mandate in its bid to control the countrys religious and cultural landscape from Nagpur, Gandhi alleged the RSS cannot respect or appreciate other cultures. Illustrating with a bouquet presented to him from which he plucked out all the flowers save for a near-saffron gladioli, Gandhi said, The RSS agenda is dangerous for a multicultural state like Assam where people follow different faiths. We cannot let the RSS tinker with our history and subdue local cultures. Gandhi was speaking at the Sivasagar Deeni Madrasa where he made a stop during his 6 km-walk from Rangghar, a medieval amphitheatre with strong Ahom symbolism, to Darbar Field. Rannghar itself holds symbolic significance in Assam as many cultural and political events began from here. The outlawed United Liberation Front of Asom was also born in Rannghar. The Congress vice president, who was on a two-day visit through four Assamese districts, had earlier hit out at the BJP saying its fate in the state will be a repeat of Bihar. The people have seen through the BJPs design. They know it is a threat to the culture of tolerance and brotherhood in Assam, Gandhi stated on Monday. Read more: BJPs hard bargain with AGP for Assam poll seat-sharing Tension gripped north Keralas Kannur district, notorious for RSS-CPM clashes, after the murder of an RSS activist on Monday night. The murder occurred in the wake of RSS chief Mohan Bhagwats call for talks to end three-decade-long political rivalry between the two cadre-based outfits. A group of assailants, alleged to be CPI(M) workers, stormed into 27-year-old Sujiths house and hacked him to death before his parents. His parents also suffered minor injuries when they tried to prevent the attack. The RSS has called a day-long shutdown in the district and the police have arrested eight CPI(M) supporters in connection with the murder. RSS-BJP leaders said the CPI(M) was trying to vitiate peaceful atmosphere of the district. However, CPI(M) politburo member Kodiyeri Balakrishnan said it was not a political murder. I heard some local issue led to the incident. Politics is not involved in this, he said in Delhi. The official Twitter handle of the BJP Kerala said, A BJP karyakartha Sujith hacked to death in his house in Pappinasserry in Kannur district. His parents are also critically injured. It also put out the photo of heavily-wounded body of Sujith. The enmity between the two cadre-based parties in Kannur dates back at least three decades, claiming more than 250 lives. Kannur is to the CPI(M) in Kerala what Nagpur is to the RSS. Feudalism, poverty, a complex caste system and backwardness had helped it penetrate the area easily. Its legendary leaders like AK Gopalan, EK Nayanar and KPR Gopalan belonged to this area. When RSS started making inroads in the area, tension between the two began. A teacher killed before his students, a son hacked to pieces before his parents and an aged dragged out of his house and murdered in cold-blood are not incidents new to this area. Both nurtured killings squads to take on opponents and are in a race to create martyrs and build colourful columns over their bodies. After every round both blame each other for triggering violence. Two days after two students from Maharashtra died in a fire in their hostel in Russia, one of the families was informed that the body will reach Mumbai airport around 1.30pm on Wednesday. Pooja Kallur, 22, from Navi Mumbai, and Karishma Bhosale, 21, from Pune, were students of Smolensk State Medical Academy in Russia, and had been pursuing MBBS since 2012. Both of them died in the fire which broke out in their college hostel on Sunday. On Tuesday, the Indian Embassy in Moscow informed Poojas family that the body would be sent to her house in Navi Mumbai around 4pm on Wednesday, after completing all formalities at the airport. Poojas family had spoken to her the night before the fire. She called around 4am on Sundaythat was the last time our family spoke to her, Poojas 24-year-old brother Mayur said. Read | Two Indian women students die in Russian medical university fire The family blamed the college authorities. It was their responsibility to inform us about the accident. But they are not saying anything clearly even now, Mayur said. The Indian embassy officials in Moscow have been very cooperative. However, they are reportedly not being entertained by the Russian investigating agencies. The local Navi Mumbai police are constantly in touch with us, he added. Meanwhile, Karishmas parents are waiting for the completion of legal formalities to receive her body. While both postmortems are done, her family is yet to receive any news. We are waiting for any communication either from the college or from any competent authority, said members of her family. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The SC on Monday upheld the government s command and exit policy but asked it to create 141 additional vacancies for promotion of combat unit officers. Under the policy, the infantry and artillery officers are given priority in promotions. The Armed Forces Tribunal had last year struck down the 2009 policy terming it discriminatory after which the Centre had filed an appeal against the tribunal verdict. A bench headed by Chief Justice of India TS Thakur allowed the Centres appeal partially. Justice Thakur held the army was not a single cadre because the nature of duty of its officers was different in each division. Applying the above test to the case at hand, we have no hesitation in holding that officers in the service stream of the army do not constitute a single cadre with officers serving in arms and arms support, no matter they may all be drawing the same salary, holding the same rank, wearing the same uniform and serving the same employer with similar service benefits, the bench held. Setting aside the AFT verdict, the SC ruled that allocation of officers to different arms and services puts them in distinct cadres. As a result, those comprising a particular cadre will have their promotional avenues available against the posts comprising that cadre alone. This is notwithstanding the fact that the government, as a policy to remove disparity in promotion, may attempt to ensure that officers of a given batch pick up their ranks around the same time or within a reasonable span of their counterparts in other cadres. The bench felt nothing discriminatory about the policy as officers in different streams constitute different cadres. JNU Students Union leader Kanhaiya Kumar, who was arrested on sedition charges, may not have raised anti-national slogans or made an inflammatory speech at the JNU event marking Afzal Gurus hanging, according to inputs from security agencies. The event was the flashpoint of a raging controversy in the university, with political parties and thinkers accusing the central government of suppressing the right to free expression. Home ministry officials have suggested that slapping of the serious charge of sedition against Kumar could be an act of over enthusiasm on the part of some Delhi Police officers. Security agencies have conveyed to the home ministry that even though Kumar was present at the event commemorating the death of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru, he possibly did not raise any anti-India slogan nor did he speak anything anti-national that invites the charge of sedition. Officials said the anti-India slogans were raised by students belonging to Democratic Students Union (DSU), considered to be a front of CPI (Maoists). Kumar belongs to AISF, the students wing of CPI, while DSU is an extreme left group. A students organisation of a mainstream political party cant get along with an organisation of extreme left ideology, officials said. Besides, names of DSU leaders were only printed in the posters which were pasted in JNU campus, inviting the students to the event commemorating the death of Afzal Guru. Security agencies told the home ministry officials that Kumar did deliver a speech but it could not be considered as anti-national, they said. Slapping of sedition charge against Kumar could be an act of over enthusiastic police officers, officials said. The event was also backed by the Committee for Release of Political Prisoners (CRPR), headed by former Delhi University lecturer SAR Geelani, who was also arrested on Tuesday on sedition charges. Geelani was given charge of CRPR, which was originally floated by Maoist sympathisers, possibly to bring people with extremist ideology, including Kashmiri separatists and Naga separatists, into one umbrella group. Home minister Rajnath Singh had said on Sunday that the JNU event in memory of Afzal Guru had received support from terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba founder Hafiz Saeed. Minister of state for home Kiren Rijiju on Monday had said Hafiz Saeed was backing the incident in Jawaharlal Nehru University. The 30-year-old psychopath mastermind behind the abduction of Snapdeal staffer Dipti Sarna was involved in 30 heinous crime cases, including murder, across Haryana. Read more: Diptis return only due to police efforts, media pressure, says father Devendra Kumar committed his first crime in 2001 when he beat up a constable in his village Kami in Sonipat and snatched his bike. His name was since registered in cases related to murder, abduction, robbery and attempt to murder at Jind, Bhiwani, Sonipat, Kurukshetra and Karnal. I was fed up with the crime cases and thought that one more case (Diptis abduction) would not make any difference if I am able to marry her and settle in Kathmandu, said a police officer quoting Devendra. Read more: Snapdeal exec abductor wanted to whisk Dipti away to Kathmandu A police officer involved in the investigation described Devendra as a Dabang like figure in his village. He recently settled a land deal between two men where he earned Rs 5 lakh. Using this money, he bought the two autos to pursue his dreams of marrying Dipti, the officer said. Snapdeal case: Dipti retraces abductors route for police He then came to Ghaziabad hoping that Dipti would board his auto some time, said an officer. The abduction plan came to my mind when my autos tyre got punctured and the passengers were out in another auto, said a police officer quoting Devendra. On Wednesday, Devendra got the auto Dipti was in punctured, and she boarded his auto, he said. But he did not tell his aides about his real intention in kidnapping Dipti. He only told them that Dipti was in hawala business and that by kidnapping her they could earn crores of rupees. Sources said Devendra used to get things he liked at any cost. They said he began stealing tyres from the neighbourhood as a kid to buy ice cream. Tripuras ruling Communist Party of India (Marxist) retained the Amarpur assembly constituency in the by-elections with a wide margin from its closest competitor, the Bharatiya Janata Party, and other regional parties. The main opposition, the Congress party, registered an almost negligible vote share, displacing it from the second to fourth position. Parimal Debnath won the elections bagging 20,355 votes for the CPI(M) while BJPs Ranjit Das polled 9,758 votes to emerge second. The tribal based political party, Indigenous Peoples Front of Tripura (IPFT) came in third with their candidate Pabitra Mohan Jamatia bagging 1,623 votes. People have faith in the Left Front. Hope, the state government will work to bring further development in the city, CPI (M) state secretary, Bijan Dhar said. Despite polling less than half the votes the CPI(M) did, the BJP sounded an optimistic note for the 2018 polls. The saffron party is the main opposition to the Left Front. The bypolls is the beginning. The BJP will come to power eradicating the Lefts misrule in 2018 polls, BJP state unit president, Biplab Deb said. The Congress however faced a sound drubbing, garnering just 1,231 votes of the registered 88 per cent turnout. A major vote of Congress was shared by the BJP. The Congress could have gained much better results, if the Congress votes were not shared by the BJP, party working president Asish Kumar Saha said. Other local political parties also fared less than well with the Indigenous Nationalist Party of Tripura receiving 146 votes and Aamra Bangalee bagging 149. An independent candidate scored better; Ranajoy Jamatia managed to swing 216 votes in his favour. The bypoll was held on February 13 after a seat had fallen vacant following the resignation of the Manoranjan Acharjee from the Assembly on December 10 last year. The former CPI(M) MLA was expelled after being accused of sexually assaulting a minor in his party office. Nearly a week has passed since students shouted anti-national slogans at an event in Delhis Jawaharlal Nehru University that triggered sedition charges and protests all over the Capital. The simmering controversy has spilled over into sedition charges, violence outside courts, senior minister criticising the students and television anchors hosting high-decibel debates. But what really happened on February 9? Who were the students who organised the event A Country without a Post Office to commemorate 2001 Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru? JNU student Harshit Agarwal attempted to answer some of the questions in a post on Quora. Find below his version of the events, which HT has not independently verified. On 9th February 2016, ex-members of a student organisation DSU, short for Democratic Students Union called for a cultural meeting of a protest against what they called the judicial killing of Afzal Guru and Maqbool Bhat and in solidarity with the struggle of Kashmiri people for their democratic right to self-determination, wrote Agarwal. A lot of Kashmiri students from inside and outside the campus were to attend the event. Read more: JNU gets global support: 400 academicians condemn illegal detention The DSU is a small ultra-leftist group of well-read students who believe in Maoism. Its a very small group of very well read students, said Agarwal. They are not terrorists or Naxals by any means. I have been in the campus for more than two years and never have I witnessed or heard of them committing a terror activity as much as of throwing a stone, let alone overthrowing the state! About 20 minutes before the meeting was to start, the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad wrote to the administration, asking it to withdraw permission as it was harmful for campus atmosphere, he wrote. Fearful of clashes, the administration denied permission. Now, for those who do not know, JNU is a beautiful democratic space where all voices are heard, all opinions however radical, respected. And ABVP was scuttling that space. Read more: Traitor, anti-national and intolerant: Who said what at JNU protest The DSU asked for help from the Jawaharlal Nehru University Students Union and other Left student organisations like the SFI (Students Federation of India), and AISA (All India Students Association) to gather in support of their right to democratically and peacefully hold meeting and mind you, NOT in support of their ideology or their stand on Kashmir, he wrote. DSU, JNUSU, and other student organisations decided they would not let the administration and the ABVP scuttle their hard-earned democratic space to debate and discuss, and decided to go ahead with the meeting, he said. The administration sent security guards to cover the badminton court where the meeting was supposed to happen, and refused the permission to use microphones. The organisers agreed, and decided to continue the meeting around the dhaba without mics. However, the ABVP mobilised its cadres and started threatening and intimidating the students and organisers. They started shouting cliched slogans likeYe Kashmir Hamara hai, saara ka saara hai, Agarwal wrote. In response, and to create solidarity among the students attending the meeting, the organisers started shouting, Hum kya chaahte? Azaadi! Next slogan -Tum kitne Afzal maaroge, har ghar se Afzal niklega! Agarwal said a group of Kashmiri students came from outside JNU to attend the meeting and formed a circle in the center of the gathering. Trust me, not one of whom was from JNU! I was present during the event for some time, and I could not recognize a single face from that group as being from JNU. Agarwal said the Kashmiri students who faced the wrath of AFSPA for decades -- were angry to see the ABVP disrupt their meeting, and started shouting the slogans against India, like: Bharat ki barbaadi tak, jung rahegi, jung rahegi! India, Go Back In my almost 2.5 years of stay in JNU, I have never heard these slogans shouted anywhere. These are nowhere even close to the ideology of any left parties, let alone DSU, he wrote. About the slogans of Pakistan Zindabad, it is disputed. I did not hear any such slogan while I was present there. There is a slogan in a video, but its not clear as to who shouted it - the Kashmiri students or the ABVP as a conspiracy. Agarwal also said JNUSU president Kanhaiya Kumar didnt shouts slogans and is a member of the All India Students Federation(AISF) -- the student wing of the Communist Party of India(CPI) with no Maoist or secessionist ideology and is the mildest of all Left parties. The Delhi High Court on Tuesday refused an NIA probe into the alleged anti-national activities at the Jawaharlal Nehru University campus. Justice Manmohan dismissed the plea terming it premature and said the police has already been investigating the issue. Read more: DU prof Geelani arrested: Who started the JNU fire and why its burning The incident took place only on February 9. This court is confident that Delhi Police will investigate all the aspects. The petitioner approached the court without making any representation to any government authorities. The petition is premature, said the court. I am not interfering at this stage. Let the Delhi Police investigate it. Its too early. Incident took place on February 9 only, the court said dismissing the plea. Read more: He organised the event: Why DU lecturer Geelani was arrested in JNU row Centres counsel Anil Soni and Delhi Polices counsel Rahul Mehra told the court that anti-national slogans were shouted in the campus and police is investigating who instigated it and who were behind it. The plea sought National Investigation Agency (NIA) probe and judicial inquiry into the alleged anti-national activities at the JNU here. Advocate Ranjana Agnihotri also sought the appointment of a judicial commission to look into the February 9 incidents on the JNU campus. Jawaharlal Nehru University Students Union president Kanhaiya Kumar was arrested in a sedition case on February 12 after an event held on the university campus against hanging of parliament attack convict Afzal Guru. On February 12, Kumar was remanded to a three-day police custody by a court here. On Monday, his police custody was extended by two days. At JNU, something has changed. The writings on the wall say it all. Till a week ago, student parties inside the campus fought with each other, battled for space on the wall next to the iconic 24x7 eatery to stick their posters each for a cause they believed was greater than the others. All that is gone. The parties are still ideologically different, but are now fighting for the same cause. The arrest of JNUs student union president Kanhaiya Kumar the first such incident in the last 41 years has united all the parties minus ABVP. The long line of police barricades outside the main gate of the campus is a constant reminder that they are being watched. Sunday afternoons human chain, to show support for Kumar, was one of the longest students have seen till date. On the wall outside the 24x7 eatery, a notice calling students for a trek to Himachal Pradesh is half torn and covered by a Democratic Students Union poster urging everyone to come together to fight the injustice done to Kumar. Neatly pasted next to the DSU poster without covering a word is a poster by the Oriya students Union that demands that sedition charges against Kumar be dropped. Another poster by the Students Federation of India asks students to protest against the ways of the saffron rule. The workers at the 24x7 eatery find it funny. Till some days ago, these parties would accuse their rival of tearing their posters. They would also accuse us of being mute spectators. Now they all have the same demands. Never have I seen so much discipline here, said one worker. Former students union president VLeninKumar has not left the administration block since the day Kumar was arrested. Lenin has been discussing freedom of expression and sedition charges with colleagues from other parties. He is our student leader. Everyones stand is the same here. No one supports the anti-India slogans but the government action is uncalled for, he said. Read| We need thinking spaces like JNU and the govt must stay out of it A hostel night celebration at the Periyar hostel in JNU. (HT Photo ) Night life is a thing of the past JNU may be trending on Twitter round-the-clock and making headlines, but the guards at the university say the nights have become unusually quiet. It wasnt like this. Security guards say until a week ago, they were more active and vigilant at nights when students came out for tea, late night walks and discussions at the famous Ganga Dhaba. On Monday night, only two customers sat in the iconic eatery sipping tea on one of the rocks under a tree. The same rocks have witnessed heated late-night political meetings and discussions for decades now. A young man who spoke to this correspondent said he was not interested in politics. Everyone is sleeping now. The student politicians know they have to wake up early in the morning and prepare for the protests. It is hard to believe that students are sleeping early to prepare for the next day. It was just the opposite before Kumars arrest. Discussion would happen late at night, go on for hours. The routine inside JNU has changed, he said. Read| Not anti-India: JNU teachers join strike, to take nationalism classes While many choose rally march and slogan to show anger against the arrest of JNUSUs Kanhaiya Kumar, many at the JNU campus chose to spread the message through posters and music. (Sanjeev Verma / HT Photo ) Life goes on. Its JNU after all But the raging protests have left some people untouched. When on Monday night, news anchors were crying themselves hoarse on primetime television, a group of students at the Periyar hostel were busy preparing for Natraj 2016 - the annual hostel night celebration. At midnight, more than two hundred students were present outside the Periyar hostel, soaking in the excitement of the night in front of a makeshift stage. Students danced till late in the night. The crowd jeered a student who failed to amuse them with his nasal voice and a guitar that wouldnt give out the right notes. Here Kanhaiya Kumar was not relevant. Politics could wait. Read?| What really happened on the night of Feb 9: A JNU student recounts SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON For the fifth time in a row, BJP won the Ghaziabad mayors seat with its candidate Ashu Verma being declared the winner on Tuesday afternoon. The BJP has won the seat in succession since the post was created in 1995. This by-election was necessitated after former mayor Kamboj died of prolonged illness in last August. Before Kamboj, late Damyanti Goyal held the post and before her, BJP leader Dinesh Chand Garg retained the seat on two successive occasions. In the counting of votes held at Govind Puram on Tuesday, Verma beat his nearest rivals, Sudhan Rawat from Samajwadi Party and Lal Man from the Indian National Congress. Verma secured 1,15,879 votes of a total of 2,27,435 votes polled in the election held on February 14. Rawat came in second with 70,651 votes and Lal Man came in third with 23,317 votes. The polling in the city, which has a population of 11,77,276, was low at 18.54%. Bhupendra Pinki from the organisation Hindu Raksha Dal stood as an Independent candidate and came in fourth with 10,571 votes. In the counting process that lasted 20 rounds, Verma maintained a lead over his 11 rivals till the 19th round when Rawat secured more votes than him. Verma again took the lead in the 20th round and was declared the winner. The poll result has come as a major setback for SP candidate Rawat who had also lost the last mayoral election in 2012 when he was beaten by BJP candidate Teluram Kamboj. In 2014, Rawat tried his luck and contested the Lok Sabha elections on an SP ticket from Ghaziabad, but stood fourth after General (retired) VK Singh won by a huge margin on a BJP ticket. This time, the ruling SP yet again fielded Rawat, but he failed to secure a victory. Speaking on his plans as mayor, Verma said, My priority is to clean Ghaziabad, which will include undertaking works related to improving the traffic conditions, resolving sewer-related issues, providing clean drinking water and promoting a green environment, Verma said. He said since the Ghaziabad municipal corporation is facing a fund crunch, his priority will also be to get nearly Rs. 400 crore from the infrastructure development fund released from Lucknow for Ghaziabad. Five policemen have been booked under Section 223 of the IPC for negligence of duty after an undertrial, admitted to the civil hospital here for a regular check-up, escaped on Monday morning by giving a slip to the cops on duty. Sohan Lal, 50, was booked under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act , by the district police in October last year. Station house officer (SHO) Harvinder Sra said, The undertrial was admitted to the civil hospital on Thursday for a regular check up. However, we are hopeful that he will be nabbed soon. This is not an isolated case of undertrials escaping from police custody here. Last year in May, an undertrial, in a double murder case, had escaped from the civil hospital, though he was nabbed soon after. The security and safety of prisoners and undertrials is the responsibility of the jails department. They are also responsible for medication and safety of prisoners. But, this responsibility is also given to the police department, which is already overburdened due to the shortage of manpower, said an officer, who wished to stay anonymous. Another officer suggested that a small hospital inside the prison can resolve the issue. If we have a small hospital inside the hospital, then prisoners will not be travelling from the jail to the civil hospital even for minor problems. The jail superintendent could not be reached for comments. In the end, the wind in the whistle proved to be just some hot air. That was the election symbol of Sumail Singh Sidhu, the academic-activist who contested as an independent in the Khadoor Sahib assembly bypoll. In the contest won by the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), Sumail - the Aam Aadmi Partys (AAP) former Punjab convener - came in fourth on the tally with just 2,243 votes out of the 1.09 lakh counted, a mere 2% share. This was even below the 2,252 that went to the NOTA option, with people choosing None Of The Above. The SADs Ravinder Singh Brahmpura at 83,080 got nearly 76% of all votes counted, in what was a low-key affair after a boycott by the Congress and absence of the AAP; the polling percentage had come down significantly. Second on the tally was Congress rebel Bhupinder Singh with 17,416. All other candidates lost their deposit since none got more than 6% votes required to salvage the deposit. Sumail, a doctorate-holder from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), Delhi, has been a sympathiser of communist activism. He had been undertaking his poll campaign under the banner of Punjab Sanjhiwal Morcha to give an impression that struggle against the excesses of the established parties are sanjha (common). Although the Left, including the Communist Party of India, Communist Party of India (Marxist) and Communist Party of India (Marxist-Punjab) had announced to stay away from the fray, its cadres in the segment were reportedly supporting him. Brahmpura takes Khadoor Sahib: Scale of win will make SAD happier The farmer and labour wings of some of these parties have even openly announced to support him. In the absence of another AAP dissident Bhai Baldeep Singh, whose nomination papers were rejected over a technicality, he was also trying to get the AAP supporters into his fold. The AAP dissenter had been claiming that he is not new for the local AAP volunteers as he remained its state-convener and paid many visits to the constituency earlier. During the campaign, the volunteers of Punjab Sanjhiwal Morcha (PSM) could be seen distributing whistles (Sidhus election symbol), to the youngsters and children to make it popular among the voters. Sidhus aide and former leader of left wing student outfit Punjab Students Union (PSU), Beant Singh, had told HT that they had purchased as many as 20,000 whistles of black colour for distribution. Out of that, 5,000 have been distributed so far. We prefer black colour, as it is symbol of resentment against the government, he added. In the end, he got much fewer votes than the whistles distributed. SAD candidate Ravinder Singh Brahmpura wins Khadoor Sahib bypoll Despite there being no opposition in fray, the resounding, one-sided victory of Ravinder Singh Brahmpura in the Khadoor Sahib assembly bypoll could prove to be a morale-booster for the rank and file of the ruling Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD). The ruling partys own tally goes up to 60 now, one more than a simple majority in the House of 117; its partner BJP has 12, while the Congress is now down to 42, and three seats remain with independents. In the absence of two key players - Congress and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) - from the contest, the challenge before the SAD was to convert what looked like an easy win anyway into a massive victory. By winning this traditionally rural constituency of Majha that has a deep-seated Panthic ethos with a huge margin of 65,664 votes - the SAD got nearly 76% of the votes counted - the SAD would like it to be seen as a loud message about its grip over the electorate in spite of an anti-incumbency sentiment. The Khadoor Sahib bypoll was the first electoral test for Akalis following a series of sacrilege incidents of the Guru Granth Sahib in November last which had triggered protests across the state against the Parkash Singh Badal government. The sitting Congress MLA, Ramanjit Singh Sikki, had resigned on the same issue, leading to the bypoll. The Congress, however, boycotted the election citing inaction in the sacrilege incidents. The victory margin of the Brahmpura Junior - his father is MP Ranjit Singh Brahmpura - is significant keeping in view the fact that in the 2012 assembly elections Congress Sikki had won this seat by 3,054 votes. While Sikki was polled 66,902 votes, Ranjit Brahmpura had got 63,848 votes. Out of the total 1.09 lakh votes that came up for counting, 83,080 voted for Brahmpura, 17,416 for Bittu, an independent candidate and a Congress rebel. Meanwhile, former AAP state convener Sumail Singh Sidhu, who contested as an independent candidate, could only get 2243 votes, which was lower than the number of voters who pressed the NOTA (None Of The Above) button at 2252. Also Read: SAD candidate Ravinder Singh Brahmpura wins Khadoor Sahib bypoll AAP rebel Sumail Singh loses to NOTA, whistle blew just hot air The constituency had seen low voter turnout of 58.46% on Saturday. This was much lower than the 80.74% recorded in 2012, and even the 68.94% recorded in this segment during the Lok Sabha polls in 2014. Earlier, Sikki too had appealed voters to stay away from the polling process, as the government had allegedly made no attempts to identify and apprehend the miscreants who were behind the sacrilege of the Guru Granth Sahib in Baath village in Khadoor Sahib, last year. With the general elections to the state assembly scheduled in early next year, the Akalis made all out appeals to the 1.87 lakh electorates to move out of their homes and head for the polling stations. All through the polling day, Akali leaders were seen asking the voters to exercise their franchise. Barring the loss suffered in 2012 from Khadoor Sahib and from the Valtoha (now Khem Karan) assembly segment in 2002, SAD has never lost any other assembly poll from the Jat-Sikh dominated Tarn Taran district since 1997. The poll percentage had never dipped to such a low in the byelections held in Dasuya, Moga, Talwandi Sabo, Patiala and Dhuri assembly constituency in the recent past. VOTES POLLED While the ruling Akali Dal candidate Ravinder Singh Brahmpura was polled 83,080 votes, all the five independents and BSP (Ambedkar) candidate together were polled 19037 votes in this one sided contest. Of the total 19037 votes polled for independents, the Congress rebel Bhupinder Singh got 17,416 votes. Interestingly, 2252 voters pressed the None of the Above buttons. Hence, SAD candidate was declared winner by a margin of 65,664 votes. Total votes polled: 1,09,593 None of the Above: 2252 Total Valid Votes: 107341 SAD: 83080 BSP (Ambedkar) Puran Singh Seikh: 1815 INDEPENDENTS Bhupinder Singh: 17416 Dr Sumail Singh Sidhu: 2243 Anantjit Singh Sandhu: 1621 Sukhdev Singh Khosla: 677 Harjit Singh: 489 (Inputs by HTC) SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON A fresh round of agitation by Jats which erupted in Haryana over their demand to get reservation in jobs and educational institutions under the other backward classes (OBCs) has perplexed the first time BJP government in the state. The acerbic remarks of anti-quota proponent BJP MP, Rajkumar Saini and his war of words with finance minister Capt Abhimanyu, himself a Jat leader, over the quota issue has not helped the ruling partys cause either. While the Jat leaders in the BJP were able to convince the quota supporters laying siege to railway tracks in Hisars Mayyar to lift their dharna, another set of Jats have laid siege at Rohtak, blocking roads leading to the national capital and railway tracks. Thats not all. UP-based chief of All India Jat Aarakshan Sangharsh Samiti Yashpal Malik has reiterated his resolve to lay siege at Mayyar on February 21. The opposition parties the Congress and the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) have blamed the BJP government for not being able to address the issue appropriately. Former chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda even took credit for resolving the reservation issue amicably during his rule. Supreme court quashed OBC quota for Jats The Supreme Court had in March 2015 quashed the decision of the Congress-led UPA government at the Centre to provide reservation to Jats under OBC of the central government. In their order justices Ranjan Gogoi and Rohinton Fali Nariman of the apex court said: We cannot agree with the view taken by the Union government that Jats in nine states in question is a backward community so as to be entitled to inclusion in the central lists of OBCs. The view taken by the National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC) to the contrary is adequately supported by good and acceptable reasons which furnished a sound and reasonable basis for further consequential action on the part of the Union government. In the above situation we cannot hold the notification of March 4, 2014 to be justified. Accordingly the aforesaid notification including the Jats in the central list of Other Backward Classes for Bihar, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, NCT of Delhi, Bharatpur and Dholpur districts of Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand is set aside and quashed. Haryana special backward class quota also stayed Another expected setback to the Jats came in the form of the order of the Punjab and Haryana High court in July 2015 which stayed the decision of the Hooda government to grant 10% reservation to Jats, Jat-Sikhs, Bishnois, Rors and Tyagis under the special backward classes (SBC) category. Also Read: Jat quota demand divides Haryana BJP The reservation was given by Haryana on the basis of Justice KC Gupta Commissions report. The said report was not accepted by Supreme Court, whereby reservation for Jat community in the central list of Other Backward Classes was set aside. Keeping in view the apex courts judgment; the fact that Justice KC Gupta Commissions report was not accepted by SC, and also keeping in view the dismissal of review application by the SC, we restrain Haryana to give any employment in government service and admission in educational institution on the basis of the impugned notifications, said a HC bench of justices SK Mittal and HS Sidhu. Political maneuvering Practically, there is nothing much that the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre and Manohar Lal Khattar government in Haryana can do to address the quota demands of Jats, except, may be, save the situation by offering far-fetched assurances such as if the Jats in other eight states get reservation under OBC quota, then Jats of Haryana would also be included in the OBC list. It is like a game of who blinks first. Also Read: Railway tracks blocked, Haryana Jats vow to hold statewide protest The Jats are arm twisting the government. The state government does not seem to have any option but to try to calm them down to avoid violence and bloodshed, said an official posted in a district and privy to negotiations on quota. SC hit the nail on the head While the Congress led UPA government, with an eye on forthcoming Lok Sabha polls in 2014, had ignored the NCBC advice (NCBC rejected the request for inclusion of Jats in the central list of OBC) and ordered reservation for Jats, the Supreme court in its March 2015 order virtually sealed the issue. The observations in Indra Sawhney case and the expressed provisions contained in Section 9 of the NCBC Act clearly indicate that the advice tendered by the NCBC is ordinarily binding on the government meaning thereby that the same can be overruled or ignored only for strong and compelling reasons, expected to be available in writing, the apex court ruled. Jats power quotient Jats constitute 26% of Haryanas electorate and is the single most powerful and politically influential community. There are 25 to 30 assembly seats (out of a total 90) in the state where Jat and Jat Sikh candidates are fielded in assembly polls as they affect the poll outcome. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON At least 12 trains were cancelled while more than 80 others were affected as Jats stir entered third day on Tuesday. Despite police registering complaints against around 50 named and 500 unidentified Jat leaders, the protest escalated on Tuesday morning as protesters blocked all the highways and railway tracks connecting the city. Besides rail blockade at Ismaila, protestors also sealed Rohtak-Panipat railway track at Ghillod village near Gohana. Delhi-Rohtak NH10, Rohtak-Jhajjar NH71, Rohtak-Sonepat Road, Rohtak-Bhiwani Road and Rohtak-Hisar Road were barricaded at every two kilometres by protesters. We want ministers to start the paper work right now and show us the stamps on proposals in favour of Jat reservation. Only then we lift the blockade, Pappu Pehelwan, one of the leaders who have blocked NH-10 in Sampla. Many Jat student associations also joined the protest on Monday evening and laid siege in various villages across the district. According to residents, announcements were made in villages asking for Jat youths to come out on roads and fight for their rights. Children as young as six-year-olds, were also seen laying siege to their villages giving a tough time to the commuters. Meanwhile, several schools declared holiday due to the stir. More than 700 trucks ran aground while thousands remained stranded as the protesters closed all the alternate routes to leave the city. Senior Khap leaders who had been protesting peacefully inside Chhotu Ram memorial said police and crime investigation department (CID) officials have asked lift the blockade. We are not afraid of police and would not step back, they said. The protesting Jat leaders have started collecting donations to arrange for their food and bedding. While those blocking railway track at Ismaila have already set up a roof top tent, talks were on at Sampla to arrange for comfortable beddings for a long-term protest. Also Read: BJP in a fix over Jat quota row SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The controversy over sloganeering at Jawahar Lal Nehru University at New Delhi reached Ludhiana with organisations protesting against those who have been arrested for the alleged seditious act. Punjab Shiv Sena chairman Rajiv Tandon and Ludhiana district president Prince Sharma condemned the incident, stating that strict action should be taken against the students who had raised slogans at the university. He said it was surprising that Congress party was supporting those who had raised such slogans. Sharma said if action was not taken against the culprits, Raising slogans against our own country would become a common thing in our country. There may be dissent among the students but they should not have raised slogans asking for destruction of India. The Shiromani Akali Dal-Bharatiya Janata Party (SAD-BJP) leadership on Monday held a meeting at the residence of Union finance minister Arun Jaitley in Delhi and decided to form a joint state-level coordination committee to resolve all issues concerning the alliance. It was decided by senior leaders of both parties to have a committee to deliberate upon some contentious issues between the alliance partners. The committee members will be announced soon after a meeting in Chandigarh in a week, state BJP chief Kamal Sharma told HT. The meeting that lasted for one and half hours was attended by Jaitley, SAD president Sukhbir Badal, SADs Rajya Sabha MP Naresh Gujral, BJP national organisational secretary Ram Lal, BJP Punjab affairs in-charge Parbhat Jha, Kamal Sharma, BJP Rajya Sabha member Avinash Rai Khanna and Punjab cabinet ministers Madan Mohan Mittal, Surjit Jyani, Anil Joshi among others. Sources in the BJP said various issues concerning the alliance were discussed in the meeting. Sources said Sukhbir promised to address the concerns raised by the state BJP leadership, but he strongly raised the issue of few Punjab leaders criticising the SAD in the media, especially by chief parliamentary secretary (CPS) and BJP MLA Navjot Kaur Sidhu. CPS Sidhus frequent barbs against the SAD-BJP leadership are causing a huge embarrassment to the alliance in Punjab. No action has been initiated against her and no efforts have been made by the BJP to ask her to restrain. She is fully enjoying the government facilities as a CPS and is openly asking the people to vote for the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Sukhbir reportedly told the BJP leadership. To this, the BJP leaders said they were seized of the matter and assured to act tough. SAD Rajya Sabha member Naresh Gujral said the alliance partners decided to bury the past conflicts to work in a united manner. Since the SAD-BJP will contest the assembly polls together, the leaders discussed the future course of action. It was also decided that before going to with the media on issues concerning the alliance, both the parties will discuss it on the joint forum at the state level, said Gujral. The state BJP leaders raised the issue of interference by Akalis in the departments held by their ministers. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON It belies the claims of Punjab health minister Surjit Kumar Jyani about the mass distribution of these pairs of spectacles after eyesight examination in all districts. The pairs are free of cost under the National Programme for the Control of Blindness (NPCB), to which the Centre contributes 70%. The state health department had a target of examining 1.33 lakh children in the academic session 2015-16. Of almost 1 lakh children screened by last December, more than 30,000 had poor eyesight but only 16,000-odd received the free corrective aid. Another 3,500 cases of weak vision came to light in January. Sources observing the programme said that since last November, the state government had not sanctioned the civil surgeons in all 22 districts any money for the pairs of spectacles. The NPCB is on in the state since the early 1980s. State programme officer Dr Rakesh Gupta blamed the delay in delivery on the decision to do it from one point instead of from each district, to reduce cost and get a better quality of eyeglasses. The decision came last October, in a meeting where principal secretary for health Vini Mahajan and other senior officers observed the price difference in glasses across districts and how it was making it difficult to manage expenses, said Dr Gupta, adding: All identified children will be covered within this week. A pair of spectacles now costs less than Rs 150. The price varied between Rs 150 and Rs 250 earlier in different districts. The highest number of poor-vision cases were detected in Tarn Taran (nearly 3,900), followed by Patiala (nearly 3,600) and Amritsar (nearly 2,900). SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Two unidentified motorcycle-borne men shot at the district in-charge of Shiv Sena (Uttar Bharat), a faction of the Shiv Sena, Deepak Kamboj, 35, here on Tuesday afternoon. Kamboj, whose father Vinay Jalandhari is the chief of the outfit, received bullet injury below the knee on his right leg. He was attacked outside the Shiv Jyoti Public School in Deen Dayal Upadhyay Nagar of the city, when he had gone to pick up his two children from school. The footage of a CCTV camera installed outside a nearby house showed two men with hoods on their heads, riding a Yamaha FZ silver-red bike, stopping for a few seconds (2.41pm) near a park, probably near Deepak, who is not visible though. As per eyewitnesses, the one riding pillion fired three shots at Deepak and the duo fled. Two of shots, however, missed the target. Injured, Deepak called his younger brother Vikas, who, along with his father, reached the spot and took him to a hospital. Soon, a battery of police officials reached the crime scene. The cops scanned the footages of CCTV cameras installed outside the school and nearby houses. A shell was also recovered from the site. Prominent among those who visited Deepak in the hospital were Jalandhar North MLA and CPS KD Bhandari, deputy commissioner Kamal Kishore Yadav and police commissioner Yurinder Singh Hayer. As per details, Deepak had been provided security, but his gunmen were not with him on Tuesday. Claiming that his son had received threats from Khalistani outfits earlier this month, including a call from Pakistan, Vinay Jalandhari said they had lodged lodged complaints with the police against the threats. He said eight months ago, the police had withdrawn the escort vehicle provided to the family. Sarrainodu, the Allu Arjun-starrer Telugu actioner, will feature a song shot in a set erected at the cost of Rs 1.5 crore. The special song, featuring the films lead pair, is being shot over the last two days. A special number featuring Arjun and Catherine Tresa is currently being shot in this Rs 1.5 crore set in Annapurna 7 acres studio. It also features over 300 dancers matching steps with the lead pair. The song is expected to be wrapped up in the next three days, said a source from the films unit. The song is being choreographed by popular Bollywood choreographer duo Bosco-Caesar. The makers have also hired Lamborghini cars to be used as part of this shoot. Read: Telugu star Allu Arjun to sing in Sarainodu The Rs 1.5 crore song from the film stars Allu Arjun and Catherine Tresa. (CatherineTresa/Facebook) The song is coming out very well. Its going to be a visual treat to watch Arjun groove to this track, the source added. Read: Films let me push my limits as an artist, says Catherine Tresa Directed by Boyapati Srinu, the film also stars Rakul Preet Singh and Aadi Pinisetty in important roles. The film, which has music by SS Thaman, is being bankrolled by producer Allu Aravind under Geetha Arts banners. ott:10:ht-entertainment_listing-desktop Chinas maritime disputes in the South China Sea are expected to figure in a joint communique the US and ASEAN nations will issue later on Tuesday. But the message is likely to be a broad one, given how the 10 ASEAN nations at the summit hosted by President Barack Obama are divided over China, its rise and claims. The summit, which has barely received any attention in US, is aimed at highlighting Obamas key foreign policy initiative, the Asia pivot, but China is likely to loom large over it. Officials strenuously denied in the run-up to the summit, being held on a vast ranch in California, that it would be about China, but conceded it would figure for sure. Here at this summit, we can advance our shared vision of a regional order where international rules and norms, including freedom of navigation, are upheld and where disputes are resolved through peaceful, legal means, Obama said on Monday, opening the first ASEAN-only summit held in the US. India, which is an ASEAN+6 member, will be following the summit closely and looking out for references to the South China Sea dispute, which has begun figuring in its joint statements with the US in recent years, starting with Prime Minister Narendra Modis first meeting with Obama in DC in 2014. China has claimed historical right to most of the South China Sea and built seven islands, some with airstrips, in the Spratly archipelago. Five ASEAN countries including the Philippines and Malaysia have rival claims. Vietnam on Monday urged the US to play a stronger role in the dispute. Two other ASEAN members, Laos and Cambodia, which have strong ties with China, are expected to push back at the summit, toning down the message. Former president George W Bush returned to campaigning Monday for the first after leaving office in 2009 to stump for his brother Jeb Bush, whose bid for the White House is in a bit of trouble. The older Bush was funny, as most people remembered him; self-deprecating, also a known trait; and witheringly scornful of Donald Trump without naming him, and that was new. He invoked India, whose ostracism from the comity of nuclear powers he ended with a path-breaking nuclear agreement in 2008, but in a completely different, homegrown, context. Thank goodness our country welcomed her parents from India when they immigrated here in 1969, he said at a South Carolina rally about Nikki Haley, the states Indian-origin governor. He met Haley earlier in the day to, every commentator agreed, seek the endorsement of a governor who is polling 80% in popularity and is on everyones list as a vice presidential candidate. On Monday night, George W made news, however, as someone selflessly looking out for his younger brother, keenly aware of his troubles and determined to deal with them. These are tough times and I know that Americans are angry, but we do not need someone in the Oval Office who mirrors and inflames our anger and our frustrations, the former president told a rally in South Carolina, ahead of the Republican primary in that state on Saturday. After leaving office, the former president deliberately kept out of politics, perhaps because of a term still judged harshly by most, but made an exception for his brother. The Washington Post, citing friends of the former president, said he as well his father George H W Bush, the 41st US president has been bewildered by the rise of Trump, the front-runner. Trump may have prompted that. He has trashed Jeb Bush, his family father, brother and mother for a while now, without getting a push back as strong as now. The turnout at the rally, experts noted, was larger than anything Jeb Bush, running to be the third Bush in the White House, has attracted on the campaign trail. The candidate also delivered, as was widely acknowledged, his strongest speech yet, possibly because of the presence of his brother, with the former first lady Laura Bush on the stage. Jeb Bush, a two-term Florida governor, needs to finish in the top three to remain in the race with a credible chance. He is currently polling fifth in the RealClearPolitics average of polls. His war chest is large enough to last a while, but pressure will start mounting on him to leave the race if he performs as badly in South Carolina as in Iowa and New Hampshire. The former president is a controversial figure even among Republicans but remains popular among military personnel and their families, and South Carolina has eight military bases. The former president opened with his familiarly self-deprecating remarks he said he had written two books since retiring, surprising those who thought he couldnt read leave alone write. Former UN secretary-general Boutros Boutros-Ghali, whose term was marked by war in the former Yugoslavia and famine and genocide in Africa, has died, the president of the Security Council said on Tuesday. He was 93. The 15-member Security Council observed a minutes silence after the death was announced by Venezuelan UN Ambassador Rafael Dario Ramirez Carreno, head of the Security Council for February. No details were given. An Egyptian, Boutros-Ghali served as UN chief from 1992 to 1996. As the United Nations first secretary-general from Africa, Boutros-Ghali associated himself with the famine in Somalia and organized the first massive UN relief operation in the Horn of Africa nation. But success eluded him there and elsewhere as the United Nations tottered in an increasingly disorderly post-communist world, with the world body and the big Security Council powers underestimating the deep animosity behind many conflicts. He had a reputation for being prickly, and US displeasure with him was the driving force in his departure. Earlier, Boutros-Ghali had worked for Egyptian presidents Anwar Sadat and Hosni Mubarak. He accompanied Sadat on the historic 1977 visit to Jerusalem and played a prominent role in the subsequent Camp David accords on the Middle East. A BBC report alleging that pope John Paul II had a close relationship with a married woman lasting 30 years was dismissed by Polands national library as a Valentines Day joke. Its a rather bad joke, said Tomasz Makowski, director of the library in the BBC documentary aired on Monday that was based on more than 350 letters written by Karol Wojtyla both as a cardinal and pope. The documentary sourced the letters from the librarys archives in Warsaw, the first dated in 1973 and the last a few months before his death in 2005. Makowski noted that the Polish communist secret police, known as the SB, had microphones everywhere spying on priests. If there was anything going on, the SB would have known and used it ... A British journalist managed to find information that the SB couldnt? he told AFP. The documentary says the pope did not break his vows of celibacy, but at the same time it suggests exactly the opposite, said Makowski, adding that he has read all the letters in their original Polish. The BBC journalist who compiled the documentary said the Polish-born Anna-Teresa Tymieniecka and the future pope were more than friends but less than lovers. The library director showed AFP two letters written by the pope to Tymieniecka, including one in which he sends his blessings to her husband and three children. Makowski said photos of the pair shown by the BBC misrepresent them as being alone in secluded areas. In reality, the pictures were taken on kayaking and hiking trips that involved a larger group of friends, he said. Makowski also stressed that a term of endearment used by Wojtyla in which he referred to Tymieniecka as a gift from God, was something he said routinely to friends. Those who dont understand this, will draw conclusions that have no basis in reality. John Paul wasnt afraid of being in contact with women, whether they be nuns or lay people, he was in the habit of holding their hands and caressing their cheeks. A close associate of John Paul II told AFP on Monday it was possible the married philosopher had fallen in love with Wojtyla before he became head of the Roman Catholic church. Women fall in love with priests all the time, and its always a big headache, Adam Boniecki, editor-in-chief of the progressive Tygodnik Powszechny Catholic weekly, told AFP. If she was in love with Wojtyla, she was most likely not alone, said Boniecki, himself the author of a detailed account of the pope-turned-saints life. Pakistan is ready to forge cooperative relations with India provided New Delhi gives the slightest hint it is willing to do so, a top Pakistani official has said in Beijing. India and Pakistan cannot afford to have a tense and hostile relation, Tariq Fatemi, special assistant to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on foreign affairs, told Chinese state media during his recent visit. Fatemi, who was in Beijing earlier this month for a three-day visit, indicated a planned meeting of the foreign secretaries of the two sides will take place soon. China and Pakistan are all weather partners that are set to celebrate the 65th anniversary of establishing bilateral diplomatic ties. In an interview published in state-run Global Times on Tuesday, Fatmei said Sharif has always been eager to begin dialogue with India. The PMs policies regarding India are very well known. There is nothing hidden about it. He publicly says he wants good relations with India and this has been his belief for many years, Fatemi said. Every time he has come to power, he reaches out to the Indian leadership. He tries to initiate a dialogue process with India. Read: India-Pak talks not dependent on Pathankot probe, says Indian envoy Good relations, Fatemi said, are important for both countries. Relations between Pakistan and India are essential, not for one but for both countries. He added: The important thing is that if there is even the slightest hint of an interest in cooperative relations coming out of India, we are ready to respond. We are also hoping that very soon the meeting at the level of the foreign sectaries will also take place (and) that will mean the beginning of formal dialogue. Neither country can afford a relationship of tension and hostility. Fatemi described Prime Minister Narendra Modis unannounced visit to Lahore in December as a positive development. It was a surprise, unofficial and informal visit by Modi. He arrived on a day that happened to be the birthday of Pakistans PM, so it was a very warm and friendly atmosphere. He also spoke about the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), saying it includes energy and infrastructure projects and the Gwadar port. The current total package is of about $46 billion, of which $35 billion are envisaged for energy projects, in which Chinese companies will collaborate with Pakistani companies to set up power plants, because power shortage is the biggest challenge that Pakistan is facing currently. The other $11 billion will be loans extended by Chinese financial institutions, he said. Besides upgrading the Gwadar deep port, China and Pakistan will build an international airport in the area. Fatemi said Pakistan is creating a special force comprising 10,000 specially trained personnel to ensure the safety and security of Chinese nationals working in the country. A Bangladeshi court on Tuesday placed three people, including the owner of a book publishing house, in police remand after they were accused of printing books with contents that hurt the religious sentiments of Muslims. Metropolitan magistrate Amirul Islam Chowdhury issued the order after police produced publisher Shamsuzzoha Manik, his office executive Shamsul Alam and Taslim Uddin, the owner of the printing press where the books were printed. Manik will be grilled by police for five days, Uddin for two days and Alam for one day. On Monday, police shut down a stall of Badwip Prokshan, owned by Manik, at a month-long book fair in Dhaka. Six books were seized from the stall and the men were subsequently arrested in separate raids, police said. The arrests were made after some people complained the books focussed on sex, Muslims and perversion in different chapters, Dhaka Metropolitan Police official Abdul Baten told a news conference on Tuesday. He said a book published by Manik included a controversial chapter that translates into sexual perversion of Muslim minds. The three men are facing charges under the countrys information technology act, and would face up to 14 years in jail if they are convicted. The arrests came after a turbulent year in Muslim-majority Bangladesh. Five people, including a publisher and four secular bloggers, were killed, allegedly by Islamist radical groups in 2015. Another publisher was critically injured in an attack in his office last year. Turkey on Monday accused Russia of an obvious war crime after missile attacks in northern Syria killed scores of people, and warned Kurdish militia fighters there they would face the harshest reaction if they tried to capture a town near the Turkish border. An offensive supported by Russian bombing and Iranian-backed Shia militias has brought the Syrian army to within 25 km (15 miles) of Turkeys frontier. The Kurdish YPG militia -- which Turkey regards as a hostile insurgent force -- has exploited the situation, seizing ground from Syrian rebels to extend its presence along the border. Almost 50 civilians were killed when missiles hit at least five medical facilities and two schools in rebel-held areas of Syria on Monday, according to the United Nations, which called the attacks a blatant violation of international law. At least 14 were killed in the northern town of Azaz, the last rebel stronghold before the border with Turkey, when missiles hit a childrens hospital and a school sheltering refugees, a medic and two residents said. Missiles also hit a hospital in the town of Marat Numan in the province of Idlib, south of Aleppo. Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said a Russian missile had hit the buildings and that many civilians including children had been killed. Turkeys foreign ministry accused Russia of carrying out an obvious war crime. But Russian health minister Veronika Skvortsova said Russian air strikes were targeting Islamic State infrastructure and she had no reason to believe that Russian planes had bombed civilian sites in Idlib. We are confident that (there is) no way could it be done by our defence forces. This contradicts our ideology, she said in Geneva. Syrias ambassador to Russia said US war planes were responsible. White House national security adviser Susan Rice on Monday condemned in the strongest terms the intensified bombing of northern Syria, adding that it ran counter to commitments to reduce hostilities made by major powers last week in Munich. The Syrian civil war, reshaped by Russias intervention last September, has gone into an even higher gear since the United Nations sought to revive peace talks. The talks in Geneva were suspended earlier this month before they got off the ground. World powers agreed in Munich on Friday to a cessation of hostilities in Syria to allow humanitarian aid to be delivered, but the deal does not take effect until the end of this week and was not signed by any warring parties. Turkey shelled YPG positions for a third-straight day on Monday to try to stop its fighters seizing Azaz, just 8km from the border. Ankara fears the Kurdish militia, backed by Russia, is trying to secure the last stretch of around 100km along the Syrian border not already under its control. We will not allow Azaz to fall, Davutoglu told reporters on his plane on the way to Ukraine. If they approach again they will see the harshest reaction, he said. The standoff has increased the risk of direct confrontation between Russia and Nato member Turkey. UN envoy in Damascus UN Syria envoy Staffan de Mistura made a surprise visit to Damascus on Monday and will hold talks with Syrias foreign minister on Tuesday, a Syrian government official told Reuters. A senior UN official later confirmed that de Mistura had arrived in Syria for an unscheduled visit to follow up on commitments made in Munich. But in a further clouding of the Munich deal, Syrian President Bashar al Assad said on Monday that any ceasefire did not mean each side had to stop using weapons, and that nobody was capable of securing the conditions for one within a week. At a news conference in Kiev, Turkeys Prime Minister doubted Russias commitment to any deal to cease hostilities, pointing to comments from Moscow that it would continue its air strikes regardless. They want to have just two options in front of the international community: Daesh or Assad, Davutoglu said, using an Arabic acronym for Islamic State. Turkey is enraged by the expansion of Kurdish influence in northern Syria, fearing it will encourage separatist ambitions among its own restive Kurds. Ankara considers the YPG a terrorist group. Davutoglu said Turkey would make the Menagh air base north of the city of Aleppo unusable if the YPG, which seized it over the weekend from Syrian insurgents, did not withdraw. Turkish defence minister Ismet Yilmaz said Ankara was not considering sending troops to Syria, according to the state-run Anadolu Agency. Syrias rebels, some backed by the United States, Turkey and their allies, say the YPG is fighting with the Syrian military and its backers - including Russia - against them in the five-year-old civil war. The YPG denies this. South of Azaz, the Kurdish-backed Syria Democratic Forces (SDF) alliance, of which the YPG is a member, took around 70% of the town of Tal Rifaat, according to the Syrian Observatory, which monitors the war. Hospitals hit Tens of thousands have fled to Azaz from towns and villages where there is heavy fighting between the Syrian army and militias. We have been moving scores of screaming children from the hospital, said medic Juma Rahal, following the missile strikes. At least two children were killed and ambulances ferried scores of injured people to Turkey for treatment, he said. French charity Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) said seven people were killed and at least eight staff were missing after missiles hit a hospital in the province of Idlib, west of Aleppo, in a separate incident. The author of the strike is clearly ... either the government or Russia, MSF president Mego Terzian said. Turkish warplanes repeatedly entered Greek airspace on Monday, the state ANA news agency said, as Nato prepared to deploy ships to the Aegean Sea against migrant smugglers. The Athens News Agency said six warplanes and a navy transport plane had carried out over 20 violations of Greek national airspace near the eastern and central Aegean islands. Two of the planes were armed and mock dogfights occurred on two occasions when Greek fighters moved to intercept, the agency said. No live rounds were exchanged. The incident occurred as a Nato naval group was to launch patrols in the waters between the two countries to deter people-smugglers facilitating the influx of hundreds of thousands of refugees and migrants into Europe. Albeit Nato allies, Greece and Turkey have a fraught history going back centuries and remain at loggerheads over territorial and airspace rights in the Aegean. Athens fears that Ankara could exploit the refugee crisis to strengthen its presence in the Aegean, where it claims the waters and airspace surrounding many Greek islands near its coastline. Greece and Turkey nearly went to war over a cluster of uninhabited Aegean Sea islets in 1996. Athens has said it is keen to work with Turkey on stamping out people-smuggling networks, but it wants Ankara to apply a bilateral agreement on migrant re-admission which is currently all but inactive. Thousands of migrants are still crossing the Aegean daily from Turkey -- with many dying in the attempt -- after over a million made the perilous journey last year. In a sobering reminder of the cost of war, a report released by the U.N. on Feb. 14 shows 3,545 Afghan civilians killed in 2015 while 7,457 were wounded. According to the U.N.'s Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, 2015 had the "highest number of total civilian casualties recorded by UNAMA since 2009," reports the Associated Press. Prolonged fighting between Western-backed government forces and insurgent groups, heavy fighting in Kunduz and a wave of suicide bombs, especially in the capital Kabul, contributed to the grim statistics. "The harm done to civilians is totally unacceptable," read a statement by Nicholas Haysom, head of the U.N. Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, according to Reuters. President Ashraf Ghani blamed the Taliban for the deaths and injuries and said that the Taliban "deliberately or indiscriminately" caused harm to civilians. Rejecting the U.N. report and the allegations, the Taliban called the report "propaganda compiled at the behest of occupying forces" and blamed the U.S. and its allies for the rise in casualties. The total number of casualties was 11,002, 4 percent above the 2014 level. Civilian injuries rose by 9 percent, though there were 4 percent fewer deaths. Speaking to journalists, Haysom said that the statistics do not "reflect the real horror of the phenomenon we are talking about. The real cost we are talking about in these figures, is measured in the maimed bodies of children, the communities who have to live with loss, the grief of colleagues and relatives, the families who make do without a breadwinner, the parents who grieve for lost children, the children who grieve for lost parents," reports The New York Times. @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Ukraine's Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk announced on Monday that Russian trucks will not be allowed to enter Ukraine. The announcement came in retaliation of a similar move by Russia. "Ukraine has temporarily suspended ... transit permits for cargo vehicles with Russian registration until it receives an explanation and resolution to this dispute (with Russia)," Yatsenyuk said, according to a government statement, reports Reuters. Reports indicate that Russia had detained 152 Ukraine-registered trucks and banned Ukraine-registered cargo vehicles from entering the country, according to ABC News. On Sunday, the Russian Transport Ministry stopped Ukrainian trucks because Ukrainian activists had been blocking some Russian trucks from entering Ukraine. "Unfortunately the Ukrainian government is incapable of restoring order. The fact that some thugs are holding up trucks with firearms, means that there are no authorities in Ukraine," Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said, according to Business Insider. Russian Deputy Prime Minister Arkady Dvorkovich clarified that the ban would not apply to Ukrainian cargo trucks travelling to Kazakhstan via Russia. @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. A V.A. suicide hotline featured in Oscar-winning documentary "Crisis Hotline: Veterans Press 1" has drawn criticism after investigators found that the helpline was letting calls go straight to voicemail and was struggling with inadequate staff, according to USA Today. Investigators found that calls made to the hotline were transferred to third-party backup crisis centers after the staff at the Department of Veterans Affairs suicide hotline center in Canandaigua, N.Y., were only answering calls that they could handle, according to an inspector general's report. "We substantiated allegations that some calls routed to backup crisis centers were answered by voicemail, and callers did not always receive immediate assistance," the report said. The investigation was conducted "in response to allegations involving unanswered phone calls or calls routed to a voicemail system, lack of immediate assistance to callers, ambulance timeliness, untrained staff, and confusing contact information." "Crisis Hotline: Veterans Press 1" followed the lives of Veterans' Crisis Line counselors who provide round-the-clock support to servicemen. The film won an Academy Award for Best Documentary Short Subject, as HNGN previously reported. The hotline, which was set up in 2007 to deal with the increasing number of suicides among service members, has handled nearly 2 million calls and saves more than 50,000 lives. McDonald: Veterans should have access to VA systems and know where to get accurate answers 24 hours a day. pic.twitter.com/ZhSxrLjOkr Veterans Affairs (@DeptVetAffairs) February 10, 2016 Although the inspector general's report does not state how many calls went unanswered at the New York crisis center's hotline, it did mention that the number of calls that were routed to third party back-up centers has surged from 36,261 in 2013 to 76,887 in 2014. The V.A. assented to the findings of the report and made suggestions to ensure that no calls went unanswered and that the staff was given proper training. V.A. spokesman, Victoria Dillon, said that changes were already underway at the Canandaigua center and efforts to increase the center's workforce were announced about a year ago. "Systems are being reviewed and action plans have been developed to resolve the issues and address the OIG (Officer of Inspector General) recommendations," said Dillon, before assuring that all the improvements will be made by September, USA Today reported. "These improvements are already beginning to show that we are increasing our capacity to speak with the veterans who need us," said V.A. Secretary Robert McDonald in September. @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The United States is set to sign a bilateral agreement on Tuesday that will allow 110 scheduled daily flights from U.S. to Cuba, as part of the two nation's goal to restore ties and loosen up a restriction that has prevented direct travel between the two countries for more than half a century. "The Cuban government (will give) thorough consideration to future requests from the U.S. government to increase this level of service. The two governments reaffirm their commitment to strengthen their already close cooperation in aviation safety and security matters," said Thomas Engle, U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Transportation Affairs, according to AFP. The agreement has been in discussions since last year when U.S. President Barack Obama announced the plan to ease travel restrictions and trade relations with Cuba. The Cuban government will also use the opportunity to enhance its tourism, which has been U.S.-focused, with a lot of American travellers heading for the country before the travel restriction was lifted, even when they would need to pass through other stops like the Bahamas, Canada or Mexico to reach Cuba, according to The Guardian. U.S. airlines including American, Southwest and United are looking to open up routes to Havana later this year, while this spring, Carnival plans to send the first cruise ship in more than 50 years to Cuba, according to Bloomberg News. @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Hillary Clinton predicted Monday that President Barack Obama will nominate a Supreme Court justice who has already gone through a Senate confirmation process before to replace the late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, which would make it harder for Republicans to make good on their promise to block any nomination Obama puts before them. "I think the President's going to look for somebody who has a record that is gonna be hard for the Republicans to be against," Clinton said during a campaign event in Nevada on Monday, CNN reported. "Somebody who is a sensible person with a good record and maybe somebody who's already been confirmed by the Senate." Clinton pointed out that it would be hypocritical to reject some potential candidates because they were confirmed unanimously. "We've got some judges on the courts of appeals, they were confirmed 99 to nothing," Clinton said, the Associated Press reported. "So there people who have already gone through the process." "There are some great other people, great jurists and lawyers and advocates," she added. "So I'm hoping that we get somebody nominated and everybody will say, 'Hey, the only reason to block this is pure partisanship, and so do your duty. This person is well prepared.'" The Democratic front-runner also said that Obama remains president for another 11 months and "has a responsibility" to put forth a new justice. "Barack Obama is president of the United States until January 20, 2017," Clinton said. "That is a fact, my friends, whether the Republicans like it or not. Elections have consequences. The President has a responsibility to nominate a new justice and the Senate has a responsibly to vote. And all of us Democrats, we have a responsibly to make sure a Republican doesn't win in November and rip away all of the progress we have made together." Immediately upon the announcement of Scalia's death, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, along with other Republican leaders, said that the Senate should not confirm a replacement until after the 2016 election. "The American people should have a voice in the selection of their next Supreme Court Justice," McConnell said, Politico reported. "Therefore, this vacancy should not be filled until we have a new president." @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Turkey has accused Russia of barbarism, stressing Tuesday that its bombing campaign in Syria has killed civilians, including children. "Those vile, cruel and barbaric planes have made close to 8,000 sorties since September 30 without any discrimination between civilians and soldiers, or children and the elderly," Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu told his country's parliament, according to AFP. The fresh declaration came after the Prime Minister's earlier statement, which labeled Russia as a terrorist organization. Turkey vehemently opposes the Russian incursion in Syria, particularly the country's support for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Turkey recently alleged that Russia has targeted four hospitals and two schools, The Independent reported. This leveraged Turkey's position that Russia does not make any distinctions between terrorists, rebels and civilians in its air campaign. Russia, for its part, has defended its actions, stressing that it is difficult to distinguish the rebels from the terrorists. "Can you actually tell an ISIS or Daesh member from Jaysh al-Islam or Jabhat al-Nusra members?" Russian Prime Minister Dmitri Medvedev told TIME in an interview. "Can you tell them apart from the way they look? By their ideology? They can't even tell each other apart." The U.S. has called on the two countries to refrain from further escalating tensions in Syria with their rhetoric. "It is important that the Russians and Turks speak directly, and take measures to prevent escalation," a U.S. State Department spokesperson told AFP in a separate report. @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Four U.S. journalists have arrested, questioned and released in Bahrain after being accused of illegally entering the country and gathering with the goal of committing a crime. Bahrain police said that the four were detained and "suspected of offences including entering Bahrain illegally having submitted false information to border staff, and participating in an unlawful gathering," reported Al Jazeera. The police also alleged that one of the journalists took part in an attack on Bahraini officers. The arrests were made on Sunday and the journalists were released on Tuesday, Feb. 14, the anniversary of the island nation's 2011 uprising. One of the journalists has been identified as Anna Therese Day, an American freelance journalist from Boise, Idaho, who has contributed to The Huffington Post and The Daily Beast in the past. The Arabic Mira'at al-Bahrain (Bahrain Mirror) noted that the four were covering clashes between demonstrators and security forces in Sitra, a Shi'ite village east of Manama, when they were arrested, according to Reuters. The Interior Ministry of Bahrain alleged in a statement that one of the four journalists "was wearing a mask and participating in attacks on police alongside other rioters in Sitra. At least some of the arrestees were in the country as members of the international media but had not registered with the concerned authority and were involved in illegal activities." No explanations were given regarding the nature of the activities. The four were released after they were charged, though it is not clear from the prosecutors' statement whether they could leave the country off the coast of Saudi Arabia. Nawaf al-Awadi, chief prosecutor of Manama, said in a statement that the journalists were freed "pending the completion of the investigation," reported the Associated Press. The Committee to Protect Journalists, an international advocacy group, commented on the incident. "It is sad that the fifth anniversary of the 2011 protests has been marked by the arrest of yet more journalists in Bahrain, which has since become one of the worst jailers of journalists in the Arab world," said Sherif Mansour, the committee's Middle East and north Africa program coordinator. @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Iranian officials reported Monday that the first train to connect China and Iran arrived in Tehran loaded with an assortment of Chinese goods, marking the revival of the "Silk Road," an ancient network of trade routes running through Asia that was named for China's silk trade. The train, also known as the Silk Road train, passed through Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan to Iran, leaving Yiwu city in east China's Zhejiang Province on Jan. 28, Xinhua reported. Officials lauded the unprecedented 14-day journey, noting that it was essentially a month shorter than the sea voyage from Shanghai to the Iranian port of Bandar Abbas. "The arrival of this train in less than 14 days is unprecedented," said Mohsen Pourseyed Aqayi, the head of the Iranian railway company. "The revival of the Silk Road is crucial for the countries on its route," he said at a ceremony at Tehran's rail station, which was attended by the ambassadors of China and Turkmenistan, according to the AFP. The railway will not end in Tehran in the future. Instead, it will expand beyond the Iranian capital "as we are planning to extend the railway to Europe in future" as a means to generate more income for Iran from passing trains, Aqayi said, adding that the train will leave every month and the frequency will be increased when necessary. The Silk Road train is just another reminder of the strong relationship that China and Iran share. Despite U.S. pressure to do otherwise, China remained the prime buyer of Iranian oil after nuclear-related sanctions were tightened in 2012, according to ABC News. More than a third of Iran's foreign trade is with China, according to Iranian media. @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Russia rejects claims it bombed hospitals in Syria on 15 Feb. "We categorically reject such claims, even more so because each time those who make such claims prove unable somehow to corroborate their unsubstantiated accusations," said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, according to CBC News. In the border town of Azaz two hospitals, including one for mothers and babies and a school sheltering internally displaced people were bombed killing 34. In Maarat al-Numan, two hospitals, including one supported by Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) were bombed killing at least 12 people. The MSF said its hospital was struck by four missiles through "direct targeting" for over 90 minutes, reports the BBC. France, Turkey and several other countries have called the strikes war crimes; the Turkish foreign ministry is accusing Russia of carrying out an "obvious war crime." "If Russia continues behaving like a terrorist organisation and forcing civilians to flee, we will deliver an extremely decisive response," said Ahmet Davutoglu, Turkish Prime Minister, according to The Guardian. The attacks "could constitute war crimes. Attacks against health facilities in Syria by the regime or its supporters are unacceptable and must stop immediately," said Jean-Marc Ayrault, the French foreign minister, reports The Guardian. "It is certainly a war crime. The Russian air force have now hit 30 hospitals in Syria, of which only one is in an Isil [Islamic State] area. MSF is careful to make clear where their people are on the ground to all the combatants. Everyone knew this is an MSF hospital and undoubtedly this is a breach of international law and the Russians are guilty of that," said Andrew Mitchell, former development secretary of the United Kingdom, to an interview to BBC Radio 4, reports The Guardian. @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Iraqi officials report that the three Americans who were abducted in Baghdad last month have been freed. The Associated Press, which first reported the development, cited three officials who spoke on condition of anonymity, as saying that the three Americans were freed by the Iraqi intelligence service. They added that the three are in good health are in the custody of the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad. Media has reached out to the embassy to get an official statement, but it couldn't be reached for comment. The freeing of the hostages puts an end to the abduction case which was first reported in January. On Jan. 17, news broke via the Arab news channel, al-Arabiya, that three Americans had been abducted by militants in Baghdad as they were en route to the Baghdad Airport. The account was soon corroborated by the local embassy and State Department spokesperson John Kirby who said: "We are aware of reports that American citizens are missing in Iraq. The safety and security of American citizens overseas is our highest priority We are working with the full cooperation of the Iraqi authorities to locate and recover the individuals. Due to privacy considerations, I have nothing further," according to Fox News. The location of the abduction soon changed however, with a security official saying the next day that the three were kidnapped from a "suspicious apartment," which was later revealed to be a brothel, according to AFP. Even though the three have been rescued its still unclear who was responsible for the abductions. As things stand, Iraqi and Western officials say they suspect one of two powerful militias was behind the incident. @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Billionaire real estate mogul Donald Trump continues to hold a huge lead over the rest of the Republican field in South Carolina, coming just days after his most controversial GOP debate performance yet, in which he was booed repeatedly by audience members. The new poll released by Public Policy Polling on Tuesday shows Trump 17 points ahead of his closest competitor. Trump came in with 35 percent support, followed by Texas Sen. Ted Cruz and Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, tied with 18 percent each. Ohio Gov. John Kasich took fourth with 10 percent, and former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush and retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson tied at 7 percent. The poll was conducted Feb. 14-15, after Saturday night's Republican debate in Greenville, S.C. During the debate, Trump blamed former President George W. Bush for not keeping America safe on Sept. 11, 2001, when terrorists attacked New York City and Washington, D.C., reported The Hill. He also accused Bush of lying about Iraq having weapons of mass destruction and drawing the U.S. into a war based on those lies. Trump's rhetoric prompted loud and repeated boos from the audience, who seemed to favor more establishment candidates like Rubio, Bush and Kasich. Many wondered whether the real estate mogul's popularity would decline, but according to the PPP poll, his criticism of Bush had little effect on his standing, and he still leads among voters who hold a positive view of the former president. Trump's supporters were the most resolute, with 77 percent saying they will definitely vote for him. That's compared to 76 percent of Cruz's supporters and 62 percent of Rubio's who said the same. Twenty-nine percent said they might change their minds between now and when they go to the polls on Feb. 20. Some of the data suggests that Rubio could pull off an unexpectedly strong showing come Saturday. He finishes second with 28 percent if voters have to choose between him, Trump and Cruz. Rubio also has the second-highest favorability ratings behind Carson, while Trump came in fourth, and Bush and Cruz placed last. "Marco Rubio could be the surprise candidate on Saturday night," said Dean Debnam, President of Public Policy Polling. "There's a pretty clear top three and bottom three in South Carolina and if supporters of bottom 3 candidates decide to vote for someone who has a better chance Rubio is going to be the beneficiary." On the Democratic side, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who won the Iowa caucuses by 0.3 percent, reported CNN, still has a commanding lead over Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, who won New Hampshire by 22 points, reported the New York Times. Fifty-five percent of South Carolina Democrats said they prefer Clinton, while 34 percent picked Sanders. The Democratic South Carolina primary will take place on Feb. 27. The poll was conducted among 897 likely Republican primary voters and 525 Democratic primary voters. It has a plus or minus 3.3 percentage-point margin of error for the Republicans, and plus or minus 4.3 percent for the Democrats. @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Boutros Boutros-Ghali, a veteran Egyptian diplomat who made his mark as an architect of the Camp David accords and later became the sixth secretary-general of the United Nations, has died at the age of 93. His death was confirmed Tuesday by Rafel Ramirez Carreno, Venezuela's U.N. ambassador and current president of the U.N. Security Council, reported the BBC. A subsequent report from Egypt's state-run Ahram Online stated that he died in a hospital of the Egyptian city of Giza. Boutros-Ghali's death puts an end to a historic political career in which he made history as the first person from the African continent to become the head of the U.N. However, even before his ascent to the U.N., Boutros-Ghali was already making waves in the political scene. Beginning in the late 1970s, he ended his stint from talking and teaching about international relations and law at Cairo University to actually being a part of them, migrating from his position as a teacher to several top positions in Egypt's Foreign Ministry, according to CNN. These positions placed him on the front lines of historic moments such as the 1978 Camp David Summit Conference that forged an Egyptian-Israeli peace treaty. His meteoric rise to the top of the U.N. came in 1992, however his time there didn't last, with Boutros-Ghali making history as the U.N's shortest-tenured secretary-general after his bid for a second term was vetoed by the U.S. During his tenure, he came under fire by the United States, which criticized him for refusing to cut the budget and the Bosnian conflict. He also came under fire for his alleged inaction in the 1994 massacre in Rwanda. In a 2005 interview with the Associated Press, he referred to the massacre as his "worst failure at the United Nations," according to the Associated Press. During said interview he argued that the inaction was the result of the conflict between him and then-U.S. President Bill Clinton, who along with other world leaders, had paralyzed action by setting impossible conditions for intervention. "The concept of peacekeeping was turned on its head and worsened by the serious gap between mandates and resources," he told AP. However, even after leaving office the former U.N. Chief remain in the public spotlight. From 1998 to 2002 he served as secretary general of La Francophonie - a grouping of French-speaking nations, and later in 2004, he was named the president of Egypt's human rights council. His death stirred a wave of reactions around the world, even eliciting a statement over Twitter from Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta. May God comfort the family of Boutros Boutros-Ghali the 6th @UN Secretary General. His document 'The Agenda for peace' is a lasting legacy President of Kenya (@PresidentKE) February 16, 2016 "May God comfort the family of Boutros Boutros-Ghali," he tweeted. "His document 'The Agenda for peace' is a lasting legacy." @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The fluctuation in temperature is expected to continue across the Eastern Seaboard of the U.S., with a potential snow storm set to strike the East Coast and Northeast as temperatures drop again next week. Warm weather is expected to spread across the Midwest and into the East this week, but it may not last long, reported Weather Underground. Despite this week being projected to bring warmer temperatures after a frigid President's Day weekend, cold air will bring temperatures down to the 30s and 40s after the weekend. A few factors coming together could result in a storm brewing along the coast of the mid-Atlantic and the Northeast, covering areas of eastern Tennessee and Kentucky up through Pennsylvania, southeast New York and New England. "Many of our indicators are suggesting that a significant storm will form along the Atlantic coast of the United States next week," AccuWeather Chief Long Range Meteorologist Paul Pastelok said, according to AccuWeather. Cold air coming in from the north will meet low pressure coming up from the Southeast, a storm that may end up near the Atlantic Seaboard capable of bringing snow to the Appalachians and I-95 corridor if conditions are correct. The snow would be expected around Monday or Tuesday (Feb. 22 or 23) of next week. The storm may appear to be the opposite of what was displayed over President's Day weekend, when snow turned to rain due to rising temperatures. Rain may start the precipitation, turning to snow as temperatures dip into the low 30s and high 20s. Fortunately for those who fought the frigid cold this weekend, "the cold air coming in next week will not be nearly as cold as the outbreak that occurred over the Valentine's Day weekend," said Chief Meteorologist Elliot Abrams. @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. T he Department for Transport has backed Mayor Boris Johnsons plans to create a more joined-up and seamless rail network in and around the capital, which would include taking control of rail services operating within Greater London. This would mean TfL taking over parts of the South West Trains service when its franchise comes up for renewal next year, followed by South Eastern in 2018. By 2021, TfL could also take over South Central, Great Northern and Thameslink, where they operate in Greater London. TAKE A TOUR OF 31 HOMES HOTSPOTS ALONG THE SOUTH WEST AND SOUTH EASTERN TRAIN LINES: The move comes when the gap between property prices in the capital and the rest of the South-East is at its widest ever recorded, forcing many Londoners to head for the commuter belt. According to the latest Land Registry index, the average property in the capital is worth 514,097, while an average home in the South-East costs 261,581. However, this price difference must be set against the cost of commuting. A new study suggests that the average London commuter will have travelled 141,437 miles by the time they retire, and spent more than 113,000 on their journey to and from work. Their average commute time, according to recruitment website Totaljobs.com, is 48 minutes. When added up, this means getting to work will take up an entire year of a persons working life. Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin backs the takeover plans that Mr Johnson says are vital to Londons future prosperity. Were going to emulate the success of the London Overground and give the entire capital and surrounding areas the services they truly deserve, the Mayor says. Crucially, this would mean extending the Oyster Card service beyond London Underground and Overground. In the hugely popular commuter town of Sevenoaks in Kent, for example, commuters currently pay 99.50 for a weekly travelcard, or 3,980 for an annual season ticket. The most expensive Oyster card option, covering Zones 1 to 9, costs 84.20 a week, or 3,368 per year, representing a potential annual saving of more than 600. TfL has also pledged to run more regular trains, with at least 80 per cent of stations being served by a minimum of one London train every 15 minutes. Sevenoaks commuters have long campaigned for Oyster Cards to be introduced along the line from London. Tony Clayton, chairman of Sevenoaks Rail Travel Association, says: This is a breakthrough for the Sevenoaks area and its long-suffering rail passengers. We will be working with Transport for London, the Department for Transport and local government to ensure that these proposals are developed and implemented so that rail travellers see a real difference in quality of service and value for money. London will see the opening of a massive 7,000 hotel rooms this year, double that of last year's openings, putting additional pressure on occupancy levels and achieved room rates. Across the UK some 16,000 hotel rooms are expected to open this year, compared with 10,000 last year, according to the latest Hotel Bulletin: Q4 2015, which is published by HVS in conjunction with AlixPartners and AM:PM. RevPAR growth across 12 UK cities in Q4 2015 was an average of 2%, significantly lower that the 19% average growth recorded in Q4 2014, with occupancy in the same period falling in eight of the 12 cities. London's occupancy declined for the fourth consecutive quarter. 'The huge amount of openings planned for 2016 in London will be of concern to the city's hoteliers who, while historically are used to robust performance, are currently experiencing limited demand growth,' commented HVS chairman Russell Kett. 'Flat or declining occupancy is historically followed by plateauing rates indicating that a peak in hotel market trading may nearly have been reached,' he added. Over half of the UK's development pipeline opening within the next three years are in the budget sector (51%), made up of hostels, budget and two-star hotels. The second largest growth sector is that of four-star properties at 28%. Some 9% of the development pipeline are apartments, while a further 9% are five-star hotels. 'As has been the case for some time, future openings are heavily biased towards the budget hotel sector as these are relatively quick and cheap to build and offer good returns,' said Kett. 'Demand for budget rooms is still strong from both the leisure and the business sector proving the format is one of the most successful in the hotel business. This growth is likely to continue, particularly with new players emerging such as Premier Inn's super budget hub concept.' The UK's current supply of hotel rooms is split fairly evenly between the key sectors with a third (33%) of supply being budget rooms, 30% being three-star, and 30% being four-star properties. Apartments currently make up just 3% of supply, with five-star properties making up 4%. Notable hotel openings in Q4 2015 included four new hotels under various Hilton brands, totalling 654 bedrooms. Travelodge grew its presence in London to more than 8,000 bedrooms following openings in Hackney and Richmond, while IHG opened the doors at its five-star, 453 bedroom InterContinental London the O2. View source The author explores the connections between wellness and sustainability and uses this frame of reference to explain current trends in both soft programming and the physical design of resort hotel properties. Wellness and sustainability have very different definitions, but are often tied together in hospitality industry literature. In a foundational survey on wellness and its definition, conducted by Canyon Ranch, respondents most frequently associated the words hope, joy, and energy with wellness. These are words that are often used to describe travel and vacation experiences, especially vacations taken at resort properties. The full range of body, mind and spirit-enhancing activities constitute various dimensions of wellness. For example, one of the most popular wellness activities noted in a 2011 Values Study of Baby Boomers was simply "laughing with friends". Sophie Rayner Global Marketing Manager Horwath An invitation-only gathering of senior-level executives in the hospitality industry attend as delegates or sponsors. Hospitality Design Summit serves as the industry's leadership think tank...you've called it "thought camp" and that fits it perfectly. For more information please contact Hospitality Design Summit The International Society of Hospitality Consultants (ISHC) presented Lyndall DeMarco, Founder of the Youth Career Initiative, with the prestigious Pioneer Award at the Americas Lodging Investment Summit (ALIS). DeMarco was honored for her outstanding contribution and impact on the hospitality industry in providing disadvantaged youth with life and work skills and setting global standards in environmental sustainability among international hotels. Formerly the Corporate Director of Pan Pacific Hotels and General Manager of hotels in Bangladesh, Borneo and Malaysia, DeMarco founded the Youth Career Initiative in 1995 in response to the human trafficking problem in Thailand. The Youth Career Initiative provided disadvantaged youth with work and life skills in a six-month education program that proved to be successful for both the hotels and youth participating in the program. As a result, DeMarco was invited to join the Prince of Wales International Business Leaders Forum in London and expand the program to operate in 13 countries. The Business Leaders Forum entrusted DeMarco to establish two additional global initiatives - The International Tourism Partnership and a Digital Partnership. The International Tourism Partnership provided leadership to the hospitality industry by engaging hotel chains in establishing global environment and sustainability standards for the planning, construction and operation of international hotels. The Digital Partnership, a groundbreaking public/private partnership, brought tens of thousands of computers, connectivity and infrastructure to South Africa and Ethiopia. As the recipient of the ISHC Pioneer Award, DeMarco is recognized for her remarkable achievements and contributions to the hospitality industry. She continues to pioneer education and public health issues with IDEAS Van, an initiative to reduce preventable blindness in remote areas among the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community. Chad Sorensen, Chairman of ISHC commented, "I am truly honored to present Lyndall with the Pioneer Award. She has made it her mission to inspire leaders in the hospitality industry to move social responsibility and sustainable operations up the corporate agenda and to respond with practical action. We are thrilled to have her join the ranks of some of hospitality's most dynamic and inspiring leaders as this marks the 20th year ISHC has recognized leaders for their outstanding contribution with the Pioneer Award." The Pioneer Award was established in 1996 by ISHC to recognize one individual each year for making an outstanding contribution, achievement and or improvement in the hospitality industry. Winners are selected based on three criteria: active involvement in the industry, their contribution to the industry, and personal/organizational attributes and qualities. The individual is actively involved in consulting, planning, developing, marketing, managing and/or improving one or more dimensions of the hospitality industry which benefits developers, investors, operators and guests. In addition to their contribution, the individual or organization, on a consistent basis possesses certain attributes and adheres to professional standards, which are recognized and respected by his/her peers. About ALIS Co-hosted by the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA) and Burba Hotel Network (BHN), the two-and-a-half-day ALIS event features an extensive array of seminars and panels hosted by leading experts and investors discussing important trends and identifying new opportunities. The conference attracts the lodging industry's leading hotel executives, investors, lenders, developers and professional advisory community. Proceeds from ALIS benefit the educational, research, and training missions of the American Hotel & Lodging Education Foundation (AH&LEF), AH&LA's nonprofit affiliate. For information on the Foundation, visit www.ahlef.org. About AH&LA Serving the hospitality industry for more than a century, AH&LA is the sole national association representing all segments of the nearly 2 million-employee U.S. lodging industry, including hotel owners, REITs, chains, franchisees, management companies, independent properties, state hotel associations, and industry suppliers. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., AH&LA provides focused advocacy, communications support, and educational resources for an industry generating $176 billion in annual sales from some 5 million guestrooms. About AH&LEF AH&LEF is the charitable fund-raising and endowed fund-management subsidiary of the American Hotel & Lodging Association. Founded in 1953, AH&LEF is the premier organization for scholarships, professional certification, and instructional material as well as funding for hospitality industry research. About BHN BHN is the worldwide leader in developing and organizing conferences for the hotel and tourism investment community. With almost three decades of experience, nearly 130 events completed to-date, and over 90,000 international delegates, BHN conferences have become "must attend" events for industry leaders who come together to network, conduct business and to learn about the latest trends. BHN events include: the Americas Lodging Investment Summit (ALIS) in Los Angeles; ALIS Law in Los Angeles; ALIS Summer Update; Alternative Ownership Conference Asia Pacific (AOCAP) in Singapore; Caribbean Hotel & Resort Investment Summit (CHRIS) in Miami; Hotel Investment Conference Asia Pacific (HICAP) in Hong Kong; HICAP UPDATE in Singapore; Hotel Investment Forum India (HIFI) in Mumbai; Hotel Opportunities Latin America (HOLA) conference in Miami; and Hotel Investment Conference Europe (Hot.E) in London. The BHN website at www.Burba.com is the gateway for information about the conferences BHN produces, as well as a direct link to important players in the hospitality investment world. About ISHC The International Society of Hospitality Consultants is truly The Leading Source for Global Hospitality Expertise, represented by over two hundred of the industry's most respected professionals from across six continents. Collectively, ISHC members provide expert services in over fifty functional areas and have specialized skills in virtually every segment of the hospitality industry. ISHC is dedicated to promoting the highest quality of professional consulting standards and practices for the hospitality industry. Candidates undergo a rigorous screening process, ensuring that all ISHC members have a reputation of integrity and are qualified by their experience, training and knowledge to develop and express sound judgment on industry issues. Additional information about the organization, along with a directory of ISHC members, is available on the ISHC website at ishc.com. Lauren Marshall Director of Membership & Marketing +1 678 735 9453 ISHC It looks like you've reached a page that doesnt exist (anymore). Please use the navigation or search above to find content on Hospitality Net. Go back to home The Gale River Motel, located in Franconia, N.H., has completed the installation of a photovoltaic roof-top array which will provide energy to satisfy the year-round electrical demand of the property. The 52-panel system has a peak power of 13.8 kW and is expected to produce a yearly total of 15,220 kW. The Gale River Motel, located in Franconia, N.H., has completed the installation of a photovoltaic roof-top array which will provide energy to satisfy the year-round electrical demand of the property. The 52-panel system has a peak power of 13.8 kW and is expected to produce a yearly total of 15,220 kW. The system will be directly wired into the power grid by means of an AC inverter that will allow electricity to flow to and from the power grid as necessary. During periods when the energy produced exceeds the demand of the motel, power will flow into the grid causing the motels electric meter to run in reverse effectively crediting kilowatts to the motel. As demand surpasses production, during cloudy days, or evening hours the electric meter will draw kilowatts from the grid using up any electrical credits that have accrued. The generation and consumption of electricity has been designed to produce a net-zero effect, where over the course of the year, electricity produced will equal the electricity consumed. The system, costing approximately $40,000, is financed in part through Federal Tax Credits and a New Hampshire C & I rebate funded through the New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission Sustainable Energy Division. The Gale River Motel has been a leader in the introduction of environmentally thoughtful technology and practices in New Hampshires lodging industry for several years, states Kevin Johnson, owner of the motel. Several years ago, a solar hot water system was installed that paid for itself in less than two years. An aggressive campaign installing energy efficient doors and windows has helped reduce bottom-line heating and cooling costs throughout the year. The installation of a photovoltaic system, while taking a bit longer to pay off, makes lots of sense from a business perspective. Helps to Offset Peak Grid Usage The system was installed by Renewable Energy Development Associates (REDA) of Portland, Maine. Will Kessler, of REDA, says, By going solar-powered, the Gale River Motel is shrewdly managing energy costs while reducing their carbon footprint by about 227 tons over the lifetime of the panels. Not only that, but as New Hampshires climate warms, and air-conditioning demand increases in the summer months, solar electricity produced at the motel helps to offset peak grid usage, at times when customer need is greatest. We are happy to be doing business with Kevin, and Gale River Motel, as they are the vanguard of clean energy in New Hampshire. Hopefully the future holds possibilities for continued partnerships. Presently, tax incentives scheduled to expire at the end of 2016 and recent threats by the New Hampshire legislature to re-direct PUC funding targeted towards solar-powered thermal and electrical projects prompted Johnson to act sooner rather than wait any longer to move forward on the installation of the system. The New Hampshire legislature is also struggling to renew the states policy of net-metering, despite the fact that net-metered solar systems are only 1 to 2 percent compared to total grid load. By keeping the net metering cap fixed at just 2 percent, the risk is the states solar industry becomes stagnant, or stunted, says Kessler. Other states in the region have moved their net metering caps up as high as 15 percent, and seen tremendous growth of the solar industry in response. The system is designed to provide real-time information regarding the production and consumption of electricity through a computer monitoring interface. Johnson will be able to track electrical consumption and production on a minute-by-minute basis. Go to the Gale River Motel. This article first appeared on the Green Lodging News website. To sign up to receive the weekly Green Lodging News newsletter, go to www.greenlodgingnews.com. Glenn Hasek can be reached at editor@greenlodgingnews.com. High Probability for a 2016 Recession in US Hotel Industry Hotel room rates in the top-25 most popular U.S. destinations are averaging $175.91 this February, down from $176.7 in January, according to trivago hotel price indices (tHPI) released today. The U.S. online average daily rate (oADR), the industrys best analytic for competitive pricing, currently ranges among the top-25 destinations from a high of $268 to a low of $113 this February. Based on industry surveys, eforecasting.com estimates that in 2015 about 60% of all reservations are made online via brand websites and travel agent merchant websites, compared with only one-fourth eight years ago. On year-over-year basis, the U.S. average online ADR is down (1.8%) in February from a year ago, lower than the previous month's year-over-year growth rate of (+3.4%). This February, trivago online room rates in Miami, after rising (+4.7%) from last year, hit $268 a night, making the city the most expensive destination among the top-25 U.S. hotel markets. San Francisco takes the second place in February with an online room rate of $263, after an increase of (+12.9%) from a year ago. In San Jose, the online room rate in February is growing (+38.3%) from last year to $249 a night, ranking the city in the third place of the most expensive destinations in the United States. At the bottom of the list, the three least expensive, or most affordable, cities to visit this February is Salt Lake City recording a trivago online ADR of $131 a night after a (+2.3%) change from a year ago; San Antonio posts an online ADR of $130 following a (+2.4%) change from last year; and lastly, the most affordable popular destination in the country is Washington D.C. with an online ADR of $113 after a nil change from a year ago. With a median online ADR of $167 amongst the top-25 most popular U.S. destinations, Denver is the country's average affordable city to visit this February. Moving from data to hotel-biz-analytics, eforecasting.com's Smoothed Seasonally Adjusted (SSA) U.S. average online room rate has hit $199.81 in February. On a month-over-month basis - the hoteliers' analytic for tracking changes of what's now vs. what's happened in comparison to twelve months ago - SSA online ADR this February is down (1.2%) from the previous month, which is the same percent change as in the previous month. Looking at the top-25 hotel destinations, the month-to-month percent change in February ranges from a high of (+1.2%) in Miami to a low of (5.6%) in Phoenix. Amongst the top-25 destinations, the SSA online monthly room rate is growing in 7 cities; and is falling or staying flat in 18 cities. "The latest US Monthly Hotel Forecast predicts profits per online room rates to decline on a year-over-year basis in the last three quarters of 2016," said Maria Sogard, CEO of eforecasting.com. For a complimentary copy of the full US Monthly Hotel Forecast with two-year predictions of occupancy, ADR, RevPAR, online ADR, costs per room, profitability and predictive analytics for investing in hotel properties, email us at info@e-forecasting.com with subject: USHOTfcast. Looking at profitability, hoteliers' ultimate gauge for decision-making, profits per room are down (4.7%) on a year-over-year basis in February, since U.S. trivago's average online room rate has lost (1.8%) while eforecasting.com national unit (per room) cost index is up (+3.0%). For U.S. hoteliers, year-over-year profit margins posted a reading of (+0.3%) in the previous month (January), compared to a mark of (+2.9%) a year ago (February 2015). Using trivago's online hotel room rates for the top-25 U.S. destinations and eforecasting.com's city-centric hotel unit (room) cost indices, year-over-year percent change in profits per room currently range from a high of (+37.0%) in San Jose to a low of (53.4%) in Washington D.C. in February. Amongst the top-25 destinations, profits per room are up in 12 cities; they are down or are flat in 13 cities. On tracking monthly the risk for business losses in providing services per room, the probability for U.S. hoteliers being in a negative profits (losses) phase of the industry's business cycle hit 100% in February, which is higher than January's reading of 99%. In the top-25 hotel destinations, the risk for hoteliers being in a period of losses per room in February ranging from a high of 100% in Washington D.C. to a low of 1% in San Jose. The probability of losses per room is above 50% in 17 cities; it is 50% or below in 8 cities. About e-forecasting.com Founded in Durham, NH in 1994, e-forecasting.com is a predictive intelligence consulting firm offering to clients customized solutions for whats next. For over 15 years, its hotel insights division has focused on hotel predictive analytics and forecasting products for the top destinations around the world to enhance its clients competitive advantage and improve their bottom line. About trivago Founded in Dusseldorf in 2005 with operations in 39 countries, trivago is the worlds largest online hotel search site, comparing room rates from over 700,000 hotels on over 200 booking sites worldwide. Each month, more than 45 million visitors use trivagos unique online technology, which compares 5 billion hotel deals a day - more than a trillion a year - and saves them an average of 35% per booking. Visit online http://www.trivago.com. The Life of Pablo hasnt even been out for two days, but many prominent websites and magazines have already published reviews of the highly anticipated album. Kanye just delivered another newsworthy rant, during which he outlined his decision never to release The Life of Pablo outside of TIDAL. Before that, he took issue with Pitchfork, Rolling Stone, The New York Times, and other white publications that had recently reviewed The Life of Pablo. Please do not comment on black music anymore, he wrote on Twitter. Before listing out the publications that he considers to be white, Kanye specifically addressed Pitchfork: Pitchfork, the album is a 30 out of 10, he wrote in response to the sites TLOP review, which went up last night. Pitchfork rated Wests album a 9.0 out of 10 and anointed it with the coveted status of best new music. Of course, the review is mostly effusive and the 9.0 makes TLOP Pitchforks highest-rated project of the year, though its not rated nearly high enough for Kanyes liking. After calling out all-white publications, Kanye explained that while he loves white people, he doesnt believe they understand what it means to be the great grandson of ex slaves and make it this far. Houston's new mayor, Sylvester Turner, recently called for the Texas Transportation Commission to re-think its approach to mobility in large cities like Houston, saying in essence that it's time to shift focus from vehicles carrying only one person to other ways of getting around. Freeway widenings are reaching their limits and congestion is still increasing. Wisely, he left open to discussion what exactly that new approach might look like. How can Houston be similarly thoughtful in its approach going forward? The first step is learning from what has and hasn't worked for other cities. Rail investments in other decentralized, Sunbelt cities, such as Los Angeles, Dallas, Denver, and Atlanta, have been disappointing. Los Angeles in particular is a cautionary case. With $9 billion spent on new rail lines in a city with twice the density of Houston and perfect walking weather year-round (unlike our summers!), they have seen overall declines in transit ridership and worsening traffic congestion. Rail is incredibly expensive typically over $100 million per mile and just not well suited for spread-out Sunbelt cities built around the automobile in the post-WWII era. The second step is understanding the ramifications of coming new technologies specifically self-driving cars. While the general vehicle fleet will take decades to turn over as people slowly replace their cars, we can expect extremely rapid adoption among taxi services as soon as these vehicles are available in the early 2020s. The economics are simply too compelling: Almost 80 percent of the cost of a ride is the driver. One estimate has the typical ride dropping to $3.25, with shared rides going for $2.43 or even as low as $1 with SUVs carrying up to six passengers at once along a shared route. Customized SUVs could be made with private individual compartments, so that passengers traveling in generally the same direction could share a ride without interacting. When vehicle pulls up, an indicator could tell you which door to enter for your compartment, then alert you again when it's time for you to get out based on the destination you put into your smart phone. A private ride combined with shared prices and efficiency: the best of both worlds. The impact on traffic congestion could be dramatic, as fewer vehicles carry more riders. Analysis by MIT, Stanford, and others estimate that shared rides could reduce the number of vehicles needed to carry the same number of trips by 70 to 90 percent. Quite the silver bullet to reduce traffic congestion! Then there's the icing on the cake: Automated drivers are expected to dramatically reduce crash injuries and space required for parking, which will free up a tremendous amount of much-needed land in our cities. All indications are that these super-cheap, point-to-point autonomous taxi services will essentially replace most bus and rail transit: Most trips would be much faster and more direct at nearly the same cost. In fact, transit agencies like METRO may switch their fleets to such vehicles, providing better service to their customers. Helsinki's transit agency is already a pioneer of this transition, offering on-demand mini-vans available via smart phone app. In this new era, rail will only make sense in the very densest cities in the world, like New York and Tokyo. And cities investing billions in rail projects now may find themselves with substantial white elephants on their hands in the near future a fate Houston should definitely try to avoid. So if freeways are reaching their limits, and traditional rail and bus transit face obsolescence, what's the right answer for Houston right now? Consider Managed eXpress Lanes MaX Lanes, for short which aim to move the maximum number of people at maximum speed (a phrase recently adopted by TxDOT's Houston office). These lanes are the next generation of METRO's very successful HOV lanes: lanes that are restricted to high-occupancy vehicles, such as buses, carpool vans and cars carrying more than one person. HOV lanes are much less crowded than regular lanes, so as Houston commuters know well their traffic usually moves far faster. If we create a comprehensive, connected, two-way network of these freeway lanes across the metro area including our loop freeways, like 610 and Beltway 8 then multi-occupant vehicles (self-driving or not) can offer fast, nonstop, point-to-point service between any neighborhood and any job center. The lanes will transition naturally to self-driving vehicles. When the technology is mature, these lanes can be reserved exclusively for auto-piloted vehicles, instantly increasing the lanes' capacity two to four times as the cars flow more smoothly, closer together and with less braking. MaX Lanes are also perfect for serving a spread-out city of multiple job centers (fewer than than seven percent of Houston's jobs are downtown). If the mayor is serious about shifting trips with more than one occupant in the vehicle aiming to go from 3 percent to 15 percent and beyond MaX Lanes are best strategy to reach that goal. In his address to the Transportation Commission, Turner also called for greater inter-agency cooperation. MaX Lanes are the perfect application of such cooperation, with a single vision bringing the city together with TxDOT, HCTRA, and METRO. The lanes give the mayor an opportunity to be the leader who sets the stage for the next era of Houston's growth. Tory Gattis is a Founding Senior Fellow at the Center for Opportunity Urbanism and writes the Houston Strategies blog. Bookmark Gray Matters. Quite the silver bullet to reduce traffic congestion! I'm a real sucker for old car pictures. And nothing captures the feel of old cars more than the places they were sold. I mean, look at... Subscribing to our services is a three step process. First you have to create an account and then you have to pick if you want to subscribe to digital and or print. Some people only want to be a digital subscriber to get access online and others want to also receive the print edition. 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OLD ACCOUNT NUMBERS WILL NOT WORK The account number and zip code are easily available on your most recent issue of the High Plains Journal or Midwest Ag Journal in the address fields as is shown here. Sometimes the account number has extra zero's in front of it, just ignore those. Heartland Institute Experts React to President Obamas Final Budget Posted by Press Releases on Tuesday, 02-16-2016 7:15 am Currently 0.0/5 Stars. 1 2 3 4 5 0.0 from 0 votes President Barack Obama yesterday submitted his proposed Fiscal Year 2017 federal budget, the last of his presidency. The $4 trillion plan includes a $10-per-barrel tax on oil; $1.3 billion for the Global Climate Change Initiative (GCCI), which includes $750 million for the Green Climate Fund; a doubling of spending on clean energy research from $6.4 billion to $12.8 billion; $75 billion for universal pre-school and $9.6 billion for Head Start, both record levels, and $61 billion for free community college; and more spending on Medicare as part of the Affordable Care Act.The following statements from public policy experts at The Heartland Institute a free-market think tank may be used for attribution. For more comments, refer to the contact information below. To book a Heartland guest on your program, please contact Director of Communications Jim Lakely at jlakely@heartland.org and 312/377-4000 or (cell) 312/731-9364.The presidents l... Close Forgot Your Password? Enter in your email address and we will send it to you. Send Email An HR.com member profile provides you with access to a multitude of information and education along with the opportunity to network with the largest HR community on the web. If you need any help, call .877.472.6648 and ask for our Member Experience Co-ordinator. Hi Please check your email for an activation link. If you do not receive your activation email within a few minutes, check your spam folder or call our Help Desk at 1.877.472.6648 For faster assistance, dial extension 4. Thank you! Continue Hi Verification error - Please enter the correct code above. Verified Wow! You have successfully verified the account Continue Hi your HR.com account is ready Your Profile completion: 30% Complete your profile Key leadership & career success strategies - A small-steps guide to reach the highest levels of success Posted by Press Releases on Tuesday, 02-16-2016 7:07 am Currently 0.0/5 Stars. 1 2 3 4 5 0.0 from 0 votes Leaders can be successfully developed once the individual realizes he or she has the potential within.This notion is at the center of Shu Hattoris book THE McKINSEY EDGE: Success Principles from the Worlds Most Powerful Consulting Firm. The book explores the idea that leadership comes in different colors, and that everyone possesses a set of strengths that can push both the individual and the organization to substantive growth.In THE McKINSEY EDGE: Success Principles from the Worlds Most Powerful Consulting Firm, Mr. Hattori, formerly a consultant at McKinsey & Company, reveals his reflections on leadership and what it takes to succeed.The success principles here are designed by Hattori to be easy to put into place, and ideally managed in a way that is both simple and produces results.The book is broken down into five main sections focusing on various stages of improvement: Building the Better Self These are your basic fundamentals. Managing your... Close Forgot Your Password? Enter in your email address and we will send it to you. Send Email An HR.com member profile provides you with access to a multitude of information and education along with the opportunity to network with the largest HR community on the web. 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You have successfully verified the account Continue Hi your HR.com account is ready Your Profile completion: 30% Complete your profile The Canadian Private Sector to take action on the UN Sustainable Development Goals The Canadian Network of the United Nations Global Compact and Global Affairs Canada bring together leaders to discuss how Canada will achieve the UN Sustainable Developme Posted by Press Releases on Tuesday, 02-16-2016 6:50 am Currently 3.0/5 Stars. 1 2 3 4 5 3.0 from 5 votes TORONTO, February 8, 2016 In September 2015, the United Nations launched the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and governments, business, and civil society actors around the world have agreed to work towards them. Coinciding with International Development Week, which runs from February 7 to 13, the Canadian Network of the United Nations Global Compact, together with Global Affairs Canada, have hosted a National Roundtable to identify practical ways the Canadian private sector can take action towards the achievement of the Agenda 2030.Karina Gould, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Development, has delivered the keynote speech. Huguette Labelle, former Chair, Transparency International; Tara Nathan, Executive Director, MasterCard; John Coyne, Vice-President, Legal and External Affairs and General Counsel, Unilever Canada Inc.; and David Creighton, Deputy Chair, Cordiant Capital, have taken part in a panel discussion on the role of the Canadian private ... Close Forgot Your Password? Enter in your email address and we will send it to you. Send Email An HR.com member profile provides you with access to a multitude of information and education along with the opportunity to network with the largest HR community on the web. If you need any help, call .877.472.6648 and ask for our Member Experience Co-ordinator. Hi Please check your email for an activation link. If you do not receive your activation email within a few minutes, check your spam folder or call our Help Desk at 1.877.472.6648 For faster assistance, dial extension 4. Thank you! Continue Hi Verification error - Please enter the correct code above. Verified Wow! You have successfully verified the account Continue Hi your HR.com account is ready Your Profile completion: 30% Complete your profile Who wanted to buy Facebook as a young business? Posted by Anna Huse on Tuesday, 02-16-2016 5:18 am Currently 0.0/5 Stars. 1 2 3 4 5 0.0 from 0 votes NBC met with Facebook's in 2005. They did not provide much detail, but apparently, NBC expressed interest in Facebook in 2005. Desperate Viacom made a third attempt in 2006. In early 2006, MTV boss Michael Wolf did last offer for buying Facebook. Zuckerberg told him that the company considers worth $ 2 billion. A few weeks later, Viacom offered Facebook $ 1,5 billion. They were $ 800 million in cash and the remaining amount - with a deferred payment. Facebook then almost sold out, but the management wanted more prepayment. CFO Viacom worried about the deal. He was scared to give such a large sum for a company with such small incomes. As a result, the deal fell through, and Viacom did not return. In June 2006, Yahoo decided to buy Facebook. In the summer of 2006 Yahoo offered Facebook $ 1 billion. Investors of Facebook and many members of the leadership wanted to sell. But social networking is just about to launch a news feed, and Zuckerberg decided that if all goes well, the comp... Close Forgot Your Password? Enter in your email address and we will send it to you. Send Email An HR.com member profile provides you with access to a multitude of information and education along with the opportunity to network with the largest HR community on the web. If you need any help, call .877.472.6648 and ask for our Member Experience Co-ordinator. Hi Please check your email for an activation link. If you do not receive your activation email within a few minutes, check your spam folder or call our Help Desk at 1.877.472.6648 For faster assistance, dial extension 4. Thank you! Continue Hi Verification error - Please enter the correct code above. Verified Wow! You have successfully verified the account Continue Hi your HR.com account is ready Your Profile completion: 30% Complete your profile Academic research into suggestion systems highlight a huge variance in the impact that the average employee suggestion box has vs. a high performing program for managing employee ideas. In fact, the average employee suggestion box may be doing more harm than good. Why does this matter? Front-line workers, or employees who interact directly with customers or processes, are the most valuable source for ideas and innovation. In fact, according to the book The Idea-Driven Organization by Alan Robinson and Dean M. Schroeder, 80% of an organizations performance improvement potential lies in front-line ideas. For many organizations, however, the method of tapping into their insights hasnt evolved very much, despite advancements in technology and idea management solutions. "Many workplaces, for better or worse, still use an employee suggestion box to tap into the insights of front-line employees. Whether its an actual box on the wall or a dedicated email address waiting for staff to type their suggestions and hit send, this well-intentioned system intended to drive employee engagement continues to offer little to no value in high-performance workplaces, and actually results in more disengagement. " While the write-it-down-and-hope-someone-reads it ideas box has been around for centuries, only in the last few decades has the traditional suggestion system been scrutinized. Here are the problems which plague the a... Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 16-02-15 Cyprus Press and Information Office: Turkish Cypriot Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article From: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at TURKISH CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW No. 30/16 13-15.02.2016 [A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS [01] Akinci says there is no deadlock in the negotiations; He is against granting the regime's "citizenship" to thousands of persons [02] Bozkir stressed the need for the solution of the Cyprus problem to include Turkey's guarantees [03] Denktas: The Turkish guarantees must continue until Turkey enter EU [04] Tacoy: Anastasiades' statements are unacceptable [05] Izcan criticized Erdogan's statement on the issue of citizenships' granting [06] The water issue "shakes" the regime's "government"; Talat: "If necessary, we will hold a referendum"; Ozgurgun: The "government" has already decided [07] Veysel Eroglu: "For a length of time we will manage the water" [08] Akinci said that the "municipalities" should be a part of the water issue [09] Erk: A party congress not a referendum is needed for the water issue [10] Ozgur on his contacts in Turkey on the water management issue [11] KTOS describes as their "red line" the "state" having the ownership of the water resources that must be distributed by the "local authorities" [12] CHP Deputy to file a lawsuit against Aybak for his wastewater' allegations [13] Turkey not considering sending troops into Syria: Defence Minister [14] Turkey strikes PYD, mulls ground offensive, alarming US-Russia [15] Davutoglu tells Merkel: Turkey will continue to respond to YPG attacks in Syria [16] CHP 'against all decisions to plunge Turkey into war' [17] Commentary: "A dangerous escalation on the Turkey-Syria border" [A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS [01] Akinci says there is no deadlock in the negotiations; He is against granting the regime's "citizenship" to thousands of persons Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (14.02.16) reports that Turkish Cypriot leader, Mustafa Akinci has said that there is no deadlock in the negotiations for finding a solution to the Cyprus problem, but difficult issues are being discussed and they will exert efforts for intensifying the process. In statements on Saturday after his three-hour meeting with President Anastasiades, Akinci noted: "If within a couple of months we achieve a good consensus ground on the points on which agreement does not exist in the four chapters on which progress has been reached, I hope that 2016 will be really a year in which we take a step for lasting peace in Cyprus with the conclusion afterwards of the issues of the territory and security and guarantees. We can achieve an agreement which the people in both sides will approve and may carry Cyprus' future in a much better point than it is today". Replying to a question on the issue of the rotating presidency, Akinci argued: "Our understanding is there. They have problems on this issue. This is what they say. Therefore, there is no agreement yet on this issue. However, I think that reaching a consensus is inevitable, because our stance on this issue is very clear and evident". Referring to the issue of the "citizenships" which the Turkish President had recently raised during a meeting with a Turkish Cypriot delegation in Ankara, Akinci claimed: "My views on this issue are not a secret. I am negotiating at the table according to the TRNC's official data. I cannot turn these data into a scratch pad every now and then. Therefore, the seriousness at the negotiating table must continue". He recalled that he has repeatedly expressed the view that all the "citizens" of the breakaway regime should become citizens of the United Cyprus and the EU and that during the "election" campaign had stated that the Turkish settlers came to Cyprus 40 years ago, got married, had children and established businesses and "therefore they will have a place in the county's future". He added, though, that this is based on some "official data" and that except for these data there are also "laws" made by the "government". He noted that he is not positive to massively granting the "citizenship" and has absolutely no problem to openly say this. Recalling that in 2003 and 2004 the "citizenship" had been granted to many persons but the "court" annulled them, Akinci added: "Granting the citizenship to thousands of people is one thing and the citizenships naturally developed is another. I must be careful at the negotiating table, because we have carried out the negotiations until today with the data we have. The data I have are the official data of the country. They are numbers given by the ministry of interior". Akinci said that in the beginning of Saturday's meeting they discussed the statements made recently by both leaders to the press. He argued that there is nothing more natural than the leaders' expressing their positions to their communities from time to time, but the points of "common understanding" should be announced together by the sides. "I think that this is how we will continue", he noted. (I/Ts.) [02] Bozkir stressed the need for the solution of the Cyprus problem to include Turkey's guarantees Turkish Cypriot daily Star Kibris newspaper (15.02.16) reports that Turkey's EU Minister and Chief Negotiator Volkan Bozkir, has stated that Turkey has always opposed to the endorsement of the elements which are necessary for the solution of the Cyprus problem in Turkey's EU negotiation process. "And this because if we connect all this issues together, then the problem will remain unresolved forever", Bozkir said. Speaking during the meeting of the Planning and Budget Committee at the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TBMM), Bozkir referred, inter alia, to Turkey's EU bid and stated that if the Cyprus problem is solved, a lot of chapters will be able to open. Referring to the Cyprus negotiation talks, Bozkir expressed hopes that the Cyprus problem will be solved the soonest possible. "The solution of the 50 years prolonged problem will constitute an example for other problems as well", Bozkir argued and added that their conditions for the solution of the Cyprus problem are the bi-zonality, a federation based on the political equality and the continuation of Turkey's active and effective guarantees. "Together with these conditions and in case the Cyprus problem is solved, important chapters will be possible to open. Otherwise, if the Cyprus problem is not solved, then it is the EU's commitment to open the 5 chapters which are blocked by the Greek Cypriot administration", added Bozkir. (AK) [03] Denktas: The Turkish guarantees must continue until Turkey enter EU Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (15.02.16) reports that Serdar Denktas, the chairman of Democratic Party (DP) argued that the Turkish guarantees must continue in Cyprus until Turkey becomes full member of the European Union. Denktas who was speaking on a television program stated that the same applies to the withdrawals of the Turkish occupation army from the island. He went on and stated that the coalition "government" between the Republican Turkish Party and the National Unity Party will not survive for long, accusing it for not preparing any new "laws" and for not signing the economic protocol with Turkey. (CS) [04] Tacoy: Anastasiades' statements are unacceptable Turkish Cypriot daily Demokrat Bakis (15.02.16) reports that Hasan Tacoy, general secretary of the Democratic Party (DP) said that the views expressed by Cyprus President Nikos Anastasiades during his address at a special session of the House of Representatives are unacceptable for the Turkish Cypriots. He called on the Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci to make a statement on these as soon as possible. In a written statement, Tacoy claimed that Anastasiades' statements are in contradiction to the 11 February 2014 Eroglu-Anastasiades joint declaration and existing UN parameters. He argued that Anastasiades is interpreting everything according to his own point of view, adding that the Greek Cypriot leader has revealed his dream of dragging the Turkish Cypriots back to pre-74 conditions in terms of property, territory and security. Claiming that Anastasiades' statements on property involved dangers which will economically and socially ruin the Turkish Cypriots, he added that Anastasiades openly set forth the plan of forcing the Turkish Cypriots to suffer at the hands of the courts for many years. Tacoy further said that it will be proper for Akinci just like Anastasiades to choose the "parliament" as a venue to issue his statements. Stating that Akinci's silence over the issue meant that he approved Anastasiades' statements, Tacoy said they will not give approval to this. (DPs) [05] Izcan criticized Erdogan's statement on the issue of citizenships' granting Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (13.02.16) reports that Izzet izcan, the chairman of the United Cyprus Party (BKP) stated that Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan must learn to show respect to the existence and to the political will of the Turkish Cypriots. Izcan was commenting on Erdogan statements regarding the "problem of 10,000 citizens of the Republic of Turkey who had acquired the right of becoming citizens of the TRNC but have not been granted the citizenship" yet and on the Turkish President's demand that "legal" preparation to be made for the "citizenships". Izcan strongly criticized Erdogan for his statement and called on the "coalition government" of the Republican Turkish Party and the National Unity Party to protest against it. Arguing that there are "laws" that safeguard the granting of "citizenships", Izcan said that this kind of statements in such a critical time for the Cyprus negotiations does not help towards reaching a solution. He also said that these kind of statements also carry the meaning that some circles want to blow up and to torpedo the peace talks. (CS) [06] The water issue "shakes" the regime's "government"; Talat: "If necessary, we will hold a referendum"; Ozgurgun: The "government" has already decided Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (14.02.16) reports that Mehmet Ali Talat, leader of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) has said that the "government" has taken no decision yet on the issue of the administration of the water from Turkey and that if necessary they might submit the issue to a referendum. In statements after an extraordinary meeting of the CTP's assembly on Saturday, Talat noted that this was an "assessment meeting", that the members of the "assembly expressed their view and that everyone listened, including the "members of the government". Under the title "The government is shaking', Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper (15.02.16) reports that the CTP's assembly could not decide on the issue of how the "municipalities" will be included in the system of administrating the water and submitted the suggestion that negotiations should be carried out again with Turkey. The "ministers", who are CTP members, said that such a possibility does not exist. The self-styled prime minister Omer Kalyoncu said that the National Unity Party (UBP), their minor "coalition partner", will open for debate the issue of whether it should remain in the "government". Kalyoncu proposed that they should vote whether the CTP should stay in the "government" or submit its resignation because of the water issue, but no voting was held on the issue. However, the "ministers" of finance and agriculture, Birikim Ozgur and Erkut Sahali have given to Kalyoncu the sign that they will resign, because they think that the text agreed in Turkey includes their "sensitivities". According to Havadis, UBP's chairman and general secretary, Huseyin Ozgurgun and Dursun Oguz evaluated the developments and decided that "if even a single comma is changed in the agreement" reached with Turkey on the water issue, the party will resign from the "government". Ozgurgun demanded that the agreed text should immediately be signed and criticized Talat, who said that "the government should decide". "The government has already decided. And the ministers have accepted this", he recalled. The UBP wants the water issue to be concluded the soonest and the "government" to start materializing its program. In case the water issue comes to deadlock, the UBP discussed the issue of forming a "temporary government" with the Democratic Party (DP) for one year and holding "early elections" in 2017. The UBP is expected to draw a "road map" today. According to Kibris (14.02.16), DP's chairman, Serdar Denktas said that his party is satisfied with the point which the water issue has come, but criticized the stance of the "government". In a statement after a meeting with the "mayors" of his party, Denkas noted that the water project must be implemented the soonest and criticized the delaying tactics of the "government" which he said causes harm to the "people" and the economy. Moreover, according to daily Yeni Duzen newspaper (15.02.16), DP's general secretary, Hasan Tacoy said that if the "government' cannot decide, holding a referendum will be inevitable. He recalled that "protocols" had been signed with Turkey on this issue by the former "prime ministers", Irsen Kucuk (UBP) and Ozkan Yorgancioglu (CTP). The paper notes also that the general secretary of the Social Democracy party (TDP), Asim Idris said that his party has not yet discussed the issue of holding a referendum on the issue of the administration of the water from Turkey, but they will discuss all issues, including the referendum during their meeting today. Idris expressed the view that the "people" are not sufficiently informed on this issue. (I/Ts.) [07] Veysel Eroglu: "For a length of time we will manage the water" According to illegal Bayrak television (online, 13.02.16), Turkish Forestry and Water Works Minister Veysel Eroglu, responding to criticisms made against the water supply project at the Turkish Grand National Assembly, said: "We have reached a certain point on the water issue, for a period of time we will manage the water". During discussions of the Planning and Budget Commission at the Turkish Grand National Assembly Minister Eroglu answered concerns and criticisms of other MP's regarding the water supply project to the "TRNC" (editor's note: the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus). He said that they have transferred water to the Gecitkoy dam (editor's note: the dam in occupied Panagra) but due to the "TRNC water works department" not completing the purifications plant, water depots and distribution pipes there have been some problems. "The President requested that we complete these, so we then completed the purification plant and completed a majority of the 477 kilometre water distribution pipeline and depots", said Eroglu. "We asked how Cyprus is going to manage the water and carried out meetings. As a result we have come to a certain point. For a length of time we will manage the water", said Eroglu. [08] Akinci said that the "municipalities" should be a part of the water issue Turkish Cypriot daily Detay (14.02.16) reported that the Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci, in statements on Saturday after his three-hour meeting with President Anastasiades, commenting on the water issue, said that the "municipal law" should be protected and definitely the "municipalities" should be involved somehow in this process, they cannot be left out. Reminding that he used to be "mayor" of the occupied part of Lefkosia from 1976-1990, Akinci said that during that time the waterworks were not linked with the "municipalities", but since 1991, the water has been under the supervision of the "municipalities". Akinci argued that a series of works is going on between Turkey's government and the "government" of the breakaway regime, however he does not know the latest situation on the issue. Noting that in case of a Cyprus settlement, especially a federal solution, the Turkish Cypriot institutions should be able to protect their existence and be able to function into the future, Akinci said that the "municipalities" are very important among these institutions. He further said that in case there is a "public-private partnership "on the management of the water issue, then the "public part" should be the "municipalities". (DPs) [09] Erk: A party congress not a referendum is needed for the water issue Turkish Cypriot daily Halkin Sesi newspaper (15.02.16) reported that Kutlay Erk, the former general secretary of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) criticized CTP on the way it handles the administration of the water from Turkey. Commenting on the recent statements of CTP's leader Mehmet Ali Talat who stated that the "government" has taken no decision yet on the issue of the administration of the water from Turkey and that if necessary they might submit the issue to a referendum, Erk said that a party congress and not a referendum is needed for the issue to be solved. He went on and stated that the way the party deals with the issue is very different than the party's program and stated that the solution for solving the problem exist in the program. "According to the program the water must be administrated by the public at all times. If they want to act in a different way than the one mentioned in this declaration, then they should call a general assembly of the party"", Erk stated and added: "Turkey does not want privatization; what Turkey wants is to Turkify the water. If CTP does not insist on its own program, then it is as if it accepts the Turkification of the water", he stated. (CS) [10] Ozgur on his contacts in Turkey on the water management issue Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi (15.02.16) reports that the so-called minister of finance of the breakaway regime, Birikim Ozgur in statements to Kanal T, evaluated their latest contacts in Turkey where they held talks with Turkish officials concerning the water management issue and described their contacts as very fruitful. Stating that during their contacts in Ankara, the expectations and goals of the "TRNC" were met, Ozgur said: "The agreement is not a burden for the municipalities, it is an award". He also alleged that the new model to be implemented towards the administration of the water transferred from Turkey, will give a breath to the "municipalities" and called them not to show negative stance. Supporting that they achieved to have a positive result during their discussions in Ankara on very sensitive issues for the "municipalities" and the CTP, Ozgur underlined that the "municipalities" will participate to the bidding process for the water management. Ozgur further said that both the "ministry of finance" and the "central committee for tenders" are committed to ensure that the process will be transparent. (AK) [11] KTOS describes as their "red line" the "state" having the ownership of the water resources that must be distributed by the "local authorities" Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika newspaper (15.02.16) reports that Sener Elcil, general secretary of the Turkish Cypriot Primary School Teachers' Trade Union (KTOS), has described as their "red line" the water resources' ownership belonging to the "state" and their distribution to the "local authorities". In a written statement, Elcil noted that they will not accept any practice in which the water will be in the possession of private companies. He said that they will exhibit every kind of resistance and called on everybody to defend their "communal dignity". Furthermore, Elcil expressed his concern by seeing that efforts are exerted by "the AKP, the private sector and its local collaborators" to usurp the rights of the Turkish Cypriots as regards the water. "The Republic of Turkey blackmails the people living in the TRNC over the water rights", he argued. (I/Ts.) [12] CHP Deputy to file a lawsuit against Aybak for his wastewater' allegations Turkish daily Milliyet newspaper (15.02.16) reports that the Republican People's Party Deputy in Mersin Fikri Saglar, in statements during a visit he paid in Anamour district in Turkey, referred to the allegations expressed by the chairman of the Mersin Waterworks Authority (MESKI) Turgut Aybak, who has stated that due to an infrastructural problem, wastewater from three neighborhoods in Mersin's Anamur district were directed into the Alakopru [occupied Panagra Dam]. Saglar strongly condemned Aybak for his allegations and stated that they will transfer the issue to the judiciary. "MESKI chairman has committed a mistake. This is an illegal action and a crime. As CHP we will transfer the issue to the judiciary", Saglar said. (AK) [13] Turkey not considering sending troops into Syria: Defence Minister Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (online, 15.02.16) reports that Turkish Defence Minister Ismet Y?lmaz denied a report that some Turkish soldiers had entered Syria during the weekend and said Ankara is not considering sending troops into the neighbouring country, state-run Anadolu Agency reported on Feb. 15. Asked about the claim in a Syrian Foreign Ministry letter to the U.N. Security Council, Yilmaz told a Turkish parliamentary commission "It is not true". "There is no thought of Turkish soldiers entering Syria". [14] Turkey strikes PYD, mulls ground offensive, alarming US-Russia According to Turkish daily Today's Zaman (online, 14.02.16), the Turkish military shelled Syrian Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD) forces at the Menagh air base near Azez in northern Syria as well as Syrian regime forces on Saturday, continuing to hit PYD targets on Sunday while demanding that the PYD withdraw from positions near the border even though the PYD warned on Sunday that they would resist any Turkish intervention. Ankara is also mulling a ground offensive in Syria along with Saudi Arabian troops, after Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu announced over the weekend Saudi Arabia is deploying fighter jets to Turkey's Incirlik Air Base in Adana province. "If there is a strategy [against the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL)], then Turkey and Saudi Arabia could enter into a ground operation", Cavusoglu was quoted as saying by the pro-government Yeni Safak and Haberturk dailies on Sunday. Ankara hitting PYD targets and talking about the possibility of a ground offensive into Syria is further complicating the efforts of world powers to end the hostilities in Syria within a week and alarmed Washington and Moscow. US Department of State Spokesman John Kirby urged Turkey on Saturday to halt military strikes on Kurdish and Syrian regime targets in the northern province of Aleppo. "We are concerned about the situation north of Aleppo and are working to de-escalate tensions on all sides," Kirby said in a statement. "W?e have urged Syrian Kurdish and other forces affiliated with the [People's Protection Units] YPG not to take advantage of a confused situation by seizing new territory," Kirby said. Russia gave a positive assessment of a Syrian cease-fire deal struck by major powers last week in Munich, but there is no let-up in fighting as Turkey shelled Kurdish rebel positions in Syria for a second day running. Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev warned on Sunday that any ground offensive against Syria could turn into a long-term war. Speaking to Euronews, Medvedev said Russia will never approve of a ground offensive backed by international forces. Speaking on a TV program, Davutoglu said late Saturday that the shelling had taken place under "the rules of engagement against forces that represented a threat in Azaz and the surrounding area" in response to a provocation along the border. He accused the YPG of carrying out "harassing actions" along the border. [15] Davutoglu tells Merkel: Turkey will continue to respond to YPG attacks in Syria According to Turkish daily Sabah (online, 14.02.16), Turkey's Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu told German Chancellor Angela Merkel that Turkey will not let the YPG continue its aggressive activities in northern Syria. During a phone conversation on Sunday, the Turkish Premier told Merkel that the Turkish security forces will continue to give necessary response to the PYD or the YPG attacks in Syria. On Saturday, Turkish military shelled YPG targets near the town of Azaz in northern Syria under the rules of engagement, in response to two separate attacks carried out by YPG and Assad forces on a Turkish military base and a police station. Davutoglu argued on Saturday that YPG is engaged in an ethnic cleansing against Arabs and Turkmens in the region in cooperation with the Assad regime and added that the group must immediately leave Azaz and its surroundings. Davutoglu reiterated that Turkey will respond to any development that threatens the country's national security and will not allow any powers to the harass Turkish borders. Meanwhile, the Syrian regime has condemned Turkey's shelling of PYD held areas inside Syrian territory, describing it as an attempt to raise the morale of 'terrorist' groups. [16] CHP 'against all decisions to plunge Turkey into war' According to Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (online, 15.02.16), the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) "is against all decisions to plunge Turkey into war," its leader has said. "[Prime Minister] Ahmet Davutoglu said that 'the CHP should choose its side'. As was the case in the March 1, 2003 motion, the CHP is against all decisions to plunge Turkey into war", Kemal Kilicdaroglu wrote on Feb. 14 on his Twitter account. [17] Commentary: "A dangerous escalation on the Turkey-Syria border" Columnist Murat Yetkin, writing in Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (online, 15.02.16), evaluates the latest situation in the Syrian border with Turkey in the following commentary: "As Turkish artillery started pounding Syrian-Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD) military positions in Syria on Feb. 13, it became clear what Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu meant last week when he said: 'Just wait, you'll see'. Davutoglu had been asked about the tension between Ankara and Washington over the PYD, which is regarded as a functional ground force against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) by the U.S. administration but as a terrorist organization by the Turkish government, which sees it as the Syria branch of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). Ankara was very upset after Brett McGurk, the anti-ISIL envoy of U.S. President Barack Obama, went to the PYD-held Syrian town of Kobane (bordering Turkey) and received a plaque from the hands of a 'PYD commander', who is a known PKK militant with an arrest warrant in Turkey. McGurk's visit also came just after a visit to Turkey by U.S. Vice President Joe Biden. Following the controversial photo, President Tayyip Erdogan asked Obama to decide who his partner was: His NATO ally Turkey or the 'PYD terrorists'. The answer came from a U.S. State Department spokesman: 'Turkey is an ally but the U.S. does not consider the PYD to be a terrorist organization like the PKK'. Obama, who wants to keep the boots of U.S. soldiers away from foreign soil, needs foot soldiers on the ground to fight against ISIL and die if necessary. When Davutoglu told reporters to 'wait and see', he also said Turkey was determined to hit every terrorist target that it considered as a threat. The fire by 155 mm Turkish 'F?rt?na-Strom' howitzers with a 45-km range on the weekend of Feb. 13-14 showed that he was not bluffing. By then, Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu had already announced it might be possible for Turkey to enter a ground war in Syria with Saudi Arabia. Cavusoglu also said Saudi planes might be deployed to Turkey's Incirlik air base, which is currently used by the U.S.-led coalition against ISIL with the contribution of American and German war planes. But in the later hours of Feb. 13, the Foreign Minister made another statement saying there had been no such concrete plan to get involved in a ground operation in Syria. Then the attacks on PYD positions came. The Turkish military said the shelling of Syrian army and PYD positions was 'reciprocal', as in previous cases, and thus nothing new. Davutoglu and Biden had a telephone call, during which the Turkish Prime Minister asked the U.S. to move the PYD away from the border, otherwise the Turkish military's operations would continue. The answer came from D.C. again: A U.S. spokesman asked the PYD not to take the current opportunity to capture more land and also asked Turkey to stop firing. Only hours later, however, Turkish artillery fired fresh "reciprocal" rounds on PYD positions. Meanwhile, a telephone conversation was held between Obama and Russian President Vladimir Putin about forming a "united front against terrorism" in Syria. If that front were to consider the Syrian President Bashar al-Assad regime a partner, as Russia wants, it would not only be a failure of Obama's policies in Syria but it would likely make Turkey more nervous, as Ankara continues to insist that al-Assad must go - at least after a transition period. Perhaps that anxiety is forcing the Turkish government to try to show that any Syria 'solution' that side-lines Ankara would eventually fail. One of the key points here is the lack of information for Turkish public opinion other than the (sometimes contradictory) official statements and leaked propaganda material - both regarding tension at the border and the deal with Saudi Arabia." TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION http://www.moi.gov.cy/pio (DPs/AM) Cyprus Press and Information Office: Turkish Cypriot Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 16-02-16 Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article From: The Athens News Agency at CONTENTS [01] Six Turkish fighter jets violate Greek airspace in the Aegean [02] Defence Minister to visit hotspots in Lesvos, Chios, Leros on Tuesday [01] Six Turkish fighter jets violate Greek airspace in the Aegean Six Turkish fighter jets and a CN-235 maritime patrol aircraft entered successively in Athens' FIR on Monday without submitting a flight plan, violating the Greek airspace 22 times in different regions of the Aegean. Athens' FIR also recorded two more violations of air traffic rules. The 19 out of 22 violations were committed by the CN-235 which passed between islands of the eastern and central Aegean. According to Air Force sources, the aforementioned aircraft entered Athens' FIR at 14.09 (local)) between Lemnos and Lesvos and exited at 16.21 east of Rhodes. In all the incidents, the Turkish aircraft were recognized and intercepted by Greek fighter jets respectively, while in two cases the interception process developed into a dogfight. Two of the Turkish aircraft were armed. [02] Defence Minister to visit hotspots in Lesvos, Chios, Leros on Tuesday Defence Minister Panos Kammenos will visit Lesvos, Chios and Leros on Tuesday to inspect the registration and identification centers on the islands which are almost complete, the ministry said in a press release. Before his visit, he will hold a press briefing to present the progress made in the construction of the so-called hotspots. The ministry also said that the Armed Forces are work intensively to complete the work in all centers within the deadline given to the country, which includes a total of five centers on five islands in the eastern Aegean, as well as two relocation centers in the mainland. Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 16-02-16 Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article From: The Athens News Agency at CONTENTS [01] The effective management of the refugee flows is an international and European issue, Tsipras and Tusk say [02] The closure of the borders is not a solution, main opposition leader says [01] The effective management of the refugee flows is an international and European issue, Tsipras and Tusk say The effective management of the refugee and migratory flow is an international and European issue and it requires a common European approach with respect to the principles of international law and the EU, solidarity and the need for fair burden sharing, Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras and European Council president Donald Tusk on Friday said in joint statements. Tusk underlined that the migration crisis tests the limits and the tolerance of Europe adding that the alleged exclusion of Greece from the Schengen zone is not a solution. "Excluding Greece from the Schengen zone does not solve any problem," he said. Tsipras spoke of the disproportionate burden that Greece has borne so far adding that it addresses the problem with humanity and great cost, respecting the European values and at the same time showcasing our own values. The prime minister said that he agreed with Tusk that it is necessary to accelerate the progress of the implementation of all decisions taken. Among those discussed was the operation of NATO in the region, with the main purpose to assist the Turkish authorities in locating traffickers on the coast of Turkey and Turkish waters. [02] The closure of the borders is not a solution, main opposition leader says The closure of the borders is not the answer to the problems and everyone should understand that, main opposition New Democracy leader Kyriakos Mitsotakis said on Tuesday. Mitsotakis also accused the government of keeping an "awkward and amateurish" stance and summoned it to change it. Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 16-02-16 Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article From: The Athens News Agency at CONTENTS [01] Long bottlenecks on Greek-Bulgarian border as Bulgarian drivers close their side [02] Migration minister criticises Visegrad Four for demanding border closures [01] Long bottlenecks on Greek-Bulgarian border as Bulgarian drivers close their side Bulgarian drivers who have been trapped on Bulgarian soil due to the roadblocks set up by Greek farmers at the two countries' border crossing of Promahonas blocked the passage of cars and trucks to and from Greece on Tuesday, to protest the trapping of many Bulgarian trucks at the border, a police source said. The road started to close at 11.00 (local) and the last vehicle to cross was a truck at 13.00 on Monday. According to the same source, about 600 trucks and 100 cars have bottlenecked on the Greek side of the border, while another 700 trucks and 100 cars are trapped in Bulgaria. [02] Migration minister criticises Visegrad Four for demanding border closures Alternate Migration Policy Minister Yiannis Mouzalas criticized on Tuesday the countries of the Visegrad Group the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia for insisting that borders should close, saying they are affected by xenophobia and are targeting Greece. "We are all united even the opposition on the issue of closing borders. We don't take the tablets and personal items of the refugees and we don't agree with push-backs," he said during a press briefing on the refugee crisis and the government's work in setting up identification and registration centers on several islands of the eastern Aegean. He also reiterated his concern that the government should prepare for "worst circumstances," but also singled out countries like Germany, France, Spain and Italy, saying they don't agree with the Visegrad Four. "The completion of the work at the 5 plus 2 centers is in our own best interest as it gives our country the opportunity to show it is not a free-for-all and on the other hand that the government is examining the issue of refugees in a humanitarian way so that refugees may live with dignity and have their rights," Mouzalas said and extolled along with all speakers - the efforts of the Armed Forces for the completion of the hotspots in five islands, saying they were the ones that did the hard work. The minister also reiterated his concerns over the participation of NATO in the return of refugees and migrants to Turkey, saying there might be "missteps or victims" because "the situation at sea is very difficult." In his statements to the press, Defence Minister Panos Kammenos reiterated that NATO's intervention concerns only the supervision, surveillance, and alerting of the competent authorities if the incident takes place in Turkish waters, the Turkish coastguard - if it's in Greek territorial waters, the coast guard. NATO will also inform both sides on migrant and refugee boats sailing from the Turkish coast so that coastguards comply with the agreement reached at the recent meeting of defense ministers of NATO member-states. Taking his turn, Alternate Minister for Civil Protection Nikos Toskas noted that the drop in migrant flows in the past few days (from 2,500 people three days ago to 250 yesterday and zero today) "supports our view that Turkey plays a key role in reducing the refugee flows. Words are not enough. We'll wait and see what it does." Presenting the latest data on migration and progress in the construction of the hotspots, the head of the Central Coordinating Body for the Management of Migration, Lieutenant Konstantinos Floros said that the registration and identification centers in Lesvos, Chios and Leros are fully operational and can accommodate 1,500, 1,000 and 600 people respectively, while the one in Samos is 50 pct operational. Floros also said that 35,000 refugees and migrants have entered Greece since the start of the year. Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 16-02-16 Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article From: The Athens News Agency at CONTENTS [01] Tender on TV licenses to produce significant revenues, says minister [02] Commission pleased with progress in Greek hotspots, says spokeswoman [01] Tender on TV licenses to produce significant revenues, says minister The tender for the sale of broadcasting licenses will have an important fiscal impact on the economy, State Minister Nikos Pappas said on Tuesday following a meeting at the finance ministry. "The tender for the TV licenses will have a significant fiscal result," he said. The meeting was also attended by Government Vice-President Yiannis Dragasakis and Finance Minister Euclid Tsakalotos. Ministry sources said the meeting concerned issues relating to Greece's gambling operator OPAP. [02] Commission pleased with progress in Greek hotspots, says spokeswoman BRUSSELS (ANA-MPA/ M. Aroni) - The European Commission is pleased with the progress made in the construction of the so-called "hotspots" on the Greek islands which is continuing, based on the country's commitments, spokeswoman Mina Andreeva said on Tuesday during a press briefing in Brussels. Asked to comment on an announcement by the Greek authorities that four out of five registration and identification centers are ready, Andreeva said the Commission has staff in site to inspect the progress. She also said European services have been mobilized at all levels to help Greece operate those centers soon, adding that prime Minister Alexis Tsipras is expected to brief European leaders on the issue in the upcoming Summit, after which the Commission's staff will be able to review the situation. Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article professionals need to wind back the day-to-day focus and start speaking the same language as the board in order to cement their position as a strategic partner, a report from one of the world's largest corporate law firms says.Eversheds, in conjunction with business intelligence experts, Winmark, has just released a report entitled Navigating the Future: HR 2020.The report surveyed 75 UK HR and non-executive directors of major firms, looking specifically at the future of the HR function. The reports key observation was the potential for the HR profession to redefine its role at a more strategic level.HR has played a significant part in the growth and survival of organisations in recent years and it now has a real opportunity to cement its position in steering the strategic direction of organisations, London-based partner and head of the human resources group at Eversheds, Martin Warren, said.Economic, social and technological change puts HR at the forefront of organisational development, with HR holding many of the solutions to today's business challenges.However, HR departments need to ensure they are tuned into the same frequency as other areas of the business if they are to fully realise their impact. Key to this is speaking the same language as other areas of the business.While talent management is a perfectly valid priority for an HR director, it doesn't articulate the wider business objective it is supporting, Warren said.HR directors who discuss problems and opportunities in terms of financial implications and risk profile are more likely to have the ear of the rest of the business.The report focused on pensions and human rights two issues when new regulations are due to come into force in the UK.Over half of the respondents said they saw the responsibility for pensions-related issues sitting with HR, yet 41% said they had no planned changes in the pipeline in preparation for the pension freedom and change agenda.The report revealed the majority (92%) of HR directors are focused on attracting and retaining talent within their organisation, with succession planning (81%) and employee engagement (78%) also high on the agenda.'With shortages of candidates in skilled roles set to increase significantly, it is unsurprising that this is where HR directors are currently focused, but it does highlight a somewhat narrow perspective, Warren said.Ironically, it is broad, lateral thinking that will help to win the war for talent and HR directors have an important role to play in building a genuinely diverse workforce for the long-term benefit of the wider business.Diversity isn't just about ethnicity or gender, it is about creating a workforce which fits into a more flexible and technologically advanced era of doing business, Warren said.Mobile and online technologies are enabling people to work remotely and collaborate across different countries and time zones, while organisations rely less on employees alone and are willing to explore other resources such as contractors and service suppliers.Tomorrow's HR leaders are those who will correctly assess the impact of these trends on their organisation and plan accordingly.Read the report at www.hr2020report.com A dyslexic employee has won a discrimination case against Starbucks after being accused of falsifying documents. The accusations were made after Meseret Kumulchew inaccurately recorded water and fridge temperatures while working as a supervisor at a southwest London branch last year. In December, an employment tribunal found she had been victimised by the company which failed to make allowances for employees with dyslexia. After accusing Kumulchew of falsifying the records, Starbucks allegedly reduced her responsibilities and sent her to be retrained. This was despite previously making them aware of her condition. The tribunal found that Starbucks had neglected to make the proper changes and adjust the workplace for Kumulchews reading difficulties. This violated the 2010 Equality Act. Speaking with The Guardian, Kumulchew urged Starbucks to take action and help its dyslexic staff. Starbucks says do, show and tell. That works brilliantly for me. Visual, physical and reading, they all go together. If you miss one of them, Im lost, she said. Ill struggle, dont worry, help me. Ill get there in my own speed, but I wont affect your business because [for] every customer Ill roll out the red carpet. I want to apply Starbucks mission statement and the training I [was] given to the full. I love my job. She suggested Starbucks could send around a second person to help or simply make the text larger. Kate Saunders, the chief executive of the British Dyslexia Association, also spoke with The Guardian. All organisations must make reasonable adjustments for those with disabilities, including dyslexia, she said They should have appropriate policies in place and make sure these are movements to avoid discrimination, including in the recruitment process, the work environment and colleague reactions. Saunders said the association had received numerous calls from those with dyslexia who have faced serious discrimination while at work. The chief executive of Dyslexia Action told The Guardian that employers were missing out by failing to cater to dyslexic employees in the workplace. Without the correct support, people with dyslexia can suffer a huge loss of confidence and low self-esteem. This is a great shame as those with dyslexia have much to offer in the workplace. Many people with dyslexia work very differently from conventional methods, but employers stand to gain great benefit from the different perspective that this brings and ability to think outside the box. A Donald Trump presidency in the United States is starting to look like a very real possibility. But those who fear that situation needn't worry you have somewhere to run, and it's one of Canada's most beautiful hidden gems. A website called "Cape Breton if Donald Trump Wins" was launched Monday, pitching the lovely Nova Scotian island as a place of refuge, should Trump take the White House. Advertisement The site shows gorgeous pictures of life on Cape Breton Island as it encourages Americans to move there. "Don't wait until Donald Trump is elected president to find somewhere else to live," it reads. "Start now, that way, on election day, you just hop on a bus to start your new life in Cape Breton, where women can get abortions, Muslim people can roam freely, and the only 'walls' are holding up the roofs of our extremely affordable houses." Advertisement The site was created by DJ Rob Calabrese, who works at 101.9 The Giant in Sydney, N.S. Calabrese said it's just a personal project he created in anticipation of a mass American exodus. "I know after every election you always hear usually Democrats saying, 'Oh dear, that's it, I'm moving to Canada if a Republican wins,'" he told The Huffington Post Canada. "We're living on an island where the population is decreasing. As a joke, we thought of it to maybe get the word out there that, 'Hey, you should come here!'" The Cape Breton Regional Municipality's (CBRM) population was just over 100,000 people in 2013, Metro News reported. But in years since, there's been a projected decline of one per cent or more. Advertisement While the site carries a link to Destination Cape Breton, it's not affiliated with the travel body. It's simply a project by a Cape Bretoner who wants people to know what his home has to offer. Also on HuffPost: Taylor Swift has clearly been killing it at the gym. The global pop star sizzled on the 2016 Grammys red carpet in Los Angeles Monday night, wearing a stunning midriff-baring ensemble from Atelier Versace. Swift, who has seven nominations including Album of the Year for "1989," is set to open tonight's festivities with a major performance. Advertisement The colourful two-piece ensemble, with its bright orange barely-there bandeau top and a hot pink ultra-high slit skirt, was a colour-blocked dream. The silk look, which shows off Taylor's tall frame beautifully, was accessorized with strappy Stuart Weitzman sandals and a gorgeous Lorraine Schwartz choker. As for her beauty look, the 26-year-old donned a chic chin-length bob with her classic soft fringe. Her eyes popped with a subtle black eyeliner and, she wore her signature bold red lip. Advertisement Taylor was already picking up awards, before the show had actually begun. In full robe and all, the leader of the most famous squad in town was awarded with Music Video of the Year for her celeb-filled action flick "Bad Blood." By her side was bestie and co-star Selena Gomez. Bad Blood just won a Grammy for Best Music Video and we are not ok.@selenagomezpic.twitter.com/EquWAq0UPg Taylor Swift (@taylorswift13) February 15, 2016 We're guessing it's going to be a big night for Taylor! For more red carpet moments from the 2016 Grammys Awards, check out the slideshow below! Grammys 2016 Red Carpet Photos See Gallery Richard Lautens via Getty Images Toronto, ON - October 2 - Deni Reiss is the President and CEO of The Canada Goose company that has made iconic outerwear, primarily down filled jackets since the 1950's. All their jackets are made in Canada and the down is sourced in Canada as well. A tour of the factory in the Dufferin and Eglinton area of Toronto illustrates the process. October 2, 2013. (Richard Lautens/Toronto Star via Getty Images) Boston University is urging students not to leave their Canada Goose jackets in public places after a surge in thefts at the school. Campus police say people from the university are likely stealing the coats, which are "probably twice as valuable as an iPhone," reported the school's news site, BU Today. Advertisement The jackets retail from US$900 to $1,300 at American department stores. Canada Goose coats are made in Canada, and have been worn by scientists in Antarctica, as well as by the first Canadian to climb Mount Everest, according to the company's website. University police reported 14 clothing thefts since September, most of them Canada Goose jackets. Peter DiDomenica, a detective lieutenant with campus police, said students need to lock them up instead of leave them hanging on a coat rack at the gym. Police captain Robert Molloy told student newspaper The Daily Free Press last year that the jackets are quite popular with students on campus. "We have had several reports of them being taken and we investigate them all," he said. If I had a dollar for every Canada Goose jacket I see at BU I would be able to afford one Sara Stinner (@SaraStinner) January 24, 2016 Advertisement It's so bad that campus police have created public reminders: Winter jackets left unattended are flying away! Please keep them in sight or place in a locked area. pic.twitter.com/kbjBkz4fY5 BU Police Department (@BUPolice) January 26, 2016 As seen today on patrol. Let this be a reminder #lockitup#thisisnotajokepic.twitter.com/DyOXWgsMYo BU Police Department (@BUPolice) February 11, 2016 One student has been charged with taking a Canada Goose jacket, according to police. Also On HuffPost: (Photo: Blue Earth Photography/Facebook) An Ojibway teen who spent all of his spare time studying last fall has seen it pay off with perfect grades. Erickson Owen scored a 100 per cent average in all of his Grade 12 classes at Pelican Falls First Nations High School last semester, according to CBC News. Advertisement Owen, 17, is a member of the Poplar Hill First Nation in Thunder Bay, Ont., part of the Nishnawbe Aski Nation. I did not go on any trips. I turned them all down because I wanted to study," he told the Sioux Lookout Bulletin. "During the nights I would be reading over my notes at least three times over. I did that every night." 'This young leader is going places' He told CBC that he wanted to prove to other students "anything is possible." But that's not all. Owen also won a national competition sponsored by the Aboriginal Financial Officers Association after crafting an essay explaining how he wants to become an accountant. Students were asked to write about themselves and their aspirations to pursue a career in finance, and what leaders should focus on to advance indigenous communities. Advertisement Owen will be one of four students presenting their essays at the AFOA's conference in Montreal on Tuesday. Congratulations to the 2016 PotashCorp Aboriginal Youth Financial Management Award Recipients! Join us in Montreal on... Posted by AFOA Canada on Wednesday, January 27, 2016 "This young leader is going places," wrote Nishnawbe Aski Nation Chief Derek Fox after hearing Owen present an early version of his essay. The teen plans to present the speech in Ojibway his first language according to CBC News. Owen is slated to attend Confederation College in Thunder Bay next fall. Also on HuffPost: OJO_Images via Getty Images For sale sign in yard of house OTTAWA The Canadian Real Estate Association says sales of existing homes rose by eight per cent last month compared to a year ago, while the national average home price soared 17 per cent. CREA says the national average home price was $470,297 in January, fuelled largely by price gains in greater Vancouver and greater Toronto. Advertisement However, excluding the piping hot markets of Ontario and British Columbia, the average sale price actually edged lower by 0.3 per cent from a year ago to $286,911. "Canadas housing market continued to exhibit some radical regional differences in January, consistent with the underlying economic picture," BMO senior economist Robert Kavcic wrote. "Vancouvers market is drum tight, with an almost unheard of 91 per cent sales-to-new listings ratio (in other words, almost every new listing is getting absorbed within the month as record sales meet average growth in new listings). Advertisement "On the flip side, sales and prices continue to retrench in markets exposed to oil prices. Sales in Calgary are now down more than 40 per cent from their 2014 high, but prices have corrected a modest 3 per cent to date." Vancouver Teardown Listed For $2.4 Million See Gallery On a month-to-month, seasonally adjusted basis, CREA says national home sales rose 0.5 per cent in January, compared to December of last year. Meanwhile, the number of new listings on the Multiple Listing Service declined by 4.9 per cent in January, compared to December. Though he expects the market to be "more of the same" for the rest of this year, Kavcic noted that "the explosion in price gains since the Bank of Canada began cutting rates last year might warrant some real concern down the road." TD economist Diana Petramala said Toronto and Vancouver "are expected to be well supported by foreign investment and positive net interprovincial migration flows this year, but still ease off their currently elevated levels." Advertisement Petramala predicts house prices will decline in those two hot markets next year. And "every month of double-digit home price growth raises the risk of a deeper home price correction down the road," she added in a client note Tuesday. CREA chief economist Gregory Klump said single-family homes remained in high demand in Toronto and Vancouver last month, while a number of Alberta markets continued to see ample supply while potential buyers sat on the sidelines. "Tighter mortgage regulations that take effect in February may shrink the pool of prospective homebuyers who qualify for mortgage financing and cause national sales activity to ease in the months ahead,'' Klump said. New federal rules requiring Canadians to put down larger down payments on homes that cost between $500,000 and $1 million took effect Monday. OTTAWA The Liberals found themselves in the hot seat Tuesday after International Development Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau acknowledged last week that Canadian humanitarian aid could help enemy combatants. Karina Gould, a rookie MP from Burlington, Ont., and parliamentary secretary to the international development minister, was peppered with questions by Conservative MPs lambasting the Grits over comments Bibeau made to The Huffington Post Canada in a SiriusXM interview. Advertisement When asked whether Canadian humanitarian could help combatants on both sides of the conflict, Bibeau said: "Yes." Minister of International Development and La Francophonie Marie-Claude Bibeau speaks to media during a press conference in Ottawa on Monday. (Photo: Matthew Usherwood/Canadian Press) Humanitarian organizations give services to "whoever needs help," Bibeau said during the "Everything Is Political" show, adding that the government would respect principles of neutrality and impartiality in aid delivery. Advertisement "Obviously, we will not get involved in any way in this once we have given money to an organization. They give food and services to the people in need, no matter where they decided to go." In the Commons, several Conservative MPs suggested that permitting such treatment would be an outrage. Could the minister, they asked, confirm that no Canadian aid would go to support jihadi terrorists? That no ISIS fighters would benefit from Canadian generosity? "On one hand, these terrorists want to harm us. On the other hand, this Liberal government turns a blind eye to them benefitting from our aid dollars," Calgary Tory Deepak Obhrai declared. "Why?" Liberal MP Karina Gould responds to a question in the House of Commons Tuesday. (Photo: Sean Kilpatrick/CP) Advertisement Gould was unfazed. "It appears, it needs repeating," she said, that humanitarian assistance is provided to partners in a neutral, impartial fashion to aid civilians in the midst of conflict. "This is the same policy that our government, that the previous government and governments before it, in Canada has had." The Liberal government is only respecting the Geneva conventions international agreements that allow for aid to be delivered impartially something the previous Conservative government also did, Gould said. A Trudeau Minister admitted that Canadian aid could end up in the hands of ISIS. https://t.co/OOF9fXb9R4#cdnpolipic.twitter.com/8ztszPcxOX Conservative Party (@CPC_HQ) February 16, 2016 "I would like to ask the previous government if they can confirm that none of their humanitarian assistance went to ISIS?," she asked. "The fact of the matter is humanitarian assistance goes towards those in need. We do not discriminate. We send it to our humanitarian partners so they can work effectively in the region." Advertisement "I would like to ask the previous government if they can confirm that none of their humanitarian assistance went to ISIS?" Stephen Cornish, the executive director of Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF, Doctors Without Borders), said that, while his group does not accept any government funding for its work in "active open conflicts" precisely to remain independent, he was pleased to see Bibeau speak so forcefully about impartiality and neutrality. Questions about United Nations Relief and Works Agency funding The Liberals were also questioned Tuesday about their willingness to reconsider funding the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA). Interim Conservative Leader Rona Ambrose said Hamas, a listed terrorist group, had used UNRWA schools and hospitals in Gaza to store rockets and weapons designed to kill Israelis and some UNRWA staff had been fired after inciting anti-Semitic violence. "Yet," she said, "the prime minister has planned $15 million in new funding for UNRWA." Conservative MP Peter Kent, who represents a heavily Jewish riding, told the House of Commons that B'nai Brith and the Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center For Holocaust Studies opposed any new funding for UNRWA. He suggested that providing funds to the organization would be the equivalent of handing it over to "terrorists." Advertisement Canadian Jewish News raised the issue in a story late last week. Gould, who is also Jewish on her fathers side, told Kent that UNRWA received most of its funds from the United States and other countries such as Britain. "The honourable member seems to have forgotten that in 2012 it was the Conservative government that provided $15 million in funding in response to UNRWA's request for emergency funding," she said. "Our government has not yet taken a decision. We are considering all options for how we can best assist those in the region." Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the Liberals are looking at "different ways of engaging" and supporting the "good work" of the UN. "We will, of course, look at all the various things that the past government cancelled for political reasons," he said. Over the weekend, Bibeau told CTVs "Question Period" that the government had opened a "channel of communication" with whom she didnt say and was discussing UNRWA funding. "We're evaluating the situation. And the decision will be taken shortly," she said. Advertisement Also on HuffPost Erik Isakson via Getty Images Business people in line at airport front desk Half of Canadians aged 55 to 64 who don't have an employer pension have less than $3,000 saved up for retirement. Thats one of the many staggering numbers in a new report on seniors finances from the Broadbent Institute, released Tuesday. Advertisement This new data on retirement savings and gaps in support makes one thing perfectly clear we have a retirement income crisis on our hands that requires urgent government action now, said Rick Smith, the institute's executive director, in a statement. The study found nearly half (47 per cent) of Canadians aged 55 to 64 dont have an employer pension plan. Among them, those who earn $50,000 to $100,000 a year have saved up an average of $21,000. Among those who earn $25,000 to $50,000 and dont have an employer pension, the average savings is a paltry $250. Those savings are wholly inadequate, the report concludes. Fewer than one in five people over age 55 who dont have an employer pension have enough to live in retirement for five years or more, the study found. Advertisement Median incomes for single seniors, compared to the income level provided by Old Age Security and the Guaranteed Income Supplement. The two social programs for retirees have fallen behind, the Broadbent Institute says. (Chart: Broadbent Institute) At the same time, the study says social support for retirees has become less generous. Old Age Security (OAS) and the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) have fallen behind over the decades, and now give seniors just 60 per cent of median income, down from 76 per cent in 1984. These findings raise serious questions about the policy needs for future pensionless cohorts, such as the adequacy of benefits from Old Age Security, the Guaranteed Income Supplement, and the Quebec and Canada pension plans, the report stated. The report comes as the federal government launches pre-budget consultation hearings. Though the study doesn't delve into specific policy options, it says the Liberals plans to increase the GIS for singles retirees will make little dent in senior poverty. Advertisement The plan should remove 85,000 senior singles from the poverty rolls leaving 634,000 seniors living in poverty, the left-leaning Broadbent Institute said in a statement. Poverty rates for seniors plunged in the 1970s after the introduction of the GIS, but have been climbing since the 1990s. (Chart: Broadbent Institute) The study urges public pensions like the CPP to boost their revenue. But in the short term, it says boosting the GIS could make a serious dent in seniors poverty more quickly. Some jurisdictions have already taken steps to address what they say is a shortfall in retirement savings. Advertisement Ontario is preparing a provincial retirement pension plan to supplement the federal CPP, arguing that the CPP is not enough. The plan would be mandatory for employees who dont contribute to an employer pension plan. Reporters from Ezra Levant's conservative news and opinion site are not actual reporters at least, not according to the Alberta government. According to a blog on The Rebel, Premier Rachel Notley is a "bully" because her NDP government is banning the site's reporters from provincial media events. Advertisement The Rebel's reporters Holly Nicholas and Sheila Gunn Reid were kicked out of a media lock-up about Alberta's royalty review announcements on Jan. 29 despite being initially admitted to the event an hour earlier. Later that day, a government staffer asked them to leave a common area of the Hyatt Hotel, where they had scheduled interviews with industry stakeholders. The Rebel reporter Holly Nicholas, left, and Alberta bureau chief Sheila Gunn Reid, right, were booted from Alberta legislature media events. (Photo: Facebook) Advertisement Reid, the site's Alberta bureau chief, tried to attend a press conference with Alberta premier Rachel Notley and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Feb. 3, but security told her The Rebel was on a "no-go list" and escorted her off the property. The Rebel's blog, titled "Notley is a bully," says security asked Reid for "accreditation." However, Reid had confirmed with the legislature's press gallery president that "there is no such thing as accreditation to cover the government of the day, in the building that houses our democracy." A lawyer for The Rebel sent a letter to the premier's office, asking for clarification. The province responded on Friday with a short letter of its own. "Our client's position remains that your client and those who identify as being connected to your client are not journalists," the letter from an Alberta Justice lawyer read. The Rebel decried the move as a suppression of free speech, and has started a petition to end the "illegal blacklist" and "telling Notley that her enemies list just isnt acceptable in Alberta." Advertisement Ezra Levant, seen at a town hall in June 2015, runs The Rebel, his conservative news and opinion site. (Photo: The Rebel/Facebook) The site also plans to sue the provincial government, and is crowdfunding to help cover its legal costs. Its blog says: "The Rebel isnt everyones cup of tea. But all Albertans are entitled to freedom of the press. Notley is doing things we couldn't imagine even the Redford or Prentice Tories doing. Even they wouldn't throw out reporters for criticizing them. Notley promised us a more transparent and accountable government. But in reality, Notley and her NDP have given us a more closed, more censorious and more belligerent government than ever." Also On HuffPost: Ontarios cancellation of a proposed wind farm in the St. Lawrence River could cost Canada $568 million, if a NAFTA tribunal rules in favour of a U.S.-based energy company. Hearings began in Toronto this week into the case of U.S.-based Windstream Energy. The company launched a lawsuit against Ontario in 2012, after the province cancelled an offshore wind farm project the company wanted to build off Wolf Island, in the St. Lawrence River near Kingston. Advertisement The federal government is the defendant in cases brought under NAFTA, even in instances where provincial policy is at issue. The initial filing sought C$475 million in damages for the cancellation of the 100-turbine project, but according to a recent report in the Globe and Mail, the company is now seeking $568 million. Ontario placed a moratorium on offshore wind farms in 2011, cancelling dozens of projects. But Windstream says that, unlike other projects, it had a contract with the Ontario Power Authority, according to a 2012 Toronto Star report. Windstream says it placed a $6-million security with the power authority, and had signed a supply contract with Siemens Canada before the province enacted the moratorium. Advertisement Although we view litigation as an absolute last resort, we have been given no other option but to pursue this path, Windstream president Ian Baines said at the time, as quoted at the Star. We hope that this mechanism will break the provincial political interference. Wind Energy Myths See Gallery In documents filed with the trbunal, the federal government said Ontario has a right to proceed with caution on offshore wind projects, and NAFTA doesnt forbid reasonable regulatory delays, the Globe reported. The federal government is also reportedly arguing the project had no market value because it could not have been pulled off in the time required under the contract. Windstream is suing under NAFTAs chapter 11, known as an investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS) mechanism. Such ISDS clauses have become politically unpopular in recent years, and their inclusion in the proposed Canada-EU and U.S.-EU free trade deals have been blamed for holding up both treaties. Critics say ISDS clauses in effect hand corporations the ability to rewrite or strike down national laws when they affect foreign trade with free-trade partners. Advertisement Canada is reportedly the most-sued country under NAFTAs ISDS tribunal. As of last year, there were 35 claims brought against Canada. So far, Canada has lost six, paying out a total of $170 million. Mexico has lost five cases and paid out $204 million. The U.S. has never lost a NAFTA lawsuit brought against it. Trade lawyer Harry Herman of Herman & Associates told the Globe and Mail that, while Canada may have lost a few, the general trend in these [cases] has been to recognize that governments have a right to regulate. Todd Mintz www.tmintz.ca via Getty Images This article was co-authored by Doug Neasloss, elected chief councillor of the Kitasoo/Xai'xais First Nation, Brian Falconer, guide outfitter coordinator for Raincoast Conservation Foundation, and Chris Genovali, Raincoast's executive director. For those of you celebrating British Columbia Premier Christy Clark's announcement declaring "the end of commercial trophy hunting" in Canada's Great Bear Rainforest, you can put away the champagne. While the announcement by the premier and Minister Steve Thomson essentially endorses the effort to buy out commercial trophy hunting businesses, undertaken by Raincoast Conservation Foundation and Coastal First Nations (CFN) several years ago, it commits no direct support, nor does it address trophy hunting by B.C. residents which accounts for 60 per cent of the grizzly kill in the Great Bear Rainforest and in the rest of province. Advertisement The province has still not recognized the ban on trophy hunting imposed by CFN and will continue to issue tags to kill grizzly bears and black bears in all areas of the Great Bear Rainforest, including in some areas where the black bears carry the white "Spirit bear" gene. In addition, the B.C. government's announcement regarding the commercial hunt is specifically applicable to CFN territory, which comprises approximately one third of the Great Bear Rainforest. Yet Minister Thomson's comments, corrected later by ministry staff, initially gave the impression to the media and the public that commercial trophy hunting had been ended throughout the Great Bear Rainforest. "The agreement today as we announced retires the commercial hunt for grizzly bear for the Great Bear Rainforest," he told reporters. "Protecting the species is the first principle and we will continue to manage the process elsewhere on a science-based approach to grizzly bear and wildlife management generally." Premier Clark, speaking at a press conference said the agreements "include the end of the commercial grizzly hunt in Coastal First Nations traditional territory," and later referred to ending the trophy hunt on the coast. Although her first statement was slightly more accurate, both neglected to tell the whole story. Because of erroneous statements by B.C. government representatives and others, widely reported in the extensive media coverage of the announcement and subsequently shared via social media, the incorrect notion that trophy hunting has ended in the Great Bear Rainforest has literally travelled around the globe. To paraphrase Mark Twain, a misconception can travel halfway around the world while the truth is still putting on its shoes. Advertisement The reality is the province has committed no financial assistance to the effort to retire the commercial hunting tenures, leaving it up to CFN and Raincoast to negotiate and fund agreements with existing guide outfitting businesses. They have also done nothing to curtail the killing of bears for trophies by B.C. residents in the Great Bear Rainforest. Trying to clarify the situation, Bears Forever, a project of CFN and the Central Coast First Nations Bear Working Group, has stated: "While the protection of B.C.'s Great Bear Rainforest may now be assured, protection of bears from trophy hunting is not. There is not protection for any species of bears from resident trophy hunters and protection from commercial trophy hunting is only afforded to bears when they are within certain territories controlled by Raincoast Conservation Foundation and Coastal First Nations. We are committed to continue pushing until all trophy hunting is ended throughout the Great Bear Rainforest." Beginning in 2005 and through the end of 2015, Raincoast Conservation Foundation, in collaboration with Coastal First Nations, raised nearly two million dollars and purchased three commercial hunting tenures covering over 30,000 square kilometers of the Great Bear Rainforest. As these commercial licenses are put to rest, First Nation owned bear viewing operations -- like the Spirit Bear Lodge in Kitasoo/Xai'xais territory -- are thriving, with all bear viewing operations generating over 12 times more in visitor spending and 11 times more in government revenues than bear hunting in the Great Bear Rainforest. While it will be a challenging task, CFN and Raincoast are deeply committed to raising the money and completing the purchase of the remaining trophy hunting tenures. The province should now step up and end the resident hunt. The bears of the Great Bear Rainforest would then be truly protected. The world would join the over 90 per cent of British Columbians who oppose trophy hunting and truly celebrate such an accomplishment. Advertisement A version of this article previously ran in the Vancouver Sun. Follow HuffPost Canada Blogs on Facebook ALSO ON HUFFPOST: Roy Hsu via Getty Images Mixed race couple holding hands There's one major issue in this year's American presidential campaign that isn't being dealt with by the candidates: race and, in particular, the plight of many African-Americans. There are discussions about everything from ISIS to immigration but little, if anything, is said about America's shameful history of slavery and its failure to fully deal with the modern ramifications. Notwithstanding the horrendous history of slavery and the failure to fully and adequately deal with its fallout, most Americans pretend that all that is ancient history and need not be dealt with any more. There seems to be an attitude among many white Americans along the lines of "what more do these people want?" Advertisement That's not to say that there has not been progress over the years, however agonizingly slow. After all, the country finally did the right thing a century and a half ago by issuing the Emancipation Proclamation and freeing the slaves. That was quickly followed by the 13th, 14th and 15th Amendments to the Constitution granting freedom, citizenship and the right to vote. Sadly, those noble actions were followed by a century of de facto segregation relegating America's black population to an informal slavery. What is needed is a mammoth national endeavor to begin to rectify the disparities between America's different racial communities. Yet the battle for civil rights continued and eventually gave rise to such watershed moments as the Supreme Court decision in Brown v. Board of Education, the Civil Rights Act, the Voting Rights Act and serious attempts at affirmative action. Sadly, some of those initiatives are even now being curtailed by an increasingly tone-deaf right wing majority on the Supreme Court. Advertisement Granted, today's situation is a far cry from 150 years ago or even 50 years ago. But from where I sit, it appears that little has been done to truly make amends. A first step might be a truth and reconciliation commission, a platform to allow African-Americans to come forth and detail the wrongs visited upon them and their ancestors. We in Canada adopted this approach in an attempt to heal the wounds from our shameful treatment of our aboriginal population. It has been successfully employed in South Africa to attempt to deal with the wrongs of apartheid. Rwanda, too, used this method to try to get past the horrors of the genocide in 1994. Surely there also needs to be such a commission to deal with the 250-year history of American slavery and the 150 years of segregation that followed. Another important step would be a national apology for slavery and segregation. It may seem like a small thing but it can have a very powerful effect as shown here recently in Canada when the prime minister apologized for Canada's treatment of aboriginals. Such a statement can help to educate and heal. Related steps might include a national day of mourning which could help to focus squarely on the heinous antebellum treatment of African-American slaves and the century and a half of post-Civil War racism and segregation. A national slavery museum and a national slavery monument are long overdue initiatives. Advertisement Perhaps the most powerful and meaningful step would be to implement a reparations program. I'm not talking about the post-Civil War illusory promise of "40 acres and a mule," nor am I talking about cash settlements to descendants of former slaves. What is needed is a mammoth national endeavor to begin to rectify the disparities between America's different racial communities. It would involve the expenditure of billions of dollars on education, health and employment initiatives directed primarily to those who are still entrapped in the social ghetto that has its roots in slavery and segregation. It seems to me that these various initiatives are not just needed to compensate African-Americans for past wrongs. Their true importance is to help to get past the denial that there still exists a problem and to educate white America that it has a moral duty to acknowledge that problem and accept responsibility for rectifying it. Follow HuffPost Canada Blogs on Facebook MORE ON HUFFPOST: PNC via Getty Images Telluride, Colorado, USA It was my first week in Canada, and I was seven. We had arrived in winter, and the new tights my mother had bought for me were baggy. I felt them wrinkling up around my feet as I sunk into my desk at the new school. Just one more reason to feel uncomfortable. My teacher told me to stand and sing "Oh Candy!" with the rest of the class, so I nervously rose to my feet. It was really "O Canada!", although I didn't understand at the time what that meant. As a newly landed immigrant, I was feeling very lost. Advertisement At recess, a girl named Sherry Johnston taught me how to make an angel in the snow using my whole body. There was no snow in my home country of South Africa, but I knew about angels. They were a symbol of peace and hope. Lying there, looking up at the snowflakes swirling thick and fast toward me, I had the sense that things might be okay. Snow angels for Syria Flash forward to today, when thousands of Syrian families are far from all that's comfortable and familiar. Some are cowering in besieged villages inside Syria's borders. Others are sleeping on the run on their way to safety. Still others are beginning anew here in Canada, struggling, like I did, to feel that they belong. If there's snow where you are this week, you can do something simple to help. Perhaps you're heading into the snow to ski, sled or skate. Wherever you're at, there's something you can do to send a message of hope and peace to Syrian families. Could you take a few minutes to make a Snow Angel for Syria? It might seem like a small thing, but you'll be part of a national gesture of solidarity and support for the children of Syria. Advertisement Here's what World Vision is asking you to do: Start your phone or camera rolling. Say who you are and where you are from. Share a quick message -- ask Canada to be a leader in the peace process, for example, or whatever else inspires you about helping Syrian families. Create a snow angel -- and take a minute to look up at the sky above you. Share the message on social media. #SnowAngels4Syria, #WorldVisionCan Why your angel is needed March 15 marks five years since the start of the Syrian conflict. Any Syrian child who is five years old or younger was born into war and has known nothing else. I think it's fair to say that most Syrian children age eight or younger can't recall what life was like before the war. Now, imagine these children trying to make it through the harshness of winter. I battled with my uncomfortable baggy tights -- but at least I had tights to wear. Syrian children in refugee camps are navigating the deep snow in thin shoes and nowhere near enough winter clothing. In Lebanon Abd Al Kader and his little sister Mona are living in temporary shelter with their family. Mona doesn't have any winter boots, so she stays inside all day. World Vision photo Advertisement Encouraging the peace process Last week in Munich, a 17-member collection of global leaders agreed to a plan for the cessation of hostilities in Syria -- and to accelerate and expand aid deliveries. But World Vision believes there are additional steps that can and should be taken to end this conflict. "Canada has an opportunity to demonstrate leadership with the international community," says Michael Messenger, president of World Vision Canada. "Our country can help to ensure unhindered humanitarian access to Syrian families in need, and to champion the peace process." "Peace is the only solution for ending a humanitarian crisis that jeopardizes the future of millions of children," says Michael. Peace is the only solution. And your angel can help send that message. Please take five minutes and make a Snow Angel for Syria today. Advertisement In Lebanon, Syrian refugees Faysal and Aziza sometimes can't sleep because of the heavy snow. Their parents stay up all night to clear the snow from their tent, to prevent collapse. World Vision photo Follow HuffPost Canada Blogs on Facebook MORE ON HUFFPOST: Getty The Criminal Code makes it illegal to do anything with the intention of alarming the Queen. I'm not sure our courts have ever found someone guilty of violating this law, but regardless, Canadians are expected to treat Her Majesty with a certain minimum standard of decency. The same is true for our governments' treatment of Canadians. Section 12 of the Charter prohibits our governments from treating us in ways that are shocking or alarming. In fact, no government in Canada can treat anyone in ways that outrage Canadians' standards of decency. And this is a very good thing. None of us want to live in a country where the authorities can impose grossly disproportionate and brutal penalties for relatively minor infractions. Advertisement Lukas's truck -- worth approximately $100,000 -- was heavily modified for his work in the Northern Alberta oil patch. It contained an estimated $35,000 worth of tools in locked boxes, a hydraulic hoist worth over $10,000, and a bed valued at more than $40,000, not to mention other customizations for work in the pipe industry. This highly valuable truck was necessary for Lukas's job and yet it was sold at auction by the City for a mere $18,500.60. And if Lukas wants any of the money from the sale -- minus the City's costs for towing, impounding, and selling, of course -- he needs to fill out a form and allow 90 days for the claim to be processed. Did none of those involved think in a lucid moment of self-doubt that what they were doing to Lukas might be unethical, immoral, or illegal? How did this happen? It started when Lukas drove his truck from Grand Prairie and parked it in front of a friend's house in South West Calgary. Lukas was in a rush to catch a flight to Germany so that he could spend the holiday season with his mother who had recently been diagnosed with breast cancer. As it turns out, the truck was in a two hour residential parking zone and Lukas failed to request a free permit from the City. A neighbour complained and the truck was impounded. Lukas's friend contacted the City to try to resolve the matter after the truck was impounded. She was told by parking officials that they couldn't help her since she didn't know the vehicle's plate number. She was also unable to reach Lukas to get the plate number since he had lost his phone en route to Germany. And since only registered owners may remove items from an impounded vehicle, she could not even retrieve the truck's contents for Lukas. Like a Rube Goldberg machine, the neighbour's complaint triggered a series of events that led inexorably to the sale of the truck. Did none of those involved think in a lucid moment of self-doubt that what they were doing to Lukas might be unethical, immoral, or illegal? Apparently not, since the entire process continued on until an unknown buyer purchased the truck at far below market value. Here's the problem: proportionality. No one -- not even Lukas -- thinks that parking in a two hour zone without a permit should go unpunished. That is a parking offence. But similarly, no one with a moral compass thinks that losing a $100,000 of property for a mere parking offence is appropriate either. What should have happened? Parking tickets? Yes. Impounding the vehicle? Sure. Selling it at a fraction of its market value and only relinquishing the proceeds upon request? That's beyond the pale. Section 12 of the Charter protects us from two categories of government treatment: those that are inherently abhorrent and those that are grossly disproportionate. No Canadian government -- including Calgary -- can treat us in a fashion that is far out of proportion with what is appropriate considering the circumstances. Advertisement So ask yourself this: is it appropriate for Calgary to take $100,000 in property and undermine Lukas's ability to earn a living for failing to get a free permit? Article co-written with Azam Shaghaghi, the CEO and President of Space Tourism Society of Canada and Advisor to hErVOLUTION The answer to empower the next generation of men and women entrepreneurs, innovators and their ideas by putting real-world challenges in front of them and not limiting creativity is expanding and supporting the culture of STEM initiatives. Advertisement By definition, to be a disruptor you must break some rules, create some chaos and be comfortable as an outsider in a world that craves acceptance. For men, such personalities are characterized as ambitious, strong and steadfast. To be a disruptor and a woman most are labelled difficult, bossy or headstrong. Words and labels don't really mean much to someone chasing a dream fuelled by passion and an unrelenting need to succeed. Enter the formidable Nicole Verkindt, CEO of the Offset Market Exchange (OMX) an aerospace platform technology company. She's a 31-year-old fierce entrepreneur whom relishes in being referred to as a "bossy disruptor". The path to success for Nicole hasn't been paved with a bed a roses or necessarily linear. She got the taste for commerce growing up and learning the family business. A successful Canadian manufacturer that saw a dramatic decline in spending from its main customer, the U.S. Government, was sold to a U.S. Private equity firm in 2011. Nicole launched a tech company in Toronto Canada in 2012, called OMX which stands for "Offset Market Exchange" which, in an effort to streamline a process she had trouble with while leading her previous business Ironically, although the aerospace and defense sectors often lead the way in technological innovations, inventions and breakthroughs but internal processes were not leveraging all of the latest technologies available to them. That's where the eternal entrepreneur saw an opportunity -- to disrupt the way in which this particular (Government contracting) business was conducted. Offset Market Exchange OMX is a technology based platform that connects suppliers to large equipment manufacturers. OMX helps level the playing field for Canadian suppliers of all size to compete and gain access to large contracts with mostly foreign Government contractors. Without getting too complicated, often large Government contracts require local sourcing, referred to as 'offsets' in the defense industry, but are often less formal in mining, oil and gas and infrastructure. Nicole recognized that often times local suppliers are ill-equipped to find and bid on supplier RFPs while large manufacturers have difficulty sourcing local suppliers, as well as communicating those impacts to the economy, and voila the OMX platform. It is the first software built that provides real-time electronic tracking of the exact economic benefits that flow to the Canadian economy: particularly the tech industry. Now in its fourth year, it has not only achieved its stated mission, but exceeded it. The company did the economic impact analysis on major programs like the infamous Lockheed Martin F-35 Strike Fighter for instance. OMX is now the leading destination for innovative thinking to connect businesses in the international defense, aerospace and security industries to facilitate the fulfillment of defense offsets, as well as other sectors feeling the pressure to reduce their supply chain costs such as the energy sector. Nicole, has become a thought leader and influencer in its own right. "Being bossy and disruptive is all about passionate, and being engaged and ambitious and just being someone whom does not mind leading. We should be careful what language we use around those words, especially when talking to young girls. It took me a long time to realize that those are my best qualities, and thus a huge compliment." - Nicole Verkindt For women to become leaders in the important fields of science, technology and engineering, they have to start by making up larger percentages of STEM graduates. Advertisement According to statistics, 39 per cent of STEM graduates are women, yet only 22 per cent of Canadian working STEM fields are women. Women are vastly underrepresented in STEM jobs and among STEM degree holders despite making up nearly half of the workforce and half of the college- educated workforce. That leaves an untapped opportunity to expand STEM employment in Canada, and the wide agreement that there must be done more to improve nation`s competitiveness. Young girls need to be exposed to and encouraged to explore the wonders of technology and engineering, and other related topics. We need to break down this notion that "girls do arts/English literature and men do math and engineering." However, Nicole believes the role of the government and private sector is crucial, "for instance, by setting targets, even quotas the government creates incentives; however, the problem starts much earlier. Why are less and less young women entering STEM programs in University? is it because young girls don't think certain activities are "cool" or "interesting"? That is the question. I believe it is cultural." Advertisement Nicole has a solution for the cultural barrier: "young women whom do not enter the STEM programs (like myself) could team up with technology experts and still lead that universe! The point is, from a big business perspective, the innovation that happens and is so critical is typically routed in technological advancement. Of course, it is often the intersection between the two: arts and technology, but if we want women to be leading the most innovative enterprises of the future, or we want them, in their roles in government to encourage this innovation, then as a minimum, women need to be exposed to the sectors to gain an interest in them. The point is not that women should be working in one sector or another, the point is that we should all be empowered to do what we want and that we shouldn't be limited by cultural barriers that suggest women should or shouldn't lead in one particular area." Young women will play a critical role in building the future of an innovative Canada. It's critical that women work together, help each other, mentor and sponsor each other. Recently, Nicole became the newest Dragon on CBC'S"Next Gen" Dragon's Den, which is available online at cbc.ca and on youtube. Nicole is passionate about leveraging the talents of Canadian entrepreneurs to grow the Canadian economy as well as help solve important global issues. She is also a frequent commentator on CBC Exchange's "Round Up". She has recently committed to help Female Funders, an organization led by her friend Katherine Hague get to 1000 angel investments by women into women led start ups and is also sponsoring 1 girl/year to take the Ladies Learning Code coding course. Her first sponsorship commitment has been to her two younger sisters. This is not only important because it is just the right and morale way we should all be living, but studies have shown that when the leadership table is diverse, we will have a more successful economy and country. If we don't want to push for this simply because it is the right thing to do, lets do it because it is more profitable and will put Canada on the map. Advertisement tbradford via Getty Images Lone Black Chess Pawn With Multiple White Chess Pieces In The Background At what point does racism move from isolated incidents to a systemic problem in the Canadian Forces? Master Corporal Marc Frenette is quitting his decades-long service after years of racial harassment. Last May, Corporal Esther Wolki went public over the racial abuse she suffered and the damage it did to her mind. Not even the defence minister is immune from racist attacks. Advertisement Then there's Private Wallace Fowler. For 16 years he has been trying to get the Forces to properly investigate the racism he says he endured. Fowler has military records pointing to it, witness statements and letters from a lieutenant-colonel chaplain and a navy commander attesting to it. National Defence denies there was any racism. Dennis Manuge first connected Wally Fowler with me. Dennis told me he had a guy with a hell of a story about racism in the Forces who wanted help with his book. I was pretty skeptical -- hadn't we more or less sorted out that sort of thing back in the 90s? Yeah, sure, I know there's racists and bigots and bullies everywhere, but what Dennis was talking about wasn't 'a few bad apples, but a very serious problem within National Defence. I found the whole idea hard to believe... but then, I'm white. Since Dennis isn't one to exaggerate, I agreed to talk to Wally. Taken as isolated incidents, few of Wally's experiences are over-the-top shocking. There's no cross-burnings, for example. But when one considers the volume of incidents in Wally's short career, it becomes clear there is a serious issue. In just three years, Wally says he faced everything from nasty comments and harassment to injury and life-threatening situations. Advertisement Wally has now taken his fight very public in his book, Checkmate. The following is backed up by documents Wally obtained under Access To Information, documents which I personally analyzed in assisting him with the book. In just his first five months of service at CFB Borden, Wally recalls a sergeant who called him "homeboy" and forced him to run until he blew out his knee, then overloaded him on a later exercise and force-marched him until his knee gave again. After that, a medical officer ordered an investigation after being tipped off that Wally was being denied meals on a field exercise, and made to stand extended watches outside without proper clothing. Wally moved from army to air force to get away from the abuse. Posted to CFB Esquimalt, Wally details how he and his spouse were refused service at the base store. Also on base, their kids were spat on, subjected to drive-by verbal assaults, put off the school bus, denied lunch in the cafeteria. His spouse was walking home on base when people in a truck threw at banana at her and called her names. Advertisement The base social worker, padre, and the base commander confirmed the racial harassment. The Esquimalt Commander had to fight to get the Fowlers away from the abuse; fight against a career manager chief warrant officer (CWO) who claimed that Wally just wanted to go home, and that he should quit. The Fowlers were moved to Trenton, where Wally served directly under that same -- and just-posted -- CWO who presided over workplace harassment. The Chief ordered the base harassment officer not to talk to Wally as workplace harassment began. His chain of command, from CWO down to sergeant, played games: sending Wally on pointless errands then punishing him for leaving; booking "counselling" appointments that Wally never asked for and wasn't told about (then assigning punishments when he missed them); assigning Wally to work solo on the worst jobs, separated from the rest of his team. Wally was escorted by his sergeant "to meet another black" and, under supervision, "to find out there's no racism here." When Wally filed a complaint, he was posted to a basement, alone, with no duties for months. The abuse took its toll: Wally developed major depression and anxiety. The family had been living under siege and relationships were strained. Wally's complaints went unaddressed. Finally, he asked for a compassionate release based on the years of harassment. He got his release, but it wasn't compassionate: National Defence said he "wasn't advantageously employable." It's difficult to nail down the point where a series of racial attacks becomes a systemic problem. Between 2000-03, Private Wallace Fowler endured abuse and harassment from within the Forces, often from his superiors. Advertisement His complaints largely were ignored by the Forces, despite their then-much lauded Standards of Harassment and Racism Prevention (SHARP) program. DND's victim-blaming would certainly qualify as systemic racism. But to really see the systemic problem, one needs to look at what happened after Wally got out: Wally appealed his release terms and asked a Board of Inquiry to rule he was medically unfit because of the abuse he'd suffered. The BOI ignored key witnesses, dismissed evidence provided by Wally, and ruled "there was no evidence of racism." Military Police maintain that it has no records at all pertaining to Private Wallace Fowler -- no complaints filed, no call outs, no reports against -- even though Wally has documents referencing such records. That makes one wonder if the MPs misplaced the records or they were illegally destroyed or otherwise made unavailable. The Canadian Forces Ombudsman investigated, interviewed some of the witnesses and took custody of Wally's original evidence, but supported the BOI ruling. Documents show the Ombudsman "misplaced" evidence, ignored corroborating witness statements, and -- worse -- had been drafting their conclusion from the start of the investigation. That's what makes for evidence of systemic racism: denial and apparent cover-up. Much of Wally's evidence comes from government itself, yet National Defence, multiple ministers thereof, and the CF Ombudsman continue to say there's no evidence of racism. Advertisement Then-Minister Peter McKay went so far as to suggest that there is no racism in the Forces... while simultaneously promoting the SHARP program which addresses racism in the Forces. Who benefits from this fight? Not Wally Fowler, who has spent the past 13-plus years battling the system. Not Wally Fowler, who isn't looking for money, but justice. Not Wally, who wants his release code made accurate, even though that won't change his circumstances. Not Wally, who just wants the Forces to acknowledge what was done to him, to address the issue of racism within the ranks and to prevent others from suffering the same fate. Who benefits from denying racism is a problem that needs addressing? The System. Follow HuffPost Canada Blogs on Facebook MORE ON HUFFPOST: Eric Audras via Getty Images Businesswoman talking on a landline phone in an office I now present for your consideration one of my most reliable sales, er, job search tactics. Early in my career I wanted a "position" -- not just a job but a position. You know what I mean? I wanted a title. One day many years ago I came to the conclusion that I'm just a sales guy. A VERY good sales guy but 'just' a sales guy none the less. Nothing wrong with that. It served me well in my commercial real estate career (where coincidentally I did earn a title) and I came to the job search business as a result of my status as, you got it, the sales guy. I was the person who hit the phones and sold the first job board to the Houston, TX (USA) market. (Ask me sometime about how crazy successful I was during that period of time!) Advertisement So what has this got to do with you and your job search? Job search is sales and you have to compete with all those other equally talented candidates. One of the most difficult aspects of sales (and job search!) is the dreaded sales call aka the cold call. Cold calls are tough to make but highly effective. Early in my career I determined that if the phone was not ringing it was because I had not made enough calls. My clients -- your target companies or organizations -- do not even know you and I exist until we reach out to them. It is our responsibility to make that first touch.There are passive (i.e.: social media) and active (in-person) ways to connect with people you don't currently know but want to. So here is my secret. Just between you and me. (Promise me you will try this at least once, OK?) Determine your target -- the hiring manager, the company owner, the SVP, the CEO -- it makes no difference. Ring up that person and when the gatekeeper answers ask for "the World Famous _________(insert world-famous person's name). It works every time. I have gotten CEO's on the line using this tactic. (I'm just a sales guy, remember?) Here's what generally happens: the person who answers the phone is doing their job dealing with all the mundane things they have to deal with on a daily basis. But when I call I disrupt that mundanity (I just made up that word and I like it!) with my 'world-famous' intro and get a smile on the other end of the line (yes, you can 'hear' a smile) -- I know I have broken the ice. The hard part is done. Advertisement After a short laugh the result I usually get is "well I don't know if he/she is famous or not but (smiles)... who is calling please?" From this point on you are on your own... but you're smart. I know you can handle it. Be prepared with a compelling reason for the person on the other end of the line to put your through to your desired contact. In closing I would like you to know that I have shared this tactic with hundreds of people over the years and only know of one person who actually took it to heart and tried it. It worked. He emailed me the following day to tell me about his breakthroughs. Please feel free to respond to this post and let me know how it works for you. If you have any break-the-ice techniques you would like to share please let me know. I am always up for a good sales, er, job search tactic! As always, I wish you success! Follow HuffPost Canada Blogs on Facebook ALSO ON HUFFPOST: MCT via Getty Images A doctor checks the heartbeat of a malnourished child at a clinic run by the medical charity Doctors Without Borders in Shashemene, Ethiopia, May 28, 2008. The U.N. Children's Fund has warned that 6 million Ethiopian children under the age of 5 require emergency feeding. (Photo by Shashank Bengali/MCT/MCT via Getty Images) In the summer of 2008, Canada's (now) Minister of Health, Dr. Jane Philpott, was in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where she met with Ethiopian colleagues to explore the possibility of establishing family medicine as a formal discipline in the East African country of 90 million people. For the next decade, she would help spread an initiative to help launch such a program in the East African nation. In time, with the help of her colleagues at the University of Toronto and Addis Ababa University and many others and with frequent trips to Ethiopia, she would help launch the program. Advertisement Recently, the pioneer program helped graduate seven individuals for the first time. In attendance at the graduation ceremony was, Dr. Katherine Rouleau, director of the global health program at the University of Toronto and one of the initiative's advocate. One of the most visible ambassador of the program and prime advocate, Dr. Philpott, described the day as "a dream come true." For her, as she reflected in a 2013 blog, "a strong program in family medicine can make a vital contribution to the improvement of health systems. It will prepare a cadre of comprehensive-care physicians who should be well trained, fairly distributed and appropriately resourced," she wrote. "Graduates will be competent in a broad range of technical, surgical and emergency skills. Family physicians will help provide better access to services and prevention along with early recognition of undifferentiated illness. The training will prepare family physicians to be an essential part of inter-professional primary care teams." Indeed. To Ethiopia -- a country facing shortages of the basic necessities of human life to its populations despite being one of the fastest-growing economies in the world -- it is tragic that there are very few doctors in the country, let alone those equipped with family medicine credentials to provide health care. Advertisement Among the few that become doctors, most are concentrated in the major cities of Ethiopia and it is even worse in the rural parts of the country. Sadly, many leave the public health system and head to the private sector, while many migrate to Western countries. For Dr. Mahlet Yigeremu, the former dean of medicine at Addis Ababa University, the initiative of training Ethiopian doctors for family medicine is "a discipline without boundaries, community-based and responsive to the needs of the people," she says, adding that "Now that I have seen and understand family medicine, I am convinced it is what our country needs most." At the end Dr. Philpott humbly describes her efforts as a "small contribution to this grand scheme has been to advise and assist in the development of a new post-graduate clinical specialty in Family Medicine at Addis Ababa University." Her contribution, her legacy, the way the world knows Canada to be and behave in the world, will bring much impact to the country of my birth. In the words of the director of the program, it will "change the face of primary care in Ethiopia." Advertisement I have. This article was originally published on Leaders & Legacies. Follow HuffPost Canada Blogs on Facebook MORE ON HUFFPOST: A damning report released this week on the state of mental health services in England has laid bare the "seriously underfunded" help being given to children, one-in-ten of whom suffer from a cognitive condition. Critics lamented the "shocking" failings highlighted in an NHS commissioned 'Five year forward view for mental health', warning that problems manifested in childhood would only get worse in adult life if left untreated. The original document, authored by 'Mind' chief executive Paul Farmer, sparked a pledge by health service bosses to commit 1bn annually by 2020/2021. But it was a move - by Farmer's own admission - that "is not enough to get us to the full parity of esteem that everybody talks about and wants". Advertisement Barnardo's, the UK's largest children's charity, was the first to hit out at statistics showing those from low-income families are three times more likely to have a diagnosable problem, such as ADHD, depression or anxiety. Specifically, poorer children suffering from conduct disorder - persistent, disruptive and aggressive behaviour - were twice as likely to leave school without qualifications, three times more likely to become a teenage parent, four times more likely to become dependent on drugs and 20 times more likely to end up in prison. Too many children and young people dont get the support they need from mental health services early enough to help them succeed in later life," Javed Khan, Barnardo's chief executive told The Huffington Post UK, attacking current treatment quality and access. Advertisement "Shockingly, this report demonstrates this is particularly true for children from poor families. The charity chief said more efforts and funding should be devoted to treat mental ailments before they developed and became worse; the Mental Health Task-force's analysis found poor mental health costs the economy, NHS and society 105 billion a year. Mental health problems should be treated the same as physical health problems," Khan said. "Focussing on early treatment could avoid the long terms costs of poor outcomes when conditions are left untreated. Another leading mental health charity, YoungMinds, which offers support and advice to under 18-year-olds, hailed a welcome cash injection of 1bn by the government but bemoaned a services system which suffered from decades of under-investment. YoungMinds' Sarah Brennan The reality is that the next few years will be extremely tough for CAMHS [Child and Adolescent Mental Health services], which have been seriously underfunded for decades," chief executive Sarah Brennan told Huff Post UK. Advertisement She called on health secretary Jeremy Hunt to make sure the money would "transform" access and quality of care for children suffering with a mental illness, rather than simply to pay off current deficits in the NHS. "It is crucial that the extra investment that the government has recently announced is used to transform mental health services for children, and not to plug existing gaps. CHILD MENTAL HEALTH IN STATS: 0.6% of NHS budget spent on child mental health care 14 - age when half of all mental health problem are established 1 in 10 - number of kids who have a diagnosable problem 4 - years pysciatrich bed occupancy has risen 2020/21 - year when 70,000 more young people will get help "Otherwise too many young people and parents will continue to struggle to get the support they so urgently need. Brennan echoed the view that investment to stem behavioural and mental health problems developing in teenage, and later adult years, would spare millions more pounds being spent to combat long-lasting and life-threatening future ailments. Advertisement "Investing in services and support for these young people at an early age not only reduces their bad behaviour but enables them to grow into contributing adults and saves millions in the future," she added. NHS England accepted recommendations for drastic changes to child mental health services were needed, and vowed to "transform" the much-criticised status quo. "As a society we must make sure the most vulnerable children get the very best care as quickly and simply as possible and that they are being offered the right services in the right places," a spokesperson told HuffPost UK on Monday evening. "The new investment of 1bn announced today is not just for adults: it will transform mental health care for people of all ages, building on the 1.4bn committed last year for children and young people. Farmer and his team of mental health experts who co-ordinated the root-and-branch taskforce have ordered ministers to "drive system-wide transformation" so "measurable improvements" among children could be attained. LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 19: Mayor of London Boris Johnson poses for photographs at the launch of London's first cycle superhighway on November 19, 2015 in London, England. Superhighway 5 (CS5) is the capital's first two lane fully segregated cycle superhighway. (Photo by Ben Pruchnie/Getty Images) Ben Pruchnie via Getty Images Bookmakers think Boris Johnson will campaign for the UK to stay in the European Union after David Cameron strikes his eagerly-anticipated new deal with Brussels. Ladbrokes is offering odds of 1/4 for the London mayor to back the In campaign, going against the grain of commentators who think the Tory MPs decision hangs in the balance. Advertisement Meanwhile, the firm has Business Secretary Sajid Javid as 1/2 to join the Out campaign, and Michael Gove, the Justice Secretary, as 1/2 to declare he favours the UK remaining in the EU. Ladbrokes is not taking bets on any other Cabinet ministers, signalling it thinks their minds are made up and the three it is offering odds on are the only ones where lingering doubts remain. Ladbrokes spokesman Alex Donohue told HuffPost UK: Despite there being plenty of talk of Boris being on the fence the odds firmly favour him falling down on the remain side when it comes to the crunch. As for the leave side, of those we're still taking bets on Javid is the most likely supporter. Advertisement David Cameron's current Cabinet Johnson has repeatedly toyed with the idea of Brexit, suggesting life outside the EU is nothing to be afraid of. Many have suggested burnishing his eurosceptic credentials is vital to his hopes of becoming Conservative Party leader once Cameron stands down. As revealed by HuffPost UK, the Cabinet will meet on Friday after the Prime Minister concludes his summit with EU leaders in Brussels, where he is expected to have secured a deal to claw back powers for the UK. At the unprecedented Cabinet meeting, Cameron will confirm he has suspended collective ministerial responsibility - allowing ministers to campaign for Brexit while the Government pushes to remain in the union. The move effectively fires the starting gun on the in-out EU referendum, likely on June 23. Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith, Commons Leader Chris Grayling, Culture Secretary John Whittingdale and Employment Minister Priti Patel are all expected to campaign for Brexit from Friday. The UN Security Council announced on Tuesday that Boutros Boutros-Ghali had died, aged 93. The Egyptian served as the 6th Secretary-General from 1992 to 1996, after which he was replaced by Kofi Annan. UN Secretary General Boutros Boutros-Ghali takes a little break between presentations of seven new credentials to Ambassadors to the United Nations Wednesday, July 17, 1996 Advertisement His single term was mired in controversy, notably failing to rally UN action against the genocide in Rowanda in 1994, a fumbling that likely cost a million lives. In a 1994 interview with the Associated Press, he described the massacre in Rwanda as "my worst failure at the United Nations." He also clashed with the Clinton administration during the mid-Nineties, cutting short his tenure as UN chief after the US vetoed his second term. Yet it was for his name that the diplomat seeped into the national consciousness, comedians using Boutros Boutros as shorthand for exotic. Advertisement 'The Fast Show' ran on the BBC from 1994 to 1997 The Fast Show Chanel 9 skit, a send up of foreign news channels, often closed with the words, Boutros Boutros-Ghali. Sad news for Fast Show fans everywhere as Boutros Boutros-Ghali dies. Michael Moran (@TheMichaelMoran) February 16, 2016 He was mentioned in Seinfeld as a euphemism, while Ali G scored an interview in which he asked the aging academic whether Disneyland was a member of the UN? Advertisement Oscar-winning actress Emma Thompson has been accused of doing our country down after describing the UK as a cake-filled misery-laden grey old island. Ms Thompson made the claim as she waded into the EU debate, urging Brits to vote Remain in the upcoming referendum. Advertisement But her comments were criticised by a leading Eurosceptic, who branded them incredibly disappointing. The 'Love, Actually' star was asked at the Berlin International Film Festival how she planned to vote in the referendum, likely to be held on June 23 this year. After describing the UK as a tiny little cloud-bolted, rainy corner of sort-of Europe, a cake-filled misery-laden grey old island, she added: I feel European even though I live in Great Britain, and in Scotland. So of course Im going to vote to stay in Europe. Oh my God, it would be madness not to. It would be a crazy idea not to. We should be taking down borders, not putting them up. Advertisement Tory MP Steve Baker, chairman of Leave group Conservatives for Britain, told the Huff Post UK: Its always incredibly disappointing to see a star doing our country down. We are much greater than this. Ukip leader Nigel Farage told the Huff Post UK: "This is utterly defeatist and negative. "We believe in Britain, and that we can thrive as a self-governing, independent nation." Ms Thompson is not the first British film star to give their views on the EU debate, with Sir Michael Caine revealing last month he would vote to leave in the referendum. The star of the Italian Job and The Dark Knight told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "I sort of feel certain we should come out. "Youve now got in Europe a sort of government by proxy of everybody who has now got carried away and I think unless theres some extremely significant changes we should get out," he said. "You cannot be dictated to by thousands of faceless civil servants who make these rules and you sort of, oh hang on a minute is that right and they argue about financially but, we buy more than them than we sell to them." Advertisement David Cameron meets with Martin Schulz Ms Thompson's comments come as David Cameron reaches a critical moment in trying secure a new deal for the UK's membership of the EU. The Prime Minister is in Brussels for a serious of meetings with MEPs and other high-ranking EU figures ahead of a key summit on Thursday and Friday, which could see the deal agreed. But this morning European Parliament president Martin Schulz failed to assure Mr Cameron that the EU's legislative body would not overturn all, or parts, of the agreement. Mr Schulz said: To be quite clear, no government can go to the Parliament and say: 'This is our proposal, can you give a guarantee about the result'. Advertisement "This is not possible in a democracy." Mr Cameron's day of wooing did not get off to the best of starts when he was 25 minutes late for a meeting with President Schulz, leaving him pacing in the cold. It led to frosty encounter in front of the cameras when Mr Cameron eventually did arrive. Stepping out of a car, Mr Cameron said: Hello Martin, good to see you. All well? The President simply responded: Technical problems? Yes, sorry, er replied the Prime Minister, as the two walked inside for their meeting. Mr Cameron clearly has some persuading to do that the changes to rules around in-work benefit claimants in the UK will not cause carnage for the EU, as one Brussels diplomat was quoted today as saying" "When MEPs get their hands on Brexit emergency brake legislation after a referendum it could well be case of 'monkeys with guns'." George W. Bush returned to the frontline of American politics on Monday evening, coming to the aid of his brother Jeb's faltering White House bid with some jokes at his own expense and a thinly veiled attack on Donald Trump's "bluster". Ahead of Saturday's South Carolina Republican primary, the former president joined his brother on stage at a rally. Jeb Bush is currently polling in fourth place behind Trump, Senator Ted Cruz and Senator Marco Rubio in the state. Advertisement Trump has launched strong attack on George W. Bush in recent days, accusing the former president of failing to keep the United States safe from terrorism given the September 11 attacks. Without naming him directly, George W. Bush used his appearance on the campaign trail to attack Trump's "empty rhetoric". Responding to the warm welcome from the crowd, George W. Bush summarised what he has been doing since leaving Washington in 2009. Advertisement "I've written two books, which surprised a lot of people," he said to laughter. "There's a lot of people up East who didn't think I could read, much less write." In a nod to his most infamous gaffe, he added: "I've been wanting to defy expectations, I've been 'misunderestimated' most of my life." And he noted the "real shock" to people was "I've become an oil painter". Some of the jokes were more cheesy than others. Joined on stage by his wife, former First Lady Laura Bush, George W. Bush said the pair were "spending a lot of time on our ranch where we have become tree farmers" which he said "gives me a chance to practise my stump speech". Trump used the Republican debate on Saturday to attack George W. Bush's record in office. "How did he keep us safe when the World Trade Center came down? I lost hundreds of friends," Trump said. "The World Trade Center came down during the reign of George Bush. He kept us safe? That is not safe." The frontrunner for the Republican nomination also accused George W. Bush of having lied to the American people in the run-up to the 2003 Iraq War. Advertisement Hitting back at Trump last night, George W. Bush told South Carolina voters: "I understand American's are angry and frustrated. But we do not need someone in the Oval Office who mirrors and enflames our anger and frustration. We need someone who can fix the problems that cause our anger and frustration and that's Jeb Bush". He said the 2016 presidential race was "a serious election for a serious job" and the party needed a "serious and thoughtful candidate" "I'd like to remind you and the voters what true strength means," he said. "Strength is not empty rhetoric, it is not bluster, it is not theatrics. Real strength of purpose comes from integrity and character." Trump has sucked up much of the oxygen of the Republican race, dominating the TV coverage. George W. Bush said: "In my experience, the strongest person isn't usually the loudest person in the room." Advertisement People who regularly take indigestion pills could be at risk of developing dementia in later life, a major health study has found. Researchers found that those who used proton pump inhibitor drugs (PPIs) at least once every three months were 44% more likely to develop dementia in later life than those who did not take the drugs. PPIs are commonly found in heartburn tablets such as omeprazole and lansoprazole. They are often prescribed to treat issues such as acid reflux and stomach ulcers. Advertisement The drugs work by blocking the enzyme in the wall of the stomach that produces acid. Researchers from Germany studied insurance data from 74,000 people aged 75 and over, between 2004 and 2011. They found that people who used PPIs at least once every three months had a 44% increased risk of developing dementia, compared to those who didn't take the drugs. The study did have limitations, however, as it only unearthed a "statistical association" between dementia and PPIs, and not a cause-and-effect link. Advertisement Co-author of the study, Britta Haenisch, who is from the German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases in Bonn, said: "To evaluate cause-and-effect relationships between long-term PPI use and possible effects on cognition in the elderly, randomised, prospective clinical trials are needed." The German researchers, whose findings were published in the journal JAMA Neurology, added that "the avoidance of PPI medication may contribute to the prevention of dementia". Previous research into PPIs and dementia suggested that people who took the drugs were more likely to be deficient in vitamin B12, which can cause neurological damage. Dr Helen Webberley, the dedicated GP for Oxford Online Pharmacy, said: "We have known for some time that proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) may have long term health effects, but there is not a well-described causal link with dementia. Advertisement "This information is a surprise finding from looking at a lot of data and as such cannot be used to establish a definite cause and effect. "It does, however, highlight that we are sometimes too willing to pop pills to cure our ills." She added: "PPIs are a good example of a drug that causes reliance. They are excellent at reducing acid, but when you stop them you get a rebound worsening in acid reflux and indigestion, which makes you want to take them more. "My advice is to always discuss plans to stop medication with the prescriber, be that your doctor or pharmacist. If you would like to withdraw from PPIs reduce your intake slowly, first by taking them on alternate days and then every three days until your body gets used to the medicine being withdrawn from your system." Laura Phipps, from Alzheimers Research UK, added that the latest study "doesn't tell us definitively that the drugs directly cause the condition". "There can be many reasons why two factors associate with each other and the next step will be to investigate the possible reasons for this link," she explained. Advertisement "Studies like this, which harness large amounts of medical data to highlight trends in health and disease, are incredibly useful to inform future, detailed, follow-up studies into risk factors for conditions like dementia. "When any drug is taken, doctors, pharmacists and patients have to weigh up the benefits against the potential side effects and further studies into this area will help to better inform these decisions." Copies of the book by Rosa Prince of Jeremy Corbyn 'Comrade Corbyn' are displayed for sale in Foyles bookshop Chris Jackson via Getty Images Jeremy Corbyn has given a book about Jeremy Corbyn the thumbs down, claiming the biography is riddled with inaccuracies and was put together without politeness. Comrade Corbyn, written by former Daily Telegraph journalist Rosa Prince, tells the story of how the veteran Labour backbencher staged a very unlikely coup and stormed to the Labour leadership. Advertisement But speaking to his local newspaper, The Islington Tribune, the MP appears disgruntled with the content, the books apparent agenda and the way it was researched. The Islington North MP claims he found 14 (inaccuracies) in the first eight pages, that the book lacks an analysis of the politics of Britain at the time, and that The Daily Telegraph has hardly been objective in its reporting of him. Serialisation of #ComradeCorbyn begins in @Telegraph tomorrow incl fascinating family history & how he won leadershp pic.twitter.com/yTL1EeUIHQ Rosa Prince (@RosaPrinceUK) January 29, 2016 While a review in The Guardian dismissed the book as a spiteful analysis, The Independents take was of an affectionate portrait. The Times, Progress and Evening Standard also gave it positive reviews. Advertisement Prince, a well-respected reporter who was part of the Telegraph political team that broke the MPs expenses scandal in 2009, formerly worked for the left-leaning Daily Mirror. Corbyn told the newspaper: Ive seen the book. Its riddled with inaccuracies. I found 14 in the first eight pages I read. Dates, places, names, people, all things that could have been checked if the research had been done properly. Also, I think it generally lacks an analysis of the politics of Britain at the time. Its a disappointing book. She had no approval from me, for the writing of it or approaching people to undertake interviews. The Labour leader does not specify what the inaccuracies are. He went on: I wasnt very impressed when I heard she worked for the Daily Telegraph because theyve hardly been objective in any way where I am concerned. But its one of those things. It could well happen again. Jeremy Corbyn Interviewed For HuffPostUK See gallery Advertisement He also dismissed the suggestion he was a workaholic - and instead hinted he had more in common with David Cameron, who has been noted for his chillaxed take on leadership, than he would like to let on. He said: Yes, I have a work ethic for representing the people I have been elected by, and to lead the party I have been elected to lead. To say I do everything 24/7 is nonsense. I do make sure that to do my job properly I have time to do other things. Balance in life is essential. The MP also signalled the research lacked courtesy. She did approach me, but then approached people locally. They contacted me asking if I had approved of this process and I said: Absolutely not., he said. File photo dated 21/11/15 of shadow chancellor John McDonnell, who is considering plans that would mean employees could be granted the first right to buy a share of their company if it is floated on the stock exchange. Yui Mok/PA Wire Labour has a "fight on its hands" to win back economic credibility , shadow chancellor John McDonnell has admitted. In a speech to the London School of Economics on Tuesday evening, McDonnell said Labour needed to move "away from the image of a party which thinks only about how much it can spend, to a party that is focused on how we earn". Advertisement "We need to begin by underlining our commitment to bringing the government's day-to-day spending into balance. We know the importance of borrowing for investment, which lays the foundations for future economic prosperity," he said. "Few things are more urgent than delivering the infrastructure our economy is crying out for, infrastructure which pays for itself by expanding economic activity and raising tax revenues. McDonnell added: "Labour has a fight on our hands to win back economic credibility, but it's the most important fight in a generation." Advertisement In his speech, the shadow chancellor also called for a "complete rethink of not just how we spend money but how we earn it" with structural reforms of tax, investment and financial systems". He said: "But still we need to look deeper at the fundamentals of our economy, how assets are owned and shared, how wealth is created and by whom. "Moving away from the image of a party which thinks only about how much it can spend, to a party that is focused on how we earn." McDonnell also accused George Osborne of imposing austerity measures as part of a "casino economy" that requires low state spending to free up money for future bailouts. "Austerity is about cutting the public sector down to size, in case of further financial crises," he said. Advertisement "It is a profoundly conservative choice since it works to the benefit of the UK's vested interests. Finance must be allowed its position in the driving seat. Scotland Yard chief Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe offered a "full apology" to the widow of Lord Brittan, the former home secretary's family have revealed. The Metropolitan Police commissioner met Lady Brittan to discuss the force's handling of a historical rape allegation against her husband as part of Operation Midland. In a statement on Tuesday, the family of the late politician said: "Lady Brittan met the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe, at a private meeting earlier this afternoon. Advertisement Police have issued a full apology to Lady Brittan over their investigation of her late husband Lord Brittan "At the start of the meeting Sir Bernard offered Lady Brittan a full apology on behalf of the force, which she accepted. "Lady Brittan went on to ask and table some 30 questions regarding the two police enquiries as they related to Lord Brittan. Advertisement "Sir Bernard promised to answer them in writing and Lady Brittan and the family await his response. "Lady Brittan and the family have nothing further to add at least until they have received Sir Bernard's written response." Britain's largest police force has come under fire over its handling of the claim that Lord Brittan raped a 19-year-old woman known as "Jane" in 1967. He died in January last year without being told he would not face any action over the claim. The apology came after Hogan-Howe last week announced he had asked former High Court judge Sir Richard Henriques to examine how historic abuse claims against public figures are investigated. Henriques will investigate how police can maintain the confidence of victims, while avoiding appearing to believe any story they are told. The inquiry will be asked to examine whether a policy in which the victim should always be believed should be dropped. Her Majestys Inspectorate of Constabulary recommended it in 2014. Advertisement Police have been fiercely criticised over their handling of rape and sexual abuse allegations against former Conservative Home Secretary Lord Brittan and the former military chief Lord Bramall as part of Operation Midland. Bramall was also investigated but not charged. Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe has promised to answer some 30 questions put to him by Lady Brittan Operation Midland is still investigating claims of a VIP paedophile ring abusing children, as well as possible homicides following allegations by a man known only as "Nick". The inquiry centres on offending in Westminster more than 30 years ago. More than 90 million Americans reportedly stopped what they were doing, to turn to their TV sets and watch OJ Simpson making a very stately getaway along Los Angeles' 405 highway, in a friend's white Ford bronco van, pursued by both state troopers and the world's media. READ MORE: This proved to be only an early chapter in a trial, both by prosecution and media, that would grip nations on both sides of the Atlantic - the prosecution of American sporting hero and screen legend 'The Juice' for the alleged murder of his ex-wife Nicole Brown and her friend Ron Goldman. Advertisement John Travolta, David Schwimmer and Cuba Gooding Jr star in 'American Crime Story: The People Versus OJ Simpson' It would provide dinner table speculation across America, highlight social, class and race relations in a nation already troubled by the Rodney King beatings and riots, and make household names of a bunch of dry courtroom attorneys. As the tale is told afresh on our TV sets, starting this week, we catch up with the big names on that 1995 roll-call... The partner of former Eastenders actress Sian Blake will stand trial in the autumn, accused of killing her and their two young sons. Arthur Simpson-Kent will face trial for murder after Blake, 43, and their sons Zachary, eight, and Amon, four, were found dead at their family home. The three victims went missing on 13 December before their bodies were found buried in the garden of their home in Erith, in south east London, on 5 January. Advertisement Arthur Simpson-Kent appeared at Westminster Magistrates Court last week Simpson-Kent, 48, was arrested at Heathrow Airport last week after agreeing to be extradited from Ghana. He appeared at the Old Bailey via video link from Wandsworth Prison on Tuesday morning. Sian Blake was found dead along with her two sons earlier this year Wearing a grey sweatshirt, Simpson-Kent spoke only to confirm his name. No application was made for bail and he was remanded in custody. Kensington Palace has strongly denied that Prince William has waded into the debate over Britains membership of the EU - despite his backing for Britain working in partnership with other countries. Campaigners against Brexit seized on remarks by the Duke of Cambridge in which he said that the UKs ability to unite in common action with others nations is essential. Advertisement The Britain Stronger in Europe campaign was swift to declare that his comments showed that "people from all walks of life are getting behind the campaign for Britain to stay in the EU. And eyebrows were raised in Whitehall about timing of the Dukes remarks, just days before David Cameron is expected to formally start the EU referendum campaign after a crunch Brussels summit. But Palace sources told HuffPost UK that the Duke, who made his remarks at a Foreign Office event in honour of young diplomats, had not intended any reference to Europe or the EU. The Duke mentioned the Commonwealth, Nato and other partnerships, all of which Eurosceptics insist the UK will still take part in, even if voters decide to leave the EU in the referendum expected this June. Advertisement The Duke Of Cambridge meeting Foreign Office diplomats today A Kensington Palace spokesperson said: "This speech is not about Europe. He does not mention the word Europe once". The Duke of Cambridge, second in line to the throne, sparked the speculation with a speech alongside Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond in the Foreign Office in London. For centuries, Britain has been an outward looking nation. Hemmed in by sea, we have always sought to explore what is beyond the horizon," he said. "That sense of mission and curiosity is something that I know continues to drive our economy, our cultural and educational exports and our Armed Forces and Diplomatic Service. And wherever we go, we have a long and proud tradition of seeking out allies and partners. Advertisement The Duke told recipients of the inaugural Diplomatic Academy awards: "In an increasingly turbulent world, our ability to unite in common action with other nations is essential. It is the bedrock of our security and prosperity and is central to your work. "Right now, the big questions with which you wrestle in the UN, Nato, the Middle East and elsewhere are predicated on your commitment to working in partnership with others. His remarks, which would have been seen by the Foreign Office beforehand, instantly drew comparisons with the comments by the Queen on the eve of the Scottish independence referendum in 2014. Delivering a line that was secured by the Cabinet Secretary Sir Jeremy Heywood, The Queen had asked voters to "think very carefully" before voting. But in stark contrast to the Scottish referendum, Royal sources insisted that the Duke was today intending no message whatsoever for the EU referendum. Advertisement That didn't stop the welter of speculation online from both the left and the right of politics. Prince William didn't mention Europe but his advisers might have noticed big EU debate was happening. Incompetent or deliberate: you decide. Tim Montgomerie (@montie) February 16, 2016 So Prince William with For Sec in For Office calling for nations to unite, when Cameron's in Brussels, isn't backing EU? You're nicked, son Kevin Maguire (@Kevin_Maguire) February 16, 2016 In campaign welcomes Duke's comments -"people from all walks of life are getting behind the campaign for Britain to stay in the EU" Laura Kuenssberg (@bbclaurak) February 16, 2016 blah blah undemocratic unelected blah blah but enough about Prince William, what about the EU? Blah blah comedy drum roll. Kind of thing. @ (@twlldun) February 16, 2016 Comedy gold on Twitter as swiveled-eyed royalist EU haters try to compute Prince William's pro EU speech Red North (@RednorthUK) February 16, 2016 Advertisement One spoof account came to the Duke's defence. Europe & The Final Countdown. No, not one's thoughts on the #Brexit. One's listening to 1980s rock! HRH Prince William (@DukeCambridgeUK) February 16, 2016 And another simply defended his right to speak out - even if he wasn't speaking out about the EU. ITV's 'This Morning' sparked an online debate after showing three girls, aged eight to 11, pole dancing live on air. The segment was discussing whether pole dancing as a form of exercise is too sexual for young children. Advertisement The children's pole dancing teacher, Zoe Hardy, 33, and two of their mums, Lisa Grosse and Lorraine Handbury, went on the show to defend the hobby. Viewers debated on whether pole dancing was "sexualising" young children Using the suggested #PoleDanceDebate, viewers expressed their thoughts on Twitter, both positive and negative. "There are so many other ways to get kids into fitness without teaching them pole 'fitness'," tweeted one person. "Especially with those outfits." Advertisement Others also commented on the girls' outfits, which were short black hot pants and white cropped shirts tied up above their belly. #PoleDanceDebate the shorts those girls are wearing are NOT ones worn by school girls in the gym. Unbelievable. Roisin (@roisinramone) February 16, 2016 Pole dancing for 8 year olds?! Wrong in every way. Sorry but no no no #ThisMorning#PoleDanceDebate Miss Ell (@Fluff_Biscuit) February 16, 2016 No way in hell would I have my daughter at a pole dancing class! #poledancedebate Lauren (@laurenlillyx) February 16, 2016 Oh dear @itvthismorning I can tell you, I absolutely do not want to see eight year olds pole dancing. #poledancedebate Carrie-Anne McNally (@CarrieAnneMc) February 16, 2016 Advertisement @itvthismorning Sticking 'fitness' on the end of a sentence doesn't make it ok for children! #poledancedebate Lauren (@laurenlillyx) February 16, 2016 However, there were some people who disagreed that this type of exercise was "sexualising" children, with some praising its benefits. there's nothing wrong with it, it's us who are sexualising children #poledancedebate court (@fluoxetinefairy) February 16, 2016 the #PoleDanceDebate is ridiculous. pole fitness is an excellent way to exercise and people who sexualise it are perverts! ella (@_maccers_) February 16, 2016 I don't see the problem with young children pole dancing? It's fantastic for upper body strength and fitness #poledancedebate Maddie (@MaddieHarrop) February 16, 2016 Advertisement #poledancedebate Pole fitness is an excercise. The people who have a problem with it are the ones sexualising young girls who are having fun cat (@ccatelizabeth) February 16, 2016 #poledancedebate why should young girls be brought up thinking they shouldn't do something because they're going to be objectified by men? Leah (@ljevans525) February 16, 2016 The debate was sparked by a recent comment by psychologist Emma Kenny who publicly said she disagreed with children pole dancing for fitness. "For people to tell me that pole dancing isn't sexualised beggars belief," she tweeted. "Kids shouldn't be gyrating on poles. Adults can do what they like." For people to tell me that pole dancing isn't sexualised beggars belief. Kids shouldn't be gyrating on poles. Adults can do what they like! Emma Kenny (@emmakennytv) February 12, 2016 Watching the routine on This Morning, Kenny said: "It's got connotations to something far more salubrious. Advertisement "And even the outfits seen in the studio today I don't think are resonant of childhood." One of the mothers, Lisa Grosse, explained that her daughter Tilly-Mae, eight, was overweight until she started pole fitness lessons. She added: "It's fitness. There's nothing provocative about it." And 11-year-old Tilly's mum said: "She likes to challenge herself, so why not? "Theres a pole in the playground they play at, they climb up it, they spin round it and down. Whats the difference?" There was a melancholic feel to the British media bubble on Friday. This mood was a direct result of the news that The Independent and Independent on Sunday are to cease printing; with the final issues expected on the 26th and 20th of March respectively. Many commentators took to Twitter, as is the modern habit, to express dismay at the news that our newspaper landscape is to lose two of its two left-leaning broadsheets. James Lyons of The Sunday Times called it, "Really sad news", Good Morning Britain's Susanna Reid noted that the closure was a "big moment for all journalism" and leftie comedian Chris Addison sarcastically quipped that it would rebalance the bias in the British media. The broader story is more complex than a simple tale of newspaper closure. The reality is that The Independent and Independent on Sunday are to move to a strictly, and presumably paid-for, online service. It is also important to note that the i should continue printing following its purchase by Johnston Press [as a "sub-core" title perhaps?] It is not that the newspapers, as news outlets, are closing, it is that the print editions will be going. What are we to make of the closure of these papers and the others that are sure to follow? There is something to be said about the inevitability of the closure of the printed press. It seems difficult to imagine a world where news is delivered in real-time, updated immediately and comes with access to video content as well as coming on daily, static, cumbersome sheets of paper, in perpetuity. In the same way that Spotify has put the CD (ask your parents) out of its misery and email is slowly killing off personal letters; it seems that the prevalence of apps, blogs, news sites and live digital broadcasts from CNN, BBC and others will place a loving pillow over the face of the print media until it stops wriggling. For an excellent adumbration of this, the reader could do worse than checking out a recent piece by Professor Brian Cathcart for The Guardian. Advertisement However, just because it is inevitable does not mean that it cannot be prolonged for as long as possible in the same way that we deliberately slow the degradation of portraits. Here we find the central problem. A free, independent and uncensored press is vital in a democracy and that means it can receive no government help when it is in trouble. It is right that it does not receive government support - compromising the free press in this way would be worse than it dying off. As much some who live in the post-Leveson era are unkind to the newspapers and pour scorn upon them for bias, sensationalism and selective reporting - they are still worth defending. There is something relaxing about a newspaper in the way that it requires our undivided attention to use properly because when devouring news online we can become distracted by texts, tweets, pop-ups and other modern day nuisances. A Sunday is just not complete without an hour spent with a Sunday paper, feet up and a cup of coffee steaming away within arms reach. The papers are almost romantic in this way; they connect us to the past and provide continuity to life as they provide a common experience for everyone. They are something that everyone can afford and can choose to participate in when they want to and, at important times, they are still a common focal point to gather around. The reader might ask why I, as an e-journalist, would call for the papers to live for as long as possible. He might also, reasonably, propose that I should prefer to hasten the death of the print media in terms of the positive impact on the prospects, in terms of readership and job opportunities, of we e-hacks. This has an element of truth but it misses a key point - allow me to speak from my own experience on the proviso that I assume it is not unique. Advertisement When I was a student, a good friend and fellow journalistic traveller offered me some work experience with The Alloa Advertiser and Stirling News in order to sample journalism. This led to a placement with The Scotsman and now I have been fortunate enough to start a career in news. The point is that without the chances offered to people like me by the local and national papers to learn the skills that we need, then it unlikely that those skills would be transmitted to the next generation of journos. With all due respect to this and other online papers, there is not the personal contact nor the ability to develop the investigative instincts needed if one is to be a successes in any newsroom, whether that be online or in print. The papers really do pull double-duty in providing the news of today and the newsmen of tomorrow. What can be done to slow the decline of the papers? The first thing would be to include the papers in modern studies and politics classes in schools and politics modules in colleges and universities so that young people stop thinking of the papers as something their dads read rather than something useful to them. Secondly, if you buy a paper on a regular basis (well done, by the way!) then consider either buying another, preferably one that challenges your viewpoint (this sees me buying the National or Guardian - with mac and dark glasses on) or adding a magazine like The Spectator or Private Eye to your consumption. To borrow a phrase from one of the supermarkets from whom you could buy these publications, every little helps. I used to worry that Britain lacked enough inspirational female entrepreneurs. Success inspires success, and a lack of female role models was, surely, a big disadvantage for budding female founders. It remains the case that top male entrepreneurs are more prominent than female, be it in the media (partly because they lean towards the sort of tech overnight successes that attract attention) or popular culture (think The Apprentice, Dragons' Den, The Social Network). But the rate at which women are starting businesses is on the rise. Of the 500,000+ new companies formed each year in Britain, around half are started by women. It's statistics like these, combined with events like a recent Female Founders Forum roundtable, which reassure me that the tide is turning. Among the attendees at the meeting was a selection of successful, confident female business leaders - many of whom had founded companies I know and have used in the past, like Laura Tenison MBE of JoJo Maman Bebe, or Debbie Wosskow of Love Home Swap. It also included Tamara Lohan of Mr and Mrs Smith Hotels, who I caught up with after the event. Advertisement I already knew snippets of the Smith story - that Lohan created the boutique hotel website with her husband, for example, or that she had earned an MBE for services to the travel industry. What I didn't know was that she had recently became an angel investor, that she finds time to do the morning school run every day despite working full time, and that she never set out to be an entrepreneur. Instead, she took an opportunistic approach to life and career; one that would see her build one of the world's most successful "aspirational yet accessible" accommodation brands. "After graduating from university, I quickly realised a career in the City wasn't for me," she says. "But with a degree in languages, there was no clear-cut alternative. My first job was launching an energy drink in Brazil for a UK-based company. There were only two of us on the project, and we had to do everything over there: from product creation to sales and marketing. It was, in fact, perfect training for a career in entrepreneurship." When UK operations faltered, Lohan returned to Blighty and worked as a marketing consultant for brands including Ericsson, Honda and Swissair. By 2002, she'd had enough of the corporate world and was ready to try something new. This time she knew exactly what: like so many innovative new businesses, Mr and Mrs Smith was borne out of personal frustration. "My husband and I were planning a weekend break, but soon realised there was a dearth of luxury hotels aimed at young professionals. So we founded a business which published boutique travel guides in print." Today, only a tiny percentage of the company's revenues come from book sales - further evidence, if needed, that successful entrepreneurs must be adaptable to market changes. Over the course of a decade, the business pivoted from trusted publisher to award-winning booking service and worldwide travel club. The founders have developed their own booking system, expanded into new markets, built apps, and grown consistently year on year. Advertisement When Lohan first introduced herself, she said that, as CTO of a 14-year stable business, she doesn't feel entrepreneurial anymore. This stability is usually a source of relief, but at times, she misses the sensation of "flying by the seat of my pants". Luckily, she can delve into her work as an angel, and live vicariously through the budding entrepreneurs she supports. Or she can find new growth opportunities - like the development of sister brand Smith & Family, or launching an investment bond to raise finance. Monday saw yet another targeted strike in Syria. Not against ISIS, not against anything or anyone threatening. No, the latest attack I'm talking about is a deplorable airstrike on yet another Medecins Sans Frontieres hospital which was providing vital medical care to the region surrounding Maarat al-Numan. According to a monitoring group in the area, this attack, which resulted in more than 9 people's death - including one child's - and 8 missing staff, was carried out by Russian forces who two days prior had agreed with other world powers to limit hostilities in Syria. This was no accident. With 4 rockets hitting the hospital, it was a targeted attack. And a cold-blooded one too because between each rocket the forces waited 15 minutes. This 'double-tap' tactic, also employed by US drone strikes in the conflict, allows locals to gather at the targeted site and help the casualties, only to find themselves in the line of fire of the next bomb. Apart from the 9 dead, 8 missing and dozens injured, this strike, like several others, has left the local population without access to vital medical services. According to MSF, the local population of 40,000 people can now be added to the long list of civilians "without access to medical services in [the] active zone of conflict" that is Syria. Advertisement This isn't the first time such an attack has been carried out. 14 medical facilities in Syria, providing vital care for civilian affected by this rural civil war, have been hit and turned to dust since the clocks struck twelve and 2015 became 2016. MSF has even gone so far as to say that hospitals are no longer places where civilians can recover safely. That's how bad it's gotten. Innocent people are no longer able to safely recover from being caught in the crossfire of a civil war because foreign forces are insistent on bombing hospitals not once accidentally, but with time intervals that allow more civilians to gather on the bullseye. 2015 has been the worst year on record for healthcare workers in Syria, with over 640 killed since the crisis started. Foreign forces need to take responsibility for these blatant attacks on medical facilities. Not only because brave doctors are choosing to go into conflict zones and getting killed for their heroism, but because it impacts civilians all over the country. 40% of civilians in Syria no longer have access to basic healthcare and these raids send the message to Syrians that the foreign forces don't give a damn about their already strained healthcare, and that they don't give a damn that it leads to an increased number of preventable deaths. If the UK government wants to be as tough on immigration and turn back as many refugees as it says it wants to, it needs to start doing more than just denouncing such attacks. These people, who as MSF said, are not able to recover safely in hospitals, will look to countries with safe hospitals and understandably seek to go there. The UK government cannot, as part of a coalition of foreign forces in Syria, stand by and let other nations bomb crucial hospitals and civilians yet also take an aggressive stance against those who flee these bombs. Personally I think the government could be doing more to help refugees, but if it insists on barring them from entering the country, the least it could do is prevent civilians from becoming refugees in the first place by working with Russian forces and demanding and ensuring that hospitals, like the ones already flattened, do not get targeted. This would mean there is less strain on the medical system in Syria, so perhaps more civilians are and feel safer. Advertisement We are all part of this conflict. Just because it happened to be Russian planes, this time, doesn't mean that France, the US and the UK can just let it happen. Bomb ISIS targets, yes, but don't touch civilians. It's not collateral damage when (according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights) 1000 civilians, including 200 children, have already been killed since September 2015 by Russian planes. Photos by Dylan Haskin Malaysia: The tale of two halves. From leech bites, soaking wet clothes and aching muscles to pure white sand, clear water and coral reefs; the areas that I explored in peninsular Malaysia couldn't have been more different. However, before you stop reading and think that the former sounds more like hell than a holiday, it might surprise you to hear that I think about trekking through the oldest rainforest in the world nearly every day. It was the most demanding ecotourism trip of last year but I find myself talking about 'how long it took to start fire to keep warm' and 'the number of mosquito bites on my face' to anyone who will listen. Why? Because this experience took me out of my comfort zone and taught me skills that I never even knew I could learn. Also, what we found in that rainforest was worth every moment of discomfort. Finishing the tour on a tropical island had never felt so luxurious after sleeping on the forest floor for nights on end. For me, this trip had the perfect balance of challenge and chill time. Advertisement In terms of wildlife, Malaysia is one of 12 mega-diverse countries with a huge number of endemic (not found anywhere else in the world) species. A whopping 20% of the world's animal species are found in this tropical country and two-thirds of Malaysia is covered in forest (some believed to be 130 million years old). However, like many places on our planet, deforestation, illegal fishing and poaching are huge concerns in this region. Due to habitat loss and illegal poaching, the Malayan Tiger population is at a terrifyingly low 240 individuals; however, they may be making a comeback! The city of Ipoh is about a three hour drive from Kuala Lumpur and is the gateway to the Cameron Highlands. We hiked 18km from Tanjung Rambutan to the top of Mount Korbu through almost pristine rainforest and, along the way, we set camera traps to access the mammal populations in the area. If you're after a luxury getaway, you'll be sorely disappointed. This is more like an expedition where you'll put up your own hammocks and tents and cook your own dinners on a fire. You'll also need to be physically fit and accept the fact that you'll have a few leech and mosquito bites. You soon get used to leech bites as you'll learn to just let them take their feed and then they fall off! However, on the plus side, you'll get to bathe in tropical waterfalls, wake up to the forest orchestra and learn forest survival skills that even Bear Grylls would be proud of. My personal low point hit when, after a night of torrential downpours, I woke up to find all of my clothes soaking wet. Putting on wet socks before a full day of hiking is not a comfortable combination. Advertisement However, when the camera traps revealed that the Malayan Tiger was present in the forest where we'd been trekking, every moment of discomfort ebbed away; in its place were goosebumps and a sheer joy that these charismatic creatures are in areas where previously they were thought to have been driven out of. After all of that walking and climbing, you'll enjoy sitting down for about 6 hours while you'll travel to the east coast and jump on a speedboat to the Perhentian Islands. This tropical paradise is just the place to relax those aching muscles. Here, you can snorkel or dive on the coral reefs with green turtles and blacktip reef sharks. I travelled to the islands in June and was lucky enough to witness a female green turtle laying her eggs one night. Please note that sea turtles are very sensitive to light so no torches, cameras or phones are allowed when watching the turtles lay their eggs. Finally, if the camera traps in the forest whetted your appetite for conservation research, you can help the Perhentian Turtle Project by photographing the turtles during one of their snorkelling tours. From these photographs, the researchers can identify the individual turtles from their markings and find out about their behaviour. What a fantastic way to help conserve species while on holiday! Advertisement Both of these ecoadventurers in Malaysia were run by Fuze Ecoteer. Read more about Catherine's ecoadventures at http://catherinecapon.com/ The forthcoming EU referendum will be the most important choice our country has faced in a generation. Being in Europe means jobs and opportunities for people across Britain, because of the huge quantities of trade and investment linked to our EU membership. It means a bright future of greater prosperity and greater influence for our country. And, if we leave, these current and future advantages will be put at risk. Britain's economy is stronger in Europe. The EU is our largest trade partner, with full access to the single market bringing 133billion in additional trade we would otherwise not benefit from. It is no wonder that three million jobs are linked to our trade with the EU. The benefits of the single market are such that countries from around the world want to share in them, meaning international firms invest in the UK as a gateway to Europe. It is sometimes said that we must choose between trade with Europe and trade with the rest of the world. The truth, however, is that our place in Europe expands our trading opportunities globally. When negotiating free trade agreements, the collective clout of the EU's 500million consumers can secure terms better than those available to the UK, with our population of 65million. Advertisement Our economy is not just stronger in Europe now, but will continue to be stronger in the future. The independent CEBR think-tank has found that the value of our goods trade with the 55 countries with which the EU has trade deals amounted to 97billion in 2014. Trade between the UK and these economies is fast-growing, having doubled in the last two decades. Taken together with the value of goods traded with the EU itself, 64% of our goods exports would be affected by a change in the UK's EU membership. That is 466billion in trade that would be put at risk by our leaving Europe. Britain is better off, stronger and safer in Europe now, regardless of the outcome of the Prime Minister's negotiations. And as a Labour MP, the rules of political partisanship mean there is a constant temptation to rubbish anything achieved by David Cameron. But the deal the government appears to have reached with Brussels will make Europe work better for Britain. The deal on the table rightly recognises that different countries can have different approaches to European integration. By increasing protections for non-Eurozone states, it builds on the last Labour government's far-sighted decision to keep Britain out of the Euro. And it will make the free movement of people fairer, by restricting the payment of some benefits to migrants from EU countries. The arguments for Britain's continued membership of the EU are overwhelmingly positive. But it is reasonable to ask those who want our country to end a 40-year relationship to outline what the alternative is. Different Leave campaigners favour alternatives as diverse as Norway, Switzerland, Canada, and even Peru. What their models all have in common, however, is that they do not provide equivalent access to European markets as our current arrangements. They do not include vital co-operation on counter-terrorism and foreign policy either. And all will create uncertainty, which will damage businesses and put jobs and investment at risk. Advertisement After two trips to Lesvos last year, The Worldwide Tribe Co-Founder, Dan, packed his bags for a third time in January and set off on a one-way ticket to the front line of Europe's refugee crisis. Working with Pikpa, an amazing organisation that look after the most vulnerable refugees and support aid efforts across the island, Dan's role has evolved to include a little bit of everything. From volunteer coordination, to rescue operations, from NGO liaison to project management, Dan is on hand to make sure shit gets done... Advertisement "Its 3:45am and the alarm goes. That's my cue to get my gear ready for the night-shift on the south Lesvos shoreline." As a member of the rescue team, Dan spends the early hours waiting to spot incoming boats on the distant horizon. These boats are packed with terrified refugees making the crossing from Turkey, only a few miles away; a small stretch of sea which has become one of the most dangerous in the world over the past year. "Sometimes we wait a few hours in anticipation, casting our eyes on the horizon for the familiar shape of the boats and those fluorescent orange jackets. In the distance we spot something...someone flashing the light from their mobile phone...a boat...10 minutes away. We zip up our wetsuits and prepare ourselves for the unknown. Who knows what state the people making this journey will be in upon arrival." Advertisement Dan tries to be a welcoming face for those arriving on Lesvos, to let them know that they'll be looked after now, but the situation is serious. "Yes, they've made it to the shore but these minutes are still crucial, people are in shock, hypothermic, traumatised. Everyone needs warm, dry clothes, food and water, and often emergency medical attention, especially the youngest and most vulnerable. Sometimes a mother will pass her child to me to get them to safety as soon as possible, as they can get caught up in the crush to get off. Some of these babies are more responsive than others." Weeks of early mornings on the shoreline take their toll... "I have become rather numb to the shock, pain and desperation that I see but also feel. At first it was easy to keep count of how many boats I've helped ashore. But sadly that number has grown so big that I've lost count. The emotion is intense, and sometimes after a day of receiving 20 plus boats there is no emotion left inside me. I have on numerous occasions shed a few tears, the last time was walking back along the shore to the ambulance with a tiny baby in my arms. Often I find a quiet spot to compose myself...it's only natural I suppose." Advertisement Thanks to the incredible kindness of people all over the world, the rescue team have an ambulance on hand to treat those who need it, wetsuits for themselves, and blankets, dry clothes and shoes for the new arrivals. After the morning shift on the shore is over, Dan heads back to Pikpa camp to get the volunteers ready for the day. From making fresh orange juice for the volunteers, to running the meetings and coordinating tasks for the day, he makes sure his volunteers are well looked after. The team spirit at Pikpa is amazing. "After brekkie I host the volunteer meeting and get everyone to work, cleaning the camp including the toilets and terrain. We tore down a huge old chicken coup and created more firewood for Moria, where we hand out water and oranges to the people waiting there. We collect empty boxes in order to refill them with 1000 hot meals for people for the night." After lunch Dan might head out for meetings, and work on other tasks. He's been able to arrange free first aid training for the whole of the Pikpa team, has acted as a translator for the Spanish lifeguard team, Proem Aid, and has even hosted an educational session with a school in Geneva via Skype. Advertisement "I have been really active in the UNHCR meetings. Normally I only attend the rescue team meeting and the shoreline coordination group but I've also been asked to got to the UNHCR meeting on PROTECTION, all about welfare of refugees and children." Evenings see Dan back at the Pikpa camp, helping to clean resident's homes in preparation for new arrivals, before heading to bed for an early night, ready to do it all again tomorrow. "I can't really say that I am used to the horrors of Lesvos. But what I can say is that I have an army of amazing volunteers standing beside me. They have become not only friends but my family." To keep up with Dan and his work in Lesvos, and everything else we're doing at The Worldwide Tribe, you can find us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Advertisement Before moving to London in August, I couldn't conceive of anything close to the NHS. A structured, uniform service that trains highly competent doctors while providing healthcare for free. For everyone. Inconceivable. And yet, here I am as a first-year medical student, learning, observing, and participating firsthand in this incredible institution that indiscriminately treats anyone that walks through its doors. Here, when you are ill you are a person who needs healthcare, not a walking insurance card with a set deductible. I have lived my entire life under the US healthcare system: a scheme of insurance companies, employer-selected health insurance plans, premiums, co-pays, and mounds of red tape for routine and prepaid medical reimbursements. I have dipped into savings to pay what my plan did not cover and doctors have changed my medications when my insurance company refused to pay. During the brief periods between jobs when I did not have insurance, I feared an accident could plunge me into tens of thousands of dollars of debt from medical bills. This preceded any thought of the actual bodily harm I might suffer. Has Jeremy Hunt ever experienced this? The NHS, despite its troubles and flaws, embodies the core aspiration of modern social democracies: taking care of all of its people. And like any large entity, its greatest strength is its people. The doctors, nurses, and my fellow medics inspire me every day with their intellect, passion, and dedication to their patients. At St. George's we receive extensive training and guidance on what it means to be empathetic and how important it is to put the patient first. My classmates time and time again demonstrate that these concepts are a part of who we are. When we graduate and my British friends become junior doctors I have no doubt that the NHS will be in very good hands. Advertisement Photo: Andrew Meyerson Junior doctor training is an arduous road of sacrifice and incredible responsibility, an often thankless job, but a job that is done and done very well all over the country. Faced with contract disputes, they have impressed me with their grit and grace during a trying period of their education. Perpetually tired and away from their family and friends, the junior doctors still have the energy and conviction to convene out in the cold to fight for what they and those they care for deserve. It is truly a shame that they have been vilified and berated by their own government simply because they are standing up for their right to a fair contract and the safety of their patients. As an American medical student living in London, I feel oddly fortunate to witness an unfortunate development unfold in the UK. The BMA, junior doctors, supporting consultants, medical students, other allied health professionals, came together multiple times to protest an attack on the dignity and welfare of its doctors in training, and ultimately the NHS. Despite many rounds of negotiations, here we are at the precipice of a government-imposed contract, and the current junior doctors and my fellow students are potentially faced with the difficult decision of accepting an unfair and dangerous arrangement or reevaluating their careers. While proud of my colleagues and teachers for standing up for what is right and just, I am equally horrified by Mr. Hunt's assault on his nation's primary caretakers. Advertisement Photo: Andrew Meyerson People have asked me "Why do you care? After med school you're not going to train here." Over the past six months, I've developed a love and respect for England that is rooted in the people I have met and the education I currently receive. My classmates, lecturers, nurses, and their patients have shown me what it means to give of yourself, to excel intellectually, but more importantly, in character and spirit. They have taught me that, although the workload is demanding and stakes are high, even as a medical student with limited responsibility I am still accountable to those I meet every day. The NHS makes it possible for us to grow and learn. Rather than worry about how our future patients will afford care, we focus on giving it. Eventually, citizenship and residency will geographically separate me from England, but I will always stand in solidarity with my British counterparts out of a deep respect for them and the NHS. For me, the junior doctor contract dispute represents an assault on my colleagues and a healthcare system I could only dream of in the US. Not supporting junior doctors, current and future, would be akin to turning my back on the honourable, and tolerating inequity and irresponsibility. Photo: Andrew Meyerson Since 2010, the Prime Minister has appointed rather a lot of Peers. 244, to be precise. That's a lot of new politicians. So it was strange to hear the news on Friday that the government are going ahead with cutting the number of MPs from 650 to 600. The government is ignoring the advice of the Commons Political and Constitutional Committee, published last March. Why? The claim is that they want to 'cut the cost of politics and tackle the deficit left by the previous administration', in the government's own words. Advertisement Why then, has the prime minister appointed peers to the House of Lords at a faster rate than any prime minister in British history? Let's look at what this means. Two hundred and forty-four peers in six years - or in other words, 40 new unelected politicians per year. But, you might say, peers are unpaid. Well, not exactly - peers are able to claim up to 300 a day tax-free for turning up. They don't have o prove that they've done anything. They just have to sign a form. In the 2014-2015 term, around 100m was spent on the House of Lords. The ERS worked out exactly how much the average Peer claims in expenses and allowances per year. It's 25,826 - about the average full-time UK wage, but for a (sometimes very) part-time job - and some of course claim much more than that. And that's before office costs, extra staff, catering and infrastructure costs are taken into account. When the whole cost of the Lords is taken into account, the average peer costs 118,000 a year. Advertisement But let's take the conservative estimate. 244 Peers at an average cost of 26k a year in just expenses and allowances. That equals... *drum roll please* ... 6.3m per year. So Cameron is responsible for an extra 6.3m per year in increasing the cost of our unelected and already bloated upper chamber. There has been a 17% increase in the number of Lords, at the same time as the government are reducing the number of MPs by 8%. What kind of priorities are these? Cutting the number of elected MPs to save money, in this context, looks pretty tenuous - and not just in terms of cost. Fewer MPs means fewer people for select committees and all the scrutiny work that's needed. And if the government doesn't reduce the number of ministers, it also boosts the power of the Executive at the cost of backbenchers. With a higher proportion of MPs on the government pay-roll, there's a high risk that the Commons will be undermined as a greater percentage of MPs are forced to tow the government line. So there are big democratic issues at stake too. Good democracy costs money. Politics costs money, and running a country costs money. Having 100 MPs would be cheaper than 650, while having just one MP would be cheaper still. But at what cost? After spending six weeks embedded with British Army war surgeons in Afghanistan in 2011, I figured nothing could be as disturbing as witnessing a boxful of mangled legs delivered by soldiers in the hope that they could be re-attached to the body of a blown-up colleague. Yet I was wrong. Seeing the impact of violence first-hand on that 2011 embedded tour to Camp Bastion - the mutilated bodies of children and the countless amputations - I returned to Afghanistan in December to better understand how that country's epidemic of violence is impacting on the psyche of its citizens. And while the battlefield injuries were more visceral, the mental health scars left behind by years of brutal violence are in some ways as sad and sobering as that boxful of limbs. "My liver is bleeding" is a common sentiment expressed by patients at the Alemi Neuro Psychiatric Hospital, Afghanistan's first private clinic, located close to the mountainous Uzbekistan border in the northern city of Mazar-i-Sharif. It's a local expression meaning simply: "I am unhappy." Advertisement Following nearly four decades of on-off war, there are plenty of bleeding livers (figuratively) among the people of Afghanistan, as shown by the 80 to 120 people a day who visit Dr. Alemi for consultations that often last only 10 minutes - some traveling 700 kilometres and spending the equivalent of two weeks' household budget on the trip. "So it is okay for me to cry?" a woman asks from within the solitude of her pale blue frock. "It is good for you to cry," replies Dr. Alemi, who usually works until 11 pm six days a week, and recently moved his family to the hospital's upper floor so his children can at least occasionally see their father. As with this conversation, Dr. Alemi works hard at reassuring patients there is no shame in what they feel, and that their experiences are more common than they might think. His clientele include rich and poor, psychotic and suicidal, Uzbeks, Turkmen, and even Taliban. Many recount tales of being chained, starved, and beaten by mullahs to drive out demons. One man told me that his brother is "kept chained up or else he destroys everything and everyone", a penchant for violence that began with an altercation years ago with the Taliban over unripe fruit. Many others told similarly atrocious tales of how warfare had left painful psychic wounds. Advertisement Curiously, what struck me most after ten days in Dr. Alemi's clinic, was the absence of any diagnosis of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Official estimates suggest that 42 to 66 per cent of Afghans suffer from PTSD (thought it is not clear how meaningful these figures really are in a country that doesn't even know the size of its population). Yet none of the hundreds of patients during my visit to Dr. Alemi's clinic were ever diagnosed with PTSD, and Mazar's civil hospital rarely offers a formal diagnosis of it. Records of a mental health clinic in the west Afghanistan city of Herat, operated by International Assistance Mission (IAM), suggest that only 1.2 per cent of their patients were diagnosed with the disorder. The question is why not more? There appear to be several reasons for this diagnostic disconnect. PTSD isn't more readily diagnosed because some of its symptoms - hyper-arousal, vigilance, and anxiety - are not considered particularly abnormal in Afghanistan, so, perversely, PTSD is nowhere because it is everywhere. Also, PTSD requires time to diagnose in even the best-resourced clinical environments, so in a country with a paucity of doctors for the number of needy patients such time for proper diagnosis simply doesn't exist. As a result, PTSD and other mental disorders are often treated pharmacologically: by popping pills, as they are generic, cheap, and easy for most patients to come by. And PTSD isn't considered problematic because it isn't a priority in a country where many struggle to simply survive. "Mental health is part of a bigger challenge and with unemployment having spiked at 40 per cent, poverty is widespread, and so are the bitterness and self-loathing that accompany it," says Jawed Nader, director of the British and Irish Agencies Afghanistan Group (BAAG), which provided funding for our most recent research trip. Advertisement Finally, diagnosing PTSD is complicated by the reluctance of many to express how and what they feel and, because of lack of practice they loose fluency. They're ashamed of having such feelings or think it inappropriate to burden others who have plenty to worry about themselves. For this reason, the IAM clinic in Herat introduced emotional vocabulary training. "We ask people to tell others in the room how they feel, the rule being that they cannot re-use an expression already used by someone else," says its clinical psychologist Stephanie Lockery. Perhaps this is a small but useful start in tackling psychological injury in Afghanistan - because a wider vocabulary of emotional honesty could prove contagious. Yet it's only a start and significant progress will require stability, security, and economic opportunity. As the British psychiatrist Derek Summerfield observed: "Recovery from trauma happens in people's lives rather than in their psychologies. It is practical and unspectacular, and it is grounded in the resumption of the ordinary rhythms of everyday life." I hope that, before long, at least some of those ordinary rhythms will return to this beautiful but haunted country. Advertisement About the author: Mark de Rond is associate professor at Judge Business School, Cambridge University. Having deployed with a military surgical team to Camp Bastion in 2011, he returned to Afghanistan in December 2015 to look at the effect of conflict on the mental health of its civilian population. He can be contacted via email at: mejd3@cam.ac.uk In the past few years a revolution has crept into the world of the entrepreneur, making it possible like never before for bright ideas to raise money in a few weeks or days. This revolution was born of the Internet and it's called crowdfunding. I find it hard to imagine a bigger change coming over entrepreneurship that we are witnessing right now, courtesy of Indiegogo, Kickstarter, and several other companies in this growing financial arena. When I was a much younger inventor the opportunities to raise money for one's business ideas were much more limited than they are today. There was the ever friendly bank manager, who would smile kindly and explain that if your business venture failed then your house would become the bank's house. And there were venture capital opportunities which required the entrepreneur to jump through loads of hoops: creating an impressive business plan, answering interminable questions, and only then, if you were lucky, came an offer of the funds you needed in return for a huge slice of your company. And a few of us were fortunate enough to get funding from some sort of government initiative aimed at encouraging growing British technology companies. But nowadays there is a new kid on the funding block - crowdfunding. Just follow the simple campaign instructions and advice on one of the major crowdfunding web portals and you will soon learn what the world thinks of your bright idea. If your idea really is a stroke of genius, or just plain interesting, or if it captures the hearts or imaginations of enough visitors to that web portal, hey presto - you will get the financial support you are after. And if the idea bombs, and only a trickle of money flows in, you will know you are following a risky path and that you would be better off ditching your idea or at least reworking it to make it more appealing to your target market. That's one of the advantages of running a crowdfunding campaign - you get to test the market without spending serious money. Advertisement Two of the other great things about crowdfunding are that anyone can try it and almost any well thought out project has a chance of success if its funding goal is realistic. As I write, the current offerings on the Indiegogo portal include the usual mix of commercial ideas aimed squarely at the bottom line of a balance sheet, but there are also several philanthropic proposals: help get a marine, injured in action in Afghanistan, and his wife and seven-month old son, to Hawaii for a restful vacation; help to build sustainable homes for orphans in Africa; and raising money for a couple in the USA to help pay for their baby's medical bills. I first started to take more than a casual interest in the crowdfunding revolution when one of my companies, Retro Computers Ltd., launched a campaign at the end of 2014, to raise money for the production of the Vega, a retro version of my 1980s ZX Spectrum computer. We set ourselves a target of 100,000 and 2 months in which to raise it. The speed of the response amazed us - we reached our target in less than 36 hours and ended with a little over 150,000. But our success was totally eclipsed by a remarkable venture, described as "a revolutionary beehive invention, allowing you to harvest honey without opening the hive and with minimal disturbance to the bees." Who would have thought that such an idea could generate so much enthusiasm in funders? Yet the four Australians who launched their campaign, seeking around $7,000 (USA), were rewarded with a whopping great $12,487,309, some 17,385% of their target, making my company's achievement of 150% pale into insignificance. And good luck to them down under! Advertisement I predict that crowdfunding will eventually eclipse banks and venture capitalists as the principal sources of funding for commercial ventures, and that the next stage in this revolution will see entrepreneurship as the most popular career choice for many young people who have a bit of get-up-and-go, but who previously would have followed a more traditional career path. I'm certainly hooked on crowdfunding, and Retro Computers Ltd. Is about to launch its second campaign on Indiegogo, this time for a hand-held version of our Vega games console. I am a medical student in my penultimate year of study at the University of Manchester and it's with a very heavy heart I concede that I may not see out my long-held ambition of becoming a doctor in anything more than title. At the heart of my uncertainty regarding the future lies the heavily publicised junior contract negotiations. The saga came to a crescendo in horrific fashion this Thursday with the imposition of the contract by the Secretary of State for Health, Jeremy Hunt, in an act tantamount to bullying. Through imposition, an unmistakable message was received; the Department of Health does not take the welfare and concerns of healthcare workers seriously. What I find most troubling, is the remorseless manner in which the government intervened in the face of industrial action which had ended only hours previously, and in doing so setting an unacceptably dangerous precedent for future disputes. In the aftermath Mr. Hunt even had the gall to argue that he had shown clemency in what I can only suspect was an audacious attempt to induce Stockholm syndrome. In a rather juvenile show of bravado, he then revealed that he in fact could have imposed any contract he pleased, as though he expected a show of appreciation for his self-perceived benevolence. Advertisement The imposition of the new junior doctor contract has prompted a premature, unexpected and very difficult discussion on the topic of where I see myself in the future. Having witnessed how indiscriminate ill-health can be, and the transformational effect good healthcare can have on ones life, I am a true believer in the virtues of the NHS. It may be imperfect, but in spite of all its shortcomings it remains a system that largely adheres to the beautiful ideal that healthcare should be free and allocated based on clinical need rather than ability to pay. I chose to pursue a career in medicine because I knew that my own sense of contentment would only come from a life dedicated to helping and caring for others, but my principles would never allow me to exploit that need for personal or institutional profit. Even in the face of persistent denigration, with the Secretary of State himself suggesting that a 'Monday to Friday culture' was endemic amongst junior doctors, my loyalty to what I view as the greatest healthcare system in the world remained unwavering. Having reaped the benefits of a world-class medical education in the UK, I felt somewhat obliged to give back. However, in light of recent developments, there is no way I could wholeheartedly commit myself to a life in the NHS. It isn't a decision I take lightly, but if legitimate grievances regarding patient safety and the deterioration of working conditions are being overlooked now, what confidence can I have that it will not happen again during my working lifetime? I would love to devote my life to the care of others in the NHS but I have too much self respect to allow myself to enter a working environment where institutional bullying has become the norm. This debate has spanned several years now and as a prospective junior doctor, I have major reservations surrounding the safety and fairness of the imposed contract. At a glance, it appears to improve patient safety, reducing the maximum number of hours a doctor can work a week to 72. However, upon closer scrutiny it transpires that the reforms also bring about a redesign and weakening of protective frameworks that monitor and penalise employers who overwork their doctors. Advertisement The new contract also redefines normal working hours as 7am to 9pm, and reclassifies Saturday as a normal working day. This translates to an increase of 20 hours to the normal working week of a doctor, meaning they can be expected to work later, and at weekends on a regular basis without receiving any supplement to their wage for working unsociable hours. The imposed contract has been 'cost-neutral' meaning that not a single extra pound has been added to the junior doctor wage bill despite the extension of the normal working week. It is nothing short of exploitation for an employer to demand workers give up more of their time without a corresponding rise in pay. It is primarily an issue of fairness rather than greed, and I would challenge anybody who unfairly labels doctors as mercenary to reflect on how they would react in a similar situation. As a medical student, I spend a lot of my time as a fly on the wall in the hospital and in doing so I gain a sobering insight into the life of a junior doctor. I watch intently as they put their own troubles and dissatisfaction aside, bounding into the room with the scintillating vitality that the public have come to expect from their doctor. I sit there awestruck by their versatility acting as a sensitive educator, confidant and above all else a much needed companion to their patients, giving them hope through their darkest hours. At no point is there ever a request for a show of compassion in return and as the doctor exits, the patient could be forgiven for believing that their doctor is truly content with life. Out of earshot of their patients, all illusion of a charmed life is quickly abandoned. It is not uncommon for the working day of a junior doctor to begin well before their family rises in the morning, only for them to finish and return to a family soundly asleep. I overhear stories from doctors distraught that they haven't spent time with their children and partner in days. For many, their only solace is the weekend, a sacred time for nurturing their young family. The new contract only serves to exacerbate an already abhorrent situation outside of work. The current state of affairs whereby doctors may go days without seeing their loved ones is unacceptable. All junior doctors work weekends under the current contract to deliver urgent care. At present, we have a situation whereby Saturday is regarded as unsociable, meaning that where junior doctors are expected to work weekends, they can do so with the knowledge that their family time is valued and is reflected in the rate that they are paid. Under the new contract the situation becomes intolerable. With the extension of normal working hours, and as Saturday transitions to becoming a frequently worked, routine day, a significant blow is dealt to the ability of a doctor to maintain a life outside of work and raise a family. Should we choose not to fight the imposition we are effectively agreeing that in becoming a doctor we opt out of any semblance of a work-life balance. Advertisement As the government embarks on its bloody crusade to provide 7 day elective services in spite of an unwillingness to invest in the necessary training of more doctors, it doesn't take great intellectual leaps to understand why imposition occurred. In its current iteration, the new contract quite patently represents an erosion in the working conditions of the junior doctor. With more hours in the normal working week alongside weaker protective safeguards, it will ultimately be the patients who suffer. What will inevitably emerge under the wholly unreasonable demand to deliver this manifesto pledge on a shoestring budget, is a pattern of catastrophically overworking an already stretched junior doctor workforce. The concept of tiredness leading to poorer performance isn't new and in accepting the imposed contract we are all implicit in the creation of an unsafe NHS where mistakes are commonplace. To their very core junior doctors are selfless and incredibly resilient, but even they have a breaking point. What we see now is the recoil from years of successive governments undervaluing a workforce that makes great sacrifices to serve the population. For the dispute to be boiled down to being about pay shows a complete lack of insight on the part of the government. The negotiations transcend the issue of pay, involving elements of fairness, safety and merely recognition of the needs of a junior doctor as a person. It is a disgrace that it even has to be intimated, but doctors are human too, entitled to a life outside of work with their family as well as the right to practice in a safe environment where they are valued. If I am to serve others in the NHS, it is not unreasonable to expect this as the bare minimum before making a commitment. I absolutely want to help others, but I refuse to let it come at the expense of my health and happiness elsewhere. After giving birth many women are shocked to discover that their pelvic floor muscles have weakened and are suddenly difficult to feel. As Kate Winslet recently bravely and publicly admitted, bouncing on trampolines after babies is potentially hazardous. If you find yourself, as many women do, needing to cross your legs before you sneeze or cough, or are caught out when running for the bus with a full bladder or if the worry of leaking is holding you back in life, a visit to a women's health physiotherapist is a must. A specialist can give you an assessment of the muscles and guidance on the many treatments and helpful strategies available. The good news is that exercise and awareness can really help. The yoga tradition has a focus on mula bandha - translating as "the root lock", often considered as the energetic closing of the base of the pot. Mula bandha is a very powerful but subtle practice, it links to the physical action required to strengthen the pelvic floor. Specialist women's health physiotherapist, Sinead McCarthy advised in the making of my Postnatal Yoga DVD that although kegels are a must for strengthening the muscles of the pelvic floor, there are many other factors we should consider to make them even more effective. Advertisement Here are five of the points included in the DVD that may be of use in understanding how to improve the function of the pelvic floor after birth. Good posture is very important for the function of the pelvic floor. Tightness in the chest and mid back can affect the function of the pelvic floor. Think of the body again as a pot, a whole unit that is connected from top to bottom. If the top of the pot is tight and constricted, the bottom of the pot gets over-worked, over- stretched and easily tired. Good posture involves stacking the rib cage over the hips, not slouching forwards or tucking the tailbone under. Yoga helps us focus on how to achieve good posture and specific poses such as Tadasana (mountain pose) may be particularly helpful. The pelvic floor and the diaphragm work together to support full complete breathing, and muscle balance within our core. The nervousness of incontinence can often cause us to hold or restrain the breath - but in doing so we weaken the pelvic floor further. Learning how to take a full complete breath can help the pelvic floor function, and we use this type of breathing throughout yoga classes. The DVD shows a breathing sequence to help the breath become more complete. The pelvic floor works best when in balance with the gluteal muscles. Weak buttocks can result in a tight pelvic floor as the muscles compensate to try and bring more stability. A tight pelvic floor exhausts quickly which can contribute to incontinence. Strengthening the buttocks, can help to balance the action of the pelvic floor. The pelvic floor doesn't work in a straight up and down action. It is most effective if you engage the muscles in a scooping action. Practice lifting the pelvic floor from the back to front. Think about lifting from the back passage up towards the pubic bone and drawing up through the bladder to make the exercises more effective. It may be helpful to come to all fours with the forehead resting on the hands and the hips high to feel the muscles more easily engaging. You should not be sucking in your tummy or squeezing your inner thighs to feel these muscles working. There are fast twitch and slow twitch muscles which both need working.It is important that we maintain good tone in our muscles to help support the bowel, bladder, and uterus, and to prevent urine from leaking out of our bladder involuntarily. This is why a big part of pelvic floor strengthening involves the muscle action of elevating our pelvic floor and holding for an extended count (working the levator ani). Aim to achieve approximately a 10 - 15 second hold, that you can repeat 10-15 times in a set. We have to work the slow twitch fibers of these muscles daily to maintain healthy tone after having a baby and also as we age. These muscles can also become weaker after abdominal surgery, heavy lifting, hormone changes, or with obesity. It is also important to work the fast twitch fibres within our sphincter muscles. Our sphincter muscles can contract with significant force when we cough, laugh, sneeze, jump, etc. These fibres don't require holding as much as a quick contraction and release. We can work these fast twitch fibres by following the set of slow holds with 10 - 15 quick squeeze and release movements. The great news is that often with time and effort, muscular strength can be regained and your pelvic floor can become reliable again. You'll be free to sneeze without having to cross your legs, be able to do star jumps with vigour in your gym class and bouncing on a trampoline may even become a possibility! Advertisement Tara Lee has been practicing yoga for over 20 years and has been teaching for 12 years. Tara has taught thousands of pre and postnatal women. Postnatal Yoga with Tara Lee is now available (www.amazon.co.uk). Fairfax Media The United Nations has again taken aim at Australian lawmakers, savaging proposed new legislation in Western Australia that would severely limit the ability for people to stage protests. The Criminal Code Amendment (Prevention of Lawful Activity) Bill 2015 would dramatically reduce the legal rights for citizens to protest "lawful activity," such as logging or development, Greens parliamentarian Lynn MacLaren told The Huffington Post Australia. The bill -- which was first introduced in 2015 but, after a year on the backburner, was set to be debated in the WA parliament on Tuesday -- sets out that: Advertisement A person must not, with the intention of preventing a lawful activity that is being, or is about to be, carried on by another person, physically prevent that activity. And that: A person must not make, adapt or knowingly possess a thing for the purpose of using it, or enabling it to be used, in the commission of [an offence] The new law would also theoretically reverse the burden of proof and presumption of innocence, according to MacLaren, in the section that states: A person is presumed to have the intention [to prevent a lawful act] if (a) the person prevents a lawful activity in circumstances that give reasonable grounds for suspecting that the person had that intention; and (b) the contrary is not proved. Penalties for the offences range up to $24,000 and two years in jail. On Tuesday, the office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights released a statement blasting the proposed laws for their aim to limit protest. "Three United Nations human rights experts have urged the State Parliament of Western Australia not to adopt new legislation which would result in criminalising lawful protests and silencing environmentalists and human rights defenders," the release said. "Members of the regional parliament have indicated that the Bill aims at preventing protestors from locking themselves onto equipment, trees, and other objects with innovative methods in order to frustrate or delay development sites." There are fears forests will be less protected under new protest laws The UN Special Rapporteurs on freedom of expression, David Kaye, on freedoms of peaceful assembly and association, Maina Kiai, and on human rights defenders, Michel Forst, all expressed their concern over how the laws could affect the right to protest in WA. Advertisement "The Bill would criminalise a wide range of legitimate conduct by creating criminal offenses for the acts of physically preventing a lawful activity and possessing an object for the purpose of preventing a lawful activity, the three rapporteurs said. For example, peaceful civil disobedience and any non-violent direct action could be characterized as physically preventing a lawful activity'." Mr Kaye was quoted as saying he feared the legislation would have "the chilling effect of silencing dissenters and punishing expression protected by international human rights law." Mr Kiai added: "It discourages legitimate protest activity and instead, prioritises business and government resource interests over the democratic rights of individuals." WA Premier Colin Barnett told media on Tuesday that he was unswayed by the UN's comments. "This is WA, Australia, a first world nation with great freedoms, civil liberties and the like. This is not some despot country in Africa, or wherever. Any suggestion that there is some sort of unreasonable crackdown on protestors is just false," he said, according to his office. Advertisement "What we are proposing is to have some measure that will prevent people from putting themselves in danger or others in danger in terms of having to rescue them." "I will always allow protests to take place but they need to be peaceful and they do not need to be of a nature that endanger individuals." MacLaren said she was most concerned over the vague nature of the bill. She said the clauses about a person not being allowed to possess a "thing" which could be used in a protest, and the apparent reversal of the presumption of innocence, were especially troubling. "You have to prove you didn't intend to do that, which is an extraordinary reversal of onus of proof and very ill-defined. Their intent is to stop the lock-ons and blockades which have been used in forest protests," she said. MacLaren said she hoped the UN comments would help sway the government to abandon the proposals. "Im hoping the UN will add to the weight of evidence opposing this bill. It is the strongest condemnation yet. The premier needs to pay attention to this," she said. Advertisement Mike Flokis via Getty Images SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 21: 2GB Radio announcer Alan Jones at the State Funeral for the late Nancy Bird-Walton AO OBE at St Andrew's Cathedral on January 21, 2009 in Sydney, Australia. Bird-Walton was the youngest Australian woman ever to gain her pilot's license at the age of 19. She died of natural causes on January 13 at the age of 93. (Photo by Mike Flokis/Getty Images) Exclusive A petition urging Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull to stand up against Alan Jones' 'Stolen Generation' comments will be taken to Parliament. Greens Senator Rachel Siewert is tabling the petition in the Senate on Monday and told The Huffington Post Australia, "We need some leadership from the Prime Minister on this". Advertisement Alan Jones comments are atrocious, particularly after the Close the Gap report. These comments are not appropriate ever, but came at a time of particular grieving for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community so soon after the anniversary of the Apology and at a time when they are confronting news that Closing the Gap efforts are faltering," Siewert told HuffPost Australia. "Calling for another Stolen Generation is hurtful and insulting to all those affected by the terrible practices and approach and represents an attitude not conducive to genuinely Closing the Gap in Australia." On Monday Alan Jones said Australia needs Stolen Generations to remove children exposed to drug and alcohol abuse from their homes. The on-air comments came after a 2GB listener called the minute's silence and commemorations at the Indigenous All Stars rugby league match "a load of twaddle". "When are they going to believe that half the stolen generation were taken for their own protection?" asked 2GB listener, Dell. Advertisement Jones replied: Correct. To look after them. And we need Stolen Generations. There are a whole heap of kids going before the courts now, or their families, mums going before the courts, and dads who are on top of the world with drugs or alcohol, and suddenly they go back into an environment where children are brought up in those circumstances. "Those children, for their own benefit, should be taken away." On Tuesday, Jones stood by his comments explaining children, both Indigenous and Non-Indigenous, were taken away from families fuelled with drug and alcohol abuse and his reference to Australia needing 'Stolen Generations' was "metaphorically speaking". 2GB radio host Ray Hadley also defended Jones saying he is a generous benefactor to indigenous youth and "he's many things, Alan Jones, but he's not a racist". The Change.org petition Siewert will bring to parliament on Monday, which has gained more than 20,000 signatures in two days, urges the Prime Minister to stand against Alan Jones' "racist" comments. "Alan Jones referred to a second Stolen Generation, this is an Aboriginal issue," Siewert, who is Australian Greens spokesperson on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander issues, told HuffPost Australia. Advertisement "For Jones to try and defend himself in this manner shows a complete lack of understanding in regards to the struggle Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples face every day through systemic disadvantage. "He appears to not understand that people are still suffering the effects of Stolen Generations, to call for another period of such actions is very offensive. The new Liberian Education Minister, George Werner, announced in January that the pre-primary and primary schools in the country will move over to be run by 'public-private' partnerships in a $65 million five year deal. Why this change? In February 2013, the Liberian President, Ellen Sirleaf-Johnson, called the education system a "mess". The legacy of the civil war means that there is an education quality vacuum in the country: there are almost 50 pupils per trained primary school teacher in the country. According to the 2013 Demographic and Health Survey, only 50% of young women and 68% of young men had completed primary school or, if not, were able to read a whole sentence. The situation was exacerbated during the recent Ebola public health crisis. It is not yet certain who those private partners may be that Minister Werner is in discussion with. However, if media reports are to be believed, they may include the Bridge Academies, which provide education services in Kenya, Nigeria and Uganda for $6 per student per month, and are to branch out in India this year. Advertisement Bridge Academies work with teachers who are not subject to the same standards of training as government school teachers. The argument is that they do not need that training, because they are there to read a 'scripted curriculum' that is delivered through data-enabled tablets, explaining what they should do and say during any given moment of a class. We now have a clear post-2015 agenda firmly anchored in the provision of good quality education. The evidence on the effectiveness and scalability of private entities to provide quality education should be investigated, as we said in a previous blog. This is especially true for the Bridge Academies, which aim to educate 10 million children across a dozen countries by 2025. Indeed, their lack of previous experience in predominantly rural Liberia should further put in question their legitimacy as a key provider in this large-scale privatization initiative. The way the Academies work rubs teacher unions and other civil society groups up the wrong way. In May last year, a group of 30 Kenyan and Ugandan organisations drafted a joint statement that was supported by a further 116 organisations and was aimed at the World Bank who provide funding for Bridge Academy schools. "If the World Bank is serious about improving education in Kenya and Uganda, it should support our governments to expand and improve our public education systems, provide quality education to all children free of charge, and address other financial barriers to access," the statement read. Advertisement Who is teaching? is one of the key questions that private-sector education providers often face. However, what is being taught is also increasingly likely to be one they will need to answer now that the Sustainable Development Agenda doors have been opened. Education from now until 2030 has to expand to fit the new and enlarged shoes that the new agenda has laid out for it. This will require going beyond basic skills to ensuring that education builds our children and youth into active, global citizens contributing to an equitable, sustainable world. With such a vision for education in mind, teachers will need to be trained accordingly, and children and youth challenged to find innovative, new solutions to global issues. Thinking of schools only as places to learn how to read may appear a reasonable idea in a country where most children cannot achieve even that. However, it risks reducing appreciably the purpose of education. Policy-makers need to be aware that good teaching cannot be delivered by just anybody out of a script.Aside from these issues, which Liberia should consider in its shift to any new system, there is also much evidence of the risks that privatization places on the equality of education. So soon after signing the SDGs with their clear emphasis on 'leaving no-one behind', shifting a whole school system, that is already showing large wealth gaps to a private-public partnership seems disheartening, to say the least. True conservatives rail against Big Sugar's command of Congress through Farm Bill subsidies and political contributions they shed freely as the hair of a shaggy dog. For example, Grover Norquist is making opposition to sugar subsidies, supported by Marco Rubio, a GOP litmus test for presidential candidates in 2016. (For a reasoned explanation, read Robert McElroy, publisher of ThisWeekInCongress.com: "Rubio's sugar support doesn't match his conservative credentials".) Multiple, six-figure campaign contributions have been shunted Rubio's way by the Fanjul billionaires and by US Sugar, the other branch of the Big Sugar cartel, owned primarily by the 'environmentally sensitive' Mott Foundation. The Fanjuls summoned Rubio to run against then-governor Charlie Crist in 2010. They were outraged when Crist in 2008 had offered to buy US Sugar lands -- more than 125,000 acres at a projected cost to the state of about $1.2 billion -- without consulting them. The reason for the fury: if government built wetland marshes using US Sugar lands to store and cleanse filthy agricultural waters, then the state would be a step closer to key parcels owned by the Fanjuls in the Everglades Agricultural Area. Advertisement For the public, the end game is to provide connectivity between Lake Okeechobee and the Everglades, building a solution toward cleansing Big Ag's toxic mess of Lake Okeechobee. Halting toxic releases to tide -- measured in trillions of gallons -- would eventually provide clean, fresh water to the remaining three million acres of Everglades, owned in perpetuity by the public thanks to the national park and other public entities. The cycnical, deadly chess game between Big Sugar and government is set out on a board called Lake Okeechobee. The lake is one of the largest fresh water bodies in the United States. Why is it deadly? Because government use of massive pumps and lock infrastructure, to control Lake water height -- called "schedules" by the US Army Corps of Engineers -- is calibrated to dike safety. Possible breaches would endanger lives in downstream communities: places like Belle Glade and Clewiston that, thanks to low labor wages of Big Sugar, are also among the poorest in the Florida. Advertisement From the background -- where they operate like Florida's version of the Koch Brothers -- the Fanjuls pushed Marco Rubio into the US Senate seat. Today Rubio -- thanks to Big Sugar's early support -- is a contender for the GOP nomination to be president. At the same time the Fanjuls also moved to block any future plans to use their land for cleansing the toxic mess they created in Lake Okeechobee by pushing at the county and state level for zoning changes to allow massive new developments like "inland ports" in the Everglades Agricultural Area. (When pushed to answer for his support of Big Sugar, Rubio defaults to a rote response: "sugar subsidies are a matter of national security".) Tic-tac-toe, the public is the schmoe. That is a brief caption to the historic rainfalls in South Florida this winter and the outrage of citizens on both Florida coasts. To keep the Lake from bursting, the Corps opened the floodgates of hell into the St. Lucie and Indian River, opening to the Atlantic, and the Caloosahatchee River, opening to the Gulf, until public outrage -- from mainly Republican districts -- became so intense that the politicians begged for relief. Groups like Bullsugar.org on the east coast of Florida and Southwest Florida Clean Water on the west coast have been driving the point home, but Florida political leaders led by Gov. Rick Scott and Ag Secretary Adam Putnam found a way to relieve their pressure: don't buy the land south, move the pollution south. The net result: as of yesterday, filthy Lake Okeechobee water has been diverted through public lands toward other, more distant water bodies like Florida Bay and the Florida Keys. State officials claim the water will be "clean" although what none will confess this is an uncontrolled experiment for the purposes of political expediency. Miami-Dade County, the most politically influential in the state, deserves some credit. Last year, the county commission unanimously passed a resolution by Commissioner Daniella Levine Cava, urging the Florida legislature to allocate hundreds of millions of dollars to acquire Big Sugar lands. The resolution by the county commission fell on deaf ears including Miami-Dade's own state delegation. The public has been arguing for many, many years that the only solution to the Lake Okeechobee crisis: BUY THE LAND SOUTH. Create surface water storage, a rigorous water quality regime and conveyance adequate to deal with the toxic mess. And not just arguing. Voters went to the polls in the 1990's and agreed that Big Sugar must be primarily responsible to clean up its pollution. Hasn't happened. Voters went to the polls in 2014 to pass a constitutional amendment -- approved by more than 75 percent of Floridians -- to buy environmentally important lands like those owned by US Sugar and the Fanjuls. Hasn't happened. Advertisement In November, Florida voters will have a chance to vote on candidates for public office according to their own litmus test: do the candidates support Big Sugar's domination of the state's landscape or not? Republican voters will have a chance even sooner: the March presidential primary in Florida. We need to make modest claims, not sweeping generalizations, about the literature on long-term use of antipsychotic medication. "Gold-standard," randomized, placebo-controlled studies are fewer than we would like, and existing studies are always subject to different interpretations. Most randomized, long-term studies of schizophrenia support the net benefit of antipsychotics in preventing relapse of the illness. Some data also show better "quality of life" with maintenance antipsychotic treatment, compared with drug discontinuation. There is no convincing evidence that maintenance treatment causes worsening of schizophrenia or related psychotic illnesses, or leads to poorer outcomes, when compared with discontinuation of the antipsychotic. That said, data from Dr. Lex Wunderink suggest that for some people experiencing their first psychotic episode, "less is more"; that is, lower doses of antipsychotics may lead to better long-term recovery rates and social functioning than higher doses. It's important to understand that only a portion of people with a first psychotic episode have schizophrenia, which is usually a very chronic illness. Many have quite brief bouts of psychosis that never return, making long-term antipsychotic treatment unnecessary. But when we look at relapse rates in patients with schizophrenia, we see a different picture. Prof. Stefan Leucht and colleagues examined relapse rates in persons with schizophrenia or schizophrenia-like psychoses, comparing those maintained on antipsychotic medication vs those given a placebo. Leucht reviewed 65 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving 6493 participants, covering studies from 1959 to 2011. The authors concluded that '...the efficacy of antipsychotic drugs for maintenance treatment in schizophrenia was clear. Antipsychotic drugs were significantly more effective than placebo in preventing relapse at seven to 12 months.' About 27% relapsed while taking medication, versus 64% taking placebo. Quality of life was also better in participants staying on medication. Of course, the authors noted that 'This [benefit] must be weighed against the side effects of antipsychotic drugs," which include sedation, weight gain, and movement disorders. Recently, researchers in China (Ran et al) carried out a 14-year prospective study of outcome in people with schizophrenia (N=510) who had never been treated with antipsychotic medication, and compared outcome with those who were treated. Consistent with the Leucht's findings, the Chinese investigators found that partial and complete remission rates in treated patients were significantly higher than that in the never-treated group--57.3% vs. 29.8%. Moreover, the authors concluded that, '..never-treated/remaining untreated patients may have a poorer long-term outcome (for example higher rates of death and homelessness) than treated patients.' Critics sometimes charge that apparent relapse among persons with schizophrenia does not represent a bona fide recurrence of the original illness. Rather, they claim, it is simply a 'withdrawal effect' causing a flare-up of 'super-sensitized' brain cells. Yet when we look at the time course of psychotic relapse, it usually occurs several months after discontinuation of the antipsychotic. This is not consistent with what we know about most drug withdrawal syndromes, which usually occur days to a few weeks after a drug is stopped. Thus, the 'withdrawal psychosis' or 'supersensitivity psychosis' notions remain, at best, highly speculative. Some studies also raise the possibility that antipsychotic medication can cause structural changes in certain brain regions, leading some to raise the alarm about 'brain damage' from these drugs. Yet schizophrenia itself is linked with numerous brain abnormalities, including progressive loss of brain cells, even in persons never exposed to antipsychotic medication. We need more research to sort out this issue, while always weighing the neurological risks of treatment, including movement disorders, against the very real benefits. Critics of long-term antipsychotic use often cite studies done by Dr. Martin Harrow and colleagues. Harrow looked at 139 patients with schizophrenia who were either on or off antipsychotic medications, over a 20-year study period. Harrow found that those not on antipsychotics had a lower severity of psychosis and significantly greater rates of recovery compared to those taking antipsychotics. This led Harrow to suggest a 'recovery paradox' in which antipsychotics help in the short-term, but lose effectiveness in the long-term. However, as UCLA schizophrenia expert Dr. Joseph M. Pierre has pointed out, patients in the Harrow studies were not randomized. Patients themselves were allowed to decide whether or not to continue medication. This means that those with milder symptoms likely self-selected to discontinue medication, whereas those with more severe illness--who would be expected to have a poorer outcome--elected to stay on medication. So the Harrow studies did not prove that long-term antipsychotic treatment per se worsened outcome. It is far more likely that the severity of patients' symptoms determined whether or not they and their doctors decided to continue medication. In interpreting the Harrow studies, non-medical critics of antipsychotic treatment have misperceived direction of the arrow of causality. Aurora Borealis close to Yellowknife in the Northwest Territories in Canada. "We will hopefully get to see the Northern Lights," The amount of times that Thomas, my tour guide and owner of the tour company that I used called Chasing Lights, emphasized the word "hopefully" was almost enough to make me worry. Like many people, I was initially naive to think that all you had to do was go to Norway to see the Northern Lights, but I quickly learned there's a lot more that goes into the chase. But after doing further research on what improves your chances of seeing the lights, I had a good feeling about it... mostly because the weather had just dumped a shit ton of snow on me the day before my flight to Troms, so I figured it would maybe give me a break since I didn't complain about being stuck in a blizzard on a train for 8 hours. I know that's not how weather works, but it is how hope works! This may sound crazy but I also felt like the lights would show that night, because as I flew over the clouds on my way to Troms, it seemed like I could already see the light energy getting ready for a show. It looked like a sunset above the clouds, and I secretly hoped that was a sign that something was going to happen. Advertisement You don't always see the Northern Lights, and even if you do, sometimes they aren't that bright. Thomas kept emphasizing that they usually don't look like they do in pictures to the naked eye, and that usually they're more grayish and unlikely to move very much (more on how to get photos here). You can't predict them, despite the websites that claim to be able to, and you can't just walk outside and look up in the sky. At most, you can guess where you might have the best chances of seeing them, and it depends on weather, climate, and location. I've created a guide with all of the information I learned from Chasing Lights, but you're still better off letting a professional help you find them. Needless to say, I got really lucky. Realistically, it was completely by chance because I only flew in on the 2nd because it was the cheapest flight to Troms. But to me, as a believer in the universe, energy, and Pachamama ("Mother Earth", a term and belief I picked up in Peru), I know I projected enough positive energy to light up the sky myself... if, you know, I could glow and whatnot. But enough of my hippie shit, now I'd like to share with you my experience chasing the Northern Lights, and hope that it inspires you to go do it too! Getting Ready for the Chase I went early to check out the Chasing Lights headquarters, which is brand new and located in the center of the main downtown area of Troms. It's only about two blocks from where I was staying at the beautiful Scandic Ishavshotel, which is located right on the water with spectacular views of the snow covered mountains, the Troms bridge, and occasionally the massive docked Hurtigruten ship making a stop along one of its voyages. Chasing Lights is run by a young, international team of Northern Lights fanatics and photographers, which is one of the reasons why I selected them. I don't like tours that just take people to see something for the sake of making a profit off of something that's not even theirs. I like people who are passionate about what they're showing, because that makes a huge difference in the experience. Advertisement When I arrived, Thomas took me upstairs to their office where the young male and female guides were running around like badass explorers, getting everything ready for their chase that evening. I couldn't help but note that as each would dash off to leave, they'd say something along the lines of, "Good luck!" or "Hope you see the Northern Lights!" which further emphasized that seeing the Northern Lights was really a luck of the draw. Thomas showed me on the big monitor screen computer where we were in Troms and where we were probably going to head that night. The map was on a live weather forecast website which showed where the clouds were, and where it was clear, which is how he decides each night where to go. That night we would be heading South, away from the coastal clouds that were lurking around Troms. Next he took me to the gear room, where the guides pre-select thick thermal snow suits for the tour guests, along with heavy duty snow boots. He also seemed amused to show me the freeze dried meals they use for dinner, which are all locally made and packaged. Downstairs his colleagues were loading Reindeer skins to sit on and firewood for the fire into the Wifi equipped bus outside. Did I mention that Chasing Lights has Wifi on their buses? #WINNING The First Chase After picking up other light chasers from their hotels, all of which were from different countries, we set off for what was my first ever Northern Lights chase. I kept looking outside the window, thinking maybe I'd see something, but quickly realized that that's the exact reason why it's called a "chase". We drove south of Troms, away from the city lights that cause "light pollution" and make it impossible to see the Northern Lights, on the E8, which is also known as the "Northern Lights Route". About an hour later we arrived at a fjord near Nordkjosbotn, and geared up to get ready for the cold. Thomas and another guide, Jonas (from Sweden) ran ahead to scope out the area by the shore of the fjord, while our bus driver unloaded more gear and tripods for everyone to use. The only way you can get a decent photo aside from having the correct DSLR camera, is by using a tripod. Advertisement Suddenly Thomas flew back onto the bus and said, "Hey guys! Try to get dressed quickly, it looks like there's already some Northern Lights out here!" Beyond excited, I wiggled around the best I could to get the massive snow suit and boots on before grabbing my own camera and jumping out of the bus. I had no idea how to use a tripod, or my camera for that matter, but I grabbed one anyway and carefully stepped down the steps they had made in the snow that led down to the bank. He was right, they looked like grayish-green clouds hovering above the water, but they were still bright enough to reflect on the surface, and illuminate the mountain next to it. It was still pretty cool, and I was pretty excited to see them considering it was exactly like the low expectations Thomas told me to have, and although it was freezing (literally, around -17 degrees) I still stood out there and waited for more activity like they said might happen. Jonas helped me set up my dinky Nikon digital camera, which embarrassingly I'll admit that my mother bought me so that I could take high resolution photos of my travels rather than only ever using a GoPro. I never wished I had a DSLR so bad than when I realized I couldn't see shit using my camera, and that it dies immediately in the cold (I'm still grateful to have it though). Normally I'd be upset if I couldn't get a photo of something, but after I saw the amazing shots that Thomas and Jonas were getting with their heavy duty DSLR's, I was perfectly fine just jumping in their shots and learning about how they get them. The lights got a little stronger at times, appearing and disappearing at random, just like they said. About an hour into it they gave us hot chocolate which largely helped with the defrosting of my numb finger tips. Since the lights weren't incredibly bright at times, we had fun taking "light painting" photos, which Thomas and Jonas showed us how to do with a red light and the timing of a long exposure shot. Thomas also had recently discovered that there was bioluminescent microorganisms in the fjord water, and they kicked it around so we could see them light up. Jonas was also crazy enough to somehow swipe one up out of the water, which then froze into ice and actually froze the microorganism while it was lit up! The Second Chase & The Big Show We got back on the bus, and I assumed the chase was over since we already saw some Northern Lights. But Thomas explained that we were going to head to another location that's showing some Northern Light activity on a tracker he has on his phone. To be honest, I was beyond tired and couldn't feel my fingers or toes, but figured if we had gone that far, we might as well keep on going. Advertisement I was a little confused when we stopped in what seemed like the middle of nowhere just east of a town called Bardufoss, on what seemed like just an empty area covered in snow and pine trees. But when Thomas ran back on the bus freaking out even more than the last time, I knew there was something going on. It wasn't until I heard the "Woah's" from everyone outside that I decided to hurry up and get all my layers on. When I stepped off the bus, I joined the chorus of "Wow's". There, in the middle of the dark, empty, snow-covered road, was an Aurora Borealis so bright that it actually looked like the ones in the pictures. Everyone started setting up their cameras, except me who just hovered over Thomas' shoulder to see the view through his, even though you didn't even need a powerful lens to see these Northern Lights. "Ok guys, we don't know how long the Northern Lights will be this strong for, so let's get some pictures with it! Who wants to go first? Don't be shy! Alyssa?" He yelled over the opposite shoulder that I was lurking near. Apparently it was obvious that I wasn't ashamed at all to get in the pictures, which is rare since I usually hate when other people take photos of me, but I was not missing an opportunity to get in some with those lights! The Aurora Borealis Ballet of the Year While everyone took pictures with their cool cameras, I decided to walk a little further down the road to get a view of where the lights were coming from. The Northern Lights usually run East to West, which is also how you can differentiate them from normal clouds. Suddenly they started becoming brighter, so bright in fact that I attempted taking pictures of them with my phone, and could actually see them! I kept starring up in the sky, secretly thanking the universe for letting me see them, when suddenly something awesome and slightly terrifying happened! The Northern Lights suddenly started dancing! Yes, dancing! Like a massive, long, silky, shiny green ribbon being waved around in the sky. They were moving fast, and I had no idea where they were going until suddenly I didn't see so much ribbon anymore, but instead found myself looking straight up into the center of the Aurora Borealis, at what seemed like dozens of light columns reaching down towards me. If I ever had any idea what it would be like to get abducted by aliens, that would be it. That was the slightly terrifying part, mostly because I was alone in the middle of this dark road. Advertisement But I couldn't stop starring up into the light vortex, trying to figure out what in the world was going on. I could hear a symphony of string quartets and bold brass instruments, even though I don't know anything about music, and the silence was abyssal. It reminded me of the part in Fantasia that you think is boring as a child, where they depict the music notes with different shapes and colors. Speaking of colors, I was no longer just seeing green. At the top and ends of the Aurora Borealis were streaks of pink and purple, and even a little bit of blue. Seeing these colors with the naked eye is apparently a rarity, although more likely to see with the powerful cameras. Not wanted to get abducted by aliens or abominable snowmen, I turned back to where everyone else was and saw that the light above me was now ribbon dancing it's way towards them. By the time I got back it had formed a full ribbon circle around us, which secretly made me feel really special, especially since no one else was around. Suddenly another big, strong Aurora Borealis appeared right in front of us, and seemed so close that you could jump up and touch it. Thomas was shocked at our luck, and said he was not expecting to see such strong lights that night, especially since they had been dim all week. But they never faded for the full hour or two we were there. They'd appear out of no where, usually moving quickly, then seem to run off in the distance before another one appeared. Campfire Under the Northern Lights My fingers and toes were definitely frozen, and likely about to get frostbite, so I took off my gloves and boots and put my extremities in the fire. It was kind of ironic seeing fire on ice, and even more mind boggling to see it under the Northern Lights. Once everyone was situated around the fire, Thomas announced the "dinner menu" which consisted of the choice between sweet and sour pork, some sort of chicken, cod in a curry cream sauce, and the vegetarian option, couscous and spinach. Then they went off to "make dinner", which was done by adding hot water to the freeze dried food and mixing it until it became soft. I had the vegetarian option, and it was actually pretty good! Northern Lights Pit Stops Just when I thought the chase was over after seeing such a spectacular show, Thomas told the bus driver to stop because he saw some activity on his tracker. As much as I was ready to go take a hot shower and sleep, I appreciated his enthusiasm for getting us as many opportunities to see the lights as possible. We pulled to the side of the road and got out, where we saw some more Northern Lights although they weren't nearly as strong as the last ones. Advertisement It was a magical evening to say the least. I didn't fully realize just how rare and special it was to see the Northern Lights so strong and actively dancing until I realized everyone was talking about "the lights last Tuesday" two days later (I have no sense of what day of the week it is). What was even more special to me was that the Sami man leading my Reindeer sledding tour told me that usually when the lights dance like that, it means your ancestors are looking out for you, and with the strong connection I had with my grandfather, I wouldn't be surprised if he was up to some universal shenanigans! Also on HuffPost: MOSCOW, RUSSIA - FEBRUARY 16: (RUSSIA OUT) Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a conference of federal and regional judgesFebruary 16, 2016 in Moscow, Russia. (Photo by Mikhail Svetlov/Getty Images) With no more than a smile and a shoeshine Secretary of State John Kerry seeks to persuade Russia to do the right thing by Syria: to force its client Assad regime to lift sieges on a million helpless civilians; to wind down a Russian Air Force campaign stampeding terrified Syrians in the direction of Turkey; and to support all-Syrian negotiations that can produce a transitional governing body to unify the country against the Islamic State (ISIL, ISIS, Daesh). Perhaps Russian President Vladimir Putin will take pity on Syrians and the United States of America. This is what it will take for Washington's Syria strategy to work. There is no leverage. There is no Plan B. What there is is a fundamental asymmetry that has been in place since the start of the Syrian crisis in 2011. Russia and Iran have wanted Bashar al-Assad politically alive far more than Washington has wanted him dead. This might have been a manageable state of affairs if what was happening in Syria had only stayed in Syria. Advertisement Thinking, in the summer of 2011, that Assad was finished, President Barack Obama called on him to leave. Thinking, in the summer of 2012, that the resilient Assad would never defy him, Obama warned of a chemical red line not to be crossed. Thinking, in the summer of 2013 after the red line had been defiantly crossed via a major chemical atrocity, that cruise missile strikes against Assad's instruments of terror would put him on the slippery slope to invasion and occupation and perhaps alienate Iran, the American president panicked, backed down, and permitted Russia to broker a chemical weapons deal that enabled Assad to double down on mass homicide and make a mockery of a February 2014 Geneva peace conference. Iran, on the other hand, needed Assad in place to guarantee Syrian support for Hezbollah, its Lebanese militia. In addition to its own Revolutionary Guard Forces on the ground, it brought foreign fighters to Syria from Lebanon, Iraq, and Afghanistan to support a regime it saw as the sole Syrian constituency for subordination to Tehran. Moscow, for its part, identified Syria as the red line beyond which an alleged regime change and democratization jihad by Washington would not pass. When Putin saw Assad losing ground in the summer of 2015, he intervened with his air force and some ground troops. To the extent he measured risk, Washington was not a factor. Indeed, Putin's contempt for the West -- not just the Obama administration -- is immeasurable. He calculates that some combination of Russian aggression, Western passivity, and winter weather can decisively neutralize the Syrian opposition and produce the Assad-ISIL face-off that would force the United States to hold its nose, work with the premier war criminal of the twenty-first century, and swear off regime change forever. No doubt Putin perceives Washington's collaboration with the Kurdish PYD militia -- Syria's branch of the terrorist PKK, working closely also with Russia and the Assad regime -- as a dress rehearsal for the biggest show of all: Assad's army and the American Air Force hand-in-hand against ISIL. As Putin sees it, Washington is eager to work with the Syrian affiliate of a terrorist threat to a NATO ally because it so desperately wants to neutralize ISIL, but has done nothing at all to configure a professional ground force to confront "Caliph" Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. All that passes for a ground force is a Kurdish militia. Arab opponents of Assad and ISIL are now being pounded by Russian bombs. From Putin's perspective, if Washington likes the PYD it will love Assad's army. Advertisement Forcing Obama to eat his "step aside" words and embrace Assad is Putin's dream of the ultimate diplomatic triumph: the announcement to the world that Russia is back and in charge. If he is as smart as he thinks he is he will begin to vector elements of his own air force and Assad's army in the direction of ISIL positions, calling on the United States and the anti-ISIL coalition it leads to support the "legitimate Syrian government" in its battle against the false caliph. One can only imagine the agonizing contortions of the White House spin operation if this scenario unfolds. How to explain collaborating with a war criminal who midwifed ISIL in Syria and whose atrocities supercharge its ability to recruit? How to explain nearly five years of anti-Assad rhetoric? In the meantime, however, Putin's choice is (a) continue to help Assad kill off anyone but ISIL, or (b) facilitate the cessation of hostilities to which he permitted his foreign minister to agree. Putin will be sorely tempted to press home his military momentum, forcing tens of thousands of refugees toward Turkey and ideally toward Western Europe. He sees the impact the refugee crisis is having on the politics of Western Europe and he likes what he sees: the emptying of Syria prompting the rise of crude, nativist Putinesque politicos in European capitals. He may think he can undermine NATO and subvert democratic Europe in ways the Soviet Union could only dream of. One hopes Putin will respond positively to John Kerry's pleas. One suspects he will not. Washington is not blind to Putin's games. The "re-set" with Russia is long gone, perhaps not to return during the lifetime of anyone reading these words. President Obama has mandated the reinvigoration of America's military posture in Europe, something any mainstream successor is likely to embrace and deepen. But Syria -- unless Russia responds positively to John Kerry's plea for a tourniquet -- will remain an open arterial wound. Putin believes he can behave with impunity. His American counterpart has, along with many of his countrymen, convinced himself that the United States is utterly incapable of doing anything at all right militarily in the Middle East and that it is all or nothing: invade and occupy or sit on the bench. Indeed, the American president transfers his fears to Putin, warning him of a quagmire in Syria. For Barack Obama a 2003 invasion of Iraq undertaken without a civil-military stabilization plan -- thereby producing a catastrophic occupation and virulent insurgency -- represents all one needs to know about the efficacy of American military power in the Middle East. When it comes to that part of the world Washington might as well be San Marino. One prays that John Kerry's logic will carry the day. But what if it doesn't? Surely there must be a Plan B, and surely it must transcend enhanced talking points. Clearly Syrian civilians will continue to surge toward the exits unless they are afforded protection from air assaults. Does doing so present an unsolvable military riddle? Clearly ISIL in Syria must be destroyed by a professional ground force before it commissions more mass murder events abroad, such as Paris, November 13, 2015. Would doing so require an all-American undertaking? Or is an American-led ground force coalition being built? John Kerry is trying to build a solid edifice without tools. This is an unacceptable state of affairs for all but three parties: Russia, Iran, and the Assad regime. It should be unacceptable to his boss as well. Behind the Detroit schools crisis lies a troubling charter school sector. As Detroit Public Schools' teacher sick-outs and mounting debt capture the attention of press around the world, it might be easy to conclude money alone will solve the Motor City's educational woes. The truth is, its school landscape is complex -- and its solutions don't all come down to money. One of the city's greatest challenges comes down to something that's free, but demands strong state leadership and political will: accountability. That might sound simple, but in Michigan it's an incredibly difficult political challenge, especially when it comes to some of the most powerful actors who have greatly shaped Detroit and Michigan communities' school markets over the last two decades: charter school authorizers. Advertisement This is a story about what happens to a state when its leaders lift a charter school cap and open the state's doors to massive charter school growth -- supported by billions of taxpayer dollars -- without thinking through how they will hold charter authorizers accountable for their decision-making. And it has national implications, as a growing number of states consider whether to open the doors to charter school growth. In states such as Massachusetts, where state leaders developed an admirably strong system of performance standards, accountability mechanisms and safeguards to ensure their charter sector would well serve all students -- especially vulnerable children -- the story is quite different than Michigan's narrative. Consider: Students in Boston Public Schools far outperform students in Detroit Public Schools on the national assessment in every subject and all grades tested. What's more, over 90 percent of Boston charter schools are showing greater math learning gains than the local traditional district, according to Stanford University research. In comparison, Michigan's overall charter sector performance is a national embarrassment. To be sure, there are some terrific charter schools in my state -- and more of them are needed to serve the thousands of poor children who lack access to great public schools. Advertisement The problem is, there simply aren't enough strong Michigan charters. Michigan has failed to put into place any real performance standards or accountability for its charter authorizers and operators, despite the fact that the sector has been open in the state for more than two decades. The result: Roughly half of Michigan's charter schools ranked in the bottom quarter of all public schools for academic performance, according to state accountability data from 2013-14. Recent research from Stanford University also found that about eight in 10 Michigan charter schools have academic achievement below the state average for both reading and math. The challenge is particularly acute in Detroit, where the traditional public school district had already failed children for decades. Detroit Public Schools (DPS) has been among the lowest performing urban school districts for years in many subjects; it's an incredibly low bar to beat for student achievement. Yet among charter districts with significant African American enrollments, two-thirds actually performed below DPS for African American students on the state's 2013 8th grade math assessment. Moreover, roughly 70 percent of charter schools located in Detroit ranked in the bottom quarter of all Michigan public schools in 2013-14 for academic performance. That's nothing less than remarkable -- and truly heartbreaking. Instead of providing better school options to low-income parents, as the charter sector promised here, too often Michigan charter leaders are replicating failure. Indeed, according to Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, Michigan's no-accountability approach has wreaked havoc in the city and caused about 80 percent of all schools -- both charter and traditional -- to open or close over the last seven years. That's not good for high-performing schools of any kind. Further complicating the accountability conversation is the fact that well over three-quarters of Michigan charter schools are run by for-profit management companies. Advertisement As an organization committed to improving outcomes for all Michigan students, we support all high-performing schools, whether they are run by charter operators or traditional districts. For us, what matters is student outcomes. Michigan's charter sector problems are simply too great to ignore. With about 60 percent students of color and 70 percent low-income, persistent underperformance is not just a topic of major concern -- it's a pressing civil rights issue. It's also a taxpayer issue. Some of Michigan's large charter school authorizers are trusted public universities, such as Northern Michigan University and Eastern Michigan University, which have collectively taken in millions of taxpayer dollars over decades. Lately my organization has documented better decision-making by some authorizers -- as we highlight in our new report -- but marginal improvement is simply not enough. Charter authorizing should be a privilege earned and maintained through strong performance -- not an entitlement, as it's become in Michigan. We strongly believe that high-quality charter schools can be an effective tool for closing Michigan's -- and America's -- unacceptable achievement gaps. Sadly, my home state has become a national poster child of how not to do charter schools. Leaders elsewhere should take notice: Michigan's charter school path is a tragic one to be avoided. Advertisement My mother died this year and her passing brought to the foreground my thoughts about how different my life has been from hers and so many other women of her generation. Both my mother and my grandmother lived in ways that put family and their husbands' careers over their own dreams and ambitions. They are representative of women born in the early half of the 20th century who did not have the opportunities that women of my generation and those younger than me enjoy today. These women gave my generation, and those who came later, a chance to live our dreams and not have to choose between career and family. This is a luxury that middle class men have enjoyed for centuries -- to not be tied down in youth, to have time to explore the world, and to decide what their place in that world would be. My mother, born in 1920, was never bound for college. That honor went to my uncle because my grandparents could only afford to send one child to college. Instead, my mother went to secretarial school, got a job in a textile company in Manhattan, married the boss' son and quickly found herself in the suburbs with three children, living the American dream. But it wasn't her dream. My father's mother, on the other hand, graduated from Barnard College and attended one year of law school at NYU, dropping out to marry my grandfather. She too ended up in the suburbs with four children. She wrote children's books and played the oboe but she never did become a lawyer. I have to wonder, if my mother and grandmother had the opportunity to achieve higher education and follow their dreams, what would their lives have been like? Two major legal events gave women, like myself, the ability to be active in the workforce like never before - the 1964 passage of civil rights laws prohibiting discrimination against women and the 1973 Supreme Court decision recognizing the right to abortion. I can speak personally about how access to a safe and legal abortion allowed me to live the life I dreamed of. In 1973, the same year the landmark decision in Roe v. Wade legalized abortion, I became pregnant at age 21. My relationship with my boyfriend at the time was unstable and I was just starting to figure out who I was and what I wanted to do. I could not have imagined becoming a parent at that point in my life. Thankfully, with the support of my parents, I was able to visit my trusted gynecologist and have an abortion. I knew this decision was the right choice for me. It gave me the same opportunity that middle class men have enjoyed for centuries -- to not be tied down in youth, to have time to explore the world, and to decide what my place in that world would be. The truth is, since then, I haven't given my abortion much thought. I went on with my life; I finished college, went on to graduate law school and became a successful lawyer. When I was emotionally and financially ready, I started a family and adopted two children. I have no regrets about the child I didn't have and find myself happy and satisfied with my life. I had advantages that women generations before me didn't have -- education, economic independence and, most importantly, I was able to exercise a right that until then wasn't available to women. "To do two things at once is to do neither." -- Publilius Syrus I can juggle. Sort of. I can keep three tangerines in the air (I just timed myself) for 22 seconds. I was about 13 when I became obsessed with the idea of learning how to juggle. I remember practicing day in and day out, bruising many a fruit as I taught myself how to keep them all in the air. I was over the moon happy when I was finally able to do it. I yelled for my parents to come into the room quickly to witness my superhero magic. I thought, what could be more amazing than this? Fast forward to the present and I'm still juggling. Chances are, so are you. I bet you can eat breakfast, check your email, respond to a text, watch the news and talk to your significant other all at the same time. You might even be proud of your juggling skills. I know I was. Until my head exploded. Okay, maybe that's a tad dramatic but my head was beginning to feel very full. Too full. Too full to function. As soon as I'd sit myself down in front of my laptop I could feel myself getting vacuum sucked into the maddening matrix of TMI (too much information) giving me the feeling of being in a constant state of overwhelm. According to recent studies, there's a reason why my mind aches from all of this simultaneous doing. Studies now show that multitasking is bad for us. David Meyer at the University of Michigan says that: Advertisement "Multitasking contributes to the release of stress hormones and adrenaline, which can cause long-term health problems if not controlled, and contributes to the loss of short-term memory." Also, we may think we're master multitaskers, but 98 percent of us really aren't. Apparently, the brain requires a certain amount of bandwidth to move from one thing to the next and back again, affecting our performance on both tasks. This video by Sanjay Gupta, M.D. does a great job summing it up. Sometimes we may have good intentions. I might intend to just check my email but in that email there's a link! And that link may take me to a page that may or may not be of any interest to me but I'll never know if I don't click on it! That's where FOMO (fear of missing out) comes into play. If I don't binge watch that new show on Netflix and everyone tweets about it, I'll be missing out! Between the combined TMI and FOMO I'm left with CUE (complete utter exhaustion.) What to do? I took a hint from my mindfulness studies. In mindfulness we often take a few minutes in our day for informal practice. Informal practice can be any activity that you often do: brush your teeth, do the dishes, feed the dog, eat lunch. But you do it from a mindful perspective. When you do the dishes, you really do the dishes. You feel the temperature of the water on your skin, the shape of the dish. You work slowly, deliberately, paying attention to all the senses. When your mind wanders, you notice it, then you calmly and without judgement bring your attention back to the task at hand. This experiment felt tedious when I first started doing it. Okay, I get it, the water is warm, the dish is smooth, this is taking forever. I need to go do stuff! But after a while I started to feel like I was getting into the zone. This warm water feels nice on my cold hands. I never noticed what a pretty shade of yellow this plate is. I began to feel less rushed when I focused on the one thing I was doing. Bonus: The dishes have never been cleaner. Advertisement I very much enjoy texting, social media and Netflix. The concept of "one thing at a time" is crazy hard for me but I'm attempting to have an awareness around it. I'm trying not to operate on automatic pilot, grabbing my smartphone just because I have an urge. I'm learning that not everything is so damn crucial. Because the thing is, as tough as it seems at first, when I do manage to monotask, the magic of it is an incredible calmness that washes over me. You know how when you're doing the laundry and the dryer has been going for awhile and then it shuts off and you think to yourself, "Wow, that dryer was loud." We sometimes get desensitized to the loudness in our own minds. We don't notice how loud it is until we turn it off (or at least down) for a moment. I enjoy the feeling I get from this peaceful pacing so I'm inspired to aspire for monotasking maven status. Besides, when I'm doing the dishes, it's not like i'm putting my life on hold to do them. Doing them is a part of my life. It's all a part of my life. If you want to give it a whirl, here's a breakdown of what seems to be working for me so far in my quest for mastering monotasking. 1. When I'm relaxing with my husband, watching a movie, I now keep my phone in the other room. No Googling, IMDbing or tweeting. Just movie watching. Advertisement 2. I set blocks of time for things I need to do, in order of importance and I stay on point. My iPhone timer is my BFF. I also like the Task and Cal app. 3. I check email in the morning but I don't respond to anything in that moment that doesn't need an immediate response. I save them in a labeled folder, "to answer." 4. I use Hootsuite to schedule tweets throughout the week (I manage three Twitter accounts) and I give myself five-minute social media blocks three times a day. 5. I eat at least one meal per week without sitting in front of the TV, the computer, listening to music or having a conversation. Bonus: I enjoy the food more, eat slower and get full faster when I practice mindful eating. 6. I take short breaks throughout the day to make tea. Take the dog out. Sit on my front stoop and do nothing. This feels like mini meditations off the cushion. After you try taking the time to do one thing at a time, you might find that your days feel less like they're zooming by at warp speed and more like you're actually in it. You might find yourself experiencing your life, in each moment, fully, and maybe even with more calm and focus than ever before. Advertisement Also, your dishes will sparkle. This article was originally published in the Daily Aztec on February 24th, 2015 and has been republished here with the author's permission. In the wake of the events of Ferguson, it's hard to look at black history month and marvel about the progress we've made in the United States. Advertisement At times like this, it can seem outright hypocritical to celebrate progress, when one could have looked at footage of the Ferguson protests and have the dawning and painful realization that the "progress" we had celebrated for the past few decades, was nothing more than an empty word. What was there to celebrate? It was on our television and laptop screens, that we saw the past replay before our very eyes. It was through Ferguson that we saw an eerie replay of the Rodney King protest of 1992, the Harlem riots of 1964, the Martin Luther King Jr. demonstrations of 1968 and the Miami riots of 1980. If the true purpose of learning history is to never repeat the mistakes of the past: we are doing something gravely wrong. If the events of Ferguson are a testament to the racial injustices still evident in American society, then the deaths of six black youths at the hands of white police since Michael Brown's death should tell us another pressing message about the necessity of learning our country's black history. We need black history now more than ever. Not just within this month, but all year. Relegating black history to just February further perpetrates the ideals of "separate but equal" which justified racist segregation laws of American past. However, we cannot treat history as a relic from the past; when we do so, we risk repeating the mistakes of our forefathers. Black history must be relevant; it has to be directed to those who hold the torch towards the future. However, the current reality tells us a dire tale. Advertisement In 2012, it was recorded that only two percent of 12,000 American high school seniors, on the verge of entering their higher education, could identify the historic Brown v. Board of Education case. What's even more telling is that 73 percent entirely skipped the question. The lack of black history education continues into higher education. In 2012, a study was conducted for history literacy among 300 college graduates, and it was discovered that more college graduates knew who Lady Gaga was than the purpose of the Emancipation Proclamation. Remembering the past entails questioning where we move on in the future. In neglecting to instill black history pervasively into the larger pantheon of American history, we are risking the future of African-Americans across the U.S. The clear and troubling disparity in black history education demands an urgent and comprehensive reformation in how we teach black history and that starts by ending black history month and teaching it throughout the year. It's 2015, and when we look at a reality where black youths are 21 times more likely to get shot by cops than their white counterparts, we have to look into the past to gain perspective on how deep these injustices run. Michael Brown wasn't the first black youth to fall to this system, and he most certainly won't be the last, if we fail to act. It was in 1955, Emmett Till, a 14-year-old black teenager, was brutally tortured and murdered by the hands of two white men, Roy Bryant and J. W. Milam, who believed that Till was flirting with one of their wives. Till's torture and brutally mutilated body was covered by many newspapers, rallying many together to demand justice for Till and his family. Advertisement However, justice was not served. Even though there was overwhelming evidence that Bryant and Milam tortured and murdered Till, the two men were acquitted of their crimes. Bryant and Milam later admitted in an interview with Look magazine that they killed Till, however, due to the double jeopardy clause of the Fifth Amendment, they were not able to be tried again. Till's murder is once that is etched in black history as a pivotal moment where the African-American community said, "Enough is enough." The incident ignited the African-American civil rights movement. However, it's also one of many cases in the '60s of violence against black youths going unresolved. In fact, there is a shocking multitude of unsolved black murder cases from the '50s and the '60s, which remain unsolved to this day. Will Michael Brown become another Emmett Till? Is he in the long line of young teenagers who had to know too soon the racist institutions that still uphold our society? It's been 60 years since Till's death, 50 years since unarmed black teen, James Powell, was murdered at the hands of a white cop, 23 years since the Rodney King riots against Los Angeles police and three years since the events of Trayvon Martin; where is the justice? Furthermore, six black youths have been killed by the police since Michael Brown, including 12-year-old Tamir Rice and 14-year-old Cameron Tillman. History is repeating itself. We need to act. We have to treat black history with the same and equal reverence in which we treat the rest of American history. Black history isn't just a singular part of American history; it's a pervasive part of a vast fabric that is the American narrative. Advertisement And, we cannot forget that black history is a part of the American future also. The African-American narrative, past and future, in the U.S. isn't one that is defined solely by the injustice. It's defined by the uprisings and the determined activists who refused to do nothing in the face of injustice. Injustice thrives on apathy, and Americans need to see black history and be enraged that the murder of innocent black youths is not a thing of the past. It's in the present in which we need to act. This includes Americans who aren't black. Solidarity is a necessity, and for solidarity to exist, black history needs to exist all year as part of larger American history. Perhaps by doing so, we can make America realize that black history isn't about "them." The uproar over the California Coastal Commission's firing of its executive director may be misguided. The executive director since 2011, Charles Lester is, by all accounts, an honest man. And no one questions his dedication to his work. But although Lester and other enthusiasts of the Coastal Commission say that the Commission's "work" is, quite simply, defined by the California Coastal Act, that mandate has been subject to repeated revisions and interpretations, and a wholesale usurpation of authority. Over the decades the Commission's jurisdiction has expanded - in all sorts of questionable ways (not always sustained by usually deferential courts). In some geographic areas the authority of this quasi-judicial agency has extended five miles (as the proverbial crow flies) inland, not remotely near the coast. Supporters of Mr. Lester suggest a conspiracy of mega-developers who would trample on the spirituality of the pristine coast, laying waste far and wide. Someone needs to get Bernie Sanders involved, perhaps he can find evidence to implicate Wall Street. It's all no doubt a plot by hedge fund managers who are deserting the Hamptons for California beachfront. In fact, Mr. Lester, although concerned about possible pro-developer silt, sees the developer vs. environmentalist explanation as an oversimplification. He acknowledges differences between him and commissioners on so-called "management issues." He properly raises the concern of independence. He is correct: the executive director should not be a lackey who serves the political whims of the commissioners. Advertisement Of the twelve commissioners, three groups of four are appointed -by the Governor (Jerry Brown) the Senate Rules Committee (Kevin de Leon) and the Speaker of the State Assembly (Toni Adkins). These liberal Democrats are not exactly the folks who do the bidding of the evil Koch brothers. Of the seven votes for ousting Lester, four were the appointees of Jerry Brown who, as governor from 1975-1983, nurtured the Coastal Commission's heavy-handed golden years. When George Deukmejian, Pete Wilson, and Arnold Schwarzenegger were governor, each of them appointed four of the commissioners, the other eight were appointed by Democrats. Under Jerry Brown's four terms in office, and under Gray Davis, Democrats appointed all twelve commissioners. The only exception was in 1996 when Republicans, through a special election, briefly controlled the State Assembly. My friend Curt Pringle became State Assembly Speaker and he appointed me and three others, giving Republican appointees an eight person majority for perhaps seven or eight months. Curt courageously appointed me because he knew that I had been a victim of the Coastal Commission, and he thought I could offer a useful perspective in deliberations. He wanted me to be a leader for reform. I was not a "developer." Six years earlier, I had been trying to build my family home in the Santa Monica Mountains. Suddenly I found myself the object of a Coastal Commission smear campaign to discredit me. Its staff, doing the bidding of a zealous Commission member from the area, who later would receive consulting fees for her "environmental" work, generated a letter writing campaign against my "development." Area activists from central casting were mobilized to fabricate "facts." I felt like witnesses were being recruited against me for a Stalinist style show trial. My hearing was a farce. And later, when the stakes were higher for all concerned, a ranking Commission staff member filed a sworn declaration that she had personally reviewed certain "conditions of development" with me at the commission office in Long Beach. I had never met her or even been at the office. Advertisement Once I was appointed, Coastal Commission executive director Peter Douglas came to see me. I thought of the irony. Here he was looking at all the oak trees that his staff claimed I had destroyed. During the short time that I served as one of the twelve members the Coastal Commission, I would find Peter courteous and responsive. But I knew, despite the gentlemanly image of an even temperament that was part of the Coastal Commission's veneer, the practices and deliberations of the Commission were not about fairness and due process. Peter's stewardship of the staff was imperial, and I learned of dissatisfaction among some staff members. Still they were soldiers in Peter's ideological war and would not come forward with their complaints. I knew that the kangaroo court against me had not been an exception, and as a commissioner I saw the same modus operandi, particularly in executive session. As commissioners we were "papered" well in advance of the two or three day public hearings; we could not possibly be adequately prepared for the overwhelming agenda. The deck was stacked against the applicants for a coastal permit for "development." The Coastal Commission staff asserted it recommended approval of the vast majority of "projects." But this was like an unethical district attorney enforcing a plea bargain for someone to go to jail for a lesser offense he did not do, to avoid a draconian punishment for the initial trumped up charge. The staff so intimidated applicants who, even with lawyers, were no match for the endless delays that applicants made drastic concessions just to finally move ahead. All that said, I really don't know what it's like today. But I remember vividly what it was like for me and other applicants, and also what I as a Coastal Commissioner discovered in reading hundreds or thousands of pages monthly in preparation for hearings in executive and public session and I what I observed at those hearings. Peter Douglas was contemptuous of private property rights. He did not take the U.S. Constitution seriously, because he had no revenue to fund the Fifth Amendment "takings" of property (by the depreciating effect of onerous "conditions" for development) to suit his interpretation of the Coastal Act. When I served as a Member of the Coastal Commission, I met some fair and competent staff members, but overall I saw a staff-dominated Romanian tribunal. Mr. Lester says the executive director should be independent, but what about the staff? I did not see any evidence a staff member could dissent significantly on a major matter from its executive director, then Peter Douglas, and have a future there. Hopefully, things were different under Mr. Lester. From years ago I recall that on important issues, it was top-down - here's the conclusion Peter Douglas wants to reach, the staff must find a way to reach that conclusion. How odd then, to read in the Los Angeles Times that one opponent of Mr. Lester's ouster complained in public to the Commission: "it just felt like the decision was made long go, and no matter what happened, it wasn't going to change. Advertisement And liberals in Malibu with Hollywood connections seemed to have an "in" with the Coastal Commission. And former staff members from the commission later became expediters or consultants for applicants. Here's what I generally observed: many permit applicants without connections were even more likely to plead guilty, in effect, to crimes against the state ("the environment"), and then atone by meeting certain "conditions of development." It was not uncommon for the Coastal Commission to delay applications for months and even years. Some of this relates to workload, many staff members were overworked. But a big part of the delay related to arrogance, and to contempt for the applicant. And I saw delays that were tactical - make the process so time-consuming and costly, keep postponing a hearing, or schedule it elsewhere in the state, that the permit applicant would finally make absurd concessions to end the agony, or even give up entirely. So much was cloaked in procedure and legalese, but it was all a cynical game. For the big boy developers, it was a cost of doing business. For a homeowner seeking a permit to build or remodel, the delays could break him or her financially. Politics aside, how can we justify the same person presiding as executive director of a government agency for 34 years, as Peter Douglas did? This is not good government. Even liberals should have wanted a periodic change of executive directors so that one man would not have so much power. And from a managerial approach, it makes sense every few years, or certainly every decade, to have in a powerful government agency a new leadership style, and new ideas. All this said, I did not vote to oust Peter Douglas back in 1996. I did not get appointed as part of a grudge. I wanted to see firsthand, as a Coastal Commissioner, if things were as bad from that end as they were for me, as an applicant, or should I say supplicant. But the four new Pringle commissioners were under pressure from people close to Gov. Pete Wilson, a friend I respected, to end Peter's reign. Peter had run afoul of the Wilson orbit on a major project. But I didn't care about any one project; I cared about the big picture. Advertisement Worse, Gov. Wilson's four appointees had months earlier given Douglas a good performance review that I thought reflected their expedient and poor judgment. I and the other Pringle appointees felt Douglas would become a martyr if we participated in the same kind of kangaroo court to fire Peter that characterized the Coastal Commission itself. Give us a few months so that we could feel comfortable in reaching a conclusion whether and how to replace the executive director...and make a plausible case that his ouster was not rigged. That brings us - fully two decades later, to the ouster of Charles Lester who has been executive director for five years. Peter Douglas recommended him. So perhaps he was not the breadth of fresh air who could provide a house cleaning. I don't know. Are permit applicants still treated with disrespect by staff? Have there been reforms, or do we still have the staff manipulation, along with the tactical delays, lack of follow-up, and the unreturned phone calls. Peter Douglas was the consummate infighter. He had allies in the State Legislature, even in Congress, and in the media and in universities. And also among all sorts of constituencies: the environmentalist cult worshipped at his altar and they came to support him and his possible martyrdom twenty years ago. Similarly, many of their proteges came last week to support Charles Lester. But this time, they can't claim it's a Republican plot. Wendy Mitchell is a Brown appointee who says she is committed to the Coastal Act. Mitchell voted to fire Lester. Mitchell said about Mr. Lester what could well have been said about Peter Douglas: "The coast is not saved by one person." There Is A Method To His Madness... We'll see if the Cruz strategy works. Antonin Scalia died on Saturday. Donald Trump went into full attack mode in the debate that night. Still, the Scalia story continued. Would anyone have been surprised if Mr. Trump tweeted "Long ago, even before Justice Roberts approved Obamacare twice, I predicted that Scalia would die someday and create a divisive vacancy"? Today, Mr. Trump, asked to defend his assertion that he opposed the Iraq war before it started, replied simply that he was not a politician, so there might not be a public record of his opposition. But his repeated statement that we have lost too many lives and too much treasure in stupid wars in the Mideast resonates, as perhaps it should. More importantly, Mr. Trump controls the news cycle, so he appears to be a leader. Besides Scalia, the week's headline should be: "George W. Bush Campaigns in South Carolina for Jeb." Instead, Trump effectively book-ends "W"s visit, pre-empting the former president's emergence from hibernation, putting the brothers on defense. "W" gave a Bill Clinton-like funny, upbeat and persuasive speech, but it won't give Jeb the win he needs. Jeb gave a nice forceful talk, but his candidacy remains a non-sequitur, and Trump got that long ago. Advertisement As Peggy Noonan and others have pointed out, Jeb's campaign at times seems silly, as when he says his father is "the greatest man alive." And he's tired of "attacks on his mother and his brother." It's almost as if he's an adolescent trying to learn the ropes. In contrast, Trump knows that South Carolina conservatives, like conservatives in other states, are open to populism. Among evangelicals, Trump showed in Iowa he could be competitive. And the military voters are attracted to Trump's "I'm the most militaristic who will make the military so strong no one will mess with us." Against that, Jeb's "People are looking at me because they want a guy who can be the commander-in-chief" is unconvincing. Trump knows that many national security voters doubted the Iraq war or questioned how it was fought. Trump has a strategy, and his tactics serve it. Running first in Iowa polls, he gambled on boycotting the Fox debate; he lost the caucuses, partly for that reason. Even so, he looked decisive. And again, in South Carolina, he inexplicably acts like he's running far behind, taking calculated risks. Is he a master chess player, or has he gone too far, with blowback on the horizon? Leftist Van Jones on CNN was stunned that Trump on the matter of 9/11 failed to fault Democrat Bill Clinton for passing up the opportunity to kill Osama bin Laden, or Democrat Barack Obama for enabling ISIS. Instead, Trump focused gratuitously and solely on George W. Bush. Against Jeb's "My brother kept us safe after 9/11," Trump rhetorically asked, "What about before 9/11?" At times, Trump spoke plausibly of President Bush's "mistake," but then he suggested implausibly that Bush lied about weapons of mass destruction. That could be the Trump who lacks a tactical proofreader. Advertisement Yet, Trump is playing for high stakes. He is acting like the Republican nomination is his, and he is in the general election campaign. He is telegraphing to many Democrats and independents that he not a Republican apologist. But he also is damaging what's left of the Republican brand and depreciating the legacy of the most recent Republican president. Still, his heavy attacks on Jeb, Cruz and other Republicans (some now out of the race) have telegraphed to some Republican voters that Trump is "tough enough" for November. Still, in politics, as elsewhere, you don't normally hit a guy while he's down. But Jeb was up, in the beginning. And Trump realized early there was no narrative for Jeb's run, and Jeb was schizoid. Jeb started as "Jeb!" but surrounded himself with his father's and brother's hacks. Jeb continues to be a prop for Trump, who initially attacked the awkward ("Here's the deal") Jeb as "low energy" to contrast with himself -- take-charge ("I make good deals") Trump. More recently, Trump used Jeb as a prop for the Establishment as he urged voters to compare Jeb's faltering $130 million campaign with his own, spending a fraction, but putting him in first place. That's the way a businessman does it. Trump says Cruz is "unhinged...unstable... can't withstand the pressure and lies so much he is disgusting...I've never met a politician who lies more than Ted Cruz....He is the most dishonest politician I have ever met...a bad guy...a nasty guy." Trump says Cruz in Iowa mailed a "fraudulent document," then lied by spreading election day rumors about Ben Carson dropping out, possibly cheating Carson out of second place, and thus depriving Trump of first place, and that Cruz then lied to Ben Carson. As I predicted in an analysis of evangelicals, Trump would reprise these issues to try to impeach Cruz. And for good measure, Trump questions the faith of Ted Cruz. "It is hard to believe that a person who claims to be a Christian could be so dishonest and lie so much," said Trump, who said he would sue Cruz about his Canadian birth unless he "takes down his false ads and retract his lies." Trump sees Cruz as his immediate threat, just as he did in Iowa. That's why he let Cruz and Rubio fight it out in the debate, and why he goes after Cruz so intently. We'll see if the Cruz strategy works. Cruz attacks Trump on issues, for example, Trump's support for "universal health care." Trump replies he merely wants whatever works to "take care of the people" so they are not "dying in the middle of the street." A half century ago, Ronald Reagan's campaign slogan for governor was "Common sense answers to California's problems." Trump now calls himself a "common sense conservative." Advertisement In the midst of turbulence, I often retreat into a scene in one of my favorite national parks and allow myself to feel the calmness I experience there. After a few minutes of sitting in Yosemite Valley or driving through the Grand Tetons, my mind assumes the tranquil state in which I know everything is in perfect order. A few minutes centering myself in this view of Yosemite Valley from the tunnel usually restores my sunny perspective. So when my entire communications system shut down last week and even my phone went dead, I accepted there was a reason, and calmly set about trying to fix it. The news uppermost on my mind was the Supreme Court's agreement to hear the fossil fuel industry's challenge to President Obama's Clean Action Plan, even as scientists tell us the Scar Inlet Ice Shelf in Antarctica may break off by the end of March, with who knows what disastrous consequences. Advertisement I used the down time to reflect on whether I am becoming jaded. Why did I choose to zero in on the negative environmental news and string them together to show a shocking picture? If I was more optimistic, might I not choose to pick out the bits of promising news instead , such as President Obama prioritizing the Land and Water Conservation Fund in his budget, and protecting almost two million acres in the California desert, and string those together to paint a more hopeful picture? I discussed my predicament with my husband Frank and he suggested that I trust my gut as I usually do. Problem was, for the first time, my gut was confused. Then, visiting the Frederick Douglass National Historical Site in DC on Saturday for the birthday celebrations of that great man, I heard young orators deliver searing passionate speeches that he used to prick the conscience of our country in 1841, such as his speech on The Church and Slavery. "Frederick Douglass spoke out relentlessly about the contradictions between what America says and what she practices," I told my audience later. "So today as part of his legacy I must draw attention to the contradiction I see in how we're addressing the greatest problem of our time - climate change. Science shows that large numbers of people and huge sections of our infrastructure including the parks will be affected by rising seas within the next 15 years, but many of our 'leaders' and aspirants for the highest office in the land slough off responsibility by professing that they 'do not believe' in climate change. This significantly retards efforts to deal with the cause and prepare to deal with the effects. How can we as a society accept these diametrically opposed positions when the difference can be so catastrophic?" Advertisement I felt a lot better once I got that off my chest. Then on Sunday I had the privilege of going to the Everglades on a perfect sunny cool day with friends visiting from Massachusetts, including an 8-year-old boy. I got to see my beloved Glades from the perspective of first-timers and the enthusiasm of a young man who knows more birds than me and keeps a list of every animal he sees while outdoors. I suggested that his parents buy him a National Parks Passport so he could keep a record of all the parks he'll visit in his lifetime. To see his excitement when he got his first stamp and pulled out the map of the entire National Park System was priceless. "Look how many more places I have to go!" he exclaimed enthusiastically. My sentiments exactly. By now my feelings were wholly tranquil, particularly as we saw more visitors in the park than we had ever seen before them, and much greater diversity. We met families from nearby Miami that frequented Virginia Key Beach when it was still the only "Colored Beach" in the area, and invited them to the climate discussion there next Wednesday. I can only presume that the free trolley from Homestead, the gateway city to the park and the huge news signs at Miami International Airport are enticing a lot more people to the park. On Valentine's Day! Two of the Brooks children enjoying themselves on the dunes in White Sands National Monument. Monday morning I woke up thinking that since my greatest desire is to inspire the American public with our national parks; the best way to do that might be to show the parks through the eyes of the family I've just learned is driving around the country in their RV exploring parks. An anthropologist specializing in bioarchaeology and forensics on sabbattical from her job as a professor in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology at Winthrop University, Christina Brooks had written to us rapturously describing her experiences and offering to help publicize the parks to others. "People protect what they love," I reasoned, so the Brooks' experience might help get more people out to our parks where they will be aroused by the examples left for us by Frederick Douglass, Abraham Lincoln, Harriett Tubman and William Lloyd Garrison among many others. Advertisement Magically, with that decision all my equipment came back on line Monday morning. More exquisitely, I found that my friend Teresa Baker had already shared the Brooks' entrancing story. I have long wondered about Cabin in the Sky. As the most celebrated creation of my favorite collaborator, the late-Vernon Duke (whom I never actually met but did write a musical with -- Misia -- as I have previously explained here), I wanted to love Cabin in the Sky. I am fond of the 1943 movie, but it does have its problems. The opportunity to finally see the show at City Center's Encores! series last week, ostensibly as it was originally performed in 1940 on Broadway, filled me with anticipation. And trepidation. The movie treads perilously close to (and more than occasionally flops across) the cusp of stereotyping racial condescension. Despite the star presence of Ethel Waters, Lena Horne and Louis Armstrong, among others -- each of whom knew how to outwit or simply outgun racial condescensionwith straight ahead talent -- the ingratiating grins in the movie are mortifyingly toothsome, the cliches dusky and the dice games ever-present. Yet, the music is anything but stereotypical. Vernon Duke's contribution to Cabin in the Sky is stellar, however nominally diminished by MGM's carving up and, in some instances, supplanting his original Broadway score with music written by others, specifically Harold Arlen -- though it's hard to complain about "Happiness is A Thing Called Joe." Advertisement My friend Larry Maslon, the inimitable musical theater scholar and radio host, invited me to join him before the final dress rehearsal last Tuesday at Encores! to speak about Vernon Duke and Cabin in the Sky. This invitation forced me to think again about the show and try to concretize my contradictory feelings toward it. Cabin in the Sky was not merely a black Broadway musical completely created by white guys, it was a black musical mostly created by Russian emigres who still spoke English as a second language. George Balanchine, just seven years removed from his arrival in America, was the director (for the first time in his career) and choreographer. Boris Aronson, whose signature subsequent achievement would be the Chagal-esque sets for Fiddler on the Roof, was the designer. Vernon Duke, a Kiev-born, conservatory trained, composer who continued to turn out classical music under his original Russian name, Vladimir Dukelsky, was somehow designated to write the music that would swing Cabin in the Sky for its all black cast. A strange melange, even for 1940. I love the backstory behind this mash-up, as illuminated by Vernon Duke himself in his excellent memoir, Passport to Paris. Lynn Root, a Minnesota-born Hollywood scriptwriter, wrote the original libretto for Cabin in the Sky wholly on his own, on spec. He touted his script (originally titled Little Joe) to comic character actor Teddy Hart at a Hollywood party. Teddy Hart read Root's script, liked it, and passed it on to his brother, Lorenz Hart, Richard Rodgers' brilliant, tormented lyricist, who was then nearing the end of his troubled life. Larry Hart liked the script too but was in no shape to work on it. He passed Little Joe on to his infamous partner in carousing, Milton "Doc" Bender, a dentist-turned-Broadway-hanger-on, who has gone down in musical theater history as Larry Hart's enabler and chief corruptor but who apparently also was a very devoted theatrical agent representing a handful of artists whose work he loved, including both George Balanchine and Vernon Duke. Advertisement Whew. It was Bender who handed Little Joe to Balanchine and it was Balanchine, according to Duke, who passed the script to him and asked "Vladimir" to "decipher it." Duke, to his credit, tried to beg off as composer, insisting he was wrong for the job. Balanchine and Bender persisted. Duke turned first to Ira Gershwin as a potential lyricist but Gershwin was already engaged writing Lady in the Dark with Kurt Weil. Duke then pitched "Yip" Harburg and Johnny Mercer. Neither accepted. I spent ten years of my life researching a book called Black and Blue, a biography of the most important African-American lyricist of this period, a woefully neglected artist by the name of Andy Razaf, who wrote countless hits, including "Ain't Misbehavin'" and "Memories of You" with his most frequent collaborators, respectively, "Fats" Waller and Eubie Blake. It is a measure of the color blindness (in the least flattering sense) of even the most well-intentioned white Broadway creators in 1940, like Vernon Duke and George Balanchine, that neither of them seems to have ever considered Andy Razaf for even a moment as lyricist for their new project, though the show was subtitled "A Black Fantasy," for God's sake. Andy Razaf and Eubie Blake actually spent 1940 creating a Broadway-targeted all-black musical called Tan Manhattan that closed in Washington, D.C. for want of a Broadway producer, despite ecstatic local reviews. Vernon Duke went on to select a young, Virginia-born, white lyricist named John Latouche, whose later work would famously include Leonard Bernstein's Candide and Jerome Moross's The Golden Apple. The score that Duke and Latouche created was fully revealed to me for the first time at the Encores! Final Dress. The ambition of Duke's music really was astonishing. Beyond the effortless (swinging) perfection of the show's great hit, "Taking A Chance On Love," Duke managed to meld seamlessly the requisite African American spirit with a Dukelsky-driven compositional venturesomeness that not only did not condescend to its black source material but in fact integrated it with an expansive modernism that at times invoked the sound and harmonic texture of Duke's dearest Russian pal and peer, Serge Prokofiev. Advertisement Cabin in the Sky on Broadway was an at times contentious but ultimately joyous collaborative effort between Duke, Balanchine and their black cast, especially the show's star, Ethel Waters (who only signed on after the title was changed to her satisfaction), and the dancer-choreographer Katherine Dunham, whom Balanchine openly encouraged to co-choreograph the show with him. In retrospect, it should not surprise that Cabin in the Sky's Russian creators were so in tune with their African American counterparts. All three Russians had suffered Communist repression in their youth and comprehended the discrimination that was the essence of the African American experience in America. Only Aronson was, in fact, Jewish (though I have found myself laughing to keep from crying of late, as authors like the poet and critic David Lehman include Vernon Duke in books like Lehman's recent, A Fine Romance: Jewish Songwriters, American Songs. Not every Golden Age Broadway songwriter with Russian roots was Jewish, including and especially not Vernon Duke. YPSILANTI, MI - FEBRUARY 15: Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders (D-VT) speaks during his first campaign rally in Michigan at Eastern Michigan University February 15, 2016 in Ypsilanti, Michigan. At his 'A Future To Believe In' rally, Sanders spoke on a wide range of issues, including his plans to make public colleges and universities tuition-free. The next voting for the democratic candidates will be the Democratic caucus in Nevada on February 20th. (Photo by Bill Pugliano/Getty Images) Of those who know who he is, most voters like Bernie Sanders. He is the only major presidential candidate with a positive net favorability rating among the general public. Yet despite these facts and his wildly popular ideas, he remains the underdog in the race for the Democratic nomination. Why? The answer appears to be perceived electability. When I've phone banked for Sanders, I've talked to a lot of voters who say they're a big fan of his, and they're glad he's in the race, but they just aren't sure he can win a general election. They're scared of the Republicans, they tell me, and their foremost concern is making sure the Democratic nominee, no matter who it is, wins in November. Advertisement I think this attitude is misguided, both because there are large and important differences between the Democratic candidates and because electability arguments can be circular, self-fulfilling prophecies. In no small part because electability considerations are speculative, we're much better served by casting our vote for the candidate whose record and platform is most aligned with our values. That said, given that a lot of people think about electability, it's worth looking at some evidence. The numbers indicate that the Democrats' electoral prospects would be better under Bernie Sanders than under Hillary Clinton for two important reasons: 1. Young people, who arguably won both the 2008 and 2012 elections for Barack Obama, love Sanders. Many do not like Clinton. In In Iowa's Democratic primary, Sanders beat Clinton among Democrats aged 18-29 by 70 percentage points. In New Hampshire, he won that age group by 65 percentage points. And in the most recent national poll from Quinnipiac University, Sanders held a net favorability rating among 18-34 year-old voters of all political affiliations that was 57 percentage points better than Clinton's (see graph below). Advertisement Sanders is more popular among millennials right now than Obama was among young voters in 2008 and 2012. On voting results alone, my generation won Indiana and North Carolina for Barack Obama in 2008 and Florida, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Ohio in 2012. In addition, the youth contribution to electoral success extends beyond the vote; as Pew reported in 2008: ...young people provided not only their votes but also many enthusiastic campaign volunteers. Some may have helped persuade parents and older relatives to consider Obama's candidacy. And far more young people than older voters reported attending a campaign event while nearly one-in-ten donated money to a presidential candidate. It is extremely hard to believe that millennials would turn out and vote for Clinton in such large numbers if she becomes the Democratic nominee; over 43,000 people, for example, have already pledged to write Bernie in if he loses to Clinton in the primary. There is also an undeniable "enthusiasm gap" between the Sanders and Clinton campaigns; even if most Sanders supporters would suck it up and turn out for Clinton if she ends up as the nominee, which is hardly guaranteed, we won't see anything close to the volunteerism millennials are already engaged in on Bernie's behalf. If your main concern is electability, do you really want to gamble with the key demographic group from the last two presidential elections? 2. Independents and Republicans are more likely to vote for Bernie Sanders than for Hillary Clinton. Advertisement Sanders also has much higher favorability ratings than Clinton among non-Democrats; his net favorability among them was 39 percentage points better than Clinton's in the most recent Quinnipiac poll, and in New Hampshire, he won Independents by 47 percentage points. His class-based, anti-Establishment message resonates. If you heard Sanders speak at Liberty University (a conservative hotbed) last September, you know what I'm talking about; his direct, honest pitch for people who disagree about social issues to band together in pursuit of economic justice was very well-received. He didn't win an army of converts overnight, but he did get people thinking; one Liberty alum estimates that half of the Liberty community could potentially Feel the Bern. Read this take from teenage-conservative-icon-turned-Sanders-supporter CJ Pearson. Listen to the growing contingent of "Lifelong Republicans Who Love Bernie Sanders." Or consider my (admittedly anecdotal) experience talking to several voters and reading numerous Internet comments of folks who are deciding between Donald Trump and Sanders. As Daniel Denvir notes, that doesn't mean that Sanders will win over the most prejudiced Trump supporters, but his brand of economic populism may make him "the Democrats' only chance to wrest white working class voters from a billionaire's hate-filled dystopian rage." The coalition we're seeing for Sanders in the primaries already indicates the appeal he holds for voters who less consistently vote Democratic. Polling data shows that "Sanders has forged connections to lower-income New Hampshire and Iowa Democrats that eluded Obama and every other progressive primary challenger in recent history." Unlike Clinton, Sanders may be able to turn out people who don't often vote, bring in some folks who usually vote against their economic interests, and unite both groups with traditional Democratic voting blocs. Polls that explore head-to-head matchups also suggest that Sanders would do better than Clinton against each of the top five Republican candidates. Clinton-backer Paul Krugman calls such polls meaningless (he did, however, cite them himself to raise concerns about Barack Obama's electability in March of 2008), and I personally wouldn't read too much into them -- we're still very far out from the general election and opinions can surely change -- but arguments that these numbers will flip remain completely evidence-free. Here's why: Republican attacks would work at least as well against Hillary Clinton as they would against Bernie Sanders. Advertisement Yes, Bernie Sanders defines himself as a Democratic Socialist. If he is the nominee, GOP attack ads would surely use that label to cast him as insane, dangerous, and/or un-American...which is exactly the same thing they did to Barack Obama for eight years and would surely do to Hillary Clinton as well. Anyone who would run screaming from a 30-second ad decrying socialism without doing any research isn't going to vote for Sanders or Clinton in a general election. But since most of Sanders' platform, as mentioned earlier, is extremely popular, many voters who actually do their homework will quickly learn that his brand of democratic socialism isn't scary at all (it's not even particularly radical). While the Republican party would undoubtedly dream up additional smears to use against Sanders, the GOP doesn't exactly have a crisis of imagination - or a lack of material to work with - when it comes to attacking Clinton. The idea that Sanders, a candidate whose popularity continues to grow with his name recognition, would be hurt more by such attacks than Clinton, whose favorability has steadily tanked over the last few years, is pure folly. Candidates labeled "unelectable" by party elites and the punditry have won before. While Clinton supporters love comparing Sanders' candidacy to the unsuccessful campaigns of Eugene McCarthy and George McGovern, these comparisons don't hold water. Electoral dynamics today are drastically different than they were in the late 1960s and early 1970s. At least two presidential candidates in more recent history have been labeled "unelectable" and gone on to win. One was Ronald Reagan. The other, as alluded to earlier, was Barack Obama. That history isn't proof that Sanders will follow suit, but it indicates that "expert" opinions about electability should be taken with a gigantic grain of salt. Advertisement For all their talk about the importance of evidence-based electability arguments, Krugman and his fellow naysayers haven't actually provided any. They rely instead on a dubious application of the psychological principle of loss aversion and a simplistic political categorization model, among other speculative arguments, each of which is unconvincing. None of that's to say that Sanders doesn't still have a lot of work to do if he wants to win the Democratic nomination. Clinton, despite having a very bad record on racial justice, currently holds a big lead among non-White voters. Sanders will need to cut into that. Clinton's lead is likely due more to voters' unfamiliarity with Sanders than anything else, however, and as more non-White voters learn about him, Sanders' popularity among those voters should continue to rise. When it does, we'll have a real primary election on our hands. And while I'd advise against putting too much stock in electability arguments, the candidate in that primary with the best record and policy platform -- Bernie Sanders -- also happens to be the Democrats' best shot in November. Among the items ignored by educational reformers is parental engagement. Little has changed in how parents engage with schools since public education first began. And yet recent studies have shown parents to be key in how their children are academically socialized, i.e., the nuts and bolts of learning. Teachers expect parents to help get homework done. This is a poor use of parents. Parents don't want to do homework because they are not very good at it. What they are good at is inspiring their children, convincing them that they are smart, inculcating aspirations to play sports, make a speech, do well in school, or go to college. And that in turn maybe the best way to get homework completed. Teachers call parents, text them, send home notices and brochures, and invite them to school functions. They try to meet with parents, especially those whose students are in trouble. Despite all this many parents seldom show up, leading to teachers going through the motions but expecting the same poor results. Insane? Districts hire parent liaisons to call parents and visit them in their homes. This seldom moves the dial on parent attendance. Advertisement In sum, teachers ask parents to do what they don't see themselves as good at (homework) and ignore those things parents do naturally (aspirations). In frustration they forget parents and like martyrs take on all the burden of a child's education. A recent study of Professors Nancy Hill and Diana Tyson found that "involvement pertaining to homework assistance and supervising of checking homework was the only type of involvement that was not consistently related with achievement." At the same time, "parental expectations for children's academic achievement predict educational outcomes more than do other measures of parental involvement." The community surrounding the school is where aspirations are born and fostered . They reflect ethnicity, language and culture. Some may be strong and others may need nurturing. But when good, they provide a setting for parents to speak freely and frankly to teachers, to own the agenda, and to feel and be effective. One way of building communities is for parents to do something outside of the classroom, things over which they can take personal control. Inversant, a Boston non-profit, encourages low income parents to save for college and to learn about college through monthly meetings. To do this, Inversant offers to match savings 1:1 and monthly meetings with a developed curriculum, accompanied by meals, and ravels. Parents in the Inversant program have opened one thousand accounts and saved over $800,000 dollars matched to $1.6 million. Monthly meetings have been transformed into true communities. Advertisement Participation in organized religion is declining in the United States and I do not see that trend reversing anytime in the near future. Working in higher education, I have seen the decline in the number of college students participating in worship services and other religious activities. So I asked both religious and non-religious students why this was happening and I was given many reasons but there were eight that formed a solid core: 1. Going to church wasn't something they did growing up so there was never an established routine nor a sense of importance. 2. Hypocrisy was a big one. Many expressed the feeling that church leaders and members of the congregation do not practice what they preach and often pass judgment on others. College students don't want to be judged. Who does? Advertisement 3. Lack of trust. Scandals seem to be common with clergy engaging in illegal/immoral behavior and the way churches have responded has only compounded this feeling. These were people that were supposed to be someone you could trust and turn to in times of crisis and many took advantage of that by taking advantage of children or the person seeking help. Even when issues were made public the consequences were typically less severe than people expected and wanted. 4. Awareness of the contradictions within religions and with science. The more college students learn about other traditions the more they question which one is the true religion or if there is one. As we become more diverse as a society and are increasingly able to learn more via social media we become less inclined to believe that there is one religion that holds all the answers. College students engage in conversations about religion and often have friends or roommates from other faiths and they realize that all traditions have something to offer and many share a lot of similar perspectives. 5. Spirituality is becoming more the focus for students. With a lack of commitment to organized religion but still having a sense of something greater students are becoming more focused on spiritual practices that are often done in private or, at least, in smaller groups that often lack a central authority. 6. Churches refuse to adapt. In order to survive you must be willing to adapt to the changes in society. There are churches that have made some changes, albeit slowly, but slow change is often not acceptable in a culture where we expect immediate gratification. And growing up many of us have been taught to accept everyone so when a church doesn't treat everyone equally young people turn away. The practice of not permitting women to hold the same positions as men and the reluctance to welcome members of the LGBTQ community results in turning people away, especially in a time when marriages among same-sex couples has been recognized as legal and receives the support of the majority in most polls, and most other parts of society are working to end gender discrimination. Advertisement 7. Guilt. Who wants to go to church and be told how you should feel guilt for the way you live your life? Not college students. They sit in lectures all week and don't want to be lectured, or scolded, about their personal life. Especially considering many view the church leaders and members as hypocrites. This is a time when people are seeking ways to reduce stress. If you want to attract people to church and keep them coming back you need to send positive messages that continue to offer the same teachings but do so in a positive way. 8. Interfaith marriages. While marriages between college students may not be common while still attending school relationships between college students of different faiths are quite common. To them, it's no big deal -- but to some churches it is and college students are often aware of this. Still, some traditions lose members when someone from their church wants to marry a person of a different faith. There are some major traditions that are unwilling to marry the couple or, at a minimum, make it clear that although they will permit the marriage they are not happy about it. In some situations an individual cannot be sued because she or he has "immunity." This comment provides a brief and incomplete educational overview of the complex topic of official immunity. Always consult an experienced attorney in all injury and litigation situations. The statement, "the king can do no wrong," dates from at least 1200 and was famously quoted by William Blackstone in his "Commentaries on the Laws of England" published in 1765-1769. However, Blackstone indicated that the king could consent to being sued; the king's ministers could be sued for acting beyond their legislative authority; and the king could be sued for violating the English constitution. From Blackstone, sovereign immunity became part of U.S. law. Applicable sovereign immunity is an initial question when one attempts to sue governmental bodies. After the collapse of Madoff's Ponzi scheme, defrauded investors attempted to hold the U.S. liable for the failure of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to detect the fraud. The lawsuit was brought under the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) (28 U.S. C. Sec 1346). This legislation permits private lawsuits against the federal government in certain circumstances and amounts to a limited waiver (giving up) of sovereign immunity. The legislation resulted from the 1945 crash of a B-25 bomber into the Empire State Building. Many states have similar legislation. Advertisement However, the FTCA does not permit lawsuits based upon the performance or non-performance of a "discretionary function or duty." This provision resulted in the dismissal of the Madoff investors' lawsuit in 2013 by the federal Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit (Molchatsky v. United States). The opinion did express sympathy for the Plaintiff's predicament and antipathy for the SEC's conduct. Procedurally, under the FTCA an injured party must present a written claim to the federal agency in question within two years of the accrued claim or be prevented from asserting it. Federal Tort Claims Act litigation is too complex to discuss in detail in this brief comment. Certain categories of individuals have absolute immunity from civil lawsuits and liability for damages. These commonly include judges, prosecutors, witnesses, and legislators acting legislatively. What is said in the courtroom or in Congress cannot be the basis for recovery in a defamation lawsuit. Occasionally a successful lawsuit is brought for comments made to the news media outside of those venues. Of course, perjury while under oath is a crime. A common defense in a murder trial is to question the character and motives of the victim. Frequently family members of the victim find this tactic offensive but any successful legal recourse is unlikely. However, in many situations immunity is not absolute but qualified. Qualified immunity shields officials from civil damages unless the official violated "clearly established" legal rights. This is a high barrier to recovery. The plaintiff (one suing) must establish facts that clearly show a violation. Then, the plaintiff must additionally demonstrate that the conduct in question was not "objectively reasonable." That is, all reasonable officials would know that the particular conduct violated legal rights. Still, the defendant (one being sued) may be able to prove "extraordinary circumstances" showing that the official neither knew nor should have known the legal standard. Relying on the advice of counsel often provides "extraordinary circumstances." Hence, before undertaking controversial policies, prudent officials seek legal opinions in the form of memorandums of law. The application of these principles frequently results in qualified immunity. Thus, in a case involving allegations of abusive interrogations, detainees sued an Assistant Attorney General who wrote legal memorandums concerning the conduct in question. The federal Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit in a 2012 decision found that the official was entitled to qualified immunity stating: "We agree with the plaintiffs that the unconstitutionality of torturing a United States citizen was "beyond debate" by 2001. Yoo is entitled to qualified immunity, however, because it was not clearly established in 2001-03 that the treatment to which Padilla says he was subjected amounted to torture" (Padilla v. Yoo). Complex public policy questions, national defense issues, and constitutional separation of powers analysis are associated with these issues. Advertisement The question of qualified immunity precedes the actual trial and trial preparations such as the questioning of witnesses by taking depositions. Consequently, the defendant must assert an immunity defense immediately and obtain a favorable judicial ruling or risk losing it. A denial of immunity may be immediately appealed. Qualified immunity provides government officials latitude to make reasonable but mistaken judgments concerning unsettled legal questions. Public policy encourages officials to decide how to best allocate available resources of time and money without the fear of harassing or costly litigation. This is especially applied when a discretionary function is involved. Thus, the U.S. Supreme Court held that the police cannot be sued for the failure to enforce a domestic violence restraining order, despite receiving a number of telephone calls, resulting in the murder of three children (Town of Castle Rock v. Gonzalez, 2005). Consequently, a domestic violence victim must not be overconfident that a restraining order (printed on paper) will provide necessary security from violence. If the circumstances indicate danger, as unfair as it may be, the potential victims must hide, flee, or engage in vigilant self-defense. An earlier Supreme Court decision held that a Department of Social Services could not be sued when it failed to prevent child abuse (DeShaney v. Winnebago County Department of Social Services, 1989). These decisions are controversial. A classic 1971 U.S. Supreme Court decision, Bivens v. Six Unknown Named Agents, held that individuals whose Fourth Amendment rights were violated could sue for this violation, even in the absence of a statute that authorized the suit. So called "Bivens" lawsuits often involve allegations of excessive force. A plaintiff cannot recover in both a FTCA case and a Bivens case and must make a strategic decision. Both compensatory and punitive damages are available in a Bivens case, as well as a jury trial. Complex legal questions surround the legal rights of non-citizens and potential liability for actions occurring outside of the U.S. Numerous judicial decisions address the actions of police officers and prison officials. For example, a 2015 U.S. Supreme Court decision applied qualified immunity to a situation involving police deadly force used against an inhabitant of a group home for the mentally ill who brandished a knife. The Court quoted a prior decision in stating that government officials have "breathing room to make reasonable but mistaken judgments" and that the applicable standard protects "all but the plainly incompetent or those who knowingly violate the law." Furthermore, even if an officer acts contrary to specific training, that does not negate qualified immunity as long as "a reasonable officer could have believed that his conduct was justified." An expert's report that "an officer's conduct leading up to a deadly confrontation was imprudent, inappropriate, or even reckless" will not alone overcome qualified immunity (City and County of San Francisco v. Sheehan). In like manner, another 2015 U.S. Supreme Court decision applied qualified immunity in the context of a prisoner's suicide since no U.S. Supreme Court decision or the weight of authority from the federal Courts of Appeal "establishes a right to the proper implementation of adequate suicide prevention protocols" (Taylor v. Barkes). The federal Civil Rights Act of 1871 (42 U.S.C. Sec 1983) provides that "every person who, under color of any statute, ordinance, regulation, custom, or usage ...subjects ... [any] person ... to the deprivation of any rights, privileges, or immunities secured by the Constitution and laws, shall be liable to the party injured..." This provision was essentially dormant until the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Monroe v. Pape (1961) allowing individual police officers to be sued even if their acts were not authorized and may have been forbidden by the state. "Section 1983" lawsuits are too complex to be adequately discussed in this brief comment. Typically if the individual is an employee of a governmental unit, she or he is acting under "color of law" for purposes of potential liability. Note that liability may occur for "off-duty" actions when the individual asserts official authority. Private parties may also be included in a lawsuit if they engaged jointly with governmental officials in the challenged action. The U.S. Supreme Court has determined that, while Section 1983 contains no liability defenses, officials may still assert absolute or qualified immunity (See, Harlow v. Fitzgerald, 1982). Thus, the President, a legislator, a judge, or a prosecutor, are typically entitled to absolute immunity from damages suits predicated on official acts. Allegations of malice or improper intent will not overturn immunity. Section 1983 suits against a state and its departments or agencies are barred by the Eleventh Amendment. State officials typically have qualified immunity. However, even the President is not entitled to absolute immunity when "the alleged misconduct ... was unrelated to any of his official duties as President..." (Clinton v. Jones, 1997). Conceptually, qualified immunity involves two fundamental issues: 1.Taking the facts most favorably to the plaintiff, does the allegation demonstrate that the public official violated a constitutional right? 2.Was this right clearly established in this specific situation? Much of the litigation focus has been on the second question with the Supreme Court indicating that the "clearly established" requirement gives officials the same fair warning that individuals are entitled to in the realm of criminal law. Advertisement Realize that suing governmental agencies and individual officials for alleged injuries is difficult but not impossible. Favorable facts of blatantly wrongful actions are often essential. This area of law is sufficiently complex to require expert involvement. From left, Chief Justice John G. Roberts and Supreme Court justices Anthony M. Kennedy, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Stephen G. Breyer and Sonia Sotomayor stand before President Barack Obama's State Of The Union address on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2015, on Capitol Hill in Washington. (AP Photo/Mandel Ngan, Pool) Imagine the Supreme Court deciding more than 100 cases without its full complement of nine Justices. Imagine this closely divided Court splitting 4-4 in many of those cases, meaning that it cannot issue a decision that provides binding law for the whole country. And imagine that, as a result, different people in different parts of the country are subjected to different laws. This is exactly the harmful and chaotic scenario some Republican leaders are advocating in the wake of Justice Scalia's death. They should not be allowed to make that happen. Almost as soon as news of Justice Scalia's death was released, some Republicans made clear that they would do whatever they could to prevent President Obama from naming his successor. Communications Director for Senator Mike Lee tweeted, "What is less than zero? The chances of Obama successfully appointing a Supreme Court Justice to replace Scalia?" And both Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Judiciary Committee Chair Charles Grassley also made clear in no uncertain terms that Scalia's replacement should be named not by President Obama, but by whoever succeeds him. "The American people should have a voice in the selection of their next Supreme Court Justice," McConnell said. Advertisement They already have, of course, in the 2012 election. In addition to being plainly at odds with the Constitution, these arguments are stunning for what they reveal about these Republicans' contempt for the Supreme Court as an institution and for the rule of law. If these obstructionists were to have their way, the Supreme Court would be without a full complement of justices not only for the remainder of this Term, but also for much of the next Term. After all, if President Obama's political opponents block any nominee he puts forward regardless of qualifications in order to hold the seat open for the next President, that President's nomination cannot even be made until (at the very earliest) the afternoon of January 20, 2017, the day the new President is inaugurated. The average time between nomination and confirmation for the last four Justices was 75 days. Thus, even assuming an immediate nomination by the new President, and even assuming that the Senate acts on that nomination in a timely fashion, the new Justice would likely not be confirmed until early April 2017, the last month in which the Court regularly hears oral argument. This means that the new Justice would be able to participate in oral argument only for the final sitting of the Supreme Court's October 2016 Term. As a result, the new Justice would likely only participate in roughly 12 cases out of the 70-80 that the Court would presumably be hearing next term. It's worth pausing for a moment to consider what all of this promised obstruction means. First, it means the Court would be without all nine members when it decides all of the remaining cases for this Term. According to SCOTUSblog, there are 34 cases in which the Court has already heard oral argument, but not yet issued a decision. Add to that the roughly two dozen additional cases in which the Court has yet to hear oral argument, and it's clear that more than 60 cases this Term will be decided by an eight-member Court. Second, add to that the roughly 60 cases from next Term that would also be heard before a new Justice is confirmed, and there will be roughly 120 cases decided without a full complement of nine Justices. The consequences of the Supreme Court being without all nine justices for so long can hardly be overstated. Most significant, a long-standing vacancy would compromise the Court's ability to perform one of its most important functions, that is, establishing a uniform rule of law for the entire country. In the rule governing how the Supreme Court decides which cases to hear, the first two (of three) considerations provide that the Court should review a case when there are conflicting decisions among the courts below. Justice Scalia himself once told the Senate Judiciary Committee that his colleagues on the Court are guided by these questions in deciding whether to hear a case: "Is there a circuit conflict? Is this a significant issue on which the lower courts are divided?... [I]f there's no disagreement below, we don't get involved." By hearing cases in which lower courts are divided, the Court can settle the dispute and establish one rule of law to govern the entire nation. But there will be many cases in which the Court cannot do that when it has only eight members. There's no question that on this sharply divided Court, the potential for 4-4 decisions will be strong. When that happens, the Court cannot resolve these conflicts because it cannot establish a precedented decision. When the Court decides a case 4-4, the ruling of the court below is affirmed, but there is no binding decision of the Supreme Court that governs the rest of the nation. As a result, vital questions about our nation's laws and the Constitution will be left unanswered. Sometimes these questions may be in high profile cases touching on such issues as the environment or religion; other times they may be in cases that don't normally get much attention, but are nonetheless important (for example, cases involving whether individuals can sue in court when their rights under federal law are violated). Advertisement The practical result is simple and harmful: people will be subjected to different rules in different parts of the country. For individuals, these different rules may be unjust and confusing. For businesses, these different rules may make it exceedingly difficult to operate in multiple parts of the country. And, again, if some Republicans have their way, the Court will be unable to resolve these conflicts for at least the majority of two of its Terms. That result undermines the rule of law and is undeniably bad for the country, whatever one's ideology. It is, in short, simply unacceptable. It bears emphasis that this important role of the Court -- and the fact that one vacancy on the Court can prevent the Court from effectively fulfilling that role -- makes clear why nominations to the Supreme Court have long been elevated above all others and handled expeditiously. When the Supreme Court has a vacancy, it simply cannot function as it is supposed to. It is no wonder then the Senate has historically moved so swiftly to hold hearings and votes on Supreme Court nominees. Since the 1980s, every person appointed to the Court has been given a prompt hearing and vote within 100 days. During that same period, there has never been a vacancy spanning more than one Term, and never one longer than four months while the Court has been in session. Walking down the aisle in that gorgeous Alexander McQueen worn by Kate Middleton would be the icing on your wedding cake, but it could also topple your wedding budget. For some brides, indulging in a designer gown is a non-negotiable expense. For others, splurging on a wedding dress may be tempting enough to cut corners on other important wedding items. But we think we've found a solution so you can have your cake and (designer-inspired) wedding dress, too. These designer gowns have more affordable lookalikes for those brides who want to feel like a princess without breaking the bank. In honor of Black History Month, I'm excited for an interview series with several lovely black women. My hope is that this series with be able to inspire black girls like myself by providing stories, advice, and emotional honesty from successful women. Their courage, determination, and all around badass-ness inspires me to do my best, and I'm sure that it'll do the same for you. I spoke with Johnetta Elzie, also known as Netta, one of the leaders in the activist group We The Protestors. She has been profiled by The New York Times as a leader of the group that built "the nation's first 21st-century civil rights movement," and named as one of the 53 people on Fortune's list of "World's Greatest Leaders" for her work with the Black Lives Matter Movement. What makes #BlackGirlMagic so important? When I first saw it, I thought it was fun, cute, necessary, and a really cool way to highlight just the incredible, remarkable, and often everyday things black women and girls are doing that we normally don't get recognition for. Advertisement Is there an emotional impact of constantly talking about things that are problematic in our government and justice system? Yes. I would say, I think, the biggest drain is repeating myself over and over. That's what happens when you're talking to a mass amount of people all of the time. It's exhausting to constantly go over these things, basic concepts that black people have a grasp on, when talking to people who are privilege. It's like mental gymnastics. My main amount of work is police violence, so I wouldn't even say that it's emotionally taxing. That's just taxing in general. It's constantly happening, everyday. In the month of January - the last time time I checked, it was 44. But now, 59 people have been killed in 2016 and we're only on day 28. Numbers like that exhaust me. The fact that people - that's fifty nine names, fifty nine souls....It's just a lot to know that, even though in 2014 and in 2015 we did a really good job in making police violence a national conversation, it has not slowed down the police killings because there is no accountability. What do you think needs to be changed for police to be held accountable for what they're doing? Everything needs to be changed. Literally, the whole system needs to be changed because there is no accountability. Even just looking at Laquan McDonald in Chicago. Everybody knew that this man killed Laquan, and that Laquan was actually not a threat. The mayor knew it, his top aids, literally everyone knew. To me, it's not possible to pinpoint a specific part of the system that needs to be changed more so than another one because all of it is corrupt. What do you think about when you hear "Black History Month?" In my house, every day was Black History Day, so we didn't really have a month. I don't know. I feel like it just depends on who's teaching or what a person is learning. I think it's important. Advertisement Is there a specific black woman from history who inspires you? Harriet Tubman. I love her. She's a freedom fighter, and she had a gun because she knew that, not only would the slave owner or the plantation owner be out to hurt and harm her, but that respectability politics were a thing, and that her own people would try her. And so Harriet carried a gun. I love Harriet Tubman. She's so important. She was like, "I'm gone get you free and if you try me, that will be that last time you try anybody." What does being a black woman mean to you? Being a black woman to me means that I...do you know those "I met God, she's black" shirts? I love them. I'm not kidding. I think black women are the most amazingly beautiful and brilliant beings ever. I just really love black women. Owning it is amazing. I love the fact that not doing what women expect of black women, I love being able to do that. I love being able to break boundaries that people place on me because I am a black woman, and I embrace my womanhood completely. It's the shit to me. Being a black woman is the shit. What would you say to a girl who isn't sure about her blackness? Well, I don't know. I think that depends on the person. If this girl is interested in embracing her blackness, I would just say keep living because either you'll figure it out on your own or the world will make you figure it out with how they treat you. If they don't want to embrace their blackness, hey, I don't have too much to say about that. What is the most difficult part of being black woman today? I feel like defying labels or stereotypes that people have about black women is really important to me. Stereotypes or tropes that people have for black women - black people and black women included - can be really exhausting. But I always think about Janelle Monet's lyric where she says "Categorize me, I defy every label." I'm not going to be where you place me, but still having to fight to not be that is exhausting. Advertisement Where do you get your courage? I have a delightful, lovely, funny, charismatic, little sister who will be sixteen this year. She reminds me that everyday I used to be a teenager. I'm just always in awe of the things she says. I just think she's the most brilliant little being possible. My sister gives me a lot of my strength, because I want the world to be a better place for her. I want it to be a fair place for her. I want it a place where she doesn't have to do all of this fighting that I do, or that we saw our Mom do. Cocky. Arrogant. Self-centered. I may be all of these things or none of these things - I don't know. I do know that I carry myself a certain way and have since high school. Allow me to explain. See, there are some benefits to moving as much as I did as a child. You learn how to adapt. In the summer leading to my senior year of high school, my parents did what many Black families did in the early 2000s, we may the "Great Negro Migration" from Oakland out to the outer realm of the Bay Area on the way to Sacramento. A bunch of folks moved to the Antiochs, Pittsburgs, and Modestos. We ended up in Stockton. In my senior year, I went to Bear Creek High School. I went from a mostly-Black Emery High School, which had less than 300 students to a school with 2300 people, and Black folks were the minority. There, I learned of a beautiful yet mystical thing called 'privilege'. The kids at this school were different. Whereas only a handful of students even had a driver's license at Emery, I went to a school with a student parking lot where I saw Range Rovers and Mustangs. One of my close friends had a BMW M3 (he was 17), and one of my other friends drove his father's Corvette. Needless to say, I was in a much different place. The students at this school just moved differently. They knew they were going to college. At Bear Creek, I was in AP English for about two weeks. The students in this class set high standards and negotiated assignments with the teachers. In my old school, there was a strict no food or drink policy in our classes, whereas in my first-period Spanish class at Bear Creek, I watched a third of the class enjoy lattes and it was never an issue. In my AP English class at Emery, the most rigor I experienced there was a packet on Romeo & Juliet. No, these Bear Creek students were different. They felt like adults. It was a culture shock. So I watched. I watched the athlete with the bleached-blonde hair and his letterman jacket. I watched the way he interacted with the world and how the world interacted back with him. I watched as he experienced multiple internships in different fields. It wasn't just white folks either. I watched the Black boy who's parents were both highly educated, and he would get frustrated between making a decision between his dad's alma mater Stanford or his longing to study in New York at NYU. Advertisement I didn't quite know what I was witnessing at the time. I didn't have the language for it. What I was witnessing was confidence. It was self-actualization in the teenage form. I was learning a different type of confidence. They didn't feel like they were lucky because good things were happening; they expected it. They expected to be treated a certain way. Their parents expected things from the school with allowed those parents to place high expectations on their children. I wanted that type of respect. I learned early on that you command respect. Yeah, sure you give it, -- we always give it! But I never felt like my people were demanding it. I learned how to exude expectations from my environment in the way I arrived. There's only one problem; my poor Black ass was from Oakland by way of Chicago. There's an expectation that goes along with that. Striking that balance has been a task that I am constantly learning even today. Here's what I experience when I display that confidence. There's a trigger in our heads that go off when the young Black dude has expectations for how the world should interact with him. The trigger says, "Nah, get back in your place, Nigger!" I saw it in college; I saw it in grad school, and I have seen it on every job I've had since college. To the young Black folks that read my words, take heed. Smart people learn from their experience while wise people learn from the experience of others. Advertisement I am a person that understands that he doesn't know a lot and the fastest way to get that knowledge is to find someone that does and commandeer them as a mentor. You can ask some of the biggest leaders working in Oakland today; there aren't many that I haven't had lunch with or volunteered to help with something so I could absorb what made them successful. Elihu Harris, former mayor of Oakland, mentored me for a spell when I was an undergrad. He told me something I would never forget. In fact, I found myself quoting it the other day. He said, "Leaders love to leave a legacy. Every good leader wants a younger, better version of themselves to live through when they leave the work. So ALWAYS pick the brain of the leaders you come in contact with. If their office door is open, it's your job walk through. If they didn't want people walking in, they'd close it. Put yourself on their calendar. Make people tell you no." I don't know what Mr. Harris is doing these days or if he would even remember that conversation, but it changed my life. It changed my approach. He told me that people were going to react to me differently because I was a Black kid that came from the slums. He also said that the folks that would have the most trouble dealing with how I moved would be other people of color. It's stepping out of place in some of those folks' eyes. So I've done that. I value my time, and I don't waste people's time, and I don't allow them to waste mine. I don't think I am better than anyone but I know I am valuable, and it shows. That thinking made me one of the youngest social workers in my company's history at the time. In my job after that, it would push me from line staff to directing two sites across the Bay Area. That confidence helped me lead a walk out with a small group of others that altered how California State University, East Bay (then it was Hayward) engaged with students around budgetary changes. It helped lead to my Senate seat nomination at that institution. I know my worth. I've seen how privilege moves. I've seen how it talks. I've studied how it walks and it ain't only for the white folks, homie. For any young person of color reading this, you've got to know your worth. You have to know your value, and that is what allows you to walk into that president's doors and still be able to kick it with the janitor. You have to be able to do both seamlessly. The world is your's; it's just waiting for you to take it. Take your mentors! Take your shots! Fail! Then fail again. It's one of the best methods to learning. Trust me, I fail at what I do ALL THE TIME. Folks will call you cocky. Folks will call you self-centered. If that's what it takes for us to have agency and ownership over our path in life then so be it. I've seen the alternative. Listen, if you work with kids in any capacity and they don't leave your presence believing in themselves more than when they met you, you failed. I don't care if you teach math or Sunday school. Advertisement I'll just be a cocky young negro. If you decide to be one then you'll be in good company. Malcolm X was called arrogant. Oprah was called arrogant. Denzel Washington got called cocky. As I write this, there's a full segment on television on just how arrogant Cam Newton is. I want all of our kids to be confident and demand greatness from themselves and respect from the world. I don't just want our kids celebrating Black History Month but I want them know they can make Black History! Call us cocky all you want, but you'll be doing it as you move out the way of our success. With the death of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, the November election may decide the fate of all three branches of the United States government. That's a pretty unique situation, and it may boost turnout on both sides of the aisle. In most presidential elections, there's a wonky argument to be made about Supreme Court picks, but it's not usually so front-and-center with most of the voting public. Hardcore partisans tend to care deeply about this kind of thing, but the average voter usually doesn't think about it all that much in the voting booth. This year, things will obviously be different. If the next nine months go as expected, President Obama will nominate an eminently-qualified person to the highest bench, and the Senate will either ignore him or vote his nominee down. Republicans from Mitch McConnell on down wasted no time upon hearing of Scalia's demise to loudly proclaim that: (1) Obama shouldn't even nominate anyone, he should just hand off the nomination to the incoming president at the end of his term; and (2) any Obama nominee simply would not be confirmed, no matter his or her qualifications for the job. This, while entirely expected, is amusing and ironic for a very basic reason. Scalia, of course, was all about the "original intent" of the United States Constitution. Republicans have all but sanctified the document -- and Scalia's "originalism" -- in their rhetoric. However, the Constitution actually has no passage in it which states that presidents only get three out of their four years to nominate judges. In fact, the language is pretty unequivocal: the president "shall nominate." Not "has the option to nominate" or "shall nominate, except when politically problematic," or any other such nonsense. Obama has not only the right to nominate whomever he wishes to replace Scalia, it is in fact his sworn duty to do so. Democrats will, no doubt, be reminding all those originalist Republicans about this language in the months to come. Any Republican suggesting that Obama should just refuse to make a nomination is actually arguing for Obama to ignore the Constitution -- something that, normally, makes them quite upset. Advertisement The other amusing and ironic detail was laid bare by Harry Reid, a while back. The filibuster is also not in the Constitution. It's just a Senate rule, and Senate rules can change at any time. But there's a very strong originalist argument that if the Founding Fathers had intended to require a supermajority for the Senate to act (whether on presidential nominations or on legislation itself), then they would have clearly included it in the Constitution. They didn't. Filibusters are not "unconstitutional" (the Constitution states that the chambers of Congress can decide upon their own rules), but the concept is definitely not part of the original document's intent. Reid incensed Republicans with the so-called "nuclear option," when he essentially tossed out the concept of the filibuster -- but only in specific cases. The filibuster still remains for all legislation. But presidential appointees now only have to clear the Senate with a majority vote. Cabinet members, ambassadors, and judges now get up-or-down votes, and a majority confirms them. However, what few noticed back when Reid pulled the "nuclear trigger" is that the rule change specifically omitted Supreme Court nominees. They still can be filibustered. And now that Mitch McConnell leads the Senate, that rule isn't going to change any time soon. If Republicans do block any Obama nominee, the likely result is a very long period of time with a hobbled high court. There are nine months until the presidential election. There are eleven months until a new president will be sworn in. And even with a friendly Senate, Supreme Court nominations take a goodly amount of time. The Supreme Court's term runs from October through the end of June. If an Obama nomination is blocked, it means that we'll have only eight justices not only through the end of this judicial term, but also for almost the entirety of the next judicial term as well -- even assuming the Senate moves fairly quickly in early 2017. Advertisement Politically, Scalia's death is already sending shockwaves across the landscape. It's rare enough that a president gets to appoint a Supreme Court justice. So far, Obama has appointed two Supreme Court justices. George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and George H.W. Bush all got two picks as well. Jimmy Carter, however, didn't get any -- because none of them retired or died in office during his term. What's even rarer than a president getting a nomination is for a president to get the chance to make an appointment which fundamentally changes the balance of power on the court. Obama, to date, has merely replaced two liberals. For quite some time now, the court has stayed on a knife-edge balance between conservatives and liberals. There were some "swing vote" justices who couldn't be counted on by either side, but the court throughout Obama's term has held a 4-1-4 balance -- four solid liberals, four solid conservatives, and one swing vote (Kennedy). The reason Republicans are so adamant that Obama won't get a Scalia replacement seated is, obviously, that by doing so he could shift the balance to 5-1-3. This would virtually guarantee a liberal 5-4 (or even 6-3) victory in any politically-contentious case. Two years ago, I idly speculated about how the next president could have the opportunity to shift this balance, which was based solely on the advanced age of a number of the justices. Now that Scalia has died while in office, this theoretical fight has become real. Speculation about Obama's possible pick is already running rampant. This is entirely normal -- it's one of those inside-the-Beltway parlor games which pundits love to play. So far, such speculation seems to indicate three possibilities (with some overlap). Obama could nominate a flaming liberal, since he knows the Senate's never going to confirm anyone he chooses. Call it a sacrificial flaming-liberal lamb, perhaps (if mixed metaphors don't faze you, that is). Or Obama could nominate someone already overwhelmingly (and recently) confirmed by the Senate for another judicial post. Taking this route would show the blatant hypocrisy of Senate Republicans rejecting someone they previously voted to confirm (to a lower appointment). Thirdly, Obama could appoint a member of a minority to the highest court, forcing Republicans to vote against an African-American, an Asian-American, a woman, or whatever demographic mix the candidate may have. Obama could attempt putting a "first X on the court," no matter what "X" actually is -- and, by doing so, dare Republicans to vote against such a historic appointment during an election year. This could fire up the Democratic base in response. Obama may even make a geographically-astute pick by nominating someone from a key swing state. Of course, none of these picks are going anywhere in the Senate. Obama could reanimate the corpse of Ronald Reagan and nominate him -- and the Senate would likely still vote him down, just on the principle of never letting Obama have a win. There's only one case I can think of where the Senate might be motivated to act, but I'm getting ahead of myself. Whomever Obama decides upon is, in all likelihood, not going to be confirmed. However, this tactic may backfire spectacularly, and guarantee that Democrats win back control of the chamber in November's elections. There are two reasons for this. Advertisement The first is geographical. Republicans are defending many Senate seats this election cycle in states that are traditionally Democratic. So many, in fact, that Senate control could hinge on these races alone. The imbalance exists because these senators were all swept into office in the 2010 election, where (as Obama himself put it) Democrats got "shellacked." That was then, but this is now -- and some of those states who voted for Obama but elected Republican senators have come to regret their choice. This year was already a tough year for Republicans because of this dynamic, but with the Supreme Court balance thrown into the mix it has become even tougher. So-called "moderate" Republicans representing blue states are going to look a whole lot less moderate by their knee-jerk obstructionism against any Obama nominee. And you can bet their Democratic challengers will be making lots of political hay about it out on the campaign trail. Which brings me to the second reason Democrats might have enough of an edge to wrest control of the Senate back -- voter excitement. Democratic voters are not normally as aware of the Supreme Court being a factor in their presidential vote. Republicans are much more cognizant of this, due to them complaining so loudly for so many years about "judicial activism" (defined as: judges ruling in ways they disagree with). Righties have been whipped up about the judiciary for decades, in fact, so while they will also be aware of the prospect of the new president getting an immediate court pick, it shouldn't boost voter turnout as much among Republicans as among Democrats. To put this another way, many Republican voters are always aware of this, whereas Democrats don't usually think as much about it. Increased enthusiasm about a court pick therefore could boost Democratic turnout in a more significant way than it should among Republicans. If, as expected, Obama makes a pick and the Senate refuses to confirm him or her, then the next president will have an open nomination to make on their first day in office. This is incredibly rare in American history, and will figure heavily in the presidential race. Which brings me to the most eyebrow-raising political suggestion I've yet heard. What, after all, could motivate Senate Republicans to approve an Obama appointment before the election? One thing, and one thing only: the fear that by denying such a nomination they will wind up with someone even worse (as they see it) being elevated to the Supreme Court. Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders have a few options as to how to play this on the campaign trail. They normally wouldn't be expected to reveal the name of their Supreme Court pick, should they win in November. But there's one very special case that could cause Senate Republicans to absolutely quake in their boots. Hillary and Bernie could even issue a joint statement, because it would equally benefit either one of them as the Democratic nominee. Clinton and Sanders could both state plainly that, should the Senate refuse to approve Obama's nominee in a timely manner, they will -- on their first day in office -- nominate Barack Hussein Obama to the Supreme Court, to take Scalia's place. Advertisement That's the only thing I could see, at this point, which could motivate Senate Republicans to bite the bullet and approve an Obama nomination. Especially if it starts looking like Democrats are going to win big in November. Or, perhaps, after Democrats win big in November. If Obama names someone fairly moderate to the court (someone Republicans have previously voted to confirm, in other words), Republicans might decide that confirming him or her would be better than giving President Bernie Sanders or President Hillary Clinton the chance to put Obama himself on the Supreme Court. This might only happen if Democrats win big in their Senate races, during the lame-duck period after the election but before the new Senate is sworn in. This really seems like the only chance -- slim though it might be -- that Obama could actually get his nominee confirmed this year. Chris Weigant blogs at: The fall following the murder of Martin Luther King, Jr., I joined a new student organization at New Rochelle High School, an economically and demographically mixed New York City suburb. I was on the executive committee of Black Radicals Onward (BRO!), in charge of teaching everyone Swahili. Those were the days. Another student proposed we start collecting dues. I asked what we would do with the money. After some thought, the near-consensus was that we should buy an army tank. I voiced skepticism about the usefulness of a tank in the struggle to lift our people, and also noted that my father would not like a tank in our garage, even if it could fit, and that everyone else lived in the projects. Where would we keep it? Soon thereafter, I quit. From there, I quickly pivoted to a belief--that I still hold--that education is the Great Black Hope. It worked for my parents' escape from Jim Crow poverty in Virginia. I have held fast to that belief through my work on domestic and economic policy issues in six presidential campaigns, in two presidential transitions, on two White House staffs, and in 35 years as a professor. Education is the key to make opportunity less serendipitous and more systemic for all of us. True educational opportunity is the best path to the promised land where difference is not destiny and dreams are not coded by color or class. But narrowly understood, it is not enough. Advertisement In a society with staggering rates of childhood poverty, income inequality, and mass incarceration, the work inside the classroom is only one part of the equation. School principals alone cannot tame the vipers and pythons of disadvantage. Children with mental health issues or experience with trauma too often end up on the path to the juvenile or criminal justice system because the linkages between public health and education are weak. The country's education infrastructure is not doing enough to help students graduate from high school and college, and then transition them into good jobs. To address the range of these barriers, I am now applying my experience and approach to a new endeavor: today, along with my colleague Ann O'Leary, I am announcing the launch of The Opportunity Institute, a new non-profit that aims to advance social mobility and equity from early childhood to early career. We believe that many, though not all, influential policy makers and advocates are hungry for pragmatic, evidence-based ideas to address some of the most critical barriers to opportunity. The problems of inequality and uneven social mobility are neither federal nor local, neither public nor personal. They are all of these and more. The Opportunity Institute's work will span the different levels of government, helping each level to inform the others. We employ a uniquely broad range of tools - including coalition building, public education campaigns, research, and policy design - to provide ideas and solutions to these problems. This moment contains extraordinary possibility to improve social mobility. There is a sustained national, state, and local interest in education, voiced at dinner tables, legislative chambers, and presidential debates. We are taking advantage of it in many ways. We are working with multiple states to implement the nation's new charter for K-12 improvement, the Every Student Succeeds Act, to ensure new state flexibility leads to improved excellence and equity for students. We will be shaping public awareness of the importance of early brain development and social-emotional learning among children who have not yet started Kindergarten. We are highlighting the need for degree completion and smart family- friendly workplace policies, and offering recommendations to strengthen outcomes for students and families. And we will be working to repair the damage wrought by mass incarceration by using education to create better opportunities for currently and formerly incarcerated individuals, their children, and their families. Advertisement I haven't lost my militant optimism, nor my pragmatic approach to large social issues. Education for all of our citizens trumps tanks or anger as a solution to the problems before us. I invite you to join us in our approach. No dues required. When Pooja Parameshwar went to Uganda as a volunteer with the American non-profit Medicine For Humanity (MFH), she had vaguely heard of fistula, but had no idea of its seriousness or extent until she saw the women's suffering for herself. "What struck me most," said Parameshwar, "was how chronic and debilitating fistula can be. How it can so utterly diminish a woman's quality of life: physically, emotionally, and socially. Many women said they had lost all confidence and spousal support. They felt totally alone. This was shocking to me, to realize that there was such a widespread need for care. Yet many of us in America are completely unaware of this devastating medical problem." Fistulas are the result of birth or obstetric injuries. In a long and difficult labor, especially with a large baby, a hole can develop between the bladder, rectum (occasionally both) and birth canal, allowing urine (and sometimes stool) to leak uncontrollably. In 80 percent of these cases, the baby dies. Advertisement It's believed two million women in the developing world are living with this condition. The smell around them can be so bad they are often abandoned by their husbands and banished from their communities. It rarely happens in the developed world, because if there's any such problem, the baby is delivered by cesarean section. But in remote African villages, women can be hours, perhaps days away from a hospital. During their last two-week stay, a team of doctors and nurses led by MFH's medical director, Doctor Christopher Tarnay, carried out 41 fistula repairs and 22 cesarean sections. Dr. Tarnay is one of the few surgeons in the world who can repair complex fistulas. Part of MFH's work is also to train local physicians how to surgically treat fistula and provide tools for prevention. All the prevention strategies are about education, giving those women who are not laboring near hospitals an early awareness of a potential problem. By teaching women and their birth attendants to recognize the signs of an obstructed labor, they can get to a hospital as soon as possible for a safe delivery. Parameshwar's role was to document the trip through interviews with the patients (via a translator), and taking photographs and videos. She was able to follow the women through their entire journey of healing, from preliminary visit, to operating room, and finally to recovery. Parameshwar found a strong sense of community among the patients. "Every time I walked into the wards where the women stayed before and after surgery, I heard laughter, chatter, babies playing together, food being prepared and tasks being shared. It was a beautiful example of human nature and the universality of health and healing. Through the most unimaginable circumstances, these women displayed such strength and hope. One 85-year-old patient who had endured fistula for over 35 years was dancing as she left the hospital." The next MFH trip to Mbarara is set for September 2016. Women in villages up to 125 miles away usually hear about these visits by word of mouth and radio broadcasts. 'Young woman sitting on the floor and typing, toned image, focus on the head' Writers on writing is always a popular subject. There are probably thousands of articles and books, and listicles and Pinterest boards devoted to the words of King and Morrison and Ishiguro and, inevitably, Emerson -- and this is, perhaps, as it should be. These are writers looking back over their long and triumphant careers, their greatest successes. They've made it; they've achieved what so many long to accomplish, and this is why readers and writers compile endless lists of quotes about the dreams and motivations and muses of the Greats. But we rarely hear about writers at the start of their journeys -- the ones just beginning to strive publicly, instead of in the quiet confines of their mind. Margaret Atwood famously said, "Reading and writing, like everything else, improves with practice. And, of course, if there are no young readers and writers, there will shortly be no older ones. Literacy will be dead." Advertisement And so, in the spirit of moving forward, of looking to the future of literacy and literature, I asked the young, millennial-aged storytellers included in the forthcoming Songs of My Selfie: An Anthology of Millennial Stories (Three Rooms Press, April 2016) to share their views on writing--to put into words just why they write. Here's what they have to say: 1. Tiffany Ferentini I believe in the power of words, and how important it is for anyone who has ever struggled at any given point in their lives to have a favorite novel or author to turn to. In the same way my favorite authors have shaped and influenced me--how their work speaks to me so personally and intimately, without them ever having met me--I write to give back through literature the same way I have learned, been comforted, and been influenced by it. Writing sets off a spark in my heart, and I'm going to start a fire. Tiffany Ferentini is a New York-based writer and editor, and a graduate of Manhattanville College's Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing program. Tiffany has served as an editor of The Manhattanville Review, and is the current Project Assistant for Monkey Business International and the Community Coordinator for AWP's LGBTQ Caucus. Their short fiction and poetry have appeared in The Gambler and Off the Rocks, the LGBTQ Anthology of Newtown Writers Press. They can be found on Twitter @ferenteeny. 2. Xingyue Sarah He I read somewhere once that writing fiction is telling lies that tell greater truths, truths that transcend our everyday reality to get to the core of the human experience. Advertisement I write because I see people around me--my own life even--whose stories need to be shared so that other people can understand and learn from their experience. Stories that question their truths and immortalize their evanescent lives, perhaps. And because I just love to tell stories. It's a part of how I see and process the world around me--it's a part of who I am. Xingyue Sarah He is currently a student at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She studies English and creative writing, both in prose and script form. She enjoys writing about disabilities and illnesses and also hopes to bring a new voice into the canon of Asian-American literature. She has previously published a short story in UNC Chapel Hill's literary magazine Cellar Door, and is hoping to publish many more works to come. 3. Aaron Thorpe Modern society's overwhelming interconnectedness dilutes any notion of truth or objectivity. The man in the fine suit speaking deliberately at the podium tells us one version of things (his assorted staff of experts and advisers lined up behind him, ready to corroborate every word) while the dissident blogger taps out another, conflating the assumed independence of the Internet with journalistic integrity. In my mind, literature is and always has been a reconciliation of these two narratives. I write to explore how sociopolitical institutions affect our perception of reality and, consequently, individual human lives. Aaron Thorpe is a New York native living in Georgia. He is an alumni of Borough of Manhattan Community College, where he also worked as an English tutor for two years. In 2013 he received the W.W. Norton Award for Excellence in Fiction. Currently, he is a grassroots organizer for Bernie 2016. For more of his work, visit his blog at cockroachesandbutterflies.wordpress.com. Advertisement 4. Ifra Asad I write because, without it, I'm white noise. Without it, I'm a blank, unregistered face in a busy train station, and I'm indiscernible. Without it, I have nothing to patiently, forgivingly, untangle the wires in my brain, to alleviate the constant itch. Without it, I'm hurtling through a mindless-day-to-day haze, forgetting that anything is beautiful. And with it, I have a constant, excellent friend. We share our joys and our sadness, our anxieties, our little things, our crankiness, our manic happiness, we scale flowering meadows, take solace in our quiet and heated rooms. I write because it helps me exist. Ifra Asad is originally from Karachi, Pakistan. She did her undergraduate studies in Creative Writing from Franklin and Marshall College in Lancaster, PA, and her MA in Comparative Literatures of Africa, Asia, and the Middle East from SOAS, University of London. Her dissertation focused on late twentieth century Urdu short stories, and her fiction has appeared in Bicycle Review. Since then, her interests have turned to activism; she currently works at Women Living Under Muslim Laws, a transnational solidarity network. 5. Tyler Barton Right now, the most fun I can have is to try to make my own words make me feel something. Although the unexpected emotions are gold, laughter is always my goal. When you can make yourself laugh it's the best of both words: you're the comedian and the audience. It just feels good. So basically, it's totally selfish why I write. There are more harmful ways to spend your time, is how I justify it I guess. If my stories can make others laugh, or make others feel unexpected and complicated emotions, well then it's more than feeling good, then it's a bonus, then its rewarding, then you're building community. Advertisement I don't think there's anything different about millennials in terms of desiring community--and--it's like--maybe we need it the most? Tyler Barton is a teacher and workshop leader from southcentral Pennsylvania. He is the fiction editor of Third Point Press and an MFA candidate at Minnesota State University. His stories have appeared in Matter Press, Whiskey Paper, Knee-Jerk Magazine, and elsewhere. Links to many of these stories can be found at tsbarton.com. Follow him @goftyler. American strategy in the Middle East is perceived as a battle between two competing demands: the aspirations of the Arab people and the perceived instability that may come from realizing those aspirations on the one hand, and America's strategic position and core interest on the other. The idea that these two demands are in opposition has led the U.S. down a path of choosing one over the other. This week's meeting between U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry makes no mention of democratic provisions, human rights abuses and the increased suppression of civil society. The meeting in Washington signals that once and for all the U.S. is choosing one at the expense of the other. Egypt has been the major arbiter of peace in the Arab-Israeli conflict, and historically has been courted by both the U.S. and the Soviet Union for its strategic importance. Yet today, as the U.S.'s greatest and most enduring Arab ally and recipient of U.S. aid, second only to Israel, Egypt is seen as having four primary interests and functions for the U.S.: the maintenance of the Camp David Accords, the maintenance of U.S. military fly over rights of Sinai, access to the Suez Canal and, more recently, anti-terror coordination and cooperation. Egypt, more than any other nation in the Arab Middle East, remains strategically important, for its stability has great implications for regional stability both militarily and ideologically. Thus, for decades and throughout various administrations, the U.S. has chosen to engage and support repressive regimes in the name of securing its interest. Advertisement Yet, during President Obama's first term, there seemed to be a redirection in the Grand Strategy, not only in his commitment to engage the Muslim World, but to place value in the democratic aspirations of people. And after the 2013 military-led removal of Egypt's first democratically elected leader, Mohammed Morsi, the U.S. responded to the move by suspending aid to Egypt. In November 2013, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry stated in Cairo that the "interim government's commitment to the roadmap that will move Egypt forward on an inclusive path to democracy and to economic stability." Kerry went further, stating that "it is in everyone's interest that Egypt see a transition, live a transition, that results in a constitution that protects the rights of all Egyptians, including freedom of expression and assembly, the ability to participate in civil society, as well as in religious freedom." The "roadmap" to transition and democracy included holding a national referendum on an amended constitution and holding parliamentary and presidential elections within six months of the referendum. The aid suspension was meant to be temporary, with reinstatement of aid coming when the new interim government and the Egyptian military took steps towards restoring democracy. Implementing the "roadmap" took much longer than two years, and did not occur in the order outlined with parliamentary elections taking place before presidential. However by reversing the order and essential eliminating real opposition parties from forming and running in large numbers, the parliament ended up being a rubber stamp to the regime. Essentially, the way in which the current parliament is set up, essentially undercutting its authority, leaving the executive -- President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, as the supreme leader of the state. And since the Parliament is only one month old, most of the laws that govern civic and political life in Egypt, including the Protest Law, the NGO Law, the Terrorism Law, have been decreed through Presidential fiat. Abdel Fattah al-Sisi came to power on a strongman platform, not a democratic one. At a time when the U.S. was uncertain of the future port Arab Spring, Sisi promised stability and security. And the Obama administration accepted this paradigm. And so, without the democratic "roadmap" being met, the U.S. reinstated military aid, delivered the suspended F-16 fighter jets and Apache Helicopters, re-launched the U.S.-Egypt "strategic dialogue," and resumed "Bright Star" the joint military exercise suspended after the military takeover of July 3, 2013. And while the democratic preconditions have been altogether removed from the resumption of military aid in the most recent budget proposal, the fact that the most recent proposal also includes the reinstatement of the sale of tear gas, a weapon used directly to confront protesters -- protesters who have been continuously protesting and demanding their democratic aspirations, protesters that have been jailed, tortured, and disappeared for it. The reinstatement of aid with democratic preconditions, but also without human rights provisions indicates that the U.S. is betting against the Egyptian people and siding with their repressive regime. Advertisement Today in Egypt, five years after the internationally celebrated revolution that toppled the 30-year repressive reign of Hosni Mubarak, political freedoms are worse than before the revolution. Protestors and activists face mass incarceration and arbitrary detention. Young people are arrested on university campuses, sporting and private events. The disappearance and torture of youth, at the hands of the state, is on the rise with the number of political prisoners numbering over 40,000. In an arena of closed political expression the ground is fertile for recruitment towards violence. The rise is violence is already taking place in Egypt -- and this is directly related to the increasing heavy handed policies of the military backed regime. In many ways, Egypt is spiraling towards instability, radicalization, and increased state repression. This is both unstable in the short-term and detrimental to U.S. interest in the long-term. Thus a U.S. strategy for Egypt that abandons the democratic aspirations of the people, is not in the U.S.'s strategic interest. While this strategy may seem to be securing the essence of what protecting one's national security means, by turning its back on the Egyptian people the U.S. is emerging as an inconsistent and duplicitous state whose "Grand Strategy" in the Middle East is not democratic. In this regard, democracy and stability can no longer be seen as two sides of the same coin. Only a measured commitment to strategic democracy promotion will lead to long-term stability. On Tuesday, February 9, a 5-4 majority of the Supreme Court unexpectedly issued a "stay" blocking the Clean Power Plan -- the centerpiece of U.S. action on climate change -- until litigation over its legality is finished. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit will hear the case in June, and decide the merits most likely in late summer or the fall. Appeals to the Supreme Court will surely follow. What does the stay order tell us about the Clean Power Plan's prospects? Some observers immediately suggested that the stay vote portends the Plan's eventual defeat if it returns to the Supreme Court on the merits. That conclusion is unwarranted, in my view. Actually, based on recent Supreme Court decisions, it's reasonable to believe that a majority of justices will vote to uphold Clean Power Plan. I laid out the basis for this view in an interview on Thursday, before the sudden death of Justice Antonin Scalia. My assessment does not depend on the vacancy his passing creates, or on who replaces him. How did the Clean Power Plan get to the Supreme Court, and what does the stay ruling mean? When EPA formally published the Clean Power Plan in October 2015, 27 states, coal companies, the coal wing of the power industry, and numerous business and ideological groups filed suit in the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals, the court designated by the Clean Air Act to hear challenges to national pollution standards. The challengers asked the D.C. Circuit to stay the rule. NRDC joined 18 states, a dozen power companies and clean energy associations, and a dozen other environmental organizations to oppose the stay. Advertisement In late January, after considering hundreds of pages of briefs and thousands of pages of expert testimony for nearly a month, a three-judge panel of the D.C. Circuit unanimously denied the stay motions, finding that the petitioners had not "satisfied the stringent requirements for a stay." The Clean Power Plan's foes then sought a stay from the Supreme Court. Nearly everyone -- supporters, opponents, and independent legal experts alike -- thought the High Court's intervention at this stage was an extraordinary long shot. Never before had the Court stepped in to halt a federal regulation before any lower court had ruled on the legal merits. And while stays are more frequent for genuinely urgent matters -- think "stay of execution" -- the Clean Power Plan provides a long phase-in period. Final state plans are due not until 2018 and power plants are not required to comply before 2022. But in a surprise ruling late on Tuesday, just three working days after receiving responses from the Justice Department and the allied intervenors, the Court granted the stay. The five-member majority included Chief Justice Roberts and Justices Scalia, Kennedy, Thomas, and Alito. Justices Ginsburg, Breyer, Sotomayor, and Kagan opposed the stay. What happens next? The Court's order states that the stay will remain in place while the D.C. Circuit resolves the merits, and until the Supreme Court resolves any appeals. The D.C. Circuit has already ordered expedited review; the first briefs are due this Friday. Briefing will be finished in April, and oral argument will be heard on June 2 and possibly June 3. The D.C. Circuit's merits decision could come as early as late summer or early fall. Advertisement The losing side will then have the opportunity to seek rehearing in the appeals court and review by the Supreme Court. Depending on how long each litigation step takes, the Supreme Court could hear a merits appeal sometime in 2017 or even early 2018. What does the stay tell us about whether the Clean Power Plan will be upheld? The Supreme Court's short order provided no explanation for the decision. The victors immediately claimed that the stay foretells a decision against the Clean Power Plan if and when the case returns to the High Court on the merits. But I think that prediction is shaky at best. My assessment, made before Justice Scalia's passing, is that there are strong reasons to think that a majority of five or six of the current justices will uphold the Plan. In my view, this assessment holds whether or not Justice Scalia's seat is filled before the case returns to the Court. First, given the extraordinarily short time the Court spent reviewing the stay papers, it is unlikely that the justices thoroughly reviewed and reached firm judgments on the complex legal arguments raised. More likely the decision turned on the claims of imminent harm. The Clean Power Plan's challengers claimed a stay was needed to prevent immediate changes for states and the power sector that could not later be reversed, while the Plan's defenders argued that no serious compliance measures were required by states or companies for years. Given the speed of the Court's ruling, it's possible that the dominant consideration for at least some members of the majority was simply to hold things in place while the lower court sorts out the parties' merits claims. As we look to the merits, it is useful to look at the justices' votes in recent cases involving climate change or the power sector. From these cases, there are reasonable grounds to think that Justice Kennedy and Chief Justice Roberts may well join a majority to uphold the Clean Power Plan. Five justices, including Justice Kennedy, held in 2007 in Massachusetts v. EPA that EPA has the authority and responsibility to curb climate-changing greenhouse gas pollution under the Clean Air Act if, as the agency has determined, that pollution endangers public health and welfare. that EPA has the authority and responsibility to curb climate-changing greenhouse gas pollution under the Clean Air Act if, as the agency has determined, that pollution endangers public health and welfare. In 2011 the Court unanimously decided, in American Electric Power v. Connecticut , that EPA can curb carbon pollution from existing power plants under Section 111(d) of the Clean Air Act, the very provision the agency has used to establish the Clean Power Plan. , that EPA can curb carbon pollution from existing power plants under Section 111(d) of the Clean Air Act, the very provision the agency has used to establish the Clean Power Plan. In a third climate change case in 2014, Utility Air Regulatory Group v. EPA , Justice Kennedy and Chief Justice Roberts voted to uphold the most important portions of EPA's permitting regulations for large new sources of carbon pollution. , Justice Kennedy and Chief Justice Roberts voted to uphold the most important portions of EPA's permitting regulations for large new sources of carbon pollution. Kennedy and Roberts joined Justice Ginsburg's 6-2 decision in EPA v. EME Homer City in 2014 upholding regulations to control cross-state sulfur and nitrogen air pollution, using a flexible, state-by-state, market-based structure much like the Clean Power Plan. in 2014 upholding regulations to control cross-state sulfur and nitrogen air pollution, using a flexible, state-by-state, market-based structure much like the Clean Power Plan. Justice Kennedy joined a 5-4 majority against EPA's standards for mercury pollution, in Michigan v. EPA , last year. But Kennedy may be responsible for tempering the opinion (written by Justice Scalia), which sets out a pathway for EPA to cure the error the Court found and preserve the mercury standards. , last year. But Kennedy may be responsible for tempering the opinion (written by Justice Scalia), which sets out a pathway for EPA to cure the error the Court found and preserve the mercury standards. Just last month, in FERC v. EPSA , Kennedy and Roberts joined the majority opinion written by Justice Kagan in another power sector case, upholding the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's demand-response regulations, which are premised, like the Clean Power Plan, on the fact that the electric system is "an interconnected 'grid' of near-nationwide scope." Of course, even if EPA's authority to regulate power plant carbon pollution under Section 111(d) is considered settled, the Court can still consider how EPA used that authority. So these prior decisions don't foretell the outcome or foreclose the possibility of some setbacks for the Clean Power Plan. But they do indicate that, if the case reaches the Supreme Court after the D.C. Circuit's review, there is a strong potential for a majority of the current members justices to uphold the Clean Power Plan. What should state and industry leaders do now? Everyone involved -- state officials, industry managers, and concerned citizens alike -- now must recalibrate what to do while the litigation proceeds. Reacting to the stay before Justice Scalia's sudden passing, many power companies now transitioning from high-carbon fuels to cleaner generation and energy efficiency saw little reason to change course. As Edison Electric Institute vice president Quin Shea explained, the stay "doesn't really change anything." He added: "You can't simply put the genie back in the bottle when it comes to major strategic investments that the captains of industry are making." Many power companies have reaffirmed their plans to continue transitioning to clean energy. And although the attorneys general of Texas and West Virginia called on Friday for states to "put your pens down," more than a dozen states have announced their intention to continue their planning and stakeholder engagement processes, even though the stay puts off the Clean Power Plan's September 2016 deadline for initial submissions to EPA. A strong additional push for near-term action is coming from the five-year extension of the Production Tax Credit for wind energy and the Investment Tax Credit for solar energy, enacted in December. These incentives undergird the vigorous pace of clean energy investments that will position states and utilities well for eventual compliance with the Clean Power Plan. Advertisement Time to press ahead We believe prudent states and power companies will continue planning and implementing cleaner energy policies despite the stay. The power sector has embarked on an unstoppable shift from its high-polluting past to a safer, cleaner future. The stay cannot reverse the underlying economic forces that are moving power companies away from coal and toward wind and solar power and energy efficiency. Nor can the temporary halt dampen the overwhelming public support for the Clean Power Plan and for action on climate change and clean energy. The Black Panthers saw themselves in the 1960s and '70s as a voice and a haven for the forgotten. FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover saw them as subversive terrorists. The Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution, a Stanley Nelson film that gets its TV debut Tuesday night at 9 in the PBS Independent Lens series, lands closer to the first view. "As a filmmaker, I wanted it to be an accurate portrayal of the Panthers," says Nelson. "Whether it was something good or something bad. Advertisement "You can't tell the whole story in one film. But I hope you can get a truthful idea." Vanguard chronicles the angry and sometimes violent infighting, most famously between leaders Eldridge Cleaver (above) and Huey P. Newton, that had erupted by the early 1970s and helped lead to the party's eventual dissolution in 1982 - just 16 years after it was founded. Vanguard also notes that much of this infighting was seeded and provoked by the FBI's notorious Cointelpro infiltration campaign. Hoover's memos about the Panthers, included in the film, reveal the depth of his obsession. The film doesn't shy away from scenes that help explain why the Panthers frightened some people. There was angry rhetoric and there were guns, which the Panthers said simply leveled the playing field with hostile authority. In one scene, which to 2016 eyes looks like it was beamed in from another galaxy, a group of armed Panthers march into the California statehouse in Sacramento. Advertisement But the Panthers interviewed for Nelson's documentary say those scenes, while an important part of the story, defined neither the Panthers' mission nor their legacy. "We were a community organization," says Ericka Huggins, who ran the Panthers' Oakland Community School from 1973 to 1981. "We provided things people weren't getting from the government or anyone else, like health care and a decent education." One of the important innovations in those programs will sound surprisingly familiar today. "We saw how going to school hungry affected children's learning," says Huggins. "So we developed a breakfast program. Now it's common, but before the Panthers no one was doing it." Because of that kind of innovation, she says, "Every single morning I'd wake up feeling alive, like I was really helping people." The Panthers' storefront headquarters also became an all-purpose community help center. "Every day you'd have people coming in who were black, white, Latino, Vietnam veterans," she says. "Word spread that we could help. We never excluded anyone." Advertisement The Panthers also did it, former party member and later Columbia professor Jamal Joseph recalls, on the thinnest of shoestrings. Because big foundations weren't exactly lining up to provide grants to the Black Panthers, he says, "We did it all with basically no money. We just found ways to get what we needed and somehow keep going." At the same time, say he and Huggins (above with Nelson), the Panthers became an active force in the wider geopolitical picture. "We were in communication with liberation movements all over the world," Huggins says. "In Europe, in Africa, in the Middle East." Back home, the Panthers at times aligned at times with other progressive and radical movements. It was the Young Lords and the Panthers, Joseph recalls, who first began pressuring health care providers to create the Patients' Bill of Rights "that you now see on the wall of every hospital." Advertisement In the end, he says, the Panthers' influence exceeded their actual numbers. "At our peak, we had maybe 5,000 or 10,000 members," he says. "But when people talk about the Panthers today, it sounds like there must have been a million." The key point, he says, is that "we didn't want everyone to become a Panther. We wanted to make people aware of what needed to be done in their own community. If we had ever completely succeeded in that goal, we wouldn't have even had to exist." Progress in complex struggles almost never comes cleanly, however, notes Huggins, and she describes the Panthers in retrospect as "a continuum" in the long struggle for justice. "It's important to look at history," she says. "The Panthers didn't come out of thin air. Since the end of slavery, plenty of well-meaning people had seen the needs we did. "People living in poverty. Children with no health care. You saw this every day, and that's why people all over the world supported us - because we were willing to have this hard conversation about race." Advertisement If that sounds reasonable enough, Joseph warns everyone that it was not. "Once you open up that conversation," he says, "you become a threat. When Malcolm X started talking about class struggle and rebellion, that's when he signed his death warrant." It may be only through the eyes of history, says Nelson, that the Panthers can be put in proper perspective. "If we came back in 300 years," he says, "I think we'd see that the Panthers were part of the civil rights movement. The Panthers took it to the next level, where it needed to go. You can't pull them out as something separate." Nelson, whose previous documentary topics have included Jonestown, Wounded Knee, Emmett Till and the Freedom Riders, has a personal connection to the Black Panthers story. "I was about the same age as Jamal when I heard about the Panthers," he says. "So a friend and I went to their headquarters and we were all yo, yo, yo. I didn't end up joining, but I had never seen a black person put a look a white person's face like the Panthers did." Advertisement Both Huggins and Joseph say they've seen some progress since the 1970s, just not as much as they would like. "Not a single item in the Panthers' 10-point program for justice and peace has been realized," says Joseph, while Huggins notes "12-year-old black children" are still being killed. Perhaps, she says, this film can help. Whether you are a moderate libertarian, a paleo-conservative or a take-no-prisoners liberal, news of the passing of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia had to have come as a sad shock. This man ("Nino" to his friends and family) was only 79 years old, still vibrant, still astonishingly sharp-minded and sharp-tongued--way too young to be taken from us. And because Scalia possessed such a brilliant mind and engaging wit, his unabashed conservatism was not only worshipped by hardcore reactionaries, it was grudgingly respected by Leftist intellectuals and politicians, many of whom greeted his untimely death with the same question: Why couldn't it have been Clarence Thomas? Considering that cyberspace is the most fertile breeding ground in the history of mankind for screwball conspiracy theories, let us predict which preposterous theory will be most likely to go viral. Of course, the one we choose involves murder disguised to resemble a heart attack. How could it not? Advertisement It also involves America's unions, which is perfect. In fact, unions are a made-to-order foil. With organized labor's long and over-dramatized history of mischief (we've all seen that news footage of Jimmy Hoffa doing the perp walk), who better to be linked to Scalia's "assassination" (yes!) than the AFL-CIO? There's an important case--Friedrich vs. California Teachers Association--already before the high court. It challenges a union's right to insist that all employees who prosper from a union contract (i.e., who enjoy superior wages and benefits) be required to chip in a little money to pay for the cost of negotiating that contract. That right was upheld in the "Abood" decision (1977), but is being challenged in "Friedrich." Word around the campfire was that the Roberts' court, with Scalia leading the charge, was poised to strike down "Abood" in a 5-4 vote, thus delivering a mortal blow to organized labor's future. But with Scalia out of the picture, the court would be split 4-4, and a tie would mean that the ruling reverts to that of the previous appellate court, which upheld "Abood" (which was precisely why it was appealed to the Supreme Court). All that would be needed to give this conspiracy theory credence is for an eyewitness to swear he saw some high-ranking AFL-CIO officials quietly check into a motel not far from the Texas ranch where Scalia died, and swear that they all used fictitious names. Then someone else swears to hearing that a local doctor had been blackmailed into "falsifying" Scalia's death certificate, and that this doctor was later found dead. As flimsy as this "evidence" is, it would be enough to get the ball rolling. Indeed, it would be enough to launch a full-fledged conspiracy theory. After all, even if President Obama were unable to get a nominee voted upon by the Senate, who most prospers from an 8-person court? Who most benefits from a 4-4 decision? Answer: Organized labor. Advertisement Babesia parasites in red blood cells. (Source: CDC) While we lived together, a good friend of mine who hails from West Africa taught me to think beyond geopolitical borders. Among countless stories, she sometimes mentioned exotic illnesses that were common in other parts of the world. One is malaria -- that infamous mosquito-transmitted parasite that causes severe flulike symptoms most notably characterized by a sudden fever that comes and goes every couple of days. Those who are treated for the sometime-fatal illness may experience recurrences because the pathogen sometimes is not treated effectively or fully and can come back years after the initial infection. My friend had had malaria several times. "It's the best way to lose weight," she joked. She told me about other parasites, including guinea worms, which enter the body through water and exit, rear end first, by forming blisters and then breaking through the lower extremities. I couldn't believe that parasites are still common anywhere in the modern world -- parasites! Learning this made me glad to be American -- we know that our pets can get heartworm, but the United States has proper sanitation and we are too hygienic to worry about such things, right? Such bravado often yields difficult lessons. Advertisement For my part, over my lifetime I've had fevers many times and have become accustomed to being a sponge for other people's seasonal illnesses. If someone in my office or classroom sneezed, I was going to be next; that's just how my life went. And in my early 20s for a few years I kept getting recurring pinkeye, inexplicably, and as a gay man that made me paranoid about HIV. I knew that conjunctivitis is an opportunistic disease that most adults don't get often unless they have compromised immune systems. I tested myself for HIV every few months and because of the weird pinkeye recurrences and the night sweats I started having, I always expected my next HIV test to come back positive -- even though I never did anything to put myself at high risk. Everyone thought I was paranoid. Yet weird health issues continued throughout my 20s and into my 30s; for a couple of years, I had trouble catching my breath and having grown up in a house thick with cigarette smoke I wondered if it was possible I could be developing emphysema. It was that bad. My doctor laughed at the idea and -- without even checking my breathing with a stethoscope -- she prescribed Zoloft and said once I get my anxiety under control, my breathing will improve. Nevertheless, one thing I knew I was safe from in the U.S. was parasites -- parasites! You have to be living in a rainforest or alongside the Nile to get those, right? So wrong. The red blood cell parasite Babesia is transmitted increasingly in the United States through blood transfusions, yet unlike with HIV, donated blood is never tested for Babesia. [Source: CDC] Advertisement Recurring pinkeye, night sweats, "air hunger" as it is known (this fitting description would have been useful in my 20s) and a number of other unusual health complications are typical symptoms of babesia, a malaria-like parasite that is endemic to the northeast United States. Babesia is transmitted by the same ticks that transmit Borrelia burgdorferi, the bacterium that is associated with the term Lyme disease; however, it occurs so commonly in tandem with babesia, another pathogen called bartonella, and several other infectious agents that many now consider "Lyme disease" to refer to a multi-organism, multi-systemic infection that frequently involves Borrelia, Babesia, Bartonella and other tick-carried organisms that live and work in collaboration with one another to evade the human immune system. Regardless, Babesia is indeed a parasite that invades human red blood cells and which manifests similarly to malaria. I've been diagnosed with Lyme -- Borrelia burgdorferi, but also two other commonly occurring coinfections, Bartonella and Babesia. While all of these pathogens are still somewhat confounding to medical science, Babesia is a close enough analog to malaria that it can be fairly well understood. It's also been identified as a burgeoning public health risk because of its potential for causing fatalities and the ease by which it can be transmitted via blood transfusion. Babesia's similarities to malaria aren't only symptomatic; babesiosis treatment requires the use of antimalarial drugs, and like malaria, it can reoccur years after seemingly effective treatment, as Babesia reside inside of human red blood cells. Advertisement Babesia in Blood Banks Babesia is becoming a significant public health problem in the United States. Like Lyme disease, which was first identified in the Northeast U.S. (It was named after its place of discovery, Old Lyme, Connecticut.) Babesia was first reported in Nantucket, Mass. in 1969. Like Lyme, babesia has spread from its point of origin throughout the U.S. to become the most common piroplasm-type (pear shaped) parasite that infects human beings. And like Lyme, Babesia isn't always easy to detect in human blood, particularly among asymptomatic patients. Unlike Lyme, though, it is commonly accepted that Babesia can be -- and is being -- transmitted not only by ticks but also through blood transfusions. According to this article, babesiosis has become "a major transfusion threat." Over 5 million blood transfusions take place annually in the U.S., and donated blood is never tested for babesia, which is easily transmitted via transfusion. According to the article, babesiosis is: the most frequent transfusion-transmitted infection with approximately 162 cases reported since 1980 and 12 associated fatalities in the period 2005-2008. The major reason for this increase is that babesiosis can be asymptomatic, indeed clinically silent, in healthy adults who are the dominant blood donors. Former New Jersey First Lady Jean Byrne died from babesiosis in August 2015. This past August, a former first lady of New Jersey died from a recent babesiosis infection. As of now, donated blood is screened for babesia only by asking donors if they have babesia. If they say no, then the blood may then be transfused to recipients. This is problematic not only because of the risk of donors not being forthcoming about their health, but also -- probably primarily -- because many people who carry babesia are asymptomatic and therefore can't disclose an illness they don't know they have. The FDA finally recommended last May that all donated blood should be tested for Babesia; however, at this time it is not, and while testing would be better than not, blood tests for Babesia -- like those for Lyme and Bartonella -- often result in false negatives, particularly among asymptomatic infected people. The non-testing policy for babesia in donated blood is a stark contrast for the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) highly conservative HIV policy, which not only tests (as it should) all donated blood samples for the HIV virus, but which also prohibits blood donations from any man who has had sex with another man within the past 12 months (yet has no similar prohibition against heterosexual men and women, regardless of the number of sex partners or whether those partners engaged in high-risk sexual activities). Advertisement [Transfusion-transmitted Babesia] TTB has become one of the most commonly reported transfusion-transmitted infections in the United States. Thus, there is an urgent need to develop sensitive and specific methods for screening for this pathogen or alternative methods for eliminating it from the blood supply. A July 18, 2014 memo from American Association of Blood Banks President Dr. Graham Sher to AABB members cautioned that "TTB is the leading infectious cause of mortality (38%) in transfusion recipients as reported to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)." The memo also notes that "of all the total cases reported, 77 percent were reported from 1999 to 2009, suggesting a rapid increase in frequency..." The memo encourages better screening for babesia, but observes that "no FDA-licensed testing method to reduce TTB incidence is available." Toothbrushing Pastes and bristles have been around for thousands of years. However, tooth brushing was not scientifically supported until the late 1600's in Europe, and it did not come fully into fashion in the United States until after WWII. That's a long span of time. The adoption of physical exercise followed a similar path; ancient Roman leaders touted it's value, but the first scientific evidence was reported in the 1950's, and the practice was not widespread in adult culture until the 1970's. Sometimes it takes us a while to pick up on good stuff. The practice of mindfully refocusing - consciously taking an open posture, breathing, paying attention, and accepting present conditions - has been taught in different forms for millennia. The body of scientific research that connects this practice with well-being and performance is large and mounting daily. The wariness of adopting this practice in daily life is normal - human beings are often reluctant to engage in new behaviors. In fact, in many cases, we would rather take a pill with a host of side effects than change what we do. Advertisement Despite the fact that refocusing is free, portable, and effective, it will be some time until it is a part of our culture in the way that brushing our teeth is. We have voices in our head that tell us that being mindful is "too hard" or "not concrete enough." We give ourselves grief because we feel that we "should" practice. Rather than actually develop the habit, we satisfy ourselves by reading about it or by resting in the knowledge that it is good for us. All of these are clever strategies that your habit brain uses to keep you from just doing it. What if you decided to start a daily practice of refocusing? What could that look like? You could start and end each day with 1-2 minutes of: Opening your posture, your breathing, and your smile Noticing your surroundings, the sensations in your body, and the thoughts in your mind Accepting your present circumstances, your humanity, and your responsibility You could stop multiple times a day and, in the time it takes to breathe a single breath, practice accessing an open, aware, and accepting state. You could connect with what is present, what is important, and what is under your control. The research is clear - this practice of refocusing reduces stress and anxiety, improves relationships and performance, and contributes to physical and psychological well-being. Currently there is no pill on the market with as much promise and as few complications. Advertisement Of course, no one can make you do this, and, because it is new, it may feel awkward at first. Physical reminders such as sticky notes, alarms, and calendar apps can be very helpful in developing the habit. Like It is helpful to practice when we are feeling great and when we are feeling awful -- when we want to and when we don't. Refocusing won't cure cancer and it won't get rid of the natural discomfort of being human, but it can help you find balance, opportunities for growth, and connection with purpose and people in the midst of all the demands and distractions of life. We are in the midst of men's and women's fashion weeks here in NYC. As a longtime New Yorker who never quite habituated to the fashionistas filling the sidewalks, and a clinical psychologist who works with women and men with body image concerns and eating problems, I cannot help but wonder (in the apropos words of Carrie Bradshaw): If Barbie can get a new body, can't New York do its part to move fashion forward? NYC may be the fashion capital of the world, but it's Italy, Spain, Israel, and most recently France, who seem to be the trendsetters in modeling a healthier runway. In the last decade, these countries have all enacted bans on overly thin models walking the catwalk. France has gone so far as to criminalize the act of designers or agents employing underweight models, requiring a doctor's note indicating that a model's health is "compatible with the practice" of their job, and requiring that digitally edited images be explicitly labeled. It's time for the US to join the ranks of these nations, and New York, a state that is home to the epicenter of this country's fashion industry, is well poised to lead the way. In 2013, New York passed legislation to add protections for child models. The Child Performers Protection Act, a similar bill, was introduced nationally in Congress in July 2015. Unlike initiatives in other parts of the world, these pieces of legislation do not seem to take on the issue of starvation and its related problems, nor do they apply to models at or above 18 years old. Advertisement Naysayers note that it is unfair to blame the incidence of eating disorders on an entire industry. And on this, they are correct. To be crystal clear, it is not that these models, or the fashion industry, cause eating disorders. In fact, scientific studies suggest that biological factors (including genetics) play a larger role than shared environmental factors (such as models, actors, or media). But the field of fashion does bear some responsibility for promoting the notion that super-thin is ideal - that it's really possible and important for anyone and everyone to achieve - and that it's the way to look good and feel good in your clothing, and in your own skin. (In reality, there are many ways to work on feeling good about yourself at any size.) When a homogenous group of models (all tall, all very thin, and still predominantly white) strut down the runway, their bodies can't help but embody a message about what beautiful is (and isn't) to the general public. And hear the message we do. Research suggests that when this siren narrowly defining the body-ideal sounds, it serves to lower self-esteem, worsen mood, and increase body dissatisfaction and eating disorder symptoms in those most at risk. The message is not just a little bit biased. It's highly inconsistent with the bodies most of us have, or could achieve or sustain without a troubling amount of hypervigilance over food, weight, and exercise. For some, the message's impact on wellbeing is subtle and fleeting; for others, its impression is more enduring. Advertisement It is also quite possible that the low weight ranges maintained by many models is inconsistent with their overall wellbeing. Underweight status, defined as body mass index (BMI: a weight for height measurement calculated as kg/m2) of less than 18.5 for most people, ought not to be coveted. The Center for Disease Control's guideline for the threshold at which an individual is first considered to be underweight sits where it does because research has shown that people who remain below this threshold do not live as long as those at relatively higher weights (with one recent study finding underweight adults to have a 1.8 times greater risk of dying than those with a BMI in the 'normal' range - 18.5-24.9). In addition to mortality risk, being underweight carries with it a range of negative physical and psychological. These include, but are not limited to, a loss of reproductive functioning, poor bone health, low mood, high anxiety, and obsessionality with all things eating- and food-related. When a work environment poses a health risk to employees, the US has a history of enacting regulations to minimize these risks. It is unfair to rest the responsibility of upturning an entire industry on models, young men and women susceptible to workplace pressures to be thin at any cost. Instead, the fashion industry's policymakers should shoulder the burden of responsibility for change. New policies ought to be no less protective of and no less responsive to employees with eating disorders and related problems than they would be in any other industry and for any other health concern. No matter how chic the styles that hit the runways this Fashion Week in NYC, we are terribly off-trend when it comes to caring for the wellbeing of the models, and the psyche of the American consumer. This post originally appeared on The Feed, a blog from the team at the Columbia Center for Eating Disorders, on February 8, 2016. Advertisement For information on eating disorder treatment and research, contact the Center for Eating Disorders at 646-774-8066 (New York State Psychiatric Institute/Columbia University Medical Center) or 888-694-5700 (New York-Presbyterian Hospital/ Westchester Division), or the National Eating Disorders Association at 1-800-273-8255. -- When someone tells us about Mr. Johnson, we do not know whether the man is single or married. If we are told something about Mrs. Smith, we gather she is married. And when we hear that Miss McGuire is beautiful we are certain she is single. In the fifties Ms. came on the linguistic stage as a title of respect which did not indicate a woman's marital status. Its usage is varied: widespread in business, rejected by some newspaper editors, waved like a banner by champions of women's rights. We all know that if a lawyer wishes to make money, he must work hard. Seldom will we hear she. The awkward he/she just won't do. Lawyer, teacher, friend, nurse, writer, for example, do not indicate gender. We always assume that secretaries and nurses are female, but we often err. We only had mailmen, policemen, firemen and chairmen. Not any more. To paraphrase Cervantes: In the language of yesteryear, there are new words this year. Advertisement Language is not sexist, society is. Words are not to blame for what mankind -as opposed to womankind- has done to language. Both woman and man created this means of communication, but man, being physically stronger, imposed his views on how society should be. Inventions like chastity belts, lapidation for adultery, harems, nunneries ("Get thee to a nunnery!" shouts Hamlet to meek Ophelia), tying of women's feet in China, the idea of God being a father and not a mother, the droit de seigneur, reflect the dominance of man for centuries, until yesterday. In our western countries this dominance is a thing of the past, except in language. In Spain women have shaken the fetters and have attained more freedoms, I would say, than even in the US. And rightly so. Men now try to make an issue of discrimination in language and insist on changing it in order to humor women, most of whom fall for it. Let me roll up my sleeves, spit on my hands and try to explain what I mean. People think that Spanish has two genders: masculine and feminine: el, masculine, el abuelo and la, feminine, la abuela. Some words are masculine, others feminine for historical reasons. Simple? Not at all, because Spanish has six genders: masculino, femenino, neutro, comun, epiceno and ambiguo. There! Let me tell you about the genero comun. There are nouns that do not change at all, and we simply add el for masculine, and la for feminine: Advertisement El testigo / la testigo, the witness El vidente / la vidente, the seer El juez / la juez, the judge El interprete / la interprete, the interpreter El miembro / la miembro, the member The champions of women's rights go around saying la jueza, la miembra, la testiga, la videnta... thinking that this way, paying lip service to women, they right the wrongs of the past. Taxi drivers do not insist on being called el taxisto, instead of taxista. The same champions insist on saying amigos y amigas, papas y mamas, hermanos y hermanas, when the masculine plural includes both genders: mis tios, my uncle and my aunt, mis hermanos, my brothers and sisters, my siblings. Is this sexist and discriminatory? Does it warrant a change in the ancient wiring of language? Calling a woman testiga instead of testigo or interpreta instead of interprete does not add a whit to her rightful freedoms and independence. Let's respect persons, human beings, in our daily life and let us leave well-enough alone. Words are not to blame: "What's in a name? That which we call a rose / by any other name would smell as sweet." Equal pay and respect for equal work, there's the rub. An old Spanish proverb says: Dame pan y dime tonto, give me bread and call me a fool. MT PLEASANT, SC - FEBRUARY 16: Republican presidential candidate Ted Cruz gives a speech on international security and expanding the U.S. military on board of the USS Yorktown on February 16, 2016 in Mt Pleasant, South Carolina. Cruz, one of the more conservative candidates running for president, criticized the Obama administration for shrinking the military and for not being aggressive enough on the international stage. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images) Several people I know well and greatly respect are supporting Ted Cruz. Even one of my siblings is in Cruz's corner. Yes, this Republican primary has become another civil war, literally pitting brother against brother. Advertisement It's no secret that I support Donald Trump, so anyone is of course free to weigh my obvious agenda which includes wanting to see Trump's opponents vanquished and off the field sooner rather than later so we can all move on to the November campaign. But nothing can change the fact that I honestly can't fathom why we're even still talking about Ted Cruz at this point. Of the candidates left in the GOP field, Cruz wears his religion on his sleeve the most. That's always a red flag for me from-the-get-go with any politician. But if a candidate backs it up with their actions, I suppose I don't have a big problem with it. My guess is that God would prefer that His name be left out of this game, but I know many good people would disagree. In any case, the real question is, how do Cruz's actions square with his talk and regular quoting of Bible verses? Well let's start with the Iowa caucuses. Advertisement First there was the Cruz campaign mailer which was deliberately made to look like it came from a government agency, and blared the words "Voting Violation" in big block letters. Utilizing the recipient's voting record, the mailer appealed to social pressure and was an attempt to shame potential Cruz voters into attending the caucuses. Iowa's Secretary of State publicly blasted the mailer, saying it misrepresented the role of his office as well as Iowa election law. But Cruz had no apologies. He brushed off all condemnations with the excuse that others had done a similar thing in the past. Putting aside the question of how "Christian" such a tactic might be, when you have to resort to basically intimidating your own supporters into showing up to vote, I would say your campaign has bigger problems. But let's move on to February 1, Iowa caucus night. It is undisputed that multiple staff members and supporters from Cruz's campaign disseminated information they knew was a lie -- specifically that Ben Carson planned to quit the race. We'll never know the exact extent of the harm inflicted on Carson, but no one even tries to claim the vote for Carson wasn't fraudulently suppressed to some degree. No doubt Cruz is sorry he got caught stealing votes from Carson, but there is absolutely no evidence that Cruz actually regrets what happened or that he wouldn't do it again. Cruz has demanded absolutely zero accountability within his operation and he has fired no one. Advertisement I frankly don't understand why more Republicans aren't standing-up and sending the message to the world that if you want to play these kinds of unethical games which tamper with the free and honest exercise of the right to vote, then there is no place for you in our Grand Old Party. Drawing a line in the sand and saying enough is enough would not only be the right thing to do, it would deter similar kinds of sleazy conduct in the future. That would benefit everyone -- and the voters most of all. Folks shouldn't forget. This sleazy conduct by Cruz's campaign, which he himself obviously has no problem with, didn't just harm a good man and fellow Christian Ben Carson, it damages the entire Republican Party. What Cruz did destroys the GOP brand, which in the old days at least used to stand for the idea that the right to vote is sacred. In fact when you let your operatives get away with deceitfully suppressing the vote for your opponent -- inside the room where people are voting no less -- you're having a tremendously corrosive effect on American Democracy itself. The fact that the old GOP bosses don't get it, and the fact that Donald Trump alone stood in defense of Carson against Cruz's dastardly deeds, is exactly why Trump is so far ahead in this race. Advertisement America is hungry for leadership and Donald Trump is the only one showing any -- in either party. Not only is Trump the only one on the field making a plausible case for a better America, he's the only one on the field making the case for a better Republican Party. As Trump said after the debate Saturday night regarding Cruz: "When people are lying you must straighten them out." It's no wonder Trump scares the career politicians so much. Trump's attitude about honesty and accountability may seem like common sense to normal people with real jobs, but it's a foreign language to people like Ted Cruz and other candidates, and the special interests and lobbyists who wholly-own them. I've detailed only a couple of examples of Cruz's disturbing conduct and lies here. And I've previously explained how Cruz remains completely dishonest when it comes to the serious question hanging over his head regarding his eligibility under our U.S. Constitution for the new office he seeks. In the past week alone, two more respected constitutional scholars joined the long list of legal experts who say Cruz is not eligible according to the Founders' original intent. See here and here. Cruz is the first to mount a high horse and pretend he was put here on Earth to defend the Founding Fathers' original intent on every other issue. But of course when the Founders' words have a direct bearing on the next government job he wants, Cruz has a different strategy. On the issue of his eligibility, Cruz keeps telling his supporters there's nothing to worry about, that the legal question is settled -- even though he has to know that most every legal expert who has studied the issue says he's 100% wrong. They virtually all say that it's very much an open question which has in fact never been litigated. Advertisement I can't speak for Canada where Cruz is from. But here in America we call that being a liar - and a hypocrite. We should probably add opportunist too. Is there any hope that Cruz could ever clean-up his act? I would say no. That's not realistic. We're talking about a pattern of dishonesty that is too long and ingrained. On Sunday morning, the day after the most recent debate, Cruz dishonestly stated on ABC's "This Week" program that if Trump becomes president, "the Second Amendment will be written out of the Constitution." There is simply no hope for someone who makes up such hysterical lies. Just the thought of putting someone like that in charge of the greatest country in history is offensive to most. I know Cruz supporters are very good people. No one is questioning that fact. My beef is with Ted Cruz, someone I see as willing to lead his flock astray, a user, and someone who doesn't care the slightest bit about turning good people into enablers for his dishonesty and constitutional opportunism. Advertisement Since I've hit Cruz a bit for being too church-y, I'm not going to quote Bible verses. But I am going to suggest to the good people supporting Ted Cruz that they might want to read that one verse again, the one that warns of the wolves coming in sheep's clothing. Doug Ibendahl is a Chicago Attorney and a former General Counsel of the Illinois Republican Party. Nursing my infant son, I marveled at the depth of tenderness possible in this heart. Reading the letter from my ex-husband's attorney, I was shocked at my rage, at the compulsion to seek vengeance. The dance with loved ones has exposed the shadow, as well as a loving awareness that is the very source of our being. Two heart practices have allowed me to live increasingly from loving awareness. One is learning to see the vulnerability--my own, others--that drives painful behaviors. This arouses a healing compassion. The other is pausing and purposefully looking toward the goodness--the awareness, care, humor and wisdom--that shines through each of us. This awakens the loving that carries us home. Tara Brach, Ph.D. Author of Radical Acceptance and True Refuge The concept of "value" is at the core of one of the most important movements in the health care industry today. From broad reforms designed to shift our payment system to reward value rather than volume, to new tools to help consumers shop for the most bang for their buck, it seems as though everyone -- including this writer, in this blog -- is talking about value. As I mentioned in an earlier post, a very simple equation can be used to conceptualize and define value -- it's the ratio of the quality of care relative to the costs of delivering that care. Sounds straightforward enough, doesn't it? Cost is relatively easy to measure. But spoiler alert! Defining specific metrics to measure quality, or even what is included in a quality measure, is an extraordinarily complex endeavor that requires coordination by many stakeholders and tons of data. Here is the good news: Things are about to get quite a bit simpler. The Core Quality Measures Collaborative is an unprecedented effort that brings together major provider organizations, employers, consumers and a group of payers, including the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, that collectively provide coverage for over 70 percent of insured Americans. On Feb. 16, the collaborative released seven core sets of clinical quality metrics that those participating in the collaborative have agreed to use for measuring several key areas of medical care. Advertisement The effort strikes at the heart of a key question in health care: How do we measure where we are, where we wish to go and how well we are progressing towards achieving higher quality while also managing costs? Quality is a crucial facet of health care value because without it, the dynamics of the industry could devolve into a race to the bottom on costs. Focusing on quality and cost together will help shape the health care system into one that delivers high-quality care to the broadest population possible, at an affordable price for the consumer, while also providing individuals with information relevant to them as they make their own health care decisions. We at Health Care Service Corporation have for years incorporated quality measurement in our relationships with contracting doctors and hospitals. Like us, nearly every stakeholder in the health care ecosystem wants to see to it that patients or members receive quality care. But it turns out that in pursuit of that lofty goal, we in the health care industry find ourselves with another problem: Each of us has our own set of metrics that may measure similar aspects of quality in different ways. It would be like the Chicago Blackhawks and New York Rangers assigning different point values for goals. Advertisement In medicine, keeping up with all of the metrics for just two or three payers and multiple accrediting bodies is enough to drive even the most mild-mannered physician -- to use a medical term -- bonkers. On top of that, using different measures makes it impossible to compare results between systems and payers or combine information in a way that could give consumers a better idea of health care value. It is in response to this that the Core Quality Measures Collaborative came together around three specific key aims. Recognize high-value, high-impact, evidence-based measures that promote better patient health outcomes and provide useful information for improvement, decision-making and payment. Reduce the burden of measurement and volume of measures by eliminating low-value metrics, redundancies and inconsistencies in measure specifications and quality measure reporting requirements across payers. Refine, align and harmonize measures across payers to achieve congruence in the measures being used for payment and other accountability purposes. Advertisement The result of this process to recognize, reduce and refine is seven core measure sets -- for Accountable Care Organizations (ACO)/Patient Centered Medical Homes (PCMH)/Primary Care; Cardiology; Gastroenterology; HIV/Hepatitis C; Oncology; Orthopedics; and Obstetrics and Gynecology -- that have been agreed upon by payers and providers participating in the collaborative as the most important and relevant metrics to use to measure quality. The development of a common set of metrics should be celebrated by all health care stakeholders as a huge step in the right direction to create a high-value health system. It's good news for doctors, because it will mean lightening their burden for collection and reporting of data, freeing them to focus on quality improvement and patient care. Common measures will allow employers and other groups to be more discerning purchasers of health care for their employees and members. And for payers and agencies who are trying to reform our health care system, it removes a key barrier to the widespread adoption of value-based care by standardizing the ruler by which progress is measured. Lastly, it's good for consumers. To this point, the value has largely been discussed in abstract terms at the highest levels of government and private players in the health care industry. More even than cost of care, quality and how to discern quality variations between different providers brings the discussion to the individual in a tangible and meaningful way. After all, consumers of health care -- and that is all of us at some point in our lives -- are the ones who must live with the outcomes of the care we receive. We can never know for certain whether a given course of care will yield the best outcomes, but with the right information, we can make informed decisions that lead to the greatest likelihood of success. The idea that Democrats want to make America more like Europe is a favorite Republican attack line. Writing in the New York Times, David Brooks expresses amazement that so many millennials are supporting Bernie Sanders, an open admirer of the European model. Why would anyone in his right mind favor "sluggish" Europe over "vibrant" America? If we focus on data rather than snappy sound bites, the attraction of the European model is clear: European countries, especially the high-income democracies of northern Europe, make better use of their wealth in supporting the well-being of their citizens. Here is a chart that gives the big picture. The horizontal axis shows gross domestic product per capita. (GDP here is measured at purchasing power parity to remove distortions caused by over- or undervalued exchange rates.) The vertical axis shows a measure of human well-being called the Social Progress Index. Unlike some other broad indexes of human welfare, the SPI does not explicitly include income, wealth or GDP. Instead, it regards them as "inputs" that support the production of "outputs" like health, security and personal freedoms. Advertisement Several features stand out in the chart. First, as shown by the black trend line, higher GDP does, on average, contribute to human welfare, although the relationship is far from linear. At low levels of income, growth of real GDP has a strong payoff in quality of life. For middle- and upper-income countries, higher GDP is still associated with improvements to human welfare, but the relationship is not as tight and the payoff to an extra dollar of economic output is less. New Zealand, the country with the highest SPI index of all, has a relatively modest per capita GDP of just over $30,000. Second, we see that the wealthy countries of northern Europe, shown by the blue dots, all lie above the trend line. Given their incomes, they do better than we would expect at converting economic performance into good lives for their citizens. The United States, although among the very wealthiest countries in the world, does only an average job. Third, we see that the somewhat less prosperous southern and eastern members of the European Union, shown by the red squares, also perform rather well. All of them except Romania, Greece and Italy lie above the trend line. Some of them, including Estonia, Portugal, the Czech Republic and Slovenia, have SPI scores nearly as high as the U.S., despite having only about half the GDP per capita. European countries, especially the high-income democracies of northern Europe, make better use of their wealth in supporting the well-being of their citizens. But, you may say, the very name of this Social Progress Index makes it sound rigged to reflect left-wing values. What about things that conservatives prioritize, such as security from crime and terrorism, respect for property rights, absence of corruption, literacy and freedoms of the press, speech, religion and assembly? It turns out they are part of the SPI too. We can get a clearer picture by breaking down the SPI into three components that its authors refer to as "Basic Human Needs," "Foundations of Well-being" and "Opportunity." Basic Human Needs include indicators like nutrition, basic medical care, access to clean water, sanitation, shelter and security from crime and terrorism. The next chart shows that northern European countries are among the best in the world in providing for the basic human needs of their citizens. All of them do a better job than the U.S., which, as shown by its position below the trend line, does significantly worse than expected for a country with such a high income. Most of the remaining members of the EU also do a better than expected job of providing for basic human needs, relative to their lower levels of GDP. The picture is very much the same for the "Foundations of Well-being" group, which includes indicators like literacy and quality of primary education, access to mobile phones and Internet, life expectancy and environmental quality. European countries, by and large, perform better than expected for their levels of GDP. All of the high-income Northern European countries do better than the U.S., which, again, lies well below the global trend. Most of the eastern and southern EU members outperform the U.S. too. Still, you may be thinking: "Isn't it true that Europeans pay for their welfare state benefits by accepting reduced freedoms and opportunities?" Not really, as the next chart shows. The "Opportunity" component of the SPI includes indicators of political rights, freedom of speech and religion, property rights, tolerance, freedom of personal choice and access to higher education. Advertisement The U.S. does perform well in terms of "Opportunity" indicators, but not conspicuously better than many northern European countries. In contrast to the other groups of indicators here, the U.S. lies well above the global trend line relating opportunity to GDP per capita. However, that is not because it outperforms Europe but rather because the trend line is pulled down by the dismal record on opportunity, freedom and tolerance of a handful of resource-rich but undemocratic countries like Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Russia. So just where is the surprise? Why should we be amazed that young voters think it would be not be so bad if America were more like Denmark, Finland or the Netherlands? In a recent interview, George Stephanopoulos cautioned Sanders that Republicans were likely to jump all over him for saying the U.S. should be more like Scandinavia. "That's right. And what's wrong with that?" Sanders replied. "What's wrong when you have more income and wealth equality? What's wrong when they have a stronger middle class in many ways than we do, higher minimum wage than we do and they are stronger on the environment than we do?" Of course, Europe is not a monolith. Not every European country does everything right, nor does the U.S. do everything wrong. It is nice to know that it is possible for a country to provide its citizens with basic human needs and the foundations of welfare without sacrificing freedom and opportunity. Europe points the way. Follow Dolan's blog at www.economonitor.com. Republican presidential candidate Ben Carson speaks during the CBS News Republican Presidential Debate in Greenville, South Carolina, February 13, 2016. / AFP / JIM WATSON (Photo credit should read JIM WATSON/AFP/Getty Images) Say what you will about presidential candidate Ben Carson, but his performance in Saturday's Republican debate has moved his party forward. After years of Republicans comparing Barack Obama to Hitler, we now know that the GOP is our only hope against a rival totalitarian dictator: Joseph Stalin. And, really, it's only fair. Hitler has been dead for 71 years, while Stalin has only been (intermittently) buried for 62. It's the Republican brand of progress: giving the younger dead a chance. Advertisement For Russia watchers, this is exciting news. When Carson invoked Stalin during his closing speech at the debate, our ears perked up: finally, our historical expertise will have its moment! There is only one problem: Stalin never said the words attributed to him by Carson. The Truth Is (Way) Out There Fortunately, it turns out that Caron's use of this fake quote is far more interesting than any real Stalin quote could have been. The words Stalin never said actually demonstrate how close American fringe discourse is to that of their fellow tinfoil-hat-wearers in the Russian-speaking world. Both Russian and American conspiracy theorists are obsessed with the idea that external and internal enemies are wearing away at the moral fabric of their respective countries. First, let's look at Carson's quote: It was Joseph Stalin who I guess put it very succinctly. He said, 'In order to destroy America ... you have to undermine three principles: their spiritual life, their patriotism, and their morality. And he said, 'If you can undermine those things, America will collapse from within.' Well, we're within the process of collapsing from within if we continue to accept deceit and dirty tricks and lies. And people who do that are still viable candidates for president of the United States. And we accept it. That's the problem that's going on. These words (which apparently come from a popular meme in the right-wing blogosphere) would warm the hearts of a Russian conspiracy-monger, because all you have to do is change the name of the country in question to come up with a very familiar Russian wingnut sentiment that has moved further and further into the mainstream. As Alexander Fokin points out on Facebook, the Stalin quote sounds as though it were lifted from one of the most popular Russian conspiratorial ideas: the so-called Dulles Plan. Advertisement The Dulles Plan is not my personal favorite out of all the myths about how Americans and/or Jews have been plotting Russia's downfall: the Harvard Project, in which a cabal of Ivy League Jewish homosexuals schemed to bring down the Soviet Union by ruining the population's gene pool and turning them gay, will always hold a special place in my heart. But the Dulles Plan has a much broader reach. Like the Protocols of the Elders of Zion, the Dulles Plan started out as fiction only to be transformed into (you should pardon the expression) "fact." In Anatoly Ivanov's novel The Eternal Call (1971-1976; 1981), one of the villains delivers a speech that, word for word, ends up attribute dot former CIA Director Allen Dulles a decade later: When the war ends, everything will work itself out. And we will throw everything we've got, everything we own: all the gold, all the material strength on turning people into idiots! The human brain, people's consciousness are all capable of change. After we seed chaos in them, we will imperceptibly switch out their values for false ones and make them believe in these false values! How, you ask? How? [...] We'll find like-minded people: our allies and our helpers in Russia itself! In Russia, the Dulles Plan was a pre-digital Internet meme, from back in the days when memes had to walk twenty miles in the freezing cold before finding a gullible host to infect. As in America, some of these hosts are famous and influential: the Oscar-winning film director Nikita Mikhalkov, and Russia's answer to Donald Trump (before Donald Trump was ever a question), the scandalous and entertaining parliamentarian clown named Vladimir Zhirinovsky. Conspiracy theories are notoriously omnivorous. If you follows the lead long enough, then of course you discover that the Jews and the Masons are working for the underground lizard people and their allies, the rectal-probing aliens. But Carson's brief Stalinist moment is a reminder of something even more important. To paraphrase Leo Tolstoy, a decidedly un-conspiratorial Russian classic: All conspiracy theories are alike; each theory of complexity and nuance is complex and nuanced in its own way. Advertisement Really, the convergence of Ben Carson and Russian lunatics is rather heartwarming: it reminds us of the common humanity (and common insanity) that disregards all national borders. --Victims may refrain from bringing legal actions against Syrian officials for fear of vindictive measures-- The following Op-Ed consists of excerpts from my speech at the 23rd annual Canadian International Law Students' Conference (CILSC), convened on Friday, January 29, 2016, at the Osgoode Hall Law School, York University, Toronto, Canada.Since its eruption in March 2011, the Syrian peoples' movement for freedom and democracy has significantly changed. It has gradually shifted from a peaceful uprising to a civil war, and finally became a sectarian warfare. This dramatic change has occurred when Hezbollah and Iran--both belonging to the Shi'i faith--sent troops to fight alongside the government forces, majority of them belong to the Alawite sect, on the one hand, and when Salafists and jihadists--all belonging to the Sunni faith--sided with the Free Syrian Army (FSA), on the other. As in most internal and transnational armed conflicts, rape has been a horrific component of the Syrian sectarian war, becoming a widespread weapon of terror and a form of torture to extract information from rebels or their family members and supporters. The aim of the perpetrators is to destroy the identity of the victims, intimidate them, and break the social fabric of their communities. Numerous reports indicate that most of these crimes were allegedly carried out by the Alawite government security forces, pro-government paramilitaries "shabbiha", as well as by Hezbollah troops. Advertisement Several reports also indicate that the situation for Syrian women and girls is frightening. Many families have fled the country to protect their women from rape, which was employed as a weapon of "sectarian cleansing"--a new conflict-related crime to be added to the long list of crimes against humanity, embodied in Article 7 of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC). Firsthand information collected from Syrian refugees in Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq and Turkey, reveals that Syrian women and young girls were gang-raped and many of them impregnated. They have been assaulted in detention and interrogation centres; during home raids and searches, often in front of members of their families; and in public at checkpoints and roadblocks. They were, and still are, in a living death behind bars or in refugee camps inside and outside Syria, and continue to be vulnerable to different kinds of exploitation by both friends and foes. In a heart-wrenching story from Za'tari refugee camp in Jordan, a father was forced to surrender his underage daughter to government security forces at a checkpoint after being threatened with the death of all family members inside the car. In Syria as well as in other Arab countries, there are unequal gender norms. Customs and domestic laws maintain discriminatory provisions against women, considering them as just sexual objects and symbols of honour rather than human beings treated on an equal footing with men. Accordingly, raping a Syrian woman simply means sentencing her to death, physically, psychologically, and socially. Assaulted women might be killed, abandoned, or socially rejected. Moreover, women could be killed by their own families or commit suicide as a preventive measure of being raped. A report by the International Rescue Committee reveals that a father has shot dead his daughter as they were approached by an armed group in order to prevent the dishonour of her being sexually assaulted. In this respect, testimonies collected in Amman, Jordan, by Hamida Ghafour, Toronto Star's foreign affairs reporter, disclosed that many raped Syrian women had been killed by their families or forced to commit suicide upon their release from jail, as they have allegedly brought "shame" to their families. Others were pressured to marry, even to elderly people to "restore" their honour. In the same vein, Syrian women agents procure teen brides, some as young as 12 years for men as old as 70 years. Ghafour brings to light the story of a 17-year-old bride wedded to a Saudi groom of 70; "the child bride would like to sacrifice herself for her family," as her mother said. Ghafour adds that this case is one of hundreds of forced marriages where teen girls have been "sold to early marriages" as little as $100.00 cash for a bride. However, many of these marriages are temporary, which last only for a few weeks or even days, before these child brides would be returned to their families. A case in point is a girl of 15 who was sold four times to early marriages. Advertisement Nevertheless, in the light of the above discussion, one may identify a number of newly invented conflict-related gender-based crimes, emerging from the sectarian strife in Syria. Firstly: Zawaj Ta'assufi "Arbitrary Marriage"Sexual exploitation and trafficking in young Syrian women and girls have become a disgraceful phenomenon spread during, and as a result of, the sectarian war in Syria. Field researchers discovered that many women who were sexually abused and sought shelter in refugee camps in neighbouring countries--particularly in the Za'tari refugee camp in Jordan--were revictimized and subjected to sexual exploitation. Associated stigma, shame, poverty, revenge, and dishonour have prevented victims and their families from speaking out or seeking help. For that reason, many young victims have been forced by their families to early marriages. The child brides, as young as 12-year-old, have been auctioned by their parents to Arab grooms, who married them as a "patriotic duty" and a form of "support to the revolution" against the Syrian regime. They usually take these young girls as second wives, promising to alleviate the families' financial problems and spare their daughters from a certain harsh life in the refugee camps. These marriages could be classified into two categories: (A) Zawaj al-sawn "protection marriage", where parents force their daughters into early marriages under the pretext of fear of the unknown, fear of rape--which would damage the family's reputation and demolish the girl's future chances to get married--and because of the lack of financial resources to sustain them. Advertisement (B) Zawaj al-sutra "shame marriage", where families push their women who were sexually assaulted in war to marry volunteer Arab grooms in order to preserve their dignity and to restore the families' honour. Unfortunately, many of these arbitrary marriages end up being temporary for pleasure and last only for a few days or weeks. As a result of these deviant and nonbinding marriages, many young girls have been impregnated, abandoned, dumped alone, or left to return to the Za'tari refugee camp injured, insulted, and mortified. This is a form of licensed sexual exploitation, which was imposed by war conditions. However, this crime has motivated a number of Syrian and Arab activists to launch an online campaign under the title laji'at la sabaya "refugees, not spoils of war" to expose individuals and institutions who served as sexual mediators between "grooms" and Syrian needy refugee families in the camp. Secondly: Zawaj al-Istimta' "Pleasure Marriage"In her testimony, a Syrian mother of two little children from the city of Douma, the centre of Damascus governorate, testified that she has been gang-raped by five members of Hezbollah brigade at her home while her husband was participating in demonstrations against the regime. She said that they have forced her, at gunpoint, to zawaj al-istimta' "pleasure marriage," one after another. The perpetrators might have conducted this crime under the plea of practicing zawaj al-mut'a "temporary marriage", commonly practiced by Shi'i communities, including Twelver Shia, who prevail in Iran and Southern Lebanon. In "The Militarization of Sex: The Story of Hezbollah's Halal Hook-ups", a 2009 Foreign Policy article, Hanin Ghaddar provides that Shiite women and men practice temporary marriage as a religious duty. Zahra, a 25-year-old Shiite divorced woman notes that temporary marriages with women whose husbands were killed by Israelis would be more rewarding in heaven. However, zawaj al-mut'a, which was permitted for a very short period of time in the early days of Islam, and strictly prohibited by the Prophet Muhammad on the occasion of the battle of Khybar, as narrated by Ali Ibn Abi Talib, is quite different from this invented gender-based crime. According to the Shiite personal law, temporary marriage is a fixed term marriage, freely performed under a temporary contract between a man and an unmarried woman who agrees to wed for a fixed period of time, spanning to a couple of months, weeks, days, or even hours. The woman should say: I have wedded you myself, declaring firmly the time period of marriage and the dowry. The man must respond by saying: I accepted the marriage. Moreover, when the proposed time is finished, the woman should wait for two menstrual periods before engaging in another marriage. On the contrary, the invented crime "pleasure marriage" is simply a kind of sexual violence and a prostitution in the form of marriage, where Syrian Sunni women, regardless their social status or age, have been allegedly forced to by the sectarian government forces or their allies. Advertisement Finally: Jihad al-Nikah "Sexual Jihad Marriage"It has been widely reported that at least a dozen of young Tunisian girls have been lured to Syria in response to a fatwa "religious legal opinion," allegedly attributed to sheikh Muhammad al-Arifi, an authoritative Saudi Islamic scholar, to temporary marry and provide "sexual services" for jihadist rebels in order to help them better fight against the Alawite Syrian regime. Sheikh al-Arifi has repeatedly denied this fatwa, considering this marriage as a form of prostitution under the pretence of "temporary marriage," which is also a type of adultery and strictly proscribed under Islamic law. However, many commentators argue that the above fatwa lies within the declared war between Shi'i and Sunni faith followers over the Syrian people's revolution. They believe that the fatwa was fabricated and widely disseminated by the Syrian regime and its allies, namely Hezbollah and Iran, to send a twofold message. The first one is directed to the Syrian conservative community with the aim of tarnishing and stigmatizing the jihadist rebels, who allegedly authorized prostitution in the garb of temporary marriages. The second message is to the international community to lose faith in the FSA, which mainly comes from Syria's Sunni majority, and to question its ability to build a free democratic Syria. To this end, regardless the identity of the perpetrators of the above heinous crimes, it is necessary that the international community would take a further step and halt the war waged on Syrian women by all war factions, bring perpetrators to justice, and combat the culture of impunity. To achieve these legitimate goals, however, the UN Security Council should overcome its continuance failure over the past four years to stop war in Syria and refer its case under Chapter VII of the UN Charter to the Prosecutor of the ICC, pursuant to Article 13(b) of the Rome Statute. Moreover, it is also important to call upon the drafters of the Rome Statute of the ICC to reconceptualise, classify, define, and label gender-based crimes--including these newly introduced by the sectarian war in Syria--and incorporate them in the provisions of the Statute, as well as in the States Parties' national criminal legislations under core crimes, namely war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide. Cooling towers emit vapor at Ferrybridge coal fired power station, operated by SSE Plc, in Ferrybridge, U.K., on Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2016. By the end of March, SSE Plc will probably have closed almost all its coal generation in the U.K. after the clean-dark spread, a measure of the profitability of burning the fuel, turned negative. Photographer: Matthew Lloyd/Bloomberg via Getty Images As a public interest attorney and law professor, I've admired Justice Antonin Scalia's strong intellect and passion even if I don't share his legal philosophy and sometimes think that his "vivid" writing style is neither civil nor constructive for the courts. As a compassionate person, I join with others in mourning his passing. As a dedicated environmentalist, I recognize the breath of fresh air that this turn of events infuses into the federal courts' review of the Clean Power Plan, which is a vital legal building block for United States' leadership to help solve global climate change problems. In short, the Clean Power Plan now has a better chance of being upheld on appeal during the incessant litigation brought by coal companies and some states to stop it from ever taking effect. The U.S. EPA's Clean Power Plan is based on the Clean Air Act's requirement that the agency must regulate to reduce pollution, including carbon dioxide, which endangers public health. In Massachusetts v. EPA (2007) and American Electric Power (AEP) v. Connecticut (2009), the Supreme Court upheld the EPA's authority to regulate carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas pollution under the Clean Air Act. For the power plant sector, the Clean Power Plan sets overall pollution reduction targets to be achieved by each state and provides flexible approaches to accomplish the results. Advertisement The Clean Power Plan isn't the only way for the United States to show leadership and meet its greenhouse gas pollution reduction commitments made at the Paris COP21 Climate Conference. Rapid improvements in solar energy and wind power equipment and in energy efficiency technologies, including LED lighting and better ballasts, are transforming and cleaning up the electricity sector. Congress recently extended the federal production tax credit for wind power and the federal investment tax credit for solar energy. That supports investments and accelerated growth of these clean technologies. These are important actions that can help hold down global temperatures and mitigate climate change. The Clean Power Plan and these tax policies drive energy markets, and the clean technologies developed and deployed in the U.S. can be transferred to developing nations to help reduce global greenhouse gas pollution. Whether carbon dioxide pollution is emitted in Indiana, India, or Indonesia, it has the same impact in heating the atmosphere. On February 9th, the U.S. Supreme Court, by a 5-4 vote, issued an extraordinary stay, which suspended the Clean Power Plan while certain coal companies and some states litigate their appeals of the EPA's rulemaking. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia's three-judge panel, which is hearing the appeal, had unanimously rejected the stay motion. Most experienced attorneys viewed the stay motion as a "Hail Mary" pass unlikely to succeed precisely because the Supreme Court had never granted such a motion in this type of case. Now, the Court has done so in short order without much legal explanation. That short 5-4 stay order was procedural and did not substantively determine the case. The standards for a stay, however, require finding that the appellants demonstrate at least some reasonable possibility of success on the ultimate merits. The Supreme Court's shocking stay order not only indicated that there might be five Justices inclined to overturn the EPA's Clean Power Plan, but sent a warning signal to the Court of Appeals. Advertisement Now, the odds look better for the Clean Power Plan on appeal. Counting Supreme Court votes is an uncertain venture, but with Justice Scalia's passing, the numbers have shifted. Justices Breyer, Ginsburg, Kagan and Sotomayor, who dissented on the Court's granting of the stay motion, indicated their support for the Clean Power Plan as do their votes in previous cases. That's four votes. On the other side, Justice Kennedy previously joined the majority decisions in Massachusetts v. EPA and AEP v. Connecticut, but surprised many with his vote to grant the stay in the Clean Power Plan case. His vote on the merits is up for grabs. Chief Justice Roberts joined Justice Ginsburg's majority opinion in AEP, presumably on stare decisis grounds, after dissenting from the majority in Massachusetts. Justices Alito, Scalia and Thomas all voted to grant the stay and were widely viewed to be likely votes against upholding the Clean Power Plan if and when the appeal reaches the Supreme Court on the merits. The lineup of votes now shifts. Remember that much can change, just as it has with Justice Scalia's passing. The majorities on this landmark environmental case are fragile. Scenario #1: President Obama's nomination of a new Justice is confirmed by the U.S. Senate, and that appointee provides a fifth vote joining with at least the current four Justices likely to support the Clean Power Plan. Yes, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and other Republican Senators and Presidential candidates immediately leaped up to announce that they would stop any nomination for the next 11 months. President Obama announced that he will move forward to "fulfill my constitutional responsibility to nominate a successor in due time." Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid urged the President to make his nomination soon. The negotiations will soon begin. President Obama is the President for the next 11 months, and he is not going to sit on his constitutional responsibility and his opportunity to nominate a new Justice to the U.S. Supreme Court. The "typical" Senate hearing process on new Supreme Court nominees has been about 70 days in recent years. The longest hearing processes have been around 108 days. The Obama Presidency continues for 340 days. Advertisement There will be intense political pressure on the Senate Republicans, especially those who are candidates for re-election in challenging races, to not be deemed obstructionists with control of the Senate at stake in the November 2016 elections. If President Obama nominates a "confirmable" Justice, there may well be a fifth vote to uphold the Clean Power Plan when the case reaches the Court in 2017. It won't be easy, but it may be doable. Scenario #2: OK. Senator McConnell and his fellow Republican Senators may stop the confirmation process no matter what. The D.C. Court of Appeals will be hearing oral argument in the Clean Power Plan case in early June 2016. If the three-judge panel upholds the Clean Power Plan - and the full Court of Appeals either denies rehearing en banc or upholds after an en banc hearing - then the first question is whether the Supreme Court grants a petition for certiorari. Almost certainly, yes. This is the sort of nationally important case that the Court usually decides. The second question is how the Supreme Court will rule on the merits: It would take five votes to reverse the Court of Appeals, and it's hard to see how to get there among the current eight Justices. On the other hand, if Justice Kennedy joins with Justice Ginsburg and three other Justices, as he did in Massachusetts and AEP, then that would provide a 5-3 majority to uphold the Clean Power Plan. Scenario #3: Let's assume that Senator McConnell and his fellow Republican Senators stop the confirmation process no matter what. The next President will nominate the ninth Justice. Who's the next President? Who knows. Who's elected President? Is it a Democrat who supports the Clean Power Plan, or does a Republican President attempt to undo the Clean Power Plan and appoint a new Justice who reflects Justice Scalia's views? Who controls the Senate following the November 2016 elections - Democrats or Republicans? What if Congress decides to amend the Clean Air Act or, as some hope, enact a carbon fee to replace the Clean Power Plan? What if another Justice retires or passes, thereby creating an additional vacancy and further shifting the alignment of votes? Advertisement "I'm African-American. I'm African." At the 58th annual Grammy Awards, Kendrick Lamar shook the stage with a powerful, compelling performance which rendered him a long, standing ovation. With his album, To Pimp a Butterfly introduced by actor Don Cheadle as a "hip-hop masterpiece", Lamar emerged on the staged, sweating, shackled in chains with other Black men, in what was clearly a prison setting. Performing renditions of "Blacker The Berry" and "Alright", his performance and energetic lyrics were loaded with pro-Black, social justice-centered symbolism and more than timely, racial socio-political themes. Using African traditional dances, imagery and aestheticism, Lamar's performance was uncut, unafraid and unequivocally unapologetic; and based on the some of the faces in the crowd, maybe a little too much to handle. The conclusion of his stage act was embroidered with the resounding presence of an image of Africa, black and bold, with the word "Compton" -- Lamar's hometown -- stamped in the middle of the continent. While Lamar's in-depth artistry has rendered him to be, by many, one of the most prolific hip-hop artists of our time, it is his attention to grander, global narratives and how he so eloquently bridges the gap between historical and contemporary issues which makes him stand apart from his peers in the rap game. In this case of connecting such affairs, Lamar's performance, in a Pan-African context, speaks to an ancestral call-to-action for many people of color -- and that is the reclamation and resurgence of African identity. Advertisement Although the use of African thematic elements or the multi-faceted is not new to hip-hop or to Lamar's music -- as he cites that TPAB was heavily influenced by his 2014 to South Africa -- his Grammy performance took the African Diasporic tie to a whole another level. During his performance, Lamar transitions from a jailhouse scene, with his chains removed, to an African-infused set with a bonfire roaring in the background; as he, and the other inmates, dance alongside in unison with what is perceived to be his African sistren and brethren. Lamar's use of profound African imagery is not only an insertion of the cultural and artistic African presence and legacies at a predominantly white and historically racist, music award show, but speaks to the dire need for those within the African Diaspora to unify and to understand the true history of who we are, what we are and where we come from. Unfortunately, for many African-Americans, the pervasiveness of stereotypical rhetoric, the single-story narratives of Africa as poor or war-ridden or Africans as "just slaves" were and are still taught within the American educational system. Rendered from the white supremacist perspective, Black history and even the Black present has been riddled with antagonistic approaches to the continent, which have purposefully disregarded the "cradle of civilization" as a continent of riches in resources that houses multifarious spaces of cultures, languages, inventions, history and the like. Because of such one-sided historical and educational cultivation, some African-Americans view Africa and Africans in a negative light; while some Africans perceive African-Americans also in an adverse point-of-view. With this unfortunate attitudes and approaches, divisions between African Diasporic counterparts have ensued; leaving some with little room for cross-cultural understanding and has prohibited some from unifying on common issues that affect melanated people globally. This is why Malcolm X during his lifetime so desperately advocated for Pan-African unity as a means to consolidation: Advertisement "...I said that physically, we Afro-Americans might remain in America, fighting for our Constitutional rights, but philosophically and culturally, we Afro-Americans badly needed to 'return' to Africa - and to develop a working unity in the framework of Pan-Africanism." In a society where racial disparities and injustices seems to be at one of its highest peaks, Lamar, in harmony with the African aesthetic, gave the Grammy's and the world a little history lesson: just as Langston Hughes wrote in his prolific poem, "I too, am America", Lamar, in his performance, so blatantly and deliberately told the world, "he too, is Africa." In a recent interview with the Grammys, Lamar gave some insight on what he "unlearned" about what was taught to him about Africa during his trip to South Africa. "I felt like I belonged in Africa," said Lamar. "I saw all the things that I wasn't taught. Probably one of the hardest things to do is put [together] a concept on how beautiful a place can be, and tell a person this while they're still in the ghettos of Compton. I wanted to put that experience in the music." He also discussed with MTV how "Alright" -- which many have adapted as the modern Black anthem for the #BlackLivesMatter movement -- was too, inspired by the inequities and injustices in South Africa, and the struggles that people endured historically and what he witnessed in modernity. Advertisement "They struggle ten times harder and were raised crazier than... I was," Lamar said. "Going out there really inspired me." "I wrote a lot of records out there. Just going to South Africa and being able to move around out there like I did. That was a turning point", he continued. I thought I would feel ecstasy when I made a lot of money. I thought I could cut my heart out and eat it for breakfast and be hungry for lunch later. I thought that everyone would love me. I thought I would walk in the middle of the street and cars would pass right through me. Much later, when a psychic advised me to throw a coconut in the middle of the street at midnight in order to make my money back, I realized I might have been wrong all along. Advertisement I was miserable and sad and lonely because I was afraid to tell people that my entire self-worth had turned to zero. After rubbing it in their faces. Look at me! This was a long time ago. Or it was a few years ago. Or it was before and after (insert "IRS letter" in between). Or it was another before and after (insert: divorce). Or... And... But! BUT I realized something. And everyone already knew it. Buy low and sell high. And I don't mean stocks or oil or houses or whatever. All of those things are mostly BS. It's hard to predict. Some things are easier to predict. That's what I realized. Life is too hard. Some women won't like me. Some babies cry when I hold them. Advertisement The other day I was asked to leave a restaurant. Don't ask. Who could predict? But other things are easy to predict. A lot of things are free. And the benefits are huge. And they are so free I can do all of these every day. 1) Books I can buy words for a few dollars, even pennies, from books. And then I can take what I learned and turn them into something that has a lot of value. Like a business. Or a good conversation. Or a new friend. Or live my life better. Hallelujah! Here's a start: "The Evolution of Everything" by Matt Ridley "Tiny Beautiful Things" by Cheryl Strayed "Antifragile" by Nasim Taleb "Where Ideas Come From" by Stephen Johnson "Quiet" by Susan Cain "Sapiens" by Yuval Harari "The Four Agreements" by Don Miguel Ruiz "The Surrender Experiment" by Michael Singer "Mastery" by Robert Greene "Improv Wisdom" by Patrician Madsen "Year of Yes" by Shonda Rhimes And about 500 more. If you want my particular full list of my top 200 or so books, I'll put it here (everyone has a different list. What's yours?) I also recently bought 14,000 copies of my own book. Why? Learn more here. 2) Friends A few months ago one of my closest friends did something horrible to me. I cut that person off immediately despite years of friendship. In another case, someone I had been barely friends with came through for me in a way that surprised me and I would do anything for this person now. Friendships change. That's ok. Every day I try to figure out how to improve the friendships and relationships I have. Sometimes I find an email I haven't responded to in years. I respond to it. BAM! A friendship re-established. Advertisement This was free for me. And yet the benefits of every day trimming your bonsai tree of friendships allows you to build a beautiful forest. 3) Sleep Sleeping is free. An extra hour of sleep costs me nothing except maybe one less hour of TV at night. And yet sleep rejuvenates the brain, reduces inflammation, cures anxiety and depression, raises libido, and lots of blah blah blah. What would you pay for a smarter brain and less sickness? Well, it's free. 4) Bad Habits Stopping smoking is free. This is an extreme example. I use it because we all know smoking kills people. I have other bad habits. I dwell, for instance. Spending a little bit of time each day stopping a bad habit is not only free, it makes money because bad habits are always replaced by better habits. You just have to do a tiny bit every day. And then you live longer and make the people around you happier. Advertisement 5) Ideas To create something, you have to do something old in a new way. You have to take everything that's been done before and find a twist (Facebook requiring "identity", Google making a driverless car. Gandhi conquering a nation without fighting). If I play the piano today I'll be bad compared with any musician. So if I play the piano it will disappoint me. "I'm no good!" I'll say. I have to practice every day. First I have to practice the scales. I have to get my fingers used to the motions. I have to learn basic music theory. And then I learn easy songs. Then harder songs. Ideas are songs. First you come up with bad ideas. But every day practice. Write 10 ideas a day. Throw them out. Ten more. The best way to have one good idea is to have 1000 bad ones; Before Marc Andreessen developed Netscape, the first really robust commercial web browser, he and Jim Clark would meet for hours every day brainstorming what would be a good Internet business. And this was AFTER Andreessen had already developed the first graphics browser, Mosaic. So even after he had a good idea, he had to keep coming up with dozens or hundreds of ideas to turn his idea into a viable business, sold later for billions to AOL. Advertisement To come up with ten ideas today is free. But one good idea over the next five years is worth millions or more to you. 6) Grateful Last October something really bad happened to me in my personal life. For awhile I kept asking "Why?" There was no answer. When the shitstorm happens, nobody will tell you "Why?". That's why it's a shitstorm. Because "Why?" disappears and you are left all alone and confused and scared. I had to switch. I had to follow my own advice. I had to check the box every morning on what can I be grateful for in this experience. I read an article. Google it: the physical benefits of gratitude. Spending three minutes a day trying to find something to be grateful in a difficult situation will reduce anger. Will make you sleep better. Will make you live longer. Advertisement It's free. But what would you pay for the results? 7) Experiences In 1976, Terry George was in prison in Belfast. His fellow prisoners dug a tunnel to try and escape the prison. It was a horrible experience. Years later, George wrote a play about the experience called "The Tunnel" that did well on Broadway. And that experience, plus the suffering experienced allowed him to find the art, the humor, the pathos, in pain and suffering. In 2004 he wrote and directed "Hotel Rwanda", one of the greatest movies of all time, about the genocide in Rwanda. In 2016 I called him on the phone and he came over my house and we did a podcast about the creativity one can find inside the agony of suffering. Advertisement I had an experience just by talking to him and learning. Maybe that experience changed my life. And he took his experiences and transformed them into many works of art and an entire career that's included an Academy Award. Don't let a day happen without turning it into an experience you can squeeze the magic out of. Stretch the day out to find what was hidden in the secret folds that we often ignore. An experience is often free. And what you get out of it can stretch a lifetime. 8) Laugh Kids are always running around and laughing so someone, of course, did a study. Turns out kids laugh 300 times a day. Adults laugh on average...five. Google "benefits of laughter". Laughter reduces stress hormones, increases immune system. Blah blah blah. Oh, and it's fun to laugh. And yet we forget to do it. Or how to do it. A month ago I had the opportunity to do my first standup comedy ever. It was something so uncomfortable for me I thought I would throw up for the five days before hand. I was going to quit the minute before. But then people laughed. And I had fun. The podcast episode for it I think is coming out this week on "Question of the Day". Here's the standup I listened to this past week: Anything by Amy Schemer Anything by Louis CK Anything by Jim Gaffigan. (or his book "Food") Miranda Sings teaching Jerry Seinfeld "how to be famous". Andy Samberg's Harvard Commencement Speech Bo Burnham's final 7 minutes of his special: "what." Anything by Gary Gulman Anything by Marina Franklin Louis CK on "Opie & Anthony" interviewing Donald Rumsfeld ("Are you an alien?) 9) Notice I ran into a friend the other day that I hadn't seen in 4 years. He was even surprised I remembered his name since we had only met once before. It turned out we were working on similar projects. So he came over and showed me more of what he was working on. I was feeling excited by it. So I came up with a business idea. I pitched the business idea to another friend who loved it. Now I am waiting for a call back. I'm anxious. I notice I'm anxious (noticing is free). So now that I noticed it I can turn it into something else. It reduces the anxiety and gives me a plan: pitch someone else, come up with more ideas, follow up in a different way, etc. Noticing stops anger, anxiety, fear. And it's free. 10) Question We take so much for granted. We think we have to go to college. Or buy a home. Or get a job. These are things that are just "done" without questioning. Advertisement But the world changes every day. The world doesn't owe us answers every day. But everything can be questioned. In Adam Grant's book "Originals" he talks about how he rejected investing in eyeglass seller "Warby Parker". All they did was ask: "Why not sell glasses for cheap and online?" Nobody had asked that before. Now the company is worth over a billion. Asking a question is free. But the results are often worth billions. Or worth new friendships (I called Adam to ask him more about Warby Parker). Or worth new ways of thinking. Or maybe it's just practice. Questioning everything around allows you to expand the brain. For instance, do we need a President? Or...what are better ways to educate an 18 year old? Or...why can't I do standup comedy? Or call whoever I want? It's just practice. "Try not to pay attention to those who will try to make life miserable for you. There will be a lot of those -- in the official capacity as well as the self-appointed. Suffer them if you can't escape them, but once you have steered clear of them, give them the shortest shrift possible. Above all, try to avoid telling stories about the unjust treatment you received at their hands; avoid it no matter how receptive your audience may be. Tales of this sort extend the existence of your antagonists; most likely they are counting on your being talkative and relating your experience to others. By himself, no individual is worth an exercise in injustice (or for that matter, in justice). The ratio of one-to-one doesn't justify the effort: it's the echo that counts. That's the main principle of any oppressor, whether state-sponsored or autodidact. Therefore, steal, or still, the echo, so that you don't allow an event, however unpleasant or momentous, to claim any more time than it took for it to occur. What your foes do derives its significance or consequence from the way you react. Therefore, rush through or past them as though they were yellow and not red lights. Don't linger on them mentally or verbally; don't pride yourself on forgiving or forgetting them -- worse come to worse, do the forgetting first. This way you'll spare your brain cells a lot of useless agitation; this way, perhaps, you may even save those pigheads from themselves, since the prospect of being forgotten is shorter than that of being forgiven. So flip the channel: you can't put this network out of circulation, but at least you can reduce its ratings. Now, this solution is not likely to please angels, but, then again, it's bound to hurt demons, and for the moment that's all that really matters." -- Joseph Brodsky, On Grief and Reason: Essays Republican presidential candidate Marco Rubio speak during a town hall meeting in Beaufort, South Carolina, February 16, 2016. / AFP / JIM WATSON (Photo credit should read JIM WATSON/AFP/Getty Images) Marco Rubio is seen as the "acceptable moderate" candidate for Republicans who find frontrunners Donald Trump and Ted Cruz to be too extreme. The problem with that labelling, however, is that he is neither an acceptable nor moderate candidate. Advertisement Rubio's paradoxical campaign breathes an air of idealism, on fomenting a 'New American Century,' while on the other hand is grounded in scrapping the social progress that has been made in recent times. The establishment particularly like him because he doesn't project an overly explicit irrationality like Trump and Cruz, nor is he stricken with wooden awkwardness and a burdensome last name, like Jeb! It's easy to appear more moderate than Trump; just speak more softly and don't base your entire campaign on negativity, through disparaging women, refugees, and the disabled. In the case of Cruz, just don't call for the abolition of the IRS. Rubio's campaign is more positive in its tone but similarly extremist in its content. He calls for a tax cut for the wealthy that is three times the size of George Bush's 2001 tax cuts, of which almost half of the benefit would go to the top 5 percent of earners and that would deliver on average a $1 million tax break for the richest 0.1 percent in the first year. Like every other Republican, Rubio wants a balanced budget amendment, but that desired balanced budget appears impossible when Rubio's own tax proposals would reduce federal revenue by $6.8 trillion over the next decade. Advertisement Derek Thompson in The Atlantic rightly highlights that Rubio is not the only candidate offering up similar tax breaks. There is an entire consensus of economic illiteracy amongst the Republican Party today that states that substantial tax cuts can accompany deficit reduction. Beyond the substantial loss in revenue, there appears little justification in the extent of such tax cuts on upper-income individuals at a time when 99 percent of aggregate income between 2009-2013 went to the top 1 percent. Highlighting the unfairness in Rubio's extreme proposal, Thompson argues, 'Since government spending is disproportionately skewed towards helping the poor, sick, and old, this would mean cutting unfathomably deep into decades-long commitments to America's most vulnerable citizens.' On an analysis of the Republican Party, one could say that Rubio is a moderate within the party, a party that has lurched further and further to the right in recent decades to the point of being unelectable. Rubio's proposals also call for delaying cuts to Medicare and Social Security as well as substantially increasing military spending significantly. Again, all of this, while promising a balanced budget amendment. It is a plan that promises so much, but has little basis in arithmetical credibility. Len Burman, the director of the Tax Policy Center, states, "If the numbers added up, this would be a radical and innovative tax reform that would be worth taking seriously." Advertisement Beyond fiscal policy, Rubio shares an extremism with his fellow Republican candidates and the NRA; opposing expanding common-sense background checks. Ninety percent of Americans support increased background checks, and to add insult to injury, also sides with the NRA position on permitting those on the terrorist watch list to buys guns. Republicans have in recent days been debating whether torture, with Trump being the most outspoken supporter. The extremist Marco Rubio, on the other hand, 'categorically refused to rule out any torture techniques, for fear of helping terrorists "practice how to evade us."' If Marco Rubio were a truly moderate candidate, he would oppose torture, and would endorse the recent sentiments of Senator John McCain: "It's been so disappointing to see some presidential candidates engaged in loose talk on the campaign trail about reviving waterboarding and other inhumane interrogation techniques. Our enemies act without conscience. We must not." It is not moderate to have as a policy program: a number of substantial tax breaks, a massive increase in defence spending, and at the same time a balanced budget amendment. It's fiscal ineptitude and political extremism. Rubio's position on tax reform, background checks and torture, are just a small few of the many examples that highlight what sort of candidate he really is. From the moment it was announced, Deadpool has been causing waves of intrigue all over the world. As the months moved closer to its release date, the hype began to spiral out of control with multitudes of TV spots, trailer spots and sexual innuendo out the wazoo. I've always enjoyed Ryan Reynolds -- he seems to fit an odd sub-group of high paid Hollywood stars that aren't afraid to take risks. I also don't find him particularly attractive; therefore, I was drawn to the idea of Deadpool as something a little different and fun. Then, it happened. In November last year, Tim Miller (the director) was quoted as saying that Deadpool, or at least this version, was pansexual. This comment sent viewers and the general public ablaze. The forums were alight with the LGBTQ community raising their arms in excitement. Would this see Ryan engage in some man on man action? Who knew! Cut to three days before the movie's release and more comments in the same vein flooded the Internet streams. Reynolds was quoted as saying that in the next movie -- already greenlit -- Deadpool could have a boyfriend -- but it's not up to him. It's not in his hands. Advertisement But in reality, what does any of this actually mean? Having watched the movie at early doors this morning, I can say: Not a lot. This isn't me saying as a gay man I went to watch it expecting hints of said pansexuality (I don't believe the LGBTQ need to be seen as superheroes -- but that's another kettle of fish) but rather, what is the real reason in making such sweeping statements like "Deadpool is pansexual" if you deliver no hint of such in any way at all. Deadpool is fun. It does what it says on the tin. But the real truth is that it is no more in support of LGBTQ rights and representation than Kanye is about having his asshole fondled. So, where's the rub? (Excuse the pun). Obviously, it depends on how you interpret said "pansexuality." Is it Deadpool asking us whose balls he had to fondle to get his own movie? Asking the barman for a blowjob and us realizing he's actually after an alcoholic shot? Is it him screaming: I'M NOT GAY in the face of an enemy? Or is it him screaming "No," in a sexually explicit celebration of Women's Day? I struggled to find it. See it. Or feel like it was even there. I left the movie theatre a little pissed off, which made me more pissed off. Why does this even make me care? Why am I bothered? It was on my short walk home that it seemed pretty clear: Did the studio behind the movie, think that if they made such comments, the audience it would reach would be even wider than it already was? Advertisement I know. There is a high possibility that I am grasping at straws -- but we know the power of the imagination, right? Take Star Wars: The Force Awakens. There was no doubt audiences would watch Star Wars. But who's to say that as soon as the FinnPoe rumors went viral, with Oscar Isaac himself fuelling the fire, that a whole extra host of punters made their way to multiplexes to part with their cash, to view a hidden romance created from nowhere but the minds of a public with too much time on their hands. And this is the problem. Now, I could be wrong. Usually I am about most things. But it seems to be that in saying Deadpool is pansexual is nothing more than a manipulation of audience goers everywhere to pull more cash from the pockets of those who may have been on the fence. "I had no interest in Deadpool until I heard Ryan Reynolds may have a boyfriend in the next film." Is this sentence really something that is actually that far-fetched? In reality, whatever his sexuality is, it doesn't matter. The movie will do well and people will go. So why do it at all? That's the question. Is Hollywood really too afraid to make movies with actual LGBTQ characters as the heroes? Or are they playing and feeding into a darker side of homosexuality that still exits: Lusting Over What We Can't Have. There is nothing in the Deadpool movie that confirms these statements. There is nothing to deny it either, but in those 90 minutes it was clear he went one way only. "Why does this matter, you grumpy gay man?" I hear you cry! I'm annoyed because I didn't even care about Deadpool being pansexual -- but everyone made it a big deal, so I did. Now, I feel misled. Advertisement Being any form of LGBTQ is not a switch we can turn on and off when we feel like it. Making movies that promote their lead characters as such (when in fact, they aren't) is damaging and disappointing. Lastly, hinting at something as complex as sexuality to do nothing more than sell tickets (which is what it looks like) is odd and manipulative. If you're going to do it, then commit. Otherwise all you're doing is telling the world that sexuality is a choice, when in fact, it couldn't be farther from it. Joshua Mast allegedly submitted a doctored passport for the baby and then claimed the child as his own after convincing the family to travel to the U.S. for medical care. After a resounding victory in the New Hampshire primary, Bernie Sanders, the socialist from Vermont calling for a political revolution, is clearly a serious contender for the Democratic Party nomination for President. Historically, left-wing progressives and socialists have not fared well in American politics, receiving a cold shoulder even from the Democratic Party, even in cases where they got the nomination. Two historical examples illustrate the serious difficulties Sanders would face as the nominee. Upton Sinclair and the 1934 Campaign for California Governor: During the depression, socialist writer Upton Sinclair won the Democratic Party nomination and mounted an insurgent challenge to incumbent Republican Governor Frank Merriam. Sinclair called for social security for the elderly, public takeover of idle land and factories to restore full employment and a more cooperative based economy centered on "production for use," and not profit. Sinclair's plan was popular, but President Franklin D. Roosevelt refused to endorse him, and the Democratic leadership in California abandoned him. Business leaders hired a public relations firm whose smear job set a "standard for distortion and lies," according to one historian, not equaled until the age of Richard Nixon and Karl Rove. The L.A. Times quoted characters in Sinclair's novels out of context, and Hollywood produced bogus newsreels featuring carloads of migrant laborers flooding California to take advantage of new legislation. Needless to say, he lost the election. Advertisement George S. McGovern and the 1972 Presidential Election: A World War II bombardier who led congressional opposition to the Vietnam War, McGovern had been a delegate to Wallace's Philadelphia convention in 1948, securing the Democratic Party nomination on a platform of "Come Home America." McGovern was opposed by traditional party power brokers and even AFL-CIO boss George Meany, who denounced McGovern as an "apologist for the communist world." Former Texas Governor John Connally led the "Democrats for Nixon," which opposed McGovern primarily because of his proposals for defense spending cutbacks. Seizing on the Democrats divisions, Nixon's "ratfuckers" forged a series of nasty letters that damaged McGovern with key constituencies. The mainstream media fixated on his mistake in choosing Thomas Eagleton as his running mate, who once had electroshock treatments, while devoting little publicity to President Richard Nixon's abuses of power that were already being exposed. After McGovern was trounced, the Democratic Party shifted to the center, led by Bill and Hillary Clinton, McGovern's campaign managers in Texas. The party has since worked to co-opt any progressive factions including Jesse Jackson and his Rainbow coalition in the late 1980s. So, if history is any guide, Bernie Sanders faces considerable obstacles, even from within his own party. And we have seen signs of history repeating itself. Advertisement As early as December 2015, the Democratic National Committee (DNC) appeared to be working against Sanders when his campaign manager accused them of using a data breach to restrict access to the campaign's own information. Alarmed Clinton supporters have also begun highlighting his socialist beliefs to warn that he would be an electoral disaster who would frighten swing voters and send Democrats in tight congressional and governor's races to defeat. "Here in the heartland, we like our politicians in the mainstream, and he is not -- he's a socialist," said Gov. Jay Nixon of Missouri, who is term-limited and working to elect a Democratic successor. "He's entitled to his positions, and it's a big-tent party, but as far as having him at the top of the ticket, it would be a meltdown all the way down the ballot." There may yet be hope for Sanders supporters, however. Occupy Wall Street and other social movements have expanded political consciousness, especially among young people. Shifting demographics are changing the political landscape. Hillary Clinton is tainted for many because of her long ties with corporate power and support for the failed Iraq and Libyan wars. And the GOP has become so extreme that even moderate Democrats might be forced to back Sanders if he wins the nomination, whether they like him or not. With a vigorous grass-roots campaigning effort, the Sanders campaign could thus possibly transcend history in 2016, though the odds are stacked against him. Presidents Day is when we commemorate the people who have led this country. And buy mattresses (or so says Forbes). So before you focus all of your attention on one of life's truly big decisions (i.e., Do you go with innerspring or memory foam?), let's remember that there were other Commanders-in-Chief besides General George and Honest Abe. Unsung, truly courageous men like Martin Van Buren, William Henry Harrison and Lord Quentin Trembley III. What's that? You've never heard of Quentin Trembley? Well, as the 8 and 1/2 President of the United States, he technically came between Van Buren and Harrison. More to the point, Quentin was a very silly man. Trembley's State of the Union address actually included a line which stated that " ... the only thing we have to fear is gigantic, man-eating spiders." Advertisement Okay. So Lord Quentin Trembley III isn't real. But Gravity Falls -- that Emmy Award-winning animated series which introduced this previously-unknown president to the world -- is a very real thing. And as Disney XD gets ready to air "Weirdmageddon 3: Take Back The Falls," the one hour-long finale of this much beloved series tonight at 7 p.m. ET / PT, I thought it might be fun to share some of show creator Alex Hirsch's thoughts about this program's run coming to a close. Because right from the very beginning (to be specific: April of 2010), back when Alex first pitched Disney Channel executives on his idea for an animated series that would somehow blend the comic stylings of The Simpsons with the on-going / over-arching mythology of The X-Files, Hirsch envisioned this show as having a very definite beginning, middle and end. "From the very first, I pitched Gravity Falls as this show that was only going to last a few seasons. This series was only supposed to cover one very special summer in Dipper & Mabel's lives. There were just a few big questions that were going to be answered over the course of this show. And once those questions were answered, Gravity Falls was over," Hirsch explained late last week during a question and answer session where Alex (voice of Grunkle Stan and Sooce the Mystery Shack's handyman), Jason Ritter (voice of Dipper), Kristen Schaal (voice of Mabel) and Brad Breeck (composer of this Disney XD show's theme song) met with the press and then performed a portion of Gravity Falls pilot script. "I don't think that anyone at Disney actually believed me when I said that's how I wanted to do Gravity Falls. But to their credit, they then said 'Sure let's give this a try,' " Alex continued "And I'm so grateful to the Disney Channel and Disney XD for letting me tell this story in the way that I planned to tell it." Advertisement And after 40 episodes, Gravity Falls highly-serialized story comes to a close in a way that this show's conspiracy-obsessed fans are sure to love. With (SLIGHT SPOILERS AHEAD) the Pines family, the surviving townsfolk of Gravity Falls and many of the weird creatures from the woods surrounding the Mystery Shack uniting to do battle with Bill Cipher. So will "Weirdmageddon 3: Take Back The Falls" deliberately and definitively tie up all of Gravity Falls narrative threads? Will each and every one of the viewers' questions about this conspiracy-laden corner of Oregon be answered? To be blunt, no. You see, even though Hirsch is decamping from Disney (Just last month, the traders revealed that Alex is developing a new animated series for Fox / 20th Century Fox TV. One that, just like Gravity Falls, will supposedly skillfully mix the silly with the sinister), he admitted that he may not entirely be ready to say "Goodbye" to the Pines family. "Right now, I'm sort of content with where Gravity Falls is. But I can't say what Future Alex might do. I think when people see the final episode, they will see threads that one could imagine could be addressed in some future form. Whether that's a comic or a TV special or something that's written a hundred years after I die by robots," Hirsch laughed. "I mean, I do love these characters. That's again why I didn't want Gravity Falls to go on forever. But that being said, it's not inconceivable that -- one day -- we may return to this world." Of course, the irony of this statement was that -- as soon as Alex wrapped up this particular press conference -- he did in fact have to return to the world of Gravity Falls. To be specific, "Gravity Falls: Journal 3," the 288-page, full-color, hardcover book that Disney Press will be releasing on July 26th of this year which will then replicate the journal that Dipper continually consulted over the course of this show. Advertisement "After this event, I'm actually going home to work on that. It isn't done yet," Hirsch admitted. "Journal 3 will be filled with monsters and mysteries and secrets and inter-connected things that the fans never knew about. That's something that -- I'm hoping -- will keep fans hungry after the Gravity Falls finale airs." And speaking of the fan community, as this press event for Gravity Falls finale was drawing to a close, Alex took a moment to directly address the adults and kids who were so quick to embrace this animated series after it initially debuted on the Disney Channel back in June of 2012. RENO, NV - FEBRUARY 15: Democratic Presidential candidate and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton speaks at a campaign rally at Truckee Meadows Community College on February 15, 2016 in Reno, Nevada. Clinton is campaigning in Nevada ahead of the February 20 democratic caucus. (Photo by David Calvert/Getty Images) I first met Hillary Clinton in 1997 while I was the Senior Director for African Affairs at the National Security Council. The First Lady was best known at that time for leading the fight for health care reform, and her strong advocacy on behalf of minorities, children and women. Though new at the time to foreign policy, she had electrified the world in Beijing in 1995 when she declared at a United Nations conference: "Women's rights are human rights." She was keenly interested in Africa, having recently returned from a visit there. Moved by that experience, she became a valued and persuasive partner in convincing President Bill Clinton to travel there the following year. It was an historic, substantive and precedent setting trip: six countries over eleven days, the longest period of time the President spent outside the country during his tenure. Advertisement In South Africa, Nelson Mandela, a hero to both Bill and Hillary Clinton, took them to see his jail cell on Robben Island, where he had broken rocks for 27 years as a convicted terrorist. The symbolism of his transition from prisoner to beloved liberator, leader and statesman was lost on nobody. No wonder Hillary Clinton has called him her most inspirational international leader. Our last stop, Dakar, Senegal, was dedicated to African-Americans and the contributions they have made to American society, culture and economic achievement. Standing at the infamous "Door of No Return" at the House of Slaves on Goree Island, we were all touched by the terrible circumstances that had brought Africans to American shores in chains centuries ago. As a senator from New York, Hillary sought out my views on U.S. policy towards Iraq after the invasion. I had been a vocal critic from the beginning of the debate, my opposition having been informed by my experience in Iraq as acting Ambassador during the 1990-1991 Gulf War. I had negotiated with Saddam Hussein and his government for the release of over 150 Americans he had held hostage, and was the last American diplomat to meet with him. The Bush administration's dishonest but effective propaganda campaign in 2002 for an invasion played on the trauma of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. Condoleezza Rice, the national security adviser, ominously warned that Saddam was aggressively developing nuclear weapons. "We don't want the smoking gun to be a mushroom cloud," she said. And President George W. Bush insisted that a congressional resolution was needed as leverage for the return of UN inspectors to Iraq to further explore whether Saddam possessed weapons of mass destruction. Advertisement The administration promised that it would seek explicit UN support prior to any military action. Meanwhile, every top official, including Secretary of State Colin Powell, assured senators that Saddam did indeed have WMD. It was in that context that the congressional vote for the Authorization for the Use of Military Force took place. Hillary has acknowledged in retrospect that her vote was an error. I agree. The error, however, was to believe an administration that has since been exposed as having serially lied to Congress, the American people and the world at the United Nations. We should never forget the extent to which the Bush administration betrayed our trust. The rest of the world doesn't. During the U.S. occupation of Iraq, Hillary emerged as one of the administration's toughest critics. She traveled frequently to Iraq to observe the facts on the ground for herself and to speak directly to military commanders and U.S. officials. And she used her position as a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee to harshly question the disastrous Bush policy. She never flinched in her criticism. Not to acknowledge the full story of Hillary's record is to distort it. Valerie's and my support for Hillary is owed as much to her character as to the issues. When I challenged the Bush administration on the truth of its case for war in a New York Times opinion piece in 2003, its reaction was to betray Valerie's identity as a covert CIA officer. The subsequent vicious attack on us by Republican partisans, designed to shift the focus from their crime was withering and unrelenting. Hillary repeatedly reached out to us with counsel and empathy as we navigated the shark infested waters. Speaking from her own personal experience, she reminded us of the importance of the good fight, however difficult it might be. Those who were attacking us, like those who had attacked her over the years, wanted to destroy people doing the right thing in order to discourage others from venturing into the public square. If they can't win on the facts, they invent smears to attack the characters of their critics. With Hillary's moral support, we stood up to the bullies. We could not give them that victory. She was right and we were vindicated. Barack Obama, who has been a consequential president, has learned from his own experience in the White House just how hard meaningful change is to achieve. But in the face of venomous attacks and partisan sabotage that he did not expect when he began, he has managed to make real progress. It has taken a lot more work than repeating a mantra about "revolution." And that's one of the most important lessons of the Obama presidency. Defending and extending that change depends on electing a president committed to it. Hillary understands how to make progress, too. Time and again she has been tested. She has risen to every challenge, personal and political, from service on the key Senate Armed Services committee during war to leadership of the preeminent Cabinet Department at a time of deep suspicion around the world of our country. And she has grown in her leadership. Now she seeks to lead our country, the biggest challenge. Advertisement It's a civil case. Voir dire, questioning of jury for selection purposes, after lunch. Question: no matter what can you be fair to both sides? - Claire McCaskill (@clairecmc) January 25, 2016 Claire McCaskill is a respected United States Senator from Missouri - actually a former prosecutor in Kansas City and now, among her other senatorial assignments, a senior member of the Armed Services Committee of the U.S. Senate. A person - ostensibly, at least - of consummate probity. But several weeks ago she was called to jury duty - she was just like any other citizen paying her dues as such. So let's see what she felt the need to do during off moments while paying those dues. Yes, Senator McCaskill decided to tweet 33 - yes, 33 - times to her more than 110,000 followershttp://www.businessinsider.com/claire-mccaskill-hilariously-live-tweets-jury-duty-2016-1 about her jury duty (and not about the importance of doing her civic duty just like everyone else). Instead, she made sure, among other things, in separate and successive tweets, that they knew she would sit near an electric outlet, that others were knitting and reading, that she loved Perry Mason, that the jurors were watching Comedy Central, that she did not want to be responsible for the remote and, ultimately, that she couldn't talk about the case and would stop tweeting while sitting. As a U.S. Senator, one would expect nothing less, and precisely because she is a United States Senator, we take her at her word. Advertisement But that last tweet - that she would "turn off" while sitting ("HOLY X@*! I am on the jury. Then have to go social media silent re trial. Don't worry. I'll share after verdict") - is the point. Can we take everyone at their word that they will be radio silent during the case? Or not look at media reports if so instructed by the Court? And by the way, what does it say about the sanctity of jury deliberation that Senator McCaskill, a former prosecutor, is comfortable "sharing" with her followers after the verdict, as she did - explaining by twitter how she was able, during deliberations, to show lend her personal expertise to her fellow jurors in terms of their deliberations? In fact, a New York State Bar Association committee http://www.nysba.org/socialmediaguidelines/ has just proposed a regularized, sterner series of instructions to jurors to warn them against social media interactions during trial. Still, the increasing instances of breaks in the wall that should stand firmly between the media and jurors while seated on cases - highlighted by the fact that even a United States senator can't seem to contain her enthusiasm for using her own jury service to promote herself - it is truly time for the System to take the bull by the horns. Let's look at the jury and the media. The jury system in America is built on an irrefutable fiction - that juries directed to follow a judge's instructions actually do so. And the instruction on which the justice system must rely the most is that which directs jurors to pay no attention whatsoever to outside influences about the case - in particular, albeit only in some cases, the media. Of course, there have always been sensational trials; trials where the media reported anything and everything it could. But today is different. The tabloid press can make any case front page news merely because it is sufficiently salacious (and, maybe, it's a slow news day). Cellphones, laptops in court - everything is in real time. Social media posts go "viral." And not only do we have a 24-hour news cycle, how many channels are devoted solely to presenting the news. And if there is no news, the commentators can literally spend hours dissecting every syllable uttered in an on-going case. Advertisement Do we really believe that jurors can be so sanitized as to ignore what is right in front of them merely because a judge tells them not to look? Forget tweets. Forget Facebook or Instagram. How about where the front page boldly editorializes that the defendant is guilty as hell. Or perhaps worse, the 48-point-font front page is screaming details of a confession that a judge has ruled inadmissible and that the jury should never hear. Here is how it works now. Before being selected for service, jurors are typically questioned, at least somewhat, about what they have seen and read in the press. They are sworn in before the trial begins because we have come to believe or at least come to accept, rightly or wrongly, that that oath of good citizenship will carry the day - that it will encourage jurors to adhere strictly to the judge's instructions. Jurors are told, on the first day of trial and often afterwards, that they are not to discuss the case with anyone - including, by the way, each other - until both sides conclude their presentations; that they are not to read about the case; and that they are not to watch or listen to anything about the case. During the trial, the judge may ask the jurors, collectively while they sit in the jury box, if they have adhered to these instructions. The response is murmurs of "yes, your honor" coupled with heads nodding. Given this fairly standard protocol, does a juror's oath before the trial begins really have the same gravitas we like to believe it does? Particularly when jurors are thereafter "questioned" en masse? So what about this instead, or in addition: rather than merely instructing jurors each evening to avoid news reports and conversations about the case, let's bring the solemnity of jurors' obligations - and their oath - to the forefront. What if, instead of a global "And remember, don't read [talk] about the case," the parties, particularly the defense in a criminal case, consent to a more elaborate procedure. We suggest consent because, for sure, we don't want a situation where a party is concerned that jurors who never thought about media coverage now, because the judge will have highlighted the problem, wonder if they should pay attention. Advertisement What if a judge were to begin each day by putting each juror, separately, under oath in open court? The juror would be subject to the same oath as any witness - Do you swear or affirm to tell the truth? A court reporter would transcribe the questions and answers. The courtroom would be solemn and quiet and all attention paid to the juror/witness. Each individual juror will be very briefly questioned by the judge: Did you discuss the case with anyone? Did you read any articles? Watch the news? To be certain, no one doubts that a judge must handle these types of questions with great sensitivity lest there be a wedge driven between judge and jury. At the same time, the judge and the System must recognize that, in directing jurors to essentially remain purists over their contacts and the media coverage of a case, the judge is asking jurors to do something totally counterintuitive to human experience. These are both very legitimate issues and thoughtful commentators can certainly improve on the suggestion made here. Maybe, to ingrain the protocol, the procedure should be used in every case tried. Or maybe it should only be used in those high-profile, media-charged cases where the risk of a verdict tainted by external considerations is high. And sure, what I am suggesting will cause trials to take somewhat longer, although not by much, and it may make jurors a tad uncomfortable when the entire courtroom is focused on them. More to the point, there is no question that this procedure would not be a guarantee. But a personalized question and answer session under oath might well have an impact on jurors; perhaps when a juror knows from the outset that every day of the trial he or she will have a mirror held up to them, the path of least resistance will likely be to, in fact, adhere to the obligations of good citizenship that the daily oath demands. I had the great pleasure, over the years, of trying cases before the late Judge Eugene H. Nickerson of the Federal District Court in Brooklyn, New York. When you walked into his courtroom, like so many others, you knew you were walking into a place where justice would be dispensed. It reflected the gravity of the decisions that would be made. When Judge Nickerson in particular would swear in a trial witness, imposing a school marm's disciplining manner, not one person in the courtroom was out of their seat. No one would speak, even in a whisper. There was no bustling about with documents, no lawyer talking to his client or co-counsel; had they been available at the time, there would have been no looking at texts or emails, tweets or posts, all as you often see in courtrooms today. Judge Nickerson would not tolerate even the smallest sign of disrespect for the solemn oath being administered. Jurors are the backbone of the System, and requiring them to be sworn and briefly asked a few questions each day may actually cause them to be better jurors - to more effectively appreciate the oath taken by trial witnesses. When you balance it all - the privilege, yet burden, of serving; the freedom of the press; and - singularly, the most important factor - the criminal defendant's constitutional right to a fair trial, isn't taking the time to make sure each juror has followed (and will follow) the judge's instructions the best option? Indeed, isn't making trials as fair as possible what the System is about? THE UMSTEAD HOTEL AND SPA 100 Woodland Pond Drive, Cary, NC 919-447-4000 theumstead.com Built by local philanthropist and art collector Ann Goodnight, whose husband, Jim, made a fortune as founder of analytics software giant SAS, The Umstead Hotel and Spa is spread over 12 acres of landscaped woods and river, and its restaurant, Herons, has become one of the finest in America. Executive Chef Steven Greene and Chef de Cuisine Spencer Thomson have worked hard to earn just about every top hospitality award from the media, and I happily chime in. The dining room has perfect romantic lighting, genial table spacing, a civilized sound level and a sophisticated service staff that would easily fit in just as well in New York. While I mentioned to Chef Greene that some of his dishes were in need of editing--canapes on billowing dry ice, too many ingredients on a plate of scallops with cauliflower custard, carbonized bamboo, tapioca and black rice--the overall quality was on a par with the best in America right now, beginning with various textures of beets with pistachio, a touch of trout roe, purple sorrel and goat's milk. White chocolate was a surprisingly good addition to a dish of chestnuts with quince, bacon, brown butter and creme fraiche, and sea bass was impeccably cooked, served with carrots, vaouvan-spiced curry, tender Littleneck clams and citrus-scented kasha. These and many other courses were matched with excellent selections of wines, from a Viognier with the chestnut dish to a Spatburgunder with the sea bass. Desserts were showy but superbly rendered, including a cremeux of milk chocolate, kalamansi, green tea chiffon and cocoa pearls, as were the end-of-the-meal mignardises. Herons matches everything else of quality at the Umstead but stands as a culinary beacon in the entire region, a restaurant of great generosity and elegant proof of fine dining's enduring pleasures. STANDARD FOODS 205 East Franklin Street 919-307-4652 standard-foods.com (photo: Jessica Crawford) Standard Foods pretends to no such luxury as The Umstead but happily represents the seriousness of modern cooking under an impressive chef who relies on the quality of local ingredients, which are also sold right on the premises, including meats, local fruits and an array of Southern products from un-homogenized milk to burlap bags of stoneground grits and honey from a local apiary. The dining room is to the left, a very casual place, lots of wood on ceilings and tables, a cement floor and an open kitchen to the rear. When I was there the noise level was deafening, but I'm told that some re-designing has ameliorated this drawback. Best thing to do is order family style. Chef-owner Scott Crawford, former chef at Herons and before that at The Cloisters in Sea Island, GA, along with Chef de Cuisine Bret Edlund present such exquisitely beautiful dishes it would be a crime not to share them with your friends, fork by fork, spoon by spoon Menus change depending on season and availability, but I hope they will always serve the savory-sweet apple soup with smoked brown butter, peanuts and a sprinkling of rosemary ($19); a dish of rabbit and light dumplings with sweet potato, green apple and a tinge of tarragon ($14) sums up what modern Southern cuisine is all about. You can order a butcher's board of charcuterie ($18), complete with housemade lardo, and don't fail to get the Parmesan grits with wild mushrooms, squash and hazelnuts ($20). Flavors of fennel, radish and a sorrel vinaigrette enhanced fine quality swordfish ($24), and of course there's good pork here, with white beans, sausage and apple mustard ($26). I'm afraid the grass-fed beef just doesn't make for fat-rich eating, though it's helped in the dining room by smoked onion, sunchoke tots and marrow butter ($26). We loved the caramel rum cake with goat's cheese and creme fraiche sherbet ($10), as well as the chocolate brioche with pecan butter, hot chocolate and soft cream ($12), one of those desserts hard to improve upon. This is Raleigh's hot spot right now, jammed from Day One, and for all the right reasons of good honest food, wine, and conviviality. Advertisement BIDA MANDA 222 South Blount Street 919-829-9999 bidamanda.com Bida Manda is yet another facet of contemporary dining in Raleigh, and yet another American Dream come true. Owners Vansana and Vanvisa Nolintha (left), along with Chef Lon Bounsanga, are from Laos, and the name Bida Manda describes "the Sanskrit ceremonial term for father and mother," in honor of the Nolinthas' parents. The two-room downtown eatery has become a very popular spot in Raleigh, not least because of the owners' own amiable hospitality. Laotian food is just not easy to find made this well anywhere I know of, for there are few contenders elsewhere in or out of the South. The two-sided menu offers appetizers enough for a whole meal--crispy rice lettuce wrap ($7.90), tom ka kai chicken soup with galangal and coconut ($5.90), and wonderfully crisp spring rolls filled with either ground pork or minced vegetables ($7.90). The star among main courses is the crispy pork belly soup called mee ka tee ($10.90), teeming with peanuts, vegetables and rice noodles with tantalizing seasonings. Chicken curry, kali kai mae amphone ($8.90), combines generous cuts of chicken with root vegetables and aromatic jasmine rice, while thum mak houng is a green papaya salad that accompanies a flatiron streak ($10.90) or grilled chicken with lemongrass ($8.90). In my last post I looked at the Westerosi gods, from Dorne to beyond the Wall. This time I want to look at those of Essos, the other continent that we see in Game of Thrones (there is also a Southoros, but we haven't seen that yet). First thing to say is there's a crapload of them. Seriously. The lands Daenerys Targaryen rules first as Khaleesi and then as Queen contain quite a smattering of spiritualties, all anchored in a specific cultural group. The Dothraki horselords for example recognize the Great Stallion (the horse serves as a kind of totem for them) and profess some general myth about the translocation of the soul into the Night Lands, which smacks of Valhalla where they ride and drink and f....ornicate to their heart's content. They also apparently believe the Sun and Moon to be divinities, and wait for a Messianic "Stallion Who Mounts the World," the khal of khals who will subjugate the world. Those beliefs exist side by side with the divinities of other communities, such as the Great Shepherd of Mirri Maz Duur's Lhazareen community or the sailors who pray to the Merling king. Such a situation, where one god is believed in and worshipped while the existence of others is accepted, is described as henotheism - think of the diverse groups that littered the coast of the Mediterranean in the days of ancient Troy or the context into which the ancient Israelites introduced monotheism. Everybody's got their own god, and that's fine. Advertisement "I piss on Dothraki omens." - Viserys Targaryen, "Winter is Coming" Qarth, Astapor and Meereen all have heavily mythic motifs, such the harpy that symbolizes Meereen's insurgency and were violent bird-women in Greek mythology who carried evildoers to Tartarus and generally caused all sorts of misfortune. (We learn in the books that the harpy is a symbol of the Ghiscari religion, which dates back to Old Valyria and the heyday of dragons.) The Graces are Ghiscari priestesses (whose ranks include both healers and cultic prostitutes), whose Temples include the Great Pyramid of Meereen which houses Dany's administration. Daenerys herself rarely uses divine discourse, which is somewhat ironic seeing as it appears to be her sacrifice that makes religion effective again (I'll be posting on that little trope soon...). "I saw a vision in the flames. A great battle in the snow. I saw it... I never believed, but when you see the truth. When it's right there in front of you, as real as these iron bars, how can you deny that her God is real?" - Stannis Baratheon, "Second Sons" Then of course we have the Lord of Light, R'hollor, who claims the Red Woman Mellisandre (#shivers) and Thoros of Myr (#awesomedrunkard) as adherents. R'hollor is a newer import to Westeros, but has long been known in Essos. Some of the more dualistic, Manichean religions like Zoroastrianism (which G.R.R. Martin has acknowledged served as inspiration) have their representative here, with the evil pole represented by the Great Other, who is never spoken of by name in the shows but is the God of Ice and Death to offset the heat and life promised by R'hollor. The Lord of Light boasts a messianic tradition as well, waiting for Azor Ahai (Mel thinks its Stannis, but the internet has other ideas...) to return wielding Lightbringer and raising dragons from stone. (Ahem.) R'hollor's is by far the most interesting religion in the show, and most powerful by all appearances. They also pose perhaps the greatest existential question for the audience, because their prayers actually kind of work: Thoros keeps bringing Beric Dondarrion back to life, and Mellisandre does some seriously crazy stuff. So does that mean it's the real religion? Is the world of Game of Thrones one where one religion only gets the cosmology right? Advertisement "Not today. Not today. Not today." - Arya Stark, "The Pointy End" Finally we have the Many-Faced God of the Bravosi and their Faceless Men. Who could describe the basic tenet of the MFG than the much-lamented Syrio Forel: "There is only one God, and his name is Death. And there is only one thing we say to Death: not today." The MFG is Death, who has representations in all other faiths of Essos and Westeros, from the Stranger of the Faith to the Black Goat of Qohor (who?) to the Lion of Night of Yi Ti (what?). The Many-Faced God's church is the House of Black and White wherein resides our dear Arya Stark - sorry, in which resides "no one" - which has statues of all death's representations, his priests bring death, and his supplicants do not leave his church alive. Yup, it's an awesome religion. That should give a good basis for understanding religion on both sides of the Narrow Sea.* There are other religions touched upon in the book, such as Balerion and Meraxes of Old Valyria, Aquan the Red Bull and the Whosey of Whatsit, but for the show watchers these are the most important ones to understand as we soon head into season 6 (April 24!). Religion not only gives cultural flavor to social groups, but also provides the frames through which people understand who they are and what they should do. For some it serves for their raison d'etre - followers of the Lord of Light must wipe darkness from the earth - for some it serves as a way to understand the ideals of their roles in society - be they warrior, smith or mother - and for others still it represents the only surety in life - that no one gets out alive. In future posts I'll explore how the Sparrows took control of King's Landing so quickly, compare the resurrection of the Fire god to the resurrection of the White Walkers, and ask how the hell Thoros and Melisandre worship the same god. Until then, valar morghulis! It seems to be the job and perhaps the occupation hazard of the historian to remember the past, write about it and remind readers, students and citizens what happened long ago, as well as yesterday -- and who made it happen and why. For nearly half a century, Professor Eric Foner has been reminding Americans about their own glorious and inglorious history, especially during the era of the Civil War and Reconstruction, though he has also examined the era of the American Revolution. Ever since 1982, he has taught continuously at Columbia University -- he's the DeWitt Clinton Professor of History -- where he received his B.A. and his Ph.D., though he has lectured elsewhere, including a year in Moscow as a Fulbright professor. The spring of 2016 will be Foner's last official semester at Columbia, though the administration would like to have him on the faculty in perpetuity. He has been a popular instructor with both undergraduates and graduates. In addition, he has published nearly two-dozen books and won at least a dozen awards, including the Pulitzer Prize in history in 2011, along with the Bancroft Prize and the Lincoln Prize the same year. Advertisement This April, the New York Historical Society will honor him with its annual award for his most recent work, "Gateway to Freedom: The Hidden History of the Underground Railroad," published in 2015. He will also take on the title, "American Historian Laureate," in recognition of his groundbreaking scholarship. "I'm very gratified," he said, "especially because I have used the collections of the New York Historical Society for research for every book I have written. I have also worked on their pioneering exhibits on New York and slavery, which educated many people about the city's complex history involving human bondage and the anti-slavery cause." Professor Foner writes mostly about the past, though he also focuses his critical gaze on contemporary issues and politicians. In a recent issue of "The Nation," he pointed out that the United States has a history of socialist movements and organizations. He suggested that Senator Bernie Sanders might acknowledge them and not simply point to socialism in Scandinavia. This spring, Foner is once again teaching a class on American radicalism that's often packed and that draws some of its energy and appeal from whatever movements and causes happen to be taking place. The last time he taught the class, it was animated in part by the Occupy Wall Street protests. "Having Sanders running for the presidency enables me to connect our era to earlier radicals' views on inequality and socialism," Foner says. He adds "I also insist that we have to study them in their own contexts, not just as precursors to Bernie." Advertisement Moreover, while Foner doesn't tell students who to vote for or why, he doesn't hide his own points of view or aim to portray himself as a neutral with no preferences and predilections. "Since one's political outlook affects how one views history, it is impossible to keep the two hermetically sealed off from one another," he explained from his home near the Columbia campus where he has lived and worked for most of his academic career. "I tell students what I believe, and I give time for all sorts of points of view, including ones I hardly agree with." He paused and added for emphasis, "The point is to instill the ability to think critically among the students, not to force them into a mold." He's not making predictions about the outcome of the 2016 presidential election and he's not forecasting how future historians will remember the Obama years, though he insists that, "the election of a black president will always be considered a symbolic milestone, considering our country's tortured racial history." One might wait ten or twenty years and ask Foner again about Obama and he might have a more definitive answer. Advertisement "Tell me what the economy will look like in 2026 or 2036, what the international situation will be and whether we get a handle on climate change, and then I will tell you how Obama will be remembered," he says. In the last half-century or so, Foner has witnessed profound changes in the teaching and the writing of American history. In part, the changes are due to his own efforts. "Our understanding of the past has been enriched by the rise of social and cultural history, the emphasis on the experience of ordinary Americans and groups previously neglected or ignored such as blacks and women," he says. "It has also been altered by efforts to see American history in a global context, and currently, renewed attention to the history of capitalism in the United States." How would Foner himself like to be remembered? "I guess the one thing that unites my various writings is that I am trying to figure out how and why change happens," he says. "Still, I'd like to be thought of as someone who addressed fundamental problems in our history: the rise and decline of social movements, slavery and its aftermath." His perspectives on the past have evolved ever since 1970 when he published his first book, "Free Soil, Free Men, Free Labor" which is subtitled "The Ideology of the Republican Party Before the Civil War." The story of freedom in the United States has long fascinated him, perhaps because freedom has been contested territory in the historical era to which he belongs. "I'm still intrigued," he says, "by the ways that our ideas have evolved over time, and keep on evolving." US Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe speaks during a press conference at the Mariel development zone, in Mariel, Artemisa Province, Cuba, on January 5, 2016. McAuliffe is in Havana heading a delegation that seeks to strengthen trade ties between the US and Cuba, just over a year after the thawing of relations between the two countries. AFP PHOTO / YAMIL LAGE / AFP / YAMIL LAGE (Photo credit should read YAMIL LAGE/AFP/Getty Images) The Virginia Governor invited the NRA to the table, but not gun violence prevention experts, and it shows. Within days, a series of gun bills of great import will land on the desk of Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe. This legislation stems from a deal the governor's staff negotiated last month with lobbyists from the National Rifle Association (NRA) and Virginia state Senator Bryce Reeves (R-17th). Advertisement Gun violence prevention advocates and gun violence survivors were conspicuously kept away from those negotiations. Lori Haas, who is the Virginia State Director for the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence (CSGV) and the leading voice for sensible gun laws in the Commonwealth, wasn't even informed about the deal until 48 hours before it was leaked to the Washington Post. The input she provided at this late hour was then ignored. Ditto for high-profile survivors like Andy and Barbara Parker, who lost their daughter Alison in the gruesome WDBJ shooting captured on live television this summer, and African-American leaders in the communities hardest hit by gun violence in the Commonwealth. Unfortunately, this lack of balance in the negotiations had serious repercussions. What could have been a momentous step forward for public safety instead turned into a bad deal; poorly navigated by a McAuliffe team with far less experience in writing gun legislation than their NRA counterparts. The results are perhaps best summed up by this uncomfortable question asked by Andy Parker: "If [this is] a meaningful deal, why is it that the NRA and their local minions are the only ones who are celebrating?" That said, the deal is not done yet. Governor McAuliffe still retains the ability to make things right by signing good legislation that will help keep guns out of the hands of dangerous individuals and vetoing an ill-advised bill that would put many violent concealed handgun permit holders on Virginia's streets. The centerpiece of the deal is a rollback of Attorney General Mark Herring's recent decision to revoke concealed carry reciprocity agreements with 25 states that fail to meet Virginia's permitting standards. HB1163/SB610 would force the Attorney General to recognize the concealed carry permits of all 49 other states, regardless of their standards (which is more states than Virginia granted reciprocity to prior to Attorney General Herring's decision). This would allow the following dangerous individuals with out-of-state permits to carry loaded guns in Virginia again: Stalkers; individuals convicted of violent misdemeanors (i.e., assault/battery, weapons charges, sex offenses, etc.), DUIs and drug offenses; juveniles convicted of offenses that would have been felonies had they been adults; and persons who received mental health treatment or substance abuse treatment in a residential setting less than five years prior to the date of their application for a concealed handgun permit. Equally egregious, if a Virginia resident with a disqualifying criminal and/or mental health history failed to obtain a concealed handgun permit in the Commonwealth, he/she would be able to obtain a mail-order permit from an outside state with weaker standards and carry in Virginia regardless! Advertisement In addition, under HB1163/SB610, Virginia would grant states reciprocity without requiring them to be able to verify their concealed handgun permits on a 24/7 basis. So much for "enforcing the laws on the books." Governor McAuliffe has tried to assuage concerns about this rollback by claiming that "there is no evidence that anyone with a concealed carry permit has ever harmed anyone in Virginia." This claim can be immediately disproven by visiting the Violence Policy Center's "Concealed Carry Killers" website, which contains many such cases from Virginia, including mass shootings. Research from Stanford University has also found that "right-to-carry laws are associated with substantially higher rates" of aggravated assault, rape, robbery and murder. The governor's claim appears to be based entirely on the testimony of Fox News columnist John Lott, whose research has now been thoroughly discredited. In exchange for this "huge expansion of gun rights" as Republican state Delegate C. Todd Gilbert described it, two modest gun violence prevention provisions--totally lacking in enforcement teeth--were included in the deal. The first (HB1386/SB715) would direct Virginia State Police to be present at each gun show in the state to conduct background checks upon the request of private sellers of firearms. But no private seller would ever actually be REQUIRED to run such a check on their buyers. And private sellers are currently able to conduct such checks through federally licensed firearms dealers at gun shows, if they so desire. The second, more important, provision (HB1391/SB49) would make it a felony offense for someone who is the subject of a permanent protective order in cases of family abuse to possess a firearm under Virginia law. The provision would only apply to this one specific type of protective order. Temporary orders and other types of permanent protective orders (including those designed to protect abused and neglected children) would not be addressed. Additionally, although the legislation allows abusers 24 hours to transfer their firearm(s) to another party, it does not provide them with any guidance on how to do so. Advertisement Who should an abuser transfer their firearm(s) to? That remains entirely unclear. Does this mean law enforcement? What about a friend, neighbor or spouse? Would the person taking custody of the firearm(s) have to pass a background check first? How would the appropriate court know who the firearm(s) has been transferred to? All of these questions remain unanswered, even though several other states offer models for best practices in this area. Furthermore, no removal process is defined in the legislation if abusers simply refuse to give up their guns. So what would a good deal look like? In regards to the concealed carry reciprocity portion of the deal, it would require the following: People not eligible to obtain a concealed carry permit in the Commonwealth would be barred from carrying in Virginia even if they got a permit from another state with weaker standards. States granted reciprocity by Virginia would have to ensure they can verify their permits on a 24/7 basis. As for the domestic violence provisions in the deal, the following changes should be made: A specific process should be defined for domestic abusers to dispose of their firearm(s) to a Federally Licensed Firearm dealer or law enforcement. That dealer or law enforcement would have to provide a receipt upon taking custody of the firearm(s) that would be filed with the appropriate court. Finally, a background check should be completed on the abuser at the termination of the protective order to make sure that there are no new disqualifications in his/her background. Advertisement A specific process should be defined for law enforcement to remove firearms from domestic abusers who refuse to surrender their firearms. I understand that Governor McAuliffe gave his "word" to the NRA when he agreed to this flawed deal, but before that he gave gun violence prevention advocates his "word" that he would stand up to the gun lobby and support only the best gun laws. At a moving vigil for victims of gun violence at the State Capitol on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (January 18), the governor told us: We have not changed our tune [on gun policy] one iota and we are just warming up. I want the folks in [the General Assembly] to understand that we are going to continue to fight for every single citizen here in the Commonwealth of Virginia ... It is our goal to make Virginia the safest state in the United States of America and we are not going to let them stop us ... Our voices will never be diminished. We will continue to fight for what is right ... Are you ready to fight? Either way, the governor has to break a promise to somebody. Will he disappoint a radical, far-right wing lobby that called him a "liar" who is "ideologically opposed to the private ownership of arms and doggedly committed to its elimination" just three months ago? Or will he break the hearts of gun violence survivors and gun violence prevention advocates who worked so hard to get him elected? That choice should be an easy one. ### In addition to his national work with the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence, Josh Horwitz is a board member of the Virginia Center for Public Safety, has testified on dozens of bills before the Virginia General Assembly, has been an invited speaker at public safety forums sponsored by the McAuliffe Administration, and has lived in Arlington County, Virginia for over 30 years. In Panama recently, we witnessed the climax of the biggest party of the year in this country -- the weeklong bacchanal marked by around-the-clock drinking, dancing, and general debauchery known as Carnaval. In Brazil, Carnival features bare-breasted women on floats. In Ecuador, where I've traveled for the party in previous years, the pre-Lenten celebration is all about water. You can't walk down the street without being squirted or sprayed. In Panama, Carnaval is about the fiesta. The country shuts down for a week of nonstop revelry, and the entire population goes on Spring Break. No business is done, no appointments made. Everything is put on hold until "after Carnaval." Advertisement People save all year to fund their Carnaval partying. If they find they have nothing saved come the start of February, they pawn or sell whatever they can. We've heard stories of families selling refrigerators and living room furniture to raise money so they could travel the week of Carnaval and take full advantage of the goings-on across this country. "Nobody and nothing gets in the way of Carnaval in Panama," says my Panamanian friend Alberto. "Two things you don't mess with in Panama," Alberto continues, "and that's Independence Day in November and Carnaval in February." A few years ago about this time, the indigenous in Panama were on strike. The government was attempting to sell part of their reservation to private companies for mining. The local Indians wanted no part of this and were making their position known by blocking roads and generally raising a fuss. The protests started in January and continued into February, when the countdown to Carnaval began. Everyone watched nervously. If the Indians didn't stop their protesting, people wouldn't be able to travel for Carnaval. The conflicts this could lead to could be serious. As Alberto put it when he told me the story, "Nobody needed to worry. Those Indians wouldn't keep it up over Carnaval. They knew better than that. The people will have their Carnaval." Advertisement And, indeed, the Indians stopped protesting just in time for Carnaval travel. While Carnaval is a country-wide holiday, not everywhere in the country celebrates in the same way. Panama City is largely deserted over the week of Carnaval, as everyone from the capital who can afford it travels elsewhere, either to the coast or the interior, for the big event. This year, the government has made an effort to improve the quality of the Panama City Carnaval experience. The bayfront Cinta Costera has been blocked to traffic since Friday afternoon, and elaborate parade viewing stations and bandstands have been set up all along. Should you plan to be in Panama for Carnaval ... or avoid this time of year in this country at all costs? A friend told us late last month that he'd contacted his airline to book a ticket out of Panama City the Friday before Carnaval weekend (that is, this past Friday). The airline told him the flight was fully booked; he wouldn't be able to fly that day. "Oh, I'll be leaving Panama that day, one way or another," our friend assured the airline agent. "I won't be sticking around for what will follow that weekend." Las Tablas is the biggest, best-known, and most traditional Carnaval venue in Panama. Two competing queens representing "Calle Arriba" and "Calle Abajo" are at the center of the festivities; these two opposing camps compete to showcase the best floats, the best fireworks, and the best costumes. Advertisement Fifty-one weeks a year, Las Tablas is a sleepy little town of about 10,000 souls. The week of Carnaval, its population can swell to 100,000 or more. People sleep on the sidewalks, in the parks, on the beach, in strangers' driveways, and on car hoods. Everyone with an extra bedroom rents it out for what amount to outrageous sums for these few nights; some folks even rent out their living room sofas... even their living room floors. The effect of all this population on this small town is something to see (though maybe only once). Shops stockpile beer and seco, filling every available inch of storage space with inventory, but, still, they sell out. People drink and dance in the streets around the clock for three days straight. Music blasts. Water trucks (known as "culecos") spray. Not for the faint of heart ... but a big boom for the Las Tablas economy. I've braved the street parties in different regions of Panama in years past and have developed a healthy respect for this country's commitment to making every Carnaval a blowout to remember. This year I'm sitting it all out, bracing myself for tonight's final throw-down, which I'll witness from the safe distance of my balcony. Earlier on Huff/Post50: Valentine's day came and went with a flurry. As usual, the trendy Santa Monica restaurant Upper West catered to a sold out crowd on the most romantic night of the year. Next in line for Upper West is an opening reception for artist Brooke Harker on Sunday, February 21. Photo courtesy of Brooke Harker, Heart of the View, ink, oil & acrylic on canvas, 36" x 93" Harker just returned from her second trip to Italy where her lively paintings were featured in two solo exhibitions. The latter took place in January 2016 at Satura Art Gallery in the old town district of Genoa, Italy. In 2015, she completed an artist residency on a farm in Italy (about an hour south of Rome) where she created the works for that collection. There she lived the artist dream, entrenched in Italian culture...painting and visiting historic landmarks. Harker, a Los Angeles based cityscape artist (known for capturing the energy of busy LA scenes as well as numerous cities around the world), gained this opportunity due to her ability to depict urban perspectives which transport viewers into the colorful worlds created on canvas. Harker revealed that one of the challenges she encountered in Italy which truly changed her as an artist, was that she had to re-adjust her work-to-life ratio. Italians are known for being relaxed, drinking wine, and enjoying social interactions in the middle of the day...that was a foreign concept for the hard working artist. "I really thought I would paint in Italy like I did in LA...with speed, force, and an unyielding pursuit of a goal. Instead, I encountered many people who were just sure that I couldn't enjoy my life while working. I learned that Italians want everyone to enjoy their lives. After weeks of fighting it, I gave up and allowed myself to adapt to the culture. I agreed to embrace life differently. I took more breaks and soaked in the details... Perhaps that was an ironic and humbling shift for me." One can only assume that this point hit home for the artist since her work spotlights the beauty of life's details in the midst of an active scene. Advertisement Photo courtesy of Brooke Harker, Avalon Days 2, 62 x 75, ink oil acrylic on canvas At Upper West, Harker will be showcasing various selections of her cityscapes, some of which caught the attention of Italian curator Alfio Borghese and landed her that opportunity to paint LA in Italy. This solo exhibition titled "Memoirs of Cities" will feature images from downtown LA to coastal areas such as Laguna Beach, Dana Point, Catalina, as well as some from San Francisco, New York City, and Tokyo. As Harker has resumed life and painting in LA, she said she continues to apply what she learned abroad in future collections both inspired by Italy and US cities. "Perhaps there is always room to enjoy moments more," said Harker. "There is nourishment in colors and in savoring life's details the same way there are vitamins in food. Being healthy is a matter of choosing which moments to take in just like we choose our meals." A fan of the restaurant, Harker said she is excited about showing her work at Upper West. "I'm quite impressed with the food at Upper West...the dishes are like works of art!" Advertisement The artist continued, "I paint the fleeting moments that for a split second fuel me. One such moment inspired Broadway & 6th, which features a bustling scene in downtown Los Angeles. The crosswalk flashed a countdown of seconds while I crossed the street. I left the camera display screen off and didn't look through the viewfinder when I snapped photos over my shoulder. It was a game to see what I could capture by chance and from that moment of play, this painting was born." Photo courtesy of Brooke Harker, Broadway & 6th, ink, oil and acrylic on canvas, 45" x 90" x 3.75" Harker's vibrant depictions of gritty urban sprawl make for a lively and colorful exhibition adding to the ambiance and exquisite American fusion cuisine at Upper West. Looking forward to the following week...the Oscars will once again be celebrated at the restaurant. Upper West will host a Leukemia & Lymphoma Society fundraiser and donate a portion of the proceeds to the nonprofit. Harker has also agreed to donate a portion of sales on original paintings that day. "The condition affects children and families everywhere," added Harker. "Regardless of methods used to treat cancer, my heart goes out to those who suffer the loss of loved ones." Sara K. Fay (LLS volunteer and organizer) explained, "The work that the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is doing to create a world free of blood cancer is simply unparalleled. No other organization has been as dedicated to researchers, hospitals, patients and their families than LLS. In fact, LLS has been involved in EVERY major blood cancer breakthrough in the last 50 years, and in that time span, survival rates for blood cancers have doubled, tripled and even quadrupled. They've invested $1 billion to get those results. Their commitment to the cause is clear." Last weekend, while attending a Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration Dinner at Syracuse University, I had the opportunity to hear a compelling keynote address given by well known social justice activist, and CNN political contributor Dr. Marc Lamont Hill. As a writer of a motivational blog, I came to this event hoping to gain some insight for a blog post that not only celebrated Black History Month, but also shared guidance and gems for successfully following your dreams. While many powerful messages were relayed throughout Dr. Hill's address, his small statement regarding his personal perspectives on the Black National Anthem, "Lift Every Voice and Sing" resonated with me the most. Although the Black National Anthem is a musical reflection of Black hardship and perseverance, there is another important message within the lyrics that is often overlooked. While speaking on the writing of the Anthem, Dr. Hill mentioned that the lyrics to the song say "Lift EVERY voice and sing". Not just BLACK voices, not just WHITE voices, but EVERY voice. Even during a time of oppression and struggle, the writers crafted a song to deliver a message of equality, success, and celebration of all people. A college student is in the student center promoting her new blog about women in the workplace. While she is standing at her table, a group of girls are walking toward her. As they get closer, she realizes they are part of a student organization that promotes equality and social justice for women. Seeing that her blog is very similar to the mission and efforts of their organization, she thinks they'll be very excited and supportive of her idea. So, as they approach the table, she asks them if they have a minute to hear about her new blog.Contrary to her belief, they do not show any interest in what she's doing. Instead they begin to laugh and talk about her as they walk past. Advertisement Although the excerpt above isn't real, how many of us can say that we've experienced something similar to this? So many people are the same. They are fighting the same fight, experiencing the same oppression, and are working toward the same goals, but are shattering each other's success through hate, jealousy, abase, and self-inflicted segregation. How can we defeat obstacles when we are the ones setting them up? How can we fight for equality within the realms of our oppression when we participate in the very system that oppressed and divided us in the first place? How can we achieve a common goal without the common sense to know that we must first be a community? How can we be taken seriously and be supported if we can't even support each other? This week, I challenge us to lift another person's dream. When we see someone with similar goals or dreams, support them: Like their Facebook Page. Purchase their book. Go to their event. Send them a message of encouragement. Offer your guidance and knowledge. Let them know you're a team. Whether it be social justice, civil rights, or even following your dreams, if we aren't supporting the other people running in these same races, no one will ever finish, no one will ever win. Let's be a community, let's be a team- let's lift every dream. Advertisement Happy Black History Month, -Kayla An ailing 75-year-old Urdu-speaking man sits alone in his room in Pat Godam Camp in Mymensingh, Bangladesh. He has no family left and does not have the resources to obtain health care. In Bangladesh, the Urdu-speaking Bihari community was stateless for more than 35 years. After Bangladesh's independence from Pakistan, hundreds of thousands of Bihari were moved into ghetto-like settlements in cities all over Bangladesh. In 2008, the Bihari were granted Bangladesh nationality but still face challenges in accessing passports, land ownership, employment in government and military and obtaining trade-licenses. (2006) Statelessness refers to the condition of an individual who is not considered a national by any state. Although stateless people may sometimes also be refugees, the two categories are distinct. It's almost impossible to determine the true number of stateless people. For 2014, UNHCR offices reported a figure of almost 3.5 million stateless people, drawing specifically on data from 77 countries. However, it is estimated that there are more than 10 million stateless worldwide. In 2002, photojournalist Greg Constantine had been working on a story about North Korean defectors. Some of these were women who had lived in China, in hiding, having given birth there to children whom they would later take with them in escaping China via a kind of underground railroad. The issue for these children: they were stateless. This would be the first time Constantine had come across this issue--one that would compel him to begin a several-year project that would culminate in the book, Nowhere People (2015), which depicts some of the most vulnerable among stateless communities internationally--and for whom basic human rights are often categorically withheld. At the time he had met these North Korean women, as Constantine says, some basic questions came to the fore regarding their children, and they were questions that could easily be asked of any of the stateless communities he has subsequently documented. [These] children had no documents. No birth certificates, no passports, etc. They possessed nothing that proved their legal identity. And that made me ask questions, 'how will the kids go to school?'. 'how will they be able to travel?' 'what happens if they need to go to the hospital?', etc. All the answers led to the children really having no future ahead of them. It took another 3 years before I would make the decision to embark on the project Nowhere People, with the intention of it only being a one-year project on stateless people in Asia. It didn't take long for me to realize I was working on an under-reported story of huge proportion. Each year the project got bigger and bigger. I became more and more dedicated to chronicling this global issue and the stories of stateless people, and each year, I could see how the issue of statelessness itself touched on some much bigger themes that I wanted to explore. Also similar--the emotions among stateless communities, including their notions of "home." Many of the stateless people and communities I've spent time photographing have a very deep sense of belonging to the place in which they live. Most stateless people are NOT refugees. Most stateless people around the world, from the Bidoon community in Kuwait to Rohingya in Burma, to Nubians in Kenya or ethnic Burkinabe in the Ivory Coast, to young Roma in Italy and Dominicans of Haitian descent in the Dominican Republic, they have never left the country where they were born, where their parents were born and grandparents, etc. They know where they belong. They know where home is. I've tried to show this connection to place in so many of my photographs. But for any number of reasons mostly because of deep-rooted discrimination, racism, intolerance, political greed, the State has made the conscious decision to deny them this recognition and affirmation of their belonging to this place they call and consider home. And this thing, citizenship, which most of us associate with 'rights' and 'inclusion' has been used for the very opposite purpose....deprivation, rejection and exclusion. The arbitrary denial of citizenship by the State has been used as a weapon to exclude and marginalize. This has a huge psychological impact on stateless people all over the world. It places this heavy feeling of being 'incomplete' on stateless people. Because states can use citizenship as a weapon against vulnerable communities, especially those whom they consider to be problematic, and against whom the state can facilitate racial, ethnic, or religious hatreds and discrimination via their own actions, being called upon the proverbial carpet for such actions can be a sensitive topic--and one that diplomatically can run the risk of causing rifts when addressed by outside actors--whether governments, INGO's, or others for whom human rights, including when codified by international law, may be an essential element of their interaction with a particular government. Statelessness is an incredibly sensitive subject to talk about because in most cases, it is governments themselves that actually cause people to be stateless in the first place and it is governments that actually perpetuate statelessness for decades. You are touching on the right of a sovereign State to determine who its citizens are and aren't. Almost every country in the world is a signatory to the Convention on the Rights of the Child and in that convention it clearly says that every child has a right to a nationality, yet you have countries all over the world that disregard their obligation. How is this enforced? How does the international community turn to a country like the Dominican Republic or Myanmar and hold them accountable for not living up to their obligations or for actions that are in clear disregard of international treaties? Stateless people want their stories heard. They want their stories told. They want people to know about their struggles and that they don't accept the situation they are in. So much of the conversation about statelessness has focused on the legal elements embedded in the issue. Far too often, the human stories of how statelessness impacts people were either not there or were lost in the process. In Myanmar, over 800,000 people from the Rohingya community have been arbitrarily denied citizenship and are stateless. Ethnic violence in 2012, forced tens of thousands of Rohingya from their homes and into camps for internally displaced people. Rohingya worry that an entire generation of children will not have access to schools and an education. Most children, like 7-year-old Nur, who hauls mud at a worksite near one of the camps, have never been to school. (2014) In terms of the role of the media, including those like Constantine who are at the forefront of topics in which human rights can seem abstract, depicting statelessness is essential to evoke the kind of visceral or emotional response that can only be done in some cases through a visual medium. Here, Constantine has taken inspiration from such photojournalists as Philip Jones Griffiths, Eugene Richards, Ed Kashi, Sebastiao Salgado, Brenda Ann Keneally, Stephanie Sinclair, Robin Hammond, Kathryn Cook, Jon Lowenstein, and Kadir Van Lohuizen, among others--especially those for whom photography and social justice have become an important amalgam. For years, I think people discussed the issue of statelessness but there was almost nothing there to show people what statelessness actually looked like. Ie: Show us what happens to people and communities when they are stateless. Photography is a language, and as people and policy makers have had discussions about the legal elements of statelessness, I've always felt the visual stories of stateless people need to be included as a language in that conversation as well. In terms of Constantine's work, Nowhere People is a testament to the capacity to use that photographic language for necessary reasons. However, like any human rights issue, and with the media becoming less a public good and more and more a commercial interest, it still can be a hard sell, even when the issues themselves address an even larger, more pervasive truth about the role of government itself in the lives of those for whom they are ultimately responsible. That is a topic that has continued to be relevant to every human being, regardless of form of government when it comes to the authority of a state and those under which it can exert myriad levels of power or control. Advertisement I've always been surprised that this issue of statelessness and the story of stateless people hasn't received more attention. To say getting editors interested in this story has been an uphill battle is an understatement. People have said statelessness is a story that doesn't have much appeal to it, but I totally disagree with them. I always have. It's a story about the power of the State. It's a story that forces us to challenge how far we as individuals and societies will accept that overarching power. It challenges us to take a hard look at diversity, multiculturalism and shared identity today in 2016. It's a story that forces us to understand how events in the past really do shape events of today. Several stateless people have described having citizenship and rights for most people in the world is like breathing. Just as most people breathe in and out effortlessly, the rights they are born with and have in their day-to-day lives are received effortlessly as well. Take away their air and they will find it doesn't take long to suffocate. Take away some of those fundamental rights and they will feel as if they are suffocating as well. When people really take the time to become exposed to and understand the issue of statelessness and the stories of stateless people, they immediately want to know more and they immediately see how easy it would be in the world we live in to suffocate. And as history has proven, given the wrong circumstances, at the wrong time, during times of extreme stress, when xenophobia and jingoism can be at their height, any of us can be vulnerable. All it takes is a government--any government--to change laws, to codify discrimination and hatred. No country is immune. Why works of this kind are so important: such a change in circumstance, and any of us could find ourselves facing such a fate. Only by personally feeling those kinds of stakes will anything be done to make sure such basic human rights are not just accepted in theory, but also demanded in practice. And such demands are in everyone's interest. For Constantine, also important is the sense of humanity he has found among those who are vulnerable, and again, this is something he hopes is evident, for it is also about the capacity we have as human beings to identify with one another when the stakes are inordinately high. This is something that is an indelible part of the human experience, regardless of circumstance. Advertisement [Statelessness] is a story that at its heart reveals the strength of the human spirit to survive, of families believing in each other, of communities who are proud to identify themselves as who they are and demanding to be recognized and respected for who they are and what they have to offer others around them. Over the years I've grown more and more amazed at the sheer determination stateless people have to keep moving forward with their lives year after year with all of deprivations that have been put before them. Their ability to adapt. Their ability to find solutions. To maintain their dignity...when so much has been denied from them and when so much of their future is out of their control. Through Constantine's photographs, perhaps an understanding of such common human emotion may indeed bridge the gap, so it's not so much a matter of "us" and "them"...but a recognition of threads that run much more deeply, connecting us to those we might not otherwise have known about, and making their rights and well-being as important as our own. All photos from Nowhere People in this post are under copyright.Nowhere People is available via www.nowherepeople.org. For further information on Greg Constantine, please see http://www.gregconstantine.com. We enter this film and the lives of a small collection of people of all ages in the modest Chinese city of Fenyang, which happens to be the birthplace of the film's evocative director and screenwriter, Jia Zhangke. It is 1999, 50 years after the Communist Party assumed power and the eve of the millennium Chinese New Year. The anchor character, a young woman named Tao, is leading some 20 people in exuberant dance to a western rock tune. So begins Jia's three act dialectic between past and present, children and parents, capitalism and compassion, filial and romantic love, and perhaps most of all between the balm of innocence and the agita of maturation. Act I has begun. It features a love triangle among Tao (Zhao Tao, who in life is married to the director), a sympathetic mining equipment manager named Liang (Liang Jingdong), and a budding, self-absorbed entrepreneur named Jingsheng (Zhang Yi). Tao is like a child, full of innocence, seemingly clueless to her suitors' affections and the growing hostility amongst them. She likes things as they are - as might a prepubescent girl who wants to have boys as attentive friends, not boyfriends and certainly not lovers. She is content, as well, to be the dutiful daughter to her widowed shopkeeper father. The story takes off, and the pain begins, when she is forced to make a choice between the two men - and in so doing, leave the haven of her home. This Act ends some 40 minutes later; don't be surprised but that is when the title of the film appears - as if it were the end of the film. But, already foreshadowed, it is 2014. Act II has Tao divorced, with her son living in Shanghai with his rich father and attending a very tony school. Capitalism, as embodied by Jingsheng, not only has polluted China's air and culture it has made a foul, mean-spirited person of her ex-husband. The broadside against Chinese mercantilism and materialism is unfettered and a bit of a surprise to see passing what censors may still be operating in government and the arts. Yet, Tao has reconciled herself to her now prosperous life as a divorcee who has not seen her son (named Dollar at birth by his father) in years. Her pain comes, however, when her father dies, when she becomes no longer a child herself. Her grief is profound, suggesting that it is not the loss alone of her father (a war veteran whose death signals the passing of a generation that believed in creating a new society which, in fact, became the warped version of Communism today) but the prospect of losing her childhood that causes her the greatest pain. This moment re-unites her briefly with her son, who is sent for the funeral; despite the attachment that is resurrected between mother and son he leaves and Tao goes on with her simple, protected, childlike life. But China has been transformed in the 15 year interval, and its growth and growing up are remiss of innocence. In this act, Liang returns to Fenyang (he was driven out by his rival) with wife, child and lung cancer - likely from working the mines in Inner Mongolia. His suffering, and that of his wife, stand in bold contrast to Tao and of course is unknown and of no matter to Jingsheng. Tao is sweet and generous to him, financially, but again she seems like a child giving a dutiful but inconsequential present to someone she once knew. Advertisement Act III fast forwards to 2025 and is set in Melbourne, Australia, where Jingsheng had moved his second wife and his son. A father-son conflict rages, with each full of enmity for the other. Their suffering is deep; there is no innocence to be found. Dollar is a college student who has turned his back on his heritage: he speaks no Chinese and pretends to not know his mother's name. But his heart has not been destroyed, as was that of his father, and it is brought to life in a relationship with his Chinese language teacher, a beautiful, elegant older woman, Hong Kong born Mia (Sylvia Chang). Mia too suffers from family, divorce and love. We are well beyond China at this point: this film is now fully about everything human and what can be the great tragedies of life, namely growing up, loving, loss, illness, narcissism and dying. Yet one person is left standing -- in fact, dancing -- at the end. It is Tao in her native city, alone but not lonely and comfortable in her life and her own skin. Her innocence has not abandoned her. She seems to have suffered the least of all the characters we meet. It is as if the director wants us to believe that innocence may be the greatest shield from the agonies that a life can bestow. Advertisement Mountains May Depart is a mighty film. It continues to haunt me. See if you think so too. .......... The opinions expressed herein are solely my own as a psychiatrist and public health advocate. I receive no support from any pharmaceutical or device company. My book for families who have a member with a mental illness is The Family Guide to Mental Health Care (Foreword by Glenn Close) -- is now available in paperback. I am completing a book about some secrets of psychiatric practice. Follow Lloyd I. Sederer, MD on Twitter http://www.askdrlloyd.com Women and millennial business owners are not the status quo this election season. Its certainly been an interesting few months for the U.S. economy, and I've been keeping a close eye on how women and millennial business owners are reacting to events as they unfold. In December we experienced the first rate hike by the Federal Reserve after seven years, and the New Year saw the stock markets take a beating by the declining price of oil. On top of that, were in an election year. I recently spoke with Candace Klein, Chief Strategy Officer at Dealstruck, an online small business lender, about what business owners think about the race as it relates to the economy. To that end, Dealstruck recently conducted a survey of small business owners to get a pulse on what theyre thinking. And I dove in to determine the female millennial perspective. What I got was gold! Klein shared her top 4 financial tips for women and millennial led small businesses. See them below. 1. Don't be afraid to get help. Since young business owners are applying for SBA financing in record numbers, Klein suggests doing everything you can to increase your chances of success. "When starting a business, it is tempting to cut corners to save money and unfortunately, many young business owners (and some not-so-young ones), think that skimping on accounting is an easy way to save a few bucks." She warns, however, "The reality is, that decision will cost much more in the long run. In the case of an IRS audit or even when applying for small business financing, organized, accurate, and easy to find taxes and documentation are crucial. If these things are needed and a business owner isn't prepared, it will take a great deal of time and money, often in the form of hiring tax professionals, to clean up the mess." To that end, investing in a part time bookkeeper or professional accounting software will help the millennial business owners start out on the right foot from the outset and avoid headaches down the road. Advertisement The Dealstruck survey results indicate that small businesses are generally feeling positive about their own growth and the economy, but are not applying for SBA financing (only 6% has ever applied), and 57% have concerns about their economic future. The Millennial small business owner respondents, however, have reported faring better (95% are stable or improving), are more likely to have applied for SBA financing (16%) and are less concerned about the economy in the near future (47%). 2. Keep an eye on healthcare costs. Though young women business owners tend to have few concerns regarding the Affordable Care Act and its effect on their businesses, it will be important to not ignore the issue. Klein suggests, "As many millennials are young enough to have little experience with catastrophic illness or injury and are often still covered under their parents' health care policies, this may seem like a problem for another day or at least another demographic. But healthcare costs are going to have an impact on your business as you grow and you will need to consider coverage for your employees." In the survey, small business owners reported in the survey that they are generally not affected by the Affordable Care Act ("ACA") and are not opposed to its continuation. Fifty-three percent reported that the ACA will have no impact on their business, 18% reported a positive impact and 45% say it should be maintained in the future (16% have no opinion). Among millennials, more than a quarter feel that the ACA has had a positive impact on their businesses. And both women and millennials support continuing the ACA (51% and 53%, respectively). Advertisement 3. Hold on to your optimism. Klein suggests that, "It may simply be that women and millennials are the newest entrants to the small business ownership landscape, and therefore have not had the time to build a bad taste in their mouths for government policy. Either way, this optimism is meaningful as we enter this election cycle." In the survey, women and millennials reportedly not harmed by current tax code. While taxes remain top of mind for small business owners this election, the growing population of millennials and women are not as heavily affected. While 47% of overall small business owners think the current tax code is too onerous, only 37% of women and 29% of Millennials are concerned. 4. Keep on smiling. It's never been a better time to be a young small business owner. There are many advantages to starting a business early in adulthood, including parental support, higher tolerance for risk, less personal responsibilities (like mortgages and families), and having a finger on the pulse of popular culture (i.e. demand). However, it is easy to lose that optimism as the years go on, especially when the weight of being the source of support for employees, increased requirements for insurance and taxes, and long hours dedicated to the business can take their toll. It is vital for us as millennials to keep in touch with the passion that drove us to go into business for ourselves. Surround yourselves with supporters and advisors outside of the business who can be sounding boards and sources for support. Keep smiling - after all, to paraphrase the immortal Louis Armstrong, when you smile, the world smiles with you. Advertisement Justice Scalia & Bryan Garner Book Talk and Signing The death of US Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia came as a surprise this past weekend; he had not been reported to be ill, and his boundless energy made him seem rather timeless, despite the fact that he has been on the Court for fully thirty years. He was seventy-nine years old. Justice Scalia is probably best known for the quality of his dissenting opinions, which tended to be nasty, brutish and short. He could be strident, caustic, demeaning and bullying, and yet there was often the sense that there was a method to his apparent madness. Scalia aspired to, and perhaps even modeled himself upon, that great practitioner of the Supreme Court dissent, Justice John Marshall Harlan (1833-1911). It was Harlan's masterful dissent in the 1896 case, Plessy v Ferguson [163 U.S. 537], that provided the rationale for the landmark anti-segregation ruling of Brown v Board of Education [347 U.S. 483 (1954)]. Harlan's grandson, John Marshall Harlan II, also served as a Supreme Court Justice immediately thereafter, from 1955 to 1971, when he retired and was replaced by William Rehnquist. And William Rehnquist was the first Chief Justice for whom Justice Scalia served. Advertisement These details loomed large in Antonin Scalia's sense of the Court's traditions, both the tradition of legal reasoning and the tradition of judicial personality. He possessed a magisterial, and therefore a profoundly Catholic, sense of the law. I will return to that point. Justice Scalia was the proud possessor of a rigorously textual sense of legal reasoning and a decidedly oversized judicial personality. He was known, by friend and foe alike, as the promoter of a novel approach to judicial decision-making known as originalism. He insisted that Supreme Court decisions should be constrained by the plain meaning of texts and the original meaning of constitutional terminology. He went so far as to claim that there was a "science" of reading, which sounds like nothing quite so much as the German Professor of Philology pouring over his desiccated manuscripts. There was something profoundly philological in Justice Scalia's reasoning and something professorial in his writing. He could be as nasty and as cutting as an Oxford don. There was something profoundly biblical about Scalia's attachment to the US Constitution, which may be a sign of how Protestant-ly many Roman Catholics in America think and how Protestant-ly they have been trained. Traditionally, they have been Protestants who have reasoned as textual fundamentalists or literalists, whereas Roman Catholics have seen the Bible as one part of a magisterial and ancient historical tradition. Advertisement The problems with Scalia's conception of the Constitution's "original intent" and its "clear meaning" were obvious, and they were legion. It was not simply the apparent constitutional fundamentalism that caused wonder and dismay; it was the apparent refusal of history, and the stubborn refusal to admit moral progress in a society that has evolved and continues to do so. Many of the cultural attitudes enshrined in the Bill of Rights that were ratified in 1791 are not our attitudes today: women could not vote; children had no rights to speak of; and most persons of African descent were enslaved, counting as three-fifths of one person for the purposes of assigning congressional representatives to the mainly southern states. Justice Scalia was well aware of these problems and for this very reason, he referred to his conception of originalism as "the lesser evil," not a positive interpretive good. In an important and overlooked essay which he published just three years after coming to the US Supreme Court, he said as much in "Originalism: The Lesser Evil" [University of Cincinnati Law Review 57.3 (1989): 849-865]. (Eight years later, he generated further academic discussion of the issue in a less nuanced essay for the edited volume, A Matter of Interpretation: Federal Courts and the Law (Princeton University Press, 1997)). Justice Scalia freely admitted to the fact of shifting cultural attitudes, many of which were signs of social and cultural advancement. While public flogging was an acceptable punishment in 1791, he admitted, he would not be willing to support such punitive measures today. But that, he smiled coyly, is not an issue which is ever likely to come before the US Supreme Court. It has already been adjudicated in the broader society. Many of us are not so sanguine about the stability of such matters of moral taste, which is precisely what makes any kind of fundamentalism, biblical or constitutional, worrisome. Moral values are fragile things, as current controversies concerning immigrant rights, torture and the like make clear. It is precisely the recent argument about torture in this country that points to the power and the appeal of Scalia's position, however. The strongest argument against torture is not the utilitarian argument that it does not work, or that it provides bad intelligence; it is the absolutist argument enshrined in the Geneva Convention concerning inalienable human rights, the sacred value of personhood and the unarguable criminality of intending grotesque suffering and harm. Even warfare must have its rules. Advertisement The virtues of Justice Scalia's method were apparent in an important majority decision he wrote in 2008 in District of Columba v Heller [554 U.S. 570]. The case involved a Washington, DC statute that forbade the presence of handguns in private homes. As was his wont, Justice Scalia went first to the US Constitution, specifically to the Second Amendment: A well regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed. Then he went to the books (and Webster's Dictionary), parsing every shade and nuance of meaning as to what "keeping and bearing arms" may have meant in 1791. The lion's share of the historical philology in which Scalia engaged concentrated on the term 'arms', and that will likely be the primary means of moving forward with gun control legislation. Justice Scalia freely admitted that the US government possesses modern weapons which do not qualify as "arms" in the 1791 sense, and these weapons may indeed be regulated; he thus subtly pointed a way forward through which gun control might yet be arguable. But the Washington, DC statute was declared unconstitutional, and even so progressive a constitutional lawyer as Harvard's Laurence Tribe was convinced by the reasoning. [For more on this, see Laurence Tribe and Joshua Matz, Uncertain Justice: The Roberts Court and the Constitution (New York, NY: Henry Holt and Company, LLC, 2014), 163-168]. The rigors and the discipline of Scalia's approach were unique; few other majority decisions read the way his did. But like John Marshall Harlan, it was in dissent that Justice Scalia wrote for the ages. He often intended to plant arguments in the record which could then be utilized later in overturning decisions with which he disagreed. His most striking success came in the famous "Citizens United" case [Citizens United v FEC 558 U.S. 310], whose overturning of governmental regulation of campaign finance contributed to the relatively unregulated, and increasingly anonymous, campaign financing we see today. Advertisement (No Justice Scalia, no Bernie Sanders presidential campaign). I would like to look at what will be remembered as a very typical dissenting opinion in some ways, yet one which may also stand as a sort of credo to Justice Scalia's career. I am speaking of his cantankerous dissent in Obergefell v Hodges, the landmark same-sex marriage ruling issued last summer. In eight impassioned pages, Justice Scalia sounds many of the notes we should expect, but he also offered several more oblique comments that warrant a wider hearing. It will come as no surprise that he opposed this ruling--vehemently so: "When the Fourteenth Amendment was ratified in 1868, every State limited marriage to one man and one woman, and no one doubted the constitutionality of doing so. That resolves these cases" (Scalia, 4). It will come as no surprise that he insulted the rhetoric and the reasoning of the other side: "the opinion's showy profundities are often profoundly incoherent" (Scalia, 7-8). And still more: "If, even as the price to be paid for a fifth vote, I ever joined an opinion for the Court that began [he quotes the first sentence of Justice Kennedy's decision], I would hide my head in a bag. The Supreme Court of the United States has descended from the disciplined legal reasoning of John Marshall and Joseph Story to the mystical aphorisms of the fortune cookie" (Scalia 7-8n22). But he announced a subtly different reason for objecting here. In short, Justice Scalia distinguished what is rhetorically permissible in a dissenting opinion from what is permissible in a majority opinion that will serve to define the law of the land. I am not sure that this distinction will hold, given the distinctive legal work he wishes his own dissents to do, but it is the case that Scalia's rhetoric in the gun control decision and Kennedy's rhetoric here are worlds apart. Advertisement The opinion is couched in a style that is as pretentious as its content is egotistic. It is one thing for separate concurring or dissenting opinions to contain extravagances, even silly extravagances, of thought and expression; it is something else for the official opinion of the Court to do so. (Scalia, 7) In other words, the rhetorical high-jinks in which Scalia engages here are all right, but Kennedy's prose should be held to a higher standard. It is the nature of that standard that became a surprising topic of concern in this boisterous and wide-ranging dissent. It is worth recalling that the handwritten copy of the Second Amendment to the US Constitution capitalized several salient words: Militia, State and Arms. All three of these terms came under close scrutiny in Scalia's analysis. One thing that may warrant further consideration is Justice Scalia's use of capitalization in his most memorable dissents. After indicating that the question of what kinds of consenting adult couples marry is of little personal concern to him, Justice Scalia offers the following: It is of overwhelming importance to me, however, who it is that rules me. Today's decree says that my Ruler, and the Ruler of 320 million Americans coast-to-coast, is a majority of nine lawyers on the Supreme Court. (Scalia 2) Advertisement The religious echo is overwhelming here. This secular Court has, through what he refers to as "a judicial Putsch" (Scalia 6), has usurped the power of the Ruler of all Americans (God? the People? It is not clear). And there is more: Judges are selected precisely for their skill as lawyers; whether they reflect the policy views of a particular constituency is not (or should not be) relevant. Not surprisingly, then, the Federal Judiciary is hardly a cross-section of America. Take, for example, this Court, which consists of only nine men and women, all of them successful lawyers who studied at Harvard or Yale Law School. Four of the nine are natives of New York City. Eight of them grew up in east- and west-coast States. Only one hails from the vast expanse in between. Not a single Southwesterner or even, to tell the truth, a genuine Westerner (California does not count). Not a single evangelical Christian (a group that comprises one quarter of Americans), or even a Protestant of any denomination. (Scalia 5-6, notes omitted) Justice Scalia, a practicing Roman Catholic of Italian descent, has here fleshed out the religious complexity of the case, the decision and the manner in which it was decided. In the course of a career which spanned three decades, Antonin Scalia witnessed the US Supreme Court become a profoundly Catholic Court. Six of the justices prior to his death were Catholic; all four dissenters in Obergefell were Catholic. It would not be difficult to demonstrate that the manner in which these justices imagine certain issues before them--such as marriage, contraception, sexuality, birth and death--are imagined in subtly Catholic terms. Justice Scalia here voices an admirable word of caution, encouraging the justices to be wary of their in-built religious biases. Advertisement It is one thing to call for such a thing, quite another to succeed at it, of course. That complexity might serve us well as a way to think about Justice Scalia's version of originalism and its complicated relationship to religion. He was a lifelong Catholic who reasoned like a Bible-based Protestant. He possessed a lofty sense of tradition, but limited patience for historical and cultural change. He was deeply patriotic, which may be why he capitalized both Ruler and State. He was a gun-owner, hunted religiously, and died doing what he loved. And his rhetoric was self-consciously incendiary... which will ensure both that the confirmation hearings concerning his replacement will require substantive discussion of judicial methods, and that radicals like Senator Ted Cruz will deny the sitting President of the United States the right to name his replacement. On the world's bloody stage of escalating civil war and increasingly brutal acts of terrorism, the prospect of forgiveness and reconciliation these days may seem a fanciful notion devoid of legitimacy. Consider for instance Islamic State terrorists warning to the UK in February of a "Doomsday attack" that will eclipse the brutal Paris killings and turn "children's hair white." Is this kind of rhetoric so absolute, the positioning so uncompromising, the threat so final that any thought of a public discourse on forgiveness not only pointless now but dangerous too? Forgiveness is a subject that I've been immersed in for the past 12 years, ever since I founded The Forgiveness Project, a UK-based non-profit which shares stories of conflict transformation in order to inspire others to transform the pain and conflict in their own lives. It is a subject I have also written about and grappled with in the recently published paperback edition of The Forgiveness Project: Stories for a Vengeful Age. Advertisement I have always thought that it is unhelpful to talk of forgiveness when people are right in the middle of battle, whether the conflict is between malicious siblings or massacring tribes, because in the height of battle all you can do is concentrate on survival and protect your own. At such times, whether victim or perpetrator there is no time for reflection; and forgiveness, whether for self or for others, requires reflection. In my mind forgiveness only becomes tangible and of value when it is part of a renewal process; when it can repair damaged relationships or eradicate grievances that might otherwise extend and fester across generations. And yet at a time when violent extremism threatens to destabilize the very core of human rights, the stories we choose to tell seem more important than ever. I agree with the South African psychologist Pumla Gobodo-Madikizela who reflected in her seminal work A Human Being Died That Night that, "If memory is kept alive in order to cultivate old hatreds and resentments, it is likely to culminate in vengeance, and in a repetition of violence. But if memory is kept alive in order to transcend hateful emotions, then remembering can be healing." This is what is called restorative storytelling. Leading up to the 20th anniversary of the Rwandan genocide in 2014 I met a Rwandan man who had lost his entire family in the killing spree. He warned that critical to the future of his country would be the stories that people chose to share to mark the impending commemoration. He was expressing a need to concentrate on stories and memories that can be presented in a way that encourage healing and reconciliation rather than that re-traumatize or stir up ethnic hatred. This is why it is so important that we continue to be exposed to narratives of healing and transformation. Even in such complex and entangled stories as that of Penny Beernsten there is hope to be found. Beernsten is referred to briefly in the Netflix original documentary Making a Murderer for having wrongly identified Steven Avery as the man who brutally attacked her in 1985. Advertisement Her story is about wrestling with self-forgiveness (for the wrongful identification and its consequences) but it is also about post-traumatic growth. Having chosen to share her story with incarcerated violent men, she told me, "I thought I might be able to help them feel empathy toward their victims. What I didn't realize was how much of my own healing would come through these men." Research has shown that recovery comes from transforming the trauma through a process of meaning-making, in other words the "intense pursuit of what matters" which in turn puts meaning back into your life, or what child development psychologist Ann Masten terms as a resilience born from "ordinary magic". Recovery typically is about becoming actively engaged in helping others. Scarlett Lewis, the mother of 6-year-old Jesse who was one of the 20 children murdered at Sandy Hook Elementary school in 2012, declares "reaching out to others has saved me." She is talking about her campaign to ensure children with mental health disorders receive the kind of social and emotional support that her son's young killer never received. Lewis has embraced forgiveness as a resilient response to trauma and says, "Certainly I feel anger at the shooter when I think of the childrens' fear and what he did to their little bodies, but when I think of the pain that he was in I am able to find compassion too." Similarly Pardeep Kaleka, whose father was murdered on August 5th 2012 when white supremacist Wade Michael Page opened fire on a Sikh temple in Wisconsin, has attributed his healing (and forgiveness) to finding meaning and purpose in what happened. "On August 5th, there was a purpose to what happened. Someone came to our temple trying to divide us, saying that we didn't belong and that we weren't wanted in his country... the purpose of our response is to reach out, to include the other and say this will not happen again." And the brother of David Haines, the British aid worker who was beheaded by ISIS shortly after the murders of James Foley and Steven Sotloff, has since traveled the world spreading a message of unity, tolerance and understanding despite escalating atrocities from the region. I met Mike Haines last year and his message is unwavering: "I now spend my time going to schools, mosques and churches talking about fighting the forces of hate, whether from Islamic fundamentalists or right-wing extremists. I'm not talking about fighting with weapons. This has got to be an ethical and moral fight." Advertisement We know most Americans are not saving as much as they need for retirement, but what about a rainy day fund for the unexpected? A recent survey by Princeton Survey Research Associates International reveals that 63 percent of Americans do not have savings to pay for unexpected household and personal emergencies. Moneywatch put it bluntly in its coverage of the survey declaring, "Most Americans are one paycheck away from the street." Without modest savings, many Americans cannot afford an unexpected car repair or the cost of a medical emergency. They are not necessarily poor, but rather what the Federal Reserve calls "financially fragile." They are also generally limited in their ability to immediately access funds. For example, thirty percent of the financially vulnerable reported they would use credit cards or try to borrow from family and friends. Regrettably, not everyone has this option. Some have maxed out their cards and are not eligible for a new line of credit. Others have stretched their borrowing power with their personal networks. This is the group that turns to alternative financial services products. One viable solution to a one-time financial emergency is an online, small dollar installment loan to get a person through a financial rough patch. The majority of Americans have a real need for quick access to short-term installment loans when faced with an emergency situation. In fact, this has been the solution for twelve million Americans annually, according to Pew Charitable Trusts. Advertisement Why, then, are lawmakers and regulators taking draconian measures to terminate the businesses of legitimate short-term installment lenders? Some claim to be taking such actions in the name of protecting American consumers, suggesting that the American consumer is not intelligent enough to make their own decisions. To the contrary, eliminating these loans won't eliminate the consumer demand. Americans will still have the need for an emergency loan and with fewer or zero options, they will have nowhere legal to get one if the government has its way. The answer, quite simply, is that certain government officials, regulators and opponents of the short-term lending industry just do not like the short-term lending business. They disparage lenders for risk-centered interest charges, without acknowledging the risk to the lenders who offer these financial products. Some agencies in the federal government have even employed other strategies aimed at closing down legal small dollar lenders and other businesses they do not like - and their methods are frighteningly unconstitutional. The most prominent example is Operation Choke Point, an initiative employed by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), which used its power, most often through their patsy, the FDIC, with their regulatory sledgehammer, to destroy legal businesses by pressuring banks with threat of federal investigation unless the banks cut off accounts for specific types of businesses. Targeted businesses include short-term lenders; firearms and ammunition dealers; tobacco businesses; some non-profits and charities; and third party payment processors. The DOJ attempts to justify Operation Choke Point as a program for banks to weed out businesses engaged in fraud or which pose a "reputational risk." This program, however, has only targeted those businesses the current administration does not like. Advertisement Operation Choke Point has compromised the ability of legal and licensed lenders, firearms and ammunition dealers, tobacco businesses and third party payment processors to operate. Under federal pressure, banks have severed accounts with merchants in the targeted categories and effectively forced many legal and legitimate businesses to shut down. The types of businesses currently targeted by Operation Choke Point may not appeal to everyone, and therefore not be of much concern to them. Imagine a conservative federal administration using its vast regulatory and administrative powers to eliminate businesses that go against their conservative beliefs. What outrage would erupt if our government forced the closure of bank accounts and banking services to choke off the business of organizations with liberal values such as Planned Parenthood, Human Rights Campaign and other legal enterprises? Fortunately, in a vote with rare bipartisan support, the United States House of Representatives passed the "Financial Institution Customer Protection Act of 2016," (H.R. 766) on February 4, 2016. The bill was sponsored by Missouri Congressman Blaine Luetkemeyer. It aims to protect banks and legal businesses from the abuses of Operation Choke Point. It prohibits federal banking regulators from ordering a bank to cut off accounts unless the regulator has a material reason to do so. The legislation specifies that the reason cannot be based solely on reputational risk. It's knowing what one doesn't know -- and knowing enough to surround oneself with those who do -- that makes for a smart president. This is what the last Bush who served as president said today about the next Bush who wants to serve as president in the state where every Bush who's run has won a Republican primary election. Which reminds us of what one of the chief advisers to the last Bush said: "There are known knowns. There are things we know we know. We also know there are known unknowns. That is to say we know there are some things we do not know. But there are also unknown unknowns -- the ones we don't know we don't know." Advertisement In a race in which the front-runner for the Republican presidential nomination has said he looks to a lot of experts on television for his understanding of foreign policy, the words of the former secretary of defense, Donald Rumsfeld, speak directly to a question before the voters of South Carolina, where George W. Bush campaigned today for his "big little brother," Jeb Bush. "I know what I don't know,'' John Ellis Bush said during his own remarks. The former president spent almost as much time during his 22 minutes on stage today reminding voters why they should be wary of Donald Trump in Saturday's Republican primary as he did explaining why brother Jeb is the one to choose. "In my experience, the strongest person usually isn't the loudest in the room," the former president said campaigning for his brother in North Charleston. "We do not need someone in the Oval Office who mirrors and inflames our frustration." "Strength is not empty rhetoric,'' he said. "It is not bluster.'' If the younger Bush has always chafed at characterizations of him as "the smarter one'' -- or "the more cerebral one'' in recent press narratives -- the older one was characteristically self-effacing today in noting that he's written a couple of books since leaving office, confounding those people "up East" who didn't think he could even read, or that the value of his retirement paintings rests more in the signature than the material. Advertisement "I've been mis-underestimated most of my life,'' Bush joked. Yet, he said, he understood clearly the job at hand as he listened to a classroom of Second-graders reading to him in Sarasota, Florida, on the morning of Sept. 11, 2001. "I became something that no president should ever want to be, a war-time president,'' he said. And that's when the people with whom Bush had surrounded himself became so important. During his own campaign for president, Jeb Bush initially had trouble explaining if he would have done the same thing his brother had done in Iraq, knowing what we know now. "The ones we don't know we don't know,'' per Rumsfeld. In this case, Trump is the "known unknown.'' Yet Jeb Bush has faced his own troubles becoming known to voters nationally. The younger Bush was widely criticized early in his campaign for saying he'd call on some of the same people his brother had called upon for the advice he'd need as president. Jeb Bush, George W. Bush said today, is "going to assemble a great group of people.'' Now, in the closing days of one state's primary campaign in which Jeb Bush is struggling for the No. 3 finish in the third contest of the political season, the Bushes are asking South Carolinians to stop and consider what they don't know about the party's front-runner, and what they should know about the 45th president. They're asking voters to trust a leader to understand that which he doesn't know and to surround himself with those who do. Today, the Earth got a little hotter, and a little more crowded. Tiny Forest Fairy Lanterns are rare and considered threatened in Tasmania, which also harbors truly ancient forests. Credit Rosalind Smallwood at Flickr When we harm forests, we harm ourselves. Last Ancient Forest Burning -- the Tasmania UN World Heritage forest is thought to be the closest living example of what the ancient forests may have looked like many millions of years ago in Gondwanaland. Credit Rob Blakers at AAP OO Scientists Worry as Tasmania Burns - with climate change, Tamania has warmed and dried. Wildfires have become more frequent and intense, and parts of the last stands of ancient pines are burning - with little hope that they will recover soon, if ever. Advertisement Related Headline: OO Australia: Call For Urgent Inquiry Into Tasmania World Heritage Forest Fires which continue to devastate a unique ancient forest. Forests: the cheapest way to store carbon Darker Means Hotter - darker conifer trees absorb more heat than their lighter, leafy green neighbors. Source www.glogster.com OO Man's Shift To Dark Green Forests Stokes Global Warming - And Rethinking Forestry as man replaced oaks and other leafy green trees with fast-growing conifers in Europe, used for construction and paper. Takeaways: the warming effect is far less than fossil fuel burning: 0.2 F since 1750 the warming effect outweighs the carbon storage by the trees similar effects are likely in other big forest planting programs - as in China, US, and Russia. Another forest warming effect: forest losses increase temperatures (both actual and average), and temperature variation, especially in arid zones, followed by temperate, tropical, and boreal zones. * * THE MELTING ARCTIC OO How Melting Arctic Ice May Have Set Off Era Of Vicious East Coast Snow Storms - The warming Arctic ingredients: more open water more air moisture, a high pressure area and a weakening vortex that sends frigid air into the US. The apparent result: vicious US snow storms. So far, the links between a melting Arctic and the snowstorms are not definite, requiring further study. Related Headlines: OO Is Global Warming Behind D.C.'S New Era Of Great Snowstorms? <><> Home Is Melting Away for many animals, including this Arctic wolf. Credit Jim Brandenberg at National Geographic OO Unusually Warm Arctic Winter Stuns Scientists With Record Low Ice Extent For January - which means we'll probably be headed for a record summer low ice cover as well, when it is needed most to act as a planetary solar shield from the sun's heat -- the last thing we need more of, at this point. Advertisement Caught on Camera, this gaunt polar bear is an unfortunately common arctic sight, as his icy feeding platforms, disappear. Credit Paul Nicklen at National Geographic Creative OO Tracking Polar Bears Reveals Their Struggle to Survive - as less ice is forcing the animals to exert more energy to find food. On The Watch For Hungry Bears - a ringed seal surfaces in icier Arctic times. Credit Paul Nicklenat National Geographic Creative @@ Dramatic Photos of Melting Arctic - And You Can SPEAK UP - from the good folks at EarthJustice. OO Scientists Find a Toxic Threat Lurking Under the Melting Arctic - as permafrost thaws, it can release deadly mercury, a new study finds. @@ Climate Change: As Life-Changing in Greenland As 911 Was for US - life there is now divided into before, and after, climate change. Advertisement * * GOOD CLEAN NEWS OO The Renewable Energy Revolution Is Already Upon Us a new report shows. Wind and solar generation are skyrocketing in the U.S. as greenhouse gas emissions drop. OO Energy Storage Is Finally Poised For A Breakthrough - banks of batteries and other technologies could lower energy bills and help renewable power, says energy storage industry as it gears up for bumper year. OO US Power Costs Falling With Low-Carbon Energy: 'We've Entered a New Era' - new data shows wholesale and retail rates are falling as dirty energy declines. OO Cleantech Funding Train Keeps On Rolling a greatest-hits list of last month's cleantech financial deals, fund-raising, mergers and venture capital investments. <><><> OO US Electricity Industry's Use Of Coal Fell To Historic Low In 2015 As Plants Closed - delivering a new blow to an industry already in painful decline. Advertisement OO Once Unstoppable, Tar Sands Now Battered From All Sides OO Fall In Number Of Oil Rigs Drilling In US Speeds Up as companies adjusted to the latest slump in the price of crude. * * GOOD IDEAS OO Stop Telecommuting: It Contributes to Global Warming - more than going to work, since telecommuters at home increase average home emissions by 20% (as by raising the thermostat). Businesses save on rent and energy costs, but if everyone shares the same space it saves far more energy than energy saved from individual commuting. OO Could Mechanical Trees Be The Next Big Green Technology? - small vibrations already happening in the hustle-bustle of the modern world could trigger electricity generation in tree-like structures. It's a cool concept called piezoelectricity. <> <> Advertisement OO Microsoft Built A Super-Efficient Underwater Data Center the company plans to rapidly deploy efficient, low-cost data centers -- by submerging them. The first pilot test was successful, working for 4 months 30 feet underwater off the California coast. The idea: submarines have a safe history of transporting expensive electronic equipment. ocean water serves as a natural refrigerator for the data center. this could be a huge payoff in the form of drastically reduced energy bills. the tech industry collectively spends billions of dollars yearly to cool on land improves performance: it allows deployment much closer to users (50% of the global population lives within 120 miles of the coast), which speeds Downloading, browsing and gaming. closer location to users also means shorter transport, lower costs. <> OO A Climate Tax On Meat? despite its unpopularity, adding a tax on high emissions food such as meat could change behavior, decreasing emissions and increasing health. OO The Waterless Toilet That Turns Your Poo Into Power researchers have created a self-sustaining nano-membrane toilet that could provide a safe alternative to open defecation and public lavatories. Ljubljana, the Capital of Slovenia. Source www.luxurytraveljourneys.com OO How Ljubljana Turned Itself Into Europe's 'Green Capital' - a booming, car-free downtown, and underground waste disposal facilities helped. Advertisement * * NATURAL REPERCUSSIONS "If we are as mindless about the future as bacteria are, the bacteria will win." - Mary Ellen Harte Credit Andreas Prein at Climate Central OO The US Southwest May Have Entered a 'Drier Climate State' Takeaways: the Southwest, already the most arid part of the U.S., is getting more so, says new research, as wet weather patterns dry up; this increasesthe chances of 30-100 yr megadroughts, which occurred centuries ago, recurring; bad news for California, the largest state economy; bad news for the US supply of many fruits, nuts, and vegetables. "The Southwest might already have drifted into a drier climate state,"Andreas Prein, a postdoctoral researcher at the National Center for Atmospheric Research, said. OO In Parts of the West, Grazing Cattle Are Making the Drought Worse - federal land managers are considering moving cattle off public lands. A Disappearing Repas? - as seas warm and acidify, lobsters will disappear. OO Northeast U.S. Seafood Species Highly Vulnerable To Climate Change such as Maine lobster and New England clams, says a new study. Elsewhere: OO Drought-Stricken Zimbabwe Declares State Of Disaster - underscoring the severity of the drought linked to the El Nino weather pattern hitting much of southern Africa. Advertisement El Nino: a Global View shows the warm waters (red) sloshing back east, after being driven west. If they hit warming waters along the American coasts, the extra energy can create a super El Nino. OO El Nino and Climate Change: Wild Weather May Get Wilder - Normal west winds literally pile water up in the west Pacific for several years, until the "pile" breaks, sloshing back across the ocean, bringing weather with it: El Nino. With enough extra energy, it becomes a super El Nino. The present super El Nino has been wreaking global havoc: major flooding in South America, droughts in Indonesia and southern Africa, an unprecedented hurricane season in the North Pacific last fall, and much more - and climate change is helping fuel it. Expect More floods and droughts more frequently, as super El Ninos get fueled by ever more climate change. In recent decades, super El Ninos have doubled in frequency, from once every 20 years to once in 10. Returning El Nino waters get charged by extra energy coming from climate change, as east Pacific waters near the Americas warm faster than the west Pacific. Advertisement As the eastern Pacific continues to heat faster, expect ever more super El Ninos, ever more frequently, research models indicate. <> <> Going Up? Winds up to 105 miles per hour, caused by Scottish Storm Henry, caused this waterfall to overwhelm gravity. @@ Gale winds in Scotland forced waterfall to flow up * * FOSSIL FUEL FOLLIES A Common Oil Industry Ploy. Credit Michael Lukovich OO 2015: Big Oil Spent $10 MillionTo Defeat California Climate Change Legislation - I guess they don't have kids... OO Oil Industry Group's Own 1982 Report Shows Early Knowledge Of Climate Impacts - revealing its knowledge of global warming, predated its campaign to sow doubt. Advertisement The Leak Is Plugged, But Climate Change Effects Are Not and are permanent, due to the release of 87,000 metric tons of methane, a potent greenhouse gas. Credit AP Aliso Canyon methane leak, one of the largest of its kind in U.S. history, will have a lasting environmental impact on local, state, and perhaps federal levels. Credit AP OO California's Great Methane Leak: Lasting Impacts, Portents of Future Problems Takeaways: US leaks from natural gas systems account for 29% of all US methane emissions. This major leak portends even further such catastrophes unless there are expedient upgrades of aging gas supply infrastructures across the U.S. OO Another Little Problem With Old Gas Lines - they sometimes blow up. Source www.usatoday.com Related Headline: OO California: LA Gas Leaks Sickening People For Years - but poor communities never got the coverage that the affluent Porter Ranch one did. <><> OO BP Axes 7,000 Jobs - after reporting an annual loss of $6.5 Billion, the worst in its history. No one reported the economic losses from the climate change and health problems resulting from its products, though: far more than $6.5 billion. Advertisement * * CLUELESS LEADERSHIP OO Flood Victim Confronts Cruz On Climate Change - Renee Boschert wanted an audience with Ted Cruz, and she traveled all the way from Texas to New Hampshire to get it. Related Headline: @@ The Texas Flood Survivor Who Confronted Ted Cruz About Climate Change <><> @@ Bill Maher Mocks Climate Change Skeptics With Groundhog Attack Ad as Groundhog day coincided with the Iowa caucuses. OO Two-Thirds of America's Science Teachers Are Misinformed About Climate Science - says the first nationwide survey of middle and high school teachers; they spend one or two hours teaching the subject - a year. OO Cornell Follows Other Ivy League Schools, Won't Divest - so much for our "highest" centers of US learning. Advertisement <> Full of Hot Air, But Won't Mention It - without addressing climate change, it will threaten civilization - and then ideas like economy, health, and jobs will become irrelevant. Source www.cbsnews.com OO Climate Censorship at Presidential Debates Continue OO Australia: Climate Science To Be Gutted At Major Science Agency, CSIRO * * CLIMATE LEADERSHIP OO Obama: Tax Cheap Oil To Fuel Clean Transport about $10 per barrel, he proposes, to pay for $300+ billions' worth of investments over the next decade in mass transit, high-speed rail, self-driving cars, and other transportation approaches designed to reduce carbon emissions and congestion. The time is right -- when oil is cheap! OO Obama To Seek $8+ Billion For EPA, $1+ Billion For Climate Fund OO California Teachers' Pension Fund To Divest U.S. Coal Assets <><> OO When TV Taught: 1958 Prediction of Climate Change was made in the "Meteora: The Unchained Goddess" segment in the Bell Telephone Series, starring Frank Baxter: an ex English lit professor who became a TV science educator. I actually remember seeing his shows when I was a kid -- whooops, did I just date myself? If we do not grow sustainably, Our children will die inhumanely. Advertisement @@ How Parents Can Help Prevent Teen Pregnancy Teen childbearing cost US taxpayers $9+ Billion in 2010 And the costs of raising a child usually ensures decades, if not a life, of poverty for its mother. - US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention WHAT YOU CAN DO Help prevent unintended pregnancies in your community: publicize where women can access affordable contraception. They can go here to find locations: And there are many more actions you can do, right here. * * * SOLAR KEEPS RISING OO If You Thought Solar Was Going To Hurt Utilities, Get A Load Of Solar+Storage - Power utilities are pushing back against rooftop solar, but by doing so they are only accelerating the development of solar+storage, perhaps an even bigger threat. OO California: Big Utility Launches Community Solar Program Enabling Customers to Go 100% Renewable Sucking Up the Hawaiian Sun in this solar Hawaiian neighborhood, an increasingly popular trend. Source NREL OO Hawaii: Kauai Hits Renewable Energy Milestone - Four times in January, 90% of the island's electrical needs were fulfilled with renewable resources. Advertisement OO Hawaiian Electric: Nearly One in Five Customers Have Solar Power - the company has 77,000 installed solar PV systems across Hawaii. OO A Small New England College Goes 100% Solar - it's Hampshire College in Amherst, Mass. Way to go, HC! Building a Solar Road, One Panel At a Time as France embarks on a truly historic pathway to the future. Credit Joachim-Bertrand at Courtesy Colas OO France's Road of the Future Is Paved With Solar Panels - the power-producing road will provide electricity to 8% of the French population. OO Middle East Has Arrived as a Multi-Gigawatt Solar Market Check it out here, right now! * * * WHY WE SHOULD ACT NOW: RISING RISKS Daily Climate Change: Global Map of Unusual Temperatures, Feb 16, 2016 How unusual has the weather been? No one event is "caused" by climate change, but global warming, which is predicted to increase unusual, extreme weather, is having a daily effect on weather, worldwide. Advertisement Looking above at recent temperature anomalies, much of the US and the waters surrounding it are experiencing warmer than normal temperatures, and new heat records are being made: despite El Nino driven rains, California continues in drought. Much of the areas surrounding the North Pole are experiencing much warmer than normal temperatures - not good news for our Arctic thermal shield of ice. Hotter than usual temperatures continue to dominate human habitats. * * * There is, of course, much more news on the consequences and solutions to climate change. To get it, check out this annotated resource list I've compiled, "Climate Change News Resources," at Wordpress.com here. For more information on the science of climate change, its consequences and solutions you can view my annotated list of online information resources here. To help you understand just what science does and does NOT do, check this out! A dog alone and abandoned behind a fence. When someone commits a heinous criminal act, we always hope the punishment will match the offense. But when it comes to one of the most abhorrent and brutal crimes there is -- animal fighting -- things rarely work out that way. Dog fighting victims are tortured and killed for profit and "sport," yet their criminal abusers often receive a minimal sentence -- a mere six months in jail -- for inflicting a lifetime of pain. Roughly half of all federally-convicted animal fighters only get probation. Some progress has been made in the prosecution of animal fighters: dog fighting is a felony in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, and Congress recently made it a felony to attend or bring minors to an animal fight. But federal judges often rely heavily on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines when they determine penalties, and in the case of animal fighting, those guidelines are outdated and woefully inadequate. Even though Congress increased the animal fighting maximum penalty from three to five years in jail, current federal sentencing guidelines recommend a base-level sentence of 6-12 months. Advertisement The U.S. Sentencing Commission, which creates these sentencing guidelines, is revisiting them, proposing to raise the minimum sentence from 6-12 to 21-27 months. They will vote on the new guidelines this spring. You can help them make that case by submitting a public comment through aspca.org/gettough and by sharing that site and the video below with friends, family, and colleagues. The deadline for public comments is March 21. This is a step in the right direction, but we'd like to see the U.S. Sentencing Commission amend the guidelines further, including tougher sentences based on factors such as the number of animals involved, egregious levels of animal neglect or cruelty, and dangerously violent offenders. Advertisement Simultaneous to this effort, we're working with animal advocates and state and federal lawmakers to strengthen anti-cruelty laws and law enforcement capabilities across the country, as well as supporting laws and policies that assist overburdened animal shelters and humane agencies who care for animal fighting victims. This help is critically important because the high cost of caring for animal victims is a major deterrent to intervening in cruelty cases in the first place. But the bottom line is this: Betraying an animal's loyalty by forcing it to fight another animal represents human behavior at its most depraved. On behalf of the thousands of dogs victimized by animal fighters -- and other animals destined for the same cruel fate -- let's make sure the punishments better fit these crimes. When you think of Southern Africa, a 3 day festival located in Zimbabwe's mosaic gem, Victoria Falls is probably not the first thought that comes to mind. For many traveling to a southern region in Africa, the instant imagery tends to be safari's, legendary landscape and a rich culture. Many in the world have yet to discover this legendary celebration which takes place in one of the seven wonders of the world, surrounded by beautiful Sub-Saharan African trees, and dancing to some of the livest DJ's from around the world, the Jameson Vic Falls Carnival http://www.vicfallscarnival.com/the-festival/offers just that. The event spans from a steam train party to bungee jumping off the famous Vic falls or elephant back safari rides and much more. In conjunction to the activities, you have the option of camping on the grounds with like minded travelers of all backgrounds. To top it off, the JVFC is held on the last three days of the year with a line-up of amazing music playing into the New Year. The moment I stumbled upon this incredible event, I had to know more which led to my interview with Charlotte Kanter, Marketing Manager for Seeds Experiences. Kanter speaks with me about Africa's most exciting and largest New Years festival to date. MM: How did the idea of doing a large 3-day festival located in one of the 7 wonders of the world come to life? Advertisement CK: The Jameson Vic Falls Carnival originates from a much smaller local event called Falls Fest. This was created to give locals and tourists a nice way to spend New Year's. Since taking it over and with Jameson onboard we have made it into a destination festival that draws thousands of visitors from all over the world. Of course the fact that it is at One of the 7 Wonders of the World makes it an unbelievable setting to ring in the New Year's with the falls only a few KM's away, animals roaming freely in the park and a blanket of African skies to party the night away under. MM: If you could describe JVFC to someone who has never been, what would your summary be? CK: It is a truly African festival, jam packed full of adventure, world class music and thousands of like-minded travelers. MM: What can festival goers expect from this year's 2016 JVFC? CK: Every year we look at new ways of making it bigger and better. Currently we are reviewing this year's event and looking to the local community to let us know what they want to see in 2016 but it will be bigger with larger acts and a new festival format. MM: How have you, as founders been able to grow this event into a massive cultural, musical, diverse-melting pot in Zimbabwe? Advertisement CK: We definitely have and we think that anyone that has been to the festival will testify that is one of the most diverse audiences at any event, numerous artists commented throughout the night that they've never seen an audience like it. We use our wide range of music to create an events that appeals to all ages and races. MM: As organizers how do you manage to ensure people's safety all while creating a platform of extreme fun? CK: We are very experienced in creating large scale events and have done so for over a decade. We include the local police force, have a private security company, works very closely with health and safety and JOC to ensure the highest standards of safety are met throughout our event. MM: How as a team do you envision the Jameson Vic Falls Carnival growing? CK: We see our lineup growing even more, the festival offering will become more diversified and our attendance will definitely increase. This will become Africa's most loved annual event attracting visitors from all over the world. MM: Is there a location that you as organizers are interested in potentially starting-up another grand festival? Advertisement CK: We run events throughout South Africa but are always open to unique event experiences. Currently our focus is on growing the Jameson Vic Falls Carnival but who knows what opportunities will present themselves! Needless to say, no matter where you are in the world it's never to early to start planning now. Here's to a beautiful 2016 and I hope to see you, with me at The Jameson Vic Falls Carnival to kick off a monumental 2017! Be Motivated, Melissa Mushaka @mushakalakalaka http://www.melissamushaka.com/ image courtesy Wiki Commons In a remarkably honest piece in the FT last week, the truth was at last revealed about the future of newspapers: they don't have one. In the past six years, as the article points out, newspaper revenues in the U.S. and the UK have fallen dramatically, and show no sign of improving. Not only have ad revenues in the printed paper declined, but "digital revenues" which were once going to be the saving grace of the newspaper business, fared even worse. And now, the very real prospect of online digital ad blockers may prove the final blow to the already anemic newspaper industry. There is no question, at least from a sociological point of view, that having a vibrant "newspaper" industry is important to society. It is the way that we inform ourselves about important issues. It's the very foundation of public discourse. But if there is no revenue, there is no journalism, and if there is no journalism, then people are going to start making decisions in a vacuum. Advertisement If advertising, whether in print or online is not going to pay the bills for the journalism, then what is? Newspapers are, if nothing else, magnets for content creators and centers for content creation. That is, after all, what the paper is at the end of the day -- content. The question thus is, "How to monetize the content?" and the solution, it seems to me, is to follow the money. And where is the money today in the content business? It is very much in television, whether that is broadcast, cable or the newly emerging online platforms like Netflix and Amazon. These are places that people are still willing to pay for content, and places that are themselves, as platforms, willing pay for content that people want watch. Advertisement Who says newspapers have to be paper? And who says they have to do news, or only news. And who says the video that newspapers increasingly make, has to appear on the papers' websites? Does the content that Pie Town, a major U.S. TV production company appear on the Pie Town website? It could. But it doesn't. And I bet you never even heard of Pie Town. But I bet you have heard of House Hunters and House Hunters International on HGTV. That's because the stuff that Pie Town makes appears in a place where people want to watch it, and where HGTV wants to pay for it. And they pay a lot. And a lot of people watch it. It's a very good and healthy partnership. If Pie Town limited the exposure of their very good video content just to their website, do you think they would be a very profitable business? I doubt it. What they have is a partnership between the people who make the content and the people who are ready and willing and indeed eager to pay for the content. Now, bear with me. Do you think that a newspaper like the New York Times, which has some pretty extensive knowledge and contacts in the world of real estate, could create something like House Hunters? I bet they could. I bet they could do it with their eyes closed. And do you think that if they did that, that HGTV would want to buy the programming from them? I bet they would. In fact, if you think about it, newspapers are about a lot more than just breaking news. They also are about real estate, homes, fashion, food, culture, music, arts, movies, personal problems, family life, health... in short, the whole spectrum of human interests. So, now back to the newspaper revenue problem. Do you think that a newspaper could take their video capability, and instead of making online videos with those terrible pre-rolls, could that take that capability - that ability to create video content, and turn it into something that, A) Millions of people would want to watch, and B) Something that cable and broadcast and OTT live streaming services would want to pay for? Advertisement I think so. And if... if they were able to produce a few hit series (which generate a LOT of money) could they then use part of that massive revenue to underwrite the journalism part of their business? I bet they could. In fact, I know they could, because I did this myself. In 1994, I sold a company I had formed called Video News International to the New York Times Company. It became New York Times Television. My original idea was that we would create a video news business. But Joe Lelyveld, who ran the paper, cut us off from the news and the newsroom. So, instead, we discovered Reality TV. We began to produce shows like Trauma, Life in the ER for cable companies like TLC. And in a few years, we were producing a LOT of shows. For a lot of cable channels. In fact, NY Times TV became the largest non-fiction TV production company on the East Coast, producing lots of revenue for the paper. But the paper didn't need lots of revenue in those days. in fact, when TLC put up a building sized billboard promoting Trauma, Life in the ER on the side of a building in Times Square, the paper nearly threw up. They used to call us "Pariah Pictures." They were mortified by what we had done. The "blatant commercialism" offended them deeply. The people who ran the paper were journalism purists. The could not conceive of their name, let alone their resources, being used to make money. Journalists have a long time aversion to the dirty business of actually making money. As AJ Liebling wrote -- the purpose of the journalist is to comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable. Actually making a profit does not sit well with that view of one's own profession. Advertisement But all the pieces are there to save the papers and make them very profitable again. But it isn't in the paper. And it isn't really in the news. But it is in the building. If only they could see it. And do something before it is too late. America's leading British conductor, Benjamin Zander, is preparing to conduct what he believes to be England's greatest symphony, Elgar's First. Over a cup of English tea in his very English study, he feels... not exactly angry. Slighted might be a better word for it. "When the symphony had its premiere in 1909," he says, "the audience recognized immediately that they were listening to a masterpiece. After the gorgeous slow movement, they applauded so vigorously that the music could not continue until the composer came onstage and took a bow. "The piece was performed 17 times in London alone in the first year after its premiere," he continues, "and over 100 times around the world that year." Advertisement But the world's prejudice against most English composers kicked in, Zander says, and the piece all but vanished from the world's orchestral stages, though it remains a staple on concert programs in England. The numbers tell the story: the Boston Symphony Orchestra has performed it on only 7 programs since 1909. By contrast, the BSO has performed Brahms' 1st symphony over 400 times in that same period. "And it's never been conducted by a BSO Music Director, since the premiere," Zander adds, a trace of disappointment masked by a traditional British stiff upper lip. Zander and his Boston Philharmonic Orchestra will try to make up for lost time by offering three performances of Elgar's First, which the composer describes as "floating, intimate, breathing, lovely," at Harvard's Sanders Theater Thursday night and Sunday afternoon, and Saturday night at Jordan Hall. Advertisement You definitely know Elgar -- he composed "Pomp And Circumstance," de rigeur at graduations, from preschool to post-graduate. "Nimrod" from Elgar's Enigma Variations is played at funerals the world over, including at Princess Diana's. But his First Symphony is almost never heard outside England, which Zander considers a shame. "If they had chosen the glorious, stately first theme of the first movement as the theme music for Downton Abbey, everyone around the world would be whistling it in the streets," Zander says. "It was composed the same year in which the first year of that show is set. That theme captures perfectly that Victorian/Edwardian world of social order and the rightness of the Empire." When asked what the piece meant, Elgar said that it didn't tell a story but instead represented "great charity (love) and a massive hope in the future." Zander agrees. "It's a vision for a noble world," he adds, "that we have the capacity to imagine, in spite of the seemingly insurmountable difficulties. "Back then, the British thought they were doing good in the world, bringing people into the world economy through the Empire. It might not seem politically correct from our 21st century perspective, but at the time, the spreading of civilization was considered a noble act." Zander says the piece symbolizes "a very British idea -- that we never give up. We persevere. It's a heroic symphony." Advertisement Elgar himself was considered an outsider in society. He was a Catholic in a Church of England world. His father was a piano tuner at a time when class mattered. His less than noble birth meant that even when named Master of the Queen's Music -- the most respected position a musician could attain -- he was nevertheless omitted altogether from a book listing the leading English musicians of the day. The ongoing rejection took a toll. The First Symphony combines the magisterial "There will always be an England" theme with a sense of the composer's own anxiety and neuroticism. "That gorgeous main tune," Zander explains, "appears first in full, then in little bits, then again in full glory, and then attacked on all sides by lightning bolts of doubt. When you get to the final triumph, all the battering of opposition has been overcome. The struggle is huge but the triumph is great." Elgar's Enigma Variations and Cello Concerto are considered two of the greatest works ever written and are played the world over, but the real enigma is why his First Symphony, recognized immediately for its excellence, all but vanished from the concert hall in ensuing years. "He was composing at the same time as Mahler," Zander says, "and he has been called the British Mahler." Advertisement The great conductor Hans Richter was even more emphatic, calling Elgar's 1st, "the greatest symphony of modern times, written by the greatest modern composer- and not only in this country." "But the question remains: why is there a cult around Mahler but none around Elgar?" The BPO program also includes Mendelssohn's beloved Violin Concerto, played by the Juilliard, Harvard and New England Conservatory-educated international performer Jennifer Frautschi and Schumann's dramatic overture to Manfred. Zander, famous for his well-attended pre-concert talks, will explain at each performance what to listen for in the Elgar. As for the central mystery of why the English composer's has never got his due, even Maestro Zander may not have an explanation. The music, however, will speak for itself. Mother holding and breast-feeding little baby Breastfeeding is a little bit like pregnancy was. Every woman's experience is different to another's. It can also be vastly different from when you breastfed your last baby. You'll never be completely prepared but here are some of the things that might help prepare you: 1. Sore Nipples I'll start with the most obvious one. As we all know, this goes with the territory of breastfeeding for a lot of women. In the early days, spend time with your midwife or lactation consultant getting your latch right and don't be afraid to ask for help and advice at any stage of your breastfeeding journey. Advertisement Your nipples will probably be sore for a few weeks so invest in a good nipple cream. Bear in mind that you will spend the first few weeks learning to breastfeed -- if it's your second baby, you will spend your first few weeks re-learning to breastfeed! 2. A Numb Bum You'll spend a lot of time sitting down when breastfeeding so get comfortable. That means ensuring, before each feed, that you're stocked up on water, snacks, the TV remote, iPad, magazines etc. If you want to invest in one, I highly recommend glider nursing chairs. It's so important to be relaxed and comfortable when breastfeeding so no hunching over on an uncomfortable chair - you could be sat still for hours in the early days! 3. Wardrobe Malfunctions As if it isn't difficult enough deciding what to wear in the early days of breastfeeding, you finally settle on something practical but stylish and then your baby barfs all over it. Advertisement Try to keep a spare top in your changing bag if you can. Or a cardigan to cover the stain until you get back home. 4. Gigantic Humungus Mahoosive Boobs Just me? Invest in some decent nursing bras that fit well and are really supportive -- get professionally fitted. You might also have to get resized as the weeks and months go on as your body will continue to change as you breastfeed and if you lose any more baby weight. 5. Unwanted Opinions Everything from "Are you feeding that baby again?" to "Isn't your Mummy feeding you enough?" From the same person, in the same breath. Some people (a minority, thankfully) seem to think that you choosing to breastfeed in front of them gives them permission to go to town with their unsolicited opinions and 'advice'. Advertisement Try your very best to ignore them -- turn your baby's white noise app on full volume to drown them out if you have to. Helpful advice is a wonderful, priceless thing but criticism and negativity isn't going to help you relax and feed your baby. How did breastfeeding go for you? LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 20: A supporter of Amnesty International holds a sign with the slogan 'end the crackdown' in protest against claims of a deterioration in human rights and censorship of the internet and media during a state visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping on October 20, 2015 in London, England. The President of the People's Republic of China, Mr Xi Jinping and his wife, Madame Peng Liyuan, are paying a State Visit to the United Kingdom as guests of The Queen. They will stay at Buckingham Palace and undertake engagements in London and Manchester. The last state visit paid by a Chinese President to the UK was Hu Jintao in 2005. (Photo by Ben Pruchnie/Getty Images) China is once again gripped by fear in a way it has not been since the era of Mao Zedong. From the inner sanctum of the Chinese Communist Party to university lecture halls and executive suites, the specter of harsh accusations and harsher punishment is stalking China's political, intellectual and business elites. The evidence of pervasive fear is easy to discern. Since President Xi Jinping's remorseless anti-corruption drive began in December 2012, arrests of government officials have become a daily ritual, sending shivers down the spines of their colleagues and friends. Advertisement Seniority offers little protection, as 146 fallen "tigers" (officials holding the rank of minister or provincial governor) have found out, often being hauled off without warning. A new phrase has even been added to the Chinese lexicon to describe this sudden fall from grace: miaosha, or "instant kill." A new phrase has even been added to the Chinese lexicon to describe this sudden fall from grace: miaosha, or 'instant kill.' But fear is taking an even bigger toll on lower level officials, exemplified by proliferating reports of suicide. Concerned by this trend, the CCP leadership has now tasked local party organizations with gathering data on suicides by government officials since the anti-corruption drive began. It is not just criminals who live in constant dread. With even routine approval of projects and requests potentially arousing suspicion, the Chinese bureaucracy is now paralyzed by fear. Beyond the bureaucracy, academics, human rights lawyers, bloggers and business leaders are also suffering. In universities, the government has recruited informers to denounce professors espousing liberal values in their lectures; several outspoken liberal academics have lost their jobs. Hundreds of human rights lawyers have been harassed and arrested. Advertisement Many business leaders have gone missing temporarily, presumably detained by anti-corruption investigators. Among the highest-profile cases was that of the tycoon Guo Guangchang, China's 17th wealthiest person, with a net worth of more than $5 billion. Guo was detained last December to "assist a judicial investigation," and then simply appeared at his company's annual meeting a few days later, with no explanation offered. Perhaps the most alarming impact of the return of fear-based governance in China is that it is now affecting even outsiders. But perhaps the most alarming impact of the return of fear-based governance in China is that it is now affecting even outsiders. Not only are Western journalists, NGO representatives and foreign executives living in fear; so, too, are executives, book publishers and editors in Hong Kong, which, according to the "one country, two systems" arrangement, should lie outside Chinese jurisdiction. In 2013, a British citizen was sentenced to two and a half years in prison on dubious charges relating to his investigation firm ChinaWhys; the following year, his wife and business partner, a Chinese-born American citizen, received a two-year sentence on the same charges. Last December, a French journalist was expelled from China for an article about the authorities' treatment of the Uighur minority. The next month, a Swedish NGO worker also was expelled, after being detained and accused of "endangering state security." Giant Western corporations, once wooed by China's government, now fear police raids and anti-trust investigations. The pharmaceutical giant Glaxosmithkline was fined around $500 million in 2014 for corrupt practices, one of the largest corporate fines ever demanded by China. Qualcomm, the American chip maker, had to fork over nearly a $1 billion in fines to China for its "monopolistic" business practices last year. Advertisement The revival of totalitarian scare tactics in China has far-reaching -- and deeply unsettling -- implications for Asia and the world. More disturbing, five book publishers and editors in Hong Kong employed by the Mighty Current publishing house, which specializes in sensational stories about top Chinese leaders, have disappeared in recent months. Some may have been abducted and taken to China against their will. One, a Swedish citizen, was forced to appear on Chinese television, implausibly claiming to have returned to China from Thailand of his own volition and asking that nobody try to help him. Clearly, fear-based rule was not left behind with the end of the Cultural Revolution in 1976, as many thought. This should not be surprising. Even as China's economy has boomed and modernized, its political system has retained its core totalitarian features: a state exempt from the rule of law, a domestic security apparatus with agents and informants virtually everywhere, widespread censorship, and weak protection of individual rights. Having never been repudiated, these institutional relics of Maoism remain available to be used and intensified whenever the top leadership sees fit, as it does today. This should be triggering alarm bells in the West. Indeed, rather than simply registering the return of fear-based governance in China as a factor shaping engagement with the country, Western leaders should be developing strategies for compelling China to rethink its approach. With China's international influence growing by the day, the revival of totalitarian scare tactics there has far-reaching -- and deeply unsettling -- implications for Asia and the world. Earlier on WorldPost: There are still many places in the world that have not been tread upon by human industry and continue to practice ancient traditions. There are still places where people look to the plants for their medicine, the soil for their food, and the jungle for their enlightenment. There are still places to learn, grow, move, ruminate, and listen while surrounded by the divinity of nature. Congregating from over twenty countries, indigenous tribes, shamans, musicians, and artists, will come together on an azure Caribbean beach in Panama to share their wisdom and creations. Tribal Gathering is an annual event that spans 18 days and unites ancient and modern ways of thought, living, art and music. Though modern in its inception and methods, electronic music taps into the ancient art of vibration and its affects on humans. Placing electronic music in the context of a bygone era is like opening a portal between past and present. The first 13 days of Tribal Gathering are dedicated to the tribes and their shaman, celebrating their knowledge and infinite wisdom through various workshops, ceremonies and indigenous musics. This congregation of minds provides a sacred space for these communities to preserve their cultural identities through the sharing of resources and the strengthening of tribal connections. The event coordinators reach out to these communities with the goal of addressing current world needs, providing the opportunity to propose and implement projects that are for the enrichment of mankind. Advertisement There is a kinetic energy as the festival unfurls, gaining momentum, beginning primitively and meditatively, transporting attendees back to an ancient era. As the momentum picks up, the finale of Tribal Gathering is five days of electronic music that event coordinators describe as "our modern rituals of dance, art and creativity." The musical lineup includes artists such as Gaudi, Dela Moontribe, Desert Dwellers, and Hedflux as well as many more local and world-renowned acts. Tribal Gathering's intent is not to end after 18 days but rather to develop programs that have a lasting effect creating longevity for the ideas conceived there. It is a fundraising event for the public charity GeoParadise which aids in numerous projects throughout Central and South America, and soon beyond, for the tribes in attendance. This epic amalgamation of minds is a platform for us to truly become involved in the process of development, sustainability, regeneration and evolution. A rare, unique and relatively unknown festival, Tribal Gathering is a jungle gem that not only advocates celebration but real change. The volunteers at GeoParadise are striving to perpetuate the traditions of these global tribal communities who are slowly disappearing in the shadow of human industry. By looking into the past, we are securing not only the futures of these communities, but also the future of our world. It is crucial to keep their rituals and knowledge alive for it is important to remain grounded and rooted to the customs of our ancestors. Together we can preserve and regenerate this world and all of the cultures within it. The more we learn about the past, the more rich our present becomes. Lesa Curtis of Westchester, N.Y., right, who is pro agency fees and a former president of her union, rallies outside of the Supreme Court in Washington, Monday, Jan. 11, 2016, as the court heard arguments in the 'Friedrichs v. California Teachers Association' case. The justices were to hear arguments in a case that challenges the right of public-employee unions to collect fees from teachers, firefighters and other state and local government workers who choose not to become members. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin) Stop the pipe-dreaming. The Republican Senate is not going to replace Justice Scalia with a Democratic president's nominee. Hence, the political message President Obama sends with his nominee is critical. If I were a democrat running for president or to capture a senate seat, I would most like to expose the anti-labor stance of the Republican Party. The Republican Party has never championed a law designed to help workers: they oppose the minimum wage, paycheck equity, the Lily Ledbetter Act, the Family Medical Leave Act. They opposed child labor laws, occupational safety and hazard laws... they oppose it all. Advertisement The Republican Party is also anti-consumer. In the last two decades, compulsory arbitration provisions that we consumers sign to get needed services, such as telephone, have sorely constrained a consumer's right to gain redress from corporations individually, or as a group as a class-action. There is an imbalance in jurisprudence favoring the corporation to the detriment of consumers and workers. See, e.g., the documentary film, "Hot Coffee." Nominating a prominent labor lawyer would bring those conversations front-and-center. Should the laws of nature be suspended, and such a person actually be confirmed, it would be very good news indeed. We often think of the make-up of the Court in terms of the justices' judicial philosophies, the political party of the president who appointed them, the law schools they attended, their ethnic and gender backgrounds, and signals their writings might send about how they will decide critical cases. Advertisement Here's another slice: There has been no labor lawyer on the Supreme Court since Justice Arthur Goldberg accepted President Johnson's urging to step down from the Court to be UN Ambassador. I cannot recall the last case decided by the Supreme Court that came down on the side of a worker or a consumer. Let me be clear. A good jurist will decide the case or controversy before him or her objectively, on its merits. So, it is possible that these cases came out this way because that is was the law is. But, how likely is that? A labor lawyer on the court would bring more diversity to its deliberations than almost any other yardstick one uses to slice and dice the concept of inclusiveness. It is not to pre-determine outcomes, but to bring the broadest range of perspectives to these weighty considerations. With the labor movement under attack by the Right, and with income inequality ballooning out of sight, with working families struggling with several jobs, powerless to do much about their pay or conditions of work, with governors poisoning the water of his state's poorest citizens, nominating a lawyer who has spent his career arguing on behalf of labor would provide a clear choice for voters in the 2016 elections. Let us hear Republicans attack the president's nominee because he or she might bring labor's perspective to the interpretation of law. Advertisement Although most of us spend anywhere from 12 to 20 years engaged in formal education, only too infrequently will we question what it means for us to receive an education. We typically are not encouraged to question the nature of learning. We spend years in classrooms regurgitating either something we heard in a lecture or something we read. If the teacher approves of what we present, then we receive grades and points allegedly suggesting some measure of success. If we look at the ancient definition of the word education, which is to call forward, then three valuable focuses become clear: 1) Contemporary education seems to be about pouring in and not calling forward. 2) We can begin to clarify what it is that needs to be called forward. 3) We can describe how the call forward actually can take place. Advertisement What To Call Forward? Let's examine what it is that may be called forward in the name of genuine education. Curiosity and Wonder -- These constitute the essential ingredients of learning. They suggest that something has been ignited in students that allows them to initiate and maintain an inquiry. Investigations are personalized as they reflect the student's desire to more fully understand. Courage -- This is paramount for any level of authentic learning to take place. With courage, students are willing to step away from the alleged safety of the familiar. Students are willing to question the hallowed beliefs held by authority figures, as well as to create their own positions. Suppleness -- This allows students to be positioned without excessive rigidity, allowing for further investigation. It also enhances a readiness to be more welcoming of the views of others. Compassion -- This affords students a resiliency when inquiries appear to go nowhere. Without compassion, students run a higher risk of becoming small minded, avoiding traversing unmarked trails where there is a greater risk of stumbling. Advertisement Daemon or Genius -- Likely the most important element to be called forward is what the Greeks called the Daemon or the Romans called the Genius. They refer to the natural gifts we are all born with and the personal style we all have to live those gifts. The gifts vary greatly, from mechanical dexterity, to an ease with abstract concepts, to being able to listen with empathy. The gifts of students are not simply for their enjoyment and fulfillment, but also an offering to their community. How To Call Forward Besides understanding what to call forward, teachers and mentors need to clarify how best to make such a call. Responsibility -- Teachers are responsible to steer students in the direction of what appears to be the student's authentic Genius. This often means supporting the student's need to let go of familial and social influences that point toward endeavors deemed more acceptable and appropriate. Name the Genius -- Teachers can initially name the Genius in broad terms: an interest in science, a fascination with varied forms of creativity, a kinship with Nature, etc. These general identifications offer students a place to anchor explorations that can increasingly be refined. It can begin with a knack for fixing bicycles and evolve into Civil Engineering. Remaining a Muse -- One of the greatest seductions for teachers and mentors is to allow their own Genius to be where the student is called. The key is to remain a muse or source of inspiration, guiding students' ability to both identify their own Genius and learn to claim it fervently. Advertisement Be a Model -- Likely, the most impactful way to call the student's Genius forward is modeling. As mentors and teachers live their own Genius, students receive several offerings. They get to witness what it means to be neither excessively dependent upon what's acceptable nor so counter-dependent that they are driven to do the opposite of what's deemed acceptable, missing the true nature of the Genius. Another valuable offering of modeling is its confirmation of life as both meaningful and purposeful. Ancient Greeks believed that a devotion to one's Daemon was the path to a meaningful life. Lastly, the teacher becomes an example of what it means to serve. To live one's gift is to add to what sustains life, contributing to the greater good. What does it mean to be accountable for our actions? We are asked this question almost every day in one form or another. We are accountable for our personal behavior, our commitments, our relations with spouse, children, friends and co-workers, and our engagement with the world around us. We are accountable for our decisions, our investments, our respect for law, and our moral choices. Every day would seem, then, to be a moving calculation of multiple accountabilities - a ledger of life, with surpluses and, yes, deficits. From a political perspective, accountability for programs and statutes, implementations and budgets, falls to our elected representatives who have been selected by a majority of us who believe they will be accountable for our interests. The same holds true for executives who are accountable to their corporate shareholders for the protection and growth of their investment; indeed, it is that obligation often cited by CEO's for their decisions measured in increased revenues and the stock price. Often, these executives are measured, indeed held accountable by corporate directors for such profits, their approval expressed by significant raises and bonuses, the disapproval expressed by incentivized exit. But are there other standards by which corporate behaviors should be measured. If you have read the book or seen the film "The Big Short" you will know that only one, minor executive was convicted for involvement in the mortgage-backed securities and credit default swap fraud in the early 2000s, the collapse of which brought the world economy into recession, motivated an enormous amount of taxpayer dollars to be diverted to bail-outs, protections, and re-financing for the banks and investment companies that were the knowing perpetrators of this disaster. Advertisement In 2015, Royal Dutch Shell announced that, finally, after stubborn indifference to obvious challenges, failed operations, and incompetent management, announced that it would close down its drilling project in Arctic waters, a decision that was reported to have caused a $9 billion loss in shareholder value. These numbers are astronomical and the consequences may take years to redress, and yet no one is held accountable, neither the bankers who profited obscenely from their cynical behavior or the Shell CEO who could not, or would not, give in to the ill-logic of his decisions. This is not paradox. Rather it is a deliberate state of mind that informs many aspects of the economy and can only be confronted by a public, as voters and as shareholders, who reject this behavior and demand accountability. At the #COP21 Paris Summit, an international consensus was reached regarding emissions controls and limitations by nation states and the fossil fuel energy sector; it was widely reported as a major success, albeit also that the program goals and committed funds were admittedly inadequate and conformity to stated goals and commitments purely voluntary. The actuality of both the timing and amounts provided remains to be seen. The divestment movement in the United States is an example of how engaged citizens can encourage, even force a change in corporate behavior by causing public investment in those companies to be terminated. Some large academic endowments have taken that step; others have not, despite faculty and student protest. CalPERS, the largest US public pension fund has joined with some 60 other institutional investors to ask the US Securities and Exchange Commission to make oil and gas companies detail the risks of climate change as part of their regulatory and public reporting. A group of ExxonMobil shareholders are demanding something similar, just as news reports have revealed that Exxon managers knew for decades the full impact of their products on air quality, acid rain, and the concordant consequences. In recent weeks, the Attorneys General of New York and California, as well as the U.S. Justice Department, have announced investigations of whether such obfuscation to both shareholders and the public is a violation of securities laws and other statutes. Advertisement Today, global markets tell us that the energy sector, specifically oil and gas, is in severe decline, with record surplus, reduced demand, and prices so low that many companies can no longer afford to produce. The world financial situation is painfully reminding us that our leaders have failed to see beyond the short-term, have based our finances on a false and finite foundation, and have covered up the inevitable failure until the very end. This reality affects every person on earth. It has put even the ocean at risk, thus our future survival. Who will be held accountable? What are we going to do about it? -- It was my birthday this past weekend and I'm recovering from a busy trip to Butte, Montana where I was hosted by poet and scholar Isabel Sobral Campos, at Montana Tech, and was invited to talk about writing in the West, particularly to talk about race and creative writing. I handed out poems I knew from the Poetry Foundation website by Sherwin Bitsui, Bhanu Kapil, M.L. Smoker, and Claudia Rankine. And told the group about a conference that Joanna Klink and I hosted on race, creative writing, and literary studies. It has since turned into an associationwith an incredible board of writers, scholars, artists, and thinkersand I will talk more about that in another blog. Upon arrival back to Missoula, I had a party on Friday and was surrounded by an astonishingly kind and spirited group of friends. I feel blessed by it. And given last year's birthday was the worst of my life, I'm shocked by how different one year can be. I feel some lightness that I never thought I could feel, followed (naturally) by the painful awareness that it could not be shared with Dale, but I'm trying to understand that grieving creates this thought process and a set of feelings that work this way. The first female, Native American federal judge in U.S. history should become the first Native American justice on the U.S. Supreme Court. As Senate Republicans prepare to obstruct any nomination to the Supreme Court made by President Barack Obama, the White House is surely gearing up for a strategic nomination and epic battle for the future of the highest court in the country. Obama needs to move forward quickly with a transformative nominee who stands a chance of success on Capitol Hill. Diane Humetewa, U.S. District Judge for the District of Arizona is perhaps the most likely person to advance through Senate confirmation during Obama's final year in office. Nominating her would transform the federal judiciary, bring Native Americans into the highest echelons of political society, and actually stand a chance of succeeding. Advertisement Who is Diane Humetewa? And what makes her a difficult nomination for the Senate to obstruct? Judge Humetewa is a Hopi lawyer who began her career as a victim-witness advocate for the U.S. Attorney's Office in Arizona. That was in 1986--before she even attended law school. Humetewa graduated from Arizona State University's Sandra Day O'Connor School of Law and worked as counsel to Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.). In 1996, Humetewa returned to the U.S. Attorney's Office in Arizona as a Special Assistant then Assistant U.S. Attorney. She prosecuted violent crimes (homicides, bank robberies, and the like), managed the U.S. Attorney's Office's Victim Witness Program, and served as liaison between the federal prosecutor's office and tribal governments. From 2002 to 2007, Humetewa was an appeals judge for the Hopi Tribe Appellate Court. In 2007, Republican President George W. Bush nominated Humetewa as U.S. Attorney for the District of Arizona. The Senate confirmed her to become what then-Senator Jon Kyl (R-Ariz.) described as "the first Native American woman and, as far as I know, the first victim advocate, to serve our nation in this important office." Humetewa stepped down as U.S. Attorney when Barack Obama became President in 2009 and announced his own appointment to her office. She returned to Arizona State University as a special advisor on American Indian affairs and helped promote higher education among Native American tribes. Then in 2013, John McCain and Jeff Flake, the Republican Senators from Arizona, championed Humetewa's nomination as federal judge. President Obama, a Democrat, nominated Humetewa, and the Senate unanimously confirmed her in 2014 after months of Republican delays. Judge Humetewa's nomination to the U.S. Supreme Court makes sense. She is qualified. McCain described her in 2014 as having "an impressive legal background, ranging from work as prosecutor and an appellate court judge to the Hopi Nation to service as U.S. Attorney for the District of Arizona." After nearly a decade as a federal prosecutor and two years behind the federal bench, Humetewa is immensely qualified to join the Supreme Court. Her nomination would be an historic moment for one of the most vulnerable minority communities in the United States. Advertisement A key selling point for the current president is the difficulty Senate Republicans would have in permanently obstructing or voting down Judge Humetewa as the next Associate Justice of the Supreme Court. First, Humetewa was vetted in 2013 and 2014. Obama could move her nomination along rather quickly, keeping Senate Republicans from closing ranks. A quick nominee also would cripple Republicans' argument that the nomination is too near a potential presidential regime change to be democratically viable. Second, Humetewa's nomination would crack the veneer of Senate Republican solidarity. After all, before she was an Obama judge, Humetewa was a Bush prosecutor in a conservative state. She worked for Sen. McCain, who has played a key role in Humetewa's career. McCain is a respected Republican Senator known for his independence and loyalty. He likely would be a strong advocate for his former aide, and it would be wholly uncharacteristic for him to vote against her nomination because of political winds. Then there is Sen. Flake, who joined McCain to push Humetewa's nomination to the federal bench. Flake is in the Republican majority on the Senate's Judiciary Committee, which votes first to advance a nominee for a full Senate vote. Humetewa would be a rare Obama nominee with strong Republican voices favoring her nomination in both the Judiciary Committee and Senate plenary. And she's one nominee who is virtually guaranteed at least two Republican votes. Third, Humetewa is a lifelong victim and witness advocate. Republicans would face a hard sell to label her as "soft on crime," a favorite go-to for conservative attacks against judges. Indeed, Humetewa's first major action as U.S. Attorney was to indict a U.S. Congressman on 35 counts of fraud, extortion, and money landering. Her indictment ultimately led to his being convicted in 2013. In essence, Humetewa's CV ticks all the right boxes for Republican support, and Obama's nominee will need as much Republican support as he or she can get. Advertisement Fourth, a Native American woman would fit the Obama administration's legacy of historic, diverse appointments to the federal bench. Sonia Sotomayor, Sri Srinivasan, Staci Yandel, and Humetewa herself exemplify the administration's high regard for diversity on the federal bench. Over at SCOTUSblog, Tom Goldstein suggested the Obama administration would "relish the prospect of Republicans" refusing to give Attorney General Loretta Lynch a vote or "seeming to treat her unfairly in the confirmation process" because either route "would motivate both black and women voters" in the upcoming federal election. Opposition to the first female Native American federal judge would drum up antagonism among women and racial minorities--an eventuality many Republicans will want to avoid during a presidential election year already marred by Donald Trump's antics. Fifth, and perhaps most importantly, Judge Humetewa surely would bring an important perspective to the Supreme Court and federal law more broadly. Native Americans are in many ways unique under federal law. U.S. law requires many disputes involving Native Americans to be brought in federal court. The United States has an entire series of federal laws--Title 25 of the U.S. Code--simplistically named "Indians." And there is generally at least one Supreme Court case a year involving federal Indian law. Those cases wind their way through a federal judicial system in which only one sitting judge is Native American. Elevating that judge to the Supreme Court would bring unprecedented insight into disputes involving one of the most politically disadvantaged minority populations in the country. And there can be no doubt a female Native American jurist would provide compelling context to constitutional cases involving alleged government restrictions of civil and constitutional rights. No nominee to replace Justice Antonin Scalia will be an easy sell to a Republican-controlled Senate set on preventing any Obama nominee from putting Associate Justice before his or her name. Nevertheless, the U.S. Constitution says the President "by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate . . . shall appoint . . . Judges of the supreme Court." It does not give the President discretion to wait. Advertisement Studio shot of pencil erasing the word fear from piece of paper In elementary school on the west side of Chicago, I found solace in the ink that bled onto my wide ruled notebook paper. Born in Chicago, but having spent ages 2-7 in Champaign, Illinois, I was troubled by my surroundings upon my return to the west side of Chicago at 7 years old. I was consumed by the awareness that life wasn't fair--a realization I was coming to on the aftermath of my parents' divorce and the struggle to deal with the drugs and violence that now filled my new community. In the fourth grade, my thoughts came out onto paper in the form of poetry, raps and songs. It was a way for me as a quiet, shy little girl to honestly express myself. I can remember one of my first poems I wrote addressing the importance of black history month. To me, my expressions were no big deal, but my elementary teacher hung my poem up for the remainder of the school year. Advertisement I also remember secretly writing on my father's computer and him uncovering poems that I had written, that I now looking back I see as being really mature for a 10 year old. He was impressed by my poems, telling me that I had a gift. My father was a journalist, and I took pride in parts of his job he shared with me: pictures of him hugging bears and snakes, covering presidents, famous people, and heart-wrenching important stories. These were my most prized show and tell items. I wanted to be just like him. I took pride that I shared a knack for writing with him, something that made me feel closer to him even when we were in different households at times. And while I was aware of some of the glamour being a print journalist could bring, I always knew the importance and power of the written word. I knew that seeing my name in headlines or working for a big newspaper was not the goal; the goal was to tell the story. And although I could learn to be a journalist, being a writer was as simple as the number 2 pencil and wide ruled notebook paper laying on my grade school desk that provided my soul replenishment as a little girl. And so I write. Privacy is an issue that should unite us, not drive us apart. We have fully entered the era of big data, and consumers access the internet through mobile devices now more than ever. It's past time for our laws to reflect this reality through common-sense rules for data collection, transparency, and use. The APPS Act: Providing Transparency, Choice, and Control on Mobile Devices Smart phones and apps have tremendous benefits that enrich consumers and society. The mobile economy is also one of the fastest growing industries in recent memory, while big data is commonly referred to as the new oil. But mobile apps also collect highly personal information like contact lists, photos, texts, location, and calendar items. Many times apps access data like messages or contacts without permission. Although many developers are responsible, the Pew Research Center has found that the vast majority of Americans want control over their personal information, but only 9% believe that they have this control. In light of this overwhelming support for greater transparency, control, and choice over data collection, I re-introduced the bipartisan Application Privacy, Protection and Security (APPS) Act of 2016. Every day, more companies are looking to mobile as the future of media. Bridging the 'digital divide' means requires building protections into the technologies that we use, and to do that, we need privacy legislation that works for us. The APPS Act will boost consumer privacy on mobile devices by requiring app developers to maintain privacy policies, obtain consent from consumers before collecting data, and securely maintain the data that they collect. John Simpson, Privacy Project Director at Consumer Watchdog, referred to the APPS Act as "a significant and important step forward in protecting consumers' privacy." Susan Grant, Director of Consumer Protection at Consumer Federation of America, agrees, calling the APPS Act "a common-sense approach to an urgent problem - millions of consumers are using mobile applications for a host of activities, some very personal, and yet they lack basic rights with respect to the data that may be collected about them." Much like collecting any other asset, collecting consumer data should be responsible and transparent. Apps should provide consumers with notice and choice regarding how data is collected, shared, and used, while protecting the security of data. The Data Act: Empowering Consumers to Access, Correct, and Opt-Out of Big Data Collection and Use Consumers are increasingly connected through smart devices, while data continues to drive business practices. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recently noted in a January report that this is "the era of big data." Many have raised concerns, however, that this data may harm low-income and under-served communities, particularly minorities. As Wade Henderson, the president of the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, noted in 2014, "Big data has supercharged the potential for discrimination by corporations and the government in ways that victims don't even see." FTC Chairwoman Edith Ramirez has likewise observed that "the same analytic power that makes it easier to predict the outbreak of a virus, identify who is likely to suffer a heart attack, or improve the delivery of social services, also has the capacity to reinforce disadvantages faced by low-income and under-served communities," including price and customer service discrimination. With these concerns in mind, it is critical that consumers---particularly low-income and minority populations---have access to the troves of data collected about them, the ability to correct false information, and the right opt-out of data collection for marketing purposes. Consumers should have access to the volumes of personal data collected about them. And more importantly, we should all be able to correct false information before losing access to potential employment, insurance, housing, or credit opportunities. The Data Act would bring big data out of the shadows, creating transparency and control for consumers over their personal data, and provide consumers with the tools to correct the record and minimize collection. "Data brokers are one of the best-kept secrets from consumers," said Susan Grant, Director of Consumer Protection and Privacy at Consumer Federation of America. "CFA supports this legislation to ensure that consumers can easily see what kinds of information data brokers compile about them and exert reasonable control over its accuracy and use." For more on the legislation or to join the online mobile privacy discussion: visit http://apprights.tumblr.com/. Nothing is more important than my country's security and by extension, the safeguarding and security of our most critically important ally in the Middle East, Israel. For that reason, I was proud to be the first Jewish American ever to serve on the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, where I offered unwavering support for America's and Israel's security and the cause of peace. And it is from that perspective that I support the Iran Nuclear Agreement. The accord lengthens the time that Iran would need to develop enough enriched uranium for one nuclear weapon from the present two months to one year. That's one year for just one weapon. That timeframe does not include the time needed to weaponize the material, attach it to a warhead and then mount it on a long range missile, assuming that the missile was even capable of reaching a specific target. The international agreement cements those provisions and keeps them in place for fifteen years. As for Iran's existing nuclear program, the agreement requires Iran to cut its number of centrifuges -- the devices used to enrich uranium gas -- from 19,000 to 6,000; to reduce its stockpile of enriched uranium from about 10,000 kilograms to a mere 300; and to limit uranium enrichment to 3.67 percent, the amount needed for a nuclear power plant, as opposed to the 90 percent needed for a nuclear weapon. The document contains these words: "Iran reaffirms that under no circumstances will Iran ever seek, develop or acquire any nuclear weapons." So why is there opposition to this deal? To put it mildly, Iran's track record of keeping its word in international agreements is less than stellar. It is therefore understandable that some policymakers would be skeptical of any arrangement with Iran. But the United States and its negotiating partners were sensitive to such skepticism -- and, in fact, shared it -- which is why the agreement contains unprecedented verification provisions. Despite real concerns emanating from some quarters, unobserved cheating under this deal is as close to impossible as has existed in any such accord. For instance, there will be twenty-four hour a day, seven-day a week International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) presence and inspection capabilities at every known location where any facet of uranium enrichment or weaponization is now taking place. As for newly discovered sites or places where Iran might attempt a breach, the deal allows for immediate notification to the world community via the IAEA or others, constant "eyes on" such locations (creating an opportunity for interested parties to take any necessary military action), and a re-imposition of sanctions. In other words, the agreement provides strict prohibitions designed to stop and set back Iran's nuclear weapons program, without relying on an ounce of trust towards Iran. Some critics are suggesting that the agreement should be shot down not for what it contains but for what it doesn't. True, it does not address Iran's odious statements towards Israel or its abhorrent behavior as a sponsor of terror. There are, however, existing U.N. sanctions against such Iranian activity that can serve as the basis for greater enforcement of those sanctions and possible military action. Just as President Reagan chose not to condition his nuclear arms treaty with the then-Soviet Union on the Soviets withdrawing support for rogue or terrorist regimes in various parts of the world, President Obama rightly chose to focus on the singular goal of halting Iran's nuclear weapons program. As always, we must, by diplomatic words and military actions if necessary, demonstrate to Iran that -- while this nuclear deal may be done -- the world will not tolerate Iran's support of murderous regimes and thugs against America or our allies. Simply put, this deal will, if carried out with the appropriate level of inspections and vigilance, eliminate a nuclear-armed Iran and enhance the safety of the United States, our ally and friend Israel, and the entire world community. My wife and I are beginning to start the process of buying a house for the first time. For better or for worse, we have become regular viewers of HGTV's line of television shows that target would-be home consumers just like us. There's "Fixer Upper," "Flip or Flop," "Property Brothers," "Love It or List It," and...boy, could I go on. On the one hand these shows give us an interesting entre into what's possible when it comes to buying and renovating a house. They may expand our vision so we don't get stuck on things like existing wallpaper, old carpet, or hideous paint color. But, as I've come to understand the (very predictable) arc of these shows, I'm also struck by their danger. They're basically "Keeping Up with the Joneses" on steroids. I don't mean to pick on HGTV, however. The network is simply a reflection of our broader cultural values. The average American house size in the 1940s was around 1,200 square feet. In 1983, the US Census Bureau reports that the average new build was about 1,725 square feet. By 2013, that number rose to 2,600 square feet. So, since 1940, our average American house sizes have more than doubled even as our average family size has decreased! Advertisement Moving from the house itself to the stuff inside, Marie Kondo has made a very lucrative career out of telling people how to declutter and organize. Her #1 New York Times bestselling book, "The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up," promises transformation by preaching her KonMari method of decluttering, folding, and asking if one's possessions "spark joy." Good friends of mine swear by her method, and the millions of book sales suggest they're not alone. At the heart of the story Americans tell themselves is a close link between progress and material goods. Work is to be valued, and work leads to money. With money we can buy things--"goods"--we call them. And in these things we seek to find comfort. But it's a lie, of course. Evangelical leader Brian McLaren writes, "the tragedy of consumerism" is, in part, that "the consumer wrongly thinks that one finds this pleasure by having more and more possessions instead of possessing them more truly through grateful contemplation. And here we are, living in an economy that perpetuates this tragedy." Or, Pope Francis reflected in his 2015 encyclical on the environment: "A constant flood of new consumer goods can baffle the heart and prevent us from cherishing each thing and each moment." When the Apostle Paul wrote his letter to the Philippians, he was not contemplating many earthly possessions. He was writing from prison! But even facing an uncertain future, Paul's letter brims with joy. By the third chapter, Paul is contrasting the lives of those in the young church in Philippi with those who, "live as enemies of the cross of Christ" (3:18). Advertisement Paul describes these enemies with language that seems a bit odd to us today--"their god is the belly" (3:19)--but Paul's point is clear. The minds of this other crowd are focused on "earthly things," on unsavory bodily pleasures, on destructive habits. Because of Jesus, Paul confidently calls the Philippians to another way of being. Though the Philippians were citizens of the mighty Roman Empire, Paul instructs them instead to claim their citizenship in heaven. In Christ comes a power beyond. Jesus will soon return, Paul reminds them, and "he will transform the body of our humiliation that it may be conformed to the body of his glory" (3:21). What does it mean to be "citizens of heaven"? In short, citizens of heaven here on earth must be critical of societal values, though not totally detached from culture. Rather than becoming disinterested in earthly life, because of the freedom of the cross of Christ, we must remain engaged in the struggles and opportunities of earthly life. For many of us caught up in the American mindset of materialism, citizenship in heaven leads to questioning conspicuous consumption. As citizens of heaven, there are many ways to critique. Jen Hatmaker, author of 7: An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess spent a month focused on each of seven areas of overindulgence in her life: food, clothes, spending, media, possessions, waste, and stress. Perhaps consider focusing on one area for each week this Lent. Others live in intentional communities like The Simple Way and embrace these marks of what some have called "new monasticism." Such living critiques culture even as it engages it. In response to America's bigger and bigger houses, a countermovement of smaller "Tiny Houses" has erupted. "Tiny" depends on your point of view, but these houses tend to be 1,000 square feet or smaller, and some even come in at well under 400 square feet. Some people join the movement because of their faith convictions, while others seek freedom from material things--and mortgages--for alternative reasons. And, of course, even the tiny house movement has it's own television show: Tiny House Nation. Advertisement As Paul considered the citizenship of the Philippians, he was aware that the reality of citizenship is that it follows you wherever you go. Christians cannot renounce their faith at the mortgage broker, car dealer, or luxury-clothing store. We follow God in all we do on earth as citizens of heaven. While Paul certainly longed Jesus' future return, the results of Jesus' death and resurrection had clear consequences in the present. Bible Study Questions: 1. How do you look at your life differently when you consider your citizenship in heaven? 2. What goods or possessions are standing in the way of your relationship with God? 3. Do you consider your faith when you make large purchases? Why or why not? For Further Reading Brad Hewitt and James Moline, Your New Money Mindset: Create a Healthy Relationship with Money, 2015 Jen Hatmaker, 7: An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess, 2012 Millburn, Joshua Fields, and Ryan Nicodemus, Everything That Remains: A Memoir by The Minimalists, 2014 Like ON Scripture on Facebook Follow ON Scripture on Twitter @ONScripture How do you know when something is good? How do you make your business good? Your life? This might seem like an impossible or pointless question, but trust me, it is not. I've just stumbled on the answer, and it comes from an unlikely source. Robert S Hartman died in 1973 and he was Professor of Philosophy at both the University of Tennessee and the National University of Mexico. Before becoming a philosopher, he was a German judge, but had to flee the Nazis after writing an article called "The Woman Hitler". He was a businessman in America before becoming a philosopher. His lifelong quest was to find out "What is good?" - a deceptively simple question which had eluded the world's best philosophers. Hartman came up with an original answer which is equally instructive and valid in any business and for any individual. I discovered this by accident. I had never heard of Hartman, but a friend sent me Hartman's book Freedom to Live. Hartman answers the question for people. I'm going to tell you his answer, and then extend it to business. Advertisement "A thing is good when it fulfils its concept" So said Hartman. What did he mean? He was thinking about people. But he started with objects - what makes an apple, orange, chair, table, microphone, or airline good? His answer was - what make them good, is when they fulfil their concept. A good microphone is one that enables you to communicate to a large group of people in a fluent and mellifluous way, and one that is portable and easy to use. His thesis was that individuals are good when they fulfilled their concept, which was the same as "being themselves" - finding and fulfilling their unique Self. But this was quite a rich and deep answer. "To be your Self," he wrote, "seems to be a simple thing, but it is most difficult to achieve. The catch is that it's not so easy for you to know who you are, and even more difficult, once you know, to fulfil this knowledge in your living." "Many of us avoid fulfilling our Selves by just doing what we're told." Bad idea. Why? Because "the Self is our vertical dimension, our inner being, our conscience, our reservoir of infinite power which is there for us to use; in other words, our spiritual dimension. The cone of our being has infinite depth." Hartman says we have to define and become aware of who we are - "if we can BE that Self which we have defined, then we become a morally good 'I' and problems fade away." Advertisement The Self, he says, is our spiritual side, which makes life of infinite value, power, compassion, and moral goodness. The Maid Who Knew Her Self He gives an example. Hartman and his wife lived in Mexico and had a maid, Maria, who came to work for them when she was sixteen. She came barefoot, and at first slept on the floor next to her bed. "But she stayed with us for fifteen years, she ran the house, she ran us, she was aware of everything, but she hardly knew anything. Yet there was a radiance and a spirit in her that made everything around her true and real ... peaceful and serene." Despite being uneducated, Maria had complete inner awareness. She was, Hartman says, alive in her inner being. She was able to be completely and utterly. Years later, Hartman and his wife were at home in Columbus, Ohio, and a long, expensive car stopped outside. Maria and her husband climbed out of the car with flowers in their hands. When they saw that a dinner party was in full swing, Maria insisted on taking over the kitchen, serving the food, doing the dishes, and cleaning up. When the guests had all gone, Maria told Hartman that she and her husband had started a business that was going well. "I know you are just a professor and not paid that well," she told Hartman, "so if you ever need money please call on us." Hartman admits that many people to whom he explained his theory just didn't get it. To bring it home, he said, "Look here, your inner Self, your humble Being, is that makes dogs lick you ... with our inner Self we go down, down, down to the roots of creation. We have oneness with all living things. So dogs think you are a dog - or that they are people - and they come and lick you." Advertisement Now, I don't know what you think of his theory. I'm not entirely sure myself. But what I take away from it is the sense that individual goodness has to be unique and idiosyncratic, the expression of who we are, that nobody else could be in quite the same way. This is why we fall in love with someone, and why, when we are entirely comfortable in our own skin, we are powerful in a way that we cannot otherwise be. We are convincing because we are authentic. We are being what we were made to be. This is our destiny; this is our purpose; this is our mission. Like Maria, we are serving other people and being our full Selves at the same time. I manage this some of the time - admittedly a minority of my time - and I know it is fun. It is related to the concept of "flow" - that the times we are most ourselves are when we most forget ourselves, when time passes quickly yet somehow we are also outside time, when we are doing what we are meant to do, love to do, and are uniquely able to do in our own particular way. A thing is good when it fully embodies its concept, when it does what it is supposed to do, and what nothing else can do. We are good when we do the same. Now, let's see what the parallels might be in considering what makes a business, a particular company, good. When is a Company Good? This is easy to grasp, in many ways easier to grasp than the importance of being our own Self. A company is good when it fulfils its concept. Advertisement A company is good when it does what it is meant to do, and what it alone can do. Take Apple. Only Apple could have made its devices in quite the same way. Only Apple could have created the iPod or the Mac or the Apple watch. This is what Apple is meant to do. To innovate, to create something delightful and simple to use, something beautiful and useful, in the Apple way. Many things are beautiful, simple, useful, and easy to use. Well, perhaps not that many, but anyway, there are hundreds or thousands of examples. But only Apple could have done what Apple did in creating something beautiful, simple, useful, and easy to use in the spheres in which Apple operated and created new products. Of course, Apple products can be and have been imitated, but Apple's mission was to create them in the first place. And in the second place, Apple prospered and prospers only to the extent that its products remain uniquely "Apple". So that all other products, although similar in function, lack "Apple-ness". Because if Apple-ness can genuinely be created by firms other than Apple, Apple-ness ceases to be itself. It is only itself when it is making and selling products that only Apple can invent and make. Advertisement Those versed in corporate strategy will see the parallels with the theory of competitive advantage, as espoused by many strategists, but perhaps most notably Bruce Henderson of the Boston Consulting Group, and Michael Porter of Harvard Business School. A company succeeds in so far as it is unlike any other company, and able to produce products or services that are unique, or could not be produced so cheaply or well by any other company. But the advantage of Hartman's theory - apart from pre-dating most of the theory of competitive advantage - is that it expresses the role of a company in a way that is more intimate, more charming, and more fundamental than any other formulation of competitive advantage. It is more fundamental because it is rooted in a theory of the good, the same theory that applies identically to individual human beings. A company is good when it fulfills its concept. A company is good when it is most itself, but loses itself in service. And like Maria, a company prospers in the long run when it seeks first its own unique niche in the economy and ecology of life - when it does something worthwhile that no other company could do. That is how the most valuable companies in the world prosper. Not from spreadsheets, profit projections, hard work, leadership, or excellence. But from being itself in a uniquely useful way. Leadership and excellence cannot create identity. But identity can create leadership and excellence. Most of all, identity can create the otherwise uncreatable. So the good company is a little like Big Bang. It creates itself, and through its own creativity it explodes into global pre-eminence. It creates something that did not exist before. It creates itself. And then it creates products and services that only it could have created. Advertisement If that isn't good, I don't know what is. This is the poetry of competitive advantage, the poetry of infinite goodness, the poetry of creation, and the poetry of good people collaborating together. Action Implications Define and become aware of who you are - define your "Self". Fulfil this Self in your living - become fully what you are meant to be, what you alone can be. Ignore all distractions, all conventional markers of where your careers and life should be going. The death of Antonin Scalia highlights the Democrats' day of reckoning. Pretty soon, Democratic primary voters will settle on Bernie Sanders or Hillary Clinton. The fallout could be toxic. Many partisans of both candidates harbor dire images of the other. Hillary is a slippery sellout. Bernie is an impractical loser. Hillary is several people. Bernie is just one -- a cranky loner. And so on. I'm not here to argue with anyone. Feelings run high -- I get that. I got it in 1968, when many supporters of Eugene McCarthy and Robert Kennedy abandoned Hubert Humphrey, who they saw as a weaselly supporter of the war in Vietnam. And then we all got Richard Nixon -- and six wrenching years of perspective punctuated by carpet bombing and needless deaths abruptly ending in Watergate. During which time, by the way, Nixon also gave us William Rehnquist and transformed the Supreme Court. Advertisement To be sure, there are real and important differences between Sanders and Clinton. But no matter which Democrat wins the nomination, if she or he loses in November then much that is dear to their supporters will take a beating -- environmental protection, pay equity, gun control, voting rights, women's rights, combating money in politics and, yes, whatever chance exists to curb the excesses of Wall Street. And there is one forum where virtually all of these issues are certain to play out, for good or ill: the Supreme Court. With Scalia's passing the Court is now in equipoise -- four justices appointed by Republicans, four by Democrats. Hanging in the balance is the legal future of core issues like affirmative action, union rights, reproductive freedom, and environmental protection. Even if Barack Obama sends a nominee to the Senate, Mitch McConnell has pledged to block a vote. Thus the course of the court -- and, in many ways, the fate of progressive values -- depends on this election. Here the past is truly prologue to the crucible of 2016. The 5-4 conservative majority that preceded Scalia's death included two justices appointed by George W. Bush -- John Roberts and Samuel Alito. The result was a relentless right-wing judicial activism through which the court undertook to transform our society. So let's consider two controversial decisions by the Roberts Court that go to the heart of what kind of country we are, what kind of decisions we could expect if a Republican president chooses Scalia's successor, and -- critically -- how the Republicans will ensure that this new justice is a judicial clone of Antonin Scalia. First, the Lily Ledbetter case. Most of us know at least something about it, though perhaps less about what is most telling: the convoluted reasoning through which Republican justices got where they wanted to go. Advertisement The case involved an allegation of sex discrimination. Unknown to Ledbetter, her employer, Goodyear, determined to pay her less than its male employees for performing the same job. As a result, Ledbetter received paychecks that were significantly smaller than those of her male counterparts. When at length she found this out, Ledbetter sued Goodyear under federal anti-discrimination statutes. Despite the fact that Goodyear had concealed its original discriminatory decision, the Supreme Court ruled, in essence, that Ledbetter had discovered that decision too late to file suit within the statute of limitations. On these technical grounds, she was barred from the Court. To reach this ruling, a 5-4 majority of justices -- all Republicans, including Scalia -- employed some truly Orwellian logic. The statute of limitations began running, they reasoned, at the time of Goodyear's secret decision. The unequal paychecks -- though received because of this decision -- did not themselves reflect an intention to discriminate on the basis of sex, because Goodyear had already decided to pay Ledbetter less. In the majority's view, the smaller paychecks given Ledbetter as a result just sort of happened on their own. Think about that. Stripped of legal niceties, the Republican majority rewarded an employer for successfully concealing from its female employee its deliberate decision to discriminate against her, allowing it to underpay her with impunity. Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg's piercing dissent pointed out that Goodyear had knowingly carried its discrimination forward every time it issued Ledbetter a smaller check. Obviously true -- and to the Republican majority, irrelevant. Quite deliberately, they shaped the law to protect a corporate perpetrator of discrimination against its victim -- one of many decisions slanted toward the interests of corporations. There is an important coda. Outraged by the Ledbetter case, Democratic majorities in the House and Senate passed legislation to change the law, which Barack Obama signed on taking office -- albeit too late for Lilly Ledbetter. Without Obama, the Ledbetter decision would stand as a bar to other women who suffered pay discrimination. Advertisement Which brings us to another 5-4 decision by the same Republican justices: Citizens United. We we all know the essence of this decision -- that corporations, and subsequently super PACs, have the First Amendment right to influence elections by flooding our campaigns with millions of dollars in special interest money, often through repetitive -- not to mention mendacious -- political advertising. The court's ruling ignores the obvious, that these millions do not just buy access to the politicians who benefit, but outcomes, changing the lives of citizens who lack the megaphone of money. And, in the process, the majority exploded the pretense of "judicial modesty" beneath which they concealed their right-wing political agenda. No matter what pieties they invoked to cloak this as a victory for free speech, there is simply no doubt that this decision -- as was surely obvious to the majority -- helped the Republican Party and the wealthy donors who fund it. Clinton, and especially Sanders, have made quite a point of that. But what is less known about Citizens United is the degree to which the five Republicans contorted the usual Supreme Court procedures to transform the political landscape. For those fortunate enough to have skipped law school, a brief explanation. It is a basic tenet of Supreme Court jurisprudence that the court will only decide the issues presented by the case before it -- and nothing more. Indeed, this principle is central to the judicial restraint the Roberts court purported to embrace. Unless, it turned out, the majority could advance the political interests of the Republican Party and the forces it represents. The Citizens United case originally presented the court with a narrow and technical legal question under the campaign finance laws. It posed no threat to those laws, raised no constitutional issues, and gave no hint whatsoever of recasting billions of dollars in soft money as speech. Indeed, the distinguished conservative lawyer who argued the case -- Ted Olson -- stuck strictly to the narrow issue at hand. But five Republican justices had other ideas. After Anthony Kennedy prepared a draft opinion gratuitously and dramatically expanding the scope of the court's prospective ruling, Chief Justice Roberts scheduled the case for re-argument. Following Kennedy's lead, Roberts widened the issues before the court way beyond what the litigants themselves had argued. From there on, the Court's highly unusual departure from normal practice foreordained the obvious: five Republican justices -- Kennedy, Roberts, Scalia, Thomas and Alito -- had hijacked the case in order to shape the financing of American political campaigns to their liking. Advertisement In dissent, an appalled Justice Stevens said precisely that: "Five Justices were unhappy with the limited nature of the case before us, so they changed the case to give themselves an opportunity to change the law." As to the ruling itself, Stevens called it "a rejection of the common sense of the American people, who have... fought against the distinctive corrupting potential of corporate electioneering since the days of Theodore Roosevelt." Notably, Justice Stevens is himself a Republican. But he is a different kind of Republican -- a distinguished lawyer who qualified for the court by being just that. The new litmus test for Republican presidents is not quality, but ideology -- whether a nominee is certain to use his or her position to advance a right-wing legal and political agenda. Thus the screening process for Republican judges has been profoundly changed -- a seismic shift in which Justice Scalia himself was instrumental. To be sure, federal judges were always appointed by the party in power, and often the criteria -- particularly for the lesser federal courts -- included political involvement as well as, or even above, achievement in the profession. But Republican presidents now draw their judicial appointments from a different pool of candidates -- lawyers recruited, indoctrinated and screened in order to turn judicial decision-making into right-wing politics by other means. The goal is to make sure that no Republicans like John Paul Stevens ever grace the Court again. The principal agent of this slow-motion legal coup is the Federalist Society, an organization founded in the 1980s, and for whom Justice Scalia was perhaps the most visible proponent. It has but one mission: to seed the government and federal courts with lawyers whose fidelity to hard- right conservative ideology is predictable and fixed. And it's succeeding. The society currently has chapters in over 200 law schools, and claims as members 10,000 law students and 60,000 lawyers. Among its many loyalists on the bench were three justices in the five person majority for Ledbetter and Citizens United -- Scalia, Thomas and Alito, all members of the Federalist Society -- and a fourth, Chief Justice Roberts, who was a member of the Society's Washington DC steering committee. Thus these two cases -- and many other Supreme Court decisions which reflect modern conservative ideology -- are progeny of the Federalist Society. Advertisement As a result, the Roberts court has graven into law a stunning agenda of right-wing activism that impacts every aspect of our society. It has narrowed voting rights and barred affirmative action. It has empowered corporations and weakened unions and workers rights. It has gutted campaign finance laws, eroded environmental regulation, and chipped away at Obamacare. The notable decisions that contravene the agenda of the Federalist Society -- like the gay marriage opinion -- usually have occurred only because the four Federalist-affiliated justices could not bring along the Republican non-affiliate, Anthony Kennedy. This dramatic shift in judicial appointees is further spelled out by an exhaustive empirical study of federal appellate judges published in 2009 by two political scientists, Nancy Scherer of Wellesley and Banks Miller of Ohio State. Their aim was to determine whether the Federalist Society does, indeed, have the far-reaching influence on judicial decision-making that is its reason for being. The results were conclusive and deeply disturbing for anyone who cares about judicial independence. The short of the study's detailed findings is that judges who are members of the Federalist Society are twice as likely to cast votes which reflect conservative ideology than are Republican nonmembers, let alone judges appointed by Democrats. The study further notes that Republican presidents now rely on the Society and its members to identify and screen judicial nominees. Thus future Republican appointees -- ever more reliably and, indeed, inevitably -- will decide cases not on the basis of unbiased and dispassionate legal reasoning, but to advance the political and ideological preferences they were selected to uphold. To assert that this is merely a matter of "judicial philosophy" is to obfuscate the systematic and deliberate effort to transform the federal courts, packing them with political activists whose rulings are foreordained. Spurred by the Federalist Society, the Republican Party has not simply changed the law, but the very role and nature of the judiciary itself. And so with Antonin Scalia's death, the Supreme Court is at a final crossroads. As are Democrats who may feel tempted to walk away from their party's nominee, whether it be Bernie Sanders or Hillary Clinton. Advertisement A Republican president empowered to choose Scalia's successor will leave nothing to chance -- no more than when the next vacancy arises, and the next. Without exception, every new Republican justice will be an avatar of the extreme conservatism advanced by the Federalist Society. Unless a Democratic president takes office in 2017, the Republicans will mold the Supreme Court for yet another generation, completing the transformation of our highest court into an agent of right-wing politics by other means. And, with that, the Court will change the essence of our society, and how we define justice, in ways too deep to ever be undone. Which brings us back, yet again, to the past as prologue: the election which gave us the Roberts court, Ledbetter, Citizens United and a host of other decisions which advanced right-wing ideology at whatever cost. An election decided by another 5-4 Republican majority in a case called Bush v. Gore. President Barack Obama speaks to reporters about the death of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia at Omni Rancho Las Palmas in Rancho Mirage, Calif., Saturday, Feb. 13, 2016. Scalia, 79, was found dead Saturday morning at a private residence in the Big Bend area of West Texas. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais) Just when you thought that the fringe right-wing politicians who have taken over the Republican Party couldn't veer any further out of the American political mainstream, they prove once again that they are willing to discard any democratic institution or constitutional principle that stands in their way. In fact, for all their talk of "original intent" or strict adherence to the rule of law, or the language and spirit of the Constitution, they couldn't give a rat's back end when their radical right wing agenda is in jeopardy. Advertisement Without even waiting to see whom the President would nominate to the Supreme Court to succeed the late Justice Antonin Scalia, the Senate GOP leadership has announced that they will reject any Obama appointment. Wouldn't matter to them, they say, if the nominee had the qualifications of say, Abraham Lincoln, the founder of the Republican Party. No they say, in the words of that legal genius Marco Rubio, "There comes a point in the last year of the president, especially in their second term, where you stop nominating, or you stop the advice and consent process." Rubio wants to wait until a new President is elected -- which, of course, he hopes will be him. GOP leaders claim there is "no precedent" for confirming a Supreme Court nominee in an election year. That is empirically wrong. Actually, Marco, there is no point in time when, under the Constitution -- or historically -- Presidents stop nominating. Advertisement In fact, six Justices have been confirmed in presidential election years, including three Republicans. And another 11 have been confirmed in non-Presidential election years. Most recently, Justice Kennedy, a Reagan appointee, was confirmed by a Democratic-controlled Congress in February 1988. It would be completely irresponsible to let a vacancy on the Court extend into 2017. If the Senate fails to act, the Supreme Court will go for well over a year -- stretching over two terms of the Court, with a vacancy. That would be unprecedented for the modern Supreme Court. In fact, since 1980, Congress has almost never left any vacancy during a single Supreme Court session -- and there has never been a vacancy spanning more than one term. In fact, there has never been a vacancy for longer than four months during a single Supreme Court session. Advertisement The President has a Constitutional responsibility to appoint successors for vacancies on the Supreme Court. And the Senate has the Constitutional responsibility to consider those nominees. Since 1980, there have been 12 appointments to the Supreme Court. Every one of these has been given a prompt hearing and vote within 100 days. There are 340 days left in President Obama's term of office -- plenty of time for nominees to be approved. And it's worth noting that the previous 11 times that the Senate has confirmed a Supreme Court justice nominated by a president of the opposite party, it's been Democrats confirming Republicans. They include Justices Clarence Thomas, David Souter, Anthony Kennedy, John Paul Stevens, William Rehnquist, Lewis Powell, Harry Blackmun, Charles Whitaker, William Brennan, John Marshall Harlan and Chief Justice Warren Burger. Though Marco Rubio may not be the sharpest math wiz, it should be obvious even to him that if the Supreme Court does not have its full complement of nine Justices it is severely hampered in executing its Constitutional functions. With an even number of Justices, the Court has tie-breaker. That means the Court's ability to render clear, final legal decisions is severely hamstrung. But far from committing to hold a vote on an Obama Supreme Court nominee, some GOP Senators have vowed even to oppose a hearing. Advertisement Never in the history of the Republic has the Senate failed to give a Presidential Supreme Court nominee a hearing. In fact, the only reason GOP Senate Leader Mitch McConnell would deny a hearing - or a vote -- is ideological disagreement with any Obama nominee. But it was A. Mitchell McConnell, Jr., who wrote in a law review article for the Kentucky Law Journal in 1970 that: ....the Senate should discount the philosophy of nominees....The President is presumably elected by the people to carry out a program and altering the ideological direction of the Supreme Court would seem to be a perfectly legitimate part of a Presidential platform. To that end, the Constitution gives him the power to nominate. As mentioned earlier, if the power to nominate had been given to the Senate, as was considered during the debates of the Constitutional Convention, then it would be proper for the Senate to consider political philosophy. The proper role of the Senate is to advise and consent to the particular nomination, and then as the Constitution puts it "to appoint." Of course McConnell wrote those words while Richard Nixon was President. Apparently the same standard no longer applies to nominations made by Barack Obama. Advertisement But the GOP-controlled Senate will ignore its responsibilities under the Constitution at its peril. Twenty-four GOP-held Senate seats are up for election this cycle - only ten held by Democrats. Many of those GOP Senators are in states that were won in 2012 by Barack Obama including: Kirk in Illinois, Toomey in Pennsylvania, Portman in Ohio, Ayotte in New Hampshire, Johnson in Wisconsin, and Rubio's open seat of Florida. Unbridled obstruction of the President's Supreme Court nomination will do serious damage to many of these endangered incumbents -- and that could cost the Republicans control of the Senate itself. What's more, the last thing the GOP needs is for the Presidential election to be fought over the ideological bent of the Supreme Court. Extremist right wing views may be all the rage inside the narrow circle of Republican primary voters. But they are toxic within the broader electorate. And just think how thrilled those swing-state GOP Senators will be if they have to run in a election where a major question before the electorate is whether to allow Donald Trump or Ted Cruz to reshape the Supreme Court -- immediately after the election. In that context, Trump's promise to ban Muslims, or Cruz's commitment to ship off 11 million undocumented immigrants takes on a much more ominous note. Advertisement The proto-Fascist, un-American ideas of Cruz and Trump may seem to most of us to lie far outside of America's core Constitutional values. But they will be "constitutional" if a Trump or Cruz Supreme Court says they are. That's why the GOP leadership may posture and pontificate about how they won't even consider an Obama nominee to the Supreme Court. But in the end, they will either abandon their obstructionism, or pay an enormous political price at the polls this November. Justice Scalia & Bryan Garner Book Talk and Signing Much can, and undoubtedly will, be said about the legacy of Justice Antonin Scalia. He is being called a "giant" of the Supreme Court. His dogmatic insistence on so-called originalism as the one true way to interpret the Constitution has shaped much discussion of the Constitution. He proudly proclaimed that, unlike proponents of a "living Constitution," he viewed the Constitution as "dead" and basically mummified in the late 18th century. A paradoxical aspect of his legacy, though, is that he seemed to care relatively little about actually persuading his colleagues on the high court, or, just as importantly, entering into necessary compromises designed to elicit their agreement. Advertisement He fundamentally rewrote the job description of "Supreme Court Justice" by directing a great deal of his attention outside the court. He engaged in indefatigable public campaigning to build support for his view of the law. He recognized the important role that social movements play in what might be called "constitutional politics." For example, Scalia and his Supreme Court adversary, Justice Stephen Breyer, met in a public debate at Texas Tech University before some 5,000 people in 2010. Supreme Court justices like to think in terms of precedent, and that joint appearance and vigorous debate before a mass audience about constitutional fundamentals was truly unprecedented. One of Scalia's most important techniques in building popular support was the willingness to use his considerable rhetorical skills not only to offer vivid descriptions of his own positions, but also to denigrate those of his opponents. Advertisement In fact, in many ways Scalia adopted the role of the predominant "trash talker" on the Supreme Court. Many of his opinions are altogether similar to the slash-and-burn rhetoric that we associate during this campaign season with Donald Trump. Scalia commented, altogether accurately, that he and his colleagues "are not in agreement on the basic question of what we think we're doing when we interpret the Constitution." When I teach constitutional law, as I have for almost 40 years, I try to emphasize that reasonable people can disagree. Men and women of undoubted good faith can come up with strikingly different answers to constitutional conundrums, and we have to learn to live with this sometimes discomforting reality. That was not Scalia's way, however. He really didn't believe that reasonable people could disagree about constitutional meaning. There was only one proper approach, the ostensible fidelity to the purported original understanding of the Constitution; rejection of that approach was the equivalent of heresy. This use of vituperation was on full display in what will now count as his last major dissent, in the Obergefell case that gave constitutional protection to same-sex marriage. One need not necessarily believe that the court made the correct decision (although I do). One might still bewail the language of sarcasm and insult that ran through his angry dissent. Consider his reference to the majority opinion as a "Putsch." For any well-educated adult, the one-and-only example of a "Putsch" is Adolf Hitler's "Beer Hall Putsch" of 1923, an important episode in the rise of Nazism. And Scalia immediately went on to say that his colleagues had failed their most elemental task, which was to "function as judges." Advertisement This is vivid -- and highly quotable -- language, as is the case with much of what Donald Trump says. Like Trump, Scalia treated those who disagreed with him as fools or scoundrels. Law professors who adopted Scalia's approach of vituperation and insult directed toward those judges whose decisions they disagree with would properly be subject to chastisement. Our task, with very few exceptions, is to note how men and women of good faith can in fact arrive at strikingly different conclusions. To be sure, we must choose our own favorites -- and explain why we agree with them -- but that does not require simple dismissal of those on the other side as stupid or venal. Scalia, as befits someone with more than three decades of service on the high court, leaves multiple legacies. But the coarsening of our public dialogue with regard to constitutional debate stands out. Whatever the proper venue for trash talk might be, its entrance into the opinions of the Supreme Court is something we should all regret. Sanford Levinson is the W. St. John Garwood and W. St. John Garwood, Jr. Centennial Chair in Law at the School of Law at The University of Texas at Austin. Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks at a rally in North Augusta, South Carolina, February 16, 2016. / AFP / JIM WATSON (Photo credit should read JIM WATSON/AFP/Getty Images) Donald Trump showed a glimmer of reason in his last debate when he defended his position as the Republican Party's only presidential contender who is opposed to cutting Social Security. Alas, it was but a glimmer. A split second later, Trump took a loony leap from defending America's most effective anti-poverty program to blaming foreign workers for our fiscal challenges. "They are taking our jobs. They are taking our wealth. They are taking our base." Advertisement Foreign workers are not the ones doing the taking. CEOs of big U.S. corporations are responsible for taking jobs and wealth out of this country. And these CEOs are also the ones who deserve much of the blame for our country's retirement crisis. Over the past several decades, top executives have gutted worker pensions. Since 1980, the share of private sector workers covered by defined benefit pension plans, the kind that guarantee a monthly benefit after retirement until death, has dropped from 46 percent to 18 percent. CEOs have replaced these traditional plans with tax-deferred accounts like 401(k)s, which shift the risk of volatile stock markets onto employees, or scrapped retirement benefits entirely. Of American workers in the 50-64 age group, 29 percent have no pension or retirement savings in a 401(k) or IRA. These workers will be wholly dependent on Social Security, which currently pays an average benefit of about $1,200 per month. Advertisement While cutting worker benefits, CEOs have been accumulating gilded retirement fortunes for themselves. A report I co-authored for the Institute for Policy Studies and the Center for Effective Government provides staggering statistics on the growing retirement divide. The key finding: Just 100 CEOs have as much in their company retirement funds as the entire retirement savings of 41 percent of American families. On average, these CEOs' nest eggs are worth more than $49.3 million-- enough to generate a $277,686 monthly retirement check for the rest of their lives. The trends of bloated retirement funds for executives and growing retirement insecurity for the rest of us are inextricably linked. By slashing worker benefits, CEOs can boost profits and stock prices, at least in the short term. And since most executive compensation these days is in the form of stock-based pay, the more a CEO cuts back on employee retirement benefits, the fatter his paycheck. To reverse the retirement divide, we need to go beyond Trump's promise to not cut Social Security and actually expand these benefits. We also need to address the skyrocketing cost of long-term care for the elderly. The current monthly cost of nursing home care runs about six times the amount of an average monthly Social Security check. Advertisement A campaign called Caring Across Generations is bringing together families, caregivers, people with disabilities, and aging Americans to tackle this problem. One of their major initiatives is to promote affordable long-term care insurance that would also allow for fair wages and benefits for caregivers. In Congress, Senator Mazie Hirono from Hawaii has introduced legislation -- the Living Independently for Extended Time Act -- that would establish a federal grant program to support innovative state-level long-term care solutions. Caring Across Generations is bringing together families, caregivers, people with disabilities, and aging Americans to tackle rising long-term care costs. How can we pay for all this? Trump's solution seems to be to somehow force those foreign workers to give our jobs and wealth back. The real solution is to reclaim the resources that could have been going into making our retirement system work for all of us but has instead been flowing into just a few pockets. A first step should be to require big company CEOs and other high-income Americans to contribute to Social Security on all their income, including stock-based pay. With the current cap on annual earnings subject to the Social Security tax set at only $118,500, most of these wealthy individuals have already made their entire contribution for 2016. Advertisement After slashing worker benefits for so many years, it's time CEOs started paying their fair share of a retirement system that ensures dignity for all. Happiness sheltered us from the tyranny of time,As we all united...a nation in its prime. O young ones, you live in a time of blissful spring,Needless to taste the past's suffering. Learn from the past, and in the present relish,With your ambitions, our nation shall flourish. Responsivity and proximity of a government to its people is the best form of encouragement for any society to keep going. With the establishment of new ministries of Happiness and Tolerance, a Minister for youth, eight women holding ministerial posts, The United Arab Emirates have shown they are receptive to twenty-first century challenges and welcoming of experimentation within their system. At the 2016 World Government Summit in Dubai, President Barack Obama reiterated that the United Arab Emirates and the United States of America can learn a lot from each other's experiences as we enter an age of new demands, going on to say "In the past government was largely judged by how well it secured the ability of its citizens to achieve certain gains; notably gains that ensured physical, social and economic well-being. But because governments of the present and future will be able to drive innovation of unprecedented scope and power, the very nature of responsible governance is being redefined." This piece seeks to better contextualize the United Arab Emirates history and how they are a current model in the redefining of a responsible government given their both innovative and fast paced gains. Advertisement I believe the pace of development, women and youth's integration, and of reaching an audacious comfort to experiment with bold initiatives and encouragements, is profound, given how fast the UAE came in short time. To greater or lesser extent -- depending on the area -- Gulf countries have only recently entered the global stage and have not gone through the same experiences as other countries due to their lack of exposure to modern political systems -- which has set them uniquely apart. "The halo of sacred associations was extensive enough to encompass Hejaz' neighbors and to keep them isolated and insulated until a few decades ago. Even in pre-Islamic days the peninsula was never exposed to as strong political and cultural influences as the other Arab lands were." This excerpt by American Scholar Phillip Hiiti only reiterates the reality, that is, very few places on earth have come so far and so fast, as the Arabian Peninsula in the 21st century. In particular among them, the United Arab Emirates.Redefining a Responsible Government in the 21st Century: Speaking with Aysha Taryam, Editor-in-Chief of Gulf Today, and the first Middle Eastern female Editor in Chief of an English language newspaper, she shared with me that bold moves such as the creation of the new ministries is nothing recent for the United Arab Emirates, Advertisement "The UAE has always had a pioneering approach when it comes to political decisions. The birth of a country built on the unity of what was once seven feuding Emirates was and still is one of the bravest attempts the Gulf region has seen. A feat that faced much skepticism at the time yet has proven it's genius 44 years later. The creation of the ministries of tolerance and happiness, strange as they might seem to some parts of the world, is yet another pioneering idea taken by the government in an attempt to better UAE's society. " The United Arab Emirates Government has been a prime example of putting words into action, not only do they advocate for innovation in entrepreneurial pursuits, but in the system itself they have a historic culture of experimentation, innovation, and proximity to society which is visible in the establishment of these new ministries. For a monarchy, their flexibility to society's demands and incorporation of democratic processes are impressive. Social Capital for Sustainability: Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates has appointed eight women to ministerial positions, and has established two new departments, a Ministry of Tolerance and Ministry of Happiness. From Washington to the region's own, some have been overly critical of these new ministries, under the perception that they are soft, and that "real change" per say, equates to high military expenditures and greater amounts of allocation in education. However policies like these have been relentlessly repeated and provides us with no great change. The military has only solved episodic problems, not epicenters of our greatest worries, and as for greater allocation of GDP spent on education -the Middle East region already spends the most in the entire world on education however has not reaped the benefits. In the 20th-century we focused on quantity, but the 21st-century will attend to quality. Advertisement Those critical of governments that challenge the status quo and experiment with alternative methods to a prosperous future, often are organizations and stakeholders linked to outdated businesses non-receptive to twenty-first century demands. These entities fight disturbances in the status quo, which has put a cap on innovation processes in many Arab countries. But I believe the UAE is breaking a mold in the region, insofar as depending less on external sources for sustainability. If they continue on the path of experimentation and astute application, an innovation process from both society and government will organicly take place, propelling social capital beyond the barrel. Quality in society is being rebirthed overseas, something that our country, the USA, simultaneously wholeheartedly constitutionalizes and battles with. Founding Father and Author of the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson is known for saying, The World Happiness Report released in 2015, in Chapter Eight by Jeffrey Sachs, defines that the prime reason to invest in social capital 'happiness' is because of the economic productivity and social insurance it generates. Social capital can be tested when a social dilemma occurs and the individual chooses to forgo a personal cost, for the greater benefit of others. This is when you know your social capital is high. Advertisement The UAE invoked two powerful departments, tolerance, and happiness, two nouns rarely used to describe modern day Middle East. This could be just what the region needs. Happiness is a strategy with valuable returns. Happiness is what makes you want to get out of bed in the morning and strive. The UAE's Ministry of Happiness will ensure policies contribute to greater fulfillment among society, and that initiatives and programs are invoked to ensure everyone is taken care of, from expatriates to citizens. Not exclusively to the Arab region, but the world too, needs a reason to keep going. A firm believer in not only interregional exchanges [East and West] but intraregional, I believe that the UAE's decision to focus on these issues needs to be transferred throughout the region, whether oil-endowed or developing country. The fact of the matter is that the Gulf region continues to be dismissed by us and the region for some of their greatest achievements just because they are comparatively economically well-off -- often unfairly restricting them to "privileged and exceptional" -- we lose sight of the transferable lessons to be learned. But if Middle East nations too continue this mindset of us vs. them, and paint themselves as entirely different based on socio-economic terms, they will start to withdraw from the sharing and spread of knowledge in the region. Which in my opinion, is what is plaguing the Middle East. Arab tradition is rich in translation, shared language, great commerce, knowledge exchange, all which makes for transferable application. We must learn to intra-regionally love ourselves and learn from each other. International actors and interest groups have clouded and distracted the region's once acute perceptivity. Advertisement The Advancing Culture of Women's Participation: The appointment of eight women to the Ministerial cabinet and the open support for women by the country's men, ushered a powerful sensation of hope felt by Emiratis across the country, that their daughters' wings are equal to their sons. The feeling of electric air where all children, men, and women, can embark as one. Frequently in the West, off of unfound claims and stereotypes we remain to believe Arab women are second-class citizens, not realizing that women have always played a role like how they have in the United States. Women have always been part of the workforce, from seamstresses to modernly holding offices and rising executively. The evolution of women in our country is similar to the region at large. The United Arab Emirates has a continued culture of women's inclusion. "If one should only look back at the history of the UAE, they would find the Emirati woman playing an instrumental role in every field since the country's inception. So it is only natural to see her recognized and appreciated by the wise leadership who has always viewed the Emirati woman as an equal and never as an 'other'," says Aysha. Forms of participation and socio-economic currents shape the role that both man and woman play in their country, and just because a woman is not doing the same work she was doing 100 years ago, does not infer she was not engaged. A Future of Learning From Others:As an American, when I look around my country I see unsatisfied citizens, racism apparent, tolerance ignored, Islamaphobia high, stereotypes blanketing us all, only 1 out of 3 Americans are really happy, and only a rare few of us are satisfied with our jobs -- that is if we are even lucky enough to have one. 200 years and going, we are looking for innovative ways to advance our union. Just as diverse the Middle East is, with various socio-economic backgrounds, religions, to political outlooks, so has our nation become in its heterogeneity. There is not too much that differentiates us from the rest of the world, and in fact, there are lessons our own country can learn from looking at foreign models. Advertisement From 193 countries adopting the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, 190 countries signing the most ambitious climate change accord in the Paris Agreement, to international disease centers coming together to fight the latest breakouts in viruses -international cooperation is reinforced as nations learn to work with one another. Cooperation like this provides optimism in the alleviation of the problems we all burden, that a better innovative and collaborative future is not suspended, but indeed reinstated. Co-written by Robert Anderson The world of transportation is now experiencing a renaissance as gas-guzzling vehicles are supplanted with alternative fuel sources. One way of accelerating the development of breakthrough innovations is by experimenting with and testing new technologies in racing. California Institute of Technology, the world's leading research university, is now entering the Formula SAE Electric, leveraging its superiority in designing algorithms to improve simulations and vehicle control. However, the road to racing in 2016 may be paved with challenges quite similar to those of a design driven startup. Along with developing technology and implementing this into new product development, they must build an antifragile organization that can learn and grow from planned and random experiences. To make it even more interesting, all of this must be done on a shoestring budget and truncated schedule. Advertisement The goal is to win the competition, however also to push the boundary of the next generation of vehicles, while building dynamic capabilities along the way. When beginning this project, they knew that they were at a disadvantage as a first year team, competing against schools with 20+ years of history. However, that did not curb the progress or enthusiasm of the students. As the project entered the 2015-2016 school year, they had a 10x growth in membership after a successful first year prototype drew much attention while making laps around campus. The large growth of membership was one of the initial unexpected challenges -- that of keeping a group of seventy students organized and focused on a common vision. They took the summer to get organized and created a student leadership group that now manages the project's divisions and makes decisions about major tradeoffs, to balance the performance, cost, and robustness of the vehicle. To keep the project going with a mix of students from disparate backgrounds in engineering projects, they divided the team into four divisions: Mechanical, Energetics, Operations and Business. Advertisement This agile organizational structure has worked extremely well for them thus far. They have been able to pivot quickly after feedback from design reviews with local experts. Originally, they had tried to define the responsibilities of every student to a T. However, it soon became evident that this was not effectively utilizing the vast amount of talent in the team. Since then, they have changed their structure into a more horizontal one, opening up all communication channels among students to create a much more fluid structure. Increased independence, required weekly deliverables to keep the project on track and the development of stoplight architecture (red, yellow, green), to communicate the group's progress during their weekly scheduled meetings. The team now views their organizational structure as their greatest advantage. One of the most challenging parts of building the organization has been defining the business team. Most other competing universities have dedicated business students pursuing fundraising opportunities and creating a business plan for the project, whereas, the Caltech team consists mostly of technically oriented students. However, just as with the technical divisions, they established an effective structure after failing fast and smart. They have since been able to utilize the technical background of their students to more effectively communicate with local companies and sponsors, receiving an outpouring of support and help from those willing to give time and money to see Caltech succeed. Advertisement With this effective organization in place, they are now making great progress this winter in the prototyping and manufacturing phase of the project. With less than four months until the competition's deadline, they are extremely excited to make a statement as a first year team competing with seasoned veterans. The needs and priorities of artists are in constant flux. Art historians have attempted to document this flux by identifying a series of seismic shifts in aesthetics and attaching to each its defining characteristics. This practice has provided us with a litany of isms that stretch back centuries. Art history will continue to roll on, but it very well may be that the age of the ism is behind us. That's not to say that there are not, and will not continue to be, clusters of like-minded artists whose combined efforts can generate an aesthetic critical mass that historians are able to delineate. But with instant global communication, the time in which new ideas are disseminated, assimilated, and ultimately disregarded is so compressed that the enterprise has been, at best, reduced to trend spotting. Katherine Bradford. Courtesy of CANADA, New York. The medium of painting, in particular, has always been prone to noticeable trends. For the better part of a decade, the trend of note has been the overwhelming amount of abstraction that has circulated, in particular that of the provisional, or de-skilled ilk. While there are some talented artists working in this vein--Richard Aldrich and Joe Bradley, to name two--much of the stuff is so hopelessly bland and devoid of meaningful content that it has garnered the moniker "zombie formalism." In the past two years, however, the winds have shifted. Abstraction is out, and the figure is in; flatness is out, as artists begin to embrace a space that lies somewhere between reality and a digital simulacrum of it. Advertisement Both of these trends were widely visible in 2015. As I wandered though the various art fairs that make up Miami's art week in early December I was overwhelmed by the amount of figurative painting on view...much of if it at galleries that have rarely, if ever, exhibited such work. The figure is everywhere, and being addressed with all manner of stylistic intonation. Even more conspicuous was the number of artists who, whatever their subject matter, are conjuring a kind of space that seems teasingly "real," yet clearly relies on life as experienced through the computer screen more than the living room window. Perhaps this is not a surprise, given that a generation of artists weaned on the Internet is now coming of age. Before getting in to this year's list of Artists to Watch, I want to say how pleased I am to see the success of all of the artists featured on last year's list. Sadie Benning had a knockout show at Susanne Vielmetter in Los Angeles that was critically acclaimed. Katherine Bernhardt took it to the next level with her outing at Venus Over Manhattan. Daniel Heidkamp, who just gets better and better, was heavily in demand. Eddie Martinez, whose current show at Mitchell-Innes & Nash is his best to date, is now firmly on the radar of serious international collectors. Most exciting to me is the attention given to mature painter, Katherine Bradford. Bradford has been making her quirky, extraordinary paintings for years and, finally, the world has caught up. Her work looked completely of-the-moment at NADA Miami, and her subsequent one-woman show at CANADA in New York City was a huge commercial and critical success. Brian Belott Belott is not new to the art scene. I first came across his work at CANADA in the early-2000s. Since then he has plugged away and gained the respect of many artists that I know. Belott's sensitivity with materials - even the most humble - has always been evident. There is a sort of kitschy, tossed off vibe that always hovers around his work, but make no doubt, he is deadly serious. His soon to close show at ultra-hip Moran Bondaroff in Los Angeles is the best Belott exhibition I have seen to date. It evinces a new maturity and an ability to work successfully on a large scale. Advertisement Brian Belott. Courtesy of Moran Bondaroff, Los Angeles. Billy Al Bengston The 82-year old artist has been a known quantity on the West Coast for decades. He is perhaps best known for his paintings that involve the motif of sergeant's stripes, which he adopted after seeing Jasper Johns work at the 1958 Venice Biennale. As with many artists who developed their careers outside of New York City, Bengston never got his proper due. Whether due to the recent interest in all things LA, or the art world's concurrent focus on the work of underappreciated mature artists, Bengston's work is now actively being discovered by a new generation of curators and collectors. Billy Al Bengston. Courtesy of Franklin Parrasch, Los Angeles. Marsha Cottrell I have known Cottrell's elegant and carefully considered work since a 1998 show at Derek Eller Gallery. Since then, I came across it here or there in the context of a group exhibition, but never had the opportunity to appreciate it on its own terms. Eleven Rivington's 2015 solo of her work changed that. A painter by trade, Cottrell's recent is made by tweaking digital image files and then printing with a laser printer. The results are stunning. At the end of day it is all about being in command of your materials, and Cottrell somehow generates highly nuanced and personal work from a process that should not allow it. Marsha Cottrell. Courtesy of Eleven Rivington, New York. Daniel Crews-Chubb Crews-Chubb was a Miami discovery for me this year. His solo presentation at UNTITLED was one of the highlights of the fair. It would be overstating it to call Crews-Chubb an expressionist per se, but the fluid and aggressive manner with which he handles paint certainly owes something to the legacy of de Kooning and others. There is no artifice to his paintings...what you see is what you get. In them, roughly hewn figures jostle for dominance over each other and the picture plane. I am a huge fan of how this guy paints feet. Daniel Crews-Chubb. Courtesy of Vigo, London. Mira Dancy I first saw Dancy's work in 2013 at Kansas Gallery in New York City. Having graduated from Columbia's MFA program in 2009, Dancy is a solid member of the new generation of figurative painters, many of whom are quickly gaining attention. She focuses on the female body with a vengeance. It is almost as if she is trying to wrest it from the hands of the mostly male cast of artists who have laid claim to it over the years. In the past few years her compositional sense has gotten ever more sophisticated. I am excited to see how she grows. Mira Dancy. Courtesy of Night Gallery, Los Angeles. John Finneran Finneran was part of the now legendary Rivington Arms roster that set the tone for the Lower East Side gallery scene in the early-2000s. While he did not experience the sort of meteoric-rise that some of his stable mates did, Finneran has consistently looked good in the intervening years. When I walked into Hannah Hoffman's LA digs this past October, I wasn't even sure what was on view. There was Finneran with an immaculately installed exhibition of paintings, works on paper and sculpture. He is a great example of an artist who has steadfastly pursued his own vision, whatever the current aesthetic climate, and come out on top. Advertisement John Finneran. Courtesy of Hannah Hoffman Gallery, Los Angeles. Jonathan Gardner It is not surprising that Gardner spent time in Chicago, where he was undoubtedly exposed to the work of that city's best known aesthetic export: Chicago Imagism. Gardner makes very strange paintings, and I mean that as a compliment. They are not strange because of their subject matter, which is the figure sprawled out in all manner of Matisse-ean repose, but for their overall presence. Like a number of emerging artists, Gardner constructs space in a way that is at once "real" and completely fabricated. The net result is disorienting. Who are these people, and where do they exist? Jonathan Gardner. Courtesy of Casey Kaplan, New York. Laeh Glenn Altman Siegel's solo booth of new paintings by LA-based artist Laeh Glenn at the NADA Art Fair was simply my favorite booth at any art fair in Miami this past December. Just wow. Just when you think that it would be impossible for an artist to do something with painting that would blow you away, there it was. Collectors agreed, as the entire booth was sold out before the end of the fair's typically frenetic VIP opening. Glenn mines a wide range of art historical tropes, yet arrives at paintings that are fresh and resolutely her own. I have rarely seen the figure and abstraction locked in more resonant harmony. Laeh Glenn, Courtesy of Altman Siegel, San Francisco. Guy Goodwin Goodwin has been actively exhibiting since the mid-1970s. Like Chris Martin and other artists who have been plugging away for years, sometimes all it takes is the right context for the work to be properly appreciated. I loved his one-man exhibition at New York's Brennan & Griffin in 2012, but his solo at B&G's NADA Miami booth this past December blew me away. Raucous yet controlled, chromatically dissonant, yet harmonious, Goodwin's recent works lives and breathes in the space between painting and sculpture, formalism and representation. Guy Goodwin. Courtesy of Brennan & Griffin, New York. Loie Hollowell Hollowell was featured in New American Paintings 2011 MFA Annual when she was still a student at VCU's increasingly prominent MFA program. Her work has changed dramatically since then, and she now finds herself in the thick of the dialog surrounding painters who are exploring a new type of pictorial space. Ostensibly abstract, Hollowell's paintings draw from a growing lexicon of forms and reference everything from the vagina to architectural forms. Like Jonathan Gardner though, it is not so much what she paints, as it is the uneasy and shifting presence of these paintings that make them special. Look for Hollowell's upcoming solo at Feuer/Mesler in October. Loie Hollowell. Courtesy of the Feuer/Mesler, New York. Josh Jefferson My good buddy Scott Zieher - one of the three art world SZs, myself and Steve Zavattero being the others - sent me an email last year and encouraged me to visit with Jefferson, who, unbeknownst to me, was living in Boston. There are certain people who I will never refuse a request from, and Scott is firmly on that list. I didn't know what to expect when I arrived at Jefferson's basement studio, but it was well worth the trip. Looking at the trajectory of Jefferson's work that day, it was clear that he had found a very strong voice. He is, in the manner of Eddie Martinez, a truly natural painter. To his credit, he has relentlessly focused on a small number of subjects in the past few years - most notably the figure -which has allowed him to hone his painting chops and explore all manner of formal intervention. Jefferson had a well-received exhibition at Gallery 16 in San Francisco in 2015, and I expect that we will be seeing a lot of him in 2016 beyond. His work is featured on the cover of the February/March issue of New American Paintings. Advertisement Josh Jefferson. Courtesy of the Artist. Jonathan Lasker Ok, I know, duh Zevitas. Promoting Lasker may be like preaching to the converted. I have liked the work since seeing it at Sperone Westwater's Soho space in my earliest art world days. To be honest though, I don't think I ever really loved it. With Lasker's soon-to-close exhibition at Cheim & Read though, I am all in. This is a career defining show that distills years of experience into one loud thunder-clap. Never has the grid seemed less constraining and more malleable. Bravo. Jonathan Lasker. Courtesy of Cheim & Read, New York. Tala Madani Born in Tehran, Madani is another of a growing number of artists who call LA their home. Madani does not make easy paintings, and in them, men do not fare well. Her figures are subjected to all manner of humiliation and violence. Most are leaking some sort of bodily fluid. Excrement is everywhere. Even with all of this going on, the tone of these paintings is not hectoring. To her credit, Madani effectively employs her knack for spontaneous painterly gestures to the service of the work's overall content. There is a purposeful, if strident, energy to each painting. Tala Madani. Courtesy of Pilar Corrias, London. Nancy Shaver I was introduced Shaver's work by the great Hudson at Feature Inc. more than a decade ago. (I truly miss Hudson. He was a generous soul with an unflinching vision. He was in the art world for all of the right reasons.) Shaver has been making mature work and exhibiting for more than four decades. Like Katherine Bradford, and many others, she is way overdue for wider recognition. Shaver is an absolute master of redeeming materials that are aesthetically intractable. Look for an upcoming solo at Derek Eller's soon-to-open new Lower East Side space. Nancy Shaver. Courtesy of Derek Eller Gallery, New York. Cary Smith Smith is another artist who Hudson introduced me to a number of years ago. I have always had a great deal of respect for his work, and he happens to be one of the nicest people that you will meet. I can't quite put my finger on it, but something has happened with Smith's work in the past couple of years that has taken it to the next level. He has always worked with paintings most basic elements, color and form, in a focused way. Recently though, his formal explorations have taken on a new resonance, and he is producing paintings that simply sing with joy and clarity of vision. His late 2015 exhibition at Fredericks & Freiser in New York was one of the year's best gallery exhibitions. Advertisement Cary Smith. Courtesy of Fredericks & Freiser, New York. Emily Mae Smith Smith is yet another strong painter to emerge from Columbia's MFA program. My first contact with the work came at Laurel Gitlen's space in the Lower East Side this past September. It was a fun exhibition to walk into. Smith's paintings draw from the graphic clarity of Pop-art and digital space to critique sexual politics, gender and identity. They are, however, never preachy or cloying. Like other artists on this list, Smith's paintings are simply weird in the best, indescribable way. Emily Mae Smith. Courtesy of Laurel Gitlen, New York. Evan Trine Trine's work came to my attention as we were preparing New American Paintings 2016 MFA Annual, which will be released in early April. At first glance, I thought that Trine's "minimal" abstractions were taut formal exercises with paintings most basic elements, color and form. I was weaned on this type of painting and tend to respond well to its purity and focus of vision. Something kept nagging at me though as we put the issue together and I continued to interact with the work. I had a strong sense that there was more than first meets the eye with Trine's work. As it turns out, there is. His paintings are, in fact, methodical distillations of carefully selected subject matter. Working with computer software, Trine puts his original source material through various stages of manipulation and ultimately arrives at a condensed, simplified and essential version. The strength of the work derives from the faint visual echo it gives off even as it remains resolutely abstract. As an aside, I meant to contact Trine for a studio visit given that I recently opened a second gallery there and Trine lives in the area. Well, as they say: You snooze, you lose. Trine has quickly been snapped up by one of LA's most respected galleries, Roberts & Tilton. Evan Trine. Courtesy of Roberts & Tilton, Los Angeles. Eric Yahnker In the interest of full disclosure, my partner and I will be presenting a solo exhibition of new work by Eric Yahnker that opens next month at Zevitas Marcus in LA. I know, I know...separate the church and state Zevitas. Sorry, I can't on this one. I have known Yahnker's work for close to a decade. He is a virtual seismometer of the current cultural zeitgeist, and a master draughtsman. The combination of these two skills has resulted in a body of work that is consistently incisive and on point. To an extent, Yahnker's work comes out of the tradition of political satire, but the depth of his art historical and cultural knowledge make for works that operate on so many levels it will make your head spin. His upcoming show is sure to generate a lot of controversy. Eric Yahnker. Courtesy of Zevitas Marcus, Los Angeles. Republican presidential candidates John Kasich (L) and Donald Trump (R) look on as Jeb Bush (2nd-L) confers with Ted Cruz (2nd-R) during the CBS News Republican Presidential Debate in Greenville, South Carolina, February 13, 2016. / AFP / JIM WATSON (Photo credit should read JIM WATSON/AFP/Getty Images) The biblical commandment, "Do not follow the majority to do evil" is meant, in part, to instruct principled leaders not to give in to the whims of a club or community to do something wrong. Rather, the leader who follows principles is meant to buck the wrong and restore the right. In the annals of history - in our country and the world -- there are lots of examples of the majority doing wrong while leaders went along or did nothing. We are at this kind of moral crossroads in American politics. Jeb Bush and other major Republican candidates have said that they will support the Republican nominee, no matter what. No matter how many insults Donald Trump hurls; no matter how many "carpet bombs" Ted Cruz drops, Republican leaders and candidates -- save The National Review, which declared in a cover editorial that they would not support Donald Trump -- have either hedged or openly declared support for the possible nominees. Advertisement The message is that they are Republicans first, protecting the party's back whether or not they agree with the GOP or whether the nominee is good for America. Republican leaders are not the only ones to ignore their principles. On the other side of the political spectrum, former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright declared prior to Hillary Clinton's defeat in New Hampshire that, "There is a special place in hell for women who don't support each other." Women should support women -- no matter what. Breaking the glass ceiling is more important than what's best for our country. Using this same logic, Democratic women should have supported Sarah Palin and Michele Bachmann. If South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley had waived the Confederate flag after the Charleston church shooting, all women would still be obligated to support her. In an amazing display of courage and conscience, Governor Haley did pull down the Confederate flag in favor of decency and needed social change. She had to persuade the majority, a true sign of leadership. For her, principles rose above party or politics. Advertisement While Hillary Clinton, presumably pushing back against Madeleine Albright, cautioned supporters not to support her just because she's a woman, she admonished Bernie Sanders for criticizing some of President Obama's policies. The warning: don't ever break ranks. Support the power within the party. If you don't, you're a traitor! "I would have expected that from the Republicans, not from you," Clinton declared in the last Democratic debate, to which Sanders replied, "Last I heard, we live in a democratic society. Last I heard, a United States Senator can disagree with the President of the United States." He delivered a powerful rebuttal that principled politicians should heed. However, the message that I take away from many Republican and Democratic leaders is that their party loyalty matters more than loyalty to the values, principles and priorities of America. They would never admit this, but their words and actions indicate otherwise. In an interview with The Daily Caller, Jeb Bush said: "I have been a loyal Republican and if past is prologue, I'm confident that I'll be supporting a Republican nominee." John Kasich, appearing on ABC This Week declared: "I made a pledge [to the party] and I have been listening to him [Donald Trump] lately, and you notice he's toned down the rhetoric. I hope going forward he'll been a unifier." Advertisement That hasn't happened. The most recent Republican/South Carolina debate was possibly the most raucous, vulgar and divisive to date. Still, Republican leaders have continued their silence, showing loyalty to the party cause and anyone who is the party nominee. Several years ago, I facilitated a workshop for a public school and asked the teachers to define their core values. The school's union rep got up and said that his overriding core value was that, "I am a union man through and through and I protect my union brothers and sisters, no matter what!" Several of his fellow teachers found his position offensive because, they said, he was putting the union over teaching or influencing kids. The same can be said for both political parties, or for all African-Americans, all Jewish-Americans, all Christian-Americans, all gay-Americans, and so on. Business leaders who only support their business perspective over all other moral considerations make the same mistake as the stilted union rep or party-centered political leader. It seems to me that what ought to be guiding our country and leaders today are their values, one of which ought to be loyalty to the greater good of our country, not just to their party or self-interest. If party leaders are wrong, others ought to call them on the carpet. If a union leader is wrong, we ought to say so. If a community or businesses leader is wrong, other leaders ought to push for righting the wrong. When police are wrong, police should not routinely close ranks to support the wrong or look the other way. That's what created problems in Ferguson, Baltimore, Cleveland and elsewhere, justifying injustice in the name of justice. Advertisement When leaders over time have backed their companies, parties, communities, religions or clubs despite moral breaches, the results have been McCarthyism, Enron, priest pedophiles, slavery, and discrimination. The list goes on. Blind loyalty is never good. Whenever a friend of mine -- an entrepreneur who built a company that became the industry standard -- hired a new employee, he would ask them where their loyalties would be while on the job. Invariably, each new hire pledged their loyalty to the company and the boss. He would reply that he didn't expect their blanket loyalty. He only expected loyalty to their values -- that if they were loyal to their values, they would do the right thing for the company, co-workers, communities, families and customers. New York Times columnist Frank Bruni, a gay-American, recently wrote: "We're all complicated people voting for complicated people. We're not census subgroups falling in line. I'll go to the barricades for that imagined gay candidate if he or she has talents I trust, positions I respect and a character I admire. If not, I'll probably go elsewhere...." Blindly supporting myopic interests and affinity groups that only align with our interests will not solve problems or bridge our differences in America. Loyalty to our shared principles will, and ultimately that is the attitude that will bring us together. Muszynski is Founder of Purple America, a national initiative of Values-in-Action Foundation to re-focus the American conversation to a civil, productive and respectful dialogue around our shared values. To see America's shared values and get involved, go to www.PurpleAmerica.us. Project Love is a school-based character-development program of Values-in-Action Foundation. To see information about Project Love school programming, go to www.projectlove.org Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., speaks during the Jefferson Jackson Dinner, on Saturday, Feb. 13, 2016, in Denver. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) The kids may be all right -- but they may not be able to save Bernie Sanders in Michigan. The Vermont U.S. senator made his first campaign visit here on Monday, dazzling college students at Eastern Michigan University and adding another stop in metro Detroit. Michigan's March 8 primary could prove pivotal in the Democratic nominating contest, as it's just after Super Tuesday. The Flint water crisis has become a national firestorm, prompting Democrats to schedule a debate in the city on March 6. Little wonder why all three Clintons -- Hillary, Chelsea and Bill -- logged time in the state last week. Advertisement Sanders' lock on younger voters helped him win a double-digit victory in New Hampshire, and almost put him over the top in Iowa. It's little wonder why he chose EMU as the site of his first Michigan event. But Sanders could have a tougher time earning the youth vote in Michigan. That's because first-time voters are barred from casting an absentee ballot if they didn't register to vote at a clerk's office or the Secretary of State -- which could impact college students. Then there's the law that your voter registration address must be at the same address as your drivers license. But many college students keep their home address on their license. So if your license has your Detroit address, but you attend Michigan State University, you're still required by law to vote in Detroit. Since the primary is on a Tuesday, it's safe to say most students won't be home to vote. This law has been around for roughly 15 years, courtesy of then-state Sen. Mike Rogers (R-Brighton). Democrats have long groused that Rogers parlayed the law into a razor-thin victory for Congress in 2000, as many MSU students in the district discovered they couldn't vote on campus. Advertisement Now this same law might hurt Sanders on March 8, although the election may not be close enough to make a difference. Clinton held a commanding 32-point lead in Inside Michigan Politics/Target Insight's polling taken Feb. 2-4. And the former Secretary of State led every age group, including voters 18-34. Still, the Democratic primary has been full on unexpected twists. Voter restrictions in Michigan could be another one. At Spafinder Wellness 365 we recently released our Global Spa & Wellness Trends Forecast, the guide to the top trends poised to shape the wellness, hospitality, travel and spa industries in 2016. In my 13 years researching this annual report, what's most exciting to me is watching trends that initially seem surprising, ultimately have long-term staying power. And in all those years of crystal-ball-gazing, I've never seen wellness travel so powerfully dominate the forecast like it does in 2016. Five of this year's ten trends are about new directions in healthy-minded travel. For instance, if the "first wave" of wellness travel revolved around stress-reducing spa, yoga and meditation, that's now getting paired with more high-adrenaline travel categories. Surfing is not only dramatically expanding its demographics (to women, families and luxury travelers) - we're seeing surfing get married to comprehensive wellness at so many amazing new properties. And more extreme adrenaline-pumping adventure is increasingly getting topped off with all kinds of "spa" relaxation, because of the profoundly relaxing mind-body effect. Two traditional travel categories associated with excess, the festival and the cruise, are getting a serious healthy makeover. And with the modern traveler's unquenchable thirst for ancient, authentic cultural and spiritual experiences, Mexico's temazcal experience (which is all about rebirth) will be reborn. Advertisement We work hard to explain not only what will trend this year, but why, where and how. And after each summary you can access a detailed report on each trend. Here's to a year of ever-more-creative, healthy travel - and new escapes and experiences that expand the mind and heal the body. Some may surprise...but I think all will endure. 1. Surf's Up! New Waves in Wellness Surfing and spinoffs like standup paddleboarding are one of the fastest-growing (if least discussed) trends in wellness travel. If surfing was once the province of young dudes from California or Australia, it's now rapidly expanding: to women/girls, families, the wealthy--and in 160 countries from the North Shore to the North Sea. And this demographic "opening up" is leading to a whole new genre of wellness travel property: cool retreats (from India to Iceland) that blend surfing and surf classes with yoga, fitness, spa/massage and healthy, organic food - and at every price point, from super affordable to Six Senses or Four Seasons uber-luxury. Warm, welcoming all-female surf retreats will continue to boom. And a new wave of surf-simulating fitness classes and wave-simulating surfing parks will bring the joyous surf workout to people that live far from the beach. Advertisement Shining examples: Hotel Komune Bali, which marries destination spa levels of wellness with surfing and paddleboarding lessons at a famed wave break, and SurfSet Fitness, which has expanded to 250 studios (and many resorts) in dozens of countries. 2. The Adrenaline and Zen Cocktail: Resetting the Mind & Body More extreme adventure is our zeitgeist: we're an X Games watching, Patagonia-wearing and GoPro-that-crazy-thing-you-did world. And we will see a dizzying proliferation of high-octane adventure experiences (from ziplining to circus schools to white water rafting) get topped off with "apres-adrenaline" relaxation at more spas, resorts and wellness retreats. The medical science reveals why stressed out humans seek stressful adventure, and why this seemingly paradoxical "contrast therapy" is addictive: adrenaline rushes followed by Zen relaxation (whether massage or meditation) uniquely reset and quiet the brain, and result in the most blissed-out relaxation. So, the new adrenaline + relaxation combos are less a paradox than a destination...and more destinations will serve up this potent mind-body cocktail. Leading the trend: Costa Rica's Rio Perdido, with a balance of extreme adventure and spa/hot springs relaxing, or the new CREACTIVE By Cirque du Soleil program at spa resort Club Med Punta Cana, Dominican Republic - which gets guests doing dozens of high-flying experiences like trapeze or tight rope. 4. Well-Fests: Festivals Shift from Wasted to Wellness Move over Burners, ravers, and party animals--the latest festival trend is wellness. Wellness festivals are cropping up all over the globe, celebrating health and wellbeing while still embracing the social spirit that makes tribal gatherings like music festivals so popular (many of which are also adding wellness components to their own lineup). Advertisement Great examples: Wanderlust, which has a roster of fun wellness festivals spread across a half-dozen countries, or the UK's Innocent Unplugged, which bans technology and offers only pedal bikes and a giant people-powered hamster wheel to provide power. 5. Healthy Cruising: The Ship of Excess Has Set Sail Wellness is boarding ship, allowing cruisers to de-stress and keep healthy while onboard and even once they dock. In 2016, think less "cruise ship" and more floating retreat as some of the most impressive spa and wellness programming and facilities in the world take to the high seas. Look for everything from yoga sessions on deck to medical beauty treatments to on-ship snowrooms to indigenous cultural, wellness and adventure experiences while docked. New and coming examples: Raison d'Etre's LivNordic; Canyon Ranch SpaClub aboard the Seven Seas Explorer, set to sail its maiden voyage July 2016; and Carnival Corp.'s Fathom brand, which will fuse cruising with on-land voluntourism experiences. 2015 proved to be an unpredictable year for Sri Lankan politics. Mahinda Rajapaksa, the man who ended the country's civil war in 2009 was booted out of office by an unanticipated challenger, Maithripala Sirisena. Like Rajapaksa, Sirisena is a longtime member of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) and was even a member of Rajapaksa's cabinet. Sirisena promised that he'd govern in a less authoritarian way than Rajapaksa and was backed by a diverse coalition. In order to win the presidency, he relied heavily on support from the United National Party (UNP), one of the nation's two principal political parties and the traditional rival to the SLFP. Yet Sirisena never really left the SLFP and Rajapaksa, who was elected to parliament in August 2015, didn't either. The recent parliamentary elections reveal that Rajapaksa, a very savvy politician, remains popular amongst ethnic Sinhalese, the majority community. Speculation about a pro-Rajapaksa party being formed has persisted for months and is expected to continue in the weeks ahead. Advertisement So, whose SLFP is it anyway? And how concerned should people be about Sirisena's inability to consolidate his position within the SLFP? Colombo-based journalist Kusal Perera says that the current state of affairs between Sirisena and Rajapaksa "is a tug of war now for political power, beyond that of controlling the SLFP." Perera believes that Sirisena needs to have complete control over the SLFP in order to be in control of the government, and that his presidency would be "meaningless" if that doesn't happen. This year Sri Lanka's coalition government is supposed to move beyond words and implement a diverse array of reforms -- from constitution-building to transitional justice. Yet the implementation of an extensive reform agenda -- a formidable task, even under the best of circumstances -- won't be possible if Sirisena is bogged down with internal SLFP struggles. Indeed, there were several instances in 2015 when it wasn't clear what mattered more to Sirisena: leading the SLFP or leading the country. While elected to do the latter, there were moments when he seemed far more interested in the former. I am a proud fifth generation South Dakotan, a descendant of a member of the very first state legislature, and I'm also transgender. When I was born, the doctors thought I was female. However, my gender identity, my own personal experience of my gender, is male. I realize this is a complicated issue and difficult to understand but I am absolutely certain of who I am. I am not in any distress, nor am I confused. This is my reality and the reality of many other people in this state. Everyone has a gender identity and for most people that identity is in line with their biological sex. There are others who have a different experience. Their biological sex and their gender identity diverge to one degree or another. Many people, like me, come to accept and embrace this realization and we live it every day. Our identities are not clothes we can take off when we get home. We can't change in order to be seen one way in one situation and differently in another. This is who we are. And there are those very lucky among us that come to realize who they are when they are still children. I was not one of those lucky ones. I grew up in Sioux Falls and went to O'Gorman High School in the 70s. I knew I was different but I couldn't define what that meant back then. At that time there was no internet and no instant news and I had no way to know there were other people just like me. I tried to fit in but there wasn't really a place for me and I didn't have many friends. Going to school was painful and made even worse by the dress code -- girls had to wear skirts. I don't think there is any way I can adequately convey how painful it was to be forced to wear something that was so at odds with how I felt about myself. I didn't understand why I had to wear something that caused me so much pain. I also hated gym class and the locker room. I was not comfortable with my body and these things were so psychologically and emotionally damaging to my young mind that I tried to commit suicide. If the adults making the laws in my state were targeting me when I was that young I doubt I would be here today. That suicide attempt would have been completed. When I think about the bill before our state legislature, House Bill 1008, the feelings I had in high school come back to me. I feel the pain the transgender kids in South Dakota will feel when they are not allowed to use the bathroom of the gender they know themselves to be. I feel the pain they will feel when they are segregated from their peers because some adults are uncomfortable with them. There will be intense emotional pain. There will be tears. There will be missed school days. There will be suicide attempts. And there will come a day when one of those attempts is completed. I don't think this bill is worth the life of even one child. Let's not forget we are talking about children. They are not a threat to anyone, least of all their classmates. They are worthy of the very best we have to give them. They are also worthy of the same treatment the children around them receive. They deserve to be able to do something as simple as using the bathroom without having to ask permission or be escorted to some kind of makeshift accommodation or to even wait all day until they get home. The children of this state, or any state where similar measures aimed at transgender students are being proposed, do not deserve that. The comments of some of the lawmakers about this bill and transgender people in general have been stunning, disappointing and extremely hurtful. I firmly believe this hateful rhetoric does not reflect the will of the people of this state. It does not reflect my South Dakota nor the South Dakota of many of the people that live here. My state, the state I love, and the people that live here value our fellow citizens and we value our children. We value equality, individuality and personal freedoms. We are tolerant people and we live and let live. That fact has been demonstrated to me over and over again. I respectfully call on those who represent us and urge you to vote no on House Bill 1008. If this makes it to Governor Daugaard's desk, I urge him to veto this bill that harms South Dakota's children. No student deserves to be treated like a second class citizen. History will show that this bill threatens to do more harm than good. Every student needs to use the restroom just to get through the day, and most kids do not want to stand out or be made to feel different; South Dakota's transgender students are no different. Don't our lawmakers have something better to worry about than where transgender kids go to the bathroom? Foundation essay: Our foundation essays are longer than usual and take a wider look at key issues affecting society. Is Africa really for Africans? American commissioner to Africa and abolitionist Martin Delany asked this question a century and a half ago following his sojourn in Africa and Europe. Attempts to answer it spawned pan-Africanism - an idea that refuses to die. This question is asked in memory of South African leader Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe, a doyen of pan-Africanism who died in February 1978. Advertisement What became of Sobukwe is a consequence of a myriad of factors, starting from his days at Healdtown Comprehensive School. A speech he made as head boy at the school emphasised co-operation between blacks and whites, demonstrating his sense of awareness of the issue of race at a young age. Such awareness evolved into an ideological posture, nurtured and refined by many factors that spawned his Africanist orientation. It was at Fort Hare, a university from which a great many African leaders graduated, where much of this happened. His study of Native Administration as a subject and interaction with a lecturer who taught it, Cecil Ntloko, sharpened his political consciousness. To these add the pursuit to forge synergy of African people's struggles against colonialism as institutionalised in the All-African Convention of 1935; his interest in African politics; and John Galsworthy's play titled Strife - a story of "a struggle between Labour and Capital". While a member of the African National Congress (ANC), Sobukwe embraced its Youth League's definition of African nationalism that emerged during the leadership of Anton Lembede. It was at odds with the mother body as it Advertisement emphasized the exclusive basis of African solidarity, as a race and as a nation. Sobukwe developed the philosophy of African nationalism to even higher intellectual heights. He believed that African nationalism was a basis for the complete unity of the African people, and the basis for achievement of national freedom for the African people as a step towards a fully fledged democratic order in South Africa. He dedicated his life selflessly to this cause. The lesson he left for humanity was his ideological stand that there is only one race, the human race. Perhaps if we had listened to Sobukwe's teachings, the world would not be struggling today with blatant racism. The fathers of pan-Africanism Delany argued in his 1861 Report: Africa for the African race and black men to rule them Attempts to achieve this date back to the struggles against slavery, colonialism, neo-colonialism, and racism. They became systematised into a pursuit called pan-Africanism. It aimed to elevate the human race of African origin from centuries of humiliation. Pan-Africanism came to engender the spirit of African unity among the native Africans and those in the diaspora. Advertisement Following Edward Blyden's theorisation of African Personality, a Trinidadian barrister, Henry Sylvester-Williams, coined Pan-Africanism. The concept came to frame efforts to re-establish the dignity (of Africans) in a world that has hitherto conceded [them] none. Blyden is considered the father of pan-Africanism. But, pan-African scholar William Ackah argued that pan-Africanism does not have "a single founder or particular tenets that can be used as a definition". WEB DuBois, Marcus Garvey, Joseph Casely-Hayford, and George Padmore, among others, enhanced the profundity of the concept. It later evolved into an ideology, a philosophy, and a movement. It enthused the first generation of post-colonial African leadership, chief among them Kwame Nkrumah. So what is it? Pan-Africanism is a socio-political worldview. As an ideology, it represents integrative intent directed at fundamental change in society. In Nkrumah's words, Pan-Africanism guides and seeks to connect the actions of millions of persons towards specific and definite goals. It is a philosophy "based on the belief that Africans share common bonds and objectives and ... advocate[s] unity to achieve these objectives". Advertisement Philosophy is the instrument of ideology for a desired social, economic and political order. According to Nkrumah, it "performs ideological function when it takes shape as political philosophy", laying "down certain ideals for our pursuit and fortification", and becoming "an instrument of unity by laying down the same ideals for all the members of a given society". After decades of decolonisation, an inevitable question is whether a desired social, economic and political order as envisaged in pan-Africanism has been realised. Is Africa really for Africans? Africa is a construct of colonial imagination, which the 1885 Berlin conference perfected in the resolution to balkanise her for imperial ends. This destroyed "the cultural and linguistic boundaries established by the indigenous African population". Africans became estranged from one another, separating into different nationalities. The Organisation of African Unity was established in 1963 to foster unity and solidarity. But it did not deconstruct the Berlin conference stratagem of continued domination of the continent. Its focus was on colonial freedom. It did not change the narrative of the scramble for Africa. This "showed the limits of the pan-Africanism of African states". Advertisement The decolonisation project secured the independence of the African states, but their evolution followed the pattern of fragmentation determined in Berlin. Hence, Africans characterise each other as foreigners in their colonially determined boundaries. Sometimes this assumes the form of hatred and violence - xenophobia, ethnic and civil wars. And African leaders jealously protect their sovereignty. These are the contradictions that drive Africa's history. The United States of Africa remains an elusive ideal. This is a pity because an important lesson of geopolitics is that the world's largest economies derive their strength from their unity. Nkrumah was conscious of this. He was so committed to the pan-African ideal of a united Africa that he was even prepared to give up the sovereignty of Ghana. He knew that for Africa to be for Africans it must unite. This requires, as Dialo Diop correctly put it: Advertisement mutual and reciprocal surrender of sovereignty among states on the basis of common interest and free popular consent. In the concept of African Renaissance former South African president Thabo Mbeki articulated a pan-African agenda in the 21st century. He did so with profound clarity and a sense of mission, underscoring the significance of collective self-reliance of African countries. Securing African future a pan-African way Contemporary institutional arrangements to pursue the pan-African agenda in the African Union and African Parliament are laudable. But, do these institutions really exemplify the Unity of Africa or that of her leadership? I am asking this question because ugly scenes of violence against African foreign nationals dominate our space. Why is pan-Africanism not yet a fully lived experience? Some appear to ascribe a reason for this to continentalism. This suggests that the African Union and African Parliament are used as a means to achieve this rather than pan-Africanism. Most African leaders are stuck in the sovereignty of their nationalism. So are their followers. Burundi's stand against the African Union's decision to deploy peacekeepers is a case in point. Pan-Africanism is pitted against nationalism. This makes Africa weak and vulnerable. It gives way for "a continuity of preoccupation". Advertisement As the decoloniality scholar Sabelo Ndlovu-Gatsheni explains, the colonial matrices of power continue to exist in the minds, lives, languages, dreams, imagination, and epistemologies of modern subjects in Africa and the entire global South. For Africa to be for Africans, pan-Africanism should be a lived experience, not an ideological project for political rhetoric. A body of pan-African thought exists. This has been developed by outstanding African scholars, political scientists, historians and philosophers living in Africa and the diaspora. It is the responsibility of African universities to accommodate it in their curricula to ensure that the future leaders of this continent have a pan-African orientation when they graduate. The British Statesman Benjamin Disraeli once said during a heated debate, "There are lies, damned lies, and then there are statistics." A recent blog against me may not have contained too many statistics, but what it lacked in statistics it made up with unabashed lies and damned lies. Some of the outright lies by a wannabe named James Swan include that my mother was Indian, but my father was white. That lie is so easy to check out that to even say such a thing shows a total lack of honesty. Advertisement The records at the Enrollment Office in Pine Ridge list my father, Tim Giago Sr., as one-half Lakota. His other half was Pueblo Indian which makes him 100 percent Indian. In the Giago household at Three-Mile-Creek north of Kyle the first and only language spoken in my Grandmother's home was Lakota. Why anyone would print such garbage without even bothering to call me to verify its veracity is beyond me. Swan is having conniptions because I said I wanted to raise the money to buy Wounded Knee from the white man James Czywczynski who now owns the land. His obsession has caused him to heap one lie upon another. Let me set the facts straight. When I raise the money I will buy the land and it will then be put into trust for the Indian people. Attorney Mario Gonzalez will be working with several Lakota elders from Pine Ridge and they will form a committee or organization that will allow them to bring the Minneconjou and Hunkpapa descendants of the Massacre at Wounded Knee on board and as an organization they will in turn decide what to do with the land once it is theirs. Advertisement Any Lakota who knows his or her history understands that most of those massacred at Wounded Knee were from Cheyenne River and Standing Rock. They fled to Pine Ridge after the murder of Sitting Bull seeking the protection of Red Cloud. Only 8 Oglala died at Wounded Knee and they happened to be there to visit their relatives. I suggested at one time that a cultural museum be constructed there to honor all of those Indian massacred across America. But a suggestion is certainly not a fact. As I said, only those Lakota who hold the land in trust will make that decision. I choose not to mention their names here in order to protect them from people like Swan and others who jump to conclusions without knowing all of the facts. The blog I mentioned here was filled with racial hatred toward Iyeska (mixed bloods) and Mexicans. A portion of my blood is Pueblo and I am proud of it. The Pueblo warriors rose up against their Spaniard oppressors in 1860 and drove them from their homelands all of the way to Mexico. To have the blood of these proud warriors plus that of Lakota warriors is a double blessing to me and my family. The blog states that only full bloods are Indians and all mixed bloods are not. It is particularly harsh on Mexicans. Perhaps those so-called "hereditary chiefs" in the article failed to realize that the Mexicans did not come over on the Mayflower, but instead are indigenous to the Western Hemisphere. Incidentally, there are no hereditary chiefs among the Lakota. In order to be a chief you had to earn the right and not have it handed down like an inherited crown. A friend tried to cheer me up the other day by saying, "You are trying to do something good so what is wrong with that?" When I decided to pursue this goal I knew there would be dissenters and that is fine. It is good to have honest and open dialogue, but any disagreement should not turn into name calling, finger pointing and outright lies intended to discredit me or Mario Gonzalez, an Oglala attorney who was asked by the Lakota elders to assist them in taking the Wounded Knee land into trust for them. Advertisement I wanted to post the entire blog alongside of this column, but it would have filled two pages and so I am quoting some of the more harsh excerpts from it and dispelling some of the outright lies and inaccuracies in it. And by the way, the author of the piece never called me or Gonzalez and that is not balanced reporting. I thank the Lakota questioned in the article for understanding what I was trying to do and offering their support. If Swan and some of the others in the article disagree with me that is fine, but please try to do it without racist insults and outright lies. The lies are too easy to disprove and anybody that has been following my writing for the past 40 years knows me and they know I have always been very open about my past and my heritage. Just remember what Benjamin Disraeli said about lies, damned lies and statistics. Justice Scalia & Bryan Garner Book Talk and Signing Much will be written and said about the career and legacy of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, who passed away on Saturday. But few have the perspective of Kevin Gutzman, Ph.D., best-selling author of four books, including The Politically Incorrect Guide to the Constitution, in which he takes a critical look at the role of the Supreme Court in expanding federal power beyond what he argues were the framers' original intentions or the scope of subsequent amendments. Gutzman's work on this subject aligns closely with what Scalia saw as the proper role of a Supreme Court Justice, to interpret the Constitution as it was originally understood by those who framed and ratified it. Advertisement I had a chance to interview Dr. Gutzman at length on Sunday, the day after Justice Scalia's passing. Here are some highlights: On Scalia's overall importance as a Supreme Court Justice: "The way I understand Scalia's career is that it reflects the priorities of the president and the attorney general who were responsible for putting him on the Supreme Court. And of course, those were Ronald Reagan and Edwin Meese." So, if you flashback to the political culture, the legal culture of the 1980s, the kind of reigning idea on the Supreme Court was that well, whatever outcome would be a good outcome was the outcome that the justice should vote for. And this was essentially regardless of the way the people thought the Constitution was supposed to work when they agreed to it. This was most famously captured in a quote from the most important liberal justice of the 20th century, William Brennan, who's quoted in Woodward and Armstrong's best-selling book on the Supreme Court, Brethren, saying that William Brennan operates on what he calls 'the Rule of Five.' The Rule of Five is if you can get five votes, you can do anything. And this is essentially a reflection of Brennan's behavior on the Court. More or less, he never voted for a legal outcome that didn't represent the implementation of his own policy preferences. Of course, you and I might think that's the opposite of constitutionalism, which is that you have a framework of government that binds everybody, regardless of their policy preferences." Advertisement I argue that is the opposite of constitutionalism and so did Edwin Meese, the attorney general responsible for putting Antonin Scalia on the Court. Meese gave a famous speech, circa 1985, I think, 1986, which was the year that Scalia was appointed to the Court, Meese gave a famous speech called 'Toward a Jurisprudence of Original Intent.' And in that speech, Meese explained that he thought the Constitution should be read as it had been intended to be read or expected to be read by the people who agreed to it," said Gutzman. Gutzman addressed the argument made by Justice Brennan and others that this was either arrogantly assuming 18th century intentions could be known or an attempt to take America back to the 18th century in general: "The other way to understand Meese's idea of a constitutionalism of original intent is that it reflects the baseline understanding of the America regime that the government is supposed to have been created by the people and it was supposed to be the government the people intended to create. So, for example, you wouldn't have William Brennan just taking every opportunity as a Supreme Court Justice to have the law reflect whatever his preferred policy was, regardless of what the Constitution actually was supposed to mean, but instead, as Meese and Scalia claimed, the Constitution ought to be read the way the people intended it to read. Or, another way to put that is, the government ought to be by the people in general who ratified the Constitution or who had amended since the original, un-amended Constitution was ratified. It ought to be read that way instead of being read by the likes of the nine people who happen to be accidentally on the Supreme Court at any given time." Advertisement "So successful were Meese, Scalia, Reagan, Bork and these people, in pushing their idea that judges shouldn't just be our supreme legislators, but instead they should be beholden to the people, that who created the Constitution, that today, in 2016, thirty years after Scalia was appointed and Rehnquist was elevated, really the Reagan/Meese way of thinking about the Constitution is the starting point, even for liberals," added Gutzman. Professor Gutzman's last book, James Madison and the Making of America, made several cameo appearances in the Netflix original series, House of Cards. His next title will be on the radical beliefs of Thomas Jefferson, due for release in early 2017. More information can be found on his website. The ongoing slaughter of rhinos and elephants for the illegal trade in rhino horn and ivory is such frequent and terrible news that when good news arises, it is worth celebrating. That makes us happy to announce the naming of a baby Southern White Rhino at Kenya's Ol Pejeta Conservancy in honor of Ringo Starr. So here's how a baby rhino comes to be named Ringo, and a little of what we hope that will accomplish. In January I was filming with the conservation teams at Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Kenya, whose broad array of projects include a chimpanzee sanctuary established with Jane Goodall, armed anti-poaching teams and formidable K-9 units, and community partnerships that support local communities and enlist their help in the battle against poachers. Ol Pejeta is also home to the last three Northern White Rhinos in the world and the largest group of black rhinos in East Africa, 109 of the estimated 2,500 in the world. Advertisement While I was filming, I was introduced to a recently rescued southern white rhino who'd been found in late October at age 2 weeks, abandoned and barely alive. Now 3 months old, the quickly growing baby is cute, rambunctious and healthy, and seemed to me like the poster child of an entire species under threat. The baby rhinos lead caretaker Zachariah, who I knew from a previous rhino project, told me the baby would need nearly constant care for the next three years before being released into the wild. All that care is expensive, about $1,000 a month. Our education and conservation nonprofit The Nobelity Project volunteered to be the first-year financial sponsor of the little rhino. Asked to name the baby, we debated between a traditional Kenyan name versus a name that might help bring attention to the loss of 90 percent of the world's rhinos. I thought immediately of Ringo Starr whose love of rhinos made him a great fit for this beautiful baby. Three years ago, to help bring awareness to the battle against poaching, Ringo changed the main page of his website to the photo of a baby rhino. With Ringo's name, this baby rhino -- and many others -- might have a little better chance of survival. Advertisement I was just a kid when I first I saw the Beatles on the Ed Sullivan show, but I knew from the start that Ringo was my guy. Many years later when I first met him, I was filming an interview with Ringo at Willie Nelson's Farm Aid concert, and was so nervous I could barely talk. I'm still more of a fan than a friend, but Ringo has been a great friend of The Nobelity Project and often sends his video message of Peace and Love for our annual Feed the Peace Awards in Austin. He's also supported our work by signing vintage Ludwig snare drums that we've auctioned at the event to support our conservation and education work. The idea of a rhino named Ringo seemed like a nice tribute to my favorite Beatle and an opportunity to bring awareness to Ol Pejeta's multi-faceted approach to stopping the slaughter and saving every rhino we can. Much to our delight, Ringo Starr replied that he'd be honored to have a baby rhino named after him and could help us spread the word. So why is this good news? Well, for starters you're reading a story about rhino conservation that doesn't totally suck. Ideally that motivates you to watch my short video on the baby -- he's pretty darn cute. Faster than most humans, when he runs in a gallop he often has all four feet high off the ground. Freeze the shot and he looks like he's flying. Perhaps his beauty will carry enough inspiration and good news to help counter some of the bad, and eventually for word to reach the uninformed consumers of rhino horn that they are the causing the slaughter one of the greatest species on earth. Unfortunately the bad news on both rhino and elephant poaching is seriously bad, and changing the balance to the good is not happening nearly fast enough. The most reliable current study estimates 100,000 African elephants were slaughtered in just three recent years. An estimated 24,000 of those elephants were killed in East Africa where The Nobelity Project's work with schools often makes us frequent witnesses to key conservation issues. Advertisement The plight of rhinos is arguably worse. In South Africa, a rhino is killed by poachers every 8 hours. Over the past 40 years, black rhino populations have been decimated from an estimated 65,000 to that current number of 2,500. The tendency among the general public is to blame the small-time poachers, many of whom are desperately poor and who risk the most while profiting the least in their illegal kill. Poaching is both a global issue and a local one. The illegal trade in rhino horn is built on growing international trade and increased illegal trading routes. And it is driven by the demand for rhino horn in Asia, primarily in Vietnam and China where sellers pitch it as a cure for hangovers or even cancer, and where consumers often view it as a symbol of their wealth. All of it is madness built on a lie. Like all status symbols, rhino horn is a fake - a false god. There are no medicinal benefits to ingesting rhino horn, which is merely keratin. And the only creature on earth who benefits from rhino horn is the rhino who grows it for defense and for mating preference. There is no single answer to stopping the illegal trade. Ol Pejeta does what it can to protect the rhinos there -- no easy task as increasing penalties against poachers also increases the potential risk to rangers who protect the rhinos. Improved equipment and technology for rangers and for tracking is being deployed and more is needed. Support from local communities to identify the arrival of someone offering to buy a horn is important. So is environmental education of local and global communities. Increasing the capture and prosecution of criminals in the full chain from killing of a rhino, through international smuggling to dealers and buyers will have to improve. That's an intimidating list to millions who merely want to see the slaughter stopped so that rhinos and elephants will be here future generations. But wanting is not going to be enough. Many voices have been heard. Many more will be needed to turn the tide. In the meantime, the smallest voice sometimes sounds the loudest. Take two minutes and watch the video of Ringo the Rhino and listen to his lovely little squeak of a voice. Advertisement Between the joyful cheer of Ringo Starr or that tiny squeak of Baby Ringo, the rhinos have two new voices. And that's a start. Learn More / Lend Your Voice at: http://www.olpejetaconservancy.org/meet-ringo-the-rhino/ Today, The HSUS announced the April release of my forthcoming book, The Humane Economy: How Innovators and Enlightened Consumers Are Transforming the Lives of Animals. I'm excited about embarking on a national tour to speak about the themes of the book, and in many cities I'll conduct book events in conversation with luminaries in politics, journalism, business, and other key domains in our world. It's my hope to draw these and other thought leaders into a discussion about our society fully embracing animal protection ideals. As you can tell from the title, I offer a special focus on a new economic analysis of animal protection issues, arguing that companies that cause harm to animals are going to face fierce headwinds in the years ahead. It's just not a sustainable business model to disregard the interests of animals; on the other hand, it's an enormous advantage for companies to show they are attending to the needs of animals, or shifting entirely away from harming animals as innovation and alternative methods allow them to do their work humanely and more efficiently. What's more, I argue that so many companies, governments, and individuals who do harmful things to animals just transfer costs to the rest of society. Take, for example, the case of the Canadian government and the upside-down economics of the commercial seal hunt. The fisheries department is spending millions of dollars each year monitoring a slaughter with a landed value of just a fraction of that amount. The federal Department of Fisheries has concealed data on the commercial seal hunt in various ways, and today, many people are unaware that the value of the slaughter has declined from more than $20 million in 2006 to less than$1 million last year. How did this turn around? Through a campaign of awareness that exposed the cruelty of the enterprise. The consuming public, once it knows about the exploitation of animals, wants no part of the bloody business. Advertisement It's astonishing that the government of Canada is still defending the seal hunt when it's a money loser for the nation and taxpayers foot the bill for something that generates almost no revenue whatsoever. On a different front of action, The Columbus Dispatch reported that the number of exotic animal owners has declined dramatically in the state, just three years after Governor Kasich signed a bill banning private owners of wild animals after a mass release and killing of privately held animals in Zanesville. The state has had to pay for the care of relinquished exotic animals, and animal welfare groups have long taken in the discards from the exotic animal trade - our affiliated sanctuaries have provided care for many over the years, suffering from various ailments. The costs run into tens of millions of dollars every year, for government and for our movement. So why would any state allow people to have these animals, almost assuredly guaranteeing bad outcomes for the animals and immense costs that taxpayers and animal welfare groups endure when people give up the animals because they are in over their heads. Advertisement Finally, I also want to note today an editorial in USA Today about the Westminster Dog Show, which picks its champion tonight at the celebrated New York show. The editorial laments the genetic and hereditary problems that plague so many purebred dogs who are not bred responsibly -- in particular, the English Bulldog. So many enthusiastic dog people acquire these purebreds because of their mystique and beauty and temperament, but many of them develop major health issues, dealing the animals and the owners emotional hardships and costing caretakers thousands of dollars in often complicated, unending veterinary procedures. Responsible breeders don't breed animals just for exterior characteristics and saddle the animals with health problems at the expense of the future owner. The Humane Economy touches on so many big ideas, but one of them is that cruelty just doesn't pay in a world when we are increasingly alert to the needs of animals. I hope you'll check out the book, and join the conversation about advancing a more #HumaneEconomy on Twitter. In a David versus Goliath showdown, a small Native American tribe in the Pacific Northwest is challenging one of the country's most powerful and politically well-connected special interests in its mission to improve the oral health of its children. The David in this fight is the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community in Washington state's Puget Sound area. The Goliath most likely will surprise you. It's none other than organized dentistry, which over many years has spent millions of dollars on image and public affairs campaigns to cultivate a reputation as the nation's preeminent champion of dental health. The issue at stake is whether the Swinomish and other Indian tribes, which have the highest rates of cavities and dental disease in the country -- can license and employ mid-level dental practitioners -- similar to nurse practitioners and physician assistants -- to treat members of tribal communities. Despite the fact that the federal government recognized the sovereign rights of Native American tribal nations to govern and self-determine how best to address the needs of their members -- rights that include how to provide care for the health and well-being of their members--the American Dental Association and state dental societies have repeatedly exercised their immense political clout to keep dental therapists from practicing on tribal lands in the "lower 48" states. Advertisement The term "lower 48" has significant meaning in this battle. A decade ago, tribes in Alaska won a legal victory that allowed them to train, license and employ mid-levels in the state's tribal communities, many of which are so remote that dentists rarely visit, much less set up practice. Just as newly certified dental health aide therapists (or DHATs as they are called in Alaska) were preparing to start seeing patients after two years of intensive training, the Alaska Dental Society sued not only the tribes but also the young dental therapists. In an effort to win in the court of public opinion as well as the judicial court, the dental society launched a PR and advertising campaign in an attempt to persuade Alaskans that dental therapists provided care that was second-class and even unsafe. This despite the fact that dental therapists have been providing safe and cost-effective care in 50 other countries for nearly a hundred years. The campaign proved to be so transparently self-serving and over the top, however, that it actually helped the tribes, so much so that the dental society was forced to settle. Ten years later, the 31 DHATs now practicing in the state provide care to more than 45,000 kids and their families in dozens of Alaska Native villages. Their limited scope of services range from education and preventive care to fillings and uncomplicated extractions. Reeling from the loss and worried that tribes in the rest of the country would follow Alaska's lead, groups representing the interests of dentists turned their attention to Washington, D.C. Organized dentistry succeeded in getting language quietly inserted into the permanent reauthorization of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act--which was rolled into the Affordable Care Act -- that said tribes outside of Alaska could not employ dental therapists without first getting approval from state officials. As a consequence, the tribes as sovereign governments must now get "permission" from another sovereign government--the states in which they are located. Advertisement Although tribal leaders consider that a violation of tribal sovereignty, it nevertheless has kept Native Americans in the lower 48 from even attempting to do what Alaska Natives did. Until last month, that is. The charismatic and outspoken chairman of the Swinomish Tribe, Brian Cladoosby, decided to address the oral health needs of his people and recruited one of Alaska's dental therapists to begin serving his community. With considerable fanfare, which included a traditional native blessing ceremony, the Swinomish on January 4 welcomed Daniel Kennedy, who has six years of experience as a DHAT in Alaska, to their tribe. He began seeing patients that very day, working at the Swinomish Dental Clinic under the general supervision of the clinic's dentist, Dr. Rachael Hogan. And not a minute too soon. The Swinomish dental clinic sees more than twice the number of patients per provider as the national average. "That's why we are expanding the Swinomish dental team through the proven solution of training and employing culturally sensitive dental therapists," Cladoosby told me in a recent interview. "We cannot understand how anyone can argue against what has been a model program in Alaska. And we cannot understand why the ADA is putting up so many barriers in the lower 48." At last month's ceremony, he added: "We cannot stand by any longer and allow native people to continue to suffer tooth decay at a rate three times the national average," We have developed a tribal approach to solve a tribal issue. This solution will help our people immediately address their oral health needs in ways that have not been possible until today." Advertisement He went on to say that he and other tribal leaders view their action as an exercise of their inherent tribal sovereignty, and he defied the American and Washington State Dental Association to challenge tribes' authority to license and employ dental therapists. They would have no legal standing, in his view. "It would be like the ADA challenging Canada for implementing a DHAT program." Kennedy will not be the only dental therapist serving the Swinomish community if all goes as planned. The tribe a few months ago sent a young woman from the village to start the training program in Anchorage and Bethel, Alaska. "The DHAT program has made a big impact in Alaska," Cladoosby said, noting that last year first and second grade students in one community started school with zero cavities for the first time in anyone's memory. He's optimistic about the dental therapy program in his tribal community. "We want to make ours a model program for all tribes," he said. One thing is certain: the Swinomish tribe is breaking new ground and will be closely watched by states and tribal communities far and wide. The Oregon Health Authority recently approved two pilot requests from Oregon tribes to employ dental therapists. In addition, several states are now considering allowing dental therapists to practice. Minnesota became the first state other than Alaska to allow them to practice, and Maine last year became the second. Advertisement It's just a matter of time before dental therapists will be serving communities just like yours. Author's Note: This blog post is part of a series examining America's oral healthcare crisis. Be sure to read the previous post, " Is Crony Capitalism a Big Reason for America's Dental Health Care Crisis?." Anti-Beijing protesters, holding pictures of human rights lawyer Pu Zhiqiang, protest outside the Chinese liaison office to demand Pu's release, in Hong Kong Wednesday, May 14, 2014. Chinese police broke up a dinner party attended by activists in the eastern city of Hangzhou Tuesday night and detained a dozen people, according to an activist who attended the dinner. In recent weeks, police also detained well-known human rights lawyer Pu Zhiqiang, journalist Gao Yu and others ahead of the politically sensitive 25th anniversary of the June 4 Tiananmen Square protests and crackdown. The banner reads "Protest against unreasonable detention, release Pu Zhiqiang immediately." (AP Photo/Kin Cheung) SINGAPORE -- At its fourth plenary session of the 18th congress in October 2014, the Chinese Communist Party leadership passed an ambitious reform plan on the legal system. The party devoted this entire plenary session to discuss "rule of law" -- something unprecedented in the history of the party's plenary sessions. This act was widely interpreted as the Xi Jinping leadership's determination to build a system of "rule of law" in the country. Indeed, Beijing's reform initiatives are part of a long-term endeavor to build a system of "rule of law" since the late Deng Xiaoping. When the victims of the lawless Cultural Revolution, such as Deng Xiaoping and Peng Zhen, became the party's senior leaders in the late 1970s they believed that without laws, both the ruler and the ruled could not be protected from the arbitrary behavior of individual leaders. With their efforts, concepts such as "equality before the law," "the supremacy of the law," "the rule-of-law-state" and "judicial independence" began to appear in the party's official documents, became popular in the discourse of legal development and produced profound and lasting impact on Chinese society over the years. In 1997, pushed very hard by the reformist leader Qiao Shi, "rule of law" was formally written into the party congress document at the 15th Party Congress. Advertisement Xi now wants to make it the party's top priority. However, there is a big gap between ideal and reality. Less than one year after the party invoked the building of the "rule of law," 317 human rights lawyers, activists and their family members in China were reportedly detained and investigated in what has been dubbed the "709 crackdown" by the media in the West. Since July 2015, and several attorneys have been formally arrested on suspicion of subverting state power in January 2016. In addition, a new draft law bars any Chinese NGO from receiving foreign funding and calls for NGOs to act in accordance with the Chinese law. The move to clamp down on NGOs raised concerns as charity workers fear their work being intensely curtailed in China. There is a big gap between ideal and reality. Less than one year after the party invoked the building of the 'rule of law,' 317 human rights lawyers, activists and their family members in China were reportedly detained. While state media Xinhua reported in July 2015 that the crackdown of lawyers, social media celebrities and petitioners alike are due to their alleged action of "disrupting public order and seeking profits by illegally organizing paid protests and swaying court decisions in the name of 'defending justice and public interests,'" the media in the West framed it as an effort of the authority to crack down on dissent. Advertisement As many as 38 lawyers and activists from the Fengrui law firm in Beijing have been detained in the "709 crackdown." Among those who are arrested on subversion charge, the arrests of Fengrui's director, Zhou Shifeng and human rights lawyer, Wang Yu have attracted high international attention and triggered criticism from the West. Zhou once handled the controversial "Three Deer" poisoned milk powder case and represented the Hong Kong protestor Zhang Miao. Wang was involved in several high profile cases. She represented ethnic Uighur dissident Ilham Tohti and worked on religious, land rights, forced eviction and petition cases. Some observers in the West thus regard the CCP as adopting the Maoist political approaches and viewed its leader Xi Jinping as the "authoritarian reformer," who tries to utilize multiple means, including reform, to amass an enormous amount of power in his own hands. Some even opined that "China's crackdown on civil society is driven partly by Xi's obsession with control but also by fear that foreigners are secretly plotting to overthrow China's one-party state." Apparently, different parties have their versions of the story and the media can choose which to believe and which to blame. However, the gap between reality and ideal pertaining to China's rule of law needs to be and can be explained objectively. The History of China's 'Rule by Law' Concept First, China's legal reform is constrained greatly by its historical and cultural past. Ancient China's legal system was characterized as the "Rule of Man" or "Rule by Law" because it was designed for the emperor/ruler to ensure that decrees were faithfully implemented by government officials. The emperor was regarded as the "Son of Heaven" and rules "all under heaven." The emperor was not subject to legal restrictions and legalism served as a tool for government efficiency. Furthermore, courts were simply another division of the state bureaucracy and there was no separation between the judiciary and the state. China never developed an independent judiciary as did its counterparts in the West. The Chinese Communist Party today inherits the legacy of the past and acts like an "organizational emperor." The CCP as the organizational emperor connotes that the party is the personification of a modern emperor, in which the party dominates over the state, and the party and state dominate over the society. There are different "technologies of power" by which the CCP exercises in relation to the state and society such as coercion, bargaining and reciprocity. In order to maintain the party's supremacy, assimilation of different elements and adoption of diversifying concepts through negotiation and persuasion are plausible. In order to maintain the legitimacy that enables it to remain in power the party responsively adapts to social demands from cleaning up the environment to cracking down on corruption. In this sense, its hegemony is "inclusive." But there are red lines that can't be crossed. While contradictions within the party are acceptable, any actions or mobilization that challenge the narrative of party rule will be deemed as subversive and unforgivable, which leads to coercion. Advertisement China never developed an independent judiciary as did its counterparts in the West. In this sense, the CCP's crackdown on high-profile attorneys and NGOs resembles the mechanism in Chinese ancient legalism, embedded in and employed by the CCP, to choke off sources of potential dissent. It is aimed at guaranteeing the party's domination over society, and strengthening the organizational emperorship. Second, China's legal reform still suffers profoundly by Mao's legacy. During the Cultural Revolution (1966-1976), the legal system was severely impaired and abandoned. Law schools were shut down and the legal profession came to a near obliteration during the 1960s. Efforts to rebuild the judiciary and legal profession were resumed after Deng Xiaoping came to power in the late 1970s and early 1980s, but the leadership faced a big problem in recruiting human capital and establishing legal professions. The adversarial relationship between judges, who represent the party, and legal professions, who represent the people and fight for individual right, leads to conflicting interests and results in collision. Prior to the 1995 Judges' Law, the admission and legal training of China's judges and procurators were less stringent. There were no requirements to be a judge except that one had to be a cadre. In the 1980s and 1990s, a large number of demobilized army soldiers with little formal legal background entered into courts. Party cadres from government institutions, usually public security, or party organs, such as the Political-Legal Committee, have also been recruited as judges. While judges tend to develop a close connection with the party, the CCP exerts deep influence in the areas of ideology, decision-making and personnel matters. Advertisement In contrast to judges, lawyers and attorneys undertake a duty to represent his (her) individual clients. In the 1980s, professional services were in high demand to facilitate economic reform. Legal expertise was much in demand in this period. Trained professionals were equipped with critical reasoning and analytical skills to practice law through better and formal legal training and education. Following the promulgation of Lawyer Law in 1996, not only legal education has improved; lawyers and legal expertise have gained greater independence and autonomy and were redefined in a "less politically charged way." When legal practitioners leave the court and go onto the street, resorting to politically sensitive activities, they step on the bottom line of the party. Having received formal education in the legal system and equipped with Western legal philosophies and ideas, the legal community was instilled with zealous passion and consciousness on liberal democracy. Lawyers and attorneys often go beyond their legal profession to advocate the virtues of democracy, individual right and rule of law, aiming to gradually influence China's legal culture and push forward its legal reform. The adversarial relationship between judges, who represent the party, and legal professions, who represent the people and fight for individual right, leads to conflicting interests and results in collision. Often, because of undue party interference on the judiciary system, judges who wear two hats resort to political means to deal with legal practitioners. Lawyers who are incapacitated in court thus often resort to championing social mobilization as an effective method to win appeals and litigation. However, when legal practitioners leave the court and go onto the street, resorting to politically sensitive activities, they step on the bottom line of the party and could be charged in suspicion of "subversion of state power" as exemplified in the recent "709 crackdown." "Politicalization" is now a widespread phenomenon in China's legal community. Once legal practitioners leave the court and go on street, they are doomed to be the losers since, at this point, they have transformed a legal battle into a political one. China's relationship between the state and NGOs has been in a similar dilemma. During China's modernization process, Chinese society has undergone remarkable changes, spurring the development of NGOs. However, the relationship between NGOs and the state has yet to be institutionalized. Independent Civil Society? According to the New York Times, China's independent civil society groups have "...long struggled to survive inside China's ill-defined, shifting margins of official tolerance." While NGOs which help reduce poverty, raise awareness on environmental issue or provide medical care have more room in China, any religion or human rights related NGOs face hurdles in either gaining approval from the authority or raising fund from the local community. In order to operate, some NGOs solicit financial support from overseas. Beijing, however, has become increasingly concerned with so-called "foreign donations," fearing that NGOs could be a subversive tool of external parties to topple the Chinese government. Given the fact that international NGOs have likely played a role in various "color revolutions" in different parts of the world, Beijing's concern is not without any reason. Despite all these difficulties, the party leadership is determined to build a system of "rule of law." A series of concrete initiatives have been unveiled under Xi Jinping's reform plan on the legal system. First, Beijing is set to establish "circuit courts" and "cross-regional judicial bodies" to sever the connection between judges and local political interests. This is to weaken what in China is called "legal localism." Advertisement Unlike the U.S., China does not have its own legal bodies in different localities. Judges are appointed and paid for by local governments and thus subject to local interference. These new measures are expected to "free" judges from local government. Beijing's current reform initiatives and conviction in building the rule of law are not just a kind of window dressing. Second, and more importantly, political interventions in legal affairs by party cadres and government officials at different levels will be recorded and all consequences deriving from their intervention will be borne by them during their lifetime. Third, professionalism will be promoted in the judicial system. All judges must be either law graduates or law professionals who start their career from basic-level courts before working their way up based on performance and ability. After more than three decades of development, China's legal system has been significantly improved. But the country is still on the cusp of cultural, political and personnel dilemmas. This might be an inevitable transitional phenomenon as China is experiencing huge transformations and reforms. Advertisement Beijing's current reform initiatives and conviction in building the "rule of law" are not just a kind of window dressing; they reflect the leadership's awareness of its need to improve governance, address widespread public grievances and respond to public opinion. Indeed, the current reforms are widely expected to introduce radical improvements in the judicial system. The party leadership is fully aware that if it fails to establish a system of rule of law as planned, it will be incapacitated in governing an increasingly complicated society. It took the West a few centuries to build its system of rule of law, it will take China even longer time to finish its long march to "rule of law." Earlier on WorldPost: ASSOCIATED PRESS Metro coaches that will run on the Badarpur-Faridabad extension of the Delhi Metro are seen at a depot on the outskirts of New Delhi, India, Thursday, April 9, 2015. The line, which will be an extension of the currently operational violet line between Mandi House and Badarpur will take the Metro to the satellite city of Faridabad in Haryana for the first time, a Delhi Metro Rail Corporation press release said. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri) One of the downsides of shopping online is making sure youre available to receive your deliveries. Some offices are sniffy about your new frying pan or thermal underwear landing up in the reception area and many security guards in building complexes follow a policy of not safeguarding your parcels while youre away. It can be maddening. To the rescue comes none other than Delhi Metro. This month on, many metro stations will unveil "Automated Parcel Delivery Terminals" for passengers to pick up their packages. An official from the Delhi Metro Retro Corporation (DMRC) explained how it works, "Customers can select a metro station while ordering on an e-commerce portal. They will receive an SMS after ordering. They can show the SMS to the officials present at the kiosk to pick up the package." Advertisement He added, "We are working with e-commerce partners and this is a great revenue generation opportunity for the railways. In addition to this, the start-up Smartbox has already placed kiosks at many metro stations in Delhi and is about to kick-off the operation soon. We spoke to Smartbox, who shared, We are aiming to provide the service to customers who are always on the move. They can order anytime and pick up the package from the kiosk by entering the OTP (One Time Password) they get while ordering. We are also providing options for cash on delivery and have facilities to accommodate all the major credit and debit cards Users can swipe their card at our smartbox and pick up the delivery. We have developed an in-house technology to make secure but easy-to-use kiosks. Whats more, many other cities could be welcoming this convenience soon. "We are planning to launch the service in Delhi-NCR, Mumbai and Bangalore first and then expand to eight metros in India during phase-1 of our operations." Advertisement ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE- In this June 5, 2013 file photo, Bihar state Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, listens to a speaker during a conference of the chief ministers of various Indian states on Internal Security in New Delhi, India. The alliance led by Kumar defeated Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ruling Hindu nationalist party in a crucial election in one of India's most populous states. (AP Photo/Saurabh Das, file) NEW DELHI -- Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar wants to cross over to Uttar Pradesh and try to replicate the Mahagathbandhan strategy in India's most populous state. It helped him land an emphatic victory against an ascendent Bharatiya Janata Party in Bihar. Can it work in UP? It will likely end up being a damp squib. This week, reports emerged that Kumar's Janata Dal (United) and the Rashtriya Lok Dal, a party with influence among the Jats of Western UP, will merge to contest the 2017 UP polls. Advertisement There are many cultural and caste factors that should make JD(U) an attractive party for the Eastern UP voter. But the party has never had a good run in the state. Its seats in the state assembly have been declining, from two in 2002, one in 2007, to zero in 2012. Not So Grand In Bihar, it was an alliance of equals--two parties with a tradition of power and influence coming together against a common enemy--the BJP. In UP, neither is there a sole enemy to be vanquished nor is there a union of equals. With the Samajwadi Party and Bahujan Samaj Party ruling out a partnership, Kumar will be forced to reach out to parties which don't have the clout to make an electoral impact. The RLD, for instance, was placed fifth with nine seats in 2012 State Assembly Election, and it didn't win any seats in the 2014 Lok Sabha election. "The RLD is in the habit of getting into alliances, said Sudhai Pai, a political science professor at Jawaharlal Nehru University. "I wouldn't be surprised if they tie up with the Congress before the election comes around." Advertisement The Apna Dal, another party which Kumar is reportedly speaking with, draws support from the Kurmis (the same caste as him), won one seat in the 2012 State Assembly election and two seats in the 2014 Lok Sabha election. The party had struck an alliance with the BJP for the 2014 elections. Development Agenda Absent Since the 2014 Lok Sabha election, Modi has made development politics key to campaigning in India. In the Bihar polls, the electorate chose to believe Kumar's record of development work in the state over Modi's promises. In U.P., however, Kumar will be an outsider. While law and order is a huge thorn in SP's side, analysts say that Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav has done enough on the development front to make an impression on voters. "The development agenda will be hijacked by Akhilesh Yadav and Modi," said Anil Verma, a political science professor at Christ Church College in Kanpur. "He (Yadav) is being able to substantiate some visible development in the energy sector, metros, the expressway." Secular Isn't A Novelty Nitish Kumar's USP of a "secular" candidate won't fly in U.P. which is filled with "secular" candidates. Advertisement "Secular today means pro-Muslim. Nitish won't get any play because everyone with the exception of BJP is secular in Uttar Pradesh," said Ajay Kumar Jha, a political science professor at the A.N. Sinha Institute of Social Studies in Patna. Caste Saturation Even though caste configurations have similarities in Bihar and U.P., an outsider will find it hard to dent the existing tie-ups between voters and political parties in any significant way. So entrenched are these loyalties that SP supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav and RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav have never been able to compete for the Yadav vote on each other's turf. Kumar won't find room in in U.P., where the SP supremo gets the Yadav vote, Mayawati dominates the scheduled caste voter base, and the upper castes vote for the BJP. Experts say that BSP and SP will fragment the backward castes, and BJP may still try for an alliance with the BSP. U.P. is also missing the crucial Mahadalit category, which was created by Kumar to break Ram Vilas Paswan's monopoly over Dalits in Bihar, Jha pointed out. "They have not got the concept of Mahadalits in U.P. so there is no advantage for him," he said. Kurmi Saturation U.P. already has powerful Kurmi leaders who have been associated with well-established parties. Over the years, they have been accommodated in the cabinets of the BJP, BSP and the SP. Advertisement Beni Prasad Verma, for instance, is now a prominent Congress face. Ram Lakhan Verma served as the forest minister in the Mayawati's cabinet, and Om Prakash Singh was in the cabinet of the BSP-BJP coalition government. Why Try? "He is ambitious now and wants to expand into other states and eventually to the Centre," said Pai. "These are ambitions that politicians have whether they work or not." "He hopes to be prime minister in 2019," said Jha. "Possibilities can never be ruled out in politics," said Verma. Hemera Technologies via Getty Images Syringe with needle NEW DELHI -- The Supreme Court yesterday refrained from passing an order on a plea to legalise passive euthanasia and the right of terminally-ill persons to execute 'Living Will' not to prolong their lives by putting them on life support systems and kept it open for the government to take a call on both the issues. "The issues of passive euthanasia and Living Will is being considered by the government. However, we may clarify that the pendency of the petition should not come in the way of the authority to take a decision," a five-judge Constitution Bench headed by Justice A R Dave said. Advertisement "We are not passing any order at this stage," the bench, also comprising Justices Kurian Joseph, Shiva Kirti Singh, A K Goel and R F Nariman, said while agreeing with the view of the Centre that the court should post the next hearing in July and till then allow a public debate to take place in the peoples' court, that is Parliament. Additional Solicitor General P S Patwalia opposed the plea of NGO Common Cause and its advocate Prashant Bhushan that the court should consider and pass an order at least on the limited issue of Living Will, till a legislation is enacted. He submitted that since the Health Ministry was examining the Law Commission report after which a Bill would be drafted by the Law Ministry, the apex court should defer the hearing and wait till July for the debate to take place. When the bench asked Bhushan, "do you want court's verdict or the people's verdict on it," he said the issue of Living Will is not the subject of parliamentary debate as it concerns the fundamental right to life guaranteed under the Constitution which also covers the right to die with dignity. Advertisement However, the bench was of the view that "it is something which should be debated in peoples' court, i.e Parliament." As Bhushan argued for consideration of the limited issue of Living Will saying that it is given by the terminally-ill persons of sound mind, the bench asked, "would it not be a case where you are permitting a miracle to happen?" During the hearing, the ASG gave an example of former Formula One world champion Michael Schumacher, who is in coma for over two years, saying that his family members are hoping that medical science has developed and he will return to normalcy and are against withdrawing life support system. A doctor-turned-advocate, who has sought intervention in the matter, said the issue concerning euthanasia is very sensitive and has to be deliberated in a careful manner. Advertisement Contact HuffPost India Also see on HuffPost: . The burning issue at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) escalated to the cyberspace late on Tuesday when a hacker group calling itself 'Black Dragon defaced the university librarys official website. Advertisement Black Dragon had claimed credit for hacking the website of Pakistan Peoples Party website in 2014. As per reports, the hackers had defaced the website with statements like Dear JNU traitors, we have Ailled Afzal in the past. We have eliminated Afzal now and we will kill Afzals again if they attack our nation. At the time of filing this report the website was not functioning properly and showed an error message Service Temporarily Unavailable. The hackers had also written on the website that Pakistan will never get Kashmir from India. Salute to all the soldiers who sacrificed their lives to eliminate such Afzals.... All the traitors staying in JNU....you are thinking that you will get Kashmir just by barking in the campus.... We will kill each and every person who will go against the nation, the hackers posted on the website. Advertisement An event organised by a few students on February 9 to protest against the 2013 hanging of Afzal Guru has snowballed into a big controversy after the arrest of JNU students union president Kanhaiya Kumar. On February Kumar was charged with sedition and arrested from the campus. The arrest of Kumar triggered political mudslinging with the Congress and the Left accusing the ruling BJP of crushing the students and stifling their voices. Kumar was produced on Monday in a court that extended his custody by two days. Violence broke out within the court premises and outside it as a group of lawyers assaulted the JNU faculty, students and the media. Advertisement Contact HuffPost India Also See On HuffPost: MONEY SHARMA via Getty Images Indian right-wing activists shout slogans during a protest outside Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in New Delhi on February 16, 2016. A student union leader Kanhaiya Kumar was arrested on Friday for allegedly shouting anti-India slogans at a rally in protest against a Kashmiri separatist's execution three years ago. AFP PHOTO / Money SHARMA / AFP / MONEY SHARMA (Photo credit should read MONEY SHARMA/AFP/Getty Images) NEW DELHI -- The escalating row over the JNU issue today found an echo at a meeting of political parties called by Prime Minister Narendra Modi with opposition leaders speaking against the sedition case slapped on the arrested student leader and government asserting that slogans raised by students were highly objectionable. The government said it is open to debating the JNU row in Parliament during the upcoming Budget Session starting February 23 with Mr. Modi saying that it will address the concerns raised by the opposition. Advertisement Mr. Modi said during the meeting, as opposition parties raised a host of issues, that he was Prime minister not only of BJP but the entire country, Parliamentary Affairs Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu told the media after the over two-hour meeting. Todays parleys were the first-ever meeting of political parties convened by Mr. Modi ahead of a Parliament session. We will respond to the issues raised by the opposition and address them... I hope the congenial mood here will be translated into action in Parliament, Mr. Modi told the meeting. Mr. Naidu said there was a general consensus that Parliament should run smoothly. With BJP targeting Congress over its support to antinationals in the JNU row, Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad said his party disassociates with all such students who shouted slogans attacking Indias unity and Constitution but insisted that there was no proof of sedition against Kanhaiya Kumar, the arrested JNU Student Union president. Advertisement There is no proof of sedition against him, he said. He also hit out at BJP leaders for defaming the party leadership with their antinational jibe and said the government should restrain them. Mr. Azad told the media that the atmosphere in the country has been vitiated since the BJP came to power and its government has taken no action against people responsible for it. Advertisement Contact HuffPost India Also see on HuffPost: MONEY SHARMA via Getty Images Indian right-wing activists try to break down a barricade outside Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in New Delhi on February 16, 2016. A student union leader Kanhaiya Kumar was arrested on Friday for allegedly shouting anti-India slogans at a rally in protest against a Kashmiri separatist's execution three years ago. AFP PHOTO / Money SHARMA / AFP / MONEY SHARMA (Photo credit should read MONEY SHARMA/AFP/Getty Images) NEW DELHI -- The Jawaharlal Nehru University campus erupted in competing protests carried out by those who accuse the Modi government of crushing dissent, and those who believe that freedom of speech does not include raising anti-national slogans and eulogizing Afzal Guru, who was convicted of masterminding the 2001 attack on the Indian parliament. On Tuesday, civilians, students, teachers, army veterans, and activists affiliated with political parties as well as right-wing groups like Vishwa Hindu Parishad and the Bajrang Dal, held demonstrations inside and outside the JNU campus. Advertisement While one side believes that slapping sedition charges against JNU Students' Union President Kanhaiya Kumar is a massive overreach by the authorities, the other side wants stern action against other students who are accused off raising anti-national slogans in the government-funded university. Kumar, a student from Bihar, was arrested for a speech he gave following an event to mark the third third anniversary of Afzal Guru's execution on Feb. 9. According to BJP President Amit Shah, slogans raised included, "Afzal we are ashamed because your killers are free,"War will continue until Kashmir's freedom," "Go India Go Back" and "Long live Pakistan," but observers have pointed out that Kumar's speech did not have objectionable content. The Delhi High Court today ruled out a probe by the National Investigation Agency against Kumar. On Tuesday, former Delhi University lecturer SAR Geelani was also arrested on charges of sedition, criminal conspiracy and unlawful assembly for allegedly organizing an Afzal Guru event at the Press Club of India on Feb. 10. Geelani was arrested in connection with the 2001 parliament attack but acquitted of all charges in 2003. Advertisement Addressing a press conference today, Kapil Sibal, a senior Congress Party leader told reporters, "When Sakshi Mahraj eulogies Nathuram Godse why is he not smacked with a sedition charge." "The RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh) did not fly a national flag at Nagpur for 52 years," he said. On Sunday, Sakshi Maharaj, BJP's lawmaker from Unnao in Uttar Pradesh, said that traitors should be shot. The JNU Teachers' Association also carried out a protest to register their objection to the Delhi police entering the JNU campus, and arresting Kumar. They have written a letter to the JNU Vice Chancellor asking him to stop the police personnel from conducting searches within the campus. Faculty members also said that they would take classes on "nationalism" every evening in front of the administration block. Advertisement "The entire world is now referring to JNU as a hub of anti-nationals on basis of propaganda of few people in power. It is time we teach our students what nationalism is," said Rohith Azad, a faculty member, PTI reported. Erupting just days after 10 Indian soldiers were killed in an avalanche in Siachen Glacier, the JNU row has also become an emotional issue, with several army veterans expressing their anguish over the anti-national slogans. Journalists also carried out a march from the Press Club of India to the Supreme Court to demand police accountability for failing to intervene when a group of lawyers threatened and beat up reporters, who were reporting on Kumar's appearance at the Patiala Court House on Monday. Meanwhile, the JNU row continued its spiral into a political slugfest, with the BJP lashing out at Congress Party Vice President Rahul Gandhi for speaking out against the government's crackdown on the student, while other parties including Sitaram Yechury's Communist Party of India (Marxist) and the Nitish Kumar's Janata Dal (United) accused the BJP of crushing dissent. "We dissociate ourselves with students who do not believe in the unity of India and its constitution. But Kanhaiya Kumar has not said anything against the Constitution then why has he been arrested for sedition. This is inappropriate," Ghulam Nabi Azad, senior Congress Party leader and Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, told reporters. Advertisement "We are committed to press freedom. There are several ministers who fought for press freedom and individual freedoms during the Emergency. Should in a central university, located in Delhi, should rank anti-India slogans be permitted?," Communications and Information Technology Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad told Times Now. Gandhi today accused the BJP government of placing RSS Vice Chancellors in every university. "The way journalists were beaten up was very wrong and we condemn it," he said. "They're suppressing the voice of Indian students whether it is in Delhi, Hyderabad, Lucknow. We'll not accept this, we will fight this." Also on HuffPost SAJJAD HUSSAIN via Getty Images Indian students hold placards during a protest aganist the arrest of the president of Jawaharlal Nehru University's Student Union (JNU) Kanhaiya Kumar in New Delhi on February 14, 2016. Indian students,teachers and activists are protesting against the arrest of a top university student leader after he was charged with sedition, and demanding his immediate release. AFP PHOTO / SAJJAD HUSSAIN / AFP / SAJJAD HUSSAIN (Photo credit should read SAJJAD HUSSAIN/AFP/Getty Images) NEW DELHI -- JNU teachers today joined the students in boycotting classes in protest against arrest of its student union leader in a sedition case and said they would take classes on "nationalism" in the varsity lawns. The students had yesterday gone on an indefinite strike till JNUSU president Kanhaiya Kumar is released and the sedition case against him dropped. Advertisement After 10 teachers and a group of students were attacked yesterday in Patiala House court complex where Kanhaiya was produced yesterday, the teachers association decided to join the students in boycotting classes. "The administration is not only acting against students but also teachers and we are being openly attacked while the VC stays mum over it. The entire world is now referring to JNU as a hub of anti-nationals on basis of propaganda of few people in power. It is time we teach our students what nationalism is," said Rohith Azad, a faculty member, who was among those who were attacked yesterday. The one-and-half-hour long lecture on "nationalism " will be held every evening at 5 in front of the administration block. JNU students union president Kanhaiya Kumar was arrested last week in connection with a case of sedition and criminal conspiracy registered over holding of the event at the varsity during which anti-India slogans were alleged to have been raised. Advertisement His arrest has triggered widespread outrage among students and teachers and drawn severe criticism from non-BJP political parties. The university teachers had earlier rallied behind its protesting students and questioned the administration's decision to allow the police crackdown on the campus even as they appealed to the public not to "brand" the institution as "anti-national" but they had not joined the strike earlier. Teachers' bodies of 40 central universities and Pune-based FTII had also come out in support of the agitating students, saying it is an issue of "indiscipline" and not "sedition". Over 400 academicians from international varsities, including Columbia, Yale, Harvard, Cambridge, Oxford, SOAS, University of Toronto, McGill, King's College, University of California, Berkeley and New York University have also expressed solidarity with JNU students condemning the "illegal" detention and "autocratic" suspension of students. Advertisement Contact HuffPost India Also see on HuffPost: Kanika Bawa Interior designer Kanika Bawa is gunning for not one but two entries in the 2017 edition of the Limca Book of World Records with her most recent creations: a gigantic pair of Kohlapuri chappals, and an enormous Kathakali Chair. The designer created three installations, including a 12-feet tall yogi and his salutations to the Sun God inspired by World Yoga Day as part of her contribution to PM Modis Make In India campaign - all three shall be on display at Cross Maidan, ChurchGate from February 10 February 20. Advertisement Massive kohlapuri chappals Bawas massive Kohlapuri chappals stand at 8 feet 6 inches and 10 feet 6 inches. The first one is adorned with smaller kohlapuri chappals in different shapes and sizes, while the second features some colourful artwork. The Kathakali chair, Bawa's ode to Indian dance forms, is probably the worlds tallest chair at 10 feet 6 inches, and is coloured with bright, bold digital prints spinning tales of folklore. The back of the chair also features a pair of moving arms. Advertisement Kathakali chair The designer has spent 18 years in the industry, and has been recognised for her eclectic designs in the past, including a Winged Man installation piece, and her Havan Kund Installation Furniture. The installations will soon be displayed at malls and exhibitions for public viewing. Contact HuffPost India Also see on HuffPost: The India Today Group via Getty Images NEW DELHI,INDIA SEPTEMBER 30: Press conference by Hardik Patel in New Delhi.(Photo by Yasbant Negi/India Today Group/Getty Images) AHMEDABAD -- An audio tape has surfaced wherein a Patel quota agitation leader is purportedly saying that his community "stands no chance" of getting reservation under the OBC category while another leader has alleged that Hardik Patel "misled" the community on the issue. The tape contains telephonic conversation between Lalji Patel (the leader of Sardar Patel Group) with Khodabhai Patel, another leader of the community, and has gone viral on social media. Advertisement Lalji's Sardar Patel Group (SPG) and Hardik Patel-led Patidar Anamant Andolan Samiti (PAAS) are two separate groups leading quota agitation of Patel community in the state. While Hardik and some other PAAS members are behind bars in the sedition case, Lalji is presently leading the agitation. "We will never get reservation under OBC quota as we (Patels) do not fall in the criteria of getting the quota as it is for those who are backward...and if we insist, then all other communities will stand up against us and class-conflict will start. The government will never include us in OBC category," Lalji is heard saying in the tape. When Khodabhai asked Lalji that it means Hardik "misled" the community on reservation issue, to which Lalji answered "Yes". Hardik's PAAS had started agitation with the demand of inclusion of entire Patel community in OBC category. Advertisement 27 per cent seats out of the total 49 per cent in education and jobs are reserved for OBC category in Gujarat. The SPG confirmed that it was indeed Lalji Patel in the audio clip and the conversation was from a call that Khodabhai had made to him a week back. However, its spokesperson Urvin Patel sought to downplay the controversy, saying Lalji's has "not endorsed" that Hardik had misled the Patel community. Urvin also said that what Lalji meant to say was the OBC reservation for the community would take time. Speaking about the Congress' offer of giving reservation to Patels and other upper castes under the EBC (Economically Backward Class) category, Lalji was heard saying that other upper castes will reap maximum profits if the EBC reservation is accepted, while the Patels would not gain much. Advertisement On Congress' impressive performance in local bodies polls held in November, Lalji admitted that their stir had helped Congress as Patels had decided to teach BJP a lesson. The large-scale protests by Patidars last year had triggered violence in many parts of the state, culminating in the arrest of Hardik and his aides under the charge of sedition. Advertisement Contact HuffPost India Also On HuffPost: SAJJAD HUSSAIN via Getty Images A view of the Indian Supreme Court in New Delhi on July 28, 2015. India's Supreme court has referred Yakub Memon's petition against his death sentence for his role in the 1993 Mumbai bomb blasts to a larger bench after a two judge bench delivered a split verdict. AFP PHOTO / SAJJAD HUSSAIN (Photo credit should read SAJJAD HUSSAIN/AFP/Getty Images) NEW DELHI -- The Supreme Court on Tuesday sought suggestions of the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Managing Committee (DSGMC) within 'judicial dynamics' to put a ban on jokes on Sikhs. The apex court has given six-week time to the petitioner to give its suggestions. The court also observed that 'Sikhs are pride of the nation and that the community is second to none'. Advertisement The apex court bench was hearing a plea for a ban on websites hosting Sardar jokes, thereby promoting enmity among various sections of society. An online petition started by Delhi Sikh community on change.org website to demand a ban on Sikh jokes that ridiculed the community had gained worldwide momentum last year. Harvinder Chowdhury, a lawyer, had filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the Supreme Court addressing concerns about the Sikh community's overall well-being. She asserted that racial hatred and bullying were by-products of these jokes. Advertisement Contact HuffPost India Also see on HuffPost: Hindustan Times via Getty Images NEW DELHI, INDIA - FEBRUARY 2: The Supreme Court has agreed to refer a curative petition challenging Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code to a five-judge constitution bench for hearing on February 2, 2016 in New Delhi, India. The LGBT community has expressed hope that the Supreme Court would protect and legalise their sexual rights. A bench headed by Chief Justice of India TS Thakur had earlier agreed to hear the curative petition against the apex court's December 2013 judgement upholding validity of Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), which criminalises sexual activities against the order of nature, arguably including the homosexual acts, and a January 2014 order by which it had dismissed a bunch of review petitions. (Photo by Vipin Kumar/Hindustan Times via Getty Images) Delhi -- Expressing serious concern over the rise in bad loans in India's banking system, the Supreme Court on Tuesday directed the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to provide a list of companies which are defaulters of bank loans of over Rs 500 crore. The apex court also asked the RBI to provide within six weeks the list of companies whose loans have been restructured under corporate debt restructuring schemes. Advertisement A bench headed by Chief Justice T S Thakur asked for the list of loan defaulters to be placed before it in a sealed cover. The bench, also comprising Justices U U Lalit and R Banumathi, wanted to know how the state-owned banks and financial institutions were advancing large-scale loans without proper guidelines and whether there was adequate mechanism to recover them. The court made RBI party to a PIL filed in 2005 by an NGO Centre for Public Interest Litigation (CPIL) in which it has raised the issue of loans advanced to some companies by state- owned Housing and Urban Development Corporation (HUDCO). Advocate Prashant Bhushan, appearing for CPIL, submitted that about Rs 40,000 crore of corporate debt was written off in 2015. Advertisement Hindustan Times via Getty Images NEW DELHI, INDIA - FEBRUARY 12: Police trying to stop residents of nearby Munirka Village during demonstration against the organisers of the event on Afzal Guru where anti-national slogans were raised at JNU Campus on February 12, 2016 in New Delhi, India. JNU studentsa Union President Kanhaiya Kumar was arrested on in connection with a case of sedition and criminal conspiracy over holding of an event at the prestigious institute against hanging of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru in 2013. A group of students on Tuesday held an event on the JNU campus and allegedly shouted slogans against India. (Photo by Arun Sharma/Hindustan Times via Getty Images) The Morning Wrap is HuffPost India's selection of interesting news and opinion from the day's newspapers. Subscribe here to receive it in your inbox each weekday morning. Essential HuffPost Prime Minister Narendra Modi's constituency of Varanasi, the holy city in Uttar Pradesh, which heaped electoral glory on the leader from Gujarat in 2014, is ranked among the country's 10 dirtiest cities. Advertisement The nation said its goodbye to the nine soldiers who lost their lives in the Siachen avalanche. The bodies were brought to the capital and will be flown out by the Indian Air Force to be handed over to their families in different parts of the country. The Patiala House Court extended the custody of JNU Students Union president Kanhaiya Kumar by two days. Kumar was slapped with sedition charges for allegedly raising anti-India slogans at a meeting to protest the the hanging of Afzal Guru. The Punjab government banned playing of "vulgar songs" and "provocative music" in state-run buses, following complaints in this regard. Random surprise checks have been ordered to ensure compliance. The main accused in the abduction of a young Snapdeal employee Dipti Sarna last week is a "psychopath" who read Mein Kampf in jail, stalked his victim over 150 times in one year, was convinced that she would eventually agree to marry him and was inspired by actor Shah Rukh Khan's role of an unhinged stalker in the 1993 thriller Darr, the police said. Advertisement Main News India may finally exorcise its Bofors ghost of 30 years. After several years of hard-nosed negotiations, which also saw the proposed deal being stalled for a couple of years, the US government finally submitted an over $700 million offer for India to acquire 145 M-777 ultra-light howitzers. In the soon-to-be-filed charge sheet in a sexual harassment case against RK Pachauri, executive vice-chairman of The Energy and Resources Institute, investigators have documented text messages exchanged between him and the victim to buttress her allegations. The Sindh Assembly passed the Hindu Marriage Bill 2015, becoming the first provincial legislature in Pakistan to formalise the recognition of marriages of the Hindu, Sikh and Jain minorities. Hindu leaders said the bill ensures the protection of rights of divorced women. The Supreme Court said Parliament or the people's court should be the final judge to decide the legality of passive euthanasia. The Centre agreed with the apex court and illustrated the complexity of medically taking a person's life by pointing at how Formula One legend Michael Schumacher is being kept alive for years in the hope he will wake up from his coma one day. About 50 civilians were killed when missiles hit five medical centers and two schools in rebel-held Syrian towns, the UN and residents said. The carnage occurred as Russian-backed Syrian troops intensified their push toward the rebel stronghold of Aleppo. Advertisement Off The Front Page Irate over the loss of his farm produce, a farmer took his hen to a police station, holding it responsible for an incident of fire that reduced his recently harvested crop to ashes at Deoli village in Jharkhand. He was "not ready to be convinced despite our best efforts to make him understand that a complaint cannot be lodged against a hen, said a police officer. Pooja Mehra, the daughter of a farmer in a remote village of Bageshwar district of Uttarakhand, is going to scale the world's highest peak, Mount Everest. A class 12 student of a government college, Pooja is one of the 10 NCC cadets selected nationally to climb Mount Everest in April. Nine years after his reign of terror ended in a police encounter, slain dacoit Shiv Kumar Patel alias Dadua came back to haunt the state administration with the unveiling of his idol at a temple in a small hamlet of Fatehpur district. Tanya Morzaria, a class XI student from Gujarat, has been selected for the junior Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel award for her excellent performance in shooting at national level in the last four years. Tanya, a national pistol shooter, will receive the prestigious government award in Gandhinagar. Unable to file nomination, a BJP leader alleged abduction. BJP candidate for MLC (local body) election from Agra Tejpratap Singh went missing after failing to file his nomination. BJP leaders claimed it to be a case of kidnapping by rival Samajwadi Party (SP). Advertisement Opinion It is often said that conducting foreign policy gets more challenging as we come closer to our own borders. This couldnt be truer in Indias case and especially in relation to Pakistan. In todays world where clear power blocs do not exist, where new threats emanate frequently, and where dominance of non-State actors adds to the complexities, we must deploy every resource to be able to safeguard our national interest and security and contain disruptive forces that inflict maximum damage on us, writes Sachin Pilotin the Hindustan Times. It is unlikely that Parliament will repeal Section 124A on sedition in a hurry. The way to protect free speech then is to focus on procedural reforms and safeguards that render malicious use more difficult, writes Lawrence Liang in The Indian Express. The true test of a democracy lies in how much it can tolerate disagreement and even speech that we strongly disagree with. But despite the Supreme Court affirming our right to disagree and dissent in substantive law, the ease of filing complaints and the ever-looming threat of police action undoes procedurally what we have substantively. The agreement reached in Munich by major world powers, including the United States and Russia, to work towards a cessation of hostilities in Syria within a week is the most constructive step yet to find a political solution to the countrys civil warThe war has nearly destroyed the country, triggering an unprecedented humanitarian crisis, says an editorial in The Hindu. Advertisement Ex-officer was a churchgoer, family man. Police say he may be a serial rapist. The Allen family lived on the northwest side of Hutchinson, less than two miles from Rice Park, where several women said they were accosted. According to reports, delegates from Cameroon, Cote dIvoire, Egypt, Gambia, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, Uganda Zimbabwe, and a host of other countries will meet on March 8 and 9 for the 2016 Internet Freedom Forum , in Abuja, Nigeria, with the theme "Rights are rights, Online or Offline". Paradigm Initiative Nigeria (PIN), along with AccessNow, Google, Facebook, Civicus, and Internews are the organizers of the event. Several experts, Internet Freedom advocates, journalists and government officials from all across Africa have confirmed participation at the event,said Adeboye Adegoke, Program Manager (ICT Policy) at PIN, according to a TechCabal report. Hon. Chukwuemeka Ujam, the Vice Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Telecommunications, Titi Akinsanmi-Bolarinwa, Lead, Policy and Government Relations, Google, Ebele Okobi, Head of Public Policy, Africa, Facebook, Ephraim Kenyanito, Sub-Saharan Africa Policy Analyst, AccessNow, BudgIT co-founder, Seun Onigbinde, Japheth Omojuwa, award-winning journalist, Tolu Ogunlesi, Gbenga Sesan, Executive Director, Paradigm Initiative Nigeria, among others, are some of the confirmed panelists, per the report. Media reports reveal that Legal Director at Media Legal Defence Initiative (MLDI), Nani Jansen, will deliver the keynote address. Jansen has served in freedom of expression cases before national and international courts, and human rights tribunals, including the European Court of Human Rights, the African Court on Human and Peoples Rights, the UN Human Rights Committee, among others. For government policy contribution to the conversation, PIN has invited the Nigerian Minister of Communications, the National Security Adviser, the Director General of Department of State Security Service, and the Executive Vice-Chairman of the Nigeria Communications Commission. The event is an invitation-only event, and you can register on the event website. The #IFF2016 Secretariat will contact all the selected applicants. Aetnas proposed takeover of Humana has now been approved by half of the 20 state regulators it requires. Floridas state regulator is the latest to give the deal a green light, which means Aetna can acquire Humanas Florida-based affiliates. In a statement, Aetna says it is very pleased by the decision of the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation but notes that it may not be able to acquire all of Humanas operations: We continue to cooperate with the Department of Justice as it continues its review. It is possible that the Department of Justice will require divestitures in some geographies, which is a standard tool as part of its approval processes. If divestitures are required, there are competitors in good standing that are able to provide consumers with options.The spread of the Zika virus has prompted many businesses to change travel plans for employees. A survey by the US State Department found that 38 per cent of respondents, including multinationals, universities and non-profits have said that female workers can delay plans to travel to countries where the virus has been reported, or leave those locations if they are already there. Many are also allowing male employees the same options. CNBC reports that, despite full details of virus being unknown, some companies are advising that employees consult with health professionals before deciding on travel plans.With a single thunderstorm in the Lower Mississippi Valley costing insurers $7.7 billion back in 2011, the potential for huge losses is clear. Aon Benfield has analysed thunderstorm data and says that severe thunderstorms have overtaken tropical cyclone as the costliest peril for U.S. insurers on an average annual basis. The firm has created a new model which draws on 12 years of historical data from the Storm Protection Center to create almost 7.5 scenarios. Mark Schiek, chairman of the School Building Committee, and Carolyn Greene, Mount Greylock School Committee chairman, present the school project at last week's forum. PreviousNext Forum Details Plans, Costs of New Mount Greylock School WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. This year's Williamstown and Lanesborough fourth-graders will be the first class to start a school year in newly renovated classrooms at Mount Greylock Regional School if the two towns vote to approve funding the project. If voters on March 1 in Williamstown and March 15 in Lanesborough pass debt exclusion votes to allow the district to borrow the $31 million to $35 million local share of the $64.8 million project, the first phase of renovation could start this August. The renovation of the gymnasium and auditorium would start in early 2017 with a targeted completion date of fall 2017, with the construction of the academic wing beginning in April 2017 with a targeted completion date of April 2018 possibly in time for this year's fifth-graders to get a taste of the new classrooms before summer vacation but definitely before this year's fourth-graders start their middle school tenure in 2018 if the project stays on schedule. "It's a very fast-moving project," Mark Schiek, chairman of the School Building Committee, told a couple dozen people who came to a public forum in the Williamstown Elementary School auditorium last Thursday. "It's aggressive but very achievable." The forum allowed the public a chance to see details of the project and ask questions about it in advance of the debt exclusion vote, which reads: "Shall the town of [Lanesborough/Williamstown] be allowed to exempt from the provisions of proposition two and a half, so-called, the amounts required to pay for the town's allocable share of the bond issues by the Mount Greylock Regional Middle School and High School, located at 1781 Cold Spring Road, in Williamstown, Massachusetts 01267, and for the payment of other costs incidental and related thereto?" The handful of citizens who did speak at the forum praised the building project but asked a couple of questions, including if work on the driveway leading to a blind left turn onto Cold Spring Road could be addressed, as well as if the athletic storage built into the proposal was sufficient enough for the equipment used by student-athletes, who compose a high percentage of students. Schiek said those kinds of issues were outside of the scope of this project, although after the presentation, Mount Greylock School Committee Chairwoman Carolyn Greene said those types of projects could be on the list of ways to use a $5 million gift to the district that Williams College announced earlier in the day before the forum. "It will save money on the things we also need to do. There's a lot in terms of the need," she said, but cautioned that a list of priorities will have to be developed for the money. "Five million dollars can go pretty quickly." Greene and Superintendent Douglas Dias expressed their gratitude with the gift from the college, which did not stipulate how the money be used something Greene said was a "show of faith" from Williams officials that school officials would use the money wisely. The money, however, cannot be used to offset tax implications to the towns, as any private gift toward the project would lower the amount of reimbursement provided by the Massachusetts School Building Authority. During the presentation, Schiek said getting to this point in the highly regulated building process has taken 10 years and a "no" vote would send the district back to the beginning of the process. "If we're not ready to take their money, there are people lined up behind us to take their money," he said. "It's a reality that this is a hard process to get into." The money the district is eligible to get from the MSBA is just shy of 60 percent of the total project budget, or a maximum of $33.2 million. None of that money would be available should the towns vote no to accepting the debt, leaving the district with costly repairs to the 55-year-old building, including a non-compliant fire alarm system and accessibility issues; dysfunctional heating distribution and ventilation systems; and inadequate special education areas. Should the votes pass and the project move forward, the town of Lanesborough would see a tax increase of between $1.61 to $1.81 per thousand dollar valuation and Williamstown would see a tax increase of between $1.42 and $1.60. Schiek stressed that the School Building Committee is very confident that those numbers will not change during the actual process, as several estimates came in within 5 percent of each other. "We're very confident the $64.8 million total project number is a good number," he said, explaining that decisions were made to keep non-reimbursable costs down and a "fiscally responsible" project in line with MSBA guidelines for an estimated student population of 535 seventh- through 12th-graders. "We don't have spaces they are saying you don't need. "Our goal is to deliver this project under budget." Williamstown residents will vote on the debt exclusion question on March 1 when they go to the polls to vote in the presidential election primary. Lanesborough residents, also voting in the presidential election primary on March 1, will be asked to return to the polls on March 15 for a separate vote on the debt exclusion. Prior to the ballot vote, the Lanesborough Board of Selectmen also will hold a special town meeting on Feb. 23 to share information regarding the project. "We're asking people to come out and vote," Schiek said. The chimney from the 1930s replica of Fort Massachusetts sits in the corner of the Price Chopper parking lot. The supermarket has maintained a small park and monument for many years. PreviousNext North Adams Historical Commission Fears Fate of Fort Massachusetts A plaque marking Fort Massachusetts was placed on a boulder for the bicentennial. NORTH ADAMS, Mass. Price Chopper's imminent closure after nearly 60 years in the city has the Historical Commission worried about a far older property: Fort Massachusetts. The commission agreed Friday to reach out to the supermarket to thank it for its support and apprise the company "that [the fort] is very important to the commission, it's very important to the community." "I would be heartbroken if anything was built over it," said Commissioner Wendy Champney. "I would hate to see somebody cover the site." This August will mark the 270th anniversary of the Siege of Fort Massachusetts, when barely two dozen Colonial soldiers tried to hold off 300 Indians and French troops. They lasted 28 hours until their ammunition ran out. Some 30 civilian and military captives were marched to Canada. A replica of the fort was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s as a museum and meeting place for the Daughters of the American Revolution; it was later sold as a restaurant but was vacant the last years of its existence. Golub Corp. purchased the five-acre property in 1959 and demolished the replica a year later to make way for what was then Central Market and its parking lot. It has, however, maintained the replica's chimney, and a small park and plaque marking its location for many years. "Every year I send them a letter thanking them," said Chairwoman Justyna Carlson. Mayor Richard Alcombright said he has been in frequent communication with the corporation's Vice President Mona Golub, but their conversations had touched on the affected workers and potential marketing of the site, not the fort. "Other than their decision to close the store, they have not made any decisions related to the site," he told the commission. "They are still ... many weeks away from making a determination how they would market it. And they have a couple tenants there." Alcombright said he has hopes it could be leased to a small supermarket, since it would not compete with Price Chopper, but the fort parcel would be difficult to "segment out" as a museum site. Fort Massachusetts in the 1940s. A Facebook page, "Bring Back Fort Massachusetts to North Adams," popped up last week calling for the resurrection of the historic site. Four More Shots Please S3 Review: This Old Wine In New Bottle Doesn't Get You Drunk As Easily Anymore We work towards an equitable, gender-just, self-reliant and sustainable fisheries, particularly in the small-scale, artisanal sector We work towards an equitable, gender-just, self-reliant and sustainable fisheries, particularly in the small-scale, artisanal sector We work towards an equitable, gender-just, self-reliant and sustainable fisheries, particularly in the small-scale, artisanal sector We work towards an equitable, gender-just, self-reliant and sustainable fisheries, particularly in the small-scale, artisanal sector The content you are trying to view is exclusive to our subscribers. To unlock this article: Edward Price Non-Resident Senior Fellow NYU Center for Global Affairs Contact email linkedin Edward Price, a former British economic official, teaches international political economy, financial systems and international relations at NYUas Center for Global Affairs. He is also an economic advisor for BritishAmerican Business (BAB). Educated at the London School of Economics (LSE), Edward holds an MSc in Finance and Economic Policy and an MA in German History. He has worked in both the British and European parliaments, was Americas editor at IFLR and has worked in the City of London. He speaks German, gets by in Italian and is a member of the Economic Club of New York (ECNY). (Image source: www.pinayads.com) Finally, MyPhone is set to launch its newest 4.5-inch qHD smartphone called the MyPhone A888 Duo! For only Php7,490, the MyPhone A888 Duo boasts a 1GHz dual-core MediaTek processor, a dual-SIM, dual-standby capability, an 8MP autofocus camera with dual LED flash, a 1.3MP front camera, 1,800mAh battery (removable) and runs Android 4.0.4 Ice Cream Sandwich as its OS. More about the MyPhone A888 Duo specs and features after the jump. "The new MyPhone A888 marries elegance with functionality. This new 3G Android phone is minimalist in design but promises maximum performance with its superb features. It comes neat and sleek at 8.99 mm, and with 4.5 IPS capacitive screen that is as delightful to the eyes as it is to the fingers. Its 8 megapixel rear camera with dual LED flash and 720p HD video recording capacity lets you take photos and videos like a pro. Plus, see your photos and videos come to life as you view them with MyPhone A888s qHD display. Even the phones front camera is exceptional at 1.3 MP. The best part is: you get all these add-ons without compromising other features. MyPhone A888 still comes complete with dual core 1GHz processor, Android 4.0.4 OS and 3G and Wi-fi connectivity. Now thats superb!" - MyPhone MyPhone A888 Duo Specifications 4.5" qHD (960x540) IPS capacitive display 60fps, 245ppi w/ 5-point multi-touch feature Android 4.0.4 (Ice Cream Sandwich) (Upgradable to Android 4.1 Jelly Bean) 1GHz dual-core MT6577 processor PowerVR SGX531 GPU 512MB of RAM 4GB of internal storage (2.5GB Usable) microSD card slot up to 32GB 8MP autofocus camera with dual LED flash 720p HD video recording 1.3MP front-facing camera TV-Out Support / FM Radio Dual-mic noise reduction feature HSDPA 7.2Mbps, HSUPA 5.76Mbps WiFI 802.11b/g/n, WiFi Direct, WiFi HotSpot Bluetooth v4.0 with A2DP GPS with A-GPS support Turn to mute function Google Play Store / Pinoy Phone App microUSB v2.0 (No USB-OTG support) / 3.5mm audio jack Motion / Proximity / Environment Light Sensor Tri-band GSM / Dual-band 3G - SIM 1 (3G) and SIM 2 (2G) 1,800mAh Lipolymer battery (removable) Stand By Time up to 240 hours Talk Time up to 5 hours 133.2 x 67.9 x 8.9mm (dimension) 135g (weight) Color: Black and White Price: Php7,490 (Official SRP) Availability/ Release Date: Now available nationwide! MyPhone A888 Duo Package Includes MyPhone A888 Duo (Handset) 1,800mAh Lipolymer battery Charger Earphone USB Cable User Manual Warranty Card (Image source: www.pinayads.com) Note: - No USB-OTG support, according to MyPhone A888 Duo users. - If you own this phone, please share some of your experiences and opinions about this phone, so that others may be aware of it. Thanks! Imperial Valley News Center Chinas new policies will lower CO2 emissions faster, without preventing economic growth Cambridge, Massachusetts - A new study co-authored by an MIT professor shows that Chinas new efforts to price carbon could lower the countrys carbon dioxide emissions significantly without impeding economic development over the next three decades. Based on a unique model that links Chinas energy system and economy, the study finds that Chinas coal use, a major source of global carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, should peak some time around the year 2020, while the countrys overall CO2 emissions would peak around 2030, or perhaps sooner. Even so, the reduction in carbon-intensive economic activity would not prevent China from reaching its governments goal of being a well-off society by 2050. Using carbon pricing in combination with energy price reforms and renewable energy support, China could reach significant levels of emissions reduction without undermining economic growth, says Valerie Karplus, an assistant professor at the MIT Sloan School of Management and a co-author of the new study. Details of the study appear in the paper Carbon emissions in China? How far can new efforts bend the curve? being published by the journal Energy Economics. In addition to Karplus, the other co-authors are Xiliang Zhang, Tianyu Qi, Da Zhang, and Jiankun He, all scholars at the Institute of Energy, Environment, and Economy, at Tsinghua University in Beijing. Da Zhang is now a postdoc at MIT. Why spending, not saving, will make China greener The impetus for the study comes from a headline-making set of recent policy shifts announced by China, including its toughest-ever set of regulations on local environmental pollution. In November 2013, China pledged to create more sustainable economic growth through a series of measures that included creating markets for CO2 emissions as well as other pollutants and scarce resources, such as water, more broadly. That set of measures also helped form the basis for an agreement to limit carbon use, which the U.S. and China announced in November 2014. Among other things, China committed to a goal of making nonfossil fuel sources account for 20 percent of its energy use by 2030; in 2015, that figure stood at 11 percent. The U.S. pledged to reduce its total CO2 emissions about 26-28 percent by 2025, in comparison to 2005 levels. In turn, that bilateral agreement has been widely credited with paving the way for the larger set of carbon-reduction pledges agreed to globally at the U.N. Climate Change Conference held in Paris in late 2015. The study uses a model of Chinas economy and energy output, called C-GEM, developed by scholars at the Tsinghua-MIT China Energy and Climate Project. Karplus served as director of that project from 2011-2015. She joined the Sloan faculty in the fall of 2014 as the Class of 1943 Career Development Professor. She is also a faculty affiliate of the MIT Joint Program on the Science and Policy of Global Change and the MIT Energy Initiative. The model compares and contrasts two main paths that Chinas energy consumption could take: One, which the paper calls the Continued Effort scenario, is a business-as-usual trajectory. The other, based on Chinas announced reforms and environmental initiatives, is called the Accelerated Effort scenario. In the Continued Effort scenario, Chinas carbon emissions would not level off until around 2040, ten years later than in the Accelerated Effort scenario, and at a level 20 percent higher. The model outlines some additional broad contours of Chinas energy future given the more stringent set of policies. Coal would drop sharply as a source of primary energy, or raw fuel, from around 70 percent in 2010 to around 28 percent in 2050. Coal today is used with varying degrees of efficiency across the Chinese energy system, Karplus observes. The model is capturing the fact that you have a lot of low-cost opportunities to reduce coal, from heavy-industry direct use as well as the electric power sector, from facilities using less energy-efficient technology or processes. In all scenarios, the model also simulates that over time, Chinas famously high savings rate will decline, as has been observed in many developing economies. As a result, more of Chinas GDP will be composed of consumer-driven spending, not state-led investment, which itself will drive reductions in carbon emissions per unit of GDP. The consumption share of GDP has a very different carbon intensity, as a bundle of goods, relative to investment goods, so you automatically get a reduction in carbon intensity from that trajectory, Karplus says. Think of it this way: At the moment, a larger portion of household earnings in China are tucked away in banks, where they are loaned out and used to fund massive infrastructure projects highways, dams, power plants which release huge amounts of CO2. In the future, if Chinas households save less, more of the countrys money will be spent on services and everyday goods, which have a smaller aggregate carbon footprint. Confidence levels The MIT-Tsinghua studys findings have gained the attention of many policymakers in the energy sphere and have been regarded as an important estimate of Chinas potential energy and CO2 emissions trajectories. John P. Weyant, a professor of management science and engineering, director of the Energy Modeling Forum, and deputy director of the Precourt Institute for Energy Efficiency at Stanford University, calls the model state of the art and says it produces policy-relevant insights regarding the implications of the two policy scenarios in China. He adds that the model contains a realistic representation of the pathways by which the Chinese and world economy can be expected to adjust to these policy initiatives. Karplus readily acknowledges that with any energy and economic modeling of this scale, many uncertainties remain. Still, she thinks it is clear enough that the Accelerated Effort scenario for China would produce a significant reduction in Chinas emissions. You can have some confidence in the relative numbers despite the huge uncertainties, if you look at the two cases, Karplus asserts. The value in this exercise is in its ability to look at alternative levels of policy effort and the relative impacts those would have. Imperial Valley News Center Worldwide bee epidemic linked to human cause: colony trafficking Berkeley, California - Just as world travel is contributing to the Zika virus epidemic spreading through Latin America and into North America, so too is world traffic in bee colonies fueling a worldwide bee epidemic. The finding comes from a study by UC Berkeley and Exeter University biologists of the spread of the deformed wing virus, which is affecting European honeybee colonies around the planet as well as wild bee populations. The pandemic is adding to fears over the future of global bee populations, with major implications for biodiversity, agricultural biosecurity, global economies and human health. While not a threat to human health, the bee epidemic does threaten an important contributor to our food supply. By one estimate, 75 percent of all food crops in the U.S. benefit from pollination, and for commercial crops, that means the European honeybee. The disease is one of many threats to bee populations around the world, usually lumped together as colony collapse disorder. The virus becomes a problem when carried by the Varroa mite that infests many European honeybees, Apis melliferis. To determine the course and source of the viruss spread around the globe, a UC Berkeley researcher Michael Boots, professor of integrative biology, collaborated with colleagues at Exeter University in the UK to analyze the genomes of viruses collected from around Europe, Asia, Australia and North America. They determined that most of the viruses can be traced to European honeybee colonies. The finding suggests that the pandemic is manmade rather than naturally occurring, with human trade and transportation of bees for crop pollination driving the spread. The main spreaders are colony traders in Europe and North America, the researchers found. The key insight of our work is that the global virus pandemic in honeybees is manmade not natural, said Boots, the senior author of the paper. Its therefore within our hands to mitigate this and future disease problems. To reduce the negative effects of the deformed wing virus on beekeeping and wild pollinators, the researchers urge tighter controls, such as the imposition of mandatory health screenings and regulated movement of honeybees across borders, with every effort made to maintain the current Varroa-free refugia for the conservation of wild and managed pollinators. We must now maintain strict limits on the movement of bees, whether they are known to carry Varroa or not, said lead author Lena Wilfert of the University of Exeters Center for Ecology and Conservation on the Penryn Campus in Cornwall. Its also really important that beekeepers at all levels take steps to control Varroa in their hives, as this viral disease can also affect wild pollinators. Imperial Valley News Center 'Law, Order & Algorithms' data project aims to identify bias in the criminal justice system Stanford, California - If future scholars of American history remember 2015 for one defining issue, it may well be the rising public uproar over ugly and often fatal encounters between police and black citizens. The police shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, along with videos of police killings in New York City, Cleveland and Chicago, ignited the Black Lives Matter movement. Equally graphic videos from Texas of a police officer roughing up teenage girls at a pool party or of the officer who threatened to use a Taser on Sandra Bland after pulling her over for failing to signal a lane change intensified charges that police unfairly target African Americans and other minorities. As gripping as such incidents are, they still amount to individual anecdotes that can steer a narrative. To provide an unbiased, data-driven analysis of such issues, researchers at Stanford University's School of Engineering have launched what they call the Project on Law, Order & Algorithms. The project is led by computational social scientist Sharad Goel, an assistant professor of management science and engineering. He also teaches a course at Stanford Engineering that explores the intersection of data science and public policy issues revolving around policing. Among other activities, Goel's team is building a vast open database of 100 million traffic stops from cities and towns around the nation. The researchers have already gathered data on about 50 million stops from 11 states, recording basic facts about the stop time, date and location plus any available demographic data that do not reveal an individual's identity. These demographics might include race, sex and age of the person. Based on its work thus far, the Knight Foundation recently awarded the team a $310,000 grant to at least double the size of the database, compiling data from as many as 40 states, going back five to 10 years. The ongoing project has several purposes. The first and most topical goal is to produce a statistical method to assess whether police discriminate against people on the basis of race, ethnicity, age or gender, and, if so, how frequently and under what circumstances. A second but equally important purpose is to help law enforcement agencies design practices that are more equitable and effective at reducing crime. Ultimately, Goel and his colleagues plan to take the know-how that they will have gained through their analysis of traffic stops and create a software toolkit that others could use to acquire data from municipal or county governments and perform similar analyses. Their idea is to enable other academic researchers, journalists, community groups and police departments to do the same sort of data mining that today requires the expertise of experienced researchers like the members of Goel's team. Precinct or prejudice? The public appetite for accurate and comprehensive data has increased sharply. In the aftermath of Michael Brown's death in Ferguson, the U.S. Justice Department concluded that Ferguson's police had routinely targeted black residents and frequently violated their civil rights. African Americans accounted for two-thirds of Ferguson's population, but 85 percent of all traffic stops, 90 percent of all tickets and 93 percent of all arrests. Statewide, a separate report by Missouri's attorney general, as described in the New York Times, found that police were 75 percent more likely to stop black drivers than white ones. "Technically, much of this is already public data, but it's often not easily accessible, and even when the data are available, there hasn't been much analysis," Goel said. When researchers do take a deep dive into the data, the results can be as eye-opening for police departments as they are for community groups. In "Precinct or Prejudice," a new study of New York City's stop-and-frisk policies, Goel and two colleagues found that police were indeed stopping and searching blacks and Hispanics at disproportionate rates. Focusing on about 760,000 stops in which police officers stopped and frisked people on the suspicion of holding an illegal weapon, the researchers found that African Americans who had been stopped were significantly less likely to have a weapon than whites who had been stopped. When the researchers analyzed the data to discover why, they found that the biggest reason for the racial disparity was the fact that police focused their stop-and-frisk efforts in high-crime precincts heavily populated by minorities. Yet even after adjusting for the effects of location, they found that blacks and Hispanics were stopped a disproportionate amount of the time. Perhaps the most important finding in "Precinct or Prejudice," however, was that New York City police could have recovered the majority of the weapons by carrying out only a tiny fraction of stop-and-frisk operations. Analyzing a very long list of factors that police officers cited as reasons for stopping and frisking people, the researchers found that only a handful had any predictive value. Seizing on hints of "furtive movement," for example, was almost useless. In fact, the researchers concluded, if the police had conducted stop-and-frisk operations based on just three factors a suspicious bulge, a suspicious object, and the sight or sound of criminal activity they could have found more than half of all the weapons they did find with only 6 percent as many stops. Predicting crime Goel is keenly aware that technologies for "predictive modeling," such as using data to predict whether a person is likely to re-commit a violent crime, can have a chilling side. But he notes that a rigorous randomized control trial of a predictive tool used by Philadelphia parole authorities appeared to make life easier for parolees without increasing their risk of re-violation. "There are all kinds of ways this can go wrong," Goel cautioned. "On the other hand, this can be a win-win situation. Everybody wants to reduce crime in a way that is supportive of the community. We'd like to help law enforcement agencies make better decisions decisions that are more equitable, efficient and transparent." Beyond building the database of traffic stops, Goel and his colleagues are using statistical tools to improve other aspects of the judicial system. In one effort, the researchers are working with the district attorney of a large city to improve pre-trial detention practices. In many cases, people arrested on minor crimes cannot afford to make bail and remain stuck in jail for weeks while they await trial. "I've been amazed by all the interest on campus in this computational approach to criminal justice," Goel said. "In my Law, Order & Algorithms class, students from departments across the university are working together on projects that address some of the most pressing issues in the criminal justice system, from detecting discrimination to improving judicial decisions." Sneezing produces complex fluid cascade, not a simple spray Cambridge, Massachusetts - Heres some incentive to cover your mouth the next time you sneeze: New high-speed videos captured by MIT researchers show that as a person sneezes, they launch a sheet of fluid that balloons, then breaks apart in long filaments that destabilize, and finally disperses as a spray of droplets, similar to paint that is flung through the air. Using two high-speed cameras, the researchers recorded more than 100 sneezes from healthy human subjects and captured the fraction of a second during which fluid is expelled from the mouth and flung through the air. Almost every sneeze produced the same paint-like pattern of fluid fragmentation, with slight variations: The more elastic the fluid, or saliva, the longer the fluid traveled before breaking into droplets. This complex pattern of fluid breakup runs counter to what most people expect, which is that a sneeze produces a simple and uniform spray of droplets. Its important to understand how the process of fluid breakup, or fluid fragmentation, happens, says Lydia Bourouiba, the Esther and Harold E. Edgerton Assistant Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and head of the Fluid Dynamics of Disease Transmission Laboratory at MIT. What is the physics of the breakup telling us in terms of droplet size distribution, and the resulting prediction of the downstream range of contamination? Bourouiba says understanding how sneezing disperses droplets can help researchers map the spread of infections through the environment, as well as identify individuals who may be super spreaders. This line of work is opening the way for us to gain insights into the variability between human subjects, and to determine to what extent the breakup process of mucosalivary fluid gives us information on the inner physiology of the host, Bourouiba says. Bourouiba and her colleagues, including Barry Scharfman, a former MIT graduate student; Alexandra Techet, associate professor of mechanical engineering; and John Bush, professor of mathematics, have published their findings in the journal Experimental Fluids. Bursting the bubble The current work builds off research Bourouiba and Bush reported in 2014, in which they showed that coughs and sneezes produce clouds of gas that carry infectious droplets up to 200 times farther than they would have traveled if they were simply disconnected drops. This time around, Bourouiba focused the high-speed imaging on the distribution of droplets produced from sneezing a more violent expulsion, compared with coughs. For their experiments, the researchers positioned each of three human subjects against a black backdrop and other settings, and set up two high-speed monochrome cameras, focused just in front of a subjects mouth. To induce sneezing, they tickled the subjects noses and then recorded as much of the sneeze event as they could a short window of under 200 milliseconds. After analyzing more than 100 sneezes, the researchers identified a common pattern: Immediately after exiting the mouth, the exhaled fluid can form a wide sheet that balloons with the simultaneous expelling of air. As it travels through the air, the balloon bursts into thin filaments that eventually separate into individual droplets of various sizes that ultimately fall to the ground or remain suspended in the turbulent cloud. The team also observed an interesting variation. For subjects with more elastic saliva, the expelled fluid tended to stay in filament form longer, forming beads along the filaments that eventually slid off as droplets. What we saw was surprising in many ways, Bourouiba says. We expected to see droplets coming out fully formed from the respiratory tract. It turns out thats not the case at all. And this gives us a good baseline to expand our mechanistic understanding of violent expirations. Fluid data Bourouiba is currently setting up a new lab space at MIT specifically designed to accommodate parallel experiments to understand various modes of disease transmission. This space will also include a smaller, climate-controlled chamber in which she will be able to visualize sneezes, coughs, and other modes of disease transmission, in collaboration with medical partners. One of the important goals I have for the lab is to tackle cold and influenza, Bourouiba says. Sometimes the symptoms are difficult to distinguish. In the coming year, at different cold and influenza seasons, we will be recruiting human subjects whom we can work with to see them in infection and in health. Bourouiba will be calling for volunteers to the new lab in the near future. She says that ultimately, hard data on droplet distributions will help better predict and prevent a diseases spread. The way transmission routes are being quantified even today still rely on the traditional way that has prevailed for hundreds of years, which is talking to people to survey who they talked to, where did they go, et cetera, Bourouiba says. There are clear limits to the accuracy of the data acquired via this process, and we are trying to have more precise measures of contamination and ranges to root disease control and prevention strategies in the physical sciences. This research was supported, in part, by the National Science Foundation and the Reed and Edgerton funds at MIT. Scientists Find a New Way to Make Nanowire Lasers Berkeley, California - Scientists at the U.S. Department of Energys Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) and UC Berkeley have found a simple new way to produce nanoscale wires that can serve as tiny, tunable lasers. The nanowires, with diameters as small as 200 nanometers (billionths of a meter) and a blend of materials that has also proven effective in next-generation solar cell designs, were shown to produce very bright, stable laser light. Researchers say the excellent performance of these tiny lasers is promising for the field of optoelectronics, which is focused on combining electronics and light to transmit data, among other applications. Light can carry far more data, far more rapidly than standard electronicsa single fiber in a fiber-optic cable, measuring less than a hairs width in diameter, can carry tens of thousands of telephone conversations at once, for example. And miniaturizing lasers to the nanoscale could further revolutionize computing by bringing light-speed data transmission to desktop and ultimately handheld computing devices. Whats amazing is the simplicity of the chemistry here, said Peidong Yang, a chemist in Berkeley Labs Materials Sciences Division who led the research, published Feb. 9 in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. More standard techniques that produce nanowires can require expensive equipment and exotic conditions, such as high temperatures, and can suffer from other shortcomings. The research team developed a simple chemical-dipping solution process to produce a self-assembled blend of nanoscale crystals, plates and wires composed of cesium, lead and bromine (with the chemical formula: CsPbBr3). The same chemical blend, with a molecular architecture composed of cube-like crystal structures, has also proven effective in an emerging wave of new designs for high-efficiency solar cells. Most of the earlier work with these types of materials is focused on these solar energy applications, said Yang, who also holds appointments with UC Berkeley and the Kavli Energy NanoScience Institute at Berkeley Lab and UC Berkeley. There has been so much progress with these materials in just the past several yearsI have a feeling these materials will open a new research frontier for optoelectronics as well, he said, and in the broader field of photonics, which is focused on using light for a range of applications. The whole purpose of developing nano-sized lasers is to interface photonic (light-based) devices with electronic devices seamlessly, Yang said, at scales relevant to todays computer chips. Today, these photonic devices can be bulky. Yangs research team pioneered the development of nanowire lasers almost 15 years ago using a different blend of materials, including zinc oxide (ZnO) and gallium nitride (GaN). But these and other, more conventional combinations of materials used to make nanolasers have shortcomings that can include limited tunability, low brightness or costly manufacturing processes. In this latest work, the research team discovered how to produce nanowires by dipping a thin lead-containing film into a methanol solution containing cesium, bromine and chlorine heated to about 122 degrees Fahrenheit. A mix of cesium lead bromide crystalline structures formed, including nanowires with a diameter from 200 to 2,300 nanometers (0.2 to 2.3 microns) and a length ranging from 2 to 40 microns. A nanowire construction zone: This scanning electron microscope image shows a collection of cesium lead bromide (CsPgbBr3) nanowires and nanoplates grown from a chemical-dipping process. To produce these structures, researchers dipped a thin lead-containing film into a methanol solution containing cesium, bromine and chlorine heated to about 122 degrees. The white scale bar at the lower right represents 10 microns. The image at the bottom left shows the well-formed rectangular end of a nanowirethe white scale bar associated with it represents 500 nanometers. (Credit: Sam Eaton/UC Berkeley) Select nanowires used in the experiment were placed on a quartz base and excited by another laser source that caused them to emit light. Researchers found that the nanowire lasers emitted light for over 1 billion cycles after being hit by an ultrafast pulse of visible, violet light that lasted just hundredths of quadrillionths of seconds, which Yang said demonstrated remarkable stability. Yang said to his knowledge these nanowires may be the first to emit laser light using a totally inorganic (not containing carbon) blend of materials. Researchers demonstrated that the nanowire lasers could be tuned to a range of light including visible green and blue wavelengths. The nanowires have a crystal structure that resembles that of a naturally occurring mineral known as perovskite. Researchers studied their structure with a technique known as transmission electron microscopy at the National Center for Electron Microscopy, part of Berkeley Labs Molecular Foundry. The Molecular Foundry is a DOE Office of Science User Facility. The nanowires crystalline structure is a lot like salt, which does make them susceptible to damage from moisture in the air, Yang said. That is one weaknesssomething we have to study and understand how to improve, he said. It may be possible to coat the nanowires with polymers or other material to make them more damage-resistant, he said. There are also opportunities to test out other materials and learn whether they improve performance, he said, such as substituting tin for lead. Ted Sargent, a nanotechnology researcher and professor at University of Toronto who is familiar with the study, said, The results indicate significant promise for perovskite nanomaterials in lasing. Also, he said, the stability of the nanolasers, which were shown to operate in air for more than an hour, was impressive. Yang said, This field is rapidly evolving. We just jumped into this field only 12 months ago, and these lasers are already amazing, bright emitters. Its just so exciting. The work was supported by the DOE Office of Science, the Camille and Henry Dreyfus Foundation, and Suzhou Industrial Park. DOE Office of Science support came partly through the Joint Center for Artificial Photosynthesis, a DOE Energy Innovation Hub led by the California Institute of Technology in partnership with Berkeley Lab. Towards the end of last year, Vhi HomeCare reached a significant milestone. The service, which was established in 2010, treated its 5,000th patient admission at the end of November 2015. Since its establishment, Vhi HomeCare has been growing year-on-year. Originally the service ran on a pilot basis and was linked with St Vincents University Hospital and Beaumont Hospital. The areas originally covered included Dublin, Wicklow, and parts of Louth, Meath and Kildare. The service, which was extended to all parts of Meath and Kildare in 2013, now covers most of the East Coast, running from Dundalk in the North to Gorey in the South. This increase in geographical reach is matched by a commensurate rise in numbers treated. In its first year of operation, 450 patients were treated by Vhi HomeCare; in 2015 this number had more than doubled to 944. The growth of the service is a testament to the benefits that it brings to both patients and the health service in general, according to Vhi Medical Director, Dr Bernadette Carr. The true benefit for patients of any hospital-in-the-home service is being able to get the same treatment when they leave hospital without compromising on quality or safety, added Dr Carr. The aim of the consultant-led team at Vhi HomeCare is to provide customers with access to high quality care delivered in the comfort of their home, where previously hospital admission was the only option. Also, the health system stands to benefit because the programme allows the pool of acute hospital beds to be utilised more efficiently to treat patients who cannot be treated at home (or who need to stay in hospital). Ongoing bed crisis In this way, Vhi HomeCare is also contributing towards a viable solution to the ongoing bed crisis in the hospital system. A key feature of the service is its accessibility, which is done by referral through a GP or consultant. One of the reasons why Vhi HomeCare has expanded throughout the East Coast was that consultants from other regions wanted to refer their patients onto the service. Vhi HomeCare was established along the lines of hospital-in-the-home services that were running in Australia and the US. What sets Vhis service apart from many other models is the fact that it is consultant-led. This offers a number of advantages; the first being that it ensures the service has strict clinical governance. The second is that it provides staff with a clinical specialist who is available to them to discuss patients at any stage. In total 75 people are employed by the service, the majority of whom are clinical and are overseen by the services Clinical Director, consultant respiratory physician, Prof Gerry McElvaney. Weekly clinical meetings, similar to hospital ward rounds, occur to determine the best course of treatment for all patients using the service. Due to the reputation the service has already acquired, Vhi has experienced no difficulty in recruiting doctors and nurses for the programme. Referrals for potential new treatments provided by Vhi HomeCare often come from hospital consultants themselves, who believe that it is more appropriate to treat certain cohorts of patients at home rather than in a hospital setting. Similar to the manner in which the service has extended geographically, the procedures offered by Vhi HomeCare have also widely expanded since it was established. The service began by providing intravenous (IV) antibiotic treatment for patients with pneumonia, cellulitis and urinary tract infections and also for patients who required anticoagulation therapy. From the outset, Vhi HomeCare was committed to examining and expanding the services it offered. The list of treatments was extended in 2011, and included patients who required Negative Pressure Therapy and also patients who required stoma and drain care. The range of conditions treated by IV antibiotics, which is the most common treatment provided, also expanded and now includes: endocarditis; osteomyelitis; septic arthritis; kidney abscess; and diverticulitis. Another important treatment offered by the service is the provision of Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPN) for cancer patients, and also for those with gastrointestinal issues. Positive response The response of patients to the hospital-in-the-home service has been extremely positive. A survey conducted by Vhi of patients who have used the service revealed that 99 per cent would recommend the service and 85 per cent would prefer to use Vhi HomeCare rather than being treated in hospital where it is appropriate. Comments received from these patients have stressed the convenience of getting treated at home rather than in a hospital and noted the high quality of services provided. The service is also greatly appreciated by the families of the patients. It is not just about the patients experience, it is about the familys experience, said Dr Carr. All of us at some stage will have a family member in hospital. Having to try to get in and visit, find parking etc. Everything else is very tough and time consuming, whereas going to visit your father, mother, brother or sister in their own home to see how they are progressing is an awful lot easier, and more pleasant for everybody involved. The service we provide helps improve the family experience. And we get positive feedback on that as well. It should be highlighted that Vhi HomeCare is a service suitable for patients of various ages. Of the patients currently using the service, five per cent are under 30 years of age; 18 per cent are 31-51 years; 37 per cent are 51-70 years; and 38 per cent are over the age of 70. As well as the benefits it brings for patients, Vhi HomeCare is also of great value to the health service. As healthcare, in particular acute hospital care, gets more expensive, the need to find cost effective alternatives that do not compromise the quality and safety of patients treatment becomes more pressing. Also, with the increasing burden being placed on the acute system, hospital beds are at a premium. The continuing problem of delayed discharges, which is manifested in emergency department crowding and longer waiting lists, shows the substantial weight of this burden. The ability of Vhi HomeCare, which is in regular contact with hospital bed managers, to treat patients out of hospital becomes extremely important given this context. Since it was established in 2010, the service has saved 65,000 hospital bed days and cost savings associated with those bed days are in the region of 27 million. At a time of heightened scrutiny of healthcare costs, these savings are a significant achievement. Chronic disease management is another area that in recent years has been getting greater attention from healthcare managers and clinicians. Vhi HomeCare believes it is in a strong position to provide treatment for people suffering from chronic diseases, such as those suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma. This approach would involve appointing a nurse to take on these patients and to deal with them face-to-face and over the phone to support and educate them to avoid re-admission to hospital. Another priority for 2016 is receiving JCI [Joint Commission International] re-accreditation. Vhi HomeCare received the accreditation, which takes place every three years, for their service in 2013. The accreditation is very important to the programme because it is an external validation of the quality of services provided by Vhi HomeCare from an internationally recognised healthcare body. Another company, Health Care Informed, is employed to provide monthly quality and safety reports to Vhi to ensure the high standard of services are maintained. Over the last five years, the service has become an increasingly recognised part of the healthcare landscape. In 2015, Vhi HomeCare was selected as a training facility for student nurses attending The University of Dublin, Trinity College, Dublin. Changes in the nursing curriculum and an increase in the number of community nursing weeks on the BSc General Nursing and BSc Adult and Paediatric Nursing degree courses prompted Trinity College to partner with Vhi HomeCare to enable students to receive preceptorship and gain valuable work experience. More than 40 Vhi HomeCare nurses have completed the preceptorship programme at Trinity College, which enables them to precept and educate the students in line with the stringent requirements of Trinity College and the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland. This programme has identified and agreed specific learning outcomes and students gain hands-on experience attending patients in the company of experienced nurses, nurse managers and doctors as well as attending clinical meetings and receiving in-service education. The placement is particularly beneficial for the students as they have 100 per cent one-to-one time with their preceptor. Also, Vhi HomeCare nurses have welcomed the programme as working with students is something they miss since leaving the hospital system. The programme, which initially started as a pilot scheme with four students per month, has now grown to a capacity of 10 students at any time. As to the future, Dr Carr would like to see further development and expansion of the service, both in terms of patients treated and the range of treatments that are available. For the team working in Vhi HomeCare, treating 5,000 patients is an enormous achievement, and we now want to concentrate on developing the service over the coming years and building on the foundations that have been laid, said Dr Carr. The Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) was part of a successful consortium that submitted a bid under the EU-funded Health Systems Strengthening (HSS) programme, which ran a tender process for the provision of technical assistance to the Ministry of Health of Zambia and the Zambia Medicines Regulatory Authority (ZAMRA), IMT has established. A spokesperson for the Irish regulator said: The HPRA will be involved in providing regulatory support and capacity building for ZAMRA. Work is expected to commence in quarter two 2016. The HPRA made a joint submission with PM Consulting last year to advise on progressing medicines regulation in Zambia, which was reviewed by the authorities in the southern Africa country. Meanwhile, HPRA has appointed former Director of Human Products Authorisation, Lorraine Nolan, as the new Chief Executive, taking over from Pat OMahony, who took up the position of Deputy Secretary at the Department of Health in September. Nolan, who previously oversaw the evaluation and authorisation of medicines and medical devices for the Irish market, takes up office with immediate effect, assuming responsibility for the management of the HPRA while leading the organisation nationally and internationally in its ambition to protect and enhance human and animal health. Nolan has extensive experience of the public health sector, the health product sector and the regulatory landscape as she has held a number of senior positions within the HPRA spanning the pharmaceutical assessment, products distribution and controlled drugs departments. Prior to joining the HPRA in 2001, she was Controlled Drugs Manager with the Department of Health and a Forensic Scientist with the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform. Also, the appointment of former banker Ann Horan, who is CEO of the Dublin City University Ryan Academy for Entrepreneurship, as Chairman of the Board of the HPRA has been ratified by the Joint Oireachtas Health Committee. A former member on the Board of the regulatory authority for human and veterinary medicines, clinical trials, controlled drugs, medical devices and cosmetics in Ireland, Horan takes over from engineering consultant Michael Hayes following the completion of his five-year term. Two other members, Prof Caitriona ODriscoll first Professor of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, University College Cork since 2003 and currently Acting Head of the School and Prof Mary Horgan Associate Professor of Medicine and Director of the Graduate Entry Program, School of Medicine, UCC were reappointed to the Board for a further term. The Minister for Health will make appointments to the remaining two vacancies on the Board following the selection process facilitated by the Public Appointments Service. lloyd.mudiwa@imt.ie This years RCSI Charter Day Meeting, which ran from February 11-13, was to culminate with the conferring of an Honorary Fellowship of the College to the President of Ireland Michael D Higgins, the President of the College Mr Declan J Magee revealed. Some previous Presidents of Ireland Sean T OCeallaig (OKelly) (1958), Eamon De Valera (1964), Cearbhall ODalaigh (1975), Patrick John Hillery (1977), Mary Robinson (1994), and Mary McAleese (1998) have been granted the honour. The Meeting also sought to tackle hospital waiting lists, kicking off with a dedicated symposium, on Unravelling the Chaos: Re-engineering Hospitals to Enhance Patient Flow. Mr Magee said there would also be the 26th Annual Videosurgery Meeting, presented once more by Prof Tom Walsh, and the 10th Intercollegiate Case Presentations. Vice Admiral Mark Mellett, Chief of Staff, Oglaigh na hEireann, Defence Forces Ireland, was to deliver the Johnson & Johnson Lecture, Leadership Challenges in a Complex World, and Mr Magee gave his Presidents Address in which he was to update RCSI Fellows and Members in the areas of surgical training, education and practice as well as highlighting some of the achievements of the College over the past year. The main session of the meeting, entitled Supporting Surgeons, looked at the current environment of practice and the associated challenges and stresses, and explored how the RCSI College could best serve its Fellows and Members, when needed. Prof Michael Griffin, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, was to be conferred with a Honorary Fellowship followed by his Abraham Colles Lecture, entitled, Talking to Cancer Patients. On February 13, the Irish Higher Surgical Training Group hosted their Annual Meeting under a programme entitled, Challenges of Run-Through Training, and Miss Zenia Moore, Consultant Vascular Surgeon, St Jamess Hospital, Dublin, will deliver the Bosco OMahony Lecture, Mentors in Surgery. lloyd.mudiwa@imt.ie Liz Truss's One Word Tweet from 2018 Perfectly Sums Up Political Turmoil in UK Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter for all the latest entertainment news and reviews Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the IndyArts email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} This year, as the eyes of the world turn to Brazil lapping up its food, music, natural beauty and, of course, the sporting extravaganza of the Olympic Games you need only dip into the country's literature to experience an altogether different narrative. Brazilian fiction is riding the crest of a wave, which came crashing on to the international scene after a spot as Guest of Honour at the 2013 Frankfurt Book Fair, the world's largest and most influential trade fair for books. Fresh translations of classic authors have followed in quick succession, as well as striking emergent voices from the generation born after the military dictatorship came to an end in the mid-1980s. No longer need our knowledge of Brazilian writing be limited to the publishing phenomenon Paulo Coelho whose most famous novel, The Alchemist, holds the Guinness world record for being the most widely translated book by a living author. Latin American fiction in general is more popular now than ever, partly because of the adventurous and experimental influence of writers such as the Argentinian Cesar Aira and the Chilean Roberto Bolano, and partly because there is so much that still needs to be written about in Latin America. Subjection, violence and repression on the basis of gender, class, race and politics are so inescapable in the region that its writers, should they choose to, have rich material to draw on. (Take, for example, Bolano's international bestseller, 2666, set partly in Ciudad Juarez on the Mexico-US border, in which the authorities demonstrate a staggering indifference to hundreds of rapes and murders, all of poor women from the factories.) I've seen so much urgent and exciting writing break out of the region in recent years that it's no surprise that the press I run, And Other Stories, has a list heavily weighted towards Latin American writers; nor is it surprising that other publishers, among them the independent presses New Directions, Coffee House, Open Letter and Deep Vellum, also have strengths in Latin American writing. There really is more than enough to go around. And though this new-found optimism has begun to falter in Brazil itself in recession and with politics and industry mired in corruption scandals this is, in itself, grist for the literary mill. But one writer you might not expect to burst on to the scene is Raduan Nassar, a recluse who hasn't published a thing in 30 years. And yet his novels now being published in English for the first time offer a deep insight into the turmoil of a society riven with divisions of race, class and gender. Nassar's own story is something of an enigma. After publishing two works in the 1970s that revolutionised Brazilian literature, he stopped writing in 1984. He distanced himself from literary coteries and conversations, left the city of Sao Paulo, and became a farmer. But over the 30-odd years since he withdrew from public life, his fame has continued to grow. Now, he may well be the most highly acclaimed living writer in Brazil. And yet apart from one in-depth interview in 1996, he has refused all approaches from the press and, until now, escaped English attention. Scratch the surface: Brazilian fiction is increasingly concerned with exposing society in all its vibrant tensions (Getty) When he turned 80 in November last year, Nassar unplugged his phone. When a Brazilian reporter had called him days earlier, asking for an interview, he had refused, laughing: I have many defects in my character, but not this one, at least so I think I'm not a show-off. Though a colloquium was held in his honour at the University of Sao Paulo to celebrate the occasion, he refused to go. Nor is his resistance to public acclaim new: his 1975 debut indeed, only full-length novel, Ancient Tillage, was only published in the first place after a copy was sent to a publisher without his permission. Yet Nassar's writing couldn't be kept quiet. After conquering the critics, the Brazilian public gradually discovered his work. After films were made of both the novel and his novella A Cup of Rage, a much wider readership was secured. And though, over the years, the author has resisted translations of his works, he is now being published by Penguin, as only the third ever Brazilian novelist to enter their Modern Classics list, joining the ranks of George Orwell and Marcel Proust. As a mark of the books' growing status, there are new Spanish translations by the Mexican writer of Down the Rabbit Hole, Juan Pablo Villalobos. French, German and Italian editions already exist, published by leading publishing houses. So if he wished to, Nassar would certainly have plenty to celebrate. And if he won't celebrate, others will. Nassar's taboo-breaking treatment of sex and his frank depictions of violence, and especially that directed at women, mines the same seam as Bolano and many other great Latin American writers. In the only interview we have to hold on to, given two decades ago this year, Nassar makes clear the impact that witnessing brutality had on him: I was seven or eight years old and was up in an orange tree at the bottom of our back yard, when I heard the screams of a woman who was being thrashed from the neighbour's yard [] I could hear the crack of the whip, but I couldn't see anything [] The fact that I could neither see the scene, nor identify the people, must have traumatised me profoundly. There were just the screams and the whipping. Five of the best Brazilian writers, past and present Show all 5 1 /5 Five of the best Brazilian writers, past and present Five of the best Brazilian writers, past and present Clarice Lispector Complete Stories (translated by Katrina Dodson) Clarice Lispectors stories have now, finally, been collected in English, so that we can read all the major works that have made her a legend in Brazil. The stories bring out the heat and passion of everyday characters and everyday lives, including teenagers becoming aware of their sexual and artistic powers, middle-class women with the daily concerns of home and love (or lack thereof), animals, and children. Lispector was born in 1920 into a Jewish family in the Ukraine and brought to Brazil as a child, when her family fled the pogroms. The author of varied and dazzling works, it is perhaps for her stories, such as Love and Family Ties, she is most adored. Five of the best Brazilian writers, past and present Paulo Scott, Nowhere People (translated by Daniel Hahn) Driving home through Sao Paulo one night, Paulo, a well-heeled law student and democracy activist, passes a figure at the side of the road. A n indigenous, Guarani Indian girl stands in the heavy rain. When Paulo elects to give her a lift to her familys roadside camp, their fleeting encounter will have far-reaching repercussions. Scott conjures a society riven with race and class divisions, still seething with anger at the now fading hopes raised during the countys awkward transition to democracy Five of the best Brazilian writers, past and present Tatiana Salem Levy, The House in Smyrna (translated by Alison Entrekin) A light-footed and subtle novel that doesnt skirt lifes sorrows (love gone wrong, disease, death). The protagonist, who suffers from a mysterious and debilitating illness, is the granddaughter of a Sephardic Jew who left Turkey for Brazil. When her dying grandfather gives her the key to his house in the ancient city of Smyrna, Turkey, she sets out on a quest, retracing her familys history across continents and reviving with every step. Five of the best Brazilian writers, past and present Michel Laub, Diary of the Fall (translated by Margaret Jull Costa) The narrator of Diary of the Fall is marked by his complicity in a childhood prank at his Jewish private school which left the schools only Catholic boy badly injured. Meanwhile, his father wrestles with his own memory as it is unpicked by A lzheimers, and his grandfather, an Auschwitz survivor, spends his final years jotting down fictionalized memories, so determined is he to forget the reality. Notable for the restrained power of its short paragraphs, this novel tackles guilt, class and racism in a fresh and moving way. Five of the best Brazilian writers, past and present Milton Hatoum, The Brothers (translated by John Gledson) Set in a Lebanese immigrant community in the A mazonian city of Manaus, The Brothers is the story of the identical twins Yaqub and Omar, their mutual jealousies and their familys disintegration. It conjures up the sights, sounds and smells of the Amazon as well as the experience of a Lebanese family in a setting very different to the one in Raduan Nassars Ancient Tillage, but one equally prone to strong passions. Hatoums novel was, in fact, first read by Nassar, who was a mentor to Hatoum years before the novel appeared. Nassar's writing is powerful partly because it does not carry moral judgements but rather lived experiences, voiced by narrators who are not always nice people. They offer glimpses into dark forces that exist within every society. His narrators are swept up in dangerous ecstasies, their moral scruples utterly forgotten. Asked about this, he said: I think one of the preconditions of our supposed freedom is being on friendly terms with the devil. I couldn't imagine leaving him out when writing. In 1978, Nassar's fiery and erotically charged novella A Cup of Rage appeared. An older, chauvinist farmer tells of the furious argument that engulfs him and his younger, urban, feminist girlfriend after she spends the night on his farm. Neither character comes out of it well. Nassar gives us the painful glibness of the middle-class woman's liberal posturing as well as an egotistical male, whose mouth runs away from him into bombast and ravings, and whose violence is triggered by something no bigger than leaf-cutter ants: I wanted silence, since I was enjoying letting my eyes linger on the fresh leaves of the mulberry trees, which stood out in the landscape because of their brazen greenness (beautiful as anything!), but my eyes were suddenly led, and when these things happen you never really know what devil's at work, and, in spite of the mist, I see this: a gap in my hedge From this moment, the terrible gender and class chasm that opens up between the two characters carries an electric buzz. A palpable threat of violence is in the air. Their fury speaks more widely to the ugly inequalities in Brazilian society, though of course such injustices are present in our own, too. The writing has the sheer unstoppable force of a child's temper tantrum, and only on a second read or as an editor or translator do you see the intricate patterns and repetitions that combine to produce this crushing emotional onslaught. He plays fast and loose with standard syntax and punctuation to convey the turmoil and onward rush of his characters. Most of his pages-spanning chapters in A Cup of Rage are a single long, evocative sentence. After the languidly drawn-out chapter The Shower slowly unwinds its string of progressive verbs pulling rubbing massaging scratching there is a shift, as the scene approaches the satisfaction of its conclusion, to a more direct past tense: I only know that I delivered myself absolutely into her hands. As I translated the book, I loved the freedom of Nassar's word choices, too. He occasionally makes words up, and mixes colloquial speech with high-flown phrases. When I asked well-read Brazilians they confirmed the individuality of his choices. On one occasion, for example, Nassar has the girlfriend say to the narrator: It's unbelievable how you are mirrorizing, the addition of a stuffy suffix suggesting some kind of regurgitated psychobabble. Ancient Tillage has a story no less highly charged, this time told in a more lyrical prose with Biblical overtones. The narrator, Andre, is a prodigal son who has fled his family's farm for the city in rebellion against his strict, religious father. Andre is also running from his love for his sister. Although set on the farm of an immigrant Lebanese family in Brazil (Nassar's own parents arrived in Brazil from the Lebanon in 1920, 15 years before his birth), the novel has a Mediterranean ambience a pre-modern atmosphere in which classical myth, Greek tragedy, New Testament Galilee and European and Arab cultures rub up against each other. It is the fruit both of the author's breadth of reference and of his interest in the intermingling of cultures that he saw on his own doorstep. At Andre's coming-home party, we see a Biblical parable and a Greek myth. A circle of dancers forms as his elderly uncle, like Pan, the ancient god of drunken ruts and debauchery, took his flute from his pocket, a delicate stem, in his heavy hands and began to blow into it like a bird, his cheeks inflating like those of a child, and his cheeks swelled so much, got so puffy and flushed, it seemed all his wine would flow from his ears, as if from a tap. The intensity of Nassar's writing and its fusion of the erotic, natural and mystical have led to comparisons with DH Lawrence, while his untamed language reminds us of his fellow Brazilian Clarice Lispector, who, nearly 40 years after her death in 1977, has recently won the adoration of English readers and, to my delight, featured prominently on almost every Book of the Year list last year. Someone also suggested that A Cup of Rage has echoes of James Joyce's Ulysses, but Nassar claims to have little time for the literary canon. It's worse to kneel down before a work of art than to deface it, he once commented: It's obscene to raise some so-called great individuals so high that the common man is reduced to the size of an insect. Nassar's scepticism about idols came, he says, when, as a 19-year-old, he read the work of the philosopher Francis Bacon; reverence for idols, said Bacon, can hinder the progress of knowledge. But it's also probable that Nassar's small-town rural upbringing and his left-wing student days in the late 1950s and early 1960s also increased his distaste for elites and hierarchies. His desire for work that was physical, agrarian and less solitary was there all along. In 1965 he set himself up as a rabbit farmer only to close the operation down just a couple of years later in order to set up a newspaper with his siblings. He was editor for almost a decade, positioning the paper as a thorn in the side of the dictatorship. It was during this time he started to write fiction, too, and when he left the newspaper in 1974 he dedicated himself to it entirely. But then, in the 1980s, he just stopped seemingly for good. Why, remains a mystery. In the 1996 interview he suggests that he was fed up with writers' narcissistic need for applause. He decided to redirect his energies into full-time farming. Whatever his reasons, when Nassar dedicated himself to his new venture he went all in, buying 640 hectares of beautiful, lush land, including eight lakes and 80 hectares of virgin forest, three hours' drive from the clamour of Sao Paulo. He kept the forest and developed the rest into a thriving farm with four silos and fields of wheat, maize, beans, soy and oats. Ten people worked on the farm. Today, my life is all doing, he said. Although it has this in common with literature: I don't know why I'm doing it. So I keep on doing, doing, doing. (Which makes you wonder if or, hope that the doing of literature may have continued all along, away from the prying eyes of hungry publishers?) Now, in another surprise twist to the tale, Nassar has donated his farm to a university, allowing it to set up a campus for agricultural studies on the land. He continues to live in the country much of the time, although he also has a small flat in Sao Paulo. He is not a recluse like JD Salinger or Thomas Pynchon. He has nothing against visitors. When in Sao Paulo, he sometimes welcomes individual visitors, including wandering translators like me. He is happy to talk. He smokes as he talks. His eyes gleam mischievously and his smile is disarming, often broad, at times breaking into laughter. He makes it clear that he hasn't kept up with all the new writing and would prefer to talk about things other than literature. But when our conversation turns to his books, he stresses that for him the most important thing about them was the pleasure he had in their writing, rather than in their critical success. And yet, though he would never say so, it's clear that he takes pride in his work, as he should but, apparently, without feeling the slightest need to write one sentence more. Two new translations of the work of Raduan Nassar, by Stefan Tobler and Karen Sherwood Sotelino, are available now in Penguin Modern Classics Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter for all the latest entertainment news and reviews Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the IndyArts email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} It's not easy being young in 2016. If sky-high university debt and the rare chance of getting on the housing ladder weren't enough, BBC3 has now stopped broadcasting on TV. The youth channel went digital-only as of yesterday, leaving us millennials to watch our favourite BBC3 programmes on bbc.co.uk/bbcthree. Now in its third series, Cuckoo is one of the first shows to get the online-only treatment. The Bafta-nominated comedy returns with its familiar cast featuring Twilight star Taylor Lautner, Inbetweeners actor Greg Davies and Cold Feet actress Helen Baxendale, aka Emily from Friends. You may also recognise actor Matt Lacey from the viral I'm on a Gap Yah YouTube video a good sign for a channel making the first move into digital if ever there was one. It is hard to describe Cuckoo as anything but wildly offbeat while comfortingly British at the same time. A bizarre kung fu sequence in Shanghai is followed by an exterior scene of your average Seventies semi in Lichfield, Staffordshire. Even seeing Twilight megastar Taylor Lautner hanging out in the West Midlands cathedral city seems pretty incongruous. But that is part of Cuckoo's charm. Ever since daughter Rachel returned from her gap year married to Cuckoo, an eccentric American hippie, the Thompson family haven't seemed fazed. Now that she's in love with Cuckoo's apparent long-lost son, Dale (Lautner), her parents are ever-hopeful the relationship will work out, despite Dale in effect being her step-grandson. In the age of the blended family, this is nothing to be surprised about. In the latest episode, parents Lorna and Chief Ken welcome the birth of their third child conceived by accident after Ken lied about having a vasectomy. The 20-year age gap between the newborn and their older two children doesn't seem to concern anyone either. This modern-era comedy seems the perfect fit for the digital age. I imagine fans will continue to enjoy watching the series online. I only worry that up-and-coming talent will fail to flourish in BBC3's newfound format. Sign up to the Independent Climate email for the latest advice on saving the planet Get our free Climate email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Independent Climate email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Hundreds of swimmers in Brazil are being warned to stay out of the water following a spate of attacks by shoals of deadly piranha, which has left more than 50 people injured in just over a month. Recommended Read more Watch a school of piranhas make chunks of meat disappear in seconds Unsuspecting tourists have had chunks of flesh bitten out of their hands and feet as drought conditions in the South American country force the lethal predators to migrate from their natural habitat to deeper waters packed with holidaymakers. This week at least eight bathers were bitten by the man-eaters, known as white bitches, the 6in-long species blamed for the attacks, on beaches in Palmas, in Tocantins State, north-east Brazil. Three children were among the casualties as people took to the waters to cool off during the hot holiday weekend. A four-year-old boy had a chunk taken out of his heel. Veraluci Milhomems toe was bitten on the same day. I felt a stab of pain in my foot and started screaming, said the 55-year-old administrative assistant. My friends dragged me out of the water before anything else could happen. Also in the north-east in the last 10 days, 25 people reported vicious attacks scaring off swimmers in a popular stretch of the San Francisco river in the town of Pao de Acucar, in Alagoas. Among the victims was student Lucas Andre da Silva, 15, whose heel was lacerated on Sunday. I was playing in the river with friends when I felt something dig into me. I pulled my foot out of the water to see what had happened and saw a lot of blood. The bite still really hurts, he said. Recommended Read more Carnivorous piranhas found blocking sewers in Shropshire On a freshwater beach in Populina in Sao Paulo, south-east Brazil, 20 holidaymakers were injured by lone piranha. Juraci de Souza, 42, was just getting out of the Rio Grande when it happened. I was swimming to the shallower part of the river when I felt a twinge. As I came out onto the sand I saw that I was bleeding heavily from my foot, said the forklift truck driver. Thankfully Id been bitten by a bitch [piranha]. If it had been a whole school it would have been much worse, he said. According to Bruno Benhocci, a biologist at the Votuporanga University in Sao Paulo, the unusually high numbers of piranha plaguing the waterways could be linked to drought conditions in recent years which has affected food supplies. In the absence of their natural food, piranha are moving from shallow areas to deeper parts where they can find it, he said. Piranha cant detect whether a movement is made by a finger or a fish, they just bite what they can get. The predators can smell blood up to two miles away and pound for pound their sharp toothed bite is more powerful than a great white sharks and three time stronger than that of an alligator. Every year hundreds of piranha attacks are reported in South America. The most frightening in Brazil was in 2011 when a series of incidents left 100 people injured. In 2012, a five-year-old girl died after she was eaten by piranhas when her canoe capsized in the Amazon. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} When it comes to colour, most of us are on safe ground with the primaries but when asked to differentiate between the different shades of blue, for example, we might start to struggle. That doesn't mean we're colour blind, more hue illiterate, perhaps a situation not helped by the increasingly creative means paint companies employ to describe their wares anyone for Farrow and Ball's Borrowed Light? Or maybe their Dead Salmon? Never fear. If you don't know your azure from your elbow, help may be at hand in the form of a colour thesaurus developed by writer and children's book illustrator Ingrid Sundberg. Sundberg, based in Southern California, designed her definitive colour chart after working on a fantasy novel that had a vivid art subculture. She says: I was finding that words such as 'blue' or 'red' were becoming repetitive and weren't creating the specific imagery I was hoping for. I decided to collect colour names so I had a resource at my fingertips at all times. I compiled colour words from as many sources as I could find: paint chips, art stories, mineral names, catalogues, novels. I quickly found myself expanding my thesaurus past clinical descriptions such as 'mauve' to colour words that were more evocative and tactile. So you want to be a bit poetic when describing the yolk of that egg you've rustled up for breakfast? Perhaps it's medallion, or dandelion, bumblebee, butterscotch or Tuscan sun. Here's looking at hue: Ingrid Sundberg (Russell Gearhart) I started to fall in love with words that could do double duty, admits Sundberg, colours you could load with metaphorical meaning and would give a reader more information than simply hue. For example, 'porcelain white' evokes stature, texture, possibly even a time period. 'Watermelon pink' makes you think of summer, sweet things, makes your mouth water. 'Chartreuse' feels sharp and bold, adds a hint of magic. My goal became to create a spectrum of words that I could endow with meaning and help add new layers to my stories. Colour in fiction is something every creative writing student has wrestled with in the hope of finding new and evocative ways to describe stuff. Curiously, though, it wasn't something that the first writers of epics worried overly much about mainly because they didn't seem to have many colours to go at. Unlike prime minister William Gladstone. When he was merely MP for the University of Oxford constituency, he began to write a book about Homer and in his researches noticed an intriguing lack of colour descriptions, especially for blue. Pondering on the wine-dark epithet so frequently attached to the sea in The Odyssey, Gladstone was puzzled that the description made no allusion to blue or green as might be expected and decided to count the mentions of colours in the Greek epic. (Obviously, business around the constituency wasn't too taxing.) What he discovered was that, while black and white were mentioned a fair few times, red only got 15 or so name-checks and blue none at all. Gladstone's work intrigued the German philosopher Lazarus Geiger who decided to apply it to other forms of ancient literature the Indian Vedas, the Aryan Avesta, the Icelandic sagas and found that blue in particular was absent, leading him to determine that humanity's notion and observation of colour had evolved considerably over the millennia. Powerful pigments: An exhibition dedicated to colour Show all 5 1 /5 Powerful pigments: An exhibition dedicated to colour Powerful pigments: An exhibition dedicated to colour 183405.bin Powerful pigments: An exhibition dedicated to colour 183401.bin Powerful pigments: An exhibition dedicated to colour 183402.bin Powerful pigments: An exhibition dedicated to colour 183403.bin Powerful pigments: An exhibition dedicated to colour 183404.bin Evolved so much that now we have innumerable variations of colour and with the result that Sundberg's thesaurus has found traction with a whole host of people. She says: I've had thank you emails from writers, artists, wedding planners, primary school teachers and designers who have found it helpful in their creative works and businesses. I've even had an astronomer contact me about how it's helped him identify different shifts in light. The response has been pretty phenomenal. That said, Sundberg likes to point out that she isn't definitively naming colours: It isn't a colour dictionary; it's a thesaurus, meant to help you find a synonym for descriptive purposes. She likes to quote Dr Mazviita Chirimuuta of the University of Pittsburgh, who says: Colour hovers easily between the subjective world of sensation and the objective world of fact. And adds: Personally, I'm interested in the world of sensation. Every human eye will interpret a hue differently, and every computer monitor is calibrated differently as well. Thus the thesaurus is meant to be a writing tool and not an end-all-be-all dictionary. I've used some words twice (such as rose or wine) because they can be different hues. Other colours are open to interpretation. When I say 'salmon', do I mean the cooked pink of Atlantic salmon, or the orange of fresh sushi salmon, or the darker smoked red of Pacific salmon? Context in your writing is everything. Which really leaves only one unanswered question: what exactly is the colour of Sundberg's hair? Fuchsia? Magenta? Hot pink? I'll go for Bubblegum. Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Lifestyle Edit email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Zika has been found in babies with a form of brain damage known as microcephaly, in the latest piece of evidence which suggests a link between the virus and the condition which makes heads appear shrunken. Brazilian scientists have found the virus active in the brains of two babies who died 48 hours after being born, BBC News reported. The World Health Organisation recently declared a global emergency over Zika, due to suspected connections between the otherwise relatively mild fever and newborns with microcephaly in Central and South American countries. The Zika virus - in pictures Show all 5 1 /5 The Zika virus - in pictures The Zika virus - in pictures A three-month-old, who has microcephaly, in Recife, Brazil. A rise in microcephaly cases is thought to have been caused by the spread of the Zika virus in affected countries Getty Images The Zika virus - in pictures A mother holds her baby who has microcephaly Getty Images The Zika virus - in pictures A five-month-old baby, who has microcephaly, in Recife, Brazil Getty Images The Zika virus - in pictures A pediatric infectologist examines a two-month-old baby, who has microcephaly, in Recife, Brazil Getty Images The Zika virus - in pictures A baby affected with microcephaly Researchers are now racing to confirm the link, as well as find a vaccine and cure for Zika. In Brazil, the worst affected nation, around 460 cases of microcephaly have been recorded among a further 3,850 suspected cases since late 2015. The scientists at the PUC-Parana University made their findings after monitoring the pregnancies of 10 women in the north-eastern state of Paraiba. "We have detected its presence in the brain tissue," Lucia Noronha, a pathologist from the Brazilian Society of Pathology and who is part of the team at the PUC-Parana University, told AFP. "The Zika virus caused brain damage and that reinforces evidence of a relationship between Zika and microcephaly," she said. The findings come after Argentinian doctors sparked controversy by claiming that larvicide used in drinking water which targets the Zika-carrying Aedes aegypti mosquito had caused microcephaly. Brazilian health officials dismissed the claims that pyriproxyfen was behind the spike in microcephaly, after one state stopped using the chemical in light of the report, according to The Telegraph. Its important to state that some localities that do not use pyriproxyfen also had reported cases of microcephaly, the government said in a statement. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} How low do you reckon mortgages rates can go? You can already get a two-year fixed deal at less than 1.5 per cent, which is pretty unheard off in home loan terms. But one respected mortgage expert reckons theres room for even lower rates. Ray Boulger of the independent mortgage consultant John Charcol believes that falling gilt yields could result in a drop in fixed-rate mortgage pricing. Whats the connection between gilt yields and fixed-rate mortgages? Gilts or government bonds are effectively IOUs issued by the Government. It uses them to raise cash to pay for its borrowings. Still with me? Gilt yields are, in short, the rate of interest paid on the bonds. The rate in turn affects so-called swap rates basically the cost of getting fixed-term funding on the money markets for lenders. And lenders use that fixed-term funding to be able to offer fixed-rate mortgages to consumers. So if gilt yields fall, swap rates will fall, meaning it will be cheaper for lenders to get funding, which should, in theory, lead to cheaper loans for us all. Thats the theory, but whats actually happened recently? Last Thursday, the UK 10-year benchmark gilt yield fell to an all-time low of 1.3 per cent, slightly below the previous lowest ever level, touched early last year. Meanwhile, the five-year gilt yield fell to 0.67 per cent and the two-year to 0.3 per cent. There followed some recovery in prices at the beginning of this week but the fact remains that the yield on both five- and 10-year gilts has still fallen by nearly 40 basis points in the past month. Yields have fallen so fast that mortgage lenders are now well behind the curve with their fixed-rate pricing, leaving scope for some significant rate cuts on fixed rates, Mr Boulger said. But that doesnt necessarily mean were set for a further period of ultra-low rates. Although this is good news in the short term for anyone wanting a new mortgage, the rapidly increasing global problems remain a major concern and could lead to lenders reassessing their appetite to lend in the medium term, he warned. In other words, borrowers should act fast to lock in the lower rates while theyre being offered. Mark Harris of the mortgage broker SPF Private Clients also expects there to be further falls in mortgage deals. Rates are extremely competitive but with swaps at such low levels we expect that they may fall further still, he said. There is one lender offering a sub-2 per cent five-year fix, for example, but we expect more of these in coming days and weeks to reflect such cheap money available to lenders. Would borrowers be better off biding their time and waiting for a better rate to come along? Is it really worth the gamble? asked Mr Harris. Mortgage rates are already historically cheap so if you secure one now, you are unlikely to regret it. Has there been any reaction from lenders yet? Yes, said David Hollingworth of the independent mortgage broker L&C Mortgages. Fixed rates are already extremely low but we are starting to see movement, even at the sharp end, he reported. He pointed out that First Direct has launched some new rates including a leading fee-free 10-year fixed rate at 2.89 per cent for those with 40 per cent equity in their home. It pips a TSB deal with the same rate but a fee of 995, which launched on 5 February. Perhaps more significantly First Direct has launched the lowest two-year fixed rate at 1.15 per cent, Mr Hollingworth added. The deal has a fee of 1,450 and again requires 40 per cent equity. The lowest rate previously on offer had been 1.17 per cent from Yorkshire Building Society. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Heres why the Saudis have proposed to freeze oil production. The Saudis said this morning that the Kingdom is willing to freeze production at January levels of output, alongside Russia, Qatar and Venezuela in order to support the international oil price. Freezing now at the January level is adequate for the market, we believe said Ali Al-Naimi, Saudi Arabias oil minister. We recognise today the supply is going down because of current prices. We also recognise that demand is on the rise. But whats really going on? Because the oil price has been falling like a stone and has been showing no signs of recovery The price of barrel of Brent crude is down 70 per cent since the summer of 2004 to around $33. And some analysts have forecast that it might eventually fall as low as $10 a barrel unless global supply is cut back. Saudi has been saying that it will not cut production in response to the price falls, predicting that prices would soon bounce back to more normal levels. But prices have fallen much more than the Saudis expected and now they are starting to get seriously alarmed. Because Saudi is the worlds second largest oil producer The Kingdom has the power to influence the global price of oil by increasing or cutting back supply. It is also de facto leader of the OPEC cartel of producers. No plan by producers to cut back supply can work unless Saudi participates. Because the Saudi Arabian state is at risk of bankruptcy if the oil price falls too low Last October, when the oil price was still at $50 a barrel, the International Monetary Fund warned that Saudi was on course to run out of financial assets within only 5 years if it carried on spending at the current rate. Since then Saudi has announced some major austerity measures in response to its deterioriating finances. But the oil price has also fallen further, intensifying the fiscal pressure on the government. Because the Saudi stock market has been collapsing, driven by bankruptcy fears for its oil-industry companies Stock markets all around the world have been hit by heavy selling this year. And the biggest falls have been in Saudi stocks. Saudi wants to prop up the value of its corporate sector and the only way to do this is to stabilise the oil price. But Saudi doesnt want to halt production entirely because they still want to squeeze out US shale producers. One of the primary reasons the global oil price has collapsed is that some much additional supply has been pumped into markets by US shale oil producers. US shale production has fallen since last year, but it has not totally collapsed. The Saudis hope that the rout of the global price will ultimately drive these relatively high cost American rival producers out of business, enabling the kingdom to grab back lost market share when the price ultimately recovers. So the Kingdom wants the oil price to stabilise, but it doesnt want it to bounce back to the levels of two years ago, which incentivised the US producers to invest heavily. And the Saudis want a low oil price to hurt their Iranian rivals Western sanctions on Tehran are being lifted after last years landmark nuclear deal. And Iran now plans to start selling its oil again on the global market. Last week Iran loaded three tankers to bring its oil back to Europe for the first time since 2012. Saudi does not want the Iranians, its major regional rivals, to profit too much from their new exports, so the Kingdom wants the oil price to remain relatively weak. Thats why the oil price rose initially, but then fell back Biggest oil producers (IEA figures) Show all 10 1 /10 Biggest oil producers (IEA figures) Biggest oil producers (IEA figures) 1. USA (12.35 million barrels per day) Getty Biggest oil producers (IEA figures) 2. Russia (10.95 million barrels per day) Getty Biggest oil producers (IEA figures) 3. Saudi Arabia (9.51 million barrels per day) Getty Biggest oil producers (IEA figures) 4. (4.21 million barrels per day) Rex Biggest oil producers (IEA figures) 5. China (4.13 million barrels per day) Getty Biggest oil producers (IEA figures) 6. Iraq (3.38 million barrels per day) Getty Biggest oil producers (IEA figures) 7. Iran (2.76 million barrels per day) Getty Biggest oil producers (IEA figures) 8. UAE (2.71 million barrels per day) Getty Biggest oil producers (IEA figures) 9. Kuwait (2.66 million barrels per day) Getty Biggest oil producers (IEA figures) 10. Mexico (2.64 million barrels per day) Getty Traders bought oil when rumours of a major Saudi move leaked out. But many sold again when it became clear the Kingdom was not going further and ordering a total production shutdown. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Whats happened to the price of oil? The price of a barrel of brent crude oil rose as much as 6 per cent on Tuesday ahead of a meeting between oil producing nations. Investors anticipated that Saudi Arabia and Russia might cut oil production at the meeting in Doha, to try and stop the oil price from falling further. Brent crude rose to $35.55 ahead of the meeting as investors were hopeful that oil producers might turn the taps off, pushing prices higher. But they slipped back as soon as a deal to freeze production at January levels was announced. Why did it fall when the deal was announced? The oil price slid around 3 per cent on the announcement. Thats because the agreement stopped short of cutting production. Many countries are already pumping at maximum capacity so freezing production at these levels may have little effect on prices. Why are Saudi Arabia and Russia looking at cutting oil production? Oil producing countries are under pressure to turn off supply to stop the oil price from continuing its dramatic fall of over 70 per cent in the last 18 months. Low oil prices are considered to be a good thing for the global economy, because they lower the price of producing and exporting goods. But they can put considerable pressure on countries with oil-reliant economies. Saudi Arabia has been forced to introduce sweeping reforms to welfare including hiking domestic fuel prices 40 per cent and taxing cigarettes and sugary drinks in order to combat a growing budget deficit. The agreement with Russia is considered a desperate measure to address the situation after months of the two sides refusing outright to discuss cutting production. Biggest oil producers (IEA figures) Show all 10 1 /10 Biggest oil producers (IEA figures) Biggest oil producers (IEA figures) 1. USA (12.35 million barrels per day) Getty Biggest oil producers (IEA figures) 2. Russia (10.95 million barrels per day) Getty Biggest oil producers (IEA figures) 3. Saudi Arabia (9.51 million barrels per day) Getty Biggest oil producers (IEA figures) 4. (4.21 million barrels per day) Rex Biggest oil producers (IEA figures) 5. China (4.13 million barrels per day) Getty Biggest oil producers (IEA figures) 6. Iraq (3.38 million barrels per day) Getty Biggest oil producers (IEA figures) 7. Iran (2.76 million barrels per day) Getty Biggest oil producers (IEA figures) 8. UAE (2.71 million barrels per day) Getty Biggest oil producers (IEA figures) 9. Kuwait (2.66 million barrels per day) Getty Biggest oil producers (IEA figures) 10. Mexico (2.64 million barrels per day) Getty What will happen next? The deal is not approved until Iran and Iraq give their consent at a meeting with Venezuela on Wednesday. Analysts are sceptical that Iran will agree to production cuts because it has only just rejoined the market following the lifting of sanctions. Saudi Arabia is suspected by some analysts to be executing an elaborate bluff to try and get the oil price off the floor. With OPEC kingpin Saudi Arabia adding that it's absolutely comfortable with current prices, it looks like yet another attempt to buoy the oil price with mere rhetoric, Mike van Dulken, head of research at Accendo Markets, said. But others say Saudi Arabia is serious and would go so far as to cut production to raise prices. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Russia has agreed to freeze its production of oil following talks in Qatar aimed at tackling the global oil crisis. Tumbling oil prices have played a major role in Russias current economic crisis, with oil and gas making up more than 60 per cent of Moscows exports. The deal on Doha was agreed with three other major oil exporters Saudi Arabia, Venezuela and hosts Qatar. It has largely been brokered by the suffering South American oil giant, and comes a few weeks after the Kremlin said President Nicolas Maduro had phoned up Vladimir Putin to discuss the situation. Biggest oil producers (IEA figures) Show all 10 1 /10 Biggest oil producers (IEA figures) Biggest oil producers (IEA figures) 1. USA (12.35 million barrels per day) Getty Biggest oil producers (IEA figures) 2. Russia (10.95 million barrels per day) Getty Biggest oil producers (IEA figures) 3. Saudi Arabia (9.51 million barrels per day) Getty Biggest oil producers (IEA figures) 4. (4.21 million barrels per day) Rex Biggest oil producers (IEA figures) 5. China (4.13 million barrels per day) Getty Biggest oil producers (IEA figures) 6. Iraq (3.38 million barrels per day) Getty Biggest oil producers (IEA figures) 7. Iran (2.76 million barrels per day) Getty Biggest oil producers (IEA figures) 8. UAE (2.71 million barrels per day) Getty Biggest oil producers (IEA figures) 9. Kuwait (2.66 million barrels per day) Getty Biggest oil producers (IEA figures) 10. Mexico (2.64 million barrels per day) Getty While Venezuela has been the hardest-hit major producer, oil below $30 is a fraction of what Russia needs to balance its budget as it heads towards parliamentary elections this year. Saudi finances are also suffering badly, running a $98 billion budget deficit last year, which it seeks to trim this year. The four nations will freeze their output at January levels, which Saudi oil minister Ali Al-Naimi said would be adequate to adjust prices while still meeting the demand of customers. But with the absence of other major producers like Iran and the US, which tends to benefit from low oil prices, the slow-down in global output might not be enough to rescue Russias economy. Venezuela's oil minister, Eulogio Del Pino, said more talks were planned for Wednesday with Iraq and Iran the latter of whom has vowed to ramp up shipments since international embargoes were lifted following its nuclear deal with world powers. Nonetheless, even just the speculation about an oil freeze was enough to push oil prices up to $35.55 per barrel ahead of the Doha deal, after prices had dropped below 30 a barrel for the first time in a decade. Additional reporting by agencies For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Peter Bazalgette, best known as the television producer who brought Big Brother to Britain, has been named executive chairman of ITV, reuniting him with the man who commissioned the notorious reality show for Channel 4. Kevin Lygo, who was made ITV Director of Programmes last month, bought Big Brother for C4 from Bazalgettes company Endemol in 2000 and the shows momentous launch in 2000 led to reality television dominating British television for a decade. A decade later, Lygo dropped the show. Bazalgette, 62, who resigned last month as chair of Arts Council England, replaces Archie Norman, the former Asda boss who has overseen the turnaround of ITVs financial fortunes during six years as chairman. Recommended Read more Angie Bowie has left Celebrity Big Brother For the last three years, Bazalgette has been a non-executive director of the commercial broadcaster. ITV has gone through a remarkable resurgence during Archies chairmanship and there is still so much more that we can achieve, he said. This is an incredibly exciting time for everyone in the media sector with change happening at an unprecedented rate. The current President of the Royal Television Society, Baz has been a prominent figure in the British TV industry for 20 years, since his Bazal productions ushered in a new appetite for lifestyle programming with shows such as Ready Steady Cook, Changing Rooms and Ground Force. He began his career as a BBC News trainee (later becoming a presenter on the BBC2 current affairs show Man Alive) and has in recent years been linked with most top roles in public service broadcasting, including chief executive of Channel 4, director of programmes at ITV, and controller of BBC1. 'Big Brother' was bought and launched by Channel 4 in 2000 Andy Haste, ITVs senior independent non-executive director, said the company had gone through an extensive and rigorous process in search of its new chairman and that, among a strong field, it was very clear to us that Peter is the right person to take on the role. Bazalgettes long association with Big Brother not to mention sordid reality shows such as The Farm has given ready ammunition to critics who like to remind him of his familys long association with effluent by dint of the great engineer Sir Joseph Bazalgette, inventor of Londons Victorian sewage system. The critic Norman Lebrecht has accused him of being a cynical operator of no known values who has polluted the well of national culture. Since 2007, when he stepped down as UK chairman and group Chief Creative Officer of the Dutch-owned Endemol Group, he has focused his attentions on the high arts. Like Tony Hall, the Director-General of the BBC, he is an opera lover; Lord Hall was chief executive of the Royal Opera House when Bazalgette was at the London Coliseum as chairman of the English National Opera. Now they occupy top roles at Britains two big public broadcasters. Giving evidence to a House of Lords committee in July, Bazalgette described the under-threat BBC as Britains greatest asset after the English language and Shakespeare. Rylan on Big Brother His time as chair of Arts Council England since 2012 has not been an easy one at a time of job cuts at the organisation and financial pressures on the sector. The organisations role as an advocate for the arts has arguably been diminished by the emergence of the new Creative Industries Federation. At his November spending review, the Chancellor George Osborne was anxious to present himself as a saviour of the arts. But the better-than-expected settlement, including a slightly increased budget for the Arts Council and museums and galleries, was a victory for Bazalgettes lobbying skills and he claimed that the Government had come to understand the positive benefits the arts confer on society in terms of education, tourism, regeneration, economic impact, quality of life and Britain's brand abroad. He will remain as chairman of Arts Council England until January, the end of his four-year term, having announced last month his intention to do a few other things in the creative sector. As his new role was announced, Baz declared that TV is my first love. ITV Chief Executive Adam Crozier praised Bazalgettes huge wealth of experience in the industry and said he would help ITV grow and strengthen the business in the UK and internationally. As an outspoken boss of Endemol, Bazalgette delivered a provocative MacTaggart Lecture in 1998 at the Edinburgh Television Festival, calling for ITV companies to lose their production arms. He is now chair of an organisation that includes ITV Studios, the UKs biggest television producer and with offices throughout the world. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Boutros Boutros-Ghali, the first African Secretary-General of the United Nations, has died at the age of 93. The Egyptian, who served as the head of the UN between 1992 and 1996, passed away in hospital in Cairo. He had been admitted last week after breaking his pelvis. His death was announced by Rafael Ramirez, the Venezuelan ambassador to the UN. His country currently holds the presidency of the 15-member Security Council. A minutes silence was held before the body debated the humanitarian crisis facing Yemen, where at least half the population faces starvation as a result of the countrys civil war. Mr Boutros-Ghali was the first UN Secretary-General to organise a mass humanitarian relief effort after famine struck the Horn of Africa in the early 1990s. He was also in office at the end of first Palestinian uprising, or Intifada, against the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories. As an Arab, he won praise for his role in helping to bring the violence to a temporary end. The current Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, said that Mr Boutros-Ghali had brought formidable experience and intellectual power to the task of piloting the United Nations through one of the most tumultuous and challenging periods in its history. However, it is likely that Mr Boutros-Ghalis controversial moments will be best remembered. The Egyptians term in office coincided with the war in Yugoslavia, during which he shocked many in Sarajevo when he said that while he was not trying to play down the horrors taking place in Bosnia, that there were other conflicts in which the total dead was greater than here. One of the organisations darkest periods came when the UN was accused of being slow to react to the Rwandan genocide in 1994 as many as a million Tutsis and Houthis were killed in sectarian violence, when just three months of conflict led to the deaths of an estimated 20 per cent of the Rwandan population. It is also believed that he was eager that the US engage the Somali rebel leader Mohamed Farrah Aidid as a result of a personal feud. The resulting mission, which took place in Mogadishu in 1993, left several hundred Somalis and 18 American servicemen dead. The episode was later turned into a Hollywood film, Black Hawk Down. Mr Boutros-Ghali was initially backed, largely by the 10 African states then sitting on the Security Council, to serve a second five-year term, despite earning the nickname the pharaoh for the pace at which he tackled bureaucracy and cut jobs. The Clinton administration subsequently vetoed his re-appointment. In the mid-1990s, relations between the UN and the United States were strained, especially over demands that Washington pay the organisation more than $1bn (700m) in unpaid fees. It is believed that Bill Clinton used the veto to assuage Republican criticism of the UN under Mr Boutros-Ghali, who later admitted that disillusion set in during his years in office. Ali G interviews Boutros Boutros Ghali A Coptic Christian, Mr Boutros-Ghali was born to a wealthy Egyptian family. His grandfather, Boutros Ghali, served as Egyptian prime minister between 1908 and 1910, when he was assassinated. A lawyer educated at Cairo University and Science Po, he became a professor of international law, before later becoming a Fulbright scholar at Columbia University. His political career took off under Egyptian President Anwar Sadat, who appointed him foreign minister in 1979. He was an instrumental part of Egypts peace negotiations with Israel. Mr Boutros-Ghali was succeeded at the United Nations by another African, Kofi Annan, in 1997. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} After Boutros Boutros-Ghalis four-year term as UN Secretary General from 1992 to 1996, he went on to do a number of things. Namely, becoming Secretary General of La Francophone, work for the Hague Academy of International Law and later becoming Director of the Egyptian National Council of Human Rights until 2012. Another thing he managed to squeeze in was an interview with Staines (massive) based fictional character Ali G, portrayed by Sacha Baron Cohen. Boutros-Ghalis death was announced today by the UN Security Council. A momoent of silence was held to remember the 93-year-old a the start of a meeting on Yemens humanitarian crisis on Tuesday. The former UN Secretary General managed not to take himself too seriously during a skit for Da Ali G Show in February, 2003 and actually answered questions like Is Disneyland in the UN? and How do you spell s*** in French? Boutros-Ghali even signed off: Put down your guns and listen to Bob Marley. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Jesse Hughes, the frontman of Eagles of Death Metal who performed at the Bataclan the night of the Paris terror attacks, has called for everyone to have access to guns. The band were on stage when armed terrorists stormed the Parisian venue and killed 87 people as part of a series of co-ordinated attacks across the French Capital on 13 November. Isis later claimed responsibility for the massacre. Hughes, who is returning to Paris with the band to perform at the Olympia venue, has previously made comments advocating gun ownership and told French media outlet iTele the terror attacks have not changed his stance. When asked about gun control, Hughes, who once said he wanted to be a Republican politician, said it doesnt have anything to do with it but then asked Did your French gun control stop a single f*****g person from dying? If the answers yes Id like to hear it because I dont think so. In pictures: Paris attacks Show all 25 1 /25 In pictures: Paris attacks In pictures: Paris attacks Paris attacks French police with protective shields walk in line near the Bataclan concert hall Reuters In pictures: Paris attacks Paris attacks Rescuers evacuate an injured person on Boulevard des Filles du Calvaire AFP In pictures: Paris attacks Paris attacks French Vigipirate troops mobilize next to Place de la Bastille AFP In pictures: Paris attacks Paris attacks French soldiers mobilize near to the Place de la Bastille AFP In pictures: Paris attacks Paris attacks Wounded people are evacuated outside the scene of a hostage situation at the Bataclan theatre EPA In pictures: Paris attacks Paris attacks People react as they gather to watch the scene near the Bataclan concert hall Reuters In pictures: Paris attacks Paris attacks French police secure the area outside a cafe near the Bataclan concert hall Reuters In pictures: Paris attacks Paris attacks Rescuers workers evacuate victims near the Bataclan concert hall AFP In pictures: Paris attacks Paris attacks French Prime Minister Manuel Valls and French President Francois Hollande attending an emergency meeting at the Interior Ministry AFP In pictures: Paris attacks Paris attacks Spectators invade the pitch of the Stade de France after explosions were heard outside AP In pictures: Paris attacks Paris attacks A man lies on the ground as French police check his identity near the Bataclan concert hall Reuters In pictures: Paris attacks Paris attacks Police officers man a position close to the Bataclan theatre AFP In pictures: Paris attacks Paris attacks Wounded people are evacuated from the Stade de France in Paris EPA In pictures: Paris attacks Paris attacks Two men evacuate the Place de la Republique square in Paris as a police officer looks on AFP In pictures: Paris attacks Paris attacks Football fans are evacuated from the Stade de France stadium In pictures: Paris attacks Paris attacks An armed police officer Dan Gabriel In pictures: Paris attacks Paris attacks The Stade de France is evacuated after reports of an explosion In pictures: Paris attacks Paris attacks A member of the French fire brigade aids an injured individual near the Bataclan concert hall In pictures: Paris attacks Paris attacks Wounded people are evacuated from the Stade de France in Paris In pictures: Paris attacks Paris attacks Police are seen outside a cafe in 10th arrondissement of the French capital Paris, In pictures: Paris attacks Paris attacks Rescuers assist an injured man on Boulevard des Filles du Calvaire, close to the Bataclan concert hall AFP In pictures: Paris attacks Paris attacks The scene at a restaurant in 10th arrondissement In pictures: Paris attacks Paris attacks The Bataclan theatre - where around 100 people are thought be held hostage In pictures: Paris attacks Paris attacks The Stade de France as it was evacuated In pictures: Paris attacks Paris attacks Forensic experts inspect the site of an attack outside the Stade de France stadium in Saint-Denis AFP I think the only thing that stopped it was some of the bravest men that Ive ever seen charging head-first into the face of death with their firearms. I know people will disagree with me but it just seems that God created men and women and that night guns made it equal, and I hate it that it is that way. I think the only way that my mind has been changed is that maybe until nobody has guns everybody has to have them. Because Ive never seen anyone thats ever had one dead, and I want everyone to have access to them, and I saw people die that maybe could have lived, I dont know, he said through tears. Hughes is also a member of America's National Rifle Association and recently told the AFP news agency: I don't go anywhere in America without a gun anymore. That sucks, And I'm not paranoid. I'm not a cowboy... but I wanna be prepared. Hughes told the reporter he cant let the bad guys win and said the band feels a sacred responsibility to finish their show at the Olympia. Sign up to the Independent Climate email for the latest advice on saving the planet Get our free Climate email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Independent Climate email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Jailing the Heathrow 13 could encourage environmental activists to cause more damage in future protests, experts have warned. The non-violent protesters who disrupted flights at Heathrow Airport last summer have been told to expect jail when they are sentenced next week after being convicted at Willesden Magistrates Court. But academics fear that a custodial sentence would inspire demonstrators to cause more damage in future because it would remove the incentive to seek a trial by magistrate rather than trial by jury. Environmental protestors involved in peaceful direct action generally make sure they cause less than 5,000 damage. Beneath this threshold, they are likely to be tried by a magistrate and receive a lighter sentence than if they had been tried by a jury. But if Judge Deborah Wright jail the Heathrow 13 at their sentencing on 24 February, protestors in the future may be inclined to do what it takes to secure a jury trial. Juries are considered less likely to convict than magistrates. Its very clear that environmental activists take decisions on what they think the outcome is going to be. They dont stumble naively onto the North runway at Heathrow thinking Oh, I wonder whats going to happen when we get arrested, said Dr Graeme Hayes of Aston University who has been studying environmental protests for 25 years. Recommended Heathrow 13 facing jail sentences stand on the right side of history The Heathrow 13 are well aware of the precedent that when youre a non-violent protestor the magistrate will deal with you leniently. But if you remove that basic understanding then the activists are much more likely to say in that case we need a jury trial and then comes the risk that some activists may decide to cause more property damage. Brian Doherty, professor of political sociology at Keele University, said he agreed with the logic set out by Dr Hayes that protestors may seek a jury trial in the future, if the magistrate sends the Heathrow 13 to jail. The demonstration last July saw the activists including 68-year old atmospheric physicist Dr Rob Basto and 44-year old filmmaker Sheila Menon cut a hole in a fence and make their way onto the north runway. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Detectives investigating the mysterious death of a man whose body was discovered on a remote moorland near the site of a 1949 air crash have switched their search 3,000 miles away to Pakistan. Officers have spent more than two months trying to identify the smartly dressed man who is believed to have travelled from London to the remote Saddleworth Moor in Greater Manchester before he was found dead near the summit of peak called Indians Head on 12 December. He had nothing in his pockets but three train tickets and 130, plus a medicine bottle emblazoned with Arabic writing, containing medicine that cannot be bought in the UK. One theory being investigated by the police was that he may have been trying to make a pilgrimage back to the scene of a 67-year-old plane crash, which killed 24 people. Two young boys were among the eight people saved from the wreckage of the British European Airways Douglas DC-3 Dakota when it crashed in August 1949, although one of them later died in a second accident. But the other boy, now a 72-year-old professor, has since contacted the police. It was then thought the man could be a grandfather, Hugh Toner, who went missing 22 years ago from a hospital in Northern Ireland. Officers contacted Mr Toners family and asked them to provide DNA samples. CCTV showed the man at a train station in London the day before he was found dead Now officers have launched an international search for clues after discovering that the man had a titanium plate in his leg that was manufactured in Pakistan. They have narrowed down their search to 140,000 patients in the country who had one of the 10cm titanium plates inserted into their left femurs between 2001 and 2015. We were looking at millions of possibilities, said Detective Sergeant John Coleman, who is leading the investigation for Greater Manchester Police. But at least now we know this man is one of those patients. Officers, who are already being assisted by the National Crime Agency, are now making urgent inquiries with the British consulate and local health authorities in Pakistan in a bid to finally trace the mans identity. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Looking for a new job? There is (or at least there was, briefly) demand in North London for someone to stake out a council estate and watch the pigeons. Just don't feed the things, because that's what you would be keeping a covert eye out for in your new role as a professional witness. It was the first mention of such a job that residents of the Palmers Estate in Islington had heard, and they weren't happy. It came in a letter from the council which threatened tenants who continued to feed the pigeons with legal action and the loss of your home. Islington council have appointed a 'professional witness' to obtain video and hearsay evidence to identify culprits, the message went on. It was written by the council's quality assurance officer (let's look at what that role means another day). No further warnings will be given regarding this issue. One resident tweeted a photo of the letter. Islington [Council] issued bully tactics to residents for feeding the birds, Ryan Ross wrote. Threats of losing your home. Hiring a spy! wtf. The council swiftly hand-delivered a new letter, reassuring tenants that the first should not have been sent and that evictions would not be sought. Nor would it deploy a professional witness. But what is a professional witness? It turns out they are ideally highly (but, potentially, minimally) qualified folk who will, for a fee, keep watch with a view to becoming a reliable, independent witness in court. And they are in high demand. You can use a professional witness for anything, says David Kearns, the managing director of Expert Investigations, a Coventry-based firm that employs almost 40 investigators, all of whom can work as paid witnesses. But a lot of the work is for housing associations or councils when nobody else would be prepared to give evidence. You could have anything from noise, drugs and violence to drinking and urinating in the streets. And pigeon feeding? No, but we've done dog fouling. You don't want any sort of droppings near your home, or a children's park, says Kearns, a former police detective who hasn't looked back since setting up the business almost 14 years ago (We get to do the same work but without the bureaucracy). Sometimes a witness, all of whom in Kearns' employ have police or military backgrounds, will attend a trouble spot for a couple of hours. Other jobs are more elaborate and closer to regular private investigation work, but specifically with a view to providing a witness. I was part of an operation last year where we moved into an empty housing association property as new tenants and moved among the community, Kearns says. We also set up cameras and lived there and watched a nearby family for 10 days for evidence of drug dealing. We went to court and they pleaded guilty. Anyone can employ a professional witness. Private residents can, for example, club together to recruit someone to observe noise pollution or other antisocial behaviour. About 50 per cent of victims who fill out our survey are homeowners, says Jenny Herrera, chief executive of ASB Help, a support service for victims of anti-social behaviour. They're the ones saying, 'Where do we turn?' And generally, people could make better use of professional witnesses. But anyone can offer their services as a professional witness, with or without training (there are two-day courses which include teaching in surveillance as well as the law witnesses have authority under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000). Because it's not a regulated industry, you can't always vouch for the ethics of each individual, Kearns says. And, like in any court case, the credibility of a witness will be looked at. Islington Council did not respond in time to questions about how often it employed professional witnesses. The Local Government Association says it has no experience of dealing with them, but Kearns still claims business is good, with cash-strapped police forces and authorities struggling to tackle crime and bad behaviour on their own. As he says: If you look at how many estates have problems with drug selling, it's impossible for police to deal with them all. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} A journalist and disability campaigner has called for an apology from the very top of Air France after the airline refused to let him on board with his electric wheelchair. Gordon Aikman, who suffers from Motor Neurone Disease (MND), booked tickets with the French carrier for a honeymoon in Paris with his husband Joe Pike, but was told he could not board because they would not be able to fit the chair in the hold. He said he had spent a week trying to contact the airline using their premium rip-off phone line to find out whether they could take his wheelchair - before being rejected with a simple two-line email. The campaigner told The Independent: The way Air France have treated me is appalling. It took more than a week of me calling that rip off premium line for them to tell me oh sorry we cant take your wheelchair onboard. You know, Im paralysed by Motor Neurone Disease, my life without my electric wheelchair just isnt worth living. And you know they wouldnt stop someone at the door of the aeroplane and say oh sorry sir your legs are too big you are not going to be coming onboard. Mr Aikman said the worst part is that Air France have made no effort to resolve the situation. He said: Theyve suggested no alternatives, no refunds, no swapping to a different flight or anything like that so Ive had to book my own alternative flight. He and his husband were forced to book a flight with low-cost carrier EasyJet just two days before their honeymoon. UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 20 October 2022 Britains Prime Minister Liz Truss delivers a speech outside of 10 Downing Street in central London to announce her resignation AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 19 October 2022 Salmon leap up Stainforth Force on the River Ribble in the Yorkshire Dales as they swim upriver to their spawning grounds during the annual Salmon migration PA UK news in pictures 18 October 2022 Just Stop Oil protesters continue their protest for a second day on the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge, which links Kent and Essex and which remains closed for traffic, after it was scaled by two climbers from the group PA UK news in pictures 17 October 2022 Hundreds of students take part in the traditional Raisin Monday foam fight on St Salvator's Lower College Lawn at the University of St Andrews in Fife PA UK news in pictures 16 October 2022 A protester holds a placard during a march into central London at a demonstration by the climate change protest group Extinction Rebellion AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 15 October 2022 A member of the public drags an activist who is blocking the road during a "Just Stop Oil" protest, in London, Britain REUTERS UK news in pictures 14 October 2022 Germanys Womens double skulls during day one of the World Rowing Beach Sprint Finals at Saundersfoot beach, Pembrokeshire PA UK news in pictures 13 October 2022 Family and mourners arrive at St Michael's Church, in Creeslough, for the funeral mass of 49-year-old mother of four Martina Martin, who died following an explosion at the Applegreen service station in the village of Creeslough in Co Donegal on Friday PA UK news in pictures 12 October 2022 Motorists in Coventry pass trees showing autumnal colour PA UK news in pictures 11 October 2022 A woman and her dog in the the North Sea at Tynemouth Longsands beach before sunrise PA UK news in pictures 10 October 2022 Police officers remove a campaigner from a Just Stop Oil protest on The Mall, near Buckingham Palace, London PA UK news in pictures 9 October 2022 A drummer plays during the Diwali on the Square celebration, in Trafalgar Square, London PA UK news in pictures 8 October 2022 Timothee Chalamet attending the UK premiere of Bones and All during the BFI London Film Festival 2022 at the Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre, London PA UK news in pictures 7 October 2022 Two young male fallow deer lock antlers in Dublins Phoenix park as rutting season begins PA UK news in pictures 6 October 2022 The Princess of Wales during a cocktail making competition during a visit to Trademarket, a new outdoor street-food and retail market situated in Belfast city centre, as part of the royal visit to Northern Ireland PA UK news in pictures 5 October 2022 Greenpeace protesters interrupt Prime Minister Liz Truss as she delivers her keynote speech to the Conservative Party annual conference PA UK news in pictures 4 October 2022 Prime Minister Liz Truss and Britains Chancellor of the Exchequer Kwasi Kwarteng wearing hard hats and hi-vis jackets, visit a construction site for a medical innovation campus in Birmingham AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 3 October 2022 British artist Sam Cox, aka Mr Doodle, reveals the Doodle House, a twelve-room mansion at Tenterden, in Kent, which has been covered, inside and out in the artist's trademark monochrome, cartoonish hand-drawn doodles PA UK news in pictures 2 October 2022 Erling Haaland celebrates after scoring Manchester City's second goal against Manchester United at Etihad Stadium. Haaland went on to score a hattrick, his third of the season in the Premier League. City beat United 6-3. Manchester City FC/Getty UK news in pictures 1 October 2022 Protesters hold up flags and placards at a protest in London. A variety of protest groups including Enough is Enough, Don't Pay and Just Stop Oil all demonstrated on the day AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 30 September 2022 British Prime Minister Liz Truss, who has not been seen in days, leaves the back of Downing Street after a meeting with Office For Budget Responsibility following the release of her governments mini-budget Getty UK news in pictures 29 September 2022 The Virginia creeper foliage on the Tu Hwnt i'r Bont (Beyond the Bridge) Llanwrst, Conwy North Wales, has changed colour from green to red in at the start of Autumn. The building was built in 1480 as a residential dwelling but has been a tearoom for over 50 years PA UK news in pictures 28 September 2022 Criminal barristers from the Criminal Bar Association (CBA), demonstrates outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London, as part of their ongoing pay row with the Government PA UK news in pictures 27 September 2022 David White, Garter King of Arms, poses with an envelope franked with the new cypher of King Charles III 'CIIIR', after it was printed in the Court Post Office at Buckingham Palace in central London AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 26 September 2022 A gallery staff member poses next to a painting by Lucian Freud - Self-portrait (Fragment), 1956 - on show at a photocall for the Credit Suisse exhibition - Lucian Freud: New Perspectives at the National Gallery in London PA UK news in pictures 25 September 2022 Labour leader, Sir Keir Starmer is interviewed by Laura Kuenssberg in Liverpool before the start of the Labour Party annual Conference which he opened with a tribute to Queen Elizabeth II and sang the national anthem PA UK news in pictures 24 September 2022 Handout photo issued by Buckingham Palace of the ledger stone at the King George VI Memorial Chapel, St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle PA UK news in pictures 23 September 2022 A climate change activist protests against UK private jets while lighting his right arm on fire during the Laver Cup tennis tournament at the O2 Arena in London EPA UK news in pictures 22 September 2022 Woody Woodmansey, Lee Bennett, Kevin Armstrong, Nick Moran and Clifford Slapper attend the unveiling of a stone for David Bowie on the Music Walk of Fame at Camden, north London PA UK news in pictures 21 September 2022 A flock of birds in the sky as the sun rises over Dungeness in Kent PA UK news in pictures 20 September 2022 Flowers which were laid by members of the public in tribute to Queen Elizabeth II at Hillsborough Castle in Northern Ireland are collected by the Hillsborough Gardening Team and volunteers to be replanted for those that can be saved or composted PA UK news in pictures 19 September 2022 The ceremonial procession of the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II travels down the long walk as it arrives at Windsor Castle for the committal service at St Georges Chapel AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 18 September 2022 A man stands among campers on The Mall ahead of the Queens funeral Reuters UK news in pictures 17 September 2022 Wolverhampton Wanderers Nathan Collins fouls Manchester Citys Jack Grealish leading to a red card. City went on to win the match at Molineux Stadium three goals to nil. Action Images/Reuters UK news in pictures 16 September 2022 Members of the public stand in the queue near Tower Bridge, and opposite the Tower of London, as they wait in line to pay their respects to the late Queen Elizabeth II, in London AFP via Getty Images UK news in pictures 15 September 2022 Members of the public in the queue on in Potters Fields Park, central London, as they wait to view Queen Elizabeth II lying in state ahead of her funeral on Monday PA UK news in pictures 14 September 2022 The first members of the public pay their respects as the vigil begins around the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II in Westminster Hall, London, where it will lie in state ahead of her funeral on Monday PA UK news in pictures 13 September 2022 Crowds cheer as King Charles III and Camilla, Queen Consort arrive for a visit to Hillsborough Castle Getty UK news in pictures 12 September 2022 Crowds line the Royal Mile, Edinburgh, as King Charles III joins a procession from the Palace of Holyroodhouse to St Giles Cathedral following the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II Katielee Arrowsmith/SWNS UK news in pictures 11 September 2022 Members of the Public pay their respects as the hearse carrying the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II, draped in the Royal Standard of Scotland, is driven through Ballater AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 10 September 2022 Britain's Prince William, Prince of Wales, Britain's Catherine, Princess of Wales, Britain's Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, Britain's Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, wave at well-wishers on the Long walk at Windsor Castle AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 9 September 2022 King Charles III and Camilla, Queen Consort wave after viewing floral tributes to the late Queen Elizabeth II outside Buckingham Palace Getty UK news in pictures 8 September 2022 A screen commemorating Britain's Queen Elizabeth II in Piccadilly Circus, London Britain EPA UK news in pictures 7 September 2022 Police officers stand guard after Animal Rebellion activists threw paint on the walls and road outside the Houses of Parliament in protest, in London, Britain Reuters UK news in pictures 6 September 2022 Queen Elizabeth II welcomes Liz Truss during an audience at Balmoral, Scotland, where she invited the newly elected leader of the Conservative party to become Prime Minister and form a new government PA UK news in pictures 5 September 2022 Visitors at the PoliNations garden in Victoria Square, Birmingham, which is made up of five 40ft high tree installations and over 6,000 plants. The PoliNations programme aims to explore how migration and cross-pollination have shaped the UKs gardens and culture PA UK news in pictures 4 September 2022 Undergraduates at the University of St Andrews take part in the traditional Pier Walk along the harbour walls of St Andrews before the start of the new academic year PA UK news in pictures 3 September 2022 The Massed Pipes and Drums parade during the Braemar Highland Gathering at the Princess Royal and Duke of Fife Memorial Park PA UK news in pictures 2 September 2022 Number 12 Company Irish Guards at Wellington Barracks, central London, before commencing their first Guard Mount at Buckingham Palace PA UK news in pictures 1 September 2022 A salmon leaps up the weir at Hexham in Northumberland, despite the drought warnings and low water levels, the River Tyne is still flowing well allowing the salmon and sea trout to head up river to spawn. Every year tens of thousands of salmon make the once-in-a-lifetime journey along the Tyne to spawn, having been out a sea PA The budget airline was happy to have the wheelchair on board because they [were] actually in the 21st century and they actually understand that their passengers have a diverse range of different needs, he said. He has called for an apology from the chief executive, a full refund and as a gesture of goodwill a donation to the charity he set up when he was first diagnosed with MND in 2014 - Gordons Fightback - which is fundraising for research into finding a cure for the condition and for better care for sufferers. He said it would help turn what has been a very negative experience for me into something positive for other people. Recommended Read more Almost nobody thinks the Government is making life better for disabled Richard Lane, head of campaigns at disability charity Scope, told The Independent: We have heard from a number of disabled passengers who have encountered issues when booking and travelling by aeroplane. Twenty years on from the Disability Discrimination Act, its shocking to hear that businesses are still failing to understand the needs of disabled customers. A spokeswoman for Air France told The Independent: "Air France fully understands Mr Aikman's frustration on this matter. We are extremely sorry and appreciate this must have been upsetting for Mr Aikman and his travel companions. Air France is committed to giving all passengers the best care and service. "Air France had been in correspondence with the passenger trying to find a solution by possibly reducing the height of the wheelchair. However, due to the maximum acceptable height being 71cm this was not possible. Regretfully Air France was not able to convey this information to Mr Aikman quickly enough. "An apology email will be sent to Mr Aikman and his travelling companion. All tickets and additional baggage purchased are being refunded and compensation will be offered as a gesture of goodwill." Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} A search is under way for two climbers missing on Ben Nevis. Rachel Slater, 24 and Tim Newton, 27, from the Bradford area of West Yorkshire, are believed to have camped in a green tent behind the Charles Inglis Clark Memorial hut on Britain's highest mountain at the weekend. A Police Scotland spokesman said: "The Lochaber Mountain Rescue team were searching for them yesterday and they will be out again today. "They are receiving help from the RAF Mountain Rescue Team and the Search and Rescue Dog Association "The terrain does not allow for any vehicles to be used so the search is carried out on foot." Police are asking anyone who might have seen the two climbers to call 101. PA Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Britains prostitutes fear any attempt to criminalise their clients would have disastrous consequences for their safety and could put lives in danger. More than nine out of 10 say they are against criminalising the buying of sex and eight out of 10 fear it would impact on their safety, according to the biggest ever survey of the nations sex workers on legislation. The findings of the survey, seen by The Independent, are being revealed as the Commons Home Affairs Committee begins accepting evidence for a controversial inquiry into prostitution laws. The wide-ranging inquiry by the committee, led by Labours Keith Vaz, will assess whether the burden of criminality should shift from those selling sex to those who are paying for it. Some including the Conservative MP Fiona Bruce are calling for buying sex to be criminalised under laws similar to those in Sweden, saying it could end the exploitation of vulnerable women. But the idea has drawn an angry response from Britains sex workers, who say they fear it could put them in danger. Around 96 per cent of those who took part in the survey by National Ugly Mugs, a project that seeks to end violence against sex workers, said people should not be criminalised for buying sex from a consenting adult and 82 per cent said they would feel less safe if the law were introduced. More than 200 sex workers took part in the survey, along with 52 organisations that offer frontline services to between 20 and 2,000 sex workers. One sex worker said: Criminalising the purchase of sex will make me less safe at work. Anything that makes my clients more apprehensive prohibits me from screening them thoroughly and therefore impacts my security. If my clients were criminalised, I wouldnt stop selling sex. I would continue to do so in a more dangerous context and I would potentially feel compelled to take bookings I would previously have rejected in the interests of my safety. Love and sex news: in pictures Show all 31 1 /31 Love and sex news: in pictures Love and sex news: in pictures What makes a perfect penis? Scientists have now answered one of these great unknowns. According to a new study, general cosmetic appearance is the most important penile aspect when it comes to what women value down there. This is swiftly followed by the appearance of pubic hair, penile skin, and girth. Length comes in at number six, with the look of the scrotum trailing closely behind. The least important facet of the phallus, say the scientists, is the position and shape of meatus, the vertical slit at the opening of the urethra. Getty Love and sex news: in pictures Half of divorcees had doubts on their wedding day Over half of divorcees considered abandoning their husband or wife-to-be at the altar on their wedding day, a new study has revealed. On top of likely worrying about wedding favours and making sure guests behave on their big day, 49 per cent of divorcees admitted they were unsure before the ceremony that their marriage would last. Some 15 per cent of divorcees polled said they were so wracked with doubt that they felt physically sick in the run up to their wedding. Joe Raedle/Getty Images Love and sex news: in pictures Students who marry after studying the same subject Picking a university subject is already difficult enough for young people. But heres an extra piece of data to weigh on your decision: you may be picking a life partner as well. Dan Kopf of the blog, Priceonomics, analysed US Census data and found that the percentage of Americans who marry someone within their own major is actually fairly high. About half of Americans are married, according to the 2012 American Community Survey (part of the Census). And about 28 per cent of married couples over the age of 22 both graduated from college. (The survey didnt recognise same-sex marriages for the 2012 data, but it will for 2013 onwards, says Kopf). Sean Gallup/Getty Images Love and sex news: in pictures How much sex we have (and how much we'd like) As a nation, we dont have as much sex as we would like, a survey has (somewhat unsurprisingly) confirmed. In a poll of 1523 people by YouGov, 64 per cent of Britons said they would wish to have sex at least a few times a month. The same sample said that only 38 per cent had sex at least a few times a month. In addition, 10 per cent said they wished to have sex every day, a goal which only 1 per cent admitted reaching. Rex Love and sex news: in pictures The new female condom Picture an internal condom. The chances are youre thinking of something which resembles a carrier bag. However, this could all be about to change with the new VA w.o.w. Condom Feminine. Not only is it a wireless, Bluetooth enabled, vibrating interactive device, which comes available in the shape of a heart, but the manufacturers think youll love it more than not using a condom at all. Love and sex news: in pictures One in five Brits admit to having had an affair One in five British adults admits they have had an affair, according to a new poll. 20 per cent of male respondents and 19 per cent of female respondents admitted to having had an affair in a new poll of 1660 respondents by YouGov. Orlando /Three Lions/Getty Images Love and sex news: in pictures The UK's favourite sex position Casting aside the myth that Brits are a prudish bunch, a new survey has revealed that doggy style is the nations favourite sex position. As many as a quarter of UK adults surveyed said doggy style was their favourite way to indulge with a partner. Missionary, which is sometimes scoffed at the most boring position, was favoured by a fifth of the 1,000 people surveyed by high street sex shop Ann Summers, seeing it come in as third under "woman on top". Caiaimage/REX Love and sex news: in pictures Who's most likely to cheat? Men and women who are economically dependent on their spouses are more likely to cheat, a new study has revealed. Researchers have found that men who are solely financially dependent are more like to cheat than women, at 15 per cent and 5 per cent respectively. Men who are rely on their wives may cheat because they are undergoing a masculinity threat by not being the primary breadwinner as is culturally expected, said study author Christin L. Munsch, a UConn assistant professor of sociology. Eye Candy/REX Love and sex news: in pictures Jailed for loud sex noises A woman who breached a court order barring her from causing nuisance by making "loud sex noises" was sent to jail. Gemma Wale, of Small Heath, Birmingham, was given a two-week prison sentence after a civil court judge concluded that she had breached the order by "screaming and shouting whilst having sex" at a "level of noise" which annoyed a neighbour. Rex Features Love and sex news: in pictures Photo of wedding guest proposing to girlfriend in front of bride and groom goes viral When the staggering amount time, money, and effort that goes into to planning a wedding is considered, it seems pretty obvious that all guests have is to do is turn up with some gifts, and not upstage the couple. But this fact seems to have escaped one man, whose grinning face has gone viral after he decided to propose to his girlfriend in front of the bride and grooms top table. The photo, which has been viewed over 1.4 million times on Reddit, shows a boyfriend perched on one knee in front of his crying girlfriend. Joe Raedle/Getty Images Love and sex news: in pictures Sexual fantasies The results of a sex survey are busting the myth that Britons are sexually repressed, by revealing how the majority of women have lived out their sexual fantasies. As many as 81 per cent of women and 77 per cent of men have shared and acted out fantasies with a partner with having sex in public topping the list of turn-ons. The study also laid bare the influence of TV and film on our desires, with three-quarters of couples saying they had inspired them. Meanwhile, a further three quarters of women and over half of men have played out a fantasy theyd found in a book. LEO RAMIREZ/AFP/Getty Images Love and sex news: in pictures The world's sexiest nationalities Irish men are the worlds sexiest, according to a survey of thousands of jet-setting women. In a poll of 66,000 of single American women who use MissTravel.com, as many as 8,000 said that Irish men are the sexiest. Around half of the females who took said they were turned on by Irish men said their accent influenced their choice, according to the Irish Times. ANDREW COWIE/AFP/Getty Images Love and sex news: in pictures More sex = happiness? Couples were asked to double the amount of sex they had each week over a three month period by researchers at the Carnegie Mellon University, who compared them to couples who had their normal amount of sex. Their findings, published in the Journal of Economic Behavior, went against advice given by the average self-help book having more sex doesnt automatically make a person happier. Instead, couples who were instructed to have more sex reported a decrease in happiness levels. Mood Board/Rex Love and sex news: in pictures Most sexually satisfied countries It is often considered the most amorous nation on the planet, but France doesn't even feature in a new list of the most sexually satisfied countries. According to a Durex global survey of 26,000 people, aged 16 and older, across 26 countries, only 44 per cent of people are fully satisfied with their sex lives. In the wake of these results, AlterNet has compiled a list of the 12 most sexually satisfied countries, with Switzerland, Spain and Italy topping the list. INDRANIL MUKHERJEE/AFP/Getty Images Love and sex news: in pictures Sex o'clock They say women are from Venus and men are from Mars but a new sex survey suggests that members of the opposite sex seem to operate in different time zones too. While women like to get steamy between 11:21pm on average, men are more likely to be turned on at the rather inconvenient time of 7:54am. These times fall into the broader timeslots of 11pm and 2am for women, and 6am and 9am for men. PIERRE ANDRIEU/AFP/Getty Images Love and sex news: in pictures More sex = more money People who have more sex are likely to earn more, new research claims. The research, partly conducted from the responses of 7,500 people, found employees who have sex two or three times a week earn 4.5 per cent more than colleagues who do not. Rex Love and sex news: in pictures The effects of watching porn Contrary to suggestion that porn desensitises viewers to sex, a study has found that it doesn't "negatively impact sexual functioning" and in fact boosts couples' sexual attraction to one another. In research published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine, scientists at the University of California tested the effects of visual sexual stimuli on men in relationships, finding that it "is unlikely to negatively impact sexual functioning, given that responses actually were stronger in those who viewed more VSS." Rex Love and sex news: in pictures 'I have herpes' A woman diagnosed with herpes at the age of 20 has written an emotional essay about living with the common condition to fight the stigma surrounding it. Ella Dawson, now 22, said she had never had unprotected sex and thought she wasn't the sort of person STDs happened to when the symptoms first appeared during her time at university in the US. She wrote that the diagnosis initially felt like a punishment for her values and relationships and worried her that telling boyfriends would ruin her love life. Ella Dawson Love and sex news: in pictures More sleep, better sex A new study could have a simple answer to enhancing your sex life just get a good nights sleep (if you are a woman at least). A study conducted by a team at the University of Michigan Sleep and Circadian Research Laboratory found women who get an extra hour of sleep at night reported higher levels of sexual desire and were more likely to have sex with their partners. Getty Images Love and sex news: in pictures Swipe right A woman has detailed her experiences of a week of always swiping right on Tinder. By opening the floodgates, as Ms Caster describes it, she receives scores of messages from different men and not all are terrible. Love and sex news: in pictures The most adulterous town in the UK Ever wondered what the neighbours are up to? Well if you live in Beeston, Nottinghamshire, then the answer is probably... having an affair. The bustling East Midlands town has been granted the dubious honour of being the UK's top spot for infidelity with a total of 941 affairs reportedly taking place right now. According to The Official Infidelity Index 2015, which was released this week, 2.54 per cent of the towns population are currently seeing someone they shouldn't. REX FEATURES Love and sex news: in pictures Average penis size revealed Scientists have measured more than 15,000 mens penises in an effort to find out what size is normal. Researchers at Kings College London and a London NHS trust said they hoped the review would help address the concern that some men have about their penis size and aid people suffering from anxiety and distress. They revealed that the average flaccid penis is 3.6ins (9.16cm) long, or 5.2ins (13.24cm) when stretched, and 3.7ins (9.31cm) in circumference. Erect penises are 5.1ins (13.12cm) long on average and 4.5ins (11.66cm) in girth. Rex Love and sex news: in pictures One true love Men fall in love more times in their life than women, according to a new survey. 2,000 adults were asked about relationships, and discovered that more than half of men say they've loved more than one person their lifetime. For women, it's markedly fewer, with only 45 per cent saying they've had multiple loves. Love and sex news: in pictures Dating site for 'beautiful people only' A self-proclaimed elite dating website has removed around 3,000 members because they were "letting themselves go". BeautifulPeople.com describes itself as the largest internet dating community exclusively for the beautiful and puts peoples photographs to a members vote to decide if they are allowed in. But administrators have now shown that the rigorous 48-hour selection period is not a permanent pass by taking thousands of profiles down, mainly because of weight gain and graceless ageing. Love and sex news: in pictures Sex is a 'miracle cure' Regular exercise including sex, walking and dancing are miracle cures staring us in the face and could dramatically cut our risk of cancer, dementia, heart disease and diabetes, leading doctors have said. In a new review of existing evidence which reveals the full extent of benefits that can be accrued from exercise, the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges said the improvement in health and savings to the NHS could be incalculable. Susannah Ireland Love and sex news: in pictures Pornhub searches by age of user Pornhubs prolific Insights blog fires out many reports of sociological interest, none more so than its latest on age, which lays bare different age groups' sexual proclivities. Looking at the most popular searches among 18-24s, there are several familial terms including 'step mom', 'milf', 'mom' and 'step sister', a trend that seems to die out somewhat in users' 30s. By 65, 'massage' becomes the top term, while 'granny' perhaps unsurprisingly also hits the top ten. PlaceIt/Just Another IKEA Catalog Love and sex news: in pictures Mature sex Research into the sexual lives of more than 7,000 men and women between the ages of 50 and 90 in England reveals that half of men and almost a third of women aged 70 and over were still sexually active, with around a third of these sexually active older people having sexual intercourse twice a month or more. Around two-thirds of men and over half of women thought good sexual relations were essential to the maintenance of a long-term relationship or being sexually active was physically and psychologically beneficial to older people. Getty Creative Love and sex news: in pictures The secret to an eighty year marriage Figures from the Office of National Statistics show that 42 per cent of marriages in England and Wales end in divorce, and the average British marriage which ends in divorce lasts 11 years and six months. Helen and Maurice Kaye, now aged 101 and 102, have been married for 80 years, and say the secret is: I think its important to have patience and tolerance. You're two entirely different people who suddenly live together, which can't be easy. But if you love each other, you get over the difficulties. Love and sex news: in pictures Valentine's Day porn Pornhub saw a (slight) drop in traffic on Valentine's Day as people focused on pleasuring their partners rather than themselves. Everywhere, it is, except for London. Overall UK traffic dipped 3 per cent across the UK, with Plymouth and Oxford seeing the biggest drops of 11 per cent and 10 per cent respectively. In fact every major city spent less time watching porn bar London, the Pornhub audience for which grew by 2 per cent. Getty Love and sex news: in pictures 1 in 10 men paying for sex A tenth of British men have admitted to paying for sex, according to a new study. Professionals aged 25 to 34 who binge drink and take drugs were found to be the most likely to have used the services of prostitutes, based on findings from a study of 6,108 men. Around 11 per cent of subjects, in the study published in the Sexually Transmitted Infections journal, have ever paid for sex in their lifetime and four per cent admitted to doing so in the last five years. Getty Images Love and sex news: in pictures Questions that determine if you're in love The existence of love and its nature is something that has troubled philosophers for centuries, but a pair of scientists believe they have a set of questions that yield "clear empirical evidence" of it, or at least whether your relationship will end in divorce. They are: 'How happy are you in your marriage relative to how happy you would be if you weren't in the marriage?' and 'How do you think your spouse answered that question?' Columbia More than one sex worker is raped or attacked every day in Britain, according to figures from 2014. London has the highest number of incidents more than two a week. A man was arrested last weekend after a prostitute was found dead in a flat in Aberdeen. The act of buying and selling sex is not currently illegal in England and Wales, although many activities associated with prostitution are illegal. They include activities linked to exploitation, such as managing a brothel, and activities that can cause a public nuisance, such as buying or selling sex in public. Campaigners are calling for prostitution to be decriminalised as in New Zealand, which they say has improved safety for sex workers. More than 67 per cent of sex workers who took part in the survey said they wanted prostitution to be decriminalised in that way. Less than three per cent said they wanted to see the introduction of a sex buyer law. The Independent told last month how the establishment of a permanent managed prostitution zone in Leeds, where prostitutes can work without risk of prosecution, has seen a huge increase in the number of those willing to report violent crimes to the police. Alex Feis-Bryce, the chief executive of National Ugly Mugs, said: We know from supporting sex workers when they are victims of crime every day that they are targeted because the offenders know that they are unlikely to report it to the police. Sex workers are less likely to report to the police in areas where they or their clients are criminalised. "This survey sends a strong message to policy makers that when it comes to something as fundamental as safety and human rights, they need to listen to the voices of sex workers and the evidence and put aside their moralistic, ideological objections. Dr Mary Laing from Northumbria University, who assessed the survey results, said they reflect broader academic findings which show that criminalisation of sex workers or their clients only leads to violence, stigma and marginalisation. Concerns about the inquiry have also been raised by the English Collective of Prostitutes, which campaigns for the abolition of prostitution laws. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Severe weather warnings have been issued across large parts of the UK this week as an Arctic blast of cold air brings snow and freezing temperatures. The Met Office has issued 12 yellow be aware snow warnings across much of the UK for Wednesday, including southern England and the capital. Seven of these warnings remain in place on Thursday, including the warning for London. Forecaster Mark Wilson said, while Tuesday is set to be a cold, crisp winter day with sunny spells there is definitely some risk of snow on Wednesday. People should wrap up warm, he said. There is potential that central parts of the UK could see some snow at lower levels. We do not expect to see significant accumulation. Active Atlantic fronts spreading across Scotland and the northwest corner of England will come into contact with colder air says the Met Office, bringing sleet and snow on Wednesday and Thursday. Between 2cm and 6cm of snow is expected on higher ground. Mr Wilson warned low temperatures would accompany this week's snow and ice is also expected. Sleety snow in East Anglia, the East and West Midlands, Yorkshire and the Humber could bring temperatures of around 2C to 4C. Last night, the coldest temperature in England and Wales was -7.8C in Redesdale, Northumberland, almost matching the coldest night of winter so far which was -8.8C in Benson, Oxfordshire on 20 January. A yellow warning for heavy rain has also been issued for western parts of Scotland, with forecasters predicting there could be between 25mm-40mm and up to 60mm on higher ground. After the midweek arctic blast, temperatures are expected to become significantly milder, reaching between 10C and 20C by Saturday. Additional reporting by Press Association Sign up to the Inside Politics email for your free daily briefing on the biggest stories in UK politics Get our free Inside Politics email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Politics email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} David Cameron is in Brussels meeting other EU leaders, who he hopes will agree to his EU reform demands. The heads of state will discuss a draft deal drawn up by the European Council president Donald Tusk. The Prime Minister has warned that negotiations will not be straightforward many countries have conflicting positions and interests that could make hashing out a deal effectively impossible. Some are strongly opposed to any changes to migration rules at all, and are under strong domestic pressure not to disadvantage their own citizens. Heres what the key players think: France President Francois Hollande is the least of David Cameron's worries (Getty Images) French president Francois Hollande has said David Camerons EU deal is a compromise that hes willing to accept. In early February he however warned there should be no new adjustments or new negotiations meaning further concessions from France are unlikely. This stance would pose a problem because other countries have been adamant that further changes would be required. Downing Street this morning said Mr Hollande agreed with Mr Cameron that the deal was a firm basis for reaching an agreement. Germany Angela Merkel (Corbis) German Chancellor Angela Merkel has enthusiastically backed the deal arguing that the plan would have great benefits for the EU as a whole. The concerns that David Cameron raises are not purely British concerns, she said late last week. If we were to take a common European approach it would be a great benefit to Europe as a whole. Germany, which has close relationships with its neighbour Poland, is expected to take the role of compromise broker in the summit. Poland Poland's Prime Minister Beata Szydlo (Reuters) In a meeting with David Cameron before the deal was announced Polands PM Beata Szydo warned she had significant differences with the UKs demands. Polands Europe minister Konrad Szymanski has warned against discrimination and said a four-year benefit freeze would be a problem. Polish negotiators are also reported to keen to make sure any deal on benefits does not apply to other EU countries only the UK. As a major contributor of migrants to the UK, Poland is expected to be one of the key opponents to the deal at the summit. Luxembourg Luxembourg PM Xavier Bettel (Rex Features) Luxembourgs Government has said it believes any emergency brake should apply to all countries equally essentially the opposite of what Poland wants. As a small country Luxembourgs interests are in EU treaties being applied equally across member states. Malta Valletta is keen for EU rules to be applied consistently (Joshua Zader) Another small country, Malta takes a similar position to Luxembourg its interests are in EU treaties being applied consistently, rather than exceptions being made. Luxembourg, Malta, and their allies position could be a potential source of tension with Poland and other eastern European states that are most keen to limit the deal to a few countries. Romania Romanian President Klaus Iohannis (Sean Gallup/Getty Images) President Klaus Iohannis of Romania met with Donald Tusk early this week to discuss the deal. The European Council president said after the meeting that there were still outstanding political issues including over welfare benefit restirctions. Mr Iohanniss position is thought to be similar to Polands like Poland, many Romanian nationals live and work in other EU countries. Czech Republic Prague has raised concerns about the proposals but appears keen to reach a deal (Sean Gallup/Getty Images) The Czech Republic has indicated that it might seek concessions to David Camerons deal having raised concerns about the four-year benefit freeze plan. The countrys Europe minister Tomas Prouza has said he would be worried if a full four-year freeze came in. Safeguard mechanism is acceptable, crucial debate will be on how long will free movement be reduced, he said. The rate at which in-work benefits taper back to migrants appears to be a key battleground for negotiation. Lithuania Vilnius is keen to reach a compromise (Getty) Lithuanias foreign minister Linas Antanas Linkevicius also warned against discrimination but welcomed Donald Tusks draft deal as positive. He said there was space for maneuver and compromise. Latvia Laimdota Straujuma has been tough on Mr Cameron (Ilmars Znotins/AFP/Getty Images) During a recent bilateral visit to Riga Mr Cameron remarked that he was not met with a wall of love after explaining his plans. Prime minister Laimdota Straujuma has said there should be no disruption to freedom of movement. Slovenia Miro Cerar, Prime Minister of Slovenia Slovenias new government, led by Miro Cerar, has said it will consider David Camerons migrant proposals but that EU freedom of movement should be at the heart of any deal. He said Slovenia wanted a successful, united, integrated European Union, but with the United Kingdom as a member. Mr Cerar said he greatly appreciate[d] the fact that Mr Cameron visited Slovenia in person to discuss his changes the first such visit by a British prime minister to the country. Ireland Taoiseach Enda Kenny is a key ally of David Cameron (PA) Irelands Taoiseach Enda Kenny has said he is optimistic that the UK can reach a deal with other countries. Mr Kenny has also said it is critical that the UK stays in the EU and Ireland is expected to do what it can to make sure a deal can go through. Europe will be much stronger with Britain as a central and fundamental member, Mr Kenny said in late January just before the deal was announced. Its a vital issue for Britain and Europe and a critical issue for Ireland. Sign up to the Inside Politics email for your free daily briefing on the biggest stories in UK politics Get our free Inside Politics email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Politics email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} David Camerons package of EU reforms cannot be made legally binding before the British public vote on it, the president of the European Parliament has said. Martin Schulz said the European Parliament could amend any deal done at todays summit and would not necessarily even rubber-stamp it at all. No government can go to a parliament and ask for a guarantee about the result, the German politician said. This is a democracy. Once the frame is agreed, we will start the legislative process. This is not a veto. The presidents statement means that Britain may not get the deal agreed by Mr Cameron if it ultimately votes to stay in the EU. Mr Schulz, from the parliaments centre-left Socialist grouping, however pledged that MEPs would be constructive, fair, and bring clarity to the deal. The warning is a blow for Mr Cameron, who had explicitly earlier this month that the EU deal would be legally binding. If it is agreed, it will be agreed as a legally binding treaty deposited at the United Nations, he said on 6 February. It would only be reversible if all 28 countries, including Britain, agreed to reverse it. EU referendum timeline - What happens if Britain gets the deal The agreement Mr Cameron refers to however appears to include the welfare deal being passed by the European Parliament which would come after the EU referendum. The president also warned that the European Parliament would demand that there was no treaty change as a result of the deal. The plebiscite is currently expected in June, though officially it will be held any time before the end of 2017. British eurosceptic campaigners seized on Mr Schulzs comments. What has the EU ever done for us? Show all 7 1 /7 What has the EU ever done for us? What has the EU ever done for us? 1. It gives you freedom to live, work and retire anywhere in Europe As a member of the EU, UK citizens benefit from freedom of movement across the continent. Considered one of the so-called four pillars of the European Union, this freedom allows all EU citizens to live, work and travel in other member states. What has the EU ever done for us? 2. It sustains millions of jobs A report by the Centre for Economics and Business Research, released in October 2015, suggested 3.1 million British jobs were linked to the UKs exports to the EU. What has the EU ever done for us? 3. Your holiday is much easier - and safer Freedom to travel is one of the most exercised benefits of EU membership, with Britons having made 31 million visits to the EU in 2014 alone. But a lot of the benefits of being an EU citizen are either taken for granted or go unnoticed. What has the EU ever done for us? 4. It means you're less likely to get ripped off Consumer protection is a key benefit of the EUs single market, and ensures members of the British public receive equal consumer rights when shopping anywhere in Europe. What has the EU ever done for us? 5. It offers greater protection from terrorists, paedophiles, people traffickers and cyber-crime Another example of a lesser-known advantage of EU membership is the benefit of cross-country coordination and cooperation in the fight against crime. What has the EU ever done for us? 6. Our businesses depend on it According to 71% of all members of the Confederation of British Influence (CBI), and 67 per cent of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), the EU has had an overall positive impact on their business. What has the EU ever done for us? 7. We have greater influence Robin Niblett, Director of think-tank Chatham House, stated in a report published last year: For a mid-sized country like the UK, which will never again be economically dominant either globally or regionally, and whose diplomatic and military resources are declining in relative terms, being a major player in a strong regional institution can offer a critical lever for international influence. The President of the European Parliament is simply confirming what Leave.EU has said all along: David Cameron's deal is not binding without a new treaty that the European Court in Strasbourg has to adhere to, Liz Bilney, chief executive of Leave.EU said. The PM today faces crunch talks in Brussels where he will have to get the 28 EU heads of government to agree to the draft package, which was drawn up by European Council president Donald Tusk. Mr Cameron faces several hurdles including significant opposition from eastern European countries like Poland whose citizens could lose out under the plan. Other, smaller, countries like Malta and Luxembourg have said they will not tolerate a deal applied unevenly across other countries, adding a further constraint to negotiations. Supportive countries like Ireland, France, and Germany are expected to try and broker a deal between Britain and those critical of the plan. Despite the hoops Mr Cameron has to jump through to secure the changes, they have so far impressed few in the UK. Eurosceptic MPs in Mr Camerons own party described the plans as thin gruel and watered down, while polls show the public believe the deal is overwhelmingly bad for Britain. The latest ComRes poll for ITV News showed a narrowing of the referendum race with the lead for the remain camp down from 18 points in January to just eight this week. Sign up to the Inside Politics email for your free daily briefing on the biggest stories in UK politics Get our free Inside Politics email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Politics email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Eastern European leaders are demanding that David Cameron water down key demands for restrictions on migrant benefits as their price for signing up to his wider EU renegotiation package. With less than two days to go before European leaders meet in Brussels to try to thrash out an agreement on a new settlement for Britains membership of the EU, Hungary, Slovakia, the Czech Republic and Poland have made clear that the current plans are unacceptable. In particular, they want changes to proposals to limit child benefit payments to EU migrants living in Britain and want to impose further restrictions on Britains socalled emergency brake on welfare. Both changes are unlikely to be acceptable to Mr Cameron, who was described by one source as being "very stressed" during the negotiation. Downing Street made clear on Tuesday night that Mr Cameron had been steadfast in his demands for benefit reform and aides are well aware that any watering down of proposals published earlier this month will be portrayed as a humiliating climbdown by the Out campaign. One source told The Times that Mr Cameron was appearing to be under great pressure and very stressed, when "usually he is so very confident and relaxed". Senior government sources suggested that while everyone was focused on getting a deal at this summit it would still be possible for Mr Cameron to walk away if he did not get an agreement he could sign up to. This would mean the issue would probably be reconsidered at an emergency summit later this month which would still be in time for a June referendum. Among the other main sticking points are Belgiums concern about the changes to the wording of ever closer union. William signals support for EU But a dispute between Paris and London over eurozone integration and protections for the City of London are understood to have been resolved following talks between Mr Cameron and President Francois Hollande. The European Council President Donald Tusk warned that there was now an extra mile to walk to get agreement at the summit meeting tomorrow night. The position of the Visegrad Four [towards the deal] is very clear, he said following a meeting in Prague with the Czech Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka. In view of that I have no doubts there is an extra mile to walk. We will now need to sort out the remaining issues in a constructive way. Mr Sobotka added: We look with criticism at the parameters of the adjustment of child benefits and the conditions of the so-called emergency brake. What has the EU ever done for us? Show all 7 1 /7 What has the EU ever done for us? What has the EU ever done for us? 1. It gives you freedom to live, work and retire anywhere in Europe As a member of the EU, UK citizens benefit from freedom of movement across the continent. Considered one of the so-called four pillars of the European Union, this freedom allows all EU citizens to live, work and travel in other member states. What has the EU ever done for us? 2. It sustains millions of jobs A report by the Centre for Economics and Business Research, released in October 2015, suggested 3.1 million British jobs were linked to the UKs exports to the EU. What has the EU ever done for us? 3. Your holiday is much easier - and safer Freedom to travel is one of the most exercised benefits of EU membership, with Britons having made 31 million visits to the EU in 2014 alone. But a lot of the benefits of being an EU citizen are either taken for granted or go unnoticed. What has the EU ever done for us? 4. It means you're less likely to get ripped off Consumer protection is a key benefit of the EUs single market, and ensures members of the British public receive equal consumer rights when shopping anywhere in Europe. What has the EU ever done for us? 5. It offers greater protection from terrorists, paedophiles, people traffickers and cyber-crime Another example of a lesser-known advantage of EU membership is the benefit of cross-country coordination and cooperation in the fight against crime. What has the EU ever done for us? 6. Our businesses depend on it According to 71% of all members of the Confederation of British Influence (CBI), and 67 per cent of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), the EU has had an overall positive impact on their business. What has the EU ever done for us? 7. We have greater influence Robin Niblett, Director of think-tank Chatham House, stated in a report published last year: For a mid-sized country like the UK, which will never again be economically dominant either globally or regionally, and whose diplomatic and military resources are declining in relative terms, being a major player in a strong regional institution can offer a critical lever for international influence. In another headache for Mr Cameron, the left-of-centre President of the European Parliament, Martin Schulz, warned the Prime Minister that while he would work quickly to pass any legislation agreed by EU leaders he could not guarantee MEPs would approve the deal in its entirety or not try to amend it. Speaking after he met Mr Cameron in Brussels early on 16 February, Mr Schulz promised the parliament would be as constructive as necessary once Britain voted to stay in the EU but warned the legislative process could be unpredictable. To be quite clear, no government can go to a parliament and say: here is our proposal, can you guarantee about the result? This is a democracy, it is not possible, Mr Schulz said after the meeting, which included senior MEPs from the parliaments centre-right, centre-left and Liberal blocs. Farage: PM asked for nothing The European Parliament will do the utmost to support a compromise and a fair deal, but I cant pre-empt a result in the European Parliament, he added. Mr Schulzs remarks are certain to complicate Mr Camerons attempt to sell the agreement in the referendum campaign and will be seized upon by his opponents as evidence that the deal could be easily undone if the UK votes to stay. But the EPP leader, Manfred Weber, who is also an ally of Germanys Chancellor Angela Merkel, said Mr Cameron appeared strongly convinced that he can convince Britain to back continued EU membership in a referendum expected in June. We need this outcome because we need to convince the British voters, Mr Weber said. David Cameron attends a meeting of members of political parties, in Brussels, on Tuesday (AP) The head of the parliaments centre-left S&D group, Italys Gianni Pittella, said he had a very open and constructive discussion with Mr Cameron and said he would support keeping Britain in the EU. On the other hand, this deal must not undermine European principles and values, especially on the social agenda. Mr Cameron also met the European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, who earlier insisted that a British exit from the EU was not an option. I am not entering into the details of a plan B, because we dont have a plan B, Mr Juncker said. Britain will stay in the European Union as a constructive and active member of the Union. British officials said their talks focused on those issues where there are still details to be nailed down and agreed that the renegotiation had progressed well. Umunna case for Britain in EU In a sign of the unease felt in parts of Europe about the proposals to curb welfare payments, the Czech minister for Europe, Tomas Prouza, said they were concerned other EU countries might want to follow the UKs lead. In Central Europe there has been willingness to help the UK and there still is, but the issue we have is not with the UK and David Camerons demands, the issue is with other countries trying to piggyback on the British proposals for their own benefit, he said. The proposals are clear that the limits on in-work benefits would apply only to the newcomers as its a very UK-specific solution, so we need the very same guarantees also for the child benefits indexation that applies only to the newcomers and only those working in the UK. Its important we dont do the changes retrospectively. A Downing Street spokeswoman said Mr Cameron had spoken to the Czech Prime Minister by phone during the day in an attempt to find a compromise. The Prime Minister welcomed the support for the UK renegotiation expressed by the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia at their meeting in Prague and both agreed that further discussions are necessary to pin down all the details. Sign up to our free Brexit and beyond email for the latest headlines on what Brexit is meaning for the UK Sign up to our Brexit email for the latest insight Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Brexit and beyond email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Supporters of Britain leaving the European Union have created a coalition called the GO Movement which will apply for designation as the official Leave campaign in the membership referendum expected in June. It is being backed by Eurosceptics from the Grassroots Out campaign, the Ukip leader Nigel Farage, the Leave.EU group and other smaller organisations. But the new groupings move suffered an immediate setback when its claim that it was backed by a Democratic Unionist MP was derided as utter codswallop by the Northern Ireland party. A spokesman said: We are appalled with them. This is not the way people who want to cooperate to achieve Brexit should behave. Recommended Read more Tory battle lines harden as EU negotiations enter their final days The umbrella group was formed after Leave.EU and the Ukip leadership backed the cross-party Grassroots Out campaign founded by the Tory MPs Peter Bone and Tom Pursglove and Labours Kate Hoey. Ms Hoey said: The GO Movement is the peoples campaign. We will take on the establishment and win this referendum to secure a better, safer and freer future for our country outside the EU. Asked earlier this month about the aim of Grassroots Out, Mr Bone told the Independent: Weve absolutely no interest in designation thats not what were about. Farage: PM asked for nothing The move leaves the movement vying with the rival campaign Vote Leave for the Electoral Commission designation, entitling the chosen group to 600,000 in public money, campaign broadcasts and free mailshots. Grassroots Out is staging a rally on late on 19 February, following the conclusion of the Brussels summit at which David Cameron hopes to win support from other EU leaders for his reform demands. The rally will be addressed by senior political figures who hope they will be joined on stage by ministers if collective Cabinet responsibility has been waived at that point by Mr Cameron. Eurosceptic groups have been beset by infighting in recent months, with Leave.UKs founder Arron Banks, who is a Ukip donor, attacking senior figures in Vote Leave, which is backed by Ukips only MP, Douglas Carswell. Vote Leave denied the movements claim that it was about to fall in behind the new grouping, insisting it was confident of winning the designation because it was more broad-based and forward looking than its rival. A spokesman said: We wish this new campaign well and are willing to work with anyone who wishes to campaign to leave the EU. Sign up to the Inside Politics email for your free daily briefing on the biggest stories in UK politics Get our free Inside Politics email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Politics email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Kensington Palace has denied that Prince William used a speech at the Foreign Office to endorse the UKs continued membership of the European Union. Addressing British diplomats at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office the Duke of Cambridge said that common action with other nations is essential in an increasingly turbulent world. His comments came on the same day that Prime Minister David Cameron began crunch talks at a crucial summit in Brussels to thrash out the draft renegotiation of Britains membership of the EU. However, a spokesperson for Prince William said: "This speech is not about Europe. He does not mention the word Europe once." They added that the timing of the speech was a complete coincidence and that the invitation to speak at the inaugural Diplomatic Academy awards came months ago. Speaking to the Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond and recipients of the awards, the Duke of Cambridge said: For centuries, Britain has been an outward looking nation. Hemmed in by sea, we have always sought to explore what is beyond the horizon. That sense of mission and curiosity is something that I know continues to drive our economy, our cultural and educational exports and our Armed Forces and Diplomatic Service. And wherever we go, we have a long and proud tradition of seeking out allies and partners. He added: In an increasingly turbulent world, our ability to unite in common action with other nations is essential. It is the bedrock of our security and prosperity and is central to your work. Right now, the big questions with which you wrestle in the UN, NATO, the Middle East and elsewhere are predicated on your commitment to working in partnership with others. I know from my own experience how important that is. A subject that is close to my heart, the illegal trade in ivory and rhino horn, cannot be solved without nations working together in new ways. The intervention by the duke will draw comparisons with the eve of the Scottish referendum in 2014 in which the Queen asked voters to think very carefully before casting their vote. The Duke of Cambridge also used the speech to pay tribute to his grandmother where he also highlighted how "extremely well" the department handled the Tunisia terrorist attack last year. At the FCO headquarters in Whitehall, the Duke presented awards to embassy staff from across the globe that have shown leadership, creativity and innovation, and other attributes when supporting the learning of others at the department's Diplomatic Academy. The institution was opened last year and provides career development training for FCO staff who want to gain greater knowledge about topics ranging from economics to defence and security. Additional reporting by Press Association Sign up to the Inside Politics email for your free daily briefing on the biggest stories in UK politics Get our free Inside Politics email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Politics email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} A leaked document has revealed that Health Minister Jeremy Hunts own officials doubt his evidence on a seven-day NHS, it has been reported. The internal Department of Health report, which has allegedly been leaked to The Guardian, states that it is not possible to prove that a seven-day NHS would lower the number of patients dying at weekends. It allegedly says that the Department: cannot evidence the mechanism by which increased consultant presence and diagnostic tests at weekends will translate into lower mortality and reduced length of stay. Mr Hunts push for seven-day services has been based on his claims that to do so would combat higher death rates on Saturdays and Sundays. The Department has cited a number of studies which apparently observe the trend, including a 2015 report for the British Medical Study which found that every year 11,000 more patients die within a month of visiting hospital if they are treated on a weekend. In pictures: Junior doctors protests in UK Show all 10 1 /10 In pictures: Junior doctors protests in UK In pictures: Junior doctors protests in UK 20,000 Junior Doctors marched through central London in protest at the new contract changes the government is trying to impose which they say will be unfair and unsafe In pictures: Junior doctors protests in UK Junior doctors protest in London In pictures: Junior doctors protests in UK 4 year old Cassius takes part in a demonstration in Westminster, in support of junior doctors over changes to NHS contracts, London In pictures: Junior doctors protests in UK Protest over proposed changes to junior doctors' contracts, Leeds In pictures: Junior doctors protests in UK Junior doctors and NHS staff protesting against the health service cuts and the proposed contract changes offered by the government outside Parliament In pictures: Junior doctors protests in UK Junior doctors and NHS staff protesting against the health service cuts and the proposed contract changes offered by the government outside Parliament In pictures: Junior doctors protests in UK Over 5000 junior doctors rallied in Waterloo place, before marching through Whitehall and onto Parliament Square, in opposition to Jeremy Hunt's new working conditions for doctors In pictures: Junior doctors protests in UK Demonstrators listen to speeches in Waterloo Place during the 'Let's Save the NHS' rally and protest march by junior doctors In pictures: Junior doctors protests in UK Junior doctors marched in London to highlight their plight In pictures: Junior doctors protests in UK A protester at a demonstration in support of junior doctors in London The figure has been contested by critics who say the number is not due to lower staffing or services but because those who visit on weekends are more likely to be seriously ill, thereby skewing the figures. Junior doctors have opposed the proposed changes to their contract which they claim would put patients at risk due to unsafe working hours and conditions for medical staff. Last week, Mr Hunt announced that after attempts at negotiations with junior doctors, he had decided to proceed with the new contract despite strong opposition. The Independent has contacted the Department of Health for comment. Sign up to the Inside Politics email for your free daily briefing on the biggest stories in UK politics Get our free Inside Politics email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Politics email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} The NHS could be starved of doctors from overseas because of proposed new visa rules that would leave them last in line for specialist jobs, the British Medical Association has warned. Reforms aimed at making it harder for businesses to recruit from overseas, overlooking British workers, could have a series of unintended and harmful consequences for the health service, the medical union said. In a letter to the immigration minister James Brokenshire, seen by The Independent, BMA chief Dr Mark Porter said the changes, recommended by the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC), could have a devastating impact on the 500 overseas medics who graduate from UK medical schools each year. The NHS is already facing the risk of a workforce crisis as junior doctors in England consider the new contract imposed on them by the Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt. Many have indicated they may leave the NHS rather than work under the new conditions. The BMA said the proposed changes to visa rules could also harm the Governments plan to implement seven-day services, and to recruit 5,000 more GPs by 2020. Recommendations from the MAC in a report last month, if drafted into law, would mean that international graduates from UK medical schools would now be subject to the Resident Labour Market Test when applying for a medical specialty. This means they would only be eligible to take part in the second round of applications for specialist training posts, when most have already been filled by UK and EU citizens. Overseas doctors have told the BMA the proposed changes would make it much harder for them to pursue their chosen career path in the NHS. Many would leave the UK to pursue their career ambitions elsewhere, the doctors union said. Junior Doctors Contract Further proposed changes, which would increase the minimum salary requirement for a tier 2 visa the type assigned to overseas doctors training for a specialty to 30,000, could penalise medics who want to work part-time in order to raise children, act as a carer, or study. Between August 2014 and August 2015, 3,602 doctors were granted tier 2 visas to work in the UK. The MACs recommendations are causing great anxiety amongst our members who are facing considerable uncertainty about their future medical careers in the UK, the BMAs letter to Mr Brokenshire states. Dr Porter told The Independent: What these recommendations propose is that students from overseas who have obtained a UK medical degree will be left until last in line to get a job. In pictures: Junior doctors protests in UK Show all 10 1 /10 In pictures: Junior doctors protests in UK In pictures: Junior doctors protests in UK 20,000 Junior Doctors marched through central London in protest at the new contract changes the government is trying to impose which they say will be unfair and unsafe In pictures: Junior doctors protests in UK Junior doctors protest in London In pictures: Junior doctors protests in UK 4 year old Cassius takes part in a demonstration in Westminster, in support of junior doctors over changes to NHS contracts, London In pictures: Junior doctors protests in UK Protest over proposed changes to junior doctors' contracts, Leeds In pictures: Junior doctors protests in UK Junior doctors and NHS staff protesting against the health service cuts and the proposed contract changes offered by the government outside Parliament In pictures: Junior doctors protests in UK Junior doctors and NHS staff protesting against the health service cuts and the proposed contract changes offered by the government outside Parliament In pictures: Junior doctors protests in UK Over 5000 junior doctors rallied in Waterloo place, before marching through Whitehall and onto Parliament Square, in opposition to Jeremy Hunt's new working conditions for doctors In pictures: Junior doctors protests in UK Demonstrators listen to speeches in Waterloo Place during the 'Let's Save the NHS' rally and protest march by junior doctors In pictures: Junior doctors protests in UK Junior doctors marched in London to highlight their plight In pictures: Junior doctors protests in UK A protester at a demonstration in support of junior doctors in London This will very likely leave them unable to pursue a career in the specialty they wish to work in, and leave them with little option but to take their much-needed medical training and expertise to another countrys health service where they are able to continue their training. This would be a completely obstructive move at a time when the NHS is facing unprecedented pressure and huge staff shortages. Around 7.5 per cent of all graduates from UK medical schools are from overseas. International students pay between 25,000 and 40,000 a year in fees, so any measures that discourage doctors from training and working in Britain could also hit universities incomes. The BMA is also concerned that a new levy of 1,000 for organisations that employ skilled migrants from outside the EU could cost the NHS up 3.5m a year. Dr Porter has requested a meeting with Mr Brokenshire, with a view to securing specific exemptions for the NHS in any changes to visa rules. A Home Office spokesperson said that no decisions had been taken on implementing the MACs recommendation. In October last year, Theresa May, the Home Secretary, temporarily suspended recruitment restrictions for nurses from outside the EU following warnings of staffing shortages. We are grateful to the Migration Advisory Committee for its report, a Home Office spokesperson said. We are considering its findings and will respond in due course. Sign up to the Inside Politics email for your free daily briefing on the biggest stories in UK politics Get our free Inside Politics email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Politics email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} A convicted paedophile and pro-child sex campaigner who joined the Labour Party has had his membership suspended. Tom OCarroll, the former chair of the Paedophile Information Exchange (PIE), is believed to have joined the party in September after Jeremy Corbyn became leader. As well as having campaigned for the age of consent to be abolished, Mr OCarroll was jailed in 2006 for conspiring to distribute indecent photographs of children. A Labour spokesperson said Mr OCarroll had been suspended on the basis that he was a safeguarding risk. The party Deputy Leader Tom Watson said Mr OCarroll was not welcome in the party. Just picking up on the Tom O'Carroll story. Have to verify the facts but he is not welcome in the Labour Party and nor are his views, Mr Watson tweeted. John Woodcock, the MP whose local party Mr OCarroll joined, had said he was dismayed at the man joining. The episode comes the same day as former Mayor of London Ken Livingstone said he would be willing to consider the chemical castration of paedophiles. The most ridiculous claims made about Jeremy Corbyn Show all 11 1 /11 The most ridiculous claims made about Jeremy Corbyn The most ridiculous claims made about Jeremy Corbyn He called Hezbollah and Hamas friends True. In a speech made to the Stop the War Coalition in 2009, Mr Corbyn called representatives from both groups friends after inviting them to Parliament. He later told Channel 4 he wanted both groups, who have factions designated as international terror organisations, to be part of the debate for the Middle East peace process. I use (the word friends) in a collective way, saying our friends are prepared to talk, he added. Does it mean I agree with Hamas and what it does? No. Does it mean I agree with Hezbollah and what they do? No. Reuters The most ridiculous claims made about Jeremy Corbyn Jeremy Corbyn thinks the death of Osama bin Laden was a tragedy Partly false. David Cameron used this as a line of attack at the Conservative Party conference but appears to have left out all context from Mr Corbyns original remarks. In an 2011 interview on Iranian television, the then-backbencher said the fact the al-Qaeda leader was not put on trial was the tragedy, continuing: The World Trade Center was a tragedy, the attack on Afghanistan was a tragedy, the war in Iraq was a tragedy. The most ridiculous claims made about Jeremy Corbyn He is haunted by the legacy of his evil great-great-grandfather False. A Daily Express expose revealed that the Labour leaders ancestor, James Sargent, was the despotic master of a Victorian workhouse. Addressing the report at the Labour conference, Mr Corbyn said he had never heard of him before, adding: I want to take this opportunity to apologise for not doing the decent thing and going back in time and having a chat with him about his appalling behaviour. The most ridiculous claims made about Jeremy Corbyn Jeremy Corbyn raised a motion about pigeon bombs in Parliament This one is true. On 21 May 2004, Mr Corbyn raised an early day motion entitled pigeon bombs, proposing that the House register being appalled but barely surprised that MI5 reportedly proposed to load pigeons with explosives as a weapon. The motion continued: The House believes that humans represent the most obscene, perverted, cruel, uncivilised and lethal species ever to inhabit the planet and looks forward to the day when the inevitable asteroid slams into the earth and wipes them out thus giving nature the opportunity to start again. It was not carried. The most ridiculous claims made about Jeremy Corbyn He rides a Communist bicycle False. A report in The Times referred to Mr Corbyn, known for his cycling, riding a Chairman Mao-style bicycle earlier this year. Less thorough journalists might have referred to it as just a bicycle, but no, so we have to conclude that whenever we see somebody on a bicycle from now on, there goes another supporter of Chairman Mao, he later joked. The most ridiculous claims made about Jeremy Corbyn 'Jeremy Corbyn will appoint a special minister for Jews' False so far. The Sun report in December was allegedly based on a rumour passed to the paper by a Daily Express columnist who has written pieces critical of the Labour leader in the past. The minister did not materialise in his shadow cabinet. The most ridiculous claims made about Jeremy Corbyn Jeremy Corbyn wishes Britain would abolish its Army False. Another gem from The Sun took comments made at a Hiroshima remembrance parade in August 2012 where Mr Corbyn supported Costa Ricas move to abolish it armed forces. Wouldnt it be wonderful if every politician around the worldabolished the army and took pride in the fact that they dont have an army, he added. The caveat that every politician must take the step suggests Mr Corbyn does not support UK disarmament just yet. The most ridiculous claims made about Jeremy Corbyn Jeremy Corbyn stole sandwiches meant for veterans False. The Guido Fawkes blog claimed that the Labour leader took sandwiches meant for veterans at at Battle of Britain memorial service in September but a photo later emerged showing him being handed one by Costa volunteers, who later confirmed they were given to all guests. The most ridiculous claims made about Jeremy Corbyn He missed the induction into the Queens privy council True. After much speculation about Mr Corbyns republican views and willingness to bow to the monarch, his office confirmed that he did not attend the official induction to the privy council because of a prior engagement, but did not rule out joining the body. The most ridiculous claims made about Jeremy Corbyn Jeremy Corbyn refuses to sing the national anthem. Partly true. The Labour leader was filmed standing in silence as God Save the Queen was sung at a Battle of Britain remembrance service but will reportedly sing it in future. Mr Corbyn was elusive on the issue in an interview, saying he would show memorials respect in the proper way, but sources said he would sing the anthem at future occasions. The most ridiculous claims made about Jeremy Corbyn He is a member of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Cheese True. The group lists its purpose as the following: To increase awareness of issues surrounding the dairy industry and focus on economic issues affecting the dairy industry and producers. He told the London Assembly that such serious sex offenders should be given life sentences. Mr OCarroll, who is aged 70 years old, was a prominent campaigner to legalise sex with children in the 1970s and 80s. In 1980 he wrote a book arguing that sex between adults and children should be tolerated as normal. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Harrowing pictures show how a starving two-year-old Nigerian boy was rescued after being discovered naked and wandering the streets because his family thought he was a witch. The boy, who has been named Hope, was found emaciated and riddled with worms after being forced to live off scraps of food thrown to him by passersby for eight months. He was rescued by Anja Ringgren Loven, a Danish woman living in Africa who bent down and began feeding the boy and giving him water. She then wrapped the boy in a blanket and took him to the nearest hospital. Anja Ringgren Loven carries Hope to the hospital (Anja Ringgren Loven/Facebook) (Anja Ringgren Loven/Facebook) Ms Loven is the founder of African Children's Aid Education and Development Foundation, which she created to help children which have been labelled as witches and therefore neglected and even killed by members of their community. She runs a children's centre where the children she saves receive medical care, food and schooling. Top 20 hungriest countries in the world Show all 20 1 /20 Top 20 hungriest countries in the world Top 20 hungriest countries in the world 1. Haiti Proportion: 53.4% Total number of malnourished citizens: 5.7 million people Getty Top 20 hungriest countries in the world 2. Zambia Proportion: 47.8% Total number of malnourished citizens: 7.4 million people Getty Top 20 hungriest countries in the world 3. Central African Republic Proportion: 47.7% Total number of malnourished citizens: 2.3 million people Getty Top 20 hungriest countries in the world 4. Namibia Proportion: 42.3% Total number of malnourished citizens: 1 million people Getty Top 20 hungriest countries in the world 5. North Korea Proportion: 41.6% Total number of malnourished citizens: 10.5 million people Getty Top 20 hungriest countries in the world 6. Chad Proportion: 34.4% Total number of malnourished citizens: 4.7 million people Getty Top 20 hungriest countries in the world 7. Zimbabwe Proportion: 33.4% Total number of malnourished citizens: 5 million people Getty Top 20 hungriest countries in the world 8. Tajikistan Proportion: 33.2% Total number of malnourished citizens: 2.9 million Getty Top 20 hungriest countries in the world 9. Madagascar Proportion: 33% Total number of malnourished citizens: 8 million Getty Top 20 hungriest countries in the world 10. Tanzania Proportion: 32.1% Total number of malnourished citizens: 16.8 million Getty Top 20 hungriest countries in the world 11. Ethiopia Proportion: 32% Total number of malnourished citizens: 31.6 million Getty Top 20 hungriest countries in the world 12. Liberia Proportion: 31.9% Total number of malnourished citizens: 1.4 million Getty Top 20 hungriest countries in the world 13. Rwanda Proportion: 31.6% Total number of malnourished citizens: 3.9 million Getty Top 20 hungriest countries in the world 14. Congo Proportion: 30.5% Total number of malnourished citizens: 1.4 million Getty Top 20 hungriest countries in the world 15. Timor Leste Proportion: 26.9% Total number of malnourished citizens: 0.3 million Getty Top 20 hungriest countries in the world 16. Afghanistan Proportion: 26.8% Total number of malnourished citizens: 8.6 million Getty Top 20 hungriest countries in the world 17. Swaziland Proportion: 26.8% Total number of malnourished citizens: 0.3 million Getty Top 20 hungriest countries in the world 18. Yemen Proportion: 26.1% Total number of malnourished citizens: 6.7 million Getty Top 20 hungriest countries in the world 19. Uganda Proportion: 25.5% Total number of malnourished citizens: 10.3 million Getty Top 20 hungriest countries in the world 20. Mozambique Proportion: 25.3% Total number of malnourished citizens: 6.9 million Getty "Thousands of children are being accused of being witches and we've both seen torture of children, dead children and frightened children," she wrote in Danish on Facebook, making an appeal for donations to help pay the young boy's medical fees. (Anja Ringgren Loven/Facebook) Hope was given medication to remove the worms from his belly and daily blood transfusions to give him more red blood cells, Ms Loven wrote. "Hope's condition is stable now. He's taking food for himself and he responds to the medicine he gets." (Anja Ringgren Loven/Facebook) (Anja Ringgren Loven/Facebook) She said the "strong little boy" even plays with her own son. Two days after asking for help with Hope's medical fees, she received $1 million in donations from around the world. "With all the money, we can, besides giving Hope the very best treatment, now also build a doctor clinic on the new land and save many more children out of torture!" she wrote. Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Colorado Springs single Planned Parenthood centre has partially re-opened just two and a half months after a gunman went on a deadly rampage. The family planning clinics leader said she was in awe of [her] healing and resilient colleagues who had come back to work after the attack on 27 November that left three dead. We welcome our team and our community back into the space with open arms and full hearts, said Vicki Cowart, President and Chief Executive of the Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains. Usual services, including abortions, cancer screenings and contraceptives will be offered in one part of the building while workers continue repairs elsewhere, as reported by the Gazette. Ms Coward said a security guard has overseen the building during repairs and a second guard will be present during business hours. Demand reportedly increased at other clinics while the Colorado Springs centre was closed, while some women delayed getting care. It felt awful to not be there for the people we know need us, Ms Cowart told the Gazette. On 27 November gunman Robert Lewis Dear Jr, 57, stormed the centre and killed two people and a policeman. He also wounded nine, including five police officers. An armed police vehicle rammed into the front of the clinic as part of a rescue operation, leaving a large hole in the building to get more people out safely. A plywood structure now covers the hole and people use a different entrance. A Planned Parenthood petition reads: We aren't going anywhere. Planned Parenthood has been here for nearly 100 years, and we will keep being here as long as women, men, and young people need health care with dignity. To those who go to shocking extremes to close our doors, know this: These doors stay open. The gunmans court case is on hold after a judge ordered Mr Dear to undergo an evaluation to establish whether he is mentally fit to stand trial. Mr Dear said he was a warrior for the babies and he targeted the clinic because it carried out abortions. He also mentioned no more baby parts to authorities, referring to the fake video that anti-abortion activists edited and spliced together to show Planned Parenthood staff allegedly discussing how they sell fetal tissue for profit. Two of these activists have been indicted in Texas on charges related to the video. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} George W Bush has appeared at his first campaign rally for his brother Jeb but while he purported to set out a positive case for extending his familys legacy in the White House, he reserved his strongest words for barbed attacks against Republican frontrunner Donald Trump. At no point did the former president actually mention the billionaire businessman by name but it was clear he was referring to the powerful anti-establishment movement that has elevated Mr Trump to pole position when he said: I understand Americans are angry and frustrated. His next words, coming from the man who started the Iraq War as a retaliation for the 9/11 attacks, were criticised as hypocritical by some observers. Warning against a Trump vote, he said: But we do not need somebody in the Oval Office who mirrors and inflames our anger and frustration. The shadow of George W has hung over Jeb Bush since the start of the presidential campaign, with attacks on his brothers legacy proving popular among other candidates. On Monday, ahead of the former presidents campaign rally appearance, Mr Trump tweeted: Now that George Bush is campaigning for Jeb(!). is he fair game for questions about World Trade Center, Iraq War and eco collapse? Careful! Opinions on George W Bushs legacy are divided within the Republican party. In a TV debate on Saturday night, Mr Trump repeatedly claimed the simple fact that the 9/11 attacks happened on the Bush watch meant the family could not keep the country safe. Donald Trump, left, and fellow candidate Jeb Bush speaking at the debate (EPA) But speaking to Politico afterwards, unnamed party insiders said the attacks on the last Republican president were galactic-level stupid, mean-spirited and unpresidential. While Mr Trump has a track record of causing outrage and seeing his lead in the race for the Republican nomination only rise, it is early favourite Jeb Bushs hopes that are now in peril. Bush is vying with Florida senator Marco Rubio and Ohio governor John Kasich for the role of mainstream contender to the conservative ticket of either Mr Trump or Texas senator Ted Cruz. Republican presidential nominations Show all 9 1 /9 Republican presidential nominations Republican presidential nominations Jeb Bush Who he is: Brother of former President George W. Bush and son of former President George H. W. Bush, Mr Bush has formed a Political Action Committee and is exploring a presidential bid. He was the governor of Florida from 1999 to 2007. The issues: Mr Bush has indicated that his campaign would focus on the economy, foreign policy and energy. He is also known as a proponent of education reform. Getty Republican presidential nominations Marco Rubio Who he is: Mr Rubio is a US senator from Florida who has served since 2011. He is an early favourite to receive heavy donations from ultra-rich donors the Koch brothers. The issues: Mr Rubio has said the biggest issue facing the US in the near future is foreign policy and dealing with threats from China, Russia, North Korea and Iran. AP Republican presidential nominations Ben Carson Who he is: Dr Carson is a retired neurosurgeon, who became one of the most prominent physicians in the US. He has no political experience, but has formed a PAC to consider a run for president. The issues: A big proponent of smaller government, Dr Carson holds a tough stance on illegal immigration and is staunchly opposed to government involvement in health care. Getty Republican presidential nominations Ted Cruz Who he is: Mr Cruz has served as a US senator from Texas since 2013 and previously was the solicitor general of the state from 2003 to 2008. The issues: Mr Cruz is strongly against illegal immigration and figures to offer a presidential campaign heavy on foreign policy. He supports tough sanctions on both Russia and Iran. EPA/SHAWN THEW Republican presidential nominations Carly Fiorina Who she is: Ms Fiorina is the former CEO of Hewlett-Packard and a former executive at AT&T. She also was a 2010 nominee from California for the US Senate. The issues: Ms Fiorina, should she run, will campaign as a pro-business candidate whose background as chief executive of a major company proves she can handle the US economy. Getty Images Republican presidential nominations Mike Huckabee Who he is: Mr Huckabee was the governor of Arkansas from 1996 to 2007 and ran for president in 2008. An ordained Baptist minister, he also hosted a talk show on Fox News until early this month. The issues: Mr Huckabee supports tax reform and often touts the FairTax, which would eliminate income and payroll taxes in favour of a uniform sales tax. getty images Republican presidential nominations Rand Paul Who he is: Mr Paul has served as a US senator from Kentucky since 2011. He is a libertarian and son of former US Rep. Ron Paul of Texas. The issues: Mr Paul supports balanced spending by the government, unlike some of his peers in the Republican Party who oppose most government spending. He has been called an isolationist by some political pundits. AP Republican presidential nominations Scott Walker - OUT Who he is: Mr Walker has served as the governor of Wisconsin since 2011 and has long been mentioned as a potential presidential candidate. Mr Walker this week launched a PAC to prepare for a presidential run. The issues: Mr Walker opposes compromise with Democrats on key issues and would encourage increasing the fight against Isis. AP Republican presidential nominations Rick Perry - OUT Who he is: Mr Paul has served as a US senator from Kentucky since 2011. He is a libertarian and son of former US Rep. Ron Paul of Texas. The issues: Mr Paul supports balanced spending by the government, unlike some of his peers in the Republican Party who oppose most government spending. He has been called an isolationist by some political pundits. Getty And in implicit criticism of the latter two on Monday night, George W urged voters to back a candidate who will be measured and thoughtful and exhibit humility on the world stage. All the sloganeering and all the talk doesn't matter if we don't win, George W said. We need somebody who can take a positive message across the country. George W. Bush has kept a low profile since leaving the White House in early 2009. He retreated to his home state of Texas, where he picked up painting and delved into work on his presidential library, public health projects in Africa, and events for wounded military service members. He joins the trail in South Carolina after the influence of family matriarch Barbara Bush failed to secure much of a lift in votes for Jeb in New Hampshire. Additional reporting by agencies For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} A Chinese province has agreed to give women paid leave every month if they are suffering from severe menstrual cramps. From March, female workers in the central Anhui Provinces will be able to take one or two days off on production of a certificate from a legal medical institute or hospital, reports China.org news website. It is not the first Chinese province to bring in the law. Menstrual leave, as it is known, is already in place for women in the northern Shanxi province and central Hubei province. CNN reported Guandong, in southern China, also trialled the scheme up until December 3, but it is not clear if it will be taken forward. A survey in the province found 20 per cent of women were unwilling to take this leave as it could cause delays in work, according to China.org. As well as worrying employees about their rights, employers said they were concerned about the costs involved. Health news in pictures Show all 40 1 /40 Health news in pictures Health news in pictures Coronavirus outbreak The coronavirus Covid-19 has hit the UK leading to the deaths of two people so far and prompting warnings from the Department of Health AFP via Getty Health news in pictures Thousands of emergency patients told to take taxi to hospital Thousands of 999 patients in England are being told to get a taxi to hospital, figures have showed. The number of patients outside London who were refused an ambulance rose by 83 per cent in the past year as demand for services grows Getty Health news in pictures Vape related deaths spike A vaping-related lung disease has claimed the lives of 11 people in the US in recent weeks. The US Centre for Disease Control and Prevention has more than 100 officials investigating the cause of the mystery illness, and has warned citizens against smoking e-cigarette products until more is known, particularly if modified or bought off the street Getty Health news in pictures Baldness cure looks to be a step closer Researchers in the US claim to have overcome one of the major hurdles to cultivating human follicles from stem cells. The new system allows cells to grow in a structured tuft and emerge from the skin Sanford Burnham Preybs Health news in pictures Two hours a week spent in nature can improve health A study in the journal Scientific Reports suggests that a dose of nature of just two hours a week is associated with better health and psychological wellbeing Shutterstock Health news in pictures Air pollution linked to fertility issues in women Exposure to air from traffic-clogged streets could leave women with fewer years to have children, a study has found. Italian researchers found women living in the most polluted areas were three times more likely to show signs they were running low on eggs than those who lived in cleaner surroundings, potentially triggering an earlier menopause Getty/iStock Health news in pictures Junk food ads could be banned before watershed Junk food adverts on TV and online could be banned before 9pm as part of Government plans to fight the "epidemic" of childhood obesity. Plans for the new watershed have been put out for public consultation in a bid to combat the growing crisis, the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) said PA Health news in pictures Breeding with neanderthals helped humans fight diseases On migrating from Africa around 70,000 years ago, humans bumped into the neanderthals of Eurasia. While humans were weak to the diseases of the new lands, breeding with the resident neanderthals made for a better equipped immune system PA Health news in pictures Cancer breath test to be trialled in Britain The breath biopsy device is designed to detect cancer hallmarks in molecules exhaled by patients Getty Health news in pictures Average 10 year old has consumed the recommended amount of sugar for an adult By their 10th birthdy, children have on average already eaten more sugar than the recommended amount for an 18 year old. The average 10 year old consumes the equivalent to 13 sugar cubes a day, 8 more than is recommended PA Health news in pictures Child health experts advise switching off screens an hour before bed While there is not enough evidence of harm to recommend UK-wide limits on screen use, the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health have advised that children should avoid screens for an hour before bed time to avoid disrupting their sleep Getty Health news in pictures Daily aspirin is unnecessary for older people in good health, study finds A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine has found that many elderly people are taking daily aspirin to little or no avail Getty Health news in pictures Vaping could lead to cancer, US study finds A study by the University of Minnesota's Masonic Cancer Centre has found that the carcinogenic chemicals formaldehyde, acrolein, and methylglyoxal are present in the saliva of E-cigarette users Reuters Health news in pictures More children are obese and diabetic There has been a 41% increase in children with type 2 diabetes since 2014, the National Paediatric Diabetes Audit has found. Obesity is a leading cause Reuters Health news in pictures Most child antidepressants are ineffective and can lead to suicidal thoughts The majority of antidepressants are ineffective and may be unsafe, for children and teenager with major depression, experts have warned. In what is the most comprehensive comparison of 14 commonly prescribed antidepressant drugs to date, researchers found that only one brand was more effective at relieving symptoms of depression than a placebo. Another popular drug, venlafaxine, was shown increase the risk users engaging in suicidal thoughts and attempts at suicide Getty Health news in pictures Gay, lesbian and bisexual adults at higher risk of heart disease, study claims Researchers at the Baptist Health South Florida Clinic in Miami focused on seven areas of controllable heart health and found these minority groups were particularly likely to be smokers and to have poorly controlled blood sugar iStock Health news in pictures Breakfast cereals targeted at children contain 'steadily high' sugar levels since 1992 despite producer claims A major pressure group has issued a fresh warning about perilously high amounts of sugar in breakfast cereals, specifically those designed for children, and has said that levels have barely been cut at all in the last two and a half decades Getty Health news in pictures Potholes are making us fat, NHS watchdog warns New guidance by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), the body which determines what treatment the NHS should fund, said lax road repairs and car-dominated streets were contributing to the obesity epidemic by preventing members of the public from keeping active PA Health news in pictures New menopause drugs offer women relief from 'debilitating' hot flushes A new class of treatments for women going through the menopause is able to reduce numbers of debilitating hot flushes by as much as three quarters in a matter of days, a trial has found. The drug used in the trial belongs to a group known as NKB antagonists (blockers), which were developed as a treatment for schizophrenia but have been sitting on a shelf unused, according to Professor Waljit Dhillo, a professor of endocrinology and metabolism REX Health news in pictures Doctors should prescribe more antidepressants for people with mental health problems, study finds Research from Oxford University found that more than one million extra people suffering from mental health problems would benefit from being prescribed drugs and criticised ideological reasons doctors use to avoid doing so. Getty Health news in pictures Student dies of flu after NHS advice to stay at home and avoid A&E The family of a teenager who died from flu has urged people not to delay going to A&E if they are worried about their symptoms. Melissa Whiteley, an 18-year-old engineering student from Hanford in Stoke-on-Trent, fell ill at Christmas and died in hospital a month later. Just Giving Health news in pictures Government to review thousands of harmful vaginal mesh implants The Government has pledged to review tens of thousands of cases where women have been given harmful vaginal mesh implants. Getty Health news in pictures Jeremy Hunt announces 'zero suicides ambition' for the NHS The NHS will be asked to go further to prevent the deaths of patients in its care as part of a zero suicide ambition being launched today Getty Health news in pictures Human trials start with cancer treatment that primes immune system to kill off tumours Human trials have begun with a new cancer therapy that can prime the immune system to eradicate tumours. The treatment, that works similarly to a vaccine, is a combination of two existing drugs, of which tiny amounts are injected into the solid bulk of a tumour. Nephron Health news in pictures Babies' health suffers from being born near fracking sites, finds major study Mothers living within a kilometre of a fracking site were 25 per cent more likely to have a child born at low birth weight, which increase their chances of asthma, ADHD and other issues Getty Health news in pictures NHS reviewing thousands of cervical cancer smear tests after women wrongly given all-clear Thousands of cervical cancer screening results are under review after failings at a laboratory meant some women were incorrectly given the all-clear. A number of women have already been told to contact their doctors following the identification of procedural issues in the service provided by Pathology First Laboratory. Rex Health news in pictures Potential key to halting breast cancer's spread discovered by scientists Most breast cancer patients do not die from their initial tumour, but from secondary malignant growths (metastases), where cancer cells are able to enter the blood and survive to invade new sites. Asparagine, a molecule named after asparagus where it was first identified in high quantities, has now been shown to be an essential ingredient for tumour cells to gain these migratory properties. Getty Health news in pictures NHS nursing vacancies at record high with more than 34,000 roles advertised A record number of nursing and midwifery positions are currently being advertised by the NHS, with more than 34,000 positions currently vacant, according to the latest data. Demand for nurses was 19 per cent higher between July and September 2017 than the same period two years ago. REX Health news in pictures Cannabis extract could provide new class of treatment for psychosis CBD has a broadly opposite effect to delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main active component in cannabis and the substance that causes paranoia and anxiety. Getty Health news in pictures Over 75,000 sign petition calling for Richard Branson's Virgin Care to hand settlement money back to NHS Mr Bransons company sued the NHS last year after it lost out on an 82m contract to provide childrens health services across Surrey, citing concerns over serious flaws in the way the contract was awarded PA Health news in pictures More than 700 fewer nurses training in England in first year after NHS bursary scrapped The numbers of people accepted to study nursing in England fell 3 per cent in 2017, while the numbers accepted in Wales and Scotland, where the bursaries were kept, increased 8.4 per cent and 8 per cent respectively Getty Health news in pictures Landmark study links Tory austerity to 120,000 deaths The paper found that there were 45,000 more deaths in the first four years of Tory-led efficiencies than would have been expected if funding had stayed at pre-election levels. On this trajectory that could rise to nearly 200,000 excess deaths by the end of 2020, even with the extra funding that has been earmarked for public sector services this year. Reuters Health news in pictures Long commutes carry health risks Hours of commuting may be mind-numbingly dull, but new research shows that it might also be having an adverse effect on both your health and performance at work. Longer commutes also appear to have a significant impact on mental wellbeing, with those commuting longer 33 per cent more likely to suffer from depression Shutterstock Health news in pictures You cannot be fit and fat It is not possible to be overweight and healthy, a major new study has concluded. The study of 3.5 million Britons found that even metabolically healthy obese people are still at a higher risk of heart disease or a stroke than those with a normal weight range Getty Health news in pictures Sleep deprivation When you feel particularly exhausted, it can definitely feel like you are also lacking in brain capacity. Now, a new study has suggested this could be because chronic sleep deprivation can actually cause the brain to eat itself Shutterstock Health news in pictures Exercise classes offering 45 minute naps launch David Lloyd Gyms have launched a new health and fitness class which is essentially a bunch of people taking a nap for 45 minutes. The fitness group was spurred to launch the napercise class after research revealed 86 per cent of parents said they were fatigued. The class is therefore predominantly aimed at parents but you actually do not have to have children to take part Getty Health news in pictures 'Fundamental right to health' to be axed after Brexit, lawyers warn Tobacco and alcohol companies could win more easily in court cases such as the recent battle over plain cigarette packaging if the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights is abandoned, a barrister and public health professor have said Getty Health news in pictures 'Thousands dying' due to fear over non-existent statin side-effects A major new study into the side effects of the cholesterol-lowering medicine suggests common symptoms such as muscle pain and weakness are not caused by the drugs themselves Getty Health news in pictures Babies born to fathers aged under 25 have higher risk of autism New research has found that babies born to fathers under the age of 25 or over 51 are at higher risk of developing autism and other social disorders. The study, conducted by the Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment at Mount Sinai, found that these children are actually more advanced than their peers as infants, but then fall behind by the time they hit their teenage years Getty Health news in pictures Cycling to work could halve risk of cancer and heart disease Commuters who swap their car or bus pass for a bike could cut their risk of developing heart disease and cancer by almost half, new research suggests but campaigners have warned there is still an urgent need to improve road conditions for cyclists. Cycling to work is linked to a lower risk of developing cancer by 45 per cent and cardiovascular disease by 46 per cent, according to a study of a quarter of a million people. Walking to work also brought health benefits, the University of Glasgow researchers found, but not to the same degree as cycling. Getty Other countries, including South Korea, Taiwan, Indonesia and Japan, already have laws in place allowing women time off work when they are menstruating. Menstrual leave started in Japan in 1947 and Nike is thought to be the only company which includes this type of leave in their code of conduct worldwide. Women in Indonesia reportedly rarely take these days off, even if they need to, because companies insist on examining women before they would be allowed to take leave, reported Jakarta Globe. Taiwan offers women three days off a year for menstrual cramps, which is the most generous of all the countries. However, there is nothing similar in place in western countries, although the idea was proposed in Russia in 2013, but never made it to a law. Gedis Grudzinskas, professor of obstetrics and gynaecology said menstrual leave would boost womens motivation and productivity when they are in the workplace, reported the Daily Mail. According to research carried out by Pub Med Health, one in 10 women have period cramps so bad, known as dysmenorrhea, its stops them from carrying out their usual daily activities from one to three days a month. In China, the concept was proposed by national political advisor, Zhang Xiaomei in 2011, who claimed more than 85 per cent of women were adversely affected at work by their periods. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Asylum seekers facing deportation by Australian authorities could go to New Zealand, the countrys Prime Minister has said. According to reports Prime Minister John Key offered Australian authorities to take 267 asylum seekers including 37 babies off their hands. Mr Key added it was potentially possible for his country to accept any genuine refugees from Australia. Under Australias tough immigration policy, asylum-seekers who try to reach Australia by sea are sent to detention camps in the Pacific island nation of Papu New Guinea and Naura. They are blocked from being resettled in Australia even if they are found to be refugees. An agreement brokered by the two countries theoretically allows for New Zealand to take 150 refugees a year from Australias immigration system as part of its annual intake of 750 people. "That offer is there. Historically, the Australians have said no but it is part of the 750 allocation that we have and if they wanted us to take people then, subject to them meeting the criteria, the New Zealand government would be obliged to do that because we've given that commitment that we'd do so," Mr Key said. The offer of asylum by New Zealand follows a protest at the weekend in which Australians gathered at a hospital to support doctors who refused to discharge a baby facing deportation to a detention camp. The Lady Cilento Hospital in Brisbane said the year-old girl will not be released "until a suitable home environment is identified". According to the AFP news agency campaigners from Amnesty International and Greenpeace unfurled a LetThemStay banner on Sydney's iconic harbour calling for the asylum-seekers, who are set to be deported after being brought to Australia for medical treatment, to be allowed to stay. The LetThemStay campaign, which has been trending on Twitter, has also seen hundreds of people maintain a vigil - now in its third day - outside the Brisbane hospital where the baby is being cared for The 12-month-old infant, who is called Asha and the child of Nepalese asylum-seekers, was brought to the eastern city of Brisbane for treatment in late January after being scalded with hot water at the remote Nauru facility. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} A British man has been sentenced to eight years in a Norwegian prison for the attempted murder of a neighbour in a dispute over home renovation in the Oslo borough of Bjerke. The 48-year-old stabbed his neighbour several times in the chest, arms and neck before his dog, a Rottweiler, bit the man in the face while he lay bleeding on the floor, according to the ruling of the Court of Appeals. The victim was working frantically to complete home renovations before his wife gave birth and so was working in the evenings and on the weekends, Osloby reported. He had already visited his neighbours to explain the situation and apologise in advance for any noise disturbances, however the British man was not at home at the time. The British man went over to the victim's house to complain one Wednesday evening in July 2014, when the victim said he would finish within the next 90 minutes. The following Sunday, the British man returned to the victim's house to complain about the noise, saying "You f**king Norwegian, it's Sunday" before spitting in his face. The expectant father, who is reported to be Albanian, was surprised and allegedly threw his folding ruler at the British man, who said: "You will see what I'm going to do to you." According to The Local, when the Albanian man suggested they go inside so as not to disturb their neighbours, the British man agreed - on the condition the Albanian would come to his house. Once the victim entered the man's house, the British man locked the door and pulled out a knife. He then reportedly reopened the door, yelled that he was being attacked, and locked it again. He stabbed the expectant father repeatedly until he fell to the floor. His Rottweiler then bit the man in the face. The British man then placed the knife in the victim's hand and tried to claim self defence when police arrived. The court's ruling read: The offence was very serious. If the aggrieved party had not received prompt and expert medical care at hospital, he would have died. "The defendant acted with the intent to kill and the action was unprovoked." The British man will spend a minimum of five years and four months in prison. He was also convicted for a separate incident in which he beat his boss with a broomstick and kicked him as he was lying down, while threatening to kill his family. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary and Poland have called for Europes borders to be sealed off in order to block the main migrant route used by refugees. The four countries are known as the Visegrad Group for their historic allyship and have been vocal about their opposition to migration and refugees. They have also resisted attempts to distribute asylum seekers amongst European countries using quotas. At a conference yesterday, the countries leaders met and vowed to present a united front in attempts to shut the Balkan route, Euractiv reports. They also called for an alternative plan to stop refugees at Greeces borders with Macedonia and Bulgaria, in what is known as a back up border, in the event of the Balkan route block proving ineffective. World news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 World news in pictures World news in pictures 30 September 2020 Pope Francis prays with priests at the end of a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 29 September 2020 A girl's silhouette is seen from behind a fabric in a tent along a beach by Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 September 2020 A Chinese woman takes a photo of herself in front of a flower display dedicated to frontline health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Beijing, China. China will celebrate national day marking the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1st Getty World news in pictures 27 September 2020 The Glass Mountain Inn burns as the Glass Fire moves through the area in St. Helena, California. The fast moving Glass fire has burned over 1,000 acres and has destroyed homes Getty World news in pictures 26 September 2020 A villager along with a child offers prayers next to a carcass of a wild elephant that officials say was electrocuted in Rani Reserve Forest on the outskirts of Guwahati, India AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 September 2020 The casket of late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is seen in Statuary Hall in the US Capitol to lie in state in Washington, DC AFP via Getty World news in pictures 24 September 2020 An anti-government protester holds up an image of a pro-democracy commemorative plaque at a rally outside Thailand's parliament in Bangkok, as activists gathered to demand a new constitution AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 September 2020 A whale stranded on a beach in Macquarie Harbour on the rugged west coast of Tasmania, as hundreds of pilot whales have died in a mass stranding in southern Australia despite efforts to save them, with rescuers racing to free a few dozen survivors The Mercury/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 22 September 2020 State civil employee candidates wearing face masks and shields take a test in Surabaya AFP via Getty World news in pictures 21 September 2020 A man sweeps at the Taj Mahal monument on the day of its reopening after being closed for more than six months due to the coronavirus pandemic AP World news in pictures 20 September 2020 A deer looks for food in a burnt area, caused by the Bobcat fire, in Pearblossom, California EPA World news in pictures 19 September 2020 Anti-government protesters hold their mobile phones aloft as they take part in a pro-democracy rally in Bangkok. Tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters massed close to Thailand's royal palace, in a huge rally calling for PM Prayut Chan-O-Cha to step down and demanding reforms to the monarchy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 September 2020 Supporters of Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr maintain social distancing as they attend Friday prayers after the coronavirus disease restrictions were eased, in Kufa mosque, near Najaf, Iraq Reuters World news in pictures 17 September 2020 A protester climbs on The Triumph of the Republic at 'the Place de la Nation' as thousands of protesters take part in a demonstration during a national day strike called by labor unions asking for better salary and against jobs cut in Paris, France EPA World news in pictures 16 September 2020 A fire raging near the Lazzaretto of Ancona in Italy. The huge blaze broke out overnight at the port of Ancona. Firefighters have brought the fire under control but they expected to keep working through the day EPA World news in pictures 15 September 2020 Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny posing for a selfie with his family at Berlin's Charite hospital. In an Instagram post he said he could now breathe independently following his suspected poisoning last month Alexei Navalny/Instagram/AFP World news in pictures 14 September 2020 Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba and former Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida celebrate after Suga was elected as new head of the ruling party at the Liberal Democratic Party's leadership election in Tokyo Reuters World news in pictures 13 September 2020 A man stands behind a burning barricade during the fifth straight day of protests against police brutality in Bogota AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 September 2020 Police officers block and detain protesters during an opposition rally to protest the official presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus. Daily protests calling for the authoritarian president's resignation are now in their second month AP World news in pictures 11 September 2020 Members of 'Omnium Cultural' celebrate the 20th 'Festa per la llibertat' ('Fiesta for the freedom') to mark the Day of Catalonia in Barcelona. Omnion Cultural fights for the independence of Catalonia EPA World news in pictures 10 September 2020 The Moria refugee camp, two days after Greece's biggest migrant camp, was destroyed by fire. Thousands of asylum seekers on the island of Lesbos are now homeless AFP via Getty World news in pictures 9 September 2020 Pope Francis takes off his face mask as he arrives by car to hold a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 8 September 2020 A home is engulfed in flames during the "Creek Fire" in the Tollhouse area of California AFP via Getty World news in pictures 7 September 2020 A couple take photos along a sea wall of the waves brought by Typhoon Haishen in the eastern port city of Sokcho AFP via Getty World news in pictures 6 September 2020 Novak Djokovic and a tournament official tends to a linesperson who was struck with a ball by Djokovic during his match against Pablo Carreno Busta at the US Open USA Today Sports/Reuters World news in pictures 5 September 2020 Protesters confront police at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, Australia, during an anti-lockdown rally AFP via Getty World news in pictures 4 September 2020 A woman looks on from a rooftop as rescue workers dig through the rubble of a damaged building in Beirut. A search began for possible survivors after a scanner detected a pulse one month after the mega-blast at the adjacent port AFP via Getty World news in pictures 3 September 2020 A full moon next to the Virgen del Panecillo statue in Quito, Ecuador EPA World news in pictures 2 September 2020 A Palestinian woman reacts as Israeli forces demolish her animal shed near Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank Reuters World news in pictures 1 September 2020 Students protest against presidential elections results in Minsk TUT.BY/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 31 August 2020 The pack rides during the 3rd stage of the Tour de France between Nice and Sisteron AFP via Getty World news in pictures 30 August 2020 Law enforcement officers block a street during a rally of opposition supporters protesting against presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus Reuters World news in pictures 29 August 2020 A woman holding a placard reading "Stop Censorship - Yes to the Freedom of Expression" shouts in a megaphone during a protest against the mandatory wearing of face masks in Paris. Masks, which were already compulsory on public transport, in enclosed public spaces, and outdoors in Paris in certain high-congestion areas around tourist sites, were made mandatory outdoors citywide on August 28 to fight the rising coronavirus infections AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 August 2020 Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe bows to the national flag at the start of a press conference at the prime minister official residence in Tokyo. Abe announced he will resign over health problems, in a bombshell development that kicks off a leadership contest in the world's third-largest economy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 27 August 2020 Residents take cover behind a tree trunk from rubber bullets fired by South African Police Service (SAPS) in Eldorado Park, near Johannesburg, during a protest by community members after a 16-year old boy was reported dead AFP via Getty World news in pictures 26 August 2020 People scatter rose petals on a statue of Mother Teresa marking her 110th birth anniversary in Ahmedabad AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 August 2020 An aerial view shows beach-goers standing on salt formations in the Dead Sea near Ein Bokeq, Israel Reuters World news in pictures 24 August 2020 Health workers use a fingertip pulse oximeter and check the body temperature of a fisherwoman inside the Dharavi slum during a door-to-door Covid-19 coronavirus screening in Mumbai AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 August 2020 People carry an idol of the Hindu god Ganesh, the deity of prosperity, to immerse it off the coast of the Arabian sea during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India Reuters World news in pictures 22 August 2020 Firefighters watch as flames from the LNU Lightning Complex fires approach a home in Napa County, California AP World news in pictures 21 August 2020 Members of the Israeli security forces arrest a Palestinian demonstrator during a rally to protest against Israel's plan to annex parts of the occupied West Bank AFP via Getty World news in pictures 20 August 2020 A man pushes his bicycle through a deserted road after prohibitory orders were imposed by district officials for a week to contain the spread of the Covid-19 in Kathmandu AFP via Getty World news in pictures 19 August 2020 A car burns while parked at a residence in Vacaville, California. Dozens of fires are burning out of control throughout Northern California as fire resources are spread thin AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 August 2020 Students use their mobile phones as flashlights at an anti-government rally at Mahidol University in Nakhon Pathom. Thailand has seen near-daily protests in recent weeks by students demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha AFP via Getty World news in pictures 17 August 2020 Members of the Kayapo tribe block the BR163 highway during a protest outside Novo Progresso in Para state, Brazil. Indigenous protesters blocked a major transamazonian highway to protest against the lack of governmental support during the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic and illegal deforestation in and around their territories AFP via Getty World news in pictures 16 August 2020 Lightning forks over the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge as a storm passes over Oakland AP World news in pictures 15 August 2020 Belarus opposition supporters gather near the Pushkinskaya metro station where Alexander Taraikovsky, a 34-year-old protester died on August 10, during their protest rally in central Minsk AFP via Getty World news in pictures 14 August 2020 AlphaTauri's driver Daniil Kvyat takes part in the second practice session at the Circuit de Catalunya in Montmelo near Barcelona ahead of the Spanish F1 Grand Prix AFP via Getty World news in pictures 13 August 2020 Soldiers of the Brazilian Armed Forces during a disinfection of the Christ The Redeemer statue at the Corcovado mountain prior to the opening of the touristic attraction in Rio AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 August 2020 Young elephant bulls tussle playfully on World Elephant Day at the Amboseli National Park in Kenya AFP via Getty Greece has been criticised by other European countries for their perceived inability to enforce border controls, resulting in growing tensions internationally. On Friday, EU member states issued a three-month ultimatum to Greece to tighten up controls or else face exclusion from the Schengen zone which enables people to travel between European countries without a passport. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} The law that allows Denmark to seize cash and other valuables from refugees to pay for their stay in the country has failed to raise any money in its first week. The controversial bill, which had been compared to the Nazi regime during World War Two, has not been used once since it came into forces on 5 February. According to guidelines from the Immigration Ministry, police are able to search asylum seekers luggage for cash and valuables worth more than 10,000 kroner (1,000). The law was passed in parliament on 26 January. Dave Brown's cartoon on Denmark's law Items deemed to be of significant sentimental value, such as wedding rings, would not be taken from refugees. Danish police confirmed to the Telegraph that there have not been any cases where the new legislation has given rise to the seizure of money of valuables. Critics say Denmark has tried to portray itself as a destination few refugees would want to go to (Getty Images) In a statement, the Danish Police said: The National Police can inform that the so-called jewellery law at the current time has not given rise to the confiscation of cash or valuables, However, critics have said the bill was intended to be used as a signal, rather than a real legislation. Refugee crisis - in pictures Show all 27 1 /27 Refugee crisis - in pictures Refugee crisis - in pictures A child looks through the fence at the Moria detention camp for migrants and refugees at the island of Lesbos on May 24, 2016. AFP/Getty Images Refugee crisis - in pictures Ahmad Zarour, 32, from Syria, reacts after his rescue by MOAS (Migrant Offshore Aid Station) while attempting to reach the Greek island of Agathonisi, Dodecanese, southeastern Agean Sea Refugee crisis - in pictures Syrian migrants holding life vests gather onto a pebble beach in the Yesil liman district of Canakkale, northwestern Turkey, after being stopped by Turkish police in their attempt to reach the Greek island of Lesbos on 29 January 2016. Getty Images Refugee crisis - in pictures Refugees flash the 'V for victory' sign during a demonstration as they block the Greek-Macedonian border Refugee crisis - in pictures Migrants have been braving sub zero temperatures as they cross the border from Macedonia into Serbia. Refugee crisis - in pictures A sinking boat is seen behind a Turkish gendarme off the coast of Canakkale's Bademli district on January 30, 2016. At least 33 migrants drowned on January 30 when their boat sank in the Aegean Sea while trying to cross from Turkey to Greece. Getty Images Refugee crisis - in pictures A general view of a shelter for migrants inside a hangar of the former Tempelhof airport in Berlin, Germany Refugee crisis - in pictures Refugees protest behind a fence against restrictions limiting passage at the Greek-Macedonian border, near Gevgelija. Since last week, Macedonia has restricted passage to northern Europe to only Syrians, Iraqis and Afghans who are considered war refugees. All other nationalities are deemed economic migrants and told to turn back. Macedonia has finished building a fence on its frontier with Greece becoming the latest country in Europe to build a border barrier aimed at checking the flow of refugees Refugee crisis - in pictures A father and his child wait after being caught by Turkish gendarme on 27 January 2016 at Canakkale's Kucukkuyu district Refugee crisis - in pictures Migrants make hand signals as they arrive into the southern Spanish port of Malaga on 27 January, 2016 after an inflatable boat carrying 55 Africans, seven of them women and six chidren, was rescued by the Spanish coast guard off the Spanish coast. Refugee crisis - in pictures A refugee holds two children as dozens arrive on an overcrowded boat on the Greek island of Lesbos Refugee crisis - in pictures A child, covered by emergency blankets, reacts as she arrives, with other refugees and migrants, on the Greek island of Lesbos, At least five migrants including three children, died after four boats sank between Turkey and Greece, as rescue workers searched the sea for dozens more, the Greek coastguard said Refugee crisis - in pictures Migrants wait under outside the Moria registration camp on the Lesbos. Over 400,000 people have landed on Greek islands from neighbouring Turkey since the beginning of the year Refugee crisis - in pictures The bodies of Christian refugees are buried separately from Muslim refugees at the Agios Panteleimonas cemetery in Mytilene, Lesbos Refugee crisis - in pictures Macedonian police officers control a crowd of refugees as they prepare to enter a camp after crossing the Greek border into Macedonia near Gevgelija Getty Images Refugee crisis - in pictures A refugee tries to force the entry to a camp as Macedonian police officers control a crowd after crossing the Greek border into Macedonia near Gevgelija Getty Images Refugee crisis - in pictures Refugees are seen aboard a Turkish fishing boat as they arrive on the Greek island of Lesbos after crossing a part of the Aegean Sea from the Turkish coast to Lesbos Reuters Refugee crisis - in pictures An elderly woman sings a lullaby to baby on a beach after arriving with other refugees on the Greek island of Lesbos after crossing the Aegean sea from Turkey Getty Images Refugee crisis - in pictures A man collapses as refugees make land from an overloaded rubber dinghy after crossing the Aegean see from Turkey, at the island of Lesbos EPA Refugee crisis - in pictures A girl reacts as refugees arrive by boat on the Greek island of Lesbos after crossing the Aegean sea from Turkey Getty Images Refugee crisis - in pictures Refugees make a show of hands as they queue after crossing the Greek border into Macedonia near Gevgelija Getty Images Refugee crisis - in pictures People help a wheelchair user board a train with others, heading towards Serbia, at the transit camp for refugees near the southern Macedonian town of Gevgelija AP Refugee crisis - in pictures Refugees board a train, after crossing the Greek-Macedonian border, near Gevgelija. Macedonia is a key transit country in the Balkans migration route into the EU, with thousands of asylum seekers - many of them from Syria, Afghanistan, Iraq and Somalia - entering the country every day Getty Images Refugee crisis - in pictures An aerial picture shows the "New Jungle" refugee camp where some 3,500 people live while they attempt to enter Britain, near the port of Calais, northern France Getty Images Refugee crisis - in pictures A Syrian girl reacts as she helped by a volunteer upon her arrival from Turkey on the Greek island of Lesbos, after having crossed the Aegean Sea EPA Refugee crisis - in pictures Refugees arrive by boat on the Greek island of Lesbos after crossing the Aegean sea from Turkey Getty Images Refugee crisis - in pictures Beds ready for use for migrants and refugees are prepared at a processing center on January 27, 2016 in Passau, Germany. The flow of migrants arriving in Passau has dropped to between 500 and 1,000 per day, down significantly from last November, when in the same region up to 6,000 migrants were arriving daily. Johanne Schmidt-Nielsen, from the left-wing Red-Green alliance told Metroxpress: I think it is quite obvious that this law is a signal than anything else. The government are quite satisfied with this because wasnt the primary goal to tell the world that Denmark is not a nice place to be as a refugee? she added. More than 10,000 child refugees disappear in Europe Lars Lokke Rasmussen, Denmarks president, has insisted the law has been misunderstood and claims Denmark has nothing to be ashamed of. The president defends the countries actions by saying the same rules apply to all Danish citizens applying for social benefits. Other measures Denmark has taken in order to look less inviting to refugees include reducing social benefits for newcomers to be reduced by 50 per cent and not allowing foreign nationals to bring their families to Denmark within the first year. Denmark expects to receive around 25,000 refugees in 2016, which is more than the 21,000 registered asylum applications is recorded in 2015. More than one million refugees have arrived in Europe since the crisis began. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} A suspect in the New Year's Eve sex attacks in Dusseldorf has been arrested after the woman he is accused of assaulting identified him in a documentary. The 18-year-old woman, who has not been named, spotted the 33-year-old Moroccan man when he appeared on a documentary about petty crime called "King of the Pickpockets" on Spiegel TV. She reported him to police and he was arrested on Saturday morning. The teenager alleges the man put his hand under her skirt, but she managed to break free. She says he then chased her and assaulted her again, before threatening to hit her when she struggled - but he was stopped by other men who were with him. While the suspect has not been named by police, Blid newspaper identified him as Taoufik M, a Moroccan man who has lived in Germany for two years. "The man was one of a larger group of foreigners who carried out repeated sexual assaults and physical harassment," Dusseldorf police said in a statement. When interviewed for the documentary, he denied allegations he was the leader of a gang of petty criminals operating in Dusseldorf. Sexual assaults took place in a number of German cities on New Year's Eve. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Britain hates Europe telling us what to do. France detests the notion that a semi-detached Britain can stop Europe from doing what it wants to do. Paris is threatening, if not to block David Camerons Brexit-defying EU reforms, then at least to send the epoch-making summit in Brussels into overtime. The points of contention are dense and obscure. They concern the rights of British financial institutions ie the City to trade in the European single market without being bound by future rules imposed by the countries that use the euro. Recommended Read more Cameron told by Eastern bloc his benefits plan is unacceptable The problem may well be resolved in the next few days but a lightning visit by the Prime Minister to Paris on late on 15 February failed to overcome the objections of the French finance ministry and banking industry. Although dense, the dispute goes to the heart of this weeks negotiation between Britain and The Rest. Should Britain, standing outside the eurozone, have to comply with decisions made by countries who want to move towards common policies for managing the single currency? Should British banks and insurance companies have the right to trade in the worlds biggest market without accepting the same rules and constraints as their continental competitors? Umunna case for Britain in EU French officials say that this is not just a technical-economic dispute. It is also a philosophical-political one. If Britain is allowed too much freedom to picknmix, other countries will start to make demands of their own. To resolve these issues of economic governance, the President of the European Council, Donald Tusk, has proposed a code of conduct to define boundaries between the financial rule-making of national governments, the eurozone and the EU as a whole. Britain could object if eurozone countries attempted to impose federalising rules on bankers bonuses, say which applied to all EU states. There would be no UK veto as such but future turf wars would be referred to EU summits. Eurosceptics in Britain complain that this is too vague. France argues that, au contraire, it is too clear. It gives Britain an implicit right to block proposed EU-wide financial legislation disliked by the City of London. If the proposed legislation fell, Britain, the semi-outsider, would have dictated policy to all 28 states. If Britain won an exemption, the City might have a competitive advantage against French or German or Dutch banks or insurance companies. Brussels began to tamper last weekend with Mr Tusks original wording. Alarm bells rang in Downing Street. Mr Cameron dashed to Paris on late on 15 February. The argument is further muddled by the fact that the UK Government, in principle, likes the idea of stronger governance within the eurozone. The French government accepts, in principle, that eurozone rules should not necessarily apply to non-euro countries.France does not want to risk Le Brexit. A form of words will probably be found to bridge the cross-Channel gap. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} A suspected Isis recruitment cell has been uncovered by a counter-terrorism operation in Brussels. Belgiums federal prosecutor said the raids, which saw 10 people arrested, were not directly related to the Paris attacks in November. Armed police stormed nine properties early on Tuesday morning in the districts of Molenbeek, Koekelberg, Schaerbeek and Etterbeek on the orders of a judge. Police officers are pictured as police conduct new searches linked to the November 13 Paris terrorist attacks, on December 30, 2015, in Molenbeek, Brussels. (AFP/Getty Images) The searches were executed as part of an investigation into a recruiting network linked to the Islamic State (Isis), a spokesperson for the federal prosecutors office said. The investigation was able to reveal that several people journeyed to Syria to join the Islamic State. The 10 people arrested are being interrogated by counter-terror officers from Liege and a judge will decide whether to free them later today. Phones and computer equipment seized during the searches are also being examined. The world mourns Paris attacks - in pictures Show all 25 1 /25 The world mourns Paris attacks - in pictures The world mourns Paris attacks - in pictures The world mourns Paris attacks Members of the public gather to lay flowers and light candles at La Belle Equipe restaraunt on Rue de Charonne in Paris Getty The world mourns Paris attacks - in pictures The world mourns Paris attacks People lay a memorial to honour victims of the Paris terror attacks at Federation Square in Melbourne, Australia The world mourns Paris attacks - in pictures The world mourns Paris attacks Soccer fans display the colors of the French flag in response to the deadly terrorist attack in Paris, France before the soccer match between the New York Cosmos' and the Ottawa Fury for the North American Soccer League championship at Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York, USA The world mourns Paris attacks - in pictures The world mourns Paris attacks Pakistani Civil society activists shout slogans during a protest against Isis militants near the French consulate for the victims of the 13 November Paris attacks in Karachi, Pakistan The world mourns Paris attacks - in pictures The world mourns Paris attacks People gather and view messages written on the ground at Place de la Republique in Paris The world mourns Paris attacks - in pictures The world mourns Paris attacks French flags and a note reading "We will not let you spoil our children's lives" at the site of the attack at the Cafe Belle Equipe on rue de Charonne in the 11th district, in Paris The world mourns Paris attacks - in pictures The world mourns Paris attacks A rose is placed beside a bullet hole at La Belle Equipe restaraunt on Rue de Charonne following the terrorist attack in Paris. As France observes three days of national mourning members of the public continue to pay tribute to the victims of deadly attacks The world mourns Paris attacks - in pictures The world mourns Paris attacks The world mourns Paris attacks - in pictures The world mourns Paris attacks Bono and band members of U2 pay their respects and place flowers on the pavement near the scene of yesterday's Bataclan Theatre terrorist attack in Paris The world mourns Paris attacks - in pictures The world mourns Paris attacks A man kneels as he pays tribute to victims at Place de la Republique near the deadly attack sites in Paris The world mourns Paris attacks - in pictures The world mourns Paris attacks Tributes to the victims at the Place de la Republique square in Paris AFP The world mourns Paris attacks - in pictures The world mourns Paris attacks An electronic billboard on a canal show solidarity with Paris in Milan EPA The world mourns Paris attacks - in pictures The world mourns Paris attacks People lay down flowers and light candles to tribute victims of Friday's attacks in Paris as the Brandenburg gate is illuminated in blue, white and red in the colors of the French flag, in Berlin Reuters The world mourns Paris attacks - in pictures The world mourns Paris attacks A man leaves flowers as a tribute following the deadly attacks in Paris, outside the French consulate in Istanbul Reuters The world mourns Paris attacks - in pictures The world mourns Paris attacks People take pictures of flowers placed in bullet holes in the window of a Japanese restaurant next to the cafe 'La Belle Equipe' AFP The world mourns Paris attacks - in pictures The world mourns Paris attacks People gather at a makeshift memorial next to the Bataclan theatre in Paris on November 14, 2015, The world mourns Paris attacks - in pictures The world mourns Paris attacks A woman carrying flowers cries in front of the Carillon cafe and the Petit Cambodge restaurant in Paris AP The world mourns Paris attacks - in pictures The world mourns Paris attacks People gather in front of flowers that were laid outside the French embassy in Rome AP The world mourns Paris attacks - in pictures The world mourns Paris attacks People react near the cafe 'La Belle Equipe' at the Rue de Charonne AFP The world mourns Paris attacks - in pictures The world mourns Paris attacks A young girl places a candle in front of the Carillon cafe in Paris AP The world mourns Paris attacks - in pictures The world mourns Paris attacks Flowers placed outside the cafe 'La Belle Equipe' at the Rue de Charonne in Paris, the scene for one of the attacks AFP The world mourns Paris attacks - in pictures The world mourns Paris attacks A woman is comforted by others outside the Carillon cafe and the Petit Cambodge restaurant in Paris The world mourns Paris attacks - in pictures The world mourns Paris attacks The Brandenbourg Gate featuring French national colors is pictured in Berlin, on November 14, 2015 a day after deadly attacks in Paris The world mourns Paris attacks - in pictures The world mourns Paris attacks Flowers are laid in front of the French embassy in Rome EPA The world mourns Paris attacks - in pictures The world mourns Paris attacks A candle is lit next to flowers outside the French Embassy in Berlin AFP Revelations that several of the Isis militants who killed 130 people in shooting attacks and suicide bombings across Paris in November had links to Brussels, and particularly the suburb of Molenbeek, sparked several continuing investigations. The suspected ringleader of the attacks, Abdelhamid Abaaoud, was Belgian and reportedly met fugitive Salah Abdeslam in prison. His brother, Brahim Abdeslam, was also among the Paris attackers and the trio lived in Molenbeek, where the Abdeslams ran a bar. Two arrested over Brussels New Year plot The suburb has been linked with terrorism since the 1990s, when al-Qaeda supporters were based there. One of the 2004 Madrid train bombers had ties to the area, as did Jewish Museum shooter Mehdi Nemmouche and Paris hostage taker Amedy Coulibaly. Authorities are still hunting Abdeslam and searching for possible accomplices to the Paris attackers after a string of safe houses were discovered across Belgium, which remains on high alert. Brussels went into lockdown because of intelligence suggesting further attacks in November and cancelled its New Year celebrations after another terror plot was revealed. Belgium is believed to have the highest number of extremists fighting for Isis in Iraq and Syria per capita in western Europe, with numbers estimated at around 500. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Chancellor Angela Merkel faced outright opposition to her controversial open-door migrant policies from her immediate eastern European neighbours as she prepared for one of her toughest EU summits which was expected to be dominated by the refugee crisis. The EUs so-called Visegrad group which includes Poland, the Czech Republic, Hungary and Slovakia declared it would support plans to tighten border controls on the Balkan route, should Greece and Turkey fail to implement Ms Merkels plans limit the flow of migrants. We cannot leave the Balkan countries to their own fate, insisted the Czech Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka, on behalf of the Visegrad group. The four eastern EU states said they would back plans by Bulgaria and Macedonia to strengthen their borders with Greece in order to deter migrants. Hungarys Prime Minister Viktor Orban claimed Germanys welcome culture towards refugees had encouraged terrorism and spread fear. Chancellor Merkel criticised the groups Plan B for the refugee crisis and said building new fences would create an emergency situation for Greece. That would not only be un-European it would also fail to solve any of our problems, she said. Lone children refugees fear attacks in Sweden Visegrad members have refused to sign up to Ms Merkels plans for the EU to share the refugee burden by accepting migrant quotas. She is now hoping that at least a small coalition of willing EU countries will accept more refugees. But Germanys hopes of containing the refugee influx lie in Ms Merkels recently brokered deal with Turkey which aims to enlist Nato support to police the Turkish-Greek maritime border and clamp down on illicit migrant smuggling. Ms Merkel wants Nato to oversee seagoing border controls under which Turkish coastguards will be expected to stop refugees before they reach Greek waters and escort them back to Turkey. Turkey is host to more than two million war refugees from Syria. Leading German businessmen published an open letter on 16 February warning of the economic consequences of a possible collapse of the Schengen agreement on EU open borders should frontier controls be reintroduced to limit the refugee influx. Explainer: The Visegrad Group The Visegrad Group, also known as V4, is an alliance of the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia, set up for the purposes of furthering their European integration as well as cooperation on military, economic and energy issues. Its name is derived from a meeting in 1335 between the Bohemian (modern day Czech), Polish and Hungarian rulers of the day, in the small castle town of Visegrad. It was formed in February 1991 by the governments of Czechoslovakia, Hungary and Poland in the same town. The Czech Republic and Slovakia became members after the dissolution of Czechoslovakia in 1993. All four members of the Visegrad Group joined the European Union on 1 May 2004. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} It may be the most evocative coastal walk in the Italian peninsula. Unfortunately for the Cinque Terre, its also the best known. On this spectacular shoreline, which captivated Byron and where Petrarch imagined the Renaissance, every year two-and-a-half million pairs of boots, trainers and flip flops threaten to grind the delicate trail, which winds around the five medieval villages, into the Ligurian sea below. Recommended Read more Why we should join the hordes on the tourism trail A plan has been hatched, however, to limit access to the Sentiero Azzurro (Blue Path) linking Monterosso, Corniglia, Vernazza, Manarola and Riomaggiore, the villages famous for their pastel-coloured houses clinging to green cliffs above the sea. Officials say that as soon as this summer, the number of tickets available for visitors wishing to walk the four-hour trail will be limited to a daily maximum. The intention is to slash the number of people walking the trail to one-and-a-half million. Visitors will be advised to book ahead. Until now the cost of a day pass has been just 5 (3.90). It might seem strange, given that there is pressure to increase tourism and fill up hotel rooms, said Vittorio Alessandro, president of the Cinque Terre Park. Theyre bound to criticise us. But by now its a matter of survival. Last summer the section of the path between Riomaggiore and Vernazza was closed due to rock falls. Mr Alessandro told La Repubblica that one culprit for the annual high-season invasion was cruise ship tourism. We dont want to criminalise this sort of tourism, but of the 500,000 who just last year landed at La Spezia, 25 per cent organised hit-and-run visits [to Cinque Terre], congesting the little villages, he said. Angry Worshippers Barricade St. Valentine's Remains in Italian Basilica There are also plans to develop a smartphone app to work alongside online bookings, with a series of traffic lights to alert visitors to particularly congested parts of the 12-kilometre path, said Patrizio Scarpellini, the parks director general. Art historian and cultural commentator Tomaso Montanari, said it was understandable that the authorities should seek to protect the Cinque Terre by limiting access. He warned, however, that this risked reducing access to some of the villages and not just the path itself. He added that charging for access would be to the advantage of tourists with more money. Instead he said greater efforts should be made to publicise the hundreds of lesser-known beauty spots across the region and the rest of Italy. Such a strategy has already been advocated to help save Pompeii and Venice. It is true that the Cinque Terre are extraordinary, but how many other extraordinary places in Liguria are there to discover? He said. We have a country overflowing with spectacular places to discover that we should let people know about in order to build tourism that is popular and sustainable. Many Italians and those already in the know head further west along the Ligurian coast towards France, to towns such as Varigotti or Noli, for less packed but equally beautiful scenery. Meanwhile, the European Union is hoping to develop the Mediterranean itself into a tourist attraction, citing its potential as a vast underwater museum. With over 2,500 shipwrecks, some of them galleons containing gold and treasure, and Greek and Roman antiquities scattered around the area, officials in Brussels want to promote sub-aqua tours. Small and medium-sized businesses seeking to cash in have until 16 March to propose thematic routes on underwater cultural heritage to the EU. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} A man has been stabbed to death and three more injured during a fight at a refugee centre in Sweden. Police charged one man for murder and attempted murder on Sunday, and said three other man they had released earlier remained suspects. The victim's identity was not revealed. A preliminary investigation for murder and attempted murder is ongoing following the death of one person in a fight, police said in a statement. Refugee crisis - in pictures Show all 27 1 /27 Refugee crisis - in pictures Refugee crisis - in pictures A child looks through the fence at the Moria detention camp for migrants and refugees at the island of Lesbos on May 24, 2016. AFP/Getty Images Refugee crisis - in pictures Ahmad Zarour, 32, from Syria, reacts after his rescue by MOAS (Migrant Offshore Aid Station) while attempting to reach the Greek island of Agathonisi, Dodecanese, southeastern Agean Sea Refugee crisis - in pictures Syrian migrants holding life vests gather onto a pebble beach in the Yesil liman district of Canakkale, northwestern Turkey, after being stopped by Turkish police in their attempt to reach the Greek island of Lesbos on 29 January 2016. Getty Images Refugee crisis - in pictures Refugees flash the 'V for victory' sign during a demonstration as they block the Greek-Macedonian border Refugee crisis - in pictures Migrants have been braving sub zero temperatures as they cross the border from Macedonia into Serbia. Refugee crisis - in pictures A sinking boat is seen behind a Turkish gendarme off the coast of Canakkale's Bademli district on January 30, 2016. At least 33 migrants drowned on January 30 when their boat sank in the Aegean Sea while trying to cross from Turkey to Greece. Getty Images Refugee crisis - in pictures A general view of a shelter for migrants inside a hangar of the former Tempelhof airport in Berlin, Germany Refugee crisis - in pictures Refugees protest behind a fence against restrictions limiting passage at the Greek-Macedonian border, near Gevgelija. Since last week, Macedonia has restricted passage to northern Europe to only Syrians, Iraqis and Afghans who are considered war refugees. All other nationalities are deemed economic migrants and told to turn back. Macedonia has finished building a fence on its frontier with Greece becoming the latest country in Europe to build a border barrier aimed at checking the flow of refugees Refugee crisis - in pictures A father and his child wait after being caught by Turkish gendarme on 27 January 2016 at Canakkale's Kucukkuyu district Refugee crisis - in pictures Migrants make hand signals as they arrive into the southern Spanish port of Malaga on 27 January, 2016 after an inflatable boat carrying 55 Africans, seven of them women and six chidren, was rescued by the Spanish coast guard off the Spanish coast. Refugee crisis - in pictures A refugee holds two children as dozens arrive on an overcrowded boat on the Greek island of Lesbos Refugee crisis - in pictures A child, covered by emergency blankets, reacts as she arrives, with other refugees and migrants, on the Greek island of Lesbos, At least five migrants including three children, died after four boats sank between Turkey and Greece, as rescue workers searched the sea for dozens more, the Greek coastguard said Refugee crisis - in pictures Migrants wait under outside the Moria registration camp on the Lesbos. Over 400,000 people have landed on Greek islands from neighbouring Turkey since the beginning of the year Refugee crisis - in pictures The bodies of Christian refugees are buried separately from Muslim refugees at the Agios Panteleimonas cemetery in Mytilene, Lesbos Refugee crisis - in pictures Macedonian police officers control a crowd of refugees as they prepare to enter a camp after crossing the Greek border into Macedonia near Gevgelija Getty Images Refugee crisis - in pictures A refugee tries to force the entry to a camp as Macedonian police officers control a crowd after crossing the Greek border into Macedonia near Gevgelija Getty Images Refugee crisis - in pictures Refugees are seen aboard a Turkish fishing boat as they arrive on the Greek island of Lesbos after crossing a part of the Aegean Sea from the Turkish coast to Lesbos Reuters Refugee crisis - in pictures An elderly woman sings a lullaby to baby on a beach after arriving with other refugees on the Greek island of Lesbos after crossing the Aegean sea from Turkey Getty Images Refugee crisis - in pictures A man collapses as refugees make land from an overloaded rubber dinghy after crossing the Aegean see from Turkey, at the island of Lesbos EPA Refugee crisis - in pictures A girl reacts as refugees arrive by boat on the Greek island of Lesbos after crossing the Aegean sea from Turkey Getty Images Refugee crisis - in pictures Refugees make a show of hands as they queue after crossing the Greek border into Macedonia near Gevgelija Getty Images Refugee crisis - in pictures People help a wheelchair user board a train with others, heading towards Serbia, at the transit camp for refugees near the southern Macedonian town of Gevgelija AP Refugee crisis - in pictures Refugees board a train, after crossing the Greek-Macedonian border, near Gevgelija. Macedonia is a key transit country in the Balkans migration route into the EU, with thousands of asylum seekers - many of them from Syria, Afghanistan, Iraq and Somalia - entering the country every day Getty Images Refugee crisis - in pictures An aerial picture shows the "New Jungle" refugee camp where some 3,500 people live while they attempt to enter Britain, near the port of Calais, northern France Getty Images Refugee crisis - in pictures A Syrian girl reacts as she helped by a volunteer upon her arrival from Turkey on the Greek island of Lesbos, after having crossed the Aegean Sea EPA Refugee crisis - in pictures Refugees arrive by boat on the Greek island of Lesbos after crossing the Aegean sea from Turkey Getty Images Refugee crisis - in pictures Beds ready for use for migrants and refugees are prepared at a processing center on January 27, 2016 in Passau, Germany. The flow of migrants arriving in Passau has dropped to between 500 and 1,000 per day, down significantly from last November, when in the same region up to 6,000 migrants were arriving daily. A resident of the refugee centre, located in Ljusne, 150 miles north of Stockholm, told the Hela Halsingland newspaper a rival group from another centre had come armed with knives in an escalating dispute which had started several weeks previously. "They had eight to nine knives," the man, referred to as Ali, said. "I was stabbed in the back when I was helping one of my friends who was holding back the arm of a guy who had a knife." He told the paper the group who were attacked at the asylum centre had not been armed. At least 15 asylum seekers mostly of Afghan origin were involved in the fight, according to the Expressen newspaper. We believe that most of those involved are in their 20s, police spokesperson Christer Nordstrom told the newspaper. But several of them left the area before we got to there, so now we are now working to establish the identity of everyone involved and establish who did what. Between 20 and 25 police officers were called to the centre on Saturday evening. Three of the suspects had locked themselves in their rooms. Last month, Alexandra Mezher, 22, was stabbed to death at a refugee shelter for unaccompanied children in Sweden. Following her death, hundreds of masked men marched through Stockholm's main train station, reportedly beating up refugees and anyone who didn't appear to be ethnically Swedish. Police said men, who handed out leaflets referring to Ms Mezher's death, had "gathered with the purpose of attacking refugee children". Around 163,000 asylum applications were made in Sweden last year. It has become one of the main destinations for refugees and migrants entering the EU. Swedish Migration Agency data shows the number of threats and violent incidents at refugee shelters have been rising with the number of arrivals. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} A teacher is being investigated by Austrian police for allegedly ignoring a 15-year-old girls cries of help as she was gang raped at school. Six boys, then aged 15 and 16, have been charged with the attack at a secondary school in Graz and the investigation continues. The Kleine Zeitung newspaper reported that the victim was raped in the medical room in May last year but did not report the abuse until she felt able to confide in a member of staff at a new school. A police investigation has since revealed that it was not the only attack on the girl, who reportedly screamed as she was harassed by the same group of boys in the school toilets just two weeks before the rape. Countries where sexual violence has become a way of life Show all 19 1 /19 Countries where sexual violence has become a way of life Countries where sexual violence has become a way of life Afghanistan Recommendation: I urge the Government of Afghanistan to adopt legislative reforms to ensure that sexual violence offences are not conflated with adultery or morality crimes and to establish infrastructure for the delivery of protection, health and le gal services to survivors. I call on the Ministry of the Interior to accelerate efforts to integrate women into the Afghan National Police, thereby enhancing its outreach and its capacity to address sexual and gender-based violence Countries where sexual violence has become a way of life Central African Republic Recommendation: I urge the authorities of the Central African Republic to ensure that efforts to restore security and the rule of law take into account the prevention of sexual violence and that monitoring of the ceasefire and peace agreement explicitly reflects this consideration, in line with the joint communique of the Government and the United Nations on the prevention of and response to conflict-related sexual violence signed in December 2012. I further encourage the authorities to make the rapid response unit to combat sexual violence operational and to establish a special criminal court Countries where sexual violence has become a way of life Colombia Recommendation: I commend the Government of Colombia for the progress made to date and its collaboration with the United Nations, including through the visit of my Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict in March 2015. I encourage the authorities to implement Law 1719 and continue to prosecute cases of sexual violence committed during the conflict to ensure that survivors receive justice and receive reparations. Conflict-related sexual violence should continue to be addressed in the Havana peace talks, as well as in the resulting accords and transitional justice mechanisms. Particular attention should be paid to groups that face additional barriers to justice such as ethnic minorities, women in rural areas, children, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex individuals and women abused within the ranks of armed groups. I encourage the Government to scale up its protection measures and share its good practices with other conflict-affected countries Countries where sexual violence has become a way of life Congo Recommendation: I urge the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo to ensure full implementation of the armed forces action plan against sexual violence, to systematically bring perpetrators to justice and to deliver reparations to victims, including payment of outstanding compensation awards. I call on donors and the United Nations system to support the Government in its efforts and to pay increased attention to neglected areas, including unregulated mining regions Countries where sexual violence has become a way of life Iraq Recommendation: I commend the Government of Iraq for its national action plan for the implementation of Security Council resolution 1325 (2000) and urge its swift implementation, including by training its security forces to ensur e respect for womens rights. Programmes to support the social reintegration of women and girls released from captivity by ISIL are urgently needed, as is community-based medical and psychological care. The capacity of the United Nations system should be enhanced through the deployment of Womens Protection Advisers or equivalent specialists Countries where sexual violence has become a way of life Libya Recommendation: I urge the national authorities in Libya to implement Decree No. 119 and Resolution 904 of 2014 to ensure redress for all victims, including those affected by the current conflict, through the establishment of multisectoral services and the adoption of legislation to categorically prohibit sexual violence Countries where sexual violence has become a way of life Mali Recommendation: I urge the Government of Mali, with support from United Nations Action against Sexual Violence in Conflict, to develop a comprehensive national strategy to combat sexual and gender-based violence and to ensure the safety of humanitarian workers so that services can reach remote areas. I further call on all parties to ensure that conflict-related sexual violence is addressed in the inter-Malian dialogue and that perpetrators of sexual violence do not benefit from amnesty or early release Countries where sexual violence has become a way of life Myanmar Recommendation: I urge the Government of Myanmar to continue with its reform agenda and, in the process, take practical and timely actions to protect and support survivors of conflict-related sexual violence and to ensure that security personnel accused of such crimes are prosecuted. Sexual violence should be an element in all ceasefire and peace negotiations, excluded from the scope of amnesty provisions and addressed in transitional justice processes. It is critical that women be able to participate consistently in and influence these processes Countries where sexual violence has become a way of life Somalia Recommendation: I reiterate my call to the Federal Government of Somalia to implement the commitments made under the joint communique of 7 May 2013 and its national action plan to combat sexual violence in conflict, including specific plans for the army and the police. I encourage the adoption of a sexual offences bill as a matter of priority Countries where sexual violence has become a way of life South Sudan Recommendation: I urge the parties to the conflict in South Sudan to adopt action plans to implement the commitments made under their respective communiques. I call upon the Government of South Sudan to address the negative impact of customary law on womens rights and to reflect international human rights standards in national law. I also encourage the African Union to make public and act upon the report of its Commission of Inquiry on South Sudan Countries where sexual violence has become a way of life Sudan (Darfur) Recommendation: I call upon the Government of the Sudan to grant the United Nations and its humanitarian partners unfettered access for monitoring and the provision of assistance to people in need in Darfur. Given that there has been grave concern over sexual violence in Darfur for more than a decade, I encourage the Government to engage with my Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict to develop a framework of cooperation to address the issue comprehensively Countries where sexual violence has become a way of life Syria Recommendation: I acknowledge the Governments invitation to my Special Representative to visit the Syrian Arab Republic and call upon the authorities, in the context of such a visit, to agree on specific measures to prevent sexual violence, including by members of the security forces. I condemn the use of sexual violence by ISIL and all other parties listed in the annex to the present report and call on them to cease such violations immediately and allow unfettered access for the delivery of humanitarian assistance Countries where sexual violence has become a way of life Yemen Recommendation: I urge the authorities in Yemen to undertake legislative reform as a basis for addressing impunity for sexual violence, ensuring the provision of services for survivors and aligning the minimum legal age of marriage with international standards. I further call on the authorities to engage with local community and faithbased leaders to address sexual and gender-based violence and discriminatory social norms Countries where sexual violence has become a way of life Bosnia and Herzegovina Recommendation: I urge the relevant authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina to harmonize legislation and policies so that the rights of survivors of conflict-related sexual violence to reparations are consistently recognized and to allocate a specific budget for this purpose. I further call upon the authorities to protect and support survivors participating in judicial proceedings through, inter alia, referrals to free legal aid, psychosocial and health services, as well as economic empowerment programmes Countries where sexual violence has become a way of life Ivory Coast Recommendation: I urge the Government of Cote dIvoire to ensure the effective implementation of its national strategy to combat gender-based violence and the action plan for FRCI, and call on the international community to support these efforts. It is critical to accelerate disarmament, demobilization and reintegration and strengthen law enforcement to ensure that ex-combatants who have been reintegrated into the transport sector do not pose a risk to women and girls who are reliant on those services. The Government and the international community must provide monitoring and awareness-raising to mitigate the possibility of a recurrence of sexual violence in the context of the presidential elections to be held in October 2015 Countries where sexual violence has become a way of life Liberia Recommendation: I call on the Government of Liberia to continue its critical efforts to combat sexual and gender-based violence including through the United Nations-Government of Liberia Joint Programme, and in the context of recovery from the Ebola virus epidemic Countries where sexual violence has become a way of life Nepal Recommendation: I encourage the Government to ensure that survivors of conflict-related sexual violence are recognized under the law as conflict victims, which will enable them to access services, judicial remedies and reparations. I further call on all parties involved in the transitional justice process to ensure that the rights and needs o f survivors of sexual violence are addressed in institutional reforms and that these crimes are excluded from amnesties and statutes of limitations Countries where sexual violence has become a way of life Sri Lanka Recommendation: I call upon the newly elected Government of Sri Lanka to investigate allegations of sexual violence, including against national armed and security forces, and to provide multisectoral services for survivors, including reparations and economic empowerment programmes for women at risk, including war widows and female heads of household Countries where sexual violence has become a way of life Nigeria Recommendation: I encourage the Government to implement its national action plan on the implementation of Security Council resolution 1325 (2000) to ensure that womens protection concerns are mainstreamed throughout its security operations. I also call upon the authorities to guarantee security in and around internally displaced persons camps and to extend medical and psychosocial services to high-risk areas Students allegedly alerted her teacher and asked her to do something, the Kleine Zeitung reported. Instead, she reportedly blamed the 15-year-old for turning up late to class. In addition to the teacher and suspected rapists, 11 people are being investigated for complicity in the crime or failure to help the victim. The number includes an unknown number of schoolgirls who allegedly watchedwhile she was raped. Hansjorg Bacher, a spokesperson for the public prosecutors office, confirmed the report to The Local. He did not immediately respond to the Independents request for comment. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Turkey has called on the US and other members of the international coalition in Syria to join in a ground offensive and "stop this war". Speaking amid speculation that Turkey was preparing troops to enter Syria from the north over the weekend, Ankara said it refused to take action on its own. But an official briefing reporters in Istanbul said "we want a ground operation", adding that "if there is a consensus, Turkey will take part". "Turkey is not going to have a unilateral ground operation. We are asking coalition partners that there should be a ground operation. We are discussing this with allies. "Without a ground operation, it is impossible to stop this war," he added. Saudi Arabia said on Monday that it too was "very serious" about sending ground troops into Syria to remove President Bashar al-Assad. The Saudi foreign minister, Adel al-Jubeir, said the country was waiting to see if a ceasefire brokered by the US and Russia would prove successful. In pictures: The rise of Isis Show all 74 1 /74 In pictures: The rise of Isis In pictures: The rise of Isis Isis fighters Fighters of the Islamic State wave the group's flag from a damaged display of a government fighter jet following the battle for the Tabqa air base, in Raqqa, Syria AP In pictures: The rise of Isis Isis fighters Fighters from Islamic State group sit on their tank during a parade in Raqqa, Syria AP In pictures: The rise of Isis Isis fighters Fighters from the Islamic State group pray at the Tabqa air base after capturing it from the Syrian government in Raqqa, Syria AP In pictures: The rise of Isis Isis fighters Fighters from extremist Islamic State group parade in Raqqa, Syria AP In pictures: The rise of Isis Isis kidnapping A video uploaded to social networks shows men in underwear being marched barefoot along a desert road before being allegedly executed by Isis Getty Images In pictures: The rise of Isis Isis kidnapping Haruna Yukawa after his capture by Isis In pictures: The rise of Isis Isis kidnapping Khalinda Sharaf Ajour, a Yazidi, says two of her daughters were captured by Isis militants Washington Post In pictures: The rise of Isis Isis fighters Spokesperson for Isis Vice News via Youtube In pictures: The rise of Isis A pro-Isis leaflet A pro-Isis leaflet handed out on Oxford Street In London Ghaffar Hussain In pictures: The rise of Isis Isis fighters Isis Jihadists burn their passports In pictures: The rise of Isis Isis controls Syrian Aid A man collecting aid administered by Isis in Syria In pictures: The rise of Isis Isis controls Syrian Aid A woman collecting aid administered by Isis in Syria In pictures: The rise of Isis Isis controls Syrian Aid Local civilians queue for aid administered by Isis. Since it declared a caliphate the group has increasingly been delivering services such as healthcare, and distributing aid and free fuel In pictures: The rise of Isis Iraq crisis Iraqi security forces detain men suspected of being militants of the Isis group in Diyala province In pictures: The rise of Isis Iraq crisis Mourners carry the coffin of a Shi'ite volunteer from the brigades of peace, who joined the Iraqi army and was killed during clashes with militants of the Isis group in Samarra, during his funeral in Najaf In pictures: The rise of Isis Iraqi refugees An Iraqi Shiite Turkmen family fleeing the violence in the Iraqi city of Tal Afar, west of Mosul, arrives at a refugee camp on the outskirts of Arbil, in Iraq's Kurdistan region In pictures: The rise of Isis Isis leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi A photograph made from a video by the jihadist affiliated group Furqan Media via their twitter account allegedly showing Isis leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi delivering a sermon during Friday prayers at a mosque in Mosul. Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi declared an Islamist caliphate in the territory under the group's control in Iraq and Syria In pictures: The rise of Isis Islamic extremists destroying mosques in Iraq Shiite's Al-Qubba Husseiniya mosque explodes in Mosul In pictures: The rise of Isis Islamic extremists destroying mosques in Iraq Smoke and debris go up in the air as Shiite's Al-Qubba Husseiniya mosque explodes in Mosul. Images posted online show that Islamic extremists have destroyed at least 10 ancient shrines and Shiite mosques in territory - the city of Mosul and the town of Tal Afar - they have seized in northern Iraq in recent weeks In pictures: The rise of Isis Islamic extremists destroying mosques in Iraq A bulldozer destroys Sunni's Ahmed al-Rifai shrine and tomb in Mahlabiya district outside of Tal Afar In pictures: The rise of Isis Iraq crisis Iraqi security forces celebrate after clashes with followers of Shiite cleric Mahmoud al-Sarkhi, in front of his home in the Shiite holy city of Karbala, 50 miles (80 kilometers) south of Baghdad In pictures: The rise of Isis Iraq crisis Iraqi security forces arrest a follower of Shiite cleric Mahmoud al-Sarkhi after clashes with his followers in the Shiite holy city of Karbala, 50 miles (80 kilometers) south of Baghdad In pictures: The rise of Isis Iraq crisis Iraqi security forces arrest a follower of Shiite cleric Mahmoud al-Sarkhi at his home after clashes with his followers in the Shiite holy city of Karbala, 50 miles (80 kilometers) south of Baghdad In pictures: The rise of Isis Iraq crisis Iraqi security forces arrest a follower of Shiite cleric Mahmoud al-Sarkhi after clashes with his followers in the Shiite holy city of Karbala, 50 miles (80 kilometers) south of Baghdad In pictures: The rise of Isis Iraq crisis A vehicle burns in front of a home of a follower of Shiite cleric Mahmoud al-Sarkhi after clashes with his followers in the Shiite holy city of Karbala, 50 miles (80 kilometers) south of Baghdad In pictures: The rise of Isis Iraqi refugees An Iraqi woman holds her exhausted son as over 1000 Iraqis who have fled fighting in and around the city of Mosul and Tal Afar wait at a Kurdish checkpoint in the hopes of entering a temporary displacement camp in Khazair In pictures: The rise of Isis Iraqi refugees Displaced Iraqi women hold pots as they queue to receive food during the first day of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, at an encampment for displaced Iraqis who fled from Mosul and other towns, in the Khazer area outside Irbil, north Iraq In pictures: The rise of Isis Isis fighters in Syria A militant Islamist fighter waving a flag, cheers as he takes part in a military parade along the streets of Syria's northern Raqqa. The fighters held the parade to celebrate their declaration of an Islamic "caliphate" after the group captured territory in neighbouring Iraq In pictures: The rise of Isis Isis fighters in Syria Isis fighters wave flags as they take part in a military parade along the streets of Syria's northern Raqqa province Reuters In pictures: The rise of Isis Isis fighters in Syria Isis fighters travel in a vehicle as they take part in a military parade along the streets of Syria's northern Raqqa province In pictures: The rise of Isis Isis fighters in Syria Fighters from the Isis group during a parade with a missile in Raqqa, Syria. Militants from an al-Qaida splinter group held a military parade in their stronghold in northeastern Syria, displaying U.S.-made Humvees, heavy machine guns, and missiles captured from the Iraqi army for the first time since taking over large parts of the Iraq-Syria border In pictures: The rise of Isis Isis fighters in Syria Isis fighters during a parade in Raqqa, Syria In pictures: The rise of Isis Isis fighters in Syria Fighters from the Isis group during a parade in Raqqa, Syria. Militants from the splinter group held a military parade in their stronghold in northeastern Syria, displaying U.S.-made Humvees, heavy machine guns, and missiles captured from the Iraqi army for the first time since taking over large parts of the Iraq-Syria border In pictures: The rise of Isis Isis fighters in Syria Isis fighters hold a military parade in their stronghold in northeastern Syria In pictures: The rise of Isis Isis fighters in Syria Isis fighters during a parade in Raqqa, Syria In pictures: The rise of Isis Isis fighters in Syria A member loyal to the Isis waves an Isis flag in Raqqa In pictures: The rise of Isis Iraq crisis Iraqi anti-government gunmen from Sunni tribes in the western Anbar province march during a protest in Ramadi, west of Baghdad. The United Nations warned that Iraq is at a "crossroads" and appealed for restraint, as a bloody four-day wave of violence killed 195 people. The violence is the deadliest so far linked to demonstrations that broke out in Sunni areas of the Shiite-majority country more than four months ago, raising fears of a return to all-out sectarian conflict In pictures: The rise of Isis Iraq crisis Iraqi security forces hold up a flag of the Isis group they captured during an operation to regain control of Dallah Abbas north of Baqouba, the capital of Iraq's Diyala province, 35 miles (60 kilometers) northeast of Baghdad In pictures: The rise of Isis Isis fighters in Iraq Isis fighters parade in the northern city of Mosul In pictures: The rise of Isis Iraq crisis Volunteers, who have joined the Iraqi army to fight against the predominantly Sunni militants from the radical Isis group, demonstrate their skills during a graduation ceremony after completing their field training in Najaf In pictures: The rise of Isis Iraq crisis Kurdish Peshmerga troops fire a cannon during clashes with militants of the Isis group in Jalawla, Diyala province In pictures: The rise of Isis Lieutenant General Qassem Atta speaks during a press conference Iraqi Prime Minister's security spokesman, Lieutenant General Qassem Atta speaks during a press conference about the latest military development in Iraq, in the capital Baghdad. Iraqi forces pressed a campaign to retake militant-held Tikrit, clashing with jihadist-led Sunni militants nearby and pounding positions inside the city with air strikes in their biggest counter-offensive so far In pictures: The rise of Isis A police station building destroyed by Isis fighters An exterior view of a police station building destroyed by gunmen in Mosul city, northern Iraq. Iraq's new parliament is expected to convene to start the process of setting up a new government, despite deepening political rifts and an ongoing Islamist-led insurgency. Iraqi President Jalal Talabani issued a decree inviting the new House of Representatives to meet and form a new government In pictures: The rise of Isis Isis fighters in Iraq Smoke billows from an area controlled by the Isis between the Iraqi towns of Naojul and Tuz Khurmatu, both located north of the capital Baghdad, as Iraqi Kurdish Peshmerga forces take part in an operation to repel the Sunni militants In pictures: The rise of Isis Iraqi refugees An elderly Iraqi woman is helped into a temporary displacement camp for Iraqis caught-up in the fighting in and around the city of Mosul in Khazair In pictures: The rise of Isis Iraqi refugees An Iraqi Christian woman fleeing the violence in the village of Qaraqush, about 30 kms east of the northern province of Nineveh, cries upon her arrival at a community center in the Kurdish city of Arbil in Iraq's autonomous Kurdistan region In pictures: The rise of Isis Iraqi refugees An Iraqi woman, who fled with her family from the northern city of Mosul, prays with a copy of the Quran AP In pictures: The rise of Isis Isis fighters in Iraq The body of an Isis militant killed during clashes with Iraqi security forces on the outskirts of the city of Samarra Reuters In pictures: The rise of Isis Iraq crisis Iraqi civilians inspect the damage at a market after an air strike by the Iraqi army in central Mosul EPA In pictures: The rise of Isis Iraq crisis Members of the Al-Abbas brigades, who volunteered to protect the Shiite Muslim holy sites in Karbala against Sunni militants fighting the Baghdad government, parade in the streets of the city AP In pictures: The rise of Isis Iraq crisis Shia tribesmen gather in Baghdad to take up arms against Sunni insurgents marching on the capital. Thousands have volunteered to bolster defences AFP/Getty In pictures: The rise of Isis Iraq crisis A van carrying volunteers joining Iraqi security forces against Jihadist militants. Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki announced the Iraqi government would arm and equip civilians who volunteered to fight AFP/Getty In pictures: The rise of Isis Iraq Fighters of the Isis group parade in a commandeered Iraqi security forces armored vehicle down a main road at the northern city of Mosul In pictures: The rise of Isis Iraq An Islamist fighter, identified as Abu Muthanna al-Yemeni from Britain (R), speaks in this still image taken undated video shot at an unknown location and uploaded to a social media website. Five Islamist fighters identified as Australian and British nationals have called on Muslims to join the wars in Syria and Iraq, in the new video released by the Isis In pictures: The rise of Isis Iraq Al-Qaida inspired militants stand with captured Iraqi Army Humvee at a checkpoint belonging to Iraqi Army outside Beiji refinery some 250 kilometers (155 miles) north of Baghdad. The fighting at Beiji comes as Iraq has asked the U.S. for airstrikes targeting the militants from the Isis group. While U.S. President Barack Obama has not fully ruled out the possibility of launching airstrikes, such action is not imminent in part because intelligence agencies have been unable to identify clear targets on the ground, officials said In pictures: The rise of Isis Iraq Militants attacked Iraq's main oil refinein Baiji as they pressed an offensive that has seen them capture swathes of territory, a manager and a refinery employee said In pictures: The rise of Isis Iraq Militants from the Isis group parading with their weapons in the northern city of Baiji in the in Salaheddin province In pictures: The rise of Isis Iraq A smoke rises after an attack by Isis militants on the country's largest oil refinery in Beiji, some 250 kilometers (155 miles) north of the capital, Baghdad. Iraqi security forces battled insurgents targeting the country's main oil refinery and said they regained partial control of a city near the Syrian border, trying to blunt an offensive by Sunni militants who diplomats fear may have also seized some 100 foreign workers In pictures: The rise of Isis Iraq Militants of the Isis group stand next to captured vehicles left behind by Iraqi security forces at an unknown location in the Salaheddin province. For militant groups, the fight over public perception can be even more important than actual combat, turning military losses into propaganda victories and battlefield successes into powerful tools to build support for the cause In pictures: The rise of Isis Iraq An injured fighter (C) from the Isis group after a battle with Iraqi soldiers at an undisclosed location near the border between Syria and Iraq In pictures: The rise of Isis Iraq Fighters from the Isis aiming at advancing Iraqi troops at an undisclosed location near the border between Syria and Iraq In pictures: The rise of Isis Iraq Fighters from the Isis group taking position at an undisclosed location near the border between Syria and Iraq In pictures: The rise of Isis Iraq Fighters from the Isis group inspecting vehicles of the Iraqi army after they were seized at an undisclosed location near the border between Syria and Iraq In pictures: The rise of Isis Iraq One Iraqi captive, a corporal, is reluctant to say the slogan, and has to be shouted at repeatedly before he obeys Sky News In pictures: The rise of Isis Iraq Iraqi captives held by the extremists Sky News In pictures: The rise of Isis Iraq Iraqi captives held by the extremists Sky News In pictures: The rise of Isis Iraq Militants of the Isis group force captured Iraqi security forces members to the transport In pictures: The rise of Isis Iraq Militants of the Isis group transporting dozens of captured Iraqi security forces members to an unknown location in the Salaheddin province ahead of executing them In pictures: The rise of Isis Iraq A major offensive spearheaded by Isis but also involving supporters of executed dictator Saddam Hussein has overrun all of one province and chunks of three others In pictures: The rise of Isis Iraq Militants of the Isis group executing dozens of captured Iraqi security forces members at an unknown location in the Salaheddin province In pictures: The rise of Isis Iraq Isis militants taking position at a Iraqi border post on the Syrian-Iraqi border between the Iraqi Nineveh province and the Syrian town of Al-Hasakah In pictures: The rise of Isis Iraq Isis rebels show their flag after seizing an army post AFP/Getty Images In pictures: The rise of Isis Iraq Isis militants waving an Islamist flag after the seizure of an Iraqi army checkpoint in Salahuddin Getty Images In pictures: The rise of Isis Iraq Demonstrators chant slogans as they carry al-Qaida flags in front of the provincial government headquarters in Mosul, 225 miles (360 kilometers) northwest of Baghdad. In the week since it captured Iraq's second-largest city, Mosul, a Muslim extremist group has tried to win over residents and has stopped short of widely enforcing its strict brand of Islamic law, residents say. Churches remain unharmed and street cleaners are back at work If not, he said, Saudi Arabia was keen to commit troops as part of an incursion by the US-led coalition. "The timing is not up to us," he added. Additional reporting by Reuters For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Ukraines parliament has lodged a motion of no confidence against Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuks government following a call from President Petro Poroshenko urging the minister to resign. In a meeting with Mr Yatsenyuk and prosecutor general Viktor Shokin on Monday, Mr Poroshenko advised both men to resign in a bid to restore trust in the government, as he made a last ditch attempt to address the cabinets continued failure to stymie corruption and revitalise the countrys flailing economy that has led Ukraine to the brink of political crisis. Mr Shokin later agreed to step down. Hours before the meeting, as Mr Yatsenyuk was preparing to address parliament with a report about government performance, demonstrators had gathered outside Kievs Rada parliament calling for Mr Yatsenyuks resignation. Meanwhile, ministers inside were collecting signatures from politicians, successfully reaching the 150-signature threshold required to trigger a no-confidence vote. To restore trust, therapy is not enough, Mr Poroshenko said. One should resort to surgical means. Mr Poroshenko, himself accused of presiding over systemic corruption, has said that there would be no snap elections, despite the fact that failure to find a replacement for Mr Yatsenyuk could theoretically set the stage for early parliamentary elections. Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk speaks to the parliament in Kiev (Getty) (Getty Images) Irina Friz, a lawmaker from Mr Poroshenkos party, said in a statement that the cabinet has yet to honour a single item of the economic programme. The government reports it has fulfilled lots of tasks aimed at creating a favourable investment climate. But expected changes to improve business conditions didnt materialise, she said. Mr Yatsenyuk rose to power together with Mr Poroshenko and his government in February 2014, following the Maidan revolution that toppled former president and Kremlin-sympathiser Viktor Yanukovych. However, since then, hope that Ukraine can leave its history of rampant corruption and cronyism behind has inched away, with the new, pro-Western government considered by many as a continuation of the old guard. President Petro Poroshenko (AFP/Getty Images) (AFP/Getty) The level of corruption among Ukraines political elite has also threatened to derail a large bailout package from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Following the resignation of Ukraines reform-minded economy minister Aivaras Abromavicius earlier this month, the head of the IMF, Christine Lagarde, issued a stark warning to President Poroshenko threatening to withhold the IMFs $40 million financial rescue package for Ukraine if serious governance reforms were not initiated. I am concerned about Ukraines slow progress in improving governance and fighting corruption, Ms Lagarde said. Ukraine risks a return to the pattern of failed economic policies that has plagued its recent history. Lithuanian-born Mr Abromavicius joined several other foreign nationals invited to work in Ukraines government in an attempt to change its corrupt ways. But continued pressure from senior politicians close to the president pedalling shady business interests had hampered any chance for economic reform, Mr Abromavicius said. Recommended Read more Man gives PM flowers then picks him up by his crotch in Ukraine In a statement made in Kiev, Mr Abromavicius said that neither he nor his team have any desire to serve as a cover-up for covert corruption, or become puppets for those who, very much like the old government, are trying to exercise control over the flow of public funds. His resignation was the fifth and most high-profile departure from Ukraines governing coalition so far, a reflection of the mounting frustration among politicians whose attempts to root out graft have been blocked. The government shake up comes amid renewed fighting in eastern Ukraine between government forces and Russian-backed separatists. Three Ukrainian soldiers were killed on Monday and seven more wounded in the fighting, making it the highest number of daily casualties since November, according to the Ukrainian military. International monitors have said that eastern Ukraine is in a dire humanitarian situation. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Kurdish activists claim the Isis jihadist group has stoned to death four women in a mass execution for adultery, without identifying any details about the men involved. The lack of information involved in the case brought before the militants Shariah court in Mosul, Iraq, has led to speculation that the women were raped by Isis fighters themselves. Speaking to the pro-Kurdish Syrian media outlet ARA News, local activist Raafat Zarari reportedly said the victims were arrested on Wednesday last week and stoned to death in front of a large crowd of people in central Mosul just a day later. Another activist, Abdullah al-Malla, told ARA the court sentenced the women without hearing any details about the men supposedly involved in the adultery. The statement of the Sharia Court avoided mentioning the men, he said. Apparently, the victims have been raped by Isis jihadis and then stoned to death on charges of committing adultery. In its latest report on the atrocities meted out by Isis in Iraq, released last month, the UN said the group regularly forces people to gather in public places in Mosul to watch punishments imposed by its self-appointed courts, including stoning and beheadings. Such grim punishments are part of the staggering violence suffered by civilians in the country, the UN said. Mosul has been under Isis control since it was taken by the group in June 2014. A caliphate across the jihadists territories in Syria and Iraq was declared just days later. In pictures: The rise of Isis Show all 74 1 /74 In pictures: The rise of Isis In pictures: The rise of Isis Isis fighters Fighters of the Islamic State wave the group's flag from a damaged display of a government fighter jet following the battle for the Tabqa air base, in Raqqa, Syria AP In pictures: The rise of Isis Isis fighters Fighters from Islamic State group sit on their tank during a parade in Raqqa, Syria AP In pictures: The rise of Isis Isis fighters Fighters from the Islamic State group pray at the Tabqa air base after capturing it from the Syrian government in Raqqa, Syria AP In pictures: The rise of Isis Isis fighters Fighters from extremist Islamic State group parade in Raqqa, Syria AP In pictures: The rise of Isis Isis kidnapping A video uploaded to social networks shows men in underwear being marched barefoot along a desert road before being allegedly executed by Isis Getty Images In pictures: The rise of Isis Isis kidnapping Haruna Yukawa after his capture by Isis In pictures: The rise of Isis Isis kidnapping Khalinda Sharaf Ajour, a Yazidi, says two of her daughters were captured by Isis militants Washington Post In pictures: The rise of Isis Isis fighters Spokesperson for Isis Vice News via Youtube In pictures: The rise of Isis A pro-Isis leaflet A pro-Isis leaflet handed out on Oxford Street In London Ghaffar Hussain In pictures: The rise of Isis Isis fighters Isis Jihadists burn their passports In pictures: The rise of Isis Isis controls Syrian Aid A man collecting aid administered by Isis in Syria In pictures: The rise of Isis Isis controls Syrian Aid A woman collecting aid administered by Isis in Syria In pictures: The rise of Isis Isis controls Syrian Aid Local civilians queue for aid administered by Isis. Since it declared a caliphate the group has increasingly been delivering services such as healthcare, and distributing aid and free fuel In pictures: The rise of Isis Iraq crisis Iraqi security forces detain men suspected of being militants of the Isis group in Diyala province In pictures: The rise of Isis Iraq crisis Mourners carry the coffin of a Shi'ite volunteer from the brigades of peace, who joined the Iraqi army and was killed during clashes with militants of the Isis group in Samarra, during his funeral in Najaf In pictures: The rise of Isis Iraqi refugees An Iraqi Shiite Turkmen family fleeing the violence in the Iraqi city of Tal Afar, west of Mosul, arrives at a refugee camp on the outskirts of Arbil, in Iraq's Kurdistan region In pictures: The rise of Isis Isis leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi A photograph made from a video by the jihadist affiliated group Furqan Media via their twitter account allegedly showing Isis leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi delivering a sermon during Friday prayers at a mosque in Mosul. Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi declared an Islamist caliphate in the territory under the group's control in Iraq and Syria In pictures: The rise of Isis Islamic extremists destroying mosques in Iraq Shiite's Al-Qubba Husseiniya mosque explodes in Mosul In pictures: The rise of Isis Islamic extremists destroying mosques in Iraq Smoke and debris go up in the air as Shiite's Al-Qubba Husseiniya mosque explodes in Mosul. Images posted online show that Islamic extremists have destroyed at least 10 ancient shrines and Shiite mosques in territory - the city of Mosul and the town of Tal Afar - they have seized in northern Iraq in recent weeks In pictures: The rise of Isis Islamic extremists destroying mosques in Iraq A bulldozer destroys Sunni's Ahmed al-Rifai shrine and tomb in Mahlabiya district outside of Tal Afar In pictures: The rise of Isis Iraq crisis Iraqi security forces celebrate after clashes with followers of Shiite cleric Mahmoud al-Sarkhi, in front of his home in the Shiite holy city of Karbala, 50 miles (80 kilometers) south of Baghdad In pictures: The rise of Isis Iraq crisis Iraqi security forces arrest a follower of Shiite cleric Mahmoud al-Sarkhi after clashes with his followers in the Shiite holy city of Karbala, 50 miles (80 kilometers) south of Baghdad In pictures: The rise of Isis Iraq crisis Iraqi security forces arrest a follower of Shiite cleric Mahmoud al-Sarkhi at his home after clashes with his followers in the Shiite holy city of Karbala, 50 miles (80 kilometers) south of Baghdad In pictures: The rise of Isis Iraq crisis Iraqi security forces arrest a follower of Shiite cleric Mahmoud al-Sarkhi after clashes with his followers in the Shiite holy city of Karbala, 50 miles (80 kilometers) south of Baghdad In pictures: The rise of Isis Iraq crisis A vehicle burns in front of a home of a follower of Shiite cleric Mahmoud al-Sarkhi after clashes with his followers in the Shiite holy city of Karbala, 50 miles (80 kilometers) south of Baghdad In pictures: The rise of Isis Iraqi refugees An Iraqi woman holds her exhausted son as over 1000 Iraqis who have fled fighting in and around the city of Mosul and Tal Afar wait at a Kurdish checkpoint in the hopes of entering a temporary displacement camp in Khazair In pictures: The rise of Isis Iraqi refugees Displaced Iraqi women hold pots as they queue to receive food during the first day of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, at an encampment for displaced Iraqis who fled from Mosul and other towns, in the Khazer area outside Irbil, north Iraq In pictures: The rise of Isis Isis fighters in Syria A militant Islamist fighter waving a flag, cheers as he takes part in a military parade along the streets of Syria's northern Raqqa. The fighters held the parade to celebrate their declaration of an Islamic "caliphate" after the group captured territory in neighbouring Iraq In pictures: The rise of Isis Isis fighters in Syria Isis fighters wave flags as they take part in a military parade along the streets of Syria's northern Raqqa province Reuters In pictures: The rise of Isis Isis fighters in Syria Isis fighters travel in a vehicle as they take part in a military parade along the streets of Syria's northern Raqqa province In pictures: The rise of Isis Isis fighters in Syria Fighters from the Isis group during a parade with a missile in Raqqa, Syria. Militants from an al-Qaida splinter group held a military parade in their stronghold in northeastern Syria, displaying U.S.-made Humvees, heavy machine guns, and missiles captured from the Iraqi army for the first time since taking over large parts of the Iraq-Syria border In pictures: The rise of Isis Isis fighters in Syria Isis fighters during a parade in Raqqa, Syria In pictures: The rise of Isis Isis fighters in Syria Fighters from the Isis group during a parade in Raqqa, Syria. Militants from the splinter group held a military parade in their stronghold in northeastern Syria, displaying U.S.-made Humvees, heavy machine guns, and missiles captured from the Iraqi army for the first time since taking over large parts of the Iraq-Syria border In pictures: The rise of Isis Isis fighters in Syria Isis fighters hold a military parade in their stronghold in northeastern Syria In pictures: The rise of Isis Isis fighters in Syria Isis fighters during a parade in Raqqa, Syria In pictures: The rise of Isis Isis fighters in Syria A member loyal to the Isis waves an Isis flag in Raqqa In pictures: The rise of Isis Iraq crisis Iraqi anti-government gunmen from Sunni tribes in the western Anbar province march during a protest in Ramadi, west of Baghdad. The United Nations warned that Iraq is at a "crossroads" and appealed for restraint, as a bloody four-day wave of violence killed 195 people. The violence is the deadliest so far linked to demonstrations that broke out in Sunni areas of the Shiite-majority country more than four months ago, raising fears of a return to all-out sectarian conflict In pictures: The rise of Isis Iraq crisis Iraqi security forces hold up a flag of the Isis group they captured during an operation to regain control of Dallah Abbas north of Baqouba, the capital of Iraq's Diyala province, 35 miles (60 kilometers) northeast of Baghdad In pictures: The rise of Isis Isis fighters in Iraq Isis fighters parade in the northern city of Mosul In pictures: The rise of Isis Iraq crisis Volunteers, who have joined the Iraqi army to fight against the predominantly Sunni militants from the radical Isis group, demonstrate their skills during a graduation ceremony after completing their field training in Najaf In pictures: The rise of Isis Iraq crisis Kurdish Peshmerga troops fire a cannon during clashes with militants of the Isis group in Jalawla, Diyala province In pictures: The rise of Isis Lieutenant General Qassem Atta speaks during a press conference Iraqi Prime Minister's security spokesman, Lieutenant General Qassem Atta speaks during a press conference about the latest military development in Iraq, in the capital Baghdad. Iraqi forces pressed a campaign to retake militant-held Tikrit, clashing with jihadist-led Sunni militants nearby and pounding positions inside the city with air strikes in their biggest counter-offensive so far In pictures: The rise of Isis A police station building destroyed by Isis fighters An exterior view of a police station building destroyed by gunmen in Mosul city, northern Iraq. Iraq's new parliament is expected to convene to start the process of setting up a new government, despite deepening political rifts and an ongoing Islamist-led insurgency. Iraqi President Jalal Talabani issued a decree inviting the new House of Representatives to meet and form a new government In pictures: The rise of Isis Isis fighters in Iraq Smoke billows from an area controlled by the Isis between the Iraqi towns of Naojul and Tuz Khurmatu, both located north of the capital Baghdad, as Iraqi Kurdish Peshmerga forces take part in an operation to repel the Sunni militants In pictures: The rise of Isis Iraqi refugees An elderly Iraqi woman is helped into a temporary displacement camp for Iraqis caught-up in the fighting in and around the city of Mosul in Khazair In pictures: The rise of Isis Iraqi refugees An Iraqi Christian woman fleeing the violence in the village of Qaraqush, about 30 kms east of the northern province of Nineveh, cries upon her arrival at a community center in the Kurdish city of Arbil in Iraq's autonomous Kurdistan region In pictures: The rise of Isis Iraqi refugees An Iraqi woman, who fled with her family from the northern city of Mosul, prays with a copy of the Quran AP In pictures: The rise of Isis Isis fighters in Iraq The body of an Isis militant killed during clashes with Iraqi security forces on the outskirts of the city of Samarra Reuters In pictures: The rise of Isis Iraq crisis Iraqi civilians inspect the damage at a market after an air strike by the Iraqi army in central Mosul EPA In pictures: The rise of Isis Iraq crisis Members of the Al-Abbas brigades, who volunteered to protect the Shiite Muslim holy sites in Karbala against Sunni militants fighting the Baghdad government, parade in the streets of the city AP In pictures: The rise of Isis Iraq crisis Shia tribesmen gather in Baghdad to take up arms against Sunni insurgents marching on the capital. Thousands have volunteered to bolster defences AFP/Getty In pictures: The rise of Isis Iraq crisis A van carrying volunteers joining Iraqi security forces against Jihadist militants. Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki announced the Iraqi government would arm and equip civilians who volunteered to fight AFP/Getty In pictures: The rise of Isis Iraq Fighters of the Isis group parade in a commandeered Iraqi security forces armored vehicle down a main road at the northern city of Mosul In pictures: The rise of Isis Iraq An Islamist fighter, identified as Abu Muthanna al-Yemeni from Britain (R), speaks in this still image taken undated video shot at an unknown location and uploaded to a social media website. Five Islamist fighters identified as Australian and British nationals have called on Muslims to join the wars in Syria and Iraq, in the new video released by the Isis In pictures: The rise of Isis Iraq Al-Qaida inspired militants stand with captured Iraqi Army Humvee at a checkpoint belonging to Iraqi Army outside Beiji refinery some 250 kilometers (155 miles) north of Baghdad. The fighting at Beiji comes as Iraq has asked the U.S. for airstrikes targeting the militants from the Isis group. While U.S. President Barack Obama has not fully ruled out the possibility of launching airstrikes, such action is not imminent in part because intelligence agencies have been unable to identify clear targets on the ground, officials said In pictures: The rise of Isis Iraq Militants attacked Iraq's main oil refinein Baiji as they pressed an offensive that has seen them capture swathes of territory, a manager and a refinery employee said In pictures: The rise of Isis Iraq Militants from the Isis group parading with their weapons in the northern city of Baiji in the in Salaheddin province In pictures: The rise of Isis Iraq A smoke rises after an attack by Isis militants on the country's largest oil refinery in Beiji, some 250 kilometers (155 miles) north of the capital, Baghdad. Iraqi security forces battled insurgents targeting the country's main oil refinery and said they regained partial control of a city near the Syrian border, trying to blunt an offensive by Sunni militants who diplomats fear may have also seized some 100 foreign workers In pictures: The rise of Isis Iraq Militants of the Isis group stand next to captured vehicles left behind by Iraqi security forces at an unknown location in the Salaheddin province. For militant groups, the fight over public perception can be even more important than actual combat, turning military losses into propaganda victories and battlefield successes into powerful tools to build support for the cause In pictures: The rise of Isis Iraq An injured fighter (C) from the Isis group after a battle with Iraqi soldiers at an undisclosed location near the border between Syria and Iraq In pictures: The rise of Isis Iraq Fighters from the Isis aiming at advancing Iraqi troops at an undisclosed location near the border between Syria and Iraq In pictures: The rise of Isis Iraq Fighters from the Isis group taking position at an undisclosed location near the border between Syria and Iraq In pictures: The rise of Isis Iraq Fighters from the Isis group inspecting vehicles of the Iraqi army after they were seized at an undisclosed location near the border between Syria and Iraq In pictures: The rise of Isis Iraq One Iraqi captive, a corporal, is reluctant to say the slogan, and has to be shouted at repeatedly before he obeys Sky News In pictures: The rise of Isis Iraq Iraqi captives held by the extremists Sky News In pictures: The rise of Isis Iraq Iraqi captives held by the extremists Sky News In pictures: The rise of Isis Iraq Militants of the Isis group force captured Iraqi security forces members to the transport In pictures: The rise of Isis Iraq Militants of the Isis group transporting dozens of captured Iraqi security forces members to an unknown location in the Salaheddin province ahead of executing them In pictures: The rise of Isis Iraq A major offensive spearheaded by Isis but also involving supporters of executed dictator Saddam Hussein has overrun all of one province and chunks of three others In pictures: The rise of Isis Iraq Militants of the Isis group executing dozens of captured Iraqi security forces members at an unknown location in the Salaheddin province In pictures: The rise of Isis Iraq Isis militants taking position at a Iraqi border post on the Syrian-Iraqi border between the Iraqi Nineveh province and the Syrian town of Al-Hasakah In pictures: The rise of Isis Iraq Isis rebels show their flag after seizing an army post AFP/Getty Images In pictures: The rise of Isis Iraq Isis militants waving an Islamist flag after the seizure of an Iraqi army checkpoint in Salahuddin Getty Images In pictures: The rise of Isis Iraq Demonstrators chant slogans as they carry al-Qaida flags in front of the provincial government headquarters in Mosul, 225 miles (360 kilometers) northwest of Baghdad. In the week since it captured Iraq's second-largest city, Mosul, a Muslim extremist group has tried to win over residents and has stopped short of widely enforcing its strict brand of Islamic law, residents say. Churches remain unharmed and street cleaners are back at work Kurdish armed forces have pushed their frontline to just a few miles north of the city and are preparing for an assault but do not have a capacity to take such a large city without the support of the Iraqi government and international community. While they wait, talks about a ceasefire in neighbouring Syria have produced tentative results. That cessation of hostilities, agreed to start on Thursday, does not include Isis and other jihadist groups. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Russia has rebuffed claims that its warplanes struck a hospital supported by Doctors Without Borders in northern Syria in airstrikes the previous day that killed at least nine as Syrian government forces and a predominantly Kurdish coalition made gains against rivals in the country's north. In Moscow, President Vladimir Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters the hospital report was another case in which those who make accusations against Russia cannot back them up. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights had said Russian warplanes targeted the hospital in Idlib province on Monday, destroying it and killing nine people. The makeshift clinic was supported by the international aid group, also known by its French acronym MSF. France said that such attacks could constitute war crimes. Peskov, in a conference call with journalists, said those who make such accusations should instead do as Moscow does and rely on the primary source - official announcements from the Syrian government. When pressed, he told journalists the Syrian government had made a string of announcement on who could have been behind the bombing. He also noted that Syria's ambassador to Russia said the hospital was destroyed by the Americans. We categorically reject such claims, even more so because each time those who make such claims prove unable somehow to corroborate their unsubstantiated accusations, Peskov said. MSF said the hospital in the town of Maaret al-Numan in Idlib province was hit four times in attacks that were minutes apart. The attack left the local population of around 40,000 without access to medical services, said MSF mission chief Massimiliano Rebaudengo. The Observatory said and other opposition activists said another hospital in Maaret al-Numan was also hit Monday, most likely by a Syrian government airstrike. And in the neighboring Aleppo province, a missile struck a children's hospital in the town of Azaz, killing five people, including three children and a pregnant woman, according to the Observatory. A third air raid hit a school in a nearby village, killing seven and wounding others. Opposition official Abdulrahman Al-Hassan said the women's hospital in Azaz was hit by two surface-to-surface missiles, blaming the attack on Russia because photos of the missiles have Russian language (and) because we haven't seen this kind (of missile) before the Russian intervention. In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Show all 19 1 /19 In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Syrian boys cry following Russian air strikes on the rebel-held Fardous neighbourhood of the northern embattled Syrian city of Aleppo Getty In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Russian defense ministry spokesman Major General Igor Konashenkov speaks to the media in Moscow, Russia. Konashenkov strongly warned the United States against striking Syrian government forces and issued a thinly-veiled threat to use Russian air defense assets to protect them AP In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Syrians wait to receive treatment at a hospital following Russian air strikes on the rebel-held Fardous neighbourhood of the northern embattled Syrian city of Alepp Getty In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Russian Deputy Defense Minister Anatoly Antonov speaks at a briefing in the Defense Ministry in Moscow, Russia. Antonov said the Russian air strikes in Syria have killed about 35,000 militants, including about 2,700 residents of Russia AP In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Jameel Mustafa Habboush, receives oxygen from civil defence volunteers, known as the white helmets, as they rescue him from under the rubble of a building following Russian air strikes on the rebel-held Fardous neighbourhood of the northern embattled Syrian city of Aleppo Getty In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Civil defence members rest amidst rubble in a site hit by what activists said were airstrikes carried out by the Russian air force in the town of Douma, eastern Ghouta in Damascus, Syria Reuters In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria A girl carrying a baby inspects damage in a site hit by what activists said were airstrikes carried out by the Russian air force in the town of Douma, eastern Ghouta in Damascus, Syria Reuters In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Civilians and civil defence members look for survivors at a site damaged after Russian air strikes on the Syrian rebel-held city of Idlib, Syria Reuters In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Civilians and civil defence members carry an injured woman on a stretcher at a site damaged after Russian air strikes on the Syrian rebel-held city of Idlib, Syria Reuters In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Volunteers from Syria Civil Defence, also known as the White Helmets, help civilians after Russia carried out its first airstrikes in Syria In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria The aftermath of Russian airstrike in Talbiseh, Syria In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Smoke billows from buildings in Talbiseh, in Homs province, western Syria, after airstrikes by Russian warplanes AP In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Russian Air Forces carry out an air strike in the ISIS controlled Al-Raqqah Governorate. Russia's KAB-500s bombs completely destroy the Liwa al-Haqq command unit In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Caspian Flotilla of the Russian Navy firing Kalibr cruise missiles against remote Isis targets in Syria A TASS/ITAR-TASS Photo/Corbis In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Russia claimed it hit eight Isis targets, including a "terrorist HQ and co-ordination centre" that was completely destroyed In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria A video grab taken from the footage made available on the Russian Defence Ministry's official website, purporting to show an airstrike in Syria In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria A release from the Russian defence ministry purportedly showing targets in Syria being hit In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Russia launched air strikes in war-torn Syria, its first military engagement outside the former Soviet Union since the occupation of Afghanistan in 1979. Russian warplanes carried out strikes in three Syrian provinces along with regime aircraft as Putin seeks to steal US President Barack Obama's thunder by pushing a rival plan to defeat Isis militants in Syria In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Caspian Flotilla of the Russian Navy firing Kalibr cruise missiles against remote Isis targets in Syria, a thousand kilometres away. The targets include ammunition factories, ammunition and fuel depots, command centres, and training camps A TASS/ITAR-TASS Photo/Corbis The airstrikes came just days after Russia and other world powers agreed to bring about a pause in fighting that would allow for the delivery of humanitarian aid and the revival of Syrian peace talks. The projected truce agreed on Friday in Munich was to begin in a week, but there has been no sign it would happen. Meanwhile, Syrian government troops and a predominantly Kurdish coalition of fighters advanced and captured more areas in the north from rival groups on Tuesday, while pro-government forces routed extremists from a main power station in the area. The north has been the focus of the most intense clashes in recent weeks in Syria. Syria's state news agency SANA and the Observatory said government forces took the villages of Ahras and Misqan in the northern province of Aleppo. Separately, members of the Syria Democratic Forces, a coalition of Arab and Kurdish groups, captured the major town of Tel Rifaat, one of the largest militant strongholds in Aleppo.After Tel Rifaat, SDF fighters also took the nearby village of Kfar Naseh, south of the town. The SDF fighters are a separate entity in Syria's five-year civil war and have mostly battled the Islamic State group. Parts of the coalition oppose President Bashar Assad but have also fought against other rebels and the Western-backed opposition. Intense clashes broke out Tuesday near the village of Kaljibrin as SDF fighters tried to reach it, according to the Observatory and Aleppo-based activist Bahaa al-Halaby. If SDF captures Kaljibrin, it would squeeze rebels in their stronghold of Mareh and the adjacent village of Sheikh Issa, which is also under attack by the IS. Also Tuesday, government forces and allied gunmen captured a power station in eastern Aleppo from IS that the extremists had used as a jailhouse. The Observatory said the station and nearby villages were captured under the cover of aerial attacks by Syrian and Russian warplanes and helicopter gunships. Meanwhile, in the city of Aleppo, insurgents repelled an attack by SDF fighters on the neighborhoods of Hullok and Bustan al-Basha, according to al-Halaby and the Aleppo Media Center. They were trying to besiege (rebel-held parts) of the city of Aleppo but were forced out, al-Halaby said via Skype. In Damascus, the U.N. special envoy to Syria, Staffan de Mistura, met on Tuesday with Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem. In a brief statement to reporters after the meeting, de Mistura said the talks focused on the issue of humanitarian and hindered access to all besieged areas, not only by the government but also by the opposition and ISIL, another acronym that refers to the IS. The UN envoy arrived in the Syrian capital Monday for discussions on aid deliveries and how to resume peace talks in Geneva. Indirect peace talks between representatives of the Syrian government and the opposition collapsed earlier this month in Geneva after just two days, largely because of the government offensive in Aleppo. Berry reported from Moscow. Associated Press writer Albert Aji contributed to this report from Damascus, Syria. AP For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} A Conservative MP has admitted there is nothing the UK can do to stop Russias alleged bombing of hospitals and civilian areas in Syria. Andrew Mitchell, the former International Development Secretary, said Mondays air strikes on hospitals and a school were certainly a war crime. Almost 50 civilians were killed when missiles hit at severak medical facilities and schools in rebel-held areas of Syria, according to the United Nations, which called the attacks a blatant violation of international law. Alleged bombing of Syrian hospital At least 14 were killed in the northern town of Azaz, the last rebel stronghold before the border with Turkey, where missiles hit a children's hospital and a school sheltering refugees, while 15 were feared dead at a Doctors Without Borders (MSF) hospital in Maarat Al Numan, Idlib province. The humanitarian organisation said the building was hit by four missiles in what appeared to be a deliberate attack on health facilities. Russia has not directly admitted responsibility but claimed its air force had targeted Isis infrastructure. It's certainly a war crime, Mr Mitchell told the BBC Radio 4's Today programme. The Russian Air Force has now hit 30 hospitals in Syria of which only one is in an Isil (Isis) area. A handout image dated 15 February 2016, provided by the MEdecins Sans FrontiEres (MSF) or Doctors Without Bordersorganization, showing destruction and rubble at an MSF-supported hospital in Idlib province in northern Syria, largely destroyed in an attack on early 15 February 2016. (EPA) "Everyone knew this was a Medecins Sans Frontieres (Doctors Without Borders) hospital and undoubtedly this is a breach of the international law and the Russians are guilty of that." Turkey and France have also agreed that the attacks constitute war crimes but a way of reprimanding Russia or stopping the bloodshed seems unclear. There is effectively nothing we can do at the moment but they can be held to account in the future, Mr Mitchell said, condemning the international anarchy. There are many other countries in the United Nations, which will be horrified and appalled by these Russian actions against innocent civilians and for Russia's reputation in the future and its role in the UN this has a very significant effect. He did not support Angela Merkels suggestion of a no-fly zone to prevent air strikes by all warring parties. An injured Syrian child arriving from northern Syria is carried to Kilis hospital in south-central Turkey on February 15, 2016. (EPA) The problem with no-fly zones is frankly that no one is going to enforce it, he said. It is clearly taking part in the contest because its about the Russian and Syrian air forceit would be an intervention in the battle. (A no-fly zone) is pie in the sky, its not going to happen, and we need to recognise that. Mr Mitchell instead argued for the creation of a safe haven in Syria, where an enclave would be created for civilians protected by international troops and safe from aerial attacks. But William Hague, the former Foreign Secretary, previously argued against the measure, calling it impractical at best and dangerous at worst. Angela Merkel has said she now favours a no-fly zone being imposed in Syria (Corbis) The German Chancellor said a no-fly zone would have to be negotiated, rather than enforced as Libyas was in 2011, as to do so would mean bombing Russian and Syrian bases. Vladimir Putins official spokesperson denied war crimes today, dismissing them as unfounded accusations. We categorically do not accept such statements, the more so as every time those making these statements are unable to prove their unfounded accusations in any way, Dmitry Peskov said. A temporary cessation in hostilities in Syria was agreed in Munich on Friday to allow the delivery of humanitarian aid to millions of civilians living in areas besieged by fighting. But Bashar al-Assad cast doubt on the ceasefires success by taking to Syrian television to say battles would not stop and that terrorists meaning all rebels under the regimes definition would not be allowed to operate in any way. In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Show all 19 1 /19 In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Syrian boys cry following Russian air strikes on the rebel-held Fardous neighbourhood of the northern embattled Syrian city of Aleppo Getty In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Russian defense ministry spokesman Major General Igor Konashenkov speaks to the media in Moscow, Russia. Konashenkov strongly warned the United States against striking Syrian government forces and issued a thinly-veiled threat to use Russian air defense assets to protect them AP In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Syrians wait to receive treatment at a hospital following Russian air strikes on the rebel-held Fardous neighbourhood of the northern embattled Syrian city of Alepp Getty In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Russian Deputy Defense Minister Anatoly Antonov speaks at a briefing in the Defense Ministry in Moscow, Russia. Antonov said the Russian air strikes in Syria have killed about 35,000 militants, including about 2,700 residents of Russia AP In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Jameel Mustafa Habboush, receives oxygen from civil defence volunteers, known as the white helmets, as they rescue him from under the rubble of a building following Russian air strikes on the rebel-held Fardous neighbourhood of the northern embattled Syrian city of Aleppo Getty In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Civil defence members rest amidst rubble in a site hit by what activists said were airstrikes carried out by the Russian air force in the town of Douma, eastern Ghouta in Damascus, Syria Reuters In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria A girl carrying a baby inspects damage in a site hit by what activists said were airstrikes carried out by the Russian air force in the town of Douma, eastern Ghouta in Damascus, Syria Reuters In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Civilians and civil defence members look for survivors at a site damaged after Russian air strikes on the Syrian rebel-held city of Idlib, Syria Reuters In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Civilians and civil defence members carry an injured woman on a stretcher at a site damaged after Russian air strikes on the Syrian rebel-held city of Idlib, Syria Reuters In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Volunteers from Syria Civil Defence, also known as the White Helmets, help civilians after Russia carried out its first airstrikes in Syria In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria The aftermath of Russian airstrike in Talbiseh, Syria In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Smoke billows from buildings in Talbiseh, in Homs province, western Syria, after airstrikes by Russian warplanes AP In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Russian Air Forces carry out an air strike in the ISIS controlled Al-Raqqah Governorate. Russia's KAB-500s bombs completely destroy the Liwa al-Haqq command unit In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Caspian Flotilla of the Russian Navy firing Kalibr cruise missiles against remote Isis targets in Syria A TASS/ITAR-TASS Photo/Corbis In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Russia claimed it hit eight Isis targets, including a "terrorist HQ and co-ordination centre" that was completely destroyed In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria A video grab taken from the footage made available on the Russian Defence Ministry's official website, purporting to show an airstrike in Syria In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria A release from the Russian defence ministry purportedly showing targets in Syria being hit In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Russia launched air strikes in war-torn Syria, its first military engagement outside the former Soviet Union since the occupation of Afghanistan in 1979. Russian warplanes carried out strikes in three Syrian provinces along with regime aircraft as Putin seeks to steal US President Barack Obama's thunder by pushing a rival plan to defeat Isis militants in Syria In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Caspian Flotilla of the Russian Navy firing Kalibr cruise missiles against remote Isis targets in Syria, a thousand kilometres away. The targets include ammunition factories, ammunition and fuel depots, command centres, and training camps A TASS/ITAR-TASS Photo/Corbis Russia is one of the only countries to openly support the Syrian President, who the West wants to see permanently removed to usher in a new government and end the bitter civil war. Chris Hill, an American diplomat and former US ambassador in the Middle East, argued that Assad must be included in discussions. Assad represents a faction that need to be participants in peace process if its going to go everywhere, he told Today. There needs to be a lot more work on a consensus on what Syrias going to look like in the future. Mr Hill, who helped negotiate the Bosnia peace settlement in 1995, was sceptical on the success of the ceasefire, saying that a truce must be the last and natural step when there is already a clear understanding of future political arrangements. He added: From my experience this has not gone in the proper sequence. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Saudi Arabia and Russia have agreed to freeze oil output in a meeting in Qatar. Ali al-Naimi, the Saudi Arabian oil minister met with Alexander Novakin Doha, his Russian counterpart, and representatives from Venezuela and Qatar in Doha on Tuesday where they agreed a freeze in the oil production at January levels. "Freezing now at the January level is adequate for the market," said Saudi Arabian Oil Minister, Ali al-Naimi. "We don't want significant gyrations in prices, we want to meet demand. We want a stable oil price." The agreement fell short of cutting production to shore up oil prices. The price of brent crude surged 6 per cent on Tuesday to trade at $35.22 a barrel in anticipation of an agreement. It slipped back from earlier gains after the announcement was made, reflecting disappointment that production would not be reduced. Many oil producers are already pumping at full capacity. Biggest oil producers (IEA figures) Show all 10 1 /10 Biggest oil producers (IEA figures) Biggest oil producers (IEA figures) 1. USA (12.35 million barrels per day) Getty Biggest oil producers (IEA figures) 2. Russia (10.95 million barrels per day) Getty Biggest oil producers (IEA figures) 3. Saudi Arabia (9.51 million barrels per day) Getty Biggest oil producers (IEA figures) 4. (4.21 million barrels per day) Rex Biggest oil producers (IEA figures) 5. China (4.13 million barrels per day) Getty Biggest oil producers (IEA figures) 6. Iraq (3.38 million barrels per day) Getty Biggest oil producers (IEA figures) 7. Iran (2.76 million barrels per day) Getty Biggest oil producers (IEA figures) 8. UAE (2.71 million barrels per day) Getty Biggest oil producers (IEA figures) 9. Kuwait (2.66 million barrels per day) Getty Biggest oil producers (IEA figures) 10. Mexico (2.64 million barrels per day) Getty Oil has lost more than 70 per cent of its value in 18 months, wreaking havoc on the oil-dependent economies such as Saudi Arabia, which has been forced to make sweeping welfare cuts. The kingdom insisted it wouldnt curb production unless other producers in the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries agreed to co-operate. Saudi Arabia has one of the most oil reliant economies in the world, as shown by the above Statista infographic. King Salman said in a speech that the kingdom would seek to diversify its revenues in 2016. What is a barrel of oil cheaper than? Venezuela has been hit hardest from low oil prices. It had lobbied exporters including Russia, Iran and Saudi Arabia to arrange a meeting with OPEC to try and reach an agreement. The deal is a huge turnaround from OPEC's last meeting in December, when members were said to be hardly talking to one another. It now depends on the agreement of Iran and Iraq. The nations will meet for further talks on Wednesday, but analysts suspect Iran will be reluctant to freeze production because it has only just returned to the market following the lifting of sanctions. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} That is a military zone, a Syrian soldier warned, as I went to inspect the ruins at the end of Ibn Hawqal Street. But I could not see any Syrian military positions amid the ruins, not even a checkpoint. This is a military zone, he said more sharply. Then I realised. How many kilometres away is Isis, I asked? Down there, said the soldier. About 200 metres. Recommended Read more How Russia and Iran took advantage of peace talks to choke Aleppo And I looked down a broken laneway, veined by the midday sun, a deserted, squalid place of crumpled homes that makes its appearance along all front lines in cities at war, in Damascus, in Aleppo, in Fallujah, in Sarajevo, in Beirut in the old days, no doubt in Cherbourg once and Stalingrad, too, and long ago, in my fathers war, in the little villages on the Somme. No this is not the Great War though it has lasted far longer and such comparisons somehow take away the dignity of those who try to return to live in these ruins. Syria is Syria, not Iraq or Bosnia or part of a world war though there are Arabs who do claim that all this is part of World War Three. Did the Americans not threaten to bomb Damascus? Are the Russian air force not now bombing Isis? Is Turkey not now threatening to invade Syria? And Saudi Arabia? Mogherini Announces Syrian Ceasefire Excluding ISIL and Al Nusra But what is happening in al-Qadam tells you a lot about the Syrian war. Once in the hands of Jabhat al-Nusra, it lay rotting through three years, under government control but almost empty, until the army struck north of Aleppo and began to conquer its enemies along the Turkish border and the people started to come back to al-Qadam. Twenty-six families in the past 15 days alone, even a drift back of former Free Syrian Army men part of David Camerons mythical army of 70,000 moderates, one supposes and five prisoners released from government jails. Victory brings confidence, however temporary, and you can sniff it on the government front lines far from Aleppo. There are fewer checkpoints in Damascus, 100 women dancing the dubkah at a noisy hen party in one of the big hotels, convoys of trucks humming across the Lebanese border en-route to Jordan now that the Syrian army has re-opened the main road to Deraa. Syrians drive to Aleppo up the highway again. On Syrian television, there are action shots of Syrian paratroopers entering towns they had not seen for three years. And in al-Qadam, its streets named after ancient Arab philosophers and travellers, they are also returning. There is even a reconciliation committee of elders who talk to both the army and the Free Syrian army not to Isis or al-Nusra, they all insist and who drink coffee with the government soldiers. Rather a lot of meals, an army intelligence officer tells me. Some of the Free Syrian Army men from al-Qadam have been allowed to keep their light weapons after forswearing their opposition to the regime and the government army have allowed them food and medicine. Several have been allowed to return to the ranks of the army they deserted, new ranks of course, paid once more by the government. Yes, of course we knew many of them, a soldier says. It is a subtle war. Get the opposition to change sides, especially now that they have tasted the bitter fruit of Isiss ideology and understood the power of Russias air force. It seems to work. Silence has settled over the front line here. Syrian families arrive in the al-Qadam district of Damascus after a truce between government and rebel forces (Corbis) Syria, Assad has been spray painted over the walls in red. Al-Nusras slogans have been so heavily painted over in blue that you can no longer make out what they said. Except for the word Allah. The army left Gods name untouched. Half a mile back, three soldiers sit on chairs beside a T-72 tank that nestles in the shadow of an alleyway, its barrel pointing upwards. They are drinking coffee. Thaled Fado is part of the reconciliation committee. A construction man he agrees there will be plenty to reconstruct he wanted to be a pilot and travelled Europe to further his ambition and lived in Barcelona and inevitably ran out of money. There is peace here now, he says. The army took this place back from Nusra a long time ago, but now the people themselves are coming back. We talk to the army. This is my home. But home inherited from his father has no roof. Like all the other houses in this poor, devastated suburb, they were looted and burned by al-Nusra. One lady in a green dress this is not yet the time to discard anonymity for most of these people described how al-Nusra came to this place three years ago. We did not know them and I tried to stay, but then they came to our home and slaughtered my husband and I fled with my children. Now she stands near Thaled Fado and smiles at the stranger who has come to look at this tiny corner of Syrian misery. A bearded soldier is smiling, too, and I guess why and he tells me I am right. He has just come from Aleppo. His family live here and have returned, and it slowly becomes clear that many of these families had sons in the military and supported the regime. And al-Nusra turned on them with a vengeance. Hence all the burned homes only a few repaired and the still smashed minaret of the local mosque. Aid groups struggle to access Syrians in dangerous areas A middle-aged lady peers from the window of a downstairs room, looking cautiously at our camera. Her home is now a little shop. There are sweets and biscuits for sale. I suppose this is whats called normality. Theres another lady sitting on a step beside the road, her hands to her face, an image of despair. Recommended Read more Isis suicide car bomber kills at least 10 people in Damascus Zacharia Ashar his brown robe marks him out as a country man, for al-Qadam not long ago was farmland is also on the local reconciliation committee and says that 131 local militiamen who fought the army have returned, some from Jordan, on the understanding that they will protect their people and keep Isis at bay. Some of them have formed a unit to support the army, he says. Others tried to fight Nusra and Daesh [Isis] and were killed. Yes, there have been many martyrs. And yes, it will be many years before the great history books of this war will be written and reveal its many secrets. In the West apart from the refugees we see this conflict as a geopolitical struggle. But after the Aleppo battles, it can be written that however temporarily, however fearfully, however few in the streets of al-Qadam, the people are coming home. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Turkey has accused Russia of acting like a terrorist organisation and perpetrating war crimes in its support of Bashar al-Assad as hopes for a ceasefire fade. After vowing to take the whole of Syria back by force, the President spoke on state television to say the cessation of hostilities agreed in Munich would not stop the regimes offensive against rebels. Regarding a ceasefire, a halt to operations, if it happened, it doesn't mean that each party will stop using weapons, Assad said in comments televised on Monday. Alleged bombing of Syrian hospital A ceasefire means in the first place halting the terrorists from strengthening their positions. Movement of weapons, equipment or terrorists, or fortification of positions, will not be allowed. Reinforcing the governments definition of a terrorist as anyone fighting against it, regardless of ideology, the Syrian President said there could be no ceasefire without a goal and the requisite conditions could not be met within the set timeframe of a week. His comments were reflected by the Russian Prime Minister, who defended his countrys actions in an interview with Time magazine by saying rebel groups were all terrorists and cant even tell each other apart. Vladimir Putin's intervention in Syria has turned the war against rebels in Assad's favour (GETTY IMAGES) Can you actually tell an Isis or Daesh member from Jaysh al-Islam or Jabhat al-Nusra members? he said. They are all bandits and terroristsit is very difficult for us to tell the difference between the very moderate ones and the not-so-moderate ones, the good from the bad. That defence did not satisfy the Turkish government, which opposes Assads rule and has invited Saudi Arabian planes and troops to one of its bases in preparation for a possible ground operation. The Prime Minister, Ahmet Davutoglu, accused Russia of acting as a terrorist organisation in Syria and called its alleged bombing of four hospitals and two schools an obvious war crime. If Russia continues behaving like a terrorist organization and forcing civilians to flee, we will deliver an extremely decisive response, Mr Davutoglu said during a visit to Kiev. Unfortunately, barbaric attacks on civilians are continuing in Syria and these attacks are being waged by both Russia and terrorist groups. An injured Syrian child arriving from northern Syria is carried to Kilis hospital in south-central Turkey on February 15, 2016. (EPA) Russia and other terrorist organisations - first and foremost, the Islamic State in Syria - are responsible for numerous crimes against humanity. Almost 50 civilians were killed when missiles hit at least five medical facilities and two schools in rebel-held areas of Syria on Monday, according to the United Nations, which called the attacks a blatant violation of international law. At least 14 were killed in the northern town of Azaz, the last rebel stronghold before the border with Turkey, where missiles hit a children's hospital and a school sheltering refugees, while 15 were feared dead at a Doctors Without Borders (MSF) hospital in Maarat Al Numan, Idlib province. The humanitarian organisation said the building was hit by four missiles in what appeared to be a deliberate attack on heath facilities. Russian Health Minister Veronika Skvortsova said air strikes were targeting Isis infrastructure and she had no reason to believe that Russian planes had bombed civilian sites. The Syrian National Coalition, which represents a broad base of rebel groups fighting the Assad regime, urged the international community to act. In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Show all 19 1 /19 In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Syrian boys cry following Russian air strikes on the rebel-held Fardous neighbourhood of the northern embattled Syrian city of Aleppo Getty In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Russian defense ministry spokesman Major General Igor Konashenkov speaks to the media in Moscow, Russia. Konashenkov strongly warned the United States against striking Syrian government forces and issued a thinly-veiled threat to use Russian air defense assets to protect them AP In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Syrians wait to receive treatment at a hospital following Russian air strikes on the rebel-held Fardous neighbourhood of the northern embattled Syrian city of Alepp Getty In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Russian Deputy Defense Minister Anatoly Antonov speaks at a briefing in the Defense Ministry in Moscow, Russia. Antonov said the Russian air strikes in Syria have killed about 35,000 militants, including about 2,700 residents of Russia AP In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Jameel Mustafa Habboush, receives oxygen from civil defence volunteers, known as the white helmets, as they rescue him from under the rubble of a building following Russian air strikes on the rebel-held Fardous neighbourhood of the northern embattled Syrian city of Aleppo Getty In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Civil defence members rest amidst rubble in a site hit by what activists said were airstrikes carried out by the Russian air force in the town of Douma, eastern Ghouta in Damascus, Syria Reuters In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria A girl carrying a baby inspects damage in a site hit by what activists said were airstrikes carried out by the Russian air force in the town of Douma, eastern Ghouta in Damascus, Syria Reuters In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Civilians and civil defence members look for survivors at a site damaged after Russian air strikes on the Syrian rebel-held city of Idlib, Syria Reuters In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Civilians and civil defence members carry an injured woman on a stretcher at a site damaged after Russian air strikes on the Syrian rebel-held city of Idlib, Syria Reuters In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Volunteers from Syria Civil Defence, also known as the White Helmets, help civilians after Russia carried out its first airstrikes in Syria In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria The aftermath of Russian airstrike in Talbiseh, Syria In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Smoke billows from buildings in Talbiseh, in Homs province, western Syria, after airstrikes by Russian warplanes AP In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Russian Air Forces carry out an air strike in the ISIS controlled Al-Raqqah Governorate. Russia's KAB-500s bombs completely destroy the Liwa al-Haqq command unit In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Caspian Flotilla of the Russian Navy firing Kalibr cruise missiles against remote Isis targets in Syria A TASS/ITAR-TASS Photo/Corbis In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Russia claimed it hit eight Isis targets, including a "terrorist HQ and co-ordination centre" that was completely destroyed In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria A video grab taken from the footage made available on the Russian Defence Ministry's official website, purporting to show an airstrike in Syria In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria A release from the Russian defence ministry purportedly showing targets in Syria being hit In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Russia launched air strikes in war-torn Syria, its first military engagement outside the former Soviet Union since the occupation of Afghanistan in 1979. Russian warplanes carried out strikes in three Syrian provinces along with regime aircraft as Putin seeks to steal US President Barack Obama's thunder by pushing a rival plan to defeat Isis militants in Syria In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Caspian Flotilla of the Russian Navy firing Kalibr cruise missiles against remote Isis targets in Syria, a thousand kilometres away. The targets include ammunition factories, ammunition and fuel depots, command centres, and training camps A TASS/ITAR-TASS Photo/Corbis Its representative to the EU, Mouaffaq Nyrabia, urged the UN to investigate the attacks as a breach of international law and consider Russias membership of the Security Council. Following agreement on a cessation of hostilities in Munich, this attack clearly demonstrates Russia's lack of commitment to ending this conflict, he said. Since the start of Russia's military intervention in Syria, it has repeatedly targeted civilian areas and health structures across Syria. If the EU and wider international community are serious about a political solution, they must do more to deter both Russia and the Assad regime from escalating the conflict, killing civilians, and undermining diplomatic efforts towards peace. Meanwhile, Turkey has been shelling Kurdish groups considered to be one of the most effective fighting forces against Isis after they seized territory near the Turkish border from other rebels. Ankara is defines the Kurds as terrorists and is attempting to stop their two stretches of territory along the Turkish border joining up in the city of Azaz. Additional reporting by agencies For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} The Syrian government has approved humanitarian aid deliveries to seven besieged areas, the United Nations said. The seven areas are considered to be the most in need of relief by the 17-member International Syria Support Group. They include Deir el-Zour, under siege by Isis, Foah and Kefraya, besieged by rebels, and Madaya, Muadhamiya, Kafr Batna and Zabadani, under siege from Syrian government forces. "Humanitarian agencies and partners are preparing convoys for these areas, to depart as soon as possible in the coming days," a UN spokesperson said. Almost half a million people live in the besieged areas, according to the UN. In pictures: Syria conflict Show all 40 1 /40 In pictures: Syria conflict In pictures: Syria conflict Syria crisis Syrians carry children amid debris following a air strike by government forces in the northern city of Aleppo In pictures: Syria conflict Syria crisis A Syrian man carries a girl on a street covered with dust following a air strike by government forces in the northern city of Aleppo In pictures: Syria conflict Syria crisis Syrians react as they stand amid debris following a air strike by government forces in the northern city of Aleppo In pictures: Syria conflict Syria crisis A Syrian man carries a girl amid debris following a air strike by government forces in the northern city of Aleppo In pictures: Syria conflict Syria crisis An injured Syrian man walks out from the rubble of a destroyed building following a air strike by government forces in the northern city of Aleppo In pictures: Syria conflict Syria crisis A Syrian woman makes her way through debris following a air strike by government forces in the northern city of Aleppo In pictures: Syria conflict Syria crisis People stand on the rubble of collapsed buildings at a site hit by what activists said was a barrel bomb dropped by forces loyal to Syria's President Bashar al-Assad, in the Al-Fardous neighbourhood of Aleppo In pictures: Syria conflict Syria crisis Syrian residents stand amid the rubble of destroyed buildings In pictures: Syria conflict Syria crisis A Syrian resident grasps a mattress amid rubble in the al-Firdous neighborhood of the northern city of Aleppo In pictures: Syria conflict Syria crisis A view taken from Tel al-Sawadi shows a large explosion allegedly at the Wadi Deif Syrian army base in northwestern Idlib on May 14, 2014, which opposition fighters have been trying to capture for more than a year. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said Islamist rebels detonated explosives planted in a tunnel under the army base killing or injuring dozens. AFP In pictures: Syria conflict Syria crisis A bullet-riddled parking sign stands amid debris in a deserted street leading into the old city of Homs In pictures: Syria conflict Syria crisis A general view shows abandoned buildings on a deserted square in the old city of Homs after Syrian government forces regained control of rebel-controlled areas In pictures: Syria conflict Syria crisis A military vehicle that belongs to the Free Syrian Army is seen in Al-Amariya district in Aleppo In pictures: Syria conflict Syria crisis A mosque is pictured through shattered glass in the old city of Homs, as rebel fighters withdrew from the city centre in line with a negotiated withdrawal deal with the government after having held out under tight siege for nearly two years In pictures: Syria conflict Syria crisis Buses carrying Free Syrian Army fighters leaving Homs. Exhausted and worn out from a year-long siege, hundreds of Syrian rebels left their last remaining bastions in the heart of the central city of Homs under a cease-fire deal with government forces. The exit of some 1,200 fighters and civilians will mark a de facto end of the rebellion in the battered city, which was one of the first places to rise up against President Bashar Assad's rule, earning it the nickname of "capital of the revolution" In pictures: Syria conflict Syria crisis Syrian government forces hold up a portrait of President Bashar al-Assad (L) while others raise the national flag on top of a pole in the old city of Homs In pictures: Syria conflict Syria crisis Forces loyal to Syria's President Bashar al-Assad run through Aleppo's Bustan al-Qasr crossing after their release by rebels. They were freed as part of a larger deal which saw the last remaining Syrian rebels in central Homs city evacuate their positions and free captives in several locations in northern Syria In pictures: Syria conflict Syria crisis A Syrian woman and two children walk past heavily damaged buildings in the northern city of Aleppo In pictures: Syria conflict Syria crisis A man carries a wounded girl following a reported bombardment with explosive-packed "barrel bombs" by Syrian government forces in the al-Mowasalat neighborhood of the northern Syrian city of Aleppo In pictures: Syria conflict Syria crisis A wounded man sits as he is treated at a makeshift hospital following a reported bombardment with explosive-packed "barrel bombs" by Syrian government forces in the al-Sakhour district of the northern city of Aleppo In pictures: Syria conflict Syria crisis Debris rises in what Free Syrian Army fighters and Islamic rebels said was an operation to strike Al-Sahaba checkpoint, which is considered a gateway to Al-Dayf valley, and remove forces loyal to Syria's President Bashar Al-Assad in Maarat Al-Nouman, Idlib province In pictures: Syria conflict Syria crisis Men try to put out fire at a site hit by what activists said was an air strike by forces loyal to Syria's President Bashar al-Assad in the town of Azaz, north of Aleppo, near the border with Turkey In pictures: Syria conflict Syria crisis Civil Defence members try to put out fire In pictures: Syria conflict Syria crisis Survivors react at a site hit by what activists said was an air strike by forces loyal to Syria's President Bashar al-Assad in the town of Azaz, north of Aleppo, near the border with Turkey In pictures: Syria conflict Syria crisis Residents queue as they wait to receive food aid distributed by the UNRWA at the Palestinian refugee camp of Yarmouk, south of Damascus In pictures: Syria conflict Syria crisis Belongings of Syrian rebels inside a chapel at Crac des Chevaliers, the world's best preserved medieval Crusader castle in Syria. The village was destroyed in fighting between the government and rebel forces while the castle, listed as a UNESCO world heritage site, also has been damaged over the past two years In pictures: Syria conflict Syria crisis Hosen Sabah, a 16-year-old student is comforted by his mother at a hospital in Damascus. Nosen was wounded by a mortar outside his school, while 14 other students were killed and over 80 wounded In pictures: Syria conflict Syria crisis A Free Syrian Army fighter works on a locally made launcher before firing it towards forces loyal to Syria's President Bashar Al-Assad in Mork town In pictures: Syria conflict Syria crisis Syrian policemen and citizens inspecting the site of a car bomb at the entrance of Moadhamiyet al-Sham neighborhood in rural Damascus. According to Syria's Arab News Agency (SANA), a car bomb explosion has gone off in the countryside of Damascus and initial information say there are casualties, where a car rigged with explosions was remotely detonated at the entrance of Moadhamiyet al-Sham neighborhood in rural Damascus during engineering units it was trying to dismantled it In pictures: Syria conflict Syria crisis Opposition fighters carrying a rocket launcher during clashes against government forces in the Sheikh Lutfi area, west of the airport in the northern Syrian city of Aleppo In pictures: Syria conflict Syria crisis A Syrian man helps a woman to make her way through debris following reported air strikes by government forces in the Halak neighbourhood in northeastern Aleppo In pictures: Syria conflict Syria crisis A Syrian man reacts as he carries the body of injured boy following reported air strikes by government forces in the Halak neighbourhood in northeastern Aleppo. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, at least 33 civilians were killed in the attack In pictures: Syria conflict Syria crisis Syrian rescue workers carry the body of a woman following reported air strikes by government forces in the Halak neighbourhood in northeastern Aleppo In pictures: Syria conflict Syria crisis A Syrian woman walks past the burning wreckage of a car following reported air strikes by government forces in the Halak neighbourhood in northeastern Aleppo In pictures: Syria conflict Syria crisis A man and two children run to a safer place following reported air strikes by government forces in the Halak neighbourhood in northeastern Aleppo In pictures: Syria conflict Syria crisis A man holds an injured child after, according to activists, two barrel bombs were thrown by forces loyal to Syria's president Bashar Al-Assad in Hullok neighbourhood of Aleppo In pictures: Syria conflict Syria crisis An injured man talks on a walkie-talkie after, according to activists, two barrel bombs were thrown by forces loyal to Syria's president Bashar Al-Assad in Hellok neighbourhood of Aleppo In pictures: Syria conflict Syria crisis A man walks inside a mosque damaged by, according to activists, a barrel bomb thrown by forces loyal to Syria's president Bashar Al-Assad in Old Aleppo In pictures: Syria conflict Syria crisis Syrians gather at the site of reported air strikes by government forces in the Halak neighbourhood in northeastern Aleppo In pictures: Syria conflict Syria crisis Rebel fighters carry their weapons as they run to avoid snipers loyal to Syria's President Bashar al-Assad in the town of Morek in Hama province Damascus approved the aid convoys after the UN special envoy for Syria, Staffan de Mistura, visited the capital on Tuesday. Earlier that day, Mr Mistura announced an aid convoy would be sent on Wednesday to several towns under siege by the government or the rebels. "It is clear it is the duty of the government of Syria to want to reach every Syrian person wherever they are and allow the UN to bring humanitarian aid, particularly now after so long time," he told journalists, after a meeting with the Syrian Foreign Minister. World powers agreed to a temporary "cessation of hostilities" to start within a week, along with the acceleration and expansion of aid deliveries. But there is little hope for long-term peace after President Bashar al-Assad vowed to retake control of the entire country by force. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Weve heard it all before: the youth of today are not engaged or interested with politics, and who can blame them? With scenes of MPs in the Houses of Commons roaring with laughter in a feud that sounds like it has come straight out of the Eton playground, the distance between an ordinary student and the people in power can seem gigantic. But students shouldnt feel put-off politics because, ultimately, it will affect them throughout their lives. There is the comfort of being at university, and we can resist the title of adult that little bit longer. Sadly, though, all good things must come to an end, and many students I have met at university choose to distance themselves from anything even remotely political. Its fairly easy to go through uni without engaging with politics but this arguably defeats one aim of going in the first place: to prepare for your future. Being a student is like being in a sort of limbo between a teenager at home having to go to school, and living independently and actually (or hopefully) being employed. Theres no doubt that many students dread the end of their final year. The truth is, whether or not a housing bill is passed, or whether the Government is scrapping jobs in a certain sector, or any other decisions made in Parliament, these decisions will directly affect graduates who are trying to make a living. As part of growing up, everyone should start speaking up for what they believe in - and university is a great place to start. There are endless opportunities to get involved and get your opinions out there, such as question-and-answer sessions for the students union elections, or public debates on national issues. You dont need to be an aspiring MP or politics student to attend - and you could leave having learnt a lot. Events, such as the recent i paper's iDebate in Leeds, bring students closer to leading political figures and are a perfect opportunity to initiate an excitement for politics among young people. The most recent iDebate discussed the motion British politics does nothing for young people and saw a host of leading political figures battle-it-out in an evening of healthy, and dare I say enjoyable, debate. During the event, there was serious encouragement for young people to get involved in politics. One of the politicians on the panel, 24-year-old SNP MP Stuart Donaldson, said: If youre good enough, youre old enough, so get involved. Theres no denying the current political landscape fails to captivate every single young person, but if students attended events like these - and took an active role in reading, listening, or taking part in politics - they will be able to make a difference. The fact that the young audience voted against the motion at the end of the debate demonstrates how such events can narrow the gap between the ordinary student and the people in power. I implore all students, at some point in your student life, to go to an event, debate or protest, and I can guarantee it will get you thinking about politics. Whether you agree or disagree, youre a step closer to getting your voice heard. In terms of protesting, the modern student activist has a wealth of resources. Social media has enabled students or organise protests in a much easier way. It takes a matter of minutes to find out what protests are about, and taking part in them can help them be heard. Online petitions have become the latest way to express agreement, or the opposite, regarding an issue. On websites such as Change.org, anyone can make a petition, and if they gather enough signatures, they get free publicity. Furthermore, there are government petitions that, if they acquire enough signatures, must be debated in Parliament, another opportunity for students to communicate with politicians. The decisions made by those in power while student are at university are more than likely to be in full effect by the time he or she graduates. It may be too late to complain when youre struggling so getting ahead, so forming even just a basic relationship with politics will serve you well for life. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the View from Westminster email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Public service reform was the subject of yesterday's "Blair Years" course at King's College, London, with special guest Sir Michael Barber, who was head of the Prime Minister's Delivery Unit 2001-05. The class was introduced by Michelle Clement, a star of the Policy Institute at King's who is working on a PhD based on Barber's diaries. She said that, although New Labour had done a lot of work on policy before the 1997 election, the "superstition" of its leading members, fearful of being seen to take the election for granted, meant that they had not done enough preparation on the mechanics of delivering their promises. By the end of his first term, Tony Blair realised he needed a Delivery Unit. Barber recalled an awayday at Chequers, the Prime Minister's country home, shortly after the 2001 election, at which it was agreed that the two things that would define the second New Labour term in government would be joining the euro and public service reform. On the second, the meeting agreed four principles that would apply: One, set standards. Two, devolve power, authority and budgets as far to the front line as you can. Three, do away with demarcations between professions where they are not needed, such as between nurses and doctors or teaching assistants and teachers. Four, which was added during the course of the awayday, was choice. The government was in an unusual position of being able to plan for more public spending, but felt it had to make public services good enough to justify asking people to pay so much in tax. "Tony Blair wanted public services to be so good that people who could afford to go private would choose to use them." This almost defines Blairism, said Barber, and he said Andrew Adonis, head of the Policy Unit and later Schools Minister, once offered a more succinct definition: "To deliver for the middle class and abolish the working class." The essential tool of the Delivery Unit was the stocktake, a meeting of the Prime Minister and the Secretary of State of the delivery department that took place initially every two months and later every quarter to review progress against targets. Barber said that the first stocktake, in Education, actually took place in 1998, while he was still working as an adviser to David Blunkett. The reforms to primary schools were important to Blair, but the stocktake, also at Chequers, "was not designed with delivery in mind", said Barber. Blunkett told him he was invited not because he was so important but because Blunkett wanted to ensure that Chris Woodhead, the Conservative-appointed Chief Inspector of Schools, couldn't dominate the conversation with the Prime Minister. "I'm blind and you're not," Blunkett told Barber. "My job was to man-mark Chris Woodhead and make sure he didn't talk to the Prime Minister on his own," said Barber. "I succeeded." The rationale of the Delivery Unit was "quite simple really". It set targets by asking Blair, "What do you really care about?" It ended up with four areas: health, schools, transport and crime (which included false asylum claims). The key moment in the new Unit's life, said Barber, came towards the end of 2001: The NHS did what it always did and said, Oh my God winter's come and we're running out of money. And Gordon Brown wrote to agree to give it more money but on condition that it submitted a plan, which had to be agreed with the Delivery Unit, and that it understood that it was never going to get extra winter money again. And it didn't until a couple of years ago. Looking back, he felt that the Delivery Unit achieved 80 per cent of what it set out to do. He pointed to the report in The Times this month about private schools in crisis because of rising standards in state schools. He said that when he went to his GP in 2004 they complained about targets and bureaucracy but now they look back on 2004 as a "golden age". Overall, he said the approach was a significant achievement by the Blair government, and had now been adopted by governments around the world. He had recently been to Canada to advise Justin Trudeau, the new prime minister: In global history the idea is only just gaining traction. Many, many governments get this right in their second term. Mike Baird, the Liberal state premier in New South Wales, is now in his second term and he's absolutely got this. Trudeau says we're going to try to get it right first time. It is very tempting for a first-term prime minister to say, I'm going to trust my ministers to get on with it. Trudeau has said, I'm going to trust my ministers to get on with it, and I'm going to set up a delivery unit to help them. In questions from students he was asked about the irreversibility of his changes. The Delivery Unit was absorbed into the Treasury in 2005 and then abolished in 2010. "The process is more important than the Unit," he said, pointing out that Cameron had reinvented it as the Implementation Unit, now backed by ministerial Implementation Taskforces. "The word delivery became identified as a Blairite concept. Deliverology was coined as a term of abuse. It seems centralising, but not to the citizen or the front-line unit." Asked about the danger of setting unrealistic targets, such as Cameron's for net immigration, he said that was poorly set because it depended on variables outside the Government's control (or that were undesirable, such as giving people an incentive to leave the country). "I don't really go along with the 'under-promise and over-deliver' idea. Ambition can be galvanising. The most important was the 18-week maximum wait in the NHS in 2004." But didn't that distort clinical priorities, he was asked? Distort is an interesting word. The whole point of setting a target is to distort activity. Yes, there is always the problem with gaming the system. There were people being kept in ambulances outside Accident and Emergency departments because the clock didn't start running until they got inside. Then you have got to ask, What are the ethics of the professional people doing this? He said of Blair's memoir, A Journey: "He showed a disarming honesty about his own learning process. He did learn a lot. I say that to any newly elected leader. It's really important. It's not written up in the journalism. He learned well, and that's absolutely vital." Asked how he assessed Blair's place in history, he said: Since the war Attlee and Thatcher were more significant prime ministers than Blair. He is next in line. In terms of positive impact on the country, the benchmarks are Macmillan and Wilson. I don't know how Iraq will pan out. It is clearly not a success. He was great to work for, passionate about it. His government effected a big improvement in quality of life. There was a sense of purpose and optimism. Afterwards, Barber said he had sent copies of his latest book, How to Run a Government So That Citizens Benefit and Taxpayers Dont Go Crazy, to all three main party leaders before the election. The only one to reply was David Cameron, who said he had read it with interest. Michael Gove, who had tried to recruit Barber as his permanent secretary at Education, has recently appointed him to the board of the Ministry of Justice. Barber said: "I am very glad that Michael Gove is now doing prison reform. New Labour could have done that." The deliverology revolution goes on. Sign up to our free Brexit and beyond email for the latest headlines on what Brexit is meaning for the UK Sign up to our Brexit email for the latest insight Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Brexit and beyond email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} When the draft EU reforms negotiated by David Cameron were announced at the start of this month, plenty of domestic voices were heard arguing that he had achieved too little. Yet it is now becoming clear that for some EU member states the reforms go much too far. Others, meanwhile, are starting to wonder whether the exceptions the Prime Minister has sought for the UK might not be rather good for them as well. Mr Camerons seemingly mild reforms have opened a can of worms. In particular, Spain is keen on the move to limit the sums which EU migrants can claim via child benefit payments for children still living in their country of origin. The overall amounts involved might be small the current cost to the UK of paying such benefits is estimated at around 30m. Nonetheless, the existing policy is illogical and the proposed changes will strike a chord in various countries where net immigration from other parts of the European Union is relatively high. The so-called brake on other in-work benefits and social housing is also likely to find favour. Lining up against Mr Camerons reforms, however, is the Visegrad Group the bloc comprising the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary and Poland which is averse to any measures which will make it more difficult for its residents to benefit fully from the EUs freedom of movement principle. The French have anxieties about the Prime Ministers attempt to carve out non-euro countries from eurozone regulations. All of this wrangling over what are, in truth, fairly modest and reasonable proposals shows why EU reform is needed. Positive force though it is, the more it seeks to direct or harmonise the policies of its disparate and growing membership, the more room there is for disgruntlement. The EU was established to secure peace in Europe. That the bulk of the continent has experienced 70 years free from war is the most significant marker of the EUs success and, even now in a very different world, is arguably the primary reason why it cannot be allowed to fall apart. On other issues where pan-continental interests fundamentally coincide crime prevention and climate policy for instance the EU has proved effective. And as a trading entity, it has given its members greater collective bang for their divided buck. Recommended Read more Cameron told by Eastern bloc his benefits plan is unacceptable But as the refugee crisis showed only too clearly, when individual EU members or rival blocs have sharply competing interests, all the Brussels bureaucrats in the world arent enough to iron out differences of opinion. And even when agreements can be reached on paper, their impact on the ground can be rendered meaningless remember the hoped-for refugee quotas. This isnt to say that the EU should avoid difficult issues. In any multinational political body there will be areas of disagreement and it is better that there should be a forum in which to debate them sensibly. But the current discussions about possible reform should be a springboard to a general recalibration of the EU towards a more tightly focused agenda one which is founded on high-level diplomacy, not low-level, inefficient bureaucracy. In this respect, Mr Camerons personal involvement in the kind of shuttle diplomacy he has previously shunned during his prime ministership could and perhaps should be a sign of things to come. It is undoubtedly in Britains best interests to be inside the EU. But just as truthfully, the EU would benefit from the reforms sought by the UK Government and it would profit too from a more fully engaged Britain should the forthcoming referendum produce a vote to remain. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the View from Westminster email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} In the coming days and weeks many people will weep for the fate of Aleppo. Many of these people will also continue to support the nuclear deal, which has facilitated this US-Iran detente and supplied Iran the resources to make war. They will still consider it a triumph of diplomacy over military action and never be called to account for the obvious contradiction. The Geneva III peace process is the most immediate cause for this latest offensive against Aleppo, led on the ground by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and its proxies, as well as Russian airstrikes. The regime and Russia have used it as a cover to gain ground. The US took the process seriously so sought to de-escalate, taking steps to weaken its own side. This included restricting the rebels' access to anti-tank missiles. Russia, on the other hand, enabled the IRGC-run forces that control the Bashar al-Assad regime's security sector to cut the rebels' final Aleppo supply line into Turkey and move to impose a starvation-siege on the city like the ones they have imposed on forty-nine other areas in Syria. The regime coalition can then either bring the city to its knees and complete the reconquest, or quarantine the rebels in the city, freeing up resources to deploy against rebels on other fronts. Meanwhile, at the peace talks the US increasingly acted to enforce the regime's edicts on the opposition. It was not difficult to see that this would happen. Anyone could see, all the way back in December, the only party on whom pressure could and would be exerted to keep Geneva III going was the moderate rebels. Russia and Iran were not going to pressure Assad and nobody can pressure Isis or Jabhat al-Nusra (al-Qaeda in Syria). So for the US the choice was simple: let a process it had invested political capital in fail and boost the rebellion to a point where it could apply enough pressure on the regime to eventually force negotiations on meaningful terms, or pressure the rebellion into accepting the regime's terms in order to preserve the process. This Alice in Wonderland predicament was put on hold earlier this month, until 25 February, because the rebel representatives refused to engage with the regime and its backers while the bombardment and starvation of civilian areas continued in violation of a UN Security Council resolution, 2254, that Russia itself voted for. Amazingly, on that issue, too, the United States adopted the Russian position, arguing that allowing humanitarian access and ceasing war crimes was a preconditionie it was something that should be up for negotiation. At first glance, then, it can seem odd that Russia ostensibly agreed to a ceasefire on the morning of 12 February. But on closer examination this is less confusing. A week in Aleppo - witnessing the fierce battle for Syria's largest city Show all 6 1 /6 A week in Aleppo - witnessing the fierce battle for Syria's largest city A week in Aleppo - witnessing the fierce battle for Syria's largest city aleppo-woman.jpg REUTERS/Goran Tomasevic A week in Aleppo - witnessing the fierce battle for Syria's largest city aleppo-gun.jpg REUTERS/Goran Tomasevic A week in Aleppo - witnessing the fierce battle for Syria's largest city aleppo-truck.jpg REUTERS/Abdel Razzak al-Halabi A week in Aleppo - witnessing the fierce battle for Syria's largest city aleppo-body.jpg REUTERS/Abdel Razzak al-Halabi A week in Aleppo - witnessing the fierce battle for Syria's largest city aleppo-wounded.jpg REUTERS/Goran Tomasevic A week in Aleppo - witnessing the fierce battle for Syria's largest city ALEPPO-WRECKAGE.jpg REUTERS/Goran Tomasevic First, a massive loophole is included so that Russian operations against terrorist groupsIsis and al-Nusrado not have to cease. Russia defines all armed opposition in Syria as terrorist and regularly mislabels them either as Islamic State or al-Nusra to justify their strikes. That Russia apparently got the US to define a couple of other groups as terrorist is merely a bonus. Second, the ceasefire was not supposed to start for a week, which meant a week of internationally-recognised time for the Russia-Iran-Assad coalition to advance on Aleppo. It also meant that once this ceasefire began, the pro-Assad coalition would be able to claim international legitimacy for the new battle lines it had imposed in Aleppo, and when the rebellion refused to be bound by this aggression, Russia could blame the rebels for violating the ceasefire. Thus, the ceasefire is a fantasy. The surprise was to have Assad say so, in public, quite so quickly. Speaking to AFP, Assad announceda mere twelve hours after the ceasefire was agreedthat his intention was to reconquer the whole country. Given that the premise of the ceasefire is as part of Geneva III, the essential element of which is a political transition that gets Assad out so a government can be formed in Damascus that works with the rebels fighting Isis rather than blitzing them, this was as good as a flat repudiation not only of the ceasefire but the overarching peace talks. To further complicate matters, over the last ten days, both Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have said they will deploy troops in Syria as part of the US-led effort against Isis. This was undoubtedly an answer to President Obama's call in December for US allies to do more, and also a political move to push the US into greater intervention in Syria. It now seems that some kind of Gulf deployment really will take place in Syria. Officially, however, those Saudi troops would be aimed at Isis in Raqqa. The wildcard with regards to Aleppo is Turkey. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is politically invested in the Syrian rebellion and the downfall of Assad. Turkey also hosts 3 million Syrian refugees, which has already caused internal turbulence. Fifty-thousand people have fled Aleppo in just the last few days to avoid being trapped by the regime coalition's siege and hundreds of thousands more are likely to follow after a Russian-enabled attack on the city of Aleppo begins. This is not something Turkey can be indifferent to. Russia claimed on 4 February that Turkey was preparing to invade Syria, and the Turkish Prime Minister has now signalled that Ankara is considering moving into Syria directly to at least re-open the corridor that Russia helped the pro-regime forces close earlier this month. An immediate problem here for Erdogan would be getting his own military to obey his orders. The Russian response was to declare that any foreign troops in Syriapresumably except their own and Iran'swould cause a world war. There is indeed some margin of danger of a wider conflagration given that U.S. policy has convinced Moscow it has no red lines in Syria. It is a dangerous position when there is a meaningful tripwire and an adversary doesn't know about it. Likely, however, whether Turkey intervenes or not in Syria the risk of a major war is minimal. The possibility of the pro-Assad coalition re-establishing regime control over the whole country is also unlikely. What is possible is an Assadist political victory. If the pro-regime coalition is able to retake Aleppo City, either killing or hastening the trend of the mainstream armed opposition leaving the battlefield, so only al-Qaeda and Isis remain as significant opponents, then they will have won. Assad, Iran, and Russia have worked tirelessly to eliminate the moderate opposition so that there will be nobody for the international community to interface with, and Assad's reign will have to be acceptedand perhaps even supported to reconquer the Isis-held areas in the east. An Assadist victory of this kind is all the more imaginable because of the Obama administration's pro-Iran/Assad tilt in Syria, which will then be able to present itself as the practical option of a prescient President. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the View from Westminster email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} I declare an interest, in that I have known and liked Michael Gove since I worked with him at the BBC in the early 1990s. I listed him as one of the 10 most interesting British politicians two years ago and so he remains. Two years ago David Cameron agreed with me. He thought Gove was so interesting that he would have to be sacked. Being interesting as Education Secretary is asking for trouble. So now we have Nicky Morgan, who is trying the opposite approach. After a period as chief whip, Gove was appointed to a delivery job, as Justice Secretary, after the election. I was reminded of when Neil Kinnock told me a shadow cabinet reshuffle was like a jigsaw: I couldnt quite make the jigsaw come out the way I wanted, so I had to put a piece to one side. That piece was Tony Blair, then 35, who was shadow Energy Secretary for a year before he could be slotted into the job Kinnock wanted for him, shadow Employment Secretary. Now Gove has been slotted into a job that Cameron wants for him. Just as Blair did at Employment, confounding expectations of Labour as a party in hock to trade union vested interests, Gove set about countering the image of the Conservatives as the punitive and authoritarian party. Just as Blair distinguished himself sharply from the Old-Labour Michael Meacher who had gone before, Gove used his predecessor Chris Grayling as a foil. Grayling was the hard man of the Tory right who took prisoners books away from them, forcing them to take drugs instead. He was the one who sold British prison services to Saudi Arabia. And when the Treasury asked him to cut legal aid further he offered another 9 per cent. Then along came Gove and reversed those decisions, one by one. Recommended Read more The Government is once again singling out Israel for impunity Gove might have overdone it a nudge. You can tell when a personal spat has gone too far when politicians write a joint article for the national press. Hence the Michael Gove and Chris Grayling joint byline in The Daily Telegraph last week, united in declaring there is no contradiction between being tough on crime and smart on rehabilitation. Goves transformation from hated Thatcherite hammer of the teaching profession to darling of the liberal left is not complete, but it is under way. A ComRes poll for The Independent on Sunday this week found that Goves favourability rating had improved from minus 38 to minus 29 in the past three months. But let us not worry about opinion polls. Look what they did for us last year. Let us heed the sage advice of Philip Cowley, Professor of Politics at Queen Mary University of London, who commented on the polls pointing both ways on the EU: Theres a very simple solution for anyone wondering which of the polls are right about the referendum, which is learn the lesson of May 2015, and dont base your analysis or coverage on what the polls are saying. Let me base my analysis of Gove by saying how right and admirable I think he is. Prison reform is one of those unfashionable questions from which ambitious politicians shy. Although that does mean referring to opinion polls again, to note how unpopular it is to emphasise rehabilitation rather than locking criminals up. What is remarkable and again, admirable about Cameron is that he was a special adviser to Michael Howard when, as Home Secretary, he declared: Prison works. It was one of the most short-sighted and foolish slogans of modern politics. Prison works only in the shortest of terms, by taking people who might damage others out of circulation. In any longer view, prison is an efficient way of ensuring that criminals remain criminals and that petty criminals become serious criminals. That Gove and his friend the Prime Minister understand this is to their credit. The paradox is that Gove, the most Blairite member of this Government, is pursuing public service reform in a field that Blair himself never dared touch. Gove accelerated the Blairite revolution at Education, putting rocket boosters under the academies programme, and now wants to apply similar methods to prisons. When I say similar methods I mean above all clarity about objectives in this case, cutting reoffending rates focusing on what works, and open feedback, such as league tables. Gove has appointed Sir Michael Barber, who was head of Blairs Delivery Unit, to the Ministry of Justice board. When Sir Michael came to talk to the Blair Years class at Kings College, London, this week, he said: I am very glad that Michael Gove is now doing prison reform. New Labour could have done that. Actually, they couldnt. Blair had made his name by being tough on crime and tough on the causes of crime. As a Labour politician, he had to deliver on the first half of that slogan. I still remember The World This Weekend interview in which he unleashed the phrase in January 1993. Nick Clarke asked if he would allow the prison population to rise. Youve got to be prepared to punish those that have committed criminal offences, he replied. It needs a Conservative politician to cut against expectations in the other direction, by being liberal but effective on prisons. That is the opportunity that Gove has spotted, with the full support of a prime minister who is looking to leave a compassionate Conservative legacy. In many ways, Cameron is an unsatisfactory heir to Blair. His record on public service reform is a mess. Look at the NHS. He abolished the Delivery Unit when he became Prime Minister, before reinventing it as the Implementation Unit two years later. It is now, under Oliver Letwin, backed up by ministerial Implementation Taskforces. But Cameron is like Blair in realising, late in the day, that he needs strong Blairite ministers to deliver change. All eyes are on Michael Gove this week as he agonises over Europe. Never mind such trivia. We should have our eyes on Gove and wish him the best in finally trying to bring some humanity and effectiveness to our prisons. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the View from Westminster email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} We find it incompatible with democratic freedom, and counterproductive, that the Government intends to block ethical investment and procurement decisions by public bodies lest they poison and polarise debate and fuel antisemitism (Boycotting of Israeli goods to be criminal offence, 15 February). Opposition to the State of Israel, its continued occupation, crimes against the Palestinian people and violation of international law, has nothing whatever to do with antisemitism. What smacks of antisemitism is to think that all Jews outside Israel uncritically support Israels actions. The truth is that growing numbers of Jews in this country and abroad see the Palestinian boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) movement for what it is a weapon of moral persuasion, deploying a tactic frequently used by powerless people in their opposition to racism, slavery and oppression. History shows us that boycotts against slave-grown sugar in the West Indies, the movement of Irish tenant farmers against the eponymous Captain Boycott, Gandhis Indian boycott of British sales of salt, and the global movement which helped to end apartheid in South Africa were all non-violent weapons of those desirous of their freedom. In every case the Tories of the day opposed the boycott, siding with the oppressor against the oppressed. If Cabinet Office minister Matt Hancock goes ahead and announces the ban during a visit to Israel, claiming without a shred of evidence that local foreign policies are undermining our national security, he will demonstrate his governments continuation of an ignoble tradition. Jacqueline Rose Independent Jewish Voices Michael Kalmanovitz International Jewish Anti-Zionist Network Julia Bard Jewish Socialists Group Brighton Since when has it been illegal for individuals or elected authorities in the UK to act in accordance with the international law and human rights their national government is committed to upholding? As for Israel, it was a British government that made approval for a Jewish national home in Palestine conditional on no harm being done to the rights of other inhabitants. Britain signed the international conventions and UN resolutions that outlawed military occupation and settlement on Palestinian territory. And Britain is party to the EU association agreement with Israel that makes preferential trading terms conditional on respect for human rights. If UK national government showed due diligence in implementing its own commitments on our behalf, there might be less need for individuals, elected authorities and NGOs to make good that failure in their own purchasing and investment decisions. Greg Wilkinson Swansea The Tories latest anti-democratic proposal merely confirms my belief that the Tories do not really believe in democracy. They put up with it because it gives the impression that we are a free society, but as capitalism continues to flounder and the rich and powerful feel more and more threatened they will chip away at our freedoms to ensure they retain their position. And they call Jeremy Corbyn an extremist! This is a hard-right government with an extremist agenda. When will the public realise the danger we are in? When the final bastion, the NHS, is taken out of democratic control and sold off to tax-avoiding multinationals? Mike Jenkins Bromley, Kent Another health service training cut When announcing his decision to impose the junior doctors contract Jeremy Hunt, the Health Secretary, highlighted the role of physiotherapists in delivering seven-day services. It is therefore a source of dismay that just before Christmas Health Education England decided to cut the number of physiotherapy training places by more than 100, or 7 per cent. Health Education Englands proposals are at complete odds with the NHSs own policy and priorities, most notably the prevention agenda. Physiotherapists are experts in providing services that enable people to live independently and improve quality of life thereby reducing pressure on the NHS and social care. So why cut the number being trained? The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy is asking Jeremy Hunt to recognise these concerns and urge Health Education England to think again as a matter of urgency. Professor Karen Middleton Chief Executive, Chartered Society of Physiotherapy London WC1 Medics are well paid in the UK and if pay is the only object they will have to travel to the US or Australia, but I doubt the package will include a cushy, roster-free, five-day week. If junior doctors go to Germany they will find their pay packet is more than halved and economic (medical) migrants are expected to speak German. If they would rather live in the sunny climes of Spain, Italy and France they will find they are paid even less, and socialist Scandinavia is certainly not going to match NHS pay rates. So Jeremy Hunt should leave a final message on the computers of all strike-happy junior medics determined to leave and it should be: Goodbye. Dr John Cameron St Andrews Is there not a certain irony that highly qualified junior doctors are apparently leaving our shores in droves and without any difficulty for a better life in Australia, New Zealand and Canada to escape the political burdens being imposed on them (and who can blame them?) while desperate people escaping conflict in Afghanistan, the Horn of Africa and Sudan are cooped up in the Jungle of Calais trying to gain access to our country, apparently seen to be welcoming, liberal and providing opportunity. What is going on? Dr Nick Maurice Marlborough, Wiltshire A generation on anti-depressants It seems half of my sixth-form friends are on meds, self-harming or in therapy. Last night the BBC reported one in four of us suffer from mental health problems. Surely there is a fundamental problem with our society if these issues are so widespread? We should be trying to find the root cause. The Government manipulates the story, pumping 1bn into the system. Support is being offered once the problems have matured. Every day I face the pressures of the education system, sucking the joy from academia through endless tests and the bureaucracy of Ucas. A single examination can destroy a lifetime of ambition. Once we reach university we see no change, with the student finance system and the diminishing worth of a degree. Young people cant cope with the pressure of school. We are disillusioned and confused. When will the Government realise it is demotivating young people and creating a generation on anti-depressants? Soon well all be too zoned out to notice, but maybe thats what they want? Jane Prinsley A-level student, Norwich Ethical, but is really moral? Guy Keleny asks if there is really any difference between morally and ethically (Errors and Omissions, 13 February). In ancient Greece there would have been none. The classic text was Aristotles Nichomachean Ethics. But the question posed is about English words in the 21st century and it is clear that the two words have clear and distinct meanings. Morally implies an absolute standard of behaviour or conduct, possibly underpinned by religious beliefs, but ethically implies reference to an arbitrary set of rules drawn up by, say, a professional body such as the BMA or the Law Society, in other words, an agreed protocol for subscribing members but with no absolute validity. It is a shame that society seems no longer to believe in right and wrong but merely to consider what is acceptable or unacceptable. Guy Keleny further asks: Is there a Jesuit in the house? Sorry, Im not a Jesuit but I do have a degree in philosophy and am a Roman Catholic, if that helps at all. Alan Knight Helston, Cornwall Estuary birds given the Elbe You report on the plans of the city of Hamburg to deepen the Elbe river, dredging out and dumping millions of cubic feet of mud and rubble, thus destroying the feeding grounds of rare terns. Clearly a deliberate attempt to leave no tern unstoned. Max Double Amesbury, Wiltshire The alternative to Twitter Stephen Fry has quit Twitter, again. Surely it is now time for him to try writing a letter or two to the Editor, where he will find, by contrast, edited and reasoned debate. Keith Flett London N17 Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the View from Westminster email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} On the 29th April 2013, my father, Mohammed Saleem - 82 years old at the time - was singled out and murdered in Small Heath, Birmingham, on the very road he had lived on for over 30 years. The motive for his death was allegedly because he was brown and dressed like a Muslim. He was followed from the mosque after evening Ishaa prayers finished at 10.10pm by a Ukrainian neo-Nazi terrorist who had been in the country for less than a week. My father was then stabbed brutally three times from behind. Pavlo Lapshyn, known for his racist and neo-Nazi activity in Ukraine, was given a work placement in Small Heath an area densely populated by Muslims. As soon as he entered the country he embarked on a campaign of terror and murder. Lapshyn is now serving 40 years for my fathers murder and three mosque bombings in the West Midlands all acts of terrorism. He was charged under terrorism laws. Yet, to this day, the media, the police and the government have not treated Pavlo as they would if the terrorist was a Muslim. When Lee Rigby was murdered - three weeks after my dad - his murder received global news coverage and cries of protest. But my fathers brutal murder on the street, in a similar attack, received comparatively little attention. Instead of loud and heartfelt condemnation from politicians and the police, instead of hashtags and long discussions about the danger of neo-Nazi beliefs in our society, there was deafening silence. A Muslim terrorist, on the other hand, would certainly have led to conversations about the dangers of radical Islamism. Similarly, there was little media reporting following the case of 81-year-old Muhsin Ahmed who was punched, kicked and stamped on the head - which led to fatal injuries - as he walked to his mosque in Rotherham for morning prayers on August 10th 2015. This case, which has just come to court, brought back memories of my fathers brutal murder in an Islamophobic terrorist attack. And this week, there was hardly any coverage of Abdul Jamil Kamawal, the 68-year-old Muslim man killed last week on his family's property in Metzger, Oregon in the US. Michael Troxell, 27, is being held without bail at Washington County Jail, facing murder charges. Many are speculating that the attack was a religiously motivated, Islamophobic hate crime. But mainstream, national US publications have largely failed to report on the killing. The total absence of coverage (apart from a few local news outlets) since this news broke is deeply troubling. The rise of bigotry stirred up by Donald Trump and his supporters in recent months has given Islamophobes and far-right extremists more confidence to perpetrate such hate crimes. Consistently biased media reporting or lack of reporting when it comes to Muslim hate crimes and murders has been commonplace in the USA. That is also becoming a problem in the UK. Recommended Read more The truth about Muslims and sex slavery My father was attacked because he was a Muslim - not just because he was Asian, but because of his faith. It was Islamophobia, pure and simple, rather than racism and its important to differentiate between the two. Islamophobia is increasingly prevalent and Islamophobic attacks continue to rise. They are fuelled by sensationalist media headlines and reinforced by narratives where Muslims are treated as potential terrorists until proven otherwise. The governments infamous agenda in weeding out extremist children from nursery school onwards speaks volumes about how prevalent this narrative really is. What hope is there for generations to come if we dont make a stand against all forms of hate? And what hope is there, here and now, that we will overcome the pernicious evil of Islamophobia, if we dont name the very problem which we need to confront? The death of Abdul Jamil Kamawal may be one of many. But its important that we pay attention to the killings of Muslims each and every one of them and resist the temptation to turn a blind eye. Facebook has a new plan to fight Islamic State recruiting and hate speech online - it will offer free advertising to users who fight terrorism, by speaking out against terrorist propaganda. According to a report in the Wall Street Journal, Facebook will provide advertising credits of up to $1,000 (688) to counter-terror and hate speech activists such as German comedian Arbi el Ayachi, who released a video disputing anti-Muslim sentiments from a Greek right-wing group. This strategy is part of a larger drive known as "counter speech" where Facebook will incentivise users who actively fight extremist views with Facebook posts, photos or likes. Facebook is apparently also working with the US State Department and consultancy firms to get university students to participate in counter-speech competitions, given a budget of $2,000 and $200 ad credits each. The social network's chief operating officer, Sheryl Sandberg, backed this idea when speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos last month, despite the fact there is no academic evidence to support it. She said a group in Germany called "Laut gegen Nazis", an anti-neo nazi group, had attacked the Facebook page of the far-right NDP by getting members to like and post on the page. "They launched a 'like attack' on the Facebook page of the NPD," she said. "Rather than scream and protest, they got 100,000 people to like the page, who did not like the page and put messages of tolerance on the page, so when you got to the page, it changed the content and what was a page filled with hatred and intolerance was then tolerance and messages of hope. "The best antidote to bad speech is good speech and the best antidote to hate is tolerance." The technology community has been under increasing pressure to to fight online propaganda from terrorist outfits such as Isil, particularly in the wake of the Paris terrorist attacks in November last year. In February, Twitter joined the anti-terror movement by suspending 125,000 accounts linked to the Islamic State, among other terror groups. Similarly, Google has started combating extremism by showing anti-radicalisation advertising links to would-be jihadis, or their supporters, who type extremist keywords into the search engine. Senior google executive Dr Anthony House told the Commons home affairs select committee that Google had removed 14 million YouTube videos in 2014 for reasons including terrorist content. He said: "We are working on counter-narratives around the world." Telegraph Media Group Limited [2022] Egypt has reopened its doors to live exports from Ireland following an inspection by their veterinary authorities here last week. The news will be viewed by many dairy farmers as a boost, since it has traditionally been a strong market for animals from the dairy herd. The ICMSA's livestock chairman, Michael Guinan, said that farmers desperately needed to see more progress on live exports as fears grew over the surge in numbers this autumn. He claimed that dairy farmers would be unable to cope with the double-whammy of falling beef prices and one of the lowest milk prices in recent years. While Glanbia held its January milk price at 24c/l plus 1c/l bonus for members, Lakeland Dairies offered 25.5c/l, with a lactose bonus of 0.28c/l. Lakeland held its milk price for the backend of 2015 at 26.53c/l, including lactose bonus and VAT. Meanwhile Ornua confirmed last week that their purchasing index had fallen to a new record low of 85.7, equivalent to 24.2c/l. The dairy board believes that milk price will drop below 24c/l, and that a recovery was unlikely this year. "We're in an oversupply situation and we have been for nearly the last year," Anne Randles, company secretary and director of administration at Ornua, told the Exort Leadership Forum in Dublin. "Unfortunately for this moment in time we don't see any real recovery, certainly for the first six months and I think we'll be lucky to see some recovery in the second six months of the year. "So I think we're going to have a difficult time in terms of low dairy prices and what we can pay the farmer." Ms Randles added that milk prices could dip further in the coming months. "It'll [prices] probably dip a bit below 24 but I am hopeful it wouldn't go anywhere near the 21 support price," she said. "There is no indication out there that would give us much confidence that there would be a significant recovery in the second half of 2016. "It's a supply issue and that supply either needs to stop or demand needs to grow, and it does take time," she said. Farmers have demanded reform of the controversial IFA levies system following revelations that up to 10pc of monies collected by some organisations is going towards administration fees. The EIF (European Investment Fund) levy collected by marts, meat processors and dairies delivered 4.7m to the IFA last year and it has become a key issue at the IFA presidential election hustings. "The current situation regarding the collection of levies for the IFA is totally unsatisfactory," presidential candidate Joe Healy has insisted. "As a first step we should be more transparent in how we name the levy. It is called the EIF levy but in reality it is an IFA levy," Mr Healy told the Farming Independent. "Confirmation that dairies, meat processors and marts are retaining differing percentages of the levy in administration charges confirms the urgent need for greater openness around this issue." The other presidential candidates, Flor McCarthy and Henry Burns, have also backed calls for a reform of the levy system. Mr Burns said the levy was "controversial and that it does compromise us". All three of the presidential candidates told farmers at the hustings in Waterford last week that they had understood that the factories weren't retaining a percentage of the levy. Charges However, the IFA, which received 4.7m out of the 5.3m collected under the EIF in 2014, clarified there were administration fees charged for the collection of the monies in some cases. A member of Cork Marts committee said the mart charges 10pc of the monies collected in administration fees, with 160,000 to 170,000 collected in levies last year. ICOS confirmed there were administration charges in place to cover the collections of the levies and this was decided upon on an individual basis in each mart. Glanbia stated it deducts 3pc of monies collected to cover administration costs. ABP's administration charge is understood to be below 5pc. The IFA confirmed levies received from outlets comes with scant information on the number of animals, volume of milk or grain levied. However, despite calls for transparency from members on all funding, the association has refused to give details on any charges imposed by dairy processors or meat factories. The farm body said that "a process of stronger controls" was being put in place and details would be given to the executive council running the IFA. "Procedures have been established, which will provide further reassurance and transparency to our members regarding the collection and administration of fees while not compromising data protection rights," a spokesman stated. "Over 200 outlets nationwide provide a levy-collection facility for farmers and most charge no fee." Presidential candidate Henry Burns said he accepted there was a problem with "perception" and that the levy was in some way "controversial and that it does compromise us". However, he added alternatives such as a levy on single farm payments or tags would not work either so the options might mean a rise in membership fees. A reform of the levy system was also supported by Flor McCarthy. Mr McCarthy said that members want an organisation that is funded but perhaps not to the same level. Mr Healy said there was no clarity on the levies and farmers require "absolute transparency". "The levies were farmer members' money," he said. "Members deserve full disclosure on administration fees being charged. We owe it to members to examine it in detail and if there is an alternative way of collecting money then we go that way. I can undertake to absolutely examine an alternative way. Some have already spoken by stopping their levies," said Mr Healy. "Farmers haven't a clue when they sell cattle if everything that is stopped on their cattle is being paid over to the IFA? Is everything that was stopped on the litre of milk being paid over to the IFA?" The EIF levies - set up in the 1970s to help fund the IFA presence in Brussels - are automatically deducted but farmers can ask for them to be stopped. An ICOS spokesman said there were administration charges in place to cover the collections of the levies and this was decided upon on an individual basis by the marts. All have different cost bases for collecting it with the charges varying from 3pc up to 10pc, said the spokesman. A spokesman for Cork Marts said they have been collecting the levies for decades and it was a "high volume transaction". He said the fees charged by individual marts were mainly in the range of 7.5pc to 10pc. In 2014, over 5.3m was collected in levies in factories, milk processors and some marts. Dairy accounted for 1.9m, with 1.5m from levies at beef factories. The IFA took in 4.7m, while Macra received 332,000 from milk levies collected by the IFA. The ICMSA received 1.4m through milk levies and memberships, with almost all farmers signing to have the levies deducted. It received 170,000 in levies at beef factories. A surge in the supply of young bulls to the processors has resulted in a drop of up to 80/hd in recent weeks. Weekly intake at the factories is now exceeding 6,250/hd and producers are expressing concerns that a repeat of the collapse of 2014 may be on the way for finishers of bull beef. ICMSA beef chairman Michael Guinan said that the current trend "could be indicative of a return to 2014 levels of bull beef when the market price collapsed and caused substantial losses for the farmers involved". Joe Burke, Bord Bia said that the price gap between bulls over 16 months of age was accentuates because the younger animals qualify for the QPS bonus. "At times when young bull and steer supplies are high, demand for older animals at meat plants can be difficult, because beef from over-16 month old bulls is not eligible for our UK retail customers," he said. He added that low grain prices and increasing volumes of cull cow beef on the market is keeping European young bull producer prices low. "In contrast to Irish steer beef, young bull beef on Continental markets is often looked upon by customers as more of a commodity," he said. ICSA president Paddy Kent said farmers are being encouraged to produce more, despite weakened markets. "Unless there is a market to give a reasonable return, finishers are heading for another major problem. "It has happened in milk and we cannot allow beef to follow the same route of returns falling below the cost of production," he said. The average R3 young bull price has moved from being 1c/kg higher than the comparable grade steer to 16c/kg less since late autumn, with the weekly intake increasing from 2,100/hd to 6,257/hd. The supply for the first five weeks of 2016 has been equal to almost 20pc of the total supply of young bulls to the factories for 2015, with a week-on-week increase in the supply since the beginning of the year. Michael Guinan said many farmers had decided to finish bulls in an attempt to avoid the expected increase in supply in the second half of this year. Input Mr Kent has called on Bord Bia to redouble their input on promotion of beef. "There is no point in urging farmers to produce unless there is a market and a return that leaves a profit margin. "Beef farmers are paying a levy to Bord Bia and they are entitled to expect return for it," he said. Average carcase weights are also showing a big increase compared to 2014. The average for U grade young bulls is currently at 468kg compared to 426kg for the same week last year. Some producers of heavier carcases have also been penalised in recent weeks as weight limits have been reintroduced since the last Beef Forum was held in December. Meat Industry Ireland said the moratorium that had been in place for 14 months on heavy cattle had come to an end. It confirmed processors were adopting their own approach in relation to heavier cattle. A newly formed producer group is offering up to 7 extra per lamb for top quality stock destined for the Belgian market. Donal Mee, coordinator of the new group QualEUtex, said they are looking for farmers producing lambs from Beltex or Texel registered rams to meet the order. "We were approached by Kepak in Athleague with a customer in Belgium looking for U grade lambs to be shipped out in carcase form," he explained. "They were looking to put a group together specialising in Beltex and Texels." He said they are offering 30c extra on U2 and U3 grade Beltex or Texel lamb up to 23kg. This works out at an extra 6 on R grades for a 20kg lamb. In addition, E grade lambs would be fetching 35c on top, which would be worth an extra 7 above the R grade for 20kg, he explained. "They'll take as many lambs as we can supply," said Mr Mee. "It is for a full year and we are looking for farm of origin lambs as well. "We are not looking for lambs that were bought as stores." Registered rams "We are looking for farmers using purebred registered Beltex or Texel rams solely. "There are an awful lot of people out there and it is just organising them to come for killing on Mondays in Athleague." Teagasc advisor John Noonan described it as an "excellent initiative". However, he urged farmers to keep a close watch on their weights and finishing spec when supplying to the programme. "I would welcome any new deal between processors and farmers that would lead to more partnership-thinking in the industry. Secondly, it would also reward farmers for producing top quality lamb fitting the specification, and thirdly, it creates more competition among processors," he said. Mr Noonan stressed the bonus system for rewarding top grade lambs needs to be substantial to make it worthwhile for farmers. "Producer groups are reporting that their members are achieving anything between 10pc and 30pc of their lambs achieving U grade. "However, many are falling into the trap of going over the weight specified in achieving this grade and end up not getting paid for this extra meat," he said. Mr Mee, who is working with TJ Gormley and Francis Lyons, said they felt this was a good initiative for producers meeting the specifications. Mr Mee urged those interested to contact him on qualeutex@gmail.com or look at their Facebook page. A new German plan to impose "haircuts" on holders of eurozone sovereign debt risks igniting an unstoppable European bond crisis and could force Italy and Spain to restore their own currencies, a top adviser to the German government has warned. It is the fastest way to break up the eurozone, said Professor Peter Bofinger, one of the five "Wise Men" on the German Council of Economic Advisers. "A speculative attack could come very fast. If I were a politician in Italy and I was confronted by this sort of insolvency risk I would want to go back to my own currency as fast as possible, because that is the only way to avoid going bankrupt, he told The Telegraph. The German Council has called for a sovereign insolvency mechanism even though this overturns the financial principles of the post-war order in Europe, deeming such a move necessary to restore the credibility of the "no-bailout" clause in the Maastricht Treaty. Prof Bofinger issued a vehement dissent. The plan has the backing of the Bundesbank and most recently the German finance minister, Wolfgang Schauble, who usually succeeds in imposing his will in the eurozone. Sensitive talks are under way in key European capitals, causing shudders in Rome, Madrid and Lisbon. Under the scheme, bondholders would suffer losses in any future sovereign debt crisis before there can be any rescue by the eurozone bail-out fund (ESM). It is asking for trouble, said Lorenzo Codogno, former chief economist for the Italian Treasury and now at LC Macro Advisors. This sovereign "bail-in" matches the contentious "bail-in" rule for bank bondholders, which came into force in January and has contributed to the drastic sell-off in eurozone bank assets this year. Prof Bofinger wrote a separate opinion warning that the plan could become self-fulfilling all too quickly, setting off a bond run as investors dump their holdings to avoid a haircut. Italy, Portugal and Spain would be powerless to defend themselves since they no longer have their own monetary instruments. These countries risk being hit by a dangerous confidence crisis, he said. The German Council says the first step would be a higher "risk-weighting" for sovereign debt held by banks, and a limit on how much they can buy, with the explicit aim of forcing banks to divest 604bn. They would have to raise 35bn in fresh capital, deemed manageable. It is a neuralgic issue in Italy, where the banks own 400bn of government debt and have effectively used cheap finds from the European Central Bank to prop up the Italian treasury. Mario Draghi, the ECBs president, deflected a question on the issue from an Italian euro-MP on Monday. It is an issue that we do have to deal with. But we have to take a very considered and phased-in approach, he said. The move is courting fate at a time when Portugal is already in the eye of the storm, facing a slowing economy and a clash with Brussels over austerity. The risk spread on Portugals 10-year debt surged to 410 basis points over German Bunds last week, pushing borrowing costs back to unsustainable levels in real terms. Portugals public debt is 132pc of GDP. Total debt is 341pc, the highest in Europe. The country is in a debt-deflation trap and requires years of high growth to escape. Portugal is close to losing market access, said Mark Dowding, from bond manager Blue Bay. We saw very ugly conditions last week, and large US managers invested in Portugal have been looking to exit those positions. With fund redemptions going on, it is a perfect storm. Mr Dowding said the saving grace for Portugal is that it has "pre-funded" most of its needs for 2016 and can weather the tempest for a while. If the crisis endures, worries about a fresh Troika rescue for Portugal - and what the terms for debt-holders might be - could take hold quickly. There was no haircut on sovereign bonds when Portugal was bailed out in 2010. The German Council says the regulatory privileges of sovereign debt held on bank books should be phased out. It should no longer be treated as entirely safe and liquid under the banks liquidity coverage ratios, or be exempt from capital requirements. The greatest risks are for banks in Greece, Portugal, Spain, Ireland and Italy, it said. In theory, the aim is to reduce the sovereign-bank nexus by partially separating the two, preventing government debt crises spreading and taking down national banking systems. Prof Bofinger said the real problem is that Germany and the EMU creditor states still refuse to accept the implications of monetary union: that some level of debt-pooling and fiscal union is imperative to hold the experiment together. He described the whole notion of a sovereign insolvency mechanism as misconceived, perpetuating the canard that fiscal abuse by governments is the root of the crisis. In reality, (with the exception of Greece) public debt exploded after 2008 because crisis states had to take emergency action to prevent their economies from collapsing. Moreover, the new plan empowers private investors to act as judge and jury on the solvency of states. "We can't allow a regime where markets are masters of governments, he said. The German Council is defiant. It swats aside any talk of an EU treasury or shared fiscal authority. The only way to uphold monetary union is to impose strict control - it said - and reinforce existing rules. Telegraph Media Group Limited [2022] PARIS, not Dublin, will gain a thousand HSBC jobs if Britain pulls out of the European Union. The global banking giant could move around 1,000 employees from London to Paris in the event that Britain votes to leave the European Union, the bank's chief executive, Stuart Gulliver, was quoted as saying by Sky News yesterday. The staff would be moved from HSBC's trading, corporate banking and investment banking units, Mr Gulliver was quoted as saying, with the total number of jobs moving dependent on the terms of the so-called Brexit. A source with knowledge of the matter confirmed the comments. Paris is already a major financial hub, and easily accessible by train from HSBC's London headquarters. The plan to possibly move jobs away from London in the event of a British exit from the EU comes just a day after Europe's biggest lender decided to keep its HQ in London. That followed a 10-month review when a shift to Asia was actively considered. HSBC has opted to remain in Britain, even with the uncertainty of a possible EU exit hanging over it. Most major British firms are seriously considering the risk of Britain leaving the EU and many are making contingency plans, according to the head of the Confederation of British Industry lobby group. Stuart Gulliver's comments represent the most direct statement yet by a chief executive of a major UK-based company on the possible impact on jobs if the British public vote to leave the EU in a referendum. HSBC confirmed late on Sunday that it will keep its headquarters in Britain, rejecting the option of shifting its centre of gravity back to main profit-generating hub Hong Kong. The decision by HSBC's board, which Europe's biggest bank said was unanimous, gives a boost to London's status as a global financial centre, under threat since the financial crisis of 2007-09 from tougher regulation and rising costs. Some investors had encouraged HSBC to consider moving its HQ from Britain, partly because of a tax on banks' global balance sheets brought in after the financial crisis which had cost it $1.1bn (990m) in 2014. But British finance minister George Osborne said he would halve the levy and no longer apply it to the overseas assets. (Reuters) UK property group Hammerson expects to finalise its acquisition of 50pc of Dundrum Town Centre by the summer and continues to see the potential for a landmark of "international importance" in the heart of the capital. It's also eyeing a mixed-use development beside the Dundrum Town Centre, rather than the retail-only extension for which planning permission was previously granted. A deal last year with Nama saw Hammerson and the property arm of German insurance giant Allianz agree to pay a total of 1.85bn to buy 2.6bn worth of loans attached to Dundrum, the Pavilions Shopping Centre in Swords, Co Dublin, as well as the Ilac Centre in the city centre. Under the terms of the deal, Hammerson and Allianz will each own 50pc of the landmark Dundrum asset. Hammerson secured sole ownership of the 50pc stakes in both the Ilac and the Pavilions that were sold, as well as development sites adjoining each of the three assets. Talks with the original borrowers of the loans sold by Nama are continuing, and Hammerson chief executive David Atkins said those negotiations are "positive". "This is a live transaction," he said. "We are in active and positive dialogue with the borrowers. It's a complex transaction. We have a number of counterparties, a number of loans and a number of assets. But we are confident of converting the loans to real estate by the summer of this year." At Dundrum, Hammerson will have control of a six-acre site called Dundrum Phase 2, for which planning permission was previously granted for over 1.1m sq ft of retail, dining and leisure facilities. But Hammerson indicated yesterday that this plan is likely to be revisited. "We believe this site offers a better opportunity to bring forward a mixed-use development," it said, adding that it wants to become Ireland's "leading retail property owner". Hammerson and Allianz acquired the so-called 'Project Jewel' loans from Nama, with all of the loans associated with developer Joe O'Reilly and his firm, Chartered Land. Hammerson reiterated that it sees huge potential for the city centre development site it acquired. It extends over 5.3 acres, and the company highlighted it as one of the "largest and best-positioned urban development sites in Europe". It includes property on Henry Street, Parnell Street, Moore Street and O'Connell Street. "The site offers the flexibility to pursue numerous development scenarios and deliver a modern landmark of international importance that is sympathetic to the neighbourhood's history," it added. The site was assembled over a 10-year period. It's likely to be some time, however, before such plans emerge. Hammerson currently has a number of major projects underway in the UK, in London, Leeds and Southampton. The other half of the Ilac Centre is owned by Irish Life. Henry Street is the busiest shopping thoroughfare in the country, with an annual footfall of about 30 million people. The other 50pc of the Pavilions shopping centre is also owned equally by IPUT and Irish Life, but Hammerson will have sole control of the adjacent 16-acre development site, for which planning permission was previously granted for a huge, 1.2m sq ft extension. Hammerson also owns a 38pc stake of Kildare Village, the successful retail destination that last autumn opened a 50m extension last autumn. It increased its stake in the property from 14pc last year at a cost of 12m (15.5m). The remainder of the village is owned by UK-based Value Retail, which controls other retail villages in Europe. Mr Atkins said Kildare Village had a "particularly spectacular" year in 2015, with sales growth of 26pc, helped by the positive economic backdrop and the opening of the extension. More than three million people visited Kildare Village last year. He also said that rents have continued to improve at Dundrum. The chief executive said that Tommy Hilfiger moved to a new, larger store in Dundrum during the year, resulting in the retailer paying 29pc more rent there. Hammerson reported full-year results yesterday. Its like-for-like net rental income rose 2.3pc to 318.6m (413.7m), and profit, including valuation changes, were 4pc higher at 726.8m (943.8m). Its adjusted profit climbed 21pc to 210.9m (273.8m). Here are the main business stories from this morning's papers: Irish Independent * Hotel group Dalata is looking to cement its presence in the capital, with plans to build a four-star, 181-bedroom hotel close to Dublin city centre. The company, headed by chief executive Pat McCann, has agreed to pay 11.9m for a site previously occupied by the Charlemont Clinic on the Grand Canal. Dalata expects the total investment in the hotel project, including the site acquisition, to hit 40m. * UK property group Hammerson expects to finalise its acquisition of 50pc of Dundrum Town Centre by the summer and continues to see the potential for a landmark of "international importance" in the heart of the capital. It's also eyeing a mixed-use development beside the Dundrum Town Centre, rather than the retail-only extension for which planning permission was previously granted. A deal last year with Nama saw Hammerson and the property arm of German insurance giant Allianz agree to pay a total of 1.85bn to buy 2.6bn worth of loans attached to Dundrum, the Pavilions Shopping Centre in Swords, Co Dublin, as well as the Ilac Centre in the city centre. * SuperValu has managed to retain the coveted title of being the country's biggest grocery retailer, beating Tesco and a resurgent Dunnes Stores to the top spot. SuperValu, the brand that's controlled by the Cork-based Musgrave group, has now held pole position since November last year, having first nabbed the title earlier in 2015. Figures from research group Kantar Worldpanel show that SuperValu had a 25pc share of the multi-billion euro grocery market here during the 12 weeks to January 31, which included the all-important Christmas retail period. The Irish Times * Thousands of Irish investors could automatically enter into an investment with US telecoms firm, Horizon, with the deadline for selling shares in the firm nears. Around 200,000 investors Irish investors have shares in the firm, with a large majority of them holding 10 shares or less. Investors received the shares after Vodafone sold its US business to Horizon two years ago. * APC, the Irish pharmaceutical company, and Swissport, the ground handling services firm at Dublin Airport, have announced the creation of 300 new jobs. APC opened its new headquarters in Cherrywood on Monday and announced the creation of 100 new jobs. The 6,000 sq m premises, located in south County Dublin, is part of the firms plans to double its workforce in order to meet client demand. APC, which was founded by then UCD student and professor pair, Mark Barrett and Brian Glennon, helps global clients accelerate the development of medicines for conditions including HIV and cancer. * The sale of the Charlemont Clinic site by U+I has brought the firm's accumulated profit over a 14-month period up to 4.8m. The Dublin 2 site was acquired by Dalata for 11.9m with the firm intending to build a Clayton Hotel on it. The site is along Dublin's Grand Canal and is expected to be a popular choice for commercial clients. Irish Examiner * A delayed vote on a British exit from the EU could slow an Irish exports drive, leading economists have said. According to the economists, a delayed vote would lead to a longer period of uncertainty surrounding the sterling, which would take the shine of Ireland's export numbers. In 2015, trade figures were very strong, representing what is becoming something of a 'golden era' for Irish exporters. * Global outsourcing firm, Voxpro, is looking at the possibility of an initial public offering after it announced its intention to open three new bases across Europe and North America. The firm, headed up by Dan and Linda Kiely, plans to continue to scale its operations globally as it aims to tackle growing demand for its services. Under the expansion the firm will look to open a sales and marketing hub in New York over the coming months. * SuperValu has maintained its spot as Ireland's number one retailer, fending off stiff competition from its two closest rivals. SuperValu has a quarter of the entire Irish market share after 4.4pc growth in sales, which outpaced the industry average last year. SuperValu remained on top despite Dunnes Stores taking the strongest sales growth, up 5.1pc. Virgin Media, formerly UPC Ireland, has lost 10pc of its Irish TV customer base in the last year with more losses on the way, according to its latest financial accounts. It's the sharpest fall in the operator's television subscriber base to date, with a loss of 38,000 TV customers leaving its total TV base at 365,500 (down from 403,500 a year ago). The company is due to see a further 22,000 TV customers leave in April with the termination of its MMDS service due to spectrum reallocation. This will leave Virgin's television subscription base down over 20pc from where it was four years ago. In 2012, the company had 446,400 television subscribers but is down to 365,500 television subscribers today. The sharp fall in its TV customer base means that Virgin now has more broadband customers than TV customers in Ireland for the first time in the company's history. The company also disclosed that it has lost 22,000 Irish customers (4pc), overall, in the last 12 months and 41,000 customers (7pc) in the last four years. However, the company has managed to eke out more business from existing customers in that time, with the overall number of services (which the company measures as revenue generating units') taken up by its subscribers increasing by 10pc in the last four years. The fall in Virgin's Irish television business comes at a time when aggressive competition in the sector has increased. The company's biggest competitor, Sky, has consolidated its television customer base at over 700,000 subscribers. Saorview, the free-to-air television service, has climbed to over 600,000 Irish TV sets. Eir's recently-introduced television service now has 45,000 customers, while Vodafone has just launched its own full-complement TV subscription service. The financial accounts also show that Virgin's broadband growth has slowed considerably, rising 2pc on the same time last year to 371,200. It is the companys slowest rate of broadband customer growth in Ireland since it introduced the service. However it is doing better in the growth of its home phone service, which increased by 4pc to 358,100 in the last 12 months. Virgin's broadband and television network is available in less than half of Irish homes and businesses and is concentrated in cities and urban areas. The company's Irish chief executive, Tony Hanway, said that the company is to invest in an expansion of its network this year. Virgin also disclosed that it has 7,600 Irish mobile phone customers since the launch of its virtual mobile service here. Russia has agreed with Opec members Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Venezuela to freeze oil production levels if other producers do the same. Energy minister Alexander Novak announced the decision following a closed-door meeting involving the four countries in the Qatari capital Doha. The meeting reflects growing concern among major oil producers about the effects a prolonged slump in crude prices will have on their domestic economies. Mr Novak said the countries are willing to freeze output levels at January levels "if other oil producers join the initiative". Getting other major oil suppliers to go along with that plan could be tricky as prices have fallen sharply since summer 2014, leaving producers scrambling to win market share from competitors. Oil prices rose following the meeting, with a barrel of benchmark New York crude trading up 77 US cents (53p) at 30.21 dollars (20.93). A barrel of Brent, the international standard, gained 89 US cents (61p) to 34.28 dollars (23.75). Speaking after the meeting, Saudi oil minister Ali Naimi said producers would continue to assess the state of the market in the months ahead. He described freezing output at January levels as an adequate step for now. All of the countries at the meeting except Russia are part of Opec, which has refused to cut its official production targets in an effort to bolster faltering prices. The aim of Opec's keep-pumping strategy has been to attempt to ride out the 12-year lows in prices and force higher-cost producers, such as shale drillers in the US, out of the market. Notably absent from the meeting was Iran, which shares control of a major underwater natural gas field with Qatar. It is eager to ramp up its exports now that sanctions related to its nuclear programme have been lifted, saying recently it aims to put another 500,000 barrels a day on the market. Love/Hate actor Peter Coonan has spoken about the Dublin's gangland troubles - saying that none of the research the hit RTE series conducted could have prepared him for the events that have recently unfolded in the city. "It's shocking all together," said Coonan, who played Fran in Love/Hate. The gun attacks in Drumcondra at the start of February and the subsequent killing of Eddie Hutch Snr have, for some viewers of the show, drawn many comparisons to the gangland storylines of the popular RTE crime drama. "For me, obviously I'm just an actor who played a character in a show about gangland so we did a small bit of research that gave us an insight into the world," said Coonan when speaking to Sean O'Rourke on RTE Radio One. Expand Close Class act: Peter Coonan backstage at the Gate Theatre / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Class act: Peter Coonan backstage at the Gate Theatre "But nothing that could have prepared me for what has happened over the last couple of weeks... shocking." The Irish actor was in the studio to talk about his leap from TV to theatre as he takes on the lead role of Jerry Devine in Sean O'Casey's much-loved play,Juno and the Paycock, at the Gate Theatre. Expand Close Peter Coonan / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Peter Coonan The actor grew up in theatre so he said the decision to go back to his roots was a "conscious" one. "It was something I really wanted to get back to because I missed it," he said. "It's a great character to play and something that people might not have expected me to do." The play focuses on the Boyle family living in subject poverty and the mother Juno, who keeps the family together, while the father (played by Coonan) spends every penny of the family's money on drinking with his buddy Joxer Daly. It's a story that tackles the true devastation of alcoholism and, with the help of director Mark O'Rowe, it's the first time the play will be performed at the Gate Theatre in 30 years. "It's good fun because the cast are so great and the play itself is such a wonder to listen to," said Coonan. Video of the Day While the future of Love/Hate remains uncertain, the Dublin actor is "ploughing" his own field with theatre roles. He said that if Love/Hate producer Stuart Carolan was to pen another script, it would be hard for Coonan to say no to reprising his role as Fran. However, Coonan admitted that it wouldn't be a bad idea for the show to end at the height of its popularity. "Everyone wants another series but I think the good thing about all great series, like The Sopranos and The Wire, is that they end on a high. "If people are wanting more... you've done something right." Relations with Iran can only fully normalise when it recognises the existence of Israel, German Chancellor Angela Merkel has said. Speaking at the side of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Ms Merkel told reporters after a meeting of the two countries' cabinets that she has "made very clear ... there cannot be a normal, friendly relationship with Iran so long as the existence of Israel is not recognised". Ahead of the sixth such meeting - normally held annually but postponed last year after violence in Israel kept Mr Netanyahu at home - Germany's foreign minister said the situation in the Palestinian territories is not sustainable in the long-term. Frank-Walter Steinmeier condemned the near-daily street attacks by Palestinians that have killed 27 Israelis as "despicable terror". He stressed Germany's view that only serious negotiations aimed at a fair, two-state solution can offer hope of peace for Israel and the Palestinians. Germany has been critical of Mr Netanyahu's continued pursuit of new settlements but Ms Merkel sidestepped a question on that, reiterating only that Berlin sought a two-state solution. Mr Netanyahu was complimentary of Ms Merkel, thanking her for her leadership and emphasising the values that Germany and Israel shared. Some six million Jews were killed by Nazi Germany and the fact Israel and Germany are close allies some 70 years later "gives hope to all of mankind," Mr Netanyahu said. "It's an example of how, despite the unparalleled horrors of the past, our two peoples have forged a unique and constructive friendship," he said. "I believe that this offers hope for the entire world." Almost two weeks after the collapse of the Rising, it seemed that all Dublin was having a fire sale. Stores that had escaped destruction were selling goods bought at knock-down prices from those less fortunate. An upbeat advert for a "great sale of accumulated stocks after the disturbances" gushed that there would be "hundreds of bargains at every counter. A sale of a lifetime. It would be impossible to give here a list of the bargains". A glaring casualty of the revolt was Clerys, Dublin's flagship store. Witnesses had gasped as the building was engulfed in flames, which were intensified by vats of turpentine exploding in the hardware store next door. One said: "I had the extraordinary experience of seeing the huge plate-glass windows run molten into the channel from the terrific heat." Clerys placed an optimistic advert saying their "business will be held up for a short time". The rebuilding would take years. Meanwhile, Dockrell's was responding to the massive destruction of windows by announcing: "We hold large stocks of polished, rolled and rough cast plate." Alongside the tales of destruction, the Social & Personal column noted: "The Earl of Rosebury was 69 on Saturday" and that two brothers had "returned to 11 Clare Street". Relocated to a new premises, Easons pledged to resume normal newspaper deliveries, while Andrews & Co had restarted deliveries as far out as the suburbs, but rural customers would have to wait "until the railways resume". In Tipperary, all GAA games had been cancelled. The 8.30pm curfew remained, but the surviving cinemas had reopened. While the Pillar House was showing The Derby Winner, the Rotunda vaguely promised "best pictures". Putting the Great War back in the frame, the Theatre Royal announced "four special days" screening a "continuous programme" of Irish troops at the front where they were gaining "immortal fame". The Irish Independent launched a startling broadside at The Freeman's Journal, accusing its rival of going soft on militant nationalism "which encouraged the criminally insane determination to rise against the power of England". Reminding readers that the Journal had sided with the "syndicalist strikes" during the 1913 Lockout, it branded it "a gutter sheet". The slow drip of executions continued, and four more rebels had been executed that morning, among them Eamonn Ceannt, referred to as Edmund Kent. His death notice stated Ceannt was "an accountant with a salary of 300 a year" and that he was "a man of intellectual attainment and passed a brilliant Intermediate course". Another Rising leader, Joseph Plunkett, had married Grace Gifford hours before his execution and the paper carried "pathetic particulars" of the wedding. Grace's mother had been set against the match. She said: "I did not even know definitely that they had been engaged. I did not ask Grace and she did not tell me because she knew I disapproved. I had put it to her that she would be doing a very foolish thing. She was always a very headstrong and self-willed girl." THE Church of Ireland hierarchy is fuming after it emerged parishioners won't be able to get to city centre services on Easter Sunday due to 1916 commemorations. One of the country's best-known and most ancient cathedrals has been forced to shut its doors to worshippers on the most sacred day in the Christian calendar by the organisers of the 1916 Easter Sunday parade. Gardai have requested that the front gates of Christ Church Cathedral in Dublin remain locked for Easter Sunday. In addition, a traffic cordon is being imposed from Ringsend and to South Circular Road, closing off the city centre to all vehicles from 6am. The Church of Ireland Primate, Archbishop Michael Jackson, has criticised the parade organisers for their lack of consultation with the churches and other faith communities who will be affected. He said: "This decision was made without consultation with the dioceses and there is a considerable sense of disappointment and sadness." Parishioners who now won't be able to attend services locally on Easter Sunday are being invited to Church of Ireland parishes in the city's suburbs. But the country's most senior Anglican churchman said: "People will, understandably, be upset not to be able to worship in their parish churches on Easter Sunday." The cordon will remain in place until 8pm on Easter Sunday. Speaking to the Irish Independent, the archbishop said he was "taken aback and genuinely disappointed that there was no consultation". Questioned He also questioned the wisdom of holding the parade on Easter Sunday and not Easter Monday. "Had circumstances been different, there might have been wisdom in those responsible for the decisions that have resulted in Easter Day being used as the day for the commemoration, asking the question: 'Why Easter Day itself and not Easter Monday?' for example." Archbishop Jackson said the Church of Ireland had adopted a pragmatic approach. He will now celebrate Easter with the congregations of Christ Church Cathedral and Sandford Parish Church combined. Afterwards, he still intends to "take up the invitation of the Government to attend the ceremony of commemoration at the GPO on what is a very significant day in the history of the State". Meanwhile, a spokeswoman for the Catholic Archdiocese of Dublin told the Irish Independent that St Mary's Pro Cathedral was the only Catholic church that was likely to be difficult to access when the cordon was in place. She said the archdiocese was "in discussions with the organisers to try and improve access" to the Pro Cathedral, which gave shelter to people during the week of the Rising, but said that "Mass will be definitely celebrated there on Easter Sunday". But Archbishop Diarmuid Martin has already expressed concern about access to the Pro Cathedral. Speaking on RTE's 'Marian Finucane Show' last month, he said: "Christians have a right to celebrate Easter." He also criticised how the faith of many of the rebels was being "clinically wiped out" by a more secular interpretation of the events of 1916. Dublin City Council failed to respond to the Irish Independent's request for comment last night. This is the baby-faced musician who tortured and sexually abused a friend in a drug-fuelled ordeal. The terrified 17-year-old victim suffered hours of hell at the hands of drugged-up Darren Fu and another teen at a flat in the Stranmillis area of south Belfast. Fu, now 20, used a drumstick and music stand in horrific sex attacks on the victim, who suffered exceptional degradation during the ordeal on May 14, 2014. On Friday a judge warned Fu and his co-attacker a teenager who cannot be named for legal reasons that they could be facing 15-year jail sentences. Fu confessed to four charges including rape and false imprisonment. ENDURED Belfast Crown Court heard on Thursday and Friday that upon entering Fus flat, the victim endured hours of hell at the hands of the drugged-up, knife-wielding young males he considered friends. The then 17-year-old was thrown onto a settee before Fu and the co-accused produced two knives. He was made to kneel down at knifepoint before being tied up and locked in a cupboard for around 10 minutes while the pair discussed what they were going to do to the injured party. The victim then had a pillowcase placed over his head with towels also wrapped around his head and held in place with a belt before being subjected to several serious sexual assaults. The twisted duo even used a drumstick and a microphone stand to inflict extreme discomfort to their victim during the sexual assaults. However, Fu, of Drumart Walk, Belfast, was described by David McDowell, who was acting on his behalf, as a quiet, talented musician, a passion that was shared among himself, the co-accused and the victim. Throughout the horrific ordeal, Fu repeatedly threatened the injured party, saying he was going to cut off his toes and murder him and knew people who could dispose of his body, the court heard. Fu also urged the victim to give him the names of Co Antrim drug dealers so he could take over that area. Fu left shortly after the ordeal, giving the injured party six bags of drugs to be sold. The guitarist also gave the co-accused permission to torture the injured party all night in his absence. While the co-accused did not do this, he did lock the victim in the cupboard for some time. Upon releasing him, the pair sniffed more drugs before walking into the city centre at around 12pm the following day. The injured party still had the drugs in his possession when he went to the police that day. When cops arrived at Fus flat, no effort had been made to cover up the evidence and blood was splattered up the walls and in the cupboard. WARNED Judge Kerr warned the pair, who were both remanded in custody, that they could face a sentence of 15 years. David McDowell QC told the court that Fu had a traumatic upbringing and at one stage looked after an ill relative. He added that drug use was the fall of Darren Fu and that he had been on a two-month binge in the run-up to the incident. He added: If you took drugs out of the picture, this is very unlikely to reoccur. It was also claimed that the victim was with Fu when he was beaten up over drugs some time before and that was the real reason for his actions. After twice absconding while on bail to Edinburgh and Kent, Fu later admitted four offences namely false imprisonment, two counts of sexual assault, and rape and has been in prison for 18 months. His co-accused pleaded guilty to six counts including false imprisonment, two counts of sexual assault and attempted rape. Judge Kerr wished to reserve judgment and will sentence the pair on February 22. Fugitive former solicitor Michael Lynn will be extradited to Ireland 'imminently' following a ruling in a Brazilian court. Brazils supreme court finally cleared the way for his extradition this evening. The decision comes eight years after Lynn first left Ireland and more than 28 months after he was arrested near his beach resident in the Brazilian city of Recife. Lynn first failed to attend a hearing at the High Court in Dublin in 2007. Expand Close Michael Lynn / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Michael Lynn When he left Ireland, he had debts of 80 million and his company was said to have 148 properties, 154 bank accounts and assets worth more than 50 million. Read More He arrived in Brazil in 2012 and lived in a villa near a beach while teaching English to the locals, joined a country club and dabbled in the property market. He was arrested in a shopping centre near his home in August 2013 by Brazilian federal police, acting on behalf of Interpol. Originally from Crossmolina, Co Mayo, Mr Lynn used the birth of his son with his wife Brid to secure a permanent Brazilian visa in June 2012 because the child was born there. Expand Close Michael Lynn / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Michael Lynn Read More Having practised on Dublin's Capel Street, Mr Lynn was struck off more than seven years ago. While there is no extradition treaty between Brazil and Ireland, a temporary bilateral agreement was struck, meaning Mr Lynn can be extradited - and that if he is convicted and jailed here his time served in a Brazilian prison will be discounted. Last month, it emerged that the amount paid out in claims by the Law Society to compensate clients for solicitors who default rose 29pc to 3.67m in 2014. The most high-profile case in recent years was that of Mr Lynn, who cost his fellow professionals 2.6m in compensation paid out. A detective garda suffered psychological injuries after being subjected to a grotesque protest by a prisoner, a compensation hearing has heard. Det Garda Linda Harkin (39) told the High Court she brought a cup of tea to a prisoner who was being questioned in relation to a "serious gangland murder investigation". The Cavan-based officer told her barrister, Frank Martin, the prisoner had not wanted to co-operate during interviews in June 2005, but had not caused any trouble. She told a garda compensation hearing that on the second day of the prisoner's detention she brought him a cup of tea which he had requested and saw - up close through the hatch - that he had excrement all over his face and in his mouth. She was shocked when the prisoner opened his mouth and she saw it was filled with excrement, she added. It was covering his teeth and she could see that he was trying to swallow it. They were almost nose to nose and she feared that he was going to spit it in her face. Det Garda Harkin is suing the State for compensation for personal injury. She told Mr Justice Bernard Barton she felt sick and vomited in a sink. She felt weak and later had been unable to drive home. She claims that she then developed post-traumatic stress disorder, short-term anorexia and later developed a hypersensitivity to smell. The judge held, in a preliminary issue in the case, that the prisoner had intended maliciously attacking Det Garda Harkin and had not been acting out of an alleged psychological condition. Barrister Esther Earley said malice had to be proved in garda compensation cases or the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform had to accept prior to a hearing that it existed. Mr Martin said it was clear that what happened in the prisoner's cell was "no potty-training accident" as there were toilet facilities in the cell. Judge Barton said he was satisfied the prisoner had known the garda would be bringing him his tea or checking on him. He adjourned a full hearing. A LANDLORD and his tenant have appeared in court on drugs charges following the discovery by gardai of an estimated 2.1 million worth of cannabis in a garage. Declan Cosgrave (52) and Kevin Murphy (25) were both remanded in custody with consent to bail at Dublin District Court. Mr Cosgrave is accused of possession of 300kg of cannabis resin found in a garage at his home address at Donaghmede Park on February 13 last. Mr Murphy allegedly had a smaller amount of cannabis herb - 3,000 worth - in his bedroom at the same address, where he was a tenant. Gardai also alleged that 70,000 worth of cocaine was found at the house, though no charge has yet been brought in relation to that drug. Mr Cosgrave is charged with possession of cannabis resin and Mr Murphy is charged with having cannabis herb, both with intent to sell or supply. Gardai had objected to bail in both cases. Garda Killian Foley said he charged Mr Cosgrave at 8.30pm yesterday. The court heard Mr Cosgrave is the occupier of the house in question and the owner, his mother, is in a home. Garda Foley said Mr Cosgrave supplied the key to the locked shed or garage where the cannabis resin was allegedly found. The cocaine was allegedly found in a bedroom controlled by Mr Cosgrave, and in the shed, the garda said. Applying for bail, defence solicitor Ann Fitzgibbon said Mr Cosgrave has medical problems; he has asthma, his lung collapsed and he has a sleeping disorder. He was struggling to keep his mother in a home and had no cash to put up for bail and nobody to stand surety for him, she said. Judge Cormac Dunne remanded Mr Cosgrave in custody with consent to bail in his own bond of 100 and an independent surety of 20,000, or two sureties of 10,000 each. He must sign on twice daily at Coolock Garda Station and observe a curfew. Garda Stephen Donnelly said Mr Murphy made no reply when he was charged at Clontarf Station at 8.18pm yesterday. He said Mr Murphy made admissions about the 3,000 worth of cannabis herb allegedly found in his bedroom in the house. Applying for bail, his solicitor Peter Connolly said that over the course of six interviews, Mr Murphy answered questions to give an account that was consistent with innocence in relation to the large quantity found in the shed. He denied any knowledge or any culpability in relation to it. The court heard Mr Murphy, with a home address at Mount Olive Park, Kilbarrack, is an out-of-work chef. He furnished another address for the purpose of bail. Judge Dunne remanded him in custody with consent to bail in his own bond of 200, and an independent surety of 3,000, or two sureties of 1,500. Both men are due to appear in Cloverhill District on February 23. The judge also directed medical attention for Mr Cosgrave while he is in custody. A nurse facing allegations relating to the possession of crystal meth ordered Sudafed using the names of a number of his colleagues, a disciplinary inquiry heard today. John Benedict Butalid de Lara, of Ballyfermot, who worked as a staff nurse at the Royal Hospital Donnybrook from 2003 until 2014, is facing allegations relating to the possession of crystal meth, and of ordering Sudafed using the names of several colleagues. The ongoing disciplinary inquiry at the Nursing Board headquarters in Blackrock, Co. Dublin heard in December that an ingredient in Sudafed, pseudoephedrine, can be used in the making of crystal meth. Today, clinical nurse manager Anne Dooley, who worked with Mr. de Lara at the Royal Hospital Donnybrook for eight years, said she first heard about Mr. de Lara, 45, ordering Sudafed in other peoples names when a health care assistant approached her about the matter. Ms. Dooley met with Mr. de Lara on 30 June 2013 to discuss the matter. Mr. de Lara admitted that he had ordered the medication in the health care assistants name, as he had wanted to send some Sudafed home to the Philippines, where he is from originally. A year later, in 2014, Ms. Dooley was told of a newspaper article reporting that Mr. de Lara had appeared in court over charges in relation to possession of crystal meth. I was quite shocked, said Ms. Dooley. Ms. Dooley said she had never had an issue before with Mr. de Laras work performance. John was a good nurse, Ms. Dooley told the fitness to practice inquiry. Mr. de Laras legal representative, Barrister John McGuigan, told the inquiry that his client admits to ordering Sudafed in other peoples names, so as to send it to the Philippines. He argued it was within the knowledge of the hospital that Sudafed had been ordered in at least two peoples names and that the hospital dealt with the issue. Dr. Katherine Patterson, the pharmacist for the Abbey Healthcare pharmacy in the Royal Hospital Donnybrook, told the inquiry that she became concerned about a spike in the number of orders for Sudafed in May 2013. In particular, it was a significant cause for concern for me that seven orders for Sudafed were placed on 23 May 2013. Her main concern, she said, was regarding rebound congestion, a potential side effect that can occur when Sudafed is used for more than one week. However, in the back of her mind, there were also concerns regarding the other issues relating to Sudafed, namely, the potential use in the production of crystal meth. She said that while people may now be aware of the potential connection between Sudafed and crystal meth, thanks to certain television dramas, that connection was only on the periphery of peoples knowledge in Ireland in 2013. Pharmacy technician Kae Torralba told the inquiry that Mr. de Lara attempted to place orders for himself and on behalf of other colleagues on three occasions in May 2013. On the third occasion, Ms. Torralba cautioned Mr. de Lara that he could not order any more Sudafed in his name, as he had already placed two orders that month. He then placed seven orders for Sudafed in the names of other colleagues. Ms. Torralba said Mr. de Lara told her he wanted to send some Sudafed back to the Philippines with someone who was travelling there. Ms. Torralba then advised Mr. de Lara that Sudafed was readily available in the Philippines, at a reasonable cost. Ronan Kennedy, legal representative for the CEO of the Nursing Board, asked Ms. Torralba, Can you think of any reason why a person would order Sudafed here and then send it to the Philippines? No, Ms. Torralba answered. Several other former colleagues told the inquiry they had not placed orders for Sudafed in May 2013, and had not asked anyone to order the decongestant on their behalf. Several said they were surprised to find out that their names had been used to order Sudafed. Care assistant Elena Tanig insisted that she would never let anyone order medications in her name. Referring to Mr. de Lara, she said: He is a good nurse, a good friend and good for the patients. I didnt expect this would happen. I was really shocked. Last December, the inquiry heard that on 31 March 2014 Mr. de Lara was arrested by An Garda Siochana following a search of a flat on Marlborough Road in Donnybrook. During the search, Mr. de Lara arrived at the flat and put a bag of something into his mouth, which he later spat out at the request of a garda. The substance in the bag was later identified as just over 2.4 grams of crystal meth. The following day, Mr. de Lara was charged with possession of a controlled drug, namely methamphetamine. The case was heard before the district court, where the charges against Mr. de Lara were dismissed, after he paid 1,000 to a charity. The Royal Hospital Donnybrook, just off Morehampton Road, provides rehabilitation services primarily for elderly people, with approximately 160 places available for both long-term and short-term patients. The inquiry continues on Friday. TANAISTE Joan Burton has accused Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams of displaying "amnesia" in relation to the murder of Jean McConville. The Labour Party leader today ramped up her attacks on Mr Adams,who she says relies on a "distinguished set of friends" that would "terrify the life out of most decent people". Ms Burton singled out Thomas 'Slab' Murphy, who Mr Adams and Sinn Fein deputy leader Mary Lou McDonald described as a 'good republican'. "I suppose Gerry will be talking to his amigo, 'amigo Slab'. He has a distinguished set of friends that I have to say terrify the life out of most decent people in Ireland. Not regarding the fact the man is apparently, as far as Gerry and others are concern, a great friend," Ms Burton told reporters. "That's the irony of a Sinn Fein leader without any past, with amnesia in relation to what happened to people like Jean McConville and other dreadful atrocities. It's ok for him to make fun of democracy because obviously he has a very light regard for it," she added. OVER 500 students queued from 9am this morning outside a Galway pub as part of an unofficial Rag Week event. Queues formed outside the Hole in the Wall pub from early morning with the line of students stretching around the corner into Eglington Street for Donegal Tuesday. While many of those gathered wore Donegal jerseys, students had travelled from all over country for the event. A large number of security staff monitored the crowd, searching bags and confiscating bottles as the students gained entrance at 10am. Students from Donegal, Belfast, Sligo, Kildare and Dublin were among those first in the queue this morning. Donegal Tuesday has become the largest event of the unofficial Rag Week over the past number of years. Gardai patrols passed the pub on a number of occasions this morning, keeping an eye on proceedings. Gardai have launched a "comprehensive" operation this week as unofficial Rag Week events take place across Galway. Rag Week was suspended at both NUI, Galway and GMIT after the student's unions voted to disband the event which had attracted an anti-social element in latter years. A member of security said students began queueing from before 9am. Were keeping an eye on the crowd and the gardai are passing by regularly. If we see anyone already drunk or causing any problems they wont be let in and were pointing them out to gardai, he said. Liam Sweeney from Ardara Co Donegal was among the first in the queue. The NUI, Galway student is currently on placement in Donegal but travelled back to Galway for the event. Its good craic and theres no wild badness. Everyone is just enjoying themselves, he said. Caoilinn Horkin (20) a student at Queens University in Belfast, travelled down to the day as did Shauna Gill (23) from Sligo who has attended the event in the past. Its the only time in February we get to do something fun and let loose, she said. Sean Gill (21) insisted the event was a bit of banter with no anti-social element. Its a bit of fun. People are just enjoying themselves and its well organised. My mum texted me to say have a good day, Ill probably see you on the news later, he added. A DUNNES Stores worker was fired from her job after she sold alcohol to a 16-year-old during an undercover operation by gardai. Checkout operator Anna Perenc has taken a case before an Employment Appeals Tribunal claiming the supermarket giant unfairly dismissed her. During an investigation by Dunnes, Ms Perenc admitted selling a bottle of wine to the girl without asking her for ID on the morning of May 30, 2013. Lorna Rafter, human resources manager at the St Stephen's Green branch of Dunnes, said Ms Perenc, described as an "excellent employee" in her annual assessment, had admitted her mistake and shown remorse. concerns However she said the supermarket has a "zero tolerance" approach to selling alcohol to minors. Mandate divisional organiser Dave Mahon, who was representing Ms Perenc, put it to Ms Rafter that his client, a Polish national, had raised concerns about her ability to understand all that was said during the investigation. "I had worked with her for almost three years prior...I never found any communication barrier between her and myself. "I didn't feel at any stage she didn't understand the questions put to her," said Ms Rafter. No prosecution arose from the garda sting and instead Dunnes was issued with a caution. Mr Mahon pointed out there were also no financial consequences of Ms Perenc's mistake as the supermarket was not fined. The tribunal heard that it is Dunnes policy for staff to ask for proof of age from any customer seeking to buy alcohol who appears to be under the age of 23. Staff are told to take time to look at the ID carefully, examine the photograph and date of birth, and ask themselves is the ID genuine. Ms Rafter said the supermarket takes regulations governing the sale of alcohol "extremely seriously" and all staff are retrained in these every six months. She told the tribunal that she carried out specific training on regulations around the sale of alcohol with Ms Perenc. Staff are also told that selling alcohol or tobacco to anyone under the age of 18 will result in summary dismissal. She said it was not just for reasons of legal compliance that Dunnes takes the sale of alcohol so seriously, but also for reasons of "social responsibility". During an internal investigation meeting, Ms Perenc was asked had she looked at the girl to assess whether or not she was under 23. prosecution Ms Perenc told management: "She had her face down, I didn't see her properly. At the time I just didn't think to ask (for ID)." It was also put to Ms Perenc "you know if there's a prosecution this could be in the papers". Tribunal chairwoman Penelope McGrath put it to Ms Rafter there was "no badness" on Ms Perenc's part when she sold the wine to the teenager. "I didn't say there was any badness, but I personally trained her not to be so careless with the sale (of alcohol)," replied Ms Rafter. "I felt there was no consideration at all, no regard, no focus on the sale full-stop," she added. The case was adjourned to May 20. The tribunal said it wants to see CCTV footage of the incident and also to hear from the garda who was over-seeing the undercover operation. In recent years, this constituency has shed its image as the most predictable in Ireland. And a strong Independent candidate could churn things up this time - perhaps even depriving Fine Gael of a seat. The three-seater, which was known as Limerick West, is the only constituency which has no woman candidate and it has never elected a woman TD. It does, however, have one of the younger candidates in 21-year-old Alexander Storey-Cosgrave, who is standing for the Green Party. Independent Emmett O'Brien is the candidate with the potential to shake things up. The former Fianna Fail national executive member failed to get a council nomination in 2014 and later topped the poll as an Independent with 20pc of the vote. His ability to perform on the bigger Dail election stage remains to be seen, however. He is joined by another former Fianna Fail candidate, Cllr Richard O'Donoghue of Ballingary, who launched the country's first internet campaign song. There may also be competition from Sinn Fein's councillor, Seamus Browne of Abbeyfeale. Mr O'Brien, a barrister and farmer from Pallaskenry, argues that this constituency, more than others, needs a change of TD. "People are annoyed with Fine Gael over broken election promises and still very irritated with Fianna Fail for the economic collapse. "They are looking for a strong, local and independent voice," he told the Irish Independent. After intense Fine Gael-Fianna Fail rivalry, the balance has now shifted back to Fine Gael, with Patrick O'Donovan joining veteran Dan Neville in the Dail last time. Mr O'Donovan will be joined by Tom Neville, who is trying to take his father's long-time seat after his retirement following 26 years at Leinster House, as both a Senator and a TD. Tom Neville's Rathkeale base is close to Emmet O'Brien's home in Pallaskenry, so the rivalry here will be acute. Mr O'Donovan's base is around Newcastlewest and he should hold. Fine Gael is directing big resources towards Tom Neville's campaign, in which his father Dan is taking a leading role. But if Emmett delivers his potential, the Neville seat could be very vulnerable. Fianna Fail has only one candidate. Niall Collins has been a TD since 2007 and his party and family roots, via his two uncles, Gerard and Michael, go back to 1948, when his grandfather, Jimmy, was first elected. Former Labour Senator James Heffernan of Kilfinane came close in February 2011 with almost 8,000 first preferences. He is flying the Social Democrat colours this time. However, despite a strong campaign, he will be off the pace. PREDICTION: 1 FG, 1 FF, 1 Independent. Limerick County Candidates:3 seats FG Patrick O'Donovan TD, FG Tom Neville, FF Niall Collins TD, SF Seamus Browne, SD James Heffernan, DDI Mark Keogh, IND Emmett O'Brien, IND Richard O'Donoghue. Taoiseach Enda Kenny gets ready to enter one of the labs at APC Ltd as the company opened its new state of the art process research facility in Cherrywood, Dublin. Photo: Fergal Phillips Somebody needs to sit Enda Kenny down and tell him we're not there yet, but it's just a little further. Crankiness is being blamed for the Taoiseach's response to questions about his potential post-election bedfellows at Fine Gael's manifesto launch on Sunday. And in some ways that's understandable. It has been a frantic two weeks that has seen the Kenny roadshow roll into 12 counties and shake thousands of hands. Along the way there have been visits to a concrete plant in Westmeath, a gin distillers in Leitrim, a Cork water pump manufacturer, pharmaceutical companies in Galway and Dublin and a farm in Carlow. Then there is the obligatory round of local radio interviews and national TV debates to fit in. It is exhausting for everybody involved, both politicians and the journalists who follow them. But this is the short, snappy campaign that Fine Gael wanted. They set the pace and, being the outgoing government with a huge majority, they also had the luxury of setting the tone. Mr Kenny and his advisors decided they wanted to fight the election on two things: the economy and stable government. So the last thing you would expect the Fine Gael leader to do in the days before he dissolved the Dail would be to engage in a game of cat and mouse with the media about whether he would look to somebody like Michael Lowry for support in the event that the Coalition didn't win 80 seats. There was a simple way to close down the debate, a one-word answer that would satisfy not just the media and the Labour Party but also his own nervous candidates. It took 10 days of word games before he categorically ruled out Mr Lowry. In the intervening period he did massive damage to the stability message, especially as Joan Burton said Mr Lowry would be a red-line issue for her party. Then, within hours of calling the election, he got on the wrong side of the economic message when he either couldn't or wouldn't explain the 'fiscal space'. Asked if Fine Gael's estimates for how much money will actually be available over the next five years were credible, he said the question related to "economic jargon which the vast majority of people don't understand". The obvious answer would have been to explain the jargon, to break it down into terms that the men with two pints that Mr Kenny meets on his travels would understand. Instead it was clear he thought if he kept saying there was a need to "keep the recovery going", Finance Minister Michael Noonan would actually deal with the hard questions. Those early mistakes were to some extent forgiveable. You can blame nerves or a lack of match practice. However, we're getting into the home straight now or, as all the political advisors will be telling their candidates, the point where any slip-up can be fatal. There is very little time to pick yourself up and get back in the race. By allowing a full 24 hours of the election cycle to pass with conversations that don't involve Fine Gael and Labour offering a stable government, or the idea that Fianna Fail can't be trusted on the economy, Mr Kenny has weakened his party's standing. We are at the point where Fine Gael planned to instil fear about the alternative on offer to voters but instead Mr Kenny has created fear about his own ability to handle the uncomfortably repetitive questions. A week is a long time in politics so three weeks is an eternity. From this Thursday onwards those 'undecideds' that everyone is chasing will start to make up their mind. And at that point there is no going back. SINN Fein leader Gerry Adams was ridiculed over his denials of IRA membership as he became embroiled in heated exchanges with Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin. The pair engaged in bitter clashes during tonight's televised leaders debate, which saw Taoiseach Enda Kenny and Tanaiste Joan Burton adopt another united front. The majority of the seven leaders struggled to land any significant blows during the RTE debate, which focussed on issues such as the economy, Rural Ireland health and crime. The debate began with questions over whether the Government is repeating the same mistakes in the past by engaging in auction politics. Mr Kenny insisted that the country is in a much safer position than five years ago, but warned: Complacency is the big enemy here. But there were fiery scenes after Mr Martin attacked Mr Adams over his links to the IRA. There isnt a guard in the country who doesnt believe that you werent in the IRA, Mr Martin said. Mr Adams became agitated and uncomfortable as he urged Mr Martin to present any information he has to the gardai. But later, the Louth TD was ridiculed by Mr Martin, Mr Kenny and Ms Burton as he became confused over the issue of garda numbers. Tonight's debate presented a rare occasion for the smaller parties to make their case to voters. As expected, Fianna Fails legacy came under attack from the offset. Such a tactic was prepared in advance and widely flagged to the media in the hours leading up to the debate. Ms Burton immediately attacked the Fianna Fail leader, who she described as the emperor with no clothes. He was in government for 15 years and he left just as the place went down in ruins, Ms Burton said. The Taoiseach also zoned in on Mr Martins record as Health minister, labelling his approach to the HSE as rubbish. While Mr Martin failed to shine to the same degree as last weeks TV3 debate, he managed to stave off an onslaught of criticism. He raised serious questions over the Governments jobs figures, and again highlighted the problems in health under James Reilly. The debate, the second of three due to be held during the campaign, provided an opportunity to the smaller parties to present their cases to the electorate. Stephen Donnelly, who was representing the Social Democrats, gave an assured performance as pointed out the number of think-tanks which are warning that the storm clouds are gathering. The Wicklow/East Carlow TD confirmed that his party intends to maintain the Universal Hated Charge (USC) in order to keep the tax base stable. Mr Donnelly also delivered a number of effective sound bites. He businessmen such as Donald Trump were greeted by dancing girls and harpists as they met ministers. Renua leader attacked the Governments record on Rural Ireland. I spent half my life in Rural Ireland. People arent feeling the recovery there. Anti/Austerity Alliance/ People Before Profit TD Richard Boyd Barrett struggled to gain prominence in the debate. During his contributions, the Dun Laoghaire TD focussed on issues such as housing and healthcare. Prior to the debate, Mr Boyd Barrett defended his decision not to wear a suit for the occasion. I dont see what wearing a suit makes to having a bit of conviction about policies you are campaigning for, he told reporters. Tanaiste Joan Burton with ministers Brendan Howlin and Alan Kelly at the launch of the Labour Party Election Manifesto at DIT Grangegorman yesterday. Photo: Tom Burke Tanaiste Joan Burton made a last ditch plea to voters to return Labour to government as the party fights for its survival with the election date looming. Speaking at the launch of Labour's election manifesto, Ms Burton called on voters to return her party to government to ensure "balance" in a future Fine Gael led coalition. "As leader of the Labour Party, I am asking the people to vote for the only combination of parties that can provide us with stability," she said. "And I'm asking them to vote Labour Number One, so as to give that Government the balance that it needs," she added. Ms Burton insisted Labour will ensure 3 out of every 4 in additional State funding will be invested in school, housing and the health service. The Labour leader said this will be a key issue for the party if it enters programme for government talks with Fine Gael after the General Election. Public Expenditure Minister Brendan Howlin described the manifesto as "unconditionally left of centre" - but insisted Labour will be able to work out policy differences with Taoiseach End Kenny's party if voters return the Coalition partners to power. "We are two separate parties with very long and separate traditions (but) because we have a different perspective doesn't mean we can't come to agreement," Mr Howlin said. The Labour manifesto includes commitments to: Increase minimum wage to 11.30 Raise the weekly pension to 260 Reduce classroom sizes to the "smallest in the history of the State" Provide universal free GP care Reduce childcare costs to 2 per hour. Ms Burton insisted holding a referendum to repeal the Eight Amendment will also be key issue in coalition talks. Abolish Labour will abolish USC for the first 72,000 of income and introduce additional PRSI cuts for low earners. And with opinion polls showing a hung Dail the most likely outcome after the General Election, Labour is proposing a "more relaxed" whip system in Leinster House . The party said this reform will give "greater standing and independence" to TDs. It will also allow 16-year-olds vote in local and European elections, and hold a vote on introducing a directly elected Dublin mayor. At the event on the DIT campus in Grangegorman, Mr Howlin launched a deeply personal attack on Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin. Referring to Mr Martin's decision to resign from the last Fianna Fail government, the minister said he pretends former Finance Minister Brian Lenihan was his "best friend" when in fact he was his "biggest rival". "Micheal is peddling a fairy story about Government. When the going got tough for the last government he left it," Mr Howlin said. But last night, Mr Lenihan's aunt and former Fianna Fail TD Mary O'Rourke said she never heard her nephew say a "single bad word" against Mr Martin. "I was never aware of any sense of tensions between them and I don't remember any public or private squabbles between them," Ms O'Rourke told the Irish Independent. Fianna Fail sources close to Mr Martin dismissed Mr Howlin's comments as "desperation". "It's actually dishonest and it couldn't be further from the truth to suggest he had fractious relationship with Brian," the source said. Alan Kelly said Gerry Adams commitment to abolish Irish Water is "illegal" and called on the Sinn Fein leader to set out his plans to the thousands of workers who would lose jobs if he closes the State utility Footage of fugitive solicitor Michael Lynn being sensationally arrested by police in Brazil has been released by Brazilian authorities. Lynn (43) was arrested late last night in the state of Pernambuco in the northeast region of the country on foot of an extradition warrant issued by Irish authorities. In footage released to Independent.ie, Lynn is seen being led away by detectives in Brazil before being put in an unmarked car. As the clip goes on we see a police officer clearly flicking through Lynn's passport before showing his photo to the camera. Mr Lynn is facing dozens of fraud-related charges after fleeing Ireland almost six years ago, owing more than 80m to several financial institutions He fled Ireland in 2007 and travelled initially to Portugal and Hungary before moving onto South America. Expand Expand Expand Expand Previous Next Close Michael Lynn. Photo: Courtpix Michael Lynn with his wife Brid Michael Lynn with wife Brid Michael Lynn / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Michael Lynn. Photo: Courtpix Mr Lynn left behind scores of furious investors, many of whom lost tens of thousands of euro each. The investors lost their money after attempting to buy property in Portugal, Bulgaria, Slovakia and Hungary through his Kendar company. He is expected to appear before a Brazilian court later today where he faces the prospect of being remanded in custody in a hellhole Brazilian jail. The on-the-run lawyer used the birth of his son to secure the permanent Brazilian visa. The lawyer was granted the visa in June 2012 because he has a child who was born there. Senior sources have expressed major concern that this may complicate attempts to get Lynn back to Ireland in a matter which is further complicated because Ireland and Brazil have no formal extradition treaty. In an interview with 'Dublin's Best' earlier this year, Lynn said he had no intention of returning to Ireland for the foreseeable future. I will not be made a scapegoat for corrupt bankers, he said. He previously claimed he would try to make ensure investors got their money back, or got the properties they had paid for. Gardai secured an international arrest warrant last year -- following a protracted investigation -- when the Director of Public Prosecutions finally gave the go-ahead for criminal charges. The garda inquiry had suffered significant delays because some financial institutions which were allegedly scammed out of money by Mr Lynn had been slow in lodging formal complaints against him. The former solicitor had agreed to meet gardai at a location in Europe in July last year, but the meeting fell through. It is understood that Lynn set up a property company in Brazil. Last December, it emerged that the Law Society is trying to recoup about 2 million it is owed by fugitive former solicitor. The Law Society has had discussions with a Brazilian law firm about the possibility of taking legal action there to recoup some of the money paid out by the society's compensation fund to victims of the former Dublin solicitor. Having practised on Capel Street in Dublin, Mr Lynn was struck off by the President of the High Court more than five years ago and had a fine of 1 million imposed on him. By Ken Foy Crime correspondent Senator Catherine Noone looks on as Health Minister Leo Varadkar gets an ultrasound at the launch of the Fine Gael Plan for Health at the Centric Medical Primary Care Centre, Navan Road, Dublin. Photo: Tom Burke It will take another five years before waiting times for a bed for the vast majority of patients on trolleys will come down to six hours or less, Fine Gael has conceded. The party's admission comes nearly a decade after it pledged to end the "scandal" of trolley waits. It delivered a more muted election manifesto pledge yesterday but many still question where even this is possible even in five years. There were 336 patients on trolleys yesterday morning across the country, of whom 191 were waiting for a bed for more than nine hours. Speaking at the launch of his party's 2bn health manifesto, Health Minister Leo Varadkar said currently: "Sixty-eight per cent of patients spend less than six hours in an emergency department." If returned to government, Fine Gael promises to improve this by 5pc annually, he said. The party's overall health manifesto is much more restrained than its pre-election promises of 2011, which promised an end to the two-tier health system and free GP care for all. However, while still "committed" to universal healthcare, Mr Varadkar and Taoiseach Enda Kenny admitted yesterday that over the next five years the health service would be funded by taxation, out-of-pocket expenses and private health insurance. Fine Gael plans to go ahead and dismantle the HSE and said that in order for this to be meaningful there would have to be "voluntary redundancies". Mr Varadkar said a lot of improvements in the health service could only be brought about by better management, both at the head of hospitals and at ward level. Instead of free GP care for all, Fine Gael will only extend it to under-12s first and then under-18s. Mr Kenny said the party would "take one big step every year" towards its version of universal healthcare. These will include restoring dental benefits for people covered by PRSI or a medical card. There will be new schemes available for people with ongoing diseases, such as diabetes, heart disease and respiratory disease, which would see much of their care delivered by a GP, rather than a hospital. Some 10,000 severely disabled children who are covered by the Domiciliary Care Allowance will get a full medical card. The monthly cap for the prescription charge for medical care holders will come down from the current 25 to 17.50 a month. The annual cap under the Drug Payment Scheme will fall from 1,728 to 950. Other proposals include: A revolutionary cancer treatment that remembers the disease and remains like a watchman to prevent it returning is being developed. Immune cells are being engineered so they not only boost the body's natural defences to fight tumours but stand guard for life, acting like a vaccine. The study, presented at the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) meeting in Washington DC, has proven for the first time that engineered "memory T-cells" can persist in the body for 14-plus years. Professor Chiara Bonini, a haematologist at San Raffaele Scientific Institute in Milan, said: "T-cells are a living drug, and in particular have the potential to persist in our body for our whole lives. Imagine when you are given a vaccine as a kid and you are protected against flu for all of your life. Why is that? Because when a T-cell encounters the antigen and gets activated, it kills the pathogen but also persists as a memory cell." In trials at a Milan hospital, 10 patients who had bone marrow transplants were given immune boosting therapy that included the memory T-cells. They were found to be there 14 years later. Challenges Immunotherapies, which harness the body's own immune system, look set to replace cell-damaging chemotherapies. But one of the biggest challenges is to make these changes last long enough that the cancer cannot come back. Professor Daniel Davis, from the University of Manchester, called the study an "important advance" in cancer treatment. "The implication is that infusing genetically modified versions of these particular T-cells, the stem memory T-cells, could provide a long-lasting immune response against a person's cancer," he said. In another presentation at the AAAS, experts from the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle showed their T-cell immunotherapy treatment for leukaemia had an "unprecedented" success rate of 94pc in patients who were given only months to live. Professor Stanley Riddell said the treatment had saved the lives of leukaemia patients for whom all other treatments had failed. The construction of a new National Maternity Hospital is in danger of being further delayed with no planning permission for the urgently needed facility submitted yet, the Irish Independent has learnt. The dire need to move the hospital from its 19th century building to a new, purpose-built maternity hospital facility on the grounds of St Vincent's Hospital was dramatically highlighted again yesterday after inspectors warned that sick babies are at high risk of infection in the outdated conditions. However, even though the original pledge in 2013 was that it would be ready by 2018, it is not now expected until 2020 at the earliest. Holles Street Master, Dr Rhona Mahony, admitted yesterday that the busiest maternity hospital in the country, with 9,000 births annually, is "not fit for purpose". She was responding to a damning report by inspectors who warned that vulnerable newborns in the intensive care unit are in danger of infection. Inspectors, who made an unannounced visit in October, found patient welfare was also at risk because of poor hygiene controls and overcrowding. The inspection sparked an immediate letter to Dr Mahony from the patient safety body, the Health Information and Quality Authority (Hiqa). It warned that overcrowding in the neonatal intensive care unit - caring for the sickest babies - caused risk of infection. The newly opened unit was designed to accommodate 36 babies but on the day of inspection, 46 babies were accommodated there. One cot was near a sink which could pose a risk of a water-borne infection. Cleaning The quality of cleaning in the delivery ward was insufficient on the day of inspection. Dust control measures were not up to standard and splashes of blood were present on patient beds, wall surfaces and patient equipment. This led to the danger of blood-borne viruses and other bugs being passed on. The care and storage of medications given intravenously was not in line with best practice. Anaesthetic drugs drawn up in syringes and infusions were not properly labelled and stored hygienically in the delivery ward. The design of beds did not allow for effective cleaning or inspection of mattresses. There were poor processes in place for bed cleaning. Inspectors found a patient bed was put in a lobby outside the mothers' delivery rooms in a storage area used for clean supplies. This was not proper patient care and did not allow for dignity, confidentiality or privacy. A single mop head was used to clean up body fluid spillages in different rooms. Surfaces, finishes and some furnishings in patient rooms including windows, wall paintwork, wall coverings, woodwork, wood finishes and bed heads were worn and poorly maintained. The inspectors acknowledged the hospital was built in the 19th Century and faces major infrastructural problems while also coping with a high number of births. In response, Dr Mahony told Hiqa that, because of the poor clinical surfaces and old and unsuitable infrastructure, it is unlikely that the hospital will achieve compliance with the high standards set by the patient safety body. She said the hospital has had no major bloodstream infection for over five years. There have also been no outbreaks of the winter vomiting bug during that time at the hospital. "The delivery ward has 10 delivery rooms falling far short of the optimum number of 24 delivery rooms required to cater for this volume of activity. "In 2015, there were 9,355 infants delivered in the hospital, approximately 25 to 30 deliveries per day and on occasion up to 40 babies in one 24-hour period." She said the Hiqa demand for deep cleaning would require access to each room for a number of hours and this was not possible because of the volume of activity. The planning of the hospital was stalled for several months last year after St Vincent's Healthcare, which owns St Vincent's campus, wanted a greater say in the running of the hospital. Discussions resumed in July. A spokesman for St Vincent's Hospital said last night that talks on the new hospital are ongoing and the Department of Health said the design process for the new hospital is almost complete. A planning application will be made to An Bord Pleanala but the spokesman did not say when. The NMH move from Holles Street to Vincent's is part of the 3bn capital plan. As a strategic infrastructure project, a planning application will be made to An Bord Pleanala. An indicative sum of 150m has been approved in the HSE's Capital Plan to allow this project to proceed. David Byrne was considered to be one of the nation's key drug importers and inflicted pain and hardship on countless families - but yesterday his friends remembered him as 'Happy Harry'. The 34-year-old father of two was a key player in the Kinahan criminal empire and was responsible for flooding our streets with narcotics. He had expensive tastes and lived lavishly, splashing much of his ill-gotten gains on expensive cars and motorbikes. Yesterday, his loved ones made sure that his luxurious taste lived on after him, spending an estimated 65,000 on his send-off. Those who knew him chose not to remember him as a gangland kingpin who was both feared and revered by his peers. They preferred to remember him instead as a "family man" and a "messer". Celebrant Fr Niall Coghlan, speaking about Byrne's brutal death, questioned whether the killers would have shot Byrne if they had seen a film of his life, which he said would have portrayed him as both a loving partner and a father. Nicknamed 'Happy Harry' by his mother, the Crumlin man was known for his trained pet rabbit Snowy and was often spotted out and about walking the animal on a leash. His brother Richard spoke fondly of his sibling's love for the pet, who he had taught to come when his name was called. Laughter broke out in the Francis Street church as his brother recalled an occasion that Byrne had lost a bet with him. The congregation laughed when he said that his brother had to go to the local garage dressed in his mother's fur coat and a leotard. Another brother and fellow criminal of the deceased, Liam Byrne, thanked everyone who had come along to pay their respects. He was in the Regency Hotel alongside his brother when gunmen stormed the building some 11 days ago and shot the gangster at point-blank range. The baffling case of a woman who vanished without trace just two days before the last general election five years ago could have been quickly solved, were it not for the "selfish actions" of unscrupulous Dail candidates, her anguished family claimed yesterday. Heartbroken Berna Fidan said she believes her missing sister Esra Uyrun - who was last seen leaving her family home in Clondalkin in Dublin on February 23, 2011 - might have been found, had posters she had erected of her younger sibling not been ripped down by election hopefuls in the vital hours following her disappearance. Expand Close Esra with her husband Ozgur and son Emin / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Esra with her husband Ozgur and son Emin Berna (49) said she is haunted to this day by the memory of spotting that several missing person notices she had erected around Bray in Co Wicklow - where Esra's car was discovered later on the morning of her disappearance - had been removed and replaced with images of aspiring Dail candidates. London-based Berna said she feels it's a "bitter irony" that another general election campaign will be entering its final days when she returns to Ireland on Saturday to mount another desperate search for her sister. "We're coming up to the fifth anniversary of Esra's disappearance now and unfortunately we don't have any new leads. "But I can't help but wonder if this might have been solved straight away had some of my posters not been ripped down on my first visit to Ireland, just after Esra had gone missing. "If the right person, or someone who knew something, had seen one of those posters that had been taken down, we could have got to the bottom of this straight away. "I was very angry at the time and remember thinking, 'How dare you do that and put a bloody election poster up. We're talking about a missing person here. Isn't that more important?' I guess I'll never know if it could have made a difference, but those first few hours after she had gone missing were vital. And had my posters been left where they were, maybe we could have found her." Abducted Berna says she believes her sister Esra (38), a married woman with one child, could have been abducted at some point between setting off from her home and the discovery of her vehicle - a grey Renault Twingo - in a seafront carpark in Bray later that morning. Agonisingly, efforts to enhance CCTV footage which captured the car driving towards a car park in the town on the day she disappeared have been unsuccessful. Esra and her husband Ozgur, who are both of Turkish descent, moved from England to Ireland when he secured a job in Dublin. Their son Emin was born here. Berna is convinced her sister would never leave behind her only son, Emin. Emin is now seven years old and he lives with his father in England. Berna said when Emin asks where his mother is, his father tells him: "Mummy went to the shop and got lost." Berna, a mother-of-two, said she refuses to give up hope, not least because of the worrying decline of her 72-year-old mother's health. "My mother's not in a good way and, to be honest, she's just holding on to hear news about Esra. She cries a lot and asks after her every day. I'm just desperate to get a breakthrough on this," she added. "This will be about my 20th visit to Ireland and it's going to be a tough trip. "I have to do this, because nobody else is helping me. And I just have to hold on to that glimmer of hope of a breakthrough," she said. She told the Herald she will come to Ireland with her friend Ilknur MacCormack and they will visit several locations to erect posters as well as visit Ronanstown Garda Station where the investigation into Esra's disappearance has been based. "I give a lot of posters to cabbies in the city to put in their taxis," she said. "My daughter Seniz is getting married next month in London. She would travel several times to visit Esra in Ireland and she was very close to her. She was thinking of not having a wedding because her auntie is still missing. The wedding will go ahead but it is going to be low-key and bitter-sweet because Esra is still missing," she said. Berna constantly rejects suggestions that Esra might have taken her own life. "There was never any sign that she would ever commit suicide. On the morning she disappeared, her husband mentioned he would be taking the car to work and she told him to mind their little son while she used the car to pop down to the shops to get a few items so she wouldn't have a need for the car later," said Berna. Resolve Her sister was not depressed and was not on medication, said her sister. "I would like a completely new investigation into her disappearance so that the police would could look at it with fresh eyes," she said Each passing year has taken its toll on Berna's resolve to keep Esra's case alive in people's minds. "We pray that someone new will come along who will tell us something new. It's been getting so hard coming back to Ireland each and every time. "But while we still don't know if she is dead or alive, when nothing has ever been found, at least we can have some hope. Although our hope is dwindling. It's what keeps us going," said Berna. Berna, who looked after her younger sister Esra growing up, has spoken with countless people in Bray in the hope someone might have seen Esra or something to help the search. Her sad quest will continue beyond next Monday, the fifth anniversary of the beginning of the mystery of Esra Uyrun. A devastated mum has appealed for the return of her stolen phone, which contains thousands of pictures of her tragic little girl who passed away. Stacey Mulcahy's daughter Sophie lost her battle against a rare genetic disorder after eight years, undergoing six heart operations in her short life. When the little girl was born with a hypoplastic heart condition, doctors gave her just weeks to live - but she was a fighter. Sophie was then diagnosed with the 1q43 genetic disorder, one of only 40 known cases worldwide, and sadly passed away in October 2014. Expand Expand Previous Next Close Little Sophie Mulcahy passed away aged eight years of age Credit: Facebook / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Little Sophie Mulcahy passed away aged eight years of age "I don't care about the phone...they can have it, they can kept it," the grieving mother told independent.ie. "But my whole life was on that phone. It held the last photos, priceless memories of our Sophie." Stacey's phone was stolen by a thief last Thursday evening who attended the nail bar she runs in Limerick city centre under the guise of booking an appointment. When the grieving mother's back was turned, the black Galaxy Note with "priceless memories" of little Sophie was taken, the thief "gone in seconds". "I haven't slept since this happened - I'm in an awful state. I am now begging people to share this story to try and get even the memory card back," said Stacey, who has two other children, Dion (15) and Kayla (8). Gardai have since apprehended the thief but the phone had already been sold on and the memory card has not yet been recovered. Expand Expand Previous Next Close Credit: Facebook Credit: Facebook / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Credit: Facebook Stacey has appealed to the purchaser of the stolen phone to return the phone and memory card anonymously to Henry Street garda station in Limerick or her business, the Porcelain Doll nail bar at Fox's Bow. Sophie's fight inspired her father Liam to set up the Cycle4Sick Children fundraiser and the Sophie's Journey foundation, supporting other families of children with fatal conditions. "Memories are all we have of our beautiful little angel Sophie," said heartbroken Liam. "They are beautiful in every way." Scene of the Regency Hotel shooting on Friday, February 5. (Inset: Regency Hotel shooting victim David Byrne (left) and retaliation shooting victim Eddie Hutch Snr) Gardai at the shattered front door of murder victim Eddie Hutch, in the North Strand area of Dublin, Picture Colin Keegan, Collins Dublin. Scene of the shooting dead of Eddie Hutch snr on Poplar Row Two of the four-man gang who are suspected of being involved in the revenge murder of Eddie Hutch have been formally notified by gardai of an imminent threat against their lives. Associates of Eddie Hutch are aware of these individuals identities and they are ready to strike back for last weeks murder. This feud is not going to die down, a senior source told the Herald last night. Gardai from Mountjoy and Finglas Garda stations called to the homes of the two criminals last weekend and formally notified them of the active threats against their lives. It is understood that gardai were acting on information that they had been identified and blamed for the Eddie Hutch murder by the same north inner city gang who were behind the shocking Regency Hotel gun attack. Expand Expand Expand Previous Next Close The funeral cortege makes its way to Harold's Cross. A piper at the funeral of David Byrne A boxing ring floral tribute / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp The funeral cortege makes its way to Harold's Cross. The two under-threat criminals are closely linked to the Christy Kinahan cartel. One of them is suspected of attempting to murder exiled crime boss John Gilligan twice in the space of less than three months, while the other is a chief suspect in the shocking 2006 Baiba Saulite murder case. Tensions The development is sure to increase gangland tensions in the capital after the funeral yesterday of gangster David Byrne (34). Read More Eddie Hutch (59) was shot dead when four masked gunmen entered into his house on Poplar Row in North Strand (right) shortly before 8pm on Monday night of last week. It is believed they screamed Thats for David as they pumped bullets into his head. Two male relatives from Cabra are also suspected by gardai of being involved in the savage murder of Eddie Hutch along with the two hitmen who have been warned of threats to their lives. The Cabra relatives are also extremely well known to gardai for involvement in organised crime and previously lost one of their closest associates to a gangland murder. None of the four criminals who are suspected of the Hutch murder have been arrested and none have left the country. Gardai have established a number of similarities between the Hutch murder and the slaying of Darren Kearns in Cabra in late December. Read More This has led officers to believe that the same gang was responsible for both murders. Kearns was shot dead in a car being driven by his wife after they left a Chinese restaurant at Blackhorse Avenue on December 30. In both cases, the BMW cars used by the gangsters were not stolen but were bought online. DNA While the BMW 5 Series car used in the Kearns murder was bought in October, over two months before he was shot dead, the car used in the Hutch murder was purchased in January, only weeks before the killing. Read More Unlike in the murder of Kearns, Hutchs killers failed to burn out the silver BMW 3 Series car they used as their initial escape vehicle which may have resulted in crucial DNA evidence being found in the car. When they dumped the BMW, they left the scene at St Patricks Parade, in a dark-coloured 4x4 vehicle, possibly a Land Cruiser. The Hutch killers are also suspects for the botched murder of David Daithi Douglas on November 8. Veteran crime boss Gerry 'The Monk' Hutch had no prior knowledge of the Regency Hotel gun attack when five heavily armed hitmen stormed the building and shot dead drug dealer David Byrne, it has emerged. Security intelligence sources believe tht former criminal was not involved in planning the terrorist-style assault, which was carried out in revenge for the murder of his nephew Gary Hutch in Spain. Read More And they revealed that Gerry Hutch is "furious" with those who carried out the audacious attack on members of the Kinahan crime cartel. He blames them for prompting the revenge murder of his older brother Eddie Senior (59) four days later, they said. Expand Close Gerry Hutch / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Gerry Hutch Meanwhile, two of the four-man gang who are suspected of being involved in the revenge murder of Mr Hutch have been formally notified by gardai of an imminent threat against their lives. It is understood gardai were acting on information that the men had been identified and blamed for the murder of Eddie Hutch. The two under-threat criminals are closely linked to the Kinahan cartel. One of them is suspected of attempting to murder exiled crimelord John Gilligan twice in the space of less than three months, while the other is a chief suspect in the shocking 2006 Baiba Saulite murder case. Read More Mr Hutch's funeral will be held on Friday in Dublin's north inner city. In a statement at the weekend, the Hutch family claimed they were being "terrorised" by the Kinahan crime gang, who they accused of making repeated attempts to kill Gerry. They said 200,000 was paid to the Kinahans after Gary had fallen out with the family, but that Gary was then shot dead and more demands for money were made. Intelligence sources said the murder of Eddie Hutch senior was a "game-changer" for the Monk and that "all bets are off". "There is strong information to suggest that Hutch did not even know about the Regency Hotel incident in advance and that he was furious with the younger crew who carried it out," a source told the Irish Independent. Reckless "Gardai who have known him for most of his career agree that he would have nothing to do with such a reckless and risky stunt because he is old and wise enough to know the implications it would have. "What happened at the Regency Hotel was a pantomime and a stupid escapade, as far at the Monk is concerned. "He is blaming the younger lads for escalating the situation by causing Eddie Snr's murder and he is heartbroken about that," the source added. Meanwhile the Irish Independent understands that most of the six-member hit team involved in the Regency attack - five gunmen and a getaway driver - have been identified from CCTV and other intelligence sources. While one of the men has been confirmed as a middle-aged republican killer from Northern Ireland, the rest of the gang are all believed to be close associates of Gary Hutch. The bodies of Sian Blake and her two children were found in the family home in Kent last week. Photo: PA '40,000 babies to be born in 'high risk' hospital' is the front page story from the Irish Independent this morning as the paper reports that the health watchdog found patient welfare was at 'high risk' in Holles Street because of poor hygiene controls and overcrowding. Meanwhile, coverage of the funeral of David Byrne - who was gunned down at the Regency Hotel earlier this month - is the lead piece from The Herald as it reports that two hitmen suspected of murdering Eddie Hutch in apparent retaliation have been warned of an imminent threat on their lives. Read More Many of the nationals lead with this funeral which was held at St Nicholas of Myra Church on Francis Street yesterday. 'End the bloodshed' was the call from Fr Niall Coghlan at the mass, writes the Irish Daily Mirror, as the priest begged for an end to the bloody fued consuming the capital. The Irish Sun commented on the coffin and 11 limousines used on the day with 'Bling out your dead' as David Byrne was laid to rest in a 20,000 coffin. Read More 'Mass murder' is the line from the Irish Daily Star which reports that Freddie Thompson has warned of even more bloodshed as a result of 34-year-old Byrne's death. While the Irish Examiner also covered this story on the front page, the paper also made last night's leaders debate prominent. 'Kenny finally ends speculation of doing deal with FF' writes the paper as the Taoiseach finally ruled out going into government with FF afetr the general election. Read More The Irish Times also cover both of these stories with 'No winner in TV debate but smaller parties fare the best' the top line for the leaders debat, thw second televised as part of the 2016 general election campaign. In world news, Eagles of Death Metal frontman Jesse Hughes has returned to Paris, saying he feels a "sacred" responsibility to finish the band's show that was interrupted by gunfire. Islamic extremists massacred 89 people at the band's November 13 performance at the Bataclan, which has been closed since the attacks across the French capital that left 130 dead and 350 others wounded. Read More One year after a commuter was racially abused by Chelsea supporters as he tried to board a Paris Metro train, he says he is ready to speak to the London club's fans if they talk to him. Souleymane Sylla, has accepted an invitation from Paris Saint-Germain to watch the Champions League tie between the two sides in the French capital. Read More The boyfriend of EastEnders actress Sian Blake is expected to make his first appearance before the Old Bailey charged with murdering her and their two children. Hairdresser Arthur Simpson-Kent, 48, is accused of killing Ms Blake and her sons Zachary, eight, and four-year-old Amon between December 12 and December 16 last year. A remote control BMW car is driven from the inside of the church. A floral tribute shows a bottle of Vodka and dilutable blackcurrant at the funeral of David Byrne. The throaty roar of three Harley Davidsons chugged to silence as they approached the St Nicholas of Myra Church. Driven by members of the infamous Chosen Few biker gang, they led the funeral cortege of murdered drug dealer David Byrne. The city was on lockdown as the procession snaked its way from Byrne's home in Crumlin to the quaint Francis Street Chapel in Dublin's Liberties. Hundreds of mourners stood sombre in silence as they waited for the platinum 18,000 coffin to be hoisted from one of the two black Mercedes hearses. But before the lone piper had a chance to strike a haunting note or the pallbearers could count in their daunting heave, a gaunt, zombie-like drug addict broke the silence. "Have you any spare change?" he muttered as he moved from person to person through the 400-strong crowd. Most people ignored him while others simply shook their heads, but one woman - dressed from head to toe in black - snapped and told him to "have some respect" before pulling him aside to continue her rant at a lower decibel level. Scores of gardai, some heavily armed, looked on during the minor dispute. They didn't intervene, but surely they must have wondered how a woman paying her respects to one of the nation's biggest drug barons could be so angry at a man who had been consumed by the same heroin with which her loved one had flooded the streets of Dublin. The addict disappeared into the crowd away from her grasp as the bagpipes began to blare 'Hard Times Come Again No More'. The drone of the Garda helicopter that had settled above offered an eerie rhythm to proceedings as some of Ireland's most notorious criminals emerged from 11 dazzling black limos to walk past balaclava-clad armed gardai from the elite ERU unit. The funeral will forever go down in history as being a 'who's who' of the Irish criminal underworld. The sons of Europe's most feared mob boss Christy Kinahan were among the chief mourners. They were joined by members of the Byrne crime family dynasty, including David's father, James 'Jaws' Byrne; his brother Liam Byrne; and cousins 'Fat' Freddie Thompson and Liam Roe, who all took a turn at carrying his remains. Byrne's childhood best friend Sean McGovern, who was shot in the Regency attack, also carried the coffin for a time. Chief celebrant Fr Niall Coghlan called on the gangsters within the congregation to end the bitter feud between the Kinahan cartel and the Hutch mob that has claimed the lives of David Byrne and Eddie Hutch Snr in recent weeks. The priest called for a "hero" to stick his head above the parapet in order to quell the deadly violence. "It strikes me that it doesn't take much courage to attack a defenceless person with weapons of destruction," said Fr Coghlan. "What courage is there to walk into a hotel and blast a man to death when he cannot defend himself or to walk into a man's home and do the same thing? It is not courageous. "What is courageous is someone willing to put their head above the parapet and call for an end to this despicable destruction of human life," he continued. "You might be a lonely voice in your own world, but for the people of Dublin's north and south inner city - who have suffered greatly at your hands, and not just by the recent violence - you will be a hero because you will bring peace again to our beautiful capital city and an end to the policy of violent death, revenge and tit-for-tat." As the priest spoke, youths patrolled the street corners outside, watching the crowd. Many had been present in Dublin Airport on Sunday for the Kinahan brothers' arrival. They had little to worry about yesterday during the 12.30pm ceremony. The enemy did not show. But tensions remain high. It has been 11 days since associates of the late Gary Hutch - shot dead in Spain last year - stormed the Regency Hotel in Drumcondra and murdered Byrne. In retaliation, his associates burst into the home of Eddie Hutch Snr - the taxi driver brother of rival Gerry 'The Monk' Hutch. Authorities fear more bloodshed, with the bitter war showing no signs of ending. Yesterday, floral wreaths, spelling out 'Cuz', 'Mate', and 'Uncle', adorned three horsedrawn carriages. Flowers shrouded a picture of car fanatic Byrne while a young man manoeuvred a remote-controlled BMW bearing the name of his motor business. Other floral tributes took the form of bottles of Smirnoff vodka and Mi Wadi blackcurrant. As the Mass ended shortly after 2pm, the casket was carried out to the echoes of 'You'll Never Walk Alone'. Mourners then proceeded, again accompanied by a significant Garda presence, to Mount Jerome Cemetery in Harold's Cross for the burial. Night nurse: Barry Stenson, a paramedic, and wife Bernie, a nurse, who both work 13-hour shifts, rely on Bernie's sister to look after their children Lily (5), Isabelle (3), Ryan (13) and Elise (1). Photo: Damien Eagers It's 4am and Fiona O'Keefe is trying to settle a tiny baby back to sleep. The house is silent, but if she listens very carefully, she might just be able to hear the gentle breathing of someone asleep not the baby in her arms, but the baby's mum and dad in their bedroom down the hall. Fiona is a night nanny, and founder of the Cork-based business Dream Team Nannies. Since 2013 she has been minding children through the night while their parents work night shifts, go out or simply enjoy a much-needed night's rest ahead of a busy day at work. Business is brisk and the mum of five can be working 10pm to 7am up to five days a week. She has six to eight other childcare workers, all nurses or midwives, on her database of minders and charges 110 a night (150 if it's triplets) with extra hours at a 10 hourly rate. Most clients block book her for several months. Many of her clients are doctors and nurses, but not all. "I'd one normal, working-class family with triplets who said they'd have lived on beans and toast to pay for the service and it still would have been worth it," laughs Fiona. "It's not a luxury item for a lot of people, it's nearly a necessity - particularly people in high-pressured jobs - they need sleep." Fiona's bulging appointments book is just one indication of the growing demand for all-night care. Just last week it was revealed that a growing number of nurseries in the UK are now offering extended hours and all-night options for childcare. Although no nurseries in Ireland appear to be offering this service yet, it's clear there's a pressing need for something to be done to address the difficulties faced by parents struggling to cope with juggling childcare and a job with unconventional hours. Nurse Bernie Stenson (40) works 13-hour shifts and commutes from Drogheda to Dublin every day, as does her partner, Barry, a paramedic. The mum of four isn't convinced by the idea of night nurseries, believing "a child needs some stability at night," but she thinks there's a huge need for more workplaces offering on-site creches with extended hours and greater flexibility from employers. "Saying a shift has to be 13 hours doesn't suit," she says simply. "More flexible hours are needed. After all, isn't it better to have someone working for a few hours rather than lose that worker because they can't do the full 13?" During the week, Bernie relies on her sister, who she pays to look after her children, three of whom are under five. She's grateful, especially because she knows that someone outside of family probably wouldn't be as understanding about her erratic work hours. "I'm supposed to get out at 8pm but if I'm in A&E I'm lucky to get out the door by 9pm," she explains. "My other half is the same, if he gets a call in the ambulance at 7.50pm he has to go." But she's worried about how long the arrangement will work, particularly as the children get older and will need to be dropped to school. She has to keep a close eye on rotas to make sure she and Barry are never both scheduled on nights, often leaving the couple feeling like ships passing in the night. At the moment Deirdre Kirby (31) from Ennis, is enjoying her maternity leave with her four-month-old daughter Emily and two-year-old Liam. But at the back of her mind is the worry about what's going to happen when she goes back to her job, at a residential care unit, where her shifts are 12 hours long, (including night) and the rota changes week to week. Her husband Michael, a factory worker, also works 12 hour shifts and nights. "We're going to be relying on my mother to mind the two children when our nights clash," says Deirdre. "But as a lady in her 70s, it's only a short-term solution. The only other option is to hope that at some stage one of us won't have to work nights, but I can't see that happening any time soon." She's taking two months unpaid maternity leave and just last week received permission from her employer to use her parental leave to shorten her shifts, working 9am to 5pm instead of 9am to 9pm. "I was finding it very hard to find a childminder who will work after 6pm and do a day-by-day rate rather than week to week," she explains. "It means I'll lose out on eight hours wages a week, but I think it will be worth it as at least it means I'm only missing out on one bedtime a week instead of three or four." Even so, "I feel sad I won't be able to tuck them into bed every night and I hope it won't affect them," she adds. People have suggested they get an au pair, but they've no extra room in their house. And the costs are prohibitive. Often anti-social hours mean spending extra money. As Ken Williams knows. The single parent, who lives in Blackrock, Dublin with his daughter Sarah, relies on childcare workers he's found on Mindme.ie, Ireland's largest childcare website. "Yes, there have definitely been times when I've thought 'why am I working?'" he laughs drily. "I work in sales and have to travel across the country, which sometimes means being away from home overnight. There have been times when I've come home to a bill of 150 or 200, and I might take a loss for that day, but I have to work." And he's grateful for the flexibility and high level of one-to-one care he's found on Mindme.ie compared to the nurseries and creches he used when Sarah was younger. "You're dealing with fewer personnel and it feels more accountable," he explains. The minders he uses are all Garda vetted, require references and he listens to Sarah's feedback. "But whether you're dropping them off at creche or leaving them with a minder you're ultimately handing your child over to someone you don't know," he says. "You're making a leap of faith." Beyond the financial implications, this is something that many parents worry about most - the impact that childcare will have on their children, particularly if it means being separated from them at night. One of the most important building blocks in child development revolves around secure attachment with a primary care giver, usually mum and/or dad. "To build that, you have to be available for the child," explains Anne O'Connor, a child psychologist with the parenting website Rollercoaster.ie. "Secure attachment gives children a safe base from which to explore the world. If you don't have that, then the world can seem like a very scary place." If a child doesn't feel it has a secure attachment with his or her caregiver it can have a knock on effect on their social and emotional development. The good news is that research shows good quality daycare doesn't interfere with attachment. "But I'm not aware of any research on night care," adds Anne. "I'm not saying parents shouldn't do it, but be aware that it could have effects, such as if a child already has problems sleeping then they may be more anxious going to sleep in a different place on different nights with other children and changing personnel." Attachment is developed in the early years and the more secure it is, the more robust it is. As a working mother, Anne empathises with the juggling act involved. "It's something that needs nurturing. But you have to prioritise the child," she says. "Being away a whole 48 hours very regularly just gives the message that that parent isn't available. It's a very emotive subject and these are difficult issues for parents." The issue of night nurseries in the headlines has generated a wave of heated discussion in the online parenting communities. Mum-of-four Siobhan O'Neill White, who runs the Mumstown parenting website, says there's been a strong negative response to the idea on her site, which echoes her own feelings on the subject. But she also believes it reflects a need for greater choice when it comes to the limited options for childcare available in Ireland. "Parents who work anti-social hours shouldn't feel their only option is to give up work and leave a job they need and love, because they've no access to childcare," she says. According to Sharon Tighe from the parenting website eumom.ie, childcare remains one of the biggest areas of concern debated online and there's an urgent need for "increased financial support from the government for childcare costs either through tax rebate or direct payments". Interestingly in Sweden, frequently ranked one of the best places to raise a family, night nurseries have been in operation for over 20 years and all childcare is heavily subsidised by the government. Perhaps what's needed all-round is greater governmental and societal support for parents to be able to make the childcare choice best suited to them, whether that means staying at home, or working all night. Night nanny Fiona thinks we could all do with being less judgemental about who requires help with their kids and when. "I could make my rates a lot higher and I've purposefully not done that because I want to be accessible," she explains. "I've been there with a baby who doesn't sleep and I know what it's like to need a night's rest. If a new mum is at the end of her tether and needs a night's sleep I don't want her feeling she can't afford it. "People come out with things like 'you should be looking after your own baby', and I've clients who would never want to let on they'd hired me," she adds. "But you shouldn't be afraid to ask for help, mums need all the support they can get." Women who intend to become pregnant are advised to take supplements, but many don't. Photo: Thinkstockphotos.com The mandatory addition of the vitamin folic acid to bread is now increasingly likely following the setting up of an expert group to examine how to reduce birth defects. Fortifying certain foods with folic acid helps pregnant women to increase their intake of the vitamin and reduce the chances of having a baby with a neural tube defect, such as spina bifida or anencephaly. But the addition to foodstuffs remains voluntary and, although all women who intend to become pregnant are advised to take supplements, many are failing to do so. Around 80 pregnant women in Ireland are told annually their baby will have a neural tube defect. If the unborn baby has anencephaly they will not survive and some parents are choosing a termination of the pregnancy in the UK. The Department of Health has now confirmed it has established an expert group,chaired by obstetrician Dr Michael Turner, and part of its brief is to look at food fortification with folic acid. It will also plan information campaigns on the need for folic acid before conception and pregnancy and look at the development of guidelines for at-risk groups. Women are currently advised to take folic acid supplements before conception and during pregnancy to prevent seven out of 10 cases of neural tube defects such as anencephaly and spina bifida. British Medical Journal called for fortification of bread across Europe. Premium John Downing Opinion Pension reforms are dicey territory but grand plan by minister Heather Humphreys just might win through Pension system changes all across the western world have a great propensity to infuriate those most feared by politicians: the grey brigade. And when the oldies take to the streets, they usually play for keeps. The 'Repeal the 8th' campaign has been gathering momentum and has put the issue of unplanned pregnancy back on the political agenda. Unplanned pregnancy is a massively emotional and complex subject. Few issues are as divisive or polarising and voices tend to get drowned out in the hue and cry. The debate has become much more personalised, with some really courageous and selfless women coming forward to tell their stories. The first group of brave women are those who have experienced the pain of having their unborn baby diagnosed with a fatal foetal abnormality. Many had to travel abroad, usually to the UK, to obtain a medical termination. These women, often with their partners, shared their deeply personal stories in the hope of sparing other women from a similar fate. The second group of women are those who have spoken publicly about their unplanned pregnancy and of their lonely journey abroad to have an abortion, often a journey they made alone and in secret. These women risked personal abuse by telling their stories. I commend their courage. But the conversation around unplanned pregnancy is missing the voices and the stories of another cohort of women - those who decide to proceed with the pregnancy and raise their child alone. Their undertaking is a huge one, on what can often be a very lonely road. I know because I travelled it too. Although my experience was back in the late 1980s, Ireland is still a very difficult country in which to parent alone. I am convinced there is an unconscious bias against single mothers in this country, which may explain why lone parents have been targeted so viciously in the austerity Budgets. In day-to-day conversation it is still possible to hear phrases that belong to another age. Only recently, a journalist on national radio referred to "girls who got themselves into trouble" without being challenged. No one seemed to notice. I stood beside a middle-aged male acquaintance recently as a pregnant girl in school uniform passed us on the street. Without missing a beat, he said: "More of our tax money to support that." The ultimate proof of the status of the single mother in Ireland has got to be the farcical situation regarding step-parent adoption. I am still angry that my country thought it was right to put me through this particular humiliation. If a single mother decides to marry someone who is not the biological father of her child and wants her husband to adopt her child, she will discover that it is not possible to facilitate this in what might be considered a normal fashion. Oh no, the child can only be adopted jointly by the married couple. So the formerly single mother has to endure the indignity of being assessed by the State as to her suitability to parent her own child. Once the process is complete the child will then be issued with a birth cert which names their mother as their 'adopted' mother. Secrets and lies. Have we learnt nothing from our ignoble history of how women who became pregnant outside of marriage were treated? It seems not. Oh yes, the fallen women syndrome is still alive and well in Ireland. Certainly things have improved but scratch the surface and it's still there. Are we still punishing women who decide to go it alone? Is that why lone parents seem to be targeted unfairly when it comes to cuts to social welfare? The removal of the lone parent allowance when the youngest child reaches seven was particularly savage and has pushed many families into dire poverty. In order for women to make informed choices about their pregnancies, we must make sure Ireland is a much more comfortable place for the family headed by a lone parent, and particularly by a single woman. We have managed it in relation to same-sex couples - it speaks volumes that we have yet to do it in relation to single mothers. We need to put an end to the indignity of mothers being forced to adopt their own child and the perpetuating of a legal lie in that regard. We need to ensure all parents - but especially lone parents - have access to affordable and quality childcare. And we urgently should insist that the lone-parent allowance to parents whose youngest child has reached seven is reviewed. In her famous Noble Call during the Marriage Equality Referendum, Panti Bliss talked about having to check herself. Well, maybe it's time we all checked ourselves in relation to our attitudes to single mothers. Once we have done that, we need to couple our call to 'Repeal the 8th' with a call to improve the situation for single-parent families in Ireland. In the meantime, lone parents of Ireland, I salute you. It ain't easy. I should know. It's almost three years since former Health Minister James Reilly announced that after a campaign lasting two decades, the National Maternity Hospital in Holles St would move to a new purpose-built building on the campus of St Vincent's Hospital a few miles away. But not a sod has been turned - in fact, the public would be surprised to hear that planning permission has not even been lodged. In the meantime, the hospital, which caters for the sickest babies and pregnant women with some of the most complex conditions, is housed in a cramped and antiquated building which is an infection risk. Inspectors from Hiqa, who made an unannounced visit in October, were sharply critical of the chronic overcrowding and staffing deficiencies which "appear to be tolerated and accepted as the day-to-day reality for the hospital". They were again told the new state-of-art facility was on the horizon. At that stage, planning permission for the new hospital was to be submitted at the end of 2015. But it was still unclear last night why this timeline has failed to materialise, given the urgency involved in having a new hospital. Last year, planning for the development was stalled. The St Vincent's Healthcare Group, which owns the land on which it will be built, wanted assurances it would be integrated into the campus and not just co-located. It already accommodates the private and public hospital on the site. Discussions have since resumed but the 2018 target date set by Dr Reilly will not be met. Hiqa's report of its inspection of Holles St is quite explicit in warning about the multiple risks identified by its inspectors, which it said must be effectively managed until the new hospital is ready. Around 40,000 babies will be born in Holles St in the meantime. Holles St, like other major maternity hospitals, has maintained its standards in the face of major cuts in funding over the years. It is still short of midwives and obstetricians. The cuts were imposed as the country faced a baby boom. The Hiqa report delivers a clear message to whatever new government is formed about the need to put patient safety first. It took the murder of a journalist, Veronica Guerin, for this State to stand up to the threat posed to our society by organised gangs. In the immediate aftermath of that murder, the political parties recognised that new powers were needed to face the threat of criminal gangs who were prepared to murder a young mother simply because she reported on their criminal activity. Those new powers resulted in the establishment of the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) and the introduction of the Proceeds of Crime legislation. That legislation enabled CAB to identify and seize assets of persons which derived, (or were suspected to derive), directly or indirectly, from criminal conduct. During the past two weeks, this State has again been forced to sit up and consider how to respond to a crime problem that is reminiscent of the past. Gangs that walk into hotels to execute people or drive through the city to carry out assassinations believe they can operate with impunity and without the interference of the State. The fact that they then brazenly threaten journalists who are simply performing their job reveals that these gangs do not regard the State as posing any serious threat to their criminal operations. It is now time to review and extend the powers available to the State under the Proceeds of Crime legislation. Although a review into that legislation commenced in 2011, no legislative proposal has been advanced by the current Government to give greater power to CAB in its fight against criminal gangs. At present, the State can freeze the assets of criminals but cannot seize those assets for seven years. This needs to be changed so that criminal assets can be handed over to the State no more than one year after they have been frozen. The legislation also needs to be extended so that receivers are given the power to deprive criminals of the use of their properties immediately. The law should also be amended so that criminals cannot move their assets to avoid them being seized under the Proceeds of Crime legislation. This could be achieved by introducing a new mechanism, whereby short-term seizure of assets can occur pending a court ruling. It is also now apparent that criminals are operating openly through many different jurisdictions, particularly Ireland and Spain. This requires a European response. We need greater harmonisation of EU laws, so that all countries will accept seizure orders based on non-criminal convictions, as is the case in Ireland. This would enable CAB to seize the assets of Irish criminals across Europe. Finally, the Mahon Tribunal recommended that there may be merit in having a single, conviction-based, asset-recovery regime, rather than three separate regimes for drug-trafficking, terrorist financing and other indictable offences, as is currently the case. This recommendation also should be implemented. Fighting organised criminal gangs is difficult. Prosecutions are difficult to initiate because there are very few witnesses who are prepared to expose themselves to the threats associated with giving evidence against dangerous men who would have no hesitation in killing a witness in order to avoid a conviction and prison sentence. That is a difficult obstacle to overcome. Consequently, it is important that new approaches are considered. The primary motivating factor of criminal gangs is the accumulation of wealth from criminal activity. It is unrealistic to think that if drugs were fully legalised, criminal gangs would no longer operate. They would, as their smuggling of cigarettes, which are legal, proves. A more coherent approach would be for the State to start targeting their accumulation of wealth. The Proceeds of Crime legislation was the most effective piece of legislation introduced in recent times in the fight against organised crime. Criminals have moved ahead of it, however. It no longer poses the threat to them that it posed in the past. CAB requires new powers and increased resources. Many people in Ireland may believe that no further measures are required to combat this threat. They may suggest that although there have been a couple of horrific murders, in fact there is no great crime problem in this country and it is exaggerated by sections of the media, who use it to sell papers. That is an inaccurate assessment and an unfair criticism. Gangs that make their fortune from drugs do so on the back of young and vulnerable men and women, mainly from disadvantaged areas of the inner cities. Thirty years ago, parts of inner-city Dublin were devastated by drugs. Many young men and women became addicted and died from heroin. That was a vicious attack on those communities, but through a combination of effort by the local communities, gardai and politicians, that problem was greatly reduced. Today, we need to ensure that another young generation is not exposed to the same level of danger from drugs. That can be achieved, in part, by education about the consequence of drugs, investment in areas of disadvantage and enabling young men and women to have greater self-esteem. We cannot, however, get away from the fact that part of the solution must also include a strong and forceful response to the gangs that make their money on the backs of the misery of young people addicted to drugs. They need to be targeted relentlessly, so that they can never rest to enjoy the proceeds of their criminal activity. This can be achieved by giving greater legislative powers to CAB and then ensuring that those powers are used aggressively against all members of crime gangs. Jim O'Callaghan is a Senior Counsel and the Fianna Fail candidate in Dublin Bay South Donald Trump threw some Mike Tyson-calibre haymakers in the Republican debate in South Carolina and may have wound up finishing off the Bush dynasty. A gaffe in American politics is when a candidate tells the truth and everyone acts mortified. Trump certainly did that, laying the fault of the Iraq war squarely where it belonged, on George W Bush, and saying, contrary to Republican gospel, that W did not keep America safe, as 9/11 happened on his watch. His unvarnished truths gave all the other candidates and the Republican establishment a real dose of the backdoor trots, as South Carolinians sometimes call diarrhoea. They were outraged, outraged, that anyone could tell such a truth on national TV, despite the fact that it was true. The orthodoxy is to blame everything on either Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama - somehow, some way - but clearly the GOP were in power when bad things happened in Iraq and at the World Trade Centre. Mr Trump was clearly intent on savaging Jeb Bush, who is not even his most dangerous rival, but is the guy who spent $20m (18m) on negative ads against him on New Hampshire television. Unpopular The ads did not work but Mr Trump will never forget the attempt to finish him. There is also something about the patrician image and holier than thou attitude of the Bushes that incenses Mr Trump. He knows they fight just as dirty as anyone else while hiding behind noblesse oblige. There are moments, and the debate was one, where you can understand Mr Trump's appeal. Every piece of conventional political wisdom states it is suicide to attack the Bushes in South Carolina, where the family name is still very popular. Mr Trump just dove right in. The nattering nabobs on cable TV were appalled but Mr Trump has bedevilled them from the start of this campaign and may have done so yet again. They tut-tutted and stated that Mr Trump had lost it, but they have called him wrongly throughout. Besides he brings nice and juicy ratings every time he opens his mouth. As conservative talk show host Laura Ingraham put it: the media seems to have no idea just how unpopular the Bushes actually are these days, which is why Jeb has spent $50m (45m) and trails in fourth place out of sixth. South Carolina is a dirty town when it comes to sliming fellow candidates. The Bushes have a long and sad history of using the black arts there. When John McCain ran in 2000, the George W Bush campaign allegedly put it about that he had fathered a black child, but it turned out to be a little Asian girl Mr McCain and his wife had adopted. George W then appeared at the notorious Bob Jones University, which at one time had believed in segregation and banned blacks (as well as giving Ian Paisley an honorary doctorate); Mr McCain refused to. You can guess who won. Then there was the much- revered Poppy Bush, some of whose supporters in 1988 spread the Willie Horton story about his Democratic rival, Mike Dukakis, showering the air waves with images of the black ex-convict who killed while on parole, and saying Mr Dukakis allowed it. It finished off Mr Dukakis too. So Mr Trump stated the obvious and was castigated for it. One can take great issue with Mr Trump on many issues, but exposing the dark side of the Bush legacy is not one of them. Besides, it does not appear to have hurt him. The CBS poll released on Valentine's Day showed Mr Trump at 42pc, 20 points ahead of his nearest challenger, while he was 36 points ahead of Jeb Bush, on just 6pc. It seems like he is going to skate home in this one, too. There was also good news for Hillary Clinton, with a 20-point lead, 60 to 40, in South Carolina in that CBS poll, and it looks like her southern firewall, where states with vastly larger numbers of blacks and Hispanics take part, is holding. Bernie Sanders leads among whites and young people, the groups that gave him victory in 95pc white New Hampshire, but this is a very different electorate and the prophets of doom for Hillary may be eating their words. The Democrats will vote in South Carolina on February 27, a week after the Republicans do so, and in between for them, on February 20, come the Nevada caucuses. The Nevada caucuses are notoriously hard to predict as voters can enrol on the actual day to vote, which leaves it very difficult to calculate turnout. Ms Clinton should have the advantage with the Harry Reid machine behind her. He is the minority leader in the US Senate, who has run Nevada Democratic politics for decades. There is also a large Hispanic and African American element but Mr Sanders may get massive union support, which could lead to a close race. After South Carolina and Nevada comes Super Tuesday, March 1, when Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Georgia, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Vermont, Virginia, Oklahoma, Texas, Tennessee and Colorado all vote. By March 2, we should have a very clear, if not total, understanding of where the two races are heading. It seems likely to come down to two possibilities: Ted Cruz versus Ms Clinton or Mr Trump versus Ms Clinton. Marco Rubio and Mr Sanders are still in there with an outside chance of making the big game but it seems unlikely, especially as Mr Sanders is almost unknown in the south and Mr Rubio had that Death-Star moment when New Jersey Governor Chris Christie eviscerated him in a debate. So the race is finally ready to take a decisive turn but let's not rule out another shocking surprise before it settles down to just two. After all, it has been that kind of year. The Taoiseach's recent reference to the inaccessibility, for most of us, of what he called, "economic jargon", sounded somewhat patronising. Of course, economics has its own distinctive concepts and language; however, the problem with economics is not its jargon but its pretensions to being an exact science operating in a morally neutral setting. Economic reasoning has profound implications for the arrangements that touch on the fair distribution of wealth and on equality of access to the means of creating wealth. Mr Kenny echoes the economists' persistent emphasis on productivity and growth without a serious concern for determining the beneficiaries. The institutions and structures that underpin economic activity cannot be readily assumed to be the most effective, productive, efficient and equitable means of creating and distributing wealth. More critical is the failure of economic thinking to face up to the fact that there is an essential difference between the laws of the physical sciences and the precarious regularities in social phenomena, placing economic predictions on a very insecure footing. Granted, there are some fairly predictable regularities in the relationship between, for instance, prices and consumption: when petrol prices fall there is an increase in the use of motor transport. Furthermore, there is a common assumption that economic theory is morally neutral; questions of fairness or considerations about what constitutes a life befitting us as humans are left to others. For the economist, equity tends to be subordinate to efficiency. There seems to be a persistent evasion of any conception of the human good; the notion of human well-being is assumed to be peripheral to the economist's concerns. An unfettered free-market economy, like ours, by its very nature generates a range of inequalities relating to wealth, income, opportunity, power, influence and well-being that are steadily poisoning our way of life. Though these cannot be eliminated, there arises a moral demand that, at least, they be minimised. Philip O'Neill Oxford, England Slaughter in Syria Yesterday, I watched TV news footage of the conflict, or should I say the slaughter, in Syria. Bashar al-Assad's forces, backed up by Russian jets, are systematically carrying out genocide of the people of Aleppo. Surely it's time for action to at least try to stop this? Russian President Vladimir Putin cannot be allowed to carry on with his reign of terror, he must be faced down and if it means the world will once again be plunged into danger, not unlike the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis, then so be it. US Secretary of State John Kerry's efforts at diplomacy are at best ineffective and at worst a waste of time. The victims of this conflict are once again innocent men, women and many, many children. Ground your bombers, Mr Putin, for God's sake, have you no conscience? Mike Burke Sixmilebridge, Co Clare Media's election coverage The election debate so far seems to be about little more than personality and which vested interest gets what. We can blame the politicians, but the media coverage also has a lot to do with it. During the boom, the narrative was that we were awash with cash, everything was getting better and better and there was no downside to the spending spree. The fact that the spending spree involved a tripling of bank lending and a tripling of government spending was pretty well ignored and was virtually unchallenged. During the consequent bust, and right up to the present election campaign, the anti-austerity narrative has taken over. That basically amounts to every vested interest being given the unchallenged freedom to demand more and more of taxpayers' money. This election is taking place after the biggest calamity to hit this country since independence. You would never know that looking at much of the media coverage of the election debate so far. A Leavy Sutton, Dublin 13 Know the facts on voting The General Election is under two weeks away and there will be wall-to-wall coverage on the state of the parties, the likely winners and losers and the implications of the results for party leaders. What won't be discussed, however, is the electoral system itself, because apparently the body politic assumes voters know how to vote, despite nobody telling them. Ireland is almost unique in having PR-STV, which is only used in Malta and parts of Australia. Yet despite that, when was the last time you saw an information flyer or received a booklet in the letterbox explaining the voting system? So before you cast your vote, do you know the answers to the following questions? 1. What is PR-STV? 2. What does 1, 2, 3 mean? 3. Is it possible to tactically vote in PR-STV? 4. Why are candidates disappointed when voters say they will "give them a vote"? 5. Why do candidates fear journalists saying their seats are safe? 6. Is it okay to give a protest candidate your number one and your preferred candidate number two? 7. Do you know how to calculate the quota or, for that matter, what is a quota? 8. Why are there multiple counts, and how are votes transferred? 9. What is the purpose of the tally? 10. Why are some candidates elected without exceeding the quota? Jason Fitzharris Swords, Co Dublin Production in crisis I am relieved to see the Irish Independent is allowing someone to question the whole concept of the Irish 'recovery' in an economic world that is becoming increasingly unstable ('Don't ignore the crisis looming far beyond the campaign trail', Letters, February 15). This is turning out to be one of the most ill-informed elections ever held, dominated by the concept of 'recovery'. Thousands of steel workers protested in Brussels yesterday. The 21st century world is in serious trouble because there is vastly more product available than the human race can consume. Here, our parties outdo themselves with promises of 200,000 or 250,000 jobs by 2020; we will be very lucky to avoid job losses as automation and robotics undercut the work force. Padraic Neary Tubbercurry, Co Sligo Leonardo DiCaprio with the Best Actor BAFTA (The Revenant) in the press room at the EE British Academy Film Awards at the Royal Opera House, Bow Street, London Actress Lily Donaldson arrives at the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) Awards at the Royal Opera House in London, February 14, 2016. REUTERS/Toby Melville Actor Leonardo DiCaprio holds his award for best leading actor at the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) Awards at the Royal Opera House in London, February 14, 2016. REUTERS/Toby Melville Hollywood's hottest actor is seemingly pretty taken with our biggest presenting export - but he'll have to wait in line. Leonardo DiCaprio celebrated his Best Actor BAFTA win on Sunday with Irish tv presenter Laura Whitmore, who is dating musician Rory Williams, and her friends in London. Having officially swept the boards during awards season for his performance in The Revenant, the notorious modeliser is one step closer to finally achieving Oscar glory. And while it might have been a night celebrating professional achievement, he had no problem letting his hair down after his most recent win. Leo reportedly partied the night away with the Bray native and pals in his hotel suite, including supermodel Lily Donaldson, in celebrations that went on until 5am. Expand Close Leonardo DiCaprio with the Best Actor BAFTA (The Revenant) in the press room at the EE British Academy Film Awards at the Royal Opera House, Bow Street, London / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Leonardo DiCaprio with the Best Actor BAFTA (The Revenant) in the press room at the EE British Academy Film Awards at the Royal Opera House, Bow Street, London GALLERY: "Leonardo was completely taken by Laura. She was playing it cool but he made a beeline for her," an insider told The Sun. "[They were] getting on like a house on fire. Leo made it clear he wanted her to come back upstairs to his suite at the hotel to continue the party afterwards." Laura was an official red carpet host for the event, with her coverage streaming on You Tube, fresh from a trip to New York for Fashion Week. She went public in her romance with Sunset Sons frontman Rory last July, but has always avoided speaking publicly about her romantic life. Whitmore previously said: "I don't like talking about things, as you know, with personal stuff, because it is no one else's business. That's what my friends are for." Expand Close Laura Whitmore poses on arrival for the BAFTA British Academy Film Awards at the Royal Opera House in London / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Laura Whitmore poses on arrival for the BAFTA British Academy Film Awards at the Royal Opera House in London Anja Ringgren Loven gives water to Hope, 2, after finding the emaciated boy wandering the streets Anja Ringgren Loven/Facebook Harrowing pictures show how a starving two-year-old Nigerian boy was rescued after being discovered naked and wandering the streets because his family thought he was a witch. The boy, who has been named Hope, was found emaciated and riddled with worms after being forced to live off scraps of food thrown to him by passersby for eight months. He was rescued by Anja Ringgren Loven, a Danish woman living in Africa who bent down and began feeding the boy and giving him water. She then wrapped the boy in a blanket and took him to the nearest hospital. Ms Loven is the founder of African Children's Aid Education and Development Foundation, which she created to help children which have been labelled as witches and therefore neglected and even killed by members of their community. She runs a children's centre where the children she saves receive medical care, food and schooling. "Thousands of children are being accused of being witches and we've both seen torture of children, dead children and frightened children," she wrote in Danish on Facebook, making an appeal for donations to help pay the young boy's medical fees. Hope was given medication to remove the worms from his belly and daily blood transfusions to give him more red blood cells, Ms Loven wrote. "Hope's condition is stable now. He's taking food for himself and he responds to the medicine he gets." She said the "strong little boy" even plays with her own son. Two days after asking for help with Hope's medical fees, she received $1 million in donations from around the world. "With all the money, we can, besides giving Hope the very best treatment, now also build a doctor clinic on the new land and save many more children out of torture!" she wrote. Eliot Spitzer, the disgraced former governor of New York who was forced to resign in 2008 after a prostitution scandal, has been accused of choking a woman in the suite of a hotel. Police were called to The Plaza, one of New York's most famous hotels, on Saturday night after Svetlana Travis (25) accused him of attacking her. She said she told Mr Spitzer (56) she was going back to Russia, a source told the 'New York Post'. "He got upset and started throwing her around, choked her, threw her to the ground and threatened her," the source told the paper. "She then broke a glass, cut herself and called 911." Ms Travis was taken to a Manhattan hospital, where she told employees that Mr Spitzer had attacked her, sources said. Mr Spitzer arrived at the hospital to visit her on Sunday. New York Police Department has opened an investigation. Lisa Linden, Mr Spitzer's spokeswoman, said: "There is no truth to the allegation." It is believed Miss Travis had known Mr Spitzer for about two years. She has refused to press charges and is thought to have fled to Russia. Mr Spitzer (pictured) was elected governor of New York state in 2007. But less than a year later, he was forced to resign after it was revealed he had been using prostitutes. Investigators believe Mr Spitzer paid up to $80,000 (55,000) for prostitutes over a period of several years while he was attorney general and later as governor. One of the women, Ashley Dupre, became something of a minor celebrity and posed for 'Playboy'. Mr Spitzer was never charged. His wife Silda Wall initially stood by him, but the couple, who have three daughters, divorced in 2013. Mr Spitzer made an unsuccessful attempt to return to politics and is now a financial technology investor. ( Daily Telegraph, London) Telegraph Media Group Limited [2022] Surrounded by soldiers, a government health agent uses larvicide to kill Aedes aegypti mosquitos that spreads the Zika virus in the Tijuca neighborhood of Rio de Janeiro. Photo: AP Health officials in Brazil have dismissed claims that a larvicide could be responsible for a rise in cases of microcephaly, and not Zika virus. A report by Argentinian doctors suggested pyriproxyfen, which is used to control the Aedes aegypti mosquito, could be associated with the deformity, which impairs foetal brain development. The organisation, Physicians in the Crop-Sprayed Towns, said the substance had been introduced into drinking water supplies since 2014 in affected areas of Brazil. "In the area where most sick persons live, a chemical larvicide producing malformations in mosquitoes has been applied for 18 months, and then this poison (pyroproxifen) is applied by the state on drinking water used by the affected population," the report said. Fears In response, the local government in Rio Grande do Sul, a state in the south of Brazil, suspended the use of pyriproxyfen. However, the federal government was quick to dismiss the fears in a statement. It said there had been no scientific study that linked pyriproxyfen to microcephaly, which has been confirmed in 462 babies, with 41 cases linked to the mosquito-borne Zika virus. "Unlike the relationship between the Zika virus and microcephaly, which has had its confirmation shown in tests that indicated the presence of the virus in samples of blood, tissue and amniotic fluid, the association between the use of pyriproxyfen and microcephaly has no scientific basis," the statement said. "It's important to state that some localities that do not use pyriproxyfen also had reported cases of microcephaly." The government said it only used larvicides recommended by the World Health Organisation. Hawaii declared a state of emergency over Zika yesterday, becoming the first US state to take such action. Battle David Ige, governor of the islands, said that the proclamation was "a preventative measure" as there have been no cases of the virus being transmitted in the state so far. Four people in Hawaii have caught the virus while abroad, the Centre for Disease Control said. There have, however, been some cases of dengue fever on the island of Hawaii. The statement from the governor's office said such cases "continue to be fewer" and further between, but the battle to break the cycle of transmission continues. "There have been no locally acquired Zika cases in the US or Hawaii, and we'd like to keep it that way," said Mr Ige. "This is about getting in front of the situation across the state." Around 50 people in the US are known to have contracted the virus in 17 states. All of them had travelled to Latin America. Scientists around the world are currently racing to develop a vaccine for Zika virus, with clinical trials expected within a year to 18 months. ( Daily Telegraph, London) Telegraph Media Group Limited [2022] British charity Care4Calais has released pictures claiming police and armed civilian militias have launched a series of attacks against migrants in Calais recently. Photo: Clare Moseley/PA Balkan governments have threatened to close their borders to migrants as EU countries announced their intention to tighten controls to defend the Schengen zone. The move could fuel political and humanitarian tension in Greece and Turkey. Slovenia, a key Balkan member of the Schengen area, warned it will tighten immigration rules after Austria said last week it would shut out refugees once a "maximum number" has been reached. Serbia may follow suit, according to Deputy Prime Minister Ivica Dacic. Croatia, situated between Slovenia and Serbia, has been notified of Slovenia's decision and is deliberating over its next move. "The whole idea is to be more consistent, more precise when we look into documents and verify claims," Bostjan Sefic, secretary at Slovenia's Interior Ministry, said last night. "In this way, we are detecting which persons are not eligible for international protection." The migrant crisis is threatening to end the free-movement principle that underpins the 28-nation trading bloc and hobble economic growth. With EU countries expecting as many as 1 million migrants this year - matching last year's numbers - leaders will address the crisis at a summit in Brussels on Thursday. The EU has, at most, six weeks to stem the flow of migrants arriving on its shores via Turkey before it will be forced to abandon Schengen and impose border controls that the bloc began dismantling in 1985, Tomas Prouza, Czech Secretary of State for EU Affairs, said. If a deal with Turkey to stop migrants fails to produce results, Germany will close its frontiers to passport-free travel as early as March, triggering a "domino effect" of border controls coming down through Austria and across the Balkans to Greece's northern border, Mr Prouza said. Meanwhile, Norwegian police say a vigilante group calling itself the Soldiers of Odin has made a first appearance in the Scandinavian country amid an influx of migrants. Vestfold Police spokesman Torgny Alstad says about a dozen men dressed in black jackets, adorned with a Viking helmet and the group's name, patrolled the streets of Tonsberg near Norway's capital on Saturday night. He said that officers watched the group but that no incidents were reported. The Soldiers of Odin, who derive their name from a Norse god, was founded last year in Finland where it regularly conducts street patrols. The group says it's protecting residents from a perceived threat posed by migrants. The group claims about 600 members in Finland, with groups in Britain, the US, Estonia, Germany and Sweden. Hungary's right-wing Prime Minister Viktor Orban, meanwhile, has called for a razor-wire wall to be put in place on Macedonia's and Bulgaria's borders with Greece - smack along the main immigration route from the Middle East to Western Europe. He says it's necessary because "Greece can't defend Europe from the south" against the large numbers of refugees. The plan is especially controversial because it effectively means eliminating Greece from the Schengen zone Soldiers carry ammunition as Turkish artillery fire from the border near Kilis toward northern Syria, in Kilis. Photo: AP Turkey has no plans to send troops into Syria, the country's defence minister has said, as he denied reports that some Turkish soldiers had already entered Syria at the weekend, the state-run Anadolu Agency reported yesterday. Syria's government had said Turkish forces were believed to be among 100 gunmen who entered Syria on Saturday with 12 pick-up trucks mounted with heavy machine guns, in an operation to supply insurgents fighting Damascus. "It is not true ... There is no thought of Turkish soldiers entering Syria," Mr Yilmaz told a Turkish parliamentary commission when asked about the allegation by the Syrian foreign ministry, made in a letter to the UN Security Council. Turkey's army shelled Kurdish YPG militia targets in northern Syria over the weekend, after the group seized an air base north of Aleppo, further complicating the conflict on Nato-member Turkey's southern border. Ankara regards the YPG as a terrorist organisation and an extension of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), which has fought a 31-year-old insurgency for autonomy in south-east Turkey. Washington, which does not see the YPG as terrorists, backs the group in the fight against Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (Isil) in Syria. Ahmet Davutoglu, the Turkish prime minister, has demanded that the YPG withdraw from areas it has captured from Syrian rebels. Meanwhile, US President Barack Obama has urged Russia to stop bombing "moderate" rebels in Syria in support of its ally Bashar al-Assad, the Syrian president, a campaign seen in the West as a major obstacle to efforts to end the war. Mr Yilmaz also denied reports that Saudi Arabian aircraft had arrived at Turkey's Incirlik air base for the fight against Isil militants, but said a decision had been reached for Saudi to send four F-16 jets. A Turkish soldier was killed on Sunday evening after Turkey's security forces clashed with a group at the Syrian border that was trying to enter Turkey illegally, the armed forces said. The Turkish military, which regularly detains people crossing back and forth across the Syrian border, said the clash occurred in the Yayladagi area of Hatay province. The last peace negotiations collapsed in April 2014 and the period since has been fraught with conflict (AP) France has presented Israel and the Palestinians with a proposal for an international peace conference, both sides have confirmed. The proposal, however, has received a cool response from Israel, casting doubt on the first push for peace in nearly two years. France has for months been preparing to hold a conference that would bring together the two parties and their American, European and Arab partners in order to revive the peace process. While the Palestinians welcomed the proposal, the conference does not seem to be generating much enthusiasm from Israel or the international community, which is struggling to cope with far deadlier Middle East conflicts in Syria and Iraq. Palestinian official Ahmad Majdalani said France presented general ideas but no specifics about its plan, but he said the Palestinians support the initiative. Israeli foreign ministry spokesman Emmanuel Nahshon said France's ambassador to Israel met a ministry official on Tuesday but declined to provide details or discuss whether Israel would participate. In a statement, Mr Nahshon reiterated Israel's support for "direct negotiations with the Palestinians", adding that Israel "opposes attempts to predetermine the outcome of negotiations". Washington, which has traditionally acted as a peace broker in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, has not taken a public position on the French plan and appears to be waiting to hear more details. The last peace negotiations, mediated by US Secretary of State John Kerry, collapsed in April 2014 and the period since has been fraught with conflict. A war between Gaza militants and Israel later that year killed more than 2,200 Palestinians and 73 Israelis, and there is no end in sight to the current round of deadly violence that erupted last autumn. France has warned that if its peace efforts fail, it will recognise a Palestinian state. Israel says that would provide an incentive for the Palestinians to refuse to compromise and officials insist a Palestinian state can only come about through direct negotiations. People stand around the rubble of a hospital supported by Doctors Without Borders (MSF) near Maaret al-Numan, in Syria's northern province of Idlib. Photo: Getty Images The charity Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) has accused Russia of deliberately striking a hospital it runs in Syria, killing at least nine people including a baby. MSF said two series of strikes yesterday hit the hospital in the rebel-held north-western province of Idlib, not far from the Turkish border. It was hit four times within a few minutes. Eight members of staff were missing, it said. Separately, the monitoring group Syrian Observatory of Human Rights said nine people had been killed, including the baby. "This appears to be a deliberate attack on a health structure, and we condemn this attack in the strongest possible terms," Massimiliano Rebaudengo, MSF's head of mission, said. "The destruction of the hospital leaves the local population of around 40,000 people without access to medical services in an active zone of conflict." The strike was part of the intensified Russian air raids across northern Syria as it supports regime advances in and around the city of Aleppo. The area of Idlib where the strike happened, Maarat al-Numan, is close to what is now the only route into the city for the rebels, after their supply line to the north was cut by a pro-regime advance by Iranian-supplied Shia militias. North of Alep po, at least 14 civilians were killed when missiles hit a children's hospital, a school and other locations in the rebel-held town of Azaz, according to other reports. At least five missiles hit the hospital in the town centre and a nearby school, where refugees fleeing a major Syrian army offensive were sheltering. A resident said another refugee shelter south of the town was also hit by bombs dropped by jets believed to be Russian. Tens of thousands of people have fled to the town, the last rebel stronghold before the border with Turkey, from towns and villages where there is heavy fighting between the Syrian army and militias. "We have been moving scores of screaming children from the hospital," said Dr Juma Rahal. At least two children were killed and ambulances ferried scores of injured people to Turkey for treatment, he said. The town of Azaz controls the nearby Bab al-Salama border crossing with Turkey, and represents a sliver of rebel-held territory on the border between Kurdish forces to the West and Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (Isil) to the east. The border crossing has been a major supply line for both non-Isil rebels heading to Aleppo and jihadists. Turkey also sees it as a vital lifeline, and Ahmet Davutoglu, the Turkish prime minister, said troops would do whatever was necessary to stop Azaz falling into Kurdish hands. Turkey's main goal in the war now is to prevent a semi-autonomous Kurdish state allied to the guerrilla group the PKK, which has been fighting in an insurgency for three decades in Turkey's south-east, from forming along the whole northern Syrian border. The Kurdish YPG militia, which is allied to the PKK and controls the area around the town of Afrin to the west of Azaz, has used the recent chaos to press forward. It has been supported by the Russian air force, as its forces in the east were supported by the United States air force as it fought back against Isil. This means that the non-Isil rebels are now fighting Isil, the regime and its Iranian militias, the Kurds and the Russian air force simultaneously. Speaking to reporters, Mr Davutoglu confirmed that the Turkish military had shelled YPG forces near Azaz over the weekend. "YPG elements were forced away from around Azaz," he said. "If they approach again they will see the harshest reaction. We will not allow Azaz to fall." Later in the day, the Turkish prime minister accused Russia of behaving like a "terrorist organisation". "If Russia continues behaving like a terrorist organisation and forcing civilians to flee, we will deliver an extremely decisive response," Mr Davutoglu said through an official translator during a visit to Kiev. "Unfortunately, barbaric attacks on civilians are continuing in Syria and these attacks are being waged by both Russia and terrorist groups," he said. "Russia and other terrorist organisations - first and foremost, the Islamist State in Syria - are responsible for numerous crimes against humanity," he added ( Daily Telegraph, London) Telegraph Media Group Limited [2022] A Turkish man helps a Syrian woman carrying a wounded girl to a hospital in Kilis after a hospital in Syria was bombed (AP) Russia has rebuffed claims that its warplanes struck a hospital in northern Syria in airstrikes on Monday that killed at least nine people. President Vladimir Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the hospital report was another case in which those who make such accusations against Russia are unable to back up their claims. The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights had said Russian warplanes targeted the hospital in Idlib province, destroying it and killing nine people. France said that such attacks "could constitute war crimes". Mr Peskov referred the parties making the accusations to the "primary source" and said they should rely on official announcements from the Syrian government. He said: "For us, in this situation, the primary source is the official announcement from the Syrian government." When pressed, he told journalists the Syrian government had made a string of announcements on who could have been behind the bombing. He also noted that Syria's ambassador to Russia said the hospital was destroyed by the Americans. The airstrikes came just days after Russia and other world powers agreed to bring about a pause in fighting that would allow for the delivery of humanitarian aid and the revival of Syrian peace talks. The projected truce agreed on Friday in Munich was to begin in a week but there has been no sign it would happen. Meanwhile, Syrian government troops and a predominantly Kurdish coalition of fighters advanced and captured more areas in the north from rival groups on Tuesday while pro-government forces routed extremists from a main power station in the area. Syria's state news agency SANA and the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said government forces took the villages of Ahras and Misqan in the northern province of Aleppo. Separately, members of the Syria Democratic Forces (SDF), a coalition of Arab and Kurdish groups, captured the major town of Tel Rifaat, one of the largest militant strongholds in Aleppo. After Tel Rifaat, SDF fighters also took the nearby village of Kfar Naseh, south of the town. Intense clashes broke out on Tuesday near the village of Kaljibrin as SDF fighters tried to reach it, according to the Observatory and Aleppo-based activist Bahaa al-Halaby. If SDF captures Kaljibrin, it would squeeze rebels in their stronghold of Mareh and the adjacent village of Sheikh Issa, which is also under attack by the IS. Also on Tuesday, government forces and allied gunmen captured a power station in eastern Aleppo from IS that the extremists had used as a jailhouse. The Observatory said the station and nearby villages were captured under the cover of aerial attacks by Syrian and Russian warplanes and helicopter gunships. Meanwhile, in the city of Aleppo, insurgents repelled an attack by SDF fighters on the neighbourhoods of Hullok and Bustan al-Basha, according to Mr al-Halaby and the Aleppo Media Centre. Three Americans who were abducted in Baghdad last month have been freed, Iraqi officials have said. The Americans were freed by the Iraqi intelligence service, the officials claimed. They say the three are in good health and have been handed over to the US Embassy in Baghdad. The embassy could not immediately be reached for comment. The embassy confirmed in January several Americans had gone missing. Iraqi authorities said the three were kidnapped from a "suspicious apartment" without elaborating. Iraqi and western officials said they suspected one of two powerful Shiite militias was behind the kidnapping. SHARE Heidi Cruz (left) of Texas, wife of U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, talks with Dennis Canfield (middle) and Tom Perry (right) near her daughter Caroline (below left), while visiting Gradys Great Outdoors store in Anderson. Heidi Cruz (right) of Texas, wife of U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, shakes hands with Carolyn Beyer (left), near her husband, Hans Beyer, of Anderson, while visiting Bryants Pharmacy in Anderson. Heidi Cruz (left) of Texas, wife of U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, shakes hands with Pat Martin (middle) and Bob Martin, while visiting Gradys Great Outdoors store in Anderson. By Nikie Mayo of the Independent Mail At a campaign stop Monday in Anderson, Heidi Cruz knelt with her two young daughters, Caroline and Catherine, to accept gifts. Campaigning for her husband, U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas, she had already spoken to a small group at Bryant Pharmacy & Supply on North Main Street, talking about why she believes her mate should be the country's next president. Up next was Grady's Great Outdoors, a store about 2 miles down the road on Clemson Boulevard. There, she met Sunni Wickiser, an Anderson woman who brought her daughters to meet Heidi Cruz and her girls. "We have presents," Wickiser told Cruz. Wickiser's daughters, Zoe, Lily and Virginia, presented Cruz's daughters with valentines. "Oh, this is so nice," Cruz said, and both her daughters thanked the girls. The women exchanged pleasantries and talked a bit about Sen. Cruz's campaign before the Wickiser family hurried out of the store. Outside, with temperatures in the 30s, Sunni Wickiser said it was tempting for her and her daughters to stay home. "We just felt like the valentines would be a nice treat for the girls," she said. "We still don't know how the votes will turn out Saturday there are so many good Republican candidates but either way, we wanted to do something special for the Cruz girls." Heidi Cruz spent a lot of time Monday talking to people like the Wickisers, and trying to reach undecided voters, describing her husband as a true conservative in a crowded field of Republicans. Ted Cruz trails GOP front-runner Donald Trump in South Carolina by 22 percentage points, according to a CBS News Battleground Tracker poll from Sunday. Heidi Cruz told supporters of her husband's that they are needed in the Palmetto State. "We are relying on you to be our hands and feet," she said. She said her husband is a "pro-life" candidate who understands the Second Amendment and the right to keep and bear arms. She said she took a leave of absence from her job at Goldman Sachs because she believes the country needs her husband in the White House. "We have a country that doesn't understand our Constitution and leaders who don't support it," she said. Heidi Cruz made campaign stops with U.S. Rep. Jeff Duncan, a Laurens Republican whose 3rd Congressional District includes Anderson. "I support Ted because his conservative record matches what he says and what he believes," Duncan said. State Sen. Kevin Bryant, who owns the pharmacy the campaign visited, called Ted Cruz a "pure conservative." George Manteghi of Anderson brought his 5-year-old son to the pharmacy to meet Heidi Cruz. "I support Sen. Cruz because he has a better demeanor and is not as divisive as other candidates," Manteghi said. In a brief interview, Dan Harvell, chairman of the Anderson County Republican Party, said he believes that even if Trump wins South Carolina, there is a possibility that he may not win this region. "The Upstate is known for being conservative, and there is always the chance that the Upstate could break away and go for Cruz," Harvell said. Ted Cruz will be campaigning at the Civic Center of Anderson Tuesday. Heidi Cruz said her husband's campaign is not dependent on any one state. But she added that winning South Carolina "sure would help." Follow Nikie Mayo on Twitter @NikieMayo Five Republicans seek the vacant South Carolina Senate District 4 seat - (l to r) Willie Day, Mike Gambrell, Tripp Padgett, Mark Powell and Rockey Burgess. SHARE By Nikie Mayo of the Independent Mail Five candidates who are seeking the vacant South Carolina Senate District 4 seat spoke at a forum Monday night, expressing their views on a potential increase in the gas tax and also discussing refugees. The candidates are Williamston Town Councilman Rockey Burgess, former Anderson neighborhood and transit director Willie Day, state Rep. Mike Gambrell of Honea Path, Greenwood attorney Tripp Padgett and Williamston resident Mark Powell. The candidates are seeking the seat previously held by Sen. Billy O'Dell, who died last month. They spoke at a forum sponsored by the Anderson County Republican Party and held at Concord Community Church. Most candidates seemed reluctant to support a hike in the gas tax. Burgess and Day both said that before considering a higher gas tax they would scrutinize and push for reforms at the South Carolina Department of Transportation. Powell said a gas tax increase would not be needed if state spending were more controlled. "We don't have money being spent the way money should be spent," he said. Gambrell said he would not speak in favor of, or against, a gas tax increase. "We need to look at everything as far as roads go," Gambrell said. "We need to have some equitable solution that doesn't put an undue burden on our citizens. I'm not saying I'm in favor of, or not in favor of, a gas tax. We have to make some hard decisions in Columbia." Padgett said he could support a gas tax increase, but would favor "bringing down income tax in a similar manner." He contended that the gas tax would allow for some of South Carolina's road maintenance to be funded by visitors from North Carolina and Georgia. "We don't need to wait for someone's child to die," he said. "We need a diversified, sustainable, recurring fund to pay for these roads." The candidates were also asked about whether they support allowing foreign refugees into South Carolina. Burgess, Powell and Gambrell all expressed disdain or reluctance when it comes to welcoming refugees. "I want my family and all of our families to be safe," Burgess said. Gambrell said South Carolina's current residents already have enough needs. "We've got all we can do just to take care of our own," he said. Day and Padgett both said that there is a vetting process that refugees undergo before they are allowed to resettle into the United States. The winner of a May 17 special election will serve the final months of O'Dell's term, which ends in January 2017. Senate District 4 includes portions of Anderson, Abbeville and Greenwood counties. Follow Nikie Mayo on Twitter @NikieMayo Sefton Ipock/Independent Mail File Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally in Pendleton earlier this month. Trump stopped short Monday of predicting victory in this weeks South Carolina Republican presidential primary. SHARE By Kirk Brown of the Independent Mail GREENVILLE Despite polls showing that he has a comfortable lead, Donald Trump stopped short Monday of predicting victory in this week's South Carolina Republican presidential primary. "I don't like to predict anything," Trump said during an exclusive interview with the Independent Mail. "The polls are all saying we're doing well. I know we are going to do a great job." Trump fielded a series of questions before a rally that thousands of his supporters attended at the TD Convention Center in Greenville. In contrast to his bombastic demeanor at campaign events and presidential debates, the billionaire businessman was soft-spoken and congenial. He exuded confidence that he could revive the nation's economy as president. A Trump presidency would be "very positive" for foreign-owned companies like BMW and Michelin that are key employers in the Upstate, he said, adding that he is a "big fan" of BMW. "We will bring a lot of additional companies in because our tax rates are going way down," Trump said. "The tax rates are going down also for the middle class, for the workers, because right now they are too high. We are the highest taxed country in the world. "So we will be bringing rates down very substantially and it will be great for companies and we will keep companies here," he said. Responding to another question, Trump expressed reservations about opening casinos in the popular tourist destination of Myrtle Beach. Some South Carolina Democrats have touted legalized gambling as a way to raise the money needed to fix the state's crumbling roads. "I've had a lot of success in that business in terms of money," said Trump, who has a hotel bearing his name in Las Vegas and has held a stake in casinos in Atlantic City, New Jersey. But, he added, "It brings baggage with it. It brings problems with it." "Myrtle Beach is wonderful the way it is," Trump said. Gambling can change a destination's "character very, very quickly," he cautioned. Trump also discussed South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley's response to President Barack Obama's State of the Union address last month. In her speech, Haley urged voters to resist the temptation "to follow the siren call of the angriest voices," which Trump and others interpreted as criticism of his campaign. Trump said Haley faced "a very strong onslaught" for her remarks. He noted that she referred to him as one of her "friends" on the morning after her speech. "There is a lot of anger," Trump said. "People are angry at the bad deals that we make, they are angry at the border, they are angry at the military. They want to win wars. You look at what we are doing, we can't beat ISIS. We don't win anymore. And there is anger when you can't win as a country that used to win all of the time." Haley has yet to back a candidate in Saturday's "First in the South" primary. Trump described Haley "as a nice woman" that he has supported in the past with campaign contributions. But he is not expecting to receive her endorsement. "I've gotten wonderful endorsements. Sarah Palin just endorsed us," he said. "I just don't think that endorsements have ever meant that much." Building a wall on the nation's southern border to prevent illegal immigration is a cornerstone of Trump's campaign, despite data showing that the number of illegal immigrants entering the nation is at a two-decade low. "That is only because our economy stinks so badly," Trump said. "When our economy picks up, it will go through the roof." And even at current levels, Trump said, "there are a lot of bad dudes coming in." At a rally in Pendleton last week, Trump said the U.S. is "becoming a third-world country" because of the decaying condition of the nation's roads and railways. In South Carolina, lawmakers are struggling to find the money to pay for repairing the state's highways and bridges. Asked how he can fund road improvements without adding to the national debt, Trump said he would "fix it by bringing back the jobs from China and from Japan and from Mexico and from Vietnam, from India." Trump also took a swipe at U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas, who is currently running second to him in South Carolina, according to recent polls. Cruz is scheduled to hold a campaign rally in Anderson Tuesday night. Cruz "is a very dishonest person," he said. "He doesn't tell the truth about us," Trump said. "I'm the strongest person running on the Second Amendment. I am pro-life." Follow Kirk Brown on Twitter @KirkBrown_AIM Challenging export market conditions in Algeria, Europe and other neighbouring countries have resulted in decline of export volume of passenger vehicles (PV) by 18.85% to 33,909 units in January. (IndiaInfoline)Mahindra & Mahindra signed a MoU, under the aegis of 'Ultra Mega Project', with Government of Maharashtra to invest Rs. 8000 crore to cater to the auto manufacturing plants in Maharashtra. (IndiaInfoline)Renault India will commence exports of its Kwid hatchback in March 2016 when it starts shipments of the car to Sri Lanka next month. The island country is among the first international markets to get the Kwid and would be followed by other SAARC markets like Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh. (AutocarPro)Eicher Motors -known for its marque bike brand `Royal Enfield' -overtook iconic US brand Harley-Davidson in terms of market cap. Last year, Eicher had whizzed past Harley in volumes. (ET)SIAM expects Budget 2016 to reduce excise duty to 20 per cent in place of 30 per cent(current duty) on large cars and SUVs. (IndiaInfoline)Chevrolet introduced the all-new Trax compact crossover and the Camaro 1LE performance package during the 2016 Chicago Auto Show Media Preview. (indiaInfoline)Taking center stage at the 2016 Chicago Auto Show will be more than 20 vehicles that made their world debut during the Media Preview this week including the Kia Niro, Ram Power Wagon, Nissan Armada, Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro, Chevrolet Trax, Hyundai Santa Fe and Infiniti Q50 among others. (indiaInfoline)Competition Commission has rejected allegations of unfair business ways against taxi hailing apps Ola and Uber after finding no evidence of anti-competitive practices by them in the national capital. (PTI)Mexican authorities imposed an $8.9 million fine on German automaker Volkswagen on Monday for selling more than 45,000 cars without certificates for emissions and noise compliance. (AFP)Tesla, Radio Flyer team up to make a Model S for kids. Just like the original Model S, Radio Flyer's child-sized adaptation comes with a bevy of luxury options, ranging from personalized license plates to, we kid you not, a fitted car cover and parking sign. (Techradar) Ceat climbs 2.2% to Rs.975 after the tyre manufacturer is planning to invest Rs. 300 crore to set up a manufacturing facility in Maharashtra to primarily serve export market for off-road radial tyres, as per media reports.The company has already transferred its land in Ambernath, Maharashtra to its wholly-owned subsidiary Ceat Specialty Tyres (CSTL) to set up the plant.The scrip opened at Rs. 960 and has touched a high and low of Rs. 992.45 and Rs. 950 respectively. So far 605692(NSE+BSE) shares were traded on the counter. The current market cap of the company is Rs. 3856.11 crore.The BSE group 'A' stock of face value Rs. 10 has touched a 52 week high of Rs. 1318.3 on 07-Oct-2015 and a 52 week low of Rs. 596.7 on 09-Jun-2015. Last one week high and low of the scrip stood at Rs. 970 and Rs. 855 respectively.The promoters holding in the company stood at 50.76 % while Institutions and Non-Institutions held 33.33 % and 15.91 % respectively.The stock is currently trading above its 100 DMA. Amtek Auto showed up with another disappointing quarter as it posted net loss of Rs 132.15 crore for the third quarter as compared to Rs 70.81 crore of net profit reported in the corresponding quarter of the last year. CNBC-TV18 held a brief interview with the companys Vice Chairman and Managing Director, John Flintham to get his take on the performance.Flintham openly agreed that the year 2016 is challenging as far as the companys performance in India is concerned. He added that growth in overseas business is balancing the lacklustre domestic growth as nearly 70% of the total revenues is contributed by the overseas business. For Flintham, domestic growth is less likely to rebound over the short to medium term.Flintham brushed off the concerns over larger debt against the EBITDA stating that the company is already working on debt reduction programme and aims to raise Rs 6.5 crore for repayment of debt by September2016. In this direction, the company has already appointed Morgan Stanley as its advisor, informed Flintham.He further disclosed that the company is planning to sell its overseas business by as early as September this year and sees the things to be moving as planned. At the same time, the company has marked non-core assets and plans to divest from them at the earliest. Flintham continued that they have already engaged Ernst & Young and Grant Thornton to execute the plan.While providing the revenue guidance for the upcoming quarters, Flintham said that there has been negligible recovery in the Indian market. Given which he anticipates limited upside as far as the sales or revenues are concerned. He believes that the recovery in the market could come in the second half of the year, which might facilitate growth in certain areas. But, Flintham reiterated that any big upside should not be expected as their business has already taken a hard hit in recent times across various segments such as passenger cars, agricultural tractors etc. Hence, any substantial recovery from here is less likely.Amtek Auto Ltd ended at Rs. 30.1, up by Rs. 0.35 or 1.18% from its previous closing of Rs. 29.75 on the BSE.The scrip opened at Rs. 30.1 and touched a high and low of Rs. 33.25 and Rs. 29.3 respectively. A total of 6269117(NSE+BSE) shares were traded on the counter. The current market cap of the company is Rs. 668.65 crore.The BSE group 'A' stock of face value Rs. 2 touched a 52 week high of Rs. 176.1 on 03-Aug-2015 and a 52 week low of Rs. 25.6 on 04-Sep-2015. Last one week high and low of the scrip stood at Rs. 33.85 and Rs. 26.05 respectively.The promoters holding in the company stood at 49.99 % while Institutions and Non-Institutions held 14.01 % and 36 % respectively.The stock traded above its 200 DMA. Markets world over are heaving a sigh of relief. Not that obstacles have vanished in a jiffy but investors seem to be taking note of any positive vibes that come their way. Some cheer has come from the European Central Bank (ECB) as ECB President Mario Draghi said the central bank will not hesitate to act to boost its stimulus in March if it believes that recent financial-market turmoil or lower oil prices could weigh further on consumer prices. Back home, the prime minister Narendra Modi is reaching out to leaders of major political parties ahead of the Budget session of Parliament which begins on Feb 23.The indices are set for a positive start. The Niftys resistance zone is around 7550 so investors may choose to tread cautiously around these levels. Worries around the Union Budget, upcoming State Elections and jittery global markets together will grant ample time to investors to accumulate stocks over at least 3-4 months. Most Asian markets are higher with Japan's benchmark Nikkei up a percent. China's CSI300 has gained 2.07%. Hong Kong's Hang Seng is up 1.44%, South Korea's Kospi is up 1.2% and Taiwan's TWSE is higher by 1.3%. The result season is mostly out of the way and few names to announce their numbers include Net 4 India and Tirupati Inks.The Government has extended for the second time U.K. Sinhas term as Chairman of Securities & Exchange Board of India (SEBI).Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd. (BPCL) says that the expansion work at its Kochi refinery is on track for scheduled commissioning in May this year, with about 90 per cent of the work done.Titagarh Wagons Ltd. plans to merge its ship building business, currently carried out through subsidiaries, with the company, reports a business daily.The Government announced the first-ever policy for the capital goods sector which envisages creation of 21 million additional jobs by 2025.The Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has stressed on the need to enhance domestic production of Oil & Gas through process and technical improvements, besides enhanced exploratory coverage.Piyush Goyal, Union Minister of State(IC) for Power, Coal and New & Renewable Energy said, The efforts of Government have ushered the power sector in a new level of growth altogether which provides for the sector a possible investment opportunity, between 2015 & 2020, a five year period, of about $ 250 billion.Reliance Jio Infocomm has teamed up with eight leading global carriers including British Telecom (BT), Deutsche Telekom, Millicom, MTS, Orange, Rogers, TeliaSonera and TIM to forge an international operator alliance to bring innovative products and services, according to reports. Handset costs have been coming down at regular intervals. Yes, the Apples and Samsungs of the world have managed newer models with higher pricing but if the Prime Ministers vision of empowering India to the last person and transforming India's growth story has to be achieved, India needs handsets that are affordable.If reports are to be believed Noida-based handset maker Ringing Bells is all set to launch India's most affordable smartphone which may cost less than Rs 500. Defence Minister Manohar Parrikkar is scheduled to launch the smartphone 'Freedom 251' on February 17, a report quoting the invite stated.Recently, Ringing Bells launched the Smart 101 smartphone with a 5 inch screen running Lollipop loaded with 1GB RAM and with 4G LTE support at Rs. 2,999.Established in 2015, Ringing Bells Pvt. Ltd. is one of the fastest growing smartphone company in India. The companys website states that Ringing Bells Pvt Ltd has a complete in-house product testing set-up in India. With best-in-class features, BELL is the Indian smartphone brand at highly affordable prices.With the launch of our new Smartphone - BELL , released a few days ago, with amazing accolades and features, we will be the first Indian company to offer an incredible smartphone at a highly affordable price, the website stated.Connectivity of course is an issue even the high and mighty have to grapple with irrespective of the service provider they choose. In fact even the most powerful US President complained of bad WiFi connectivity within the White House. There is no escaping from the fact that the reach of affordable smartphones can bring about a meaningful change in the way communication takes place, business is done and money is transferred. Prevent Unauthorized Transactions in your demat / trading account Update your Mobile Number/ email Id with your stock broker / Depository Participant. 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The site provides comprehensive and real time information on Indian corporates, sectors, financial markets and economy. On the site we feature industry and political leaders, entrepreneurs, and trend setters. The research, personal finance and market tutorial sections are widely followed by students, academia, corporates and investors among others. Vedanta: Vedanta has signed an agreement with the Odisha government to set up an aluminium park adjacent to its aluminium smelter at Jhasarguda, reports a business daily.Reliance Jio Infocomm: The company has partnered with eight global carriers to put in place a knowledge-sharing alliance to home in on new and popular telecom innovations and services and bring them to India.HeidelbergCement India Ltd: The company has taken a stride in environmental sustainability by successfully commissioning the Waste Heat Recovery based Power Generation Plant at its Narsingarh Plant in Damoh, Madhya Pradesh on February 15, 2016.Mahindra & Mahindra: M&M signed a MoU, under the aegis of 'Ultra Mega Project', with Government of Maharashtra to invest Rs. 8000 crore to cater to the auto manufacturing plants in Maharashtra.Titan: New PAN norms are definitely a dampener for the jewellery sector and it is not helping in curbing the so-called black money, Titan Company's MD Bhaskar Bhat has been quoted as saying by a financial newspaper.BPCL: Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd. (BPCL) says that the expansion work at its Kochi refinery is on track for scheduled commissioning in May this year, with about 90 per cent of the work done.Titagarh Wagons Ltd:The company plans to merge its ship building business, currently carried out through subsidiaries, with the company, reports a business daily.United Breweries (Holdings):The company has informed that the Punjab National Bank vide its letter dated February 11, 2016, received by the Company on February 15, 2016, has declared the Company as a Willful Defaulter. The Company is in consultation with its legal counsels to challenge the decision by taking appropriate legal action that may be required in this regard.Tata Chemicals: Tata Chemicals Ltd has informed BSE that the Companys wholly owned subsidiary, Bio Energy Venture - 1 (Mauritius) Pvt. Ltd has entered into a Definitive Agreement (Agreement) with Mr. Rademan Janse van Rensburg (Purchaser) for sale of its entire stake in Grown Energy Zambeze Holdings Pvt. Ltd, Mauritius (GEZ Mauritius) for a consideration of US$ 5.5 million subject to fulfilment of certain condition precedents laid down in the agreement (Closing Date). As per the Agreement, the Purchaser will discharge the above consideration on deferred payment basis over a period of 5 years ending on December 31, 2020.Biocon Ltd: The pharma company received approval to sell the generic equivalent of Astrazenaca Plcs cholesterol-lowering pill Crestor in the European Union.DLF: The real estate company plans to launch a new luxury property with, The Chanakya, as per media reports.ICICI Bank: ICICI Bank announced that the Bank had secured the approval of shareholders at the AGM held on 29 June 2015 for the Board/Committee of the Board to borrow by way of securities including but not limited to bonds and non-convertible debentures upto Rs. 50,000 crore on private placement basis.BHEL: BHEL commissioned a 101-MW gas-based combined cycle power plant on engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) basis in Tripura.Allcargo Logistics: The logistic company reported a 14.30 per cent decline in net profit at Rs. 61.51 crore for the quarter ended December 2015 due to decline in income.Jain Irrigation Systems Ltd: The company reported consolidated net profit of Rs 9.21 crore for the quarter ended on December 31, against a loss of Rs 39.68 crore in the year ago period.Ramky Infrastructure Ltd: The companmy's net loss has narrowed to Rs 12.35 crore in the quarter ended December 31.Eon Electric: The company has secured a contract worth Rs 40 crore for installing LED streetlights in Rajasthan. Under this project, Eon will install over 1 lakh LED streetlights across various cities in the state.NALCO: The company plans to invest Rs. 20,550 crore for expansion of alumina refinery, according to reports. Everyone is talking about the New York Fashion Week, which is one of the grandest and the most important fashion event in the world. While models are rocking the ramp and showcasing some of the most stunning designer collections, there are three Indian models who are surely making our country proud. Meet this stunning trio of Indian models that include Pooja Mor, Monica Thomas and Bhumika Arora who are grabbing a lot of attention in the New York city, all because of their talent. Have a look! 1. Pooja Mor Pooja gave up her career as an engineer to pursue modelling. She lives in the U.S and is totally comfortable with the international ramps. In an interview, Pooja once said, "My parents didn't want me to become a model. They felt that the profession was for the fickle minded and that it did not promise a sustainable career or source of income." Thanks to @31philliplim @therealphilliplim #NYFW2016 #nyfw A photo posted by Pooja Mor (@poojamor) on Feb 15, 2016 at 2:04pm PST Thanks to @prabalgurung @anthonyturnerhair A photo posted by Pooja Mor (@poojamor) on Feb 15, 2016 at 3:44am PST 2. Bhumika Arora This 28-year-old once revealed that her 5'11'' height and tiny 22-inch waist brought her a lot of humiliation at school in Karnal and people told her that she looked like a guy. She said, "People made fun of me because my kind of height is not very common "like a guy." All black A photo posted by A Bhumika Arora (@bhumika_arora04) on Nov 6, 2015 at 5:51pm PST 3. Monica Thomas Monica hails from Ooty. In less than a year since she began her career as a model, she featured in Vogue India almost eight times, and became the cover girl for Elle India and Harpers Bazaar. Here's a stunning picture of her from NYFW! usmagazine Looks like the cold war between Kanye West and Taylor Swift is far from over! Remember, the two locked horns way back in 2009, when Swift had won VMA award, and Kanye jumped on stage to grab the mike from her and declared that not her, but Beyonce deserved this award. Well, since then Kanye and Swift share a hot and cold relationship. Even though they had patched up after that infamous incident, look like they indeed still have bad blood between them! reuters So, at the recently held Grammys, Taylor Swift fired back at Kanye West, because he had, in one of his songs, rapped about making Taylor Swift famous! Kanye West has a song called "Famous" in his latest album, The Life of Pablo, where he raps that he made Swift famous. Okay, that's mean, right? So at this year's Grammys, while Taylor Swift went on to the stage to receive her Album Of The Year Award, she made full use of the opportunity and slammed Kanye in a subtle, yet strong manner. "As the first woman to win album of the year twice, I want to say to all the young women out there, there are going to be people along the way who will try to undercut your success or take credit for your accomplishments or you fame. But if you just focus on the work, and you don't let those people sidetrack you, someday when you get where you are going, you will look around and you will know that it was you and the people who love you that put you there and that will be the greatest feeling in the world." Now, that sounds really empowering girl, way to go! Here's the video of her speech. Just hours after he was caught on camera beating up a man who allegedly shouted pro-Pakistan slogans outside the Patiala House court on Monday, Delhi BJP MLA OP Sharma took his vandalism to the next level by claiming that he wouldn't mind beating up or even killing those shouting pro-Pakistan slogans. PTI The BJP leader, who was clearly seen in videos by various TV channels beating up a man, however, went on to claim that "I don't know what video you are taking about". PTI PTI Screengrab And then he tweeted this from his account. Twitter Later he deleted the tweet and then his account all together. Things didn't end there. During a panel-discussion on the issue, BJP spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi went on to defend Sharma, after dodging the question of whether the BJP was condemning Sharma's actions for several minutes PTI Zakka Jacob: OP Sharma says if a person says 'Pakistan Zindabad' we don't mind killing him. Is that the stand of the BJP? Sudhanshu Trivedi: Yes, of course, why not? Trivedi later went on to blame Rahul Gandhi, asking, "Does he approve the murder?", which frankly had no connection with the context whatsoever. But when elected representatives show blatant disregard for the law of the land, and murder is the answer for any opposing view, it makes us wonder what we are up to. A drunk auto driver set ablaze his wife for not serving him omelette at Hyderbad's Pahadisharif on Sunday night. ionetheurbandaily On Sunday night, Naresh, an auto driver went home in a highly inebriated condition, and asked his wife Sandeshamma, 30, to prepare an omelette. Sandeshamma quickly made an omelette and kept it near Naresh's bed. However, before Naresh could get up, his younger son ate the omelette. An infuriated Naresh doused Sandeshamma with kerosene and set her ablaze. With severe burns, Sandeshamma was rushed to a nearby hospital and her condition is said to be critical. Police have registered an attempt to murder case against Naresh and launched a manhunt to nab him. Ever since May 16, 2014,when the BJP swept the election with a historic mandate, a section of the intelligentsia and academicians had expressed their reservation on the 'possible saffronisation' of the academic sector. Mint This was largely due to its right-wing Hindutva ideology. Some RSS affiliate groups had even demanded epics like Ramayana and Mahabharata to be taught as history. With Smriti Irani, who's educational qualifications are 'questionable' at best, getting the HRD portfolio they claimed their fears are coming true. PTI However, things went relatively smooth for sometime, but that proved to be the calm before the storm. IIT-Madras IIT Madras was one of the first venues of direct confrontation between the central government and students. One of the premier technical institutes in the country turned into a battlefield between the government and students after Ambedkar Periyar Study Circle (APSC), a students' body which was critical of Narendra Modi was refused permission to function. The action was taken based on an anonymous complaint received by the HRD ministry which it felt was 'serious' in nature. PTI The letter signed "Students, IIT Madras" alleged that the Ambedkar Periyar Study Circle is "creating hatred among students in the name of caste" and also trying to "create hatred against the honourable prime minister and Hindus." However, when protests broke out in Chennai and in Delhi, Irani washed her hands off saying that "IIT Madras is an autonomous institution which takes its own steps." It was also one of the first time when students were termed 'anti-nationals' and "you are studying on taxpayers money" criticism came up. FTII The Film and Television Institute of India witnessed one the biggest anti-government protest by students recently. It began in June 2015 with the surprise appointment of Gajendra Chauhan as its Chairman. PTI Chauhan, who famously played Yudhishthira in Mahabharata TV series aired on Doordarshan between 1988-90 only had some B-grade movies to his credit as an actor. He was along time member of the BJP and campaigned for the party in 2014. Students however felt that it was a part of saffronisation by the government and Chauhan didn't qualify to be the head India's premier film institute. Times of India In July, well-known filmmaker Jahnu Barua, cinematographer Santosh Sivan and actor Pallavi Joshi quit the 12-member governing council of the FTII, expressing unhappiness over the government's handling of the crisis. A number of filmmakers and artists had come out openly in support of the students, accusing the government of "saffronising" FTII. The strike which went on for 139 days ended on October 29th. Once again the same allegation, "anti-nationals" and "you study on taxpayers money". Osmania University The protests in December in Osmania University wasn't particularity against the BJP government. It started with a left-wing students organisation announcing a 'beef-fest' inside the campus to protest the Dadri lynching. The situation turned tense after BJP MLA Raja Singh threatened to kill any one holding beef-fest. The Hindu However the court refused them permission to hold the event. Despite a police crackdown and detention of some 50 student, the organizers held a symbolic beef fest on December 10th. Hyderabad University On January 17, Rohit Vemula, a PhD Scholar in Hyderbad University committed suicide after he along with five others were suspended by authorities for a scuffle with an ABVP leader. It was alleged that the dalit students were suspended at the directions of HRD minister Smriti Irani, following letters sent to her by another union minister Bandaru Dattatreya. Facebook In his letter Dattatreya alleged that Rohit and his colleagues were involved in 'anti-national' (yes, the same old tag) activities. The protests escalated in the University and across the country demanding the sacking of Irani, Dattatreya and vice chancellor Appa Rao Podile. PTI The politics around the suicide took an ugly turn with more and more leaders joining both sides. While leaders like Rahul Gandhi and Arvind Kejriwal took it as an opportunity to attack the government, many BJP leader including Sushma Swaraj and Irani was trying to prove the Rohit was not a dalit. PM Modi broke his long silence on the issue on January 23 saying that "mother India had lost a son and that he felt the pain". JNU The latest in the stand-off between the Modi government and students was triggered by the commemoration of the 2013 hanging of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru. It became a controversy after reports emerged that they were shouting anti-India and pro-Pakistan slogans. PTI While students said it was their freedom of expression government felt it was an anti-national act. Kanhaiya Kumar, the students union president was arrested under sedition charges. Same allegation "anti-nationals" and "you study on taxpayers money" are being levelled against them too. Going by what we have seen so far, this trend will only continue, which makes us ask the question are students the right set of people that the government should unleash its brute force on? Also where do you draw the line when it comes to freedom of expression? India's first transgender sub-inspector Prithika Yasini and 21 other were issued their appointment orders to join the police force as sub-inspectors by the commissioner of police Sumit Sharan in Salem city on Monday. Empowered by the Madras high Court's 'third gender' decision deccanchronicle The appointment follows the Madras high court's verdict, which had ordered the Tamil Nadu Uniformed Services Recruitment Board to include members from the transgender community under a 'third category'. bccl She had come to Salem city police commissioner's office for certificate verification, a week ago. Eager to serve bccl "I have struggled for this opportunity be it in the court or with the police department," Prithika Yashini said. She also said that she is very eager to serve and help the public and has plans to write the civil exam to become an IPS officer. dainik bhaskar After issuing the orders, Sumit Sharan said that the newly-recruited SIs will undergo an intensive police training for a year in Chennai. Prithika Yashini urged both Central and State governments to give reservations to transgender especially in education and jobs. Also read: Golden Day For Chennai, India's First Transgender Sub-Inspector Takes Oath Today! Infosys founder Narayana Murthy tells Sagarika Ghose that Make in India, Start Up India are good ideas but change takes time in India. He also said fast growing economies are those where every citizen feels enthusiastic and participatory. newindianexpress With the exciting discovery of gravitational waves do Indian scientists need to be encouraged to do this kind of world-class research? There are instances where young Indian scientists have done well. Am told that ICTS in Bangalore and IUCAA in Pune had a contribution to the discovery of gravitational waves. But this is an exception. India with a population of 1.3 billion people needs is to increase the number of high-quality, world-class scientific talent so that we can solve the basic problems of healthcare, nutrition, shelter and education. For example, when quantum mechanics was discovered, who in the world knew that Heisenberg's matrix approach and Schrodinger's wave equation approach would lead to DVDs, laser printers etc? I believe that if we have to solve the problems for the vast multitude, the only way you can do it is through the power of science and technology. There is a lot of buzz around startups now. Infosys was the original startup. Any advice for the startup entrepreneurs? Any startup has a dream to transform the world with its idea. Therefore, the idea is very important. Second, that idea must provide a differentiated business value to customers compared to others. Third, it's necessary to conduct an inexpensive test marketing of the idea before going the whole hog. Entrepreneurs spend their prime years pursuing these ideas. Fourth, entrepreneurship is about deferred gratification. It's all about sacrifice today in the hope that tomorrow will bring a fortune. Such sacrifice requires a good value system. In order to succeed as an entrepreneur, you need to bring together a team with complementary strengths. And remember everybody in this team would have made a sacrifice in terms of compensation, hard work, time away from their loved ones. So a good value system has to be practised. By this I mean a protocol of behaviour by the members of a team to enhance the trust of each member in everybody else's mind. All the stars of StartUp India should remember these factors. Does it worry you that Start Up India, Make in India, Digital India at the moment are slogans and not yet realities? Everything starts with a dream, you can't dismiss them as slogans. But yes, the path of going from dream to reality is a very tough one. Entrepreneurs themselves and all of us who cheer them on, the government that makes their life easier, society, we all have to help. It's not easy to translate dreams into reality and they all have to work harder. PM Modi is a very good orator and great speaker. He exhorts people very well. There is no doubt that these various initiatives Start Up India, Make in India, Digital India, are all very good ideas. Digital India particularly can provide remote education and health care for people who don't have access and connect farmers with the rural market. But bringing about a change in India is always slow because our political structure distributes power between Centre and states and the states are quite strong. So a lot of the reforms that are required will have to be taken up by the states. It's not possible for the Centre to alone bring about reforms. It's not proper for us blame any one entity. But yes, there is an air of wanting to do things in Delhi. The PM's announcement that startups will not be burdened with taxes for the first three years is a positive signal. The announcement that hassles on labour laws and factory inspectors will not be there for the first three years is also a good thing. But the chief ministers of all states and the central government must sit down and work out together what can be done to make the lives of entrepreneurs easier. Co-operation of states is key. Infosys as a startup was a beneficiary of the liberalization process started in 1991. Does more credit need to be given to Manmohan Singh for those years than is given? The credit has to be given first to PV Narasimha Rao, then to Dr Manmohan Singh and to P Chidambaram and also to Montek Singh Ahluwalia. Without them doing what they did, we could not have achieved the transformation we have today of the Indian industry. And you know, it all happened in a week. In a week, they did the impossible. They abolished licensing in most sectors. We used to come to Delhi repeatedly, it would take 3 years to get a license to import a computer. That was changed. Then they introduced current account convertibility. Before that we had to apply and wait endlessly for foreign exchange from the RBI. Current account convertibility allowed us to open offices abroad, to send our employees to man those offices, hire consultants from abroad in quality and branding. Without this, Indian companies could not have become international. Then they abolished the office of the Controller of Capital Issues. There used to be a civil servant who sat in Delhi who did not understand anything about capital markets and he was supposed to decide on the pricing of the IPO. Manmohan Singh realized that this office was unnecessary and abolished it. He then told entrepreneurs that you can go public at a price which you can decide with your investment bankers. So now there was much greater incentive to do so. But are entrepreneurs still regarded with suspicion in India? It's changing slowly but as a nation we still think that poverty is a virtue. Anybody who has acquired some wealth is looked at with a level of scepticism and suspicion. The reason for this is that the pay of politicians and bureaucrats is very low compared to the pay of CEOs etc who go to them for approval. So naturally, there's always a little bit of hostility. I can understand. This doesn't happen in countries like Singapore because there bureaucrats and CEOs get similar salaries. Do you believe that the success of the infotech sector happened because the government withdrew and that's the model the government should follow with regard to business? Several ministers from both sides of aisle have spoken about how it was the absence of government controls that allowed this industry to grow at an accelerated pace. This has been voiced by ministers in the previous government and in this one. It's now an accepted wisdom. But on the role of the government, I would say, we have to move away from the current method of control to a different method of regulation. In developed societies, there's strong regulation but there's no stifling of businesses due to excessive controls. Anybody who violates any law is punished heavily. That is required. But until one is proven guilty, the others should be allowed to conduct their business effectively. For example what is happening today in the FCRA is a classic example. Everybody and his brother who receives any donation even from within India has to obtain FCRA approval. Now this is not necessary. Instead what should happen is that anyone who is to receive a donation from abroad should provide the details to the government and they should on a random basis, carry out checks. Today the FCRA has become a bottleneck for organizations. How will small NGOs obtain FCRA clearance? Instead, they should do random checking and make it clear that if there is any violation they will take strict action. So the ease of doing business has not improved? I do think a lot of progress has to be made in making it easier for businesses to grow. The controlling mindset continues, that's the problem. You've expressed your concerns on rising intolerance. Do you still believe there's a problem? Look, wherever I go, I have seen that societies that have made fast economic progress are those where every citizen is enthusiastic, participatory and committed. So therefore, the need of the day is to bring about a sense of oneness, of the commonality of our aspirations and desires and commit ourselves about to bringing these changes. Higher education is one of your pet concerns. What needs to be done? We have to enhance our openness to accept ideas from outside India. We have to create mechanisms for interactions between universities abroad and here, we have to welcome more and more scholars from outside, send more scholars abroad from India, there must be more scholarships to go abroad and study. We must interact a lot more with institutions that have done better than us. That's key. Also we have to create more private universities, make them independent. In the longer term many of them have worked well. Your take on the economy at the moment? Well, most people are saying we are growing at 7 or 7 and a half per cent. That's not bad. But we do not collect accurate data on unemployment. Unemployment worries me. In Bangalore, I interact with lots of young people, many come looking for jobs, most of them do not have skills and are looking for menial jobs, but there are no jobs. Low tech manufacturing is the way that the not so well educated may get some opportunities. You see, China is only country in the world that has created 150 million jobs in last 25 years. No other country has done that. On its eastern seaboard, China created cities dedicated to exports. They created lots of export processing zones, gave them autonomy to accelerate growth. Now it's difficult for us to do this because of course in rural areas we don't have electricity and roads. But if we want to give jobs to the 400-450 million illiterates and 200-250 million semi-literates, we have to go in for low tech manufacturing that does not require high levels of education. This is how China, Japan, Taiwan and South Korea did it. Thomas Piketty says in his book that capitalism creates more inequality than growth. There is no better alternative to capitalism. But inequality is increasing because the leaders of capitalism have to themselves exercise some restraint on their salaries, on the lives they lead, on the luxuries they spend their money on. Societies that have embraced capitalism have to create mechanisms that look to bettering opportunities for the poorer sections. There is a craving among the rich to reduce taxes. If you do this, governments have less money to spend on the basic needs of the poor. So we have to adopt a capitalistic-socialistic model like the Scandinavian and some European countries. Fully allow people to leverage their ideas to acquire wealth, but at the same time tax levels are also higher. This allows them to increase allocation for health, education, nutrition of the poor. So we need to combine the good ideas of capitalism and the good ideas of socialism. Demand from the rich and spend on the poor. But how do you end the political logjam? Every party should accept some 'ism'. They should decide on what they want to embrace, capitalism, socialism or any other ism. And they should vote for or oppose the government based on their own 'ism' and not just for the sake of opposing. Maybe there's a need to set up a school of the political-economic principles of governance for those who want to enter politics so they're all on the same page. They can then reduce their disagreements, if these disagreements are on principles and governments can take quicker decisions. So what advice would you give the FM for the Budget? Raghuram Rajan says don't let the fiscal deficit rise, others say spend more? Raghuram Rajan is a very bright person. I agree with him on the need to control spending. It's important to use whatever money we have in an efficient, honest and transparent way and get the best bang for the buck. We have to be careful about spending, otherwise our deficits will go higher and higher. We have to spend wisely and carefully and get maximum benefit. We have to bring honesty, efficiency and transparency in the spending of public money. That's my view. I don't know if the FM is waiting for advice from me! So what advice would you give the FM for the Budget? Raghuram Rajan says don't let the fiscal deficit rise, others say spend more? Raghuram Rajan is a very bright person. I agree with him on the need to control spending. It's important to use whatever money we have in an efficient, honest and transparent way and get the best bang for the buck. We have to be careful about spending, otherwise our deficits will go higher and higher. We have to spend wisely and carefully and get maximum benefit. We have to bring honesty, efficiency and transparency in the spending of public money. That's my view. I don't know if the FM is waiting for advice from me! It's not the first time the sedition law is at the centre of a raging controversy. Framed as a tool to suppress the freedom movement by the British, it has been used time and again after Independence even after the Supreme Court has unequivocally laid down when the law can be invoked. SEDITION LAW IS AN EASY TOOL TO MUZZLE DISSENT A tyrannical measure introduced in 1870 to counter anti-colonial sentiment. Mahatma Gandhi, Bal Gangadhar Tilak among many tried under this law. This is how Gandhi described sedition law: "Prince among political sections of the Indian Penal Code designed to suppress the liberty of the citizen". NEHRU WANTED IT SCRAPPED indiatoday In 1951, Nehru said in Parliament, "that particular section is highly objectionable and obnoxious and it should have no place... in any body of laws... sooner we get rid of it, the better." HOW SUPREME COURT READ IT IN 1962 In 1962, a five-judge SC bench ruled in Kedar Nath vs Bihar state case that spreading of disaffection, "however strongly worded", would not constitute sedition unless the accused also incited violence. The law would otherwise counter the free speech guaranteed by the Constitution Victims of intolerant govts or plain dangerous? Kanhaiya Kumar, 29 economictimes JNUSU president, AISF (CPI's student wing) * Arrested on February 12 for allegedly raising 'anti-national' slogans on JNU campus * Protest was organised by fringe-Left group Democratic Students' Union to mark Afzal Guru's death * Kumar was not the organizer, some students claim, nor was he shouting "anti-India" slogans Hardik Patel, 23 indianexpress Patidar activist * Arrested in Sept 2015, charged Jan 2016 * Fights for Patidar quotas. Now in Surat jail. Point of sedition: Police claim he encouraged followers "to resort to violence as part of conspiracy to pressure government to accept... demand" Aseem Trivedi, 28 indiatoday Political cartoonist * Arrested in Sept 2012 for cartoons against corruption he put up as part of an anti-corruption protest in Mumbai. * Maharashtra govt dropped sedition charges Oct 2012. Point of sedition: Showed Parliament as a toilet. Uday kumar, 55 indianexpress Anti-nuclear activist * The spearhead of the anti-Kudankulam nuclear power plant protests faces several cases of sedition. * Between Sept and Dec 2011, sedition charges on 6,000 protesters/villagers at a single police station. * In 2014, SC directed TN govt to withdraw bulk of cases, but it refused. Point of sedition: Protest against a nuclear plant Binayak Sen, 66 indianexpress *In 2010, Sen was sentenced to life-term by a trial court. * SC granted him bail in 2011. Point of sedition: Helped 'Maoists' Arundhati Roy, 55 democracyandclasstruggle In 2010, the writer-activist was almost charged with sedition for her comments on Kashmir and Maoists. A Class II student of a Kochi school has created a cleaner robot, a robotic hand and a walking stick for the blind. It was recently exhibited along with works by engineering and science graduates at TECH FOSS 2K16. youtube Saarang Sumesh (7) from Choice School showcased the work in the tech fest organized by the department of computer science and engineering at TocH Institute of Science and Technology (TIST) and Computer Society of India in association with the Innovation & Entrepreneurship Development Centre of the institute. thebetterindia "Saarang left us surprised even with his presentation skills. He not only displayed the uses of the robot but also explained how he made it. He has made the robots using Lego Robotic Kit," said TIST principal D Vincent H Wilson. There were 25 projects on display from engineering and polytechnic students. There was also a hands-on workshop on Android and Arduino for the participants. Other events included a hardware project competition and an 'App Idea' contest. Google went through a massive reorganization October 2015 when Alphabet became its parent company. Projects that weren't part of Google's core business (Google search engine and Android) were spun out into separate Alphabet companies each with its own CEO. All of these "moonshot" projects cover everything from making smarter homes to creating robots that can work alongside humans. But even Google proper, which now falls under Alphabet, still has oversight over some of these futuristic projects. Here are 15 most ambitious moonshot projects under Alphabet and what they hope to accomplish: 01. Delivery drones digitaltrends Project Wing is Alphabet's desire to replace your mailman with flying drones. A patent filed in October 2014 gave us better insight as to how the project would work. The drone will lower a package using a winch to tiny robots on the ground. Those robots will then wheel the package to a safe holding location. Alphabet plans on releasing the drone delivery service to the public in 2017. Project Wing is run by the Google X company under Alphabet. forbes Alphabet is pursuing smart contact lenses that are solar powered and collect biological data about the wearer. Sensors embedded in the contacts could collect information like body temperature and blood-alcohol content. The tech giant also announced in 2014 that it was pursuing contact lenses that would use tiny glucose sensors to measure sugar levels in your tears. The project is run by Alphabet's Verily company, which was originally named Google Life Sciences. 03. Smart spoon tweaktown Google's smart spoon allows people suffering from tremors due to Parkinson's Disease to eat without spilling their food. It reduces shaking by 76% on average. The spoon was designed by Lift Labs, which Google bought in September 2014, and is now run under Google X 04. Renewable energy from wind turbines inhabitat Before it was Alphabet, Google bought Makani Power in 2013, which makes an airborne device called an "energy kite" to create renewable energy. An energy kite is a plane-like device equipped with rotors. The rotors help lift the kite off the ground, and once its in flight the wind forces the rotors to act like individual turbines. You can read more about how it works here, but Makani claims the system generates 50% more energy than traditional turbines and uses 90% less materials. The project is now under the control of Google X. 05. Internet-beaming hot air balloons techinsider Project Loon is Alphabet's desire to bring the internet to two-thirds of the world's population using internet-beaming hot air balloons. The project has been in the works since 2011, about two years before it was unveiled to the public. The solar powered balloons fly at high altitudes to provide broadband to areas without internet access. Project Loon is run under Google X. 06. Cancer-detecting pill theguardian The tech giant is designing tiny magnetic particles that can look for signs of cancer and other diseases in the human body, according to the Wall Street Journal. The company is also working on a wearable that would serve as a monitoring tool by using a magnet to count the particles. The project is, at least, another four years away from being ready for prime-time. The project is being run by the Google X research lab. 07. Google smart wristband tweaktown The wristband can measure health rhythm, pulse, and skin temperature. It can also track outside factors like noise and light. The device wouldn't be sold as a consumer product, but used as a medical device that is prescribed to patients or used for clinical trials. The wristband is being developed under Google X. Dr. Thomas Insel, who served as the director of the National Institute of Mental Health for 13 years, was brought in to lead a mental health division as part of Verily (formerly Google Life Sciences) under Alphabet. One of his ideas is to create a wearable that uses sensors to objectively track your mood. Although this may still be in the idea phase, it's possible we could see this rolled into the wearable Alphabet is developing. 08. Internet-beaming drones nepalmountainnews Alphabet has two approaches to beaming the internet around the world: Hot air balloons and drones. The tech giant bought Titan Aerospace, which makes the solar-powered drones that are built to fly nonstop for years. The Titan Aerospace Solara 50 has a wingspan of 150 feet and is equipped with 3,000 solar cells, which can provide 7kW of electricity to stay airborne for five years. They can also take aerial photography. The drone project is run as part of Project Titan under Google 09. Robots atlantablackstar Google-turned Alphabet acquired a ton of robotic companies in 2013. One that stands out is Boston Dynamics. Boston Dynamics creates a number of robots inspired by animals to aid in military use. The pictured here is called the Cheetah Robot, and it's the fastest legged robot in the world. The Cheetah Robot can get to a speed of 29 miles per hour, crushing a 13.1 mile-per-hour speed record set by MIT in 1989. You can see a list of Alphabet's robotics projects here. All robot projects are run as part of Replicant, which is controlled by Google X. 10. Longer lasting batteries pcworld Creating longer lasting batteries may not seem like an ambitious project, but it's actually a pretty difficult one. There's a lot of demand for batteries that last longer when it comes to creating popular consumer items like smartphones. As Alphabet CEO, Larry Page told analysts in 2013, battery life for mobile devices is a huge issue with real potential to invent new and better experiences," the Wall Street Journal reported. A small group of just four members is currently working on that issue under Google X, the WSJ reported. 11. A giant genomics storing service theguardian Google will store your genome in the cloud for $25, and the storage system could have a major impact on the scientific community. The hope is to collect millions of genomes to aid in scientific research. As MIT Review reports, the system could aid in collecting "cancer genome clouds" that would allow scientists to share information and run virtual experiments. The project is run under Google X. 12. Google's project to 'cure death' Calico scienceroll The tech giant has taken on the ambitious project of extending the average lifespan. The research being done has been kept fairly hush, but we know researchers are looking at things like genes that correlate to longer lifespans in certain people. The project is run by Calico, a company under Alphabet, that stands for California Life Company. 13. Artificial Intelligence slashgear DeepMind, which is the company's AI research firm, falls under Google as a traditional product. Google has made massive strides with refining its AI. In January, Google's AI beat a human at the complex game of Go for the very first time. Google's AI was also capable of learning to play and win Atari 2600 games without any prior instructions in 2015. More recently, the company's AI system was able to successfully navigate a maze on a computer game the same way a human would. 14. Virtual reality youtube It seems like virtual reality will be the next big project for the tech giant. The company opened up a new virtual reality division under Google in early January, Re/code reported. There are also reports that the company is working on updating its cheaper virtual reality set, Google Cardboard, to make it more powerful. 15. Google Fiber engadage Google Fiber provides super high-speed internet and more than 150 TV channels. You can record up to eight shows simultaneously on the Google Fiber DVR, and control the TV using an app on an Android or iOS device. Google Fiber, which provides an internet connection that's up to 1,000 megabits per second, is one of the fastest US internet providers (along with Verizon FiOS). It's currently only available in select US cities including Atlanta, Austin, Charlotte, Kansas City, Nashville, Raleigh-Durham, Salt Lake City, San Antonio, and Provo, Utah. However, Google plans to expand it to more cities. Fiber falls under the Access and Energy company under Alphabet. Abandoned by his family, this starving two year Nigerian old boy could have quickly succumbed to hunger and thirst, if it hadn't been for a Danish woman who rescued him. Surprisingly, he survived for 8 months, on "scraps of food thrown to him", by kind passersby. facebook Anja Ringgren Loven, a Danish woman living in Africa took pity on him when she saw him, instantly feeding the boy giving him water, and taking him to the nearest hospital. Loven, the founder of African Children's Aid Education and Development Foundation, is no stranger to children labelled as witches, and soon neglected, or even murdered by their own community. facebook Appealing for donations to help pay for his medical fees, Loven has supervised medication that removed worms from belly, and daily blood transfusions to increase his red blood cells count. "Hope's condition is stable now. He's taking food for himself and he responds to the medicine he gets." And the world has paid attention - 2 days after her post, she received $1 million in donations from around the world. "With all the money, we can, besides giving Hope the very best treatment, now also build a doctor clinic on the new land and save many more children out of torture!" she wrote. Pakistans southern province of Sindh has become Pakistan's first region to give the Muslim nation's small Hindu minority the right to be legally married. praveenpn4u flickr Muslims comprise 97% three percent of the nation's 190 million population, established for the sub-continent's Muslims on independence from the British in 1947. While the Christian community has a British law dating back to 1870 regulating their marriages, Hindus have had no legal mechanism for registering marriages. But Hindus have had no legal mechanism to register their marriages. Christians, the other main religious minority, have a British law dating back to 1870 regulating their marriages. The objective of this bill is to provide a formal process of registration of marriage for Hindus, said the bill passed by the legislature in Sindh, where most of Pakistan's Hindus live. The law can be applied retroactively to existing marriages.Without the law, Hindus say their women were easy targets for rape or forced marriage and faced problems in proving the legitimacy of their relationships before the law. Widows have been particularly disadvantaged. hafsite Pakistan's Hindus and other minorities have faced a surge of violence in recent years as militant Islamists attack groups that do not share their strict interpretation of Islam. All of Pakistan's minorities - Hindus, Christians, Ahmadis and even Shi'ite Muslims - say they feel the state fails to protect them and sometimes even tolerates violence against them. Many complain the problem has become worse since Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif won an election in 2013. Sharif has close ties with Saudi Arabia, whose brand of conservative Wahhabi Islam is preached by many of the people who denounce minorities. The U.S. Commission on Religious Freedom said in a recent report that conditions in Pakistan had "hit an all-time low" and governments had failed to adequately protect minorities and arrest those who attack or discriminate against them. But many see the passage of the bill as a ray of hope. Now after the passage of this bill in the Sindh assembly, after 70 years, Hindus will also have a marriage certificate just like Muslims do," said Shahnaz Sheedi, the coordinator for South Asia Partnership Pakistan, a civil rights movement. "We hope that bill will be soon adopted at the national level, she said. The National Assembly in Islamabad has been considering such a bill it is still in committee. Google was auto-correcting searches so that they read "Muslims support terrorism," according to reports. ScreenShort In a slip-up that has now been fixed, Google would tell people searching for "Muslims report terrorism" that they might have been looking instead for "Muslims support terrorism." The problem appears to have appeared automatically, and through no manual input from anyone at Google. It instead seems to be a result of the huge number of people searching for and writing that Muslims support acts of terror. Google's auto-correcting feature is thought to work by analyzing words that tend to occur around each other, meaning that its computers are able to guess that one word is out of place, and what it might be supposed to read. But it appears to have done that for the terrorism phrase, with "support" being written around the world Muslims and terrorism so much more that the algorithm saw it as an error. Hind Makki, a blogger who first found the issue, told Quartz that she had found it while looking for a report specifically about the fact that Muslims do report suspicions of terrorism. She was reporting a piece about "Clinton's point about how American Muslims are 'on the frontline of our defense' and how problematic that framing is," Ms Makki told Quartz. "American Muslims *already* report suspicious activity & suspected terrorism to the authorities (and I wanted to link a particular study on my blog)." It's an error which makes us 'sad' Ms Makki said that the suggestion was "sad," since it shows just how many people believe that Muslims are involved in supporting terrorism. "I thought it was hilarious, but also sad and immediately screen capped it," Ms Makki told Quartz. "I know it's not Google's 'fault,' but it goes to show just how many people online search for 'Muslims support terrorism,' though the reality on the ground is the opposite of that." The auto-correct has now been removed. It isn't clear whether that was manually removed by Google, or if the articles posted about it have meant that "Muslims report terrorism" has been written together enough to alter Google's calculations. For 3 months, Yazidi woman Nadia Murad was a sex slave of the world's most terrifying terrorist outfit ISIS. Now in the UK to speak out against the violence faced by the innocent in Iraq, she has revealed the moment ISIS fighters killed her brothers and mother. "When I speak I didn't speak just on my behalf, but on behalf of all the women and children affected in the war zone," she said. "Two months have passed since I have been campaigning and people have been happy, not just Yazidis, about this message. dailymail "About 5,800 Yazidi women and children were captured by the so-called Islamic State. They have killed many people in Iraq and Syria and displaced millions. For us, the Yazidis, they killed the men and took the women and children. They were committing all kinds; murder, rape and displacing people by force in the name of Islam. "Many people may think my story is difficult, but many more had more difficult than mine. ISIS still has around 3400 women captive The organisation consider Yazidi women infidels, and then abduct them to be used as sex slaves. sheikyermami "A year and a half has passed and the genocide against the Yazidis is continuous. We die every day because we see the world silent in the face of our plight," she added. "But when they took me to Mosul and raped me, I forgot my mother and brothers. Because what they were doing to the women was more difficult than death. "Imagine until now, for more than a year and a half, girls as young as nine are being rented and sold out [for sex]." ryot Follow us on microsoft launches lumia 650 with aluminum and windows 10 for 200 New Delhi: Microsoft unveiled its latest Windows 10 Mobile device, the Lumia 650. It is priced at $199 (approximately Rs. 13,500) before local taxes and subsidies. The smartphone will go on sale starting Thursday in select European markets. The Microsoft Lumia 650 was also listed on the company's India website in a dual-SIM variant, which indicates that we may only see the Microsoft Lumia 650 Dual SIM in India. Also the Indian listing only has the phone listed without any details about pricing. The company stresses that the Lumia 650 will offer the "perfect balance between work and personal needs." Much like all the other Windows 10 devices, the Lumia 650 will come with Microsoft suite of productivity apps including Office apps, for creating and editing documents on-the-go; OneDrive, for cloud storage, Microsoft's personal assistant and Cortana. Microsoft adds that the Lumia 650 will fit "perfectly into the enterprise with built-in support for Microsoft business apps." It says that the Lumia 650 will allows IT to "test the latest Windows 10 Mobile updates against critical line of business systems and apps", before it is dispersed to end users via MDM. The Microsoft Lumia 650 runs Windows 10 Mobile and comes with 5-inch Amoled ClearBlack display with HD (720x1280 pixels) resolution. It has a pixel density of 297ppi. The device is powered by a quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 212 and is clocked at 1.3GHz clubbed with 1GB of RAM. It also has 16GB of built-in storage and supports expandable storage via microSD card (up to 200GB). The Lumia 650 comes with 2000mAh battery and supports Nano-SIM. The biggest difference however is that the Lumia 650 Dual SIM comes with dual-SIM slots. The smartphone has 8-megapixel rear autofocus camera with LED flash with a 5-megapixel front camera. Latest Business News Follow us on sc directs rbi to furnish details of biggest bank loan defaulters New Delhi: The Supreme Court (SC) today gave India's central bank six weeks' time to submit before it details of all companies that have either defaulted on bank loans of over Rs 500 crore or whose loans have been restructured under corporate debt restructuring schemes. Taking strong note of the issue of rising bad debts plaguing public sector banks (PSBs), a bench comprising Chief Justice G S Thakur, R. Banumathi and U U Lalit directed the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to file an affidavit and present the list of loan defaulters to it in a sealed envelope within six weeks. As per reports, twenty-nine government-owned banks wrote off a total of Rs 1.14 lakh crore of bad debts between 2013 and 2015. According to the RBI, bad debts for PSBs rose from Rs 15,551 crore for the year ending March 2012 to Rs 52,542 crore for the year ending March 2015, a report in The Indian Express said citing information obtained through an RTI query. The report further states that bad loans written off by them between 2004 and 2015 totalled over Rs 2.11 lakh crore. More than half such loans (Rs 1,14,182 crore) have been waived off between 2013 and 2015, it said. Taking stock of the alarming situation, the SC sought to know how state-owned banks and financial institutions were advancing such huge loans without proper guidelines or an adequate loan-recovery mechanism, thereby putting a huge burden on the public exchequer. The current move by the Supreme Court assumes significance as the RBI has so far refused to divulge details of companies that constitute the bad debts for state-owned banks. An RTI query seeking details was turned down as the central bank said it could only provide consolidated information. Moreover, public sector banks have resorted to the name-and-shame routine to some small debtors but have shied away from naming the big defaulters. Bad loans have weighed heavy on public sector bank books with the largest lenders experiencing a fall in their net profits or incurring losses. India's biggest bank State Bank of India reported a 67 per cent fall in consolidated net profit, which stood at Rs 1,259.49 crore in the December quarter. Loans worth around Rs 20,692 crore had turned bad, it said. The March quarter could be worse as RBI directives of cleaning their books by the end of the fiscal year kicked in. Profits of several public sector banks took a dive after RBI directed banks to reclassify loans and set aside more money against stressed assets. Latest Business News Follow us on vodafone faces asset seizures over non payment of rs 14 200 cr tax bil Mumbai: India has told the country's second largest mobile carrier Vodafone Group Plc that it may have to seize the company's India assets, if it fails to fulfil a tax demand of Rs 14,200 crore. The company received the information in the form of a notice by Anil Sant, Deputy Commissioner of the Income Tax department. Vodafone confirmed receiving the letter dated February 4, maintaining its stand that it was a disputed tax demand and that the issue was under international arbitration. We can confirm that we have received a tax reminder from the Tax Department that also references asset seizures in the event of non-payment. This dispute is currently the subject of international arbitration. The Indian government stated in 2014 that existing tax disputes, including ours, would be resolved through existing judicial process, the company said in a statement today. Vodafone also targeted the tax department saying its behaviour did not indicate that they were on the same page as the government. In a week when Prime Minister Modi is promoting a tax-friendly environment for foreign investors this seems a complete disconnect between government and the Tax Department, it said. The dispute relates to Vodafone's $11 billion acquisition of a 67 per cent stake in the mobile-phone business owned by Hutchison Whampoa, now part of CK Hutchison Holdings Ltd. While Vodafone has said it doesn't owe the Indian government money because the transaction was conducted offshore, Indian authorities have sought to collect taxes on the deal because it involved the assets in the country. Vodafone then began international arbitration proceedings on the tax bill in 2014. It's the biggest of three disputes Vodafone has had with India's government under former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. Latest Business News Follow us on neerja bhanot s last recorded announcement before she was killed New Delhi: Airhostess Neerja Bhanot died a few days before she turned 23. The head purser on the Pan Am 73 flight saved the lives of 359 passengers when the plane was hijacked by four terrorists. The New York bound flight stopped at Karachi (Pakistan) when it came under the attack by terrorists. Neerja sensed the attack before anyone else and took adequate steps to rescue the on board passengers. This Friday a biopic on her life titled, Neerja' and starring Sonam Kapoor in lead role will hit theatres. As a part of their Making Neerja' series, the production house, Fox Star Hindi has released a new video. This latest video features the last announcement of Neerja Bhanot on the flight, hours before she was shot dead. Here is the video which will send chills down your spine. Latest Bollywood News Follow us on bags of human hair worth rs 10 lakh stolen from andhra temple Visakhapatnam: A gang of robbers have stolen human hair worth around Rs 10 lakh from the premises of famous Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple in Andhra Pradesh. DCP (Zone-II) G Ram Gopal Naik said that robbers decamped with at least 10 bags of special grade' human hair from the temple. The preliminary inquiry, he said, hits involvement of a temple insider in the incident. The robbery took place on Monday while there were guards posted outside the building. We have pressed the CLUES team to gather the evidence and are investigating from all angles, Naik said. According to Executive Officer of the Simhachalam Devasthanam K. Ramachandra Mohan, there were about 14 bags containing first and second grade of hair in the room. The robbers took away 10 bags, while two bags were found on the terrace and two were found in the bushes besides the building. The bags taken way would be worth about Rs. 7 lakh in the open market, he said. Staff of Kesh Kandana Sala (tonsuring centre) of the temple collect the hair and segregate them as per length and quality, which is then auctioned. The temple is one among the many in south India, where devotees tonsure their head to offer their hair to the Lord. The hair is collected, segregated as per the length and quality, stored and sold to exporters through an open auction. On a complaint filed by the temple management, police inspected the spot and pressed dog squad into service to gather clues. This was the third time that such a robbery has taken place on the temple premises. It happened once in the late 1990s and again in 2009. Latest India News Follow us on delhi hc quashes demand for nia probe against kanhaiya kumar New Delhi: The Delhi High Court termed as 'premature' the plea seeking a probe by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in the sedition case against Jawaharlal Nehru University Student Union (JNUSU) president Kanhaiya Kumar. "It is an incident of February 9. Delhi Police is probing the matter. Let the police investigate first. We cannot step in unless necessary," a bench of Justice Manmohan said, adding, "The present writ petition is premature and is dismissed." During the hearing, the counsel, appearing for petitioner Ranjana Agnihotri told the court that this is a serious and sensitive matter as anti-India slogans were raised inside the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) campus. Advocate Hari Shankar Jain, the counsel for the petitioner, argued that sovereignty and integrity of the country were threatened by a few students and people associated with the university and "hostile foreign forces" were trying to destabilise the country. The bench, however, observed, "We are not politicians. We just cannot jump into things. The investigation is on. The police, law and order are taken care of by the government and let them do the needful first." During the proceedings, the counsel for the Centre submitted that it was a fact that anti-national slogans were raised in the university campus but whether there was a "youthful error or any conspiracy" behind it is being probed by Delhi Police. The counsel for the Delhi government said, "Who instigated these people is being probed by the police and we should wait till the probe is on." During the arguments, the petitioner's counsel contended that the bench should direct the government to appoint a judicial commission to look into the matter. "No. The State will look into it," the bench said. "In the present case, the incident has taken place only on February 9, so this court at this stage cannot say that the police is not investigating the matter properly. This court is confident that Delhi Police will investigate all the aspects," the bench said. The plea was yesterday filed in the high court soon after a group of men in lawyers' robes thrashed students and mediapersons in Patiala House court complex here ahead of the hearing in the sedition case in which JNUSU president Kanhaiya Kumar has been arrested. The petition had alleged that Delhi Police was not probing the case properly and the matter should be transferred to National Investigation Agency (NIA). Kanhaiya was arrested on February 12 in connection with a case of sedition and criminal conspiracy over an event at the university against hanging of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru. The same day, he was remanded in three days police custody by a court here after the police said his and five other absconding accused' alleged links with terrorist groups were being probed. Yesterday, his custody was extended by two days. A case was registered under Sections of 124 A (sedition) and 120B (criminal conspiracy) of IPC against unknown persons at Vasant Kunj (North) Police station following complaints by BJP MP Maheish Girri and ABVP. The event was held despite the varsity administration having cancelled the permission following a complaint by ABVP members, who had termed the activity as "anti-national". Latest India News Follow us on former du lecturer sar geelani arrested in sedition case New Delhi: Former Delhi University lecturer SAR Geelani, who was booked for sedition in connection with an event at the Press Club of India in support of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru, was arrested in the wee hours on Tuesday. "Geelani was arrested around 3 AM at the Parliament Street police station under IPC sections 124A (sedition), 120B (criminal conspiracy) and 149 (unlawful assembly)," DCP (New Delhi) Jatin Narwal said. Geelani was called to the police station last night where he was detained and questioned for several hours, and later arrested. After his arrest, he was taken to RML Hospital for a medical examination, he said. The detention comes amid the raging controversy over the arrest of JNUSU president Kanhaiya Kumar under sedition charges. He was arrested after an event was held in the university campus in support of Afzal Guru on February 9, during which anti-India slogans were raised. It triggered a countrywide students' protest and the opposition parties have accused the government of overreaction on something that could have been handled within the institution. On February 10, a group allegedly shouted slogans hailing Guru at the Delhi Press Club, following which the police registered a case of sedition, criminal conspiracy and unlawful assembly against Geelani and unnamed persons. Geelani, police said, was booked as he is supposed to be the main organiser of the event. "The request for booking a hall at the Press Club was done through Geelani's e-mail and the event was proposed to be a public meeting, which did not turn out to be so," a senior police officer said. After a case of registered, the police questioned DU professor Ali Javed, a Press Club member, who had booked the hall for the event for two consecutive days. Geelani was arrested in connection with the 2001 Parliament attack case. But two years later, he was acquitted by the high court for want of evidence. In August 2005, the decision was upheld by the Supreme Court, which, however, said that the "needle of suspicion" pointed towards him. Latest India News Follow us on jnu row police registers fir in journalists attack case New Delhi: Delhi Police today registered a First Information Report (FIR) against some lawyers over thrashing of journalists at a court here on Monday. "We have registered an FIR in connection with the incident that occurred in the court yesterday (Monday). We are looking into the matter," Delhi Police Commissioner BS Bassi said here at a function of 69th Raising Day of Delhi Police. Home Minister Rajnath Singh, who also attended the event, said, "An inquiry is going on over the incident." However, Rajnath Singh who had earlier claimed a link between terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba and the protests at the Jawaharlal Nehru University, refused to disclose any details. Four journalists and some JNU students were assaulted at the Patiala House courts by a section of lawyers on Monday. A reporter of a news agency was slapped inside a courtroom while some other journalists were attacked within the court premises by lawyers who were raising "Bharat Mata ki Jai" slogans. The incident took place just before the president of the Jawaharlal Nehru University Students Union (JNUSU), Kanhaiya Kumar, who has been arrested on charges of sedition, was to be presented before a court. Meanwhile, a delegation of journalists today took out march against the attack on journalists at Patiala House Court. Journalists marched in protest from Press Club of India to Supreme Court over the attack. The journalists held placards and shouted slogans against the manhandling incident. With IANS Inputs Latest India News Follow us on if afzal was a martyr who is hanumanthappa yogeshwar dutt New Delhi: Olympic medalist and star wrestler Yogeshwar Dutt has asked what kind of freedom of speech this is where people are disrespecting mother India. In an elaborate facebook post, Dutt further asked if Afzal Guru was a martyr, what would people call Hanumanthappa. How could you become the enemy of the country where you are born." Scuffle broke out as the protesting lawyers shouting "Bharat Mata ki Jai" ordered the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) students and journalists out of the courtroom, witnesses said. Teachers representing 40 central universities as well as faculty from the Pune-based FTII had come out in support of the agitating students saying it was an issue of indiscipline and not sedition. Kanhaiya Kumar , president of the JNU student's union is in police custody in a sedition case for allegedly shouting pro-Pakistan slogans at an event in the campus. Earlier on Monday, Delhi Police Commissioner BS Bassi claimed that Kanhaiya had raised anti-national slogans during the controversial event. "Kanhaiya was present at the event. He delivered a speech and participated in an unlawful assembly which indulged in anti-India sloganeering. It was because of his involvement and the evidence we have collected so far that he has been arrested under charges of sedition," Bassi told reporters after meeting Home Minister Rajnath Singh. Latest India News Follow us on jnu teachers join student strike to take classes on nationalism New Delhi: JNU teachers today joined the students in boycotting classes in protest against arrest of its student union leader in a sedition case and said they would take classes on "nationalism" in the varsity lawns. The students had yesterday gone on an indefinite strike till JNUSU president Kanhaiya Kumar is released and the sedition case against him dropped. After 10 teachers and a group of students were attacked yesterday in Patiala House court complex where Kanhaiya was produced yesterday, the teachers association decided to join the students in boycotting classes. "The administration is not only acting against students but also teachers and we are being openly attacked while the VC stays mum over it. The entire world is now referring to JNU as a hub of anti-nationals on basis of propaganda of few people in power. It is time we teach our students what nationalism is," said Rohith Azad, a faculty member, who was among those who were attacked yesterday. The one-and-half-hour long lecture on "nationalism " will be held every evening at 5 in front of the administration block. JNU students union president Kanhaiya Kumar was arrested last week in connection with a case of sedition and criminal conspiracy registered over holding of the event at the varsity during which anti-India slogans were alleged to have been raised. His arrest has triggered widespread outrage among students and teachers and drawn severe criticism from non-BJP political parties. The university teachers had earlier rallied behind its protesting students and questioned the administration's decision to allow the police crackdown on the campus even as they appealed to the public not to "brand" the institution as "anti-national" but they had not joined the strike earlier. Teachers' bodies of 40 central universities and Pune-based FTII had also come out in support of the agitating students, saying it is an issue of "indiscipline" and not "sedition". Over 400 academicians from international varsities, including Columbia, Yale, Harvard, Cambridge, Oxford, SOAS, University of Toronto, McGill, King's College, University of California, Berkeley and New York University have also expressed solidarity with JNU students condemning the "illegal" detention and "autocratic" suspension of students. (With PTI inputs) Latest India News Follow us on jnu row kanhaiya s arrest justified he raised anti national slogans says bs bassi New Delhi: Delhi Police Commissioner B S Bassi on Monday said that the arrest of Jawaharlal Nehru University students' union president Kanhaiya Kumar was justified as he had raised anti-national slogans during the controversial event in the campus. Bassi, however, said police have so far found "no evidence linking the LeT" to the incident. "Kanhaiya was present at the event, where he delivered a speech and participated in an unlawful assembly which indulged in anti-India sloganeering. It was because of his involvement, and the evidence we have collected so far, that he has been arrested under charge of sedition," Bassi told reporters after meeting home minister Rajnath Singh. Twice the commissioner said that Kanhaiya was part of the event where anti-national slogans were raised. He said the congregation, organised against the hanging of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru, was anti-national and unlawful. "Yes, he raised anti-national slogans," he said when pressed further on the issue. Bassi said that the speech he delivered at the event was highly objectionable. When asked about alleged links between Kashmir militants and the JNU students who were suspected to be involved in the incident, Bassi said, "Kanhaiya's interrogation will be analysed for terror links and the police are looking for some other students who all went absconding after the incident but will soon be arrested." He, however, said they have found "no evidence linking" the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) to the JNU incident so far. "As and when it comes, it will shared with Home Ministry," he said. The police chief added that during Kanhaiya's questioning investigators have gathered crucial information which will now be verified and processed. On February 12, Jawaharla Nehru University's students' union President Kanhaiya Kumar was arrested in a sedition case over an event at the varsity's campus against hanging of parliament attack convict Afzal Guru. Responding to questions about a video footage purportedly showing some students, who are allegedly of ABVP, shouting anti-India slogans in the same event, Bassi said, "As far as I am informed, ABVP students were protesting against the conduct of the particular event. However, if anything comes up against them, they will have to face legal action too." Caught in a controversy over the purported tweet of LeT founder Hafiz Saeed that was pinned by Delhi Police in an alert over Twitter asking students not to get carried away by anti-India rhetoric, the commissioner said that a probe has been initiated into the matter. (with PTI inputs) Latest India News Follow us on let parliament decide on euthanasia supreme court New Delhi: The Supreme Court abstained from passing an order on the appeal to legalise passive euthanasia and Living Will (the Constitutional right of terminally-ill persons to elongate their lives with the aid of life support systems) saying it is the Parliament's responsibility to decide on its permissibility'. "The issues of passive euthanasia and Living Will is being considered by the government. However, we may clarify that the pendency of the petition should not come in the way of the authority to take a decision," a five-judge Constitution Bench headed by Justice AR Dave said. "We are not passing any order at this stage," said the bench, comprising Justices Kurian Joseph, Shiva Kirti Singh, AK Goel and RF Nariman. It agreed with the view of the Centre and said that the court should post the next hearing in July and till then call for a public debate in the peoples' court, that is Parliament. Additional Solicitor General P S Patwalia opposed the plea of NGO Common Cause and its advocate Prashant Bhushan that the court should consider and pass an order at least on the limited issue of Living Will, till a legislation is enacted. He submitted that since the Health Ministry was examining the Law Commission report after which a Bill would be drafted by the Law Ministry, the apex court should defer the hearing and wait till July for the debate to take place. The Centre had earlier explained the complexity of the issue to the court with the example of Formula One legend Michael Schumacher who has been kept alive for years through life support system in the hope that he'll wake up from his coma in the coming time. When the bench asked Bhushan, "Do you want court's verdict or the people's verdict on it," he said the issue of Living Will is not the subject of parliamentary debate as it concerns the fundamental right to life guaranteed under the Constitution which also covers the right to die with dignity. However, the bench was of the view that "it is something which should be debated in peoples' court, i.e Parliament." As Bhushan argued for consideration of the limited issue of Living Will saying that it is given by the terminally-ill persons of sound mind, the bench asked, "would it not be a case where you are permitting a miracle to happen?" During the hearing, the ASG gave an example of former Formula One world champion Michael Schumacher, who is in coma for over two years, saying that his family members are hoping that medical science has developed and he will return to normalcy and are against withdrawing life support system. A doctor-turned-advocate, who has sought intervention in the matter, said the issue concerning euthanasia is very sensitive and has to be deliberated in a careful manner. Dr Kishore submitted that persistent vegetative state does not mean that a person is dead, so the life support system should not be withdrawn. He elaborated that during his career as a doctor for 40 years, he had come across three cases from across the globe that after being in coma for 19 years, they have returned to lead a normal life. Putting the onus on the authority to take a decision on the issue assumes significance as the Centre in its latest affidavit has said it has framed a draft legislation on the issue but would await the apex court's verdict on it. "Based on recommendations of the expert committee, the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) has proposed formulation of legislation on passive euthanasia. The expert committee has further suggested certain changes in the draft bill. "The committee has not agreed to active euthanasia since it has more potential for misuse and, as on date, it is prevalent in very few countries worldwide," the ASG had said in the last hearing. He had also submitted that the Law Commission's report favouring legalising of passive euthanasia with certain safeguards is being examined and a bill will be drafted thereafter. The court is awaiting the government's stand in its endeavour to examine a plea to legalise passive euthanasia by means of withdrawal of life support system to terminally-ill patients. The apex court on January 15 had asked the government to make its stand clear in a reasonable time. The law officer apprised the bench about the 241st report of the Law Commission which has stated that passive euthanasia should be allowed with certain safeguards and there was a proposed law -- Medical Treatment of Terminally Ill Patient (Protection of Patients and Medical Practioners) Bill, 2006. He had said his contention will also be based on 6.7 regulation of 2002 in Medical Council of India Act which says that practicing euthanasia shall constitute unethical conduct. However on specific occasions, the question of withdrawing supporting devices to sustain cardio-pulmonary function even after brain death, shall be decided only by a doctors' team and not the treating physician alone. The bench was hearing a PIL filed in 2005 by NGO Common Cause which said when a medical expert opines that the person afflicted with a terminal disease has reached a point of no return, then he should be given the right to refuse being put on life support system, as otherwise it would only prolong his agony. The apex court had two years ago issued notices to states and Union Territories on the issue, even as the Centre had strongly opposed the petition saying it was a form of suicide which cannot be allowed. Another five-judge bench had then said that states must also be heard as the issue pertained not only to the Constitution, but to morality, religion and medical science. The NGO had prayed for declaring the right to die with dignity as a fundamental right and sought a direction to the government to adopt suitable procedures to ensure that those with deteriorating health or the terminally ill should be able to execute a Living Will and attorney authorisation for termination of life. It had explained that there were three types of euthanasia -- positive, passive and Living Will. It said the emphasis was on the category of Living Will in which a person makes an advance declaration that if during his treatment, it becomes clear that there is no chance of revival, he should not be put on life support system or ventilator. While referring to 6.7 regulation of 2002 under Medical Council of India, the bench wanted to know about implication of the regulation if the four words 'even after brain death' is deleted from it. Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi had submitted that the issue should be debated and decided by the legislature and it was not a matter to be adjudicated by the court. The bench had appointed senior lawyer and former Solicitor General T R Andhyarujina as amicus curiae to assist it in the case relating to legalising euthanasia. The present PIL has contended that a person whose life was ebbing out should be allowed to die as the continuance of the life with the support system was an unnatural extension of the natural life span. A Constitution Bench was set up after a three-judge bench had on February 25, 2014 referred the matter to a larger bench saying it was extremely important to have a clear enunciation of law in view of inconsistent opinions in its previous judgement. It had said that its verdict of 2011 allowing passive euthanasia was delivered on a "wrong premise". "In view of the inconsistent opinions rendered in Aruna Shanbaug case and considering the important question of law involved which needs to be reflected in the light of social, legal, medical and constitutional perspective, it becomes extremely important to have a clear enunciation of the law. "Thus, in our cogent opinion, the question of law involved requires careful consideration by a Constitution Bench of this court for the benefit of humanity as a whole," the court had said. It had said that its earlier Constitution Bench verdict, which was wrongly relied in Aruna Shanbaug case, had held that the right to live with dignity will be inclusive of the right to die with dignity, but the judgement did not arrive at a conclusion on validity of euthanasia. Latest India News Follow us on mumbai techie ends up in pakistan s jail for espionage New Delhi: Hamid N Ansari, the Mumbai techie has been sentenced to three years imprisonment for espionage by Pakistan's military court, Pakistan's Dawn reported. "The convict had confessed to illegally entering Pakistan from Afghanistan for espionage. The source added that Mr Ansari had seven Facebook accounts as well as around 30 email addresses. He was reportedly found to be in possession of sensitive documents," the daily quoted its sources as saying The report said Ansari was convicted two days ago in Kohat and was shifted to Peshawar Central Prison. He has a right to appeal under the Pakistan Army Act. Ansari was taken into custody by police and Intelligence Bureau (IB) officials in Kohat in Nov 2012. Ever since, his whereabouts were unknown. Ansari went missing in Pakistan three years ago while searching for a girl he fell in love with over the Internet.He was later found to be alive and in custody of the Pakistan Army. According to police, Ansari was allegedly convinced by friends and contacts in Pakistan that he could enter the country easily from Afghanistan. Ansari had travelled to Afghanistan for job prospects in November 2012, Qazi Muhammad Anwar, counsel for Ansari's mother Fauzia, had told the court. He had befriended a Kohat-based woman through social media and had crossed over into Pakistan from Afghanistan. He had been staying at a hotel in Kohat when police, assisted by the Intelligence Bureau officials, arrested him on November 12, 2012. "The intelligence agencies arrested him from a hotel in Kohat and since then his family and friends have been unaware of his whereabouts," Anwar was quoted as saying by the paper. He added that as per a police inquiry report Ansari was being held by intelligence agencies. After Ansari went missing, his mother had filed a complaint at a police station in Mumbai. She had also contacted the Afghan consulate in the city. The petitioner subsequently sent an application to the human rights cell of the Supreme Court in Islamabad, which forwarded the case to the Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances in March 2014, the paper said. In April, the commission directed the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Home and Tribal Affairs department to form a joint investigation team to trace Ansari. An FIR was subsequently lodged at the city police station in Karak district in connection with Ansari's missing. Latest India News Follow us on president approves dismissal of visva bharati vc sushanta dattagupta New Delhi: President Pranab Mukherjee has approved the dismissal of Visva Bharati Vice Chancellor Sushanta Dattagupta, the first instance of sacking of the VC of a Central University, HRD ministry officials said. "The President, who is the Visitor of Central Universities, has approved the dismissal of Visva Bharati VC Dattagupta, as proposed by the ministry," Ghanshyam Goel, the spokesperson for the HRD ministry said on Monday. Earlier this month, the HRD ministry had sent the file to the President recommending dismissal of Dattagupta, who was facing allegations of financial and administrative irregularities, after the Law Ministry and the Attorney General approved the procedures followed by it in the matter. The President's office, had earlier raised certain queries after which the ministry had sought the opinion of the Law Ministry. Mukherjee had twice earlier returned the file relating to Dattagupta to the HRD Ministry, the latest in November last year, asking whether denying the VC a "hearing in person" on allegations levelled against him was legally tenable, triggering speculation that both were not on the same page on the matter. However, after the Law ministry backed the HRD's view, the file was again sent to the President paving the way for the VC's dismissal. Amidst reports that Rashtrapati Bhavan and the Ministry had divergent views on the issue, HRD Minister Smriti Irani had met the President recently. Charges against Duttagupta included drawing salary from Visva Bharati and pension from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) simultaneously in alleged violation of the law. Under the law, he was required to have got his pension amount deducted from the pay he received from Visva Bharati. Besides this, Duttagupta was charged with making irregular appointments, including that of the Controller of Examinations, despite having no powers, and sanctioning key posts in violation of the Visva Bharati Act. Dattagupta, who was appointed in 2011, had over six months of his tenure left. Earlier he had challenged the legality of the Ministry's fact-finding committee but his petition was dismissed by the Calcutta High Court. Dattagupta had reportedly emailed his resignation to the President, which the HRD ministry was unwilling to accept. Latest India News Follow us on 10 controversial comments made by donald trump New York: Long before the New Hampshire primary victory came along, the flamboyant-yet-controversial real estate mogul, Donald J. Trump, has lived in the news owing to his over-the-top theatrics at presidential debates and irksome comments. Racist', sexist', bigot'or even worse than Voldemort' are only few of the references made about the Republican front-runner in the 2016 U.S Presidential Election. A man with a twitter following of over 6 million users and net worth of approximately 5.7bn, Trump has possibly become one of the most loved/hated GOP contenders running against the likes of fellow Republican and brother of former president, Jeb Bush and Former Secretary of state Hillary Clinton, the Democratic candidate. Having this reputation of being bold and brash, Donald Trump has made some of the most controversial comments during his presidential campaign. Here goes a list of 10 such comments made by Donald Trump: 1. "If Hillary Clinton can't satisfy her husband what makes her think she can satisfy America?" -Trump tweeted on April 16. He took the tweet down soon after. 2. "Donald J. Trump is calling for a total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States until our country's representatives can figure out what is going on," - Trump made this controversial comment on Dec. 7 in South Carolina, during his speech regarding the banning of Muslims from entering the U.S mainland. 3. There were people that were cheering on the other side of New Jersey, where you have large Arab populations. They were cheering as the World Trade Center came down. I know it might be not politically correct for you to talk about it, but there were people cheering as that building came down.. -Trump made this outrageous comment, on November 2015, claiming he saw people in the U.S cheering 9/11. 4. "Hey, I'm not saying they're stupid I like China. I just sold an apartment for $15 million dollars to somebody from China. Am I supposed to dislike 'em?" - Trump said when he announced his bid for the presidency in June, 2015 on the topic of China ripping away U.S jobs and on the debate of having tougher negotiation position with the country. 5. Sadly, the overwhelming amount of violent crime in our major cities is committed by blacks and hispanics-a tough subject-must be discussed. -Trump tweeted on June 5, 2013. 6. How much money is the extremely unattractive (both inside and out) Arianna Huffington paying her poor ex-hubby for the use of his name? -Trump tweeted on April 7 about Huffington Post's co-founder, Arianna Huffington. This was in response to HP article critical of Trump. 7. Look at that face! Would anyone vote for that? Can you imagine that, the face of our next president?" -Trump to opponent Carly Fiorina, in September 2015, during an interview with Rolling Stone. 8. "13 Syrian refugees were caught trying to get into the U.S. through the Southern Border. How many made it? WE NEED THE WALL!" -Trump tweeted on November 22 referring to his immigration bans on refugees piling in from Syria and other North African countries. 9. "They lied. They said there were weapons of mass destruction and there were none. And they knew there were none. There were no weapons of mass destruction.. The World Trade Center came down during your brother's reign. Remember that?" -Trump said on February 14, 2016, in a Republican candidate debate regarding Bush administration and 9/11. During this debate, Trump was, despite being booed (again) was considered to have finally gone too far in making a bold and provocative claim. However, this one could be among the harsh truth of the US government. 10. The U.S. has become a dumping ground for everybody else's problems. When Mexico sends its people, they're not sending the best. They're sending people that have lots of problems and they're bringing those problems. They're bringing drugs, they're bringing crime. They're rapists and some, I assume, are good people, but I speak to border guards and they're telling us what we're getting. - Trump commented about Mexican immigration in June 2015 during a speech made at his presidential campaign where he referred to Mexicans as rapists'. Latest World News Follow us on china claims to begin search for alien life with world s largest radio telescope to vacate 9000 residents Beijing: China will displace nearly 10,000 people to facilitate an ambitious search for alien life with the world's largest radio telescope, Chinese state media reported on Tuesday. The exploration is to begin with a five hundred-metre Aperture Spherical Radio Telescope, arguably the world's largest, is to be located between hills in the south-western province of Guizhou and is ready to start operations this year. The radio telescope, which is some 300 metres in diameter, will cost around 1.2 billion yuan. The evacuation is facilitated by a proposal last year by several members of the Guizhou provincial committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), Xinhua news agency reported. The proposal asked the government to relocate residents within 5 km of the 500-metre Aperture Spherical Telescope, or FAST, to create a sound electromagnetic wave environment. The Guizhou provincial government is expected to resettle 9,110 residents in Pingtang county and Luodian County in four settlements by the end of September. Subsidy for residents from government Each of the involved residents will get 12,000 yuan ($1,830) subsidy from the provincial reservoir and eco-migration bureau, and each involved ethnic minority household with housing difficulties will get 10,000 yuan subsidy from the provincial ethnic and religious committee. Construction of the FAST began in March 2011 with an investment of 1.2 billion yuan. Upon completion, the telescope will be the world's largest of its kind, overtaking Puerto Rico's Arecibo Observatory, which is 300 metres in diameter. (With agencies) Latest World News Follow us on first silk road train carrying chinese goods arrives in tehran Tehran: The first train to connect China and Iran arrived in Tehran today loaded with Chinese goods, reviving the Silk Road or Silk Route -- an ancient network of trade routes that were central to cultural interaction through regions of the Asian continent connecting the West and East from China to the Mediterranean Sea. The train, carrying 32 containers of commercial products from eastern Zhejiang province, took 14 days to make the 9,500-kilometre (5,900-mile) journey through Kazakstan and Turkmenistan. "The arrival of this train in less than 14 days is unprecedented," Mohsen Pourseyed Aghaie, Iran's deputy Transport Minister, said. "The revival of the Silk Road is crucial for the countries on its route," Mohsen added. The journey, Aghaie said, was 30 days shorter than the sea voyage from Shanghai to the Iranian port of Bandar Abbas. Aghaie also said that Iran is planning to extend the route to Europe. Iran's President Hassan Rouhani said that his country will continue its close ties with the East despite deals his country has with western nations like France and Italy. China is Iran's biggest trade partner and continued purchasing oil from Iran after nuclear-related sanctions were tightened in 2012, despite US pressure. Trade on the Silk Road was a significant factor in the development of the civilizations of China, the Indian subcontinent, Persia, Europe, the Horn of Africa and Arabia, opening long-distance, political and economic relations between the civilizations. In addition to economic trade, the Silk Road served as a means of carrying out cultural trade among the civilizations along its network. In June 2014 UNESCO designated the Chang'an-Tianshan corridor of the Silk Road as a World Heritage Site With AP Inputs Latest World News Follow us on fluttering burkhas unwavering will tale of pak s women commandos Islamabad: Clad in black burkhas or niqab, strapped with fierce automatic weapons and engaging in combat training in extreme weather is what the new-day Pakistan is now experiencing. Female commandos fought at front-line in many countries but now the same is happening in Islamic nation of Pakistan, too where women are taking their security in their own hands. The gruelling long-hour training and work hours are exhausting but women commandos' have realized their importance to step forward to shield their country's men and women from danger. "It is an obligation of every Muslim to protect other Muslims," told the 22-year-old Gul Nisa from the restive Tank district to NBC News. "The situation in our country is very bad, that's why we should all play a role in improving it said Gul when asked why she chose to dawn the uniform. In most of the Islamic nation women are not treated par with their male counterpart, socially as well as legally. In fact the very idea of a Muslim woman working outside her homes may seem blasphemous to a majority in Muslim society. As a result, the presence of women commandos did not go unnoticed whenever they come in picture. Last year in November a photo of a Pakistani woman commando went viral on the internet. The photo showed female commando guarding the Indian Sikhs as they arrive at Wagha railway station for a religious tour. Pakistani women, however, have long looked squarely in the face of local traditions and defied them, excelled in military training and engaged in safeguarding their nation. In fact, it was in 1994 when the first women-only police station opened in Rawalpindi. The initiative was headed by the former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto and since then same has happened in Abbottabad, Peshawar, Lahore, Multan and Karachi, too. Since the days of Bhutto, who still holds the distinction of being only woman to become head of a state in an Islamic nation, women in uniforms has come a long way. Pakistan, as of now, has nearly 14 police training schools spread out all over the country where women commandos receive martial arts training and eventually get recruited in different anti-terrorist forces. Punjab, Sindh, Baluchistan and Khyber Pakhtunkwha are among those cities. Recently, four women teachers were placed at the entry gates of Bacha Khan University, in Charsadda, which re-opened on Monday nearly after 26 days from a Taliban led terrorist attack. However, these women teachers are doing more than merely standing at the gate. Each of the four women have been allowed to carry licensed firearms and given the authority to deal with matters of security by ensuring protection to the returning students, most of who are still shaken by what had transpired. The attack, which took place on a cold, foggy January morning, took the lives of over 20 students and teachers. Women commandos are not just known for their commitment of maintaining their nation's peace but also for what difference they bring to the table. They are mothers, sisters and daughters but we need them to be commandos too. They bring a different temperament to the Anti Terrorist Squad (ATS), and are very effective and committed to combating terrorism in our country told DSP Akram Jappa, who recruits women for Islamabad Police's ATS squad, to PakistanTribune. Video: Latest World News Follow us on foreign secretary level talks with pakistan still on says indian envoy Islamabad: Indian High Commissioner to Pakistan Gautam Bambawale on Monday said that Foreign Secretary-level talks between India and Pakistan would be held soon and that the two sides are in constant touch. He, however, maintained that no dates have been set for the talks. "I cannot give any particular date for the Secretary- level talks, but Foreign Secretaries from both countries are in constant contact," he said. Gautam's remark came at a time when India's leadership remains convinced that Pakistan has not done enough in Pathankot terror attack investigations to go ahead with the talks. The ambassador also noted that the talks are not linked with the ongoing investigation into the Pathankot attack. The scheduled meeting between Foreign Secretaries of Pakistan and India was postponed after the January 2 Pathankot attack for which India blames Pakistan-based terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba. India had linked the resumption of the Foreign Secretary-level talks to action by Pakistan against JeM chief Maulana Masood Azhar who masterminded the attack. Bambawale, who arrived in Pakistan last month to assume the charge of the High Commission, said that the National Security Advisers of the two countries were in touch over the Pathankot attack. Further, stressing upon measures to improve bilateral trade, Gautam said that economic cooperation would help India and Pakistan come closer. "Trade and economic interdependence should be developed between both sides. It will reduce the danger of confrontation," he said. The immigration process between both states also needs to be made easy, he said, adding that 'citizens of both countries travelling to the neighbouring state would help build trust'. Latest World News Follow us on hafiz saeed denies involvement in jnu protest New Delhi: Jamaat-ud-Dawa chief Hafiz Saeed has rubbished allegations from India about his role in the event organised at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) to mark the hanging of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru. In a video message posted on YouTube on Monday, Saeed said, "I felt strange after going through the reports of protest of Kashmiri students in India's Jawaharlal Nehru University. The Indian Home Minister has alleged that I am behind the protest." "Neither I am behind the students protest nor I did any tweet to incite them. It is a fake tweet. India has made an issue out of this as if I am behind this protest campaign," India's one of the most-wanted terrorists said. "The Indian Minister is misleading his own people and the world by levelling allegation on me that I am behind this protest campaign," he added. On Sunday, Home Minister Rajnath Singh had said the demonstration on the JNU campus to mark the hanging of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru received 'support' from Hafiz Saeed. This is a truth that the nation needs to understand," he had said. Rajnath's remark sparked a political uproar with opposition leaders asking him to furnish evidence. Hours later, the Ministry of Home Affairs issued a clarification that the remarks were based on 'inputs from different agencies'. The MHA's clarification followed reports that Singh and the Delhi Police were misled by a tweet purportedly from a Twitter handle in the name of Hafiz Saeed. Media reported the Saeed's handle was fake and that his Twitter account was blocked a long time ago. Latest World News Follow us on indian hue and cry over f 16 sale to pakistan unfortunate sartaz aziz Islamabad: Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's Adviser on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz has expressed regret on India's objection to sale of eight F-16 Block-52 aircraft to Pakistan. Underlining that strategic balance in South Asia is pivotal for regional peace, Aziz said that India has inked big arms deals with the United States, Russia, and other countries but it is making hue and cry over F-16 jets deal between the US and Pakistan. He said the United States has taken a very clear stance that the jets are being provided to Pakistan to combat terrorism. He was talking to a Pakistani News Channel. The Pakistan Foreign Office on Sunday expressed 'surprise' at the Indian government's disappointment over the United States' decision to sell eight F-16 fighter jets to Pakistan. A 'disappointed' India on Saturday summoned the US envoy in New Delhi, Richard Verma, to 'convey its displeasure' regarding the Obama administration's decision to notify the sale of the aircraft to Pakistan. "Their army and arsenal stock is much larger and they are the largest importer of defence equipment," Pak's Foreign Office Spokesman Nafees Zakaria said in a statement. Latest World News Follow us on heart breaking starved nigerian toddler saved by a young charity worker Abuja: Heart-breaking images of a two year old starving Nigerian toddler being given water by a Danish aid worker is doing rounds on social media. He had reportedly been abandoned by his community, who accused him of being a witch. Nigerian boy, now named Hope, wandered on streets for eight months and survived on scraps thrown to him by passersby for eight months. His limbs were stick-thin from starvation and his belly bloated due to worms. Anja Ringgren Loven came to the poor boy's rescue and gave him food and water and took him to hospital, the Daily Mail reported. Loven is the founder of African Children's Aid Education and Development Foundation, which she created three years ago to help children that have been labelled as a witch and therefore neglected and even killed by the members of their community. She named the sick child Hope and just two weeks after rescuing him she said his condition is now stable. Hope is getting so much better. Already gaining a lot of weight and looking so much more healthy, she wrote on her Facebook page. Now we only need him to talk. But that will come naturally when he is out of the hospital and starting his life among all our children. Children become stronger together. Latest World News Follow us on sc status to dalit muslims christians will encourage conversion Kochi: Claiming that extending reservation in government jobs to Dalits of minority communities would encourage conversions, Union Minister Thawar Chand Gehlot today said the Centre has told the Supreme Court that it was "not agreeable to" granting them such rights. Strongly opposing recommendations of the Ranganath Mishra Commission and the Sachar Committee for reservation to Dalits of Christian and Muslim minority communities, he told a gathering at a Hindu leadership conclave here that there is no provision in the Constitution to grant reservation to Dalits who convert to other religions. The Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment also said any such step would "weaken the Hindu religion". "Our government has given in writing to the apex Court that it does not agree with the reports of the Ranganath Mishra Commission or the Sachar Committee. "We won't accord Scheduled Caste status to those who have converted. We are following the Constitution in letter and spirit," Gehlot said at the function, organised by the Hindu Aikya Vedi, a Sangh Parivar outfit in Kerala. He noted that reservation was provided to Dalits in Hindu community to uplift them socially and economically from the ill-practise of untouchability and said such a practise does not exist in Christian and Muslim communities. So those who converted to these religions should not be granted SC status. "Granting Scheduled Caste status to those belonging to minority communities will encourage conversion and weaken the Hindu religion. There is also no such provision in the Constitution," Gehlot observed. He also accused Congress of plotting to reduce quotas for SCs, STs and OBCs to benefit minority communities. The Justice Sachar Committee was constituted by non-BJP government to prepare a report on the social, economic and educational status of Muslims in the country. The Justice Ranganath Mishra Commission was formed to identify the criteria for socially and economically backward classes among religious and linguistic minorities and suggest various welfare measures for minorities, including reservation. Both reports of the Sachar Committee and the Ranganath Mishra Commission had revealed that Muslims in India are the most backward community, despite their rich cultural heritage and strong numerical presence. Follow us on jnu row amit shah slams cong says rahul supporting anti nationals New Delhi: BJP president Amit Shah today slammed Congress for blatantly supporting the arrested JNU students who have allegedly shouted anti-India slogans during an event organised for parliament attack convict Afzal Guru. Launching a scathing attack on Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi, Shah wrote in his blog that the Congress Vice President is unable to see what is good and bad for the country. Speaking on the raging controversy for the first time, Shah asked Congress president Sonia Gandhi and Rahul a host of questions and demanded that he apologise for his stand on the JNU issue, saying support to anti-national forces in the name of the Left's progressive ideology is not acceptable. "Are you not encouraging traitors by protesting in support of these anti-nationals?", Shah wrote in a blog. Noting that slogans like 'Pakistan zindabad', 'go India go back' and those in support of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru, Kashmir's independence and India's destruction were raised in JNU," he wondered if the Congress leader had joined hands with separatists. "Does he want another division of India by giving a free run to separatists in the name of freedom of expression? The kind of statements the Congress vice president and other leaders of his party have made in JNU have proved again that national interest has no place in their mind," Shah said. The BJP president's tough stand indicates that the party is willing to slug it out with Congress and other opposition parties over an issue it believes will help reaffirm its nationalist credentials and put the opposition in a corner. Shah said no anti-national activities would be allowed in the country. "No citizen can accept that a terrorist is favoured and anti-India slogans raised at a prestigious university of the country," Shah said in a blog. "But the kind of statements that Rahul Gandhi and his party colleagues have delivered at the campus proves that there is no place for national interest in their thinking," he said. JNU has been on the boil over the arrest of its students' union president Kanhaiya Kumar on sedition charges after some students organised a meet to mark the anniversaries of executions of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru and Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front co-founder Maqbool Bhat. Anti-India slogans were raised at the gathering. Follow us on congress left accuse rajnath singh of communalising jnu issue New Delhi: A day after Home Minister Rajnath Singh said that protest at JNU had backing of LeT chief Hafiz Saeed, the principal opposition party, Congress, today accused the Union Minister of communalising' the issue and demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi should ask his Pakistani counterpart to arrest the Lashkar chief for plotting terror attacks in India. "Rajnath communalising JNU atrocity at pulpit of pulp patriotism. Tell PM's biryani friend Nawaz Sharif arrest Hafiz Saeed for terror attacks," senior Congress Leader Manish Tewari said in a tweet today. Rajnath Singh had yesterday claimed that the event on JNU campus in Delhi against the hanging of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru had received support' from Saeed, a statement that sparked a political row with opposition parties asking him to provide evidence. On Saturday, a post on an alleged "fake" account @Hafeez SaeedJUD - along with the name Hafeez Muhamad Saeed - invited JNU students to Pakistan, "to continue their Pro-Kashmiri, Anti-India Propaganda in our Universities". "The incident (Afzal event) at JNU has received support from Hafiz Saeed. This is a truth that the nation needs to understand," Singh had said, adding, "what has happened is very unfortunate." Later, a Home Ministry spokesperson said that Singh's statement was "based on the inputs available from different agencies." Meanwhile, Congress general secretary Digvijay Singh sought to know from the government which agency had given inputs to the government on the issue. "Would Home Minister please clarify on which Agency's input did he make a statement of JNU's connection with Hafiz Saeed ?" Singh said in a tweet. Another Congress leader PL Punia suggested Rajnath to be careful while making remarks on such issues and demanded proof. What he says holds immense value and without any evidence or proof, he must not make such an irresponsible statement that JNU students' protests are being backed by Hafiz Saeed, Punia said. Rajnath relies on fake Twitter IDs: Prakash Karat CPI-M leader Prakash Karat on Monday took pot-shots at Rajnath Singh for saying Hafiz Saeed backed the Afzal Guru event at the Jawaharlal Nehru University campus here. "The Home Minister relies on a fake Twitter handle for information," Karat, who visited the campus on Monday, told the media. The Communist Party of India-Marxist leader said: "We don't accept their (central government's) definition and version of nationalism. If they call us anti-national, we wear it as a badge of honour." Karat also said that by filing "cases against elected student leaders under sedition charge", the government was "declaring war" against them. Follow us on congress will raise jnu issue in parliament kumari selja Ambala: Congress MP Kumari Selja today said her party would raise the issue of the ongoing unrest on the JNU campus in Parliament and demanded that a high-level probe be conducted into the matter. Talking to reporters, she said the allegation by Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh that the JNU event had the backing of Lashkar-e-Taiba chief Hafiz Saeed was "very serious". "The Union Minister should have shared the evidence with the people of the country to back his serious allegation. Congress would raise the issue in the Budget Session," she said. Singh had yesterday unleashed a political storm with a claim that the event at JNU to protest the hanging of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru had received "support" from Saeed. Selja accused the NDA government of doing nothing for railways in Haryana and said she had submitted a memorandum to Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu mentioning the demands of the state. She also said the government did not make any efforts to evolve consensus among political parties on the GST Bill and Congress would oppose it in Rajya Sabha if it is tabled sans amendments suggested by the party. The Congress MP said the party would fight with full strength in the upcoming Punjab Assembly polls to save the youth of the state which was pushed into "drug infatuation" by the SAD government. Follow us on delhi cm s tweet sparks row twitterati trend kejriwalinsultshanuman New Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister on Tuesday landed himself in a fresh controversy after he uploaded a controversial poster on his Twitter handle. Kejriwal, who has ordered a magisterial probe into the Jawaharlal Nehru University incident where anti-India slogans were allegedly raised, tweeted. CM tweeted a cartoon by well known cartoonist Surendra, published in The Hindu today, to prove a point. In the cartoon, Surendra depicts how issues are deflected by politicians and used an arsonist with his tail set ablaze saying "Done Sir. All attention is on JNU" to PM Narendra Modi, thus directing all attention away from the fire at the Make In India venue. Soon after the CM faced backlash from many Twitteratis who trended #KejriwalInsultsHanuman Here are some of the tweets. Follow us on nitish kumar denies calling ishrat jahan bihar ki beti Patna: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has denied describing Ishrat Jahan, who was killed in an encounter in Gujarat, as a 'daughter of Bihar' and threatened to sue the media for 'putting words into his mouth'. "Show me any piece of evidence that I described Ishrat Jahan as daughter of Bihar?" Kumar told reporters on the sidelines of the 'Janata Ke Darbar Mein Mukhya Mantri' programme on Monday. "I have been perusing through records and news clippings to ascertain if I ever used this (describing Ishrat Jahan as a daughter of Bihar). After doing necessary ground work, I will initiate legal action against the media, electronic as well print, for putting words in my mouth to this effect," he said. "I am very guarded in using words and making comments on anything, and will not tolerate this of putting words in my mouth to defame me," the Bihar Chief Minister said. In July 2013, severing ties with the BJP, Kumar called Ishrat 'Bihar ki Beti' because she had spent her childhood in the state. He was criticising Narendra Modi, then Gujarat CM, for the alleged fake encounter, in which the Mumbra girl was killed near Ahmedabad. Kumar's remark came few days after Bihar's Health Minister Tej Pratap Yadav backed his statement that Ishrat Jahan was 'Bihar's daughter'. Last week, Pakistani-American Lashkar-e-Taiba operative David Coleman Headley, in his third deposition, claimed that Ishrat was a suicide bomber of LeT. Soon after this, the opposition BJP in Bihar had dug Kumar's old comment describing Ishrat, born in Bihar, as a 'daughter of Bihar' to hit out at him. The party had also demanded that Bihar Chief Minister apologise for calling Ishrat 'Bihar ki Beti'. "After the encounter, many leaders called her innocent and some were calling her the daughter of Bihar. Today, it has become clear that it was not a fake encounter, and they should take back their statements," BJP national spokesperson Syed Shahnawaz Hussain had said. With PTI Inputs Follow us on ready to discuss all issues in budget session pm tells opposition New Delhi: The Narendra Modi government today said it is willing to walk extra mile and take up discussion on each and every issue in the upcoming Budget Session of Parliament, slated to start from February 23. Speaking to reporters after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's meeting with leaders of all major parties at South Block, Parliamentary Affairs Minister M Venkaiah Naidu said that the Prime Minister sought cooperation from all parties to pass important legislations. The Prime Minister told Opposition MPs that he was not just the PM of the BJP but of the entire nation and that he was ready to discuss all concerns that the Opposition MPs have, Naidu said. On Opposition demand that the Prime Minister should react to the ongoing protest at JNU, Naidu said, "The enquiry is on and let the enquiry be over." He, however, stressed that anti India slogans are unacceptable. The Prime Minister today met the leaders of all major parties at South Block to seek their cooperation for the smooth running of Parliament during the Budget Session beginning from 23rd of this month. The meeting is being considered significant in the backdrop of virtual washout of proceedings in the last two sessions due to a host of issues. The government wants to push key reform bills like GST and labour laws in the ensuing session. The meeting is a rare initiative from the Prime Minister. It is being seen as a way to reach out to the Opposition to enable the smooth working of Parliament and also to prevent a washout. Government managers have time and again maintained that the key reform GST bill was top of the agenda of the government in the three-month-long session which starts on February 23. The meeting comes close on the heels of the Prime Minister accusing Congress president Sonia Gandhi and party vice-president Rahul Gandhi on various occasions of disrupting Parliament to avenge defeat in 2014 Lok Sabha polls. The Congress chief had hit back at Modi, saying efforts were made to "suppress her party's voice" whenever it tried to raise issues concerning the poor and common man in the House. Senior ministers have often accused the top Congress leadership of scuttling plans to pass the GST bill in Parliament. The bill is pending in Rajya Sabha. Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has accused the Modi government of not engaging Congress seriously to break the logjam over GST. Follow us on spurt in crime in bihar is opposition s perception nitish kumar Patna: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has claimed the state has "witnessed a steady decline in crime" and termed the alleged spurt in crime graph as a "perception created by the opposition". "Bihar has witnessed a steady decline in crime. Despite this, opposition is trying to create a perception through media and making statements that there is a spurt in crime," he said while addressing a state executive committee meeting of JD(U) here on Sunday. Kumar said his government would continue to work for the people and no one will be allowed to take law in their hands. His statement assumes significance in the backdrop of the opposition's claim that there is complete lawlessness in Bihar and law and order situation needs to be improved to repose people's faith in governance. The Chief Minister announced that Bihar Public Grievance Redressal Act will be implemented from May 1 to help resolve people's complaints within a stipulated timeframe. Party workers and leaders need to take the works of the government to the people. Ban on country-made liquor, 35 per cent quota for women in government jobs, seven-point development programme etc should be highlighted, he said. Meanwhile, the NDA, which observed Shahabad bandh today to protest the killing of state BJP vice president Visheshwar Ojha, submitted a memorandum to Bihar Governor Ram Nath Kovind and sought his intervention in checking 'spurt' in the state's crime graph. In the memorandum, the NDA listed major crime incidents in recent months, including killing of BJP's Visheshwar Ojha and Kedar Singh, and LJP leader Brijnathi Singh. The alleged involvement of ruling Grand Alliance legislators in cases relating to rape and eve teasing was also mentioned. Senior BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi alleged MLAs of the ruling alliance are competing with each other in committing crime. JD(U) MLA Sarfaraz Alam "misbehaved" with a couple in a train, RJD legislator Raj Ballabh Yadav has been charged with raping a minor and a Congress MLA was accused of kidnapping a girl, he alleged. Modi demanded that the Nitish Kumar government bring these legislators to justice through speedy trial. It would not be a surprise if Patna DIG Shalin Kumar is transferred for issuing warrant against the RJD MLA as some other police officers were transferred overnight, he claimed. Were excited to announce that indmin.com is now part of fastmarkets.com. A new look and an improved experience means you can still stay ahead of this fast-moving market with price data, news and market intelligence right here on Fastmarkets. Discover more than 2000 prices, news and analysis in primary and secondary metals markets. We cover base metals, industrial minerals, ores and alloys, steel, scrap and steel raw materials. If you already have a Fastmarkets account, youll still have uninterrupted access to your markets by logging in with your current details. Bernie Sanders Phantom Movement By Chris Hedges February 15, 2016 " Information Clearing House " - " Truth Dig " - Bernie Sanders, who has attracted numerous young, white, college-educated supporters in his bid for the presidency, says he is creating a movement and promises a political revolution. This rhetoric is an updated version of the change promised by the 2008 campaign of Barack Obama and by Jesse Jacksons earlier National Rainbow Coalition. Such Democratic electoral campaigns, at best, raise political consciousness. But they do not become movements or engender revolutions. They exist as long as election campaigns endure and then they vanish. Sanders campaign will be no different. No movement or political revolution will ever be built within the confines of the Democratic Party. And the repeated failure of the American left to grasp the duplicitous game being played by the political elites has effectively neutered it as a political force. History, after all, should count for something. The Democrats, like the Republicans, have no interest in genuine reform. They are wedded to corporate power. They are about appearance, not substance. They speak in the language of democracy, even liberal reform and populism, but doggedly block campaign finance reform and promote an array of policies, including new trade agreements, that disempower workers. They rig the elections, not only with money but also with so-called superdelegatesmore than 700 delegates who are unbound among a total of more than 4,700 at the Democratic convention. Sanders may have received 60 percent of the vote in New Hampshire, but he came away with fewer of the states delegates than Clinton. This is a harbinger of the campaign to come. If Sanders is denied the nominationthe Clinton machine and the Democratic Party establishment, along with their corporate puppet masters, will use every dirty trick to ensure he loseshis so-called movement and political revolution will evaporate. His mobilized base, as was true with the Obama campaign, will be fossilized into donor and volunteer lists. The curtain will come down with a thunderclap until the next election carnival. The Democratic Party is a full partner in the corporate state. Yet Sanders, while critical of Hillary Clintons exorbitant speaking fees from firms such as Goldman Sachs, refuses to call out the party andas Robert Scheer pointed out in a column in Octoberthe Clintons for their role as handmaidens of Wall Street. For Sanders, it is a lie of omission, which is still a lie. And it is a lie that makes the Vermont senator complicit in the con game being played on the American electorate by the Democratic Party establishment. Do Sanders supporters believe they can wrest power from the Democratic establishment and transform the party? Do they think the forces where real power liesthe military-industrial complex, Wall Street, corporations, the security and surveillance statecan be toppled by a Sanders campaign? Do they think the Democratic Party will allow itself to be ruled by democratic procedures? Do they not accept that with the destruction of organized labor and anti-war, civil rights and progressive movementsa destruction often orchestrated by security organs such as the FBIthe party has lurched so far to the right that it has remade itself into the old Republican Party? The elites use money, along with their control of the media, the courts and legislatures, their armies of lobbyists and think tanks, to invalidate the vote. We have undergone, as John Ralston Saul has written, a corporate coup detat. There are no institutions left within civil society that can be accurately described as democratic. We do not live in a capitalist democracy. We live in what the political philosopher Sheldon Wolin calls a system of inverted totalitarianism. In Europe, Americas Democratic Party would be a far-right party. The Republican Party would be extremist. There is no liberalmuch less left or progressiveorganized political class in the United States. The growth of protofascists will be halted only when a movement on the left embraces an unequivocal militancy to defend the rights of workers and move toward the destruction of corporate power. As long as the left keeps surrendering to a Democratic Party that mouths liberal values while serving corporate interests, it will destroy itself and the values it claims to represent. It will stoke the justifiable rage of the underclass, especially the white underclass, and empower the most racist and retrograde political forces in the country. Fascism thrives not only on despair, betrayal and anger but a bankrupt liberalism. The political system, as many Sanders supporters are about to discover, is immune to reform. The only effective resistance will be achieved through acts of sustained, mass civil disobedience. The Democrats, like the Republicans, have no intention of halting the assault on our civil liberties, the expansion of imperial wars, the coddling of Wall Street, the destruction of the ecosystem by the fossil fuel industry and the impoverishment of workings. As long as the Democrats and the Republicans remain in power we are doomed. The Democratic establishments response to any internal insurgency is to crush it, co-opt it and rewrite the rules to make a future insurgency impossible. This was true in 1948 with Henry Wallace and in 1972 with George McGoverntwo politicians who, unlike Sanders, took on the war industryand in the 1984 and 1988 insurgencies led by Jackson. Corey Robin in Salon explained how the Clintons rose to power on this reactionary agenda. The Clintons, and the Democratic establishment, he wrote, repudiated the progressive agenda of the Jackson campaign and used coded language, especially regarding law and order, to appeal to the racism of white voters. The Clintons and the party mandarins ruthlessly disenfranchised those Jackson had mobilized. Sanders supporters can expect a similar reception. That Hillary Clinton can run a campaign that defies her long and sordid political record is one of the miracles of modern mass propaganda and a testament to the effectiveness of our political theater. Sanders said that if he does not receive the nomination he will support the party nominee; he will not be a spoiler. If that happens, Sanders will become an obstacle to change. He will recite the mantra of the least worst. He will become part of the Democratic establishments campaign to neutralize the left. Sanders is, in all but title, a Democrat. He is a member of the Democratic caucus. He votes 98 percent of the time with the Democrats. He routinely backs appropriations for imperial wars, the corporate scam of Obamacare, wholesale surveillance and bloated defense budgets. He campaigned for Bill Clinton in the 1992 presidential race and again in 1996after Clinton had rammed through the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), vastly expanded the system of mass incarceration and destroyed welfareand for John Kerry in 2004. He called on Ralph Nader in 2004 to abandon his presidential campaign. The Democrats recognize his value. They have long rewarded Sanders for his role as a sheepherder. Kshama Sawant and I privately asked Sanders at a New York City event where we appeared with him the night before the 2014 climate march why he would not run for president as an independent. I dont want to end up like Ralph Nader, he told us. Sanders had a point. The Democratic power structure made a quid pro quo arrangement with Sanders. It does not run a serious candidate against him in Vermont for his U.S. Senate seat. Sanders, as part of this Faustian deal, serves one of the main impediments to building a viable third party in Vermont. If Sanders defies the Democratic Party he will be stripped of his seniority in the Senate. He will lose his committee chairmanships. The party machine will turn him, as it did Nader, into a pariah. It will push him outside the political establishment. Sanders probably saw his answer as a practical response to political reality. But it was also an admission of cowardice. Nader paid a heavy price for his courage and his honesty, but he was not a failure. Sanders, I suspect, is acutely aware that the left is broken and disorganized. The two parties have created innumerable obstacles to third parties, from locking them out of the debates to challenging voter lists and keeping them off the ballot. The Green Party is internally crippled by endemic factionalism and dysfunction. It is dominated in many states by an older, white demographic that is trapped in the nostalgia of the 1960s and narcissistically self-referential. I spoke three years ago to the sparsely attended state gathering of the Green Party in New Jersey. I felt as if I was a character in Mario Vargas Llosas novel The Real Life of Alejandro Mayta. In the novel, Mayta, a naive idealist, endures the indignities of the tiny and irrelevant warring sects of the Peruvian left. He is reduced to meeting in a garage with seven self-described revolutionaries who make up the RWP(T)the Revolutionary Workers Party (Trotskyist)a splinter group of the marginal Revolutionary Workers Party. Stacked against the walls, Llosa writes, were piles of Workers Voice and handbills, manifestos and statements favoring strikes or denouncing them which they had never got around to handing out. I am all for a revolution , a word Sanders likes to throw around, but one that is truly socialist and destroys the corporate establishment, including the Democratic Party. I am for a revolution that demands the return of the rule of law, and not just for Wall Street, but those who wage pre-emptive war, order the assassination of U.S. citizens, allow the military to carry out domestic policing and then indefinitely hold citizens without due process, who empower the wholesale surveillance of the citizenry by the government. I am for a revolution that brings under strict civilian control the military, the security and surveillance apparatus including the CIA, the FBI, Homeland Security and police and drastically reduces their budgets and power. I am for a revolution that abandons imperial expansion, especially in the Middle East, and makes it impossible to profit from war. I am for a revolution that nationalizes banks, the arms industry, energy companies and utilities, breaks up monopolies, destroys the fossil fuel industry, funds the arts and public broadcasting, provides full employment and free education including university education, forgives all student debt, blocks bank repossessions and foreclosures of homes, guarantees universal and free health care and provides a living wage to those unable to work, especially single parents, the disabled and the elderly. Half the country, after all, now lives in poverty. None of us live in freedom. This will be a long and desperate struggle. It will require open confrontation. The billionaire class and corporate oligarchs cannot be tamed. They must be overthrown. They will be overthrown in the streets, not in a convention hall. Convention halls are where the left goes to die. Chris Hedges, spent nearly two decades as a foreign correspondent in Central America, the Middle East, Africa and the Balkans. He has reported from more than 50 countries and has worked for The Christian Science Monitor, National Public Radio, The Dallas Morning News and The New York Times, for which he was a foreign correspondent for 15 years. 2016 Truthdig, LLC. A Dramatic Escalation Appears Imminent Week Eighteen of the Russian Intervention in Syria The Saker February 15, 2016 " Information Clearing House " - " - The situation in Syria has reached a watershed moment and a dramatic escalation of the war appears imminent. Lets look again at how we reached this point. During the first phase of the operation, the Syrian armed forces were unable to achieve an immediate strategic success. This is rather unsurprising. It is important to remember here that during the first weeks of the operation the Russian did not provide close air support to the Syrians. Instead, they chose to systematically degrade the entire Daesh (Note: I refer to *all* terrorist in Syria as Daesh) infrastructure including command posts, communication nodes, oil dumps, ammo dumps, supply routes, etc. This was important work, but it did not have an immediate impact upon the Syrian military. Then the Russians turned to two important tasks: to push back Daesh in the Latakia province and to hit the illegal oil trade between Daesh and Turkey. The first goal was needed for the protection of the Russian task force and the second one hit the Daesh finances. Then the Russians seriously turned to providing close air support. Not only that, but the Russians got directly involved with the ground operation. The second phase was introduced gradually, without much fanfare, but it made a big difference on the ground: the Russians and Syrians began to closely work together and they soon honed their collaboration to a quantitatively new level which allowed the Syrian commanders to use Russian firepower with great effectiveness. Furthermore, the Russians began providing modern equipment to the Syrians, including T-90 tanks, modern artillery systems, counter-battery radars, night vision gear, etc. Finally, according to various Russian reports, Russian special operations teams (mostly Chechens) were also engaged in key locations, including deep in the rear of Daesh. As a result, the Syrian military for the first time went from achieving tactical successes to operational victories: for the first time the Syrian began to liberate key towns of strategic importance. Finally, the Russians unleashed a fantastically intense firepower on Daesh along crucial sectors of the front. In northern Homs, the Russians bombed a sector for 36 hours in a row. According to the latest briefing of the Russian Defense Ministry, just between February 4th and February 11th, the Russian aviation group in the Syrian Arab Republic performed 510 combat sorties and engaged 1,888 terrorists targets. That kind of ferocious pounding did produce the expected effect and the Syrian military began slowly moving along the Turkish-Syrian border while, at the same time, threatening the Daesh forces still deployed inside the northern part of Aleppo. In doing so, the Russians and Syrian threatened to cut off the vital resupply route linking Daesh to Turkey. According to Russian sources, Daesh forces were so demoralized that they forced the local people to flee towards the Turkish border and attempted to hide inside this movement of internally displaced civilians. This strategic Russian and Syrian victory meant that all the nations supporting Daesh, including Turkey, Saudi Arabia and the USA were facing a complete collapse of their efforts to overthrow Assad and to break-up Syria and turn part of it into a Jihadistan. The Americans could not admit this, of course; as for the Saudis, their threats to invade Syria were rather laughable. Which left the main role to Erdogan who was more than happy to provide the West with yet another maniacal ally willing to act in a completely irresponsible way just to deny the other side anything looking like a victory. Erdogan seems to be contemplating two options. The first one is a ground operation into Syria aimed at restoring the supply lines of Daesh and at preventing the Syrian military from controlling the border. Here is a good illustration (taken from a SouthFront video) of what this would look like: According to various reports, Erdogan has 18,000 soldiers supported by aircraft, armor and artillery poised along the border to execute such an invasion. The second plan is even simpler, at least in theory: to create a no-fly zone over all of Syria. Erdogan personally mentioned this option several times, the latest one on Thursday the 11th. Needless to say, both plans are absolutely illegal under international law and would constitute an act of aggression, the supreme international crime according to the Nuremberg Tribunal, because it contains within itself the accumulated evil of the whole. Not that this would deter a megalomaniac like Erdogan. Erdogan, and his backers in the West, will, of course, claim that a humanitarian disaster, or even a genocide, is taking place in Aleppo, that there is a responsibility to protect (R2P) and that no UNSC is needed to take such clearly humanitarian action. It would be Sarajevo v2 or Kosovo v2 all over again. The western media is now actively busy demonizing Putin, and just recently has offered the following topics to ponder to those poor souls who still listen to it: There is no need to continue the list you get the idea. It is really Bosnia, Kosovo, Iraq, Libya all over again, with the exact same humanitarian crocodile tears and the exact same rational for an illegal aggression. And instead of Sarajavo martyr city besieged by Serbian butchers we would now have Aleppo martyr city besieged by Syrian butchers. I even expect a series of false flags inside Aleppo next proving that the world must act to prevent a genocide. The big difference, of course, is that Yugoslavia, Serbia, Iraq and Libya were all almost defenseless against the AngloZionist Empire. Not so Russia. In purely military terms, Russia has taken a number of crucial steps: she declared a large scale verification of the combat readiness of the Southern and Central military districts. In practical terms, this means that all the Russian forces are on high alert, especially the AeroSpace forces, the Airborne Forces, the Military Transportation Aviation forces and, of course, all the Russian forces in Crimea and the Black Sea Fleet. The first practical effect of such exercises is not only to make a lot of forces immediately available, but it is also to make them very difficult to track. This not only protects the mobilized forces, but also makes it very hard for the enemy to figure out what exactly they are doing. There are also report that Russian Airborne Warning and Control (AWACS) aircraft A-50M are now regularly flying over Syria. In other words, Russia has taken the preparations needed to go to war with Turkey. Needless to say, the Turks and the Saudis have also announced joint military exercises. They have even announced that Saudi aircraft will conduct airstrikes from the Incirlik air base in support of an invasion of Syria. At the same time, the Russians have also launched a peace initiative centered around a general ceasefire starting on March 1st or even, according to the latest leaks, on February 15th. The goal is is transparent: to break the Turkish momentum towards an invasion of Syria. It is obvious that Russian diplomats are doing everything they can to avert a war with Turkey. Here again I have to repeat what I have said already a million times in the past: the small Russian contingent in Syria is in a very precarious position: far away from Russia and very close (45km) to Turkey. Not only that, but the Turks have over 200 combat aircraft ready to attack, whereas the Russians probably has less than 20 SU-30/35/34s in total. Yes, these are very advanced aircraft, of the 4++ generation, and they will be supported by S-400 systems, but the force ratio remains a terrible 1:10. Russia does, however, have one big advantage over Turkey: Russia has plenty of long-range bombers, armed with gravity bombs and cruise missiles, capable of striking the Turks anywhere, in Syria and in Turkey proper. In fact, Russia even has the capability to strike at Turkish airfields, something which the Turks cannot prevent and something which they cannot retaliate in kind for. The big risk for Russia, at this point, would be that NATO would interpret this as a Russian aggression against a member-state, especially if the (in)famous Incirlik air base is hit. Erdogan also has to consider another real risk: that, while undoubtedly proficient, the Turkish forces might not be a match for the battle-hardened Kurds and Syrians, especially if the latter are supported by Iranian and Hezbollah forces. The Turks have a checkered record against the Kurds whom they typically do overwhelm with firepower and numbers, but whom they never succeeded in neutralizing, subduing or eliminating. Finally, there is the possibility that Russians might have to use their ground forces, especially if the task force in Khmeimim is really threatened. In this regard, let me immediately say that the projection of, say, an airborne force so far from the Russian border to protect a small contingent like the one in Khmeimim is not something the Airborne Forces are designed for, at least not by the book. Still, in theory, if faced with a possible attack on the Russian personnel in Khmeimin, the Russians could decide to land a regimental-size airborne force, around 1,200 men, fully mechanized, with armor and artillery. This force could be supplemented by a Naval Infantry battalion with up to another 600 men. This might not seem like much in comparison to the alleged 18,000 men Erdogan has massed at the border, but keep in mind that only a part of these 18,000 would be available for any ground attack on Khmeimin and that the Russian Airborne forces can turn even a much larger force into hamburger meat (for a look at modern Russian Airborne forces please see here). Frankly, I dont see the Turks trying to overrun Khmeimin, but any substantial Turkish ground operation will make such a scenario at least possible and Russian commanders will not have the luxury of assuming that Erdogan is sane, not after the shooting down of the SU-24. After that the Russians simply have to assume the worst. What is clear is that in any war between Russia and Turkey NATO will have to make a key decision: is the alliance prepared to go to war with a nuclear power like Russia to protect a lunatic like Erdogan? It is hard to imagine the US/NATO doing something so crazy but, unfortunately, wars always have the potential to very rapidly get out of control. Modern military theory has developed many excellent models of escalation but, unfortunately, no good model of how de-escalation could happen (at least not that I am aware of). How does one de-escalate without appearing to be surrendering or at least admitting to being the weaker side? The current situation is full of dangerous and unstable asymmetries: the Russian task force in Syria is small and isolated and it cannot protect Syria from NATO or even from Turkey, but in the case of a full-scale war between Russia and Turkey, Turkey has no chance of winning, none at all. In a conventional war opposing NATO and Russia I personally dont see either side losing (whatever losing and winning mean in this context) without engaging nuclear weapons first. This suggests to me that the US cannot allow Erdogan to attack the Russian task force in Syria, not during a ground invasion and, even less so, during an attempt to establish a no-fly zone. The problem for the USA is that it has no good option to achieve its overriding goal in Syria: to prevent Russia from winning. In the delusional minds of the AngloZionist rulers, Russia is just a regional power which cannot be allowed to defy the indispensable nation. And yet, Russia is doing exactly that both in Syria and in the Ukraine and Obamas entire Russia policy is in shambles. Can he afford to appear so weak in an election year? Can the US deep state let the Empire be humiliated and its weakness exposed? The latest news strongly suggests to me that the White House has taken the decision to let Turkey and Saudi Arabia invade Syria. Turkish officials are openly saying that an invasion is imminent and that the goal of such an invasion would be to reverse the Syrian army gains along the boder and near Aleppo. The latest reports are also suggesting that the Turks have begun shelling Aleppo. None of that could be happening without the full support of CENTCOM and the White House. The Empire has apparently concluded that Daesh is not strong enough to overthrow Assad, at least not when the Russian AeroSpace forces are supporting him, so it will now unleash the Turks and the Saudis in the hope of changing the outcome of this war or, if that is not possible, to carve up Syria into zones of responsibility all under the pretext of fighting Daesh, of course. Road To World War III: Turkish Army Enters Syria After Second Day Of Shelling As Saudi Warplanes Arrive By Tyler Durden Update: The following video depicts the aftermath of the shelling, which has reportedly claimed the lives of at least two civilians. (as RT reports, "a video released by the Syrian Kurdish news agency ANHA and obtained by Ruptly shows damaged buildings and people rushing to take care of the wounded in the village of Maryamayn near the town of Afrin") Update: Reports indicate the Turkish army has crossed the border into Syria. February 15, 2016 " Information Clearing House " - " Zero Hedge " - "The Syrian government says Turkish forces were believed to be among 100 gunmen it said entered Syria on Saturday accompanied by 12 pick-up trucks mounted with heavy machine guns, in an ongoing supply operation to insurgents fighting Damascus," Reuters reports. "The operation of supplying ammunition and weapons is continuing via the Bab al-Salama crossing to the Syrian area of Azaz," the Assad government says. Meanwhile, since all that would take to unleash a full-blown war is for some Russian to be unexpectedly blown up, events like this do not inspire much confidence in the Syrian "ceasefire": On Saturday, the geopolitical world was shocked when Turkey began shelling Aleppo, where the Syrian opposition has its back against the wall in the face of an aggressive advance by Hezbollah and the IRGC supported, of course, by Russian airstrikes. To be sure, everyone knew Ankara and Riyadh would have to do something quick if they wanted to preserve the rebellion. Their proxies are being rolled up rapidly by Hassan Nasrallahs army and Vladimir Putins air force juggernaut. But few expected the escalation would come so quickly. But Recep Tayyip Erdogan is unpredictable (just ask the lone surviving pilot of the Su-24 Turkey shot down in November) and this weekend, he decided that theres no time like the present when it comes to starting World War III. Officially, Turkey says its shelling Kurdish positions in Syria in self defense. Its all about securing the border against hostiles, Ankara says. Of course the idea that the YPG are set to invade Turkey is laughable. The Syrian Kurds have secured enough space in their own country to declare an autonomous proto-state, and they neednt aspire to capturing Turkish territory. They are abusing U.S. support to capture land from the opposition,a Turkish official said, reflecting Ankara's anger at the fact that Russia and Hezbollah's offensive is making it easier for the Kurds to consolidate their gains. The U.S. should tell them to stop rather than telling Turkey to stop. But for Erdogan, thats precisely the problem. Ankara fears the YPGs gains will embolden the PKK militarily and the HDP politically and last Junes elections clearly suggest that an emboldened Kurdish minority has the power to shake up the political scene. And so, Turkey is set to take the fight to Syria in the name of fighting terrorists, which for Erdogan, means eradicating the Kurds. As we noted on Saturday, the challenge for Ankara and Riyadh is this: somehow, Turkey and Saudi Arabia need to figure out how to spin an attack on the YPG and an effort to rescue the opposition at Aleppo as an anti-ISIS operation even though ISIS doesnt have a large presence in the area. Incredibly, Turkey seems less concerned about the optics than we thought. In short, Erdogan looks as though hes prepared to simply enter the war on the pretext that Turkey needs to roll back the YPG which, youre reminded is explicitly backed by the US. In a way that makes sense. You cant very well shell Aleppo and use ISIS as an excuse. The groups presence isnt large enough in the area. But what you can do is say the PKK are terrorists, theyre allied with the YPG who are in Aleppo, and therefore, we need to shell Aleppo. Put in the simplest possible terms, what Erdogan is really doing is trying to reopen supply lines closed by Russia and Iran by wiping out Kurdish forces who dominate the northern border with Turkey. The shelling continued on Sunday. " The Turkish army shelled positions held by Kurdish-backed militia in northern Syria for a second day on Sunday, killing two fighters," Reuters reports, citing the admittedly dubious Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. The YPG controls nearly all of Syria's northern frontier with Turkey, and has been a close ally of the United States in the campaign against Islamic State in Syria, but Ankara views the group as an extension of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), which has waged a three-decade-old insurgency for autonomy in southeast Turkey." Jaysh al-Thuwwar, an allied group warned Turkey against further attacks, saying if the country "has goals in our dear nation, we will defend our land and our people, and view it as a hostile party". Again, this comes from the very same groups the US is overtly supporting with arms and air power. So not the CIA-sponsored opposition. Turkey is shelling fighters who literally have the clearance to call in US airstrikes from warplanes that, in an irony of ironies, are flying from Incirlik, the Turkish air base. And speaking of Incirlik, the Saudis are moving into position. They're also conducting "exercises" dubbed "North Thunder" or, "Road North." Here's SPA (translated): Witnessing the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia during the next few hours the arrival of troops participating in the military exercise largest and most important in the history of the region, "Raad north," In the King Khalid Military City Hafr al-Batin in the northern kingdom will be implemented exercise which is the largest military maneuver in terms of the number of countries, with the participation of 20 Arab, Islamic and friendly country, in addition to the Peninsula shield forces, and these countries are: Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Bahrain, Senegal, Sudan, Kuwait, Maldives, Morocco , Pakistan, Chad, Tunisia, the moon, Djibouti, Oman, Qatar, Malaysia, Egypt, Mauritania, Mauritius, in addition to the Peninsula shield forces. Islands constitute Raad north, the largest military exercise of its kind in terms of the number of participating countries, and military equipment quality of weapons and military equipment diverse and sophisticated, including fighter jets from different models reflect the large quantitative and qualitative spectrum, which show him those forces, as well as the participation of a wide range of artillery and tanks, infantry and air defense systems, naval forces, in a simulation of the highest level of high alert for the armies of the countries 20 participation. Exercise Raad North represents a clear message to the Saudi brothers and brothers and friends of the participating countries stand united to face all challenges and to maintain peace and stability in the region , in addition to the emphasis on many of the goals, all in full readiness circle and maintain the peace and security of the region and the world . Analysts say that the exercise Raad North confirms that the leaders of the participating countries, are fully in line with the vision of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the need to protect the peace and stability in the region. A lot of words to say this: "We're flexing our muscles on the way to invading Syria." "What is present now is aircraft that are part of the Saudi forces," Brigadier General Ahmed al-Asiri told Al Arabiya News Channel on Sunday, referencing the Saudi presence at Incirlik. "The kingdom is ready to participate in any ground operations that the coalition (against ISIS) may agree to carry out in Syria," he added. Remember, Turkey also shelled the Syrian army on Saturday. Turkish artillery shelled Syrian territory, targeting Syrian Kurdish positions and the positions of the Syrian Arab Army, SANA news agency reported, citing a letter from Damascus to the UN. Expect those attacks to continue in the name of "self defense." Meanwhile, the Russians aren't letting up. Aleppo will be recaptured and that, as they say, is that. "Russia is determined to create facts on the ground, and when they have accomplished this, then they will invite the West to fight a common enemy, this is ISIS," Norbert Roettgen, head of the foreign affairs committee in the German parliament says, underscoring our contention that Russia is determined to negotiate from a position of absolute strength. "Let's be clear about what this agreement does. It allows Russia's assault on Aleppo to continue for another week," John McCain exclaimed. "Mr Putin is not interested in being our partner. He wants to shore up the Assad regime, he wants to establish Russia as a major power in the Middle East, he wants to use Syria as a live fire exercise for Russias modernizing military." Right. And America is seemingly powerless to stop him. In the short term, the only question now is this: how long will it be before Turkey or Saudi Arabia kills a Hezbollah fighter or an IRGC general? Or worse: what happens when a Russian ends up dead at the hands of the region's Sunni powers? Isis and the Taliban are Brutally Carving up Modern Afghanistan I have long nursed the suspicion that Taliban units, Isis and government militias are not fighting about religion or government at all, more about mafia power By Robert Fisk February 15, 2016 " Information Clearing House " - " The Independent " - If anyone wants to understand the shame of Afghanistan - the yearly cull of civilians, the beheadings, the execution by single shots, the kidnapping of women - they have only to read the shocking UN report just published in Kabul. It is laced with fearful eyewitness descriptions of brutality. Isis features in its 87 pages with its usual depravity (in Afghanistan, of course, not in Iraq or Syria) and the reports statistics show clearly that, last year, there were more civilians killed or wounded in the country than in any year since 2009. In 2015 alone, 3,545 civilians were killed and 7,457 injured. Since 2009, the total civilian dead not soldiers, militiamen or Taliban comes to 21,323 dead. And this, remember, is the graveyard of empires into which we blithely trod after 9/11 on the basis that we would not forget Afghanistan again. We would see it through to the end. The Taliban, in the words of a Canadian commander, were scumbags. Our soldiers would not die in vain. And it has come to this. The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) is a very professional institution. It has rigourously examined eyewitness testament and its just-published report contains harrowing quotations from victims of the countrys war. In total, 62 per cent of civilian deaths and injuries were caused by anti-government elements and 17 per cent by pro-government forces 14 per cent of these by the US-trained Afghan national security forces. But for reality, take this quotation from the father of a man killed by Afghan army shelling in Wardak province: It was around 8am, and we had finished breakfast at home when I heard an explosion. When I looked out of the window, I saw a man running towards the mosque. My young son called to me and said that my other son had been close to the mosque earlier... When I arrived, I saw one injured person and many bodies. Then I found my son. He was in the final moments of his lifeI could not even touch his body or move him. The explosion killed eight people,,, Can you imagine how difficult it is when your son is lying in his own blood and you are crying for him? Or this from the witness of an Afghan national army attack in Badghis province: We were having lunch in our tent near the pistachio forest. We heard a helicopter overhead so I went outside to watch it. Suddenly, the helicopter started firing rockets... and one hit my familys tent. I ran over to the tent and saw that the rocket killed my wife and injured my two brothers and my sister. Or this from the witness to a Taliban execution of an engineer who was working for the government: Two Taliban tightened the bindings on the engineers hands. The Taliban commander ordered the execution of the engineer. Without any hesitation, the two Taliban beheaded the engineer in front of me. The commander instructed a Taliban member to record that he had imposed the punishment for supporting the government. He wrote it down and [the] Taliban posted the paper on the engineers body. Or this infinitely sad brother of a civilian killed in crossfire in Kunduz: He called my mobile and said Hey brother...I was shot in my stomach... I dont know who shot me... My injuries are serious... I can see pieces of my own intestines on my motorcycle, After that the line went dead. The next day I saw his dead body and his motorcycle on TV. His body remained in the streets for three days until my relatives could recover it and bury him And here is a woman wounded in a suicide attack in Kabul city: After I had fed my baby and put him back to sleep, I took a sip of water and returned to bed. There was a huge explosion and our roof began to collapse. I saw the roof falling on me and I lost consciousness. When I opened my eyes, I saw that my hands, legs and back were bleeding... After 20 minutes, I heard my husband shouting over and over again, Where are the others? My father, my father. The blast seriously injured him and my son. My brother-in-law lost both of his eyes. We are a poor family and have lost everything. UNAMA confirmed that Isil fighters forced the closure of 25 educational institutions in Deh Bala district, depriving 14,102 students including 4,900 girls of education and 341 teachers of work. Here, then, is Isis at work, just as it operates in Iraq and Syria. UNAMA also noted an increase in the number of deliberate targeting of hospitals, clinics and health personnel the report deals at length with the US-Afghan attack on the MSF hospital in Kunduz that killed 42 people in October 2015 and 63 incidents targeting hopitals and medical personnel by anti-government elements. Isis stole all the medicine and equipment from two health clinics in Nagarhar province. There are accounts of Taliban fighting Isis and government militias fighting each other. Needless to say, UNAMA plead with all groups in the war to respect human rights and civilian lives. But I have long nursed the suspicion that many of these groups, including some Taliban units and even Isis let alone the government militias are not fighting about religion or government at all, more about mafia power. Afghanistan, I fear is Mafiastan, fuelled by the billions we ploughed into this poor country after we arrived in 2001. An Afghan told me only a couple of days ago how government army students were watching an American military trainer teach them how to shoot an automatic rifle. The problem was that the students knew much more about shooting than the American. They grew up with automatic weapons in their hands. The only reason they joined was to get knapsacks and free uniforms. The same old story. Incompetence, money, grief and pain. UNAMAs report is first rate. And it brings individual tragedy into a brief, bright and disturbing light. But yes, this is the country we were going to save a decade and a half ago. I Wont Vote for Bernie Sanders: His feeble position on Israel is a serious progressive problem Bernie has run a smart campaign and I admire his economic platform. But his foreign policy lacks moral vision By Steven Salaita February 15, 2016 " Information Clearing House " - " Salon " - Bernie Sanders has run a smart and spirited campaign. Even if he eventually loses the Democratic primary, his rise from virtually nowhere to threaten Hillary Clinton from the left offers much-needed optimism in a time of dismal inequality. His invective against Wall Street is accurate and often courageous. He is the rare candidate who doesnt traffic in patriotic or religious platitudes. But I wont be voting for him. Sanders has long supported Israeli colonization, including the worst elements of its military occupation. Ive had numerous arguments with friends about the extent and character of that support. Is it fair to call Sanders an adamant Zionist? Is he a Zionist at all? Does it even matter? How bad is he, really, in the spectrum of U.S. politics, where kowtowing to Israel has long been a prerequisite for the presidency? We learn useful things about Sanderss positions on Israel in relation to his competition, but comparison is unnecessary. Sanders periodically comments on Israel-Palestine. Heres what we know: Hes not a raging ideologue. He doesnt extol Israel. He hasnt kissed Netanyahus ring. He recently declined to call himself a Zionist. Last year, though, he yelled at pro-Palestine activists and his platform on Israel-Palestine sounds agreeable but reproduces a failed status quo. Sanders also has a record of funding or rationalizing terrible violence. We shouldnt whisk away that record. Its a material example of Sanderss performance as a senator and has direct consequences on the lives of millions in the Middle East. Supporters of Sanders say hes not that bad, certainly not as bad as most contemporaries. This statement has no universal veracity. Sanders may not be bad according to a particular standard, but one cannot proffer this claim without subsuming Palestinians to an arbitrary pragmatism. Comments like hes not that bad or hes better than most are value judgments that shouldnt be divorced from dynamic contexts of power and perspective. Those value judgments shift according to conviction, point of view, and geography. Consider those who suffer the brutality of the Israeli military occupation Sanders has funded. In what way would they make sense of the notion that Sanders is worthy of support because hes better than other politicians who fund their suffering? When were asked to be pragmatic, the first question should be, Pragmatic according to whose interests? The second question should be, Who determines the conditions of pragmatism? Just because sucking up to Israel is a compulsion for politicians doesnt mean it should be compulsory for voters. To say that we must accept a presidential candidates adulation of Israel for pragmatic reasons is to reinforce the normative power of Zionism. And to dismiss Sanderss record on Israel as unimportant is to devalue Palestinian life. Supporting Israelby which I mean an unwillingness to criticize its ethnocratic structureoften sounds abstract. We do well to remember that human beings experience tremendous harm because of American economic and military aid to Israel. Thousands remain hungry and homeless in the Gaza Strip. Millions endure the daily indignities of life as occupied subjects. Refugees cannot return to their ancestral land. Children sustain psychological trauma. It is, in all, an ugly situation made worse by the cowardice of American politicians. Copyright 2016 Salon Media Group. Hillary Is the Candidate of the War Machine By Jeffrey Sachs February 15, 2016 " Information Clearing House " - " Huffington Post " - There's no doubt that Hillary is the candidate of Wall Street. Even more dangerous, though, is that she is the candidate of the military-industrial complex. The idea that she is bad on the corporate issues but good on national security has it wrong. Her so-called foreign policy "experience" has been to support every war demanded by the US deep security state run by the military and the CIA. Hillary and Bill Clinton's close relations with Wall Street helped to stoke two financial bubbles (1999-2000 and 2005-8) and the Great Recession that followed Lehman's collapse. In the 1990s they pushed financial deregulation for their campaign backers that in turn let loose the worst demons of financial manipulation, toxic assets, financial fraud, and eventually collapse. In the process they won elections and got mighty rich. Yet Hillary's connections with the military-industrial complex are also alarming. It is often believed that the Republicans are the neocons and the Democrats act as restraints on the warmongering. This is not correct. Both parties are divided between neocon hawks and cautious realists who don't want the US in unending war. Hillary is a staunch neocon whose record of favoring American war adventures explains much of our current security danger. Just as the last Clinton presidency set the stage for financial collapse, it also set the stage for unending war. On October 31, 1998 President Clinton signed the Iraq Liberation Act that made it official US policy to support "regime change" in Iraq. It should be the policy of the United States to support efforts to remove the regime headed by Saddam Hussein from power in Iraq and to promote the emergence of a democratic government to replace that regime. Thus were laid the foundations for the Iraq War in 2003. Of course, by 2003, Hillary was a Senator and a staunch supporter of the Iraq War, which has cost the US trillions of dollars, thousands of lives, and done more to create ISIS and Middle East instability than any other single decision of modern foreign policy. In defending her vote, Hillary parroted the phony propaganda of the CIA: "In the four years since the inspectors left, intelligence reports show that Saddam Hussein has worked to rebuild his chemical and biological weapons stock, his missile delivery capability, and his nuclear program. He has also given aid, comfort, and sanctuary to terrorists, including Al Qaeda members... " After the Iraq Liberation Act came the 1999 Kosovo War, in which Bill Clinton called in NATO to bomb Belgrade, in the heart of Europe, and unleashing another decade of unrest in the Balkans. Hillary, traveling in Africa, called Bill: "I urged him to bomb," she told reporter Lucinda Frank. Hillary's record as Secretary of State is among the most militaristic, and disastrous, of modern US history. Some experience. Hilary was a staunch defender of the military-industrial-intelligence complex at every turn, helping to spread the Iraq mayhem over a swath of violence that now stretches from Mali to Afghanistan. Two disasters loom largest: Libya and Syria. Hillary has been much attacked for the deaths of US diplomats in Benghazi, but her tireless promotion of the overthrow Muammar Qaddafi by NATO bombing is the far graver disaster. Hillary strongly promoted NATO-led regime change in Libya, not only in violation of international law but counter to the most basic good judgment. After the NATO bombing, Libya descended into civil war while the paramilitaries and unsecured arms stashes in Libya quickly spread west across the African Sahel and east to Syria. The Libyan disaster has spawned war in Mali, fed weapons to Boko Haram in Nigeria, and fueled ISIS in Syria and Iraq. In the meantime, Hillary found it hilarious to declare of Qaddafi: "We came, we saw, he died." Perhaps the crowning disaster of this long list of disasters has been Hillary's relentless promotion of CIA-led regime change in Syria. Once again Hillary bought into the CIA propaganda that regime change to remove Bashir al-Assad would be quick, costless, and surely successful. In August 2011, Hillary led the US into disaster with her declaration Assad must "get out of the way," backed by secret CIA operations. Five years later, no place on the planet is more ravaged by unending war, and no place poses a great threat to US security. More than 10 million Syrians are displaced, and the refugees are drowning in the Mediterranean or undermining the political stability of Greece, Turkey, and the European Union. Into the chaos created by the secret CIA-Saudi operations to overthrow Assad, ISIS has filled the vacuum, and has used Syria as the base for worldwide terrorist attacks. The list of her incompetence and warmongering goes on. Hillary's support at every turn for NATO expansion, including even into Ukraine and Georgia against all common sense, was a trip wire that violated the post-Cold War settlement in Europe in 1991 and that led to Russia's violent counter-reactions in both Georgia and Ukraine. As Senator in 2008, Hilary co-sponsored 2008-SR439, to include Ukraine and Georgia in NATO. As Secretary of State, she then presided over the restart of the Cold War with Russia. It is hard to know the roots of this record of disaster. Is it chronically bad judgment? Is it her preternatural faith in the lying machine of the CIA? Is it a repeated attempt to show that as a Democrat she would be more hawkish than the Republicans? Is it to satisfy her hardline campaign financiers? Who knows? Maybe it's all of the above. But whatever the reasons, hers is a record of disaster. Perhaps more than any other person, Hillary can lay claim to having stoked the violence that stretches from West Africa to Central Asia and that threatens US security. Follow Jeffrey Sachs on Twitter: www.twitter.com/JeffDSachs See also - Email: Praised for Turning POTUS Around on Libya Intervention: In an email to then-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton shortly after the U.N. Security Council in March 2011 authorized military intervention in Libya, a former senior State Department official praised her achievement in turning POTUS around on this. The "Race To Raqqa" - A Syrian Campaign Plan By Moon Of Alabama February 15, 2016 " Information Clearing House " - " Moon Of Alabama " - There is today a lot of indignation in "western" media over the Russian air campaign in Syria. One, two, three, ... hospitals were bombed!. And schools! An the rebels lost more villages! Barrel bombs! Cluster bombs! One must ask how many of these "hospitals" were really hospitals and not just quarters for Jihadi "rebels". From the videos that were published I could identify only one destroyed building that might have been a real hospital. But ever there no medical equipment was visible in the debris. Could this probably arranged media assault be the preparation for some new false flag stunt or some other planned escalation? Hardly any mentions was made today about continued Turkish shelling of Kurdish towns in Syria. As soon as the Syrian artillery will be near the border, in a week or so, such shelling will be answered and the situation will then escalate very fast. The Russian promised that the The Gates of hell will be open in the coming months in Syria. The current massive Russian bombing is the beginning of that campaign. "Rebels" running away from a town due to bombing are not able to kill the Syrian soldiers that then enter that town. Houses and infrastructure can be rebuild but dead soldiers can not be resurrected. That is the simple rule that now guides the Syrian government campaigns. There are no hints yet of how exactly the liberation of Aleppo province, rebel held parts of Aleppo city and in Idleb will proceed. There is a bigger campaign plan behind it but it is not yet visible. Visible though is the Syrian plan of the Race to Raqqa against the Islamic State. map via The 'Nimr' Tiger - From the south west a brigade sized force of the Syrian army (red), soon to be reinforced by volunteer units, is pushing north-east towards Tabqa airbase which lies south of Route 4 and the city of Al Tawra. Both are held by the Islamic State (grey). The troops are now some 15 kilometers away from the base. Should the Syrian army take the base it would achieve firecontrol over Route 4 from Turkey via Al Bab to Raqqa and could stop most Islamic State traffic on that road. Should the army take Al Taqra city it could also capture the Taqwa dam of the Assad barrier lake. Then all Islamic State forces west of the Euphrates would be completely cut of from Raqqa and Iraq. They could be further split up by Syrian army forces coming from Aleppo going east and in the north by Kurdish forces (yellow) going west . The Islamic State would lose a lot of terrain in that move and, much more important, its sole open access route to Turkey. The difficult attack on Raqqa city itself, some 15 kilometers further east, would only come after the Tabqa base and Al Tawra are taken. But few military plans survive the contact with the enemy and there are other forces that would like to get their hands on Raqqa before the Syrian army reaches it Last week the Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim visited the Turkish President Erdogan in Istanbul. Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar have declared that they would join the announced Saudi ground campaign against the Islamic State should the U.S. take the command and lead. Saudi fighter jets have landed in Incirlik airbase. A Kuwaiti air transport plane landed in Hatay today, allegedly filled with weapons. The Turkish Prime Minister Davutoglu is visiting Ukraine with a large delegation. Is there some coordination ongoing? A diversion in Ukraine to keep the Russians busy in Ukraine while an Turkish/Gulf Arab attack is launched on Syria? Or vice versa? While the situation for the Syrian government and its allies looks much better now than six month ago, the war on Syria is far from over. It may well expand and escalate further before an end is in sight. The Syrian Sea of Hostility By Pepe Escobar February 15, 2016 " Information Clearing House " - " Sputnik " - The Syrian charade now proceeds under a vague cessation of hostilities which is not a ceasefire to be implemented within a week. Further on down the road, as this is the real world, hostilities will inevitably resume. As Lavrov stressed multiple times, we made proposals on implementing a ceasefire, quite specific ones. And yet Washington and the Saudi-Turkish combo relented. A frightened, cornered House of Saud with its remote-controlled moderate rebel gaggle being routed on the ground even started spinning the ludicrous notion of sending ground troops, a.k.a. a bunch of mercenaries, to help the US effort against Daesh (ISIS/ISIL/IS). The monkey business reached such a level of un-sustainability that Russian premier Dmitry Medvedev felt compelled to tell an interviewer from Germanys Handelsblatt, The Americans and our [Arab] partners must think hard about this: Do they want a permanent war? Sultan Erdogan and the House of Saud certainly do because their Syrian regime change dreams are in tatters. But the lame duck Obama administrations case is way more complicated. True to its trademark, clueless foreign policy mode, theres not much left for Team Obama except spinning. The proverbial unnamed US officials spin on overdrive on Western corporate media that this postponed cessation of hostilities is a Russian trap as Washington wanted an immediate ceasefire (no wonder; CIA remote-controlled moderate rebels are also being routed.) European and Arab vassals spin that Damascus and Moscow are torpedoeing the peace efforts. And yet Kerry caved in to realism, actually. Lavrov must have made it very clear the two non-negotiables for Russia; win the Battle of Aleppo, still in progress, and seal the Syria/Turkey border against any manifestation of the Jihadi Highway, moderate or otherwise. Do the Munich Spin Theres a nifty historical echo about the war in Syria being negotiated in parallel to the Munich Security Conference traditionally dedicated to global security. But the most pressing question is whether this new Munich Pact will actually hold. Whats certain is that Daesh (ISIS/ISIL/IS) and al-Nusra Front, a.k.a al-Qaeda in Syria, will keep being targeted by both Russians and Americans even after the cessation of hostilities. The 4+1 coalition Russia, Syria, Iran, Iraq, plus Hezbollah will also keep targeting every outfit remotely connected with Jabhat al-Nusra (and they are legion). The Syrian Arab Army (SAA) will for its part intensify its attacks against Daesh (ISIS/ISIL/IS). Call it the all roads lead to Raqqa syndrome. As soon as the Syria/Turkey border is sealed with crucial input by the YPG Kurds the march to Raqqa will be inevitable. This is the ground scenario for the next few days. So no wonder the Saudi-Turkish combo is absolutely desperate; if they as much as try to support their moderate rebels with their aerial assets, they will be reduced to ashes by the Russian Air Force. Enter extra Exceptionalistan spin, according to which NATO is exploring the possibility of joining the US-led from behind coalition against Daesh (ISIS/ISIL/IS). This is nonsense; the Pentagon is already implicated. Major powers at NATO such as France and Germany want to extricate themselves from a Syrian crisis, not to get into a ground war. The whole charade amounts to Turkeys Sultan Erdogan desperately trying, over and over again, to get NATO into the fray, even if it that takes a lethal provocation of Russia; after all his dream now in tatters of creating a safe zone on the Turkey/Syria border refuses to die. That Hostile Sultan Behind the whole cessation of hostilities charade, theres a stark fact; the lame duck Obama administration does not seem to want to escalate those proverbial tensions with Moscow to an irreversibly critical level (Pentagon/NATO Cold War 2.0 obsession is another story.) The skies above Syria wont offer a prelude for a US-Russia total war. But that doesnt mean the Pentagon will desist from trying. The Pentagons Ash Empire of Whining Carter and Britains Michael Fallon will be meeting with GCC and Turkey brass in Brussels. And guess whos the head of the Saudi delegation: Warrior Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the actual House of Saud supremo as it stands (considering King Salman drifts on and off), as well as defense minister and responsible for the Saudi debacle in Yemen. The Warrior Prince is absolutely livid that his remote-controlled rebels are being shellacked on the ground by the SAA and the Russian Air Force. Yet Yemen will be nothing compared to the drubbing his Special Forces, a.k.a. mercenaries will suffer under experienced SAA, Iranian and Hezbollah fighters. The plot thickens. Both sides will deny it, but there are back-room channels being used by the House of Saud and Moscow to clearly demarcate areas to be run by the SAA and some acceptable rebels under the framework of fighting ISIS/ISIL/Daesh. This proves Saudis and Russians can join their efforts as long as its against hardcore jihadism. With deranged Sultan Erdogan, on the other hand, any possibility of a deal is beyond remote. Especially after the PYD northeastern Syrian Kurds which Ankara regards as terrorists opened a representative office in Moscow this past Wednesday, at the invitation of President Putin. NATO Threatens Russia, We are Rolling into A New Cold War Speech by Russias Prime Minister Dmitri Medvedev at 2016 Munich Security Conference By Dmitri Medvedev Dmitry Medvedev: Ladies and gentlemen, distinguished colleague Mr Valls, distinguished Mr Ischinger, my speech will be of a more general nature, but I hope it will be useful. The first cold war ended 25 years ago. This is not long in terms of history, but it is a considerable period for individual people and even for generations. And it is certainly sufficient for assessing our common victories and losses, setting new goals and, of course, avoiding a repetition of past mistakes. The Munich Security Conference has been known as a venue for heated and frank discussion. This is my first time here. Today Id like to tell you about Russias assessment of the current European security situation and possible solutions to our common problems, which have been aggravated by the deterioration of relations between Russia and the West. Before coming to this conference, I met with President Putin. We talked about his speech at the Munich conference in 2007. He said then that ideological stereotypes, double standards and unilateral actions do not ease but only fan tensions in international relations, reducing the international communitys opportunities for adopting meaningful political decisions. Did we overstate this? Were our assessments of the situation too pessimistic? Unfortunately, I have to say that the situation is now even worse than we feared. Developments have taken a much more dramatic turn since 2007. The concept of Greater Europe has not materialised. Economic growth has been very weak. Conflicts in the Middle East and North Africa have increased in scale. The migration crisis is pushing Europe towards collapse. Relations between Europe and Russia have soured. A civil war is raging in Ukraine. In this context, we need to launch an intensive dialogue on the future architecture of Euro-Atlantic security, global stability and regional threats more than ever before. I consider it unacceptable that this dialogue has almost ceased in many spheres. The problem of miscommunication has been widely recognised both in Western Europe and in Russia. The mechanisms that allowed us to promptly settle mutual concerns have been cut off. Moreover, weve lost our grasp of the culture of mutual arms control, which we used for a long time as the basis for strengthening mutual trust. Partnership initiatives, which took much time and effort to launch, are expiring one by one. The proposed European security treaty has been put on hold. The idea of a Russia-EU Committee on Foreign Policy and Security, which I discussed with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Meseberg, has not materialised. We believe that NATOs policy towards Russia remains unfriendly and generally obdurate. Speaking bluntly, we are rapidly rolling into a period of a new cold war. Russia has been presented as well-nigh the biggest threat to NATO, or to Europe, America and other countries (and Mr Stoltenberg has just demonstrated that). They show frightening films about Russians starting a nuclear war. I am sometimes confused: is this 2016 or 1962? But the real threats to this small world are of an absolutely different nature, as I hope you will admit. The term European security is now more embracing that it used to be. Forty years ago it concerned above all military and political relations in Europe. But new issues have come to the fore since then, such as sustainable economic development, inequality and poverty, unprecedented migration, new forms of terrorism and regional conflicts, including in Europe. I am referring to Ukraine, the volatile Balkans, and Moldova that is teetering on the brink of a national collapse. The cross-border threats and challenges, which we for a while believed to have been overcome, have returned with a new strength. The new threats, primarily terrorism and extremism, have lost their abstract form for the majority of people. They have become reality for millions in many countries. As Mr Valls has just mentioned, they have become a daily threat. We can expect an airplane to be blown up or people in a cafe to be shot every day. These used to be everyday events in the Middle East, but now its the same the world over. We see that economic, social and military challenges have become mutually complementary. But we continue to act randomly, inconsistently, and in many cases exclusively in our own national interests. Or a scapegoat is appointed in an arbitrary manner. I am offering you five theses on security as such. First, the economy. We have approached a change in paradigm in international economic relations. The traditional schemes are no longer effective. Political expediency is taking priority over simple and clear economic reason. The code of conduct is revised ad hoc to suit a specific problem or task or is bluntly ignored. Ill just point out how the International Monetary Fund adjusted its fundamental rules on lending to countries with overdue sovereign debt when the issue concerned Ukraines sovereign debt to Russia. Talks on creating economic mega-blocs could result in the erosion of the system of global economic rules. Globalisation, which was a desired objective, has to a certain extent played a cruel joke on us. I personally talked about this with my colleagues at the G8 meetings when everyone needed them. But times change rapidly. Even a minor economic shift in one country now hits whole markets and countries almost immediately. And global regulation mechanisms cannot effectively balance national interests. The energy market remains extremely unstable. Its volatility has affected both importers and exporters. We regret that the practice of unilateral economic pressure in the form of sanctions is gaining momentum. Decisions are taken arbitrarily and at times in violation of international law. This is undermining the operating foundations of international economic organisations, including the World Trade Organisation. We have always said, I have always said that sanctions hit not only those against whom they are imposed but also those who use them as an instrument of pressure. How many joint initiatives have been suspended because of sanctions! I have just met with German businessmen and we discussed this issue. Have we properly calculated not only the direct but also the indirect costs for European and Russian business? Are our differences really so deep, or are they not worth it? All of you here in this audience do you really need this? This is a road to nowhere. Everyone will suffer, mark my words. It is vitally important that we join forces to strengthen a new global system that can combine the principles of effectiveness and fairness, market openness and social protection. Second, the crisis of the global economic development model is creating conditions for a variety of conflicts, including regional conflicts. European politicians thought that the creation of the so-called belt of friendly countries on the outer border of the EU would reliably guarantee security. But what are the results of this policy? What you have is not a belt of friendly countries, but an exclusion zone with local conflicts and economic trouble both on the eastern borders (Ukraine and Moldova) and on the southern borders (the Middle East and North Africa, Libya and Syria). The result is that these regions have become a common headache for all of us. The Normandy format has helped us launch negotiations on Ukraine. We believe that there are no better instruments for a peaceful settlement than the Minsk Agreements. We welcome Frances balanced and constructive stance on Ukraine and on all other acute international issues. I fully agree with Mr Valls that the Russian-French dialogue never stopped, and that it has produced concrete results. It is true that all sides must comply with the Minsk Agreements. But implementation primarily depends on Kiev. Why them? Not because we are trying to shift responsibility, but because its their time. The situation is very unstable, despite progress made in a number of areas (heavy weaponry withdrawal, the OSCE mission and other issues). What is Russias biggest concern? First and most important, a comprehensive ceasefire is not being observed in southeastern Ukraine. Shooting is routinely reported at the line of contact, which should not be happening. And we must send a clear signal to all the parties involved, in this regard. Second, amendments to the Ukrainian Constitution have not been approved to this day, although this should have been done by the end of 2015. And the law on a special status for Donbass has not been implemented. Instead of coordinating specific decentralisation parameters with the regions, and this is the crucial issue, Ukraine has adopted so-called transitional provisions, even though the above requirements were put in black and white in the Minsk Agreements. Third, Kiev continues to insist that local elections be based on a new Ukrainian law. Furthermore, Kiev has not implemented its commitment on a broad amnesty that should embrace all those who were involved in the developments in Ukraine in 2014-2015. Without being amnestied, these people will be unable to participate in elections, which will make any election results questionable. The OSCE will not endorse this. As I said, the Minsk Agreements must be implemented in full and this is Russias stance on the issue. At the same time, being reasonable people open to discussing various ideas, including a compromise, we, for instance, accepted the initiative of Mr Steinmeier on the temporary application of the law on special status as soon as the election campaign begins. After the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights recognises the election results, this law must be applied permanently. But theres still no progress here, despite the compromise suggested. Of course, the humanitarian situation is extremely alarming. The economy of southeastern Ukraine is deteriorating, that part of Ukraine is blockaded, and the German Chancellors initiative on the restoration of the banking system in the region there has been rejected. Tens of thousands of people are living on the verge of a humanitarian catastrophe. Oddly, Russia seems to be more concerned about this than Ukraine, why is this so? We have been sending and will have to continue sending humanitarian convoys to southeastern Ukraine. I must say that Russia has shown and will continue to show reasonable flexibility in the implementation of the Minsk Agreements where this doesnt contradict their essence. But we cant do what is not in our competence. That is, we cannot implement the political and legal obligations of the Kiev government. This is under the direct authority of the President, the Government and the Parliament of Ukraine. But unfortunately, it appears that they dont have the will or a desire to do it. I think this has become obvious to everyone. As for Syria, we have been working and will continue to work to implement joint peace initiatives. This is a difficult path, but there is no alternative to an interethnic and interreligious dialogue. We must preserve Syria as a union state and prevent its dissolution for denominational reasons. The world will not survive another Libya, Yemen or Afghanistan. The consequences of this scenario will be catastrophic for the Middle East. The work of the International Syria Support Group gives us a certain hope. They gathered here the day before yesterday and coordinated a list of practical measures aimed at implementing the UN Security Council Resolution 2254, including the delivery of humanitarian aid to civilians and outlining the conditions for a ceasefire, except for terrorist groups, of course. The implementation of these measures is to be led by Russia and the United States. I would like to emphasise that the daily work of the Russian and American militaries is the key here. Im talking about regular work without the need to seek incidental contacts, day-to-day work, everyday work. Of course, there should be no preliminary conditions to start the talks on the settlement between the Syrian government and opposition, and there is no need to impend anyone with a land military operation. Third, we sincerely believe that if we fail to normalise the situation in Syria and other conflict areas, terrorism will become a new form of war that will spread around the world. It will not be just a new form of war but a method of settling ethnic and religious conflict, and a form of quasi-state governance. Imagine a group of countries that are governed by terrorists through terrorism. Is this the 21st century? It is common knowledge that terrorism is not a problem within individual countries. Russia first raised this alarm two decades ago. We tried to convince our partners that the core causes were not just ethnic or religious differences. Take ISIS, whose ideology is not based on Islamic values but on a blood-thirsty desire to kill and destroy. Terrorism is civilisations problem. Its either us or them, and its time for everyone to realise this. There are no nuances or undertones, no justifications for terrorist actions, no dividing terrorists into ours or theirs, into moderate or extremist. The destruction of the Russian plane over Sinai, the terrorist attacks in Paris, London, Israel, Lebanon, Pakistan, Iraq, Mali, Yemen and other countries, the grisly executions of hostages, thousands of victims, and endless other threats are evidence that international terrorism defies state borders. Terrorists and extremists are trying to spread their influence not only throughout the Middle East and North Africa but also to the whole of Central Asia. Unfortunately, they have so far been successful, mostly because we are unable to set our differences aside and to really join forces against them. Even cooperation at the security services level has been curtailed. And this is ridiculous, like we dont want to work with you. Daesh should be grateful to my colleagues, the leaders of the Western countries who have suspended this cooperation. Before coming to this conference, I read much material, including some by Western experts. Even those who dont think positively about Russia admit that, despite our differences, the anti-terrorist formula will not be effective without Russia. On the other hand, they sometimes frame this conclusion in an overall correct, but slightly different way, saying that a weak Russia is even more dangerous than a strong Russia. Fourth, regional conflicts and terrorism are closely related to the unprecedentedly large issue of uncontrolled migration. This could be described as a great new transmigration of peoples and the culmination of the numerous problems of modern global development. It has affected not only Western Europe but also Russia. The inflow of migrants from Syria to Russia is not very large, but the inflow of migrants from Ukraine has become a serious problem. Over a million Ukrainian refugees have entered Russia over the past 18 months. Wars and related deprivations, inequality, low standards of living, violence, and fanaticism force people to flee their homes. Unsuccessful attempts to spread Western models of democracy to a social environment that is not suited for this have resulted in the demise of entire states and have turned huge territories into zones of hostility. I remember how my colleagues once rejoiced at the so-called Arab Spring. I literally witnessed it. But has modern democracy taken root in these countries? Looks like it has, but in the form of ISIS. Human capital is degenerating in the countries the refugees are leaving. And these countries development prospects have taken a downward turn. The ongoing migration crisis is rapidly acquiring the features of a humanitarian catastrophe, at least in some parts of Europe. Social problems are growing too, along with mutual intolerance and xenophobia. Not to mention the fact that hundreds and thousands of extremists enter Europe under the guise of being refugees. Other migrants are people of an absolutely different culture who only want to receive monetary benefits without doing anything to earn them. This poses a very real danger to the common economic space. The next targets will be the cultural space and even the European identity. We watch with regret how invaluable mechanisms, which Russia also needs, are being destroyed. I am referring to the actual collapse of the Schengen zone. For our part, we are willing to do our best to help address the migration issue, including by contributing to efforts to normalise the situation in the conflict regions from which the majority of refugees come, Syria among them. And fifth, lets be as honest as possible. The majority of these challenges did not develop yesterday. And they were definitely not invented in Russia. Yet we havent learned to react to these challenges properly or even proactively. This is why the bulk of resources go into dealing with the consequences, often without identifying the root cause. Or we invest our energy not in fighting the real evil, but in deterring our neighbours, and this problem has just been voiced here The West continues to actively use this deterrence doctrine against Russia. The fallacy of this approach is that we will still be debating the same issues in 10 and even 20 years. Provided there will be anything to debate about, of course, as discussions are not on the agenda of the Great Caliphate. Opinions on the prospects for cooperation with Russia differ. Opinions also differ in Russia. But can we unite in order to stand up against the challenges I mentioned above? Yes, I am confident that we can. Yesterday we witnessed a perfect example in the area of religion. Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia and Pope of the Catholic Church Francis met in Cuba following hundreds of years when the two churches did not communicate. Of course, restoring trust is a challenging task. Its difficult to say how long it would take. But it is necessary to launch this process. And this must be done without any preliminary conditions. Either all of us need to do this or none of us. In the latter case, there will be no cooperation. We often differ in our assessments of the events that took place over the past two years. However, I want to emphasise that they dont differ as much as they did 40 years ago when we signed the Final Helsinki Act and when Europe was literally divided by The Wall. When old phobias prevailed, we were deadlocked. When we managed to join forces, we succeeded. There is much evidence to support this. We managed to agree on the reduction of strategic offensive weapons, which was a breakthrough achievement. We have worked out a compromise solution regarding Irans nuclear programme. We have convinced all sides in the Syrian conflict to sit down at the negotiating table in Geneva. We have coordinated actions against pirates. And the Climate Change Conference was held in Paris last year. We should replicate these positive outcomes. Ladies and gentlemen, The current architecture of European security, which was built on the ruins of World War II, allowed us to avoid global conflicts for more than 70 years. The reason for this was that this architecture was built on principles that were clear to everyone at that time, primarily the undeniable value of human life. We paid a high price for these values. But our shared tragedy forced us to rise above our political and ideological differences in the name of peace. Its true that this security system has its issues and that it sometimes malfunctions. But do we need one more, third global tragedy to understand that what we need is cooperation rather than confrontation? Id like to quote from John F. Kennedy, who used very simple but the most appropriate words, Domestic policy can only defeat us; foreign policy can kill us. In the early 1960s the world stood at the door of a nuclear apocalypse, but the two rivalling powers found the courage to admit that no political confrontation was worth the human lives. I believe that we have become wiser and more experienced and more responsible. And we are not divided by ideological phantoms and stereotypes. I believe that the challenges we are facing today will not lead to conflict but rather will encourage us to come together in a fair and equal union that will allow us to maintain peace for another 70 years, at least. Thank you. Excerpts from replies to questions by journalists Question: My name is Mingus Campbell, I am from the United Kingdom. My question is addressed to Prime Minister Medvedev. Is it accepted in Russia that increased influence in Syria brings with it responsibility for all of the citizens of Syria? And if that is so, how has that responsibility been exercised in respect of the citizens of Aleppo who are now fleeing in such numbers? Dmitry Medvedev: Thank you. I will continue answering questions concerning Syria, including the situation in Aleppo, but not limited to that. I think a large part of the people present here have never been to Syria, whereas I have been there. I made an official visit there when Syria was a quiet, peaceful, secular nation, where life was stable and balanced for everybody: the Sunnis and the Shiites, the Druze, Alawites and Christians. Almost six years have passed since then. Today we see Syria that is torn by a civil war. Let us ask a question: who is to blame for that? Is it al-Assad alone? It is absolutely evident that without a certain external influence Syria could have gone on with its life. But I remember those talks, those conversations with my partners, both European and American, who kept on telling me the same thing over and over: al-Assad is no good, he should step down, and then peace and prosperity will reign there. And what has came of it? It resulted in a civil war. This is the reason I cannot but agree with my colleague, Prime Minister Valls, in that we must join efforts to solve this issue, but we must work effectively, not just watch as events unfold there, not just watch one party attack another; not divide the warring parties into those who are on our side and adversaries, but instead sit them all down at the negotiating table, except those who we have agreed to treat as real terrorists. We know who they are. Russia is not pursuing any special goals there except the ones that have been declared. We are defending our national interests because a large number of militants fighting there came from Russia and neighbouring countries, and they can come back to wage terrorist attacks. They must stay there This does not apply to civilians in any way. Unlike most of the countries present in the region, we have been helping civilians. Nobody has any proof that we have been bombing civilian targets there, even though they keep on talking about it, about wrong targets and so forth. They do not share information. I have just said this from the stand the military must keep in constant contact. They should call each other a dozen times a day. Otherwise there will always be skirmishes and conflicts. And this is our mission. We are ready for such cooperation. I expect that we will see some positive development from the dialogue we had here in terms of both achieving a ceasefire in Syria and the humanitarian issues. It is crucial that we should agree on key points, because otherwise, and I think it is no secret for anyone, Syria will split into separate parts, the way it happened to Libya and the way it is in fact happening with a number of other nations in the region. What does that entail? It poses a threat of the conflict becoming permanent. The civil war will go on, Daesh or its successors will always be there, while we will engage in arguments as we try to figure out which of them is good and which is bad, who should receive our support and who shouldnt. We have a common enemy, and that it the premise we should start with. Now I would like to come back to the topic of Ukraine. I cannot assess the past developments in Ukraine; the Russian leadership has already done this a number of times, including myself. I will answer the part of the question regarding the air crash investigation. Obviously, the Russian Federation is no less interested in an unbiased investigation than the countries whose citizens lost their lives in the crash. It is indeed an enormous tragedy. But even the tone of the question implies that the person asking it has already decided who is responsible, who should bear the legal responsibility, no investigation is needed, certain justice committees should be set up instead and certain legal procedures followed. But this is not the way it is done. This should be a regular comprehensive investigation that would cover all the relevant aspects. This is the first point. And second, this is unfortunately not the first case in the world of this kind. Such tragedies have never been dealt with by criminal courts or other similar agencies. These are issues of a different order. And this is what we have to agree on. Russia is ready to provide any information to contribute to a quality investigation. Medvedev: Syria, Ukraine and the economic crisis an exclusive interview Russia is increasingly feared by many in the West as a growing security threat, yet paradoxically its one of the key players in finding a solution to the Syrian conflict. Meanwhile, the country is buckling under an economic crisis to discuss these issues Im joined in an exclusive interview, by Russias PM Dmitri Medvedev, at the Munich Security conference. Isabelle Kumar: Many thanks for being with us on The Global Conversation. The issue of Syria is dominating the international agenda. But we feel we could be reaching the turning point yet its unclear which way it is going to go. What do you think? Dmitri Medvedev: You know, as I was heading to this conference, I had a feeling that the situation in this area is very complex and challenging because we have yet to come to an agreement with our colleagues and partners on key issues, including the creation of a possible coalition and military cooperation. All interactions in this respect have been episodic so far. That said, I note that here, in Munich, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov met with Secretary of State John Kerry, and other colleagues acting in various capacities later joined them. They agreed on what should be done in the short run. For this reason, Im cautiously optimistic about the prospects for cooperation on this issue. Let me emphasise that this cooperation is critical, because unless we come together on this issue, there will be no end to the war in Syria, people will keep dying, the massive influx of refugees to Europe will continue, and Europe will have to deal with major challenges. Most importantly, we will be unable to overcome terrorism, which is a threat to the entire modern civilisation. Isabelle Kumar: What precise military actions and other, in that case, is Russia prepared to take to help in this de-escalation of the conflict in Syria? Dmitri Medvedev: Let me remind you the reasons behind Russias involvement in Syria. The first reason that compelled Russia to take part in this campaign is the protection of national interests. There are many fighters in Syria who can go to Russia at any time and commit terrorist attacks there. There are thousands of them in Syria. Second, there is a legal foundation in the form of the request by President al-Assad. We will therefore take these two factors into account in our military decisions and, obviously, the developments in the situation. What matters most at this point is to agree on launching the talks between all the parties to the Syrian conflict. Another important thing is to coordinate a list of terrorist groups, since this issue has been a matter of endless debates on whos good and whos bad. This is the first point I wanted to make. My second point is the following. I learned that Secretary of State John Kerry said that if Russia and Iran do not help, the US will be ready to join other countries in carrying out a ground operation. These are futile words, he should not have said that for a simple reason: if all he wants is a protracted war, he can carry out ground operations and anything else. But dont try to frighten anyone. Agreements should be reached along the same lines as Mr Kerrys conversations with Mr Lavrov, instead of saying that if something goes wrong, other Arab countries and the US will carry out a ground operation. Ive answered this question only recently. But let me reiterate that no one is interested in a new war, and a ground operation is a full-fledged, long war. We must bear this in mind. We want sound, advanced relations both with the United States and the European Union Assads future Isabelle Kumar: Clearly, one of the key issues is the future of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Will Russia continue to support him at this crucial moment in time? Dmitri Medvedev: Russia does not support President al-Assad personally, but maintains friendly relations with Syria as a country. These ties were built not under Bashar al-Assad, but back when his father, Hafez al-Assad, became president. This is my first point in this respect. Second, we have never said that this is the main issue for us in this process. We simply believe that there is currently no other legitimate authority in Syria apart from Bashar al-Assad. He is the incumbent president, whether anyone likes it or not. Taking him out of this equation would lead to chaos. We have seen that on numerous occasions in the Middle East, when countries simply fell apart, as it happened with Libya, for example. It is for that reason that he should take part in all the procedures and processes, but it should be up to the Syrian people to decide his destiny. Syrias future Isabelle Kumar: Are you therefore already working on ideas of political transition now in Syria? Dmitri Medvedev: I dont think that we should go into too much detail on these issues. Im talking about Russia, the European Union and the United States. We should focus on facilitating the launch of this process. We must make sure that everyone sits down at the negotiating table, in fact, make them talk to each other. Lets be honest and recognise that it will be anything but simple given the parties involved. On one side, you have President al-Assad, supported by a part of society and the military, and, on the other side, the other part of society, often representing different confessions, people who dont like al-Assad but have to sit with him at the same negotiating table. Nevertheless, they need to come to an agreement for the sake of keeping Syria united. Ukraine crisis Isabelle Kumar: Id like now to switch focus and look at the conflict in Ukraine. We talk of the frozen conflict there with, it appears, renewed fighting in the east. What can Russia do to bring about the thaw in that conflict, to bring an end to this conflict? Dmitri Medvedev: Well, understandably, the answer here is somewhat easier than in Syrias case. It is not just because this conflict is not as brutal, but because there is a clear understanding of how to move forward by implementing the Minsk Agreements. They should be implemented fully and in their entirety by all the parties. In fact, Russia calls on all the parties to do so, both those in power in the southeast, and the Kiev authorities. It is not a matter of Russia having some disagreements with Kiev or mutual dislike. It would be fair to say that most of the provisions that were the responsibility of southeast Ukraine have been fulfilled. Most importantly, hostilities have ceased almost completely. Unfortunately, some action takes place from time to time, but not often. Finding political and legal solutions in keeping with the Minsk Agreements has now become vital. Whose responsibility is it? Of course, it is Ukraines responsibility. If Ukraine regards the southeast as part of its territory, it is within the jurisdiction, competence and authority of the President, Parliament and Government of Ukraine. Isabelle Kumar: If you meet President Poroshenko here, at the Munich security conference, what will you say to him? Dmitri Medvedev: I havent seen him and, to be honest, I havent missed him. President Poroshenko is in contact with President Putin. There is no doubt that the main thing my colleagues should undertake is to do everything it takes to implement the Minsk Agreements. It would benefit them, as well as the Ukrainian state, which, no matter what anyone says, is a close, neighbouring country for Russia. Crimea Isabelle Kumar: Obviously, one of the major sticking points in this, for Ukraine, but also for the international community, is Crimea. Is the future of Crimea up for negotiation? Dmitri Medvedev: No, there is no such issue for Russia. This issue was settled once and for all. Crimea is part of Russia. A referendum was held there, we amended the constitution. The Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol are part of the Russian Federation. Isabelle Kumar: So the conflict in Syria, the situation in Ukraine has contributed to a real degradation of relations with Russia, with the EU and the US. Do you think a reset is possible? Dmitri Medvedev: The question is how and for whose sake. If something is to be reset, it should be done on a fundamentally different basis. What kind of basis? Equitable, fair, solid basis for relations, considering that Russia is not the only nation that needs this the European Union and the United States need it as well. We want sound, advanced relations both with the United States and the European Union. The European Union is our most important trade partner, a group of countries located on the same continent as us, so we are bound by our shared European identity, history and values. These continuing tensions arent doing us any good. But if we are told that they no longer want us around, of course, the first steps towards reconciliation should be taken by those who initiated the alienation. As for us, we are ready to discuss any issues. Russias economy Isabelle Kumar: Well, one of the repercussions of the souring of relations has been the sanctions that have been imposed on Russia, which are hitting hard. How much of a priority is it for your government to get those sanctions lifted? Dmitri Medvedev: They told us we were the bad guys and had to be punished. And then they made some calculations and began to weep: it turns out that for some reason it was hitting their own business. We had a trade turnover with the European Union at 450 billion euros. It was 450 billion! Now it is down to 217 billion euros. Why dont they ask the people in the EU who are employed by the various companies that used to make products for Russia how do they like all of this? Again, we are not the ones who started this, so it is not up to us to undo it. They have always been trying to intimidate us with some sanctions, which were introduced even in the Soviet period, many times. It never brought them anything but lost profits. What is happening now is no different. They will have to have the courage to say, guys, well just scrap all this from day X, and could you please reciprocate by lifting your response measures as well. That would be the right approach. Isabelle Kumar: So how are ordinary Russians feeling this economic crisis? Because the sanctions are contributing towards this, the falling oil prices are also contributing to this. Whats it like for ordinary Russians? Dmitri Medvedev: Indeed, we arent in the best economic situation right now, with the dramatic fall in oil prices probably contributing the most to the overall state of the economy, to the decline in revenues. This is something we havent seen for 17 years. The current prices are comparable to those in 1998. Unfortunately, our budget remains very dependent on oil prices. Although the structure of revenues has been improving, in terms of the share of oil and other sources, but yes, it remains commodity-dependent to a great extent. This could not but affect the incomes and the general standing of our people with their jobs and their real incomes. The sanctions have had some effect as well. This is obvious, since some of our companies, for example, lost the financing they used to have from European banks, which means they cannot grow, some of them anyway. Therefore, in this sense, the economic situation is not the easiest. But there is also a positive effect. The economy is healing, it is becoming less dependent on oil, and we have an opportunity to develop our own industry and agriculture. Perhaps one of the advantages of these sanctions and our response measures is that we started concentrating harder on domestic agriculture, so, to a large extent, we are now satisfying our demand for food, while wheat, for example, is now exported in large quantities. In this sense, the sanctions have helped. But they probably didnt help farmers in the European Union. Isabelle Kumar: I was asking about the ordinary Russians and how this was affecting them. And we hear of possible social unrest as their lives become more and more difficult in Russia. Is that something you are concerned about? Dmitri Medvedev: Of course, the government must first of all think about the social impact of economic changes and the economic situation. Frankly, we have been compelled to cut budget spending in many areas, but we never touched social spending, or the public sector wages and benefits. Moreover, we even indexed pensions last year, and this year, too, maybe not completely, but we did. We will try to continue doing this in the future. That is, the governments social spending is large, but it is inviolable. In this sense, we will try to do everything towards Russian citizens social wellbeing, to keep them as comfortable as possible under these conditions. It is truly a priority for the government. Russias human rights record Isabelle Kumar: If we take an international perspective once again, a black mark on Russias reputation is the issue of human rights and freedom of speech, which Russia seems to continually backslide on. Why is that? Dmitri Medvedev: To be frank, weve always differed in our views on the situation with the freedom of expression and the media in Russia. Weve often been criticised and we are still coming under criticism. We have our own position on the issue. Perhaps in Russia, the media are somewhat different, for example, from the European media. There are historical differences and there are growth issues. I rarely watch TV or read newspapers in print and I receive virtually all of my information from the Internet. And over half of Russias population does the same. As you know, on the Internet, there is no regulation in this sense. All points of view are represented there, including, to put it bluntly, even extremist ones. So I believe its not serious to think that some people have no access to different kinds of information in todays global world. Litvinenko enquiry Isabelle Kumar: Yes, but also it seems that dissidents are silenced. In Britain, as you know, there has been the results of the inquiry into the murder of Alexander Litvinenko, which the inquiry said it pointed the finger at President Vladimir Putin, saying that it was likely that he ordered that murder. Will you be pursuing the British Government on this? There was talk of you suing the British Government over this inquiry. Dmitri Medvedev: Youve mentioned some report by some retired judge, in which practically every paragraph and each section opens with the word probably. What is there to comment on? What is regrettable about this whole story is that the British Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary comment on a report that abounds in words like probably. This is reminiscent of a witch-hunt. When all is said and done, let it be on the conscience of the commentators. As for any legal action, this is simply ridiculous. We dont need this and the Russian Federation will never sue any country over some foolish fabrications or funny films. Highlights Isabelle Kumar: Finally, Mr Prime Minister, youve held the post of prime minister and also held the presidency, so youve got an overview, a full perspective of the issues weve been talking about, but if I were to ask you about one of the highlights of the your time in power, could you say what thats been? Dmitri Medvedev: Well, thereve been plenty. Both these posts are very serious and challenging. These eight years of my life and it has been almost eight years you know, its this constant drive. As for events, there have been plenty, both in Russia very good ones for me personally, notable, major, and sometime tragic events, like the ones weve been talking about now, and international events. After all, we have not only argued and quarrelled. Weve also accomplished a thing or two. For example, at some point we agreed on a New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty. That was not bad at all. The document was signed. It is in force. It is being implemented and therefore we can work together and agree on different things. There have been contacts with my colleagues, including here in Germany, as well as in other European countries. We have dealt with a lot of issues. All of this is remarkable and exciting. Maybe one day Ill talk about this in detail. For the time being I continue working and this work is interesting. Prime Minister, many thanks for joining us. By Isabelle Kumar NATOs Syria War Footing Under Cover of Migrant Crisis By Finian Cunningham February 15, 2016 " Information Clearing House " - " SCF " - The US-led NATO alliance is dispatching warships to the Mediterranean to allegedly help ease Europes refugee crisis. However, a closer look at the naval vessels in the NATO mission shows that this is no refugee rescue attempt but rather a full-on war mobilization. The timing comes just as US-Russian diplomatic talks on the Syrian crisis reach a make-or-break moment, suggesting that NATO is preparing military action in league with Turkey in order to salvage the covert war for regime change in Syria. That war has seen rapidly mounting losses for the United States and its allies who have been fueling clandestine proxy militias to topple the Assad government since March 2011. Those losses have escalated since Russia began its aerial bombing campaign four months ago to help stabilize the allied Syrian state of President Bashar al-Assad. After a meeting with NATO ministers in Brussels on Thursday, the alliances Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg announced that without delay the Standing Maritime Group 2 would be dispatched and will be tasked to conduct reconnaissance, monitoring and surveillance of the illegal [refugee smuggling] crossings in the Aegean Sea in cooperation with relevant authorities. Significantly, in addition to the Aegean Sea crossing, the NATO mission will be tasked with monitoring the Syrian-Turkey border, again allegedly to combat human trafficking of refugees. That purported surveillance implies that the NATO vessels will be operating in the East Mediterranean, near Cyprus, where the Standing Maritime Group 2 is normally based. Mr Stoltenberg said reconnaissance and intelligence gathering was also being stepped up at the Turkey-Syria border, according to the BBC. The mobilization has been ordered by NATO Supreme Commander General Philip Breedlove. Breedlove has distinguished himself previously for his rabid Cold War-style rhetoric against Russia. His new role, ostensibly, as a concerned humanitarian does not seem fitting. The New York Times reported: Gen. Philip M Breedlove of the United States Air Force, NATOs supreme allied commander for Europe, has ordered ships to the Aegean, Mr Stoltenberg said. The vessels are from Canada, Germany, Greece and Turkey, officials said. Breedlove is quoted by the NY Times as saying: This mission has literally come together in the last 20 hours, and I have been tasked now to go back and define the mission. We had some very rapid decision making and now we have to go out to do some military work. The NATO military commander appears to be dissembling. Last week, NATO reported that the Standing Maritime Group 2 had just completed extensive training operations with the Turkish navy in the East Mediterranean, according to the alliances own website. The same group of vessels are now being sent allegedly on a refugee rescue mission. It beggars belief that General Breedlove, the top NATO military planner, claims that this has literally come together in the last 20 hours. Comprising the NATO Standing Maritime Group 2 are three ships: FGS Bonn (Germany), HMCS Fredericton (Canada) and a Turkish Barbaros vessel. These are heavy-duty warships, bigger than destroyer class, each bristling with an array of weaponry, including anti-aircraft, anti-ship, anti-submarine and anti-missile firepower. When the NATO naval group which is described as a rapid reaction force conducted its exercises last week in the East Mediterranean, the maneuvers included drills with Turkish F-16 fighter jets and corvettes. Britains Independent newspaper cites NATOs secretary-general Stoltenberg as saying that the naval mission will involve five ships and that more vessels may be included. The Independent added: The extent to which the NATO vessels will interact with refugee boats remains unclear. NATO diplomats said that rather than direct intervention, intelligence gathered about people-smugglers is likely to be handed over to Turkish coastguards to allow them to combat the traffickers more effectively. Stoltenberg said that the objective was not about stopping or pushing back refugee boats but about contributing critical information and surveillance to help counter human trafficking and criminal networks. If NATO ships are not there to interact with refugee vessels, then what are they for? The notion that heavy-duty warships are sent to tackle human trafficking gangs is also not plausible. The traffickers rarely make the crossing on the overcrowded boats with the refugees. After the extortionate fees are handed over on Turkish shores, the boats are pushed out to sea by the traffickers who then disappear inland. US Secretary of Defense Ash Carter was also attending the NATO meeting in Brussels. He said of the new putative rescue mission: There is now a criminal syndicate that is exploiting these poor people and this is an organized smuggling operation. Targeting that is the way that the greatest effect can be had That is the principal intent of this. The apparent humanitarian intentions of this NATO mission lack credibility. As the BBC noted: The decision marks the security alliance's first intervention in Europes migrant crisis. The question is: why now? Last year, more than 3,000 people perished in Mediterranean crossings and up to one million entered the EU. So, why is NATO suddenly finding a sense of urgency now in allegedly tackling Europes refugee problem? It doesnt add up. More glaringly incongruous is the vast mismatch in vessel types and the supposed humanitarian naval purpose. The Standing Maritime Group 2 is a war operation, not a coastguard formation. Another clue is that the mission has been initiated by NATO members Germany and Turkey. Earlier this week, German Chancellor Angela Merkel was in Turkey where she publicly backed President Recep Tayyip Erdogans calls for Russia to halt its military operations in Syria. Merkel iterated the NATO propaganda line that Russian bombing has inflicted civilian suffering and is responsible for the latest surge in people fleeing the Syrian city of Aleppo to Turkeys border. Russias successful military support for Syrian government forces has enabled dramatic strategic gains against the anti-government militia, most of whom are al-Qaeda-linked foreign terror brigades who have been infiltrated and weaponized by the US and its NATO allies, including Turkey and regional partners Saudi Arabia and Qatar. In a separate report this week, the New York Times disclosed that Washington and its allies are under increasing pressure from Russias military success in Syria. In a startling admission the NY Times reported: The Russians have cut off many of the pathways the CIA has been using for the not-very-secret effort to arm rebel [read terror] groups, according to current and former [US] officials. Losing the covert war in Syria because of Russias intervention, Washington is thus considering Plan B, added the NY Times, which means a far larger military effort directed at Assad. The losing dynamic of the US-led covert war in Syria also explains why frustrations between Washington, Turkey and Saudi Arabia are bursting into the public sphere, with Erdogan in particular rebuking the Americans in speeches this week. The deployment of NATO warships to the Mediterranean under the cover of stemming Europes refugee crisis may be a sop from Washington to Turkey to feign a more muscular response to the covert military losses in Syria, and thereby shut Erdogan up for a bit. There again, it could be a sign of the adverted Plan B, and a real military contingency toward more direct US-led NATO intervention in Syria. Time will tell. Strategic Culture Foundation You and your darling are happy together but are you trying too hard to have that happiness? No relationship is perfect, but every relationship is a two-way street. Are you doing all the work to make it work? Watch out for these signs that you are: Playing the initiation game If you are always the one to block out weekends for a movie or constantly sending every hows your day going text, its time to reevaluate. He might have a busy schedule, but that doesnt mean it comes down to you to be the one to initiate every date night, or to find time to spend together. In a healthy relationship, both partners should work to schedule time to be with each other. Being the number one compromiser When you do spend time together, are you doing what you want? Feeling the need to only do what your partner loves means you both arent compromising in your relationship. Being in a happy and functional relationship means trying out new things together, but he should be as interested in your hobbies as much you are interested in his. The rationalization queen Constantly making excuses for your beau in order to hide how you are feeling, or whats really going on, is a big red flag. Its normal to be frustrated or upset at times, but consistently rationalizing his behavior to your friends and family means its time to get to the root of the problem. You shouldnt have to feel stuck in any relationship you are in. Playing hide and seek (with yourself) No one is 100% authentic on the first few dates, but after dating for a while, you should be able to feel like yourself around your honey. Feeling like you cant honestly be yourself in a relationship means its not worth staying with that person. Yes, yes & yes Any relationship needs give and take to survive, which may mean you order Chinese instead of going out for Mexican on occasion. Its fine to not always get what you want if it makes your honey happy, but that also means your darling has to do the same for you. If you are constantly agreeing just to make your partner happy, that needs to change. You deserve to have someone agree with you instead of being the sole people-pleaser in your relationship. Texting = Stressing Constantly worried if you should send that text, or ask him to come to your work party, shouldnt be a part of your relationship. Of course there are some pre-dating jitters of not wanting to come on too strong, but if you are dating, you shouldnt be afraid to ask your honey how their day went via text. Having the end in sight Living in fear of a seemingly impending break up is not the way to feel in a relationship. Doing just that makes you feel like every word you say could possibly tip him over the edge and break up with you. There needs to be a level of happiness and confidence in any functioning relationship; fearing any little thing could cause the breakup is no way to live. Losing perspective Being unhappy with your man is difficult to see if you cant even imagine being happy with someone else. If you are trying too hard to make him happy and not feeling happy in return, its time to move on. Im free whenever A glaring issue in any relationship is being too available. Yes, you want to spend time with your beau, but if they arent doing the same for you, it is time to move on. Dont radiate insecurities by feeling like you cant say no. Any relationship is going to take effort on your part, but if you are the one who is always available, constantly saying yes, or rationalizing everything, its time to reevaluate. France and Turkey have called the bombing of two schools and five hospitals in Syria war crimes, while hopes for a ceasefire faded as President Bashar al-Assad played down prospects of a truce. Up to 50 civilians, including children, died when missiles hit at least five medical buildings and two schools in the Aleppo and Idlib provinces on Monday. UN Secretary said the raids violated international law and cast a shadow over efforts to end Syrias five-year civil war. He did not say who was responsible for the attacks but groups monitoring the conflict suspected the strikes were carried out by Russia, an ally of the Syrian regime. Russias health minister, Veronika Skvortsova, denied Moscow was responsible, saying its military had targeted Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) infrastructure and that she had no reason to believe it had bombed civilians. We are confident that [there is] no way could it be done by our defence forces. This contradicts our ideology, she said. French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault said attacks on health facilities in Syria by the regime or its supporters were unacceptable and must stop immediately. Turkey on Monday separately accused Russia of an obvious war crime and warned that there would be consequences if Russia did not immediately end such attacks. Syrias ambassador to Moscow, Riad Haddad, said the hospital had been targeted by a US raid. Aljazeera. Immediate past Senate President, David Mark, has raised the alarm over a plot by the deputy governor of Benue State, Benson Abounu, and some chieftains of the All Progressives Congress, APC, to assassinate him ahead of Saturdays rerun election in Benue South senatorial district. Senator Mark, in a statement by his media aide, Paul Mumeh, on Monday, said the APC candidate for the election, Daniel Onjeh, through his campaign Director, Okpokwu Ogenyi, in connivance with the deputy governor, had allegedly hired the services of dreaded cultists to unleash terror in the district and in the process target him (Mark) for elimination. The statement said the cultists allegedly hired for the assassination include the notorious supreme Vikings squad from Jos, Plateau State and the dreaded Black Axe in Makurdi, the Benue State capital. It also said Mark, who is seeking to retain his seat on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, had already alerted the Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase, of the plot by the APC stalwarts in the state to assassinate him. In a petition to the IGP signed by his counsel, Ken Ikonne, the statement said, the former senate president alleged that Mr. Ogenyi was the arrowhead of the plot. It is obvious that Ogenyi knows more about the assassination plot than he has revealed, the petition said. Our client has therefore instructed us to petition you (IGP) to as a matter of urgency apprehend and interrogate Ogenyi to throw more light on the details of this grave assassination plot before he and his associates carry out the dastardly plot. Only yesterday, police said to be attached to the State Deputy Governor Benson Abounu fired several gun shots into the family house of Senator Mark in Otukpo. No reason was given for the unprovoked attack and no arrest has been made. The petition also said a couple of weeks ago, the APC chairman in the state, Abbah Yaro, was quoted as saying if Senator Mark wants, let him win the election in seven out of the nine local government areas but no returning officer born of a woman will dare declare him. Also, the Benue State chairman of the PDP, Emmanuel Agbo, had petitioned the police command in the state over the unhealthy political activities of APC ahead of the election. Mr. Agbo also asked the authorities to prevail on the APC to allow peace reign. Customs operatives attached to the Tin-Can Island port command of the Nigeria Customs Service, (NCS), have intercepted a cache of arms and ammunition allegedly being smuggled into the country by criminally minded importers. The arms and ammunition were said to have been carefully concealed in a container that was shipped into Nigeria from Europe. The agent to the owner of the consignment has also been arrested and is presently helping security operatives to unravel the identities of those behind the illegal importation of arms. The Customs Area Comptroller (CAC) of the command, Mr. Yusuf Bashar, who made this known yesterday, said that the healthy collaboration amongst security agencies working in the command led to the interception. Bashar also said that the Customs will continue to synergize with all relevant agencies to ensure the security and safety of Nigeria. The consignment was made up of over 980 rounds of live 9mm ammunitions and one Taurus pistol with number THX43606. Also contained in the seized container were a pair of black boot, a military face cap, a pair of camouflage hand gloves and an army coloured plastic container. The comptroller disclosed that all the contents of the box are prohibited items to be imported by any individual, adding that they are materials that can only be imported by the military. We believe that there must be a sinister reason for the importation of the prohibited materials, he added According to Bashar, there is a network for moving and distributing these arms and ammunition. He said that the cargoes that were shipped from the United States were discovered in a one by forty foot container with number crhu452745/2. He also disclosed that the arrested suspect was in the custody of the Directorate of State Security Service just as investigation into the unwholesome importation is ongoing. President Muhammadu Buhari has declared that Nigeria will not quit the world market in spite of the dwindling oil price. The president noted that Nigeria remained fully committed to free international trade despite her current economic circumstances. Mr. Buhari made this known at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa in Abuja yesterday when he received the Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Ambassador Roberto Azevedo. I am glad that you are aware of the position weve found ourselves, the state of our economy, our consumption pattern, and many others. Despite it all, we remain committed to the ideals of free international trade championed by the WTO, President Buhari told Azevedo. Earlier, Azevedo told the president that the WTO would soon start conversations on important issues for Nigeria, including development of Small and Medium scale Enterprises (SMEs), which he described as biggest employers of labour in developing nations. He also expressed delight that Nigeria continued to work with multilateral organisations. Sambo Dasuki, former national security adviser (NSA), says he is not ready for trial until the federal government complies with an order of the federal high court granting him bail. In November 2015, Justice Adeniyi Ademola had granted Dasuki bail, but the Department of State Services (DSS) rearrested him immediately after his release from Kuje prison. Dipo Okpeseyi (SAN), counsel to the DSS, had announced to the court on Tuesday that the prosecution was ready for trial to commence. But Joseph Daodu, counsel to Dasuki, said that the defence counsel was not ready to proceed with the trial because the federal government was still keeping the accused person in detention despite an order of the court granting him bail. We cannot be ready for trial until the defendant enjoys his constitutional rights, he said. We apply that we should be given time to prepare the defence. The conduct of the prosecution has not enabled him to enjoy his constitutional rights. The worst is that for about seven weeks we do not know where he is. Any of us here who proceeds to defend an accused person in this circumstance may lose his license of practice. However, Okpeseyi argued that the prosecution was not stopping Dasuki from enjoying his freedom. He said that the accused person was not being allegedly held for the charges before the court. He therefore asked the court to reject the request for adjournment and to commence trial. But the court adjourned to March 3 for hearing of a motion to discharge Dasuki. Dasuki is facing a four-count charge of money laundering and illegal possession of firearms brought against him by the DSS. He is also facing multiple counts of laundering money at the federal capital territory (FCT) high court, Abuja. Source: The Cable Israel has said it is examining an online video showing a border policeman pushing over a Palestinian in a wheelchair as tensions rose following an attempted stabbing in the occupied West Bank.The video, filmed by a local activist, has stirred Palestinian anger. An Israeli spokesperson said on Monday that the incident is under investigation. The video was said to have been taken on Sunday after a 20-year-old Palestinian woman was shot while trying to stab an Israeli policeman in the flashpoint city of Hebron. Palestinians in the area attempted to approach the woman, who was left in critical condition, as Israeli border police tried to keep them back. An officer is seen pushing the man in the wheelchair, which then tips over backwards. Some Palestinians then move forward toward the man in the wheelchair while another officer points his weapon at one of them, kicks him and orders him back, before firing a stun grenade. The man was not seriously hurt in the scuffle. A spokeswoman for the Israeli justice ministry said the case is under investigation by its police investigations department, declining to provide further details. Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said the incident occurred a few minutes after an alleged stabbing attempt took place in the nearby area. A crowd gathered and attempted to get into the area where the attack had taken place, he said. Border police dispersed the crowd and used non-lethal means. The man in the wheelchair was part of that crowd that had gathered. Aljazeera. ABUJAStar witness of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Nneka Ararume, yesterday, narrated before the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja how she helped the embattled National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Olisa Metuh, to transfer $2 million into his companys account. The witness, who testified as PW-1, told the court that she is a Wealth Manager at Assets & Resources Management, ARM, a company that hitherto managed the asset portfolio of Metuhs firm, Destra Investments Limited. EFCC had cited both Metuh and his firm as the 1st and 2nd defendants in the seven-count charge bordering on alleged N400million fraud. The anti-graft agency alleged that the PDP spokesman had in November 2014, received N400million from erstwhile National Security Adviser, NSA, Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd). The fund, which was withdrawn from an account the office of the NSA operated with the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, was allegedly transferred to Metuh through account no. 0040437573, which Destra Investments Limited operated with Diamond Bank Plc. EFCC insisted that whereas the fund was earmarked for campaign activities of the PDP, Metuh diverted most of it to his personal use. It alleged that Metuh converted part of the money to one million US Dollars which he used for his personal businesses. Besides, Metuh was alleged to have transferred the sum of N21.7m to another chieftain of the PDP, Chief Tony Anenih. In her testimony, yesterday, PW-1, Nneka, whose company specialised in management of equities, fixed income instruments and real estate, told the court that she received the $2m from Metuh at his residence in Abuja. She said the money was eventually changed to its Naira equivalent through two Bureaux de Change, BDC, operators. The witness said: In early December 2014, the 1st defendant, Metuh, called me to bring report regarding portfolio of ARM. When I got to his house at Prince and Princess Estate, there were visitors in the living room, so I went to his home office and we discussed the portfolio. Thereafter, he gave me the sum of $2m in $100 bills. It was taken to bureaux de change operators who would then transfer the money to ARM. From there, I proceeded to Mr. Sie Iyenomes office at Wuse 2 where I gave him the sum of $1m. I also invited Mr. Kabir Mohammed and gave him the sum of $1m to transfer the Naira equivalent in favour of Destra Investment Limited. Later on the same day, December 2, 2014, Messrs Kabir and Sie Iyenome confirmed the receipt. The $2m was in cash. The witness maintained that ARM was a duly registered organization that deals in funds of its clients, saying the business the firm had with Metuh and the BDC operators was based on trust. Earlier, the court refused application by Metuhs lawyer, Dr. Onyechi Ikpeazu, SAN, for the matter to be adjourned till a later date to enable him gather documents, including the bank account details of his client, which he said would aid him to properly cross-examine the witness. In a bench ruling, yesterday, Justice Okon Abang agreed with the EFCC lawyer, Mr. Sylvanus Tahir, that all the documents were duly front-loaded by the prosecution in the proof of evidence before the court. This court is a court of summary trial. It is for the defendant to ask the witness questions based on her evidence, unless it does not have questions for her. The defendant has been accorded all the privileges stipulated in Section 36(6) of the 1999 Constitution. He has been given all the facilities to prepare his defence, he said. Justice Abang said the court should not be blamed if Metuh was not able to meet his bail conditions. My role in Metuhs money transfer Witness Meanwhile, one of the BDC operators that helped Metuh to change the $2m, Mr. Sie Iyenome, also testified before the court yesterday. Iyenome told the court that though he did not have any personal dealings with Metuh; he had transactions with his company, Destra Investment Limited, through the PW-1. He said: My lord on December 2, Nneka Ararume called me that she has $1m dollars to sell. I asked her who is selling and she told me that it was her client at ARM. At that time, she did not disclose her clients identity to me. We then agreed on a rate, N183 per dollar. I called in Capital Investment & Trustees, which also runs a BDC and they said they were interested and paid for $500, 000. The second $500, 000 was sold to Etionye, another BDC operator and he paid N92m into Destras account. The first transaction which was in tranches, amounted to N91m, while the second one was N92m. The whole transaction totalled N183m. Typically, the lower currency which is the Naira, will be paid first to the beneficiarys account. After Nneka confirmed the receipt of the N183m, she brought the equivalent which is $1m. She brought it in cash; I then passed it to Capital Field Investment & Trustees. The role I played was that of a broker. Asked under re-examination if he was aware of the forex laws in Nigeria, the witness said: Yes, my lord. I am aware of the law which says that we should sell a total amount of $4,000 for individuals travelling outside and $5,000 for business people. Justice Abang adjourned further hearing on the matter till today. The anti-graft agency had earlier informed the court that it had lined up 18 witnesses to testify against Metuh and his firm during the trial. Among those to testify in the case are representatives of the Office of the NSA, representatives of Diamond Bank, Access Bank, Sterling Bank, First Bank, Heritage Bank, Nneka Nicole Ararume, Alhaji Abba Dabo, Mallam Kabiru Ibrahim, Olayinka Badejo-Okusanya of CMC Connect, Ahmadu, Robert Ahkigbe, Umar of Kwalaye Investment Limited, Theophilus Musa of Capital Fields Investment and six EFCC investigators. Metuh begs court to vary bail conditions Meanwhile, Metuh, yesterday, begged the court to vary his bail conditions, saying he could not meet the conditions which he said were too stringent. However, the court deferred hearing of the application after EFCC lawyer, who said it was only served on him yesterday, applied for time to file his response. The court had on January 19, granted Metuh bail to the tune of N400m and directed him to produce two sureties who must deposit N200m each. Justice Abang stressed that the sureties must not only be residents in Abuja, but also own landed properties within the Maitama district of the FCT. The sureties are to submit the Certificate of Occupancy of the properties to the Chief Registrar of the court for verification, as well as submit their three years tax clearance. According to the court, the sureties must swear to an affidavit of means and also submit two recent passport photographs. Senate President Bukola Saraki has said that as the country promotes locally-made goods, it should also open up to having foreign producers set up production plants in Nigeria. As part of our effort to promote Made in Nigeria, we will equally endorse Make in Nigeria, this way foreign companies can set up plants here, Saraki tweeted on Tuesday. A day earlier, the Senate president had received a delegation from Innoson Motor Manufacturing Company, Nnewi, led by Innocent Chukwuma, the Chairman and founder of the company, in his office, where he said the government should use legislative actions and policy initiatives to protect the local industries as a deliberate way of reviving the economy. Innoson Motors is the only Nigerian company manufacturing automobile of different range. The company is getting more visibility these days as campaigns on buying made-in-Nigeria goods go viral in the country. Nigeria is undergoing its worst economic crisis in years. Using made in Nigeria products have been suggested as one of the major ways to revive the economy. Senate President Bukola Saraki on Monday said the government has a responsibility to ensure indigenous manufacturers thrive to rebuild the economy and put Nigerians to work. He stated this when a delegation from Innoson Motor Manufacturing Company, Nnewi, led by Innocent Chukwuma, the Chairman and founder of the company, paid him a visit in his office. Mr. Saraki said government should use legislative actions and policy initiatives to protect the local industries as a deliberate way of reviving the economy. Based in Nnewi, Anambra State, Innoson Motors is the only indigenous company manufacturing automobile of different range. The Senate president added that one of the actions government should quickly introduce is to ensure that local industries were patronized by government agencies so that Nigerian manufacturers could enjoy the advantages accruing from the big market that her population offers. That is why this eighth Senate is determined to amend the Procurement Law to ensure that government agencies patronize Made in Nigeria products, he said. I am sure the House of Representatives is in support of this. It is our joint responsibility to ensure that you succeed. If you are successful, a lot more small and medium scale enterprises will draw inspiration from you and they will become successful. That will help to create jobs which is one of the mandate presented to us by the youths of this country during the last elections. We in the legislature will look at all laws and help to create an enabling environment for local businesses to thrive in Nigeria. Mr. Saraki added that using laws to protect locally made goods was not peculiar to the country as similar policy had been followed in the United States under President Herbert Hoover in 1933, while India and China had also enacted similar laws in the past. He, however, lamented a situation where a company like Innoson only sold about 3,000 vehicles in 2015 when Nigerians bought about a million vehicles annually, stressing that if Nigerians patronised Made in Nigeria cars, it would force foreign manufacturers to set up plants in the country. In his remarks, one of the Innoson officials, Alfred Nwosu, said Innoson Group started off from manufacturing of motor cycles and graduated to tricycle before it began production of different range of utility and luxury vehicles. He said the company had 7,000 Nigerians on its payroll while there were 300 youths from the Niger Delta area undergoing training that were hitherto held abroad. Mr. Nwosu also commended Mr. Saraki and the Senate leadership for their prompt response to the request for audience sent by the company, an opportunity that had eluded the company in the past. In less than 48 hours of contacting the Senate President, we were told to come over. We are encouraged by your views on Made in Nigeria goods. What we need is the support, encouragement and inspiration from decision makers like you, he said. It was a shocking moment in Akure on Monday, February 15, when men of the Ondo state police command apprehended a supposed lunatic who had 18 ATM cards in his possession. The Ondo state capital was agog when cash of different denominations were discovered from the middle aged man, who claimed to be deranged. This Day reports that the man who was said to be in his 30s, was arrested in Ijapo area of Akure, after he was suspected to be a robber by some residents of the area. It was gathered that the residents of the area handed over the suspect to the police in Ijapo police post after he was accosted and his explanations were found to be incoherent. A source hinted that some passersby discovered that the suspect who positioned himself by the side of the road had money made up of different denominations in his custody despite his claim to be insane. After carefully looking at the man, we discovered that he was a normal human being, because how could a mad man be counting huge sum of money and also has different ATM cards in his possession, said the source. The undisclosed source also said some valuables including costly jewelry and neat clothes were in the bag handled by the suspect. Police imagemaker for the state police command, Mr Femi Joseph, who confirmed the arrest of the suspect said the suspect would undergo medical test to ascertain his mental fitness. We dont want to presume that he is a mad man. There are medical tests he needs to undergo for us to believe him. If at the end of the day he is found to be a robber as it is being speculated he will face the wrath of the law, the spokesman said. He added that the arrest of the suspect was made possible through the co-operation of the residents of the area, informing that the suspect is currently being detained at the Ijapo police post, where he is also being interrogated by detectives. It would be recalled that a similar case was reported in Lagos where a man identified as Lanrewaju Jaiyeola, 39, was intercepted by the police following the suspicious manner in which he carried a backpack along Ozumba Mbadiwe road. The suspect who claimed to be a lunatic was arrested by operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) with about 22 ATM cards in his possession. Source: Nsij The Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has warned the Federal Government and the Distribution Companies (DISCOs) not to disobey subsisting court orders on electricity tariff. The court also warned the government not to act in a way that showed disdain for the court in a constitutional democracy. Justice Mohammed Idris gave the warning while ruling in a suit filed by a lawyer and rights activist, Toluwani Adebiyi, over the recent hike in electricity tariff on Monday. After listening to the arguments of lawyers representing parties in the matter over the order in which pending applications should be taken by the court, Justice Idris fixed Friday, February 19 to hear an application by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) seeking a stay of proceedings in the suit. Mr Adebiyi filed a suit seeking a perpetual injunction restraining NERC from implementing any upward review of electricity tariff without significant improvement in power supply for at least 18 hours a day in May 2015. He also wants an order restraining NERC from foisting compulsory service charges on pre-paid meters until the meters were designed to read charges per second of consumption and not a flat rate of service not rendered or power not used. On this day in 2013, an Islamist group called Ansaru attacked a camp for a construction company, killing a guard and kidnapping seven foreign workers from Britain, Greece, Italy and Lebanon in Bauchi State Ansaru is an acronym for Vanguard for the Protection of Muslims in Black Africa, a splinter group of the larger Boko Haram organisation, founded in January 2012, which reportedly has more of an international focus than Boko Haram. Also on this day (between 9-18 February) in 1897, the retaliatory Benin Expedition of 1897 leads to the capture of Benin City. The Benin Expedition of 1897 was a punitive expedition by a United Kingdom force of 1,200 under Admiral Sir Harry Rawson in response to the defeat of a previous British-led invasion force under Acting Consul General James Philips (which had left all but two men dead). Rawsons troops captured, burned, and looted Benin City, bringing to an end the west African Kingdom of Benin. As a result, much of the countrys art, including the Benin Bronzes, were looted and / or relocated to Britain. The United States Military has concluded plans to help Nigeria, Niger, Chad and Cameroon set up a joint intelligence center by the middle of 2017 to combat the activities of terrorists in the region, it has been reported. According to U.S officials, increased collaboration between militant groups have enabled them to strike harder in the region. We have watched that collaboration manifest itself with ISIS becoming more effective in north Africa, Boko Haram becoming more deadly in the Lake Chad Basin [and] AQIM adopting asymmetrical attacks against urban infrastructure, Brigadier General Donald Bolduc, commander for U.S. Special Operations Command Africa, stressed the importance of regional cooperation and intelligence-sharing recently. Poor intelligence has been identified as one of the major challenges faced by the military in the fight against insurgency. Constitutional lawyer, Professor Itse Sagay, SAN, has reiterated his view on the recent Supreme Court judgments that upheld the governorship elections in Rivers and Akwa Ibom states. He also lashed at those criticizing his position, saying they were those who benefited from the perverse verdicts delivered by the apex court. The Rivers State Government had in response to the Senior Advocate of Nigerias comments on the judgment that upheld the election of Governor Nyesom Wike, described the verbal attack as bitter and completely unwarranted. But in a chat with Daily Trust on Tuesday, Sagay, who is Chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee on Anti-Corruption, said the position of the apex court amounted to sanctioning of electoral malpractices, which would encourage politicians to deploy maximum forces to win election. The Supreme Court had penultimate week affirmed the victories of Governors Nyesome Wike and Udom Emmanuel of Rivers and Akwa Ibom states respectively, after the duo had earlier lost at the tribunal and the Appeal Court. The apex court in giving reasons for its decisions said on Friday that non-compliance by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INECs) manual and guidelines by officials of the commission were not sufficient to annul the election, even as it said card reader was not a sufficient replacement for manual accreditation, which was recognized by the constitution. Sagay, however, restated his opinion that the judgments are perverse, saying he is unperturbed about the criticism trailing his view. He said, Let me say this. The judgment is perverse. I can say that forever, it is perverse, it is shocking. It is unbelievable. And for those who are criticizing me, you know Nigerians dont like the truth, basically, Nigerians dont like the truth. Nigerians like what favours them, whether it is right or wrong. Nigerians have no sense of justice. So those who are criticizing me are those who have benefitted from that perversion of a judgment. Imagine this scenario: Men dressed in sharp-looking suits show up and claim to know details of your business and its security problems. They are Windows networking experts and want to fix the issues that made a breach possible. Except those suits aren't being helpful. Instead, they are likely from the Poseidon Group, a Brazilian cyber crime outfit that stealthily attacks organizations, steals information, and manipulates the victims into hiring them to secure the network, said Kaspersky Lab researchers Juan Andres Guerrero-Saade, Santiago Pontiroli, and Dmitry Bestuzhev at the Kaspersy Lab Security Analyst Summit. The group steals data from infected networks with a customized malware signed with digital certificates and containing a PowerShell agent. Poseidon uses a combination of custom malware and spear phishing in English and Portuguese to steal information. The "treasure stealer" malware, also known as IGT, comes with a file deletion utility, a PowerShell agent, a SQL data compiler, and information gathering tools for stealing data such as user credentials, group management policies, and system logs. PowerShell lets the attackers execute the commands and to look like normal network activity while poking around. The malware connects to a command-and-control server and sends information about the infected Windows system, such as the operating system version, username, and hostname. "By doing this, the attackers actually know what applications and commands they can use without alerting the network administrator during lateral movement and exfiltration," the researchers said. The Poseidon name reflects the fact the espionage group operates "on all domains: land, air, and sea," said Bestuzhev. Command-and-control servers have been found inside ISPs providing Internet services to ships at sea by hijacking satellites. Other command-and-control servers have been found inside ISPs providing traditional wireless connections. The group started hijacking satellites in 2013 to gain anonymity. Windows experts on the prowl The attackers focused on group management policy and domain rules to get to know the network and use the uncovered information to create the backdoor. After grabbing the data, the attackers delete the malware from the infected system. Since the malware has a very short life, Poseidon was able to evade detection for a long time. Researchers have found four versions of IGT so far. The attackers used WRI files, which is associated with Microsoft Write, an old text editor found in older versions of Windows. The use of this obscure file extension was pretty clever, since many organizations specify their email policies to block attachments with extensions such as .exe. Very few administrators would think to block .wri, and most antivirus engines won't scan those files by default, the researchers said. The malware was also capable of hooking into older Windows operating systems, as researchers found references to drivers and hotfixes for Windows NT and Windows 95. Some of the targets in Latin America were still using these ancient operating systems, the researchers said. This should be another reminder why organizations should not be using outdated systems. Attackers will find unsupported and insecure systems and exploit the security flaws. The attackers are "experts in all things Windows," said Bestuzhev. The group sent highly targeted spear-phishing emails. In one attack against an energy company in Kazakhstan, the targeted individual was looking to hire someone for a very specialized position, and the attackers sent a message highlighting specific skills relevant to the role. Once the victim opened the attachment, the malware connected to the command-and-control server to launch the actual data-stealing malware. Poseidon digitally signed its custom malware with rogue certificates. Researchers have found seven rogue certificates, and it appears the attackers sign the certificates with names of companies the target organization is likely to be familiar with. Poseidon's business practices The Poseidon Group is the very first commercial boutique cyber espionage group based out of Brazil. The fact that the malware executed only on Brazilian Portuguese Windows systems suggests Poseidon is based in Brazil so that attackers have close proximity to the organizations they plan to blackmail. The command-and-control servers were also based in Brazil. Linguistics provided another clue to Poseidon's location. The language used in the spear-phishing emails use speech patterns associated with Brazilian Portuguese, not the Portuguese spoken in Portugal, said Bestuzhev. The Windows commands showed language preferences that helped narrow the area down to northern Brazil. Kaspersky researchers believe Poseidon is a commercial attack crew and not a state-sponsored actor. The group doesn't care about uncovering specific business secrets, only "treasures," or information the organization would consider important and the criminals can monetize. For organizations that decline the security consulting offer, it won't be the last they hear from the group. If the company being blackmailed doesn't take up Poseidon's offer the first time, the group steals some more data and returns with a new offer at a later date. "They wait a year to approach [you] again. 'Look what I found for you: Are you ready to work with me?'" said Bestuzhev. Poseidon also uses the stolen data to further the other side of its business, incorporating the information in various "shadow, but still legal" activities, said Bestuzhev. Kaspersky Lab researchers believe the group has been in operation since at least 2005 and has targeted at least 35 businesses across the financial, telecommunications, manufacturing, services, energy, and media industries. While victims have been found in the United States, France, Kazakhstan, United Arab Emirates, India, and Russia, Poseidon's primary focus is on Brazil-based organizations or multinational entities with operations in Brazil. "Their techniques used to design attack components have evolved over the past 10 years," the researchers said. "The differences in various elements have made it difficult for researchers to correlate indicators and assemble the puzzle." Cocoa (CC) Consolidating Near Weekly Chart Downtrend Resistance Tradable Patterns - Thu Oct 20, 11:48PM CDT Cocoa (CCZ22) bounced almost 1% yesterday, closing just below descending wedge resistance (on the weekly chart). A weekly close above the 38.2% Fib retrace of the February to September slide is moderately... CCZ22 : 2,328s (+0.87%) NIB : 24.45 (+1.12%) What to Watch Now Stock Market (and Sentiment Results) HedgeFundTips.com - Thu Oct 20, 9:04PM CDT I dont think they will get there without the credit markets forcing them to relent, but lets assume they do. How bad is it? Its so bad that the market has ALREADY PRICED IT IN. EU leaders divided on gas price cap at energy crisis summit AP - Thu Oct 20, 7:40PM CDT BRUSSELS (AP) European Union leaders struggled to find immediate practical solutions at their summit Thursday called to grapple with the energy crisis fueled by the war in Ukraine and maintain a united... $SPX : 3,665.78 (-0.80%) $DOWI : 30,333.59 (-0.30%) $IUXX : 11,046.71 (-0.51%) Russian, Ukrainian troops gird for major battle in Kherson AP - Thu Oct 20, 7:12PM CDT KYIV, Ukraine (AP) Russian and Ukrainian troops appeared Thursday to be girding for a major battle over the strategic southern industrial port city of Kherson, in a region which Russian President Vladimir... $SPX : 3,665.78 (-0.80%) $DOWI : 30,333.59 (-0.30%) $IUXX : 11,046.71 (-0.51%) Red Close for Cotton Futures Barchart - Thu Oct 20, 4:26PM CDT Front month cotton tried to reverse some of the sharp drop from yesterday, but the bounce faded and turned red. At the close futures were 18 to 89 points lower. The 2023 crop closed 29 points higher in... CTZ22 : 76.50 (-1.16%) CTH23 : 76.33 (-1.20%) CTK23 : 76.13 (-1.18%) Wheat Bounced on Thursday Barchart - Thu Oct 20, 4:26PM CDT Thursday wheat futures bounced back to mitigate some of early week weakness. CBT SRW futures closed 8 to 13 cents higher in the front months. For December, that has the contract sitting at a net 10 1/2... ZWZ22 : 844-4 (-0.56%) ZWH23 : 863-4 (-0.52%) ZWPAES.CM : 7.8348 (+0.99%) KEZ22 : 944-4 (-0.55%) KEPAWS.CM : 9.0728 (+0.90%) MWZ22 : 960-2 (-0.23%) Congress probably won't do a whole lot with President Obamas final budget proposal, which includes a $4 billion commitment to computer science education. But the president has enlisted a bunch of tech companies to support the effort, and help him push for it as a national priority in the future. At this point, when President Obama sends something to Congress, the immediate response is pretty much LOL thanks. So even though the president announced $4.1 billion in proposed funding in support of his Computer Science for All Initiative, that number might not make it beyond the tech blog headlines. Which is too bad, because youd think science education is something that both sides of the aisle, which is currently flowing with fiery hot lava, could agree on. Thats not to say the initiative is all for nothing, however, as it is committing $135 million in existing funding for things like teacher training. But the real value in the initiative is Obamas use of the bully pulpit to leverage corporate partners and build momentum for the issue as a national concern. Related: A major part of that momentum involves the private sector philanthropy it's been able to drum up. Here are some of the greatest hits from the growing list of tech industry backers the initiative has recruited: In September, Microsoft committed $75 million through its YouthSpark program, already a $500 million effort. Google, which has been putting funding toward getting more girls coding, will invest $23 million and emphasize women and minorities in tech. Cartoon Network is launching a $30 million initiative to engage young people in coding through MITs Scratch and lending some of its cartoon characters. Salesforce.org will invest $13 million for CS and STEM education, including improving broadband access in K-12 schools. Facebook, Apple, and Mozilla will offer various resources to improve access to coding education. Obamas commitments combined with the support from industry serves a couple of purposes. First, it does actually fund education programs. Second, it starts to build a base of advocates to make this an issue for the country in the future. If Obama cant advance his programs, maybe the next president can. Microsofts Brad Smith blogged about the initiative, emphasizing that government funding will eventually need to come around in a big way on this, invoking the American history of post-Sputnik education investment. (T)he private sector and philanthropy cannot fill this gap without public funding. And if were going to accelerate progress as a nation, we need federal funding. Thats why todays proposal is so important. It can provide the accelerant to help more states and school districts progress more quickly, he writes. While federal funding for this work is a big part of the proposal, the momentum Obama and the tech partners seek also involves getting states and cities to make this a priority. After all, federal funding is a relatively small part of education funding, so even the presidents $4 billion would still basically be a push to get a bigger ball rolling. Why the sense of urgency? Even if you dont buy the STEM crisis, which is being challenged a lot lately, its tough to deny that computer science should be a more pervasive part of K-12 education. If nothing else, more widespread computer education in schools is necessary to break up the white-dude hegemony in the tech industry. But computer science is also going to be a part of an increasing number of non-STEM jobs, and if these players have their way, it will become a core part of schooling. Update 11/9/16 Caroline Campbell, 56, the woman who was trapped inside an elevator at a Guardian Secure Self Storage facility last February, is accusing the storage operator and lift-maintenance engineer of negligence. The companies received a letter from Campbells attorney, Keith Young, in August, though a civil claim has yet to be filed in court. Lawyers for the engineer have denied any negligence, noting their client isnt responsible for lift components, installation or workmanship, according to the source. The company had performed a routine service on Guardians equipment on Jan. 29, according to the source. Since the ordeal, Campbell claims she has suffered anxiety, claustrophobia and insomnia. "Fourteen hours in a lift is nothing compared to how your brain processes it afterwards. It's taken months for me to get rid of some of that anxiety, she told the source. I don't want to over-dramatize it; it's not post-traumatic stress disorder. I am a reasonably calm and collected person, but I have been seeing a psychologist. Campbell was without food or water and said she was close to panicking on several occasions during her ordeal. She also stuffed cardboard in her ears because the alarm, which she intermittently triggered, was loud. "I had to calm myself. I thought I could have a panic attack and it's going to go really bad, she said. When I wasn't holding the alarm, I had a sharpie and some masking tape, so I did some poems and drawings on cardboard of my kids and grandkids to focus myself. Campbell, whos self-employed, said she was prompted to take legal action because she felt she wasnt being taken seriously. "The first week [Guardian was] great. They gave me a fantastic big hamper and a bouquet of flowers, she said, adding the storage company reimbursed her for the time she missed from work. Since then, no one has taken responsibility for the incident, she said. "Everybody is saying they did what they were legally obliged to do, but I think it's somebody's responsibility if you get trapped for 14 hours. The lift broke. The alarm broke, which meant the security company [wasnt] notified, Campbell said. "There might be somebody there at two in the morning, so make sure their well-being is safeguarded. Even though the companies have said theyre very sorry, theres been no accountability, from Campbells point of view. It just doesn't seem right. It seems unfair. I'd just like to be taken seriously and have my voice heard and for them to take some action." A letter from the lift engineers lawyers claimed a switch failed, which stopped the lift immediately, as it was designed to do. It also indicated the phone wasnt working because the power supply unit thats connected to an automatic dialer also failed, the source reported. Without this connection, the alarm company wasnt notified that an alarm was triggered. "It is impossible for [the engineer] or any other lift technician carrying out regular servicing to pre-empt or prevent individual electronic component failure unless there have been reports of the lift playing up during normal use, and there had not been any such reports, the letter stated. King was unable to comment due to litigation. A lawyer representing the storage company said the matter was "being dealt with by the respective parties' legal representatives. A woman was trapped overnight inside an elevator last weekend at a Guardian Secure Self Storage facility in Auckland, New Zealand. Although the unidentified woman, whose sister rents a unit at the facility, pressed the emergency alarm inside the elevator, the security service apparently didnt receive the notification, according to a source. A male tenant called the fire department when he heard the woman screaming for help early Saturday morning. She was freed by emergency responders at about 8 a.m. after being stuck for 14 hours. The Guardian facility on Foundry Road has four stories. The elevator apparently was stuck on the ground floor, but the woman couldnt get the door to open. She didnt have a cellphone, a source reported. Terry King, general manager for Guardian, told sources he had spoken to the woman, who was shaken but uninjured. The elevator was serviced last week, he said. "The lift basically just stopped, King told a source. We own five facilities, and four have got lifts in them. What would usually happen is that there is an alarm system, and you push a button if the lift stops. It goes through to a security company, and the security company comes and obviously overrides the system and gets you out. In this case, for some reason, the alarm hasn't gone through to the security company, so no one [knew the woman] was in the lift until someone this morning found her." King said he intended to visit with the woman on Saturday and would conduct an investigation into the incident. "We just have to take this one on the chin," he told a source. The Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) has announced a forum to be held in Western Australias South West region in a bid to support policyholders in their recovery process.The forum will be attended by the ICA, insurance company representatives and claims staff, local and state government representatives, the Financial Ombudsman Service and Legal Aid Western Australia.Rob Whelan, CEO of the ICA, said that the forum is designed to help policyholders through their recovery efforts.The aftermath of a natural disaster can be a distressing and overwhelming time, especially for those whose homes or businesses have been destroyed, Whelan said.The forum will cover key aspects of the recovery process, including claims handling and assessments, site clean-up, rebuilding and dispute resolution.Whelan noted that industry representatives will be available to answer policyholder questions.Insurance experts will be on hand to answer questions about the process, and will also make themselves available to speak one-on-one to any policyholders seeking further guidance.The forum allows for issues or concerns to be identified and escalated with the relevant insurer or organisation.The forum will be closed-doors and for insurance policyholders only and will be held on February 24 from 5.30pm to 7pm in Harvey.Policyholders wishing to attend can register by calling the ICA disaster hotline on 1800 734 621, registration is essential. The U.S. Small Business Administration has approved more than $165,000 in economic injury loans to help 38 Baltimore, Maryland-area small businesses and nonprofits recover from civil unrest related to the death of Freddie Gray. The numbers released on Feb. 12 bring the total riot-related costs to at least $33.4 million. That includes a state estimate of $19.4 million for emergency protective measures and public-property damage, plus $12.9 million in paid insurance claims. The low-interest SBA loans are to help small enterprises meet working capital needs. In July, the agency approved about $18,000 in loans to help repair physical damage to 24 properties. The Baltimore Development Corp. says more than 400 businesses sustained damage or inventory losses. Gray was a 25-year-old black man who died in April from injuries he suffered in police custody. Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Oklahoma Demotech Inc. has affirmed the AAA Financial Stability Rating (FSR) assigned to Pennsylvania Intergovernmental Risk Management Association (PIRMA), a self-funded public entity pool. Demotech said PIRMA is a local government risk pool that offers comprehensive liability and property coverages specially tailored to meet the needs of governmental entities throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and provides an alternative to traditional insurance. PIRMA differs from traditional insurance programs in that PIRMA is owned by its members and serves only its members interests. York Risk Pooling Services Inc. is PIRMAs administrator and public accounting firm Plante Moran is its auditor. PIRMAs FSR was initially assigned in 1987. Demotech is a financial analysis firm based in Columbus, Ohio. Since 1985, Demotech has been serving the insurance industry by providing actuarial consulting as well as FSRs for property/casualty insurers, title underwriters and public entity pools. Demotech reviews and rates more than 415 insurers, writing every line of P/C insurance in the U.S. and Puerto Rico. Self-funded public entity pools are one of the many clienteles served by Demotech. Topics Risk Management U.S. Risk Insurance Group Inc. has hired John L. Guadagno as executive vice president of Binding Operations for its affiliate company, U.S. Risk Underwriters. At U.S. Risk, Guadagnos focus will primarily be Contract Binding Operations. He will be based in U.S. Risks Melville, Long Island, New York office and will work closely with all of U.S. Risks underwriting offices to help expand and enhance carrier partnerships within each program. Guadagno is an industry veteran with over 31 years of experience in property/casualty insurance industry on Long Island, specializing in excess and surplus (E&S) lines. Guadagno most recenytly was vice president of Marketing for Endurance. His prior roles include E&S underwriter for I. Arthur Yanoff & Co. Ltd./RPS-Risk Placement Services and retail producer for Genatt Associates & Ralph Silvers Agency. He is active with the American Association of Managing General Agents (AAMGA), the National Association of Professional Surplus Lines Oces (NAPSLO), and Target Markets Program Administrators Association (TMPAA) and currently is on the automation/technology committees of both AAMGA & NAPSLO. U. S. Risk Insurance Group is a specialty lines underwriting manager and wholesale broker headquartered in Dallas, Texas. Operating 16 domestic and international branches, it offers products and services through its affiliate companies. Topics USA New York L.S. Howard has been appointed international editor for Insurance Journal and Carrier Management. She is based in London. Howard succeeds Charles E. Boyle, who retired at the end of 2015 after 17 years with the company. Insurance Journal and Carrier Management are both publications of San Diego, Calif.-based Wells Media Group, which serves the property/casualty insurance industry. Howard has spent more than 20 years as a financial journalist, including 18 years at the insurance news magazine, National Underwriter (1985 2003). In 1992, she became NUs international editor in London, a post she held until 2003 when she was hired by GE Insurance Solutions as an internal communicator. Between 2007 and 2013, Howard held a variety of internal and external communications posts in the financial services sector, including with Lloyds Banking Group and HSBC. In 2014, she joined Wells Media Group as a part-time editor. Boyle, who previously wrote for Fairchild Publications, joined Wells Media as an editor with Insurance Journal magazine in 1998, covering domestic and international issues. He became Insurance Journals first dedicated international editor in 2004 and helped grow the global audience, contributing to Insurance Journal.com becoming the highest-trafficked property/casualty insurance news website in the world. We are extremely fortunate to have been able to transition between two respected professionals, Charlie Boyle and Lisa Howard, on our international desk, said Andrew Simpson, vice president of Content for Wells Media Group. Simpson said Howardwho has a Bachelors degree in Journalism and a Masters in Global Politics brings valuable finance and insurance journalism experience to the post and joins at a time when interest in international coverage is growing. We know readers will come to appreciate her professionalism and knowledge of the issues. We are confident she can help us continue to serve and grow our international readership, he said. Howard can be reached at lhoward@wellsmedia.com. Starr Companies has expanded the availability of its travel insurance and assistance services for travel to Cuba. These plans provide trip cancellation and trip interruption insurance as well as accident and sickness benefits. In addition, the plans provide the coordination of medical and assistance services for travelers during their travel and visit to Cuba. With the easing of travel restrictions to Cuba, we expect that an increasing number of U.S. citizens will visit the country. Starr is offering plans that meet both traveler demand and the U.S. legal requirements, says Bridget Whalen, vice president at Starr. The Cuban government requires all individuals traveling to Cuba to have travel insurance or a medical policy that covers medical expenses that may occur while traveling in Cuba. All medical bills must be settled prior to leaving the country. Medical facilities in Cuba do not accept health and/or medical insurance plans, U.S. currency, credit cards or checks issued from the United States. Starrs travel assistance services are provided by Assist Card, a subsidiary of Starr. Assist Card is a global provider of emergency travel assistance, medical coordination and concierge services to travelers. The organization has a global network covering more than 190 countries, including Cuba. Whalen said Assist Card has the ability to directly dispense payments to medical and assistance service providers in Cuba. Global travel insurance plans are not limited to Cuban travel and are available through Starr Indemnity & Liability Co. for third country-nationals and United States residents who are authorized to travel to Cuba, subject to general or specific licenses from OFAC. Starr Companies is the worldwide marketing name for the operating insurance and travel assistance companies and subsidiaries of Starr International Company, Inc. and for the investment business of C.V. Starr & Co., Inc. and its subsidiaries. Starr provides property, casualty, and accident & health insurance products as well as a range of specialty coverages including aviation, marine, energy and excess casualty insurance. Topics USA Minnesota Commerce Commissioner Mike Rothman announced that his department has reached settlement agreements with three more life insurance companies that owed money to Minnesotans for unpaid insurance policies, annuity contracts and retained asset accounts. The settlements bring to $174 million the amount in unpaid benefits the states insurance regulators have uncovered so in examinations of 16 life insurance companies. The insurance companies are required to make good on unpaid benefits going back to 1990 and reform their claims practices going forward. Minnesota consumers have the right to the unpaid insurance money due to them, said Rothman, whose agency regulates insurance companies doing business in Minnesota. Under the settlements, these life insurance companies must honor their payment obligations to our consumers. The latest settlements are with AXA Equitable Life Insurance Company, Jackson National Life Insurance Company and New York Life Insurance Company. The Minnesota Commerce Department has now reached similar agreements with a total of nine life insurance companies. Previous settlements involved John Hancock, Lincoln, MetLife, Prudential, Transamerica and Voya (ING). The agency also continues to investigate claims and payment practices at seven other life insurance companies. As a result of the agreements and ongoing examinations, at least $143 million in claims owed on Minnesota policies are being paid directly to beneficiaries. An additional $31 million owed to beneficiaries who cannot be located will be transferred to unclaimed property programs in Minnesota and other states, which hold the funds in trust until claimed by the rightful owners or their heirs. The nine insurance companies have also made a total of $12.6 million in settlement payments to the State of Minnesota. The settlements are the result of sweeping market conduct examinations by the Commerce Department to identify unpaid life insurance policies and annuities owed to Minnesotans. These examinations determined that the insurance companies had inadequate information and procedures for identifying policyholders and beneficiaries who may be owed benefit payments. This included failure to regularly match their policy records against the Death Master File, a database of deaths compiled by the Social Security Administration. As a result of these deficiencies, the insurance companies in many instances failed to pay benefits to beneficiaries after policyholders had died. Under the terms of the settlements, the insurance companies now must take additional steps to maintain accurate information, use the Death Master File and make timely payments to beneficiaries. I encourage Minnesotans to make sure their life insurance companies have up-to-date contact information for themselves as well as their beneficiaries, said Rothman. Many people are never told they are named as beneficiaries in life insurance policies, so they often have no idea an insurance payment is owed to them. Source: Minnesota Commerce Department Topics Carriers Minnesota American International Group Inc. veteran Brian Schreiber, who shepherded multibillion-dollar deals that expanded the company and then shrank it after the 2008 credit crisis, is departing as the insurer overhauls management. Seraina Maag, who rose to oversee regional operations after joining in 2013, also is leaving, Chief Executive Officer Peter Hancock wrote in memos to employees on Monday. The country heads that reported to Maag will work under commercial and consumer segments, which are run by Rob Schimek and Kevin Hogan. Much of AIGs leadership team has disbanded since Hancock became CEO in September 2014 and focused on shrinking and simplifying the company. In November, he said he would eliminate more than 20 percent of the top 1,400 senior employees, and some of the highest-ranking and longest-serving executives later announced their departures. The latest exits follow a review of how the New York-based company runs operations internationally. The outcome of this effort is a new organizational design structured around clients, capabilities and market opportunities, Hancock wrote Monday in one of the memos obtained by Bloomberg. It gives business leaders at different levels of the organization much greater end-to-end accountability for results and greater transparency into those results. Additional Appointments Pressure on the CEO mounted after billionaire investors John Paulson and Carl Icahn called for a breakup of the insurer and AIG reported two straight quarters of losses. The company said last week that it would nominate Paulson and a representative of Icahns firm to the insurers board. On Monday, Hancock said that Jeff Hurd was named chief operating officer. Hurd will retain responsibilities for transformation, administration and human resources, while also overseeing corporate marketing and communications, along with global business services. Alessa Quane, who was named in December to be chief risk officer, will report to Hancock and become a member of the executive leadership team, the CEO said. Maag had been a member of that group. Jon Diat, a company spokesman, declined to elaborate on the memos. Initial exits under Hancock included Jay Wintrob, who led the life insurance division. Two months ago, Hancock announced the departures of Chief Financial Officer David Herzog and John Doyle, head of commercial insurance. Outlasting CEOs Schreiber joined under then-CEO Maurice Hank Greenberg in 1997 and helped build the company through acquisitions including the 2001 purchase of American General Corp. for more than $20 billion. The former Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. bankers AIG career survived four more CEOs, including Robert Benmosche, who named Schreiber in 2009 to lead asset sales and then shifted him in 2013 to an investment-management role. The company repaid a government bailout in 2012, producing a more-than $22 billion profit for taxpayers. Hancock named Schreiber strategy chief last year, which helped clear the path for Doug Dachille, the CEOs former J.P. Morgan & Co. colleague, to became AIGs chief investment officer. The role gave Schreiber oversight of global planning, communications, divestitures and mergers and acquisitions. Hancocks emphasis turned to further asset sales, a focus that intensified under pressure from Icahn and Paulson. The plan outlined by the CEO on Jan. 26 envisions returning $25 billion to shareholders over two years, with as much as $7 billion of that sum coming from divestitures and at least $4 billion from life reinsurance deals. I have served AIG with dedication and distinction for nearly two decades, Schreiber said in an e-mailed statement on Monday. With AIGs strategy developed and moving forward, I now have decided to pursue new opportunities. Courage Cited Maag didnt immediately respond to a LinkedIn message seeking comment. Hancock credited her for having the courage to propose changes while reviewing how her group would fit into a revised structure. Shell leave after helping integrate businesses, he said. Maag, who grew up in Switzerland, is a director at Credit Suisse Group AG. She joined AIG three years ago to lead the Europe, Middle East and Africa region after running North America property & casualty at XL Group Plc. Copyright 2022 Bloomberg. Its an audacious idea, and Citigroup Inc. acknowledges as much. Googles parent, Alphabet Inc., should buy American International Group Inc. to expand into financial services, and turn the insurer into a laboratory for innovation, the New York- based banks analysts said in a note Monday. We realize it is a very low-probability event, while maintaining that it is still a very good idea, analysts led by Todd Bault wrote. There is a perfect convergence of reasons why it might be exactly what AIG and the insurance industry needs. And the tech community could help solve what could well be one of the most challenging problems it could tackle. Google changed its name and structure last year to help highlight ventures beyond its search engine. Alphabet has been investing in artificial intelligence, self-driving cars and health technology, while dipping its toes into insurance with a price-comparison site for auto coverage. Insurance startups globally lured about $2.65 billion in venture and equity funding last year, a more-than-threefold increase from 2014, according to research firm CB Insights. AIG Chief Executive Officer Peter Hancock likened his company in January to Alphabet when he announced the creation of nine modules to improve accountability for managers and add visibility for investors. He said the effort may help AIG eventually sell or spin off some of the units. Hancock applauded the technology giant for separating operations and targeting areas of investment. Greater Obligation Its just interesting that a young company like Google would go that way, Hancock said in a Jan. 26 interview. I think a mature company has an even greater obligation for transparency to make sure that investors know that their capital is being invested wisely. Hancocks company has been investing in technology, data and startup companies to improve operations. The insurer has struggled for more than a decade with higher-than-expected claims costs and an exodus of senior executives. AIG has shrunk by more than half since its peak as the insurer sold assets to repay a U.S. bailout, and is now being pressured by activist investors Carl Icahn and John Paulson to further narrow its focus. Shareholders of the Mountain View, California-based tech company would be frustrated by the volatility that comes with billions of dollars in insurance liabilities, the analysts wrote. The solution, they said, could be to team with an investment bank in an arrangement that would allow Google to control strategic development and also data, which is used to set insurance prices. Needs a Shakeup Many investors think AIG needs a major shakeup. We think insurance as a whole needs a shakeup. Neither AIG nor insurers generally seem to want to take the big steps needed, except incrementally, the analysts wrote. The time is right to attempt something big, and the candidates are here. They didnt identify which bank would make the ideal partner in such a venture, but said there are many fine choices available. Jon Diat, a spokesman for New York-based AIG, declined to comment. Google didnt immediately respond to a message at its media office. With assistance from Selina Wang and Lily Katz. Related: Copyright 2022 Bloomberg. Topics InsurTech Tech Google IDT911 has enhanced its DataRiskStages data breach mitigation and remediation service for insurance companies and their commercial policyholders. The DataRiskStages platform has been enriched with three new features: Ins.breachresponse.com to help avoid and manage a breach, CyberClaims911 for more efficient claims handling, and new analytics for more accurate cyber underwriting. The three services offer the following services to the insurance industry. For commercial policyholders, breachresponse.com from DataRiskStages offers pre-breach risk awareness education and post-breach remediation guidance. Users have access to data protection tips and education guides, breach scenarios, risk calculators, current information security content, planning guides and templates and information regarding risk regulation and compliance. Additionally, the platform provides commercial customers with post-breach response guidance designed to connect an organization experiencing a breach with IDT911s team of data breach response and resolution advisors. CyberClaims911 is a third-party administrator that focuses solely on cyber claims processingdelivering industry-leading data breach avoidance and resolution services. CyberClaims911 delivers breach avoidance and resolution services; handling claims for all aspects of cyber coverage from first to third party coverages, including incident response, business or network interruption, liability exposures, and more. The service is designed for carriers just entering the cyber insurance space or looking to reduce claims, handling costs, and inefficiencies. Advanced analytics and reporting from IDT911. This new offering aggregates anonymized cyber and data breach data to help make informed underwriting and pricing decisions. As the database grows, IDT911 will supply insurance companies with aggregated reports and analysis directly relating to the data they contributed, as well as information from the larger pool of aggregated data collected for industry-wide comparisons and information. IDT911 is a provider of services that help businesses and their customers defend against data breaches and identity theft. Based in Scottsdale, Ariz., the company has several locations in the U.S. and Canada, as well as in Ireland to serve partners in Europe. Topics Cyber Claims Commercial Lines Business Insurance Data Driven Some nurses would be able to cross the border into or out of Oklahoma without getting a new professional license under legislation approved by the Oklahoma House of Representatives Appropriations and Budget Subcommittee on Health. House Bill 2482, by state Rep. Pat Ownbey, would establish the terms for a nurse licensure compact with other states that would allow for a multi-state license whose standards would exceed or match those of any of the individual states. The problem for a multi-state license is that states have different standards, said Ownbey, R-Ardmore. The solution in the license in this compact is that it meets or exceeds the individual standards. Those who would not qualify to practice in one state would be unable to get a multi-state license. The multi-state license would cost $150 with a renewal fee of $125 every two years. The Oklahoma license currently costs $85 with a renewal fee of $75 every two years. Ownbey noted that telemedicine companies will not come to Oklahoma because the state is not part of a multi-state compact. Oklahoma is not part of a current compact in place between 25 states. The new compact is intended to include those 25 states and others, but all states must pass legislation to do so. Oklahoma has a lot of health care problems and we have health care professional shortages in different parts of the state, Ownbey said. My hope is that my legislation will be able to improve the health care picture in Oklahoma. Source: Oklahoma House of Representatives Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Legislation Oklahoma The Villages Insurance has expanded into Lake County, Fla. The Villages Insurance Lake County Division will extend its offerings already available to the residents of The Villages community including the services of its 24/7 emergency response team to the residents of Lake County. The Villages Insurance Lake County Division will be led by Stephanie Davidson. Davidson, born and raised in Leesburg, Florida holds a 220 license specializing in home, auto, recreational vehicle and motorcycle insurance. Davidson joined The Villages Insurance team in 2013 The Villages Insurance has 8 locations in Florida and provides insurance and risk management to over 40,000 families and businesses in and around The Villages community. Topics Florida A Takata Corp. engineer involved in testing the companys air bags invoked his constitutional right against self-incrimination in declining to testify in a lawsuit brought by a woman left paralyzed in a 2014 accident. Lawyers for accident victims claim Takata withheld or doctored bad test results before and after the companys air bag inflators began exploding, spewing shrapnel into drivers and passengers in accidents in the U.S. and elsewhere. Al Bernat, an auto safety specialist at Takata sought as a key witness on multiple tests, refused to testify in a deposition in the lawsuit, citing his Fifth Amendment right not to incriminate himself, Ted Leopold, a lawyer for the victim, said at a court hearing Friday in Jacksonville, Florida. Guy Petrillo, Bernats attorney, didnt immediately respond to phone and e-mail messages seeking comment on Leopolds statements in court. TK Holdings believes the lawsuit is without merit and intends to defend itself vigorously, Jared Levy, an outside spokesman for Takatas U.S. unit, said in an e-mail. Levy declined to comment on Bernat. Leopold, who represents accident victim Patricia Mincey, asked a Florida judge at the hearing to allow her to seek punitive damages in a trial against Takata in August. Mincey alleges the company committed fraud in withholding test data, starting with its largest customer, Honda Motor Co. David Bernick, a lawyer for Takata, said in court that claims the company falsified data on tests didnt matter in the case. It is not about whether Takata was candid with Honda, Bernick said. It is about what did Takata know about Mrs. Minceys car. Takata doesnt believe the air bag inflator in Minceys car was defective or that it was a cause of her injuries, he said. Leopold presented evidence at Fridays hearing that he said showed Takata took product validation tests and eliminated results that fell outside Hondas specifications before the findings were given to Honda. Test Results This is a document that was provided to Honda for PSDI-4 inflator, he said, showing the judge a document referring to the inflator device. It was done in the U.S, sent to Japan, then given to Honda. On the Japanese side and the U.S. side, they alter the test data, Leopold said. The evidence will show the level of dishonesty and fraud is perhaps the worst we have ever seen in automobile history, he said. Florida Circuit Judge James Daniel on Friday denied the request for the jury to consider awarding punitive damages at the trial. Daniel allowed Minceys lawyers to resubmit that request later. Automakers including Honda have recalled more than 19 million vehicles equipped with Takata air bags, the largest automotive safety recall in U.S. history. The exploding air bags have been linked to at least 10 deaths, most involving Hondas. Takata has been sued by drivers and passengers claiming its air bags caused shrapnel injuries. Others, including Mincey, contend the dangerous nature of the propellant in the bags can cause excessive-force deployments, often in low-speed collisions. Takata has settled most of the shrapnel cases but is contesting the excessive force claims, according to court records reviewed by Bloomberg. Honda has also been defendant in air bag cases involving its vehicles. Mincey has been a ventilator-dependent quadriplegic since an accident in her 2001 Honda Civic on June 15, 2014. The case is set for trial in August in state court in Jacksonville. Honda, which also had been sued, reached a confidential settlement with the plaintiff. Bernat was described in a November 2014 New York Times story as supervising secret tests of inflators in 2004 that showed unexpected ruptures. The test results werent disclosed. Takata disputed the report and said Bernats integrity had been unfairly questioned on the basis of two anonymous sources. The case is Mincey v. American Honda Motor Co., 15CA000377 Div CV-E, Circuit Court, Duval County, Florida (Jacksonville). Copyright 2022 Bloomberg. Topics Lawsuits USA Florida A fire has destroyed a northern Kentucky landmark the 184-year-old Rabbit Hash General Store in Boone County. Media outlets report the fire was reported at 9:15 p.m. Saturday. No one was injured. Bellevue-McVille Fire Chief Jeff Herms said the cause of the fire wasnt immediately determined, although arson has been ruled out. Owned by the Rabbit Hash Historical Society, the store was listed on the National Register of Historic Places and had been in operation since 1831. We call it the center of the universe, said Historical Society board member Bobbi Kayser, And thats because when youre here, you actually feel like youre in the center of the universe. Historical Society President Donnie Clare vowed that the store will be rebuilt. An online campaign for the rebuilding effort had raised nearly $24,000 as of Sunday evening. Ive heard the word devastating all my life, Clare said. But Ive never really realized what devastating was until I saw this. This is part of my heart, it is a part of all of our hearts. The society is a volunteer group that receives money through donations. Kayser said most of its money was depleted when a landslide damaged another building on the property last July. Firefighters on Saturday were able to pull some larger pieces of merchandise from the store, whose roof collapsed. We cant replace the historic boards and the antiques that were in there, Kayser said. But what we can replace, I think, is the spirit with the store. Were going to need a lot of help to do that. Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Kentucky One by one, homes at in a flood-ravaged foothills town near Boulder are being demolished. Two and a half years after the flood, some Lyons residents are finally getting the federal buyouts they applied for, reported The Daily Camera. But although 67 displaced people originally expressed interest in the buyout, only 19 have gotten checks. Nine more are awaiting payment. The flooded neighborhood at the confluence of the North and South St. Vrain creeks had a sizable portion of low-income residents. Many could not afford to pay rent and insurance while waiting for checks from the Federal Emergency Management Agency or the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and Lyons most vulnerable neighborhoods still havent bounced back. Many of those displaced by the flood have come to accept that theyre unlikely to return to Lyons. Even the people who have been paid harbor some resentment about the slow process, according to Lyons Housing Recovery Coordinator Cody Humphrey. Many of them are very bitter about the length of time it took, and they feel like the town has turned their back on them, he said. Its tough, because that isnt our objective by any means. In fact, we pushed very hard to get housing, to return them. A ballot measure voted down last March would have built a 66-unit affordable housing complex for flood victims. FEMA folks said itd be two or three years initially before money for buyouts came, said Lyons buyout consultant Rosi Dennett. I didnt believe them. I thought, Watch me. Ill do it faster. But its taken a long time. Priscilla Cohan, who has lived at the river confluence for 18 years, said she never planned around the federal buyout. I always knew from the beginning that I couldnt wait for the town to take the bureaucratic steps, she said. I had rebuilding to do, and I was not going to wait for the buyout. Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Flood Colorado The Lakeside Rural Fire Protection District in Oregon has suspended emergency operations because of a lapse in its insurance policy. Acting fire district chairman Ralph Dotson tells The World newspaper of Coos Bay that the station has been closed and neighboring fire departments are providing emergency service. Dotson says the district recently discovered it has not had insurance on its vehicles or boats since Dec. 31, and also didnt have liability or workers compensation insurance. Dotson says the district is trying to quickly resolve the issue. He emphasized that Chief Dann Barnes and volunteer firefighters played no role in the oversight. Lakeside is 15 miles north of Coos Bay. Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Oregon E arrivata lufficialita, dopo una giornata di voci rincorrenti: per il triennio 2018-2021 sara lemittente Sky a godere dei diritti televisivi per trasmettere, in esclusiva assoluta, le partite non solo delle prossime edizioni dellEuropa League ma anche quelle della massima competizione continentale, la Champions. Un pacchetto da favola per il quale la tv satellitare di Rupert Murdoch avrebbe messo sul piatto unofferta giudicata piu congrua di quella presentata dalla concorrente Mediaset. A dare lannuncio dellaffare concluso e stata la stessa Sky che, in un comunicato, ha spiegato che il nuovo format sviluppato dalla UEFA ci consentira di portare ai nostri abbonati un prodotto rivoluzionario per il calcio europeo in Italia. Per la prima volta la UEFA Champions League e la UEFA Europa League saranno insieme in unesclusiva offerta integrata, che permettera agli appassionati di seguire fino a 7 squadre italiane, mai cosi tante prima dora, impegnate nelle sfide con i migliori club europei. Sky: Rafforzata leadership Anche il livello tecnico dellofferta sara altissimo ed e ancora lemittente a rivelare i dettagli: Continueremo a fare innovazione, trasmettendo le partite piu importanti anche in 4K HDR. Questofferta senza precedenti rafforza la posizione di Sky come leader della programmazione sportiva in Italia ed e anche un altro passo importante di sostegno al calcio italiano. Insomma, per i prossimi tre anni, sara unegemonia totale quella della satellitare sul calcio europeo, avendo mantenuto il pacchetto Europa League (gia sua esclusiva) e affiancandola a quello ancor piu appetibile della Champions League ad appannaggio Mediaset dal 2015 al 2018. Sfida Serie A Ora la sfida fra i due colossi delle trasmissioni sportive si spostera sui diritti televisivi della prossima Serie A, per la quale si e ancora in attesa di un nuovo bando che, come annunciato dal commissario della Lega, Carlo Tavecchio, avra le stesse caratteristiche del precedente, andato pero a vuoto: solo una delle offerte presentate per i cinque pacchetti, infatti, superava la soglia minima richiesta dalla base dasta. Niente di fatto, quindi, anche in virtu della stessa Mediaset che, in sostanza, ha disertato il bando (giudicato inaccettabile) non presentando alcuna offerta. La battaglia, anche in questo caso, sara sulle esclusive: del resto, dopo essersi vista scivolare via una componente importante come la Champions, sulla Serie A Mediaset dara sicuramente battaglia. Top News - Investor Idea Mullen (NASDAQ: MULN) Continues Acquisition Path With Purchase of ELMS Assets Including Factory in Mishawaka, IN., Enabling EV Production for Retail and Commercial Vehicle Lines BREA, Calif. - October 19, 2022 (Investorideas.com Newswire) Mullen Automotive, Inc. (NASDAQ: MULN), an emerging electric vehicle ("EV") manufacturer, announces the US Bankruptcy Court approval on Oct. 13th, 2022 of its acquisition of electric vehicle company ELMS's (Electric Last Mile Solutions) assets in an all cash purchase. Top EV Stock News - Investor Idea EV Stocks Driving Higher: (NASDAQ: $MULN) (NASDAQ: $TSLA) (NYSE: $NIO) (NYSE: $F) Vancouver, Delta, BC - October 20, 2022 (Investorideas.com Newswire) Investorideas.com, a leading investor news resource covering EV and automotive stocks releases a special report featuring Mullen Automotive, Inc. (NASDAQ: MULN), covering the continued growth of the EV market as government policy and infrastructure plans sync up with consumer and investor interest in the EV space. Top AI Stock News - Investor Idea Breaking AI Stock News: FatBrain (OTCQB: LZGI) Acquires Confidential Computing Platform ZeroTrust to Protect Data Privacy and Accelerate Innovation for Millions of Growth Businesses NEW YORK, NY - October 19, 2022 (Investorideas.com Newswire) FatBrain AI (LZG International, Inc.) (OTCQB: LZGI), the leader in powerful and easy-to-use artificial intelligence (AI) solutions for star enterprises of tomorrow, has acquired the confidential computing and privacy intellectual property (IP) plus software assets of Zero2A PTE LTD ("ZeroTrust Platform"), a software company based in Singapore. Top AI Cybersecurity Stock News - Investor Idea AI Cybersecurity Stock GBT (OTCPK: $GTCH) is Researching the Development of a Machine Learning Driven, RF Cybersecurity System and Protocol San Diego, CA - October 13, 2022 (Investorideas.com Newswire) GBT Technologies Inc. (OTC PINK: GTCH) is researching the development of a machine learning driven radio frequency (RF) cybersecurity system and protocol. Check out our Podcasts for great investor ideas: Get new posts by email: Subscribe Powered by Investorideas.com Newswire: Subscribe to Investor Ideas Newswire Cynthia Bailey slams Kenya Moore for spreading rumors about Kim Fields husband! During Sunday night's episode of, Moore alleged that Kim Fieldss husband Christopher Morgan may be gay.I know yall have heard the rumors, Moore said. They call him Chrissy For the last 10 years, there have been pervasive rumors about Kims husband. Whether its Tutty and Fruity or Kim and Chrissy, they exist.Now, Cynthia Bailey is sharing her thoughts on the situation and she thinks that Moore was out of line for making such accusations.When you come to people, when you address situations like that without real facts, it kind of sucks because even if its not true, rumors still stay out there, she told OKMagazine.com . So I dont think its cool to talk about things you dont have any facts behind.Bailey feels sorry that Fields has to deal with these accusations.I definitely feel bad for Kim in that situation because my husband, there are always rumors and people talking about Peter as well, so Ive been in that seat before and its not a fun seat to be in, she explained.Bailey claims that she is confused as to what started the drama between Moore and Fields in the first place.Kim and Kenya were friends when Kim came onto the show, so I dont really know when and where it all went left, she said.Bailey also didnt expect for such immature arguments to unfold on the trip.In terms of the commercial, I didnt really realize how bad tensions where with them, she admitted. I didnt think it was that bad. Theres always tensions when there are two of the girls, so thats not a surprise.When I sat them down one-on-one in Jamaica to talk about the commercial and I made my decision to go with Kim, I realized just how bad things were, Bailey explained. By the time we got to Jamaica, it was really in a dark place.Bailey had to excuse herself as best as she could to avoid getting trapped in the middle of the fight.I had to stay focused on the commercial, she said. I couldnt let it take over what my goal was in Jaimaca. I was there to do the eyewear commercial.Source/Photo Credit: Radar Online , Bravo An unholy combination? A waste of a good Guinness? Several pubs, away and at home, have posted photos of their version of the cocktail Black Ice, a pint of Guinness and lemon Smirnoff Ice, on Twitter. So far the reaction has been mixed. Photos posted online in the UK and Ireland have divided the public. While the cocktail looks pretty neat, with the Guinness floating on top of the Smirnoff, were pretty sure that purists would be disgusted. Sure weve all been to pubs where staff would even scoff at a dash of blackcurrant cordial in a pint, so this concoction is surely sacrilege! In Britain the Irish Post reported that the Marine Boathouse in Skegness had invented a new cocktail, which the Scottish bar had dubbed The Badger. The London based Irish newspaper also saw the cocktail as controversial and couldnt decide whether a stroke of genius or a crime against Irelands most famous stout. But the folks at the Marine Boathouse insist their newest addition to the cocktail list is a winner. They posted Our new special drink for young farmers weekend!!!!! A badger, Smirnoff ice, topped up with creamy Guinness. Dont knock it till youve tried it! Its amazing!" As if our Scottish cousins experimenting with Guinness wasnt bad enough, over the weekend the good folks at An Pucan, in Galway, posted their version to their Instagram. So far the reaction on their account seems to range from interesting to that actually scare me. We found this recipe online if fancy giving it a try. Black Ice Ingredients 1 bottle(s) Smirnoff Ice - Guinness Method - Pour Smirnoff Ice into a beer glass until half full. - Add the Guinness to fill using spoon (a la Black and Tan). H/T: barnonedrinks. What do you think? Could it be a new bar trend? Move over Irish car bombs heres black ice. Read more: How to make delicious chocolate Guinness cupcakes The planned televised political party leaders' debate, set of the Irish language channel TG4, has been canceled due to Labour Party leader Joan Burton's and Sinn Feins Gerry Adams lack of fluency, as Gaeilge (in Irish). The TV channel had planned a debate between Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Enda Kenny, Fianna Fails leader Micheal Martin, as well as Burton and Adams. The Labour leader had offered to substitute Minister of State Aodhan O Riordain while Sinn Fein suggested that native speaker from Gweedore in the Donegal Gaeltacht, Pearse Doherty, take Adams' spot. The proposal was not acceptable to Fianna Fail, who believe the leaders debate should be confined to leaders alone. They suggested that TG4 host a two party debate between Martin and Kenny. Fine Gael also said that Kenny would agree to a two-way debate. It is estimated that there are between 40,000 and 80,000 native Irish speakers living in Gaeltacht areas in Ireland. According to the 2011 Census of the Republic of Ireland just 77,185 speak Irish every day (from a population of 4.59 million). Due to the lack of fluency among the Irish political leaders the new arrangement with TG4 will now involve one-on-one interviews with Kenny and Martin followed by a segment involving O Riordain and Doherty. The TV channel told the Irish Times they were disappointed but that the new plan was the only realistic option. Read more: How Irish language words helped create the English language In 2011 the leaders of the three main political parties Kenny, Martin and the former Labour Party leader Eamon Gilmore took part in a full debate in Irish, on TG4. The quality of the debate was widely praised at the time. On Monday evening seven party leaders including Richard Boyd Barrett as representative for the Anti Austerity Alliance/People Before Profit and Social Democrats joint-leader Stephen Donnelly took part in a debate in English held at the University of Limerick. Following the debate the smaller parties - the Social Democrats and Anti-Austerity / People Before Profit - were praised for focusing on outlining their policies while the larger party leaders continued to attack each other. Social Democrats Stephen Donnelly told the public that the Irish Government never shows up for small business. Also the Anti-Austerity / People Before Profits Richard Boyd Barretts comments were welcomed with applause. Kenny and Burton attacked Martin and his record in government. The Fine Gael, Kenny, also ruled out the possibility of a coalition with Fianna Fail. Martin himself also targeted Adams past. Recent protests shone a spotlight on President Woodrow Wilsons prejudice towards African Americans. An examination of his papers also reveals a president who cared little about the Irish Question and a person who developed a distaste for the Irish in general at a critical time. Wilson served from 1913 to 1921. In 1918, the presidents closest advisor at the time, Colonel Edward M. House, made a diary entry that reveals Wilsons true self. In speaking of the Irish he surprised me by saying that he did not intend to appoint another Irishman to anything; that they were untrustworthy and uncertain. He thought Tumulty (his secretary) was the only one he had come in contact with who was. But as a candidate and as U.S. president, Wilson was politically cunning in approaching the American Irish. He realized that offending a loyal constituency of the Democratic Party could cost him votesand power. In front of big-city audiences, Wilson proudly pointed to his ancestrytwo paternal grandparents came from County Tyroneto appeal to Irish Americans. For instance, less than a month before he won his first White House term in 1912, he spoke at a campaign rally at the armory of the Fighting Irish Seventh Regiment in Chicago. I have in me a very interesting and troublesome mixture of bloods, he declared. I get all my stubbornness from the Scotch [on his mothers side], and then there is something else that gives me a great deal of trouble, which I attribute to the Irish. At any rate, it makes me love a scrap; and so I knew that if I was to be privileged to speak in this armory, I would be forgiven for speaking in a somewhat militant manner. Congenital combativeness established, Wilson applauds the great liberty-loving men and women from every civilized country on the globe, including the great Irish people, who immigrated to the U.S. From a statement like this, someone might think that hed look favorably on the more militant of the fighting Irish in Ireland. That, though, wasnt the case. The Wilson Papers in the Library of Congress reveal that the Easter Rising and the case of Irish nationalist Roger Casement generated numerous telegrams and letters seeking presidential involvement. In fact, the day before Padraig Pearse surrendered on April 29, 1916, American attorney Michael Francis Doyle, who was helping Casement, wired Wilson, requesting a meeting about Casement and if possible to enlist your interest on his behalf on the grounds of humanity. On May 2, Wilson wrote his secretary, Joseph Tumulty, rather than Doyle: We have no choice in a matter of this sort. It is absolutely necessary to say that I could take no action of any kind regarding it. Those words would seem to close every door; however, Tumulty, an Irish Catholic, handed off the matter to the State Department and, subsequently, drafted a form response, making Wilson appear different from what he wrote to his secretary. On July 3, with concern for Casements fate growing in Congress and among the public, Tumulty instructed the White House secretarial staff to send the following form reply under his signature to those inquiring about the humanitarian-turned-republican. The President wishes me to acknowledge receipt [of] your telegram in the case of Sir Roger Casement and requests me to say that he will seek the earliest opportunity to discuss this matter with the Secretary of State. Of course he will give the suggestion you make the consideration which its great importance merits. Though not specific about the suggestion, the message reflects an open-minded willingness to deal with the case. But it was really all a facade. When Tumulty gave Wilson a message Doyle sent from London about Casements trial, which said a personal request from the President will save his life, the president in his reaction of July 20 was even more emphatic than he was on May 2. The handwritten response reads: It would be inexcusable for me to touch this. It wd [would] involve serious international embarrassment. Wilsons hands-off approach to intervening on behalf of Casement foreshadows his refusal to introduce Ireland as a subject at the 1919 Paris Peace Conference. Though he played his Irish card to win political acceptance, he stopped at lip-service when faced with a life-or-death decision or a major policy initiative. During his inaugural address as president of Princeton University in 1902, Wilson asserted: We are not put into this world to sit still and know; we are put into it to act. On Ireland and Irish issues, Woodrow Wilson consistently avoided action. Though he did nothing of consequence, he kept up his act of concern throughout his presidency. In January of 1918, he had a meeting with Hanna Sheehy-Skeffington, the Irish nationalist, pacifist, suffragetteand widow of Francis Sheehy-Skeffington, a journalist, who was gunned down by a British officer during the Easter Rising. Given her background, it is puzzling why Wilson was willing to see her. Her principal objective was to deliver a petition from Cumann na mBan, the Irish womens republican paramilitary organization. The document, which somehow reached Sheehy-Skeffington without being stopped by British censors in Ireland, put forth the claim of Ireland for self-determination, and appealed to President Wilson to include Ireland among the Small Nations for whose freedom America was fighting. In her account of the session, she takes pride in being the first Irish exile and the first Sinn Feiner to enter the White House, and the first to wear there the badge of the Irish Republic, which I took care to pin in my coat before I went. However, what is most striking is her faith that Wilson will pursue a solution to the Irish Question at the post-armistice Peace Conference. In her memoir, "Impressions of Sinn Fein in America," she writes: President Wilson is not the type that will lead, pioneer-like, a forlorn hope, or stake all on a desperate enterprise; but, on the other hand, he is one who by tradition (he has Irish blood in his veins) and by temperament, will see the need of self-determination for Ireland as well as for other nations. There will be sufficient pressure at home to keep the Irish question well in the forefront, and if only Ireland shews herself strongly for this solution, President Wilson cannot turn a deaf ear. Her faith was misplaced. Wilson vents pent-up anger in his statement quoted earlier about the Irish being untrustworthy some of which might derive from the efforts of members of Congress and others pushing for assistance on behalf of Ireland. Whatever the motivation, it is telling that a president would express a generalization of this kind about an entire ethnic group, one to which he had politically appealed on ancestral grounds in the past. Even more significant is Wilsons interpretation for who was responsible for dashing his dreams to re-make a world through the League of Nations he had worked so hard to shape. Included in a volume of his published papers is a letter from William Edward Dodd about a meeting the University of Chicago historian and future ambassador to Germany had with Wilson in early 1921. Dodd, a friend and Wilson biographer, remarks at the beginning the President is sure a broken man. Continuing to describe the session, Dodd reports the presidents insistence the Irish had wrecked his whole program for adoption of the work at Paris. Gone is any attempt to cushion personal opinion with diplomatic language: Oh, the foolish Irish, he would say. Would to God they might all have gone back home, was another sentence. For too long as president, Wilson refused to concentrate on the Irish question. Despite the leadership he tried to exert on the world stage and the radical changes within Ireland after the Easter Rising that deserved his attention, he kept ducking and dodging in public while fuming and fulminating in private. Over time, he appeared weak and indecisive. Public opinion in the U.S. and elsewhere crystallized that Wilson was not inclined to do anything for Ireland. Though he blamed the American Irish for the failure to ratify the Treaty of Versailles and involve the United States in the League of Nations, they, in turn, blamed him for abandoning Ireland at a critical time. They had every reason to think as they did. *Robert Schmuhl is Walter H. Annenberg-Edmund P. Joyce Chair of American Studies and Journalism at the University of Notre Dame and author of "Irelands Exiled Children: America and the Easter Rising" (Oxford University Press). This article is adapted from the chapter about Woodrow Wilson. IrishCentral History Love Irish history? Share your favorite stories with other history buffs in the IrishCentral History Facebook group. Paul McCartney is undoubtedly considered one of the most legendary musicians of our time, boasting 24 number one singles and a total of 98 weeks at the number one spot - thats nearly two years. However, that apparently wasn't enough for him to gain access to a Grammy after party in Hollywood last night. By Joe Leogue A Fine Gael TD has been branded a "disgrace" after claiming to have "delivered" 150 jobs at a craft beer brewery for his constituency - only to have its founder reject that the politician had any involvement in the company expansion. Furthermore, Kildare North TD Anthony Lawlor (pictured) took credit for his part in delivering the jobs to the town of Kilcock, when the brewery in question had moved to Celbridge, some 20km away. Niall Phelan, founder of the Rye River Brewing Company took to social media to dispute Mr Lawlors claims after a friend of the brewer alerted him to the TDs election literature, in which he listed '150 jobs created Rye River Brewing Company' under the heading 'Delivered to Kilcock'. "I have no allegiance to any political party, but do support hard working politicians and I do believe that there are great public representatives in all parties," Mr Phelan posted to Facebook. "However, I was extremely annoyed when this came through my friends door. Firstly, I have spoken to this politician twice in my life. Secondly to claim that he is responsible for creating jobs in our business is a disgrace," Mr Phelan said. "And third, it shows how little he knows our business, as Rye River has moved from Kilcock to Celbridge where we have announced 150 new jobs on top of the 50 we already created," he said. The businessman said that Mr Lawlor, who was first elected to the Dail in 2011, had "lost his vote" over the claims outlined in the campaign literature. "Our team at Rye River have worked bloody hard and taken huge personal risks with plenty of sleepless nights to create those jobs. Mr Lawlor, you have just lost any chance of any vote from me, because if you're claiming this, what else can I not believe on your leaflet," Mr Phelan said. Speaking to the Irish Examiner, Mr Phelan said that he and others at the brewery were all the more annoyed at the claim because of the involvement of another public representative. "We did have help from another public representative who worked with us in the background, who is running in this election, and who has never sought publicity for it," Mr Phelan said. "So for somebody who hasnt given any time to us to come out and claim something like that is a disgrace," he said. He said that the majority of employees at the brewery are constituents of Mr Lawlors, and while many were still undecided as to how they would vote next week, many "now know who they wont vote for". Mr Phelan said that he was "angry and annoyed" but had calmed down somewhat since he first learned of the leaflet. The Rye River Brewing Companys own Facebook page has posted a light-hearted response to the incident on Facebook. It shared a doctored version of the offending campaign leaflet, in which it lists a number of achievements Mr Lawlor "delivered" to Kilcock. These include bringing "a successful end to the Cuban Missile Crisis", launching the first dog into space, finding the wreck of the Titanic and credits the TD with being the "first man to get a fig into a fig roll". Mr Lawlor has conceded that his leaflet incorrectly stated that the company was still based in Kilcock, but said that the literature was not an attempt to claim credit for the brewery expansion. He said that the start-up was supported by Enterprise Ireland and that the leaflet had intended "to share the good news" about the new jobs at the brewery. "I have no intention of taking credit from someone as hard-working as Niall Phelan," Mr Lawlor said. By Fiachra O Cionnaith, political reporter Education Minister Jan O'Sullivan has refused to rule out introducing controversial third level student fees if Labour is re-elected due to the long-stated need to reform the university and colleges funding system. The Limerick TD declined to say that third level fees will be not imposed at the launch of her party's education policy document today. Under the current third level system, students must pay a contribution - previously known as a student registration payment - of between 2,000 and 3,000, a rate that has surged from a fraction of that cost a decade ago. However, colleges and universities have warned the funding is not adequate to meet demand. In summer 2014, then Labour education minister Ruairi Quinn commissioned ex-ICTU general secretary Peter Cassell to examine alternative ways to pay for third level education, and to report back by the end of 2015. However, while leaks of interim reports have suggested that if the State does not increase system funding by between 500m-1bn a year student fees and a potential student loan system may have to be introduced, the document will not now be concluded before this summer. Responding to questions in Limerick alongside Tanaiste Joan Burton, Ms O'Sullivan said while "there shouldn't be barriers to access to third level or any other level of education", she could not rule out the introduction of fees or a loan system. "Labour is going to wait until we get that report. We're not going to pre-judge the outcome of the Cassell report. We're not ruling anything either in or out," she said. The Government party's education plan includes commitments to end the use of prefab schools, deliver the smallest class sizes in the history of the State, and extend free part-time third level education to those at work for up to 100,000 people. Ms O'Sullivan also said her party would cut the student contribution fee by 500 in the next budget "to take some of the pressure from parents". She said the commitment differs from Mr Quinn's pre-election 2011 promise not to raise the contribution, before doing so months later, as "we are in a very different economic space than five years ago" and that in 2011 her party colleague had to prioritise ensuring children "had a school to go to". Prosecutors believe the head-on train crash in southern Germany last week which killed 11 people was caused by "human error" by the train dispatcher. Dozens of people were also injured when two commuter trains slammed into each other on a single-line track near Bad Aibling, 40 miles south-east of Munich. Close to 50 civilians have been killed and many more wounded in missile attacks on at least five medical facilities and two schools in northern Syria, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said. UN deputy spokesman Farhan Haq said that victims of the attacks included children. He quoted the secretary-general when he called the attacks "blatant violations of international laws" that "are further degrading an already devastated health care system and preventing access to education in Syria". Mr Haq quoted Mr Ban as saying the attacks "cast a shadow on commitments" made by nations seeking to end the Syrian conflict at a conference in Munich on February 11, which included a cessation of hostilities within a week and an end to attacks on civilians. In Idlib province, an airstrike destroyed a makeshift clinic supported by Doctors Without Borders. The international charity, also known by its French acronym MSF, said the hospital in the town of Maaret al-Numan was hit four times in attacks that were minutes apart. It said seven people were killed and eight others were "missing, presumed dead". "The destruction of the hospital leaves the local population of around 40,000 people without access to medical services in an active zone of conflict," said MSF mission chief Massimiliano Rebaudengo. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said Russian warplanes targeted the hospital, destroying it and killing nine people. The opposition group, which tracks both sides of the conflict through sources on the ground, said dozens were wounded in the attack. "The entire building has collapsed on the ground," said opposition activist Yahya al-Sobeih, speaking by phone from Maaret al-Numan. He said five people were killed near the MSF clinic and "all members of the medical team inside are believed to be dead". The Observatory and other opposition activists said another hospital in Maaret al-Numan was also hit on Monday, most likely by a Syrian government airstrike. In the neighbouring Aleppo province, a missile struck a children's hospital in the town of Azaz, killing five people, including three children and a pregnant woman, according to the Observatory. A third air raid hit a school in a nearby village, killing seven and wounding others. Activists posted an amateur video that showed civil defence workers pulling bodies from the rubble of the MSF-supported structure in Idlib. Other images showed a huge crater next to a building that purportedly housed the child and maternal hospital in Azaz. Incubators could be seen in a ward littered with broken glass and toppled medical equipment. Russia said its airstrikes are targeting militants and denied hitting hospitals or civilians. However, rights groups and activists have repeatedly accused Moscow of killing civilians. Daragh McDowell, the head Russia analyst at Verisk Maplecroft, a British risk analysis firm, said Russian and Syrian tactics "strongly suggest a deliberate effort to further exacerbate the refugee crisis, as a means of destabilising Europe and pressuring the West to agree to a settlement in Syria on Moscow's and Damascus' terms". Abdulrahman Al-Hassan, chief liaison officer at the Syrian Civil Defence, a group of first responders known as the "White Helmets", said the women's hospital in Azaz was hit by two surface-to-surface missiles. He said some 10 people were killed and many were wounded. "We think it is Russia because the photos of the missiles have Russian language (and) because we haven't seen this kind (of missile) before the Russian intervention," he said. Russia has been a key ally of Mr Assad throughout the five-year uprising and civil war, and began launching airstrikes on September 30. The private Turkish Dogan news agency reported that more than 30 of those wounded in Russian airstrikes in Azaz, primarily children, were transferred to a hospital in southern Turkey. It showed footage of ambulances arriving and medics unloading children on stretchers. The US State Department condemned the airstrikes, saying they cast doubt on "Russia's willingness and/or ability to help bring to a stop the continued brutality of the Assad regime against its own people". In Brussels, European Union officials had earlier called on Turkey to halt its military action in Syria after Turkish forces shelled positions held by a US-backed Kurdish militia over the weekend. The EU's foreign policy chief, Federica Mogherini, said that "only a few days ago, all of us including Turkey, sitting around the table, decided steps to de-escalate and have a cessation of hostilities". Dutch foreign minister Bert Koenders, whose country holds the EU's rotating presidency, said "we have the plan for a cessation of hostilities and I think everybody has to abide by that". Manufactured goods exporters led the drive with a massive growth in sales, powered by the pharmaceutical and medical devices firms who opted to expand in Ireland after the merger and acquisition flurry of recent years in the sector. In fact, the only weakness was in the agri-food industry, but it still managed a small growth despite the damage from the dairy price collapse. Services exporters in the software, business and financial services, inclusive of the buoyant aircraft leasing sector, mounted a solid double digit growth in the year. The performance of indigenous exporters was overshadowed in the aggregate figures by the predominant foreign-owned high technology sector. Nevertheless, these too had an exceptional year breaking through the 20bn barrier, aided by a competitive euro exchange rate and lower energy prices. And whereas 2015 was a tremendous year for Irelands exporters, global market volatility, rising uncertainty on the UK staying within the EU, falling sterling and a weakening dollar have marred the beginning of 2016. There are increasing signs that Irelands exceptional export growth may shudder with damaging consequences for jobs and the exchequer tax take to fund the recovery. A clue to Irelands growth prospects in the coming year can be glimpsed from what is happening in some of our key export markets. A group of five countries will be responsible for 75% of the world economic growth in 2016 the US, India, China, the UK, and Germany. In the past year, Irelands exporters have increased their market penetration into each of these key global growth economies. In 2015, exports to the US powered ahead at break-neck speed of 33%; exports to India more than doubled; despite the slowdown in China our exports there grew by 8%; and taking full advantage of the weak euro exports to the UK stormed ahead by 15%. The crowning of last years export activity, and one which shows just how competitive Ireland has become, is seen in the 29% growth in exports to the largest of the eurozone markets Germany, where no currency booster was at work. Brazil and Russia, both in the middle of deep recessions, will be the biggest contributors to the worlds slowdown; fortunately we have little export exposure to either of these markets. Apart from Latin America, Europe as a whole will be the slowest growing region of the world, way below the US, other advanced economies, and most emerging markets. And therein lies perhaps the biggest of the concerns for 2016. Europe takes over half of our exports and for Irish exports to continue at a robust growth rate the EU must be kick started back to reasonable economic growth. More quantitative easing from ECB chief Mario Draghi looks essential. Second of the concerns worrying exporters is the Chinese economy and whether it will have a soft landing or not. The shockwaves to the global economy every time the yuan has a small devaluation, or the growth figures drop by a percentage point has to be curtailed if business confidence is to be retained. This is not so much a question of potential lost Irish exports to China as it is the impact on many of our other markets. The EU relies on China as the second largest customer for all its output. The low price of the barrel of oil is now a concern. The slump in the oil price started as a competitive advantage to exporters. It has now caused collateral damage in many of our emerging markets. Volatility is the most likely feature in the year head, and the price is unlikely to return to $100 a barrel. It is worth noting that oil is still well above the $20 a barrel prevalent throughout the 1970s. An overarching cross cutting issue on Irelands export horizon is the question of global consumer trends and whether we are riding out the end game of a very lucky period or remain on the sweet spot for the future. A look at global consumer expenditure and the trends expected in the coming year seems to indicate growing reliance on computer-related products and services areas where Irelands exporters are well positioned. Last year, Irelands software exports grew by 16% to 56bn. Health policies and the ability of more and more emerging markets to pay for medicines is also a trend. Ireland is increasingly seen as the go to location for pharmaceutical producers, who recorded exports of 65bn last year. Despite these healthy signs, many exporters will be hedging their bets and wondering whether the strong exports performance will continue this year, as the country faces the exceptional uncertainties plaguing international markets. John Whelan is a leading consultant and commentator on international trade The Cork-based company, founded by husband and wife team Dan and Linda Kiely, has plans to scale its operations globally over the coming years as it keeps pace with the demands of its extensive client list. As part of its planned three-year expansion, Voxpro will open a sales and marketing hub in New York in the coming months. It has also narrowed its search for a second north American operations site down to three potential locations. The company has an existing centre in Folsom, California, where it continues to add to its workforce serving clients mainly located in San Franciscos Bay Area. Its second North American base will be based on the east coast of the US, says Mr Kiely, the companys chief executive. We are eyeing a big footprint in north America, he said. By the end of the second quarter we hope to have a new site in north America. We have it narrowed down to a shortlist of three now and we hope to have another site in Europe operational by Q3. While its New York sales and marketing office will have only a handful of staff, it is envisaged the planned east coast centre will create hundreds of roles. Mr Kiely also identified the need for Voxpro to develop in Asia and Pacific. A Singapore office is planned for 2017. The companys need in Asia and Pacific is not borne out of an extensive client list in that part of the world but the growing demands of major US multinationals in need of global coverage. Voxpro counts many of the worlds highest profile tech companies including Google, Airbnb, Stripe and Nest among its clients. If all goes to plan something Mr Kiely warns is impossible to be sure of a flotation could be on the cards in 2019. Certain targets such as reaching revenues of $100m (89m) a year will need to be met in the intervening period for its IPO dream to become a reality. Helping to drive Voxpros growth will be PayPal vice-president of global operations in Europe, Middle East, and Africa, Louise Phelan, who joined its board of directors last week, along with Voxpro managing director Aidan OShea. Ms Phelans huge experience of scaling businesses across Asia-Pacific, North America, and Europe will be key to expanding globally, according to Mr Kiely. The companys co-founder added said it is ahead of target in recruiting the 400 staff for its Cork and Dublin offices announced in 2015. In 2014, Egypt imported $135m in live cattle from Australia, Uruguay, and Brazil. In 1996, Ireland exported 100,000 head of live cattle to Egypt. There are currently three vessels approved to export cattle from Ireland, and the live trade is expected to grow quickly. Mr Coveney said: Political instability in North Africa has severely disrupted the trade. The addition of Egypt to the list of markets open to Irish exporters is a timely boost. The deal follows a recent inspection visit to Ireland by the Egyptian agriculture ministry, and talks with Irish exporters and the IFA. IFA livestock chairman Henry Burns said that, with an extra 50,000 to 70,000 head of finished cattle due in the second half of 2016, resuming a strong live export trade is very welcome. IFA has been working on reopening of the Egyptian market for some time, and pursued the case with the Egyptian ambassador, Soha Gendi, said Mr Burns. We need a strong and vibrant live export trade for cattle this year more than ever. Swissport, which provides ground-handling services at Dublin Airport, has said it is recruiting staff for over 200 positions in the areas of customer service agents, ramp- handling agents, flight operations, security and aircraft appearance operatives. The company said that in 2015, its ground-handling business at Dublin Airport has seen growth of 23%, and is expected to grow by a further 10% this year. The managing director of Dublin Airport, Vincent Harrison, said the jobs were a sign of the strong growth the airport is having. The recruitment of a further 200 jobs, on top of the 350 recently announced by Dublin Airport further endorses the economic impact of the airport, he said. Also in Dublin, a UCD spinout company has confirmed 100 pharmaceutical jobs after opening a new research facility. The business, APC Ltd, is a pharmaceutical research company which specialises in helping global clients accelerate the development of their medicines for a wide range of conditions including cancer and HIV. The new facility, in the Cherrywood Business Park, is part of the companys programme of expansion as it looks to more than double its workforce to meet client demand. Mark Barrett, chief executive of APC, said the companys success was down to working with talented and creative engineers and scientists. We need people who enjoy the rewards of working in an environment that is driven by cutting-edge technology and science. In return, we will provide them with an opportunity to do something extraordinary: to help change patient outcomes for the better, he said. Despite being in business just four years, APC now partners with eight of the top 10 pharmaceutical and five of the top 10 biotech firms in the world. Some 80% of its services are export-driven and the company aims to reach revenues of 50m by 2020. Tucana Health Ltd, a spin-out from the APC Microbiome Institute in UCC, is to build a research team in Cork and has confirmed this will lead to the creation of a number of hi-tech jobs. The National Maternity Hospital, Holles Street, Dublin, which delivered almost 9,500 babies last year, had 46 babies in a neonatal intensive-care unit designed to accommodate 36. One cot was partially blocking a fire exit and another was near a sink that might pose a risk of a waterborne infection. Inspectors from the Health Information and Quality Authority (Hiqa) who visited the hospital last October found overcrowding in the neonatal intensive care unit was not unusual. The master of the hospital, Rhona Mahony, said in a letter to Hiqa that the neonatal intensive care unit had been very busy at the time of the inspection. During the previous four weeks, the number of babies in the unit had varied from 30 to 46. At times, we make a decision to continue to admit babies although the unit is full and that may be because the risk of not doing so is greater and due to the unavailability of other options within the country, wrote Dr Mahony. Inspectors found overall environmental hygiene in the delivery ward was very poor. Serious shortcomings were found in the cleanliness of patient equipment and waste management. Hospital management said high levels of activity, particularly in the months before the inspection, made it difficult to access delivery rooms for cleaning. The hospital, built in the late 1800s, had 10 delivery rooms but plans for the new maternity hospital to be built at st Vincents Hospital included up to 24 delivery rooms. Hiqa did say that, despite the challenges, the hospital had reported low perinatal mortality rates and low bloodstream infection rates. However, it found that the layout and use of the 10 delivery rooms meant that half of them were effectively a thoroughfare for staff and visitors. This infrastructure does not facilitate patients dignity, confidentiality or privacy and does not facilitate infection prevention and control, it said. Cleaning processes and the management of cleaning equipment was also criticised, particularly the use of a single mop head to clean up body fluid spillages in a number of rooms. Injection practice was also unsafe, with multiple syringes containing reconstituted intravenous medications insufficiently labelled and stacked on an unclean tray in a fridge in the delivery room. A follow-up inspection last November found a significant improvement had been made in environmental and patient equipment hygiene. A deep clean of the delivery ward started immediately after the inspectors October visit and took three weeks to complete. However, the inspectors found that significant improvements in cleaning practices were still needed and concerns relating to injection practices had not been fully addressed. An inspection carried out at the University Hospital Waterford last December criticised bed spacing in its intensive-care unit. Treatment of patients in close proximity to each other increases the risk of spread of many infections including those caused by multi-drug resistant organisms, the report warned. The research was conducted by political scientists at Trinity College Dublin (TCD) and the University of Exeter in the UK and analysed more than 16,000 publications about climate change by 19 major conservative thinktanks in the US over 15 years from 1998 to 2013. Thought to be the largest study of such material, the research was published in the Journal of Global Environmental Change. It found, despite the vast majority of scientists having reached a consensus on global warming, arguments against the science of climate change are on the increase. The study involved an examination of 8,300 articles, 3,000 reports, 100 interview transcripts, 680 press releases and open letters, and 3,900 scientific reviews over 15 years. Overall, it found the era of climate science denial is not over and conservative thinktanks have not shifted from questioning the science of climate change to focusing on policy debates. On the contrary, the study revealed challenges to climate change have been on the rise in recent years. The research also found the overall level of material being produced by conservative thinktanks on climate change has grown rapidly over the past decade-and-a-half reaching a peak during late 2009 and early 2010. Debate around scientific integrity began to overtake that of energy policy during 2006 and 2007, corresponding to the release of former US vice-president Al Gores film An Inconvenient Truth and his acceptance of the Nobel Peace Prize. Assistant professor in political science at TCD, Constantine Boussalis, said the rise in scepticism was a disturbing trend. While the level of uncertainty surrounding the causes and consequences of climate change has decreased, the emphasis on climate science scepticism by conservative think- tanks has increased over time. This is a disturbing trend, as a general acceptance of human-caused global warming is a necessary condition for a comprehensive agreement on climate change mitigation, he said. Lecturer in quantitative political science at Exeter University Travis Coan said conservative thinktanks have played a role in generating the narrative of climate change scepticism and, by extension, obstructing climate policy in the US. The vast majority of climate scientists agree that the Earth is warming and that observed changes in the global climate are predominantly attributable to human activity, he said. Nevertheless, a significant segment of the American public and many lawmakers in the US Congress continue to deny this reality. The cheesy yet genuinely funny ad, (wink from candidate to camera included) is so bad it is good and Heydon, all gimmicks aside, is a politician of real substance. He is well-liked by the electorate and has performed well since first entering the Dail in 2011. He was a member of the so-called Five-A-Side group of Fine Gael rebels who spoke out against party policy. He later distanced himself from the group before it was disbanded. All indications are he will top the poll and safely return to Leinster House. His running mate, Fiona McLoughlin Healy, is expecting to perform well and could even challenge for the last seat. Fianna Fails Dail whip, Sean O Fearghail, who had to overcome a rather messy selection convention, is the partys standard bearer in this election and should retain his seat. Perry Wharrie, aged 56, from Loughton, in Essex, was given what his lawyers described as the highest sentence in the history of the State for drugs offences following the seizure of a record 440m haul which went awry at Dunlough Bay on the Mizen Peninsula, West Cork, on July 2, 2007. Wharrie, who had pleaded not guilty to possession of the drugs for sale or supply, was unanimously found guilty by a jury at Cork Circuit Criminal Court and sentenced to 30 years imprisonment by Judge Sean O Donnabhain on July 23, 2008. Wharrie successfully appealed his sentence last July with the three-judge Court of Criminal Appeal finding that the sentencing judge fell into error. Giving judgment yesterday, Mr Justice Tony Hunt said the main error was that the judge did not give credit for the fact that Wharrie, unlike his co-accused, refrained from giving false evidence in his trial. Although that fact was noted by the judge, Wharrie did not get that mitigation because of his very serious criminal record, Mr Justice Hunt said. In 1989, Wharrie, along with two other men, was convicted in connection with the shooting dead of off-duty police officer Frank Mason, 27, who had intervened during an armed robbery in England. During a struggle, a single shot was fired by another party which killed Mr Mason. Wharrie was given a life sentence for the officers murder and was freed on licence, otherwise known as parole, in 2005 having served 16 years. Mr Justice Hunt said it appeared Wharrie may be required to engage again with the still extant life sentence in England when he is done serving time in Ireland and to deprive him of mitigation on that point was double punishment. Furthermore, the judge said Wharries presence in this jurisdiction was accidental. He had very little connection to Ireland and as such difficulties arose in serving the sentence here. Mr Justice Hunt, who sat with Mr Justice John Mc-Menamin and Mr Justice Michael Moriarty, said the court considered 22 and a half years as the appropriate headline sentence and that Wharrie should be allowed a five-year discount for how well he was doing in prison. The case began when a rigid inflatable boat carrying 1.5 tonnes of cocaine got into difficulties off the south-west coast. One of its petrol engines was filled with diesel, causing the craft to flounder and sink in unseasonably rough July seas. The cocaine had been transferred to the rib from a catamaran named Lucky Day after a rendezvous 48km off the Cork coast. Lifeboat crews who came to the aid of the sinking rib found one of Wharries accomplices floating in the sea encircled by 65 bales of cocaine. There was evidence at the trial that customs officials who went to Dunlough Bay came across Wharrie and another accomplice making their way up from the cliffs. Both men were arrested two days later. Det Gda Padraig Harrington said yesterday Christopher Keohane, formerly of The Crescent, Curraheen Estate, Wilton, Cork, was beaten up in jail and taken to Cork Regional Hospital. Prison officers allowed him to step out under escort for a cigarette but he fled. Keohane, now 43, was a young man when he left Cork and he started a family in England and worked all the time he was there. Marjorie Farrelly, defending, said he was a model citizen. Since his extradition from England last September, he has been in custody. He pleaded guilty to the charge that on November 15, 1996, at the post office on 14, Bandon Rd, he robbed 78,960. He admitted that on June 20, 1999, being a person in lawful custody at Cork prison and having been transferred to Cork Regional Hospital, did escape therefrom contrary to common law. Judge Sean O Donnabhain said it was an unusual case in that Keohane had nothing to do with organising the robbery and his role was secondary to the point he ended up having no real part in the crime. He imposed an overall three-year sentence backdated to September 2015 and suspended the remainder . Det Gda Harrington said the post office was robbed at 9am on pensions day. Two men entered , one of whom was carrying a shotgun. Keohane was waiting around the corner and had been paid 200 to take the bag of cash from the raiders, the plan being to take it to a taxi base and on to Togher. However, Garda Pat Enright happened to arrive on the scene, the raiders ran and never handed the cash over to Keohane. The gunman subsequently got a 12-year sentence. His accomplice was never identified. A High Court judge said yesterday the criteria used by RTE to exclude Green Party leader Eamon Ryan from the televised party leaders debate was not unfair or irrational or disproportionate. The legal challenge was dismissed hours before the debate went on air. It featured seven leaders from Fianna Fail, Fine Gael, Labour, Sinn Fein, People Before Profit, the Social Democrats, and Renua. In judicial review proceedings by Green Party trustee Tom Kivlehan, it was argued the broadcasters criterion stipulating only parties with three TDs in the outgoing Dail could be invited to participate was unfair, undemocratic, and unconstitutional and in breach of RTEs legal obligations a public service broadcaster. RTE maintained that its criteria were objective, fair, transparent, and applicable to all parties. The Greens effectively wanted the broadcaster to apply subjective criteria for leaders debates that would favour the Greens over other parties, RTE argued. For more election news, analysis and general banter join us HERE In her judgement on the two-day hearing, Ms Justice Marie Baker ruled RTEs choice of criteria can be judicially reviewed and said fundamental and core democratic ideals, including the right to freedom of expression, were raised. RTEs criteria, she found, were sufficiently reasonable and impartial, not unfair or irrational, and proportionate to the needs of the political debate and the publics right to be informed and educated in an engaging live programme. Eamon Ryan was in court for the judgment. When counsel for RTE indicated afterwards it would seek its costs, the judge said the costs issue involved significant considerations. RTE had accepted the criteria adopted for this election were not perfect but the court accepted some editorial choice had to be made and some threshold requirements for participation in leaders debates had to be set, especially when 15 parties were fielding candidates. The viewers interest in an engaging programme, plus the importance of current Dail representation as an index of political thinking and the spectrum of opinions, were all factors to be weighed, she said. The court was not an expert in broadcasting and the role of RTE as expert, given singular and unique recognition in the Constitution, must be respected by the court. The court could not be asked to fix programming criteria in which it has no expertise, she said. Her main difficulty with Mr Kivlehans arguments were that many of the considerations the Greens urged should be taken into account by RTE would favour the party over other possible participants in the TV debate, she said. It was claimed the refusal to invite Mr Ryan marked a failure to consider the strength and historical and international importance of Green Party policies, she said. Those factors were overly subjective and if RTE adopted them as criteria, that could lead to arguments of partiality and subjectivity. The requirement broadcasters act fairly and impartially cannot involve the broadcaster in considering the value, whether national or international, of the particular policy any party espouses, she said. While the Greens had argued the fact they are fielding 41 candidates was relevant to their participation, RTE had suggested the number of candidates did not itself indicate a partys strength or national reach, she noted. For more election news, analysis and general banter join us HERE Pascal Gagneux, an evolutionary biologist from the University of California at San Diego in the US, believes the technology may be storing up trouble for ageing populations of IVF children. Of the estimated 5m IVF offspring alive today, the oldest of them British test tube baby Louise Brown is only 39. Unintended and unwanted consequences of IVF that cannot be detected now may emerge towards the end of life, Dr Gagneux fears. And he says scientists have already uncovered ominous signs: IVF mice that are allowed to age become ill females develop a pre-diabetic condition called metabolic syndrome, while male animals suffer hormonal problems. More worrying was one study which involved taking 100 IVF and naturally conceived children aged as young as six 3,500m up a Swiss mountain, where low oxygen levels mimic effects of ageing. Heart and artery malfunction was reported very convincingly in the assisted reproduction children, including those with brothers and sisters who were conceived naturally, said Dr Gagneux. Speaking at the American Association for the Advancement of Science meeting in Washington DC, he said: Im an evolutionary biologist and interested in human origins. To me this is the epitome of a species taking its own fate into its own hands. Were engaging in an evolutionary experiment. I would compare it to high-fructose corn syrup and fast food in the US. It took 50 years; it was fantastic, you got bigger and healthier, and now the US are the first generation that are shorter and heavier and die younger. But it took 50 years. We cant rule out that it could be shortening lifespan. The very reason why we age has to do with the fact you can select for things that help you when youre young and those very same things will kill you when youre old. With increased life expectancy and maximum longevity, we are setting the stage so that even a slight deviation from something highly adaptive might bite you in the butt quite badly when youre 70, 80, or 90. One of his biggest concerns was the way IVF embryos were bathed in a cocktail of chemicals for up to five days during the phase when genetic imprinting is taking place. This is a process that switches on some genes, and switches off others. British experts in the field of reproductive medicine strongly disagreed with the views expressed by Dr Gagneux. Imperial College London gynaecologist Geoffrey Trew said: Hes pulling together several hypothetical ideas that dont bear extrapolation to what hes saying and unnecessarily worrying the millions of parents of children born through IVF. Not good, nor responsible, science. In a statement last night, Siptu members who work for Transdev, the company which operates Luas, announced two additional 24-hour work stoppages in their dispute over pay and conditions. The two dates, decided on by workers, are March 8 and March 17. These are in addition to an already scheduled 48-hour stoppage which is set to begin on Thursday at 4am and on top of a strike last Thursday and Friday which caused major disruption to around 90,000 customers. Siptu transport organiser, Owen Reidy, said the workers were very keen to resolve this dispute as soon as possible and remained available for talks in whatever forum is appropriate. He said it was incumbent on management at Transdev to engage meaningfully with the union to avoid further escalation of the dispute. However, Transdev managing director, Gerry Madden, said the pay claims demanded by Siptu were extreme and are not benchmarked to any sector. He said the workers actions were threatening the company and would impact on the thousands of families who use Luas to travel into and out of the [St Patricks Day] parade, not just the parade but all the events in the city associated with the festival. According to Transdev, the claims being pursued by Siptu on pay alone are between 8.5% and 53.8% depending on the pay scale, and would cost Transdev 30m over the five years of the Luas operating contract. The strikes have already had a significant cost for both sides. Because they proceeded with industrial action, workers have lost their annual bonus worth 6.5% of salary. In addition, by the end of this week, they will have four days pay cut equivalent to almost a 2% pay cut. And the company is facing fines of 100,000 for each day when it fails to provide a transport service. Last night, Transport Minister Paschal Donohoe said the plan to strike on St Patricks Day was exceptionally bad news not only to commuters, who rely on Luas for their daily commute, but also to the 100,000 overseas visitors who will travel to Dublin to help us celebrate our national holiday. I remind everyone that the States industrial relations resolution bodies remain ready to assist in finding a resolution to this issue. I call on both parties to the dispute to avail of them, said Mr Donohoe. Paul Lestrange, aged 40, told his victim to write a will prior to the unprovoked assault and after cutting the mans throat with a bread knife told him: I told you it would end badly. He stopped his housemate and neighbours from helping the injured man until he was overpowered and disarmed. Lestrange, of Rosdedara, Killarney, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to assault causing serious harm to James McGuirk and production of a kitchen knife at North Circular Rd, Dublin on January 15, 2015. Judge Martin Nolan said Lestrange had bizarrely developed an animus towards Mr McGuirk and slit his throat. He said it was lucky for Lestrange that his victim did not die but that Mr McGuirk no doubt had an apprehension of death and thought he was going to die. He said there appeared to be no particular motivation and noted that Lestrange had a small number of previous convictions which all involved alcohol. He noted Lestranges expression of remorse. Judge Nolan said this was a very serious assault and that the only possible intention behind the attack was to kill. He said the attack left Mr McGuirk with a severely disfiguring scar. Garda Joseph Gavin told Maurice Coffey, prosecuting, that Mr McGuirk shared his house with both Lestrange and Martin Roche who rented rooms from him. He said they appeared to get on well but alcohol was a day-to-day feature within the house. That night his house-mates had noticed Lestrange was in an agitated state. Mr Roche went to bed leaving Mr McGuirk and Lestrange in the sitting room. Lestrange began speaking gibberish and making threats such as telling Mr McGuirk to write his will and that things would end badly for him. Mr McGuirk did not pay much attention to him until he saw Lestrange with a large bread knife. Gda Gavin said nothing had seemed to lead up to the incident, that there had been no argument and it seemed to be a random attack. Lestrange pointed the knife at Mr McGuirk, still rambling about writing a will. He stuck the knife in Mr McGuirks neck and pulled it across his throat, telling him: I told you it would end badly. Mr McGuirk said he could feel blood pouring out of the wound. Mr Roche heard the noise and came downstairs to find Mr McGuirk in a chair and Lestrange standing over him with the knife in his hand. Lestrange stopped him from helping and he ran to seek assistance from neighbours. Lestrange initially stopped the neighbours from helping Mr McGuirk as well but was disarmed. Mr Roche alerted the gardai and ambulance. He pointed out Lestrange to gardai on their arrival. Lestrange made admissions to gardai about being present at the house but replied no comment to questions about how the attack happened. Mr McGuirk outlined in his victim impact statement that he suffered post-traumatic stress syndrome as a result of the horrific incident. He has been left with a prominent and visible scar. Paul Henry, aged 29, of Ardsallagh, Athlone Rd, Roscommon, is charged with murdering his mother, Ann Henry, at Abbeystown, Ballyphesan, Roscommon Town, on September 17, 2011. At the Central Criminal Court yesterday, Mr Henry pleaded not guilty to murdering Ms Henry by reason of insanity. Mr Justice Tony Hunt told the jury that this trial is of a slightly unusual variety and the plea offered is not one against which either party will be arguing. At the beginning of the trial, Colm Smyth, defending, told the court that his client admitted he killed his mother. Caroline Biggs, prosecuting, said she would call Detective Inspector Pat Finley to summarise evidence by a vast number of witnesses and none of it is in dispute. You will have to decide the state of mind of Mr Henry on that day. Ms Biggs said on September 17, 2011, it is alleged Paul Henry fatally assaulted his mother by stabbing her in her house at The Spinney, Abbeytown, Roscommon. Ms Biggs told the court that from an early age Mr Henry presented with very significant difficulties. Mr Henry was initially diagnosed with ADHD which progressed into more serious diagnoses in later life. At 2pm on September 17, the gardai received a 999 call saying there was a violent assault taking place and Mr Henry was arrested. Det Insp Finley agreed with counsel that there had been disturbed behaviour and a number of events that preceded the assault, including Ms Henry asking a doctor to admit her son as a voluntary patient to Roscommon psychiatric unit. The court heard that, 21 days after Paul Henry had been admitted to the hospital, he was released in August 2011 as a result of a decision by a mental health tribunal. The tribunal found he did not fulfil the criteria to be detained in a mental hospital, said Ms Biggs. On September 23, 2011, the accused was deemed unfit to attend court and committed to the Central Mental Hospital where he was assessed by two consultant psychiatrists. Both of the consultant psychiatrists take the view that the accused had a mental disorder and from a clinical perspective he ought not to be held responsible, said counsel. The trial continues. Barrister Garry OHalloran, who is a former Fine Gael councillor and also a former chairman of the South Eastern Health Board accused Mr Noonan of doing a runner in 1997 from a meeting to discuss concerns about sex abuse involving children. Mr OHalloran said he resigned from Fine Gael because of Mr Noonans actions. The veteran minister is under fire amid the ongoing controversy about the mishandling of sexual abuse allegations at a foster home in Co Waterford by health officials as far back as 1995. Recent reports in the Irish Examiner have led to the establishment of a Commission of Investigation into the foster home at which a young intellectually disabled woman, referred to as Grace, was allegedly sexually abused. Yesterday, Taoiseach Enda Kenny has said he is not sure what action if any then health minister Michael Noonan and former junior minister Austin Currie took two decades ago after allegations surrounding the family at the centre of the south east foster abuse scandal were first brought to their attention. In a statement to the Irish Examiner, Mr OHalloran said at the 1997 Fine Gael Ard Fheis, Mr Noonan had arranged to meet him and some abuse victims. We arrived, he kept us waiting for hours, eventually I spotted him leaving the stage and heading for a door about 40m away, I was about 60m away and started to follow him in the direction of the door, Mr OHalloran has said. He spotted me and ran, I then ran but he got to the door and when I arrived I was met with a cloud of black smoke as his garda driver sped away, he added. Mr OHalloran and his delegation then met junior minister Austin Currie who concluded there was no substance to the claims of abuse. I went to the taoiseach, John Bruton, who said it was a matter for the minister for health. When I got no place, I then submitted by resignation from FG, he added. Yesterday, the Irish Examiner first attempted to put queries about this matter to the Fine Gael press office, but we were directed to the Department of Finance. The Department of Finance said as this was a health matter, they could not comment. A Department of Health spokesman said he could not speak for Mr Noonan and referred us back to the Department of Finance, but also suggested we speak to the Department of Children. At the time of going to print, no comment was forthcoming from Mr Noonan. But Mr Kenny said he does not know if either senior politician properly examined the concerns after a former party colleague said at the weekend he resigned from the party in protest after nothing was done in response to his attempts to have the matter investigation. In one study, 94% of participants with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia saw their symptoms vanish completely. Patients with other blood cancers saw response rates greater than 80%, with more than half experiencing complete remission. The technique involves removing immune cells called T-cells from patients, tagging them receptor molecules that target cancer, and infusing them back in the body. Scientists screened specially bred, genetically engineered mice for the targeting molecules, known as chimeric antigen receptors or Cars. Once attached to the T-cells, they reduce the chances of the cancer being able to shield itself from the immune system. Lead scientist Prof Stanley Riddell, from the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, US, said: These are in patients that have failed everything. Most of the patients in our trial would be projected to have two to five months to live. This is extraordinary. This is unprecedented in medicine to be honest, to get response rates in this range in these very advanced patients. Prof Riddell, who was speaking at the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) annual meeting in Washington DC, described the results as a potential paradigm shift in cancer treatment. Cancer cells So far, the technique has only been tried on patients with liquid blood cancers. Prof Riddell hopes to progress to patients with solid tumours, but points out that this will be challenging. Meanwhile, a new study raises the prospect of vaccine-like treatments that protect against cancer for life. Scientists identified and tracked rare immune sys-tem cells that could be programmed to keep cancer at bay over a period of many years. The stem memory T-cells would keep patrolling the body looking out for enemy tumour cells. When any are encountered, they would be recognised and attacked. Lead researcher Prof Chiara Bonini, from the University of Milan in Italy, said: T-cells are a living drug, and in particular they have the potential to persist in our body for our whole lives. Some of these memory T-cells will persist through the entire life of the organism... Imagine translating this to cancer immunotherapy, to have memory T-cells that remember the cancer and are ready for it when it comes back. For such an approach to work, the memory T-cells would have to be primed by genetic modification to attack the target cancer. Prof Boninis team studied 10 cancer patients who underwent bone marrow transplants and were infused with T-cells that were tagged so they could be tracked. Small numbers of the cells were still found to be circulating in the patients blood streams after 14 years. Commenting on the study, British immunologist ProfDaniel Davis, from the University of Manchester, said: These T-cells, the stem memory T-cells first identified in 2011, have stem cell-like properties and are thought to be important for long-lived immune responses. The implication is that infusing genetically modified versions of these particular T-cells ... could provide a long-lasting immune response against a persons cancer. Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy gave his judgment at the Central Criminal Court yesterday after hearing from Brendan Grehan, prosecuting, that the newspaper had printed articles about a notorious killer in the run-up to his trial. Mark Nash, aged 42, had been a suspect for a murder in Britain and had been convicted of a double murder in Roscommon when he went on trial for another double-murder in Grangegorman in Dublin. The 1997 murders of Mary Callanan, 61, and Sylvia Shiels, 60, attracted a lot of media attention and Mr Nash was charged in 2009. Dublin District Court was told gardai and GMC/Sierra workers were verbally abused and threatened by water protesters at Parnell Rd in Crumlin on the morning of April 20, 2015. Ms Collins was before the court for what has been dubbed the Crumlin 11 trial. She and her 10 co-defendants, including councillor Patrick Dunne, aged 48, of St Gerards Rd, Greenhills, Dublin, are accused of failing to comply with a gardas direction to leave the vicinity. Two of her co-defendants have additional charges for obstructing gardai. All 11 deny the charges; three days have been set aside by the district court for the non-jury trial. The court heard the Dublin South-Central TD and Mr Dunne arrived at the scene where a team of GMC/Sierra water meter installers were attempting to do their work but were met by protesters. Garda Sgt David Lynch told the court that when he arrived at Parnell Rd he saw six or seven people interfering with workers. Later on, about 30 to 40 protesters were there, he said. He said he received verbal abuse and was called fucking scumbag. He told the court that he, other gardai, and the GMC/Sierra workers were threatened. Sgt Lynch thought a breach of the peace was likely to occur, and said he gave the protesters a direction under the Public Order Act and outlined to them the penalties of not complying. He said he did that numerous times and he asked them to move on peacefully. With that, they became more agitated and abusive and sat down, he said. In cross-examination, he agreed with lawyers for the defence that Ms Collins and Mr Dunne had been co-operative and had not been there at the outset of the protest. He agreed Mr Dunne was neither abusive nor using foul language and had not committed an offence, but Gda Lynch added that he had been part of the group. The trial continues today. Last week, the boys of third class in Sundays Well National School in Cork City uploaded their own Lego figure depiction of the Easter Rising on YouTube. Since then, it has been viewed almost 60,000 times, and among those commenting was one Ian MacDonagh, who wrote: My great grandfather Thomas MacDonagh would be impressed Im sure, well done everyone! The stopframe video is a brilliantly succinct retelling of some of the key aspects of Easter Week 1916, the voiceover from the children, homemade sound effects, and staccato action imbuing it with an unexpected dramatic tension. It must have been both challenging and enormous fun for the boys of third class to do, all under the guidance of their teacher, Michael OConnor. Putting bricks together came easy to the 36-year-old from Cork he worked in construction before he began teaching. He admits to being surprised at the response to the 1916 clip, particularly considering other things weve done that we put a huge amount of time into. He and the class had produced an earlier Lego stopframe project but a live action film they recorded on the subject of Romans had such production values that just creating the costumes and swords took a week. Michael, who has taught at Sundays Well National School for six years, firmly believes that the old methods of simply flicking through the books will not fully inform students. It shows that that is only going to serve a certain number of pupils, that they can learn that way. Acting it out and dramatising it gives them a different insight and it is good for their confidence, says Michael. Aidan and Naglis, third-class pupils of Sundays Well NS, with their Lego figures after they recreated the 1916 Rising. Picture: Des Barry All of this turns the focus on how best to engage students at both secondary and primary level in history, and whether or not teachers are under greater pressure to find new and innovative ways of educating children about events such as the Easter Rising. According to the Irish National Teachers Organisation (INTO), the Rising and how it should be approached in schools is a current hot topic, with the primary history curriculum referring to our identity being shaped by the cultural and social experiences of many different peoples in the past. The INTO has developed an online resource for teachers to explore the 1916 Rising and provide active learning for pupils, and one of those responsible for it, Ann Murtagh, said teachers are under a certain amount of pressure to be innovative. However, the INTO resource notwithstanding, the resources are not there, says Ms Murtagh. She praised Michaels efforts but said the curriculum is focused on using primary sources when it comes to the teaching of historical events such as the Easter Rising, but often those primary sources can be quite difficult to access. Ms Murtagh, a learning support resource teacher at the Kilkenny School Project Educate Together School, gave the example of teachers being encouraged to attend local libraries to source newspaper reports of the time, but she says in reality this means the teacher going in their own time and combing through hard copy and microfilm until they find what they need. She says other sources, such as archive material online, is available, but at a cost. A keen historian, Ms Murtagh says 1916 is more relatable to children than many other historical periods, because so many children may have a family link to the events of the time through a great-grandparent or other family member. At second level, there has been severe criticism from some teachers that historys importance has been relegated as it is no longer a compulsory subject for those in the junior cycle, which it had been up to recently in around half of all secondary schools. Teacher Michael OConnor with his third-class students after they recreated the 1916 Rising using Lego and put it on YouTube. Picture: Des Barry Christian OConnor teaches history at St Marys Secondary School in Mallow and is also vice-chairman of the Cork History Teachers Association. Unsurprisingly, he sees a disconnection between the focus this year on the events of the Rising, and what teachers feel is the relegation of history as a core subject in the junior cycle. The position of history in secondary schools is under threat, he says. With the junior cycle reforms that are coming down the line, it will become an optional subject. We feel it will have a very negative effect on the subject. One problem could be that parents, conscious of the drive for greater success in maths and science, might influence their children to swerve around history. This, says Christian, would have a knock-on effect at leaving cert level: It would be a shame it is a valuable subject. His own school has thrown its lot in with the 1916 celebrations and has already held a dedicated History Week and took as a special theme The Women of 1916. Christian believes the department has made adequate resources, and lists some of the events secondary students will be able to attend. Meanwhile, Michael confirms that Disney Pixar and the like have not been in touch looking to steal him away from the classroom. Ill be waiting a while, he laughs. IN RECENT years Mark ORowe has boldly underlined his place as one of the major players in modern Irish drama. His re-imagining of his breakthrough play Howie the Rookie was an enormous success in 2013, one swiftly followed up by a bracing new play at the Abbey, Our Few and Evil Days, the following year. Then last year there came DruidShakespeare, upon which ORowe collaborated with Druid Theatre Companys Garry Hynes, providing the blueprint for a mammoth seven-hour production of Shakespeares history plays. Not pausing for breath, ORowe will shoot his debut feature film, The Delinquent Season, later this year. In the meantime, however, there is the small matter of directing a new production of Sean OCaseys Juno and the Paycock at the Gate Theatre. Significantly, while he has directed his own work very successfully in recent years, this is his first time directing a play by another writer and they dont come much bigger than OCasey. As a fellow Dubliner, youd expect that ORowe might have counted OCasey as a big influence. Thats not the case, however. I came into writing mostly through American and English literature, says ORowe. Minimalists like Harold Pinter and David Mamet and then the big baroque American novelists like James Ellroy and Cormac McCarthy. And so OCasey just bypassed me. I did see a production of Juno during my formative years and I didnt pay much attention to it, because it wasnt the territory that I was obsessing over. Mark ORowe in rehearsals for Juno and the Paycock at the Gate in Dublin. When the Gates artistic director, Michael Colgan, approached him to direct Juno, however, ORowe was quickly won over. I actually had to go out and buy the book and see if I liked it, he says. But it totally blew me away, and about 15 pages into it, I knew I was going to do it. A dark tragedy tinged with elements of uproarious comedy, Juno and the Paycock centres on the story of the Boyle family, residents of a Dublin tenement who struggle with poverty and hardship against the backdrop of the Civil War. The play is famous for OCaseys double-act of drunken scoundrels, Captain Jack Boyle and his fickle buddy Joxer Daly (played by Declan Conlon and Marty Rea in the new production). While the selfish Boyle slowly escorts his family to hell in a handcart, his embattled wife Juno the only one earning a wage tries to keep the troubled clan together. When Boyle suddenly inherits a small fortune, the family looks set to escape the squalor. Alas, however, fate has something else in store. From the moment he signed on for the play, ORowe only ever had the one actor in mind for Juno the always impressive Derbhle Crotty. The Captain is very strong and I didnt want Juno to be this very meek little thing beside him, says ORowe. I wanted her to be a force that could contend with him, and Derbhle has that. FLESH AND BLOOD She certainly does. Crottys stage persona has always been buoyed by a certain forcefulness and forthrightness. Like ORowe, she regards Juno as a woman of bite and of backbone and also, crucially, as someone who is complex and flawed, elements that are sometimes overlooked in analysis of the play. Its funny, says Crotty. We got into quite a heated debate on the first day. Somebody said that Juno was the moral centre of the play, and I had a strong reaction to that. I felt that Juno doesnt represent anything. She has to be flesh and blood. She is someone who is very much responding to events as they occur. She is someone who has her head turned by the newfound wealth. She drops her guard. She makes mistakes. Shes not someone who is steering a ship always in one direction and always in the right and moral direction. Where Juno has been played at times as a somewhat passive figure, a woman fighting for the family unit first and herself a poor second, Crotty insists she is an active figure, full of vitality and spirit, and anything but an emblem of Irish motherhood. Theres that joke, isnt there, says Crotty. How many Irish mothers does it take to change a light bulb? Ah, sure, dont mind me, Im grand sitting here in the dark. But I just dont find any evidence for that view of Juno. Shes extremely active. Her badgering of Jack about work isnt just for the sake of it. Its to get him out there, to get the money in, and to start paying off some of the debts. Theres a reason there for all her actions. Theres a genuine urgency there. Shes the only one who sees the water rising higher and higher. Everyone else is talking about their principles and their bad legs, and shes the one crying out all the time Lads, we dont know where the next meal is coming from. It seems significant that the Gate is producing OCaseys masterpiece now, 30 years after the seminal 1986 production of Juno that starred Donal McCann one of the most acclaimed shows in Irish theatre history. Its a significance that ORowe has refused to let cast a shadow on his version, however. If I had felt that shadow, then Id have been crippled with fear on the first day, he says. The mountain of this play is already high enough without adding all that stuff to it. Its the same process as writing. Self-doubt and confidence are huge components in the success or failure of a writer. Often good writing is about almost hypnotising yourself to suppress your critical faculties, so that you can be creative. Directing is sort of the same. GHOSTS AT THE GATE There are, moreover, other ghosts at the Gate. Juno brings ORowe back to the scene of a weird moment early in his career the Gates 2003 production of his scintillating play Crestfall, a show which notoriously led to members of the audience walking out, shocked at the plays graphic content. The writer remembers sitting in the auditorium and hearing all the seats flipping up as people left. It was tough to deal with, he admits, although I also took it as maybe a point of pride. When I wrote Crestfall I said Im going to write the darkest thing ever and Im going to challenge myself to make it about three women, he says. I remember thinking that I didnt want there to be any humour, any air. And it was very intense, just over an hour long. So what happens is that as a writer, you say to yourself, This is a challenge to my audience, and its a provocation, and this is real art. But then when you watch it and they dont like it, youre deeply hurt. So theres a real conflict there. One suspects that things will probably go more smoothly this time around. Juno and the Paycock runs at the Gate in Dublin until April 16. RELATED: What happens when you change the setting of Juno and the Paycock from Dublin to Cork Traditional or boldly contemporary as ever its in the bathroom that we Irish are willing to take real risks. Pared to its essentials, this is a space that has never looked better, working hard but discreetly, and delivering more than ever to the split millimetre. Simplified lines In contemporary and even traditional bathrooms, design lines are increasingly fuss-free. Showers continue to float in near frameless surrounds with flush trays and tanking solutions embedded beneath tiling, leading the field. The bath refuses to be bullied out by the water charges, and heres a big buaile bos for Heritage and their beautiful Japanese style tubs. This new metallic effect double-ended acrylic freestanding bath set against deeply coloured walls, looks fabulous without the weight of a heavy metal, joist-straining monster. Choose from gold, steel, or copper finishes, with prices from around 3,400 (look for generous discounts from suppliers online). Tip: Taking your lead from whats happening in the kitchen, with bump-to-open, wall-hung furnishings. Doing away with handles is not only cleaner to the eye, but a practical space saver that wont bite your leg in a tight room. Shade and shine White (what a relief) remains the staple, sane choice in bathroom ware, allowing you to liven up colour on walls, floors, furniture, and accessories. High shine and mirror finishes lever back the walls. If you prefer mosaic, the snakeskin look of pearly tiling can surround or flank a basin, raising its visual status. Specify porcelain over ceramics if you can afford it. Stone-like veining and petrified wood shading on matte and gloss choices offer a tough, economic alternative to marble in a performance floor to last decades. Tip: Consider anchoring your shower or bath with ultimate glitz, in a stand out backdrop of larger format urban tiling, laid one over the other rather than staggered like brick. In the pink The new year sees us crazy for pink, a soft but still real colour and yes, its applicable in even a modern bathroom. Use a lick of paint under a freestanding bath, take colour to vinyl wallpaper (see the cabbage roses in our illustration by Heritage), or stay safe with the addition of softly shaded towels. Dip into this 1970s inspired vogue with a delicate tissue pink, a chalky colour reminiscent of calamine lotion, the bloggers favourite for the year. Tip: Chalky Moroccan tiling can include patterns with a soft rosy blush and in paint a perfect pick would be White Meadow from Colortrend. Card number B07. Boutique Hotel Achieve ritzy looks in a family bathroom by up-scaling materials, including veined stone, polished concrete, or quartz-style composites, fully built-in furniture, and a proper bath. Robert Levin, top designer with Ideal Standard, has been struck this year by what he refers to as the smacious movement, injecting luxury into the smallest of rooms. In terms of tone, he suggests darker colours to nail the five-star look. Think different shades of greys, particularly darker shades and hues, which are very on-trend for creating a tranquil feel of luxury and relaxation. Dark purple, rouge and even duller matte greens are all also on the rise as part of the bathroom colour scheme. (IdealSpec UK). Tip: Carefully integrated storage should be available at a swivel on one foot Go up the walls in 30cm deep units and micro-manage those interiors with dividers and soft baskets. Rectified tiling Not every floor and budget can stand the pressure of large format tiles, but by laying tiles closely together and all but eliminating the join, the sleek ballroom look is still a goer with a medium format of 300mm plus. Specify tile that is rectified after firing with a very precisely ground edge that will snuggle tightly to its companion. Joins can be a standard 3mm or as little as 1.5mm using an un-sanded grout. Bevelled edges on the top side reduce the chance of chipping. Youll need an excellent tiler to ensure a perfect flush and level finish with rectified tiles. A stable continuous subfloor such as screed, cement, or marine ply is ideal for a good selection of true large format tiling in glazed porcelain. Try Tile Haven, Bandon and Little Island, Cork, Tilehaven.ie. Tip: The right grout, full tanking, and perfect drainage is crucial for this or any wet-room area to work without a dedicated tray. Underfloor heating The uninterrupted spacious styling and fresh atmosphere delivered by underfloor heating (matched to appropriate ventilation) is second to none with no air movement or cold spots in the room and its deliciously warm to the feet when stepping out of the shower or bath. Electric UFH allows you to retrofit the comfort of warm floors when renovating your bathroom. Installed with the adhesive layer under the tiles or on matting under engineered laminates, the floor is independently controlled for the space as needed and relatively economical. Mats available from 1m-12m, from 80. Tilesdirect.ie. Tip: If you want to warm plank flooring choose an electric mat product dedicated to timber or engineered flooring. Into the woods Brave or determined to mark out your sexy en-suite? Dare to include the toffee dark or driftwood textures in water resistant laminates and printed tile for storage, walls and underfoot. Beloved by many high-end spas for its protective, almost spiritual atmosphere, dark plank-formed timber prints and dark matt stone finishes can enfold part or all of the room. Dramatic depths where there is little natural light relies on great task lighting to realistically make-up or shave. LED lit mirrors with magnification for close work start around 150 without Bluetooth connectivity. Tip: House plants are making a bold return. Soften those hard surfaces with suitable steam loving plants such as ferns. LONG MAY THEY RAIN Electric showers with their instant hot water and low-running costs are a good alternative to a standard tank-fed gravity shower. With the added annoyance of low water pressure comes the choice a separate pump (relatively expensive as a retro-fit) or the all-in-one housing of a pump and shower with instant hot water delivered through an electrically powered heat exchanger if needed. Mira and Triton are the leading names in electric showers in Ireland, and both update the look and performance of their units season after season. Mira showers have re-engineered its Elite range to deliver the same enhanced flow with a reduction of 75% in that maddening burr that accompanies an electric-pumped shower. It has also added features including Clearscale and new Clean-Flow to keep the maintenance issues of hard-water users under-control, reducing limescale build-up by 50%. You can now clean the filter yourself without even removing the filter cover. The Elite QT is available in two options: 9.8kW and 10.8kW options from 345. Also new to Triton, the Safeguard Thermostatic shower range with Beab Care and RNIB approval now includes a grab rail. These allow you to set the duration and temperature of the shower to within +/- 1C, great for younger or vulnerable users. These designs include easy to nudge controls and an extra long hose useful if you prefer to sit while showering. Touch by Triton with digital thermostatic control comes in at a price of 325. Tritonshowers.ie. Fashionistas planning on attending the famous Liverpool horse-racing event on April 8 are being encouraged to dress more Ascot than the midriff baring, stiletto-clad look that has become synonymous with the day. Aintrees management has told racegoers to style up and has even coaxed them into raising standards by offering a 35,000 (45,300) Range Rover plus 8,000 (10,000) in shopping vouchers to the most stylish punter. In recent years unflattering photographs of orange-stained women tottering along in high-heels whilst swigging from bottles of booze were the order of the day for national newspapers. Recent ladies days have reportedly failed to sell out with suggestions regular racegoers have been put off by media coverage of some women taking advantage of the lax dress code, banned at other racecourses. Although there is no official dress code, smart is preferable, according to the official website. On the day, stylists will be on hand to offer advice and expertise on what women should be wearing as racegoers are photographed as they enter the grounds ahead of the prize giving. This year, sales are reportedly up on last year by 4,000 tickets after undergoing its makeover in a bid to refresh ladies day. John Baker, Aintree and North West regional director for Jockey Club Racecourses said he was delighted to raise the stakes at the global sporting event at the heart of Liverpools culture and social calendar. He said that the prizes on offer would replicate the class of the day yet he still wanted people to show off their individuality. Baker said: Ladies day is one of the biggest days in the racing social calendar so were delighted to raise the stakes even higher this year and provide our biggest style award prize ever. The prize on offer to the most stylish racegoer of ladies day is fantastic and replicates the quality and class of the day. It also shows our commitment to ladies day and our aim to make this fabulous day even better. A message on the Aintree website said: Aintree is a spectacle of colour throughout the year, with many using their trip to the racecourse as an opportunity to showcase their favourite race day outfits. POLITICAL anoraks love nothing more than having facts and figures at their disposal, statistics they can scrutinise and combine in the hope of looking into mathematical tea leaves and predicting the outcome of the election. With the advent of the digital age, and all the communicative media that come with it, opportunities have arisen to analyse the way we talk about the election in a way that gives us some insight into how the public perceive our General Election candidates. To this end, the Irish Examiner has teamed up with Demos, a leading UK thinktank, to take a deeper look at how our candidates have used Twitter to engage with the electorate and as to how the public are responding. Having worked with the BBC on its election coverage in the UK last year, Demos has developed an algorithm that analyses tweets sent by members of the public and scans them to read if they are attitudinal in other words, it determines if the sentiment of each tweet is positive or negative towards the candidate. This, along with a look at the number of tweets sent by the candidates, how often they reply to the public and how many time non-party sources tag candidates in their tweets can help us look at how twitter users are reacting to each candidate. As with all polls and figures, this Twitter analysis comes with a health warning. The samples taken here are not as representative of the public as those taken by a polling company, which seeks to accurately represent demographics in their polls. Twitter is a constituency in and of itself. Active users are typically, though not exclusively, middle-class and left of centre in their politics. Furthermore, as a medium it sees a reawakening at times of an election, when users (and candidates) with dormant accounts return to Twitter to effectively canvass the rest of us. Twitter timelines are particularly plagued by Twitter canvassers during televised debates and current affairs shows, when party faithful tweet ad nauseum about how great their candidate is and how poor their opponent is performing. That aside, the figures put together here by Demos, which reflect the Cork constituencies from January 20 to February 9, give some insight as to how the election is playing out online. What remains to be seen is how online activity translates to the most crucial performance indicator of them all votes. Cork East It will come to no surprise to those familiar with the Irish Twitter landscape that Ken Curtin and the Social Democrats are ranking highly on a number of metrics in Cork East. The first-time candidate is hugely active on Twitter, sending over 129,000 tweets since joining the social network. Mr Curtin boasts an amount of followers that dwarves that of well- established TDs. In the first week of the campaign Mr Curtin sent 1,484 tweets more than all other active candidates in Cork East, North-Central, North-West, and South West combined. In turn he was mentioned 2,691 times by the public on the social media site. The only other noticeably active Cork East Twitter user in week one was Labour TD and minister of state Sean Sherlock, who sent 80 tweets but was mentioned 851 times. As for the public reaction, Demoss algorithms show that Fine Gaels David Stanton had the highest percentage of positive tweets at 96%, Mr Curtin the lowest at 69%. Cork North Central Cork North Central is a constituency that has seen lots of activity from the public, but little engagement from the candidates themselves. The Green Partys Oliver Moran was the most active here in the first week of the campaign, sending 238 tweets, 17% of which were replies to posts from the public. Despite sending just 17 tweets in week one of the campaign, minister of state Kathleen Lynch was the most mentioned by members of the public, who tagged her in 1,012 tweets. The algorithm however, ranks her at the bottom of the boos and cheers list, suggesting fewer than two in three of these tweets (62%) were positive. Cork North West Independents rule the Twitter roost in Cork North West, where Ballyhea Says No campaigner Diarmuid OFlynn and county mayor John Paul OShea posted the most tweets with 235 and 106. They are at opposite ends of the attitudinal score table, however. The algorithm indicates all tweets mentioning OShea in the first week were positive, compared to 70% for OFlynn. It is noteworthy, however, that OSheas sample size is just 42 tweets, compared to the 413 posts from the public mentioning OFlynn who is by far the most mentioned Cork North West candidate on Twitter, racking up 1,264 mentions. Cork South Central Tipped by many political observers to be the group of death of this election, the Cork South Central candidates are leaving no medium ignored, and are actively courting the Twitter vote. No fewer than six candidates tweeted over 100 times in the first week of the campaign, with Fine Gaels duo of Minister Simon Coveney and TD Jerry Buttimer sending 385 tweets out between them in the run up to the Dails dissolution and in its immediate aftermath. Despite not actively embracing the medium to the same extent as his rivals, Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin was the most mentioned candidate by the public on Twitter, clocking 1,458 mentions to Mr Coveneys 1,403. Both are receiving mostly positive feedback, though the figures show Mr Martin and Mr Coveney had 31% and 44% negative sentiment. Fianna Fail finance spokesman Michael McGrath is the only candidate in the county to have received a mostly negative reception from tweeters in this timeframe, with Demoss algorithm stating 57% of the attitudinal tweets about Mr McGrath were negative. Cork South West Cork South West is a quiet constituency on Twitter. Autism activist Fiona OLeary was the most active with 125 tweets in the first few weeks, followed by Labour TD Michael McCarthy. The majority (67%) of Ms OLearys tweets were replies to the public. Mr McCarthy was the most mentioned by the public over the early days of the campaign, however he ranked bottom of the boos and cheers table with one in three tweets about Mr McCarthy being negative in nature. CALL it traditional, call it conservative, call it patriarchal, but dont try and call the result in Cork South West where a handful of women are doing their damnedest to end its reign as the only constituency to have never returned a female TD. This time around, there are five in the mix: Fianna Fails Margaret Murphy OMahony, Rachel McCarthy of Sinn Fein, and three independents, Theresa Heaney, Fiona Pettit, and Gillian Powell. When the Irish Examiner joined Gillian Powell on the campaign trail she was in determined mood, buoyed up, so to speak, by the flooding that left her home, business, and the town of Bandon under a couple of feet of water on two separate occasions before Christmas. I decided to run four weeks ago when I was standing in water for the second time in a month, says Gillian. It was about turning despair into something positive. Weve had bucketfuls of promises since the last major flood in 2009 and nothing practical has been done on the ground. Gillian Powell with Eric and Breda Hickey in Bandon, Co Cork. The booksellers have been flooded eight times in 36 years. Picture: Denis Scannell For more election news, analysis and general banter join us HERE I feel that by running I am giving a local voice to a national issue. And it is really resonating with people. But will running as a flood relief candidate narrow her appeal? Gillian, an activist with the Bandon Flood Group, doesnt think so. The neighbouring local electoral area of Skibbereen, with the town of Clonakilty, was also badly affected by recent floods. And anyway Gillian believes that her profile as a businesswoman in the town of Bandon, where she runs The Haven Montessori school on Watergate St, will also resonate with the many women in the constituency who have little businesses and no safety net, and have never, ever had a voice. They have no [insurance] protection for their homes or businesses, they find it very difficult to make a living. I think they are really sick of the political system and find that the party system doesnt serve them well. Gillian generates a positive response from townspeople during my visit. In Reens newsagents, Robert Fitzpatrick says hes worked with Gillian on flooding issues and that she will be getting his vote. In Hickeys booksellers, Eric and Breda Hickey say theyve been flooded eight times in 36 years and that Gillian will get a lot of votes in the town. People are fed up with all the promises and no progress, says Breda. Shes been flooded herself so she knows the ins and outs of it, says Eric. He doesnt think any seats are a certainty at the moment, Fine Gael holds two and Labour one although if anyone is returned he thinks it will be Jim Daly of Fine Gael. After that, all bets are off, he says. In the nearby tastefully-decorated Warren Allen Collections and Coffee Shop, Sean Kennedy says theyve been flooded twice and that he will be giving Gillian his number one. Seans mother Jacinta concurs. Were thrilled to see women running, its about time. I honestly think therell be nothing done until women get into real leadership positions. We need strong independent women who arent under the kosh, she says. When I ask one client in the cafe if she will be voting for Gillian, she replies that she has to consult with her husband, doing little to rid the town of its image as one where men have traditionally ruled. Another couple of female coffee drinkers say they havent decided yet. Shopkeeper Robert Fitzpatrick in North Main St, Bandon, Co Cork, is promising his vote to Gillian Powell. Picture: Denis Scannell By coincidence, Independent councillor Michael Collins from Schull on the Mizen Peninsula, also drops into the coffee shop. Hes hoping his 25-year track record of working in a voluntary capacity for the people of West Cork will stand to him, although he and Gillian face stiff competition from former Fianna Fail mayor of Cork, councillor Alan Coleman, who left the party to run as an Independent candidate when it became clear he wasnt going to get the partys nomination. His brother John believes Michael is in with a chance and says Fine Gael are terrified of losing their seats. But we wont know until they turn the boxes upside down in Clonakilty, he says. For more election news, analysis and general banter join us HERE At least 23 civilians were killed when missiles hit three hospitals and a school in rebel-held Syrian towns, residents said, as Russian-backed Syrian troops intensified their push toward the rebel stronghold of Aleppo. Fourteen people were killed in the town of Azaz near the Turkish border when missiles slammed into a school sheltering families fleeing the offensive and the childrens hospital, two residents and a medic said. Bombs also hit another refugee shelter south of the town and a convoy of trucks, another resident said. We have been moving scores of screaming children from the hospital, said medic Juma Rahal. At least two children were killed and scores of people injured, he said. In a separate incident, missiles hit another hospital in the town of Marat Numan in Idlib province, in north-western Syria, said the French president of the Doctors Without Borders/Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) charity, which was supporting the hospital. There were at least seven deaths among the personnel and the patients, and at least eight MSF personnel have disappeared, and we dont know if they are alive, Mego Terzian told Reuters. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which tracks violence across the country, said one male nurse was killed and five female nurses, a doctor, and one male nurse are believed to be under the rubble in the MSF hospital. Also in Marat Numan, another strike hit the National Hospital on the north edge of town, killing two nurses, the Observatory said. Residents in both towns blamed Russian strikes, saying the planes deployed were more numerous and the munitions more powerful than the Syrian military typically used. Rescue workers and rights groups say Russian bombing has killed scores of civilians at market places, hospitals, schools and residential areas in Syria. Western countries also say Russia has been attacking mostly Western-backed insurgent groups. However, Moscow has said that it is targeting terrorist groups and dismissed any suggestion it has killed civilians since beginning its air campaign in support of Syrian president Bashar al-Assads forces in September. The town of Azaz has been the scene of fierce fighting as Kurdish anti-government forces advance from the west. They have reached the edge of town, only a few kilometres away from the main Bab al Salam border crossing. The Syrian army is advancing from the south. Both the Kurds and the army want to wrest control of that stretch of border with Turkey from the insurgents that currently hold Azaz. Russian bombing raids on rebel fighters are helping the Syrian army to advance toward Aleppo, the countrys largest city and commercial centre before the conflict. Four Hong Kong passport holders were arrested in Sydney last month for the importation, from China, of 720l of the drug, which is commonly known in Australia as ice, police said. The liquid could have made 500kg of high-grade crystal meth, Australian Federal Police commander, Chris Sheehan, said. Officials also seized 2kg of the crystalised form of the drug. In a statement, the group described Anna Day and her three colleagues as experienced journalists, who had most recently worked on virtual reality documentaries in Egypt and Gaza. Bahraini police said earlier they had detained four foreign nationals. Bahrains interior ministry said in a statement the four were suspected of offences including entering Bahrain illegally having submitted false information to border staff, and participating in an unlawful gathering. The US State Department said it was aware of reports that US citizens had been arrested but declined further comment. A representative for Days family rejected any suggestion the four were involved in any illegal behaviour or non-journalistic activities. The Arabic-language Miraat al-Bahrain (Bahrain Mirror) said the four were detained in Sitra, a Shiite village east of Manama, on Sunday while covering clashes between local demonstrators and security forces. The demonstration was meant to mark the fifth anniversary of widespread Arab Spring protests in 2011 mainly by Shiite Muslims demanding reforms and a bigger share in government. Those protests were put down violently by Bahrain security units with help from security forces from Gulf Arab states, including Saudi Arabia. However, the kingdom, where the US Fifth Fleet is based, continues to see bouts of unrest, especially in villages where Shiites are a majority. A friend of Days, who asked not to be named because of her own work as an independent journalist in hostile areas, said that government accreditation for foreign correspondents in Bahrain can be difficult to get and can imply restrictions, so freelancers commonly work without it. It is sad that the fifth anniversary of the 2011 protests has been marked by the arrest of yet more journalists in Bahrain, which has since become one of the worst jailers of journalists in the Arab world, said Sherif Mansour, the Middle East and north Africa programme co-ordinator for the Committee to Protect Journalists, an advocacy group. The committee called for the release of the four and noted that at least six other journalists are currently imprisoned in Bahrain in connection with their work. Day has reported in the Middle East, northern Africa, India, Brazil, and Mexico and her work has been published by the New York Times, CNN, Al Jazeera English, Huffington Post, CBS, Daily Beast, and others. Olmert is the first Israeli prime minister to serve time in prison. TV footage showed him walking into the Maasiyahu prison in central Israel. The 70-year-old was convicted in March 2014 in a wide-ranging case that accused him of accepting bribes to promote a controversial real-estate project in Jerusalem. The charges pertained to a period when he was mayor of Jerusalem and trade minister, years before he became prime minister in 2006. Olmerts seven-year legal saga undermined the last serious round of Middle East peace talks and propelled hard-line prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu to power. Olmert walked into the Maasiyahu prison hours after he released a video making a last-minute plea to Israelis meant to salvage his legacy. In the video, he appealed to the nation to remember his peace-making efforts as leader and denied any wrongdoing in the bribery conviction against him. The three-and-a-half minute video, released by his office and filmed at his home a day earlier, shows a weary-looking Olmert. He says it is a painful and strange time for him and his family and that he is paying a heavy price, but also adding that he has accepted the sentence because no man is above the law. At this hour it is important for me to say again... I reject outright all the corruption allegations against me, Olmert said in the footage. He said that, in hindsight, the Israeli public might view the charges against him and the seven-year legal ordeal that enveloped him in a balanced and critical way. I hope that then many will recognise that during my term as prime minister, honest and promising attempts were made to create an opening for hope and a better future of peace, happiness and well-being, he said. Olmert is also awaiting a ruling in an appeal in a separate case, in which he was sentenced to eight months in prison for unlawfully accepting money from a US supporter. Madeleine McCann was just three when she disappeared from the familys holiday apartment in Praia da Luz in Portugal in May 2007. Ms McCann, of Rothley, Leicestershire, vowed she and her husband Gerry, who also have 10-year-old twins, would never give up hope of finding their daughter. The 47-year-old, who is an ambassador for the charity Missing People, said her research had led her to believe abducted children were not usually taken far from the scene. She told The Sun: Thats where she last was and I dont think shes been taken a million miles from there. Ive always said Praia da Luz is the place where I feel closest to her. Its all only speculation, but weve learned thats usually the case. The urge to look for Madeleine absolutely hasnt changed at all. You hear all the time about people who have been missing for years being found. There have been so many cases like that. We will never give up. You couldnt settle if you thought about giving up. I want an end, an answer. Whatever that it is. Ms McCann added that Child Rescue Alerts, a scheme of early warning messages she helped launch, could have mobilised people at the time of Madeleines disappearance. Since 2011, the Metropolitan Police have been assisting in the search for clues as to what happened to the girl with officers visiting the holiday resort in 2014. The couple had previously praised the meticulous and painstaking work of detectives, and have again offered thanks to the police. "But last year the number of officers working on the case was reduced. "The British Home Office said in June the investigation had cost 10m, with a further 2m budgeted for the year ahead. Detectives have taken 1,338 statements and collected 1,027 exhibits. Israels tourism ministry said the trips, valued at up to $55,000, including first-class airfare which would be funded by another party whom it did not identify, are on offer to actors and directors vying for Oscars in the February 28 ceremony. Israel has long sought ways to overcome any misgivings foreign visitors might have about the security situation, given the simmering conflict with Palestine. These are the most senior people in the film industry in Hollywood and leading opinion-formers who we are interested in hosting, said tourism minister Yariv Levin. They will experience the country first-hand and not through the media. Among those to be offered the 10-day VIP trip for two will be actors Sylvester Stallone, who signed a pro-Israel petition during the 2014 Gaza war, and Leonardo DiCaprio, who sent Israeli paparazzi into a frenzy in 2010 while visiting the countrys top model, Bar Refaeli, his girlfriend at the time. DiCaprio is among the nominees for best actor. One of Stallones rivals for best supporting actor, Mark Rylance, is a pro-Palestinian activist in Britain, who might be less inclined to take up the offer. The junket would be offered to all 25 artists nominated in the best actor/actress, best supporting actor/actress, and best director categories and to the host of the ceremony, the ministry said. Meanwhile, Stephen Fry has quit Twitter following a backlash over his poorly received bag lady comment at the Bafta awards. The awards host was hit with abuse when he remarked of Jenny Beavan, who won the Bafta for costume design for Mad Max: Fury Road: Only one of the great cinematic costume designers would come to the awards ceremony dressed like a bag lady. He deleted his Twitter account yesterday after an expletive-filled rant on Sunday night to the sanctimonious fuckers who had complained on the social media site about his comment. Fry first explained it was a joke between friends, writing: So just a word to the tragic figures who think calling Jenny Bevan a bag lady was an insult. Shes a dear friend and she got it. Derrr. Fry has been one of the most popular commentators on the social media site, with more than 12m followers before his account was deleted. This is the third time he has left the site,after a break in 2014 when he said he was filming in a place whence Ive been advised it is safest not to tweet, and then from February to May last year, when he announced he would be taking a holiday from Twitter. Louis Harrison, 23, proposed to his girlfriend, Bethany James, 20, during a visit to the National Marine Aquarium in Plymouth. The aquariums team worked with Mr Harrison. The spectacular proposal involved the aquariums divers plunging in the second-largest tank the Eddystone Reef and holding up a Will you marry me? sign when the couple entered the exhibit. Ms James was left speechless, when her boyfriend got down on bended knee to ask for her hand in marriage. She accepted and the couple celebrated with a champagne toast alongside the Eddystone Reefs residents, among them smooth-hound sharks, bull huss sharks, colourful cuckoo wrasse, and other fascinating species. Thick-skinned ENGLAND: The 1,000-year-old practice of printing laws on goat and calf skin will continue, a minister has said just days after the House of Lords signalled the tradition would end. Peers said printing two copies of each act of parliament, one for the parliamentary archives and one for the national archives, on the parchment known as vellum, was extremely expensive. A switch to archival paper, which can survive for up to 500 years, had been expected to save 80,000 (103,600) a year. However, Matt Hancock, the minister for the cabinet office and paymaster general, said the technique was cost-effective. In the near future ENGLAND: Super skyscrapers, underwater cities, and 3D-printed homes will all be a reality in 100 years time, according to a new report. The SmartThings Future Living Report, commissioned by Samsung-owned internet-of-things firm, SmartThings, was compiled by academics and futurologists, who say that humans will be able to live in Earth-scrapers of 25 underground storeys. The academics, who include future architects and urbanists, as well as lecturers from the University of Westminster, suggest that bubble cities will be created underwater, making the depths habitable for humans. They also believe personal drones will become a staple mode of transport. Stole to buy dog food USA: A Pittsburgh woman jailed for four store robberies told police she needed money for dog food and kitty litter. Police said a clerk at a Sunoco petrol station, who was robbed last month and again last week, recognised Melissa Santoro, 28, when she came in to buy cigarettes. Santoro also admitted robbing a Pittsburgh Rite Aid last month, and Jets Pizza in neighbouring Dormont. She told officers a gun she carried was plastic, and she needed money for her pets and to help her mother. Pig out USA: An international animal advocacy group has withdrawn its protest against a New Hampshire winter carnival event that was billed as a greased pig on ice. There is no pig in the act, just a man on skates wearing a pig costume. Carnival organiser, Steve Smith, said People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (Peta) launched its alert, despite his reassurances that no pigs would be harmed. Mr Smith said he received 100 emails from concerned animal lovers. Peta investigator Daphna Nachminovitch told the Associated Press that Mr Smith had not clarified what the event would entail. Hell hath no fury... CHINA: After losing out on his love interest, a wild elephant has turned his attention to cars. Authorities in southern China said the male elephant wandered out of a reservation, following a failed courtship, and started playing with cars parked along a highway, damaging more than a dozen. The government of Xishuangbanna prefecture said the animal had recently lost to another male elephant in a battle for the affections of a female, and that his temperament was moody. New flower species USA: Scientists have discovered a species of ancient flower trapped in amber. US researchers found the two Strychnos electri buds encased in a piece of 15m-year-old fossilised tree resin. Biology professor, George Poinar, of Oregon State University, who made the discovery, said: These flowers looked like they had just fallen from a tree. I thought they might be Strychnos. Botany expert, Lena Struwe, from Rutgers University, in New Jersey, verified that the specimens did not belong to any known species. The discovery of this new species, in a 30-year-old amber collection, highlights that we still have many undiscovered species hidden away in natural history collections worldwide and not enough taxonomic experts to work through them, she said. Strychnos electri has likely been extinct for a long time, but many new species living and, unfortunately, soon-to-be-extinct species, are discovered by scientists every year. Asia Indian Students Protest in Thousands as Government Cracks Down on Dissent Indias biggest nationwide student protests in a quarter of a century spread across campuses on Monday after the arrest of a student accused of sedition. NEW DELHI Indias biggest nationwide student protests in a quarter of a century spread across campuses on Monday after the arrest of a student accused of sedition, in the latest battle with Prime Minister Narendra Modis government over freedom of expression. Outrage over the arrest of the left-wing student leader, who had organized a rally to mark the anniversary of the execution of a Kashmiri separatist, has led to demonstrations in at least 18 universities. In the largest protest, thousands of students and academics at New Delhis prestigious Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) boycotted classes and erected barricades for a fourth day in an escalating conflict with the authorities. The government does not want students to have a say, said Rahila Parween, vice-president of the Delhi unit of the All India Students Federation, a left-wing student union. It wants to dictate what students think, understand and say. The incident marks another flare-up in an ideological confrontation between Modis nationalist government and left-wing and liberal groups that is prompting critics to compare it with Indira Gandhis imposition of a state of emergency in the 1970s to crush dissent. Members of Modis ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) accused the student leader, Kanhaiya Kumar, of anti-India sentiment. One BJP lawmaker said the university, which has a tradition of left-wing politics, should be shut down. I can assure you that every action we take is to protect our country. Any anti-India activity will not be tolerated, BJP President Amit Shah, one of Modis closest allies, said at party headquarters. Protests spread when Kumar was arrested last week for sedition, after giving a speech questioning the hanging in 2013 of Mohammad Afzal Guru over his role in the 2001 attack on parliament. Activists have long questioned Gurus conviction, and Indias Supreme Court has described the evidence against him as circumstantial. Scuffles erupted outside a New Delhi courthouse between lawyers and students where Kumar, 28, was to appear before a judge on Monday. Anti-India Sentiment A leader of the student group that is aligned with the BJP said freedom of expression should not be misused to justify acts that could harm the country. You cannot be an Indian if you celebrate the death anniversary of a terrorist, said Saurabh Sharma, joint secretary of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (All India Student Council). Home Minister Rajnath Singh has, meanwhile, faced ridicule for citing a fake tweet to say that the JNU demonstration had been backed by Hafiz Saeed, a Pakistani militant accused by India of being behind the 2008 attack on Mumbai in which 166 people died. Delhi police circulated the fake tweet at the weekend in a warning to students not to get carried away by such seditious and anti-national rhetoric. A spokesman did not answer calls to his mobile phone on Monday seeking comment. The crackdown signals an utter lack of judgment in the government, where ministers manage to manufacture a national crisis out of what were always, at best, minor affectations in student politics, Pratap Bhanu Mehta, a leading political commentator, wrote in the Indian Express newspaper. Since Modi rose to power in May 2014, people in India have been attacked by Hindus enraged at reports of cowssacred in their religionbeing slaughtered, smuggled or consumed. There has been a series of attacks on churches, while writers have returned awards in protest over the governments silence over a series of murders of secular scholars. At least 18 university campuses witnessed protests on Monday. Students in the eastern city of Kolkata burnt an effigy of Modi and left-wing groups in the neighboring state of Odisha planned state-wide demonstrations. Analysts said the student protests were the most widespread in India since the self-immolation of a young Indian in 1990 after the government ruled in favor of providing affirmative action to the lower castes in higher education. We are witnessing liberal India, particularly young people who are usually more idealistic, fighting back, said Satish Misra, a political analyst at the Observer Research Foundation. Burma Ye Htut Calls on US to Unconditionally Lift Remaining Sanctions Minister of Information Ye Htut was quoted by VOA on Tuesday as calling for the unconditional lifting of all US economic sanctions on Burma. Burmas Minister of Information Ye Htut on Tuesday called on the US to lift remaining sanctions on Burma following the countrys successful elections. Speaking to Voice of America on the sidelines of a US-ASEAN Summit in California, Ye Htut said: At a time when [Burma] has reached another stage in the transition process, proven by the election results, the best way that the US can help Burmese citizens is by unconditionally lifting all economic sanctions against [Burma]. Ye Htut is accompanying Vice President Nyan Tun at the Feb. 15-16 summit hosted by US President Barack Obama. President Thein Sein pulled out of the dialogue at the eleventh hour due, according to Ye Htut, to the countrys delicate transition period. Asked by VOA about the Burmese delegations agenda at the summit, Ye Htut reportedly said they would request the continued assistance of the US and ASEAN governments as a new government prepares to take over on April 1. The US lifted some sanctions against the former pariah state after Thein Seins administration took power in 2011. However, some restrictions remain, including an arms embargo and a blacklist preventing US firms from doing business with targeted individuals. Burma Arrest over Facebook Post a Case of Mistaken Identity, Defendant Says An individual arrested last week over a Facebook post that allegedly defames authorities said he is not the suspect in questiona user called Kyat Pha Gyi. RANGOON An individual arrested last week over a Facebook post that allegedly defames the government and the military has said he is not the suspect in questiona user under the name of Kyat Pha Gyi. In the latest case of defamation involving social media, Hla Phone of Rangoons Mayangone Township was arrested on Feb. 10 for allegedly sharing a post online deemed critical of the military and the outgoing government. He appeared before Mayangone Township Court on Monday. I am not Kyat Pha Gyi. I was wrongly arrested, the 38-year old told the media on Monday. The defendant is reportedly a sailor and is being charged for defamation under Article 66(d) of Burmas Telecommunications Law, the same law under which several cases have been prosecuted in recent months. National League for Democracy supporter Chaw Sandi Tun was sentenced to six months jail in December over a Facebook post that likened military uniforms to womens apparel. Last month, Kachin aid worker Patrick Khum Jaa Lee also received a six month sentence for allegedly sharing a photo of a man dressed in traditional Kachin attire stomping on an image of Burma Army chief Snr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing. Another Facebook user was criticized by Burmese netizens earlier this month after he posted comments threatening violence if a constitutional clause barring Aung San Suu Kyi from the presidency was amended. In Hla Phones case, a complaint was filed by Lt-Col Soe Win Maw of Rangoon Command. The complaint states that Kyat Pha Gyis account has been defaming the army chief, the military and the president by posting photoshopped pictures and text, according to Rangoon Western District Police Office, where the complaint was made. Kyat Pha Gyis Facebook account is still active and on Tuesdaynearly a week after Hla Phones arresta new post appeared reading: I was sorry for Ko Hla Phone who has been mistaken [] as Kyat Pha Gyi. Please pray for him. At the end of the post, the account user disclosed his name: Kyaw Kyaw Min a.k.a. Kyat Pha Gyi. The defendants lawyer Robert San Aung said if the plaintiff can provide evidence, the trial will go ahead. If not, they have to release him, he told the media after Mondays court appearance. Burma Ethnic Leaders Draft Policy to Reflect Common Vision in Future Peace Talks Representatives from the UNFC and various domestic and international advisors attend a workshop to discuss security issues and Burmas peace process. CHIANG MAI, THAILAND Ethnic representatives from the United Nationalities Federal Council (UNFC) and various domestic and international advisors gathered to discuss security issues and Burmas peace process in northern Thailands Chiang Mai this week. Titled Security, Defense and Current Political Situation Workshop, the three-day event was organized by the Ethnic Nationalities Affairs Centre (ENAC), an organization focused on providing training and drafting policy that will support Burmas peace process. Khu Oo Reh, the general secretary of the UNFCa coalition of 11 ethnic armed groups (EAOs)said on Tuesday that the workshop was held in preparation to present collective policies on each sector at a future political dialogue. Khu Oo Reh is also the secretary of ENACs board of directors. The leaders in the workshop explored different approaches to security sector reform (SSR) and disarmament, disintegration and reintegration (DDR) processes from other countries, such as Nepal and Northern Ireland. The discussion helps us to think best [about] how to transform and integrate the armed groups during Burmas transition period, but not by copying [the others] ways, said Khu Oo Reh. Eight armed groups signed the governments so-called nationwide ceasefire agreement (NCA) in October 2015, including UNFC members the Chin National Front and the Pa-O National Liberation Organization. The two groups membership of the alliance was subsequently suspended. We will share our draft policies with the EAOs to get approval and recommendations from them before the political dialogue [continues], so that we will have a common vision when the time comes for the talks, said Khu Oo Reh. The alliance has said they are also ready to work with the new National League for Democracy (NLD)-led government, but an official channel for talks between the UNFC and the NLD has yet to form. Since its formation in 2013, ENAC has been providing a series of workshops and trainings for civil society and EAO leadership on issues concerning politics, economics, land rights, humanitarian aid, resource governance and security. Leaders participating in this weeks workshop emphasized the need for such policy talks, noting that Burmas public has been denied the opportunity to participate in decisions regarding education, health, investment and the environment due to the lack of a federal system. Sai Nyunt Lwin, general secretary of the Shan Nationalities League for Democracy (SNLD) and a member of ENACs board of directors, said that future policy briefings would have to be shared with local civil society groups. Awareness of the peace process, he said, is the most significant issue after that of the governments transfer of power. Peace building is not only talking about signing the ceasefire with the various armed groups. It also has to be creating peace, stability and rule of law in the country, he told The Irrawaddy. Burma Four Civilians Killed in Car Crash While Fleeing Fighting in Shan State Four people were reportedly killed and 11 injured in a car accident as civilians fled armed conflict in northern Shan States Kyaukme Township. KYAUKME, Shan State Four people were reportedly killed and 11 injured in a car accident as civilians fled armed conflict in northern Shan States Kyaukme Township on Monday. The accident occurred near Khaung Khar village, as civilians fled ongoing armed conflict between the Restoration Council of Shan State/Shan State Army-South (RCSS/SSA-S) and the Taang National Liberation Army (TNLA) near Tauk San village, where clashes broke out last week. On Monday, the fighting reached neighboring Kyauk Phyu village. A relative caring for one of the injured in a Kyaukme public hospital said the deceased included an elderly woman, a novice Buddhist monk, and two other men. Those four died on the spot, she said. In the Weekly Regional Humanitarian Snapshot for February 9-15, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported that over 3,000 people have been displaced by conflict in the region. The figures included 2,500 from the Tauk San area, and 800 from nearby Namkham Township. Fighting between Shan and Taang forces began in late November and has intensified since February 7. Burma Free Funeral Services Society Announces Organic Farming Initiative In an effort to improve food quality in Burma, famed civil society organization FFSS announces it will open an organic farming institute. RANGOON Famed civil society organization Free Funeral Services Society (FFSS) announced that it will expand its mandate to provide trainings in organic farming in an effort to improve food quality in Burma. Myint Myint Khin Pe, co-founder of FFSS, told The Irrawaddy that the organization will open an institute to provide trainings in agricultural practices. The workshops are expected to begin later this year. Founded in 2001, FFSS is based in Rangoon and was originally established to provide funeral services free of charge to the poor. The organization is also known for its education initiatives, waste collection and free health care services offered through its affiliate, the Thukha Charity Clinic. Many food products in our country are harmful to our health. Even at our Thukha Clinic, the number of patients is increasing because of those unhygienic foods. We would like to do this to be able to produce chemical free and hygienic foods and thus promote public health, Myint Myint Khin Pe said. She said the organic farming institute will be established on 17 acres of land in Pegu Division, 13 acres of which were given to the organization by a donor. FFSS will also arrange accommodation for those who must travel long distances to study at the institute. FFSS announced through social media that they hope to attract many volunteers through the new institute and encourage philanthropy among youth. Burma Jade Trade: Official Export Earnings Down for 2015 Revenue from official jade exports declined from April-December 2015, as the industry continues to draw fire over safety and environmental concerns. RANGOON Revenue derived from Burmas official jade exports declined in the first nine months of the 2015-16 fiscal year, as the lucrative industry continues to draw fire over safety, ethical and environmental concerns. According to figures from the Ministry of Commerce, US$567 million in revenue was derived from jade exports from April to December last year, compared to $1.4 billion for the 2014-15 fiscal year. Seaborne trade accounted for $262 million, while $305 million was attributed to overland trade. On the apparent drop in official export figuresalbeit with three months of the fiscal year yet to be talliedWin Myint, director of the Ministry of Commerces trade promotion department, said the government was really only stimulating the jade market within Burma. The last jade emporium, held exclusively for domestic traders, took place in December in Naypyidaw, with over 6,800 lots on display. While the precious stone is sold officially at separate emporiums for domestic and international buyers, the majority of Burmas jade is smuggled illegally over the border with China. The extent of illegal earnings is not captured in official data but a report by Global Witness in October last year estimated that up to $31 billion in jade left the country in 2014. The watchdogs investigation found that much of the profit from the illicit trade was linked to government and military elites. The industry was also tarnished by a series of deadly landslides in Kachin States Hpakant in 2015, the worst of which killed over 100 local prospectors in November. Many so-called hand-pickers are drawn to Hpakant Township from around the country to sift through huge piles of waste discarded by mining companies in search of valuable stone. Jade remains one of Burmas key export items, with China, Hong Kong and Taiwan among the leading target countries. As quoted in the state-run Global New Light of Myanmar on Tuesday, an unnamed commerce ministry official said total exports were still expected to hit $1 billion by the close of the current fiscal year. Tun Hla Aung, secretary of the Myanmar Gems and Jewelry Entrepreneurs Association, said the Chinese government was more strictly monitoring large overseas bank transfers, limiting Chinese traders ability to acquire funds to purchase jade. Min Thu, assistant director of the Myanmar Gems Enterprise, concurred that many Chinese jade traders couldnt get loans from banks to make jade purchases. Burma Lower House Tables Motion Calling for an End to Shan State Clashes A Lower House lawmaker representing the Shan Nationalities League for Democracy submitted a proposal on Tuesday urging for an end to fighting in Shan State. Sai Tun Aung, a Lower House lawmaker for Kyaukme Township representing the Shan Nationalities League for Democracy (SNLD), submitted a proposal on Tuesday calling for an end to fighting in Shan State. I urge the national government, the Shan State government and all concerned bodies to end clashes in the Palaung Self-Administered Zone and Kyaukme Township as soon as possible and to take care of suffering war victims, as the lives of citizens, teachers and students are at grave risk, Sai Tun Aung told fellow MPs. His proposal was seconded by Nan Kham Aye of Namtu Township, also from the SNLD. The motion was put to a vote and approved by the Parliaments Lower House for further discussion. Renewed clashes broke out between the Shan State Army-South (SSA-S) and the Taang National Liberation Army (TNLA) on Feb. 7 in northern Shan State, displacing over 3,000 civilians. There are over 600 people caught in clashes in Nyaung Maung and Nyaung Bin Hla villages [in Kyaukme Township]. They have phoned many times to plead for rescue. But we are not able to get there, Sai Maung Than, the leader of a volunteer group helping displaced villagers, told The Irrawaddy. At a time when we should be promoting the educational standards of our citizens, teachers and students trapped in these war zones have to flee, said Nan Kham Aye. Lower House Speaker Win Myint said the proposal will be discussed at a session on Wednesday. The Shan State Progress Party/Shan State Army-North (SSPP/SSA-N) has offered to mediate a resolution between the two ethnic armed groups. Further clashes were reported on Monday. Burma New Sewage Treatment Plants Planned for Rangoon YCDC is planning to build a number of sewage treatment plants across the city with the assistance of Japans development arm, state media reported Tuesday. RANGOON Rangoons municipal body is planning to build a number of sewage treatment plants throughout the city with the assistance of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), state-run media reported on Tuesday. The new plants are expected to cater for almost 50 percent of the commercial capitals population, according to an official from the Yangon City Development Committee, quoted by the Global New Light of Myanmar. No commencement date or deadlines were specified. The YCDC official told the state-run daily that Rangoons current sewage system is no longer able to treat sewage water and that only six townships currently have septic tank systems. Burma Tay Za-Owned Hotel Barred from Hosting Political Trainings A hotel owned by Burmese business tycoon Tay Za in the countrys capital has been warned against sponsoring future trainings for political parties. RANGOON A hotel owned by Burmese business tycoon Tay Za in the countrys capital has been warned by the Naypyidaw Council against sponsoring trainings for political parties. The notification letter, signed by Col. Min Naung of the council and addressed to Htoo Construction Development Group, stated that 10 companies had in the past been given approval to build hotels in Naypyidaws Dekkhinathiri Township with loans provided by the state-owned Myanma Economic Bank with a 15-year repayment option. Until these loans are paid back in full to the Naypyidaw Development Committee, the capitals municipal body, the hotels remain state-owned and therefore prohibited from holding meetings for political parties, the letter said. Among the 10 hotels, the Tay Za-owned Shwe San Eain Hotel reportedly sponsored two trainings in December for incoming National League for Democracy (NLD) lawmakers, backed by the Asia Green Development Bank, also owned by Tay Za. Ma Thandar, a Lower House lawmaker with the NLD, who attended one of the partys training sessions in Rangoon, confirmed that a session was held at the Shwe San Eain Hotel ahead of the new Parliament. Myo Yan Naung Thein, secretary of the NLD central research management team, which helps to arrange the trainings, posted to his Facebook page on Tuesday that he asked Tay Za to help provide training space and that the government was trying to stop NLD trainings. Chit Khine, owner of the Hilton Myanmar Hotel, also included on the list, said that he has agreed to follow the rules stipulated by the Naypyidaw Council. There was no punishment mentioned in the letter to us, just restrictions, he said. The NLD has accepted donations from so-called cronies in the past, including at a fundraiser event held to mark the second anniversary of the founding of its Rangoon education network, for which Tay Zas Htoo Group of Companies contributed funds. Tay Za remains on a US blacklist preventing American companies from doing business with him. NLD party members, including chairwoman Aung San Suu Kyi, have denied there is any ethical dilemma involved in accepting money, saying that it is a matter of convenience. Tuesday, February 16th, 2016 (12:01 am) - Score 3,623 The government has launched a new consultation on proposals that would require all pornographic Internet content providers (e.g. websites) to introduce Age Verification Systems, with the hope being that this would prevent vulnerable children from accessing potentially damaging material. But children will probably find a way around it. The Government claims that their new legal requirement will put the responsibility squarely on the shoulders of companies who create and profit from online pornography, which happily suggests that the focus is more on the content providers themselves and not Internet access providers in general (the big ISPs already offer network-level parental controls for blocking porn sites). Under the proposals set out in the consultation, the government will: * Establish a new requirement in law for commercial providers to have in place robust age verification controls for online pornographic content in the UK. * Legislate to establish a new regulatory framework, underpinned by civil sanctions. And under the proposals, the new regulatory framework and civil regime will: * Involve giving a regulator or regulators powers to enforce the new law, supported by a sufficiently flexible enforcement regime. * Monitor compliance with the new law by commercial pornography providers. * Enable those that support the business model of pornographic content providers (such as payment providers, advertisers and other ancillary services) to withdraw services from commercial providers in breach of the law. * Impose sanctions where breaches have been identified and providers remain non-compliant. * Give the regulator discretion to set and monitor standards for age verification controls. Some of the measures, such as those that would be placed upon payment providers and advertisers, could make it much harder for even some non-UK focused content / porn providers to simply ignore the law. This is also important because any future reliance on mandatory blocking of adult websites in the United Kingdom, should that occur at ISP-level (this is being considered), would not on its own be effective enough to prevent children, specifically those who go actively seeking such content, from finding their way around the filters. Baroness Shields, Internet Safety and Security Minister, said: The internet is a tremendous resource for learning and creativity but it is important to make sure that children are able to make the most of all it has to offer in a safe way. Keeping children safe online is one of governments greatest priorities. Just as we do offline, we want to make sure children are prevented from accessing pornographic content online which should only be viewed by adults. So we are delivering on our manifesto promise by launching this consultation today, which proposes we require companies providing this pornographic content to ensure they have safeguards in place to ensure those accessing their websites are over 18. One of the obvious challenges in all of this will be in delivering a reliable age verification check in the first place. The obvious fix is to require Credit Card Verification (CVV), but how many people would risk entrusting such sensitive private details to related websites. On top of that its important to stress that not all adults have or are even allowed a credit card and some cards can also be jointly held by a minor. Equally it will be interesting to see how big Internet search engines, such as Google and Bing, react to the news as its technically incredibly difficult for their image search algorithm to accurately ensure that all such images can be automatically blocked from prying eyes. No doubt there will also be plenty of sites that dont rely on UK linked payment or advertising services and will thus simply ignore the measures. A global agreement is needed in order to really close the tap on porn. The consultation itself will run until midday on 12th April 2016. Tuesday, February 16th, 2016 (8:31 am) - Score 2,118 Cable Internet and TV provider Virgin Media (Liberty Global) has published their results for Q4 2015 and revealed that they added +69,100 broadband users in the quarter to make for a total of 4,694,900 (up from the +55,500 added in Q3 2015). The new 300Mbps service will also be extended to Home Workers. On top of that Virgin Media reports that the progress of their Project Lighting network expansion, which aims to cover 17 million premises in urban areas by 2020 (60-65% UK coverage), has been good and theyve so far put an additional 250,000 premises within reach of their network. Virgin also expects to add another 500,000 in 2016 (the completed expansion will add an extra 4 million premises). As a result of the above Virgins Two-Way Homes Passed figure (i.e. homes on those sections of Virgins cable network that are technologically capable of providing two-way services, including video and Internet) has reached 12,891,300. Another interesting piece of news in todays report is that the recently launched ultrafast 300Mbps broadband service for SME businesses (here) will be extended and made available to home office workers in March 2016, which will mark Virgin Medias first ever targeted proposition for this customer group and is one step away from making it a residential package (sadly that might not happen until much later this year). Tom Mockridge, Virgin Media CEO, said: These results demonstrate a strong financial performance from Virgin Media. Weve grown revenue and operating cash flow and improved cost control, since becoming part of Liberty Global. More people than ever are choosing to switch to the UKs fastest broadband speeds from Virgin Media, whether they are at home, at work or on the go. At this point we should add that some 45% of Virgin Medias cable broadband subscribers now take their 100Mbps or faster packages, which is up from 43% in the previous quarter and 31% at the end of 2014. Last years VIVID speed boosts had a big hand in that and took the top domestic package to a maximum download speed of 200Mbps. Elsewhere its worth noting that Liberty Global has today announced an asset merger deal with Vodafone in the Netherlands. Granted this does not have an impact upon the United Kingdom, but such a deal had been proposed for the UK before and we cant help but wonder if Vodafone will use the Dutch approach as a test case for something similar in the UK at a later date. Meanwhile, on the financial front, Virgin Media delivered total quarterly UK revenue of 1,122.6m and their monthly Average Revenue Per Customer Relationship (ARPU) was 49.74, which is down slightly from Q3 2015s 49.77. The operator is also home to 3,016,400 mobile subscribers (EE network), which is down from 3,027,300 in Q3. 5 Conversations IT Needs to Have with C-Level Peers Organizations are not looking to upgrade older technology simply because its outdated. Theyll upgrade their technology if and when the upgrade helps to achieve a specific business objective. According to Paul Lidsky, president and CEO of Datalink, a data center and cloud services provider in Eden Prairie, Minn., that was the most important finding of a recent survey of IT professionals that was commissioned by Datalink. I had the opportunity to speak with Lidsky shortly after the surveys release, and he explained a key shift that has occurred over the past couple of yearsa shift he said has been illustrated by his conversations with clients: Technology is the foundation, but instead of talking to us about what technology they need, the clients are beginning to talk to us, and were talking to them, about what they want to achieve with the business. And were having that discussion with IT executives. An IT executive is a business executive todayits a very important distinction from the past. When I meet with CIOs and senior IT executives, I never have a meeting about technology. All they want to talk about is how Datalink can help them achieve some strategic business objective. We never have a discussion about the underlying technology. I do several hundred client meetings a year with senior executives, and they never ask me a technology question. All they want to talk about is, Heres a set of business objectives I havecan you help me with this? Given all of that, I was surprised by the fact that about one-third (32 percent) of the respondents are still saying that IT operational outcomes or goals take a higher priority over key business outcomes or goals when making IT investment decisions. I asked Lidsky what he made of that, and he said the point is that that group now only constitutes one-third, instead of two-thirds: I think if youd done this survey a couple of years ago, that one-third would have been a much greater proportion. I certainly dont think that 100 percent of IT decision-makers have concluded that aligning with business is what they want to do. But I would hazard a guess and say that that one-third will get smaller every year. There is no indication that this shift toward business outcomes, and aligning IT with business strategy, is going to do anything but increase in importance. More and more IT executives realize that their best way to remain relevant, and the best way in which they can serve their organizations, is to be enablers of their companys business and strategic objectives. I also found it especially interesting that on a question about the status of particular technology initiatives in the respondents companies, public cloud, private cloud, and hybrid cloud were at the top, or near the top, of the list of technology initiatives that the respondents said they dont have any plans to undertake. I asked Lidsky, as the CEO of a cloud services provider, if that bothers him. He said it doesnt: You have to remember the evolution were going through. Two years ago, when I would meet with financial analysts every quarter, their biggest concern was whether the public cloud was going to gobble up every data center, and what business Datalink was going to be in. Now, its understood that cloud computing has a role in almost every data center. But ultimately, what we all believe is that most clients will end up with a hybrid model of some sort. Some dont even realize theyre doing it. A client who uses a CRM application in the cloud doesnt always associate that with a hybrid model, even though theyre using the public cloud and they have an internal data center. I think that cloud computing has a role in data centers, but not in every data center. And I also think that not every business is prepared today to take advantage of cloud computing, nor wants to. So I think we all realize that cloud computing is an important aspect of our business, especially helping clients design and operate private and hybrid clouds. But we also understand that there are many other business issues facing our clients that have nothing to do with whether or not they use cloud computing. And I think thats what the survey shows. While we talk about cloud computing all day, every day, it doesnt necessarily translate that every client is moving to a cloud computing model. A contributing writer on IT management and career topics with IT Business Edge since 2009, Don Tennant began his technology journalism career in 1990 in Hong Kong, where he served as editor of the Hong Kong edition of Computerworld. After returning to the U.S. in 2000, he became Editor in Chief of the U.S. edition of Computerworld, and later assumed the editorial directorship of Computerworld and InfoWorld. Don was presented with the 2007 Timothy White Award for Editorial Integrity by American Business Media, and he is a recipient of the Jesse H. Neal National Business Journalism Award for editorial excellence in news coverage. Follow him on Twitter @dontennant. The Five Dos and Donts of Virtualization While its taken some time, network virtualization is now quickly becoming fairly common. The challenge now is finding a way to apply network virtualization to support heterogeneous IT environments. To meet that challenge, Midokura created Midokura Enterprise MidoNet (MEM), an instance of a virtual network that can be deployed in an OpenStack environment while still being integrated with existing VMware vSphere technologies. With the release of MEM 5.0, Midokura is now looking to provide more visibility into virtual networks via the addition of visualization tools that make it easier to track network flows and monitor bandwidth consumptions using, for example, port mirrors. In general, Susan Wu, director of technical marketing for Midokura says, once organizations embrace OpenStack as a framework for managing new classes of application workloads, they start looking for a more robust approach to network virtualization. Not only is the network virtualization technology provided within OpenStack difficult to scale, Wu notes, but organizations need an approach to network virtualization that can also span a variety of legacy networking environments using MidoNet Gateway software. As a foundational component for creating a software-defined network (SDN), network virtualization plays a critical role by providing a layer of abstraction above network hardware and software that makes it simpler to manage a complex IT environment. Now enterprise IT organizations are starting to leverage that layer of abstraction to fundamentally change the way those networks are managed. Naturally, that change involves both new technologies and fundamental changes to the culture of the IT department itself. Of course, thats a whole lot easier to accomplish when everyone involved has visibility into whats actually occurring on the virtual networks. Get unlimited access to all content and features at ivpressonline.com with our Full Online Access Subscription. Read our E-Edition, the digital replica of the print newspaper online, access content in exclusive sections including Family, Teen, Business, Databases, Farm and more. This option does not include daily home delivery of the Imperial Valley Press newspaper. For home delivery service, please select Premium or Premium Plus. Apple's new projects have always been a cause of public speculation, and excitement. One of the greatest by far in the companys on set of mystery projects is the question: Is Apple coming up with its own car, the iCar? One of the many things that gave rise to the rumors of Apple's own iCar is when Ford executive Don Butler welcomed competition from Apple and Google. He claimed it was a "change they were embracing", in an interview with TrustedReviews. Apple's purchase of car-related domain names was another clue for iCar speculations out there. Whois, a service that locates data about specific domain names and IP addresses, revelaed that Apple had bought domain names related to cars, like apple.car, apple.cars and apple.auto in December 2015. It is, however, significant that none of these domains are active at present. Tesla chief executive Elon Musk has also reportedly talked about Apple's iCar when he spoke to BBC. Musk seemed confident that Apple would make a compelling electric car, even saying it was "the obvious thing to do." There is also speculation that a new car manufacturer, Faraday Future, could be a front for Apple's electric car, if there is to be one. Faraday Future, a relatively new manufacturer first came up earlier this year as a Tesla competitor. Interestingly, both companies' namesakes are famous scientists, Nikola Tesla and Michael Faraday. They are both also interested in electric vehicles. Faraday Future's plans were unclear in the beginning, but the company recently proclaimed they'd be investing $1 billion in a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in either California, Georgia, Louisiana or Nevada. Apple, reports claim, has bought a massive land in California. Interestingly, it is exactly where Faraday Future said they'd be investing. The new company has also received a huge $1 billion in funding. Word has it that Apple is behind that, too. That along with the fact that no CEO has been announced for Faraday Future, instigates one iCar sized rumor in your hands. It is hard to hide a project as big as the iCar considering the large amount of experts needed. The Wall Street Journal claims that Doug Betts has been hired by Apple. Betts has 25 years of experience working for Nissan and Toyota; and the fact that he changed his LinkedIn profile to describe his current job as "operation-Apple Inc." Apple has also reportedly hired Paul Furgale, Swiss researcher responsible for the V-Charge project developing self-parking cars, and battery experts from Samsung. Project Titan's growing size - tripling, namely - could also be evidence of the iCar. A recent report from the Wall Street Journal claims that Project Titan went from a 600-person team to an 1800-person team. "Narcos" season 2 updates keep fans afloat as they wait for more information about the upcoming run. New reports claimed that the new season has been slated to return to Netflix on August 2016, exactly a year after the previous run premiered. Sources claimed that filming has already begun, but the plot remains to be a mystery to the public as of writing. "Reports say that filming for the crime drama TV series has already commenced in Bogota, Colombia," Master Herald noted. The article continued to say that Boyd Holbrook's character, DEA agent Steve Murphy, will also have a challenging role to play as much as Wagner Moura's Pablo Escobar. "There is no official synopsis yet for the second season of "Narcos" given that there are about six months to go before its premiere," the article continued. "Reports say that the DEA agent will amp up his mission to bring down Escobar and put an end to the Medellin cartel." It would be inevitable to see Escobar's death in "Narcos" season 2 as fans already saw a great extent of his rise to power in the first season. As many argued, there won't be a lot to show in the upcoming run than the kingpin's fall and demise. However, many are speculating that that could be a great way for Netlfix to turn the show into an anthology featuring drug lords that assumed Escobar's position after his death. "If Netflix is clever about it, season 2 could be the perfect gateway into a new story, wrapping up Escobar's tale and transforming Narcos into an anthology series with a new focus every season (or two), like American Crime Story," Movie Pilot reported. "Not only would that keep Narcos fresh long after Escobar is dead and buried, it would also allow the series to tap into themes so far unexplored, like the impact of the thriving cocaine trade on low-income neighbourhoods of the US' biggest cities, or the struggles of the political elite to stay on top of the war on drugs." Stay tuned for more "Narcos" season 2 news here! Ikea has been known for its multi-national stores world wide. Recently, the company is now known to have evaded taxes worth $1.1 billion, calling it a "large scale tax avoidance". The company has been accused of evading $1.1 Billion in taxes from 2009 until 2014. The Green Party in the European Parliament has posted a report explaining that the company deliberately shifted money among its stores in Europe via a subsidiary in Netherlands. Ultimately, it ended up untaxed in Lichtenstein or Luxembourg. It was found that in 2014, about $39 million were missing tax revenues in Germany. The same goes in France, for $26 million and $13 million in the UK. Ikea has already spoken against the accusation. The company has recently released a statement in response to the allegations. "We pay our taxes in full compliance with national and international tax rules and regulations," the company explained as their defense against the complaint. They call it "profit shifting". Profit shifting is recently found to be a common practice for multinational companies operating in EU. They station first in low tax based countries and then funnel their profits through these places. Countries that are low tax include Ireland and Luxembourg. The European Commission has already promised it would study the report as the regulating group is keen on cracking down on cases like these and closing any or all tax loopholes that enables corporate tax avoidance. Ikea stands firm by its recent statement and financial analysts and market investors can do nothing but wait for the European Commission to report its findings on the loophole the company was allegedly exploiting. If found to be true, Ikea may not only face legal and government sanctions but may also likely face losses in consumer and investor confidence. Breaking News: Mount Prospect Man Who Took Life Of Arlington Heights Resident Over Cannabis Gets 60 Years In Prison Land and Space Journal Sentinel business reporter Tom Daykin talks about commercial real estate and development. SHARE By of the Plastic parts maker HellermannTyton North America's proposed $20 million expansion has been recommended for approval by the Milwaukee Plan Commission. The company wants to add 106,000 square feet of light industrial space, and 20,000 square feet of offices, to its 191,000-square-foot building at 6701 W. Good Hope Road. HellermannTyton also is planning a three-level, 339-space parking structure to accommodate its growing workforce. "There's not a lot of room for paking at the site at this time," said project architect Craig Eide, principal of Foundation Architects LLC, at Monday's commission meeting. The expansion plans need Common Council approval. The facility, which completed a $13 million expansion in 2015, will have nearly 600 employees after additional hiring for the next project is completed, said Rick Rice, director of manufacturing. It now has around 300 employees. HellermannTyton has 545 Milwaukee employees at the Good Hope facility, the company's North American headquarters, at 7930 N. Faulkner Road, and another facility at 8475 N. 87th St. The company makes products for fastening, fixing, identifying and protecting cables and their connecting components. In 2012, the Common Council and Mayor Tom Barrett approved a tax incremental financing district to help pay for HellermannTyton's $9.5 million purchase and redevelopment of the Good Hope Road facility, which was vacant. The district allows the company to recover $750,000 through property tax rebates on the building's improvements. In 2014, the council approved plans to more than double the size of that facility. That project was completed in September. Rick Anderson (left), chief executive officer of Smart Choice MRI, pays a visit as Brandi Branchfield, an MRI technician, gets ready for a patient at the companys Pewaukee location. Credit: Michael Sears SHARE By of the Rick Anderson, the chief executive of Smart Choice MRI, received an unlikely call last spring: Executives from ThedaCare wanted to meet with him. Smart Choice, known for its MRIs costing a flat fee of $600 or less, planned to open an imaging center in Appleton, and ThedaCare, a health system based in Fox Valley, soon would be a competitor. "Our team was rather guarded the first couple of meetings we had," Anderson said. However, the first meeting, in which more than a half a dozen ThedaCare executives, including Dean Gruner, a physician and chief executive, traveled to Mequon, went well. The ThedaCare executives said they thought that they could learn a few things from Smart Choice and they were interested in partnering with the company. Those meetings led to an agreement announced last week that ThedaCare is investing $3 million in SmartChoice. The health system, in short, is investing in one of its competitors. "Health care needs to change," said Keith Livingston a senior vice president and chief information officer at ThedaCare. "We want to be leading the change." Change comes slowly to health care, he acknowledged. But there are signs from retail clinics in drugstores to on-site clinics at employers that new ways of delivering care gradually are taking hold. They are part of what has been called the "convenience revolution." "Consumer demand for shorter waits and easier access is forcing providers to develop new and more convenient portals to care," according to a brief by RAND Health, a nonprofit research institution. Smart Choice is an example of one of those new portals. The company, which has six imaging centers in Wisconsin, is opening four imaging centers in the Chicago area. The first opened on Monday. It then plans to open four in the Twin Cities and an additional five in the Chicago area this year. "If everything goes according to plan, we go from six at the beginning of the year to 19," Anderson said. Smart Choice also has brought a modicum of price competition to MRI scans. An MRI at a Smart Choice imaging center can cost $1,000 less and at times several thousand dollars less than at a hospital. Its flat fee of $600 or less includes the cost of having the scan read by a radiologist at Cleveland Clinic. Yet its imaging centers can turn a profit within their first month of opening. The company also has brought price transparency to at least one basic medical service and price transparency is rare in health care. Prices for the same service can vary by thousands of dollars from one hospital to another in the same city and even more from city to city. For example, the cost of knee arthroscopy with ACL surgery can range from $8,590 to $22,841 in the Milwaukee area, according to the Guroo.com website, an outgrowth of the Health Care Cost Institute, a nonprofit organization created to make claims data from health insurers available to researchers. More health insurers, including UnitedHealthcare, Humana and Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Wisconsin, are making price information available to their customers. But getting the cost of a basic medical service still can require Herculean effort, or at least saintly patience. "If you call a hospital and ask what an MRI costs, they can't tell you," Anderson said. At the same time, more people have an incentive to find out what basic medical services cost. Almost one in four workers is in a high-deductible health plan defined as a plan with an annual deductible of $1,300 for an individual and $2,600 for a family, according to a recent brief by Health Affairs, a policy journal, and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Many have much higher deductibles. And the maximum out-of-pocket limit for health plans sold on the federal marketplaces set up through the Affordable Care Act was $6,450 for an individual and $12,900 for a family last year. Some employers also have begun giving incentives such as $100 rebates or gift cards to employees who get care from hospitals, doctors and other health care providers who provided quality care at a lower cost. Roughly 100 employers, such as QuadGraphics and Rexnord, are doing that with Smart Choice, Anderson said. They include the City of Appleton where ThedaCare is based. Livingston and Anderson both referred to "retail medicine," and price is the only part of appeal of Smart Choice's imaging centers. Someone who gets an MRI at a hospital may have to find a space in a large parking structure, find the imaging department in a large hospital and then wait 45 minutes, Anderson said. At a Smart Choice imaging center, patients pull into a parking lot and don't have to wait. The centers also are open until 9:45 p.m., so people don't have to leave work. "And if you call up and say I can't get there till 10, we'll stay open for you," Anderson said. "It's our job to figure out how to make health care more affordable," Livingston said. The amount Medicare pays for the service is less than Smart Choice's flat fee, Livingston said. The challenge is to simplify a complex system and possibly lower prices while still meeting the health system's goal of having an operating profit margin of 4% to 6%, Livingston said. That won't be easy. But Livingston, who will have a seat on Smart Choice's board, believes that Smart Choice will have some lessons that help. The two may be able to collaborate on other ventures, he said. And ThedaCare also sensed a promising investment. Smart Choice has identified 19 markets where it stands a good chance of doing well, Anderson said. "For now, it is land grab for us," he said. "We have got to get into as many markets as possible." The company plans to focus on the markets with the highest prices for a MRI scan. "We look for that spread," Anderson said. Smart Choice has raised about $8 million from equity investors so far, including the $3 million investment from ThedaCare. But it will need to raise additional money to fund its expansion. The investment from ThedaCare, Anderson said, could lead to similar investments from other health systems. It also was an endorsement, of sorts, from a respected health care system. "If we didn't think it was good quality care,we won't have gotten involved," Livingston said. SHARE By of the Milwaukee police are searching for a known suspect in the killing of a man who died last weekend after walking into a hospital with a gunshot wound. Authorities identified the victim on Monday as 44-year-old Robert J. Brown. He was shot about 7:15 p.m. Saturday in the 3000 block of W. Wisconsin Ave. and then walked into a hospital for treatment, according to a police news release. Also on Monday, police said prosecutors have ruled the homicide of Dominique E. Parker justifiable self-defense. Parker, 22, was shot about 8:45 a.m. Jan. 13 in the 7700 block of W. Kathryn Ave. Milwaukee police said the homicide was a result of a drug-deal turned robbery in which the gunman, a 34-year-old Milwaukee man, shot and killed Parker in self-defense. As of Monday, 10 homicides have been recorded, following federal crime reporting guidelines. That total does not include two killings that of Parker and Michael A. Schafrik that authorities ruled were self-defense. As of this time last year, Milwaukee had recorded 17 homicides. Charged with felony murder are (clockwise from top) Ian LeFlore, Lakisha Love-Schoos, Oshay Randolph and Diondray Willis. Love-Schoos was married to the victim, Michael Schoos. Credit: Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office SHARE Michael R. Schoos Submitted photo Shaquille M. Walker Milwaukee County Sheriff's Offic By of the A 23-year-old woman is facing felony murder charges after prosecutors say she set up a robbery targeting her husband, who was killed in the resulting home invasion. Police say Lakisha L. Love-Schoos confessed to her role in planning the robbery of 54-year-old Michael Schoos, according to a criminal complaint released Monday. Ian Westly LeFlore, 28; Oshay Shayfer Randolph, 23; and Diondray L. Willis, 24 also face felony murder charges. A fifth suspect, Shaquille M. Walker, 22, was charged last month in the killing. Schoos was shot and killed about 6:15 a.m. Oct. 20 at his home in the 7100 block of W. Appleton Ave. According to the criminal complaint: Love-Schoos told police she met LeFlore at a car wash, where the two had sex and devised a plan to rob Schoos in which she would leave the door unlocked, according to the complaint. Love-Schoos told detectives "she was tired of arguing and fighting" with Schoos. LeFlore told police he had known Love-Schoos for about four years and had just been kicked out of his apartment by his girlfriend when he met up with her. She said Schoos would not be home in the early morning hours, LeFlore recalled. The next day Oct. 20 LeFlore said he was in the area of N. 44th and W. Hadley streets and ran into Willis, Randolph, Walker and a fourth unknown man. The five men got into Willis' car. LeFlore claimed that Willis suggested robbing what he believed to be a drug house on the city's north side. When they got to the house in the 4900 block of W. Fairmount Ave., Willis, Randolph and Walker exited and fired several shots before running back to the car. LeFlore said since that home invasion was unsuccessful, he suggested they rob the Schoos' residence because he thought no one would be home. The group went to the house, pulled Love-Schoos into the breezeway at gunpoint and ransacked the house. LeFlore said he saw Randolph shoot Schoos in the back. Investigators also linked the suspects to the killing through ballistic evidence. A detective located a .40-caliber casing in the bedroom where Schoos had been killed. A Milwaukee police technician determined there was a possible correlation between that casing and those casings recovered outside the home on Fairmount Ave., which indicating they may have been fired from the same gun. Those casings are being tested at the State Crime Laboratory. The technician found another possible correlation to a casing picked up at the scene of a shooting on Oct. 15. Randolph is charged in that case. Randolph and Willis also are charged with first-degree recklessly endangering safety in connection with the W. Fairmount Ave. shooting. Using note cards that describe a scenario at a party that leads to a sexual assault, students at Marquette University attend a mandatory first-year sexual misconduct prevention program. Students attend a session at the start of the school year with others from their floor in the university residence halls. Credit: Rick Wood SHARE By of the On a crisp fall evening, dozens of University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee students rallied in the streets for Take Back the Night, the annual march to protest sexual and domestic violence. A sense of urgency and momentum was in the air. The marchers passed a large gray house occupied by Tau Kappa Epsilon, whose members stood accused in mid-September of slipping date rape drugs into drinks during a party. The fraternity's affiliation with the university has been suspended. Last year, there were three reports of sexual assault at Tau Kappa Epsilon, though charges were not filed. Across town at Marquette University, three fraternities last spring received official warnings after reports of sexual misconduct. Complaints against fraternity members were handled through student misconduct channels, and the university ordered the fraternitiesto undergo training. And 55 miles to the southwest, UW-Whitewater is under federal investigation after the Department of Education in May released a list of 55 schools suspected of violating the 1972 gender equity law Title IX by failing to adequately investigate and punish sexual violence on campus. UW-Whitewater was the only Wisconsin university on the list, which has since grown to include 85 schools across the country. The way universities handle student allegations of sexual assault or fail to handle them is under federal scrutiny, along with whether they are doing enough to prevent sexual assaults from occurring in the first place. Federal rules issued late last month require colleges to train students and employees on preventing sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence and stalking. In Wisconsin, the UW System has created a task force to examine sexual assault prevention and investigation practices across its 13 four-year and 13 two-year campuses. Although fraternities tend to grab headlines, sexual assaults for decades have largely gone unrecognized, unreported and unpunished on college campuses across the country. A White House task force recently estimated that nearly one in five women are sexually assaulted in college, but only 12% of incidents are reported to university officials. While college administrators say they appreciate federal guidance and are taking steps to ensure compliance, some aspects of the recent guidelines strike them as unclear or unrealistic. "We're an educational institution; we're not a criminal justice system," said Lori Berquam, dean of students at UW-Madison. Universities must do their best to keep students safe, Berquam agrees, but students also must take responsibility for their actions. "There's a sense among parents that if I drop my student off, you'll protect them," Berquam said. "Should there be a level of that? Absolutely. But I worry we set these expectations too high and can't attain them." Berquam also said she's troubled by the federal requirement that universities complete an investigation of a sexual assault allegation within 60 days, even though university officials have no legal authority to compel evidence. In criminal court, physical evidence can help establish what happened when two parties tell different stories. Charges also must be proved beyond a reasonable doubt. In student misconduct hearings, the burden of proof is a lesser "preponderance of evidence" a 51% likelihood that a sexual assault happened, per Department of Education rules. She expects lawsuits to be filed by male students complaining that disciplinary sanctions against them based on a 51% chance that something happened shattered their reputations and college careers. A student expelled from one UW campus cannot be admitted to a different UW campus. Internal investigations by other universities already have led to pushback among men, including lawsuits, Berquam noted. Untangling "he-said, she-said" accounts can be difficult, and alcohol frequently plays a confounding role. A clear 'yes' Several Wisconsin universities already have begun informing freshmen as soon as they arrive on campus that sexual activity is policed by the student code of conduct, with ramifications up to and including expulsion. The expectation is that every sexual contact must be preceded with consent from both parties; a clear and freely given "yes" not the absence of a "no." Students incapacitated by alcohol or drugs are considered incapable of giving consent. Universities also teach students to spot unsafe situations involving others at a party or a bar, and how to speak up and intervene, even if they don't know those involved. Among the red flags: Pushing drinks on a person, or isolating someone from friends. It's a fundamental shift from the days when sex while intoxicated was shrugged off as "drunk sex" or "regrettable sex." If a woman was intoxicated or remained silent during sex, she was assumed to have implicitly consented. In 2011, the U.S. Department of Education identified sexual violence as a civil rights issue, warning schools they weren't doing enough to follow up on student claims of sexual assault. That prompted major changes in how schools adjudicate sexual assault cases. It also opened the door to an increasing number of lawsuits against universities accused of ignoring Title IX laws. It led to scores of federal investigations into schools suspected of repeatedly mishandling complaints. Earlier this year, the Education Department's Office of Civil Rights released a 46-page document intended to further clarify how colleges must handle sexual violence cases under Title IX. Any school that receives federal funding is required by Title IX to address and eliminate sexual violence and harassment on campus, regardless of whether police are involved in a case. "It has come from the days of women having to actively fight or they weren't raped, to modern times of needing an affirmative 'yes' or it's sexual assault," said UW-Madison Police Chief Susan Riseling, who has led the department for more than 23 years. Consent shouldn't be a difficult concept to understand, Riseling said. "What I say is, 'Did you get permission?' Little kids understand permission." A complex case But how policies play out in real life may not be as clear-cut. Take the case of two UW-Whitewater students who got together to watch a movie in a dorm room last spring. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel does not publish names in cases of alleged sexual assault, but the two agreed to interviews. The young man says he thought they were in a relationship and the sex was consensual. "We were making out and we were naked," he said. The young woman says she said "no" to intercourse, and the man ignored her. "I guess technically if you had to define it, it was rape, but he wasn't physically holding me down," she said. At first the woman tried to forget about what happened. But several days later, she told her residential adviser, and soon after that, she received an email from the student conduct coordinator summoning her to a meeting. At the meeting, she struggled with the details later saying she felt uncomfortable describing the specifics of the situation to a male employee. And she worried the coordinator wouldn't believe her because she'd recently been in counseling for a sexually abusive relationship with a former boyfriend. The conduct coordinator asked if she wanted to go to police, and she said no. "I already had enough on my plate, and didn't want to keep reliving it over and over again," she said. The student conduct coordinator who is no longer at the university said he was required by law to do an investigation. Meanwhile, the man continued to sit in front of the woman in a class they shared. He also continued to contact her on Facebook and through friends, she said. The woman had trouble sleeping, cried easily, started skipping class to avoid seeing the man. With only two weeks left in the semester, she dropped the course. The man, for his part, says the weeks after the incident were bewildering. In a meeting with the conduct coordinator, he maintained the sex was mutually agreed on. He said he thought the woman needed "emotional and psychiatric help." According to the man, the coordinator signaled that's what he was thinking, too. When a UW-Whitewater official notified the woman that the investigation was complete, the official said the man had been instructed to stay away from her. But the man maintains "there was never anything said to me about what I could and could not do." Neither student recalls being given anything in writing at the end of the investigation. Report to police? A UW-Whitewater official defended the university's investigations and responses to sexual violence, despite being singled out by the Department of Education. "We were doing a good job prior to the investigation and we will (be doing a good job) after," said Dean of Students Mary Beth Mackin. "We always wonder if we could be doing things better, but has the mere presence of an investigation changed anything? No. We want to make sure that we're constantly talking about it." That last point is true at one school after another. Marquette struggled to ramp up its sexual misconduct response after mishandling several high-profile incidents in 2010and receiving harsh criticism and media attention. The university has adopted a mantra "Comprehensive, ongoing, multimodal" to describe its approach to educating students about what constitutes sexual assault and how it can be prevented; encouraging students to report incidents; supporting victims of sexual assault; and adjudicating allegations of sexual misconduct. "It's been siloed in the past, but it's much more coordinated now," said Chris Daood, a licensed psychologist who is both assistant director and outreach coordinator for Marquette's Counseling Center. One sign that things are improving at Marquette, officials said, is that reports of sexual assault are increasing, reflecting a greater comfort level for students to report such cases. "What we really want to see is the students beginning to 'own' this too," said Marya Leatherwood, assistant vice president of student affairs and chair of the university's Sexual Assault Misconduct and Response Team. As soon as a claim of sexual assault is made, the university rearranges class schedules to separate the parties involved and orders them not to contact each other, regardless of the outcome of a formal investigation. The same is true at UW-Madison. When a sexual assault is reported to the dean of students office, a no-contact directive is given to all parties. If a university investigation finds a preponderance of evidence that a violation of the student code of conduct occurred, it goes before a hearing panel of faculty, staff and students who have received special training. A complainant also may be connected to an advocate from the Dane County Rape Crisis Center, which has an office in the University Health Services building. Like Marquette, UW-Madison has seen sexual assault reporting go up, according to Sarah Van Orman, executive director of University Health Services. "We want reports to go up. That would be a huge measure of success for us, that our efforts around education are successful," Van Orman said. "In order for people to report, they have to feel that the report will be taken seriously and they're going to be supported and respected." Where the schools differ is in their reporting to police. "We don't ever report to police if a student doesn't want to report unless there's a threat to our campus or to them," said Tonya Schmidt, assistant dean of students at UW-Madison. "We do tell them about their reporting rights and offer to have an officer come to campus." At Marquette University, the decision on whether to report a sexual assault is not left up to the complainant. The allegations are automatically passed along to police, which advocates say takes the onus off the complainant to decide immediately whether to participate in a criminal investigation. The decision can be made later, when the complainant is less traumatized. UW-Whitewater does not report sexual assault allegations to police unless the victim wants to press charges or there's a danger to others, but it's reviewing that policy. "We want to abide by the laws, but sometimes unfortunately they're not real clear," Mackin said. "There are very few absolute black-and-white directives." In the end, UW-Madison's Berquam said, "there will be women who feel we didn't do enough and men who will say we did too much, too soon." Democratic presidential candidates Bernie Sanders (left) and Hillary Clinton are shown during the PBS Newshour Democratic Debate last Thursday in Milwaukee. Credit: Mark Hoffman During the Democratic debate in Milwaukee last week, Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton both talked about addressing race on the "front end" if they became president. They talked about creating jobs in black and Latino communities and about improving public education, segregation and policing in black neighborhoods. They said that this country needs to have an "open and honest" discussion about race. We've all heard this before, and it hasn't gone anywhere. I wrote on social media: "We only talk about race from a discrimination aspect. We all know discrimination is prevalent in this country. Why are we not telling white people how they benefit from racism? Not in a threatening way but in a constructive way." My friends wanted me to expand on the topic. They asked how we could have a frank discussion about race and get anything accomplished. Some told me that they don't see color. But when I hear that phrase, "a colorblind society," it gives me pause because it's not true. When people say they don't see me as a black man, I disagree. I'm reminded that I'm black all the time. Our race is one of the things that makes us unique, and saying that you don't see me as a black man strips me of the one thing of which I am most proud. A 2014 study done in partnership with MTV and David Binder Research, showed that nearly 73% of millennials believe we should talk more openly about race. The same percentage of respondents believe that if we have more open and constructive conversations about bias, then people become less prejudiced. Sanders called for "the radical reform of a broken criminal justice system" and "fundamental police reform." He said he would end overpolicing in African-American neighborhoods and that he is sick and tired of unarmed people, often African-Americans, being shot by police. Clinton brought up the death of Dontre Hamilton at the hands of a white Milwaukee police officer in Red Arrow Park. Here's a different idea: Instead of talking about race in terms of mistreatment, why not talk about it through the lens of how whites benefit in America just from being white? Most of the country believes that having a black president showed race does not have to be a barrier to accomplishment. A majority also would agree that America still is a deeply divided place. I don't expect my white friends to understand what it's like to walk in my shoes, but I think they can understand how they benefit from being white. They don't know what it's like to be a black state representative and have a white aide seen as the boss. They don't know what it's like to be stopped by police while driving and asked "Do you have a job?" (This happened to me). They don't know what it's like to be followed through a department store because the clerks assume you are going to steal something. I'm reminded that I'm black every day. The February issue of Psychological Science suggests that people are more likely to mistake a toy for a weapon if it is in the hands of a black person rather than a white person, even if that person is a 5-year-old. That finding is troubling for any number of reasons, especially when you consider the frequency with which African-American youths come in contact with police. But most African-Americans didn't need a study: We saw this tragically unfold when Tamir Rice died. The 12-year-old boy was playing with a pellet gun near a recreation area when he was fatally shot by a Cleveland police officer. It happened so fast, the boy never had a chance. Our criminal justice system is built on the idea of treating everyone fairly. The symbol of the court system is a blindfolded goddess representing even-handedness. But though justice should be colorblind, society is not. James E. Causey is a Journal Sentinel columnist and blogger. Email james.causey@jrn.com. Facebook: fb.me/jamescausey.12 Twitter: jecausey SHARE By As a lifelong environmentalist, citizen member of Gov. Jim Doyle's global warming task force, and former board chair of Clean Wisconsin, I urge the Wisconsin Senate to pass SB 288, removing outdated restrictions on building nuclear power plants in Wisconsin. I had always opposed nuclear power because I considered it to be dangerous. However, I now know that my opposition was not supported by science but was ideologically-driven, parroting many of the organizations on which I depended for my information. I have learned to look instead to the best sources of science: the National Academies of Science, the World Health Organization, the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, and consensus science generally. The argument that the bill should not be passed because nuclear power is too expensive is disingenuous. As long as nuclear power is significantly more expensive than its alternatives, utilities will not invest in it. Cost is already a routine part of decision-making at the Public Service Commission it doesn't need to be written into state law. If nuclear power does become cost-competitive some day, utilities should be encouraged to build what to date is the only carbon-free source of baseload power available to us. Similarly, the argument that nuclear power is too dangerous does not hold up under scrutiny. While all sources of electric generation have their problems, not a single death has been attributed to nuclear power in the United States. Coal, on the other hand, has killed 10,000 people annually in the U.S. alone. not including its contribution to climate change. The only three significant accidents at nuclear plants in the world confirm nuclear's safety. At Three Mile Island, a tiny amount of radiation was released, with no adverse health effects in the surrounding population. At Chernobyl the worst nuclear accident the world has ever seen and the only one that resulted in fatalities fewer than 50 people died as a direct result of radiation, and approximately 6,000 cases of thyroid cancer in children were successfully treated. Even at Fukuskhima, no deaths have been attributed to radiation exposure. It is now widely recognized that the greatest public health impacts of Fukushima resulted from fear of radiation, not radiation itself. Another specious argument is that spent fuel from nuclear reactors is too dangerous. The fact is that spent fuel has been stored safely for more than half a century. And new generation reactors hold the promise of reusing that spent fuel. The waste from burning fossil fuels, by contrast, simply goes into the air where it is neither contained nor safeguarded. Investment in conservation, efficiency, and renewables such as wind and solar will not suffer if this bill is passed since it rightfully keeps those three priorities before nuclear power. But conservation, efficiency and other renewables cannot reduce carbon emissions enough to avoid the most catastrophic effects of climate change. This is not merely "opinion." It is the conclusion of the vast majority of scientists who have studied the issue. A report from the National Academy of Sciences concluded that with accelerated deployment, electricity from non-hydropower renewable sources could reach 10% by 2020, potentially rising to as much as 20% by 2035. That's not enough. Four of the world's top climate scientists, including Dr. James Hansen, released an open letter to the environmental community two years ago urging it to drop its opposition to nuclear power. Other prominent environmentalists who have changed their position on nuclear power include Stewart Brand, author of "The Whole Earth Catalog," Jeffrey Sachs, director of the Earth Institute at Columbia University and Mark Lynas, award-winning author of several books about climate change. We need every tool available to us if we hope to avoid the worst impacts of climate change. Senators should set aside their unfounded objections to nuclear power and support SB288. Margi Kindig is a resident of Madison. Republican presidential candidates (from left) Ohio Gov. John Kasich, Jeb Bush, Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Donald Trump, Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) and Ben Carson participate in a moment of silence for U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia on Saturday at the Peace Center in Greenville, S.C. Credit: Getty SHARE By In elementary school, I was taught that presidents serve four-year terms. Apparently, that number is off by three or so I've learned recently from listening to Republican politicians. See, according to former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush and Sen. Marco Rubio (Fla.), the first year of a president's term doesn't really count. After all, both have argued that George W. Bush "kept us safe," suggesting that 9/11 didn't stain W's otherwise spotless safety record because it occurred too early in his presidency. Also, according to Republican Senate leadership, the last year of a president's term doesn't count either; that's why President Barack Obama shouldn't get to nominate a replacement for late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia. Finally, it turns out the second-to-last year of a president's term also doesn't count. How can you tell? Because Republican senators obstructed nearly all of Obama's judicial picks last year, too. And obviously per their recent rhetoric about Scalia's successor they would have only done that in a year when the president already was a lame duck. By process of elimination, then, U.S. presidents really serve one-year terms, occurring just once every four years. The other three-quarters of the time, presidents presumably disappear into the ether, like Brigadoon. Seriously though, I've been puzzled by how much of the should-Obama-get-to-choose-a-judge debate has been framed as a last-year-of-presidency issue. Republicans' strategy of blocking everything this president wants to do, and everyone he wants to appoint, did not exactly begin when we rang in the recent new year. It may be convenient for Republicans to blame their latest bout of obstructionism on some unwritten election-year rule, but it's also pretty bogus. Republicans were just as dedicated to Confirmationus Interruptus in 2015. Last year, the Republican-controlled Senate confirmed just 11 federal judges, the fewest in any year since 1960. Only one appeals court judge was confirmed, the lowest number since 1953. As a result, there are 76 vacancies (including Scalia's) for Article III judgeships, nearly twice as many as there were when Republicans regained Senate control in January 2015. Another way to measure just how aggressively Republicans have obstructed the judicial confirmation process is to look at the number of "judicial emergencies," a term used when judges can't keep up with growing caseloads. That figure has nearly tripled over the past year, from 12 in January 2015 to 31 today. Now, it's not like Democrats always rubber-stamped Republican presidents' judicial nominees (see: Robert Bork). But this level of jurisprudential sabotage is nearly unprecedented. Republican senators have created at least four choke points in the confirmation pipeline. In some cases, they've delayed setting up the local committees that vet possible nominees. Sen. Ted Cruz and his fellow Republican senator from Texas, John Cornyn, have used such delays to make their state ground zero for judicial emergencies. Elsewhere, Republicans refuse to return "blue slips," the century-old forms that give home-state senators an effective veto over any judicial nominee. In some instances, senators have publicly endorsed a candidate but then never actually delivered this paperwork, which is necessary for the nominee to get a confirmation hearing. Rubio, for example, publicly recommended Mary Barzee Flores to fill a district court vacancy in Florida. But nearly a year after Obama nominated her, Rubio still hasn't returned his blue slip. In other cases, the Senate Judiciary Committee has received blue slips, but delayed holding hearings or votes on nominees; or Senate leadership has put off floor confirmation votes. The nominees in question don't look especially controversial or unqualified either. Last year's lucky 11 judges waited an average of 283 days between their initial nomination and a confirmation vote, according to the Alliance for Justice, a coalition of mostly liberal advocacy organizations. But when they were confirmed, 10 of the 11 were approved with either unanimous or near-unanimous support from both parties. Senate obstructionism isn't reserved for judicial branch openings alone. A January analysis from Politico found that more than a quarter of the administration's most senior executive branch jobs more than 100 overall were missing permanent occupants. It also reported that the Senate in 2015 confirmed the fewest civilian nominations for the first session of a Congress in nearly three decades. Meanwhile, senators congratulate themselves for getting back to the business of governing. "I think I can safely say here," Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) proclaimed recently, that "at the end of the first year of this new majority, dysfunction is over." Hmm. Maybe it's not the president who's been vacationing in Brigadoon all this time. Catherine Rampell is a columnist for The Washington Post. Email crampell@washpost.com. Twitter: @crampell By of the Madison The state would curtail identification cards issued by local governments, under a bill that shot through the Legislature on Tuesday. Republicans passed the ID limits on party-line votes of 19-13 in the Senate and 62-35 in the Assembly in a marathon day of debate, sending the bill on to GOP Gov. Scott Walker for his signature. In a second bill dealing with illegal immigrants, Assembly Republicans also approved on a party-line vote of 62-35 a bill to fine so-called sanctuary cities that put restrictions on police questioning those charged with crimes about immigration status. The proposal goes to the Senate, where it faces an uncertain future. Assembly leaders are also seeking to create a system for people to register online to vote and eliminate special deputies to register voters. In a push to finish their work before the legislative session ends, Republicans who control both houses were expected to extend the voting on scores of bills late into Tuesday night. Local IDs. Local governments would face restrictions on issuing local photo identification cards under SB 533. It would block a proposal in Milwaukee County to provide local IDs to people such as the homeless and immigrants in the country illegally. Republicans opposed to local IDs are concerned people could try to use them to vote or obtain food stamps. Under the state's voter ID law, only certain types of IDs can be used, such as driver's licenses, state ID cards and passports. Democrats called the ID bill an attack on local officials and immigrants. "This is an insult to local government," said Sen. Dave Hansen (D-Green Bay). But Sen. Van Wanggaard (R-Racine) said people already can get free IDs from the state under a provision of Wisconsin's voter ID law. "I would suggest that the Wisconsin identification card is the card that we should be supporting," Wanggaard said. Under the bill, towns and counties could issue IDs only in narrow circumstances such as for buses. Cities and villages would have more leeway to issue IDs, but they could not be used to obtain public benefits and would have to carry the label "Not authorized for voting purposes." Other bills before the Assembly include: Sanctuary cities. Under AB 450 as approved by the Assembly, local governments in Wisconsin would face financial penalties if they barred police officers or others from asking those charged with a crime about their immigration status. The bill comes as Democratic President Barack Obama attempts to overhaul immigration policies without congressional approval and GOP presidential candidate Donald Trump is promising to temporarily ban Muslims from entering the country and to build a wall along the Mexican border. The proposal allows for reducing state aid by between $500 and $5,000 for any municipality with a policy that blocks police from asking those charged with crimes about their immigration status or from cooperating with federal immigration authorities. Critics of the proposal say local governments shouldn't involve themselves in federal immigration laws. Supporters say that the bill would complement, not usurp, the federal role. Rep. Ed Brooks (R-Reedsburg) said the bill was narrowly focused and Democrats were needlessly alarming immigrants over it. "I think it's somewhat disingenuous to put this fear into the hearts of people," Brooks said. That drew a sharp rebuke from Rep. JoCasta Zamarripa (D-Milwaukee). "You the Republican majority are inciting fear in the community by passing this bill," she said. The legislation was introduced after the death of Kathryn Steinle, who was shot last year while strolling with her father along San Francisco's waterfront. The suspect was later identified as a Mexican immigrant with a criminal record who was released from jail by San Francisco sheriff's officials earlier that year, despite a request by the federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency that he be turned over for possible deportation. Online voter registration. People could register to vote online, but special deputies who help people sign up to vote would be eliminated under SB 295. The Senate last week approved the bill 19-13, with all Republicans for it and all Democrats against it. Democrats supported allowing voters to register online, but opposed eliminating the special registration deputies. Under the bill, state residents could register online for election day if they had a current and valid state driver's license or state-issued ID card. They would have to use the same name for voter registration that appears on their license or ID. The online voter registration system would be set up by spring 2017. The bill would end the ability of political parties, nonprofit groups and others to use special registration deputies to help people to sign up to vote. With clipboards in hand, these workers and volunteers often stake out college campuses and street corners to make sure people are registered to vote. While they could no longer operate as they have in the past, they would have the option of using computers or other electronic devices to help people sign themselves up to vote online in real time. People in Wisconsin have long been able to register to vote on election day at the polls, and that practice would not be changed under the bill. Voucher funding. Public schools outside Milwaukee affected by the voucher school program around the state would see limits on how much they could raise property taxes, under a deal on AB 751 that Assembly Speaker Robin Vos (R-Rochester) said he reached with Senate Republicans. That deal will be taken up by the Assembly on Thursday, Vos said. When students use the voucher program to attend religious schools or other private institutions at taxpayer expense, public schools districts currently can recover lost state aid by raising property taxes. Vos said the proposal would limit those increases to the amount of the voucher going to the private school, since that is typically lower than the total amount of state aid and property taxes taken in by a public school for each student. The funding changes proposed by Vos were added to a bill that would make several changes to a separate voucher program created in 2015 for special needs students. The Senate passed its own version of that bill, SB 615, without the voucher funding changes. College affordability. In his "state of the state" speech last month, Walker made proposals to address the cost of higher education, and the Assembly was poised to take them up at deadline on Tuesday. They would next go to the Senate. AB 739 would eliminate a cap on how much interest on student loans that borrowers can deduct from their state income tax filings. The current cap set at the federal level is $2,500 and decreases as a tax filer's income goes up. The proposal would help about 31,700 people who have annual interest of more than $2,500 about one in eight of the Wisconsinites carrying student loan debt, according to the Legislative Fiscal Bureau. Those who benefit would see their income taxes reduced by $165 on average. AB 740 would increase grants for technical colleges by $1 million over two years. AB 741 would make $450,000 available to students in state technical colleges and UW System colleges who face financial emergencies. The proposal is aimed at making sure students stay in school. Fish farms. Regulations for the state's aquaculture industry would be relaxed under AB 640, which the Assembly voted 63-35 to send to the Senate. Supporters say it would help an industry that is growing nationally, but not in Wisconsin. The industry agreed to make some modifications to the bill, but environmentalists say it would provide too many exemptions that could harm waterways. One example: A fish farm would not need a permit to build an artificial water body that connects to a navigable body of water. Lee Bergquist of the Journal Sentinel staff contributed to this report. By of the Madison In a rush of end of session lawmaking, the Wisconsin Assembly passed bills Tuesday to tighten laws for child car seats and drunken driving. The car seat bill passed the Assembly on a voice vote Tuesday and now goes to the Senate. AB400 would require children to ride in rear-facing car seats until they are 2 years old. Current state law requires children to ride in rear-facing seats if they are younger than 1 year or weigh less than 20 pounds. The bill's authors, Rep. Amy Loudenbeck (R-Clinton), Rep. Chris Taylor (D-Madison) and Sen. Luther Olsen (R-Ripon), say that both the American Academy of Pediatrics and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recommend keeping children in rear-facing seats until they're 2. In other action, the Assembly: Passed on a voice vote AB352, which would require first-offense drunken drivers to appear in court before a judge in all cases. Currently, first-time offenders are required to make a court appearance in some parts of the state but not others. The proposal now goes to the Senate. Approved on a voice vote SB466, which would give libraries the legal authority to turn overdue fines from their patrons over to a collection agency. The bill would also allow libraries, in cases of fines over $50, to give police patrons' names and the amount they owe but not the names of the books being borrowed. The bill now goes to Gov. Scott Walker. Forwarded to the Senate several bills aimed at combating drug abuse in the state. The bills sponsored by Rep. John Nygren (R-Marinette) would provide an additional $2 million in treatment programs for drug users facing criminal charges and streamline state regulation of treatment programs for abusers, among other impacts. Approved unanimously SB300, which would make the state's sales tax treatment of digital jukeboxes the same as traditional ones at a cost of $250,000 to taxpayers. The bill goes to Walker. Passed on a voice vote a measure, SB383, eliminating liability for health care providers who perform a legal body cavity search of a suspect for drugs or weapons at the request of police. That measure goes to Walker. Voted 88-10 to advance SB517, which would require employers with more than 50 workers to give qualifying employees a medical leave so they can serve as an organ or bone marrow donor. The legislation goes to the governor. Senate. Also Tuesday, the Senate unanimously approved SB 546, which would give the attorney general the power to issue subpoenas without going to a judge to get from Internet service providers the names and addresses of computer users accessing child pornography. On a 19-13 vote, the Senate passed SB 407, which would require state agencies to submit plans every two years to continue to operate at current funding levels and with 5% budget cuts. Richard Dorbin sits down in protest after he is denied the opportunity to vote without a photo ID. Credit: Rick Wood By of the The polls are open for Wisconsin's primary elections, which include the state Supreme Court and Milwaukee mayoral races, and state law now requires voters to bring a photo ID to cast their ballots. There were no major problems reported in Milwaukee as of late Tuesday morning, said Neil Albrecht, executive director of the city's Election Commission. He also was not aware of anyone being turned away for not having a proper photo ID. Primary elections typically draw regular voters, Albrecht said, and "they tend to be a little more in tune with voting requirements." A bigger test will likely come in the April general election, when turnout is greater. At least one man was barred from voting Tuesday morning in Milwaukee: Richard Dorbin staged a sit-down protest after he tried to vote in the 14th Aldermanic District without a photo ID and was turned away. Dorbin carried out his protest at Lincoln Court Apartments on S. Howell Ave., holding a sign that read "Voter I.D. laws: The new face of the KKK." Albrecht said late Tuesday morning that he was unaware of Dorbin's protest and inability to vote. Albrecht suggested a protest in Madison would have been more effective than at a polling site in Milwaukee. "I would remind people our election workers are not the lawmakers and so it's not terribly effective to demonstrate, to disrupt voting at your polling place," Albrecht said. "No one there has any influence on the way state law is written." Voting was light at Lincoln Court Apartments, with only about 50 votes cast by 10 a.m. That follows expectations of low turnouts citywide and statewide. Albrecht didn't have hard numbers yet but expected turnout come in at about 15% of registered voters. Polls close at 8 p.m. Photo ID law details Voters who have moved or changed their names need to re-register to vote. Those wishing to register to vote need to bring a proof of residence document, as Wisconsin law no longer allows a "corroborating witness" to provide proof of residence. Documents that can be used as proof of residence include a current and valid Wisconsin driver's license or ID card, real estate tax bill or receipt for the current or previous year, utility bill or bank statement. Other proof of residence documents that may be used can be found here. Some exceptions are allowed to the photo ID requirement, such as for absentee voters who are active-duty military or who have difficulty getting to the polls because of age, illness, infirmity or disability. The top two vote-getters in each of the races will compete in the April 5 spring election. Voters statewide will narrow the field from three to two for a seat on the state Supreme Court. Republican Gov. Scott Walker appointed Rebecca Bradley to the high court in October to fill the seat of Justice N. Patrick Crooks, who died in September. Challenging her for the full 10-year term on the court are Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Joe Donald and Appeals Court Judge JoAnne Kloppenburg. Voters in the city of Milwaukee will have four candidates to choose from in the mayoral race. Mayor Tom Barrett, 62, is facing three challengers, including Alds. Joe Davis and Bob Donovan as well as political newcomer James Methu. Seven of the 15 Common Council races will be up for votes in the primary because they have more than two candidates on the ballot. Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele and state Sen. Chris Larson (D-Milwaukee) have the greatest name recognition among a field of four candidates in the race for the job of executive. Joining Larson in an attempt to unseat Abele are Joseph T. Klein and Steve Hogan. Mary Spicuzza and Don Behm of the Journal Sentinel staff contributed to this report. House Speaker Paul Ryan speaks during his weekly news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington last week. Credit: Associated Press By of the Washington Joining other leading Republicans, House Speaker Paul Ryan said Tuesday that he supported the idea of blocking an Obama nomination to the Supreme Court after the death of conservative Justice Antonin Scalia. "The Supreme Court is not an extension of the White House. The president has absolutely every right to nominate someone to the Supreme Court, but Congress as an equal branch also has every right not to confirm someone," the Janesville Republican said in an interview with the Journal Sentinel. "We are knee deep into a presidential election and I think the precedent for not filling a Supreme Court vacancy in such a time is justified," said Ryan, referring to the hotly disputed question of whether the Senate's refusal to take up a nomination with nearly a year remaining in the Barack Obama presidency is consistent with constitutional and political traditions. Senate Republicans have said they won't act on a nomination by this White House to replace Scalia, echoing calls from the party's presidential candidates to deny Obama another court appointment and leave the pick to his successor. Ryan said "Democrats would be doing exactly the same thing if the shoe were on the other foot," meaning they would want to defer confirmation under a Republican president serving his or her last year in office. But Ryan did not dispute that Republicans also would be arguing differently if their party occupied the White House. "I think everyone is going to make spin that benefits their side. I think it's pretty obvious," he said. Ryan contended that there is a broader rationale beyond simple politics for senators to oppose an Obama nominee at this stage the balance of powers between the executive and legislative branches. "The president has tried everything he can to empower the executive branch at the expense of the legislative one. His Supreme Court nominees have all contributed to that, those that he has placed on the bench already. So not only does Congress have the authority to stop a nominee, it has an obligation to defend itself against a president and a radically altered court that would continue to seize its powers," Ryan said. Ryan argued repeatedly that the powers of the legislative branch are "under duress" and "under attack" from the Obama White House, saying that in opposing an Obama nominee, the Senate would be "defending its rights and defending our Article One (constitutional) powers." In a Washington Post op-ed Monday, Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid accused the GOP of "partisan sabotage" in blocking an Obama pick, saying "Republicans should not insult the American people's intelligence by pretending there is historical precedent for what they are about to do. There is not." Reid suggested that refusing to even consider a nominee to the court by the president would send the Senate into "uncharted waters." For Senate Republicans, he wrote, the "consequences of blocking any nominee, regardless of merits, would hang over their heads for the rest of their careers." In the interview Tuesday, Ryan also spoke of Scalia personally, saying: "I knew him, I looked up to him so much, I respected the man greatly... my heart, my prayers go out to (his wife) Maureen and the family." Ryan said the justice's death "puts us in a melancholy state as conservatives to lose such a giant like Antonin Scalia." Ryan was asked in the interview about GOP presidential front-runner Donald Trump's recent attacks on former George W. Bush over the decision to go to war in Iraq. Ryan said, "Boy, I want to take that bait, but I just won't." The speaker, who has tried to avoid commenting on controversial statements by GOP presidential candidates, said only: "I think people know the facts and I think people are sorting this out." In not taking sides in the Republican primaries, Ryan has cited his largely ceremonial role as chairman of the GOP national convention this summer. But in the interview, Ryan conceded that "there could arise a situation where it's more than just a ceremonial position." He was referring to a scenario that has prompted growing speculation the possibility of a contested convention in which no candidate comes in with a majority of delegates needed to be nominated. Asked if he has thought about what that scenario would mean for his role as convention chairman, Ryan said, "I really haven't, but I better get on that sooner or later." Then with a laugh, Ryan added, "I'm told about this. I keep thinking to myself, 'Yeah, I better figure out what exactly that means.'" Republicans in the state Senate voted Tuesday to give more power to property owners. Credit: Journal Sentinel files By of the Madison Republicans in the state Senate voted Tuesday to give more power to property owners, put limits on wetland laws and bar county executives from serving as lawmakers a measure aimed at thwarting a legislative run by a Democrat. They also backed off on bills that would make it easier to privatize water systems and hand out more money to people who were wrongly incarcerated. The moves came as senators worked late into the night as they raced to wrap up this year's legislative session. They hope to complete their session in March so they can turn to campaigning. On a 19-13 vote, senators approved SB 459, a wide-ranging bill being closely tracked by environmentalists that would put limits on when the state Department of Natural Resources could designate areas as specialized wetlands. It would also allow dredging in artificial bodies of water, require disputes over piers to be handled by circuit courts instead of through administrative hearings and curb the ability of the DNR to block municipalities from constructing storm-water management ponds. All Republicans supported the bill and all Democrats opposed it. The bill differs sharply from AB 600, the version of the measure the Assembly approved last week. Among the portions the Senate dropped were ones dealing with development on lake beds and dredging lakes and rivers. "I would say that they have moved the discussion in the right direction, but there is language that remains that would still make it easier to fill wetlands that we would have problems with," said Amber Meyer Smith, a lobbyist with the environmental group Clean Wisconsin. The proposal now goes to the Assembly, which is also run by Republicans. If the two houses don't agree on the issue, the bill will die. Property rights. Senators approved on a party-line, 19-12 vote AB 582, which would strengthen the hand of property owners. The Assembly approved the bill 56-39 last week and it now goes to GOP Gov. Scott Walker. Supporters said the modifications were long overdue for property owners who have had their rights whittled away by zoning regulations and court cases. Opponents said the changes would have negative environmental consequences. The bill would prohibit counties from enacting moratoriums on some types of development and would bar a judge from giving deference to an agency, like the DNR, in interpreting legal cases that could restrict the rights of property owners. Another provision would stop municipalities from setting conditions on repairing buildings constructed in setback areas near the shoreline. County executives. On a 19-13 vote, senators approved SB 707, which would bar anyone from simultaneously serving as a legislator and county executive. That measure is aimed at a Senate run by Winnebago County Executive Mark Harris, a Democrat seeking the seat being given up by Sen. Rick Gudex (R-Fond du Lac). Sen. Rob Cowles (R-Allouez) joined all Democrats in opposing the bill. The measure goes to the Assembly. Voters not lawmakers are the ones who should decide if someone can serve both jobs at the same time, said Manitowoc County Executive Bob Ziegelbauer. For more than six years, he served as both county executive and a member of the Assembly. Ziegelbauer often sided with Republicans and quit the Democratic Party near the end of his Assembly tenure but was harsh in his assessment of the GOP-backed bill. "It's for partisan purposes and it's a cheap shot for one particular candidate," Ziegelbauer said. Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald (R-Juneau), the author of the bill, said he believed there was a conflict between the duties of legislators and county executives because counties are arms of the state government. "The idea that you're drawing two large salaries that's a problem," he said. Fitzgerald said Harris' run brought such questions to the forefront. "I know people are going to say there is a political piece to this, and there is," he said. Nuclear plants. On a 23-9 vote, the Senate sent Walker AB 384, which would repeal Wisconsin's ban on building nuclear reactors. Four Democrats joined all Republicans in supporting the bill. Industry observers and opponents of the bill say nuclear plants are cost-prohibitive, but utilities and business groups have supported the bill, which would allow utilities to begin planning for potential construction of a nuclear plant. The state's nuclear moratorium, enacted in response to the Three Mile Island meltdown in Pennsylvania in 1979, has been in place since 1983. County zoning.Along party lines, the Senate voted 19-13 to send Walker AB 563, which would allow towns in Dane County to opt out of county zoning ordinances that restrict development. Those towns would have to approve some form of joint zoning ordinance of their own. Landlord-tenant law. Senators voted 19-13 to approve AB 568, which would dictate when landlords could evict their tenants and how local governments could regulate rental properties and establish local historic districts. It goes to Walker. Under the bill, landlords with five days' notice could evict tenants if they or their guests engage in criminal activity. Also under the bill, local governments would have to hold public hearings before creating historic districts. Sex offenders. Senators on a voice vote approved AB 497, a bill spelling out where sexually violent individuals could be placed in communities. They could not be housed within 1,500 feet of schools, child care centers, parks, places of worship or youth centers. Local governments would be able to set more restrictive policies for those offenders, but judges could overrule the local policies if officials had trouble finding housing for the offenders. The bill now goes to Walker. Water systems. Senators put off a vote on AB 554, which would ease restrictions on out-of-state private ownership of water and sewage treatment utilities. Aqua America Inc., which owns water systems in Illinois and seven other states, has pushed the measure, which passed the Assembly in January. The bill has come up as front pages have been filled with stories about lead leaching into the water system in Flint, Mich. Opponents say the situation in Flint highlights the need for closely managing how water systems are run, while proponents note Flint's system wasn't privatized. Opponents say governments have more accountability than a private company and that basic public services should not be left in the hands of profit-driven firms. Supporters say the bill gives communities the option to sell their systems if they feel it would be a better option. The state Public Service Commission, which regulates municipal water systems, met with Aqua America representatives to discuss financially strapped utilities operating in the state presumably the type of systems that would benefit the most by being taken over. Wrongful convictions. Senators canceled a vote on AB 460, which would increase the amount wrongly convicted people could seek from the state. The bill, which passed the Assembly last week, would allow those people to receive up to $50,000 for each year they were incarcerated, up to $1 million total. Thomas Content of the Journal Sentinel staff in Milwaukee contributed to this report. Reddit Email 0 Shares TeleSur | A chemical weapons investigator confirmed earlier reports that the extremist group used the banned chemical weapon. [ISIL] used chemical weapons against Kurdish militants last year, Reuters reported Monday. The August 2015 attack occurred near Erbil, the capital of autonomous Kurdish Iraq. About 35 Kurdish troops were attacked with mustard gas, according to a source at the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons. It is the first documented use of the weapon since the fall of Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein. Mustard gas is a chemical weapon banned in warfare by the Geneva Protocol. The extremist group, which seized control of several major Iraqi cities in 2014, may have developed the weapon on its own or seized it from government stockpiles. The head of the CIA said Thursday that the [so-called] Islamic State group had used chemical weapons in a number of instances and had the capability of creating small amounts of mustard and chlorine gas. The U.S. director of national intelligence also testified before Congress on Tuesday that it was the first time an extremist group had used chemical weapons since 1995. Chemical weapons were also used in Syria in 2013 against hundreds of civilians. Syrian government supplies of sarin were subsequently destroyed under international supervision thanks to a U.S.-Russian agreement brokered by the Israeli government. Via TeleSur Reddit Email 0 Shares By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) | George W. Bush came out of political exile on Monday to be his brother JEB!s surrogate in attacking Donald Trump. W. allowed as how These are tough times and I understand Americans are angry and frustrated, but we do not need someone in the Oval Office who mirrors and inflames our frustration. . . He also quoted his father that labels are for soup cans, suggesting that name-calling of ones opponent is not useful political discourse. This from the man who had his swift-boaters wage a campaign of vilification against John Kerry in 2004. Is he annoyed that Trump zings his opponents directly rather than having capos do it for him? Anyone who lived through the Bush years can only fall down laughing at the hypocrisy and impudence of this kind of talk coming from that man. When al-Qaeda attacked the US on September 11, 2001, Bushs response was to mirror and inflame public passions rather than to lead responsibly. He declared a war on terror (he probably meant the tactic of terrorism rather than the emotion, but who knows? He isnt an articulate man). French President Jacques Chirac pleaded with him not to use that diction, and to treat the attack as a criminal matter. Metaphysical wars like those announced on drugs and terrorism are unending and have a way of destroying our democratic freedoms. Now Gandhi-style civil disobedience is being treated as terrorism and government spied on everyone without so much as a warrant. He so inflamed peoples frustration that he even created a set of color codes to tell us how afraid we should be on any particular day. Then instead of going after al-Qaeda, the perpetrator, Bush wanted to invade Iraq. Al-Qaeda, as a little terrorist organization, wasnt a big enough, a satisfying enough adversary. Bush mirrored this public frustration and inflamed the public with a constant barrage of fearmongering about Iraq. Youd have thought the ramshackle, wrecked little country of 25 million with no effective air force, driven into deep poverty by severe US/ UN sanctions, was just about to land at Galveston and march to Washington. Bill Clintons terrorism czar, Richard Clarke, was kept on by Bush but demoted from his cabinet position. He remembers in September, 2001, how Bush demanded that he hang the attacks on Iraqs dictator Saddam Hussein. Clarke was shocked. He realized that Bush was going to use the pretext of 9/11 finally to get the war on Iraq he had long dreamed of. (He told a biographer in the 1990s that if he ever became president he was going to take out Saddam Hussein). According to the then British ambassador in Washington, even arch-hawk and Islamophobe, British Prime Minister Tony Blair, was alarmed that Bush might run off to Baghdad and leave London exposed to a still-vigorous al-Qaeda. He is said to have promised Bush his support on an Iraq War if only W. would please go after al-Qaeda in Afghanistan first. Then Bush basically pulled the US military out of Afghanistan with the job half-done and ordered all the resources to be prepositioned in Kuwait for an invasion of Iraq. Bush warned, and had his officials warn, that Iraq was close to completing a nuclear weapon. He said so in a speech in Dayton, OH, just before Congress was to vote on giving him war powers. We skeptics were dismissed. We dont want the smoking gun, they said, to be a mushroom cloud. What does that even mean? Bushs CIA refused to sign off on some of his manipulative whoppers, like the false allegation that the African country of Niger had sold Iraq yellowcake uranium. Bush, determined to scare the people into a war, sourced the falsehood to British intelligence instead. Who knows if MI6 even thought the fraudulent documents were authentic. Bush and his people knew no decency in their constant falsehoods. Iraq didnt even have a nuclear program. It humiliated Bush by having destroying its chemical weapons in the 1990s, as the UN inspectors had demanded. Bush knew Iraq might not have nuclear capabilities, so he used the weasel phrase, weapons of mass destruction as a pretext for his splendid little war. He figured if the US occupation forces didnt find a nuclear program, at least the US would find the old chemical weapons stores, and could declare them the WMD he had been warning about. Even after Bush brutally attacked a country that had not attacked the US, and militarily occupied it, and it became immediately obvious that there were no unconventional weapons there, Bush kept insisting that he was searching for the WMD. Finally in August, 2003, Zbig Brzezinski broke the spell and declared on national television that the searching for WMD cover story was increasingly ludicrous. And now this man who violated US treaty obligations as signatory to the UN Charter and launched a vicious, unprovoked war of aggression on a defenseless, wretched little country, some 500,000 of whose children had been killed by US sanctions now this man who assiduously inflamed the passions of the American public and took dastardly advantage of their frustrations and fears after 9/11, has come back out to castigate others for committing the sins he himself perfected. AP: George W. Bush Stumps For Brother Jeb Bush Read more here: Reddit Email 0 Shares By IMEMC | On February 14th, 2016, the UK Government announced that it would be setting up guidelines to prevent public bodies from supporting the Palestinian rights through their procurement and investment policies. Hugh Lanning, Chair of Palestine Solidarity Campaign, has condemned this move as a gross attack on our democratic freedoms and the independence of public bodies from Government interference. As if it is not enough that the UK Government has failed to act when the Israeli Government has bombed and killed thousands of Palestinian civilians and stolen their homes and land, the Government are now trying to impose their inaction on all other democratic and public bodies. This makes it clear where this Government stands on international law and human rights. Despite the Government admitting that Israels occupation and denial of Palestinian rights is plain wrong and illegal when it comes to it they will insulate Israel from the consequences of its own actions. It seems that for this UK Government, whatever crimes against international law Israel commits, having a military ally trumps the rights of their own citizens and institutions in this country to support human rights. Sara Apps, interim Director of Palestine Solidarity said, according to the PNN: People around the world have been asked by the Palestinian people to support boycott, divestment and sanctions because it is a peaceful and effective way to challenge and pressure the Israeli Government to end their violations. If the Israeli Government want to be free of the pressure of boycott, divestment and sanctions and international censure the answer is simple end your illegal occupation and abide by international law. It is shameful that our Government is prepared to side with an oppressive state over the rights of an oppressed people in this way. We urge people to support our campaign to change Government policy and support the rights of their citizens to act against human rights violations. Via IMEMC Related video added by Juan Cole: Press TV: Report: UK to block Israel boycott Reddit Email 8 Shares By Brian Glyn Williams | (Informed Comment) | On February 3, the New York Times quoted the desperate plea of a Yazidi, a member of an ethnic-religious group facing communal extermination at the hands of ISIS jihadi terrorists. In simple, but moving terms he summed up the plight of his people, whose ancestral lands in northern Iraq was conquered by the ISIS Caliphate in the summer of 2014, Please help us. They are killing us and kidnapping our women and children. In case you missed the story of the ISIS fanatics conquest of the Yazidis ancient homeland in August 2014, a recap is essential for understanding the plight of this endangered community that has faced centuries of what can only be described as a genocidal assault. This assault has historically been carried out by surrounding Arab and Turkish Muslims who have falsely accused them of being devil worshippers. It is a tragic tale of the followers of a peaceful religionwith origins that are lost in the mists of time in Mesopotamiawhose very existence is now threatened by a combination of fanaticism on the part of ISIS, and indifference on the part of Western powers. Devil Worshippers or Believers in the Peacock Angel? To understand the secretive religion of the Yazidis, my colleague Professor Adam Sulkowski, who had previously joined me in exploring the mountain realm of the ancient Kalash pagans on the Afghan-Pakistani border, decided to journey to the holiest spot in the world for Yazidis, the stone temple complex at Lailish. Lailish is nestled in a narrow valley in the hills of the autonomous realm of Iraqi Kurdistan, a few miles from the frontlines with ISIS. Our guide for the trip was a gregarious Yazidi named Thamer Alyas who was eager to give us an insiders tour of this sacred spot that has for centuries been closed to outsiders. As we drove through the mist-covered hills of Iraqi Kurdistan with Thamer, he explained that his people worshipped one Creator-God, just like the surrounding Muslim Kurds and Arabs as well as Christian groups (these ancient Christians, largely known as Assyrians, have also been targeted for destruction by Al Qaeda in Iraq and ISIS and their community has dwindled since the 2003 U.S. invasion from 1.5 million to about 200,000 today). The Yazidis God is known as Khude and is all forgiving and merciful. God-Khude created himself and seven archangels led by Melek Tawus, the Peacock Angel. Melek Tawus was sent to earth to create life from the primordial chaos and act as an intercessor between man and God. The first human had been created without a soul, so Melek Tawus blew the breath of life into him. He then turned Adam towards the Sun, symbol of the Supreme Creator, which Yazidis, like ancient Mesopotamians, still worship. There are many other archaic aspects of the faith that indicate it may be among the worlds oldest and their calendar dates back 6,756 years, nearly 5,000 years further than the Christian or Gregorian calendar and nearly 1,000 years further than the Jewish calendar. So far we felt this story seemed innocuous enough. There is nothing in this ancient myth of creation that warrants centuries of repression by Ottoman Turkish authorities and now slaughter by ISIS. But it is the sad fate of the Yazidis that the story of Melek Tawus has eerie parallels with the story of Shaytan, the fallen jinn (genie) of Islam who is known in English as Satan. According to Yazidi tradition, Melek Tawus was told by God-Khuede not to bow to other beings. Then God tested Malak Tawus by creating man out of dust and ordering Melek Tawus to bow to Adam. Melek Tawus replied How can I submit to another being! I am from your illumination while Adam is made of dust. After forgiving him, God made him the ruler of earth after he cried for 7,000 years to extinguish hell with his tears. Unfortunately, in the Islamic tradition, Shaytan or Iblis was a jinn who similarly refused Gods order to bow down to Adam. For this sin of pride, God-Allah cursed him and expelled him from heaven to earth. Starting in the fifteenth centuries, surrounding Turkish and Arab Muslims came to equate Melek Tawus, the primary being worshipped by Yazidis, with Shaytan the Tempter. Thus began centuries of slaughter and persecution that saw the Yazidis flee to the mountains of northern Iraq. There, this people, who are ethnically Kurdish and speak the Kurdish dialect of Kurmanji, have long been protected by fellow Kurds who have a tradition of moderation and hospitality towards repressed minorities. Kurds believe that they were all once believers in the ancient Yazidi faith and see this minority as the living memory and conscience of their people. In essence, they feel that Yazidis are repositories of their pre-Islamic traditions. There is some truth to this as many of the Yazidis customs, such as their belief in angels, sacred trees, and the purity of earth, air, fire and water, come from ancient Mesopotamian and Iranian-Zoroastrian belief systems. But the Yazidis sanctuary among the Kurds was to be threatened by the rise of fanatical Sunni Arab jihadist groups which rose up to resist the overthrow of their sectarian group by the Americans in 2003s Operation Enduring Freedom. ISIS Declares a Total Jihad on the Yazidi Infidels Like most Iraqis who suffered under Saddam Hussein, the Yazidis celebrated the overthrow of this hated dictator but, like the ancient Christian communities of northern Iraq, they soon became the target of fanatical Sunni jihadist groups such as Al Qaeda in Iraq (AQI) which rose up to fight the Americans. In 2007 AQI targeted the northern Iraqi Yazidi communities of Kathaniya and Jazeera with the deadliest suicide bombing in the world since 9/11. As many as 796 Yazidis were killed and another one thousand five hundred wounded in this massive bombing that involved a fuel tanker and three cars carrying two tons of explosives. But worse was yet to come. AQI morphed into ISIS and, in August 2014, launched a blitz on the Mount Sinjar region in northwestern Iraq. Mount Sinjar had been protected by the legendary Kurdish Peshmergas (literally Those who Face Death, a famed fighting force), but these fighters fell back before the ISIS attack leaving this region to the mercy of the fanatical ISIS fighters. As it transpires, Mount Sinjar is the primary geographic focus of the Yazidis who consider it to be a holy mountain (they believe that this mountain, which rises spectacularly out of the flat desert, is the spot where Noahs ark first touched ground after the flood and have seven temples there with eternal flames). As the ISIS fighters stormed the town of Sinjar, which lies at the foot of the mountain of the same name, they killed as many as 5,000 Yazidis in an act that the U.N. labeled genocide. One report of this massacre stated Some of the killing were brutally simplistic, with people being lined up at checkpoints, shot dead, then bulldozed into mass graves. Others were herded into temples which were late blown up. The jihadists also captured hundreds of Yazidi women as sabiya (Quran-legitimized sex slaves) and sold them like chattel in markets to ISIS fighters. These women, many of them young girls, were systematically raped and abused by their ISIS masters and most still remain living in misery as sex slaves for fanatics who legitimize their abuse by labeling them idolaters and infidels (their plight did not garner as much attention as the kidnapping of schoolgirls by Boko Haram jihadi terrorists in Nigeria). Older women who were not deemed worthy to be sabiya were dragged away and systematically murdered en masse in cold blood. As many as 50,000 panic-stricken Yazidis fled to Mount Sinjars bleak, inaccessible heights to escape the ISIS slaughterers. To prevent their genocide, President Obama launched a bombing campaign that halted ISISs advance and an airlift that provided food and water to the starving Yazidi refugees trapped on the mountain. Kurdish Peshmergas later broke through ISIS lines creating a corridor allowing most, but not all, of the refugees on Mount Sinjar to escape. But by then it was too late, the heart of the Yazidi population and culture had been obliterated and many distinctive Yazidi shrines, with their conical, fluted towers, were destroyed. Fortunately, in December 2015, Kurdish forces backed up by the U.S. Air Force, defeated the ISIS force occupying the town of Sinjar and some of this scattered community are tentatively returning home. But most have been scattered far and wide from their sacred lands and many have joined in the movement of refugees to Europe. The Yazidis exile from the ancient shrines of their people threatens to dilute their identity as a distinct people. This was the background for our visit to the holy shrine of Lailish located to the east of Mount Sinjar safely behind Kurdish Peshmerga lines in northwestern Kurdistan. A Visit to Yazidi Shrine at Lailish. As our SUV paralleled the nearby ISIS front lines through the mist-covered hills of Iraqi Kurdistan, we peppered our Yazidi guide Thamer with questions on the beliefs and rituals of his peoples ancient faith. But he told us to wait until we got to the shrine since he had to show them to us. As we arrived in the narrow valley covered in mulberry trees that cradles the shrine, Thamer told us we had to take off our shoes as the ground we would be walking on was holy. This was the spot where Melek Taus, the Peacock Angel had first de scended to the earth to bring order from chaos. With undisguised excitement (and feet that were numb from the January cold) we entered the outer courtyard of the Lailish complex and approached the main gate. On the stone wall was a talisman of a black snake that was said to have tried leading the Yazidis to abjure their faith and convert to Islam centuries ago. Black snakes, we were told, had magical powers and were not to be killed. We were then asked to reverently kiss the stone sides to the inner shrines door and step over the sacred threshold without stepping on it. As we entered the ancient complex we noticed a dark pool built into the stone floor on our right. This was the Lake of Azrael, the Angel of Death. Yazidis believe that Azrael washes his sword in this pool after taking a soul. Beyond the pool we found a stone hall of tombs with scarves hanging from it with some Yazidi women tying knots in them. Thamer told us that when you tie a knot and make a wish it comes true when the knot is later untied by another worshiper. From this hall we passed a stone staircase winding down to a subterranean cave. We could hear the sound of running water from below, but we were told we could not go visit this holy spot, known as the Spring of Zamzam, since it was off limits to non Yazidis. Here Yazidis, who must make a pilgrimage to this spot once in their lives, are baptized. From there we passed through a stone arch and entered the sacred heart of the shrine, the nine hundred year old tomb of Sheikh Adi. Sheikh Adi codified the Yazidis disparate beliefs and is worshipped as a saint and avatar/incarnation of the Peacock Angel. He is also one of the principal judges of mens souls. From the crypt of Sheikh Adi we passed into a long dark stone chamber where olive oil was stored in ancient clay amphorae. The olives for the oil are picked from the surrounding hills and are pressed in Lalish; the oil is used for religious rituals and for burning in lamps. We were also shown to holes in the stones that were said to represent the entrance to both heaven and hell. Having toured the subterranean stone catacombs, it was now time to meet their sacred guardian, a eunuch who dedicated his life to the shrine and the second most important priest in the Yazidi faith, Baba Chawish (literally Father Guardian). We entered his chambers reverently and found the white turbaned holy man sitting with several acolytes. He warmly invited us in from the cold to his warm room and offered us sweets from a golden peacock dish. In the past, meeting with such a figure would have been difficult and the mysteries of the faith would have been kept secret. In fact, most of the Yazidi traditions are passed on orally to keep them secret. But Baba Chawish was a kindly soul who shared with us the inner workings of this ancient faith that has been for so long misunderstood by, and kept hidden from, outsiders. The Secrets of the Yazidi Faith. As it transpired, Baba Chawish was a member of one of three castes that all Yazidis belong to, he was a holy man from the highest sheikh (priest) caste. He led a life of piety and celibacy and had authority over the shrine. He was assisted by the feqrayyat, (celibate nuns) who are unmarried or widowed and also care for the sanctuary. The other Yazidi castes consisted of pirs (elders) and murids (disciples), with most Yazidis belonging to the latter caste. Membership in both the sheikh caste and the pir caste is hereditary and is said to often come with special abilities. Each sheikh and pir family, for example, posses ses some healing ability and some families are said to be able to cure snake bites, others madness, fever, headache, arthritis, etc. Within the sheikh caste one finds kocheks or seers who are blessed with spiritual gifts, such as clairvoyance. The kocheks can psychically diagnose illness and they are even said to know the fate of a soul after it leaves the body of the deceased. There are also kawwals or reciters who specialize in the playing of religious music on sacred instruments, such as the daf (frame-drum) and sebab (flute), and in the recital of the sacred hymns known as kawals. At the top of the Yazidi community one finds the Mir (Prince), the temporal ruler of the Yazidis, and the Baba Sheikh (Father Priest), the religious head of the community. Both of these leaders belong to the sheikh caste whose members are descended from the Six Great Angels who assisted Melek Tawus. The sheikhs officiate at circumcisions, weddings, funerals, baptisms and religious festivals. Religious holidays play a key role in the Yazidi faith and several of them have roots traceable to antiquity. The most important Yazidi festival is the Feast of Seven Days which takes place in the beginning of October. During this festival the seven archangels, including Melek Tawus, are believed to visit the shrine of Lailish. Yazidis attempt to make a pilgrimage to Lailish at this time in order to rekindle friendships, affirm their religious identity and partake in the seven day festival. The two most important events of the Feast of Seven Days are the Evening Dance and the Sacrifice of the Bull. The Evening Dance is performed by sheikhs every evening just after sunset in the courtyard of the temple complex. Fourteen priests dressed in white, the color of purity, parade to the music of kawals (the reciters). They proceed in procession around a sacred torch that represents both the Sun and the Supreme God Khuede. The Sacrifice of the Bull takes place on the fifth day of the festival. It signifies the arrival of Fall and carries with it the Yazidis prayers for rain during the coming winter and a bountiful Spring. After guards fire a special gun salute, a small bull is let loose from the main gates of the Sanctuary. The bull is chased by men of the Qaidy tribe up a nearby hill to the sanctuary of Sheikh Shem. There, the bull is caught and subsequently slaughtered. Afterwards, the meat is cooked and distributed among all the pilgrims present at Lalish. The sacrifice of a bull harkens back to the worship of the Iranian sun god Mithras who was worshiped with the sacrifice of a bull. As for their beliefs, Yazidis do not believe in eternal damnation. Instead they believe in reincarnation or transmigration of souls through a gradual purification cycle. The souls of sinners are reborn as animals for a probationary period before passing into human form again. Ultimately, their souls ascend to heaven. Yazidis do not accept conversion into their faith and those who marry outside of the community are banned. Yazidis are also forbidden from wearing the color blue, eating lettuce, and saying the word Shaytan. In addition to venerating the sun, Yazidis, like Zorastrians, consider fire to be sacred and are not allowed to extinguish it with water or to speak rudely in front of it. They celebrate the new year in April with colored eggs and also have a Feast of Sacrifice, when a sheep is slaughtered by the Baba Sheikh and torches are lit throughout the valley of Lailish. There are many more aspects of the faith that we did not have time to learn during our visit to the shrine at Lailish, but the window we were given into this secretive religion that has recently opened its doors to outsiders was fascinating. As we said our farewells to the protector of the shrine, Baba Chawish, and left this enchanting place that was the Mecca for the estimated 700,000 Yazidis in the world, we had a newfound appreciation for this beautiful belief system that seemed to belong to a different age. The valley shrine of Lailish had been a place of calming meditation, serenity and contemplation and we were touched by how welcoming and eager to interact with outsiders the Yazidi worshippers had been. In a part of the world where the mindless destruction of pre-Islamic communities and pagan antiquities seems to be the norm, it was a reminder that there are still living remnants of ancient faiths in the Muslim world, such as the dwindling number of Parsi Zoroastrians in Iran, Kalash pagans in Pakistans mountains, and Yazidis, Mandaens, Shabaks, and Assyrians in Iraq, who face the very real risk of extinction in our time. Having made a life-changing pilgrimage to the holy sanctuary of one of these endangered faiths and seen for ourselves the beauty of this timeless belief system, we can safely say that the world would be a less colorful place should the ancient Yazidi people disappear from the pages of history as so many other ethnic-religious groups in the region have over the centuries. Professor Brian Glyn Williams worked for the CIAs Counter Terrorism Center in Afghanistan and is author of The Last Warlord. The Life and Legend of Dostum, the Afghan Warrior who Led U.S. Special Forces to Topple the Taliban Regime. For further photographs from his journeys in the mountains of Kurdistan among the Yazidis and Kurdish peshmerga fighters, see his website. Related video added by Juan Cole: Thomas Reuters Foundation: Our future and dreams have been taken: Yazidi slave survivor urges leaders to act Vancouver, British Columbia (FSCwire) - Peruvian Precious Metals Corp. (the "Company" or Peruvian) is pleased to announce that the Company has entered into a non-binding agreement (the Agreement) with RIVI Capital LLC (RIVI) to provide the Company with an investment of US$5,000,000 in return for a Metal Purchase Agreement (MPA or Gold Streaming Agreement) on future precious metal production from the Companys Igor 4 concession, at its Igor Project in northern Peru. The Agreement is subject to normal due diligence by RIVI, completion of definitive documents by RIVI and the Company, and obtaining appropriate regulatory approvals. Peruvian expects this transaction to close within 60 days. As previously announced, Peruvian, with mining partner Proyectos La Patagonia S.A.C. (PLP), has received approval of the key permit to begin initial work on the underground bulk sampling and test mining project at its Igor project. Although the Company does not intend this press release to be interpreted as a decision to commence commercial production, it should be noted that a production decision in the absence of a feasibility study of mineral reserves that demonstrates economic and technical viability has increased uncertainty and higher risk of economic and technical failure associated with any production decision. Key Terms of the Gold Streaming Agreement: RIVI will purchase the Gold Streaming Agreement by making a first tranche payment of US$2,500,000 upon execution of definitive documents by RVI and Peruvian. The second tranche of an additional US$2,500,000 shall be payable upon meeting future production milestones, subject to the successful completion of the test mining program. RIVI shall be entitled to receive 23.5% of Peruvians portion of the combined production of gold and silver ounces from the Igor 4 concession on a Gold Equivalent Ounce (GEO) basis, as defined by the Companys mining contract with PLP (please see Peruvian press release dated September 2, 2014 for a summary of the PLP contract). In addition to the initial tranches described above, the Company will also receive a payment of US$400 per GEO delivered under the Gold Streaming Agreement. Seventy-two (72) months after receiving the second tranche of the financing, and when 20,000 GEOs have been delivered under the Gold Streaming Agreement, the company shall have the option to reduce the delivery schedule to 12.5% of the GEOs produced on the Igor 4 concession by making a one-time payment of US$5,000,000 to RIVI. The spot price of gold must be greater than US$1,200 per ounce in order to exercise this option. Kimberly Ann Arntson, Company CFO and Vice President Corporate Development commented: Reaching this Agreement with RIVI is an important step for the Company. Conventional capital markets are essentially closed to the junior resource segment and our ability to fund our operations by partnering with RIVI is a testament to the quality of our Igor project and our perseverance in the face of challenging market conditions. We are pleased that the Igor project has received such a clear vote of confidence from a strong financial partner like RIVI. In addition, because the MPA is limited to the Igor 4 concession, the agreement leaves the balance of our holdings at the IGOR project unencumbered by the Gold Streaming Agreement, preserving exploration upside for our shareholders. Brian J. Maher, President and CEO of Peruvian commented: The funding by RIVI will enable the Company to focus on a number of short term objectives. First and foremost is the start-up of our bulk sampling and test mining program at Igor. Data acquired in this program, including mining costs, production rates, ground conditions, resource validation and metallurgical recoveries, will be used by the Company to complete a Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) or Pre-Feasibility Study (PFS) in accordance with Canadian National Instrument 43-101 for the project. Simultaneously, we will be further evaluating our options for treating mineralized material utilizing heap leach precious metal recovery. As previously announced, our conventional milling processing plant is entering into its detailed design phase and we expect permitting to begin shortly. With this commitment by RIVI, we can advance all phases of the project and minimize shareholder dilution. About Peruvian Precious Metals Inc.: Peruvian Precious Metals (PPX: TSX.V; BVL) is currently exploring and evaluating mine development opportunities at its Igor Mine Project in Northern Peru. The Igor project explores several high grade, gold and silver mineralized high-angle structures that host significant gold and silver resources. The Callanquitas Structure at the Igor Project contains Inferred gold and silver resources of 7,189,000 tonnes grading 1.94 gpt gold and 71.8 gpt silver containing 448,500 ounces of gold and 16,600,000 ounces of silver at a cutoff grade of 1.5 gpt gold equivalent. Included within this resource estimate is a higher grade zone consisting of 2,730,000 tonnes grading 2.73 gpt gold and 119.1 gpt silver containing 239,400 ounces of gold and 10,500,000 ounces of silver using a 3.0 gpt gold equivalent cutoff grade (Please see Technical Report as amended on September 27, 2013 entitled Technical Report on the Callanquitas Structure, Igor Mine Project, Northern Peru, South America, available on the Companys web site or SEDAR). Mineral resources are not mineral reserves and do not have demonstrated economic viability. There is no certainty that all or any part of the mineral resource will be converted into mineral reserves. The Company is continuing its exploration and development of the Igor Project including an underground test mining and bulk sampling program designed to generate data to evaluate future mine development options at Igor. Permits for the test program have been received and initial operations at Igor are expected to commence in Q1 2016. All scientific and technical information in this press release has been reviewed and approved by Quentin J. Browne, P.Geo., Independent Consulting Geologist to Peruvian Precious Metals, who is a qualified person under the definitions established by Canadian National Instrument 43-101. On behalf of the Board of Directors Brian J. Maher President and Chief Executive Officer FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: Peruvian Precious Metals Corp. Kimberly Ann Arntson, CFO and Vice President - Corporate Development Phone: 1-530-414-4400 Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Website: www.peruvianpmc.com Cautionary Statement: This news release includes certain forward-looking statements or information. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this release, including, without limitation, statements relating to the potential mineralization and geological merits of the Igor Mine Project and other future plans, objectives or expectations of Peruvian Precious Metals Inc. (the "Company") are forward-looking statements that involve various risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's plans or expectations include risks relating to the actual results of current exploration and development activities, fluctuating gold prices, possibility of equipment breakdowns and delays, exploration cost overruns, availability of capital and financing, general economic, market or business conditions, regulatory changes, timeliness of government or regulatory approvals and other risks detailed herein and from time to time in the filings made by the Company with securities regulators. The Company expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise except as otherwise required by applicable securities legislation. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwired - Feb. 15, 2016) - THIS NEWS RELEASE IS INTENDED FOR DISTRIBUTION IN CANADA ONLY AND IS NOT INTENDED FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE OR DISSEMINATION TO THE UNITED STATES Orla Mining Ltd. ("Orla Mining" or the "Company") (TSX VENTURE:OLA) has closed a non-brokered private placement financing for gross proceeds in the amount of $30,000. The Company issued 375,000 units (the "Units") at a price of $0.08 per Unit. Each Unit consists of one common share of the Company (a "Common Share") and one common share purchase warrant (each a "Warrant"), entitling the holder to acquire a Common Share at $0.10 until February 15, 2018. The Company intends to use the net proceeds to further asset review and evaluation opportunities, and for general working capital purposes. The Common Shares, Warrants and shares underlying the Warrants will be subject to a four month and one day statutory hold period expiring on June 16, 2016. The private placement is a related party transaction for the Company due to the participation by an insider. The private placement is exempt from the need to obtain minority shareholder and a formal valuation as required by Multilateral Instrument 61-101 as the Company is listed on the TSX Venture Exchange and the fair market value of any units to insiders or the consideration paid by insiders of the Company does not exceed 25% of the Company's market capitalization. On behalf of the Board of Directors, Tory Fierro, Chairman About Orla Mining Orla Mining is a closely held mineral exploration company led by a group of seasoned mining executives. The Company's focus will be to acquire mineral exploration opportunities where the Company's exploration and development expertise and corporate share structure could substantially enhance shareholder value. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation, including, without limitation, statements with respect to the expected use of proceeds and the Company's objectives and strategies. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts which address events, results, outcomes or developments that the Company expects to occur; they are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects", "plans", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "projects", "aims", "potential", "goal", "objective", "prospective", and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will", "would", "may", "can", "could" or "should" occur. Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made and they involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Certain material assumptions regarding such forward-looking statements are discussed in this news release, including without limitation, assumptions with respect to the Company using the proceeds as currently contemplated. Consequently, there can be no assurances that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Forward-looking statements involve significant known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated. These risks include, but are not limited to: the risks associated with executing the Company's objectives and strategies, including costs and expenses. Except as required by the securities disclosure laws and regulations applicable to the Company, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements if management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA / TheNewswire / February 16, 2016 / MGX Minerals Inc. ("MGX" or the "Company") (CSE: XMG / FKT: 1MG) is pleased to announce construction and improvements to the haul road have commenced at the Driftwood Creek magnesium project. The development work is being completed in support of the 100 tonne bulk sample currently underway. This work was previously planned for Spring 2016 but has been accelerated under the comprehensive development agreement with Dominion Excavating. About MGX Minerals MGX Minerals (CSE: XMG) is a diversified Canadian mining company engaged in the acquisition and development of industrial mineral deposits in western Canada that offer near-term production potential, minimal barriers to entry and low initial capital expenditures. The Company operates the Driftwood Creek magnesium project located in the East Kootenay Region of British Columbia. MGX has recently received approval of a 20 year mining lease for Driftwood and bulk sampling is currently underway. For further information, please visit the Company's website at www.mgxminerals.com. About Dominion Excavating Dominion Excavating is a quarry mining and construction company located in Invermere, BC. MGX has entered into a comprehensive development agreement with Dominion for the road and mine construction at the Driftwood Creek magnesium project. Under the agreement Dominion is acquiring an equity position in MGX in exchange for development work. Dominion is a First Nations owned company. Contact Information Jared Lazerson Chief Executive Officer Telephone: 604.681.7736 Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking information or forward-looking statements (collectively "forward-looking information") within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking information is typically identified by words such as: "believe", "expect", "anticipate", "intend", "estimate", "potentially" and similar expressions, or are those, which, by their nature, refer to future events. The Company cautions investors that any forward-looking information provided by the Company is not a guarantee of future results or performance, and that actual results may differ materially from those in forward-looking information as a result of various factors. The reader is referred to the Company's public filings for a more complete discussion of such risk factors and their potential effects which may be accessed through the Company's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Copyright (c) 2016 TheNewswire - All rights reserved. VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwired - Feb. 15, 2016) - Group Ten Metals Inc. (TSX VENTURE:PGE)(FRANKFURT:5D31) (the "Company" or "Group Ten") announces that the Company has entered debt settlement agreements with creditors to settle $888,045.52 of outstanding debt by way of a write-off and the issuance of 9,382,874 common shares. A total of $723,287.39 of debt will be settled at $0.10 per share while a further $107,500.00 will be settled at $0.05 per share, including $47,000 of debt owed to Michael Rowley and MVR Consulting, a company controlled by Michael Rowley, President and CEO of the Company. In addition Mr. Rowley is writing off $57,258.13 in debt owed to him by the Company. The settlements are subject to TSX Venture Exchange approval, and settlement shares will be subject to a four-month hold period. The settlements will not create a new control person holding more than 20% of the issued and outstanding shares of the company. For further information, visit the corporate website at www.grouptenmetals.com or contact Corporate Communications at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . About Group Ten Metals Inc. Group Ten Metals Inc. is a mineral exploration company with a particular focus on deposits of platinum group metals (PGM), nickel, copper and gold. The Company is specifically focused on the Kluane Ultramafic Belt in the southwest Yukon Territory where it controls the premier land position in this emerging world-class PGM district including properties adjoining Wellgreen Platinum Ltd's Wellgreen deposit. On Behalf of the Board of Directors GROUP TEN METALS INC. Michael Rowley, President & Director Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Statements which are not purely historical are forward-looking statements, including any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future. It is important to note that actual outcomes and the Company's actual results could differ materially from those in such forward-looking statements. Risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, economic, competitive, governmental, environmental and technological factors that may affect the Company's operations, markets, products and prices. Readers should refer to the risk disclosures outlined in the Company's Management Discussion and Analysis of its audited financial statements filed with the British Columbia Securities Commission. NEWSLETTER Sign up Tick the boxes of the newsletters you would like to receive. Just Style Daily Update The top stories of the day delivered to you every weekday. Just Style Weekly Update A weekly roundup of the latest news and analysis, sent every Monday. Just Style Magazine The industry's most comprehensive news and information delivered every quarter. By Mario Laborie Iglesias Here is a look at the prospects and major challenges for the EUs common security and defence in 2016. EU Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP), an integral part of its common foreign and security policy, should, at least in theory, constitute the most obvious manifestation of the political will of EU member states to promote European values and interests, and contribute to peace and security worldwide. However, since its founding in 1999 and for various reasons, CSDP has remained as a second-line priority for European leaders. Little prepared for the use of hard line power, the economic crisis and the downward trends in defence budgets may partly explain this situation. Consequently, although there have been notable advances 18 missions and civilian and/ or military operations currently up and running CSDP is, at the moment, far from the situation envisaged in the Treaty of Lisbon, just at a time when the context of security for Europe is deteriorating rapidly. Indeed, at present the EU faces the greatest threats and risks since its inception. Major changes in the geopolitical environment which are destabilising the new international order that emerged after World War II; the old and new armed conflicts close to European borders; the euro crisis; a new wave of jihadist terrorism; and, above all, mass immigration, which is calling into question some European principles that seemed firmly consolidated, seem to be sufficient arguments to explain the breadth and complexity of the current strategic environment. As these challenges increase, there is a growing demand for European nations to develop a genuine common security policy involving greater and more efficient cooperation over military capabilities. The idea is that no country can cope alone with the aforementioned challenges, and integration in defence is not only a beneficial alternative, it is crucial for the development of the European project. As these challenges increase, there is a growing demand for European nations to develop a genuine common security policy involving greater and more efficient cooperation over military capabilities. The mandate of the European Council in December 2013 and changes in the political leadership of the European institutions, which began after the parliamentary elections in May 2014, promoted the beginning of a process of reviewing CSDPs parameters. In June last year, the heads of state and government of the Union once again urged the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini, to continue with the evaluation of changes in the strategic world context, and to identify their implications, challenges and opportunities for the EU. In this context, some initiatives are expected to see the light over the course of 2016. First, the European Council in June should seek the approval of the Global Security Strategy (GSS), with a view to a first submission to foreign ministers at their meeting in Amsterdam in early February. The GSS, which is being drafted by various EU institutions, in close coordination with the Member States, is aimed at enabling the Union to identify a clear set of objectives and priorities for the present and future. The basic concept is that the EU should harmonise their mechanisms, resources and policies to promote their values and interests globally, while the security of European citizens is guaranteed. In September 2015, Federica Mogherini proposed to supplement the future GSS with a number of sub-strategies, one in particular devoted to the defence sector. This could take the form of a long-awaited White Paper to clarify the political will of States to develop its defence at European level. This sub-strategy should clarify issues such as the level of ambition of the CSDP, interaction with other international organizations especially with NATO, which also has a summit in Warsaw next July, with important implications; the strategic concept of the use of European military forces: concrete measures for the integration of forces; the definition of common strategic capabilities to be developed; or the way to simplify the process of decision-making and financing military operations and missions. However, despite its importance, so far, European bodies have not made any statement on the official launch of the White Paper and the chances are that it will have to wait for the approval of the GSS. For its part, the European Commission is developing the so-called European Agenda for Security. In line with the commitment of its president, Jean-Claude Juncker, a Plan of Action to strengthen markets and European defence industries has been included within the 2016 working programme. That plan, which aims to ensure an effective EU response to security threats during the period 2017-2020, should replace the Internal Security Strategy adopted in 2010. Nevertheless, it is the states, through the European Council, who have the last word in the field of security. The role of the Commission is to facilitate cooperation between EU countries to tackle cross-border security issues. Thus, the Action Plan on defence envisages action in various domains and recognizes three priorities: the fight against terrorism and the prevention of radicalisation; the containment of organised crime and combatting cyber threats. This plan, which is expected to start next autumn, will involve different services within the Commission and shall be implemented in close cooperation with the European Defence Agency (EDA) and the European External Action Service (EEAS). Therefore, it is imperative to seek the necessary coherence in the planning and execution of this ambitious project. Also taking into consideration this European Agenda for Security, in 2017 the Commission plans to launch a preparatory action (PA) on research related to the CSDP. Adopted by the European Council in December 2013, PA is a response to the need to preserve scientific and technological knowledge in defence of the Member States, and to maintain and improve the long term competitiveness of the European defence industry. Given that common research programmes are essential for the promotion of certain military capabilities, the intention is to insert a subject area on CSDP within the next multiannual financial framework: 2021-2027. This initiative made substantial progress in 2015, a year when consultation procedures and ways of participation for the countries concerned were laid down. For 2016, it is expected that the Council and the European Parliament approve its budget and management structures are put in place. In view of the above initiatives, it appears that something is moving in European defence. However, there are several limitations that prevent the construction of a European foreign policy capable of meeting the security challenges. First, a pragmatic and integrated European spirit is required to develop a CSDP that would go beyond the individual interests of each nation, however it is precisely the extreme complexity of defining common interests which, until now, has weighed down the progression of common European defence. There are several limitations that prevent the construction of a European foreign policy capable of meeting the security challenges. First, a pragmatic and integrated European spirit is required to develop a CSDP that would go beyond the individual interests of each nation. But undoubtedly the main obstacle to the further integration of European defence comes from the intransigence on the part of some Member States over ceding sovereignty to EU institutions. In other words, for the above initiatives to succeed, European countries must be willing to develop new forms of cooperation on the basis of strategic convergence. At the same time, concrete measures and deadlines are needed for better and more efficient integration over defence. Thus, without real political will and leadership, CSDP will continue inevitably to be conditioned by national policies. The challenge is twofold: first, to address the gap between ambitions and capabilities; and secondly, to identify approaches so that the sovereign decisions of each Member State are respected, but at the same time, guaranteeing the right level of solidarity among EU member countries. It could be concluded that foreign and CSDP action is inextricably linked. That is, an effective foreign policy requires that European leaders clearly identify the strategic priorities and the role the CSDP must perform. Soft power tools are very valuable but European citizens must realise that without military capabilities it is not possible to be a global player which preserves our vital interests. With this in mind, President Juncker indicated several months ago that Europe is primarily a soft power. However, in the long run, even the most powerful soft power cannot act without having, at least, some integrated defence capabilities. All announcements and initiatives cited in this text indicate an awareness of the need for action. But it is worth noting that political and strategic documents are vital only if they are translated into action. The Commission will struggle to promote common defence due to restrictions imposed by its treaties and the refusal of European leaders to share some areas of national sovereignty. Therefore, it is basically up to the leaders of the EU Member States to boost measures which will enable CSDP to make decisive inroads. In summary, the overall Global Security Strategy, along with a possible White Paper on Defence; the Defence Action Plan and the Preparatory Action on CSDP-related research, will be the key points debated on in European security and defence which countries and citizens will inevitably have to deal with in this crucial year that has just begun. Published by: Please explore responsibly. While "SoCal Wanderer" continues to uncover the regions local gems and not-to-miss destinations, public health guidelines and weather conditions are changing constantly. We encourage our readers to check the latest updates for each location. Stay curious and cautious. You might not think of Southern California as being very interplanetary, but when it comes down to it, Houston and Cape Canaveral have nothing on us. Besides the fact that we now have our very own Spaceport in Mojave, for a century we've been at the forefront of space exploration through our various observatories, satellite dishes, and probes that have gone off into the great beyond to try to find whatever truth is out there. And our very own Caltech helped fund the research that has just led to the latest groundbreaking discovery of gravitational waves, proving yet another aspect of Einstein's Theory of Relativity. Einstein himself was even a visiting professor at Caltech in the early 1930s. Whether or not you want to believe in extraterrestrial life, you can't deny that the scientific discoveries made in our own backyard have shaped the way we understand the expanding universe around us. And amazingly enough, with a little advance planning, you can visit many of those historic sites -- many of which feature hiking trails in addition to their telescopes and astrophysical paraphernalia. 1. Jet Propulsion Laboratory If you're a hiker, you might have walked right past JPLalong the Gabrielino Trail in the Upper Arroyo Seco, where it sprawls across the foothills of the Angeles National Forest. In conjunction with Caltech, this is where space-bound robotics (like the Mars Rover) are designed, built, tested, and remotely operated. If you go to their open house or to any of their regular free public tours, you get to see the In Situ Instrument Laboratory, where duplicate models of rovers are placed in laboratory-controlled environments that are nearly identical to space to make trial runs over rough terrain or out of space sand. JPL is an active space exploration facility run by NASA, but it's also a museum. Its exhibits include a 50% scale model of the Cassini, whose 2004 mission was to orbit Saturn, study its rings, and release a probe towards Saturn's largest moon, Titan. There's also a sample of a moon rock and of Aerogel, the lightest solid in existence. Even if you don't know a thing about unmanned space vehicles, it's cool to take a peek into their control room, the JPL Space Flight Operations Facility. A Mars rover on display at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. | Sandi Hemmerlein 2. Goldstone Deep Space Communications Complex Thirty miles outside of Barstow in the Mojave Desert, you can take a journey from the desert to the stars at the Goldstone Deep Space Communications Complex. Like JPL, Goldstone is also run by NASA and focuses on unmanned spacecraft, the "interplanetary robotic space missions" that tell us more about the world around our planet. Built on 52 square miles on Department of Defense land in the the Mojave Desert, it's far enough from nearby cities to remain uncluttered by competing transmissions. Any NASA spacecraft mission that's flown past the moon -- even to the edge of the solar system -- was probably aided by one of their giant radio satellites in some way. Their radar observations can include a variety of rovers, probes, and even asteroids. If there's something out there to be seen, or communicated with, Goldstone will be the first to know. However, Goldstone is primarily just collecting the data. Everything that comes in is sent to JPL and analyzed there. If anything seems amiss, JPL deals with it. And it's all extremely top secret, though they do welcome public tours with restricted photo opps. One of the receivers at Goldstone Deep Space Communications Complex. All public tours at the Goldstone Deep Space Communications Complex and the Goldstone Visitor Center in Barstow have been temporarily suspended until September 7th, 2021. Check for future updates on its website or Facebook page. 3. Mount Wilson Observatory With all of these mountains bringing us to higher elevations in Southern California, it's no wonder our gazes turn upwards. At almost 6,000 feet above sea level, Mt. Wilson Observatory has a long history as a research facility, and is still operated by the Mount Wilson Institute under an agreement with the Carnegie Institution of Washington. It also hosts a number of public events and docent tours that lead you past their three solar towers that were built to study the magnetic pull of the sun. As recently as a century ago, scientists doubted whether the universe extended beyond our own Milky Way until astronomer Edwin Hubble, working with the worlds most powerful telescope discovered just how vast the universe is. Discovering the Universe But the main attractions at Mount Wilson are the 60-inch telescope and the 100-inch "Hooker" telescope, the largest telescope in the world from 1917 to 1948 that was recently opened to the public for the first in nearly a century. You can hike along the Sturtevant Trail to Echo Rock and imagine Albert Einstein walking those same paths because, of course, he did, when he visited in 1931. It was a marvel that the 100-inch telescope was even built decades before the Angeles Crest Highway, when the only way to get to the top of Mount Wilson was via the Mount Wilson Toll Road. The inside of the 100-inch is presently more or less unchanged from the days of astronomer Edwin Powell Hubble, the "pioneer of distant stars" whose discoveries revealed the expansion of the universe. If you attend one of their public star parties at either telescope -- or join one of the star parties hosted by other private groups -- you see dwarf planets, globular clusters, nebulae, and extra-galactic worlds. 4. Palomar Observatory Located on Palomar Mountain in East San Diego County, Palomar Observatory is most famous for housing the 200-inch Hale Telescope, the largest effective telescope until 1993, and a title it took over from Mt. Wilson's 100-inch "Hooker" telescope. George Ellery Hale's predecessors typically made their telescope mirrors out of fused quartz, but since mirror casters couldn't use it to manufacture a mirror that big, Hale approached Corning Glass Works in Upstate New York to make one out of a relatively new material at the time: Pyrex. It took Corning a couple of tries, but they managed to succeed in casting a mirror with the necessary purity and smoothness, and far less distortion than the previous 100-inch telescope. Moving the behemoth across the country and up the mountain ended up becoming quite the spectacle. Although it's the most famous, the 200-inch telescope isn't the only one atop Mount Palomar. There are actually a total of three telescopes, which have been responsible not only for spotting the first brown dwarf star, but also the existence of dwarf planets, initiating the discussions which led to Pluto getting kicked out of the solar system. You can see the inside of the 200-inch during daytime tours, but there are currently no opportunities for the public to look through the telescope at night. Due to the continuing pandemic, Palomar Observatory remains closed to the public for in-person visits. However, virtual talks hosted on Zoom are scheduled on Saturdays at 11 a.m. through November 2021. You can watch archived talks on Palomar's YouTube channel. 5. The Carnegie Observatories Also founded by Hale is the Carnegie Observatories in Pasadena, a premiere center of astronomical research for over 100 years. Here, astronomers were able to not only measure the age of the universe, but also discover dark matter. And now that we know that the universe is expanding (thanks to the discoveries made at the 100-inch at Mt. Wilson), scientists at Carnegie Observatories are trying to calculate how fast. They share their findings with the public via regular lectures, and for more than a dozen years, they've opened their doors to the public for an annual open house event. There, you can ask astronomers your most pressing questions, look through a solar telescope, peruse the solar plate collection in the Hale Library, explore a working machine shop, and learn about their Giant Magellan Telescope Project in Chile. As you walk through the original 1912 office building, you might encounter someone developing a new instrument, someone studying the history of the early universe, and another discovering a new class of extra-galactic objects. A seal on the floor of the Carnegie Observatories. | Sandi Hemmerlein 6. Griffith Observatory Unlike Mt. Wilson or Mt. Palomar, which were primarily scientific research facilities, the observatory in Griffith Park has always been used for public education. Beyond the Observatory's famous Art Deco exterior visible from many of the hiking trails around Griffith Park and various vantage points around Old Hollywoodland -- the interior houses more than just the planetarium shows. Intricate ceiling murals depict classical celestial mythology above an entrancing Foucault Pendulum, whose swaying back and forth remains constant while the Earth turns beneath it, causing the pendulum to knock down a series of pins every few minutes. The Tesla Coil's high voltage, lightning bolt-like display is demonstrated hourly, spectacularly, and loudly. And anytime there's an eclipse or other celestial event, the Observatory is the place to go. It may not be under the darkest of skies, but it brings together both professional and amateur astronomers that want to share the experience, even if you don't know which end of the telescope is up. Learn more about the histories of Griffith Park, one of the largest municipal parks in the United States on "Lost LA." Griffith Park: The Untold History Griffith Observatory is open Fridays 12 noon to 10 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Per Los Angeles County COVID-19 restrictions, masks must be worn while inside the Observatory. For other visitor guidelines, click here. Bonus: You can catch free star programs at community-oriented events hosted by UCLA at their small planetarium, Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy at the various park properties they manage, and Los Angeles Astronomical Society at both Griffith Park and Garvey Ranch in Monterey Park, where they'll demonstrate how to make your own telescope so you can explore space literally in your own backyard. Updated: August 5, 2021 473 Shares Share I have a new hero. Her name is Mona Hanna-Attisha, MD, MPH. Dr. Hanna-Attisha is a pediatrician in Flint, Michigan. She grew up in a suburb of Detroit. She graduated from the University of Michigan before attending medical school at Michigan State University. During her clinical years (the 3rd and 4th years of medical school), she spent many months at Hurley Medical Center in Flint, which serves as a clinical training site for MSU medical students (far from the flagship campus something I can relate to). As you may know from recent news, Flint has had some problems especially due to an overabundance of lead in its drinking water. For cost-saving reasons, the city of Flint switched the source of its drinking water from the Detroit system to the Flint River in April 2014. Almost immediately residents of the town began noticing the water looked, smelled, and tasted different. It took nearly a year and half for both state and federal officials to acknowledge that there was too much lead in the Flint water repeatedly questioning the evidence that it was so. Thats where our new hero comes in. Dr. Hanna-Attisha directs a pediatric residency training program at Hurley. There are 190 pediatric residency training programs in the United States, training in total about 2600 pediatricians every year. I can relate to this part of her job my most recent role was directing an internal medicine residency. Though the medical issues are different (kids vs. adults), residency program directors have three essential jobs: recruiting medical school graduates, charting the learning curriculum, and making sure the program stays accredited. Program directors become role models for trainees. We try to inspire and motivate residents, offering career and life advice during what is a demanding three-year training curriculum. On top of clearly being good at this role for her residents (7 per class for a total of 20 or so residents), Dr. Hanna-Attisha uses her MPH training to do science in this particular case epidemiology. She combed through records at her medical center and discovered that lead levels measured in childrens blood in Flint (as part of routine pediatric care) had on average nearly doubled since the time of the water source switch. Though her claims were at first disputed by state officials, Dr. Hanna-Attisha kept at it, talking to parents, hospital leadership, and advocating with state and federal officials. In the end, the simple elegance of her teams science got the message across. The story has now received national attention, including the declaration of a federally-recognized state of emergency in Flint over its water supply. I was researching Dr. Hanna-Attisha, and came across this TED-like talk she gave at a Michigan State College of Medicine event in 2014. It predates the Flint water story, but it shows her to be a dedicated public servant not only committed to her trainees and her patients, but beyond that to questioning the very core of what makes people unhealthy: the social determinants of health. Take a look and let me know what you think. John Schumann is an internal medicine physician who blogs at GlassHospital. Image credit: MSNBC The man who stabbed Mairead Moran to death at her workplace and was found not guilty of her murder by reason of insanity, has been committed to the Central Mental Hospital. The trial heard that Shane Smyth (29) believed Mairead Moran had stolen a 'vile of his blood' and had 'installed hidden cameras' and put 'black widow spiders' in his house. Mr Smyth, with an address at McGuinness House, Evans Lane was charged with murdering Mairead Moran (26) on May 8 2014 at the Market Cross Shopping Centre in Kilkenny City. Two weeks ago at the Central Criminal Court Mr Smyth pleaded not guilty to murdering Ms Moran by reason of insanity. The jury had been told that the facts of the case were not disputed and during the trial forensic psychiatrist Dr Brenda Wright gave evidence that Mr Smyth was suffering from severe paranoid schizophrenia at the time. A second forensic psychiatrist, Dr Paul OConnell of the Central Mental Hospital (CMH) also gave evidence that the accused was suffering from schizophrenia and was 'not capable of forming a specific intent'. Last week a jury of three men and nine women spent fifty five minutes deliberating before bringing in a unanimous verdict of not guilty of murder by reason of insanity. On Monday prosecution counsel Mr John O'Kelly SC called Dr Sally Linehan who is a consultant forensic psychiatrist at the Central Mental Hospital. Dr Linehan told Mr O'Kelly that she had prepared a report to advise the court as to whether Mr Smyth was suffering from a medical disorder and in need of inpatient care. Dr Linehan told the court Mr Smyth was admitted to the Central Mental Hospital on May 16 2014 where he had presented 'evidence of bizarre delusional beliefs' and she had been responsible for his care there since July 15 2014. The court heard Mr Smyth was treated with Clozapine, an anti-psychotic medication and was later treated with a second psychotic medication but he 'continued to present psychosis and delusional beliefs'. Dr Linehan told the court that while Mr Smyth does acknowledge his illness, he hopes to be 'cured in the future'. In conclusion Mr Smyth is very co-operative, his speech is normal, he denies feeling depressed but I did notice evidence of delusional beliefs and limited insight into his illness," she said. The court heard in Dr Linehan's opinion Mr Smyth suffers from 'paranoid schizophrenia' and he has had a 'limited response to treatment since' his admittance to hospital. "My opinion is that he has a mental disorder and is in need of inpatient care in a designated centre. This is only available in the CMH," she said. Dr Linehan then recommended to the court that Mr Smyth be committed to the CMH. She confirmed there was a bed available for him there on Monday and staff present in court were available to escort him to hospital. Ms Justice Margaret Heneghan said she heard the evidence from Dr Linehan and 'in those circumstances' she made an order for Mr Smyth's 'inpatient care and treatment'. Waterford has made its most brazen move yet in the attempt to appropriate a large chunk of south Kilkenny, with an astonishing submission to the boundary committee outlining its supposed claim to the land. In the submission, published last week on the website of Waterford City and County Council, the local authority claims that Kilkenny has failed to take the opportunity to develop the area for almost a century. Their letter to the boundary committee goes so far as to say that the people of Waterford have been subsidising Kilkenny County Council to the extent 'perhaps of 1 and 2 million'. On the issue of the loss of peoples' identity, the letter acknowledges that there are 'some legitimate concerns', but argues that these can be mitigated and are in any case 'overwhelmingly outweighed by the positives for the citizen'. It suggests that the issue of Kilkenny cultural identity is being used to motivate the public, rather than 'informed opinion and professional analysis'. The submission describes a significant deterioration of trust betwen the two local authorities due to planning policies adopted in the area by Kilkenny County Council. It accuses the Kilkenny local authority of 'complete disregard for national and regional planning guidelines', singling out, in particular, the unoccupied Ferrybank Shopping Centre as one example. In the accompanying letter, the Mayor of Waterford and the council's chief executive argue that Kilkenny City is the priority for Kilkenny, and that effiency in services is best delivered by 'an organisation headquartered on people's doorstep...' The letter accuses Kilkenny County Council of effectively drawing resources from the area and then disproportionately supporting elsewhere. It refers to the fact that a significant number of people in south Kilkenny work in Waterford City, and cites this as 'a strong economic dependence on Waterford City in those areas'. The council acknowledges a 'limited financial consequence to Kilkenny' (estimated by our own local authority to be about 110 million) but says it is happy to pay 'fair and equitable compensation' to mitigate or eliminate these consequences. The letter concludes by urging the boundary committee to 'recommend unambiguously' a boundary change be made. cost to public Meanwhile, Kilkenny County Council this week said that any change to the boundary would result in additional costs to the public. Publically launching the local authority's own submission on Monday, Cathaoirleach Mary Hilda Cavanagh said there is a significant amount of evidence that shows that there is no need for a boundary change. One of the most striking points made in this submission is that a boundary revision as proposed will result in additional costs for the public, either through increased costs to the people of Kilkenny or through the need for central government support to compensate Kilkenny for its loss, she said. The boundary committee have recently been in touch with the council seeking a response to Waterford, and further information on the financial side of Kilkenny's submission. The members are due to meet the boundary committe again on March 9. The full content of Waterford's submission and its covering letter are available to read on www.waterfordcouncil.ie. THE decision to site the head offices of the new Carlow-Kilkenny VEC in Carlow town has been described as dreadful and ill-thought out by Department of Education officials. THE decision to site the head offices of the new Carlow-Kilkenny VEC in Carlow town has been described as dreadful and ill-thought out by Department of Education officials. Cllr Mary Hilda Cavanagh, chairwoman of County Kilkenny VEC, was reacting to news that 14 people employed in the head office of County Kilkenny VEC at Seville Lodge, Callan Road, Kilkenny will have to move to Carlow as a result of the merger of Carlow and Kilkenny VECs.. She finds the decision difficult to accept because Kilkenny VEC is classed as a medium sized VEC while Carlow is classed as a small VEC. There is nothing we can do now but prevail on the Department to put a sub-office in Kilkenny, she said. It means that current CEO of County Kilkenny VEC, Eileen Curtis, who is on a temporary contract, will go back to her old job as head of adult education in Kilkenny VEC. Cllr Cavanagh said that she expects that at least two employees with Kilkenny VEC will remain in Kilkenny, the IT officer for all the Kilkenny schools and the youth officer for the county. And in a separate development, it looks as if the full High Court hearing into principal of Kilkenny City Vocational School, Cathy McSorleys request for a judicial review of the decision by the Education Minister, Ruairi Quinn to fire her will be heard in November. "Deeply disappointing" decision maintains impunity for trafficking connected to violence and instability In a UN Security Council meeting Monday, Russia blocked U.S. and U.K. efforts to address conflict-affected gold in Darfur. Russia's blocking action came despite findings from the Sudan Sanctions Committee's Panel of Experts that link illegal exploitation and trafficking of gold and other minerals to violence and instability in Darfur. John Prendergast, Founding Director of the Enough Project, The Enough Project, an atrocity prevention policy group, seeks to build leverage for peace and justice in Africa by helping to create real consequences for the perpetrators and facilitators of genocide and other mass atrocities.said: "It is deeply disappointing that Russia, China, and other elected members of the Security Council refuse to recognize the findings of the Panel of Experts that clearly link the illicit gold trade to continued violence and instability in Darfur. By doing so, these Security Council members undermine important efforts to bring peace and stability to Darfur and allow those profiting from this illicit trade to continue doing so with impunity." Omer Ismail, Senior Advisor to the Enough Project, said: "Russia's refusal to acknowledge the connection between the illicit gold trade and conflict in Darfur is highly irresponsible and unreflective of the conditions in Darfur. The link between the illicit gold trade, including smuggling and imposed taxes, and continued conflict in Darfur is well established and incredibly harmful to Darfur civilians." In its new report, which has not yet been made public, the UN Panel of Experts recommended sanctions designations for individuals and entities that impose illegal taxes on artisanal miners in Darfur, as well as on individuals and entities engaged in the illegal exploitation and trafficking of natural resources, including gold. Omer Ismail added: "The impact of conflict-affected gold is perhaps most evident near Jebel Amer, where former Janjaweed leader Musa Hilal controls a significant mining operation outside of the control of the Government of Sudan. Despite his sanctions designation, Hilal and his armed group makes millions from Sudanese gold at the expense of the local population. The refusal of some Security Council members to accept these well-known facts or to act on them ensures that conflict will continue and Hilal will remain unaccountable." As penholder on the sanctions resolution, the U.S. attempted to add language reflecting the Panel's final report that demonstrated a clear link between the illicit gold trade and continued violence. The U.S., U.K., and other Council members supported this recommendation, but Russia, China, and others did not. Russia proved most unreceptive to the Panel's report, rejecting proposed compromise language that would have only "expressed concern" over the Panel's finding that armed groups control artisanal gold mines in Darfur. The Enough Project, an atrocity prevention policy group, seeks to build leverage for peace and justice in Africa by helping to create real consequences for the perpetrators and facilitators of genocide and other mass atrocities. Copyright ENOUGH Project. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com). SHARE By Chris Henry School district officials in Central Kitsap, Bremerton and Bainbridge Island are shifting into high gear on capital projects now that their measures put before voters Feb. 9 have passed. "It's a good busy," said Doug Newell, executive director of business and operations in Central Kitsap, where voters approved $220 million in funding for a new Central Kitsap High School and Middle School campus, plus large projects at other schools. "We're very excited to get to this point and have the community support. Now we get to get going," Newell said. In South Kitsap, however, district officials are mulling a rerun of a $127 million bond to build a second high school, which as of Friday remained shy of the pass rate (more than 60 percent). The SK bond Friday had 59.83 percent of ballots in favor. Late coming ballots will be counted through Thursday. The next special election is April 26. District officials where measures passed expressed their gratitude to voters. "We greatly appreciate the island's commitment to education," Bainbridge Island Superintendent Faith Chapel said. Bainbridge voters approved a 20-year, $81.2 million bond to replace Blakely Elementary School and the 100 Building at Bainbridge High School, along with major system upgrades and renovations throughout the district. The district soon will convene committees to help select an architect for the projects and give input on design of the buildings. Committees will include staff, parents and community members. Chapel said it's too soon to say whether the district will move forward with both of the main projects at once. It is also premature to speculate when the district might break ground on either, she said. Funding from capital measures won't start to flow into districts until spring 2017, after collection of property taxes in April. That's when Bremerton School District will kick off projects funded by a three-year $8.6 million capital levy. The first round of work in 2017 will include roofing projects, replacement of some playground structures, replacement of the telephone system and possibly the start of renovation to Bremerton High School Performing Arts Center, said Patty Glaser, district spokeswoman. With the next phase of collection in 2018, the district will begin its turf project, adding new fields at Bremerton High School and Legion Field. Also slated for 2018 is demolition of the derelict East High School, giving a blank slate for potential community use. The capital levy will allow the district to address a need for classroom space by either adding or modernizing portables, Glaser said. The district also is working on long-range plans to reduce crowding. "We would like to thank the Citizens for Good Schools Committee for their tireless support of the levy and arranging informational meetings for community groups to better understand our request," Glaser said. "Your financial support of the facilities students and families use is a testament to how great schools build great communities," Bremerton Superintendent Aaron Leavell said in a letter to the Kitsap Sun. In Central Kitsap, Newell and his team will hit the deck running. The school board is set Feb. 24 to approve architects for major renovations and additions at Klahowya Secondary School and Olympic High School. An architect for the CK campus will be chosen in March, and the district is reviewing applicants for construction project management. Work on Klahowya is estimated to start in early 2017 with Oly's construction to kick off in spring 2017. Olympic High will get a renovation of its career and technical education center as well as a new commons and replacement of portables with permanent classrooms. Klahowya also will get new classrooms to replace portables and a new gym. Work on the new Central Kitsap High School and Middle School is slated to start in fall 2017 and be completed by fall 2019. Peter Dunne writes: I agree with the Labour Party on the TPP. Well, some of what it is saying anyway. Actually, to be more accurate, some of what Andrew Little is saying, because everyone else in his Caucus seems to be trying to cover all sides of the argument, all of the time. My favourite trick at the moment is to ask people if they can explain to me what the Labour Party position on TPP actually is. So far out of 25 people (including MPs, media and activists) no one has been able to. No, I agree with Andrew Little when he says it would be crazy for New Zealand to pull out of the TPP once it takes effect. He is absolutely right. So Little is for parts of TPP, against parts of TPP, will vote against it, but wont pull out of it, and says NZ should just ignore parts of it we dont like but will be outraged if any other country did the same. Over the summer period, I took the opportunity to listen quietly to what real New Zealanders, not the vocal protestors, were saying. Their message is mixed. They hear the governments story about the trade opportunities arising from the TPP, and while, on balance, they are a little sceptical, they tend to see that as positive. They do worry about sovereignty issues, but note that every agreement we have signed up to, including membership of the United Nations under Peter Fraser and the World Health Organisation, has involved sovereignty issues, and there has never been a problem. I look forward to Labour explaining how the Kyoto Protocol wasnt a huge breach of our sovereignty. Others have wanted to know how come it was acceptable for New Zealand to take Australia to the World Trade Organisation over its restrictions on our apple exports, but not acceptable for similar provisions to apply here. NZ is more likely to benefit from provisions that allow disputes to be arbitrated, as we generally are in the right. Share this: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Reddit WhatsApp More Pinterest Print Tumblr Willie Jackson has written: The Chairman of the Maori Radio Network Te Whakaruruhau, Willie Jackson, called for an inquiry into the embarrassing level of Maori content on Radio NZ. Radio Waatea, the National Maori language current affairs and news provider conducted a 12 week audit of National Radio which revealed that out of 1440 hours of content Monday to Friday, RNZ played a mere 99 minutes of Maori content (0.1%) between November 2015 and January 2016. The audit came about after Jackson challenged the Head of Content for Radio NZ Carol Hirschfeld over the cancellation of their Maori dedicated news Manu Korihi in October of 2015. Ms Hirschfield said there would be even more Maori news after the cancellation of the news show, but the 12 week audit of daily news posted on their very own website reveals something that is substantially different to what she promised. Willie Jackson says that Carol Hirschfelds response was to predictably rubbish the audit. She said Maori are also mentioned on their national, political and regional web pages. He says sadly, Carol has fallen into the trap that others have in the past, who think that just because Maori are mentioned that this constitutes a Maori story, a little bit like the time when it was said that when Maori were on Police Ten 7 that constituted a Maori story. Maori being mentioned as part of other stories cannot be used in RNZs calculations of Maori stories. We looked at Maori-specific news over the 12 weeks and used the facts that they provided on their website Monday to Friday, but even if we were to include the stories that Carols talking about, the percentage would still be less than 2%. The Herald reports: Act Party leader David Seymour says a pattern is emerging in which judges are choosing not to give the harshest penalty for murderers under the three strikes legislation. On Thursday, Hamilton man Turei Rawiri Kingi, 26, was sentenced to a minimum of 13 years jail for bludgeoning an elderly man to death with a single strike of a bottle in August. The murder was Kingis second strike, or serious violence offence. Under a provision in the three strikes legislation, Kingi faced a life sentence without parole unless the judge considered this punishment manifestly unjust. Justice Edwin Wylie ruled that the sentence would be manifestly unjust because of Kingis mental health problems and a number of other factors. It is the third time in three cases that judges have used this clause to avoid the harshest penalty. He killed within months of getting his first strike. Im not optimistic that when he is released from prison, he wont carry on offending. Mr Seymour said he respected the judges decisions. But he said that the drafters of the three strikes law would probably be surprised that the manifestly unjust clause had been used in 100 per cent of the relevant cases. He said the safety valve clause was designed to prevent injustices in the most extraordinary, out-of-the-box homicide cases in which a life sentence without parole would clearly be wrong. It is interesting just from a policy point of view to note that so far this scenario has played out three times, once in Auckland, once in Wellington and once in Hamilton, and each time the judge has said that this is one of these extraordinary cases, Mr Seymour said. What will be interesting is when someone is up for a third strike for a non-murder case, so it is not life without parole but the maximum sentence (say 20 years for rape) without parole. Will the judge then impose the penalty specified under the three strikes law, or will judges continue to find reasons for a stronger penalty to be manifestly unjust? Share this: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Reddit WhatsApp More Pinterest Print Tumblr Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Workers install one of three GE FA4 turbines at TVAs John Sevier Combined Cycle Gas Plant near Rogersville, Tenn. The $790 million, 880-megawatt plant began generating commercial power on April 30, 2012, and produces enough power for about 500,000 homes. (Michael Patrick/News Sentinel) SHARE By Ed Marcum of the Knoxville News Sentinel An audit conducted by the TVA Office of Inspector General concludes that a contractor on the John Sevier Combined Cycle Plant overbilled TVA by at least $1.2 million, but possibly as much as $6.9 million. TVA is looking into the situation and will take any appropriate action deemed necessary, said spokesman Jim Hopson. Also, the Inspector General's Office released a report of an audit evaluating the effectiveness of TVA's Information Technology Infrastructure Delivery Group, generally giving it high marks, but with some suggestions for improvement. An Inspector General's Office audit looked at $113.6 million billed to TVA from Jan. 1, 2012, to Nov. 25, 2013, by URS Energy and Construction Inc. for work done on the John Sevier project. In the audit, inspectors concluded that URS overbilled TVA $1,205,758, including $378,212 in overbilled temporary assistance costs, $325,876 in other direct costs, $439,189 in labor costs, $55,390 in markup costs and $7,091 in travel costs. In addition, inspectors determined that URS may have overbilled TVA by $6,885,835 in shared cost savings and $317,852 for a completion bonus because of potential misrepresentations in estimated material costs included in a target cost estimate for the project. URS officials could not be reached for comment. "TVA respects the important role the Office of the Inspector General performs and takes its findings very seriously," the utility said in a statement. "We are currently investigating the issues referred to in their recent report, and, if confirmed, will take appropriate actions to correct the situation." The audit report noted that URS has issued some credits and refunds to TVA amounting to $76,745. The new main banking office of the ORNL Federal Credit Union officially opened in Oak Ridge on Monday. (BOB FOLWER/NEWS SENTINEL) SHARE Greta Ownby, executive vice president of the Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce, prepares for the ribbon cutting for the new main banking office of ORNL Federal Credit Union in Oak Ridge on Monday. In background are Colin Anderson, president and CEO of the credit union, and Marcy Catron, chairman of the board of directors. (BOB FOWLER/NEWS SENTINEL) By Bob Fowler OAK RIDGE In tribute to its past, fieldstone from the original 1948 headquarters of what's grown to be East Tennessee's largest federal credit union adorns the front of the new main Oak Ridge banking office of the institution. Grand opening for the new ORNL Federal Credit Union office, an ultramodern facility next to what's now the credit union's nerve center, was held Monday afternoon. "This is more than we could have hoped for," said Marcy Catron, chairman of the credit union's board of directors, while standing in the lobby of the 5,400 square-foot facility. "The feel of this location is what it's all about for us," said Colin Anderson, the institution's president and CEO. Anderson said the new main banking office keeps the same address as the original headquarters: 215 Rutgers Avenue. Manager is Jeff McCord, and there will be a 12-member staff. Groundbreaking for the $4.5 million office was held June 9. Anderson said the new facility is the start of a sweeping upgrade of the credit union's Oak Ridge facilities. The main business office is 55,000 square feet, and an extensive remodeling of that 30-year-old building will begin in March and take about a year to complete. "We'll remodel from the ground floor up," Anderson said. When finished, the larger building "will look just like this (the banking office) when we're done," he said. ORNL Federal Credit Union "has redefined the role of credit unions in East Tennessee," said Parker Hardy, president of the Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce. As part of Monday's festivities, the credit union made a $1,000 donation to the Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Department. The new office is "a great addition to our community," Oak Ridge Mayor Warren Gooch said. Anderson said a new "hub" location of the credit union's mortgage lending operation, CUCommunity, is under construction off Northshore Drive in Knox County. That 24,000 square-foot building should open early next year, he said. The credit union has 508 employees and $1.7 billion in assets. Ole Smoky Distillery in Gatlinburg has taken over and rebranded the former Davy Crockett distillery and store at 650 Parkway in Gatlinburg. SUBMITTED PHOTO SHARE What had been Davy Crockett Tennessee Whiskey has been rebranded as Ole Smoky since this months takeover of the former Davy Crockett distillery in Gatlinburg. SUBMITTED PHOTO With the rebranding of Davy Crockett Tennessee Whiskey, the former Davy Crockett store and distillery is now selling Ole Smoky whiskey and merchandise at 650 Parkway in Gatlinburg. SUBMITTED PHOTO What used to be Davy Crockett Tennessee Whiskey has been rebranded Ole Smoky. It's shown on display here in the former Davy Crockett distillery and store in Gatlinburg. SUBMITTED PHOTO Ole Smoky Whiskey is on display at the former Davy Crokett Tennessee Whiskey distillery and store in Gatlinburg. SUBMITTED PHOTO By Ed Marcum of the Knoxville News Sentinel Two Gatlinburg distilleries have merged operations, and the result is a renovated barrelhouse and rebranding of Davy Crockett Whiskey. Ole Smoky Tennessee Moonshine announced Friday that it has acquired Davy Crockett's Tennessee Whiskey and has rebranded that line to become Ole Smoky Whiskey. Ole Smoky Tennessee Moonshine, which began business in 2010, was the first distilling operation to open in Gatlinburg after a 2009 change in state law loosened restrictions on whiskey distilling. Several similar establishments have followed, including the Gatlinburg Barrelhouse, which opened in 2011 at 650 Parkway. "The whiskey line is going to be a great addition to Ole Smoky's collection of moonshines," Joe Baker, Ole Smoky Moonshine founder, said in a statement. "We are honored that we are able to grow a business everyone in East Tennessee knows and loves." Plans are to soon have Ole Smoky Whiskey available at retailers throughout the state and with a new look. The whiskey will be available in four flavors Straight Tennessee Whiskey, Blended Whiskey, Salty Caramel Whiskey and Tennessee Mud. Ole Smoky plans to introduce additional flavors during 2017. When it operated as Davey Crockett's Tennessee Whiskey, the brand included such flavors as Davy Crockett's Ole Coonskin Tennessee Whiskey, Fire Tower Cinnamon Bourbon Whiskey, Chokin'Chicken Tennessee Vodka and Cooter Brown Blended Whiskey. At the renovated barrelhouse, visitors get to see how whiskey is made, take part in whiskey tastings and shop through an expanded selection of retail merchandise. Ole Smoky officials said the merger will allow Ole Smoky to leverage the strengths of two very high-quality whiskey products. The whiskeys are made from a 100-year-old family recipe and aged four years in white oak barrels. The whiskeys are mellowed through sugar maple charcoal, and local ingredients are used. Ole Smoky Tennessee Moonshine offers 23 moonshine flavors, with some including its original recipe, Moonshine Cherries, White Lightnin,' Harley -Davidson Roadhouse Customs, Blue Flame, Moonshine Peaches and others. "We are confident that this business endeavor will bring the company great success," Robert Hall, Ole Smoky CEO, said in a statement. "Having two categories under Ole Smoky's name is a huge win for the company, and we hope it will be a great opportunity to increase our fan base." Other area distilling operations include Great Smoky Mountain Distillery and Sugarlands Distilling in Gatlinburg and Old Forge Distillery in Pigeon Forge. SHARE HOWDY PARDNER Pigeon Forge hosts the 16th annual Saddle Up week from Wednesday through Sunday, Feb. 17-21. Celebrate the American West and enjoy cowboy and cowgirl entertainers, a chuck-wagon cook-off, workshops and seminars, a cowboy dance, cowboy church and much more. Info: www.mypigeonforge.com/events/saddle-up/ PHOTO LESSON The LeConte Photographic Society of Sevierville will have a photo program, "The Southern Appalachian Landscape," by Lori Kincaid at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 20, at the King Family Library in Sevierville. The program is free. Kincaid is a professional photographer and self-taught naturalist specializing in the landscapes and flora of the Southern Appalachians. Her work has been published in Sierra Club and Audubon calendars and National Geographic publications. She teaches photography at her mountaintop home near Max Patch on the North Carolina-Tennessee border. Info: www.lecontephotographic.com JEWELRY WORKSHOP Old keys, broken jewelry, lost earrings and out-of-time watches can find new purpose at Ijams Nature Center's salvage jewelry workshop at 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 18. Bring your old and worn pieces and learn how to transform them into new treasures. Instructor and local artist Sarah Brobst will also have plenty of bins to dig through to help transform your pieces into a real masterpieces. Fee: $20 per person. To register, call 865-577-4717, ext. 110. BIRDS OF A FEATHER Ijams' Stephen Lyn Bales will share information about the area's winter birds at a Birding & Brunch program at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 20. Bring binoculars for a walk outside, weather permitting. The fee is $5 for Ijams members and $8 for nonmembers. At 1 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 21, Join Bales for a road trip to Hiwassee Wildlife Area in Meigs County in the hope of seeing cranes, eagles and other wintering waterfowl. Ijams will provide hot cocoa and munchies. The fee is $5 for Ijams members and $8 for nonmembers. To register for either program, call 865-577-4717, ext. 110. DINNER & DANCING The Fountain City Art Center, 213 Hotel Ave., will hold a Sadie Hawkins Day Dinner & Dance at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 27, with live bluegrass and country band Earl Bull and Friends and dinner catered by Big Fatty's. Reservations and prepaid tickets, which are required, are $35 per person; $210 for table of six. Country/hillbilly attire encouraged. For reservations, information or to volunteer, email fcartcenter@knology.net or call 865-357-2787. Nearly all Black KPD officers say they face discrimination "You cant start working on something if you dont first recognize you have a problem and a direction to go in." SHARE Father-daughter duos still have time to celebrate Valentine's Day with a hike just for them this Saturday. The popular annual hike for fathers and daughters of all ages is a way to spend time learning together on a Saturday morning and explore the University of Tennessee Arboretum. It's a free event and begins at 9 a.m. Saturday. Hikers should meet in the arboretum's parking lot, 901 S. Illinois Avenue, Oak Ridge. Hiking boots are not required, but attendees should wear sturdy shoes. Fathers and daughters should also bring bottled water. Jeff Holt, a member of the UT Arboretum Society and a local consulting forester, will lead the walk and provide information throughout. The hike is under two miles and will take less than two hours, but organizers encourage pairs to stay and explore the arboretum more after the hike ends. The UT Arboretum is a project of UT Forest AgResearch and Education Center. There are more than five miles of short walking trails, open all year, across roughly 250 acres of forest. More than 30,000 visitors come to the arboretum each year to see the collection of plants and wildlife. The space is also an outdoor classroom for university students studying a variety of disciplines including plant uses, insect and disease control and natural resource management. Visitors can access the arboretum daily from 8 a.m. to sunset, and the arboretum's visitors center and office is open 8 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday, excluding holidays. For more information about the arboretum, the father-daughter hike and other events, call 865-483-3571 or visit arboretum.tennessee.edu. SHARE Terry Frank Steve Mead By Bob Fowler CLINTON In the current way the Anderson County budget is presented under Mayor Terry Frank's "iron fist," county commissioners are left in the dark about fiscal matters until late in the process, Commissioner Steve Mead says. Now, he says, Frank prepares a budget and presents it to the four members of the budget committee whom she appoints and whose meetings she chairs. Mead said county commissioners only get their first glimpse of a budget summary during a public hearing late in the process. The details of that fiscal blueprint aren't listed, he said, and it's difficult for commissioners to make late-stage changes to the budget. Mead, once Frank's ally, has become her bitter foe and is strongly advocating a change in the way county budgets are put together. It's set up a showdown, with Frank and her supporters lobbying to keep the current system, which Mead says also gives the mayor the power to hire and fire the budget director and purchasing agent. Frank has said the proposed new system would be a "massive step backwards." Commissioners last month voted 13-2 to adopt the County Financial Management System of 1981, where a seven-member panel does the budget groundwork and appoints the budget chief and purchasing director. Four commissioners would be on that finance committee, along with the mayor, school director and road superintendent. Frank vetoed that decision, and a vote by commission where nine commissioners could override her veto is scheduled Feb. 22. Frank in a column sent to some media outlets announced what she calls a "question-and-answer public forum" about the issue, scheduled for 6 p.m. today in the courthouse. Mead said that meeting was scheduled at a time when most commissioners will be in Nashville. He questioned whether tonight's meeting would be a violation of the state's Open Meetings Act. Mead said that under the current setup, just two commissioners are on the budget committee. "This makes it hard for citizens to hold their commissioner accountable," he said. Mead said Frank has made "significant changes" in the past to the details of budget proposals without notifying commissioners. Frank didn't respond to requests for comment. The Irradiated Fuels Examination Laboratory is pictured in an undated photograph at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Spent nuclear fuel from a Virginia reactor is being studied there. (NEWS SENTINEL/Frank Munger) SHARE By Frank Munger of the Knoxville News Sentinel OAK RIDGE The U.S. Department of Energy has confirmed that "research quantities" of spent nuclear fuel from a Virginia reactor have arrived at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, where a team will conduct a number of studies with the highly radioactive material. "ORNL is in receipt of research quantities of high-burn-up commercial fuel from the North Anna Power Station," DOE spokeswoman Claire Sinclair said in response to questions. The total amount is about 100 pounds, ORNL Director Thom Mason said via email. The studies are reportedly taking place in highly shielded "hot cells" in ORNL's Irradiated Fuels Examination Laboratory. "The research has begun and will involve detailed nondestructive and destructive examination and other analyses," Sinclair said. The fuel from the pressurized water reactor is categorized as high burn-up, which means that more of the uranium fuel is burned up during operations than with traditional fuels. That allows utilities to get more power out of the fuel before replacing it, thus reducing the amount of fuel used and extending the time between refuelings. "The trend over the years has been to go toward higher burn-up fuel to reduce waste and improve economics," Mason said. The fuel is not experimental, the ORNL director said. "However, since it is a more recent shift in the industry, less is known about the behavior of high burn-up fuel after it comes out of the reactor," he said. "Hence the motivation for the R&D (research and development)." The studies reportedly will provide additional information on long-term storage of the spent nuclear fuels, as well as their eventual disposition. Activist groups expressed concern last year when the proposed project and follow-up projects to be conducted later, either at ORNL or other sites was made public. Ralph Hutchison of the Oak Ridge Environmental Peace Alliance said earlier Monday he was "deeply disappointed" that the Nuclear Regulatory Commission did not release information on the route that was to be used to transport the highly radioactive spent fuel from North Anna to Oak Ridge. He said the NRC promised that information but never provided it. Hutchison said he also had asked ORNL officials if they planned to do an environmental assessment for the project. Mason said DOE has not made a decision on where additional shipments of the high-burn-up spent fuel may be sent for studies. "ORNL is probably an option, along with other DOE labs, but that decision is a few years off," he said. Mason said previous reports that the lab could be receiving up to 20 tons of spent fuel were way off base. He said that was far beyond the capacity of ORNL's nuclear facilities. SHARE University of Tennessee President Joe DiPietro By MJ Slaby of the Knoxville News Sentinel From outsourcing to diversity to rising tuition costs, various issues have overshadowed the University of Tennessee's successes, according to UT President Joe DiPietro, who said Tuesday that Tennesseans on and off campus deserve to hear about the state of the university from him. So in a nearly hour-long address from St. Thomas West Hospital in Nashville, where the UT Health Science Center is expanding a residency program, DiPietro delivered his first State of the University address. He listed the "countless successes" of the campuses and institutes and referenced "recent challenges that have created some very public distractions" such as controversies on the Knoxville campus relating to diversity and clashes with lawmakers and state government by speaking about outsourcing, diversity and tuition. "Like so many of our peers, we have also experienced challenges and situations that have caused us to scratch our heads, rethink some of our approaches, and renew and redirect our energy and resources," DiPietro said. When it comes to outsourcing the management and maintenance of buildings on public campuses, per a potential plan from Gov. Bill Haslam, DiPietro said he is concerned like many others. But the president said no decisions have been made about opting in or out of the outsourcing plan, even after a meeting on Tuesday with the state. When it comes to diversity and inclusion on campus, DiPietro said the university is committed to advancing diversity and assessing the climate around diversity across UT. The university will focus on open communication, having a shared sense of understanding through community education, consistency in resolving issues and protecting the university brand as it moves forward, the president said. Diversity is something students will encounter as they apply for jobs in the global workplace, he said. DiPietro said UT doesn't want to create an environment where everyone agrees, but rather encourage mutual respect and appreciation. The president also acknowledged the "long arm of government" that is reaching into UT governance and structure, policy decisions and more. But DiPietro said he's confident in the Board of Trustees' governance. "We have to be vigilant when it comes to protecting our position on issues like these," DiPietro said. "Otherwise, we jeopardize our long-term ability to ensure that decisions about our university are made by those who know our communities best." DiPietro also spoke about college affordability and his dedication to fixing the "broken" funding model through boundaries developed by a budget advisory group, including a tuition increase cap, that started this fiscal year. A projected $377 million funding gap over the next decade is now down to $247 million, DiPietro said. He said UT has saved another nearly $50 million through reduction or reallocation of expenses, including voluntary early retirement, and eliminated and reallocated vacant positions as well as consolidation of administrative redundancies. Tuition increases for this academic year were at the lowest level across the system in more than 30 years, the president said. In Knoxville, undergraduates saw a 3 percent tuition increase this academic year. So to see a bill proposed by state lawmakers "to freeze tuition (that) suggests that UT salaries are at the root of tuition increases" was disappointing, DiPietro said. During his overview of highlights from the Knoxville campus, DiPietro listed a $70 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy to create the Institute for Advanced Composites Manufacturing Innovation. He also awarded three inaugural President's Awards. Harry "Hap" McSween, a chancellor's professor in earth and planetary sciences from the Knoxville campus, was one of the winning employees. To finish his speech, DiPietro reiterated the university's strength and dedication to students, faculty and staff. He called for attendees to continue support of UT. "After all, our university system and our state have a growing reputation as a national leader in higher education," DiPietro said. "And the world is watching. What will they see?" By Megan Boehnke of the Knoxville News Sentinel Knox County property assessor candidate Andrew Graybeal told members of the Halls Republican Club on Monday that he has ordered a transcript from the University of Tennessee but has not yet received it. "If I never attended the University of Tennessee, nor was there any record, why did they allow me to order my transcript?" Graybeal asked at the club's meeting while holding a piece of paper with an order confirmation number he said came from UT. "They're looking for it," replied Bob Crye, president of the Halls Republican Club. "Two television stations and one newspaper have looked for that and can't find it." Graybeal's educational background has come into question after the News Sentinel reported last week that UT officials could find no record that Graybeal, 42, had ever attended the state's flagship university an assertion he has made to several media outlets. Graybeal, however, has insisted he transferred from ITT Technical Institute to UT and then graduated in 1993, he told the News Sentinel, with bachelor's of applied sciences in electronics engineering technology degree. When pressed further on his education credentials, Graybeal on Monday declined to comment and instead said he has retained an attorney. "I have retained counsel because there are some (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act) issues," he told members, referring to the federal education privacy law. "That is why I cannot discuss it." Before Monday's meeting, Graybeal said he has hired Knoxville lawyer Keith Stewart. UT officials, meanwhile, said Thursday that the school has never offered a bachelor's of applied sciences in electronics engineering technology degree. Officials also said the university would never have accepted course credits from the for-profit ITT Technical Institute. In 2008, Graybeal submitted his name for consideration to fill a vacancy on Knox County Commission. His resume at that time said he attended "ITT University at Knoxville" from 1991 to 1994 and received electronics engineering credentials. It also said he had been a real estate agent since 2003. Graybeal is running against current Deputy Property Assessor Jim Weaver and former Property Assessor John Whitehead, both of whom were also present at Monday's meeting. Weaver, who also delivered a stump speech and took questions, told the crowd he brought his credentials from Austin Peay State University with him for the evening. "I have my diploma here tonight if anybody wants to see it," Weaver said. Graybeal ran unsuccessfully for the seat in 2008. He also ran for school board in 2014, but eventually withdrew his candidacy. Chattanooga Police Chief Fred Fletcher By Kendi Anderson, Chattanooga Times Free Press Chattanooga Police Chief Fred Fletcher responded Tuesday morning on his personal Facebook page saying what allegedly happened to an Ooltewah High School freshman constitutes rape. "Not simply hazing, or bullying, or teasing, or horseplay. Rape. A violent crime," Fletcher wrote. Fletcher's post is in response to Gatlinburg Police Detective Rodney Burns' testimony Monday in Hamilton County Juvenile Court, where he said what happened to the Ooltewah 15-year-old was assault, not rape. Continue reading at the Chattanooga Times Free Press, a News Sentinel partner. Motorcycles are seen driving on U.S. 129 around mile marker 8 on Friday, Sept. 13, 2013. (Shawn Millsaps/Special to the News Sentinel) SHARE By Richard Locker of The Commercial Appeal NASHVILLE For 20 years, a small cadre of motorcyclists some in coats and ties, some in black leather jackets have descended on the State Capitol asking lawmakers to repeal Tennessee's mandatory motorcycle helmet law, which since 1967 has required all motorcycle riders to wear helmets on Tennessee streets and highways. And every year they've left in defeat, after successive heads of the Tennessee Highway Patrol, the state Department of Health, emergency room doctors and others present lawmakers the latest statistics on deaths and severe brain injuries suffered by motorcyclists in accidents without helmets and on the taxpayers' costs of their medical care. The fight resumes Tuesday, when the House Finance Committee is scheduled to vote on the latest bill, House Bill 700, which allows anyone 21 and older with medical or health insurance other than TennCare to ride without a helmet. The bill also prohibits police from issuing a citation for violating the helmet law unless a citation is issued for some other traffic violation. Tennessee is one of 19 states plus the District of Columbia requiring all riders to wear helmets. Twenty-eight states require only underage riders, under either 18 or 21, to wear helmets. And Illinois, Iowa and New Hampshire have no laws at all requiring helmet use, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Most states enacted mandatory helmet laws the same year Tennessee did, after Congress required them to qualify for federal safety and highway funds. In the decades since, Congress has lifted the financial penalties, reimposed them and lifted them again. In 1996, a year after one of Congress's periodic removals of penalties, then-state Rep. Tim Burchett, R-Knoxville, now Knox County's mayor introduced a helmet-choice bill. "This is, as my biker friends call it, 'let those who ride decide,'" Burchett said at the time. Map of Helmet Laws It passed the Senate four years later, after Burchett had moved from the House to the Senate, but has always failed in House committees. Don Lindsey of Knoxville, Tennessee public affairs director for AAA the Auto Club Group, which "strongly opposes" the bill said Monday that Tuesday's outcome in the committee is uncertain. "The sense is that (advocates of the bill) make a little more progress each year. We never take anything for granted." As the bill, sponsored by Rep. Jay Reedy, R-Erin and Sen. Kerry Roberts, R-Springfield, worked its way through committee hearings over the past two weeks, supporters and opponents repeated their arguments. Reedy said allowing cyclists to go unhelmeted would increase motorcycle tourism and tourism revenue in the state. "It's time to give Tennesseans back their liberties and freedoms," he said. But Tennessee Highway Patrol Col. Tracy Trott said he "doubts" the increased tourism argument. "Kentucky and South Carolina don't have motorcycle helmet laws and we have more motorcycle rallies in Tennessee than they do in either one of those two states, so people are not staying away from Tennessee because we have a helmet law." Trott and Dr. John Sheridan of the University of Tennessee Medical Center both cited heavy motorcycle traffic on the "Tail of the Dragon," the curvy, winding section of U.S. 129 through the Great Smoky Mountains. "I spend $75,000 a year in overtime costs sending troopers to Blount County to work the dragon area, a motorcycle hot spot that people come to Tennessee from all over the country for," Trott said. Sheridan said UT Medical Center rents space at a campground near the "dragon" during the first two weekends in April every year "because we know our helicopter will make at least three to four trips each weekend to bring people in accidents to our trauma center." Dr. David Reagan, chief medical officer at the state Health Department, told the finance committee last week that helmet usage reduces deaths in motorcycle accidents by 37 percent, head injuries by 69 percent and traumatic brain injuries by 36 percent. "Across the U.S., experience shows that after weakening motorcycle helmet laws, the rate of accidents stays the same or goes up but the severity of injuries goes up, including traumatic brain injury and death, and acute and chronic medical care costs go up to the state," Sheridan said. "This is going to kill more Tennesseans, maim more Tennesseans and drive up costs in a number of ways and that 's not even talking about long-term-care costs." David Hunter Jesus of Nazareth said, "If a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand." In a modern sense we might say that an American political party divided cannot stand unless the other party is also divided. The presidential election of 1972 was the 47th quadrennial election, held on Tuesday, Nov. 7. Democrats had nominated Sen. George McGovern of South Dakota, who ran primarily an anti-war campaign against incumbent Republican President Richard Nixon. McGovern also promised to end the disparity between the rich and the poor with a reverse income tax system that would pay those below the poverty level the difference between what they earned and a livable income, and to tax those above that level in proportion to how much they earned. From the outset, there was a divide between younger and older members of the party and between the left and centrist wings. The younger generation, of which I was a member at the time, was sick of the seemingly never-ending undeclared war and the draft that left many young men in limbo until after they had children, entered an essential profession or failed the induction physical or written tests. The baby boomers in 1972 were weary of being classified for the draft, an event as certain as death and taxes. Many of us, even those who had volunteered for military service, were sick of the pointless war in Vietnam and full of anger at the divide between the rich and poor being addressed by McGovern. "A house divided" was what Democrats had in 1972. The mainstream power brokers said McGovern would cost their party the election and perhaps made it a self-fulfilling prophecy with lukewarm support for their candidate. The centrist elders were right. Nixon carried every state but Massachusetts. Today, the Democratic Party is once again divided between the young and the established older members, with a large percentage of millennials those who reached adulthood around 2000 backing Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, who has labeled himself a "Democratic socialist." Many younger members view Hillary Clinton as a part of the problem, and unlike previous generations, cannot be frightened by the bogeyman of socialism that has been used in the past because they actually know what it means. What socialism means to millennials is cooperation from a Congress that has been deadlocked a large part of their lives, pays them little attention and has supported predatory educational loans that have left many of their generation in a financial hole after graduation. Millennials are also angry that Congress has allowed good-paying jobs to be shipped overseas to save money for greedy corporations that incur no penalty when they do so. There is a fear among older centrists that if Sanders loses the nomination, the millennials may not turn out to vote in the general election. I'm an elder now, but I know we already have a government supported by socialistic programs that work, which inclines me toward Sanders. But I'm also old enough to remember McGovern. Fortunately, the Republicans are more divided than the Democrats. SHARE We are in the throes of an upcoming election. We have an admitted socialist as a frontrunner in the Democratic Party. Corruption on Wall Street and in big business concerns all of us. Is a CEO worth all that money and a golden parachute? If high salaries are intended to attract the best of the best, why are so many companies hiring piranhas? We cannot deny that channeling money through so few can create corruption. That's why socialism is an easy sell. People may need help, but socialism has never worked. The only people who promote socialism are the tenured university academics. Capitalism is a very hard sell. Who doesn't want to not work? But when you introduce socialism, you ultimately create even more money channeling through even fewer people. Greece, Italy and Spain are examples of countries where socialism is at work. You've seen the riots. There is a reason that both Hillary Clinton and Debbie Wasserman Schultz have struggled to explain the difference between socialism and the Democratic Party there isn't any. Sarah Breedlove (Dec. 23, 1867-May 25, 1919), known as Madam C.J. Walker, was an American entrepreneur, philanthropist and the first black female self-made millionaire in America. Her parents and older siblings were slaves on Madison Parish plantation, owned by Robert W. Burney. Even during the 19th century, before the civil rights movement and before the war on poverty, fortunes could be made by those who saw an opportunity. Today the same is still true. Every neighborhood and every ethnic group has produced countless people who have succeeded. So is it better to teach a person to fish or give them a check and create dependence? Wes Hibbert, Loudon SHARE SEYMOUR VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT/SPECIAL TO THE NEWS SENTINEL Emergency responders including the Seymour Volunteer Fire Department work the scene of an auto accident Monday at Hendron Chapel Road and Sevierville Pike. By News Sentinel Staff A warming trend should mean the end for any more snowfall in the Knoxville area through the rest of the week. Forecasters, however, are now focused on the potential danger of localized flooding, with a flood watch in effect for Knox and surrounding counties until 10:30 a.m. Tuesday. An upper-level storm system was expected to bring continuous rainfall overnight, with up to an inch of precipitation across Knoxville by Tuesday morning, according to the National Weather Service office in Morristown. "Once the sun comes up it should be moving out of the area," NWS meteorologist Jessica Winton said. The deluge comes on the heels of Monday morning's wintry mix, which saw 0.4 inches of accumulation recorded at McGhee Tyson Airport and closer to a half-inch of snowfall in areas such as Blount, Sevier and Jefferson counties. The storm created tricky conditions for Knoxville commuters Monday morning as snow and sleet froze to roadways and contributed to several traffic crashes. No major incidents or injuries were reported. Snow accumulations were greater farther north, however. In Campbell County, the Red Cross of East Tennessee assisted 15 stranded motorists at a shelter along Interstate 75 near the Tennessee-Kentucky line in Jellico on Sunday night. Temperatures are expected to top out near 45 degrees Tuesday, melting what's left of the earlier wintry mix. "That melting, with the rainfall (today), is going to cause some localized flooding issues," Winton said. Knox County Schools will be on a two-hour delay Tuesday amid the challenging conditions. Another fast-moving system should bring more rain by midafternoon, with up to a half-inch of precipitation expected before sunrise Wednesday. A slight chance of rain lingers into the Wednesday forecast, with an expected high near 46. Sunny skies should return by Thursday with temps near 54. Sunshine and a forecast high around 63 is expected Friday. Ssangyong Motor Co., owned by India's Mahindra & Mahindra, said Tuesday that its 2015 net loss widened from a year earlier, affected by a marked drop in its overseas sales. The company's net loss totaled 61.9 billion won (US$50.9 million) last year, a 21.65 percent rise from a year earlier when its loss came to 50.9 billion won, the company said in a regulatory filing. Its operating loss, however, narrowed 53.4 percent on-year to 35.8 billion won thanks to ramped-up efforts to reduce costs, it added. Sales inched up 1.9 percent to 3.4 trillion won. Shares of Ssangyong Motor ended up 3.4 percent to 6,910 won on the Seoul bourse. Ssangyong Motor earlier said that it sold 144,541 vehicles in 2015, up 3.3 percent from a year earlier, though its overseas sales plunged nearly 40 percent due to unfavorable business conditions. (Yonhap) A local consumer advocacy group said Tuesday it will file a class-action lawsuit against local commercial banks for their suspected fixing of certificate of deposit (CD) rates. The Fair Trade Commission (FTC) found, after a years-long probe, "enough pieces of evidence" indicating the suspected collusion to fix the CD rates by six major banks including Shinhan Bank and Woori Bank. The lenders failed to freeze the CD rates for some time beginning in 2012 even after the central bank cut the policy rate, raising suspicions that they colluded to rig the rates to receive more for mortgage loans, as CD rates are tied to the loans. The FTC launched the investigation in July of the same year. After reviewing written opinions by the banks next month, the antitrust watchdog said it plans to determine what punitive measures it will take. "More than 5 million people have suffered losses worth 4.1 trillion won due to the rate fixing," said Cho Nam-hee, the chief of the Financial Consumer Agency (FICA). "We will recruit complaints to win back their ill-gotten profits." The FICA filed similar suits twice in 2012 representing 1,000 consumers, but the cases were put on hold until the FTC presents its probe results. Cases filed by other civic groups on the CD rates were all dismissed, with the central court citing a lack of evidence. Banks, however, have denied any wrongdoing, claiming that their decision on the CD rates was "in accordance with the government's guidelines." (Yonhap) By Yoon Ja-young Kim Young-hak K-sure Chairman Korea Trade Insurance Corporation (K-sure) plans to provide 196 trillion won worth of trade insurance this year and increase support for businesses exporting to new markets such as Iran and Cuba. It aims at helping sustaining faltering exports, its chairman and president Kim Young-hak said, Tuesday. "Thirteen items make up 75 percent of Korea's exports. It has been hesitating to diversify its export items. The government is planning to expand to other items such as consumption goods and cultural content, and K-sure will also focus on those," Kim said. He said that the state-run export credit agency will concentrate on helping small and medium sized companies with their exports. It plans to provide 46.5 trillion won worth of trade insurance for the SMEs, which will increase the total trade insurance it offers this year to 196 trillion won from last year's 168 trillion won. The announcement comes amid increasing concern over faltering exports, which have been the sustaining pillar of the economy. The country's exports dipped 18.5 percent in January from the previous year, marking the biggest plunge since August 2009 when the country was hit by the global financial crisis. While there seems to be little solution, as the dip is due to decreasing global demand, the government has placed sustaining exports as its first priority. In line with such efforts, K-sure allocated another 14.7 trillion won to financially support the overseas projects of SMEs, helping them advance into new markets as well as nurturing new growth engines for exports such as services and consumption goods. Its guarantees for start-ups will also be expanded to 150 million won from 50 million won, and trade companies that export products manufactured by SMEs will be given a 25 percent discount in insurance premiums. Kim pointed out that the government's diverse support programs are concentrated on a few champion firms. "That is incurring the moral hazard of firms. We will support firms that are shunned due to poor financial structure, but with good contents," he said. It is also strengthening support for exporters advancing into new markets such as Iran and Cuba. Korean businesses are eying Iran after the lifting of sanction. It signed a comprehensive MOU with Iran's finance ministry, and plans to extend financial support in Cuba. Credit guarantees for cultural content businesses will be expanded to increase exports of "Hallyu," while 300 billion won will be allocated to ensure exporters of services. It also announced plans to expand overseas investment insurance to cover collective investment vehicles such as overseas infra funds. It aims at helping Korean businesses seeking to participate in infrastructure development in emerging countries, following the launch of the Asia Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB). By Kwon Ji-youn Celebrities are reacting fiercely to an investigative program episode that stripped bare the realities of celebrity endorsement and sponsorship. Actress Kim Min-jung posted on Instagram immediately after the episode aired on SBS Saturday: "It is my hope that the show does not do harm to actors who are working diligently in the field right now. But I thank the producers for shedding light on the realities (of celebrity sponsorship). What's bad is bad. Money doesn't buy everything." Actress Kim Ok-vin Actress Hwang Seung-un also wrote on Instagram: "(Actresses) are forced to do things that are unreasonable but, at times, are deemed reasonable. The world is full of lies and deception, and I cannot change that. But will they find happiness when they reach the top by lying and deceiving?" A local court has ordered a South Korean scholar's wages be partly seized, following another court's decision for her to compensate nine women who were sexually enslaved by Tokyo during World War II, legal sources said Tuesday. The Seoul Western District Court accepted the nine plaintiffs' request for garnishment and a collection order and told Sejong University to deduct it from the monthly wage of professor Park Yu-ha, the author of "Comfort Women of the Empire," starting this month. The book, released in August 2013, has been at the core of controversy for disputing the coerciveness of the "comfort women" system. In January, the Seoul Eastern District Court ordered Park to compensate the nine women by giving them 10 million won (US$8,300) each for the mental distress they suffered due to her controversial book. In February 2015, the court also ordered Park to delete some passages from the book, including one that describes some of the victims as "voluntary prostitutes," in order to continue sales. She is currently standing criminal trial on charges of defaming the victims. "I think I have been too naive in responding (to the issue) so far," Park wrote on her social media after receiving the notice from the school. "I cannot help but change my attitude for myself, above all, but also to prevent them from bullying others." Park released a second version of the book after redacting 34 sections and has distributed the book free of charge on her website since February. Historians estimate that more than 200,000 women, mostly from Korea, were forced to work in front-line brothels for Japanese soldiers during the war. Korea was under Japanese colonial rule from 1910 to 1945. The victims are euphemistically called "comfort women." (Yonhap) South Korean healthcare workers' exposure to radiation has been halved over the past 10 years thanks to stringent evaluations and closer monitoring of risks, government data showed Tuesday. According to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC), the average amount of radiation that a local healthcare worker was exposed to in 2014 stood at 0.41 millisievert (mSv), down 57.7 percent from 0.97 mSv in 2004. The numbers come from data compiled by the KCDC which keeps special tabs on local radiographers, doctors, dentists and radiologists who work with X-ray machines and other types of diagnostic equipment that emits radiation on a regular basis. The latest findings showed local healthcare workers met recommendations set by the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP). The organization calls for annual exposure levels to be maintained below 50 mSv per year. The latest report showed that while the overall average was below the ICRP recommendation mark, exposure differed by profession. The exposure level of radiographers, who have to deal with X-ray machines, reached a relatively high 0.85 mSv, while numbers for doctors and radiologist was much lower at 0.34 mSv and 0.31 mSv, respectively. "Closer attention paid by medical institutions and better monitoring systems are contributing to people being placed at less risk from excessive radiation," the KCDC said. It, however, stressed there is plenty of room for improvement, especially since the number of medical experts who have to deal diagnostic equipment is on the rise following greater public demand for medical checkups. In 2014, there were 71,096 people engaged in radiology-related work, up 7.8 percent from the year before. Of these 22,419 were radiographers accounting for 31.5 percent of the total last year, data showed. (Yonhap) Ruling Saenuri Party lawmakers applaud while opposition lawmakers just listen to President Park Geun-hye's speech about North Korea's nuclear and missile threats at the National Assembly on Tuesday. / Yonhap By Jun Ji-hye President Park Geun-hye called for national unity following recent provocations from North Korea during a speech delivered at the National Assembly, Tuesday, but the main opposition party immediately questioned her motives. The Minjoo Party of Korea (MPK) claim that Park is exaggerating the security threats posed by North Korea and is seeking to increase public unease in order to help the ruling Saenuri Party win the general election scheduled for April 13. During the speech, Park said it is regrettable that many theories have been produced regarding the government's countermeasures against Pyongyang's nuclear test and long-range rocket launch, including the closure of the Gaeseong Industrial Complex (GIC). "Regrettably, a variety of theories have been circulating in some parts of the nation rather than discussions on the causes of the North's nuclear and missile provocations," she said. She expressed concerns that internal conflict is growing among South Koreans. Park did not directly mention the opposition parties, but the remark apparently targeted her critics, given that some senior figures in the main opposition MPK have described the government's hard-line actions as a "trick" to win the upcoming election. MPK floor leader Rep. Lee Jong-kul said, "We have no choice but to regard the shutdown of the GIC as the government's trick ahead of the election." Lee cited criticism that the government decided to shut down the complex too hastily, causing enormous damage to the South Korean companies there, although Seoul did not have any clear evidence to prove the North was diverting funds to develop weapons. It is generally thought that voters usually rally behind the conservative party when matters of national security arise. President Park said that national security and the people's safety should never be subjects for political debate. "If the internal conflict and division continues amid tension reaching a boiling point, it will threaten the existence of the Republic of Korea," she said. "The ruling and opposition parties, or the conservatives and progressives, should not be divided in the face of a crisis of national security." Ahead of the President's speech, National Assembly Speaker Chung Ui-hwa said, "Taking the President's speech as an opportunity, I am hoping for unity in public opinion and peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula." However, the MPK spokesman Kim Sung-soo downplayed the content of Park's address, saying, "We demanded an honest explanation regarding the background behind the government's decision to shut down the GIC, but the speech did not live up to this expectation." Follow Jun Ji-hye on Twitter @TheKopJihye An Eun-joo, one of the humidifier-purifier chemicals victims, speaks during a press conference at the Asian Citizen's Center for Environment and Health in Seoul, Monday. / Korea Times photo by Kim Se-jeong By Kim Se-jeong An Eun-joo, 47, collapsed while playing volleyball at the school where she taught in Miryang, South Gyeongsang Province in January 2010. She was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis, a lung disease, which was commonly found among people who had used air humidifier disinfectant that had dangerous chemicals. Her doctor in Busan told her that he couldn't figure out what might have caused it, and told her that she had perhaps a year to live. But fortunately she survived five more yearsand had a lung transplant last October. An is a victim of chemicals in the humidifier disinfectant, which are blamed for the death of more than 100 people here. An said that she has been frustrated with the lack of government financial support for the victims. She spent almost 100 million won for the surgery. Post-surgery medication costs her 5 million won per month. She took out a loan of about 150 million won to cover the costs. She has only 20 million or so left in her account. She said she needed financial help desperately. "It's expensive to have a lung transplant. And I am struggling financially." An began using the humidifier in 2008. The brand she used was manufactured by Reckett Benckiser, a British company, which was one of 13 companies that made and sold the humidifier disinfectants in Korea. Almost 8 million bottles of "chemical purifiers" used in the humidifier were estimated to have been sold between 1994 and September 2011 when sales were suspended. She learned about the sterilizer scandal on TV she doesn't remember exactly when, but said this was in either 2011 or 2012. "I was using the humidifier-sterilizer. I went to a local public health office. No one knew what I was talking about. I explained the scandal and had them get me the application form so that I could file a claim," An said during a press conference held at the Asian Citizen's Center for Environment and Health, Monday. On Aug. 31, 2011, following the mysterious deaths of pregnant women and children with serious lung failure, the health authorities announced that the deaths were related to the chemicals used in humidifier-purifiers. With the sales of the chemicals suspended, the government asked people with symptoms to report to the health authorities so that they could receive financial support for medical treatment. By mid 2015, the government had received 530 applications for financial assistance. Among the applicants 143 have already died. The government divided the applicants into four groups according to the seriousness of their condition and started giving financial support to 221 who were in the first two categories. According to the government, people in the first two categories are those whose chances of getting the disease from the chemicals were 50 percent or greater. The government is currently reviewing 752 new cases which were submitted by Dec. 31 last year. An is not on the support list. "I am in category 3. The authorities explained to me in a letter that, we found what looked like evidence, but it's not clear for us to conclude that your condition was caused by the purifier,'" An said, "Where else could I have gotten my lung problem? I never had a problem with my lung. And my lung was particularly good because I played sport all my life. Plus, I had a health checkup one month prior to my falling ill, and I was ok,"An said. She had to send all her medical records to Asan Medical Center in Seoul which was handling the victims. Also, she spent weeks trying to find her old receipt for the humidifier-purifier. "By all means, she is a serious victim, but she is not on the support list because her condition doesn't exactly fit the criteria the government set when it grouped the victims," the center's director surnamed Choi said. He said the government should be flexible with the criteria it set and allow more people to receive help. But the ministry doesn't seem to support that idea. "We are simply following the criteria that were set by a group of medical experts," an environment ministry official said Monday. An is not alone in this fight. "Many victims from categories three and four argue that after they became ill, their condition worsened after using the humidifier disinfectant. They feel helpless because the government is telling them it's their own problem," another representative from the center said. South Korea and China held high-level talks in Seoul on Tuesday amid signs of disagreement over how to deal with North Korea's nuclear and missile program. South Korean Vice Foreign Minister Lim Sung-nam and China's Executive Vice Foreign Minister Zhang Yesui sat down for talks as Seoul pushes for strong sanctions on Pyongyang in response to its nuclear and missile tests. China, a veto-wielding permanent member of the U.N. Security Council, has been apparently reluctant to adopt a strong sanctions resolution on North Korea out of concerns for its own security interests. Seoul and Washington, meanwhile, have begun consultations on the possible deployment of an advanced U.S. missile defense system in South Korea in response to what they see as a growing threat from the North. Beijing has expressed firm opposition to the allies' move, viewing it as an expansion of Washington's military presence in the Asia Pacific. Zhang is the first senior Chinese official to visit South Korea since the North's fourth nuclear test on Jan. 6, which it claims was of a hydrogen bomb. It is the seventh time South Korea and China have held the high-level talks, or strategic dialogue, since their launch in December 2008. (Yonhap) Korean punks sort through LPs and CDs on sale at the Far From Home Distro run by Donald Redboi McBride, left, at a concert in Daegu last April. / Courtesy of Jon Dunbar By Jon Dunbar Donald Redboi McBride has been hosting monthly punk rock concerts in Daegu for almost a year. On Feb. 27, the American skinhead will offer his latest "Once a Month Punk" show, screening the documentary "Filmage: the Story of the Descendants and ALL," followed by performances by Korean punk bands Whatever That Means and Full Garage. The show starts at 8 p.m. at Retro City. "I have a pretty big personality and have never had a problem walking into a scene and putting myself right in the middle of it," McBride told The Korea Times. The Minnesota native, 41, moved to Korea with his wife and son for her career in March 2013. With his shaved head and neck tattoos, he said it took a while for neighbors to warm to him, but they did. "Korea as a whole and Daegu in particular have been really good to me," said McBride. "I've been shown so much love from the people of this city!" His job as a stay-at-home dad gave him space to connect with the Daegu music scene. He started Far From Home Booking and Distro to promote shows and distribute foreign punk albums here. "There were other clubs running shows from time to time, but nothing on a regular basis," he said. "When I was a kid, there was a show every Sunday. I really wanted Daegu to have that same experience." He began booking the monthly concerts last May, mixing out-of-town and local bands on the fourth Saturday of every month. He built a reputation as a welcoming promoter, capitalizing on Daegu's position between Seoul and Busan. "More and more often these days, you'll hear a band yell out Daegu City ...' followed by the crowd roaring back ...punk rock!'" he said. "The pride in what's been built is apparent." But promoting punk in Daegu is tough, with promising new bands rarely going the distance and venues shutting down or closing their doors to punk music. "I've seen a number of young bands really start to become great, and then be forced to break up because a member has been conscripted into the military, or because they've found a great job that moves them to another city," he said. "Fortunately, there are some truly devoted people here." McBrideis one such person, having made no money on his shows and even accepting losses. But he always tries to pay the bands that play Daegu. "It's something I do because I love the music and the scene, and want to support it," he said. "We all have a great time and make great friends, and that's payment enough." By John Redmond The Teach North Korean Refugees (TNKR) group will open a new North Korean refugee education center in Seoul, Friday. The group said the opening event will take place at 11 a.m. at Namdo Building in Insadong. A staffer said the center will help the TNKR expand its capacity to help North Korean defectors through education. He said the group needs volunteers to work at the center. "At last, we have a center where we can receive donations," the group said on its Facebook page, requesting desks, chairs, shelves, file cabinets, computers and other office supplies. The TNKR is a nonprofit organization based in Seoul that has connected more than 200 North Korean refugees with more than 300 volunteers. The group was established under the leadership of co-founders director Casey Lartigue, Jr., and vice-director Lee Eun-koo. For more information, visit facebook.com/groups/teachnkrefugees. By Rachel Sheffield How can we ensure that welfare acts as a safety net for the truly needy and not as a handout to able-bodied adults who can work? It's a question that has long vexed federal and state officials, but there is a good answer. House Speaker Paul Ryan recently announced the members of a taskforce who will be responsible for building an anti-poverty, welfare-reform agenda. Welfare reform is one of Ryan's top priorities in the coming months. For a model of successful reforms to means-tested welfare programs that promote self-sufficiency, the taskforce need look no further than the state of Maine. In 2014, Maine took the initiative to require work participation for food stamp recipients who are able-bodied adults and have no dependents. As a result, its caseload plummeted. Technically, the federal food stamp program has a modest work requirement for able-bodied adults without dependents, known as ABAWDs. They are limited to three months of food stamps unless they are working part-time or participating in job training or community service. However, in 2009, the Obama administration suspended the work requirement for nearly two years. After that, most states were able to continue bypassing the work requirement due to work waivers that the law allows. In 2014, however, Maine chose to stop waiving the work requirement. After the work requirement was put into place, Maine's caseload of able-bodied adults without dependents dropped by 80 percent within three months. In December 2014, when the work requirement went into effect, there were 13,332 such adults receiving food stamps. By March 2015, only 2,678 were on the rolls. Job openings for lower-skill workers are abundant in Maine. If an individual cannot find work, the state provides training and community service options. Maine's Department of Health and Human Services reached out to able-bodied adult recipients to let them know about community service opportunities that would fulfill the work requirement. However, most chose to forgo their food stamp benefits rather than fulfill the requirement. A similar pattern of caseload decline happened after the 1996 welfare reform. The 1996 reform transformed the largest cash assistance welfare program by inserting work requirements. Within about five years of the reform, the caseload had declined by half. Work requirements serve as a gatekeeper to ensure that the truly in need receive welfare assistance. Benefits are available to those who need them, but individuals who could otherwise find a job are directed towards work. This policy benefits not only taxpayers but also the individuals who are steered toward the job market, where they can build their resumes, skills and connections. Americans support the idea of work requirements for welfare. The vast majority nearly 90 percent agree that able-bodied adults receiving means-tested welfare assistance should be required to work or prepare for work in order to receive benefits. Reforming welfare to promote work is crucial to getting the nation's welfare system back on track. We can't promote self-sufficiency without it. The federal government should establish a federal work requirement for food stamps. Able-bodied adults without dependents should be required to work, prepare for work or look for work in order to receive benefits. If the same results that occurred in Maine took place nationwide, the overall savings would amount to $8.4 billion annually. Further reforms could add another $1.3 billion in savings, for a total annual savings of $9.7 billion. Work should be the underlying principle of welfare. Yet very few of the nation's 80 means-tested welfare programs require work. Reforming food stamps with a work requirement for able-bodied adults would be a perfect place to start for promoting the principle of work in the nation's welfare system. Rachel Sheffield is a policy analyst in the DeVos Center for Religion and Civil Society at The Heritage Foundation. It was distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. South Korea is the most likely candidate to go nuclear in Northeast Asia in the face of nuclear threats from North Korea, but Seoul is unlikely to do so as long as the U.S. security commitment to the Asian ally remains firm, a U.S. expert said. Mark Fitzpatrick, a nonproliferation expert who heads the U.S. office of the London-based International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), made the observation in his new book, "Asia's Latent Nuclear Powers: Japan, South Korea and Taiwan." Fitzpatrick said the three democracies can be called "latent nuclear powers" as they have civilian nuclear programs and development of several dual-use technologies that would enable them to produce nuclear weapons in perhaps two years -- or less in Japan's case. The three countries have strong reasons to maintain a nuclear option, he said. South Korea faces nuclear threats from North Korea, Taiwan has to cope with increasingly powerful mainland China, and Japan has to cope with both of them, the expert said. "If a new nuclear-armed state were to emerge in Northeast Asia, it would most likely be the Republic of Korea," he said, adding that this observation, however, is not meant to predict that South Korea will choose nuclear armament, according to a summary of the book available on the IISS website. He also noted that South Korea has been steadfast in its adherence to the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), while the government in Seoul firmly rejects the pro-nuclear arguments posed by a few politicians and commentators. "Officials understand well the downsides that those advocates ignore: the damage that nuclearization would cause to the nation's economy and international status due to direct and indirect sanctions, and the huge security risks in jeopardizing its alliance with the U.S.," he said. Fitzpatrick pointed out, however, that such negatives are not readily apparent to the general public, citing polls that have shown that two-thirds of people support nuclear weapons. Such polls suggest that the nonproliferation norm is still "shallow" in South Korea, he said. The expert also noted South Korea's past attempts to go nuclear in the 1970s. "A nationalist desire to possess the rights to sensitive nuclear technology that Japan enjoys could eventually see South Korea moving purposefully towards a recessed weapons capability," he said. "Seoul is very unlikely to cross the nuclear-weapons threshold, however, as long as the U.S. defense commitment remains credible." Following the North's nuclear test on Jan. 6, some members of South Korea's ruling party raised calls for the deployment of nuclear weapons. But the government dismissed the idea, saying it runs counter to the principle of a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula. (Yonhap) By Yi Whan-woo A controversy is brewing over possible health and safety risks associated with the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD), advanced missile system, as Seoul and Washington are set to start talks on its deployment. The Ministry of National Defense fell short of explaining how far people should stay away from the AN/TPY-2 radar, a key component of the system, to avoid exposure to electromagnetic radiation. Experts differ widely with some saying the safe distance is 100 meters, while others claim 3.6 kilometers. Lawmakers, local government officials and environmental activists from the candidate sites oppose the deployment of a THAAD battery here although they agree with the central government that South Korea needs the system. Possible sites include Daegu, Pyeongtaek in Gyeonggi Province, Wonju in Gangwon Province and Gunsan in North Jeolla Province. Among them, a U.S. Army base is stationed in Dageu, while Pyeongtaek will host the new headquarters of the U.S. Forces Korea. "We've been receiving a lot of complaints from residents and threatening calls that they will fight against the Park Geun-hye administration if a THAAD battery is set up in their neighborhoods," a military official said on condition of anonymity. Citing the operational manual of the THAAD radar, Defense Minister Han Min-koo claimed that the AN/TPY-2 radar "will be absolutely harmless" if people stay at least 100 meters away from it. "It will be the soldiers operating THAAD, not the residents, who should be concerned about exposure to electromagnetic radiation," Han said during a National Assembly hearing, Monday. Published by the U.S. Army in April 2012, the manual, titled "AN/TPY-2 Forward Base Mode (FBM) Radar Operations," defines the 100-meter radius from the radar as the "personnel keep out zone" when the radar is raised 5 degrees upward from the ground. "Site personnel must ensure all crew members have vacated the 100-m personnel keep out zone in front of the antenna equipment unit," the manual reads. It added that such a measure is to mitigate risks associated with all hazards such as injury, death or damage. In a separate explanation on Feb. 11, defense ministry spokesman Moon Sang-gyun cited a 2015 U.S environmental assessment report on a THAAD battery permanently stationed in Guam to underscore the safety of the missile shield. "The report shows there will be no problem if people live outside the 100-meter radius of THAAD radar, presuming that it is raised 5 degrees upward from the ground," Moon said. The report released by the 94th U.S. Army Air and Missile Defense Command defines three exclusion zones for the AN/TPY-2 radar _ 100 meters for personnel, 1,500 meters for equipment and 5.5 kilometers for aircraft _ to avoid injury to personnel and damage to equipment from electromagnetic radiation emitted by the radar. Defense ministry officials, however, said they need to consult with the U.S. Army if they are asked to detail possible health and safety risks associated with the "uncontrolled personnel keep out zone." Defined by the U.S. Army in its 2012 manual, this zone refers to a 3.6 kilometer radius from the AN/TPY-2 radar. The officials also said they are uncertain whether the environmental assessment in Guam can be applicable in South Korea. The THAAD battery in Guam is located in an isolated area whereas host sites in South Korea are mostly populated. "I strongly oppose THAAD deployment in Daegu along with 460,000 Daegu citizens," Mayor Kwon Young-jin said in a Facebook post, Feb. 13. Ruling Saenuri Party floor leader Rep. Won Yoo-chul, who represents Pyeongtaek, hinted that the Gyeonggi provincial city should be excluded from being cited as a THAAD location. "Pyeongtaek is a major port city for South Korea's trade with China and we should keep our economic benefits in minds," he said. Environmental activists in Gunsan said in a statement, "The well-being of people here are in extreme danger." North Jeolla Provincial Governor Song Ha-Jin is likely to consult with lawmakers from the main opposition Minjoo Party of Korea and send a message of protest to the defense minister, according to political sources. Meanwhile, South Korea and the U.S. may consider setting up a THHAD battery on a high hill or on top of a mountain. Some military sources said such a measure is for better operation of the radar on the mountainous peninsula, but speculation is rampant that such a measure will be aimed at avoiding disputes over health and safety risks. U.S. President Barack Obama was to host leaders of Southeast Asian nations in a special summit opening in California on Monday as the United States has been seeking to drum up international support for pressure on North Korea. The two-day meeting with the leaders of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is part of efforts to further bolster U.S. relations with Asian countries under Obama's trademark "rebalance" or "pivot" to Asia policy in the face of a rising China. On Feb. 7, North Korea defied international warnings and conducted a long-range missile launch following its fourth nuclear test a month earlier. U.S. officials have said it would be "natural" for this week's summit with ASEAN to address North Korea issues. During the summit set to take place at the Sunnylands resort in Southern California, Obama is expected to explain the international community's efforts to increase pressure on North Korea and seek ASEAN's support for such efforts, U.S. officials have said. Ben Rhodes, a deputy national security adviser, said last week that the U.S. has worked with some ASEAN nations to address a range of security challenges related to the North, including counter-proliferation efforts to ensure that Pyongyang is not able to export material that could serve a proliferation purpose. "We've had good cooperation on that," he said. "Some of these countries have reduced their relations with North Korea, their military-to-military cooperation. So I think we've had some good progress with ASEAN countries on that set of issues." But the biggest topic for this week's summit is expected to be territorial disputes in the South China Sea between China and Southeast Asian nations, such as the Philippines and Vietnam, amid Beijing's increasingly assertive moves. Officials said that the first day of discussions will focus on economic issues, such as the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) free trade agreement, while the second day of talks will deal with security matters, such as South China Sea disputes. (Yonhap) The U.N. Security Council is making progress in efforts to put together a new sanctions resolution on North Korea, a U.N. source said Monday, suggesting that the United States and China are narrowing differences. But the source said, however, it's unclear when a resolution would be adopted as differences still remain. For more than a month since the North's nuclear test, the Security Council has been struggling in negotiations to come up with a new sanctions resolution on the North because China has been reluctant to impose harsh measures on Pyongyang. Beijing has condemned the North's nuclear and missile tests but has been lukewarm about calls for a stern response. Analysts have long said Beijing fears that pushing Pyongyang too hard could lead to its collapse, instability on its border and the ultimate emergence of a pro-U.S. nation. Chinese cooperation is key to putting together any meaningful punishment as it is one of the five veto-holding permanent members of the U.N. Security Council, and the main provider of food and fuel aid to the impoverished North. In Beijing, sources suggested the possibility of adopting a resolution this week. "There is a consensus between the U.S. and China on the need for moving swiftly," one source said. "I think the two sides could reach a certain level this week." The source also said that China is making some move after the North's Feb. 7 missile test. "It is unclear whether that's because of North Korea's missile launch or that's because it no longer can stall for time, but there has been moves" on the part of China, the source said. Another source said that China's position has become a little stronger than before, adding that a new resolution under discussions is sure to be the strongest resolution ever on the North. So far, the council has adopted six resolutions, six presidential statements and two press statements with regard to the North's nuclear and missile program. Of the six resolutions, four included sanctions on the isolated nation. (Yonhap) By Yi Whan-woo The legitimacy of the Park Geun-hye administration's sudden shutdown of the Gaeseong Industrial Complex (GIC) has been called into question. Some lawmakers and lawyers claimed Tuesday that the government's decision lacks legal grounding, saying it was in violation of an inter-Korean agreement reached in August 2013 concerning the GIC. In this, the Park administration and the Kim Jong-un regime agreed to ensure operation of the joint industrial park in Gaeseong, North Korea, regardless of geopolitical circumstances. Owners of the 124 South Korean enterprises at the GIC said that they will file a lawsuit if the government fails to provide compensation for the closure. The Ministry of Unification said that the closure should be seen as an administrative action in line with a politically-motivated plan to punish Pyongyang for its long-range rocket launch on Feb. 7. Pointing out that the 2013 agreement was aimed at normalizing inter-Korean relations, the unification ministry claimed it was difficult to run the GIC as usual considering that North Korea has been pursuing military ambitions, including its nuclear test on Jan. 6. "I don't think such an argument makes sense, given that the GIC was still in operation even after North Korea's torpedo attack on the South Korean naval frigate Cheonan in March 2010," said Song Ki-ho from the Lawyers for a Democratic Society, a nationwide group of progressive lawyers. "The government disrupted legal business activities at the GIC and it therefore should bear responsibilities accordingly." Kim Yeon-chul, an inter-Korean affairs studies professor at Inje University voiced a similar view. "The 2013 agreement was made to prevent the Kim Jong-un regime from pulling out its workers at the GIC abruptly, regarding which the Park administration criticized as a breach of U.N's 1969 Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties," Kim said. "I'd say that now it's the Park government which violated the U.N. convention." The minor opposition People's Party accused the government of not consulting the National Assembly in its punitive measure taken against the repressive regime last week. It cited Constitutional Law Article 76, which states that a president can take emergency action concerning natural disasters, economic crisis and national security if there is no time for the National Assembly to convene a meeting and come up with preparatory measures. "We don't' think the situation was so urgent for the government to hurriedly come up with a unilateral decision," it said in a statement. By Bernard Rowan The historic statements about comfort women and reparations by President Park and Prime Minister Abe last month promise a new era of cooperation between Korea and Japan. The two nations also should develop other avenues of cooperation. When many events challenge regional and international stability, South Korea and Japan should continue to serve as agents for positive change and stability in international relations. Several recent events bode well for their relations in some key respects. First, Japan and South Korea have agreed to coordinate their response to North Korea's missile launches and other provocations. With the United States, information-sharing and joint military exercises to uphold defense readiness and the capacity to assure the security of both nations and the region stands as an important advance. South Korea and Japan must see past old but still vivid memories to a future of military cooperation for regional defense. North Korea fails to drive a wedge between allies for democracy and peace. Also important is Korean-Japanese cooperation in peaceful development of the seas. Both countries have expressed willingness to explore cooperative exploration of the mineral-rich Benham Plateau, part of the Philippine Sea east of Luzon. Officials from the Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology and their Japanese counterparts are determined to provide scientific expertise to the Philippines and to share their research results. Since the plateau is a volcanic ridge, both nations hope to gain valuable information related to earthquakes and the Earth's tectonic plates. While South Korea and Japan have their famous dispute over Dokdo, and while neither claims any part of the plateau and nearby Spratly Islands, I think this cooperation should become a new pattern. And I mean for not just South Korea and Japan but for all regional players. The model is that joint pursuit of claims, joint projects of scientific and oceanic exploration, and joint sharing of benefits should in time eclipse the limits of current international arrangements. International cooperation opens new forms of relations, trade, and cooperation. The world sorely needs all of them. Many think positive-sum relations are idealistic. However, positive economic development and human advancement need a win-win context. For Korea and Japan to join forces in exploring the seas will benefit all concerned. This action among middle powers opens possibilities the Philippines couldn't yet carry out on their own. Third, the recent meeting of Korean, Japanese and Chinese education ministers is another valuable development. Publishing official books sows the seeds of truth and dishonesty in international understanding and opinions. So much remains at stake over historical conflicts. The writing about interrelations among three global populations and their ancestor peoples impacts regional harmony. This effort of the ministers can encourage peaceful and respectful education. It needs wider domestic support. It's a good sign that Japan's depiction of actions against Korea and China in the 20th century will be a focus of their efforts. Let's hope for more articulation beyond the agreement. Let's also hope the three countries will put down on paper the scope of their differences. Of course it helps to note areas of agreement too. I think the effects of official texts on nationalism, public opinion, misunderstanding, conflict and cooperation are all too underrated. We need to counter the vulgar nationalisms of biased writing and build an even more literate global public through critical thinking on the boundary conditions of national, regional, and international histories and related projects. Finally, the positive momentum between South Korea, Japan, and China toward free trade should continue. It extends the energy needed for peaceful regional relations. So many firms in each country create and compete in developing and marketing 21st century goods and technologies. Even if the agreement cannot prevent all conflicts over market openness and protection of national industries, it should provide a means to address them and to create boundaries for common trade. An FTA also will yield a global impetus for the Trans-Pacific Partnership. We shouldn't wax too romantic over these developments. The coin of common interests can flip over time to conflict. That depends on a myriad of causes at play in Korean-Japanese relations. However, Park Geun-hye should continue to urge these positive national, public and private, efforts. Their prudence in a time of the North's internal problems and overall decline and China's rise will serve to uphold South Korea's continued advance as a global power for peace and democracy. They also will help to solidify a part of Park's legacy. Bernard Rowan is associate provost for contract administration and professor of political science at Chicago State University, where he has served for 22 years. He is a past fellow of the Korea Foundation and former visiting professor at Hanyang University. Reach him at browan10@yahoo.com. By Zerougui Abdelkader The Middle East is in labor again, and its future is not being redrawn by the U.S. and Western nations as much as by Iran's emergence as a regional power alongside Turkey. The blueprint "Plans for Redrawing the Middle East," advocated by Condoleezza Rice, former U.S. secretary of state, in 2006 has been subsided by new realities. Unlike Japan which took advantage of the U.S. occupation to invigorate its Constitution, the American liberated-Iraq retreated into its medieval cocoon, and engaged in sectarianism, further pushing the region into chaos. Rather than separating the mosque from the political spectrum, the Middle East is becoming a religious Bazaar where fatwas are bought and sold for jihadists, terrorists, and autocrats. Rather than secularization and citizenship, the rulers enforce sectarianism to control the masses. Contrary to Samuel Huntington's thesis, the "Clash of Civilizations" is not between the West and the rest, but, it is within the same religion "Islam" and within the same sect "Sunni." Within this chaos Iran and Turkey are becoming power brokers in the region. The financial weight of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and its political clout are fading away. The US and West no longer adhere to costly confrontations. With the end of the Cold War, autocratic regimes, such as China and Russia prefer to settle disputes through diplomacy. The idea of "productive chaos" often used by the U.S. to support monarchies has receded, as a new world order has shifted its attention toward Asia. Since the 1970s, Turkey and Iran have developed their economies through self-reliance. Meanwhile, the Gulf region has increased its reliance on oil and foreign protection, thus making itself peripheral to history. Saudi Arabia is spending $5 billion a month, and despite $700 billion in assets, the county is heading towards civil strife. The oil shocks in the 1970s, and the 1980s could not force Middle East autocrats to change course, and create a sustainable economy. Addiction to easy wealth has completely obliterated the ethic "entrepreneurship," and created handicapped "subjects," ready to take their anger to the streets if the welfare state is dismantled, or the treasury fails to buy social tranquility. The collapse of oil prices, the mushrooming of terrorist groups, and the influx of refugees have redrawn the priorities among Western nations. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry announced that "the U.S. is not seeking regime in change in Syria," and that "IS has declared war on all civilizations." Saudi Arabia is plagued by problems of its own making a culture of paternalism, loyalty and compliance at the expense of efficiency. The Gulf mini-states are rejecting the Saudi hegemony, and its uncertain gamble. Wars in Syria, Yemen, Iraq and Libya are depleting the monarchy's coffers. Unlike Al Saud, Iran's Mullahs' machine is driven by a disciplined western-educated elite indoctrinated with the Persian "supremacy". It is basically this hidden "grandiose" philosophy that is fueling Iran's ambitions. As Richard Hass the former head of the U.S. Council on Foreign Relations indicated "...Iran will emerge as a player, a classic imperial power with ambitions to remake the region in its image..." Turkey is seeking to expand its clout in the Sunni world by pulverizing states such as Syria. The Ottoman nostalgia is deeply rooted in Erdogan's ruling party, and dormant ambitions of expansionism are becoming a compass for Turkish foreign policy. History seems to favor Iran ("Persia") as the main power in the region. With its political cunning to establish an entente with the West a reality Iran has outwitted the Gulf monarchies. For fear of being crushed by wars, and for survival, the mini-states will have to reconcile with Iran. Zerougui Abdelkader, Ph.D., is an adjunct professor of sociology at American University in Washington, D.C. He can be reached at zerouguiabdelkader@yahoo.com. By Choi Sung-jin As expected, President Park Geun-hye mostly offered excuses and self-justifications in her special address to the National Assembly Tuesday. People heard few words of regret for the failed policies of her administration that have dragged down inter-Korean relations to their lowest point and left the nation at its most insecure in decades. Many will ask: Why should President Park say she is sorry when North Korea is raising tensions with a nuclear test and missile launch? Undoubtedly, the totalitarian regime in the north deserves blame and criticism from all quarters for threatening people with weapons of mass destruction, hurting regional peace and stability. It takes two or three, or even four to tango, though. In the multilateral relationships constituting Northeast Asia, everything is relative: One country may have to take the biggest responsibility for anything gone awry but the others should also be held accountable for it, to varying degrees and in differing ways. At least such acknowledgement helps to resolve a crisis before it aggravates further. In the aftermath of the North's latest provocations, hawks seem to dominate the doves and voices demanding "terminating sanctions" drown out those calling for dialogue. These hawks praise Seoul's decisions to introduce the U.S. missile defense system and shut down the inter-Korean factory park in the North Korean border city of Gaeseong while calling for a preemptive attack and even nuclear-arming South Korea. To them, the doves are either cowards or traitors or both. Let's calm down and think for a moment, however. It does not take military experts to know that North Korea needs no nuclear weapons especially those delivered on missiles that fly very high and far - to deal a fatal blow to Seoul in which one fifth of the South's population lives and nearly half of its wealth and other crucial functions are concentrated. The deployment of the Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) platform, therefore, is to pressure China, and to a lesser extent Russia, by helping the United States keep its two regional, and global, rivals in check. Naturally it will not pull the two continental powers closer to Seoul but push them closer to Pyongyang in a "new Cold War" structure. The closure of the Gaeseong Industrial Complex amounts to the government shooting the nation in the foot, militarily and economically. The cash income from the joint factory town is too small to exert influence on the North's decision-makers, but will incur billions of dollars of damages on 140 South Korean businesses and thousands of their suppliers hiring 125,000 workers. Government officials say the move was also aimed at prompting China to move. Beijing will only be glad if Pyongyang relocates 54,000 skilled North Korean workers to the Sino-Korean industrial zone. Moody's is talking about the negative effects that the shutdown of the Gaeseong industrial park will have on Seoul's credit rating. More seriously, it will bring back the North's attack line 10 km south while severing the last remaining line of communication between the two Koreas. In the cold reality of international politics, self-injury invites exploitation, not sympathy. A preemptive attack, or surgical strike, assumes the attacker can get away with it and the conflict will end in a limited war at most. That will prove to be a very dangerous assumption if the nation under attack is a very desperate and unpredictable state such as North Korea. Few can tell for sure what will happen next. Even a limited conflict will cause thousands, or tens of thousands, of casualties on both sides. Koreans are no longer what they were in the 1950s. Just think of the trauma that continues to haunt the parents of dozens of dead marines and sailors who perished in the West Sea over the past decade and a half. Nuclear-arming the South is impossible for now, a fact only those who demand it don't seem to understand. It will justify the North's atomic ambition, increase the possibility of nuclear weapons race in this part of the world, and force the U.S. to treat South Korea as it treats the North. Sanctions and pressures cannot make the North abandon what it regards as its most important, if not the only, lifeline. The isolationist regime will do so only when it thinks there are no security and economic threats from the U.S. and South Korea by turning the armistice into a peace treaty through negotiations. Seoul and Washington say there will be no talks unless Pyongyang gives up its nuclear programs first. Chance would be a fine thing. In reality, however, that is like putting the cart before the horse by putting forth the ultimate goal as a precondition. The hawks say that North Korea has continued to pursue its nuclear weapons program despite the two major agreements of 1994 and 2005. Journalists who've been around long enough know the U.S. has not exactly fulfilled its own share, either. After the 1994 Agreed Framework, Washington demanded far tougher inspections than agreed on, and days after the Sept. 19, 2005 accord, the George W. Bush administration issued unprecedented financial sanctions on North Korea. In both cases, the isolated regime reacted angrily, even saying it was stabbed in the back. President Park's anger is understandable in part but neither justifiable nor wise. She must restart by resuming the "sunshine policy" that former President Kim Dae-jung started 18 years ago but her conservative predecessor Lee Myung-bak killed eight years ago. What Park must remember is the sunshine policy's original architect was her own father who pulled off the first inter-Korean breakthrough with the July 4, 1972, Joint Declaration, which called for reconciliation between the Koreas until their eventual reunification based on the three principles of "self-reliance," "peace" and "grand national unity." She is running squarely counter to this. As long as the U.S. and China want the two Koreas to remain as they are now rather than moving too close to either one of the G2 nations, there is not much the Koreans can do. However, if there is the slightest chance of breaking the status quo it must be achieved through peaceful means by seeking a situation in which the U.S. and China can coexist in this part of the world. That would be far more worthy of pursuing and ultimately much safer. Choi Sung-jin is a senior writer of The Korea Times and can be contacted at choisj@ktimes.com. By Laurence D. Fink Over the past several years, I have written to the CEOs of leading U.S. companies urging resistance to the powerful forces of short-termism afflicting corporate behavior. Reducing these pressures and working instead to invest in long-term growth remains an issue of paramount importance for BlackRock's clients, most of whom are saving for long-term goals as well as for the entire global economy. While I've heard strong support from corporate leaders for taking such a long-term view, many companies continue to engage in practices that may undermine their ability to invest for the future. Dividends paid out by S&P 500 companies in 2015 amounted to the highest proportion of their earnings since 2009. As of the end of the third quarter of 2015, buybacks were up 27 percent over 12 months. We certainly support returning excess cash to shareholders, but not at the expense of value-creating investment. Long-term value creation framework We are asking that every CEO lay out for shareholders each year a strategic framework for long-term value creation. Additionally, because boards have a critical role to play in strategic planning, we believe CEOs should explicitly affirm that their boards have reviewed those plans. BlackRock's corporate governance team, in their engagement with companies, will be looking for this framework and board review. We recognize that companies operate in fluid environments and face a challenging mix of external dynamics. Given the right context, long-term shareholders will understand, and even expect that a company will need to pivot in response to the changing environments it is navigating. But one reason for investors' short-term horizons is that companies have not sufficiently educated them about the ecosystems they are operating in, what their competitive threats are, and how technology and other innovations are impacting their businesses. Activists' perspective Without clearly articulated plans, companies risk losing the faith of long-term investors. Companies also expose themselves to the pressures of investors focused on maximizing near-term profit at the expense of long-term value. Indeed, some short-term investors (and analysts) offer more compelling visions for companies than the companies themselves, allowing these perspectives to fill the void and build support for potentially destabilizing actions. Those activists who focus on long-term value creation sometimes do offer better strategies than management. In those cases, BlackRock's corporate governance team will support activist plans. During the 2015 proxy season, in the 18 largest U.S. proxy contests (as measured by market cap), BlackRock voted with activists 39 percent of the time. Nonetheless, we believe that companies are usually better served when ideas for value creation are part of an overall framework developed and driven by the company, rather than forced upon them in a proxy fight. Reporting progress Over time, as companies do a better job laying out their long-term growth frameworks, the need diminishes for quarterly EPS guidance, and we would urge companies to move away from providing it. Today's culture of quarterly earnings hysteria is totally contrary to the long-term approach we need. To be clear, we do believe companies should still report quarterly results long-termism should not be a substitute for transparency but CEOs should be more focused in these reports on demonstrating progress against their strategic plans than a one-penny deviation from their EPS targets or analyst consensus estimates. With clearly communicated and understood long-term plans in place, quarterly earnings reports would be transformed from an instrument of incessant short-termism into a building block of long-term behavior. They would serve as a useful "electrocardiogram" for companies, providing information on how companies are performing against the "baseline EKG" of their long-term plan for value creation. We also are proposing that companies explicitly affirm to shareholders that their boards have reviewed their strategic plans. This review should be a rigorous process that provides the board the necessary context and allows for a robust debate. Boards have an obligation to review, understand, discuss and challenge a company's strategy. Environmental and social impact Generating sustainable returns over time also requires a sharper focus not only on governance, but also environmental and social (ESG) factors. Over the long-term, ESG issues ranging from climate change to diversity to board effectiveness can have real and quantifiable financial impacts. At companies where ESG issues are handled well, they are often a signal of operational excellence. BlackRock has been undertaking a multi-year effort to integrate ESG considerations into our investment processes, and we expect companies to have strategies to manage these issues. Stakeholders to buy in We recognize that the culture of short-term results is not something that can be solved by CEOs and their boards alone. Investors, the media and public officials all also have a role to play in changing the culture of short-term results. Over the past few years, we've seen more and more discussion around how to foster a long-term mindset. While these discussions are encouraging, we will only achieve our goal by changing practices and policies, and CEOs of leading companies have a vital role to play in that debate. Corporate leaders have historically been a source of optimism about the future of our economy. At a time when there is so much anxiety and uncertainty in the capital markets, in our political discourse and across our society more broadly, it is critical that investors in particular hear a forward-looking vision about companies' prospects and the public policy they need to achieve consistent, sustainable growth. The solutions to these challenges are in our hands, and I ask that CEOs join me in helping to answer them. Laurence D. Fink is the chairman and CEO of BlackRock, the world's largest asset manager. President vows to force changes on NK President Park Geun-hye made a compelling case that it is time to stop pampering North Korea and force it to give up its weapons of mass destruction. At a time of national anxiety over Pyongyang's nuclear and long-range missile tests, her speech at the National Assembly, Tuesday, sounded as a fresh call for the employment of self-determination, peace and compassion in order to achieve the goal. Of course, this new mission of peace has risks as well. When Park talked about the settlement of the North Korean threats "on our own," it was a statement of both frustration and confidence. In dealing with the North, the South has often found itself without a will and means to fight back the North's provocations. Now she was calling an end to such a period of helplessness. Justifications are on the South's side. First, it has tried to encourage the North to change but was rejected. In the end, Pyongyang tested what it called an H-bomb in January and went on to fire a long-range missile in February, ignoring the calls from Seoul and the international community to stop its dangerous game. The North has left no doubt that it is pressing ahead to become a nuclear weapons state. In her speech, Park compared the North to a runaway train that, unless halted, would wreak havoc on regional and global peace. Seoul is taking on the mission for peace, collaborating with the United States and Japan, while cajoling China, the North's benefactor, into joining for a tougher set of sanctions on the North. There should be no mistake that Seoul means peace. Park didn't give any signs of yielding to rising calls for the nation to acquire nuclear weapons, stating that the goal was to have the North forsake its weapons of mass destruction. She accented that, if a U.S.-made missile interceptor was brought in, it would be for defense against the threat of the North's missiles. China is strongly opposed to the deployment of the terminal high-altitude area defense system, or THAAD, but Park didn't yield to any distractions. Regarding her sudden decision to close the Gaeseong Industrial Complex, the inter-Korean economic cooperation project, she said that it was inevitable because of the risk of the North holding tenant South Korean businessmen hostage as were seven workers during the 2013 closure. Plus, the South's call for punitive sanctions on the North would be untenable, if it provided hundreds of millions of dollars through wages for North Korean workers to the North Korean leadership. We agree with Park's assessment of the current situation and new forceful means on the North. As she stated, we have long ignored the inconvenient truth that the North's missiles target the South, trying to believe that the two Koreas are brothers. It is time to wake up to the reality. It is also true that we need to drop the habit of relying on others for our own safety and security. Still as the people of the nation that suffered from a devastating war during the 1950-1953 Korean conflict, a repeat of such a tragedy can't be acceptable under any circumstances. So every effort should be made to remind us that the goal is not to destroy the North but make a lasting peace. That is the real challenge for Park's new North Korea policy. The U.N. special rapporteur on North Korea's human rights situation called on the U.N. Human Rights Council to officially notify North Korean leader Kim Jong-un that he may be investigated and held accountable for crimes against humanity . Marzuki Darusman made the remark in a report to the council disclosed Monday, saying the human rights situation in the North has not improved and the crimes against humanity documented by a U.N. Commission of Inquiry appear to be ongoing. The special rapporteur "calls upon the Human Rights Council to arrange to have an official communication ... addressed to the Supreme Leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea to advise him and other senior leaders that they may be investigated," he said in the report. The North's leader and other officials should also be notified that if found to be responsible, they may be "held accountable for crimes against humanity committed under their leadership," the rapporteur said in the report available on the council's website. According to the principle of command and superior responsibility under international criminal law, military commander and civilian superiors are criminally responsible for failing to prevent or repress crimes against humanity committed by people under their effective authority and control, Darusman said. "Consequently, the criminal responsibility of the uppermost leadership of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, including the Supreme Leader, for crimes against humanity must be considered, for ordering or instigating such crimes, even if lower-ranking officials carried out the crimes," he said. He also called for extending the mandate of the special rapporteur, "given that the situation of human rights in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea has hardly improved." North Korea has long been labeled one of the worst human rights violators in the world. The communist regime does not tolerate dissent, holds hundreds of thousands of people in political prison camps and keeps tight control over outside information. But Pyongyang has rejected accusations of human rights abuses as evidence of the U.S.' hostile policy toward it. The North's human rights violations have drawn greater international attention since the U.N. Commission of Inquiry issued a report in early 2014, calling for referring the North to the International Criminal Court for "crimes against humanity." That has led the U.N. General Assembly to adopt a resolution calling for the North's referral to the ICC for two years in a row: in 2014 and 2015. (Yonhap) North Korea lauded its late former leader Kim Jong-il and called for generations-long loyalty for his son Tuesday as it celebrated his 74th birth anniversary, the North's state broadcaster said Tuesday. The North marked the birthday of the father of the North's current leader Kim Jong-un, known as the Day of the Shining Star, according to the Korean Central TV Broadcasting Station. Kim Jong-un inherited power in late 2011, when his father suddenly died of heart failure. The broadcaster said the late leader helped elevate the North's state power to the highest level as he boosted the nation's sovereignty and dignity in the face of the United States' imperialist forces. The celebration came more than a week after North Korea launched a long-range rocket carrying what it called a satellite, dubbed the Kwangmyongsong-4, which was named after the late leader. On Jan. 6, the North carried out its fourth nuclear test, inviting strong international condemnation. On the occasion of the birthday, the North called on its people to show strong allegiance to the current leader. A day earlier, North Korea held a meeting, mainly attended by key military and party officials, reinforcing the personality cult for the North's former and current leaders. "(Kim Jong-il) built the DPRK into a matchless military power. This is the eternal feat he performed for the country and revolution," the Korean Central News Agency said, referring to the acronym of the North's full name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. (Yonhap) Jo Kwang-mee, creative director and CEO of JKMDesign, holds the 10-year diary. / Courtesy of JKMDesign By Yun Suh-young "What's a 10-year diary? You use it for 10 years?" This is the typical reaction when people first encounter the unfamiliar product dubbed the "10-year diary." A 10-year diary is, literally, a diary to be used for a decade. But what differentiates it from regular diaries is not just its thickness. Each page has 10 boxes with the same date but different year written on it. In other words, users will be able to see a 10-year schedule of the same date all in one page. "I wanted to create a diary which helps people to look back on themselves. This is a diary for self-designing which means it helps you design your future and reflect on your past," said Jo Kwang-mee, creative director and CEO of JKMDesign, who created the diary. "You cannot but inevitably see what you did today last year or the year before. You would contemplate your past actions and plan for a better future through the pages." Jo is a package designer who began her design career as creative director of Coca-Cola's local bottling company, Woosung Food, from 1985 through 1999. At the time, Coca-Cola didn't have a regional office and had several local companies producing and distributing its products. When Coca-Cola established its own office here, Jo decided to set off on her own. While working as a freelancer, she started to receive work from former clients and decided to build her own company the following year. She designed product packaging for Shilla Hotels & Resorts, Cheil Worldwide, Samsung Electronics, Well Story and KT&G to name a few big brands. Jo boasts package designs that have a strong character of their own, with a story that reflects the brand's philosophy. Last November, her company was the winner of the Red Dot Award 2015 for food packaging with Hae Tong Ryeong, a small seafood brand in Tongyeong, South Gyeongsang Province. It was while working as a busy entrepreneur that she decided to create the diary. "I planned this diary five years ago after personally feeling the need for one like this. I needed a book where I could record my daily life as well as plan my future. If you're in a position at the top as a leader, you need a platform to organize your mind. Recalling your thoughts and visualizing them through a record is entirely different," said Jo. "Also, whenever I wanted to give a present to someone, I couldn't find the right item. I wanted to give them something special that is meaningful and memorable." Reactions of the recipients of the diary are positive. "Recently, I gave the diary to my husband's uncle as a retirement present. He'd been wondering how to spend the rest of his life. He immediately sent me a photo of his recordings on the diary with a thank-you note saying, 'I don't plan to be more successful, but now I have reasons to fill out these pages' and it was heartwarming," said Jo. "I also gave one to my daughter who's in high school and I wasn't sure how she'd react. Gladly, she was delighted and started immediately writing in it. We're underestimating young people thinking that they wouldn't like writing the analog way, but they adapt quickly like they adapt to electronic devices. They write personal stuff on diaries as opposed to academic or professional recordings on computers. It's also good practice for young people to write, because these days, kids don't write well." Jo's dream is to market the diary abroad. "I hope everyone in the world have this diary. I hope it becomes an item that people would want to own. I hope it becomes a global luxury item that has a store standing right next to Montblanc." The diary isn't cheap. The 10-year edition in leather cover and gold flanks is 210,000 won and the five-year edition with silver flanks is 60,000 won. The leather is imported from Italy. "Instead of giving children a bankbook, I'd suggest parents give them a diary like this. The elderly could leave it as a legacy to their children with their messages on it," she said. Desperate to expand their global presence, South Korean and Chinese smartphone makers are likely to fight a pitched battle to steal the show at the world's largest tech exhibition in Spain next week, industry watchers said Tuesday. The four-day Mobile World Congress (MWC) is slated to kick off in Barcelona next Monday, showcasing the latest mobile gadgets and next-generation technologies, and bringing together some 100,000 CEOs and officials from nearly 2,000 tech companies across the globe. LG Electronics Inc. will be the first to introduce a new flagship smartphone, the G5, which is expected to come with an improved design and a second-display feature as introduced in the V10 model last year. The device is also anticipated to be slightly smaller by having a 5.3-inch display, compared with its 5.5-inch predecessor, although others say that the second display will make it comparatively bigger. Samsung Electronics Co. also plans to showcase the presumed Galaxy S7 hours later, which is widely expected to come with improved features, including a pressure-sensitive display, similar to "3D Touch" promoted by Apple Inc. (Yonhap) Craig Harrison's memoir "The Longest Kill" / Screen captured from Twitter Sergeant Craig Harrison recently told the U.K. Daily Mail about his military life as a sniper. In November 2009 he recorded the longest confirmed sniper kill in history from a range of 2,475 meters, almost a kilometer longer than his rifle's official range. Harrison, 40, used an 8.59mm caliber weapon. The action took place in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, when soldiers were caught in a Taliban ambush. Harrison realized a Taliban machine gunner was beyond his rifle's range, but decided to try anyway. He shot the machine gunner and another terrorist dead with two from four shots. Sergeant Craig Harrison However, Harrison's army chiefs released his name by mistake, making a revenge target of Harrison and his family. Al Qaeda posted details about the sergeant on the web, offering a reward for his death. Harrison also developed post-traumatic stress disorder after his helmet was shot and also when a mine blew up the vehicle in which he was traveling. But he was denied a military cross after his commander refused it on the sergeant's behalf, stating Harrison would not been able to stand the pressure. Harrison has since retired from the army and now makes equipment for other snipers. He also published a book "The longest kill the story of Maverick 41'," last year. EXO's Kai is ready to teach his generation about personal finance through his acting debut in the web drama Choco Bank. Choco Bank is a six-episode web series airing through Naver TV Cast. Endorsed by some of Korea's most renowned financial regulators like the Financial Supervisory Service and the Financial Services Commission, Choco Bank is aimed to teach younger viewers about the importance of financial responsibility. Additionally, according to Korea Herald, the show is designed to inform audiences about financial products and services in Korea. The series follows Kim Eun Haeng, played by EXO's Kai, who has been unemployed for five years. He lies to his mother about finding a job at a bank after becoming concerned that his family will start to worry about him. He runs into Ha Cho Co, the owner of a chocolate shop called "Choco Bank." Together the two begin to look into the financial market, experimenting in online insurance supermarkets and financial technology. Choco Bank premiered officially at 10am KST on Monday, February 15. The show will continue to air online thru Friday. Meanwhile, U.S. fans can catch Kai and the rest of EXO on their concert tour "EXOPLANET #2 - The EXO'luXion in North America." The group will play in Chicago on Friday and wrap up the tour in Newark Feb. 21. In 2010, male quintet SS501 were considered one of Korea's top pop acts when they suddenly broke up after the members' individual contracts expired with DSP Media. In 2014, female quintet Ladies' Code were struggling for recognition after releasing multiple songs when a car accident took the lives of two members, EunB and RiSe. This week, the two groups are back in the spotlight for the first time in years, each act missing two members, but acknowledging and making the most of the line up changes. Ladies' Code's three surviving members- Sojung, Zuny, and Ashley- will return as a rebranded act with "Myst3ry," a direct nod to the loss of two members. Meanwhile, SS501's Kim Hyung Jun, Heo Youngsaeng and Kim Kyu Jong, are back as Double S 301, or SS301 with the album "Eternal 5," an honorable mention to their past with Kim Hyun Joong and Park Jungmin as part of the lineup. Even though its taken years for the two acts to rebrand, each have something to offer both old and new fans. As they move forward, the renewed Ladies' Code return with "Myst3ry" on Feb. 24 with a lot to prove. Prior to the September 2014 accident, Ladies' Code were relatively unknown amidst an onslaught of K-pop acts. The car crash that took the lives of RiSe and EunB also led to the group's unexpected juxtaposition in the South Korean psyche, leading to postmortum recognition of Ladies' Code's talent and catchy songs like "Pretty Pretty" and "Kiss Kiss." "I'm Fine Thank You," one of the group's last releases as a quintet and released post-accident as a memorial song to EunB and RiSe, became the group's most popular song to date as fans around the world realized belatedly how talented the tragedy-stricken girl group was. Now, not only will fans hope to propel Ladies' Code to popularity as a way to honor the memories of EunB and RiSe, but the remaining three will seek to show the world that they are still as good as they once were. And this time they planned to get noticed for it. As Ladies' Code seek to reclaim their place in K-pop, so too will SS301. The three members - Heo, Kim, and Kim- each had their own fan following, but SS501 as a whole were bolstered to popularity in the late 2000's in part thanks to leader Kim Hyun Joong's fame after starring in the TV drama "Boys Over Flowers." With both Kim and power vocalist Park Jungmin now in the army and beleaguered by lawsuits, SS301 looks to reinvent themselves after years out of the spotlight. And SS301 already have a lot going for them. The trio's hit-making power was solidified with 2008's "U R Man." Known in South Korea as an addicting, distracting song that students shouldn't listen to ahead of tests, "U R Man" is legendary and one of SS501's top hits despite being sung solely by the sub-unit. But SS301 also have a lot to prove. While once-rival groups like TVXQ, Super Junior, and Big Bang have moved forward to become K-pop superstars, SS501 haven't retained relevancy, even considered by some as passe. Like Ladies' Code, SS301 will have to prove their K-pop crown. SS301 already jumped into the February competition, releasing "Eternal 5" with multiple music videos and lead single "Pain." But despite their strong fanbase, SS301 didn't immediately place on real time Korean music charts and are fighting to stay part of the larger picture. Ladies' Code will join the K-pop hunger games on Feb. 24. --- The SLFP does not condone the continuation of the Emergency Regulations (The Public Security Ordinance) more than a day necessary Read more Already in the midst of replacing last year's buyout class with younger reporters and editors, the Los Angeles Times is also going to reorganize the newsroom into the hub model that is gaining popularity. It will be a further and quite possibly final break from the old model in which news coverage was launched by the editors on various desks the city desk, national, foreign and others and moved toward preparing stories by the end of the day for the next day's newspaper, while feeding the web. The nerve center of the Los Angeles Times newsroom will now be the "news and enterprise hub," where editors from cross the paper will work with writers, visual journalists artists, social media feeders and others to cover the top stories of the day for the web. There will also now be a separate centralized desk that puts its collective mind toward the next day's printed paper, headed by the LAT's design editor. Traditional mainstream news outlets are trying various models of following their readers to the web, and grappling with how to reorient the news staff to think web first and 24/7. The news hub idea formalizes this for the LA Times. The disclosure last week that all of Tribune's newspapers combined have less than 90,000 digital-only subscribers certainly gave a push to do something. The Times has been favoring online for awhile now, as anyone who still gets the printed paper knows. Early deadlines and a shrinking news hole mean the print paper has fewer stories and many tend to run days after you had the chance to read them online, but on the other hand, the front pages have tended to be anchored by large, often-attractive visual packages. It looks as if the Column One feature that played such a big role in establishing the Times as a home for narrative-style journalism over the decades is history. Here's the memo on the news hub last week from Editor Davan Maharaj. From: Maharaj, Davan Sent: Monday, February 08, 2016 2:41 PM To: yyeditall Subject: News and Enterprise Hub Colleagues: On the day of the San Bernardino terrorist attack, reporters and editors from different disciplines converged on the center of the newsroom. Conversation buzzed constantly about the story as it was happening -- about how to deploy resources, about multimedia elements and social media plans, about big enterprise we wanted to do. It was a model of how a modern newsroom should work. And it all happened spontaneously. Now, we are establishing a news and enterprise hub to bring the same collaborative smarts and energy to our coverage every day. The hub will be a nerve center where assigning editors, photo editors, social media specialists, data visualizers and practitioners of the other newsroom crafts will identify the important stories of the day and figure out how to best report, write, edit, present and promote them. The news hub will advance our mission to bring our news and enterprise stories to the largest possible audience. Working closely with me, Deputy Managing Editor Megan Garvey, will oversee the hub. Other senior editors will be asked to help run it from time to time. Top editors from each department will be expected to work at the hub, at least for part of each day, to help shape coverage. Among those working alongside Megan will be Deputy Managing Editor Scott Kraft, who will shepherd and polish the top stories of the day for http://latimes.com and for print. As part of this next step in the newsrooms evolution, we are creating a print news desk, headed by Assistant Managing Editor Michael Whitley, that will produce a print report with the most complete versions of the stories we worked on together during the day. Michael and his team, in consultation with senior editors, will make many of the decisions on play and presentation that now consume much of our collective energy. Michael has superb news judgment as well as great design sensibility, and he works collaboratively with every department, making him an ideal choice for this important job. Freeing desks from having to think about and spend time producing the print paper will enable editors and reporters to devote more energy to what makes the Los Angeles Times great timely, compelling and engaging content of all types. We are planning to launch the hub in two weeks. Were excited about these next steps. We know you will have questions about the details, along with ideas of your own. We look forward to hearing from you and working together closely to make this happen. Davan Here was some foreshadowing by Maharaj in December. On the hiring front, I posted previously about the recent additions to the politics desk. the naming of a new books editor, and the hiring of a new reporter for the Dodgers beat. More recently, the Times also picked up Pedro Moura from the OC Register for the Angels beat. On the other side of the equation, the Times just recently dropped its blogs (and bloggers) on the Dodgers, Lakers, USC and the Clippers. The photography fair Paris Photo Los Angeles was supposed to happen for the fourth time from April 29 to May 1 at Paramount Studios in Hollywood, but the organizer Reed Exhibitions has pulled the plug. They blame it on the LA market. Reed also has dropped plans for a Los Angeles iteration of the French art fair FIAC. Jean-Daniel Compain, Senior Vice President Culture, Luxury & Leisure Division at Reed Exhibitions France: Despite the impressive mobilization of the city of Los Angeles, its galleries, cultural institutions, and collectors, and notwithstanding its great potential for cultural development, the absence of a mature market in terms of Art Fairs of this scale and scope has driven us to make this difficult decision. We are extremely grateful for the support that we have received since the launch of Paris Photo in Los Angeles, and during the research and development phases of FIAC LA: the city of Los Angeles, its representatives, its institutions, and its cultural players both public and private, have demonstrated invaluable enthusiasm and support in these endeavors. Desiring to support the effervescent artistic spirit of Los Angeles and of California, we have sought to establish Art Fairs that reflect the cultural renown of the city and the decisive place that it has begun to occupy in the world of art. Unfortunately, we must concede that after three consecutive years trying to install Paris Photo in Los Angeles in a sustainable and lasting way despite the abundance of collectors in Los Angeles and California that figure among the buyers regularly in attendance at international fairs the level of sales during Paris Photo Los Angeles is not sufficient to support such a Fair and to offer our exhibitors the best conditions of return on their investment. Here's the Native Intelligence post when Paris Photo first came to Los Angeles in 2013. You might think it would be hard to scare Stephen King, but at least one presidential candidate has struck fear into the heart of the horror novelist. In an interview with the Daily Beast, King called Sen. Ted Cruz, the Texas Republican, very scary. He elaborated: I actually think Trump, in the end, would be more electable than Cruz because Cruz is a fundamentalist Christian and it would almost be like electing the analog of an imam someone whose first guiding principle would be the scripture rather than the Constitution. Cruz isnt the first Republican presidential candidate to earn Kings scorn. On his Twitter page, King regularly refers to Donald Trump as He Who Must Not Be Named, a reference to the evil Lord Voldemort in J.K. Rowlings Harry Potter books. (And if you think thats funny, theres an app for that.) Advertisement King, of course, is the novelist whos been topping best-seller lists since Carrie in 1974. He was talking to the Daily Beast about the Hulu version of 11/22/63, his book about an English teacher (played in the series by James Franco) who goes back in time to try to stop the assassination of President Kennedy. So clearly, while King has written his share of the unreal -- demons, ghosts and evil legacies and possessed dogs, cars, hotels and pet cemeteries -- he thinks about real-world politics, too. In the Daily Beast interview, King said Trump leaves him speechless. Its like hes bulletproof, King said. Will he get nominated? I wouldve said the idea is ridiculous even four months ago, but now Im not so sure. Then people are saying that if he does get nominated hed never get elected, and Im saying, well, hopefully that wont happen. But who knows. King, a liberal who has donated to several Democratic candidates in the past, regularly takes shots at GOP politicos on his Twitter account. He received 25,000 retweets on a post that read: I can no longer tweet about Trump. That anyone in America would even CONSIDER voting for this rabid coyote leaves me speechless. The tweet prompted novelist Joyce Carol Oates to respond, This, from the master of horror. King has also heavily criticized Maine Gov. Paul LePage. King demanded an apology from the Republican last year after LePage claimed that King no longer pays Maine state income taxes. Last month, LePage made news when he said that guys by the name D-Money, Smoothie, Shifty come to Maine from Connecticut and New York to sell heroin, adding, Incidentally, half the time they impregnate a young, white girl before they leave. King weighed in: One must admit LePage has elevated [being a jerk] to a level far past the extraordinary and into a rarified sphere that might be termed divine. For months now, headlines about the Affordable Care Act have focused on complaints from big insurers that they cant make money from the individual insurance market. The big insurer UnitedHealth Group has whined about losing so many millions its thinking about withdrawing from the Obamacare marketplace as soon as next year. Others, including Anthem and Aetna, have mentioned that their exchange business isnt yet profitable, though theyre not talking about pulling the plug--yet. It seems that insurers are perfectly happy and prosperous competing in the markets where the government is the payer. Healthcare analyst Andrew Sprung Advertisement Heres what they havent been saying so loudly: Theyre making scads of money from Obamacare so much that almost universally, theyre expanding their participation. Whats the catch? The big profits have come not from the plans on the insurance exchanges, but via the ACAs Medicaid expansion, in which the largest insurers play a major role. The same insurance executives who go out of their way to badmouth the ACAs individual exchange plans talk as though they cant get enough of the Medicaid business, especially its managed care component. Managed Medicaid continues to emerge as the ultimate long-term sustaining solution for states, United CFO Dave Wichmann told investors last month, adding that his company expected to compete for that business aggressively. This trend not only underscores the diversity of healthcare solutions embedded in Obamacare, but may also point to its future. In Medicaid, as in Medicare, government is the single payer. It sets reimbursement rates for doctors and hospitals and sets enrollment terms so that members, once enrolled, stay enrolled. Moreover, the programs are almost entirely free or at least very inexpensive for members. That ensures that the programs get a lot of healthy enrollees as well as those with heavy medical needs, a mix that makes the costs of the overall insurance pool relatively stable and predictable. These factors and others eliminate many of the uncertainties that have bedeviled insurers in the exchange market, where the health profiles of customers have been hard to gauge and their movement into and out of health plans, sometimes to Medicare and Medicaid, has been vigorous. It seems that insurers are perfectly happy and prosperous competing in the markets where the government is the payer, observes Andrew Sprung on his Xpostfactoid blog. Hes right. Anthem, which has been grousing about the elusive profits in the exchange market, also has been buying up Medicaid insurers acquiring Amerigroup, which operates Medicaid plans in 13 states, for nearly $4.5 billion in 2012, and Simply Healthcare, with nearly 200,000 Medicaid and Medicare members in Florida, for $1 billion last year. Medicaid specialty insurers such as Wellcare and Centene have done especially well. Medicaid managed care enrollment at St. Louis-based Centene grew last year by more than 20%, to 5.1 million members in 24 states. Clearly, 2015 was a banner year, crowed its CEO, Michael Neidorff, in a conference call last week. No dissing of Obamacare was heard on the call. Executives in the Medicaid market expect continued growth as the last states holding out against the ACAs Medicaid expansion give in. The healthcare reform act was designed to offer health insurance to lower-income Americans by expanding Medicaid eligibility to cover all those with household income at or below 138% of the federal poverty line, or about $33,500 for a family of four. The federal government would cover states for 100% of the additional cost through this year, and no less than 90% after that. That strategy was nixed by the Supreme Court, which ruled in 2012 that the expansion could be only voluntary, not imposed as a federal mandate. Sixteen states all controlled by Republican governors or legislators or both are still resisting, but several original holdouts have given in to the opportunity to cover tens or hundreds of thousands of residents at virtually no cost to the state budget (see map below). Louisianas new governor, Democrat John Bel Edwards, last month signed on to Medicaid expansion, reversing the opposition of his Republican predecessor, Bobby Jindal. That will bring coverage to as many as 300,000 Louisianans. Sprung observes that the experience of insurers in Medicaid, especially Medicaid managed care, shows how to expand publicly financed healthcare by offering a program rather like Medicaid to even more people. It might be open to all those with incomes below 200% of the poverty line and without access to employer-sponsored coverage, he suggests. The lowest-income enrollees still would get the plan for free or nearly free, and higher income enrollees could buy in on a sliding scale, Sprung proposes. Because payment rates would be more like those of our current programs than like private ones, premiums and copays would be lower. Sprung notes that the losers in this arrangement would be not insurers, and not enrollees, but healthcare providers, for whom one more segment of the overall market would be paying government rates. But the individual health insurance market is relatively small probably a bit under 20 million lives at present, potentially perhaps 30 million if plans were affordable enough to bring in those who are holding back at present. Thats as compared to about 147 million in the employer sponsored market. The real question is whether the healthcare system for lower-income Americans could transition to this existing system without eroding its advantages. Leaving aside the ideological opposition to any Medicaid expansion in several states, some that have capitulated have done so by making the program slightly more expensive for enrollees charging modest premiums and co-pays for some services, for example. That could be a slippery slope. Medicaid managed care works because you have a very large percentage of the overall market and nominal premiums, Larry Levitt of the Kaiser Family Foundation says. Any substantial raise in premiums would discourage healthier people from signing up creating the same skewed risk pool that causes risk-management problems for insurers in the individual market. Yet it remains true that a very significant portion of the ACAs insurance provision is working so well that even the most loudly grumbling insurers are happy with it, and want even more of it. Its single-payer, government-financed, yet administered by private insurers. Because its enrollee costs are so low, its value to them is higher in actuarial terms than even the average employer plan. Could this be the future? Keep up to date with Michael Hiltzik. Follow @hiltzikm on Twitter, see our Facebook page, or email michael.hiltzik@latimes.com. MORE FROM MICHAEL HILTZIK Your time zone is your destiny--but is that changing? Untold story: How Scalias death blew up an anti-union groups grand legal strategy Do customers still want landlines? Telecom industry doesnt want anyone to hear the answer A proposal by a couple of professors at Johns Hopkins University to eliminate the worlds time zones has been getting some new attention in the press lately. Lets take a look. The idea put forth by Richard Henry of the physics and astronomy faculty and economist Steve Hanke is that, since the the Internet has annihilated time and space completely (as they told the Washington Post), and has set us up for adoption of world-wide time. In other words, the time is right to blow up the very notion of time zones completely. The Internet has annihilated time and space completely and has set us up for adoption of world-wide time. Richard Henry and Steve Hanke, enemies of time zones Advertisement Under their proposal, clocks everywhere in the world would be set to the same hour. While people wouldnt necessarily change their normal routines, 7 a.m. might mark the waking hour in London, but local clocks near the Johns Hopkins campus in Baltimore would be reading 2 a.m. when the sun came up and the working day began. To put it another way, when clocks read 7 a.m. on the East Coast of the United States, most people would be deep into REM sleep, since that would be the same as 2 a.m. today. Does this sound like a simplification to you, or the very definition of an idea thats not worth the effort? We ask because the Posts interview with Henry and Hanke appeared within a few days of a piece by columnist John Kay of the Financial Times, reminding readers that time had a lot to do with the historic rise of London as a worldwide financial center. That wasnt because the British imposed Greenwich Mean Time as the world standard during the era when the sun never set on their empire, as is commonly supposed. Kay asserts that its because London happens to be situated so that its business day overlaps with those of major markets around the globe. When its 9 a.m. in London, he observes, its 5 p.m. in Singapore and Hong Kong and 6 p.m. in Tokyo. At 5 p.m. London time, its noon in New York and 9 a.m. in Los Angeles and San Francisco. The maximum time difference easily managed, Kay writes, is between eight and nine hours, so for every location there are about seven time zones difficult to access. In the case of London, to the citys good fortune, these time zones span the Pacific Ocean, where not many people live. This is something of a Brit-centered view of the world, as one might expect from the FT. In most world centers, some financial managers are blessed with alluring work hours and others are cursed to live sleep-deprived or socially isolated existences. In Los Angeles and San Francisco, brokers and traders pegging their business to the New York markets have to be up and ready in time for the markets opening at 6:30 a.m. Pacific time, but they can knock off after the U.S. markets close at 1 p.m. by their clocks. Theyre more out of sync with their important trading partners across the Pacific Rim: When Shanghai opens at 9:30 a.m. local time, its already 5:30 p.m. in Los Angeles (6:30 p.m. after daylight saving time starts in the spring). Tokyo starts trading at 9 a.m. local time, or 4 p.m. on the U.S. West Coast. The arrival of the Internet didnt actually eliminate these time differences, of course; by encouraging more global transactions, it just increased the ability of financial company bosses to force more of their employees to sync up to the workday rhythms of places halfway across the world. That points to a major flaw in the Henry-Hanke proposal to eliminate time zones: it wont actually change anything. Workdays everywhere typically follow the sun on its local journey across the heavens, for the simple reason that human beings are hard-wired to sleep at night. For much of the day, one often doesnt even have to look at a clock on the wall, a wrist or a smartphone to sense within a half-hour or so what time it is. The body keeps its own clock, and sets it to the sun. (The best way to beat jet lag while traveling? Take a long walk outside in the sunshine to reset your internal timer.) Add to that the simple fact that time zones are largely a political construct. Henry and Hanke think thats a flaw in the system, but, in truth, its a reality to be meekly accepted. Every year a few countries change their time zones for their own reasons; last year North Korea, ever the would-be trend-setter, established a new time zone it dubbed Pyongyang time, setting its clocks 30 minutes earlier than South Korea and Japan and 30 minutes ahead of China. Every region has its outliers. Arizona has long been a holdout against daylight saving time, possibly out of sheer cussedness. So although the state is located in the Mountain time zone, for part of the year its clocks are set an hour ahead of the West Coast, and for part of the year they show the same time. The states Navajo lands, however, follow daylight time, so theyre out of sync with the rest of the state for several months too. In the sprawling United States and Canada, time was a crazy quilt of local traditions until the railroads began to bind the nations together coast to coast. The railroads need to coordinate with one another prompted several visionaries to propose systems of time zones; the one that ultimately prevailed was developed by the Canadian Sandford Fleming, who proposed in 1870 a system of five zones across North America, all an hour off from one another, all pegged to Greenwich Mean Time, which was set at the Royal Observatory in London. But Flemings plan wasnt implemented until more than three years later, on Nov. 18, 1883, when North Americas railroads all synchronized their clocks. Many communities across the United States still balked, however, and the system wasnt codified in U.S. law until 1918. Think it would be easy or efficient to remake this system on a global scale? Or is it more likely to be a plan that not all the time in the world can make happen? Keep up to date with Michael Hiltzik. Follow @hiltzikm on Twitter, see our Facebook page, or email michael.hiltzik@latimes.com. MORE FROM MICHAEL HILTZIK Dirty little secret: Insurers actually are making a mint from Obamacare Untold story: How Scalias death blew up an anti-union groups grand legal strategy Do customers still want landlines? Telecom industry doesnt want anyone to hear the answer Southern California home sales jumped 7.3% in January compared with the same month a year earlier, marking the strongest January for sales since 2013, according to real estate data released Tuesday. Last month, 14,619 new and existing homes and condominiums were sold in Southern California, according to data firm CoreLogic. Although that was an increase from the 13,627 home sales in January 2015, the total was down 30.8% from December. Andrew LePage, research analyst with CoreLogic, said the decrease in sales between December and January is normal. On average, sales fall about 27.7% from one month to the other, according to CoreLogic. Advertisement Some people prefer not to buy and sell during the holidays or in the middle of winter, so January and February tend to be relatively weak months for closings and, as such, theyre not especially predictive of whats to come for the rest of the year, LePage said in a statement. The median price paid for homes in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego and Ventura counties in January was $432,250, up 6.7% from the same month a year earlier, but down 1.8% compared with December 2015. The median sale price has increased, year over year, for 46 consecutive months since April 2012, LePage said. Also Tuesday, a national index showed that home builders are feeling a bit less confident this month. Februarys reading of 58 points on the National Assn. of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index was down from Januarys 61. Builders attributed the slip to higher costs and availability issues for both lots and labor. The index measures builders perceptions of current single-family home sales and sales expectations for the next six months. Any reading over 50 signals that more builders think conditions are good rather than poor. samantha.masunaga@latimes.com A top Federal Reserve official who administered the 2008 bank bailout fund suggested Tuesday that Congress consider breaking up the largest financial firms or treating them like public utilities to prevent their failures. Neel Kashkari, the former Treasury official who was the 2014 Republican nominee for California governor, announced that he was launching an initiative in his new role as president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis to develop tougher regulations to solve the problem of banks considered too big to fail. While the 2010 Dodd-Frank financial reform law has made significant progress in strengthening the financial system, it did not go far enough, he said. Advertisement See more of our top stories on Facebook >> I believe the biggest banks are still too big to fail and continue to pose a significant, ongoing risk to our economy, Kashkari said in a speech to the Brookings Institution think tank. Now is the right time for Congress to consider going further than Dodd-Frank with bold, transformational solutions to solve this problem once and for all, he said. Among the options that should be given serious consideration are breaking up large banks into smaller, less connected, less important entities and turning large banks into public utilities by forcing them to hold so much capital that they virtually cant fail, he said. The financial sector has lobbied hard to preserve its current structure and thrown up endless objections to fundamental change, said Kashkari, who is a former executive at Goldman Sachs Inc. And in the immediate aftermath of the crisis, when the Dodd-Frank Act was passed, the economic outlook was perhaps too uncertain to take truly bold action, he said. But the economy is stronger now, and the time has come to move past parochial interests and solve this problem. The risks of not doing so are just too great. The high-profile initiative is unusual for a regional Fed president, particularly one who just took office Jan. 1. But Kashkari has more government and political background experience than the typical holder of such a position. He was a senior advisor to Bush administration Treasury Secretary Henry M. Paulson when the financial system was on the brink of meltdown in the fall of 2008. Paulson tapped Kashkari to run the $700-billion bank bailout initiative known as the Troubled Asset Relief Program. See the most-read stories this hour >> Kashkari continued in that role for the first few months of the Obama administration. He received mixed reviews for his performance as the first head of TARP, which ended up turning a modest profit for the federal government. He received bipartisan praise for conceiving, setting up and administering the bailout fund during its most significant period. But watchdog agencies complained Kashkari was overly secretive and deferential to the big banks. In his speech Tuesday, Kashkari took on the big banks in a way surprising for a former Goldman Sachs executive who was a Republican politician. There are lines in your speech that I can imagine Bernie Sanders or Elizabeth Warren saying, David Wessel, director of Brookings Hutchins Center on Fiscal and Monetary Policy, told Kashkari during a panel discussion after the speech. Sanders, who is running for the Democratic presidential nomination, and Warren, a liberal Democratic senator from Massachusetts, have railed against Wall Street. They have called for legislation to reinstate the Depression-era Glass-Steagall law, which separated federally insured deposit-taking from risky investment banking. SIGN UP for the free California Inc. business newsletter >> Kashkari did not mention Glass-Steagall and stressed that he was not calling for specific actions but launching an effort to study how to better address the risks posed by the nations largest banks. The Minneapolis Fed will host a series of symposiums beginning this spring and will consider the likely benefits, costs, risks and implementation challenges of various options, he said. The events will be streamed over the Internet and will include a website to solicit input from the public. jim.puzzanghera@latimes.com Follow @JimPuzzanghera on Twitter ALSO Airlines raise fares for the second time this year PETA rakes in more donations as it denounces SeaWorld Southern California home sales increase in January compared with a year earlier Two areas of Joshua Tree National Park noted for their mining artifacts have been closed indefinitely because of looting, according to the parks superintendent. The areas include Careys Castle and El Sid Mine, in the Eagle Mountains range in the southeast area of the park. The areas will be closed at least for a month until cultural artifact teams can inventory and record the areas, and while the park devises an enforcement and surveillance strategy, park Supt. David Smith said Monday. Advertisement See the most-read stories this hour >> We had some looting at El Sid that started a few months ago, he said. We actually bought some artifacts to replace the original ones and they got stolen, too. Both sites harbor former miners homesteads. Careys Castle, north of Chiriaco Summit, was built during the Great Depression in the hollow beneath a boulder that also was visited by Native Americans. El Sid (also known as El Cid), at the far eastern edge of the park, was first prospected in the late 19th century, though most of its artifacts date from the Depression era to recent decades. Neither site attracted many but the most intrepid cross-country hikers, until a newspaper recently printed a two-page spread about day hiking to Careys Castle, Smith said. Soon after, the rangers office received six calls in one day about the site, compared with about that many visits by individual hikers per month, along with a few Sierra Club-sponsored group trips per year, he said. NEWSLETTER: Get essential California headlines delivered daily >> Several other areas of Joshua Tree, including Barker Dam and Rattlesnake Canyon, were closed for short periods over the last three years because of graffiti and other types of vandalism. All have been reopened. Last year, Andre Saraiva, a French graffiti artist known as Mr. Andre, was publicly shamed after displaying boulders he tagged within the park. That, and an anti-graffiti program created by Otis College of Art and Design in Los Angeles, have helped dissuade that activity, Smith said. 1 / 5 A sacred Indian site inside Rattlesnake Canyon in the Joshua Tree National Park is defaced with graffiti. Vandals have posted pictures of themselves damaging the park, causing officials to close parts of the park as they investigate. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 2 / 5 Joshua Tree National Park maintenance man Ameer Amit closes the gates to the road leading to Rattlesnake Canyon, where vandals spray-painted graffiti on numerous rock formations. Park officials have closed parts of the park as they investigate Facebook postings of someone painting the graffiti. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 3 / 5 A photographer takes pictures of Barker Dam, where vandals have carved their names. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 4 / 5 Ranger Pat Pilcher stands near Barker Dam, which has been vandalized. The park service isnt sure how to repair that damage. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 5 / 5 Rocks on a sacred Indian site inside Rattlesnake Canyon in Joshua Tree National Park have graffiti on them. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) The National Park Service has struggled with the abandoned mines on its properties -- there are 531 mining-related features in Joshua Tree, of which about 58 still required protection measures, according to a 2013 national inventory. Death Valley contains more than 9,000 such features, according to the report. Nationwide, it will cost the park service $55.6 million to protect 2,869 abandoned mine features, according to that report. Twitter: @LATgeoffmohan ALSO Proposal would shift bullet train funding for use on new water projects L.A. County Supervisor Antonovich calls for air-quality spot checks in Porter Ranch area Volcanic spires and Joshua trees: Obama protects 1.8 million acres in Californias desert Hamilton fever took hold at the Grammy Awards on Monday when cast members of the hip-hop Broadway phenomenon performed live on the CBS broadcast and took home the award for musical theater album. The performance marked a rare instance in which a Broadway musical was allowed to occupy precious airtime at the Grammys. In past years, Grammy producers have relegated the musical category to the pre-telecast ceremony held just before the main event. 1 / 57 A look at the show highlights from the 2016 Grammys. (Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images for NARAS;Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images for NARAS; Matt Sayles/Invision/AP) 2 / 57 Taylor Swift accepts the award for album of the year for 1989. (Matt Sayles / Invision/Associated Press) 3 / 57 Philip Bailey, from left, Verdine White and Ralph Johnson of Earth Wind & Fire present the award for album of the year. (Matt Sayles / Invision/Associated Press) 4 / 57 Pitbull performs Taxi with actress Sofia Vergara dancing to close out the show. (Robyn Beck / AFP/Getty Images) 5 / 57 Pitbull performs Taxi. (Robyn Beck / AFP/Getty Images) 6 / 57 Mark Ronson accepts the award for the record of the year, for Uptown Funk, with Bruno Mars, center. (Robyn Beck/ AFP/Getty Images) 7 / 57 Bruno Mars holds up the award for record of the year for Uptown Funk as he thanks the fans. (Robyn Beck / AFP/Getty Images) 8 / 57 Beyonce presents the final award of the night, record of the year. (Robyn Beck / AFP/Getty Images) 9 / 57 Lady Gaga pays tribute to David Bowie by singing through nearly half a dozen of his songs, including Ziggy Stardust, Fashion and Heroes. (Robyn Beck / AFP/Getty Images) 10 / 57 Lady Gaga pays tribute to David Bowie by singing nearly half a dozen of his songs, including Space Oddity, Rebel Rebel and Under Pressure. (Robyn Becl / AFP/Getty Images) 11 / 57 A teary Meghan Trainor recieves the award for best new artist. (Robyn Beck / AFP/Getty Images) 12 / 57 Sam Smith presents the award for best new artist onstage. (Robyn Beck/ AFP/Getty Images) 13 / 57 Rapper Kendrick Lamar, center, performs a rendition of his songs The Blacker the Berry and Alright. (Kevork Djansezian / Getty Images for NARAS) 14 / 57 Rapper Kendrick Lamar, center, performs a rendition of his songs The Blacker the Berry and Alright. (Matt Sayles/Invision/Associated Press) 15 / 57 Rapper Kendrick Lamar, center, performs a rendition of his songs The Blacker the Berry and Alright. (Kevork Djansezian / Getty Images for NARAS) 16 / 57 Musician Dave Grohl takes the stage. (Robyn Beck / AFP/Getty Images) 17 / 57 Alice Cooper, left, and Joe Perry of Hollywood Vampires perform songs including As Bad As I Am and Ace of Spades. (Matt Sayles / Invision/AP) 18 / 57 Johnny Deppy performs onstage with Hollywood Vampires. (Robyn Beck / AFP/Getty Images) 19 / 57 Kaley Cuoco introduces Justin Bieber and Jack U. (Robyn Beck / AFP/Getty Images) 20 / 57 Justin Bieber performs Love Yourself and Where Are U Now onstage with Jack U. (Robyn Beck / AFP/Getty Images) 21 / 57 Skrillex of Jack U performs onstage with Justin Bieber. (Matt Sayles / Invision/AP) 22 / 57 Adele takes the stage with a performance of her song All I Ask. (Kevork Djansezian / Getty Images for NARAS) 23 / 57 Don Cheadle introduces a performance by Kendrick Lamar. (Matt Sayles/Invision/Associated Press) 24 / 57 Brittany Howard of the Alabama Shakes accepts the award for rock performance for Dont Wanna Fight. (Matt Sayles / Invision/AP) 25 / 57 Bruno Mars hits the stage. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 26 / 57 Twelve-year-old jazz pianist Joey Alexander smiles as the audience cheers after his performance. (Robyn Beck / AFP/Getty Images) 27 / 57 Singer Tori Kelly sings a rendition of her song Hollow with James Bay. (Robyn Beck/ AFP/Getty Images) 28 / 57 Tori Kelly, left, and James Bay embrace after perfoming a rendition of their songs Hollow and Let It Go. (Kevork Djansezian / Getty Images for NARAS) 29 / 57 Miguel performs the song Off the Wall onstage. (Matt Sayles / Invision/AP) 30 / 57 Ed Sheeran recieves the award for song of the year, Thinking Out Loud. (Robyn Beck/ AFP / Getty Images) 31 / 57 Stevie Wonder, center, and Mitch Grassing, left, Kristin Maldonado and Kevin Olusola of Pentatonix present the award for song of the year. (Matt Sayles/Invision/AP) 32 / 57 Brittany Howard of Alabama Shakes offers up a powerful performance with the song Dont Wanna Fight. (Matt Sayles/Invision/AP) 33 / 57 Actor-filmmaker Seth MacFarlane speaks onstage. (Kevork Djansezian / Getty Images for NARAS) 34 / 57 The Eagles perform onstage in a tribute to the late Glenn Frey. (Robyn Beck/ AFP/Getty Images) 35 / 57 The Eagles perform onstage in a tribute to the late Glenn Frey. (Robyn Beck/ AFP/Getty Images) 36 / 57 tribute to MusiCares Person of the Year honoree Richie. (Matt Sayles/Invision/AP) 37 / 57 during a tribute to MusiCares Person of the Year honoree Richie. (Kevork Djansezian / Getty Images for NARAS) 38 / 57 tribute to MusiCares Person of the Year honoree Lionel Richie. (Robyn Beck / AFP / Getty Images) 39 / 57 Demi Lovato sings Hello for a tribute to MusiCares Person of the Year honoree Lionel Richie. (Kevork Djansezian / Getty Images for NARAS) 40 / 57 John Legend performs East for a tribute to MusiCares Person of the Year honoree Lionel Richie. (Kevork Djansezian / Getty Images for NARAS) 41 / 57 LL Cool J, left, and James Corden introduce a tribute to Lionel Richie. (Matt Sayles / Invision / Associated Press) 42 / 57 Little Big Town performs the song Girl Crush. (Robyn Beck/ AFP/Getty Images) 43 / 57 Chris Stapleton receives the Grammy country album for Traveller onstage. (Robyn Beck / AFP/Getty Images) 44 / 57 Singer Andra Day, right, and Ellie Goulding team up to sing Rise Up and Love Me Like You Do. (Robyn Beck / AFP/Getty Images) 45 / 57 Host LL Cool J greets the crowd. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 46 / 57 The Weeknd performs two hit songs, including Cant Feel My Face and In the Night. (Matt Sayles / Invision/AP) 47 / 57 Ariana Grande introduces a performance by the Weeknd, and does her own rendition of his hit song Earned It. (Matt Sayles / Invision/AP) 48 / 57 Actor OShea Jackson, left, and rapper/actor Ice Cube announce the nominees for rap album. (Kevork Djansezian / Getty Images for NARAS) 49 / 57 Kendrick Lamar recieves the Grammy for his rap album To Pimp a Butterfly as Ice Cube looks on. (Robyn Beck/ AFP/Getty Images) 50 / 57 Singers Sam Hunt and Carrie Underwood perform Take Your Time and Heartbeat onstage. (Kevork Djansezian / Getty Images for NARAS) 51 / 57 NFL player Anquan Boldin and NFL player Von Miller announce nominees onstage. (Robyn Beck/ AFP/Getty Images) 52 / 57 Taylor Swift opens the show with her song Out of the Woods. (Matt Sayles/Invision/Associated Press) 53 / 57 Girl Crush by Little Big Town takes home the Grammy for country duo/group performance. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 54 / 57 Jazz pianist Joey Alexander, 12, takes a bow following his performance at the pre-telecast show. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 55 / 57 Musicians Peter Peetah Morgan, left, Roy Gramps Morgan and Nakamyah Lukes Morgan of Morgan Heritage accept the award for reggae album for Strictly Roots at the pre-telecast show. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 56 / 57 Tony Bennett and Bill Charlap accept the Grammy for traditional pop vocal album for Tony Bennett & Bill Charlap, the Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 57 / 57 Abigail Washburn and Bela Fleck head for the stage to accept their Grammy for folk album at the pre-telecast show. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) Advertisement Grammys 2016: Full coverage | Best and worst dressed | Red carpet | Show highlights | Nominees and winners | Top nominees Taking the stage from the musicals home at the Richard Rodgers Theatre in New York, Lin-Manuel Miranda, who wrote Hamilton, joined the ensemble cast to perform the shows opening sequence. Miranda later accepted the Grammy, delivering a rap-like list of thank-yous. WATCH Lin-Manuel Miranda deliver his inimitable Grammys speech>> Since opening last year at the Public Theater and then transferring to Broadway, Hamilton has been one of the hottest theater tickets in New York, drawing a long list of celebrities to its audience. The musical uses hip-hop and rap to recount the life story of Alexander Hamilton, the Federalist founding father and first Secretary of the Treasury. A multiracial cast of actors portrays the shows historical characters, including George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, Aaron Burr and King George III. The national tour year will come to the Pantages Theatre in Hollywood starting in August 2017. Hamilton beat out cast albums from Fun Home, An American in Paris, The King and I and Something Rotten. In the classical music field, Stephen Paulus, the prolific Minnesota composer who died in 2014, won Grammys in two categories, including the award for contemporary composition for his choral piece Prayers and Remembrances, which appears in the album Far in the Heavens. The somber, hymn-like work in multiple movements debuted in 2011 as a commission to mark the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. The album was recorded by Arizonas True Concord Voices & Orchestra. The composers widow, Patricia, and her sons, accepted the award Monday afternoon at the Grammy pre-telecast ceremony. Paulus was also recognized for his album Three Places of Enlightenment; Veil Of Tears & Grand Concerto, recorded by the Nashville Symphony, which won for the classical compendium category. The Boston Symphony Orchestra took home the top orchestral Grammy for its album Shostakovich: Under Stalins Shadow, which features the Russian composers Symphony No. 10, conducted by Andris Nelsons. Seiji Ozawa won a Grammy in the opera category for the album of Ravels LEnfant Et Les Sortileges and Sheherazade, from Japans Saito Kinen Orchestra. The award for choral performance went to the Kansas City Chorale and Phoenix Chorales recording of Rachmaninoffs All-Night Vigil. Other classical winners included mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato for classical solo vocal album (Joyce & Tony: Live From Wigmore Hall) and violinist Augustin Hadelich for classical instrumental solo (for the Seattle Symphonys album of music by Henri Dutilleux). The new music group eighth blackbird added to its Grammy collection, winning its fourth award in the category of chamber music or small ensemble performance for its album Filament, which spotlights music by Bryce Dessner, as well as Nico Muhly, Son Lux and Philip Glass. david.ng@latimes.com MORE GRAMMYS: Who won, who lost, who performed Lady Gaga goes Vegas with a rushed David Bowie tribute Neil Portnow on Rihanna, Adele and what didnt go as planned Taylor Swift shames Kanye West in empowering Grammys speech At Hong Kong Disneyland, the fairy tale just got a reality check. The theme park posted a net loss of $19 million in fiscal 2015 (which ended in September), according to a new report this week by the Hong Kong government, a part owner of the resort. A decreasing number of mainland Chinese visitors as well as overall market condition and sentiment were to blame, the report said. More difficult days may be on the horizon. The Shanghai Disney Resort is scheduled to open in June, sparking concerns that mainland Chinese, who make up more than 40% of the visitors at Hong Kong Disneyland, will opt for a closer-to-home experience. Advertisement The $5.5-billion Shanghai park is almost three times bigger than Hong Kong Disneyland. Market analysts estimate that Shanghai park will attract 15 million to 25 million visitors in its first year, compared to 6.8 million visitors at Hong Kong Disneyland last year. (Hong Kong, a former British colony, is a semi-autonomous Chinese territory.) Disney executives have stood by their decision to open two parks. There is a certain amount of the fan base that insists on visiting both, but for the most part they draw from the regions theyre located in. So we see the advantage in having a park in Shanghai to draw from this region, and [in the meantime] continuing to develop Hong Kong and invest in new attractions, Bob Weis, executive vice president of Walt Disney Imagineering, said last summer. Despite Disneys optimism, the numbers in this weeks report offer a sobering picture: Visits are down: Hong Kong Disneyland received 6.8 million visitors in 2015, 9% fewer than in 2014. Mainlanders are staying away: In the fiscal year of 2015, mainland visitors accounted for 41% of total attendance, down from 48% in the previous fiscal year. Revenue is dropping: Hong Kong Disneylands total revenue in fiscal 2015 was $655 million, a year-on-year decrease of 6%. Profit is off: Fiscal 2015 also recorded a net loss of $19 million, as compared to a profit of $43 million in fiscal 2014. Hotel rooms are emptier: Hotel occupancy dropped from 93% in fiscal 2014 to 79% last year. To boost its appeal, Hong Kong Disneyland has announced several initiatives, including a new hotel and an ambitious park expansion. A new Iron Man-themed area scheduled to open in late 2016 will feature the Iron Man Experience, a motion-based ride presenting the American superhero in the streets of Hong Kong. In view of the intensifying competition in the region, and the opening of the Shanghai Disney Resort in June this year, the Hong Kong Disneyland has planned a series of developments in the pipeline in order to give full play to its international features, and maintain its distinctiveness and competitiveness, the report said. Iron Man, apparently, has a new rescue mission ahead. Xu and Liu are special correspondents. At the end of his emotionally charged performance at the 58th Grammy Awards, rapper Kendrick Lamar stood in front of a screen that projected an outline of Africa with his hometown, Compton, superimposed over the continent. He rapped of police brutality and the shooting of Trayvon Martin in the most politically minded performance of the night, which included sets by pops Taylor Swift, crooner Adele and R&Bs Miguel. Grammys 2016: Full coverage | Best and worst dressed | Red carpet | Show highlights | Nominees and winners | Top nominees Advertisement 1 / 10 Kendrick Lamar performs at the 58th Grammy Awards. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 2 / 10 Kendrick Lamar performs with fire in the background. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 3 / 10 Kendrick Lamar implores the crowd. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 4 / 10 Kendrick Lamar, nominated for 11 Grammys, performs at the awards show. (Matt Sayles / Invision / Associated Press) 5 / 10 Recording artist Kendrick Lamar makes his point during his performance. (Robyn Beck / AFP / Getty Images) 6 / 10 Kendrick Lamar performs among sets. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 7 / 10 Rapper Kendrick Lamar performs at Staples Center. (Kevork Djansezian / Getty Images for NARAS) 8 / 10 Dancers support Kendrick Lamars performance. (Robyn Beck / AFP / Getty Images) 9 / 10 Kendrick Lamar wears an intense look during his performance at the awards show. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 10 / 10 Kendrick Lamar (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) Lamar started the medley of The Blacker the Berry and Alright handcuffed, in a jail cell, driving home the topical nature of his album, To Pimp a Butterfly. Lamar was the most nominated artist of the evening with 11 nods, but despite his albums urgency, daring approach at breaking rap conventions and universal acclaim, it lost the nights biggest honor album of the year to Taylor Swift. Swifts sparkly pop offering, 1989, took the prize, making her only the second woman to win the award twice. Though competition for album of the year was fierce the Weeknd, Chris Stapleton and Alabama Shakes were also in the running Lamars loss was in keeping with the Recording Academys history of shutting rappers out of the top honor. The last rap act to win that award was Outkast in 2004. In 2016, a year in which the word diversity has been a hot topic in the wake of #OscarsSoWhite and when the conversation about race relations in the U.S. is as polarizing as it has ever been, Lamars album seemed poised to win big given its timely subject matter. Lamar was awarded the televised ceremonys first prize, rap album, which the 28-year-old artist accepted onstage. He won four other awards, including rap performance and rap song. Despite being an integral portion of the music ecosystem since its inception nearly 40 years ago, rap has largely been overlooked in other major Grammy categories as well. 1 / 13 The Weeknd kisses one of his Grammys. He won for R&B performance and urban contemporary album. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 2 / 13 Taylor Swift cradles her Grammys for album of the year, pop vocal album and music video backstage at the 58th Grammy Awards at Staples Center in Los Angeles. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 3 / 13 Alabama Shakes hold their Grammys for alternative music album, rock song and rock performance steady. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 4 / 13 Chris Stapleton displays his Grammys backstage for country album (Traveller) and country solo performance (Traveller). (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 5 / 13 Meghan Trainor is all about that Grammy for best new artist. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 6 / 13 Producer Mark Ronson, winner of the pop duo/group performance award for Uptown Funk, poses in the press room. He would also win record of the year for that megahit single. (Frederick M. Brown / Getty Images for NARAS) 7 / 13 Metal performance winners Ghost backstage at the Grammy Awards. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 8 / 13 Angelique Kidjo balances her Grammy for world music album. (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times) 9 / 13 Pentatonix members, from left, Ben Bram, Mitch Grassi, Scott Hoying, Avi Kaplan, Kristin Maldonado, and Kevin Olusola, share the Grammy for arrangement, instrumental or a cappella for Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 10 / 13 Muses Matt Bellamy, left, and Dominic Howard won the rock album Grammy for Drones. (Frederick M. Brown / Getty Images for NARAS) 11 / 13 Kirk Franklin, right, winner of the Grammy for gospel performance for the song Wanna Be Happy? (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 12 / 13 Singer-songwriter Jason Isbell won the Grammys for Americana album (Something More Than Free) and American roots song (24 Frames). (Frederick M. Brown / Getty Images for NARAS) 13 / 13 Tobymac won the contemporary Christian music album Grammy for This Is Not a Test. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) Lamar was also in the running for song of the year. Had he taken that award, it would have been the first time a rapper won the category. And for album of the year, the only other rap artists to win were Lauryn Hill and OutKast. A win for album of the year would have also made the Compton-born emcee Lamar the first black artist to win since 2008, when Herbie Hancock accepted a tribute album of Joni Mitchell covers. Lamars achievement would have been all the more impressive because he would have done so with To Pimp a Butterfly, a rap album so challenging and musically complex that fans and critics are still chewing on it nearly a year after its release. His debut, good kid, m.A.A.d city, was famously snubbed at the 56th Grammy Awards (white rapper Macklemore won that year for rap album and apologized publicly to Lamar). The album was a brilliant concept record that traced Lamars coming of age in gang-and-drug infested Compton; much of it conformed to the mores of a classic hip-hop album (beats that flipped from atmospheric to bouncy, masterfully poetic lyrics, ace guest collaborations). To Pimp a Butterfly ignored much of a traditional framework. Weaving together free jazz, Parliament-Funkadelic era funk, spoken word, slam poetry and live instrumentation and lyrics that looked inward and outward at issues like fame and depression, politics, race, class and beyond. His performance of tracks off the album at the Grammys on Monday was considered a highlight of the evening. Unlike Lamars peers in mainstream rap records by J. Cole, Nicki Minaj, Drake and Dr. Dre competed with him in the rap album category To Pimp a Butterfly is a difficult listen that requires multiple listens to digest, and it celebrated blackness without apology. As with the Oscars voting body, Grammys voters have also been accused of being too old, too white and too out of touch in their nominations. It was a night that otherwise seemed to showcase rap culture with Ice Cube presenting and Run-D.M.C. being given the Lifetime Achievement Award, the first rap act to get such an honor. LL Cool J hosted, and the hip-hop inspired musical Hamilton got plenty of screen time. The musical got an early plug ahead of its beamed-in performance from Broadway, and it later won for musical theater album, given on-air seemingly to piggyback off its heat. When Lamar won for rap album, he dedicated his award to all of hip-hop and to rap albums that came before him. The records he name-checked Doggystyle by Snoop Dogg and Illmatic by Nas also happened to be overlooked by the Grammys. No coincidence. gerrick.kennedy@latimes.com MORE GRAMMYS: Who won, who lost, who performed A more human Adele arrives at the Grammys Lady Gaga goes Vegas with a rushed David Bowie tribute Neil Portnow on Rihanna, Adele and what didnt go as planned Taylor Swift shames Kanye West in empowering Grammys speech Natalie Cole had been granted most-favored-nation status at the Grammy Awards since the daughter of Nat King Cole made her big career splash in 1975, when she collected Grammys for new artist and for R&B female vocal performance with the breakthrough single This Will Be. Many Grammy telecast viewers had, not surprisingly, expected Cole, who collected nine Grammys during her lifetime, to be among the musicians who died in the last year to receive a posthumous live performance tribute at Mondays 58th awards ceremony. Some fans have subsequently questioned why she was folded into the video salute to more than a dozen other figures who died, rather than joining David Bowie, Glenn Frey, B.B. King and Motorhead front man Lemmy Kilmister in being saluted with a live performance. Grammys 2016: Full coverage | Best and worst dressed | Red carpet | Show highlights | Nominees and winners | Top nominees Advertisement We were looking at what to do for Natalie, Grammy telecast Executive Producer Ken Ehrlich told the Los Angeles Times on Friday during rehearsals for this years show. When I went back and watched the footage when she did the duet on Unforgettable with her father, it came to that final line, at which point Ehrlich quoted the songs lyric that ends, Its incredible, that someone so unforgettable, thinks that I am unforgettable too, [and] she turns to the screen as he blows a kiss, and she blows a kiss back to him. Then she turned to the audience, and the camera, and blew a kiss, Ehrlich said. At that moment, I thought, What could we put together that would be better than that? And so were using that at the end of the In Memoriam tribute. Follow @RandyLewis2 on Twitter. For more on Classic Rock, join us on Facebook. MORE: Grammys David Bowie love fest: Better late than never? What really happened with Lauryn Hill at the Grammys? Compton mayor celebrates Kendrick Lamars Grammys -- and disses Drake Review: The Grammys energy shortage: Kendrick was fierce but what happened to Bieber, the Weeknd and Adele? Can Jimmy McGill (Bob Odenkirk) succeed as an ethical attorney in sun-scorched Albuquerque, N.M.? Or will he revert to his old Slippin Jimmy con artist tricks that he honed in Cicero, Ill.? Jimmys deep-seated ambivalence about what career path he should follow plays out in Switch, the Season 2 premiere of Better Call Saul, the prequel and sometimes sequel to AMCs Breaking Bad. Just like in last years pilot, this latest installment begins with a flash-forward sequence in which Jimmy quietly manages a Cinnabon bakery at a Nebraska shopping mall. Advertisement See more of Entertainments top stories on Facebook >> His high-flying days as Saul Goodman, the unscrupulous lawyer for meth kingpin Walter White (Bryan Cranston), are but a memory. Moreover, Jimmy goes by an alias so he can hide from vengeful drug dealers, police detectives and anyone else who could link him with his notorious past. Soon, the episode flashes back to a pivotal point in Jimmys life as he ponders a lucrative job offer from a law firm headed by Clifford (Ed Begley Jr.). When it comes time to make a choice, Jimmys con artist side takes control, and he politely declines Cliffords invitation. Driving away in his beat-up car, Jimmy pauses to ask his former accomplice, parking lot attendant Mike Ehrmantraut (Jonathan Banks), a key question. Why didnt they split the $1.6 million Mike stole from the corrupt county treasurer? Why, instead, did Jimmy do the right thing by turning over the embezzled funds to prosecutors? I know what stopped me from keeping the money, Jimmy exclaims, referring to his altruistic side. And you know, its never stopping me again! Mystified at Jimmys erratic behavior is his confidant Kimberly Wexler (Rhea Seehorn), a talented attorney with Hamlin, Hamlin & McGill. Kim confronts Jimmy at a posh resort, where he floats in a swimming pool with an umbrella drink in hand. So this is what a midlife crisis looks like, Kim says with a mix of anger and concern. Clearly explain to me why you walked out on the best job opportunity of your life. Why abandon his law practice after working so hard to get established? Jimmy responds that he wont be deceived by the sunk cost fallacy. Its what gamblers do, Jimmy explains. They throw good money after bad thinking they can turn their luck around. So rather than fight a losing battle in the legal world, Jimmy claims his talents are better suited elsewhere. To demonstrate his dark skills, Jimmy expertly manipulates Ken (Kyle Bornheimer), a wealth manager who brags that hes practically a money-printing machine. Despite some reluctance, Kim plays along. Pretending to be siblings whove just inherited a fortune, Jimmy and Kim feign ignorance of investment strategies while ordering outrageously expensive drinks. Later, they sign fake names on Kens contract and then hurry off before he can examine the bar tab. Wouldnt it be great if we could do that every night, Jimmy says with a giddy laugh. Yes it would, Kim replies with a mischievous smile. But we cant. Jimmy is tempted to initiate another scam, this one targeting a rich older man (Curtis Plagge) and his sexy, much-younger girlfriend (Brianna Danfelser). But suddenly, the better side of Jimmys nature takes over. He accepts that job offer from Clifford. Finally, Mike earns cash on the side by providing protection for Daniel Wormald (Mark Proksch), a nerdy IT professional who steals meds from a pharmaceutical company, then sells them to drug dealer Nacho Varga (Michael Mando). When Daniel opts to leave Mike behind, Nacho slyly memorizes Daniels address from his vehicle registration, then ransacks the house searching for drugs. Next time, Daniel better call Mike. Good morning. It is Tuesday, Feb. 16. Remember that time the president came to town? Heres whats going on in California: TOP STORIES Water versus train Advertisement Concerns about the rising costs and delays of Californias bullet train have been growing in recent months. Now, some critics of high-speed rail are proposing a ballot measure that would kill the project and use the money for various water projects in the drought-damaged state. Los Angeles Times Too young to die In the wake of the slaying of a 1-year-old girl in Compton, the Homicide Report takes an in-depth look at the youngest victims of murder in L.A. Many are the victims of abuse or violence in their homes. Los Angeles Times Expensive ballot The November ballot in California is already shaping up to be complex and voluminous. By some estimates, $450 million to $500 million will be spent this fall on political advertising of various kinds for initiative efforts. Los Angeles Times DROUGHT AND CLIMATE Heat stays, winter goes? Southern Californias winter heat wave shows few signs of ending. Monday saw new record high temperatures for the day. Though it will cool down a few days this week, it looks like the warm conditions will pick up again over the weekend. Los Angeles Times Paying a price: One effect of the drought: a drop in hydroelectric production as reservoirs decline. And that means more costs to ratepayers. KPBS L.A. STORIES Mega-mansions father: Meet the designer behind the 104,000-square-foot giga-mansion in Bel-Air, which could end up being the most expensive home ever. He lives a decidedly more suburban life. Orange County Register Fixing the mall L.A. loves to hate: For years, there has been talk of giving the Beverly Center a major face-lift news that brought cheers to some who consider the brown monolith one of L.A.s grimmer pieces of architecture. Now it appears those plans are moving forward. Curbed LA Inside TMZ: The New Yorker says L.A. celebrity news powerhouse TMZ resembles an intelligence agency as much as a news organization. The New Yorker POLITICS AND GOVERNMENT Union boost? The death of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia could deal a major blow to a California lawsuit that had been widely expected to weaken the financial muscle of teachers unions. Los Angeles Times Strange bedfellows: How one of Californias most conservative Republicans has become an unlikely icon to marijuana legalization forces. Sacramento Bee CRIME AND COURTS Key job: A series of scandals that have rocked the Orange County legal system makes finding a new public defender crucial. Orange County Register Family fight, big stakes: Inside the drama in the Redstone family and how it will affect CBS and Viacom. Los Angeles Times CALIFORNIA COMMENTARY Teacher blues: Columnist George Skelton says a lot of California public school teachers are demoralized and questioning their career choices. Theyre not at all surprised that fewer and fewer college students are going into teaching. Los Angeles Times Reform now?: An Op-Ed piece says its time to fix the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power before its too late. Los Angeles Times CALIFORNIA CULTURE Musics biggest night: Compton rapper Kendrick Lamar set the house on fire with a controversial performance and multiple awards, while Taylor Swift got a little revenge on Kanye West at the Grammy Awards in Staples Center. Los Angeles Times Lions feast: A new study confirms mountain lions are eating Californias household pets. SFGate The new, new Pam Anderson: The California evolution of Pamela Anderson. Vice Camp Annenberg: The Sunnylands retreat of the late billionaire Walter H. Annenberg and his wife, Leonore, has become a grand setting for casual diplomacy and sunburned caddies a western version of Camp David that concentrates on the Pacific Rim. Now, Obama is using it for an international summit. Los Angeles Times CALIFORNIA ALMANAC There will be lots more sunshine and a high of 86 degrees in Los Angeles. San Francisco will be mostly sunny with a high of 76 degrees. Mammoth Lakes will be partly cloudy and reach 64. San Diego will be sunny and 81 for the second day in a row. AND FINALLY Todays California Memory comes from Sierra Rose: In 1962, I was an arrogant 20-year-old in Hollywood. I pulled into a Santa Monica drive-in called Goody-Goody and ordered lunch. The car hop (a man) whispered, did I realize that was Richard Widmark parked right in front of me and did I want to meet him? I answered rather too loudly, If Richard Widmark wants to meet me, let him get out of his car. And he did. He walked back to my window and put out his hand saying, Im Richard Widmark, and Ive always wanted to meet you. His eyes sparkled with friendliness and good humor, and here I am at age 72, still chuckling about it. If you have a memory or story about the Golden State, share it with us. Send us an email to let us know what you love or fondly remember about our state. (Please keep your story to 100 words.) Please let us know what we can do to make this newsletter more useful to you. Send comments, complaints and ideas to Alice Walton or Shelby Grad. Alex Jabourian wrapped up his presentation on neurological disorders with a surprise: a slide showing an image captured by a 13-week ultrasound. His wife, Nina, like him a resident at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center, was pregnant. Cheers filled the hospital auditorium. Then a doctor burst in. Someone had opened fire at a building in San Bernardino, he said. Advertisement On Day One of their emergency medicine tactical rotation, the Jabourians rushed to the trauma bay on the first floor. Dr. Michael Neeki, an attending physician at the medical center, ran into the room. Neeki grabbed Alex Jabourians shoulder and looked him in the eye. Are you coming with me? Neeki asked. Alex and Nina Jabourian quickly got into Neekis SUV. More than two months later, Neeki is sitting in one of the hospitals trauma bays. Theres an SB Strong button pinned to a lanyard around his neck. He has been studying the timeline of a terrorist attack that killed 14 people and left 22 wounded. The mass shooting by Syed Rizwan Farook and his wife, Tashfeen Malik, at the Inland Regional Center caused Neeki to reflect, sometimes with frustration, on whether more lives could have been saved. Since the Dec. 2 attack, much thought has gone into what could have been done better. San Bernardino police were widely commended for their quick response. But even the departments chief, Jarrod Burguan, said not everything went smoothly. Officers told him that among the changes that should be made were improving medical training and supplies, buying more rifles and equipping officers with body armor that protects against rifle fire. Join the conversation on Facebook >> Though officers with basic CPR and first aid knowledge carried injured victims out of the building, they did not have specialized medical training, which experts say could provide lifesaving care in chaotic situations. Neeki focuses on how long it took for patients to get to Arrowhead Regional Medical Center. The first patient arrived at the hospital at 11:50, he said. It took 50 minutes. Why did it take so long? Its a five-mile drive. Neeki, 51, said he hopes to start a medical program that would increase the number of doctors caring for critically injured patients in a mass-casualty emergency. The shooting laid bare how much work still needed to be done, Neeki said. My goal is to convert the golden hour of trauma to golden minutes and improve survival rates of innocent victims, he said. On the day of the mass shooting, the phone never seemed to stop ringing. As Neeki and the Jabourians drove to the Inland Regional Center, the SWAT team kept calling with updates. But their SUV was stopped about every 100 feet along the way, Neeki said. Each time, they were asked to show identification. By the time they arrived at the scene about 11:30 a.m., almost half an hour had passed. They still thought the shooters were in the building, and they thought there were three, Nina Jabourian said. It was a bloody and sad scene. Parked at the Inland Regional Center, Neeki handed the two residents a trauma bag filled with emergency medical equipment. He kept one for himself and grabbed a handgun, just in case. Neeki, a volunteer doctor with the Inland Valley SWAT team, brought with him military experience from his native Iran. Over time, he became a hybrid: A physician trained to treat the typical wounds seen in Americas streets and from scenes of war. On the day of the shooting, he was the sixth member of a SWAT team tasked with evacuating county employees from the center. The Jabourians didnt know that Neeki would be sweeping the building until officers handed them Kevlar suits and helmets and put them in the back of an armored vehicle. They wouldnt see Neeki for the next hour and a half. The Jabourians learned the intricacies of emergency response on the spot. It was chaotic, Nina Jabourian recalled. We were a little scared, a little excited. I just hoped that there werent going to be any more victims, she added. But I was glad we were there because if there were more, we could respond right away. The setting was unbelievable, Alex Jabourian said. The most badly wounded people had already been taken away by paramedics, but for moments the couple wondered if they would be treating the critically injured alone. We literally had our hands, a trauma bag and that was it, Alex Jabourian said. And we were expected to save a life. As Neeki and the SWAT team made their way through hallways and offices of the Inland Regional Center, each room posed a threat. Every step uncovered another piece of the horror that had unfolded: A once-festive scene turned into a gallery of death. Family pictures sat on desks surrounded by Christmas decorations and candy. Walking past the photos, wearing Kevlar and with his equipment on his back, Neeki thought: All these people have families worried about them. The SWAT team pulled 11 people out of an office on the second floor, he said, a look of horror on every face. Most of them were nervous, sobbing, having anxiety, Neeki said. You had to calm them down. He never thought that a terrorist attack would happen in his hometown. During SWAT training, Neeki said, crews practiced dealing with improvised explosives, such as pipe bombs. Still, a bomb in San Bernardino seemed farfetched. We would laugh and say, Who the hell is gonna put something like that in the Inland Empire? Neeki said. Only later did he learn that a pipe bomb had been left behind in the conference room where the dead and dying lay. It never went off. At the scene of the mass killing, first responders and police officers recognized Neeki. They knew that he carried his own weapon and body armor. Alex and Nina Jabourian did not. We knew he was in tactical medicine, but we didnt understand to what degree, Nina Jabourian said, adding that their time with him in the field was a bonding experience. In the days after the attack, Neeki told them what happened inside the building, what it looked like, what he saw, the people he encountered. He got kind of emotional, Nina Jabourian said. They saw dead bodies. You can tell it got to him that he couldnt get there to help them all out. If another attack were to happen, the couple said, they would follow Neeki without hesitation. But this time they would have much-needed experience under their belts. sarah.parvini@latimes.com Twitter: @sarahparvini MORE ON SAN BERNARDINO FBI cant figure out how to unlock encrypted phone in San Bernardino investigation Trial delayed for Enrique Marquez Jr., accused of supplying 2 guns in San Bernardino attack San Bernardino police are praised for attack response but know not everything went smoothly Im Davan Maharaj, editor of the Los Angeles Times. Here are some story lines I dont want you to miss today. TOP STORIES A Chief Justices Worst Nightmare Advertisement The Supreme Court has long cultivated an image of being a cut above the expressly political branches of the federal government. We dont work as Democrats or Republicans, Chief Justice John G. Roberts said earlier this month. But with some recent history and Antonin Scalias replacement turning into an all-out partisan war, its easy to see the publics perception of the court changing. Why Taylor and Not Kendrick? Taylor Swift won album of the year at the Grammy Awards, but Kendrick Lamar stole the show with a politically charged performance that included images of a jail cell, handcuffs and a riot. And that was before he got a shoutout on Twitter from the White House and finished musics biggest night with five awards. The watercooler talk will be: Why Taylor and not Kendrick for the big award? Follow the conversation right here. More About the Grammys -- Heres how it unfolded over three and a half hours. -- Photos: Best and worst of the red carpet and show highlights. -- Yes, Jimmy Carter won a Grammy: Your complete list of winners and nominees. The Brothers Bush Can George W. Bush fix it? No. 43 is back in the political game, stumping for his brother Jeb in South Carolina the state where he turned around his own presidential campaign in 2000. Its just the latest sign of a shift in Jeb Bushs strategy, which previously distanced him from his familial ties to the White House. As W said, Ive been misunderestimated most of my life. Turning Trains Into Water Here is the recipe for a new California ballot initiative: Take one part public concern over the drought, add the agriculture industry, and mix with a high-speed rail project that is behind schedule and over budget. The result is a measure that would reallocate billions from the bullet train to water projects, and its collecting signatures now. Heres how it could play out. The Priest Wore a Bulletproof Vest One priest in Mexico wears a bulletproof vest during Mass. Another travels with three bodyguards. Since 1992, 35 priests in the country have been murdered. And among the faithful, a widespread perception persists that some Catholic Church leaders have given in to drug traffickers. Read on to see how Pope Francis is calling on the clergy to act courageously against an insidious threat. CALIFORNIA -- The November ballot is shaping up to be costly; by some estimates, up to half a billion dollars will be spent on campaigning. -- How one trauma doctor a first responder in the San Bernardino attack is trying to help save lives. -- Can this mall project revitalize the Crenshaw corridor? -- Well get a little cooling off, but expect the summer-like sizzle to continue. NATION-WORLD -- Nearly 50 civilians were killed in missile attacks on medical facilities and schools in Syria. -- Analysis: A GOP brawl in South Carolina may have repercussions in the general election. -- Families reunite at the U.S.-Mexico border fence: We touch hands, but it is like being in jail. -- With emotions high, a Colorado Planned Parenthood clinic reopens after a gunmans attack. -- Scientists say thirsty continents are slowing down an expected rise in sea level, but it wont last forever. HOLLYWOOD AND THE ARTS -- TV review: A new documentary on PBS looks at the Black Panthers. -- Did Shakespeare have a secret son? The author of a new biography makes that claim. -- Steven Stucky, a Pulitzer winner for music and longtime composer for the L.A. Phil, has died at 66. -- Kanye West asks Mark Zuckerberg for $1 billion as an investment in Kanye West ideas. BUSINESS -- The Dodgers team up with entertainment executive Tim Leiweke to bring concerts to Dodger Stadium. -- The sad, tortured fight between Sumner Redstone and his feisty daughter, and what it could mean for CBS and Viacom. -- Donations are up for the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. SPORTS -- The Rams are getting down to the business of the NFL off-season. -- Golfer James Hahn returns to Riviera, the scene of his greatest PGA Tour triumph last year. WHAT OUR EDITORS ARE READING -- Hundreds of letters and photos tell of Pope John Paul IIs close friendship with a married woman. (BBC) -- The New Yorker examines how TMZ and Harvey Levin work. -- A behind-the-scenes video look at the development of the Hyperloop. (The Atlantic) -- Skater Dorothy Hamill writes a letter to my younger self. (The Players Tribune) ONLY IN L.A. JFK on the beach. FDR at the Hollywood Bowl. Obama making the Anteater sign at UC Irvine. This is what happens when the president of the United States comes to SoCal. In honor of yesterdays holiday (you did get a day off, right?), we put together some photos of visits by POTUS through the years. Come on, we know you want to see George Bush rocking a sombrero at the Farmers Market. Please send comments and ideas to Davan Maharaj. Now that theres a new woman in charge of the nations second-largest school district, students across Los Angeles have an opportunity to shape her impressions. We asked high schoolers what Los Angeles Unified School District Supt. Michelle King needs to know about their education. Dozens wrote essays with strong advice on how to engage immigrant students, frustrations with urine-coated bathrooms and recommendations on how to get kids to actually eat their lunches. Heres a selection of what seven of them had to say. Clean bathrooms and cool classrooms With an $8-million budget for my school, University High, but no toilet paper in the bathrooms, broken AC systems and a lack of computers in the classrooms, you wonder where all this money is going. One of the biggest problems at our school is the bathrooms for girls and guys alike. For the longest time at my school, there was no door on one of the stalls in the girls bathroom, which made the line extremely long to the point where it almost wasnt worth it to go unless it was an emergency. Girls had to choose whether to take the brave, bold move of using the stall without a door -- or run the risk of not making it to the front of the line before the bell rang... Girls had to choose whether to take the brave, bold move of using the stall without a door -- or run the risk of not making it to the front of the line before the bell rang. In addition, teachers and students in classrooms with dysfunctional air conditioners have had to face record-high temperatures into the 90s and low 100-degree levels. Students have protested that overheated classrooms inhibit learning. --Sarah Short, University High School Control communication with our parents Parent input on school calendars, food, and even the selection of the new superintendent is minuscule because theyre being overwhelmed with innumerable calls home which lead them to disregard all of them. When the same phone call is sent out multiple times within the span of a few hours, who can blame them?... When the same phone call is sent out multiple times within the span of a few hours, who can blame them? Rather than sending out blanket messages multiple times to each parent, some for topics irrelevant to them, LAUSD should update its automated calls system to limit the number of calls per household a day and the language in which they are sent. For instance, a parent registered as bilingual need not receive the same message in English and Spanish. --Maria Bojorquez, South East High School Help us to realize our dreams I decided that I wanted to become a surgeon. But I realized I didn't know the correct steps I should take. Should I go to medical school first or memorize all the bodys functions and diseases? Or do I need to take the MCAT prior to everything? Does one have to be mentally, physically, or emotionally prepared? I have many questions but very few answers. I think about what it would feel like to perform surgery on a cadaver for practice and then transfer it to a living being. Would it feel like it would be the most exciting yet dreadful experience, or terrifying yet heartwarming? I have many questions but very few answers. From my experience, it seems there are the teachers who are extremely passionate about what they do and continue on teaching, but they are frustrated knowing that there is only so much they can do for the students. At college, I will really have a hard time understanding lectures based on material that I should already know. Therefore I will have to fight to stay and to get to my goal. -- Flor Orozco, Manual Arts High School Improve our meals, so we dont trash them Many students choose not to eat because of the quality of food they are served, a decision I have made for myself multiple times this semester alone. When deciding between going hungry or eating something completely gross, many students just don't eat. Thats completely unhealthy and is reflected in their behavior and academic performance... When deciding between going hungry or eating something completely gross, many students just don't eat. If they started serving better food, I wouldn't have to buy something every day, my friend Elisha said as she dumped her food and headed off to the student store to buy a cinnamon bun. Other students don't actually have food at home on a regular basis, and find themselves dependent on school food. The only resolution is to collaborate with students regarding their likes and dislikes, and to find a middle ground on what can be offered. Change our food, so our brains can function and students will be more focused on education instead of being hungry. --Daniella Addison, Dorsey High School Ensure immigrant students get the support they need to learn English My sister Rosalba came to Manual Arts High School as an English language learner student. She said everything was difficult for her. People looked at her different and called her ... [a derogatory term for an immigrant] for not speaking English. I asked my sister how it felt to not speak English, and she answered: I felt scared because I could not understand what people were telling me. I was even bullied for only speaking Spanish. People looked at her different and called her ... [a derogatory term for an immigrant] for not speaking English. My sister was not able to get her high school diploma because she was not able to pass the English part of the California High School Exit Examination. She felt devastated. She was sad she couldnt speak English, and felt like she failed my mom. ... She wished she was able to get more support from her teachers. My sister wished they would have told her about certain programs students are able to take to learn English. --Lizbeth Felix, Manual Arts High School Arts for all students Every day, I live and breathe the arts. From the moment I step onto the Orange County School of the Arts campus, I begin to soak in the art school scene before me: a mass of bizarrely dressed high schoolers absent-mindedly incorporating their artistic talents with their academic workload.... Everywhere I turn, I am reminded of the passion radiating from these inspiring, multi-talented students. Art should not be an alien subject simply because schools have less resources. I cannot imagine what it must be like on a campus devoid of the arts. Yet many schools are The L.A. Times interactive database gave many schools in more affluent neighborhoods higher grades. This is because schools that receive donations are able to offer extra programs, placing schools in poorer neighborhoods at a disadvantage. Art should not be an alien subject simply because schools have less resources. --Cassandra Hsiao, Orange County School of the Arts Students were selected from entries to the L.A. Times High School Insider "Speak Out Challenge." Responses have been lightly edited for clarity. Check out High School Insider in the coming weeks for all of the winning essays. daniela.gerson@latimes.com Twitter: @dhgerson A serial killer known as the Grim Sleeper preyed on women in South Los Angeles for more than two decades, starting in the 1980s. But it wasnt until 2010 that police arrested a suspect in the case and it came down, in many ways, to a bite of pizza. Lonnie Franklin, 63, is charged with killing 10 women over a 22-year period. He has been held without bail since his arrest on July 7, 2010. He also is charged with the attempted killing of an 11th woman. Advertisement The former LAPD garage attendant and city garbage collector targeted vulnerable women, including prostitutes and drug addicts, prosecutors say. Seven of the killings occurred from 1985 to 1988, and the others from 2002 to 2007. The tale of how the Grim Sleeper case progressed over the years is a story about science, cold-case investigating and the anguish of the victims families, who demanded justice. The Homicide Report: A story for every victim >> What was the breakthrough that led to Franklins arrest after so many years? The Times in 2010 described the dramatic series of events this way: With the help of federal drug agents, police watched Franklin around the clock, monitoring his every move. For several years before the arrest, a group of detectives worked exclusively on identifying the Grim Sleeper killer, chasing lead after lead down dead ends. In 2010, they got a break: LAPD officials learned that a familial search of the DNA database by the California Department of Justice had come up with a convicted felon whose genetic blueprint indicated he was a close relative of the suspect. A suspect soon became clear: the felons father, Franklin, a mechanic. Detectives began following Franklin. Franklin traveled to northern Orange County, near Buena Park, where he stopped for pizza. At the end of his meal, he threw away a pizza crust, a fork, napkins and a drinking glass. Detectives moved in. DNA tests on the leftovers from the meal came back. Franklins genetic profile matched that of the Grim Sleeper. Roughly two hours later, Franklin was arrested at his South L.A. home. How did the court view this evidence? In 2014, a judge agreed to allow the pizza evidence in court, ruling it was obtained legally. What did Franklins attorneys say? They argued in pretrial hearings that the officers cleared Franklins plates and utensils before he was finished and the tableware and food was therefore taken illegally. The attorneys also argued that Franklin had a reasonable expectation that his plates would be thrown into the pile with others, which would make it impossible for police to definitively prove which remnants belonged to him. Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Kathleen Kennedy rejected the defenses argument as specious and ridiculous. ALSO Grim Sleeper victims: Who they were Victim of Boyle Heights hit-and-run was National Guardsman, college student Father of bride vanishes at wedding reception in Northern California The states powerful agriculture industry and its political allies are gathering signatures for a November ballot initiative that would grab bond money earmarked for Californias bullet train and use it instead for new water projects. Supporters believe the measure taps two politically powerful sentiments: growing public concern about the states future water supply amid a historic drought and increasing opposition to the high speed rail project, which is behind schedule and over budget. Unlike past grass-roots efforts to kill the high speed rail project, the new proposed initiative has $2 million set aside for a signature-gathering campaign, backers say. And it has moved with such speed that it is barely on potential opponents radar screens. Advertisement Join the conversation on Facebook >> Fierce opposition certainly will come from rail proponents, the construction industry and environmental groups which have deep commitments to preserving the $68-billion transportation project as well as existing water policy. The initiative calls for the reallocation of about $8 billion in remaining rail system bonds approved by voters in 2008 and $2.7 billion previously approved for water storage under Proposition 1 in 2014. Half that money would go to specific projects, including raising Shasta Dam by 18.5 vertical feet, expanding the San Luis Reservoir, building a new reservoir near the Sacramento River and a new storage system on the San Joaquin River. The other half of the funding is not designated, but could be tapped for such projects as expanding the capture of storm runoff in urban areas. In addition, the measure would make substantial changes to state water law via a constitutional amendment, setting domestic water use and irrigation as the first- and second- highest priorities ahead of environmental conservation. Water is more important than rail, said George Runner, a member of the state Board of Equalization who authored the proposition along with Sen. Bob Huff (R-San Dimas). But the state, said rail authority spokeswoman Lisa Marie Alley, would not only lose jobs, but may have to pay back billions of dollars in federal grants if it loses the bond money. The effort is being run by the California Water Alliance, a Central Valley nonprofit backed by farmers. The group has hired Michael Arno who runs one of the nations best-known petitioning companies to gather the 585,000 valid voter signatures needed. Arno said he has 500 to 700 people in the field on any given day collecting signatures, along with volunteers from Central Valley groups opposed to the rail project. Water and Power is The Times guide to the drought. Sign up to get the free newsletter >> Aubrey Bettencourt, executive director of the group, said it has commitments to meet a $2-million budget for the signature campaign. The secretary of states campaign fundraising website shows much less, about $250,000 in receipts since Jan. 1. Two million dollars is real, Runner said. That is what we need to be able to get it on the ballot. If the measure does qualify, Californias $53-billion-a-year agriculture industry will probably haul out checkbooks to support it. But the nations biggest engineering and construction firms would probably do the same thing to defend the billions of dollars expected to flow their way for the bullet train, which began construction in the Central Valley last year and is more than two years behind schedule. The building industry underwrote the campaign to persuade the public to pass the bonds. In addition, Gov. Jerry Brown has a campaign fund of more than $20 million, which he could use to defend what has become his signature project. Browns office declined to comment on the proposition. Huff said he doubted Brown would fully commit those funds, noting that the governor was deeply interested in two other prospective ballot propositions and may recognize the problems he faces keeping high speed rail on track. Even he has to recognizing the waning support, Huff said. At some point, when you have a losing hand, you have to fold. A recent poll by Stanford Universitys Hoover Institution found that 53% of voters would approve of shifting the rail bonds to water projects. The $2 million collected so far to fund the proposition has come from unidentified agriculture interests in the Central Valley, where thousands of acres of land have been left fallow as water allocations have been slashed in recent years. The industry is also deeply resentful of the rail projects impact on farms and processing plants. Along every major highway in the Central Valley, signs plead for more water with slogans like: as Crops grow where water flows. Environmental groups long have supported the bullet train and would strongly oppose the dam construction called for under the proposed initiative. They also certainly would dispute a constitutional amendment that downgraded the environments claim to water. However, environmentalists also are growing weary of the high-speed rail projects use of greenhouse gas fees given that the train may not reduce carbon dioxide emissions in the state for decades to come. The Sierra Club is on record opposing most of the projects that the proposal would fund. Union positions on the measure are not clear. Although they have strongly supported the bullet train, unions may be indifferent as to whether jobs are produced by dams or a rail project. Labor has other competing interests. I dont know if we will get involved in the fight, said Robbie Hunter, president of the State Building and Construction Trades Council of California. If passed, the ballot measure would create a nine-member board, appointed by regional water management agencies, that would control spending decisions. Bettencourt said the proposals guiding principle is more water for every use. Conservation communities will get more water than they did before, she said. Environmental justice communities will get better water quality. But Jim Earp, a member of the California Transportation Commission who led the rail bonds campaign, said the water measure could have a difficult time because its backers were greedy. They have basically a deeply flawed measure, Earp said. They couldnt resist overreaching. They couldnt resist the temptation to rewrite water laws to benefit corporate farmers who are going to underwrite the campaign. The other critical issue, Earp said, was that water projects traditionally have been paid for largely by users whether agricultural or residential. They are trying to shift the cost of water from users to taxpayers, Earp said. They might as well throw their money into one of the rivers they want to dam. All you have to do is create enough confusion and doubt in the voters minds that it wont pass the smell test. Runner said the opposite was true, that voters will see the proposals inherent logic. This comes at a time when everybody is aware of the water problem, Runner said. You have water rationing and you are paying more for water. The average person doesnt get high speed rail. ralph.vartabedian@latimes.com Twitter: @Rvartabedian ALSO L.A. heat sets new records as Grammys try to stay cool Three women found dead in Hawaiian Gardens home Woman arrested after newborn baby found in West Covina Subway toilet The Los Angeles Police Department must grow the ranks of its 10,000-officer force by 2,500 officers in the coming years to most effectively protect the city and keep crime down, Chief Charlie Beck told City Council members Tuesday. Beck said the LAPD was understaffed compared with other major cities and was not as ready as we could be to fight crime or respond to unusual events without additional officers. He admitted that it may not be realistic to think that the city could increase the ranks to 12,500 officers by 2020, as outlined in a strategic plan recently developed for the department, but he said city leaders needed to address the issue. We are very good at getting the day-to-day done with the size of the department that we have now, he said. Now, we can quibble on the number but I dont think thats as important as recognizing this: That this Police Department needs to be larger and we need to have a plan to grow it. Advertisement The chiefs remarks to the councils Public Safety Committee came as city lawmakers grilled LAPD brass about the recent rise in crime and how the department planned to drive the numbers down. The conversation steadily shifted into a broader look at the LAPD, including the departments struggles to hire both civilian workers and sworn officers. Beck isnt the first LAPD chief to call for expanding to a 12,500-officer force the figure was also floated by his predecessor, William J. Bratton. But hiring police officers is an expensive and time-consuming process, and growing a departments ranks long-term is a process hampered by officers who retire or otherwise leave the force. Even if the city found enough funding, Beck said, it would be difficult to conduct background checks, hire and train that many officers within five years. This problem wont be solved tomorrow, he told City Council members. But if we start working on it, it can be solved. The price tag for such a staffing increase was not discussed. Officials with the union representing rank-and-file officers told City Council members that the LAPD needed effective short-term solutions to fighting crime. Hoping for more officers, they said, wasnt enough. We all agree that we need more officers, but we cant wait, said Sgt. Jerretta Sandoz, the unions vice president. Crime is up now. MORE: Get our best stories in your Facebook feed >> The LAPD continues to grapple with combating the citywide rise in crime, a reversal of years of declining numbers. Violent crime jumped 20.2% in 2015 compared with the year before; property crime increased 10.7%. Councilman Mitchell Englander called Tuesdays meeting at the urging of the union, which has recently criticized Becks response to the surge in crime. The union has complained that Beck has taken too many officers from patrol duties for civilian work or specialized assignments. Union officials outlined their own plan to put more officers on patrol, which included hiring of more civilian workers. Department officials were quick to point out that despite the rise in crime, Los Angeles is still a safer city than it was decades ago. They attributed the surge to a variety of factors: more gang violence, a rising homeless population and Proposition 47, the 2014 law that reduced some drug possession and property crimes from felonies to misdemeanors. Council members focused largely on the number of officers working patrol duties and the effectiveness of the expanded Metropolitan Division, a cornerstone of Becks plan to curb crime. The number of Metro officers doubled last year to focus on suppressing crime in hot spots across the city. LAPD brass defended the initiative, saying Metro officers were making more felony arrests and finding more illegal guns. But some council members expressed concern that the expansion had taken away too many patrol officers from their districts. Council members peppered Beck and Assistant Chief Michel Moore with questions about the Metro initiative, asking for a more detailed report on which geographic division the officers were pulled from to join the unit and statistics showing the effect the expanded division has had. Im really interested to find out whether this division is working, Councilwoman Nury Martinez said. At the end of the meeting, Englander called for a series of reports focused on putting more officers back on city streets, hiring more civilian workers, reopening shuttered jails and the impact of Proposition 47 and other criminal justice reform efforts. The 8:30 a.m. hearing ran longer than anticipated, lasting well past the 10 a.m. start time for the full City Council meeting. At one point, Council President Herb Wesson directed officials to go to Public Safety and get me some members or I will get them myself. The Public Safety Committee, however, continued its meeting, leaving the City Council struggling to get a quorum. The council meeting was canceled. This is absolutely the most important conversation right now in the city of Los Angeles, Englander said. No matter how long it takes. Wesson took issue with that. No single issue is more important than the regularly scheduled business of the City Council, he said in a statement late Tuesday. kate.mather@latimes.com Twitter: @katemather Times staff writer David Zahniser contributed to this report. Follow @katemather for more LAPD news. Times staff writer David Zahniser contributed to this report. ALSO Get the baby out of the toilet, dispatcher tells sandwich makers Family of Venice homeless man fatally shot by LAPD files wrongful death lawsuits Grim Sleeper serial killer trial begins, years after slayings terrorized South L.A. Debra Jackson, a 29-year-old waitress, was discovered shot in the chest three decades ago in an alley. The body of Janecia Peters, 25, was found in a dumpster in 2007. There were at least eight other women. And one who got away. They were young and black and leading troubled lives. Most were killed along a corridor in the Manchester Square neighborhood of South Los Angeles. Each was initially labeled Jane Doe. Police kept the cases quiet a decision that later led to outrage over what seemed a disregard for the victims as well as the communitys safety. The slayings were eventually linked to a serial killer, dubbed the Grim Sleeper. Advertisement When affable Lonnie Franklin Jr., a former Los Angeles police garage attendant and city garbage collector, was arrested in the case in 2010, it shocked residents but signaled a key moment in the search for justice for a region that has often felt marginalized when it comes to solving homicides. On Tuesday, as Franklins capital murder trial began in a downtown Los Angeles courtroom, Deputy Dist. Atty. Beth Silverman told jurors the victims were especially vulnerable to someone who knew the South Los Angeles streets and alleys by heart. At a time when crack cocaine was devastating the community, Franklin had preyed on susceptible women, some of whom worked as prostitutes, luring them into the isolation of his car with the promise of drugs, she said. All but one tested positive for narcotics. Their bodies were later dumped like trash. As she spoke, gruesome photos were projected onto a screen: Valerie McCorveys half-naked body left in the street, ligature marks etched into the 35-year-olds neck; Peters folded into a fetal position, her head and hands seen through a hole in a black garbage bag; Alicia Alexander, 18, found nude and underneath a mattress in an alley. The images elicited gasps and whimpers from courtroom spectators. A woman covered her eyes and collapsed into the man beside her, who buried his head in his hands and wept. Franklin, 63, wearing a blue button-down shirt and tie, stared ahead, never turning to look at the photos. Silverman said jurors at one point will view video of Franklins interrogation by police. Pay close attention to his body language and his conduct during that interview process as he laughs and makes light of the photos of the dead women lying on the table in front of him, she said. A search of Franklins home resulted in 800 items of evidence, including 10 guns, one of which matched the bullet that struck Peters in the spine, Silverman said. A photo of Peters, her breast exposed, was found in a refrigerator in Franklins garage. The defense declined to give an opening statement, but will have the opportunity to do so after the prosecution rests. Former LAPD Det. Dennis Kilcoyne, the first witness called, said it was Peters 2007 slaying that prompted the search for a serial killer after the attackers DNA matched two earlier cases. Then-LAPD Chief William J. Bratton ordered up a task force to search for related killings. We started connecting the dots, Kilcoyne said. The controversial DNA evidence that pointed to Franklin will probably be argued at length between a prosecutor and a defense attorney whose interactions at earlier hearings have been contentious. Hundreds of potential jurors warned that the case may take about three months and possibly feature more than 400 witnesses were asked their thoughts on DNA analysis and interpretation in a 31-page questionnaire. In 2008, officials collected DNA data from state prisoners, hoping for a hit on the Grim Sleeper. Nothing turned up. A year later, then-state Atty. Gen. Jerry Brown approved a new technique that allowed officials to check whether a crime suspects DNA partially matches anyone in the states offender DNA database. The familial search for the Grim Sleeper came up with a name: Christopher Franklin. Arrested in 2008 and charged with firearm and drug offenses, he had been required to submit his DNA. His father was Lonnie Franklin. Interested in the stories shaping California? Sign up for the free Essential California newsletter >> Police focused on the elder Franklin, tailing him to ensure he was a DNA match. A detective posing as a busboy at a restaurant collected a discarded pizza crust, fork, napkin, drinking glass and cake crumbs. Last year, Franklins attorneys said that an expert hired by their team had determined that DNA collected from two crime scenes linked to their client matched convicted serial killer Chester Turner. The judge ruled that their expert wasnt qualified to testify. In court papers, the defense also listed more than a dozen other men as potential sources of DNA found at crime scenes tied to Franklin. Turner convicted of killing 14 women, many of whom were found in an area straddling Figueroa Street was among a handful of serial killers in Los Angeles County targeting women during the 1980s and 1990s at the height of the crack cocaine epidemic. Ivan J. Hill, known as the 60 Freeway Slayer, strangled women in the San Gabriel Valley. Michael Hughes targeted women who had drug problems, dumping three of them in a commercial area of Culver City. Samuel Little choked his victims, leaving their bodies in alleyways or abandoned garages. See the most-read stories this hour >> The Grim Sleeper, however, has been called the most enduring serial killer of the group, continuing to kill for decades. Its a distinction that angers many who attribute the murders to an indifference toward the victims. Its been wrenching for the families, demoralizing for the community, said Margaret Prescod, an activist who believes the victims race was a factor in the cases going unsolved. She has pushed for more than two decades for authorities to be more aggressive. Everybody remembers the young blond who was killed in Aruba, and rightly they should, Prescod said. But meanwhile you have all these women in South L.A. and they didnt get the same attention. Theyre considered the riffraff of society. She added that Enietra Washington, the lone survivor who escaped as a 30-year-old in 1988, didnt know for two decades that she had encountered a possible serial killer. Prescod, who acts as an advocate for victims families, also said the womens line of work and drug problems should be de-emphasized. That doesnt mean they should be killed, that their lives should be devalued. Franklin faces 10 counts of murder and one of attempted murder, but investigators suspect that he is responsible for additional deaths. LAPD detectives had continued to search for victims after Franklins arrest, publicly releasing photos of unidentified women found inside his home. After reviewing hundreds of unsolved homicides and missing person reports, they announced in 2011 that they had traced six more killings to Franklin. By then, the complicated case was moving sluggishly toward trial. In a strategic decision, police decided against seeking additional charges out of fear it would lead to even more delays. For those who have sat through numerous court proceedings over the last five years, the first day of testimony was about progress and pain. After court ended, Porter Alexander walked slowly down the hallway, struggling to speak about the daughter found dead at 18 and the grisly images that had been displayed. To sit there and see all the trauma that those young girls endured, he said. I dont have the words. corina.knoll@latimes.com stephen.ceasar@latimes.com For more Southern California courts news, follow @corinaknoll and @sjceasar. ALSO O.C. deputy fatally shoots man at Yorba Linda hotel Looting prompts closures at mining sites in Joshua Tree Blame the balloons: Thousands without power in South L.A., other areas Lonnie David Franklin Jr. was convicted Thursday by a jury in one of the most notorious serial killer cases in Los Angeles history. The jury concluded that Franklin was the Grim Sleeper, who preyed on young and black women in South Los Angeles. Most were killed along a corridor in the Manchester Square neighborhood of South Los Angeles, their bodies dumped in alleyways and discarded in garbage bins. On July 7, 2010, authorities arrested 57-year-old Franklin a local backyard mechanic -- at his home in South L.A. after police said they made DNA matches linking him to the deaths of numerous women who were killed as far back as 1985. FULL COVERAGE: Grim Sleeper killings >> Franklin faced 10 counts of murder and one of attempted murder, but investigators suspect he is responsible for additional deaths. Franklins capital murder trial began in a downtown Los Angeles courtroom Feb. 16. Here are the stories of the Grim Sleepers victims: Debra Jackson (Los Angeles Police Department) Debra Jackson, 29, was shot three times in the chest and her body was found Aug. 10, 1985, in an alley near West Gage Avenue in the Vermont-Slauson area, authorities said. The first known victim of the Grim Sleeper, Jackson was shot three times in the chest. At the time of Jackson's death, the city was in a particularly dark period, when widespread cocaine use, rampant crime and vicious killings were rife in South Los Angeles. Three years passed before police realized that something larger was occurring, when ballistics tests showed that the same handgun used to kill Jackson had been used in seven other killings. Henrietta Wright Henrietta Wright, 35, was found dead of multiple gunshot wounds on Aug. 12, 1986, in an alley near the 2500 block of West Vernon Avenue in Hyde Park, authorities said. At the time of her death, Lt. Joseph Freia, chief of detectives for the Los Angeles Police Department's 77th Street Division, said he had no suspects in the killing. Wright's body was found under a discarded mattress; she may have been killed elsewhere and dumped in the alley, Freia said. It was not until later that Los Angeles police tied Wright's death to the work of a serial killer who had first struck the previous year. She is believed to be the second of 11 victims of the Grim Sleeper. Barbara Ware Barbara Ware, 23, was found dead Jan. 10, 1987, in the 1300 block of East 56th Street in the Central-Alameda area, authorities said. A man who said he saw Ware's body being dumped called 911 to report what he had seen. According a transcript of the call, the man, who said he wished to remain anonymous because he "knew too many people," said someone "threw her out ... the only thing that's hanging out of 'dis ... like he threw a gas tank on top of her and, uh ... and, uh only thing you can see out is her feet." He also reported a full license plate number for the van the body had been dumped from: 1PZP746. The van described by the caller was located by police in a church parking lot about 4-1/2 miles away from where Ware's body was found. Bernita Sparks Bernita Sparks was found dead April 15, 1987, in the 9400 block of South Western Avenue in Gramercy Park, authorities said. According to the Los Angeles Police Department, she had been shot with a small-caliber gun. Sparks' body was discovered in a trash bin. Los Angeles police believe she is the fifth of 11 victims of the Grim Sleeper. Mary Lowe Mary Lowe, 26, was found dead Oct. 31, 1987, in the 8900 block of Western Avenue in Gramercy Park, authorities said. Her body was dumped in an alley and covered up, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. She had been shot with a small-caliber gun, police said. Los Angeles police believe she is the sixth of 11 victims of the Grim Sleeper. Lachrica Jefferson Lachrica Jefferson, 22, was found dead Jan. 30, 1988, in the 2000 block of West 102nd Place in the Westmont area, authorities said. Los Angeles police believe she is the seventh of 11 victims of the Grim Sleeper. Alicia Alexander Alicia "Monique" Alexander, 18, was found dead Sept. 11, 1988, in an alley near 43rd Place and Western Avenue in Vermont Square, authorities said. Princess Berthomieux Princess Berthomieux, 15, was found strangled and beaten March 19, 2002, in an Inglewood alley, authorities said. Her nude body was found by a passerby in the shrubs, according to coroner's records. Although the coroner gave the date her body was found as March 9, 2002, officials from the Los Angeles County district attorney's office said her body was found 10 days later. Berthomieux had last been seen by her family on Dec. 21, 2001, police said. Los Angeles police believe she is the ninth of 11 victims of the Grim Sleeper. Valerie McCorvey Valerie McCorvey, 35, was found dead July 11, 2003, on Denker Avenue between 108th and 109th streets in the Westmont area, authorities said. Los Angeles police believe she is the 10th of 11 victims of the Grim Sleeper. Near the time of McCorvey's death, Franklin faced up to three years in prison after pleading no contest to receiving stolen property. As part of a plea agreement with prosecutors, however, he was sentenced to jail for 270 days. Once he entered jail, Franklin again benefited from Los Angeles' overburdened justice system. Sheriff's officials were releasing inmates early to ease overcrowding in the county's jails. Franklin was released in May 2003, more than four months early, according to jail data obtained by The Times. Two months later, a crossing guard in the Westmont area of the city stumbled across McCorvey's lifeless body. She had suffered trauma to her neck, police said. Janecia Peters Janecia Peters, 25, was found dead Jan. 1, 2007, in the 9500 block of South Western Avenue in Los Angeles. She had been shot and covered with a garbage bag. A homeless man looking for cans discovered her body and called authorities, according to coroner's records and police. She was initially listed as an unknown female. When DNA tests linked her killer to earlier slayings, then-Police Chief William J. Bratton ordered the creation of a task force to investigate the serial killer later dubbed the Grim Sleeper, because the killer had a more than decade-long break in known slayings. Thomas Steele Thomas Steele, 36, was found dead on Aug. 14, 1986, at the intersection of 71st Street and Halldale Avenue in Harvard Park, authorities said. Franklin has not been charged in Steele's death, although authorities believe Steele's killing is connected to the other cases. MORE Guilty verdicts in Grim Sleeper serial killer case Sketch artist tells of 1988 interview with lone survivor of Grim Sleeper assault 'Grim Sleeper' trial: 'Ten young women, all of them cruelly murdered by that man,' prosecutor says UPDATES: 1:47 p.m. May 5: This article was updated to reflect that Lonnie David Franklin Jr. was convicted. This article was originally published on March 1. A 24-year-old man who was fatally struck and dragged 100 feet by a hit-and-run driver in Boyle Heights early Monday was a member of the Army National Guard, his family said. True Cowan, an Indiana native, was a student who had moved to Los Angeles to finish his degree in computer science, his brother told KCBS-TV. He had attended classes at Cal State Northridge but was no longer enrolled, school officials told the Times. Cowan had been taking a walk to a store when he was struck and killed by a vehicle. Advertisement I just dont understand how someone could just leave him in the street like this, like a rag doll, his brother, Ian Cowan, told the news station. True Cowans Linkedin profile identified himself as an automatic rifleman with an enlisted rank of specialist in Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 160th Infantry Regiment, as well as a former employee of several restaurant chains. I enjoy meeting new people often and bring an open mind and positive attitude into everything I pursue, Cowan wrote in his profile summary. The family has created a GoFundMe memorial fund to raise money for the costs of burying Cowan with his father in Indiana, according to the website. His father died last week, according to the website. Cowan was crossing East Cesar E. Chavez Avenue near Chicago Street at about 12:20 a.m. Monday when he was hit by an unknown type of vehicle, the Los Angeles Police Department said in a statement. His body was dragged beneath the vehicle for more than 100 feet before he was dislodged as the driver pulled into a driveway behind a business, police said. The driver backed out of the driveway and fled northbound on Chicago Street, according to the LAPD. True Cowan suffered blunt-force-trauma injuries and was taken to Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center, where he later died. The vehicle may have evidence of damage on its left front side and undercarriage, police said. Police do not have a description of the driver, but searched the area for any surveillance cameras that may have recorded the crash. True Cowan was one of several people to have died in Boyle Heights in recent months from hit-and-run crashes. Sister Raquel Diaz, a pillar of the Assumption Catholic Church in Boyle Heights for more than 30 years, was struck and killed by a hit-and-run driver in December at Winter Street and Evergreen Avenue. In January, Korina Campos, 27, was taking her 5-year-old daughter out of her 1998 Honda Civic, parked on Boyle Avenue, when she was hit by a 2001 Toyota Corolla traveling south, police said. The driver lost control of his vehicle as he tried to turn, hitting Campos and her daughter. The driver abandoned his vehicle, leaving the mother and child. Campos later died at an area hospital. Her daughter was severely injured. A $50,000 reward has been offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the driver. Police are asking anyone with information about True Cowans death to contact the LAPD Central Traffic Division at (213) 833-3713 or the divisions watch commander at (213) 833-3746. Anonymous tips can be called in to (800) 222-8477. For breaking news in California, follow @VeronicaRochaLA ALSO Grim Sleeper serial killer trial to begin, years after slayings terrorized South L.A. Hot temperatures continue, but rainy weather headed to L.A. by Wednesday Blame the balloons: Thousands without power in South L.A., other areas As crews inch toward a permanent seal of the Porter Ranch gas leak, Los Angeles County officials called Monday for a series of air-quality tests that will tell residents whether its safe to return home. Los Angeles County Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich joined the chorus of public officials pushing for additional air pollutant tests in Porter Ranch, saying the Department of Public Health should conduct spot checks in homes before residents return to the area affected by the methane leak. See more of our top stories on Facebook >> Advertisement After the leak at an Aliso Canyon well was reported Oct. 23, some Porter Ranch residents evacuated their homes complaining of dizziness, headaches and nausea. Before moving back, residents should know whether the methane plumes left any residue outside or in their homes, said Antonovich spokesman Tony Bell. In an email Tuesday, a Department of Public Health spokeswoman said officials are reviewing Antonovichs request, and expect to develop a proposed testing procedure within the next several days. Sen. Barbara Boxer, echoing the concerns of resident groups, said the tests should be conducted by a private organization, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or the South Coast Air Quality Management District. On Thursday, Southern California Gas Co. crews stemmed the plumes of methane by injecting heavy fluids and mud into a relief well that intercepted the damaged one. They have since replaced the temporary plug with layers of cement, which, once dry, should permanently seal the leak. Gas leaks are invisible to the naked eye, but a dramatic infrared video released by state air-quality regulators last week showed gas billowing into the atmosphere. Thats left some residents uneasy. We want to tell people that theres something there, or that there isnt something there, Bell said. Once the cement inside the relief well dries, regulators with Californias Division of Oil, Gas and Geothermal Resources will certify that the leak has actually stopped. That process could take several days. After that, Porter Ranch residents who left the area for hotels and temporary apartments will have eight days to come back home. Anyone who signed a lease on a house or apartment will be allowed to stay through the end of the rental period. A Southern California Gas Co. representative said Monday that the company is working to stop the leak as expeditiously and safely as possible. The AQMD and the California Air Resources Board say they will also continue to test the air for methane and other pollutants. laura.nelson@latimes.com For more transportation news, follow @laura_nelson on Twitter. ALSO Dodgers strike deal with Leiweke firm to bring concerts to stadium Woman arrested after newborn baby found in West Covina Subway toilet MWD proposes slashing its conservation budget; turf removal rebates could disappear Police are investigating a womans report that she was assaulted by former New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer in a room at the Plaza Hotel, an allegation his attorney said was false and created by someone with emotional difficulties. Attorney Adam Kaufmann said the allegations concerned a woman Spitzer has known for a period of time. He said she phoned him from California where she had been living to say she was returning to her native Russia via New York. The two agreed to meet Saturday afternoon at the Plaza Hotel, where Spitzer rented a room. Advertisement And they had a brief and amicable conversation, and then Mr. Spitzer left, Kaufmann said in a statement. But she called a few hours later and asked that he return to the room, where she had become highly emotional and was threatening self-harm, Kaufmann said. Join the conversation on Facebook >> The woman called 911 Saturday evening from the hotel room, saying she had cut herself and was distraught and having a breakdown, according to two law enforcement officials with knowledge of the case. They were not authorized to speak publicly and spoke to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity. The woman called back and tried to cancel the emergency call but police were already en route, they said. Kaufmann confirmed shed placed the calls. She was distraught and Mr. Spitzer sought to keep her calm, he said. When police arrived, the 25-year-old woman said she was fine, but they noticed the cut on her arm and a broken glass and took her to a hospital. At the hospital, she told doctors that she had a relationship with the 56-year-old Spitzer, and that he choked her and shoved her after an argument, the officials said. She said the two had been together at a bar at the hotel earlier Saturday evening, the officials said. In reference to the assault claim, Spitzers spokeswoman Lisa Linden said: There is no truth to the allegation. Later Monday, Spitzer released a statement saying: The woman who initially made the allegation was not my girlfriend. He did not elaborate on the relationship. Hospital staff contacted police, who spoke to the woman, and she told them she was leaving shortly for Moscow and did not want to press charges, the officials said. She said she and Spitzer had argued over her leaving for Russia and he assaulted her, and then she broke a glass and cut her arm, the officials said. The womans arm was bandaged, and she was released. She left on a flight to Russia on Sunday evening, one official and Kaufmann said. Unsolicited, she has indicated that any allegations of assault were false, Kaufmann said, adding it was unfortunate that the womans emotional difficulties had been made public. Mr. Spitzer acted appropriately at all times during this incident. He has been and intends to remain fully cooperative in the event there is any further inquiry by relevant authorities. The police department confirmed that detectives were investigating allegations of an assault which occurred at a midtown hotel. Spitzer, a Democrat, resigned two years into his term in 2008 amid revelations that he had sex with prostitutes. He was identified as a patron of a high-priced prostitution ring during a federal investigation, but he was never charged. His attempt at a political comeback failed when he lost his bid to become New York Citys comptroller in 2013. ALSO Why Kamala Harris is unlikely to be a Supreme Court nominee With emotions high, Colorado Planned Parenthood clinic reopens after gunmans attack Battle over Scalias seat feeds perception that Supreme Court is less neutral and more partisan Could a curving takeoff out of Orange Countys John Wayne Airport mean greater peace and quiet for residents below? Newport Beach officials want to study the idea amid fears that new flight plans proposed by the Federal Aviation Administration could further concentrate air traffic over noise-plagued neighborhoods during peak hours. City Manager Dave Kiff won approval from the City Council last week to work with airport officials and the FAA to consider an alternative departure pattern that would match the contours of Newport Bay, keeping planes over more open water and lessening noise. Pilots would use navigation technology to conduct a series of bends and loops across the center of the bay. Advertisement Having more curves in the Upper Bay departure paths might keep more planes further from homes on each side of the bay and may further reduce noise impacts, Kiff wrote in a staff report. Kiff said the curved departure path also might help reduce the frequency of airplanes flying over specific neighborhoods such as Ruby Avenue on Balboa Island, where residents say they see planes a few minutes apart at peak travel times. Members of the Balboa Island Improvement Assn. expressed support for such a plan, which was first outlined in a 2012 city-commissioned study. Were very pleased the city is moving forward with this plan and taking action on this issue, said Lee Pearl, the association president. They took a positive step. The contour idea took on new urgency after the FAA proposed narrowing flight paths at 11 Southern California airports, including John Wayne, which sits on unincorporated land adjacent to Newport Beach, Irvine and Santa Ana. The FAA wants to replace traditional ground-based air traffic control with satellite-based technology at those airports. The agency contends that the Next Generation Air Transportation System can save fuel, reduce emissions and delays and shorten flight times by establishing flight plans that are more confined. The FAA plans to roll out the system at John Wayne Airport within a year. NEWSLETTER: Get essential California headlines delivered daily >> The new system will allow programming of a precise takeoff path, which could further concentrate flights over residential areas. Homeowners in Newport Heights, Balboa Island and Peninsula Point, who have complained for decades about pollution and noise, fear conditions could worsen. The NextGen system using GPS has increased the accuracy of the departures to keep planes in their exact lane, the Balboa Island Improvement Assn. wrote in a letter to the FAA last year. This technology may actually be increasing the negative environmental impacts on those directly under the departure pattern. An agreement brokered decades ago established a flight curfew and limits on noise, passengers and departures at John Wayne. In 2014, that agreement was extended through December 2030. As part of the pact, the county established seven noise monitors along the airports departure corridor. For years, air carriers used noise-abatement procedures during departures, such as ascending rapidly and throttling back the engines when flying over homes. Recent technology can reduce the sound of the engines, and many airlines no longer need to use those maneuvers. Kiff said he will work with the airport and the FAA to determine how the altitude of planes departing from John Wayne has changed over the years and whether different noise reduction techniques are needed. He cautioned residents and city leaders against getting their hopes up about influencing the FAAs plans. The FAA doesnt have to listen to us, Kiff said. It could die on the vine, but they have been willing to listen to communities, including ours, in the past. hannah.fry@latimes.com Fry writes for Times Community News. ALSO Airlines make it too hard to file a complaint, lawmaker says Southwest Airlines could begin flights out of Long Beach Airport Would curving JWAs takeoff paths across Newport Bay reduce noise? City will help study data Nearly three months after a gunman killed three people and injured nine others during an attack on a Planned Parenthood clinic here, the battered facility quietly reopened Monday with little but a steely sense of resolve to mark the occasion. We are resilient, said Vicki Cowart, president and chief executive of Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains, standing outside the clinic on a blustery morning. While we cant forget what happened here, we are making this place a warm, welcoming facility for high-quality healthcare. The staff, she said, was raring to go and expected to see 30 patients on Monday. Advertisement Yet the legacy of violence lay all around her. The front entrance, crushed by armored police vehicles during the daylong siege, was shrouded in a tarp. Fences surrounded the clinic. Security guards prowled the perimeter. Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains in Colorado Springs. (Jerilee Bennett / Associated Press) Cowart said security had been beefed up but emphasized she would never preside over an armed camp. No one should risk violence when accessing healthcare, she said. But I dont think anyone should have to go into a fortress to get that healthcare. Not far away, a knot of antiabortion activists carrying signs gathered on a corner. It was business as usual for them too. Cowart dismissed them as bullies. Its reprehensible to me that people will stand and scream at our patients and medical staff, she said. Violence erupted shortly before noon on Nov. 27, when police said abortion opponent Robert Lewis Dear Jr., 57, stormed the clinic and began firing at patients and staff with a semiautomatic rifle. Dear killed two people inside and a University of Colorado policeman who responded to the scene, authorities said. Five other police officers and four civilians were injured during the rampage, which ended after Dear surrendered that night. During his first court appearance, he repeatedly denounced Planned Parenthood and declared himself a warrior for the babies. Dear has been charged with first-degree murder and 179 felony counts. But just as the nation was trying to process the crime, another mass shooting occurred a week later. This time a heavily armed couple who sympathized with Islamic State killed 14 people and wounded 22 others at a holiday party at the Inland Regional Center in San Bernardino. The assailants, Syed Rizwan Farook and Tashfeen Malik, were shot dead by police. The frequency of mass shootings in schools, movie theaters, college campuses and even the streets of Paris have raised questions over when and how to reopen these places after such mayhem. And whether normalcy is ever possible again. Reopening could be a trigger or a trauma reminder, said Merritt Schreiber, director of psychological programs at UC Irvines Center for Disaster Medicine. People want to avoid a traumatic event but avoidance has side effects. We want to manage the trauma, not yield to it. After a terrorist attack in Israel, he said, the scene is almost immediately reopened to get back to the business of living as soon as possible. They have found that this works for them as a culture, Schreiber said. My recommendation is not whether you reopen, it is how you prepare those involved for it. The Inland Regional Center reopened a month after the shootings, but the three county offices where the victims worked remain closed. San Bernardino County is completely remodeling each office so nothing will trigger a trauma response among survivors. We didnt want people walking by the cubicles of their friends who were killed day after day, said county spokesman David Wert. So we are changing the whole place. We are bringing in entirely new furniture, putting on new paint, new lighting and new office layouts. Nothing will be the same. We talked to our employees, and they agreed. At Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn., where 20 first-graders and six school employees were gunned down in 2012, the school was demolished and rebuilt. The decision to reopen the Planned Parenthood clinic was never in question, Cowart said. The delay has been due to ongoing repairs that keep the place from fully operating. NEWSLETTER: Get the days top headlines from Times Editor Davan Maharaj >> Still, there was plenty of soul-searching. The road to recovery is different for each of us depending on your experience. We have been empathetic to everyones journey, she said. Some were fine 24 hours later while others had relapses. Some folks are still in the processing phase and may never come back. Her opponents are just as determined. Personhood USA, which has tried to pass ballot measures banning abortion in Colorado and other states, now plans to try it in individual cities, including Colorado Springs. It will be similar to the personhood amendment that says all human beings are persons and deserve protection regardless of their stage of development, said Jennifer Mason, spokeswoman for the group. She condemned the reopening of Planned Parenthood. This is terrible news that is compounding the tragedy that happened there with more death, she said. They will once again be killing babies at that clinic. That sentiment was echoed by Joseph Martone, 54, who stood on a corner surrounded by antiabortion signs. Hes been doing it for five years. Im always here Thursdays and Fridays because those are the abortion days, Martone said, leaning on a walker with a red sign reading, Trust God -- End Abortion. I think the reopening is horrible. As wrong as the shooting was, now Planned Parenthood will back to killing babies again. At nearby Fusion Nails, owner Duy Tran, 32, recalled police ordering him to stay inside his salon with six customers the day of the shooting. But we returned to normal months ago, he said. Thats a luxury the clinic may never have. For one thing, the threat of violence is no longer theoretical. Our motto is care no matter what, and most days we think of that in terms of the politics we have to deal with -- not being shot at, Cowart said. Clearly, we are in a new environment now. ALSO Why evangelicals are splintering and what it means for the GOP After the Oregon standoff, a new occupation begins -- this time its the birds In search for Scalias successor, Obama may see GOP opposition as incentive to select a liberal Robert Bowers, a 50-year-old debt collector, conceded that Donald Trump may have gone overboard just a little bit when he attacked President George W. Bush, saying he lied about weapons of mass destruction in Iraq and failed to stop the Sept. 11 attacks. But that did not stop Bowers, of Fountain Inn, S.C., from putting on a cap with Trumps Make America Great Again slogan and walking through an icy cold parking lot so he could crowd into a raucous Trump rally Monday night. Hes not a polished politician, Bowers said, neatly summing up both Trumps appeal and liability. Advertisement TRAIL GUIDE: All the latest news on the 2016 presidential campaign >> Early evidence suggests that Trump, as he has many times before, is maintaining his wide lead here despite criticism of his crude rhetoric, the latest example of which came in his attacks on Bush in Saturdays debate and ever since. Though South Carolina has long prided itself on Southern manners and propriety, it is changing rapidly as outsiders increasingly move here. And Trump Nation may be immune to, and in some cases, even more than forgiving of his brash behavior. I hope he drops an F-bomb, one fan said to another on the way into the rally. 1 / 9 Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump at a town hall in Beaufort, S.C. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times) 2 / 9 Donald Trump supporters in Beaufort, S.C., sing the national anthem before his arrival. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times) 3 / 9 Republican presidential candidate Ted Cruz at a rally on the aircraft carrier Yorktown in Mount Pleasant, S.C. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times) 4 / 9 Ted Cruz supporters listen to the candidate. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times) 5 / 9 Republican presidential candidate Marco Rubio campaigns in South Carolina. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times) 6 / 9 Marco Rubio addresses supporters. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times) 7 / 9 Ted Cruz at his Mount Pleasant, S.C., rally. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times) 8 / 9 Donald Trump in Beaufort, S.C. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times) 9 / 9 A prayer before Donald Trumps arrival in Beaufort, S.C. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times) One poll taken since the debate by Public Policy Polling, which works mostly for Democrats, shows Trump leading South Carolinas Republican primary field by 17 percentage points, about the same lead he had going into the debate. His core support from about one in three Republicans remains steady here, in line with earlier national polling. During past controversies, Trumps supporters have stuck with him, believing his unvarnished criticism of immigrants, Muslims, women and Sen. John McCains war record shows he is willing to take on establishment interests and unwilling to bend to what he calls political correctness. Sometimes they agree with his comments, particularly on building a wall along the Southwestern border and barring Muslims from entering the country, according to polls. Sometimes they disagree but are more concerned with upending the political system. Were voting with our middle finger, said John Baldwin, a used-car dealer from Greenville. Baldwin and his wife were passing out stickers and signs calling Trumps supporters the silent majority, a phrase that dates to President Nixon and is used by Trump to assert that he is giving voice to beliefs that others are afraid to say out loud. SIGN UP for the free Essential Politics newsletter >> The question for Trump has always been whether he can build support beyond his loyal core, a task for him that will grow more important if he becomes the GOP nominee. A national poll taken this month by Quinnipiac University showed 59% of voters held an unfavorable view of Trump, compared with 34% who view him favorably. Other polls have shown similar results. I used to be a Trump supporter up until Saturday night, said Herb Riggs, a retired builder in Florence, who attended a town hall with Florida Sen. Marco Rubio on Monday, and is now considering him, along with Texas Sen. Ted Cruz. He looked like a schoolyard bully. Betty Carter also didnt like the way Trump went after former President Bush. But shes still sticking with him. He needs to know where he is: Hes in Bush country, she said waiting in a long line to see him Tuesday afternoon at Riverview Park in North Augusta, where she moved more than 15 years ago to care for her grandkids. I didnt like it, but Im still voting for him. Marsha Daigle, a retired federal employee at Trumps rally Monday in Greenville, said she did not like the bickering in the debate either and worries that it will make it more difficult for Trump to broaden his support. It rubs a lot of people the wrong way, she said. Speaking at a rally in South Carolina on Tuesday, Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump mocked Hillary Clinton for imitating a barking dog. Clinton suggested a dog trained to bark when he heard a lie should follow Republican candidates. She and her 38-year-old son, Brent Gay, who said he had never voted, said their own support for Trump remains solid because they believe he will halt illegal immigration and help Americans get more jobs. Like several people interviewed at Trumps Monday night rally, Daigle was not originally from South Carolina, having lived in California and several other states before retiring in Spartanburg. Demographic data show an increasing number of residents have moved from out of state, perhaps loosening the traditional boundaries of Southern politeness. In 2000, 64% of the population was state-born, according to census data, but by 2013, the number of resident born in the Palmetto State had fallen to 58%. GOP strategist Kevin Madden, a former Mitt Romney spokesman, said he believes Trump may yet suffer in Saturdays South Carolina primary, noting that attitudes here often shift in the final days of the campaign. These are views that are outside the mainstream of Republican thought, Madden said. His views in that debate were more associate with Code Pink and the liberal left and that might give people pause, rather than reinforce what they liked about some of his debate performances. Monday nights rally was typical of Trumps performances, which feel like arena rock concerts as much as political events. Thousands packed into the TD Convention Center. Many stood along the sides of the cavernous convention hall when the seats ran out. Others were sent to an overflow room or turned away. Giant screens lit up Trumps face; spotlights vacillated in front of the stage; Van Halen music blared. Didnt you love this last debate? Trump said to cheers. They came at me from every angle. Trump, as he often does, riffed from topic to topic. He mocked Florida Gov. Jeb Bush for his debate performance and claimed the audience was stacked with his special-interest supporters. He repeated his criticism of President George W. Bushs decision to invade Iraq, but did not mention Bush, who is popular among the states Republicans, by name during that portion of the speech. We shouldnt have gone into Iraq. That was a big mistake because it destabilized the whole Middle East, Trump said. Some people say Oh, dont say that. Everything you see right now is an offshoot of that decision, he added, before launching into criticism of President Obamas handling of the withdrawal from Iraq. Later, he returned to the topic, even offering praise for Saddam Hussein, as a bad guy who nonetheless kept Iraq from disintegrating into sectarian violence and spawning terrorist groups attacking the West. Human rights groups have estimated that Hussein, who was hanged in 2006, killed hundreds of thousands of people. Saddam Hussein killed terrorists, Trump said. He didnt do it politically correct. He found a terrorist, they were gone within five seconds, OK. With us, we find a terrorist, its going to be 25 years and a trial. The crowd laughed, hollered and waved signs. Bierman reported from Greenville and Mascaro from Columbia and North Augusta, S.C. noah.bierman@latimes.com lisa.mascaro@latimes.com Follow @noahbierman and @LisaMascaro on Twitter. MORE POLITICS NEWS Why evangelicals are splintering and what it means for the GOP In Nevada, Sanders volunteers campaign with rag-tag enthusiasm Why Kamala Harris is unlikely to be a Supreme Court nominee Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.) kicked off a furious national debate on gender, equality and war readiness earlier this month by posing a simple question to military leaders at a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing: Should women register for the military draft, now that combat jobs are open to them? Too bad it was the wrong question. A better one is this: Why should the country require anyone male or female to register for a draft thats purely hypothetical? Or this: Does it make sense to extend the Selective Service rule as a symbolic gesture of gender equality without first examining the rationality of maintaining a registry at all in the digital era? Congress should start with the last two questions first, setting aside the the role of women in the military to look dispassionately at the practicality of registration and its function as a sort of security blanket for the military. It may well be that this Cold War relic lingers on because it gives the illusion that a massive force of armed Americans could be mobilized immediately to fight whatever threat might come along. It cant; registry aside, it takes tremendous resources to screen, train, house and feed thousand of new recuits. Advertisement Meanwhile, registration comes with a real cost to taxpayers and a steep penalty to teenagers who do not comply. In some states, young men cant get a drivers license if they havent filed the necessary forms with the Selective Service System. In California, they cannot apply for college financial aid unless they are registered. The reality is that the country hasnt had an actual draft since 1973, when public support for conscription was sapped by year after bloody year of the Vietnam War. Short of an invasion by foreign troops or extraterrestrials, a draft is unlikely in the near future. Military commanders now see the benefit of a highly trained and professional all-volunteer force, while the public continues to be wary of conscription. Yet the draft registry was reinstated in 1980, and the agency charged with its keeping keeps chugging along. Why? Thats a question the Government Accountability Office explored in a 2012 study. In a report to Congress, the GAO noted that while defense department officials cling to Selective Service as low-cost insurance policy in case a draft is ever necessary, they hadnt reassessed its requirements for inductees since 1994 and therefore it wasnt clear whether the agency was even necessary anymore. The national security picture has changed dramatically, as has warfare, since the Cold War ended and the war on terror began. Furthermore, the report noted that the collection of registration data is largely automatic. Much of the Selective Service staffs day-to-day work is letting people know they have to register and training volunteers how to screen conscriptees in the event a draft is ever activated. Though it is difficult to imagine a modern-day military scenario that would benefit from having hundreds of thousands of untrained, and possibly unwilling, young people forced into service, it is a possibility for which the country needs to prepare. But we dont necessarily need an active registry, or the make-work assignments required to sustain it, to effect a draft should it be required. Conscriptions are meant to backfill armies depleted by months and years of war. The registry could be recreated well before the military had pulled together the resources to train, house and deploy hundreds of thousands of draftees. Consider what happened when President Jimmy Carter ordered the reinstatement of the draft registry in February 1980 in response Russias invasion of Afghanistan. Registration forms were ready by July, and by September the Selective Service had received registration cards from 93% percent of eligible men, as the head of the Selective Service at the time, Bernard Rostker, reported in his book, I Want You! The Evolution of The All-Volunteer Force. And remember, this was before the Internet made things such as instant online registration a reality. If Congress decides, practicality be damned, not to explore the relevance of draft registration, by all means it should change the law so that women must participate. Equality comes with benefits as well as responsibilities. If men must continue to comply for the sake of the nations peace of mind, then women should do so too. But thats the legislative equivalent of putting the cart before the horse in an era when everyones driving a car. Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion and Facebook The opinionsphere continues to be chock full of declarations about the Supreme Court vacancy left by the unexpected demise of influential originalist (and moralizer) Antonin Scalia, including a spate of op-eds, editorials, blog posts and analysis pieces in this newspaper. And were just in the first chapter of whats likely to be a very long book, with President Obama first weighing potential nominees, then sending one to the Senate, and then the drama beginning in earnest. The thing is, we all know how this book ends. As I argued Saturday, there is no possible way the Senate votes on the nominee before the election. Theres no upside for Senate Republicans approving a nominee less reliably conservative than Associate Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr. doing so would only alienate part of the GOP base, which Republicans need to turn out en masse in November. And the chance that Obama would nominate someone that far to the right is so infinitesimal, it cannot be measured with todays technology. So wouldnt it be great if both Democrats and Republicans agreed to dispense with the spin and speak frankly about what they were doing? Advertisement Imagine Obama saying this before introducing his nominee: I knew the Senate wouldnt give my pick a vote because of the politics of the situation. So I cast about for someone who not only would make a fine justice, but also raise the electoral stakes someone who could excite registered Democrats, independent voters and possibly an entire demographic group. That way, if the public thought Senate Republicans werent treating my nominee fairly, they would take it out on them in November. My choice, (insert name here), not only has the standard nominee package of an exemplary legal mind, an impressive resume and a strong moral compass, she (or he) has a life story that voters are going to love. Its the kind of only-in-America pulling-up-your-bootstraps tale that resonates deeply with the masses and especially the masses of (pick at least one: racial minority, ethnic minority, female) voters my nominee represents. And while she (or he) and pledge with a straight face to judge every case on its merits, you can trust me on this: Roe vs. Wade is safe, but Citizens United and Buckley vs. Valeo? Not so much. And so when the Senate GOP refuses to give her (or him) a vote or worse, rejects her along partisan lines voters will understand all the more clearly that the person they pick in November for the White House is just part of the equation. They will also see the need to give Democrats control of the Senate too. SIGN UP for the free Opinion newsletter >> Then imagine Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) responding: We will be slow-rolling this one because we dont want to be accused of stonewalling even though we simply wont allow this nomination to reach the Senate floor. The first and only stop on this train will be the Senate Judiciary Committee, which will hold a hearing only after the staff has looked for any and every blemish it can find in the nominees record, and every decision, speech or interview where the nominee takes a position that can be portrayed, in or out of context, as anathema to mainstream Americans. The committee will then hold several days of hearings whose sole purpose will be to make the nominee seem extreme and divisive. Ill tell senators on my side to be respectful and to seem genuinely impressed by the nominees background and intellect, but to emphasize how out of touch the person seems with the folks back home. Well try to make the nominee look so unappealing to voters that Obama will be tempted to withdraw her (or his) name. But ideally, the nomination will still be awaiting action in early November, so voters will see how important it is to have a Republican majority in the Senate to protect against this sort of threat. Because given the way the presidential primaries are going on our side, its not clear that well even want voters to put our candidate in the White House. Granted, this kind of radical transparency would be self-defeating. Manufactured outrage is so much more effective when the builder stays mum behind the scenes. On the other hand, the bluster were hearing now about precedents, the role of voters and constitutional obligations is almost as transparently manufactured. As conservative pundit Jonah Goldberg noted in his column for The Times today, Obama has every right to nominate a new justice, and the Senate has every right not to confirm that person. So as long as were just going through the motions, why not improve the narration? Email Jon Healey Follow Healeys intermittent Twitter feed: @jcahealey MORE FROM OPINION Obamas nominee to replace Scalia wont get a vote -- this year Justice Scalia kept constitutional originalism in the conversation no small legacy Obama wants to reduce meanness? Justice Scalias death gives him that chance. Short of nominating a clone of Antonin Scalia, Barack Obama has about as much chance of getting a Supreme Court nominee approved by Senate Republicans as he does of convincing the average GOP voter that his Hawaiian birth certificate is genuine. Scalia, the demigod of conservative jurisprudence, was discovered dead in his bed at a luxurious guest ranch in Texas on Saturday morning. Responding to the startling news, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell barely paused for a breath between eulogizing Scalia and declaring that Obama is a lame duck who should not waste his time proposing a replacement for the high court titan. The Republican chairman of the Judiciary Committee, Iowa Sen. Charles E. Grassley, weighed in to declare it standard practice not to consider Supreme Court nominees in an election year. Grassleys comment was erroneous the Senate unanimously approved President Reagans nominee, Anthony M. Kennedy, in the election year of 1988 but that did not stop other Republicans from latching onto the same bogus talking point. The gaggle of GOP presidential candidates took time out from calling each other liars at their Saturday night debate to join the chorus of Republicans saying it is unthinkable that Obama would get to pick Scalias successor. Advertisement It is a key duty of the president any president to expeditiously fill vacancies on the court when they arise and for the Senate to give the presidents nominee an up-or-down vote. McConnell, however, stated openly at the beginning of this presidents first days in office that his paramount task was to insure that Obama would not get a second term. In that, McConnell proved a failure, so the least he can do for disappointed conservatives is keep Obama from extending his legacy by putting someone on the court who would tip the ideological balance away from the Republican priorities of protecting big corporations, undercutting unions, banning abortions and whittling away at voting rights. Undeterred, Obama announced his intention to nominate a new justice, even if Republicans want to deny the fact that he is the legally elected president of the United States for another 11 months. It would be dereliction of duty for him to do otherwise, of course, though Obama is not dumb enough to believe McConnell and his caucus can be persuaded to act on any nominee he proposes. Republicans in Congress have repeatedly proven they cannot be shamed into doing the right thing and certainly not when they can use a court vacancy to rally their base in an election year. Obama understands that this is now entirely about political gamesmanship, and he has one big play to make that could significantly affect the 2016 election. Whom will he choose for his nominee? Will he name a strong liberal who would give Democratic partisans something to cheer about as the campaign roars into high gear? That is what many pundits predict and what Republicans have vowed to prevent. In this scenario, the proposed person would be a mere symbolic figure, the embodiment of the ideological choice facing voters in November. One wonders who would be willing to play such a role. Who would want to have his or her good name demolished by a relentless blitz from the right with virtually no chance of actually becoming a Supreme Court justice? Rather than opting for a choice to please liberal purists, Obama could perform a more nimble feat of political jujitsu by coming up with a nominee so nonpolitical, unobjectionable and fair-minded that the Republicans raw partisanship would be thoroughly exposed. Srikanth Srinivasan might be just such a candidate. In 2006, the Senate approved the appointment of Srinivasan as a judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia. The vote was 97 to 0. Srinivasan is said to be a non-doctrinaire jurist known for his brilliance and even-handed opinions. Having already given him their OK without dissent for the lower court, how could Republicans possibly object to elevating him to the top ring on the legal ladder? Well, they could do it easily. After all, McConnell and the Republicans are not looking for fair-mindedness and a good legal mind the things most Americans probably would consider prime qualifications for a Supreme Court justice. They want nothing less than a new Scalia, someone who will be a reliable partisan for the conservative cause. MORE CARTOONS FROM DAVID HORSEY New Hampshire winners share one attribute: authenticity Ted Cruz embraces apocalyptic preachers and anti-gay militants Hillary Clinton is losing the votes of young women to Bernie Sanders Im Christina Bellantoni, todays Essential Politics host. What started off as a quiet Presidents Day holiday weekend turned out to be anything but. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalias death, simply put, changes everything. Advertisement The unexpected vacancy on the court with 338 days until a new president takes the oath of office shines a spotlight on a Senate that wasnt expected to do much this election year, and has forced the judiciary branch into the conversation on the campaign trail. The political ramifications are many, Cathleen Decker wrote over the weekend: Democrats and Republicans will have an issue around which to rally voters. President Obama will have a chance to appoint a nominee who could influence political races up and down the ticket by appealing to a specific demographic group, even if the nominee is not ultimately confirmed. Not to mention that candidates in hot Senate races will be pressed to say how they would vote on Obamas pick, since those elections will determine who controls the nomination process next year. And voters will witness a contemporaneous example of the Washington gridlock that already has inflamed anger on both sides in this presidential campaign. Obamas vow to fill the vacancy and the vow by Senate Republicans to block any nominee is providing the president with a powerful incentive to focus on more liberal candidates, David Savage and David Lauter write. Dont miss our detailed coverage of Scalias life and legacy, and what will be an epic battle to fill his seat. Well be all over this story for the days, weeks and, likely, months ahead. Dont miss a minute: Make sure you are following @latimespolitics. HARRIS IN THE SPOTLIGHT The short list cobbled before the president has even returned to Washington is the subject of the political class second-favorite guessing game, behind only the vice presidential selection process and just slightly ahead of the festival of Cabinet nominations to come with a new administration. No matter if its all conjecture or just filling airtime on cable news (indeed, Im scheduled to discuss on CNN International tonight), the speculation fervor is strong and one of Californias most prominent politicians is right in the center. Phil Willon examines what it means for Atty. Gen. Kamala Harris to have her name being mentioned, and why shes unlikely to be the one who fills Scalias seat. Hell be tracking Harris at some events for her Senate campaign Tuesday morning. Keep an eye on on our Essential Politics news feed for the latest. $452 MILLION FOR YOUR BLOCKBUSTER BALLOT Sacramento bureau chief John Myers has the details of a so-called perfect storm of political ads and activity. The bottom line: an initiative season in the Golden State that could see total spending of at least $452 million and perhaps even hitting half a billion dollars by the time the final votes are cast. ALL ABOARD THE BALLOT? One of those initiatives could be a proposal from the states agriculture industry: a November ballot initiative that would grab bond money earmarked for Californias bullet train and use it instead for new water storage projects, as Ralph Vartabedian reports. The measure faces some high hurdles, starting with the escalating cost of gathering voter signatures in the 2016 initiative frenzy of the next few weeks. Even then, critics will point out that the initiative would fast-track building dams as well as place language in Californias constitution to lower the priority of water for environmental needs. Still, supporters believe it taps two politically powerful sentiments: growing public concern about the states future water supply and increasing opposition to the high-speed rail project. WEEKEND WITH BERNIES SUPPORTERS, THAT IS Melanie Mason was in Reno over the weekend tracking Sen. Bernie Sanders campaign ahead of Saturdays caucuses in Nevada. She focused on the efforts of volunteers, and Kate Linthicum examined his strategy to organize in the Silver State. DEMOCRATS DIVIDED AS CONTESTS DIVERSIFY Christine Mai-Duc takes a look at the split among prominent black political leaders and celebrities in the presidential race. Even within a grieving family central to the Black Lives Matter movement, the Sanders-Hillary Clinton divide is prominent. BUSH BROTHERS BONDING As former President George W. Bush hit the campaign trail again, Republicans are engaging in all-out political warfare ahead of Saturdays South Carolina primary. Decker notes that could hurt them in November. To that end, Linthicum rounds up an effort from prominent Latino celebrities and political figures attacking the GOP for anti-immigrant rhetoric. And on the ground in South Carolina, Lisa Mascaro finds much like the GOP itself, the evangelical movement is going through an identity crisis. THE LIAR DEBATE Saturdays clash of the six Republican candidates left in the race got personal, with them calling one another liars 22 times, and even getting testy in Spanish. The feisty forum attracted 13.5 million viewers. (And if you like your analysis in audio form, Decker and I did another politics podcast ahead of the debate, looking at what the candidates need to do from here.) A (TEMPORARY) WIN FOR TEACHERS UNIONS? Howard Blume finds that Scalias passing could deal a major blow to a California lawsuit that had been widely expected to weaken the financial muscle of teachers unions across the country. Thats Friedrichs vs. California Teachers Assn., a case many court watchers had expected would find Scalia delivering the deciding vote against unions, limiting their ability to collect membership dues and other fees. Without Scalia, a 4-4 split is considered likely. That would maintain the status quo a huge win for unions, at least for now. SWING THROUGH SOCAL Instead of watching Thursdays debate between the Democrats who want to replace him as it happened, Obama was raising money in Hancock Park that night alongside John Legend. Who was there? What did Legend sing for guests? Sarah Wire has all the details. Earlier in the day when fundraising in the Bay Area, Obama offered his first reaction to the Supreme Courts recent climate decision that has California implications. LATINO GROUP BACKS SANCHEZ While Harris is dodging SCOTUS speculation, her rival Rep. Loretta Sanchez scooped up an endorsement from the Latino Victory Fund, a national PAC supporting Latino candidates. Though the endorsement doesnt come as a major surprise, consider that Harris sister Maya Harris is one of the board members on the PACs parent organization, the Latino Victory Project. PODCAST: ROCKY REFUSES, GENDER POLITICS Myers leads a reporter roundtable on this weeks California Politics Podcast through discussions of the suddenly smaller U.S. Senate race among Republicans, the intense debate over leadership of the California Coastal Commission, and the politics of gender equity legislation just introduced at the state Capitol. You can subscribe to the podcast on iTunes today. TODAYS ESSENTIALS George Skelton shares reactions from current and retired teachers to his column last week about a growing teacher shortage. Gov. Jerry Brown may have low-balled the amount of money Prop. 47 saved the state, says a report by the nonpartisan Legislative Analysts Office. The report, released Friday, suggests the savings may be as much as $130 million, or about $100 million more than the governor estimated, reports Mai-Duc. ICYMI Friday, Mason reports that Brown opposes a $9-billion school bond measure. Patrick McGreevy reports on a package of proposals unveiled by female lawmakers that aim to help women in California achieve equitable pay and expand family-leave job protections, as well as earmark more state funds for child care and for helping children on welfare. LOGISTICS Did someone forward you this? Sign up here to get Essential Politics in your inbox daily. And keep an eye on our politics page throughout the day for the latest and greatest. And are you following us on Twitter at @latimespolitics? Please send thoughts, concerns and news tips to politics@latimes.com. Block retiring: Democrats avoid intraparty battle State Sen. Marty Block, left, consults with Rep. Alan Lowenthal during a legislative hearing. (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press) State Sen. Marty Block of San Diego surprised his colleagues by announcing Thursday that he would not seek reelection, sparing the Democratic Party a contentious battle that started brewing last fall when Toni Atkins, the state Assembly speaker, announced that she would run for his seat. Blocks Senate floor announcement came shortly after the California Nurses Assn. endorsed Atkins in the race to represent the 39th Senate District. Block said he decided not to run for re-election this year to avoid unnecessary intraparty fighting that would use up resources better put into competitive races against Republicans. In an interview with the Times, Block said he reached the decision after he and Atkins squared off in three debates last week in San Diego. While we were debating, it became infinitely clear that we both believe in the same things, we both have the same progressive agenda, Block said. It just made it seem much smarter that we could do a much better job of moving ahead our agendas by working together than fighting. Block, 65, said he has no interest in another elected office. But given he is a former professor and dean at San Diego State University, he would definitely be interested in that field, possibly as an appointment as a college chancellor. Blocks decision to back out was praised by California Democratic Party Chairman John Burton. Avoiding expensive endorsement battles when we have two highly qualified and progressive candidates in the race helps all Democrats win on Election Day, Burton said. The senator surprised some colleagues with his announcement. Ive decided instead to pursue other opportunities, Block said on the floor Thursday morning. I have greatly enjoyed every moment on the Senate floor and before that the Assembly. Having said that, change is always a pretty good thing and I am looking forward to what lies ahead. Atkins decided against running against Block in 2012 and said this bid came because he had indicated he would serve only one term. Atkins had recently won some big endorsements from figures including Secretary of State Alex Padilla, who called her a trailblazer and a leader who is committed to greater community participation in our government. Block was elected to the Assembly in 2008 before winning the Senate seat in 2012. Atkins, in an interview with the Times, said the race against a fellow Democrat could be trying. When you both want to serve, you both feel like you have a lot to give, and yet you are really similar in a lot of respects...[it was] difficult on both of us personally, she said. With the prospects of a bruising rivalry behind her, she said there was still much to focus on--both in the Capitol and securing a win in the Democratic-leaning seat in November. The plate was full before. The plate continues to be full, she said. This post has been updated with remarks from Atkins. Melanie Mason contributed to this report. As a traveler, I find that the best surprise is no surprise. That doesnt mean I like staying in cookie-cutter hotels or eating at chain restaurants, but it does mean that anticipating a problem before it becomes a disaster is the way I like to roll or keep rolling. If youre not like that, stop reading because this is a problem that may not occur until 2018 at the earliest. But if youd like a bit of outrage for breakfast, continue. And if youd like to know what may lie ahead or if you live in Washington, Minnesota, Missouri, New Mexico, Illinois or American Samoa, sound the alarm, softly for now. Advertisement Thats because your federal government is trying to fix a problem that the 9/11 Commission pinpointed in 2004 and that became law in 2005. Thats the problem of drivers licenses or state IDs that must meet certain federal requirements. It has fallen to the Department of Homeland Security to begin making people aware of the problem. There are 23 states in which this isnt a problem. Those drivers licenses meet the criteria that make them what is called Real ID compliant. To see whether your state is on that list, go to the DHS website . If yours is a California drivers license or one from 26 other places, youre not on that A-OK list at least not yet. Those six places listed above may never be on the A-OK list, thanks in some cases to state laws that countermand federal requirements. This means that eventually maybe by 2018 and maybe by 2020 you will not be able to use your drivers license at Transportation Security Administration airport checkpoints so you can get on a plane. This issue is as complicated as only the federal government and multiple state departments of motor vehicles can make it, so your head may feel as though its going to explode, sort of the way you may have felt when you watched The Big Short. Only with this column, you dont get Margot Robbie in a bubble bath to explain it for you. You get Californias Department of Motor Vehicles and the Department of Homeland Security. If you go to the DHS map and hover over California, youll see that it says California has an extension that allows federal agencies to accept drivers licenses from these states until Oct. 10, 2016. That sounds alarming. In fact, it sounds a lot like you wont be able to get on a plane after that with only your drivers license. Thats not the case. Here is what Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson said last month in a statement: Right now, no individual needs to adjust travel plans, or rush out to get a new drivers license or a passport for domestic air travel. Until Jan. 22, 2018, residents of all states will still be able to use a state-issued drivers license or identification card for domestic air travel. Passengers can also continue to use any of the various other forms of identification accepted by [the Transportation Security Administration] (such as a passport or passport card, Global Entry card, U.S. military ID, airline or airport-issued ID, federally recognized tribal-issued photo ID). After that, if the state that issued your license still isnt in compliance with regulations, youll need a passport or another form of federal-government-approved ID to get on a plane unless your state gets another extension. Im stopping here to reiterate something important for us travelers: California drivers licenses dont comply, but for right now, you can get on a plane using one. California is taking steps to try to comply with what the feds want, the DMV said. One of those is legislation passed last year that will make the approval process of licenses for new applicants comply with the federal standards. That compliance (for everyone, not just California) involves the physical drivers license document, security around the issuance process and whether the information we applicants provide is true. That last part is tricky. How do you prove you are a resident of California if youre, say, moving here? What constitutes proof exactly? Unknown as of now. Still working on that, the DMV said. This also doesnt address what happens to the 25 million of us who already hold drivers licenses, never mind the 6 million who have a state ID. What is the DMV doing about us? California is moving towards having a mechanism to issue Real ID-compliant licenses or identification cards, Artemio Armenta, a spokesman for the California DMV, said in an email. He could not say what that mechanism is. But something must be done unless California gets another extension. A DHS statement also notes this: Starting Oct. 1, 2020, every air traveler will need a Real ID-compliant license, or another acceptable form of identification, for domestic air travel. If youre a Californian, you might have two years. You might have four. You also might have a headache thinking about this. You might be annoyed that the federal government is telling us what to do. On that last point, if thats what were thinking, were wrong, officials are quick to note. The federal government isnt telling states what to do. But I will note that although that is technically true, its also true that the government can make life more difficult if you happen to live in a state that doesnt comply. Residents in those five states and one territory listed above that have dug in their heels about this issue should take note of this and also that 2018 deadline. The federal government also maintains this isnt a national ID card. (Google Real ID and national identity card, and youll find many people who dispute that.) And, a senior DHS official told me, its wrong to think that our drivers licenses are not better pieces of identification than they were 12 years ago. Finally, of course, there is a cost to this for every state that will try to comply. No one can say what that is today. Figures are bandied about. One of them is $11 billion. Not calculated into this figure: the cost of the confusion, frustration and outright anger at any number of difficulties this raises. No one wants to be less secure. San Bernardino and Paris remind us that danger lurks and that all the best efforts havent been enough to stop terrorism. If theres a big issue here other than our inconvenience, the cost, the issue of states rights, the uncertainty about how this is ultimately going to be addressed for Californians and others it is this: This issue isnt new. It is now more than a decade since the original legislation was approved, and this is still not solved. By the time that 2020 deadline rolls around, it will have been 15 years. If you dont think things have changed, consider this small but significant date marker: The first iPhone wasnt released until 2007. Head hurting now? Take two aspirin or your pain reliever of choice and email travel@latimes.com with your thoughts. Have a travel dilemma? Write to travel@latimes.com. We regret we cannot answer every inquiry. The babies are called bad blood. Before they can walk or talk, hostile eyes slide suspiciously over them. In the womb, even their mothers might suspect them. They face a life being shunned, hated and rejected. They are the children of the Nigerian militant group Boko Haram, the products of forced marriage, sexual slavery and rape. Their plight was detailed Tuesday in a report released by UNICEF and a British-based peace-building agency, International Alert. -- When I think of the baby that will come, it disturbs me a lot because I always ask myself this question, Will the child also behave like [Boko Haram]? -- An October interview by the reports researchers with an unidentified woman freed after being abducted by Boko Haram. She wanted to terminate her pregnancy, but changed her mind after counseling in an internally displaced persons camp. Advertisement -- Boko Haram, which is fighting to establish an Islamic state in northeastern Nigeria, has beheaded people, burned schoolboys alive in dormitories and killed schoolteachers, among other atrocities. But the act that received the most attention was its 2014 kidnapping of nearly 300 schoolgirls from the town of Chibok in Borno state. A few escaped. The others were never recovered. Nigerian President Mohammadu Buhari, elected last year on a promise to defeat Boko Haram and end corruption, has vowed to free the abducted schoolgirls if possible. But he told their parents at a meeting last month that authorities had no credible intelligence as to where they are. NEWSLETTER: Get the days top headlines from Times Editor Davan Maharaj >> Members of the Bring Back Our Girls movement march in Abuja, Nigeria, on Jan. 14 to press for the release of girls kidnapped in 2014 from their school in Chibok. (Philip Ojisua / AFP/Getty Images) The extremist group has abducted at least 2,000 girls and women since 2012. Nigerian forces have freed hundreds of abducted women and girls in recent months as they have driven Boko Haram out of towns and villages in northeastern Nigeria. The girls are interrogated and screened by Nigerian officials and eventually allowed to move into displaced persons camps or to return home. But they are rarely welcomed, according to the UNICEF-International Alert report. Some were rejected by their husbands, or ejected by co-wives who persuaded their husbands to divorce them, according to the report. -- [Boko Haram] uses juju [witchcraft] to initiate members, so all women and children may have some of these traits in their blood. -- An unidentified representative of Borno state government in an interview with researchers. -- For much of 2014 and early 2015, Boko Haram controlled a vast swath of northeastern Nigeria. Boko Haram fighters with AK-47s would sweep into towns and villages on motorbikes, SUVs and even at times armored personnel carriers. They often pulled up at the local market square and opened fire, killing dozens or hundreds of people. They would burn down local shops, according to survivors of attacks, killing terrified shop keepers hiding inside. They dragged people out of houses and killed them on the spot. But Boko Haram rarely killed women, unless they were accused of being spies. Instead, the militants abducted them and took them to base camps in their stronghold in the Sambisa Forest near the Cameroon border. Some women disguised their sons as girls to escape death at the hands of Boko Haram. According to the report, women and girls who escaped Boko Haram are dubbed annoba, meaning epidemic, by their communities, suggesting they can spread dangerous extremist ideas. Theyre also stigmatized and feared as Sambisa women, Boko Haram blood and Boko Haram wives. Rumors abound of women returning from Boko Haram camps and killing their parents. MORE: Get our best stories in your Facebook feed >> Popular cultural beliefs about bad blood and witchcraft, as well as the extent of the violence experienced by people at the hands of [Boko Haram], form the basis of this fear, the report said. Victims husbands and fathers, whose views and feelings carry more weight in highly patriarchal societies such as the one in Borno, also have mixed feelings about their wives and daughters. These feelings range from complete rejection and fear to acceptance. -- No, I will not accept her, I am afraid. -- Interview with family members of women and girls abducted by Boko Haram. The report doesnt specify the relationship of the person speaking. -- One group of community leaders interviewed said that after a group of women who had escaped from Boko Haram moved into the area, community leaders set up a committee to spy on them. Women abducted and kept by Boko Haram in Gwoza -- which was the groups headquarters, where it set up governing structures -- were regarded with deep suspicion, according to the report. It said they would likely be attacked, even killed, were they to leave the displaced persons camps and attempt to return home. Should they attempt to return with the rest of their community to Gwoza, they may face grave danger, the report said. Even where women are reluctantly accepted, their children face rejection, stigma and suspicion. The child of a snake is a snake, goes a local saying. One community leader interviewed for the report called the babies of Boko Haram fighters hyenas among dogs. The report concluded it was unlikely the children of Boko Haram fighters would ever gain acceptance. -- The lady would be accepted, but not her child because of the husbands genes. -- Interview with an unidentified government leader in Borno state. -- There is a belief that, like their fathers, the children will inevitably do what hyenas do and eat the innocent dogs around them. In addition to the immediate risks to these children, it is likely that they will be stigmatized throughout their life, thus increasing their vulnerability to abuse and exploitation, the report said. The report called for government programs to sensitize communities to the suffering of Boko Harams victims and the children born of rape. Community distrust of the women and girls has been deepened by Boko Harams recent practice of using them in suicide attacks. Last week, dozens of people were killed when two female suicide bombers blew themselves up in a displaced persons camp in Dikwa, 55 miles northeast of the Borno state capital, Maiduguri. A third woman was captured after deciding not to detonate her bomb because she didnt want to kill her parents, who were in the camp, according to local officials cited in Nigerian media. Local people interviewed by the researchers said that government screening of women before allowing them to move into camps wasnt sufficient to ensure they didnt harbor extremist ideas. An overwhelming majority among the displaced population remain deeply distrustful of the returnees even though they have been screened, the report says. They believe that the women and girls will need to go through a more comprehensive rehabilitation process before returning to their village of origin, as many fear that their return to the environment from where they were abducted could re-traumatize and radicalize them. Follow @RobynDixon_LAT on Twitter for news from Africa. MORE FROM WORLD Boko Haram has grown stronger, more lethal and even less compromising The Catholic Church and the irresistible power of Mexicos narco culture The journey of two families in two countries, split by a chain-link fence Stepping up an already unusually strong push to condemn North Korea, South Korean president Park Geun-hye told parliament Tuesday that Pyongyangs insistence on developing nuclear weapons will lead to the regimes demise. The North Korean government can no longer survive while pursuing nuclear weapons. Such moves will only lead to their collapse, Park said in a nationally televised address. Seoul, she said, must face the painful truth that North Korea will not change on its own and take unspecified stronger and more effective measures against the North. The sharp remarks are the latest in a string of aggressive moves by Seoul following a nuclear weapons test by North Korea in January and a long-range rocket launch in February. Advertisement Already, South Korea has closed an industrial park just over the border that employed North Koreans; parliament has adopted a resolution condemning the recent rocket launch; and Seoul and Washington have started talking about deploying a U.S. ballistic missile interception system known as THAAD on South Korean soil. Meanwhile, South Koreas ambassador to the United Nations called on member states to pass a robust and comprehensive sanctions resolution to rebuke North Korea for its nuclear weapons program. The U.S. is also lobbying for new, tough sanctions against Pyongyang, but has faced resistance from China, a permanent member of the U.N. Security Council and the Norths closest ally. The muscular approach from Parks administration has won narrow approval from the public. An opinion poll last week by RealMeter after the closure of the industrial park was announced found 47.5% of respondents in support of the move, compared to 44.3% who thought it was a mistake. Join the conversation on Facebook >> On Tuesday, Park called for the nation to rally around her policies. Aiming the point of a sword back to us and splitting us up are things that must not take place, she said, adding that she opposed providing large-scale aid to the impoverished North with few strings attached like in the past. Park was referring, obliquely, to the so-called Sunshine Policy, a South Korean rapprochement initiative from about 1998 to 2008 in which Seoul provided unconditional aid to the North, held regular talks between governments and arranged cultural and civilian exchanges in an effort to improve relations and reduce tensions. The Korean Peninsula has been divided for about seven decades. The policy spurred unprecedented high-level contact between the two antagonistic sides, and the first (and still only) summits between the leaders of North and South Korea, in 2001 and 2007. For his role as face of the Sunshine Policy, then-South Korean President Kim Dae-jung won a Nobel Peace Prize in 2000. But the Sunshine Policy had plenty of critics who saw it as rewarding the leaders of North Korea, who deny their citizens nearly all civil and political freedoms and confine thousands of political prisoners to prison camps where human rights abuses are common. Yoo Ho-yeol, a professor of North Korean Studies at Korea University, has described the Sunshine Policy as excessively generous, arguing that it failed to induce any substantive change in the North Korean government. North Korea conducted its first nuclear test in 2006, followed by others in 2009, 2013 and this year. Observing the sharp escalation in tensions over the last few weeks, the brains behind the Sunshine Policy, former presidential advisor Moon Chung-in, said he could only shake his head. If they had methodically implemented the Sunshine Policy, this wouldnt have happened, said Moon, now a visiting professor at UC San Diego. Over the last eight years, Moon has watched the gradual dismantlement of the policy he worked on tirelessly, and a steady hardening of public opinion. The thinking behind the Sunshine Policy was that by increasing contact and narrowing the economic disparity between North and South Korea, the two sides could gradually build trust and work toward peaceful reunification. Moon and his colleagues in government designed projects that were, in theory at least, mutually beneficial. The Kaesong Industrial Complex and a tourist venture at Mt. Kumgang, a scenic area in North Korea, were linchpins. The Kaesong Complex would marry South Korean capital and industrial know-how with cheap North Korean labor. With the opening of Kumgang to South Korean tourists, they would get to see another part of the peninsula, which would be revitalized by new commercial activity. Both sides would win -- or so Moon and the other officials hoped. But times have changed. Years of aggressive actions by North Korea, the election of more conservative South Korean governments starting in 2008, and general antagonism between South and North have snuffed out the sunshine. The tours to Mt. Kumgang, which drew more than one million South Korean visitors, were halted in 2008 after a North Korean soldier shot to death a South Korean tourist who strayed into a restricted area. The Norths 2009 nuclear test added to animosities. In 2010, Seoul halted nearly all economic exchange (save for the Kaesong) after accusing North Korea of sinking a South Korean warship, causing the deaths of 46 sailors. (The North denied any involvement.) This month, South Korea closed the Kaesong complex, pulling the plug on the last vestige of the Sunshine Policy. South Korea argued that money from the complex was being used to fund North Koreas nuclear weapons and long-range missile programs, both of which are banned by United Nations resolutions. Public support for the shutdown, Moon says, is indicative of the changing political mood in South Korea. There has been a 5 or 6% shift in how many South Koreans support engagement [with North Korea], said Moon. That shift makes a difference. Young people are the least enthusiastic about engaging with North Korea, since unlike their parents or grandparents, they are not old enough to have memories of a unified entity. South Koreans in their 20s and younger have scant interest in offering the North aid or assistance thanks to a string of aggressive actions undertaken by Pyongyang, says Christopher Green, a North Korea analyst and editor of SinoNK, an online scholarly journal focused on Northeast Asia. With the inauguration of two consecutive conservative governments in 2008 and 2013, Moon who has a masters degree and PhD from the University of Maryland has been back in academia, where he had spent his career until entering government in the late 1990s. He is a professor of political science at Yonsei University in Seoul, and 2012, he authored a book defending his approach to relations with North Korea, titled The Sunshine Policy: In Defense of Engagement as a Path to Peace in Korea. Even in wake of Pyongyangs latest provocations, he remains steadfast in his belief that only by engaging with North Korea can the situation improve. Everything else has failed -- sanctions, military confrontations, waiting for [North Korea to] collapse, he said. Theres no option besides engagement. Unless we want a war. Borowiec is a special correspondent. ALSO Hong Kong Disneyland reports loss for 2015 as number of visitors drops President Obama works to lasso opportunities presented by Southeast Asia After half-billion-dollar week, Chinas February box office may again top North Americas Growing up Catholic in Michoacan state, Alberto Cornejo always marveled at the beauty of the Gothic cathedral in his hometown of Zamora. He watched as workers installed spires, repaired the aging pillars and kept the floors polished. The constant care and remodeling cost a lot of money and not all of it, hes convinced, came from legitimate sources. Narcos have looked out for our pueblos and our churches, said Cornejo, a 48-year-old cellphone salesman. It shouldnt be, but its the reality. That belief, true or not, is widespread in parishes large and small across the country. Confronted with the expansion of organized crime groups, Catholic Church leaders have faced tough choices and more than a few have given in to traffickers, either cowed or complicit in taking tainted money. Advertisement Live updates: Pope Francis takes his message to a front line of Mexicos drug war Pope Francis, who travels on Tuesday to the violent state of Michoacan, has during his Mexican trip made his feelings clear, most specifically on Saturday during a speech in front of top church bishops, in which he called on clergy to act courageously against an insidious threat. I urge you not to underestimate the moral and antisocial challenge which the drug trade represents for Mexican society as a whole, as well as for the church, he said. The popes challenge an upbraiding of an institution rarely criticized was hailed for recognizing the widespread perception in Mexico that the church has often failed to protect society and its own priests from drug violence. 1 / 36 Pope Francis rides through the crowd at El Punto fairgrounds in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times) 2 / 36 People stand quietly on the U.S. side of the border with Mexico near Ciudad Juarez on Wednesday as Pope Francis says a prayer during the final day of his trip to Mexico. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 3 / 36 Pope Francis rides through the crowd Wednesday as El Paso, Texas, looms in the background at El Punto fairgrounds in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times) 4 / 36 People react as Pope Francis prays Wednesday in support of migrants from a cross-shaped altar looking over the Rio Grande toward El Paso, Texas, at El Punto fairgrounds in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times) 5 / 36 Pope Francis rides through a crowd of pilgrims at El Punto fairgrounds in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times) 6 / 36 A woman wipes perspiration from her check Wednesday while waiting for Pope Francis to arrive to celebrate Mass at El Punto fairgrounds in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times) 7 / 36 Pope Francis stands near the U.S. border on a platform on the banks of the Rio Grande in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, on Wednesday. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 8 / 36 Pilgrims wait in the harsh sunlight for Pope Francis to arrive Wednesday to celebrate Mass at El Punto fairgrounds in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times) 9 / 36 A woman prays before Pope Francis arrives Wednesday to celebrate Mass at El Punto fairgrounds in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times) 10 / 36 Msgr. James Brownfield gives communion at the levee in El Paso, Texas, near Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, on Wednesday during a Mass celebrated by Pope Francis on the Mexican side of the border. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 11 / 36 People pray quietly on the U.S. side of the border with Mexico on Wednesday as Pope Francis says a prayer during the final day of his trip to Mexico. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 12 / 36 Bert Dunn of El Paso, Texas, prays on the U.S. side of the border with Mexico near Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, on Wednesday as Pope Francis celebrates Mass. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 13 / 36 Bishops look across the Rio Grande toward the altar in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, where Pope Francis celebrated a Mass on Wednesday. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 14 / 36 Maria de Lourdes Molina Garcia reunites Tuesday with her children, Iris, right, and Luis Hipolito at the Abraham Gonzalez International Airport in Ciudad Juarez during Pope Francis visit to Mexico. Luis and Iris live in Los Angeles, separated from their mother, who lives in Oaxaca, Mexico. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 15 / 36 Prayers are offered as Pope Francis meets with young people in Morelia in Mexicos Michoacan state on Tuesday. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times) 16 / 36 Pope Francis watches young people perform in Morelia in Mexicos Michoacan state on Tuesday. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times) 17 / 36 People carry crosses as Pope Francis meets with young people in Morelia in Mexicos Michoacan state on Tuesday. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times) 18 / 36 Pope Francis greets two young people with Down syndrome in Morelia in Mexicos Michoacan state on Tuesday. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times) 19 / 36 Traditional dancers perform for Pope Francis as he meets with young people in Morelia, Mexico, on Tuesday. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times) 20 / 36 A women prays along the Popes route near the cathedral in Morelia, Michoacan. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times) 21 / 36 People stake out spots at dawn near the cathedral to see the Pope arrive in Morelia, Michoacan. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times) 22 / 36 A woman finds a quiet spot to sit in the early morning hours near the cathedral to see the Pope arrive in Morelia. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times) 23 / 36 Indigenous pilgrims wave to Pope Francis who flies overhead as he arrives by helicopter to conduct a Mass in San Cristobal de las Casas, in Mexicos southern Chiapas state. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times) 24 / 36 Nuns in the square at the Morelia Cathedral as preparations continue for Pope Francis arrival in Morelia, Michoacan. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times) 25 / 36 After a Mass that included several Mayan languages, Pope Francis is driven through San Cristobal de las Casas in southern Mexico. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times) 26 / 36 Selfies are taken in front of the Morelia Cathedral as preparations continue for Pope Francis arrival in Morelia, Michoacan. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times) 27 / 36 Young men are camped out across the street from the Morelia Cathedral as preparations continue for Pope Francis arrival in Morelia, Michoacan. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times) 28 / 36 Pilgrims listen to Pope Francis give the eulogy at a Mass for the indigenous at the Municipal Sports Center in San Cristobal de las Casas in southern Mexico. The Mass included several Mayan languages. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times) 29 / 36 Pope Francis kisses a baby while riding through a crowd of pilgrims, many from indigenous communities surrounding San Cristobal de las Casas. The Mass included several Mayan languages. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times) 30 / 36 Indigenous pilgrims from villages surrounding the southern Mexican town of San Cristobal de las Casas walk to the Municipal Sports Center, where Pope Francis will conduct Mass. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times) 31 / 36 People lining Pope Francis route wave as he and his motorcade arrive in Ecatepec, a suburb northeast of Mexico City. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times) 32 / 36 In Ecatepec, people arrive for a Mass with Pope Francis. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times) 33 / 36 Pope Francis in a room behind the altar to pray before the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe while celebrating Mass at the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City. (ALESSANDRO DI MEO / EPA) 34 / 36 Pope Francis motorcade arrives at the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe during his visit in Mexico City. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times) 35 / 36 Pope Francis, center, arrives to celebrate a Holy Mass in the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City. (GABRIEL BOUYS / AFP/Getty Images) 36 / 36 Pope Francis arrives at Mexico Citys main square, the Zocalo. (Christian Palma / Associated Press) Some clergy seemed to soften what was widely perceived as a tough speech, though they emphasized their commitment to heed the pontiffs message. It wasnt a scolding, in no way; all the contrary, its profound motivation, a beautiful thought. It fills our hearts with great desire to work, Carlos Aguiar Retes, the archbishop of Tlalnepantla, a suburb of Mexico City, said in an interview with the Mexican newspaper El Universal. The mixed reactions of some clerics, some experts said, suggest they remain tone-deaf to the churchs aloof and uncaring image. The popes message was loud and clear, they said, and should not be ignored. I dont think anyone has dared to criticize the Catholic Church so vocally and so openly in recent times. And arguably it could have only come from the pope himself, said David Shirk, director of the Justice in Mexico Project at the University of San Diego. The churchs leaders have basically rested on their laurels, and in the worst cases have been as corrupt as the rest of Mexicos political leaders. NEWSLETTER: Get the days top headlines from Times Editor Davan Maharaj >> Among those most ill-served are the churchs clergy, reflecting the deep divide between the hierarchy in the largely insulated political power centers of Mexico City and Guadalajara, and the hundreds of parishes on the front lines of the drug war. Local priests who have taken on drug traffickers in recent years often struggle in relative obscurity, offered little help or recognition from church leaders. Gregorio Lopez, a priest in Michoacan, took to wearing a bulletproof vest while saying mass. Father Francisco Gallardo had to cut back his aid to migrants after cartel thugs threatened him in Matamoros. Many other priests have publicly criticized, in the media and ecclesiastical letters, organized crime groups. Alejandro Solalinde, a firebrand priest who runs a migrant shelter in Oaxaca, travels with three bodyguards after receiving death threats from human traffickers. Solalinde said there are support networks of local priests, bishops and Catholic lay organizations, but he laments that their efforts are largely ignored by the top church brass in Mexico City. They never gave me support, not even words of inspiration: Were with you, Father Solalinde. I would have loved that, Solalinde said. Speaking out comes with a high cost for some clergy. Since 1992, 35 priests in Mexico have been killed, making Mexico the second-most dangerous country in Latin America for priests, according to a recent report by the Catholic Multimedia Center. Beyond their parishes, the slain priests passing often goes unnoticed. When a priest gets killed, it should be a rallying cry. We should know his name. He should be a martyr, Shirk said. The silence suggests a church compromised by drug traffickers offering soul-cleansing donations as well as by politicians applying pressure to downplay the violence. Suspicions have long swirled over the practice of narco-donations. In some parishes, priests say Mass in churches or chapels bearing the names, on walls and pews, of notorious drug trafficker benefactors. Priests have taken money for dispensing sacraments and have been seen in public with traffickers. There are signs things are changing, especially in Michoacan, where Archbishop Alberto Suarez Inda of Morelia, who was named a cardinal by Francis in 2015, urged the government in recent years to increase its presence in the violence-racked state. At Morelias historic central plaza, many Catholics expressed mixed feelings about the church, a deep love mixed with disappointment and also understanding. Luz Adriana Lujan, a 29-year-old visiting from Tijuana, said she doesnt doubt theres some level of collusion between the church and narco-traffickers. Its terrible, she said. But the devil is everywhere and I think leaders of the faith are more vulnerable, because the devil targets them. So, of course, some will fall. Follow Richard Marosi on Twitter. Follow @marisagerber on Twitter. ALSO Pope Francis offers a prayer at tomb of controversial Mexican bishop Families reunite at U.S.-Mexico border fence: We touch hands, but it is like being in jail In a Mass in Chiapas, Pope Francis denounces the exclusion of Mexicos native peoples Alma Martinez got a call last year that made her whole body go cold. Her moms voice sounded shaky and harsh: They have him, she said, referring to Martinezs uncle. But who has him? Martinez asked. Los narcos, her mother said. The narco traffickers. Martinez, 17, traveled miles Tuesday to see and hear Pope Francis, hoping his message would bring comfort to the thousands of victims of drug-gang violence like her and her family. Advertisement Something like that really hits you, you know? she said, speaking of her uncles kidnapping and eventual freedom, after the family paid a ransom. And its not just us it happens to a lot of families here in Michoacan. The pope chose Michoacan for precisely that reason, to speak to victims of the violence that has claimed tens of thousands of lives in Mexico in recent years. After urging Mexicos political and religious leaders to take stronger stands against organized crime, Francis came to this front line of the drug war, the western state of Michoacan, where many, like Martinez, were looking to the head of the Roman Catholic Church to keep up the pressure. Large crowds staked out spots near the cathedral to greet the pope in a festive atmosphere, as members of the state police force, wearing bulletproof vests and helmets, stood stick straight against a wall, seemingly ready to rush at any sign of violence. Soldiers with guns drawn stood guard from atop a truck painted in camouflage. Several security cameras kept watch from above the plaza. The popes strongly worded speech Saturday has been widely embraced here in a region that has reached states of near-anarchy from years of drug cartel domination and government corruption. Francis did not specifically mention the dozens of priests who have been killed, kidnapped or threatened by drug traffickers and other criminal gangs in Michoacan. But he did allude to the larger panorama of victims, urging Mexicans to resist the despair and resignation that so much violence creates. A resignation which paralyzes us and prevents us not only from walking, but also from making the journey, the pope said as he presided over Mass before thousands of faithful in this picturesque state capital. A resignation which not only terrifies us ... but also thwarts our desire to take risks and to change. The pope returned to a common theme since his arrival in Mexico. What temptation can come to us from places often dominated by violence, corruption, drug trafficking, disregard for human dignity, and indifference in the face of suffering and vulnerability? the pope said. What temptation might we suffer over and over again when faced with this reality which seems to have become a permanent system? In Michoacan, it is a reality that is worryingly familiar. It struck the home of Agustina Santillan a year ago when she picked up the phone and heard a voice that sounded like her daughters. Mamita, Mamita. Theyve kidnapped me. Theyre going to kill me, the voice said. A man got on the line. We want everything you have, he said. Santillan, a homemaker and wife of a retired bus driver, figured it was no idle threat. Another family she knew had suffered a kidnapping for ransom. Their child had ended up dead. She headed to the bank to empty the funds from her account. Just then, she heard from her daughter. She was OK. It had all been a ruse by organized crime groups taking advantage of a population perpetually on edge. Theres so much violence here, we live it every day, Santillan said as she waited for the popes appearance at Morelias central plaza. If I could talk to him, I would tell him that we live a life of fear. The plaza, the scene of a bloody grenade attack in 2008, was heavily guarded by thousands of state and federal police officers. Throngs lined the streets, cheering and snapping pictures as the popemobile drove through the heart of the state capital. A plaque marks the spot of the blast, which haunts many to this day. What I saw was so ugly, so, so ugly, said Gerardo Padilla, who worked at Hotel Los Juaninos, which overlooks the plaza. He can still see the images in his mind: people bleeding onto the stone plaza, a woman collapsing from shock, debris everywhere. An oppressive bleakness settled across the state, said Padilla, 33. Such a sadness, such a fear to leave the house, he said. It lasted for months. After Mass, the pope made a 30-minute stop at Morelias historic cathedral, where he met with disabled and abused children, and received the key to the city from the mayor. Many had hoped the pope would meet with child victims of drug violence, but he did not. A running question during the popes trip has been whether the pontiff will meet privately at all with victims of violence, including the families of 43 college students kidnapped and presumably killed by corrupt authorities. The massacre has been a steady cause of outrage in Mexico. Leticia and Nuvia Lopez, sisters who traveled two hours by bus from Cheran to see the pope, said the pontiffs stop in their state no doubt has to do with its reputation for narco violence. Its a serious problem, said Nuvia, 16. Were accustomed to it here, sadly. In their municipality west of the capital, she said, the narcos create chaos of all varieties. A few years ago, she said, they went on a tree-chopping spree, cutting down most of the towns trees before trying to sell them. Then, in April 2012 not long before the pueblos annual fiesta there was a massacre. The narcos wanted control of a chunk of land, Leticia said. In the end, she heard, 19 people died. Luz Adriana Lujan, who traveled from Tijuana to attend Tuesdays youth event with the pope, said the pontiff has already delivered a strong blow to Mexicos politicians during his trip. In Michoacan, she said, she hopes he speaks directly to narco traffickers. That way these bad people people who like to think that they are God will hear the message: Only God can take away life, she said. The pope will wake these people up. In any case, Tuesday was a day of celebration, not mourning. A pope in Michoacan? said Raquel Arias, who came early to the cathedral for a glimpse of the pontiff. This is history! Outside the cathedrals plaza only a few feet from the plaque commemorating the victims of the 2008 grenade attack someone had set up a huge set of capital letters. AMOR, it read. Love. Times staff writer Wilkinson reported from Washington. Special correspondent Cecilia Sanchez in Mexico City contributed to this report. Twitter: @ricardin24 @marisagerber ALSO The Catholic Church and the irresistible power of Mexicos narco culture In a Mass in Chiapas, Pope Francis denounces the exclusion of Mexicos native peoples Families in Mexico and the U.S. got to meet and kiss each other -- through a chain-link fence A U.N. envoy met with Syrian government officials Tuesday to discuss how to carry out a U.N.-sponsored cease-fire, even as the countrys leader, President Bashar Assad, dashed already slim hopes of it taking hold at the set time. Staffan de Mistura, the U.N. special envoy to Syria, briefed Foreign Minister Walid Moallem in Damascus, the capital, the Syrian state news agency, SANA, reported. It wasnt clear what, if any, progress De Mistura made in the meeting. With Syrian government forces advancing in recent weeks in the countrys civil war, Assad has less incentive than ever to bow to calls for an end to hostilities. Advertisement Last Thursday, the International Syria Support Group, a 17-nation group meeting in Munich, agreed to use its influence with the belligerents in Syria to enforce a cessation of hostilities within one week. It also promised the delivery of urgently needed humanitarian assistance to besieged areas in Syria. Although neither the Syrian government nor its opposition were parties to the agreement, the support group included allies of both sides notably Russia, which backs Assad, and the United States, which has supplied aid to select elements of the opposition. De Mistura also spoke with Moallem about the relaunching of peace talks between the Syrian government and the opposition set for later this month. The negotiations, which were set to begin in January in Geneva, were plagued by problems from the start. They broke down completely after pro-government forces backed by Russian warplanes began an offensive to retake rebel-held areas of Aleppo province. De Misturas visit came one day after Assad delivered a blustery speech in which he all but discounted any cease-fire taking place. When does the West talk about a cease-fire? When the militants hurt. When the defeats begin, said Assad in an address to Syrias Central Bar Assn. broadcast Monday night by Syrian state news. He added that a cease-fire could not happen between the state and terrorists, whom he defined as whoever bore arms against the state and the Syrian people. There may be a cessation of operations, a stopping of fighting activities, but it does not enter into a cease-fire, he said. Under terms of the Munich agreement, the cease-fire will not apply to groups designated as terrorists specifically defined as Islamic State, the Al Qaeda offshoot known as the Al Nusra Front and any other group identified as a terrorist organization by the United Nations. Assad considers any group that has taken up arms against his government to be a terrorist organization. Even if a cease-fire were to occur, Assad said, it would not mean that every party will stop using its weapons. What it means in the first degree is that the terrorists stop reinforcing their positions. Weapons and ammunition are not allowed to be moved, positions are not allowed to be improved or fortified. All these things are not allowed, he said. Assad also questioned whether any such cease-fire could practically be implemented in the given time frame. Who can gather all these conditions or requirements within a week? If a terrorist group refuses the cease-fire, who will talk to it, who will hold it accountable? he asked. The 44-minute speech also launched a broadside on the timetable set by the International Syria Support Group for a political settlement in Syria, which calls for credible, inclusive and nonsectarian governance within six months and free and fair elections in 18 months, pursuant to a new constitution. Any transitional process, whatever it may be, must submit to the current constitution, Assad said. The use of the current constitution does not stop unless we reach, in some discussion under some framework later, a new constitution that the Syrian people agree on. Assad took time in his speech to mock main opposition backers Saudi Arabia and Turkey, describing them as marginal countries that are mere subordinates to great world powers. Both nations threatened last week to send ground troops into Syria if the political process to remove Assad fails, and they have begun joint training exercises near the Turkish-Syrian border. They [Turkey and Saudi Arabia] are fulfilling the role of trumpets with the aim of blackmailing us if we go to another round of talks and threatening us with a ground invasion if we do not offer concessions, Assad said. Assads defiant tone was a reflection of the turnaround by pro-government forces, who in recent weeks have made significant gains against the rebels, denying them access to vital areas near the 500-mile border with Turkey. The onslaught has also raised fears of the government besieging opposition-held sections of the city of Aleppo, which has been divided into spheres of control between the government and the rebels since 2012. It has also pushed thousands to escape to the border town of Azaz near the Turkish-Syrian border. The U.N. estimates that 58,000 people remain stranded near Azaz. The governments offensive has been bolstered by hundreds of airstrikes by Russian warplanes, which critics have accused of deliberately targeting civilians. On Monday, reports emerged that more than 45 people had been killed and dozens injured in airstrikes against four hospitals and a school in opposition-controlled areas of Aleppo and Idlib provinces in northern Syria. We are gravely concerned about these abhorrent and repeated attacks on medical facilities in the Syrian conflict, U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights spokesman Rupert Colville said during a news conference in Geneva on Tuesday. Colville warned that airstrikes on medical facilities, depending on the circumstances may constitute a war crime. Russia, however, vehemently denied the charges. We are strongly against such claims, the more so since each time those who come up with such charges prove unable to somehow confirm their groundless accusations, said Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov, according to a report by Russias official TASS news agency. Bulos is a special correspondent It may not be much, but humanitarian aid has started to reach some parts of Syria. According to Aljazeera, the Yarmouk area near the Damascus region has recently been the recipient of primary humanitarian aid from the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), a UN agency for the Palestine refugees. UNRWA's spokesperson Chris Gunness confirmed that the agency did not reach the heart of the region but said that they were still able to help at least 900 families in the camp's outskirts. He also added, "Although some humanitarian assistance has entered these areas since the last UNRWA distribution in June 2015, humanitarian needs remain acute." The current war in Syria has caused thousands of families to be displaced. Sharif Nashashibi, a London-based analyst of the Arab political affairs said, "The residents of the camp are in such a desperate state that people must just be wanting to get back to their feet." Yarmouk is previously the home of at least 200,000 residents until it became one of the largest refugee camps in Syria. According to the Jafra Foundation, per Aljazeera, Yarmouk now only houses around 5,000 to 8,000 civilians. The Syrian war sparked when an uprising against the Assad regime started. It immediately turned into a more complex conflict after rebels expanded their targets rather than just going against the government of Assad. Gunness also mentioned the threat of disease emerging in the besieged areas. He said, "There are clear indications that disease is on the rise, particularly among the most vulnerable such as children. There is an acute lack of medicines to treat them." In a report by DW, UN special envoy Staffan de Mistura believes that somehow, Moscow is taking part with the peace process. He said, "Well, if you judge what we heard yesterday, Moscow is helping in the sense that they are part of the commitment. Now, of course, Moscow has a lot of influence on the government of Syria." In separate news by Aljazeera, Gunness implied that any form of ceasefire will be welcomed by the UNRWA. Reports about ceasefire in Yarmouk were also welcomed. He said, "These reports are credible and UNRWA is taking them seriously, although they have not been officially or formally confirmed, and details have been vague." Speaking to voters at a town hall meeting in Rock Hill, South Carolina over the weekend, Republican presidential hopeful Sen. Marco Rubio defended his controversial "Gang of Eight" immigration reform bill. The Florida senator explained to a room of supporters that the bill, which ended up passing, was not actually intended to be the final written draft of the law President Barack Obama would eventually sign. The so-called Gang of Eight bill, or S. 744, was a bi-partisan proposal intended to reform the U.S. immigration system. The landmark legislation was written by a Sens. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., John McCain, R-A.Z., Richard Durbin, D-I.L., Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., Robert Menendez, D-N.J., Marco Rubio, R-F.L., Michael Bennet, D-C.O., and Jeff Flake, R-A.Z. The Best Bill They Could Write The bill arguably offered amnesty to undocumented migrants living in the United States by making changes to the family and employment-based visa categories and providing essential due process protections to undocumented migrants. In order to pursue eventual citizenship, undocumented immigrants -- who had been in the U.S. before Dec. 31, 2011 -- would have to first apply for registered provisional immigrant (RPI) status. This would allow them to live and work in the U.S. for six years. This application would require a $1,000 payment and a background check. After six years, immigrants would need to pass another background check and then meet certain work or educational requirements in order to renew their RPI status. Immigrants who came to the U.S. before the age of 16 and received a high school diploma or a GED could get green cards after five years of RPI status. These younger applicants would not have to pay the $1,000 fine, but would need to finish two years of college or four years of military service, and pass a background check, as well as English and civics tests. Overall, conservatives liked the background checks and the nearly 40,000 Border Patrol agents that would have been deployed to the border under the new bill. Liberals liked the allowances made for young adults who fell under the DREAM Act. The Senate immigration law was not headed toward becoming law, said Rubio. Ideally it was headed towards the House where conservative members of the House were going to make it even better. Rubio described the bill as the best option available at the time, given the senatorial circumstances the legislators faced. Cruz Condemns Bill Fellow 2016 GOP presidential candidate Sen. Ted Cruz voiced his opposition to the problems he saw with the bill at the time. Speaking to Fox News, Cruz complained the bill was just repeating a failed pattern of offering amnesty. In 1986 congress came to the American people and said were going to grant amnesty to some 3 million people who are here illegally, and in exchange well secure the borders, well fix the problem so illegal immigration will go away. What happened was the amnesty happened, 3 million people got amnesty, but the border never got secured, Cruz said. The senator went so far as to introduce an amendment that would allow for undocumented immigrants to gain legal status so long as they were never allowed to become citizens with the right to vote. As the National Review reports, Cruzs amendment would have also increased border security by tripling the number of agents and quadrupling the amount of surveillance equipment. He also suggested implementing a biometric entry-exit system at border crossings. A Bill Based on Compromise The Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act relied heavily upon the cooperation and compromise of Democrats and Republicans in the Senate. Schumer described the bill as a kind of meeting ground where left and right-leaning legislators could meet on one vital issue. "We all met in the middle, knowing we would not please our entire constituencies, but the imperative of doing this is so important to the country that we had to get it done," Schumer said, according to U.S. News and World. Rubio, who had spent a great deal of time trying to persuade his fellow Republican legislators to favor the bill, said he voiced his complaints on what he considered weaknesses in the bill after it passed the Senate. Rubio was known as the Gangs official ambassador to the conservatives, as he was welcomed by conservative media. As the New Yorker reports, Durbin called Rubio's promotion of the bill invaluable. Hes willing to go on the most conservative talk shows, television and radio, Rush Limbaugh and the rest, said Durbin. Rubio described the "Gang of Eight" bill as a starting point, which would be expanded upon once he was elected president. When Im president, were not doing anything until illegal immigration is under control and weve secured our border, Rubio said. And until that happens, nothing else is going to happen. Period. Watch Rubio's comments on the bill: United Airlines is facing tough competition in Asia and the Pacific against two big airline carriers from the region, Qantas Airlines and Singapore Airlines. According to the Sydney Morning Herald, United is meeting their expectations in spite of Qantas Airlines' newly formed alliance with American Airlines. Sydney to San Francisco Route Performing Well "Not everybody is flying to San Francisco. A high percentage of our passengers are connecting on. That is where our true strength is in San Francisco," United Managing Director for Japan and Asia Pacific Sales Alison Espley said. She added that United continues to perform well despite the entry of Australia's Qantas Airlines in the market after forming a partnership with American Airlines. United seems to have the advantage as they have a large airline hub at the San Francisco International Airport and are in a good-standing relationship with different companies in the Silicon Valley. New Zealand to Have Flights in July The Sydney Morning Herald also reports that United announced during their 30th anniversary celebration of continuous flights to Australia last week that an Auckland to San Francisco route will be opened in July. The Chicago-based airline company will compete with the Qantas-American partnership that already declared Auckland to LAX flights starting June. "We're happy at this point in time, very comfortable. New Zealand has been on our radar for a long time. We wanted to introduce service there but we needed to wait until we had the Boeing 787 Dreamliner," Epley said. United Airlines recently decided to upgrade the route from Sydney to Los Angeles and San Francisco with a Boeing 787 Dreamliner at the end of March, per the Australian Business Traveller. The Dreamliner is said to have more space for passengers evidenced by its 2-2-2 seating configuration. Non-Stop San Francisco to Singapore Route In a report by Seeking Alpha, United will launch a non-stop route from San Francisco to Singapore and vice versa via the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner starting June 1, 2016. Singapore Airlines used to have a non-stop flight from Singapore Changi Airport to Los Angeles and Newark until 2013. However, it is mentioned that Singapore Airlines has plans to re-launch a non-stop service to the U.S. in 2018 inside an ultra long-range airplane called the Airbus A350-900 ULR. The good news for United Airlines is that it's still two years away and passenger traffic in the Singapore market is increasing by an average of 4 percent every year. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro chose Trade and Industry Minister Miguel Perez Abad to replace leftist sociologist Luis Salas as the country's new economy vice president amid a severe economic crisis looming in the embattled country. On Monday evening, Maduro announced his decision to appoint the businessman, who hails from the eastern part of Venezuela, to help the country survive the severe recession that threatens to affect even the country's food supply. "I have decided to name the minister for industry and commerce, companion Miguel Perez, as the new vice president for productive economy," the Venezuelan president said during a televised announcement cited by Reuters. He further revealed that the newly appointed vice president for economy will make announcements on Tuesday but left details unsaid. Perez, whom Reuters described as someone 'more inclined towards reform' compared to his predecessor, made noise when he sought an open discussion with the private sector as well as the unification of the South American country's multiple exchange rates. However, the effect of his appointment as the new economic czar remains unseen considering the depth at which the country's economy has sunk. Economic analysts see the move as only one of many factors needed for economic adjustments to bear fruit. "For an economic adjustment to be successful, many things are needed. Two of those are competence and credibility. Both are in short supply," said Henkel Garcia, a Venezuelan economist. Francisco Rodriguez, Bank of America's senior Andean economist, is one of several economic experts who believe that having an economic czar from the private sector for the very first time raises hopes of positive changes in the country. Despite this, he also revealed in a note to their clients last week that they are expecting currency devaluation and an increase in the price of gasoline in the country. "While we expect these changes to move policy in a positive direction, they could well fall short of the major overhaul needed to deal with the current liquidity crisis," he wrote. As expected, however, some are not happy with Perez's appointment, particularly those who support the 39-year-old former economy vice president and the Socialist revolution. "People like Perez Abad are sending the party bases to the dogs," said sociologist Carlos Lanz, an avid supporter of Salas, during a forum at the Bolivarian University of Venezuela where the former czar taught political economy. However, Maduro revealed that Salas left office for family reasons and would be occupying a new and different post in the Cabinet, according to the Wall Street Journal. The Department of Treasury has approved the first U.S. factory in Cuba since the 1959 revolution, the Associated Press reports. Cleber LLC, an Alabama-based company led by Chief Executive Officer Horace Clemmons and co-founder Saul Berenthal, will start the production of small tractors in Cuba by 2017. Cleber LLC According to the company's official website, Cleber is an agricultural and light construction equipment manufacturer from Paint Rock, Alabama that uses Open System Manufacturing Model (OSMM) on its designs. It is described as a simple and efficient way to produce self-sustainable equipment leading to the creation of "Oggun," the very first tractor designed using OSMM. "We are proud to take the next step forward in continuing to develop the Cuban economy and providing a means for farmers to directly benefit from their efforts. We appreciate the partnership shown by the governments of both countries in helping to progress this initiative," Clemmons said. Berenthal added that their company started to manufacture small tractors because more than 70 percent of land in Cuba were returned to the private sector for the benefit of farmers. Agriculture has been an important part of Cuba's economy, which is composed of family farmers and cooperative farms. These farmers demand cheap but sustainable and efficient equipment that increases productivity. First U.S. Investment in Cuba Since 1959 The Associated Press reports that the plant will cost from $5 million to $10 million. It's the first U.S. business investment in Cuba in 57 years. Cleber will start their production sometime in the first quarter of 2017. The planned factory will be built at the special economic zone in Mariel, which has been specifically established to persuade international investors. Clemmons and Berenthal noted that Cuban officials have publicly endorsed their partnership prior to the approval of the U.S. government. In a report by USA Today, the Cleber co-founders said that Cuba wants to do more production rather than importation. They added that their company will teach Cuban workers management skills on top of sure employment and introduction to new technology. The plant is expected to produce about 1,000 small tractors or "Ogguns" every year and will be sold in Cuba and other Latin American countries. Berenthal said that the price of their 25-horsepower tractor will be under $10,000 per unit so that small farmers from South America will be able to afford it. The outlet noted that this was all possible after the restoration of full diplomatic relations between U.S. President Barack Obama and Cuban leader Raul Castro back on Dec. 17, 2014. . Colombia reports that there is an increase in the mortality rate in children under 5-years old due to malnutrition. The northern province of La Guajira in the country has experienced a sharp increase of children dying from nutrition-related issues. Fox News Latino reports that children under the age of 5 are suffering from acute malnutrition and the mortality rates from 2011 to 2015 have increased by 50 percent or 20 to 30 children per 100,000. According to Colombian Health Minister Alejandro Gaviria, the acute malnutrition issue among kids has slowly been getting worse over the years. The Health Ministry informed that there were 23 cases of deaths in La Guajira caused by it in 2011. In 2013, there were 40 cases and in 2015, the preliminary count is 38 deaths. Housing Minister Luis Felipe Henao states that they have been focused in bringing clean water in the area. He explains that, in 2018, 60 to 90 percent of La Guajira's urban areas will have access to clean water. The government has reportedly spent around $52 million for clean water and other projects since 2014. "For every 20 people living in the urban zone, nine are coming to have potable water. Before, only six had it," he explained. In an older report by Colombia Reports, the child mortality rate of the country has been likened to some of Africa's regions. Specific poverty-stricken areas in the country have three times the mortality rate when compared to Bogota, wherein 12 out of 1000 children under a year old die. Most children who die in rural areas of the country die from preventable causes. "In Colombia there are departments and municipalities that have a child mortality rate that is much higher than the national average, with levels similar of countries with a lot less development," said Lenis Urquijo, director of Colombia's Public Health department. Earlier this month, 37 Colombian children died in Bogota in what is suspected as mercury poisoning. According to News 24, the highly toxic mercury must have seeped into water or food sources because it is used in illegal mining. It is reported that another 64 people are suspected to be suffering from mercury poisoning as well. Illegal mining activities were detected in the northwestern part of the country called Choco. It is near the jungle and is made up of indigenous Afro-Colombian communities. According to the report, the deaths and illnesses indirectly caused by illegal mining dates back to 2013 to 2014. The Colombian constitutional court called for an investigation regarding the effects of mining and logging in Quibdo, Atrato River valley and other affected places. Authorities at the international airport of Mexico reportedly found lollipops, each containing a capsule of methamphetamine inside. According to the federal police, in an article from the Associated Press, the freight shipment came from Sinaloa and was bound for Omaha, Nebraska. Sinaloa is well known to harbor drug cartels, including that of Joaquin El Chapo Guzman. The police found out when they placed the box of candy under the x-ray machine and saw something suspicious inside each piece. Upon further inspection, they concluded that, indeed, the round capsules enclosed contained meth. Experts are currently observing the capsules to determine the accurate weight and composition of the illegal drugs. According to the Daily Mail, common street crimes have increased all over Sinaloa. Since the 1960s, almost every major Mexican drug lord has been Sinaloan. The agricultural state stretches across the Pacific Coast, and is highly known as the place of origin of drug smuggling. Drug-trafficking gangs have even influenced several police officers and staff all over Mexico. Over 100,000 people have been murdered due to drug violence in the past 10 years while around 26,000 remain missing. During Pope Franciss first visit as pontiff to Mexico on Feb. 13, 2016, he called on President Enrique Pena Nieto and his administration to fight the widespread corruption that plagues the nation. Mexico is one of the most corrupt nations in the world. The current president, first lady and finance minister of the country have all been involved in corruption scandals. Pope Francis also called on Mexican bishops to take on a more active role against the drug trade, which he described similarly to cancer. He told local bishops to clarify to drug dealers that they should never consider themselves good Catholics as long as they are involved in their illegal activities. This is not the first time that drug traffickers attempted to use candy to conceal illegal drugs being transported. In 2015, WSB-TV wrote that Atlanta police and DEA agents seized illegal drugs like methamphetamine and heroin packaged as candy. "When we see this kind of packaging, it's a great concern to us because obviously candy is appealing to young and small children, and that's a concern. Now do I believe this specifically was going to children in Atlanta? I don't. I do believe they were concealing it to bring it into the U.S. as such," said DEA Special Agent-in-Charge Dan Salter. Taco Bell is currently one of the biggest fast food chains in the world. The restaurant, however, came from very humble beginnings, similar to many successful startups. Here is its very first menu. According to the Huffington Post, the original Taco Bell started during the early 1960s as a last effort of food entrepreneur Glen Bell. A rare photo showed a no-frills menu board and the chains very first franchisee, Kermit Becky, in 1965. The list only consisted of six items: Frijoles $0.19 Tostados - $0.19 Tacos - $0.19 Chili Burger - $0.19 Burritos (green sauce) - $0.19 Burritos (red sauce) - $0.19 They also served Coca-Cola, orange juice, root beer and coffee at the time. All the food items were classic and cost $0.19. By the late 1960s, Taco Bell was reaching new business heights and the menu went through a number of adjustments as well. "Wild taco mashups" and the Bellburger followed. The Bellburger, which is a hamburger with taco meat, spicy sauce and cheese, was removed from the list in the late 1970s in lieu of the Bell Beefer. The Bell Beefer grew in popularity during the 1980s but was also taken out later on. Huffington Post further reports that the same items from the original menu are still present, except for the Chili Burger. Tacos are still the top seller of the fast food chain while burritos are its second bestseller. Frijoles, described as beans and cheese, and tostados, which is now known as tostada, are still available today. Grub Street revealed that Taco Bell also showcased its new mystery food item at Super Bowl 50. Dubbed the Quesalupa, the company described the product as its biggest food creation and most craveable innovation yet. It is actually a cheese quesadilla with the new product maneuver filled with ground beef. The item is essentially a Chalupa but filled with melted cheese within its puffy shell. Overall, the outle notes that Quesalupa is consistent with Taco Bells objective of menu singularity, where tortillas, cheese and ground beef can be used in any way and offered for only $2 to $3. It also shows that the company has continued to build itself through the decades by keeping its menu simple and using the same basic ingredients that people love. The original Taco Bell is currently located near the headquarters in Irvine, California, per the Huffington Post. Organized crime groups have a significant hold on Mexico's society and the Catholic Church. As Mexico's drug trade booms, Catholic Church leaders are forced to interact with organized crime groups through the narco-donations practice. Some people believe that the money used to renovate cathedrals across the country doesn't always come from legitimate -- and clean -- sources, according to Los Angeles Times. Plenty of Church leaders have given in to drug traffickers while others were either pressured or complicit in accepting tainted money. Suspected narco-donations are evident in some parishes, where churches or chapels display the names of notorious drug trafficker benefactors on walls and pews, Los Angeles Times added. Priests also reportedly accepted money for dispensing sacraments and have been seen in public with drug cartel members. In his trip to Mexico, Pope Francis called out the Church's failure to protect society and its priests from drug violence. The pontiff addressed top church bishops last Saturday, urging them to not "underestimate the moral and antisocial challenge which the drug trade represents for Mexican society as a whole, as well as for the church," the news outlet wrote. An archbishop acknowledged that Pope Francis' speech was tough, but he stressed that they intend to follow the pontiff's remarks. "It wasn't a scolding, in no way; all the contrary, it's profound motivation, a beautiful thought.... It fills our hearts with great desire to work," Carlos Aguiar Retes, the archbishop of Tlalnepantla, a suburb in Mexico City, said in an interview quoted by Los Angeles Times. According to the news outlet, local priests who clashed with drug traffickers in recent years often fought by themselves as little help or recognition were given from Church leaders. Gregorio Lopez, a Michoacan priest, was forced to lessen his aid to migrants after cartel members threatened him. Plenty of priests have also publicly criticized organized crime groups through the media and ecclesiastical letters. Alejandro Solalinde, a firebrand priest who operates a migrant shelter in Oaxaca, travels with three bodyguards in tow after he got death threats from human traffickers, Los Angeles Times reported. According to Solalinde, support networks of local priests, bishops, and Catholic lay organizations exist, but he said that top church leaders in Mexico City are snubbing their efforts. Around 100,000 people have been killed and 27,000 have disappeared due to the drug violence in Mexico since 2006, CBS reported. According to a recent report by the Catholic Multimedia Center, 35 priests in the country have been killed since 1992. This makes Mexico the second most dangerous Latin American nation for priests, Los Angeles Times noted. The priests' deaths were usually overlooked, which suggests that the Church has been compromised by drug cartels and by politicians pressuring authorities to tone down the existing violence. Hundreds of Brazilian companies were recently slapped with fines for employment methods equivalent to modern day slave labor. In an article from AG Week, the ministry of labor in Brazil reportedly fined 340 Brazilian companies for engaging in unjust hiring practices. This is in addition to being involved in forced labor and having workers operate in degrading conditions for minimal or no pay in both urban and rural regions. According to Leonardo Sakamoto, head of Reporter Brazil, a non-government anti-slavery group based in Sau Paulo, they used the Freedom of Information Act to expose the individuals and companies that were engaged in unfair labor practices. Slave labor in Brazil is defined as work done in degrading conditions that expose employees to health and life risks. Reporter Brazil came out with a dirty list of the 340 Brazilian firms that employed individuals in slave-like conditions from May 2013 to May 2015. Many of the workers were forced to toil in sweatshops, construction companies, charcoal production, farms, timber companies, cattle ranches and others. "We don't know yet if children were enslaved. We are still analyzing the list. And we can't say yet if the construction companies are involved in building works for the Olympics," Sakamoto said in a report by AOL. AG Week also reported that the dirty list of employers published by the labor ministry has been an important tool in countering slavery in Brazil. Reporter Brazil adds that it is being used as a reference by the United Nations. The blacklist was initiated in November 2003, which showed hundreds of individuals and companies who were compelling people to work under unideal conditions.Blacklisted employers are then prevented from acquiring government loans and are also restricted from product sale. A blacklisted company has to pay all its fines and prove that its working conditions have been enhanced for two years before it is given clearance to resume operations. In 2014, the Supreme Court of Brazil ordered the suspension of the release of the blacklist to the public. Reporter Brazil is reportedly attempting to have it published publicly again. The NGO currently uses freedom of information laws, particularly Articles 10, 11 and 12 of the Access to Information Act (12527/2012) and Article 5 of the 1988 Federal Constitution, to expose the information to the public. This will help people decide whether or not to support certain companies. A new study from the Joan Ganz Cooney center, an independent research lab that focuses on modern challenges to children's education, has revealed that, of all low-income families, Latino immigrant families are most likely to be under-connected or not connected to the Internet. More broadly, the problem of Internet access still handicaps many families, causing a "digital divide." The Joan Ganz Cooney Center's latest study -- a representative nationwide survey of over 1,000 low-income parents of school-aged children -- shows that Latinos are more likely than any other group to be on the unfortunate side of the digital divide. The study, titled "Opportunity for All? Technology and learning in lower-income families," found some positive signs. The vast majority of low-income and moderate-income families (94 percent) have connections to the Internet. Still, many of these families are under-connected, either with mobile-only Internet connections or inconsistent connections, and Hispanic immigrant families fare worst of all. Immigrant Latinos Least Connected The greatest disparity in connectivity reported by the center was with low-income Hispanic immigrant families. One in 10 Hispanic immigrant families in the low-income survey had no Internet access at all, compared to 7 percent of Latinos born in the U.S., 5 percent of whites and 1 percent of African-Americans. But being under-connected affected even more Latino immigrants. A full 41 percent of Hispanic immigrant parents only had mobile Internet access, a problem that especially affects students needing to do work online for school that was highlighted by Pew Research last year. Pew found that 13 percent of all Latinos fit the description of "smartphone-dependent." Meanwhile, nearly half of all people who fit that categorization had to suspend or cancel their wireless subscriptions due to data caps or insufficient funds for the subscription. A full 20 percent of immigrant Latino families reported not going online at all, even occasionally, which was another outlier compared to other groups. Only 4 percent of whites and 2 percent of blacks with low incomes reported the same. But besides Internet connections, the study also underlined Hispanic immigrants' access to computers. Just under half (44 percent) of immigrant Latino parents reported they did not use computers, even occasionally, at work, home, or school. Compared to Latino immigrant families, other low-income demographics fared better, though still behind the economic mainstream: 25 percent of blacks, 16 percent of whites, and 17 percent of U.S.-born Latinos below median incomes had mobile-only access. Access, Affordability, and Awareness As with much of the digital divide, cost was the main reason families were under-connected, mobile-only, not connected to the Internet, or hadn't even used a computer. While the prices of digital technology and Internet connections have fallen to affordable ranges for most of the population, low-income families still struggle. For example, 40 percent of low-income parents didn't have a computer, while 42 percent had no home Internet access. Only 13 percent of low-income parents said they had decided they didn't need Internet access, while three times as many said the connections and equipment were too expensive. Interestingly, some of this might be alleviated by greater promotion and awareness of affordable Internet access programs for low-income families, as only 6 percent of those with incomes 185 percent below the poverty level said they had ever signed up for such discount programs. Greater awareness could help low-income families, as could the expansion and modernization of the federal "Lifeline" program. The program currently provides affordable telephone service to low-income families. Dozens of U.S. Congress members and the National Hispanic Media Coalition have put forward an initiative to expand the program to cover broadband connections too. Read more about the Joan Ganz Cooney Center's study here. Although he may be busy on the presidential campaign trail, Democratic candidate Bernie Sanders is still working his other job as U.S. senator. The independent Vermont senator announced his support to guarantee undocumented immigrant children their right to due process. Right to Legal Counsel Sanders announced his co-sponsor status on Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid's, D-Nevada, legislation, titled "The Fair Day in Court for Kids Act," which mandates the federal government to appoint counsel to unaccompanied immigrant children and other vulnerable individuals -- such as victims of abuse, torture and violence. "Our immigration policies must be consistent with our historical commitment to provide protection and due process to those fleeing violence and persecution," said Sanders in a statement on Feb. 13. "We must stand up for the rights of the powerless and extend proper legal protection to children and other vulnerable immigrants. We will not tolerate calls to send back unaccompanied children and victims of crime and domestic violence to the countries they have fled." Echoing Reid's remarks when he introduced the bill on Feb. 11, Sanders acknowledged that 83 deportees from Central America were later found murdered in their respective native countries. "Given the life-and-death consequences of deportation to this region, we must ensure that we are not putting asylum-seeking women and children in harm's way. We can do this by making sure that these desperate women and children have a lawyer. The humanitarian crisis at our doorstep demands that we, as Americans, affirm our fundamental values of protection and due process," said Reid, based on his prepared Senate floor remarks on Feb. 11. Many undocumented women with children, or sometimes just the children on their own, proceed to immigration court hearings without legal counsel. According to a statement from Sanders' office, a majority of the recently arrived unaccompanied immigrant children are eligible for legal protection, which would allow them to lawfully stay in the U.S. but at least 9 in 10 children who lack legal counsel are given deportation orders. "Our guiding principle in terms of immigration reform must be to unite families, not divide them up," Sanders added in his statement. Temporary Protection Status Sanders' support of "The Fair Day in Court for Kids Act" is his latest move for the immigrant community. Last month, he joined nearly two dozen senators calling for President Barack Obama to stop further deportation raids conducted by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The 22 senators agreed they have concerns that immigrants, with valid protection claims to life-threatening violence, are being apprehended and ordered with deportation. The senators urged the president to designate El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras for temporary protected status. Last September, Sanders introduced the "Justice is Not For Sale Act of 2015," which would ban private prisons and eliminate bed quotas of immigrants held in detention. Sanders' bill would call for Immigration and Customs Enforcement, an agency within DHS, to improve monitoring and inspections of detention facilities through either the Homeland Security secretary or an independent and third party auditor. The final provision of the law would be the termination of family detention, unless an individual poses a risk to the community. __ For the latest updates, follow Latin Post's Michael Oleaga on Twitter: @EditorMikeO or contact via email: m.oleaga@latinpost.com. Many millennials are cautious about making investments in stocks, and many distrust Wall Street all together. Those who are investing are putting their money into companies and industries they care about or are interested in. Fox Business reports millennials want to know their money is going to something they support or are familiar with when investing. Exchange Traded Funds Based on Interests With exchange traded funds (ETFs), millennials are able to invest in industries that they support, like the U.S. military or companies that are considered green. Millennials heavily favor an app called Stash, which suggests ETFs based on users' opinions and feelings. If a user says he or she supports green companies, Stash might suggest the "Clean and Green" ETF. Similarly, if a user says she supports the U.S. military, Stash would suggest the "Defending America" ETF. "[Millennials] like the idea of investing in what matters to them," said David Ronick, CEO and co-founder of Stash. Robo-Investing Millennials are also comfortable with robo-investing and investing on-the-go. Through bobo-investing, an investor trusts a computer to invest for her, rather than an in-person adviser. Millennials are signing up for investment services that automatically invest in funds based on survey answers completed when they open accounts. Additionally, millennials want their investment services to be available on mobile devices. So, what should millennials be investing in this year? Tech Stocks Digital technology is something all millennials grew up with. They saw computers in classrooms, the rise of the Internet and much more in their lifetimes. Companies like Facebook (FB), Netflix (NFLX), Alphabet (Google's parent company) (GOOGL), Apple (AAPL), and Microsoft (MSFT) are all good choices for 2016. Alternative Energy Stocks Millennials are concerned about climate change. Following the Paris climate talks, ownership in the "Clean and Green" ETF jumped by 33 percent on Stash. Companies that offer sustainable energy sources like wind and solar are important to the future of the country, and millennials concerned about climate change should be investing in these stocks. SunPower (SPWR), First Solar (FSLR) and Vestas Wind Systems (VWS) are three alternative energy stocks to look at this year. Banks and Financials Millennials often have negative attitudes about banks, but these are stocks they should not avoid. Bank stocks, like Bank of America (BAC) and Citigroup (C), are some of the best performing financial stocks. They are widely owned by most investors and recommended by most brokerages. Emerging Markets It is important to have a global view when investing. Companies out of countries like China, India and Brazil are making their presence known in the stock market. Chinese e-commerce website Alibaba (BABA) is a great stock to have in 2016. Stores They Shop and Eat At Millennials are most comfortable investing in companies they are familiar with and that they go to themselves. Whole Foods (WFM) is a popular grocery store for millennials, and it has a slow, but steady rate of growth. Chipotle Mexican Grill (CMG) is a popular dining spot for millennials, and, despite its recent controversy with food-related illnesses, the company continues to grow. With its sinking share price, it is a good time to purchase Chipotle stock. Buffalo Wild Wings (BWLD) is another great company to invest in for 2016. Many have seen a shakeup coming this year to Silicon Valley's so-called "Unicorn" startups, those private startup companies like Uber and AirBnb that have a billion dollar valuation or greater. DoorDash Inc., a food-delivery startup that was seeking a $1 billion valuation when it began fundraising last fall, is reportedly now out of unicorn club as it finishes its investment round valued below that symbolic level -- and it may be the first of many. DoorDash's Problems DoorDash will not reach the $1 billion valuation it wanted in the fall, when it began the investment round that The Wall Street Journal is reporting is close to closing at around a $700 valuation, based on anonymous sources "familiar with the deal." Investing houses including Sequoia Capital, YCombinator, and Khosla Ventures have reportedly decided to put up more than $110 million in the latest fundraising round, giving DoorDash a valuation of about $600 million for this round. According to the WSJ's sources, that's about the same price investors paid in the March 2015 fundraising round. DoorDash was started in 2013 by students from Stanford university, based on a flat fee charge of $4 to $7 per delivery. Much like the Uber model, DoorDash uses independent contractors to deliver food, and has expanded to more than 20 cities. But unlike Uber, DoorDash entered later into a market that was already crowded with rivals like GrubHub, OrderUp, Muchery, and others -- and even Uber reportedly plans to expand into the food-delivery business soon. On top of those worries, the company has reportedly been struggling with a high churn rate in its independent contractors, most of whom have left the company within a year of joining, according to a report from The New York Times last week. That retention problem has led to increased spending on recruitment and referral bonuses, which may been negative indicators that helped scare off investors from the latest funding round. Unicorn Startup Slowdown DoorDash isn't unique in its funding problems though. As Latin Post has previously reported, experts on Silicon Valley startups have been lowering expectations, as $1 billion and higher valuations are becoming harder for startups to obtain from increasingly cautious venture capitalists. DoorDash's latest funding round, not officially closed or announced yet, is just the latest so-called "flat round" of funding, but it wasn't unforeseen. The Wall Street Journal reported that in October, Sequoia Capital was reaching out with investors with confidence that DoorDash would hit the $1 billion unicorn valuation mark. But in the ensuing months, as the outlook on big Silicon Valley startups began to sour, DoorDash and Sequoia reportedly both struggled to find enough VC funding to hit the $1 billion price. A combination of shaky fundamentals and bad timing likely brought DoorDash down below its target unicorn price. At the same time other startups including once-lauded Jet.com have lowered valuation expectations. What's clear is that a more skeptical VC community that's increasingly basing funding decisions on those fundamentals -- and on the importance of startups changing growth into sustainable, profitable businesses -- is already translating into fewer unicorns this year. More than 194,000 registered Latino voters are expected to participate in the upcoming Nevada caucus. Based on analysis from the National Association of Latino Elected Officials (NALEO) Education Fund, the Latino voter turnout in Nevada is expected to increase again. Compared to 72,000 Latino voters in 2004 and 157,000 voters in 2012, the 2016 election season could see more than 194,000 Latino voters engaged in politics. With the aforementioned tally of registered Latino registered voters, Latinos account for 13 percent of the total Nevada electorate. "With more than 194,000 Nevada Latino voters expected to cast ballots this year, there is no doubt that the Silver State's Latino electorate will play a decisive role in electing our nation's next president," said NALEO Educational Fund executive director Arturo Vargas. "Simply translating an ad into Spanish is not enough if candidates want to win Nevada's six electoral votes and the race for the White House in 2016. Candidates will need to have a robust outreach strategy in both English and Spanish that engages Latinos on the issues that matter most if they hope to capture the support of this increasingly influential electorate." Data Breakdown The average Latino registered voter is young compared to non-Latinos. Within the millennial demographic, voters age 18 to 24 represent 16 percent of the Nevada Latino electorate, as compared to the 8 percent among the same age group of non-Latinos. With the latter half of the millennial age group, 25 to 34-year-olds, Latino registered voters comprise 24 percent, compared to 16 percent of non-Latinos. In regards to political party affiliation, the Republican Party might need to boost its ground-roots efforts. According to NALEO, 55 percent of Latinos identified as Democrat, significantly higher than 17 percent as Republican and 28 percent as "other." But a common trend emerged with both Latinos and non-Latinos: Slightly more than one in every four voters is not affiliated with a major political party. Latino Voters' Impact in Nevada As of 2015, 18 Latinos have served in elected office, ranging from local to state level. This includes State Sen. Ruben Kihuen, who spoke to Latin Post for the "Turnout" political series about the impact of Nevada's Latinos and his role in politically engaging the community. As NALEO noted, the number of Latinos who served in Nevada's elected offices increased from 3 to 18 between 1996 and 2015. For the 2016 election, Latinos will encounter elections affecting both the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives. In the Senate, Republican Rep. Joe Heck and Latina Catherine Cortez-Masto, who served as the state's attorney general, are expected to win their respective primaries this June and face each other to determine who will succeed Sen. Harry Reid. In the House, Kihuen is campaigning against several Latinos for Nevada's 4th Congressional District, including former Assemblymember Lucy Flores, who also spoke to Latin Post about her track record and issues she wants to champion in Congress. Another House race is for the 3rd Congressional District, with Republican Annette Teijeiro running for Heck's vacant seat, since he's running for the Senate. Although most of Nevada's Latinos lean Democrat, their votes in the presidential election can change. Latinos voted for Democratic Presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama, but the electorate did vote for Republican President George W. Bush. __ For the latest updates, follow Latin Post's Michael Oleaga on Twitter: @EditorMikeO or contact via email: m.oleaga@latinpost.com. Turkish defense minister Ismet Yilmaz says that the country has no plans to send troops to Syria amid reports that some Turkish soldiers entered the war-torn country. The Syrian government made the claim in a letter of protest sent to the UN Security Council and warned that Kurdish fighters will receive a retaliation if the group extends its presence in the border. Syria's Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem warned that entry to Syria by foreign troops will be sent in "wooden coffins." Business Standard reported. Allegations has been made amid rumours that Saudi and Turkey are planning a ground intervention in Syria. The Syrian government believed that some of the armed men that entered the country last Saturday were members of the Turkish forces. In an operation to supply insurgents in Damascus, 100 gunmen who entered the country rode 12 pick-up trucks mounted with heavy artillery. The Telegraph reported that Turkish military shelled Kurdish YPG fighters after the group seized a former military airbase and drove the Syrian rebels near the Turkish border. Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said on Monday that they will not allow the Kurdish fighters to seize the Syrian town of Azas. He warned that Kurdish militia will face the "harshest reaction" if they try to take control of the town, Reuters reported. The Turkish government want the YPG fighters to stay away from the border because they fear that it will encourage separatist movements among Kurds. The government also reacted on recent remarks by the U.S. State Department that encourages the country to work with the Kurds in dealing with Islamic State militants who have put majority of Syria under siege. The Turkish government does not trust the YPG and considers it as a terrorist group. YPG has been fighting for autonomy in southwest Turkey for more than three decades. Meanwhile, the U.S. think otherwise as it supports the group in its bid to fight Islamic State rebels in Syria. European Union (EU) decided to help Belarus rather than isolate the country. Belarus was a previous Soviet state and a big ally to Russia. Nowadays, the government is seeking to improve its image internationally and EU is there to help them as they lift the five year sanction they gave the country. The European Union decided to lift Belarus and President Alexander Lukashenko's five-year sanctions on Monday. Reuters noted that it was because the country is trying to improve on its human rights. The things Lukashenko is doing like being the middle man in Ukraine-Russia peace talks, freeing political prisoners and the peaceful elections held last October were the reason why EU decided to end sanctions. Belarus' President Alexander Lukashenko also denied acknowledging Russia's power over Ukraine and that is a big step for them as they rely heavily with Russia. According to Yahoo News, EU officials aren't expecting Belarus to change its ways overnight. They are gradually changing and that's what matters for the European Union. Germany's Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said they are doing this because they can see that Belarus is extending its hand to other countries and they will help. EU foreign affairs Chief Federica Mogherini said that they have agreed on the fact that Belarus is changing some of its ways and they want to encourage those things further. Daily Mail reported that the sanctions will effectively end on March 1. There were 170 people who were sanctioned and one of them is the president himself together with three companies. However not all sanctions was lifted. The European Union did not lift the sanctions on four men for another year. They were suspected of being behind the disappearances of two opposition politicians, a businessman, and a journalist. European Union will help Belarus economically. They will help them join World Trade Organization. They want Belarussian companies to develop more as they will be qualified for financing from European Investment Bank and the European Bank. Showtime's Homeland Season 6 to patch things up from Season 5 plus will highlight the 9/11 events as theme. Carrie Mathison (Claire Danes) will return to US after her mission in the USA after her mission Middle East and Europe. Peter Quinn may be alive in Season 6 but he will be changed. The Americal political thriller television series will return for its controversial sixth season with story and relive the tragedy of 9/11 as the central theme of Homeland. Relatively, main character Carrie will return to US, theoritically in New York from Middle East and Europe in the previous seasons, the International Business Times reported. As the spoilers were released, different emotions are thrown out to the reported plot of Homeland Season 6. Many believe that the wounds of 911 are still very fresh in the hearts of New Yorkers and the people who became victims. Some people would rather leave this very touchy issue alone and not use it to increase viewership ratings. Last season, the main plot features current events on ISIS. Carrie had faced all kinds of enemy from street thug to terrorists, and viewers now ask what kind of enemy she have to battle this Season 6. Movie News Guide posted that David Nevins is closefisted on giving away clues but shared that Homeland does not plan on staying on US for long as plot may take the staff and cast somewhere else in the world. Another twist to look at for Homeland Season 6 is the fate of Peter Quinn (Peter Friend). Design and Trend revealed that Peter Quinn may be ailve in the upcoming season but Showtime programming Chief Gary Levine that Peter's health is in grave. If he is going to be alive, he will not be physically the same. Homeland Season 6 is reported to premiere in September 2016. London Court ruled Sheikh Hamad, Qatar's former prime minister and the country's billionaire will not be sued over torture allegations by a former emirate official spokesman as it holds diplomatic immunity. The British court says the case has no jurisdiction on hearing the case. According to the Guardian, Fawaz al-Attiya, 47 years old the British citizen and a former spokesman for the emirate claimed he was tortured and wrongly imprisoned by the former prime minister of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber al-Thani. He accused the Qatari billionaire ordered to detain him for 15 months on a solitary confinement where he also claimed he was threatened and psychologically abused. Attiya also accused Sheikh Hamad for confiscating his property. The accuser, who was born in London and currently residing in Newmarket, is seeking compensation for the damages, including the loss of his ancestral property, and will enter an appeal since his case was dismissed. Sheikh Hamad and the state of Qatar had denied the allegations brought up by Attiya, FT reported. The billionaire Qatari said, he is protected by diplomatic immunity and that the British courts has no jurisdiction to hear the said case. Justice Blake ruled the court on Monday, favoring the former Qatar official. Sheikh Hamad is a well known business and political figure in the Middle East. In June 2013 HBJ stepped down from the posts of prime minister, foreign minister and head of the Qatar Investment Authority after his ally, the Qatari emir, abdicated in favour of his son, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. Six months later, Sheikh Hamad was added to the Foreign Office diplomatic list. He was eventually given the rank of "minister-counsellor". The listing as a diplomat means he and his two wives and 15 children enjoy legal immunity in Britain under the Vienna convention. In response Attiya said he would appeal the judgement. He pointed out that earlier this month the high court had refused a diplomatic immunity claim by Saudi billionaire in divorce proceedings. Egypt's media officials suspended a television talk show program due to its impudent comments towards women. The guest of the said Egyptian talk show claims nearly a third of the women in the country were infidel to their husbands. Tamour al-Sobky, the guest of the show says, "almost 30% of women, especially in Upper Egypt, have the tendency to be unfaithful" and that "many women have extramarital affairs while their husbands work abroad to earn their living," the BBC News quoted. He also added, that women are having affairs because "married life was boring" and stating they are immoral. The television program was suspended by the Egyptian media officials for 15 days as it has been flooded with complaints from the viewers. Other television programs in the country have been recently given suspensions causing the public to think the freedom of speech in Egypt is being blocked slowly. According to FTC News Publication Newswire, the said television talk show was aired last year, December on Momken Programme. The show is broadcasted on CBC Channel, however, the show has not been getting attentions. The clip from the show containing the infidelity claims has been circling on the social media sites draws the attention of the public and is widely criticisized. Sobky owns a Facebook page called "Diary of a Suffering Husband" which gained with over one million followers on the said social media site. He apologies to the public regarding the infidelity claims. He also said that he has been receiving death threats over it. Sobky explained, his mother was also a native from Upper Egypt which he said a "conservative region". The channel broadcaster, CBC channel has also made their official statement, explaining that Sobky's clip was "part of a long discussion and that the programme's host immediately rejected and refuted the remarks." The channel also made an apology to the public. Egypt media officials also release their statement, emphasizing on giving respect on women. Fawaz al-Attiya, former spokesman for Qatar, will appeal his torture case against the decision in favor of the former Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber al-Thani . "I have instructed my lawyers to lodge grounds of appeal against this decision and I trust that my case will be heard. I am confident that justice will prevail and HBJ will answer for what he has done; diplomatic immunity is intended to facilitate relations between states, not to arbitrarily lift the rich and powerful above the law," Attiya stated. Justice Blake ruled that Hamad bin Jassim, also known as HBJ, cannot be sued before the jurisdiction of any courts because he is covered both by diplomatic and state immunity. Attiya alleged that he was falsely imprisoned for 15 months in Qatar jail from October 2009 to January 2011. He was also kept in a private confinement where he was tortured and sleep deprived. The imprisonment was caused by his refusal to sell the 20,000sq m land located in the Rayyan area to the billionaire's seizure order. Attiya said in a statement, "I am disappointed that the court was not able to hear my claim against HBJ on the basis that he has claimed diplomatic and state immunity." He claimed that HBJ acted in private capacity. Thus, he is not covered by such immunity. However, Justice Blake clarified that it was the Foreign Office that will decide who was and who was not a diplomat, not on his chamber. The legal team of Attiya debunked such statement and described the decision as 'muddled thinking.' It laid down a recently decided jurisprudence that was ruled by the same court which denied a Saudi businessman diplomatic immunity in a financial dispute with his ex-wife, Christina Estrada. In such ruling, Walid Juffali was not granted immunity by the court because he had not undertaken any duties relation to the role of a diplomat. But the Foreign Office spokesperson commented that it was "for the court to rule on diplomatic immunity." The legal team concluded that both courts and Foreign Office were "playing pass the parcel" on the issue. In a statement given to Middle East Eye, solicitor Imran Khan said, "It is very disappointing that the court has not allowed my client's case to be heard. I have been instructed to appeal the decision; particularly as the same court in another case (the Juffali case) came to the opposite conclusion only one week ago." He added, "The Court of Appeal should now deal with this issue and settle, once and for all, the circumstances in which an individual is able to claim diplomatic immunity." Included in his judgment, Justice Blake said that HBJ was serving prime minister and such office could not be separated from public office. Under the State Immunity Act, diplomats are covered under Vienna Convention which shields them from court proceedings in the countries where they serve. Sierra Leone is on the track of legalizing early abortions through the initiative of the parliament, voting unanimously in December to favor a legal abortion up until 12 week-pregnancy. President Ernest Koroma and his wife, Sia Nyama Koroma, strongly support and advocate the passage of the said bill into law. The Economist reported that women's rights campaigners treated this legalization of early abortions as a landmark moment in Sierra Leone, as well as a model for the region. However, last January 6, Mr. Koroma unexpectedly refused giving his consent to the bill. With this, religious leaders have been challenged over the controversial "Safe Abortion Bill," according to All Africa. The heads of the Muslim and Christian faith are also setting aside their differences to unite against the passing of said bill. As for the parliament, they were given a chance to review the details of the bill. Public consultation schedules were also made. In addition, pro-abortion campaigners were surprised and shocked of what happened. "We didn't even think there would be objections," Sierra Leonean NGO 50/50 member, Aisha Fofana, said. Due to the sudden change of heart of the president, and to strengthen the decision towards finally preventing the "Safe Abortion Bill" from being enacted to law, the Sierra Leone Inter-Religious Council organized a march to Parliament that includes hundreds of pro-life leaders fall over the nation. It took place in Freetown, the country's capital, in which it aimed at protesting against the bill. According to Pentecostal Churches Head Bishop Archibald Cole, legalizing abortion will weaken the important cultural and religious values of the country. It would also promote the culture of death as well as make individual decision and liberty more important than the moral constraint of human conscience, said Life News. But the religious dimensions have been crucially dominated by the public health concerns of Sierra Leone. Apparently, the country has the highest maternal mortality ratio in the world and is in a continent where most abortions are dangerous mainly because of restrictive laws. Thus, the parliamentarians chose to reiterate their backing for the bill on February 11. They returned it to Mr. Koroma unaltered as a new push to legalize early abortions in Sierra Leone. Further, he is expected to sign the bill soon. Bethlehem police are looking for a woman wanted on drug charges following a raid Thursday on the South Side. Frances M. Rosado-Rivera, 30, was seen leaving 215 E. Morton St. before the raid, and on Tuesday police said her whereabouts were still unknown. Rosado-Rivera is described as being 5 feet, 4 inches tall, with green eyes and blonde hair. Police released a photo of her and asked anyone with information to call Detective Hammer at 610-865-7129 or the Bethlehem Police 911 Center at 610-865-7187. Rosado-Rivera is charged with three counts each of possession with intent to deliver drugs and related conspiracy, as well as possessing a firearm with an altered serial number, and two counts of criminal use of a cellphone. Several anonymous complaints about drug-dealing at the home led to a two-month investigation, involving surveillance and controlled buys of heroin, city police Chief Mark DiLuzio previously said. Raul "Rollie" Rivera, left, and Luis Nieves (Courtesy photos | For lehighvalleylive.com) Rosado-Rivera's husband, Raul "Rollie" Rivera, and Luis Nieves, both of whom also lived in the home, were arrested Thursday and charged. Officers found heroin, marijuana, and 40 pills identified as the anti-anxiety drug Alprazolam, as well as a semiautomatic handgun with an obliterated serial number, $13,863 in cash, owe sheets and packaging paraphernalia, police said. Police said they also seized a 2008 Honda Accord and 2003 Hyundai Sonata. Sarah Cassi may be reached at scassi@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @SarahCassi. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook. A Berks County couple is accused of leaving two juvenile children inside a vehicle for hours in frigid temperatures while gambling at the Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem. Enrique Garcia (Courtesy photo) Enrique Garcia, 49, and Frances Garcia, 45, of Reading, shortly before 3:30 a.m. Monday were found by police gambling inside the Sands at 77 Sands Blvd. Police said the couple left two children locked inside a 2002 Honda Accord in the parking lot with the engine turned off. All the children had to keep warm were jackets, police said. Sands video surveillance footage showed the couple arriving at the casino at 12:33 a.m. Monday. Enrique Garcia is seen on the video checking on the children twice at 1:35 a.m. and 2:35 a.m., but never turning on the car, according to court records. Both Enrique and Frances Garcia are are seen on surveillance gambling while the children remained in the vehicle, police said. The temperature outside at the time was 11 degrees, with a wind chill factor of 1 degree, according to police. The two are charged with two counts each of endangering the welfare of children. Enrique and Frances Garcia were arraigned Monday before District Judge Robert Hawke, who set bail at $15,000 for each. Frances Garcia (Courtesy photo) The judge ordered the Garcias to enroll in Pretrial Services, stay away from the victims and stay away from any casino. Both are not allowed to leave Pennsylvania. The judge allowed 10 percent of $15,000 bail for each if approved by Pretrial Services. The couple is tentatively scheduled for a preliminary hearing Feb. 29. Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @pamholzmann. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook. northampton county courthouse The Northampton County Courthouse, 669 Washington St., Easton. (lehighvalleylive.com file photo) A Bethlehem man who allegedly held his pregnant girlfriend captive for seven hours reached a plea deal Tuesday that will keep him out of state prison. Miguel Rios III pleaded guilty to simple assault in the case involving his girlfriend and possession of intent to deliver heroin in a separate case. Northampton County Judge Samuel Murray sentenced Rios to nine to 23 months in Northampton County Prison followed by two years of probation. Rios, 22, of Bethlehem, allegedly refused to allow the woman to leave his home in the 600 block of Williams Street between 9 a.m. and 4:50 p.m. Oct. 17. Assistant District Attorney Sandra Foster McClure said Rios grabbed the woman by her ponytail and took her cell phone when she tried to leave. "She was bitten about the face," McClure said. "She has bruises on her arm." McClure said Rios threatened to torture and kill the victim. He also held up a knife and told her, "Don't make me do this," McClure said. Defense attorney Eric Dowdle said the victim refused to cooperate at the preliminary hearing so prosecutors would have had a difficult time proceeding with charges of false imprisonment and recklessly endangering another person. Rios was caught with the heroin on Dec. 4, also in the 600 block of Williams Street in Bethlehem. Dowdle said Rios became addicted to Percocet after a work-related injury. When he couldn't get the drug prescribed, he turned to heroin, Dowdle said. Rios said he attended Freedom High School through 11th grade. Rudy Miller may be reached at rmiller@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @RudyMillerLV. Find Easton area news on Facebook. A Delaware woman soliciting sex for cash online as "Blonde Barbie I'm Back in Town" has been charged with her ninth act of prostitution, according to Bethlehem Township police. Leslie Sheldon Hudson, 31, of Bear, was arrested by Bethlehem Township police Friday as part of an operation targeting prostitution and related offenses in the township. Police said Hudson was found by undercover officers on a known prostitution website soliciting sex for cash and calling herself, "Blonde Barbie I'm Back in Town." The listing pictured Hudson scantily dressed, according to police. An undercover township officer met Hudson at an undisclosed location around 10:30 a.m. Friday and she agreed to sex for $500, police said. Police arrested Hudson and allegedly found her in possession of crack cocaine and smoking pipes. Police said Hudson had eight prior convictions for prostitution in Delaware. The most recent four convictions included: June 6, 2014, in Newark, Delaware; Sept. 10, 2013, by Delaware State Police; Dec. 2, 2010, in Wilmington, Delaware; and May 21, 2009, by Delaware State Police, according to court records. Township police charged Hudson with prostitution and possession of drug paraphernalia. She was arraigned before District Judge Robert Hawke, who set bail a $10,000. In lieu of bail, Hudson was taken to Northampton County Prison. Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @pamholzmann. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook. TRENTON -- Gov. Chris Christie made his full-time return to New Jersey from the presidential campaign trail official Tuesday, proposing a $34.8 billion state budget and vowing to "make the next two years great ones for our state." The budget address, delivered in front of the state Legislature, was Christie's first public appearance since ending his bid for the Republican presidential nomination last Wednesday. His wide-ranging speech touched on everything from property taxes to health benefits. The governor also had sharp words for Democratic legislative leaders over public employee pensions. Before jumping into the state business, he waxed nostalgic about his national campaign, which came to an end last week after back-to-back poor showings in Iowa and New Hampshire. "I want to begin by saying thank you to the people of New Jersey for allowing me the great privilege of running for president of the United States," Christie opened. "It was the governing experience of this great state, the reforms we tackled here in New Jersey, the bipartisan hard choices we made, and the recovery from one of the largest natural disasters in our country's history, that I felt, prepared me for higher office." The $34.8 billion budget is about $1 billion higher than the budget Christie signed into law in June. Christie boasted he has decreased the state's reliance on one-shot revenues. Christie's proposed budget includes no new taxes and little new spending. His administration is predicting a modest 3.1 percent increase in tax collections, most of which will be consumed by debt payments and the rising bill for employee benefits. It also leaves intact the unpopular estate tax he vowed to repeal last month during his State of the State address. The governor's budget isn't likely to launch the kind of battle with Democrats that have dominated recent budget cycles, as he's proposed to contribute $1.86 billion to government worker pensions, in keeping with his plan to increase payments into the struggling system by one-tenths each year. However, the governor once again had sharp words for the Democrats' proposed constitutional amendment asking voters to mandate state payments into the huge pension system. "The constitutional amendment mandates pension payments and places government workers ahead of every other citizen of the state in our state budget," Christie said. ".. Ahead of our students. Ahead of your hospitals. Ahead of the disabled. Ahead of our seniors. And the burden of the cost would be put on the backs of taxpayers." Christie did not incorporate funding scheme for the Transportation Trust Fund, which pays for infrastructure improvements, in his spending blueprint. His treasurer, Ford M. Scudder, told reporters the administration expects the trust fund to be handled legislatively. "There is time to reach a reasonable agreement," Christie said. Democrats want to increase taxes on gas to raise money for transportation, but have said they want to strike a deal with Christie first. That deal is widely expected to trade a reduction or elimination in the estate tax, one of two death taxes in New Jersey, for a gas tax hike. Samantha Marcus may be reached at smarcus@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @samanthamarcus. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook. After a violent crash in June 2014 on Fullerton Avenue in Whitehall Township, the two drivers were both taken to the same hospital for treatment of their injuries. Verushka Yearwood said on Tuesday she heard a woman crying from pain, and the woman said she had flipped her SUV. When Yearwood asked if it was on Fullerton Avenue, where her vehicle was struck by an SUV driving into oncoming traffic, the woman said yes. That's when Yearwood realized the woman crying from pain was the same woman who struck her car, trapping Yearwood and her one daughter inside, and injuring Yearwood and her two daughters. "She was not apologetic," Yearwood said of the other woman, Heath Fritz. "I understand it's an accident and we all can have accidents," but Fritz's posts on social media showed she was not remorseful, Yearwood said. "It devastated our lives ... I just want her to realize how her reckless driving has affected our lives." Fritz was in court on Tuesday to be sentenced for the June 30, 2014, crash. Fritz previously pleaded guilty to three counts of aggravated assault by vehicle. In exchange, prosecutors withdrew the remaining charges, including three counts of reckless endangerment and two counts of child endangerment related to the two kids in her own vehicle. Fritz, who now lives in Millville, New Jersey, but lived in Lehigh County at the time of the crash, said she doesn't remember much from the collision, and disputed prosecutors claims she was driving 70 mph in a 35 mph zone. Fritz said her children were also injured in the crash, and she suffered seven broken ribs, a lacerated spleen, a fractured hip bone, and nerve damage. "I didn't mean for any of this to happen. I'm sorry. I'm very sorry," Fritz said as she cried in court. Judge Kelly Banach said the crash was "nothing short of a tragedy for everyone," but that jail time was due in the case. She sentenced Fritz to four to 24 months in county jail, allowing her time for work release. Fritz was sobbing as she was handcuffed, and again said she was sorry as she was led out of the courtroom. 'My life was stolen from me' Prosecutors said Fritz was driving about 70 mph when she drove her Dodge Durango over the concrete median on Fullerton Avenue and into the opposite lane of traffic. Fritz struck a Honda Accord driven by Yearwood, pushing the Accord 75 feet away and causing the Durango to flip onto its roof and slide about 100 feet away from the crash site between Kimmett and Allison streets, police said. "She was going a lot faster than she thinks," Chief Deputy District Attorney Paul Bernardino III said of Fritz. "We're not here, but for her reckless conduct." Yearwood was driving with her two daughters, who were 13 and 15 at the time, on her first day of vacation from her human resources job. Following the crash, Yearwood said her youngest had both legs broken from the hip to the knee, and needed screws to be able to walk. The girl was released from the hospital almost six weeks after the crash, but couldn't go back to school until October 2014. The injuries "have really impacted her life dramatically," Yearwood said. The older girl had facial injuries, some of which required surgery, and still suffers from back pain. Yearwood had a full-time job as the head of human resources, and worked hard to take care of her kids while her husband worked in New Jersey. Yearwood suffered a traumatic brain injury in the crash, and cannot work now. She told the judge she tried to go back to work, but couldn't even make it two hours, she said. Yearwood had injuries to her right leg and right side, and was in a wheelchair for eight months and had two surgeries on her leg. Now, her husband must care for their daughters, and their son is commuting from college in Philadelphia to help the family out. "It's been a real nightmare," Yearwood said, using a cane to stand at the courtroom bench. "My life was stolen from me." Whitehall police officer Kevin Querio said everyone involved in the crash was lucky to be alive, and when he first saw the "carnage," he thought there would be casualties. "You really dodged a bullet that night," Querio said. Sarah Cassi may be reached at scassi@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @SarahCassi. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook. northampton county courthouse The Northampton County Courthouse at 669 Washington St. in Easton. (Rudy Miller) A 19-year-old former Bath resident admitted Tuesday he was driving drunk with a car full of almost $300 in stolen alcoholic beverages when he fled police and drove up on an insurance company lawn. The incident led to the second drunken driving arrest for William Rosenbauer. "Obviously we have a young person with alcohol issues at a very young age," said Northampton County Assistant District Attorney Joseph Lupackino. Judge Samuel Murray sentenced Rosenbauer to five years probation. Rosenbauer stole $293 worth of alcoholic beverages from the Wegmans supermarket in Lower Nazareth Township on Aug. 8. After police pulled him over, he sped away. Then he lost control of his car and drove up on the lawn at GuardianLife Insurance, 3800 Burgess Place, Hanover Township, Northampton County. His blood alcohol content was 0.15. Penalties start at 0.08. Rosenbauer said he spent three days in prison before going to rehab in Florida. He completed the program but lives in a sober house in Pomano Beach. "I'm just trying to live sober," he told the judge. He hopes to have his probation transferred to Florida because he's surrounded by sober friends. He said his friends up here drink alcohol and smoke marijuana. Rosenbauer pleaded guilty to retail theft for stealing the beverages, fleeing police and drunken driving. Rudy Miller may be reached at rmiller@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @RudyMillerLV. Find Easton area news on Facebook. vehicle_inspection.JPG New Jersey phased out mandatory safety inspections in 2010. Some Pennsylvania motorists want their state to do the same. (Robert Sciarrino/The Star-Ledger) Starting next year, owners of cars and light trucks in Pennsylvania won't have to place annual registration stickers on the corners of their license plates. The state Department of Transportation is phasing out the program, thinking that police departments will be able to use automated license plate readers to detect unregistered vehicles. PennDOT says the phaseout will save about $3 million a year in mailing and production costs. Local police departments aren't all on board, however, noting the $18,000 cost per unit for license plate readers. Right now only two departments in the Lehigh Valley use them. (Allentown has three readers, Easton one.) Despite some rumblings of repeal bills in the Legislature, this is a done deal -- and some people are questioning why Pennsylvania doesn't also get rid of vehicle safety inspections, as New Jersey did in 2010. Pennsylvania drivers now spend $600 million a year on safety inspections. Some lawmakers in Harrisburg support such a move -- or at least ending inspections in the first few years of a new car's operation, noting that new vehicles have many safety advances and are usually serviced under warranty. PennDOT had a consultant look at this question in 2009. The study estimated the state would experience 127 to 187 more traffic fatalities if inspections were ended. Still, as the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reported, Pennsylvania's fatality rate was substantially higher than New Jersey's in 2012. A more recent study by Carnegie Mellon University has cast some doubt on earlier findings. For example, it challenged the inspection failure rate of 2 percent cited by opponents, saying it is much higher. What do you think? Is it time to send safety inspections to the junk yard? The current law brings in millions in income to private garages and dealerships that perform the inspections. Are annual checks on brakes, tires, suspensions, tail lights, etc., critical to public safety? Have a say in our informal, unscientific poll, and feel free to elaborate in the comments section. What's your experience with safety inspections? La revelation des parcours 2023 du Tour de France et du Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift aura lieu le jeudi 27 octobre a partir de 11h30 (UTC+2) au Palais des Congres de Paris. A few weeks ago I visited the Jungle refugee camp in Calais to see first-hand the tragic situation right on our doorstep. Television cannot capture the full desperation of the Calais camp. My visit met my worst fears: 5,500 people; 60% of them young men, and many children too, are living in miserable conditions in shanty towns resembling some of the worst parts of the Nairobi slums I visited last year; the difference being that in the Jungle we were less than 2 hours from Central London. We were spared from the deep mud that is commonplace at the camp, but only because Calais was so cold that the ground was frozen. However, the temperature didnt change how the people there were living, many under nothing more than canvas and plastic sheets. At night, I saw bleak and tense young faces huddled round fires. The night before we arrived, burning pallets were thrown over the British Government-funded razor-topped wire fences, onto the motorway, in an attempt to stop traffic and provide opportunities for refugees to board hindered vehicles. And in the days after my visit, 50 refugees attempted to storm the Spirit of Britain ferry in Calais docks. While I do not condone attempts to enter the UK illegally, these are the actions of desperate people in desperate situations and this is something that we need to address before more lives are lost; it should not be forgotten that these refugees are migrants by necessity, not by choice. Similarly, we should not overlook the number of young children who are currently suffering in these conditions. Having escaped from the horrors of war, many having lost their families (either in the war or on the perilous journey to Europe), they find their way to the Calais camp where they are greeted with barbed wire and surrounded by desperation. As a liberal, I find this situation appalling. The Government says that it recognises the importance of the early years of childhood development, and that it also recognises our humanitarian responsibility to those in need. Yet why then are the people most in need of our help unaccompanied children who have escaped such terrible conditions being left to grow up without the chance of a decent education and a stable home? If we, as a country, believe in the Rights of the Child, we need to put these beliefs into action. Is it not time that the Government stop dehumanising the refugees in Europe, labelling them as a bunch of migrants, and instead showed compassion to those most in need of our help, whether in Syria or in Europe? Britain was once a great humanitarian nation, a nation that rescued thousands of refugee children fleeing persecution during the Kindertransport of the Second World War. We can be again but only if the Government has the will to act. A lot of party members tell me they feel a need for more factual information to help us win the EU Ref debate. Within the party we have brilliant writers of leaflets and local press releases who, if supplied the information, can turn it into effective communication. An excellent new resource has been launched that will help with this. Infacts.org is a well presented website that contains briefings on key factual questions relevant to the referendum and rebuttals to the misrepresentations of the Quitters. It is set up and run by a group of journalists, listed on the website and many of their names you will recognise from the quality press. If I have one constructive criticism it is that the bulk of their briefings are responses to claims of the other side. We need to set the agenda and debate on our terms, not their terms, to win. Nonetheless, it is a very helpful site. Some of the briefings include: The UK net contribution is 6.3bn The EU hasnt prevented deportation of terrorists EU migrants into the UK * Antony Hook was #2 on the South East European list in 2014, is the English Party's representative on the Federal Executive and produces this sites EU Referendum Roundup. Parliament is in recess, an opportunity to reflect on the first stages in the Lords of the Immigration Bill. Brian Paddick and I tabled the majority of amendments from opponents of the Bill which most of us would frankly just like to see thrown out. It doesnt need legislation for the Government to agree to give refuge to 3000 unaccompanied asylum-seeking children who have fled conflict and made it to Europe obviously. Equally obviously, if Parliament is considering legislation on immigration, Parliamentarians will use the opportunity to put pressure on the Government. So it was last week in the Lords, when we reached the last day of the committee stage. So it was in 1938 and 1939 in debates so closely mirroring the call Tim Farron has been making in the Commons. No commentary needed (except perhaps to note Eleanor Rathbone styled herself Ms): THE EARL OF LISTOWEL There is a common assumption underlying this debate, which is shared by all those except perhaps the inhabitants of the countries from which refugees come, and that is that these refugees are a common responsibility of every civilised nation, and that each country has to play its part, according to its economic resources and according to its opportunities for offering temporary asylum or permanent refuge, in providing the means of life for these helpless and persecuted people. The question surely that is before our minds first and foremost this afternoon, and is naturally one that confronts every member of the British Legislature is: Is this country really making its rightful contribution? Are we doing our share in the common effort to provide these victims of intolerance with a fresh start? this is an opportunity and not a question of simple charity. At a time such as this, when exclusive nationalism and fanatical intolerance flourish in so many parts of the world, it is surely a privilege to show that we at least are not suffering from any relapse into tribal mentality and that we remain to-day, as we have always been in the past, tolerant of opinions that differ from our own and sensitive to sufferings and injustice outside the boundaries of this country and outside the boundaries of the British Commonwealth. We can show this most plainly by opening wider our own doors. THE LORD ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURYI am thinking rather, first of all, of the children.. I do not see at present that they have any future in their own country. Ms RATHBONE: Since the beginning of July only between 6,000 and 7,000 German refugees have been allowed to enter this country, of whom nearly one-half were children. We know that the regulations under which they are permitted to enter are such that it is mainly only the relatively well-to-do refugees who are able to get in because only these can obtain the financial guarantees demanded. We, unfortunately, accepted the fatal principle adopted at the Evian Conference that not a penny was to be spent from public funds and that everything done to assist refugees must be done by voluntary enterprise. There is not an expert on the refugee question who does not recognise that that is equivalent to saying, We are very sorry for all the people who are in danger of being drowned by this flood, and we will do our best to rescue them, but, mind, we must use nothing but teacups to bale out the flood. I appeal to him to [the Minister to] do something to speed up the mechanism and to relax these regulations which are making it impossible for voluntary organisations to bring over more than this dribble of refugees because they make it necessary in every case, not merely to provide the cost of transport and maintenance, but the cost of eventual migration and settlement overseas. Cannot we risk a few thousand pounds rather than abandon these people to the terrible fate that may possibly await them? I feel that in this small matter we may appeal with some hope of success for the Government to adopt a more farsighted and generous policy than heretofore. And in response to a question about aliens coming into this country the exact conditions and guarantees under which they will be admitted, Mr. WEDGWOOD BENN: In the interests of the good name of this country, will the hon. Gentleman do his best to discourage questions such as this? In March the Lords will vote overwhelmingly that the Government should agree to take 3000 of these vulnerable children. We will give our MPs and MPs from across the political spectrum another chance to put pressure on the Prime Minister, saying, as the country did almost 80 years ago, that we cannot sit on our hands. But I keep hoping he will pre-empt our vote and have taken that decision before then. * Sally Hamwee is a Liberal Democrat member of the House of Lords, and the Co-Chair of the Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Party Committee on Home Affairs, Justice and Equalities. This article is rather longer than usual but offers a different perspective on Eric Avebury and his commitment to international human rights. The author is Vice Chair of the Anti Caste Discrimination Alliance (ACDA), and the President of the Federation of Ambedkarite and Buddhist Organisations UK (FABO UK). Lord Eric Avebury at an Anti Caste Discrimination Alliance-led protest outside Parliament on 4 March 2013 supporting legislation to outlaw Caste-based discrimination in the UK I first met Lord Eric Avebury on 11 November 2009 at the official launch of the Anti Caste Discrimination Alliance (ACDA)s report Hidden Apartheid A voice of the Community that he willingly hosted for us in the House of Lords. He was the first parliamentarian to respond to ACDA. That report and that historic meeting would help shape Parliamentary consciousness to do with Caste-based Discrimination (CBD) and legislation during the following, critical months. At the time I had no notion how Eric would become my mentor, one of my dearest friends, and after my father, Hans Raj Sidhus death in June 2012 a father figure. He proved generous both with his time and advice. His calm determination and communication (it continually amazed me how quickly he acted on emails or letters and returned my phone calls) always gave me the strength to carry on. This applied especially when there appeared very little hope of progress on CBD law. His dignified approach was inspiring. He mightily influenced our campaign in ways hitherto unimaginable to us. In an exclusive interview for ACDA with the writer Ken Hunt in May 2013, as yet unpublished, Eric spoke about becoming aware of Caste. I suppose, to be perfectly frank, I was not aware of it until the Equality Bill as it then was it became an Act in 2010 when there was a first opportunity to doing anything about the issue of Caste. I dont remember that, prior to that, there had been any question of it being added to the list of protected characteristics which was finally included in the Equality Act. Before that, the policy of successive governments was to deal separately with issues of discrimination. And only gradually did it become apparent that there were common features between all the aspects that we now deal with under the Equality Act gender, race, sexual orientation and so on. Prior to that, it was the custom to treat them as if they were separate issues. On mobilising opinion on action CBD law, he offered, I think its always an uphill battle to get the media interested in Caste. There have some notable successes, not least the Newsnight programme. He was referring to the BBC Newsnight programme, hosted by Jeremy Paxman, with me up against Mr Arjan Vekaria of the Alliance of Hindu Organisations. When Ken asked him what he thought of the programme, he grinned, It was brilliant; it was absolutely wonderful. It exceeded my fondest hopes. [Laughter] I think though it will be a beautiful piece of ammunition. I hope people have got it recorded and itll be played at lots and lots of meetings so those who dont know anything about Caste could get a quick education in a few seconds. On 6 November 2013, he made possible an ACDA meeting on parliamentary premises. Having Navi Pillay from the United Nations High Commission for Human Rights there as the chief speaker helped a little. Eric was ever the idealist grounded in pragmatism. He knew the significance and signals her supporting the UKs Caste-based discrimination would send around the world. L-R Front row: ACDAs chairman Raj Chand, Navi Pillay, Eric Lubbock and Jeremy Corbyn, Parliament, 6 November 2013 In a letter following the meeting Eric thanked Ms Pillay for taking the time to speak at yesterdays meeting at the House of Lords organised by the Anti Caste Discrimination Alliance to discuss caste discrimination, and for raising the matter with MoJ [Ministry of Justice] Ministers. He stressed, It has been an uphill struggle getting this Government to use the power we inserted in the Equality Act 2010, to make caste a protected characteristic. We thought we had won after they were defeated twice in the House of Lords, but as it turned out, they have launched a cumbersome process that was not applied to any of the existing protected characteristics, taking implementation to the other side of the 2015 general election. So it gave me immense pleasure to hear your forthright words about strong, swift implementation, and to know that you were taking that message to our Government. By June 2015 in an essay I invited him to write for the second annual meeting on Dr Ambedkars Life and Works at that House of Lords hosted by Lord Harries of Pentregarth, he was much more reflective: I suppose I had as good an idea as most native English do of the nature of caste and how deeply embedded it is in the cultures and subliminal thought processes of people in south Asia before I read The Annihilation of Caste and Arundhati Roys introductory essay The Doctor and the Saint. But I still find it hard to understand how groups of people can be brainwashed into a state of hatred for the other that leads them to commit the most egregious crimes against members of the other such as are related in the story of Surekha Bhotmange and her family at the start of Roys introduction. A committed Buddhist, Eric wrote, How is it possible that humans, naturally filled with loving-kindness or metta as it is called in Buddhism, should conceive a murderous hatred and contempt towards those who are slightly different? The division of people into separate categories which are readily identifiable, and which are assumed to be capable of passing on the characteristics which assign them to each of those categories, is the root of the mischief. Eric fully supported FABO UKs initiative to turn 10 King Henrys Road in north London a house, already with a blue plaque commemorating Dr Ambedkar lodging there from 1921-1922 into a memorial to political activism. He recognised the historicity of the building and was confident how it will become a focal point to spread Dr Ambedkars message about equality, human rights and social justice. These messages are desperately needed in the world today, and personally Im convinced by the evidence that the more equal societies are, the happier and less vulnerable to social ills they become. The presence of an Ambedkar Centre in a house where he lived in London should help us all to confront the evil of caste prejudice, as we did against racism a generation ago. Never forget, alongside the Caste law campaign Eric lobbied hard and long for human rights and the rights of Gypsies and Travellers. Over the years he and I talked, met on a professional and personal level and had discussions on many issues including art and literature. I shall never forget him reciting from memory the marvellous German absurdist poet Morgensterns Das grosse Lalula (The big lalula) in German. (Die Galgenlieder or Gallows Songs from which it comes was on the family bookshelf.) I will hold clear and dear memories of moments with him including the afternoon with him and his wife Lindsay, his son Lyulph and his daughter-in-law Sue at the London Apprentice overlooking the Thames at Isleworth Ait in the summer of 2014. Eric and I both shared a passion for eating mangoes. When I introduced him to Alphonso mangoes it brought out the boy in him. He was hooked. Each year we eagerly looked forward to the short Alphonso mango season. It was a delight to see him eating them juice dripping down his chin! Each and every subsequent season I shall eat them and think of him. Eric was one of the most dedicated and hardworking members of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Dalits. His death has left a huge but inspirational hole in our movement. More pertinently, his remarkable contribution to the campaign to outlaw Caste-based discrimination law since 2009 remains unshakeable, unquestionable and unassailable on the historical record. Whether we call him 4th Baron Avebury, Lord Avebury or Eric Lubbock, his record on human rights is peerless. His legacy will endure, inspire and spur on generations to come. Eric Lubbock was one of the great reformers, My last words to Eric were, I will continue to fight for a law to outlaw Caste-based discrimination. He would have expected nothing less. * Quotes and photographs courtesy of Swing 51 Archives * Santosh Dass MBE is a Lib Dem supporter and Vice Chair of the Anti Caste Discrimination Alliance ISSUES surrounding gender inequality in the Irish film industry will be tackled at an upcoming day-long colloquium at Mary Immaculate College in Limerick. The event, entitled Women in the Irish Film Industry: Moving from the Margins to the Centre, will take place in Mary Immaculate College on Friday, March 4. Event organiser Dr Susan Liddy, lecturer in media and communications at MIC, said that the talks would provide a public forum in which to address the under-representation of women in the Irish film industry. Practitioners, representatives from funding bodies, broadcasters, professional guilds and voluntary organisations will debate strategies to create gender equality right across the industry. Dr Rosemary Day, head of media and communications, MIC, said those present will have the opportunity to map out a clear strategy to ensure gender equity within the Irish film industry going forward. There has been much public debate of late in relation to the under-representation of women working in Irish theatre which lead to the formation of the #WakingTheFeminists movement. This exclusion is not the exclusive preserve of the theatre. It is also mirrored in the Irish Film Industry, which is overwhelmingly male-dominated and lacking a strong female voice and vision. My own research suggests a mere 13 per cent of produced screenplays in the period 1993 to 2013 were written by Irish women, said Dr Liddy. The keynote speech at the colloquium will be delivered by Anna Serner, director of the Swedish Film Institute, who will speak about the 50/50 gender funding policy implemented in Sweden under her tenure. It will be held in TARA, Mary Immaculate College, on Friday, March 4 at 9.30am. There is an early bird booking fee of 15, including lunch. The full fee is 25. Booking is essential as places are limited. To book contact Susan.Liddy@mic.ul.ie. FOR the first time in 2016, the sun beats down on a Monday afternoon, brightening up Castletroy and highlighting the University of Limerick for what it is a pretty remarkable campus. By some divine act or by coincidence, it just so happens that the first leaders debate outside of Dublin will take place on said campus. Is this day of rare sunshine a sign that UL will be alight with activity later on when the party leaders assume their positions in the University Concert Hall? You can look at it in two ways. Obviously, the presence of barriers surrounding the iconic Brown Thomas statue, the garda presence and RTE production teams dragging their equipment around the Foundation Building is hard to ignore for many. But for some, namely students, it is just another Monday afternoon. If asked what is significant about today, they might answer: Its two Mondays away from Charity Week. Whats with all the barriers and security? Then they'd snapout of this temporary trance to get to their lecture on time, cross off another Monday and return home to hear dribs and drabs of some political thing thats happening in the Concert Hall later on. I stand outside the Glucksman Library, about as noticeable to the students as the barriers they walked by without a second thought. I try to hold up a few students and ask them what they think about The Leaders Debate, later being hosted by Claire Byrne in the UCH. It is a huge day for UL, a huge day for RTE and a huge day for the Government as well as the various leaders themselves, seven in all. Real sense in Limerick that this is a big occasion for the University #leadersdebate #GE16 pic.twitter.com/4E9uuuI9DQ Philip Bromwell (@philipbromwell) February 15, 2016 The response: shrugged shoulders, head scratching and pauses of uncertainty followed by a hurried departure to somewhere more important. Fast forward to 8pm. The sun is gone but the campus is alive with security, journalists and photographers. The sun has set. The hour draws near #Cblive pic.twitter.com/K3B9kgaQQh Claire Byrne Live (@ClaireByrneLive) February 15, 2016 While there was no evidence to suggest that political students are nocturnal, there was a buzz around the Concert Hall nevertheless as they waited for the seven party leaders Joan Burton, Gerry Adams, Richard Boyd Barrett, Michael Martin, Lucinda Creighton, Stephen Donnelly and Enda Kenny to arrive. Since the latest budget, there has been a collective feeling of they-arent-doing anything-for-us-so-why-should-we-give-a-damn amongst students. This was perfectly illustrated as I saw sleepy students drag their Monday-struck selves across the UL campus - not even batting an eyelid or stopping for a double-take at the quite conspicuous preparation taking place for the historic event in their midst. Perhaps some UL students paid more attention to the debate than they might normally have done, since it took place in their very own college. Might they have switched on RTE this Monday night just for the sake of seeing UL on national TV? Very possibly. Claire Byrne not suffering those who are beating around the bush. Anchoring it well and asking good questions. #leadersdebate Gavin Spillane (@GavSpillane) February 15, 2016 Will there be an avalanche of students flooding the Glucksman Library fighting tooth and nail to collect as many books on Irish politics from the shelves? Doubtful. Could there be an increase in 18-25-year-olds who vote in this general election? Lets hope so. - Gavin Spillane is a Journalism and New Media student at UL. He tweets at @GavSpillane. LIMERICK councillor Joe Crowley, who passed away suddenly this Monday, will be laid to rest in Adare on Thursday. The popular Fianna Fail councillor, 54, died on Monday after collapsing in Drombanna while campaigning with Willie ODea. He was rushed to University Hospital Limerick at around 3pm but, despite efforts to resuscitate him, he was pronounced dead. Mr Crowley, of Westfield Park, just off the North Circular Road, had been suffering from severe anaemia and internal bleeding, and had been forced to take an extended period of leave from work. While he had not returned to his full-time job as a sales executive with Sky, Mr Crowley had started working as a councillor again even attending this Monday mornings monthly metropolitan meeting. His colleagues on the council and across the entire political spectrum in Limerick have expressed their shock and dismay at the popular northside Fianna Fail members sudden and untimely passing. The popular northside councillor will be laid to rest following a funeral Mass on Thursday morning, before which his colleagues will meet to pay their own respects to him at a special meeting of the council. Education Minister Jan OSullivan said she was totally shocked by the Fianna Fail members sad passing. He was a very strong public representative. It is just a shock to hear of someone of that age, with a family, and a wife, collapsing. It is a terrible piece of news, and puts into perspective what we have been focusing our attention on. My best friend on Limerick City and County Council has died. Devastated. God rest your soul Joe. Saddened for family - beautiful people. Cllr Frankie Daly (@Cllrfrankiedaly) February 15, 2016 Devastated to hear of the tragic death of colleague & true gent Cllr Joe Crowley. Shocked & upset. Thoughts with his family & friends #rip Cllr Daniel Butler (@DanielButlerFG) February 15, 2016 Deeply saddened to learn of the death of Cllr. Joe Crowley my thoughts are with his family tonight a gentleman to his fingertips RIP Joe Leddin (@JLeddin) February 15, 2016 I'm saddened at the sudden death of our friend and colleague Cllr Joe Crowley. A true gentleman. Our thoughts & prayers go to his family. Cllr. James Collins (@jamesjcollins) February 16, 2016 Frankie Daly said: "Joe was one of the best, most honest, most decent men. I have had family members die and I have not felt this bad. He was a beautiful person. He would never say a bad word about anyone. I was only talking him yesterday, and we were coming up with ideas. Cllr Daly said one of these ideas was to put down a joint motion for the pair to afford Cllr Crowleys beloved Na Piarsaigh a civic reception after they won the Munster Club Title recently. Mayor of Limerick, Cllr Liam Galvin, Fine Gael, added: I am devastated. He was just a gentleman, perhaps too much of a gentleman for politics. He was one of the the nicest men I have met in my political career. He will be a massive loss to the council chamber. He said very little, but what he said was good. Mr Crowley will be laid to rest following Requiem Mass Thursday morning at 11am in Our Lady of the Rosary Church at the Ennis Road, with burial afterwards in St Nicholas Cemetery, Adare. He will be reposing at his home this Wednesday evening from 4pm to 8pm. Mr Crowley is survived by his wife Christine and children Vivienne, Andrew and Hugh. He is sadly missed by his loving sisters Martha and Cathy, brother Colm, brothers-in-law, sisters in law, nephews, nieces, extended family and friends. ONE of Limericks top fashion designers has been announced as a finalist for this years Irish Fashion Innovation Awards. The knitwear designer Caroline Mitchell is one of just four shortlisted for fashion designer of the year. Limerick School of Art & Design (LSAD) is also one of six institutions shortlisted for student designer of the year colleges. Ms Mitchell, who is from Limerick, is also a fashion graduate of Limerick School Of Art and Design. After college, she said she fell into a job designing mens knitwear and got hooked". She started her own knitwear label in 1996 and after several years of wholesaling to shops such as Carraig Donn, Kilkenny Shop and independent boutiques, she moved on to creating mostly bespoke pieces for special occasion, such as for the mother of the bride, and also bridal wear. She also now stocks several shops such as Marion Cuddy in Powerscourt Townhouse Centre. My knitwear is cut-and-sew and I love to embellish with hand beading or crochet details. I like to chop pieces up and re-assemble them in different ways, or just do something really simple with an interesting detail. All my knitwear is designed and made in Limerick, she said. Ms Mitchell is up against designers Giovanna Borza, Carla Johnson of Mona Swims, and Hannah Mullan and Grainne Finn of the label Tissue. Other awards include millinery designer, jewellery designer, and accessory designer of the year. One of the lucky category winners will also receive the overall Innovation Award and four up-and-coming designers will also showcase their collections in the ones to watch category. The awards will be held in Galway on Thursday, March 10. This is the only event of its kind in Ireland and each year recognises the wealth of innovative and creative designers we possess, from students emerging in to the industry to established designers," said Patricia McCrossan, awards founder. Mud Flood, Re-set Cities and Seeing Tartaria Worldwide The Mud Flood Event- What was it, and why are we talking about it? We... Pressemitteilung: Silvia Kuhn startet YouTube-Kanal Clever Money mit Silvi Die Tochter der Honorarberater und Stiftung Warentest Autoren Stefanie und Markus Kuhn startete Mitte Mai mit ihrem neuen YouTube Kanal Clever Money mit Silvi. Ziel ist es, jungen Menschen alles Wissenswerte rund um Geld und Finanzen auf einfache Art und Weise nahe zu bringen. Die Idee zu einem YouTube Kanal ist aus einem Schulerpraktikum in 2019 entstanden. Silvia Kuhn hat [mehr] Die Tochter der Honorarberater und Stiftung Warentest Autoren Stefanie und Markus Kuhn startete Mitte Mai mit ihrem neuen YouTube Kanal Clever Money mit Silvi. Ziel ist es, jungen Menschen alles Wissenswerte rund um Geld und Finanzen auf einfache Art und Weise nahe zu bringen. Die Idee zu einem YouTube Kanal ist aus einem Schulerpraktikum in 2019 entstanden. Silvia Kuhn hat Pressemitteilung: Buntes Wachstum: Ceresana untersucht den Markt fur Farben Farben und Lacke verschonern nicht nur, sie konnen auch schutzen. Die Wande von Krankenhausern zum Beispiel werden zunehmend mit antibakteriellen Eigenschaften versehen. Hauchdunne, aber sehr haltbare Lackschichten bewahren Fahrzeuge vor Rost. Ceresana hat bereits zum vierten Mal den gesamten europaischen Markt fur Farben und Lacke untersucht: Im Jahr 2019 wurden 9,1 Millionen Tonnen dieser Beschichtungen verbraucht. Farbenfrohe Hauser und Autos Bautenfarben sind [mehr] Farben und Lacke verschonern nicht nur, sie konnen auch schutzen. Die Wande von Krankenhausern zum Beispiel werden zunehmend mit antibakteriellen Eigenschaften versehen. Hauchdunne, aber sehr haltbare Lackschichten bewahren Fahrzeuge vor Rost. Ceresana hat bereits zum vierten Mal den gesamten europaischen Markt fur Farben und Lacke untersucht: Im Jahr 2019 wurden 9,1 Millionen Tonnen dieser Beschichtungen verbraucht. Farbenfrohe Hauser und Autos Bautenfarben sind Pressemitteilung: Altlasten 2.067 Mrd. Euro - Krisensubvention 1.000 Mrd. Euro Die Welt leidet unter der Corona-Pandemie, deren Kosten viele Staaten an den Rand der Exixtens bringen konnte. Wie konnte es in Deutschland dazu kommen? Die Welt leidet unter der Corona-Pandemie, deren Kosten viele Staaten an den Rand der Exixtens bringen konnte. Wie konnte es in Deutschland dazu kommen? Lehrte 29.05.2020 In Deutschland wurden in den letzten 50 Jahren 25 Steuerarten [mehr] Die Welt leidet unter der Corona-Pandemie, deren Kosten viele Staaten an den Rand der Exixtens bringen konnte. Wie konnte es in Deutschland dazu kommen? Die Welt leidet unter der Corona-Pandemie, deren Kosten viele Staaten an den Rand der Exixtens bringen konnte. Wie konnte es in Deutschland dazu kommen? Lehrte 29.05.2020 In Deutschland wurden in den letzten 50 Jahren 25 Steuerarten Pressemitteilung: 16. Juni und 18. Juni um 15 Uhr CEST europaischer Zeit Real-Time Innovations (RTI) organisiert zwei neue Webinare speziell fur den europaischen Markt. Hier geht es um die Themen Konnektivitat von Elektrofahrzeugen sowie Landfahrzeugplattformen in Kombination mit Software-Systemen und DDS. Sie finden zu europaischer Zeit um 15 Uhr CEST statt und sind im Anschluss on Demand verfugbar. Sunnyvale (USA)/Munchen, Mai 2020 - Real-Time Innovations (RTI) organisiert zwei neue Webinare speziell fur [mehr] Real-Time Innovations (RTI) organisiert zwei neue Webinare speziell fur den europaischen Markt. Hier geht es um die Themen Konnektivitat von Elektrofahrzeugen sowie Landfahrzeugplattformen in Kombination mit Software-Systemen und DDS. Sie finden zu europaischer Zeit um 15 Uhr CEST statt und sind im Anschluss on Demand verfugbar. Sunnyvale (USA)/Munchen, Mai 2020 - Real-Time Innovations (RTI) organisiert zwei neue Webinare speziell fur Pressemitteilung: [mehr] MCM Investor: Wohnen in Deutschland bis 2060 teuer Laut einer aktuellen Untersuchung der Universitat Freiburg wird das Wohnen bis 2060 vorrausichtlich. Magdeburg, 28.05.2020. In dieser Woche analysiert die MCM Investor Management AG aus Magdeburg eine aktuelle Untersuchung der Uni Freiburg uber die zukunftige Entwicklung des deutschen Immobilienmarktes. Demnach gehe die Bevolkerungszahl hierzulande zwar tendenziell zuruck, die Nachfrage nach Wohnraum steige aber weiter an. In der Studie geht Pressemitteilung: Latest in Electronic Test & Measurement Equipment MICHIGAN - May, 2020 - An international provider of electronic test and measurement equipment, AAATesters has announced that it now offers the INNO View 500 SM Fiber Optic OTDR w/ V20 Fiberscope (https://www.aaatesters.com/Inno_View_500_OTDR_Model_View500_Inno_500_1.html). This new addition to AAATesters expanding inventory of electronic test and measurement equipment, will assist consumers save time and money with greater testing proficiency and success. AAA [mehr] MICHIGAN - May, 2020 - An international provider of electronic test and measurement equipment, AAATesters has announced that it now offers the INNO View 500 SM Fiber Optic OTDR w/ V20 Fiberscope (https://www.aaatesters.com/Inno_View_500_OTDR_Model_View500_Inno_500_1.html). This new addition to AAATesters expanding inventory of electronic test and measurement equipment, will assist consumers save time and money with greater testing proficiency and success. AAA Pressemitteilung: Thomas May ist neuer Chefredakteur fur Perfect Eagle Thomas May ubernimmt mit 1. Juni 2020 die redaktionelle Leitung der fuhrenden multimedialen Golf-Lifestyle-Plattform im deutschsprachigen Raum. Bilder zur Meldung in der Mediendatenbank: Mato Johannik https://leisure-my.sharepoint.com/:f:/g/personal/office_leisure_at/Es4aLP2m5bhHtlEPowWj1SEB5hhgDDEv96D9i9Z_Ok9ajA?e=Xi0L1x Wien (LCG) Perfect Eagle hat heuer allen Grund zum Feiern. Nachdem das Golf-Lifestyle-Magazin mit der Marz-Ausgabe seine erste Dekade feierte, begrut Herausgeber Thomas Wasserburger nun Thomas May als neuen Chefredakteur fur das multimediale Golf- [mehr] Thomas May ubernimmt mit 1. Juni 2020 die redaktionelle Leitung der fuhrenden multimedialen Golf-Lifestyle-Plattform im deutschsprachigen Raum. Bilder zur Meldung in der Mediendatenbank: Mato Johannik https://leisure-my.sharepoint.com/:f:/g/personal/office_leisure_at/Es4aLP2m5bhHtlEPowWj1SEB5hhgDDEv96D9i9Z_Ok9ajA?e=Xi0L1x Wien (LCG) Perfect Eagle hat heuer allen Grund zum Feiern. Nachdem das Golf-Lifestyle-Magazin mit der Marz-Ausgabe seine erste Dekade feierte, begrut Herausgeber Thomas Wasserburger nun Thomas May als neuen Chefredakteur fur das multimediale Golf- Pressemitteilung: Frische fur den Sommer mit UNIKA Kalksandstein Frische fur den Sommer mit UNIKA KalksandsteinFur die einen ist es eine Wohltat, fur die anderen eine Herausforderung: sommerliche Warme. Keine Frage, Menschen lieben die Sonne. Aber nicht jeder mag hohe Temperaturen, schon gar nicht in den eigenen vier Wanden. ... Fur die einen ist es eine Wohltat, fur die anderen eine Herausforderung: sommerliche Warme. Keine Frage, Menschen lieben die [mehr] Frische fur den Sommer mit UNIKA KalksandsteinFur die einen ist es eine Wohltat, fur die anderen eine Herausforderung: sommerliche Warme. Keine Frage, Menschen lieben die Sonne. Aber nicht jeder mag hohe Temperaturen, schon gar nicht in den eigenen vier Wanden. ... Fur die einen ist es eine Wohltat, fur die anderen eine Herausforderung: sommerliche Warme. Keine Frage, Menschen lieben die Pressemitteilung: [mehr] Humor und Lachen - ein ernstes Thema Humor und Corona Rechtzeitig zu einer Zeit, in der vielen das Lachen vergangen ist, mit oder ohne Corona, erscheint das 14. Buch von Jurgen W. Goldfu. Wahrend sich die bisherigen Werke des Autors mit Themen der Fuhrung (von sich und anderen) sowie Wirtschaftsthemen beschaftigten, geht es nun ums Lachen, die Welt und sich selbst mit lachenden Augen zu betrachten. Auf Pressemitteilung: ...einfach, schnell und effizient ...einfach, schnell und effizientUberall da verkaufen, wo die Kunden sind, ist das Ziel aller Handler. plentymarkets bietet als Softwarehersteller eine E-Commerce-Losung, die genau diese Philosophie im Markenkern tragt. ... Uberall da verkaufen, wo die Kunden sind, ist das Ziel aller Handler. plentymarkets bietet als Softwarehersteller eine E-Commerce-Losung, die genau diese Philosophie im Markenkern tragt. Eine, die alle relevanten Marktplatze unterstutzt [mehr] ...einfach, schnell und effizientUberall da verkaufen, wo die Kunden sind, ist das Ziel aller Handler. plentymarkets bietet als Softwarehersteller eine E-Commerce-Losung, die genau diese Philosophie im Markenkern tragt. ... Uberall da verkaufen, wo die Kunden sind, ist das Ziel aller Handler. plentymarkets bietet als Softwarehersteller eine E-Commerce-Losung, die genau diese Philosophie im Markenkern tragt. Eine, die alle relevanten Marktplatze unterstutzt Pressemitteilung: [mehr] Neuer Corona-Mitarbeiterschutz - digitaler Abstandshalter Auch nach den Lockerungen beeinflusst die Corona-Pandemie die Weltwirtschaft tiefgreifend. Die Betriebe sollen wieder sicher anlaufen. Die Schlusselrolle spielen dabei die Einhaltung der Hygieneregeln und des Mindestabstands fur Mitarbeitende. Auch nach den Lockerungen beeinflusst die Corona-Pandemie die Weltwirtschaft tiefgreifend. Die Betriebe sollen wieder sicher anlaufen. Die Schlusselrolle spielen dabei die Einhaltung der Hygieneregeln und des Mindestabstands fur Mitarbeitende. Dazu Pressemitteilung: HUP aktiviert neuen Geschaftsbereich ready2boxx my-buddy-app die HUP Reminder App. Schutzt vor Verlust des iPhones. Mit den ersehnten Lockerungsmanahmen rund um die Coronavirus-Pandemie steigt ein ganz anderes Risiko: der Verlust des iPhones auf Geschaftsreise, beim Einkauf oder etwa dem Besuch von Oma und Opa. Einfach, weil man das mittlerweile nahezu unverzichtbare Device schlicht und einfach liegen lasst. Das Braunschweiger Software-Entwicklungsunternehmen HUP hat fur Apple [mehr] my-buddy-app die HUP Reminder App. Schutzt vor Verlust des iPhones. Mit den ersehnten Lockerungsmanahmen rund um die Coronavirus-Pandemie steigt ein ganz anderes Risiko: der Verlust des iPhones auf Geschaftsreise, beim Einkauf oder etwa dem Besuch von Oma und Opa. Einfach, weil man das mittlerweile nahezu unverzichtbare Device schlicht und einfach liegen lasst. Das Braunschweiger Software-Entwicklungsunternehmen HUP hat fur Apple Pressemitteilung: Das Lernen, wie wir es kennen, andert sich immer mehr. Online ist die neue Ara der Weiterbildung, die Freude macht und die viel leichter in den eigenen Lebens-Zyklus integrierbar ist! Ayurveda-Seminare und Ayurveda-Ausbildungen fordern ein gesundes Leben und geben viel Sinn-Erfullung. Viele Menschen sind wissbegieriger geworden und wollen ihr volles Potenzial durch Bewusstseinsveranderungen ausschopfen. Durch die digitale Welt ist es einfacher und schneller denn je geworden an Informationen zu kommen. Ich stelle [mehr] Online ist die neue Ara der Weiterbildung, die Freude macht und die viel leichter in den eigenen Lebens-Zyklus integrierbar ist! Ayurveda-Seminare und Ayurveda-Ausbildungen fordern ein gesundes Leben und geben viel Sinn-Erfullung. Viele Menschen sind wissbegieriger geworden und wollen ihr volles Potenzial durch Bewusstseinsveranderungen ausschopfen. Durch die digitale Welt ist es einfacher und schneller denn je geworden an Informationen zu kommen. Ich stelle Pressemitteilung: [mehr] Gasnetz Hamburg pruft monatlich 1.200 Hausanschlusse Arbeiten unter umfassenden Schutzmanahmen Haushalte erhalten detaillierte Informationen zum Corona-Schutz Sichere Gasanschlusse stehen im Mittelpunkt Hamburg. Ab sofort klingelt an vielen Hamburger Hausturen wieder der Gasanlagen-Prufer. Die turnusgemae Inspektion der Anschlusse in Kellern oder Wirtschaftsraumen von Ein- und Mehrfamilienhausern ist alle zwolf Jahre vorgeschrieben. Seit Marz hatte Gasnetz Hamburg die Hausbesuche unterbrochen. Nun schickt das Unternehmen wieder seine Fachleute zu den Anschlusskunden Pressemitteilung: Wie COVID-19 unsere Kommunikation verandert Sprachexpertin Tatjana Lackner von Die Schule des Sprechens analysiert, wie sich das Kommunikationsverhalten in der COVID-19-Zeit verandert und welche Kommunikations-Trends daraus entstehen. Bilder zur Meldung in der Mediendatenbank https://leisure-my.sharepoint.com/:f:/g/personal/office_leisure_at/EuP2VeRtjsdPpxlLUzBimIsB-GcG-m5aFr4de0hEQ_WCPw?e=s2GwN1 Wien (LCG) Die Manahmen zur Eindammung der COVID-19-Verbreitung verandern durch Physical Distancing und zahlreiche neue Verhaltensregeln den personlichen Umgang miteinander. Korpersprache, Social Codes und Rituale bekommen eine wichtig Bedeutung in der neuen [mehr] Sprachexpertin Tatjana Lackner von Die Schule des Sprechens analysiert, wie sich das Kommunikationsverhalten in der COVID-19-Zeit verandert und welche Kommunikations-Trends daraus entstehen. Bilder zur Meldung in der Mediendatenbank https://leisure-my.sharepoint.com/:f:/g/personal/office_leisure_at/EuP2VeRtjsdPpxlLUzBimIsB-GcG-m5aFr4de0hEQ_WCPw?e=s2GwN1 Wien (LCG) Die Manahmen zur Eindammung der COVID-19-Verbreitung verandern durch Physical Distancing und zahlreiche neue Verhaltensregeln den personlichen Umgang miteinander. Korpersprache, Social Codes und Rituale bekommen eine wichtig Bedeutung in der neuen Pressemitteilung: Facebook diskutiert Strategie in der COVID-19-Pandemie Beim Moving Forward-Round-Table sprechen Facebook-Manager uber die Zusammenarbeit mit der WHO, die Intensivnutzung in Italien und andere Strategien gegen Falschmeldungen. Bilder zur Meldung in der Mediendatenbank: JMC https://leisure-my.sharepoint.com/:f:/g/personal/office_leisure_at/EsGAMdDUM2lNt4Jo2RfF_R4BhwzfZ8LXK305xeAAjGcAdw?e=EyC94A Video zur Meldung auf Facebook https://www.facebook.com/movingforwardconference/videos/973105823109354 Dublin/Wien (LCG) Die Verbreitungsgeschwindigkeit der sozialen Medien war in den letzten Wochen essenziell, um Informationen zu COVID-19 zu streuen. Auch Fake News fanden in diesem Umfeld einen fruchtbaren [mehr] Beim Moving Forward-Round-Table sprechen Facebook-Manager uber die Zusammenarbeit mit der WHO, die Intensivnutzung in Italien und andere Strategien gegen Falschmeldungen. Bilder zur Meldung in der Mediendatenbank: JMC https://leisure-my.sharepoint.com/:f:/g/personal/office_leisure_at/EsGAMdDUM2lNt4Jo2RfF_R4BhwzfZ8LXK305xeAAjGcAdw?e=EyC94A Video zur Meldung auf Facebook https://www.facebook.com/movingforwardconference/videos/973105823109354 Dublin/Wien (LCG) Die Verbreitungsgeschwindigkeit der sozialen Medien war in den letzten Wochen essenziell, um Informationen zu COVID-19 zu streuen. Auch Fake News fanden in diesem Umfeld einen fruchtbaren Pressemitteilung: Musikfestival Steyr: Kulturgenuss trotz Pandemie Als kultureller Impulsgeber fur die Region ermoglicht das Musikfestival Steyr auch heuer Kulturgenuss und wartet mit einem neuen Programm auf. Bilder zur Meldung in der Mediendatenbank https://leisure-my.sharepoint.com/:f:/g/personal/office_leisure_at/EnbiYHVH3KNOg_ZakCqco3wBz529TPFExmEgRThtSEHHQA?e=fAzk1G Steyr (LCG) In den vergangenen Wochen und Monaten haben die Manahmen der osterreichischen Bundesregierung zur Eindammung der COVID-19-Verbreitung die Kulturnation Osterreich in einen regelrechten Stillstand versetzt. Seit Anfang Mai 2020 setzt die neue Normalitat [mehr] Als kultureller Impulsgeber fur die Region ermoglicht das Musikfestival Steyr auch heuer Kulturgenuss und wartet mit einem neuen Programm auf. Bilder zur Meldung in der Mediendatenbank https://leisure-my.sharepoint.com/:f:/g/personal/office_leisure_at/EnbiYHVH3KNOg_ZakCqco3wBz529TPFExmEgRThtSEHHQA?e=fAzk1G Steyr (LCG) In den vergangenen Wochen und Monaten haben die Manahmen der osterreichischen Bundesregierung zur Eindammung der COVID-19-Verbreitung die Kulturnation Osterreich in einen regelrechten Stillstand versetzt. Seit Anfang Mai 2020 setzt die neue Normalitat Pressemitteilung: OstseeResort Olpenitz bei Kappeln/ Schlei Private Vermietung von ausgefallenen Ferienobjekten an der Ostsee - "Nie mitten drin, aber immer ganz nah dran!" ist hierbei die Devise. Auch wenn die Corona-Pandemie Urlaub und Ferienvermietung weltweit lahm gelegt hat das Leben im OstseeResort Olpenitz ist trotzdem weitergegangen, und Ferienobjekte in diesem neuen Ferienresort bei Kappeln/ Schlei verkaufen sich weiterhin gut. Oder aber jetzt erst Recht? Das [mehr] Private Vermietung von ausgefallenen Ferienobjekten an der Ostsee - "Nie mitten drin, aber immer ganz nah dran!" ist hierbei die Devise. Auch wenn die Corona-Pandemie Urlaub und Ferienvermietung weltweit lahm gelegt hat das Leben im OstseeResort Olpenitz ist trotzdem weitergegangen, und Ferienobjekte in diesem neuen Ferienresort bei Kappeln/ Schlei verkaufen sich weiterhin gut. Oder aber jetzt erst Recht? Das Pressemitteilung: Gut vernetzt: Ceresana-Report zum Markt fur Kunststoff-Rohre Die Nachfrage nach Kunststoffrohren steigt in vielen europaischen Landern. Besonders in Ballungsraumen werden derzeit neue Wohnungen gebaut. Allerdings boomt die Bauwirtschaft nicht uberall: Ausgelastete Kapazitaten, steigende Preise, Fachkraftemangel, fehlendes Bauland und zunehmende wirtschaftliche Unsicherheit bremsen die Dynamik. Dabei konnen sich Hochbau, Tiefbau und Infrastrukturbau sehr unterschiedlich entwickeln: Die verschiedenen Bausegmente sind in hohem Mae von den offentlichen Investitionen im jeweiligen [mehr] Die Nachfrage nach Kunststoffrohren steigt in vielen europaischen Landern. Besonders in Ballungsraumen werden derzeit neue Wohnungen gebaut. Allerdings boomt die Bauwirtschaft nicht uberall: Ausgelastete Kapazitaten, steigende Preise, Fachkraftemangel, fehlendes Bauland und zunehmende wirtschaftliche Unsicherheit bremsen die Dynamik. Dabei konnen sich Hochbau, Tiefbau und Infrastrukturbau sehr unterschiedlich entwickeln: Die verschiedenen Bausegmente sind in hohem Mae von den offentlichen Investitionen im jeweiligen We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page. News / Africa by Staff Reporter THE wife of Mufalali Mufalali man who reportedly died and go buried have rejected that her husband was buried after the man recently returned showing signs of memory loss and confusion.This was after family members demanded a DNA test to establish if the remains at the grave and those of the man who had returned were the same.The wife has said the result of a DNA test will not have any bearing on her as she has already accepted the person that has returned after death and burial last year as her husband.Namate Kamitondo, 41, says she has accepted Mufalali because she is convinced that he is the person that was buried in November last year, only to resurrect' early this month.Zambia Daily Mail reported that she explained that she is sure that Mufalali is her husband, as all the features and scars on the body are still the same ones.And Kamitondo claims that the remains that were exhumed by Zambia Police in her presence were not a human corpse adding that what she saw was merely a black object with a wax-like appearance.Kamitondo also said the jacket that her husband's body had on at the time of his burial was instead folded and placed as a pillow for the said object."I have already accepted Mufalali as my husband and nothing will change even if the DNA comes out negative. This is my husband and not that thing I saw in the coffin," she said.Mufalali's 12-year-old son Mundia also says that the man who had returned was his father.He said the appearance and every single feature were those of his father.Apostolic Foundation Ministries International bishop Gilbert Nalumino, who has taken in the family, said Mufalali has been put on special prayers and deliverance.Bishop Nalumino said the victim has shown signs of improvement since he returned on February 8, 2016."Mufalali is slowly gaining his memory as he is able to recognise all his five children by name. Just yesterday [Friday], the brother from Lusaka came to see him and he also recognised him by his first name," Bishop Nalumino said.Mufalali, who is between the age of 44 and 46, is believed to have been buried on November 1, 2015 Ringing Bells smartphone will cost less than Rs500 'Made in India' just got excitingRinging Bells will be launching its new smartphone on Wednesday /smart-living/innovation/ringing-bells-smartphone-will-cost-less-than-rs500-111651821562722.html 111651821562722 story Smartphone maker Ringing Bells is set to launch its Freedom 251 smartphone on Wednesday. The new phone will cost less than 500, making it the cheapest phone available in India. At present, the cheapest smartphone in India is the Firefox OS-based Alcatel Fire C, priced at 1,729. The likelihood of the Freedom 251 running the Firefox OS, however, is remote as Mozilla, its maker, is planning to phase out the Firefox OS soon. Which means Freedom 251 will be based on Linux OS or Android. Last year, Data Wind, the makers of Aakash tablets, and telecom operator Reliance Communications had announced a smartphone based on the Linux OS for 999. The smartphone has not been rolled out yet. If the Freedom 251 is based on Android, it could trigger a price war between phone manufacturers. The most affordable Android smartphone available in the market right now costs 2,000-3,000. The Micromax Bolt S301 ( 2,150) and Karbonn A108 ( 2,538) are two of the most affordable Android-based phones right now. The Micromax phone comes with a screen size of 3.5 inches and a resolution of 854x480p, and runs on a 1 GHz dual-core processor with 512 MB RAM and 4 GB internal storage. It runs the Android 4.4.2. The Karbonn smartphone has the same screen size but a lower resolution (480x320p), and is powered by a 1 GHz processor with 256 MB RAM and 512 MB internal storage. Noida, Uttar Pradesh, based Ringing Bells, launched in 2015, is a new brand with only one smartphone and three feature phones in its portfolio. The first smartphone, based on the listing on the companys official website, is called Smart 101a 4G smartphone priced at 2,999. At that price, it is the most affordable 4G smartphone available in India right now. The second most affordable smartphone is the Lenovo A2010, priced at 4,999. The Smart 101, which runs on the Android 5.1, has a 5-inch display with a screen resolution of 960x480p. It is powered by a 1.3 GHz quad-core processor with 1 GB RAM and offers 8 GB of internal storage (expandable up to 32 GB). The other highlight includes an 8-megapixel camera and a 2,800 mAh battery. The Freedom 251 will be launched at a press conference in New Delhi on Wednesday. Union defence minister Manohar Parrikar and Bharatiya Janata Party member Murli Manohar Joshi are expected to attend the event. News / Africa by Staff Reporter A Malawian man has been sentenced to two years in prison with hard labour after he attacked his wife with a panga knife.Nyasa Times reports that Blessings Tembo, 22, stabbed his wife Alinafe Yokoniya, 19, after she denied him his conjugal rights.Tembo allegedly stabbed his wife in the head after she told him she was exhausted from her day's work."Tembo fled after injuring his wife. The wife was taken to Kamuzu Central hospital where she received treatment until the 27th of January," Esther Mkwanda, the Kanengo Police spokesperson and Sub Inspector, said.The case was tried in the Mkukula Magistrate's Court in Dowa.A similar case took place last year when another Malawian man, John Yasini, was convicted to 13 and half years in prison with hard labour after he beat his wife, Linda Phulani, 18, for allegedly cheating on him with another man. News / Africa by Staff Reporter Reverand Prophet Sipho Khuzwayo has said South African President Jacob Zuma may have agreed to pay back the money but the accusations were not out of the woods.So Khuzwayo of the Seven Buses a Day Kingdom of Heaven Crusade who made headlines last year after having a vision in which God told him to tell the head of state to pay back the cost of the upgrade to his Nxamalala home.He says he is happy that Zuma will be "doing the right thing".The City Press reported that however, Khuzwayo, who preaches on buses in Durban's Umlazi, KwaMashu and Inanda areas, says that Zuma still needs to "stand before a court and confess his dark secrets" if he wants to avoid the "bitter end" God told him about in his vision last July."It is a very good thing that the president has agreed to pay back the money in line with my prophesy. The second part of the vision, which I did not go into at the time, is more difficult to explain. God believes that the president needs to go to court and expose the deep dark secrets he has from the time before he became president," Khuzwayo told City Press on Friday."The president is the one who can sort out this problem. He needs to go before a court of law and say I did this, this and this before I got into the presidency, before I became president'. He has to do thisin court as there are some things you cannot just explain to people."Khuzwayo, who had his first vision about Zuma in the 1990s, when the president was Economic Affairs MEC in KwaZulu-Natal, said that if Zuma did not "come clean" he would be removed from office by "the same people who put him there."When I speak about the president having a bitter end, I mean that his term will end very badly and things will be very difficult when he leaves office. He needs to come clean to avoid this happening. If not, the same people who put him in will take him out. That is what I have seen."God is tired of all this now. The president needs to speak out." Let's give the penguins a little credit. The news reported around the world was startling that some 150,000 Adelie penguins have died in Antarctica because a colossal iceberg cut off their sea access. But there's no proof yet that the birds are dead. No one has actually found 150,000 frozen penguins. In fact, experts think there's a less horrific explanation for the missing birds: When the fishing gets tough, penguins simply pick up and move. It wouldn't be the first time Adelie penguins marched to new digs. When an iceberg grounded in the southern Ross Sea in 2001, penguins on Ross Island relocated to nearby colonies until the ice broke up. [See Photos of Cape Denison and its Adelie Penguins] "Just because there are a lot fewer birds observed doesn't automatically mean the ones that were there before have perished," said Michelle LaRue, a penguin population researcher at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, who was not involved in the study. "They easily could have moved elsewhere, which would make sense if nearby colonies are thriving," LaRue told Live Science in an email interview. Where did they go? The misplaced penguins lived at a colony on Cape Denison in Commonwealth Bay, in East Antarctica. In mid-February 2010, the Rhode Island-sized iceberg B09B crashed into the bay's Mertz Glacier. The stranded iceberg forced the penguins to walk more than 37 miles (60 kilometers) for food, researchers report in a new study. The greater the distance to dinner, the harder it is for baby chicks to get enough calories from their penguin parents. [Infographic: Your Guide to Antarctica] Since 2011, the original colony of 150,000 penguins has shrunk to around 10,000 birds, according to the new study, published Feb. 2 in the journal Antarctic Science. The authors, from Australia's University of New South Wales, predict the Cape Denison colony will disappear in 20 years unless the ice clears. "I don't think any of us anticipated what we saw: the ground was littered with dead chicks and discarded eggs. What had been until recently a noisy, raucous colony was now eerily quiet. It was heartbreaking to visit," study co-author Chris Turney, of the University of New South Wales Australia, told Live Science in an email interview. But LaRue counters that Adelie penguin colonies always have dead birds scattered around because the carcasses don't decompose in Antarctica's dry, cold climate. Researchers have discovered mummified penguins and seals that are centuries old. "I do not know what happened to these birds, but no one does for certain," LaRue said. "The fact that so many birds [are] gone from this location is really interesting." The Australian research team also suggests the Cape Denison penguins could have emigrated to other nesting sites. They note that abandoned and recolonized penguin colonies are found throughout Antarctica, evidence of the bird's adaptive response to changing ice conditions in centuries past. Waddle watch The Cape Denison Adelie penguin colony was first visited in 1913 during Australian explorer Douglas Mawson's Antarctica expedition. The Australian researchers revisited the colony in 2013, during an expedition to recreate Mawson's voyage. (The year 2013 saw heavy sea ice, and the expedition had to be rescued offshore East Antarctica.) A dead Adelie penguin on Cape Denison in East Antarctica. (Image credit: Australasian Antarctic Expedition 2013-2014) The researchers thoroughly documented the penguin population during their visit. On the same trip, the research team also discovered thriving Adelie penguin colonies elsewhere in Commonwealth Bay. The finding makes it more plausible that some of the birds affected by the iceberg could have gone elsewhere. However, scientists still know little about how the penguins emigrate between colonies. The Adelie penguin population in Antarctica has only recently become tracked by satellites. "What's happening in Commonwealth Bay provides a natural experiment of what we might anticipate for the future. I must stress B09B is not thought to be directly the result of climate change, but it does provide an important insight into processes that could operate in a warmer world," Turney said. "We do hope to get back to Cape Denison to continue monitoring the penguins and track what we hope will be a recovery if (or when) the giant iceberg B09B finally moves." About Adelies Adelie penguins breed between October and February. Adelie penguins must travel repeatedly from the colonies into the adjacent ocean to find the fish and krill that they eat. Unlike emperor penguins, which breed on pack ice during the Antarctic winter, Adelie penguins breed during the Antarctic summer (Octover through February) and live on the continent. Adelie penguins travel back and forth from their nesting colonies to the ocean to hunt for fish and krill. The arrival of B09B has prevented sea ice from leaving the bay, forcing the penguins to walk farther for food. As a result, the penguin population has experienced an order of magnitude collapse in numbers, Turney said. While the Adelie population has dropped along the Antarctic Peninsula, the colonies in East Antarctica are growing, LaRue said. As of 2011, there were approximately 7 million Adelie penguins in Antarctica. "Losing 150,000 birds even if that were true is hardly apocalyptic," LaRue said. Editor's Note: This article was updated with quotes from one of the study researchers, Chris Turney. Follow us @livescience, Facebook & Google+. Original article on Live Science. News / Africa by Staff Reporter MPHO Ndaba was reportedly shoot by Metro Police when he was trying to save his friend who was being assaulted byn the cops.Following the shooting, Daily Sun reported that it might be possible that he may not be able to walk any more.Metro cops allegedly shot the 33-year-old man at the Orange Farm Taxi Rank on Thursday when he was trying to help a friend who was being assaulted by them!Mpho's mum, Florence Ndaba, said her son had been a taxi driver for 15 years and was sitting with his friends at the rank when they saw two traffic cops chasing a taximan.Florence (56), from Zola in Soweto, said Mpho intervened when the cops started assaulting the driver.According to Florence, the cops shot at Mpho six times, and four bullets hit him in his legs.Speaking from his hospital bed, Mpho said the other driver parked his Quantum at the rank after being chased by cops from a roadblock."They jumped out of their van and started beating him. I went to separate them and told them just to arrest him, but then the one officer started firing at me," he said.Mpho said he had been told the cops had changed their story and were claiming he had assaulted them."I never laid a hand on the officers. All their allegations are lies to cover up what they did."Mpho's sister, Portia, said he was a quiet man who often made peace when others were fighting.Orange Farm police spokesman Captain Johannes Motsiri said the police were investigating a case of attempted murder against the traffic cops. An assault case was opened against Mpho as well as a case of malicious damage to state property, as a police vehicle was smashed during the incident.Motsiri said Mpho was under police guard in hospital.The Quantum driver who sped away from the roadblock managed to flee. News / Africa by Staff Reporter A Kitwe housewife who has been married for 13 years has begged the local court to dissolve the marriage because her husband is a violent man who punishes her by inserting objects in her private parts.Zambia Daily Mail reported that before Kitwe local court senior magistrate Alex Chibwe and Elizabeth Banda was Bridget Makapila who sued her husband Ngela Lubinda for divorce because of his violent nature.Makapila, a mother of two said she has never known peace in her marriage since 2010. She narrated that Lubinda also threatens to kill their two children with a panga."All was well when we got married in 2001 but his behaviour changed in 2010. He became violent and always targets my private parts when he physically abuses me. He now threatens our two children with a panga because he says they have brought him nothing but problems," she said.She complained that Lubinda once beat her and stripped her in full view of their children."Lubinda started beating me while our children watched. I was naked but I managed to escape his grip and ran outside our home. He followed me and focused the physical abuse to my private parts; it is painful when he does that. I am afraid he will kill me one day," she said.Lubinda complained that his wife refuses to shave his private parts. He said Makapila also refuses to do his laundry."She does not cook for me and the children and usually comes home late from Chisokone market where she operates from," he said.The court granted divorce because of violence in the marriage. Lubinda was also ordered to pay Makapila K8,000 as compensation in monthly instalments of K500. News / Health by Staff Reporter THOUSANDS of Matabeleland North province patients who need emergency blood transfusion are in danger of dying as the National Blood Service Zimbabwe (NBSZ) has shut down its Hwange branch citing viability challenges.The branch which was serving people from Victoria Falls, Hwange and other areas, was closed in December last year.The closure has forced patients to buy blood supplies from Bulawayo or neighbouring Zambia.NBSZ chief executive officer Lucy Marowa said the branch was making a loss and it was not viable to keep it open."We faced some viability challenges and we had no option but to close the branch. However, we are trying to make some arrangements with Hwange Hospital to mitigate that," she said.Hwange blood donor committee chairperson Maurice Mudhombo condemned the move."Yes, it was closed on December 31 last year and the reasons were not convincing. They only cited viability challenges. However, since the closure of the Hwange branch, which was serving Matabeleland North region, people were left vulnerable. Some drive from as far as Victoria Falls to get blood in Bulawayo," Mudhombo said."Blood cannot be manufactured and it has to come from people. Hwange residents were very supportive, and for them to close it citing viability challenges was not convincing. We feel that people from this part of the country are being marginalised. We fear that people would start importing blood from neighbouring ountries, something that is not safe."Some residents in Victoria Falls said they were now importing blood from Zambia at a low cost."We are now importing blood from Zambia because we are left with no option. One pint of blood (group O) costs $50," one villager who preferred anonymity said.Mudhombo questioned the logic behind the closure of the branch."Why didn't they close other areas and leave Hwange? For example, Gweru and Masvingo have got branches yet the distance between the two is very short compared to Victoria Falls and Bulawayo."They are being insincere. Government should chip in. NBSZ was supposed to consult first before doing that. There wasn't any notice to the people and to the donors themselves. People were shocked," Mudhombo said. Check out our latest E-Edition Accessible anytime and anywhere on your desktop, tablet and smart phone devices. The Lodi News e-Edition is enhanced with the latest digital tools, including RSS feeds, social networking and much more. Check out our latest E-edition! Looking to stay up to date about all of the news stories and local headlines that are important to Long Islanders? We've rounded up the top coverage for all of the important topics from multiple sources around Long Island, so you can be sure you've got the most recent update on the top stories for Long Island. Have an idea for a news story? Email us at news@longisland.com Columnists Press Releases News / National by Staff reporter The cabin crew of the cargo plane which was carrying a dead body found in an air conditioning vault at the Harare International Airport have professed ignorance over the existence of the corpse in the air craft.The American plane, which was carrying a consignment of cash belonging to the Reserve Bank of South Africa, has since been impounded pending investigations.South Africa Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Mr Vusi Mavimbela said officials from the Reserve Bank of South Africa and the cabin crew professed ignorance over the body.He said the person could have smuggled himself into the plane, adding that the Reserve Bank of South Africa is appealing for the urgent release of the consignment.The Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development, Joram Gumbo described the incident as a diplomatic issue, adding that the release of the cargo plane is now being spearheaded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.Zimbabwe Republic Police National Spokesperson, Senior Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba said they are keen to establish the cause of the death and other critical issues.The American cargo plane, flight number AJK 4130 from Germany to Durban was hired by South Africa to carry money for its central bank.The pilot is alleged to have lost signal prompting him to seek an emergence landing at the Harare International Airport where the dead body was discovered. News / National by Nyemudzai Kakore Former Tanzanian president Mr Benjamin Mkapa arrived in Zimbabwe yesterday for a week-long visit, where he is also expected to meet with President Mugabe.Mr Mkapa was met at the Harare International Airport by Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko, Foreign Affairs Minister Simbarashe Mumbengegwi and the Minister of Defence Dr Sydney Sekeramayi.Foreign Affairs permanent secretary Mr Joey Bimha said Mr Mkapa had programmes lined up before he travels back to his country."I can confirm that Mr Benjamin Mkapa is in the country after landing at 1am and he has many engagements before he travels back," he said.Mr Mkapa was the third president of Tanzania from 1995 to 2005. Today Mr Mkapa is expected to tour Alpha Omega Dairy and Amai Mugabe School and Children's Home while tomorrow, he is expected to meet with President Mugabe.On Thursday, he will officiate at the Southern African Research and Documentation Centre (SARDC) renaming ceremony of a block which will be named Julius K. Nyerere House.Mr Mkapa is on Friday expected to deliver a lecture at the Zimbabwe Defence College and in the afternoon he will tour some places in Manicaland. News / National by George Maponga Ousted Zanu-PF Masvingo provincial chairman Ezra Chadzamira yesterday rubbished his suspension as a nullity, maintaining that he was still the ruling party boss in the province.Chadzamira, together with Kizito Chivamba (Midlands provincial chair) and Joel Biggie Matiza (Mashonaland East chair) were suspended on Saturday by Zanu-PF political commissar Saviour Kasukuwere.The trio were suspended for alleged disobedience and inciting insolence, with Kasukuwere telling a Zanu-PF Matabeleland provincial co-ordinating committee meeting in Lupane that the three chairmen were under investigation. However, Chadzamira emphatically said his suspension was null and void as the ruling party's Masvingo provincial executive was still fully behind him.Chadzamira said charges being levelled against him were trumped up to achieve certain goals."I am still the Zanu-PF chairman for Masvingo Province and I will remain in that position until the Zanu-PF Masvingo provincial executive decides otherwise. I respect senior leaders of my party Zanu-PF and I am very loyal to President Mugabe and the First Family and all these allegations that are being thrown at me are false. My suspension is null and void, and I respect the constitution of the party and in my case, procedure was not followed in the attempt to suspend me. I will remain Zanu-PF Masvingo chair until the provincial executive says they no longer want me,'' said Chadzamira.He revealed that there was also no official communication from Kasukuwere informing him of his suspension and the reasons for doing so. Chadzamira said it was only the Zanu-PF Masvingo provincial executive that had powers to remove him from his position, according to the party's constitution.He said procedure was not followed in arriving at the decision to suspend him hence the move was null and void."We do not know where the allegations against us are coming from because we love our President and the First Family. My suspension is actually shocking coming at a time when we are busy preparing to host President Mugabe during the 21st February Movement celebrations to be held at Great Zimbabwe Monuments on February 27. We feel all what is happening is aimed at disturbing our preparations,'' he added.Chadzamira said contrary to allegations levelled against him, he personally attended a rally at the Zanu-PF headquarters that was organised to congratulate President Mugabe for a successful stint as the African Union chair and show solidarity with the First Family following an attempt to bomb Gushungo Dairy. He claimed allegations that some youths and members of the Women's League from Masvingo Province were beaten up and barred from attending the rally at the Zanu-PF headquarters were false."My case should have been handled by the National Disciplinary Committee, and suspensions do not come from the top to the bottom but the other way round,'' said Chadzamira.Kasukuwere refused to respond to Chadzamira's claims. "My friend, just write what he (Chadzamira) has told you. Ok! I will call you later. I am rushing to attend a funeral,'' said Kasukuwere in a short response. News / National by Court Reporter A self-proclaimed prophet of the Johanne Masowe Apostolic Sect dragged his wife before the Harare Civil Court accusing her of witchcraft.Norman Senzere alleged that his wife, Esther Charamba, bewitched his first wife and caused her death.Senzere, who was seeking a protection order against Charamba told magistrate Mrs Marehwanazvo Gofa that she threatened him with death despite divorcing her."We divorced, but she is refusing to leave my house after I gave her parents a cow as a divorce token," he said."She caused the death of my first wife after bewitching her. She is a witch and everyone she threatens with death will die."She is also threatening my other wife. She harasses her and scolds her using vulgar words. I want her to leave my house and be barred from coming to my workplace because I am no longer a happy man," Senzere said.Charamba refuted the allegations. She told the court that it was, in fact, Senzere who was abusing her forcing her to drink concoctions."All that he has said are lies," Charamba said."I have never killed anyone nor am I a witch. He is a prophet from Johanne Masowe but he is manufacturing allegations against me."He is only trying to get rid of me since I became disabled but he is the one who did not want me to go to the hospital for treatment saying his church does not allow that," she said.Mrs Gofa dismissed Senzere's application citing lack of proof of violence perpetrated against him. Luton is a large town, borough and unitary authority area of Bedfordshire. Luton and its near neighbours, Dunstable and Houghton Regis, form the Luton/Dunstable Urban Area with a population of about 258,000. Luton is home to Championship team Luton Town Football Club, London Luton Airport and The University of Bedfordshire. You can find us on Facebook and Twitter. For all the latest news from Luton sign up to our newsletter here. News / National by Staff reporter Zimbabwe's political catfight could turn into an explosive and untenable situation if left unchecked, especially in the face of insinuations about military involvement in plots to "kill" President Robert Mugabe's youngest son Bellarmine Chatunga, analysts and opposition parties have said.First Lady Grace claimed at a rally in Chiweshe last Friday that sections of the army and a Zanu-PF faction allegedly led by Vice-President Emmerson Mnangagwa were plotting to kill Chatunga and that they were responsible for the attempted bombing of her family's dairy plant in Mazowe last month.Political scientist Eldred Masunungure said Grace was treading on "dangerous ground". Apple is slowly, steadily aiming to make Apple Pay the top mobile payment service in the world, so making the system available in China was at the forefront of the companys expansion plansand on Thursday (or late Wednesday, for those of us in the U.S.), Apple Pay finally launched in Apples second biggest market with support from the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China. We think China could be our largest Apple Pay market, Jennifer Bailey, Apples vice president of Apple Pay, told Reuters as she confirmed its launch. Apple also confirmed its launch via Apples news hub for developers. China is the fifth country to receive Apple Pay, following earlier launches in the U.S., United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada. ICBC confirmed the Apple Pay launch earlier this week, though it wont be the only bank on board to support the service. It is, however, the countrys largest lender, according to Reuters. The Chinese state radio station said two more banks, China Construction Bank and China Guangfa Bank, are also planning to support Apple Pay on Thursday, and the remaining 16 banks Apple has listed on its Chinese website are expected not long after. And thanks to Apples partnership with payment network UnionPay, Apple Pay already has support for more than 80 percent of Chinas credit and debit cards The fact that Apple has backing from Chinas biggest banks is hugeApple Pay wasnt immediately popular with major banks in Britain and Australia. But Apple has stiff competition in China, where mobile payments are already popular, unlike in the U.S. The Chinese use established services like Tencents WeChat Payment and Alipay to pay with their phones, and its unclear if Apple Pays selling points, like its seamless integration with the iPhone hardware, are compelling enough to convince people to switch. The story behind the story: Apple partnered with payment network UnionPay to bring Apple Pay to China this year, and Samsung announced a similar deal with the network to bring Samsung Pay to the country, too. Apple will have an easier time winning over people in China and Europe, where mobile payments are far more common than in the States, but it also faces more rivals who have more experience in those markets than Apple does. Apple is reportedly eyeing France as its next big market, according to 9to5Mac, but that rollout might happen later this year so Apple can focus on China for now. News / National by Staff reporter Vice-President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Saturday reportedly confronted President Robert Mugabe in protest over his verbal battering by First Lady Grace at a rally in Chiweshe last Friday.Although both Mnangagwa and Mugabe's spokesperson George Charamba were not picking calls yesterday, NewsDay claims that it was reliably informed that the meeting took place at Mugabe's residence on Saturday where the VP reportedly complained that Grace had publicly accused him of plotting to oust her soon-to-be-92-year-old husband.The development came as NewsDay was told last night that Mugabe's party had called for an extraordinary politburo meeting tomorrow to discuss the internecine fights between its top officials. News / National by Stephen Jakes Two women from Arlington Estate in Hatfield, Harare who lost their houses through the government instigated demolitions have sued the government over the displacement.Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights Communications officer Kumbirai Mafunda posted on Facebook that finally the judgement in the case in which ZLHR lawyers Fiona Iliff and Belinda Chinowawa took government to court over the demolition of houses in Arlington Estate in Hatfield, Harare is out."We are encouraged that Justice Priscilla Chigumba ruled that: "It is a disgrace for two government departments to admit that houses which had been built without the requisite planning authority were demolished and razed to the ground without a court order, without notice in writing being given to all those likely to be affected," he posted. "The process was not procedurally fair. What is shocking and of great concern is the apparent misapprehension by these government departments, of their duty to uphold the Constitution, by ensuring that their conduct is not only lawful, it must be procedurally fair."Mafunda said under no circumstances are government departments at liberty to unilaterally and arbitrarily demolish any structures in the absence of a court order authorizing them to do so, whether the structures were built without approval of building plans, or layout plans or without complying with any other legal requirement."Even if the structures are an eyesore, they cannot just be razed to the ground at the drop of a hat, or on a whim. This is a democratic society in which such conduct, especially on the part of government department whose operations are funded by taxpayers' money, is not justifiable," he said. The U.S. Coast Guard begins hearings on Tuesday to investigate whether misconduct or negligence were factors in the sinking of the cargo ship El Faro during a hurricane last fall, an accident that left the vessel's 33 crew members dead. The 790-foot (241-meter) El Faro went down off the Bahamas on Oct. 1 while on a cargo run between Florida and Puerto Rico. It was the worst cargo shipping disaster involving a U.S.-flagged vessel in more than three decades. The Coast Guard's Marine Board of Investigation will first trace the history of the ship by examining its inspection reports, crew qualifications and past operations. Officials from Tote Maritime Puerto Rico, the ship's owner, and former El Faro crew members are expected to testify during the initial 10-day hearing in Jacksonville, Florida. A second hearing session, which has not been scheduled, will focus on the ship's final voyage, including cargo loading, weather conditions and navigation, the Coast Guard said. The investigation board will look for factors that led to the disaster; evidence of misconduct, inattention to duty, negligence or willful violation of the law by licensed or certified individuals; and whether the Coast Guard or other government employees contributed to the accident, according to the agency. The National Transportation Safety Board, which will participate in the hearings, said last week that it would try again in April to recover the ship's voyage data recorder from the wreckage at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean. Relatives of crew members killed when El Faro sank have sued Tote, saying the ship was not seaworthy and should have avoided the hurricane. Tote has blamed the accident on a loss of power due to unknown causes and has invoked a 19th-century maritime law that would limit its financial liability. Reporting by Barbara Liston Indian Register of Shipping (IRClass) strengthened its growing relationship with the defence sector by actively participating in the Maritime Exhibition (MAREX) during the high profile International Fleet Review 2016, organised by the Indian Navy at Visakhapatnam. MAREX focussed on the Make in India initiative by showcasing indigenous maritime capabilities. The IRClass stall, which was located adjacent to the stalls of Defence Public Sector Shipyards, was visited by the Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi, escorted by Admiral RK Dhowan, Chief of the Naval Staff, and accompanied by the Defence Minister, Shri Manohar Parrikar, and Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, Shri N. Chandrababu Naidu, Minister of State for Skill Development & Entrepreneurship and Parliamentary Affairs, Shri Rajiv Pratap Rudy, and Chief of Materiel Vice Admiral A.V. Subhedar, amongst others. During the visit, Admiral Dhowan explained to Prime Minister Modi the significance of IRClass involvement in developing Rules & Regulations for the Indian Navy and in providing classification services for the Navys ships and craft. Senior officers from the Navies of Bangladesh, Myanmar, Nigeria, Oman and Turkmenistan also met with IRClass at the event to discuss international capabilities and services. The International Fleet Review 2016 was judged a great success in terms of showcasing the Indian Navys preparedness and defensive strength. APM Terminals Pipavav welcomed the IDM Symex, which arrived with a cargo of 800 Hyundai cars loaded at the Port of Chennai on February 5th, in a pioneering use of economical and environmentally-friendly coastal transportation of Indian-manufactured automobiles. APM Terminals Pipavav, part of the APM Terminals Global Terminal Network, commenced export Roll-on/Roll-off (Ro/Ro) services in August 2015, after NYK Auto Logistics India (NALI) invested in a state of the art stock yard and PDI [pre delivery inspection] facilities. The new cars destined for Western India dealerships originated at Hyundai Motor India Limiteds (HMIL) automotive manufacturing facility near Chennai, in Tamil Nadu State. HMIL, the Indian subsidiary of Korean-based Hyundai Motor Company, is Indias second-largest car manufacturer, and for the past ten years, Indias largest passenger car exporter. Link Shipping and Management Systems Pvt. Ltd. is pioneering this venture which demonstrates the value, automotive manufacturers can derive from this safe, efficient and environmentally-friendly mode of transportation going forward. We are very proud to be a part of this historic intra-costal shipment of Indian automobiles, serving Indias growing automotive industry with safe, and environmentally sustainable logistics alternatives said APM Terminals Pipavav, Managing Director, Keld Pedersen. The Indian Ministry of Shippings decision to relax cabotage regulations on special vessels enabled this first domestic consignment. Modal shift incentives currently under evaluation by the Government of India will further encourage shifting of domestic cargo from road to sea. Coastal shipping is an environmentally- friendly alternative to overland transportation by truck, reducing diesel fuel consumption and emissions, as well as Indian roadway congestion. Royal Thai, Republic of Korea and U.S. Marines helocasted from an MV-22B Osprey Feb. 10, 2016 for the first time in a joint environment during exercise Cobra Gold 16 in Thailand. Cobra Gold is an exercise that increases cooperation, interoperability and collaboration among partner nations in order to achieve effective solutions to common challenges. Helocasting is a technique used by reconnaissance teams to insert into maritime environments. Other platforms regularly conduct helocasting missions, but for the Osprey this was one of the first times it has been done. Helocasting is part of the MV-22s training and readiness syllabus, according to U.S. Marine Maj. Arturo Guzman, the squadron director of safety and standardization for Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 262, Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force. The Ospreys operational test and evaluation squadron conducted helocasting most recently in 2008 to validate the Ospreys ability and collect data. VMM-262s goal while conducting the helocasting operations during CG16 was to gather more data and either recommend or not recommend it as a useful tactic for the battlefield. After Cobra Gold, our recommendation is that it is absolutely a viable tactic, said Guzman. We conducted this in a crawl, walk, run approach. First was a simulator, then a fresh water lake and salt water in Okinawa, Japan with no personnel. The last step was during Cobra Gold in Thailand with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, Maritime Raid Force, Royal Thai and ROK Marine Recon teams. The exercise is a great opportunity to build on Marine units capabilities while also building stronger relations with our partner nations in the Pacific region, according to U.S. Marine Capt. Chad Bainbridge, the Platoon Commander for the Amphibious Reconnaissance Platoon, MRF, 31st MEU. This is the first time weve ever helocasted from an Osprey and the first time anyones helocasted from an Osprey alongside our partner nations, said Bainbridge. Completing this mission alongside our Thai and ROK counterparts is very beneficial to building upon our abilities to work together. Cobra Gold, in its 35th iteration, is designed to build both the U.S. and its partner nations capabilities in planning and executing complex and realistic operations. The helocast conducted alongside their partners enable participants from all three militaries to build their capabilities in a developing technique. It was an honor to be one of the first Koreans to helocast from the Osprey, said Republic of Korea Gunnery Sgt. Hong, Suck Joon, a ROK Reconnaissance Marine. I very much appreciate the training with the U.S. Marines and Thai marines during Cobra Gold. Marines with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 365 conducted section confined area landings and a M2 Browning .50-Cal machine gun shoot from Marine Corps Air Station New River, North Carolina, Feb. 10. Marines with the unit flew two MV-22B Ospreys to a landing zone for familiarization flight training, which allowed pilots to practice landings. After practicing CALs, the crew flew off the coast to a safe distance in order to practice shooting the machine gun from the back of the aircraft. Prior to their flight, the pilots and crew gave a brief which covered information about the aircrafts capabilities, as well as factors that may affect the flight, such as current and expected weather conditions. The crew conducted a thorough inspection of their Osprey and after the aircraft was deemed safe and ready for flight, they took to the sky. Section CALs is just one of the biggest basic building blocks into what we do, said Capt. Edward K. Williams, a pilot with the unit. You have got to master that before you can get three or four aircraft into a zone and then move on to doing that at night. The pilots and crew traveled to a nearby landing zone to practice landings and take-offs. For this part of the flight there were two Ospreys landing within close vicinity. The purpose of the training today was mainly proficiency, said Lance Cpl. Jarod L. Smith, a crew chief with the unit. He explained how of the two aircraft, one had fairly experienced pilots and crew but the other aircraft had a newer pilot who was getting his initial code. Smith explained that pilots acquire different codes for the flights they conduct. Once the initial CALs flight was completed, the Marines returned to the hangar to refuel and then flew out for a .50-caliber machine gun shoot. The tail guns are important because [they] are our primary weapon, said Williams. If there is a threat in the zone the crew chiefs need to be proficient to be able to engage a threat without prior notice. The .50-caliber machine gun was mounted on a pivot in the back of the Osprey. The pivot allows the weapon operator to take advantage of a wide angle to effectively engage any target. Smith explained how firing these larger rounds offer more penetration than other munitions and allow the gunner to engage enemies at greater distances. The Osprey made several passes allowing each of the crew members in the back to practice firing the weapon system. Each pass involved firing into an area of the ocean while keeping a tight group on the rounds fired. Williams explained how despite this training being conducted on a regular basis it is still not routine. Every time Marines fly, the training requires the same amount of preflight planning and briefing. A lot of work goes into preflight planning as well as debriefs. Debriefs allow pilots and crew chiefs to assess their flights and determine how to improve their next flight. Even if the flight goes according to plan, Marines always look for ways to improve for future operations. Training is important because as Marines we pride ourselves in readiness, said Smith. We need to be proficient in confined area landings because that is what youre going to [conduct] when youre anywhere. More Media The Phantom Free Syrian Army Moderate Rebels So-called Free Syrian Army moderates exist only in US-led Western and media scoundrel propaganda reports - along with deliberate deception from Saudi Arabia, Turkey and other regional rogue states. No such forces exist. All anti-Syrian elements are US-created terrorist groups, including ISIS, Al Qaeda, Jabhat al-Nusra and their offshoots. The Big Lie persists. Repeated enough gets most people to believe it. Russias real war on terrorism is irresponsibly criticized. Its made a major difference on the ground. Claiming it largely targets nonexistent moderates, civilians and non-military sites aims to discredit what deserves universal praise and support. Putin is not only a preeminent world-class leader. Hes a world-class hero, a defender of nation-state sovereignty and fundamental international law principles against US-led naked aggression, its megalomaniacal rage to dominate, its threat to world peace. Earlier, Sergey Lavrov strongly rebuked false claims about Russias aerial operations, saying: No one has told us where the Free Syrian Army operates or where and how the other units of the (so-called) moderate opposition act. We (are) ready to establish contact with them (if they exist), if these are indeed efficient armed groups of the patriotic opposition that consist of Syrians. So far, the Free Syrian Army remains a phantom group. Nothing is known about it. The same goes for all so-called moderate rebels. Where are they? No one can find them. They dont exist. Russias aerial campaign targets all anti-Syrian terrorist groups exclusively, continuing until theyre reduced to a shadow of their peak strength. On Monday, Turkey continued lawless cross-border shelling against Kurdish YPG forces and residential areas in northern Syria, demanding they pull back, relinquish hard-won territorial gains. They responded by pressing ahead, pushing terrorists back, seizing areas they held, routing their fighters - with Russian air power supporting them. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Gennady Gatilov accused Ankara of lawlessly trying to seize territory in northern Syria, an objective doomed to fail. Erdogan continues arming ISIS and other terrorists groups. Syrian media reported caches of US and Israeli weapons seized, intended for their use. A longterm struggle persists as long as Washington and its rogue allies continue arming, funding, training and directing the scourge they claim to oppose - while duplicitously talking peace they fundamentally reject. Five years of US imperial war on Syria could become as protracted as its aggression on Afghanistan and Iraq. It continues endlessly, longer than most people can imagine, new administrations prolonging what earlier ones began - a bonanza for war-profiteers, a disaster for victimized millions. By Stephen Lendman http://sjlendman.blogspot.com His new book as editor and contributor is titled Flashpoint in Ukraine: US Drive for Hegemony Risks WW III. http://www.claritypress.com/Lendman.html He lives in Chicago and can be reached in Chicago at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net. Also visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com and listen to The Global Research News Hour on RepublicBroadcasting.org Monday through Friday at 10AM US Central time for cutting-edge discussions with distinguished guests on world and national topics. All programs are archived for easy listening. 2016 Copyright Stephen Lendman - All Rights Reserved Disclaimer: The above is a matter of opinion provided for general information purposes only and is not intended as investment advice. Information and analysis above are derived from sources and utilising methods believed to be reliable, but we cannot accept responsibility for any losses you may incur as a result of this analysis. Individuals should consult with their personal financial advisors. 2005-2019 http://www.MarketOracle.co.uk - The Market Oracle is a FREE Daily Financial Markets Analysis & Forecasting online publication. EU President Tells David Cameron to Get Stuffed on Migrant Benefits Reforms The un elected President of the European Parliament, warned David Cameron that even the heavily watered down agreement due to be announced by the end of this week would not be legally binding and subject to debate and revision by MEP members AFTER the UK votes to stay in the European Union, members who will be guided by their respective UK benefits recipient governments such as Poland, Hungary, and a dozen other eastern european UK benefits claiming states. This is precisely what I warned would happen following last weeks pantomime that had David Cameron 'chamberlain' style waving a piece of paper of 'reform in our time' as the following video analysis illustrates - https://youtu.be/MF3QLhoxkwQ The bottom line where the negotiations are concerned is that Britain stands alone against a dozen benefits claiming eastern european states that collectively can always out vote anything that Britain puts forward in terms of restricting benefits for migrants for the fundamental reason that without treaty change then ALL agreements are WORTHLESS! Literally not worth the paper they are printed on as the European Commission President made clear that the European Parliament would NOT STAR WORK ON LEGISLATION UNTIL AFTER BRITAIN HAS VOTED TO STAY IN THE UK. Furthermore barely a few hours ago it was the turn of the Czech Republic to demand that child benefit is not cut for Czech migrants. And so even before a a UK In / Out referendum is even held, the European Union is busy putting the groundwork in place to ensure that any agreement made this week will have NO CONSQUENCES, a complete smoke and mirrors exercise to hood wink the people of Britain into voting to giving up sovereignty for ever! For there WILL BE NO SECOND referendum given the forty year long trend towards the emergence of the European Super state. Therefore this really IS Britain's very last chance for freedom as I illustrated a couple of weeks ago : 03 Feb 2016 - David Chamberlain Cameron, Britain's Last Chance for Freedom From Emerging European Super State Britain's Last Chance to Gain Freedom from Emerging European Super State What most pundits fail to recognise or lack experience of is trend and momentum both of which for the past 40 years have been moving in one direction that for the emergence of a highly centralised European super state that the financial crisis and subsequent economic depression of southern europe is accelerating the trend towards. So whilst it is too late for the euro-zone members who for better or worse are locked into a death embrace that has all but nullified democracy for most of the euro-zone states as the elections in Greece, Spain and Italy have clearly demonstrated the lack for even radical governments such as Syriza to do anything other than obey their German paymasters who control the euro currency and can within a couple of weeks bring fellow euro-zone members to the brink of collapse as was repeatedly demonstrated by Greece last year. Thus, for Britain the saving grace of not being in the euro-zone offers the UK a unique final opportunity to make the choice of either FREEDOM or become another satellite state revolving around a German centre that will increasingly dictate terms and conditions. Therefore, given that there would probably not be another referendum for at least 20 years, then this really is Britain's VERY LAST CHANCE. There WON'T be another opportunity because with each passing year the price for a BREXIT increases, and we are not that far off from the point of no return when an exit would result in an economic collapse, much of the situation the euro-zone members have been since they signed up to scrap their currencies and join the Euro-zone. Of course both the LEAVE and the REMAIN camps put out a lot of propaganda and spin on the others consequences. For LEAVE it's a case of everything smelling of roses in a Britain that has been freed from increasing European bureaucracy and interference, that would be in full control of Britain's borders. Whilst the REMAIN camp paints a picture of FEAR, of economic and financial catastrophe coupled with punitive terms for exit that would seek to punish Britain for daring to exit the euro-zone, so much for so-called european unity built on common purpose and friendship instead the European Union is increasingly a club of FEAR and PARALYSIS. The Price for Freedom The truth is that a BREXIT WILL BE ECONOMICALLY PAINFUL despite all of the benefits of being outside of the E.U. The cost of BrExit will be anywhere from 2% to as high as 5% of GDP if the euro-zone is determined to make an example of Britain to act as a warning to others by raising punitive tariffs on trade. However remember that attaining FREEDOM ALWAYS carry's a PRICE, in which respect even the worst case scenario for a 5% loss of GDP in the grand scheme of things does not compare against the infinitely greater price the people of Britain paid for their freedom in both past World Wars and so it is now THIS generations turn to pay a price for the freedom of future generations. What the people of Britain need to fully understand is that this really is their VERY LAST CHANCE for Freedom! The following video further illustrates the crisis consequences of the decade long failure to limit benefits for migrants that has prompted whole villages and even towns to up sticks and land themselves on Britain's cities demanding housing, healthcare, school places and of course benefits. US Interest Rates 2016 US Dollar Trend Forecast Stock Market Trend Forecast 2016 US House Prices Forecast 2016 and Beyond Gold and Silver Price Forecast 2016 Ensure you are subscribed to my always free newsletter (only requirement is an email address) for the following forthcoming analysis - By Nadeem Walayat http://www.marketoracle.co.uk Copyright 2005-2016 Marketoracle.co.uk (Market Oracle Ltd). All rights reserved. Nadeem Walayat has over 25 years experience of trading derivatives, portfolio management and analysing the financial markets, including one of few who both anticipated and Beat the 1987 Crash. Nadeem's forward looking analysis focuses on UK inflation, economy, interest rates and housing market. He is the author of five ebook's in the The Inflation Mega-Trend and Stocks Stealth Bull Market series that can be downloaded for Free. Nadeem is the Editor of The Market Oracle, a FREE Daily Financial Markets Analysis & Forecasting online publication that presents in-depth analysis from over 1000 experienced analysts on a range of views of the probable direction of the financial markets, thus enabling our readers to arrive at an informed opinion on future market direction. http://www.marketoracle.co.uk Disclaimer: The above is a matter of opinion provided for general information purposes only and is not intended as investment advice. Information and analysis above are derived from sources and utilising methods believed to be reliable, but we cannot accept responsibility for any trading losses you may incur as a result of this analysis. Individuals should consult with their personal financial advisors before engaging in any trading activities. Nadeem Walayat Archive 2005-2019 http://www.MarketOracle.co.uk - The Market Oracle is a FREE Daily Financial Markets Analysis & Forecasting online publication. Euro Bond Crisis Returns As Germany Pushes Euro Sovereign Debt Bail-in Clause European Banks holding European sovereign debt may have to take haircuts and be part of bail in plans should that same debt default, according to a plan being pursued by German government advisers. In another attempt to shelter German tax payers from the largess and excess of fellow European neighbouring countries national banks, the move could trigger a run on billions of euro of sovereign debt of said banks. In an article penned by the Telegraphs Ambrose-Evans Pritchard, one of the councils dissenting members describes the plan as the fastest way to break up the Eurozone. The plan, by The German Council Of Economic Experts, calls for banks to be bailed in should losses occur from a sovereign default before the European Stability Mechanism steps in to stabilise the situation. Italian and Spanish banks hold vast amounts of their national government debt; in Italys case they are supporting the Italian treasury. Should that debt default, which is a very real possibility, then Italian banks would have to take significant losses first, only then would the ESM be allowed to step in. Professor Bofinger, who sits on the council, has dissented. He believes that such a move could force Italy and Spain to actively depart from the euro in order to prevent their countries from facing bankruptcy. The mere prospect of such a move could ignite a bond run and cause the collapse of European sovereign debt, forcing up yields and crashing bond prices. This would mean that European nations would face far higher refinancing rates. So will it happen? So far the plan has attracted a number of high profile supporters, including the influential German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schauble and the German Bundesbank. When questioned about the plan, ECB president Mario Draghi stated, tellingly, on Monday that it is an issue that we do have to deal with. But we have to take a very considered and phased-in approach. Portuguese 10-year bonds are already trading at yields not seen since 2014. What does it mean? It means that national banks facing losses from government debt defaults cannot now rely on official support until they have expended their own reserves, which may include the expropriation of customer deposits. Should a heavily indebted European country default on its bonds, any bank holding said bonds will have to cover the losses by tapping its existing reserves. The losses may then suck in client deposits as bank depositors get forced to cover the capital shortfall on the banks balance sheet. The possibility of contagion then rises as counterparties to the bank and the defaulting government dump any related assets or parties they suspect as having exposure. It is a house of cards that could destabilise the entire monetary system. European integration is a mess and it will likely end very, very badly. The noble euro experiment has exposed deep chasms of distrust which the architects of the EU felt would be overcome only by throwing each members lot in together. Alas, we now see that German benefactors are circling the wagons in anticipation of a collapse by digging firebreaks wherever they can. They are following a nationalist mandate to protect their citizens from the excesses of their neighbours, utterly misdiagnosing the causes of the issue in the process. If you were in Whitehall, London and tasked with drafting a policy paper for Britain and its integration with Europe, what would you think? You would likely seek to make serious preparations for a disorderly wind down of the European monetary experiment. Myopic German conservative financial elite refuse to accept any shared responsibility for the euro, that much is clear. They believe in having their cake, (a vastly depreciated export currency that ensures competitive and high value German exports), and eating it too (refusing to support by a system of transfers the benefit accruing to the German tax payer with their fellow debtor nations). The machinations of European debt problems should be shared. The peripheral European countries should take a disproportionate amount of any financial adjustment pain resulting from their greed and poor management, but the process by which this is achieved needs to be managed far more sensitively and in concert with those European neighbours. It seems that this plan may create the very storm it seeks to manage. What you can do In short you need to take some action now. If you have significant euro savings you should seek to secure them in the safest of banks in the safest of jurisdictions. For more information read GoldCores guide to bail ins and get key insights into how bail-ins will operate and how to protect you and your familys wealth. You need to have an allocation to precious metals (gold or silver), a form of money that can not be debased by nefarious governments. Your bullion needs to be allocated and segregated, that means you need to be able to put your hands on the metal when and where you wish without having to enter a market sell order. You cannot do this with a gold fund or with a digital gold trading platform. There are lots of reputable dealers, few though can offer secure storage that can weather what may be coming. Read our guide to storing metals. Store cash and metal in your immediate possession, should a bank collapse occur you may need, as awful as this sounds, reserves to protect your family for a few days or weeks while the system corrects itself. If you are a client of GoldCore feel free to make an appointment to discuss your issue with one of our advisers. Click here to book your appointment. One final word Do not panic, seriously. It is unlikely that we will face a banking collapse in the near future as we hope in time that cooler heads will come to bare. It is prudent to have some insurance in place should the unthinkable happen. A casual review of history, especially European history, will demonstrate just how boneheaded officialdom can be sometimes. This update can be found on the GoldCore blog here. 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News / National by Staff Reporter ZIMBABWE Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) officials are considering using drones, helicopters, sniffer dogs and surveillance cameras in fighting poachers in country's game parks.Zimparks director-general Edison Chidziya told Parliament Monday on the plans."We are working with other law enforcement agencies on regulatory frameworks on use of drones."There are various suppliers of such technology and once the regulatory framework is finalised, we will look at using such technology.""We managed to detect 8 000 incursions in Parks estates since last year and 145 poachers. 45 poachers were accounted for, as well as 29 poaching foreign nationals. We have seen a trend where local involvement in poaching is increasing."In 2013 a total of 105 wild animals were lost through poisoning in Hwange, while in 2015 about 100 animals were poisoned with 32 lost at one particular site. In Defence of Marxism is committed to safeguarding your privacy. 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We recommend that you check this Privacy Policy occasionally to ensure you remain happy with it. We may also notify you of changes to our privacy policy by email. Third party websites We link our website directly to other sites. This Privacy Policy does not cover external websites and we are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of those sites. We encourage you to read the privacy policies of any external websites you visit via links on our website. Updating information You can check the personal data we hold about you, and ask us to update it where necessary, by emailing us at webmaster@marxist.com Contact We are not required by law to have a Data Protection Officer however we have a Data Protection Manager. Please let us know if you have any queries or concerns whatsoever about the way in which your data is being processed by emailing the Data Protection Manager at webmaster@marxist.com From 1937-45, China became one of the main theatres of the Second World War. This entangling of China in World War II raised the country out of its subjugation on the world stage, such that at the Wars conclusion China was given a permanent seat on the UN Security Council. Only 4 years later the immense Chinese revolution was finally completed, freeing China from imperialist domination. The war's violent dragging of China onto the world stage had effected a thoroughgoing internal transformation of China. In this article we examine the war and its effect on China, the role of the Chinese ruling class in the war, and the strategy and tactics of the Chinese Communist Party that led the revolution of 1949. [Editor's note: this was originally a 10 part serialised article, which has now been combined into a single article.] All this time was required to produce the philosophy of our day; so tardily and slowly did the World-spirit work to reach this goal. What we pass in rapid review when we recall it, stretched itself out in reality to this great length of time. For in this lengthened period, the Notion of Spirit, invested with its entire concrete development, its external subsistence, its wealth, is striving to bring spirit to perfection, to make progress itself and to develop from spirit. It goes ever on and on, because spirit is progress alone. Spirit often seems to have forgotten and lost itself, but inwardly opposed to itself, it is inwardly working ever forward (as when Hamlet says of the ghost of his father, Well said, old mole! canst work i the ground so fast?) until grown strong in itself it bursts asunder the crust of earth which divided it from the sun, its Notion, so that the earth crumbles away. Hegel, Philosophy of History In the dead of night on 8th July 1937, a unit of the Japanese Army opened machine gun fire on Chinese troops stationed around the Marco Polo or Lugou Bridge in Wanping, now a suburb of Beijing. The shots were fired in retaliation for the apparent (but not actual) kidnapping or killing of a Japanese soldier by the Chinese. But by the end of the night, the bridge was back in Chinese hands and both sides swiftly came to a gentlemanly agreement to prevent anything like this happening again. However, the high-minded intentions of the peace-loving Japanese and Chinese Generals notwithstanding, by the very next day hostilities had not only recommenced but increased, beginning an unavoidable slide to all out war. How can an insignificant little skirmish quickly resolved have been allowed to start a war? The Israeli occupation of Palestine has familiarised the contemporary reader with the principle that imperialist occupations have an insane logic of their own. The contradictions and injustice of the occupation are precisely the fuel for further encroachments and oppression; each act of resistance or even miscommunication a justification for defensive assaults on the occupied. The Japanese occupation of China after 1931 was no different, and it was just such a mistake which sparked the Second Sino-Japanese War of 1937-45, which was to be the Pacific theatre of World War II, claiming around 32m lives, the vast majority Chinese civilians. With a similar unconscious necessity, this entangling of China in World War II would raise the country out of its passivity and subjugation on the world stage, such that at the Wars conclusion China was given a permanent seat on the UN Security Council. But this violent dragging of China into world relations could not be achieved without effecting a thoroughgoing internal transformation of China. China could only match the tasks of modernity by throwing off all its accumulated baggage and mess from the past, and thus its modernisation and active participation in world politics meant the long overdue Chinese social revolution. The accidental spark known as the Marco Polo Bridge or Lugouqiao Incident is possibly the best example of necessity expressing itself through chance one could imagine. Crossed wires, mutual stubbornness and minor (or not so minor) outbreaks of verbal or actual hostilities are inherent in imperialist occupations, and of course they are always the responsibility of the imperialists. As the only point of connection between free China and the key city of Beijing (not then Chinas capital), the taking of the Marco Polo Bridge was naturally an immediate aim of the Japanese occupation of China, which was in reality a one-sided war ongoing since 1931 [see http://www.marxist.com/chinese-comminist-party-1927-37-part-8.htm]. Chiang Kai-shekFor that reason the Japanese had been patrolling the bridge every night with the kind permission of Chiang Kai Shek (the dictator of China), on the condition that the Japanese only inform the Chinese each night of their plans. For one reason or another, on the night of 8th July 1937 this communication failed to take place, leading the Chinese troops to interpret the maneuvers as an actual attack, who as a result fired their weapons (ineffectively). When a Japanese soldier failed to return with his squad, it was assumed he was killed or kidnapped, leading ultimately to the Japanese attack. Japan had its own reasons for using this pretext, which was an inevitable outcome of six years of occupation and exploitation, to further invade and enslave the profitable regions of China. But in addition to its main motivation of greed, several authors contend [see Guillermaz 1968, p287 and Eastman, Nationalist China During the Sino-Japanese War 1937-35] that a major cause of the Japanese aggression after this incident was the appearance of growing Chinese resolve to resist Japan as realised in the Guomindang governments new alliance with the Chinese Communist Party [CCP]. They wanted to strike before the Chinese had time to mobilise. The likelihood of this as a factor demonstrates the inseparability of the twins of the Sino-Japanese war and the Chinese revolution - as we have previously shown this resolve and unity came not from Chiang Kai Shek and his Guomindang. It was instead a product of the powerful impetus amongst the Chinese masses towards launching a revolutionary war against the Japanese invaders, an impetus that was fast propelling the CCP to the power it would finally take in 1949. Therefore, before we look at the eight years of war, we will examine this second unlikely alliance between the two nemeses of the Chinese revolution, the Guomindang and the CCP. This alliance to defend China was struck in the months before the Marco Polo Bridge Incident under revolutionary pressure. As Marxists we are naturally most interested in the perspectives and justification for the alliance that the CCP elaborated around 1937, in order that we can compare this with the actual history of the war and its aftermath. The CCPs Opportunist and Nationalist Perspectives in 1937 As explained previously, the CCPs perspectives for the Chinese revolution and war with Japan had been changed under Moscows orders in late 1935 in the direction of opportunism. The first major fruit of this perspective was the alliance struck with Chiang Kai Shek at gunpoint in late 1936. Why a revolutionary party, finding itself in possession of the defenceless dictator responsible for killing thousands of its own members, would then sign a deal with him on terms favourable to his regime, is analysed in our above linked article. Such a choice of action should in itself be enough to condemn the new perspectives of the CCP. What followed was a rapid degeneration of the partys programme along nationalist lines. National unity between the CCP and Guomindang was preached; talk of socialism was relegated, in its place the CCP promoted democratic reforms to be introduced by the Guomindang at its leisure; property, including of the landed kind, was not to be touched; rural soviets and the independent Red Army were to have their names changed and placed under Guomindang leadership. Outlining to party members his new perspectives, Mao stated that the democratic [i.e. not socialist] revolution (will) transform (itself) in the direction of socialism. There will be several stages of development in the democratic revolution, all under the slogan of the democratic republic, not under the slogan of the Soviet...We maintain that socialism will be reached through all the necessary stages of the democratic republic...To maintain that the bourgeoisie should be eliminated because of its transitional nature and to accuse the revolutionary groups of defeatism and collaboration with the bourgeoisie are Trotskyite words with which we cannot concur. The present alliance between the bourgeoisie and the revolutionary group is a necessary bridge to socialism. (Mao, speech to the National Conference of the CCP, 1937, our emphasis) We have already explained at length why the perspective of a necessary bourgeois democratic stage to the Chinese revolution was utterly false, as was proven concretely in 1927. For now, it is sufficient to point out that the very man whose personal dictatorship of China proved in practice the falseness of this perspective, was the man whom the CCP was here allying with as the embodiment of the present alliance between the bourgeoisie and the revolutionary group. If Chiang Kai Shek obliterated his previous alliance with the CCP and all hopes for a democratic stage to the revolution in 1927 by staging a violent coup, why rekindle that alliance only ten years later, during which time he had done nothing but strive for the physical liquidation of the CCP? Of course, what had changed since 1927 was the invasion by Japan. But it was elementary to anyone in the CCP that Chiang Kai Sheks dictatorship was the primary obstacle to fighting Japan, since he had pursued a policy of total capitulation to the stronger Japanese forces, concentrating instead on eliminating the CCP. Thus the Japanese invasion only further increased his criminality. Nevertheless, Mao argued that these policies must be carried out only with the consent of the Guomindang [i.e. of Chiang Kai Shek], because the Guomindang is at present still the largest party in power. (Mao, Urgent Tasks of the Chinese Revolution since the Formation of the KMT-CCP United Front, 1937). Well, it was the only party in power, because China was a one-party dictatorship! It is not an exaggeration to say that at this stage, the CCP was transforming itself into the chief prop of Chiangs dictatorship. Such a perspective requires the substitution of the reactionary nationalist ideology of national unity at all costs for one of class struggle. It is no surprise then, that at the same time the CCP, in a public statement only one week earlier than Maos above remarks, claimed that the aggression of imperialist Japan can only be overcome by the internal unity of our nation...all our fellow-countrymen, every single zealous descendent of Huangdi [Chinas first emperor] must determinedly and relentlessly participate (CCP Public Statement on KMT-CCP Co-operation, 1937, our emphasis). To clear up what was meant by all countrymen, Mao stated it is a united front of the whole nation...of all parties, groups, classes (Mao, op cit., our emphasis). The ideology of the CCP was at this time, under Maos leadership, drifting away from Marxism and internationalism and emphasising nationalism above all else. According to Brandt, Schwarz and Fairbank, Mao answered to the question whether the Communists are Chinese first or Communist first, with Without a Chinese nation there could be no CCP. The implication is clear - we are nationalists who use Marxism only insofar as it is useful to achieve national ends. This compares very unfavourably with Marx and Engels statement in the founding document of Marxism that the workers of the world have no country. Maos biographer Schram believes that for Mao himself, the alliance of all Chinese for the salvation of their country was not merely skilful tactics; it was a value in itself. (Schram, Mao Tse-Tung, our emphasis). The same author points out that the main content of political work [by the CCP at this point] both within the army and among the population was to preach national revival, to stimulate national consciousness (ibid). Defenders of the Party will argue that this emphasis merely reflected the concrete reality of fighting a war of national liberation, and that tapping into the national feeling to fight Japan was a revolutionary act, the first step on the road to social revolution. But the task of Marxists in preparing the masses for socialist revolution would in these circumstances be to elevate the national consciousness of the workers to class consciousness. This should not be hard to do given that the bourgeois nationalist party with which they were now in alliance, which was the only serious bourgeois party in China, had been practising a complete national sellout to the Japanese by refusing to fight them. This is further underlined by the fact that the Guomindangs new pledge to fight Japan was only won against their wishes and under revolutionary pressure from below. Contrary to Maos claims, the invasion did not make possible the alliance of all classes, instead it revealed the traitorous complicity of the ruling class in that invasion. To this should be added the general fact that, since the end of the Opium Wars, the Chinese bourgeoisie had always sacrificed the wider nations interests in favour of the imperialists for a share in the latters profits. The lesson for China was that, along with all other capitalist countries, it was not one nation to be united but a class divided nation. The perspectives outlined for the party by Mao in 1937 cut across the very real tendency for the CCP to gain support at the Guomindangs expense (being rightly seen as the only force prepared to stand up for the oppressed Chinese). The new programme worked to lower the masses consciousness of the need for the overthrow of Chiangs dictatorship. This is clear from the extraordinary historical revisionism in the Guomindangs favour which we find in Maos justifications for the alliance. He explained that as a result of the co-operation between the two parties on major policies, the Great Revolution of 1925-7 was successfully guided[!!] to the point where we were able to achieve, within two or three years, the revolution for nationalism, democracy, and peoples livelihood (Mao, op cit.). For those unclear on exactly what happened in the revolution of 1925-7, please see our series of articles here:http://www.marxist.com/90-years-of-the-chinese-communist-party-part-one.htm. For the aftermath of this successful revolution, please see our subsequent series of articles: http://www.marxist.com/chinese-comminist-party-1927-37-part-1.htm. Suffice it to say here that the revolution of 1925-7 was wrecked because of this alliance, and its product was twenty two years of dictatorship, the virtual breakup of the nation into warlords fiefdoms, and the continuing domination of the country by Japan and the West. One can hardly imagine a less successful revolution. This revisionism was followed up with poetic praise for Chinas dictator and his apparent role in freeing China, If [the Guomindang] do not consent [to our offer of an alliance to fight Japan], then...Japanese imperialism will not be defeated[but] the more intelligent members and leader of the KMT will certainly not allow this to happen. (Ibid). No wonder then that Roosevelts personal envoy to Chiang Kai Shek Patrick Hurley did not believe that Mao and his comrades were real Communists (Schram, op. cit.), and that Molotov had told him that the Chinese were radish Communists, red on the outside, white on the inside! (Harrison, The Long March to Power). The alliance between the bourgeoisie and the revolutionary group in Practice Mao in 1946Given that Chiang Kai Shek described the Communists as Chinas disease of the heart as opposed to the mere skin disease that were the Japanese, the second attempt at mixing the oil and water of the Guomindang and CCP would require a special recipe concocted to meet Chiangs tastes. This can already be seen in the above quoted historical revisionism of Mao in which he paints the Guomindangs history in bright colours. At this time Mao also predicted a brilliant future for the Guomindang, and praise[d] its great leader Chiang Kai Shek (Schram, op cit.), whom Mao also especially hope[d] would take up the task of reform (Mao, op cit.). The concrete application in policy was of subordination to the Guomindangs political programme and leadership, under the one precondition that the Guomindang remain committed to fighting the Japanese - though that too was predictably violated, as Mao admitted in 1945 that 64% of the fighting against the Japanese and 95% of that against Japanese puppets was carried about by the much smaller CCP forces (Mao, Chinas Strategy for Victory). This meant in practice that the CCP publicly pledged that it abandons all its policy of overthrowing the KMT by force and the movement of sovietization, and discontinues its policy of forcible confiscation of land from landlords...abolishes the present Soviet government and practices democracy based on the peoples rights in order to unify the national political power...abolishes the designation of the Red Army, reorganises it into the [Guomindang controlled] National Revolutionary Army, places it under the control of the Military Affairs Commission of the National government, and awaits orders (CCP Public Statement on KMT-CCP Co-operation, 1937, our emphasis) For any who still believe that in making such statements, the CCP was merely maneuvering to gain legality and breathing space for itself, or to tap into any feeling for national unity without actually surrendering independence from the Guomindang, it must be noted that these public pledges were accompanied by a drive from Mao and the CCP for a common political programme for both parties (Mao, op cit.). In the same document of 1937 Mao argues for the need for co-operation between officers and men in the army, without in any way putting forward concrete demands regarding the character of the army, the election of officers or any other social or progressive content whatsoever. Such a position, when coupled with the offer of abolishing the Red Army, the Soviet political bases and for a common political programme acceptable to the Guomindang dictatorship, could only mean supporting the domination of rank-and-file peasant soldiers by the corrupt Guomindang officers. We have argued in our previous series on China that such a strategy of political alliance with the Guomindang may indeed have been cleverly engineered to gain the party greater organisational breathing space; but as we showed, this only reveals a complete degeneration for a Marxist organisation. In the Communist Manifesto Marx and Engels stress that The Communists disdain to conceal their views and aims. They openly declare that their ends can be attained only by the forcible overthrow of all existing social conditions. As we argued previously, the point is that they publicly declared they were [following the Guomindangs orders]. They publicly supported and propped up the Guomindang bourgeois dictatorship. They deflected popular anger away from Nanjing, and thus made themselves incapable of mobilising the masses for a political overthrow of the regime. This is borne out by the fact that little was gained in the way of recruits or influence from within the Guomindang. CCP members doing entry work in the Guomindang were generally isolated and for the moment served mainly in intelligence work (Harrison, op cit, p350). It must be understood that this inversion of priorities, of sacrificing the duty to raise the class consciousness of the masses for organisational gains, flows from its abandonment of its urban working class base for a strategy of using the countryside to win power militarily and independently of any mass class mobilisation. This thinking is revealed in a Party meeting in August 1937 in which a compromise was reached whereby the CCP accepted Guomindang military leadership and the "suspension of the political commissar system", but "would keep real control under the CCP". "Zhang Wentian proposed and won approval for, first, following nationalist orders in Shanxi and assigned areas in order to gain nationalist confidence... Then expanding into other areas." (Harrison, op cit.). In September 1938 Mao reported to the CCP Central Committee that to subordinate the class struggle to the present national struggle to resist Japan - that is the fundamental principle of the united front (Ibid). [I]n September and November he sent pledges of support for Chiangs leadership (Ibid), as did Zhou Enlai according to Chiang himself. He even accepted in advance two limitations similar to those which Chiang had imposed in 1926 [and which aided his coup and subsequent slaughter of Communists] on the activity of Communists in the Guomindang: a complete list of Communist Party members who joined the Guomindang would be handed over to the latter, and Guomindang members would not be recruited into the Communist Party (Schram, op cit.). Finally, we can add to this that the party publicly promoted in its Manifesto on the Current Situation that it was not only cooperating with the dictatorship under the special and dire circumstances of the war, but also that it is determined to cooperate [with the Guomindang] for national reconstruction after the successful conclusion of the war (Harrison, op cit., our emphasis). There can be no doubt that the CCP was in this time guilty of out and out opportunism and a complete abandonment of any Marxist, class based perspective for the war and Chinas future. All this was justified under the tag united front. Let us therefore compare Maos United Front with the classical United Front worked out by Lenin and Trotsky in the Third International. Lenins United Front The starting point for the united front tactic of Bolshevism is political independence. We mean by this not necessarily refusing to work with or in other parties and tendencies, but only steadfastly committing to a truthful Marxist analysis, irrespective of this or that trend or pressure. In fact, the Bolsheviks were always independent, in the sense that they never compromised in the defence of their revolutionary programme, policy and theory (Woods, Bolshevism). As Trotsky said on behalf of the leadership of the Communist International in 1922, In order to summon the proletariat for the direct conquest of power and to achieve it the Communist Party must base itself on the overwhelming majority of the working class. So long as it does not hold this majority, the party must fight to win it. The party can achieve this only by remaining an absolutely independent organization with a clear programme and strict internal discipline. The question of all questions for Marxist parties is how to help the working class become conscious of this programme and its necessity, in other words, how to unite the maximum possible number of proletarians around a revolutionary programme. It is the role of the united front tactic to bridge the gap between Marxists and their programme on the one side and the working masses on the other, many of whom will be involved in and loyal to non-revolutionary organisations. Now, it is a rather difficult and clumsy discussion to compare the united front tactic as worked out in the Communist International under Lenins leadership, with Maos purported united front with Chiang Kai Sheks Guomindang, since none of the conditions for the former apply to the latter. In particular, the united front is not operable outside the context of working class organisations. It has no purpose other than to raise the need for unity amongst workers and to reveal that the chief obstacle to that is the erroneous reformist leadership of many workers organisations, such as the Social Democracy. Only those who cannot think dialectically imagine that a united front of different political forces requires the denial or suppression of those differences. On the contrary, it opens up a broader and more equal platform for the fighting out of those forces, within the confines of and in relation to certain agreed common aims. A common campaign allows all forces of that campaign to debate with one another as to the best means to achieve the campaigns ends, and of course to debate the real causes of and solutions to the issue at hand. Hence the fact that in the Communist Internationals formulations for the United Front tactic to be employed under different circumstances by different sections, it was expressly stated that any sort of organizational agreement which restricts our freedom of criticism and agitation is absolutely unacceptable to us. We participate in a united front but do not for a single moment become dissolved in it. We function in the united front as an independent detachment. It is precisely in the course of struggle that broad masses must learn from experience that we fight better than the others, that we see more clearly than the others, that we are more audacious and resolute. (Trotsky, On the United Front, 1922) It is self evident that the logic of these two united fronts is diametrically opposite. The united front of Marxists is a clear and carefully chosen political programme advanced to raise the revolutionary consciousness of the working class, and operates only in the context therefore of workers organisations. The demands and political content of the call for a united front must be framed in relation to the workers real problems and their solutions; thus the programme has an educational content. It is not so much about necessarily achieving unity in action, although that would be desirable, especially if under the instigation of the Marxists: A policy aimed to secure the united front does not of course contain automatic guarantees that unity in action will actually be attained in all instances. On the contrary, in many cases and perhaps even the majority of cases, organizational agreements will be only half-attained or perhaps not at all. But it is necessary that the struggling masses should always be given the opportunity of convincing themselves that the non-achievement of unity in action was not due to our formalistic irreconcilability but to the lack of real will to struggle on the part of the reformists. (Ibid) Maos United Front with Chiang Kai Shek, on the other hand, has a directly contrary logic. Mao was indeed correct to centre the CCPs programme around the need for a war to be waged against the Japanese occupation. Given that there were no mass organisations of the working class in China at this time, there was no basis for a united front proposal to fight Japan, since workers were not loyal to reformist leaders. However, if we allow ourselves the luxury of imagining the Guomindang was a mass workers organisation, then it would have been necessary for the CCP from 1931 onwards to place the demand on it for a united front to fight Japan. This call could then be filled with a Marxist content - in other words, its concrete points would be that such a war should be organised by the workers organisations involving such weapons as a general strike, occupations of Japanese owned factories and the formation of a workers militia responsible to the trade unions etc. There can be no doubt that such a call, if energetically campaigned for in the cities amongst the working class, would have gained an enormous echo and helped the CCP to rebuild in urban centres. It would not matter from this point of view if the proposal were rejected by the other party; the CCP would have made its point and would have advanced class consciousness thereby. Precisely because the Guomindang was not a democratic workers organisation with a real base, but was instead a bourgeois party under the direct control of the state apparatus, the CCPs offer of unity with it could have no such character. It would be useless and absurd to fill the proposal with a revolutionary class content, for the Guomindang represented a different class and was already detested by workers. That is why the proposal lacked any programmatic content. It served no educational value for workers and can only have alienated them from the CCP - which had up till 1936 regained a degree of respect from workers for being the only organisation willing to fight Japanese imperialism and for its unjust suppression by the Guomindang. At a stroke, the alliance with Chiang Kai Shek served to destroy much of this. Maos sole justification for the alliance was that it rallied a greater number of people to fight Japanese imperialism because armed invasion by Japanese imperialists has brought about changes in class relations in China, thus making imperative and making possible the alliance of all classes (Mao, Urgent Tasks of the Chinese Revolution since the Formation of the KMT-CCP United Front, 1937, our emphasis). If that were the case, the Guomindang would have not spent the first six years of the occupation co-operating with the Japanese to fight the CCP. Why was the proposal for the alliance made before the intensification of the occupation after the Marco Polo Bridge Incident, and why could the Guomindangs hand in this alliance only be won on the basis of literally holding a gun to Chiang Kai Sheks head, if the invasion had made possible and natural an alliance of all classes? As argued above, a far better way to rally greater numbers to fight would have been to consistently make an appeal to the working class for a general strike and the formation of urban workers militias like in Shanghai in 1927 to overthrow the Japanese and the capitulationist dictatorship of Chiang, and to organise militias in the cities to cripple the Japanese. We will see in the course of these articles that there is no evidence that the unity of these two parties ensured a stronger resistance. Japan maintained its occupation and got what it wanted from China throughout the war until it was defeated by the US in 1945, and a class based mobilisation of strikes in the industries the Japanese were profiting from would have been far more effective. We will also see how, far from changing the class relations and somehow bringing the bourgeoisie into solidarity with the workers, the rotten Chinese bourgeoisie only intensified its plundering of the nation and used the oppression of the Japanese as an excuse to economically and politically crush the working class. Unfortunately, the CCPs alliance with the bourgeoisie only aided the latter in doing so. The CCPs Direct Participation in the Regime A Marxist organisation must be extremely flexible in its tactics. Any opportunity to reach a bigger audience with its ideas should be considered. That can even mean, in conditions of dictatorship or political repression, forging temporary alliances with liberals to gain political freedoms or changing the language of ones publications to get it past the censor - but always under the condition that the fundamental revolutionary ideas and programme are not thereby violated. Indeed, the more the party understands correctly the necessary political programme for building socialism, the more confident it will be of applying this flexibly without selling out. After the CCPs mistaken alliance with Chiang was made, there were many more legal openings for the party to take. The question is, did they skilfully use these to advance a socialist programme to the working class? One such political opening was the convening of the Peoples Political Council in 1938, which is comparable to the Dumas formed under the Tsar in Russia, but without even the slither of democracy the Dumas represented. In the workers elections to the Shidlovsky Commission in 1905, the Bolsheviks rightly participated in the early stages, despite the sham democracy the elections represented. This is because for the first time in Russian history it afforded the working class a limited opportunity to express itself politically and organisationally, and so by participating the Bolsheviks linked themselves and their programme with the masses, gained a larger audience for their ideas and in turn themselves learnt from the working class. However, there was a strict political limit placed on this tactic which was that there could be no democratic liberal intrusions into the politics they put forward. Instead, they used the opportunity of the elections to denounce the Tsarist regime and the idea of a peaceful, liberal democratic reform of it. At no point did the Bolsheviks use the elections to seek careers for themselves nor did they entertain any illusions in reforming the regime from within. In some cases they ran in the first round of elections, to gain a hearing, only to boycott the second round. In genuine bourgeois democracies, Marxists would participate in Parliament under certain conditions, but again would in no way seek to sow illusions in its democratic nature as the true voice of the people, but would instead simply use it as a soap box for revolutionary ideas. Given the CCPs perspectives of national unity with the Guomindang dictatorship, it is not surprising that when these legal openings for the CCP did arise after 1937 they did precisely the opposite of the Bolsheviks up to 1917. The Peoples Political Council was a mere consultative assembly formed by Chiang in 1938 to appease demands for democratic reform without threatening his own rule. Several leading Communists were invited (not elected) by Chiang to participate in this body. Given that this body had no democratic legitimacy or independence whatsoever, it is elementary that the CCP should have denounced this move and demanded instead a real Constitutional Assembly. Instead they participated in the council which they used chiefly not to address the masses with revolutionary ideas but to develop alliances with the liberals, both within and without the Guomindang, who also sat in this council. One can only imagine the spectacle this presented to the Chinese workers enduring the twin evils of occupation and Guomindang dictatorship as well as ruthless exploitation and poverty made constantly worse by hyper-inflation. The effect would not be dissimilar to that of the discrediting of social democracy in contemporary Western society in the eyes of the working class. In total contradiction with this was Lenins method, which always warned most sharply against alliances and illusions in liberalism, the nice face of the regime of capitalist dictatorship, the most dangerous of advisers are those liberal friends of the workers who claim to be defending their interests, but are actually trying to destroy the class independence of the proletariat and its organisation. (Lenin, The Liberals Corruption of the Workers, 1914) At the same time, Zhou Enlai was invited to attend the Guomindang National Executive Congress...he was even appointed Deputy Minister of Political Training in the army, maintaining the post until 1940, though its attributions were entirely honorific (Guillermaz, op cit., our emphasis). In other words, the leading Communist Zhou Enlai accepted political and moral responsibility for the bourgeois Guomindang dictatorship without even gaining the consolation of a little control of the army! It is interesting to note that at exactly the same time as this, the Stalinists in Spain (along with the Anarchists) were participating in another bourgeois government to save the country from the threat of fascism. In both cases the tactic led to the negation of any effective working class based resistance to fascism, whether foreign or native. Finally, the CCPs self-debasement in favour of liberalism was completed when it enthusiastically lent support to the US governments proposals for liberal reform in China in 1944, taking the opportunity to flatter the American imperialists at the same time by heap[ing] lavish praise on the American democratic tradition (Schram, op cit.) - despite the fact that at this time, as previously and as they would do in the civil war after Japans defeat, the US continued to arm and support the Guomindang against the CCP. Just before they agreed a project with US General Hurley for liberal democratic reform (on terms agreeable to US imperialism of course), the CCPs Liberation Daily wrote that: Democratic America has already found a companion, and the cause of Sun Yat Sen a successor, in the Chinese Communist Party and the other democratic forces (quoted in Schram, op cit.). This reveals the full extent of the CCPs descent into opportunism in the late 1930s on the eve of the war that would decide Chinas fate and put all political and class forces to the test. With this understanding of the programme of the CCP and the alliance of political forces, we must now evaluate the playing out of the Second Sino-Japanese War not only so that we can better understand the background to the peculiar revolution of 1949, but also so that we can understand what could have happened had the party had a Marxist programme and leadership. The Sino-Japanese War If the Japanese leadership had not planned the Marco Polo Bridge Incident which sparked the full-scale war, they didnt let that show. By October, only three months after the war started, the Japanese had already reached the most westerly point of the entire war. They succeeded in totally destroying Chinas air force in only a few weeks, which enabled them to mercilessly bomb civilians for the remainder of the war with no threat to themselves, like shooting fish in a barrel (Guillermaz, op cit. pp287). Between 1939 and 1941, the temporary capital of free China, Chongqing, was bombed 268 times, with 4,400 being killed in the first two raids (Eastman, op cit.). Within a year Japan had effectively taken control of all the lucrative areas of China it desired - that is the industrially developed and agriculturally productive North and East of the country. In a number of key battles that were all over by the end of 1938, the Japanese brutally crushed any hopes of an effective Guomindang led resistance. Losing 15 of 18 Provinces We have argued that a far more effective means of fighting the Japanese would have been to organise a revolutionary war of resistance by mobilising the hundreds of millions of Chinese workers and peasants on a socialist programme to make the occupation impossible. Given that the CCP sacrificed this perspective for one of collaboration with the militarily stronger but politically reactionary Guomindang, it is our duty to honestly assess the calibre of this fighting force with which the CCP had allied at such great political cost. Evidently, the Guomindang did not match up well to the Japanese since it only took the latter twelve months to achieve all it wanted - the control of North and East China and the total destruction of the Chinese air force. The anti-Japanese united front for which Mao argued so vociferously failed spectacularly to defend China. But how and why? Part of the reason for Japans rapid success was Chiang Kai Sheks cruel contempt for the Chinese people. Despite Chiangs nationalism, these hundreds of millions never entered his plans as Chinas greatest force for resistance. Anticipating the war he argued in 1935 that even if we lose 15...of the 18 provinces of China proper, with Sichuan, Guizhou and Yunnan provinces in our control we will definitely beat any enemy (quoted in Eastman, op cit.). Instead of spending the period from 1935 onwards to prepare the masses in the 15 other provinces to make the Japanese occupation impossible, he sacrificed those millions to Japans tender mercies with barely a fight. The key northern cities of Beijing and Tianjin were taken with ease by Japan in only a few days in late July 1937 thanks to Japans already existing military occupation of Manchuria. Immediately after the Marco Polo Bridge Incident, Japan was able to mobilise 160,000 troops in Northern China in only a few weeks. The vital southern city of Canton (now Guangzhou) fell without a fight in October 1938. The most graphic application of Chiangs policy of sacrificing the majority of China to the Japanese was his scorched earth policy in which he took the trouble to kill and destroy Chinese people and industry on behalf of the Japanese in order to make their occupation less feasible. For example, in November 1938, as the Japanese were approaching Changsha, capital of Hunan province, it was decided to set fire to the entire city to make its occupation strategically pointless and costly. Tragically, in their haste they started the blaze before everyone had evacuated, so not only was this historic city destroyed but so were the lives of 2,000 of its inhabitants. A much worse incident had already taken place in June of 1938 on the Yellow River at Kaifeng, Henan province. Retreating from encircling Japanese forces, the Guomindang commanders hit upon the idea of destroying the entire valley behind them by diverting the great river in order to halt the Japanese. It worked rather too well, flooding 4-5,000 whole villages and leaving over two million homeless, destitute and without crops and food (Eastman, op cit.). Guillermaz even claims that millions of Chinese peasants died from the loss of harvest. It was a funny kind of national united front against Japan when the nationalists were often responsible for more death and destruction of Chinese than were the Japanese. The Invasion of Shanghai and the Nanjing Massacre Despite the policy of retreat and self-sacrifice (or rather, the policy of sacrificing the Chinese masses on their behalf), there were some instances of determined Guomindang led-fight backs and even victories in the early days of the war, however these often only sparked off a more vicious Japanese assault for which the Chinese were not prepared. Only one month after the Marco Polo Bridge Incident, the Japanese found a pretext for invading the lucrative city of Shanghai when a Japanese lieutenant was killed by a Chinese guard in August 1937. The Japanese lost no time in seizing the excuse for an invasion with a front line of troops formed outside the city in a couple of weeks. Feeling that to lose Shanghai without a fight would be too politically humiliating, Chiang moved in roughly 300,000 soldiers to the city to fight the 200,000 of Japan (Guillermaz, op cit. p291). However despite not only their numerical superiority but also their enormous home advantage, the Guomindang army lost the battle with around 270,000 killed and by November were retreating from Shanghai. History shows that an occupying force, even one of tremendous technical superiority, can have enormous difficulties in winning a war in a large city if its inhabitants are united in fighting against the occupation. Every building becomes a war zone, a potential hiding place for snipers and bombs, every citizen a potential soldier. It is therefore testament to the Guomindangs fear of and hostility to their own people, as well as their general ineptness and corruption, that they failed to hold Shanghai or make the Japanese occupation of it particularly difficult despite the fact that the latter had not even made plans to invade this far south. As Guillermaz points out (referring to later battles), the Japanese action was helped at a political level by the unpopularity of the nationalist troops who, underfed and undisciplined, laid waste countryside already hit by severe famine. Had the CCP spent the decade since 1927 rebuilding a base in cities like Shanghai, campaigning against the bourgeois dictatorship of Chiang Kai Shek and for the need to wage a revolutionary war with Japan, they could have mobilised the working class of Shanghai (their original stronghold along with Canton) for a general strike and urban guerrilla warfare against this Japanese invasion. But worse was to come from this defeat, for Chinese forces retreated in such a way as to give the Japanese open access to Nanjing, the then capital of free China, failing even to use the deliberately constructed concrete fortifications outside the city, which the Japanese entered on 13th December 1937. This was when the defenceless population suffered the infamous rape of Nanjing in which up to 300,000 civilians were raped and massacred, for which one of the chief perpetrators Prince Asaka was never tried. The methods of killing included burying alive and burning alive with kerosene (Eastman, op cit.). The Guomindang government fled Nanjing and set up a temporary command in Hankou (now part of Wuhan) before reestablishing the national government in Chongqing, which would remain the capital until the end of the war. The Character of Chiang Kai Sheks Military If war is a continuation of politics by other means, than it is no surprise to find the Guomindangs army was as corrupt, inefficient, inept and exploitative as was his political tutelage. We have already explained the reasons for the corruption and degeneracy of Chiangs regime. In summary, despite being a so-called party of national unity and modernisation, because in coming to power it had to base itself on Chinas weak and corrupt bourgeoisie in order to defeat the working class-led revolution, the party sunk into the worst backwardness. It abandoned itself to the most reactionary forces, in particular landlordism and warlordism, since those were the ones who were allies against the CCP. Thus Chiang maintained his power by balancing between, flattering and bribing the archaic local warlords and the most corrupt speculative capitalists. His regime had to be one of corruption because its power base was an inherently corrupt class. He had no independent power to unite the country, and so it actually became more divided into competing warlord fiefdoms than before. Frequently, when his power loomed too large above those of his lords, they would forge alliances against him, and he would have to bribe one or the other with promises of political influence. Chiang very much resembled a feudal king or chief thief sitting uneasily atop many lesser thieves. Given that Chiangs power was based on that of local warlords, it is unsurprising that such corruption and disunity found its sharpest expression in the military and the war against Japan. Many Chinese commanders were hesitant and cowardly. Most of them had enjoyed regional autonomy too long to risk their lives and power merely at Chiang Kai Sheks command. Governor Han Fuju, for example, ignominiously abandoned Shandong province to the Japanese, although he, in contrast to most, paid for his disregard of Chiangs orders with his life. He was executed in January 1938...It was not, however, a united, national army, but a coalition of armies which differed in degrees of loyalty to the central government as well as in training, equipment and military capabilities...Long Yun, governor of Yunnan, for example, resisted central government encroaches upon his provincial power...Governor Yan Xishan, commander of the Second War Zone in North China and vice chairman of the Military Council, ruled his native Shanxi as an autonomous satrapy. He prohibited units of the Central Army from entering his war zone...since 1941, Yan had even maintained close and amiable relations with the Japanese. (Ibid). Eastman points out that from non-Central Chinese armies, 12 generals defected to the Japanese in 1941, 15 in 1942 and 42 in 1943, taking with them around 500,000 troops who were now used against the Guomindang and, in the main, the CCP! And of course we cannot leave out the most infamous of all desertions, that of Wang Jingwei, who in 1927 was trumpeted by the CCP as the leader of the Guomindangs left wing and a reliable ally for the Communists. In 1938 he deserted the Guomindang and by 1940 was installed as the leader of Japans puppet Reorganised National Government of China based in Nanjing. As with all gangster politicians, Chiang demoted or minimised the influence of the few generals with actual talent since they posed a threat to his power with their independent ideas and incorruptibility. The others were promoted precisely because they were mediocre or came from powerful warlord backgrounds but typically with no idea how to fight a modern war - nor the desire to do so. The epitome of this was reached when in 1944 Roosevelt demanded that Chiang place the US general Stilwell in full command of the war effort since Chiang and his commanders could not be relied upon, and instead Chiang sent Stilwell back to America, understanding this as a mortal threat to his own power. Stilwell was replaced by General Wedemeyer, who quickly drew the same conclusions and hit the nail on the head when he described Chiangs commanders as incapable, inept, untrained, petty...altogether inefficient. Class exploitation in the Military What they lacked in talent, determination and unity, they made up for in the art of exploitation and cruelty for their own troops. All males between 18 and 45 were subject to military conscription, however recruitment was left in the hands of the local gentry [again revealing Chiangs complete dependence on these anachronistic classes and lack of any real national state apparatus], which meant that al the relatively well-off families escaped conscription. Consequently the poorest and physically weakest sections of the population found themselves herded into primitive depots, and then had to cover several hundred or thousand kilometres on foot to join their units. Out of 1,670,000 men conscripted in 1943, 750,000 never reached their destination. (Guillermaz, op cit., p302, our emphasis) In many cases peasants were simply rounded up without any formal conscription process taking place. Guillermaz quotes General Wedemeyer on the realities of conscription, Conscription comes to the Chinese peasant like famine or flood, only more regularly - every year twice - and claims more victims. Famine, flood, and drought compare with conscription like chicken pox with the plague. Eastman adds more horrific details to the treatment of peasant conscripts, Frequently the recruits were tied together with ropes around their necks. At night they might be stripped of their clothing to prevent them from sneaking away. For food, they received only small quantities of rice, since the conscripting officers customarily squeezed the rations for their own profit. For water, they might have to drink from puddles by the roadside - a common cause of diarrhoea. Soon, disease coursed through the conscripts bodies. Medical treatment was unavailable, however, because the recruits were not regarded as part of the army until they had joined their assigned units...Within a month [of General Wedemeyers appointment] he realised that the soldiers were too weak to march and were incapable of fighting effectively, largely because they were half starved...An American expert, who in 1944 examined 1,200 soldiers from widely different kinds of units, found that 57% of the men displayed nutritional deficiencies that significantly affected their ability to function as soldiers. Unsurprisingly, not only did millions of soldiers die from starvation and disease - more than from fighting the Japanese - but in many cases over half the soldiers in a given unit would desert - sometimes to the CCP, others just fled in desperation. It is genuinely not an exaggeration to say that during the Sino-Japanese war, the most fearful and directly harmful enemy of the Chinese people was their own Guomindang government (and the class it represented). This is the reality of the regime established by Chinas successful bourgeois revolution of 1927. It is undeniable proof that the Chinese bourgeoisie, to the extent it even existed, was incapable of taking society forwards or even holding it together. This was a rotten, bedraggled and crisis ridden regime ripe for the overthrow. We believe we have shown enough evidence of corruption, cruelty, ineptness and disunity to prove that the CCPs about-face and silencing of all anti-Guomindang propaganda was profoundly wrong. The united-front was clearly a farce because the Guomindang could not even hold together its own army to fight Japan, not to speak of the way it ran the economy and exploited the working class (more on that soon). And yet despite finding itself unable to organise an army worthy of the name, it did manage to keep one generals forces well fed and trained - those of General Hu Zongnan, because it was his troops that in the early 40s - whilst the united front was still being practiced by the CCP - that were charged with containing the CCPs forces in the north. At times in the war Chiang committed as many as 500,000 of his best troops to blockading the CCPs bases, especially after the Guomindangs treacherous role in the New 4th Army Incident, which will be explained in part III. Throughout the war Chiang deliberately held back the anti-Japan war effort in order to save his forces for a future struggle to wipe out the CCP. This fact says everything about the sincerity of the Guomindangs alliance with the CCP to defeat Japan. The united-front was always a fiction dreamt up in Moscow and imposed onto the Chinese reality, because for Stalin the CCP was not an agent of the Chinese revolution but a bargaining chip in his negotiations with Chiang Kai Shek. This is underlined by the fact that the USSR signed a treaty of nonaggression [with Chiang Kai Shek] on August 21, 1937, sent aid of about $300m to the Nationalists, and stationed as many as 500 military advisors and pilots with them, though none with the Communists, so far as is known. All this aid reportedly led Mao to query in December, 1937, If so much could be given to Chiang Kai Shek, why could we not get a small share? Why indeed. The Literal Bankruptcy of Chiang Kai Sheks Regime The same ossified, fractured approach to the war effort was the defining characteristic of Chinas economy in this period. Social and economic life was choked by an intolerably corrupt, short sighted and grasping bureaucracy taking advantage of the absence of a strong capitalist class able to control the state. This state of affairs, already firmly entrenched by the ten years of Chiangs rule before 1937 fed off itself in a vicious circle; the dead end of Chinese capitalism and all pervasive corruption it caused only further encouraged those with the ability to fleece the state, workers, peasants and anyone else to do so with abandon. Faced with a Japanese blockade of what was already an extremely sickly economy, the government increased its issuance of currency over 700 fold from 1937 to 1945; as a result average prices rose over the same period by a multitude of 2,395! There are a number of reasons why price rises were around three times as high as the increase in currency; the main one was most likely the huge decline in industrial output after Japan took possession of the most productive cities, meaning that supply could not meet demand. Industrial production fell to below 12% of the prewar level. As well as the loss of factories to Japan, within Guomindang controlled China 82% of factories folded due to a particularly short-sighted boom in 1939-40 (Eastman, op cit.). Farmers in turn started to hoard grain as they had lost confidence in the currency, the resulting lack of grain naturally caused this staple commodity to rise in price, worsening the inflation. Additionally, during the 1930s the rural economy suffered under the iron fist of Chiang, who imposed compulsory labour onto the peasantry that benefited the rich landowners, and the brutality of this experience forced them into striking (Bianco & Lloyd, Peasant Movements, Cambridge History of China volume 13, p290). Agricultural production worsened still thanks to the Japanese invasion, especially from 1942 onwards, further impoverishing both rural and urban workers (Myers, The Agrarian System, Cambridge History of China volume 13, pp267-9). Indeed the effects of this on the working class were devastating, as wages failed to rise by anything like this amount, a fact which Eastman perversely celebrates as the one success of Chinas hyper-inflation, the consequences of inflation were not all negative. During the eight years of war, for example, real wages of workers rose only during 1938; thereafter, to the benefit of employers, they declined. The destitution of the working class is always a silver lining for the capitalists when enduring a crisis! With rampant inflation came rampant speculation, which had always been the chief vice of Chinas capitalist class (see the above linked article), diverting investment from productive activity: investors made substantially larger profits simply by storing the cotton than by chancing long term investment in mills that processed cotton (Ibid). 86% of liquid capital went into speculation as opposed to real investment in 1944! Thanks to all this, from 1937-45 industrial workers real wages fell by more than half! Roughly the same figure applies to rural workers, although farmers who owned their land only saw their incomes fall by around 20%. But extraordinarily, the real wages of civil servants, university workers and professors and soldiers all fell by around 90%! (Ibid). The poverty of soldiers, professors and civil servants is explicable by the governments austerity drive to counter the costs of inflation on war expenditure, and in the case of the civil servants also gives an insight into why corruption became so rampant. We apologise for the lack of a discussion of the CCPs analysis, propaganda and political intervention regarding this dire economic situation and class exploitation, but thanks to its alliance with Chiang Kai Shek and its absorption in rural and military survival, the CCP said and did little or nothing about this state of affairs. Consequently it failed to make political headway amongst urban workers, students and professors. Rapidly spiralling prices, which the government had failed to anticipate, forced a reaction. In 1941 it started to scratch around for tax revenue to pay for the war. Thus it fell back on the hated likin tax (again, please see above linked article), one of the most economically depressing taxes possible, as well as other ingenious taxes like the contribute-sandals-to-recruits tax, the comfort-recruits-families tax, the train-antiaircraft-cadres tax, and the provide-fuel-for-garrisoned-troops tax! (Fairbank & Goldman, China: A New History, p314). For the same reasons the government also pursued a harsh austerity agenda. Through measures like holding down the wages of government employees during extreme inflation and cutting back on government support for industry, the government actually reduced its real expenditure during the war by more than three quarters, despite having to feed a huge army! Although, as we have seen, it barely fed the soldiers if it could help it. Bureaucratic Capital Far from uniting the working class with the bourgeoisie, the rigours of the war revealed the bourgeoisies rotten, self-serving and venal characteristics, preferring as it did to use the chaos of war to speculate and hoard, driving millions to starvation. Wartime, more than any other, demands the superiority of a collective plan and unified effort to overcome what are profoundly social questions. Such an effort and coordination was far beyond the capacities of a class raised on a diet of usury and easy money. Whereas the planned economy of the USSR was able, despite all its bureaucracy, to move the key war industries in a short space of time from European Russia to behind the Urals, the anarchic Chinese capitalists failed in their equivalent task. Despite the governments bribery of guaranteed 5-10% profit rates for 7 years, plus low interest rate loans and free factory sites for capitalists who moved their factories into the interior far away from the Japanese, only 120,000 tons of equipment ever got moved, far less than both what was available to be moved and what needed to be moved. [M]ost industrialists and financiers felt little or no personal involvement in the cause of Chinese resistance...They did not allow patriotism to dull their business instincts. (Eastman, op cit.). And yet the CCP remained wedded to this patriot class right to the end of the war. Indeed the failures of the capitalist class in the war forced the government to play the leading economic role long before the CCP nationalised the means of production after 1949. By 1942 the state controlled 17.5% of all factories, 70% of all capital, 32% of workers and 42% of horsepower (ibid). This tendency towards statisation of Chinese capitalism is important to note for the later discussion on exactly why - contrary to their stated aims and perspectives - the CCP proceeded to expropriate capitalism after taking power. It also forms important evidence in our argument that the alliance with the bourgeoisie was totally unjustified for it lacked the capacity to and interest in taking China forwards. Of course, this had been obvious ever since the bourgeoisie backed Chiang Kai Shek to become the dictator of China. His autocracy was the political expression of the same inability of Chinese capitalism to develop the productive forces that forced the government to play an increasingly large economic role. The terms of the CCPs deal with Chiang was that his regime would gradually reform itself into a democratic one in which the CCP could legally participate, and yet in 1939 the Military Affairs Commission, chaired by Chiang, arrogated to itself all administrative functions of government, making Chiangs control direct for every aspect of Chinas life. Chiang Alienates the Imperialists Given the basket case of China under Chiang Kai Shek, the British and American imperialists were in 1939 giving serious thought to forging an alliance with Japan, which they correctly estimated as being so much stronger than China that it might be worth abandoning the latter. The British, perhaps understanding how rotten and unpopular Chiangs regime was, even wanted to wait to see if Wang Jingweis Japanese puppet regime in Nanjing might manage to be more popular than that of Chiangs before choosing whether to back China or Japan. However these designs were scuppered by Japanese intransigence with regard to British and American interests in China (Akira Iriye Japanese Aggression and Chinas International Position, Cambridge History of China volume 13, pp525-6). The imperialists had no concern for the plight of the Chinese masses under the heel of Japan and only sided with China to protect their narrow interests there, and in the hope that China could be used in an American dominated post-war setup to contain Russia and grind Japan and Germany into the ground. With China apparently an important inclusion in the schemes of the imperialists, the egotistical Chiang began to fantasise that this had elevated China into one of the worlds great powers. In reality Chinas lying prostrate in the face of Japanese imperialism meant that it required the American and British imperialists, who were concerned about the Japanese threat to their interests only, to fight the battle on its behalf. We have already seen how the Chinese capitalists were not prepared to lead the fight themselves, economically or militarily. Chiangs foolish delusion that having the US fight on his behalf (whilst he concentrated on the CCP) would mean the future elevation of China at the hands of the US led to increasing frustration from the US, to the point where they refused Chiangs government a $1bn loan and considered supporting the CCP more (which they saw as the better fighters, and not really Communists anyway). Chiang Kai Shek was a miserable, grasping and lazy leader only ever interested in the preservation of his own power. He staffed his army with incompetent generals simply because they were loyal, and concentrated his best troops not against Japan but the CCP. As disastrous as this was for the Chinese ruling class, they could have it no other way, for they had not the means to effectively resist Japan without arousing the masses to military activity, the last thing they wanted. Chiangs cowardice and preference for passivity in the war by banking on the US to fight on his behalf, and his determination to get the maximum for his regime from the US with the minimum disturbance to his kingdom, is the true political expression of a capitalist class born too late and with no role to play. The CCP at war For twenty two years after 1927 the comrades of the CCP knew of no state other than constant war. Physically liquidated from the cities in 1927-8, they fled to the countryside, where they suffered one extermination campaign after another by the Guomindang, forcing them to embark on the Long March in 1934. This exhausting state of affairs brought the party to near extinction (it certainly was enough to destroy its Marxist programme), a big factor in its forging an alliance with Chiang Kai Shek in 1936 to gain breathing space. And yet no sooner had this truce been signed when Japan launched an all out war with China, a war whose secondary motivation for the Japanese (after the exploitation of Chinese industry and raw materials) was the extermination of the communist threat. Throughout this new and higher stage to the struggle, it must be noted that the CCPs successes and survival owed themselves to its politics and not its military. Despite its erroneous support for Chiangs dictatorship the party continued, at least to some extent, to be seen as the only genuinely anti-Japanese and anti-landlord force in China. Beneath the surface of shoddy deals the CCP cadres continued to organise the peasants and dish out something resembling revolutionary ideas of a way out from endless poverty and exploitation. Of course, this was nothing as compared with what the party could have done had it retained political, revolutionary independence from the loathed Chiang regime. However it was something and that was enough to distinguish the CCP from the rest. In many cases the objective necessity for an independent left wing party was forced onto the CCP by events themselves. The Expansion of the Red Bases through Political Work Throughout this war the CCPs headquarters, as agreed with Chiang, remained where they ended up after the Long March, in Yenan (now known as Yanan; we will use Yenan as this is the form of the name most closely associated with the CCP), Shaanxi province, north west of Chinas population centres. Our thesis is that the CCPs strength lay in its political role as apparent liberator of the peasant masses and leader of the anti-Japanese and anti-Guomindang movement and not in its armed struggle. This is backed up by the fact that when the CCP concentrated not on fighting the Japanese or Guomindang, but concentrated on consolidating its bases, implementing its (admittedly somewhat mild) land reforms and recruiting and training cadres, it significantly expanded its membership and areas under its control. The Red Army fought no major battles for more than two years after late 1937, and its most rapid growth came during this period of relative calm, with the recruitment of up to 400,000 men into the Eighth Route Army and 100,000 into the New Fourth Army by 1940 (Harrison, The Long March to Power, p294). Although the CCP forces managed to expand massively during the war, they were always playing catch up with the much larger and better equipped Japanese and Guomindang forces - in 1937 the Guomindang had around 1.5m troops in total, and the Japanese roughly 600,000, whereas the CCP had at most 100,000 - all of whom were worse equipped. The CCP expanded significantly, as the above figures suggest, but never nearly enough to catch up with the also expanding forces of their enemies. The CCPs one advantage would always be its independent political role and ability to inspire its own troops and the wider peasant population with its propaganda and land distribution. During the years 1937-9, when it fought no major battles, its military forces increased not through military victories but through political expansion and recruitment. Without any battles taking place, the [Guomindang] government watched its rivals steady military and territorial expansion far outreach the three divisions of the Eighth Army and the eighteen districts in the Pien chu laid down by the agreement of September 1937...The population under communist control was to increase almost a hundredfold in eight years (Guillermaz, A History of the Chinese Communist Party 1921-49, p345). Between 1937 and 1940, the party membership increased from 40,000 to 800,000! Thanks to its political influence the CCP managed to expand into areas far away from its headquarters in Yenan, setting up new soviet bases without military invasion. For example, it managed to recruit the remnants of anti-Japanese militias formed in the western Shandong province so that by 1943 the CCP controlled an area with 15 million inhabitants with a 500,000 strong militia (Harrison, op cit. p302). According to Guillermaz, from 1937 onwards the CCP even managed to maintain a force of up to 50,000 behind Japanese lines (Guillermaz, op cit. p308). Their effectiveness is proof of the military advantages the Red Army enjoyed thanks to its political basis, The teams were organised on the three in one principle - they were to fight as troops, to do political work on behalf of the government but to act like the common people in ordinary times. Military and political struggles thus went hand in hand...The armed work teams would appear or disappear unexpectedly in the very heart of the enemy occupied areas. Their whereabouts were known to the people all the time, but the enemy could never find them. Naturally such political successes were profoundly uncomfortable for the Japanese and Guomindang alike, and therefore each square mile and military division gained by the CCP was pregnant with military conflicts. It is in fact not quite true that the CCP fought no battles whatsoever between 1937 and 1939, for in September 1937 Lin Biaos 115th Division of the Eighth Route Army distinguished itself in a joint strike with the Guomindang on Japanese forces at the Battle of Pingxingguan in Shanxi province, capturing 1000 weapons and 100 vehicles and inflicting around 500 casualties on the Japanese (Ibid, p308). A similar, smaller scale success was achieved shortly after nearby. These were however ultimately insignificant and involved few CCP forces. They did however allow the CCP to establish the Shanxi-Chahar-Hebei military zone on the basis of these victories, since Guomindang officials had left the area with the Japanese defeat (Harrison, op cit. p299). Out of this zone the CCP managed to form the Chin-Cha-Chi Border Region government, which involved a great many local residents in its administration who were not in the CCP. This government was very successful in organising the peasant masses of this region into womens, youth and self-defence organisations, and in educating them and establishing medical facilities, and consolidated itself by recruiting disaffected Manchurian Guomindang troops and commanders who had disobeyed Chiangs orders (we mustnt forget that the Japanese had long established a colonial regime in Manchuria, to which Chiangs regime had completely acquiesced, causing Manchurians to be much more sympathetic to the CCP than most). It was strong enough to resist the Japanese counter-attack which involved the burning to the ground of this governments capital in March 1938. Following the capture of another region further to the south by other CCP forces with the aid of local activists, the CCP was able in July 1941 to establish a much larger government linking these two and other bases in Shanxi, Hebei, Shandong and Hunan provinces, despite intense Japanese attacks (Ibid, pp301-2). These successes caused not only frictions with the jealous Guomindang but were part of the cause of the complete breakdown of relations between the two parties, more of which later. The Conditions Behind CCP Lines in the Sino-Japanese War There were however severe economic and military difficulties implicit in this strategy of forming politically independent rural bases. We have analysed at length the economic and political realities of such rural submergence in our previous series of articles ( http://www.marxist.com/chinese-comminist-party-1927-37-part-4.htm) , (http://www.marxist.com/chinese-comminist-party-1927-37-part-5.htm), and later in this series we will look more closely at the limitations of the peasant movement and how this conditioned the opportunist programme on which the party rose to power. Nevertheless it should be pointed out here that the new administrative systems [of the newly conquered areas] had great difficulty in gaining a foothold and their power was precarious right to the end. As the region was important both strategically and politically, the Japanese felt obliged to purge it from time to time. Cleaning up campaigns...acted as a deterrent to the inhabitants, who as far as possible avoided taking part in elections, with the risks they involved (Guillermaz, op cit. p311). In a moment we will take a look at both these attacks and others from the Guomindang. Before we do so, we must note that the effect on the CCP of having to maintain a viable administration responsible for leading the economic life of millions of peasants and landlords etc. Generally, the rural areas most revolutionary were those most densely populated and fertile, for these had the highest, most exploitative rents. The logic of taking administrative and military responsibility for certain areas, against constant attacks from two militarily stronger powers, politically consumed a party which had already lost all trace of proletarian politics and obliged it to seek solace in non-revolutionary areas and layers of the population (see Bianco and Lloyd, Peasant Movements, in The Cambridge History of China Volume 13 p324) The CCPs forces had therefore to be constantly replenished by new recruits. Its survival depended on the fine quality of its cadres and its strict discipline (Ibid, p328), and yet these cadres were regularly being killed or absorbed in the tasks of bare survival. True, its effective propaganda conducted by ordinary people among other ordinary people who were their fellow-countrymen, in the language of their region or even their profession, could not fail to succeed among the Chinese (Ibid, p335), and thus furnished a regular supply of new faces. However, this propaganda was limited in scope by the shackled political programme of the CCP we have discussed above. The rapid turnover in membership and the influx of rural recruits lacking any political experience in organisations of their own (unlike the working class, who have experience in trade unions), led Mao in 1937 to decry the tendency towards warlordism in the Eighth Route Army, many of whose members have become unwilling to submit strictly to Communist Party leadership, [and] have developed individualistic heroism (quoted in Guillermaz, op cit. p329). Mao therefore stressed that the Red Army must oppose the danger in which the military does not obey the political and that the army must be one led by the proletariat (Ibid, p329). But that was exactly the problem - thanks to Moscows shortsighted strategy, to which Mao adapted so well, the party had long ceased to have any relation to the proletariat, and the army could in no way be led by anything other than the largely petty bourgeois individuals at the top of the CCP. These very problems, inherent not only in submerging the party in a rural environment, but even more so in attempting to establish on that basis an alternative government under constant siege, were to lead in the early 1940s to the Zhengfeng or Rectification Campaign as the party leadership struggled to keep control of this band of roving-rebels. In this campaign around 10,000 were killed and was the precedent for the Cultural Revolution more than twenty years later. The Hundred Regiments and Three Alls Campaigns The CCPs enormous gains in northern central China described above were as mentioned causing serious concern amongst both Japanese and Guomindang leaders. Their fears were proved correct when the CCP launched its biggest and most successful (unless we count its consequences, as we shall see) military campaign of the entire war period, ending its period of peaceful advance. This is known as the Hundred Regiments Campaign, and it lasted from August to December 1940 and involved 400,000 CCP led troops against roughly 290,000 Japanese. The fighting spanned five provinces in northern central China. It is difficult to assess the damage inflicted by the CCP onto the Japanese forces, as both sides claimed (and still claim) wildly divergent figures. There is no doubt however that the initial battles were an enormous success for the CCP, with tens of thousands of Japanese soldiers killed and much of the Japanese military infrastructure destroyed. The ability of the CCP armies to fight head on a far more well equipped and trained imperial army is testament to the incredible growth of CCP forces from their political work and organisation, as well as their tactical nous. Nevertheless the true results of this military adventure once again underline the futility of the strategy of armed rural struggle and further justify our contention that the CCP should have stuck to clandestinely recruiting workers in the cities with socialist propaganda. For ultimately the CCP was and always would be powerless in the face of the Japanese army, which maintained complete freedom of action at a strategic level (Ibid, p332). This harsh fact was proven by the Japanese counter-attack to the Hundred Regiments Campaign, which was aptly named the Three Alls Policy - standing for kill all, burn all, loot all. Since the Japanese imperialists managed to so succinctly sum up the character of their invasion of China, I think it is only reasonable to suggest that their entire invasion of China and other countries be known by this name. There was a calculated purpose behind such an indiscriminate strategy of literally killing, burning and looting everything within areas associated with the CCP, which, as with all ultra-reactionary and counter-revolutionary campaigns, was to punish the masses for daring to pose a political challenge to the status quo and to traumatise them into never doing so again. In particular, the aim of this campaign was to drain the water from the Communist fish (Harrison, op cit. p301) - in other words, to so effectively massacre the rural poor that the CCP could have no social basis in this region. According to Mitsuyoshi Himeta the death toll of this vile campaign totalled more than 2.7m Chinese. This campaign devastated the CCP in northern central China, and the CCP would not launch another campaign of any significance against Japan for the remainder of the war. Although the CCP did manage to recover their influence in the region around three years later, this was tellingly achieved through political action and propaganda, not military offensives. Not only would it have been possible, it would have been easier and far more effective to carry out this political propaganda had the CCP concentrated on work amongst the urban proletariat and, having won influence this way, among the rural poor. This would have freed the party up both politically and organisationally to campaign for the need to paralyse the Japanese occupation with strikes and for a government of the workers to carry out a revolutionary war against the Japanese. Guomindang Betrayals As if to underline the fact that the CCP had fallen into an opportunist trap by accepting the Guomindangs proposal for Zhou Enlai to be Deputy Minister of Political Training in early 1938 (as discussed in Part I), a few months later the very government in which leading Communist Zhou Enlai was now a minister dissolved a mass organisation [in Hankou] suspected of having strong communist sympathies. The Guomindang then rebuffed communist overtures towards forming a new inner block (Guillermaz, op cit. p348). These (entirely inevitable and predictable) traitorous actions should have been taken as a sign that the Guomindang was planning an attack on the CCP. No quantity of overtures and second-rate ministerial portfolios could protect the CCP from the Guomindang, which only lulled the CCP into a false sense of security. In the spring of 1939, 300 CCP guerrillas were allegedly slaughtered in Shandong province by Guomindang forces (Brandt, Schwartz & Fairbank, A Documentary History of Chinese Communism, p240). What the communists represented both to the poor and the rich was in itself enough to invite repression. CCP speeches were sufficient to whet the peasants appetite for land and freedom, but proved unable to put that genie back in its bottle when the CCP line changed. Nor for that reason could such acquiescence ever convince the Guomindang and the ruling class of the CCPs loyalty, especially when it had armed layers of the peasantry. Beneath the surface of the alliance the Guomindang was always maneuvering and strategizing to inflict mortal blows on the CCP. Different tendencies and factions within it proposed different ways to deal with the CCPs continuing popularity, including dissolving its bases in different provinces by dictat. Local armed clashes with the CCP began to increase and certain generals from Chongqing [the seat of governmental power since late 1938] were plotting with the Japanese to attack the CCP (Guillermaz, op cit. p315). These tensions were caused by the very objective forces which the CCPs political allegiance with the Guomindang made it incapable of anticipating, explaining or consciously leading. Despite the formal alliance, these contradictory forces operated in and through these two parties because of their conflicting class bases. The political successes the CCP scored, particularly in Shanxi and around the western ends of the Yangtze and Yellow rivers as described above, by basing themselves on the peasant masses, made inevitable the Guomindangs betrayal of their alliance. Rising tensions led to more numerous skirmishes until the barely suppressed conflict exploded in the New Fourth Army Incident in 1941 in precisely this geographical area. This was already presaged by the Pinzhiang and Zhukou Incidents in June 1939, in which the Guomindang raided the New Fourth Army and executed CCP members and their families (see Harrison, op cit. p305 & Kataoka, Resistance and Revolution in China: The Communists and the 2nd United Front, p233). The New Fourth Army Incident In June 1940 an agreement had been reached between the two parties that the CCP could keep its newly conquered bases in the northern part of central China, i.e. north of the Yellow River, so long as it abandoned the peasants of central China in between the two great rivers. Chiang could not tolerate the success of the CCP in this area and here attempted to exploit the CCPs opportunist policy. On the basis of this agreement, Chiangs representatives showed active hostility to CCP forces in the central China region they had now been ordered to evacuate (Schram, op cit. p218). Because of this, as they were leaving the area the CCP forces successfully attacked Guomindang troops encountered on the way. This caused Chiang to hasten his demand that the CCPs New 4th Army evacuate the entirety of the area south of the Yellow River. For one reason or another, despite the vast majority of the army meeting the deadline, the 9,000 strong HQ force had failed to cross the river in time and in January 1941 it was ambushed and wiped out by the Guomindang. Following this, the Guomindang demanded the dissolution of the remainder of this strongest of CCP armies. This the CCP refused to do and the ensuing strengthening of the army ended the farce (though not officially) of CCP/Guomindang allegiance. From a revolutionary point of view, we cannot help but conclude that the New Fourth Army Incidents taking place was a good thing precisely because it brought the infamous national united front to an ignominious conclusion. This is proven by the fact that following this incident the CCP continued its meteoric rise throughout China, so much so that arguably no single event in the entire Sino-Japanese war did more to enhance the Communists prestige vis- a-vis the Nationalists than the destruction of the New Fourth Army headquarters while it was loyally following orders (Johnson, Peasant Nationalism and Communist Power: The Emergence of Revolutionary China, 1937-1945, p140). Once again we can see that the CCPs gains came not from military successes - indeed in this case its biggest success came from a defeat - but from its political role as the (perceived) opposition to a capitulationist government. In this case the objective forces, which required (and rewarded) such an opposition, were so strong that they were imposed onto the CCP against its will. Interestingly, Mao, who was evidently under pressure from left wing critics inside the CCP, felt the need to explain that the New Fourth Army incident did not prove that the allegiance with the Guomindang was a mistake (see Mao, Conclusions on the Repulse of the Second Anti-Communist Onslaught, May 1941). He argued that the war with Japan meant that the primary contradiction of Chinese society was not a class one but a national one. In Maos article On Contradiction, he reveals his highly mechanical interpretation of dialectical materialism, whereby different contradictions supplant one another whilst remaining entirely unaffected and self-contained, like billiard balls knocking into each other. He uses this to justify the opportunism of allying with the Guomindang, for according to him the primary contradiction now being between China and Japan, the internal class contradictions of China are effectively negated. A real understanding of dialectics would teach the direct opposite - that Japans exploitation of China would happen through Chinas class system, making the two inseparable. The New Fourth Army Incident is merely one in a long list of examples where the Chinese ruling class proved that the dynamic of the Sino-Japanese war was the class struggle. There is one final betrayal of their alliance by the Guomindang we ought to mention. In the remote province of Xinjiang the CCP struck a similar alliance with its warlord Sheng Shicai (who was not in the Guomindang) as its national alliance with Chiang. However, for the very same reasons as the New Fourth Army Incident, namely the CCPs gains in Xinjiang (along with Moscow ceasing to butter-up Sheng with arms), Sheng turned in 1942. He joined the Guomindang and arrested 600 Communists, many of which he then executed, including Maos brother. And yet flying in the face of reality the CCP continued to articulate a thoroughly acquiescent and frankly liberal line with regards to the Guomindang. One would expect and hope it would use its repression at the hands of the Guomindang as the political justification for the need to overthrow the Guomindang to liberate China from both imperialism and its stooge the Chinese ruling class. Instead the leadership demanded in March 1942 only legal status for the CCP and the recognition by the government of its war efforts, including the request for more troops. Proving the utter failure of the attempt since 1936 to ally with the Guomindang, even these demands were rejected. It is very interesting to note that the character of these demands is not only exclusively bourgeois-democratic, lacking a single social demand, but also in its demands for political liberty refers only to the CCP, not the Chinese working class and peasantry. There are no demands for political liberty or a constituent assembly. More than a decade of isolation in rural armed struggle found its expression in the CCPs inward looking demand for CCP, not Chinese, freedom. When the Sino-Japanese war began in 1937, the CCP had already been an exclusively rural party for almost ten years. As we pointed out previously, this was an improvisation born out of the partys confusion at Chiangs power grab. By 1935, when Mao became the undisputed leader of the party, this improvisation and temporary retreat had been transformed into the partys raison detre. The Peasants Sans CCP According to Bianco and Lloyd, the revolutionary decade of 1922-31 saw no significant increase in all types of peasant disturbances - from theft of landlords property to local uprisings. The fluctuations that do occur seem only correlated to particular years in which there happened to be a good or bad harvest. Furthermore, the type of action taken remained in its traditional form - riots or petitions - and rarely if ever escaped a purely local horizon. Furthermore, they contend that in any case the total number of disturbances remain extremely small (Bianco and Lloyd, Peasant Movements, in The Cambridge History of China Volume 13, pp278-9). The peasants, without the CCP would, quite simply, never have conceived the idea of a revolution thanks to their parochialism which overrode distinctions of class. The typical village, to which peasants narrow horizons and allegiances were restricted, was a socially heterogeneous community that villagers sought to protect against attacks from outside. This is attested by the frequent incidence of vertical movements resembling wars between different peoples rather than social warfare. As in a national war, the natural enemy is not the privileged member in ones community but the foreigner (Ibid, p302). Bianco and Lloyd give many examples of movements in the early 1930s, around the time the CCP was embedding itself in this milieu, which were based exclusively on opposition to new taxes, not rent, and thereby could unite peasants and landlords, with the latter more often than not initiating and leading the movements. The character of such movements, more common than those aimed against rent and landlordism, are not progressive since they aimed to preserve local privileges in the tax system, chiefly to the benefit of the local landlords. Indeed, sometimes the wrongs against which the taxpayers rise up are purely imaginary. They suspect any project of fiscal reform...allow[ing] themselves to be incited into a revolt, which is harmful to their own interests, by a handful of large landowners practicing tax evasion on a large scale (Ibid, p284). Throughout these movements, what is notable is the lack of a questioning of landlordism by its peasant victims: the principle of paying rent is almost never called into question (Ibid, p278). Along with hostility to new tax codes, most peasant disturbances were strictly local in the sense that they pitted one village or Xien against another. So one group of peasants, led by their landlord, would frequently fight those with the same conditions of poverty in a neighbouring village, because the latter had, say, dredged rivers to improve their crop, which threatened to flood the other village. These conflicts, which Bianco and Lloyd argue should be known not as peasant but as rural disturbances due to their vertical social character, frequently had an extremely violent character. They were spontaneous, chaotic and unplanned explosions of rage with no political perspective attached to them. They were not prepared and the rebels do not appear to have had a strategy nor is there any discernable progression in the forms taken by the resistance. There was no fundamental questioning of the principle of tenancy, simply a protest against sudden changes in the status quo (Ibid, pp274-5). Instead of landlords or even local government leaders being attacked, it was usually their underlings, who were more visible to the peasants. Bianco and Lloyd insist that we cannot even speak of a rural movement (other than the CCPs army), only local flare-ups of fury. The theory of Marxism has always explained that the peasantry can be an important ally of the revolutionary working class but can never politically lead. It must be led by a more organised and homogenous urban based class. This evidently applied to 1920s and 30s China, to the extent that Maos talk of the Sinification of Marxism due to Chinas special rural conditions and revolutionary peasantry must be rejected entirely. According to the evidence, the peasants themselves hardly ever take up arms offensively with a view to improving their lot. The apparent peasant basis of the 1949 revolution is therefore an outcome not of peasant revolutionary initiative and elan, but of the CCPs dogged hiding out in its mountain fastness. The peasant revolts had nothing in common with the CCPs Red Army, which latter had a national political character that the former lacked entirely. They were generally conservative, more interested in rising up to maintain old privileges, against local rivals or the mysteries of the governments vicissitudes. They were not inspired by any overall vision of society nor questioned the bases of its organisation (Ibid, p303). It was precisely this parochialism and passivity that suited the CCP, because in the rural backwaters they were hard to find and suffered no danger of ambitious revolutionary demands from the politically passive peasants the Soviet bases administered. The rural submersion of the party was ideal for launching a military struggle but not a social and revolutionary one. Wearing the Peasants Coarse Garb As we shall see, the CCPs approach in the countryside resembled the discredited strategy of the Russian Narodniks of the 19th Century. It is a profound irony that the Chinese offshoot of the Communist International should repeat the mistakes of the Russian forefathers of the Bolsheviks, when it was precisely the learning and overcoming of these mistakes that produced the Russian Marxist organisation that in turn gave birth to the Communist International! When Peng Pai, before he joined the CCP, experimented with a Chinese Narodnism in the early 1920s, he was initially, just like the Narodniks, rejected by the peasants as a strange outsider with grandiose and unrealisable goals. He found that he had to change his clothes and speech and enticed and entertained [the peasants] as a conjuror and magician, taught the children a song of his own composition, had them listen to a gramophone he had brought along, and put on a puppet show (Ibid, p308) in order to get them to take seriously his ideas of liberation. Ten years later, the CCP found itself having to perform similar routines each time they settled in a new rural location. Because of the completely rural base of the party, the CCP was obliged to send any workers or intellectuals it recruited in the cities to the countryside. Whereas in the cities they would have been able to carry out political work quite naturally, Mao explained the requirements of their work in the countryside: they should enthusiastically go to the villages, exchange their students clothes for the coarse garb of the peasants, start willingly from the bottom...help awaken the peasants...and fight for the completion of the extremely important task in Chinas democratic revolution - the rural democratic revolution (Mao, < On Coalition Government<, April 1945). Despite these efforts, the CCP leadership regularly found that the organisations of peasant liberation and awakening they had set up, when left on their own, frequently pursued policies quite different from the Party line and resented the directions of outsiders, whatever their politics (Harrison, < The Long March to Power<, p312). It is quite clear that the contradiction between the self-appointed leadership of the rural revolution in the CCP and the peasants themselves was never overcome. This relationship is in stark contrast to that of a Marxist organisation and the working class, since the aim of the former is always to win the confidence of the workers not by dressing up as them but by being part of and giving voice to the already existing class struggle. Marxists recruit, and themselves often are, workers. They do not parachute in members from elsewhere to occupy and administer workers districts! Indeed the CCP sent vast swathes of its recruits away from the cities in which they were recruited, thus negating any potential they may have presented for building a permanent urban working class base for the party. They used the legal openings gained through the allegiance with the Guomindang not so much to begin building in the cities but to set up within them Communist Liaison Offices to facilitate the emigration of volunteers to Yenan (Guillermaz, A History of the Communist Party 1921-49 , p348). Peng Shuzi, an early leader of the CCP before being expelled for Trotskyism, stresses that the CCP did everything possible to encourage the most active elements of the working class to leave the struggle in the cities and join the peasants in the countryside. It was for precisely this reason that while the CCP considerably increased its armed peasant forces during the Resistance War, its influence remained extremely weak among the worker masses of the cities (Peng, The Causes of the Victory of the Chinese Communist Party over Chiang Kai-Shek, and the CCPs Perspectives). The environment into which these workers and urban intellectuals were taken was one of extreme poverty and backwardness. As with the pre-Long March bases in Jiangxi and especially the Jinggangshan, Yenan made an effective base precisely because it was so barren and therefore hard to penetrate and considered strategically irrelevant by the Guomindang. Here CCP comrades, including leaders, were forced to live in caves carved into the cliffs. The area at the time had an estimated 60% infant mortality rate, 1% literacy rate, the death of up to 2.5m people (one-third of the provincial population), and the migration of another half-million in the catastrophic famine of 1927-30 (Harrison, op cit., p310). Because the Guomindang suspended its subsidy of $100,000 per month (part of the united front agreement) in 1940 due to the above discussed breakdown in the alliance, the CCP was obliged to increase the tax burden on the Shaanxi population it was occupying, especially of the peasants (Ibid, p316). In other CCP bases inflation rose to even higher than in Guomindang controlled areas, but this failed to take place in Yenan as the economy was largely a barter one! As described in more detail our previous series, the bare struggle to survive in these remote conditions absorbed the partys attention to the detriment of its political and theoretical development - although it must be said that the biggest obstacle in that respect was not the rural conditions but the non-revolutionary programme. As a result the number of leaders with News / National by Stephen Jakes A delegation of U.S. elected representatives led by Senator Jeff Flake from Arizona are visiting Zimbabwe since February 15 17, 2015 as part of a four-country fact-finding mission in the region to better understand wildlife conservation and regional security issues in Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana, and Namibia.US embassy reported that the delegation will meet Embassy staff, representatives of the government of Zimbabwe, the private sector, and civil society organizations.The visit will enable the representatives to learn about issues of importance in the U.S.-Zimbabwe bilateral relationship, including the protection and conservation of wildlife.The delegation consists of Senator Jeff Flake (R-AZ and Chairman of the Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health Policy of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee), Senator Thad Cochran (R-MS), Senator Christopher Coons (D-DE), Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD), and Representative Adam Schiff (D-CA). News / National by Stephen Jakes In all the factional fights that started in Zanu PF as from the time when former Vice President Joice Mujuru was to be expelled from the party to date it would appear that all of the factions claim to be fighting for President Robert Mugabe's continued rule yet accusing each other of trying to wrestle power from the veteran leader.In doing that they produce boot-licking statements and some of the boot-licking quotes posted on Facebook are listed below:Chris Mutsvanga: I stand by Robert Mugabe until death.Obert Mpofu: Mr President, i am your most obedient son and there is no person who is capable of being a President from my MatebelelandJohnathan Moyo: I am here to defend Robert Mugabe.Emmerson Mnangagwa: I will stand by the first family till death.Joice Mujuru: Mugabe is my father, i wont betray him.Webster Shamhu: Mugabe is like cremora. If i were to choose parents, i would choose to be Chatunga's elder brother.Saviour Kasukuwere: I love Mugabe more than anyone else.Livingstone Masamba said all these super bootlickers have been lately entangled in a fierce and harrowing bootlicking jujitsu in a bid to prove to the nonagenarian leader that each of them loves the aged leader more than the other."Surprisingly , at the end, the boot-liking contestants are now scattered allover the place like an eagles droppings," he said.Currently the G40 and the Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa's factions all claim to be be fighting for President Mugabe News / National by Thobekile Zhou Zimbabwe Electoral Commission is set to have new commissioners to take over from some incumbents.Today, parliament put out notices indicating that some commissioners are on the brink of ending their six year terms.Reads part of the notice seen by Bulawayo24.com: "The committee on Standing Rules and Orders is hereby calling on the Public to nominate person to be considered for appointment to the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission."It added "Current commissioner's whose term are expiring on March 31st, 2016 and who have served one six year term are eligible to be nominated for one further term as provided for in section 238 (5) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe."It is not clear commissioners have served for six year and whether they will stand for re-nomination and subsequent appointment. News / Regional by Thobekile Zhou A key meeting to development of a national foot and mouth disease control strategy is set to be held in Bulawayo on Wednesday.Zimbabwe has experienced regular outbreaks of the disease in recent times in cattle rich regions of Matabeleland and Midlands, which have adversely affected the industry as the country is an exporter of meat.The same was also witnessed in Matabeleland South Agricultural Show, where a limited number of cattle were brought for the exhibition due to FMD."Zimbabwe has over the past year experienced incessant foot and mouth disease (FMD) outbreaks with the disease now having spread into six of the country's 10 provinces, this, despite government efforts to control outbreaks through rigorous livestock vaccination campaigns and enforcement of strict movement restrictions."The Department of Livestock and Veterinary Services (DLVS) of the Ministry of Agriculture, Mechanization and Irrigation Development (MAMID), in collaboration with key partners, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the European Union (EU) will be holding a National Foot and Mouth Disease Control Strategy formulation and multi-stakeholder workshop in Harare on the 16th of February and in Bulawayo on the 17th of February 2016" a statement said.Officials from Agriculture ministry, European Union and Food and Agriculture Organization are expected to attend. If you needed any further evidence to believe that Montana State University Billings is an afterthought, a flagship university stepchild or in dire need of attention, last weeks news from the University of Montana should convince you. University of Montana President Royce Engstrom announced this month that despite deep faculty and program cuts, the Missoula flagship university would be embarking on an initiative in medicine. Even though more cuts are likely coming at UM in the next year or so, the university planned more investment in the medical arts. Full Editorial: http://billingsgazette.com/news/opinion/editorial/gazette-opinion/montana-s-university-system-is-flawed-fatally-from-msu-billings/article_7df9498e-2e5b-580c-9ee0-ed159269d91f.html "For small to medium to national organizations, for events and fundraisers of any size, in any format live, virtual or hybrid the platform is built for scale." Justin Ahmann to benefit board with rail and engineering expertise The Flathead County Economic Development Authority (FCEDA), whose mission is to stimulate commerce and support maximum opportunities for employment to residents in Flathead County, announced today the appointment of new board member, Justin Ahmann. Ahmanns addition coincides with the reappointment of FCEDA board members Turner Askew, Rick Blake and Paul Johannsen. Justin Ahmann is the Director of Civil Engineering and Project Manager at APEC Engineering, Inc. in Kalispell. He brings an extensive background in commercial, residential, and railroad development to the board. Locally, Ahmann has served on a number of committees dealing in zoning and utility management since moving to the valley in 2012. In addition, Ahmann will contribute knowledge in start-up management to FCEDA. "It is important that Flathead County residents take the initiative to create our own opportunities. We cannot wait for them to come our way," Ahmann shares. "This is a main reason I joined the board. FCEDA invests in critical planning and infrastructure that promotes economic progress for our county." Ahmann joins returning chairman of the board member, Turner Askew and other renewing members, Rick Blake and Paul Johannsen. As a long-time board member and resident of Flathead County, Askew possesses more than 50 years of experience in real estate and a strong commitment to community service. Also known for his commitment to economic development, Askew was named Ambassador of the Year for the State of Montana in 2003. Blakes wide professional involvement ranges from executive leadership in the automotive and heavy equipment industries to high-tech entrepreneurial endeavors. Johannsen is a lifelong resident of Montana and has served in leadership positions in both banking and real estate over the course of his 30-year career. Currently, Johannsen owns National Parks Realty and manages Great Northern Ventures. Ahmann, Askew, Blake and Johannsen join current FCEDA board members Jeannie Luckey, Tony Brockman, and Lyle Mitchell. "We are very pleased with the caliber of our FCEDA board," notes Flathead County Commissioner, Phil Mitchell. "Together, this board offers the expertise necessary to guide economic development efforts and address the Flathead Countys needs." About the Flathead County Economic Development Authority Founded in 1999, the Flathead County Economic Development Authority (FCEDA) is comprised of community members experienced in business and development; they are appointed by the Flathead County Commissioners. Through collaboration with corporate professionals, developers, local government, and community organizations, FCEDA invests public dollars in strategic ventures that strengthen business infrastructure and job creation in the Flathead Valley. For more information about FCEDA, visit http://www.dobusinessinmontana.com/#!fceda/c57m. Tony suggested I repost this article due to a number of Missoula website hacks currently underway. Website security is in the news again, and this time it seems to be affecting a lot of Montana website owners. We have identified a handful of Montana websites hacked this past week but there are likely dozens more that have been hacked already, and a large number that are still susceptible to the hack. The recent security issue is with a plugin called WordPress SEO by Yoast, a very common plugin used by more than 14 million websites. The exploit uses an SQL injection attack to gain access to the website database where it can add, change or delete information. Website owners should consider this a critical security issue and update right away. Posted by Tony Ferrini Full Story: http://www.partnerscreative.com/montana-websites-hacked/#.VsNsHeaN0VE Opinion / Columnist "President Robert Mugabe has flushed his rich political legacy down the cesspit by aligning himself with "a cabal of selfish self-centred crooks" hell-bent on elbowing out Zanu-PF's founding members and presenting themselves as bona fide party members, former politburo member Cephas Msipa has lamented," reported Newsday.I think it is Cephas Msipa who is flushing his political legacy down the cesspit by talking of President Mugabe's "rich political legacy"!President Mugabe will go down in history as an incompetent, corrupt and murderous tyrant whose misrule destroyed the country's once promising economy and terrorized the nation denying people their basic freedoms and human rights including the right to a meaningful say in the governance of the country and even the right to life. Over 30 000 innocent Zimbabweans have been murdered for selfish political gain for Pete's sake! Where is the "rich political legacy" in that?There is a lot the G40 faction members whose activities deserve the "cabal of selfish self-centred crooks" label. The way Grace Mugabe has accused former VP Joice Mujuru of plot-ting to assassinate her husband and then failed to produce a single shred of evidence to substantiate the treason charges, for example, epitomizes everything that is wrong with Zimbabwe's gangster political culture. It is little wonder then that so many of our politicians are thugs and crooks!However if Comrade Msipa is interested in an honest and useful political discourse; God knows we need one desperately if we are ever going to chart our way out of this political and economic hell we this Zanu PF regime has landed us in; then there must be some basic historic facts and truths that we must all acknowledged and accept up front. There have been serious shortcomings in the country's political culture and by our political leaders themselves are some of the historic facts that must be acknowledged. And so for Comrade Msipa to talk of "people with no history of the armed struggle" as if those with such history alone have the monopoly of insightful knowledge to all the nation's problems is an outrage.Indeed it is the arrogant of I-alone-know-best of Comrade Msipa's generation of leaders that has landed the nation in this pickle. Yes your generation has the history of the armed struggle but it does not have the monopoly of knowledge much less being infallible.The G40 faction leaders are displaying the same I-alone-know-best arrogance; no prizes for guessing from whom they learnt it.If we are ever going to get out of this hell; then we need dismantle the corrupt and tyrannical dictatorship Zanu PF imposed on the nation replace it with a free, just and democratic system of government. We want a Zimbabwe in which every Zimbabwean's freedoms and basic rights including the right to a meaningful say in the governance of the country and the right to life are respected and guaranteed. We want a Zimbabwe where every citizen's contribution to the national discourse in judged on the merits of its contents alone regardless of whether the speaker's liberation war history record or not, race, gender, tribe, etc.It is disappointing, to say the least, that after 36 years of Zanu PF misrule that has brought so much misery, suffering and deaths to this nation there would still be unrepentant old geezers like you, Comrade Msipa, who still refuse to see President Mugabe for the incompetent, corrupt and murderous tyrant he is. The liberation war was about liberating the people from oppression and exploitation and not removing one oppressor only to replace him with another.For one claiming to have "history of the liberation struggle" all you have ever done with this record is flaunt it as justification why you and your fellow Zanu PF leaders deserve to be the next oppressors for such is your true legacy of the last 36 years! Opinion / Columnist The recent claim by Harare Mayor, Bernard Manyenyeni that Government ordered demolitions of houses at Arlington Estate which is close to Harare International Airport exonerating council involvement is nothing but just flimsy excuses from a person who is attempting to hide behind a finger, through the blame game.According to a High Court judge, Justice Priscilla Chigumba, it is against the law for any Government department to destroy people's houses. Justice Chigumba mentioned that even though the structures may be illegal, due process must be followed. In most countries in the world, shelter is a constitutional right which must be upheld and Zimbabwe is no different.As quoted by Justice Chigumba, section 68 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe states that every person has a right to administrative conduct that is lawful. In that view, Harare City Council (HCC) should also shoulder the blame in those demolitions.HCC cannot run away from an obvious fact that these demolitions have exposed how the local authorities have become dysfunctional in the country. Every organization or government department desires to be seen as good in the eyes of the public. This should be done without poking into one's nose. However, it will be saddening if Harare municipality refutes to be accountable for allocation of unlawful of stands which led to the destruction of people's houses. In simpler terms, HCC is trying to run away from the fact that it is a failed institute, thus nonsensically putting its burden of failures on the ruling government.From previous incidents, Council has proved that it has failed dismally. In the first place, HCC was not supposed to go to Nyikavanhu Housing Co-operative and demolish houses without any relevant documents from the High Court authorising them to act like wise.Also, HCC should have identified that members of Nyikavanhu co-operative were illegally settling well before President Mugabe question about the existence of their unlawful structures. Shamefully, Harare municipality is just trying to distance itself from issues that every Dick and Tom knows quite well that they had a hand in them.It is well known that most of the housing cooperatives whose illegal houses were destroyed were built on the basis of political patronage, especially from MDC-T activists who used influential positions in councils to embark on their own version of distribution of housing stands. MDC-T councillors should not hide behind a skewed definition of politics in order to fulfill their agendas.For instance, Harare City Council caused and undertook the demolitions of 200 houses that were illegally erected in Budiriro along Highglen-Kambuzuma road. This alone, depicts that there is lack of liability in this local municipality.What surprises most people is that the victims of those illegal settlements were paying monthly rates to the same council which is now refuting to be associated with the land scandals. If council was aware that those people were unlawfully settling, how come it was accepting monthly rates?However, there are a number of weaknesses on service delivery that HCC is also paying no attention to.Besides demolitions and allocation of illegal land to desperate home seekers, HCC has a lot to do, in order to improve service delivery for Harare residents.Firstly, HCC should ensure that all piled filthy refuse mostly in high density suburbs is collected. For example, in Glenview at Tichagarika shopping center, there is a mountain of piled refuse which is accumulating by each day. Such piled refuse are a healthy hazard as they contribute immensely in causing major diseases like typhoid. As we speak, there are a number of report cases on typhoid in Harare especially in high density areas.Apart from refuse collection, council has a major role to play in ensuring that roads in urban cities are rehabilitated. Apparently, most of these roads are in a bad condition that most motorists are taking the risk by purchasing new sets of tyres after every four to five months. From the look of things, it seems Harare city council has equally failed or is ignoring to maintain those roads so that they can blame the ruling government as well.Truth be told, most areas in towns are either receiving dirty tape water or their tapes are totally dry. It's actually a crime not to offer the required services to rate payers who are struggling to pay their water bills. It's like day light robbery of ratepayers' money. With the level of corruption being reported in most local authorities, people are made to believe that their funds are being channeled towards enriching council bosses. Something must give, Harare residents have been suffering in silence with "illiterate" MDC councilors running down our sunshine city. Chicken will be the best-positioned protein due to its low price position in times of pressure on consumer spending power but rises in production costs and the long-term impact of COVID-19 threaten to disrupt the sector, according to Rabobank. Opinion / Columnist Zimbabwean economy is a famous case study on the African continent for being natural, home grown and free from foreign manipulation as is the case with other nation states in the region.Since year 2000m when Zimbabweans took a hyper-active move to fulfill their total emancipations from white imperialists by repossessing land as a way of completing the struggle for independence, the local economy was subjected to assault by our erstwhile enemies. The repossession of land which was expropriated from our ancestors over a century ago inundated the minority beneficiaries that schemed an ugly economic sabotage which still haunts us up to this day.The western powers, USA and EU fought on the side of our colonisers as they in turn imposed illegal sanctions which failed to receive the backing of the United nations. This created a turning point of the once flourishing economy into a night mare that precipitated an accelerated a man-made decline.The unilateral imposition of illegal sanctions led to economic sabotage as western linked companies closed shop. The same was stretched to the humanitarian organizations that worked in the country. They pulled out under the trumped up charges of human rights abuse and bad governance.The reality was anchored on the fact that the west was frustrated by the active policy shift by the ZANU-PF Government that took land for distribution state to the landless peasant farmers that were awaiting anxiously since independence. This was the correction of the colonial imbalances which favoured the whites at the expense of the indigenous people that were relegated to the infertile land derogatorily referred to as reserves.In spite all odds, Zimbabwe managed to adopt sanctions busting measures which enabled the country to survive the trying times up to this day. It was a blessing in disguise as the nation was able to live on its own resources without anymore subsidies from the outside the country.Some countries in the region rely on up to 40% national budget which is funded by foreign donors. Such a scenario is a perpetuation of the dependency syndrome which is killing economic growth in the region. Zimbabwe is operating at 100% locally funded national budget. This is an indicator of true and total independence.Meanwhile the government is poised to meet the $1, 8 billion dollar to pay foreign debt soon. This is a clear-cut testimony that Zimbabwe is slowly becoming self-sustained and satiable.The general economic decline currently experienced in the country is not confined to Zimbabwe alone, but the generality of the global economies which are staggering owing to turbulence on the global market on which there is fall in world prices of gold, fuel and platinum among other commodities. Even the Chinese economy is facing the same fate such as ours.The local economic problems are exacerbated by the looming El Nino driven drought due to little rains being received this farming season. The government is putting every effort possible to procure some maize from outside to cater for the possible food shortages in the whole country. So far numerous metric tonnes of maize have reached the country to rescue the starving populations. by Felicia Greiff , February 15, 2016 PubMatics global chief revenue officer Rob Jonas left the company for the role of SVP-revenue at analytics firm Factual. Jonas, whose experience includes positions at Google, Yahoo and InMobi, had been global CRO at PubMatic since late 2013. Pubmatic told The Drum that Jonas role will "be assumed by a strong layer of regional vice presidents who now report directly to Kirk McDonald, PubMatics president." In December, PubMatic laid off more than 100 employees. (Read what the company has been doing since then here.) In a release, Factual CEO Gil Elbaz said he was impressed with Jonas' enthusiasm for data and the "untold ways we might serve customers." In other hiring news, Ooyala is the latest U.S.-based ad tech company to continue its expansion into Asia. The company, a subsidiary of telecommunications and media company Telstra, appointed Vicki Lyon to oversee business growth in the Asia Pacific and Japan region. Lyon's previous positions include VP-ad-tech solutions for Telstra and managing director for SpotX in Australia. advertisement advertisement Other ad-tech companies expanding in Asia include DataXu, which announced plans for offices in Singapore, Sydney and Bangalore; and Lotame, which tapped Alex Sibois to drive sales efforts and business growth in the APAC region, Real-Time Daily reported. Additionally, SpotX announced a new managing director of JAPAC (Japan and the Asia-Pacific region) to lead the companys expansion into new Asian markets. Pymnts, Tuesday, February 16, 2016 9:05 AM Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, and that goes doubly so in retail. When one brand strikes it rich with a design, an ad campaign or a technology, its become a sound business practice to hug ones competitors closely to try to outdo them on their own ground. While Walgreens might not be playing that high stakes of a game, it seems as if last months news of Rite Aid adding beacons to its nationwide network of stores may have lit a fire under executives at Walgreens. In an interview with CIO, Walgreens CIO Abhi Dhar detailed his companys plans to leverage its established Hadoop-based infrastructure to support a beacon-based upgrade of its mobile app experience. The app, which already draws millions of views every month, is intended to serve as the focal point of a new age of Walgreens digital experiences, and Dhar is focused on improving that user-centric view continuously. Read the whole story at Pymnts by Thom Forbes @tforbes, February 16, 2016 In an interview on Bloomberg TV last week, Whole Foods co-CEO Walter Robb talked about broadening the appeal of the chain to Millennials with its smaller 365 by Whole Foods Market shops, the first of which is scheduled to open in the Silver Lake neighborhood of Los Angeles in May. Theres a number of smaller-store competitors out there that are doing a nice job, Robb said. We dont see any reason why we cant go participate in that part of the market as well with our 365 by Whole Foods offer its going to be unique. In covering the six-minute chat, which was laden with a lot of retailer jargon, Bloombergs Leslie Patton points to the Friends of 365 program that solicits outside vendors to set up shops within the shop and on its outdoor patios. advertisement advertisement Heres what more-engaging-than-the-co-CEO copy on the website has to say: We like to mix things up. Friends of 365 may be any type of business from food and drinks to fashion, body care products, services, and more. (Record shop? Tattoo parlor? Maybe!) And each 365 store may have a different mix of friends. The more variety, the merrier! Amazing what the mere mention of a tat can do. Whole Foods push to be cool is a response to a slight 1.8% dip in same-store sales with Millennials. The decline isnt too surprising, considering young, budget-conscious shoppers can easily find their kale and quinoa at cheaper, similarly health-oriented grocery stores like Trader Joes, writes a skeptical Christian Gollayan for the New York Post. After all, can you remember the last time you needed a dozen free-range eggs and a new tattoo? Gollayan concludes. A Whole Foods spokeswoman tells the Los Angeles Times Samantha Masunaga that that the company has not yet announced any Friends. But Burt Flickinger III, managing director of consulting firm Strategic Resource Group, suggests to her that tattoos may not be the best way to reach Millennials. Whole Foods stands for health and wellness, Flickinger says. Inking typically does not epitomize health and wellness. Writing for CBS News Money Watch blog, Aimee Picchi points out that rivals such as Trader Joe's have been taking share from Whole Foods as consumers seek out cheaper options. Millennials, of course, are by and large even more budget-constrained than older generations, given that millions are struggling to pay back student loans while starting out their careers. Why, then, would Whole Foods be in such hot pursuit of the Millennial market the 92 million people born between 1980 and 2000 by Goldman Sachs reckoning, asks Corey Fedde in the Christian Science Monitor. Well, thats exactly why its a big one. Millennials are poised to reshape the economy; their unique experiences will change the ways we buy and sell, forcing companies to examine how they do business for decades to come, according to a Goldman Sachs infographic on the generation cited by Fedde. That Goldman Sachs infographic also makes the point that the must-haves for previous generations arent as important for Millennials. Theyre putting off major purchases or avoiding them entirely. Not so tattoos. And as Jake Novak suggested in a commentary for CNBC a while back, the very fact that Millennials are much more likely to have one or more tattoos than any other generation, and did you really need a survey to tell you? is itself evidence that they are not shrinking from every shot and every commitment after all. The stats don't lie, he writes. Millennials may not be as in to homes, cars, and jobs, but they are all-in when it comes to the lifetime commitment of tattoos. Theyre costly to acquire, and even costlier to remove. by Philip Rosenstein , February 16, 2016 Radio will have a strong impact on undecided primary voters as we move into the heart of primary season, per a Nielsen Audio study commissioned by the Katz Radio Group. The Local Vote 2016 study analyzed media consumption trends in the Super Tuesday states of Colorado, Texas and Virginia. (Colorado and Virginia are considered key swing states in this year's presidential election.) Approximately one-third of all registered voters in those three states can still be swayed by political messaging, notes the study. These voters comprise the so-called Opportunity Vote. Radio has the deepest reach in this electoral group. In Virginia, Colorado and Texas, radio reaches 93.2% of the Opportunity Vote, more than any other medium. Texas and Virginia are states that hold strong delegate counts, making them essential for candidates to rack up enough delegates in the race to the conventions. Broadcast TV and cable TV each impact 89.9% and 89.8% of those persuadable voters, respectively. Desktop reaches 87.8% of the Opportunity Vote and mobile 64.4%. advertisement advertisement About one-third of the Opportunity Vote tune into radio significantly more often than they watch TV, listening to roughly two hours of radio daily compared to less than one hour of TV. Despite strong media focus on TV ads, radio ad spend this cycle is expected to exceed $800 million. by Sara Guaglione , February 16, 2016 Rupert Murdoch is launching a new, right-wing Web site called Heat Street, led by former British Parliament member Louise Mensch. Rupert Murdoch is launching a new, right-wing Web site called, led by former British Parliament member Louise Mensch. On Twitter, Mensch described the Web site as libertarian and promoted it with the hashtag #NoSafeSpaces. News Corp spokesman Jim Kennedy toldthatwill, in a spirit of free speech and no 'safe spaces,' cover a variety of topics from a diversity of viewpoints. He said the slant would be center-right. Mensch will work with Noah Kotch, a former ABC, NBC network producer who helped launch Vocativ, according to BuzzFeed News. Kotch served as The Washington Posts video director for two weeks before leaving the job in late January. advertisement advertisement Freelance journalist Miles Goslett has been appointed the UK editor of Heat Street. He will work with the U.S. team and continue rolling out Heat Street content when the U.S. operation winds down overnight. Heat Street will begin hiring a few staff members and start small, focusing on the American market. Mensch is an interesting choice to lead this project revolving around conservative U.S. politics. According to BuzzFeed, she is staunchly anti-abortion and backs Republicans in the U.S. Mensch has been working with News Corp on digital projects with creative and strategic responsibilities since 2014, which came as surprise to many, considering that she was one of the MPs who questioned Rupert and James Murdoch on the infamous phone hacking scandal in 2011. Mensch is a former Tory MP, who resigned in 2012 from Parliament to spend more time with her family in New York City. Her husband is music manager Peter Mensch. In June 2012, Mensch launched a social-networking site called Menshn, which was supposed to serve as an alternative to Twitter. It was shuttered within its first year. by Steve McClellan @mp_mcclellan, February 16, 2016 Ad shop gyro has appointed former British Minister Gregory Barker to lead the agencys new global focus on sustainability in its business-to-business efforts on behalf of clients. Barker will fill the newly created role of Sustainability Chief. The agencys focus on sustainability will encompass its 14 offices worldwide. Hell report to Kate Howe Managing Director of gyro London Barker, a British Lord, is a sustainability expert. He was formerly the Minister of State for Energy & Climate Change in the U.K. Previously, Barker was the Prime Ministers Climate Envoy and was appointed Chair of the London Sustainable Development Commission in 2015. In 2010, he was elected to Parliament serving on the Environment Audit Select Committee. Barker oversaw the launch of the UKs first Renewable Heat Incentive and a reform program for the UK electricity sector. Howe said, I know from my conversations with business leaders that genuine engagement at every level of an organization from the boardroom to the supply chain and from staff to customers can be one of the biggest hurdles a company can face in meeting its sustainability goals. gyro focuses on how organizations can translate sustainability into stories that mean something to customers and other stakeholders - stories that can stir up passion and translate into an enhanced reputation and positive behaviors. advertisement advertisement Barker said: We are living through a period of extraordinary change, and gyro has a set of unique skills which can add real value to senior decision makers as they respond to business risks and opportunities that sustainability and climate change present. by Wendy Davis @wendyndavis, February 16, 2016 Fox News and Bergen Record operator North Jersey Media Group have settled a closely watched lawsuit alleging that Fox infringed copyright by posting a famous photo of 9/11 on Facebook. Terms of the settlement have not been disclosed. North Jersey Media Group, which operates the Record and the Herald News, alleged in a September 2014 lawsuit filed in New York that Fox posted the widely publicized photo on its Facebook page for Bret Baier, who hosts "Special Report with Bret Baier." Many industry observers were closely watching the dispute, which posted questions about use of copyrighted images on social media sites. The photo, depicting three firefighters raising a flag at the site of the former World Trade Center, was taken by Record photographer Thomas Franklin. North Jersey Media has gleaned more than $1 million in licensing fees for the photo since 2001, according to court papers. The newspaper owner also alleged in a separate but related lawsuit, first filed in October of 2013, that Fox infringed copyright by posting the same photo to a page for Jeanine Pirro, host of Fox's "Justice with Judge Jeanine." The newspaper initially sued Pirro, but dropped the allegations against her last September. advertisement advertisement That matter centered on an image that combined Franklin's photo with a shot of four U.S. Marines raising a flag on Iwo Jima during World War II. A Fox News production assistant found that combined image through Google, and posted it to Pirro's page as part of a 9/11 commemoration, according to court records. Fox argued in both lawsuits that it was entitled to post the photos under fair use principles. In February of 2015, U.S. District Court Judge Edgardo Ramos ruled in the Pirro matter that Fox was not entitled to "summary judgment" based on fair use. Ramos ruled that Fox's use of the photo on Pirro's page wasn't transformative -- which is one of the factors judges consider when evaluating fair use. He also ruled that Fox's use of the combined Sept. 11-Iwo Jima image threatened North Jersey Media's ability to license its photo. The battle between Fox and North Jersey Media grew procedurally messy, when Fox countersued North Jersey Media for allegedly infringing copyright in Fox programs by posting clips from Fox's programs on NorthJersey.com. The settlement resolves all claims, according to a statement by Fox's outside counsel Dori Ann Hanswirth of Hogan Lovells. She stated through a Fox spokesperson: "Fox News Network, LLC and North Jersey Media Group Inc. have agreed to a confidential settlement of their disputes. As a result of the settlement, North Jersey Media will discontinue its copyright infringement claims against Fox News, and Fox News will discontinue its copyright infringement and unfair competition claims against North Jersey Media." by Erik Sass @eriksass1, February 16, 2016 The food gods are about to smile on Las Vegas. From April 28 to May 1, the citys premiere restaurants are celebrating fine food, wine and spirits in collaboration with Bon Appetit magazine, which is organizing its tenth annual Vegas Uncorkd event. Uncorkd offers committed foodies the chance to sample epicurean delights, meet their favorite chefs, and yes, brag about it all on social media. This years Vegas Uncorkd includes dozens of individual events, including a mystery dinner led by Emeril Lagasse; a sushi omakase tasting with Nobu Matsuhisa, of Nobu restaurant fame; the Grand Tasting featuring master chefs at Caesars Palace; brunch with Giada De Laurentiis at her namesake restaurant at The Cromwell; a culinary retrospective with Guy Savoy celebrating the 10th anniversary of his namesake restaurant at Caesars Palace; and Beat the Heat, a live competition with Gordon Ramsay. advertisement advertisement Bon Appetit joined forces with the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, hospitality partners Caesars Palace, The Cromwell, The Venetian, and The Palazzo, and presenting sponsor Chase Sapphire Preferred for this years gourmet smorgasbord. As part of the Chase sponsorship, Chase Sapphire cardholders will get reserved tickets to some of the most sought-after events. Tickets to Uncorkd events are now for sale online, with a range of prices depending on the event, from a relatively modest $90 for a wine beer and bourbon tasting at Yardbird Southern Table & Bar to $1,000 for the Nobu omakase. According to editor-in-chief Adam Rapoport, Bon Appetit is staging a number of print and digital tie-ins to promote the event, including a special edition of its popular RSVP section in the print magazine, where readers write in to ask for their favorite recipes from restaurants. A number of print sidebars are devoted to Las Vegas destinations. The publication is also posting podcast interviews with the celebrity chefs. LVCVA senior marketing executive Carolyn Coyle noted that this years Uncorkd includes some new events taking guests beyond the confines of the big casino hotels: Were going to be doing some series in downtown Las Vegas, highlighting some of the chefs own favorites. When the chefs go out at night, they like to get away so they might go to Chinatown, maybe to have late night Dim Sum, and the same holds true for downtown. Theyve made those places very popular. by Wendy Davis , Staff Writer @wendyndavis, February 16, 2016 The cable industry has made no secret of its opposition to Federal Communications Commission Chairman Tom Wheeler's proposal for new set-top-box rules that would enable consumers to more easily watch TV on smartphones, tablets and other devices. As soon as the plan was unveiled, the industry group Future of TV Coalition began lobbying that new rules were unnecessary because consumers already can stream (some) programs to tablets and smartphones via apps. Today, the cable industry launched a new attack on the plan: It marks an "an assault on consumer privacy" that will allow "privacy scofflaws like Google" to collect yet more data about people. The regulations "will strip viewers of vital safeguards for their viewing choices and add 'what we watch' to the mountains of data being mined and exploited by privacy scofflaws like Google, alongside their existing files of what we search for on the Internet; what we say in our gmail at home, work, and school; what happens in our 'Nest'-connected homes; and where we go using Waze and Google Maps," the cable industry group Future of TV Coalition says today in a new blog post. advertisement advertisement Supporters of the proposal say it could increase competition while also making it easier for consumers to access all content -- pay-TV as well as online video -- from the same navigation device. Also, the proposal would make it simpler for consumers to watch pay TV on a host of different devices. On top of everything else, the plan could save consumers hefty cable-box rental fees -- which now total an estimated $20 billion a year. Google supports the plan, but the company isn't the only one. Consumer organizations like Public Knowledge also back the plan, as do editorial boards of major newspapers like The New York TimesandChicago Tribune. Wheeler recently told the Washington Post that any proposal regarding set-top boxes will include privacy regulations. But the cable industry says the FCC isn't empowered to impose privacy restrictions on tech companies like Google. "The Chairmans approach creates a gaping hole in consumer privacy where none exists today, and leaves our personal viewing histories at the mercy of vast businesses built almost entirely on mining, exploiting, and profiling our personal data," the Future of TV Coalition writes. "It would be the biggest step backwards for consumer privacy ever enacted by the FCC." AT&T -- which has unnerved privacy advocates by charging some U-Verse subscribers higher fees to avoid tracking for ad-targeting purposes -- chimes in that the proposal threatens privacy by enabling Google to collect additional information about consumers. "I keep hearing that we shouldnt worry about privacy because Google will be subject to 'similar' rules as cable and satellite, or that theyd be subject to other federal and state rules," AT&T vice president Stacy Fuller writes today in a blog post. Fuller goes on to say that the Communications Act requires only satellite and cable providers to obtain consumers' prior written consent to use subscribers' "individual viewing history or other personally identifiable information for things like targeted advertising." Fuller adds that any rules the FCC may apply to Google and other companies don't include those mandates. Opinion / Columnist It is reported that the annual 21st February movement feeding orgy will be held at Mucheke stadium in famished Masvingo this year at a reported cost of $800 000. On this date in question all the applauded luxurious ford rangers and four by fours will be negotiating the potholed roads leading Mucheke stadium in Masvingo. It is also reported that the ZANU PF youth militia is forcing the province of Masvingo to foot the bill of the feast by demanding a dollar from each village.Masvingo is one of the provinces that have been most affected by the current drought. The majority of people in the province are now practically surviving on one meal a day. Villagers have resorted to selling their livestock at very low prices and unscrupulous business people are taking advantage of the desperate people by buying the livestock for as low as thirty dollars. Children have been withdrawn from school due to malnutrition. It is therefore cruel and insensitive for ZANU to further tax the poor villagers. It is such insensitivity that has made the people of Zimbabwe question the authenticity of their government as to how much they really have the welfare of its people at heart.Zimbabwe like most of Africa and the world at large is suffering from the extremes of global warming which has caused severe drought in some areas and flooding in others. This is old news to our government which makes it a point that every seminar or workshop held by every sort of organization dealing with a myriad of subjects ranging from climate change to ICT is attended by mandarins from relevant ministries. These outings provide the mandarins a chance to travel the globe with their mistresses at government expense. It also provides much needed copy for the state run newspapers which would otherwise be forced to report on unfaithful spouses of injiva. It's a tough job running PR disguised as news for a despotic administration!The point is, the government knew long back that the region will be hit by a severe drought. The purpose for those expensive seminars at UN is to help governments PLAN. They are not pleasure trips but informative seminars aimed at helping poor governments plan on how to cope with such phenomena. Therefore the drought should not have come as a surprise to our government. When fresh from the AU where he had relinquished his presidency Mugabe woke up to the fact that Zimbabwe had run out of food he belatedly declared a national state of emergency. He immediately sent out an SOS for at least one billion dollars to the international community. It is common knowledge that this international community is the much hated west and not our beloved thieving allies from the east who have looted our resources and rewarded Amai with an off the shelf PhD.With not a sign of shame on his face Mugabe pleaded with the west to come to the aid of the people of Zimbabwe. The very same west against which he had ranted and raved the previous week!! To come to the aid of the very same people whose hiuses he had ordered razed to the ground because they were an eyesore on his beloved road to the airport. The only non-pilot with more air-hours than any commercial pilot pleaded with the West to help the villagers of Masvingo from whom his militia is extorting money so that they can host his birthday feast in the midst of poor and starving Masvingo.My heart goes out to the poor unknown elephants which will be shot down to feed the hordes of powdered faced and bewigged 69 year old youth members of the 21st February Movement. My heart goes out to the poor kombi operators who will be harassed off the road to make way for the Ford Rangers and the biggest motorcade in Africa on its way to Mucheke Stadium. Mugabe will unashamedly feast on the huge cake surrounded by his family and his lickspittle obedient sons with not a care for the young family of Itai Dzamara who have been hungry since their father was stolen last year. My heart goes out to the starving residents of Masvingo whose mouths will salivate at the delicious smells coming from the feast in Mucheke. My fervent prayer goes to The Lord to give strength to the MC so that he may resist the temptation of giving the microphone to Dr. Amai Phd. Otherwise the poor people of Masvingo will be told to remember what theyate during the last drought!!!ZAPU Information Desk. The annual deaths that occur each winter in Canada due to poor road conditions can be reduced with a multipronged strategy, argues an editorial in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal). Canada's road fatalities on a per-capita basis are twice those in Sweden, another country with inclement winter weather. "This is unacceptable," write Dr. Diane Kelsall, deputy editor, CMAJ, and Dr. Donald Redelmeier, professor of medicine at the University of Toronto and a physician at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Ontario. "Are the measures to keep us safe on snowy and icy roads insufficient, or are our expectations around winter unrealistic and our behaviour dangerous?" There is substantial variability in standards for winter road maintenance across Canada and within regions, depending on the type of road. For example, major highways are required to have bare pavement after eight hours whereas minor highways do not have the same requirement. In 2015, Ontario's Auditor General released a report highly critical of winter highway maintenance, detailing a drop in standards for road salting and clearing. The authors recommend the following measures: stringent road maintenance standards tailored to local weather conditions government oversight of road service companies to ensure adherence mandatory legislation requiring winter tires in specific provinces, as in Quebec seasonal speed limits and enforcement public education about safe winter driving. "Hundreds of deaths each winter is not a reasonable price for living in a snowy country," state the authors. Canadians should not be complacent and accept lower standards. They should also be responsible as drivers and exercise caution about road conditions at all times. Health officials urge action to ban the sale of powdered alcohol, in an editorial published in Annals of Internal Medicine. Early last year, the U.S. Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau approved a formulation of powdered alcohol, or Palcohol, for distribution and sale in the United States. Sold in packet form in five different flavors (vodka, rum, cosmopolitan, powderita, and lemon drop), Palcohol contains 55 percent alcohol by weight and can be reconstituted to its liquid form by adding water. Citing a lack of safety data and the potential for abuse and misuse among both youth and adults, the Baltimore City Health Department convened physicians and public health leaders to endorse a statement on the clinical and public health dangers of the product. Their advocacy efforts led to a ban on the sale and distribution of Palcohol in the city of Baltimore as well as the state of Maryland. Baltimore public health officials urge clinicians in local jurisdictions to form coalitions in their own areas to help keep Palcohol off the market. Hospital admissions associated with return visits to the emergency department (ED) may not adequately capture deficits in the quality of care delivered during an ED visit, according to a study in JAMA. All-cause hospital readmissions are considered to capture deficits in transitions of care from the hospital setting and are now a reportable measure of hospital quality tied to financial penalties for poor-performing hospitals. Similar to the rationale for monitoring performance using hospital readmissions, unscheduled return visits after ED discharge may also reflect inadequate ED discharge practices or follow-up procedures. Short-term unscheduled return visits to the ED are increasingly monitored as an administrative performance measure and have been considered for wider adoption as a measure of the quality of emergency care, particularly if the patient requires hospitalization during the return ED visit. However, the ramifications of using return visits to the ED as a measure of quality are uncertain. Amber K. Sabbatini, M.D., M.P.H., of the University of Washington, Seattle, and colleagues examined in-hospital clinical outcomes and resource use among patients who had a return visit to the ED and subsequent hospital admission compared with patients who were hospitalized and did not experience a return visit to the ED. The authors analyzed adult ED visits to acute care hospitals in Florida and New York in 2013 using data from the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project. Patients with index ED visits were identified and followed up for return visits to the ED within 7, 14, and 30 days. The study included 9,036,483 index ED visits to 424 hospitals. The authors found that patients who experienced an ED return visit that resulted in admission shortly after an earlier ED discharge had significantly lower rates of in-hospital mortality, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, and costs, but somewhat longer lengths of hospital stay compared with admissions among patients without a return visit to the ED. In contrast, patients who returned to the ED after hospital discharge and were readmitted had higher mortality and ICU admission rates during the repeat hospitalization along with longer lengths of stay and higher costs. Results were consistent for patients returning to the ED within 7, 14, or 30 days of their initial ED visit. "These findings suggest that ED return admissions may not adequately capture deficits in the quality of care delivered during an ED visit based on information from administrative data sets," the authors write. "How rates of return visits to the ED are interpreted - as reflecting medical error or as a failure of an appropriate trial of outpatient management - has important policy implications for a value-driven health care system. Recent changes in health care financing, such as payer scrutiny over short-stay hospitalizations, physician profiling with pay-for-performance incentives or penalties, and expansion of risk-sharing agreements have placed increased pressure on hospitals and physicians to reduce unnecessary admissions." Editorial: Ensuring the Quality of Quality Metrics for Emergency Care These findings provide a definitive argument that the overall ED revisit rate should not be used as a quality metric, writes James G. Adams, M.D., of Northwestern University and Northwestern Memorial HealthCare, Chicago, in an accompanying editorial. "Although potentially sensitive, this measure is recognized as too nonspecific. To identify misdiagnoses and inadequate treatment, a more precise approach is warranted." "The journey toward better, meaningful quality measures continues with the realization that there is no easily accessible measure for overall ED diagnostic and therapeutic quality. The fact that this key question is answered serves as a good reminder that much detailed, difficult, and diligent work lies ahead." The presence of interstitial lung abnormalities are associated with a greater risk of all-cause mortality, according to a study in JAMA. Interstitial lung abnormalities are defined as specific patterns of increased lung density noted on chest computed tomography (CT) scans identified in participants with no prior history of interstitial lung disease (a large group of disorders characterized by progressive scarring of the lung tissue between and supporting the air sacs). In studies of adults, interstitial lung abnormalities are present in approximately 2 percent to 10 percent of research participants (and 7 percent of a general population sample) and are associated with reductions in lung capacity and exercise capacity. Ivan O. Rosas, M.D., of Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, and colleagues examined whether interstitial lung abnormalities are associated with increased mortality. The study included 2,633 participants from the FHS (Framingham Heart Study), 5,320 from the AGES-Reykjavik Study (Age Gene/Environment Susceptibility), 2,068 from the COPDGene Study (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease), and 1,670 from ECLIPSE (Evaluation of COPD Longitudinally to Identify Predictive Surrogate Endpoints). Interstitial lung abnormalities were present in 7 percent of the FHS participants, 7 percent from AGES-Reykjavik, 8 percent from COPDGene, and 9 percent from ECLIPSE. Over median follow-up times of approximately 3 to 9 years, there were more deaths (and a greater absolute rate of mortality) among participants with interstitial lung abnormalities when compared with those who did not have interstitial lung abnormalities: 7 percent vs 1 percent in FHS, 56 percent vs 33 percent in AGES-Reykjavik, and 11 percent vs 5 percent in ECLIPSE. Interstitial lung abnormalities were associated with a higher risk of death in all groups. In the AGES-Reykjavik cohort, the higher rate of mortality could be explained by a higher rate of death due to respiratory disease, specifically pulmonary fibrosis. The associations between interstitial lung abnormalities and mortality were not lessened after adjustment for smoking, cancer, COPD, or coronary artery disease. "These findings, in conjunction with those previously published, demonstrate that despite often being undiagnosed and asymptomatic, interstitial lung abnormalities may be associated with lower survival rates among older persons," the authors write. "The clinical implications of this association require further investigation." "Follow-up studies should determine the risk factors for and the events that lead to death among persons with interstitial lung abnormalities. Given the ability to treat more advanced stages of pulmonary fibrosis, future clinical trials attempting to reduce the overall mortality associated with pulmonary fibrosis should consider including early stages of the disease." Today (16 February) in Scientific Reports, Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Imperial College London and Royal Veterinary College scientists used the full DNA sequences of Schistosoma mansoni parasites from Africa and the French Caribbean to discover the fluke's origins, map its historic transmission and identify the secrets of its success. Their findings show how the global slave trade transported the disease from Senegal and Cameroon to Guadeloupe. Further genomic comparison with a closely related schistosome species that infects rodents reveals how the parasite has adapted to infecting human beings. Schistosoma mansoni is a blood fluke (flatworm) that infects more than 250 million people worldwide and causes more than 11,000 deaths each year. Six years ago the Sanger Institute published the parasite's first full DNA sequence (genome); this latest study used that 'genetic map' to construct and compare the genomes of S. mansoni parasites gathered from across Africa and the New World, the majority of which were held at the Schistosomiasis Collection in the Natural History Museum, London. By analysing the differences between the human-infecting S. mansoni and its close relative, the rodent-infecting S. rodhaini, the scientists calculated that the two species evolved from a common ancestor approximately 107,000 to 148,000 years ago in East Africa. This finding suggests that the species is much 'younger' than previously thought. "The timing of the separation of the two species coincidences with the first archaeological evidence of fishing in Africa," explains Thomas Crellen, first author of the study from Imperial College London, the Sanger Institute and the Royal Veterinary College London. "The parasite develops in freshwater and infects people by burrowing through their skin. The introduction of fishing would have meant that people spent more time in the water, greatly increasing their chances of being infected." Analysing the differences between genomes from different locations also revealed the darker side of human history. "Comparing the S. mansoni genomes suggests that flukes in West Africa split from their Caribbean counterparts at some point between 1117AD and 1742AD, which overlaps with the time of the 16th-19th Century Atlantic Slave Trade," says Professor Joanne Webster from Imperial College London and the Royal Veterinary College. "During this period more than 22,000 African people were transported from West Africa to Guadeloupe by French slave ships, and the fluke was carried with them." Comparing the genomes of S. mansoni with S. rodhaini also revealed the genetic variations that have been positively selected over time in the human-infecting fluke and have been "fixed" into its DNA. It is likely that these variations are the evolutionary adaptations that have occurred to enable the fluke to successfully tunnel into, and thrive within, human beings. "When we looked for the differences between human-infecting S. mansoni DNA and its rodent infecting cousin S. rodhaini, we found two important variations. We found that changes to two genes in S. mansoni's DNA - VAL21 and an elastase gene - appear to be important in allowing the fluke to enter and live in humans," says Dr James Cotton, senior author of the study from the Sanger Institute. "VAL genes produce proteins that cause allergic responses, so it is possible that the variation in VAL21 helps the fluke to hide from our immune systems. The elastase gene helps the parasite to burrow in to the body, by breaking down elastin - a major component of human skin." It is hoped that exploring the genetic makeup of the fluke it will be possible to discover more about the processes the parasite relies on to infect humans and offer new opportunities to develop preventive and therapeutic interventions. University of Oklahoma anthropologists are studying the ancient and modern human microbiome and the role it plays in human health and disease. By applying genomic and proteomic sequencing technologies to ancient human microbiomes, such as coprolites and dental calculus, as well as to contemporary microbiomes in traditional and industrialized societies, OU researchers are advancing the understanding of the evolutionary history of our microbial self and its impact on human health today. Christina Warinner, professor in the Department of Anthropology, OU College of Arts and Sciences, presented "The Evolution and Ecology of Our Microbial Self," during the American Association for the Advancement of Science panel on Evolutionary Biology Impacts on Medicine and Public Health, at 1:30 pm, Sunday, Feb. 14, 2016 in the Marriott Marshall Ballroom West, Washington, DC. Warinner discussed how major events, such as the invention of agriculture and the advent of industrialization, have affected the human microbiome. "We don't have a complete picture of the microbiome," Warinner said. "OU research indicates human behavior over the past 2000 years has impacted the gut microbiome. Microbial communities have become disturbed, but before we can improve our health, we have to understand our ancestral microbiome. We cannot make targeted or informed interventions until we know that. Ancient samples allow us to directly measure changes in the human microbiome at specific times and places in the past." Warinner and colleague, Cecil M. Lewis, Jr., co-direct OU's Laboratories of Molecular Anthropology and Microbiome Research and the research focused on reconstructing the ancestral human oral and gut microbiome, addressing questions concerning how the relationship between humans and microbes has changed through time and how our microbiomes influence health and disease in diverse populations, both today and in the past. Warinner and Lewis are leaders in the field of paleogenomics, and the OU laboratories house the largest ancient DNA laboratory in the United States. Warinner is pioneering the study of ancient human microbiomes, and in 2014 she published the first detailed metagenomics and metaproteomic characterization of the ancient oral microbiome in the journal Nature Genetics. In 2015, she published a study on the identification of milk proteins in ancient dental calculus and the reconstruction of prehistoric European dairying practices. In the same year, she was part of an international team that published the first South American hunter-gatherer gut microbiome and identified Treponema as a key missing ancestral microbe in industrialized societies. Warinner has published 17 peer-reviewed journal articles, 2 books, and 5 book chapters, and she serves on the Editorial Board of Scientific Reports. Her research earned an Honorable Mention for the Omenn Prize, an annual prize for best article published on evolution, medicine and public health; and her ancient microbiome findings were named among the top 100 scientific discoveries of 2014 by Discover Magazine. Warinner's research has been featured in more than 75 news articles, including stories in Science, Cell, Scientific American, The New Scientist, Archaeology Magazine, the LA Times, the Guardian, WIRED UK, MSNBC, FOX News, and CNN, among others. She has presented before the Royal Society of London and on behalf of the Leakey Foundation, and in 2015 she was invited to participate in a White House microbiome innovation forum sponsored by the Office of Science and Technology Policy. She has been featured in two documentaries, and her current work on ancient Nepal appears in the award-winning children's book, Secrets of the Sky Caves. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), around 15% of the world's population is physically impaired to some degree. In order to overcome the hurdles of everyday life, many disabled people use assistive technologies. Unfortunately, technology has not kept pace - most wheelchairs cannot yet climb stairs, bulky powered exoskeletons lack acceptance, and prostheses are still limited in function. This week during the AAAS 2016 Annual Meeting in Washington D.C., Robert Riener from ETH Zurich, The Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich, Switzerland, Ronald Triolo, Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.A., and Kyu Jin Cho, Seoul National University in Seoul, Republic of Korea reveal the latest developments in limb prosthetics, assistive robotics, and brain computer interfaces that tackle form as well as function. In the future, artificial electrical stimulation signals will stimulate nerves and glove-like soft devices will restore hand functions offering a better quality of life for people who need assistive devices. Challenging the Scientific Community to Advance Assistive Technologies Robert Riener, Head of the Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich - The Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich, Switzerland challenges the limits of assistive technology with Cybathlon, a one-day Olympic-style competition that awards both the teams of disabled pilots and scientists from around the world. It is comprised of different disciplines that test the ability of pilots to navigate a series of everyday tasks while using assistive devices and robotic technologies. Riener founded the Cybathlon event as a platform for developing and benchmarking novel assistive technologies useful for the daily life of persons with motor disabilities. The well-defined race tracks, normed obstacles and exact rules will make it possible to compare the performance of devices in a relevant setting. Six different disciplines apply the most modern powered devices such as prostheses, wearable exoskeletons, wheelchairs, functional electrical stimulation as well as novel brain-computer interfaces. Cybathlon 2016 will be held in Zurich, Switzerland on October 8th, 2016. Implanted Neuroprostheses for Mobility after Paralysis Ronald Triolo, Professor of Orthopaedics and Biomedical Engineering Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio reveals the advantages of implanted motor system neuroprostheses that access anatomically deep nerves and muscles over conventional prosthetics. He will demonstrate a novel adaptation of implanted technologies by interfacing them with exercise equipment. This system presents a new option for recreation and independence previously unavailable to implanted neuroprosthesis recipients and offers potential health benefits derived from exercising the large paralyzed muscles of the lower extremities and trunk. Exo-Glove: Technology that Enables People with Hand Disabilities to Grasp Kyu Jin Cho, Director of the Biorobotics Laboratory at Seoul National University in South Korea introduces the Exo-glove that addresses paralysis of the hand that inhibits patients from even the most simple of activities in daily life. The Exo-glove is a hand robot inspired by human fingers and superior to exoskeletons due to its light-weight compactness and increased usability. The robotic technology enables people with spinal cord injuries to grasp objects of various shapes - potentially improving their quality of life. The device is developed through a unique and inspiring cooperation of students with disabled persons. Young male cancer survivors are three times as likely to turn to assisted fertilization to have children as males without a cancer diagnosis. This knowledge makes it possible to develop concrete treatment protocols, which affect fertility to a lesser degree. Measures like preserving sperm before starting treatment can be optimised. Close to 80 per cent of those diagnosed during childhood or adolescence will survive their cancer. According to a Norwegian study of male cancer patients diagnosed under the age of 25, many male cancer patients have problems reproducing. The researchers hope this new knowledge may contribute to changing future treatment of male cancer patients. A study of all Norwegian men born between 1965 and 1985 shows that male cancer survivors are less likely to have children than those without a cancer diagnosis. "These finds are important for male cancer survivors, seeing as we can identify groups at risk of having reproduction problems," says Maria Winther Gunnes, PhD candidate at the Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care at the University of Bergen (UiB) and lead author of a recently published article in the British Journal of Cancer. May alter future cancer treatment This knowledge makes it possible to develop concrete treatment protocols which affect fertility to a lesser degree. In addition, measures like preserving sperm before starting treatment can be optimised. Male cancer survivors are three times as likely to turn to assisted fertilization to have children as males with no cancer diagnosis. Researchers from UiB and other institutions have sought to find out what cancer at a young age means for reproduction and marriage among male survivors of cancer in childhood, adolescence and young adulthood. The number of survivors after treatment of cancer in childhood, adolescence and young adulthood has steadily increased over the past decades, due to improvements in treatment regimens and supportive care. It is now expected that close to 80 per cent of those diagnosed with cancer during childhood or adolescence will survive their cancer and subsequent treatment. Cancer does not affect children The study demonstrates reduced paternity among male cancer survivors, especially among survivors of testicular cancer, brain tumours, lymphoma, leukaemia and bone cancer. There is also less likelihood that cancer survivors get married than their peers without a cancer diagnosis. "It is important to be able to assure young, male cancer survivors that their illness and treatment will not have a negative impact on their own children," says Gunnes. The study shows that children of those who have survived cancer do not have an increased risk of perinatal death or congenital anomalies. Similarly, there were no indications of increased risk of preterm birth or low birth weight. The study cohort consists of all Norwegian males born between 1965 and 1985, registered in compulsory national registries in Norway. Compulsory national registries are not prone to selection bias and have given the researchers a large sample size, fully complete on a national level. Another clue to the workings of trachoma - the world's leading infectious cause of blindness - has been revealed in a new study published in BMC Infectious Diseases. Researchers identified markers of genetic regulation present in the early stages of infection that could predispose children to developing the condition in its long-term, severe form. The study was carried out by a team at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, part-funded by Fight for Sight and The Wellcome Trust, in partnership with colleagues in West Africa. Trachoma is endemic in 51 countries and is the cause of irreversible blindness in 1.2 million people worldwide. Mass distribution of antibiotics can successfully treat the initial infection of the conjunctiva with the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis. The conjunctiva is the mucous membrane that covers the front of the eye and lines the inside of the eyelids. However, children in trachoma-endemic areas can suffer repeated episodes of infection and, in some, this triggers chronic inflammation and scarring of the eyelid. As the eyelids tighten, eyelashes turn inward and scratch the cornea - a condition called trichiasis - eventually leaving the cornea opaque and causing blindness. Researchers are investigating why only some people in endemic areas go on to experience inflammation and scarring. The research team has previously found that two microRNAs - known as miR-147b and miR-1285 - are increased in adults with scarring and inflammatory trachoma. MicroRNAs are small molecules that are key controllers of the activity of many other genes. The new study is the first report of microRNA activity in inflammatory trachoma during the initial stage of disease. The team looked at samples from children with both infection and inflammation compared to samples from children with healthy conjunctiva and no infection. The analysis showed that two microRNAs - miR-155 and miR-184 - have a direct relationship with the degree of inflammation. Lead author and Fight for Sight PhD student, Tamsyn Derrick from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, said: "We found that miR-155 is increased and miR-184 is decreased as the severity of clinical inflammation goes up. We think this pattern of microRNA expression reflects the activity of immune cells in the conjunctiva. MiR-155 in particular has wide-ranging and profound effects on immune cell development and function, while miR-184 is the only microRNA that is present in significantly different levels between people with inflammatory trachoma that has persisted post-infection, versus uninfected healthy controls." Dr Martin Holland who led the research group at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine said: "Our results suggest that the presence of inflammatory cells is required to drive pathological responses in the conjunctiva. They also present in miR-184 a new target with significant therapeutic potential. "Studies conducted elsewhere have shown that increasing miR-184 prevents abnormal communication between cells in a mouse model of retinal disease and lower levels of miR-184 during acute corneal injury are restored upon healing. Its prolonged low-level state in post-infection inflammatory trachoma could therefore reflect prolonged wound healing and abnormal cell signalling. It may also contribute to thinning of the conjunctiva's outer layer, something we see in trachoma, which could predispose people to repeat infection." Dr Dolores M Conroy, Director of Research at Fight for Sight, said: "Inflammation is known to be a major risk factor for scarring trachoma and these results give us an important indication of why. One of the priorities for research identified by the Sight Loss and Vision Priority Setting Partnership was to find out whether severe ocular surface diseases in children can be better managed. Knowing who is at risk and how that risk can be reduced is a major step towards better management of this globally devastating condition." Iroko Pharmaceuticals, LLC, a global specialty pharmaceutical company dedicated to advancing the science of analgesia, has announced that VIVLODEX (meloxicam) capsules, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), is now available by prescription at pharmacies across the United States. In a 12-week study VIVLODEX delivered impressive efficacy at low 5-mg and 10-mg doses in patients with osteoarthritis (OA) pain. VIVLODEX dose strengths (5 and 10 mg) are 33% lower than currently available oral meloxicam products. VIVLODEX is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the management of osteoarthritis pain.1 "We are pleased to introduce VIVLODEX, our third low dose SoluMatrix NSAID, and our second product for patients suffering from osteoarthritis pain," said Lou Vollmer, President and Chief Operating Officer of Iroko. "VIVLODEX now offers patients who are currently taking oral meloxicam an effective low-dose alternative that aligns with FDA prescribing recommendations to use the lowest effective dose of NSAIDs. The launch of VIVLODEX further strengthens our commitment to provide effective low-dose NSAID options for patients experiencing pain." Systematic reviews of observational studies have shown that serious NSAID adverse events, including cardiovascular thrombotic events, myocardial infarction, stroke, gastrointestinal ulcers and gastrointestinal bleeds2-3 are dose related. These NSAID associated serious cardiovascular and gastrointestinal adverse events have prompted the FDA and professional medical organizations including the American Heart Association, American Gastroenterological Association, and The American College of Rheumatology, to recommend that NSAIDs be used at the lowest effective dose for the shortest possible duration.4-7 "VIVLODEX demonstrated significant pain relief at low 5 mg and 10 mg doses, and may present an important new treatment option for the 27 million Americans with osteoarthritis pain," said Dr. Clarence Young, Chief Medical Officer of Iroko Pharmaceuticals, LLC. "This latest launch provides patients living with osteoarthritis pain an efficacious, yet low dose, NSAID that aligns with recommendations by the FDA and leading professional organizations to use the lowest effective dose." About VIVLODEX VIVLODEX is the first low-dose SoluMatrix meloxicam approved for the management of osteoarthritis pain. VIVLODEX contains meloxicam as submicron particles that are approximately 10 times smaller than their original size. The reduction in particle size provides an increased surface area, leading to faster dissolution and rapid absorption.8 Low-dose SoluMatrix NSAIDs were developed by Iroko to align with recommendations from FDA and other professional medical organizations that NSAIDs be used at the lowest effective dose for the shortest possible duration of time consistent with individual patient treatment goals. For more information, visit www.vivlodex.com. Nuliv Science announced the findings of a new study on its sleep and mood ingredient, Zylaria. A recent study in the Journal of Biochemistry and Biotechnology examined the effects of three different botanical compositions. The Zylaria (XPCE) ... Advertisement He stated that though IVF has emerged as a popular technique for bearing children, it could soon become a major threat. The life expectancy of test-tube babies is a concern as he reports that these babies may not live for 80 years compared to normal children."You can get healthy children using that technique. The jury is out though as to whether those children are going to be healthy 80 years down the line," said Dr.Pascal Gagneux.Another technique called intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) involves injecting individual sperm directly into an unfertilized egg. He stated that this method is actually bypassing nature's way of eliminating defective sperm."The choice of the sperm is made by a technician, not by the female physiology. The concern is that by by-passing female choice at the level of sperm selection, we might produce embryos that contain risk factors that we would otherwise not have," said Dr.Gagneux.He reported that studies have shown to cause metabolic syndrome and infertility in mice born through assisted technologies. The main reason behind these problems could be in the early development stages where the embryo undergoes genetic imprinting by being bathed in an artificial culture.Dr.Gagneux said, "We make several embryos and we wait for them, observe them, for up to five days. During that time these embryos are in a completely artificial medium in a plastic dish.""The big question for me is could we learn how to avoid potentially disastrous things that we are doing to these embryos because we don't know everything yet. It is possible that IVF babies will have shorter lifespans or themselves have children who will inherit fertility problems," he added.Source: Medindia On February 14, 2016, the Hebron Education and Culture Administration, which is part of the Palestinian Education Ministry, held a memorial ceremony for 18-year-old Kalzar Al-'Awiwi, a student at the Widad Nasser Al-Din Secondary School, who was killed the previous day after she stabbed a soldier near the Tomb of the Patriarchs.[1] The administration also posted an obituary for her on its Facebook page, referring to her as a "martyr" and announcing the details of her funeral. The obituary and funeral announcements on the Education and Culture Administration's Facebook page (source: Facebook.com/hebroneducation, February 13, 2016) The memorial, held in Al-'Awiwi's classroom and in the schoolyard, was led by Hebron Education and Culture Administration director Sami Mroua, and was attended by officials in the administration, members of the school board and staff, and the entire student body. The PA daily Al-Hayat Al-Jadida covered the event, and photos of it were published by the official Palestinian news agency Wafa. At the event, the opening verse of the Koran was read, to accompany the souls of Al-'Awiwi and of all martyrs. Mroua expressed condolences to the school and Al-'Awiwi's family on behalf of PA Education and Culture Minister Dr. Sabri Saidam. Al-'Awiwi's classmates recite Koranic verses near at her desk (Source: Wafaimages.ps, February 14, 2016) In his statement, Mroua noted the cultural and national mission fulfilled by students and education ministry staff in light of the harsh political and security circumstances, and said that this mission embodies the Palestinian people's desire for liberty and independence in the face of the racist actions of the Israeli occupation army and settlers. School principal Wafaa Al-Karki called on the students to study diligently and seriously like their classmate Al-'Awiwi, and announced that the school's success in the coming school year would be dedicated to the spirit of the martyr Al-'Awiwi. Mroua along with the school principal and education ministry representatives in Al-'Awiwi's classroom. The Koranic verse on the blackboard (3:169) reads: "And never think of those who have been killed in the cause of Allah as dead. Rather, they are alive with their Lord, receiving provision." (Source: Facebook.com/educatttion, February 14, 2016) Mroua and those attending the event planted an olive tree in the schoolyard to commemorate Al-'Awiwi and to underline the Palestinian people's right to live honorably and independently and to defend their holy sites.[2] Olive tree planting ceremony (Source: Facebook.com/educatttion, February 14, 2016) Mroua overlooking the students attending the memorial (Source: Facebook.com/educatttion, February 14, 2016) Later that day, Mroua paid a condolence call to the Al-'Awiwi home, on behalf of the Education and Culture Administration. Mroua pays condolence call to Al-'Awiwi's home (Source: Facebook.com/educatttion, February 14, 2016) Endnotes: A ceremony marking the 37th anniversary of the Iranian Revolution was held by the Iranian ambassador to Russia and was attended by many government officials, NGO officials, and military attachs. A report on the ceremony was broadcast by Press TV on February 12, 2016. Click here to view this clip on MEMRI TV Reporter: "More than 1,000 guest have attended a ceremony hosted by Iran's ambassador in Moscow, to mark the 37th anniversary of the victory of the Islamic Revolution in Iran. Participants congratulated Iran for its achievements during these years." Magomed-Salamovisch Umakhanoc, Deputy Chairman of Russian Federation Council: "With a sense of shared pride, I congratulate the Iranians on the successes in diplomacy and the political breakthrough in the past year. The Iranian people have great prospects in the socio-economic development. The Russian Federation has always been interested in maintaining the partnership and friendly relations with Iran." Reporter: "A large number of government officials, members of civil society and military attaches attended the ceremony. Many kind words were spoken to commemorate this day in the history of Iran." Nikolay Levichev, Chairman: "On behalf of the State Duma of the Russian Federation, I would like to congratulate the Iranian people and the leadership of the country on the 37th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution, that allowed Iran to maintain sovereignty and to develop on the basis of their own national traditions. In recent months, Russia and Iran, shoulder to shoulder, have confronted many global threats. We hope that the relations between our peoples will develop in all spheres of cooperation." Reporter: "The Iranian ambassador to Russia Mehdi Sanaei stood at the reception, greeting a gathering that came to celebrate the occasion. Sanaei stressed that the past year, in many aspects, was a turning point in the relations between the two countries." Mehdi Sanaei, Iranian Ambassador to Russia: "The year of 2015 was exceptional and a very fruitful year in our relations, and we will observe the realization of many projects in 2016." Reporter: "The anniversary of the 1979 Revolution is commemorated in Moscow every year. It is traditionally held at the Iranian ambassador's residence, and has turned into an annual gathering, for much of the Russian political elite to pay their respects to the Iranian [Islamic] Revolution." If you thought last nights Grammy Awards was all about Taylor Swift , Ed Sheeran and Kendrick Lamar, then heres another thought. Zomba Prison Project, a group of over 60 musicians from a maximum-security prison in the African country of Malawi, had a nomination at the prestigious awards a first for the country in the Best World Music Album category. This is their story. American producer and global talent scout Ian Brennan was on a quest to find some truly original music. No one could have imagined that hed land up in the impoverished African country of Malawi and that too, inside a maximum security prison, to find what he had been after. Malawi is known for its gigantic corruption scandals and has been picked out by human rights organisation for enabling child trafficking and forced labour. It is also one of the few countries where AIDS is a huge issue. Needless to say, its prison policies are abysmal at best. Brennan, along with his wife Marilena Delli, travelled to the maximum-security prison in 2013 to begin recording songs sung by the inmates. He held conflict resolution workshops with the security guards and inmates in order to get access to record the songs. The prison already had a band of sorts and Brennan immediately recognised he was listening to a powerful song when it was first performed for him. Together, Brennan and the inmates compiled an entire album containing 20 songs. Most of the songs featured have a story or is full of meaning. Heres one of the more famous songs called Please Dont Kill My Child. Child-killing is a peculiar crime in Malawi. When people get jealous of others and see them doing better than them, they resort to killing their children for no fault of theirs. Hence the song titled Please Dont Kill My Child. Six Degrees Records, which recorded the prisoners songs and compiled it into an album I Have No Everything Here, said that the prison where they recorded the songs was a 19th-century edifice meant to house 340 prisoners but now houses over 2000 inmates. Marilena has also made a documentary on their efforts in creating the album. You can have a glimpse of it here Brennan said that the inmates were overjoyed when news of their nomination came to them. None of them could travel to the ceremony held in Los Angeles of course but the fact that their voices could be heard halfway cross the world was immensely satisfying. The Zomba Prison Project lost out to fellow African Angelique Kidjo at the Grammys for her album Sings. Nevertheless, they would be proud of Kidjo who dedicated the award to all the traditional musicians of Africa and said, Africa is on the rise, Africa is powerful, Africa is joyful. The United States spent more than $7 billion in the past 14 years to fight the runaway poppy production that has made Afghan opium the worlds biggest brand. Tens of billions more went to governance programs to stem corruption and train a credible police force. Countless more dollars and thousands of lives were lost on the main thrust of the war: to put the Afghan government in charge of district centers and to instill rule of law. But here in one of the few corners of Helmand Province that is peaceful and in firm government control, the green stalks and swollen bulbs of opium were growing thick and high within eyeshot of official buildings during the past poppy season signs of a local narco-state administered directly by government officials. In the district of Garmsir, poppy cultivation not only is tolerated, but is a source of money that the local government depends on. Officials have imposed a tax on farmers practically identical to the one the Taliban use in places they control. Some of the revenue is kicked up the chain, all the way to officials in Kabul, the capital, ensuring that the local authorities maintain support from higher-ups and keeping the opium growing. And Garmsir is just one example of official involvement in the drug trade... More than ever, Afghan government officials have become directly involved in the opium trade, expanding their competition with the Taliban beyond politics and into a struggle for control of the drug traffic and revenue. At the local level, the fight itself can often look like a turf war between drug gangs, even as American troops are being pulled back into the battle on the governments behalf, particularly in Helmand, in southern Afghanistan. There are phases of government complicity, starting with accommodation of the farmers and then on to cooperation with them, said David Mansfield, a researcher who conducted more than 15 years of fieldwork on Afghan opium. The last is predation, where the government essentially takes over the business entirely. Beyond getting Bin Laden, crushing al-Qaeda and making George W Bush feel like a proper warlord, our military presence in Afghanistan appears to have been geared towards restoring the opium trade . Prior to our invasion, the Taliban had essentially eliminated the trade in that country. After 13 years of chasing our tails, the opium business is thriving and some of our Afghan allies are profiting handsomely.It sure is great to be part of an Empire based on high moral principles. The Alternate Foreign Minister for European Affairs, Nikos Xydakis, participated in todays meeting of the EU General Affairs Council, in Brussels. The meeting looked at preparations for the European Council summit meeting taking place this Thursday and Friday, 18 and 19 February, focusing on management of the refugee and migration crisis. Mr. Xydakis presented Greeces positions to his European colleagues, stressing that the refugee crisis has now taken on existential dimensions for the EU itself. The refugee and migration flows on the Mediterranean corridors, as well as the wider geopolitical turmoil, have led us inevitably to think in different terms. We need to realize that the larger part of Europes borders are maritime borders. Our goal must be to control them better, and not to go back 60 years by closing them, Mr. Xydakis said in his statement. It seems that, with regard to the Schengen Treaty, there are some partners who want to activate article 26 and are criticizing us harshly perhaps justifiably in some cases. But who are our critics? Partners who have not sent a single blanket for the refugees? Fourteen European countries have yet to respond to the requests for relocation, and if Im not mistaken, the Union has 28 members, Mr. Xydakis continued, concluding that at this critical time, when European solidarity is being tested, everyone needs to contribute rather than criticize. The meeting concluded with a number of participating Foreign Ministers expressing the need for effective implementation of the EU-Turkey agreement, while positive reference was made to our countrys progress in meeting its commitments with regard to the refugee crisis CANOGA PARK, Calif.Eric Paul Leue, the new executive director of the Free Speech Coalition, has posted the following "call to arms" regarding the impending vote by the CalOSHA Standards Board on revisions to the California Health Code (new Sec. 5193.1) which would, among other things, mandate condoms, dental dams and eye protection during all sex scenes, while requiring STD testing only every three months: "As many of you know, we have a tough fight ahead of us this year. We are battling on two separate fronts: the untenable Cal/OSHA regulations, and the dangerous Weinstein Adult Film Initiative. As Board Chair Jeffrey Douglas put it at AVN, 'the adult industry is facing the greatest threat to its existence since the Nixon administration.' "Luckily, we are no longer fighting these battles alone. While the battles over Measure B, and AB 1576 have been draining for the industry, they have also allowed us to cement key partnerships. Great organizations like the ACLU, SFAF, the LA LGBT Center, APLA, Chicago AIDS Foundation, GMHC, and countless others have spoken out against the dangers of these regulatory and legislative efforts. Even esteemed public bodies such as the LA County Commission on HIV, on which I serve, voted to oppose the proposed Cal/OSHA regulation. Its my goal as Executive Director to grow these alliances, and make the Free Speech Coalition part of an even broader movement that encompasses, supports, and defends the entire adult pleasure industry. Our greatest strength will always be to stand united as performers, producers, adult products manufacturers, retail stores, talent agencies, law firms and distributors. "On February 18 in Oakland, Cal/OSHA will vote on regulations that will require mandatory condoms for oral as well as vaginal and anal, goggles to protect the eyes, and latex sheets for oral sex such as rimming. Fines will range up to $25K per violation. "We will be at that vote armed with doctors, advocates, and STI experts, but we need our producers and performers to show up en masse if we expect to defeat it and uphold personal and medical privacy. As the Free Speech Coalition, we can and must defend ourselves, but we will only succeed if we are able to do it together. "For more information on travelling to Oakland, or to find out how you can help, contact [email protected]." Leue also has a message for members of the Standards Board: "Vote no on this regulation. The division has failed to work with actual workers of this industry. This regulation is based in moral-prejudice and social bias against the workers of this industry. What the division created will endanger the lives and livelihood of workers, not better protect them." ALEXANDRIA, VAThe Woodhull Freedom Foundation has announced the recipients of the 2016 Vicki Sexual Freedom Award, to be awarded at Woodhulls Sexual Freedom Summit. Named after Victoria Woodhull, this year the Alliance honors Megan Andelloux, Kenyon Farrow, Dr. Scout, and Carol Leigh. It has been my honor to have worked with, and been inspired by, each of the 2016 Vicki Sexual Freedom Award recipients, said Ricci Levy, President and CEO of The Woodhull Freedom Foundation. Theyve dedicated their lives to advancing sexual freedom, and to securing a future where our human rights are fully embodied in our lives. Established in 2010, The Vicki recognizes those individuals whose life and work embody the mission and values of the Woodhull Sexual Freedom Alliance, and who have made landmark contributions to the sexual freedom movement through education, advocacy, research, sexual health and activism. This year, the recipients are: Megan Andelloux, whose award will be presented by Sandra Daugherty (Sex Nerd Sandra), is the founder and executive director of The Center for Sexual Pleasure and Health (CSPH). Her innovative education programs, writing, social media presence, and ambitious speaking schedule helped make her one of Americas most recognized and sought-after experts in the growing field of sexual pleasure, health, and politics. For more information on Ms. Andelloux, click here. Kenyon Farrow is an award-winning writer and activist. Whether serving on a board, staff member, or rank-and-file organizer, Kenyon has spent the last 15 years working in social movements on campaigns and projects large and small, community-based, national and global in scope. Issues of criminalization and mass imprisonment have been central to his work, and he is probably best known for his work organizing for racial and economic justice issues in the LGBT community. For more information on Mr. Farrow, click here. Dr. Scout has been a vocal LGBT advocate since the 1980s. He has won recognition for his work from the U.S. House of Representatives, two state governments, and many city governments. In 2014, he was named one of the Out100 by The Advocate magazine, and received a Rockefeller Foundation writing fellowship on transgender health. Prior to that, he was named the CDC Health Equity Champion and National Youth Pride Services Advocate of the Year. For more information on Dr. Scout, click here. Carol Leigh AKA Scarlot Harlot has been working as a sex worker/prostitute activist and artist in the Bay Area for more than thirty years. Since the late seventies, she has written and performed political satire as Scarlot Harlot, and produced work in a variety of genres on womens issues including work based on her experience in San Francisco massage parlors. Leigh is one of the mothers of the sex workers rights movement in the US and internationally. In fact, she coined the term sex work in the late seventies. For more information on Ms. Leigh, click here. The Summit will host a Vicki Sexual Freedom Award Recipients Roundtable on Saturday, August 6, hosted by 2013 Vicki recipient Carmen Vasquez. Then, after an afternoon of workshops, all Summit attendees are invited to a reception with the 2016 recipients, along with board members Nina Hartley, Buck Angel, Hardy Haberman, Richard Moore, Metis Black, Ted Bernhardt, David Mandell, Carmen Vasquez, and Ricci Levy. The evening will culminate with the Liberty, Libations and Libido awards ceremony and gala, where Carol Leigh, Dr. Scout, and Kenyon Farrow will receive their awards. The celebrations continue through brunch on Sunday, where Megan Andelloux will receive her award. Held August 47 at the Hilton Mark Center in Alexandria, Virginia, Woodhulls Sexual Freedom Summit is the one conference focused on sexual freedom as a fundamental human right in the US. Now in its seventh year, the focus of the Summit is the goal of the sexual freedom movement: global recognition of our fundamental human right to sexual freedom. The Summit is for everyone interested in sexual freedomfrom activists, educators, students, attorneys, and clinicians, to people who are simply curious about how to make the world a freer place for all. Proposals for this years Summit must be submitted by 5 p.m. EST today, February 16. For more information on workshop proposals, click here. For more information on Woodhulls Sexual Freedom Summit, visit sexualfreedomsummit.org, or follow the Summit on Twitter and on Facebook. Those following the conversation on Twitter may do so by using the hashtag #SFS16. HOLLYWOOD, CA Jillian Janson is set to showcase her moves at the Cadillac Lounge gentlemens club. February 19 and 20, she will be on stage stripping down at a special featured dancer engagement. I love dancing and Im very excited to be back on the stage, said Janson. My fans know just how naughty I can be in my movies. Wait until they see me in person! After each show, Janson will be on hand to meet fans, pose for pictures, and sign copies of her latest DVDs. The Cadillac Lounge is located at 361 Charles St in Pawtucket, RI. More information can be found on the clubs official website, TheCadillacLounge.com. Janson is featured in a new release, Big Ass Curves 7. The DVD cover shows Janson nude and wet. The Team Skeet release is available from adult retailers now. The Jackson Citizen Patriot reports Monday that a jury convicted Kantpreet Singh Friday of felonious assault and weapons charges. Jackson County Assistant Prosecutor Steven Idema says the 17-year-old driver of the pickup, a 13-year-old boy and a female were stopped at an intersection on July 24, 2015 when another motorist pulled alongside. The other driver brandished a handgun and verbally threatened the people in the pickup. Idema says the 17-year-old driver had moved to Michigan from Alabama and "was showing his southern pride and his southern heritage" with the Confederate flag. A U.S. flag also was displayed on the truck. After smuggling incidents around prisons in Maryland, Ohio and Oklahoma, Illinois lawmakers are proposing legislation to penalize the activity, even though the state has yet to see an incident on its own turf. Wisconsin and Michigan also have pending legislation to criminalize the use of drones over prisons. The idea for the Illinois measure came from the state's Department of Corrections. While drones haven't been a problem yet, the department "is taking a proactive approach to ensure it does not" become one, spokeswoman Nicole Wilson said. "It's like anything, new technology brings new problems," said Sen. Tim Bivins, a Republican sponsoring the Illinois legislation. Bivins' bill would add an extra year of prison to inmates involved in bringing contraband into prison with a drone. In Ohio, a drone delivering drugs to a prison in Mansfield in July triggered a fight among inmates when the package with heroin, marijuana, and tobacco was dropped in the yard. Maryland police arrested two men planning to use a drone to drop off drugs, pornography and a cellphone into a prison in Cumberland in August. And in October, prison officials at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary found a drone that crashed on facility grounds with hacksaw blades, a cellphone and heroin. Knowingly taking aerial images of a correctional institution would also be punishable with a felony charge under Bivins' bill. That's because in addition to being worried about contraband, officials also are concerned that drones could be used to plan escapes or other crimes by capturing videos or photographs of a prison's layout. "You shouldn't have the ability to fly over a prison whether you're dropping contraband or not," said Bivins, of Dixon, Illinois, which is home to a medium security prison with about 2,300 inmates. He said while it may be possible to charge someone caught flying drones over prisons, it would be only a misdemeanor offense, such as disorderly conduct, and prison officials wanted to have something in the books specifically on drones. Tennessee is the only state with a law specifically relating to the use of drones over prisons, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Under the proposed measure in Wisconsin, anyone who flies a drone over a state correctional institution would face a fine up to $5,000. But states are trying to address the issue without legislation, too. South Carolina's Lee Correctional Institution in Bishopville got new surveillance equipment installed in December 2014 after someone tried to smuggle contraband with a drone. Ohio correctional officials are also trying to figure out how to prevent more drone-smuggling cases like the one that sparked the prison yard fight. Brian Niceswanger, a spokesman for the Ohio Department of Corrections, said officials explored the possibility of using technology that blocks the radio waves that control the drones, but worried that could impact cellphone reception at the prison and in nearby neighborhoods. For now, Niceswanger said, they're still trying to determine what to do about drones. "We're not going to allow anyone to try to shoot them down or anything like that," he said. "We're trying to explore what options there are to combat them other than increasing the penalties for those who try to fly them in." Arthur William Stahl, 93, of Caseville, died Friday, Feb. 12, 2016, at Courtney Manor in Bad Axe. Art was born Nov. 30, 1922, in Bay Port, to the late Arthur and Edith (Quinn) Stahl. On Oct. 12, 1951, he married Roberta Heasty at the Caseville United Methodist Church. She preceded him in death on March 21, 2014. He graduated from Bay Port High School in 1941. Art was a World War II veteran, having served in the U.S. Navy from 1943 to 1946. Art lived for 74 years in the home he built on Main Street, next door to the house he grew up in and two doors down from Stahls Standard Service Station which he owned from 1956 until his retirement in 1986. In addition to operating the service station, he had a successful business selling ice in summer and checking on cottages in winter. He served on the Caseville School Board of Education and was an active longtime member of the Caseville American Legion. He is survived by his sons, Charles of Caseville and Craig (Kara) of Tulsa, Oklahoma; grandchildren, Christopher, Amy, Cassie, Marc and Scott; great-grandchildren, Tyler and Resse; sister, Edna (Melvin) Dutcher of Caseville; and sister-in-law, Georgina (Alvin) Kreh of Kinde. He was preceded in death by his brothers, James and William. A memorial service will be at noon Wednesday, Feb. 17 at the Caseville United Methodist Church with Rev. Linda Fuller officiating. Military honors will be provided by the Caseville American Legion. Visitation will begin one hour prior to the service Wednesday at the church. Champagne Funeral Chapel of Caseville is handling the arrangements. Memorials may be made to the Caseville United Methodist Church. Condolences may be shared at www.cfcCaseville.com Air Force Gets Its Own Combat Dive Badge After Using the Navy's for Years Air Force officials said there is a notable distinction between Navy divers and their divers, which was a key reason for... SAN DIEGO More than 4,500 Sailors and Marines from the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) departed San Diego for a deployment to the U.S. 3rd, 5th and 7th Fleet areas of operations (AOO), Feb. 12. "The Boxer ARG, 13th MEU team has truly excelled in their preparation for deployment," said Capt. Keith Moore, Commander, Amphibious Squadron 1. "The Sailors and Marines of the ARG/MEU team are well trained and ready to deploy in support of all missions." Before being certified to deploy, the individual ships and units of the ARG/MEU team were required to complete and pass four integrated and advanced training exercises that were designed to test and evaluate their capabilities during battle-force scenarios and real-world situations they may face while deployed. "I echo the commodore's statements," stated Marine Col. Anthony Henderson, commanding officer, 13th MEU. "Whether a humanitarian assistance mission or combat operations, we are ready. An equally critical contribution to our nation's security is the presence and interaction of America's sons and daughters of this Navy-Marine Corps team around the world as representatives of freedom, liberty, and hope." U.S. 3rd Fleet and I Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF) certified Boxer ARG and the 13th MEU to deploy after the ships and units successfully completed PHIBRON-MEU Integrated Training (PMINT), Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX), Certification Exercise (CERTEX), and Sustainment Exercise (SUSTEX). The mission of the Boxer ARG is to help provide deterrence, promote peace and security, preserve freedom of the seas and provide humanitarian assistance/disaster response as well as support the Navy's Maritime Strategy when forward deployed. The mission of the 13th MEU is to provide a forward deployed, flexible sea-based Marine Air Ground Task Force capable of conducting amphibious operations, crisis response and limited contingency operations, including enabling the introduction of follow on forces and designated special operations in order to support the theater requirements of Geographic Combatant Commanders. While deployed, the ARG/MEU team serves as a sea-based, expeditionary crisis response force capable of conducting amphibious missions across the full range of military operations. Also during deployment Boxer ARG and 13th MEU will participate in the Great Green Fleet, a yearlong initiative highlighting the Navy's efforts to transform its energy use to increase operational capability. Sailors and Marines will use energy efficiency measures, to include technologies and operational procedures, and alternative fuel in the course of its normal operations. Boxer ARG comprises Amphibious Squadron (COMPHIBRON) 1 and the 13th MEU. COMPHIBRON 1 is composed of its command ship, amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4), amphibious transport dock USS New Orleans (LPD 18) and amphibious dock landing ship USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 49). The 13th MEU comprises a ground combat element, Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment; an aviation combat element, Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 166 (Reinforced); a logistics combat element, Combat Logistics Battalion 13; and a command element. The "Wildcards" of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 23 Detachment 1, homeported at Naval Air Station North Island in San Diego, will conduct flight operations with three MH-60S Knighthawks throughout the deployment. This armed helicopter detachment provides the following missions to the ARG/MEU: day and night defense of the amphibious task force, search and rescue (SAR), Helicopter Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure (HVBSS), Special Operations Forces (SOF) support, personnel recovery (PR) missions, and logistics support. Other elements of the BOXARG include: Fleet Surgical Team 3; Tactical Air Control Squadron 11; Assault Craft Unit 1; Assault Craft Unit 5, and Beachmaster Unit 1. With the start to the new year behind us, it is time to once again plan ahead for tax season. With the exception of those serving in combat zones or stationed outside the U.S, most military personnel and their families must file taxes by the traditional April 15 deadline. As usual, there are a number of unique credits and deductions available to servicemembers. This article will focus on the deductions available to military families. All information in this piece is based on information supplied by the IRS in the Armed Forces Tax Guide. For further clarification or for additional deductions, as well as information on available tax credits, you should refer to this document. Gross Income Military servicemembers receive many different types of pay. For tax purposes, it is important to identify the types of pay and allowances that can be excluded from your gross income. These exclusions generally include: living allowances, moving allowances, travel allowances, combat zone pay, and death allowances. Excluded items are not subject to tax, but may have to be shown in your tax return. Below, we will examine some of these exclusions as well as relevant deductions from income in more detail. Combat Zone Exclusion If you are a member of the Armed Forces serving in a designated combat zone, then you can exclude certain pay from your income. The month for which you receive this pay must be a month in which you either served in a combat zone or were hospitalized as a result of wounds, disease, or injury obtained while serving in the combat zone. You need only serve for one or more days in a month to qualify for exclusion for the entire month. A few examples of pay types eligible for exclusion include: Active duty pay earned in any month you served in a combat zone Imminent danger/hostile fire pay A reenlistment bonus if this extension occurs in a month you served in a combat zone Pay for accrued leave earned in any month you served in a combat zone Portion of any student loan repayment made for the year while serving in a combat zone It is important to note that retirement pay and pensions do not qualify for combat zone exclusion. In some cases, service outside a combat zone can be considered service in a combat zone if the Department of Defense designates it in direct support of military operations in the combat zone, or if the service qualifies for duty subject to hostile fire or imminent danger pay. Retirement Contributions Generally, you can deduct some portion of the contributions you make to your traditional individual retirement account (IRA) for the year. However, if you or your spouse were covered by an employer-maintained plan at any time during the year then not all of these deductions may be eligible. According to the IRS, Armed Forces members (including reservists on active duty for more than 90 days during the year) are considered covered by an employer-maintained retirement plan. Keep in mind that military personnel qualify for additional time to make contributions to an IRA. It is also important to note that even though combat pay is nontaxable, you must calculate it as part of your limits on IRA contributions and deductions of IRA contributions. Sale of a Home You may not have to pay tax on all of the profit realized from the sale of your main home. A deduction of up to $250,000 of gain (or $500,000 if married, filing jointly) is generally available upon the sale of a main home in 2009. A main home is one defined as having been lived in as a primary residence for more than two years. You may also be able to exclude gain from the sale of a home that was used as a rental or business property as long as it meets certain ownership test criteria outlined by the IRS. You cannot deduct a loss from the sale of your main home. Moving Expense If you are a member of the Armed Forces on active duty and you move because of a permanent change of station, then you are entitled to a deduction for reasonable un-reimbursed moving expenses related to travel and the cost of moving household goods and personal effects. Travel expenses You are able to deduct un-reimbursed work-related travel expenses when you are traveling away from your permanent duty station. You cannot deduct expenses related to travel overseas when you are stationed there, or when you are traveling for personal reasons. You are considered away from home when you are away from your permanent duty station for longer than an ordinary day's work and you need sleep or food. Eligible expenses include business-related meals, lodging, laundry, and business phone calls. If you are a member of a reserve component of the Armed Forces that must travel more than 100 miles away from home in connection with your service, then you can deduct your travel expenses as an adjustment to income. Transportation expenses The costs of traveling from one workplace to another, attending a business meeting away from your regular workplace, or traveling away from home overnight can be deducted from your income. However, the expenses of commuting to your regular place of work are not deductible. For reservists, if a meeting of a reserve unit is held on a day of regular work, then related travel expenses are deductible. Uniform expenses Generally, these are not deductible, except when regulations prohibit you from wearing uniforms off duty. In this case, you can then deduct the un-reimbursed cost and expense of upkeep of the uniforms. According to the IRS, examples include: Military dress uniforms and utility uniforms that you cannot wear when off duty Articles not replacing regular clothing such as insignia of rank, epaulets, and swords Reservists' uniforms if they can only be worn while performing reservist duties Professional dues You can deduct dues paid to any professional society that is directly related to your military position (ex. engineering society), but you cannot deduct dues paid to an officers' club or a noncommissioned officers' club. Educational expenses You can deduct the cost of work-related education as long as it meets one of two qualifying criteria as defined by the IRS: It is required by your employer or the law to maintain your salary, status or job. This must also serve a bona fide business purpose of your employer. It maintains or improves skills needed in your present work. In both instances, this education cannot be used simply to meet minimum job requirements or cannot be used to find a new trade or business. With some exceptions, travel and expenses for obtaining this education can also be deducted. The federal government, which offers some of the best jobs, pay, and benefits in the United States, has various veteran hiring programs and is full of veterans who would love to bring on more veterans. Follow the Ten Steps to a Federal Job below, and you could increase your odds of getting hired. Related: Search for Government jobs. Focus the Federal Job Search: Find out which federal jobs are right for the qualifications and education. Search the Office of Personnel Management Classification Standards and find jobs that will match experience and education. You can find out how Rifleman / Combat equates to a federal job: Security Specialist, Police Officer, Special Agent (requires a bachelor's degree). Networking Success: Veterans should set up LinkedIn and other networking accounts on sites such as VA4Vets. Add your work experience, certifications, skills and objectives. Then research federal employees who work in the agencies of interest to you! Target Top Accomplishments: Get out your fitness reports and make a list of your accomplishments. They can be added to your resume so you will stand out. Accomplishments are impressive, interesting and can help you get Best Qualified and Referred to a Supervisor. Find the Perfect Job Announcement: Go to www.usajobs.gov and search for jobs in your salary range, geographic preference and with a keyword: such as administration, human resources, security, information technology. GOOD NEWS: Veterans can apply for most of the jobs listed on USAJOBS. The exceptions would be positions that are open ONLY to that particular hiring agency. Identify Keywords: Popular keywords for veterans could be: team leader, trainer, instructor, analyst, critical thinking, supervisor, data analyst. For each opening, analyze the USAJOBS announcement to identify at least five keywords to add to your resume. Master the Federal and Electronic Resume: The federal resume is practically your ENTIRE application. This is important! The federal resume is on average 3 or 4 pages. Samples of the USAJOBS federal resume are available in the Ten Steps to a Federal Job publication. You can also see this article about resume tips. Related: Does your resume pass the 6-second test? Get a FREE assessment. Take a Moment Acquaint Yourself with the New USAJOBS: There was a time when USAJOBS relied heavily on questionnaire tests called KSAs, but USAJOBS has been overhauled. Know what the new process is, and master it. Apply for Jobs with USAJOBS: Be patient. The new system relies heavily on your resume and cover letter, so you simply have to focus on keeping those two up to date, in the system, and continue to submit. Make Sure to Follow Through: Track down your applications. You can see your RESULTS on most applications in applicationmanager.gov. If you are "ineligible" or just "eligible" that's NOT great news. You want to see "Best Qualified" for the best results. Interviewing 101: The federal job interview is another TEST. Be ready to talk and get graded on your answers. This will take practice and preparation. For more interview tips, see this section. In summary, the federal job application system is competitive and time-consuming. Be prepared and read the job announcements carefully. Ensure you match the resume to the qualifications in the announcement. The federal government is hiring. The jobs, pay, and benefits are among the best in the United States. However, the application process for these highly competitive positions is complex. Be ready to earn your federal government job by putting time and effort into each step of the application. Related: For the latest veteran jobs postings around the country, including jobs related to government, visit the Military.com Job Search section. The Next Step: Find the Right Veteran Job Whether you want to polish up your resume, find veteran job fairs in your area, or connect with employers looking to hire veterans, Military.com can help. Sign up for a free Military.com membership to have job postings, guides and advice, and more delivered directly to your inbox. The Astros have reached a deal to avoid arbitration with slugger Evan Gattis, according to Evan Drellich of the Houston Chronicle (Twitter link). Gattis will be guaranteed $3.4MM in the deal, Drellich tweets, but $100K of that comes in the form of a buyout for a $5.2MM club option for the 2017 campaign. Gattis was a first-time arb-eligible player this year, so the contract does not impact his free-agent timeline. The sides had been set for a hearing this afternoon, but that wont be necessary after agreeing to terms. Gattis had filed at $3.8MM, with Houston countering at $3MM. Entering the offseason, MLBTR projected the bat-first ballplayer to take home $3.4MM which turned out to be the final agreed-upon value. The settlement represents a creative solution. For Houston, theres some nice cost-saving potential build into this arrangement. Gattis has put up 49 home runs over the past two seasons, and that kind of power output could lead to a big raise through the arb process. While he now locks in a ceiling on his 2017 earning capacity without getting any promises that hell be tendered, Gattis has insured against any injury or performance issues this spring by securing what appears to be a fully-guaranteed deal. (Arb agreements are only partially guaranteed unless otherwise provided.) Both player and team will hope for a more well-rounded effort in the coming season. The 29-year-old swatted a career-best 27 long balls last year, but saw his overall output drop to a disappointing .246/.285/.463 slash over 604 plate appearances. For a player that spent the vast majority of his time in a DH role, thats not quite enough production. Though Gattis did suffer from a low .264 BABIP, that figure was explained in part by the fact that he made less hard contact and had a higher infield fly rate in 2015 than he had previously. The slow-footed former catcher also put the ball on the ground more frequently. Of course, Gattis will first have to work his way back from hernia surgery. Hes not expected to miss much time, if any, but it will put him on the back foot to start the spring and may have played a role in his decision to take Houston up on this contractual arrangement rather than rolling the dice on a hearing. The current location of major Cuban ballplayers Yulieski Gurriel and Lourdes Gurriel is still unknown after their recent defection, but they tell MLB.coms Jesse Sanchez that they are training in secret in preparation for a move to a big league organization. As Sanchez notes, such an underground approach is not uncommon for players seeking to complete their journey away from Cuba. There are many obstacles still left for the brothers to navigate, of course, but their intentions are not in doubt. I know there are a lot of people who worried about us, said Yulieski, but we are working hard and training every day to accomplish our dreams to play in the Major Leagues. Notably, the pair does have hopes of signing as a package, which is certainly an intriguing possibility. We would like to play together on the same team, have my brother near me, Yulieski tells Sanchez. But if the circumstances dont permit it and we have to go different paths, thats what we will do. As that quote hints, there very well could be a variety of practicalities that make a common team unlikely. For one thing, the elder Yulieski would likely do well to sign shortly after reaching eligibility, both to increase his value as a near-term contributor and to speed his ascent to the majors. But his younger sibling would need to wait until he turns 23 and thereby sheds bonus pool limitations to maximize his earnings. Needless to say, it also isnt clear whether the same teams that will be most interested in adding a veteran third baseman will also be best-positioned to make a more future-looking investment in Lourdes. Of course, as Dave Cameron of Fangraphs has recently suggested, the package concept could also provide some wiggle room for navigating MLBs rules. One important question is whether Yulieski has, as reported, achieved Panamanian residency. He declined to address that matter with Sanchez, but did say that he hopes to join a major league organization this year and has intentions to play as soon as possible. Notably, Panamas top immigration officer has denied that Yulieski has current residency, per this Spanish-language link to La Prensa. DETROIT, MI - An engineer for Takata Corp. invoked his constitutional right not to risk incriminating himself as part of a lawsuit brought by a car accident victim in Florida. Bloomberg reports that Al Bernat, an auto safety specialist at the Japanese parts supplier, refused to testify in a deposition for the Florida-based lawsuit, one of many Takata faces in the wake of the largest automotive recall in U.S. history. Defective airbags supplied by Takata have in some cases exploded and sent metal shrapnel flying through vehicles. The defect has been responsible for more than 100 injuries and at least 10 deaths. A paralyzed accident victim in Jacksonville, Fla. is claiming Takata withheld test data to certain customers, including Honda Motor Co., its largest buyer and the manufacturer of the victim's car. An attorney representing Takata told Bloomberg the lawsuit in Florida is without merit, In this particular case, Takata is arguing the airbag in the victim's car was neither defective nor the cause of her injuries. Meanwhile, investigations by automakers, Takata and safety regulators have been searching for the root cause of airbags that the supplier concurs could be defective in millions of cars. So far, the consensus is that the chemical propellant that ignites the air bag inflators - ammonium nitrate - can be damaged by moisture over time in humid environments. Once damaged, the propellant becomes explosive. The related recall now spans 14 automakers and about 24 million vehicles. And on Tuesday, it was expanded as General Motors began a recall of about 200,000 Saab and Saturn cars in the U.S. and Canada to replace Takata airbags, the Associated Press reported. The recall covers the Saab 9-3 from the 2003-2011 model years, the Saab 9-5 from 2010 and 2011 and the Saturn Astra from 2008 and 2009. If you suspect your vehicle is included the recall, you can plug your vehicle identification number into NHTSA's VIN lookup at vinrcl.safercar.gov/vin/. David Muller is the automotive and business reporter for MLive Media Group in Detroit. Email him at dmuller@mlive.com, follow him on Twitter or find him on Facebook. It's been five years since Borders announced it was declaring bankruptcy, and with that, would be closing hundreds of stores. At first, only one of the three Ann Arbor locations was scheduled to be closed, with the 22,941-square-foot store at Arborland Shopping Center on the chopping block. The other two stores, located at the corner of Liberty and State in downtown Ann Arbor and at the Waters Place Shopping Center in Pittsfield Township appeared to be spared. Related: Borders CEO recalls "painful time" 5 years after book seller's bankruptcy filing That changed in July 2011, when the company announced it was unable to restructure, forcing the company to close all 640 stores. The closures left nearly 100,000 square feet of vacant, big box retail space available in Ann Arbor and the 330,000-square-foot corporate headquarters at a time when the economy was just rebounding from the recession of the late 2000s. However, a resurging economy and the growth of an industry in the city made it easier than expected to fill the massive vacancies. Jim Chaconas of Colliers International said the expanding tech industry helped to create demand for what eventually filled the space at the downtown Borders. "The whole area has become a place for techies and they want a place to go," Chaconas said. "It just kind of fit." The "fit" was subdividing the property into several restaurant and retail spaces on the first floor, while creating modern office space on the second floor. Chaconas recalled thinking it would take some time to find tenants for the second floor, but to his surprise, he filled that space the day he put it on the market. The first floor space eventually became home to several restaurants as Knight's, HopCat, Pieology, Slurping Turtle and Sweetwater's all operate out of the former flagship Borders. The entire property was redeveloped and occupied three years after Borders closed. "It would've taken a lot longer to fill, but with the tech boom, that's the hottest real estate area in Ann Arbor," Chaconas said. The increased amount of housing directly downtown and the growth of other sectors of downtown made the space more desirable to interested companies. "In downtown you don't need an anchor. Downtown is the anchor," Chaconas said. At the other properties, a changing economy helped to quickly find large retailers looking for space in Ann Arbor's burgeoning market. "It's always a challenge to find a good space in a successful shopping center," said Michael Lippitt, of Landmark Commercial Real Estate Services. Lippitt represented the property owners at both the Arborland and Waters Place properties in replacing the Borders stores. Because the two storefronts were part of large, successful shopping plazas already, Lippitt said he the interest was through the roof for the property. At Arborland, a deal was struck with Five Below and Ulta to split the space and open two different stores in the Borders location. At Waters Place, Big Lots occupied the entire vacancy. "It is a little bit remarkable how quickly the three Borders boxes got filled. I think it's a real testimony to the overall strength of the Ann Arbor shopping market," Lippitt said. He went on to say it wasn't easy to see such a large business walk away from so many properties, but in Ann Arbor, it actually worked out for the property owners. The vacancies created an opportunity for the owners to find new leases at market rates that were much improved at the time. "You never want to see anybody go out, but it can be a win-win if the right deals go down," Lippitt said. Chaconas and colleague Brendan Cavender also represented the property owner at the Borders corporate headquarters on Phoenix Drive. Approximately 90 percent of that property has been filled by various companies, including those in tech. "It's made up for a lot of losses. Ann Arbor is kind of lucky that (the tech community) decided to make Ann Arbor a hub for tech." Matt Durr is a business reporter for The Ann Arbor News. Email him at mattdurr@mlive.com or follow him on Twitter. Corporate leadership of Borders Inc. took a stab at saving the Ann Arbor-based bookseller five years ago - on Feb. 16, 2011 - by filing for bankruptcy and aiming toward a restructuring. A few months later, then-CEO Mike Edwards thought he'd done the job. He'd worked 20-hour days fighting to stave off liquidation, and believed an investor was ready to extend Borders' lifespan. Private equity investor Jahm Najafi came close to buying the company in July 2011, but talks collapsed. Edwards kept pushing for a deal, scrambling to make a bankruptcy auction a viable option - and it almost happened just before the court's deadline. "I was literally 30 minutes from saving the company," Edwards said during an interview with MLive.com last week. "I thought I was going to save the company at 5 p.m.," he recalled. "By 5:30 p.m., I was going to fly back (to Michigan) and eliminate 10,000 jobs." The bankruptcy filed on Feb. 16, 2011 may have been the only possible means of survival for the retailer that operated 640 stores, employed 18,100 people and carried $1.293 billion in debt amid declining sales and expensive leases - and assets of $1.275 billion. Seeking the Chapter 11 reorganization was an attempt to stave off creditors and keep stores operating. The move held particular impact in Ann Arbor, where the book store was founded in 1971 and which proudly proclaimed itself the home of the quirky retailer that grew into the nation's second-largest book store chain and set the tone for what America read. However, five months later, Edward told employees and investors that reorganization would not happen. The company's liquidation began July 22, 2011. The closing of Borders came as a blow for Michigan, which lagged the national economy at the time. Ann Arbor, still home to the Borders headquarters and three superstores, mourned. "It was a painful time for all us involved," said Edwards, who took a leadership role at Staples after leaving Borders and who now is president and CEO of eBags. "I think about the bankruptcy often." It was a time when the nation was emerging from the Great Recession, U.S. retailers were once again recording sales growth and the book industry was learning how fast e-books and the iPad could shift consumer behavior. Those lessons continue today, and they're not just affecting book retailers. Sales are shifting from store-based to online, but that's not new; what is new is the rate of speed at which retail relevancy moves along with profit patterns. A brand may have years of value behind it, but that won't keep it relevant, Edwards said. Edwards took over as interim CEO in January 2010, four months after joining Borders as chief merchandising officer. He became the company's third CEO in a year, during a time when its stock price started a decline below $1 per share. The bankruptcy filing started a wave of store closings as the initial filing included plans to shutter 200 stores, with another 130 or so possible. Four in Michigan were on that list: Arborland in Ann Arbor; and stores in Dearborn, Grosse Pointe and Utica. By fall 2011, all of the Borders stores closed. "I think people are still sad that there's not a Borders in the neighborhood," Edwards said. "It was loved; it was cool. It was authentic." The authenticity came from the chain's start on South State Street in Ann Arbor, when founders Tom and Louis Borders turned their love of books into a business. They hired people who felt the same way about books; that carried over as the store expanded into music during its years as a subsidiary of Kmart. Even when Borders grew and went public, that core understanding of what it meant for a customer to go into a store and discover something meaningful drove its staff. It created the essence of the brand. "We had real booksellers who understood the art and literature," Edwards said, noting the expertise found among staff. "It used to be center of a community," Edwards said. "I think people long for what Borders brought to a community. "I still miss it. So do customers." Borders made some key mistakes that history makes painful to revisit. Some decisions seem inexplicable today as it becomes evident how much technology is changing business and consumer patterns. One is when former CEO Greg Josefowicz turned over the online division of Borders to Amazon in 2001. Josefowicz "shook hands with the devil," Edwards said, "and handed him the online business." At that time, Borders officials thought online sales would always be small. It invested more and more money into opening more stores, signing long-term leases for them. "(They thought) customers would always shop in the stores," Edwards said. "The opposite happened." Edwards noted that technology drove another fundamental shift. "The pivotal moment for me is when Apple launched the iPad," he said. "That foundationally changed the (book) industry forever. "Essentially, the iPad was a Borders in your hand. It had books, music and video. And people had access to millions of books." Seemingly overnight, some publishers saw their business shift to 25 percent digital delivery. The result, Edwards said, brought Borders late to an obvious conclusion: "Customer shopping patterns changed." Today, the digital disruption continues. While there's some irony to unconfirmed reports that Amazon.com plans to open book stores, US Census data shows increases in book store sales in 2015 - for the first time since 2007. Industry data also is showing a decline in e-book sales in the first three quarters of 2015. Edwards thinks the Amazon move will happen, in large part so that it eventually can develop its Amazon Prime delivery across product lines. "It will be incredibly disruptive," Edwards said. "It could be a final blow to Barnes and Noble. They can open really small stores, but have access to millions of titles. " Edwards fought to keep Borders alive through the bankruptcy, filed in New York. The year 2011 was "beyond intense," Edwards recalled. His days would start at 4 a.m. and end at midnight. That meant working with creditors, "keeping the business going without any cash." It also meant keeping associates engaged. Edwards described himself at the time as obsessed with finding the cash to keep Borders operating. "Every day I said, how am I going to win and how am I going to survive?" Going through a failed bankruptcy reorganization for a CEO is "humbling," Edwards said. Principles that he learned over an entire career suddenly didn't work due to what he described as a "digital tsunami." Lessons came hard and fast into the board room and top offices: leadership. Transparency. How fast you can move when you need to. Another lesson: Waste. "How much a company can spend over the years when not forced to look at it." As he remembers the endless days of 2011, Edwards speaks passionately about the Borders staff. Layoffs took place in waves as the chain headed toward its concluding chapters, but those who remained wanted nothing more than to keep Borders alive. They were there because they loved the business. They cherished discovering books and music, and wanted customers to value their finds in the same way, prompting an analyst to describe Borders as crucial in the "book-discovery ecosystem." Doing it under bankruptcy pressure took its toll, but employees didn't stop trying. "All of the associates put their hearts and souls into saving it," Edwards said. "They are heroes in my view. I'm eternally grateful." Paula Gardner covers business for MLive.com. Contact her by email or follow her on Twitter. BELMONT, MI - Paul Geer, owner of Frozen Creek Farms, has gone through 14 back surgeries and a full hip replacement - disabilities that would keep most farmers out of their fields and barns. But thanks to help from the Easter Seals of Michigan's Agrability program, Geer and his partner, Ruth Smiley, are able to continue raising and processing vegetables and flowers from their 20-acre farm at 5959 Cannonsburg Road NE. As a regular vendors at farmers markets throughout West Michigan, they raise tomatoes, zucchini and cucumbers in his greenhouse and beans and squash in his fields. They also create herbal dips, soups and seasonings in their kitchens. From their 130-year-old farm house, they also operate Frozen Creek Floral, which specializes in freeze-dried floral arrangements. They are the only company in Michigan which freeze-dries floral arrangements, Geer said. The couple also sells kettle corn at ArtPrize events and sell flower arrangements at Fallasburg Fall festival and other craft shows. All of those activities require a great deal of mobility, something the 65-year-old Geer has needed help with since his first back operation in 2000 and a subsequent automobile accident in 2012. Today, Geer moves around with a walker while a morphine pump relieves his back pain every hour. His only grip fingers are in his thumb and index. He's unable to walk more than 75 yards without assistance. His right shoulder is weakened for reaching and pulling. He also has hearing loss. But Geer is not ready to give up and the Agrability program was willing to help. After going through an evaluation with Ned Stoller of Foresight Services, LLC, the program helped Geer acquire new hearing aids, which allow him to better communicate with customers at farmers markets. The program also provided him with a lift that allows him to get on a tractor. Plans are in the works for pouring a concrete pad that will allow him to wheel vegetables from his storage sheds to the bus-trucks they use to carry product to markets. Mark Lange, an online outreach coordinator for the Easter Seals of Michigan's disability services, said the Agrability program is funded by private donations and a federal grant administered through Michigan State University's Extension Service. "We typically serve 100 clients a year, though we did 120 last year," Lange said. He estimated up to 2,000 of Michigan's 53,000 farmers could benefit from the program. Michigan is one of 23 states in the U.S. with an Agrability program, he said. Lange said farmers can receive a free assessment from the Agrability program by contacting him at mlange@essmichigan.org. Jim Harger covers business for Mlive Media Group. Email him at jharger@mlive.com or follow him on Twitter or Facebook or Google+. Amariyana (Courtesy of family) Amariyana Wells, 2, smiles after she tries clothes on in February for the first time in more than two months after a house fire in December left burns over half her body. A 2-year-old Romulus girl severely burned in a fire is healing and is in good spirits, her grandmother said. Amariyana Wells had third-degree burns on her back, legs and arms from a fire that killed her uncle, 14-year-old Savion Robinson, Dec. 13 at a home in Van Buren Township. Savion died after he tried to save members of his family, including Amariyana. The young girl was in critical condition in the days after the fire, and has since undergone several surgeries. Her grandmother Cherie Wells said Amariyana now is in patient rehab at the University of Michigan's C.S. Mott Children's Hospital. Amariyana had been in Mott's intensive care and burn units from Dec. 13 to early February. She'll go home in a few weeks, her grandmother said. "She's a strong little 2-year-old," Wells said. "It's a blessing. God's great." Her skin is still healing, and the girl is going through treatments to keep it from bubbling, Wells said. In coming months, she'll likely have more treatments to smooth her skin. Amariyana started wearing clothes and shoes this past week, which put a "big ol' smile" on her face, Wells said. The toddler's mother, Latrice, has been with her daughter since she was admitted to the hospital, and has learned how to take care of Amariyana's skin for when she goes home, Wells said. The family is thankful for kind words and prayers for Amariyana and Savion. "Even strangers who didn't know them have reached out," Wells said. "I want to thank everyone for everything." Van Buren Township Fire Chief Daniel Besson said the department awaits the cause of the fire from the Michigan State Police Fire Investigation Team. Lindsay Knake is a cops and courts reporter for The Ann Arbor News. Follow her on twitter or contact her at 989-372-2498 or lknake@mlive.com. Photo gallery: Jorn Court shooting suspects in court Louis Kabamba looks on during a preliminary examination, for three of the four individuals charged in the shooting of a man on Jorn Court in December 2015, during court in 14A District Court on Thursday, February 11, 2015. Melanie Maxwell | The Ann Arbor News The identification of men charged in a break-in and shooting in Ann Arbor is holding up thus far, despite a motion to suppress. Defense attorneys Marsha Kraycir and Michael LeGris, attempted to make the case that the identification of Elijahwon Jackson and Louis Kabamba, respectively, should be thrown out because the main witness in the case saw pictures of the defendants in an Ann Arbor News article. Jackson, Kabamba and another man, Kalenga Selemani, are accused of forcing their way into a home on Dec. 17, 2015 in the 1400 block of Jorn Court and using handguns to intimidate a 72-year-old man and his 46-year-old son into giving them money. Kabamba and Selemani were both arrested on Dec. 23, and Jackson was arrested after he barricaded himself inside a Pittsfield Township apartment complex for several hours. Jackson, 19, Kabamba, 19, and Selemani, 18, are charged with two counts of armed robbery, one count of first-degree home invasion, one count of assault with intent to murder and one count of felony firearm. Jackson is also charged with possessing a weapon as a felon. Both Kraycir and LeGris argued at a preliminary examination on Feb. 11, that the son, Gregory Knapp, identified the defendants as his attackers in court only after seeing the MLive article. Kraycir said two weeks prior at court, police showed Knapp a picture of her client, Jackson, but no other defendant. She raised issue with the method of identification and the fact that it occurred after Knapp was subpoenaed to Jackson's probable cause hearing. Although not required, Ann Arbor police Detective William Stanford said he typically issues a subpoena for victims to attend court cases. Stanford did not recall showing the photo, but said it was possible. Assistant Washtenaw County Prosecutor Blake Hatlem said the extra effort to subpoena a witness should be applauded. He also noted that identification prior to that point wasn't needed. "The subject had to have already been arrested, already been arraigned and already been booked in the Washtenaw County Jail in order for MLive to have conducted that bit of journalism," Hatlem said. "(A)ll of that was done without the need for the defendants to be identified by their victim. The police never attempted to do that based on what their belief was that there was probable cause, and certainly that was the case." Washtenaw County District Court Judge Richard Conlin said it was more a matter of "credibility and weight rather than admissibility" and denied the motion. He noted, however, that the argument could be made in circuit court, if the case is bound over. The preliminary examination, which is used to determine if the case has enough evidence to be bound over to trial court, is expected to continue on Feb. 25, to give Conlin time to review video of police interviews with the men. Knapp testified at the examination that he was watching television with his father on Dec. 17 when he heard a knock on the door. Knapp said a young man at the door asked if he had marijuana. He said no and tried to close the door, but three or four men burst in, he testified. Knapp said, though it was contrary to the written police report LeGris had on file in court, he distinctly remembered the assailants had two guns - one pointed at him and the other pointed at his father. One member of the group may have gone to the basement - where Knapp had a marijuana grow operation - while the others demanded money, Knapp testified. Knapp said he and his father were caregivers but had expired medical marijuana cards at the time of the incident. He said he possibly smoked a joint that day. Knapp's father went to his bedroom to get money for the intruders and Knapp followed, he said. An altercation ensued when Knapp said he didn't have more to give. Jackson approached, shot Knapp in the leg and the group of intruders fled, Knapp testified. Knapp said he placed himself in his bathtub while his father called police. A bullet remains in his buttocks from the incident and he may need further surgery to get it out. Knapp said he owed money to a person nicknamed "DC Money" for cocaine at the time of the incident. "I believe that he told them to come do it," Knapp testified. Deputy Chief Assistant Prosecutor Steven Hiller said there was an ongoing investigation into the case as it relates to other possible suspects in the incident. Police located Selemani after a credit card taken from Knapp's father was used at an MC Sporting Goods in Briarwood Mall, on Briarwood Circle, and at Mr. Alan's Shoes, 3408 Washtenaw Ave., Stanford said. Police knew of Selemani already and identified him from surveillance video. Kabamba was then identified as the unknown person in the surveillance video, he said. Stanford testified that Selemani initially denied involvement in the break-in, but later confessed to going to the Jorn Court home to steal money and drugs. Kabamba also initially denied involvement, but later stated he went into the basement of the Jorn Court home where they believed the marijuana to be. Both indicated they were not the one who shot Knapp. Selemani's attorney, James Gallagher, and LeGris both raised concerns about Stanford's recollection of the interviews and asked Conlin to review the videos of the interviews. Conlin agreed to review the video and make a ruling on whether the case should be bound over next week. Darcie Moran covers cops and courts for MLive and The Ann Arbor News. Email her at dmoran@mlive.com or follow her on Twitter @darciegmoran. Getting to know me... My name is Amber and I'm a 30 something wife and mom of two. I love food, hiking, singing, hanging with my friends, lifting weights, and going on adventures. This blog is a place for me to ramble about this life that I love. - T. S. Eliot Thoughts After Lambeth "The World is trying the experiment of attempting to form a civilized but non-Christian mentality. The experiment will fail; but we must be very patient in awaiting its collapse; meanwhile redeeming the time: so that the Faith may be preserved alive through the dark ages before us; to renew and rebuild civilization, and save the World from suicide."